South Africa: Death toll in Marianhill tuckshop shooting rises to seven

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Police Minister, General Bheki Cele, met with six of the eight survivors of the gang rape in Krugersdorp, along with their families on Sunday at the Alexandra police station. Eight women were gang raped during an alleged attack during a video production in West Village, Krugersdorp, last Thursday. Some of the survivors are singers, mode... See more
Automatic toll collection compulsory on expressways from August 1

All vehicles must use the electronic toll collection (ETC) system when travelling on expressways in Vietnam from today, August 1.









Automatic toll collection compulsory on expressways from August 1



According to government directions, vehicles without ETC tags or insufficient money in ETC accounts won't be allowed to enter expressways nationwide.

The Noi Bai-Lao Cai and Danang-Quang Ngai were the last two expressways in the country to turn to full automatic non-stop toll collection.



Vietnam started introducing the ETC system in 2015 but has faced slow progress in expanding the model.



On June 1 this year, the Hanoi-Hai Phong Highway was the first in the country to fully apply automatic non-stop toll collection. Drivers without ETC tags or insufficient money in ETC accounts will be fined between VND2-3 million and have their driving licences withdrawn for between 1-3 months if they intentionally enter the highway.



The Ministry of Transport has asked local authorities nationwide to encourage people to register for electronic toll payments.



So far, more than 3.50 million out of 4.80 million automobiles in Vietnam, or 75 percent have registered for automatic toll payment. The ministry sets a target of having 90 percent of vehicles registering for ETC by September this year.
ATLANTA (AP)  U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham is challenging a subpoena to testify before a special grand jury that's investigating whether then-President Donald Trump and others broke any laws when they tried to overturn Joe Biden's win in Georgia.

Graham, a Republican from South Carolina, received a subpoena that was issued on July 26 and orders him to appear before the special grand jury to testify on Aug. 23, his lawyers said in a court filing. Graham is seeking to have the challenge to the subpoena heard in federal court in Atlanta rather than before the Fulton County Superior Court judge whos overseeing the special grand jury.

The senator is one of the Trump allies who Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis wants to question as part of her investigation into what she alleges was a multi-state, coordinated plan by the Trump Campaign to influence the results of the November 2020 election in Georgia and elsewhere.

Graham had said repeatedly that he would fight the subpoena once he received it, which happened last week, according to his lawyers. He has denied meddling in Georgia's election.

In a court filing last month, Willis, a Democrat, wrote that Graham made at least two telephone calls to Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger and members of his staff in the weeks after Trumps loss to Biden, asking about reexamining certain absentee ballots to explore the possibility of a more favorable outcome for former President Donald Trump.

When he made those calls, Graham was engaged in quintessentially legislative factfinding  both to help him form election-related legislation, including in his role as then-Chair of the Judiciary Committee, and to help inform his vote to certify the election, his lawyers wrote in a court filing on Friday.

Graham's lawyers cite a provision of the U.S. Constitution that they say provides absolute protection against inquiry into Senator Graham's legislative acts. They also argue sovereign immunity" prevents a local prosecutor from summoning a U.S. senator to face a state ad hoc investigatory body. And they assert that Willis has failed to demonstrate the extraordinary circumstances necessary to order a high-ranking federal official to testify.

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Willis' office will respond in court and expects Graham to testify before the special grand jury, spokesperson Jeff DiSantis said.

Given that Graham has been summoned to testify on Aug. 23, his lawyers asked for expedited consideration of his motion to quash. The judge granted that request, setting a hearing for Aug. 10.

Graham had previously filed a federal court challenge in South Carolina to try to stop Willis' efforts to compel him to testify. Before a judge there could hold a hearing, he withdrew that case and agreed to file any challenges to a subpoena in the investigation in either state superior court or federal court in Georgia, according to a court filing.

U.S. Rep. Jody Hice, a Georgia Republican, filed a federal court challenge similar to Graham's after he received a subpoena to testify before the special grand jury. After hearing arguments from his lawyers and from Willis' office, a federal judge last week declined to quash his subpoena.

U.S. District Judge Leigh Martin May, who is also assigned to hear Graham's challenge, sent the matter back to Fulton County Superior Court, saying that there are at least some questions that Hice may be compelled to answer. If disagreements arise over whether Hice is protected under federal law from answering certain questions, he can bring those issues back to her to settle, she said.

Willis has confirmed that the investigations scope includes a Jan. 2, 2021, phone call between Trump and Raffensperger during which Trump urged Raffensperger to find enough votes to overturn his loss in the state.

I just want to find 11,780 votes, which is one more than we have, Trump said during that call.

Trump has denied any wrongdoing and has repeatedly described his call to Raffensperger as perfect.

Willis is also interested in false allegations of election fraud made by former New York mayor and Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani and others during Georgia legislative committee meetings in December 2020. Jacki Pick Deason, a Dallas-based lawyer and podcaster, spoke at one of those meetings on Dec. 3, 2020.

Willis is trying to compel Deason's testimony. Because she lives outside Georgia, Willis has to use a process that involves getting a judge in Texas to order her to appear. A judge in New York has already ordered Giuliani to testify next week.

In a court filing in Texas last week, Deason argued that she shouldn't be ordered to testify. She cited alleged flaws with the paperwork Willis filed seeking her testimony, argued that a summons to appear before a Georgia special grand jury is not recognized in Texas and said that the demand for her appearance is based on a false assertion that she was a lawyer for the Trump campaign. She also said that it would be an undue burden for her to travel to Atlanta on days when the special grand jury is meeting in August because of professional obligations and other commitments.

___

Associated Press writers Meg Kinnard in Columbia, S.C., and Jamie Stengle and Jake Bleiberg in Dallas contributed to this report.
U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham on Monday repeated his claim to be immune from testifying as a witness in a Georgia grand jury probe of 2020 election interference in Georgia by the Trump campaign.

In a court filing, the South Carolina Republican's lawyers said Graham was issued a subpoena July 26 ordering him to appear to testify on Aug. 23, the AP reported Monday.

Graham is seeking to have the challenge heard in federal court in Atlanta rather than before the Fulton County Superior Court judge who's overseeing the special grand jury, the AP reported.

"Senator Graham has challenged the subpoena to protect the Senate's interest and in defense of our Constitution," according to a statement provided to the Herald-Journal by Graham's press office Monday. "The speech or debate clause prevents a local elected official from questioning a senator about how that senator did his job."

According to the statement, in making two phone calls after the election, Graham "was engaged in quintessentially legislative factfinding  both to help him form election-related legislation, including his role as then-chair of the judiciary committee, and to help inform his vote to certify the election.

"Following his investigation, Senator Graham both voted to certify Joe Biden as 'the legitimate president of the United States' and co-sponsored a bill to amend the Electoral Count Act to correct flaws uncovered during his legislative factfinding."

Graham has repeatedly said he would fight the subpoena and has argued that as a U.S. senator he has "sovereign immunity" from state court procedures pertaining to his job as a U.S. senator, as well as constitutional protection because "the testimony sought relates to matters within the legislative sphere."

Graham to fight subpoena: Spokesman: Lindsey Graham will fight subpoena in Trump case as it moves to Georgia court

As expected, U.S.. Sen. Lindsey Graham is challenging a subpoena to testify in a grand jury's probe of 2020 election interference in Georgia by the Trump campaign, according to the Associated Press.

Two weeks ago, attorneys for Graham and Fulton County, Georgia, District Attorney Fani Willis reached an agreement to move his challenge to Georgia from U.S. District Court in Charleston.

Story continues

"Senator Graham has agreed to accept service of a subpoena for testimony from the Fulton County Special Purpose Grand Jury in Atlanta, Georgia, without waiving any challenges or any applicable privilege and/or immunity," the agreement states.

Willis wrote in her petition to subpoena Graham that he placed at least two phone calls to Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger in the weeks following the 2020 election seeking reexamination of absentee ballots to "explore the possibility of a more favorable outcome for former President Donald Trump"

After their call, Raffensperger told the Washington Post that Graham had asked him whether he had the power to reject certain absentee ballots, a question the official said he interpreted as Graham's suggestion to toss out legally cast votes, the Associated Press reported.

Graham at the time called the claim "ridiculous."

Willis also filed petitions to compel cooperation from other former officials, including former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who was one of Trump's primary lawyers during the failed efforts to overturn the election result.

Contact Bob Montgomery at bob.montgomery@shj.com. Please support our coverage of Spartanburg County with a digital subscription.

This article originally appeared on Herald-Journal: Lindsey Graham challenges subpoena in Trump election probe
(TikTok/@doingrelationshipsright)

A TikTok clip of a woman appearing to listen to a jaw-dropping voicemail, in which a man explains exactly why she should go out with him, has received more than a million views.

Dimitri, as the man identifies himself at the start of the clip, is calling the woman for a second time after reaching out a few days earlier.

Despite not hearing back from the elegant woman in the first instance, Dimitiri issues a deadline of 3pm for her to return his call... or Im no longer interested, he threatens.

Dimitri is supposedly intelligent, great in bed, makes great money... He continues to reel off the many attributes he claims to have.

In fact, as he puts it, he is one of the few men in the city that has nothing wrong with him.

Unable to confront the notion of potential rejection from the voicemails recipient, he suggests the woman could in fact be juggling several psychological issues.

Maybe you were abused in childhood? Maybe youre just somebody whos extremely frightened and has an anxiety disorder? Maybe youre on some medication for that? I dont know. There could be another issue, Dimitri suggests.

TikTok user @mollydareofficial captioned the video: Dating in your 40s be like.... The video showed her reaction to Dimitris menacing message.

@mollydareofficial Thoughts and prayers for all the singles out there   Dimitri_drekristina - blackmagiccakery

As her video began to go viral, however, she was quick to correct the many people who believed she had been sent the voicemail.

This audio is not mine  its a trending audio and its from 10 years ago, she wrote in the comments section.

So, who is Dimitri?

Dimitri the Lover is a self-proclaimed pick-up artist who sold courses he claimed would train men to seduce women.

Dimitri is, however, just a pseudonym for this particular hustle.

The real name of the man behind this message is James Sears  a Canadian editor who was convicted of wilful promotion of hatred against women and Jewish people in January 2019.

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Sears was the editor of an antisemitic tabloid promoting his own political party, the unregistered New Constitution Party, which was described by former Canadian Jewish Congress chief executive Bernie Farber as a clear attempt at a hateful representation of Jews.

In August 2019, Sears was released on bail pending the hearing of his appeal, which was later denied, marking the start of his one-year imprisonment.

Sears was later released on parole in October 2021, but was re-arrested for violating his parole conditions in February 2022.

Why is this voicemail now doing the rounds on social media?

It appears the infamous voicemail has been doing the internet rounds every couple of years.

Despite the voicemail being old, Searss methods appear familiar to a number of people on social media. Responding to the latest viral video to feature the audio, many viewers said they had experienced Dimitri-style propositions from men.

As one commenter puts it: The sad thing is there are so many men out there like this.

He sounds like my ex, wrote another.

Heres the voicemail in full:

Its Dimitri calling again - the guy from the street.

I left you a message several days ago. I dont like leaving second messages, but I like you: youre a very elegant woman, youre very attractive. But I dont play that game. So, this is how its going to work.

If I do not receive a phone call back from you by 3 oclock on Thursday afternoon, Im no longer interested.

Im very intelligent, Im great in bed, I make great money. Believe it or not, Im a complete catch.

A matter of fact, I am one few men in the city that has nothing wrong with him.

Now, I understand if youve got other issues. Maybe you were abused in childhood? Maybe youre just somebody whos extremely frightened and has an anxiety disorder? Maybe youre on some medication for that? I dont know. There could be another issue.

If youre psychologically normal, and you havent called me because there has been some horrible thing thats happened in your life which prevented you, thats fine.

The voicemail, reportedly sent to a woman called Olga, has since been made private in its original post to YouTube.
The Daily Beast

Tennessee Department of CorrectionA woman who shared a kiss with a prisoner during a visitation in Tennessee has been charged with murder after the inmate died shortly after their exchange.Rachel Dollard was taken into custody over the weekend by special agents from the Tennessee Department of Correction (TDOC) and the Dickson County Sheriffs Department, the TDOC confirmed in a statement on Tuesday. She is accused of smuggling drugs into the Turney Center Industrial Complex.Dollard is facing ch
With election day Tuesday, widespread reports of postal delays around northwest Washington have prompted state representatives Suzan DelBene and Rick Larsen to call for the USPS to address the mail failures.

Pictures recently posted to social media show hundreds of packages stacked up and uncovered behind the Ferndale post office.

Why does the pmg still have a job...I have a post office at full stop b/c they can't deliver a mountain of packages...they want folks to wait hours in unusual heat to pick-up. Kinda sure there is medical items in that pile. #FactsMatter #Ferndale #WhatcomCounty pic.twitter.com/E1LLFKyli3  Heather Flowering Shrub (@Heather_3000) July 29, 2022

According to a joint media release from DelBene and Larsen, they have received more than 170 complaints from Lynden residents and additional complaints in Whatcom, Snohomish and Island counties about delayed mail and packages containing medication, bills and passports.

People in Everett have raised concern they have not been receiving daily mail deliveries for weeks, and people in Ferndale havent received mail deliveries for over a week.

The complaints also address hours-long waits at post offices, undelivered mail and election ballots not delivered or picked up.

When our constituents have asked USPS about the delayed mail delivery, theyve been repeatedly told that USPS is experiencing severe staffing shortages, the release said. Weve heard that the one-year retention rate for USPS employees for our region may be as low as 34 percent. While we understand that the entire country is grappling with workforce shortages, we believe there are steps USPS can take in the short-term to boost hiring, training, and retention. We deeply appreciate and commend the great work of the USPS employees who are working tirelessly amid these challenging conditions and urge the agency to do more to support these workers.

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Delays in election ballots are a concern to the representatives, as election day is Tuesday.

In a letter to USPS Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, DelBene and Larsen asked the USPS to detail the steps the USPS is taking to address the delivery and return of election mail in the state.

They also asked what the USPS were taking to address staffing shortages and whether Congress could provide help.

Nick Martin, communications director for Congresswoman DelBene, said USPS had received the letter and are monitoring the situation. A formal response from the USPS is expected.
Aug. 1Money is pouring into the three-way Republican primary for the District 12 state Senate race in Northwest Missouri, with each of the candidates receiving at least $100,000 in contributions, according to reports from the Missouri Ethics Commission.

In reports filed eight days before the Aug. 2 primary, Rusty Black reported $257,000 in total receipts, Delus Johnson listed $152,000 and J. Eggleston had $146,000. Those figures were for the calendar year or election cycle.

The Republican primary election includes Johnson of Country Club, Eggleston of Maysville and Black of Chillicothe. Johnson previously served as a state representative for the district in eastern Buchanan County, while Eggleston and Black currently serve in the Missouri House.

Black had $69,410.33 on hand while $139,169.45 in monetary disbursements were made in the final filing in the Friends of Rusty Black Committee.

Black said he has only ever turned away two checks since he started campaigning for office in Jefferson City. Black has received donations from individuals as well as several PACs including the Missouri Dental PAC, Mo Soybean Association State PAC, Missouri Hospital Association, Rural Telecommunications Committee, BNSF Railway Co. Rail PAC Missouri, Cigna, Builders Association Political Action Committee, Spirit of Missouri, Missouri Chamber, RQC PAC, Build St. Louis and many others.

Black also spent more than $120,000 with Ax Media, a political media consultant for advertising.

Black said he had more than 400 donors and is proud of his fundraising efforts.

"As we go through this campaign, Aug. 2 will be the day I stop working (on the campaign)," Black said.

According to the Missouri Ethics Commission, Black has received $100,000 from Herzog Contracting Corp. as well as a dozen $2,400 donations from individual Herzog employees.

Eggleston also has been supported by several state PACs, which include the Missouri Realtors PAC, Missouri Insurance PAC, MBA Pony Express Region PAC, WPG PAC out of Columbia, Mo Soybean Pac and several others.

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Eggleston said he feels that his opponent, Black, has received money from many PACs and said some of his donors were concerned about their motives.

"My race has been different, my race has been very grassroots, and I think it'll come down to that. I think it'll be big money versus grassroots vote on Aug. 2," Eggleston said.

Johnson said he has never taken money from a corporate PAC or lobbyist during his time in the House and has continued that practice in his Senate campaign.

According to the Missouri Ethics Commission summary, Johnson has $41,623.48 on hand. He said his campaign has been funded by friends, family and other individual donations.

"A very large portion of the money that I spent has been my own personal money. I've accepted a few donations, but I haven't accepted any PAC money or lobbyist money and I'm not going to be accountable to them, I'll only be accountable to the people of District 12," Johnson said.

The winner of the Republican primary will face Democrat Michael J. Baumli in the general election. The district's current senator, Dan Hegeman, is leaving office due to term limits.

Clayton Anderson can be reached at clayton.anderson@newspressnow.com. Follow him on twitter: @NPNowAnderson.
An ATV rider does a wheelie in the parking lot of former Cooper Stadium.

Columbus police said on Monday that they recovered two stolen vehicles and impounded 11 more over the weekend in a third operation in local law enforcement's ongoing bid to crack down on reckless and illegal ATV and dirt bike use.

On Saturday, between 4 and 11 p.m., Columbus police, Franklin County Sheriff's office deputies and State Highway Patrol troopers conducted a third round of "Operation Wheels Down" throughout Columbus and Franklin County.

Police said they also recovered a third possibly stolen vehicle that had the serial number removed. In addition to the recovered stolen vehicles, police said they issued 26 traffic citations, filed two felony charges, served five misdemeanor writs and two felony writs related to illegal or reckless ATV and dirt bike operation, according to a release.

The Columbus Division of Police announced in May that it was starting a strategic plan called Operation Wheels Down in response to what police say are growing complaints throughout the city about loud and reckless ATV and dirt bike use.

In some cities across the United States, ATV and dirt bike riders taking over city streets has been a growing trend for more than a decade, with many participants calling the movement "bike life."

Residents in neighborhoods including the Short North and Franklinton say the riders disregard traffic laws and pose safety risks and quality of life concerns.

Columbus police Sgt. Joe Albert said last month that police feel the operation has been successful and that the department hopes the message is getting out that we will not tolerate the operation of these vehicles on our streets.

Read more: ATV riders say police, helicopter are daily presence amid crackdown

Police have impounded 34 ATVs and dirt bikes to date and are holding them as evidence, the release said. In 2021, police impounded 11 vehicles.

Throughout the three operations, police say they've also recovered a stolen firearm, located a missing person and charged eight people with felonies.

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In the first Operation Wheels Down in May, Columbus police reported arresting or issuing summons notices to 11 people on charges of driving without an operator's license, operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, reckless operation and/or failure to comply. Two were issued traffic citations.

Nine out of the 11 arrested have pleaded guilty, police said in the Monday release.

A June operation against ATV and dirt bike riders conducted by Columbus police and Franklin County Sheriff's office deputies resulted in four arrests and 14 vehicles impounded. Ten of the impounded vehicles were from Columbus and the remaining four were from Franklin County.

During that operation, police say they came across an 8-year-old on a dirt bike and "took advantage of this opportunity and made this a positive encounter by educating the child and the parents.

CBehrens@dispatch.com

@Colebehr_report

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Police recover stolen vehicles, impound ATVs/dirt bikes in crackdown
The suspect in a Sunday shooting that left two dead and six others wounded over a parking dispute had a military background and "strategically staged" guns around his home, Detroit Police Chief James White said during a Monday news conference.

A household across from street from the gunman's home was hosting a birthday party when the suspect engaged in a dispute with the neighbor, apparently about parking, in the early hours of Sunday morning, White said.

Detroit Police Chief James White provides an update on a shooting near Plymouth Road and Coyle Street, along with multiple other shootings that have impacted the community, during a press conference at the Detroit Public Safety Headquarters on Monday, Aug. 1, 2022.

Instead of calling police,White said the suspect "decided to take matters into his own hands, ultimately shooting up the home."

The suspect  a man in his 30s  allegedly fired a high-powered gun numerous times from the first and second floors of his home at the house across the street.

Police did not yet identify the suspect, who was arrested Sunday., nor the victims, but did say one victim who died was a 38-year-old man and the other a 39-year-old woman. They attempted to get to a hospital in a private vehicle, but crashed near McNichols and Greenfield roads before being transported by ambulance. One was pronounced dead Sunday. The other died Monday.

The youngest victim wounded was 19. At least one victim was left in critical condition.

White said responding officers went inside the suspect's home, where he ultimately surrendered himself to police. Eleven guns were recovered from the home. The suspect was taken into custody without further incident and charges were pending.

More: Boy, 12, fatally shot in Detroit basement by teen playing with gun, police say

More: After cop killed, protestors say 'enough is enough' as gun shop stops selling Draco pistol

More: Cass Community Social Services hosts Get Out the Vote event to get folks to the polls

"(Police) recovered 11 weapons, again, 11 weapons, from his home that were strategically placed throughout the home so as he moved through the home, he would have access to these weapons," White said.

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White did not disclose details of the gun used in the shooting, the guns retrieved, or the number of times shots were fired. The gun used was described as "high-powered."

After Sunday's shooting, White said he directed all felony weapons arrests be sent for federal review to Dawn Ison, the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern district of Michigan and a native Detroiter.

We are very serious about this, and were not playing around," White said. "This country's obsession with weapons and mass shootings. This is unacceptable, and we can do better and we have to do better."

A call to action

White, community organizers from Ceasefire Detroit, City Council President Mary Sheffield and others spoke of teamwork needed to combat gun violence in the city, calling yet another news conference on gun violence "a call to action."

"The community is tired. This is out of control," said Quincy Smith of Ceasefire Detroit. "How many more press conferences like this? How many more scenes? How many more hospital visits, burials that we have to go through? Our children, our youth, our community is under attack. Everyone should be outraged."

"Everyone should feel the weight of responsibility to do something. Get involved. There is no more time for sitting on the sidelines. Not being vocal. Not reaching out. Not being a mentor. Not saying something. Not standing up for those who don't have a voice. The time for that is over. We need the community to stand up."

Quincy emphasized that resources through Ceasefire and other community organizations are available to help combat gun violence. Eric Doeh, president of the Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Network, also emphasized mental health resources that are available.

White said overall violent crime is on the decline in the city, pointing to department data that indicates homicides are down 5% and non fatal shootings have decreased 15% compared to this time last year.

But this past weekend was particularly bloody.

White said there were 24 nonfatal shootings and seven homicides in the city over the weekend.

He pointed to a number of disturbing recent incidents of gun violence: Two 14-year-old girls were injured in a drive-by shooting while at a birthday party Sunday on the 8600 block of Penrod Street.

And last week, a 13-year-old was fatally shot in southwest Detroit over a cellphone that may have been stolen. On Monday, a 16-year-old was charged as an adult with first-degree murder in the case.

"Detroit families are in pain, neighbors near the gunfire shaken and lives have been forever changed," White said. "... No one needs to live like this. Our community deserves better and we must do better as a community for our own safety and for each other's safety."

Andrea Sahouri covers criminal justice for the Detroit Free Press. She can be contacted at asahouri@freepress.com or on Twitter @andreamsahouri.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Suspect in Detroit shooting of eight guns around home
(Reuters) - Power use in Texas will break records again this week as homes and businesses crank up their air conditioners to escape another heatwave, the state's power grid operator projected on Monday.

The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), which operates the grid for more than 26 million customers representing about 90% of the state's power load, has said it has enough resources to meet demand.

The United States is expected to use record amounts of power in 2022 due mostly to rising economic and population growth in Sun Belt states like Texas.

Extreme weather is a reminder of the February freeze in 2021 that left millions of Texans without power, water and heat for days during a deadly storm as ERCOT scrambled to prevent a grid collapse after an unusually large amount of generation shut.

So far this year, however, grids have had enough resources to meet demand and have only asked consumers to conserve power on occasion.

AccuWeather forecast temperatures in Houston, the biggest city in Texas, will rise from 92 degrees Fahrenheit (33.3 degrees Celsius) on Monday to 96 F on Wednesday. That compares with a normal high of 95 F for this time of year.

ERCOT forecast power use will rise to 78,939 megawatts (MW) on Tuesday and 80,076 MW on Wednesday, topping the current record of 78,828 MW on July 20.

One megawatt can power around 1,000 U.S. homes on a typical day, but only about 200 homes on a hot summer day in Texas.

Power prices at the ERCOT North Hub, which includes Dallas, slid to a one-week low of $96 per megawatt hour (MWh) for Monday from $118 for Friday. That compares with an average of $77 so far this year, $141 in 2021 and a five-year (2017-2021) average of $56.

GRAPHIC: Texas power demand to soar to record high this year Texas power demand to soar to record high this year (https://graphics.reuters.com/TEXAS-POWER/ERCOT/gkplgzymyvb/chart.png)

(Reporting by Scott DiSavino; Editing by Marguerita Choy)
Welcome to the start of another month. Today, Insider has a gripping investigation into the psychological distress facing TikTok content moderators in Morocco.

I'm your host, Jordan Parker Erb. Let's get straight to it.

If this was forwarded to you, sign up here. Download Insider's app here.

TikTok

SOPA Images/Getty Images

1. TikTok's Moroccan content moderators speak out. As the app gains in popularity in the Middle East and North Africa, it's ramping up its content moderation operation in the region  but reviewers say they're watching hours of graphic videos with little psychological help.

Nine current and former content moderators in Morocco described experiences of severe psychological distress as a result of their jobs with outsourcing companies.

Moderators described goals that were impossible to reach, videos of suicide and animal cruelty, and work that made them feel more like robots than human beings. Each said they were paid less than $3 an hour.

Some reviewers said that while the outsourcing firm does offer in-house wellness counselors, they weren't enough to help them with the pressures of the role.

Inside the life of a TikTok content moderator.

In other news:

A row of Tesla cars leave a factory surrounded by lights.

Tesla Model Ys leave the company's Gigafactory in Grunheide, Germany.PATRICK PLEUL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

2. Electric vehicles could soon become more affordable. Under a new Senate deal, buyers of Teslas and other electric vehicles could be eligible for up to $7,500 in federal tax breaks. What you want to know.

3. Shopify was quietly laying off workers weeks before it announced a 10% workforce cut. Insiders say dozens of employees were offered significantly less severance pay before the company formally announced layoffs. Here's what insiders told us.

4. Laid-off tech employees share their experiences. As of July, more than 30,000 tech workers lost their jobs. Insider spoke to employees from Tesla to Coinbase  you can read some of their stories here.

5. Dozens of US companies were in a leaked database of users for a Russian facial recognition company. The company, NTech Lab, sells a facial recognition tool called FindFace, and its donors include two funds backed by the Russian government. Included in its user database were Intel, SpaceX, and dozens of other US companies.

Story continues

6. Elon Musk is planning his own private airport in Texas. Sources told local news outlet Austonia that Musk has plans for his own airport, which could service the companies he has based there. Meanwhile, Musk also filed a counter lawsuit after Twitter sued him for attempting to walk away from a $44 billion takeover deal  and he was back on the platform making jokes about the situation.

7. Layoffs just keep coming. OnlyFans, known for its adult-content subscription service, told Insider it laid off employees in a move to "reshape certain teams." A look at what we know so far. Plus, EV-startup Rivian began cutting staff last week.

8. The engineer who was fired by Google says its AI chatbot is "pretty racist." Former Google engineer Blake Lemoine said the company's AI bot LaMDA has concerning biases, which he says stem from a lack of diversity among the engineers designing the bot. The latest on the "sentient" bot.

Odds and ends:

Eve envisages the aircraft will operate in cities like London.

Eve envisages the aircraft will operate in cities like London.Eve Air Mobility

9. This electric flying taxi could shuttle passengers between airports and city centers by 2026. Brazilian plane maker Embraer's Eve has received 1,900 orders from US airlines such as Republic and Skywest. See inside the four-seat flying taxi.

10. What it's like to road trip in Toyota's RAV4 Prime. An Insider transportation reporter put the plug-in hybrid to the test on a 350-mile road trip, and it perfectly balanced the benefits of electric cars with the practicality of gas. This is what the journey was like.

What we're watching today:

Pinterest and others are reporting earnings. Keep up with earnings here.

Ulrich Korner becomes the CEO of Credit Suisse.

Keep updated with the latest tech news throughout your day by checking out The Refresh from Insider, a dynamic audio news brief from the Insider newsroom. Listen here.

Curated by Jordan Parker Erb in New York. (Feedback or tips? Email jerb@insider.com or tweet @jordanparkererb.) Edited by Hallam Bullock (tweet @hallam_bullock) in London.

Read the original article on Business Insider
TheStreet.com

Elon Musk does not hide it: He will wield his media influence and financial power in the midterm elections in November and the race for the White House leading to November 2024. Tesla's charismatic and whimsical chief executive has more than 103.3 million Twitter followers, giving him a massive platform and megaphone to sway public opinion and influence potential voters. The serial entrepreneur's fortune is estimated at $268 billion as of Aug. 15, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.
Former President Donald Trump lashed out Sunday at American WNBA star Brittney Griner as spoiled, and indicated he wouldnt make any deals to get her out of prison in Russia because she makes a lot of money.

Griner was arrested in Moscow in February as she entered the country for a tournament when officials discovered vape cartridges with cannabis oil in her luggage.

Trump claimed on the Clay Travis & Buck Sexton Show that Griner entered Russia loaded up with drugs.

In fact she had .7 grams (.024 ounces) of cannabis oil, which is legal in her home state of Arizona and in many other states in America. Russian media, which reported the amount, said officials considered it significant.

Griner, who said she had a doctors note for the cannabis oil, explained in a Russian court when she pleaded guilty early this month that she had forgotten that it was in her bag and brought it into the country inadvertently.

The athlete was arrested as Russian officials were railing against Western sanctions for its invasion of Ukraine. Griner faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted of transporting drugs.

Trump criticized reports that the U.S. is considering trading notorious Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, being held in an American prison, to secure the release of Griner and former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan, who is serving a 16-year sentence in Russia on what U.S. officials call baseless espionage charges.

Griner knew you dont go in there loaded up with drugs, and she admitted it, Trump said.

I assume she admitted it without too much force because it is what it is, and it certainly doesnt seem like a very good trade, does it? he added. Bout is absolutely one of the worst in the world, and hes gonna be given his freedom because a potentially spoiled person goes into Russia loaded up with drugs.

Griner went in there loaded up with drugs into a hostile territory where theyre very vigilant about drugs, Trump complained. They dont like drugs. And she got caught.

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He added: Now were supposed to get her out  and she makes, you know, a lot of money. Were supposed to get her out for an absolute killer and one of the biggest arms dealers in the world. Killed many Americans. Killed many people, and hes going to get a free card, Trump added.

Trump called WNBA star Brittney Griner, spoiled, and implied he wouldnt have made the deal to get her out of prison in Russia. pic.twitter.com/NYcT5e2Kxd  PatriotTakes  (@patriottakes) July 31, 2022

Critics accused Trump of singling out Griner for criticism because shes Black, gay and a woman.

He also has a long history of standing up for Russia, even against American interests, and frequently touts his great friendship with Russian President Vladimir Putin. When Putin launched the invasion into Ukraine earlier this year, the former president called it genius.

Trump openly asked for Russias help in 2016 to hack into rival Hillary Clintons emails, and then used material stolen by Russian spies to attack Clinton in the final stretch of the election.

A lot of drugs Aka a weed pen    (@6_1josiah) July 31, 2022

But he would happily pardon a plethora of criminals.  Cath66 (@CathRogers6) July 31, 2022

Yea he would just pardon all of his criminal associates instead.



Oh, he already did that.  Jhoff10 (@Jhoff10) July 31, 2022

Coming from the most spoiled person on earth.  Sabrina Notar (@fichulane) July 31, 2022

Lets call it what it is ...she is a gay black woman....something the GOP and Trump* hate.  Resister in GA (@ResisterInGA) July 31, 2022

He wanted to say uppity, but he has a hard time with words that have more than two syllables.  Mark Barrington (@MarkBarrington2) July 31, 2022

This article originally appeared on HuffPost and has been updated.

Related...
It's not only Twitter that's trying to force Elon Musk to buy the company for $44 billion. An investor filed a proposed class action lawsuit to try stopping Musk from backing out of the deal . Luigi Crispo's suit accuses Musk of breach of contract and breach of fiduciary duty to Twitter's shareholders, according to Bloomberg . It claims he offered feeble "rationales for reneging on his contract." Two corporate acquisition entities connected to the deal are also named as defendants.

Musk last month attempted to wash his hands of his bid to buy Twitter, claiming the company made false and misleading representations and that it misrepresented the number of bots and fake accounts on its platform. Crispo concurred with Twitter's claims that Musk is using false claims about bots and spam to wriggle out of the deal without a valid legal standing to do so. Also like Twitter, Crispo is seeking a court order that would require Musk to complete the buyout.

After he tried to back out, Twitter swiftly sued Musk in an attempt to make him "honor his obligations" and buy the company. Last week, Musk made a counter filing, which remains sealed for now. A judge granted Twitter's request for an expedited trial , which is scheduled to start on October 17th and last for five days. Its shareholders will vote on the takeover on September 13th.
By Alexandra Alper and Karen Freifeld

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States is considering limiting shipments of American chipmaking equipment to memory chip makers in China including Yangtze Memory Technologies Co Ltd (YMTC), according to four people familiar with the matter, part of a bid to halt China's semiconductor sector advances and protect U.S. companies.

If President Joe Biden's administration proceeds with the move, it could also hurt South Korean memory chip juggernauts Samsung Electronics Co Ltd and SK Hynix Inc, the sources said, speaking on condition of anonymity. Samsung has two big factories in China while SK Hynix Inc is buying Intel Corp's NAND flash memory chips manufacturing business in China.

The crackdown, if approved, would involve barring the shipment of U.S. chipmaking equipment to factories in China that manufacture advanced NAND chips.

It would mark the first U.S. bid through export controls to target Chinese production of memory chips without specialized military applications, representing a more expansive view of American national security, according to export control experts.

The move also would seek to protect the only U.S. memory chip producers, Western Digital Corp and Micron Technology Inc, which together represent about a quarter of the NAND chips market.

NAND chips store data in devices such as smartphones and personal computers and at data centers for the likes of Amazon, Facebook and Google. How many gigabytes of data a phone or laptop can hold is determined by how many NAND chips it includes and how advanced they are.

Under the action being considered, U.S. officials would ban the export of tools to China used to make NAND chips with more than 128 layers, according to two of the sources. LAM Research Corp and Applied Materials, both based in Silicon Valley, are the primary suppliers of such tools.

All the sources described the administration's consideration of the matter as in the early stages, with no proposed regulations yet drafted.

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Asked to comment on the possible move, a spokesperson for the Commerce Department, which oversees export controls, did not discuss potential restrictions but noted that "the Biden administration is focused on impairing (China's) efforts to manufacture advanced semiconductors to address significant national security risks to the United States."

FAST-GROWING COMPANY

YMTC, founded in 2016, is a rising power in manufacturing NAND chips. Micron and Western Digital are under pressure from YMTC's low prices, as the White House wrote in a June 2021 report https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/100-day-supply-chain-review-report.pdf. YMTC's expansion and low-price offerings present "a direct threat" to Micron and Western Digital, that report said. The report described YMTC as China's "national champion" and the recipient of some $24 billion in Chinese subsidies.

YMTC, already under investigation by the Commerce Department over whether it violated U.S. export controls by selling chips to Chinese telecoms company Huawei, is in talks with Apple Inc to supply the top U.S. smartphone maker with flash memory chips, according to a Bloomberg report.

LAM Research Corp, SK Hynix and Micron declined comment on the U.S. policy. Samsung, Applied Materials Inc, YMTC and Western Digital Corp did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

CONGRESS ACTS

Tensions between China and the United States over the tech sector deepened under Biden's predecessor Donald Trump and have continued since. Reuters reported on July 8 that Biden's administration is also considering restrictions on shipments to China of tools to make advanced logic chips, seeking to hamstring China's largest chipmaker, SMIC.

The U.S. Congress last week approved legislation aimed at helping the United States compete with China by investing billions of dollars in domestic chip production.

Chipmakers that take money under the measure would be prohibited from building or expanding manufacturing for certain advanced chips, including advanced memory chips at a level to be determined by the administration, in countries including China.

According to Walt Coon of the consulting firm Yole Intelligence, YMTC accounts for about 5% of worldwide NAND flash memory chip production, almost double from a year ago. Western Digital stands at about 13% and Micron 11%. Coon said YMTC would be greatly hurt by restrictions like those that Biden's administration is contemplating.

"If they were stuck at 128, I don't know how they would really have a path forward," Coon said.

Production of NAND chips in China has grown to more than 23% of the worldwide total this year from under 14% in 2019, while production in the United States has decreased from 2.3% to 1.6% over the same period, Yole data showed. For the American companies, nearly all of their chip production is done overseas.

It was unclear what impact the potential restrictions might have on other players in China. Intel, which retains a contract to manage operations in the factory it is selling to SK Hynix in China, is already producing memory chips with 144 layers at the Chinese site, according to an Intel press release.

(Reporting by Alexandra Alper and Karen Freifeld; Additional reporting by Stephen Nellis; Editing by Chris Sanders and Will Dunham)
The flour and barley aboard the Syrian ship Laodicea, seized in the port of Tripoli, has been revealed to be Ukrainian

"We received key documents and evidence from Ukraine that the flour and barley on board the Laodicea were stolen from Ukraine," the embassy said.

Read also: Russia delivered 100,000 tons of stolen Ukrainian grain to Syria

Tomorrow we will submit a petition to the judge in Tripoli to extend the detention period. Knowing that we will do everything possible to distribute it on the Lebanese market as soon as possible.

The ship's arrival at the port of Tripoli was reported a few days ago. On July 28, the Ambassador of Ukraine in Beirut, Ihor Ostash, met with the president of Lebanon, Michel Aoun, and asked to clarify the circumstances of the Syrian vessel's stay in Lebanese territorial waters. According to him, the ship was loaded in the port of Feodosia with barley exported from the territories occupied by Russia. The following day, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lebanon announced that it would inspect the cargo on this vessel.

Read also: Turkish ports allow docking of Russian ships with stolen Ukrainian grain  Skhemy

Subsequently, Lebanese Public Prosecutor Ghassan Oueidat confirmed to Bloomberg that the ship is under arrest pending an examination.

Ukraine has noted multiple times that Russia is systematically exporting grain from the occupied territories and trying to sell it in third countries.

According to satellite data, Russia is transporting the Ukrainian harvest by trucks from the occupied territories of the Zaporizhzhia and Kherson oblasts to the occupied Crimean peninsula, where it is loaded onto ships. Some of them arrive at Syrian ports controlled by Russia.

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Newly unsealed court papers reveal that Amber Heard had a "brief stint as an exotic dancer," and her ex-husband Johnny Depp did not want his friendship with disgraced rocker Marilyn Manson outed at trial.

After Johnny Depp won his defamation case against Amber Heard with a jury awarding him $10.35 million, Judge Penney Azcarate ordered the release of the secret documents on July 13.

The documents were published online over the weekend by legal commentator Andrea Burkhart, who crowd-sourced more than $3,300 to purchase the records.

The court papers detail the behind-the-scenes wrangling on both sides to try to get evidence admitted and kept out of the Fairfax County Circuit trial in Virginia.

JOHNNY DEPP'S DEBUT ART COLLECTION SELLS OUT IN HOURS FOR NEARLY $4M

A March 22 motion outlined Heards opposition to Depps teams attempt to present damaging information about her past to the jury.

Heard's lawyer Elaine Bredehoft argued that Depp was trying to introduce "irrelevant personal matters"  including "Ambers brief stint as an exotic dancer years before she met Mr. Depp," nude pictures of her and "unfounded allegations" that she had worked as a sex worker.

JOHNNY DEPP IS APPEALING PART OF THE VERDICT IN HIS DEFAMATION TRIAL AGAINST EX-WIFE AMBER HEARD

"Nude pictures of Amber Heard or comments about stripping or escort services would be highly distracting and unfairly prejudicial to the extent they portray Amber Heard as a sex symbol instead of a women's rights activist against domestic abuse," Bredehoft wrote.

Heards team also fought to keep out Heard's sister Whitney Henriquez's "reality show video." None of these "personal matters" were introduced at trial.

Amber Heard leaves the Fairfax County Circuit Court in Virginia following Johnny Depp defamation trial. Win McNamee

A 965-page motion filed March 28 also revealed crude text messages between Depp and Marilyn Manson that were never presented to the jury.

Depps attorney, Ben Chew, aggressively fought to exclude any references to the actor's friendship with Manson, whose real names is Brian Warner, out of concern it would "smear Mr. Depp under a guilty by association theory."

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MARILYN MANSON'S ONGOING ABUSE SCANDAL LED BY EVAN RACHEL WOOD DISRUPTS MUSIC, TV CAREER

Manson texted Depp in 2016 to say that Lindsay Usich "pulled an Amber," in reference to Manson's now-wife Usich calling the cops on him and claiming he beat her up. He described her as "Amber 2.0."

Depp responded, "I've been reading A LOT of material on that and sociopathic behaviorit is fking real my brother!! My ex-c-t is goddamn TEXTBOOK!!!."

Marilyn Manson and Lindsay Usich attend the 2020 Vanity Fair Oscar party. Toni Anne Barson/WireImage

Manson was blacklisted in the music industry after a number of women accused him of physical, mental and sexual abuse  including his former fiance "Westworld" actress Evan Rachel Wood. He sued her for defamation in March.

Although the vulgar texts did not come in during the trial, Mansons name did repeatedly crop up with the "Aquaman" actress' team painting her then-husband as a drug addict who went on cocaine-fueled binges with the heavy metal rocker.

After the six-week trial, the seven-member panel found that Heard had defamed Depp by penning a Washington Post op-ed referring to herself as a victim of domestic abuse and awarded him $10 million in compensatory damages and $5 million in punitive. The judge reduced the punitive damages award to $350,000  the maximum allowed under Virginia law.

The jury awarded Heard $2 million in her countersuit, finding in her favor on a single claim that Depps attorney Adam Waldman had defamed her in a statement to the press calling her allegations a "hoax."

Both sides are appealing the verdict.
Bin Laden (left) and Zawahiri together declared war on the US and organised the 9/11 attacks

The US has killed the leader of al-Qaeda, Ayman al-Zawahiri, in a drone strike in Afghanistan, President Joe Biden has confirmed.

He was killed in a counter-terrorism operation carried out by the CIA in the Afghan capital Kabul on Sunday.

He and Osama Bin Laden plotted the 9/11 attacks together, and he was one of America's most wanted terrorists.

Mr Biden said al-Zawahiri had "carved a trail of murder and violence against American citizens".

"From hiding, he co-ordinated al-Qaeda's branches and all around the world, including setting priorities for providing operational guidance and calling for and inspired attacks against US targets," the president said in a live television address from the White House.

"Now justice has been delivered and this terrorist leader is no more," he added.

The FBI updated its Most Wanted Terrorist poster on Monday with Zawahiri's status: "Deceased."

The 71-year-old Egyptian doctor took over al-Qaeda after the death of Bin Laden in 2011.

Mr Biden said he had given the final approval for the "precision strike" after months of planning.

Officials said Zawahiri was on the balcony of a safe house when the drone fired two missiles at him.

Other family members were present, but they were unharmed and only Zawahiri was killed in the attack, they added.

Mr Biden said Zawahiri's killing will bring closure to families of the nearly 3,000 victims of the 2001 attacks in which hijackers crashed passenger jets into landmark buildings in New York and Washington - including two skyscrapers in Manhattan.

Some 344 firefighters were also killed. Andrew Ansbro, president of the New York Firefighters Association thanked Mr Biden for "helping to bring another level of closure to all impacted by these attacks".

Mr Biden said that Zawahiri had also masterminded other acts of violence, including the suicide bombing of the USS Cole naval destroyer in Aden in October 2000 which killed 17 US sailors, and the 1998 attacks on the US embassies in Kenya and Tanzania, in which 223 people died.

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Douglas Sidialo lost his sight in the Kenyan attack, and told BBC Newsday that while he never condones violence, news of Zawahiri's death is welcome.

"It's good that it has happened - that they're bringing down those who were behind these heinous and barbaric acts of cowardice around the world," Mr Sidialo said.

At the scene

Lyse Doucet, BBC Chief International Correspondent, Kabul

This is the suspected location of the strike in Kabul

The attack in Kabul early Sunday morning rocked the centre of the capital - we heard it on our street nearby.

Since then, speculation has swirled about who or what hit this "empty house" in the Sherpur neighbourhood known for its gaudy multi-storied villas.

Hours after President Biden announced news of Zawahiri's death, workers in buildings nearby told us no one lived in the villa whose balconies are now covered with plastic sheeting. Adjacent shops were told by the Taliban to close their rooftops.

Taliban guards pushed journalists, sometimes forcefully, away from the scene.

The streets are quiet - this news is explosive. It again highlights the weaknesses of the 2020 US-Taliban deal.

The Taliban say they agreed Afghanistan would never again be a base to launch attacks against the United States. But they never agreed to sever all links to groups like al-Qaeda including their long-time brother-in-arms, Ayman al-Zawahiri.

Read Lyse's report in full.

A Taliban spokesman described the US operation as a clear violation of international principles - but did not mention Zawahiri. US officials maintained that the operation had had a legal basis.

Under a peace deal struck in 2020, the Taliban agreed not to allow al-Qaeda or any other extremist group to operate in areas under their control.

However, the Taliban and al-Qaeda are long-time allies and US officials said the Taliban were aware of Zawahiri's presence in Kabul, and he lived freely and in the open in the Afghan capital.

Zawahiri's killing comes nearly a year after Mr Biden withdrew US troops from Afghanistan, bringing an end to a 20-year military presence there, and allowing the Taliban to retake control of the country by force.

In background briefings, US intelligence officers accused Taliban affiliates of going to the safe house after the strike to try to cover up evidence of Zawahiri's presence there.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that by hosting and sheltering Zawahiri in Kabul, the Taliban had "grossly violated" the peace agreement.

The drone strike is the first known US intervention inside Afghanistan since the military pullout last August and, despite the withdrawal, the decades-old "war on terror" grinds on, the BBC's North America Correspondent John Sudworth observes.

Days before the withdrawal, a miscalculated US drone strike killed 10 innocent people in Kabul, including an aid worker and seven children. The US said it had been a "tragic mistake" and had been aiming to target a local branch of the so-called Islamic State jihadist group.
Photograph: Jay Reeves/AP

Last Thursday night, the state of Alabama took three hours to find a vein in Joe Nathan James Jr through which officials could pump lethal injection drugs and execute him, a process that the department of corrections insisted was nothing out of the ordinary.

Alabama appears to specialize in its extraordinary sense of the ordinary, particularly when it comes to the death penalty. It has now emerged that, during that execution, prison officials subjected female reporters who came as witnesses to the proceeding to a clothing inspection, attempting to bar one woman from the death chamber on grounds that her skirt was too short.

Ivana Hrynkiw, a journalist for Alabamas pre-eminent news outlet AL.com, recounted how she was pulled aside by a prison official and told that her skirt was too diminutive to meet regulations. I tried to pull my skirt to my hips to make the skirt longer, but was told it was still not appropriate, she recounted on Twitter.

The paradox that the state went to such lengths to uphold what it regards as propriety in clothing even as it prepared to kill a man appears to have been lost on the department of corrections. Officials also subjected an Associated Press reporter, Kim Chandler, to a full-body inspection, making her stand to have the length of her clothing checked. Chandler said that such an indignity had never happened to her before in the many times she had covered executions since 2002.

Hrynkiw was eventually allowed to enter the death chamber after she borrowed a pair of waterproof fishers waders from a photographer, attaching their suspenders under her shirt to keep them up. That was deemed appropriate attire when watching a judicial killing.

But even then it didnt stop. The reporter was informed that her open toe heels were a breach of regulation and she was forced to change into tennis shoes retrieved from her car.

I felt embarrassed to have my body and my clothes questioned in front of a room of people I mostly never met, Hrynkiw said. I sat down, tried to stop blushing, and did my work.

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After all that, the reporter did her job, and so did Alabama. After three hours digging around for a vein, it found one, and went ahead with the execution.

James Jr was convicted of murder and sentenced to death in the 1994 killing of 26-year-old Faith Hall. James Jr and Hall had briefly dated before she rejected him, authorities have said.

Halls daughters wanted James Jr to spend the rest of his life in prison but pleaded for him to not be executed.
Veteran Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough warned that his agency may be forced to ration care for veterans if Senate Republicans succeed in adding amendments to a bill aimed at expanding benefits to military members exposed to toxic burn pits.

Forty-one GOP lawmakers on Wednesday blocked the Biden administration-backed PACT bill, which wouldve seen the removal of the burden of proof for veterans seeking assistance for health-related ailments theyve suffered in the years since being victims of exposure to toxic substances from burn pits.

Among them was Pennsylvania Sen Pat Toomey, who has proposed an amendment that would create a a year-on-year cap on what the VA can spend to care for veterans suffering from exposure to the toxic pits and would also cap the funding at 10 years.

Mr McDonough denounced the effort in an interview with told CNNs Jake Tapper on Sunday.

I cant, in good conscience, do that, because the outcome of that will be rationing of care for vets, which is something I just cant sign on, he said.

Burn pits, as outlined on the VA website, are large swaths of land used as garbage sites on US military bases where metals, chemicals, paint, and both human and medical waste were burned using diesel fuel for several hours.

"That's not something I'll sign up to."@SecVetAffairs Denis McDonough explains why he is opposed to Sen. Pat Toomey's (R-PA) reasoning to change a bill meant to help veterans exposed to toxic burn pits. @CNNSotu #CNNSOTU pic.twitter.com/wGgxSacwuV  CNN (@CNN) July 31, 2022

The Department of Defense has shut down a majority of the sites, with the outset goal of phasing out the remainder in the foreseeable future, the website adds.

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According to a recent survey conducted by the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, approximately 85 per cent of veterans from the two recent conflicts have reported that they were exposed to the toxic fumes of burn pits, and nearly 90 per cent of those who report being exposed have said they experience symptoms that could be related.

This has been the number one priority for President Biden, Mr McDonough said Sunday, explaining how President Biden  who has acknowledged himself how he believes burn pits may have been responsible for the deadly cancer that claimed the life of his son Beau in 2015  had intentionally sought to remove the burden of proof for veterans.

While on the campaign trail in 2019, the then-Democratic candidate described how his son volunteered to join the National Guard at age 32, which would later lead to him being exposed to the toxic burn sites while deployed.

Because of exposure to burn pits, in my view  I cant prove it yet  he came back with stage four glioblastoma, said Mr Biden in 2019.

Mr McDonough, who emphasised during the Sunday interview that the veterans seeking care for their deadly ailments have waited long enough, argued strongly against the amendment that, in his view, was just continuing to stall essential life-saving care.

Lets just get it done, and also lets not be for a proposal that places artificial caps on year by year, and then functionally, at the end of those 10 years, makes this fund go away, he said. Lets not sign up to that, because at the end of the day, the risk of that is going to be rationing of care to veterans.

For Sen Toomey, at issue in the bill is, by his characterisation, the supposed accounting categorisation of certain spending in the bill, which he claims would all our Democratic colleagues to go on an unrelated $400bn spending spree.

We are spending way too much money to use  to hide behind a veterans bill, the opportunity to go on an unrelated $400bn spending spree is wrong, the Republican senator said during an earlier interview on State of the Union on Sunday. We shouldnt allow it.

When the Pennsylvania Republican was challenged by Tapper about the specific text in the bill, which specifies that the funds are required to be spent on health care for veterans who suffered injuries from the toxic pits, he continued to contend that his Democratic peers were trying to sneak something in.

This is why they do this sort of thing, he said. Because it gets very deep in the weeds and very confusing for people very quickly. Its not really about veteran spending. Its about what category of government bookkeeping they put the veteran spending in.

The bill, which remains stalled since Wednesdays procedural vote failed, could be scheduled for another vote as early as Monday, Senate Majority Chuck Schumer said last week.

Though no formal rescheduling had been announced as of last week, Mr Schumer has the ability to enact a vote for the bill at any given time.
A 52-year-old man fatally shot a Vietnamese couple at a nail salon in West Virginia.

Summersville officers responded to a shooting at Jos Nails & Spa just before 6:40 p.m. on July 28.

The gunman, identified as 52-year-old Patrick Wayne Cater, opened fire in the salon and fatally shot Khuyen Van Le, 45, and Phi Anh Le, 40. The married couple were reportedly coworkers at the salon.

Two officers opened fire at the shooter, according to the police. He was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

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Cater had been working at the salon earlier during the day of the shooting. He left and came back with a semiautomatic pistol, Police Chief John Nowak reportedly said.

The West Virginia State Police are currently investigating the incident.

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Sir Mos public platform is valuable because it means people will connect with his story (Getty)

The recent revelations by Olympic runner Sir Mo Farah about his arrival in the UK have shocked us all.

He has disclosed that he was brought illegally from Djibouti, given a new name, and forced to work for his keep. His public platform is valuable because it means people will connect with his story and take the time to understand his situation. Sir Mo is one of the good guys, the press and public (and even the Home Office) have no ill will towards him.

Its a shame we cant say that for others who come here desperately seeking sanctuary.

I think we Brits need to point the finger at ourselves for simply not knowing enough. How aware are we of the nature of regimes in different parts of the world? If we knew more, might it change our attitude towards those who seek refuge and asylum in the UK?

Im certainly no expert. In an attempt to learn more, I visited Calais in May and spent time chatting with some young Sudanese men. They were living on the streets, aiming to get to the UK to seek asylum. Government figures show that 81 per cent of Sudanese asylum applicants in the UK are accepted as refugees and given the right to remain  in other words, they are proven to have experienced persecution at home or are at significant risk of persecution on return. Even so, I detect little empathy for their situation from most people.

My encounter with those Sudanese refugees got me thinking about why this is the case. Is it that we have this vague and rather patronising idea that Africa is a terrible continent that people just want to leave, and then assume that all these economic migrants are just bound to want to come to the UK? Its not true  the Home Offices own figures show its not true, that 81 per cent of Sudanese asylum seekers are refugees and not economic migrants.

For some reason, Priti Patel is unpersuaded by her own facts, and as she and her colleagues push the lie that these people are purely economic migrants seeking a more prosperous life, she can get away with it because we do not know enough about the issues to push back.

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We may recall that Sudan was in the news a few years ago, but we cant really remember the specifics.

The press and the government seem to be content to support those fleeing Ukraine, Syria or Afghanistan. I think Ive worked out why. Its because in each of those three countries there is a recognisable bad guy in Putin, Assad or the Taliban. In which case, those fleeing from them are at least tolerable because they are the bad guys victims.

People have heard of Putin, Assad and the Taliban, so they can compute why people would flee and we  mostly  have sympathy.

The reality is always so much more complex, though. Often, there is not always a clear bad guy. Nor are the good guys going to be perfect in their behaviour. If you were placed under such pressure that leaving your home and everything familiar seemed the best option, think how you might respond. You might have to cheat, fight and steal to survive. You might develop serious mental health conditions that render you less than easy to deal with. Dont get on your high horse, then, if the refugees we receive are less angelic than you would prefer.

And just because we dont have the media coverage of what is happening in Sudan or Eritrea, for example, does that mean that we should have less compassion for people who flee from these countries? Just because you cant name the bad guys, or there isnt one easily identifiable bad guy, do the victims not count?

The main reason for the Sudanese displacement is the persecution of non-Arabs. Sudan has long been politically unstable, and a military coup in 2021 escalated the violence, killings, beatings and arrests. Sudan is at number 13 on the Open Doors watch list of countries that most persecute Christians.

To keep up to speed with all the latest opinions and comment, sign up to our free weekly Voices Dispatches newsletter by clicking here

So Sudanese people fleeing terror and violence in their own land are certainly not the bad guys.

Talking to these young men in Calais about their deeply traumatic journeys, of their families back home, of their hopes of reaching the UK, I realised that I needed to take responsibility to understand more about their plight and why they risk everything for safety in the UK.

In the end, each individual has ultimate dignity in their own right, and although we know we cannot accept everyone who seeks residence in the UK, we should surely make more effort to demonstrate compassion without allowing prejudice to pervade our decision-making.

One of my concerns about the policy to ship asylum seekers to Rwanda is that it will simply not stop people from coming here. Britain remains an attractive destination because we are seen around the world as a place of peace and freedom. However, what the Rwanda plan will achieve is to make refugees less likely to claim asylum when they arrive. They will simply slip under the radar, like Mo Farah did, and enter the black economy, making them more vulnerable to exploitation and modern slavery. This doesnt fit the control narrative the government continues to prioritise, but it will so obviously happen.

I hope that whoever becomes our next prime minister will reconsider the government approach, seek to understand the reasons that desperate people flee and show leadership to the voters to persuade them of a policy towards refugees that is compassionate, just and based on reality.

Tim Farron is the MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale and was Liberal Democrat party leader from 2015 to 2017
In Missouri, scandal-ridden former Gov. Eric Greitens is attempting a political comeback. In Michigan, a crowded field of Republican gubernatorial candidates includes a man charged in the Jan. 6 U.S. Capitol attack. In Arizona, a prominent figure in the QAnon conspiracy movement is running for the U.S. House.

Those are among some of the most notable contests in Tuesday's primary elections being held in six states.

Arizona, which Democrat Joe Biden narrowly won in 2020, is a top target for former President Donald Trump, who tried in vain to get his defeat overturned. He has endorsed a slate of candidates up and down the ballot who have promoted his false claims of a stolen election.

Trump has also been zeroed in on the 10 House Republicans who voted to impeach him over the Jan. 6 insurrection. Three of them are on the ballot Tuesday in Washington state and Michigan, as are two members of the Squad, Democratic Reps. Cori Bush of Missouri and Rashida Tlaib of Michigan.

Meanwhile, Kansas voters could clear the way for the Republican-controlled Legislature to further restrict or ban abortion if they approve a proposed state constitutional change. It's the first referendum vote on abortion policy by a state since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in June.

Ohio is also holding a primary for state legislative races on Tuesday, three months after its statewide and congressional contests  a split system that resulted from legal wrangling over redistricting.

What to watch:

ARIZONA

Trump's endorsed candidates in Arizona all have one thing in common: They have loudly disseminated misinformation about the legitimacy of the 2020 election, despite election officials and Trump's own attorney general saying there is no credible evidence the race was tainted.

In the governor's race, Trump has backed former television news anchor Kari Lake, who has said that she would not have certified Arizona's election results in 2020. Lake faces businesswoman Karrin Taylor Robson, who is endorsed by former Vice President Mike Pence and outgoing Gov. Doug Ducey.

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Secretary of State Katie Hobbs, a staunch defender of the 2020 election, is strongly favored to win the Democratic nomination for governor.

In the Republican primary for U.S. Senate, Trump has backed tech investor Blake Masters as the candidate to go up against Democratic incumbent Mark Kelly in the fall. Masters, whose campaign has been bankrolled by billionaire Peter Thiel, has called for reducing legal immigration and espoused the baseless great replacement conspiracy theory, claiming Democrats are trying to replace Americans who were born here.

Attorney General Mark Brnovich, another Senate candidate, has been weighed down by lackluster fundraising and fierce criticism from Trump, who says Brnovich did little to advance his election fraud claims. Another top candidate, Jim Lamon, the founder of a solar energy firm, was a fake elector for Trump in 2020, signing a certificate falsely saying that the then-president had won the state.

The Republican primary for secretary of state includes Trump-backed legislator Mark Finchem, a state representative who worked to overturn Trumps 2020 loss; state Rep. Shawnna Bolick, who introduced a bill to let legislators ignore election results and choose their own presidential electors; and state Sen. Michelle Ugenti-Rita, who has long pushed to overhaul election laws. The GOP establishment has rallied around advertising executive Beau Lane in the race.

Ron Watkins, who has ties to the QAnon conspiracy theory, is considered a long shot in his House run. Watkins, a Republican, served as the longtime administrator of the online message boards that became the home of the anonymous Q. The conspiracy theory is centered around the baseless belief that Trump waged a secret campaign against enemies in the deep state and that a group of satanic, cannibalistic child molesters secretly runs the globe.

In the state Legislature, Arizona House Speaker Rusty Bowers, who testified at a Jan. 6 hearing about Trumps pressure to overturn the 2020 election, faces a Trump-backed candidate in his bid to run for the state Senate.

MICHIGAN

The Republican primary for governor was wild from the start, with five candidates getting kicked off the ballot for failing to file enough valid nominating signatures.

Several of the remaining candidates have baggage that could hurt in a general election against Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

Real estate broker Ryan Kelley has pleaded not guilty to misdemeanor charges after authorities said he rallied Trumps supporters to storm the U.S. Capitol. Businessman Kevin Rinke was sued in the 1990s for sex harassment and racial discrimination  allegations he says were lies. Chiropractor Garrett Soldano hawked supplements he falsely claimed treated COVID-19. Conservative commentator Tudor Dixon, who has been endorsed by Trump, has previously acted in low-budget horror pictures.

All of the candidates falsely say there was fraud in the 2020 election, with Dixon, Kelley and Soldano saying the election was stolen from Trump.

Republican Rep. Peter Meijer is hoping to hold on to his seat after voting to impeach Trump. The former president has endorsed businessman and missionary John Gibbs, who worked in the Trump administration under Housing Secretary Ben Carson.

MISSOURI

Greitens political career appeared over when he resigned as governor in 2018, following his admission to an extramarital affair and accusations of blackmail and campaign finance violations. On Tuesday, the former Navy SEAL officer has a chance at redemption in his Republican primary for the seat held by retiring GOP U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt.

Greitens, Attorney General Eric Schmitt and U.S. Rep. Vicky Hartzler are the front-runners in a crowded 21-person GOP field that includes U.S. Rep. Billy Long and Mark McCloskey, the St. Louis lawyer who along with his wife pointed guns at racial injustice protesters who ventured onto their private street.

On Monday, Trump expressed support in a social media post for ERIC, meaning either Schmitt or Greitens, without picking between them.

The GOP winner in Missouri, a solidly Republican state, will be favored in November. But Republican leaders have long worried that Greitens  his ex-wife has also accused him of abuse, allegations Greitens has called baseless  could win the primary but lose the general election.

On the Democratic side, the nomination appears to be up for grabs between Lucas Kunce, a Marine veteran and self-proclaimed populist, and Trudy Busch Valentine, an heiress of the Busch beer fortune who has largely self-funded her campaign.

WASHINGTON

Two Republican House members from Washington state who voted to impeach Trump face primary challengers endorsed by him.

Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler, who has been in Congress since 2011, has said she voted for impeachment because she had an obligation to the Constitution." Trump has endorsed Joe Kent, a former Green Beret and a conservative cable show regular who echoes the former presidents grievances about the 2020 election outcome.

Rep. Dan Newhouse, a congressman since 2015, said he cast the vote to impeach Trump for inciting and refusing to immediately stop the Jan. 6 insurrection. Among his challengers is Loren Culp, a Trump-backed former small-town police chief who refused to concede the 2020 governors race to Democrat Jay Inslee.

In Washington, the top two vote-getters in each race, regardless of party, move forward to November.

KANSAS

Voters will decide whether to approve a change to the state constitution that could allow the Legislature to restrict or ban abortion despite a 2019 state Supreme Court ruling that abortion access is a fundamental right. Its the first referendum on abortion by a state since Roe v. Wades reversal.

In statewide races, Republican Kris Kobach is running for attorney general as he attempts a political comeback following losses in races for governor and U.S. Senate in previous years. Kobach, the state's former secretary of state, served as vice chair of a short-lived Trump commission on election fraud after the 2016 election.

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Associated Press writers Jonathan J. Cooper in Phoenix; Sara Burnett in Chicago; Jim Salter in OFallon, Missouri; Chris Grygiel in Seattle; and John Hanna in Topeka, Kansas; contributed to this report.

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Meg Kinnard can be reached at http://twitter.com/MegKinnardAP.

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Follow AP for full coverage of the midterms at https://apnews.com/hub/2022-midterm-elections and on Twitter at https://twitter.com/ap_politics.
The White House on Monday warned China against taking escalatory actions if Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) visits Taiwan during her trip to Asia this week, stressing that such a visit does not change anything.

Theres just no reason for this to escalate, White House national security spokesman John Kirby told reporters. Theres every reason given the our national security interests  as well as the interest of our allies and partners that are that are staking the Indo Pacific on any given day  theres every reason for this to not escalate.

Pelosi will reportedly visit Taiwan on Tuesday during her tour of Asia, which kicked off on Monday when she went to Singapore. Beijing has warned that it firmly opposes a visit to Taiwan by the Speaker and that it would impact China-U.S. relations, vowing that China would take strong and resolute measures to safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Put simply, there is no reason for Beijing to turn a potential visit consistent with long-standing U.S. policy into some sort of crisis conflict or use it as a pretext to increase aggressive military activity in or around the Taiwan Strait, Kirby said.

Kirby noted on Monday that China is laying the groundwork for potentially more provocations and that China appears to be positioning itself to potentially take further steps in the coming days, and perhaps over a longer time horizon.

These potential steps from China could include military provocations, such as firing missiles in the Taiwan Strait or around Taiwan, he added.

The U.S. has maintained a policy of strategic ambiguity toward Taiwan, a self-governing democratic island that China considers to be part of its territory, which under the Taiwan Relations Act of 1979 includes a U.S. commitment to support Taiwan without a promise of direct engagement if China invades.

The White House has been in direct conversations with Pelosi and her staff before she left for her trip, Kirby said.

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Biden last month said that the military thinks its not a good idea right now for the Speaker to make the trip. But, Kirby stressed that theres no drama when it comes to a potential trip from the Speaker.

Nothing has changed. Theres no drama to talk to. It is not without precedent for the Speaker of the House to go to Taiwan, he said.

Nothing about this potential, potential business  which, oh by the way, has precedent  would change the status quo and the world should reject any PRC effort to use it to do so, he added.

He would not confirm if she is definitely going to visit Taiwan, but noted multiple times that it is not without precedent for a Speaker or members of Congress to go to Taiwan.

The Speaker has the right to visit Taiwan, and the Speaker of the House has visited Taiwan before without incident as have many members of Congress, including this year, he said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
LATEST UPDATES (Thursday, Aug. 4):

LATEST Cedar Creek Fire grows to 1,200 acres, shuts down Waldo Lake Wilderness

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ORIGINAL STORY

Story updated at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 3.

Fire crews continue to face lightning and ongoing high temperatures as blazes in Oregon and northern California continue to burn.

Oregon reported more than 3,500 lightning strikes Monday night alone, according to the U.S. Forest Service, and more were expected Wednesday evening. Red flag warnings were extended through much of the state through 9 p.m. Wednesday.

Rain arrived at some wildfires sporadically on Monday and Tuesday to help cool growth and has led to improved air quality in the southern half of the state.

Here are the latest updates.

Cedar Creek Fire burns near Oakridge

An estimated 500-acre wildfire is burning about 18 miles east of Oakridge, according to reports from the Willamette National Forest.

The fire, called the Cedar Creek Fire, was likely caused by lightning in the area over the past few days, the Willamette National Forest said on Facebook. Firefighters have not yet been able to access the fire due to the terrain.

The fire is about 1 mile west of the Black Creek Trailhead on Forest Road 2421, 18 miles east of Oakridge, 3.5 miles west of Waldo Lake and 6 miles north of Highway 58.

An emergency closure is in place in the area. Hikers should not use trails off Forest Roads 2421 or 2424.

The entire west side of Waldo Lake, including all trails and trailheads, is closed, and the trail to Spirit Lake is closed, the Willamette National Forest said at 5:45 p.m. Wednesday.

The fire grew from 100 acres to 500 Wednesday and continues to be very active, moving north, spotting in all directions and putting up a large plume of smoke.

The Cedar Creek Fire was first reported as smoke was seen late Monday. A load of helicopter rappelers were sent in Tuesday, but turned down the assignment because the terrain was too hazardous for safe access, the Willamette National Forest reported.

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Two other fire crews later were sent in along Forest Road 2421 to find an access point. They did locate the fire and estimated it to be 5 acres at that time. A helicopter was assigned to make water drops for most of Tuesday.

Another helicopter and an incident management team have been ordered.

Crews assigned to the fire were pulled back Wednesday for a number of reasons, including a lack of safe access to the fire and escape routes for firefighters on the ground. So far, there are no apparent natural barriers available to stop the fire.

Fire managers are continuing to work to find a way to get firefighters to the fire.

Governor declares emergency in Wasco County

Gov. Kate Brown has invoked the Emergency Conflagration Act in response to the Miller Road/Dodge Fire in Wasco County. The fire sparked Tuesday and had burned about 1,000 acres of grass, brush and juniper near the community of Juniper Flats.

Residents of several homes near the fire were ordered to evacuate.

The emergency act is declared when a fire is a threat to life, safety and property and when that threat exceeds the capacity of local fire fighting personnel. It allows the state fire marshal to bring in additional firefighters and equipment from around the state.

Resources from Lane County, Juniper Flats Fire District, Klickitat County Fire District in Washington and Hood River Fire were called to help.

McKinney Fire acreage grows to 57,519, 0% contained

The largest wildfire in the area, the McKinney Fire, just south of the Oregon state line in California, grew 1,210 acres to reach a total of 57,519 acres as of Wednesday morning. It is now the largest wildfire this year in California.

Fire reports said crews were able to work successfully behind Yreka, creating a dozer line along the ridge to protect structures. Some rain on Tuesday night brought small relief to portions of the McKinney Fire, but activity was expected to increase as dry temperatures continue.

Smoke from the McKinney Fire is projected to move east over the course of Wednesday, impacting communities such as Yreka, Horn Brook, Weed and Black Butte.

After the discovery of two individuals in separate residences inside the perimeter of the fire, the confirmed fatalities for the McKinney Fire reached four early Tuesday morning, according to officials.

McKinney Fire live updates: Unstable air could create hazardous conditions; death toll at four

Alex Fire, China 2, surrounding area fires now called "Yeti Fire Complex"

The Alex Fire in the Klamath National Forest, nearby China 2 Fire and surrounding smaller lightning fires are now being called the Yeti Complex, according to the National Forest Service.

While cooler temperatures Tuesday evening helped moderate Yeti Fire activity overnight, warm and dry conditions in the forecast are creating hazardous conditions for firefighters moving forward through Wednesday, according to officials.

Motorists traveling on Highway 96, where the Yeti Fire is visible, are advised to drive slowly and watch for fire crews, equipment and other hazards on the road.

Fly Creek Fire holds at 280 acres, 80% contained

The Fly Creek Fire was held to 280 acres Tuesday night and crews increased containment to 80% on a blaze that brought evacuation orders to the Metolius Arm of Lake Billy Chinook in central Oregon.

A dozer line has been constructed around 80% of the fire perimeter and air support dropped retardant late Monday. On Wednesday, a drone will be used to map hot spots of the fire as the crew focuses on extinguishing hot spots, according to Central Oregon Fire.

The level 3 evacuation notice for the Perry South and Monty campgrounds remains in place. Three Rivers evacuation had been bumped to a level 1 as of Tuesday morning.

Fire crews in central Oregon so far have responded to at least 40 incidents of small wildfire starts.

Strong outflow winds and frequent lightning remain the primary concerns for any new and existing fires. Red Flag warnings remain in effect for gusty winds and low relative humidity through Wednesday at 9 p.m.

Potter Fire acreage accurately mapped at 85 acres

The Potter Fire, previously assumed to have grown to 400 acres on Potter Mountain, was remapped Tuesday and determined to be 85 acres, according to Northwest Incident Management. Northwest of Lemolo Lake and north of the North Umpqua River, on the border of Willamette and Umpqua national forests, the Potter Fire was 0% contained as of Wednesday morning.

We want to keep this fires footprint as small as possible and all assigned people and equipment will be focused on finding ways to work as close to the edge as safely possible. We are actively looking for every opportunity to stop the spread," Fire Management staff officer Ed Hiatt said in a news release.

"The fire was reported and very active although in a relatively remote area," the forest service said in a Facebook post.

Southern Oregon report

Fire danger levels in Josephine and Jackson counties were set to be moved to "extreme" on Tuesday morning.

Firefighters have responded to several small fire starts in Josephine County, near New Hope and Murphy. An update Tuesday morning said the southwest fires had minimal growth, and multiple engines were actively working in the area.

Windigo Fire remapped at 978 acres, Tolo Mountain 75% contained

The Windigo Fire, burning in the area of Windigo Pass south of Diamond Peak, has been re-estimated at 978 acres, according to the forest service. The fire is actively burning timber off Forest Service Road 60 on the Douglas and Klamath counties divide in Umpqua National Forest, according to officials.

It's in a popular area near Timpanogas Lake. A large closure of trails and natural areas is in effect near the fire. A full list of closures can be found here. Weekend lightning storms resulted in roughly 220 strikes across Lake and Klamath counties, according to officials.

Nearby, the Tolo Mountain fire in the Deschutes National Forest is being held at 41 acres and is now 75% contained. Local crews remain to mop up the area until full containment is reached, an update from officials on Tolo Mountain said.

A new start, now named the Green Butte Fire, is burning on Green Butte in the Deschutes National Forest, identified Tuesday evening by Central OR Fire. As of Wednesday morning, it had burned roughly 20 acres and is 0% contained, currently being handled by three crews, four engines, one water tender and more, according to officials.

Pacific Crest Trail closures

A 110-mile long stretch of the Pacific Crest Trail, between mile markers 1600 and 1710 and between Etna Summit in California to Mt. Ashland Ski Area in Oregon, has been closed due to the McKinney Fire.

Another section of the PCT, between mile markers 1848 and 1908, about 60 miles of the trail between Crater Lake National Park and Bend, is closed due to the Tolo Mountain and Windigo fires.

Zach Urness has been an outdoors reporter in Oregon for 15 years and is host of the Explore Oregon Podcast. To support his work, subscribe to the Statesman Journal. Urness is the author of Best Hikes with Kids: Oregon and Hiking Southern Oregon. He can be reached at zurness@StatesmanJournal.com or (503) 399-6801. Find him on Twitter at @ZachsORoutdoors.

Skyla Patton is an outdoor reporter and multimedia storyteller. She can be reached at spatton@gannett.com and on Twitter @ganjajournalist.

This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Wildfire updates: Cedar Creek Fire near Oakridge spurs trail closures
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on Monday urged China to oppose Russias invasion of Ukraine and use its access and influence to help bring an end to the conflict.

Ardern, speaking at the China Business Summit in Auckland, said Russian President Vladimir Putins aggression posed a threat to her small nation, a major trading partner of China.

As history shows us repeatedly, when large countries disregard sovereignty and territorial integrity with a sense of impunity, it does not bode well particularly for small countries like New Zealand, Ardern said.

She warned that the war in Ukraine may have effects that ripple across the globe.

The implications of the war are global, and are felt far from Europe, including here in the Indo-Pacific, Ardern said on Monday. And as a nation of the region, we have a fundamental interest in its peace and stability.

We continue to urge China to be clear that it does not support the Russian invasion, and have called on China to use its access and influence to help bring an end to the conflict, the prime minister added.

Putin launched his invasion of Ukraine in late February, with Russias military in recent months focusing its attacks on the countrys east. Thousands of civilians have been killed, millions have been forced to flee their homes, and dozens of soldiers are being killed on both sides every day.

China is one of the few major countries that has not condemned the war. In April, Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Le Yucheng announced they were instead strengthening ties with Russia.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Putin have met in early February, before the war began, expressing their shared desire to halt the expansion of the NATO security alliance.

Ardern, whose nation just celebrated fully re-opening its borders after the pandemic shut down much of the country, said trade between China and New Zealand goes back 50 years, having blossomed from $38 million annually to $38 billion today.

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China and New Zealand have both been major beneficiaries of relative peace, she said, adding it was incumbent upon nations to maintain that.

By facilitating global cooperation on issues that can only be solved collectively, international rules, norms and institutions are more important than ever, she added. Wherever they may fail, our first port of call must always be to find ways to make them stronger. Because we, both New Zealand and China, have benefited from them.

Ardern also noted that New Zealand had concerns about potential human rights violations in China, including in the region of Xinjiang, where ethnic Muslims are being persecuted and imprisoned, as well as the autonomy of Hong Kong as Chinas central government asserts increasing control.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP)  The United Arab Emirates on Monday banned the upcoming Pixar animated feature "Lightyear" from showing in movie theaters after its inclusion of a kiss between two lesbian characters.

The decision by the UAE comes as Malaysia also reportedly will ban the film, raising the possibility other Muslim-majority nations could follow suit on one of Disney's biggest animated films of the year as the film industry comes out of the depths of the coronavirus pandemic.

The Emirates, home to Abu Dhabi and Dubai, announced through its Media Regulatory Office of the country's Ministry of Youth and Culture that the film would not be opening in the country this Thursday.

The film "is not licensed for public screening in all cinemas in the UAE, due to its violation of the country's media content standards," the office said in a tweet. "The office confirms that all films screened in cinemas across the country are subject to follow-up and evaluation before the date of screening to the public, to ensure the safety of the circulated content according to the appropriate age classification."

The office did not elaborate on the tweet and did not immediately respond to questions from The Associated Press. The tweet included an image of the film's poster, with the profile image of its main character Buzz Lightyear with a "no" symbol over it in red.

Movie theaters in the UAE, a federation of seven sheikhdoms on the Arabian Peninsula, had already advertised showtimes for the film. But over the weekend, a social media campaign with the Arabic hashtag "Ban Showing Lightyear in the Emirates," caught the attention of conservative Emiratis. They described showing a lesbian couple on screen as being against their culture and religion.

The movie, with actor Chris Evans voicing the inspiration for the Buzz Lightyear action figure from the "Toy Story" films, includes a female character voiced by actress Uzo Aduba kissing her female partner.

The UAE, many other countries in the wider Mideast, is a Muslim-led nation that criminalizes same-sex relationships. The U.S. State Department warns that Islamic, or Shariah, law in the UAE can include the death penalty for same-sex conduct, while Dubai can levy a 10-year prison sentence and Abu Dhabi allows for up to 14 years.

However, such prosecutions are rarely reported and LGBTQ individuals do live in the skyscraper-studded city-state of Dubai, home to the long-haul carrier Emirates.

The $200 million "Lightyear" is expected to be a major draw for Disney, with analysts estimating it could gross over $100 million in its first weekend.

Studios have allowed censors to cut films in global distribution for content in the past, including in the Mideast market. Recently, Disney has faced protests from activists and its own staff over what they described as CEO Bob Chapek's slow response in publicly criticizing Florida legislation that opponents dubbed the "Don't Say Gay" bill.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis in late March signed the bill, which forbids instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity in kindergarten through third grade.

The moment had been earlier cut from the film but was restored after Pixar employees protested Disney's response to Florida's bill.

The movie also may be banned in Malaysia as well. The Star, the country's top English-language newspaper, cited an anonymous, nongovernment source as saying that Lightyear will not be shown in Malaysian cinemas. No reasons were given. A newspaper in the Persian Gulf island kingdom of Bahrain similarly has speculated the film wouldn't be shown there.

Officials from Malaysia's Film Censorship Board and the Home Affairs Ministry, as well as The Walt Disney Co., could not be immediately reached for comment.
DES MOINES  A Black administrative judge in Iowa who asserted she was fired in 2017 because of her race  and after successfully suing the state is in the process of being reinstated  has also agreed to a $225,000 settlement with the state.

The State Appeal Board approved the settlement with Renee Sneitzer, of Cedar Rapids, at its regular meeting Monday.

Sneitzer had been working for 10 years as an administrative law judge for the Iowa Department of Corrections Iowa Medical and Classification Center in Coralville when, in 2017, she was fired for not adhering to a supervisors orders, according to court documents. Sneitzer challenged her firing, saying she faced discrimination and was fired because of her race.

In April, an administrative law judge ruled the state corrections department did not prove just cause for Sneitzers firing, and ordered she be reinstated with back pay. The Iowa Public Employment Relations Board concurred with and adopted the judges findings, also ordering the state to reinstate Sneitzer.

In late July, the parties agreed to the $225,000 settlement; roughly $134,000 will go to Sneitzer and the remaining $91,000 to her attorneys.

According to the terms of the settlement, detailed in a July 22 letter from the Iowa Attorney Generals Office to the State Appeal Board, the agreement is not to be construed as an admission of liability or wrongdoing on the part of the state or the parties named in the lawsuit. The appeal board approved the settlement without discussion Monday.

According to court documents, the corrections departments general counsel and inspector general Michael Savala fired Sneitzer in 2017, alleging that she continued to disregard multiple supervisory directives.

Sneitzer responded, during a department investigation conducted by Savala and later in court documents, that Savalas actions were harassing, discriminatory and retaliatory.
IOWA CITY  University of Iowa Physicians  a medical and surgical group based in the Carver College of Medicine  has agreed to pay $600,000 to settle a lawsuit brought by the North Liberty wife of a patient who died in August 2015 of complications from a metastatic neuroendocrine tumor.

Kathy Pierce brought a $2.5 million claim to the State Appeal Board on Aug. 7, 2017, accusing UI Hospitals and Clinics of negligence. The state denied it a year later, causing her to sue Dec. 26, 2018.

In her lawsuit, Pierce said UIHC in 2008 found the tumor in husband Christopher Pierces abdomen, with metastasis to the liver and, over time, to the spine and right orbit. He participated in a clinical trial in 2013, shrinking lesions in his spine and eye, according to the suit.

UIHC conducted a series of CT scans over the years  including three in 2013, two in 2014 and two in 2015  that showed a tumor burden on the liver of between 10% and 15%.

At that start of 2015, Chris Pierce reported more symptoms, along with elevated liver function tests  despite the stable CT results.

When Chris symptoms kept getting worse, an MRI was performed at UIHC on July 8, 2015 which found micro-metastasis to significant parts of liver, with an estimated 95% tumor burden, according to the couples appeal board claim. This was a shock to Chris and his wife, Kathy, as they had been told that the serial imaging over the years showed no significant change.

Days after seeking a second opinion, Pierce went to the Mercy Medical Center emergency room in Cedar Rapids for cancer-induced complications of chronic liver failure, and he died Aug. 29, 2015, at age 67.

If UIHC correctly interpreted the MRI to show 95% tumor burden, the failure to perform an earlier MRI deprived Chris of the opportunity to treat his cancer at an earlier point in time and avoid the significant burden on his liver, according to the lawsuit. Chris lost a chance for a better outcome, and the negligent failure to diagnose his recurrent disease prevented him from taking advantage of alternative treatment at a more opportune time.

The state denied allegations and offered the affirmative defense that the sole cause, proximate cause, or superseding cause of plaintiffs alleged injuries and damages, if any, may have been a preexisting medical condition and/or a subsequently occurring medical condition for which defendant is not responsible.

The state in January 2019 also asked the court to dismiss the lawsuit because, among other things, it wasnt filed in time. Claiming the lawsuit wasnt alleging wrongful death and instead negligence that the couple became aware of on July 8, 2015, the state argued Kathy Pierce had two years to file beginning then.

Plaintiff did not file her claims with the State Appeal Board until August 7, 2017, according to the state. As a result, plaintiffs claims are untimely.

Pierce disputed that, arguing her claims are based on the denial of a longer life  meaning the two-year clock started on his Aug. 29, 2015, death.

Although Pierces original complaint sought $2.5 million, the State Appeal Board on Monday approved a $600,000 settlement, with UI Physicians paying all of it.

UI Physicians is a UI Carver College of Medicine-based medical and surgical clinical practice encompassing 1,000-plus physicians. Since 2004, the group has owned Iowa Medical Mutual Insurance Co., established to provide medical malpractice coverage on a claims-made basis to UI physicians.
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Central Bank of Somalia (CBS) has recently granted its first two foreign banking licenses  to Turkeys Ziraat Katlm bank and Egypts Banque Misr  in decades as the country seeks to rebuild its financial sector and attract international investment.

Both state-owned financial institutions were approved by Somalias central bank at the start of July. Being the first two licenses granted to foreign lenders since 1970, the historic decision follows the election of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud in May. The CBS governor Abdirahman Abdullahi said the new entrants are solid banks that will add value to the development of Somalias financial sector and contribute to the growth of our economy. He added that their entry will enable local banks to gain experience of international banking standards.

In the 1960s, foreign commercial banks that operated in Somalia included Italys Banco di Napoli and Banco di Roma, Egypts Banque de Porte Saide and UKs National Grindleys Bank. But, when the Supreme Revolutionary Council (SRC) overthrew the civilian government in October 1969, all foreign banks in Somalia were nationalized under an order of the SRC on May 7, 1970. The junta then formed the Somali Commercial and Savings Bank, using assets of the nationalized lenders, in 1972 that operated until its collapse in 1988. The latest move by the CBS is part of an effort to open up Somalias financial industry and rebuild the war-wracked nation.
Morocco has reiterated its call on the Algerian presidency to act in order to restore normal ties between the Moroccan and Algerian peoples, evoking shared history, culture and destiny.

The call was made by Moroccos King Mohammed VI in a speech on the occasion of the Throne Day, confirming once again Rabats neighbourliness and forward-looking vision for a stable and prosperous maghreb.

I look forward to cooperating with the Algerian presidency so that Morocco and Algeria may work hand in hand and enjoy normal relations between the two brotherly peoples, who are bound by historical and human ties as well as a common destiny, said the King.

This outstretched hand has been a longstanding policy under King Mohammed VI who has on multiple occasions during his reign called for opening borders and fostering economic integration of Maghreb countries.

This call to resuming normalcy comes at a context of escalation by the Algerian regime which has cut ties with Rabat, closed its airspace to all Moroccan aircrafts, halted a gas pipeline and engaged in a warmongering rhetoric on all its private and official media coupled with diplomatic diatribes in international forums.

Morocco did not fall in the trap of provocation and has rather adopted a wise approach that is more focused on building bridges with neighbors. Morocco has not cut ties, nor banned Algerian aircrafts from its airspace and maintains an open arms policy towards the Algerian people.

History shall remember who endeavored to bridge the gap and mend ties and who turned his back to shared values and longstanding ties of brotherliness and neighborliness.

Leaders are recognized by their capacity to take decisions that serve the best interest of their nations. The King has kept calling on Moroccans to continue to adhere to the principles of brotherhood, solidarity, and good-neighborliness binding us with our Algerian brothers and sisters. I want to assure Algerians that Morocco and the Moroccans will always be on their side, no matter what and in all circumstances.
The Congress of Peru has passed a motion praising the leadership and the outstanding achievements of King Mohammed VI. The motion coincided with the celebrations by Morocco of the 23rd Anniversary of the accession of King Mohammed VI to the Throne.

In their motion, the Peruvian MPs commended the action undertaken by the Sovereign for strengthening the State institutions, making the North African Kingdom an influential player on the international scene.

The Peruvian Congress praised the reforms introduced under the Sovereigns leadership in recent years, enabling Morocco to become a strategic ally for Peru and for all the countries of the Latin American region.

The Congress also hailed the progress made by the country in the socioeconomic and political fields under the reign of King Mohammed VI and offered heartfelt congratulations to Morocco for the Throne Day.
The important support, which Morocco provides to Palestine, under the leadership of King Mohammed VI, has greatly helped Palestinians to continue resistance, said Palestinian minister of Social Development Ahmed Majdalani.

Speaking on behalf of the Palestinian presidency at a ceremony hosted over the weekend by the Moroccan embassy in Ramallah on the occasion of Throne Day, Mr. Majdalani said everyone knows and highly appreciates the great support supplied by Morocco to the State of Palestine in various sectors.

He cited in this regard the financial support provided by the Al-Quds Committee, saying this precious help contributes to the continuation of the resistance of the Palestinian people and their survival on their land.

He voiced the Palestinian peoples gratitude for this vital support and conveyed the congratulations of President Mahmoud Abbas to King Mohammed VI on the occasion of Throne Day, praising the Moroccan Sovereigns firm support of the rights of the Palestinian people and steady defense of the Holy city of Al-Quds.
Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune Sunday threw weight behind his Tunisian counterpart Kais Saied who is harshly criticized at home and abroad for legitimizing his seizure of all major powers last year.

Tebboune told local media that Saied represents the legitimate side in Tunisia.

Tebboune is the first president to publicly support Saied in the wake of the July 25 referendum which was boycotted by majority of voters.

Saied put a new constitution to the referendum. The independent electoral body, ISIE, put the turnout at 30 per cent and at over 90 per cent of the casted ballots in favor of the unpopular constitution.

Major political parties and most civil society groups boycotted the referendum arguing it is unconstitutional and a way to validate the putsch conducted by President Saied on July 25 last year when he snatched all major powers in the North African country.

I Watch, the local branch of Transparency International, disputed the ISIE figures arguing that they were incoherent. The organization requested a recount of the vote without the participation of the electoral body.
The head of US diplomacy will travel in August to South Africa, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda, the State Department announced, as the US seeks to counter Russian diplomatic influence.

Antony Blinken will aim to show African countries that they have a critical geostrategic role and are crucial allies on the most pressing issues of our time, from promoting an open and stable international system to addressing the effects of climate change, food insecurity and global pandemics, the State Department said in a statement.

The US ambassador to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, will visit Ghana and Uganda next month, while the head of the US development agency, Samantha Power, recently completed a trip to Kenya, a long-time US ally, and Somalia.

The diplomatic efforts come as Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov embarked on his own tour of Africa where he blamed Western sanctions for soaring food prices, a claim rejected by Washington.

This will be Blinkens second trip to sub-Saharan Africa since taking office. Last year he visited Kenya, Nigeria and Senegal.

Prior to the Ukraine-Russia conflict, US diplomacy in Africa focused mainly on competition with China, which has made significant infrastructure investments on the African continent and, unlike the US, has done so without requiring any quid pro quo from states on democracy or human rights.
Several dozen people gathered in Ouagadougou on last Saturday to protest against Frances presence in Burkina Faso, calling for a major mobilization on 12 August.

The rally took place in front of the memorial erected in memory of Thomas Sankara, the progressive former Burkinabe president assassinated in a 1987 coup detat instigated by Blaise Compaore, who was close to France until his fall in 2014.

The protesters held up placards reading: France, sponsor of terrorism, get out, All together for the liberation of Burkina Faso, Imperial France, tyrant, leech, get out, or No to cooperation agreements with France.

We denounce the economic partnership agreements, the installation of detachments and military bases on the African continent and demand the departure of the military base in Kamboissin (north-west of Ouagadougou), the end of the technical assistance agreement and cooperation agreements with France, said Monique Yeli Kam, president of a new coalition of organizations gathered within the M30 Naaba Wobgo, named after a former Mossi emperor who opposed France in the 19th century.

France clings miserably to its former African colonial empire, whose resources it plunders, exploits at will, ignites terrorism and fuels wars and genocide, she added.

We are a new generation and we have become aware of our history and are determined to take responsibility for ourselves and earn our independence through more freedom and truth, said Sayouba Kindo, a member of the M30.
- State-of-the-art laboratory space will become available in 2025

- New building will bring SmartLabs to its third city in the United States

BOSTON, August 01, 2022--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Capitalizing on Philadelphias emergence as a national hub for cell and gene therapy, SmartLabs, a Boston-based Laboratory-as-a-Service (LaaS) leader, today announced plans to open its first facility in the city in addition to SmartLabs advanced resourcing in Boston and the Bay Area.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220801005080/en/

Philadelphia, PA (Photo: Business Wire)

SmartLabs will locate in a portion of the new life sciences research facility at 3201 Cuthbert Street that is set to become the largest life sciences research and production space in the city upon completion in 2025. The facility is centered in the heart of Drexel Universitys campus, which is creating a vibrant presence and ecosystem of innovation in and around University City. The new 508,000 square foot facility, developed by Gattuso Development Partners in partnership with New York-based Vigilant Holdings, will offer advanced R&D, vivarium, and manufacturing suites. SmartLabs will occupy two floors in the building

"We are thrilled to announce our expansion into Philadelphia to bring our advanced infrastructure and operations platform to the regions scientific innovators," said Amrit Chaudhuri, CEO and co-founder of SmartLabs. "Philadelphia has a trailblazing community of companies advancing cell & gene therapies, and SmartLabs new facilities will improve their scientific outcomes, accelerating time from discovery to commercialization. SmartLabs has already supported dozens of biopharma companies in the national biotech hubs of Boston and San Francisco, and we believe that Philadelphias exciting CGT market and proximity to prestigious academic institutions makes it an ideal third geography."

Story continues

Philadelphia is home to a booming cell and gene therapy (CGT) ecosystem which will benefit from the colocation of R&D labs, in vivo suites, and clean rooms capable of cGMP manufacturing. By licensing SmartLabs state-of-the-art laboratory facilities rather than investing substantial time and money in building new space, biopharma companies can focus on their science and get new treatments to patients faster.

With this expansion, SmartLabs will establish its seventh location  the company currently operates four facilities in the Boston area, with one currently operational facility in San Francisco and another under construction  and bring its total nationwide real estate to 550,000 square feet. The new building, owned by an affiliate of Gattuso Development Partners and Vigilant on a site which has been leased on a long-term basis with Drexel University, is yet another life sciences collaboration for the firm, which has its development roots in the renaissance of The Navy Yard as a hub for life sciences research and production facilities.

"SmartLabs is revolutionizing the way scientists access and work in laboratories, and we are thrilled to support their mission to accelerate science," said John Fry, president of Drexel University. "Many of Philadelphias CGT companies are investigating treatments for rare and orphan diseases, and the ability to reduce costs and ramp-up time can be critical for them. We look forward to SmartLabs presence in Philadelphia R&D and to the scientific advances that will come out of their facilities."

"We are tremendously excited about partnering with SmartLabs to accelerate the development of research facilities in the new building," said John Gattuso, co-founder and co-principal of the firm. "SmartLabs is a national leader in the LaaS field, and in addition to the tremendous opportunity it presents for our project, its expansion reaffirms Philadelphias growing recognition as a national hub for life sciences, especially in the field of cell and gene therapy."

About SmartLabs

SmartLabs designs, builds, and operates integrated, enterprise-grade research environments, including multifunctional research and development labs, vivaria, process development, pilot-scale manufacturing, and cGMP suites for companies of all sizes. SmartLabs currently operates four locations in Massachusetts  Kendall Square, East Cambridge, Boston Landing, and the Seaport District, as well as one location in California  South San Francisco. SmartLabs provides in-house design, architecture, and construction management, as well as full-service lab operations and facilities management and a suite of shared amenities. For more information, please email info@smartlabs.com or visit SmartLabs.com.

About Gattuso Development Partners

Gattuso Development Partners are committed to creating exceptional, sustainable high performance workplaces. We recognize that the right work environment is the most critical asset a business can offer to attract, retain and inspire its employees and promote long term success.

Gattuso professionals have played a key role in reshaping the Philadelphia skyline and revitalizing its urban landscape through their work with the urban development group at Liberty Property Trust, including more than $3 billion of development on projects like the Comcast Technology Center and the Comcast Center, in Center City, Philadelphia. This work also included the initial phase of the redevelopment of The Navy Yard, considered the most successful redevelopment of a former military facility anywhere in the country; the Camden Waterfront; and more than 50 office/flex buildings across the nation. Since its formation in 2018, Gattuso has completed the $125 million Iovance Biotherapeutics research and production facility at 300 Rouse Blvd., and is currently developing the 130,000 square foot cGMP facility at 2500 League Island Boulevard, both at The Navy Yard. For more information, go to www.gattusodevelopmentpartners.com.

About Vigilant Real Estate Holdings

Vigilant Real Estate Holdings was founded in 2020 to acquire strategic and diversified assets across the United States with a specific focus on life sciences developments. The platform leverages nearly 70 years of combined real estate experience and relationships to capitalize transactions of varying sizes and risk profiles. Led and co-founded by David Fowler and based in New York, Vigilant currently owns over 1 million square feet of life sciences developments on both the east and west coasts. David Fowler spent the previous 12 years in real estate capital markets brokerage most recently serving as a senior vice president at CBRE in New York. Industry leader, John Fowler, serves as Vigilants senior advisor and was the co-founder and executive managing director of HFF, Inc prior to its sale to JLL.

About Drexel

Drexel, a comprehensive urban university of more than 23,000 students, is a leader in experiential, technology-infused education, enriched by the nations premier cooperative-education program. Drexel is rethinking its institutional boundaries and creating a vibrant presence and ecosystem of innovation in and around University City. This ecosystem will ultimately benefit students through co-ops and career opportunities, benefit faculty through collaborative research and training, and benefit the surrounding community through the creation of a pipeline to employment. Through a partnership with Brandywine Realty Trust, Schuylkill Yards a $3.5 billion mixed-use project is being constructed on University real estate adjacent to Philadelphias Amtrak 30th Street Station. In partnerships with Spark Therapeutics and with Gattuso Development Partners, the University is bringing a state-of-the-art gene manufacturing center and what is expected to be the largest life sciences facility in Philadelphia to campus. Together with Wexford Science and Technology, Drexel is also extending uCity Square, a multi-billion-dollar development, in part through an academic building that will relocate the College of Medicine and College of Nursing and Health Professions to the University City campus.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220801005080/en/

Contacts

MacDougall Advisors

Carolyn Noyes

cnoyes@macdougall.bio
General Hospital

Days of Our Lives

The Young and the Restless

Do you think Victor has something to hide?  #YR is new this week on @CBS! Watch the latest on @paramountplus. pic.twitter.com/wGzvNAElDy  Young and Restless (@YandR_CBS) July 31, 2022

The Bold and the Beautiful

This Week in Soaps history...

August 2nd-6th, 2021

This week on the US Daytime Soaps...Li Finnegan arrived, and Steffy and Finn took the Finnegans to get to know the Forresters. The couple sent out a wedding announcement, and it was received by a mysterious stranger. Steffy asked Hope to be her matron of honor, and at the wedding, Jack accosted a veiled stranger. It turned out to be Pam, who was quite emotional to see her sister's portrait over the mantel. In the guesthouse, Sheila emerged from the shadows and proclaimed to be Finn's mother.Gabi convinced Philip to hire Jake, and she installed software in an effort to take over Titan.Lani told Abe about how Paulina had repeatedly disappointed her as a child.Ben kidnapped Ciara and took her to the cabin. Eli arrested Claire and Allie for aiding Ben. Ciara splinted Bens ankle after she broke it, and she remembered her life with him. Shawn and Theo found Ben and Ciara in one anothers arms at the cabin.E.J. and Sami argued about her affair with Lucas. E.J. told Sami he wanted her out of his life. Lucas made a play for Sami, but she insisted that she would win E.J. back. Someone kidnapped Sami.Nicole told Rafe that her marriage was over. Ava was jealous of Rafe and Nicoles friendship.Jack accused Gwen of drug dealing with Snyder, but Xander shifted the blame to himself.Joey Novak approached Josslyn to give her a message for Jason and Carly. A furious Jax confronted Carly about their daughter's safety. Monica gave Carly her blessing to marry Jason.Trina was devastated when she overheard a revealing conversation between Portia and Stella about Portia's past with Curtis. Stella suffered a stroke, but Cameron's quick thinking saved the day."Mike" and Nina grew closer, but Nina's secret was nearly exposed when she received a video call from Wiley.Harmony shocked Willow by showing up for Wiley's birthday party. Alexis questioned Harmony -- Ryan's caretaker -- about her patient's treatment. Alexis learned that Ryan communicated by blinking his eyes and that Harmony had written letters dictated by Ryan using his eyes. Nikolas and Alexis discovered an envelope among Ryan's mail addressed to "S. Cassadine."Laura was surprised to learn that Spencer resented Kevin for not turning Ryan over to the authorities as soon as Kevin had learned that his twin was alive. Laura told Dante that Lulu's condition had not improved and that she didn't expect him to wait for Lulu.Michael and Willow succumbed to temptation and made love, but the lovebirds were unaware that Chase had entered the gatehouse with Austin. Chase decided not to confront Willow while he plotted his next move.Thanks to Sasha, Gladys landed a job as Brook Lynn's assistant. Terri extended an olive branch to Britt. Hayden's mother, Naomi, moved to Port Charles to reconnect with Violet.Phyllis met with Eric Forrester in L.A. and confirmed that Sally had convinced him to recommend Summer for the position with Marchetti. Jack cornered Tara, who claimed that she'd gone along with Sally's plan to force Summer out of town because she'd wanted to give Harrison a stable home. Lauren made Sally's role as president of JCV permanent. Lauren suspected that Tara was hiding something in the financial records for her shoe line. Phyllis hacked into Tara's records and learned that Tara had been siphoning money from her investors into a personal account. Summer confessed to Kyle that Tara had blackmailed her into taking the job in Milan. Kyle angrily confronted Tara, who prepared to leave town with Harrison, but Phyllis and Lauren arrived with the police, who arrested Tara for fraud. Kyle flew to Milan and reunited with Summer.Victoria accompanied Ashland to New York to close his office and put his properties up for sale. Victoria accepted Ashland's marriage proposal. Adam pushed to make a move on Newman/ocke, but Victor refused to undermine Victoria's accomplishments. Amanda considered suing Sutton in civil court.Tessa became increasingly suspicious of Mariah's continued absence when Mariah failed to return home for her doctor's appointment. Mariah nicknamed the baby "Bowie" and contemplated who had kidnapped her.Rey declined a job offer with Victor's security team.THE WEEK OF JULY 30th- AUGUST 3rd, 2001Kay's plans to seduce Miguel didn't go as expected. Grace was stunned when she viewed a faxed copy of a marriage license that proved she and David were really married. David passed a lie detector test as well. Sam complied when Grace insisted that David be released from prison.Julian took a flight to Bermuda to finalize his divorce from Ivy. Theresa followed Julian with the hopes of getting Julian to take Ethan back into the family.Timmy and Tabitha headed to Warlock Island, followed by Norma. Source 3 and Source 4
Counting on Complacency in HazCom

Complacency and memory play a much bigger role in HazCom compliance than you think.

Safety professionals at over five million workplaces have set up a hazard communication system. Theyve trained over 40 million employees on chemical risks and how to use the system. But having a system to manage chemicals and providing knowledge of chemical dangers doesnt mean those employees are consistently attentive to them or follow the system to the letter.

As the person responsible for hazard communication, you have the right to know that what OSHA tells you isnt enough to ensure workers always comply with OSHAs own standard. The safety agency gives you the what, but not all of the how. And for your employees, OSHA provides them with the right to know, but not what they should want the right to know about. In particular, there are two keys to compliance that OSHA will likely never provide.

The standard thats known as the right to understand needs an update. But not the proposed update in which OSHA wants to move from an old version to a slightly less old but still outdated version of GHS. Instead, I propose that the right to know part should include the right to know about human factors like complacency and memory, two elements in chemical handling failure or success. These two factors play a much bigger role in HazCom compliance than most people give them credit for.

Complacency and the Right to Know

Policymakers and safety advocates have been urging reluctant manufacturers to provide transparency on all manner of products for years, leading to information overload for end users. Its to the point where people now give disclosure documents only a cursory skim or ignore them completely because of how common they are, as well as their length, complexity and lack of clarity.

If youve ever purchased a new car or agreed to a tech companys terms of service, youre well aware that the devil resides in the details. It doesnt take a lawyer to know theres all sorts of weaselly clauses in the pages of legalese youre asked to agree to.

This article originally appeared in the July/August 2022 issue of Occupational Health & Safety.
Oil prices plunged by 4% at the start of August as the market digested weak economic figures from China, the worlds largest crude oil importer.

As of 10:12 a.m. ET on Monday, WTI Crude prices were down by 4.49% at $94.22. WTI Crude started August on the decline, following the first back-to-back monthly losses in June and July since the end of 2020. Brent Crude, the international benchmark, was down to $100after finishing July at the $103 a barrel handle, following a brief intra-day spike to $110 on Friday. Brent Crude traded down by 3.37% to $100.40 at 10:12 a.m. ET on Monday.

The market sentiment at the start of this month was one of concern about the pace of global oil demand after Chinese factory activity unexpectedly contracted, and its manufacturing Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) improved only marginally in July and was well below expectations.

PMI readings were also weaker in July than in June in the major Eurozone countries and in South Korea.

In China, COVID flare-ups in July led to an unexpected contraction in factory activity, according to data from the Chinese National Bureau of Statistics.

Per the Caixin China General Manufacturing PMI, the rate of improvement in Chinas business conditions eased in July from a 13-month high in June and was only marginal.

Weak economic data from China rekindled fears about an economic slowdown in major economies and importers of crude, which could weigh on oil demand going forward.

Later this week, traders and market analysts will be watching the OPEC+ monthly meeting on August 3, the first after the group decided to have all the 2020 cuts rolled back by the end of this month.

After gains last week, the focus in crude oil is shifting to the OPEC+ meeting this week where expectations for any notable increase in output for September are minimal. Supply side issues also continue to underpin but focus short-term has shifted to Chinas manufacturing PMI miss and the resulting demand contraction, Saxo Bank said on Monday.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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If China has a colder than expected winter or if there is a change in its Covid strategy, then global LNG markets are sure to get even tighter.

Six years ago, China suffered a severe natural gas shortage and has since been very careful to ensure it has as much gas as it needs before winter.

China, which last year became the worlds top importer of liquefied natural gas, has been importing a lot less of it this year. Imports were down by as much as 20 percent amid skyrocketing prices in the first half of the year and buyers are still holding back on more shipments. But this could change on a dime.

Six years ago, China was hit by a severe natural gas shortage in the north, leading to blackouts and heating outages for millions of people. This was the result of a rushed shift from coal to gas, with gas transportation infrastructure and imports falling short of demand in peak season.

Since then, China has been very careful to have all the gas it needs ahead of winter to avoid a repeat of the 2017 crunch. This is how it became the worlds biggest importer of liquefied gas last year, and this is why now its lukewarm appetite for that same liquefied gas is causing concern among traders.

According to a recent Bloomberg report that cited gas trade industry insiders, Chinas behavior is out of the ordinary. This in itself is not necessarily bad. If China is buying less LNG, there will be more for Europe, which has been doing everything it can to fill as much of its gas storage as it can before the heating season starts.

Yet, according to the traders Bloomberg talked to, if a cold spell suddenly boosts demand in the winter proper, China will immediately start snapping LNG cargos, potentially worsening an already tight supply situation.

Cold spells are not unusual during the winter but there is also another risky aspect to the current behavior of Chinese LNG buyers. In many ways, it is even riskier than counting on a mild winter: they seem to be counting on more restrictions due to Covid in the coming months, which would keep the demand for energy in check.

China has a zero-Covid policy that has led to several strict lockdowns, including this year, which affected the rate at which its economy expanded and, naturally, led to lower energy demand. Recently, the Chinese Politburo defended that policy, saying it would aim to strike a balance between zero-Covid and economic growth. Future flare-ups of infections, however, are not a certainty for the winter, unlike low temperatures.

Related: Saudi Arabias Real Production Capacity: Is 15 Million Bpd Possible?

Right now, the lockdowns have impacted industry, and China is working through the backlog of industrial activity and demand, Toby Copson, global head of trading and advisory at Trident LNG told Bloomberg. If one of the biggest buyers in Asia comes back for volume when the rest of North Asia is competing with Europe - thats a massive liquidity grab.

Earlier this month, the International Energy Agency forecast that natural gas demand will actually contract this year and grow more slowly than previously expected because of excessive prices. It was an odd forecast amid Europes rush for gas, regardless of the price, which led to many cargos being diverted or resold by Asian buyers, including ones from China. It starts sounding even odder when one factors in the reversal from gas to coal to continue generating electricity in many countries, notably Germany but also China.

Coal, in fact, is one of the ways China is seeking to insulate itself from another gas shortage crisis. The authorities have ordered the industry to produce as much coal as it can, and it has ordered the same for the gas industry as well. Meanwhile, it is increasing pipeline gas imports, including from Russia, with which Beijing is currently discussing an expansion of the Power of Siberia pipeline.

The country has increased gas purchases from Russia this year, tripling the gas orders via the Power of Siberia over the first half from a year ago and significantly boosting imports from Turkmenistan, too, by more than 50 percent.

In the wake of the 2017 gas crunch, China vowed it would never again find itself in such a situation. One of the worlds top energy consumers has stayed true to its promise and has prepared for winter every year by boosting gas imports ahead of peak season.

The fact that now Chinese buyers seem to be disinterested in stocking up on LNG ahead of that season suggests that, more than anything else, China either has the gas it would reasonably need during the winter, or it can get it via pipeline from other sources at lower prices, too, as pipeline gas is normally cheaper than LNG.

Again, this is good news for Europe as that would leave more gas for its storage facilities that are filling up but havent filled up yet. The not-so-good news is that even though China may be set for winter in gas terms, there might still be insufficient LNG supplies to go around should the winter prove more severe than usual for any part of the northern hemisphere that relies on LNG to keep the lights and the heating on.

By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

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Lebanons armed Hezbollah group warned Israel on Sunday against drilling at an offshore gas field, renewing a threat that it could escalate the offshore border demarcation dispute to a war.

Hezbollah, backed by Iran, aired a video on its Al-Manar television channel, showing drone footage of Israeli barges at the gas field and their coordinates. The video ends with footage of a rocket with the words within range in Arabic and Hebrew. The text on the video message opens with Playing with time is useless, also in both languages.

Israel and Lebanon, which do not have diplomatic relations, are in a years-long dispute over the demarcation of their territorial waters in the Mediterranean.

The dispute escalated this summer after UKs Energean, which has been awarded the right to drill at the offshore Karish field, arrived on the site with a rig, prompting an immediate reaction from Beirut. The Lebanese president and the caretaker prime minister of the country accused Israel of violating Lebanons sovereignty.

Karish is the focus of the rift. According to Israel, Karish lies in its territorial waters. According to Lebanon, it falls within a triangle of contested waters because the two cannot agree where exactly the border passes.

Israel has already warned early on that any damage to the drilling rig in Karishlike attacks on any gas drilling rigs in its waterswill be construed as an attack on the state, implying there would be an immediate reaction.

The latest video threat from Hezbollah came as Amos Hochstein, U.S. Special Presidential Coordinator for the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment, traveled to Lebanon on Sunday.

Hochstein was set to discuss sustainable solutions to Lebanons energy crisis, including the Biden Administrations commitment to facilitating negotiations between Lebanon and Israel on the maritime boundary, the U.S. Department of the State said. Reaching a resolution is both necessary and possible, but can only be done through negotiations and diplomacy, the State Department added.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba hailed the departure of the first shipment of grain as a "relief for the world."

Ukraine and Russia signed agreements with Turkey and the UN two weeks ago to free up three Ukrainian ports.

The first ship carrying Ukrainian grain since the beginning of Russias war is finally on its way to Turkey.

The first ship carrying Ukrainian grain was on its way to Istanbul after it set off from the Black Sea port of Odesa on August 1 under a UN-brokered deal, raising moderate hope that a looming global food crisis could be averted.

Ukraine and Russia signed agreements with Turkey and the United Nations on July 22 in Istanbul to free up three of Ukraine's ports -- Odesa, Chornomorsk, and Pivdenniy -- which had been blockaded since Russia launched the invasion of Ukraine in late February.

Ukrainian Infrastructure Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov said the Razoni cargo ship, flying the flag of Sierra Leone, left Odesa on the morning of August 1, and Turkey's Defense Ministry said in a statement that the vessel was expected in Istanbul on August 2.

"The first grain ship since #RussianAggression has left port. Thanks to the support of all our partner countries & @UN we were able to fully implement the agreement signed in Istanbul," Kubrakov wrote on Twitter.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba hailed the departure of the first shipment of grain as a "relief for the world."

"The day of relief for the world, especially for our friends in the Middle East, Asia, and Africa, as the first Ukrainian grain leaves Odesa after months of Russian blockade. Ukraine has always been a reliable partner and will remain one should Russia respect its part of the deal," Kuleba tweeted.

The Joint Coordination Center, the Istanbul-based organization overseeing the exports, said the Razoni is carrying "over 26,000 metric tons" of maize.

Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar told state-owned Anadolu news agency on August 1 that the Razoni would anchor off the coast of Istanbul around noon GMT on August 2 for a joint inspection.

The news was hailed by the international community, with UN chief Antonio Guterres "warmly" welcoming the move.

"The Secretary-General hopes that this will be the first of many commercial ships moving in accordance with the initiative signed, and that this will bring much-needed stability and relief to global food security, especially in the most fragile humanitarian contexts," the UN said in a statement.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg thanked alliance member Turkey for its "pivotal role."

"I welcome the first shipment of Ukrainian grain from Odesa under the UN-brokered deal. I thank our ally Turkey for its pivotal role," Stoltenberg tweeted.

"NATO allies strongly support the full implementation of the deal to ease the global food crisis caused by Russia's war in Ukraine," he added.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov hailed the news that the Razoni left Odesa as a "very positive" development and a "good opportunity to test the effectiveness of the mechanisms that were agreed during talks in Istanbul."

Related: Big Oil Set For Blowout Performance, But What Comes Next?

Russia had bombed Odesa a day after agreeing to the deal, raising questions about its commitment to the agreement.

Meanwhile, the Ukrainian Club of Agrarian Business Associations (UCAB) said on August 1 that Ukraine exported 3 million tons of agricultural produce last month, bypassing its Russia-blocked seaports.

In a statement on Facebook, UCAB said agricultural exports last month grew 12 percent from June, while grain exports rose 21 percent to 1.7 million tons.

More than 20 million tons of grain from last year's harvest are still awaiting export, according data from Ukraine.

President Volodymyr Zelensky said last week that Ukraine is ready to start shipping the millions of tons of grain sitting at its southern ports.

Ukraine and Russia are two of the world's largest grain exporters.

News of the expected resumption of grain shipments came as Russian missiles pounded the southern Ukrainian port city of Mykolayiv on July 31, killing the owner of a major grain exporter, while a drone strike hit Russia's Black Sea naval base in Sevastopol.

Oleksiy Vadatursky, 74, founder and owner of agriculture company Nibulon, and his wife were killed when a missile hit their home, Mykolayiv Governor Vitaliy Kim announced on Telegram.

Headquartered in Mykolayiv, a strategically important city that borders the Russia-occupied Kherson region, Nibulon specializes in the production and export of wheat, barley, and corn. The company maintains its own fleet and shipyard.

Zelensky described the death of Vadaturskiy, who had received the Hero of Ukraine award, as a great loss.

The southern Ukrainian city of Nikopol also came under heavy attack, the governor of Dnipropetrovsk, Valentyn Reznichenko, wrote on Telegram.

He said up to 50 Grad rockets had hit residential areas in Nikopol on July 31, wounding one man and damaging homes and gas and water pipes.

In eastern Ukraine, Russia continued to attempt tactical assaults on the Bakhmut axis, northeast of Donetsk, Britain's Defense Ministry said in its daily bulletin on August 1, adding that the Russians only managed to make slow progress.

British intel suggested that Russia is probably adjusting its offensive in the Donbas after failing to make a decisive operational breakthrough under the plan it had been following since April.

Zelensky has called on the remaining residents of the Donetsk region to urgently evacuate in what he called a "government decision."

"Everything is being organized. Full support, full assistance -- both logistical and payments. We only need a decision from the people themselves, who have not yet made it for themselves," he said in his nightly address on July 31.

"The sooner it is done, the more people leave Donetsk region now, the fewer people the Russian Army will have time to kill," Zelensky said.

In Russia-occupied Sevastopol, five Russian Navy staff members were wounded by an explosion after a presumed drone flew into the courtyard of Russia's Black Sea fleet, the Crimean port city's Moscow-appointed governor, Mikhail Razvozhayev, told Russian media.

By RFE/RL

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Oil production in Libya has hit 1.2 million barrels per day, the level the country was producing prior to its declaration of force majeure in April, according to the new leadership of the National Oil Company (NOC).

Due to the great efforts from the #NOC subsidiaries and technical teams, we are happy to announce that our production rates have reached the pre-force Majeure levels of 1.200.000 barrels per day, the NOC tweeted Sunday.



On July 13, days after the Government of National Unity (GNU) stormed the NOC and forcibly replaced long-time chairman Mustafa Sanalla, force majeure was lifted on key oilfields and export terminals.

Production was said to have reached 1.13 million bpd by July 27.

It remains unclear whether the 1.2 million barrels per day Libya is allegedly producing now is referring to only crude oil or crude oil plus condensate.



The return to normalized production levels comes as the country remains in a political deadlock that has seen intermittent clashes erupt among various rival militias in the capital, Tripoli. The deadlock pits the GNUs interim prime minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah in Tripoli against those loyal to the new prime minister named by the eastern-backed Parliament, Fathi Bashagha.

Tensions remain high, with influential Libyan Parliament Speaker Aquila Saleh on Monday declaring the GNU illegitimate and accusing Dbeibah of misplaced spending of some $24 billion in oil revenues. Saleh says the legitimate government of Libya is led by Bashagha, who has so far failed to install himself in Tripoli.

The situation has led to challenges in obtaining information, including with respect to oil production figures, with rival governments issuing contradictory statements.

Last week, reports emerged that oilfield services giant Halliburton was exiting Libya due to rising tensions and anticipation of renewed clashes among militias in Tripoli. On Monday, the Libyan Herald, citing the Oil Ministry (affiliated with Dbeibah and the GNU), as refuting reports that Halliburton had evacuated Libya, calling earlier reports a distortion of reality that has no basis.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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Emerging economies in Asia face prolonged electricity crises and continued rolling blackouts as spot LNG prices surge and high demand from Europe is pricing Southeast Asia out of the tight global gas market.

For over six months now, Europe has been the key driver of global LNG demand as it looks to replace as much Russian pipeline gas supply as soon as possible. Since the energy crisis of last autumn, Europe has displaced Asia as the growth driver of LNG demand and is no longer the market of last resort for LNG cargoes.

In Bangladesh, spot LNG purchases stopped in June, and the country is looking for long-term supplies, the countrys state minister for power, energy and mineral resources, Nasrul Hamid, told Bloomberg in an interview published on Monday. However, long-term suppliers such as Qatar have signaled they will have available LNG volumes under term contracts, but only after 2026, the minister added.

The power crisis in Pakistan is worsening, too, amid sky-high LNG import prices and the unavailability of additional LNG supplies. Unable to get its hands on exorbitantly expensive spot LNG volumes, Pakistan has ramped up imports of fuel oil to use as power generation. Yet, this will not be enough to cover the shortfall, and Pakistan continues to go through blackouts during heat waves.

Elsewhere in Southeast Asia, blackouts and a deep economic crisis in Sri Lanka have led to protests that ousted the president after the country couldnt afford to import food and fuel.

Even some in Europe are bracing for blackouts this winter. Greeces Environment and Energy Minister Kostas Skrekas warned on Monday that households could face rolling blackouts after the summer if Russia cuts off gas supply to Europe in the coming weeks or months and if the EU wants to reach its 15-percent cut in gas consumption. Before households are affected, Greece will turn off the spotlights on landmarks and use less street lighting.

We must all understand that we cannot behave as if nothings happening around us, the minister told Greek newspaper Kathimerini. There is a war that is destroying a country and is also feeding an energy crisis the likes of which we have never seen we must all realize we cannot waste energy, Skrekas added.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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The utility in the large German city of Munich has restarted two power plants running on oil in a bid to save natural gas amid very low and highly uncertain deliveries of Russian gas ahead of the winter.

Munichs utility Stadtwerke Munchen wrote in an email to Bloomberg on Monday, We reactivated oil burners in two heating plants that have previously been shut down. The utility did not specify what type of oil is being used in the plants now.

Stadtwerke Munchen has already reduced the temperatures at outdoor and indoor swimming pools and is closing saunas at the pools as of August 1 and until further notice, after gas supply from Russia to Germany via Nord Stream was further cut last week to 20% of the pipelines capacity.

Germany is also resurrecting coal-fired power plants and 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.

In recent days, Germany has also been debating whether to end nuclear power generation at the end of 2022, as planned, in light of the gas crisis. Germany has three remaining nuclear power plants operating, and they should be shut by the end of this year under a plan the country adopted to stop the use of nuclear energy following the Fukushima disaster.

At the end of July, Germanys Chancellor Olaf Scholz signaled the government could be inclined to reconsider extending the operational life of the nuclear power plants. However, such a move could be difficult because many parties, including the Greens that are part of the coalition government, firmly oppose extending nuclear power generation beyond 2022.

Meanwhile, Berlin and other major cities in Germany have started turning off the spotlights on historical monuments and municipal buildings in an effort to conserve energy ahead of winter.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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Russia is "a big, main and highly influential player in the world energy map," according to the new secretary-general of OPEC, Kuwaiti former oil executive, and OPEC governor Haitham al-Ghais.

Speaking to Kuwait newspaper Alrai in an interview quoted by Reuters, Al-Ghais also said that OPEC was not competing with Russia on the oil market and that Russia was vital for the success of the OPEC+ agreement.

The Kuwaiti official will attend his first OPEC+ meeting as OPEC secretary-general this week. According to early reports, the group will likely discuss keeping oil production unchanged in September from August, although some sources told Reuters it might also talk about a modest increase.

According to Al-Ghais, the oil market is currently "very volatile and turbulent." The OPEC official also noted in his interview that "OPEC doesn't control oil prices, but it practices what is called tuning the markets in terms of supply and demand."

Al-Ghais also echoed the opinions of fellow OPEC members, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, that the oil price rise was not only the result of the Ukraine war but the consequences of processes that began much earlier.

"All the data confirm that prices began to rise gradually and cumulatively, and before the outbreak of the Russian-Ukrainian developments, due to the prevailing perception in the markets that there is a shortage of spare production capacity, which has become confined to a few and limited countries," OPEC's new secretary-general told Alrai.

He added that prices could rise further because of insufficient investment in new production. Just how high oil could go, however, Al-Ghais declined to predict.

The Kuwaiti oil official assumed the office of OPEC secretary-general today and will serve for a term of three years. He can be reelected but only once. He replaces Nigeria's Mohamed Barkindo, who passed away earlier this year.

By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

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There is little Russia can do to help with repairs of equipment at Nord Stream compressor stations, according to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov.

The situation with the necessary repairs needs to be resolved, but Russia can do little in this regard, Peskov told Russian reporters on Monday.

The Kremlin doesn't have anything to add to what Gazprom has already said: there are equipment failures necessitating urgent repairs, and there are additional "artificial difficulties" caused by the "illegal sanctions and restrictions," Peskov added.

The gas turbine manufacturer, Siemens Energy, has said, for its part, that it hadn't received any reports from Gazprom about malfunctions, and so it had to assume the equipment was operating normally.

Last week, natural gas prices in Europe soared to records after Russia said that gas supply via Nord Stream would be cut to just 20% of the pipeline's capacity, days after Gazprom restarted the pipeline at 40% capacity after regular 10-day maintenance. The Russian explanation for the even lower gas flows to Europe was that another turbine at a compressor station was sent for repairs, while the one that Canada returned from repairs has yet to be installed.

Russia's Gazprom said this weekend it halted gas supplies to Latvia "due to a violation of the conditions established for gas withdrawal," without elaborating what the violation was. This made Latvia another EU member state with supply from Russia cut off. Latvia said the Russian move would have little impact on its gas supply.

Meanwhile, the EU urges member states and EU consumers to voluntarily reduce gas and energy consumption to give countries a chance to fill their gas storage sites in time for the winter heating season.

As of July 30, the EU's storage was nearly 69% full, according to data from Gas Infrastructure Europe. Storage in Germany, the biggest European economy and the biggest buyer of Russian gas, was also above 68%. The target is the EU to have gas storage 80% full by October and preferably 90% by November.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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Industry observers worry that Kyrgyz authorities are itching to drive out yet more private mining companies.

A decades-long legal saga between Kyrgystan and Canadian-based Kumtor Gold Company has ended with the government taking control of the private mine.

Private mining companies are on edge as Krygystan looks to consolidate the industry.

In the government of Kyrgyzstans relations with the mining industry, appetite comes with eating.

In May 2021, the authorities moved to finally put an end to a decades-long saga of legal tussling with Canada-based investors by simply seizing the Kumtor gold mine that they were developing.

Officials said at the time that the takeover would only be temporary; that Kumtor, which has at times in its history accounted for more than one-tenth of the countrys economy, was being placed under a temporary period of state stewardship. But the following April, the government announced it had reached a settlement to take permanent control over Kumtor Gold Company.

Industry observers worry that Kyrgyz authorities are itching to drive out yet more private mining companies so that they can place the bulk of the industry into the hands of a single state-run enterprise.

A lot is at stake.

As Askar Sydykov, the head of the International Business Council, or IBC, a Bishkek-based lobbying group, told Eurasianet, the mining sector accounts for 20 percent of government revenues and provides employment to more than 20,000 people.

People like Sydykov worry this could all be threatened by the governments intrusive and regulatory approach, which reached its apogee last year.

In August, the government adopted a decree enabling state-controlled companies to obtain subsoil-use licenses without needing to take part in public tenders. Legislation typically requires that any company aspiring to develop natural resources, such as a gold or silver mine, need to compete for the privilege.

One month later, private investors were dealt another blow when the government introduced more onerous mining license renewal fees. State companies, meanwhile, would be exempt from such fees under the new rules.

And then, in October, the authorities mandated a tenfold increase in fees for the use of water drawn from rivers and lakes by mining companies. State companies, sure enough, are exempt from fees for doing the same thing.

In laying out the logic behind all this to the countrys security leadership in November, President Sadyr Japarov made it clear that the new rules were intended to expel what he considers to be shady operators from the industry.

"We conducted an audit of all previously issued licenses. Strong elements of corruption were found. There are cases when the same people bought 20 or 30 licenses within a five- to 10-year period, he said. And what do they do with [those licenses]? They sit on them while discreetly looking for potential buyers to whom they can resell those licenses for 1 or 5 million som ($12,500-$63,000).

The regulatory fever, which mining insiders complained happened without them being consulted, had the requisite result.

As of mid-July, around 100 companies or individuals have relinquished their claim to a mining license, citing high renewal fees. Last year, the IBC estimated that anywhere up to 90 percent of license-holders might go down the same path.

The end-game started to look a little more clear when the head of the Cabinet, Akylbek Japarov (no relation to the president), in December approved the creation of a new, fully state-owned mining holding company called Heritage of the Great Nomads. As described in an official press release, Great Nomads is intended to serve as a large integrated structure that can optimize the deployment of state resources in the implementation of subsoil projects.

Kumtor was placed under the tutelage of the holding company, as were dozens of other sites. Great Nomads was also given control over several hydropower generation facilities and holiday resorts in the Issyk-Kul region.

In February, Tengiz Bolturuk, the man who had been put in charge of Kumtor when it was wrested from the control of Toronto-listed Centerra Gold, was appointed chief executive of this new behemoth.

Bolturuk has not endeared himself to Kyrgyz mining insiders or lawmakers.

President Japarovs trust in him has ensured him a smooth ascent right to the top, however.

Like the president, Bolturuk was born in the Issyk-Kul region. He obtained a mining degree at the Moscow Steel and Alloy Institute in 1987 and returned to Kyrgyzstan after working for a brief period as a mining engineer in Russia. His story is that he was involved in early operations at the Kumtor mine in the mid-1990s. By the end of that decade, he had moved to Germany to continue his studies. In 2002, he emigrated to Canada and eventually obtained Canadian citizenship, which he continues to hold along with Kyrgyz citizenship  a fact that has inspired much disdain among lawmakers. Again according to Bolturuks own personal history, he has racked up experience working on 18 separate mining projects in 13 countries.

The call to return home came from President Japarov himself. Newly sprung from prison, where he was serving a sentence on abduction charges, Japarov in late 2020 turned to Bolturuk to implement a root-and-branch revamp of the mining industry.

Bolturuks high-handed manner has grated, however. While in charge of Kumtor, he angered members of parliament by declining to brief them on progress in negotiations with Centerra or on how revenues from Kumtor were being spent.

There was more exasperation in June when it emerged that Great Nomads had installed itself in a central Bishkek office costing $50,000 a month. Lawmakers complained this was too high a price.

Jenishbek Toktorbayev, one of the liveliest critics of Great Nomads in parliament, accused Bolturuk of trying to fashion himself into a latter-day khan.

My dear Tengiz Bolturuk, everyone is equal before the law. Come to your senses while you still have the time. Who gave you the right to waste people's money like this? Toktorbayev said in parliament.

The complaints appeared to have an effect. On June 21, the presidents spokesman, Erbol Sultanbayev, said the office relocation had not been approved by the countrys leadership and that Bolturuk had been reprimanded.

In another attempt to mollify Bolturuks critics, the government said it had launched an investigation into how Great Nomads was managing revenues from Kumtor.

Important people have Bolturuk's back, though. Speaking to lawmakers, the head of the security services, Kamchybek Tashiyev, dismissed criticism of the mining chief as unfounded. As long as Bolturuk's powerful supporters are around, the nationalization agenda will likely remain in place.

For Sydykov, the head of the IBC lobbying group, the drift toward state control portends little good.

We and the government need to settle on which road to take. Should we follow the market economy with minimal state interference in the economy, as they do in developed countries? he said. Or should we go with a command economy, a planned system, which has proven to be unsustainable in practice. We are seeing that the [Kyrgyz] authorities are settling on the second path, not only in the mining sector, but also in other areas.

By Eurasianet.org

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PARIS (AP)  Frances presidency on Friday focused on global warming, the war in Ukraine and the Iran nuclear deal in relaying details about the controversial dinner in Paris between Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and French President Emmanuel Macron.

In a generally celebratory communique, the presidential Elysee palace skirted over the issue of the gruesome Saudi killing of U.S.-based journalist and Saudi dissident Jamal Khashoggi in 2018. Western intelligence has determined that Prince Mohammed was complicit in the killing.

The French statement said the president and prince in their meeting Thursday welcomed the strengthening of exchanges between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and France (and) they expressed the wish to deepen the relationship between the two countries and to continue their consultation to meet regional and global challenges, in particular the fight against global warming.

Little was said regarding French or European energy links with energy-rich Saudi Arabia, even as Russias threats to cut of the European Unions gas supplies has had European leaders scrambling for alternative energy sources. French media suggested this was the reason the prince was invited.

Macron, his office said, underlined the importance of continuing the coordination initiated with Saudi Arabia with a view to diversifying the energy supplies of European states.

A short phrase ending the statement said simply that Macron also addressed the issue of human rights in Saudi Arabia. It did not elaborate.

Macron's approach contrasted with that of U.S. President Joe Biden, who met with the Saudi prince earlier this month in Jeddah and said -- publicly -- that he told him he held him responsible for Khashoggis killing.

The meeting with Marcon marked another step in the Saudi leaders diplomatic rehabilitation less than four years after Khashoggi's slaying at the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul.

The crown prince lost supporters in the West who previously had 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.

French government spokesman Olivier Veran on Friday defended the crown prince's visit, saying it was part of international geopolitics and was essential (so that)... France makes its views, priorities, action on the international level heard."

The Saudi prince, who stopped in Greece before coming to France, is making his first official visit to the EU since the Khashoggi slaying.

Catherine Gashka contributed
Residents of Omaha and eastern Nebraska can expect high heat to return for the foreseeable future  and not just during the day.

"We are looking at an overnight low of 79 degrees Tuesday going into Wednesday in Omaha," said Paul Fajman, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service office in Valley. "The record for the highest low temperature (in Omaha) was 86, set in 1930."

Monday is expected to start with a 20% chance of showers before giving way to mostly sunny skies and a high of 94 degrees. The heat index should stay below 100 in Omaha but rise to 100 or higher in Lincoln.

"Tuesday looks to be the warmest day in the forecast, with a high of 101 in Omaha," Fajman said. "With the dew point in the mid-60s, the heat index will be near 106."

The forecast calls for above-normal temperatures all the way through Aug. 14, he said. Looking at several weather models, meteorologists expect that the heat will be on through mid-August.

"The whole coming week is going to be pretty warm, and we're pretty comfortable saying that (high temperatures) will be at least 90 all week," Fajman said. "The eight- to 14-day outlook shows a 70% to 80% chance that most of Nebraska will be above normal through Aug. 14."

A little bit of a cool front is predicted for Wednesday, when the high in Omaha is expected to reach only 93, he said. Look out for Thursday through Saturday, when the highs are forecast to return to the upper 90s.

"We are predicting 95 on Thursday, 96 on Friday and 97 on Saturday," Fajman said. "There will be some small precipitation chances, but the best chance would be on Wednesday, when there's a 30% to 40% chance (of rain)."

During periods of high heat, the National Weather Service said, its important to remember to 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 never should be left unattended in vehicles.

"We recommend everyone take precautions to avoid the heat as much as possible," Fajman said. "More people in the U.S. die every year from heat-related illness than from any other weather-related events."

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that around 618 people in the U.S. are killed by extreme heat every year. Extreme heat is defined as summertime temperatures that are much hotter and/or humid than average. Because some places are hotter than others, this depends on whats considered average for a particular location at that time of year.
Some Douglas County voters will receive early voting ballot applications for the November general election beginning this week, but the applications will look different from years past.

Due to supply-chain issues, the applications are being printed on white cardstock instead of the traditional green cardstock, according to the Douglas County Election Commission. The cards will be formatted the same; the only difference will be the color.

To receive an early ballot via mail  sometimes referred to as an absentee or mail-in ballot  voters must first complete an early ballot application. Nebraska voters have until Oct. 28 to return that application to their local election official.

But the process for obtaining an application depends on the county a voter lives in. Thats because some counties keep lists of voters who prefer to vote early and automatically send them applications, while others keep no such list and require that voters seek out an application each election.

Douglas County keeps an early voting request list. By checking a box on the early voting application, voters there can be added to a list and will automatically be mailed an application before each election. The application must be completed each election to receive an early ballot.

According to Valerie Stoj, the public relations coordinator for the Douglas County Election Commission, more than 100,000 names are on that list.

We had very high early voting turnout in the primary, and with COVID numbers spiking again, we may see even more, Stoj said.

Sarpy County, though, does not keep a list. Voters there must proactively obtain an early voting application, either by going online or contacting the Sarpy County Election Commission.

According to data from the Secretary of States Office, Douglas County sees a far higher percentage of early voting than Sarpy does. In the May primary, for example, about 62% of voters in Douglas County voted early. In Sarpy, that number was about 24%.

Early voting ballots will start being mailed in both counties on Oct. 3. The deadline to register to vote for the November election is Oct. 21 for online or by-mail registration and Oct. 28 for in-person registration at the local election commission office.

Any Nebraska voter can check the status of their registration online at www.votercheck.necvr.ne.gov/voterview. Douglas County voters who are unsure if they are on the countys early ballot application list can call the Douglas County Election Commission at 402-444-8683 to check.

Here is where voters in Douglas and Sarpy Counties can find early voting ballot applications, as well as information on where and how to return those applications:

Sarpy County

Options to turn in application:

Mail, hand deliver or fill out application in-office at 1102 E. First St., Suite 1, Papillion, NE, 68046

Fax to 402-593-5770

Email to earlyvote@sarpy.gov (application must be physically signed, not e-signed)

Douglas County

Options to turn in application:

Mail, hand deliver or fill out application in-office at 12220 West Center Road, Omaha, NE 68144

Fax to 402-444-4181

Email to early.voting@douglascounty-ne.gov (application must be physically signed, not e-signed)

On a blank piece of paper, write the election that you are requesting an early ballot for (e.g. 2022 general election), your name, address, date of birth, phone number, email address and signature. Mail to 12220 West Center Road, Omaha, NE 68144
Both COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations were up in Nebraska last week, with the number of Nebraskans hospitalized with the virus hitting a five-month high.

Nebraska recorded 4,120 new virus cases for the week ending Friday, up about 14% from 3,599 the previous week, according to an analysis of data from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The increased case count continued the pattern the state has seen since early June, with cases yo-yoing between roughly 3,000 and 4,000 cases a week. But some of those ups and downs could be due to inconsistencies in testing and reporting, as hospitalizations have been consistently trending up since April.

Not all COVID cases are being counted because some ill people are not getting tested and many are using at-home tests that arent added to official tallies.

Locally, Douglas County has moved into the high community level, based on a CDC formula that determines the impact of the virus on communities. Its based on new cases, the number of people hospitalized with the virus in an area and overall hospital capacity. A handful of counties in northeast, south-central and west-central Nebraska also are considered to be at the high level.

An average of 206 Nebraskans were in hospitals with COVID in the past week, up 10% over the previous week. Hospitalizations last were that high in early March.

The good news is that hospitalized patients now are much less likely to die than they were in previous COVID surges. The mortality rate for hospitalized patients nationally has fallen in the past year from more than 12% to roughly 3%.

Thats because the vaccines, while not protecting against every infection caused by wilier new variants, still do a great job of protecting against the worst outcomes of the disease  hospitalization and death.

To maintain that protection, health officials stress the need for people to get booster shots when they become eligible.

Those over 50 and some immunocompromised people 12 and older currently are eligible for two boosters in addition to their original shots. Healthy people between 5 and 50 are eligible for one booster in addition to their original series. A CDC tool helps people determine when they can get boosters.

Some health officials have called for making booster shots available for otherwise healthy people under 50. But federal health officials instead have focused on making new shots geared toward the new omicron subvariants BA.4 and BA.5 available this fall, reportedly as early as September. Those who already have gotten a fourth shot still will be eligible for the reformulated boosters.

Nebraska recorded three more COVID deaths in the past week, bringing its death toll for the pandemic to 4,366.

The state has recorded more than half a million confirmed COVID cases.
The Fremont Police Department says an officer shot a 34-year-old man who allegedly had fled from the Nebraska Department of Corrections and then entered a home with a knife early Saturday.

Officers received a call at 3 a.m. and were told the callers husband, armed with a knife, was at the front door, attempting to get into the home, police said in a press release. The caller said the man was mentally unstable.

The caller was hiding in the home with several children and feared the man, police said.

Officers arrived on the scene and confronted the man, who was on the front porch and armed with a knife. Officers gave him verbal commands.

As the man entered the home, police said, one officer fired a shot that hit the man in the abdomen.

Fremont rescue personnel were called. The man was transported to Methodist Fremont Health and then flown by medical helicopter to the Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, where he underwent surgery.

Police said the mans wife and children were unharmed.

The Fremont Police Department has requested that the Nebraska State Patrol investigate the shooting.
At least 35 fire departments battled multiple wildfires in western Nebraska over the weekend in the Cedar Canyon Wildlife Management Area south of Gering.

Gering Fire Chief and Incident Commander Nathan Flowers said Sunday that the fires have already burned at least 13,051 acres of land, and further burning is expected. Three homes were destroyed, and seven were damaged, according to Region 21 Emergency Management Director Tim Newman.

Newman told the Scottsbluff Star-Herald on Saturday that the fires may have been caused by lightning strikes. Flowers said Sunday that it is now "100% confirmed" that lightning was the cause.

"The lightning started three fires within a five-mile area, and two ended up combining into one large fire," Flowers said. "The third one, we were able to extinguish."

The combined fire was about 30% contained as of Sunday afternoon, Flowers said.

"We are anticipating for the fire to be fully contained around Aug. 8," he said.

The Nebraska State Patrol advised people to stay away from the area. Cody Thomas, a patrol spokesman, said earlier Sunday that troopers were assisting by blocking off roads into the area.

"There have been some evacuations, but the fires are mostly in canyon areas," Thomas said.

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission announced Sunday that it was closing several areas in the Panhandle southwest of Gering to help firefighters. Cedar Canyon Wildlife Management Area, Montz Point Wildlife Management Area and Carter Canyon were closed so firefighters would not be hindered by vehicular traffic.

"The public is asked to stay away as area residents may be using the roads to evacuate personal belongings or move livestock to safety," the announcement said.

According to the Region 21 Emergency Management Facebook page, firefighters from Gering, Scottsbluff, Minatare-Melba, Lyman, Banner, Bayard, Bridgeport, Sidney, Potter, Bushnell and Dix were among those responding to the emergency.
BLOOMINGTON  The McLean County Democrats held their bi-annual county party convention on Wednesday and elected officers for a two-year term.

Patrick Cortesi was re-elected as chair for another term. He was originally elected in January 2021 to fill a vacancy in the position. He also served two years as communications chair for the party before that.

New officers elected include Luisa Gomez as vice chair and Blair Broughton as secretary.

Gomez was born and raised in Detroit and relocated to Central Illinois over 20 years ago. She earned a degree with honors from Illinois State University.

Broughton also attended ISU and has been a Bloomington resident for 15 years. She previously worked as an office manager.

Matt Watchinski was re-elected as treasurer, a position he has held since 2018. He is the business representative for the Carpenters Union Local 237 and is active in several community projects.

Contact elizabethreinhart26@gmail.com or 309-533-3418 for more information.
SPRINGFIELD  The Illinois National Guard is warning its soldiers and airmen to be on the lookout for potential financial scams after one soldier was recently targeted in a phone scam.

An Illinois Army National Guard soldier reported receiving a phone call on July 25 from an individual impersonating a sergeant asking about backpay for the soldiers dependents, the Illinois National Guard Public Affairs Office said in a statement.

According to the statement, the individual instructed the soldier to log into the military pay and leave system and give him details about recent pay checks and account balances.

The caller then asked the soldier to send him $278.24 via a digital payment app to an account under the name of Aryk Smith in order to receive upwards of $1,200 in backpay. The caller said he would review the payment later.

The soldier eventually became suspicious of the caller and reported it to unit leaders and the police.

In its statement, the Illinois National Guard said soldiers should be wary of direct calls for financial inquiries.

Soldiers are reminded that Military Pay will never reach out to them individually regarding backpay issues without the full-time unit support and the leadership knowing of the issue, the statement read.

If soldiers are contacted about a debt they owe, the National Guard said, they can have that debt taken from their military pay or make a check payable to the Department of Treasury.

Soldiers should never pay any money to an individual regarding any military pay issue, the statement continued.

The Illinois National Guard encourages any soldiers who receive a call like the previously reported scam to report it immediately to their unit and chain of command.

Anyone seeking further information can contact the Illinois National Guard Public Affairs Office at (217) 761-3569 or ng.il.ilarng.list.staff-pao@army.mil.
It was four in the afternoon on March 10, 1991, when the first planned explosion of Saddam Husseins chemical weapons went off at the U.S. weapons depot in Khamisiyah, Iraq, and the first gray-white smoke cloud that would come to be called The Plume wafted skyward and drifted over the troops. There would be many blasts that day.

Bill Florey, a young and proud-to-serve E4 Specialist, had just parked his truck after a days work.

Francesca Yabraian, who would become his friend and would fight the losing battle to save his life (at a time when it seemed horribly clear the Department of Veterans Affairs wasnt), was just a student half-a-world away. She was in Dallas on that day.

Pat Toomey was also half-a-world away on March 10, 1991. He was in Allentown, Pennsylvania, beginning a career rich with a different sort of expectations: politics.

What Toomey couldnt know back then was that, in the summer of 2022, hed be in a position to shake up the hopes and expectations of thousands who also served in Iraq with the same pride Bill Florey felt on that 1991 day.

Florey was Yabraians friend and work colleague when she became concerned about the bump near his right temple that seemed to be growing. Repeated visits after failed treatment finally found a tumor had penetrated into his brain.

The VA denied Florey benefits for a service-related injury, claiming it was less likely than not that his cancer was caused by The Plume from Saddams chemical weapons.

Bill Florey died on New Years Day, 2005, before the VA could grant him the benefits hed earned. And the VAs bureaucratic rules were that when military personnel die, their unpaid claim for compensation owed dies with them.

With Vietnam War-era reform, the VA began assuming all who served in Vietnam are now presumed to have been exposed to the dangerous defoliation chemical Agent Orange. Vietnam War veterans no longer have to prove they were exposed to Agent Orange to get benefits for illnesses the chemical is known to cause.

And this summer, a new veterans reform bill was being approved with overwhelming bipartisan Senate and House support that assumed that all who were in Iraq  and who suffered cancers or other illnesses known to be caused by Iraqs chemical weapons  would be presumed to have been exposed to plumes from what the military now calls its burn pits.

But suddenly on Wednesday, 25 Republican senators reversed their earlier yes votes and blocked final passage of that veterans' care reform bill  just weeks after theyd joined Democrats in approving the bill with 84 votes.

Now Sen. Pat Toomey enters our story. In June, Toomey had objected to an accounting procedure for $400 billion that was in the original bill the Senate had passed and sent to the House. On Wednesday, Toomey resurfaced his objection as a reason to block the bill Republicans had already decisively supported. This time, only 55 senators voted yes; but 60 are needed to prevent a filibuster.

Why did Republicans suddenly switch from yes to no? The Washington Post reported that the Senates No.2 Republican leader, Sen. John Thune of South Dakota, said this veterans bill vote was separate from the overall spending deal, but conceded, about the spending compromise, obviously it doesnt help.

And so it goes in this city. Today, many thousands of military veterans who are suffering from the same exposure that killed Bill Florey are coping with their latest reality: While it is nice when Republicans sincerely thank them for their service, obviously it doesnt help them as they struggle to pay their medical bills and survive.
Global Credit Ratings (GCR), an international rating agency, has upgraded Fidelity Bank Limiteds national scale long-term issuer rating from A to A+ and has affirmed the Banks short term issuer ratings of A1 with a Stable Outlook.



GCR lists Fidelity Banks sound domestic franchise, good distribution network and local geographic diversification, stable funding structure and good levels of liquidity as factors that underpinned the ratings. The agency added that the ratings also factor sound capitalisation supported by robust internal capital generation..."



According to GCR, Fidelity Bank Limited is adequately capitalized with a forecast capital ratio of 25% over the next 12 to 18 months. The agency also indicated that the ratings may improve should the bank further diversify its revenue sources and maintain an internal capital generation rate of over 30%.



Commenting on GCRs upgraded ratings, Managing Director of Fidelity Bank Ghana, Julian Opuni, said: The recognition and upgrade issued by a reputable international agency speaks volumes about Fidelity Banks commitment to building a good governance culture and an effective risk culture for the benefit of all our stakeholders.



This also represents the results of the loyalty and hard work of our staff over the years as well as the confidence that our customers have in us. Fidelity Bank is grateful to each and every one who continues to support the Bank to achieve great feats such as this. It is also our promise to consolidate our gains to ensure that Fidelity Bank is still positioned as one of the leading financial institutions in Ghana that continues to create value for all its stakeholders, Mr. Opuni added.

Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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Energy and Infrastructure, Sahara Group has said the 2022 Nigeria Annual International Conference and Exhibition of the Society of Petroleum Engineers should lead the conversation of exploring best possible policies and partnerships to propel seamless energy transition for Africa.



Themed Global Transition to Renewable and Sustainable Energy and the Future of Oil and Gas in Africa, NAICE 2022 holds from August 1-3, 2022 at the Eko Hotels in Lagos.



Speaking ahead of the event, Ejiro Gray, Director, Governance and Sustainability, Sahara Group said Africa has a peculiar situation that requires a different approach.



"As a continent where a significant number of countries operate a mono-cultural economy or at a minimum, are highly dependent on revenue from fossil fuel development and production as the main driver of economic activity, the anticipated rate of change should take cognizance of Africas pecuiliar situation," she explained.



Gray who will moderate a panel on Driving the Net-Zero Global Energy Transition in an Inclusive Manner at the conference, added that a sudden and sweeping deviation from a fossil fuel dominated energy sector may leave developing economies in dire straits. "On the contrary, the absence of traction in the energy transition movement is likely to come at a significant cost to the continent and leave us stranded due to radical changes in policy direction and demand for our main export commodities. One key question then is, how and where do we strike the balance," she queried.



According to her, "a better way would be for developed countries to smooth the transition by offering three resources to emerging economies: time to adjust, financial aid, and policy assistance."



Sahara's upstream company, Asharami Energy will feature panelists, technical papers and young engineers at the conference in keeping with Sahara's commitment to thought leadership and promoting excellence and sustainability in Africa's upstream operations. Sahara will also host curated sessions with stakehoders and young professionals at its booth during the conference.



Henry Menkiti, Chief Operating Officer, Asharami Energy said Africa has an opportunity to create a model that is efficient for the continent through collaboration, progressive review of processes, human capital transformation and investment in technology.



Energy transition is upon us already. But the good news is that we can chart Africa's unique path by making our strengths count and deploying fit-for- purpose energy transition sources in line with national development plans on lowering carbon emissions," he said.



Sahara Group is already exploring renewable options to drive its power generation and distribution solutions to enhance energy transition and environmental sustainability.



Mariah Lucciano-Gabriel, Risk Analysis Manager, Asharami Energy will speak at the panel on "operationalising a clean energy transition for sustaianable development in Aftica, while Yisa Adeeyo, Senior Reservoir Engineer at Asharami Energy, will present a paper on "Random Forest Ensemble Model for Reservoir Fluid Property Prediction". Adeeyo will share findings on the role of Artificial Intelligence in facilitating accurate predictions in reservoir operations.



The energy transition is a pathway toward transformation of the global energy sector from fossil-based to zero-carbon by the second half of this century. At its heart is the need to reduce energy-related CO2 emissions to limit climate change.



Most researchers agree that action is required on four fronts: Decarbonizing power generation; Massive electrification (to increase dependence on clean energy) and where practicable, transitioning to greener fuels; Improving efficiency and reducing waste in all sectors. In addition to financial assistance, emerging economies require policy guidance and assistance in creating capacity.



Asharami Energy is one Africas leading independent Exploration and Production (E&P) Companies with a diverse portfolio of 8 (eight) oil and gas assets in prolific basins across Africa. These assets are at various stages of development ranging from exploratory fields to mature producing fields with huge potential for positive returns.

Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune has announced that the former French colony will start teaching English in primary schools later this year.



"French is a spoil of war, but English is an international language," he said.



Algeria gained independence from France in 1962 after a bloody eight-year war that continues to complicate relations between the two countries.



The continued use of French at institutions and the administration of business is a sensitive topic.



Arabic and Tamazight, which is spoken by the Amazigh or Berber minority, are the country's official languages.



President Tebboune, in an interview recorded by state-run TV on Saturday, was responding to growing demands from academics and undergraduates.



They say English should be offered as a subject earlier as it is the language of instruction at university for those studying medicine and engineering.



Under the current curriculum, English is offered at secondary school to students from the age of 14, while pupils start French when they are nine years old.



The president's comments come from an extract of a wide-ranging interview to be broadcast in full later on Sunday.



A similar initiative was launched in the early 1990s for parents to be given the right to choose between French and English for their children at junior school.



But it caused outrage in France and a pro-French lobby within the Algerian government called for the scheme to be dropped. In the end, the education minister was sacked.

Source: BBC









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The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) has called for the implementation of institutional support systems for journalists in the country to improve their safety.



The Foundation said there was an urgent need for media organisations to implement institutional supports and interventions like insurance packages to enhance the safety of journalists in the country.



This was contained in a report on a study conducted by the Foundation on Media Professionalism and Safety of Journalists, Policies and Practices in Newsrooms in the Country.



Mr Kwaku Krobea Asante, Programme Officer, MFWA, presenting the findings of the study at a forum organised by the Foundation in Accra noted that a number of media organisations did not have institutional support for the safety of journalists.



He attributed the frequency of violations against journalists to the absence of safety policies and lack of consciousness on the part of media organisations to ensure the promotion of the safety of their journalists.



He said out of the 40 media houses sampled across the 16 regions, only 15 had some semblance of safety for journalists, with only five out of the 15 having insurance packages, while a few had manuals on safety, which contained only a sentence or two.



Mr Asante said, four out of five journalists on the field relied on their understanding of the job, friends and the use of their head or intuition when confronted with safety issues, while the other journalists spread across 11 media houses said they followed the safety protocols of their organisations.



He said the study also revealed that the security agencies were the dominant perpetrators of violence against journalists, followed by political party affiliates, saying the people who are supposed to provide security or protection for journalists are actually those leading in perpetrating violence against them.



On the issue of professionalism, Mr Asante said after a year of monitoring some 26 media organisations, his outfit observed some ethical infractions, with local radio stations being the worst offenders.



Although the print media also used misleading headlines, obscene photos and allowed invectives in the comment sections of their news websites, they were a bit careful and appeared more professional in their practice, he added.



The report called on government to promote the safety and protection of journalists and urged media regulatory bodies and associations to play active roles in ensuring the implementation of safety policies in newsrooms, including insurance packages.



It also appealed to media owners to build the capacity of journalists and presenters on best practices, adding that there must be concerted efforts among media stakeholders to ensure that practitioners adhere to ethical standards.



Madam Fatimatu Abubakar, Deputy Minister of Information, noted that there was a need for collective efforts to address the issue of safety of journalists.



.. Collective efforts in terms of educating our Ghanaian populace, and empowering practitioners to come forward with some of these issues and for the institutions that are responsible for regulation to also have the opportunity to investigate, validate and reach out to various stakeholders.



Madam Abubakar said the biggest threat to the practice of the journalism profession had to do with losing public trust and confidence.



In recent times with the digital revolution, a lot of people mimic what journalists do, but these individuals do not even wish to be identified as journalists. So, it is important for us to distinguish between journalists and those who produce content but are not journalists.



Mr Alexander Bannerman, Deputy Executive Secretary, National Media Commission (NMC), said the safety of journalists was paramount and, therefore, we need to jealously guard it.



He said the NMC was soliciting views to develop guidelines on the safety of journalists, which would be based on the UNESCO guidelines and called for support of all.

Source: GNA









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Mr Kwame Agbodza, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Adaklu, has pledged his commitment to work for the development of Adaklu to justify the trust of the people.



"I am not the most educated, the wealthiest nor the most handsome in Adaklu so my being elected to represent Adaklu in Parliament is not a right but a privilege, which required me to serve the people in humility and bring development to them," he said.



Mr Agbodza made the pledge at the commissioning of a two-unit nurses' quarters for the Adaklu Hlihave Community Health Planning Services (CHPS) Compound in the Adaklu district.



The project which cost GHC229,000 was funded with his share of the MP Common Fund.



Mr Agbodza said he was ready to work with other stakeholders to reduce the districts infrastructural deficit such as classroom blocks and nurses' quarters, among others.



He called on citizens of Adaklu to join hands with him to transform the area into an enviable one, adding "we should not sit aloof and wait for the government to solve all our problems for us. Let us take our destiny into our own hands.



He said from a humble beginning of six health facilities in 2012 when the district was created, it could now boast of 17 and added that the 18th at Adaklu Dave would be commissioned soon.



He praised the people of Adaklu Hlihave for their communal spirit, saying "it is because of your communal spirit that Pencils of Promise (PoP) agreed to assist other communities classroom blocks.



The MP said PoP had built 28 classroom blocks in the district while the 29th would be commissioned soon and noted that it was unprecedented, and it had helped eliminate most schools under trees in the district.



He urged the people to invest in the education of their children, saying it was the greatest legacy they could leave for them.

Source: GNA









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The brother of the former Chief of Staff in the erstwhile John Mahama government, Julius Debrah, has passed on.



The incident, sources say, happened on the morning of Friday July 29 at the 37 Military Hospital.



The deceased, Isaac Nkansah Debrah alias Cambodia was a retired soldier from the Ghana Armed Forces and a businessman.



The former Chief of Staff is expected to be leading his family to announce preparations for the final funeral rights and burial of the late brother in line with Akan tradition.



See also [Video +Photos]: Truck Falls On Saloon Car In A Gruesome Road Crash, One Injured At Jayee University stretch

This will come after the Debrahs have received clearance from their Kwahu and Oda family heads.



Meanwhile, the family will gather to welcome visitors on Monday 1st August, 2022 at the residence of the deceased at K Boat Junction, at Dome Pillar 2, Accra.

Source: myjoyonline.com









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President of the Ghana Journalist Association, (GJA), Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, has bagged his third 3rd Post Graduate degree, Master of Arts in Monitoring and Evaluation, from the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA).



The 22nd congregation of the school saw some prominent Ghanaians Graduate from the Institution. Amongst them is Kwame A Plus, Abiba Sinare, etc.



Mr. Dwumfour first secured a Post Graduate Diploma in Public Administration in 2016/2017 from GIMPA, then later grabbed a Masters of Art in International Relations and Diplomacy in 2020, also at GIMPA.



According to the GJA President, it was tiring combining school activities with his campaign for the GJA President seat but I challenged myself some 8 years ago to acquire an academic improvement every year, at least a certificate. It was not easy due to the schedule in the media work, but with determination.



Gimpa goes through you, you dont grow through GIMPA, he said



He, therefore, urged Journalists to go pursue further academic goals regardless of the busy schedule and financial constraints to upgrade themselves



We must be learned in all areas. Lets not only focus on Journalism and communication. We need knowledge in all angles and this will guide our interviews and reports perfectly.



It is very necessary to upgrade ourselves. Welfare tops my agenda. Capacity building is the next on my heart and a leader must lead by example and this is what Im doing   he advised Journalists to prepare for the good plans loading.



Read Also: Photos: NPP holds 30th anniversary thanksgiving service



 We (GJA) have secured 20 scholarships with the Wisconsin University College, a partnership with the US Embassy in Ghana to train Journalists, and many other projects. Weve hit the ground running and we are going to see a new GJA.



Albert Kwabena Dwumfour was also honored by GIMPA for attaining one of the highest positions in the Country, the GJA President. He thanked GIMPA Management for choosing to honour him and believes this will help encourage him to carry the GJA to a new level.



I am very honoured  he said in an interview with Atinka TVs Ebenezer Madugu on the sidelines of the GIMPA Congregation.



The Rector of the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration, Professor Samuel Kwaku Bonsu, who shared his memories OF Mr. Dwumfour, said the GJA will experience a new facelift under Dwumfours leadership.



We are very happy that you (Journalists) voted for him (Dwumfour). We are grateful. This shows the direction of GIMPA. I remember him at the SRC level. I remember he was a tough man and we were also tough. We worked together and that helped us. We believe he will put the same energy into the job for development. Congratulations to him.  Prof. Kwaku Bonsu told Ebenezer Madugu.



Ghanaian business mogul who was the Guest of Honor of the Third Session of the 22nd Congregation, Daniel McKorley, an Alumnus of GIMPA urged the Congregants to be professional in their dealings.



To be ordinary is easy; excellence requires commitment. Ghana and the world await you. You have a chance to show what you can do. There will be opportunities to succeed and also to fail. Accept both, for even in failing we all learn. Question and challenge everything that doesnt seem to be working. Bring your energy, enthusiasm, and drive to the world,  McDan urged.

Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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Teshie, a suburb of Accra, located on the southern coast of Ghana will host one of the biggest gatherings on the Christian calendar today when the International Central Gospel Church (ICGC) opens its annual Greater Works Conference.



Over the years, Greater Works has become a convergence point for members of the church as well as Christians from all walks of life. This years conference is running from tonight till Friday 5th August at the churchs new campus at Teshie, known as Christ Temple East.



The timing of the conference also coincides with the climax of the annual period of fasting and prayer by members of the church across the world, known as 40 Days of Power.



The name Greater Works was institutionalised from the words of Jesus Christ in John 14:12 when He said, "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and GREATER WORKS than these he will do." The conference is therefore a call to participants to go out after the 5-day encounter and do greater works in all aspects of their lives.



Conference host and theologian, Pastor Mensa Otabil, will be joined by renowned speakers, Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo of Kingsway International Christian Centre in the United Kingdom and Bishop Tudor Bismark of Jabula New Life Covenant Church Harare, Zimbabwe.



The three speakers are expected to challenge the Christian faithful with messages that inspire them to emulate Christlike principles and live the victorious Christian life. Customarily, the messages at Greater Works Conference will also empower individuals, families and corporate organisations and speak to the uplifting of the African continent from poverty and stagnation.



Pastor Mensa Otabil is expected to share the keynote message on the opening night and lead the congregation in the celebration of communion. He will also close Greater Works with the highly-patronized anointing service on the final day.



Speaking at Christ Temple East ahead of the conference on Sunday, he said the atmosphere this week will be saturated with Gods power. He entreated believers to come with an expectation. If there is an impossible situation confronting you, you will see the victory of the Lord he said.



On the issue of Christians and hard work, Pastor Otabil stressed that, whatever God gives to you, He doesnt put in your hand; He puts it within your reach. Your job is now to step out and take it; and that requires you to fight the good fight of faith. However, the good news is God has already made a way.



You will have to fight, but you will ultimately prevail, because the outcome of the battle has already been determined, Pastor Otabil admonished.

Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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A fatal accident that occurred at Oforikrom on the Techiman-Nkoranza highway in the Bono East Region on Saturday claimed the life of the Tuobodom District Minister of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana (PCG), Reverend Joseph Foli Ahinakwa.



Reverend Ahinakwa died on the spot when a pick-up vehicle he was driving was involved in a head-on collision with a sedan vehicle on Saturday (July 30, 2022).



He was returning from Nkoranza where he had gone to deliver food to delegates of the Brong-Ahafo Presbytery Catechists' Conference.



The Nkoranza District Minister of the PCG, Reverend Wilberforce Takyi confirmed the incident to Graphic Online on Sunday.



Graphic Online gathered that the late Reverend Ahinakwa, who had worked in the Brong-Ahafo Presbytery of the PCG for some time now had been transferred to the Ga Presbytery and was waiting for his send-off in early September 2022.[The Brong-Ahafo Presbytery of the PCG covers parts Ahafo Region, parts of Bono Region, parts of the Bono East Region and parts of the Ashanti Region in Tepa and Pokukrom areas].



He was also an astute banker who worked with the ADB Bank while also serving as Presbyterian minister before going into full-time ministry.

Source: graphic.com.gh









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As of Sunday 31st, July 2022 various sim card registration centres were choked with dozens of Ghanaians anxious to meet the deadline to avoid deactivation.



Prior to this, the same centres recorded little or no numbers to the extent that some personnel who were recruited to help in the registration had to be sent away since there was no one to register.



The numbers however started building up as the 31st deadline approached.



But, immediately after the Minister of Communications and Digitalisation Minister, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful announced an extension to September 30, 2022, the "last-minute attitude" of Ghanaians set in again and the huge numbers vanished.



Meanwhile, the Minister has cautioned that this will be the last extension.



Speaking at a press briefing on Sunday, she said: The statistics indicate that there was a 90% drop in SIM reregistration, as soon as the first deadline was extended on 21st March. Until a week ago there were no queues, people started going to register when they realised that the deadline was imminent after going to sleep.



The mobile network operators, NCA, and the NIA have all engaged additional staff, procured the necessary logistics and are incurring significant expenses to conduct this exercise successfully, any extension of the process increases their cost, she added.

Source: Peacefmonline.com









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The Minister for Communications and Digitalisation, Mrs. Ursula Owusu-Ekuful says a self-service SIM Registration App will be ready for commercial launch on Tuesday, August 2, 2022.



According to her, the app is to resolve the challenges some Ghanaians are encountering with registering their SIM cards.



She believed the app will facilitate the registration exercise, however it is not for free as before one can access the app, the person will pay GHC 5.



"We have introduced a SIM registration app for express service. If you want convenience, you pay a little more for it," she told host Kwami Sefa Kayi in an interview on Peace FM's "Kokrokoo" programme Monday morning.



But noting that some people may disagree with the surcharge of 5 cedis on the app, the Minister messaged the dissenters saying, "you don't have to; you can go to your network operator and join the queue to register".



She expounded that the app is only for those who want to enjoy convenience in registering their SIM cards.



" . . if you want to sit in your room or office to register without any inconveniences, pay a little bit more for your convenience. That's all! It's an additional service we're bringing to facilitate and ease the registration exercise. There's certain categories of people who for some reason cannot go to their network operator, so we are initiating this service," she said.



On how to access the app as well as the name, the Minister didn't provide adequate details but assured the public her outfit will soon furnish them with the relevant information.





Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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Minister of Communications, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, has warned all those without Ghana Cards to acquire it because life in Ghana will soon be unbearable without the card.



Although it is the prerogative of every Ghanaian to register for the card or not but they should also bear in mind that their action will have consequences, the Minister told host Kwami Sefa Kayi in an interview on Peace FM's morning show "Kokrokoo".



When asked what she will do to those who choose not to comply with the directives to register their SIM cards with Ghana Card, Hon. Ursula Owusu-Ekuful said; "You can't begrudge them. That's their prerogative but actions have consequences . . . .So, as you have made up your mind not to do it, it's your prerogative. It's your choice but when the consequences come, don't blame your network operators or the government".



She, however, emphasized that, "it's mandatory that you shall use the Ghana Card for SIM registration purposes . . . It is mandatory for us to use the Ghana Card for good reason . . . It is in our interest to use a single identifier through our life for a good database".



Telling a resultant effect of not participating in the ongoing registration exercise, the Minister said; "It will be difficult to live and work in this country without the Ghana Card at some stage."





Source: Peacefmonline.com









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Conserveria Ghana Ltd, producers and distributors of Gino brand of food products, have joined hands with former Ashanti Kotoko Chairman Herbert Mensah in donation of several Gino food products that also include a bullock and cash to the Muslim community in Kumasi for an enhanced celebration of Eid ul-Adha the holiest festival of feast on the Islamic calendar.



The donation comes on the back of the 2022 celebrations.



Eid ul-Adha or the Festival of Sacrifice is celebrated to commemorate the obedience of Ibrahim to Allah in a four day festival across the globe in every Islamic community.

The Festival of Sacrifice also marks the end of the yearly Hajj pilgrimage to the holy land of Mecca.

The yearly sacrificial ritual is considered a time for Muslims to think of others as well as repent from ones sins committed in the past.



Muslims sacrifice goats, sheep and cows to represent Ibrahims (Abraham) commitment to God, where Allah came to him in a dream and asked him to sacrifice his only son as an act of obedience to God.



Participation in the sacrificial festival is mandatory for all obedient Muslims that can afford an animal.



It is also mandatory for people with money to give an amount to charity, so less fortunate people can afford to join in the celebration as well.



As a philanthropic tradition, Conserveria Ghana Ltd. Joins hands with Herbert Mensah, himselfa Christian, to support the Zongo community in Kumasi every year to enable them enjoy their celebration of sacrifices. Food items and cash donations are usually passed on by the regional chief Imam to the poorest people in the community.



David Afflu, Managing director of Conserveria said the company choose to make donations through the Ashanti regional chief Imam this year as in all other previous years as part of their corporate social responsibility but also because of the companys respect and commitment to Eid.



King Edward of Hello FM in Kumasi made the presentation on behalf of Conserveria Ghana Ltd and the former Kotoko Chairman.



In handing over the donations, the Hello FM Morning Show Host stated that the donation is to show appreciation for the patronage of the companys products in Ghana.



He also added that the donors share philanthropic values and compassion for the poor in the Ghanaian society in general and the Muslim community in particular.





Sheikh Abdul Mumin Haroun, the Ashanti regional chief Imam received the donations on behalf of the Muslim community and expressed endless gratitude to Conserveria Ghana Ltd as well as to Herbert Mensah for their yearly humanitarian support.



Sheikh Mumin said the donation is timely as high food prices in the country has caused massive hunger and food insecurity among the zongo community and poor Ghanaian communities at large. He prayed for the donors and called on other companies and individuals to imitate their generosity.

Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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Former Head of Monitoring Unit at the Forestry Commission, Charles Owusu, has slammed the family of the late President John Evans Atta Mills for picking on former Presidential Spokesperson under the Mills regime, Samuel Koku Anyidoho regarding the Atta Mills Institute.



Koku Anyidoho, who spearheaded the Atta Mills Institute with aim of honoring the memory of the late President, has recently incurred the wrath of the deceased's family following his action to renovate the Asomdwee Park where the late Mills was buried.



The family led by brother of the late President, Dr Cadman Mills, has leveled wild allegations against Koku Anyidoho.



They accuse him of desecrating the corpse and even claim Koku Anyidoho might have stolen the mortal remains of the late President.



Allegations



I will like Ghanaians to know that the so-called Atta Mills Institute is unsanctioned, it is unappreciated and it is most unwelcomed, Dr. Cadman Mills said at the J.E.A. Mills Commemorative lecture in Accra on Tuesday, July 26, 2022.



Dr Cadman Mills also accused Mr. Anyidoho of using the Atta Mills Institute to sow divisions and insult elders and described the refurbished Asomdwee park where the late President is buried as not representing Prof J.E.A. Mills.



He has also indicated that the family is initiating a legal suit against Koku Anyidoho and the Atta Mills Institute.



"In my capacity as the Abusuapanyin of the Nkuban Kyereba Twidan Abusua, the family has decided that we will contact our solicitors to make sure that they explore all avenues to stop the Atta Mills Institute from [operating]."



I saw his grave. There his name appeared a little bit except that it was spelt John Evans Atta-Mills. For somebody who claimed to know him very well, 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...Thats not what Fiifi [Atta Mills] stood for, a publication by 3news.com quoted.



Koku Anyidoho Institute



Following the legal threats, Koku Anyidoho is said to have renamed the Atta Mills Institute to Koku Anyidoho Institute (KAI).



He tweeted that the Koku Anyidoho Institute will "keep the legacy of President Atta-Mills alive. To God Almighty be the glory.



Other tweets by him read; "There will be a, Koku Anyidoho Institute (KAI), to work for President Atta-Mills."



"Koku Anyidoho Institute (KAI), lives to glorify God & to respect the memory of President Atta-Mills."





Leave Koku Anyidoho Alone

Addressing the issue during Peace FM's "Kokrokoo" programme, Charles Owusu asked "where were they (the family) when the man died 10 years ago?"



He revealed that COSMOS Energy gave Dr. Cadman Mills a whopping 100,000 dollars towards the JEA Mills Memorial Heritage, an initiative which seeks to honour the legacy of Prof. Mills but added the money cannot be accounted for.



"I have heard COSMOS Energy gave him 100,000 dollare for the Atta Mills Foundation (Heritage Foundation), have you heard they have spent Ghc 1 somewhere...?" Charles Owusu rhetorically asked.



He sought to find out what Dr. Cadman Mills used the money to do because, by his investigations, the money didn't serve its purpose.



"Were the family not sitting down when the Asomdwe Park was infested by mice and grasscutters?"



Charles Owusu asked the family to leave Koku Anyidoho alone asserting he is a loyal soldier who genuinely loves the late President Mills.



"Loyalty is expensive . . . and so all these things should stop. Let's move forward as a country. Thank God, the place has been well-decorated. Tomorrow, when a President dies and he is sent there, it is befitting; at least it's an honor to the nation when someone goes to the place to watch them . . . Let us stop these things and give praise where it deserves," he said.





Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Former Member of Parliament (MP) for Kumbungu constituency, Ras Mubarak, has taken a swipe at the Minister for Communications, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful for her style of communication.



He says her lack of respect for Ghanaians is very annoying and that she should treat Ghanaians with some form of respect when ever she is communicating.



Speaking on Okay FM's 'Ade Akye Abia' programme, he explained that the Communications Minister owe it a duty to Ghanaians to explain issues of national interest, but must be very decorous when doing so.



"You are in that office because Ghanaians voted for your party and you will surely be out when your party is out of government again, so why do you arrogantly express your self when ever you are talking to Ghanaians?" he said.



He maintained that it is no fault of those who are unable to re-register their SIM cards to default the deadline, as it is due to the poor measures put in place by the ministry to ensure that the registration exercise goes on without any hitch.



According to him the confusion and the chaos that has characterized the 'illegal' SIM card re-registration exercise should be blamed at Ursula Owusu-Ekuful's door step.



He said it is very disappointing to illegally impose further burden on the already struggling Ghanaian public.



"We will call on her to abandon this insensitive illegal charge of Ghc 5 on Ghanaians," he added.



Ghanaians will from Tuesday, August 2 optionally pay a GHc 5 self service fee to re-register their sim cards on their mobile phones through a downloaded application, according the Minister for Communications, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful.



Watch video below





Source: Isaac Kwame Owusu/Peacefmonline/[email protected]









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Veteran Gospel musician Obaapa Christy celebrates her 20th anniversary in the industry this year and she says though the journey hasnt been an easy one, God has been perfect.



In an interview with the Graphic Showbiz on Tuesday, July 26, the Mete Ase hitmaker was full of praises to her Maker for how far He has brought her, It hasnt been easy but because we have God and He is the one who has called us, it has been very good.



"Life itself is not easy, it is an ongoing struggle but you work hard and achieve results and that is why I am grateful to God for seeing me through all these years, God has indeed been good, she said.





I pray I dont become arrogant - Obaapa Christy



Touching on the challenges, Obaapa Christy said there were many but nothing she could not handle, As a mother and a wife, it is not easy juggling your career and your responsibilities at home but God gives us helpers along the way.



"Just take the scenario in a church, for instance, the pastor cannot do everything by himself, he cannot lead praises and worship, be an usher, a chorister etc all by himself. So God gives us helpers to support us. God has been wonderful", she stated.





Recounting how it all started for her, Obaapa Christy stated, "It was Osuane Katakyie Afrifa who discovered me. My first album was Mete Ase and he gave it to Big Ben Productions to produce it for me so that is how the journey began and there has been no turning back since then."



Festival of Lights with Obaapa Christy



Comparing the time she started music to now Obaapa Christy said it was much easier back then, "Making songs was not as tricky as it is now, there were no social media just TV and radio. Right now there are so many radio stations making the work so difficult.



"Imagine the number of radio stations you can get to play your songs but if Gods hand is in it, He will ensure you are always heard no matter what, she said.



Obaapa Christy back with Hybre Sesafo



She also believes the current crop of Gospel musicians is doing well, "They are okay, in life you have to judge yourself before you judge somebody. They are doing what they can do, what we are all doing now is good and to the glory of God.



Obaapa Christy will crown her 20th anniversary with an all-white concert on Sunday, September 4, at the UPSA auditorium at exactly 4 pm.



God has used me to bless a lot of people. Gods greatness has been seen through my songs and at least every Sunday, you will hear one song from me at church.



"All lovers of Obaapa Christy should come and help me praise God. Remember that the tickets you buy will help push Obaapas ministry, she added.





Obaapa Christy also expressed gratitude to all her sponsors including Adom City Real Estates, Tobinco Group of Companies, Borges Olive Oil, FA Masters, Erata Group of Companies and Obaapa Essen.



Others are Frankie Trading Services, Footprint TV, Plus One, Bofrot Puff Puff, Lindsay Real Estates and Kubs Original.

Source: graphic.com.gh









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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" " Students walk to school in San Diego, California on the first day of school, Sept. 7, 2010. Sandy Huffaker/Corbis via Getty Images

Back in 1969, 48 percent of kids in America walked or biked to school, compared with a paltry 13 percent in 2009. But they're losing a lot by not doing this. Research out of the University of Granada in Spain indicates that kids should commute independently, when possible, to reap some pretty significant benefits.

The researchers surveyed 745 children ages 6 to 12 years in Granada public schools to find out how they get to school every day and how safe they felt in their specific transportation option. The survey didn't assess distance traveled, but previous research by the same team among a similar population of kids found that standard distance was 874 meters (about a half-mile). Just 3 percent of the children in the survey aged 6 to 7 years old walked to school by themselves, compared with 9 percent of 8- to 9-year-olds and 24 percent of 10- to 12-year-olds.

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For the older children, walking to school unaccompanied provided a lot of benefits. "We found that children who walked without adult supervision reported higher safety perception," explains lead researcher Manuel Herrador-Colmenero in an email interview. By safety perception, he means that the children who walk without adult supervision actually feel safer in their journeys than those who walked with one. "This might be produced because when they walk without adults they are responsible for the route decided," he says, adding that the kids also gain a better understanding of the possible risks (as opposed to relying on an adult to handle everything), which in turn makes them feel more comfortable and responsible. "When children travel independently [they] have to learn social skills and they are responsible of their decisions," he explains.

Many Americans bemoan the fact that children nowadays seldom walk to school. But the decline is more a function of school location than of lazy, entitled kids. Starting in the 1970s, American schools became larger and consequently had to be built further from communities where more land was available. In 2009, 31 percent of kids between kindergarten and 8th grade lived within a mile (1.6 kilometers) of school, down from 41 percent in 1969. (Nevertheless, only 35 percent of kids who lived within a mile in 2009 walked or cycled to school.)

Sarah Nicholls, a nurse practitioner from Decatur, Georgia actively encourages her sons to choose the transportation method that works best for their individual personalities and maturity levels. Her youngest, at age 8, is too young to commute without adult supervision in her opinion, and her 12-year-old typically opts to take the school bus. However, her middle child, age 10, prefers to walk whenever possible, although not without some safety parameters.

"His school is 1.3 miles [2 kilometers] from our house and he has to cross two busy roads and railroad tracks, so I had to make sure of the exact hours for the crossing guards before I'd let him walk," she says. "I don't let him walk alone [some of the year] in the morning because it's still dark."

The benefits have been significant so far. "He likes it because he feels independent and has the freedom to hang out in town with his friends after school," she says. He also reports that he can focus better in class on the morning when he is able to walk to school. "He gets nearly 3 miles of walking in a day [when he walks both ways]."

So, what is an appropriate age for children to walk to school by themselves? Nicholls' assessments based on both the age and maturity of her children are in line with what New York child psychologist Dr. Angela Reiter suggests. "A parent should assess a child's ability to follow directions as well as their general cognitive skills. Does your child know left from right? Do they understand multi-step directions?" she says via email.

Reiter believes 5-year-olds are too young to walk by themselves. "Children age 6 to 9 would be safest traveling in a small group together. Usually by age 10, a child is cognitively and emotionally ready to walk alone," she says.

In addition to the precautions Nicholls took before allowing her son to walk, like determining the distance and confirming crossing guard presence, Reiter also says to consider if there are abandoned buildings along the route and "personal safety, such as does your child understand the difference between a good stranger and a bad stranger? If they need help, do they know how to find it (e.g. a store clerk or police officer or neighbor they know)?"

And who shouldn't walk to school by themselves? "A child should not commute independently if they have a developmental delay or intellectual disability that would impact their ability to understand directions and safety rules," Reiter says. "Also, if your child's route is more than a mile, there are no sidewalks or numerous street crossings, walking to school may not be the best option."

Now That's Interesting The top reason parents cited in a 2005 survey for not allowing their kids to walk or cycle to school by themselves was distance (61.5 percent), followed by traffic-related danger, weather and crime danger (fairly low on the list at 11.5 percent).
" " Todays science standards encourage teachers to base lessons on real-world phenomena rather than textbook facts and definitions. Peter Cade/Getty Images

Rather than have students memorize definitions and facts about a science topic such as light, an effective first-grade teacher today would have students investigate various types of objects under sunlight and flashlight. Students would collect evidence to understand how light helps them see, and they'd experiment with different materials to understand how and why shadows are made.

This shift is a result of the Next Generation Science Standards, which aim to define a uniform vision for K-12 science education across the country. Introduced in 2013, the standards move away from emphasizing scientific vocabulary and facts recorded in textbooks to using real-world phenomena to explore and explain the natural world. These phenomena engage students in a set of science and engineering practices, or SEPs. Over 40 states have adopted the Next Generation standards or some version of them.

Despite the wide adoption of these standards, the current status of elementary school science education is concerning. The nation's report card shows that many students in grades K-5 do not get quality science instruction. The situation is worse in high-poverty school districts. The majority of instructional time in elementary school grades is often dedicated to math and language arts, with science on the back burner.

As a science education researcher and a teacher educator, my goal is to help prepare the next generation of science teachers. Here are five attributes of an effective elementary school science teacher that align with the new standards.

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1. Nurtures Student Curiosity

Kids are curious by nature. Science teachers should use relevant everyday events as a basis of science instruction that fosters interest and curiosity. This approach encourages students to take a more active role in figuring out how natural events work instead of being taught those lessons by an instructor.

For instance, in this video, a teacher poses an interesting query to students: How did a water puddle disappear over time? During a subsequent experiment, students used thermometers to measure the temperature of a water puddle outside at different times of the day. They used the data to make connections between temperature changes and the shrinking size of the puddle and delve into the reasoning behind it.

In this case, the teacher involved students in scientific practices and used an everyday occurrence to teach key scientific concepts such as sunlight, energy and energy transfer.

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2. Encourages Scientific Thinking

Effective science teachers involve students in making sense of natural events and the science ideas underlying them. In other words, they actively engage students in wondering and figuring out science phenomena around them and how they happen. They help students develop exploratory questions and hypotheses to explain such events, and encourage them to test and refine their explanations based on scientific evidence.

For example, when a first grade classroom was learning about how day and night happen, students illustrated their own understanding of the phenomena  using a scientific practice called modeling. As they learned more and more, they kept revising their drawings. They also collected long-term data to understand the repeating patterns of day and night.

Teachers should also ensure that all students participate in making sense of science phenomena in their classrooms.

To share their ideas about a science phenomenon, students often rely on their personal experiences and native languages from their homes and communities. For instance, a student from an agricultural community might have particular knowledge about plant growth and unique local language to describe it. An effective science teacher provides opportunities to build on such native experiences and local knowledge in their science classrooms.

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3. Develops Scientific Literacy

Teachers who plan lessons according to the current standards aim to develop scientifically literate young citizens who can identify, evaluate and understand scientific arguments underlying local and global issues.

They also use socioscientific issues in their instruction. Socioscientific issues are local or global phenomena that can be explained by science and signify social and political problems. For example, students might make sense of the scientific information underlying the current COVID-19 crisis and make arguments for how and why vaccination is important for their communities. Other examples of socioscientific issues are climate change, genetic engineering and pollution from oil spills.

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4. Integrates Science With Other Subjects

Teaching science with an interdisciplinary approach  that is to say, using math, technology, language arts and social studies to make sense of science phenomena  can lead to rich and rigorous learning experiences.

For example, teachers can integrate math by having students create visual charts and graphs to explain their experimental or observation data. Technology integration in the form of games and simulations in science classrooms can help students picture complex science ideas. Incorporating reading and comprehension strategies in science can bolster students' ability to read critically for scientific ideas and evidence.

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5. Uses Classroom Assessments to Support Student Learning

A science teacher who is interested in students' ideas will design and use classroom-based assessments that reveal students' science thinking. They do not use closed-ended assessments that require yes or no answers, textbook-style definitions or lists of scientific facts. Instead, they use open-ended, phenomenon-based assessments that give students a chance to show their understanding.

For example, a fifth grade assessment presents students with a story of an Australian ecosystem and prompts them to use modeling to explain relationships between different components of the ecosystem. Such an assessment encourages students to explain how a process happens instead of recalling information.

Effective science teachers do not evaluate students' responses for right and wrong answers. They interpret and evaluate students' scientific explanations to understand strengths and gaps in their learning and use this information to adapt future instruction.

Teachers who are prepared to implement these five evidence-based practices can potentially involve all students in their classroom in meaningful science learning.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. You can find the original article here.

Meenakshi Sharma is an assistant professor of science education at Mercer University.
" " Not all pencils are created equal. Some are higher quality than others. Education Images/UIG/Getty Images

At the start of every school year, I inevitably find myself standing in the pencil aisle seething that the specific brand on my son's supply list is once again out of stock. The shelves runneth over for other brands, but there's not a single package of No. 2 Ticonderoga yellow pre-sharpened to be found. There might as well be tumbleweeds on those shelves.

This always leaves me wondering if I really need to hunt down those elusive, ultra-specific pencils, or can I get away with one of the off-brand that are practically taunting me from their well-stocked shelves?

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Since I am nothing, if not a rule-follower, I opted to order Ticonderogas online, but I polled some friends for their take. Turns out that many parents are as befuddled as I. A pencil is a pencil is a pencil, right? Wrong, according to all the teachers I spoke with. Wrong, wrong, wrong-ity wrong.

"[Ticonderogas] sharpen consistently without breakage and have the longest staying power when writing," says Ashley Johnessee, Ph.D., assistant principal at Lambert High School in Suwanee, Georgia. "They also have the best erasers."

"Ticonderogas are better but this teacher is just happy to get pencils!" adds Jodi Sorrells, who teaches fifth grade at Kennedy Elementary School in Winder, Georgia. "It is a bonus if they are already sharpened and a double bonus if they are that brand."

I reached out to Dixon Ticonderoga, the company behind these pencils for its take on what makes a pencil special. "Ticonderoga pencils are produced with premium wood from certified sustainable wood sources," Becky Trudeau, a product manager at Dixon Ticonderoga, said in 2017. "Exacting standards are used to produce pencils that write smoothly, without the scratchy feel of other pencil brands, and deliver consistent results. There is no need to worry that a No. 2 Ticonderoga will deliver the marks correctly on scantron test sheets used widely in schools, which is one of the reasons Ticonderoga is the brand overwhelmingly preferred by teachers."

Making a good pencil is not as easy as it may seem. Henry Hulan literally grew up in the pencil industry, with his Tennessee-based family business, Musgrave Pencil Company having celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2016. Musgrave pencils are still made in the U.S. (Ticonderogas are now manufactured in other countries.)

According to Hulan, picky pencil-users should look first at the type of wood being used. California incense cedar is the premier pencil wood; however, it is growing more expensive to process. So, people should also look at basswood pencils as another good option  with some caveats. "There are different grades of basswood because some of it is waxed and some is unwaxed," Hulan explained in 2017. "When it's hard to sharpen you're probably getting an unwaxed slat. It's cheaper but unwaxed."

The graphite mix inside a pencil (it's not lead) also makes the difference between a good writing experience and a bad one. "If you've ever written with a pencil and it gets scratchy that means the graphite and clay haven't been mixed long enough," Hulan said. "It just takes days sometimes to get a real fine mix of the graphite and clay in order to extrude a really good graphite core."

Lastly, some cheaper pencils are outfitted with erasers that just smear the paper rather than rubbing out any markings. Hulan said this quality fail is due to one of two things: "They didn't use good materials to make that eraser or it's an older eraser that had been exposed to light for a while."

So, is it absolutely 100 percent necessary to purchase that ultra-specific brand your child's teacher requested? Probably not, but at the very least look at the wood and wax finish before buying.

If you want to know more about how pencils are made, watch the video below:

This story was updated to reflect the addition of a statement from Dixon Ticonderoga.

Now That's Cool The numbers on the pencil correspond to their softness and hardness. The more graphite there is in a pencil, the softer it is and the lower its number. So, a No. 1 pencil is softer than a No. 2 and will leave a darker mark.

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Originally Published: Jul 31, 2017
A US air force personnel looks at a Philippine flag patch he exchanged with his Philippine counterpart after the closing ceremony of the annual joint US-Philippines military exercise in Manila on May 19, 2017. A recent survey found that Filipinos trust the United States most. (Photo: TED ALJIBE/AFP via Getty Images)

A Pulse Asia survey released on Friday (July 29) said that an overwhelming number of Filipinos trust the United States (US), and are generally distrustful of China and Russia.

The survey, conducted last June and participated by 1,200 adults, asked how much trust the country should extend to a total of 10 countries.

A total of 31% of the respondents said that we must have a great deal of trust to the US, and 58% said that it should be regarded with a fair amount of trust, giving the Philippines longest military ally an 89% trust rating.

The results of the survey also found that Filipinos felt the Philippines should extend a fair amount of trust to Australia (79%), Japan (78%), Germany (69%), South Korea (65%), United Kingdom (64%), Indonesia (60%), and India (51%).

Meanwhile, Russia and China record a low trust rating at 38% and 33%, respectively, with some 36% of Filipino respondents saying that the country should regard not too much trust on China, with 31% saying that there should be no trust at all.

With this, China has a 67% distrust rating among Filipinos, and Russia recording a 62%.

For the most part, public opinion on the matter is essentially constant between September 2019 and June 2022, Pulse Asia said.

The interview reported a margin of error of 2.8% and 95% confidence level.

On August 6, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will visit the Philippines to meet with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo.

They are expected to discuss, among many others, the long-standing US-PH military and economic alliance, and increased cooperation between the two countries on key issues such as energy, trade, and pandemic recovery, according to a DFA advisory.

Blinken will arrive in Manila from Cambodia, his first stop in a 10-day trip to several countries from August 2 to 11.

Marvin Joseph Ang is a news and creative writer who follows developments on politics, democracy, and popular culture. He advocates for a free press and national democracy. Follow him on Twitter at @marvs30ang for latest news and updates.

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Credit: Routledge

It has been a generation now. Long enough, Kapila Silva believes, to pronounce the "cultural landscape" approach, the broad-minded historic preservation efforts of the United Nations Educational, Scientific & Cultural Organization, better known as UNESCO, a success.

That is the bottom line of the wide-ranging new book co-edited by the University of Kansas professor of architecture, titled "The Routledge Handbook of Cultural Landscape Heritage in The Asia-Pacific."

The book's introduction, written by Silva and his Australian heritage expert co-editors/writers Ken Taylor and David S. Jones, traces the "cultural landscape" movement back to a 1972 UNESCO Convention that established the concept of World Heritage Sites.

UNESCO's World Heritage Committee in 1992 introduced the construct of "cultural landscapes" as a category of World Heritage sites.

Silva said the latter approach recognizes "those environments that may not have a monumental type of architecture. They're more vernacular, large-scale historic environments where nature and culture come together to establish a place for particular society. Those are important places of heritage for people, expressing their culture multidimensionally. The introduction of the notion of cultural landscape made a paradigm shift in the heritage conservation across the world, helped to move away from Euro-centric ways of thinking about cultural heritage, assisted in overcoming the compartmentalization of heritage into different types and facilitated the recognition of many historic environments in the Asia-Pacific as unique expressions of their cultures and, therefore, worthy of conservation."

The editors set the stage for 30 chapters by 38 different authors/co-authors, including Silva, that explore how the guidelines set out in UNESCO's foundational documents have played out across the Asia-Pacific region in the last three decades.

There are case studies, for example:

the Panchkroshi pilgrimage route that links more than 100 temples along the Ganges River in Varanasi, India

the ecologically rooted struggles of the Mohana people of boat-dwellers on Pakistan's Lake Manchar, and

the role of the community in preserving ninth- through 13th-century temple sites in and around the ancient capital city of Bagan, Myanmar.

Silva's KU colleague Nilou Vakil, associate professor of architecture, contributed a chapter on the Persian Qanat, a 2,000-plus-year-old system of underground aqueducts located in present-day Iran.

Each of these is an example of a cultural landscape and of this specific approach to heritage, in which preservationists sought to move beyond a frankly Eurocentric focus on preserving monuments (e.g., castles) and to consider instead how significant structures were integrated into the land and best preserved by their connection to the people living thereabout.

In his chapter, Silva writes about how the cultural landscape approach could be instrumental in establishing clear nexus between the tangible cultural heritage (artifacts, buildings and settlements) and the intangible cultural expressions (cultural practices, belief systems, arts and crafts) in historic cities in the Asian context. He talks about the concept of "city as mandala," as seen in the Nepalese city Bhaktapur, as an example in which belief systems organize the physical settlements and cultural practices cyclically enact the embedded or hidden spatial and societal order.

There, he writes, "it is possible to identify smaller spatial settings with aniconic shrines (stone markers and flagstones), minor shrines, votive stupas, and stone mandalas (small, ornamented octagonal stone structures, representing different mandalas) associated with a pantheon of myriad deities, along with wayside resting places, performing stages, street markets and the like. Ordinary daily life in the neighborhood unfolds in these settings."

He explained that "The idea of the mandala is that laying on the landscape is a kind of a belief system, and people put certain markers, boundaries, borders and things like that to organize the settlement. Sometimes you can see them, and sometimes you cannot see them, but that idea of the border or the marker is in people's heads, and that understanding is observable from their activities, both ordinary and extraordinary, in the place. The cultural landscape approach helps us to see this 'space-meaning-activity-time' interaction in an environment, and then to figure out ways to safeguard these cultural expressions in a more holistic manner."

This is not to say that the cultural landscape approach is without flaws or challenges. One of the contributors to the new handbook even writes that it is time to revisit some of the approaches that preceded the 1972 convention. But on balance, Silva said, it has been a success.

"Whether the local communities always understand the conservation of their cultural heritage that way, I'm not sure," he said. "But at least the professionals who are responsible of taking care of cultural and/or natural heritage should  they are developing an understanding that we can't isolate a building and simply look at it as something to be preserved. This is part of a larger system of cultural expressions. Thus, we need to have that broad understanding that the cultural landscape approach affords when we are working on heritage conservation."

Explore further Understanding historic Asian cities as ecosystems

More information: Kapila D. Silva et al, The Routledge Handbook of Cultural Landscape Heritage in The Asia-Pacific, (2022). Kapila D. Silva et al, The Routledge Handbook of Cultural Landscape Heritage in The Asia-Pacific,(2022). DOI: 10.4324/9781003099994
Aerial view of salmon fish farms, Grand Manan Island, N.B. Credit: Shutterstock

The words "blue economy" will soon shape the future of Canada's oceans, from the fiords and straits of British Columbia to the rugged coastlines of the Atlantic to the vast seascapes of the Arctic. The transformation of Canada's ocean economies will be felt throughout the country and will set an example for nations around the world.

But what is a blue economy? And what makes it different from business as usual?

The term blue economy was first championed by small-island developing countries, including Fiji, Bahamas and Palau, to bring more local benefits from ocean industries. Developing a blue economy means establishing ocean spaces and industries that are socially equitable, environmentally sustainable and economically profitable.

Canada has been a key player in these efforts, including by supporting the first global conference on a blue economy, held in Nairobi in 2018 with over 18,000 participants. Now Canada is bringing the blue economy to its own waters.

As researchers at the intersection of ocean resources, justice and policy, we believe that a Canadian blue economy can have huge benefits for allif done well. At stake are flashpoint issues like oil and gas expansion, aquaculture and the protection of species at risk. More deeply, Canada will have to decide which people and places will benefit from new ocean investment, and who will be impacted.

Blue economies old and new

For industries like fisheries, aquaculture, tourism or shipping, achieving blue economies will mean deep transformations to address unsustainable practices, such as pollution or overfishing. New technologies, such as automated and deep-sea vessels, as well as ecological and social research will also be needed, especially for emerging sectors like wave and tidal energy or blue carbonthe management of seagrasses, mangroves, marshes and kelp ecosystems for carbon offsetting.

But what sets a blue economy apart from business as usual is its focus on social equity and environmental justice. These guiding principles aim to recognize and include all individuals, prioritize the fair sharing of benefits and burdens and protect vulnerable peoples from environmental and economic impacts, natural or human-caused.

Although governments and industry are investing in new technology and research to track habitat and climate, and are aiming for environmental sustainability, these are now hardly ground-breaking commitments. Past ocean development has illustrated that ensuring benefits to frontline communities and marginalized populations, and avoiding harm to these people, will not happen on its own.

There are some good examples in Canada of how this can work well, including the federal government's Integrated Commercial Fisheries Initiatives. In the North, Atlantic and Pacific regions, these programs subsidize and support business capacity and technology for Indigenous-owned companies to invest in fisheries and aquaculture. While working within environmental guidelines, these companies can decide how to run their businesses in ways that fit their cultural as well as business goals.

The Bay du Nord project consists of several oil discoveries in the Flemish Pass basin. The Norwegian oil major Equinor made the first discovery in 2013, with several others in the following years. The project will drill for oil in deep sea waters, about 500 kilometres from St. Johns, N.L. Credit: Equinor

But our research shows nations around the world lack the capacity to enable equitable ocean industries and are still struggling to address corruption, human rights and basic infrastructure to build their ocean development plans. Adopting a blue economy approach would change that by first focusing on these basic enabling governance conditions.

For Canada to achieve a blue economy, it would need to develop policy strategies that address complex issues, including Indigenous fishing, ocean conservation, sustainable use, climate change and offshore oil and gas production. Because of their connectivity and role in human relationships, oceans are an important arena where these commitments play out.

'Sustainable' offshore oil?

The example of offshore oil and gas is a peculiar yet important aspect of Canada's future blue economy. Under the simplest logic, the production of offshore oil and gasnon-renewable resourcescannot be part of a blue economy approach defined by equity and sustainability. This is clear given the historically uneven concentration of economic benefits from the oil industry and its chronicand sometimes catastrophicpollution of local ecosystems.

The inclusion of oil is especially problematic considering its contribution to climate change. Governments can propose arguments and new book-keeping to deflect accountability for downstream emissions linked to their oil and gas production, but global climate, the oceans and people will be impacted nonetheless.

The recent approval of the Bay du Nord offshore oil project in Newfoundland and Labrador illustrates the conflict between blue economy narratives and actions. The project is supported and justified partially because of lower emissions per barrel produced relative to oil production elsewhere. Yet it ignores the emissions that consumption of the oil itself will generate.

As we argue in a recent peer-reviewd article, offshore oil and gas production could only be included within a blue economy under the strictest of guidelines: no further expansion of the oil industry could take place; subsidies to the oil sector would have to be redirected to local sustainable industries; and the blue economy plan would have to detail clear strategies, timelines and funding commitments for just transitions away from oil and gas.

A Canadian blue economy

According to the most recent federal government report Engaging on Canada's Blue Economy Strategy: What we heard, Canadians want a new approach to ocean management and development, one that acknowledges and supports traditional relationships and industries and benefits coastal communities even while engaging with new technologies and sectors. Regulations and co-created policies and guidelines will be essential to achieve these goals in ways that are new and not just business as usual.

As Canada and nations across the world work to establish equitable, sustainable and viable blue economies, finding ocean resources will be the easy part. The challenge will be in making sure that these resources benefit frontline coastal communities now and in the future.

Listening to the diverse perspectives of Canadians is a good start that must now be followed with meaningful and ongoing support for truly transformative and equitable ocean policies.

Explore further The Blue Economy is more than resources: It has to focus on social equity and governance

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

The majority of 575 people in South Australia with a history of chronic homelessness have found stable housing and are well on the way to a better life after three years of intensive support under the "Aspire' programAustralia's first social impact bond targeting homelessness.

"It's a gift that I can't even begin to explain to you," one participant says, ahead of an event to launch the final evaluation of the program at Flinders University Victoria Square, Adelaide. Watch a recording of the launch summary online.

SA Premier Peter Malinauskas says: "Aspire is clearly a successful program which has had a positive impact on so many lives, not just helping people in their moment of crisis but setting them up for the longer term."

Minister for Human Services Nat Cook says the results show the benefits of intensive wrap-around supports for people who have experienced lengthy or re-current homelessness, complex needs and multiple barriers to housing.

"These barriers can be incredibly difficult to overcome, and this report shows what really works in terms of helping people overcome those barriers," she says.

Flinders University Professor of Social Impact Ian Goodwin-Smith says: "What Aspire shows is that if you stick with people experiencing chronic homelessness and work with them closely, you get great results for people and great results for the community.

"That's what the evidence shows. That's what the investment in Aspire has achievedmassive improvements in people's lives and a significant return on investment in terms of savings to the public purse."

The evaluation, by experts from the Center for Social Impact at Flinders University and the University of Western Australia, found many major achievements from the 'intensive wraparound' program which included help with securing stable housing and support for trauma, disability, or tri-morbidity issues (co-existing physical, mental health and drug and alcohol issues).

The final report found:

By June 2021, 369 Aspire participants had secured a tenancy, mostly in public housing, and among those participants, 93% were maintaining their tenancies.

Participants accessing Specialist Homelessness Servicesdown 78%; hospital emergency department visitsdown 27%; and inpatient staysdown 26%.

Aspire participants court system interactionsdown 70%.

So far this has led to $8.9m in service costs saved by the South Australian Government.

Aspire participants' overall well-being scores increased by 15% and they reported improvements in their interpersonal relationships and community connections.

Another indicator of enhanced well-being was that participants recorded significant reductions in their access to hospital services for mental health and alcohol/drug related issues.

"Some of the Aspire participants said no other program had worked for them, and they had lost all hope by the time they came to the program," says Flinders University research fellow Dr. Veronica Coram.

"However, the final report finds Aspire was a life-changer for many participants who avoided continued rough sleeping, jail or hospitalization, and whose health and well-being would otherwise have declined further."

"What Aspire has done for so many people is to give them the sustained support they needed to maintain a stable tenancy and achieve the dignity of having their own home, secure employment and undertake education," says Ian Cox, who leads the Office for Homelessness Sector Integration at the SA Housing Authority.

Aspire was made possible by a strong, cross-sectoral collaborative partnership between multiple SA Government agencies, the Hutt St Center and housing providers, Social Ventures Australia (SVA) and private investors.

The benefits of providing wrap-around services has given participants a sense of purpose and the confidence to live with more certainty, says Hutt St Center CEO Chris Burns.

"By providing wrap-around services we can lessen the demands on our health and hospital services, correctional services and on social services including emergency accommodation. It has also given our participants a sense of purpose and the confidence to live with more certainty."

Social impact bonds (SIBs), which were pioneered in Australia by Social Ventures Australia, involve private investors financing the delivery of social service programs, with governments repaying the investors when positive outcomes are achieved.

Social Ventures Australia CEO Suzie Riddell says: "SVA's vision is for an Australia where all people and communities can thrive and we're delighted that the Aspire SIB has made a lasting difference to hundreds of people experiencing persistent homelessness in Adelaide," says Ms Riddell.

"We design SIBs to generate very high quality evidence about whether a program works, as well as show how governments can save money across departmentsincluding health, housing and justicesby investing in high-quality programs that can change lives.

"We know that this SIB and the evaluation will contribute to the growing evidence base for intensive 'housing first' approaches, with sustained wraparound support for people experiencing homelessness which can be used to create impact at an even greater scale," she says.

Other participants, who are not named to preserve anonymity, said:

"I don't think I'd be here now if it wasn't for Aspire." And "Usually they help you, then it's see ya later."

"They went above and beyond for me  without them I wouldn't be here at all they've been absolutely invaluable to my mental health, my emotional health and my stability in the house."

"Knowing that you've got support for three years makes a major difference. I can't stress it enough, how comfortable they make you feel, it's a whole non-judgmental thing. Aspire has helped me gain the confidence to tell the truth, I can be honest with people."

Explore further More income support needed for young people experiencing homelessness, study finds
Credit: CC0 Public Domain

Global heating could become "catastrophic" for humanity if temperature rises are worse than many predict or cause cascades of events we have yet to consider, or indeed both. The world needs to start preparing for the possibility of a "climate endgame."

This is according to an international team of researchers led by the University of Cambridge, who propose a research agenda for facing up to bad-to-worst-case scenarios. These include outcomes ranging from a loss of 10% of the global population to eventual human extinction.

In a paper published today in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the researchers call on the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) to dedicate a future report to catastrophic climate change to galvanize research and inform the public.

"There are plenty of reasons to believe climate change could become catastrophic, even at modest levels of warming," said lead author Dr. Luke Kemp from Cambridge's Center for the Study of Existential Risk.

"Climate change has played a role in every mass extinction event. It has helped fell empires and shaped history. Even the modern world seems adapted to a particular climate niche," he said.

"Paths to disaster are not limited to the direct impacts of high temperatures, such as extreme weather events. Knock-on effects such as financial crises, conflict, and new disease outbreaks could trigger other calamities, and impede recovery from potential disasters such as nuclear war."

Kemp and colleagues argue that the consequences of 3 degrees Celsius warming and beyond, and related extreme risks, have been under-examined.

Modeling done by the team shows areas of extreme heat (an annual average temperature of over 29 degrees Celsius), could cover two billion people by 2070. These areas not only some of the most densely populated, but also some of the most politically fragile.

"Average annual temperatures of 29 degrees currently affect around 30 million people in the Sahara and Gulf Coast," said co-author Chi Xu of Nanjing University.

"By 2070, these temperatures and the social and political consequences will directly affect two nuclear powers, and seven maximum containment laboratories housing the most dangerous pathogens. There is serious potential for disastrous knock-on effects," he said.

Last year's IPCC report suggested that if atmospheric CO 2 doubles from pre-industrial levelssomething the planet is halfway towardsthen there is an roughly 18% chance temperatures will rise beyond 4.5 degrees Celsius.

However, Kemp co-authored a "text mining" study of IPCC reports, published earlier this year, which found that IPCC assessments have shifted away from high-end warming to increasingly focus on lower temperature rises.

This builds on previous work he contributed to showing that extreme temperature scenarios are "underexplored relative to their likelihood." "We know least about the scenarios that matter most," Kemp said.

The team behind the PNAS paper propose a research agenda that includes what they call the "four horsemen" of the climate endgame: famine and malnutrition, extreme weather, conflict, and vector-borne diseases.

Rising temperatures pose a major threat to global food supply, they say, with increasing probabilities of "breadbasket failures" as the world's most agriculturally productive areas suffer collective meltdowns.

Hotter and more extreme weather could also create conditions for new disease outbreaks as habitats for both people and wildlife shift and shrink.

The authors caution that climate breakdown would likely exacerbate other "interacting threats": from rising inequality and misinformation to democratic breakdowns and even new forms of destructive AI weaponry.

One possible future highlighted in the paper involves "warm wars" in which technologically enhanced superpowers fight over both dwindling carbon space and giant experiments to deflect sunlight and reduce global temperatures.

More focus should go on identifying all potential tipping points within "Hothouse Earth" say researchers: from methane released by permafrost melts to the loss of forests that act as "carbon sinks," and even potential for vanishing cloud cover.

"The more we learn about how our planet functions, the greater the reason for concern," said co-author Prof Johan Rockstrom, Director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research.

"We increasingly understand that our planet is a more sophisticated and fragile organism. We must do the math of disaster in order to avoid it," he said.

Co-author Prof Kristie Ebi from the University of Washington said: "We need an interdisciplinary endeavor to understand how climate change could trigger human mass morbidity and mortality."

Added Kemp: "We know that temperature rise has a 'fat tail," which means a wide range of lower probability but potentially extreme outcomes. Facing a future of accelerating climate change while remaining blind to worst-case scenarios is naive risk-management at best and fatally foolish at worst."
The McKinney Fire, burning in the Klamath National Forest northwest of Yreka, California, on July 31, 2022.

Firefighters in northern California were battling Monday to gain control over the state's largest wildfire this year, which claimed two lives after exploding in size over the weekend and forcing thousands to evacuate their homes.

Whipped up by strong winds and lightning storms, the McKinney Fire ripped through the state's dry terrain Sunday to spread over some 52,500 acres of Klamath National Forest near the town of Yrekaand was zero percent contained as of Sunday night according to CalFire.

California and other parts of the western United States have been ravaged by huge and fast-moving wildfires in recent years, driven by years of drought and exacerbated by a warming climate.

The McKinney fire, which broke out Friday near the border with Oregon, is California's largest wildfire so far this yearthough it remains much smaller than last year's Dixie Fire, which burned nearly one million acres.

According to the Siskiyou County Sheriff's Office, firefighters on Sunday found two people dead inside a burned-out car on the driveway of a home in the community of Klamath Riverin the fire's path.

Speaking on ABC News, Sheriff Jeremiah LaRue said firefighters suspected the pair were caught in the fast-moving fire as they tried to flee.

California Governor Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency, saying the fire threatens "critical infrastructure."

A kitten that survived the McKinney Fire, hidden in rocks in the Klamath National Forest northwest of Yreka, California.

More than 2,000 residents of rural neighborhoods in the area were under evacuation orders, according to the California Office of Emergency Services, mostly in Siskiyou County.

Yreka resident Larry Castle told the Sacramento Bee newspaper that he and his wife had packed up a few possessions and their three dogs to leave for the night, as other fires in recent years had taught them the situation could turn "very, very serious."

A spokeswoman for the Siskiyou County Sheriff's Office, quoted by US media, said the fire had destroyed more than 100 structuresincluding homes, a grocery store and a community centerin the area surrounding Yreka, though it had not encroached upon the town of about 7,800 people.

"Surrounding areas should be ready to leave if needed. Please don't hesitate to evacuate," the county sheriff tweeted.

Highway 96 and McKinney Creed Road southwest of the Klamath River were closed to the public, CalFire said.

The ruins of the Oak Mobile Park, destroyed by the McKinney Fire northwest of Yreka, California, on July 31, 2022.

Nearly 650 people were working to douse the blaze as of Sunday, the National Wildfire Coordinating Group said.

Search and rescue teams evacuated 60 people who had been hiking the area's popular Pacific Crest Trail, according to the sheriff's department in Jackson County, Oregon.

CalFire said the cause of the McKinney fire was still under investigation.

The US Forest Service said thick smoke had helped to limit the growth of the fire on Sunday, but also meant that firefighters' aircraft were "mostly grounded."

A deer caught in smoke in the community of Klamath River.

Fire crews were working above Fort Jones and west of Yreka "to cut off the fire's progress," the USFS said.

The fast-spreading blaze comes just days after the Oak Fire near Yosemite National Park destroyed dozens of buildings and forced thousands to evacuate.

California, which is facing a punishing drought, still has months of fire season ahead of it.

Property in the community of Klamath River lies in ruins after it burned in the McKinney Fire.

Other parts of the world have also faced intense wildfires this year, as scientists say climate change is making heatwaves more frequent and more intense, increasing the risk of fires.

On Sunday, both Portugal and France were tackling major forest fires as temperatures rose sharply in Europe.

In Portugal, a blaze broke out in the Mafra area, north of Lisbon, while in France at least four firefighters were seriously injured and motorways were closed.

Also over the weekend, hundreds of firefighters battled a blaze in eastern Germany, with four people injured.

Explore further Year's largest fire burns through dry terrain to destroy California homes

 2022 AFP
Lusha Tronstad, lead invertebrate zoologist with WYNDD at UW, led a research team that discovered the Rocky Mountain capshell (pictured) in the Snowy Range. Previously, the snail species was only known from six lakes in Colorado, one in Montana and isolated areas in Canada. Credit: Bryan Tronstad Photo

A group of researchers, led by the University of Wyoming, recently discovered a rare snail species previously unknown to the state.

Lusha Tronstad, lead invertebrate zoologist with the Wyoming Natural Diversity Database (WYNDD) at UW, led the research, which took place in the Bear River and Powder River basins, and the Snowy Range.

The Rocky Mountain capshell, or Acroloxus coloradensis, was previously known from six lakes in Colorado, one in Montana and isolated areas in Canada. However, the latest research discovered the snail in the Snowy Range, located 35 miles west of Laramie.

"We found a new snail in Wyoming," Tronstad says. "This species is rare, only being known from seven other lakes in the U.S."

Tronstad was lead author of a paper titled "Aquatic Snails of the Bear and Powder River Basins, and Snowy Mountains of Wyoming," which was written for the Wyoming Game and Fish Department.

The department has statutory authority over mollusks: snails and mussels; and crustaceans: crayfish, scuds, zooplankton and shrimp, in Wyoming. That means the department is responsible for managing these invertebrates.

Bryan Tronstad, an assistant invertebrate zoologist with WYNDD, was co-author of the paper. Michelle Weschler, a graduate student in the UW Department of Zoology and Physiology from Orlando, Fla.; Sasha Maxey, a WYNDD technician; Tresize Tronstad, a Laramie High School student volunteer who helped collect snails; and Rob Dillon, a North American snail expert, also contributed to the paper.

Freshwater snails are a diverse group of mollusks that live in a variety of aquatic ecosystems, and many species are of conservation concern globally. Wyoming has 3739 species of snails.

This study identified 18 of those species in streams, wetlands, lakes and springs in the Bear and Powder River basins, and the Snowy Range. The research group measured basic water quality and habitat characteristics at each site and within microhabitats.

"We found snails at 53% of sites we surveyed, and they were usually most abundant in ecosystems with more algae; substrate, such as wood and aquatic vegetation; and in habitats with slower water velocity, including backwater and margins of streams," Lusha Tronstad says.

The group found the Rocky Mountain capshell in the Snowy Range and the Bear River snail, or Pyrgulopsis pilsbryana, in the Bear River Basin. The Rocky Mountain capshell is ranked as vulnerable throughout its range and critically imperiled in Colorado and Montana under NatureServe Explorer, the largest online encyclopedia of biodiversity in North America.

The Bear River snail is ranked as imperiled throughout its range and critically imperiled in Idaho and Utah.

"The Rocky Mountain capshell is a rare species that only occurs in a few locations, which are typically mountain lakes. Rare species contribute to biodiversity, and rare species can have large effects on ecosystems despite their status," Lusha Tronstad says. "Very little is known about these snails."

These rare snails are limpets, meaning they have a single shell that is not coiled but cone-shaped, she adds. They eat algae by scraping single-celled plants off rocks and logs.

Rocky Mountain capshell may live in other lakes in the Snowy Range or other Wyoming mountain ranges. However, the snails are difficult to find. Being very small animals, they have very low abundance, and targeted surveys are needed to find them, Lusha Tronstad says.

Overall, snails were often collected in aquatic vegetation that has very high surface areas and likely provides protection from predators, according to the paper.

"Snails are a diverse group of animals that live in all aquatic habitats. We found snails in large and small streams, wetlands, ponds, lakes, reservoirs and springs," Lusha Tronstad says. "We discovered snails in about half of the aquatic ecosystems we surveyed, and one thing that may limit them is the amount of calcium in the water. Snails need calcium in order to secrete their shells. Most snails prefer slower water, probably because there is less chance that they will be swept away. Carrying their houses on their backs makes them more likely to be swept away by the current compared to other aquatic invertebrates."

The study produced many new records of snails in Wyoming and resulted in snails collected in areas that previously were not sampled. The new information will be incorporated into future state wildlife action plans and made available on the WYNDD website so that the information can be used to base management decisions, Lusha Tronstad says.

For example, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department can use the data to make informed management decisions about the snails in the state. This data is useful to manage both native and nonnative species, as well as those that are common and rare, she adds.

"The more information we have about snails, abundant or rare, the better the decisions that can be made to manage them," she says. "As we collect more data, we can make more accurate state and global ranks."

State ranks are for each state, and global ranks rate how a species is doing throughout its entire range on the globe.

"Discovering Rocky Mountain capshell in Wyoming likely will not change the species' rank. However, it does fill in a missing piece of the puzzle," Lusha Tronstad says. "We knew the snails occurred in Colorado and Montana. Thus, we surmised that they also may occur in Wyoming between these other states."

She stresses that WYNDD only supplies the data and does not have any role in management decisions.

"We do not have any more funding to survey for snails in the near future, but we would if the opportunity arose," Lusha Tronstad says.

Explore further Research finds western glacier stoneflies in new Wyoming locations

More information: Aquatic Snails of the Bear and Powder River Basins, and Snowy Mountains of Wyoming: Aquatic Snails of the Bear and Powder River Basins, and Snowy Mountains of Wyoming: www.uwyo.edu/wyndd/_files/docs  DReports/22tro03.pdf
Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

Since late 2020, the La Nina climate pattern has led to two years of above-average rainfall across much of Australia, and severe floods in parts of the country.

In areas spared the flooding, this rainfall has been good news for farmers, with improved conditions and high prices driving production and profits to record highs.

But the next drought is rarely too far away. For a reminder, we only need to look overseas, where the same La Nina weather system is combining with climate change to produce severe droughts in the United States, eastern Africa and South America.

Unfortunately, drought can be difficult to define and measure. Determining whether a region or farm is "in drought" is a longstanding and complex problem, which remains important to our future drought response.

Drought is about more than rainfall

For a long time, Australia's standard measure of drought has been rainfall. But while rainfall indicators are easy to produce and interpret, they can be a poor measure of a farm's prospects.

For one thing, the impact of drought depends on the timing of rain.

Even when the year's total rainfall is okay, if most of it arrives at the wrong time of year (such as outside the crop season) it can have the same impact as a drought.

Temperatures are also increasingly important, with record heat waves having an important effect in recent years.

The story gets more complicated still when droughts affect the prices of inputs to farms. For example, during the 201819 drought many dairy farms were impacted by high hay and water prices, even where they received rain.

Measuring farm impacts

In response, researchers including myself at the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES) have developed a new drought indicator based on predictions of farm financial outcomes, with some advantages over measures based on only rain.

In some cases it presents a very different picture.

In the example below, for 201819, the indicator shows more severe impacts in parts of New South Wales than the rainfall model (because low rainfall was compounded by high temperatures and input prices), and less severe impacts in Western Australia (partly because of high grain prices resulting from shortages on the east coast).

Rain-based indicator:

Colors show percentiles. 90100 = top 10%. Credit: ABARES

Model-based indicator:

Colors show percentiles. 90100 = top 10%. Credit: ABARES

Drought declarations are mattering less

Since the early 2000s, drought policy has evolved away from in-drought support of farm businesses to an approach that emphasizes preparedness and resilience, making explicit drought "declarations" less common.

While this change has been welcome, it also led to a reduced focus on drought impact measurement (with the exception of some state-level systems).

But as recent droughts have shown, information on the extent and severity of drought impacts is still very important.

For one, it can help governments anticipate and prepare for increased demand for farm programs such as the Farm Household Allowance or the Rural Financial Counseling Service.

It can also help to better target resources for community, animal welfare or mental health drought impacts.

Better indicators can also support the development of new insurance products such as index-based weather insurance.

Such products are more likely to take off where indexes (and therefore payouts) can closely match real-world outcomes.

Early warnings are mattering more

While there is some evidence climate change has exacerbated recent droughts in Australia, there remains much uncertainty over the longer term effects.

Regardless, the potential for more extreme weather events is generally increasing the importance of early warning systems.

ABARES is working with the CSIRO and the Bureau of Meteorology to develop a Drought Early Warning System that will use this new indicator and a range of other tools to translate weather data into estimates of likely farm impacts.

Predicting these impacts remains very difficult, with challenges both in weather forecasting (particularly on monthly or longer time scales), and in translating these forecasts into agricultural outcomes.

But any improvements we can make will help us better respond to what the future has in store.

Explore further Almost all of Portugal in severe drought after hot, dry May

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Swathes of southern and eastern England recorded the lowest rainfall in July on record.

France and parts of England saw their driest July on record, the countries' weather agencies said on Monday, exacerbating stretched water resources that have forced restrictions on both sides of the Channel.

In France, where an intense drought has hammered farmers and prompted widespread limits on freshwater use, there was just 9.7 millimetres (0.38 inches) of rain last month, Meteo France said.

That was 84 percent down on the average levels seen for July between 1991 and 2022, and made it the second driest month since March 1961, the agency added.

Meanwhile swathes of southern and eastern England recorded the lowest rainfall in July on record, the UK's Met Office.

The whole of England recorded an average of 23.1 mm of rainthe lowest figure for the month since 1935 and the seventh lowest July total on record, it said.

The Met Office has been compiling records since 1836.

The low rainfall in both countries has been coupled with a summer of unprecedentedly high temperatures, which topped 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) in England last month for the first time ever.

Climate scientists overwhelmingly agree that carbon emissions from humans burning fossil fuels are heating the planet, raising the risk and severity of droughts, heatwaves, and other extreme weather events.

Analysis by an international team of researchers released last Friday found climate change caused by human activity made the recent record-shattering UK heatwave at least 10 times more likely to occur.

'Vicious circle'

Water companies on both sides of the Channel are struggling to respond to the parched conditions.

Nearly the entire French mainland has water use restrictions -- a record.

Nearly all of France's 96 mainland regions have imposed water use restrictions, also a record.

The country is bracing for its third heatwave this summer, beginning in the southeast on Monday before heading north toward Paris.

Farmers nationwide are reporting difficulties in feeding livestock because of parched grasslands, while irrigation has been banned in large areas of the northwest and southeast due to freshwater shortages.

On the eastern river Rhine, which runs along the France-Germany border, commercial boats are having to run at a third of their carrying capacity in order to avoid hitting the bottom because the water level is so low.

Environment Minister Christophe Bechu said July's rainfall represented "just 12 percent of what's needed".

"We have a heatwave that increases the need (for water) and a drought that is limiting what is available, pushing us into this vicious cycle," Bechu told BFM television during a visit to the hard-hit Isere department in the southeast.

In England, one water provider has so far announced restrictions.

Southern Water, which is responsible for supplies over a swathe of central southern England, will impose limits on its almost one million customers from later this week.

But the so-called hosepipe ban could soon be replicated by other providers, following a warning by the UK government's Environment Agency that people needed to use water "wisely".

Most of England has moved into "prolonged dry weather" status, the agency said last week.

This means it is now taking precautionary actions to mitigate impacts "as hydrological conditions deteriorate".

Explore further France on course for driest July on record: weather office

 2022 AFP
Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

Over the past 60 years, the global forest area has declined by 81.7 million hectares, a loss that contributed to the more than 60% decline in global forest area per capita. This loss threatens the future of biodiversity and impacts the lives of 1.6 billion people worldwide, according to a new study published today by IOP Publishing in the journal Environmental Research Letters.

A team of researchers, led by Ronald C. Estoque from the Center for Biodiversity and Climate Change, Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute (FFPRI) in Japan, have found that the global forest area has declined by 81.7 million hectares from 1960 to 2019, equivalent to an area of more than 10% of the entire Borneo Island, with gross forest loss (437.3 million hectares) outweighing gross forest gain (355.6 million hectares).

The team used global land use dataset to examine how global forests have changed over space and time. Consequently, the decline in global forests combined with the increase in global population over the 60-year period has resulted in a decrease of the global forest area per capita by over 60%, from 1.4 hectares in 1960 to 0.5 hectares in 2019.

The authors explain, "the continuous loss and degradation of forests affect the integrity of forest ecosystems, reducing their ability to generate and provide essential services and sustain biodiversity. It also impacts the lives of at least 1.6 billion people worldwide, predominantly in developing countries, who depend on forests for various purposes."

The results also revealed that the change in the spatiotemporal pattern of global forests supports the forest transition theory, with forest losses occurring primarily in the lower-income countries in the tropics and forest gains in the higher-income countries in the extratropics. Ronald C. Estoque, the lead author of the study, explains, "despite this spatial pattern of forest loss occurring primarily in the less developed countries, the role of more developed nations in this said forest loss also needs to be studied more deeply. With the strengthening of forest conservation in more developed countries, forest loss is displaced to the less developed countries, especially in the tropics."

"Today, monitoring of the world's forests is an integral part of various global environmental and social initiatives, including the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Paris Climate Agreement and the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework. To help achieve the goals of these initiatives, there is a profound need to reverse, or at least flatten, the global net forest loss curve by conserving the world's remaining forests and restoring and rehabilitating degraded forest landscapes," the authors further explain.

Explore further Loss of forest intactness increases extinction risk in birds

More information: Ronald C Estoque et al, Spatiotemporal pattern of global forest change over the past 60 years and the forest transition theory, Environmental Research Letters (2022). Journal information: Environmental Research Letters Ronald C Estoque et al, Spatiotemporal pattern of global forest change over the past 60 years and the forest transition theory,(2022). DOI: 10.1088/1748-9326/ac7df5
Vietnam's Covid-19 tally surpasses 10.78 million

The Vietnamese Ministry of Health on Monday reported an additional 1,377 Covid-19 infections, raising the country's total tally to over 10.78 million.















Illustrative photo







According to the ministry's report, the number of Covid-19 patients in Vietnam has increased to 10,781,009.

On August 1, an additional 9,648 more patients recovered from the disease, raising the number of recoveries in the country to over 9.92 million.



On Monday evening, no deaths from Covid-19 were recorded. The country's total fatalities stood at 43,093, accounting for 0.4 per cent of total infections.



By August 1, the country had injected more than 246 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines.



Vietnam is targeting the completion of Covid-19 inoculation for children aged between 5 - 11 in August, as well as the administration of the third shot for those aged 12 - 17, as well as the third and fourth doses to people aged 18 and above as soon as possible.
Chemical space and the periodic system of chemical elements. Credit: Thomas Endler / Max Planck Institute for Mathematics in the Sciences

In the 1860s, the chemists, Lothar Meyer and Dmitri Mendeleev, independently presented the first periodic system. Since then, the well-known tabular arrangement of the elements has been the guiding principle of chemistry. A team of researchers from the Max Planck Institute for Mathematics in the Sciences and the Interdisciplinary Center for Bioinformatics at the University of Leipzig provides computational approaches based on extensive data sets from the Reaxys chemistry database that explain the development of the first periodic systems. Their results are relevant for both the history of science and the future expansion of chemical knowledge.

In a recently published article in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), the scientists look back to the beginnings of the periodic system, whose structure is characterized by similarity and order relationships among the elements. Periodic tables arose from the knowledge of the existing or potentially possible chemical elements and compounds known at that time. The total combination of these two components forms the so-called chemical space. Order relationships were initially set up based on atomic weights and similarities in terms of commonality in chemical composition. As knowledge of chemical substances grew throughout the history of science, so did potentially possible periodic systems, influenced by the state of the chemical space of the time. "We were attracted by the question of how the expansion of chemical space contributed to the formation of the first periodic systems. Little was known about that. So, we investigated in particular the chemical space between 1800 and 1869 to discover how well the periodic table corresponds to the chemical data at the time of its formulation," Guillermo Restrepo, Project leader at the Max Planck Institute for Mathematics in the Sciences describes the research team's objective.

Expansion of the chemical space between 1800 and 1869

Their analysis of the knowledge of chemical space revealed, that the periodic table of chemical elements converged to a clearly visible basic structure as early as the 1840s, and was thus already encoded in space about two and a half decades before its formulation.

The first quarter of the 19th century was characterized by a rapid discovery of chemical elements and their compounds, leading to an unstable period with a wide variety of periodic tables, only few of which stood the test of time. In 1826, the discovery of elements slowed down, allowing chemists to further explore the properties of known substances and discover compounds that had new valences and thus new similarities among known chemical elements. These discoveries persisted for years and provided consolidation of the chemical space and thus fairly stable periodic systems. Between 1835 and 1845, the system continued to approach its basic structure, which was finally revealed in the 1860s.

Similarity among systems of chemical elements compared over time, with a strong stabilization of similarity evident after 1826. Credit: Wilmer Leal

Impact of organic chemistry

Wilmer Leal, doctoral student at the Max Planck Institute and the University of Leipzig, describes the essential role of organic chemistry in the formulation of the periodic system: "The rise of organic chemistry in the 1830s played a key role in facilitating the recognition of similarities between elements that are massively represented in chemical space, such as oxygen, hydrogen, carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur, and between metals often associated to organic compounds, such as sodium, potassium, palladium, platinum, barium, and calcium. At the same time, the plethora of organic compounds obscured the identification of similarities between metals which are poorly represented in organic space."

Regarding the periodic systems of Lothar Meyer and Dmitri Mendeleev, both chemists could already rely on a mature chemical space and a quite stable set of atomic weights at that time. The systems they formulated were thus largely consistent with other periodic systems that would have been possible at the time, according to the computational analysis.

Computational reconstruction of chemical space from atomic weights

To replicate the chemical space before 1869 and account for the role of atomic weights known in the 19th century, the researchers used the Reaxys chemistry database and, based on its extensive information, introduced an algorithm to adjust the chemical space to different sets of weights. This enables current chemical formulas to be converted to fit any system of atomic weights. It allows approximations to the chemical space known to chemists of the past and estimates the resulting periodic systems of the time.

Analyzing the various periodic systems formulated over time, the scientists revealed that their structure was determined mainly by the similarities between the chemical elements and less by their order based on atomic weights. "Gauging these similarities was the hardest part for us, and the results were quite surprising. It was previously assumed that periodic systems could only be formulated if a stable system of atomic weights was given. However, we were able to demonstrate that even the unstable weights reported before 1860 produced quite stable periodic systems" says Peter Stadler, Professor at the Interdisciplinary Center for Bioinformatics at the University of Leipzig.

Review with vision

The method presented in the paper to formulate a periodic system for a given chemical space is not limited to the past but can also be applied to all possible environments, such as the study of chemical spaces generated under extreme pressure and temperature conditions. The implementation of this method could provide a comprehensive picture of chemistry in real-time, which would also have implications for teaching and the future of the field. Although their approach is more computational than historical, the scientists hope it can complement other tools in the history of chemistry and contribute to the advancement of chemical knowledge.

Explore further The hidden structure of the periodic system

More information: Wilmer Leal et al, The expansion of chemical space in 1826 and in the 1840s prompted the convergence to the periodic system, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2022). Journal information: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences Wilmer Leal et al, The expansion of chemical space in 1826 and in the 1840s prompted the convergence to the periodic system,(2022). DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2119083119
Eelgrass from the Finnish Archipelago Sea. Eelgrasses migrated to the Atlantic from the Pacific hundreds of millennia ago, and that ancient migration left marks on their DNA that still shape them today. Credit: Christoffer Bostrom, Abo Akademi University

Deep evolution casts a longer shadow than previously thought, scientists report in a new paper published the week of Aug. 1 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Smithsonian scientists and colleagues looked at eelgrass communitiesthe foundation of many coastal marine food webs along the north Atlantic and Pacific coastsand discovered their ancient genetic history can play a stronger role than the present-day environment in determining their size, structure and who lives in them. And this could have implications for how well eelgrasses adapt to threats like climate change.

About a half-million years ago, when the world was warmer, some eelgrass plants made the difficult journey from their homes in the Pacific to the Atlantic. Not all the plants were hardy enough to make the journey across the Arctic. For those that succeeded, a series of ice ages during the Pleistocene Epoch further affected how far they could spread. Those millennia-old struggles left lasting signatures in their DNA: Even today, eelgrass populations in the Atlantic are far less genetically diverse than those in the Pacific.

Still, in the classic "nature versus nurture" debate, scientists were stunned to discover that genetic legacy sometimes does more to shape modern eelgrass communities than the current environment.

"We already knew that there was big genetic separation between the oceans, but I don't think any of us ever dreamed that that would be more important than environmental conditions," said Emmett Duffy, marine biologist with the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center and lead author of the report. "That was a big surprise to everybody."

Eelgrasses in hot water

Eelgrass is among the most widespread shallow-water plants in the world. Its range spans from semi-tropical regions like Baja California all the way to Alaska and the Arctic. Besides providing food and habitat for many undersea animals, eelgrass offers a plethora of services to humans. It protects coastlines from storms, soaks up carbon and can even reduce harmful bacteria in the water.

Smithsonian biologist Emmett Duffy on a research boat in Bocas Del Toro, Panama. Credit: Sean Mattson/Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute

But in most places where it grows, eelgrass is the dominantor onlyseagrass species present. That makes its survival critical to the people and animals that live there. And the lower genetic diversity in the Atlantic could make it hard for some populations to adapt to sudden changes.

"Diversity is like having different tools in your tool belt," said Jay Stachowicz, a co-author and ecologist with the University of California, Davis. "And if all you've got is a hammer, you can put in nails, but that's about it. But if you have a full complement of tools, each tool can be used to do different jobs more efficiently."

Ecologists have already seen eelgrass disappearing from some regions as the waters heat up. In Portugal, its southernmost spot in Europe, eelgrass has begun pulling back and moving farther north, into cooler waters.

"I don't think that we're going to lose [eelgrass] in the sense of an extinction," said co-author Jeanine Olsen, an emeritus professor at the University of Groningen in the Netherlands. "It's not going to be like that. It's got lots of tricks up its sleeve." But local extinctions, she pointed out, are going to occur in some places. That could leave regions that depend on their local eelgrass in trouble.

Reaching a more ZEN worldview

Realizing the urgent need to understandand conserveeelgrass worldwide, Duffy and his colleagues banded together to form a global network called ZEN. The name stands for Zostera Experimental Network, a nod to eelgrass's scientific name, Zostera marina. The idea was to unite seagrass scientists all over the world, doing the same experiments and surveys, to get a coordinated global picture of seagrass health.

Professor emeritus Jeanine Olsen of the University of Groningen, on an expedition at a ZEN site near Bod, Norway. ZEN (Zostera Experimental Network) tracks eelgrass health at sites across the Northern Hemisphere. Credit: Wytze Stam

For the new study, the team studied eelgrass communities at 50 sites in the Atlantic and Pacific. With 20 plots sampled per site, the team came away with data from 1,000 eelgrass plots.

First they collected basic eelgrass data: size, shape, total biomass and the different animals and algae living on and around them. Then they collected genetic data on all the eelgrass populations. They also measured several environmental variables at each site: temperature, the water's saltiness and nutrient availability, to name just a few.

Ultimately, they hoped to discover what shaped eelgrass communities more: the environment or the genetics?

After running a series of models, they discovered a host of differences between the Atlantic and Pacific eelgrass ecosystemsdifferences that closely aligned with the genetic divergence from the Pleistocene migration and subsequent ice ages.

While Pacific eelgrasses often grew in "forests" that regularly surpassed 3 feet tall and sometimes reached more than twice that high, the Atlantic hosted more diminutive "meadows" that rarely came close to that height. The genetic differences also aligned with the total biomass of eelgrass. In the Atlantic, evolutionary genetics and the present-day environment played equally strong roles in eelgrass biomass. In the Pacific, genetics had the upper hand.

These impacts flowed up to other parts of the ecosystem as well. When it came to small animals that lived in the eelgrass, like invertebrates, the genetic signature from the Pleistocene again played a stronger role than the environment in the Pacificwhile the two played equally strong roles in the Atlantic.

"The ancient legacy of this Pleistocene migration and bottleneck of eelgrass into the Atlantic has had consequences for the structure of the ecosystem 10,000 years later," Duffy said. "Probably more than 10,000."

UC Davis biologist Jay Stachowicz (left) and postdoc Deanna Beatty on a sampling expedition in Tomales Bay, California. Credit: Liz Allen

Conserving the future

That ancient genetics can play such a strong rolesometimes stronger than the environmenthas some ecologists concerned about whether eelgrass can adapt to more rapid changes.

"Climate warmingby itselfis probably not the primary threat for eelgrass," Olsen said. Pollution from cities and farms, which can cloud the water and lead to harmful algal blooms, also endangers seagrasses. That said, the vast array of environments eelgrass can survive in testifies to its hardiness.

"I'm hopeful because our results illustrate long-term resiliency to repeated, major changes in thermal tolerances and the wide range of eelgrass habitats over about half the Northern Hemisphere," Olsen said. "With the genomic resources now available for eelgrass, we are beginning to analyze functional changes in genes and their regulation in real time. It's very exciting."

To protect existing eelgrass beds, maintaining current diversity is a good first step. In places that have already lost eelgrass beds, restoration offers some promise. Some success stories already exist, such as on the eastern shore of Virginia. But many restoration efforts achieve only limited success. As Stachowicz pointed out, this raises additional questions.

"Should you be restoring seagrass using plants from local environments, or should you be thinking to the future and trying plants with genetics better suited to future environmental conditions?" he asked. "Or should you hedge your bets?" Maintaining or enhancing genetic diversity could be the best way to provide populations of seagrass with the diverse toolkit needed to survive in an uncertain future.

Explore further Global warming causes northward shift in southern limit of seagrass Zostera marina
The remains of two mammoths discovered in New Mexico show that humans lived in North America much earlier than thought. Credit: NPS.

About 37,000 years ago, a mother mammoth and her calf met their end at the hands of human beings.

Bones from the butchering site record how humans shaped pieces of their long bones into disposable blades to break down their carcasses, and rendered their fat over a fire. But a key detail sets this site apart from others from this era. It's in New Mexicoa place where most archaeological evidence does not place humans until tens of thousands of years later.

A recent study led by scientists with The University of Texas at Austin finds that the site offers some of the most conclusive evidence for humans settling in North America much earlier than conventionally thought.

The researchers revealed a wealth of evidence rarely found in one place. It includes fossils with blunt-force fractures, bone flake knives with worn edges, and signs of controlled fire. And thanks to carbon dating analysis on collagen extracted from the mammoth bones, the site also comes with a settled age of 36,250 to 38,900 years old, making it among the oldest known sites left behind by ancient humans in North America.

"What we've got is amazing," said lead author Timothy Rowe, a paleontologist and a professor in the UT Jackson School of Geosciences. "It's not a charismatic site with a beautiful skeleton laid out on its side. It's all busted up. But that's what the story is."

Credit: University of Texas at Austin

The findings were published in Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution.

Rowe does not usually research mammoths or humans. He got involved because the bones showed up in his backyard, literally. A neighbor spotted a tusk weathering from a hillslope on Rowe's New Mexico property in 2013. When Rowe went to investigate, he found a bashed-in mammoth skull and other bones that looked deliberately broken. It appeared to be a butchering site. But suspected early human sites are shrouded in uncertainty. It can be notoriously difficult to determine what was shaped by nature versus human hands.

This uncertainty has led to debate in the anthropological community about when humans first arrived in North America. The Clovis culture, which dates to 16,000 years ago, left behind elaborate stone-wrought tools. But at older sites where stone tools are absent, the evidence gets more subjective, said retired Texas State University Professor Mike Collins, who was not involved with this paper and who oversaw research at Gault, a well-known archaeological site near Austin with an abundance of Clovis and pre-Clovis artifacts.

Close up of the bone pile during excavation. This random mix of ribs, broken cranial bones, a molar, bone fragments, and stone cobbles is a refuse pile from the butchered mammoths. It was preserved beneath the adult mammoths skull and tusks. Credit: Timothy Rowe / The University of Texas at Austin.

Although the mammoth site lacks clearly associated stone tools, Rowe and his co-authors discovered an array of supporting evidence by putting samples from the site through scientific analyses in the lab.

Among other finds, CT scans taken by the University of Texas High-Resolution X-ray Computed Tomography Facility revealed bone flakes with microscopic fracture networks akin to those in freshly knapped cow bones and well-placed puncture wounds that would have helped in draining grease from ribs and vertebral bones.

"There really are only a couple efficient ways to skin a cat, so to speak," Rowe said. "The butchering patterns are quite characteristic."

In addition, chemical analysis of the sediment surrounding the bones showed that fire particles came from a sustained and controlled burn, not a lightning strike or wildfire. The material also contained pulverized bone and the burned remains of small animalsmostly fish (even though the site is over 200 feet above the nearest river), but also birds, rodents and lizards.

The excavation site mostly holds broken bones from the mammoths ribs and spine. The most prominent fossil is a portion of the adult mammoths skull. Credit: Timothy Rowe / The University of Texas at Austin.

Butchering marks on mammoth ribs. The top rib shows a fracture from blunt force impact; the middle rib shows a puncture wound, probably made by a tool; the bottom rib shows chopping marks. Credit: Timothy Rowe et al. / The University of Texas at Austin.

Based on genetic evidence from Indigenous populations in South and Central America and artifacts from other archaeological sites, some scientists have proposed that North America had at least two founding populations: the Clovis and a pre-Clovis society with a different genetic lineage.

The researchers suggest that New Mexico site, with its age and bone tools instead of elaborate stone technology, may lend support to this theory. Collins said the study adds to a growing body of evidence for pre-Clovis societies in North America while providing a toolkit that can help others find evidence that may have been otherwise overlooked.

"Tim has done excellent and thorough work that represents frontier research," Collins said. "It's forging a path that others can learn from and follow."

Explore further Gault site research pushes back date of earliest North Americans

More information: Timothy B. Rowe et al, Human Occupation of the North American Colorado Plateau 37,000 Years Ago, Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution (2022). Journal information: Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution Timothy B. Rowe et al, Human Occupation of the North American Colorado Plateau 37,000 Years Ago,(2022). DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2022.903795
Credit: CC0 Public Domain

Employees who practice mindfulness are less bored at work and less likely to quit, according to a new study.

Researchers including from the University of Exeter Business School found that in monotonous jobs, employees who are more 'mindful' have greater job satisfaction, are less likely to quit and think their job is less boring.

However, mindfulness was found to boost the quality but not the quantity of work, in what the study described as a "double-edged sword" for task performance in monotonous jobs.

The research was based on a study of 174 blue-collar workers at a Mexican manufacturing plant along the Mexico-US border whose job is to process discount coupons from US retailers, a highly repetitive task with no additional incentives for performing well.

The researchers measured the employees' mindfulness using a six-point mindfulness attention awareness scale, before assessing their boredom levels and attitudes four weeks later.

Then, after four months, they collected data about the number of coupons employees had processed and number of errors they had made.

The researchers found that higher levels of employee mindfulness meant they were less bored by their monotonous work and performed work tasks to a higher standard.

However, mindfulness was also linked to employees completing a reduced quantity of work.

Mindfulness was also found to have a significant impact on workers' attitudes towards their job; those who were more mindful had greater job satisfactionin part because they felt less bored by their monotonous work.

Employees who were mindful were found to be less likely to quit their jobsthough there was no evidence this was a result of their lower boredom levels.

The study notes that workplace mindfulness has been examined and implemented largely in the context of white-collar jobs that feature relatively high levels of variety and human interaction.

In contrast, more monotonous working environments that are common in sectors such as manufacturing, services and agriculture, have received little attention from academic research and mindfulness literature, despite their prevalence across many industries and regions.

The study's co-author Jochen Menges, who teaches at the University of Zurich and Cambridge Judge Business School, said: "Monotonous jobs are held by millions of people around the world and more research needs to be done about those jobs.

"Our research now seeks to redress the balance in favor of blue-collar workers. We find that more mindful employees perceive their monotonous job as less boring and have higher job satisfaction, and are thus less likely to leave."

The study suggests that if quality work is more important than quantity, organizations should recognize and support employee mindfulness, and that incorporating mindfulness training into the workplace could both increase work quality and increase staff retention in monotonous jobs.

However, the researchers stress that mindfulness or mindfulness training is no silver bullet for the many problems associated with monotonous work tasks and that much needs to change about these jobsfrom how they are designed to how they are paid.

Andreas Wihler, an Associate Professor of Management at the University of Exeter Business School, said: "Mindfulness helps employees in monotonous jobs to be more satisfied. But organizations would be ill-advised to rely on mindfulness for making boring work conditions bearable.

"Organizations are still responsible for resolving structural and organizational deficits through work redesign."

Here, the research points to the ethical framework of mindfulness, which suggests that mindfulness training should be founded on ethical intentions and practices that respect participants' lives.

The study is published in the Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology.

Explore further Being mindful can improve your interactions with co-workers, new study finds

More information: Andreas Wihler et al, It's so boringor is it? Examining the role of mindfulness for work performance and attitudes in monotonous jobs, Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology (2021). Andreas Wihler et al, It's so boringor is it? Examining the role of mindfulness for work performance and attitudes in monotonous jobs,(2021). DOI: 10.1111/joop.12370
A muon, center, spins like a top within the atomic lattice of a thin film of superconducting nickelate. These elementary particles can sense the magnetic field created by the spins of electrons up to a billionth of a meter away. By embedding muons in four nickelate compounds at the Paul Scherrer Institute in Switzerland, researchers at SLAC and Stanford discovered that the nickelates they tested host magnetic excitations whether they're in their superconducting states or notanother clue in the long quest to understand how unconventional superconductors can conduct electric current with no loss. Credit: Jennifer Fowlie/SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory

Electrons find each other repulsive. Nothing personalit's just that their negative charges repel each other. So getting them to pair up and travel together, like they do in superconducting materials, requires a little nudge.

In old-school superconductors, which were discovered in 1911 and conduct electric current with no resistance, but only at extremely cold temperatures, the nudge comes from vibrations in the material's atomic lattice.

But in newer, "unconventional" superconductorswhich are especially exciting because of their potential to operate at close to room temperature for things like zero-loss power transmissionno one knows for sure what the nudge is, although researchers think it might involve stripes of electric charge, waves of flip-flopping electron spins that create magnetic excitations, or some combination of things.

In the hope of learning more by looking at the problem from a slightly different angle, researchers at Stanford University and the Department of Energy's SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory synthesized another unconventional superconductor familythe nickel oxides, or nickelates. Since then, they've spent three years investigating the nickelates' properties and comparing them to one of the most famous unconventional superconductors, the copper oxides or cuprates.

And in a paper published in Nature Physics today, the team reported a significant difference: Unlike in the cuprates, the magnetic fields in nickelates are always on.

Magnetism: Friend or foe?

Nickelates, the scientists said, are intrinsically magnetic, as if each nickel atom were clutching a tiny magnet. This is true whether the nickelate is in its non-superconducting, or normal, state or in a superconducting state where electrons have paired up and formed a sort of quantum soup that can host intertwining phases of quantum matter. Cuprates, on the other hand, are not magnetic in their superconducting state.

"This study looked at fundamental properties of the nickelates compared to the cuprates, and what that can tell us about unconventional superconductors in general," said Jennifer Fowlie, a postdoctoral researcher at SLAC's Stanford Institute for Materials and Energy Sciences (SIMES) who led the experiments.

Some researchers think magnetism and superconductivity compete with each other in this type of system, she said; others think you can't have superconductivity unless magnetism is close by.

"While our results don't settle that question, they do highlight where more work should probably be done," Fowlie said. "And they mark the first time that magnetism has been examined in both the superconducting and the normal state of nickelates."

Harold Hwang, a professor at SLAC and Stanford and director of SIMES, said, "This is another important piece of the puzzle that the research community is putting together as we work to frame the properties and phenomena at the heart of these exciting materials."

Enter the muon

Few things come easy in this field of research, and studying the nickelates has been harder than most.

While theorists predicted more than 20 years ago that their chemical similarity to the cuprates made it likely that they could host superconductivity, nickelates are so difficult to make that it took years of trying before the SLAC and Stanford team succeeded.

Even then, they could only make thin films of the materialnot the thicker chunks needed to explore its properties with common techniques. A number of research groups around the world have been working on easier ways to synthesize nickelates in any form, Hwang said.

So the research team turned to a more exotic method, called low-energy muon spin rotation/relaxation, that can measure the magnetic properties of thin films and is available only at the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI) in Switzerland.

Muons are fundamental charged particles that are similar to electrons, but 207 times more massive. They stick around for just 2.2 millionths of a second before decaying. Positively charged muons, which are often preferred for experiments like these, decay into a positron, a neutrino and an antineutrino. Like their electron cousins, they spin like tops and change the direction of their spin in response to magnetic fields. But they can "feel" those fields only in their immediate surroundingsup to about one nanometer, or a billionth of a meter, away.

At PSI, scientists use a beam of muons to embed the little particles in the material they want to study. When the muons decay, the positrons they produce fly off in the direction the muon is spinning. By tracing the positrons back to their origins, researchers can see which way the muons were pointing when they winked out of existence and thus determine the material's overall magnetic properties.

Finding a workaround

The SLAC team applied to do experiments with the PSI system in 2020, but then the pandemic made it impossible to travel in or out of Switzerland. Fortunately, Fowlie was a postdoc at the University of Geneva at the time and already planning to come to SLAC to work in Hwang's group. So she started the first round of experiments in Switzerland with a team led by Andreas Suter, a senior scientist at PSI and an expert in extracting information about superconductivity and magnetism from muon decay data.

After arriving at SLAC May 2021, Fowlie immediately started making various types of nickelate compounds the team wanted to test in their second round of experiments. When travel restrictions ended, the team was finally able to go back to Switzerland to finish the study.

The unique experimental setup at PSI allows scientists to embed muons at precise depths in the nickelate materials. From this, they were able to determine what was going on in each super-thin layer of various nickelate compounds with slightly different chemical compositions. They discovered that only the layers that contained nickel atoms were magnetic.

Interest in the nickelates is very high around the world, Hwang said. Half a dozen research groups have published their own ways of synthesizing nickelates and are working on improving the quality of the samples they study, and a huge number of theorists are trying to come up with insights to guide the research in productive directions.

"We are trying to do what we can with the resources we have as a research community," he said, "but there's still a lot more we can learn and do."

Explore further New leap in understanding nickel oxide superconductors

More information: Jennifer Fowlie, Intrinsic magnetism in superconducting infinite-layer nickelates, Nature Physics (2022). www.nature.com/articles/s41567-022-01684-y Journal information: Nature Physics Jennifer Fowlie, Intrinsic magnetism in superconducting infinite-layer nickelates,(2022). DOI: 10.1038/s41567-022-01684-y
Western mosquitofish at Spring Lake Regional Park, Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, California. Credit: David A. Hoffmann

The increased number of mosquitoes flying around western Oregon this summer could have a potential unintended consequence: A spike in non-native fish released into home water features, public and private ponds and wetlands in attempts to control the pesky insect.

That's according to Sam Chan, Oregon State University Sea Grant Extension watershed health and aquatic invasive species specialist; and Dana Sanchez, Extension wildlife specialist. The guppy (Poecilia reticulata) and the western mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis) are two common non-native fish that people release so that they eat mosquito larvae.

These "do-it-yourself" solutions aren't effective for mosquito control, and they aren't good for the environment, according to Chan and Sanchez. It's against the law in Oregon to release non-native fish into any public waterway and a permit is required for private land. Even releases into small backyard ponds and water features that seem safe can become problematic if a flood allows them to escape, according to Sanchez and Chan.

"Those wanting to or who have made these releases may not know that there are more effective long-term solutions or realize that Gambusia will consume much more than mosquito larvae, including native fish, amphibians, invertebrate insects and zooplankton," Chan said. "In western Oregon, many of the native fish, amphibians and aquatic invertebrates such as dragonflies also consume mosquito larvae."

Chan is also concerned that released western mosquitofish and guppies also consume zooplankton, which consume algae. A lack of zooplankton can lead to harmful algal blooms, which have occurred in recent years in Oregon.

This year's large mosquito hatch was likely the result of a wet spring. The sub-freezing temperatures in April likely destroyed frog egg masses, and some residents have noticed the dearth of frogs and are concerned that their best mosquito-eating allies are missing, Sanchez said.

"Field sampling this year has revealed that quite a few previously active and even abundant frog sites had low to no reproduction this year," she said.

The first step to controlling the mosquito population is habitat management, Sanchez said. According to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, actions include:

Minimizing standing water around your home, structures and in irrigated areas.

Eliminating water-filled containers such as buckets and old tires.

Cleaning roof gutters and properly connecting and draining roof drains.

Managing water troughs and bird baths.

A targeted biological control for mosquito larvae is Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis, better known as Bti, Sanchez said. The naturally occurring bacterium in soils is widely available in affordable retail "mosquito dunks" and is safe around mammals, birds, fish and amphibians. Acoustic sonic devices are also an effective new tool for controlling mosquito larvae, according to Chan. The devices are placed in water where mosquito larvae are found, and they emit specific wavelengths that control mosquito larvae.

Using Bti or sonic acoustic devices, along with preventive habitat-management steps, are more effective and sustainable choices to mitigate this year's mosquito problem, Sanchez said.

Explore further App tracks harmful mosquitos with help from crowdsourced science
The super sandstorm in North China on March 15, 2021. Credit: Dong Yueming

Extreme events such as the "North China Super Sandstorms" in March 2021 have significant impacts on human life, socio-economics and agricultural production. In addition to local meteorological conditions, sea surface temperature (SST) variability in different ocean basins also contributes to sandstorm frequency through atmospheric teleconnection and wave trains. Therefore, it is of great significance to study the impact of SST variability in these ocean basins on dust activities in North China.

To this end, researchers led by Dr. Li Xichen from the Institute of Atmospheric Physics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, collaborating with Dr. Li Jing from Peking University, have investigated the variability in dust activity in the Gobi Desert and North China from 1981 to 2021, and in particular, to explore the relative contributions of SST variability in North Atlantic, Tropical Pacific and sea ice concentration (SIC) in the Arctic to the spring dust activity in northeastern Asia. Results were published in Geophysical Research Letters.

"Positive North Atlantic SST anomalies, negative Tropical Pacific SST anomalies (analogous to La Nina), and anomalously low Arctic SIC in the previous summer can all contribute to dust generation in the Gobi Desert and its transport to north China by inducing more favorable local meteorological conditions," said Li Jing. The above teleconnection patterns can be explained by established mechanism in atmospheric dynamics.

"Among the three ocean basins, the Tropical Pacific SST variability has the greatest impact on dust in the Gobi Desert, whereas the North Atlantic SST variability is the most important in driving dust events in North China. Considering the observed SST variability, the Tropical Pacific has the greatest impact on both regions," said Li Xichen.

Variability of different ocean basins contribute to sandstorms in the Gobi Desert and North China. The color of the arrow: contribution of ocean variability to spring dust activity fraction in the Gobi Desert and North China. The color of the fill in the box: ensemble mean forcing trend of the Community Atmosphere Model version 4. Credit: IAP

This study is expected to provide theoretical support to better understand the causes of the variability of dust activity in northeastern Asia and to improve the modeling and projection of dust activities in this region.

Explore further Precipitation in Central Asia shaped by sea surface temperature over tropical Pacific and North Atlantic

More information: Guanyu Liu et al, Impact of sea surface temperature variability at different ocean basins on dust activities in the Gobi Desert and North China, Geophysical Research Letters (2022). Journal information: Geophysical Research Letters Guanyu Liu et al, Impact of sea surface temperature variability at different ocean basins on dust activities in the Gobi Desert and North China,(2022). DOI: 10.1029/2022GL099821
Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

One of the cornerstones of the implementation of quantum technology is the creation and manipulation of the shape of external fields that can optimize the performance of quantum devices. Known as quantum optimal control, this set of methods comprises a field that has rapidly evolved and expanded over recent years.

A new review paper published in EPJ Quantum Technology and authored by Christiane P. Koch, Dahlem Center for Complex Quantum Systems and Fachbereich Physik, Freie Universitat Berlin along with colleagues from across Europe assesses recent progress in the understanding of the controllability of quantum systems as well as the application of quantum control to quantum technologies. As such, it lays out a potential roadmap for future technology.

While quantum optimal control builds on conventional control theory encompassing the interface of applied mathematics, engineering, and physics, it must also factor in the quirks and counter-intuitive nature of quantum physics.

This includes superposition, the concept that a quantum system can exist in multiple states at one time, one of the keys to the advanced computing power of machines that rely on quantum bits  or qubits.

Ultimately the main goal of quantum optimal control is to make emerging quantum technologies operate at their optimal performance and reach physical limits.

"Each device architecture comes with specific limits but these limits are often not attained by more traditional ways to operate the device," Koch says. "Using pulse shaping may push the devices to the limits in terms of accuracy or operation speed that is fundamentally possible."

The authors of this review consider factors in the discipline including the extent to which a quantum system can be established, controlled and observed without causing this superposition to collapse, something which seriously impedes the stability of quantum computers.

The review also suggests that just as conventional engineers have a control theoretical framework to rely on, the training of future "quantum engineers" may require a similar framework which is yet to be developed.

A quantum system that unifies theory and experiment is one of the current research goals of the field with the authors pointing out that this will also form the basis for the development of optimal control strategies.

As well as assessing the recent progress towards this goal, the team lay out some of the roadblocks that may lie ahead for the field. Roadblocks that will need to be overcome if a quantum technological future is to be manifested.

Explore further Speed limits for quantum phenomena have been extended to macro-sized objects

More information: Christiane P. Koch et al, Quantum optimal control in quantum technologies. Strategic report on current status, visions and goals for research in Europe, EPJ Quantum Technology (2022). Christiane P. Koch et al, Quantum optimal control in quantum technologies. Strategic report on current status, visions and goals for research in Europe,(2022). DOI: 10.1140/epjqt/s40507-022-00138-x
Credit: EPStudio20, Shutterstock

We do not often think about the labor that goes into bringing our favorite fruits and vegetables to our table. For farmers, growing healthy crops involves repetitive tasks such as weeding and spraying while the crop is growing. These tasks are not only repetitive, they are also costly and time-consuming. Robotic technologies can solve these problems by relieving farmers from work that is mundane, unhealthy and unpleasant.

With this solution in mind, the EU-funded ROBS4CROPS project is working to accelerate the large-scale implementation of robotics and automation in European farming. Its main goals are to increase productivity, improve efficiency and promote environmental sustainability.

The ROBS4CROPS solution consists of a robotic platform that can assist farmers with different tasks and can also be tailored to different settings. Pilot testing is being conducted in Greece, Spain, France and the Netherlands.

"With ROBS4CROPS we combine technology and business expertise, as well as on-field know-how by growers. They are those giving insight and inputs to perfect the system," states Growth Lead Maja Zikic of ROBS4CROPS project partner Foodscale Hub, Serbia, in a news item posted on the "Innovation Origins' website. "The idea is to bring all the members of the value chain together."

Two solutions to the table

The project will provide farmers with two different solutions for automating processes. In the fully automated solution, weeding and spraying are carried out autonomously by robots. In the partially automated option, tractors are retrofitted with a smart box to automate processes. "Both platforms will be topped up with a number of smart implements for weeding and spraying," explains Zikic. "The goal is to help farmers get rid of repetitive tasks in different settings, from orchards to vineyards."

The ROBS4CROPS solutions are being tested in different areas. In France, ROBS4CROPS project partner Agreenculture's Ceol robot is replacing mechanical weeding in Loire Valley vineyards to reduce labor costs and the number of weeding passes and chemical uses per season. It is tackling the problems of mechanical weed control in vegetable production.

Seasonal spraying of table grape vineyards entails various challengesa high number of pesticide and fertilizer applications, high labor costs and workforce shortages. In the Greek pilot, these challenges are being addressed using the Ceol robot, a retrofitted tractor and an ASM model sprayer from Spanish project partner Teyme. Both the retrofit tractor and Ceol robot are being used on the same sprayer. This will help ROBS4CROPS researchers compare the two platforms and draw useful conclusions about their performance in the hilly Greek pilot sites.

By automating orchard spraying in Catalonia with the aid of a retrofitted tractor using Agreenculture's smart box and Teyme's EOLO model sprayer, ROBS4CROPS aims to reduce chemical use and labor. In the Netherlands, the project has set up a pilot in potato crop rotation. Project partner AgroIntelli's Robotti robot and a camera-based smart weeder will be used to test several tasks there, including early seeding, weeding, hilling and harvesting.

"Robots can relieve farmers from the burden of daily tasks by reducing them. Having robots in the fields means having some time to focus on more valuable taskssuch as production analysis," comments Zikic. The ROBS4CROPS (Robots for protecting crops) solutions can therefore result in higher quality products while also ensuring a smaller carbon footprint and less exposure to harmful chemicals.

Explore further Robot tractors may be heading to a farm near you

More information: ROBS4CROPS project website: ROBS4CROPS project website: robs4crops.eu/
Profile and dynamical spectrum of individual pulse for J0641+0744 - one the five newly detected RRATs. Credit: Tyul'bashev et al., 2022.

Russian astronomers report the detection of five new rotating radio transients (RRATs) using the Big Scanning Antenna (BSA) of the Pushchino Radio Astronomy Observatory (PRAO). The discovery was detailed in a paper published July 22 on the arXiv pre-print repository.

RRATs are a subclass of pulsars characterized by sporadic emission. First objects of this type were identified in 2006 as sporadically appearing dispersed pulses, with frequencies varying from several minutes to several hours. However, the nature of these transients is still unclear. In general, it is assumed that they are ordinary pulsars that experience strong pulses.

So far, only slightly more than 100 RRATs have been found, therefore astronomers are interested in detecting more transients of this type in order to characterize them and improve our knowledge about their nature.

Recently, a team of astronomers led by PRAO's Sergey Tyul'bashev has analyzed the data from monitoring observations with BSA at 111 MHz, conducted in September 2015. This resulted in the identification of fifty-four pulsating sources, five of which turned out to be new RRATs.

"We have used data from a program of daily monitoring to search for strong (  7) pulses with DM = 3100 pc/cm3 within a region covering 15000 deg2 of the northern sky.... Fifty-four pulsating sources were detected at declinations 9 <  < 42. Forty-seven of these are known pulsars, ve are new sources, and two are previously discovered transients," the researchers wrote in the paper.

The newfound RRATs received designations J0319+1341, J0641+0744, J1329+1344, J1336+3346 and J1556+0110. They have dispersion measures ranging from 8.5 to 52 pc/cm3. The estimated observed peak ux density of their pulses were measured to be between 4,500 and 13,000 mJy.

The astronomers noted that the dispersion measures of these sources suggest that they are Galactic objects. They added that they display sporadic repeated pulses, which confirms their RRAT nature.

The researchers try to explain why the five RRATs reported by them have not been detected by previous observations. They assume that the are rate of these transients is low enough that the total observation time in the directions of these transients in the earlier surveys was not sucient to enable detection of even one are.

"If this is indeed the case, it demonstrates that the lower sensitivity of the BSA in transient searches is compensated by its ability to carry out longer monitoring," the authors of the paper wrote.

Therefore, the researchers hope that longer monitoring should enable the detection of all RRATs whose ares are strong enough to exceed the BSA sensitivity threshold at least once in three days. They added that further BSA observations could lead to the detection of 200300 new are sources with strong pulses.

Explore further Two new rotating radio transients discovered by astronomers

More information: S.A. Tyul'bashev et al, Detection of Five New RRATs at 111 MHz. arXiv:2207.11032v1 [astro-ph.HE], S.A. Tyul'bashev et al, Detection of Five New RRATs at 111 MHz. arXiv:2207.11032v1 [astro-ph.HE], arxiv.org/abs/2207.11032

 2022 Science X Network
Photo: Contributed

A former MP who says she was recently racially profiled by parliamentary security is calling on the service to address racism within its ranks.

Celina Caesar-Chavannes said she was questioned by the Parliamentary Protective Service members in June when she tried to access the precinct wearing her parliamentary pin.

The pin, worn by current and former MPs, is meant to grant the wearer access to any building on the parliamentary precinct without having their bags and person searched, she said. But she said security services asked her where she got the pin and tried to do a search anyway.

Caesar-Chavannes was elected as a Liberal MP in 2015 for the riding of Whitby, Ont., but left the caucus in March 2019 and sat as an Independent member until the election that fall.

After she was questioned, Caesar-Chavannes said former New Democrat MP Peggy Nash was able to walk through security without incident.

"Peggy left politics long before I did," said Caesar-Chavannes. "Nobody's expecting them to recognize us, but the pin is universal. Security knows what that is."

Nash was an MP for the Parkdale-High Park riding in Toronto from 2006 to 2008, and regained her seat in 2011 until 2015.

While she did not see the first portion of the encounter, Nash said she arrived at the Senate building entrance donning her own pin and security waved her through.

Nash recalled Chavannes-Caesar say at the time that when security asked her where she bought her pin from, "It was as though they did not believe that she could legitimately be in possession of a parliamentary pin."

This is not the first time the security service has been called out for profiling people of colour on the Hill.

In 2019, the service apologized after an incident during a lobbying event called Black Voices on the Hill, where several young participants said they were referred to as "dark-skinned people" and asked to leave a parliamentary cafeteria by a security guard.

In her farewell speech in 2021, Mumilaaq Qaqqaq, who was the NDP MP for Nunavut, said she does not feel safe on the Hill. She described being chased down hallways and racially profiled by members of the Parliamentary Protective Service.

Every time I walk onto House of Commons grounds, speak in these chambers, I am reminded every step of the way I dont belong here, said Qaqqaq.

In response to a tweet Caesar-Chavannes posted on the day of the incident, former NDP MP Laurin Liu said, "This day-to-day racial and gendered profiling when I was on Parliament Hill ten years ago made me dread showing up to work."

NDP MP Matthew Green, who is a member of the Parliamentary Black Caucus, said the group has heard other reports, too.

"We need to work with senior leadership to ensure that there's adequate training involved of all staff members," Green said, noting he is in discussions with caucus members to ensure this type of situation doesn't happen again.

Caesar-Chavannes said Larry Brookson, acting director for the Parliamentary Protective Service, responded swiftly to the incident and apologized. But she feels more should be done, and said apologies without action don't mean anything.

Nash recalled Caesar-Chavannes asking Brookson what action the service would take.

"It didn't sound like that was completely thought through, but there was a commitment to work with her to to move forward and make sure that the staff were appropriately trained" Nash said.

Caesar-Chavannes said Brookson invited her to meet with their diversity, equity and inclusion specialist, but there was a delay of about five weeks in scheduling the meeting. During that meeting, she demanded accountability and clear steps to prevent similar situations in the future.

The conversation has petered out since then, she said.

"In a position of power and authority  you have the opportunity to make decisions about what happens next for people in that space," she said, adding that she is advocating on behalf of those who are subject to the same kind of treatment and have less privilege to speak out.

"I think they would be wise to to take this seriously, because it's 2022 and this kind of this kind of blatant mistreatment should not be here," Nash said.

"As long as there are persistent stereotypes, and as long as people brush off complaints of somebody's bruised feelings, really representative Parliaments are not going to be able to take their full place, and that's just basically undemocratic."

When asked about the incident, Parliamentary Protective Services said in a statement that it is going through "a process of assessment and capacity building."

"We remain committed to continuous improvement, to fostering authentic exchanges, and to receiving constructive feedback," the service said Thursday, adding that its highest priority is the safety and well-being of employees and visitors to the Hill.

"We have got to do better," Caesar-Chavannes said.
Kallima butterfly wings shown from the top side and under side. Credit: Cell (2022). DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2022.06.042

The top side of the Kallima butterfly's wings are brightly colored, featuring vibrant bands of deep blue, black, and orange. But when this butterfly flaps its wings, the undersides reveal a sharp contrastthey are shades of dull brown that perfectly mimic a dead leaf, camouflaging the butterflies from predators. In research published in the journal Cell on August 1, scientists discover which gene is responsible for leaf mimicry in Kallima butterflies and discuss what it means for our understanding of their evolution.

"Butterfly wings have relatively simple structures, but this simple structure is responsible for some very complex functions: locomotion, thermoregulation, mate preference, and predator avoidance," says Wei Zhang, a butterfly researcher at Peking University in China. "Because these wings are structurally simple but functionally complex, I think butterfly wings are the ideal system to address multiple evolutionary questions."

In order to understand the evolution and genetics responsible for the oak leaf butterfly's exceptional ability to disguise itself, the team collected Kallima samples from 36 different genera across Asia. They then sequenced these butterfly's genomes and homed in on one gene, named cortex, that appeared to be responsible for the varying leaf patterns.

Evolutionary pressures on this gene drive interesting morphological changes across the butterfly's population. "This leaf wing polymorphism has been maintained in multiple Kallima species, but different species may have different phenotype frequencies," says Zhang. "I think this is due to the proliferation of specific plants in particular habitats, so the butterflies will gain more protective benefits by having different frequencies of wing phenotypes."

The team focused on one region, the eastern Himalayas, as a hub for diversification in Kallima butterflies. Because they found so much variation in this area, they were able to examine the evolution on a smaller scale than usual. "We generally focus on biodiversity at a macroevolutionary level," says Zhang. "But we seldom have cases that illustrate in detail how species diversity and genetic diversity originated in such a diversity hotspot."

In the future, Zhang and her team intend to continue to examine how wing coloration and patterns vary in different regions and with different plant life. "We would like to understand how these genes facilitate, and originated, such beautiful diversifying wing patterns," she says.

Explore further How the butterfly got its spots

More information: Wei Zhang, The evolution and diversification of oakleaf butterflies, Cell (2022). www.cell.com/cell/fulltext/S0092-8674(22)00794-2 Journal information: Cell Wei Zhang, The evolution and diversification of oakleaf butterflies,(2022). DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2022.06.042
Distinct features of the gill cover and pectoral fin are among the physical differences that led KAUST Vice President for Research Donal Bradley to believe that he had discovered a new species of sea bream, now confirmed and named, Acanthopagrus oconnorae, or Bev Bradleys Bream for short. Credit: Donal Bradley / KAUST2022

Avid fishers from the shoreline at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) near Thuwal, Saudi Arabia know well the three common species of Red Sea sea bream: the goldsilk, or picnic sea bream (Acanthopagrus berda), the double-bar sea bream (Acanthopagrus bifasciatus) and the haffara sea bream (Rhabdosargus haffara). And now they know one more, thanks to KAUST Vice President for Research Dr. Donal Bradley, Distinguished Professor of Materials Physics, and self-described "piscatorial ichthyologist"a phrase coined by Bradley that refers to one who studies fish by fishing.

"I had been catching both Acanthopagrus species (mostly A. berda) for a while by bait fishing with shrimp and sometimes squid or bread," Bradley said. "I noticed that some of the fish I caught, although superficially similar to A. berda, had some distinctly unique features."

The "new fish" had a more shallowly sloping forehead, a distinct black patch on the rearward edge of the gill cover, a more yellowish pectoral fin, and paler body color. Bradley was not able to find it in any fish-guide books or websites.

In February 2021, Bradley asked marine scientist and Director of the KAUST Red Sea Research Center (RSRC) Dr. Mike Berumen if this could be a new species, providing him with a fin clipping from the "new fish" and, for comparison, a clipping from a standard A. berda caught at the same time.

Berumen's team undertook a genetic analysis, sparking a more detailed study, with results that were sufficiently interesting to prompt an email thread among Berumen's team with the subject line: "I hope the VP hasn't eaten that fish."

A common species of sea bream from the Red Sea, Ancanthopagrus bifasciatus, caught by bait fishing with shrimp. Credit: Donal Bradley / KAUST2022

Unfortunately, he had. Bradley redoubled his fishing efforts, hoping to catch some specimens of what was now considered a new species.

"Catching more samples proved difficult for a while, prompting my younger daughter to suggest to my wife that I had probably found an unrecognized species and also made it extinct," Bradley said.

Also enlisted in the quest to find the fish was Ph.D. student Collin Williams, the then vice president of the KAUST Fishing Club. Eventually, Bradley caught one, and Williams, with others from RSRC, used a tidal trap on the KAUST North Beach to catch more. A detailed study of these specimens included direct comparison of their physical morphology and genetics with other sea bream from the region (A. berda, A. bifasciatus and R. haffara), Arabian Gulf (A. arabicus, A. sheim, and A. catenula), and with records online.

Finally, the "new fish" was determined to be a distinct species with its closest relative, the Wandering Sea Bream (A. vagus), inhabiting long stretches of the Indian Ocean coast of South Africa and Mozambique.

A recently published paper in the Journal of Fish Biology, Acanthopagrus oconnorae, a new species of seabream (Sparidae) from the Red Sea, details the findings.

Credit: King Abdullah University of Science and Technology

"The proposed scientific name for the species, Acanthopagrus oconnorae, honors my mother, Mrs. Winefride Bradley (nee O'Connor), on the occasion of her 90th birthday," Bradley said. "The proposed common name, Bev Bradley's Bream, honors my wife. I never imagined I would discover a new species of fish when I decided to take up fishing again at KAUST, after a long period of fishing inaction in the U.K., and I am sure that I have very slim chances of doing so again."

One of the surprises about the discovery, Bradley suggested, is that a relatively large fish (up to ~30 cm in length) had eluded identification until now, despite the earliest studies on sea bream in the region beginning around 250 years ago. Nor had it been reported at local fish markets, suggesting that it is not a staple of commercial fishing. One conjecture from the RSRC team is that this fish favors shallow water in and around mangrove stands, which is not a regular target for fisheries activity or scientific diving.

The other message to take from this discovery, he said, is that there is so much yet to be explored in the Red Sea.

"The ongoing challenge to catch more of the species that live along the shores of the Red Sea and to learn a lot more about these fish and their habitats through piscatorial ichthyology endeavors will definitely keep KAUST anglers busy for many weekends to come," he said.

Explore further NGO files complaint over dead fish deluge off French coast

More information: Lucia PomboAyora et al, Acanthopagrus oconnorae , a new species of seabream (Sparidae) from the Red Sea, Journal of Fish Biology (2022). Journal information: Journal of Fish Biology Lucia PomboAyora et al, Acanthopagrus oconnorae , a new species of seabream (Sparidae) from the Red Sea,(2022). DOI: 10.1111/jfb.15147
GLENS FALLS  Tricia Rogers, vice president of membership and community engagement for the Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce, has been named the ARCCs new president and CEO.

Rogers began her relationship with the chamber as an ambassador in her early career and took on the role of membership manager in 2016.

She has since worked closely with ARCC members and the business community on building relationships, promoting growth and supporting the community in volunteer positions, according to a news release. Rogers was promoted to vice president of membership and community engagement in early 2022.

The ARCC board of directors made the announcement Monday after a months-long search following the departure of Michael Bittel in that role. Bittel, who had led the chamber since April 2018, retired from the ARCC in June and is moving to another state.

On behalf of the ARCC board of directors, I am extremely excited to share the news that we have promoted Tricia Rogers to the position of president and CEO. After an extensive search process by the executive team and board of directors, we came to a unanimous decision to select Tricia to lead our organization, ARCC board Chair Marc Monahan, regional executive vice president of NBT Bank, said in the news release. The passion and dedication Tricia has for both ARCC members and our community clearly set her apart from the other candidates during the process.

Rogers currently serves on the boards of Warren-Washington Association for Mental Health, Tri-County United Way and the Glens Falls Civic Center Foundation. In addition, she volunteers her time to serve on the CWI Dancing with the Adirondack Stars Alumni Committee and the Glens Falls Fit Fest Committee.

I am excited and honored to be named the president and CEO of the Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce. We have the most dedicated team in place, ready to serve our business community with a renewed energy. Being extremely passionate about this organization, I am looking forward to the possibilities and opportunities to continue lifting up our businesses and communities, Rogers said in the news release.

Rogers will begin acting as president and CEO immediately. The ARCC will be looking to hire a membership manager.

Founded in 1914, the Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce is a 100% membership funded not-for-profit organization serving Washington, Warren, Essex and northern Saratoga counties.
The recent ambush of two police officers and a separate assault on Republican gubernatorial candidate Lee Zeldin hasten the urgency of additional repeal of bail reform measures enacted in 2019, said Republican state Assembly candidate David Catalfamo.

Catalfamo, who is challenging Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner, D-Round Lake, announced Wednesday that he is joining New York City Mayor Eric Adams, a Democrat, in urging Gov. Kathy Hochul to immediately call the Legislature back into special session to discuss criminal justice issues.

In a telephone interview on Thursday, Catalfamo challenged Woerner also to join Adams call to bring the legislature back into special session to discuss bail reform, but said he doubted that she would.

I think that she deserves a chance to prove me wrong, said Catalfamo, an economic development official and writer from Wilton.

Woerner, in a telephone interview on Friday, reiterated her position that the success of changes to the 2019 bail reform law enacted as part of the state budget in April need to be evaluated before additional repeal measures are discussed.

These are substantive changes that happened in April, she said.

Woerner said legislation should be based on data, not emotion.

By the time the Legislature reconvenes in January, the state Division of Criminal Justice will have compiled enough statistics to make an accurate analysis of the effectiveness of the changes made in April, she said.

Adams, in calling for the special session, has said that there has been a year-to-year 37% increase in violent crime in New York City.

The Brennan Center for Justice, a nonpartisan law and policy thinktank at New York University, however, says there has been no evidence that bail reform is the cause of increased crime.

Many have argued that bail reform is responsible for rising crime in New York state, both in an out of New York City, the Brennan Center said in a March 22 report. But crime rates rose all across the country in 2020, making it unwise to look for explanations that are confined to New York.

Catalfamo contends that bail reform has left would-be criminals with a sense that there will be no punishment for their actions.

He points to the July 21 shooting of two plainclothes Rochester police officers who were ambushed while on duty.

Both officers were wounded, and one died as a result.

A 15-year-old girl at a nearby home also was shot and wounded, according to the Associated Press.

The alleged shooter, a 21-year-old Boston-area man who had committed previous crimes, was arrested and charged.

Also, in the Rochester area on July 21, David Jakubonis, a 43-year-old Army veteran, climbed on stage during a campaign rally and confronted Zeldin, the Republican gubernatorial nominee, and extended a keychain with two sharp points toward Zeldin, before the two wrestled each other to the floor, according to news reports.

Local police initially arrested Jakubonis and released him, sparking a new wave of controversy over bail reform.

Jakubonis later was arrested on a federal charge of assaulting a member of Congress, and detained.

Zeldin, and many Republican state legislators, have joined in Adams call for Hochul to call a special session of the Legislature to address bail reform  a call Hochul has, thus far, dismissed.

Catalfamo alleged that Woerner has been oblivious to the situation.

There are bipartisan pleas to repeal these dangerous laws before any more people are hurt or killed, but Carrie Woerner sits in silence, afraid to buck her party bosses, he said.

Woerner said she is not ignoring the situation, but has been studying the effectiveness of the changes made in April and has been speaking regularly with local police officials and district attorneys in preparation for the regular session of the Legislature in January.

I continue to pay attention  and Im not taking my eye off this task, she said.

Woerner said she has been following local news reports since April, and that there is anecdotal evidence that judges have been able to set bail more frequently since the recent changes to the law.

My qualitative analysis  is these changes have made a difference (locally), she said.

Woerner said Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie has agreed to review Mayor Adams research about crime rates in New York City.

Woerner is running for re-election to a fifth consecutive two-year term.

Catalfamo is making his second run for Assembly, after losing to Woerner in 2020.
QUEENSBURY  A New Hampshire man was injured Saturday afternoon when he was ejected from a motorcycle after he went off Glen Lake Road in Queensbury.

Michael Trull, 56, lost control of his 2004 Harley Davidson motorcycle, causing him to go off the side of the road. Police said Trull nearly struck a bystander in a driveway, before crashing into a parked car in the same driveway.

Trull, of Londonderry, New Hampshire, was airlifted to Albany Medical Center with non-life threatening injuries.

Warren County Sheriffs Office responded to the scene at approximately 1:23 p.m.

The Warren County Sheriffs Office was assisted while at the scene by Bay Ridge Fire Department, Bay Ridge EMS and the Queensbury Central Fire Department.
ABSECON  A black Ford sedan plunged into the Absecon Creek from a boat ramp on Faunce Landing Road early Monday morning, officials said.

The initial report came in around 4 a.m., city police Lt. Jeff Mazer said.

Crews spent hours at the boat ramp, finally hauling the car from the water at about 4 p.m. as a crowd watched.

No one was inside the car when the car sank, Mazer said, and the incident is still being investigated.

New Jersey State Police also responded to the scene.

The ramp was closed while crews worked to pull the car out of the water, Mazer said.

Janet Adams rode her bike down the street from her house to watch the operation. She said she visited the boat ramp off and on for about six hours.

You couldnt see the car at all, Adams said. Im just glad no one is in it.
ATLANTIC CITY  Last year, the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority negotiated a deal to sell a building for about a 10th of its assessed value of more than $1 million.

On Thursday, authority board members unanimously agreed to cut that price in half, after someone stole the copper facade off the property.

The multi-story building at 20 S. Tennessee Ave. was acquired as part of a deal to purchase the properties owned by the John Brooks Recovery Center for $9.1 million in 2014. The authority also helped relocate the addiction treatment center to the mainland, with an eye toward improving the image of the city.

The CRDA closed on the properties in 2020.

As Lance Landgraf, director of planning and development for the CRDA, described to the board, the authority reached a deal with Douglas Development Corps to sell the building, which would be renovated into 14 residential apartments rather than be demolished.

Once known as the Tate House, the property was formerly used as a womens facility as part of the recovery center, Landgraf told board members.

The plan was to keep that copper facade. It was in pretty good shape. And also to keep the historic integrity of the building, Landgraf said. But since the deal was approved, part of that facade has been stolen.

In June, someone removed a section of the copper facing at the top of the front of the building, presumably to sell for scrap. Copper trim was also removed from around the skylights of the building. The thieves had climbed up the fire escape to reach the roof, Landgraf told the board.

Currently, copper of that quality is selling for about $2 a pound, according to a posted price list from a scrapping company.

The police were informed of the theft by CRDA staff, Landgraf told the board. Crews boarded up the fire escape to prevent others from climbing up. The crews also boarded areas where the copper was removed to prevent water from leaking into the building.

At first, he said, the authority planned to go through with the deal as agreed, but he said the buyer sought to back out. Landgraf said the developer requested that we meet him halfway.

That change will offset the expected cost to repair the damage, Landgraf said. Contractors have given the CRDA quotes well in excess of $200,000 to replace the copper facade. It would not have the same appearance, he said, with new copper instead of the green and gray patina of the former facade.

If the CRDA were to keep the building into the winter, it would need a new boiler and other work totaling tens of thousands of dollars, Landgraf said Thursday.

Many of the buildings in the neighborhood date from the early 20th century.

City records put the assessed value of the property at $1.76 million, broken down to $356,300 for the land and $1.4 million for the building.

Business owners familiar with the area and the real estate market indicated that is not a reasonable assessment. Because the CRDA does not pay property taxes, there is no reason to appeal assessments, but a private owner would have likely successfully appealed that assessed value.

And assessed value is not the CRDAs only consideration. The authority has sought to see properties redeveloped and occupied. For instance, the main building for the John Brooks Recovery Center at 1307 Pacific Ave. was sold to Odin US Holdings for $1 last year, with the understanding that the historic building would be renovated into 56 new market-rate apartments.

At the same meeting, the CRDA approved a proposal to auction several properties throughout the city, which Landgraf described as developable. Typically, Landgraf said, when the authority seeks proposals for properties they are sold for a nominal amount.

With the auction, we hope to bring in some income here, which is sorely needed, he said.

A minimum bid will be set for each property, he said.

The sale will get the properties back on the tax rolls, Landgraf said. The sale will include a provision that the properties would need to be developed within a certain time or the CRDA will reclaim ownership.

We dont want these just to sit and not be developed, he told the board.
VINELAND  One of the largest celebrations for Puerto Rican heritage in New Jersey came to a festive close over the weekend.

Myriad parade-goers gathered at the intersection of Landis and West avenues on Sunday to hold the Puerto Rican Parade. It was a capstone for the citys weeklong Puerto Rican Festival and a chance for families of all ages to come together for a community celebration.

The parade began in the parking lot of the Vineland Public Schools Administration building and marched several blocks to Landis Park. There was a multitude of different cars, trucks, Jeeps, motorcycles and dirt bikes roaring down the street as hundreds of onlookers watched and cheered. Nearly every vehicle was proudly flying the Puerto Rican flag.

After the parade, hundreds of people huddled at Landis Park for more music, carnival games and other attractions.

We think it was a fantastic turnout, said Marilee Negron, a lead organizer for the festival.

Negron estimated there were about 3,000 people driving in the parade. It was the first time the city held the parade in three years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. She also thanked the city and its first responders for helping to organize the event.

How the pandemic had canceled events like this in past years made the size of the celebration Sunday all the more impressive. Madeline Acosta, a Vineland woman who was there with her grandsons, son, daughter and son-in-law was impressed by the turnout, which was nearly unprecedented in size.

We havent had a festival like this in a long time, said Acosta, who added that her family was from Utuado, Puerto Rico.

Leroy Kilpatrick, president of Rock Life Jeepers, said he appreciated what the event could mean to the community. His company was asked to ride in the Vineland Memorial Day parade and wanted to do the same for Puerto Rican community in Sundays parade. The group brought several themed Jeeps, including one for the Philadelphia Eagles that honored Hall of Fame Safety Brian Dawkins.

Kilpatrick said an easing of pandemic restrictions has given him an opportunity to make his community spirit felt.

We got an opportunity to show the community that we can show them a lot of love again, Kilpatrick said.

Anibal Santiago, of Vineland, was one of the riders in the parade. He said was excited to see the parade make a return after a pandemic layover, especially as the parade had been a longtime tradition for him. Santiago, now 31, had been riding with his Jeep in the parade for 15 years.

After the pandemic, everyone is out, enjoying themselves, It always gets better every year.

Tainos Club in the house! added Hector Sanchez, 50, referencing the Jeep club with which he and Santiago were riding.

An eye on November

The event was also a good opportunity for politicians to show their community support in advance of the November elections. Cumberland County Commission Director Darlene Barber, a Democrat, was there to show support for their community, as was Democratic commissioner nominee Priscilla Ocasio-Jimenez, who is of Puerto Rican decent. Ocasio-Jimenez said she was there to support both the Puerto Rican community and the people of Cumberland County at large.

U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew, R-2, led the parade Sunday. A post on his campaign Facebook page said the congressman was honored to take part and congratulated festival organizers for a successful event.

Democratic Congressional nominee Tim Alexander, who is running to oust Van Drew was at the event, too. He noted that he went to high school in Vineland, met his wife in the city, had two children there and was proud to have roots all over the district.

(The parade) is about the community, and it says we are a very diverse community. Alexander said. For me, it makes sense to be here, to let people know not only am I seeking their support, Im supporting them.

The Republicans were out in force for the event. Republican Cumberland County Commission nominee Doug Albrecht was there, as was state Sen. Mike Testa, R, Atlantic, Cape May, Cumberland.

Thats what Vineland is all about, thats what Cumberland County is all about. Its about embracing our traditions as a community, GOP Cumberland County Commission nominee Victoria Lods said, highlighting the importance of Puerto Rican heritage in the county.

Danny Oyola, of Galloway Township, said he used to watch the parade when he was a child living in Vineland. On Sunday, he came with a Puerto Rican flag to watch the parade with his entire family, including wife Christina Oyola and their 7-year-old, triplet daughters  Isabella, Heavenly and Bethany.

Were loving it. Its beautiful, Danny Oyola said.

And this is the girls first time, added Christina Oyola. Were trying to have them enjoy and understand their culture.

To embrace Puerto Rican culture was front of mind for many watching and celebrating the parade. Angelo Lopez, of Vineland, said he had several friends riding in the parade. He said it was important to cherish Puerto Rican culture given previous attempts to suppress celebrations, alluding to a 1948 law to ban flying the Puerto Rican flag in Puerto Rico as an act of sedition. That law stayed in effect for nine years.

We represent Puerto Rico anywhere, said Lopez, who stressed he was from Mayaguez, Puerto Rico. Remember, our flag was illegal.

Were proud to be Puerto Rican.

Alexa Washington and her sister, Wanda Muniz, both of Vineland, also felt like the parade was a way by which they could connect with the food, music and heritage while fostering a sense of unity.

It brings us closer to where were from, Muniz said.
CAPE MAY  A resolution awarding a contract for the renovation of the former Franklin Street School is set to return to the Cape May City Council on Tuesday at a 1 p.m. meeting at City Hall, 643 Washington St., after council twice delayed a vote.

The expected project cost has increased by millions of dollars, Council member Stacy Sheehan said at a recent public meeting.

Council held off on making a decision about the contract on July 19 and again on Wednesday, at which point Mayor Zack Mullock said the city was waiting for more details on the contract from Cape May County.

In a special meeting held Wednesday, with the library project the only item on the agenda, City Council members met with Cape May County administrator Kevin Lare and assistant county administrator Ronald Simone behind closed doors for about an hour to discuss a contract with the county and the county library system. State law requires most public business take place at open meetings, but there are some exceptions.

The county has taken the lead on the bidding process, but the city still has a role in that process, city attorney Christopher Gillin-Schwartz said at the meeting. That needed a discussion between the county and city officials. We can do that in closed session if talking about it in the open would jeopardize the award of the bid.

In 2019, officials presented a proposal to rehabilitate the long-vacant school as a new branch of the county library system, moving the Cape May branch from its current location on Ocean Street. The plan would mean much more space for the library branch.

Built in 1927, the school building on Franklin Street has ugly roots. It served as the segregated school for Black children in the community until New Jersey ended school segregation in 1949. Since the 1990s, the organization the Center for Community Arts held a long-term lease on the property, preserving the structure and striving for years to raise enough money to renovate it and reopen the building.

Advocates have described the building as an important part of the communitys history, potentially joining the Harriet Tubman Museum, the Macedonia Baptist Church, a home owned by abolitionist Stephen Smith and the Allen AME Church in the same neighborhood as landmarks of Black history in the resort community.

City officials have described the plan for the area as museum row, with the Tubman museum around the corner and talks of allowing the East Lynne Theater Company to take over the nearby AME Church, which has been vacant and was damaged by fire in 2018 after a downed utility pole sparked a fire.

Plans presented for the Franklin Street School include space for special events and programing, including a demonstration kitchen and a childrens area. The building would need to be accessible under the standards of the federal Americans with Disabilities Act.

In previous discussions, plans were to seek grants to fund the planned work.

After the closed session, Sheehan indicated at the City Council meeting that the county would look for additional funding from Cape May. She said the original cost was estimated at $6 million.

This resolution has it coming in at $10.2 million, so thats a big increase, she said.
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 administration's "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 Security's 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 won't 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 child's 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 Diego's 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.
Photo: . The mural was painted by Smithers artist Facundo Gastiazoro.

Northern B.C. musician and Grammy winner Alex Cuba now has a mural painted in his honour in downtown Smithers.

The mural is a tribute to his lifetime achievements in the music industry winning multiple awards including the 2022 Grammy Award for best Latin pop album.

The mural is located at 1235 Main Street at the Carlyle Sheperd and Associated building and was painted by artists Facundo Gastiazoro.

I feel incredibly honored and supported by our beautiful community of Smithers, it has been a very exciting few days seeing the super talented and fellow Smithereen Facundo Gastiazoro painting the wonderful mural with my image in downtown, ufff, words are not enough to express the immense gratitude that I feel, and I would like to take this opportunity to say this: the decision to paint this mural wasnt only a celebration of my Grammy win, but also art in general-and that can only form an even better community, said Cuba in a statement posted on social media.

I hope this inspires the many wonderful musicians of this town and beyond to keep creating, to keep chasing their dreams and never give up.

The mural was made possible by the Smithers Chamber of Commerce, town council, and Tourism Smithers.

Its been a real treat to honour Alex Cuba with this mural, as a tribute to his lifetime achievements in the music industry, winning multiple international awards and most recently a Grammy, not only as an artist and musician but also as a producer who created his most recent album, Mendo, right here in Smithers, BC during the pandemic, said Tourism Smithers.

To recognize his huge influence on musicians and the music industry in Canada, B.C. and of course right here in the Bulkley Valley where hes included many talented locals in his music and video productions, has contributed his insights to local high school band excursions to Cuba, and continues to be a fantastic role model and inspiration to so many in our arts and culture community.

Cubas Grammy winning album Mendo, which he said loosely translates to the "substance of the soul," was recorded in his living room in Smithers during the COVID-19 pandemic with the assistance of engineer John (Beetle) Bailey. It was the fourth time Cuba was competing in the best Latin pop album category. He had been previously been nominated in 2011, 2016 and 2018.

The Grammy joins the two Juno Awards and two Latin Grammy Awards on Cuba's mantle.

- with files from the Canadian Press
By Adrian Justins

Most new high-end properties will have high-tech security systems built in. These might include biometric locks, CCTV cameras and video door phones. But there is also no shortage of off-the-shelf devices that can help deter potential intruders and minimise the possibility of a break-in. Many products now have smart features that allow for remote monitoring and operation and integration into home automation systems. Here is our round-up of some of the best gadgets available.

Soma Smart Shades 2, 129

A smart blind can be opened and closed remotely, giving the impression that an empty property is occupied. Soma Smart Shades 2 converts a manually operated roller blind into an automatic one. The neat 7.5cm-tall white control box attaches to the window frame using sticky pads or screws and uses a motorised cog to pull the blinds chain up or down. Operation is a cinch using the Bluetooth-connected phone app and automations can be set to open the blinds at the same time every morning or to close at sunset. With the optional WiFi Soma Connect (69) adapter the blind can be activated remotely using Apple Smart Kit, Samsung SmartThings and Home Assistant plus Siri, Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa voice assistants. The battery lasts about a month and can be charged via mains power or the provided solar-powered charger.

Yale Conexis L1 smart lock, 150

By installing the Yale Conexis L1 lock, door keys become a thing of the past. Instead, the system uses tags that connect by radio-frequency identification (RFID) to unlock the door. Each tag must be paired using a phone app, which can also be used to operate the lock via an encrypted Bluetooth connection (main picture, above). Visitors can also be given revocable virtual keys through the app. Professional installation is recommended.

Google Nest Cam (outdoor or indoor, battery), 179.99

The Nest Cam is instantly recognisable as a security camera, yet aesthetically it is a world away from industrial-looking CCTV cameras. Cutting-edge features include 1080p high-definition video recording, night vision, Google voice assistant control and a two-way microphone. AI-based facial recognition and the ability to detect animals and vehicles help filter out unnecessary alerts, which are sent to the Google Home app on your phone. Three hours of video recording are included and a cloud subscription for unlimited recordings is available from 5 a month. The battery-powered camera is attached to a wall mount using a powerful magnet, which makes it easy to remove to recharge while a safety/antitheft harness is available to prevent larceny.

Blusafe Mirage padlock, from 39.95

Blusafes Mirage fingerprint-activated padlock is an elegant alternative to combination or key-operated locks. It is much quicker to open, there are no keys to worry about losing and up to 20 fingerprints can be registered. The USB-charged battery on the padlock lasts up to eight months or roughly 4,000 operations on a full charge, depending on conditions. Available in two shackle lengths, 35mm and 45mm, the Mirage is IP65 water resistant and so suitable for outdoor use.

Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2 with Plug-In Adapter and Chime, 229.99

More than just providing a visual deterrent, a smart doorbell allows you to view a live feed on your phone and interact with visitors. The Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2 with Plug-In Adapter and Chime can play a pre-recorded message when you're too busy to answer and photos can be previewed in notifications without the need to open the Ring App. The camera angle is wide enough to show head-to-toe perspective, including parcels placed on the doorstep. An indoor Chime allows you to hear visitor alerts around your home, or you can connect to an Alexa-enabled device. Live view and two-way talk are included while a Ring Protect subscription (from 3.49 per month) is required to store unlimited video footage in the cloud for 180 days.

Photography: Ring LLC
Karnaphuli tunnel: A potential harbinger of growth Owing to full swing progress braving the pandemic, Karnaphuli tunnel, which will connect Chattogram Port and Anwara upazila and cut the distance between Dhaka and Chattogram, is set to act as a harbinger of growth by turning the southern part of the port city into a business hub. A slew of large industrial plants have started lining up on the south bank of the River Karnaphuli as the country's maiden underwater expressway tunnel is expected to open to traffic this December  with 87% of work on it already complete. With the countrys leading outlet banding the opening of the countrys largest infrastructure undertaking recently as the finest moment for Honouable Prime Minister (HPM) Sheikh Hasina, inauguration of this tunnel along with a raft of game changing projects in the pipeline are set to become operational in a span of next six years, making a remarkable turnaround in the course of national progress. Bangladesh witnesses record high export earnings at $52b Exports from Bangladesh hit an all-time high of $52.08 billion in the just-concluded fiscal year, giving much-needed breathing space to the country amid ongoing volatility in the foreign exchange regime. This is the first-time overseas sales went past the $50-billion mark, comfortably overshooting the target of $43.5 billion set for the fiscal year of 2021-22. In FY22, receipts were up 34.38% compared to a year ago, when exporters brought home $38.76 billion, according to the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB). Alone in June, the shipment stood at $4.908 billion, up 37.19% year-on-year, and the highest ever on record in a single month. HPM Sheikh Hasina: A symbol of self-confidence and firm conviction When majority of western countries and its bigger neighbourhoods suffered a major blow in terms of ensuring healthcare facilities and managing economic crisis, the prudent leadership of HPM Sheikh Hasina has helped Bangladesh stand out as a shining testament with country came up with lower death toll and much more stable economic conditions. With firm grit and courage, the Bangladesh premier, since assuming power back in 2009, has overseen an unprecedented growth story that has been inclusive too. With the opening of the Padma bridge, she has received widespread praises for this construction from international leaders and also earned a number of accolades from global organizations throughout last decade. Padma Bridge opens up investment spree in south Large companies have now stepped up to cash in on so far unexploited business potentials in the country's southwestern region, thanks to the opening of Padma Bridge that has directly connected this part of the country with capital Dhaka. What actually are driving them to choose the region for investments are cheap labour, availability of raw materials for agro-based industries in particular, tax holiday for industries outside Dhaka and the newly-established direct highway routes across the Padma Bridge, say media reports. The southern region had long been attractive for cheaper and easier water transport but ,in absence of the newly inaugurated bridge, long ferry delays to cross the Padma had kept entrepreneurs away from going for investments there. High-tech parks to perk up digital economy: HPM HPM Sheikh Hasina said her government has been establishing high-tech parks across the country mainly to strengthen the digital economy with a target of earning 5 billion dollars by 2025. "We have decided to set up high-tech parks aimed at flourishing the digital economy. Sajeeb Wazed Joy was behind the decision making," she said while addressing the second meeting of the Bangladesh High-Tech Park Authority board of governors. Comparing the current earnings from digital market with that 13 years back, the Prime Minister said: "The size of the digital market was only 26 million (US) dollars 13 years back and now it stands at 1.4 billion (US) dollars and its export will surpass 5 billion (US) dollars by 2025 while employments will be generated for 30 lakh people." Deal signed for liquid radioactive waste management equipment Atomstroyexport as the General Contractor has entered a contract with a Russian company Sverdniikhimmash (SCERI JSC) for manufacturing and supplying hi-tech equipment to handle liquid radioactive waste at Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant. An agreement in this regard was recently signed between the two organizations in this regard. Under the contract, SCERI will design, manufacture and supply three drain water treatment plants, three deep evaporation plants, two cementation plants, two conditioning plants, two intermediary storage plants, WIR (waste ion resins) loading and unloading units, the container for WIR transportation. The equipment will be supplied to the Rooppur NPP site by the third quarter of 2023. SCERI experts will also support pre-commissioning work of the equipment.
DECATUR  A 14-year-old girl visiting Decatur to attend a graduation party was shot and killed early Sunday in a burst of gunfire that also left three other young people wounded, police said.

The victim was later identified Sunday as T'Earra D. Moore from Chicago. Macon County Coroner Michael E. Day said she was pronounced dead near the scene of the shooting at 2882 North Dinneen Street.

"Ms. Moore was attending a graduation party in an establishment located in the 2800 block of North Dinneen Street," said Day.

"As the party was concluding about 2 a.m. people were exiting the establishment or already in the parking lot when shots were fired ... Ms. Moore apparently fled the parking lot where the shooting occurred and collapsed in a back lot of a nearby business located in the 1900 block of East Pershing Road."

The coroner said emergency medical crews found her body there.

Three additional gunshot victims  a 19-year-old male, a 19-year-old female and a 15-year-old juvenile  were transported to Decatur Memorial Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

A news release from Decatur Police said officers had been called to the scene at 1:59 a.m. after reports of shots fired and multiple victims.

The news release stated numerous shell casings were located throughout a parking lot and on North Dinneen Street leading to Pershing Road.

The investigation is ongoing and Detective Sgt. Steve Carroll, speaking late Sunday morning, said no arrests have been made.

Authorities are encouraging anyone with information about this incident to contact the Decatur Police Departments Criminal Investigations Division at 217-424-2734 or Crimestoppers at 217-423-8477.
At least one case of monkeypox has been reported in the region as the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warn of the spread of the virus.

The case count throughout eastern Iowa and western Illinois is low but unclear.

"The health department will not comment further whenever there may be fewer than five cases of any illness or disease," Rock Island County Public Health Administrator Nita Ludwig said Monday.

According to Scott County Health Department Deputy Director Brooke Barnes, health officials from Iowa report possible outbreaks by region. The "East Region"  which includes all of Scott County  has one confirmed case.

Illinois had 401 confirmed cases of the disease as of Thursday, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health. Only New York and California have higher case counts, according to data from the CDC.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, health officials in Iowa reported 10 cases of monkeypox as of July 29.

The monkeypox virus is part of the same family as the variola virus, otherwise known as smallpox, according to the CDC. Monkeypox symptoms are similar to smallpox, but milder, and the disease is rarely fatal. The disease does not spread easily between people without close contact and the outbreak has primarily affected men who have sex with men, health officials say.

But anyone can spread the disease through contact with bodily fluids, sores, shared items such as clothing and bedding that have been contaminated with fluid or sores, or through respiratory droplets in close settings.

Both local health departments are working to educate the public about how the virus is transmitted. Those efforts include updated Facebook posts and information shared with local health care providers throughout the Quad-Cities.

While monkeypox has been known to affect people for decades, the current outbreak is the largest. Earlier this month, it was designated a global emergency by the World Health Organization, and a shortage of vaccines for the once-rare disease has caused public health leaders to scramble.

In Illinois, the state's department of public health announced that the state is prioritizing giving the first dose of the vaccine, known as the Jynneos vaccine, to as many high-risk people as possible, rather than giving fewer people more protection with a second dose 28 days after the first.

The state agency said studies had shown the first dose could offer protection for several months.

Ludwig said the Rock Island Health Department received "a very small amount of the vaccine."

The Iowa Department of Public Health informed local health departments the state does have vaccine available.

"Monkeypox vaccine is available in the state in various locations  undisclosed  and the vaccine can be made available quickly when needed," Barnes explained.

More than 16,000 cases of monkeypox have been reported in 74 countries since about May, according to the CDC. To date, monkeypox deaths have been reported only in Africa, where a more dangerous version of the virus is spreading.

The bottom line is weve seen a shift in the epidemiology of monkeypox where theres now widespread, unexpected transmission, Dr. Albert Ko, a professor of public health and epidemiology at Yale University, said. There are some genetic mutations in the virus that suggest why that may be happening, but we do need a globally-coordinated response to get it under control.

Symptoms can range from a fever, headache, chills, exhaustion, swollen lymph nodes, muscle aches, sore throat, nasal congestion, cough and a rash that can look similar to pimples or blisters.

The rash can appear on the face, inside the mouth and on other parts of the body such as hands, feet, chest, genitals or anus. It will go through different stages before healing completely.

Anyone experiencing symptoms should cover up any rashes, wear a mask and notify a health care provider as soon as possible. Cases should be reported to the health department.
The Democratic National Committee has delayed a decision on the presidential nominating calendar, leaving Iowa Democrats to wait three months until after the November midterm elections to find out the fate of the Iowa caucuses.

"We are delaying the decision on who can be in the pre-window until after the midterm elections," said Scott Brennan, a Des Moines lawyer who serves on the DNC's Rules and Bylaws Committee, the group tasked with setting the calendar.

The committee had been scheduled to make a recommendation this week at meetings in Washington, D.C., of a slate of up to five states for the early nominating window.

Rules committee co-chairs Jim Roosevelt Jr. and Minyon Moore wrote in a memo to members that after speaking with many of you over the past several weeks about the last few steps of this process, it has become clear that the best way to move forward with the final stage of this process is to postpone the committees decision on the pre-window rule until after the midterm elections.

Brennan said the co-chairs stated they felt the committee had made very good progress interviewing, discussing and debating a new slate of states that were vying to get into the early presidential nominating window, but that theres a lot going on and that we didnt want the pre-window decisions to impact the midterms.

The focus needs to be on the midterms, Brennan said. So I will take them at their word that that is why they did it.

Iowa is among 16 states and Puerto Rico vying to be included in Democrats early presidential nominating window ahead of Super Tuesday in early March 2024.

The DNC rules committee voted in April to reopen the presidential nominating window, forcing all interested states  including the current early-nominating states of Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina  to apply for a spot.

The move came after the current lineup of early-nominating states  led by the largely rural and predominantly white states of Iowa and New Hampshire  came under increasing fire for a lack of diversity that many Democrats say doesnt represent the partys true strength. And it follows a chaotic 2020 caucus night for Iowa Democrats when a smartphone app  meant to make reporting results easier  failed. As a result, the official Democratic caucus results were not reported for several weeks.

The DNC is considering factors like diversity, electoral competitiveness and logistical feasibility in making its decision.

That means scrutinizing states racial and ethnic makeup, union membership rates and how big they are in terms of population and geography, can affect possibilities for direct voter engagement and the costs of travel and advertising.

Iowa Democrats argued before the DNC rules committee last month that the state offered a path to victory for long-shot candidates and opportunities for meaningful conversations with rural Americans and Iowans from every walk of life as they made their pitch to maintain Iowas first-in-the-nation caucuses.

Iowa Democratic Party officials touted the states pockets of diversity and argued Iowa serves as an inexpensive and accessible playing field for lesser-known candidates to establish themselves.

"From the beginning, I was assured by (DNC) Chair Jaime Harrison that there would be a fair process in place, Iowa Democratic Party Chairman Ross Wilburn said in a statement Sunday. Im committed to fighting for Iowa to maintain its position on the nomination calendar, and we will continue to provide information as requested by the DNC Rules & Bylaws Committee.

Small rural states like Iowa must have a voice in our Democratic Presidential nominating process. We cannot let corporate media and special interest groups replace our strong Democratic grassroots organizations which have been the bedrock of our national general election victories."

The rules committee will still meet in Friday and Saturday in Washington but now does not plan to make a decision until after Nov. 8  meaning that the primary calendar decision wont affect key congressional races.

State Democratic Party officials from Iowa and New Hampshire had argued before the rules committee that losing their positions going first and second could hurt Democrats in the states top races, especially since the Republican Party has already said Iowa will continue to lead off its 2024 primaries.

Following the midterm elections, we will reconvene to update our evaluation of the applicant pool and work towards a final decision to present to the full DNC for a vote, which DNC leadership has assured us they will make happen as soon after the midterm elections as is possible, Roosevelt and Moore wrote, adding that we will continue to work with applicants in the coming weeks to hammer out final details.

Brennan said he did not believe the DNCs decisions to delay a vote had a great impact on Iowa Democrats chances of holding onto their coveted spot at the front of the nominating calendar.

It doesnt change our argument at all, he said. Weve made our pitch, and I dont know that the midterms have a huge impact on our success or failure being back in the pre-window.

And despite appearances and doubts among some Iowa Democrats, Brennan said it was not a foregone conclusion that Iowa will lose its place at the front of the line, or could still hold onto a spot elsewhere in the early window.

Everything is on the table at this point, Brennan said. Anybody who thinks they know what the answer is, theyd be lying to you. So, you know, I remain hopeful that were first and at a minimum that were in the pre-window.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Bozeman Trail devotees have taken the first official step to see the route formally recognized.

Representatives of Our Montana and the Fort Phil Kearny/Bozeman Trail Association have asked the congressional delegations in Montana and Wyoming to support a feasibility study to have the Bozeman Trail designated a National Historic Trail.

The study would include public meetings, along with an analysis of the public lands management costs, visitation and community support.

Its probably a three-year project for the feasibility study, if Congress approves it, said Mike Penfold, field program director for Our Montana. Then we have to go back to Congress to designate it.

Penfold has been working to map, mark and honor the route for more than 20 years, partnering with the Fort Phil Kearny/Bozeman Trail Association in Wyoming and his friend Howard Boggess.

Bozeman?

The trail is named for entrepreneur John Bozeman, who at the age of 25 along with John Jacobs pioneered the route to Montana Territory gold fields in 1863. Giving Bozeman top billing when he seems like somewhat of a bit player is odd, a twist of fate. He and Jacobs were simply connecting a series of already existing American Indian trails.

Before Bozeman, the Raynolds survey expedition of 1859-1860 reportedly used cairns and deeply rutted Native trails to navigate their way back from what would become Yellowstone National Park.

The first iteration of the Bozeman's trail took pioneers and gold seekers north from the Platte Road east of Casper, Wyoming, north along the eastern base of the Bighorn Mountains, across the Bighorn and Yellowstone rivers, the headwaters of the Missouri River and on to the gold mines of Bannack and Virginia City.

Before that, the route to Montana gold fields came past Salt Lake City on the Oregon Trail and then went north through Idaho. Bozeman and Jacobs new path cut about 450 miles off the distance. To do that, however, meant traveling through Crow, Sioux, Northern Cheyenne, Blackfeet and Northern Arapaho lands.

An attempt by the U.S. government to militarize the route with forts and soldiers backfired, leading to whats now called Red Clouds War in honor of the Ogalala Lakota chiefs leading role in three decisive battles, including the Fetterman fight in which 80 soldiers were killed. It was one of the worst U.S. Army defeats prior to the Battle of the Little Bighorn. As a result, the military abandoned its three forts and the trail in 1868.

It kicked off the Powder River War, Penfold said. It kicked off the last significant struggle for the Indians to maintain their hunting grounds.

The route was also made famous when Bozeman founding father Nelson Story drove cattle north from Texas along the trail.

Dave McKee, of the Fort Phil Kearney/Bozeman Trail Association, said the trail encapsulates a lot of history because of who used it and when. He referred to it as a defining chapter in the settlement of the West, encompassing the gold rush, Euro-American settlement, the livestock industry and a brutal transition period for Native Americans on the high plains.

Prehistoric

The trail is also a unique route to memorialize its Native American history  long before Bozeman  as well, Penfold noted.

Parts of the trail were used by American Indians for thousands of years, tying them to a much longer history of use than the brief emigrant trail. Stone cairns marked portions of the route. Historian Howard Boggess said many of the piled rocks he found researching the route were on top of hills. The first marker he discovered was just southwest of the community of Pryor. Between the cairns he found evidence of the old trails and walked in the ancient trackways.

This trail was heavily used at the end of the Pleistocene, Penfold said. That adds another interesting piece to that corridor.

In a 2020 interview, Mardell Plainfeather told the Billings Gazette that many of the main trails and then highways in America were once Native routes used to visit other tribes, rendezvous, hunt and trade.

So these trails were actually established by them, she said.

Giving the Bozeman Trail a national designation would help future generations learn about the history behind the long-traveled route, Plainfeather added.

Many routes

The Bozeman Trail travels through eight Montana counties and four in Wyoming. In those counties the trail advocates have contacted local governments, museums, historical site managers and legislators to inform them of their intent to seek federal recognition of the route. There are 200 museums, historic sites and battle sites along the route that are already publicly accessible.

The designation does not carry with it any burden for private landowners. Private property remains private, Penfold emphasized.

One reason the Bozeman Trail travels through so many counties is that it was reconfigured several times.

"During the trail's few years in use there would be a number of different starting and ending locations, as well as many diversionary routes, the applicants noted in proposing the route.

Bozemans first trip was turned back by Native warriors. The second got stuck at the Yellowstone River, just across from what is now Billings, and had to pull up and brake down over the rugged South Hills to reach a suitable river crossing.

Later wagon trains avoided that area by turning west and going through Pryor and on to the Clarks Fork of the Yellowstone River.

Mountain man Jim Bridger blazed a new path along the west side of the Bighorn Mountains in 1865. His goal was to avoid what became known as the The Bloody Bozeman, the title of Dorothy Johnsons 1971 book based on emigrant diary excerpts. More recently, Michael Punkes book Ridgeline fictionalized the history of Army Col. Henry Carringtons arrival to construct forts and militarize the trail.

There were more than 150 skirmishes between Natives, civilians and the military along the Bozeman Trail. A 2002 National Park Service preliminary assessment of the Bozeman Trail identified it as significant for the military campaigns alone.

In 1866, the new route was opened by a cutoff from near Fort Phil Kearny and traveling closer to the mountains, the applicants wrote. It re-joined the emigrant route north of Sheridan. This latest, military variant of the trail has become popularly known as the major route of the Bozeman Trail.

Emphasizing the trails contentiousness, Bozeman was killed along the route  under conditions some historians have found suspect  dying at the age of 32 in 1867.

Others

There are 19 National Historic Trails designated in the United States that include historic sites, points of interests, trail segments and waterways.

These include the 4,900-mile Lewis and Clark Trail that travels through 11 states and the 54 mile Selma to Montgomery Trail in Alabama, the shortest nationally recognized route.

Trails are managed by different federal agencies, designated by the Department of Interior. For example, the Lewis and Clark Trail is administered by the National Park Service. According to the Park Services website, most trails have ongoing cooperative agreements with states for the provision of motor tour route signs, law enforcement services, land protection, and other areas of common interest. Some States have dedicated revenue sources for trails and others subsidize trail maintenance because of the proven economic benefits these trails bring the state. Every state along the Lewis and Clark NHT organized a state council to help commemorate the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial in the years 2003-6.

Penfold has heard from other regional officials in small communities extolling the potential tourism benefits designation of the Bozeman Trail may provide.

It really goes along some of the most beautiful lands in Montana and Wyoming, he said, including along the Beartooth Face, Pictograph Cave and Chief Plenty Coups state parks in south-central Montana.

Penfold said the groups havent heard from their congressional leaders yet.

But we at least have our marker down, he said.
Federal authorities have charged a Charles City County man with conspiring with four others in an interstate dogfighting network that involved breeding, training and conditioning pit bulls to fight. Wagers as high as $20,000 were placed on the outcome.

Royal T. Washington was charged last week in a criminal information that he conspired to participate in an animal-fighting venture from about Nov. 23, 2019, through at least Nov. 20, 2020.

The charge comes 20 months after authorities executed a search warrant at 4920 Old Union Road in Charles City, where Washington is alleged to have kept 15 pit bulls and alleged dogfighting paraphernalia, including 13 weighted dog collars, 12 heavy dog chains, a dog treadmill, dog breeder certificates and a dog shock collar with a remove activator, according to charging documents.

Washington kept and maintained the dogs in a manner consistent with dogfighting, and several of the animals had scarring consistent with fighting, authorities said in court documents. Four unnamed co-conspirators from Virginia, North Carolina and Maryland participated in the network.

In March, Raymond Johnson, 41, of Henrico County was sentenced in U.S. District Court in Richmond to just over three years in prison for his role in a multistate conspiracy to breed, train and fight dogs, and gamble on the outcome of the matches. Prosecutors said Johnson engaged in the enterprise with four other co-conspirators beginning in November 2019 that involved sponsoring and exhibiting dogs for fighting in Virginia and Maryland.

The U.S. Attorneys Office did not immediately say whether Washington and Johnson were tied to the same venture.

According to Washingtons charging document, he and his co-conspirators discussed  by cellphone and text messages  dogfighting; the results of certain dogfights; and the breeding, selling and transportation of dogs for the purpose of dogfighting.

The conspirators exhibited dogs during dogfights and placed bets on those dogfights, authorities said. Further, they researched and identified fighting-dog bloodlines and wins and losses of individual fighting dogs, for purposes of breeding dogs to maximize the aggressiveness of the offspring.

In addition, the participants used equipment to train dogs for fighting, which included many of the items seized during the search of Washingtons property.

On the same day authorities searched Washingtons property, Washington deleted all files from his cellphone in an effort of hide from investigators evidence of his criminal activities, prosecutors said in court documents.

But authorities were able to retrieve telephone conversations and text messages that showed his active involvement in the conspiracy, prosecutors said.

For example, on July 20, 2020, Washington sent a text message to co-conspirator-2 in what authorities said was an effort to set up a dogfight with a 33-pound female for a $20,000 wager. I can put it out there, the co-conspirator replied.

In another exchange, Washington told co-conspirator-1 in an Aug. 6, 2020, phone call that he had rolled a dog named Dexter three to four times against a dog named Kodak in Emporia. The word roll is slang for a dogfight.

On Nov. 21, 2020, Washington surrendered the dog Dexter to Charles City County Animal Control officers; the dog had scarring consistent with dogfighting, according to charging documents.

Washington is scheduled to appear Aug. 11 before U.S. Magistrate Judge Elizabeth Hanes for his initial court appearance, a bail hearing and a potential plea agreement. Reached Monday, Washingtons attorney, Alexander Taylor, declined to comment.
Its a rite of passage for all young wild horses living on the northern reaches of the Outer Banks  the time comes when they must strike out on their own.

For most fillies and colts, finding a new harem, as family units are called, takes no time. But that wasnt so for Alma, a 2-year-old living with her parents harem on a more remote, less populated section of the beach. This spring, she was often seen wandering alone or trying to befriend humans.

In June, the Corolla Wild Horse Fund, which manages the herd of about 100 wild Spanish mustangs living north of Corolla, started receiving tons of calls about Alma, who had wounds on both sides of her face and seemed lost. Caretakers consulted with the funds veterinarian, who said the wounds, probably bites, appeared to be healing well and were nothing to worry about.

Earlier this year, Alma was pushed out of the harem she born into, said Meg Puckett, the funds herd manager. The stallion, most likely her father, became aggressive toward her and would not let her get close to the rest of the mares.

Alma is often alone on the beach and to human observers seems lost, which is understandably concerning, Puckett wrote on Facebook. It may be difficult to see, but we have to remember that these are wild horses behaving naturally. Its what eventually happens to each and every young horse, though Almas situation is a little unique.

Normally, a young mare pushed out of her harem would be quickly scooped up by another stallion, but Almas family lives in an area with a low horse population.

There just arent any other harems close by for Alma to assimilate into, Puckett said.

Lonely Alma eventually began heading north, where more horses live, and herd caretakers crossed their fingers she would find a welcoming new family. Being alone, though, she became used to humans and began approaching and following people.

At the time, the herds caretakers urged anyone who encountered Alma to shoo her away.

Get into your vehicle, wave your arms around to scare her away from you, and definitely do not pet her or give her any positive attention at all, Pucketts Facebook post said. We want Alma to be completely disinterested in humans  afraid of them, even. ... We want her to be seeking out the company of other horses, not people.
Photo: The Canadian Press Prime Minister Justin Trudeau talks to media outside the Basilica of Sainte-Anne de Beaupre, east of Quebec City, during the papal visit of Pope Francis on Thursday, July 28, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Bernard Brault

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has been offered the gift of his own likeness some 17 times since becoming prime minister, including once by the president of China.

The portraits, along with a myriad of vases and wine bottles and Star Wars paraphernalia, are among the more than 400 gifts  each worth more than $200  that Trudeau has declared to the federal ethics commissioner since late 2015.

An analysis of the listings shows more than 140 gifts were offered to his spouse, Sophie, or to their kids, while 110 came from other countries' heads of state or governments.

Of those national leaders, the King of Jordan has been the most generous, presenting 10 gifts to Trudeau ranging from a handmade leather saddle to "sculptural plant vessels" to jars of honey.

The PM has had to forfeit 20 items, including three paintings of himself, because they were worth more than $1,000, but he has reimbursed part of the costs of two gifts  a Chinese e-bike and an Inuit etching  so he can keep them.

A former chief of protocol says the gift-giving is a normal, highly orchestrated bureaucratic affair and that Canadian prime ministers would just as soon not receive any gifts because of the potential for negative attention.
A federal court has dismissed another suit that sought to prompt elections for the House of Delegates this fall, apparently confirming that the next elections for the House will be in 2023, as scheduled.

Three plaintiffs, including Jeff Thomas, who has written books about Virginia politics and government, and the current and former leaders of the Loudoun County NAACP branch, sued Susan Beals, commissioner of the state Department of Elections, the department itself and Robert Brink, chairman of the Virginia Board of Elections.

The plaintiffs asserted that their votes were unconstitutionally diluted when the state held the 2021 House elections using districts based on 2010 U.S. census figures.

U.S. District Judge David J. Novak of the Eastern District of Virginia said the disruption to redistricting was due to the COVID-19 pandemic and was not the defendants fault. He said the court did not have the authority to impose the extreme remedy that the plaintiffs sought.

At bottom, Plaintiffs claim an injury that Defendants did not cause and that the Court cannot redress, Novak wrote in a 49-page opinion. Accordingly, Plaintiffs lack standing to bring these claims, and the Court lacks subject matter jurisdiction to adjudicate them.

Last month, the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the dismissal of a similar suit from Paul Goldman, a former chair of the state Democratic Party. A three-judge panel agreed with a ruling by a three-judge U.S. District Court panel that Goldman did not have the legal standing to sue because he had not demonstrated an injury as a voter or as a potential candidate.

Attorney General Jason Miyares said in a statement: Im glad that the court once again agreed with my office, that there is no more uncertainty for voters and legislators, and that we were able to protect the integrity and validity of our 2021 elections.

Thomas said in a statement that  as in Goldmans case  the court found that the plaintiffs lacked legal standing to sue, but did not weigh in on the merits.

Taking away long-settled rights seems to be what federal courts are doing these days, consistent with todays radical reinterpretation of the right to one-person one-vote, Thomas said. They didnt reach a decision on the merits  its purely political.

All 140 legislative seats will be up for election next year. Democrats hold a 21-19 edge in the Senate, while Republicans hold a 52-48 edge in the House. The outcome of the 2023 contests will be critical to Gov. Glenn Youngkins agenda on such issues as abortion, education, taxes and spending, and criminal justice.

The judge wrote that only the most invidious violations warrant even considering the extreme federal court interference of dissolving an elected state legislature and ordering a new statewide election. Yet Plaintiffs seek that extreme relief here.

The facts of this case fall far short of even the normal voting rights cases, he added.

Novak said the pandemic disrupted the reapportionment process, just as it disrupted nearly every aspect of American life. As a result of this disruption, and through no fault of Defendants, Virginia held an election using districts previously redrawn by this Court.

The judge wrote that in 2023, Virginia will hold its next House elections using different maps drawn by the Supreme Court of Virginia.

Here, Plaintiffs do not (and cannot) attack the decisions of a legislature (or any state actor) in drawing the maps. Accordingly, this federal court cannot usurp the authority that the Constitution grants Virginia over its elections, and, therefore, cannot grant the relief requested by Plaintiffs.
Our current crop of 20-somethings  the majority of whom are Generation Z  apparently have caught on to the time-honored tradition of living it up while young and not worrying about money.

A social-media trend thats recently taken over TikTok features people sharing video or photos from traveling abroad with the overlaying text: Ill make my money back, but Ill never ... The blank at the end goes something like ... be 20 and swimming on a secluded beach in Albania again.

This sentiment seems to creep up on every generation. (In 2015, it took the form of a viral article, If you have savings in your 20s, youre doing something wrong.) The problem is, its misguided.

It is a myth that you have only two choices about money in your 20s  that you either are completely locked down, frugal and saving for your future; or youre YOLO-ing your way through life, racking up priceless experiences (and probably debt) and planning to become more financially prudent later on.

In reality, you can save for your future and be swimming in the waters of Albania or eating pie on a train through the Swiss Alps. (Or, depending on your particular financial situation, your YOLO-ing might be more cost-effective.) You just have to think strategically about your money and your ambitions  i.e., set goals and stick to a budget that will allow you to meet them.

Taking stock of your cash flow and creating a spending plan can help you avoid volatile financial swings between always splurging or always saving. Instead, you can set yourself up for a life of stability and choice.

One important truth of the TikTok trend is: Ill make the money back. Its true that many people will see raises and promotions over the course of their careers.

But it also is worth remembering that life doesnt tend to get less expensive as you age. Your expenses usually grow, too  your future self might want to buy a home, rescue a few dogs, have a wedding, take lavish trips, buy nicer clothes and food, have a child or two, maybe take a sabbatical from work. And it becomes more likely that youll experience a health crisis or need to financially support a loved one.

Overspending early in life can set a precedent that you wont necessarily be able to maintain without financially harming yourself in the future.

Take one example: having children. A favorite line from one of my husbands co-workers, who is married, child-free and in his 50s, is: If you dont have kids, your 30s are your 20s, but with money.

Expanding a family is a huge expense, especially in the United States, which has seen an increase in the maternal mortality rate, offers no mandated paid leave after childbirth, and offers heinously expensive child-care options for working parents.

This doesnt mean you shouldnt be living it up in your 20s. You still can go on adventures and live a full life while working to build a strong financial base. That just might mean making day-to-day financial choices that allow you to set money aside for your future goals or opting for a cost-effective version of your dream today instead of the all-out luxury one that will strain your savings.

The key is to be intentional. If you want the freedom to take a two-week vacation to the No. 1 destination on your bucket list, put money aside for it. That should be part of your spending plan (aka budget). If youre able to, set money aside each month for a trip on top of also putting money toward repaying any debt, building an emergency savings fund and investing in a retirement plan.

Here's how this works in practice: Start with a list of your necessary monthly costs (rent, utilities, transportation, groceries, dog food, student loan payments, etc.). Write down your monthly net income and subtract your monthly costs.

You should be contributing to your retirement plan before money hits your checking account, so it already checks one item off the to-do list. In an ideal situation, your income is more than your necessary expenses.

Assuming a surplus, you can decide exactly where you want to direct that money each month after hitting your baseline needs. This can include saving up for your next adventure and a line-item in your budget for dinners out or seeing shows. It can include whatever you want it to, but the point is to stay within your means.

Will you be able to do absolutely everything or buy whatever you want all the time? No. But keeping track can help you set priorities and make sacrifices that you wont later regret.

Such planning allowed me to travel internationally in my 20s, while also saving and investing and helping my husband pay off student loans. It also helped that I had side hustles the entire time and directed that income toward my fun goals. Theres no need to delay the money will come back.

Its easy to fixate on the binary of frugality vs. living it up. But its far more rewarding to discern what you actually find important.

We constantly are bombarded with messaging about what we should value and strive for, but much of it is marketing and social pressure. (Does swimming on a secluded beach in Albania even sound appealing to you? Maybe travel isnt your thing and youd rather put more money toward a hobby.)

Focusing on your values will illuminate how you should be spending, saving and investing your money. Say no to what you dont want, and budget in whats important.

The future isnt promised, so yes, please create some memories and live life as you go. But financially hedge your bets, just in case you do live to a ripe old age.
A bike share service that launched in Blacksburg and Christiansburg several years ago is currently unavailable and its future in the area is unclear.

The bikes of RoamNRV, the local name of the service operated by Bolt Mobility, have been inoperable in Blacksburg since July 6, said Town Attorney Larry Spencer. Signs are now posted at each area where the bikes are parked stating that they arent operational, he said.

RoamNRV launched in 2018 under the operation of Gotcha, which Bolt later acquired. Bolt was co-founded by eight-time Olympic gold medalist and retired superstar sprinter Usain Bolt.

The town of Blacksburg had spearheaded the effort to start the service several years ago. The network was touted as a way to boost bike ridership and recreation and to complement amenities such as the Huckleberry Trail, which provides a connection between the town of Christiansburg and the Jefferson National Forest just north of Blacksburg.

The enjoyment of the Huckleberry and the extension of the Huckleberry. Its been a really valuable, fun way to promote that, said Blacksburg Mayor Leslie Hager-Smith, who voiced disappointment at the suspension of the service. Its been a fun way to connect the two towns with other locations in the county.

RoamNRV launched with the aid of a $200,000 startup grant from the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation, $50,000 of which was a local match shared among Blacksburg, Christiansburg and Tech.

Just over a year ago, the service seemed poised to continue its growth when Bolt announced the conversion of the existing pedal bike system to an all electric-assist fleet. The move launched with 75 e-bikes, and plans involved the eventual growth of the network to a total of 150 e-bikes and several new hub locations throughout the area.

The New River Valley is building for the future, Bolt CEO Ignacio Tzoumas said in an announcement last year. Through our partnership with local governments and stakeholders, we can leverage Bolts technology to help reduce pollution, improve congestion, provide transportation to the underserved and shorten commute times.

Although there is a small hub presence in Christiansburg, most of the spots for renting and picking up bikes are concentrated in Blacksburgmostly on or near the Virginia Tech campus. There are a dozen hubs in total in Montgomery County, at least based on a count from last year.

Spencer said theyve heard from other bike share organizations that Bolt has ceased operations and program support in their areas. Bolt, however, has not been responsive to communications regarding ongoing operations, he said.

Town [of Blacksburg] staff sent two email communications to Bolt on [July 6] and [July 15] asking for information about operations in our market and have not received any responses to date, Spencer wrote in an email.

Spencer said the town has not received or been able to find any official bankruptcy filing from Bolt to date.

Spencer shared an article from Seven Days, an outlet in Vermont that covered a similar issue occurring with a Burlington area bike share system. The electric bikes there also belong to Bolt.

Representatives for Bolt couldnt be reached for comment.

Given news of other ride sharing programs ending elsewhere, Hager-Smith said it appears some of those platforms have had trouble surviving the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Its disappointing news because the people here, were enjoying it, Hager-Smith said. We got a lot of positive feedback about the program.

Hager-Smith said shes also disappointed because the service demonstrated a successful regional effort between Blacksburg, Christiansburg, Montgomery County and Tech. She said she hopes it can return in some form in the future.

It was one of the more visible efforts that we had all made to work together, she said. If theyre going to be bought out, we would be interested in continuing the arrangement.
ROCKY MOUNT  The Franklin County Board of Supervisors will meet Wednesday for a special meeting to discuss the vacancy left on the board by the death of Snow Creek District Supervisor Leland Mitchell.

Mitchell died at his Sontag home Saturday at age 82. His funeral will be held at Beulah Baptist Church at 2 p.m. Wednesday. The board is slated to gather for a special meeting a few hours later.

The Code of Virginia requires the county to hold a special election, where Snow Creek District voters would select someone to serve the remaining three years of Mitchells term.

The date of the special election will likely be the topic of discussion at the boards meeting Wednesday.

Due to the special election time frames and filing deadlines outlined in the code, it is likely that the county will need to hold the special election Nov. 8, the same day as the general election.

That would give candidates until Aug. 19 to file if they wish to appear on the special election ballot for the Snow Creek District seat.

What remains to be seen is whether the county has other options that might allow more time for candidates to file and for the registrar to organize special election ballots. There are, after all, only about three months left until the general election.

If there are other options, the supervisors could discuss them Wednesday, along with the possibility of appointing an interim supervisor to represent the Snow Creek District until the county holds a special election.
ROCKY MOUNT  Leland Mitchell was characteristically attentive but a man of few words, preferring to share his position on an issue affecting his native Franklin County during the discussion immediately before a vote among his fellow county supervisors.

His wife of 58 years, Janet Mitchell, said he preferred to work behind the scenes and avoided calling attention to himself.

Mitchell, 82, who died Saturday at his home in the countys Snow Creek District, was a member of the Franklin County Board of Supervisors for more than 16 years and had served as that bodys chairman.

Mitchell was elected to the board in November 2005. At the time, the county was investigating using eminent domain to acquire land for an airport near his cattle farm.

Mitchell opposed the airport and the board rejected the proposal shortly after he took office in January 2006. He was re-elected in 2009, 2013, 2017 and 2021.

During his time on the board, Mitchell continued to support property rights, especially with respect to rural farming communities like the one he represented.

Mitchell began his fifth term on the board in January, but in May and June, health issues prevented him from attending meetings. He did not take part in the most recent supervisors meeting on July 19, but until then he continued to participate in work sessions and meetings via phone.

Now, Janet Mitchell said, he is in a better place. He was a Christian, he knew where he was going, and he was prepared, she said.

During his time on the board, Mitchell was pragmatic about tax increases, acknowledging both the toll they take and their necessity. During the Great Recession he served as a steadying presence, said current board chairman Ronnie Thompson in a county press release about Mitchells death.

As the county considered its most recently adopted budget, Mitchell was leery of any action that might jeopardize the countys financial security.

[He] kept a keen eye on the countys finances where he strived to promote fiscal policies in helping to maintain the countys high bond ratings, County Administrator Chris Whitlow said. It was a pleasure to work with Leland through the years and he will be missed.

Mitchell also served as board chairman in 2020, helping to lead the county through the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Thompson said Mitchell championed broadband development in rural parts of Franklin County. In the last several years, as chairman of the countys broadband authority, Mitchell helped secure roughly $25 million in state and federal funding for high-speed internet projects throughout the county.

Mitchell was also involved in securing a public system for water and wastewater utilities through the countys membership with the Western Virginia Water Authority.

Before his death, Mitchell also represented the board on West Piedmont Planning Districts Board of Commissioners and Executive Committee.

In addition to his position on the board of supervisors, Mitchell previously served as Franklin County Farm Bureau president and Sontag Ruritan Club president, according to his obituary on the Conner Bowman Funeral Home & Crematory website.

Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Beulah Baptist Church. His funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, also at Beulah Baptist Church with burial following at the Mitchell Family Cemetery.
CHRISTIANSBURG  A New River Valley business owner is looking to sink the eight ball on a new project in the town.

Ron Frank Jr., who owns 1st Pawn and Main Street Grill in Pulaski, is planning to open a restaurant in Christiansburg that will serve alcoholic beverages and include billiards or pool tables.

The project is prompting Christiansburg town officials to consider a code change.

The town code currently doesnt allow billiards or pool in the same room that beer or wine is dispensed or sold. The proposed amendment prompted by Franks project would allow billiards or pool in a room where alcohol is being sold only if town council grants a conditional use permit for public billiard parlors and poolrooms.

Town staff expanded the language to include all alcoholic beverages  and not limit it to beer and wine  because beer, wine and other alcoholic beverages are common offerings of restaurants today, according to a document on the proposed code change.

A number of zoning districts in Christiansburg currently allow public billiard parlors and poolrooms by conditional use permit. They are the general business, central business, limited industrial and general industrial districts.

The amendment would allow this use where deemed appropriate within the town while maintaining regulatory authority through the conditional use permit process for the protection of surrounding properties, according to a town document on the proposed measure.

As far as where his new establishment will go, Frank said this past week that he cant speak on the location yet.

I cant disclose the facility until I have all the red tape taken care of, Frank wrote in a message. I have a verbal agreement with the building owner.

Mayor Mike Barber, who only votes in the event of a tie on council, said he doesnt anticipate any major issues with the upcoming decision on the code change.

The current ordinance governing poolrooms probably went into effect in or near the mid-20th century when the culture around the sport was different and the perception was much more negative, the town mayor said. But the culture has changed a great deal since and activities such as recreational pool leagues are common, he said.

I think it was a reasonable request to change, Barber said. When we do vote on it, there will probably be some conditions, as far as security and  responsibilities of the owner. I dont think thats too much to ask.

Also, Christiansburg can always use another restaurant, Barber said.
A 23-year-old Raleigh man died Friday after he jumped or fell out of a plane that went on to make an emergency landing at Raleigh-Durham International Airport.

While many questions remain unanswered about the mysterious event, some basic information  such as the identity of the deceased co-pilot, the flights path, the type of plane involved and more  is available.

To help you better understand what happened, weve compiled answers to common questions you may have about the event, using information from The News & Observers previous reporting.

Well update this story with additional answers as we learn more about what happened.

What happened?

A plane made an emergency landing at Raleigh-Durham International Airport on Friday afternoon.

The plane was originally carrying two licensed pilots, but one pilot  Charles Hew Crooks, a 23-year-old pilot and flight instructor  exited the plane before the emergency landing.

The plane had previously attempted to land near a private airport in Raeford earlier Friday afternoon, when the right wheel of their turboprop plane fell off.

The pilots called air traffic control about the emergency. Its not known whether Crooks or the pilot, whose name has not been released, was speaking but the caller confirmed there were two people aboard the plane, The N&O reported.

We were attempting to land, made contact with the ground, had a hard landing and decided to go around and at that point we lost the wheel, one of the pilots said to air traffic control, according to a recording of the exchange.

During the call to air traffic control, the pilots requested an emergency landing at RDU. But when the plane arrived to RDU Runway 5R-23L and veered onto the grass at 2:50 p.m., only one pilot was in the plane.

Authorities received a report about the missing man around 2:30 or 2:45 p.m., Darshan Patel, operations manager for Wake County emergency management, said at a news briefing Friday evening.

The search took about four hours, ultimately ending with search crews finding Crooks dead in a Fuquay-Varina neighborhood around 7 p.m. Friday.

Who was involved in the plane exit and crash landing?

Charles Hew Crooks, a 23-year-old Raleigh man, has been identified as the co-pilot who exited the plane mid-flight. He was identified Friday by the Fuquay-Varina Police Department, according to a Facebook post by the department.

Crooks was a pilot and flight instructor, The N&O previously reported. He was a pilot for Rampart Aviation, which offers pilot and aircraft training commercially and for the Department of Defense. The aircraft carrying Crooks and the other pilot was registered to Spore LTD, a company managed by Rampart, The N&O reported.

The name of the pilot who survived the event and made the emergency landing at RDU has not been released, The N&O has reported. The pilot was taken to a Duke University hospital with minor injuries after the event.

Where did search crews find the exited pilot?

Crooks was found dead behind a house near Sunset Lake and Hilltop Needmore roads in the Sonoma Springs subdivision of Fuquay-Varina, 20 miles from the airport.

The plane carrying Crooks and the other pilot passed over Fuquay-Varina around 2:30 p.m., at about 3,850 feet, The N&O reported.

The search for Crooks took about four hours after the emergency landing at RDU and involved several municipal, county and federal agencies, The N&O previously reported.

Why did Crooks exit the plane mid-flight?

It remains unclear why Crooks exited the plane mid-flight. He is thought to have jumped or fallen out mid-flight, The N&O previously reported.

The recording of the planes exchange with air traffic control contains no mention of someone falling or jumping from the aircraft.

The surviving pilot told authorities that the co-pilot had jumped out before the landing, ABC11 reported.

What kind of plane was involved in the event?

The men were flying a CASA C-212 Aviocar, a twin-engine cargo plane made in Spain. The plane has a loading ramp at the rear that can be opened in flight, making it ideal for parachute training, The N&O previously reported.

The aircraft was registered to Spore LTD, a company managed by Rampart Aviation, which has contracts with the military to provide parachute training, tests and evaluation activities for U.S. Army airborne units and U.S. special operations forces, according to The Drive, which covers military aviation and other topics.

A recently uploaded photo of the aircraft shows a Rampart logo on the tail of the plane.

Crooks, the deceased co-pilot, was a pilot for Rampart.

Who is investigating the event?

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will lead an investigation into the incident with Fuquay-Varina Police Departments help, the police department announced on Facebook Friday.

The NTSB told The N&O in an email statement that the board did not send an investigator to the scene of the incident, but it is working with the FAA collecting information, evaluating the damage of the aircraft and circumstances to determine the extent of an NTSB investigation, though no decision regarding that extent has been made at this point.

The NTSB said that its typical for the board not to send an investigator to the scene when it is not known the severity of the damage of the aircraft and/or no fatalities as a direct result from the crash of an aircraft.

However, as in most cases, NTSB will work with the FAA who can document the scene and examine the aircraft on NTSBs behalf, the board told The N&O. The findings from that examination and documentation will be given to the NTSB to determine to what extent an NTSB investigation will take place.

It could be months before a report on the incident is released, The N&O previously reported.

News & Observer reporters Teddy Rosenbluth and Kristen Johnson and editor Jessica Banov contributed to this report.
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Photo: The Canadian Press FILE - This artist sketch depicts Guy Wesley Reffitt, joined by his lawyer William Welch, right, in Federal Court, in Washington, on Feb. 28, 2022. (Dana Verkouteren via AP, File)

A Texas man convicted of storming the U.S. Capitol with a holstered handgun helmet and body armor was sentenced on Monday to 87 months  more than seven years  in prison, the longest sentence imposed so far among hundreds of Capitol riot cases.

Prosecutors said Guy Reffitt told fellow members of the Texas Three Percenters militia group that he planned to drag House Speaker Nancy Pelosi out of the Capitol building by her ankles, with her head hitting every step on the way down, according to a court filing.

Reffitt was the first person to go on trial for the Jan. 6, 2021, attack, in which supporters of then-President Donald Trump halted the joint session of Congress for certifying Joe Bidens 2020 electoral victory.

U.S. District Judge Dabney Friedrich, who presided over Reffitt's jury trial, also sentenced him to three years of supervised release after his prison term and ordered him to pay $2,000 in restitution.

Justice Department prosecutors recommended a 15-year prison sentence for Reffitt, who already has been jailed for approximately 19 months. They said he was a militia group member who intended to drag lawmakers out of the building and take over Congress to stop the certification of the Electoral College vote.

Sentencing guidelines calculated by the courts probation department called for a sentence ranging from nine years to 11 years and three months. Prosecutors argued that an upward departure for terrorism was warranted in Reffitts case.

The longest sentence before Reffitt's was five years and three months, for two men who pleaded guilty to assaulting police officers at the Capitol.

Defense attorney Clinton Broden asked for Reffitt to be sentenced to no more than two years in prison. Broden noted that Reffitt didn't assault any law enforcement officers or enter the Capitol building.

Videos captured the confrontation between outnumbered Capitol police officers and a mob of people, including Reffitt, who approached them on the west side of the Capitol.

Reffitt was armed with a Smith & Wesson pistol in a holster on his waist, carrying zip-tie handcuffs and wearing body armor and a helmet equipped with a video camera when he advanced on the officers, according to prosecutors. He retreated after an officer pepper sprayed him in the face, but he waved on other rioters who ultimately breached the building, prosecutors said.

Reffitt didn't testify at his trial before jurors convicted him in March of all five counts in his indictment. The jury found him guilty of obstructing Congress joint session, of interfering with police officers outside the Capitol and of threatening his two teenage children if they reported him to law enforcement.

Reffitts 19-year-old son, Jackson, testified that his father told him and his sister, then 16, that they would be traitors if they reported him to authorities and warned them that traitors get shot."

Guy Reffitt was a member of the Texas Three Percenters militia group, according to prosecutors. The Three Percenters movement refers to the myth that only 3% of Americans fought in the Revolutionary War against the British.

Reffitt lived with his wife and children in Wylie, Texas, a Dallas suburb. He drove to Washington, D.C., with Rocky Hardie, a fellow member of the militia group.

Hardie testified that both of them were armed with holstered handguns when they attended Trumps Stop the Steal rally before the riot. Hardie also said Reffitt gave him two pairs of zip-tie cuffs in case they needed to detain anybody.

More than 840 people have been charged with federal crimes related to the riot. Over 340 of them have pleaded guilty, mostly to misdemeanors. More than 220 have been sentenced, with nearly half of them receiving terms of imprisonment. Approximately 150 others have trial dates stretching into 2023.

Reffitt is one of seven Capitol riot defendants to get a jury trial so far. Jurors have unanimously convicted all seven of them on all counts in their respective indictments.
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 2022   17.38  1000-1500  1.15213.85% 7178.3 19.1%   6  4.3% 17 186 18% 71228.17 0.96%  3700 17%  35498 8.29 186.19 56% 0.46% 8% 1   20Donki    tcl17%8% 7  13.8 4158%  8.71  5.727.12%  8291.94.98%   40%  27% IPO91%
SIOUX CITY  The late Tommy Bolin, a legendary musician from such groups as Zephyr, the James Gang and Deep Purple, earned a posthumous spot on the Iowa Rock 'n Roll Music Association (IRRMA) Hall of Fame, based on his work as a teenager in a band called A Patch of Blue.

That honor came in 1999, 23 years after the guitarist's death.

Tommy Bolin's brother Johnnie Bolin has three IRRMA Hall of Fame plaques from his work with the bands DVC (2010), Sioux City Rockestra (2012) and Instant Blues Machine (2014).

Surprisingly, neither brother, both Sioux City natives, have been honored individually for their achievements in Iowa's rock and roll history.

That will all change on Sept. 4, when both Tommy and Johnnie Bolin, as well as 28 other individuals, businesses and organization will take their place as 2022 Iowa Rock 'n Roll Hall Inductees during ceremonies taking place at Arnolds Park, Iowa.

In addition to the Bolins, Siouxland musicians Robby Vee, T. Wilson King and Maddie Poppe, a Clarksville, Iowa native and the "American Idol" Season 16 winner, are also 2022 IRRMA Hall of Fame class members.

Johnnie Bolin said he was shocked by IRRMA's oversight when it was brought to his attention.

"I just assumed Tommy had already be an individual Rock 'n Roll Hall of Famer until a lady called me up," he explained with a smile, inside his Sioux City home. "She said both Tommy and I would be awarded this year."

Which came as good new for Johnnie Bolin, 67, who has spent most of his life as a musician, including a nearly 30-year stint with the Southern rock band Black Oak Arkansas.

More significantly, he has been a steward of Tommy Bolin's music, which continues to attract fans of all ages.

"Some rock bands sound like there from a certain era but that wasn't the case with Tommy," Johnnie Bolin said. "When you hear my brother's music, it feels as contemporary today as it was years ago."

Indeed, Bolin Fest -- an annual public celebration commemorating Tommy Bolin's musical legacy -- will bring in musicians from across the country and around the world.

This year's Bolin Fest, featuring the Lucas Parker Band, Funk Trek, Russell Bizzett's East West Band, Perfect Strangers, Bang Gang and an all-star Tommy Bolin tribute band, will take place from 3 p.m. to 1 a.m. Saturday at the Ickey Nickel, 4700 41st St.

"My family and friends started using Tommy's Aug. 1st birthday as a way to celebrate his life more than 30 years ago," Johnnie Bolin said. "Since opening it to the public, the tradition has only grown bigger."

Bolin Fest always brings back memories of family as well as Sioux City's role in rock and roll history.

"Our dad (the late Richard Bolin, a meatpacking plant employee) always wanted Tommy to grow up to become a rock star like Elvis Presley," Johnnie Bolin remembered with a chuckle. "That was also Tommy's dream. Even at a very young age, Tommy wanted his life to evolve around rock and roll.

About four years younger than his brother, Johnnie's childhood included participating in sports. But he was also drawn to the life of a musician.

In fact, Bolin continues to be a rock and roller to this day.

"I'll be a part of the tribute band at Bolin Fest, which now be the dry run for the Iowa Rock 'n Roll Music Association's Hall of Fame induction spectacular on Labor Day Weekend," Johnnie Bolin said.

Much of Johnnie Bolin's house is made up of photos, memorabilia and awards, highlighting his career as well as the career of his older brother.

However, there will always be room for plaques lauding the Bolin Brothers' significance in Iowa's rock and roll history.

"To be honored is always nice," Johnnie Bolin said. "Knowing that our music still connects with people is even better."
SIOUX CITY -- A Kansas man who traveled to Sioux City to meet a 14-year-old girl has been charged with providing marijuana to the girl and a second juvenile female.

According to court documents, Sharan Monger began a conversation on a social media site with the 14-year-old at around 7 p.m. Thursday and agreed to bring her marijuana, saying he'd also bring alcohol and condoms.

Monger arrived in Sioux City early Friday morning and met with the teen and another 14-year-old girl, who both got into Monger's vehicle, where he rolled each of them a joint and offered it to them, court documents said.

Monger, 21, of Kansas City, Kansas, was arrested at about 6:30 a.m. in possession of two prepackaged bags of marijuana weighing 11 grams. He was booked into the Woodbury County Jail on two counts of drug distribution to a person under age 18 and one count of controlled substance violation. His bond was set at $100,000.
SIOUX CITY -- Two Sioux City men have pleaded not guilty of robbing two women at gunpoint in a Sioux City apartment.

Kemo Levi, 26, entered his plea Thursday in Woodbury County District Court to charges of first-degree robbery, second-degree theft and felon in possession of a firearm.

Jocquan McClouid, 26, pleaded not guilty on July 22 of first-degree robbery and second-degree theft.

According to court documents, on July 6, McCloud forced the two female victims into the bedroom of an apartment in the 3100 block of Transit Avenue and shut the door. McCloud returned with Levi, who threatened the women with a handgun. The men are accused of stealing a cell phone, a BB gun and a purse containing $362.

Police located McCloud and Levi later and found the property belonging to the women in a vehicle that Levi had been driving. Police also found a 9mm handgun that had been reported stolen out of Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Levi's ex-girlfriend told officers she had seen Levi with it. Levi is prohibited from possessing firearms because of a previous felony conviction, court documents said.
CARROLTON, Ga. (AP)  A university instructor in Georgia has been charged with killing an 18-year-old student who was fatally shot while sitting in a car.

The Carrollton Police Department said in a news release that Richard Sigman, 47, is charged with murder and aggravated assault in the shooting death of Anna Jones, 18. Police said they believe Jones was killed when Sigman shot into a parked car following an argument with a man at a pizza restaurant. The shooting happened shortly after midnight Saturday.

Police said a man told security that Sigman had threatened to shoot him during an argument, and security then asked Sigman to leave. Investigators believe when Sigman left, he walked to the parking deck and started shooting into a parked vehicle, hitting Jones. Friends drove Jones to a hospital where she was pronounced dead, police said.

It is not immediately clear if Sigman has a lawyer to speak on his behalf.

The University of West Georgia told news outlets in a statement that Sigmans employment has been terminated. A current course catalog listed Sigman as a lecturer in business administration.

The university said Jones was a student at the university.

On behalf of the university, we wish to convey our deepest condolences to Annas family and many friends. We know this news is difficult to process and affects many members of our university community. We ask that you keep Annas family, friends, and all who have been touched by this tragedy in your thoughts during this tremendously difficult time, University of West Georgia President Dr. Brendan Kelly said in the statement.
The commander of the United States military in the Pacific says he wants to expand and strengthen its ties with New Zealand. Adm. John Aquilino, commander of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, is visiting Wellington as the U.S. is looking to increase its presence in the region amid deep concerns over Chinas growing ambitions in the Pacific. They include most recently the Solomon Islands, where the U.S. and several Pacific nations expressed deep concern about a security pact the Solomons signed with China in April, which many fear could result in a military buildup in the region. Aquilino said he wanted to identify new areas where the U.S. could work with New Zealand. He said the leadership of Australia and New Zealand was critically important.
The first ship carrying Ukrainian grain has set out from the port of Odesa. The departure of the ship laden with corn follows an internationally brokered deal that is expected to finally allow large stores of Ukrainian crops to reach foreign markets and ease a growing hunger crisis. The Sierra Leone-flagged cargo ship Razoni departed Odesa on Monday morning headed for Lebanon. Russia and Ukraine signed separate agreements with Turkey and the U.N. clearing the way for Ukraine to export 22 million tons of grain and other agricultural goods that have been stuck in Black Sea ports because of Russias invasion. Ukraine is one of the worlds key breadbaskets.
Those are among some of the most notable contests in Tuesday's primary elections being held in six states.

Arizona, which Democrat Joe Biden narrowly won in 2020, is a top target for former President Donald Trump, who tried in vain to get his defeat overturned. He has endorsed a slate of candidates up and down the ballot who have promoted his false claims of a stolen election.

Trump has also been zeroed in on the 10 House Republicans who voted to impeach him over the Jan. 6 insurrection. Three of them are on the ballot Tuesday in Washington state and Michigan, as are two members of the Squad, Democratic Reps. Cori Bush of Missouri and Rashida Tlaib of Michigan.

Meanwhile, Kansas voters could clear the way for the Republican-controlled Legislature to further restrict or ban abortion if they approve a proposed state constitutional change. It's the first referendum vote on abortion policy by a state since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in June.

Ohio is also holding a primary for state legislative races on Tuesday, three months after its statewide and congressional contests  a split system that resulted from legal wrangling over redistricting.

What to watch:

ARIZONA

Trump's endorsed candidates in Arizona all have one thing in common: They have loudly disseminated misinformation about the legitimacy of the 2020 election, despite election officials and Trump's own attorney general saying there is no credible evidence the race was tainted.

In the governor's race, Trump has backed former television news anchor Kari Lake, who has said that she would not have certified Arizona's election results in 2020. Lake faces businesswoman Karrin Taylor Robson, who is endorsed by former Vice President Mike Pence and outgoing Gov. Doug Ducey.

Secretary of State Katie Hobbs, a staunch defender of the 2020 election, is strongly favored to win the Democratic nomination for governor.

In the Republican primary for U.S. Senate, Trump has backed tech investor Blake Masters as the candidate to go up against Democratic incumbent Mark Kelly in the fall. Masters, whose campaign has been bankrolled by billionaire Peter Thiel, has called for reducing legal immigration and espoused the baseless great replacement conspiracy theory, claiming Democrats are trying to replace Americans who were born here.

Attorney General Mark Brnovich, another Senate candidate, has been weighed down by lackluster fundraising and fierce criticism from Trump, who says Brnovich did little to advance his election fraud claims. Another top candidate, Jim Lamon, the founder of a solar energy firm, was a fake elector for Trump in 2020, signing a certificate falsely saying that the then-president had won the state.

The Republican primary for secretary of state includes Trump-backed legislator Mark Finchem, a state representative who worked to overturn Trumps 2020 loss; state Rep. Shawnna Bolick, who introduced a bill to let legislators ignore election results and choose their own presidential electors; and state Sen. Michelle Ugenti-Rita, who has long pushed to overhaul election laws. The GOP establishment has rallied around advertising executive Beau Lane in the race.

Ron Watkins, who has ties to the QAnon conspiracy theory, is considered a long shot in his House run. Watkins, a Republican, served as the longtime administrator of the online message boards that became the home of the anonymous Q. The conspiracy theory is centered around the baseless belief that Trump waged a secret campaign against enemies in the deep state and that a group of satanic, cannibalistic child molesters secretly runs the globe.

In the state Legislature, Arizona House Speaker Rusty Bowers, who testified at a Jan. 6 hearing about Trumps pressure to overturn the 2020 election, faces a Trump-backed candidate in his bid to run for the state Senate.

MICHIGAN

The Republican primary for governor was wild from the start, with five candidates getting kicked off the ballot for failing to file enough valid nominating signatures.

Several of the remaining candidates have baggage that could hurt in a general election against Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

Real estate broker Ryan Kelley has pleaded not guilty to misdemeanor charges after authorities said he rallied Trumps supporters to storm the U.S. Capitol. Businessman Kevin Rinke was sued in the 1990s for sex harassment and racial discrimination  allegations he says were lies. Chiropractor Garrett Soldano hawked supplements he falsely claimed treated COVID-19. Conservative commentator Tudor Dixon, who has been endorsed by Trump, has previously acted in low-budget horror pictures.

All of the candidates falsely say there was fraud in the 2020 election, with Dixon, Kelley and Soldano saying the election was stolen from Trump.

Republican Rep. Peter Meijer is hoping to hold on to his seat after voting to impeach Trump. The former president has endorsed businessman and missionary John Gibbs, who worked in the Trump administration under Housing Secretary Ben Carson.

MISSOURI

Greitens political career appeared over when he resigned as governor in 2018, following his admission to an extramarital affair and accusations of blackmail and campaign finance violations. On Tuesday, the former Navy SEAL officer has a chance at redemption in his Republican primary for the seat held by retiring GOP U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt.

Greitens, Attorney General Eric Schmitt and U.S. Rep. Vicky Hartzler are the front-runners in a crowded 21-person GOP field that includes U.S. Rep. Billy Long and Mark McCloskey, the St. Louis lawyer who along with his wife pointed guns at racial injustice protesters who ventured onto their private street.

On Monday, Trump expressed support in a social media post for ERIC, meaning either Schmitt or Greitens, without picking between them.

The GOP winner in Missouri, a solidly Republican state, will be favored in November. But Republican leaders have long worried that Greitens  his ex-wife has also accused him of abuse, allegations Greitens has called baseless  could win the primary but lose the general election.

On the Democratic side, the nomination appears to be up for grabs between Lucas Kunce, a Marine veteran and self-proclaimed populist, and Trudy Busch Valentine, an heiress of the Busch beer fortune who has largely self-funded her campaign.

WASHINGTON

Two Republican House members from Washington state who voted to impeach Trump face primary challengers endorsed by him.

Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler, who has been in Congress since 2011, has said she voted for impeachment because she had an obligation to the Constitution." Trump has endorsed Joe Kent, a former Green Beret and a conservative cable show regular who echoes the former presidents grievances about the 2020 election outcome.

Rep. Dan Newhouse, a congressman since 2015, said he cast the vote to impeach Trump for inciting and refusing to immediately stop the Jan. 6 insurrection. Among his challengers is Loren Culp, a Trump-backed former small-town police chief who refused to concede the 2020 governors race to Democrat Jay Inslee.

In Washington, the top two vote-getters in each race, regardless of party, move forward to November.

KANSAS

Voters will decide whether to approve a change to the state constitution that could allow the Legislature to restrict or ban abortion despite a 2019 state Supreme Court ruling that abortion access is a fundamental right. Its the first referendum on abortion by a state since Roe v. Wades reversal.

In statewide races, Republican Kris Kobach is running for attorney general as he attempts a political comeback following losses in races for governor and U.S. Senate in previous years. Kobach, the state's former secretary of state, served as vice chair of a short-lived Trump commission on election fraud after the 2016 election.

Associated Press writers Jonathan J. Cooper in Phoenix; Sara Burnett in Chicago; Jim Salter in OFallon, Missouri; Chris Grygiel in Seattle; and John Hanna in Topeka, Kansas; contributed to this report.

Meg Kinnard can be reached at http://twitter.com/MegKinnardAP.

Follow AP for full coverage of the midterms at https://apnews.com/hub/2022-midterm-elections and on Twitter at https://twitter.com/ap_politics.
NorthShore University HealthSystem has agreed to pay $10.3 million to settle a lawsuit brought by employees who alleged the hospital system wouldnt let them keep their jobs after they objected to getting COVID-19 vaccines for religious reasons.

Fourteen workers  including nurses, a pharmacy technician and a senior application analyst all named anonymously in the lawsuit  filed a lawsuit in October alleging NorthShore refused to grant them true exemptions from the mandate that all its workers get vaccinated.

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NorthShore is not admitting to any wrongdoing as part of the proposed settlement agreement, which was filed Friday in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. The agreement must still be approved by a judge.

As part of the settlement, NorthShore is agreeing to rehire workers who were fired for refusing to get vaccinated for religious reasons.

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NorthShore, like other hospital systems, will still require its workers to be vaccinated against COVID-19, but, as part of the settlement, it is changing its exemption policy. Moving forward, it will review individual workers requests for religious exemptions, and if those exemptions are approved, NorthShore will work to accommodate them, regardless of their positions.

The workers had alleged that, at one point, NorthShore was denying almost all exemption requests and, when it began approving them, was telling employees theyd have to work remotely. Many jobs that involve direct patient care cannot be done remotely.

We continue to support systemwide, evidence-based vaccination requirements for everyone who works at NorthShore  Edward-Elmhurst Health and thank our team members for helping to keep our communities safe, NorthShore said in a statement Monday.

The Liberty Counsel, the organization representing the workers, says the agreement is the first class action settlement against a private employer involving a COVID-19 vaccine mandate in the country. The Liberty Counsel describes itself as a Christian ministry that advocates for religious freedom

It should send shock waves or a wake-up call, at least, to employers to follow the law under Title VII, said Mat Staver, founder and chairman of the Liberty Counsel, referring to Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex and national origin. A number of employers  have these blanket policies to get the COVID vaccine or be terminated without taking into consideration individual religious exemption requests.

NorthShore estimates that about 523 of its workers were denied religious exemptions to the vaccine mandate between July 1, 2021, and Jan. 1 of this year, according to the proposed settlement agreement. Of those 523, about 204 got the vaccines after they were denied exemptions and 269 were terminated or resigned.

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Lawyers representing NorthShore and the workers asked the court to allow the settlement to apply to all NorthShore workers who were fired or resigned or who got vaccines because they were denied religious exemptions.

If the settlement agreement and request for it to cover more than 500 workers are approved, workers who were fired or resigned could receive about $25,000 each, and employees who got vaccines after their religious exemption requests were denied could get about $3,000 each, according to the Liberty Counsel. The 13 lead plaintiffs in the lawsuit would get an additional $20,000 each. One of the original plaintiffs is no longer part of the case because her exemption and accommodation request was approved.

In some cases, the workers said they didnt want the vaccines because of their links to aborted fetuses. None of the COVID-19 vaccines in the U.S. contains fetal cells. But cell lines derived from two abortions, performed decades ago, were used in the early testing or development of the vaccines, according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. Other religious authorities, including the Vatican, have deemed the use of the vaccines morally acceptable.

The workers in the NorthShore case alleged, at one point, that NorthShore said it would deny any exemptions based on aborted fetal cell lines. NorthShore later said it would grant many of the exemptions but only allow those seeking them to work remotely, the workers alleged.

The workers said they were willing to be regularly tested for COVID-19, wear masks and report if they were having symptoms, rather than be vaccinated.

Margo Wolf ODonnell, co-chair of the labor and employment law group at law firm Benesch in Chicago, said the case reinforces the importance of employers reviewing requests for exemptions to vaccine mandates individually.

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If there is a vaccine mandate, its important that requests for exemptions, whether they be religious or medical exemption requests, they be considered on a case-by-case basis, ODonnell said. Employers still can have vaccine mandates, I just think they need to be implemented appropriately.

COVID-19 vaccine mandates for health care workers are still ubiquitous across hospital systems.

In January, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld a federal requirement that hospitals across the U.S. have COVID-19 vaccine mandates for their workers, unless those workers are exempt for medical or religious reasons.

Under Equal Employment Opportunity Commission guidelines, employees can ask to be exempted from vaccination requirements because of sincerely held religious beliefs or because of disabilities. But employers dont have to grant those exemptions if an unvaccinated person would pose a direct threat to others in the workplace, or if accommodating him or her would be an undue burden.

Illinois also still requires health care workers to be vaccinated, but in July, Gov. J.B. Pritzkers administration relaxed rules about testing for those who were not fully vaccinated.

Up to that point, Illinois health care workers who werent fully vaccinated had to be tested weekly for COVID-19. Now, with the exception of workers in long-term care facilities, those workers only have to be tested weekly if they are in high coronavirus transmission counties as determined by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Every county in Illinois is now at high transmission levels.
CHESAPEAKE CITY, Md. (AP)  A Maryland auction house has sold a wristwatch that once belonged to Adolf Hitler for $1.1 million.

Alexander Historical Auctions in Chesapeake City had estimated the value between $2 and $4 million, describing the watch as a World War II relic of historic proportions.

Newsoutlets report that Jewish leaders and others objected to the sale this week, saying it had little to no historical value.

The auction house's president, Bill Panagopulos, defended the auction and said the buyer is a European Jew.

The watch features the initials AH and a swastika. The auction house said a French soldier seized the watch as spoils of war on May 4, 1945, when his unit became the first Allied force to arrive at Hitler's Berchtesgaden retreat. The Nazi leader died in Berlin on April 30, 1945.
PRISTINA, Kosovo (AP)  Kosovo's authorities early Monday moved to ease mounting ethnic tensions in the country by delaying a controversial order on vehicle license plates and identity cards that triggered riots by minority Serbs who put up roadblocks, sounded air raid sirens and fired their guns into the air.

The Kosovo government accused neighboring Serbia of instigating the riots in order to destabilize the country that declared independence in 2008 after a NATO intervention that stopped Serbias bloody crackdown against ethnic Albanian separatists in 1999.

Officials in Kosovo had earlier decided that as of Aug. 1 they would resume the practice of requiring vehicles that enter from Serbia to replace Serbia license plates with Kosovo ones. For the past 11 years, the reverse was required by Serbia for vehicles driving from Kosovo that transit through Serbia.

Kosovo also is planning to block its ethnic Serb minority from only using Serbian identity cards when crossing the border, the same approach that Serbia uses for Kosovar citizens.

After discussions with European and U.S. partners, the reciprocity license plate and identity card plan was being postponed for a month, until Sept. 1, the Kosovo government said.

EU Foreign Policy chief Josep Borrell said he welcomed the move, adding that he expected all roadblocks to be removed immediately.

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti said Kosovar authorities would implement the decision once barricades in the north were removed. He added that it took only 20 seconds for 1,501 Serb citizens to enter Kosovo by midday using the entry-exit document, as opposed to an hours wait for Kosovar citizens to enter Serbia.

A Kosovo government statement said that many aggressive acts like blocking roads and shot-firing in the northern areas dominated by ethnic Serbs took place on Sunday and accused Serbia of inciting them.

Kosovo was part of Serbia until an armed uprising in 1998-1999 by the territorys ethnic Albanian majority triggered a bloody crackdown by Serbs. A NATO bombing campaign to force Serbias troops out of Kosovo ended the war. But Serbia refuses to recognize Kosovos 2008 declaration of independence.

European Commission spokesman Peter Stano said the EU was following developments very closely and with concern and that both parties have been invited to Brussels to sit down and talk in the framework of the EU facilitated dialog.

Kurti and President Vjosa Osmani blamed Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic for the latest protests.

Vucic and (Petar) Petkovic are the main responsible persons for the riots, Kurti wrote in Facebook. Petkovic is Belgrades official in charge of Kosovo.

Osmani also wrote on Facebook that Vucics efforts to destabilize Kosovo" would fail.

Vucic responded by saying that weve never been in a more complex situation than today and blamed Kosovo for the escalating tensions over the licenses plates and ID cards.

He said Kosovo was trying to make itself appear to be the victim, adding that Kurti is trying to be seen in the same light as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Vucic said Kosovo cannot stop its ethnic Serbs from using Serbian identity cards when they cross the border. He later visited Serbian Army headquarters in Belgrade in what was seen as a thinly veiled warning that all options - including military action - were on the table.

Serbian Foreign Minister Nikola Selakovic accused Kossovo of making unacceptable unilateral actions" weighed against the small country's Serb population and urged Kossovar authorities to change tack.

It is not only about I.D. cards and registering vehicle plates. It is about the way of behavior, Selakovic. If someone is really oriented to search the peaceful solution for all the existing issues, then that one should not act in the way they been acting.

Serbian ally Russia denounced the Kosovo government, saying the latest measures were intended to chase the remaining Serbs out of Kosovo. There are fears in the West that Russia could use Serbia to destabilize the Balkans and thus shift at least some attention from its war in Ukraine.

The NATO-led peacekeeping mission in Kosovo said it was monitoring the tense situation in northern Kosovo and was prepared to intervene if stability is jeopardized.

The force said it would "take whatever measures are necessary to keep a safe and secure environment in Kosovo at all times, in line with its UN mandate.

The mission, which has some 3,800 soldiers from 28 countries, is led by NATO but is supported by the United Nations, the European Union and others.

German Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht hailed the Kosovar government's decision as contributing to easing tensions.

-

Semini reported from Tirana, Albania. AP writer Dusan Stojanovic contributed from Belgrade, Serbia, Lorne Cook from Brussels, Kirsten Grieshaber from Berlin and Menelaos Hadjicostis from Nicosia, Cyprus.
This should set off alarm bells  and take your breath away.

One-third of Republicans, 20% of Democrats and 37% of gun-owners believe that "it may be necessary at some point soon for citizens to take up arms against the government," according to the results of a new University of Chicago Institute of Politics poll.

Incredible!

That's madness.

"This is the road to destruction and no one gets to leave" are the lyrics to the song.

The poison has been spread and it has taken hold and here we are just 246 years after 1776 on the verge of blowing it.

"We must not be enemies," Lincoln pleaded just before our Civil War erupted.

"Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection.

"The mystic chords of memory will swell when again touched, as surely they will be, by the better angels of our nature."

It's time to listen to Lincoln again  and get it right this time.

* * *

Public schools are on the defensive in Nebraska.

That's where most kids get their early basic education, where imaginations are triggered, stimulated and fueled, where lives and dreams begin to take shape in concert with the growth and encouragement and vital support that comes from home.

Some political detractors like to call them government schools because they are tax-supported. It's not a friendly term.

They are under attack in Nebraska and elsewhere in America -- and often struggling for political support.

"Political battles are now a central feature of education, leaving school boards, educators and students in the crosshairs of culture warriors," a Washington Post article earlier in the year stated.

"Schools are on the defensive about their pandemic decision-making, their curriculums, their policies regarding race and racial equity and even the contents of their libraries."

The Nebraska Board of Education came under fire a year ago and halted plans for new health education standards after criticism from some parents and conservative family-values groups that the content was sexually inappropriate.

It's certainly fair, and even vital, that families and taxpayers monitor public school performance.

But, hopefully, the goal would be to seek and support quality public education rather than pursue political objectives.

* * *

Finishing up:

* Rep. Mike Flood's committee assignments as the newest member of the U.S. House of Representatives: the Small Business Committee and the Oversight and Reform Committee. The latter is the main investigative committee of the House.

* After noting that Nebraska's congressional delegation voted against the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) that pumped a billion dollars of federal economic recovery funding into Nebraska, Bob Kerrey ended a commentary article in the Nebraska Examiner with three words: "Thank you, Joe!"

* If Jim Pillen is elected in November, it looks like he would be the first Nebraska governor elected from the agricultural sector in almost a century, although Dwight Burney, a Hartington farmer, served as governor for four months following the death of Ralph Brooks in 1960 after moving up to the governorship from his post as lieutenant governor.

* And if Carol Blood wins the governorship, she would be the second woman elected to be Nebraska's governor following the election of Kay Orr in 1986 when voters chose between two women nominees. Former Lincoln Mayor Helen Boosalis carried the Democratic banner; Orr was the first Republican woman to be elected as a governor in the United States.

* The Russians stayed in Afghanistan for almost 10 years after their 1979 invasion before giving up and heading home.

* Early legislative maneuvering and speculation: Sen. John Arch of La Vista is still on course to be elected Speaker; Sen. Lou Ann Linehan of Elkhorn, chairwoman of the Revenue Committee, is emerging as an increasingly powerful legislative figure next year; a big decision is still unsettled as to who will chair the Appropriations Committee.

* The guess at the Capitol: No special session this year to attempt to enact a bill prohibiting abortions in Nebraska with few, if any, exceptions. If there aren't 33 votes locked down and guaranteed, Gov. Pete Ricketts isn't going to take the risk of finishing his governorship with an embarrassing political loss on a key Republican issue that would reverberate nationally.

* Zach Pluhacek tweet: "make the Haymarket pedestrian only."
DES MOINES  A Black administrative judge in Iowa who asserted she was fired in 2017 because of her race  and after successfully suing the state is in the process of being reinstated  has also agreed to a $225,000 settlement with the state.

The State Appeal Board approved the settlement with Renee Sneitzer, of Cedar Rapids, at its regular meeting Monday.

Sneitzer had been working for 10 years as an administrative law judge for the Iowa Department of Corrections Iowa Medical and Classification Center in Coralville when, in 2017, she was fired for not adhering to a supervisors orders, according to court documents. Sneitzer challenged her firing, saying she faced discrimination and was fired because of her race.

In April, an administrative law judge ruled the state corrections department did not prove just cause for Sneitzers firing, and ordered she be reinstated with back pay. The Iowa Public Employment Relations Board concurred with and adopted the judges findings, also ordering the state to reinstate Sneitzer.

In late July, the parties agreed to the $225,000 settlement; roughly $134,000 will go to Sneitzer and the remaining $91,000 to her attorneys.

According to the terms of the settlement, detailed in a July 22 letter from the Iowa Attorney Generals Office to the State Appeal Board, the agreement is not to be construed as an admission of liability or wrongdoing on the part of the state or the parties named in the lawsuit. The appeal board approved the settlement without discussion Monday.

According to court documents, the corrections departments general counsel and inspector general Michael Savala fired Sneitzer in 2017, alleging that she continued to disregard multiple supervisory directives.

Sneitzer responded, during a department investigation conducted by Savala and later in court documents, that Savalas actions were harassing, discriminatory, and retaliatory.
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP)  The federal government on Monday announced proposed new regulations that would force food processors to reduce the amount of salmonella bacteria found in some raw chicken products or risk being shut down.

The proposed U.S. Department of Agriculture rules would declare salmonella an adulterant  a contaminant that can cause food-borne illness  in breaded and stuffed raw chicken products. That includes many frozen foods found in grocery stores, including chicken cordon bleu and chicken Kyiv products that appear to be cooked through but are only heat-treated to set the batter or breading.

The agency notified producers of the proposed changes on Friday.

USDA Deputy Under Secretary for Food Safety Sandra Eskin said it marks the beginning of a broader agency effort to curtail illnesses caused by the salmonella bacteria, which sickens 1.3 million Americans each year. It sends more than 26,000 of them to hospitals and causes 420 deaths, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data.

Food is the source for most of those illnesses.

The CDC says approximately one in every 25 packages of chicken sold at grocery stores contains salmonella bacteria.

Since 1998, breaded and stuffed raw chicken products have been associated with 14 salmonella outbreaks and approximately 200 illnesses, the USDA said in a statement. An outbreak last year tied to frozen breaded raw chicken products caused 36 illnesses in 11 states and sent 12 people to hospitals.

The USDA currently has performance standards that poultry processing plants have to meet to reduce contamination, but the agency cannot stop products from being sold. There is also no adequate testing system to determine levels of salmonella in meat, Eskin said.

The proposed new rules require routine testing at chicken processing plants. Products would be considered adulterated when they exceed a very low level of salmonella contamination and would be subject to regulatory action, including shuttering plants that fail to reduce salmonella bacteria levels in their products, Eskin said.

This action and our overall salmonella initiative underscore our view that our job is to ensure that consumers dont get sick from meat and poultry products, she said. They shouldnt be sold if theyre contaminated to the degree that people get sick.

In 1994, the USDAs Food Safety and Inspection Service took a similar step by declaring some strains of E. coli a contaminant in ground beef and launched a testing program for the pathogen.

Eskin said the agency met with food safety experts and poultry processors for ideas on how to reduce contamination in processing.

The National Chicken Council, the trade association for chicken producers and processors, said it is concerned about the precedent set by the abrupt shift in federal policy.

It has the potential to shutter processing plants, cost jobs, and take safe food and convenient products off shelves. Were equally concerned that this announcement was not science-based or data-driven, said spokeswoman Ashley Peterson.

She said the government already has the regulatory and public health tools to work with the industry to ensure product safety, adding that companies producing chicken meat have invested millions of dollars and have worked for more than a decade to reduce salmonella in raw chicken.

A representative of Tyson Foods said the company would withhold comment until it received details of the new USDA rule.

Diana Souder, a spokeswoman for Maryland-based Perdue Farms, also declined to comment but pointed out that the company belongs to the Coalition for Poultry Safety Reform, a group formed last year to work with USDA and others to reduce foodborne illnesses from salmonella contamination.

The new rules will be published in the Federal Register this fall and the USDAs Food Safety and Inspection Service will seek public comment before finalizing the rules and setting a date for implementation.
Once upon a time there was a cable news network that nobody liked. Nobody except the loons, that is: those very special people who willfully eschew logical reasoning and the established corpus of knowledge in favor of febrile theories, weird cultural grievances, and other made-up bullshit. As luck would have it, there were enough loons out there for the network to be aired by many cable providers, and to reap millions of dollars in carriage fees year after year after year. Then, in a shocking development, one of Americas foremost loons was elected presidentand One America News Network, the network that nobody liked, found itself having A Moment.

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It is now July 2022, and OANs moment is definitively over. On Sunday, July 31, the networks carriage deal with Verizon Fios expires and will not be renewed, meaning that OAN will no longer be included in any of Verizons cable packages. The Verizon deal is the second major carriage deal that OAN has lost this year; its lucrative distribution agreement with DirecTV expired and was not renewed in April. As of August 1, the network will only be viewable via certain streaming services, its own app, and on certain smaller cable providers such as GCI, which operates in Alaska. Yukon ho, conspiracists!

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Some OAN network personnel have characterized this trend as cancel culture motivated by a Marxist agenda, rhetoric which in itself sort of shows you why very few companies want to be in business with the network anymore. Accusations of censorship aside, the deplatforming of OAN can also be seen as a simple business decision on the part of Verizon and DirecTV: Namely, that it no longer makes sense for these carriers to spend good money each year airing a network that nobody watches, is beset by lawsuits, and is a vector for toxic misinformation. Before we bid farewell to OAN, though, lets look back at its glory days, such as they are.

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OAN was founded in 2013 by Robert Herring, a high-school dropout and serial entrepreneur who apparently saw a market for a cable news network that wasted neither time nor money on standard production values or credible fact-checking. The market opportunity was driven by the way that the business of cable and satellite television works. These carriers long attracted customers by touting subscription packages featuring hundreds of channels, many of which go broadly unwatched. (Have you watched So Yummy TV lately? How about World Harvest Television?) These tiny networks are sustained, by and large, by carriage fees: micropayments that are assessed on a per-subscriber basis and paid out by the cable/satellite provider to their constituent networks. The providers generally roll these fees into the subscription prices that they charge their users, which means, basically, that it doesnt cost DirecTV much of anything at all to create a channel slot for, like, The Mistletoe Network or Broom Closet TV.

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If youve ever wondered why cable and satellite packages are so expensive, its because youre paying for the hundreds of stupid little channels that you dont watch in order to access the dozen or so that you do. Cord-cutting and the rise of streaming services have, of late, imperiled this business model, which is one big reason why many major cable and satellite providers are seeking to divest themselves of channels that no longer add value. Back in 2013, though, if you had had sufficient resources, sales acumen, and ambition, you, too, could have launched a bare-bones cable network and realized profit via carriage fees.

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OAN probably would have remained broadly unnoticed on the back end of the channel list, shouting weird theories and paleoconservative dogma to insomniacs and shut-ins and reaping the carriage fee boondoggle. But then came the rise of Donald Trump. OANs moment in the sun began with Trumps election, because Trump effectively was the networks core demographic: an aging, inattentive crank receptive to conspiracies and addled by resentments. While Fox News eventual embrace of the Trump candidacy seemed perhaps a bit opportunistic, OAN and Trump were in each others wheelhouse right from the start. Its a great network, Trump said of OAN in August 2017, after taking a press conference question from the networks 23-year-old White House correspondent. The network was still obscure and unpopular, but now it had a well-placed champion.

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OANs moment arguably peaked in November and December 2020, as right-wing viewers seeking validation of their objectively incorrect belief that Donald Trump actually won that years presidential election fled Fox News for OAN and Newsmax, another right-wing news channel. Those two networks were willing to entertain the premise that the election had been stolen (it had not been stolen), and as a result they saw a short-term bump in their ratings numbers and their public profiles. Then, on Jan. 6, 2021, thousands of loons agitated by these stolen-election lies marched on and over-ran the U.S. Capitol, in an effort to interrupt the certification of the presidential election, to take a bunch of selfies in the Rotunda and in various Congressional offices, and, if they could find him, to possibly hang Vice President Mike Pence.

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This violent incursion marked the beginning of the end of OANs moment. Right-wing cable audiences moved back to Fox News after that network purged itself of many of its remaining reasonable voices while promoting Greg Gutfeld and Jesse Watters. OAN was named in several expensive lawsuits filed by individuals and entities which it had insinuated were complicit in the theft of the 2020 presidential election. The cable and satellite providers which had sustained OAN via their carriage fees, meanwhile, were bleeding subscribers to streaming services and had a renewed incentive to cut the fat. (It probably didnt help the networks case that, long past Jan. 6, some on the network continued to yell about all these people who are responsible for overthrowing the election while noting that in the past, America had a very good solution for dealing with traitors: Execution.)

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Its true that, in the wake of the Jan. 6 insurrection, liberal groups such as Media Matters had publicly called upon OANs providers to drop the network. Make no mistake, though: Its likely that the demise of OAN is driven less by public pressure campaigns or those providers distaste for fascist rhetoric than by simple economics. (After all, DirecTV and Verizon also faced pressure campaigns from OAN fans urging them to keep the network.) If the cable and satellite business model still worked as well as it did a decade ago, OAN would likely still be on the air. Likewise, if the network was actually pulling high enough ratings, it wouldnt matter what its anchors were saying or whom they wanted to execute: OAN would still have a place in Verizon and DirecTVs channel lineups. Americas cable and satellite providers are more than willing to platform even the most toxic loons as long as those loons make them money.
The overturn of Roe v. Wade is detrimental to reproductive health. But, as an OB/GYN and a complex contraception specialist, what worries me just as much is the attack on access to contraception.

There is an eagerness in some legislators to restrict certain methods. In 2021, the Missouri State senate tried to prevent Medicaid holders from accessing IUDs and Plan B, with Republican senator Denny Hoskins noting to a local news outlet that he doesnt believe in the morning after pill and things that come after conception. In Idaho, representative Brent Cane said that he would consider hearings to ban emergency contraception. The Louisiana House of Representatives is considering legislation to not only define the start of life as a fertilized egg prior to implantation, but also consider abortion a homicide, which some experts say could impact access to IUDs as well.

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This is all extremely worrisome. IUDs and Plan B are some of the best tools that we have to help patients manage their health and their futures, especially with abortion access now greatly restricted. Whats all the more frustrating is that at the heart of some of the comments, I see a fundamental misunderstanding about how long term and emergency contraception works in the first placethey do not cause abortions, or operate as abortifacients. And only in certain cases will an IUD stop an egg that has become fertilized from implanting (theres no evidence that Plan B and Ella ever do this). Let me explain how these methods of birth control actually work.

All IUDs create whats known as a spermicidal environment, or one that is toxic to sperm. Copper IUDs release copper ions into the uterus, increasing the spermicidal effect. Multiple studies have found that few, if any, sperm reach the egg in the fallopian tube with a copper IUD in place. In fact, multiple studies using sensitive blood and urine pregnancy tests in copper IUD users did not find any evidence that the devices allow fertilization when implanted prior to the user having sex.

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Hormonal IUDs do their job by thickening mucus in the cervix, which acts as a barrier to sperm. To a lesser degree, hormonal IUDs can inhibit ovulation, sperm or egg transport, or fertilization, but these are minor in comparison to its mechanism on cervical mucus. There is no evidence that the hormonal IUD prevents a fertilized egg from implanting.

One thing IUDscopper or hormonalwill never do is removed an already-implanted pregnancy. That doesnt mean pregnancy is impossible with an IUD in placeits rare, but it can happen.

In addition to long-term use, copper IUDs can also be used as emergency contraception, in which case they are inserted after sex and function by making the implantation of a fertilized egg less likely. The hormonal IUD is emerging as a promising emergency contraceptive method as well.

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Emergency contraceptive pills like Plan B and Ella work differently, by affecting when the ovary will next release an egg. Ella, or ulipristal acetate, works by delaying ovulation after unprotected sex, while Plan B, or levonorgestrel, prevents or decreases the hormonal surge that causes ovulation. To drive home the point, two studies using animal models found that high doses of levonorgestrel had no impact after fertilization. Neither pill prevents implantation of a fertilized egg.

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Scientifically, its just not accurate to call emergency contraceptive pills or IUDs abortifacients. So how could legislation deeming a fertilized egg a person end up impacting the availability of these tools?

When politicians define the start of life at fertilization, then they may restrict IUDs. To be clear, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecology defines the start of pregnancy at implantation. From this scientific perspective, an emergency copper IUD works to prevent pregnancy by preventing implantation. And again, IUDs used as long-term contraception do not interrupt a fertilized egg from implanting. But defining personhood at fertilization could permit restrictions on IUD use that may end up preventing their access more broadly.

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In the case of Plan B, the FDA label does note that it can prevent implantation. This is outdated information; at the time it was written, it was thought that this dose of levonorgestrel could prevent implantation. In the years since, scientists have gathered evidence that this is not the case. Still, its possible that politicians may be able to restrict their use by 1) choosing an arbitrary point very early in the reproductive process as the start of life, and then 2) going off of the outdated information.

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I realize there may be people for whom religion plays a big role when considering the start of life, and I respect that. I have seen patients for whom life begins at birth and other patients for whom life begins with fertilization. And I realize that some of my patients might not care what the current science says about various methods of contraception. I support their choices, because the decision about if and when to become pregnant is extremely personal. I want my contraceptive care to be as patient-centered as possible, and I will happily discuss the evidence behind all contraceptive methods to help someone decide on a method that makes them the most comfortable. If you still believe that an IUD would be an abortion-causing device, I would help you choose a different contraceptive method. I want you to have a method that aligns with your beliefs.

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But restricting or outlawing contraception altogether because of one politicians or one religious groups belief about when life begins, or how contraception works, is wrong. Right now, there are leaders interested in pushing their own religious beliefs on all people in the state, and its potential impact on patients is huge.

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Both types of IUDs are more than 99 percent effective at preventing pregnancy, and complications are uncommon. Emergency contraceptive pills are also effective at preventing pregnancy after unprotected sex, and there are no medical conditions for which for which the risks of emergency contraceptive pills outweigh the benefits. This is not true for all contraceptive methods, some of which are less effective and less safe for certain conditions. For example, most birth control pills are unsafe in people with high blood pressure because they increase the risk for stroke, heart attack, and other cardiovascular conditions.

Banning IUDs and emergency contraceptive pills would decrease the birth control options available to patients, many of whom are managing their own difficult medical conditions. I cannot imagine practicing medicine in a state where I am prevented from giving my patients the full range of contraceptive choices. As doctors, we cannot allow politicians with no expertise in our field to make these decisions.
There are also caves, abysses and other formations on the plain.

The Serenyi's cistern, a technical monument in the Plesivecka plateau. (Source: TASR)

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The flat lands are usually, unfairly, left behind in the shadow of hills and mountains. But, more and more people are discovering the beauty of a wide space with everything that a plateau has to offer.

Such is the case of the Plesivecka plateau. Although not visited by many tourists, those who come will see a Slovak rarity similar to Table Mountain in South Africa.

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Located in the historical region of Gemer, situated between the city of Roznava, and villages of Stitnik and Plesivec, the most important plateau of the Slovak Karst National Park covers an area of approximately 50 square kilometres.

A unique limestone plateau without any settlement, it is "cut off" from the rest of the Slovak Karst by the Slana river in the east and the Stitnik stream in the west.

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Related article Travel to the Middle Ages in central Slovakia Read more

Various karst formations

As if out of nowhere, the plateau rises almost 400 meters from the valley, surpassing the surrounding terrain.
Stefan Kuffa and his two sons allegedly threatened a farmer.

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Lawmakers Stefan Kuffa and his son, Filip Kuffa, have expanded the list of MPs facing criminal charges.

The duo from the Zivot (Life) political party, who made it to parliament on the slate of the far-right party Peoples Party Our Slovakia (LSNS) in 2020, are alleged to have been involved in a clash with a farmer from Kezmarok, eastern Slovakia.

Several other MPs, including former prime minister Robert Fico (Smer), Martin Borgula (Sme Rodina) and Miroslav Suja (Republika) also face criminal charges in different cases. Suja is charged with violating obligations in the management of foreign property. Unlike them, LSNS chair Marian Kotleba has already lost his parliamentary seat. In April 2022, he was found guilty of expressing sympathies for a movement suppressing basic rights and freedoms.
Bourbon County NFTs flamed out.

Good thing theres still the beer.

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Two months after a tepid consumer response to pricey digital versions of Goose Islands renowned boozy beers aged in whiskey barrels, Chicagos oldest brewery has announced the good old-fashioned liquid versions of this years Bourbon County brews, which includes the return of two old favorites and beers meant to emulate Fig Newtons and biscotti.

As always, the beers  six stouts and one barleywine  will be available the day after Thanksgiving. The flagship, Bourbon County Stout, is widely considered the first modern beer aged in bourbon barrels, a practice that has become an industry hallmark. Expanded into an entire family of beers, the lineup has been hit-and-miss in recent years, with some towering achievements (looking at you, Birthday Bourbon County Stout) and a few head scratchers (what were you exactly, Bourbon County Reserve 150 Stout?).

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A rendering shows the Goose Island lineup of 2022 Bourbon County beers. (Goose Island Beer Co.)

One disclaimer: As youll see below, Goose Island is celebrating what it calls the 30th anniversary of Bourbon County Stout; the brewery says that beer was introduced in 1992. But as I wrote in 2016, while reporting for my book about Goose Island and its sale to Anheuser-Busch, this is likely incorrect.

In my reporting, I concluded it was most likely released in 1995. Coincidentally, esteemed beer writer Jeff Alworth wrote a similar story about the same time and suspects it was probably released in 1994. He also reported former Goose Island brew master Greg Hall acknowledging that 1992 was always a guesstimate because the original brewing log has been lost.

All that said, Goose Island clings to the 1992 mythology. So be it.

As for those NFTs, well, it was an audacious idea when announced in May: 2,022 Bourbon County NFTs, or Non-Fungible Tokens, available for $499 each, offering digital Bourbon County images along with real world value that included access to Bourbon County events and beer. Though the price was dropped to $399 amid a crashing cryptocurrency market, Goose Island sold just 305 of the NFTs before ending the sale after two weeks.

Some things are just better in the glass than on your phone.

And as for this years Bourbon County lineup, here it is, broken into three categories:

Old school

As always, the anchor of the lineup will be Bourbon County Stout (14.4% alcohol), an approximation of the original created in 1992  or perhaps 1994, or maybe 1995. Theres a cruel irony about this beer: Its released every year, and in ample amounts, but hardened beer fans tend to overlook it even or ignore it completely. In a world where novelty is prized, theres not much new about Bourbon County Stout. But heres the thing: Its still an outstanding beer!

It was, in fact, my preference among last years lineup, which I tasted several times to be sure I wasnt being needlessly counterintuitive by championing it over rarer and more expensive Bourbon County beers. But, sure enough: It was my favorite of the eight beers. It proved the most balanced, with the most interesting depth of flavor. No reason to expect it wont be more of the same this fall with the usual notes of vanilla, chocolate (which can veer milky, fudgy or dark, depending on the year), dried fruit, oak and hints of coffee. This beer is blended from barrels from the Heaven Hill, Four Roses, Wild Turkey and Buffalo Trace distilleries.

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There will likely be considerable more interest in another classic, Bourbon County Coffee Stout (alcohol content unavailable), a longtime fan favorite that will be released for the first time since 2017. This version is made with Intelligentsia Coffees Turihamwe blend from the African country of Burundi, which Goose Island says produces notes of rich chocolate, coffee and caramel flavors. Its hard to beat a well-made barrel-aged coffee stout and for several years, Bourbon County Coffee was among the finest. Well see if Goose Island can recapture the magic.

Fancy stuff

A rendering shows the Goose Island lineup of 2022 Bourbon County beers. (Goose Island Beer Co.)

These two beers will likely be the big-ticket items, both in terms of price (which will be announced closer to the release) and the amount of curiosity among Bourbon County fans.

Bourbon County Two-Year Barleywine Reserve (17%) is blended from barrels of three different ages  14, 16 and 17 years old  from the Old Fitzgerald Bottled-In-Bond decanter series. If that sounds ambitious, well, its supposed to.

This is Goose Islands first Bourbon County barleywine since 2018. The earliest Bourbon County barleywines, in 2013 and 2014, were beautifully constructed. The years after were a bit uneven. Heres hoping for a return to the old days, and a blend from barrels of such pedigree is cause for optimism. Goose Island says to look for notes of toffee, cherry, vanilla, fig and almond.

To celebrate the 30th  or maybe 27th, but whos counting?  anniversary of Bourbon County, Goose Island is releasing Bourbon County 30th Anniversary Reserve Stout (14.4%), aged from a blend of Jim Beam barrels from that distillerys Small Batch Bourbon Collection, which includes Bakers, Basil Hayden, Knob Creek and Bookers. Its a nod to the very first Bourbon County Stout, which was aged in Jim Beam barrels.

If nothing else, it will be interesting to chart how this beer compares with the regular version of Bourbon County Stout. The base beer is the same, but the different barrels should lead to a marked difference in flavor and aroma.

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Sweet tooth

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Barrel-aged stouts have taken on an inordinate number of flavors in recent years, often echoing an array of sweet treats. Goose Island has remained committed to the motif, and with mixed results. They seem to be the beers least popular in the Bourbon County series, and the ones inevitably marked down to astonishingly low prices months after release  but here we go again anyway.

Inspired by the classic Italian dessert, Bourbon County Biscotti Stout (alcohol content unavailable) is made with cocoa nibs, toasted almonds, anise seed and what the label describes as natural flavors. Look for hints of black licorice, marzipan, cocoa and buttered toffee along with strong notes of nostalgia from your Italian grandmas kitchen, the brewery says. Thats a lot of flavor in a beer, and if its balanced enough to be worth drinking 8 ounces, itll be a win.

The words Fig Newton appear nowhere here, but Bourbon County Sir Isaacs Stout (alcohol content unavailable) is clearly nodding in that direction, named for the legendary English scientist and touting 10,000 pounds of Black Mission figs, graham crackers and still more natural flavor. The result, the brewery says, is a beer with notes of dried fruit, honey, molasses and citrus, all reminiscent of the classic fig cookie sold on shelves today.

Goose Island says its brewers have spent years trying to find ways to incorporate figs in Bourbon County Stout but faced a daunting task due to their subtle flavor. Im skeptical of the graham cracker addition, but figs could mingle nicely with the beer to come to an interesting result.

Lastly is the annual Bourbon County Proprietors Stout (alcohol content unavailable), sold only in the Chicago area. This years version is a take on the fruity, rum-based jungle bird cocktail; the beer is made with banana, coconut, lime and, as a first-ever ingredient in Bourbon County history, pineapple.

Ingredients such as coffee and coconut can work splendidly in barrel-aged stout because they echo the deeply roasty character of the beer. Others, such as lime and pineapple, could easily do no such thing and cause more angular conflict than harmony. Im not banking on this beer working. But well find out in November.

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jbnoel@chicagotribune.com
People rushing to buy firewood. A trip to Plesivecka Plateau.

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Good evening. The Monday, August 1 edition of Today in Slovakia is ready with the main news of the day in less than five minutes.

Two more MPs facing charges

Zivot MP Stefan Kuffa. (Source: TASR)

Lawmakers Stefan Kuffa and his son, Filip Kuffa, have been charged with the criminal offence of making dangerous threats to a farmer in eastern Slovakia.

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The conflict between the two parties concerns disputes over the ownership of agricultural land. The alleged incident happened last summer.

The Kuffas are members of the small Zivot (Life) party, which is said to play a role in these post-coalition crisis days. They might support a minority government.

The two men joined the parliament thanks to the far-right LSNS party.

Other currently charged MPs: Smer MP Robert Fico, Sme Rodina MP Martin Borgula, and Republika MP Miroslav Suja.

MPs who lost chairs: far-right politicians Marian Kotleba and Milan Mazurek.

For a deeper insight into current affairs, check out our Last Week in Slovakia piece published earlier today. You can sign up for the newsletter here.

More stories from The Slovak Spectator website:

WINTER: People are buying firewood and there are already shortages.

People are buying firewood and there are already shortages. TREE: Kosice has a new protected tree.

Kosice has a new protected tree. MIDDLE AGES: What would you say to an overnight stay inside a historical tent on the castle grounds?

What would you say to an overnight stay inside a historical tent on the castle grounds? SLOVAK KARST: Plesivecka Plateau is not visited by many tourists. Those who do will see a Slovak rarity similar to Table Mountain in South Africa.

Plesivecka Plateau is not visited by many tourists. Those who do will see a Slovak rarity similar to Table Mountain in South Africa. SLOVAK PARADISE: It is now possible to reach Letanovsky Mlyn or Spisske Tomasovce using the newly-built cycling trail.

It is now possible to reach Letanovsky Mlyn or Spisske Tomasovce using the newly-built cycling trail. OPINION: This is climate change.

FEATURE STORY FOR MONDAY

What is a neutrino and what is it good for?

Fedor Simkovic. (Source: ESET Science Award/Linda Kiskova Bohusova)

The electron neutrino, muon neutrino and tau neutrino are not the names of superheroes.

They are the fundamental particles of which the universe is built. Moreover, many of them are streaming through people's bodies, nuclear physicist Fedor Simkovic explains.

If you like what we are doing and want to support good journalism, buy our online subscription. Thank you.

IN OTHER NEWS:

Prosecutor General Maros Zilinka imposed the obligation to immediately decide on the complaints of the accused in the Sumrak (Twilight) case , which includes former PM and Smer chair Robert Fico and ex-interior minister Robert Kalinak.

, which includes former PM and Smer chair Robert Fico and ex-interior minister Robert Kalinak. The Regional Court in Bratislava fully confirmed that MP Lubos Blaha (Smer) has been unlawfully interfering with the rights of President Zuzana Caputova. He is obliged to refrain from further verbal attacks and spreading false information.

 Even in politics, freedom of expression is not limitless and it is not possible to cover up gross lies and insults.  President Zuzana Caputova in response to the court's decision

Further escalation of the situation between Pristina and Belgrade will not help anybody , Slovak MFA Ivan Korcok (SaS nom.) tweeted. He calls for a constructive dialogue.

, Slovak MFA Ivan Korcok (SaS nom.) tweeted. He calls for a constructive dialogue. More than 320,000 people have so far signed the petition for the referendum on the fall of the government, the Smer party said.

If you have suggestions on how this news overview can be improved, you can reach us at editorial@spectator.sk.
The pulpo, or octopus, jibarito at Jibaritos y Mas in the Logan Square neighborhood on July 26, 2022. (E. Jason Wambsgans / Chicago Tribune)

Jibaritos must be the most unpredictable of our iconic Chicago-style foods.

Sure, there are nuances to the best hot dogs, Italian beefs and caramelized crust pizzas, but you mostly know what youre going to get. With the Puerto Rican-inspired sandwich, theres always that crucial moment you pray the garlic-smeared plantains will crackle and crunch.

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Or at least you should. Some poor souls dont even know the tough cousin to the banana can achieve the shattering texture of chicharron.

At Jibaritos y Mas in Logan Square, they make the best Ive had in the decades since the sandwiches were invented in the Humboldt Park neighborhood next door. The restaurant has built a modest family dynasty with not just the golden plantains, but by pushing the boundaries of what can be sandwiched. The traditional steak, however, remains the fan favorite, with what have become canonical jibarito toppings: mayo, lettuce, tomato and American cheese.

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We start with freshly peeled plantains, said Jesus Arrieta, son of founder Yelitza Rivera. Theyre fried, smashed and fried again.

They slice sirloin steak thin, season the meat (with an in-house adobo mix and a little vinegar), then cook with onions and butter on a flat top griddle, Arrieta said. The top plantain gets a glorious gilding of crushed garlic in oil before they cut the sandwich across in half.

The toasted, nutty plantains tend to slide against the subtly spiced beef, all with notes of cheeseburger from the unlikely cooling toppings. I highly recommend the house hot sauce, a fiery blend inspired by the Puerto Rican chile pepper condiment pique.

Thats our sauce, Arrieta said. We mix it with a bunch of spices, vinegar, oil, salt and garlic, too.

Jesus Arrieta, son of Jibaritos y Mas founder Yelitza Rivera, at the family's Logan Square location on July 26, 2022. (E. Jason Wambsgans / Chicago Tribune)

Its part of the secret sauce behind the trio of family-owned Jibaritos y Mas restaurants with a complex origin story  but one thats not nearly as messy as that of the sandwich.

Juan Figueroa has been widely credited with creating the jibarito in 1996 at his restaurant Borinquen in the Humboldt Park neighborhood, now closed.

Each morning I would get in, cook the food and then sit reading the Puerto Rican newspaper El Vocero while I waited for the customers, Figueroa said in a 2003 Tribune story by my Chewing podcast co-host Monica Eng. There was this article one day about the sandwich made with plantains instead of bread. It was called the sandwich de platano. So I thought, I can do that, and I made one for my father.

They christened it the jibaro, a complicated identifier for a rural person on the island, although its diminutive, jibarito, has become the accepted culinary name.

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The same year as that interview, Rivera immigrated to Chicago from Maracaibo, the second-biggest city in Venezuela.

Since the moment she got here, all she did was work in Puerto Rican restaurants, her son said. She first learned how to make jibaritos at a food stall at the old Discount Mega Mall, then worked at the venerable family-owned Ponce restaurant and was married to a Puerto Rican man for several years, Arrieta added.

Employees at Jibaritos y Mas, which serves Puerto Rican cuisine in the Logan Square neigbourhood, stand ready to take orders on July 26, 2022. (E. Jason Wambsgans / Chicago Tribune)

In 2016, Rivera opened Jibaritos y Mas on the corner of Fullerton and Kimball avenues. It was total chaos in those early days, with a takeout counter in front and just a few tables, but they cranked out their signature crackling-crusted sandwiches relentlessly.

In October 2018, Arrieta and his wife, Tatianny Urdaneta, opened a location the couple owns on Harlem Avenue in Dunning. In January 2020, his mother and her best friend, Betsy Gonzalez, opened a dine-in restaurant, around the corner from the original flagship. Even after the pandemic hit, Arrieta and Urdaneta opened yet another location, on Clark Street in Lincoln Park, in June 2020.

We all share the same recipes to keep the original flavor, Arrieta said. The restaurants are 100% Puerto Rican, he added. But Venezuelans have something very similar to jibaritos called patacones. I think we enhanced the jibarito, and made it better than it already was, by adding a lot more choices.

And choices they have, with 11 jibaritos and much more at the original Fullerton Avenue corner store alone, now converted to a pandemic-era takeout-only shop. It is one of the smoothest operations around town, especially shocking in contrast to its early chaos. I think its still the best of all the locations, as I discovered on recent visits  so much so that its become part of my regular family dinner rotation.

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The impeccable bistec jibarito may be traditional, but Im hard-pressed to choose between the fatty lechon, tender pulpo and snappy morcilla, too. The mountainous octopus salad and blood sausage defy sandwich physics, but sides of aromatic arroz con gandules catch every coveted crumb in a soft rice bed.

Bistec jibarito at Jibaritos y Mas. (E. Jason Wambsgans / Chicago Tribune)

You can probably skip the desserts, understandably outsourced. Try the passion fruit juice or Puerto Rican soda pops instead, perhaps with maduros, delicately sweet and soft fried plantain bites.

If youre tempted to visit the centrally located Lincoln Park outpost, do note they cater to different diners from those on the Northwest Side, which means you should expect to ask for more of the defining garlic. At the table next to me on Clark Street, some young friends had to explain to one of their own that they were in fact not ordering burritos, but jibaritos, and what they were.

Had they seemed inclined, I would have also recommended the tour de Puerto Rico platter.

Theres some of the most traditional things you will find on the island, Arrieta said of the dish. Like if you go to Luquillo Beach. Thats what they sell, all fried stuff. Youll find fried pork, bacalaitos (cod fritters), sorullos (cornmeal cheesesticks), empanadas and potato balls.

Its a great sample that captures the original corner store vibe, too, with Puerto Rican beach food thats not quite ceviche or ice cream, but fried snacks, plus morcilla.

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And summer is the best season for plantains, Arrieta said.

Theyre seasonal and not quite like bananas.

They can be so hard to peel, he said. And sometimes no matter how much you cook them, they wont get crunchy. Theyre stubborn to work with.

But when youre making the best jibaritos in Chicago, you have to be more stubborn than a bunch of plantains, and squash them into delicious submission.

Jibaritos y Mas

3400 W. Fullerton Ave.

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Eat. Watch. Do. Weekly What to eat. What to watch. What you need to live your best life ... now. >

773-799-8601

jibaritoschicago.com

Open: Daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Prices: $3.75 (jugo de parcha, or passion fruit juice), $5.50 (arroz con gandules), $8.45 (bistec jibarito), $8.45 (lechon jibarito), $11.45 (pulpo jibarito)

Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible with restroom on single level

Tribune rating: 3 stars, excellent (Logan Square)

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Ratings key: Four stars, outstanding; three stars, excellent; two stars, very good; one star, good; no stars, unsatisfactory. Meals are paid for by the Tribune.
A wildfire south of Gering is reportedly 30% contained and has burned about 13,051 acres.

Three residences are reported to have been destroyed and seven sustained significant damages, Region 22 Emergency Management Director Tim Newman said in a press release. He said law enforcement and fire managers are conducting assessments. Some residents of the area contacted by the Star-Herald have reported homes damages, barns and other outbuildings.

Newman said, "The fire made a significant run through the Carter Canyon estates and impacted several homes. Firefighters were able to provide structure protection and limit the impact."

The fire started at about 6:30 p.m, with firefighters on scene reporting at least two separate fires. Heavy timber, rough terrain and wind driven fire runs hampered efforts. Within three hours both fires substantially increased in acreage.

Aerial assets have also been utilized in the fire. Newman reported Saturday that at least three drops by planes and been made. On Sunday afternoon, he said, a multi-mission aircraft (MMA) flight was ordered and flown over the fire at about 1 p.m.

"Firefighters are working in heavy timber and rough terrain establishing control lines where firefighters can be successful," he said.

Over 35 fire local volunteer fire departments have responded and are assisting with battling this blaze. According to Facebook posts, departments from Wyoming have joined departments from throughout the Panhandle. Newman said county, state and federal resources have also been assisting, including a Type 2 hand crew and heavy air tankers creating fire breaks along the east and south lines Sunday. A State Type 3 Incident Management Assistance Team is en route to assist.

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission closed several areas in the Panhandle southwest of Gering to help firefighters battling wildfires, according to information sent Sunday morning.

"It is truly unfortunate to see destructive damage and residents being heavily affected. We are praying for our affected citizens..."

Residents needing assistance are being encouraged to contact Firefighter Ministry or the American Red Cross. Donations of water and other supplies have bee taken for firefighters, however, Newman advised that donations are no longer needed.

The public is encouraged to avoid the areas and some of those areas have been closed, with only residents allowed.

The Nebraska Game and Parks advised Sunday morning that Cedar Canyon Wildlife Management Area, Montz Point WMA, and Carter Canyon and Montz Point, both part of Platte River Basin Environments, are closed so firefighters are not hindered by vehicle traffic.

These areas are closed to all public access. The public is asked to stay away as area residents may be using the roads to evacuate personal belongings or move livestock to safety.
With funding of $6.5 million, Chicagos 2022 CityArts Program has awarded 280 financial grants to Chicago nonprofit arts organizations, according to an announcement Monday from Mayor Lori Lightfoot and the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE).

The CityArts dollar amount has increased from $1.7 million in 2021, according the statement, owing to the citys significant new investments in arts and culture. The grants included more than a dozen project grants aligned with 2022s Year of Chicago Dance and also increase in size for 2022, from one-time grants topping out at $25,000 in 2021 to $10,000 to $50,000 grants renewable for one year. The CityArts grants went to local arts organizations of all sizes and across all artistic disciplines. Those awarded to organizations on the South and West Sides increased to 45% from 35% in 2021.

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Awardees include:

Teatro Tariakuri, a theater and cultural center on the Southwest Side.

South Shore Drill Team, the organization for urban youth founded in 1980.

Ballet Folklorico de Chicago, for a project to model an event in the annual Arts in the Dark Parade in October after a Day of the Dead tradition in Mexico; also a grant to LUMA8 for the parade.

The Hyde Park Jazz Festival, this year slated for Sept. 24-25.

A range of Chicago theaters including Porchlight, Pride Films and Plays, Free Street, Teatro Vista, Steep, TimeLine, Theatre Y and UrbanTheater Company.

Dance companies including Ensemble Espanol, Mandala South Asian Performing Arts, DanceWorks Chicago, Hubbard Street, Lucky Plush and Chicago Tap Theatre.

A full list of grantees is available at ChicagoCulturalGrants.org.

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Jalen Wilson, 12, of the South Shore Drill Team performs at the 92nd annual Bud Billiken Parade in Chicago's Bronzeville neighborhood on Aug. 14, 2021. (Vashon Jordan Jr. / Chicago Tribune)

Big screen or home stream, takeout or dine-in, Tribune writers are here to steer you toward your next great experience. Sign up for your free weekly Eat. Watch. Do. newsletter here.
Around 200 firefighters continue to battle a wildfire in the Carter Canyon area that has so far burned an estimated 15,591 acres, or about 25 square miles, in figures released Monday. Officials reported the fire to be an estimated 30% contained, and not spreading significantly, though it is in an area of grassland and large trees.

In addition to the estimated 200 firefighters from 35 departments from three states, two SEAT planes and two helicopters and the Nebraska National Guards UH-60 Blackhawk were being used to drop fire retardant and water in the firefighting effort.

We have a good amount of aerial resources, which is obviously appropriate for the situation. Its pretty rough terrain, Ben Bohall, the public information officer for the Nebraska Forestry Service, told the Star-Herald.

During the Monday morning briefing, Dave Riesen, with Nebraska Emergency Management, said the firefighters made a lot of headway in fighting the blaze.

Those of you that were here yesterday, we did really outstanding work. We got a tremendous amount of control lines put in, he said.

Even with the progress made, he said, there is still more that needs to be done.

Theres still some weak areas that we got to try to strengthen up today. We need to clean up a few pockets in a few spots that were an issue last night, he said. On the northwest corner, we had a couple of issues up there last night  nothing major.

In the southeast area, we had about 100 acres (that burned), probably a little less than that. Nothing real major, but this is an area where weve had some concerns and some issues.

Temperatures were expected to soar into the high 90s Monday, making a tough situation even harder for the firefighters. Alisia LaMay, with NEMA, encouraged the firefighters to take care of themselves in the extreme heat.

We want to make sure that youre getting enough calories and enough water and Gatorade to stay hydrated, she said.

Bohall said the firefighters are broken up into shifts to give them breaks.

There are two or three shifts, he said. Were getting a lot of outside resources, because its been declared an emergency, so thats really helpful. We have crews coming in from Wyoming, South Dakota. There are more people here now than there were last night. Were getting closer to having over 200 firefighters on scene.

The wildfire has destroyed three residences and has caused other severe damage to the Cedar Canyon area, Bohall said.

In addition to the three homes (that were destroyed), there have been seven buildings, like ag buildings, that were damaged, he said. Weve been having some issues with infrastructure. There have been a lot of power lines down and power poles, so there was some concern there. Last night, we were at about 20 residences that were without power.

Power was expected to be restored for those residents early Monday.

Locally, the Firefighter Ministry and 11:13 Ministries have been assisting with providing food for firefighters. Firefighter Ministry has also been assisting local residents with needs. Oregon Trail Community Foundation has set up a link for people to donate directly to Firefighter Ministry online: https://www.aplos.com/aws/give/OTCF/Firefighter-Ministry

Persons needing assistance can also contact Firefighter Ministry at 308-631-9674.

In a press release issued Sunday by Region 23 Emergency Management, the American Red Cross was also cited as a resource for residents affected by the fire. Contact information provided by the American Red Cross is Marion McDermott, 308-258-1536 or by email marion.mcdermott@redcross.org.
A grand jury has reviewed the fatal shooting of a Columbus man by a Nebraska State Patrol trooper in Lincoln and cleared the officer of any wrongdoing.

According to a recently filed transcript of a closed hearing earlier this summer, Deputy Lancaster County Attorney Dan Zieg told jurors the sole question was whether Trooper Adam Strode's decision to use deadly force against German Pedraza was justified under the law.

On Nov. 24, Strode and Lincoln Police Investigator Andrew Barksdale, both members of the Lincoln/Lancaster County Narcotics Task Force, had been driving through the area of South 19th and G streets on the way to check out a Crime Stoppers call.

Nothing came of the Crime Stoppers tip. But on the way to it, Barksdale said he noticed a distinctive car, a white Chrysler 300 with a black driver's side quarter panel and 25-county plates, that they'd recently seen in a hotel parking lot known for drug dealing. He pointed it out to Strode.

While they were leaving the Crime Stoppers tip, they drove back past the apartment complex at 1905 G St.

There's no video of what happened next. Task force investigators don't wear body-cameras.

Barksdale said he saw a man he didn't know, later identified as Pedraza, walk to the Chrysler with a woman and get in. Pedraza made a U-turn and turned into the apartment parking lot without signaling.

So the two officers, in plain clothes and in an unmarked pickup, pulled up behind the car, blocking them in, to talk to them about the traffic violation, Barksdale said.

He said when he and Strode got out with their badges on lanyards around their necks, Pedraza, who was getting out of the car, looked right at them.

"And he had like a very wide-eyed, shocked look to see that we were there," the LPD officer said.

He thought he was going to take off running, but Pedraza ended up getting right back in the car.

Barksdale can't remember if he said the word "police" but they were calling out directions and the two inside could see their badges. He said he went to the passenger door and pulled the woman, Cassie Navrkal, out.

But Pedraza stayed put, his left hand on the steering wheel or next to it.

Barksdale thought Pedraza was going to ram their truck to try to get away. Which could be especially dangerous with him and Strode just outside the car's open doors.

So he reached in to the push-button ignition to try to turn off the car.

"Simultaneously, or maybe even as I was going inside the vehicle, I noted Mr. Pedraza was going for his right front pants pocket," the officer told the grand jury.

Barksdale said he saw a baggie that looked like meth fall out of Pedraza's pocket.

He said he struggled with Pedraza, trying to get him out, but Pedraza kept tugging on something. He thought he was going for a weapon, so he started striking him, yelling for him to get out of the car and to Strode that he was going for something in his pocket.

"At some point his hand comes from his front right pants pocket up toward his waist," Barksdale said.

Pedraza hunched over the steering wheel and started turning toward the driver's door.

Barksdale went to get out of the passenger side. That's when he heard Strode yell "Gun."

"And then I heard a single gunshot," he said.

Barksdale didn't know right away who fired. When he came around the car, Pedraza was lying on the ground, with a single gunshot wound to his neck, a silver pistol on the ground next to him.

He wasn't moving. Navrkal was screaming.

Barksdale cuffed her and called dispatch for an ambulance, running to the front to see the address.

Strode, who had been on the driver's side, told the jurors he had opened the driver's door with the intent of removing Pedraza from the car and detaining him.

First, he had tried to break his grasp from the steering wheel. That's when he started digging in his pocket.

It turned into a struggle between Pedraza and the two officers that Strode said felt like quite some time but in reality lasted just seconds.

Their strikes weren't working, he said. So he tried to pull him out by his left arm.

When Pedraza brought his arm forward and leaned down, "It was at that moment ... I saw him with the gun in his hand," Strode said.

"I honestly thought I was going to be shot," the trooper said.

Strode yelled "Gun" and drew his handgun, placed the muzzle into Pedraza's back or upper neck area and kept yelling for him to stop and show him his hands.

"And did he ever stop or show you his hands?" Lancaster County Attorney Pat Condon asked him.

"No," Strode said.

It was too close quarters to use a taser or pepper spray, even if they had them, both officers said.

When Pedraza planted his left foot out of the car, Strode said he got a clear view of the serrations of the side of the gun's slide and the black grip above his thumb.

He said his mind raced: What if it's a fake; what if it's unloaded.

"He was beginning to stand up and lean out of the vehicle. At that time, I decided to fire a round. And I squeezed the trigger and fired one round," Strode said. "He immediately dropped to the ground."

He said Pedraza still was grasping the gun in his right hand, so he leaned down and used two fingers to take it out of his hand.

It was loaded with two hollow-point bullets.

Pedraza died in the hospital four days later.

Condon asked Strode if there was a reason he didn't try to fire one in his leg or his arm to disable him.

"Yes, because we're trained to shoot center mass into vital organs to neutralize the threat," he said.

Plus, he said, he had to worry about the possibility of crossfire hitting Barksdale.

In the investigation that followed, Lancaster County Sheriff's investigators learned there was a warrant out for Pedraza's arrest for missing court for a high-speed chase Oct. 17 in Butler County that turned up more than a half pound of methamphetamine and two stolen guns.

He was facing seven felony drug and gun charges for it that would surely send him to prison if he ended up convicted.

Pedraza had just gotten out of prison in June 2020, after serving a 10- to 14-year sentence on burglary, theft and gun charges. And Navrkal said he'd told her he wasn't going back.

She wasn't called to testify before the grand jury, but told an investigator she thought he was going for his gun when he reached in his pocket.

In separate reviews, the Lancaster County Sheriff's Office, Lincoln Police Department and Nebraska State Patrol all concluded the officers' actions and the use of deadly force that day were justified.

In the end, so, too, did the grand jury.
If youve been to the Outer Banks beaches to cool off recently, the ocean water may have been colder than expected.

Ocean temperatures at the beaches of Virginia and the Carolinas generally make for pleasant swimming and wading by the end of July. But there is a thorny exception along the northern Outer Banks.

South of Cape Hatteras, the Gulf Stream ocean current keeps the water relatively warm, with a regular supply of tropical water moving in from the southwest.

That current continues to travel northeastward into the Atlantic, even though the North Carolina coastline begins to turn slightly west when traveling north of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. The result is relatively cooler water at the beaches north of Nags Head.

The last couple of mornings, the water temperature at the Duck pier has been in the lower 60s. At the same time, Nags Head ocean temperatures were in the 70s, and Oregon Inlet ocean temperatures were in the 80s.

Wind direction also plays a big role in water temperatures this time of year north of Nags Head.

During prolonged periods when the wind is from the south and southwest, the near-surface ocean water along the coast is pulled out to sea. But because Earth is curved, the water is not pulled in the same direction as the wind; it is pulled at an angle of about 45 degrees to the right of the wind direction. This water movement with respect to the coastline is known as Ekman transport, named for the Swedish scientist who first described it in 1905.

To compensate for the near-surface water being pushed away from the coast, deeper water moves upward from below. That water is much colder than the surface water, so the water temperature near the coast drops substantially. Lighter winds or slightly onshore winds stop the process and bring the water temperature back up.

So, when making a guess about the water temperature at the northern Outer Banks, pay attention to the winds. You can find real-time information on tides and water temperatures from the NOAA Tides and Currents page.

Rattlesnake stakes claim to stretch of Myrtle Beach, video shows. Social media was horrified. A beachgoer was out for a stroll when she stumbled upon a slithering surprise on the South Carolina coast, video shows. It turns out, a venomous snake had staked claim in the sand at the popular Myrtle Beach State Park, according to footage from Facebook user Michelle L Robert. Just thought I would take a nice walk on the beach, she wrote on Tuesday, July 26. Was looking for sea glass when ...

Virginia's critical wetlands are marching inland As sea level rises, some of Virginia's most valuable coastal wetlands, from the Chesapeake Bay marshes to the Great Dismal Swamp, are at risk of either being lost or migrating father inland.
A Floyd man and convicted felon who broke into a county gun store to steal multiple guns was sent to prison for five years in Floyd County Circuit Court Tuesday.

Michael Allen Adkins, 55, said to Judge Mike Fleenor on July 26 that he could not recognize what I have done in breaking and entering the shop and taking 13 expensive weapons worth thousands of dollars.

Adkins said extenuating circumstances led to the earlier felony that cost him the right to own firearms. He also asked the judge for leniency because he pleaded guilty to the crimes.

Fleenor sentenced Adkins to prison for three years for felony firearms larceny and another two years for on obtaining a gun as a felon.

As a 55-year-old, there should be no excuses, Fleenor said. Entering a guilty plea does not count as an excuse.

Assistant Commonwealths Attorney Ryan Hupp said Adkins actions were a brazen violation of the law that prohibits him from obtaining weapons.

The judge said Adkins will still have 10 years hanging over his head when he gets out of prison.

In another hearing on July 26, a 66-year-old man from Copper Hill, indicted earlier this month on a charge of object sexual penetration of a girl under the age of 13 in 2019, sought bail.

James Terry Moran Jr., through his attorney David Rhodes of Christiansburg, said he would live with his mother to await a hearing in September to set a date for a jury trial.

The Commonwealths Attorney Eric Branscom argued granting the release would be a threat to the girl and her family. He said Moran inappropriately touched the child in May of 2019 and should remain in jail until his trial.

Fleenor questioned Morans mother, who testified that she would be responsible for him and said he would follow curfews and other restrictions, including no contact with children.

Judge Fleenor agreed to a secured bond, set limitations and ordered Moran to return to court on Sept. 6 to set the trial date.

In a long day of hearings, pleas, sentencing and other items after the closed-door Drug Court earlier in the day, other actions included:

Zachery Lee Bolton of Ferrum was found guilty of violating his probation on a drug possession conviction and Judge Fleenor sent him to prison for a year with another year remaining on probation after he get out. He also remains on 17 more years of probation on other drug charges.

Amanda Katherine Davis of Roanoke for convicted for contempt of court for failure to appear after a capias was issued in April and was sentence to 10 days in jail.

Fleenor dismissed all drug possession and gun possession charges against Deshawn Kiree Tucker of Pulaski after the Commonwealths Attorneys office recommended they be dropped because of a lack of evidence.

The judge gave Clarence Dale Hall of Floyd a two-year suspended sentence after he pleaded guilty to possessing ammunition as a convicted felon.

TC Allen Beckner of Bent Mountain, indicted earlier this month on charges of possession of schedule II drugs and possession of a gun with the drugs, sought release on bail while he awaits trial on Sept. 6. It was granted.
In an effort to promote police and community partnerships, law enforcement and first responders will have their programs and vehicles on display next month for the annual National Night Out events.

Activities will be held on Tuesday, Aug. 2, at the Chilhowie Town Park from 6-9 p.m. and the Marion waterpark from 6-8 p.m.

The Chilhowie occasion is being held in conjunction with the Chilhowie Police Department, Smyth County Sheriffs Office, Virginia State Police, and the Saltville Police Department. The Marion Police Department will host A Night to Unite.

During the events, citizens are encouraged to come out and meet officers, learn about the profession, and take part in free food, beverages and recreational activities.

Chilhowies event will feature a water slide where kids can cool off and inflatables to bounce around on. There will be bicycle giveaways, door prizes, free school supplies and community resource groups. Demonstrations by K9 units are anticipated along with live music from WyldeHeart.

In Marion, kids will get free admission to cool down in the town waterpark. There will be free food for everyone, child safety education information, community resources, music, goodie bags, school supplies, raffle prizes and a bike rodeo. Four bicycles will be raffled.

We are hosting our third annual National Night Out event at the Marion Town Pool, said Lt. Rusty Hamm. National Night Out (now in its 39th year) enhances the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement while bringing back a true sense of community. Furthermore, it provides a great opportunity to bring police and neighbors together under positive circumstances. This is something the Marion Police Department strives to achieve each and every day.

To help assist students in the community, the MPD sponsored a school supply drive by accepting school supplies in its lobby and during Fill the Cruiser at Walmart on July 30.

With National Night Out, the community allows us to be ambassadors for our students by facilitating the distribution of donated supplies, Hamm said.

The Smyth County Sheriffs Office is also sponsoring a Backpacks & School Supplies Drive now through Aug. 1. Donations can be dropped off at the sheriffs office at 819 Matson Drive in Marion.

Other first responders with Smyth County fire and emergency services may also be in attendance at the National Night Out events as well as members of other community agencies. And, weather permitting, kids may get a chance to watch helicopter landings and see inside the copter.
In Missouri, scandal-ridden former Gov. Eric Greitens is attempting a political comeback. In Michigan, a crowded field of Republican gubernatorial candidates includes a man charged in the Jan. 6 U.S. Capitol attack. In Arizona, a prominent figure in the QAnon conspiracy movement is running for the U.S. House.

Those are among some of the most notable contests in Tuesdays primary elections being held in six states.

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Arizona, which Democrat Joe Biden narrowly won in 2020, is a top target for former President Donald Trump, who tried in vain to get his defeat overturned. He has endorsed a slate of candidates up and down the ballot who have promoted his false claims of a stolen election.

Trump has also been zeroed in on the 10 House Republicans who voted to impeach him over the Jan. 6 insurrection. Three of them are on the ballot Tuesday in Washington state and Michigan, as are two members of the Squad, Democratic Reps. Cori Bush of Missouri and Rashida Tlaib of Michigan.

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Meanwhile, Kansas voters could clear the way for the Republican-controlled Legislature to further restrict or ban abortion if they approve a proposed state constitutional change. Its the first referendum vote on abortion policy by a state since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in June.

Ohio is also holding a primary for state legislative races on Tuesday, three months after its statewide and congressional contests  a split system that resulted from legal wrangling over redistricting.

What to watch:

ARIZONA

Trumps endorsed candidates in Arizona all have one thing in common: They have loudly disseminated misinformation about the legitimacy of the 2020 election, despite election officials and Trumps own attorney general saying there is no credible evidence the race was tainted.

In the governors race, Trump has backed former television news anchor Kari Lake, who has said that she would not have certified Arizonas election results in 2020. Lake faces businesswoman Karrin Taylor Robson, who is endorsed by former Vice President Mike Pence and outgoing Gov. Doug Ducey.

Secretary of State Katie Hobbs, a staunch defender of the 2020 election, is strongly favored to win the Democratic nomination for governor.

In the Republican primary for U.S. Senate, Trump has backed tech investor Blake Masters as the candidate to go up against Democratic incumbent Mark Kelly in the fall. Masters, whose campaign has been bankrolled by billionaire Peter Thiel, has called for reducing legal immigration and espoused the baseless great replacement conspiracy theory, claiming Democrats are trying to replace Americans who were born here.

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Attorney General Mark Brnovich, another Senate candidate, has been weighed down by lackluster fundraising and fierce criticism from Trump, who says Brnovich did little to advance his election fraud claims. Another top candidate, Jim Lamon, the founder of a solar energy firm, has touted his experience as a military veteran and entrepreneur.

The Republican primary for secretary of state includes Trump-backed legislator Mark Finchem, a state representative who worked to overturn Trumps 2020 loss; state Rep. Shawnna Bolick, who introduced a bill to let legislators ignore election results and choose their own presidential electors; and state Sen. Michelle Ugenti-Rita, who has long pushed to overhaul election laws. The GOP establishment has rallied around advertising executive Beau Lane in the race.

Ron Watkins, who has ties to the QAnon conspiracy theory, is considered a long shot in his House run. Watkins, a Republican, served as the longtime administrator of the online message boards that became the home of the anonymous Q. The conspiracy theory is centered around the baseless belief that Trump waged a secret campaign against enemies in the deep state and that a group of satanic, cannibalistic child molesters secretly runs the globe.

In the state Legislature, Arizona House Speaker Rusty Bowers, who testified at a Jan. 6 hearing about Trumps pressure to overturn the 2020 election, faces a Trump-backed candidate in his bid to run for the state Senate.

MICHIGAN

The Republican primary for governor was wild from the start, with five candidates getting kicked off the ballot for failing to file enough valid nominating signatures.

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Several of the remaining candidates have baggage that could hurt in a general election against Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

Real estate broker Ryan Kelley has pleaded not guilty to misdemeanor charges after authorities said he rallied Trumps supporters to storm the U.S. Capitol. Businessman Kevin Rinke was sued in the 1990s for sex harassment and racial discrimination  allegations he says were lies. Chiropractor Garrett Soldano hawked supplements he falsely claimed treated COVID-19. Businesswoman Tudor Dixon, who has been endorsed by Trump, has previously acted in low-budget horror pictures, one of which included a zombie biting off a mans genitals.

All of the candidates falsely say there was fraud in the 2020 election, with Dixon, Kelley and Soldano saying the election was stolen from Trump.

Republican Rep. Peter Meijer is hoping to hold on to his seat after voting to impeach Trump. The former president has endorsed businessman and missionary John Gibbs, who worked in the Trump administration under Housing Secretary Ben Carson.

MISSOURI

Greitens political career appeared over when he resigned as governor in 2018, following his admission to an extramarital affair and accusations of blackmail and campaign finance violations. On Tuesday, the former Navy SEAL officer has a chance at redemption in his Republican primary for the seat held by retiring GOP U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt.

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Greitens, Attorney General Eric Schmitt and U.S. Rep. Vicky Hartzler are the front-runners in a crowded 21-person GOP field that includes U.S. Rep. Billy Long and Mark McCloskey, the St. Louis lawyer who along with his wife pointed guns at racial injustice protesters who ventured onto their private street.

Trump has not made an endorsement in the race, though hes ruled out Hartzler.

The GOP winner in Missouri, a solidly Republican state, will be favored in November. But Republican leaders have long worried that Greitens  his ex-wife has also accused him of abuse, allegations Greitens has called baseless  could win the primary but lose the general election.

On the Democratic side, the nomination appears to be up for grabs between Lucas Kunce, a Marine veteran and self-proclaimed populist, and Trudy Busch Valentine, an heiress of the Busch beer fortune who has largely self-funded her campaign.

WASHINGTON

Two Republican House members from Washington state who voted to impeach Trump face primary challengers endorsed by him.

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Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler, who has been in Congress since 2011, has said she voted for impeachment because she had an obligation to the Constitution. Trump has endorsed Joe Kent, a former Green Beret and a conservative cable show regular who echoes the former presidents grievances about the 2020 election outcome.

Rep. Dan Newhouse, a congressman since 2015, said he cast the vote to impeach Trump for inciting and refusing to immediately stop the Jan. 6 insurrection. Among his challengers is Loren Culp, a Trump-backed former small-town police chief who refused to concede the 2020 governors race to Democrat Jay Inslee.

In Washington, the top two vote-getters in each race, regardless of party, move forward to November.

KANSAS

Voters will decide whether to approve a change to the state constitution that could allow the Legislature to restrict or ban abortion despite a 2019 state Supreme Court ruling that abortion access is a fundamental right. Its the first referendum on abortion by a state since Roe v. Wades reversal.

In statewide races, Republican Kris Kobach is running for attorney general as he attempts a political comeback following losses in races for governor and U.S. Senate in previous years. Kobach, the states former secretary of state, served as vice chair of a short-lived Trump commission on election fraud after the 2016 election.

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Associated Press writers Jonathan J. Cooper in Phoenix; Sara Burnett in Chicago; Jim Salter in OFallon, Missouri; Chris Grygiel in Seattle; and John Hanna in Topeka, Kansas; contributed to this report.
Editors note: Information is provided by the Cowlitz County Corrections Department and local law enforcement agencies. Each individual named in this report is presumed to be innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Burglary  Cowlitz County sheriffs deputies Thursday arrested Casey Wade Powers, 40, of Longview, on suspicion of residential burglary and felony criminal conspiracy.

Forgery  Kelso police Friday arrested Shilo Elaina Hall, 27, of Longview, on suspicion of forgery.

DUI, assault  Longview police Saturday arrested Ordez Eugene Kompkoff, 28, of Port Angeles, Washington, on suspicion of driving under the influence, first-degree malicious mischief, second-degree assault, hit and run, possession of a stolen vehicle, first-degree assault, obstructing a public servant, carrying a concealed weapon, unlawful possession of a firearm and resisting arrest.

Child rape  Kelso police Friday arrested a 48-year-old Kelso man on suspicion of commercial sex abuse of a minor, possession of depiction of a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct, second-degree child rape, second-degree child molestation and immoral communication with a minor. (Editors note: The Daily News does not name arrestees of sex crimes until suspects are charged to ensure alleged victims arent identified before the suspect has been formally accused of a crime.)

Theft  Longview police Saturday arrested Olivia Flores Purser, 29, of Oakville, Washington, on suspicion of second-degree theft.

Possession of a stolen vehicle  Longview police Saturday arrested Raina Jean LaLonde, 19, of Rochester, Washington, on suspicion of possession of a stolen vehicle.

DUI  Longview police Sunday arrested Anthony Kyle Opolka, 35, of Longview, on suspicion of felony driving under the influence, second-degree driving with a suspended license, violating an ignition interlock drivers license and third-degree assault.

Assault  Longview police Saturday arrested Patrick Paul Curtis Schneller, 54, of Kelso, on suspicion of fourth-degree assault, second-degree malicious mischief and second-degree criminal mistreatment.

DUI  Washington State Patrol troopers Sunday arrested Brandon Allen Falter, 31, of Kelso, on suspicion of felony driving under the influence and second-degree driving with a suspended license.

Assault  Woodland police Sunday arrested Isaac Jarquin Mejia, 38, of Woodland, on suspicion of second-degree assault.

Eluding, DUI  Longview police Monday arrested Jose Eduardo W. Renteria, 29, of Kelso, on suspicion of eluding a police vehicle, driving under the influence, obstructing a public servant and resisting arrest.

Forgery  Cowlitz County sheriffs deputies Sunday arrested Kevin James Reynolds, 41, of Kalama, on suspicion of forgery and second-degree malicious mischief.

Editors note: A software switch at Cowlitz County dispatch has prevented the agency from temporarily supplying 911 call logs and officer notes past June 6. The agency is working to create new reports to supply media outlets.
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NASA is here to alert you about the potential risk of asteroids on Earth. This is how you will know if it will hit the Earth or not.

Asteroids have crashed on Earth many times in the past. They have crashed onto our moon too. However, these asteroid strikes happened long ago when humanity was not ruling the planet. Now, people cover every nook and cranny of the Earth and any asteroid crash risks killing millions of people and devastating large parts of the Earth. Should you be worried about the 'potentially hazardous' asteroid hitting Earth today? If an asteroid does come calling and it is likely to crash against the Earth, will you find out in time? Here is what will actually happen.

Almost every other day, NASA warns about the upcoming asteroids that are about to make their closest approach towards Earth. Lindley Johnson, NASA's Planetary Defense Officer told Mashable some shocking facts about what will happen in case a giant asteroid strike against the Earth is likely to happen. The report says, "If a serious threat to either a region on Earth, a large swathe of Earth, or perhaps the entirety of Earth, is truly on its way  and astronomers know about it  so will you. He explains the process of asteroid warning for the public at large.

NASA's Planetary Defense Coordination Office, which was created in early 2016, aims at providing accurate information on time to the government, the media and the world on all the potentially hazardous objects, including asteroids approaching close to Earth. It also maps the potential impact it may have on Earth. However, Johnson said that "We have never actually issued a warning."

Still, the main role of NASA's planetary defence office is to know the significant impact that an asteroid can have. Besides this, NASA's Center for Near Earth Object Studies looks at asteroids and comets that invade Earth's neighbourhood within 45 million kilometers of Earth's orbit.

There were two infamous hazardous asteroids incidents in the past which left a huge impact on Earth. One was on June 30, 1908, when a 120 feet wide asteroid entered the atmosphere and struck over Siberia. This is known as the "Tunguska Event," which resulted in a shockwave that flattened tens of thousands of trees. In another more devastating event, 66 million years ago, the wreckage caused by the Chicxulub asteroid ended the age of the dinosaurs. NASA keeps an active eye on all such asteroids posing a threat to Earth.

Johnson says that there are mainly two major types of warnings that will let you know about the upcoming asteroid. One is a close encounter warning in which NASA tells everyone that a near-Earth object is coming, but that it isn't going to hit Earth. The second one is a potential impact warning in which NASA says that an asteroid impact is possible.

While NASA and the US government as well as other space agencies across the world would be sending out warnings about this, other scientists would be looking for solutions to either deflect or destroy the asteroid. These are the 2 options that can be used to stop asteroid strikes against Earth.
Federal regulators have signed off on a certification plane towards resuming deliveries of the 787, boosting Boeing shares.

Shares of Boeing jumped early Monday as the aviation giant moved closer to final regulatory approval to resume deliveries of the 787 jet.

The Federal Aviation Administration signed off on Boeing's certification plan for the top-selling widebody plane, a person familiar with the situation told AFP.

"Deliveries aren't imminent and there are additional steps in the process that we will follow," this person said.

Shares surged 5.8 percent to $168.60 early Monday, reflecting enthusiasm at the restoration of revenues from a cash cow plane whose struggles have crimped company finances for more than a year.

Deliveries have been halted since spring 2021 while officials from the company and FAA have worked to hash out an inspection and repair system following manufacturing defects uncovered on the plane.

The FAA referred questions to Boeing, saying "we don't comment on ongoing certifications."

A Boeing spokesman said, "we will continue to work transparently with the FAA and our customers towards resuming 787 deliveries."

The 787's travails date to late summer 2020, when the company uncovered manufacturing flaws with some jets. Boeing subsequently identified additional issues, including with the horizontal stabilizer.

The difficulties curtailed deliveries between November 2020 and March 2021. Boeing suspended deliveries later in spring 2021 after more problems surfaced.

On a July 27 earnings conference call, Chief Executive Dave Calhoun described the company as "on the verge" of garnering approval from US air safety officials on the 787, though he declined to give a precise target date.

At the end of June, Boeing had 120 Dreamliner planes in inventory and was producing the jet "at very low rates," the company said in a filing.

The FAA is expected to inspect each 787 before it is delivered to airlines.

Explore further Boeing profit falls as CEO eyes resumption of 787 deliveries

 2022 AFP
Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

The power sector accounts for 25% of global CO 2 emissions and decarbonization of the entire energy system is critical to meeting the Paris Agreement goal of reducing global temperature rise to below 2C above pre-industrial levels. A new article in Energy Conversation and Management, argues that increasing the share of renewable energy sources (RES) is central to achieving this goal and, to that end, the two main RESwind and solarmust reach 56% of total electricity generation by 2050.

However, the intermittent nature of wind and solar poses challenges to the robustness and stability of the future grid. This study investigates the economic and social impacts of integrated facilities for power production and storage. It considers a combination of intermittent (wind/solar) and non-intermittent (biomass) resources, together with energy storage (batteries, hydrogen and/or methane/ammonia).

Additionally, the study uses a new social index, based on the impact of the energy transition and the general social environment of the region, to assesses the social impact of RES. It then uses this assessment to recommend geographic locations for the transition to RES. The work focuses on Spain, which aims to achieve climate neutrality by 2050, in line with European goals.

The study finds that integrating biomass non-intermittent renewable sources produces a reduction of around 20% in the cost of electricity. Storage alternatives are required to reliably meet demand, the researchers say. These should include storage technologies that allow for seasonal storage since solar energy is more intense during summertime.

From a social perspective, the new energy system can help to mitigate the social distance between regions and creates job opportunities, the study finds. For example, in certain regions of Spain (Teruel and Asturias), integrated facilities can perform well economically and also have a high positive social impact.

In future, the impact of other non-intermittent sources such as geothermal energy could be analyzed. The authors suggest that in a future economic system free of CO 2 emissions, ammoniawhile currently expensivecould be an energy storage alternative.

More information: Antonio Sanchez et al, Towards a new renewable power system using energy storage: An economic and social analysis, Energy Conversion and Management (2021). Antonio Sanchez et al, Towards a new renewable power system using energy storage: An economic and social analysis,(2021). DOI: 10.1016/j.enconman.2021.115056
Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

Authorities in Kenya have given Facebook a week to comply with regulations related to hate speech after a report found the social media giant had failed to address the issue ahead of elections next month.

The warnings by the National Cohesion and Integration Commission follow findings from an investigation by Global Witness documenting how Facebook, owned by Meta Platforms Inc., didn't detect hate speech advertisements in both Kenya's official languagesEnglish and Swahili.

Misinformation on social media has become an increasingly major problem around the world, especially during elections. Kenya holds what promises to be a closely fought presidential poll on Aug. 9, with Deputy President William Ruto and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga the leading candidates to replace Uhuru Kenyatta.

Meta said earlier this month it has been working for the past year to prepare for the elections, using artificial intelligence, human reviews and user reports to remove content that is harmful or otherwise violates company standards.

"In the six months leading up to April 30, we took action on more than 37,000 pieces of content for violating our Hate Speech policies on Facebook and Instagram in Kenya," the group said in a July 20 update. Elections in the East African nation have in the past been marred by violence.

Meta didn't immediately comment on the NCIC's recommendation.

Kenya is not new to the use of social media for nefarious reasons during elections. In the 2017 vote, Cambridge Analytica was accused of working secretly with Kenyatta's campaign, as reported by Channel 4. The country has one of the highest internet penetration rates in sub-Saharan Africa, at 85%.

Facebook is not the only platform under scrutiny. Twitter Inc. and newcomer TikTok are also being analyzed. Research by Mozilla Foundation found that TikTok has become a "forum for fast and far-spreading political disinformation," in a report released in June.

Explore further Facebook touts progress in curbing hate, violent content

2022 Bloomberg L.P.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Despite rumors to the contrary, Michael Jordans 23XI NASCAR team looks like its close to extending the contract of Bubba Wallace.

Wallace was already set to come back next year, but some questioned if he would return to the team after 2023 following their signing of Tyler Reddick for 2024 and beyond. But fans of Wallace need not worry, Jordan is negotiating with the driver, and it looks like he will remain with 23XI beyond next year. Wallace confirmed that Sunday:

P5 sound about right? pic.twitter.com/79Dq0iJXJp  Bubba Wallace (@BubbaWallace) July 31, 2022

Weve been working on it for a while; thats all coming together really nice. Hopefully, well have something to announce here soon, Wallace said.

Although Wallace has not won a race this year, he has finished in the top 10 in the last 3 weeks at New Hampshire, Pocono and Indianapolis. He also finished second at the Daytona 500 earlier this year. Wallace has been performing better since his pit crew, which was struggling earlier this year, was replaced.

Obviously, Jordan has a lot of confidence in Wallace moving forward. And retaining him is good news also for Joe Gibbs Racing, which is the flagship that the 23XI team is under.

JGR needed some good news considering the fact that they still havent signed their No. 1 driver, Kyle Busch, to an extension, and havent found a sponsor for him yet.

[TheSpun; photo from Bubba Wallace on Twitter]
Saudi Arabia supports Vietnam through development projects

A working team from the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) has inspected a number of projects it is funding in some localities of Vietnam, according to the Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Vietnam.









Saudi Arabia has provided soft loans worth about US$179 million to Vietnam to implement 12 development projects and programmes (Photo: VNA)





The team examined the progress of a transport infrastructure construction project in the northern province of Yen Bai. The project aims to build a 30-km road at the cost of over US$20 million, benefiting about 12,000 locals.



They also visited a project to build a 20-km road to the centre of Tan Yen commune in northern Lang Son province, which is implemented with a total fund of about US$10 million. Once completed, the project will serve about 10,000 local residents.



During the visit, the team had a working session with representatives of the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Ministry of Finance on the progress of the projects.



According to the embassy, the Saudi Arabian Government pays great attention to supporting the development of Vietnam through development projects and programmes funded by the SFD.



Over the years, the fund has provided soft loans worth roughly US$179 million to Vietnam to implement 12 development projects and programmes, contributing to boosting the growth of many sectors and enhancing socio-economic development in many areas, helping Vietnam realise Sustainable Development Goals.


A mans body was found on the southbound train tracks at the Halsted Orange Line station in Bridgeport early Monday, according to Chicago police.

The man was found unresponsive, close to the Halsted station, 2520 S. Archer Ave., around 4 a.m. and he was pronounced dead at the scene.

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Police said his cause of death was unknown and the case was being treated as a death investigation, meaning authorities had not yet determined whether the man potentially met with foul play or if he died from accidental or natural causes. The Cook County medical examiners office was expected to perform an autopsy later Monday to determine his cause and manner of death.

Orange Line trains temporarily were suspended between 35th/ Archer and Roosevelt due to police activity at Halsted, according to a CTA alert. Service resumed, with residual delays, around 5:45 a.m. CTA offered a shuttle bus between the stations.

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[Service Disruption] Orange Ln srvc has been temp suspended between Roosevelt and 35th/Archer due to a police investigation at Halsted. Shuttle bus btwn Roosevelt and 35th/Archer. More: https://t.co/VtUPMrXZFb  cta (@cta) August 1, 2022

Chicago Fire Department officials and representatives from the CTA did not immediately respond to a call seeking additional information. Chicago police said no additional information was available Monday morning.

The investigation was ongoing,e Monday, police said.
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Expert Viewpoint

Four Key Considerations for Selecting School Security Technology

Security Tech Procurement Must Include People and Processes, Too

In the wake of mass casualty events in recent years, schools are increasingly turning to technology approaches to help make schools safer. Many have made announcements this summer about how they have invested in this or that technology to make going to school safer for students.

While it is laudable that schools are investing in safety, they should do so like they would with any other business function  that is, they should factor in people, process, and technology or PPT, and must first understand the specific problem that they are trying to address.

This might seem trite; most frameworks that have been around for 50 years are. But PPT has been around so long because it is right. It solves the right problem, with the right solution. If you leave out one component, you are doomed to fail with any technology that is being adopted.

This is why it is so disturbing to see so many schools jump to adopt technology, without factoring in people and process, or understanding the specifics of the technology and what they can and cannot do to address a problem.

Why are we seeing this? Well, Im just the CEO of a technology vendor that sells to schools for this very reason, but I can speculate.

One of the main reasons is a need to show action, even if it is the incorrect action  schools and school committees want to be able to tell constituents that theyre tackling the school violence issue. While this is good for public perception, its not the right way to acquire technology, and it could result in wasted resources, and a more insecure environment.

Addressing the Problem

Students and faculty in modern times have to undergo a variety of intrusions, all in the interest of safety. There are lockdown drills to hopefully foil would-be assailants. There are school resource officers, to have a law enforcement presence on premise. And, there are any number of technologies meant to keep schools safe, including video surveillance, internet monitoring, shot detection solutions and walk-through metal detectors at entrances.

The fact of the matter is that these are disparate security personnel and technologies, and superintendents and their staffs are education experts  not security experts. Thats why we see so much technology being acquired that does not solve the problem its often purported to address.

Anyone who has been through school knows that fights happen all the time, most of which are not serious enough to report to the police. However, there are other, more serious transgressions that educators must worry about.

The U.S. Office of Justice Programs reports that almost 4% of boys and 2% of girls carry a weapon into school each day. And according to the National Center for Education Statistics, more than 20% of students are offered illegal drugs each year.

The problem is, schools are reacting the most to the least likely of security events  the mass casualty event. And they are doing this with technology that is often not suited to the problem. The selected solutions are often costly and reactive  alerting after the fact.

4 Key Considerations When Selecting School Security Technology

There is a high focus in schools for the weapons-detection gateway. This is a system where, unlike a metal detector, students walk past two pillars which automatically detect guns, knives and other weapons. Instead of making everyone stop to empty their pockets and bags  as is the case with metal detectors  the system only alerts on people carrying weapons and everyone else simply goes on their way.

In full disclosure, this is one of the products my company sells, and weve talked to a lot of schools lately. Heres what I have observed from our school engagements:

1. Potential Solutions Should be Reviewed By True Security Experts

Most schools lack security expertise. With constrained budgets, few schools have true security experts on staff. This can result is poor assessments of technology being proposed by the vendors, and the potential to purchase poorly aligned solutions.

Most technology companies are focused on closing the sale, not helping with the problem. Its important for schools to engage vendors that talk about the problems first, and then move to the sale (not the other way around). It might make sense to bring in an independent third party who can discuss the schools issues and then recommend technology and vendor solutions.

2. Consider the Staff Required for any Solutions Being Considered

Schools dont have the people to staff the new technology. This is particularly true with gateway weapons scanners. Its one thing to find a weapon, but what do you do in response to an alert, once you find one? And how do you make sure that everyone in the building has been scanned? Are there doors other than the front entrance where people can come and go? And how do you know the kids arent propping a door open or doing something else that will allow an unscanned person into the building?

Addressing these types of issues generally requires the work of people and processes, and schools need to fully work out these issues, so they know the true cost of the technology.

3. Before Considering Solutions, Understand the Problem

Schools often dont really truly understand what problem theyre addressing. A lot of time when schools call about our scanner, theyre responding to the headlines rather than focusing on a problem. A scanner is fine for stopping people from carrying weapons into the building, but it wont do anything to stop the mass casualty event. The issue, and mismatch, is clear. If someone carrying an automatic rifle comes through the front door, the presence of a scanner isnt going to stop them. Its a different problem than weapons in school and requires different thinking and technology.

4. AI Can Boost Security Solutions Effectiveness

Artificial intelligence often can help. Video-based AI can run over existing video surveillance systems and can be trained to detect a variety of things. This might be a fight, the use of illegal substances, or the presence of a firearm both inside and outside the school. As weve seen in the recent gun violence at various schools, buying even a little extra time can make all the difference. Being able to detect a firearm outside a school (in the parking lot, for instance) can give staff and the authorities valuable minutes to respond, and be both proactive and preemptive in response. AI can also be used to provide valuable information to outside police, firefighters and other responders.

We live in difficult times, where headlines about school violence have become too common. But violence in schools is a reality we have to live with. Security has historically not been a priority for superintendents, but now it is.

They need to realize that every technology must have a sound people and process component in order to be successful. And, they need to understand that their expertise is not security, but there is help if they look for it.
GOREVILLE  Brian Elias and Kyle McAdams werent looking for a handout, but they did get a helping hand. And theyre thankful for it.

The Chicago transplants are pursuing their dream of running their own farm. Though they came armed with some experience, they needed some help getting started.

Thats where Food Works came in. The nonprofit organizations Southern Illinois Farm Beginnings program was just the thing to help them get started on their dream.

Though he had never farmed, Elias has ample experience marketing agricultural goods. He ran a number of farmers markets in the Chicago area and worked with a small farm in Wisconsin. He also headed up a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) program offering home delivery to 1,300 customers.

McAdams works as a ticket broker. When that business dried up during the COVID-19 pandemic, he joined Elias working in customer service. The couple moved to southern Illinois and started their farm about a year ago.

Their agricultural enterprise is highly diversified. They grow herbs and spices for value-added products. They also produce grapes, vegetables and  in the future  hazelnuts. While they plan to frequent farmers markets once their business is up and running, the most promising venue is the internet.

Our main thing is value-added stuff, Elias said. Were growing spices, chilis, ginger, turmeric, cumin and fennel to make jarred products. Also, figs and grapes, and we bought 100 hazelnut trees for an orchard.

They consider herbs and chili peppers their main crops.

Elias has a connection to southern Illinois. His aunt and uncle graduated from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale and settled in the region. Elias came often to visit them.

Elias and McAdams had a plan for their niche farm, but sought out expertise. Elias got acquainted with a staffer at Food Works and learned about its beginning farmers program. The year-long program offers seminars, on-farm educational visits and mentorships. He and McAdams secured a scholarship and began the program about a year ago.

The scholarships are for underserved communities, Elias said. One is LGBT, so we fit into that category.

The program provided the couple with specifics on a broad range of topics, including agronomy and marketing.

We had a pretty solid idea of what we wanted to do, but it got much sharper and cleaner, he said. Our first mission statement was a paragraph that finally got simplified to five words.

That was super helpful for me.

They cover everything from dealing with pests to coming up with a business plan. That was the best thing for me personally, that they had us write out these holistic goals and business plans. It really made us drill everything down, such as what is our price point, what is this going to cost us to make, how much electricity it will take to run a dehydrator.

A valuable part of the program was interaction with other farmers and supporting agencies.

Im aware of NRCS and Extension. But we got to interface with those people one on one, Elias said. That demystified some of that for us.

The interaction with others operating fledgling farms may be as valuable as the education.

They really helped crystalize everything and some things we hadnt thought of, Elias said. We learned from everyone else in the class  theyre all beginning farmers. Building that breakfast club has been really helpful.

For Elias and McAdams, support is a text or email away. It comes from experts in certain fields but also fellow farmers who have discovered something that benefits all. One resource specialist provided advice on hazelnuts and another is proficient in plant identification.

Thats one of the things that was awesome. You do get more in touch with the whole farming community, Elias said. When we came down here, we were like lets just do this. But the support system has been very helpful.
More than 100 people celebrated the conclusion of the African American Museum of Southern Illinois Learned Wednesday summer enrichment program for area students with a special dinner that had a Christmas feel.

The Christmas in July event featured holiday decorations and a dinner of traditional soul foods prepared at Christmas, said LaShonda Stewart, author of The 12 Days of a Soul Food Christmas, a book which Amazon describes as a whimsical new version of the traditional Christmas carol.

Stewart, a professor at the Southern Illinois University Carbondale School of Management of Marketing, said she wrote the book during the COVID-19 pandemic as a way of remembering the celebrations  and foods  of Christmases during her childhood.

The book is all about the relationship of a grandmother and her grandchildren. Shes called Big Mama and she goes above and beyond spoiling her grandchildren, cooking all of these favorite foods, Stewart said.

On the first day of Christmas, Big Mama gave to me, a big pot of black eyed peas, Stewart wrote in the book. Other verses continue the theme with popular foods.

My book gives a soul food twist to the song. Remember in the traditional song how it says, on the fifth day of Christmas, five golden rings? Stewart asked. Mine says, Five chicken wings.

Guests at the event listened to Stewart read from the book and joined her in singing the song as well as enjoyed a dinner of all of the foods featured in the book.

This was a teachable moment for the students because they not only got the opportunity to eat some of the foods, but also learn some of the history of the foods which have been staples in the Black community, Stewart said.

Carolin Harvey of the African American Museum of Southern Illinois said the evening was a wonderful way to complete the enrichment program, which provides educational opportunities including guest speakers and field trips to area youth during the summer months.

This was inspirational and gave us all a lesson in how soul food is actually comfort food and carries on the traditions of the Black community, she said.

Stewarts book is available from several online book retailers.
(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.
On 31 July 1997, the last fire inside blast furnace B in Belval was extinguished in symbolic manner, the end of an era for Luxembourg's Minette region.

For decades, the blast furnaces in Belval used to represent wealth, affluence, and job security. Today, they remind people of past glories and the changing of times.

The blast furnaces in Belval were set up in 1911 and the first installation was lit on 30 October that year. The site counted six furnaces at its peak, but went down to three towards the end. Although it was initially planned to renovate furnaces B and C, this undertaking was never completed.

On 31 July 1997, almost 25 years to this day, the last fire inside furnace B was blown out, a bitter day for workers at the site. 750 people were concerned by the decision to shut the installation.

 Christophe Hochard  Christophe Hochard The photos published on this site are subject to copyright and may not be copied, modified, or sold without the prior permission of the owner of the site in question.

At 6.30pm on Thursday 28 August 1997, furnace B was used to process a final amount of resources and then shut for good.

Video report in Luxembourgish
Our colleagues from RTL recently spoke to members of environmental organisation Mouvement Ecologique and representatives of the Nature and Forest Agency about the current state of Luxembourg's forests.

Same as everywhere, trees in the Grand Duchy are suffering under the elevated temperatures and lack of rain. Although no major forest fires have occurred this summer, the first consequences of the dry conditions are still starting to become visible.

The Nature and Forest Agency and Mouvement Ecologique are now drawing attention to the poor conditions of Luxembourg's woodlands. Dry spells may not be an entirely novel phenomenon, but the frequency at which they appear has increased in recent years.

And they leave traces, emphasises Roger Schauls, spokesman for Mouvement Ecologique: "The conditions of our forests are catastrophic, which is also reflected in the numbers. The inventory made in spring indicates that one in 100 common beeches is healthy, which is just horrible. The state of the other tree species is not much better. Common spruces, for instance, are estimated to have completely vanished in five to six years."

The Nature and Forest Agency has arrived at similar conclusions. Officials are currently examining the conditions of the country's woodlands and have already found drought-related damages.

Chief operator Martine Neuberg provided insight: "The first thing you can see is that leaves have curled up, an evident sign of stress. The next thing is discolouring, a protection mechanism that old trees trigger in their crowns to shed and spend less energy on photosynthesis."

Both organisations agree that the stressed state of trees cannot be considered a consequence of this summer alone, but rather the result of consecutive warm and dry summers.

Schauls warned that human beings will suffer grave and unthinkable consequences if the forests, an essential part of our ecosystem, no longer function properly: "Forests cool the climate significantly. No forest means further and accelerated heating of our planet. It means losing an ally in our effort to fight climate change."

Neuberg firmly believes that heat and dry conditions will change the forests in the years to come: "Things will change as species will no longer be able to survive. However, it is not the case that all trees will die. There are always some that are more resistant."
Mental health clinician Gabrielle Mitchell and Chicago police Officer Dantra Daniel, both members of the citys Crisis Assistance Response and Engagement (CARE) team, get into their van to start their work day, JUly 14, 2022. (Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune)

A woman called 911, worried her friend might commit suicide after seeing a concerning photo on social media and thinking she may have slit her wrist.

When a mental health response team arrived at the friends home on Chicagos South Side earlier this month as part of a new city effort, the teams members were able to get the woman to talk to the team. The woman told them her daughter had died and her partner had left her.

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She didnt want to die, but she had been trying to get help for so long, and different places that she called had given her the runaround, said Gabrielle Mitchell, a mental health clinician with the response team, which now goes out on some Chicago 911 calls. She really just wanted somebody to come and talk to her.

In the weeks after the mental health team met the woman, she has set up a job interview and Mitchell has talked to her about going to counseling once she is employed.

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The citys Crisis Assistance Response and Engagement  or CARE  pilot program launched last fall, and some city officials and team members responding to calls say theyve been able to help many people theyve come in contact with. But the program has been limited in many ways, from the amount of days and hours the teams are out, to a lack of mental health providers the teams are able to work with to get people the help they need, team members said.

And community organizers and aldermen who have pushed for a nonpolice mental health response model over the last few years say the way the program has been designed is not what they had in mind.

Police have taken a lead in the CARE program when they should not be involved at all in matters that are a public health issue, some said.

Regionally, other police departments outside Chicago have also launched programs to address mental illness through treatment. Those programs dont have a mental health professional in the same vehicle as an officer like the Chicago program does, but police and social workers are working together to connect people to treatment where they might have entered into the criminal justice system in the past.

Connecting patients and resources

On a recent Thursday morning in their office at a Chicago fire station in the South Loop, the teams of paramedics, mental health clinicians and officers prepared to go out in the vans for their shift. The three teams respond to calls Monday to Friday from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The team discussed the case of a woman who doesnt have a home or support system in Chicago and might need to get connected with the National Alliance for Mental Illness or a psychiatric hospital for services.

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While youre trying to manage covering the bases, Im trying to manage my resources, said Tiffany Patton-Burnside, who supervises the clinicians for the Chicago Department of Public Health. She reminded the team to look into transferring the womans case to other organizations that can continue to help her.

I just need yall to not get so invested that ultimately youre missing out on the next person that you can give this much passion to, Patton-Burnside said.

The briefing is part of their morning routine. Afterward, the team members grabbed their equipment  and some clothes and shoes they give out to people in need  and headed out in three vans.

The type of calls the teams respond to differ based on the neighborhoods, the clinicians said. Jennifer Garross, a clinician who primarily works in Uptown and Lakeview, said ther team gets calls for mental health disturbances and calls from community partner agencies who need help taking a patient to a hospital. People also sometimes call when they are having suicidal thoughts or a psychotic episode and need treatment or hospitalization, Garross said.

Garross and her team have also been able to help just by being at the right place at a the right time.

One day, the team stopped in the 19th District police station for lunch. As they were eating, a trans woman walked into the station asking police to call an ambulance, Garross said.

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Jennifer Garross, center, a mental health clinician, meets with other members of the citys Crisis Assistance Response and Engagement or CARE team including police officers and paramedics on July 14, 2022, at the start of their workday. (Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune)

She felt like somebody was trying to poison her. She was very paranoid, thought people were following her, Garross said. My officer heard it and said, Wait, whats going on? And so we went out there and so we were able to engage with her.

Garross talked to the woman privately and learned shed just gotten out of the hospital and was already connected with Thresholds, a mental health organization. Garross connected her with a nearby Thresholds living room center, where she was able to get peer support and avoid hospitalization.

When we went back the next day to follow up with her, she was doing much better, Garross said. She said that was exactly what she needed.

Mitchell primarily works in Auburn Gresham and Chatham, where she said there are fewer service centers for the team to transport or refer patients. A lot of their calls come from concerned family members.

Theyve been trying to manage them at home for some time, Mitchell said. Often, its years, sometimes its decades where ... theyre not connected to any provider.

Beyond getting the person hospitalized, Mitchell also works with families on case management and connecting them to resources.

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A lot of the time the call is (about someone) attempting suicide. Well, they want to kill themselves because theyre afraid to get evicted. They want to kill themselves because someone in their family was just murdered. They want to kill themselves because their lights are being turned off, Mitchell said. So its not as simple as getting them to the hospital.

The teams that include a police officer have responded to 228 calls. However, 43% of the time, responders were not able to make contact with the individual, or the person refused service, according to the programs data dashboard.

Some of them are related to mental health disturbances in the community and they may be homeless. So a lot of times by the time we get there, they may have already left the scene, Garross said of the calls.

An at-risk population

People with mental health problems are 10 times more likely to be victims of violent crime than the general population, and only 3% to 5% of violent acts can be attributed to people with serious mental illness, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

The idea for Chicagos program started in 2019, when the then-Crisis Intervention Advisory Council made 33 recommendations to the city of Chicago, including one to develop alternate response models. In 2020 city officials started developing one, looking to similar programs in cities like Dallas, New York and Denver, among others.

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The pilot program started in September with two teams made up of a mental health clinician, a paramedic and a crisis intervention team police officer who have been responding to calls in Lakeview and Uptown and in the Auburn Gresham and Chatham neighborhoods.

Last month, the city expanded the pilot program with a third team  its first operating without a police officer. That team responds to calls in the Southwest Side neighborhoods of Chicago Lawn, Gage Park, West Elsdon and West Lawn.

It had to be a set of communities that consistently has the highest volume of 911 calls with a mental health component over a period of years, said Matt Richards, deputy commissioner for behavioral health with the Chicago Department of Public Health. We also felt very strongly that we wanted to bring an equity focus to this project so that diverse regions and populations of the city were being served by the pilot.

Mental health clinician Jennifer Garross, left, checks radios while Gabrielle Mitchell, also a mental health clinician, and community paramedic Tiana Hampton, talk on July 14, 2022, while the city Crisis Assistance Response and Engagement (CARE) team starts the workday. (Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune)

The pilot program costs between $3 million and $4 million a year and is largely funded through the citys general operating fund, Richards said. The largest expense of the program is salaries, which are paid to team members through their corresponding departments. As part of the 2022 budget, city officials dedicated $15 million of the citys $1.887 billion in American Rescue Plan federal funding for the programs future expenses, Richards said.

Antoinette Ursitti, deputy chief of the Chicago Police Departments Training and Support Group, which includes the crisis intervention unit, said the unit has for many years been involved in what was called the Crisis Intervention Advisory Committee, now the Chicago Council on Mental Health Equity. The committees recommendations made sense, Ursitti said.

Ursitti said city officials have spent a lot of time evaluating a wide range of 911 calls and determined that for some of those calls, its appropriate for an officer to accompany the mental health clinician so that safe interaction can happen.

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I think what were seeing here is that we are allowing for a number of different types of responses to meet the variety of needs for our residents here, Ursitti said.

Counties have own programs

Similar programs in Cook, Lake and McHenry counties also provide access to social workers in response to emergency calls, but they do not go to the scene. Instead, in Cook County, sheriffs deputies at the scene use smart pads to let agitated individuals talk to a counselor immediately, and in McHenry, police refer people to a social worker for follow-up.

The first 911 call under the Cook County program gives a good idea of the kinds of cases police are dealing with: a young man was trying to kill himself at home. When a sheriffs deputy arrived, the family had broken into the mans room and was piled on top of him, trying to prevent him from hurting himself.

Police separated the family members, tried to calm them down, and handed the man a smart pad to talk to a counselor. It turned out the mans girlfriend had broken up with him, his grandmother had died that day, and he was addicted to pain pills.

Social worker and program director Elli Montgomery persuaded him to go to a hospital, where it took him three days to calm down  but it likely prevented him from more serious harm to himself.

That really reinforced why we operate the way we do, Montgomery said. This lets a clinician lay eyes on the patient, but it doesnt put additional people at the scene and cause more risk. It continues to give the officer their role to make sure a crime hasnt been committed.

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The goal is to stabilize the person, de-escalate the situation, and alert police to what kind of help is needed.

The department has 150 smart pads, and the program is also offered in some suburban police departments, including Blue Island, Oak Lawn and Northbrook.

The countys Treatment Response Team began in 2019 to help people with drug and alcohol addictions. In 2021, the program served 517 calls, and convinced 229 clients to get crisis intervention, counseling or referrals for mental health or substance abuse treatment.

Cook County sheriffs police Sgt. Bonnie Busching said that initially, she was skeptical of adding another layer of bureaucracy to the chaotic situations she walks into.

But when she saw how it calmed down subjects without having to place hands on them or spend time and energy on repeat calls, she was a convert. Now Im calling them all the time, she said.

Earlier this year, Lake County expanded its pilot program to follow up after 911 mental health calls with a team involving a police officer and a social worker, clinician or peer specialist for mental health-related calls. A sheriffs deputy heads one pair, while a second crew used officers from one of six local police departments.

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Since starting in 2018, the program has seen 3,300 people, and only 44 have been arrested, Sgt. Jim Yanecek said.

I want to take the burden off police

Many people having mental health breakdowns have been the subject of repeated police calls.

One woman in McHenry County called 911 about 100 times over three months, convinced demons were outside wanting to attack her.

Officers referred the case to social worker Alana Bak, who met with the woman and connected her to a counselor. The counselor was able to get the woman back on her medications, and she was able to find a stable home and get back on her feet.

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Bak, who directs the program, has family in law enforcement. As a psychotherapist whos worked with sex offenders and the severely mentally ill, she hopes the new program will help both the police and the people they are called to serve.

I want to take the burden off police, and help people in their darkest hour, Bak said.

The social workers do not typically handle negotiations with suspects, but may help police on the scene. Depending on the type of 911 call, police can refer people to social workers by phone or for follow up, or, in extreme cases, can call social workers to the scene, but not normally for risky situations.

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Teams remain limited

At Chicagos Emergency Communications Center, all 911 calls start on the police side and are either immediately transferred to fire if the person needs an ambulance or a fire truck, or are screened on the police side for a mental health component, Richards said.

If there is such a component, call-takers do a risk assessment to determine whether there is a weapon present, a crime in progress or a safety risk. Any one of those three factors make the call ineligible for a CARE team to respond, Richards said.

Without a risk component, a CARE team can be dispatched if its available and if the response falls within the neighborhoods the teams are focused in.

The limited service area and time the CARE teams are available for is just one of several limitations that have come up. Mitchell and Garross said the city could use more mental health services and facilities, especially on the South Side.

They said while there are therapists available, there can be a three-to-four-week wait for someone to see a psychiatrist, which is required for someone to get prescribed medication.

Its really hard in the moment when youre doing crisis work and what they need is that medication refill or just to be evaluated by a psychiatrist, Garross said.

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We need way more than this

None of the calls the co-response teams have responded to have resulted in use of force or arrests, according to the data dashboard, something Richards said shows the programs success so far.

I think that its showing that we are able to safely address residents mental health needs by leading with a health care-focused response, he said.

But Ald. Rossana Rodriguez Sanchez, 33rd, who was part of a group of City Council members who requested a nonpolice response model, says the data proves police are unnecessary and should not be part of the mental health response teams.

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The officer on the team clears the scene, ensuring its safe before the paramedic and clinician come in to talk to the patient, Richards said.

So what we are doing is we are delegating in police officers to decide if the clinician should be the one interacting with somebody at some point. And police does not have training for that, Rodriguez Sanchez said. The clinicians are the ones that have training to assess how safe or not safe somebody that is experiencing a mental health crisis is and the ability to de escalate. So we need a program that is run by clinicians, not police.

Ald. Rossana Rodriguez Sanchez speaks before a vote during a recent Chicago City Council meeting on May 25, 2022. (Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune)

Arturo Carrillo, director for health and violence prevention with the Brighton Park Neighborhood Council and a co-lead for the Collaborative for Community Wellness Coalition, said the citys program also forces people to call 911 for help, which some people, especially in communities of color, might not be comfortable doing.

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The citys limited resources also dont guarantee that a person will get a nonpolice response team or any mental health response team if they do call, Carrillo said.

Its such a minuscule program, Carrillo said.

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Carrillo said the citys Department of Public Health also failed to reach out for community input in putting together the program. He said the Police Department had a heavy hand in leading and planning the co-response model.

The Department of Public Health is now looking at launching a third model under the program where a paramedic and a peer recovery specialist will respond to substance use calls on the West Side, Richards said. That model is expected to launch late summer or early fall.

City officials are also looking at expanding the program with second shifts and expanding to other areas of the city that have a high volume of 911 calls with a mental health component, Richards said. Mental health clinicians are also now in the 911 center helping call takers ask the right questions to determine whether theres a mental health component to a call.

But questions remain about whether its enough. Rodriguez Sanchez said what Chicago needs is a nonpolice response model that integrates public mental health clinics.

We are asking for a model that is way bigger, that can actually address the needs of our communities, she said. What theyre doing right now is so little. ... Its inadequate, its insufficient. We need way more than this.
The Independent Luxembourg Trade Union Confederation (OGBL) has announced that negotiations with discount retailer Action Luxembourg were constructive and that a collective contract agreement was signed.

In a press release, the OGBL announces that 152 employees across eleven branches of the retailer will be affected by the agreement. The collective contract will be valid for a duration of 36 months, lasting from 1 July 2022 to 31 June 2025.

The agreement retains several improvements, including increases in salary, which will now also take seniority into consideration. Holiday procedures will be revised and the number of days increased. Employees who have worked at Action Luxembourg for 25 years will now be eligible for a maximum of 32 days off per year.
In a decision opponents are plotting to reverse, the Bureau of Land Management on Thursday issued its final decision approving American Prairies request to graze domesticated bison on 63,500 acres of public land in Phillips County, Montana.

A change was denied on a seventh request because American Prairie shares the allotment with another cattle rancher. The grazing leases are good for 10 years but subject to review and monitoring.

American Prairie said in a statement the BLMs decision will facilitate the sustainable growth of their private conservation herd of bison from approximately 800 animals to 1,000 animals by 2025. By comparison, the majority of American Prairies land base is leased out to local cattle ranchers and supports over 10,000 head of cattle.

The change to its grazing permits was first requested by American Prairie in 2017, which was downsized two years later due to public outcry. More than 2,500 comments were received on the initial proposal.

Who?

American Prairie is a nonprofit group formed in 2001 that has purchased ranches across Eastern Montana totaling more than 450,000 acres (117,611 private and 334,817 public).

The groups goal is to one day lace together its private lands with 3 million acres of adjoining public property to create a wildlife preserve and refuge for prairie species. The group also offers visitor access to parts of its property for recreation, including camping and hunting. It has previously been known as the American Prairie Foundation and the American Prairie Reserve.

Opponents

Adversaries have 30 days to appeal the BLM decision, which seems likely given comments from state and federal politicians and the Montana Stockgrowers Association.

To say we are disappointed with the final decision would be an understatement, Jim Steinbeisser, MSGA president, in a press release.

The release goes on to contend that the BLMs decision is a significant change to grazing on federal lands and will have serious repercussions on BLM grazing throughout the West.

Sen. Steve Daines directly blamed President Joe Biden, saying it was yet another example of the administration ignoring input from Montana ranchers. His statement goes on to say he will work closely with Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte on a response to the BLM decision.

Gianforte said the BLM failed to give the public a chance to comment and lacked statutory authority to enact its proposal.

The director of the BLM, Tracy Stone-Manning, is a Montanan who formerly led the states Department of Environmental Quality, served as Democratic Gov. Steve Bullocks chief of state and as a state director for Democratic U.S. Sen. Jon Tester. Daines had attempted to block Stone-Mannings appointment to the BLM.

Protests by the Montana governors office were three of the 42 directly addressed by the BLM in its final decision. The Fergus County Commission led all protest comments with eight, followed by the Missouri River Stewards with seven.

Grazing act

The protests included claims that the modification of fences and allowing bison went against the tenants of the Taylor Grazing Act.

Passed in 1934, the act was meant to improve federal lands by implementing regulations following the drought of the Dust Bowl that exacerbated poor farming and livestock grazing practices.

Rotational grazing, which moves cattle onto different pastures to lessen the cattles impact on the rangeland, has evolved as a way to better manage ecological impacts on the prairie. Such grazing requires the installation of fences to contain the cattle. Ranchers see the removal of interior fences, as American Prairie will do, as a violation of the Taylor Grazing Acts intent. American Prairie has responded that removing the interior fences allows bison to roam across a wider landscape.

Counter arguments

The BLM wrote counter arguments to each of the protests, outlining that bison are permitted on BLM lands elsewhere in Montana, as well as in Colorado, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming.

Though the proposal to allow domestic indigenous livestock grazing conflicts with views and opinions expressed among some users of public lands, such unfavorable views of the proposal itself do not constitute scientific controversy, disagreement about the nature of effects, or provide evidence that the project is not in conformance to BLMs statutory and regulatory requirements, the agency stated.

Fears

Speaking to the fears of people involved in the controversy were the comments of James Johnson, Karyl Barnes, the Missouri River Stewards and the Valley County Commission.

Johnson wrote, This allows exactly what the Taylor Grazing Act was trying to prevent, allowing the land to be captured by the regulated interests of (American Prairie).

Barnes wrote, I think it very sad that (American Prairie) can eliminate ranchers and farmers to run buffalo mainly for a tourist attraction.

The Valley County Commission wrote in its protest: This proposed decision continues the threat that all BLM lands and associated state and private properties in Valley County will eventually be lost from agricultural production. This, along with the inflated land values that APRs entry in the market has caused, provokes a feeling of impending doom for many farmers, ranchers, and business owners dependent on agriculture, as well as to most citizens who support agriculture and value our way of life.

The Missouri River Stewards wrote, There is no authority for federal agencies to directly facilitate such an outrageous undertaking by a non-profit organization. The issue at hand is not about bison grazing permits; its about acceding (sic) millions of acres of public land for use by a private organization to fulfill its agenda for the region.

Roger and Robin Peters argued that if there are fewer cattle grazing on the BLM lands because of the change, the result would be a loss of $1.5 million of income not taxed that supports our communities and state leaving the rest of us to make up that revenue.

The BLM responded to the Peters noting that, According to the 2017 National Agricultural Statistical Service Census of Agriculture, Phillips County has 51,502 beef cattle. The annual requirement for that number of cattle is approximately 618,024 AUMs (animal unit months) of forage or equivalent. If all AUMs on BLM allotments authorized to APR were consumed by bison, it would amount to 1.25% of the forage in Phillips County.

Nonprofit

On the opposite side of the controversy, American Prairies CEO Alison Fox said in a statement that the BLMs decision recognizes that bison benefit native wildlife, restore water quality, and will improve rangeland conditions in north central Montana.

This decision is grounded in sound science, complies with all local, state, and federal laws, and recognizes the important ways bison grazing has and will continue to improve rangeland health, she added.

Under the agreement with the BLM, American Prairie will conduct seasonal grazing on four of the allotments. Year-round grazing would be permitted on three allotments, two of which had been previously authorized for year-round bison grazing. It also authorizes American Prairie to remove about 30 miles of interior fencing.

According to Pete Geddes, American Prairies vice president and chief external relations officer, the bison grazing will comply with all federal, state and county laws. That includes a comprehensive disease management agreement that was unanimously approved by Phillips County officials and American Prairie in 2020 following a lawsuit.

Unwelcome

Local and state Republican politicians and political operatives have been hostile to American Prairie since its inception, enacting or attempting to enact laws to stifle or control its growth.

The 2019 Legislature passed a House joint resolution requesting the BLM deny the grazing permit.

In 2021 a legislative committee tabled a bill that would have banned nonprofits from buying agricultural land, specifically targeting American Prairie, after some Republicans saw the measure as an infringement on private property rights.

Later that year, a Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation administrator charged the BLM did not have the authority to grant American Prairie permits to graze on federal lands.

Elsewhere

As the states cattle industry and pro-agriculture politicians have taken aim at the BLM for what it sees as its pro-American Prairie decision, the Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility has charged the federal agency has given commercial livestock grazing a pass when it comes to climate change.

PEER contended the BLM grazing program issues some 18,000 permits covering 155 million acres, an expanse roughly equivalent to California and Oregon, combined. These lands provide forage for approximately 1.5 million cattle, which greatly decrease these lands ability to sequester carbon.

PEER suggested the BLM take steps to better protect rangelands from climate impacts.

BLMs final decision record for the American Prairie request, and documents associated with the environmental assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact are available on the BLMs ePlanning website https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/103543/570.
Wyomings secretary of state will soon be a district court judge in Torrington, following an appointment by Gov. Mark Gordon last week.

Ed Buchanan, a Torrington native, announced he would not run for reelection for his current post in May, less than a month after saying he planned to run again.

While I have been so grateful for the time I have spent as the Secretary of State, it would not be appropriate for me to explore a judicial opportunity while also running for this important office, he said in a statement at the time.

Buchanan was named one of three finalists for the Eighth District judgeship at the end of June. He will replace Judge Patrick Korell, who was appointed to the post by Gov. Matt Mead in 2015.

In 2018, Mead appointed Buchanan secretary of state after his predecessor, Ed Murray, resigned amid allegations of sexual misconduct. He then won the 2018 general election to keep his seat. Buchanan had lost the 2014 election to Murray by roughly 1,600 votes.

Before that, he served as a state representative for 10 years, including stints as House speaker, majority whip and majority floor leader. Buchanan also worked as a prosecutor in Laramie County and as a lawyer in private practice.

Buchanan previously applied for this judge position in 2015, and was named one of three finalists alongside Korrell. He also applied and was named a finalist for a circuit court opening in 2019, but was again not selected.

Tuesday is set to be Korrells last day on the bench, according to a release from the Wyoming Judicial Nominating Commission.

Its not clear when Buchanan will start the new position. He plans to remain in the secretary of states office to fulfill his forthcoming duties and ensure a smooth transition before joining the court, a statement from the governors office said.

(Buchanans) extensive legal background, his compassion for those in his community, and his passion for the law and our justice system will serve him well as a District Court judge in this next chapter of his public service career, Gordon said in Saturdays statement.

In June, the nominating commission selected Torrington circuit court Judge Nathaniel Hibben and Deputy Attorney General Misha Westby as the other two finalists for the district court petition. Westby was appointed to a district court judgeship in Albany County in July.

With Buchanan out of the secretary of state race, Republican voters will have to choose between Rep. Chuck Gray, R-Casper, Sen. Tara Nethercott, R-Cheyenne and former geologist Mark Armstrong in the upcoming primary.

Senate President Dan Dockstader, R-Afton, filed to run for secretary of state the same day Buchanan said he would not seek reelection. Dockstader has since dropped out of the race and endorsed Nethercott.

Editor's note: A previous version of this story misrepresented the judgeship selection process. The judicial nominating commission selects three finalists for each position, then submits them to the governor for the final appointment.
Channa Walz said she almost died when she gave birth to her oldest daughter in Missoula.

I was left in pain because one of my nurses called me a drug seeker, Walz said.

I almost died from racism, she said. Its really dangerous.

Walz, who is Little Shell, is not alone. Her negative birth experience is what led her to the University of Montana on Tuesday morning for a free, four-day Indigenous doula training.

Doulas facilitate physical and emotional support before, during and after birth. They also help people navigate the health care system and advocate for their own needs.

Severe maternal morbidity refers to the unintended outcomes of labor and delivery that result in short- or long-term consequences for a pregnant persons health. Nearly all cases are preventable. Yet Native Americans in Montana have triple the risk of severe maternal morbidity compared with their white counterparts.

Risk is related to who you are and where you live. Experts say disparate health outcomes are the result of various factors, including economic stability, education, social context and environment.

Like many of the women who attended the training, Walz is passionate about maternal health care and wants to support other Indigenous people through pregnancy, birth and postpartum.

Trainings like these are really important for our communities, she said. This will lower the death rate.

In collaboration with Billings Clinic, Montana Obstetrics and Maternal Support (MOMS) hosted the training, which they hope will improve access and strengthen support services for Native communities, which have fewer maternal care services and suffer worse health outcomes as a result.

Melissa Brown, Anishinaabe and Dine midwife, and Candace Neumann, Metis doula, facilitated the training.

The course covers trauma-informed care, caregiver care, pregnancy, labor, birth, postpartum care, grief, loss and traditional teaching tools, among other topics.

Improving health outcomes

Stephanie Fitch, MOMS grant manager at Billings Clinic, said the goal of the training is to reach demographically and racially disparaged populations.

Obstetric care, especially specialized care, is limited in rural communities. On reservations in Montana, its nearly nonexistent. As a consequence of decades of disinvestment and oppressive federal policies, Native Americans are also more likely to have riskier pregnancies.

Amy Stiffarm, who is Aaniiih, Cree and Blackfeet, told attendees she struggled with depression and anxiety during and after her pregnancies. While its often discussed that Native Americans face maternal health disparities, Stiffarm said most literature ignores Indigenous perspectives and worldviews.

People dont mention the whole story behind these disparities, she said, adding that understanding white supremacy and historical trauma is part of collective healing.

Doulas can be a remedy to restore supportive relationships and provide culturally safe care, she said. Healthy communities start with healthy mothers.

Fitch said the leading causes of maternal mortality in Montana are suicide and drug overdoses after birth.

She said doulas can provide critical support during the postpartum period, when Native people may be geographically isolated and live in areas that lack adequate support services.

But doula care is not a perfect solution. Doula services are not covered by insurance companies, so people who lack financial resources may not have access to this kind of care.

Additionally, some states have certification requirements for doulas, but Montana is not among them. The lack of accreditation makes it especially hard for doulas in Montana to bill for their services.

Jessica Liddell, principal investigator on a MOMS doula study and assistant professor at the University of Montana, said stakeholders hope to improve access to doula services.

By offering this training, we hope to build a bigger workforce, she said. Then we can go to the federal government and say, Hey, this is a cost-efficient way to provide care in communities.

Culturally sensitive teaching

Many at the event spoke about how doula training is not a new concept.

Shelly Fyant, former chairwoman of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, spoke of the women in her family. She said her great-great-grandmother helped deliver babies and had 10 of her own, and her great-grandmother was a midwife. Her grandmother had 18 children, many of whom were born outside of a hospital.

Brown said because doula training draws on Indigenous ways of knowing, much of the practice is about remembering.

You might feel like, Oh, my grandmother told me that, my auntie spoke about this, she told attendees.

Weve been doing this forever, Stiffarm added. This knowledge has always been a part of us. This  is us.

Many attendees sought out the training for its Indigenous focus.

Maria Vega, 25, traveled to Missoula from Fort Peck for the event.

Theres a lack of Native midwives, she said. I came here because I want to learn so I can support myself and other people. I looked around, and theres really not a lot of Native-specific training out there, so I was really happy to see this.

Misty Peyketewa, who is Blackfeet and Karuk, said she is an elder in her family and wanted to attend the training so she could provide support to her children and grandchildren.

I appreciate how they talked about our Indigenous ways of knowing prior to colonization, Peyketewa said. I think this training will fit in perfectly with my community and family.
The numbers are in: University of Wyoming volunteers spotted 16 moose on July 16.

Summer Moose Day, sponsored by the universitys Biodiversity Institute, gathers data on Albany Countys moose populations. Theres also Winter Moose Day, which takes place every February.

Thirty volunteer scientists were dispatched across five trails near Pole Mountain, located southeast of Laramie; six trails in the Snowy Range in Medicine Bow National Forest; and one trail near Arlington, according to an Monday news release from the university.

The team reported 10 male adults, five female adults and a calf.

Thats on par with numbers recorded in previous years, the release said. In 2016, when the program started, scientists also reported seeing 16 moose.

Its typical for volunteers to see more male moose than females, too, according to the release.

In years past, the program sent just one group of citizen scientists to each trail. This time, in an effort to see how accurate volunteers moose-spotting skills are, some routes got multiple.

The change will allow for data to be collected to see how good people are at detecting signs of moose, Mason Lee, senior project coordinator for the universitys Biodiversity Institute, said in the release.

University researchers will use the data to learn more about how moose numbers in the area are changing, the release said. Those statistics can inform scientists understanding of moose population density, birth rates and habitat quality, among other factors.

Summer and Winter Moose Day are carried out by members of the public. The goal is to engage more people in biodiversity research, the release said.

The University of Wyomings Moose Day is modeled off a similar program started by volunteer group Nature Mapping Jackson Hole.

Anyone can look at the location data the school collected on the moose online. They were entered into iNaturalist, a social network that crowdsources biodiversity data. Its run by the California Academy of Sciences and the National Geographic Society.
Three potential Wyoming schools have applied for charters now.

Prairie View Community School in Chugwater, Wyoming Classical Academy Charter School in Mills and Cheyenne Classical Academy Charter School have applied for charters, according to an update from State Superintendent of Public Instruction Brian Schroeder. If their charters are approved, the schools will likely open their doors in fall 2023.

Charter schools are public schools, so theyre funded with state money. They dont charge tuition and theyre still accountable to state performance standards like traditional public schools. But theyre nonprofit organizations, and theyre subject to fewer regulations compared to traditional public schools; their governing boards are separate from district school boards, and they can choose their own curriculum, for example.

Two new Wyoming charter schools could open in fall 2023 Two new charter schools could open their doors in Mills and Cheyenne next year.

In the past, its been pretty hard for charter schools in Wyoming to get off the ground. But a charter school bill sponsored by Sen. Ogden Driskill, R-Devils Tower, that the Legislature passed last year could make it a little easier.

The bill gives the State Loan and Investment Board authority to approve charters. Before, charter schools could only do that through school districts.

Having the State Loan and Investment Board as a separate authorizer could be a step toward creating an entirely new statewide charter approval board, a co-sponsor of the 2021 bill, Sen. Affie Ellis, R-Cheyenne, explained. This year is meant to be a pilot for the approval process, and the number of charters that the State Loan and Investment Board can grant is limited to just three, Ellis said.

Charter school proponents say such schools provide more learning options to fit individual kids and their communities. Charter school opponents say they can siphon funds away from traditional public schools and have standards that are too lax.

At the end of the day, with the limited resources that each district has, when you start to divide up those resources and draw students away from the public schools, you start to screw up the funding model, Sen. Chris Rothfuss, D-Laramie, who opposed the charter school bill, said.

Bill allowing charter schools to circumvent districts becomes law without Gordon's signature A bill that allows applications to create charter schools in Wyoming to circumvent school districts has passed into law without the governor's signature.

But others think that this competition could be healthy for school ecosystems.

When it comes to people feeling threatened by charter schools, I think thats just a fundamental difference of opinion, Ellis said. I think itll improve education.

Rothfuss is also concerned the new legislation took away important vetting steps for charter schools to get approved.

We were always very careful not to throw the doors wide open, to adhere to the Wyoming Constitution as the first priority, where its the states responsibility to provide public education, and to ensure that that education is secular, he said. We did so by requiring that any charter school work with the district for the charter school, and I believe that that system has been very selective and very successful.

Right now, there are only five charter schools in Wyoming  two in Cheyenne, two in Laramie and one in Riverton.

The two proposed charter schools in Mills and Cheyenne are based on a classical model of education that was developed by Hillsdale College, a conservative private liberal arts college in Hillsdale, Michigan. The colleges Barney Charter School Initiative has opened charter schools across the country, including three in neighboring Colorado.

Rothfuss said hes concerned about Hillsdale Colleges involvement in these two potential charter schools.

Hillsdale College has recently run into criticism in Tennessee, which had invited the college earlier this year to start 50 schools in the state. Late last month, NewsChannel 5 Investigates obtained video footage of Hillsdale College President Larry Arnn onstage at a private event. Arnn said in the video that teachers are trained in the dumbest parts of the dumbest colleges in the country.

Following the story, one Tennessee charter school decided to part ways with Hillsdale College, and several of the states colleges and universities also condemned Arnns statements, the Tennessean reported. Three charter school applications have also since been rejected by school boards in the state, according to the Associated Press.

From my perspective, I believe it to be well known that it was Hillsdale College-supported legislation, Rothfuss said of Wyomings 2021 charter school bill.

But the Wyoming charter school legislation opens the door for a variety of potential charter schools in the state.

The other proposed schools  the Prairie View Community School in Chugwater  emphasizes individualized and project-based learning centered on students interests. It also focuses on place-based education, or education that immerses students in local heritage, cultures, landscapes, opportunities and experiences, according to the proposed schools website.

Ellis said that she thinks there isnt going to be one kind of charter school thats right for every community.

I think that a lot of these have to be driven by parents and students in the community themselves to be successful, she said.

You go to places that have been working with charter schools and have more experience in working with charter schools, theyll talk about programs that start and fail, and if theyre not meeting the families and the students needs, they should fail.

The Wyoming Department of Education is reviewing the three applications. After that, theyll go to the State Loan and Investment Board. The State Loan and Investment Board will have a public meeting and do applicant interviews for final approval.
SHERIDAN  Officials from the Wyoming Peace Officers Standards and Training are preparing to host the states first-ever First Responder Health and Wellness Conference, a new opportunity stemming from a need to address high rates of suicide among law enforcement agents and a $25,000 appropriation the Wyoming Legislature added to the budget earlier this year.

The conference, which is set to take place later this month in Casper, is intended to provide Wyoming first responders and their agencies with the resources necessary to identify and prevent mental health crises and signs of suicide among law enforcement personnel, dispatchers, firefighters and emergency medical service providers in the state, POST Executive Director Chris Walsh said in a Thursday commission meeting.

Weve tried to put together something that is usable to everybody across the board, Walsh said.

Studies have shown law enforcement officers are at a higher risk for negative physical and mental health outcomes  including early death, heart attacks, illnesses and injuries, obesity and sleep disorders  than members of the general public.

This trend is particularly strong in terms of suicide.

Law enforcement officers are significantly more likely to die by suicide than non-law-enforcement workers, with one nationwide National Institutes of Health study finding law enforcement personnel  particularly African-American and Hispanic male and female officers  are 54% more likely to die by suicide than those with typical occupations.

According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data, EMS providers are 39% more likely to die by suicide than the general public, and both firefighters and law enforcement officers are more likely to die by suicide than in the line of duty.

These troubling statistics, coupled with some first responder suicides in Wyoming, led the Wyoming Legislature to take action during its budget session in March.

A budget amendment, proposed by Sen. Bill Landen, R-Casper, appropriated $25,000 for a statewide conference on first responder suicide prevention and the development of a plan to address the heightened risk of suicide among first responders. The Legislature adopted the amendment in a 16-14 vote.

The legislative appropriation makes the First Responder Health and Wellness Conference free to attend for first responders, Walsh said, and its on track to cost less than the allocated amount.

During the conference, Walsh said, first responders will learn about the physiological changes that take place in the body when faced with regular stressful or life-threatening situations as well as how to cope with that stress at work and at home.

In addition, Cheyenne-based licensed clinical psychologist Shaina Smith, who conducts many of the pre-employment psychological evaluations for first responders throughout the state, will discuss psychological warning flags during initial employment and throughout a first responders career, Walsh said.

The goal is to ensure agencies are able to intervene in case of a mental health crisis and individual first responders themselves feel empowered to seek help when they need it.

Lets face it: This isnt a problem that can be fixed by an outsider. This has to be fixed by the individual themselves, Walsh said.

The First Responder Health and Wellness Conference will take place Aug. 22-24 in Casper. The next POST Commission meeting will be held Oct. 27 at 1:30 p.m.
A rare snail once thought to live only in a handful of lakes in Colorado, Montana and Canada also resides in Wyoming, a team of researchers from the University of Wyoming discovered.

The scientists discovered the snail, called the Rocky Mountain capshell, in the Snowy Range west of Laramie, the university announced Friday.

The Rocky Mountain capshell is a rare species that only occurs in a few locations, which are typically mountain lakes. Rare species contribute to biodiversity, and rare species can have large effects on ecosystems despite their status, said Lusha Tronstad, the lead invertebrate zoologist with the Wyoming Natural Diversity Database and lead researcher on the project. Very little is known about these snails.

The capshells are freshwater snails classified as limpets, which means they have a single, cone-shaped shell. The snails eat algae by scraping single-celled plants off rocks and logs, according to the universitys announcement.

Scientists had previously found the Rocky Mountain capshell in seven U.S. lakes  six in Colorado and one in Montana. That led them to suspect the snails would also be found somewhere in Wyoming.

While the snail was found in a Snowy Range lake, its possible that it exists in other Wyoming mountain ranges. The snails are small, in low abundance and difficult to find, Tronstad explained in the universitys announcement.

Wyoming is known to have 37 to 39 species of snails, of which the study identified 18 living in streams, wetlands and lakes in the Snowy Range as well as the Bear and Powder River basins, the announcement states.

The more information we have about snails, abundant or rare, the better the decisions that can be made to manage them, Tronstad said in the statement.

The Wyoming Game and Fish Departments Fisheries Division funded the research.
Mark Armstrong, Republican

Q: What qualities, training, experiences, and skills would you bring to this office?

A: Legislative advocacy, business development, litigation mitigation, legal strategies, regulatory compliance, government liaison, agency liaison, legal testimony, remedial action, subordinate management, contracting,

human health risks, site safety, corrective action plans, EIRs, EISs, resolutions, ethics compliance, permitting, inspections, document research, FOIA, Sunshine Act and client contentment.

Q: What changes, if any, would you recommend in Wyomings election laws?

A: Absentee and mail-in ballots appear to be the source of the voter fraud in most cases. We all know that the day-of-election in-person voting is not the problem. So why after a major rewrite of the election code does the election code still read:

"22-9-102. Who may vote by absentee ballot. (a) Any qualified elector may vote by absentee ballot." Shouldn't we be encouraging day-of-election in-person voting? And limiting mail-in and/or absentee voting to people with special circumstances (military, camp jobs, out of town, homebound, resident in nursing care facility or other)? Shouldn't we advocate for paper ballots? Stopping crossover voting with a three pronged approach.

Q: In what ways would you improve access for rural voters as Secretary of State?

A: In Albany County we had our voting poll locations restricted due to COVID. We put together a team that was able to restore, for the most part, our rural polling locations.

Q: What role should the Secretary of State play in increasing voter turnout in Wyoming?

A: When people believe that the vote counts, they will turn out to vote.

Chuck Gray, Republican

Q: What qualities, training, experiences, and skills would you bring to this office?

A: Election integrity has been a priority of mine as a state legislator. During my service in the state legislature over the past six years, I'm the only secretary of state candidate with a proven conservative record and a proven record regarding election integrity. I was the lead sponsor of the Voter ID Bill, which passed in the 2021 session. My leadership has always been dedicated to giving power and accountability back to the people from whom it's being taken away by big-government policies, self-serving politicians and bureaucratic overreach. Ive led on fighting out-of-control property tax increases. We don't need career politicians who have only proven they will help themselves at our expense. With me, what you see is what you get.

Q: What changes, if any, would you recommend in Wyomings election laws?

A: We must ban ballot drop boxes. The documentary "2000 Mules" has shown how dangerous these drop boxes are. We must also move to an election with entirely paper ballots with no exceptions. There also needs to be an audit of each election. America is built on one person, one vote, and we should never tolerate criminals, tyrants and cheats who try to change that. The State also needs to fight to protect the Voter ID Law I passed. The recently announced policy of hiding certain voter registration and turnout data from the public is a horrible idea and a recipe for disaster. Unbelievably, the state is now hiding public data about our elections. We need more transparency, not less.

Q: In what ways would you improve access for rural voters as Secretary of State?

A: All voters should have the same access to register and vote. I support in person voting with paper ballots and won't gamble on black box voting machines that can't be accurately audited. The secretary of state also manages corporate registrations. I'll make it easier for all Wyomingites to create and run their own small businesses. I view it as my job to get the government out of our way and off our backs. As a member of the State Board of Land Commissioners, I will ensure that every state land decision is handled with a Wyoming-first approach. And I will work against and expose insider-driven corruption.

Q: What role should the Secretary of State play in increasing voter turnout in Wyoming?

A: The secretary of state should make sure every vote is counted and reported accurately.

Tara Nethercott, Republican

Q: What qualities, training, experiences, and skills would you bring to this office?

A: As your next secretary of state, I have the necessary working knowledge through my experiences as a practicing attorney in corporate formations, registered agents and as a small business owner. My six years as a state senator, serving on the Corporations, Elections, and Political Subdivisions Committee -- the home committee of the secretary of state, has gained me advanced expertise on all elections laws, election integrity concerns, corporate filings, notaries public and all matters impacting the office. I have the desire to serve as a working elected, to instill trust and security in our elections. I have the business experience and proven leadership to lead a highly competent team for continued excellence

Q: What changes, if any, would you recommend in Wyomings election laws?

A: Wyoming leads as an example to the nation for conducting safe and secure elections. I intend to continue with this commitment to election integrity. This requires constant evaluation of elections procedures to ensure best practices are being utilized, with a careful balancing of election security and voter participation. Areas of Wyoming's elections laws that should receive additional attention from the public, county clerks and the legislature include: ballot boxes, absentee ballots and ballot harvesting.

Q: In what ways would you improve access for rural voters as Secretary of State?

A: With the majority of Wyoming voters being rural, improving and increasing access must be a priority. As your next secretary of state, I would consult with all the county clerks and the voters to understand what factors may be limiting rural voter turnout and evaluate how rural voters prefer to vote. Responding to the desired preferences of the voters, balanced with election security will result in greater participation and stronger outcomes.

Q: What role should the Secretary of State play in increasing voter turnout in Wyoming?

A: As the chief elections officer for the state, the secretary of state plays a fundamental and primary role in increasing voter turnout. Voting is the cornerstone of our country. The government's power is derived from its people and that power should be reflected in the vote. Increasing voter turnout requires intentional prioritization for communicating election information and coordination with the state's county clerks and a reminder to all Wyomingites that voting is not only a privilege, but a duty. Every vote counts.
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.
Delivering beautiful smiles is Dr Cornelia Blackmans life work. Blackman is the founder of CB Dental Studio, a family and cosmetic dental practice where on a typical day she goes beyond examining teeth, gums and other dental issues. Whether Blackman is engaging her patients and followers on Instagram or physically at her practice, one thing is sureher passion for changing lives, one smile at a time.
Bear with us. We will deal with this challenging situation in Trinidad and Tobago. We will deal with this scourge.

That was the plea to the public yesterday from acting Police Commissioner McDonald Jacob, as murders and serious crime continue unabated.

Moving to address the crisis, Jacob said leave has been restricted for all police officers, while 60 have been pulled from their vacation to increase foot and mobile patrols in high traffic and public areas.
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.
The Tucson Summer Chorus is hosting its annual benefit concert on Friday, Aug. 5.

The 45 member mixed-voice Summer Chorus, under the baton of Luke Diamond, will perform a concert around the theme of Summer Fun, which will include the medieval English rota Sumer Is Icumen In; German songwriter Henry Mayers Summer Wind, with English lyrics by Johnny Mercer; and Mark Pattersons sweeping Grand Canyon Sunrise.

The evening also will include a sing-along of summertime favorites including the rockabilly classic Summertime Blues.

Tucson Summer Chorus has been performing its annual summertime concert to benefit Interfaith Community Services since 2010, when Tucson choral director Terrie Ashbaugh organized the ensemble as a way to repay ICS for help she and her family received soon after moving to Tucson, according to Summer Chorus board member Linda Kayden.

Ashbaugh is the founder of the Arizona Choral Arts Association and has led the Arizona Womens Chorus since 1998.

The Tucson Summer Chorus is comprised of vocalists from Sons of Orpheus  The Male Choir of Tucson, Tucson Womens Chorus, University Faculty Chorus, Desert Harmonies, Tucson Barbershop Experience and Arizona Womens Chorus.

The Tucson Flute Club and The Trailheads duo also will perform beginning at 7 p.m. Friday at St. Francis in the Foothills United Methodist Church, 4625 E. River Road. Masks are required and admission is by cash donation or non-perishable food items including peanut butter, which ICS says is in big demand.

Arizona Friends of Chamber Music





Arizona Friends of Chamber Music is hosting a recital on Monday, Aug. 1, with Tucson Symphony Orchestra Concertmaster Lauren Roth, TSO assistant principal cellist Ian Jones and University of Arizona piano professor John Milbauer.

The trio will perform Leos Janaceks Pohadka (A Fairy Tale) for Cello and Piano; Henri Dutilleuxs Three Strophes on the Name of Sacher for solo cello; Lili Boulangers Nocturne from Two Pieces for Violin and Piano (transcribed for cello); and Maurice Ravels Piano Trio in A minor.

The performance begins at 7 p.m. Monday at Holsclaw Hall at the UA Fred Fox School of Music, East Speedway and North Park Avenue. Masks are strongly encouraged and tickets are $30 for adults, $10 for students through arizonachambermusic.org.
A man arrested on suspicion of arson in the July 17 fire that caused millions of dollars in damage to Salpointe Catholic High School has no known affiliation with the school, school officials said Monday.

Arson investigators from the Tucson Police Department and the Tucson Fire Department, with evidence collected at the scene, identified 26-year-old Forrest Harris as a suspect in the arson, police said in a news release Sunday.

Harris was found Saturday near North Country Club Road and East Grant Road, and after investigators interviewed him, he was booked into the Pima County jail on suspicion of arson of an occupied structure, third-degree burglary and criminal damage, police said.

The fire, reported at about 9 p.m. July 17, caused what police have described as significant damage to the southeastern building of the school at 1545 E. Copper St. No injuries were reported.

Authorities had not disclosed prior to the arrest that they determined arson to be the fires cause.

The motive for the arson is undetermined at this time, Salpointe officials said in a news release Monday.

The fire destroyed the 700 English wing of the school and caused smoke, water and electrical damage to several other campus buildings.

Expenses related to the fire are expected to be in the millions, and insurance will cover remediation and replacement costs, Salpointes news release said.

The six classrooms destroyed will be temporarily replaced by modern modular classrooms. The school will be approved for safe occupancy before the first day of school on Aug. 15 for Salpointes 1,250 students, school officials said.

The Casa Grande Dispatch reported in March 2021 that Harris, then of Sells, was accused of trying to prevent customers from using the drive-thru lane at a fast-food restaurant in Casa Grande and then fighting with police.

Harris was charged at that time with two counts of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer and one count each of resisting arrest, possession of drug paraphernalia and disorderly conduct, the Dispatch reported, citing Pinal County Superior Court records.

Then, in Pima County, Harris was found guilty June 2, 2021, in a plea agreement, of drug paraphernalia possession/use, Superior Court records show.
Three people were apprehended following an hours-long search that ensued after they eluded Sand Springs police officers and Oklahoma Highway Patrol troopers in a pursuit over a stolen vehicle and a larceny from a Tractor Supply store, Sand Springs Police Capt. Jody Fogleman said.

Sand Springs officers notified the Oklahoma Highway Patrol about 10:20 a.m. Monday that officers were in pursuit of a Chevrolet Tahoe that was heading west out of that city on U.S. 412 and had entered Pawnee County, OHP Trooper Eric Foster said.

The chase began after a petty larceny was reported at the Tractor Supply store just northeast of 41st Street and Oklahoma 97 in the Prattville area of Sand Springs. By checking the Tahoes license tag, officers determined that it had been reported stolen in Stephens County.

The SUV fled north to U.S. 412 and at some point went west in the highways eastbound lanes, the OSBI reported.

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol took the lead in the pursuit, and a trooper used a tactical vehicle intervention  an attempt to disable the vehicle while it was moving  that failed to end the pursuit, Foster said.

The TVI did, however, cause the Tahoe to spin out and crash into the OHP vehicle, Foster said, and it became clear that other occupants were in the vehicle.

The fleeing driver then rammed a Sand Springs police car. A Sand Springs police officer or officers then fired shots and hit the Tahoe, according to an Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation news release.

The driver of the stolen vehicle then continued west on U.S. 412 a short distance before turning onto an access road and into a wooded area about 2 miles from the crash site, where Foster said the occupants abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot.

No law enforcement officers were injured, Foster said.

Officers from the Sand Springs and Mannford police departments and deputies from the Pawnee County Sheriffs Office then searched for the three in the heat on uneven terrain around Keystone Lake.

The three people  a man and two women  were found by an off-duty Pawnee County reserve deputy about 5:30 p.m. near Keystone Lake on Peninsula Road near U.S. 412, according to the OSBI.

Fogleman said the man and one of the women were taken into Sand Springs police custody.

The other woman was taken to a hospital for treatment of dehydration and exposure.

The man will be facing complaints from Sand Springs police of larceny from the Tractor Supply store, eluding and possession of a stolen vehicle, Fogleman said, adding that the OHP or the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation could pursue more charges.

The women, whom Fogleman said were not suspects in the Tractor Supply larceny, could face joyriding complaints for being in the stolen vehicle, but Fogleman said more investigation will have to be done before that can be determined.

The OSBI said its agents were requested once the car chase ended to investigate the officer-involved shooting and chase.

Ashley Jones contributed to this story.

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A corrections officer at the Davis Correctional Facility in Holdenville was killed by an inmate on Sunday, the state Department of Corrections said.

As a group of inmates were being returned to their housing area from recreation, the assailant attacked the officer. Lifesaving efforts administered to the officer by facility medical staff were unsuccessful, the department said in a news release.

Out of respect for family members, whom facility management is attempting to notify, the identity of the officer is not being released at this time, the department said in the release.

Officials with local law enforcement and the Oklahoma Department of Corrections were notified and are investigating the incident with full support from facility staff, the department said.

The assailant has been identified and isolated. His name was not released Sunday. Additional details are pending the outcome of investigative efforts, the agency said.

Our hearts go out to the officers family, friends, and coworkers at this time. Support services are being made available to facility staff, the department said in a statement.

The Davis Correctional Facility is a privately run prison with a capacity of about 1,600 male inmates.

Holdenville is located in Hughes County, about 90 miles south of Tulsa.
Card check: Distribution efforts are underway for summer 2022 Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer funds, a spokeswoman for the Oklahoma Department of Human Services confirmed Friday.

Eligible students will receive a flat $391, which will be loaded onto their EBT cards from the 2021-22 school year and can be used to purchase food at authorized grocery stores and farmers markets.

In order to receive summer benefits, students had to be enrolled as of May 2022 with a district that participates in the federal free and reduced-price school meal program.

Additionally, qualifying students must have been eligible for free or reduced-price school meals based on either their household income or attendance at a school that exercised the National School Lunch Programs Community Eligibility Provision prior to the pandemic, such as all of Tulsa Public Schools elementary sites.

Funds are being distributed in batches, and the process is expected to be completed by Friday.

Going through the lunch line: With universal free school meal service ending, Glenpool Public Schools has set its 2022-23 menu prices.

Full-price breakfast for all students is $2.10. Full-price lunch will be $2.85 for lower elementary, elementary and intermediate students. Middle and high school students will pay $3.20 for lunch. Across all campuses, reduced-price student breakfasts will be $0.30 and reduced-price student lunches will be $0.40.

Staff will pay $3 for breakfast and $4.85 for lunch, while guests will be charged $4 for breakfast and $5 for lunch.

Glenpool starts classes on Aug. 11.

Meanwhile, the free and reduced-price application for students attending Tulsa Public Schools is now available online at tulsaschools.org/freemeals. All TPS elementary students will still have access to free school meals through a community eligibility provision, but middle and high school students will need to fill out an application by Sept. 30 in order to receive free or reduced-price breakfast and lunch.

Help wanted: In an effort to fill open support positions, Broken Arrow Public Schools is hosting a job fair from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday at the Broken Arrow High School cafeteria. Full- and part-time positions are available with transportation, child nutrition and the districts before- and after-school child care sites.

Back on campus: Wednesday is the first day of school for Prue Public Schools.

School supply distribution: Tulsa Public Schools Parent Resource Center at 525 E. 46th St. North is hosting a back-to-school bash from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

In conjunction with The Assembly church, the Broken Arrow Police Department is also hosting a back-to-school event from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday at 3500 W. New Orleans St. in Broken Arrow. Along with school supplies and backpacks, free haircuts and back-to-school immunizations will be available.

Additionally, the Johnson-OMalley programs for six area school districts have scheduled distribution events this week.

JOM is a federally funded program that provides culturally appropriate supplemental educational opportunities and resources for Indigenous students based on community feedback.

Wagoner Public Schools JOM will host a drive-through distribution event from 4-6 p.m. Tuesday at the Ellington Early Childhood Center. Families are asked to bring proof of their childs tribal enrollment if it is not already on file with the district.

JOM students attending Catoosa Public Schools can pick up supplies from 4-7 p.m. Wednesday at the districts Education Service Center.

The JOM programs for Hominy and Owasso are each hosting drive-through distribution events on Thursday evening. Indigenous Hominy families may pick up their childrens supplies from 6-8 p.m. Thursday at the Osage Nation Education Department, located three miles north of Hominy in the Osage Industrial Park.

School supplies will be available for Owasso JOM families to pick up from 5-7 p.m. Thursday at the Eighth Grade Center, as well as from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday at the same location.

Bixby Indian Education will be handing out supplies for JOM students in prekindergarten through sixth grade from 8-11:30 a.m. Friday at the Ninth Grade Center.

Saturday distribution events are scheduled for Collinsville and Lone Star. Collinsvilles is a drive-through event from 9 a.m. to noon at Collinsville Middle School. Families are asked to bring proof of their childs tribal citizenship.

Indigenous students attending Sapulpas Lone Star School can pick up school supplies from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday in Room 108 of the districts junior high building.

School board calendar: The boards of education for Kiefer, Sand Springs and Tulsa have meetings scheduled for Monday.

The Lone Star school board is scheduled to meet Tuesday.

 Lenzy Krehbiel-Burton, Tulsa World
Students in Tulsa Public Schools may soon have access to classes in an additional language.

Monday nights school board agenda includes a memorandum of understanding with the Kiowa Tribe to offer Kiowa language and culture classes to any interested TPS student in the 2022-23 school year, as well as professional development sessions for teachers.

Although the Kiowa classes would be considered supplemental and would not count toward graduation requirements, if the memorandum of understanding is approved, it is thought to be the first time TPS has offered classes in any Indigenous language.

Weve talked to other tribes before about offering language classes, TPS Executive Director of Language and Cultural Services Laura Grisso said, noting that the Kiowa Tribe initiated the conversation with the district. There has been lots of interest but just havent been able to work out the logistics quite yet.

Under the terms of the proposed agreement, the tribe will provide the instructors and materials, while the district will provide space for classes.

Headquartered in Carnegie, the Kiowa Tribe has about 11,000 enrolled citizens. A tribal spokeswoman did not respond to multiple inquiries for an estimated number of Kiowa citizens in the Tulsa area. However, prior to the pandemic, the tribe had a large enough population in the area to justify regular outreach events.

With no fluent speakers under age 18, the Kiowa language is classified as endangered. It is also considered an isolate, not linguistically related to any other spoken language.

Kiowa classes are already available through the Tulsa City-City County Librarys American Indian Resource Center. However, Ramon Granado, a research assistant with the Kiowa Language and Culture Revitalization Program, said the classes offered through Tulsa Public Schools will be more structured and formal.

The classes at Zarrow (Regional Library, at 2224 W. 51st St.) are more community classes that are open to the public, Granado said. While the goal there is to get people to eventually speak Kiowa, its more relaxed.

In the school system, well be able to implement and have more assessments and making sure that the students are reaching a level of proficiency that we want, as well as just acquiring more data to see where their progression is.

In 2016, the tribe received a multi-year grant through the Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Native Americans to bolster its language revitalization efforts by partnering with school districts in and around areas with large Kiowa populations.

Although implementation was delayed due to the pandemic, similar agreements are in place for the coming academic year with five other school districts around the state: Anadarko, Carnegie, Lawton, Norman and Western Heights.

Our hope is that by introducing this into the public school system, it will eventually be just another class that is taught like all the other classes are taught, Kiowa Language and Culture Revitalization Program Manager Lillie Pinnell said.

Pinnells program is also working with the University of Oklahoma and the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma in Chickasha to train Kiowa language teachers.
A teen was killed and another male was shot multiple times in a shooting on the Broken Arrow Expressway early Sunday, police said.

The shooting took place about 1 a.m. in the eastbound lanes of the highway between Sheridan Road and Memorial Drive, said Tulsa police Capt. Shane Tuell.

The shooting victim was driving a stolen Kia Soul when an apparent altercation took place between the occupants in that car, and others in another vehicle at an unknown location.

The vehicles ended up on the highway where the shooting occurred, Tuell said.

Police on Sunday were seeking information about the second vehicle and a shooting suspect or suspects.

The driver was pronounced dead at the scene. His passenger was shot multiple times and was taken to a local hospital. He was alive on Sunday afternoon, Tuell said.

The eastbound lanes of the highway were shut down for several hours while police gathered evidence, including shell casings from different weapons, Tuell said.

The shooting was the citys 48th homicide this year.

Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to contact CrimeStoppers at 918-596-COPS (2677).
Andrew Yang, losing candidate for president and New York City mayor, is one of the founders of the Forward Party. Rob Kim/Getty Images

In June 2022, Gallup asked participants in a U.S. survey about their party membership. In politics, pollsters asked, as of today, do you consider yourself a Republican, a Democrat or an independent?

The largest segment of participants  43%  said they were independent. Republicans and Democrats represented 27% each.

Note the lower case i in independent. That means its not a party, as the Democrats and Republicans are. Actual political parties have policies, they have big bank accounts, they have organizations in every state, and they have a place on the ballot in elections.

But if the leaders of a new, centrist political party whose formation was announced on July 28, 2022, accomplish their goal, the Forward Party will attract many voters who no longer identify as Democrats or Republicans and it will become a force for moderation - and an institution - in U.S. electoral politics.

How will we solve the big issues facing America? the founders said at a news conference. Not Left. Not Right. Forward.

Here are three stories from The Conversations archives that analyze the chances of third-party success at changing the U.S. political system.

The Founding Fathers didnt think highly of political parties, with Alexander Hamilton, second from right, saying they were a most fatal disease. Stock Montage/Getty Images

1. Dont count on it

Political scientist Alexander Cohen of Clarkson University acknowledges that the U.S. two-party system has long been besieged. Critics of party politics in general date to the countrys founding.

Alexander Hamilton called political parties a most fatal disease, Cohen writes. James Madison renounced the violence of faction, and George Washington feared that an overly successful party would create frightful despotism.

Still, parties persisted as the vehicles of electoral politics in the country, evolving into the current two-party system from a variety of parties that emerged and died over the past 200 years. An upstart third party is unlikely to dislodge the status quo, Cohen says.

The modern Republicans and Democrats are unlikely to go the way of the Whigs, Federalists and Anti-Federalists, regardless of recent political earthquakes.

2. Its hard to end the party

The American electoral system is the primary reason why the U.S. is the sole major democracy with only two parties consistently capable of electing public officials, writes Hershey. Votes are counted in most American elections using plurality rules, or winner take all. Whoever gets the most votes wins the single seat up for election.

But in many other democracies, Hershey says, multiple political parties can thrive because of a different system of electing representatives. For example, Hershey writes, there are widely used systems that award seats proportionally to the percentage of votes a party wins.

The 1852 Whig Party presidential campaign poster. Within 10 years, the party was no more. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division

In the Netherlands, for instance, writes Hershey, even a small third party called the Party for the Animals  composed of animal rights supporters, not dogs and cats  won 3.2% of the legislative vote in 2017 and earned five seats, out of 150, in the national legislature.

If that system existed in the U.S., that would mean even a small party would be smart to run Congressional candidates, because even if the party only got 5% of the vote, they could win 5% of the states U.S. House seats.

But a caveat: Those voters who call themselves independent, or say theyre disappointed by or disillusioned with political parties, are still influenced by vestigial party sentiment. Pollsters find, writes Hershey, that most of these independents actually lean toward either the Democrats or the Republicans, and their voting choices are almost as intensely partisan as those who do claim a party affiliation.

Read more: Why Trump is more likely to win in the GOP than to take his followers to a new third party

3. Winning isnt everything

Not everyone sees failure at the ballot box as the final judgment on U.S. third parties. Winning elections isnt necessarily the goal.

The most successful third parties in U.S. politics dont typically rise to dominance but instead challenge the major parties enough to force them to change course, writes political scientist Bernard Tamas of Valdosta State University.

Tamas, who has written a book on U.S. third parties, says that they tend to emerge when Democrats and Republicans are politically polarized  something that has happened periodically since the Civil War. That polarization between parties means larger groups of voters end up being not represented by either one, and the intense contention between them also increases political dissatisfaction.

For the 50 years after the Civil War, the two parties were very polarized. Third parties were aggressive and strong during that period, Tamas writes.

But their aim wasnt to make themselves an institution in a new, multiparty democracy  as the Forward Partys leaders hope now.

For example, the Greenback Party in the 1870s and the Populist Party in the 1890s both aimed, via electoral victories, to force the major parties to adopt policies supporting poor farmers and opposing business monopolies. The Populist Party was especially successful in pressing the Democrats to embrace those positions.

Tamas predicted in 2021 that a new, centrist third party would emerge  very much like the party that made its debut on July 28. He noted that challenging the Trump-influenced GOP would be a main focus of such a party.

The new party could gain strategic advantages by fielding candidates in local and state elections in more moderate places where some Republican candidates have nevertheless chosen to follow their party to the extreme, he writes.

But even if the Forward Party raises money and fields successful candidates, it may not be long in the U.S. political landscape.

The Progressive Party existed for less than a decade, for example, Tamas writes. But by strategically winning the votes of moderate conservatives and thereby undermining Republicans electoral goals, even if briefly, a new third party could stop the GOP from hurtling farther down an extreme and undemocratic path.
SARAJEVO, Bosnia-Herzegovina (AP)  Spain's prime minister on Saturday expressed support for Bosnia to become a candidate for European Union membership amid fears that uncertainty caused by the war in Ukraine could fuel instability in the ethnically torn Balkan nation that went through a devastating conflict in the 1990s'.

Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez came to Sarajevo from Serbia, where he kicked off his tour of the Balkan region on Friday. Sanchez will also travel to Montenegro, North Macedonia and Albania.

During my meetings today I wanted to highlight the opportunity that would be for Bosnia and Herzegovina if the European Union would take its enlargement with a new sense of urgency," Sanchez said at a press conference.

Yet Bosnia, still dominated by nationalist politicians long after the end of the 1992-95 war, has been locked in political and ethnic disputes that have stalled the country's EU membership bid. Bosnia's Serbs, backed by Russia, have sought to win more independence for their Serb-run half of the country, while disagreements between the Bosniaks, who are mostly Muslim, and Croats have blocked the normal functioning of their joint entity.

The political stalemate has sparked concerns that Bosnia could face further ethnic divisions if left behind in the EU process. Some regional leaders have called for Bosnia to be granted a EU candidate status along with Ukraine and Moldova in June to show the EU's commitment to the volatile region.

Sanchez said Spain supports Bosnia's European perspective. He expressed hope the country would take necessary steps to become a membership candidate by the time Spain takes over EU's rotating presidency in the second half of 2023.

"During the last European Council (meeting), I told my fellow heads of governments (of) my full support in favor or Bosnia and Herzegovina being designated a candidate country. said Sanchez.

Sanchez also noted the Srebrenica massacre in July 1995, when Bosnian Serb troops executed over 8,000 Bosniaks months before the end of the war, a crime that has been designated as Europe's only genocide since World War II.

More than 100,000 people were killed and millions were displaced in Bosnia's 1992-95 war before it ended in a U.S.-brokered peace agreement.
The wild land in the border district of Tri Ton in An Giang Province, located in the Mekong Delta of Vietnam, is gradually shrinking, sparking concerns over a shortage of grass, so residents there are rushing to buy the plant daily.

Every day, in the midday sun, Neang Kien, 62, who lives in Phuoc Loc Hamlet, O Lam Commune, Tri Ton District, and dozens of men, women, and children patiently wait at the river shore next to the communes wet market to buy grass.

One topical issue at the market is the misery caused by water hyacinths.

If only the grass were as plentiful as the water hyacinths, life here would be much easier, a woman stated while waiting to buy grass with impatience.

There was not enough grass to feed her four cows the day before. If there is no grass now, her only choice is to sell them off.

Various types of goods transported by river are jammed due to water hyacinths. Yet the one that must be circulated is grass, which is a great concern for most residents in O Lam.

On a daily basis, many O Lam residents are present at this river shore when the sun rises. Over the past decades, the river shore has been the only place for daily grass trading, regardless of floods, storms or droughts.

Grass for sale is gathered there every day. Deals on grass are closed rapidly.

When each boat full of grass reaches the river wharf, the orders are placed with hand gestures or in the Southern Khmer dialect Khnhum pram, Khnhum pram pi or Khnhum pram pay.

After the deals are made, the bundles of grass are thrown toward the riverbank for buyers.

As soon as the two parties agree, the bundles of grass are thrown to the buyers. Photo: Tien Trinh / Tuoi Tre

Grass is currently in high demand in O Lam, with their prices varying from VND10,000 (US$0.42) per two bundles to VND10,000 per three bundles.

Dozens of boats packed with grass arrive at the river shore near the O Lam market in turn. In the blink of an eye, the grass is sold out.

The grass here is selling like hot cakes, Chau Ruol said, adding that the number of cows is inherently high, and now it is even higher as local authorities have launched a cow support project for the Khmer people.

The poor are also able to own cows. Occasionally, people run out of rice, but the cows cant run out of grass, Ruol said.

It is past 1:00 pm but many people are still seeking shelter under a Manila tamarind tree to wait for the last boat operated by the Chau Mon couple.

When the sun is at its strongest, the heavy sound of the engine from the river intersection is a hopeful sign for everyone.

Many rush toward the cement bridge down the river to buy grass for their starving cows.

The deluge of water hyacinths in the river slows down transportation. Moreover, grass has run out recently, so we must reach an area bordering Kien Giang [also in the Mekong Delta region] to cut grass, the couple explained why buyers had to wait so long.

A seller throws a bundle of grass to a woman after a deal is done in An Giang Province, Vietnam. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Looking for grass daily

The grass for my cow is as much as I earn from my banana cakes, Neang Kien said, implying the amount earned from selling banana cakes is just enough to buy grass for her cow.

It is OK if I am hungry but I will be sick if the cow is underweight.

Raising a cow is like loving a dog or a cat, Neang Kien said, adding most of her daily income is spent on grass.

Ten years ago, grass became a big concern for O Lam residents.

Neang Hon, 46, who resides in O Ta Tung in O Lam Commune, says that while rice is abundant, grass is running out, but the demand for grass to feed the cows is increasingly high. People use land to grow rice instead of planting grass as food for cows.

Neang Hon recalled that in the past, the land was immense and the number of residents growing rice was low, so cow breeders just needed to pasture the cows. Back then, it cost her family almost nothing to buy grass for the cows. The picture of cows on the meadow under the Palmyra palm trees became so familiar to the residents of the Seven Mountains region, or Bay Nui, in An Giang.

Yet the situation changed when the residents started to grow rice crops, leaving no grassland for the cows.

Even if grass is available, no one dares to use it to feed the cows, as farmers use fertilizer and pesticides to grow rice, Neang Hon elaborated.

For this reason, the grass is not healthy for cows.

When the floods hit the land and the droughts burned the grass, the residents of Bay Nui had to go all the way to Giang Thanh, Tam Ngan, Hon Dat, or even to the fields that border Cambodia, to find grass for their cows.

The grass on board the Chau Mon couples boats is quickly sold out, while many people go empty-handed. Photo: Tien Trinh / Tuoi Tre

At first, they just cut enough grass to feed their cows for several days, then the journey continued for longer.

However, they realized that it was a waste of effort when making a great attempt to reach the further lands for days and months in return for just enough grass for the cattle.

As for the busy residents, taking the long journey was impossible so they decided to support each other. The grass brought home can be shared with neighbors, said 42-year-old Neang Son.

Neang Son also said that the herds in O Lam are able to overcome the floods or the droughts partly thanks to people who use their own boats or vehicles to look for grass. They sell the plant to cattle raisers in the hamlets and receive a little money.

However, grass-seeking trips are going further and further, making them more expensive and more time-consuming, which raises the cost of the grass as well. Each grass bundle is priced at VND2,000 and a cow needs 5-10 bundles per day.

Gradually, grass has become essential to the cow raisers in O Lam Commune so the families of Ut Dal, Ron Hen, Ta Hen, Mon Thia, and Ca Ron have become professional grass traders.

Chau Rene, 52, said that to meet the demand for grass, he must get up early, sail his boat before the roosters crow, and come home when the sun is high. Their area ranges from the southwest border to the Long Xuyen Tetragon. Wild pastures are fewer and fewer, so grass seekers must go further and further.

I am not fearful of hardship, but the danger is everywhere. The biggest concern is snakes when I must thread my way through the wild land to cut grass, said Rene.

Neang Kien recounted that many families have sold all of their cows to head to the southeast region to find a job due to the dearth of grass.

Meanwhile, Chau Son, another resident, said, Here, each family must have at least one cow which is not only their savings account but also their guarantee for life.

The cow raisers here are fond of wild grass so there are still the hard-working sellers going all the way to find grass. Thanks to this, O Lam is still busy with grass sellers and buyers.

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Vietnamese police arrested a police officer after he used a gun to rob two gold shops and encouraged bystanders to take gold on Sunday.

A source told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper that the officer, later identified as 38-year-old Ngo Van Quoc living in Huong Thuy Town, central Thua Thien-Hue Province, worked in the public security sector before carrying out the robbery.

Many witnesses heard the sound of about five gunshots coming from Dong Ba Market in Hue City, the provincial capital, when Quoc broke into two gold shops, brandishing an AK rifle early on Sunday afternoon.

Quoc took many trays filled with gold and jewelry and threw them into the street, shouting encouragement to people to make off with the items.

This viral photo shows 38-year-old Ngo Van Quoc, a police officer who robbed two gold shops at Dong Ba Market in Hue City, Thua Thien-Hue Province, Vietnam, July 31, 2022.

While passers-by were collecting the gold and jewelry Quoc stole, he fled to Gia Hoi Bridge before moving to Trinh Cong Son Park and firing two bullets into the air.

Police arrived at the scene and evacuated all local people before surrounding Quoc and trying to persuade him to surrender.

After Quoc was allowed to talk with Colonel Dang Ngoc Son, deputy director of the provincial Department of Public Security, at the scene as per his request, he put down the rifle and handed himself in to police forces.

A magazine and four bullets seized at the scene of a robbery, in which a police officer raided two gold shops at Dong Ba Market in Hue City, Thua Thien-Hue Province, Vietnam, July 31, 2022. Photo: Nhat Linh / Tuoi Tre

Police seized a magazine with four bullets, another empty magazine, a walkie-talkie, a helmet, a loaded AK-47 gun, and several cartridges onsite.

The police force also confiscated a police uniform, a pair of shoes, and some other objects only to be used by police officers.

While the provincial public security department has yet to issue any statements regarding the status quo of Quocs duty as a police officer working at a local prison, it called on people who took the gold and jewelry he placed on the street to return the items, or else they would be handled in accordance with regulations.

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Read what is in the news in Vietnam today:

Health

-- The Ministry of Health confirmed an additional 1,477 COVID-19 cases on Sunday, raising Vietnams patient tally to 10,779,632.

Society

-- A truck knocked down a medium-voltage electric pole along National Highway 20 in Tan Phu District, southern Dong Nai Province, causing a mass outage to thousands of local households on Sunday night.

-- Lightning struck Duong Phuc Commune in Thai Thuy District of northern Thai Binh Province, killing 59-year-old Bui Van Nen while he was traveling on a motorbike on Sunday afternoon.

-- Two tourists from Vietnam -- a woman and her daughter -- drowned while swimming in the sea off Naithon beach in Phuket Island, Thailand on Sunday morning, according to the Vietnamese Embassy in Thailand.

-- The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) will help build an additional 100 flood-resistant houses for poor households in the north-central coastal province of Thanh Hoa in the coming time, the Vietnam News Agency quoted Kanni Wignaraja, UN Assistant Secretary General and UNDP Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific, as saying.

Lifestyle

-- The Savory Fund selected Houston Vietnamese restaurant Saigon Hustle in Houston, Texas as the winner of its Million Dollar Restaurant Launch competition with a US$1 million venture capital investment, according to lifestyle news site CultureMap.

-- Hundreds of people spectated a culinary contest held in south-central Phu Yen Province on Sunday afternoon, during which 75 chefs from 25 provinces and cities across Vietnam made 100 dishes from lobster.

-- More than 5,000 people joined a charity walk in support of agent orange (AO)/dioxin victims at Dam Sen Cultural Park in Ho Chi Minh City on Sunday, according to the Vietnam News Agency.

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A truck ran into a power pole on National Highway 20 in Dong Nai Province, southern Vietnam on the weekend, knocking over the pole and causing a power outage for thousands of households in the area.

The incident occurred in Tan Phu Town, Tan Phu District, according to Dong Nai Power Co. Ltd..

At 8:10 pm on Sunday, a truck mounted the sidewalk and hit a power pole while it was driving on National Highway 20 from Da Lat City in the Central Highlands province of Lam Dong to Ho Chi Minh City.

The collision broke power pole No. 176 of the 476 Phu Dien and 478 Phu Loc transmission lines, knocking it over and leaving the electric wires on the ground.

As a result, thousands of households in Phu Xuan, Tra Co, and Phu Thanh Communes as well as Tan Phu Town suffered a power outage.

In addition, the front of the truck was seriously damaged. However, the driver was not injured.

Notified of the incident, workers at Dinh Quan Power, an arm of Dong Nai Power Co. Ltd., rushed to the scene to fix the problem.

The incident caused a power failure for thousands of households in Dong Nai Province, southern Vietnam. Photo: N.D. / Tuoi Tre

The front of the truck is seen seriously damaged but the driver was not injured. Photo: T.H. / Tuoi Tre

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Two tourists from Vietnam -- a woman and her daughter -- drowned while swimming in the sea off Naithon beach on Phuket Island, Thailand on Sunday morning, according to the Vietnamese Embassy in Thailand.

The victims were a woman born in 1970 and her daughter born in 2006, who resided in Dong Da District, Hanoi.

They came to Phuket with their relatives to meet business partners and travel.

The drowning incident was reported to police captain Suporn Muangkhai, an investigator at Sakhu police station, by rescuers at about 7:15 am, according to the Bangkok Post.

Police went to the scene to investigate and learned that three Vietnamese tourists, who were staying at the Pullman Phuket Arcadia Naithon Beach, went swimming off Naithon beach, ignoring red flags erected along it to warn tourists not to enter the sea at the time due to strong winds and high waves.

The mother and her daughter were swept away by high waves about 20 meters from the shore.

Rescuers entered the water and brought them ashore.

They performed CPR on the two, who were unconscious, and rushed them to Thalang Hospital, where they were pronounced dead.

The other Vietnamese tourist was safe.

Police sent their bodies to Vachira Phuket Hospital for an autopsy and notified the Vietnamese Embassy of the incident.

Le Trung Kien, the official in charge of citizen protection at the embassy, said the agency is coordinating with local authorities in issuing necessary documents to the victims family members, assisting them in procedures to repatriate their bodies as soon as possible.

The embassy also recommends Vietnamese citizens make contact via the hotline 66 898966653 or directly come to its office at 83/1 Wireless Road, Lumpini, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330 if they need urgent assistance in Thailand.

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Talent show AGT (formerly known as Australias Got Talent) has released its first promo for the upcoming season -its first in three years.

Judges David Walliams, Kate Ritchie, Alesha Dixon and Shane Jacobson join returning host Ricki-Lee in the search for new acts competing for the $100,000 grand prize.

Filming took place at Sydney Coliseum, Rooty Hill, but an airdate is yet to be confirmed.

AGT is produced by Fremantle for the Seven Network.
UK cold war spy thriller Harry Palmer: The Ipcress File will screen on Seven next week.

The series stars Joe Cole as ex-smuggler Harry Palmer, a reluctant but talented spy, sent to Berlin to retrieve a missing nuclear physicist. As you do

The cast also includes Lucy Boynton and Tom Hollander. The 6 part series debuted internationally in May to strong reviews.

Berlin, 1962. Enterprising British corporal Harry Palmer gets rich smuggling stolen goods to the east until the handcuffs snap shut. Back in London, unorthodox spymaster Dalby is ordered to retrieve a missing nuclear physicist. Sharp observation by his cool, ambitious agent Jean reveals a link to the incarcerated Palmer who is swiftly enlisted to bring back the boffin.

Double episode 9:10pm Tuesday 9 August on Seven.
On Friday actors Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul attended an unveiling of two bronze statues dedicated to their Breaking Bad characters in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

The Walter White and Jesse Pinkman statues at the Albuquerque Convention Center were created by sculptor Trevor Grove and donated by Sony Pictures Television, which produced the drama.

Also attending were creators Vince Gilligan & Peter Gould, actor Dean Norris, series, and Better Call Saul cast members Rhea Seehorn, Michael Mando and Patrick Fabian.

Vince Gilligan said, .some folks are going to say, Wow, just what our city needed. I get that. But let me tell you what I see when I look at these two works of art: I see two of the finest actors America has ever produced. I see them in character as two larger-than-life tragic figures, cautionary tales, world-famous ones at that.

At least they look better than that Lucille Ball statue in her hometown of Celoron, New York.

Enough to scare away pigeons.

Source: Deadline
Foreign Correspondents Mazoe Ford reports from Thailand on two women as they embark on a deeply spiritual quest to reclaim the saffron robe.

Across Thailand a quiet revolution is underway.

Hundreds of women are defying generations of Thai tradition and ordaining as Theravada Buddhist monks.

Woman can do it too, not only man. Men can say anything they want, but if woman decide to do it, just go for it. Nothing going to stop you. Achara Ratanakasin, novice monk candidate.

Under the current rules in Thailand, only men are officially able to be ordained as monks. For women, its forbidden.

The governing body for monks, the Supreme Sangha Council, maintains that women cant be ordained because female monks never existed in Thailand.

The monks law doesnt endorse them. Therefore, they cant be ordained. If they are ordained, it is considered an offense to Buddha. Phra Thamkittimetee, Buddhist Protection Society of Thailand.

At the forefront of this growing movement in Thailand is the Venerable Dhammananda. In 2003, the former academic became the countrys first Theravada Buddhist female monk but to be ordained, she had to travel to Sri Lanka.

We are asking for ordination, you are not giving it to us, thats fine. So we go somewhere else. Venerable Dhammananda Bhikkhuni.

As the Abbess of Thailands first all-female monastery, shes now offering temporary ordination to other women.

In this moving episode of Foreign Correspondent, Southeast Asia correspondent Mazoe Ford follows two Thai women as they embark on a deeply spiritual quest to reclaim the saffron robe.

A new chapter is about to begin  its probably the only thing that I believe that can make me a better person. Wanida Anne Lertpanyawai, novice monk candidate.

I keep telling them, you are part of this movement that is going to be written down in history we are on the right side of history. Venerable Dhammananda Bhikkhuni.

Producer: Anne Worthington

8pm Thursday on ABC.
By Svea Herbst-Bayliss

BOSTON (Reuters) - Hedge fund Greenlight Capital said it took a new stake in Twitter last month as the social media company sued to force Elon Musk to buy the company even as the billionaire entrepreneur said he has changed his mind about the deal.

Greenlight founder David Einhorn wrote to investors on Monday that his hedge fund had taken the position, paying an average $37.24 for the stock, according to the letter seen by Reuters.

"At this price there is a $17 per share of upside if TWTR prevails in court and we believe about $17 per share of downside, if the deal breaks. So we are getting 50-50 odds on something that should happen 95%+ of the time," the letter said.

Einhorn, whose firm gained 8.4% during the second quarter while the S&P500 index tumbled 16%, has a long history with Musk after betting, for years, that electric car maker Tesla's stock would drop. The two men have often sparred on Twitter.

Now Einhorn is returning for round two with Musk not long after Twitter in July sued Musk in Chancery Court in Delaware to make him complete the $44 billion acquisition, accusing the billionaire of refusing to honor his obligations to Twitter "because the deal no longer serves his personal interests."

Einhorn argues that the Delaware Court, the most prominent business court in the United States, has reason to force Musk to complete the purchase. "If it lets Musk off the hook, it will invite many future buyers' remorse suits."

Over the years, the court has developed case law relating to merger agreements and the "resulting precedent and clear understanding of buyers' contractual obligations has created a great deal of predictability in this sphere," Einhorn wrote.

Einhorn said he wrote a few years ago, half in jest, that "the accepted reality appears to be that Elon Musk is above the law." In a few months, the Delaware Court will rule.

A five-day trial is scheduled for October and Einhorn wrote that he liked the "the risk-reward" that precedent will be upheld, the letter said.

Story continues

He declined to write about Tesla, which he has not discussed in a letter since 2019.

More generally, Einhorn, whose pronouncements on the economy and stock market have long been widely followed, said "we continue to believe we are in a bear market," and that the firm is amassing cash for future investments.

In the first half of the year, Greenlight gained 13.2% compared with a 20% drop in the S&P500 index. "We achieved our positive year-to-date result despite being net long in the bear market," the letter said, noting that undisclosed bets on certain stocks performed well.

Greenlight exited a short position against C.H. Robinson Worldwide, after a modest loss, and liquidated a long bet on Rheinmetall after a 125% gain over a few months as the company benefited from German and European defense spending.

(Reporting by Svea Herbst-Bayliss; Editing by Tomasz Janowski)
British and Irish prime ministers and former Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams on Monday attended the funeral of David Trimble, the Nobel peace prize-winning former first minister of Northern Ireland whose statecraft helped end decades of conflict.

Trimble, a pro-UK unionist politician, was one of the Northern Irish leaders who delivered the landmark Good Friday peace deal in 1998.

His death last Monday aged 77 after a short illness has prompted tributes from across the political spectrum in the province and mainland Britain as well as from around the world.

Mourners joining Trimble's widow and children for the service in a Presbyterian church in his hometown of Lisburn, southwest of Belfast, included British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Irish Taoiseach Micheal Martin.

Johnson later tweeted that Trimble's "principled determination to forge a better future for all marks him out as one of the giants of our history".

Fiona Forbes, the Presbyterian minister leading the service, said the widespread grief at his death reflected his deep impact on the political landscape and "to the legacy he left all of us".

She described Trimble as "an academic, a party leader, a peacemaker, a Nobel laureate", noting he was the first to serve in the role of first minister which was created by the Good Friday Agreement.

The 1998 accords, also referred to as the Belfast Agreement, largely ended the period known as "The Troubles" in Northern Ireland -- three decades of sectarian violence in the province that claimed 3,500 lives.

In the same year as the agreements were signed, Trimble was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts, alongside pro-Ireland nationalist leader John Hume.

- 'Withstood death threats' -

A lawyer by training, Trimble entered politics in 1975 representing South Belfast in the regional government for the hardline Vanguard Unionist Progressive Party, which had loyalist paramilitary links.

When the party split over a potential coalition with republican rivals, Trimble sided with those backing the deal.

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He joined the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) in 1978 and became the first unionist leader to enter negotiations with Sinn Fein, the political wing of the paramilitary Irish Republican Army (IRA).

He led the UUP into eight-month talks resulting in the Good Friday Agreement, which established a power-sharing regional government and wound down military and paramilitary operations on all sides.

Former UK prime minister Tony Blair and former US president Bill Clinton, who worked with Trimble on peace for Northern Ireland, have paid tribute to Trimble's political courage.

Blair, who was British prime minister in 1998, told BBC Radio Ulster on Monday "the peace process could not have happened without him".

Blair praised "the character it took to withstand all the criticism that he got, the threats against his own life that were made", calling this an example of leadership.

Trimble's family said the former first minister had "passed away peacefully".

Books of condolence were opened across Northern Ireland.

At the seat of the province's power-sharing government, currently engulfed in a protracted political crisis following elections in May, a wreath of flowers was laid in front of a portrait of Trimble.

Following the elections three months ago, which swept nationalists to victory for the first time in the province's history, the assembly has been left paralysed amid a boycott by the dominant pro-UK force, the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP).

The party has refused to join a power-sharing government until London rips up a post-Brexit trading pact for Northern Ireland with the European Union.

An attempt to restart the Stormont regional assembly last Tuesday following Trimble's death was postponed out of respect.

Assembly members are to offer formal condolences in a special sitting on Tuesday.

csp-am/jj/bp
Photograph: EPA

The Talibans ban on girls studying at high schools will become a de facto ban on university degrees for women if it stays in place, a Taliban spokesperson and university officials have said.

Girls will not have the documents needed to enrol in higher education, or the academic capacity to start university courses after nearly a year out of school.

Automatically if we do not have high school graduates, we wont have new female university students any more, said Maulawi Ahmed Taqi, a spokesperson for the Talibans ministry of higher education.

But I am hopeful that the ministry of education will come up with a policy and soon reopen the schools. Because we have realised that it is important, and the ban on girls education is temporary.

Even if practical barriers to women entering higher education are removed in the coming months, authorities are also considering limiting them to degrees in healthcare and education, said a source with Taliban leadership ties.

Without a high school graduation certificate, Afghan students cannot take the kankor national university entrance exam, which is required to enrol even at private colleges.

Last year, the Taliban automatically graduated female twelfth grade students, making them eligible for the exam, should they want to attempt it when the new government holds one.

But Afghanistans new rulers have not yet scheduled a session of the kankor since they took control of the country.

In the growing pool of would-be university students, women are already at a disadvantage competing against men who have been allowed to finish school. In the final weeks of 2022, when the Afghan school year ends, another class of boys will take their final 12th-grade exams.

It is not clear whether the Taliban will once again issue otherwise meaningless high school graduation certificates to girls who should be finishing with them. Afghan law bars them from taking the entrance exam without one.

Even if they are allowed to take part, university officials who handle admissions say they are worried how far girls will be falling behind, after nearly a year barred from education.

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Extra classes can help make up for a few missed months, but girls who did not even finish 11th grade cannot be expected to move on to university classes, said Dr Azizullah Amir, president and founder of the all-female Moraa university.

He set up the university to educate female medics, after his own mother died from septic shock having refused to see a male doctor about an infection on her thigh. A beautiful life was ruined by the loss of my mum to a highly preventable infection, he said. How could I sit quiet when I could prevent other children becoming orphaned early for a silly reason.

Students, teachers, administrative staff and even gardeners are all women, helping draw in students from Afghanistans most conservative regions. It offers a stricter segregation than the Taliban has required of government universities, Amir points out, yet it is now at risk of being unable to enrol new students.

Even now we have time, if they restart classes, in the remaining months of the year we can graduate students, with more effort and support including intensive classes, he said. But if it continues, then next year you wont have students in the university, apart from those who graduated in previous years, which will be small numbers.

Online classes and illegal underground schools have allowed some girls to keep studying, including in parts of the Talibans deeply conservative southern heartland, but these efforts only reach a tiny minority.

Because secret schools are private initiatives, most have to charge fees to at least cover their costs, and the economic catastrophe that engulfed Afghanistan means few families can afford them.

Streaming or downloading classes requires at least a smartphone and a generous data package, again out of reach for many of the girls who were the first in their family to reach high school.

Afghanistans new leaders have repeatedly claimed that they support womens education, as long as it complies with their definition of Islamic regulations.

This includes near total separation of the sexes, although male professors still teach some womens classes due to a shortage of specialists.

Taqi pointed to the ministrys efforts to shift schedules and reallocate buildings, so that women can attend single-sex classes, as a concrete demonstration of that support.

Some universities, including the leading Kabul University, now teach men and women on alternate days. Others have morning and afternoon shifts.

Our ministry is committed, we have plans, policies, procedures and as you see education in university is going on for both girls and boys, he said.

But without a pathway to enrol new students, or should the Taliban bring in plans to limit what women can study, those changes will be little more than a temporary accommodation for the last classes of female students in many subjects.

They want to restructure the universities, to streamline girls education to specific faculties, said the source with Taliban links. They [ask]: Why should girls study engineering?

They will be restricted to specific faculties, medicine, education, sharia. I dont even believe they are going to be that progressive to allow them to be doctors.

Lutfullah Qasimyar contributed reporting
Charlene Pascoe, 34, with her children Freya, 12, Kieran, ten, and Darcy, two. (SWNS)

A Cornwall family have been forced to live in a Travelodge for four months after being evicted from their home.

Charlene Pascoe, 34, and her three children are currently staying in a hotel room in St Austell after their landlord told them they wanted to move back to the property they had been renting.

The family is eligible for social housing through Cornwall Council, but a shortage of properties has meant they are having to stay in the hotel until one becomes available.

The family, which includes Freya, 12, Kieran, 10, and Darcy, two, are struggling to cope in the cluttered room, which has three beds, a bathroom, a kettle and a cool box but no kitchen or living area.

They have been forced to rely on relatives and friends who live nearby for meals.

Read more: Archie Battersbee's mother condemns 'execution letter' handed to her by hospital

The Travelodge in St Austell, Cornwall. (SWNS)

Charlene, from St Blazey, has criticised Cornwall Council for the way it has handled her case as it continues to struggle to rehome the family.

She said: "Renting privately is just too expensive so we are limited in the options we have.

"All I can do is keep looking for council housing in the hope that I get lucky, although at the minute it seems like there is no light at the end of the tunnel."

The family were first uprooted back in March when their landlord decided to move back into the property they were renting.

Charlene could not find anywhere affordable in the area, and their first night after their tenancy ended they spent sleeping on her mother's floor.

Cornwall Council booked the family into a Premier Inn for a week before they were moved to St Austell Travelodge  where they have been ever since.

The family of four are tired of staying in a hotel. (SWNS)

Now 15 weeks later they are no further forward, and Charlene is struggling to cope.

Charlene's mother Sonia Johns, 57, lives a 15-minute drive away and she has been spending as much time as possible there.

At her mum's, she can cook dinner for the children, wash their clothes and enjoy some time away from the hotel room which is cluttered with all their belongings.

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Charlene, a support worker for adults with learning difficulties, added: "Having a two-year-old is a complete nightmare as everything is in her reach."

Read more: Energy bills: Fears households could miss out on 400 payment in the post

Charlene said communicating with the council is near impossible and she is rarely updated on their living situation.

She said: "I look every day for houses on the council website to get us out of this mess but you can only bid on one property a week and it's always so busy.

"I have one daughter in big school, a son in junior school and a toddler starting nursery in September  but if we can't find somewhere soon they'll have to move schools.

Charlene is paying 3.10 per night as a service charge for the room, and Cornwall Council are covering the rest.

Yahoo News UK has contacted Cornwall Council for comment.
DTD Regular Adam Maxwell Wins the UKIPT Nottingham Main Event

August 01 2022 Matthew Pitt Editor

Head to Dusk Till Dawn, and there is every chance you will find Adam Maxwell sat grinding a tournament there. All of Maxwell's 39 live poker tournament scores stem from the Nottingham-based club, including a career-best score of 98,150, Maxwell's reward for becoming the 2022 PokerStars UKIPT Nottingham Main Event champion.

Maxwell would have captured his first six-figure prize had he not struck a deal with Jonathan McCann when play was heads-up. However, he will not be too bothered about that because this result beats Maxwell's previous best score by more than three-times.

PokerStars UKIPT Nottingham Main Event Final Table Results

Place Player Prize 1 Adam Maxwell 98,150* 2 Jonathan McCann 74,500* 3 David Ledden 47,460 4 Michael Howard 36,500 5 Daniel Gormley 28,080 6 Fabio Sperling 21,610 7 Alex Montgomery 16,610 8 Philip Clarke 12,780 9 Tom Simm 10,250

*reflects a heads-up deal

Tom Simm doubled with pocket jacks early into the final table action, but it was the same hand that sent Simm home on ninth with 10,250 to show for his efforts. With blinds at 30,000/60,000/60,000a, David Ledden opened to 125,000 before calling the 900,000 shove from Simm. Ledden flipped over pocket jacks, Simm the ace-queen, and a jack on the flop all but sealed the deal for Ledden.

Philip Clarke went on to win the 1,100 6-Max

Philip Clarke cracked aces and had aces cracked on Day 2 of the 1,100 UKIPT Nottingham Main Event in what was a rollercoaster of a day. He was terribly short-stacked when he busted. Daniel Gormley opened to 175,000 with the big blind now at 80,000, and Clarke jammed for a mere 300,000. Gormley called and his queen-ten connected with the board on the turn to beat Clarke's pocket deuces.

Clarke later went in to chop the 1,100 6-Max event for 18,620.

Seventh place went to Alex Montgomery, who open-shoved for 12.5 big blinds from the small blind with king-ten. Michael Howard looked him up with ace-nine, and Howard's ace proved enough to reduce the player count once again.

The finalists gained a little more elbow room when former WPT500 champion Fabio Sperling ducked out in sixth. Sperling committed his last 11 big blinds with ace-trey from the small blind, and Maxwell called with pocket threes. A king-high board sent Sperling to the showers and guaranteed the UKIPT Nottingham Main Event would have a British champion.

A large pot went Ledden's way after a clash with Gormley. The latter limped in from the small blind with ace-ten before three-betting all-in for 22 big blinds after Ledden stuck in a raise from the big blind, doing so with pocket queens. Ledden put in the calling chips, and his ladies held to eliminate Gormley in fifth.

Michael Howard

Howard came unstuck in a hand with McCann that saw McCann hit 10 million chips. Howard limped from the small blind, and McCann checked in the big blind. The ace-ten-five flop, with two diamonds, saw Howard lead for 100,000 and McCann call. Howard bet 175,000 on the seven of spades turn, and McCann called. The queen of diamonds completed the board, and Howard checked. McCann paused for a while before betting 1,800,000, enough to set Howard all-in. Howard eventually called and showed a pair of red kings in the hole, but those kings were crushed by McCann's jack-tree of diamonds that had improved to a flush.

Three-handed play lasted for almost an hour and ended with Ledden heading to the showers. Maxwell opened with pocket tens before snap-calling when Ledden jammed for 18 big blinds with what turned out to be ace-nine. The tens held, Ledden busted, and the tournament progressed to heads-up.

The players duscuss a deal in the UKIPT Nottingham Main Event

The heads-up duo played a couple of hands before pausing the clock and discussing a deal. Maxwell held a near two-to-one chip over McCann, but a deal was struck that saw Maxwell lock in 81,010, McCann 74,500, leaving 17,140 and the trophy to play for.

Free from the stress of a massive pay jump, Maxwell put his foot on the gas and emerged as a worthy champion. The final hand saw Maxwell limp-call an 18 big blind shove with ace-eight, which held against king-four of McCann. Maxwell hit an unlikely straight on the turn, and it was enough to get his hands on the UKIPT Nottingham Main Event title and a 98,150 top prize.

Gary Miller Takes Down the 2,200 High Roller

Gary Miller

Gary Miller ended toe 2022 UKIPT Nottingham festival on a high by outlasting 165 opponents in the 2,200 High Roller. Miller navigated his way to heads-up against Tan Luan Le, leaving the likes of Tom Hall, Keith Johnson, and third-place finisher Alex Goulder in his wake. Miller then defeated Le heads-up to secure a 51,730 prize, leaving Le to bank a consolation score worth 33,390.
If we want to find a stock that could multiply over the long term, what are the underlying trends we should look for? Amongst other things, we'll want to see two things; firstly, a growing return on capital employed (ROCE) and secondly, an expansion in the company's amount of capital employed. Put simply, these types of businesses are compounding machines, meaning they are continually reinvesting their earnings at ever-higher rates of return. So when we looked at SILK Laser Australia (ASX:SLA) and its trend of ROCE, we really liked what we saw.

Return On Capital Employed (ROCE): What Is It?

For those who don't know, ROCE is a measure of a company's yearly pre-tax profit (its return), relative to the capital employed in the business. To calculate this metric for SILK Laser Australia, this is the formula:

Return on Capital Employed = Earnings Before Interest and Tax (EBIT)  (Total Assets - Current Liabilities)

0.072 = AU$10m  (AU$179m - AU$39m) (Based on the trailing twelve months to December 2021).

Therefore, SILK Laser Australia has an ROCE of 7.2%. On its own that's a low return on capital but it's in line with the industry's average returns of 6.7%.

Check out our latest analysis for SILK Laser Australia

roce

Above you can see how the current ROCE for SILK Laser Australia compares to its prior returns on capital, but there's only so much you can tell from the past. If you're interested, you can view the analysts predictions in our free report on analyst forecasts for the company.

What The Trend Of ROCE Can Tell Us

The fact that SILK Laser Australia is now generating some pre-tax profits from its prior investments is very encouraging. The company was generating losses three years ago, but now it's earning 7.2% which is a sight for sore eyes. Not only that, but the company is utilizing 327% more capital than before, but that's to be expected from a company trying to break into profitability. This can indicate that there's plenty of opportunities to invest capital internally and at ever higher rates, both common traits of a multi-bagger.

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The Bottom Line

Overall, SILK Laser Australia gets a big tick from us thanks in most part to the fact that it is now profitable and is reinvesting in its business. Given the stock has declined 38% in the last year, this could be a good investment if the valuation and other metrics are also appealing. That being the case, research into the company's current valuation metrics and future prospects seems fitting.

One more thing, we've spotted 4 warning signs facing SILK Laser Australia that you might find interesting.

While SILK Laser Australia may not currently earn the highest returns, we've compiled a list of companies that currently earn more than 25% return on equity. Check out this free list here.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

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Writer tackles online questions from the general public with a confidence built upon deep examination of the issues.

When Yuan Shuo, known online as Hesenbao, was a docent at the National Museum of China, there were questions that came up, at a particular point, repeatedly from visitors. The questions were posed at the display of the tortoise shells from the Shang Dynasty (c.16th century-11th century BC), upon which are inscribed the earliest form of Chinese characters. They were:"What's the point of studying those tortoise shells? How much money can you make from it?"

Yuan, 33, is now a well-known writer in the field of knowledge popularization, with 6.38 million followers on Chinese microblogging platform Weibo. Fascinated by all kinds of knowledge from a young age, he became a docent at the NMC more than 10 years ago after graduating from university, where he majored in computer science.

He observed that today, although people can easily get all kinds of information from the internet, they seem increasingly ignorant of what should be common knowledge.

People ask questions online such as: "Why should we read?""Why should we study advanced mathematics?" "Why is logic important?" And "why are the elderly valuable to human beings?"

"We all know that elderly people should be respected and cared for, but when the COVID-19 pandemic broke out, some people asked online, 'why not lift the lockdown for good? If the elderly people suffer, it would be natural selection'," Yuan says.

"I was very angry at those people, so I wrote an article refuting their ideas. But some people came to me, asking, 'we all know morals require us to respect elderly people, but what on earth is their use?' I thought, fine, since you ask, I will tell you why-not from an emotional perspective, but with anthropological evidence that shows how important elderly people are to the evolution and survival of the human species," he says.

In 2020, China realized its goal of eradicating extreme poverty. There were tens of thousands of articles and news reports online about this achievement. However, he found few of them could explain why poverty alleviation is so important.

"They usually listed statistics that compared the number of households in poverty before and after the campaign, or recounted one or two related stories, which could not convince me why poverty alleviation matters so much," he says.

"Then I wondered whether I could write an article, in which I won't talk about the spirit of, or policies concerning, poverty alleviation, but its importance as evidenced by findings in biology and animal behavior," he says.

Compared with values, feelings or spirit, a scientific perspective is more convincing because "there is an important principle about science-that scientific theories can guide practice when they are proved right on the premise that they can be falsified", he says.

"If you want to discuss a question, it's better to argue from a scientific perspective so that you will get a conclusion that (theoretically) could be falsified. A falsifiable conclusion can really convince people," he says.

From 2019 to May 2022, Yuan wrote 30 articles trying to answer these questions from scientific perspectives, which have been published recently as a book, Jiaoshou Yu Nianqingren (The Professor of Anthropology and His Student), by Citic Press.

The book consists of four parts-history and culture, nature and science, social life, and cognition and thinking-allowing readers to follow the 30 questions and think about society and history, the universe, ancient times and the philosophy of life.

From the importance of the tortoise shells with inscriptions of early Chinese characters and poverty alleviation to the value of elderly people and the meaning of the red color of China's national flag, Yuan makes his arguments in the style of a dialogue between an anthropologist and his student.

"It's not my invention. Actually a lot of great classics were created in the form of dialogue, such as The Analects of Confucius and The Republic. Comparatively, dialogues are easier to be accepted by readers because the reading process is like watching two people talking. It's a more objective point of view," he says.

Yuan acquired this objective point of view through studying computer science, which was not his first choice for university.

"Computer science trained me in rigorous scientific logic that draws a clear line between yes and no," he says.

Working at the NMC for 10 years has largely increased his knowledge in many respects, and improved his storytelling skills.

He got the opportunity to see precious cultural relics and materials, such as the gram of lunar soil gifted by former US president, Richard Nixon, to Chairman Mao Zedong in 1972, and attend lectures given by specialists. Some of the lectures were given by the archaeologists who unearthed the exhibits that lay in the showcases of the museum. They would share stories of the excavations.

"I have seen a lot of things inaccessible to the public and heard a lot of stories unknown to people," he says.

As he accumulated more knowledge and improved his guiding skills, Yuan became popular among audiences at the NMC.

"At the start, I would worry that there were so many in the audience that I would get nervous. Then I would be worried that there were too few in the audience because my tours were not interesting enough. Until one day, a security guard asked me to move faster because my audience were in the way," he says.

With rigorous scientific logic, rich knowledge and a skill in storytelling, Yuan's articles are easy to follow.

In the chapter of the book about the moon, he started with a conversation between the anthropologist and his student about why the moon is a good symbol to represent a lover's deep feelings as conveyed in a famous Chinese song. Then in the voice of the anthropologist, he talks about how the moon was formed billions of years ago, its interaction with the Earth and the consequences therein, ancient Chinese people's worship of the moon, its rich meaning in Chinese culture, and the recent Chinese lunar probe project.

"All the knowledge, such as the gram of lunar soil and a stone relief upon which appeared for the first time in Chinese history the images of rabbits pestling herbs, comes from exhibitions at the NMC. If you take a walk around the exhibitions, you can find some key points concerning the moon, and what you need to do is to fill some stories in between. That's how I wrote many articles in the book," Yuan says.

At the start of the book, the lead character, anthropology Professor Huang Bai from Lengshan (cold mountain) University, is confronted with a problem. The leaders of the university plan to cancel the specialty of anthropology due to a lack of students. Huang only has one student, Qin Zi, and at the end of the first school year, the leaders are set to evaluate Qin to decide whether they will keep the specialty.

"I created Huang as an anthropologist because I like anthropology a lot. My first book focuses on anthropology. What's more, anthropology is an inclusive discipline, so anthropologists know a lot of different things, ranging from a minority language in Africa to history, geology or paleontology," he says.

At the end of the book, although Qin has a very high opinion of Huang, he decides to leave the university for Africa because he can speak an African language that can help to save people there.

"As Qin Zi says, by feeling the beauty of nature and culture, and by understanding the diversity of the world, one can improve oneself to become a better person and bring about real happiness to society. That is the real meaning of anthropology," Yuan says.

"In the end, both the teacher and student stick to the ideal of anthropology."
University of North Georgia (UNG) President Bonita Jacobs announced plans today to retire at the end of the coming academic year in June 2023.

"UNG has a long history of educating outstanding professional, civic and military leaders for our state and nation, and our momentum points to a bright future," Jacobs said. "I am announcing my plans now to ensure the Board of Regents has ample time to select UNG's next president and to provide for a stable transition over this next year as we celebrate North Georgia's sesquicentennial  our 150th anniversary."

Jacobs was appointed as president of then-North Georgia College & State University in July 2011, and, when the university consolidated with Gainesville State College to become the University of North Georgia in 2013, she became president of the multi-campus university. Today, UNG has campuses in Blue Ridge, Cumming, Dahlonega, Gainesville, and Oconee County. The university serves about 19,000 students across its five campuses and online and employs more than 2,100 faculty and staff.

"President Jacobs took the reins of what was then North Georgia College & State University as its first female president and only the second woman to lead one of the country's six senior military colleges, and she's been a trailblazer ever since," University System of Georgia Chancellor Sonny Perdue said. "Over the past decade, she has been a critical factor to the university's growth and how it has helped students find success and prosperity. From consolidation with Gainesville State College to campus expansion in Blue Ridge, and with all the new ways UNG has been able to serve communities and offer new academic opportunities from associate degrees to graduate-level programs, President Jacobs has been a great leader for its campuses and the university system. I'm grateful for her leadership and service."

With a focus on student success and increasing educational opportunities, the university's consolidation strengthened the range of academic programs  spanning from associate to four doctoral degrees  available to students. Bachelor's degrees available at UNGs Gainesville Campus have expanded from eight to more than 20 over the past decade. Overall enrollment has grown 23 percent since fall 2013, and UNG grants more than 3,000 degrees annually.

Under Jacobs' leadership, UNG has achieved numerous distinctions making it a leading regional public university:

Ranked as the No. 1 "Best Value School" among public regional universities in Georgia in 2021 by U.S. News & World Report.

Ranked by U.S. News & World Report as the No. 1 "Best Colleges for Veterans" among public regional universities in Georgia in 2021.

Named as a national top-producer of Fulbright Students for five consecutive years.

UNG's nationally competitive scholarship initiative has helped students earn more than $3.5 million in highly competitive, national merit awards, such as the Goldwater, Truman, Pickering, Gilman and Boren scholarships.

Retention and graduation rates that exceed many comparable institutions.

Jacobs has led multiple efforts to grow external funding resources at UNG, including a high priority on raising funds to ensure financial support for students. Need- and merit-based scholarship awards distributed by the UNG Foundation totaled $2.8 million last year  a 64 percent increase over Fiscal Year 2017.

In addition, support from external research grants has increased 40 percent since 2014 to more than $7.2 million in 2021. This growth in research activity and the expanded scope of its graduate-level degree programs have placed UNG on a trajectory to become classified as a Doctoral/Professional University by the Carnegie Commission in 2024.

The first female president at then-North Georgia College & State University, Jacobs was only the second woman to lead one of the country's six Senior Military Colleges (SMC), which include the Citadel, Norwich University, Virginia Military Institute, Virginia Tech, and Texas A&M University. UNG, which is the only SMC to provide an all-Army military education program, has more than 700 cadets. In 2022, 34 cadets graduated as Distinguished Military Graduates, including nine who were in the top 10 percent of all Army ROTC cadets in the nation. Also in 2022, UNG was the top ROTC team for the fourth consecutive year and placed fourth overall out of 48 teams at the Sandhurst International Military Skills Competition held at the U.S. Military Academy.

Jacobs has been named by Georgia Trend magazine one of the "100 Most Influential Georgians" and by the Atlanta Business Chronicle to its lists of the "Top Education Leaders in Atlanta" and "Women Who Mean Business." She received the 2020 Distinguished Citizen Award from the Northeast Georgia Council of the Boy Scouts of America, and the 2020 Circle of Excellence Award from the Association for Orientation, Transition, and Retention in Higher Education.

Jacobs currently serves on the BB&T Georgia Regional Advisory Board. She is chair-elect of the NCAA Division II Peach Belt Conference Executive Committee, and she is a mentor in the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) Millennium Leadership Initiative. Recently, Jacobs served on the American Council on Education (ACE) National Task Force on the Transfer and Award of Credit, and the AASCU Board of Directors. Jacobs founded and was the first executive director of the National Institute for the Study of Transfer Students, which is now housed at UNG.

Prior to joining North Georgia, Jacobs was vice president for student development and a tenured professor of counseling and higher education at the University of North Texas. She previously served as assistant vice chancellor and as interim vice chancellor for student development at Western Carolina University and in student development positions at Stephen F. Austin State University.

Jacobs, who is originally from Huntington, Texas, holds a bachelors degree in Spanish and history and a masters degree in counseling from Stephen F. Austin State University and a Ph.D. in educational administration from Texas A&M University.

She is the former editor of The Journal of College Orientation and Transition and served on three other editorial boards. Her publications include The College Transfer Student in America: The Forgotten Student and Starting From Scratch: Your First-Year Experience, as well as numerous chapters, journal articles and reviews. Her most recent publications include Strategic Mergers in Higher Education, (Johns Hopkins University Press) and UNG The Gold I See: The Legacy of UNGs Dahlonega Campus and The Best Day Ever! The Legacy of the UNG Gainesville Campus. The proceeds from the books about UNGs campuses benefit student scholarships at the university.
HCM CITY  History, fiction, and self-development are the main topics of books which children today love to read.

Huynh Anh Thu from the Nguyen Du Secondary School in Go Vap District has fallen in love with books on the history of Viet Nam, resistance wars against invaders, and national heroes.

The patriotism, solidarity, brave soldiers and love for the people from these books appeals to me, said Thu.

She chose books according to the title and cover, saying, if the cover is beautiful and attractive, it will catch our attention immediately.

Participating in a recent forum on kids books in HCM City, Quach Thu Nguyet, former editor-in-chief of Tre Publishing House, expressed her happiness and joy that young people today still love reading history books.

I hope authors and publishers can listen to young peoples thoughts and rethink that our books are interesting enough, Nguyet said.

She added, history is not boring. It should be transferred to readers through interesting stories.

Apart from history, young people today care about self-development and self-help books.

ang Tran Huyen Thu, a student of the Hoa Lu Secondary School in Thu uc city, likes to read books on skills and self-development which are helpful for her studies and daily life.

Her favourite books include Tuoi Tre ang Gia Bao Nhieu (How Much Does Youth Cost) by author Rosie Nguyen on her journey of self-discovery.

Thu said: Its not too soon for a self-development book because it conveys useful knowledge which motivates me to complete myself.

Although those books are for people aged over 18, we can understand and learn a little bit. Im hoping to have self-development books which are suitable for my age, she added.

Tran Thuy Tien, a student of the Minh uc Secondary School in District 1, has interest in psychology books.

She has just finished the Vietnamese version of Genius on the Left, Lunatic on the Right by Chinese author Gao Ming.

I think someday people around me, like friends or relatives in my family, could have psychology issues and I could help them, Tien said.

She also hoped publishers would release more books for youngsters so children could have more choices.

Meanwhile, many children asked publishers to release various kinds of publications such as e-books and audio books so they could approach books easily.

They also hoped parents and schools could listen to their thoughts and opinions to help them to find books which were appropriate for their ages.

Le Van Thanh, deputy director of the Kim ong Publishing House - HCM City branch, said it was very helpful to hear from child readers so publishers could make plans to introduce more quality books to children.  VNS
Grete Lchen-Norwegian Ambassador to Vietnam

In Vietnam, the Nordic Embassies of Norway, Denmark, Finland, and Sweden and the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics co-organised, in March, a workshop on the ESG agenda in which the Nordics showcased and shared experiences about how our governments interact with the private sector on responsible business.

It is well known that environmental factors include actions related to climate change issues; social factors cover a vast range of potential issues, but business relationships with its employees are a big aspect; and governance is about how a company is managed responsibly and sustainably.

International-standard guidelines have also introduced the most comprehensive set of recommendations on responsible business addressed by governments, which reflect good practices not only for multinational enterprises but for all. Unfortunately, according to a 2019 survey by Norways National Contact Point for Responsible Business, too few companies follow these guidelines.

In the context of a vibrant economic recovery after the pandemic, this is becoming more important than ever, because the pandemic has confirmed that the threat of overlooking the planet and peoples health is real. No industry can afford to perceive itself as separate from the context in which it functions  whether environmentally, socially, or in terms of how businesses and societies are governed.

This is crucial for the developing and emerging economies that want to attract more foreign direct investment. Investors are now targeting destinations where both the government and business community put sufficient emphasis on responsible business and adherence to ESG principles.

At the same time, there is increasing pressure from informed consumers demanding products and services that are sustainable, ethically and socially responsible or made in countries that take ESG seriously. The public shares a general desire for more transparency regarding how goods are produced and services are supplied, especially how businesses respect ESG principles and fundamental human rights such as decent working conditions as part of these processes.

A game changer

The new Transparency Act in Norway is aimed to promote enterprises respect for fundamental human rights and decent working conditions  both in global supply chains and in enterprises in Norway. Thus, the act has made all the formal ESG reporting and due diligence requirements, which have so far been voluntary for most companies in Norway, a legal obligation.

It is seen as an important game changer by requiring larger enterprises resident in Norway offering goods or services in or outside Norway to carry out due diligence, publish an account of the due diligence assessments, and have a duty to provide information. This also applies to larger foreign enterprises that offer goods or services in Norway.

It has made Norway a leading country in this field together with the EU when the European Commission adopted a proposal for a directive on corporate sustainability due diligence in February this year.

Against this backdrop, companies in Norway will have to look carefully at their own business operations, their supply chain and business partners to find out the biggest risks. They will have to investigate whether there are any actual, or risks of, adverse impacts on human rights or decent working conditions such as the use of child labour, implementation of health and safety measures in their own operations, their supply chain partners, and other business relationships.

That also means their investment and business decisions will be made in a more careful and cautious manner based on green and sustainable factors and not just profit-related.

Smart business

The world is recovering from the pandemic and shares many challenges, the biggest of which include geopolitical tensions, climate change, pollution, biodiversity loss, and decent working conditions. The world today is globally connected, therefore regulations and rules here will have significant implications there and beyond. We all have to play our roles and so does business.

Vietnam made significant environmental and climate change commitments last year: reach net zero by 2050, end all investment in new coal power generation, scale up the deployment of renewable energy, and phase out coal power by 2040. Many multinational companies already in Vietnam have also made their commitments to green their production and reduce their carbon footprint.

The World Bank in their recently launched Vietnam Country Climate and Development Report underscores the urgency of adaptation to climate change, combined with policies and public and private investments to reduce the carbon intensity of growth. It proposes actions on two fronts for Vietnam: adapting to climate impacts and pursuing a growth strategy that steers the economy away from carbon-intensive production.

The twin goals of becoming a high-income and net-zero country in the next 30 years will, however, require the mobilisation of enormous amounts of private capital. For this to happen, it is vital that Vietnam designs and implements the right policies and reforms.

Vietnamese companies, especially exporters, should be forward-looking by recognising the importance of, and focusing on, ESG implementation, compliance monitoring and reporting if they want to succeed in Vietnams most important markets such as Europe and the US. Investment in responsible business and ESG means investing in a sustainable future for companies. It should become an integrated part of their strategy and corporate governance framework.

Companies that can demonstrate their commitment to responsible business are now more likely to attract and retain new customers and partners, meaning more profits. In the long run, they will contribute significantly to Vietnams twin goals of sustainable development and addressing climate change. This is not just the right thing to do, but it is also smart business.
John Rockhold - President, Pacific Rim Investment & Management

To ensure its position in the pantheon of economically developed nations, Vietnam will need to make energy security its number one priority. No country has been able to embrace economic development without guaranteed access to affordable energy. While this does not mean a continued reliance on fossil fuels and a reneging on its bold commitment to the decarbonisation of its economy, it does mean that Vietnam will need to pursue a path that allows it to meet its commitment to its citizens.

As a middle-income country, Vietnam is reliant upon a legacy energy system  the transition from which is a multi-decade endeavour and a multi-trillion-dollar investment opportunity. The notion, however, that there is a renewable solution that will allow Vietnam to leapfrog its legacy energy system is wishful thinking at best, and one that risks driving the country back into poverty at worst.

The Share of Electricity Generation by Source report shows where Vietnam and other key nations stood at the end of 2021 (see Table 1). In 2050, we see Vietnam, like others, moving away from coal and gas to renewables and nuclear (see Table 2). Vietnams total CO2 emissions per capita are low compared to others in and Vietnams total CO2 emissions are 0.8 per cent of the worlds total.

In general, countries are protecting their economies now with known affordable technologies and relying on the development of future technologies like green hydrogen, fuel cells, and energy storage to become affordable. That also makes renewables sustainable and affordable in future development.

Vietnam also has a similar obligation to invest in decarbonising its economic growth and preparing its country, its economy, and its populace for the impending impact of climate change. Doing so will unlock truly sustainable economic growth in the form of high-paying white-collar jobs, technology and skills transfer, high-quality foreign direct investment, and increased international competitiveness. Here, Vietnam should cooperate with ASEAN countries in sustainable energy tech developments.

This will not happen overnight, and any international partner wishing to engage and support Vietnam in achieving a decarbonised future needs to adopt a long-term view that is based upon the very real constraints of its present situation. Vietnam cannot and should not be held to Western standards of decarbonisation, especially when western nations are the largest per capita emitters of carbon.

Secondly, Vietnam should not be made to put its development ambitions on hold while the necessary renewable technology is invented. Rather, Vietnam is in the unique and advantageous position to adopt a long-term approach to decarbonising its economy, while addressing the very real challenges that it is facing as a country.

On carbon taxes, the EU Taxonomy was designed as a classification system to provide companies, investors, and policymakers with appropriate definitions for which economic activities can be considered environmentally sustainable, for upcoming carbon taxes. The methodology is used by the European Commission (EC) to define which economic activities should be labelled as green and contribute to meeting Europes goals of climate neutrality by 2050 and reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 55 per cent by 2030.

For the last two and a half years, the actual green list of environmentally-sustainable activities has been in development with extensive input from experts from across industry, the financial sector, the scientific community, and civil society, now called the EU Platform on Sustainable Finance. At the end of last year, after months of deliberation and intensive lobbying, the EC sent a draft for consultation to the platform, and has included energy generation from fossil gas or nuclear power as green investments.
You are here: China

Heavy rainstorms have affected more than 222,000 people in northeast China's Liaoning province, the provincial flood control and drought relief headquarters said Sunday.

From Thursday to Saturday, lingering heavy rains have battered 24 county-level regions across Liaoning, affecting nearly 44,000 hectares of crops as of Saturday. Direct economic losses from the floods reached over 417 million yuan (about 61.8 million U.S. dollars), according to the headquarters.

A total of 22 reservoirs in the province have so far exceeded the flood limit and were discharging water.
Last week at an investment promotion conference themed on the northeastern province of Quang Ninhs convergence and divergence, two big investors signed an MoU and a land reservation contract to commit their investment in Bac Tien Phong Industrial Zone (IZ), developed by DEEP C.

Representatives of Vietnam Investment Q Company and DEEP C Industrial Zones signed the land reservation contractPhoto: Thu Le

Stavian Quang Yen Petrochemical JSC committed to investing $1.5 billion in Bac Tien Phong IZ for its polypropylene particle production project.

The other investor is Vietnam Investment Q, part of Indochina Kajima Development Co., Ltd., a joint venture between Indochina Capital and Kajima Group from Japan. A land reservation agreement was signed with DEEP C for an area of 7.6 hectares in Bac Tien Phong IZ to construct and develop a high-quality and modern ready-built workshop and warehouse system, with a tentative investment of $23.9 million.

The required procedures and investment registration certification granting are expected to be fulfilled in the next month.

Stavian Quang Yen Petrochemical committed $1.5 billion in DEEP Cs Bac Tien Phong Industrial Zone Photo: Thu Le

Also at the event, an investment registration certificate for the BW Industrial Development Bac Tien Phong project was awarded to BW Industrial Development Bac Tien Phong Co., Ltd. The capital involved is $20.5 million in total for the construction and development of a high-quality and modern ready-built workshop and warehouse system in Bac Tien Phong IZ.

Assessing the potential of developing industrial real estate in Quang Ninh, BW general director Lance Li said, As weve seen tenants move from Bac Ninh to Bac Giang province with Haiphongs IZs reaching full occupancy, we expect a similar trend among investors to seek space in Quang Ninh. Vietnam has emerged as the biggest beneficiary of pandemic-induced supply chain relocations. We see ample room for growth in industrial real estate and will continue to invest heavily in international-grade factories and warehouses across the country, including Quang Ninh.

In Nam Tien Phong IZ, also developed by DEEP C, there are three other projects with a registered land use area of 36.8ha and investment capital of around $170 million. Currently, the developer is working with sub-investors to complete the dossiers for two projects  the Sputnik V vaccine production factory from Russian investors, and a marine cable manufacturing plant through a South Korean group.

The proactiveness of Quang Ninh in promoting investment with groups from 21 economies in Asia-Pacific at various meetings has opened up many opportunities for DEEP C IZs in Quang Ninh. World-leading groups such as NEC Corporation, BAE Systems, and leading incorporations in energy such as PNG have been present at investment promotion events.

DEEP C is a cluster of IZs in Haiphong and Quang Ninh developed and operated by Infra Asia Investment Hong Kong, mainly owned by the Belgian investor of Ackermans & van Haaren.

Bac Tien Phong IZ is jointly developed by DEEP C and Hateco Group  a Vietnamese conglomerate of real estate, logistics, seaports, and more. Together, Bac Tien Phong and Nam Tien Phong IZs have formed the DEEP C Quang Ninh cluster, aiming to become a seamless ecosystem connected to seaports. While Bac Tien Phong IZ covers an area of 1,192ha, that of Nam Tien Phong IZ is just under 490ha. After more than two years of disruption due to the pandemic, DEEP C is now ramping up the land reclamation, and construction of internal roads, utility trenches, substations, and wastewater treatment plants.

Bruno Jaspaert, general director of DEEP C Industrial Zones, said, Following the orientation to develop Bac Tien Phong and Nam Tien Phong into seaport IZs, DEEP C is focusing on attracting 4-5 investors in port infrastructure and services. We are negotiating with the sub-investors to reach partnership agreements and it is expected that, by the end of this year, our two IZs in Quang Ninh will attract more projects.

Jaspaert is optimistic about the investment attraction scenario in the upcoming time. So far this year, we have witnessed many investors entering into land reservation agreements with us. Those investors, after surveying our site, all appreciate the direct connection to the Haiphong-Quang Ninh and China border expressway, the close proximity to Haiphong through Bach Dang Bridge, and the economic zone tax incentives, he added.

Both Quang Ninh Economic Zones Management Authority (QEZA) and Quang Ninh Investment Promotion Agency are supporting the investors to attract 13 additional sub-investment projects in Bac Tien Phong and Nam Tien Phong IZs in 2022 and the years ahead, as shared by QEZA director Hoang Trung Kien.
At last weeks Hanoi roundtable themed Finance and Governance Accelerators for a Just Energy Transition jointly organised by Vietnam Investment Review and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Vietnam, participants said that one of the central challenges facing the country is meeting climate change and energy transition commitments, while ensuring that the nation maintains its focus on achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and ending poverty.

Nascent green financing scene soon set for lift-off

According to the UNDP, abundant, reliable, and affordable energy supplies are essential for economic development. Meeting the growing demand for energy is a huge challenge, as the country tries to meet its COP26 commitments.

Finance is a key constraint to achieving a just energy transition. In this case, profitability and predictability are key factors in financing such a transition. The lack of these two factors limits the financing of a renewable energy project, not the other way around.

According to the World Banks Country Climate and Development Report (CCDR) released this month, pursuing a combined resilient and net-zero development pathway is likely to require additional investments of about 6.8 per cent of GDP per year, or a cumulative $368 billion through 2040. Investments in resilience alone would cost around $254 billion from now to 2040 in order to enable adaptation to past and future climate change.

The decarbonising pathway to meet international commitments will require another $114 billion through 2040, including $81 billion in investments and $33 billion for social programmes.

These estimates are first orders of magnitude and should be interpreted with caution, due to uncertainties about the future evolution of technologies and other parameters, including the magnitude of climate projections, business and household behaviours, and government policies, stated the CCDR.

According to the World Bank, the approach that is taken here is that public financing is something that can be mobilised relatively quickly given the governments current fiscal policy stance. But government commitments can and should be bolstered by the engagement and tangible actions of the domestic private sector and through external finance, both public and private. It is not affordable for Vietnam to finance all its adaption and mitigation measures without a contribution from external sources, said the CCDR.

Michele Wee, CEO of Standard Chartered Bank Vietnam, told VIR, I think that enterprises and financial institutions must work closely with each other in order to implement energy transition. Support from the government and regulators is crucial to accelerate this effort. Also, feasible mechanisms to support both banks and enterprises from the govern-ment, along with consistent and transparent policies under global practices and standards, will help projects to be effectively carried out.

Aspiring to be the bank of choice in Vietnam, we are focused on building a sustainable business that does not only support our clients effectively in their journey to build wealth and fulfil growth ambitions but also contribute to the sustainable development of the local economy and communities, she said.

The Vietnamese government last year pledged to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 with its own resources and international assistance, halt investments in new coal power generation, scale up the deployment of clean power, and phase out coal power in the 2040s.

As an emerging manufacturing hub and a rapidly urbanising society, Vietnams demand for energy will grow rapidly over the coming three decades with transport, industry, agriculture, and construction transitioning from fossil fuels to electricity generated by solar, wind, and other renewable systems.

The UNDP said that increasing the supply of energy at affordable prices while affecting the transition from fossil fuels to renewable sources is a challenge of immense proportions. Achieving a just energy transition entails meeting this challenge while at the same time ending poverty and mitigating the impact of climate change on the most vulnerable members of society.

If renewable electricity generation is used to decarbonise the energy system as projected, the demand could increase five-fold by 2050.

According to the UNDP, Vietnam will work closely with development partners to access international financing, especially for imports of technology and equipment that cannot yet be produced locally.

However, given the required scale of investment, and the governments commitment to maintaining fiscal balance and macroeconomic stability, it is evident that most of the capital needed will be derived from domestic sources.

Nevertheless, Vietnams capital markets are still too small and the number of financial instruments available is too limited to finance investment at the necessary scale. Financial development and innovation are therefore important components of a just energy transition.

The World Bank suggested that the Vietnamese government should take some actions to attract funding for the energy transition. For example, it is necessary to forcefully encourage private investment, both in new technologies and in more resilient infrastructure.

To this end, greening the financial sector will need to be prioritised. This will imply mobilising green credit by banks, developing market-based instruments such as green equities and green bonds, and applying de-risking tools (for example, insurance) and new ways to share the burden of risk between the public and private sector to encourage investment amid high levels of uncertainty.

Moreover, Vietnam should increase public funding by raising additional revenue through a carbon tax and/or by borrowing in domestic and external markets, within the limit required to avoid future debt distress for the government. What is more, Vietnam also would need to garner more revenues from international financial sources, including institutional investors and multilateral and bilateral donors, and tap into foreign direct investment and inward remittances.

Green finance is still in its infancy in Vietnam. While the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) in 2018 approved a programme on green bank development and an action plan to realise Vietnams sustainable development goals by 2030, climate financing was only about 5 per cent of total financing provided by Vietnamese banks (or about 0.2 per cent of GDP) in 2020. Domestic financial institutions are in the early stages of their understanding of green bonds and other capital market instruments.
The modern job market is going through a period of unprecedented volatility. Against that backdrop, pressing issues such as climate change, rapid automation, and uncontrolled migration also demand the labour force to secure a diverse skill set to adapt to a fast-changing market.

According to the Skills of the Future report by the World Economic Forum, there will be major changes in the job market demand in 2022. Only 52 per cent of the current skills can satisfy the future recruitment criteria.

Moreover, the post-COVID context and digitalisation accelerate global exchange but at the same time disconnect people from the real world. Under these circumstances, experiential learning provides an opportunity for youngsters to go outside, dive into nature, and build up human interaction.

Trekking and orienteering activities in nature are a way to promote personal growth and teamworking skills

Experiential learning programmes engage students through real and tangible experiences, allow review and reflection, and identify strategies and techniques for improvement.

During experiential educational programmes, youths are allowed to explore their capabilities and the wonder of working together as a whole. From such experience, they can explore their strengths and weaknesses and develop a sense of self and the world, gaining self-confidence and self-consciousness and unlocking their potential.

Outward Bound Vietnam instructors prepare participants with safety checks and tutorials

Beyond education at school, businesses are also in high need to provide their employees with experiential training programmes to embrace employees personal development progress and strengthen the corporate spirit through collaborative activities.

The rationale behind companies investment in experiential courses is that employees excellence and an engaging working environment are the antecedences of dynamic innovation, which is the key to success in the developing economy of Vietnam.

Last but not least, in the Second National Cultural Congress on "Diversity and quality improvement of cultural value education activities through organising experiential activities, the government once again acknowledged and emphasised the importance of experiential learning by promoting edu-culture policies.

This evidence proves that Vietnams education market is crying for the most cutting-edge breakthroughs that only experiential learning programmes can provide.

Indoor wall climbing at Outward Bound Vietnam in Binh Dinh. Source: obv.vn

In this context, Outward Bound Vietnam is uniquely positioned to address these pressing needs given its long history, global scope, and capacity to engage at multiple levels.

Outward Bound Vietnam is a social enterprise that commenced in 2016. It is a member of the worldwide Outward Bound network of schools that operate in 37 countries and serve over 200,000 participants per year.

In Vietnam, Outward Bound Vietnam has been registered with the Department of Education and Training as an educational institution which provides life-skills programmes in the provinces of Binh Dinh and Quang Ninh.

The mission of Outward Bound is to help people recognise and develop their true potential to care for themselves, others, and the world around them through experiential learning programmes that include adventure, challenge, service, and discovery.

The empowering educational programmes provided by Outward Bound Vietnam allow participants to spend immersive time in nature in order to establish greater connections to themselves, to others, and to the natural world, and to build their personal and social resilience.

Outward Bound's innovative outdoor learning approach directly addresses the global risks identified by the World Economic Forum through the offer of a broader space for learning.

What truly sets Outward Bound Vietnam apart from other education providers is the unique commitment to ensuring excellent programme quality and safety standards. All Outward Bound Vietnam instructors are full-time staff and hold Wilderness First Aid, CPR, and lifesaving qualifications, with international standard training in relevant hard-skills areas.

They are trained to guide the participants through each activity safely while keeping an educational focus. Furthermore, as a member of the Outward Bound International network, Outward Bound Vietnam goes through a programme and safety review every two years.

Investment in experiential and life-skills education in Vietnam is expected to grow in the future, and the high-standard programmes that Outward Bound Vietnam currently provides will set the necessary benchmark for similar institutions to follow.
Kanni Wignaraja, assistant secretary-general at the UN and regional director for Asia-Pacific at the United Nations Development Programme

In February, the Vietnamese government and the United Nations Development Programme organised a major international conference in Hanoi on prospects for a green and inclusive rebound from the pandemic. Speakers at the event drew lessons from the pandemic about our collective efforts to contain and minimise the negative impact of shocks, and what it would take to shift to a green economic impulse for growth and to address climate change.

The unifying thread that ran through every session of the conference was the imperative of maintaining a laser focus on equity and inclusion in the design and implementation of policies responding to these deeply interrelated crises. The idea of a just energy transition has been circulating in academic and advocacy circles since the 1980s but was first used formally in a multilateral global document in the preamble to the 2015 Paris Agreement. It refers to the replacement of fossil fuels with renewable energy in a manner that contributes to, rather than retreats from, the achievement of social and economic equality.

The ambition is that a just energy transition will reduce greenhouse gas emissions while achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 7, which also calls for access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern sources as well as a supply of energy for all.

The issue of energy security is now also central to the debate. With recent global crises that have disrupted the existing energy demand and supply equations, countries wish to rapidly become more secure. Energy is also at the heart of so much more. For example, limited access to electricity is an obstacle to achieving the other SDGs, including ending poverty and hunger, and universal access to health services, jobs, technology, and education.

We now have evidence that the transition to renewable energy will create more jobs than it will replace, although it will create gaps and winners and losers in the labour market in the short term. Countries that manage the transition well will plan ahead for this, knowing that the new jobs will not necessarily be created where the old ones are lost, or where they are most needed. So, education, skills upgrading and standing social protection are key components of a just energy transition  and new jobs in the new tech and manufacturing sectors must specifically target those otherwise left behind.

Significant costs

There is also an international dimension to a just energy transition. Climate extremes in the form of floods, droughts, and sea level rise hit poor and marginalised communities hardest. Many of these communities are in developing countries, in which carbon per capita carbon emissions are many times lower than in the industrialised world.

While new development models are being sought where one can achieve sustainable development while decarbonising, it is also important that wealthy nations support developing countries, particularly least developed countries and small developing island states. This would make this transition faster without sacrificing overall human and planetary wellbeing.

The transition to renewable energy carries a cost. In its Country Climate Development Report, the World Bank recently cited $368 billion dollars from now until 2040, or seven per cent of GDP annually. This is a significant investment  but is it really a question of how much money, or is it something else?

Although wind and solar have lower operating costs, they are more capital intensive in their startup than traditional coal and gas-fired power plants. Electricity grids will need upgrading to move power from surplus to deficit regions and to balance peaks and troughs in demand. Production methods in industry and agriculture will need to be modernised to make the shifts.

Mass transit systems will be needed to invest in clean energy sources, e-vehicles, rails, and charging stations, in fact, the whole ecosystem, to support new energy sources. And people now used to their petrol and diesel-powered vehicles will have to adjust. This behavioural change is needed and social dynamics cannot be underestimated. So I would posit that the volume of capital exists and that the real question around financing a just energy transition may have to do with how to get that money to move to these investment needs.

In development, finance, profitability, and predictability are the key factors that move capital. So we need to test the hypothesis that if the right policies and incentives are in place, then both the state sector and businesses need to generate profitable, bankable projects that become high-value investment propositions.

Vietnams solar power boom illustrates this. It began in 2018 and continued through to last year, and showed that given the right policy mix, financing was forthcoming. Fixed feed-in tariffs (FiTs), set at a relatively high level, ensured that approved solar power projects would generate revenues on the scale required to cover the cost of capital.

While fixed FiTs worked in this short-term case, they are an expensive solution given the rapid pace of technological change and the falling cost of renewable power generation. New technologies will continue to drive down the price. So setting high FiTs soon reduces the competitive pressure on lower prices, and makes coal and gas appear more competitive than they actually are.

VIR editor-in-chief Le Trong Minh and Kanni Wignaraja made keynote remarks last week

New and upgraded systems

A few lessons leant, from Vietnam and elsewhere, in countries that have remained committed to a just energy transition, even when buffeted by current global economic and energy market trends. And from these lessons, there are at least six proposals to consider.

Starting with the most obvious, this cannot be left to markets alone. Governments need to play the role of early investor and risk absorber in essential physical infrastructure, and as the guardian of an attractive regulatory environment for profitable investments in renewables.

The second is financing a smart national grid. In most developing countries, including here, the current national electricity grid cannot accommodate the extra supply. Investment in the electricity grid is a precondition for sustained investment in renewable energy. Smart grid technology that uses AI to purchase power at the lowest price and balance energy supply and demand across locations and, over time, will eventually replace fixed FiTs.

Next, investment in an upgraded grid and for contexts that require off-grid solutions can come from the usual sources, including taxation and domestic bond sales. It can also come from carbon taxes. When done well, this not only generates revenues for public investment but also encourages businesses and households to use energy more efficiently.

An emissions trade system that caps the total amount of emissions but allows low-emission industries to sell their allowance to more carbon-intensive industries is the best solution but entails high monitoring and enforcement costs. Working towards such a transparent carbon market is an achievable goal for Vietnam.

In the meantime, a simple tax on fossil fuels is easy to administer and offers a good interim alternative. Taxing petrol is politically unpopular, but it is a progressive tax that falls more on the wealthy. And all this calls for reducing and removal of fossil fuel subsidies that have long been a high cost to public budgets. Specific fuel subsidy support to the poorest households can be targeted through employers or other means.

Green bonds are another option for public investment projects, particularly those that require imports of capital goods and technology. If investor interest in green bonds is sufficiently high, they could provide a cost-effective alternative to other sources of borrowing.

Meanwhile, many countries have created specialised banks to expand the supply of long-term financing for large energy projects. They provide guarantees for commercial bank loans, organise structured finance for slow-gestating projects, and take an equity stake in projects that deliver important social benefits. The involvement of private investors and foreign institutional partners in the governance of these institutions ensures that they operate on a commercial basis and do not rely on government funding.

The goal of Vietnam to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 and phase out coal power by the 2040s marks a turning point in the countrys sustainable development path. Clearly, protecting vulnerable communities from the effects of climate change and preparing the workforce for the jobs of the future remain top priorities if Vietnam is to achieve these combined goals.

It is also clear that public investment, regulatory reform, and the development of new domestic financial instruments and institutions will transform the financial and governance context for the energy transition. Vietnam cannot do this alone. Vietnams energy partnership with the G7 countries is a potential source of support for some of these proposals. International partners must recognise their commitment to share technology, expertise, and financial support to achieve this transition.

We stand ready to support the government and people of Vietnam in this historic transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy, which will be a demonstration to the world that human and planetary well-being can be advanced, while decarbonising and leaving no-one behind.
Bui Trung Kien, vice chairman of CME Solar Investment JSC

What policy and governance elements do you believe have contributed to your success?

The governments clear guidelines and policies, on restructuring power sources from conventional energy to renewable energy, provide the basis for investors like CME to decide and pioneer in investment and development of renewable energy.

Decision No.11/2017/QD-TTg from 2017 on the incentive mechanism for solar power projects and the governments direction in developing the Power Development Plan VIII on shifting from coal power to renewable energy in electricity production has helped, as has the announcement of Vietnams net-zero commitment by 2050.

These factors are crucial for CME to select a long-term investment plan in developing renewable energy, building capability, processes, technology, and cooperative partnerships.

What policies and processes might promote CMEs expansion?

To promote the main guidelines, particular procedures for the execution of projects must be prepared simultaneously and closely following the governments encouragement, in order to prevent the construction of obstacles that make it difficult to invest. During the transition phase, construction-related processes and procedures should be swiftly published and streamlined.

Currently there is still a lack of a clear policy on electricity connection and purchasing prices, making it difficult for investors. Obstructions must be removed as soon as possible for rooftop solar power as it boasts many advantages and is not limited in capacity development.

To do so, procedures related to connections, transitional electricity prices, construction, and other relevant aspects should be established as soon as possible. In addition, the local carbon credit system and market must be established expeditiously in order to establish a connection between this market in Vietnam and the global market, thus boosting the advantages for investors and enterprises using renewable energy.

How can CME win the credibility and confidence of investors?

CME invests in and runs the full rooftop solar power model, and sells electricity directly to the factory at a lower price than Electricity of Vietnam. We are already receiving funding from worldwide credit and financial organisations with an interest in this subject. By adopting this business model and collaborating with firms that utilise renewable energy, CME has an edge when gaining access to funding. In addition, we assist them in saving money through the use of renewable energy. The increase in revenue is what enables our clients to consume the renewable energy that we supply. Thus, we demonstrate our potential to our investors.

What is the expected magnitude of renewable energy investment and the role of domestic banks in financing long-term renewable projects?

Common estimates state that the requirement for investment capital for electricity development by 2030 will be around $16.6 billion per year, with the yearly source portion above $13 billion. Renewable energy will represent around 26 per cent of the source structure.

The minimum annual demand for renewables is around $3-4 billion, and the investment cost is frequently higher than that of traditional power sources. The demand for capital is equivalent to the entire investment in power sources throughout the 2016-2020 period, which is planned to increase by 21.6GW.

This is a massive capital need, particularly for the long term funding, which is a scarce financial source of commercial banks.

Capital from local banks is vital for the effective implementation of renewable energy initiatives. Domestic banks may offer funding from mobilised sources or function as disbursement agents for credit institutions or international investment funds for green energy. The development of mobilisation and connectivity of foreign capital sources would enable and strengthen the capital financing capabilities of local banks in this field.
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP)  A third person who was struck by gunfire in an April shooting at a crowded Iowa nightclub has died, and charges against one of the two suspects will be updated.

Linn County Attorney Nick Maybanks told the Cedar Rapids Gazette that Marvin Cox, 31, of Cedar Rapids, who was shot in the head on April 10 at the Taboo Nightclub and Lounge in Cedar Rapids, died July 24. He had been on life support. Nine other people were also hurt that night.

Timothy Rush, 32, was already charged with second-degree murder for killing his 35-year-old girlfriend, who was the mother of his 1-year-old daughter, and several other crimes related to the shooting, including seriously injuring Cox.

Online court records didn't show any new charges against Rush as of Sunday.

Prosecutors have said Rush was working security at the nightclub when he and another man started shooting during a birthday party with more than 100 people in attendance.

The second suspect, Dimione Walker, 29, is charged with shooting and killing 25-year-old Michael Valentine. Walker is being held in Illinois, where he was arrested several days after the shooting. He is awaiting extradition to Iowa.

Rush remains jailed in lieu of $1.5 million bail.
Emmy-winning actress Pat Carroll has died aged 95.

Best known as the voice of Ursula from Disney's 'The Little Mermaid' passed away at her home in Cape Cod, Massachusetts, on July 30 after fighting pneumonia.

Confirming the actress' death, her daughter Kerry Karsian said: "She was deeply loved and will be much missed."

Carroll was also known for roles in 'ER', 'Laverne and Shirley', the 'Jimmy Durante Show' and 'The Danny Thomas Show'.

Her role as sea witch Ursula came in 1989, with the actress saying it was one of her favourite roles.

She also appeared in the 1965 musical version of Cinderella, playing Prunella, one of the wicked stepsisters.

Carroll started landing roles after her first major part in 1947 film 'Hometown Girl' before she won an Emmy in 1956 for her run on 'Sid Caesar's House'.

Her other credits include sitcom 'Make Room for Daddy', 'Busting Loose' and 'She's the Sheriff'.

She was also acclaimed for her one-woman show about American novelist and playwright Gertrude Stein.

The recorded version of the play won a Grammy for best spoken word, documentary or drama in 1980.

Along with daughter Kerry, the actress is survived by her other girl Tara Karsian and granddaughter Evan Karsian-McCormick.
WATERLOO  Two more people have been arrested for allegedly sending money to a drug trafficking organization in Mexico.

Waterloo police arrested Samuel Roland Monroe, 33, and Rylee Diane Wenman, 24, both of Waterloo, on charges of money laundering. Bond for Wenman, who is facing four counts, was set at $80,000. Monroe was charged with two counts, and bond was set at $20,000.

Authorities allege the two wired money by Western Union to Culiacan, Mexico, where a main operator with the Manjarraz drug trafficking operation was living in January, March and April 2021. Transfers were usually in the $900 range, and investigators believe the money was the proceeds from drug sales, court records state.

The organization was moving large amounts of methamphetamine, heroin and fentanyl to the Waterloo area.

Wenman was allegedly obtaining meth from one of the people in the organization and helping distribute the drugs, according to court records.

Monroe was also obtaining meth from a person in the organization.

Waterloo police earlier arrested three other people  Megan Heying, Richard Mohorne and Mark Sayles  on money laundering charges in the investigation.
DES MOINES  Former Vice President Mike Pence is coming to the Iowa State Fair.

Pence will make his fourth trip to Iowa since leaving office for a two-day swing Aug. 19-20, Politico reported recently, citing a Pence aide familiar with the planning.

In addition to making a stop at the Iowa State Fair, Pence will attend fundraisers for U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley, U.S. House candidate Zach Nunn and Bremer County Republicans, and a house party hosted by the Iowa Faith and Freedom Coalition, Politico reported.

Pence is among many national Republicans who have made multiple trips to Iowa, which on the Republican side will remain the first state in the nation to cast its preference for president in 2024.

National Democrats are re-evaluating their presidential nominating calendar, and Iowa Democrats may lose their No. 1 spot.

1 MILLION CONTACTS: The Republican Party of Iowa reported its 1 millionth voter contact over the weekend. The voter contacts are part of the partys efforts to encourage Republican voters to cast ballots in this falls elections.
DES MOINES  It had been roughly two decades since he was allowed to vote, and Eric Harris felt it was important that he cast a ballot again.

The Iowa City man, now in his 40s, lost his right to vote in Iowa when he was convicted of three felony offenses between 1998 and 2014. He regained it in 2020 when Gov. Kim Reynolds issued an executive order that automatically reinstated the right to vote of Iowans like Harris, who had been convicted of felonies but completed their sentences.

So Harris, his rights restored, voted in the 2020 election.

I spent almost 20 years not being able to vote because of felony convictions, Harris said. I just wanted to vote, and I was able to vote, and it was an important vote. The 2020 vote was a very important vote.

Before Reynolds executive order, Iowans who had been convicted of felonies were required to individually petition the governor to restore their voting rights. At the time, Iowa was the only state with a requirement that restrictive.

After Reynolds issued her executive order, 3,955 Iowans who had previously been made ineligible to vote due to felony convictions re-registered to vote before that years November election, according to data from the state elections office.

Of those 3,955 newly re-registered voters, 3,041  which is 77%, or nearly 4 out of every 5 who re-registered  followed through and voted in the 2020 general election, according to the state data.

That state data covers only those Iowans who had the right to vote, lost it upon conviction, and then re-registered to vote after having that right restored by Reynolds executive order.

A spokesman said the state elections office does not have broader data on how many Iowans became eligible to vote with the executive order even if they had not registered before, constraining the ability to determine what percentage of all Iowans who became newly eligible to register under the executive order.

Various reports in 2020, including one from the issue advocacy group The Sentencing Project, estimated Reynolds executive order as restored the voting rights of 35,000 to 45,000 Iowans.

Harris believes so strongly that Iowans convicted of felonies should have the right to vote and should exercise that right, that he has spent the past three-plus years encouraging others to register and vote.

People right now, with things thats going on in the country right now, people might not be happy, Harris said. But when I was able to vote in 2020, that was important to me.

When Reynolds issued the executive order, she called it a matter of second chances and acknowledging inequalities in the justice system.

The right to vote is the cornerstone of society and the free republic in which we live. When someone serves their sentence, they should have their right to vote restored automatically, Reynolds said in a statement accompanying her executive order.

The journey to that executive order, however, started on a different path. Reynolds originally called for state lawmakers to propose an amendment to the Iowa Constitution that would state Iowans convicted of a felony would regain the right to vote upon completion of their sentences.

Reynolds favored the constitutional amendment because it is a more permanent solution. Executive orders, in contrast, can be undone by the next governor.

Thats exactly what has happened with the issue of voting rights for Iowans convicted of felonies: Democratic Gov. Tom Vilsack in 2005 issued an executive order automatically reinstating the voting rights of Iowans who have completed their sentences for felony convictions. But in 2011, Republican Gov. Terry Branstad issued his own executive order, which required Iowans who have completed their sentences for felony convictions to individually petition the governor to have their voting rights restored.

But while a constitutional amendment was Reynolds preferred path, proposals bogged down in the Legislature, which is controlled by her fellow Republicans. In particular, Republicans in the Senate could not agree on what requirements should be added before a convicted voter had his or her rights restored.

After failed attempts in the 2019 and 2020 legislative sessions, Reynolds resorted to the executive order just before the 2020 general election.

Reynolds said at the time that she would continue to advocate for a constitutional amendment, but the issue received little to no discussion from majority, agenda-setting Republicans in the 2021 or 2022 legislative sessions. Republican statehouse leaders said Reynolds executive order removed the urgency from the issue.

As to the proportionately low number of Iowans who re-registered and voted in 2020 after having that right restored, Harris said there can be many hurdles to persuading that population to vote again, including a distrust in government institutions.

Harris also said he believes the state could do more to inform and educate those Iowans about their restored voting rights, especially by meeting those Iowans where they are at community events.

The bottom line for Harris, and why he also supports a more permanent solution, is that voting rights should be automatically granted to those who have completed their sentences. He said that right should not be left to the whims of only the governor.

If, Harris said, you live in this country and pay taxes and you paid your debt to society, you should be able to vote. Thats it.
The Chinese military has begun to carry out exercises in the northern Yellow Sea starting Monday, according to the Maritime Safety Administration.

The administration said in a navigational warning published on Sunday on its website that the exercises would last 14 days. It released geographical coordinates of the drill zone, asking ships not connected to the event not to enter the zone. The administration did not elaborate.

The People's Liberation Army has conducted several live-fire exercises over the past days.
The famous Ostankino tower in Moscow

 China, Russia with you  broadcasted on the Ostankino tower. This is to do with the fact that China has Russian support, even if it means war

Rock on Russia and China, dont take no crap out of the Empire of Lies and Chaos

WtR
Together with everyone, I follow Serbia and Kosovo. This is a very complex situation in which there is a third party of instigators  NATO.

On this issue, it is impossible to take the side of either the Serbs or the Kosovars, but there is an unequivocal position that both should take. And this position, oddly enough, is not political, but religious. The time has come when confessional consensus should be the solution to the crisis.

Serbia is a country that openly supported Russia in the fight against Nazism and Satanism in Ukraine. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, whom I know well, understands very well what NATO is and what methods the alliance uses to foment conflicts. Within a few months of the NWO in Ukraine, we have witnessed how the worst manifestations of Satanism  ardent fascism, absolute godlessness, black cynicism and aggressive LGBT propaganda  have come to the surface, like a ripe pimple. The entire NATO bloc is trying to corrupt countries with traditional values into a bunch of wicked people with animal instincts without religion and honor. And there is no doubt that the Muslims in this special operation against the adherents of Iblis play an important, ideological and spiritual role of counteraction.

Realizing that in Ukraine their plans are failing, the Western alliance decided to pick at the wound healing in the Balkans. And it is doubly insulting that on one of the sides, which NATO is inciting, there are Kosovo Muslims. The official reason for the outbreak of the conflict is so ridiculous and banal that there is no doubt about the incitement from outside. And indeed, before the parties had time to discuss anything, NATO is already declaring combat readiness and pulling its forces to the border. In the event of hostilities, the consequences for the Kosovo Muslim Ummah will be deplorable, regardless of the outcome. Yes, there will be a winner  the so-called progressive Europe. While the Balkans will fight among themselves, the entire West will stand behind and give cartridges, but live in peace, occasionally protesting against the infringement of the rights of Satanists, dictating their priorities to the world.

Remember, it is beneficial for the adherents of Satan to pit believers among themselves under any pretext, so that in the end those who, upon the coming of the savior Isa (Jesus) , will have to stand under his banner and overthrow the Dajjal (Antichrist) die with him.

I urge Serbs and Kosovo Albanians to remove the NATO Iblis from the equation and think about their future. And then there will be an understanding of the problem and its solution.

There are excellent examples of coexistence in harmony of different religions and nationalities. But there is no example of good coexistence with the NATO interventionists.

Kadyrov

WtR


Bollywood star actor Aamir Khan will be seen next in Laal Singh Chaddha. Directed by Advait Chandan, the remake of the Hollywood classic Forrest Gump is all set to release on August 11, 2022.

The movie is also releasing in Telugu and Megastar Chiranjeevi is presenting the movie. As part of promotions, Aamir Khan, Chiranjeevi and Naga Chaitanya gave a special interview to another star hero Nagarjuna. The fun-filled interviews promo was released and the trio discussed many issues about the film and also many special moments in life.

In the promo, Aamir Khan expressed his great wish. He said that he would like to direct Chiranjeevi or produce his film. Chiranjeevi responded with a smile and said that Aamir wont okay any shot in the first take.

The special interview will be aired soon on Star Maa. The premiere details will be announced in the next two days. Keep watching this space for more interesting updates.

Articles that might interest you:
Weather Alert

...Thunderstorm Chances Through Thursday... * Monsoon moisture will bring thunderstorms to the region this week, with the best chances extending through Thursday before diminishing into the weekend. * A few light showers are occurring early this morning, with thunderstorms developing again this afternoon. Most areas will see a 25-50% chance of storms in the afternoon and early evening hours today and Thursday. Nocturnal showers and thunderstorms are expected tonight as well. * 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.
Eliminate Dryer Lint

Dryer-sheet wax isnt the only thing that collects in your dryers lint screen. Theres also lint, of course, which you should remove from the lint screen after every use, according to Hood. Lint is a flammable material that, if not cleaned, could build up in the vents, she says. A lint filter with just two dry cycles of lint can greatly reduce airflow, create longer drying times due to obstructed air and increase your chances of lint buildup in the ducts, which over time can increase the risk of a lint fire.

You should clean your dryer vent  everything from the exhaust port on the back of the dryer to the exit point on your homes exterior, and all the ductwork in between  once per year, according to Rick Bohdel, president of air-duct cleaning company DUCTZ. Not only because of the aforementioned fire risk, but also because of the damage that dirty vents can do to your appliance.

When your dryer vent is cleaned properly, youre allowing airflow, which prevents clogging and backing-up of heat into the dryer itself, Bohdel explains. That extends the life of the dryer, because heat that builds up can damage the electrical components inside the dryer over time. Also, theres moisture in the air. If that moisture isnt escaping the dryer because the dryer vents are clogged or restricted, the dryer will have to run longer, which means its mechanical components will wear out more quickly.

Depending on your setup, you may be able to self-clean your dryer vent. If you can see the vent, its often a DIY job. Just take it all apart and brush and vacuum all of the pieces. Also vacuum the exhaust duct on the dryer. Then put it all back together, Handel says. Take some pictures beforehand, to make it easier to reassemble the same way. If your vent line is behind the wall or you have a helper fan, call in a pro to clean it.

Although hardware stores sell kits to help you clean in-wall vent lines, those may actually make things worse, Bohdel warns. You might just end up driving contaminant further inside the duct, causing it to collect in one place and creating even greater restrictions, he says.
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In the year 2022, it is difficult for some to comprehend that over 14,000 families in the United States live without electricity and water, many of whom are Navajo people that reside on the Navajo Nation. With support of Navajo Nation leaders, the Navajo Tribal Utility Authority (NTUA) partnered with the American Public Power Association (APPA) and member utilities to connect homes to the electric grid. Light Up Navajo was created as a mutual aid project that extends electricity to many homes in our communities. It is life-changing for families who have waited for electricity their entire lives.

As president of the Navajo Nation, Ive met many of the families who have received these basic amenities for the very first time. This means that they can finally enjoy modern conveniences of lighting, refrigerators and electronic devices without having to use generators.

Local line crews from NTUA worked alongside crews from 14 utility companies from across the United States from as far away as Maine and as close as our neighboring New Mexico energy company PNM. Crews worked long hours and some as many as 12 days straight to construct miles of distribution lines to connect our Navajo homes.

The Navajo Nation spreads over the largest land area of any indigenous population in the United States. Our teachings tie us to the land, making it a challenge to provide electricity to families who live in remote areas of the 28,000 square miles of Navajo land.

As a young person, growing up without electricity and running water taught me to provide for my family by hauling water, chopping wood and understanding how fortunate we were to be able to use kerosene for our table lamps from time to time. As a leader, I am very thankful for what Light Up Navajo delivers to our elders and youth. Electricity can also provide for other critical services including running water, heat and access to high-speed internet. These are services most people take for granted.

Recently, a PNM crew constructed distribution lines to electrify the home of June and David Jones near Burnham, N.M. June called the crew members Shiyaazh, (my son) as she cried tears of joy when the work was completed and she could turn on her lights with a simple flip of a switch for the first time. Crews were treated to a meal of stew and frybread by June and her family. What so many people take for granted, many on the Navajo Nation are grateful for  to be able to make a pot of coffee without building a fire and refrigerate their food.

The average cost to connect one family to the power grid is $40,000, but it is at no cost for recipients of this program thanks to companies donating time and materials along with the Cares Act funding. Since the Light Up Navajo program started in 2019, nearly 7,000 family homes have been connected to the power grid.

I congratulate the families and thank all the volunteers. Working together is how we get things done. We will continue to build upon this success and the hard work of many who are working to make our Nation stronger. I am proud of our work, and I look forward to the continued partnership with Light Up Navajo IV.
Copyright  2022 Albuquerque Journal

LOS RANCHOS DE ALBUQUERQUE  Construction is slated to begin any day on a project, at the southeast corner of Fourth and Osuna in Los Ranchos, that will include a three-story hotel with 30 to 50 units; an apartment complex with 204 units split between three, three-story buildings; a 14,000 square-foot specialty grocery store; and up to 60 houses.

The Palindrome development, named for the Portland, Oregon, company building it, is part of the Los Ranchos Village Center Plan. It was approved by the village board of trustees in 2020, but now finds itself embroiled in a furor touched off because three other high-density projects  one on track for final action and two in early discussion stages  have been proposed for the Fourth and Osuna area.

Thats proved to be difficult to accept for some residents of Los Ranchos, which was incorporated in December 1958 to fend off annexation by a rapidly growing Albuquerque and to retain the rural and agricultural lifestyle villagers treasure.

This Village Center, along with three other developments on Fourth Street, will destroy our village, Joe Craig, president of the Friends of Los Ranchos, said at a recent trustees meeting.

A place to live

Los Ranchos boundaries are irregular, but basically they go from north of Ortega to south of Montano and from the Rio Grande on the west to beyond Fourth on the east.

More than 600 people recently signed a petition requesting that the mayor and trustees initiate a moratorium on high-density projects until a survey determines how the majority of Los Ranchos 6,000 residents feel about them. Twenty people voiced opposition to such developments at the July 13 village board of trustees meeting.

If you proceed with approving and supporting this concentrated development, you are destroying the decades of efforts that have kept this village the jewel that it is and its rural nature tied to agriculture, Randy McKee, a Los Ranchos resident for about 20 years, told the mayor and trustees during that meetings public comment period. You are building a legacy that the villagers are telling you loud and clear they do not want.

Los Ranchos Mayor Donald T. Lopez told the Journal that development plans approved by trustees are in accord with the village master plan, the most recent version of which was approved in November 2019 following an extensive series of public meetings.

We didnt just do this the other day, Lopez said. Where were they (petitioners) when the master plan was being developed and where were they during the meeting when it was approved.

The mayor said allowing more dense housing than has been the norm for the village is intended to attract newer residents, including younger families, who cannot afford to pay $300,000 to $350,000 for an acre or $600,000-plus for a house, the asking prices in Los Ranchos. He said new residents will result in an economic boost to the village.

But they have to have a place to live.

Perfect Storm

Besides the Palindrome project, developments proposed for the Fourth and Osuna area are:

 Nijmegen Plaza Development, a 12-unit residential project at Fourth and Willow, just south of the Palindrome site.

 Sandia View Development, apartment units on Sandia View just west of Fourth Street and the Palindrome project.

 Chavez-Guadalupe Trail Cluster Development, 21 homes on 9.26 acres at the southwest corner of Chavez and Guadalupe Trail.

Village Trustee Gilbert Benavides believes it is these three projects, all in the pipeline at the same time and all proposed for sites in close proximity to each other, that set off alarms for residents opposed to high-density development.

I call it the Perfect Storm, three things hit us at once and they all had to do with density, he said. Sometimes there is an overreaction. Just because these things come up doesnt mean we are going to approve them.

The Nijmegen Plaza Development was actually up for approval during the July 13 trustees meeting. But after listening to more than an hour of public comment in opposition to high-density developments, trustees voted to defer action on it for 60 days.

Lopez firmly believes it was the Chavez-Guadalupe Trail plan that touched off the petition drive and vocal opposition. The other projects are on or just off a very busy Fourth Street south of Osuna.

Fourth Street is not rural, Benavides said. Some old-timers hold on to what Fourth Street looked like in the 50s. But thats not reality.

The Chavez-Guadalupe Trail site is another matter. Although not far from Fourth and Osuna, it is a grassy 9 acres at the intersection of two comparatively quiet residential streets.

Need for open space

Michelle Smiley lives about 50 feet from the Chavez-Guadalupe Trail site.

They just irrigated it today, she said during public comments at the July 13 trustees meeting. So on my drive over here there were two egrets playing in the water. I wanted to stop and take a picture to show you the wildlife enjoying this space. And its not just all these species of birds. Theres all kinds of creatures in this little (9) acres. We need this open space.

We talk about the infrastructure, that we dont have the infrastructure to handle (more) people in this little space. But I personally dont want the infrastructure. I dont want street lights causing all this air pollution to migratory bird habitat.

The Chavez-Guadalupe Trail site is privately owned. In keeping with Los Ranchos long-standing ordinance restricting development to one house per acre, the owner has the right to build nine houses there. But this past March, trustees approved an ordinance to allow Conservation Development/Pilot Projects that make denser developments, such as the 21 homes proposed for Chavez-Guadalupe Trail, possible.

Its intended to allow for a form of cluster housing, Lopez said. The village gets back a percentage of open space (about 2 acres in this case) on that property. If you build just one house per acre, there is no open space. One of the most pressing issues in the village is how to keep the village open, green and semi-rural while attracting newer residents and allowing older residents to downsize and age in place.

But for Smiley, its about the environment and the wildlife.

You cant just put the word conservation in the title of a project, she said. Youre not conserving anything if you are paving over a very important watershed and a habitat for different species.

The village trustees will hold its second public hearing on the Chavez-Guadalupe Trail proposal on Aug. 10.

Two camps

Village Trustee George Radnovich, a landscape architect, thinks a community dialogue is needed to help Los Ranchos decide what it wants to be.

I think Los Ranchos doesnt know what it is, he said. I hear people talking about Fourth Street and calling it rural. I think the whole commercial strip on Fourth is more Albuquerque like.

Three years ago, before he was a trustee, Radnovichs landscape architecture company had a contract to work on the Fourth Street project, which changed the character of the street from Schulte Road north to Pueblo Solano in ways that better serve pedestrians.

We talked to every business owner on Fourth Street, he said. People were asking for more restaurants, more commercial and for Fourth Street to become more like a main street than any other part of Los Ranchos. The people who came out to public meetings then did not have a no-growth attitude. How do we please Los Ranchos residents who want more commercial development and people saying no commercial and nothing that will increase traffic. Seems like we have two different camps.

Radnovich favors a series of public meetings and a way of allowing more discussion during board of trustee and Planning and Zoning Commission meetings.

There is value in having more conversation than just an exchange of statements, he said.

Trustee Allen L. Lewis, who has lived in Los Ranchos since 1960, feels the village has done a good job of retaining rural elements and links to its agricultural history.

I think it is absolutely what the village is about, he said. We have parks and open spaces and we have the (Larry P. Abraham) Agri-Nature Center that promotes agriculture. I feel like that is first and foremost our goal. The lavender festival (held July 23-24) is a big part of promoting who we are. A part of it is trying to develop younger farmers and finding crops we can grow, and lavender is one of those.

He said the Village Center and other projects on Fourth Street are intended to be a mechanism for generating gross receipts tax money.

Thats what is behind the commercial development of Fourth Street, because we really dont get much in property tax, Lewis said.

Sandra Pacheco, mayor pro tempore and village trustee, said the village administrations responsibility is to garner the resources to run the village.

That money doesnt fall off trees, she said. Nearly everything in the village is done with gross receipts taxes. They want streets repaired, they want public safety, they want their parks mowed. How is all that being paid for?

Transparency

Trustee Pacheco said she gets angry when she hears talk suggesting the village administration is changing ordinances and making development deals behind closed doors.

Everything is public information, she said. We have an obligation to do oversight, to have transparency. People may not have sought it out, but the information is there.

Notices of upcoming trustee and Planning and Zoning Commission meetings are posted on the villages website and videos of those meetings are available for viewing on the website as soon as the following day.

Even so, during the July 13 meeting, some villagers expressed concern that trustees often have to recuse themselves from discussion or action on issues due to conflict of interest. The four trustees vote on matters being considered by the board. The mayor votes only in the case of a tie.

On occasion, two trustees have recused themselves from considering or acting on a matter. That leaves two people to vote on business that affects the entire village.

At the July 13 meeting, for example, Radnovich recused himself from discussing the Palindrome project because his company has the contract, dating back to before he was elected a trustee, to do the landscape design for the development.

When the Nijmegen project came up for action that evening, Benavides recused himself because he had been a member of the Planning and Zoning Commission when the project was presented to that panel and Pacheco recused herself because she is married to the projects developer. That left only Radnovich and Lewis, and they voted to defer action for two months.

Villager Smiley requested that there be a public record noting what trustees have relations  business or personal  with which developers.

Tell all of us, but not two minutes before you vote, Smiley said.

So very fragile

There are several options possible as Los Ranchos plots it future. One is a moratorium on high-density projects, although Mayor Lopez said that would not apply to the Palindrome development, which is already approved, and likely not to the Nijmegen project, which meets ordinance requirements and is well along in the process. A series of public meetings and consultation with traffic experts have also been suggested.

One thing certain is that Fourth and Osuna is ground zero.

Thats our financial engine, Trustee Benavides said. People like it when we buy open space, but we cant buy open space if we dont have money.

During the July 13 trustees meeting, village resident Lauren Marble spoke about her experience when she moved to Portland 10 years ago.

She said she was enchanted at the time with Portlands green and rain, but that things took a turn for the worse when high-density developments started springing up in the old neighborhood she lived in there.

Things changed in just a short period of time, she said. Traffic was so bad, it could take you hours to get home, businesses were closing. It was just a very strange time. She said she moved back to Los Ranchos and rediscovered the joy of being able to walk along the irrigation ditch every day and having birds and even skunks in her yard.

The pleasure of living in the village has been just a gift, Marble said. When I see things happening that remind me of Portland, I get very nervous. Because it is so very fragile. You think you are going to have it forever, this quality of life. But it is not guaranteed. I live almost at the corner of Fourth and Osuna. I feel like we are being sacrificed for this higher vision of higher density. We are going to have the traffic and the noise and the whole change of lifestyle.

But the people who think its not going to affect them because they live farther away, I just want to tell you that it will affect everybody. You still have to get home. You still have to drive on the streets. You still have to deal with the changes (that go with) bringing all these people into the community.
Copyright  2022 Albuquerque Journal

A high school senior in need of speech and language therapy who was sent to prison last October waited five months before getting any special education services.

An incarcerated sophomore with a significant mental health history  and a reading level somewhere between that of a fourth and fifth-grader  needed 16 hours per week of services, but only received two.

Because of problems with staffing and conflicting prison interests, young people who need and want special education services in New Mexico Corrections Department facilities dont always promptly get what they are entitled to.

Thats a problem because when someone is incarcerated before they get their high school diploma or equivalent, they have a right to a free and appropriate public education, says Max Kauffman, staff attorney for Disability Rights New Mexico. Specifically, any young adult with disabilities under 22 who is incarcerated in New Mexico and who previously got educational services in state-supported schools is entitled to them.

Thats a right thats laid out in the national Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, and includes getting special education and related services  like speech therapy.

The Public Education Department in June cited the Corrections Department for denying the rights of some students and ordered it to come up with a comprehensive plan by Aug. 1.

Providing the correct education and services for students with disabilities is more than a right, said Kaufman.

It can give a lot of these students a purpose and a drive, while theyre in custody, to better themselves, Kauffman said. These individuals may have the chance to get a diploma, may have a chance for higher education, for employment opportunities, and to have a meaningful life outside of custody and  give back to the community.

To help give those students a fighting chance, and to help make significant improvements in education in the state prison system, Kauffman filed a complaint against the Corrections Department on behalf of a student with a disability and all those in similar situations.

The state PEDs Special Education Division investigation of that complaint resulted in PED citing the Corrections Department on four main issues involving its handling of special education and related services.

All of the issues, the PED said, must be corrected.

NMPED has a significant interest in ensuring that all of our state and county correctional facilities provide appropriate services to eligible students within these facilities in order to ensure that all educational and rehabilitative services are accessible to them, a PED spokeswoman told the Journal in a statement.

In its own statement, the Corrections Department said its fully complying with the corrective action plan and timeline that the PED laid out to fix the issues.

The agency said its developing training for staff on how to evaluate student needs as well as to better comply with its own policies and procedures for serving students who are eligible and willing to receive special education services.

Education opens the doors to new ideas and new paths and allows for individuals to focus on themselves and their futures, the department wrote. NMCD is committed to providing a variety of programming opportunities to all incarcerated individuals.

The PED reviewed five people eligible for special education services in creating its report. None of them was identified, for privacy reasons.

Monthslong wait

Some students waited several months to receive special education services, even though they were eligible or had asked for them, the PED found. That includes the senior in need of speech services, who according to the PEDs report was the student who was named in the original complaint.

That student still hadnt gotten the speech services when the report was filed, the PED said.

Prisons have indicated that students can receive special education services once theyre in the system.

Many of the individualized education plans, or IEPs, the PED reviewed were more aligned with the needs of the facility than with individual students needs, the department found.

Some students, like an 11th-grader who also had an elementary-school reading level, were only provided two hours of special education services per week under Corrections Department supervision. That student had previously received over 17 hours per week.

The 10th-grader with a significant mental health history also only received two hours of special education services per week, even though the student had previously received 16. That students IEP also contained no mental health services, the PED found.

NMCD said one of the biggest hurdles to implementing IEPs is scheduling, and the PED acknowledged that facilities can modify the plans for penological interests.

Corrections Department spokeswoman Carmelina Hart said that could include modifying the hours of services students receive per week based on if they need to be kept away from a facilitys general population  like, for example, if the student is deemed a danger to themselves or others.

Prison lockdowns can also interfere with classes, she said.

Yet another part of the problem is finding the people to provide the special education services students need  an issue many New Mexico public schools also face.

For example, the student who needed speech services didnt get them in part because of a lack of a provider.

Still, shortage of personnel is not an excuse for failure to implement the IEP in a prison setting, the PED wrote, adding there needs to be a balance between security interests and educational needs.

And in fact, its in the interest of correctional facilities to make sure that young adults are getting the services they need, Kauffman argues.

When we talk about a correctional facility, we assume that the point there is not to just sit around in custody and do nothing and then get released, but that the facility does something to help rehabilitate those in its custody, he said. A big part of that is education, and access to education.

In part because of the Corrections Departments handling of IEPs, which included delays in some cases, the PED found students had been denied a free, appropriate public education.

High school education

A big concern for Kauffman was PEDs finding that the Corrections Department discouraged students from pursuing high school diplomas.

They are responsible to almost the same extent as a public school to provide free and appropriate public education to those who are eligible, he said.

The Corrections Department didnt deny the PEDs finding, but said many of its students werent eligible anyway.

All students within NMCD are encouraged to pursue an education, the department said. While pursuing a high school diploma is possible for someone under age 22, the majority of NMCD students are over that age and are pursuing a high school equivalency credential.

The PED also found that in some cases, special education services werent provided based on students special education goals. Instead, they were geared toward completing high school equivalency tests.

Still, the department acknowledged that there was confusion in at least one case about whether students who were eligible for special education services wanted to pursue a high school diploma.

But special education-eligible students had to complete separate high school equivalency tests before they could go on to earn their diplomas, the PED said, adding that very few students have done so.

In addition to the confusion over whether students wanted to pursue diplomas, the PED said it wasnt clear whether nine of the 28 students eligible for special education services who revoked consent for those services knew what that fully entailed. As an example, they said one student withdrew from services, but then later came back.

The Corrections Department said that students are made fully aware of what revoking consent for services means through written and verbal communication. The agency added that staff also work with students advocates to make sure everyone knows what passing up special education services means.

But it wasnt clear if students understood or could read the revocation documents, the PED noted in the report. The department also said many of them reported they didnt want a special education label at a correctional facility because it was a sign of weakness.

Fixing the problem

The corrective action plan requires NMCD to take several steps to fix the problems. Those include coming up with a comprehensive plan to identify students who are eligible for and want special education services, promptly delivering those services and informing students about their rights to those services and to pursuing a high school diploma.

The corrective action plan also requires the Corrections Department to train its staff on how to identify the needs of students, and to compensate each of the five students they reviewed with the education they didnt receive, including with extra hours of services.

NMCD will need to report back to the PED, and the file will remain open until the PED is satisfied that the Corrections Department has fixed the problems.

If NMCD fails to abide by the corrective action plan, it could open itself up to further consequences from the PED. Kauffman said that could include taking the Corrections Department to court.

Making the changes NMCD needs to provide better education opportunities, Kauffman hopes, will help improve students lives while in prison and help keep them from going back once theyre out. In the long run, he hopes that will make New Mexico safer.

Its the humane thing to do, he told the Journal. I only see the benefit that it has, both for the inmates (and) for the community.
Copyright  2022 Albuquerque Journal

Twenty-four pencils. One box of crayons. Two pink erasers. These are just a few of the items on Albuquerque Public Schools back-to-school supply lists for fifth grade students. Excluding costs for backpacks, clothes, shoes, and tech, the list totals almost $50 at Target.

However, New Mexico parents will get a small reprieve from school supply costs next weekend as some back-to-school purchases become tax-free.

The New Mexico Tax and Revenue Department is preparing for its annual tax holiday Aug. 5-7 for businesses selling back-to-school products like laptops, clothes and backpacks.

New Mexico Parent Teacher Association President Stephanie Hansen said she keeps her eye out for the tax holiday every year.

Even that small percentage makes a difference when you buy a lot of stuff, said Hansen, who is shopping for her two kids.

Its not only parents who take advantage of the break. Whitney Holland, president of American Federation of Teachers New Mexico said that teachers spend on average $750 of their own money on classroom supplies.

Holland said many teachers may be unaware of the tax holiday.

When I was a teacher I was always caught off guard by the tax holiday, said Holland, who taught third grade in Los Alamos.

Holland would like to see the tax holiday expand to a monthly program for teachers as supplies run out.

Its nice at the start of the school year, but halfway through the year the supplies need to be restocked, Holland said. It takes off a little pressure, but theres always room for growth.

Stephanie Schardin Clarke, cabinet secretary for Taxation and Revenue Department, said the department estimates that New Mexicans receive between $4 million and $5 million in tax relief each year from the tax holiday.

It has a big impact on teachers and parents who have a lot of expenses, said Schardin Clarke, who plans to take advantage of the tax holiday when shopping for her own children. We know that family budgets can be tight and there are all these necessities that families need to buy this time of year.

The tax holiday, which started in 2005, occurs every year on the first weekend of August. Theres no age requirement, so even college students are able to use the savings. Businesses arent obligated to participate, but Schardin Clarke said that many big box and local stores choose to participate.

Loving High School science teacher Tyler Finch said he never heard of the tax holiday before this year. He said he and his wife, another teacher, are lucky to be in a school district where teachers dont have to worry about getting the supplies they need.

Were blessed, Finch said. We work in a great district that really helps get teachers the supplies they need.

Ellen Bernstein, president of the Albuquerque Teachers Federation, said the costs add up, especially when parents have more than one child, or when teachers are trying to set up their classrooms. But, she said she believes the tax holiday helps alleviate some of the financial burden.

Not paying tax is certainly helpful, Bernstein said. Any little bit helps if youre living paycheck to paycheck.

Visit www.tax.newmexico.gov/news-alerts/tax-holiday/ for more information about qualifying items. Price limits apply, and retailers can choose whether they will participate.
Copyright  2022 Albuquerque Journal

The Rotary Club of Albuquerque Del Norte Foundation has awarded $48,000 in grants to 17 local charities.

Nonprofit organizations selected for the grant received between $2,000 and $4,000 each, according to a news release. The organizations focus on basic humanitarian needs, which range from domestic violence prevention to education and literacy. The Rotary Club of Albuquerque Del Norte Foundation Board feels honored to be able to make an impact on our community, especially at a time like this, Steve Becker, president of the foundation, said in the news release.

Among the organizations that received grant money are: Albuquerque Adult Learning Center, Assistance League of Albuquerque, Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Central NM, Childrens Grief Center of New Mexico, Crossroads for Women, El Ranchito De Los Ninos, Mandys Farm, New Day Youth & Family Services, Rio Grande Food Project, Roadrunner Food Bank, Share Your Care, Inc. and Storehouse New Mexico.

Since 1989, the Rotary Club of Albuquerque Del Norte Foundation has helped raise more than $2 million to help local nonprofit organizations and has donated over $1 million to local charities.
YBO - Over the past years, Yen Bai province has effectively carried out the Party and States policies and preferential treatment for revolution contributors. It has issued some specific policies that suit local socio-economic situation to help families of revolution contributors improve their living conditions.

A special musical show marking the 75th anniversary of the War Invalids and Martyrs Day.





Appropriate attention has been paid to the movement of gratitude to revolution contributors, with many practical and effective activities implemented such as caring for Heroic Vietnamese Mothers, nursing veterans with serious injuries, cleaning martyr cemeteries, and lighting candles in commemoration of martyrs.





Thanks to donations to the Gratitude Fund, all-level authorities and sectors have implemented a number of activities helping uphold the tradition of "When drinking water, think of its source.





Secretary of the provincial Party Committee Do Duc Duy presents gifts to families of revolution contributors in Yen Bai city.





Standing Vice Secretary of the provincial Party Committee Ta Van Long presents gifts to families of revolution contributors in Van Yen district.

Chairman of the provincial Peoples Committee Tran Huy Tuan hands over certificates of merits to the collectives with outstanding achievements in war invalid and martyr-related affairs.





On the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the War Invalids and Martyrs Day (July 27), the Party Committee, Peoples Council, Peoples Committee and Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Yen Bai province presented gifts to 150 representatives of over 27,700 families of local revolution contributors. The provincial Peoples Committee also presented certificates of merit to 10 collectives and individuals with outstanding achievements in war invalid and martyr-related affairs.





The provincial Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee also called for donations to the Gratitude Fund, which received over 1.15 billion VND (49,200 USD) contributed by many individuals and businesses.





Addressing the celebration of the 75th anniversary of the War Invalids and Martyrs Day, Chairman of the provincial Peoples Committee Tran Huy Tuan expressed his admiration for the determination and efforts by war invalids, martyrs families and other revolution contributors to surmount injuries and difficulties, continue making dedications, and lead bright examples in working and studying.





He also praised contributions by all-level authorities, sectors, socio-political organisations, collectives and individuals to the care for war invalids, martyrs families and other revolution contributors, and asked for stronger dissemination of the Partys guidelines and the States policies and laws on revolution contributors among cadres, Party members, and the public.





The official demanded timely implementation of all the States preferential policies for revolution contributors, proper settlement of the cases who contributed to the revolution but havent benefited from those policies, upgrades to monuments to martyrs, and continued search for and repatriation of martyrs remains and identification.





The Chairman also requested creating favourable conditions for and encouraging war invalids, revolution contributors and their families to bring into play their spirit self-reliance to develop livelihoods and take part in social activities, thus actively contributing to local and national development.





Delegates make donations to the Gratitude Fund.




 Flash

A total of 32 people died in an arson attack on Friday in a village in the Malagasy district of Ankazobe, about 100 km west of the capital Antananarivo, Madagascar's Minister of National Defense Richard Rakotonirina confirmed to the press Saturday.

"Airplanes and helicopters are mobilized to support the ground elements in tracking down the perpetrators of this atrocity which cost the lives of thirty-two people," the minister said.

A source close to the investigation told Xinhua that four people were also injured in the attack, adding that they were being treated at the hospital in Ankazobe, while one of whom had to be evacuated to Antananarivo.

The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that the victims are made up of seven households, including women and children and even infants. They took refuge on the floor of a house and tried to fight back with stone throwing.

The assailants, armed with three AK-47 assault rifles, one MAS-36 rifle and eight shotguns, burned the house from the ground floor. They locked up the victims and shot at those who tried to escape, said the same source.

Malagasy President Andry Rajoelina on Sunday offered his condolences to the families of the victims and condemned the act. He also announced those who committed the crime are being hunted down and will be punished according to the law in force.
Even as Moscows war machine crawls across Ukraines east, trying to achieve the Kremlins goal of securing full control over the countrys industrial heartland, Ukrainian forces are scaling up attacks to reclaim territory in the Russian-occupied south.

The Ukrainians have used American-supplied rocket launchers to strike bridges and military infrastructure in the south, forcing Russia to divert its forces from the Donbas in the east to counter the new threat.

With the war in Ukraine now in its sixth month, the coming weeks may prove decisive.

While the bulk of Russian and Ukrainian military assets are conentrated in the Donbas, the industrial region of mines and factories, both sides hope to make gains elsewhere.

Ukraine has vowed to drive the Russians from the territory they have seized since the start of the invasion, including the southern region of Kherson and part of the Zaporizhzhia region, while Moscow has pledged to hold on to the occupied areas and take more ground around the country.

The Donbas consists of Luhansk province, now fully controlled by Russia, and Donetsk province, about half of which is in Moscows hands.

Ukrainian military analyst Oleh Zhdanov noted that by stepping up the attacks in the south, Kyiv has forced Russia to spread its forces.

The Russian military command has been put before a dilemma: to try to press the offensive in the Donetsk region or build up defenses in the south, Zhdanov said. Its going to be difficult for them to perform both tasks simultaneously for a long time.

He noted that rather than trying to mount a massive, all-out counteroffensive, the Ukrainians have sought to undermine the Russian military in the south with a series of strikes on its munitions and fuel depots and other key sites.

It doesnt have to be a head-on attack, Zhdanov noted.

Moscow-backed local officials in Ukraines east and south have talked about holding votes on joining Russia as early as September. Those plans hinge on Russias ability to win full control of those areas by then.

The Kremlins chief goal is to force Kyiv to sit down for talks, secure the existing line of contact and hold referenda in the autumn, said Mykola Sunhurovsky, of the Razumkov Center, a Kyiv-based think tank.

He noted that Western weapons have boosted Ukraines capabilities, allowing it to reach targets far behind the front lines with a high degree of precision.

Ukraine has received about a dozen American-built HIMARS multiple rocket launchers and has used them to strike Russian ammunition depots, which are essential for maintaining Moscows edge in firepower. HIMARS systems have a range of 80 kilometers (50 miles), enabling the Ukrainians to hit the Russians from beyond the reach of most of the enemys artillery.

Its a serious advantage, Sunhurovsky said. The Ukrainians have started dealing precision strikes on Russian depots, command posts, railway stations and bridges, destroying logistical chains and undermining the Russian military capability.

The Ukrainian strikes on munitions storage sites have caught the Russian army off guard, forcing it to move materiel to scattered locations farther from combat areas, lengthening supply lines, reducing the Russian edge in firepower and helping to slow Russias offensive in the east.

Theyve got to get everything out to smaller, more dispersed stockpiles, said Justin Crump, a former British tank commander who heads Sibylline, a strategic advisory firm. These are all real irritants that slow Russia down. Theyve suffered the hit to the tempo of artillery fire, which was really key before.

Crump said the Russian military had underestimated the threat posed by HIMARS and had left their ammunition depots exposed in known locations. They thought their air defense would shoot down the missiles. And it didnt really, he said.

In a series of attacks that helped boost the countrys morale, the Ukrainians repeatedly used HIMARS to strike a key bridge across the Dnieper River in the Kherson region, cutting traffic across it and raising potential supply problems for Russian forces in the area.

Zhdanov, the Ukrainian military analyst, described the bridge as the key link for supplying Russian forces on the right bank of the Dnieper.

Russia still can use a second crossing on the Dnieper to ferry supplies and reinforcements to its troops in Kherson, which lies just north of the Crimean Peninsula, seized by Russia in 2014. But Ukraines strikes have shown Russias vulnerability and weakened its hold on the region.

The Russians have the river at their back. Thats not a great place to be defending, Crump said. They cant get supplies easily. The morale is probably quite low at this point on that side of the river.

He said Ukraine eventually may launch a massive counterattack involving large numbers of troops and weapons.

Thats the opportunity for Ukraine, I think, to land a sort of more smashing blow on the Russians and push them back, Crump said. I think theres more chance of that being tried here than weve seen at any other point.

Crump noted that the mere prospect of a major Ukrainian counteroffensive in the south helped Kyiv by forcing the Russians to divert some of their forces from the main battleground in the east.

Thats slowing down the Donbas offensive, Crump said. So even the threat of an offensive is actually succeeding for Ukraine at the moment.

___

Danica Kirka in London and Yuras Karmanau in Tallinn, Estonia, contributed to this report.
WASHINGTON  The White House on Monday decried Beijings rhetoric over an expected visit by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to Taiwan, vowing the United States will not take the bait or engage in saber rattling and has no interest in increasing tensions with China.

White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby underscored that the decision on whether to visit the self-ruled island that China claims as its own was ultimately Pelosis. He noted that members of Congress have routinely visited Taiwan over the years.

Kirby said administration officials are concerned that Beijing could use the visit as an excuse to take provocative retaliatory steps, including military action such as firing missiles in the Taiwan Strait or around Taiwan, flying sorties into Taiwans airspace and carrying out large-scale naval exercises in the strait.

Put simply, there is no reason for Beijing to turn a potential visit consistent with long-standing U.S. policy into some sort of crisis or use it as a pretext to increase aggressive military activity in or around the Taiwan Strait, Kirby said.

The Biden administration pushed back on Beijing as Pelosi held talks with officials in Singapore on Monday at the start of her Asian tour.

While there have been no official announcements, local media in Taiwan reported that Pelosi will arrive Tuesday night, making her the highest-ranking elected U.S. official to visit in more than 25 years. The United Daily News, Liberty Times and China Times  Taiwans three largest national newspapers  cited unidentified sources as saying she would arrive in Taipei after visiting Malaysia and spend the night.

Talk of such a visit is sparking fury in Beijing, which regards Taiwan as its own territory and has repeatedly warned of serious consequences if the reported trip goes ahead.

If Pelosi insists on visiting Taiwan, China will take resolute and strong measures to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said in Beijing, without giving details.

Those who play with fire will perish by it, Zhao said. We would like to once again admonish the U.S. that we are fully prepared for any eventuality and the PLA will never sit idly by. The Peoples Liberation Army is Chinas military.

Chinas U.N. Ambassador Zhang Jun reiterated Beijings threat to take action if Pelosi makes what he called a provocative visit to Taiwan, reiterating that the one China principle is a red line and we allow no one to cross this red line.

Zhang told a news conference at the start of Chinas presidency of the U.N. Security Council this month that Taiwans tendency toward independence is further developing with the support of some external forces, which he didnt name.

So, if we do not take appropriate, forceful action to stop it, and the situation might be even out of control, Zhang said. So it is legitimate for the Chinese government, for the Chinese military, to take any action to prevent Taiwan to go further down the wrong direction, namely towards independence.

Zhang said he wasnt in a position to reveal what actions, but what I can tell is that the firmness, the determination is there. We will do whatever we can to defend our sovereignty and the territorial integrity.

Chinese President Xi Jinping also warned the U.S. against meddling in Beijings dealings with the island in a phone call last week with President Joe Biden.

Germanys Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock warned against a Chinese invasion of Taiwan while sharply criticizing Russias invasion of Ukraine. Baerbock told reporters at U.N. headquarters in New York on Monday: We do not accept when international law is broken and a larger neighbor attacks its smaller neighbor in violation of international law  and of course that also applies to China.

China has been steadily ratcheting up diplomatic and military pressure on Taiwan. Threats of retaliation for a visit by Pelosi have driven concerns of a new crisis in the Taiwan Strait, which separates the two sides, that could roil global markets and supply chains.

Beijing sees official American contact with Taiwan as encouragement to make the islands decades-old de facto independence permanent, a step U.S. leaders say they dont support. Pelosi, head of one of three branches of the U.S. government, would be the highest-ranking elected American official to visit Taiwan since then-Speaker Newt Gingrich in 1997.

The Biden administration has tried to assure Beijing there was no reason to come to blows and that if such a visit occurred, it would signal no change in U.S. policy. Administration officials on Monday called on China to tone down the rhetoric, underscoring that there was no reason for Beijing to escalate tensions in the Taiwan Strait over the potential visit. Members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee were to receive a classified briefing on Taiwan from senior Pentagon and State Department officials on Monday evening.

What I can say is this: this is very much precedent in the sense that previous speakers have visited Taiwan, many members of Congress go to Taiwan, including this year, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said. And so, if the speaker does decide to visit and China tries to create some kind of crisis or otherwise escalate tensions, that would be entirely on Beijing.

Still, U.S. officials have signaled that the military would be prepared to respond if needed in the event of any action by China in response to any possible stop in Taiwan by Pelosi.

On Monday, the Navy aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan and its strike group were in the Philippine Sea, according to the officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss military operations.

The Reagan, the USS Antietam, a cruiser, and the USS Higgins, a destroyer, left Singapore after a port visit and moved north, heading to their homeport in Japan. The carrier has an array of aircraft, including F/A-18 fighter jets and helicopters, on board as well as sophisticated radar systems and other weapons.

Taiwan and China split in 1949 after the Communists won a civil war on the mainland. Both sides say they are one country but disagree over which government is entitled to national leadership. They have no official relations but are linked by billions of dollars of trade and investment.

The United States switched diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing in 1979, but maintains informal relations with the island. Washington is obligated by the Taiwan Relations Act, a federal law, to see that Taiwan has the means to defend itself.

Washingtons One China policy says it takes no position on the status of the two sides but wants their dispute resolved peacefully. Beijing promotes an alternative One China principle that says they are one country and the Communist Party is its leader.

We expect to see Beijing continue to use inflammatory rhetoric and disinformation in the coming days, Kirby said. The United States, by contrast, will act with transparency.

On Monday, Pelosi met with Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, President Halimah Yacob and other Cabinet members.

Singapores Foreign Ministry said Lee welcomed a U.S. commitment to strong engagement with the region, and the two sides discussed ways to deepen U.S. economic involvement through initiatives such as the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework.

Lee and Pelosi also discussed the war in Ukraine, tensions surrounding Taiwan and mainland China, and climate change, it said in a statement. Lee highlighted the importance of stable U.S.-China relations for regional peace and security, it added, in an apparent allusion to reports of Pelosis visit to Taiwan.

Pelosi has said she is visiting Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea and Japan in a tour to discuss trade, the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, security and democratic governance.

On Thursday, Pelosi is to meet with South Korean National Assembly Speaker Kim Jin Pyo in Seoul for talks on security in the Indo-Pacific region, economic cooperation and the climate crisis, Kims office said in a statement.

It declined to provide further details about her itinerary, including when she is arriving in South Korea and how long shell stay. Pelosis schedule for Wednesday remains unclear and there were no details on when she will head to Japan.

___

Ng reported from Kuala Lumpur and Soo reported from Hong Kong. Associated Press writers Huizhong Wu in Taipei, Taiwan; Kim Hyung-jin in Seoul, South Korea; Edith Lederer at the United Nations; and Lolita C. Baldor, Josh Boak, and Matthew Lee in Washington contributed to this report.
KYIV, Ukraine  The first ship carrying Ukrainian grain set out Monday from the port of Odesa under an internationally brokered deal to unblock the embattled countrys agricultural exports and ease the growing global food crisis.

The Sierra Leone-flagged cargo ship Razoni sounded its horn as it departed with over 26,000 tons of corn destined for Lebanon.

The first grain ship since Russian aggression has left port, Ukrainian Minister of Infrastructure Oleksandr Kubrakov declared on Twitter.

Russia and Ukraine signed agreements in Istanbul with Turkey and the U.N. on July 22, clearing the way for Ukraine to export 22 million tons of grain and other agricultural products that have been stuck in Black Sea ports because of Russias invasion of Ukraine more than five months ago. The deals also allow Russia to export grain and fertilizer.

As part of the agreements, safe corridors through the mined waters outside Ukraines ports were established.

Ukraine and Russia are major global suppliers of wheat, barley, corn and sunflower oil, with the fertile Black Sea region long known as the breadbasket of Europe. The holdup of shipments because of the war has worsened rising food prices worldwide and threatened hunger and political instability in developing nations.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy sounded a cautious note. Calling the shipment the first positive signal that there is a chance to stop the spread of a food crisis in the world, he also urged international partners to closely monitor Moscows compliance with the deal.

We cannot have the illusions that Russia will simply refrain from trying to disrupt Ukrainian exports, Zelenskyy said.

In Moscow, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov hailed the ships departure as very positive, saying it would help test the efficiency of the mechanisms that were agreed to during the talks in Istanbul.

Under the agreements, ships going in and out of Ukrainian ports will be subject to inspection to make sure that incoming vessels are not carrying weapons and that outgoing ones are bearing only grain, fertilizer or related food items, not any other commodities.

The Razoni was scheduled to dock early Wednesday in Istanbul, where teams of Russian, Ukrainian, Turkish and U.N. officials were set to board it for inspection.

More ships are expected to leave from Ukraines ports through the safe corridors. At Odesa, 16 more vessels, all blocked since Russias invasion on Feb. 24, were waiting their turn, with others to follow, Ukrainian authorities said.

But some shipping companies are not yet rushing to export food across the Black Sea as they assess the danger of mines and the risk of Russian rockets hitting grain warehouses and ports.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who proposed the grain deal in April, said the Razoni was loaded with two commodities in short supply: corn and hope.

Hope for millions of people around the world who depend on the smooth running of Ukraines ports to feed their families, he said.

Lebanon, the corns destination, is in the grip of a severe financial crisis. A 2020 explosion at its main port in Beirut shattered its capital city and destroyed grain silos. Lebanon imports mostly wheat from Ukraine but also buys its corn for making cooking oil and animal feed.

Kubrakov said the shipments will also help Ukraines war-shattered economy.

Unlocking ports will provide at least $1 billion in foreign exchange revenue to the economy and an opportunity for the agricultural sector to plan for next year, he said.

Hearing the ship sound its horn as it left port delighted Olena Vitalievna, an Odesa resident.

Finally, life begins to move forward and there are some changes in a positive direction, she said. In general, the port should live its own life because Odesa is a port city. We live here. We want everything to work for us, everything to bustle.

The resumption of the grain shipments came as fighting raged elsewhere in Ukraine, with Russia pressing its offensive in the east while Ukraine tries to retake territory in the Russian-occupied south.

Ukraines presidential office said at least three civilians were killed and 16 wounded by Russian shelling in the Donetsk region over the past 24 hours. Donetsk Gov. Pavlo Kyrylenko repeated a call for all residents to evacuate, emphasizing the need to remove about 52,000 children still there.

Two civilians were killed and two seriously wounded when Russian forces fired missiles at a bus evacuating people from a village in the southern Kherson region, according to Oleksandr Vilkul, head of the military administration in the city of Kryvyi Rih.

Ukrainian authorities have been calling on civilians in that region, which was overrun by Russian troops early in the war, to evacuate ahead of a planned counteroffensive.

More shelling was reported in Kharkiv in the northeast and Mykolaiv in the south.

Analysts warned that the continuing fighting could still upend the grain deal.

The departure of the first vessel doesnt solve the food crisis; its just the first step that could also be the last if Russia decides to continue attacks in the south, said Volodymyr Sidenko, an expert with the Kyiv-based Razumkov Center think tank.

In other developments:

 In Washington, President Joe Biden approved an additional $550 million in military aid to Ukraine, including more ammunition for howitzers and for the new American-supplied multiple rocket launchers that are making a difference on the battlefield. The package brings total U.S. military assistance to Ukraine to approximately $8.7 billion since the start of the Biden administration.

 Ukraines human rights ombudsman said he had written to his Russian counterpart suggesting a joint visit to the Olenivka prison, where dozens of Ukrainian POWs were killed in an explosion Friday. Dmitry Lubets said the Russian side indicated it would consider it.

Both sides have blamed each other for the blast at the prison, which is in Russian-controlled territory. Ukrainian officials maintain the explosion was caused by a bomb set off inside the building.

The International Committee of the Red Cross has also requested access to the prison, but so far has been turned down.

___

Fraser reported from Ankara, Turkey. Jon Gambrell in Dubai contributed.
A scorched pickup truck rests on California Highway 96 in Klamath National Forest, Calif., as the McKinney Fire burns nearby, Saturday, July 30, 2022. (AP Photo/Noah Berger) Flames from the McKinney Fire consume trees along California Highway 96 in Klamath National Forest, Calif., Saturday, July 30, 2022. (AP Photo/Noah Berger) A scorched pickup truck rests on California Highway 96 in Klamath National Forest, Calif., as the McKinney Fire burns nearby, Saturday, July 30, 2022. (AP Photo/Noah Berger) A horse grazes in a pasture as the McKinney Fire burns in Klamath National Forest, Calif., Saturday, July 30, 2022. (AP Photo/Noah Berger) Angela Crawford watches as a wildfire called the McKinney fire burns a hillside above her home in Klamath National Forest, Calif., on Saturday, July 30, 2022. Crawford and her husband stayed, as other residents evacuated, to defend their home from the fire. (AP Photo/Noah Berger) Angela Crawford leans against a fence as a wildfire called the McKinney fire burns a hillside above her home in Klamath National Forest, Calif., on Saturday, July 30, 2022. Crawford and her husband stayed, as other residents evacuated, to defend their home from the fire. (AP Photo/Noah Berger) Angela Crawford walks past her home as a wildfire called the McKinney fire burns above it in Klamath National Forest, Calif., on Saturday, July 30, 2022. Crawford and her husband stayed, as other residents evacuated, to defend their home from the fire. (AP Photo/Noah Berger) Angela Crawford leans against a fence as a wildfire called the McKinney fire burns a hillside above her home in Klamath National Forest, Calif., on Saturday, July 30, 2022. Crawford and her husband stayed, as other residents evacuated, to defend their home from the fire. (AP Photo/Noah Berger) A deer swims across the Klamath River as flames burn the opposite bank in Klamath National Forest, Calif., on Saturday, July 30, 2022. (AP Photo/Noah Berger) Flames from the McKinney Fire burn beyond firefighters in Klamath National Forest, Calif., on Sunday, July 31, 2022. (AP Photo/Noah Berger) A chimney stands at a destroyed building as the McKinney Fire burns in Klamath National Forest, Calif., on Sunday, July 31, 2022. (AP Photo/Noah Berger) A scorched van sits in a clearing as the McKinney Fire burns in Klamath National Forest, Calif., on Sunday, July 31, 2022. (AP Photo/Noah Berger) Rubble from a building sits in an area scorched by the McKinney Fire in Klamath National Forest, Calif., on Sunday, July 31, 2022. (AP Photo/Noah Berger) A scorched van sits in a clearing as the McKinney Fire burns in Klamath National Forest, Calif., on Sunday, July 31, 2022. (AP Photo/Noah Berger) A chimney stands behind cars as the McKinney Fire burns in Klamath National Forest, Calif., on Sunday, July 31, 2022. (AP Photo/Noah Berger) A chimney stands at a destroyed building as the McKinney Fire burns in Klamath National Forest, Calif., on Sunday, July 31, 2022. (AP Photo/Noah Berger) A firefighter battling the McKinney Fire protects a cabin in Klamath National Forest, Calif., on Sunday, July 31, 2022. (AP Photo/Noah Berger) A man runs to a truck as a wildfire called the McKinney fire burns in Klamath National Forest, Calif., on Saturday, July 30, 2022. (AP Photo/Noah Berger) A horse grazes in a pasture as the McKinney Fire burns in Klamath National Forest, Calif., Saturday, July 30, 2022. (AP Photo/Noah Berger) Prev 1 of 19 Next

YREKA, Calif.  Two bodies were found inside a charred vehicle in a driveway in the wildfire zone of a raging California blaze that is among several burning in the western U.S. amid hot, dry and gusty conditions that boost the danger that the fires will keep growing, officials said Monday.

The McKinney Fire in Northern California near the stateline with Oregon exploded in size Sunday to more than 82 square miles (212 square km) after erupting Friday in the Klamath National Forest, firefighting officials said. It is Californias largest wildfire of the year so far and officials have not determined the cause.

The vehicle and the bodies were found Sunday in the driveway of a residence near the remote community of Klamath River, the Siskiyou County Sheriffs Office said in a statement.

The blaze cast an eerie, orange-brown hue, in one neighborhood where a brick chimney stood surrounded by rubble and scorched vehicles on Sunday. Flames torched trees along State Route 96 and raced through hillsides in sight of homes.

Firefighting crews on the ground were trying to prevent the blaze from moving toward the town of Yreka, population about 7,500, about four miles (6.4 kilometers) away as of Sunday.

A second, smaller fire in the region that was sparked by dry lightning Saturday threatened the tiny California community of Seiad. Overall, officials said about 400 structures were threatened by the two fires.

Authorities have not confirmed the extent of the damages far in the areas that have burned, saying assessments would begin when it was safe to go inside them.

A third fire, which was on the southwest end of the McKinney blaze, prompted evacuation orders for around 500 homes Sunday, said Courtney Kreider, a spokesperson with the Siskiyou County Sheriffs Office.

The office said crews had been on the scene of the fire since late Saturday but by the following morning it became active and escaped its containment line. The childhood home of one sheriffs deputy burned on Friday, Kreider said,

Thunderstorms that brought barrages of lightning and threatened to spark new fires in dry fuel beds in Northern California were expected to move out of the area starting Monday, forecasters said.

In northwest Montana, a fire sparked in grasslands near the town of Elmo had grown to about 17 square miles (44 square km) Sunday after advancing into forest.

Crews worked along edges of the fire, and aircraft were expected to continue to make water and retardant drops to help slow the fires advance, said Sara Rouse, a spokesperson for the interagency team assigned to the fire. High temperatures and erratic winds that can help fan flames were predicted, she said.

In Idaho, the Moose Fire in the Salmon-Challis National Forest has burned on more than 75 square miles (196 square km) in timbered land near the town of Salmon and was 21% contained by Sunday.

In California, Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency Saturday, allowing him more flexibility to make emergency response and recovery effort decisions and to tap federal aid.

Scientists have said climate change has made the West warmer and drier over the last three decades and will continue to make weather more extreme and wildfires more frequent and destructive.

The U.S. Forest service shut down a 110-mile (177 kilometer) section of the famed Pacific Coast trail in Northern California and southern Oregon and hikers in that area were urged to abandon their treks and head to the nearest towns.
ATLANTA  U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham is challenging a subpoena to testify before a special grand jury thats investigating whether then-President Donald Trump and others broke any laws when they tried to overturn Joe Bidens win in Georgia.

Graham, a Republican from South Carolina, received a subpoena that was issued on July 26 and orders him to appear before the special grand jury to testify on Aug. 23, his lawyers said in a court filing. Graham is seeking to have the challenge to the subpoena heard in federal court in Atlanta rather than before the Fulton County Superior Court judge whos overseeing the special grand jury.

The senator is one of the Trump allies who Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis wants to question as part of her investigation into what she alleges was a multi-state, coordinated plan by the Trump Campaign to influence the results of the November 2020 election in Georgia and elsewhere.

Graham had said repeatedly that he would fight the subpoena once he received it, which happened last week, according to his lawyers. He has denied meddling in Georgias election.

In a court filing last month, Willis, a Democrat, wrote that Graham made at least two telephone calls to Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger and members of his staff in the weeks after Trumps loss to Biden, asking about reexamining certain absentee ballots to explore the possibility of a more favorable outcome for former President Donald Trump.

When he made those calls, Graham was engaged in quintessentially legislative factfinding  both to help him form election-related legislation, including in his role as then-Chair of the Judiciary Committee, and to help inform his vote to certify the election, his lawyers wrote in a court filing on Friday.

Grahams lawyers cite a provision of the U.S. Constitution that they say provides absolute protection against inquiry into Senator Grahams legislative acts. They also argue sovereign immunity prevents a local prosecutor from summoning a U.S. senator to face a state ad hoc investigatory body. And they assert that Willis has failed to demonstrate the extraordinary circumstances necessary to order a high-ranking federal official to testify.

Willis office will respond in court and expects Graham to testify before the special grand jury, spokesperson Jeff DiSantis said.

Given that Graham has been summoned to testify on Aug. 23, his lawyers asked for expedited consideration of his motion to quash. The judge granted that request, setting a hearing for Aug. 10.

Graham had previously filed a federal court challenge in South Carolina to try to stop Willis efforts to compel him to testify. Before a judge there could hold a hearing, he withdrew that case and agreed to file any challenges to a subpoena in the investigation in either state superior court or federal court in Georgia, according to a court filing.

U.S. Rep. Jody Hice, a Georgia Republican, filed a federal court challenge similar to Grahams after he received a subpoena to testify before the special grand jury. After hearing arguments from his lawyers and from Willis office, a federal judge last week declined to quash his subpoena.

U.S. District Judge Leigh Martin May, who is also assigned to hear Grahams challenge, sent the matter back to Fulton County Superior Court, saying that there are at least some questions that Hice may be compelled to answer. If disagreements arise over whether Hice is protected under federal law from answering certain questions, he can bring those issues back to her to settle, she said.

Willis has confirmed that the investigations scope includes a Jan. 2, 2021, phone call between Trump and Raffensperger during which Trump urged Raffensperger to find enough votes to overturn his loss in the state.

I just want to find 11,780 votes, which is one more than we have, Trump said during that call.

Trump has denied any wrongdoing and has repeatedly described his call to Raffensperger as perfect.

Willis is also interested in false allegations of election fraud made by former New York mayor and Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani and others during Georgia legislative committee meetings in December 2020. Jacki Pick Deason, a Dallas-based lawyer and podcaster, spoke at one of those meetings on Dec. 3, 2020.

Willis is trying to compel Deasons testimony. Because she lives outside Georgia, Willis has to use a process that involves getting a judge in Texas to order her to appear. A judge in New York has already ordered Giuliani to testify next week.

In a court filing in Texas last week, Deason argued that she shouldnt be ordered to testify. She cited alleged flaws with the paperwork Willis filed seeking her testimony, argued that a summons to appear before a Georgia special grand jury is not recognized in Texas and said that the demand for her appearance is based on a false assertion that she was a lawyer for the Trump campaign. She also said that it would be an undue burden for her to travel to Atlanta on days when the special grand jury is meeting in August because of professional obligations and other commitments.

___

Associated Press writers Meg Kinnard in Columbia, S.C., and Jamie Stengle and Jake Bleiberg in Dallas contributed to this report.
The creators of Cobra Kai have a new project filming in Albuquerque.

According to the New Mexico Film Office, Jon Hurwitz, Josh Heald, and Hayden Schlossberg are filming the TV series Obliterated, for Netflix.

It is also being produced by Sony Pictures Television.

We are so excited to be making our next project in Albuquerque, where many of our friends have had an excellent experience filming, the producers said.  Obliterated is a high-octane action-comedy that weve been planning for over a decade. We look forward to working with our mostly New Mexico-based crew to bring our vision to life.

The series tells the story of an elite special forces team that thwarts a deadly threat to Las Vegas, Nevada.

After their celebratory party, filled with booze, drugs, and sex, the team discovers that the bomb they deactivated was a fake. The now intoxicated team has to fight through their impairments, overcome their personal issues, find the real bomb, and save the world. The series will have an eight-episode season.

According to the NM Film Office, principal photography began in July and continues through October, in and around Albuquerque.

The production will employ approximately 350 New Mexico crew members, 25 New Mexico principal actors, and approximately 2,000 New Mexico background talent, according to the film office.

According to the Internet Movie Database, the series stars Shelley Henning, Nick Zano, Terrence Terrell, C. Thomas Howell, Paola Lazaro, Alyson Gorske, Amalia Yoo and Eugene Kim.

Hennig plays Ava Winters, a CIA lead agent who likes to play by the book while overseeing an elite Special Forces team.

Zano plays Chad McKnight, the head of an elite SEAL team who loves him despite his reputation for being a wild guy on and off the job.

Gorske plays Lana, a Vegas party girl swept up along for the ride with the special forces team.

Howell is Haggerty, the eccentric Army Explosives technician.

Kim plays Paul Yung, an Air Force pilot embedded with our team and after a wild night of partying, the only one sober.

Lazaro portrays Angela Gomez, a badass Marine sniper who is the best in her field.

Terrell is Trunk, a Navy SEAL and ultimate wingman to McKnight.

Yoo plays Maya Choi, a young NSA tech expert in the field for the first time and wildly out of her element.
A business-to-business cannabis platform has entered the New Mexico market, offering local establishments the ability to make payments electronically.

LeafLink, founded in 2016, offers a system for businesses to sell to one another  mainly giving manufacturers and producers a way to connect with retailers for the wholesale of cannabis products such as flower, concentrates and edibles.

We were really excited by the prospect of the size of the market, Claire Moloney, LeafLinks VP of business operations, told the Journal. We know that a lot of the sales (in New Mexico) are driven by tourism from surrounding states that dont have programs, and so were excited by the growth potential.

Moloney said the company already has three licensed producers and manufacturers  Everest Cannabis Co., Mountaintop Extracts and Vitality Extracts  on the site that dispensaries can purchase from.

She said nearly 70 dispensaries have signed on since the launch. And the company expects even more dispensaries, producers and manufacturers as the industry chugs forward.

The company utilizes automated clearing house payments on the platform for businesses collecting payments, Moloney said, which helps take the risk out of dealing with cash and credit card payments.

We saw people moving cash, which is obviously a pretty dangerous business, she said. And so thats when  the idea (came) to start LeafLink.

The company, based in New York and with offices in Los Angeles and Austin, first launched its platform in Colorado. It has since expanded into 25 other markets, Moloney said, including Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico.

LeafLink processed about $5 billion in orders last year, the company said. And Moloney said the company processes on average $4.7 billion in orders annually since its launch in 2016.

We know that New Mexico will be a $400 million plus adult-use market within the next five years, Moloney said.

Editors note: A LeafLink executive provided an incorrect figure when referencing the number of dispensaries on its platform. This story has been updated with the correct number.
Copyright  2022 Albuquerque Journal

Just a few moments after the verdict was announced, a Bernalillo County sheriffs deputy closed the door to a small room where Fabian Gonzales was watching the end of his trial  shutting the door on the latest chapter of one of the most gruesome and far-reaching child abuse cases in Albuquerque history.

Jurors on Monday found Gonzales, 37, guilty of child abuse resulting in death and all the other charges he was facing in connection with the slaying of 10-year-old Victoria Martens in 2016.

In tears, Victoria Martens grandparents embraced the cases lead investigator just after the verdict was read. Her relatives declined to comment after the proceedings.

Testimony in the trial against Gonzales began July 13 in 2nd Judicial District Court, with Judge Cindy Leos presiding.

The jury of 10 women and two men deliberated for just about three hours, quickly sifting through more than two weeks of testimony before reaching the decision.

Gonzales, who was diagnosed with COVID-19 in the final stages of his trial, returned to court Monday for the verdict. He appeared in a small room behind the defense table, where plexiglass separated him from the rest of the courtroom. He had attended the last two days of his trial virtually.

Wearing a dark polo, a mask and glasses, he had no noticeable reaction as the guilty findings were relayed. He was taken into custody immediately. Gonzales is facing between 18 and 40 years in prison, said Chief Deputy District Attorney James Grayson. Deputy District Attorney Greer Staley said prosecutors will seek the maximum sentence.

The sentencing hearing will be in two to three months, Leos said in court.

Prosecutors argued that although Gonzales didnt kill Victoria, he set in motion a series of events that created a dangerous environment that ultimately led to her death. Gonzales was dating Michelle Martens, Victorias mother, and had recently moved into their Northwest Albuquerque apartment.

The defendant set the stage for her death to occur. And he turned her home into a dangerous place, Staley said during her closing argument. Her world was changing as soon as he set foot in her apartment.

Stephen Aarons, Gonzales attorney, in his closing argument asked the jury not to become overcome with emotion over Victorias horrific death.

The young girl was killed in her apartment on her 10th birthday, and then her body was mutilated and dismembered in an effort to conceal the crime, prosecutors said.

Gonzales had allowed his cousin, Jessica Kelley, to stay at the Martens apartment shortly after Kelley was released from prison. Police during the course of a years-long investigation determined that Martens and Gonzales were not at the home when Victoria was killed, but they arrived later that night. Kelley was at the apartment when Victoria was killed.

I would tell you, this is not a complicated case, its actually fairly easy to solve. But emotion can overwhelm that, Aarons said during his closing argument. There is an urge to flush anyone and everyone remotely connected down the toilet.

Aarons said they will appeal the verdict.

Its hard to get past your emotions in a case like this, he said outside the courtroom. And I think that those emotions overwhelmed this jury.

Charges amended

Original charges of murder and rape against Gonzales were dropped after it was determined he was not at the apartment when Victoria was killed. Instead, he was convicted of child abuse, recklessly caused, resulting in the death of a child under 12, seven counts of tampering with evidence and a single count of conspiracy to tamper with evidence.

We wanted the right charges, the charges that were what this defendant did, Grayson said. We amended the charges down to reckless child abuse, resulting in death. And then once we did that we did litigate the validity of that charge  ultimately, just last week, Judge Leos ruled the charge should go to the jury.

Prosecutors said Victoria was killed either by an unknown man, possibly because the man had a vendetta against Gonzales, or by Kelley, who was using methamphetamine and acting paranoid before Gonzales and Martens left Victoria alone with Kelley. Kelley told the jury a man entered the apartment and killed Victoria, then told her to clean up the scene.

Gonzales attorneys argued there was no unknown man, that Kelley killed Victoria and then acted alone to try to cover up the crime.

The person who killed little Victoria made a plea bargain and testified falsely in this case. And, shes probably laughing now at the fact that the state of New Mexico accepted her version of what happened, Aarons said. I thought we had disproved that, but I think emotions ruled the day.

A man identified as John Doe has been indicted on child abuse, intentionally caused, resulting in the death of a child under 12, as well as a murder charge, based on DNA evidence found in the case.

Its still an open investigation with the Albuquerque Police Department. So were hopeful that were able to find that person. And if that person is found and identified, then we will proceed with prosecuting that person as well, Staley said.

Throughout the course of the trial, Albuquerque police detectives testified that Victorias homicide was one of the largest and most complex cases in the departments history. Staley and Grayson said the case also received an abundance of resources from the District Attorneys Office. They gave an interview Monday afternoon from a room in the DAs offices that for years has been dedicated to building the case against Gonzales.

Despite that, there are still unanswered questions about what happened to Victoria the night of her death, and some of those questions, such as who killed her, werent answered in the trial.

Your job here today is to determine if that defendant set this whole thing in motion, Staley said in her closing argument. If he created this transformation of Victorias world into this place where something terrible was going to happen, and it was obvious somethings going to happen.

Kelley earlier pleaded guilty to child abuse and other charges in the case and was sentenced to 44 years in prison, though she will be eligible for parole in half that time. Martens pleaded guilty to a child abuse charge in an agreement that calls for her to be sentenced to 12 to 15 years in prison. Her sentencing hearing hasnt been scheduled.

As for Mondays verdict, the judge initially told those waiting for the jury to come back to take a 90-minute lunch break. But within minutes, jurors informed the judge they had already completed their deliberations. The judge then read the verdict while Gonzales stood in the adjoining room.

Gonzales defense team was taken aback by how quickly the jury reached its decision.

There was over 500 exhibits and three weeks of testimony. Its shocking that they came back so quickly, but its clear all 12 were ready from the moment they walked in there, Aarons said. They knew what they wanted to do. And you know, I understand their feelings.
WASHINGTON  A Texas man convicted of storming the U.S. Capitol with a holstered handgun, helmet and body armor was sentenced Monday to more than seven years in prison, the longest sentence imposed so far among hundreds of Capitol riot cases.

Prosecutors said Guy Reffitt told fellow members of the Texas Three Percenters militia group that he planned to drag House Speaker Nancy Pelosi out of the Capitol building by her ankles, with her head hitting every step on the way down, according to a court filing.

Reffitts prison sentence  seven years and three months  is two years more than the previous longest prison sentence for a Capitol riot defendant. But its less than half the length of the 15-year prison term requested by a federal prosecutor, who called Reffitt a domestic terrorist and said he wanted to physically remove and replace members of Congress.

Reffitt was the first person to go on trial for the Jan. 6, 2021, attack, in which supporters of then-President Donald Trump halted the joint session of Congress for certifying Joe Bidens 2020 electoral victory.

U.S. District Judge Dabney Friedrich, who presided over Reffitts jury trial, also sentenced him to three years of supervised release after his prison term and ordered him to pay $2,000 in restitution.

Sentencing guidelines calculated by the judge called for a term of imprisonment ranging from seven years and three months to nine years.

Friedrich rejected prosecutors contention that an upward departure for terrorism  leading to a far longer sentence  was warranted in Reffitts case. It was the first time that prosecutors have requested that sentencing enhancement for a Jan. 6 case.

He wanted to physically and literally remove Congress, Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Nestler told the judge. We do believe that he is a domestic terrorist.

Friedrich, however, questioned why Reffitt would merit the terrorism enhancement when many other rioters engaged in violence and made similarly disturbing threats.

The longest sentence before Reffitts was five years and three months, for two men who pleaded guilty to assaulting police officers at the Capitol.

Reffitt, who already has been jailed for approximately 19 months, initially balked at speaking to the judge during Mondays hearing. But he changed his mind during a lunch break and offered an expletive-laden apology to police officers, lawmakers and congressional staffers who were at the Capitol on Jan. 6. Calling himself an idiot, Reffitt struggled to explain why he stormed the Capitol.

It was a big blur, he said. It was just very chaotic and confusing.

Friedrich questioned the sincerity of Reffitts apology and expressions of remorse, noting that he has been publishing statements from jail in which he portrays himself and other rioters as patriots who were justifiably rebelling against a tyrannical U.S. government.

Not only are they not patriots, they are direct threats to our democracy and will be punished as such, the judge said.

Reffitt suggested that his fiery rhetoric from prison was hyperbole necessary to raise money to support his family.

Im on the street if I dont say something that would garner money for them, he said.

Defense attorney Clinton Broden asked for Reffitt to be sentenced to no more than two years in prison. Broden noted that Reffitt didnt assault any law enforcement officers or enter the Capitol building.

Videos captured the confrontation between outnumbered Capitol police officers and a mob of people, including Reffitt, who approached them on the west side of the Capitol.

Reffitt was armed with a Smith & Wesson pistol in a holster on his waist, carrying zip-tie handcuffs and wearing body armor and a helmet equipped with a video camera when he advanced on the officers, according to prosecutors. He retreated after an officer pepper sprayed him in the face, but he waved on other rioters who ultimately breached the building, prosecutors said.

Reffitt didnt testify at his trial before jurors convicted him in March of all five counts in his indictment. The jury found him guilty of obstructing Congress joint session, of interfering with police officers outside the Capitol and of threatening his two teenage children if they reported him to law enforcement.

Reffitts 19-year-old son, Jackson, testified that his father told him and his sister, then 16, that they would be traitors if they reported him to authorities and warned them that traitors get shot.

Guy Reffitt was a member of the Texas Three Percenters militia group, according to prosecutors. The Three Percenters movement refers to the myth that only 3% of Americans fought in the Revolutionary War against the British.

Reffitt lived with his wife and children in Wylie, Texas, a Dallas suburb. He drove to Washington, D.C., with Rocky Hardie, a fellow member of the militia group.

Hardie testified that both of them were armed with holstered handguns when they attended Trumps Stop the Steal rally before the riot. Hardie also said Reffitt gave him two pairs of zip-tie cuffs in case they needed to detain anybody.

More than 840 people have been charged with federal crimes related to the riot. Over 340 of them have pleaded guilty, mostly to misdemeanors. More than 220 have been sentenced, with nearly half of them receiving terms of imprisonment. Approximately 150 others have trial dates stretching into 2023.

Reffitt is one of seven Capitol riot defendants to get a jury trial so far. Jurors have unanimously convicted all seven of them on all counts in their respective indictments.

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Follow APs coverage of the Jan. 6 committee hearings at https://apnews.com/hub/capitol-siege.
DALLAS  A man who evaded arrest for more than 12 years after being accused of fatally shooting his two teenage daughters in a taxi parked near a Dallas-area hotel was going on trial this week.

Testimony was scheduled to start Tuesday in the capital murder trial of 65-year-old Yaser Said, who is accused of killing 18-year-old Amina Said and 17-year-old Sarah Said on New Years Day in 2008. Said, described by relatives and friends as controlling and abusive, faces an automatic life sentence if convicted.

Prosecutors havent made any comments on what motivated the killings, though police documents show that before the teens were killed, their mother had fled with them to Oklahoma because they feared Said. According to a police report, a family member told investigators that Said at one point had threatened bodily harm against one of his daughters for dating a non-Muslim.

In a letter written to the judge overseeing the case, Said said he was not happy with his kids dating activity but denied killing his daughters.

The sisters were shot multiple times in the Dallas suburb of Irving. Sarah Said managed to call 911 using a cellphone, telling the operator that her father shot her and that she was dying.

Yaser Said, sought on a capital murder warrant since the slayings, was placed on the FBIs most-wanted list. Said, who had worked as a taxi driver, was finally arrested in August 2020 in Justin, about 35 miles (58 kilometers) northwest of Dallas.

His son, Islam Said, and his brother, Yassim Said, have since been convicted of helping him evade arrest.

According to an affidavit for an arrest warrant filed just after the slayings, the teens mother told police that Said had threatened her and the teens before, and had recently threatened to kill the whole family.
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Myanmar's National Defense and Security Council decided on Sunday to extend the state of emergency for another six months.

The decision was made for necessary preparations for the multi-party general elections, the council said.

According to Myanmar's 2008 Constitution, the country's state of emergency can be declared for up to two years, the first declaration of one year and two extensions of six months each.

Myanmar's Acting President U Myint Swe declared the first one-year state of emergency on Feb. 1 last year, and handed over the state power to Commander-in-Chief of Defense Services Senior General Min Aung Hlaing.

On Jan. 31 this year, the National Defense and Security Council announced the first six-month extension of state of emergency.
WASHINGTON  President Joe Biden announced Monday that al-Qaida leader Ayman al-Zawahri was killed in a U.S. drone strike in Kabul, an operation he said delivered justice and hopefully one more measure of closure to families of the victims of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the United States.

The president said in an evening address from the White House that U.S. intelligence officials tracked al-Zawahri to a home in downtown Kabul where he was hiding out with his family. The president approved the operation last week and it was carried out Sunday.

Al-Zawahri and the better-known Osama bin Laden plotted the 9/11 attacks that brought many ordinary Americans their first knowledge of al-Qaida. Bin Laden was killed in Pakistan on May 2, 2011, in operation carried out by U.S. Navy SEALs after a nearly decade-long hunt.

As for Al-Zawahri, Biden said, He will never again, never again, allow Afghanistan to become a terrorist safe haven because he is gone and were going to make sure that nothing else happens.

This terrorist leader is no more, he added.

The operation is a significant counterterrorism win for the Biden administration just 11 months after American troops left the country after a two-decade war.

The strike was carried out by the CIA, according to five people familiar with the matter who spoke on the condition of anonymity. Neither Biden nor the White House detailed the CIAs involvement in the strike.

Biden, however, paid tribute to the U.S. intelligence community in his remarks, noting that thanks to their extraordinary persistence and skill the operation was a success.

Al-Zawahris death eliminates the figure who more than anyone shaped al-Qaida, first as bin Ladens deputy since 1998, then as his successor. Together, he and bin Laden turned the jihadi movements guns to target the United States, carrying out the deadliest attack ever on American soil  the Sept. 11 suicide hijackings.

The house Al-Zawahri was in when he was killed was owned by a top aide to senior Taliban leader Sirajuddin Haqqani, according to a senior intelligence official. The official also added that a CIA ground team and aerial reconnaissance conducted after the drone strike confirmed al-Zawahris death.

On Tuesday morning, White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan told ABCs Good Morning America that there was nobody on the ground in uniform when this strike occurred. Sullivan added that the U.S. government is in direct communication with the Taliban on this, and Im not going to telegraph our next moves, but the Taliban well understand the United States is going to defend its interests.

Over the 20-year war in Afghanistan, the U.S. targeted and splintered al-Qaida, sending leaders into hiding. But Americas exit from Afghanistan last September gave the extremist group the opportunity to rebuild.

U.S. military officials, including Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, have said al-Qaida was trying to reconstitute in Afghanistan, where it faced limited threats from the now-ruling Taliban. Military leaders have warned that the group still aspired to attack the U.S.

After his killing, the White House underscored that al-Zawahri had continued to be a dangerous figure. The senior administration official said al-Zawahri had continued to provide strategic direction, including urging attacks on the U.S., while in hiding. He had also prioritized to members of the terror network that the United States remained al-Qaidas primary enemy, the official said.

The 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon made bin Laden Americas Enemy No. 1. But he likely could never have carried it out without his deputy. Bin Laden provided al-Qaida with charisma and money, but al-Zawahri brought tactics and organizational skills needed to forge militants into a network of cells in countries around the world.

U.S. intelligence officials have been aware for years of a network helping al-Zawahri dodge U.S. intelligence officials hunting for him, but didnt have a bead on his possible location until recent months.

Earlier this year, U.S. officials learned that the terror leaders wife, daughter and her children had relocated to a safe house in Kabul, according to the senior administration official who briefed reporters.

Officials eventually learned al-Zawahri was also at the Kabul safe house.

In early April, White House deputy national security adviser Jon Finer and Bidens homeland security adviser Elizabeth Sherwood-Randall were briefed on this developing intelligence. Soon the intelligence was carried up to national security adviser Jake Sullivan.

Sullivan brought the information to Biden as U.S. intelligence officials built a pattern of life through multiple independent sources of information to inform the operation, the official said.

Senior Taliban figures were aware of al-Zawahris presence in Kabul, according to the official, who added the Taliban government was given no forewarning of the operation.

Inside the Biden administration, only a small group of officials at key agencies, as well as Vice President Kamala Harris, were brought into the process. Through May and June, Biden was updated several times on the growing mound of intelligence that confirmed al-Zawahri was hiding out in the home. Over the last few weeks, Biden brought together several Cabinet officials and key national security officials to scrutinize the intelligence findings.

On July 1, Biden was briefed in the Situation Room about the planned operation, a briefing in which the president closely examined a scale model of the home al-Zawahri was hiding out in. He gave his final approval for the operation on Thursday. Al-Zawahri was on the balcony of his hideout on Sunday when two Hellfire missiles were launched from an unmanned drone, killing him.

Al-Zawahris family was in another part of the house when the operation was carried out, and no one else was believed to have been killed in the operation, the official said.

We make it clear again tonight: That no matter how long it takes, no matter where you hide, if you are a threat to our people, the United States will find you and take you out, Biden said.

Al-Zawahri was hardly a household name like bin Laden, but he played an enormous role in the terror groups operations.

The two terror leaders bond was forged in the late 1980s, when al-Zawahri reportedly treated the Saudi millionaire bin Laden in the caves of Afghanistan as Soviet bombardment shook the mountains around them.

Al-Zawahri, on the FBIs Most Wanted Terrorist list, had a $25 million bounty on his head for any information that could be used to kill or capture him.

Al-Zawhiri and bin Laden plotted the 9/11 attacks that brought many ordinary Americans their first knowledge of al-Qaida.

Photos from the time often showed the glasses-wearing, mild-looking Egyptian doctor sitting by the side of bin Laden. Al-Zawahiri had merged his group of Egyptian militants with bin Ladens al-Qaida in the 1990s.

The strong contingent of Egyptians applied organizational know-how, financial expertise, and military experience to wage a violent jihad against leaders whom the fighters considered to be un-Islamic and their patrons, especially the United States, Steven A. Cook wrote for the Council on Foreign Relations last year.

When the 2001 U.S. invasion of Afghanistan demolished al-Qaidas safe haven and scattered, killed and captured its members, al-Zawahri ensured al-Qaidas survival. He rebuilt its leadership in the Afghan-Pakistan border region and installed allies as lieutenants in key positions.

He also reshaped the organization from a centralized planner of terror attacks into the head of a franchise chain. He led the assembling of a network of autonomous branches around the region, including in Iraq, Saudi Arabia, North Africa, Somalia, Yemen and Asia. Over the next decade, al-Qaida inspired or had a direct hand in attacks in all those areas as well as Europe, Pakistan and Turkey, including the 2004 train bombings in Madrid and the 2005 transit bombings in London.

More recently, the al-Qaida affiliate in Yemen proved itself capable of plotting attacks against U.S. soil with an attempted 2009 bombing of an American passenger jet and an attempted package bomb the following year.

But even before bin Ladens death, al-Zawahri was struggling to maintain al-Qaidas relevance in a changing Middle East.

He tried with little success to coopt the wave of uprisings that spread across the Arab world starting in 2011, urging Islamic hard-liners to take over in the nations where leaders had fallen. But while Islamists gained prominence in many places, they have stark ideological differences with al-Qaida and reject its agenda and leadership.

Nevertheless, al-Zawahri tried to pose as the Arab Springs leader. America is facing an Islamic nation that is in revolt, having risen from its lethargy to a renaissance of jihad, he said in a video eulogy to bin Laden, wearing a white robe and turban with an assault rifle leaning on a wall behind him.

Al-Zawahri was also a more divisive figure than his predecessor. Many militants described the soft-spoken bin Laden in adoring and almost spiritual terms.

In contrast, al-Zawahri was notoriously prickly and pedantic. He picked ideological fights with critics within the jihadi camp, wagging his finger scoldingly in his videos. Even some key figures in al-Qaidas central leadership were put off, calling him overly controlling, secretive and divisive.

Some militants whose association with bin Laden predated al-Zawahris always saw him as an arrogant intruder.

I have never taken orders from al-Zawahri, Fazul Abdullah Mohammed, one of the networks top figures in East Africa until his 2011 death, sneered in a memoir posted on line in 2009. We dont take orders from anyone but our historical leadership.

There had been rumors of al-Zawahris death on and off for several years. But a video surfaced in April of the al-Qaida leader praising a Indian Muslim woman who had defied a ban on wearing a hijab, or headscarf. That footage was the first proof in months that he was still alive.

A statement from Afghanistans Taliban government confirmed the airstrike, but did not mention al-Zawahri or any other casualties.

It said the Taliban strongly condemns this attack and calls it a clear violation of international principles and the Doha Agreement, the 2020 U.S. pact with the Taliban that led to the withdrawal of American forces.

Such actions are a repetition of the failed experiences of the past 20 years and are against the interests of the United States of America, Afghanistan, and the region, the statement said.



Associated Press writers Lolita C. Baldor, Ellen Knickmeyer, Zeke Miller, James LaPorta, Michael Balsamo and Darlene Superville in Washington; Rahim Faiez in Islamabad; and Lee Keath in Cairo contributed reporting.
Copyright  2022 Albuquerque Journal

Kristen Thomson isnt out of the New Mexico cannabis game after all.

A little more than a month after the former Cannabis Control Division director resigned from her post without notice after just half a year, Thomson has joined local cannabis consulting firm Weeds. Cannabis Co. as a partner and chief strategy officer.

In her new role, Thomson will have a more business-facing role, working directly with clients on helping them understand the rules and regulations of adult-use cannabis, said Matt Kennicott, a Weeds. partner and cofounder.

I was able to take time off and familiarize myself with my new home of New Mexico, Thomson told the Journal on Monday. I am really excited to work with the companies that are looking to make a go of the economic opportunity created by this law.  I truly never thought I would go back into the cannabis industry, but this is a really exciting opportunity.

Joining Thomson is Bobbi Martinez, a former compliance manager with CCD. Martinez also has experience working directly with a dispensary, having served as the cultivation director for legacy operator Seven Clover. She will serve as the compliance program manager with Weeds.

Kennicott, who founded the consulting firm in April with current partner and Albuquerque City Councilor Pat Davis and former partner Patricia Mattioli, called Thomson and Martinez top quality talent.

There arent a lot of companies out there that are able to provide the types of services that we do to cannabis entrepreneurs around the state  and having two of the former top regulators from New Mexicos Cannabis Control Division means that well have the best and latest information available to us, which means our clients will be able to receive the best and latest information, Kennicott told the Journal.

Weeds., formerly known as P2M Cannabis Consulting, aids businesses through the licensing process. But the company also has a focus on management services, helping cultivators and manufacturers manage their products through a wholesale distribution program, Kennicott said.

Thomson said in her new roles with Weeds., she plans to help build a strong, compliant industry in New Mexico to show the rest of the country how its done.

Thomson wasnt new to the cannabis industry when she joined the state as CCDs first director. She came from Colorado, where she helped medical cannabis stores get legally recognized in the city of Denver and in Colorado more than a decade ago. Thomson also previously worked at The Green Solution on lobbying efforts.

By bringing on Thomson and Martinez, Weeds. plans to add to its service offerings in the future, the company said.

Its great to be here once again and be a strong female leader in this space, Thomson said.
CEO and Editor-in-Chief, Dr Jagdeesh Chandra revealed the logo of Bharat 24 at a glittering party in Noida last evening. He also announced that the official launch of the channel will coincide with the auspicious 75th Independence Day and telecast will begin from 15th August on the channel. The logo has been designed with the hues of Maroon and White, symbolizing Boldness and Clarity respectively, in the news content that the channel will offer. The tagline Vision of New India emphasizes the ethos of the channel.

The logo takes its inspiration from the core values of Bharat 24, where it stands when seeking and delivering news. The channel will put emphasis of news stories from across Indian states covering the length and breadth of the country through its bureaus in every state capital. With the help of its augmented-reality-enabled studios, which is first in the genre, the channel will deliver clean, clutter free enhanced audio-visual content on-air.

Dr Jagdeesh Chandra, in his address to the Bharat 24 team at the logo reveal party, said, With the largest team of more than 4000 reporters on-field, we will ensure our viewers get the widest range of real news from all the corners of Bharat. As the logo of Bharat 24 is revealed, we feel assured that our brand will resonate well with the viewers.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Ajay Kumar, Managing Editor, Bharat 24, said, Bharat 24 will stand for direct and bold journalism. With the new-age technology, the channel has well adapted to the quickly changing market dynamics and will ensure our news serves the evolving needs of the discerning Hindi viewers

Chief Business Officer and Strategic Advisor to the boards of Bharat 24, Mr Manoj Jagyasi said, We intend to improve the viewer engagement and experience of TV news consumption. Our logo is the reflection of our intent to offer unmatched content. I feel delighted that after months of planning and hard work, the channels identity is finally revealed to everyone. Bharat 24 will be available across all DTH and MSOs as well as Digital Platforms as we aim to become the news leader soon.

CEO and Editor-in-Chief, Dr Jagdeesh Chandra revealed the logo of Bharat 24 at a glittering party in Noida last evening. He also announced that the official launch of the channel will coincide with the auspicious 75th Independence Day and telecast will begin from 15th August on the channel. The logo has been designed with the hues of Maroon and White, symbolizing Boldness and Clarity respectively, in the news content that the channel will offer. The tagline Vision of New India emphasizes the ethos of the channel.

The logo takes its inspiration from the core values of Bharat 24, where it stands when seeking and delivering news. The channel will put emphasis of news stories from across Indian states covering the length and breadth of the country through its bureaus in every state capital. With the help of its augmented-reality-enabled studios, which is first in the genre, the channel will deliver clean, clutter free enhanced audio-visual content on-air.

Dr Jagdeesh Chandra, in his address to the Bharat 24 team at the logo reveal party, said, With the largest team of more than 4000 reporters on-field, we will ensure our viewers get the widest range of real news from all the corners of Bharat. As the logo of Bharat 24 is revealed, we feel assured that our brand will resonate well with the viewers.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Ajay Kumar, Managing Editor, Bharat 24, said, Bharat 24 will stand for direct and bold journalism. With the new-age technology, the channel has well adapted to the quickly changing market dynamics and will ensure our news serves the evolving needs of the discerning Hindi viewers

Chief Business Officer and Strategic Advisor to the boards of Bharat 24, Mr Manoj Jagyasi said, We intend to improve the viewer engagement and experience of TV news consumption. Our logo is the reflection of our intent to offer unmatched content. I feel delighted that after months of planning and hard work, the channels identity is finally revealed to everyone. Bharat 24 will be available across all DTH and MSOs as well as Digital Platforms as we aim to become the news leader soon.
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India reported its first monkeypox death in the southern state of Kerala on Sunday, the Indian Express quoted the state's Health Minister Veena George as saying.

The 22-year-old man who died on Saturday afternoon had returned from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) last week. The state government has launched a probe into his death.

The deceased, a native of Kerala's Thrissur district, showed no symptoms of monkeypox on his return from abroad and his relatives had handed over the positive test result conducted abroad only on Saturday, said the report.

Subsequently, the health department sent his samples to the National Institute of Virology (NIV), the result of which is awaited.

"The youth had no symptoms of monkeypox. He had been admitted to a hospital with symptoms of encephalitis and fatigue ... A high-level probe would be held into the death as monkeypox has a very low fatality rate."

Following his death all his primary contacts have been placed under observation.

India has so far confirmed four cases of monkeypox, three in Kerala and one in Delhi. On Saturday, the country's first monkeypox case, which was detected on July 14, was successfully treated and tested negative. The rest are also reportedly responding well to the medical treatment, said health authorities.
Googles decision to delay the phasing out of third-party cookies in Chrome by 2024 has come as a surprise. Earlier, the search giant had envisaged to stop the cookies in 2022, which was further extended. Basically, the search behemoth wants more time for testing its Privacy Sandbox, which is said to be an alternative mechanism for targeted advertising.

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Cookies, those tiny codes which websites use to track user behaviour, have of late come under scrutiny over privacy concerns.

The idea is to slowly migrate from third-party cookies to the Privacy Sandbox. Google is treading cautiously as it has come under the scanner of US and UK lawmakers over its dominance in the ad-tech industry. The search giant is already facing second lawsuit in the UK in this regard.

Industry stakeholders have agreed that Googles Privacy Sandbox needs a longer-than-usual testing window. Developers have now been given access to the trial version of the Privacy Sandbox API; this month (August) the trial version will be extended to tens of thousands of people all over the world.

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, blogged Anthony Chavez, Vice President of Googles Privacy Sandbox initiative.

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. 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. 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, Chavez wrote on the blog.

He informed that by 2023 Q3, the Privacy Sandbox APIs will be launched and available in Chrome. 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.

It is a fact that advertisers and marketers are not yet prepared for switching over to a cookieless future. Now, brands have more time at their disposal to calibrate and strategise their advertising strategies for Chrome users. Brands need to have a coherent first-party data strategy to stay ahead of competition.

Google continues to delay the deprecation of cookies because despite several rounds of warnings, the digital marketing industry still depends on the data they provide to target and personalise campaigns. But a cookieless future is inevitable, and this latest delay gives marketers another chance to consider what that future will look like, Eric Vreeland, Vice-President of Marketing, People Data Labs, told The Drum.

According to Tonic Worldwide Founder-CEO Chetan Asher, Google realises that unless a strong replaceable solution is in place, it will hurt not just their own ad revenues, but of the entire publishing ecosystem. There are no easy solutions considering even FLoC wasnt perfect; Google surely needs to take their time to test, evaluate, and roll out a solution that works for all, he adds.

While it is good news as far as marketers and businesses are concerned, consumers are kind of clueless as to what lies ahead.

The future of identity lies in the ability to leverage direct, consumer-consented sources and to be smarter about signals that are not attached to a consumers identity. While any delay gives the industry more time to test and learn, adapting solutions today brings greater reach across all inventory  with or without IDs, said Yahoo Chief Business Officer Ivan Markman.

Yahoo has launched a new unified ID solution ahead of a cookieless world. Named, Yahoo ConnectID, it seeks to help publishers and advertisers reach consumers. Its Next-Gen solutions leverage billions of real-time signals to help advertisers deliver relevant experiences and publishers monetise better.

The ongoing identity revolution is drawing a line in the sand between advertisers and publishers who have access to first-party data, and those who do not. In the cookieless future, opted-in data will allow brands and platforms to deliver meaningful ad experiences to audiences. Powered by our proprietary identity graph, Verizon Medias unified identity solution, ConnectID does just this  empowers advertisers to draw on hundreds of millions of opted-in users from across Verizon Medias global portfolio of owned and operated media properties, and is the industrys only independent ad platform with a full-stack DSP and SSP, according to a Yahoo Adtech article.

While publishers and Adtech companies have been preparing for the deprecation cookies for several years, this delay has given furthermore time to investigate and invest in privacy-enhancing technologies to ensure first-party data can be used across advertising use cases. Technologies such as Consent Management Platforms, Customer Data Platforms, Data Clean Rooms and Identity Solutions can ensure use of customer data in a secured manner in the post-cookie world. Investments on testing will continue on these data-driven technologies, while third-party cookies are still available, advertisers will be able to directly compare performance and be better prepared for the cookieless future, said Lalatendu Das, Performics India, CEO (Publicis Groupe).

Eventually, advertising a brand will need to build its own customer data platforms because they will have to target customers not dependent on cookies. Right now, thanks to cookies, brands have an easy way to target their customers. They are able to follow what a consumer looks at, says Lloyd Mathias, Angel Investor & Business Strategist.
GoDaddy empowers average businesses all around the world by giving all of the assistance and resources they need to thrive online. People come here to identify their concept, create a professional website, attract clients, sell their products and services, and manage their job.

They just launched a new India marketing campaign emphasising the benefits of developing an Internet presence to make businesses visible throughout the world, regardless of size or location. It aims to encourage and empower more female entrepreneurs to go online and expand opportunities. The female heroine in the new campaign is shown wandering a crowded, colourful market area in Jaipur.

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In conversation with Adgully, Nikhil Arora, Vice President & Managing Director, GoDaddy India, speaks at length about how the web hosting industry is going forward and serving with best customer experience, as well as their recent campaign empowering women entrepreneurs.

How has the web hosting industry performed in the past few years, and especially during the pandemic period? The pandemic has brought in a shift in consumer behaviour and preferences. Have you noticed that in this category? Please share some of the trends that you have noticed.

According to Fortune Business Insight, the global web hosting services market is projected to grow from $83.99 billion in 2021 to $267.10 billion in 2028 at a CAGR of 18.0%. With technology advances and increased Internet penetration, web hosting offers opportunities across all sectors to develop digitally. Elements such as technological developments, innovations, and the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the need for many small businesses to go online. GoDaddy helps web developers and web designers create, manage and grow their business, and their clients online presence, alongside its Websites + Marketing, which helps entrepreneurs get online quickly and grow their business.

The June 2021 Global Consumer Insigh ts Pulse Survey documents a significant shift to purchasing online buying as people were confined at their homes in lockdowns and then many worked from home.

How do you put technology into web solutions? How are you leveraging technology to stay ahead in the race and give your clients better services and adding value to their investments?

At GoDaddy, we are a customer-centric organisation. We listen to our customers and strive to deliver the products and services they need. GoDaddys Digital Marketing Suite offers our customers a range of tools needed to support their growth and help them stay connected with customers. GoDaddy is a champion for small business and the everyday entrepreneur and helps entrepreneurs create, grow, and manage their businesses. GoDaddy helps domain investors succeed by offering a complete suite of tools for buying, selling and managing domain portfolios.

How has GoDaddys growth been in the Indian market? What kind of reach do you have in rural and urban markets in India?

According to a study by Nielsen, there are 352 million Internet users in rural India, which is over 20% more than in metropolitan areas. The study also found that over 60% of rural residents are not actively utilising the Internet, GoDaddy has a presence across India, and supports everyday entrepreneurs.

GoDaddy wants to support and enable small businesses and entrepreneurs in Tier 1, 2, and 3 cities across India to realise the benefits of being online by empowering entrepreneurs and making opportunity more inclusive for all. We also aim to further encourage Indian entrepreneurs to build a complete online business solution and successfully manage and grow their online business with GoDaddy.

What has been your overall marketing strategy to grow your business and how do you engage with your audiences on a continuous basis offering them your trusted platform?

For our India marketing campaign this year, we decided to use a range of media, advertising, and marketing channels, including TV, social, and other digital channels to maximise our reach with a variety of audiences.

Through our multilingual local marketing campaigns in India, we are working hard to help inform people about the importance of building a business website and how GoDaddy can help them grow their businesses into successful online ventures. Our strategy has always been to inspire small business owners and entrepreneurs in the country to create a complete online presence for their business. And to highlight our continued commitment to support the growth of our partner ecosystem, by empowering them with the right online products and solutions to quickly adapt to the changes in the business environment. Our objective is to increase online adoption by spreading this message through the channels that our target audience uses.

Tell us about GoDaddys new marketing campaign and how it aims to empower more women entrepreneurs to go online and make opportunities more inclusive? What shift in behaviour have you observed among women entrepreneurs in the past 2 years?

In our latest campaign, GoDaddy focuses on the benefits of creating an online presence to make business visible around the globe, irrespective of the size and the location. The campaign strives to inspire and empower more women entrepreneurs to go online and make opportunities more inclusive. The TVC highlights how GoDaddy is a one-stop solution and a leading provider of online tools and solutions for small businesses. The campaign further reiterates GoDaddys mission to give our customers the tools, insights, and support to transform their ideas into reality.

Post the pandemic, many women-owned small businesses changed their business models, introducing new goods and services, expanding their use of digital channels for sales and delivery, and refocusing on supply chains, marketing, and sales.

With rapid digitisation, GoDaddy encourages business owners to think about new ways to be discovered by customers as they build a website and create an online presence for their business. The campaign seeks to raise awareness with Indias SMBs and MSMEs on the importance of having an online presence. We want to encourage women entrepreneurs to take the first steps in entrepreneurship and make an impact in their local area and around the world. GoDaddy is the home of entrepreneurs and helps them to create, grow and manage their businesses with the help of our online tools and services.
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Former Philippine President Fidel Ramos died from COVID-19 complications on Sunday afternoon at the age of 94.

Rose Beatrix Cruz-Angeles, Press Secretary of Philippine President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos, confirmed Ramos' death.

"It is with great sorrow that we learn (about) the passing of President Fidel V. Ramos. He leaves behind a colorful legacy and a secure place in history for his participation in the great changes in our country as (a) military officer and chief executive," she said.

"We deeply condole with his family, friends, classmates, and associates and keep him in our prayers."

The Ramos family also issued an official statement on the former leader's death.

"We thank you all for respecting our privacy, as the family takes some time to grieve together," the statement said.

Philippine National Defense spokesperson Arsenio Andolong also confirmed Ramos' demise.

"The Department of National Defense is one with the nation in mourning the passing of the former President Ramos," Andolong said, crediting Ramos for starting "the modernization and professionalization" of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Andolong said that Ramos had "a sterling career" from being a decorated soldier, a diplomat, and the secretary of national defense before becoming president.

Born on March 18, 1928, in Pangasinan province, north of Manila, Ramos was a military leader and politician who was the 12th president of the Philippines from 1992 to 1998.

Ramos studied at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in New York and the University of Illinois in the United States before entering the Philippine army. He has served as chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

As president, he encouraged reforms on tax and economy, helping revitalize the economy in the Southeast Asian country.
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A spokesperson for the heir to the British throne, Prince Charles, has defended the financial running of his Prince of Wales' Charitable Fund, or PWCF, after reports in the Sunday Times newspaper that it accepted a donation from the family of Osama bin Laden, the man deemed behind the 2001 September 11 terror attacks.

The newspaper reports that in 2013, two years after the death of Osama, who had been disowned by his family in 1994, Charles met with the al-Qaida group founder's half-brother Bakr, and reportedly agreed to accept one million pounds ($1.2 million).

"Due diligence was conducted, with information sought from a wide range of sources, including government," said PWCF chairman Ian Cheshire.

"The decision to accept the donation was taken wholly by the trustees. Any attempt to suggest otherwise is misleading and inaccurate."

The Sunday Times reported that several insiders at Charles's Clarence House office and also PWCF representatives advised against taking the money.

A fund source told the BBC that "though the name (bin Laden) has very unhappy history, the sins of the father should not be visited on the rest of the family, which is an eminent one in the region".

Although there is no suggestion of any link between Bakr, the head of the family, his brother Shafiq and their estranged half-brother, and Clarence House has denied Charles was personally involved in the transaction, the incident is the latest in a series of embarrassing financial revelations for the prince.

In June, the Sunday Times reported that across three separate occasions he had received cash donations totalling three million euros from the former prime minister of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim Al Thani, with the money being handed over in shopping bags and a holdall.

At the time, a Clarence House representative said the payments were entirely legal and donations "were passed immediately to one of the prince's charities who carried out the appropriate governance and have assured us that all the correct processes were followed".

"Our auditors signed off on the donation after a specific enquiry during the audit. There was no failure of governance," a statement concluded.

Before that, in February, police began an investigation into another of his charities, the Prince's Foundation, after reports "alleging offers of help were made to secure honors and citizenship for a Saudi national".

In 2016, businessman Mahfouz Marei Mubarak bin Mahfouz received an honorary Companion of the British Empire medal, and in 2021 one of Charles's closest aides, Michael Fawcett, quit as the charity's chief executive.

Bin Mahfouz said he had not "had personal or direct communication to either request, influence or make any arrangements regarding citizenship or knighthood with Michael Fawcett", or anyone connected to the prince or the foundation.

The Daily Mail newspaper quoted his spokesman as saying: "His Excellency had expressed an interest in applying for citizenship, but in the end, decided not to pursue that further."
For those too young to remember, it was thirty years ago this month that the DOJ entrapped Randy Weaver for his Christian beliefs, issued a death warrant, killed his dog, son, and wife, and shot Weaver and his friend.

Surely, the DOJ doesnt just execute innocent people. Yet, as we learned at trial:

He had no propensity to commit crimes. Never even had a traffic ticket. Never been charged with a crime of any kind and honorably served his country.

While living in Iowa, Weaver learned it was illegal to homeschool his children independently, so he moved his family to a cabin in remote Idaho, Ruby Ridge.

Weaver attended Aryan Nation meetings three times, meeting not far from Ruby Ridge, to exchange ideas, talk to people, I usually ended up arguing. Thats where Gus Magisano befriended Weaver and tried to involve him in illicit activity. Weaver refused. But after three years of coaxing, Weaver finally agreed to make two sawed-off shotguns. Magisano was a fed.

What the feds really wanted was an informant, so they blackmailed Weaver: inform or face prison. Weaver refused; he was no snitch. With facts withheld, a grand jury indicted Weaver but, instead of simply arresting him, the feds concocted an elaborate ruse. Taking advantage of Weavers good nature, agents feigned being a family with car trouble stranded on a snowy bridge:

When I walked up to help, several agents jumped me and threw me to the ground. A female agent, posing to be the stranded wife, threw Vicki [his wife] to the ground.

Weavers probation officer erroneously wrote to Weaver that his court date was a month after the actual date. Because of the error, Weaver failed to appear, and the judge issued a bench warrant. To his shock, Weaver read about the warrant in the newspaper and later read a denial that the probation officers letter existed. Despite the letters veracity, a U.S. Attorney convened a grand jury, withheld the letter, and received an indictment for failing to appear. Weaver testified this just added on to everything; we could not trust anything that was going on. I wanted reassurance that I would get a fair trial.

Image: Vicki Weaver before she was murdered. Public domain.

So, Weaver waited in his cabin for a marshal to show up with the warrant for his arrest. No one ever came. Rather than arresting him, FBI agent Larry Potts signed a death warrant:

If any adult male is observed with a weapon prior to the announcement, deadly force can and should be employed if the shot could be taken without endangering any children.

The FBI knew Weaver, his wife, and his adult children regularly carried arms, as many did in the rural community. We were right in the middle of grizzly territory, mountain lions, moose. They are very dangerous animals. But certainly not more dangerous than government agents.

Eighteen months later, on August 21, 1992, marshals arrived making no announcement for surrender. They were in combat gear. They were wearing full camouflage suits with black ninja-type hoods. They were carrying machine guns and semi-automatic pistols. They were trained to kill.

Sam, Weavers son called out, Striker [the family labrador] is acting weird. Believing Striker had spotted an animal, Sam and Weavers friend, Kevin Harris, both armed, as usual, went to investigate when shots rang out. Striker was shot dead at their feet. Sam and Harris instinctively fired back in self-defense. Harriss shot allegedly killed a marshal. Weaver yelled, Sam, get home. Sam turned and hollered, Im coming, Dad. As he ran, a marshals bullet penetrated his heart.

After the melee, Weaver carried Sams lifeless body to the shed. As the family wept, locked in their cabin,

agents surrounded the property with elite hostage teams, snipers, military war-fare equipment, helicopters, high-powered rifles, machine guns, infrared heat scanning equipment, listening devices. They did not notify the family that they were surrounded, nor did they give anyone in the family an opportunity to surrender.

Desperate to see Sam one last time, Weaver went with Harris and his daughter to the shed. As Weaver opened the shed, without warning, a bullet struck his shoulder. Sara pleaded with her injured father, We gotta go home. We gotta get in the house now. As they ran back, Vicki, terrified, came to the door screaming, what happened, what happened? Clutching her baby in her arms, she held the door as her family scrambled for safety. Just as they entered, a snipers bullet shattered her skull, and the exiting bullet struck Harris in the chest and arm.

The siege would continue for 11 days. If it were possible to breed more mistrust, a robot carrying a phone was sent on the pretense of negotiations:

It had a sawed-off shotgun on the side aimed at the telephone, they later said was empty. I didnt believe that. I have no doubt in my mind whoever grabbed that telephone was dead.

Lt. Col. Bo Gritz was brought in to negotiate, but convincing Weaver to trust the Government seemed impossible:

I thought I would step out the door with Bo and they would kill us both and then tell the world we had started shooting at them. I figured they could make up any story.

Mercifully, Gritz succeeded. He later recalled, God be praised because the thing that really touches me, obviously, is that family would have been wiped out.

The NY Times ran the headline, White Supremacist Surrenders. Weaver and his wife were believers in Christian Identity, which holds that Europeans are the lost tribe of Israel, that blacks are subhuman and Jews are satanic. The agency has said its officers fired only after being shot at. With that, the guilt had been assigned, the DOJ absolved, and the demonization was complete.

Weaver, charged with first-degree murder, though he never fired a shot at anyone, faced the death penalty. The DOJ subpoenaed a staggering 51 witnesses over three months, and when it was done, Weaver was found not guilty on all counts except minor charges for failing to appear.

As for the DOJ, Larry Potts, who signed that death warrant, was promoted to Deputy Director. The marshal who put a bullet into Sams back was awarded the medal of valor.

The sniper who assassinated Vicki had charges brought but dropped. One A.G. was so outraged he worked without pay attempting to reinstate the charges. They

reacted to pressure to dismiss charges. Its a very important issue for our safety and our liberty. If federal agents can commit violent crimes with impunity, wheres the rule of law? Who protects the people from their own government?

Answer: No one. The top law enforcement arm of the Government is itself above the law. The DOJ today operates with complete impunity, unaccountable, and corrupt.

The abuse is endless. When the Senate Oversight Committee had the temerity to investigate the DOJ, the CIA hacked into the Senates computers to thwart the investigation. When questioned about it under oath they lied. CIA Director Brennan, Director of National Intelligence Clapper, and FBI Director Comey would prove to be serial perjurers and never face consequences.

Theyve continued to entrap American citizens, most recently in the politically motivated Whitmer kidnapping hoax. Theyve brought the full powers of the DOJ to bear on parents daring to protest out-of-control school boards, suppressed Hunter Bidens laptop, incarcerated J6 protestors indefinitely, and now regularly target political enemies with pre-dawn military-style raids.

Thirty years ago, the DOJ proved to be out of control at Ruby Ridge. Since then, its abuses have only accelerated, and oversight has proven impossible. The entire criminal organization needs to be shuttered, and rebuilt outside of the incestuous confines of the Beltway with a strict code of ethics that, if violated, would result in a permanent ban from government jobs and loss of pension. We are out of options.
The ideal of justice is a blindfolded woman poised and still and holding slowly balancing scales. At the Department of Justice over the last several years, the practice of justice is more like an inflatable flailing tube man.

In the lead-up to the 2016 election, everyone thought that department prosecutors would decide whether to charge Hillary Clinton based on whether she knowingly violated a criminal statute prohibiting mishandling of classified material. It turned out that then-FBI Director James Comey would decide on the basis of what he thought was reasonable. After letting Clinton off, the tube man flailed right and Comey, breaking procedure against commenting on a pending investigation, announced that the Clinton probe was back on.

From then, the Justice Department only got worse. Comey told the country that one reason not to charge Clinton was that the department had never before charged someone for conduct similar to hers. Yet after Comey, the department went on to spend years investigating the then-sitting President not only for conduct never before charged but for crimes no one even knew were crimes -- like bad tweeting. A dusty old law chiefly prohibiting cheating the federal government out of money would be stapled to President Trumps tweets and taped to an obstruction-of-justice charge and then the President was going to be marched off to prison for conspiracy to steal an election -- or so the department led the countrys credulous Left to believe for years.

Gone are the days of Comeys somewhat evenhanded blundering. The flailing mans hands are now in an unmistakable search for the necks of its political opponents. Consider the unruly Capitol protest following the 2020 election. For the protesters, the department has dusted off the charge of seditious conspiracy.

The last time the department charged seditious conspiracy, in 2010, it went after a group of Christian nationalists. The charge got thrown out of court. The last time the department made the charge stick was about thirty years ago -- against Islamic terrorists who plotted to blow up the FBI and United Nations headquarters. In that case, seditious conspiracy was icing atop an already well-baked cake of indisputable crime. But for the Capitol protesters, the charge is the essential ingredient with which the department hopes to turn a protest into Pearl Harbor. Without seditious conspiracy, all the Department can serve its political masters for desert are uncoordinated offenses against the public peace, mostly misdemeanors like trespass, in a protest otherwise well within the guarantee of the First Amendment.

Offenses against the public peace hardly moved the department when leftists tormented hundreds of cities and towns across America in the lead-up to the 2020 election. They killed many, assaulted thousands of policemen, and caused billions in damages. For them, the department took a break from its legal MacGyverism. Although groups of leftists organizing online sought to prevent, hinder, or delay the execution of... law[s] of the United States, none faced charges for seditious conspiracy -- even after attacking federal courthouses, ICE facilities, and even the White House itself.

For the worst of the leftist rioters, department prosecutors played the role of defense lawyers. They pleaded with a federal judge to go easy on one Montez Terriel Lee, Jr., who burned a man to death in a Minnesota business he set on fire because -- and this is a quote from the departments actual brief -- Mr. Lee, a five-time convict, credibly state[ed] that he was in the streets to protest unlawful police violence against black men, and there is no basis to disbelieve him. The brief even urged the judge to see that a riot is the language of the unheard, profanely quoting the revered apostle of non-violence, Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.

For Lee, the tube man flailed so far left it became a windsock in a gale and snapped.

Federal sentencing guidelines called for Lee to get 20 years in prison. The department wanted him to get no more than 12. For Guy Wesley Reffitt, a Capitol protester who had no serious criminal past, hurt no one, and never even entered the Capitol building, guidelines call for about 10 years. The department wants to stick him with 15.

For Reffitt, in the departments view, a riot is not the language of the unheard but an attack on our democracy -- by which the Department means Lees democracy and not Reffitts. In the democracy the department cares to protect, whether Reffitt sincerely believed that he was the one defending American democracy from an unlawful attack isnt worth even a moments note because Reffitt backed the wrong guy -- and nothing is worse than that. Not even murder.

Since President Trumps election, the animating principle of the Justice Department has boiled down to one rule: get him. Reffitts is just another body the Department plans to climb over to reach Trump -- whom it wants to charge as the ringleader of a popular paroxysm that it helped to stoke by its own corruption but which it tries to dress up as the brainchild of the one man it most hates. And Lee, the Minnesota rioter, is just another soldier granted pardon for his service in the Lefts anti-Trump politics.

The Justice Department is unlikely ever to reform itself. It is fast racking up taxpayer bills approaching 100 million dollars going after Trump and his supporters while spending but virtual pennies to put leftist rioters in jail. Its problem is its people. Department lawyers like Jeffrey S. Nestler in Reffitts case and Thomas Calhoun-Lopez in Lees are model and longstanding Department employees. Thats the problem.

The task of reforming the department will fall to a Republican Party doing its voters will -- and perhaps also to a reelected President Trump himself. For no matter how brazen the departments corruptions become, there will never be enough space in jail for the over 74 million Americans who, in 2020, voted for President Trumps reelection despite the most strenuous efforts of his most committed enemies.

Sean Ross Callaghan is an attorney, a tech entrepreneur, and a former federal law clerk.
To the extent the Founders believed free speech to be a necessity  so much so that it got first place in the Bill of Rights  it was because they claimed that right as Englishmen. Because the Bill of Rights of 1689 enshrined freedom of speech and debate in Parliament as well as the right to petition the king, 90 years later, America-based Englishmen considered that speech to be their birthright. That makes it unutterably tragic that, on Friday in England, Darren Brady, an army veteran, was arrested and cuffed for "causing anxiety" to an anonymous complainant because he retweeted a Pride flag shaped into a swastika.

You've probably seen this Pride flag swastika, which actor turned activist Laurence Fox tweeted out during "Pride" month:

This reworking of the now omnipresent Pride flag is not a threat that Nazis will round up the LGBTQ++ crowd and stick them into concentration camps. Instead, the point of the reworked flag is to show that the LGBTQ++ crowd has become so ascendent and powerful in Western society that it has Nazi-like control over others in society. As all who live in totalitarian societies know, criticizing those in power is dangerous.

As if to prove precisely that point, on Friday, in England's Hampshire, police arrested Darren Brady, 51, because "someone has been caused anxiety based on your social media post. That is why you have been arrested."

This video shocking! A British man arrested because his social media post caused someone anxiety!

Coming to a city near you America!#Orwell #freespeech #Fascism pic.twitter.com/cxNPYOF5Br  Sully - Host of 21 Gun (@21gunpodcast) July 31, 2022

The larger history was that the police had been trying to force Brady to pay to attend a class that would train him to feel the love for the LGBTQ++ crowd. In exchange, he would not be in trouble for daring to cause anxiety to unnamed LGBTQ++ snowflakes through his tweets.

The matter caused enough of a fuss, in part thanks to Laurence Fox, that the Hampshire Police chief, a woman named Donna Jones, issued a sort of apology. There was no embarrassment on her part about the fact that free speech is dead in England, of course. However, she did promise that she would school her force to be less aggressive about such public interactions. Britain's conservatives are so beaten down, and so lost to the concept of true free speech, that they think that's a win:

When we stand together against tyranny, we beat it together.



Be warned all Woke Gestapos who wish to police the inside of our heads and trample on our hard fought for rights for free expression.@BadLawTeam @thereclaimparty @WeAreFairCop are coming for you. pic.twitter.com/z2dRaCONke  Laurence Fox (@LozzaFox) July 29, 2022

In the second half of the 18th century, the British lost all of their ancient rights because England was anxious to trample the colonists' efforts to assert those same liberties. Thus, when the colonists demanded their rights as Englishmen, Parliament announced that all of England's ancient rights  some going back to the Angles and Saxons, some to the Magna Carta, some to the English Bill of Rights, and some to other longstanding traditions  applied only as between citizens and the king.

With this, Parliament declared itself unconstrained by any rights inherent in British citizens. For about 240 years after the fact, England chugged along, pretending those rights still existed, but they're gone now, seemingly for good.

Here in America, our Founders had the wit to set out our rights explicitly in the Bill of Rights. However, as the past 20-odd years have shown us, even rights put down on paper matter only if we defend them in the flesh. Otherwise, we will find ourselves under arrest for hurting someone's feelings...kind of like the January 6 prisoners, who languish in cells without bail and without trials for having "paraded" and "protested," all because it's convenient to the Democrats to keep them that way.

Image: Twitter screen grab.
As if anyone needed more proof that the humanitarian disaster at the border is intentional and planned by the Bidenites, take a look at how they're trying to expand the right to claim asylum here from anywhere in the world.

According to Just The News:

Oklahoma Republican Sen. James Lankford, who recently visited the U.S.-Mexico border, is warning that President Joe Biden's online asylum system is an "open invitation for Chinese spies" and all of Yemen to enter the U.S.

That's right  as if the border surge didn't serve as sufficient warning to them about the foolishness of taking all comers who claim asylum, the Bidenites are now planning to make it even easier to claim asylum, opening up an online system for anyone, anywhere, to get into the U.S. by filing from abroad and flying on in. Just the News continued:

Just the News asked Lankford if DHS officials responded to his concerns during a meeting with lawmakers. "It's in design, we're discussing it, we're looking at it ... we're trying to evaluate how we're going to do it," he said, paraphrasing the department's responses. "But they're very clear," Lankford emphasized. "They're planning this asylum system to be able to do asylum from anywhere in the world."

And yes, Lankford is right about the Chinese spies. And the Russian ones. And the Iranian ones. After all, who is most likely in those dictatorships to actually have access to the internet? That's right: the spies, the government organs, the loyalists. As for the actual dissidents who might need asylum, well, who is most likely to have internet access cut off by such governments? That's right: the people who might actually qualify for asylum. That makes the online asylum application process an absolute magnet for spies  as well as the world's lower middle classes who are well-interneted. The truly poor, of course, have no internet access, but the urbanized lower middle classes  the shantytown dwellers, the kind of people who vote for Hugo Chavez, certainly do, as do advanced gang members such as Mexico's increasingly sophisticated cartels. The same dynamic applies to airfares, which can be quite pricey from dictatorships and failed states such as Iran and Yemen.

Such realities seem opaque to the Bidenites who are promoting this bright idea. Or there' something diabolical going on with the Department of Homeland Security, led by the increasingly shady and suspicious Alejandro Mayorkas.

Lankford pointed out just how illegal and abusable the bad idea is, too:

Under the emerging plans, asylum seekers "can just say, 'I have credible fear,' fly into the country, be here for eight years while they await their hearing," Lankford told Just the News after speaking at the America First Summit last week. "This is an open invitation for Chinese spies to be able to come into the country. It's an open invitation for everyone to come from Yemen, to say it's a war-torn country. "Immigration is not designed to be just open to anyone who wants to come. Asylum is the same definition as refugee. If you're a refugee, you go to the next safest country, andthcoming you go there. They're turning this on its head, saying if anyone wants to come to America for any reason, just come here, and we'll just take you from everywhere. That's not what we're designed to be able to do."

And when Lankford says "designed," he's being gentle and delicate. The U.S. Constitution states that only Congress can set the numbers of migrants allowed into the country, not the Executive Branch, so there's a hard law issue here about to be violated, as if what has happened at the border is not violation enough.

It's an outrageous expansion of the already problematic asylum system, which has seen 3 million illegal border-crossers rolling in in record numbers into the U.S. with zero vetting, the highest numbers on record, in stark violation of established U.S. law.

It's can be described only as a de facto erasure of the borders, and now the Bidenites plan to extend it to airports, creating the mother of all free-for-alls as perverts, spies, terrorists, cartel members, gangsters, chiselers, fraudsters, fourth-world America-haters, and the unassimilable who cannot be happy in this country flood on in, all of them saying the magic word "asylum" and then taking the work permits and U.S. residency as they await a Biden-approved "asylum officer"  who is not even a judge, presumably wedded to rule of law, but an open-borders activist  to sign them on in permanently. That opens the gates for them to apply for U.S. citizenship and to vote here with their values and interests legally. Many, of course, skip that citizenship issue before voting.

It seems to be part of a broader plan, an intentional plan to open the borders to foreigners with Rep. Ilhan Omar's "values" that they don't like to talk about.

Just this weekend, investigative journalist Lara Logan reported this finding:

Investigative journalist Lara Logan spoke Saturday in Arizona.. During her speech, she told the audience the Biden regime is handing out social security numbers to illegal aliens at the southern border. pic.twitter.com/gGQ68V0Kyo  ShotGunBonnie (@ShotGun_Bonnie) July 31, 2022

Apparently, they are handing out Social Security numbers to already-entering phony asylum-seekers at the border as part of their welcome packet, too. They'll soon be doing that to everyone who wants in from Somalia, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, and Yemen who can shell out for the huge airfares, which may well mean some kind of "sponsorship," whether from gang or government.

They really don't like us, do they? It's as if the Bertolt Brecht statement about replacing the voters is operative with whoever is running Joe Biden's White House:

Some party hack decreed that the people

had lost the government's confidence

and could only regain it with redoubled effort.

If that is the case, would it not be simpler,

If the government simply dissolved the people

And elected another?

Photo illustration by Monica Showalter with use of Pixabay, Pixabay License vector image.
I confess that, having paid pretty close attention to the lives of Barack and Michelle Obama ever since the entry of the couple into presidential politics in 2003, I was surprised at how much I learned from filmmaker Joel Gilbert's new film. Michelle Obama 2024: Her Real Life Story and Plan for Power, offers a deeper look into the former first lady  and, in Gilbert's opinion, the likely 2024 Democrat nominee  than I had ever experienced. (You can read Joel's recent AT article derived from the film here.)

It is a hugely entertaining look as well. Gilbert travels to the key locations in Michelle Obama's life, starting with the apartment complex her family first lived in, the schools she attended (quite a story there!), and the places she worked, as well as the places she and her husband made key moments in his political rise.

This is a very personal film, with Gilbert guiding viewers on this tour, and sometimes talking on camera with important persons in her life, including Michelle Obama's mother, Marian Robinson, through a closed screen door on her house.

It is a testament to the honesty and thoroughness of the filmmaker that I came away from the film with a heightened appreciation for the efforts of Fraser and Marian Robinson in raising their children, older brother Craig and Michelle, as well as a deeper understanding of how thoroughly marinated in politics Michelle has been since early childhood.

One of many things I learned in the film was the importance the Robinsons placed on educating and cultivating the growth of their kids. This extended to illegally enrolling Michelle in an elementary school that she was ineligible to attend. Bryn Mawr School was in a prosperous middle-class neighborhood, unlike Dulles Elementary School, which Michelle was supposed to attend. The problem with Dulles was that the students mostly came from a ghetto environment, whereas Bryn Mawr had many white students and was a very good school. They started Michelle on dance lessons when she was 7, later enrolling her in the prestigious Mayfair Dancer Academy, and had her seriously study piano as well.

This, of course, was derided as "acting white" even back then. Good for the Robinsons in resisting this kind of censure! But as Gilbert convincingly portrays and documents, it created problems for Michelle in the field of politics, in which she also was immersed from childhood onward.

I had known that her father, Fraser Robinson, was a precinct captain in the Chicago Democratic Machine, but I hadn't realized how much this fact pervaded Michelle's upbringing. And Papa Robinson was, as well, pretty successful at it, earning good money in his patronage job at a water filtration plant, able to drive a top-of-the-line Buick Electra 225, and give their children private lessons, summer camp, and the other accouterments of upper-middle-class life. Again, good for them! But it contrasts sharply with the picture Michelle continually paints of a girl from the Southside of Chicago who allegedly kept getting told that the good things in life (such as going to Princeton) weren't for her. (Gilbert actually talked to her high school counselor, who put the lie to Michelle's claim that she was told it wasn't for her.)

Another thing I learned was that in high school, the elite Whitney Young Magnet School, she befriended Sarita Jackson, daughter of Jesse Jackson. Here is a picture of her (upper left corner) with the Jackson family.

There is a lot more to the film than her early years, interesting as they are. It builds toward his thesis that Michelle has been planning for running for president, and that the Democrats now know she is the only person who can lock down the black vote for them, and who is popular enough with the general public to make an election victory plausible.

You can order a DVD or play a streaming version of the film here. I recommend it.
This is a landmark legal outcome, and I hope that it leads to more cases being settled to the advantage of workers punished for refusing employer mandates for the experimental COVID vaccines. Dr. Bryam W. Bridle writes on the Covid Chronicles Substack site:

Liberty Counsel settled the nation's first classwide lawsuit for health care workers over a COVID shot mandate, for more than $10.3 million. The class action settlement against NorthShore University HealthSystem is on behalf of more than 500 current and former health care workers who were unlawfully discriminated against and denied religious exemptions from the COVID shot mandate. The agreed upon settlement was filed today in the federal Northern District Court of Illinois.

As a result of the settlement, NorthShore will pay $10,337,500 to compensate these health care employees who were victims of religious discrimination, and who were punished for their religious beliefs against taking an injection associated with aborted fetal cells.

This is a historic, first-of-its-kind class action settlement against a private employer who unlawfully denied hundreds of religious exemption requests to COVID-19 shots.

The settlement must be approved by the federal District Court. Employees of NorthShore who were denied religious exemptions will receive notice of the settlement, and will have an opportunity to comment, object, request to opt out, or submit a claim form for payment out of the settlement fund, all in accordance with deadlines that will be set by the court.

As part of the settlement agreement, NorthShore will also change its unlawful "no religious accommodations" policy to make it consistent with the law, and to provide religious accommodations in every position across its numerous facilities.

Employees who were terminated will have the opportunity to reapply for their jobs and retain their seniority.
Quinton Burns knows he witnessed a "racist act" at the Sesame Street theme park in Philadelphia.

He claims in a $25-million lawsuit that Ernie and Telly Monster were marching along in a parade and made a point of snubbing his daughter, Kennedi, who had her hand outstretched in anticipation of a "high five" from one of the characters.

Kennedi, age 5, didn't even receive a wave.

"Just looking at her face," Mr. Burns recounted at a press conference announcing the lawsuit, "it makes me want to cry every time I see it," he says in reference to the video clip making the rounds on YouTube.

Mr. Burns may indeed have a better chance of settling on a sizable sum now that his complaint has attracted the attention of other black families, alleging the same snobbish behavior from theme park performers. They have filed a class action lawsuit against the holding company, SeaWorld Parks.

Rhetoric is heating up with Malcolm Ruff, attorney for the Burns family, expressing his "shock and dismay" regarding such blatant racist behavior when introducing the lawsuit at the press conference. "She [Kennedi] was ignored amongst a sea of other young white children who were able to interact, give hugs, and high fives," Ruff said. "Kennedi was forced to experience racism at the age of five. This is unacceptable, and we will not stand by and let this continue."

SeaWorld executives didn't lose any time in issuing a conciliatory apology and promising to take the incident "very seriously." They have assured the public that the company will "conduct bias training [programs] and hold a thorough review of the ways in which employees engage with families and guests."

Such profuse apologies haven't altered that status of the legal action pending in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

No matter the attempts made by the company for Burns to meet the characters, he wishes to proceed with the filing. And he is finding support from even high-ranking political circles: members of the Congressional Black Caucus are adding their voices of indignation to the chorus of outrage.

"Over the past week, we've seen multiple glaring examples of racism coming from the park," members of the Black Caucus wrote in a joint statement. "This includes the viral video in which two beautiful little black girls were blatantly rejected by a character they idolized while white children were embraced."

If the case goes to a jury, members of the panel must decide whether Telly Monster intentionally snubbed children "of color" or truly shook a finger in their direction. And did Ernie fail to conduct himself with the "inclusivity" befitting of the corporate culture fostered among the ranks of the Sesame Street Gang.

Burns insists he saw what he saw, but did the masked employees share the same advantage of unimpaired vision?

SeaWorld executives have asked the public to factor in that Ernie's and Telly's costume of googly eyes and oversized masks compromise the employees' visibility  especially in the area of low and small objects. Charges of racism leave executives scrambling for answers, no matter the merit or ambiguity of the claims.

The company has also attempted to exonerate its Sesame Street characters, pointing out that they simply can't see everyone, nor greet every guest at the park. The crowds are dense, with waving children and adult fans, and the costumed characters must keep up with the marching parade.

No doubt the executives are poring over hundreds of hours of footage to determine the frequency with which the Sesame Street characters "meet and greet" guests of all ethnic backgrounds, verifying that they live up to their reputation of being an honored American institution. That would be without a hint of institutionalized racism.

All things considered, the case may end up turning into a Rorschach inkblot test  in which the viewers' perceptions vary based on their own life filters, seeing what they choose to see.

Image: Wally Gobetz.
They took a vote in the House this week, and two South Texas Democrats in tough campaigns decided to vote no. This is the story from the Texas Tribune:

The U.S. House approved the Assault Weapons Ban on Friday, a bill that would impose the first ban in decades on semi-automatic weapons. It follows mass shootings in Uvalde and across the country, and members of the Texas delegation voted mostly along party lines. Reps. Henry Cuellar, D-Laredo, and Vicente Gonzalez, D-McAllen, were the only Texans to buck their party when they voted against the bill, which appears destined to fail in the Senate. The two members were among five House Democrats to oppose the legislation, which narrowly passed on a 217-213 vote. The bill would ban the importing, manufacturing, selling, transferring or possession of certain types of semi-automatic weapons. It would cover semi-automatic pistols and rifles that accept detachable magazines and have certain types of barrels, grips and stocks.

Yes, they were the two Democrats "to buck their party." This is because they are both caught up in tough re-elections against two conservative ladies, the current representative Mayra Flores and candidate Cassy Garcia.

Beyond politics, maybe these two Democrats have figured out that the ban is nothing but a political gimmick. I think people in South Texas know that there was more to the Uvalde shooting than banning so-called assault weapons. In other words, our culture, family life, and locking school doors would have done more to prevent the shooting.

PS: Check out my videos and posts.

Image: PxHere.
Russia! Russia! Russia! Those words echoed in our heads throughout the Trump administration as the Democrats and the Deep State (but I repeat myself) used shoddy, obviously fake information to attack Trump's legitimacy and shackle his ability to govern. Getting regular colonoscopies from the government, Trump invariably emerged clean as a whistle. However, we're now learning that there was indeed Russian influence in American politics over the past eight years...using at least one Black Marxist group to destabilize America. Let me repeat: when it comes to Russia, it was not Trump; it was Black Marxists.



Image: Patrisse Cullors (edited). YouTube screen grab

I won't pay for the New York Times so, thankfully, The National Pulse summarizes what's in the story the Times oh, so delicately broke:

The only demonstrable evidence of Russian interference in U.S. politics came quietly out of the U.S. Department of Justice today, with the unsealing of an indictment charging a Russian national with "orchestrating a years-long foreign malign influence campaign that used various U.S. political groups to sow discord, spread pro-Russian propaganda, and interfere in elections within the United States." The New York Times report on the subject buries the names of the groups allegedly utilized by the Russian government in the scheme, namely the "Uhuru Movement" of St. Petersburg, Florida, which is part of a wider entity known as the African People's Socialist Party.

According to the unsealed DOJ indictment,

[from] at least December 2014 until March 2022, Aleksandr Viktorovich Ionov, a resident of Moscow, together with at least three Russian officials, engaged in a years-long foreign malign influence campaign targeting the United States. Ionov is the founder and president of the Anti-Globalization Movement of Russia (AGMR), an organization headquartered in Moscow and funded by the Russian government. Ionov utilized AGMR to carry out Russia's influence campaign.

You can read more here.

This is a slender story (for now, at least), but I do want to remind you of something that Patrisse Cullors, a co-founder of the Black Lives Matter movement, said:

You caught that, right? "We are trained Marxists."

I'm absolutely not contending that Cullors and her friends were allied with the Uhuru Movement or that they received money from Russia. I just think it's interesting that we're learning today about Russian influence among one group of Black Marxists, even as another group of Black activists that tried to burn America down in 2020 openly boasted about its Marxist roots. Those malignant Marxists really get around.

And of course, like any good Marxist leader, Cullors is being accused of squirreling away for her own benefit all the money donated to her organization. Scratch a Marxist; find someone who loves the lush life.
About sixty miles southeast of Budapest, on the River Tisza, lies a quiet little village with a horrible past. It was here in Nagyrev, a century ago, the womenfolk began killing off their husbands en masse. They have been called the Angel Makers.

It all began with the arrival of a woman named Zsuzsanna Fazekas in 1911. Fazekas presented herself as a midwife. Some sources claim that she brought with her notes of recommendations from several doctors that praised her of her nursing duties. If Fazekas murky past did raise a few eyebrows (her husband had apparently gone missing under mysterious circumstances), nobody said anything. Nagyrev did not have a doctor at that time, and so Fazekas was readily accepted as their village midwife and wise woman.

The Angel Makers of Nagyrev during their trial in 1929. Photo by Keystone-France\Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images.

Fazekas treated the villagers with their health problems. The women of Nagyrev liked her because she would patiently listen to their intimate problems, including domestic ones, and offer advice. Soon Fazekas gained a reputation for helping women get rid of unwanted babies. Between 1911 and 1921, she allegedly performed as many as ten illegal abortions.

In those times in Hungarian society, arranged marriages were common. Teenage girls were married off with older men chosen for them by their families. Divorce was not allowed socially, even if the husband was an alcoholic or abusive. Many women, as was the case in Nagyrev, were left in loveless and fraught marriages with men who they were often afraid of. So when World War 1 came and the men were sent off to fight, the women breathed a collective sigh of relief. At the same time, an Allied prisoners of war camp was set up outside the town. The POWs were drafted to work in the fields in the absence of the men. With their husbands away, many women got romantically involved with the young soldiers.

After the war, some of Nagyrevs men returned to the village and this made the women unhappy. They had gotten used to their sexual freedom and no longer willed to return to a life of subservience. They turned towards Fazekas for help.

Fazekas persuaded the beleaguered women to get rid of their burdensome husbands. She took strips of flypaper and boiled them in a vessel filled with water, until the paper gave off its active ingredient, arsenic, which collected in a thin film on top of the water. Fazekas skimmed off the toxic residue and bottled them in small vials. Fazekas instructed the women to add the poison to their husbands dinner or coffee.

Soon healthy men began to drop dead like flies.

As the years rolled by, more and more women came to Fazekas for her service, and it wasnt just insufferable husbands who died. Parents, children and relatives too fell victim. Some even poisoned one another. The figures for how many people died in Nagyrev from arsenic poisonings vary wildly. It is claimed that other villages in the area were also up to the same thing, and that in all 300 people may have been killed.

The murders went undetected for nearly two decades because Fazekas was the only doctor in the village. Nobody questioned when Fazekas said this one died from cholera and this one from diarrhea. Fazekas' accomplice, Susi Olah, filed the death certificates that indicated natural causes of death.

The plot came to light in 1929 when an anonymous letter to the editor of a small local newspaper accused women from the Tiszazug region of the country of poisoning family members. Authorities exhumed over 50 bodies from the village cemetery; 46 of them contained arsenic.

Thirty four women and one man were arrested. In the end, eight were sentenced to death but only two were executed. Another twelve received prison sentences. Fazekas committed suicide before she could be arrested.

In the nearby town of Tiszakurt, other exhumed bodies were found to contain arsenic, but no-one was convicted of their deaths. In the 1950s, historian Ferenc Gyorgyev met an old villager while in prison under the communists. The peasant claimed that the women of Nagyrev had been murdering their menfolk since time immemorial.

The story of Nagyrevs killings is a shameful part of Hungarys history. But the village pastor wants to turn the unhappy history to their advantage by opening an arsenic museum in the village so people can live with their past instead of hiding. In 2004, BBC went to Nagyrev to open up some old wounds. They met with Maria Gunya, who was a little girl when her father, a local official, was asked by the police to help investigate the crimes. When she grew up and moved out of her village, she denied where she belonged to out of shame.

Nagyrev came to prominence in 2005 when a documentary directed by the young Dutch film-maker Astrid Bussink, premiered at the International Documentary Film Festival in Amsterdam. The director spent four months in the village talking to residents, collecting facts and anecdotes.

We had a hard time getting people to talk. They are not supposed to talk about it and they hadn't talked about it for a long time, so we went about it very carefully, Bussink said. What struck us was that the older women were very easy about the crimes; they did not talk about them as if they were serious. The men were in the way.

Bussink discovered that there was no one single motive behind the murders. There were a lot of different circumstances: poverty, alcoholism, unemployment, the First World War. Lots of men came home after being prisoners-of-war, some were crippled, they were unable to work.

Nagyrev's mayor, Istvan Burka, added: The injured soldiers came home to a severe economic depression. It was a hard life. The circumstances were extreme, and feeding another mouth that couldn't contribute anything was too much of a burden on the family.

Women back then were not treated that well - but that is not a justification for what they did, Bussink said.

For a while, however, murdering their husbands did seem to work. The murders struck fears in the heart of Nagyrevs men. And as Maria Gunya puts it, after this the men's behavior to their wives improved markedly.
Nothing seems to be on the right track with its first phone. Its garnered some positive attention since it launched last month, but it seems that the company isnt in the mood to rest. It appears that Nothing could be working on a Lite version of its phone.

The Nothing Phone (1) was one of the most anticipated phones of the year. It was hyped up by OnePlus co-founder Carl Pei for months. It stands out because of its clear back glass and the array of LED strips on the back called Glyph Interface.

Its an interesting device, and we can only think about what the next iteration of the phone will be. While were far out from the Nothing Phone (2), we got wind of another variant of the Nothing Phone (1).

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Nothing could launch a Lite version of the Phone (1)

Right now, were running on rumors, so youll want to take this with a grain of salt. According to sources in the industry (via The Mobile Indian), Nothing could be working on an even cheaper version of the Nothing Phone (1). We dont have any details on the name for this device, so its being dubbed the Nothing Phone (1) Lite.

In all honesty, we also dont have any details on whether this phone exists. When The Mobile Indian reached out to Nothing, the company denied that any device existed.

So, how will Nothing Liten the load with this phone?

According to the sources, this Lite phone could retain a lot of the internals that are present in the Nothing Phone Proper. Its expected to have the same processor, camera, and display. One source points to a RAM/storage configuration of 6GB/128GB. Another source claims that it will come with a larger 5,000mAh battery.

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One of the main differences that well see will have to do with the back cover. The Nothing Phone (1) is notable for its clear back panel with the Glyph Interface. However, the Lite Nothing Phone (1) might actually lack these features.

This phone is rumored to launch to the Indian market sometime in October. Thats only two months away, so we should know more about this phone soon.
(ANSA) - ROME, AUG 1 - Former industry minister Carlo Calenda is expected to announce on Monday whether his centrist Azione group will enter into a pact with the centre-left Democratic Party for the September 25 general election.

Calenda, whose party has the support of around 5% of the electorate, according to polls, is expected to snub the possible alliance, sources say.

This is because he is unwilling to be part of the same coalition that also features figures on the left of Italy's political spectrum and former members of the 5-Star Movement (M5S), such as Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio, according to the sources.

Azione is, however, expected to form an alliance with the Italia Viva (IV) party of ex-premier Matteo Renzi, who has said he is ready to run alone if necessary.

IV is currently polling at around 2-3%.

PD leader Enrico Letta said that the formation of a "third poll" in the centre would "help the right".

The right/centre-right coalition of the Brothers of Italy (FdI) party led by Giorgia Meloni, ex-premier Silvio Berlusconi's Forza Italia (FI) and Matteo Salvini's League looks in a strong position to win the election, according to opinion polls.

The right/centre-right's chances appear to have been further boosted by the fact that the other parties are not joining forces.

The M5S looks set to run alone as the PD have ruled out an electoral pact after it triggered the crisis of government that led to the collapse of outgoing Premier Mario Draghi's ruling coalition. (ANSA).


(ANSA) - ROME, AUG 1 - A judge in Macerata on Monday ordered that Filippo Claudio Giuseppe Ferlazzo, a man who has confessed to beating to death a Nigerian migrant in a street in a central Italian town last week, must remain in jail.

The case has shocked the nation because of the brutality of the assault and the fact that several passers-by watched and some recorded the attack, but no one intervened to save Alika Ogorchukwu, a 39-year-old street hawker.

Ferlazzo's lawyer, Roberta Bizzarri, said she told Monday's hearing that her client was cooperating with investigators, had apologized for what happened and had "clarified" that racism was not the motive.

Investigators believe the attack, which took place on Friday in the centre of Civitanova Marche, broke out due to "futile motives", sources said.

Indeed, Macerata prosecutors have charged Ferlazzo, 32, with homicide and robbery, as he also allegedly took Ogorchukwu's phone after killing him, but racism was not cited as an aggravating factor. There are reports that Ogorchukwu may have touched the arm of Ferlazzo's partner while begging for money.

Ferlazzo had a history of mental health problems, which had led to his mother being assigned as his legal guardian by a court.

"Why wasn't he being monitored even though he had a guardian?" said Francesco Mantella, the lawyer representing Ogorchukwu's family.

Ogorchukwu leaves behind a wife and an eight-year-old son. He also provided for an 10-year-old girl who lived with his family but was not his daughter.

"Apologies are not enough," Ogorchukwu's family said via the lawyer.

"What is needed now is justice, not vendetta.

"It's difficult to understand what happened".

Patrick Guobadia of the Nigerians in Italy association said that "if it had been two Italians, things would have turned out differently - someone would have intervened to separate them".

The local council has set up a fund of 15,000 euros to help the victim's family. (ANSA).


(ANSA) - ROME, AUG 1 - Former industry minister on Monday Carlo Calenda laid down the conditions he wants met for his centrist Azione party to enter a pact with the centre-left Democratic Party (PD) for the September 25 general election.

Calenda has told PD leader Enrico Letta that he is unwilling to be part of the same coalition that also features figures on the left of Italy's political spectrum and former members of the 5-Star Movement (M5S), such as Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio.

He also wants an agreement to make sure that the policies proposed by the parties belonging to the coalition do not conflict with each other.

Calenda's party and its partner group +Europa currently have the support of around 5% of the electorate, according to polls.

"If the answer is no, then dear Enrico Letta, you will be totally responsible for the rupture and we will go and fight in the open with a credible manifesto for government to block the advance of (Brothers of Italy (FDI) leader Giorgia) Meloni," Calenda said in a video posted on Twitter.

"I want to know if the conditions seem absurd to you or not.

"To me they seem to be the minimum to avoid putting together a band full of different, totally incoherent ideas and of low quality". (ANSA).


ANKARA - After slow negotiations and the difficulty in reaching an agreement, signed over a week ago, today the first ship carrying Ukrainian cereal, 26.000 tons of grain, left the port of Odessa. The ship called Razoni, flying the Sierra Leone, left Odessa, headed to Lebanon, at 6:17 Gmt (8:17 local time), according to the international agreements reached with Russia, signed in Istanbul, as announced by the Turkish Ministry of Defense. Turkey had announced that the first ship convoy of Ukrainian cereals, made up of 16 ships, would have taken sail in these hours from the ports of Odessa, Chornomorsk and Pivdenny helping to unblock the crisis that was creating a world crisis, particularly in the Middle East and Africa.



"The Razoni ship left the port of Odessa in the direction of Tripoli, Lebanon. It is expected in Istanbul on 2 August. It will continue its journey for its destination following inspections on board carried out in Istanbul", added the Ministry.



On 22 July an agreement was reached between Ankara, Kiev, Moscow and the UN to unblock grain export from Ukraine. The first ship that carries cereal left in the morning from the port of Odessa.



Turkey "would be pleased" to give its contribution to unlock the situation regarding the grain still blocked in Russia, as was announced by the Turkish Minister of Defense, Hulusi Akar, during an interview with Anadolu, the Turkish state-run news agency.
First ship carrying Ukrainian grain leaves Odessa Destination Tripoli, Lebanon with a stop-over in Istanbul

(ANSAmed) - ANKARA, 01 AGO - After slow negotiations and the difficulty in reaching an agreement, signed over a week ago, today the first ship carrying Ukrainian cereal, 26.000 tons of grain, left the port of Odessa. The ship called Razoni, flying the Sierra Leone, left Odessa, headed to Lebanon, at 6:17 Gmt (8:17 local time), according to the international agreements reached with Russia, signed in Istanbul, as announced by the Turkish Ministry of Defense. Turkey had announced that the first ship convoy of Ukrainian cereals, made up of 16 ships, would have taken sail in these hours from the ports of Odessa, Chornomorsk and Pivdenny helping to unblock the crisis that was creating a world crisis, particularly in the Middle East and Africa.



"The Razoni ship left the port of Odessa in the direction of Tripoli, Lebanon. It is expected in Istanbul on 2 August. It will continue its journey for its destination following inspections on board carried out in Istanbul", added the Ministry.



On 22 July an agreement was reached between Ankara, Kiev, Moscow and the UN to unblock grain export from Ukraine. The first ship that carries cereal left in the morning from the port of Odessa.



Turkey "would be pleased" to give its contribution to unlock the situation regarding the grain still blocked in Russia, as was announced by the Turkish Minister of Defense, Hulusi Akar, during an interview with Anadolu, the Turkish state-run news agency. (ANSAmed).




NATO mission in Kosovo ready to intervene if necessary KFOR calls for dialogue between Pristina and Belgrade

(ANSAmed) - BELGRADE, 01 AGO - The Kosovo Force NATO-led international peacekeeping force in Kosovo (KFOR), keeps close oversight on the situation at the border between Kosovo and Serbia, where inter-ethnic tension is mounting again. KFOR is ready "to intervene should stability be at risk", according to its mandate enshrined by the UN's Security Council. This announcement was made in a press release this evening. KFOR highlights it is in contact with both parties, the Serbs and the Kosovars, and it has launched a call for dialogue, while reiteratin that "it will resort to all necessary measures to maintain stability".



The Serb population, which more prevalent in the North of Kosovo, as of 1 August, will have to hold identity documents issued by Kosovar authorities and, by the end of September, it will have to substitute the Serbian car license plates with those of Kosovo.



Following the protests and road blocs the Serbs have set-up, Pristina has decided in the evening to close all border passes to Jarinje and Brnjak. Albin Kurti, the Prime Minister of Kosovo, has accused the Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic of responsibility for fueling the inter-ethnic tensions. On his part Vucic has warned Pristina, calling for an immediate halt to hostile policies against Serbs, while at the same time asking the Serbian population to keep calm and not to respond to any 'provocation'.



In the press release, distributed late last evening, it was confirmed that the Hungarian General Ferenc Kajari, leading the KFOR, is in constant contact with all concerned institutions and with top Serbian military command. Kfor is comprised of 3.500 men, it has been present on the territory since the end of the conflict in 1999, with Resolution 1244 of the UN Security Council.



The new tensions in Kosovo and the mutual accusations between Belgrade and Pristina created additional problems for the dialogue facilitated by the EU and push away the hope of organizing- at least in the short time period- a summit between Vucic and Kurti, as advocated by the European mediator, Miroslav Lajcak. (ANSAmed).




EU calls for calm in Kosovo, 'stop all unilateral actions' Dispute to be resolved via mutual dialogue and EU Mediation

(ANSAmed) - BRUSSELS, 01 AGO - "We are following closely all developments in northern Kosovo, with great concern. Anyone who is involved in the crisis "must remain calm as all uncoordinated unilateral action which puts the stability and security in danger, and impedes the freedom of movement for all citizens must cease immediately. The only way to resolve the situation is through dialogue", facilitated by the EU.



These are the words of Peter Strano, spokesperson of EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Joseph Borrell, with regard to the tensions exploded yesterday at the border between Serbia and Kosovo. (ANSAmed).




A vintage clothing enthusiast whose pastime is to dress in 1940s outfits has been crowned Eventbrites Hobby Hero in a national competition.

Teresa Fisher, 50, from Stone in Staffordshire, dresses as a 1940s promenader with her husband Steve, 62, on their visits to heritage railways and stately homes.

The couple became hooked on vintage dressing after taking part in their first themed event in 2018, and the pair now attend around 20 to 30 events every year.

Mrs Fisher said: I cant believe what started out as a bit of fun has helped me win the Eventbrite Hobby Hero competition.

My husband and I attended a heritage railway that was hosting a 1940s event and it was like walking into a real Agatha Christie book.

Ladies with fur stoles, red lipstick, fabulous dresses and victory rolls, and men with amazing suits, wide-legged trousers and hats.

I was literally wide-eyed with the attention to detail that people displayed and the fun they were having. So we put together an outfit and we havent looked back since.

Teresa Fisher, 50, from Stone in Staffordshire, dresses as a 1940s promenader with her husband Steve, 62, on their visits to heritage railways and stately homes. (Teresa Fisher/PA)

Mrs Fisher, who works for the Chartered Institute of Railway Operators, uses a mix of homemade designs and clothing from second-hand and vintage shops.

She plans to use part of her prize  2,500 in cash and 2,500 of support from Eventbrites experts and ticket fee credits  to help share her passion by hosting advice forums and workshops to encourage others to perfect their outfits.

Mrs Fisher was crowned winner from a selection of 10 (Teresa Fisher/PA)

Mrs Fisher said: I spend a lot of time trawling vintage shops and second hand places online looking for original and authentic clothes.

Its a real passion. I like to think that by collecting these items Im a curator for the 1940s.

The impressive spectacle of seeing people dressed in this fabulous style makes for great photos and I think its really important to look as authentic as possible.

I always include an item of jewellery from my late grandmother or late mother-in-law, a small gesture to my own family history  maybe thats brought me luck.

The Hobby Hero competition was launched in May to find Britains greatest hobbyist and help them share their pastime with others.

Mrs Fisher was crowned winner from a selection of 10 contenders from around the UK, including an acrobat, a hair braider, a litter picker, a powerlifter, a ghost hunter, and even an upcycle crafter who spent three months turning hundreds of crisp packets into an eco-inspired crisp packet jacket.

Mrs Fisher uses a mix of homemade designs and clothing from second-hand and vintage shops (Teresa Fisher/PA)

Eventbrites Sebastian Boppert said: We got hundreds of brilliant entries but Teresas entry was so original, had a strong social element, and she was just brimming with the passion and joy her hobby gives her.

Teresa had some tough competition, but she stood out as a true Hobby Hero.

The initiative is supported by psychologist Professor Cary Cooper, an expert on wellbeing who advocates using hobbies to boost mental health.

Prof Cooper said: Hobbies can boost your wellbeing because whether youre knitting, running, hula hooping, abseiling or baking, they offer a great way to take your mind from the stresses of the world and work, take you away from the screen and let you do something positive, creative and fulfilling.

Teresas hobby really stood out and she is a deserving winner.

After two years of social isolation, its a joy to see people connecting through everyday and unusual hobbies that bring them pleasure and, depending on what you do, improve physical fitness, memory or mood.
Former Conservative leader William Hague has urged party members to back the highly disciplined and rational Rishi Sunak in an almost six-minute long video message.

As ballot papers for the leadership contest start landing on the doormats of Tory party members, Lord Hague pleaded with the grassroots, arguing the former chancellor is the best choice for prime minister.

In a video message, published by The Telegraph, the ex-Tory leader described how Mr Sunak, who was new to farming issues, not local and from an ethnic minority, ended up replacing him as MP for Richmond in Yorkshire when he did not stand for re-election in 2015.

Reminiscing about the campaign, he said: I have campaigned with literally thousands of candidates. I have mentored dozens.

Rishi Sunak during a QandA with pupils from the Pickhill Church of England Primary School near Thirsk, North Yorkshire, while on a visit to his Richmond constituency (Ian Lamming/PA)

It was soon apparent that this one was the most assiduous and effective I had ever known.

If I said he should visit someone in the hills, he would be there the next day for hours, just listening to them.

He has a hunger to learn, to understand.

One day, when I suggested he take it easy after a late event, he said he was getting up at 5am to join a farmer milking cows.

You dont really have to do that, I assured him. I know, he said, but I really want to know what its like. Ive got to understand for myself.

The video also featured Richmond constituents, with one saying: He (Rishi Sunak) is an icon up here.

Lord Hague, who spoke from what appeared to be his study, concluded: Having grown to admire him through months of touring Yorkshire villages together, I almost dont wish on him this position, one of the hardest jobs in the world at the worst moment in decades.

But then I think about the next prime minister, sitting late at night in Downing Street, working out how to help people with energy bills, sort out the Northern Ireland Protocol, maintain the unity of the West.

The best hope is a highly disciplined, rational individual, one who always does their utmost to understand such a person is a very rare find in British politics. Members should realise that they have one in their midst. His name is Rishi Sunak. He has my full support.

Serious times require serious leadership. As Lord Hague says thats @RishiSunak. Please take a few minutes today to watch this @Conservatives.https://t.co/1EPhNFCgQR  Oliver Dowden (@OliverDowden) August 1, 2022

Lord Hague led the Conservative Party from 1997 to 2001.

From 2010 to 2014 he served as foreign secretary, and between 2014 and 2015 he was leader of the House of Commons.

He was awarded a life peerage in the 2015 Dissolution Honours List.

The video, which featured the official logo of Mr Sunaks campaign, was shared on Twitter by several of his supporters.

Justice Secretary and Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab tweeted: Rishi is an exceptional colleague & MP and the best candidate to become our next Prime Minister.

Just ask William Hague and the people of Richmond.

Oliver Dowden, who stepped down as party chairman after the Tories double by-election defeat, wrote: Serious times require serious leadership.

As Lord Hague says thats Rishi Sunak.
Prices and demand for warehouses and logistics sites have rocketed over the first half of the year despite pressure on consumer spending, according to research.

Experts from real estate advisory firm Colliers said a boom in the third-party logistics sector has kept demand strong as retailers have outsourced the processing and delivery of online orders.

Andrea Ferranti, head of industrial and logistics research at Colliers, told the PA news agency that there have been some early signals of the cost-of-living crisis impacting activity from buyers.

However, he stressed that the chronic shortage of warehouse supply means there are still significantly more interested buyers than available warehouses or land opportunities.

I dont see the balance between the demand and supply easing although there have perhaps been some early signals of pressures in the economy, he told PA.

Certain companies have been more firm on their offers, harder in negotiations, but for those selling, there are still so many interested parties that the pricing is still much higher than we had seen before.

I also cannot see anything which will ease the supply hurdles in developing sites, so we will see capacity much lower than demand even if the economic backdrop causes more distress.

Despite what you might expect, the lack of supply means prices just keep rising.

Demand for large sites remained particularly strong as Colliers revealed that 26 deals took place involving warehouses over 300,000 sq ft, jumping from 23 deals in the same six months last year.

It comes after the pandemic proved to be a catalyst to rapidly accelerate the switch by many shoppers further towards online from shopping in physical stores.

Nevertheless, some firms such as AO World and Ocado have indicated that online sales growth has slowed more significantly than expected so far this year as shoppers have returned to shops or tightened their belts with their spending more broadly.

Len Rosso, head of industrial and logistics at Colliers, said online retailers have decreased their activity in the market over the past six months.

He said around half of all transactions last year were from retailers but represented only 13.6% so far this month.

This can be partly explained by the increase in activity by third-party logistics, which many online retailers are currently employing for logistics solutions, Mr Rosso said.

It is also worth noting that the year-on-year figures are largely skewed by Amazon, which alone accounted for 35% of the total in the first half last year, they are a clear testament to a robust occupier base in the market.
The NHS has launched a lung cancer awareness campaign to encourage those with symptoms to go for earlier GP checks to catch the disease sooner.

The Help Us Help You campaign, launched on World Lung Cancer Day, targets those most at risk, including over-60s and people from working-class backgrounds who are often more reluctant to visit their GP.

Lung cancer is the biggest cause of cancer-related deaths in England, with 26,410 patients dying last year making it the fifth biggest cause of death overall in England.

Professor Peter Johnson, national clinical director for cancer, said: For lung cancer, we have not seen referrals bounce back at the same rate as other cancers.

It is vital that people stay alert against suspected lung cancer symptoms, so if you have a continuous cough or breathlessness, dont ignore or assume its something else, please visit your GP and get it checked out  it probably wont be cancer but catching it early can help save lives.

Symptoms can include having a cough for longer than three weeks, coughing up blood, or persistent breathlessness.

Health Secretary Steve Barclay said: We know that the earlier you catch cancer, the better the chances of survival, and the Help Us Help You initiative is empowering people to come forward for screening  particularly for lung cancer, which is the biggest cause of death by cancer in England.

I want to thank all those that continue to be involved in this lifesaving campaign, which aims to increase the number of cancer patients diagnosed at earlier stages from half to three-quarters by 2028.

If you have any of the key symptoms set out by the NHS, I urge you to see your GP without delay to get checked out  early diagnosis is absolutely vital to beat this disease.

Tracy Bourne, 59, from Stoke-on-Trent, who recovered from lung cancer in 2019, said: I am just so grateful to that GP who realised that my cough might have been more than an infection and sent me for the initial X-ray. Without a doubt, it saved my life.

Cally Palmer, NHS England national cancer director said it was imperative that people are aware of the symptoms and come forward as quickly as possible.

She said: The NHS is here to help and our services are open so people should not hesitate to come forward if they notice potential lung cancer symptoms.
David Cameron, Sir Keir Starmer and BBC presenter Huw Edwards are among the latest UK politicians and journalists to be banned from Russia.

The Russian foreign ministry issued a list of 39 newly sanctioned individuals it said are no longer allowed to enter the Russian Federation.

It said the action was in response to UK sanctions issued against Russian ministers, officials and members of influential families linked to the Kremlin following Vladimir Putins invasion of Ukraine.

It wasnt on my immediate vacation to-do list. https://t.co/DKSpcWN3EX  Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) August 1, 2022

The Russian foreign ministry claimed those individuals sanctioned have contributed to Londons hostile course aimed at the demonisation of our country and its international isolation.

Former prime minister Mr Cameron is the first name on the list, followed by Lord Robertson of Port Ellen, a former Nato secretary-general, while Labour leader Sir Keir and shadow cabinet ministers Lisa Nandy, David Lammy and Nick Thomas-Symonds also feature.

SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford, Scottish Government Economy Secretary Kate Forbes and transport minister Wendy Morton, previously in the Foreign Office, are also among those included.

Mr Blackford said: The SNP will continue to stand up and oppose Russias illegal actions in Ukraine, and we welcome the sanctions that have been imposed so far.

He added: We must be united in the face of President Putins aggression and the co-ordinated solidarity shown for Ukraine must and cannot waver.

Journalists including Mr Edwards, TalkTVs Piers Morgan, ITVs Robert Peston and head of Sky News, John Ryley, are listed alongside reporters at various outlets.

Mr Morgan, writing on Twitter, said: It wasnt on my immediate vacation to-do list.

While Mr Edwards, a regular presenter of BBC News at Ten among other programmes, posted an image on Twitter of his name appearing as number 39 out of 39 on the list, and added Welsh and Ukrainian flags, saying: Huwve been banned! I made the Kremlin cut.

James Crisp, The Telegraphs Europe Editor, said he was surprised to find himself banned from entering Russia.

Still. Its always nice to have been read, he said on Twitter.

While Jerome Starkey, who writes about defence for The Sun, retweeted an image of his name on the list, saying: Good company.

The Russian foreign ministry said in a statement: As has been noted more than once, the pernicious actions of the UK in planting Russophobia, spreading false information about our country and supporting the Kyiv neo-Nazi regime will receive an adequate and decisive response from the Russian side.

The choice in favour of confrontation is a conscious decision of the British political establishment, which bears all responsibility for the consequences.

The statement also said it will continue work to expand the list.

Earlier this year, Russia said it was taking action against 287 MPs in retaliation for sanctions against Russian politicians.

But the list included several former MPs.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said in April that MPs should regard their inclusion on the list as a badge of honour.
Brazilian twins who were joined at the head have been successfully separated with the help of a British neurosurgeon.

Bernardo and Arthur Lima, who were born with fused brains, underwent several operations in Rio de Janeiro, with the direction of Great Ormond Street Hospital paediatric surgeon Noor ul Owase Jeelani.

The three-year-olds had seven surgical procedures, involving more than 27 hours of operating time in the final operation alone, and almost 100 medical staff.

It was one of the most complex separation processes ever completed, according to the charity which funded it and which Mr Jeelani founded in 2018  Gemini Untwined.

Bernardo (left) and Arthur Lima (Gemini Untwined/PA)

Surgeons in London and Rio spent months trialling techniques using virtual reality projections of the twins based on CT and MRI scans  something Mr Jeelani described as space-age stuff.

He said that, for the first time in the world, surgeons in separate countries wore headsets and operated in the same virtual reality room together.

Speaking about the VR aspect of the surgery, Mr Jeelani told the PA news agency: Its just wonderful, its really great to see the anatomy and do the surgery before you actually put the children at any risk.

You can imagine how reassuring that is for the surgeons.

In some ways these operations are considered the hardest of our time, and to do it in virtual reality was just really man-on-Mars stuff.

He said that previously unsuccessful attempts to separate the boys meant their anatomy was complicated by scar tissue, and he was really apprehensive about the risky procedure.

Mr Jeelani said he was absolutely shattered after the 27-hour operation, where he took only four 15-minute breaks for food and water, but it was wonderful to see the family feeling over the moon afterwards.

There were a lot of tears and hugs, he said. It was wonderful to be able to help them on this journey.

He added that, as with all conjoined twins after separation, the boys blood pressures and heart rates were through the roof  until they were reunited four days later and touched hands.

Mr Jeelani said they were recovering well.

He added that his charity has fast become a global repository for knowledge and experience of separation surgery, and he hopes it will serve as a model for a global health service providing expert care in other rare diseases.

The idea behind the charity was to create a global health service for super-rare cases to try and improve results for these kids, he said.

The model of what we have done, I think, can and should be replicated for other super-rare conditions.

This was Mr Jeelanis sixth separation procedure with Gemini Untwined, after previously operating on twins from Pakistan, Sudan, Israel, and Turkey.

He led the procedure alongside Dr Gabriel Mufarrej, head of paediatric surgery at Instituto Estadual do Cerebro Paulo Niemeyer in Brazil.

Dr Mufarrej said the hospital where he works has been caring for the boys for two-and-a-half years, and their separation will be life-changing.

He said: Since the parents of the boys came from their home in the Roraima region to Rio to seek our help two-and-a-half years ago, they had become part of our family here in the hospital.

We are delighted that the surgery went so well and the boys and their family have had such a life-changing outcome.

Surgeon Noor ul Owase Jeelani with Bernardo (left) and Arthur, and their parents, Adriely and Antonia Lima (Gemini Untwined/PA)

As Bernardo and Arthur are almost four years old, they are also the oldest craniopagus twins with a fused brain to have been separated.

According to Gemini figures, one in 60,000 births result in conjoined twins, and only 5% of these are joined at the head  known as craniopagus children.

It is estimated that 50 such sets of twins are born around the world every year.

Of them, it is thought only 15 survive beyond the first 30 days of life.

With current technologies, which the charity aims to make more accessible, approximately half of these cases would be candidates for successful surgical separation.
A new book explores how veterans of color have been affected by war across generations and the different ways the military further marginalized service members from minority groups.

Jason Higgins, a postdoctoral fellow at Virginia Tech, has been conducting oral interviews with formerly incarcerated veterans since 2017. With John M. Kinder, an associate professor of history at Oklahoma State University, the two co-edited Service Denied, which came out Friday.

Image:

One of the veterans featured in the book is David Carlson, 38, a sergeant in the Army National Guard who fought in the Iraq War and has dedicated his life to serving other vets and civilians in western Wisconsin. He said people who are making the transition from the military with post-traumatic stress disorder and other such issues need housing, employment and education at the same time, which is why he co-founded a peer mentoring organization.

However, before Carlson could focus on living a life of service, he needed to address some personal issues, like his struggle with PTSD.

Higgins says the intergenerational trauma that Carlson carries as a Black Iraq War veteran  and as the son of a Vietnam veteran diagnosed with PTSD  is a snapshot of the traumas many service members face after they come home from war.

Carlsons father, Higgins said, was drafted under Project 100,000, which was a program that lowered entrance exam requirements for military service in 1965. It allowed the military to draft a disproportionate number of poor, undereducated Black men during the Vietnam War.

The initiative was presented as a way to give job opportunities and education to a generation of Black men, but, Higgins said, only about 6 percent of those drafted under Project 100,000 gained any additional education or job training.

In fact, Black service members recruited through the program were twice as likely to get killed in Vietnam compared with U.S. forces as a whole, according to the book, which cites a 1970 Pentagon study that did not account for the remaining years of a war that stretched until 1975. In addition, the number of less than honorable discharges increased dramatically, from 6,911 in 1970 to more than 25,000 in 1972, and more than half of those discharges were for Black service members, which stripped veterans of both medical and mental health care, as well as subsidized education and work training.

Decades later, Higgins interviews with Vietnam and Iraq War veterans show that mental health problems, including PTSD, traumatic brain injuries, military sexual trauma and moral injuries  a specific type of psychiatric trauma  have factored into veteran incarcerations.

After having served in Iraq, the younger Carlson found himself thinking he was still overseas, even though he was back in the U.S. as a civilian.

Image: David Carlson, right, during his first tour in Iraq 2005. (Courtesy David Carlson)

My adrenaline was super high all the time, he said, describing how he felt when he knocked out a man on New Years Eve 2010, after the man pushed his friends wife.

Carlson then took the mans wallet, opened a tab at another bar and passed out in a cab the next morning before he was arrested. He was detained for eight days.

Carlson remembers getting released into a blizzard in a sweatshirt. And while walking just a mile, he committed three break-ins and burglaries, in which he stole some jackets and a computer, among other things.

Im in that state of mind where Im willing to do whatever it takes to survive, he said.

Carlson said he even became suicidal when he was in detention, and in 2011 he was diagnosed with PTSD. But he didnt find the structure that he would ultimately need to get out of prison until another veteran stepped in and stuck with him.

The veteran who saved Carlsons life

Michael Orban, an infantry soldier, was drafted for the Vietnam War in 1969 and spent his 21st birthday in the jungle by the Cambodian border. He has a Bronze Star, an Air Medal and a combat infantry badge.

Image: Michael Orban in Vietnam in 1971. (Courtesy Michael Orban)

It took three decades for Orban to seek treatment for suicidal ideation, which he eventually found at a Veterans Affairs hospital in Wisconsin. There, he said, he met other Vietnam veterans on the first day he committed himself to inpatient treatment. It felt like a homecoming.

I was with other people who had experienced the same thing, who knew where I was emotionally, psychologically, spiritually, and I almost wanted to cry, he said.

Image: Michael Orban in 2018. (Courtesy Michael Orban)

Now, he co-hosts a podcast for other veterans and has received an honorary doctorate from the Medical College of Wisconsin for his work on veteran suicides.

When Orban met Carlson about a decade after he was diagnosed with PTSD related to combat, he felt compassion because he saw himself reflected in Carlsons condition.

David sat down in a chair at the Greyhound bus depot in Milwaukee. He had a gash in his forehead and a gash in the back of his head from a fight, Orban recalled. He was dirty. He was starving. He had nothing in his pocket. He didnt know who he was. He didnt know why all of this stuff was haunting him the way it was. And he just started weeping.

Orban helped him get a bus ticket home. And when Carlson was incarcerated, Orban stuck with him.

Now, Carlson finds himself on another side of the law. Having completed his first year at Mitchell Hamline School of Law in St. Paul, Minnesota, he is volunteering to help veteran defendants get second chances.

I think what Im doing now is actually my biggest contribution to my military service and to my country, Carlson said. Our service never ends. Once we sign that line and we give our oath and we ship out, weve taken on a lifetime of service.

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As of March, the average monthly Social Security benefit is $1,618.29 for an individual, according to the Social Security Administration (SSA). Doubling up for a couple, that's $3,236.58.

Not a bad haul, if it's supplementing other income or padding a nice, big nest egg. If Social Security is all you're living on, however, you're going to have to pick your retirement city very carefully to stretch those dollars to their absolute limit -- particularly on the notoriously expensive West Coast, which, for the purposes of this study, includes Alaska.

See: How Biden Is Impacting Social Security in 2022

Learn: 10 Reasons You Should Claim Social Security Early

To determine the best places for couples to live on the West Coast on only their combined Social Security checks, GOBankingRates used cost-of-living data from Sperling's Best Places. The ranking also includes ApartmentList data on the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment, as well as each city's livability score, sourced from AreaVibes.

Each city was then given a combined score -- which represents a summation of all those factors -- with lower scores being better. The list is ranked in order of the worst score to the best.

Read on to learn about the West Coast spots that are most welcoming to retirees living on Social Security.

jared ropelato / Shutterstock.com

Vallejo, California

2022 average 1-bedroom rent: $1,607

Vallejo has a lousy livability score of 56 -- livability scores are calculated by algorithms that factor in dozens of variables like proximity to amenities, crime and schools. The cost-of-living index is a high 131.3, with 100 representing the national average. The average one-bedroom apartment will run you $1,607 per month, the highest on this list.

Jon Bilous / Shutterstock.com

Riverside, California

2022 average 1-bedroom rent: $1,508

At 133.1, Riverside's cost-of-living index is even higher than even Vallejo's -- a full one-third more than the national average. The town's livability score is an unimpressive 59, mostly because of its relatively high crime rate. The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment is $1,508, one of the three highest on the list.

Small Business Spotlight 2022: Nominate Your Favorite Small Biz

Sean Pavone / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Seattle

2022 average 1-bedroom rent: $1,596

Moving up the coast to Washington is Seattle, a pricey city where the average one-bedroom costs $1,596. That contributes to a bruising 172.3 cost-of-living index -- the highest on this list, by far -- which means that daily living in Seattle is 72.3% more expensive than the national average. All in all, its livability score is an underwhelming 65 thanks to high crime rates, high housing costs and, of course, a high cost of living.

Manny Chavez / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Sacramento, California

2022 average 1-bedroom rent: $1,432

The capital city of California, Sacramento has a below-average livability score of 62, mostly because of its crime statistics and relatively high prices. The cost-of-living index there is 118.2, making the city nearly 20% costlier to live in than the national average. The typical renter will shell out $1,432 for a one-bedroom.

JMcQ / Shutterstock.com

Anchorage, Alaska

2022 average 1-bedroom rent: $1,176

In Anchorage, crime and real estate prices are high even by Alaska standards, both of which contribute to the city's drab livability score of 60. Although the average one-bedroom there costs $1,176 per month, one of the least expensive on this list, Anchorage residents still struggle with a rough cost-of-living index of 123.5.

Spondylolithesis / Getty Images

Napa, California

2022 average 1-bedroom rent: $1,522

Known for its legendary vineyards, daily life in Napa is nearly as pricey as its wine -- the cost-of-living index is 162.1, second only to Seattle. With an average monthly rent of $1,522, it's one of only four cities on this list where the typical one-bedroom costs more than $1,500. Overall, its livability score is a middling 70.

Kyle Sprague / Shutterstock.com

Portland, Oregon

2022 average 1-bedroom rent: $1,344

The cost of living in Portland is 30.8% higher than the national average. Although its $1,344 average rent makes it one of just five cities on this list where a one-bedroom goes for less than $1,400, its very high crime rate contributes to a dreary livability score of 65.

DenisTangneyJr / iStock.com

Fresno, California

2022 average 1-bedroom rent: $1,025

Just two cities on this list are less expensive than Fresno, which boasts a forgiving cost-of-living index of 102.6. With an average monthly rent of $1,025.00, a one-bedroom is cheaper in just thee other cities. Unfortunately, high crime contributes to a subpar livability score of 58.

Ceri Breeze / Shutterstock.com

Bremerton, Washington

2022 average 1-bedroom rent: $1,440

Bremerton comes up with an average livability score of 70. With a cost-of-living index of 108.9 and an average rent of $1,440 for a one-bedroom, it's certainly one of the more affordable cities to make the cut.

GarysFRP / Getty Images

Eugene, Oregon

2022 average 1-bedroom rent: $928

With a cost-of-living index of 105.3, Eugene is even more affordable than Bremerton. A lot of that has to do with the fact that it's one of only three cities on the list with a three-figure monthly rent -- $928 per month, to be exact, which makes it the cheapest on the entire list. Thanks to its high crime rate, however, Eugene earns a meh livability score of 65.

John T Callery / Shutterstock.com

Olympia, Washington

2022 average 1-bedroom rent: $1,436

The capital city of Washington has a cost-of-living index of 106.1, which puts it on the lower side of this list. Olympia's livability score is 74 -- the highest of any city profiled here -- and a $1,436 average monthly rent.

benedek / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Spokane, Washington

2022 average 1-bedroom rent: $947

Just one city on this list is cheaper to live in than the national average -- Spokane, whose cost-of-living index is an impressive 92.3. Although the city's paltry livability score of 67 leaves plenty to be desired, its $947 monthly rent makes it the No. 2 least expensive place to rent an apartment.

Shutterstock.com

Salem, Oregon

2022 average 1-bedroom rent: $979

With a cost-of-living index of 101.8, Salem is less expensive to live in than any city on this list except for Spokane. One of just three cities with a sub-$1,000 average rent, a one-bedroom goes for just $979 per month. That's all good news, despite Salem's low livability score of 69.

More From GOBankingRates

Methodology: GOBankingRates determined the best places for a couple to live on the West Coast on only their combined Social Security checks based on the (1) average monthly benefit for retired workers, $1,618.29, sourced from the Social Security Administration, and doubled ($3,236.58); (2) the overall cost of living in each city, sourced from Sperling's Best Places; (3) average 2022 rent for a one-bedroom apartment as sourced from ApartmentList; and (4) livability scores sourced from AreaVibes. Factors (2) through (4) were scored and combined, with the lowest score being the best. Factor (4) was weighted double in final calculations. All data was collected and is up to date as of April 22, 2022.

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 13 Best Places on the West Coast for Couples To Live on Only a Social Security Check
Nadine Dorries chose to retweet a mocked-up image of Rishi Sunak stabbing Boris Johnson in the back with a knife, not Liz Trusss campaign, Therese Coffey has said.

Over the weekend, the Culture Secretary shared a doctored image on Twitter that portrayed Mr Johnson as Julius Caesar, with Mr Sunak as Brutus wielding a knife behind his back.

A string of Conservative MPs quickly condemned Ms Dorries and branded the attacks on the former chancellor as dangerous in the wake of the murder of Sir David Amess.

Speaking to Times Radio this morning, the Work and Pensions Secretary, who is Ms Trusss campaign manager, distanced the Foreign Secretary from Ms Dorries retweet.

Ms Coffey said: Well, I wouldnt have done it. The Liz for Leader campaign certainly didnt do it. Nadine chose to do it. Ive made her aware that many colleagues were upset by it.

Its for Nadine to decide how she runs her social media. But all I say is that Im really here to focus on Liz rather than other news.

She added: Im not going to go into individual conversations, but she recognised that other people would have been upset by some of this, but shes very keen to make the case herself.

And Nadine is a very special lady. She was full of life yesterday in her role as Culture Secretary, supporting the lionesses, too. But Im really here to talk about Liz Truss.

The former chancellor was asked about accusations he is a backstabber on the BBC Radio 4 Today programme, but said he would not comment specifically on what others are choosing to say.

He added: I will tackle the broader claim that they (the accusations) relate to, because I do think there is a risk that people are looking at the last few months of the Government with slightly rose-tinted glasses about what it was really like.

Because it wasnt working as it should, and crucially the Government found itself on the wrong side of a very serious ethical issue, and, for me, also going down the wrong economic path, and thats why in the end more than 60 MPs at the last count, I think, resigned from the Government, of which I, after a lot of deliberation and months of standing by the PM, was one of them.

Writing in the Mail on Sunday, Ms Dorries accused the former chancellor of planning a coup for a very long time and said she commented on his dress sense to alert Tory members not to be taken in by appearances in the way that happened to many of us who served with the chancellor in Cabinet.

The Culture Secretary had previously criticised the Tory leadership hopeful for wearing Prada shoes, arguing that such a display of his wealth shows he is out of touch.

Tory leadership hopefuls Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss (Jacob King/PA)

Business minister Greg Hands described Ms Dorries actions as distasteful and dangerous, telling Sky News: Im sure Liz Truss would disown this kind of behaviour.

I think this is appalling. Look, its not even a year since the stabbing of Sir David Amess at his Southend constituency surgery, so I think this is very, very bad taste, dangerous even.

Mr Hands, who is backing Mr Sunak in the race for No 10, added: I do find it distasteful.

Welsh Secretary Sir Robert Buckland, another supporter of Mr Sunak, also criticised the behaviour.

I think that sort of imagery and narrative is not just incendiary, its wrong, he told BBC Radio Wales.

I think its time for those who think that an argument about Prada shoes or earrings is more important, for instance, should wind their neck in and let people talk about the issues rather than the personality.

Former Northern Ireland secretary Brandon Lewis, who has thrown his weight behind Ms Truss in the leadership contest, told Sky News: Its certainly not the sort of thing I would tweet.

He added: Nadine is well-known as having strong views on things. Nadine speaks for herself, shes very much an individual on that. But that is not a position that Liz would take.
Northern Irelands political leaders will return to Stormont later for a special sitting to deliver tributes to Nobel Peace Prize winner David Trimble.

MLAs will also observe a minutes silence and sign a book of condolence in memory of one of the key architects of the 1998 Good Friday/Belfast Agreement which ended decades of conflict in Northern Ireland.

Lord Trimble died last week at the age of 77 following an illness.

The former leader of the Ulster Unionist Party was jointly awarded the Nobel prize with late SDLP leader John Hume in recognition of their efforts to stop the bloodshed and establish a powersharing system of devolved governance in the region.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson greets Lady Daphne Trimble after the funeral of former Northern Ireland first minister and UUP leader David Trimble on Monday (Liam McBurney/PA)

He then served as the Northern Irelands inaugural first minister.

The Stormont institutions are currently in limbo, with the DUP blocking the creation of a powersharing administration in protest at Brexits Northern Ireland Protocol.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Taoiseach Micheal Martin and Irish President Michael D Higgins were among the mourners who gathered at Harmony Hill Presbyterian Church in Lisburn, Co Antrim, on Monday for the funeral of Lord Trimble.

Rev Dr Charles McMullen appealed at the funeral service for politicians to use the occasion as inspiration to redouble their efforts to resolve their differences over the protocol.

Former moderator of the Presbyterian Church, Charles McMullen appealed for politicians to resolve their differences at the funeral of Lord Trimble (Liam McBurney/PA)

He said: Can we use this service today, in a fitting tribute to one of the great, to redouble our efforts on this island home of ours?

With courage, pragmatism and generosity of spirit, may our politicians engage wholeheartedly in resolving the outstanding issues surrounding the Northern Ireland Protocol, so that our democratic institutions are quickly restored and we can all move forward together.

A recall of the Assembly to attempt to elect a new Speaker was postponed last week following the death of Lord Trimble.

The recall session will now take place on Wednesday.
A 62-year-old UPS driver died after another worker ran into him in South Carolina, officials said.

The trucker had gotten out of his rig before he was hit and killed in a dark parking lot on Friday, July 29, according to the Cherokee County Coroners Office.

The deceased worker was identified in a news release as Raymond David Boone of Columbia, Missouri.

UPS didnt immediately respond to McClatchy News requests for comment on Aug. 1.

Officials said Boone died at a truck terminal on Pleasant School Road in Gaffney, along Interstate 85 and roughly 50 miles northeast of Greenville. At about 4:45 a.m., Boone reportedly left his rig and walked toward the passengers side.

Thats when another worker hit him with a jockey buggy, a type of vehicle used at the terminal to move trailers around in the yard, Coroner Dennis Fowler told McClatchy News in an email.

Boone was not wearing a reflective vest and the area where he was walking was not well lighted, officials wrote in their release.

He died at the scene. As of July 29, an investigation was ongoing, and an autopsy had been scheduled.

The S.C. Occupational Safety and Health Administration confirmed it started investigating the case on July 29.

SC OSHA looks for any OSHA violations that may have in any way contributed to the incident, spokesperson Lesia Kudelka told McClatchy News in an email.

73-year-old found face down under lawnmower in his South Carolina yard, coroner says

63-year-old dies after plunging up to 100 feet into ships smokestack, SC cops say
WASHINGTON  Since the start of this year, 88,161 flights have been canceled by major American airlines, far more than any recent year except 2020, when the coronavirus ended most recreational and business travel. Fliers eager to see family, friends and colleagues for the first time in two years have found themselves stranded at airports, as pilot shortages, new pandemic waves and extreme weather led to record cancellations.

And although airlines have tried to accommodate the legions of exasperated people with rebookings and meal vouchers, they have frequently avoided offering full refunds, despite a federal Department of Transportation rule requiring them to do so. The result, a 2021 investigation by the Wall Street Journal found, was that the nations four largest airlines had $10 billion in unused travel credits on their books at the end of 2020  all money that could have been returned to consumers.

Sen. Edward Markey, D-Mass. (Jemal Countess/Getty Images for Take Back the Court Action Fund)

But a new measure being introduced Monday by Sen. Edward Markey of Massachusetts and Rep. Steve Cohen of Tennessee, along with other Democrats in both chambers of Congress, would mandate that airlines forthrightly offer travelers cash refunds as opposed to other forms of compensation like vouchers.

The airlines often push vouchers even in cases where passengers are entitled to cash refunds. Consumers must be made aware by the airlines that they have a cash option, says William McGee, an aviation expert at the American Economic Liberties Project.

(This reporter, for example, recently discovered that his own Southwest Airlines vouchers from 2020 had expired.)

Perhaps even more significantly, the law would allow fliers to claim a full refund if they cancel a flight up until 48 hours of the scheduled departure time.

Something like this is long overdue, says John Breyault, vice president of public policy, telecommunications and fraud at the National Consumers League. He told Yahoo News that Markeys bill, if passed, would give American fliers some of the protections already enjoyed by their European and Canadian counterparts.

A traveler checks her flight status at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on July 11. (Nathan Howard/Getty Images)

Americans have a right to these refunds, and they are sick and tired of fighting the airlines for them, Markey told Yahoo News in a telephone interview. Booking travel months ahead is hard and stressful. Plans change. Consumers should not be forced to eat that cost if theyve given airlines reasonable notice.

Known as the Cash Refunds for Flight Cancellations Act, the measure is being introduced during an acutely chaotic moment in American travel. With plans uncertain and budgets strained, the ability to easily claim a refund could return hundreds or even thousands of dollars to individual consumers.

The act would mandate that a refund be offered within 30 days of a canceled flight. Airlines could continue to offer vouchers too, but not in a way that conceals the refund option that many passengers would probably prefer  if they knew about it. And the vouchers, according to Markeys office, would have to be redeemable indefinitely instead of expiring after a year or two.

They love having these vouchers, because its basically free money on their books, Breyault told Yahoo News.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., at a news conference outside the U.S. Capitol on July 12. (Ting Shen/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Co-sponsors of the legislation include Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Rep. Jamie Raskin of Maryland. There is no Republican support yet, and the bills prospects are unclear. Lawmakers, who generally fly home to their districts, are certainly acquainted with the headaches of airline travel. And policies that give constituents cash tend to be popular.

"Flight cancellations are happening all too frequently. My American flight was canceled just last week. The flying public does not expect or want to get credits when the airlines are the cause of the cancellation, especially when they already benefited from a multibillion-dollar bailout from American taxpayers. Our bill remedies this situation," Cohen said in a statement.

Markey and other Democrats  including then-Sen. Kamala Harris of California, today the vice president of the United States  introduced a similar measure in May 2020. Since then, and especially in recent months, the zeal for air travel has returned. But the coronavirus has not gone away, continuing to create logistical nightmares and resulting in outlandish scenarios that speak to pervasive desperation in the aviation sector.

The airlines say they are being unfairly maligned for global disruptions that no one could have predicted. Hannah Walden, a spokesperson for the trade group Airlines for America, said that member carriers comply with federal laws and regulations regarding cash refunds. Carriers strive to provide the highest level of customer service and are committed to working with travelers to address their individual circumstances.

Despite profuse apologies from airline executives, little has changed during the travel-heavy summer months, which have also been marked by spells of extreme weather. In late June, Delta offered passengers $10,000 to give up their seats on an oversold Michigan-Minneapolis route, or about $167 for each minute of the hourlong flight. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg met over video link with airline executives to address the issue. Shortly after the meeting concluded, he learned that his upcoming flight from Washington, D.C., to New York City had just been canceled.

The travel system is broken, Markey says, charging that U.S. airlines disappoint and exploit their customers.

Though the airlines received $54 billion from the federal government to stave off an industrywide collapse during the pandemic, survival has had costs of its own. Many middle-aged pilots took early retirement, while new pilots were slow to enter civil aviation. During the height of the pandemic, carriers sent jets into hibernation. When travel started to pick up again in late 2021, those planes had to undergo an involved fleet reentry process.

A canceled flight on a departures board at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey on July 1. (Jeenah Moon/Getty Images)

Its difficult to overstate just how much the COVID-19 pandemic has devastated airlines, a McKinsey report found in 2021. But the same report and many others have faulted the airline industry for inefficient and unimaginative operations.

The airlines have been very good this summer at pointing the finger at everyone but themselves for the cancellations, says Breyault, who believes that the carriers that took billions from the federal government should have done more to prepare for the return of travel once the pandemic subsided.

Some civil aviation observers are skeptical of Markeys measure. While thats a form of consumer protection, it doesnt do much to solve the underlying problem, which right now is staff shortages, Ethan Klapper, senior aviation reporter at travel website The Points Guy, told Yahoo News (where he formerly worked) in a text message. You could perhaps even argue that it might even make things worse  instead of using that money to hire more staff, airlines will now have to compensate passengers for canceled flights.

Markey unsurprisingly disagrees. We have to protect passengers on planes, he says. Those passengers are already paying 25% more for tickets this summer than they were in the summer of 2021. Meanwhile, airlines are seeing a return to profitability.

And he hopes, perhaps unrealistically, that Republicans will join his call for greater airline accountability. I dont think consumer protection should be a partisan issue, Markey told Yahoo News.

Republicans were vociferous in their opposition to mask mandates on airplanes and other forms of transport. They have been silent on cancellations. I dont understand why a Republican wouldnt want to support a bill like this, Breyault told Yahoo News. Everybody flies.
South Carolina Democrat Joe Cunningham has named Tally Parham Casey, a lawyer and the first female fighter pilot in the states Air National Guard, his lieutenant governor running mate as he seeks to unseat Republican Gov. Henry McMaster.

Cunningham introduced Casey on Monday in Greenville County, the same county where McMasters running mate, Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette, calls home. Its an area of the state where Democrats have tried to make gains in past elections.

Casey, a 52-year-old Greenville native who now lives in Columbia, chairs the executive committee of the Wyche Law Firm. She served three combat tours in Iraq and left the military as a lieutenant colonel.

I have long admired Joes bipartisan approach to governing and believe he is exactly what South Carolina needs as governor, Casey said in a statement. Joe is a regular guy who has the guts to say what were all thinking. He doesnt play by traditional political rules and he doesnt toe any party line.

The Associated Press first reported Caseys selection.

Cunningham, the one-term Lowcountry congressman, kept quiet for months about his lieutenant governor pick  a decision other Democratic governor candidates had made months in advance during the 2018 election when candidates were first allowed to have running mates.

Previously, the governor and lieutenant governor ran separately as the lieutenant governor presided over the Senate.

Cunningham released a short list of nine possible picks only last month. The list included state lawmakers, former candidates for office and the city manager in Columbia, who declined to be considered.

She is a fierce, independent woman with a backbone made of steel and a heart of gold, Cunningham said about Casey at Mondays rally. The good old boys at the State House wont ever know what hit them.

This photo provided by Tyler Jones shows Joe Cunningham, left, and Talley Parham Casey, right, a former fighter pilot-turned lawyer, his running mate in his quest to become South Carolinas first Democratic governor in 20- years. Cunningham, who previewed his pick last week for The Associated Press ahead of a formal rollout later Monday, Aug. 1, 2022 said that Caseys broad experience is the right match for the new generation of leadership he hopes to bring to South Carolinas top office. Cunningham planned to formally announce his pick later Monday. (Tyler Jones via AP)

Casey criticizes McMaster

In Caseys speech on Monday, she criticized McMaster for wanting to pass an abortion ban with no exceptions, such as rape, incest, fetal anomaly and to protect the life of the mother. In recent weeks, McMaster has said those exceptions in the states six-week abortion ban are reasonable.

But Caseys comments come as the Legislature debates whether to institute further restrictions on abortion following the overturn of Roe v. Wade.

I believe at my core that women have a right to control their own bodies, Casey said. I believe that women have a right to make their own decisions. If you will trust me to defend my country, to drop bombs and take out surface-to-air missiles flying a $30 million supersonic aircraft, shouldnt you trust me to make decisions about my own body?

Casey also criticized the state for having the highest income tax rate in the region, paying teachers poorly, having poor road conditions and being against expanding Medicaid and legalizing medical marijuana.

This year, McMaster signed a tax cut to eventually bring the top tax rate down from 7% to 6%.

Efforts to legalize medical marijuana passed the Senate but failed in the House after the legislation was thrown out over a procedural objection.

The starting annual teacher pay was increased this year from $36,000 to $40,000. Cunningham has said he wants to increase starting teacher pay in the state to $50,000 by 2030.

Our states teachers are overworked and theyre underpaid and theyre barely getting any help from our leaders in Colombia, Casey said. We can do better.

Caseys effect on ticket

The choice of Casey, a Greenville native, gives the Democratic ticket a counter to McMasters running mate Evette, a businesswoman and Travelers Rest resident.

Casey is a graduate of Princeton University and the University of Virginia School of Law. She has been a lawyer for more than 20 years, and focuses on commercial, securities and health care litigation and products liability, insurance and aerospace law.

Over the next few months I look forward to traveling throughout our state to showcase our vision for a more free and prosperous South Carolina, Casey said.

McMasters campaign dismissed the addition of Casey to the ticket, saying she wont affect voters decisions in November.

While we appreciate Ms. Caseys service to our nation and welcome her to the race, Joe Cunninghams choice of running mate will have far less of an impact on the campaign than his record as (a) left-wing, Joe-Biden Democrat who has spent more time chasing Tik-Tok followers than working to improve the lives of South Carolinians, the campaign said in a statement.

While Casey has never run for public office, she has been politically involved, giving $700 in contributions to various candidates since 2018. In 2018, she gave $400 to James Smiths unsuccessful campaign for governor.

Though McMaster won Greenville County with 58% of the vote in his first campaign for a full term in 2018, Smith got 42% of the vote  11 percentage points higher than former state Sen. Vincent Sheheens 2014 run.

The Upstate region is considered South Carolinas most conservative region, though Greenville has turned into a small battleground, where Democrats have made more headway locally than statewide. In 2019, for example, Democrats gained a majority on the Greenville City Council.

We are the biggest county in the state, said Amanda McDougald Scott, chairwoman of the Greenville County Democratic Party. We need to make a big showing. That can make a big difference. If we already know ... Richland County and Charleston County are likely to go blue, then what is the other big county thats going to make a difference? Its probably going to be Greenville.

A Democrat hasnt won statewide since 2006, and no Democrat has won the governors office since Jim Hodges defeated David Beasley in 1998.

The last Democrat from the Upstate to be elected governor was Dick Riley, who was born in Greenville County and attended Furman University. He served as governor for two terms from 1979 to 1987.

An Upstate running mate might be the ticket to win statewide, McDougald Scott said.

I think its a good strategic move on their part for that piece of it, McDougald Scott said of picking a running mate from the Upstate. As far as whether it will actually get out more voters, I think that remains to be seen.
Guy Reffitt, an associate of the far-right Three Percenters militia, was sentenced Monday to 87 months, or more than seven years, in federal prison for participating in the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol, the longest prison term handed down thus far in connection with the violent insurrection.

In March, a jury found Reffitt, a former oil industry worker from Wylie, Texas, guilty of five felony counts, including obstruction of Congress, interfering with police and transporting firearms to Washington, D.C., for a riot, and threatening his teenage son upon returning to Texas. Reffitt was the first Jan. 6 defendant to be convicted at trial.

An artist's sketch depicts Guy Reffitt, left, joined by his lawyer William Welch, in federal court in Washington, D.C., on Feb. 28. (Dana Verkouteren via AP, File)

Last month, prosecutors asked U.S. District Judge Dabney Friedrich to sentence Reffitt to 15 years in prison  more than the nine to 11 years recommended under federal sentencing guidelines, and about three times as long as the longest sentence handed down to date in a Jan. 6 case. The sentencing request also marked the first time that federal prosecutors sought to apply a terrorism enhancement for a convicted Jan. 6 rioter.

Defense attorney F. Clinton Broden had asked the judge to sentence his client to just two years in prison, arguing in a court filing that Reffitt did not commit any violence and has no criminal history. Before Mondays sentencing hearing, the defense submitted letters to the court from a variety of Reffitts friends and relatives, including his 18-year-old daughter, Peyton. The letters, Broden wrote, describe a depressed man who believed he was unable to adequately provide for his family (his lifes mission), and a man who felt cast aside and marginalized.

Nicole Reffitt, center, the wife of Guy Reffitt, walks out of federal court in Washington on March 8. (Susan Walsh/AP)

Though Reffitt did not actually enter the Capitol on Jan. 6, Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jeffrey Nestler and Risa Berkower sought to portray him as a key instigator in the attack, arguing at trial that Reffitt  armed with a handgun, body armor and zip ties  had cleared the way for others to breach the building by positioning himself at the front of the angry mob and facing off with U.S. Capitol Police.

Reffitt sought not just to stop Congress, but also to physically attack, remove, and replace the legislators who were serving in Congress, Nestler and Berkower wrote in their 58-page sentencing memo. His conduct, they argued, is a quintessential example of an intent to both influence and retaliate against government conduct through intimidation or coercion, which is the definition of a federal crime of terrorism and is subject to harsher penalties.

Friedrich, however, denied the governments request for a terrorism enhancement to Reffitts sentence, saying that such a move would result in an unwarranted sentencing disparity with other Jan. 6 cases.

There are a lot of cases where defendants possessed weapons or committed very violent assaults, Friedrich said Monday, pointing out that the most severe sentences that have been handed down in relation to Jan. 6 so far were 63 months, or just over five years in prison, for defendants convicted of assaulting police officers. The government is asking for a sentence that is three times as long as any other defendant, and the defendant did not assault an officer.

Reffitt, who has been detained since he was arrested in January 2021, addressed the court before receiving his sentence on Monday, saying, "I did want to definitely make an apology, multiple apologies really, and accept my responsibility because I do hate what I did."

Trump supporters clash with police and security forces as they try to storm the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. (Joseph Prezioso/AFP via Getty Images)

Reffitt is one of more than 850 people who have been charged so far in connection with the Jan. 6 attack, which resulted in five deaths, left more than 150 police officers injured and disrupted the joint session of Congress that had convened to certify the electoral vote count in the 2020 presidential election.

More than 200 Jan. 6 defendants have already pleaded guilty to a variety of mostly misdemeanor charges, while roughly 330 are still awaiting trial on felony charges. In addition to Reffitt, eight others have been convicted at trial so far.

Reffitt was charged with four counts relating to his activities on Jan. 6: obstructing an official proceeding; interfering with law enforcement during a civil disorder; transporting firearms to Washington, D.C., for a civil disorder; and being unlawfully present on Capitol grounds while armed with a firearm. Prosecutors also charged him with obstruction of justice based on threats he allegedly made to his teenage son and daughter upon returning to his Texas home from Washington, telling them to choose a side or die and that they would be traitors if they reported him to law enforcement. He pleaded not guilty to all five charges.

Among the witnesses called to testify against Reffitt at trial included a former member of the Texas Three Percenters, who said he drove with Reffitt from Texas to Washington with their rifles and handguns in tow, and Reffitts 19-year-old son, Jackson, who described his fathers radicalization from moderate conservative to far-right extreme militia member in the months leading up to the insurrection.

Prosecutors also played several clips of Reffitts own video footage from Jan. 6, which had been shot with a 360-degree camera attached to the front of his helmet and recovered from an external hard drive the FBI seized during a search of his house. In one of the self-recorded videos, apparently taken at President Donald Trumps Stop the Steal rally at the Ellipse, a voice that prosecutors said was Reffitts could be heard saying he planned to go to the Capitol before the day is over.

I just want to see [House Speaker Nancy] Pelosis head hit every f***ing stair on the way out ... and [Senate Minority Leader] Mitch McConnell too, the voice said at one point. At another: Im packing heat, and Im going to get more heat.

Those comments echoed messages that prosecutors say Reffitt sent involving his plans for Jan. 6 in a family text chain, and to a Texas Three Percenters Telegram chat where he went by the username Call to Arms.

In a conversation secretly recorded by his son after he returned home from Washington, Reffitt could be heard bragging to his family about bringing a gun to the Capitol.

Jackson said his fathers antigovernment rhetoric took on a more explicit tone in the weeks after the 2020 presidential election, prompting him to report his concerns to the FBI on Christmas Eve 2020. However, Jackson said he didnt get a response until two weeks later, on Jan. 6. The younger Reffitt ultimately met with an FBI agent days after the riot, following a heated conversation in which Jackson said his dad threatened to shoot him and his sister if they reported him to authorities.

Reffitt did not testify or present any defense during his criminal trial. His attempt at an apology Monday was a stark contrast from previous statements he made from jail, in which he denied wrongdoing and expressed no remorse for his actions on Jan. 6.

"I can't help but wonder, whether like many other Jan. 6 defendants, I'm hearing what I'd like to hear from you as opposed to what you really believe, Friedrich reportedly remarked to Reffitt in court Monday.

Asked whether he agreed that hed violated the law with respect to the five counts against him, Reffitt told the judge, I clearly f***ed up.

The rioters got within two doors of Vice President Mike Pence's office. See how in this 3D explainer from Yahoo Immersive.
The cargo ship Razoni sets off from the port of Odesa, Ukraine, on Monday, carrying thousands of tons of corn to Lebanon. (Michael Shtekel / Associated Press)

The first ship carrying Ukrainian grain set out Monday from the port of Odesa under an internationally brokered deal to unblock the embattled country's agricultural exports and ease a growing global food crisis.

The Sierra Leone-flagged cargo ship Razoni sounded its horn as it slowly departed with more than 26,000 tons of corn destined for Lebanon.

The first grain ship since Russian aggression has left port, Ukrainian Minister of Infrastructure Oleksandr Kubrakov said on Twitter, posting a video of the long cargo ship as it headed out to sea.

Russia and Ukraine signed agreements in Istanbul with Turkey and the United Nations on July 22, clearing the way for Ukraine to export 22 million tons of grain and other agricultural goods that have been stuck in Black Sea ports because of Russias invasion of Ukraine more than five months ago. The deals also allow Russia to export grain and fertilizer.

As part of the agreements, safe corridors through the mined waters outside Ukraine's ports were established.

Ukraine and Russia are key global suppliers of wheat, barley, corn and sunflower oil, with the fertile Black Sea region long known as the breadbasket of Europe. The holdup of food shipments because of the war has worsened rising food prices worldwide and threatened hunger and political instability in developing nations.

Today Ukraine, together with partners, takes another step to prevent world hunger," Kubrakov said.

In Moscow, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov hailed the ship's departure as very positive, saying it would help test the efficiency of the mechanisms that were agreed during the talks in Istanbul.

Under the agreements, ships going in and out of Ukrainian ports will be subject to inspection to make sure that incoming vessels are not carrying weapons and that outgoing ones are bearing only grain, fertilizer or related food items, not any other commodities.

Turkeys defense minister, Hulusi Akar, said the Razoni was expected to dock Tuesday afternoon in Istanbul at the entrance of the Bosphorus, where joint teams of Russian, Ukrainian, Turkish and U.N. officials would board it for inspections.

The Turkish defense ministry said other ships would also depart Ukraines ports through the safe corridors. Ukraines infrastructure ministry said that 16 more ships, all blocked from leaving since the beginning of Russias invasion Feb. 24, were waiting their turn in the ports of Odesa.

But some shipping companies are not yet rushing to export food across the Black Sea as they assess the danger of mines in the waters and the risk of Russian rockets hitting grain warehouses and ports.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he hoped the shipments would bring much-needed stability and relief to global food security especially in the most fragile humanitarian contexts.

In an interview with Turkeys state-run Anadolu Agency, Akar warned that the global food crisis threatened to trigger a serious wave of migration from Africa to Europe and to Turkey."

The corn will then head to Lebanon, which is in the grips of what the World Bank has described as one of the worlds worst financial crises in more than 150 years. A 2020 explosion at its main port in Beirut shattered its capital city and destroyed grain silos. Lebanon imports mostly wheat from Ukraine but also buys its corn to make cooking oil and to produce animal feed.

Kubrakov said the shipments would help Ukraines war-shattered economy.

Unlocking ports will provide at least $1 billion in foreign exchange revenue to the economy and an opportunity for the agricultural sector to plan for next year, Kubrakov said.

After more than five months of war, the horn of the cargo ship sounding as it set out to sea delighted Olena Vitalievna, an Odesa resident.

Finally, life begins to move forward and there are some changes in a positive direction," she said. "In general, the port should live its own life because Odesa is a port city. We live here, we want everything to work for us, everything to bustle.

The resumption of the grain shipments came as fighting raged elsewhere in Ukraine, with Russia pressing its offensive in the east while Ukraine tries to reclaim territory in the Russian-occupied south.

Ukraines presidential office said that at least three civilians were killed and another 16 were wounded by Russian shelling in the Donetsk region over the last 24 hours.

Donetsk Gov. Pavlo Kyrylenko repeated a strong call for all residents to evacuate. He particularly emphasized the need to evacuate about 52,000 children still left in the region.

In Kharkiv, two people were wounded by a Russian strike Monday morning. One was wounded while waiting for a bus at a stop, and another was hurt when a Russian shell exploded near an apartment building.

The southern city of Mykolaiv also faced repeated shelling that ruined a hospital building and damaged ambulances, according to Gov. Vitaliy Kim. Three civilians were wounded in Russian shelling elsewhere in the city, he said.

Soon after the grain shipment deal was signed July 22, a Russian missile targeted Odesa. Analysts warned that the continuing fighting could threaten the grain pact.

The departure of the first vessel doesnt solve the food crisis," said Volodymyr Sidenko, an expert with the Razumkov Center, a Kyiv-based think tank. "Its just the first step that could also be the last if Russia decides to continue attacks in the south."

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Former U.S. attorney John Wood, an independent candidate for U.S. Senate in Missouri who is seeking to appeal to moderate Republicans, said he collected 22,000 signatures to get his name on the November ballot.

Wood and his campaign team delivered three boxes of signed petitions to the Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcrofts office in Jefferson City Monday morning  one day before voters head to the polls for the Aug. 2 primary election.

Our first goal when we kicked off this campaign was to secure our place on the November ballot so Missourians who are sick and tired of the extremism in our politics would have a common sense, independent choice to support in November, Wood said.

Ashcrofts office has until Aug. 30 to verify the signatures, said spokesperson JoDonn Chaney. If Wood has at least 10,000 petitions, hell be on the ballot.

Wood most recently served as a senior investigative counsel for the Select Committee to Investigate the January 6 Attack on the U.S. Capitol. He started his campaign in late June in response to a campaign video released by former Gov. Eric Greitens, a Republican Senate candidate, that showed Greitens carrying a shotgun and hunting his perceived political enemies.

As an independent, Wood is unlikely to win the seat. Missouri has never sent an independent candidate to the Senate. For example, Craig ODear, who ran as an independent against Josh Hawley and Claire McCaskill in 2018, received only 1.4% of the vote in the general election.

However, Wood could have an impact if the upcoming U.S. Senate race is close. He could pull voters away from both the Republican and Democratic nominees.

The former U.S. attorneys campaign is backed by former U.S. Sen. John Danforth. Wood has centered his campaign around the idea that both the Republican and Democratic candidates seeking to replace U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt in the Senate are too extreme and divisive.

Missouri voters want an alternative to the extremes and the divisiveness that theyre getting from candidates of both major parties, Wood told reporters Monday. So no matter who the nominees are, our message is still going to be the same, which is one of helping heal our country, to unite Missourians and to provide a common sense mainstream conservative alternative.

The three candidates leading the Republican field to fill the seat are Greitens, Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt and U.S. Rep. Vicky Hartzler.

Three recent polls show Schmitt surging in the primary while support for Greitens appears to have fallen amid allegations of physical abuse and sexual assault against him.

Wood has also said he doesnt want Missourians to elect a Democrat that would vote for U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and support President Joe Bidens agenda.

Throughout the campaign, Danforth has been running a pro-Wood super PAC called Missouri Stands United. The PAC began running an ad in late June where Danforth spoke to the camera about how the country was too divided.
Garth Brooks must have had a good idea just how well his show went at a completely packed AT&T Stadium on Saturday night.

There was no mistaking the energy the country icon stirred up during his 27-song, two-hour-plus show. If the massive sing-along on every Garth classic by the nearly 90,000 in attendance didnt prove it, Garths completely drenched western button-down shirt sure did.

But still, around midnight, as fans filed out of the stadium, Brooks made a video call to a lucky fan named Brandy to see what they thought of the show.

The video call was part of a Text Garth feature Brooks is experimenting with as his North American stadium tour comes to a close. He plays NRG Stadium in Houston on Saturday to close out his 113-stop tour before playing five shows at Croke Park in Dublin, Ireland, in September.







Did you guys have a good time? Brooks asked. Did you have fun tonight?

Yes, they did.

It was so good, Brooks responded, knowing he had nailed the night.

He introduced wife Trisha Yearwood, who was sitting next to him in the back of an SUV as they were leaving Arlington, likely headed to an airport.

I love you. I cant thank you enough for everything. Safe travels back home. I love you! Brooks shouted at the end of the minute-long call.

On Friday afternoon, Brooks discussed the importance of North Texas in his career, the problems with dynamic ticket pricing, and why hes so beloved in Ireland.

You have a rich history in North Texas. Why is the area so special for you?





Its like coming home, even though Im from Oklahoma, I always thought these people would never take me in, but theyve taken me in like a native son and Im very proud of that. Its good to be back. This is kind of where we started our career. You got the coolest building on the planet and everyone acts like youre doing them a favor for being here, so thats very sweet. It has just been a great home for us.

What are your thoughts about the use of dynamic pricing on tickets? [Dynamic pricing, where the price of tickets for a show fluctuates depending on the demand for tickets, is being used by Ticketmaster ostensibly to prevent scalping, but has basically just made itself the scalper.]

Thats a tough one. [Bruce] Springsteen is going through it right now. Were all watching it. Heres the bottom line for me, and I know this is silly, but I have screamed and screamed as long as youve known me: just knock out scalping. Thats it. Just make it illegal. That way, the price of the ticket is the price of the ticket. The same money is going to be exchanged when scalping tickets, its just now who gets the money, thats the difference. The thing I hate about it, the hardest its on is the fan, the one who allows you to live your dream.

But if you go play Vegas, you do a residency, youre going to do dynamic pricing. Its going to be tough, so residencies are hard, but they always are because of the limited amount of seating anyway.

Would you consider playing Dickies Arena in Fort Worth?

Oh yeah. This will be our last stadium tour. Its just too much on the crew.

It doesnt mean that youre done; youll figure out what youre going to do, but I doubt well ever do an organized tour again. We might just pick spots and do some stuff but not have it clustered as a tour. These guys [the crew] havent been home in months so they need to have the same life theyve given me.

Why are you so big in Ireland?





I have no idea. Because as you could imagine I stick out like a sore thumb there. But ever since Day 1, there was a gentleman named Jim Aiken, he was the promoter over there, he said youve got to come over. Does he have the right guy, I was asking my manager. He said you could do multiple nights here. I was like, Are you kidding me? This was 1991 or 92. Went over to The Point Depot [Dublin] and did nine nights there and you couldnt start a song without them singing it back to you in your accent.

I wish I knew. I have no idea. If somebody said, Hey, man, Ive got the answer, then Id look for that answer would be the music. That would make the most sense for me.
On July 14, the Idaho Statesman editorial board suggested the lieutenant governor had a chance to sit back, kick her feet up, and simply wait out her lame-duck period until she could be replaced. Is this what you expect from your elected officials? Would it even be appropriate for an elected official to do nothing with six months left in a term of office? I would never do that. Its not in my nature to sit back and do nothing, and I think it would be unjust to the taxpayer.

Idaho Lt. Gov. Janice McGeachin.

As Idaho lieutenant governor, I chose to make something more of this job, not just do the bare minimum required by the constitution. During my term of service, I chaired the Regional Efficiency in Government Task Force, hosted a highly effective and popular weekly Capitol Clarity session, served on the Coronavirus Financial Advisory Committee, formed the Education Task Force and raised money for charity.

Additionally, I stood up for the rights of the people even when it meant speaking against my fellow constitutional officers. Some people advised me to get back in my lane, but when the voice of the people was ignored, I couldnt remain silent.

Throughout the remainder of this year, my office will continue to offer comprehensive constituent services, as has always been our priority. We are also working to strengthen our states election integrity efforts and expand school choice.

In pursuit of these goals, I hired Machele Hamilton, an experienced and talented communicator and event coordinator. She is a wife, mother, grandmother and successful business owner. She worked for the Idaho Senate for many years. In the lieutenant governors office, real Idahoans are hired, not lobbyists or IACI staff members.

I am paying Machele a reasonable wage commensurate with her experience and the job duties she is undertaking. (The medias preoccupation with my small budget is quite ironic given how they ignore things like the personal assistant to the governors wife being paid more than the lieutenant governor.)

The editorial implies I am trying to use up funds meant for her successor while she still holds office, in an effort to hamstring them. This is blatantly untrue. I am using approximately half of my appropriated budget, leaving my successor proportionately more money than I had in previous years.

The editors make the misogynistic claim that McGeachin has rarely shown this level of creativity or capacity for strategic thinking. There is no way I could own and operate several successful businesses, maintain a happy family and marriage, serve in the legislature for 10 years and run a successful statewide campaign with no creativity or capacity for strategic thinking.

I have no doubt these fake news keyboard warriors will continue their campaign to sway public opinion with lies and character assaults. I will continue to fight for the people of Idaho and to put America first! As David wrote in Psalm 118, The Lord is on my side; I will not fear; what can man do unto me?
The Illinois Department of Transportation is holding a public meeting about a project to replace an Interstate 64 overpass on the site of a historically Black cemetery.

The meeting will be held at James Avant Elementary School, 1915 N. 55th St., Washington Park from 4-7 p.m. on Aug. 9.

The former Douglas-Lawnridge Cemetery and St. Clair County Cemetery were relocated in the late 1960s to make way for I-64 near Washington Park. But an Illinois Archaeological survey of the site in 2019 led to the discovery of decayed coffin remnants and bones believed to be human.

IDOT is planning a $28.5 million replacement of the Kingshighway (Illinois 111) bridge over the interstate and its ramps. The Aug. 9 open meeting will include updates on project plans. Officials also will welcome input from the community, family and loved ones of those interred in the cemetery sites, according to a state release.

The purpose of the meeting is to provide information about the progress and issues concerning this project and obtain public input, the release stated. Due to the projects location at the former sites of the Douglas-Lawnridge and St. Clair County cemeteries, IDOT welcomes input from the community, families and loved ones of those interred in these cemeteries.

The current bridge that was built in 1973 does not meet the 16 feet requirement for trucks, which is partially what prompted study of the project.

Those attending will be provided with handouts and display boards to review, along with information regarding engineering, land acquisition, environmental processes and public involvement. The project discussion will be led by representatives from IDOT and consultants.

For those who cannot attend, comment forms will be available on the project website. Comments also can be mailed directly to 1102 Eastport Plaza Drive, Collinsville, IL 62234. The public can submit comments via email to Matthew.Meyer@illinois.gov on or before Aug. 23.

Additional information can be found on their website or follow @IDOTDistrict8 on Twitter. The public can view area construction details on IDOTs traveler information map on GettingAroundIllinois.com.
With the death toll reported to be higher than 30 and a number of people still missing, last weeks disaster in southeastern Kentucky is the most deadly flood in decades.

The number of deaths from flooding in the state between 1996 and 2020 was 100, according to the National Weather Service, meaning that in one desperate morning the state surpassed a quarter of the deaths over a quarter of a century.

Not since the 1930s had the state seen more deaths in a flooding event than last week. Here is a look at some of the largest floods in Kentucky in the last century:

1927

The Mountain Eagle newspaper in Whitesburg reported in its June 2, 1927 edition that a cloudburst a few days before had caused flooding that killed 16 people in the county, with others still missing.

Property damage cannot be estimated. Homes are destroyed, livestock and poultry drowned, and whole farms practically ruined, the story said. The fury of the flood far exceeded anything that has ever hit this area in its history.

Arnold Adkinson, who lived near Roxana, said he was leading his wife through floodwater almost to their shoulders when a log hit them, tearing her from his grasp.

That was the last I saw of my wife, he said. The water carried me into a drift pile, where I lay till daylight, sometimes conscious but much of the time not knowing what was happening around me.

Adkinson said when he woke up, the first thing he saw was the body of his mother-in-law lying a few feet away.

January-February 1937

Rain fell almost every day in January 1937 in the Ohio River valley, totaling almost four times the normal amount, pushing the river above flood stage by late in the month.

There was flooding on the river from Pittsburgh to Illinois, but Louisville was hit the hardest. At one point nearly 70% of the city was covered by water, forcing 175,000 people to leave their homes.

The worst catastrophe in the history of Kentucky has fallen upon our people in the valleys of the rivers and streams of Kentucky and the Ohio River, Gov. Keen Johnson said in a statement, according to a history of the flood by the Kentucky National Guard. Thousands upon thousands of families have been driven from their homes without food or clothing.

Tonight they are exposed to the terrific weather without food or the proper housing.

A flood in 1937 indundated much of Louisville.

Accounts of the number of people who died from drowning or exposure varied. The American Red Cross said in a report that 137 people died in nine states, 22 of them in Kentucky, according to an Associated Press story, but other reports placed the number in Kentucky and the region higher.

One of those who died was Sgt. Thomas Brown of Madisonville, a National Guard soldier whose small boat sank while assessing flood damage.

Other cities on the Ohio River, including Paducah, were inundated, and there also was flooding on the Kentucky, Barren and Green rivers.

One report said half of Frankfort was covered by water, causing significant damage and reportedly sparking a riot by panicked inmates as flooding threatened a state prison. The National Guard report said 12 prisoners died.

July 1939

A cloudburst overnight on July 4 and 5 created catastrophic flash flooding in Eastern Kentucky as water cascaded off the hillsides, according to a National Weather Service report.

The U.S. Geological Survey, which studied the flood, said that while reliable measurements were not available, it estimated based on descriptions by residents that rainfall exceeded 12 inches and may have approached 20 inches at the center of the storm.

There were estimates that the water in Frozen Creek, in Breathitt County, rose 20 feet in 10 minutes, the USGS report said.

Residents described the rapid rise variously as an approaching wall of water which billowed up like clouds, a 15-foot wall of water crashing down the valley, or like thunder with livestock, pieces of houses, and countless other things all being whirled together on the breast of the torrent as if in a great mixing pot.

Flooding in northeastern Kentucky in 1939 flipped over this house.

The flooding affected more than 20 counties, but Breathitt and Rowan counties were hit the hardest.

In Breathitt County, the flood destroyed the Kentucky Mountain Bible Institute, 44 houses and 60 barns, and 200 structures were reported damaged or destroyed in Morehead, the weather service said.

The Red Cross said 79 people were killed  52 in Breathitt County, 25 in Rowan County and two in Lewis County, according to the weather-service report.

January  February 1957

The massive flood of early 1957 in Eastern Kentucky and nearby areas of Appalachia held the record in many spots for decades.

Rain fell nearly continuously in the area for around 60 hours from Jan. 27 to Jan. 29, according to the National Weather Service.

Flooding and landslides destroyed or blocked dozens of roads, and food shortages developed because of damage to stores, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) said in a report.

The American Red Cross reported that 597 homes were destroyed, 2,932 were badly damaged and nearly 8,800 more suffered some damage. Most of the coal mines in Pike, Floyd, Letcher, and Perry counties had to close, putting people out of work.

At Pikeville, the Levisa Fork rose from 18 feet on Jan. 29 to 52.7 feet by early the next day. Floodwater reached a depth of 9 feet some places in town and police estimated 400 cars were underwater, according to the USGS report.

A graph in a report from the U.S. Geological Survery shows how quickly the water rose in the Big Sandy River in a 1957 flood.

In Hazard, water was up to 17 feet deep in downtown. All roads into the city were blocked and all utilities were knocked out.

The late Bill Gorman, who was mayor of Hazard for many years, told WYMT-TV for a documentary on the flood that residents initially thought the river would stop rising.

But it just kept coming and kept coming and kept coming, Gorman said.

A flood in 1957 devastated parts of Eastern Kentucky. This aerial photo shows the the North Fork of the Kentucky River inundating Hazard.

Three people in the Hazard area drowned or died of exposure, and an elderly couple died near town when a house where theyd taken refuge caught fire, the report said.

Altogether, nine people died in Eastern Kentucky, the USGS report said.

April 1977

Torrential rains from April 2-5 caused devastating flooding in southeastern Kentucky and nearby areas of West Virginia, Virginia and Tennessee, according to the National Weather Service.

The flood caused major damage on the Upper Cumberland River, and along the Tug Fork, tributaries of the Big Sandy and the North Fork of the Kentucky River.

Officials estimated the damage in Kentucky alone at more than $100 million, the equivalent of nearly half a billion dollars now.

The flooding killed 10 people in Kentucky and a total of another 12 in the other three states.

The flood helped make the case for a series of flood-control projects along the Cumberland River.

March 1997

Heavy rain in Kentucky and southern Indiana caused flooding on the Ohio River and others. Water reached the rooftops at Boston, in Nelson County, and 50,000 houses were affected in Louisville, according to the National Weather Service.

Disaster declarations were issued for more then 90 Kentucky counties, and damage throughout the region was estimated at about $400 million.

One National Weather Service report put the death toll in Kentucky at 19, though another had it at 16.

A total of 100 people died in floods in Kentucky from 1996 to 2020 according to the National Weather service. This map shows the totals by county.

Those who died included a 13-year-old boy trying to help his father clean out a culvert in Shelby County; a 16-year-old boy in Jefferson County whose van was swept away; and a 50-year-old man whose car got stuck as he tried to cross a flooded creek in Franklin County, then drowned as he tried to swim to safety.
Damage assessment and search and rescue operations remain ongoing in Eastern Kentucky four days after catastrophic floods wreaked havoc on multiple counties in the region.

The latest update surrounding the death toll from the floods indicates at least 35 Kentuckians have died.

Heres the latest we know about the catastrophic flooding.

Some Eastern Kentucky schools might delay opening

2:50 p.m.  As communities in Eastern Kentucky work towards rebuilding after devastating floods hit the area last week, some schools wont be able to start the school year on time.

Schools are now operating as shelters in some communities for some of the hundreds of newly homeless. A school in Leslie County is serving as home base for the Kentucky National Guard as it assists people in the region.

Also, at least a few students and school employees have been identified among the dead so far.

Buildings collapsed, staff homeless. Some Eastern KY school districts must delay start date

Governor: Death toll rises to 35

1:22 p.m.  Gov. Andy Beshear announced that the death toll related to the devastating Eastern Kentucky floods has risen to 35.

Beshear previously reported the death toll stood at 30 at a Monday morning press conference, but said more deaths were expected to be confirmed.

More tough news. We have confirmed more fatalities from the Eastern Kentucky floods. Our loss now stands at 35. Pray for these families and for those who are missing. ^AB  Governor Andy Beshear (@GovAndyBeshear) August 1, 2022

World Central Kitchen feeding Eastern Kentucky flood victims

11 a.m.  World Central Kitchen, which provides food to areas in dire need from tornado-ravaged Mayfield to war-torn Ukraine, is now in Eastern Kentucky.

The organization run by chef Jose Andres has set up a hub in Hazard in Perry County at 301 Perry Circle Road and is signing up chefs and other volunteers in shifts to fix sandwiches and meals for those impacted by the catastrophic flooding.

World Central Kitchen is coordinating locations in multiple counties including at the Isom IGA in Letcher County.

Scenes from todays meal delivery in Saul, Kentucky! Twins Abby & Annie were really excited for apples, sandwiches, and fresh, hot plates of chicken & dumplings for lunch. Our Relief Team also learned the pairs favorite color is pink! #ChefsForKentucky pic.twitter.com/6CgtPvALrk  World Central Kitchen (@WCKitchen) July 31, 2022

Nursing homes in Eastern Kentucky evacuated

10:30 a.m.  At least two nursing homes in Eastern Kentucky have been evacuated in areas hard-hit by rising waters.

Residents at the Letcher Manor Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Whitesburg were evacuated to multiple hospitals during the storm, according to a July 29 Facebook post from the nursing home. Residents were supposed to go back to the nursing and rehabilitation center by Monday evening, but that move has since been delayed.

The tentative plan is to bring residents back to the center Tuesday.

Nim Henson Geriatric Center in Jackson was evacuated due to the possible failure of the Panbowl dam in the area. Those residents are still at the Wolfe County Middle School gym in a makeshift nursing home, according to Facebook posts.

How does this flooding event compare to all-time floods?

10 a.m.  With the death toll reported to be higher than 30 and a number of people still missing, last weeks disaster in southeastern Kentucky is the most deadly flood in decades, according to data from the National Weather Service.

In July 1939, a cloudburst overnight on July 4 and 5 created catastrophic flash flooding in Eastern Kentucky as water cascaded off the hillsides. The flooding affected more than 20 counties, but Breathitt and Rowan counties were hit the hardest.

The Red Cross said 79 people were killed  52 in Breathitt County, 25 in Rowan County and two in Lewis County, according to the weather-service report.

Flags ordered at half staff to honor flood victims

9:25 a.m.  Gov. Andy Beshear ordered all state buildings to lower their flags to half staff to honor the Eastern Kentucky flood victims.

The order will go in place at sunrise Tuesday and end sundown next Monday.

I encourage businesses, individuals and organizations throughout Kentucky to do the same, Beshear said. Lets make sure were recognizing the loss that our people have been through.

Governor: 30 confirmed dead, more deaths likely

9 a.m.  Beshear said 30 deaths had been confirmed from the Eastern Kentucky floods but acknowledged that there are additional deaths beyond the 30 confirmed.

While Beshear confirmed 30 deaths, other additional deaths had been confirmed to the Herald-Leader through county coroners.

Power outages eclipse 12,000

9 a.m.  12,492 people are still without power, according to Beshear. Perry, Letcher, Pike, Breathitt and Knott Counties all have over 1,000 individuals without power each, according to Beshear.

Over 150 people are being housed at state parks, Beshear said. Red Cross shelters are housing a similar number of people, according to Beshear.

Fayette County Sheriffs Office accepting donation items

9 a.m.  The Fayette County Sheriffs Office announced Monday it will be collecting donation items for victims of the devastating floods in Eastern Kentucky.

Items that will be accepted are cleaning supplies, non-perishable food items, bottled water and Gatorade, baby formula, diapers, paper towels, toilet paper, paper plates and utensils, generators, clothes, shoes, blankets, sheets, toys and gift cards.

Items can be dropped off at the Fayette County Sheriffs Office at the Fayette District Courthouse at 150 N. Limestone. Donations will be accepted through Friday.

Our fellow Kentuckians in Eastern Kentucky are in great need right now. Our community has shown it is always ready to step up when needed. The Office of Sheriff stands ready to assist in this critical mission, Fayette County Sheriff Kathy Witt said.

New flash flood warning issued in Eastern Kentucky

8:26 a.m.  The National Weather Service branch in Jackson has issued a flash flood warning for various parts of Eastern Kentucky.

Floyd County, Magoffin County, southern Johnson County, southern Martin County, northeastern Breathitt County and northern Pike County are all included in the flash flood warning until 10:30 a.m. Radar indicated that 1 to 2 inches of rain have fallen in the warned areas and an additional 1 to 2 inches of rain are expected.

The National Weather Service said locations that have already seen recent heavy rain will be the most sensitive to additional rainfall.

Gov. Andy Beshear also noted that high winds with Mondays storms are a concern.

You think about how saturated the ground has been. It can knock over poles, it can knock over trees so people need to be careful, Beshear said.

More flooding reported in Letcher, Knott Counties

8:15 a.m.  New flooding has been reported in Knott and Letcher Counties, according to WYMT.

Still shots from downtown cameras show flooding in downtown Neon, which was underwater last week. In Knott County, high water was reported just outside Hindman, in Larkslane and Emmalena.

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet District 12, which services Floyd, Johnson, Knott, Lawrence, Letcher, Martin & Pike Counties, posted pictures on its Facebook page of flash flooding. It said several roads are covered in water in the Fisty, Hindman and Mousie areas along Kentucky 550.

Kentucky 2759 is also blocked by a tree with several downed power lines.

UPS, Kroger will collect flood relief supplies

8 a.m.  UPS and Kroger have announced theyll work together to collect and deliver relief supplies to flood victims in Eastern Kentucky.

There will be donation bins at 10 Kroger stores statewide. In Lexington, the Kroger stores on Beaumont Centre Circle and Richmond Road will feature donation bins. The others are in Louisville, Shelbyville, Georgetown, Corbin and London.

Cleaning supplies and personal hygiene items, including baby wipes, are being requested.

On Thursday, UPS will deliver the donations to Volunteers of America Mid-States and the Kentucky Emergency Management Agency in Manchester.

The Kroger Foundation and The UPS Foundation are also making $25,000 donations to Volunteers for America.

Curfew enforced in Breathitt County

8 a.m.  Curfews are being enforced in areas affected by the catastrophic floods due to looters.

The Jackson Police Department in Breathitt County said itd be enforcing a curfew from midnight to 6 a.m. until further notice. The only exceptions to the curfew are for work purposes, medical emergencies and first responders, according to Jackson police.

The Clay City Police Department, Winchester Police Department and the Clark County Sheriffs Department are assisting with the curfew enforcement.

We will not tolerate anyone taking advantage of our already vulnerable community, read a Facebook post from Jackson police. We have lost enough!

FEMA to process assistance applications in Knott County

7 a.m.  A mobile center to process applications for flood victims seeking federal assistance will open up in Knott County Monday.

The center will be at the Knott County Sportplex on Kenny Champion Loop in Leburn. It will be open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Monday and 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily afterward until further notice.

Federal Emergency Management Agency representatives will be at the center to help with applications for federal assistance and provide information about other disaster recovery resources.

Homeowners and renters in Breathitt, Clay, Knott, Letcher and Perry Counties who are victims of the catastrophic floods are eligible for federal aid. Victims can apply online at disasterassistance.gov or call 800-621-3362.

Feds warn flood victims of fraud, scams

7 a.m.  As flood victims seek help in replacing lost items, FEMA wants to warn people of scams that have caught many victims of natural disasters in the past.

FEMA said that scammers often try to peoples personal information through identity and use that to apply for federal aid. If a FEMA inspector comes to your house or you get a letter from FEMA and you did not submit a FEMA application, you may be a victim of a scam, according to FEMA.

FEMA also said inspectors and officials never collect payment for disaster assistance and never promise a disaster grant in return for payment.

To report fraudulant activity, call the FEMA hotline at 800-621-3362. You can also call the Office of the Attorney General by calling 502-696-5485 or visit their website.

Fraud complaints can be filed online.

Breathitt Co. woman dies when ambulance cant get through flood

7 a.m.  Breathitt County Coroner Hargis Epperson confirmed to the Herald-Leader that a woman died last week because an ambulance couldnt get to her due to the floods.

The woman was suffering from chest pains and died in her husband and daughters arms, Epperson said. Epperson didnt release the victims name.

The total deaths to come from Breathitt County from the floods sits at seven.
A traveler did not declare their McMuffins and other food  resulting in a $1,800 fine, Australia airport authorities said.

The passenger flew from Bali, Indonesia, to Darwin, Australia, with a couple of McDonalds McMuffins and a croissant in their backpack, Australias Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry said in an Aug. 1 news release.

Upon arriving in Australia, officials said the traveler did not declare their food. Zinta, the airports biosecurity dog, noticed the smell and alerted officials, the release said.

Authorities found a variety of risk items: two egg and sausage McMuffins and a ham croissant, according to the release.

The food will be tested for foot and mouth disease and then destroyed, officials said.

Authorities fined the traveler $1,869 for failing to declare the food items and instead providing false paperwork.

This will be the most expensive Maccas meal this passenger ever has, Murray Watt, minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, said in the release. This fine is twice the cost of an airfare to Bali, but I have no sympathy for people who choose to disobey Australias strict biosecurity measures.

Biosecurity is no jokeit helps protect jobs, our farms, food and supports the economy, Watt said.

Indonesia is struggling with a deadly outbreak of foot and mouth disease among its cattle farms, according to a July 13 news release from the International Federation of Red Cross And Red Crescent Societies.

Foot and mouth disease does not exist in Australia, raising concerns that the disease would wreak havoc on the countrys animals and leading the government to impose strict biosecurity measures for travelers from Indonesia, according to the countys Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade on July 29.

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U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong shake hands at Singapore's presidential palace Monday. (Singaporean Ministry of Communications and Information)

U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi held talks with officials in Singapore on Monday at the start of her Asian tour, as questions swirled over a possible stop in Taiwan that has fueled tension with Beijing.

While there have been no official announcements, local media in Taiwan reported that Pelosi (D-San Francisco) would arrive Tuesday night, becoming the highest-ranking elected U.S. official to visit in more than 25 years. The United Daily News, Liberty Times and China Times  Taiwan's three largest national newspapers  cited unidentified sources as saying she would arrive in Taipei after visiting Malaysia and spend the night.

Such a visit would spark fury in Beijing, which regards Taiwan as its own territory and has repeatedly warned of serious consequences" if the reported trip goes ahead.

If Pelosi insists on visiting Taiwan, China will take resolute and strong measures to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said in Beijing, without giving details.

Those who play with fire will perish by it, Zhao said. We would like to once again admonish the U.S. that we are fully prepared for any eventuality, and the PLA will never sit idly by. The PLA, or People's Liberation Army, is China's military.

Chinese President Xi Jinping also warned the U.S. against meddling in Beijings dealings with the island in a phone call last week with President Biden.

China has been steadily ratcheting up diplomatic and military pressure on Taiwan. Threats of retaliation over a visit by Pelosi have driven concerns of a new crisis in the Taiwan Strait, which separates the two sides, that could roil global markets and supply chains.

Beijing sees official American contact with Taiwan as encouragement to the self-governing island to make its decades-old de facto independence permanent, a step that U.S. leaders say they dont support. Pelosi, head of one of three branches of the U.S. government, would be the highest-ranking elected American official to visit Taiwan since then-Speaker Newt Gingrich in 1997.

The Biden administration has tried to assure Beijing that there was no reason to come to blows and that, if such a visit occurred, it would signal no change in U.S. policy.

Taiwan and China split in 1949 after the Communists won a civil war on the mainland. Both sides say they together form one country but disagree over which government is entitled to national leadership. They have no official relations but are linked by billions of dollars in trade and investment.

The U.S. switched diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing in 1979 but maintains informal relations with the island. Washington is obligated by federal law to see that Taiwan has the means to defend itself.

Washingtons one-China policy says it takes no position on the status of the two sides but wants their dispute resolved peacefully. Beijing promotes an alternative one-China principle that says they are one country and the Communist Party is its leader.

John Kirby, a White House national security spokesman, told CNN that the U.S. shouldnt be intimidated by Chinas rhetoric or threats to retaliate if Pelosi visits Taiwan.

We want to make sure that when she travels overseas, she can do so safely and securely, Kirby told CNN on Monday. Theres no reason for the Chinese rhetoric. Theres no reason for any actions to be taken. It is not uncommon for congressional leaders to travel to Taiwan. It is very much in keeping with our policy and is consistent with our support to Taiwan under the Taiwan Relations Act.

A visit to Taiwan would be a career capstone for Pelosi, who increasingly uses her position in Congress to act as a U.S. emissary on the global stage. She has long challenged China on human rights and wanted to visit Taiwan earlier this year.

On Monday, Pelosi met with Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, President Halimah Yacob and other Cabinet members, the Foreign Ministry said.

Lee welcomed a U.S. commitment to strong engagement with the region, and the two sides discussed ways to deepen U.S. economic engagement through initiatives such as the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, the ministry said in a statement.

Lee and Pelosi also discussed the war in Ukraine, tensions surrounding Taiwan and mainland China, and climate change, the ministry said. Lee highlighted the importance of stable U.S.-China relations for regional peace and security," the statement added, in an apparent allusion to reports that Pelosi may visit Taiwan.

In a statement over the weekend, Pelosi said she would also visit Malaysia, South Korea and Japan to discuss trade, the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, security and democratic governance.

She is scheduled to be in Malaysia on Tuesday. A Parliament official, who was not authorized to speak to the media and declined to be identified by name, said Pelosi would call on Malaysian lower house Speaker Azhar Azizan Harun. No further details were immediately available.

On Thursday, Pelosi is to meet with South Korean National Assembly Speaker Kim Jin Pyo in Seoul for talks on security in the Indo-Pacific region, economic cooperation and the climate crisis, Kims office said in a statement.

Kim's office declined to provide further details about Pelosi's itinerary, including when she would arrive in South Korea and how long she would stay.

Pelosi's schedule for Wednesday remains unclear. There were no details on when she would head to Japan.

Pelosi is leading a delegation of several congressional representatives, including Californian Mark Takano (D-Riverside), chairman of the House Committee on Veterans Affairs.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Devastating flooding in Eastern Kentucky led to the evacuations of residents in at least two nursing homes in areas hard-hit by rising waters.

Residents at the Letcher Manor Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Whitesburg were evacuated to multiple hospitals during the storm, according to a July 29 Facebook post from the nursing home.

The nursing home posted Sunday they were working with the Kentucky Department of Public Health to transfer the residents back to the nursing and rehabilitation center by Monday evening.

We are extremely excited to see our residents and to welcome them back home! Thank you all for your continued support and understanding, the post said.

However, on Monday morning Letcher Manor officials said in a Facebook post the relocation of residents back to the Whitesburg nursing home was delayed.

Due to more flooding and unsafe travel conditions, we are having to postpone the transport of residents back to Letcher Manor today. We are working closely with local and state officials to ensure the safety of our residents and staff. We are tentatively looking to bring residents back tomorrow, the post said.

Letcher Manor officials could not be reached for comment.

State officials also did not immediately respond to questions about how many nursing homes had to be evacuated due to flooding or loss of utilities  such as power, water and sewage.

Betsy Johnson, president of the Kentucky Association of Health Care Facilities and the Kentucky Center for Assisted Living, said Letcher Manor evacuated residents prior to the worst of the flooding Thursday.

Last Thursday, they let us know that they were evacuating due to the threat of the flood and that they were in need of wheelchair accessible transportation. Their emergency preparedness plan was implemented when the flood waters started to rise. All their residents are safe and were transported to the hospital, Johnson said. The nursing facility staff are caring for the residents in the hospital setting. They will move their residents back to the facility once the rain stops and the risk for flooding no longer exists.

Between 30 and 40 residents at the Nim Henson Geriatric Center in Jackson were evacuated due to the possible failure of the Panbowl dam in the area and loss of utilities, such as water and septic, said Wolfe County Middle School Principal Nick Brooks.

They had a need and we had the space, Brooks said.

Those residents are still at the Wolfe County Middle School gym in a makeshift nursing home, according to Facebook posts.

Were bunked for now and they are doing remarkably good. We can not say thank you enough for the help from the whole community once again. We are blessed, read the Facebook post from Nim Henson Geriatric Center. Residents are safe and dry, said a July 29 Facebook post.

Johnson said Nim Henson is not a member of the association but said West Liberty Nursing and Rehabilitation, which is a member, was able to take four residents who needed additional nursing care.

On Sunday, members of the Campton United Methodist Church visited as have multiple people and pets from Wolfe County, according to social media posts.

Theyve treated us like we are their own!!! We cant tell how much we appreciate everyone, said a Facebook post from the staff at Nim Henson.

Brooks said the school cafeteria is serving Nim Henson staff and residents breakfast and lunch. Local community groups have brought in dinner every night, he said.

Other nursing homes and long-term care facilities in the area have helped with residents laundry, he said.

Scott Lockard, director of the Kentucky River District Health Department, which includes Breathitt and Wolfe counties, said district staffers helped get supplies such as sterile dressings and were helping at the makeshift shelter.

He lauded the effort to set up and support the operation, calling it a great story about neighbors helping neighbors.

The group is expected to be at the middle school for a few days. When they will return to Jackson depends on when water and sewer systems are fully operational, Brooks said.

Nim Henson staff also added on Facebook that volunteer certified nursing assistants, or CNAs, would be welcome.

Our workers are getting tired but hanging on. The extra help would be appreciated, the post said.

Johnson said the Kentucky Association of Healthcare Facilities is raising money for employees of nursing homes whose homes have been damaged.

Our attention now turns to our displaced caregivers  many of whom have lost their homes due to the flooding, Johnson said. These caregivers put their lives and well being on the line during these emergency events to protect the most vulnerable in their care. We owe it to them to make sure they are also being helped during their time of need.

The association has set up a Paypal account to help employees affected by the floods at www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=SH9CUWALRFFVE.

These workers have lost their homes and other belongings, Johnson said. Workers are also stranded in their homes as flooding surrounds their town and workplace. With this devastation, we are at risk for major staffing shortages. Staffing is crucial in the nursing facility sector. 

LeaderStat, a staffing agency, has stepped up as a resource for nurses in Knott County, Johnson said.

Our nursing homes are open to donations and volunteers as well, she said.
Ten Wichita-area businesses were deemed out of compliance during Kansas Department of Agriculture food and lodging safety inspections conducted July 17-23, reports show.

Among problems inspectors found: a restaurant with cockroach and sink issues bad enough that it had to close temporarily, old Spam and bologna, decaying mice, mashed potatoes in a trash bag and rotting food.

Information about the Sedgwick County businesses and their violations, compiled July 29, appears below with a summary of the problems inspectors noted on their reports. More details, including specific violation descriptions, are posted in The Eagles searchable database of non-compliant restaurant and hotel inspections at www.kansas.com/databases.

Business owners who want to clarify or comment on inspection results that appear in the list can contact Eagle reporter Amy Renee Leiker at 316-268-6644 or aleiker@wichitaeagle.com. Comments will be added to online stories. Businesses are listed alphabetically below.

More than 40 businesses surveyed during the same time period passed their inspections with few or no violations. You can see those at www.foodsafety.kda.ks.gov/FoodSafety/Web/Inspection/PublicInspectionSearch.aspx.

Failing an inspection doesnt necessarily mean a business has to close; thats rare. Most violations are minor and are immediately corrected in front of an inspector after theyre found.

Businesses fall out of compliance with state rules when they have too many violations or certain types of problems that can increase the risk of a customer contracting a food-borne illness, or when a problem cant be fixed right away.

When a business fails, its usually inspected again within 10 days.

To complain about conditions anywhere that serves or sells food to the public, email kda.fsl@ks.gov or call 785-564-6767.

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Cloud Database by Caspio

Recent out-of-compliance inspections:

Banh Mi to Go, 2528 S. Oliver in Wichita  Three violations during a July 19 follow-up inspection. Cited over meats including bologna and ribs that werent cold enough in cooler, pastries with meat and cheese were stored at room temperature instead of in a heated cabinet, old Spam and bologna, old ham, tomatoes stored in plastic T-shirt-style bag instead of food-grade container. Next inspection: Sept. 19.

Corner Market, 2190 N. Rock Road in Wichita  One violation during a July 19 routine inspection. Cited for not having a food thermometer available during the inspection. Next inspection: July 30.

Cousin Hectors food truck, 2847 N. Woodland in Wichita  One violation during a July 20 routine inspection. Cited over lettuce and cheese that wasnt cold enough in a preparation table. Next inspection: July 30.

El Agave Mexican Restaurant, 3560 N. Maize Road in Wichita  Eleven violations during a July 21 inspection prompted by a complaint. Cited over a cook handling tortillas that were ready to serve to customers with his bare hands, storing raw bacon above pineapple in cooler, bottle of Gatorade stored in ice that was used for customer drinks, thawing raw chicken in sink at room temperature without cold running water, French fries werent kept hot enough, carnitas sitting out at room temperature, foods including steak and raw chicken werent cold enough in coolers, no food thermometer, dirty vegetable dicer, not enough sanitizer in bar dishwasher, dirty dishes stored at hand-washing sinks, bottle of glass cleaner was stored with spray nozzle pointed at bottle of tequila. Next inspection July 31.

Little Caesars Pizza, 2548 S. Seneca, Ste. B in Wichita  Fifteen violations during a July 19 licensing inspection. Cited over an employee who touched dough without washing hands after picking up a cellphone off of the floor, employees washing hands in wrong sink, leaving pre-made pizzas at room temperature without a written procedure to do so, cracked and broken equipment, dirty pizza pans and can opener, significant build up of grime and grease on equipment, no water pressure at hand-washing sink in back of kitchen, bathroom sink was used to store bag of clean rags, slow-draining mop sink had a green-ish thick liquid come up as sink was draining, no paper towels at bathroom sink, no sign in bathroom or kitchen telling employees to wash hands, cockroaches both dead and alive in various spots around restaurant, build up of grime, food debris, and grease on walls and under mop sink, under food preparation tables and near sink and on walls and under equipment, restaurant had containers of insecticide rated for household use on site. The business agreed to close voluntarily until the handwashing sink is fixed, sticky traps are changed, and all dead pests are removed from building, according to the report. It reopened later the same day and was found in compliance with one violation noted, another report shows. Next inspection: July 29.

Livingstons, 9747 E. 21st St., Ste. 149 in Wichita  Seven violations during a July 21 routine inspection. Cited for not labeling cooked chicken breasts with preparation dates, quiches stored at room temperature, cooling meat at room temperature without monitoring its progress, Hollandaise sauce wasnt kept hot enough, pans of diced tomatoes not kept cold enough, pans of ham and turkey werent marked with preparation dates, old ham, ready-to-serve mashed potatoes were sitting in a trash bag-lined pan instead of in a food-grade container. Next inspection: July 30.

Mexico Viejo Mexican Restaurant, 6960 W. 21st St. in Wichita  Thirteen violations during a July 19 inspection prompted by a complaint. Cited for not thawing fish properly, ants inside of sugar bin, moldy limes, raw eggs stored above ready-to-eat vegetable mix and beer kegs in coolers, container of tomatoes stored on ice that is used for drinks, refried beans and rice werent kept hot enough, chile pork and other refrigerated foods including overfilled baked potatoes and cheese werent kept cold enough, raw eggs werent cold enough in cooler, dirty can opener, black buildup in ice bin, no paper towels at hand-washing sink, ants crawling on dry beans and rice containers, about 30 ants near rotting food on floor, three dead and decaying mice near mop sink, restaurant had a bottle of Raid flying insect killer that isnt restaurant grade. Next inspection: July 29.

Starbucks Coffee, 2166 N. Amidon in Wichita  One violation during a July 18 inspection prompted by a complaint. Cited for having more than a dozen flies and gnats flying around restaurant mostly around the display case. Next inspection: Aug. 2.

Strouds Restaurant and Bar, 3661 N. Hillside in Wichita  Four violations during a July 18 follow-up inspection. Cited for not storing salad mix at cold-enough temperatures, containers of cooked rice and cooked pork chops werent labeled with preparation dates, not enough sanitizer in dishwasher, spray canister of Microban was sitting among plastic and Styrofoam cups. Next inspection: Sept. 18.

Vora Restaurant European, 3252 E. Douglas, Ste. 106 in Wichita  Two violations during a July 18 follow-up inspection. Cited over vacuum packaging raw meats without an approved plan in place to do, so logs recording information tied to sous-vide food preparation werent filled out. Next inspection: Aug. 2.
The Kansas City Star has filed a motion to intervene in the civil case brought by Lamonte McIntyre, which alleged rampant police corruption in Kansas City, Kansas, in an effort to seek to make records public that have been sealed.

In its filing, The Star asked U.S. District Judge Kathryn Vratil for an order allowing it to intervene in the case. The Star ultimately hopes to obtain records that are in the publics interest by modifying a protective order and vacating another order that allowed some documents to be sealed.

The protective order, in its present form, inhibits the freedom of the parties to provide pertinent information to the Star, which is essential to its First Amendment newsgathering activities, The Stars attorney, Lyndon Vix, argued in the motion.

The motion comes weeks after Wyandotte Countys commissioners voted to pay $12.5 million to settle the lawsuit, which was brought by McIntyre, who spent 23 years wrongly imprisoned, and his mother, Rose McIntyre, who alleged a former police detective, Roger Golubski, framed her son after she rejected his sexual advances.

Their lawsuit brought to light allegations of misconduct against Golubski, including rape, which he has denied.

In 2017, Lamonte McIntyre was freed after serving 23 years for a double murder he did not commit as a teenager in Kansas City, Kansas. He can be seen here with his mother, Rosie.

Under the protective order in the case, information considered confidential includes criminal investigative files and personnel records of current and former employees of the Unified Government of Wyandotte County/Kansas City, Kansas.

Lamonte McIntyre was 17 when he was arrested for a 1994 double murder that he did not commit. He was exonerated and released from prison in 2017. The next year, he and his mother filed their lawsuit in the U.S. District of Kansas, contending that the Unified Government and several police officers violated their civil rights.

The McIntyres accused Golubski of using his badge to extort vulnerable Black women for sexual favors and coerce them into fabricating testimony to clear cases he investigated. He was known, they contended, for putting cases on innocent people to protect drug dealers who paid him with money and drugs which he, in turn, used to operate his network of female informants.

Lawyers for the McIntyres claimed in court records that Golubski victimized, assaulted, harassed or tried to harm more than 70 women.

In court records, Golubski, now 69, has denied engaging in criminal activity. At a 2020 deposition, he was asked if he understood he was being accused of some of the grossest acts of corruption a police officer can commit. He declined to respond 555 times.

On the advice of my attorney, I invoke my Fifth Amendment Constitutional Rights, Golubski mostly replied, reading from a pre-written response.

Former Kansas City, Kansas, police detective Roger Golubski faces allegations in a lawsuit that he used his police badge to exploit vulnerable Black women for sexual favors and coerced some of them into fabricating testimony to clear cases he investigated.

Golubski retired in 2010 from the Kansas City, Kansas, Police Department as a captain after 35 years on the force. He collected his pension and went to the Edwardsville Police Department, where he worked as a detective until 2016.

News broke in October that a federal grand jury was looking into Golubski. It is believed that the federal probe is ongoing.
North Carolina lawmakers received some encouraging news Monday that the states youngest students are recovering from pandemic learning loss.

State Superintendent Catherine Truitt presented preliminary data showing that reading proficiency rates for kindergarten and first-grade students rose sharply over the course of last school year and are now above the national average.

We are really excited to share with you all for the first time that preliminary end-of-year data for kindergarten and first-graders show that North Carolina is moving quicker than the rest of the nation in its early literacy recovery, Truitt told lawmakers.

The information was welcome news after months of reports showing how students have fallen significantly behind academically during the pandemic.

I think you deserve a thank you for that, and also have a piece of cake and lets keep pushing on, said Rep. John Torbett, a Gaston County Republican and chairman of the House Committee On An Education System for North Carolinas Future.

Kindergarten students at Scotts Ridge Elementary in Apex get a lesson from teacher Holly Berk on March 7, 2022.

Years for some to catch up

From mid-March 2020 through June 2021, North Carolina public school students went through periods when only online classes were offered due to COVID-19 concerns.

Multiple national and state studies have shown that the extended period where students were fully or partially remote has had negative academic consequences.

The schools in the districts that were in person the most also tended to be the ones where they maintained student growth, said Jeni Corn, director of research and evaluation in the state Department of Public Instructions Office of Learning Recovery. They werent as negatively impacted.

One DPI study found that students were between two to 15 months behind in reading and math at the end of the 2020-21 school year.

Multiple programs are being used, such as intensive tutoring, to try to get students caught up. But Corn told lawmakers that it could take three or four years to get some students caught up.

Torbett said that means high schools wont be able to help some students get caught up before they graduate.

NC literacy gains

Truitt ended DPIs presentation on Monday by pointing to where gains are being made to address learning loss.

As part of the Read to Achieve program, K-3 teachers use Amplify Educations mClass program to assess the reading progress of their students.

According to DPI, reading proficiency rates at the start of the 2021-22 school year were 27% for kindergartners and 38% for first-grade students. Both grade levels were below the national beginning-of-grade average of 36% in kindergarten and 45% in first grade.

But by the end of the school year, North Carolinas reading proficiency rate with Amplify was 67% for kindergarten and 63% for first grade. Both marks were higher than the national end-of-year proficiency rates of 60% in kindergarten and 62% in first grade.

They were behind the rest of the nation and now theyre ahead, Truitt said.

Truitt told the committee she and her team will meet with Amplify to go through the data in more detail. She said theyll have more information in the coming months.

Truitt credited at least part of the gains to the science of reading, a method of literacy instruction that stresses phonics. The state is paying Voyager Sopris Learning $49.8 million to train 44,000 teachers on how to use the LETRS program.
Zahara Jolie-Pitt, left, and mom Angelina Jolie walk in Washington, D.C., in February. (Alex Wong / Getty Images)

Zahara Jolie-Pitt, the daughter of Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, is officially enrolling at Spelman College in Georgia.

The Academy Award-winning actress announced Sunday that her daughter will attend the historically Black liberal-arts college for women in Atlanta. Jolie shared the news via Instagram, posting a photo of Zahara and her friends in their college gear.

"Zahara with her Spelman sisters!" Jolie wrote. "Congratulations to all new students starting this year. A very special place and an honor to have a family member as a new Spelman girl."

Jolie-Pitt joins a long list of notable Black women who have attended Spelman. Previous students have included Alice Walker  author of the Pulitzer Prize-winning book "The Color Purple"  and actresses Cassi Davis, Keshia Knight Pulliam and the late Esther Rolle, among others.

Jolie adopted Zahara as a 5-month-old orphan in Ethiopia. Jolie and then-boyfriend Pitt traveled to the African nation in 2005 to complete the adoption, and Pitt legally adopted Zahara and older brother Maddox the next year. The former couple have four other children: Shiloh, Pax and twins Knox and Vivienne.

At the end of last year, Jolie and her daughter traveled to Washington, D.C., to meet with advocates and lawyers in an effort to strengthen protections for all groups in the Violence Against Women Act.

"Honored to visit Washington, DC, with Zahara, working with advocates and lawmakers to modernize and strengthen the #ViolenceAgainstWomenAct to include protections for childrens health and safety, communities of color, tribes, LGBTQ survivors, rural areas, and all survivors," Jolie wrote at the time.

"We need reforms including judicial training, trauma-informed court processes that minimize the risk of harm to children, grant programs for technology to detect bruising across all skin tones and create non-biased forensic evidence collection, and protections for the most vulnerable."

The Violence Against Women Act was reauthorized in March 2022. It increased services and support for survivors of violence and expanded criminal jurisdiction for perpetrators.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
YEREVAN, AUGUST 1, ARMENPRESS. The Center for Humanitarian De-Mining and Expertise began clearing operations of remnants of war July 18 in the Davit Bek community of Syunik Province.

In July, the Armenian de-miners cleared an area of 22,000 square meters. During the operations, the de-miners found one 85mm mortar shell, three 100mm mortar shells and one shell projectile.

The clearing operations in Davit Bek continue.
YEREVAN, AUGUST 1, ARMENPRESS. (FPWC Press Release) Representatives of the US Forest Service are in Armenia. They visited the protected areas of the Caucasian Wildlife Refuge (CWR) to learn about the work of the partner Foundation for the Preservation of Wildlife and Cultural Assets (FPWC).

The primary purpose of the visit was to discuss the problems of wildlife in Armenia and the prospects for fire prevention. With the support of the US Forest Service, since 2020, the foundation has been implementing forest fire prevention, capacity building, and technical training of forest rangers in the CWR private protected area managed by the foundation, as well as a number of public awareness campaigns and events and educational programs.

Accompanied by the Director of the Foundation, Ruben Khachatryan, the partners toured the shelter, visited a nursery of native tree species, which was established in 2016 with the support of the US Forest Service, as well as learned about bear rescue, ecotourism, community development and a number of other programs. The foundation employees presented extensive information about upcoming projects to the partners.

"We are glad that we are working closely with the US Forest Service, particularly in the scope of forest fire prevention. The US Forest Service is one of the leaders in the world with its long-term experience, and the exchange of that experience will enable us to fight against wildfires more effectively,"- Ruben Khachatryan noted. He added that it is very important for colleagues to get to know all the programs implemented by the Foundation.

It should be noted that the prevention of forest fires is one of the important points of the policy adopted by the foundation, and a large educational campaign is already being carried out in this direction. In the near future, the fund will present other initiatives related to the sector.
YEREVAN, AUGUST 1, ARMENPRESS. Chief of Staff of the Prime Minister of Armenia Arayik Harutyunyan, who is in Georgia on a working visit, held meetings with Prime Minister of Georgia Irakli Garibashvili and Head of the Government Administration of Georgia Revaz Javelidze, ARMENPRESS was informed from the Office of the Prime Minister.



Irakli Garibashvili welcomed Mr. Harutyunyan's working visit to Georgia and highly appreciated the high level of Armenian-Georgian political dialogue.



It was noted that the relations between the two countries are developing dynamically, which is a good basis for further expansion of partnership.



Arayik Harutyunyan thanked for the warm reception and conveyed to the Prime Minister of Georgia the warm greetings of the Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan. Mr. Harutyunyan emphasized that Armenia is interested in deepening multi-sectoral cooperation with Georgia and promoting the bilateral agenda.



The interlocutors discussed issues related to the agenda of the Armenian-Georgian partnership, referring also to the regional situation and developments.



In turn, Irakli Garibashvili asked to convey his warm greetings to Prime Minister Pashinyan.



During the meeting with Head of the Government Administration of Georgia Revaz Javelidze, issues related to the collaboration between the public administration bodies of the two countries and the reforms implemented in different directions were discussed.
Over 2,000 km of new railway put into service across China in H1

Xinhua) 15:09, July 31, 2022

BEIJING, July 31 (Xinhua) -- A total of 2,043.5 km of new railway lines were put into operation across China in the first half of 2022 (H1), according to the country's railway operator.

This includes some 995.9 km of new high-speed tracks, data from China State Railway Group Co., Ltd. showed.

About 1,462.2 km of new railway lines were put into service in June alone, accounting for over 70 percent of the total new railways launched in the first six months of the year, the company said.

China plans to launch new rail lines totaling 3,300 kilometers this year, according to the Ministry of Transport. By the end of last year, the operating length of China's high-speed railway network exceeded 40,000 kilometers.

(Web editor: Xian Jiangnan, Bianji)
YEREVAN, AUGUST 1, ARMENPRESS. Chief of Staff of the Prime Minister Arayik Harutyunyan had a meeting with Georgian Foreign Minister Ilia Darchiashvili in Tbilisi, ARMENPRESS was informed from the press service e of the Government.

The interlocutors emphasized the consistent development and expansion of relations between the two neighboring and friendly countries, stressing the importance of high-level mutual visits. Reference was made to the processes taking place in the South Caucasus region, as well as other issues of mutual interest.
YEREVAN, AUGUST 1, ARMENPRESS. Foreign Minister of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan had a telephone conversation with US Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Karen Donfried on August 1. ARMENPRESS reports the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia informs that during the telephone conversation, the sides exchanged ideas regarding the existing security environment in the region.

Issues related to the normalization of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan, the Nagorno Karabakh conflict were discussed.

Referring to the solution of the humanitarian problems that arose as a result of the 44-day war, the parties emphasized the need for the speedy release of Armenian prisoners of war and other detained persons.
by Mathias Hariyadi

Fr Marsel Agot criticised the government for raising entrance fee at the expense of the local community. At least 100 tourists cancelled their trip. The Ministry of Tourism says it wants to protect the Komodo National Park.

Jakarta (AsiaNews)  As of today, visiting Komodo and Padar islands will cost 3.75 million Indonesian rupees (US$ 225).

Fr Marsel Agot, a local priest, wrote to the Ministry of Tourism last week expressing concern about the way, the price hike was down. The government has never involved us as residents and local actors in the tourism industry, the priest told AsiaNews.

West Manggarai district was severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and the decision to increase the ticket price to Padar Island and Loh Liang will only undermine our efforts to revive local tourism, he explained.

Part of the Komodo National Park in Manggarai regency (East Nusa Tenggara province), the two atolls are home to the famous Komodo monitor lizards, also known as Komodo dragons, large poisonous native lizards who attract tourists from all over the world.

The government said that the price was increased to reduce the number of tourists and safeguard the environment. "We decided to limit the total number of visitors to a maximum of 200,000 people a year, said Caroline Noge of the Ministry of Tourism.

According to a local travel agency, at least 100 tourists (foreign and local) cancelled their visit after the price increase.

Last week, President Joko Widodo responded to the criticism, saying that, "The Komodo monitor lizard is the same on Rinca Island as well as Komodo Island. One can still go to Rinca if you don't want to go to Komodo or Padar."
by Vladimir Rozanskij

Ukraine and Syria will be the main points of discussion. The Turkey-mediated grain deal between Ukraine and Russia still reverberates. Turkeys sultan defends Russias tsar from Western criticism. Both want to keep their hold on power.

Moscow (AsiaNews)  Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan plans to meet with President Vladimir Putin) on 5 August, at the Russian leaders summer retreat in Sochi (Russia).

The two leaders are expected to discuss the war in Ukraine, grain shipments in the Black Sea, the overall situation in the region, and Syria.

The meeting comes as the echoes of their previous meeting on 19 July in Tehran with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi have not yet died down.

On 22 July, Russia and Ukraine agreed to a deal on Ukraines grain exports, brokered by Turkey. Likewise, Turkey, Russia and the United Nations reached an agreement on Russian food and fertiliser exports.

For some observers, it would be more logical for Erdogan to visit Kyiv, since Turkey is a strategic partner of Ukraine, and one of its main weapons supplier. In addition to that, Ankara controls the Bosporus and the Dardanelles Strait, strategic waterways that Russian ships cannot avoid.

Turkey is also mediating between the two warring countries, and its contacts with Russia appear to have the blessing of Turkeys western partners.

As a NATO member, Turkeys support for the alliances enlargement to include Sweden and Finland was essential; in exchange, the two northern countries agreed to stop supporting the Kurds.

Putin has repeatedly expressed respect and admiration for Erdogan, one of the very few leaders in the world to be so rewarded. In fact, seem to be two peas in a pod.

While their interests have diverged in several contexts with the two have directly facing off, as in Libya and Syria, they have also worked together on a number of projects, like the Akkuiu nuclear power plant.

Turkey also sells weapons and technology to Moscow, while Russian tourists have saved the Eurasian countrys tourist sector. Turkey has also not imposed sanctions on Russia in the wake of the Ukraine invasion.

Speaking on Russias TV TNT, Erdogan defended Putin, stating: You already know the attitude of Western politicians towards Putin. This is not typical of politics. The attitude you show towards him is what you will get.

For the Turkish leader, friendlier relations are needed to achieve something. But domestic considerations are also driving his moves since his electoral fortunes are not as predictable as Putins in Russia.

Over the past few years, Erdogan's party has lost several major cities, even Istanbul. If he loses his almost absolute power, charges, investigations, and convictions will quickly follow.

In 2004, on the wave of the countrys great economic surge, Erdogan was crowned European of the Year", but his meeting with Putin is raising questions about Europes identity.

But, for the two autocrats, the main goal is boosting their power; Putin through war, and Erdogan, through some sort of moral superiority across the East-West divide.
MYANMAR

The head of Myanmars military junta, General Min Aung Hlaing, announced that the state of emergency will be extended by another six months. The military had promised new elections by August 2023, but the timeline slipped before. Even if they were to be held, they would hardly be free and fair. Japanese film director Toru Kubota was arrested recently for shooting a video about protests in Yangon.

PHILIPPINES

Catholic priests in Davao province are campaigning against mining by Asiaticus Management Corporation (Amcor), whose operations were shut down in 2017 for violating environmental laws. Amcor offered a donation to the Diocese of Mati, which the local bishop, Mgr Abel Cahiles Apigo, refused to accept, treating it as an attempted bribe.

EAST ASIA

According to the latest data, factories in the region are still struggling as a result of the pandemic. South Korea's industrial output has declined for the first time in almost two years, while Japan has experienced slower growth in the last 10 months due to persistent supply chain disruptions. Chinese growth has also been sluggish despite an easing of COVID-19 restrictions.

JAPAN

The approval rate of Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida dropped by 12 percentage points falling to its lowest since taking office last October, primarily due to his handling of the pandemic. Currently, Japan has the highest number of new weekly cases. The prime minister has also been criticised over plans to hold a state funeral for slain former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

IRAN  AFGHANISTAN

Yesterday Taliban security forces clashed with Iranian border guards along the border between the two countries, but what happened is not yet clear. According to Iran, the Taliban tried to hoist a flag of the Islamic Emirate on non-Afghan territory. The Taliban reported one dead. Over the past year, the Iranian-Afghan border was the scene of several incidents.

RUSSIA

The Russian Ministry of Agriculture released harvest figures for the first half of 2022, showing a major drop in output: 39.9 million tonnes of grain, 11 million less than last year, threshed wheat was 34 million, down from 40 million a year ago, and so for the whole sector.

KAZAKHSTAN

Some 717 people were convicted in connection with last Januarys riots, Kazakh authorities announced, but no details about the sentences are available. Earlier reports indicated that 83 were jailed for serious offences, while another 512 were released from pre-trial detention.
by Nirmala Carvalho

The archbishop emeritus of Guwahati looks at the popes words and gestures among Canadas indigenous peoples through Indian eyes. No more of that also applies to Dalits, minorities, and the weakest groups in society who still experience abuse.

Guwahati (AsiaNews)  Archbishop Emeritus Thomas Menamparampil of Guwahati spoke to AsiaNews about Pope Franciss words and gestures during his visit to the indigenous peoples of Canada.

Speaking from the eastern Indian state of Assam, where Christianity has a long history of encounter with local tribal peoples, the prelate said that the pope was setting an example and making us think.

In his view, in todays societies, new types of social elimination and insensitivity are emerging that affect minorities and the weakest groups, in ways that are different from those that prevailed during the colonial past.

Speaking from India, how do you feel seeing Pope Francis apologise to the tribal peoples of Canada?

It was truly moving that an ailing Pope Francis thought it a priority to make a penitential pilgrimage, as he called it, to Canada in order to ask the indigenous communities forgiveness for the insensitive harshness of many Christians towards them during the colonial era.

Certainly, the cruelties shown to the indigenous communities in the Americas in that period remain one of the most painful and humiliating chapters of human history.

The pope was asking for forgiveness in deep shame and sorrow on behalf of all of us who have shown ourselves insensitive to the sufferings of feebler individuals and communities in various contexts, even in our own days. He was setting an example and making us think.

We need to admire the communities that have learnt to be self-critical. No more of that, we cry. But in our own situations, we notice similar harshness vis-a-vis Dalits, minorities, and weaker sections.

We find new forms of extreme poverty arising; new types of social elimination taking on crueller expressions; and new styles of insensitivity deepening.

Such things happen no more in the name of colonial conquests or imperial interests, but for the sake of economic achievements or to be winners in trade wars.

From time to time, we need to bend our heads in deep shame and sorrow.

What do you think the Catholic Church in India must still do to really embrace the tribal way of life, traditions and spirituality?

Tribal communities in Eastern India were more fortunate in the colonial era than elsewhere.

The imperial authorities sought to protect their land against dominant groups, thus helping them preserve their culture and traditions.

Some colonial officials studied their culture in greater depth, wrote books on their lifestyles, and enabled them to acquire a better self-understanding and define their identity. Undoubtedly, they were fiercely attached to their identity.

The Church in Northeast India greatly served indigenous communities, assisting them to emerge from their self-isolation, and equipping them with education to find a new place in the emerging world without weakening their ethnic identity, or damaging their cultural heritage, or compromising their traditional values.

Tribal leaders in Northeast India have played prominent roles at the national level. Unfortunately, the culture of opportunism that presses hard on them today from dominant groups in a vicious political climate seems all set to undermine their traditional sense of community, solidarity, and social accountability.

It will be a mighty challenge for the Church to persuade the perceptive and sober-minded leaders among them to struggle against this danger.

The pope in Canada said that today indigenous people have more to teach us about caring and protecting the family. Is it true today in India too?

Pope Francis has amazing expressions like the sapiential wisdom of the masses and ordinary believers.

It is in line with this belief that we can say that indigenous communities the world over have something to teach todays sophisticated society, namely a sense of community, equality, truthfulness, family values, social solidarity, openness to mutual correction, and respect for nature.

They seem to hear more clearly the cry of Mother Earth against our societys consumeristic excesses.

Most of all, indigenous communities, unburdened with the memories of centuries of self-interested struggles among sophisticated societies, are ready witnesses to the genuine human values of sincerity, authenticity, sympathetic understanding, and committed solidarity.

They have much to teach societies that consider themselves more advanced. Hence, we pray that the Holy Fathers voice is not lost among the dominant social philosophies that echo round the world.
by Fady Noun

The incident took place yesterday shortly after noon, reviving memory of the tragedy of 4 August 2020, an unprecedented disaster in the history of the country. Cracks have appeared in what is left of the structure, with more collapses expected. The dust cloud caused by the collapse was effectively contained, lingering for a few minutes.

Beirut (AsiaNews)  Weakened by a fire, part of the Beirut grain silos collapsed late Sunday afternoon, four days before the second anniversary of the explosions of 4 August 2020.

The collapse caused a large cloud of dust, but did not cause any damage, due to the precautions taken by the authorities.

According to an official with the Beirut fire brigade, quoted by L'Orient-Le Jour, the impact of the dust cloud was only felt for 10 to 15 minutes". A security perimeter of more than 600 metres had been established around the site.

Army helicopters then sprayed the dust cloud to reduce the impact of the fallout. When two silos collapsed, some residents of the neighbourhoods near the port did not hear or feel anything, witnesses said.

According to experts, the entire structure was shaken by the large blocks breaking away; cracks appeared in the remaining silos, so more collapses can be expected.

Burning grain stocks inside the silos are expected to further weaken the rest of the metal structure.

On Thursday, a day of national mourning will mark the second anniversary of the unprecedented disaster in the history of Lebanon.

More than 220 people died as a result of the explosions of thousands of tonnes of ammonium nitrate, with nearly 6,000 people injured and entire neighbourhoods in the capital damaged.

Meanwhile, the investigation into the disaster is going nowhere because of legal and political wrangles.
by Arundathie Abeysinghe

The vessel is set to arrive on 11 August; India is none too pleased, afraid that China is using Sri Lanka as a military outpost. Chinese-built ports within the Belt and Road Initiative are the main target. China and India are Sri Lankas main creditors at a time when the island nation is struggling with an unprecedented economic crisis.

Colombo (AsiaNews)  Sri Lanka is in talks with India and China to find an amicable solution to the imminent docking of Chinas Yuan Wan 5 class tracking vessel at the Hambantota International Port.

According to sources from the Belt & Road Initiative Sri Lanka (BRISL), a Colombo-based think tank,[*] the Yuan Wang 5 will dock in Hambantota on 11 August and stay for a week.

The Chinese vessel recently completed a maritime monitoring mission for the launch of the Wentian Laboratory cabin module of the Tiangong space station.

After refuelling, the Yuan Wang 5 is expected to resume "space tracking, satellite control and research activities" in the northwestern Indian Ocean until September.

India is closely monitoring what is going on in its southern neighbour.

Chinese ships first arrived at Sri Lankan ports as far back at the 15th century, during the age of the great Chinese admiral Zheng, BRISL sources noted.

However, Chinas activism in Sri Lanka has caused concern in India; for this reason, it is apprehensive of any development that could bear on its security and economic interests in the island nation, and will take the necessary measures to safeguard them.

India has been monitoring Chinese-built ports of call, from Myanmar to East Africa, part of the Belt and Road Initiative, seen as "a direct challenge to India's interests" since they could be used as military outposts.

Sri Lanka too will monitor any development that might affect Indias security and economic interests and take any step to protect them.

The Sri Lankan Foreign Ministry, the Port Authority of Sri Lanka (SLPA), and the Sri Lankan Defence Ministry authorised the Yuan Wang 5 to dock weeks ago before the new president, Ranil Wickremesinghe, took office.

This raised some eyebrows in India over the timing of the visit to the Chinese-built and run Hambantota Port, undoubtedly seen as an attempt to take advantage of Sri Lankas political crisis.

The last time, a Chinese Navy ship visited Sri Lanka was in 2014, when a submarine docked in Colombo; this angered New Delhi, where the issue was taken up at the highest level.

According to leading government sources, Sri Lanka must manage the situation at a time when the government is negotiating debt restructuring, with India and China as its two largest creditors.

For the South Asian country, which is going through a deep economic crisis, Chinese and Indian cooperation are crucial. However, some observers see the visit by the Yuan Wang 5 as a great opportunity for Sri Lanka and other countries in the region to learn how to develop their own space programmes.

[*] BRISL is an educational and consulting platform centred on cultural, business and technological cooperation under the Belt & Road Initiative (BRI).
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SUV

ICE

An executive car to rival the likes of the BMW 5 Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class seems like the obvious choice. Either that or a challenger for the X5 and GLE, respectively, though it might not exactly be a largein that vein, according to the brands head honcho, Jean-Philippe Imparato.As a matter of fact, they have yet to decide on whether it will be a crossover, an SUV, or a sedan, or perhaps a mix, similar to Toyotas brand-new Crown , or the Peugeot 408. Our offer for a large size vehicle must fit international markets, American, Chinese, European, Imparato said last Friday, quoted by Reuters The Italian automaker still has enough time to decide on the direction the new vehicle will take, as a decision will be taken before the end of the year, Alfa Romeos chief said, adding that we want to find the right mix. And even though it will target the United States primarily, that doesnt necessarily mean that they will assemble it in the NAFTA region.Expected to launch in our market in 2027, one thing is certain: Alfa Romeos upcoming luxury cruiser will be all-electric. Why is that? Simply because the brand plans to go down the zero-emission route exclusively by that year. Thus, in all likelihood, it will launch with several powertrain choices, and since it will be an important product for the company, we wouldnt be surprised if it gets a sporty derivative too that will target enthusiasts, similar to the-powered Quadrifoglio models.
CVT

FWD

AWD

With a wheelbase measuring 2,700 mm (106.3 in), the Seeker is a compact crossover that slots between the Trailblazer and Blazer in the bowtie brands high-riding vehicle portfolio. It packs a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder Ecotec engine, hooked up to a. Chevy hasnt said anything about the output, otherwise rumored to be around 180 metric horsepower, nor if it will be offered in, or both.When we designed the Seeker, we focused on making it expressive and distinctive, efficient, and fun to drive, said the vice president of Design for GM China and GM International, Stuart Norris. It is an SUV that is representative of the latest generation of Chevrolet design through its stunning, youthful, and dynamic exterior and interior.Visually, it combines sharp with soft lines in a modern package. It has a slightly sloping roofline toward the rear that ends with a spoiler, X-shaped face, split-lighting signature, and black plastic cladding on the lower parts of the body. The model will be offered in two different RS trim levels in the Peoples Republic , and the pictured one sports the RS logos on the grille and tailgate, next to the blacked-out Chevrolet emblems and rides on 18-inch alloys.On the inside, it is the double-screen layout that takes center stage. The displays for the infotainment system and digital instrument cluster measure 10.25 inches in diagonal each. The Seeker supports over-the-air updates, runs on the new Xiaoxue operating system, and has wireless Apple CarPlay. Among the gear included, Chevy mentions heated and ventilated front seats with lumbar support, wireless charging pad for compatible smartphones, power tailgate, and a few other gizmos.
NEWS: @AstonMartinF1 announces Fernando Alonso for 2023.



We are delighted to confirm that two-time #F1 World Champion @alo_oficial will join the team from next season on a multi-year contract.



Tap below to read more. ??#WeClimbTogether  Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant F1 Team (@AstonMartinF1) August 1, 2022

Over the years, Fernando Alonso , 41, has raced for different teams, including McLaren and Ferrari. He announced in 2019 that he would not be competing for the 2020 season. However, he joined Alpine (former Renault) in 2021, alongside Esteban Ocon. But that will no longer be the case starting 2023 because he's joining a new squad: Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant Formula One Team, as officially confirmed on August 1, 2022. The news comes a few days after Sebastian Vettel announced his retirement from Formula One.In a statement, Fernando Alonso said about his upcoming move: This Aston Martin team is clearly applying the energy and commitment to win, and it is therefore one of the most exciting teams in Formula One today. I have known Lawrence and Lance for many years and it is very obvious that they have the ambition and passion to succeed in Formula One."The Spaniard continued, "I have watched as the team has systematically attracted great people with winning pedigrees, and I have become aware of the huge commitment to new facilities and resources at Silverstone. No one in Formula One today is demonstrating a greater vision and absolute commitment to winning, and that makes it a really exciting opportunity for me."He added, "I still have the hunger and ambition to fight to be at the front, and I want to be part of an organisation that is committed to learn, develop and succeed. We all appreciate that there is much to be done to get to the front, and that we must apply all our energies in working together to find performance. The passion and desire to perform that I have witnessed convince me to maintain my enjoyment and commitment to the sport. I intend to win again in this sport and therefore I have to take the opportunities that feel right to me."Executive chairman Lawrence Stroll also shared his excitement over Alonso joining the team. The Spanish driver will race alongside his son, Lance: "I have known and admired Fernando for many years and it has always been clear that he is a committed winner like me.Stroll continued, "I have set out to bring together the best people and develop the right resources and organisation to succeed in this highly competitive sport, and those plans are now taking shape at Silverstone. It seemed natural therefore to invite Fernando to be part of the development of a winning team, and we very quickly established in our recent conversations that we have the same ambitions and values, and it was logical and easy to confirm our desire to work together."
EV

SUV

Katee Lauchner lives in Scottsdale, Arizona, and is part of a family that loves Teslas vehicles. As a result, they are now on their fourthmanufactured by the American brand. The Tesla Model X Plaid was meant to fill in the gaps and help the family remain ready for travel at any time. They ordered one and patiently waited for it to arrive.Scheduling a delivery might seem like something very easy to do for most automakers, especially those that do not rely on third parties such as dealerships. But in this instance, the delivery appointment overlapped with the future owners being on a trip. They still wanted the, so no rescheduling was done. The kids got the chance to take a first look at the vehicle.Still, the buyers wanted to make sure everything was alright. They asked if the kids could take an in-depth look, but they were informed that an interior check done by those at home at the time of the drop-off was impossible until delivery was accepted. Despite having doubts, the family decided to say yes on June 30th. Thats when the problems and quality issues started to emerge.The owners kids saw a couple of things that were not suitable for a brand-new vehicle. For example, the gear lettering was somehow already rubbed off. The leather on the seats wasnt looking good either. However, they still wanted to make sure the SUV will be protected and took it for a tint and ceramic coating. Such shops are very vigilant with the cars they take in, so an initial inspection was performed.The technicians found several issues. They noted that the front seats had wrinkled leather, the back seat had a stitching defect, and said the vehicles interior looked used. The shops employees also discovered multiple paint problems, some alignment issues, and a bunch of panel gaps that need fixing.The owners of the Model X Plaid got in touch with Tesla , and they had a service appointment scheduled for the 1st of August. Unfortunately, the company told them to not show up and rescheduled for a later date.Visibly frustrated about what went down with getting their fourth Tesla, Lauchner took to social media to share her experience and ask other owners from the Phoenix area if they encountered similar scenarios.I feel like we got a lemon, wrote the woman on Facebook The owners discussed the situation with the manager of the Tesla Service Center in Scottsdale. They were told that new seats and a shift changer had already been ordered. The experts also added the wi-fi interface card to that purchase since it was missing from the factory.The buyers of the $139,000 Model X Plaid are now waiting to get their all-electric SUV fixed on August 24th, almost two months after it was delivered to them.
kWh

The new practical tests phase for the battery-electric eActros has initiated in Germanys Northern Black Forest, with the first truck-trailer combo delivered to Logistik Schmitt for endurance testing.Mercedes-Benz Trucks, which is part of the Daimler Truck (Stuttgart, Germany) division, already accepts orders for this configuration that has the ability to transport twice as many load carriers.According to the company, the eActros truck has covered over 70,000 kilometers (43,500 miles) on more than 7,000 trips it completed since 2019, when testing began. Mercedes-Benz Trucks uses the etruck for several of its routes as part of the long-term testing process, and it will continue to transport transmission housings and axle components to Daimler Truck factories located in Rastatt and Gaggenau. The eActros is covering nearly 300 kilometers (186 miles) every day as part of this operation.Starting an intensive exchange with customers at an early stage is an integral part of our vehicles development. For this reason, our team has been supporting the practical stage of eActros testing at Logistik Schmitt since 2019, said Steffen Maier, head of customer testing at Mercedes-Benz Trucks. Following the successful launch of series production last October, we are now gradually expanding the range of applications for the eActros.As mentioned, the truck-and-trailer combination reaches a total weight of 40 tons, but for customers, more important than total weight is its ability to offer considerable more transport volume.The electric truck deployed to Logistik Schmitt is an eActros 300, designed for operation with a trailer and fitted with a center-axle Rockinger trailer coupling. The accompanying trailer features an internal length of 7.28 meters (23.8 feet) and a permissible gross weight of 18 tons.The eActros with a trailer is currently the biggest Mercedes-Benz electric vehicle available, at least until the Mercedes-Benz eActros LongHaul semi comes out.The standard versions of the Mercedes-Benz eActros, the eActros 300 and eActros 400, come with 336and 448 kWh battery packs, respectively, offering a range of up to 400 kilometers (250 miles).
For a few years now, humanity has gotten itself used to seeing orbital rockets coming down to land, only to be used again. Reusable is how we now call them and, put in the news by Elon Musks SpaceX, are now expanding at an accelerated pace and will most definitely define the future.One company working on a reusable rocket is called Rocket Lab. Weve talked about it before here on autoevolution, seeing how the crew, established 16 years ago, is a very active one and already has two rockets in the works: Electron and Neutron.Neutron, expected to take its first flight in 2024, is described as the perfect tool for mega constellation deployment, deep space missions, and human spaceflight. Both the first stage and the fairing are fully reusable.Standing 40 meters (131 feet) tall and powered by a combination of liquid oxygen and methane, it should be able to lift 13,000 kg (28,660 pounds) of cargo to low-Earth orbit or send 1,500 kg (3,300 pounds) all the way to Mars or Venus.The rocket can do this thanks to seven engines called Archimedes, capable of pushing a combined 1,300,000 lbf of thrust.Rocket Lab plans to launch the Neutron from the NASA Wallops Flight Facility and Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport. Theres quite some time left until that time, but here is the Neutron in action in an unofficial animation by Hazegrayart , in case you needed to feast your eyes on something other than Falcon 9s and Starships.
Slow mode of an Embraer 190 landing at St.Maarten



???? meskal44 pic.twitter.com/J7YfMa18oj  Airplane Pictures ? (@ilove_aviation) July 30, 2022

Getting to Sint Maarten is not rocket science. All you have to do is board a plane from where ever you are, and fly to the islands Princess Juliana International Airport. It should be a smooth flight, no matter where youre coming from, but it will most definitely end in screams of fright and awe. Not for you or anyone on the plane, but for the people on the island.You see, the airport is located extremely close to Maho Beach. Well, we could even say it is on the beach. A short strip of sand is all that separates the water from the asphalt of the runway. And its a beach always filled with people, who come there for mostly one thing: play some sort of chicken with airplanes.You see, when they land planes come from out over the water and fly right over the beach, literal inches away from peoples heads. When they depart, they do so facing the same way, and allowing people to be blown away by the engines' jet blast - just Google St. Maarten jet blast, see what happens...Over the weekend, we were reminded by the crazy stunts people pull over on Maho Beach by a video posted on Twitter by Airplane Pictures. It doesnt reveal when it was shot, but given how these things take place there on a regular basis, it doesnt really matter.The slow-motion clip shows an Embraer 190 known as the Empress of London City and operated by BA Cityflyer, coming in to land right over the raised hair of the onlookers. And despite being a very short clip, it will definitely make you gasp.
The British military has already been intensively testing different types of robotic vessels , from minesweepers to patrol boats. Drones are another important part of the equation. In the future, autonomous aircraft could work hand in hand with autonomous vessels. NavyX is the name of the program thats dedicated to getting this type of technology from concept to operational asset as fast as possible.This is the Royal Navys Autonomy and Lethality Accelerator, gathering experts who are developing and testing the latest technology before rolling it out. These guys really move fast  the latest ship to join the fleet was purchased, adapted for the Navys use, and delivered in just 12 months. Since its part of NavyX, you can already tell that its no ordinary boat.The XV Patrick Blackett is a floating testbed for technological innovations and autonomous systems. Instead of overloading the Navys regular ships, which are most of the time deployed in faraway places, this new ship will be entirely dedicated to experimentation.The famous Damen Shipyard in the Netherlands is the one that built the test ship. Its a Damen 4008 Fast Crew Supply ship with a length of 42 meters (138 feet) and a 297 GT, able to go as fast as 20 knots (23 mph/37 kph). It was also modified to support NavyX military operations.This includes an innovative plug-and-play configuration that supports a new concept called PODS (Persistently Operationally Deployed Systems). Basically, the ship will be versatile enough to be adapted to different types of experiments and tests. Plus, its work deck is fitted with container secure points that allow a wider range of payloads to be embarked. A five-people crew will be handling this new beast.Some of these future experiments include drones, autonomous vessels , and AI decision-making. According to the Navy, this new floating vessel might also be fitted with autonomous technology in the future. Until then, its gearing up to take part not just in the Navys experimental missions but also in NATO exercises.The new XV Patrick Blackett was named after a former Royal Navy sailor and physicist. Blackett not only served in the Royal Navy in WWI and played an important strategic part during WWII but also won the Nobel Prize for Physics in 1948. There couldnt have been a more fitting name for this new experimental vessel thats also meant for game-changing missions.
But so often left out in the story of America's early missions in space is the herculean effort that went into retrieving astronauts and their ships out of the ocean when it was all over. Though the Apollo missions were entirely in the realm of NASA , the task of recovering the returning astronauts out of remote parts of vast oceans fell in the hands of the United States Navy.Be it the Atlantic or the Pacific, the NASA philosophy of human-crewed spaceship splashdowns over water instead of land left these oceans littered with freshly returned spaceships for the Navy to recover. Their efforts never failed to get the astronauts home in one piece. But their spacecraft? Not so much.Indeed the idea of plucking space junk, usually with living beings inside of them, out of the ocean is a profoundly American concept. NASA's perennial rivals at Roscosmos were notorious for delivering their cosmonauts from orbit over solid land. Whether or not they wound up in Soviet territory or not was a matter of contention at points. In the early days, cosmonauts were even expected to bail out from their spacecraft and float down on their lonesome.Yuri Gagarin's first ever trip back from orbit was made in this fashion. When viewed from this perspective, soft water landings on inflatable pontoons sound like a safer bet of getting home alive. The first recovery of an object that flew into space by an American Navy crew occurred on May 28, 1959. On that day, the USS Kiowa fleet tug recovered the nose cone of a Jupiter class booster rocket/ ballistic missile off the coast of North Antigua in the Caribbean.The U.S. Air Force conducted this test of a Jupiter launch vehicle, but the same principle was to be applied to human-crew-rated NASA spacecraft for many years to come. The first unmanned test of the crew capsule for Project Mercury, the first American manned space program, was recovered by the destroyer USS Strong 1,500 miles off the coast of Florida on September 9, 1959. During this period, the Navy recovered a litany of chimpanzees launched aboard test vehicles.The Navy was back in action for Freedom 7, the first American spaceflight mission piloted by astronaut Alan Shepard recovered aboard the aircraft carrier USS Lake Champlain. In the early days of project Mercury, Navy crews flying Sikorsky H-34 cargo helicopters were tasked with fastening the spacecraft to a tether, uprighting the ship, and allowing the astronaut to exit the craft and attach their space suits to hoists to bring them into the cabin of the helicopter.On the subsequent mission, Liberty Bell 7, the spacecraft was lost due to a premature detonation of the hatch door firing pins in the water, nearly bringing astronaut Gus Grissom down with it. Grissom was transported without his spaceship to the Essex-class aircraft carrier USS Randolph, the base of operation for the same helicopter that'd just failed to recover the Mercury No.11 spacecraft.It was determined a lack of a safety raft combined with the rotor wash of two helicopters contributed to a disturbing lack of safety, and procedures were promptly changed. The spacecraft would sit at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean until 1999. From 1961 through 1975, 30 different spacecraft from all three American manned space programs made their way onto the decks of American warships . From Mercury through Gemini and Apollo, everything from destroyers, amphibious assault ships, and full-blown aircraft carriers were employed to bring astronauts safely home from their time spent in low Earth orbit or, in the cases of Apollo 8 through 17, on or in the orbit of the Moon.At the conclusions of Apollo 11 through 14, American Navy ships brought a particularly strange cargo to greet returning crews after their historic moonwalks. If you can believe it, NASA, as well as the Department of Defense, were very concerned about some form of an extraterrestrial organism or "Moon bug" back from the Lunar surface.As a precaution against this paranoia, a specially constructed Airstream trailer was carried aboard the decks of the aircraft carriers USS Hornet Iwo Jima and the amphibious assault vessel the USS New Orleans. Here, returning astronauts would quarantine with a team of scientists, doctors, and mission specialists for up to three weeks while their ship transported them back to U.S. Navy bases to eventually be transported back home to the States.The last NASA spacecraft splashdown recovery mission occurred in the aftermath of the joint Apollo-Soyuz mission on July 24, 1975, aboard the USS New Orleans. An intentional manned spacecraft splashdown over a body of water wouldn't occur again until August 2, 2020, with the first human-crewed orbital flight of the Space X Dragon spacecraft.As this was a privately funded affair, it was also the first time a privately owned offshore supply ship, the GO Navigator, was used for the historical recovery. If all goes according to plans, NASA's Orion spacecraft should be soon to join this list as soon as 2024, with the return trip of the Artemis II circumnavigation of the Moon. The ship used to recover that mission remains to be seen.Get ready for a month dedicated to all things on the water , from warships to submarines and so much more, here on autoevolution.
Maybe that was going through the mind of the buyer who paid $400,000 (390,842 euro) plus an additional $40,000 (39,084 euro) in auction fees for a 1977 Pontiac Trans Am that is identical in appearance to the car that appeared in the hit film.Realizing in today's money, $400,000 would amount to somewhere in the neighborhood of $1.9 million (1.856-million euros), the irony of the figure paid is difficult to overlook.In actuality, the jet black, T-topped coupes with the distinctive golden firebird on the hood used in the film were 1976 models updated to look like 1977 models.The buyer was clearly driven to outbid all others parties, given the condition of the car. It appears to have just rolled out of a photo shoot for a Pontiac marketing campaign with all original features; Uniroyal steel-belted radial tires mounted on gold anodized wheels, gold decals, Hurst T-tops, and gold dash detail. The car still has the original factory protective tape on the door sills and a partial genuine Pontiac window sticker.The most alluring detail of the car may have been the read on the odometer: just 14.8 miles (23.88 km).In fact, the car was owned by Pontiac until it suffered some damage while on a promotional tour in North Carolina. The company then donated it to a local vocational high school for repairs, where it was then sold to a collector. The collector stored the car for years before selling it in 1997.Charlie Herman, the most recent owner, told Fox News the car had been kept in perfect running condition.The selling price was roughly triple what the collector car insurer Hagerty estimated the value of the car to be. The promotional car for the film was gifted to Burt Reynolds, who owned and drove it until 2014, and was sold in February 2022 at a Barrett-Jackson auction for $495,000 (483,454 euros)The car sold at Mecum is possibly the lowest mileage 1977 Trans Am in existence and is also the highest price paid for a model without a direct connection to the movie.
Veloroof was developed by a Spanish company and is described by its manufacturer as the guardian angel of your bike and the first distance sensor for your bicycle rack.The device was designed last year, with Andre Jaramillo, the founder of the Veloroof company, explaining that he came up with the idea for the sensor after he returned from a family trip to the beach. His bikes were on the car roof but he forgot they were up there and entered a parking lot with a limited height. You can easily figure out the outcome and lets just say that two innocent, high-end carbon bikes were destroyed beyond repair. But the silver lining was that out of the horrific accident, the Veloroof was born.The Veloroof is a distance sensor that offers both sound and light warnings. The device is easily detachable and can be mounted either on the bike itself or on the front of the bike rack. It uses a patented system that helps drivers prevent the collision of the bikes carried by car, whether they are transported on the car roof, or in the rear. It can also be used with trailers, motorhomes, and more.Veloroof comes with long-range Bluetooth and works by using its sensor to measure distance and height and then sending the pocket receiver sound and light alerts. The sensor detects obstacles up to approximately 65 ft (20 m) in front of itself and at an upward angle of 45 degrees.The distance sensor is now available on Indiegogo and you can get one for $54. The estimated shipping date is this December.
Full Self-Driving

FSD

Another interesting #BlueCruise detail...



Recent data shows @Ford customers are driving hands-free most between:



Dallas ? Houston

Salt Lake City ? Las Vegas

& Cape Canaveral ? Ft. Lauderdale



What is your favorite stretch to drive so far? https://t.co/PVXpmu6S0N  Jim Farley (@jimfarley98) July 29, 2022

BlueCruise is Fords take on the Tesla Autopilot, aiming to offer drivers relief in those rush-hour traffic jams. The system was praised by U.S. regulators for keeping drivers in check better than Teslas counterpart, which made some believe that BlueCruise is actually better. Even though there are caveats, Fords BlueCruise milestone is actually a big deal, bringing automated driving closer to becoming a reality.According to Jim Farley, Ford customers use the system to drive hands-free, mostly between Dallas and Houston, Salt Lake City and Las Vegas, and Cape Canaveral and Fort Lauderdale. These routes are predominantly highway connections, which shows that BlueCruise still has a long way to go before being allowed to drive inside cities. Indeed, BlueCruise can only be activated on vetted sections of highways, with about 130,000 miles of North American roads included in the so-called Hands-Free Blue Zones.As Ford looks to bring more users into the BlueCruise bandwagon, the Blue Oval uses the power of software updates to offer hands-free driving to more vehicles. Unfortunately, Ford can only offer BlueCruise functionality to users who opted for Fords Co-Pilot 360 Active 2.0 Prep Package when they ordered their car. This vastly restricts the fleet of compatible vehicles.Unlike Ford, Tesla offers its Autopilot hardware on all vehicles. Many of those buying a Tesla also opt for the more advancedcapability, worth $12,000. Teslasoftware allows hands-free driving on all roads, even those unmarked on a map . According to Tesla data, around 100,000 FSD beta-testers amassed more than 35 million miles driven. Even though the numbers seem comparable, we should consider the different capabilities of the two systems.
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Axel was killed in an anti-terror operation on Saturday

Srinagar

The Army on Sunday in a military ceremony paid homage to elite assault dog Axel who lost his life in anti-terror operation in at Wanigam Bala in Jammu and Kashmir's Baramulla district on Saturday.

The ceremony was held at HQ 10 Sect RR Hyderbaig, Pattan.

It was attended among others by Maj. Gen. S S Slaria, GOC Kilo Force and Officers and ranks of 10 sect Rashtriya Rifles.

In addition the Officer Commanding, 26 Army Dog Unit and Axel's handler also paid last respects to the fallen canine.

On Saturday, the army had launched an anti-terror operation in Baramulla.

Axel was sent inside a house to monitor the movement of terrorist. The dog was killed in terrorist firing.

ALSO READ: Militancy, its ecosystem wiped out from many JK areas: Manoj Sinha

During the encounter one terrorist was killed and three security personnel injured.
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This Oct. 26, 2021, photo provided by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation shows Fernando Torres Lopez. Lopez, who is serving a 19-year, eight-month sentence for various charges including attempted second-degree murder, allegedly attacked fellow inmate Uriel Otero, in the dayroom at Pelican Bay State Prison, on July 29, 2022. Otero died later that day from his wounds.
You can reach Ishani Desai at 661-395-7417. You can also follow her at @_ishanidesai on Twitter.
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YREKA, Calif. (AP)  At least two people have died from a raging California blaze that was among several menacing thousands of homes Monday in the Western U.S.

Two bodies were found inside a charred vehicle Sunday in the driveway of a home near the remote community of Klamath River, the Siskiyou County Sheriffs Office said in a statement. The names of the victims and other details weren't immediately released.

The McKinney Fire in Northern California near the state line with Oregon exploded in size to nearly 87 square miles (225 square kilometers) after erupting Friday in the Klamath National Forest, firefighting officials said. It is Californias largest wildfire of the year so far and officials have not yet determined the cause.

Gusty winds from a thunderstorm powered the blaze of a few hundred acres into a massive conflagration while lightning caused a couple of smaller blazes nearby, including one near the community of Seiad Valley, fire officials said.

On Monday, heavy rain helped dampen the fire but it still threatened structures after torching more than 100, ranging from homes to greenhouses, fire and sheriff's officials said.

About 2,500 people remained under evacuation orders.

If you get an order, that means go. This fire behavior, as you'll hear, is incredible. Don't try to fight it. Don't try to stick around," Siskiyou County Office of Emergency Services Director Bryan Schenone said at a community meeting Monday evening.

Stormy and cloudy weather helped fire crews attack the blaze, and bulldozers had managed to ring the town of Yreka, fire officials said.

As of Monday, the blaze was about 4 miles (6.4 kilometers) from the town of around 7,500 people.

Valerie Linfoot's son, a fire dispatcher, called to tell her their family home of three decades in Klamath River had burned. Linfoot said her husband worked as a U.S. Forest Service firefighter for years and the family did everything they could to prepare their house for a wildfire  including installing a metal roof and trimming trees and tall grasses around the property.

It was as safe as we could make it, and it was just so dry and so hot and the fire was going so fast, Linfoot told the Bay Area News Group. She said her neighbors have also lost homes.

Its a beautiful place. And from what Ive seen, its just decimated. Its absolutely destroyed, she told the news group.

In northwestern Montana, winds picked up Monday afternoon on a fire burning in forested land west of Flathead Lake, forcing fire managers to ground all aircraft and leading the Lake County Sheriffs Office to start evacuating residents on the northeastern corner of the fire.

The fire was putting up a lot of smoke, creating visibility problems for aircraft, said Sara Rouse, a spokesperson for the fire management team.

The fire, which started Friday afternoon near the town of Elmo on the Flathead Indian Reservation, measured 20 square miles (52 square kilometers), fire officials said.

The Moose Fire in Idaho has burned more than 85 square miles (220 square kilometers) in the Salmon-Challis National Forest while threatening homes, mining operations and fisheries near the town of Salmon. It was 23% contained Monday.

And a wildfire raging in northwestern Nebraska led to evacuations and destroyed or damaged several homes near the small city of Gering. The Carter Canyon Fire began Saturday as two separate fires that merged. It was about 30% contained by early Monday.

In California, Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency Saturday, allowing him more flexibility to make emergency response and recovery effort decisions and to tap federal aid.

Scientists have said climate change has made the West warmer and drier over the last three decades and will continue to make weather more extreme and wildfires more frequent and destructive.

The U.S. Forest service shut down a 110-mile (177-kilometer) section of the famed Pacific Crest Trail in Northern California and southern Oregon. Sixty hikers in that area were helped to evacuate on Saturday, according to the Jackson County Sheriff's Office in Oregon, which aided in the effort.

___

Weber reported from Los Angeles. Associated Press reporters Amy Hanson in Helena, Montana; Margery Beck in Omaha, Nebraska; and Keith Ridler in Boise, Idaho, contributed to this report.
The Beaumont Public Health Department reported the first case of monkeypox within the city on Monday, according to a city of Beaumont news release.

The department's Epidemiology Division is still investigating and gathering details on the case. The news release states that the general public is currently "not considered at risk."

In the past week, monkeypox cases in Texas have nearly doubled, going from 183 confirmed cases to 338. Out of those cases, 72% are individuals between 18 and 39, according to data from the Texas Department of State Health Services. Only six of the 338 cases in Texas are among women.

The state public health department region that includes Southeast Texas and Houston has more than doubled in the past week, from 51 confirmed monkeypox cases to 105.

Port Arthur still has no confirmed monkeypox cases, according to Port Arthur Health Department Director Judith Smith.

"Monkeypox can spread through contact with body fluids, lesions, or shared items that have been contaminated with fluids by a person with monkeypox such as bedding," the news release states. "Monkeypox can also spread through respiratory droplets to persons in close proximity after prolonged exposure (over three hours). Symptoms of monkeypox may include rash, fever, swollen lymph nodes, and body aches."

RELATED: State and local health departments make monkeypox plan as cases rise

Beaumont Public Health Department Director Kenneth Coleman said since monkeypox is a new virus in the United States, there are not as many facilities equipped to test for the infection.

Coleman said if there is a suspected case in Southeast Texas, the specimen gets sent to Houston for preliminary testing.

"They do preliminary tests and if it comes out positive then they have to send it off to the Centers of Disease Control for confirmation," Coleman said. "Once the CDC confirms that is the actual case of monkeypox then it comes back down that same little process, so to speak, then it gets reported to the to the local jurisdiction where the person resides."

Currently, vaccines are only available to those who have been exposed to the virus, according to the Department of State Health Services.

"However, if cases continue to increase at the current pace, the need will surpass the vaccine supply," the agency said.

According to the agency, monkeypox is a preventable disease and people play an important role in stopping its spread.

RELATED: July COVID-19 cases in Beaumont are already 7 times higher than April

"Most cases in Texas have spread through close, intimate contact with someone who has monkeypox," the agency says. "Risks include having sex, kissing or hugging someone with monkeypox or sharing cups, utensils, bedding or towels with them."

The Beaumont Public Health Department is working with local, federal and state partners to monitor the situation, according to the Beaumont news release.

"Monkeypox cases are accruing nationwide within sexual networks," the news release states. "Persons who are at high risk for monkeypox exposure should be aware of their risk and seek medical attention through their primary care provider if they develop any symptoms of monkeypox."

For Beaumont residents with a suspected or confirmed monkeypox case, report the case to the Beaumont Public Health Department, Epidemiology Division (409) 654-3603 or fax a report to (409) 835-2545.
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SAN DIEGO (AP)  The Supreme Court on Monday certified its month-old ruling allowing the Biden administration to end a cornerstone Trump-era border policy to make asylum-seekers wait in Mexico for hearings in U.S. immigration court, a pro forma act that has drawn attention amid near-total silence from the White House about when, how and even whether it will dismantle the policy.

The two-word docket entry read judgment issued to record that justices voted 5-4 in a ruling issued June 30 that the administration could scrap the Remain in Mexico policy, overruling a lower court that forced the policy to be reinstated in December.

Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said shortly after the Supreme Court victory that justices would need to communicate the decision to a lower court, which, in turn, should lift the order to keep the policy in place in a lawsuit filed by the state of Texas. Beyond that, administration officials have said little, including whether any of the thousands subject to the policy since December will be allowed to enter and remain in the United States while their cases are being considered in immigration court.

The White House and Homeland Security Department had no immediate comment on the Supreme Court certification; the Justice Department declined comment. Officials in Mexico had no immediate comment.

About 70,000 migrants were subject to the policy, known officially as Migrant Protection Protocols, or MPP, from when former President Donald Trump introduced it in January 2019 until President Joe Biden suspended it on his first day in office in January 2021, fulfilling a campaign promise. Many were allowed to return to the United States to pursue their cases during the early months of Biden's presidency.

Nearly 5,800 people have been subject to the policy from December through June, according to figures released Friday, a modest number that would make any reluctance to end it seem less plausible. Nicaraguans account for the largest number, with others from Cuba, Colombia and Venezuela.

A sign posted last week at the entrance to the Salvation Army migrant shelter in Tijuana, Mexico, by the United Nations' International Organization for Migration appeared to best capture the public understanding of the policy's status: Wait for official information! The Remain in Mexico (MPP) program remains in effect. The United States government will inform you of any changes.

Critics of the policy have been increasingly outspoken about the Biden administration's reticence on Remain in Mexico, and Monday's certification renewed their calls for an immediate end to the policy.

It's a zombie policy, said Karen Tumlin, founder of Justice Action Center, an immigration litigation organization.

The final move may rest with U.S. District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk in Amarillo, Texas, a Trump appointee whose ruling last year brought Remain in Mexico back.
With Texas being the fifth cheapest state to buy a home in, two cities in the state are part of the top 10 U.S. destinations for homebuyers leaving other American metropolitan areas, according to a July housing report from Redfin.com. San Antonio and Dallas were two of the most popular places homebuyers were seeking to move to in the second quarter of 2022. Overall, a record 32.6% of Redfin.com users nationwide looked to move from one metro to another during this time, the report said.

While housing costs are rising upwards of 20% year over year in 13 states, those who can still afford to move are relocating to areas with lower home prices, according to the report.

The typical home in San Francisco or San Jose now costs more than $1.5 million. Add in todays 5%-plus mortgage rates and you have a sky-high monthly payment, Redfin Deputy Chief Economist Taylor Marr said in the report. Those factors, along with more companies giving employees the permanent flexibility to work remotely, are driving a larger portion of buyers to consider homes in other parts of the country. Someone who would have to stretch beyond their budget in Los Angeles may be able to comfortably afford a home in Phoenix or San Antonio.

Miami, Fla. was the most popular destination for relocating homebuyers in the second quarter of 2022, which was unchanged from the first quarter of the year, according to the report. Of the 10 metros with that gained that most people, four were in Florida. Other cities in the top 10 included Phoenix, Ariz., Sacramento and San Diego, Calif. and Las Vegas, Nev.

San Antonio gained 5,335 people in the second quarter of 2022, up from 4,356 over the same period last year, according to the report. Austin was the overall top place people moved to San Antonio from. The average price for a home in the Austin-Round Rock metropolitan area was $668,952 as of June 2022, according to the Texas Real Estate Research Center, which is about 50% more expensive than the average home price of $401,447 in the San Antonio-New Braunfels metro area.

While Dallas was one of the top destinations for homebuyers, the city saw a decrease in its net population gain. In the second quarter of 2021, 7,458 homebuyers moved to the city compared to 4,964 in the same period this year, the report shows. Inflow into Dallas is beginning to slow down due to home price increases in the North Texas metro, according to Redfin.

At a $561,430 average home price as of June 2022, the Dallas-Irving-Plano metro area already has a higher average housing cost than the state ($440,707) and the San Antonio area, Texas Real Estate Research Center data shows. The price is also increasing at a faster rate than the state. Between June 2021 and June 2022, the average home price increased 12.4% for the state, while in the Dallas area it increased 17.19%.

Los Angeles, Calif. was the top out-of-state place of origin for those moving to both San Antonio and Dallas, the report shows. In addition to the Southern California city, San Francisco, Calif., New York, N.Y., Washington D.C. and Seattle, Wash. were the top places homebuyers were moving out of in the second quarter of 2022.
This summer, the Lone Star Flight Museum at Ellington Airport is set to welcome visitors of all ages from Southeast Texas. I am personally inviting you, your family, friends, and neighbors to come out and see us! At a time when hot temperatures and inflation are a concern for everyone, we encourage everyone to step into our 130,000-square-foot air-conditioned facility, beat the heat and discover the wonders of flight.

For the month of July, our Hot Deals, Cool Planes offer features $10 admission for everyone at a savings of nearly 50%. Visitors can also take advantage of $20 off annual membership options for two or more people. Its our deepest discount of the year and we encourage everyone to take advantage of the savings. All our museum programs and activities are included with a museum membership.

The Lone Star Flight Museum is located 20 minutes southeast of downtown Houston at 11551 Aerospace Ave. at Ellington Airport. We are about 85 miles away by land and about 65 miles by air from Beaumont. The mission of our non-profit aviation museum and STEM learning center is to celebrate flight and achievements in Texas aviation history. We believe aviation inspires achievement and endless possibilities!

Our museum is home to a collection of rare and historic commercial, general aviation and military aircraft. Our Plane of the Month program allows us to welcome different visiting aircraft each month to showcase different aircraft such as the Hurricane and Spitfire.

Our permanent collection has a North American B25 Mitchell Bomber, the type of plane flown by Doolittles Raiders during World War II; a North American T-6 Texan pilot maker which was used to train thousands of Allied Forces pilots during World War II; and, an F4U Corsair of the type that saw extensive action in both WWII and Korea.

We currently have five visiting aircraft including the Lockheed T-33A Shooting Star, Americas first jet trainer; the Piper J-3 Cub, a popular civilian trainer and recreational plane later used by the U.S. Army as an artillery spotter; and the Exxon Flyin Tiger, an airplane built and flown by Texas Aviation Hall of Fame 2022 inductee Bruce Bohannon.

The Warbird Ride Program offers flight experiences that range from $300 to $450 per person for flights in the Boeing PT-17 Stearman, the Fairchild PT-19 Cornell, the B-25 Mitchell and the AT-6 Texan. The program features a variety of flying experiences from open air or closed cockpit to a ride in an actual WWII bomber. The program is about 45 minutes and is a bucket list-worthy experience! Passengers must be 18 or older for the T-6, Stearman and PT-19. Passengers who are 12 to 17 years old can fly in the T-41 if accompanied by a parent.

The Flight Academy and Aviation Learning Center are interactive exhibits that bring the wonder of flight to life. Visitors can learn about the science of flight and try out one of our hang glider simulators, or get a test your flying skills in one of our Redbird flight simulators at the controls of a Mooney aircraft.

The Texas Aviation Hall of Fame is another gem in the museum. Featuring 90 members, the Hall of Fame honors great Texans that have made a significant contribution to the world of aviation. Members include the Tuskegee Airmen, Presidents George H.W. Bush and Dwight Eisenhower, Bessie Coleman, Gene Kranz, Tom Landry, Eileen Collins and many more.

Our museums public programs highlight everything the museum has to offer. From hangar talks that feature real stories and history about our aircraft, and author visits that discuss their books with our visitors, to all things crafty and cool for kids, are offered daily at the museum.

Field trips and group visits are another great option. Public, private, charter and home school groups, alumni associations, veterans or retiree groups, can all have a memorable visit with customizable tours, classes and experiences.

This summer, Minuti Coffee will open right here at the museum. It is an Italian-American coffee shop that features coffee, specialty drinks, delicious pastries and breakfast and lunch options. So, when you visit the museum, you can also get a bite to eat or a refreshing drink. And, our gift shop will complete your experience. T-shirts, mugs, buttons, pins, toys, memorabilia and more allow you to take home a bit of the Lone Star Flight Museum.

For those who cannot make it to the museum, live virtual visits and distance learning programs are available to bring the museum to you. Virtual sessions can be arranged for a group meeting in one place or for people who join individually in the case of at-home learning.

We welcome aviation enthusiasts, museum goers, tourists, local communities and people of all ages and offer something for everyone. Once you visit, and see our amazing aircraft in person and larger than life exhibits, and you will be amazed and youll want to come back.

We have extended hours this summer to accommodate more visitors and members. We are open Mondays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and noon to 5 p.m. on Sundays.

For more information, visit us online at LoneStarFlight.org or find us on Facebook and Instagram. For online ticket purchases, use code: JULY. For online membership purchase, use code: HOT. Discounts cannot be applied to this special offer.
Seth Perlman/AP

Almost all of the mass shootings are done with assault-style weapons. These weapons were designed for the military to do battle with the enemy, not to hunt game animals.

By the way, there are laws protecting animals against hunters with more than a certain number of rounds of ammunition in the rifle or shotgun, but no such law protecting human beings.

These assault weapons should not be sold to the public. It is necessary for law enforcement to have these weapons because they may have to do battle with people who will buy their assault weapons on the black market, the internet or on our almost open border, which is a long ways from secure.

People who buy the black market way are usually people who cant buy legally, and most of them are up to no good. If caught, they need prison time for breaking the laws of this great nation.

But in the same breath, the animals who have done or are thinking about doing something like mass shootings bought their weapons legally a short time before. It looks like the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms needs to do a lot more work on checking buyers of these assault weapons. If they need more time to check a sale, so be it! It might save a lot more innocent, law-abiding citizens.

Im a U.S. Army veteran and a law-abiding Texan, born and raised a citizen of this great nation. I am also a Christian who believes in an eye for an eye.

If we could go back to public hangings for these mass shooters, to be put on national prime-time TV, I think it would help people think of the consequences for doing such a terrible deed.
Travel takes you to the highest of highs. The planning? The lowest of lows.

To start, theres the matter of figuring out exactly where to go, booking airfare, seeking accommodations and then, of course, not least of all, how to finance said airfare and accommodations. Now tie in all of the added obstacles that come with traveling in a post-pandemic world: airfare at a premium and an abundance of cancellations and delays, among them. Its stressful enough to make you wonder if all that rest and relaxation on the other end is even worth it.

Enter VIP Traveler. VIP Traveler is a new, and free, subscription service that uses proprietary personalization technology to ensure the right trips reach the right people  not dissimilar to Stitch Fix. (For the uninitiated, Stitch Fix is a personal style service that, due largely to the enrollment survey, offers users a totally customized experience. VIP Traveler functions, more or less, the same way.)

Sand River Masai Mara by Elewana Camp Sand River Masai Mara by Elewana Camp

To put it to the test, I signed up for the free version of VIP Traveler. The survey comprises 20 questions that are obviously meant to establish a traveler profile. Examples include: When traveling for pleasure, how do you typically fly? How much do you look to spend per night at a resort? What kinds of hotels do you tend to stay at? How does your work schedule impact your travel? When you travel for fun, who do you travel with? and a series of would you rathers. It then concludes by asking what destinations youve been wanting to visit.

I kept my answers honest: as travelers go, Im pretty middle-of-the-road. When traveling for pleasure, I almost always fly economy. I dont stay in hostels, but I dont stay at 5-star resorts, either. I use my points to travel, but Im not exactly The Points Guy. I travel with my partner, my family and my friends, depending on the occasion, but sometimes I travel alone, too. The destinations Ive been wanting to visit include cities in Australia, Italy, Africa and Greece.

I say all of this because, at least in my experience, there are an abundance of travel planning tools for thrifty travelers, and just as many for luxury travelers, but there arent nearly as many for justregular travelers. Of course, VIP Traveler isnt necessarily for any one of those categories in particular, I just mean to say that I wasnt exactly holding my breath for my results.

Northern Lights with Ocean Diamond Ocean Diamond

That said, my first set of recommendations included two of my all-time favorite cities and two others that Ive long been wanting to visit, none of which Id mentioned in the survey, with a full rundown of places to stay and deals attached, which placed said accommodations firmly within my budget. The following week  to my pleasant surprise  I received my new Travel Finds with all new destinations that all felt, once again, very in tune to my taste. I couldnt believe how well it seemed to know me despite still having never booked anything, and subsequently allowing them to mine more data. According to VIP Traveler co-founder Josh Borenstein, thats exactly the point.

Its a place where you come when you want that trusted friend in travel  someone to help guide you when you need inspiration, advise you when you want the low-down on a particular destination or hotel and to help you get the most out of your trip when you do decide where to go, Borenstein says. By that, we mean not only the best rates, but you also get benefits of not being an anonymous booker on Kayak or booking cold. When you book with us, you get looked after.

For his part, Borensteins no stranger to the travel space. Aside from being an avid traveler himself, he also co-founded a business that specialized in flash sales, with a strong focus on travel. That said, his end goal was always to build a business that made it easy for people to take more trips and discover parts of the world that might not have been on their radar, but do it in a really different way to the same old. That method, he claims, is mostly broken anyway.

Theres just too much content and too much time wasted on looking at options  and its hard to actually decipher the nuanced truth from review sites. We thought there was a way to bring personalization to the travel booking experience through a combination of proprietary tech and the human touch of our connected Travel Stylists, Borenstein says.

Radisson Blu Resort Maldives Villas Radisson Blue Resort

Plus, he adds, The on-the-ground situation changes weekly, both in terms of regulations and how hotels are handling the post-pandemic rush. Some hotels have gone down the gurgler in terms of maintenance and cant attract good staff while others are crushing it. Its handy to know which is which. Additionally, the flexibility of our buy now, travel later options with free date changes and cancellations gives additional optionality.

That optionality only increases with the VIP Traveler+ option, too, which gives members access to on-the-ground destination experts for local advice, a personal Travel Stylist for custom trip planning, 24/7 support and VIP benefits with all bookings. While certainly not the best option for the scant traveler, for those who are jet-setting even a handful of times a year  its worth the (what some might consider) lofty price of admission (its currently $495 a year). In fact, according to Borenstein, your first trip with a VIP Traveler+ membership is likely to pay for itself.

Not just in terms of accessing the best rates, but the experiences offered, the access to opportunities youd never know about and the ease by which you can contact us regarding those little details that youd never be able to ascertain yourself or via a traditional online travel agent, he says. Even members who belong to platinum credit card travel services arent able to offer on-the-ground advice or negotiate on your behalf for bespoke treatment.

And if youre not in the market to book a trip? Its also a great one-stop-shop for travel inspo. In addition to your weekly Travel Finds, theres a bucket-list building feature, which allows you to specify the destinations youre interested in going to. Its what inspired Borensteins upcoming trip to the new Buahan by Banyan Tree in Ubud, Bali. (There is literally nothing like it in the world and weve got access to an incredible opening offer.) And, most feasibly why, I cant stop dreaming about a trip of my own, to Corfu.

For more travel news, tips and inspo, sign up for InsideHook's weekly travel newsletter, The Journey.

The post VIP Traveler Is the Best New Travel Planning Tool You Didnt Know You Needed appeared first on InsideHook.
In a screengrab from a public Zoom video call on Aug. 1, 2022, Migrant Care activist Anis Hidayah (right) shows images of injured and shackled workers who were among Indonesian employees allegedly abused and held against their will after being trafficked to Cambodia to work as cyber scammers.

Relatives of Indonesians who were trafficked to Cambodia to work for what officials described as fraudulent investment companies said their loved ones were tortured and forced to work long hours with no or little pay.

On Saturday, Cambodian police rescued 62 Indonesian nationals after reports emerged that they were being held against their will after they were duped into working as cyber scammers in the seaside city of Sihanoukville, Indonesias foreign ministry said.

The brother of an Indonesian worker who left for Cambodia in July said that at one point, his sibling was held captive for two days without being fed after he slept at work.

[He] couldnt take the workload, so he became sick, said the man from North Sumatra province who asked to be identified by the initials Y.T. because of safety concerns.

He spoke out during an online news conference by Migrant Care, a labor advocacy group.

He didnt come to work and the next day he fell asleep at work, maybe because he was too tired because he had worked 16 hours a day. He was held captive for several days, Y.T. said.

His younger brother, Y.T. said, was given only one meal on the third day, and his brothers company telephoned Y.T. once to advise his sibling to work seriously.

And, according to an Indonesian who had worked in Cambodia before returning home in May with two other people, workers were beaten and given electric shocks if they failed to meet job targets.

Their passports were also burned, said the man who also requested anonymity.

I still feel traumatized when I remember working there, he told journalists at the news conference.

A woman from Central Java who also requested anonymity, and whose husband was among those held in Cambodia, said that he and a cousin were lured by offers of large salaries last month.

It turns out things were different when he got there. I hope that the government will take action because he has not been rescued, said the woman, adding that her husband was physically abused.

Y.T.s brother and the womans husband were not among the 62 Indonesians rescued by Cambodian police over the weekend, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Jakarta reported, according to Migrant Care.

In Cambodia, that countrys Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not immediately respond on Monday to a request for comment about the Indonesians rescued in Sihanoukville, nor did pro-government media mention it in their reporting.

Conditions similar to slavery

Last week, an official at the Indonesian Embassy in Cambodia, Teguh Adhi Primasanto, said victims were promised jobs as call-center officers, casino employees and office clerks, but were instead forced into working for online scam rings.

Once in Cambodia, workers often are subjected to debt bondage, excessive working hours, communication restrictions and violence, he alleged.

The latest case went public when a social media user asked the governor of Central Java province, Ganjar Pranowo, to take action in response to dozens of Indonesians confined in Cambodia.

Ganjar called on the provincial manpower department to investigate.

Meanwhile, Nur Harsono, who heads the legal aid department at Migrant Care, estimated that hundreds of Indonesians had been trafficked to Cambodia since last year.

If we look at more than 100 people who returned home last year and those who have not been rescued so far, our estimate is that the number can be more than 200, Harsono told BenarNews.

Migrant Care activist Anis Hidayah said companies in Cambodia recruited Indonesian workers by listing ads on Facebook looking for clerks and call-center officers and offering monthly salaries of U.S. $1,000 to $1,100 (14.8 million to 16.3 million rupiah).

But after they arrived in Cambodia, they were forced to work for online scam companies and received as little as $500 (7.4 million rupiah) a month or no pay at all.

In addition, workers faced hefty fines if they failed to meet targets or quit, she said.

They were subjected to physical violence. The conditions are similar to slavery, Anis said in a statement.

Foreign minister plans meeting

Retno Marsudi, Indonesias foreign minister, said she planned to discuss the issue of human trafficking in a meeting with Cambodian officials, including Cambodias police chief, on the sidelines of this weeks ASEAN Regional Forum in Phnom Penh.

I have communicated the plan of my meeting to the Cambodian foreign minister so that it can be facilitated. And the Cambodian foreign minister has expressed his willingness to facilitate the meeting, she told reporters on Sunday.

Allow me to take this opportunity to express my deepest appreciation and gratitude to the Cambodian government and authorities for their cooperation and assistance in the rescue process, Retno said.

The foreign minister also called on Indonesian law enforcement authorities to crack down on trafficking in persons by taking preventive measures.

Indonesian police spokesman Ahmad Ramadhan said a criminal investigation would be launched, but he did not elaborate.

We have to deal with this problem from and to the root. Strict law enforcement is needed against recruiters at home, Retno said. Public awareness about such frauds needs to be intensified and cross-border cooperation needs to be promoted.

The Khmer Service of Radio Free Asia, an online news service affiliated with BenarNews, contributed to this report.
A soldier runs through red smoke with a Bangalore torpedo during Exercise Garuda Shield at the Baturaja Training Area, Indonesia, Aug. 12, 2021.

Updated at 5:18 p.m. ET on 2022-08-01

Indonesia and the United States kicked off their largest annual joint military exercise on Monday, with Australia, Singapore and Japan also participating, in a show of defense partnership amid rising tensions in the Indo-Pacific region.

The Super Garuda Shield exercise is significantly larger in scope and scale than previous exercises, with many nations participating or observing for the first time, said the U.S. Embassy in Jakarta.

About 4,000 mostly Indonesian and U.S. troops are taking part in the two-week drills on Sumatra and Kalimantan, the Indonesian part of Borneo island.

This is a purely military-to-military exercise, Maj. Gen. Stephen Smith, commander of the participating U.S. troops, said during a press briefing in Jakarta on Friday.

This is not a threat or should not be viewed as a threat to anybody, anywhere, Smith said.

Last week, China announced a series of live-fire drills in the contested South China Sea amid reports of a potential visit to Taiwan by U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

Pelosi and her congressional delegation arrived in Singapore on Monday, at the start of a tour of Indo-Pacific nations. She was due to visit Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday, with Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob hosting her for lunch, an aide to the Malaysian leader said.

While Taiwan wasnt on Pelosis official four-country itinerary, sources told Radio Free Asia (RFA) and other media that she would make an unofficial trip on Tuesday night to Taiwan. RFA is an online news service affiliated with BenarNews.

The United States doesn't recognize Taiwan diplomatically, but retains close unofficial ties with Taipei and is obligated by law to provide it with defense capabilities. Beijing considers the self-ruling, democratic island a breakaway province, to be united with the mainland by force if necessary, and objects strongly to high-level U.S. visits.

U.S. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley (center) inspects troops with Gen. Andika Perkasa, chief of the Indonesian Armed Forces (walking next to him), in Jakarta, July 24, 2022. [U.S. Department of Defense] Calculated decision
U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi leaves the Shangri-La Hotel after a reception organized by the American Chamber of Commerce in Singapore, Aug. 1, 2022.

Updated at 3:20 p.m. ET on 2022-08-01

China warned on Monday that any visit by U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who is leading a congressional delegation on an Asian tour, to the democratic island of Taiwan would lead to very serious developments and consequences.

While Taiwan wasnt on Pelosis official four-country itinerary, sources told Radio Free Asia, an online affiliate of BenarNews, and sources cited by local media and CNN said she would make an unofficial trip on Tuesday night to the island, which has never been ruled by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) nor formed part of the Peoples Republic of China.

But even an unofficial stopover would be regarded by Beijing as a gross interference in Chinas internal affairs, Chinese Foreign ministry Spokesman Zhao Lijian told reporters.

We would like to tell the United States once again that China is standing by, the Chinese Peoples Liberation Army will never sit idly by, and China will take resolute responses and strong countermeasures to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity, Zhao said.

If she dares to go, wait and see what happens, he told a regular news briefing in Beijing.

The United States doesn't recognize Taiwan diplomatically, but retains close unofficial ties with Taipei and is obligated by law to provide it with defense capabilities. Beijing considers the self-ruling, democratic island a breakaway province, to be united with the mainland by force if necessary, and objects strongly to high-level U.S. visits.

U.S. President Joe Biden has said China is flirting with danger with its ongoing threat to annex Taiwan, saying the U.S. is committed to defending the island in the event of a Chinese invasion. U.S. officials later framed the statement as an interpretation of the Taiwan Relations Act requiring Washington to ensure the island has the means to defend itself.

But Biden struck a more conciliatory note in a phone call last Friday with Chinese President Xi Jinping, saying U.S. policy hadnt changed, and that Washington doesnt support full international recognition for Taiwans sovereignty. Xi warned Biden that those who play with fire get burned.

Taiwans presidential office and foreign ministry have declined to comment on any visit by Pelosi, although premier Su Chen-chang has said the islands government, which uses the name of the 1911 Republic of China, would welcome any foreign VIP guests.

We extend a warm welcome to foreign VIPs who come to visit our country; we will make the best possible arrangements for their visit and also respect their plans when arranging the schedule, Su told reporters.

A spokesman for Cambodias Ministry of Foreign Affairs questioned the timing of a visit to Taiwan.

As the ASEAN chair, Cambodia is now hosting the ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting and Related Meetings, especially the EAS and ARF [East Asia Summit and ASEAN Regional Framework]. Cambodia and the other ASEAN-member states as well as all participants are facing more than enough challenges and hot regional and international issues, spokesman Chum Sounry said.

Therefore, I believe no one wants to see more regional/international tension to be added in the already very fragile situation as well as the already too-heavy agenda of the meetings, he said.

Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong (right) shakes hands with U.S. Speaker Nancy Pelosi at the Istana Presidential Palace in Singapore during a visit to the Asia-Pacific region, Aug. 1, 2022. [Singapores Ministry of Communications and Information / AFP]

More saber-rattling

Drew Thompson, a former U.S. defense official and senior visiting fellow at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at the National University of Singapore, said via his Twitter account that he expects Pelosi to make an unofficial stop in Taiwan after her visit to Malaysia.

While Beijing privately considers this an acceptable outcome, Thompson said the PLA could launch high-profile reconnaissance flights around Taiwans Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ), a form of saber-rattling that has become commonplace in recent years.

Former Taiwanese civil aviation director Chang Kuo-cheng said Pelosis aircraft wont be allowed to enter Taiwans airspace, so it must take a roundabout route via airspace controlled by the Philippines, the U.S. and Japan.

She will not pass through our airspace, Chang said. If she tries, China may take action; something they have long prepared.

Tao Yi-fen, an associate professor of politics at National Taiwan University, said Pelosis visit could prompt Xi to take action, regardless of the route Pelosi takes if she visits.

The CCP is about to hold the 20th party congress, so if Xi Jinping does nothing after issuing all of those warnings, it could have a negative impact on his bid for a further term in office at the party congress, Tao said.

Taiwan resident Hsiao Wu said the war of words was largely being manufactured by Beijing, created by the CCPs insistence on annexing Taiwan, by force if necessary.

Every now and then, I will get Chinese friends asking me if [Taiwan] really wants a war, Wu said. But no, we dont. Our side is peaceful.

If the PLA really scrambles to fly alongside [Pelosis] flight or target-locks their missiles, then that would be an overreaction, he said.

[Nonetheless], if a person of her rank comes to Taiwan, regardless of what they want to talk about, it will show support and a good attitude to Taiwan, and boost its [international] image, Wu said.

External distractions

Meanwhile, a Chinese student in Canada said the CCP needs an external distraction from an imploding real estate market and weak economic performance in the wake of Xis zero-COVID policy.

Social conflicts are more acute in China now ... it needs to engage in some provocations ... and strengthen domestic controls so as to shore up social stability, the student said. The more conflicts at home intensify, the more they will project them outwards.

Current affairs commentator Fang Wenxiang agreed.

I think that [Chinas] wolf-warrior diplomacy has affected all areas of government now, Fang said. Ministry of defense spokesmen used to be very cautious, but now theyre coming out with unreasonable statements, from which it will be hard to back down.

Wu Qiang, independent researcher at Beijings Tsinghua University, said the official response seems to be changing from day to day since the row over Pelosis trip blew up.

[The official line] is changing from day to day, and it colored by opportunism and ambiguity, Wu said. It seems they have reached their rhetorical limit for the time being, because they dont want to cause political shocks or turmoil in China ahead of the 20th party congress.

Nor do they want an expansion of popular nationalism off the back of Pelosis visit to Taiwan ... the CCP is being cautious about nationalistic sentiment ahead of the 20th party congress, Wu said.

Wu said many in China see the current standoff as the starting point for a longer-term struggle over Taiwan.

International relations scholar Zong Tao agreed, saying immediate further deteriorate in Sino-U.S. ties is unlikely.

Basically, China wont be making any big moves, because their main focus is still the 20th National Congress of the CCP, Zong said. Taiwan is not  rather, its just an outlet for them to channel as much popular support as possible.

Should Pelosi decide against her reported unofficial trip, that wouldnt play well in Japan, where many are keen to see broad international support for Taiwan, according to one political analyst.

If she doesnt go to Taiwan, this will be seen in Japanese political circles as a case of the U.S. saying one thing and doing another ... and as an indication that the U.S. isnt strongly committed to defending Taiwan or Japan, Shizuoka University professor Yang Haiying told RFA.

September marks the 50th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between Japan and China, so if Pelosi doesnt make a clear statement, Japan and China will definitely use the 50th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations to downplay the U.S.-Japan military alliance, he said.
New President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday shot down calls from human rights groups for the Philippines to rejoin the International Criminal Court, saying the country could conduct its own investigations into deaths related to his predecessors drug war.

Marcos made the announcement after he met with some cabinet officials last week to discuss the states position on an ICC investigation into former President Rodrigo Duterte. In June, Karim Khan , the top prosecutor with The Hague-based court, asked its pre-trial chamber to resume a probe into the Duterte administrations bloody counter-narcotics crackdown.

The Philippines has no intention of rejoining the ICC, Marcos told reporters on Monday. Our meeting was for the purposes of continuing the investigation. We are saying that we are conducting an investigation here.

The president said the ICC is a very different legal body than local courts.

Marcos said he convened his legal team to discuss his administrations strategy in dealing with the ICC.

I told them to study the procedures to make sure what we do is current, he said.

The ICC is investigating allegations of crimes against humanity allegedly committed under Dutertes leadership. According to official government numbers, about 8,000 suspected addicts and dealers died in his drug war, but rights groups say the figure could be three times higher.

Four years ago, Duterte withdrew the countrys ratification of the Rome Statute, an international treaty that created the ICC, effectively terminating the Philippines membership in the court.

He then attacked the ICC as being utilized as a tool against the Philippines to paint a bad picture of his administrations efforts to rid the country of drug dealers and drug addiction.

Among those who met with Marcos last week were Menardo Guevarra, Dutertes former justice secretary who Marcos has retained in his cabinet as solicitor general; his chief legal counsel, Juan Ponce Enrile, a former senator who served as a long-time defense chief under his father; Justice Secretary Crispin Remulla; Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo; and international law expert Harry Roque, who also served as Dutertes spokesman.

The meeting took place more than a week after the ICC invited the Philippines to offer observations on the ICC prosecutors request to reopen the probe into killings attributed to Dutertes anti-drug campaign, according to Marcos office.

The International Criminal Court gave Manila until September to provide any observations on its planned reopening of the investigation.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. gives a speech while visiting a vaccination site in Manila, Aug. 1, 2022. [Jam Sta Rosa/AFP]

Duterte tried to mislead

Duterte, while in office, repeatedly insisted that the ICC no longer had jurisdiction over the Southeast Asian nation because Manila had officially cut ties with the international court on March 17, 2019, exactly a year after revoking its ratification of the Rome Statute.

The court, however, said it had a mandate to investigate alleged summary executions in the years before Manilas termination of the ratification, including when Duterte served as mayor of Davao, his hometown in the southern Philippines.

The former presidents daughter, Sara Duterte-Carpio, serves as vice-president under Marcos. Analysts have said their election virtually assures that the new central government will work to shield Duterte from an ICC probe during their six-year term in office.

The justice department under Duterte had tried to mislead the ICC by claiming that the department had already begun a serious investigation into alleged rights abuses by looking at 52 cases where errant police were involved, Human Rights Watch alleged last week.

The ICC was seeking to continue an investigation because the Philippine report had failed to satisfy the requirements to defer its investigation, the international watchdog group said.

Marcos should repair the Philippines damaged credibility with the ICC by ensuring his governments full cooperation with the investigation, it said.

In his first State of the Nation Address last week, Marcos did not mention human rights or the ICC.

But a few days later, on July 28, Foreign Affairs spokeswoman Maria Teresita Daza said the government was affirming its commitment to fight impunity for atrocities and crimes, despite the countrys withdrawal from the Rome Statute.

Daza said this was the case, as the Philippines also has a national legislation punishing atrocities.

In response, Cristina Palabay of the Manila-based rights group Karapatan criticized Marcos for not talking about civil and political rights in his first speech before Congress as president.

Marcos address had failed to mention domestic accountability mechanisms, justice for victims of HRVs under Duterte and International Criminal Courts investigation, among others, she said, using an acronym for human rights violations.

When theres eerie silence on these issues, we surmise that there are no significant shifts in the draconian policies of the previous Duterte administration, Palabay said. The impact is a more threatening environment that encourages further closing of democratic spaces.
Bennington, VT (05201)

Today

Overcast with rain showers at times. Thunder possible. High around 70F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 70%..

Tonight

Periods of rain. Low 58F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 80%. Rainfall around a quarter of an inch.
GREAT BARRINGTON  A flight instructor and student made an emergency landing in a field over the weekend after their airplanes engine lost some of its power on takeoff at Walter J. Koladza Airport.

Neither were injured, and the plane did not sustain any damage, said Great Barrington Police Chief Paul Storti.

It wasnt a plane crash, he added. It landed.

Storti said the engine trouble happened sometime before 5 p.m. Saturday.

The airport notified the Federal Aviation Administration, which investigated the incident Monday morning, said the airports owner, Richard Solan. The agency confirmed the partial power loss and noted the lack of damage. There were no fuel leaks on the airports 1978 Piper Warrior, and the planes engine had about 1,200 hours before a recommended overhaul at 2,000 hours, he said.

Solan said he was instructing a student when the power faltered, and he decided to land as a precaution in a stretch of private fields just west of the runway that is considered an overrun in such cases. The airport trims trees and cuts tall grass on either end of the runway to keep the clearing in case of just such an event, Solan noted. The fields are behind some of the homes that sit along Route 71 to the west.

It was a split-second decision, and there was the heat [outside] and the safest maneuver was to land it, he said.

Solan, a retired, longtime American Airlines pilot, explained that every pilot and student prepares for this on every flight. Its part of a checklist, and the maneuvers instilled in students.

Every takeoff you plan for an engine failure, and that way it wont surprise you, Solan said. We know exactly what were going to do. Its in our briefing. Every takeoff you have to prepare for an engine failure, and every landing you have to prepare for a go-around. Our training is for this and this just shows the training worked.

While rare, such incidents alarm some of those who live in this area around the airport. It is a mix of homes, fields and farmland.

A group of neighbors and some abutters of the airport, which officially opened nearly 80 years ago, have complained about noise and worry about safety. A pending Land Court appeal is challenging the airports legality. The airport does not have a town permit because it preexists zoning laws.

Supporters of the airfield have taken to social media to decry what they say is an attack by those who moved to the area long after the airport was established, and say they are trying to destroy this community resource, historic airfield and flight school.

Storti said the last incident he recalled responding to at the airport was when a plane taxied off the western end of the runway in 2018 while positioning for takeoff. There were no injuries, but the plane sustained some damage.

In 2011, a pilot and his passenger suffered minor injuries when a plane with engine trouble on takeoff came down in the field just to the west of the runway.

The previous year, a pilot and his passenger were hospitalized after a plane crashed amid fog in the cornfield just short of the eastern end of the runway.
Here is how to register and vote in Massachusetts for upcoming elections
The Ash grove how graceful,

How plainly tis speaking ...

Of the many different lyrics to the Welsh song The Ash Grove, most express a degree of longing or loss, whether for companions of our youth or for lovers, which seems to be inherent in the doleful but charming tune.

In Berkshire it is also inherent in the forests, where the emerald ash borer is decimating our ash groves. Ash are only one of several species of our tree friends under attack, however, while the spongy moth (formerly Gypsy moth) is an indiscriminate threat to most.

Beyond the critters and diseases that attack our trees lies the heavy hand of climate change, altering the regime in which they flourished and replacing it with periods of flood and periods of drought, as well as warmer weather. Trees are weakened, their guard let down. When East Mountain, in the northwest part of the county, suffered from a brush fire spring a year ago, it appeared not too serious for the larger trees. But now those same woods are under a heavy infestation of the moths, reducing their foliage. That, and the present mild-drought conditions, combine to threaten them seriously.

EAB is coming home to roost, in that it was first identified in Dalton in 2012, from where it spread across New England. Now, as a July 6 Eagle news article noted, virtually all our ash are goners, some of which are venerable indeed. Its a bit like the infestation that killed off most of our elms a generation ago or our chestnuts a generation before that. Fortunately, a biological response is available, providing hope for future ash groves, but too late for those we know and love today.

The hemlocks, evergreen dwellers of shady spots, are also threatened. They are the oldest trees at Ice Glen in Stockbridge and in the Hopper on the Mount Greylock State Reservation, some 400 years old. After showing up in Connecticut, eastern New York and southern Vermont, the woolly adelgid has landed in the south of Berkshire and is now working its way north. Hemlocks form the canopy for many of our hushed, quiet places, and they shade many of our mountain brooks, keeping them cool.

Beech, although far fewer now, are still a staple of our forests. Their smooth, grey bark has been particularly attractive to those who want to carve their initials or those of the object of their affections. That bark now is often disfigured by beech bark disease, a lethal combination of a scale, a sap-sucking insect that preys on a variety of trees. The openings they leave in the beech provide entrance for a neonectria, a fungus the causes a bark canker that slowly kills the infected tree.

Although we could mention whats eating many other Berkshire trees, we must touch on our most iconic tree and the one most important, aside from lumber and firewood, financially. Natives and tourists love to see the sugar maples that stand as sentinels by our roads. They provide the sweet sap we boil down to maple syrup.

Now, we see their scraggly crowns, dead branches and rotted trunks. Were trying to reduce the road salt that threatens all trees. We have lessened the acid rain that stresses all trees, yet the air they breathe, like that we breathe, remains full or pollutants from transportation and energy generation.

Specific to the maples, though, is the effect of climate change on the soil. Sugar maples require a narrow range of soil moisture, especially in the spring and fall. If too warm and too wet, they are stressed and more susceptible to pests and diseases. In addition, conditions suitable for making syrup have changed, due to shortening the freeze-thaw cycle and reduced snow pack.

Ash, hemlock, beech, sugar maple, we will tell their stories  or maybe sing their songs  by and by.

At least thats how it looks from the White Oaks.
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***STORY UPDATE (6:00 P.M.)***

The Hatwai Fire near Lewiston is estimated at 76 acres in size. This is a change from the original estimate of 50-60 acres, but the increase was not the result of fire growth, but rather more accurate mapping. According to an update from the Idaho Department of Lands, the fire was kept within its perimeter on Monday and is considered 50% contained.

On Monday, the IDL's Teakean Hand Crew arrived and extinguished smoldering heavy fuels. The crew also checked for fire heat at the black edge of the burned fire area.

A structure and outbuilding are still threatened by the fire.

Original Story

LEWISTON - Fire crews responded to the scene of a grass fire near the bottom of the Lewiston Hill Sunday night into early Monday morning.

The Nez Perce County Sheriff's Office says a fire was reported on 38th St. North, across the river from Clearwater Paper and north of US95/12, at a barn around 11:00 p.m. on Sunday. The hay that was inside the barn caught fire and spread throughout the hill side.

The Idaho Department of Lands says, as of 7:15 a.m. Monday, the fire remained active and was between 50-60 acres and threatened 10-20 homes, but no structures were lost. Only about 2-5 structures remained threatened Monday morning. Fire activity was still smoldering and creeping, with the hope that the fire will not move out of the current acreage. But IDL says it was concerned with Monday expected to be another triple-digit day with low humidity and moderate winds.

IDL Fires own Teakean Hand Crew is arriving Monday to dig fire line and help prevent fire spread. Since the start of the fire, 4 IDL Fire engines, a Nez Perce Tribe Fire Management engine, and the Nez Perce County Rural Fire Department assisted in the quick response to the fire. The cause is under investigation and an IDL Fire Investigator is expected at the scene today.

Highway 95/12 was open Monday morning but emergency vehicles will be in and around the area today.




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.

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Reddy has an extensive experience of over 17 years, with nine years in the pharmaceutical industry

Merck has appointed Pratima Reddy as the Managing Director for Merck Specialities, the healthcare business of Merck, Darmstadt in India. Reddy will lead India's healthcare strategy and operations, effective August 1, 2022, as successor to Anandram Narasimhan, transitioning into a regional role at APAC.



Before taking over as the Managing Director of India Operations, Reddy was the Regional Franchise Leader (RFL) of the Cardiovascular, Metabolism and Endocrinology (CM&E) franchise in APAC. An active member of the APAC Leadership team, her efforts have ensured that the CM&E franchise continues to grow in the region and continues its market leadership despite market challenges.



Reddy has an extensive experience of over 17 years, with nine years in the pharmaceutical industry, including varied roles across functions in national and global teams since joining Merck in October 2013. In addition, she headed the oncology unit in the country, where she led the turnaround of the oncology business by demonstrating the opportunity to drive strong growth via focussed access strategies.
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For Feedback, please email us at: communications@mmactiv.com
It is commonly understood that every issue has two sides, and the truth lies somewhere in the middle. When it comes to healthcare, we typically hear one side of the narrative: branded generics are blamed for higher costs of medicines and unethical pharma practices.

On May 23, the National Medical Council (NMC) proposed draft guidelines to doctors. The guidelines insist that the doctors must prescribe medicines ONLY by generic names and encourage patients to buy medicines from JanAushadhi stores. They'll be penalised if they don't.

About 90 per cent of India's Rs 1,83,000 crore pharma market comprises branded generics. Numerous branded generics, such as Dolo, Limcee, Human Mixtard, or Razo, are now household names. There is a growing belief that branded generics are the reason behind higher healthcare costs in India, and forcing doctors to prescribe generics is the solution. Lets dig deeper.

Are branded generics the healthcare industrys villains? If this is the case, why have branded generics been around for decades in India and dozens of other countries?

In my opinion, generics, branded generics and patented brands must co-exist in the country to keep India healthy. To know why let's focus on the other side of the story and the prevalent narratives.

Branded generics drive up the cost of Indian medications

Medicine prices in India are amongst the lowest in the world. The most recent data shows that roughly 11 per cent of India's medicines cost less than Rs 6. India's average cost of pharmaceuticals is 70 per cent less than the global average.

However, medications are expensive for Indians because, in contrast to other countries, medicines are an out-of-pocket expense for Indians.

The other factor is that Indians spend about 28 per cent of their healthcare expense on medications, compared to the global average of 15 per cent. Do the doctors overprescribe in India? This is a debatable topic. Experts must come together to create treatment algorithms specific to Indian patients.

But, banning branded generics is no solution to over-prescription if it exists.

Even when cheaper alternatives exist, doctors prescribe expensive medicines

Why can't doctors prescribe generics from JanAushadhi? Do they prescribe branded generics to get kickbacks from pharma companies?

It is essential to understand that doctors' source of income is patients and not pharma companies. If patients were unhappy, doctors would see empty waiting rooms, and pharma companies would stop meeting them. So, the patient is always the priority of the doctors.

Another common notion is that all generics of the same medicines are the same. Branded Generics differ in many ways: Source of the API, its form, adjuvants, dosage form, manufacturing process, packaging, offers on the brand, unit price, supply chain SOPs, quality checks, beyond pill services, so on and so forth. Clearly, the value provided is different for each brand.

Patients, too, have different requirements depending on their psychographic, occupational, and financial needs. Doctors look at the value offered by brands and match them to the requirements of the patients.

Doctors trust some brands more than others based on experience. When prescribing generic drugs, they don't know which company's generic will be given to the patient. How can they take responsibility for the outcome? Would that not put a strain on patient-doctor relationships?

Branded generics are expensive because they are marketed with high promotional expenses

One of the arguments against branded generics is that they spend huge money on promoting branded generics. This amount is similar to every other industry: around five to 20 per cent of revenue.

Many believe that brands spend money sending doctors on foreign trips or giving them heavy incentives. This is a sweeping generalisation. Neither all brands nor all companies indulge in these practices. Yet those who indulge in these practices must stop them STAT. Stringent implementation of Uniform Code for Pharmaceuticals Marketing Practices (UCPMP) and not banning branded generics is the need of the hour.

Take Human Mixtard, a brand of insulin for diabetics, which is the No. 1 selling branded generic in India. The brand has been investing heavily to improve patient outcomes. Insulin is a temperature-sensitive medicine. To ensure Mixtard remains effective despite soaring temperatures in the country, the company invested heavily in cold chains from manufacturing plants to last-mile delivery. The brand invested significantly in color-coding packaging to ensure that neither boy at the chemist shop nor the caregiver at home would mix up the doses. The brand Mixtard supports counseling diabetics through human and AI-based counselors. Would JanAushadhi generic manufacturer of insulin, make such investments?

Branded generics invest in patient outcomes. Free patient camps, disease awareness initiatives, patient education etc., have improved the country's diagnosis and treatment of many chronic diseases.

Branded generics also contribute to doctors' continuous medical education (CMEs). Patients are the ultimate beneficiaries of these activities.

Of course, these promotional initiatives help the pharma companies get prescriptions, but they create an ultimate win-win for all the stakeholders.

New scenario

Let's assume NMC and the policymakers ban the prescription of branded generics. What impact will it have on the healthcare ecosystem?

Pharma companies: It will not change anything for pharma companies. Instead of selling medicines as an individual brand, they will promote them under the corporate brand. Instead of calling the insulin brand, Mixtard, they will call it Insulin by Novo Nordisk. They will continue to price it higher to support their investments to create brand value. So technically, nothing much would change.

Yes, one will see many pharma corporate ads in the media to win doctors' and patients' trust for the generics from the corporate house. This will further increase promotional expenses leaving lesser money for R &D and innovation.

Physicians: In India, there is a strain on patient-doctor relations, who are solely held responsible for patient outcomes. Now doctors would need to bear responsibility for the generic whose manufacturer they wouldn't know. To avoid this issue, physicians may prescribe a generic and orally recommend the company whose generic the patient should buy.

In India, we dont have electronic medical records. Doctors rely on patients to understand their treatment history. Compared to brand names, generic names are tongue-twisting and expecting patients to remember them without any mistake is too much of an ask.

Chemists: The responsibility of the chemist increases many folds in the generic prescription world. We do not have an adequate number of qualified chemists. The impact on the healthcare environment is easy to foresee.

Quality inspectors: The burden on the quality inspectors would increase immensely. There must constantly be checks on the quality. Is the quality of the generic consistent with every batch? Is a good manufacturing process (GMP) being followed? India has a considerable burden of counterfeit medicines. How will the scenarios unfold? A larger debate is needed on this issue.

Patients: Consumers all over the world are switching from commodities to brands. Be it clothes, food or education. Why should this trend be reversed in healthcare? Will patients accept the new norms?

So instead of depriving Indians of branded generics, the policymakers should empower patients by giving them a choice. Patients can make their own decisions depending on their needs and priorities.

Branded generics exist for a reason in India and several other developing countries. We would throw the baby out with the bath water if we eliminated branded generics from the country.

Gauri Chaudhari, Healthcare Marketing and Branding Expert
Five South African recipients have been selected as part of Google's News Initiative (GNI) Innovation Challenge . Daily Maverick, Quote This Woman+, Media Hack Collective, Open Cities Lab, and Code for Africa (CfA) are among the 34 recipients drawn from Israel, Turkey, Middle East and Africa. The recipients, among them 21 journalists and publishers from 10 countries in Africa, were selected for their work in promoting diversity, equality, and inclusion in the journalism industry. The GNI Innovation Challenge is part of Google's $300m commitment to helping journalism thrive in the digital era and has seen news innovators step forward with many exciting initiatives demonstrating new thinking.

This year, we sought to broaden our criteria to include digital innovation initiatives that promote goals like reader engagement, new reader income, subscriptions, disinformation among other things. Following a thorough assessment, numerous interviews, and a final jury selection, 34 projects from 17 countries were chosen to receive $3.2m in funding, said Ludovich Blecher, head of innovation, Google News Initiative.

The recipients met all the five criteria requirements including impact on the news ecosystem, equity and inclusion, inspiration, innovation, diversity, and feasibility. Some of the African recipients include Kenyas Wananchi Reporting, Nigerias Dubawa, and South Africas Quote This Woman+.

South Africas Quote This Woman+, an interactive online database solution and tool helps journalists and newsrooms to efficiently access diverse expert sources for their news coverage. The database provides a growing community of African women+ experts from all fields, including science, public health, economic policy, politics, education reform, environmental justice and more.

Wananchi Reporting provides features that allow both the unserved and underserved Kenyans from remote and excluded areas to tell their stories and highlight diversity in a manner that avoids misrepresentation by allowing them to contribute to the news ecosystem through their technology-driven interactive platform.

Nigerias Dubawa is a digital platform that helps newsrooms source and license quality images from local African photographers and photojournalists. Starting with Nigeria, Atlas is looking to host relevant news images and editorial images curated from local African photographers and photojournalists which anyone can instantly download.

This years challenge received a total of 425 submissions from 42 countries, representing a 27% increase in total applications. Notably, there was a significant increase in applications from news organisations undertaking fact checking activities at 118% when compared to previous innovation challenges in the region. Proposed projects which use artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) also showed significant growth (92%), reflecting a trend across the news ecosystem to embrace cutting edge new technologies and data.

Below is the breakdown of more winners from the continent:

Burkina Faso

1. Association des Blogueurs du Burkina

Burundi

2. RegionWeek

Congo

3. Congo Check

4. Afrikpic/Halvest Company

Egypt

5. Egyptian Streets

6. OSH for Information Technology and Artificial Intelligence Research

Kenya

7. Nation Media Group PLC

8. Wananchi Reporting

Morocco

9. Morocco World News

Niger

10. African Development University

Nigeria

11. The Republic

12. TheCable

13. Dubawa, Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development

14. HumAngle Media

15. Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ)

South Africa

16. Daily Maverick

17. Quote This Woman+

18. Media Hack Collective

19. Open Cities Lab

20. Code for Africa (CfA)

Uganda

21. Minority Africa

Complete details of all selected projects available at the Google News Initiative website.




Flow Communications has won the environmental category in the prestigious 2022 International Public Relations Association (Ipra) Golden World Awards for its work on the Marine Protected Areas (MPA) Day campaign.

From left: Flow managing director Tiffany Turkington-Palmer, director of content Edwina van der Burg, Cape Town manager Sarah-Jane Viljoen, head of PR Caroline Smith, finance manager Mercy Moyo, Flow CEO Tara Turkington, financial director Saajidah Suliman, head of design Elmarie Harrington, project manager Roshni Nana, Flow CTO Richard Frank and head of project management Gail Tanner

We are ecstatic! This coveted international award is yet another reminder of how much we love what we do, and the amazing clients who partner with us and trust us to create compelling campaigns. This campaign was born out of the courage of a few dedicated and passionate people, who all worked on it totally pro bono, says Flow CEO Tara Turkington.

Says Flow managing director Tiffany Turkington-Palmer: This is wonderful news! Its heart-warming to see our purpose-driven campaigns doing so well this year, and the MPA Day campaign is a perfect example of this. We are so looking forward to MPA Day this year, coming up again on August 1.

On 1 August 2021, South Africa observed a day to celebrate Marine Protected Areas, MPA Day, the first event of its kind globally. MPAs are protected areas of coastlines and ocean, or game reserves of the sea. Flow Communications and Olivia Jones Communications were instrumental in the several months of planning and build-up for the campaign, primarily using online communication channels such as social media and digital platforms to disseminate information about the event.

The campaign was so successful that MPA Day has now become an annual event, extending to eight countries outside South Africa this year.

Says marine biologist and initiator of MPA Day, Dr Judy Mann-Lang: Our oceans need people who are passionate and creative, hard working and brave. And we found all these attributes in our MPA Day communication partners, Flow Communications and Olivia Jones Communications. As conservationists, we knew that we would need communications support from people who shared our love for the ocean to make the worlds first Marine Protected Areas Day a reality. MPA Day 2021 showed what can be achieved when people work together for a goal. And what greater goal than protecting our incredible oceans.

Every year, the Ipra awards receive entries from agencies and organisations around the world. Competition to win one of these prestigious awards is fierce. Says Ipra on its website, A jury of experienced communication professionals judges the entries and nominates the best for a shortlist. In a next step, the final winners are selected on the basis of unique merit, relevance, concrete objectives, creative strategies and tactics, and demonstrable results.

Only two African firms were honoured at this years Ipra Awards, Flow Communications and BCW Africa, which won in the Climate Change category. Other winners this year included: PR Consulting Dentsu Inc., BCW Germany, the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association and more. The full list of Ipra winners can be seen here.

Last week, MPA Day won five coveted Prism Awards, the most prestigious awards for public relations in South Africa:

Gold: Environmental category

Silver: Best use of an event to build/change reputation (event management)

Silver: NGO/NPC campaign

Silver: PR on a shoestring

Bronze: South African campaign of the year




The Sho't Left Travel Week, which runs from 5-11 September 2022, is an opportunity for South Africa's tourism industry to reinvigorate the tourism sector with exclusive and unbeatable travel deals. The sale, hosted by Sho't Left is open for every member of the tourism industry to upload their deals going as far as 50% off.

Source: Supplied

Melanie Leloup, trade relations manager for South Africa at South African Tourism, says: "Travel Week is a powerful incentive, especially for first-time travellers looking to dip their toes into new and exciting destinations and adventures."

Travel Week aims to maximise value and return on investment for all participating members. The initiative is backed by significant investment from South African Tourism. The result is a powerful platform with a strategically targeted, multi-channel marketing plan to optimise exposure and generate excitement around the best local deals.

Leloup provides some tips for South Africas tourism trade on how to maximise this years travel week.

Who can register?

Registrations are open to all trade members. South African Tourism encourages everyone from accommodation, airlines, car rental and transfer companies to museums, activities, and experiential businesses to register their deals for this years Travel Week.

What is the cost to register

Registration is free.

How many deals can you register?

Participants can register as many deals as they like. They can also add, edit, or remove deals at any time following registration, as long as deals are finalised by date.

How should a deal be composed?

Pictures: Members can upload up to seven images onto a carousel for each deal. Images should be 890x600 and we recommend that members use all seven images. The primary image should not contain logos or text. Video is also supported.

Written content:

You will need the following written content:

 A title of 12 words or less. Hot tip: Include details of the discount in your title, as well as the number of people and number of nights. Be as specific as possible so the public knows exactly what the special entails.

 A summary of 200 words detailing the deals main selling points.

 A description of up to 1,000 words. This section should include deal details, as well as other selling points, attractions, free offerings, and features.

 GPS coordinates and specific location for use on Waze and the Shot Left map.

 Content may be edited prior to date.

What to do once deals are loaded?

 Let your audiences know about the deals and encourage them to use the Waze or Shot Left map to access the best deals.

 Get admin assistance at any time by emailing ten.acirfahtuos@tfeltohs.

 Members of the public can access deals through Waze, the Shot Left map, or by using the price, location, budget, and type filters on the Shot Left website.

 Billboards and outdoor media will alert the public to even more deals.

Leloup believes this is the opportunity tourism businesses need to reignite a passion for travel in these challenging times. "We just need the entire industry to participate and we can really kickstart the heart of the trade and the country we love so much."

Register for Travel Week 2022.
For its Women's Month Colab Collection this year, Mr Price Home has partnered with three local female entrepreneurs who will have their unique designs featured in a limited-edition range of homeware products.

Keneilwe Mokoena. Source: Supplied Nkhensani Rikhotso. Source: Supplied

Each year during Womens Month in August, Mr Price Home collaborates with inspiring women creators for an exclusive collection in an effort to shine a spotlight on the millions of hard-working and talented female entrepreneurs who contribute to South Africas economy and vibrant creative business landscape.

As a brand with so much reach, we feel its important to recognise and showcase these women as inspiring and talented people and to give them this platform to shine and grow, so they can enhance their impact in the world, explains Kerry Strauss, of Mr Price Home.

From tableware to plant accessories

Each of the three women have created their own signature range of homeware products including soft furnishings, plant accessories, tableware accessories, personal care items, art and more, which are now available in Mr Price Home stores around South Africa.

Nkhensani Rikhotso is a multi-faceted creative from Johannesburg with a passion for plants. She gained a reputation as Joburgs go-to 'plant-mom' on social media during lockdown before starting HerMerakai - a plant consultancy and plant shop offering indoor plant advice and styling to homes and businesses.

Rooted in the strength, beauty and resilience of all the women who have impacted her life, Rikhotsos range is a blend between nature and the female form.

Photographer turned flower farmer, Adene Nieuwoudt has built a thriving business based in the Breede River Valley, which supplies home-grown blooms to every corner of the country and is now going global.

Adene Nieuwoudt. Source: Supplied

The inspiration behind this range was definitely my favourite flower, the dahlia, says Nieuwoudt, We used the dahlias and other flowers from our farm to create a beautiful, romantic and feminine flat lay, which we used on the products.

The final collaborator, visual artist and curator Keneilwe Mokoena, is a well-known face in the Gauteng art scene. Her work is usually characterised by otherworldly landscapes interspersed with elements inspired by nature and she is known for her ethereal self-portraits.

The main idea behind my range is really celebrating the feminine side of nature, so lots of flowers, lots of plants, etc. If I were to describe my range in one word it would be whimsical, Mokoena explains.

Each collaborator has taken inspiration from her own dynamic work and life to create this limited-edition range with Mr Price Home.

When you buy these beautiful items, youre not just adding stylish and unique pieces to your home  youre also supporting the dreams, creativity and determination of three South African women, becoming part of their story and their journey, says Strauss. Its been an honour to work with these brilliant creators on this project and we are really excited about the ranges and how our shoppers are going to react to them.
Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama (R, Front) welcomes his Spanish counterpart Pedro Sanchez (L, Front) in Tirana, Albania, on Aug. 1, 2022. Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said on Monday that Spain is ready to support Albania to continue its reforms to improve people's quality of life and integrate into the European Union (EU). (Photo by Gent Onuzi/Xinhua)

TIRANA, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said on Monday that Spain is ready to support Albania to continue its reforms to improve people's quality of life and integrate into the European Union (EU).

He made the remarks at a joint press conference in Albania's capital Tirana with his Albanian counterpart Edi Rama following a meeting.

Albania is the last stop of Sanchez's Western Balkan tour, which took him also to Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and North Macedonia.

Sanchez emphasized that Spain and Albania should strengthen ties in the judicial sector as well as in infrastructure, tourism and energy.

On Monday, the two countries signed a bilateral agreement on a joint investigation group to combat international organized crimes.

Sanchez also met Albanian President Bajram Begaj on Monday.

Two weeks ago, the EU started membership negotiations with Albania and its neighboring country North Macedonia with the first intergovernmental conference between the EU and the two countries in Brussels.

Albania signed the stabilization and association agreement with the EU 16 years ago. In June 2014, it received the status of a candidate country for the EU.

The European Council decided to open negotiations for Albania's EU membership in 2020. 

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama (C-R) welcomes his Spanish counterpart Pedro Sanchez (C-L) in Tirana, Albania, on Aug. 1, 2022. Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said on Monday that Spain is ready to support Albania to continue its reforms to improve people's quality of life and integrate into the European Union (EU). (Photo by Gent Onuzi/Xinhua)

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama (R) and his Spanish counterpart Pedro Sanchez attend a joint press conference in Tirana, Albania, on Aug. 1, 2022. Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said on Monday that Spain is ready to support Albania to continue its reforms to improve people's quality of life and integrate into the European Union (EU). (Photo by Gent Onuzi/Xinhua)

Visiting Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez speaks at a joint press conference with his Albanian counterpart Edi Rama (not in the picture) in Tirana, Albania, on Aug. 1, 2022. Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said on Monday that Spain is ready to support Albania to continue its reforms to improve people's quality of life and integrate into the European Union (EU). (Photo by Gent Onuzi/Xinhua)

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama speaks at a joint press conference with his Spanish counterpart Pedro Sanchez (not in the picture) in Tirana, Albania, on Aug. 1, 2022. Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said on Monday that Spain is ready to support Albania to continue its reforms to improve people's quality of life and integrate into the European Union (EU). (Photo by Gent Onuzi/Xinhua)

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama (C-L) welcomes his Spanish counterpart Pedro Sanchez (C-R) in Tirana, Albania, on Aug. 1, 2022. Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said on Monday that Spain is ready to support Albania to continue its reforms to improve people's quality of life and integrate into the European Union (EU). (Photo by Gent Onuzi/Xinhua)
Kenya's ethnic cohesion watchdog has given Meta's Facebook seven days to comply with regulations after a report of violations on the social media platform in relation to next month's election.

Advocacy group Global Witness says in a report published on Thursday that Facebook had accepted and carried more than a dozen political advertisements that allegedly breached Kenyan ethnic cohesion rules.

There was no immediate response from Meta's Kenya office after the ultimatum issued by Kenya's National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC).

Details of what the commission will do if Meta fails to comply were not immediately available.

The company issued a statement on 20 July saying it had removed hateful content from its platform ahead of the election.

East Africa's biggest economy is in the throes of campaigning ahead of presidential, legislative and local authorities elections on 9 August.

Supporters of the leading presidential candidates, veteran opposition leader Raila Odinga and deputy president William Ruto, have used social media platforms to praise their candidates, persuade others to join them or to accuse opposing sides of various misdeeds.

The social media platforms have been abused in previous elections to spread hate speech, which is classified as a crime in Kenya.

The NCIC is a statutory body established to foster ethnic harmony among Kenya's 45 tribes, some of which have targeted each other during violence in past polls.

(Reporting by Duncan Miriri and George Obulutsa; editing by Jason Neely and Barbara Lewis)
Fishers on the West Coast and in Cape Town have called for the Fishing Rights Allocation Process (FRAP) to be scrapped and restarted, after many failed to get 15-year fishing rights.

Source: GroundUp | Unsuccessful applicant Nicolette Weitsz wants the fishing rights allocation process scrapped and restarted. Photo: Ashraf Hendricks

Over the last week, meetings have been held with fishers in Kalk Bay, Saldanha Bay, Hawston and Mossel Bay, convened by ANC leader in the provincial legislature Cameron Dugmore and other officials. Dugmore said the meetings had been called after numerous complaints from fishers whose rights applications had not been approved for FRAP 2021-22. Some were previously rights holders and some were new entrants.

Dugmore said the fishers concerns would be sent to Barbara Creecy, Minister of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment.

Several fishers at the meetings in Kalk Bay and Saldanha Bay called for the whole process to be scrapped and restarted. Many also raised concerns about the high costs of applying. Others said coastal communities who had fished for generations were not sufficiently taken into account.

Applicants have until 29 July to submit appeals if they were unsuccessful.

"This is a very serious issue," said Dugmore. "If you are not successful, it means for the next 15 years you dont have fishing rights.

Dugmore said very big and established companies did not seem to be complaining but smaller companies and fishers had raised many concerns. He said that the minister had no choice but to set aside the current application process.

Unsuccessful applicant Nicolette Weitsz said during the meeting in Kalk Bay that fishers were charged "astronomical fees". For instance, in the category Hake Deep Sea, the application fee was R40,000. Only two entirely new entrants were successful. Weitsz said fishers should have been told that only a limited number of applicants would be awarded rights. In the category of squid, for instance, no new rights were awarded.

Weitsz also said applicants had not been sent all the information on their unsuccessful applications which they would need in order to appeal.

"FRAP should be scrapped and restarted," said Weitsz. She said current rights holders and successful new applicants should be allowed to finish the year, and next year the process should be done again properly. There are a lot of peoples livelihoods at stake," she said.

Elmondo Paulse, a fisher from Saldanha Bay, said the high fees were designed to exclude the smaller companies from applying. "Some of these small-scale fishers had to borrow money to submit an application. Now theyre in debt again, he said, noting that each application was non-refundable.

"If youre unsuccessful, tough luck, you lose your money, said Paulse."

Jacobus Poggenpoel, who says his family has been fishing in Kalk Bay for more than 100 years and was a previous FRAP rights holder, agreed that the process should be scrapped. He used to hold rights for pilchards and anchovies, and for hake longline fishing, but has been unsuccessful this time.

Poggenpoel said that the application process was designed for bigger companies. How can the smaller companies go up against the big companies? he asked.

GroundUp reported in April complaints by Hout Bay fishers that most rights had been handed to bigger companies.

Spokesperson for the Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment Albi Modise said the department was aware of the concerns and unsuccessful applicants were encouraged to appeal. He said it was "premature" for the department to comment on the process until the Minister had considered the appeals. He said there had been technical errors with the online application system, but these had been fixed and the department had extended the application deadline to make up for this.

Modise said that 551 appeals had been lodged so far. "It is expected that the number will increase as the appeals period is still currently underway".


Vukile Property Fund has acquired the Pan Africa Shopping Centre in Alexandra township in Johannesburg as well as the asset's second phase extension due for completion in 2024.

Following the fulfilment of conditions precedent, the R669m acquisition will be funded out of proceeds from sales and existing resources and will not affect Vukiles current loan-to-value of 43%.

The 16,000m2 Pan Africa Shopping Centre opened in 2009 and was South Africas first fully-integrated shopping mall and taxi facility. Refurbished in 2021/2, the centre is anchored by Boxer with a high national retailer tenant component including Truworths, Pep, Mr Price, Ackermans, Jet, Clicks, Studio 88 and others. Pan Africa is set for a future 9,000m2 expansion that will take it to over 25,000m2.

Split transaction

The acquisition agreement splits the transaction into two indivisible parts  the existing shopping centre and its future expansion. Vukile will acquire the shopping centre for R414.6m from its sellers, the Pan Africa Development Company, which is held by Atterbury Property (50.887%), Talis Holdings (47.337%) and Summit Ridge Trading 5 (1.776%). Vukile will also appoint the sellers to develop the centres second phase expansion, which it will acquire for R254.3m on opening in April 2024.

Laurence Rapp, CEO of Vukile Property Fund, comments: Vukile has been focused on recommencing growth in our core markets from a strong operational and financial position. In early 2022, we successfully restarted our growth in Spain, and now we are particularly pleased to resume the growth of our South African portfolio with this major investment in Pan Africa Shopping Centre. By acquiring this asset and its future extension, we are deepening our core investment strategy in South Africa and adding value for our stakeholders.
The South African Tyre Manufacturers Conference (SATMC) says its application to investigate the unfair trade caused by dumped imports of passenger, truck and bus tyres imported from China, is part of a sustained effort to rescue the local tyre industry and the livelihoods dependent upon it. The industry body represents the four tyre manufacturing companies in South Africa - Bridgestone, Continental, Goodyear and Sumitomo Rubber South Africa - on trade, economic and environmental policies, and tyre sector regulations.

Source: jackmac34 via Pixabay

Nduduzo Chala, managing executive of the SATMC says: "The SATMC is not against healthy trade and competition at fair prices, but rather against tyres designed and manufactured in China that are imported unfairly into South Africa at unsustainable, rock-bottom rates. This limits the competitiveness of domestic manufacturers, who employ more than 6,000 people directly in South Africa and create indirect employment opportunities for more than 19,000 people."

"SATMC companies themselves work with tyre importers who demonstrate fair pricing, prioritise quality and safety, and are able to offer excellent after-sales service, guarantees and insurance, uplifting the domestic tyre sector and road safety industry as a whole," said Chala.

In 2021 imported tyres accounted for more than 50% of local circulation, according to SATMC research. China holds the lions share of tyre imports into South Africa. Chala says the four manufacturers are committed to local production and ensuring its growth in the future. SATMC data compiled independently by Lightstone Auto shows that over 70% of tyres sold by SATMC members in 2021 were tyres produced in South Africa.

"The four manufacturers have made sizeable investments into upping their domestic capacity, but this continues to be eroded as rising cheap imports adversely impact industry capacity utilisation. We hope that our anti-dumping application to the International Trade Administration Commission (ITAC), if successful, will help to provide a more level playing field for the South African tyre manufacturers to sustain the significant role of this industry within the economy," said Chala.

The investigation by ITAC could lead to import duties being levied on the imported tyres from China. Similar action has been taken in countries such as India, Nigeria, the United States and the United Kingdom, in order to protect local industry and save jobs.

In supporting the SATMC application, Renai Moothilal, executive director of the National Association of Automotive and Allied Manufacturers (NAACAM) says: "The domestic tyre manufacturers are a significant part of the SA automotive manufacturing value chain, and any production losses they face as a result of products being dumped into the country have the potential to negatively impact localisation and job levels, which is contrary to the objectives of the SA Automotive Masterplan 2035."

Keeping manufacturing jobs alive

Despite the economic challenges of the past three years between 2019 and 2021, the local tyre manufacturers had contributed in excess of R15,9bn to the South African economy.

"Thousands of employment opportunities have been created over the years, and the SATMC is committed to maintaining these positions, and in future, to increase this skills pool. We have also developed the industry via supplier development, employee contributions, skills development, corporate social investment and enterprise development, in addition to investments into their local manufacturing plants.

"Local manufacturers have worked hard to withstand substantial challenges to their operations and protect the entire value chain, particularly in the aftermath of the pandemic, looting, theft and destruction of property, coupled with ongoing challenges related to electricity supply and labour," he said.

"The four manufacturers have made sizeable investments into upping their domestic capacity, but this continues to be eroded as rising imports adversely impact industry capacity utilisation," he adds.

The SATMCs application to ITAC asserted that tyres from China were being imported at predatory prices and causing material injury to the domestic manufacturing industry. He said the South African Revenue Service was dealing with 64 cases of illicit trade into the country related to the tyre industry.

"This has been occurring over a number of years and the continued proliferation of large consignments of cheap imported tyres from China is something we are strongly opposed to. It is not our intention to increase tyre prices or to hit the wallets of customers. This is about fighting unfair trade. SATMC members are concerned about the knock-on effects of these destructive practices for job creation and economic growth within South Africa. We want to keep the South African manufacturing sector alive," said Chala.
Woolworths has partnered with the Loeries to offer a Student Portfolio Bootcamp across Africa and the Middle East.

The intensive four-week programme will have final year brand communication students from the Academy of Digital Arts; Digify Nigeria; Durban University of Technology; Nelson Mandela University; Red and Yellow; University of Johannesburg; the University of Pretoria and Nelson Mandela University.

Guidance from industry experts

The four-week journey also provides students with 30 hours of top-tier guidance from leading experts in brand communications. At the end of the four-week journey, participating students will receive a certificate of completion.

The aim of the Bootcamp is to get the students pitch-perfect and portfolio ready  integral skills needed to enter the brand communications industry.

Seventy-five students are enrolled on the Bootcamp together with five mentors. Each mentor has 15 students and will meet once a week. The students are encouraged to listen in on the other mentors sessions, giving the students total exposure to all mentors throughout the duration of the Bootcamp.

This years mentors

Suaad Holland  creative director, Woolworths SA

Roanna Williams  chief creative officer, Net#work BBDO

Kgaugelo Mokgehle  creative writer, TBWA\Hunt Lascaris

Galaletsang Kgoathe - creative director, FCB

Devaksha Vallabhjee  copywriter, Duke

Making the difference

Quality, innovation, and creativity have long been at the heart of what we do and deliver at Woolworths, says Cathy Lund, interim head of agency content director for Woolworth.

We pay this experience forward through our sponsorship of the Loeries Student Bootcamp. To mentor future creatives is to cultivate critical thinkers, curious minds, strategic implementors, and innovative disruptors - its an investment with lifelong dividends. As a business deeply rooted in South Africa, we stand proudly with Loeries to inspire and grow a new generation of creatives who will be and make the difference," Lund adds.

The Bootcamp will run between 1 - 29 August 2022.




Zimele, the enterprise development arm of Anglo American, has launched an incubator programme that aims to turn more than 500 startup businesses in rural communities into sustainable and successful companies.

Image supplied

The programme will assist mainly youth and women-owned businesses in communities around Anglo Americans operations in Mogalakwena, Rustenburg, Amandelbult, Burgersfort, Polokwane, Sishen and Kolomela. It will be offered in three phases per location, with 25 entrepreneurs taking part in each phase.

Larisha Naidoo, head of Anglo American Zimele, said the programme was designed to get entrepreneurs to take their businesses from zero revenue to commercially viable entities that could improve the broader economic well-being of communities around the companys mining and processing operations in South Africa.

The seven-month programme will give aspiring entrepreneurs structured training, mentorship and tools that will help them refine their business models, identify and engage target markets, and test their products and services to improve the viability of their businesses.

Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) play an invaluable role in job creation and economic growth in South Africa, but these businesses are extremely vulnerable to economic disruptions due to factors such as limited cash reserves and smaller client base, said Naidoo.

This programme aims to increase their resilience and growth, with the ultimate aim of incubating sustainable businesses that help alleviate joblessness and poverty levels in their communities.

The programme will be presented in partnership with companies like TechnoServe, which focuses on youth training, supplier and enterprise development; Absa, which enables access to loans and funding; and Summit, a specialist in training and development.

Since 2018, Zimele and its partners have helped 1,268 entrepreneurs to grow their businesses, access credit, and integrate into mining and non-mining supply chains. Participating businesses have seen their revenues grow by an average of 29%, forged 1,013 new market linkages valued at over R2bn, and supported more than 10,500 jobs.

To find out more about this opportunity, entrepreneurs from these host communities are encouraged to reach out to their respective Zimele hubs.
The SAB Foundation has put out a call for entrepreneurs to apply to its Tholoana Enterprise Programme.

Zanda Isaacs, founder of Ting Tang Teas and previous participant of the Tholoana Enterprise Programme | Source: SAB Foundation

The SAB Foundations entrepreneurship development mission is to unlock business development support and investment that helps entrepreneurs to build viable, growing and sustainable businesses that can create jobs.

This year, the Foundation will recruit up to 60 entrepreneurs across different industry sectors nationally to join the programme. The programme will prioritise applications from businesses that are owned and managed by women, youth, people living in rural areas and people living with disabilities.

Participants will be supported in refining their growth strategy, setting up business systems and processes, improving their investment readiness and unlocking market access opportunities. This programme will equip entrepreneurs to build profitable and resilient businesses that contribute meaningfully to the economy, enabling the founders to make a positive legacy for themselves and their communities.

Participants of the programme will receive extensive entrepreneurial skills development, one-on-one mentorship, and access to investment and market activation support.

Eligibility criteria

The business is fully operational and has been trading for at least 12 months.

The business is Black-owned and managed.

The business is headquartered and registered (if applicable), within South African borders.

The business is a going concern, commercially sustainable and viable.

The applicant is involved in the daily operations and management of the business on a full-time basis and is not employed by any other organisation.

The applicant has the skills and experience necessary for the type of business they are engaged in.

The applicant should show a willingness to learn, grow and change.

The applicant should show entrepreneurial and leadership abilities.

The applicant should be resilient and driven to succeed.

Enterprises run by or benefitting people living with disabilities.

Women and youth-owned businesses.

Peri-urban and rural enterprises.

Enterprises that create jobs in areas with few other opportunities.

Applications are also welcome from businesses working in new and growing sectors such as agriculture, export, manufacturing, food processing, water, energy and waste management.

To find out more about the programme click here. Applications open on 1 August and close on 31 August 2022 at midday.

Typically, entrepreneurs who participate in the Tholoana Enterprise Programme enter the programme feeling frustrated with their current business performance and seeking solutions to help scale their growth, says Xoliswa Moraka, SAB Foundation entrepreneurship development programme manager.

To succeed and sustain that growth they require strategic, personalised and comprehensive support to help realise their full potential.

Since 2015, the Tholoana Enterprise Programme has thoroughly impacted hundreds of small businesses across South Africa. Entrepreneurs who have been through the programme have consistently increased their performance. As of 2020, the small businesses supported through the programme collectively employed an estimate of 2,442 people and have a combined turnover of R326m.
I do sometimes wonder whether we might be doing altogether too much navel-gazing when it comes to assessing whether brands are "conscious" or not.

Is it the purpose of a brand to be conscious? It never used to be. Brands (and the companies which own them) have a purpose in the sense that they are there to make money.

Is that still enough, though, in a modern world where people are only too aware of the threats to our planet and its people? Increasingly, the marketing experts are telling us that people want their brands to be conscious  in the sense that they need to be aware of how they conduct themselves; how they produce, market and distribute their products and how each one of those phases impacts on the environment and on people.

This, of course, is the new corporate social responsibility, perhaps because that phrase has become over-used and cliched and, in some outrageous cases, has seen companies trying to greenwash their brands by spending more on telling people how good they are than on actually reducing harm to the world and people.

That is not an accusation you can level at Ford SAs Ford Wildlife Foundation (FWF), which has been going for more than 25 years and currently supports much important wildlife and environmental projects around southern Africa.

The newest ad for FWF  if you can even call it that  showcases some of the work being done by these important NGOs. Although there are a few shots of Ford Ranger bakkies (which is the most common form of support), the carmaker fits in as a facilitator, because it is the projects themselves which should be the focus of attention.

The FWFs work doesnt get much attention, yet it is one of the most important campaigns supporting conservation in this country. That alone indicates to me that Ford is in it for the long haul and not for the kudos. That long-term commitment speaks to the authenticity of the program - this is about making a genuine difference to the community and not to the company's bottom line.

It doesnt harm the brand, of course, that many of the buyers of its top-selling Ranger bakkies and Everest SUVs are the sort to get out of the city and into the wild and are often aware of the challenges facing our environment. The FWF publicity, muted as it is, also fits in with the Ford SA corporate campaign, which talks about the global companys commitment to this country and its long history here.

Both send a warm message to consumers. And for that, the FWF ad, and the foundation itself, get an Orchid from me.

It is easy to sympathise with Ukraine: After all, it has been invaded by a country run by someone who wants to relive the glories of Imperial Russia and its brutal successor, the Soviet Union. The suffering inflicted on the Ukrainian people doesnt need much to explainso there is almost an endless ocean of compassion for them  at least in most of the Western world.

Turkeys Baykar Tech  the company which makes the drones the Ukrainians have been using to visit death and destruction on the Russian invaders  has virtually had to do no marketing, because the news channels have been flighting the evidence of their effectiveness.

However, now Baykar Tech has gone even further in its own corporate social investment in its community, by refusing to take payment for a Bayraktar drone crowd-funded by people in Poland. Baykar Tech sent the drone to Ukraine  and then said they would send the money to charities looking after civilians affected by the conflict.

Great idea, great PR and great marketing  so an Orchid for Baykar Tech.

Less of a great idea  more of a what the hell were they thinking moment  was the Vogue magazine photo shoot done by iconic photographer Annie Lebowitz of Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky and his wife Olena.

Seriously? While your people are dying around you, you and your wife pose in your official residences and office and in the front line?

You dont need to do this, Mr President. Everybody knows youre fighting for your life. By doing this, you look like a spoiled dilettante.

For insensitive marketing  which generated a storm of adverse comments around the world  you get an Onion, Mr Zelensky. Fire your PR advisers if they did not tell you not to do it.
BEIJING, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- As Monday marks the 95th anniversary of the founding of the People's Liberation Army (PLA), Chinese embassies and diplomatic missions abroad have held events to celebrate the day.

Participants from different countries expressed their appreciation of the PLA's outstanding contribution to safeguarding world peace and stability during the events, wishing to further strengthen exchanges and cooperation with China.

Laos' Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense Chansamone Chanyalath spoke highly of the outcomes of exchanges and cooperation between the two militaries and expressed willingness to work with the Chinese military to build a solid security defense for the Laos-China community with a shared future.

Lao Deputy Defense Minister Vongkham Phommakone said the Lao party, government, army, police and people have always attached great importance to and appreciated the selfless help and support of the Chinese military to Laos.

Minister of Defense of Ethiopia Abraham Belay Berhe said the PLA is an extremely essential and increasingly significant player in the globe peace and security landscape.

The Ministry of Defense of Ethiopia aspires to strengthen its strong ties with the Ministry of Defense of China with the assurances of its highest considerations, said the minister.

Chief of General Staff of the Ethiopian National Defense Force Birhanu Jula said China and Ethiopia have maintained a healthy and cordial relationship, adding that their relations have grown over time through mutual trust based on the pillars of political, economic, cultural, educational, heath, and most importantly, defense diplomacy and cooperation.

Stergomena Lawrence Tax, Tanzania's minister for defense and national service, said Tanzania values China's support and the partnership between Tanzania and China in safeguarding their shared ideals and mutual interests, stressing that the two countries should strengthen their partnership as they deal with security challenges in the 21st century.

South Korea's Vice Defense Minister Shin Beom-chul said that since the establishment of diplomatic ties 30 years ago, South Korea-China relations have made remarkable progress.

Shin expressed the belief that bilateral relations are bound to further develop in a sound way in the next 30 years.

South Korea is willing to carry out exchanges and cooperation with China to enhance mutual trust, he added.

Egypt's Defense Minister Mohamed Zaki also conveyed his sincere congratulations on the 95th anniversary of the founding of the PLA, speaking highly of the friendly cooperation between the two militaries and expressing the hope that both sides will continue strengthening their cooperation to make more achievements. 
Britains Prince Charles is facing more questions over his charities after a newspaper reported that one of his funds accepted a 1 million pound ($1.2 million) donation from relatives of Osama bin Laden.

The Sunday Times reported that the Prince of Waless Charitable Fund received the money in 2013 from Bakr bin Laden, patriarch of the large and wealthy Saudi family, and his brother Shafiq. Both are half-brothers of the former al-Qaida leader, who was killed by U.S. special forces in Pakistan in 2011.
There is a willingness in this world for people to adopt new things because they are told to do so. There is also a willingness for people to sit back and let the course of human evolution be decided for them.

Who said that merging with AI is inevitable? Its only inevitable if we decide to do it. If we made a collective decision to start picking berries and hunting deer with bows and arrows, we could do that, too.

The idea of inevitability has been programmed into us. Its form of brainwashing. Nonetheless, as a society, we are on the precipice of a revolution  a change so big that it could irreversibly alter the very structure of human society and the way we form relationships, as well as completely redefine the nature of transaction and exchange.

Yes, Im talking about the metaverse, the blockchain, decentralised cryptocurrencies, and the thing that started it all  Bitcoin.

But to understand how all of these things fit together, its necessary to first examine Web 3.0  what it is, how its being marketed and how it will affect us.

Web 3.0: The Next Iteration of the Internet

Unless you work in tech youve probably never heard the term Web 3.0 before (also written as web3).

To understand web3, a quick history lesson is in order: When the internet was first made available it was read-only, in other words, it made information available to the public but in static format; regular people did not have the know-how to publish new content, as this required technical expertise and deep knowledge of code. This initial form of the internet, we will call web1.

The next iteration of the internet, which we experience today, allows regular users to both read content and publish it. With web2, the internet became interactive, paving the way for the creation of social networks, allowing users to connect and create.

The problem with web2 is that information is controlled by central authorities that collect and productise it. In exchange for the ability to create, weve allowed large corporations to establish ownership over our personal data.

That brings us to web3 which seeks to solve the problems created by web2 while also providing the infrastructure for new, disruptive technologies.

The idea is that Web3 will be:

Decentralised (i.e., no organisations will control your data);

Permissionless (anyone may access the network);

Uncensorable (content thats been published cannot be altered or removed);

Monetisable (creators can be paid for the value they create, without a middleman);

Private (identity is encrypted and anonymity is optional).

Sounds good, but how will this be achieved? The idea is that the internet will be rebuilt so as to restructure it around blockchain and cryptocurrencies.

You see, money is an age-old medium of exchange that has been in use for centuries. In fact, the concept of money hasnt changed much over time, although it may be physically different than it was in the past. But up until now, money has been absent as a protocol that forms part of the internet.

This will change with Web3. The idea is that by integrating money into the structure of the internet itself, we can rid the online world of invasive advertising that relies on the mass collection of private data as well as shatter the power of authoritative, big tech monopolies.

Web3 will see the internet undergo a massive restructuring, and it will be built on the following 4 layers:

1. The Blockchain (the Base Layer)

Underlying everything on web3 is the blockchain: a shared ledger run by a decentralised network of peer-to-peer nodes (the same technology that powers Bitcoin and Ethereum).

The blockchain is not owned or controlled by anyone and it cannot be found on a single server. Rather, copies of the blockchain are stored across thousands of participants on the network. Think of it like a decentralised database of transactions.

However, in order to maintain consistency, security and objectivity, each node (participant) much reach an agreement about the networks current state. This agreement is achieved algorithmically using a consensus mechanism, such as proof-of-work or proof-of-stake.

Proof-of-work (PoW) is done by miners, who compete to verify new transactions and add them to the chain as blocks (hence, blockchain). The winner shares the new block with the rest of the network and earns cryptocurrency as a reward. The race is won by the computer which is able to solve a math puzzle fastest  this produces the cryptographic link between the current block and the block that went before. Solving this puzzle is the work in proof-of-work.

Proof-of-stake (PoS) is done by validators who have staked their own cryptocurrency to participate in the network. A validator is chosen at random to verify transactions and create new blocks. They then share them with the rest of the network and earn rewards. Instead of needing to do intense computational work, validators put up cryptocurrency as collateral for agreeing to strengthen the chain. This is what incentivises healthy network behaviour.

In order to defraud such a system youd either need to control 51% of the computational power of the entire network (in the case of PoW), or youd need to own 51% of the total staked cryptocurrency (in the case of PoS). This makes the system trustless, in that the cost of manipulating the system would outweigh any benefit gained by doing so.

The final thing to understand about the blockchain is that its a public ledger; in other words, anyone can view it and see the transaction history of the entire network. However, in order to write to the blockchain, you need to transact, i.e., you need to pay. And thats where cryptocurrency comes in.

2. Decentralised infrastructure

The second layer of web3 is the infrastructure that sits on top of the blockchain. You see, the blockchain enables the creation of decentralised infrastructure, and this will form the backbone of the digital, web3 ecosystem. This includes decentralised storage, exchanges, communication systems, social networks and more.

3. New ways to engage

Web3 infrastructure leads to new use cases for the internet. In other words, there will be new ways for people to engage with one another, earn money online and entertain themselves. This includes the creation and selling of NFTs, new ways to conduct commerce, decentralised communities, gaming, and yes, the metaverse.

A quick word is needed about NFTs. NFT stands for Non-fungible token (i.e., something thats one-of-a-kind); they are basically digital collectibles that are stamped onto the blockchain. They can also represent real-world items (this is important). The introduction of NFTs has resulted in jpegs of apes being worth hundreds of thousands of dollars.

People have even begun to mint real-life animals as tradable NFTs (Ill let you mull over the significance of that yourself). In short, NFTs will form the basis for ownership in the metaverse (of which more soon).

4. Access

The final layer of web3 will be the access layers, which are the means by which participants will access the system. Right now, we experience the internet through applications and websites. With web3, users will access the internet using these same means together with decentralised apps and crypto wallets.

With web3 comes a strange dichotomy between freedom and enslavement. On the one hand, it could lead to a free internet, ungoverned by authorities, and uncensorable, where everyone has the ability to transact freely, without the need for third parties.

On the other hand, many people that promote web3 as being an uncensorable utopia are the same people promoting programmable currencies and the metaverse  two concepts utterly adverse to the notion of a free society.

After all, for a currency to be programmable, somebody must be doing the programming. This brings us back to the promotion of CBDCs (Central Bank Digital Currencies) and what researcher James Corbett refers to as the Bitcoin PsyOp; i.e., promotion of the idea that cryptocurrencies and blockchains are all created equal (theyre not!).

Like most things in life, the affect that web3 will have on society will depend on how we use it. In my mind, web3 has the potential to grant freedom or enslave us all. If implemented in the right way, it may well be the globalist kryptonite. On the other hand, it may also be used by the very same elites to construct a digital dictatorship.

We only need to look at the organisations investing in web3 to know that its not all sunshines and rainbows: Facebook is investing in digital wallets with Novi, MasterCard are planning to support crypto transactions and Blackrock is now trading Bitcoin futures that doesnt exactly fill you with hope about the future of crypto, does it?

And while there are many examples of web3 initiatives that would have you clapping your hands and pumping your fists in support, there are an equal number of such projects that would have you hanging your head in despair or slamming your palm squarely into your forehead as you shudder with disgust.

For example, there are a number of web3 projects seeking to unite the seemingly disparate worlds of crypto and climate. The idea? By tokenising carbon credits, i.e., bringing them onto the blockchain, and thereby removing them from the market, the real-world carbon price inflates, incentivising corporations to adopt greener practices. This is one such example of how web3 and climate are uniting to help drive the creation of new (scammy) markets.

There are more examples but this is not the place for a deep dive into the murky waters of crypto-environmentalism. Rather, we will turn our attention to an equally worrying offshoot of web3, one that is being actively driven by one of the most evil and powerful organizations in the world: Facebooks Metaverse.

What Is the Metaverse?

The term metaverse was first used by futurist and Science fiction writer, Neal Stephenson in his 1992 book Snow Crash to describe a theoretical 3D virtual reality that ordinary people could occupy.

Noteworthy is that Stephenson worked at Jeff Bezos spaceflight company, Blue Origin for seven years during the early 2000s when the companys focus was on developing alternate propulsion systems (an interesting job for a novelist, wouldnt you agree?). He was later hired by Magic Leap, a Florida-based augmented reality company, but left in 2020.

A deeper look at Stephensons work reveals some interesting themes, for the list of topics explored in his books reads like the meeting agenda from a closed session at Davos; climate change, global pandemics, biological warfare, nanotechnology, geo-engineering, robotics, cryptography, virtual reality, the list goes on.

In fact, not only has Stephenson written about the metaverse before it became a thing, but some people even credit his 1999 book Cryptonomicon with sketching the basis for the concept of cryptocurrency!

Like certain science fiction writers before him, Stephenson is clearly privy to more than he lets on. And his close relationships with billionaire technocrats like Bezos and Gates only fuel my suspicions that hes not merely a novelist with a good imagination and an uncanny knack for predicting the future.

But alas, we must return to the topic at hand  the metaverse, a virtual world where

you can go about many of your everyday lifes day-to-day interactions and occurrences  in your avatar form. This form can be a human, animal, or something more abstract with its customizable appearance.

Yes, thats right. You can be whatever you want to be. Your avatar (a word popularised by Stephenson!) could be a boy, girl, dog, buffalo, toaster  anything you like!

You can then interact with other peoples avatars in this virtual world. In the Metaverse, you can buy and sell land, attend concerts and go to museums, build a house, and more.

As the work of Neal Stephenson shows, the metaverse is not a new idea. The concept has been gradually leaked into mainstream culture over the last twenty plus years. Just think of video games like Second Life and movies like The Matrix or Ready Player One.

It was only last year (2021) that Facebook rebranded as meta, positioning itself for a future in which it will play a leading role in developing the infrastructure to realise the metaverse.

Still not sure how this all fits together? Simple: With a virtual world like the metaverse comes virtual money and virtual goods, i.e., cryptocurrency and NFTs. Without cryptocurrency, the metaverse would not be possible.

The Meta-Economy: Will it Truly be Decentralised?

Web3 itself has the potential to drastically overhaul the global economy in many ways, one of which is through the adoption of truly decentralised currencies as an alternative to central bank issued money-as-debt.

However, as I alluded to before, the other possibility is a world governed by centrally issued digital currencies, controlled, tracked and programmed by the powers that be.

Although the metaverse is being marketed as a decentralised universe controlled by its users, that simply isnt the case. At best its a mistake, at worst its another example of the bitcoin PsyOp at work.

If there were a world where the metaverse, or some form of virtual reality, were going to be beneficial to society, it would have to be spearheaded by transparent and accountable organisations with nothing to gain.

Facebook is hardly that sort of organisation. And joining them in building out the meta ecosystem are several prominent tech players. This will almost certainly ensure a continuation of the centralized, monopolistic practices that have allowed unethical behaviour, such as harvesting of private data, to go largely unchallenged (not to mention the stifling of innovation in the online space).

Cudos envisions a centralised metaverse as being worse than the most creative dystopias yet conceived. And Id have to wholeheartedly agree.

During Facebooks metaverse release demo, Mark Zuckerberg said that hes

come to believe that the lack of choice and high fees are stifling innovation, stopping people from building new things and holding back the entire internet community.

Other players in the web3 space called Zuckerberg out for being a hypocrite, rightly pointing out that Facebook itself is the definition of a monopoly, having done exactly what Zuckerberg appeared to be condemning in his speech: stifled competition, and reduced consumer choice.

That said, Facebook is certainly not the only big company investing in the metaverse. In fact, several other big brands have seen the opportunity for massive profit and have gladly jumped aboard the meta-train. Nike, for example, responded by acquiring RTFKT Studios, a virtual shoe company (yes, virtual shoe company), to help them sell shoes in the metaverse.

Adidas were quick to follow suit, creating an NFT collection that sold for over $22 million! But thats not all. They also bought a plot of land in the metaverse to host virtual parties and events!

As it turns out, virtual real-estate is big business. According to an article published on CNET:

Startling amounts of money are being spent on virtual real estate inside Worldwide Webb Land and other metaverses. In June, a metaverse investment firm called Republic Realm spent $913,000 on a parcel in Decentraland, another metaverse. It was the largest deal of its kind at the time. About six months later, the same firm bought 792 plots in Sandbox, still another metaverse, from video game company Atari for an eye-watering $4.23 million.

Among the global organisations buying plots of land in the metaverse are PwC, JP Morgan, HSBC, and Samsung. Some companies see it as an investment (as excitement over the metaverse grows, the prices of real-estate will go up), while others are simply establishing a presence there or investing in advertising space.

Even Snoop Dogg has gotten in on the action, purchasing a mansion in Sandbox and driving up prices of adjoining real-estate to well over $400,000 (a price that people are willing to pay apparently).

The Philosophical Ramifications of Web3 and Life in a Virtual Reality

While web3 and the metaverse have been the focus of much hype recently, whats seldom contemplated is the philosophical and moral implications of a society that lives and breathes these technologies.

For example, how will our collective mortality be affected if people begin living parts of their life in a virtual reality where they can do anything without fear of retribution? Where do we draw the line between its just a game and you should go to prison for that?

These are important questions that require careful consideration. In fact, there have already been reports of people being sexually harassed in VR and the problem is only likely to get worse.

These issues become more concerning when we realise that the metaverse is primarily being marketed to Gen-Z (anyone born after 1997), who often spend more than 8 hours online each day and are more embedded in digital culture more than anyone else.

Sadly, a generation that has grown up playing violent video games and having their minds raped by AI algorithms, feeding them all manner of abhorrent videos on TikTok is the perfect target market for VR and other mind-numbing technologies that the transhumanists are desperately pushing on society. Its almost like theyve been primed for it.

Quynh Mai, founder and CEO of Moving Image & Content, the Gen Z-centric digital marketing consultancy, describes Gen Z as follows:

They have been living most of their lives digitally since birth: making friends through social media, discovering music through Spotify algorithms, building games in Roblox, and buying and selling products literally off the backs of strangers on DePop. They are so comfortable maneuvering in the digital world as its built on shared trust and reputation. They understand the importance of nurturing their digital identity, whether its their TikTok account or a leaderboard score in a game.

Gen Z in the metaverse have none of the social constraints associated with their physical identities, something unthinkable to every previous generation in history. We have to consider the implications of this from a sociological, philosophical and psychological perspective. How will this affect their personal development?

These are serious concerns that nobody seems interested in tackling.

Furthermore, what if the metaverse is merely a stepping stone towards a far darker reality, one in which you are no longer in the metaverse, but the metaverse is in you?

None other than Elon Musk hinted at this during an interview last year in which he made fun of the metaverse saying he wasnt sold on the idea of strapping a screen to his face.

It gets uncomfortable to have this thing strapped to your head the whole time.

No, Musks idea of a virtual reality is far more worrisome, for he for-sees a world in which the metaverse is literally implanted into your head via a brain-AI interface.

Long term, a sophisticated Neuralink could put you fully, fully in a virtual reality thing.

(This is a good example of the transhumanist tiptoe as I like to call it, where these technologies are slowly integrated into society, each serving as a stepping stone for the next until society finds itself embedded in a digital prison  having this clunky thing strapped to your head is so cumbersome, why dont we just insert it into your brain instead?).

Apart from the concerning philosophical and psychological implications of living life in a VR, web3 brings with it all kinds of new possible futures, some of which may actually be an improvement to the way society currently functions, with its reliance upon corrupt central banks and infiltrated governments.

Futurist and former CTO of Coinbase, Balaji Srinivasan, envisions a world in which the blockchain has allowed online communities to materialise into the real world as independent, sovereign states. He calls this concept the network state and he defines it as follows:

The Network State is a digital nation launched first as an online community before materialising physically on land after reaching critical mass.

In other words, the network state, according to Srinivasan, will be the next version of the nation state. He maintains that, due to the decentralised nature of the blockchain, network states will begin as geographically decentralised communities, connected via the internet.

This community will be made up of regular people who believe in a common cause; it will be a group that is capable of collective action. Eventually, the community will begin to build up its own, internal economy using cryptocurrency.

This will allow them to start holding in-person meet-ups in the real world and eventually crowd-fund apartments, houses and even towns to establish co-living facilities and bring digital community members into the real world.

The final step of the process is for the new community to negotiate diplomatic recognition from pre-existing governments, increasing sovereignty and becoming a true network state.

This leads us to Srinivasans more complex definition of the concept:

A network state is a social network with a moral innovation, a sense of national consciousness, a recognized founder, a capacity for collective action, an in-person level of civility, an integrated cryptocurrency, a consensual government limited by a social smart contract, an archipelago of crowdfunded physical territories, a virtual capital, and an on-chain census that proves a large enough population, income, and real-estate footprint to attain a measure of diplomatic recognition.

Srinivasans philosophy is an interesting one, and despite being a self-proclaimed transhumanist, he just may have outlined a realistic route to gaining independence from the centrally-controlled, ever-more-authoritarian, world state.

What Is the Blockchained Society?

Make no mistake, web3 and the metaverse have the potential to squeeze human consciousness into a digital prison, while the controllers rob the world of everything thats real.

However, theres a fine line between an authoritarian, transhumanist, money-as-debt, brave new world and a world made up of decentralised communities working together for the good of society.

Indeed, web3, cryptocurrencies and the blockchain are going to change society as we known it. But whether that change will be for the betterment or detriment of humanity is up to us.

Does that mean we can allow ourselves to indulge in optimism? Not yet. After all, these are new technologies that arent yet well understood.

Having said that what if decentralized finance does gain a foothold, making centralized banking obsolete? What if web3 leads to censorship resistance platforms that engender freedom and creativity? What if network states break out and begin declaring independence from existing control structures?

The possibility of any of those things happening would constitute a massive threat to the Schwabians and their Great Reset, one-world government agenda. And that would go some ways towards explaining the irrationality and down-right craziness that weve witnessed over the last few years.

The question is this: will the blockchain allow the creation of a new society, unburdened by monopolistic, centralised authorities, or will it quite literally chain us to the corrupt practices of a financial system in which there is no freedom to transact?
Syria will receive "advanced communications equipment" from the government of China, which was announced and confirmed during a prior July embassy ceremony in Damascus. The official announcement described the aid as aiming "to improve local network infrastructure, especially in those areas hit hard during the Syrian crisis since 2011." This comes after China has long been in talks with the Syrian government over general post-war reconstruction efforts and investment opportunities.

2021 photo of Foreign Minister Wang Yi (L) greeting Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad in Damascus, via Xinhua

Israeli officials worry that after years of reporting on quiet Chinese military advisory and technical support given to Assad and the Syrian Army, Beijing is poised to grow potential military aid. According to Israeli sources cited in Breaking Defense, "this could be only the tip of the iceberg of Chinese assistance for Syrias effort to rebuild its armed forces."

Israel has long sought throughout the over decade-long war in Syria to severely degrade the Syrian Arab Republic's military capabilities - seeing it as a long term threat to Israeli security - given also Damascus is a close ally of Tehran.

According to more from the recent Breaking Defense report:

"We have indications that Chinese experts visited in recent months some Syrian military installations that were damaged heavily during the civil war," one source said. "We believe that many [facilities] of the Syrian army will be rebuilt by the Chinese, who have the capability of bringing in thousands of workers to complete the work in the shortest time."

These unnamed Israeli defense sources were backed in their assessment by the former head of Mossad:

"Any type of relations between a world power like China and a country that is one of Israels enemies is worrying," said Danny Yatom, a former head of the Israeli Mossad intelligence agency. "The Chinese without any doubt will perform big programs in Syria, and Israel should make sure that this fact will not limit its freedom of action in Syria. Israel will not take any chance of hitting by mistake Chinese people that will be working in Syria as part of the reconstruction work."

Syrians may finally get some needed relief from frequent Israeli bombing raids that have killed scores of Syrians.



China will provide #Syria w advanced communications equipment. Russia will provide S300 anti-aircraft missiles.

https://t.co/12vc0KjCTL  Joshua Landis (@joshua_landis) July 28, 2022

China has never joined the West in calling for regime change in Syria. But quite the opposite, Beijing has stressed 'counter-terrorism' in line with the general Syrian-Russian-Iranian perspective on battling foreign jihadists.

The Chinese government has in particular been worried about Chinese Muslim foreign fighters who entered the conflict on the side of Al-Qaeda linked groups. For example, members of the East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM) - a Uighur Muslim separatist group that China has battled both at home and abroad - are believed currently to be operating in Idlib. The Turkestan Islamic Party has been known to join forces with global jihadist movements in recent years, particularly in Syria amid the fight to topple Assad.
Xi attends reception celebrating 95th founding anniversary of PLA

Xinhua) 07:59, August 01, 2022

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, and other senior leaders of the Party and the state, including Li Keqiang, Li Zhanshu, Wang Yang, Wang Huning, Zhao Leji, Han Zheng and Wang Qishan, attend a reception held by the Ministry of National Defense to celebrate the 95th founding anniversary of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, July 31, 2022. (Xinhua/Yan Yan)

BEIJING, July 31 (Xinhua) -- Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, on Sunday attended a reception to celebrate the 95th founding anniversary of the People's Liberation Army (PLA), which falls on Aug. 1.

The reception was held at the Great Hall of the People by the Ministry of National Defense.

Xi, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), was joined by other senior leaders of the Party and the state, including Li Keqiang, Li Zhanshu, Wang Yang, Wang Huning, Zhao Leji, Han Zheng and Wang Qishan.

Entrusted by Xi, CMC member, State Councilor, and Defense Minister Wei Fenghe extended festive greetings to all the officers and personnel of the PLA, members of the armed police, and others on behalf of the CPC Central Committee, the State Council, and the CMC.

Wei paid tribute to veterans and heroes who contributed to the development of people's armed forces and representatives of army role models. He also sent regards to people dedicating themselves to the front of defense-related science, technology, and industry. He expressed gratitude to Party committees, governments, and people's organizations at all levels that have unrelentingly supported the efforts to strengthen the country's national defense and armed forces.

The PLA is the people's armed forces founded by the CPC, Wei said while addressing the event. Over the past 95 years, under the firm leadership of the CPC, the people's military has made indelible achievements in realizing national independence, liberating the Chinese people, and making the country prosperous and strong, he added.

The PLA has underpinned the efforts to protect the country's national sovereignty, security and development interests, and made significant contributions to safeguarding peace and tranquility in the world, Wei said.

Wei called for thoroughly implementing Xi Jinping's thinking on strengthening the military and speeding up the modernization of national defense and the armed forces.

He also underscored efforts to build a solid national defense and powerful armed forces, commensurate with China's international standing and meeting the needs of its security and development interests, thus providing strategic support for realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Du Mingming)
Zhang Junli views paintings during the exhibition of her works in Taiyuan, capital of north China's Shanxi Province, July 26, 2022. (Xinhua)

TAIYUAN, July 31 (Xinhua) -- "Every step I took was as if I were treading upon the points of sharp knives, which was a feeling shared by the little mermaid in Hans Christian Andersen's story. I wondered if I was also a sea princess," Zhang Junli laughed, recalling the time when she was able to walk.

Zhang, 44, was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis at the age of six and lost most of her joint functions by the time she turned eight.

With worried parents and growing tired of being confined to her bed all day, Zhang decided to take back her childhood hobby of drawing.

"I realized that the most miserable life is not being occupied by endless work but idling the days away," Zhang said.

The journey to becoming an artist was not easy. Zhang's joints and fingers were entirely stiff and she could only wedge the brush between her thumb and index finger, angling her shoulder and adjusting the pressure she applied to the canvas.

Used to lying on her right side, Zhang found it hard to reach her paintbrush to the lower left corner of the canvas as she was unable to move the canvas at will.

She racked her brain, eventually deciding to practice drawing with her left hand. As her joints and hands were largely paralyzed, she had to use her left hand to hold the paintbrush like a sword, placing her left hand over her right, which was supporting the canvas at the same time.

"I was disappointed and often burst into tears when the canvas was spoiled by my inability to control the paintbrush," Zhang recalled. She still runs into difficulties occasionally when she draws long lines, even after more than 20 years of practice.

As a fan of animated films, Zhang was drawn to the stylized eyes, hairstyles, and costumes of the characters, and replicated them on her canvases.

Unexpectedly, her work was published in a local sci-fi magazine. Zhang's parents were thrilled, showing off her work to colleagues, neighbors and relatives.

"Since I became ill, my mother was in low spirits and I aspired to make her feel proud of me. And my wish has come true," Zhang said.

Zhang has since determined to become a professional cartoonist, hoping to change her life by drawing cartoons.

Gradually, she found that she was unable to paint many scenes she had envisioned as she had never received any professional training. In 2004, she was deeply unhappy with a painting she had spent six months working on, and this crushed her confidence and dreams.

For the next few years, Zhang stopped drawing comics.

In 2005, her parents, who were under financial pressure to send their two other children to college, bought her a laptop for 6,000 yuan (around 889 U.S. dollars). Zhang gradually emerged from her slump and began to write online. Like painting, reading books and writing worked to shield her against loneliness and illness.

Zhang writes novels using a small wooden stick to tap on her keyboard.

"So many stories come to mind every day, and when I can't draw them, I write them down," Zhang said. She has written four online novels and an autobiography titled "My Existence."

A visitor views a painting during an exhibition of Zhang Junli's works in Taiyuan, capital of north China's Shanxi Province, July 26, 2022. (Xinhua/Chen Zhihao)

But she still couldn't give up her dream and decided to start her formal training with basic sketching at the age of 31. She learned from online courses and drew her sketching materials on coarse paper, as she was unable to afford gypsum geometry blocks and sketching paper.

After practicing sketching for five years, Zhang dabbled in oil painting. She couldn't go out to see nature, so she drew using her imagination and the photos that her friends and relatives took.

Her favourite work is one of a little girl running with passion on the Chaka Salt Lake, known as China's "Mirror of the Sky." She named it "Aspiration."

"The little girl is me," Zhang said.

She now runs an online store, Lili's Easel, where her works are available for sale. She has sold more than 200 paintings to date.

An exhibition of her works was recently held in Taiyuan, capital of north China's Shanxi Province, and it received widespread recognition.

She hopes that her paintings will be exhibited in different cities, and that she will be able to see the scenery she has painted.

"In fact, my biggest wish is to hug my parents one more time, for it has been hard for them holding me up all my life," Zhang said. 
After being used to monitor deforestation, malaria outbreaks, hurricane damage and urban sprawl by scientists and not-for-profits since 2010, geospatial data analysis platform Google Earth Engine is now open for commercial use.

Sydney-grown start-up Regrow Ag, which uses satellite imagery to measure agricultural carbon sequestration and boost crop yields, gained early access to the Google Cloud-based technology a year ago.

Dr Anastasia Volkova, chief executive of Regrow Ag, founded the company in Sydney and recently raised $50 million in a Series B capital raise. Credit:Kyle Grillot

Weve been aiming to have our technology as scalable as this for a long time, said Regrows chief technology officer Juan Delard de Rigoulieres Mantelli.

Regrows Ukranian-born chief executive, Dr Anastasia Volkova, originally founded the start-up as FluroSat in 2016 and focused on technology that could analyse crops, detect plant disease and boost yields.
New Australian Medical Association president Steve Robson thinks he may have contracted COVID-19 in Sydney at the associations national conference at the weekend, after he woke up with a scratchy throat on Monday. The last CBD heard, he was awaiting the result of a PCR.

Robson said while the conference was the most COVID-safe event Ive been to, with just about everyone masked, the risk of contracting the virus on flights, in Ubers and at cafes in Sydney was significant as the city reached the peak of the current wave.

Unfortunate time to be crook: AMA president Steve Robson.

Its an unfortunate time for Robson to be crook, as some of his union comrades look to escalate the feud between some doctors and professional standards watchdog the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency over its efforts to cool some of the snarkier online expert medical commentary that has been a feature of the pandemic.

Some high-profile doctors  some of whom want a royal commission into the authority  have shot back, with Melbourne paediatrician Andrew Watkins telling trade press the Medical Journal of Australia that he was particularly angry over the agencys ridiculous stance.
More than 20 years ago, Ann Mossop was on the board of Sydney Writers Festival when it broke free of the Sydney Festival to become an independent cultural organisation.

Now shes returning to the event as artistic director, succeeding Michael Williams who steered it through the past two COVID-impacted years.

Ann Mossop is studying the longlist of the Booker Prize to continue SWFs habit of inviting the winner to attend the festival. Credit:

I left the board because I was moving to live overseas, but ... Ive always been very fond of the festival and stayed in touch with what it was doing, she told The Sydney Morning Herald. It is unusual to be coming to work for an organisation where you know such a lot of the history and have been paying close attention for such a long time.

Mossop, who is director of the Centre for Ideas at UNSW, has a substantial record in staging public discussions and debates. She was head of talks and ideas at the Sydney Opera House from 2010 to 2017 and co-led the Festival of Dangerous Ideas, of which she remains a co-curator. And she was also co-founder of the annual All About Women Festival at the Opera House. Mossop has signed a three-year contract with the Sydney Writers Festival.
TEHRAN, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani said here Monday that an agreement is likely to be reached in the near future regarding the time for resuming talks aimed at reviving the Iranian 2015 nuclear deal.

"It is possible that we will reach a conclusion in the near future regarding the time of the negotiations," Kanaani said at a weekly press conference.

Iran "welcomes any initiative that helps to reach an agreement," he said.

He urged the United States to "show its readiness to reach a logical, reasonable and sustainable agreement and refrain from deviating issues," saying "we remain optimistic that the negotiation process will lead us to logical and reasonable results."

The spokesman stressed that reaching an agreement is a "serious strategy" for Iran, because an agreement could protect both the country's interests and the interests of the other side.

Washington's withdrawal from the nuclear pact, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), in May 2018 and reimposition of unilateral sanctions on Iran, and the latter's retaliatory moves, drove the deal almost to the brink of collapse.

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. 
After being located at 5.37am, Mr Divers first words were: I can hear you. When a 10cm hole was punched through debris, he had his first human contact at 1pm- 61 hours after being trapped under concrete and earth when a 10-second landslide engulfed Carinya Lodge and cannoned it into Bimbadeen Lodge, obliterating both. One man in Carinya, 18 people in Bimbadeen - a lodge for resort staff - and a woman walking behind her husband were buried by the roaring torrent of earth, water and debris. Its freezing in here, get me a blanket, Mr Diver told rescuers, who have been enduring bitter cold since Wednesday night in their dangerous and sometimes criticised attempt to find bodies and survivors. Early yesterday morning, sensitive audio equipment picked up noises under a huge reinforced concrete slab. Excavation equipment was immediately shut down.

Finally, silence descended on the scene and Sydney Fire Brigade officer Steve Hirst , a specialist urban structure rescuer, called out: Rescue team working overhead, can anyone hear me? There was a murmur. Mr Hirst said: I called for complete silence on the site. I repeated the call and had a voice come strongly back to me: I can hear you. The gentleman said he was in fine spirits and doing quite well and was uninjured - just extremely cold. Mr Hirst asked him to state his name clearly. Mr Diver replied once again: I can hear you.

After two nightmarish days, Mr Diver had his first human contact with the outside world. Paramedics reached through the 10cm hole to touch him for the first time. A pipe carrying warm air was fed through the spy hole and placed under his shirt, warming his body and drying his wet clothes. A torch and electrolyte fluids were also passed to the survivor, who had cuts to his body and was suffering from a minor case of hypothermia. He told paramedics he could feel his body and briefed them about his situation.

S.C.A.T. paramedic Paul Featherstone as he was released from the Thredbo landslide. Ambulance spokesman Dane Goodwin said: He keeps saying he is in high spirits, he keeps talking about his situation, where his cuts are and how he feels. We cannot say if he is alone in this traumatic situation. When he broke the news that there were signs of life in the maelstrom of ruins, Chief Superintendent Charlie Sanderson said: A miracle has occurred. Emergency workers clawed at debris with their bare hands to free Mr Diver, trapped under what had been the carpark, as new landslides interrupted their rescue mission.

Relatives of Mr Diver watched helplessly from the top of Alpine Way as the rescuers tried to dig him out. It is believed his wife Sally was buried with him. Rescuers said Mr Diver, whose fire rescue worker brother Euan has been helping the operation, was entombed in a squashed bedroom surrounded by at least two metres of concrete, ripped mattresses, collapsed roofing and other debris. A concrete cocoon surrounds him, Mr Goodwin said. A tunnel was dug horizontally under the slab to reach the survivor. Camped in the tunnel, two members of the elite specialty casualty access team were in constant verbal contact with the man and refused to leave their post when landslips occurred. These constant dangers were always followed by three loud blasts from a siren, which forced the two human chains of 70 workers clearing the debris off the landslide site.

Rescue workers have told other relatives not to give up hope of finding their loved ones alive. Its hard to imagine anyone could be dug out alive - but no-one is giving up hope for the rest of them, ambulance spokesman Mick Johnson said. Rescuer Steve Hirst said that, when he was found, Mr Diver was in good spirits, not badly hurt but extremely cold. Mr Hirst said he had been with the crew using a chainsaw to cut through debris just after 5.30am when he heard a faint noise. In the lull I believed I heard a noise which was uncommon. I got the chainsaw knocked off, lay down on my stomach and made contact. Fire chief spokesman Commander Ian Krimmer said no-one had given up hope of finding more survivors.

We will continue to dig hand by hand, inch by inch, until we have accounted for everyone. Early yesterday afternoon, rescue attempts focused on trying to reach possible survivors by tunnelling through a lower part of the cliff-face. A team of medical experts was on standby to rush Mr Diver immediately to Thredbo Medical Centre to treat him. Afterwards he was transferred by helicopter to Canberra Hospital. SES, fire brigade, volunteer bush firefighters and rescue police continued to work to stabilise the slab (15 by 15 metres and varying from 30cm to 45cm thick).

Mr Johnson said the removal of debris had appeared slow and painstaking, but rescuers were using techniques effective in the aftermath of the Oklahoma City bombing. We know that we have one man alive in there and now it gives us great hope about getting the others out. That is what everyone is now doing, he said. The desperate effort to free Mr Diver took its toll on rescuers who have maintained a constant presence at the disaster site. Despite being relieved every few hours, most were exhausted. NSW fire brigade chaplain Bob Garven said the rescuers were stressed and tired and were being encouraged to get sleep and have meal breaks.

Loading We are advising them to look after themselves, he said. We are trying to keep them focused on the job they are doing and making sure their needs are met. Its extremely difficult and dangerous work and they are doing a tremendous job. And the words all Australia prayed to hear were delivered by Chief Superintendent Sanderson when he said: A miracle has occurred and signs of life have been detected. They have made voice contact with a male person who is certainly alive. THE RESCUE OF STUART DIVER

First sign of life heard at 5.37am before rescuers begin digging under slab. Loading Concrete slab was part of car park which collapsed, along with three vehicles, during landslide. Stuart Diver, trapped in air pocket under concrete slab for three nights, suffering mild hypothermia and minor lacerations. Rescuers use 10cm hole made through a 2m thick wall of rubble to pass the man a rubber hose to pump warm air into the cavity, an intravenous drip line to prevent dehydration and a torch.
Being LGBTQ  or an ally  it seems, will cost you. Sydney Mardi Gras, already the envy of other global cities, will next year run consecutively with WorldPride, the largest LGBTQ event on earth, following Sydneys successful bid to be host city.

Sydney will host WorldPride in 2023. Credit:Edwina Pickles

Itll be the biggest international event Australia has hosted since the pandemic began, and one of the most significant that Sydney has hosted since the 2000 Olympic Games.

But judging by online reaction to news of its first flagship events, the gays are already uproarious. One online commentator  fearful of a repeat of 2020, when Mardi Gras sold 10,000 tickets off the back of big names such as Dua Lipa performing in a venue that accommodated half that capacity  warned of Sydney becoming the laughing stock of the world.

Shocking prices emerged, leading the first over-riding message about an event branded on its inclusivity to be the opposite: accusations include elitist, exclusive and extortionate.
The remaining students at Colmont School in Kilmore will be forced to leave the school within days after voluntary administrators failed to secure an emergency bailout from the government and could not secure rent relief from the schools landlords.

Administrators for Colmont, an independent school that was heavily reliant on fees from international students, had been appealing to the schools landlords, Taiwanese-born businessman Chien-Long Tai and his wife, Yuyu Chen, for rent relief.

Colmont School went into voluntary administration last week, leaving hundreds of families scrambling to find a new school. Credit:Jason South

The school collapsed last week due to a lack of funds, leaving hundreds of students in years 3 to 10 with just two days to find a new school. Students in years 11 and 12 were told the school would remain open to them for a longer period so they could continue their international baccalaureate studies without the disruption of having to find a new school at short notice.

Paul Langdon, an administrator at Vince & Associates, said the school is running out of funds and in the absence of any significant financial support, cannot continue to operate for much longer.
A magistrate has slammed as disgusting, vile and repugnant the actions of a man who targeted a Melbourne suburb with more than 50 swastika stickers the day after the Victorian government introduced legislation to criminalise public use of the hate symbol.

Jimeone Roberts, 29, was on Monday convicted and ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid community work after he pleaded guilty to public nuisance in Moorabbin Magistrates Court. Police say Roberts is affiliated with the Australian far-right organisation National Socialist Network.

One of the swastika stickers put up in Caulfield on May 12.

Police say Roberts and Jack Darren Bell plastered the adhesives of the swastika throughout Caulfield, a suburb with a large Jewish population, about 10am on May 12.

That was one day after the Andrews government announced it would criminalise the Nazi symbol by introducing specific offences and penalties of up to one year in jail and fines of up to $22,000. The legislation had bipartisan support.
Asked what his message was to Coalition opponents of the Voice, Wyatt said no government in Australia has provided continuity of advisory structures to Indigenous Australians. They change with every government and we have seen organisation after organisation come and go and the advice they give to make a difference to quality of life never changes. We have to have something that is more permanent so that a minister or government cant abolish it, he said. Liberal MP James Stevens said he was supportive of constitutionally enshrining the Voice, but disagreed with the governments view that the Australian people be asked to vote in a referendum on the principle without the detail of how it would operate. We cant risk holding a referendum that proceeds to be unsuccessful. That would be a disaster for reconciliation in this country, Stevens said.

Its my view that its much more likely to pass if were very clear with the people of Australia on what the Voice will be that they are voting to create. Whether people like or not, Indigenous Australians have lived on this continent for 60,000 years and they need certainty, they need to be part of the co-designing process at the community and regional level. That includes having an impact on federal thinking for solutions to address the 17 targets for closing the gap. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese during the Garma Festival. Credit:Getty Wyatt said he did not support direct election of representatives to the proposed 24-member Voice and backed the 2021 report prepared by professors Marcia Langton and Tom Calma, which recommends selecting them from regional and local Voice bodies around the country. However, in an appearance on the ABCs Q&A program on Monday evening, Indigenous Australians Minister Linda Burney flagged that a directly elected model would be on the table.

What the Leeser-Dodson [2018 parliamentary] report [on constitutional recognition] said is that the Voice will be representative. The point I was attempting to make was, in fact, that there is obviously  as the prime minister has pointed out  consultations, particularly with First Nations people, that need to be had about the way in which a Voice would be constituted, Burney told the ABC on Monday. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese insisted that the detail on how the Voice would work was readily available. Hundreds of pages of detail have been worked through by Marcia Langton and Tom Calma - theyre all out there for people to see, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told The Project on the Ten Network on Monday night. Noel Pearson threw his support behind Albaneses weekend speech on Monday, telling ABC TVs 7.30 the proposed three-sentence addition to the constitution was the detail we have been waiting on.

Pearson, an Indigenous lawyer, academic and land rights activist, said Australia needed to come together behind the proposal. In order to succeed we have got to rise above the culture wars, weve got to rise above our tribal divides and see that this is the one question that requires Australians to make common cause. Because if we make common cause on this, we will make our country better, he said. I think that this is a modest proposition, modest but profound, capable of being consistent with liberal and conservative thinking. Professors Megan Davis and Pat Anderson, who co-chaired the Uluru Dialogue, which produced the Uluru Statement from the Heart that proposed a Voice model, both said more detail on the proposed model would need to be released before the referendum was held. But it would not be necessary for the model to be finalised or the draft legislation prepared.

Anderson said we wont have every i dotted and t crossed before we go to the referendum but governments have held referendums in the past without all of the background information. Loading This national conversation is going to require a level of sophistication and maturity. This is an opportunity for Australia to decide what kind of country we are, what our principles and values are. This can change the country, this is nation building, lets suspend the knocking attitude and lift this debate, she said. Davis said there did not need to be a fully fledged structure to the proposed Voice before the referendum was put but enough detail so people could make an informed decision. Both women dismissed claims from opponents of the Voice that there was insufficient detail about the proposed model, pointing to the Uluru statement, the 2019 parliamentary inquiry and the 2021 Langton-Calma report.
Americas stealthy submarines in the region remain submerged and mostly intact. They can detect some of the mayhem above, but they rely on US satellites to communicate. The sub-commanders cant report their findings or receive orders. The US has two big navy battle groups in the region as the attack unfolds, the standard for peacetime deployment. According to Molans scenario: Carrier-killer missiles from Chinas east and south coasts are fired at the larger ships in both battle groups, with backup from smaller cruise missiles from Chinese ships and submarines in the vicinity, and from Chinas old but usable H-6 bombers, which each fire two of the enormous anti-ship cruise missiles they haul into the air under their wings. All the major combatants are torn apart, burn and sink. The cost in human lives is appalling, writes Molan. Xi Jinping has delivered his message even as the world still struggles to restore communications. Xis message to America, as Molan puts it:

You are out of the Western Pacific and we will not let you re-establish your bases in Japan, South Korea or even Guam. From Japan to Australia and out to Hawaii, the Western Pacific is now a Chinese sphere of influence. Its merely a scenario, but is it plausible? Molan argues that were preparing for the wrong war. He thinks that were all standing around waiting for a limited Chinese attack on Taiwan. And while he says thats possible, it would only happen if Chinas strategists are silly. A prudent Australia would have started to prepare 20 years ago. Jim Molan, former major general and now Liberal senator If Xi struck Taiwan, his attacking forces would be vulnerable to a hammering from the US. Why would he accept that pain when he has the option of pushing America out of the hemisphere altogether, forcing it back to the region east of Hawaii? Then he can take Taiwan at his leisure, probably without the use of force. And dictate terms to US allies including Australia, now cut off from its great ally.

And Xi can luxuriate in historys acclaim as the ruler who ended half a millennium of Western dominance of the Pacific. But is Molans scenario plausible? Or is he just an obsessive ex-army type whos spent too much time alone with the internet and a paranoid imagination? Former major general in the Australian army and now Liberal Senator for NSW, Jim Molan. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen I turned to a well-regarded US strategist, Elbridge Colby, for guidance. Colby was the lead author of the US National Defence Strategy published in 2018. From his seat at the Pentagon as deputy assistant secretary of defence for strategy and force development, he was privy to Americas defence capabilities and all its secrets. And all US knowledge of Chinas. After reading Molans scenario, Colbys verdict: It is very credible. Molan clearly knows what he is talking about. I would say, if anything, he may well underestimate the scope and scale of a Chinese attack. It is possible they would go for a narrower strike, but it is also possible they would go even bigger than he lays out.

In Molans vision, Australia would receive special attention from Beijing. Because if Washington decided to try to regroup and fight back short of nuclear war, its most likely operating base would be Australia, just as it was for General Douglas MacArthur in 1942. So as part of its attack on the US, China positions eight of its submarines at four critical points around the Australian continent. They fire cruise missiles at the air force planes sitting on criminally unprotected bases. Australias small but beautiful air force has been destroyed. Loading Next, Chinas subs send self-propelled, automated sea mines to seal Australias military ports. The navy is trapped until it can manage to clear them. And so on. The prospect of a war in the Western Pacific is dark enough for the US, but it is even darker for Australia, with our one-shot defence force, our enormous vulnerability because of import dependence for fuel, pharmaceuticals, fertiliser and many other critical supplies.
on Monday reported a 5 per cent drop in its total two-wheeler sales at 3,15,054 units in July 2022.

The Pune-based automaker had sold a total of 3,30,569 two-wheelers in July last year.

Domestic two-wheelers sales increased by 5 per cent to 1,64,384 units in July 2022 against 1,56,232 units in the year-ago period while exports dropped 14 per cent to 1,50,670 units as compared to 1,74,337 units in the same month of last year, the company said in a regulatory filing.

The commercial vehicles (CV) sales rose 3 per cent in the month at 39,616 units over 38,547 CVs sold in domestic and international markets in July last year, as per the filing.

Total sales (two-wheelers and commercial vehicles) fell 4 per cent to 3,54,670 vehicles during the reporting month as compared to 3,69,116 units in July 2021, the company said.

Total exports (two-wheelers and CVs) declined by 15 per cent to 1,71,714 units in July compared to 2,01,843 vehicles sold in the overseas markets in the same month of 2021, it said.

(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.)
expects electric vehicles' adoption to pick up pace over the next few years and is gearing up to cater to demand both in passenger vehicle and two-wheeler segments.

The company, which on Monday introduced two tyre brands for electric passenger vehicles and two-wheelers, is bullish on opportunities across domestic and international markets.

"The consensual view is that the electric two-wheeler segment will grow the fastest and in that too scooters will be the first followed by motorcycles.

"Besides, the bus segment will also grow and four-wheeler will probably reach about 15-20 per cent (of the overall passenger vehicle sales) by 2030," President (Asia Pacific Middle East and Africa) Satish Sharma told PTI in an interaction.

Electric two-wheeler sales could account for 30-35 per cent of overall sales by 2030, he suggested.

"There is every reason to believe that there will be rapid expansion of electric vehicles and therefore tyres for such models," Sharma said.

The company has launched two brands -- Amperion and Wav for electric passenger vehicles and two-wheelers respectively.

"We will be expanding the lineup as we move ahead," Sharma said.

He noted that the company is also looking to cater to electric models in the European market through its Vredestein brand.

"It will be first launched in Europe and then we will bring it to India if required because the real action at the premium end will come from premium players," Sharma said.

Global premium players like Mercedes Benz, Audi, and Volvo are all looking at introducing at least one or two electric models, he added.

"So, we will be competing with the likes of other premium tyre suppliers for such electric cars," Sharma said.

Apollo Amperion will cater to the EVs in hatchback, compact SUV and sedan segments in India, like Tata Nexon, MG ZSE, Hyundai Kona and other upcoming EVs.

Apollo WAV on the other hand will cater to the majority of high-powered electric scooters available in the country, like TVS iQube, Bajaj Chetak and Ather 450.

The company plans to develop EV tyres for motorcycles in the next phase, considering the extremely low numbers in this category currently.

"Our teams have invested years of research to understand the changing dynamics and requirements of vehicles in EV space to perfect the product that we are launching today," Sharma said.

The tyre major is already in discussions with multiple OEMs in India to supply these tyres for the electric vehicles, and will be targeting a lion's share in the EV space in India, in both PV and two-wheeler segments, he added.

EV tyres use the latest generation polymers, traction resin and other raw materials to handle the instant acceleration of the EVs, the company said.

(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.)
TEHRAN, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- The spokesman of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) said on Monday that the AEOI has been ordered to launch and inject gas into hundreds of new centrifuges, including IR-1 machines and advanced IR-6 ones.

Behrouz Kamalvandi said this move was in line with the implementation of a strategic law aimed at removing anti-Iran sanctions and safeguarding the interests of the Iranian nation, official IRNA news agency reported.

The International Atomic Energy Agency has already been informed of the measure, the official noted.

Iran signed a nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), with world powers including the United States in July 2015, agreeing to curb its nuclear program in return for the removal of sanctions on the country.

However, former U.S. President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew Washington out of the JCPOA in May 2018 and reimposed sanctions on Tehran, prompting the latter to drop some of its commitments under the pact. 
After buying spectrum worth Rs 88,078 crore in the auctions, on Monday said it is gearing up to roll out an advanced 5G network to make India a global leader in digital connectivity and solutions.

The company emphasised that it is fully ready for 5G rollout in the shortest period of time, backed by nationwide fibre presence, an all-IP network with no legacy infrastructure, an indigenous 5G stack and strong global partnerships across the technology ecosystem.

Akash M Ambani, Chairman of Infocomm, said the company is set to lead India's march into the 5G era and added "we will celebrate 'Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav' with a pan India 5G rollout".

"Jio is committed to offering world-class, affordable 5G and 5G-enabled services. We will provide services, platforms and solutions that will accelerate India's digital revolution, especially in crucial sectors like education, healthcare, agriculture, manufacturing and e-governance...," Ambani said in a statement.

In the just-concluded auction, Jio has acquired the right to use spectrum in the 700 MHz, 800 MHz, 1800 MHz, 3300 MHz and 26 GHz bands.

"The acquisition of the right to use this spectrum will enable Jio to build the world's most advanced 5G network and further strengthen India's global leadership in wireless broadband connectivity," the company statement said.

Jio's 5G network will enable the digital solutions that will accelerate India's AI (Artificial Intelligence) driven march towards becoming a USD 5 trillion-plus economy.

Jio highlighted that it created multiple world records during its rollout of the largest 4G network in the shortest period of time, and added "Jio will now raise the bar even further with its 5G services".

Jio's 5G solution is "made in India, by Indians and to suit the need of every Indian".

"With its unmatched 700 MHz spectrum footprint, Jio will be the only operator providing pan-India true 5G services with faster speeds, lower latency and massive connectivity," the Jio statement claimed.

According to sources, Jio has bought spectrum worth Rs 39,270 crore in the coveted 700 MHz bands, and radiowaves worth Rs 1,050 crore for spectrum in the 800 MHz band.

Jio paid Rs 33,740 crore for radiowaves in the 3300 MHz band, Rs 6,990 crore (26 GHz band), and Rs 7,027 crore (1800 MHz band), the sources said.

The company meanwhile said its total annual payment for spectrum bought across multiple bands adds up to Rs 7,877 crore.

"Through this acquisition, Jio's total owned spectrum footprint has increased significantly to 26,772 MHz (uplink + downlink), which is the highest in India," the company said.

India's biggest ever auction of telecom spectrum received a record Rs 1.5 lakh crore of bids, with Mukesh Ambani's Jio cornering nearly half of all the airwaves sold with an Rs 88,078 crore bid.

Richest Indian Gautam Adani's group, whose entry in the auction was billed by some as another flash point in the rivalry with Ambani, paid Rs 212 crore for 400 MHz, or less than one per cent of all spectrum sold, in a band that is not used for offering public telephony services.

Telecom tycoon Sunil Bharti Mittal's Bharti Airtel made a successful bid of Rs 43,084 crore, while Vodafone Idea Ltd bought spectrum for Rs 18,799 crore.

Telecom Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said of the 72,098 MHz of spectrum offered across 10 bands, 51,236 MHz, or 71 per cent, was sold.

In all, bids worth Rs 1,50,173 crore were received, he said, adding the government will in the first year get Rs 13,365 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.)
Way before the rains arrived at Talwandi Sabo Power plant in Punjab, the one check the ministry was carrying out was the availability of coal stock with the generator. Talwandi Sabo Power Limited (TSPL), the 1,980-Mw thermal power plant of Sterlite Energy, part of the Vedanta Group, which supplies about 15 per cent of Punjabs power, is one of the most difficult locations to manage supplies. It is nearly 1,700 km from the mines of Mahanadi Coalfields in Odisha, the longest route in India and possibly the trickiest as it cuts through the traffic heavy rail lines between Delhi and eastern India.

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Infosys Finacle, which is part of EdgeVerve Systems and a subsidiary of the IT services firm, said on Monday it has been inducted into the International Centres Authoritys (IFSCA) regulatory framework to pilot its blockchain-based trade finance solution.

Federal Bank, HDFC Bank, HSBC, ICICI Bank, RBL Bank and State Bank of India are collaborating with in the frameworks first phase.

The collaboration will test the blockchain-based Buyers Credit solution, for short-term credit in foreign currency, for import payments and trade finance transactions. The solution will later be available as a SaaS-based offering for all banks servicing clients from GIFT City in Gujarat.

It will reduce transaction times from weeks to hours and save cost. It will also enable trade expansion to drive economic growth. The solution will also enable marketplace capability where customers can request the participating banks international banking units at GIFT city to provide competitive quotes to unlock the best offers.

Trade is a vital engine for economic and social progress. Yet, trade finance has a huge unmet demand globally. Solving this problem can help unlock significant opportunities for businesses and banks. But the trade finance ecosystem is complex. Multiple entities and paper-heavy processes create high turnaround times and significant costs, said Sajit Vijayakumar, chief operating officer at .
US hedge fund and Japanese giant have trimmed their investments in Indian start-ups by over a third  from $3.8 billion in the second half of 2021 to a mere $1.08 billion in H1 2022, according to data from Venture Intelligence.

While SoftBanks investments in India dropped from $1.9 billion in H2 2021 by more than a fifth to only $0.33 billion in H1 2022, that of fell from $1.92 to $0.74 billion in the same period.

Private equity (PE) fund trackers point out that this year most of the deals that has invested in are in the early stage (up to series D), and only a few are in the series E and above. Many start-up founders, too, admit the rush of has slowed down, and that with the focus now on preserving cash, controlling costs and moving faster towards profitability, new fund raises with large ticket sizes are becoming hard to come by.





Illustration: Binay Sinha

Tiger Global and SoftBank, once the darlings of Indian startups, helping them raise funds and hit better valuations, have been going through global headwinds. Tiger Global, which handles $75 billion through its PE and public funds, is having a bad year, with losses ballooning to 52 per cent in May due to the sell-off in tech and growth stocks in the US. Known as a unicorn hunter, the fund invests in tech in the internet, financial and software sectors, amongst others.

announced in May that it had incurred losses to the tune of $13.2 billion in the last fiscal due to the government crackdown on Chinese where it has large investments. The fear of recession is also making investors wary of staying in with bloated valuations. In fact, CEO Masayoshi Son has stated that will cut back on its investments.





In H2 2021, the two funds accounted for 20 per cent of the investments made in India by the top 17 PE players. But in H1 2022, their share has fallen by half  to 10 per cent. Again, in H2 2021 Tiger and SoftBank were at number 3 and 4 amongst the top PE funds, based on their investments in terms of value. But in H1 2022, SoftBank was relegated to number 17, while Tiger Global was at number 4.

Of course, there has also been an overall slowdown in the money that VC/PE funds are willing to invest in Indian companies. In H1 2021 the top 17 funds invested $18.5 billion, but that number has fallen to $10.08 billion in the first half of this year.

But other funds with a substantial stake in start-ups have stepped up. CapitalG, which is part of Alphabet, has hiked its seven-fold  from $79 million in H2 2021 to $769 million  in companies like Cardekho and Practo, amongst others. Alpha Wave Global, which is a big investor in the start-up space and in companies such as Mensa, Dream 11, Cars 24, Chaayos, Dailyhunt, Cred, Delhivery, Ola, and Ola Electric, has also increased its exposure in India. Its investments have shot up from $516 million in H2CY21 to $718 million in the first half this year.

An interesting development in the space is the advent of domestic family businesses and government-supported funding vehicles. For instance, the governments National and Infrastructure Fund participated in the recent fund raise of $128 million of electric vehicle (EV) company, Ather Energy. And PremjIinvest, a PE fund owned by Azim Premji, has invested $402 million in H1 2022 (compared to only $185 million in H2 2021) in various start-ups, including First Cry, upGrad, Dailyhunt, Absentia VR and Shubham Housing, among others.

The other big players which have substantially increased their exposure in India in the first half of the year are sovereign funds like Qatar Investment Authority, ADIA, and CPPIB.
has decided to allow its pilots to fly till they are 65, internal documents of the Tata Group-owned airline show, as it works its fleet expansion plans.

"DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation) allows pilots to fly till the age of 65 years, compared to the retirement age of 58 years. Allowing pilots to fly till the age of 65 is a practice followed by most airlines in the industry," the airline's document dated July 29 stated.

Tata Group-owned is considering buying more than 200 new planes with 70 per cent of them being narrow-bodied aircraft, according to aviation industry sources.

The airline's document said that considering the future expansion plans for its fleet, it is imperative to meet the workforce requirement.

"To meet our requirement, it is proposed to retain our current trained pilots at Air India post-retirement on a contractual basis for five years extendable to 65 years," it mentioned.

It said that a committee comprising officials of human resources department, operations department and flight safety department will be constituted to examine the eligibility of pilots retiring in the next two years.

The committee will be responsible for reviewing the past records of the pilots with respect to discipline, flight safety and vigilance, it mentioned.

After a detailed review, the committee will recommend the shortlisted names to the human resources department's chief for issuing them post-retirement contract, it noted.

"The contract would be issued for a period of five years extendable up to 65 years," it mentioned.

On completion of five years of satisfactory service at the age of 63, a comprehensive examination of their performance will be considered by the committee for further extension till 65 years of age, it noted.

The Tata Group took control of Air India on January 27 after successfully winning the bid for the airline on October 8 last year.

Air India's newly appointed CMD Campbell Wilson had last week asked the airline's integrated operations control centre (IOCC), which is the "nerve centre" of any carrier, to report directly to him and give recommendations on how to improve the on-time performance.

(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 has asked airlines to increase their engineering-related capabilities at all base and transit stations, the junior minister for civil aviation told lawmakers on Monday, after a series of safety-related incidents in recent weeks.



Airlines have also been asked to take "appropriate mitigation action and greater internal surveillance to ensure safety of air operations", V. K. Singh told the parliament.



Indian airlines reported 478 technical snags in the year to June 30, 2022, but dozens of mid-air safety incidents in recent weeks have prompted special spot checks and safety audits by the aviation regulator.



The spotlight is on budget carrier SpiceJet Ltd , which has experienced "a series of occurrences during operation of their aircraft fleet" due to malfunction of components, bad weather or bird strike, Singh said.



On Thursday, a SpiceJet plane was forced to abort its take-off on a Mumbai runway due to a caution alert, in the latest incident involving the loss-making airline which came a day after the regulator cut its capacity by half.



Between May 2 and June 6, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) conducted special safety checks on 300 aircraft, including 62 planes belonging to SpiceJet. The spot checks raised findings that were corrected by the airlines, he said.



The carried out another round of checks from July 9 to July 13 on just 48 SpiceJet aircraft.



While the checks did not raise "any significant finding or safety violations", as an abundant safety measure the prevented use of 10 planes until the airline was able to rectify all the reported defects or malfunctions, Singh added.



SpiceJet said on Monday it was confident of addressing any concerns the regulator might have.



The government has urged airlines to "give utmost importance to safety of operations" and special audits and spot checks have been ordered by the DGCA, Singh said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
has formed a task force in the wake of Monkeypox cases in India to monitor and provide guidance to the government on the expansion of diagnostic facilities and to explore vaccination for the infection in the country.

The decision was taken during a meeting which was attended by Cabinet secretary, Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan, Additional Secretary (PMO) and other senior officials.

"The team will be headed by Dr VK Paul, member (Health), NITI Aayog and members including Secretary, Union Health Ministry, Pharma and Biotech," sources told ANI.

India has reported four Monkeypox cases so far, three cases in Kerala and one in Delhi. A youth in Kerala presenting monkeypox-like symptoms died, following which state Health Minister Veena George initiated a high-level inquiry.

"A high-level inquiry will be conducted into the death of a person with symptoms of monkeypox in Chavakkad Kuranjiyur. The result of the test conducted in a foreign country was positive. He sought treatment in Thrissur," George said.

"Delay in seeking treatment will be investigated. The health department called a meeting in Punnayur regarding the death of a young man due to monkeypox. A contact list and route map of the deceased youth were prepared," she added.

The health department called a meeting in Punnayur regarding the death of a young man allegedly due to Monkeypox.

Meanwhile, a contact list and route map of the deceased youth has been prepared. Contact persons are advised to undergo isolation.

The central government is on an alert even as the count of infections in some other countries has risen.

NITI Aayog's member (Health) Dr V K Paul said that there is absolutely no need for any panic as the government has taken significant measures to keep the disease in check.

In an interview with ANI, Dr Paul sought to assert that there was no need for any undue panic but added that it was still important that the country and the society stay vigilant.

"There is no need to panic, as of now, but one must report in time if they spot any symptoms, he said.

According to World Health Organization (WHO), more than 18,000 cases have been reported from 78 countries.

"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," said Dr Tedros, Director General, WHO on Thursday.

Monkeypox is a zoonotic disease caused by the monkeypox virus, which belongs to the same family of that causes smallpox. The disease is endemic in regions like West and Central Africa but lately, cases have been reported from non-endemic countries too, according to the WHO.

(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.)
Reeling from a severe coal crisis, secondary steel makers in are looking to enhance supply from the mines in the state.

The mineral-rich state contributes about 20 per cent to the countrys secondary steel output.

The annual requirement of coal for steel industries, including captive power plants in Chhattisgarh, is around 20-22 MT. But we are getting hardly 25 per cent of the demand, said Anil Nachrani, member of the steel ministrys advisory committee for secondary steel industry and president of sponge iron manufacturers association.

Chief Minister has come out in support of the industry and has written to Union Minister Pralhad Joshi to address the issue. You will agree that it would be a very unfortunate decision for the state to not be able to supply coal to its small-scale industries, Baghel said in his letter.

He said South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL) had decided to stop the to Chhattisgarh-based steel units and other industries (except power sector) from August.

This would have a serious impact on the economy and the industrial facilities barring power plants had to be shut down, the Chief Minister said.

Baghel urged Joshi to direct SECL officers to continue the supply of coal. SECL spokesperson did not respond to the company's version on the issue.
Delhi Transport Minister on Monday approached the high court here challenging the provision of seeking prior permission from the Central government for foreign visits by the chief minister and other ministers of the state.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was recently denied permission for a visit to Singapore.

Gahlot, who is an Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader, has sought framing of guidelines and appropriate directions in connection with the power of the to deny or grant permission to elected representatives for their personal and official visits, a lawyer associated with the case said.

Justice Yashwant Varma asked the petitioner to file an additional affidavit to buttress one of the reliefs claimed in the petition relating to permission for personal foreign visits.

Gahlot was represented by senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi in the matter.

The court listed the petition for further hearing on August 22.

(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 (ED) has arrested MP in a money laundering case linked to alleged irregularities in the redevelopment of a Mumbai 'chawl', officials said.

Raut, 60, was arrested after over six hours of questioning at the ED's zonal office in south Mumbai's Ballard Estate.

He has been taken into custody at 12:05 am on Monday under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) as he was not cooperating in the probe, the officials claimed.

The Rajya Sabha MP of the Sena, led by former Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray, will be produced before a special PMLA court in Mumbai later in the day, where the will seek his custody.

An agency team had on Sunday reached his residence in Mumbai's Bhandup area, where they conducted a search, questioned Raut, and by evening, summoned him for questioning at the agency's local office.

Before entering the ED office, Raut told reporters that the federal agency's action was aimed at trying to weaken the and Maharashtra and that a "false" case was prepared against him.

The ED probe pertains to alleged financial irregularities in the redevelopment of Patra 'chawl' and related financial property transactions involving his wife and alleged associates.

In April, the ED provisionally attached assets worth over Rs 11.15 crore belonging to his wife Varsha Raut and two of his associates as part of this investigation.

The attached properties are in the form of land held by Pravin M Raut, Sanjay Raut's aide and a former director of Guru Ashish Construction Pvt Ltd, at Palghar, Saphale (town in Palghar) and Padgha (in Thane district).

These assets also include a flat in Mumbai's suburb Dadar held by Varsha Raut and eight plots at Kihim beach in Alibaug jointly held by Varsha Raut and Swapna Patkar, wife of Sujit Patkar, a "close associate" of Sanjay Raut, the ED had said.

The agency is understood to have questioned the Sena leader about his "business and other links" with Pravin Raut and Patkar and also about the property deals involving his wife.

(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.)
BAGHDAD, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- Thousands of Shiite parties' supporters held a protest in central Baghdad on Monday to counter an earlier demonstration by followers of prominent Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, amid calls for restraint to avoid bloodshed.

The followers of al-Sadr's opponents in the Coordination Framework (CF), an umbrella group of Shiite parliamentary parties, tried to cross the suspension bridge on the southern side of the Green Zone in the afternoon to get closer to the parliament building, where al-Sadr's followers are holding an open sit-in protest.

Security forces were heavily deployed at the bridge, where concrete barriers were erected to prevent the protesters from approaching the parliament building, according to a source from Baghdad Operations Command who asked to remain anonymous.

A few hours later, the CF protesters removed some concrete barriers, but riot police used water cannons to prevent them from approaching the main gate of the Green Zone, which houses the main government headquarters, residencies of some top political leaders and some foreign embassies.

After several hours of demonstration, the CF protesters left the area in a peaceful manner in the evening.

Late on Sunday night, the Organizing Committee to Support Legitimacy, affiliated with the Shiite CF, announced a counter-protest by its supporters near the Green Zone.

"We call on our Iraqi people to demonstrate peacefully to defend their state," the committee said in a statement.

The tension escalated between al-Sadr and the CF parties on Saturday, when hundreds of al-Sadr followers began an open sit-in in the parliament building in the Green Zone, rejecting the nomination of Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani as the country's prime minister on July 25 by al-Sadr's opponents in the CF.

In a statement released earlier on Monday, Hadi al-Ameri, head of the al-Fatih parliamentary bloc affiliated with the CF, called on the leaders of the Sadrist Movement and the CF leaders to exercise restraint and to take into account the interests of the country through constructive dialogue.

Also on Monday, thousands of demonstrators of al-Sadr's followers took to the streets in the provinces of Babil, Basra, Muthanna, Karbala, Nasiriyah, Maysan and Diwaniyah, all south of Baghdad, and Diyala east of the capital, following a call by al-Sadr late on Sunday for Iraqis to support the open sit-in protest in the parliament.

The CF 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 that secured 73 seats, to withdraw from the parliament.

During the past months, the continued 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, now the CF, to form a new government that would rule the country for the coming four years. 
Following the death of a man due to in neighbouring Kerala, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai has called an "important meeting" of the Health Minister and department officials on Tuesday regarding control measures and treatment facility to be put in place.

Samples of a 22-year old man who, who died in last week, have come out positive for on Monday, official sources in New Delhi said.

The Chief Minister also indicated that the government is likely to issue certain directions following the meeting.

"We have taken seriously, tomorrow I have called an important meeting with the Health Minister and Health department officials, to discuss how to check the travellers, setting up labs and other measures that need to be taken," Bommai said on Monday.

Speaking to reporters here, he said, the meeting will decide on the measures that need to be taken and directions need to be issued to control the spread of monkeypox, also regarding the required treatment and arrangement for medicines.

The 22-year old man who recently returned from UAE had allegedly died due to monkeypox on Saturday in .

Health Minister K Sudhakar on Sunday had said that the Ethiopian national, who was suspected to have a monkeypox case in Bengaluru has turned out to be a case of chickenpox.

All travellers from affected countries are being screened on arrival into the state, he had said.

The Karnataka government had recently decided to speed up surveillance activities and keep a strong vigil in the state.

It has instructed officials in all the districts in the state to ensure effective preparedness and take required action as per the Centre's guidelines and Technical Advisory Committee recommendations regarding monkeypox.

(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.)
Despite a one-month extension granted by the AAP government, Delhi witnessed an unofficial dry day on Monday as liquor vends kept shutters down and no alcohol could be served in hotels, clubs and bars after the expiry of excise licenses on July 31.

The on Sunday decided to extend the retail licenses for one month. The Excise department will issue an order to this effect after Lt Governor V K Saxena's nod to the Delhi Cabinet decision.

With liquor stores closed, employees loitered around talking to customers waiting eagerly outside vends to reopen.

"We have no idea when the order will come. Even if it comes today, there is no stuff in the shop tp sell," said a liquor vend employee near ITO.

A zonal license holder said there was still uncertainty as the order by Excise department was delayed.

"Since the government made the announcement of reverting to old excise policy regime, we were in the process of wrapping up business.

"We are the worst sufferers as despite investing huge amount, we are forced to quit retail sale of liquor within months," he said.

Under the new excise policy 2021-22, the had issued 849 retail licenses across the city divided into 32 zones. The policy was implemented from November 17, 2021.

A restaurateur charged that there seemed to be "administrative incompetence" of "highest level" on the part of the government which has led to the situation.

"if they wanted to extend the license, they should have done it earlier. First, they took back the new excise policy and decided to run vends through their agencies and now one month extension is being given thinking nothing about losses we will suffer with no business to do," he said.

Around 468 liquor stores were running in the city as the government decided to revert back to old excise policy.

Meanwhile, the has extended licences of country liquor vends by two months till September 30 as fresh tenders are yet to be finalised, officials said on Monday.

The Excise department of Delhi government, in an order issued on Saturday, extended the licences of over 250 country in the city.

"The extension is subject to payment of pro-rata fee for the extension period," said the order.

Tenders for country liquor licence were floated twice in recent months.

On the first occasion, the tender failed to attract adequate number of bidders while the excise department scrapped it the second time after finding out that bidders were "pooling" to keep the bids low, they 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.)
A private hospital, that came up just last year during the coronavirus pandemic, was busy attending to its patients when power tripped around 2.30 pm Monday, and then all hell broke loose.

While the power system was switching to the backup, something went wrong -- possibly an electrical short circuit - and that ignited the inferno at New Life Multi-speciality Hospital near Damoh Naka under the Gohalpur police station area of Jabalpur, and eight lives were lost in no time.

Four patients and three staffers of the hospital, housed in a ground plus three-storey building, were among the deceased, while five others were injured in the massive fire.

Preliminary investigations suggest an electric short circuit caused the fire after a power outage while the system was switching over to the generator around 2.30 pm, Jabalpur Superintendent of Police (SP) Siddharth Bahuguna told reporters.



Flames started from the ground floor, moved upwards and then engulfed the entire building. On noticing the flames, people outside the hospital immediately rang up authorities and informed them about the blaze.

Inside the 30-bed hospital, which had seven patients at the time of the tragedy, staffers and caregivers screamed for help.

Many could not escape in time as the hospital had only one exit, eyewitnesses said.

Chandan Singh, who lost his relative Durgesh Singh, told PTI that he admitted the latter just an hour before the fire broke out.

"Durgesh Singh had sustained injury to his leg and I got him admitted to the hospital. Just when I stepped out of the building to buy medicines I got to know about the blaze," Chandan Singh added.

I rushed back up find the building in flames. I manged to enter the building which was cordoned off. The scene was chaotic outside the hospital. Later, I was informed that Durgesh was no more. I cursed myself for bringing him to the hospital, said Chandan Singh in a choked voice with his eyes welled up.

Jabalpur Chief Medical and Health Officer Dr Ratnesh Kuraria said the hospital started functioning on January 5, 2021, during the COVID-19 outbreak.

He said the private medical facility had two entries an exits - one for outdoor patients and the other for going upstairs.

Dr Kuraria said the hospital had all relevant documents in place - no objection certificate from the fire department, clearance of pollution control and building permission.

We have visited the hospital and further proceedings are on, he added.

Jabalpur Collector Dr Ilayaraja T said four patients, a caregiver and three staffers of the facility died in the fire.

Of the five injured, he said, two were in critical condition and admitted to the ICU of the government medical college in Jabalpur.

The Collector said there were 20 to 25 people in the hospital when the blaze started.

Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan expressed grief over the tragedy and announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh each to the family of the deceased and Rs 50,000 per injured person.

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Two (IAF) pilots, wing commander M Rana and flight lieutenant Adivitya Bal were killed on July 28 when a MiG-21 Bison aircraft crashed in Barmer, . The pilots were flying a sortie when the accident took place. MiG-21s in India have had a shaky track record.

The first procured the MiG-21 in 1963. In the last 60 years, over 400 MiG-21s have crashed, killing over 170 pilots, according to data from the Ministry of Defence. It has earned the aircraft grim epithets like 'flying coffin' and 'widowmaker'.

A history of MiG-21 in India

The Mikoyan-Gurevich 21 (MiG-21) was developed by the Soviet Union and took its first flight on June 16, 1955. As India was getting ready to scale up its military capabilities after losing to China in the 1962 Sino-India war and facing rising pressures from Pakistan, MiG-21 was acquired by the country in 1963.



Also Read | MiG-21 set to retire: A dive into the aircraft's long date with accidents

Over the next 25 years, inducted 874 MiG-21s. 657 of these were built by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). HAL made several variants of the aircraft, including MiG-21FL, MiG-21M, and MiG-21bis. Despite the induction of more advanced aircraft like the Dassault Mirage 2000, Su-3 MKI and Dassault Rafale, Mig-21s continued to be the mainstay for the .

MiG-21FL was inducted into the IAF in the early 1960s. They were later phased out in 2013. A more upgraded version of MiG-21FL, MiG-21bis, was inducted in 1976 and continues to be a part of the IAF.

In 2001, India received its first MiG-21 Bison, a more advanced version of MiG-21bis. The latest Mig-21 Bison was given to IAF in 2008.

It was a MiG-21 Bison that was flown by flying officer Avani Chaturvedi, who became the first women pilot in the IAF to complete a solo flight in June 2016.

It was also a MiG-21 Bison that was being flown by wing commander (now group captain) Abhinandan Varthman when he shot down an F-16 of the Pakistan Air Force on February 27, 2019. Varthman's aircraft later crashed and he was taken into custody by Pakistan. He returned to India on March 1, 2019.

Currently, IAF has four squadrons of MiG-21 Bison aircraft, each comprising 16-18 aircraft. This takes the total strength of these jets to 64-72.

Last week, the government of India decided to retire the MiG-21 from the IAF by 2025.
The mortal remains of two Border Security Force jawans, who were killed in a violent protest in Congo, reached their respective villages in .

Shishupal Singh Bagdia from Sikar's Laxmangarh area and Sanwalram Vishnoi from Barmer's Gudamalani area will be cremated with military honours on Monday.

Bagdia and Vishnoi, both head constables, were part of the Mission in and were killed during violent armed protests in Butembo city on July 26.

Their mortal remains reached their villages on Sunday evening.

Bagdia's elder brother Madansingh said a 'tiranga yatra' will be taken out from Balaran to their native village Bagdia ka Bas in his honour.

Singh and Vishnoi were a part of MONUSCO - the United Nations Organisation Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of .

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Outgoing Police Commissioner Rakesh Asthana on Sunday said although he has retired, his desire to work for the force and the public remains intact, and asserted that he did not feel a "headache even for a minute" while performing his duty.

The 1984-batch Gujarat cadre IPS officer, who has in the last one year brought some notable changes in the Police, such as merging Police Control Room units with police stations and separating law and order from the investigation unit, said he believes his team "did well".

Sanjay Arora (57), a Tamil Nadu-cadre IPS officer who headed the Indo-Tibetan Border Police, a paramilitary force, replaces Asthana.

"Although I have retired today, I believe I can do a lot more for the Police, the people and the country... I still have that desire to work. But then, anyone who joins the force has to retire one day," Asthana said in his farewell speech.

He attributed his desire to continue work to the positive energy that he received from the and said there was never a minute where he felt a "headache" and wanted to quit the force.

"I would like to say this first....whatever association I have had in this one year with the Delhi Police, it has been very enriching and satisfying, both professionally and personally. I worked hard, so I had this desire to serve. The desire still remains and it is a fact," Asthana said.

Appreciating his officers for controlling the Jahangirpuri violence that broke out in northwest Delhi earlier this year, Asthana recalled that he was in Madhya Pradesh's Jabalpur during the incident and said he was "proud" of his team for controlling the situation.

"I immediately called DCP Usha Rangnani and she confidently told me that the situation will be controlled. I then got a call from the Special Commissioner of Police (Dependra Pathak) and he told me that he's reaching in 10 minutes. He assured me that everything will be controlled in an hour and he did. I was anxiousbut I was proud," he said.

Asthana also took the opportunity to express his gratitude to Balaji Srivastava, who was then the Additional Commissioner of Police.

"He (Balaji) had only been the commissioner for a month when my order came. He was very composed and conducted himself well till the time he was here. I admire him because he accepted an outsider like me. He briefed me before leaving and thoughout my tenure he kept in touch and was helpfulI was skeptical for a moment because of my backgroundreplacing an AGMUT cadre officer, but I think we did well"



It was during Asthana's tenure that for the first time, eight police station across the districts were headed by women SHOs.

He also called for an open house sessions with the police personnel of each rank to listen to their greviances and address them.

To make women feel safer, he ordered creation of pink police booths across the 15 district units.

He also launched a social media centre to strengthen the force's online presence.

In the morning, Asthana took salute during the Farewell Ceremonial Parade at New Police Lines.

Later, at the Adarsh Auditorium in Delhi Police Headquarters situated on Jail Singh Marg, senior Delhi Police officers felicitated Asthana and thanked him for his service.

Asthana was appointed as the Delhi Police Commissioner on July 28 last year.

Arora, a 1988-batch IPS officer who was once part of the Tamil Nadu Police's Special Task Force which hunted down forest brigand Veerappan, will take charge on Monday. He is due for retirement in 2025.

According to an official order, the competent authority has approved his inter-cadre deputation.

Arora is the second successive non-AGMUT cadre IPS officer to head the Delhi Police and the third since the Delhi Police Act was passed in 1978 and a Commissionerate established.

(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.)
Sashastra Seema Bal Director General S L Thaosen on Monday took over the additional charge of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police from his batchmate Sanjay Arora, who has been appointed as the new Commissioner.

The 1988-batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officers shook hands and Arora handed over the baton to Thaosen at the headquarters located at CGO complex on Lodhi Road here.

Arora was given a ceremonial 'general salute' by an drill contingent before he donned the insignia and badge on his 'khaki' uniform and departed.

Arora, 57, was appointed as the Commissioner on Sunday by the Union government following the retirement of Rakesh Asthana, a 1984-batch IPS officer.

Arora's appointment as the Delhi Police chief came after the Union home ministry approved his inter-cadre deputation from Tamil Nadu care to AGMUT.

The Delhi Police functions under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and its officers belong to the Arunachal Pradesh-Goa-Mizoram and Union Territory (AGMUT) cadre.

The new Delhi Police Commissioner is expected to charge later in the day at the police headquarters, a senior officer said.

Thaosen, an IPS officer from the Madhya Pradesh cadre, was recently appointed the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) DG and took charge of the Nepal and Bhutan borders guarding force on June 1.

"He shall hold additional charge of the post of DG, vice Shri Sanjay Arora, till the appointment and joining of the regular incumbent or untill further orders whichever is earlier," according to a government order.

The about 90,000 personnel strong Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) is primarily tasked to guard the 3,488 kms long Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China apart from rendering a variety of roles in the internal security domain.

Thaosen went through a quick introduction of officers and a brief operational review of the force after taking charge, a senior ITBP officer said.

(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 special court here on Monday sent MP to the custody of Enforcement Directorate for 3 days, till Thursday, in a money laundering case arising out of the Patra Chawl land scam.

Special PMLA court judge M.G. Deshpande pronounced the order as Raut was produced before it, hours after he was arrested by the ED here early this morning.

While ED's special counsel Hiten Venegaonkar sought 8 days custody, Raut's lawyer, senior counsel Ashok Mundargi opposed it on various grounds including the health problems of his client who was a cardiac patient.

Venegaonkar argued that Raut was not cooperating with the investigations and hence his custodial interrogation was necessary and the agency wanted to probe other aspects of the Patra Chawl scam and related issues.

He contended that co-accused Pravin Raut was merely a front-man and all deals pertaining to the Patra Chawl scam were perpetrated by .

Opposing the ED's contentions, Mundargi said that Raut's arrest was politically motivated and pleaded for minimum custody for his client.

"He is a patient, suffering from heart-related issues and has undergone surgery, and all medical papers pertaining to this have been submitted to the court," he said.

Venegaonkar claimed that Pravin Raut has received Rs 112 crore from HDIL in which Rs 1.6 crore was transferred to Sanjay Raut, which needs to be probed.

He also argued that Pravin Raut acted as the front-man of even in the purchase of lands in Alibaug, and Raigad, and the duo were close to each other and went on several foreign tours, etc.

The ED further alleged that Raut had threatened one of the witnesses (a woman), appeared once for probe and skipped two other summonses, and he was not cooperating with the investigators.

In response, Mundargi said that the allegations listed in the remand application are vague and stem from a political vendetta as the case dates back to 2018 but is being raised now owing to the changed political scenario.

On the ED's contentions of non-cooperation, Mundargi said Raut had already informed the ED that he was involved in elections, he was in New Delhi, and not running away from the probe as he was attending Parliament.

After hearing both sides, Special Judge Deshpande turned down the ED's plea for 8 days custody, and noted that custody till August 4 would be sufficient.

"I am of the opinion that such a long custody of 8 days is not warranted... I am of the opinion that accused (Raut) is remanded to ED custody up to August 4 that will suffice for investigations," he said.

Taking cognisance of Raut's heart disease and his surgery, the court said that during custody, he may be given some rest instead of interrogating him till late night.

It has also allowed Raut to meet his legal team in the mornings and the ED will not interrogate him after 10 p.m. in view of his health status.

The ED is probing alleged money-laundering that was detected in the redevelopment of the Patra Chawl by HDIL subsidiary, Guru Ashish Constructions Pvt Ltd.

While Pravin Raut, an ex-Director in the Guru Ashish Construction Pvt Ltd, was arrested earlier, the ED also attached his properties and assets belonging to Sanjay Raut's wife Varsha, valued at over Rs 11 crore, in April.

On July 1, the ED had summoned and questioned Sanjay Raut for over 10 hours and then called him again on three occasions, but he had sought time till August 7.

The ED raided Raut's Bhandup bungalow at dawn on July 31, and he was questioned for over nine hours.

Later, he was taken under detention to the agency offices where he was again grilled for over 7 hours before he was placed under arrest.

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Tipplers had a hard time on Monday as restaurants, and hotels in the city declined to serve liquor after their excise licenses expired on July 31. Delhi Lt Governor V K Saxena granted approval to the extension of excise licences of hotels, and to serve liquor for a month after a decision to this effect was taken by the Delhi government on Sunday, sources said.

The Excise department will soon issue an official order to this effect, they added. However, although restaurateurs said the process for extension of licenses will be done online, it will take at least a day or two to complete the process, which would mean that people will have to wait for their liquor. On Monday, customers walked into and unknowingly and asked for liquor but their request were declined.

Earlier in the day, the representatives of the National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI) met Excise department officials to urge them to renew the existing licenses. In a memorandum, the NRAI said the industry had welcomed implementation of the new excise policy from November 2021.

However, piece meal extensions have been granted since then for payment of fees/license renewals, the last of which expired on July 31. As done in the past, the industry was expecting an order for payment of fees before July 31.

"This, however, has not happened, and members have received emails informing them about expiry of their excise licenses," read the memorandum. Noting that "such business disruption" is causing huge financial strain on the industry, which is just recovering from the ill-effects of the Covid pandemic, they urged for "immediate intervention" in issuing directions for payment of fees and renewal of existing excise licenses without interruption.

"It is reiterated that the matter is most urgent and we seek a resolution to this issue in order to ensure business continuity for the industry," they further said.

Restaurateurs said they were in the dark about what is happening but said they have learnt that an extension will be granted on the existing licenses for at least a month, but an official order is yet to come.

Sources present in the meeting indicated that the excise department officials had assured that an official order will be issued soon granting extension of licenses but said the duration of extension was not specified.

A restaurateur, on condition of anonymity, said, "In anticipation of the situation, many of us had stocked up liquor which would last us for at least two months but then since our licenses have expired, we cannot serve it.

"It is a very confusing situation at the moment. We have had a good relation with the government and the excise department and hope that they will come out with the official order soon."

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Home Minister on Monday said Central agencies interrogated two men from Bhopal and Raisen who were allegedly involved in creating groups in the name of the (IS) on .

He said the duo was released after interrogation and the agencies prepared clones of their mobile phones and laptops.

A day earlier, the Investigation Agency (NIA) conducted searches in Bhopal and Raisen districts in a case of the activities of the terror group ISIS and seized incriminating documents and material.

The Central agencies had taken two suspects, identified as Mohammed Anas and Mohammed Jubair, for interrogation. The agency prepared clones of their mobile phones and laptops. This action has nothing to do with the state. These men were allegedly involved in creating groups in the name of ISIS on Telegram," Mishra told reporters when asked about the action.

He said Anas and Jubair were released after their interrogation.

Mishra said the had conducted searches at 13 places across six states, including Bhopal and Silwani in the Raisen district of Madhya Pradesh, in connection with the ISIS module and Bihar's Phulwari Sharif cases.

When asked to elaborate, the home minister said Central agencies didn't share information with the state.

"The information shared here is collected with the help of state agencies. We will alert all the police stations to keep watch and ask house owners to inform about such suspects to local police, he added.

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BAGHDAD, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- Four militants of the Islamic State (IS) group were killed on Monday in two operations in Salahudin Province north of Baghdad, a provincial security source said.

Acting on intelligence reports, a federal police force shot dead a suicide bomber wearing an explosive belt in the evening, and another detonated himself during a search operation in an area in the west of the city of Samarra, some 120 km north of Baghdad, Mohammed al-Bazi from the provincial police command told Xinhua.

A third suicide bomber fled the scene during the search operation, al-Bazi said, adding the police are looking for him in the surrounding area.

Meanwhile, a statement issued by the Hashd Shaabi paramilitary forces in the province said they killed two IS militants during an operation in the north of Samarra, without giving more details.

Over the past months, Iraqi security forces have conducted operations against the extremist militants to crack down on their intensified activities.

The security situation in Iraq has been improving since 2017 after defeating the IS. However, the IS remnants have since melted into urban centers, deserts, and rugged areas, carrying out frequent guerilla attacks against the security forces and civilians. 
India's largest gas distributor GAIL (India) Ltd has started gas rationing, cutting supplies to fertiliser and industrial clients after imports were hit under its deal with a former unit of Russian energy giant Gazprom, two sources familiar with the matter said.

Lower gas supplies will affect impact India's urea production, and a sustained cut would lift imports of the soil nutrient, a fertiliser industry source aware of the cuts said.

Neither GAIL nor India's fertiliser ministry responded to Reuters' requests for comments.

Gazprom Marketing and Trading Singapore (GMTS), now a subsidiary of Gazprom Germania, has failed to deliver some liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargoes to GAIL and has said it may not be able to meet supplies under their long-term deal.

GAIL, which imports and distributes gas and also operates India's largest gas pipeline network, has cut supplies to some fertiliser plants by 10% and restricted gas sales to industrial clients to the lower tolerance limit of 10%-20%, the sources said.

The state-run company is operating its petrochemical complex at Pata in northern India at about 60% capacity to save gas for other clients, they said. GAIL has advanced maintenance shutdown of some units at the 810,000 tonne-a-year plant, one of the sources added.

An industrial consumer said GAIL has restricted its gas quantities to a 'take or pay level', the lowest level at which it will not attract a penalty from the customer.

GAIL's measures will cut gas supplies to clients by about 6.5 million cubic meters a day, while imports under the Gazprom deal were averaging about 8.5 mcmd, a separate source said.

"We don't know where else we can cut supplies... Indian customers cannot afford costly spot gas," the second source said.

This source said that GAIL has written repeatedly to Gazprom Germania about supplies under the deal.

Last month, GAIL bought a spot LNG cargo at $38 per million British thermal units (mmBtu) for August loading, well above the level at which it was getting gas under its deal with Gazprom, at about $12-$14 per mmBtu.

GAIL agreed a 20-year deal with Russia's Gazprom in 2012 for annual purchases of an average 2.5 million tonnes of LNG. Supplies under the contract began in 2018.

GMTS had signed the deal on behalf of Gazprom. At the time, Gazprom Germania was a unit of the Russian state firm.

However, following Western sanctions against Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, Gazprom gave up ownership of Gazprom Germania in early April without explanation and placed parts of it under Russian sanctions.

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Indias (IT) and business process management (BPM) workforce will grow by 7 per cent in FY2023 as more than 300,000 jobs are created, said a report on Monday.

Headcount will increase from 5.1 million to 5.45 million, said TeamLease Digital in Digital Employment Outlook Report for the first half of 2023. Demand for digital skills will grow by 8.4 per cent by the end of FY2022.

Contractual staffing headcount is expected to grow 21 per cent, fueled by investments and companies installing new technologies. IT services companies, global capability centres (GCC), and product development companies are the top contract staffing consumers, contributing more than 70 per cent of this trend.



Also Read: Sooner or later, US recession will come knocking at India's tech-hub door

IT- continues to be a sunshine industry in India, being the largest employer in the private sector, employing about 3.9 million people, and contributing to over 8 per cent of the GDP. Our industry here, also amounts to 55 per cent of the global outsourcing market, said Sunil C, chief operating officer at TeamLease Digital.

Overall we also estimate that Indias technology employment will grow from 5 million to 10 million in the next few years, he said.

At least 7 out of 10 IT companies in FY2023 will look for candidates with digital skills from emerging locations, or smaller cities. MarTech (marketing technology) and IoT (internet of things) of are two new additions to the digital skill set this year, with demand for MarTech expected to increase by 5 per cent to 7 per cent and that of IoT by 4 per cent to 6 per cent for FY-2023.

Gone are the days, where talent would necessarily need to move to cities to find jobs. Today, with work from home avenues increasing and more non metro locations becoming popular for digital skills, companies are taking the jobs to people, instead of candidates migrating to the cities looking for jobs, said Sunil, referring to emerging cities becoming important for digital skills.

Thiruvananthapuram, Coimbatore, Cochin, Chandigarh and Ahmedabad are building digital skills owing to the strong presence of large Tier 1 players, product companies, GICs, and Startups. At least 20 per cent of digital talent employed in Tier 1 cities are currently in emerging locations due to continuing work from home (WFH).

Additionally, hiring of engineering graduates is also seeing momentum from emerging locations, but there is still untapped potential. Only 33 per cent of engineering graduates (495000 from the 1.5 million) are getting hired and 35 per cent of the graduates are emerging from the top 500 cities.

Indian IT-BPM attrition continues to be on a higher side and it is expected to continue in the next quarters. In FY-2023, contract staffing attrition is likely to increase from 49 per cent to 50 per cent at least. Gender parity is improving. Industry leaders reported contractual gender diversity in digital skills in FY2022 (at 20 per cent currently) and in FY23 it is going to grow to 25 per cent.
The government on Monday announced a hike in the (DA) for over 7.5 lakh government employees in the state, taking it to 34 per cent.

Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan in a statement said the hike will put an additional burden of Rs 625 crore on the exchequer.

The government has decided to raise the DA of state employees to 34 per cent, which will be at par with the Central government. This will put an additional burden of Rs 625 crore on the exchequer, but it will benefit over 7.5 lakh employees and improve their lives, Chouhan said.

The government employees were getting 31 per cent DA after the state had hiked it by 11 per cent at one go the last time, he said.

The enhanced DA will come to effect from the salary for the month of August, which the employees will receive in September, the chief minister said.

Pensioners will be given the benefit of the DA hike after taking mandatory concurrence from the neighbouring Chhattisgarh government, as it was earlier part of the undivided Madhya Pradesh, it was stated.

(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 is rapidly moving on the path of a digital revolution powered by a young population with a median age in the 20s, increasing broadband and internet penetration, exponential data uptake, and, most importantly, the governments focus on digitalisation. In fact, it would not be out of place to say that in certain sectors, such as fintech, a transformation is well and truly underway with the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) processing payments worth more than $ 1 trillionthats 1000,000,000,000 dollarsin FY22 and crossing a significant monthly milestone of 5 billion transactions in March 2022.

The foundation is the JAM (Jan Dhan bank accounts - Aadhaar unique identity - Mobile phones) trinity which has been the centrepiece of PM Narendra Modis push to bring about financial inclusion, ensure that subsidies reach the targeted recipients through direct benefit transfers (DBT), and be the foundation for major government schemes like Ayushman Bharat. The scope is now being expanded to a digital governance model, which reduces the interface of the common man with government agencies and enhances ease of living.

To delve deeper, 460 million bank accounts have now been opened under the PM Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY), with a total balance of Rs 1.72 trillion. Similarly, nearly 98 per cent of Indias population has been issued an Aadhaar number backed by biometrics which conclusively establishes an individuals identity. Finally, India currently has over 750 million smartphone users, which is expected to cross 1 billion by 2026, along with a migration to 5G. Taken together, it has spurred the transformation of the digital ecosystem by way of indigenous digital services, platforms, applications, content, and solutions.

The roaring success of UPI shows the scale on which transformation is possible.

In 2021, 40 per cent of all real-time digital payments worldwide took place in India; at 48 billion transactions, it was three times that of China and more than six times that of the US, Canada, UK, France and Germany combined. Since 2014, over $300 billion have been transferred by the Centre under DBT and, according to the Centre for Economics and Business Research, real-time payments resulted in an estimated cost savings of $12.6 billion in 2021 alone, helping unlock $16.4 billion of economic output accounting for 0.56 per cent of GDP.

The Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) Project launched by DPIIT under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry is another initiative which will transform e-Commerce in the country. At a time when big tech is being called out for putting corporate goals ahead of the user, ONDC will go beyond the current architecture and make e-Commerce more inclusive by being based on open-source technology and using network protocols independent of any specific platform. It will create new opportunities for MSME enterprises and small traders by giving them access to a non-discriminatory online platform.

Inclusion is critical as technology creates opportunities but also risks increasing the digital divide, especially between urban and rural India. What is needed is 1) improved access at an affordable cost, 2) strengthening of rural digital infrastructure, and 3) educating people on the use of technology. The scale of internet penetration in India and the sheer quantum of data consumed has rapidly driven down costs; at roughly 9 cents per 1GB of data, Indians have the cheapest access to mobile data in the world. Meanwhile, BharatNet is the worlds largest rural connectivity programme which aims to provide a minimum 100 Mbps broadband connectivity to all 250,000 gram panchayats in the country, covering 625,000 villages. However, the third aspect cannot be achieved by the governments efforts alone, and the private sector will have to play a supporting role.

Catalysed by PMJDY, e-KYC and UPI, the revolution is clearly on a sound footing. The Union Budget presented earlier this year takes it forward through initiatives in various sectors such as agriculture, banking and education. However, while the paradigm shift in how India interacts with its citizens is acknowledged globally, there is significant headroom to grow consumption by enabling broader access to financial products since a CIBIL report states that 150 million Indians lack adequate access to credit.

Policymakers should now push the boundaries relating to digitalisation, including permitting the setting up of Digital Banks. Rather than achieve incremental progress through conventional thinking, boldly embracing technology-based interventions will empower people and enable New India to attain the desired level of sustainable and inclusive growth.

Subhrakant Panda is managing director, Indian Metals and Ferro Alloys Ltd (IMFA) and senior vice president, Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI)
The of has held that an insurer cannot escape the liability of paying compensation even when the fitness certificate (FC) and permit of a vehicle is not renewed but the policy is in force.

The HC overruled the judgement of a lower court which had ordered the owner of the school bus to pay compensation to the family of an accident victim because the school bus did not have fitness certificate and permit on the day of accident.

The HC has directed the company to indemnify the school bus owner by paying the entire compensation amount.

"In this case though the policy was in force on the date of accident, the permit and the validity of the fitness certificate had expired," the court noted. The fitness certificate was obtained after the accident.

The HC said that the insurance company "would not have issued the policy unless fitness certificate was in force and it appears that the fitness certificate expired after the issuance of the policy."



As for the permit, the court pointed out that when the permit is applied for after the existing one has expired, "temporary permit is issued for the interregnum period, and it has nothing to do with renewal."



The HC said that it should be deemed that on the day when the accident took place, the permit was in force, adding that the insurance company cannot disown its responsibility to indemnify the liability of the appellant.

Syed Wali was riding a motorcycle with another person Mohammed Shali on the pillion on September 28, 2015 when the two-wheeler was involved in the accident with the school bus. Wali died instantly.

Wali's wife Banu Begum and children Malan Begum and Moula Husen filed claims for compensation.

The insurance company, The New India Assurance Co, claimed that the school bus did not have (a) fitness certificate and its permit was not in force even though the insurance policy was in force.

The II Additional District and Sessions Judge in 2015 accepted the contention of the insurance company. It awarded a compensation of Rs 6,18,000 to the family members of Wali and ordered the owner of the school bus, Dr. Narasimulu Nandini Memorial Education Trust, Raichur, to pay for it.

The Trust approached the with an appeal challenging it. The appeal filed in 2016 was disposed by the division bench of Justice Sreenivas Harish Kumar and Justice S Rachaiah recently.

This amount is now to be indemnified by the insurance company to the Trust as per the HC order.

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Private lender Yes Bank's $1.1-billion capital raise will help strengthen its balance sheet and provide it with growth capital, but it may not be an easy road ahead for the bank as the focus shifts to accelerating growth, say analysts.

On Friday, announced that it is selling up to a 10% stake to U.S. private equity firms Carlyle Group Inc and Advent International for $1.1 billion.

Buoyed by the news, the stock hit its highest in nearly four months in early trade on Monday.

"It was critical for the bank to bring in credible, long-term equity partners, which they have achieved, and the market is cheering the news," said Asutosh K Mishra, analyst at domestic brokerage house Ashika Stock Broking.

The company also recently selected an asset reconstruction firm belonging to private equity firm JC Flowers as the base bidder for the sale of bad loans worth Rs 48,000 crore, which will help it clean its balance sheet.

However, challenges remain for the bank, analysts said.

"The next focus for the bank will need to shift to accelerating growth, and it may take them at least 1-2 years more to get back its business in order that it can become a private lender of meaningful size, like earlier," Mishra said.

In March 2020, there was a serious deterioration in the financial position of Yes Bank, then India's fifth largest private lender, sparking contagion risk in the banking system.

The country's largest lender State Bank of India, along with a clutch of other private lenders, had to step in to rescue the bank.

may receive a rating upgrade now that its financial health has improved with the capital raise, but it will need to focus on keeping its bad loans in check and accelerating growth, ICICI Securities said in a report.

The capital raise will suppress return on equity for the bank, while return on assets, another key profitability metric, is unlikely to cross double digits in the next three years on a full-year basis, Macquarie said in a note on Monday.

"This means a double-digit ROE could happen only beyond FY25E, and that is too far looking into the future," the Macquarie report said.

($1 = 78.9760 Indian rupees)

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A new bill was introduced in the Australian Parliament on Monday seeking to lift a 25-year ban on doctor-assisted suicide in two territories.

Australia's sparsely populated Northern Territory in 1995 became the first place in the world to legalize voluntary euthanasia.

But the landmark law was overturned by the Australian Parliament two years later after four terminally ill people had been legally helped to die, leaving the Northern Territory one of last parts of where doctor-assisted suicide remains banned.

For too long Australians living in the territories have been treated as second-class citizens, government lawmaker Luke Gosling, who represents a Northern Territory electorate, told Parliament.

He and fellow legislator Alicia Payne introduced a bill to the House of Representatives that would allow the legislatures of the Northern Territory and Australian Capital Territory to legalize assisted dying.

The two territories do not have the same legal rights as the six states, that have each legislated euthanasia laws in recent years.

The Australian Parliament does not have the same constitutional power to overturn state laws as it does territory laws. The two territories account for fewer than 1 million of Australia's population of 26 million people.

Payne, who represents an electorate in the Australian Capital Territory, which comprises Canberra and two villages, described her bill as urgent. She described mercy killing of the terminally ill an incredibly important debate that we are not allowed to have simply because of where we live.

Conservative government lawmaker Kevin Andrews introduced the bill in 1997 that banned the territories from making assisted suicide laws. A conservative government was again in power in 2018 when a bill failed to overturn the ban.

That bill fell two votes short in the Senate. Previous attempts also failed in the Senate in 2008 and 2010.

Since then, Victoria became the first state to legalize assisted suicide in June 2019, and New South Wales in May this year became the last state to pass its own euthanasia laws.

The center-left Labor Party federal government, that was elected in May, has announced it will allow its lawmakers to vote on the bill according to their consciences rather than adopt a party line.

The opposition conservative Liberal Party has also allowed conscience votes on previous euthanasia bills.

The Catholic Church is lobbying federal lawmakers to vote against the bill.

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The first ship carrying Ukrainian grain has set off from the port of Odesa, Turkey's defense ministry said Monday.

The Sierra Leone-flagged cargo ship, Razoni left the port of Odesa for Lebanon, the ministry said.

A statement from the United Nations said the Razoni is carrying over 26,000 tonnes of corn.

The ship is expected to reach Istanbul on Tuesday, where it will be inspected, before being allowed to proceed to Lebanon, the ministry said.

Russia and signed separate agreements with Turkey and the U.N. clearing the way for one of the world's key breadbaskets to 22 million tonnes of grain and other agricultural goods that have been stuck in Black Sea ports because of Russia's invasion.

The deals also allow Russia to exports grain and fertilisers.

Turkey's defense ministry says the first ship carrying Ukrainian grain will set off from the port of Odesa on Monday.

The ministry says the Sierra Leone-flagged cargo ship, Razoni, which has been loaded with corn, will depart Odesa for Lebanon.

The ministry statement said other ships would also depart Ukraine's ports through the safe corridors in line with deals signed in Istanbul on July 22, but did not provide further details.

Russia and signed separate agreements with Turkey and the U.N. clearing the way for Ukraine one of the world's key breadbaskets to 22 million tons of grain and other agricultural goods that have been stuck in Black Sea ports because of Russia's invasion.

The deals also allow Russia to exports grain and fertilisers.



Russians lob rockets using nuke reactor as cover

Along most of the front line in Russias war in Ukraine, when one side lets loose with an artillery attack, the other shoots back.

But not in Nikopol, a city deep in southern farm country where the Ukrainian military faces a new and vexing obstacle as it prepares for a major counteroffensive: a nuclear power station that the Russian Army has turned into a fortress.

Nikopol, controlled by the Ukrainians, lies on the west bank of the Dnipro River. On the opposite bank sits a gigantic nuclear power plant  Europes largest  that the Russian Army captured in March. The Russians have been firing from the cover of the Zaporizhzhia station since mid-July, Ukrainian military and civilian officials said, sending rockets over the river at Nikopol and other targets. ( NYT)

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faces another three years of rolling power cuts as the developing nation struggles to secure long-term supplies of natural gas and is priced out of spot markets.

The South Asian country stopped purchasing spot liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargoes in June because of volatile prices, and is considering sourcing more long-term supplies, Nasrul Hamid, the state minister for power, energy and mineral resources, said in an interview. However, producers including Qatar have indicated that they will only sell more contracted volumes from 2026, he said.

A global shortage of the power-generation fuel thats been exacerbated by Russias invasion of Ukraine has doubled spot prices for LNG in Asia and fueled frantic restocking in Europe, leaving little supply for emerging

economies.

With few alternatives, rolling power cuts are likely to put a drag on economic growth in the next few years, according to traders.

is seeking support from creditors, including the Monetary Fund.

Between this year and 2026, emerging Asian markets are set to see slower LNG demand growth than previously expected, as price-sensitive buyers slash expensive imports, said Lujia Cao, an analyst with BloombergNEF.
Former Prime Minister and Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan's official account was reportedly hacked on Monday.

The hacker shared a promotional tweet regarding cryptocurrency from his account. A link to Tesla CEO Elon Musk's fake crypto account was also attached to his handle.

has currently over 7.4 million followers.

The former Pak PM is yet to issue any official response. His party members and followers are advising not to interact with any uncharacteristic posts.

Back in December, the Twitter handle of the Embassy in Serbia posted a message over the nonpayment of salaries to government officials.

This incident caused a major embarrassment to the PTI government and . Later the government officials claimed that the account was hacked.

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Motor vehicles run on the revamped Nairobi Eastern Bypass in Nairobi, Kenya, July 31, 2022. Kenya's President Uhuru Kenyatta on Sunday hailed Chinese-built roads in his country for boosting development and cutting travel times. Kenyatta made the comments when speaking at the commissioning ceremony for the Nairobi Expressway and the revamped Nairobi Eastern Bypass. The Nairobi Eastern Bypass project was undertaken by China Communications Construction Company in January and has widened the bypass from the original two-lane single carriageway into a four-lane and six-lane dual carriageway. (Xinhua/Dong Jianghui)

NAIROBI, July 31 (Xinhua) -- Kenya's President Uhuru Kenyatta on Sunday hailed Chinese-built roads in his country for boosting development and cutting travel times.

Kenyatta made the comments when speaking at the commissioning ceremony for the Nairobi Expressway and the revamped Nairobi Eastern Bypass.

China Road and Bridge Corporation built the 27 km Nairobi Expressway under a public-private partnership model. The road began a trial run in May.

"Since we opened the road (Nairobi Expressway) for public trials, it now takes between 15 and 24 minutes to drive from Mlolongo in Machakos County to Rironi in Kiambu County. Before the expressway, that journey would take at least three hours which is the equivalent of flying to Addis Ababa and back," Kenyatta said.

The Nairobi Eastern Bypass project was undertaken by China Communications Construction Company in January and has widened the bypass from the original two-lane single carriageway into a four-lane and six-lane dual carriageway.

Kenyatta said he believes the expressway and bypass will address Nairobi's traffic gridlock, estimated to cost the nation over 5 billion shillings (about 41.99 million U.S. dollars) annually in lost productivity and wasted fuel.

Noting the roads' value in reducing congestion and enhancing productivity, Kenyatta said the expressway has bolstered the country's tourism, conferencing and hospitality sectors, which together employ over 3 million Kenyans directly and another 6 million indirectly.

"This singular project secures Nairobi's status as the region's capital and economic nerve center and, therefore, strengthening Kenya's position as Eastern and Central Africa's commercial and diplomatic hub," he said. 

Motor vehicles run on the revamped Nairobi Eastern Bypass in Nairobi, Kenya, July 31, 2022. Kenya's President Uhuru Kenyatta on Sunday hailed Chinese-built roads in his country for boosting development and cutting travel times. Kenyatta made the comments when speaking at the commissioning ceremony for the Nairobi Expressway and the revamped Nairobi Eastern Bypass. The Nairobi Eastern Bypass project was undertaken by China Communications Construction Company in January and has widened the bypass from the original two-lane single carriageway into a four-lane and six-lane dual carriageway. (Xinhua/Dong Jianghui)

Aerial photo taken on Jan. 30, 2022 shows a section of the Nairobi Eastern Bypass under construction in Nairobi, Kenya. Kenya's President Uhuru Kenyatta on Sunday hailed Chinese-built roads in his country for boosting development and cutting travel times. Kenyatta made the comments when speaking at the commissioning ceremony for the Nairobi Expressway and the revamped Nairobi Eastern Bypass. The Nairobi Eastern Bypass project was undertaken by China Communications Construction Company in January and has widened the bypass from the original two-lane single carriageway into a four-lane and six-lane dual carriageway. (Photo by Wang Heng/Xinhua)

Motor vehicles run on the revamped Nairobi Eastern Bypass in Nairobi, Kenya, July 31, 2022. Kenya's President Uhuru Kenyatta on Sunday hailed Chinese-built roads in his country for boosting development and cutting travel times. Kenyatta made the comments when speaking at the commissioning ceremony for the Nairobi Expressway and the revamped Nairobi Eastern Bypass. The Nairobi Eastern Bypass project was undertaken by China Communications Construction Company in January and has widened the bypass from the original two-lane single carriageway into a four-lane and six-lane dual carriageway. (Xinhua/Dong Jianghui)

Kenya's President Uhuru Kenyatta (R) shakes hands with Chinese Ambassador to Kenya Zhou Pingjian when attending the commissioning ceremony for the revamped Nairobi Eastern Bypass in Nairobi, Kenya, July 31, 2022. Kenya's President Uhuru Kenyatta on Sunday hailed Chinese-built roads in his country for boosting development and cutting travel times. Kenyatta made the comments when speaking at the commissioning ceremony for the Nairobi Expressway and the revamped Nairobi Eastern Bypass. The Nairobi Eastern Bypass project was undertaken by China Communications Construction Company in January and has widened the bypass from the original two-lane single carriageway into a four-lane and six-lane dual carriageway. (Xinhua/Long Lei)

Aerial photo taken on June 14, 2022 shows a section of the Nairobi Eastern Bypass under construction in Nairobi, Kenya. Kenya's President Uhuru Kenyatta on Sunday hailed Chinese-built roads in his country for boosting development and cutting travel times. Kenyatta made the comments when speaking at the commissioning ceremony for the Nairobi Expressway and the revamped Nairobi Eastern Bypass. The Nairobi Eastern Bypass project was undertaken by China Communications Construction Company in January and has widened the bypass from the original two-lane single carriageway into a four-lane and six-lane dual carriageway. (Photo by Wang Heng/Xinhua)

Kenya's President Uhuru Kenyatta speaks when attending the commissioning ceremony for the Nairobi Expressway in Nairobi, Kenya, July 31, 2022. Kenya's President Uhuru Kenyatta on Sunday hailed Chinese-built roads in his country for boosting development and cutting travel times. Kenyatta made the comments when speaking at the commissioning ceremony for the Nairobi Expressway and the revamped Nairobi Eastern Bypass. China Road and Bridge Corporation built the 27 km Nairobi Expressway under a public-private partnership model. The road began a trial run in May. (Xinhua/Long Lei)

Photo taken on May 8, 2022 shows a section of the Nairobi Expressway in Nairobi, Kenya. Kenya's President Uhuru Kenyatta on Sunday hailed Chinese-built roads in his country for boosting development and cutting travel times. Kenyatta made the comments when speaking at the commissioning ceremony for the Nairobi Expressway and the revamped Nairobi Eastern Bypass. China Road and Bridge Corporation built the 27 km Nairobi Expressway under a public-private partnership model. The road began a trial run in May. (Xinhua/Dong Jianghui)

Photo taken on Oct. 29, 2021 shows a section of the Nairobi Expressway under construction in Nairobi, Kenya. Kenya's President Uhuru Kenyatta on Sunday hailed Chinese-built roads in his country for boosting development and cutting travel times. Kenyatta made the comments when speaking at the commissioning ceremony for the Nairobi Expressway and the revamped Nairobi Eastern Bypass. China Road and Bridge Corporation built the 27 km Nairobi Expressway under a public-private partnership model. The road began a trial run in May. (Xinhua/Dong Jianghui)

A motor vehicle runs on the Nairobi Expressway in Nairobi, Kenya, July 31, 2022. Kenya's President Uhuru Kenyatta on Sunday hailed Chinese-built roads in his country for boosting development and cutting travel times. Kenyatta made the comments when speaking at the commissioning ceremony for the Nairobi Expressway and the revamped Nairobi Eastern Bypass. China Road and Bridge Corporation built the 27 km Nairobi Expressway under a public-private partnership model. The road began a trial run in May. (Xinhua/Long Lei)

Kenya's President Uhuru Kenyatta (2nd L, front) cuts the ribbon when attending the commissioning ceremony for the Nairobi Expressway in Nairobi, Kenya, July 31, 2022. Kenya's President Uhuru Kenyatta on Sunday hailed Chinese-built roads in his country for boosting development and cutting travel times. Kenyatta made the comments when speaking at the commissioning ceremony for the Nairobi Expressway and the revamped Nairobi Eastern Bypass. China Road and Bridge Corporation built the 27 km Nairobi Expressway under a public-private partnership model. The road began a trial run in May. (Photo by Zhao Qian/Xinhua)
The Iranian Border Police units and the forces exchanged fire on the eastern border of Iran, the semi-official Tasnim news agency reported.

Iran's Deputy Interior Minister for Security Affairs, Majid Mir-Ahmadi on Sunday said that Afghan border forces made fresh "provocative moves and fired some bullets" at Iranian border guards, which was reciprocated by Iran's forces, Xinhua news agency reported.

The clashes continued for an hour before the Iranian guards brought the situation under control, he added.

has repeatedly told Afghan officials that the country's border guards are required to be well briefed about geographical boundaries and limits lest unwanted slight tensions arise along the common border, Mir-Ahmadi said.

Afghanistan's TOLO news quoted a border commander in the province of Nimroz as saying that one soldier has died and another one has been wounded in the clash.

--IANS

int/khz/

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A nationwide vaccination campaign against Covid-19 for children aged between six months to five years was launched in .

The vaccination will provide children "with an important protection layer against serious illness and post-Covid symptoms," said a statement issued by the Israeli Health Ministry on Sunday evening.

The vaccine is especially recommended for children at risk of severe Covid-19 illness due to underlying health conditions that impair the immune system, the Ministry added.

The vaccine jabs will either be three doses of the Pfizer vaccine or two doses of the Moderna vaccine, said the Ministry.

Vaccination for children under the age of five was approved by the Ministry's Director General Nachman Ash earlier this July, following a recommendation by a panel of experts.

--IANS

int/khz/

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Speaker of the US House of Representatives, has embarked on a trip to which will take her to Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea and Japan, her office said in a statement, but did not mention of a stop in .

In the statement on Sunday, Pelosi's office said that the "trip will focus on mutual security, economic partnership and democratic governance in the Indo-Pacific region".

"Today, our Congressional delegation travels to the Indo-Pacific to reaffirm America's strong and unshakeable commitment to our allies and friends in the region," the House Speaker was quoted as saying in the statement.

"In Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea and Japan, our delegation will hold high-level meetings to discuss how we can further advance our shared interests and values, including peace and security, economic growth and trade, the Covid-19 pandemic, the climate crisis, human rights and democratic governance.

"Under the strong leadership of President Biden, America is firmly committed to smart, strategic engagement in the region, understanding that a free and flourishing Indo-Pacific is crucial to prosperity in our nation and around the globe," she added.

Member of the delegation accompanying Pelosi are leading members of the House of Representatives: Gregory Meeks, Mark Takano, Suzan DelBene, Raja Krishnamoorthi and Andy Kim.

The commencement of the trip comes after tensions again heightened between the US and over speculation that Pelosi could also make a stop in .

China, which claims Taiwan, warned of "serious consequences" over the possible visit, the BBC reported.

Pelosi's original plan was to visit in April, but she postponed the trip after she tested positive for Covid-19.

he last House Speaker to visit Taiwan was Republican Newt Gingrich in 1997.

--IANS

ksk/

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US House Speaker held talks with officials in Singapore on Monday at the start of her Asian tour, as questions swirled over a possible stop in that has fueled tension with Beijing.

While there have been no official announcements, local media in reported that Pelosi will arrive Tuesday night, becoming the highest-ranking elected US official to visit in more than 25 years. The United Daily News, Liberty Times and China Times Taiwan's three largest national newspapers cited unidentified sources as saying she would arrive in Taipei after visiting Malaysia and spend the night.

Such a visit will spark fury in Beijing, which regards as its own territory and has repeatedly warned of serious consequences" if the reported trip goes ahead.

If Pelosi insists on visiting Taiwan, China will take resolute and strong measures to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said in Beijing, without giving details.

Those who play with fire will perish by it, Zhao said. We would like to once again admonish the US that we are fully prepared for any eventuality and the PLA will never sit idly by. The People's Liberation Army is China's military.

Chinese President Xi Jinping also warned the U.S. against meddling in Beijing's dealings with the island in a phone call last week with President Joe Biden.

China has been steadily ratcheting up diplomatic and military pressure on Taiwan. Threats of retaliation for a visit by Pelosi have driven concerns of a new crisis in the Taiwan Strait, which separates the two sides, that could roil global markets and supply chains.

Beijing sees official American contact with Taiwan as encouragement to make the island's decades-old de facto independence permanent, a step US leaders say they don't support. Pelosi, head of one of three branches of the US government, would be the highest-ranking elected American official to visit Taiwan since then-Speaker Newt Gingrich in 1997.

The Biden administration has tried to assure Beijing there was no reason to come to blows and that if such a visit occurred, it would signal no change in U.S. policy.

Taiwan and China split in 1949 after the Communists won a civil war on the mainland. Both sides say they are one country but disagree over which government is entitled to national leadership. They have no official relations but are linked by billions of dollars of trade and investment.

The United States switched diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing in 1979, but maintains informal relations with the island. Washington is obligated by the Taiwan Relations Act, a federal law, to see that Taiwan has the means to defend itself.

Washington's One China policy says it takes no position on the status of the two sides but wants their dispute resolved peacefully. Beijing promotes an alternative One China principle that says they are one country and the Communist Party is its leader.

John Kirby, a White House national security spokesman, told CNN that the U.S. shouldn't be intimidated by China's rhetoric or threats to retaliate if Pelosi visits Taiwan.

We want to make sure that when she travels overseas, she can do so safely and securely, Kirby told CNN on Monday. There's no reason for the Chinese rhetoric. There's no reason for any actions to be taken. It is not uncommon for congressional leaders to travel to Taiwan, it is very much in keeping with our policy and is consistent with our support to Taiwan under the Taiwan Relations Act.

A visit to Taiwan would be a career capstone for Pelosi, who increasingly uses her position in Congress as a U.S. emissary on the global stage. She has long challenged China on human rights and wanted to visit Taiwan earlier this year.

On Monday, Pelosi met with Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, President Halimah Yacob and other Cabinet members.

Singapore's Foreign Ministry said Lee welcomed a U.S. commitment to strong engagement with the region, and the two sides discussed ways to deepen US economic involvement through initiatives such as the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework.

Lee and Pelosi also discussed the war in Ukraine, tensions surrounding Taiwan and mainland China, and climate change, it said in a statement. Lee highlighted the importance of stable U.S.-China relations for regional peace and security, it added, in an apparent allusion to reports of Pelosi's visit to Taiwan.

Pelosi has said she is visiting Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea and Japan in a tour to discuss trade, the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, security and democratic governance.

She is scheduled to be in Malaysia on Tuesday. A Parliament official, who was not authorized to speak to the media and declined to be identified by name, said Pelosi will call on Malaysian lower house speaker Azhar Azizan Harun. No further details were immediately available.

On Thursday, Pelosi is to meet with South Korean National Assembly Speaker Kim Jin Pyo in Seoul for talks on security in the Indo-Pacific region, economic cooperation and the climate crisis, Kim's office said in a statement.

It declined to provide further details about her itinerary, including when she is arriving in South Korea and how long she'll stay. Pelosi's schedule for Wednesday remains unclear and there were no details on when she will head to Japan.

Pelosi's delegation includes US Reps Gregory Meeks, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee; Mark Takano, chairman of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs; Suzan DelBene, vice chair of the House Ways and Means Committee; Raja Krishnamoorthi, a member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and chair of the Subcommittee on Economic and Consumer Policy of the House Committee on Oversight and Reform; and Andy Kim, a member of the House Armed Services and Foreign Affairs Committees.

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Anatoly Chubais, who resigned as a high-ranking adviser to Russian President and left Russia shortly after the invasion of Ukraine, was reported to be in intensive care in a European hospital on Sunday for a neurological disorder.

Ksenia Sobchak, a Russian television personality and family friend of Chubais, said on Telegram that she had spoken with his wife, Avdotya, and that he was suffering from Guillain-Barre syndrome. She did not say which clinic he was in.

Guillain-Barre is a rare disorder in which the body's immune system attacks the nerves. Sobchak said Chubais' condition was unstable, but she quoted him as saying it was moderate, stable.

Although Chubais did not state his reason for resigning in March, it was presumed to be because of Russia's invasion of Ukraine on Feb 24.

His was the highest-level of a series of official resignations. Chubais had most recently been Putin's envoy to organisations on sustainable development. He is well-known in Russia, having held high-profile posts since the early 1990s, when he oversaw privatisation efforts under Boris Yeltsin.

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UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has expressed outrage after UN peacekeepers opened fire and killed two residents of a town in Democratic Republic of the (DRC) that borders Uganda.

In Kasindi, North Kivu province, military personnel of the UN Organization Stabilization Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO) opened fire at residents on Sunday, reports Xinhua news agency.

In addition to the two deaths, 15 were injured in the deadly incident, said the DRC government, which strongly condemned the shooting.

"The Secretary-General is both saddened and dismayed by the loss of life and serious injuries sustained during this incident," Guterres' deputy spokesman Farhan Haq said in a statement late Sunday.

Moreover, Guterres conveyed his deepest condolences to the victims' families, the Congolese people and the Congolese government and wished the injured a speedy recovery.

Furthermore, the Secretary-General emphasized the need to "establish accountability for these events."

The UN has established contact with the peacekeepers' country of origin, with the aim of "urgently initiating judicial proceedings with the participation of victims and witnesses so that appropriate sanctions can be handed down", the statement said.

In a communique, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General in the DRC and head of MONUSCO Bintou Keita said that some soldiers of the Intervention Brigadeopened fire at the border post for "unexplained reasons".

Describing the soldiers' behaviour as "unspeakable and irresponsible", the MONUSCO chief said that perpetrators were identified and arrested -- pending the conclusions of an investigation that has already started in collaboration with the Congolese authorities.

The UN envoy did not mention the peacekeepers' nationalities.

Since July 25, thousands of people have been demonstrating against MONUSCO in several towns across the country, particularly in Goma, the capital of North Kivu, where some of the UN mission's offices have been ransacked and looted by demonstrators.

The demonstrations turned violent as protesters demanded that MONUSCO exit their country for failing to protect civilians amid rising violence.

According to the Congolese government, 15 people had lost their lives during the protests in North Kivu, including a peacekeeper and two police personnel from MONUSCO in the city of Butembo.

UN Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix met DRC President Felix Tshisekedi on Saturday in Kinshasa to discuss the cooperation between MONUSCO and the Congolese government.

"We have agreed to draw lessons from these serious incidents, an in-depth assessment is underway between the UN and the authorities to move forward in our collaboration to restore confidence in the Congolese people," said Lacroix.

--IANS

ksk/

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The and the have frozen dialogue on the fight against terrorism with Moscow under far-fetched pretexts, the Russian Foreign Ministry's Department for New Challenges and Threats chief, Vladimir Tarabrin, said in an interview with Sputnik.

"Cooperation between and the in the field of anti-terror is now basically frozen," Tarabrin said, adding that "Washington, under a far-fetched pretext, unilaterally, decided to suspend profile meetings within the high-level dialogue under the auspices of the foreign ministries of and the United States, which were held in Vienna in 2018-2019 and were useful for both sides."

He told Sputnik that a similar situation has unfolded with the . According to Tarabrin, the last round of EU- consultations on anti-terror measures was held in October 2019.

"For our part, we proceed from the fact that we need such a dialogue no more than the West does, and if someone is not ready for it due to their own phobias and distorted ideas about its equal basis, then this is no longer our problem," Tarabrin told Sputnik.

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US House Speaker held talks with officials in on Monday at the start of her Asian tour, as questions swirled over a possible stop in Taiwan that has fueled tension with Beijing.

Pelosi met with Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, President Halimah Yacob and other Cabinet members, the Foreign Ministry said.

Lee welcomed a US commitment to strong engagement with the region, and the two sides discussed ways to deepen US economic engagement through initiatives such as the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, the ministry said in a statement.

Lee and Pelosi also discussed the war in Ukraine, tensions surrounding Taiwan and mainland China, and climate change, it said.

Lee highlighted the importance of stable US-China relations for regional peace and security," it added, in an apparent allusion to reports that Pelosi may visit Taiwan.

In a statement over the weekend, Pelosi said she will visit Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea and Japan to discuss trade, the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, security and democratic governance.

She didn't confirm news reports that she might visit Taiwan, which is claimed by Beijing as its own territory.

Chinese President Xi Jinping warned against meddling in Beijing's dealings with the island in a phone call last week with US President Joe Biden.

In Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian reiterated the earlier warnings on Monday, saying there will be serious consequences if she insists on making the visit.

He did not spell out any specific consequences. We are fully prepared for any eventuality, he said.

The People's Liberation Army will never sit by idly. China will take strong and resolute measures to safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Pelosi was to attend a cocktail reception later on Monday with the American Chamber of Commerce in . There is no media access to her visit, which has been kept under tight wraps.

She is scheduled to be in Malaysia on Tuesday. A Parliament official, who was not authorised to speak to the media and declined to be identified by name, said Pelosi will call on Malaysian lower house speaker Azhar Azizan Harun. No further details were immediately available.

On Thursday, Pelosi is to meet with South Korean National Assembly Speaker Kim Jin Pyo in Seoul for talks on security in the Indo-Pacific region, economic cooperation and the climate crisis, Kim's office said in a statement.

It declined to provide further details about her itinerary, including when she is arriving in South Korea and how long she'll stay.

Pelosi's schedule for Wednesday remains unclear and there were no details on when she will head to Japan.

Beijing sees official American contact with Taiwan as encouragement to make the island's decades-old de facto independence permanent, a step US leaders say they don't support.

Pelosi, head of one of three branches of the US government, would be the highest-ranking elected American official to visit Taiwan since then-Speaker Newt Gingrich in 1997.

The Biden administration has tried to assure Beijing there was no reason to come to blows and that if such a visit occurred, it would signal no change in US policy.

Taiwan and China split in 1949 after the communists won a civil war on the mainland. Both sides say they are one country but disagree over which government is entitled to national leadership. They have no official relations but are linked by billions of dollars of trade and investment.

The United States switched diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing in 1979, but maintains informal relations with the island. Washington is obligated by federal law to see that Taiwan has the means to defend itself.

Washington's One China policy says it takes no position on the status of the two sides but wants their dispute resolved peacefully.

Beijing promotes an alternative One China principle that says they are one country and the Communist Party is its leader.

A visit to Taiwan would be a career capstone for Pelosi, who increasingly uses her position in Congress as a US emissary on the global stage. She has long challenged China on human rights and wanted to visit Taiwan earlier this year.

Pelosi's delegation includes US Reps. Gregory Meeks, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee; Mark Takano, chairman of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs; Suzan DelBene, vice chair of the House Ways and Means Committee; Raja Krishnamoorthi, a member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and chair of the Subcommittee on Economic and Consumer Policy of the House Committee on Oversight and Reform; and Andy Kim, a member of the House Armed Services and Foreign Affairs Committees.

(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.)
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Shares of skyrocketed 11 per cent to Rs 42.5 per share on BSE in Monday's intra-day trade after the airline operator assured 'absolutely normal' flight operations. In the past one month, has remained flat, while the frontline indices Nifty50 and the S&P BSE have gained around 8.5 per cent each.

On Monday, August 1, the private airline operator asserted that all flights departed on time as per schedule, without any cancellations. Over the weekend, the aircraft occupancy or passenger load factor remained steady in the range of 81 to 82 per cent. This comes after airline regulator Director General of Civil Aviation (DCGA) curtailed flight operations to only 50 per cent for eight weeks. READ MORE

"In view of findings of various spot checks, inspections and the reply to the show-cause notice submitted by SpiceJet, for continued sustenance of safe and reliable air transport service, the number of departures of are restricted to 50 per cent of the number of departures approved under summer schedule 2022 for eight weeks," said the airline regulator.

The show cause notice was issued after at least eight technical malfunctions of SpiceJet flights were reported starting June 19. Last month, a SpiceJet freighter aircraft enroute to China was returned to Kolkata after pilots realised that the weather radar was not working.

Likewise, the Delhi-Dubai flight was diverted to Karachi due to malfunction in fuel indicator. Additionally, smoke was observed in the cabin of SpiceJet flight headed to Jabalpur in Madhya Pradesh.

Meanwhile, the airline had launched 26 new domestic flights in July. Under the UDAN scheme, they introduced direct flights like Nashik from Delhi, Hyderabad to Jammu, Mumbai to Guwahati, Varanasi to Ahmedabad and Kolkata to Jabalpur. The airline operator deployed Boeing 737 and Q400 aircrafts along these routes.

So far in the calendar year, shares of SpiceJet have tanked nearly 44 per cent - the most amongst its peers. Meanwhile, shares of Interglobe Aviation slipped 7 per cent, whereas, Jet Airways gained 15.7 per cent, during the same period. In comparison, Nifty50 and the S&P BSE have shed up to 2 per cent.
ALGIERS, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune late on Sunday expressed the willingness of his country to join the BRICS group.

In an interview aired on the state-run television ENTV, President Tebboune said that "there are economic conditions for joining the BRICS group, and I think Algeria meets a large proportion of these conditions."

He added that joining the BRICS group would distance Algeria, which is considered a "pioneer in Non-Aligned Movement," from "the attraction of the two poles."

The BRICS group includes Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, representing more than 40 percent of the world's population and about a quarter of the global economy.

Tebboune attended the High-level Dialogue on Global Development between the BRICS countries and emerging markets and developing countries in June. 
The board of the state-run company will consider bonus issue of shares on 4 August 2022.

Shares of Bharat Electronics (BEL) jumped 2.80% to settle at Rs 282.75 on the BSE.

On the BSE, 19.07 lakh shares were traded in the counter today compared with average daily volumes of 5.34 lakh shares in the past two weeks. The stock hit a high of Rs 287.75 and a low of Rs 272.95 during the day.

The stock hit a 52-week high of Rs 287.75 today, 1 August 2022. It hit a 52-week low of Rs 162.4 on 9 August 2021.

The stock had outperformed the market over the past one month, rising 23.20% compared with 9.84% rise in the Sensex.

The scrip outperformed the market in past three months, gaining 18.80% as against Sensex's 1.85% rise.

The scrip had also outperformed the market in past one year, jumping 53.09% as against Sensex's 10.51% rise.

State-run BEL is a Navratna PSU under the Ministry of Defence, Government of India. It manufactures electronic products and systems for the Army, Navy and the Air Force. The Government of India held 51.14% stake in BEL as on 31 March 2022.

BEL reported a standalone net profit of Rs 431.49 crore in Q1 FY23, steeply higher from Rs 11.15 crore in Q1 FY22. Net sales soared 95.8% YoY to Rs 3,063.58 crore in Q1 FY23.

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Shiv Sena Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in Mumbai, after hours of searches at his residence.

He was questioned for over six hours by the ED officials in an alleged Patra Chawl land scam case. He was arrested under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

Sanjay Raut, who is also the chief spokesperson of the Shiv Sena, will be produced in court on Monday (1 August) at 11.30 am.

The ED officials had searched Raut's home in suburban Bhandup for the most part of Sunday after he refused to appear for questioning despite being summoned twice by the central agency.

The ED wanted to question Raut in connection with the redevelopment of a chawl in Mumbai and related transactions involving his wife and close associates.

Meanwhile, an FIR has been registered against Raut in Mumbai's Vakola Police Station under sections 504, 506 and 509 of IPC for allegedly threatening Swapna Patkar (a witness in the Patra Chawl land case).

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Housing Development Finance Corporation (HDFC), State Bank of India (SBI): HDFC said that it has entered into a share purchase agreement (SPA) with SBI for acquiring of 97,500 equity shares of HDFC Venture Capital (HVCL). The corporation holds 80.50% of the paid-up equity share capital of HVCL, a subsidiary of the corporation. The SPA is for the acquisition of 97,500 equity shares of HVCL representing 19.50% of its paid-up share equity capital at a per share price of Rs 10, aggregating to a total consideration of Rs 9.75 lakh.

Cipla: Cipla's consolidated net profit slipped 4% to Rs 686.40 crore on 2.3% decline in total revenue from operations to Rs 5,375.19 crore in Q1 FY23 over Q1 FY22.

Dr. Reddy's Laboratories: Dr. Reddy's Laboratories said that it has entered into a licensing agreement with Slayback Pharma to obtain exclusive rights in the first-to-file ANDA for the private label version of Lumify in the U.S.

DLF: The realty major's consolidated net profit rose 39.9% to Rs 469.57 crore on a 26.5% increase in net sales to Rs 1,441.63 crore in Q1 FY23 over Q1 FY22.

Bank of Baroda: On standalone basis, Bank of Baroda's net profit surged 79.39% to Rs 2,168.13 crore on 1.02% rise in total income to Rs 20,119.52 crore in Q1 FY23 over Q1 FY22.

Torrent Pharmaceuticals: On consolidated basis, Torrent Pharmaceuticals' net profit rose 7% to Rs 354 crore on 10% increase in net revenue from operations to Rs 2,347 crore in Q1 FY23 over Q1 FY22.

Godrej Properties: Godrej Properties said that ICRA had upgraded the long-term (LT) rating on the debt instruments of the company and has revised the outlook on the same to 'stable'.

Yes Bank: Yes Bank on Friday (29 July 2022) announced raising equity capital of about $1.1 billion (~ Rs 8,900 crore) from funds affiliated with two global private equity investors - Carlyle and Advent International, with each investor potentially acquiring upto a 10% stake in Yes Bank. This will be raised through a combination of ~$640 million (~Rs 5,100 crore) in equity shares and ~$475 million (~Rs 3,800 crore) through equity share warrants.

Nazara Technologies: Nazara Technologies' consolidated net profit rose 22.2% to Rs 16.50 crore on 70% jump in net sales to Rs 223.10 crore in Q1 FY23 over Q1 FY22.

Suven Pharma: The US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) completed a pre-approval inspection at Casper Pharma formulations manufacturing facility situated at GMR Hyderabad SEZ. Casper Pharma is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Suven Pharmaceuticals, Hyderabad, India. The inspection was conducted from 25 July through 29 July 2022.

CreditAccess Grameen: CreditAccess Grameen's consolidated net profit surged to Rs 139.56 crore in Q1 FY23 as against Rs 20.29 crore recorded in Q1 FY22. The microfinance lender's total income jumped 23.2% to Rs 760.52 crore in Q1 FY23 from Rs 617.37 crore reported in the corresponding quarter previous year.

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Hong Kong share market finished session marginally higher on Monday, 01 August 2022, as disappointing Chinese economic data and concerns over a possible flare-up in Sino-U. S. tension kept investors wary. Delisting risks for US-listed Chinese firms added to market jitters.

At closing bell, the benchmark Hang Seng Index rose marginal 9.33 points, or 0.05%, to 20,165.84. The Hang Seng China Enterprises Index was down 8.77 points, or 0.13%, to 6,876.71.

Market managed to close above boundary line on Monday, after the China's securities regulator chief said stable capital market operations is a top priority, adding the regulator would aim to maintain consistent policy expectations.

However, market gains capped after data showed that China's factory activity actually contracted in July as fresh virus flare-ups weighed on demand. The official National Bureau of Statistics survey showed manufacturing purchasing managers' Index (PMI) fell to 49.0 in July, as China's strict COVID restrictions, prolonged crisis in the property sector and falling global demand slowed production in the country.

Another private survey also showed manufacturing expanded at a slower pace last month, as fresh virus flare-ups and a darkening global outlook weighed on demand.

The market focus this week would be on U. S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi's Asian tour, and a possible stop in Taiwan that could send a chill through already cool relations between Beijing and Washington.

China's President Xi Jinping warned his U. S. counterpart Joe Biden last week that Washington should abide by the one-China principle and "those who play with fire will perish by it".

Shares of property developers were down after data showed home sales extended a plunge amid a widening mortgage boycott, while China Evergrande Group failed to unveil a preliminary restructuring plan by the end of July as it had long promised. Investor mood also soured on signs that Beijing is prioritizing the completion of homes for social stability over developers' financial health.

Shares of Alibaba Group retreated almost 4% after it has been added to a list of foreign companies with alleged auditing violations in the US, which could lead to the tech giant's removal from the NYSE.

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IDFC First Bank advanced 3.46% to Rs 38.85 after the bank reported a net profit of Rs 474 crore in Q1 FY23 as against a net loss of Rs 630 crore in Q1 FY22.

Net Interest Income (NII) grew by 26% YoY to Rs 2,751 crore in Q1 FY23, up from Rs 2,185 crore in Q1 FY22. Net Interest Margin (NIM) of the bank was at 5.89% for Q1 FY23 compared to 5.50% in Q1 FY22.

Total income during the quarter increased by 17% YoY to Rs 5,777 crore.

Core operating profit (excluding trading gains) grew by 64% YoY basis to Rs 987 crore for the quarter Q1 FY23 from Rs 601 crore in Q1 FY22.

Provisions for the quarter aggregated at Rs 308 crore in Q1 FY23 as compared to Rs 1,872 crore in Q1 FY22, a reduction of 84% on a YoY basis. The credit cost (quarterly annualized) as percentage of average funded assets for Q1 FY23 was 0.9%.

"The bank is well on track to meet the asset quality and credit cost guidance. Based on the improved portfolio performance indicators, the bank is confident to achieve its credit cost guidance for FY23 at approximately 1.5% on funded assets, IDFC First Bank said in a statement.

The bank's gross non-performing assets (NPAs) stood at Rs 4,355 crore as on 30 June 2022 as against Rs 4,469 crore as on 31 March 2022 and Rs 4,667 crore as on 30 June 2021.

The ratio of gross NPAs was 3.36% as on 30 June 2022 as against 4.61% as of 30 June 2021. The ratio of net NPAs was 1.30% as on 30 June 2022 as compared with 2.32% as on 30 June 2021.

We see that the impact of COVID second wave is gradually diminishing and this improvement is showing in the above improvement in asset quality. Excluding legacy infrastructure loans (which will be run down in due course), the Gross and Net NPA of the Bank would have been 2.39% and 0.80%, respectively. The overall restructured book reduced to 1.3% as on June 30, 2022 of the funded assets as against 1.8% as on March 31, 2022, the private lender said.

The bank's customer deposits increased by 21% to Rs 1,02,868 crore as of 30 June 2022 as compared to Rs 84,893 crore as of 30 June 2021. Funded assets grew by 21% YoY to reach Rs 1,37,663 crore as of 30 June 2022.

Capital adequacy of the bank was strong at 15.77% with CET-1 Ratio at 14.01% as on 30 June 2022. Average LCR was strong at 128% for the quarter ending on 30 June 2022.

V Vaidyanathan, managing director and CEO, IDFC FIRST Bank, said, We have built a strong foundation for the bank, on the basis of which we can grow the loan book, deposits and profits comfortably from here on in a steady manner.

We have seen a steady growth of over 20% YoY, both on the lending side as well as the deposits side in Q1 FY23. Our return on assets has nearly touched 1% and we expect it to rise from here.

We are happy that even post the pandemic, our retail Gross NPA and Net NPA has reverted to 2.1% and 0.9% respectively which is our long-term experience. More importantly, the retail asset quality has normalized sooner than our earlier guidance of March 2023.

IDFC First Bank was formed by the merger of erstwhile IDFC Bank and Capital First. As on 30 June 2022, the bank has 651 branches and 807 ATMs across the country.

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To pilot its blockchain-based trade finance solution

Infosys Finacle, part of EdgeVerve Systems, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Infosys today announced that it has been inducted into International Financial Services Centres Authority's (IFSCA) Regulatory Sandbox framework to pilot its blockchainbased trade finance solution.

In the first phase, six leading banks - Federal Bank, HDFC Bank, HSBC, ICICI Bank, RBL Bank and State Bank of India- are collaborating with Infosys Finacle in the regulatory sandbox. This collaboration will lead to comprehensive testing of the blockchain-based Buyers Credit solution, for short-term credit in foreign currency for import payments and trade finance transactions. This will serve as a precursor to the solution being available as a SaaS-based offering for all banks servicing clients from GIFT City.

In its endeavor to support a world-class fintech hub at GIFT City, IFSCA had launched I-Sprint'21, a global FinTech Hackathon, as part of InFinity Forum 2021. After multiple rounds of assessment, the Finacle Trade Connect, a blockchain-based solution was selected for the 'Buyers Credit Optimization' category and consequently, granted direct entry into the IFSCA's Regulatory Sandbox.

Finacle Trade Connect helps banks, corporates, and various trade partners, such as shipping companies, insurers, and customs agencies, connect directly on a unified distributed network enabling inter organization automation of trade finance processes. Apart from Buyer's Credit, the solution offers capabilities across Letter of Credit, Open Account for Trade, Bill Collection, Bill Exchange, C2C Transactions for Trade, B2C Transactions for Trade, PO Financing, Invoice Financing, Bank Guarantee, and Factoring.

Starting with Buyers' Credit, the Finacle Trade Connect solution will remove friction from the trade finance value chain by connecting various commercial banks, their international banking units at GIFT city, and their business clients on a unified distributed platform. The new platform will speed-up transaction times from weeks to hours and drive significant cost savings. It will also enable trade expansion to drive economic growth. The solution will also enable marketplace capability where customers can request the participating banks' international banking units at GIFT city to provide competitive quotes to unlock the best offers.

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Infosys announced the opening of its Sydney Living Lab, a high-tech co-creation space for digital innovation, part of a network of over 20 established globally, including Melbourne.

The announcement was made during the Premier of New South Wales, Dominic Perrottet's visit to Infosys headquarters in Bengaluru, India. The Premier toured the expansive 81-acre Infosys Bengaluru Campus, and immersed in digital experiences in the Infosys Bengaluru Living Lab.

This included the Cybersecurity Command Centre, SUPRAP, Metaverse Foundry and Digital Twin experiences.

This NSW Living Lab is a 160 sqm co-creation space in Infosys' new Sydney office, which spans 2,030 sqm over two storeys at 100 Arthur Street in North Sydney. It will bring together Infosys' digital ecosystem including clients, partners, start-ups, academia and government to inspire and nurture innovative digital solutions. The launch of the Sydney Living Lab closely follows that of the Melbourne Living Lab, which was unveiled in April this year.

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The wireline and wireless networking products maker announced that it secured a contract worth Rs 298 crore from Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (PGCIL).

Tejas Networks said that the contract is for the supply, installation, commissioning and support of its optical networking equipment, for the augmentation of PGCIL's pan-India telecom backbone and access networks.

As part of this contract, Tejas will deploy a wide range of its versatile family of products including TJ1600 multi-terabit OTN cross-connects and 100G/200G DWDM systems with advanced Flex-grid ROADM functionality, TJ1400P series of MPLS-TP/Carrier Ethernet switches, along with TejNMS, its universal, multi-technology network management system to create a scalable and high-capacity network for PGCIL.

Sanjay Nayak, managing director and CEO of Tejas Networks said, "We are delighted to be selected by PGCIL for the capacity expansion of their nationwide backbone and access network, which further reinforces our position as a leading trusted telecom equipment provider for the critical infrastructure segment. This win is a strong endorsement of the competitiveness of our end-to-end portfolio of world-class optical networking products for Access, Metro and Backbone networks."

Tejas Networks designs and manufactures high-performance wireline and wireless networking products for telecommunications service providers, internet service providers, utilities, defence and government entities in over 75 countries. Tejas Networks is a part of the Tata Group, with Panatone Finvest (a subsidiary of Tata Sons) being the majority shareholder.

Tejas Networks reported a consolidated net loss of Rs 6.64 crore in Q1 FY23 compared with a net profit of Rs 7.55 crore in Q1 FY22. Net revenue during the quarter was at Rs 125.76 crore, down 12.8% YoY. The company said that the Q1 revenue was weak since it could not fulfill customer orders due to component shortages. It is making changes to internal processes and tools to better manage the supply chain.

Shares of Tejas Networks fell 0.73% to Rs 468.80 on Friday, 29 July 2022.

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Is it any wonder that Sanjay Raut, MP, skipped summons twice to present himself before the (ED) before he was raided and detained on Sunday? The truth is that the ED, already a feared institution, has been further empowered in cases relating to the Prevention of Act (PMLA), with the Supreme Court giving its stamp of approval to changes made by the Parliament in 2019. But it may be that despite its good intentions, the governments tinkering may have made the law damaging to the polity in certain ways.

Dear Reader,

Business Standard has always strived hard to provide up-to-date information and commentary on developments that are of interest to you and have wider political and economic implications for the country and the world. Your encouragement and constant feedback on how to improve our offering have only made our resolve and commitment to these ideals stronger. Even during these difficult times arising out of Covid-19, we continue to remain committed to keeping you informed and updated with credible news, authoritative views and incisive commentary on topical issues of relevance.

We, however, have a request.



As we battle the economic impact of the pandemic, we need your support even more, so that we can continue to offer you more quality content. Our subscription model has seen an encouraging response from many of you, who have subscribed to our online content. More subscription to our online content can only help us achieve the goals of offering you even better and more relevant content. We believe in free, fair and credible journalism. Your support through more subscriptions can help us practise the journalism to which we are committed.



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Delhi Chief Minister will address a public rally at Veraval and offer prayers at a temple in Rajkot in Gujarat's Saurashtra region on Monday, a party official said.

This will be Kejriwal's second visit to Rajkot in a week and fourth to the poll-bound state in a month.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convener will address a public meeting in the Saurashtra region and make an important announcement regarding the upcoming Assembly election, AAP's general secretary Manoj Sorathiya said.

"Kejriwal will arrive at Porbandar airport at 1 pm. From there, he will leave for Veraval in Gir Somnath district," he said.

The Aam Aadmi Party chief will address a public meeting at KCC Ground (Railway Colony) at 3 pm in Veraval.

After the rally, Kejriwal will travel to Rajkot, where he will take part in the Maha Aarti at a temple built on the grounds of Sanjay Rajguru College, and then leave for Delhi, Sorathiya said.

(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.)
by Elias Shilangwa

LUSAKA, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- Chinese enterprises participating in Zambia's biggest agricultural and commercial show on Monday expressed happiness at the level of response gotten from customers that visited their exhibition stands.

The Chinese Embassy in Zambia has managed to organize 110 enterprises at the 94th Agricultural and Commercial Show, resulting in organizers recognizing China as a "country of honor" because of the unprecedented number of Chinese firms at the show.

"This is the first time that we are participating in this show and so far we are happy with the response we have gotten. Some people who visited our stand have already started calling us for our services even before the show ends," Leonard Phiri, a supervisor at Sunagri Investment, a Chinese firm that hires drone technology used for spraying in fields, told Xinhua.

He expressed confidence that the company will see an increased demand for its services after participating in the show because the technology was currently not widely known in Zambia.

Established five years ago, the Chinese firm, which also provides tractors that use real-time kinetics (RTK) used by tractors when preparing agricultural land, is happy that Zambia was the first country in Africa that was using its technology.

Phiri said the company has also opened a branch in Uganda where its smart agricultural technology was being used.

Violet Mhango, the administrative assistant at China CAMC Engineering Company Limited, a subsidiary of Sinomach, said the company was happy with the enthusiasm shown by customers at the show who have been frequenting the exhibition stand.

She said the company, whose main focus was in construction engineering, decided to exhibit at the show because it was diversifying into the agricultural sector as well.

She said the company has diversified into trading and was looking at exporting beef to China.

"There is a huge market for beef in China but we don't have suppliers of beef so we came here because we wanted to link to beef suppliers," she said.

Davison Mwanza, a supervisor at Herocean Zambia Limited, a company involved in the transportation business, said participating in the show has resulted in the company connecting to more customers.

"We are happy that a number of customers came through and contacted us for business and we are hopeful that our business here will not be the same after participating in the show," he said.

Simon Sakala, the Vice-Principal at CAMCO College, established by CAMCO Group of Companies to provide local people with skills on how to operate, repair and maintain agricultural equipment, expressed optimism that participating in the show will result in an increased number of students.

He said the Chinese firm decided to establish the college last year after noticing that most companies it supplied agricultural equipment to had difficulties in operating and maintaining the equipment.

According to him, over 200 local people have been trained since the college opened, adding that the people have now been equipped with skills on how to operate various agricultural equipment.

"We are just responding to the government's call for skills training in the country and the idea behind opening this college is to fill the gap," he said.

The 94th show, which is being held under the theme "Innovation through Technology, Technology Transforms Business" runs from July 27 to Aug. 1 and bounced back after two years of not being held due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In remarks delivered during the official opening ceremony on Sunday, President Hakainde Hichilema underscored the importance of technology in doing business.

He said technology was vital to overcoming challenges brought by COVID-19 and climate change, among others. 
The All India Kisan Congress Chairman Sukhpal Singh Khaira on Sunday expressed serious concern at the plight of farmers in the country and demanded Minimum Support Price (MSP) guarantee for farmers.

To press this demand, Khaira announced to undertake a country-wide tour soon to meet farmers in different states to understand their problems.

He demanded that the Centre must guarantee MSP for all crops and stop favouring the corporate sector at the cost of farmers and farm workers.

The Central government had already constituted a committee that will work to make the MSP more effective and transparent.

Apart from MSP, the committee will also promote a zero budget-based farming and changing crop patterns, keeping in mind the changing needs of the country.

Zero budget natural farming means raising crops without using any fertiliser and pesticide or any other external materials. The word 'zero budget' refers to zero cost of production of all crops.

The committee, which will be headed by former Agriculture Secretary Sanjay Agarwal, will consist of representatives from the Centre and state governments, farmers, agricultural scientists and economists.

Apart from the Congress, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann had also urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to reconstitute the committee on MSP for crops by giving due representation to his state.

In a letter marked to the Prime Minister, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar, Mann said, "It is ironical that the state which has most successfully implemented MSP since the initiation of this scheme has been kept out the committee."

--IANS

miz/khz/

(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.)
(AAP) convenor and Delhi Chief Minister on Monday held a rally at Veraval in Gujarat's Gir Somnath district during which he assured employment to the youth of the state if his party is voted to power.

Earlier, last month during a rally in Surat, he promised providing free electricity.

Addressing the rally, he criticised the Gujarat government over the recent deaths of people after consuming spurious liquor.

"I came to know that the Chief Minister of Gujarat has not yet gone to meet them. They believe that it will not affect the votebank. In everything, there is no vote... the life of a person is important," Kejriwal said.

"I asked one of the patients from where he got the alcohol. He said that in every village and city, if you want it, it is also delivered at home... those who want their children to drink poison should vote for BJP, those who want education and employment for their children should vote for AAP," he said.

Referring to the case of a suicide by a 23-year-old youth over unemployment, a few days ago, Kejriwal said: "I have come to tell every youth of Gujarat that now your elder brother has come... you don't need to commit suicide. I have come to tell every mother and father that your son has arrived."

"If I don't fulfill my promise in five years, push me out after five years. We will give jobs to every unemployed person. My intention is also clear and I am educated, I know how to give them employment. Delhi will have 20 lakh jobs in the next five years," he added.

The AAP leader also touched on the subject of "freebies culture", saying: "Just give us one chance... today, all will criticise me on TV that Kejriwal is distributing 'revdi' free... some sent it to Swiss banks. Kejriwal distributes 'revdi' to the masses."

--IANS

asmita/pgh

(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.)
Slamming the over the arrest of Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut, party chief on Monday said he is proud of him as he did not succumb to any pressure.

Talking to reporters here, Thackeray termed Raut, arrested by the ED in a money laundering cases, as a hardcore Shiv Sainik of Sena founder late Bal Thackeray.

I am proud of . What crime has he committed? He is a journalist, a Shiv Sainik, is fearless and speaks what he does not approve of, Thackeray said.

The former Maharashtra chief minister targeted for what he called vendetta .

(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.)
Swapna Suresh, the prime accused in the gold smuggling case, on Monday alleged that Chief Minister not only violated protocol but also his oath of office when he broke all rules during the visit of Sharjah's ruler to the state in 2017.

Speaking to the media, Swapna claimed that neither the Union Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) nor the UAE Consulate knew about thee change in the itinerary of the visiting dignitary from Kozhikode to the state capital.

"The original plan to hand over the honorary doctorate D'lit of the Calicut University to the Sharjah ruler was fixed at Kozhikode. But later without the knowledge of MEA, it was moved to Thiruvananthapuram. Then the travel plan was re-routed by me from the hotel where they were staying from the Raj Bhavan. This is known to Manoj Abraham (one of Kerala's top police official)," she said, adding that this act was a serious misuse of Vijayan's office, his powers and the system for his personal needs.

"This was done so that Vijayan and his wife could speak to the dignitary so as to help their daughter Veena Vijayan to start an IT business hub at Sharjah. Prior to that meeting, I reached his official residence and took part in a meeting which included Vijayan, his wife, high ranking official Nalini Netto, his principal secretary M. Sivasankar. They wanted to find out how much gold should be presented so as to see that his daughter's proposed business flourish.

"Even more serious is I am trying to get the documents of a very grave mistake which Vijayan, his office and Sivasankar committed which is against security. Once I get the evidence, it will be revealed," added Swapna.

"These are not allegations, but facts, for which I have evidences and will be given out."

The gold smuggling case surfaced in July 2020 and after a week, Swapna was arrested from Bengaluru.

When the news of her links with Vijayan first surfaced, he said he did not know her. But later when visuals appeared, he changed his stance, saying she was an employee of the UAE Consulate here and have seen her with the Consulate officials.

However it was after her release from jail after over a year, Swapna revealed that at the appropriate time she reveal how much Vijayan actually knows her.

--IANS

sg/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.)
Increasing the total number of districts to 30, chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday announced that the state will soon carve out seven new districts.

The seven new districts will be Sunderban, Ichhemati, Ranaghat, Bishnupur, Jangipur, and Behrampur. One more district will be named from the Basirhat region.

At present, Sundarban falls under South 24 paraganas, whereas Icchemati and Basirhat falls under North 24 parganas. Ranaghat under Nadia and Jangipur and Behrampur from Murshidabad district. Bankura will be divided to form the Bishnupur district.

"Earlier there were 23 districts in now it has been increased to 30. The 7 new districts include - Sunderban, Ichhemati, Ranaghat, Bishnupur, Jangipur, Behrampur and one more district will be named in Basirhat," said after the cabinet meeting.

Reacting to this, BJP's national convenor of the IT cell Amit Malviya said, "Mamata Banerjee's decision to create seven new districts and induct new faces is an attempt to divert attention from the SSC Scam. She must explain from where a debt-trapped Government gets money to run new districts. With Paresh Adhikari still in her cabinet, new faces won't wash taint."

The chief minister earlier in the day also announced that a cabinet reshuffle is on cards, and around four to five new faces will be inducted to the . The new faces inducted to the party will take their oath on Wednesday evening, she added.

She also said that there are several departments such as Panchayat, Engineering, Consumer Affairs & Self Help Group in the Bengal cabinet that do not have any dedicated minister to handle the operations.

The CM also said that it was not possible for her to handle the responsibilities of these departments alone.

"We have to reshuffle our Cabinet. But (I) do not have any plan to dissolve the Cabinet and come up with a new one. There are several departments that have no one at the helm. I alone cannot shoulder (the) responsibilities of all these departments," said.
The Trinamool Congress on Sunday wondered why the is silent on the recovery of huge unaccounted cash from the vehicle of Congress lawmakers from .

The also demanded that the role of Leader of the Opposition in West Bengal Assembly Suvendu Adhikari needs to be looked into in the light of the recovery of the money, as he had recently remarked that "after Maharashtra, it will be Jharkhand, Rajasthan and West Bengal."



Acting on a tip-off, the West Bengal Police intercepted an SUV in Howrah on Saturday evening in which Congress MLAs of were travelling and allegedly found nearly half a crore of rupees in it. After questioning, they were formally arrested on Sunday afternoon.

The TMC's statement came in the backdrop of the seizure of crores of rupees in cash by the ED from two flats of a woman, considered close to the now suspended senior leader Partha Chatterjee. Both were arrested by the central agency in connection with the school jobs scam.

The Congress on Sunday alleged the BJP was trying to topple the JMM-led government in by offering Rs 10 crore to each MLA.

Bengal BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari had spoken about forming governments in non-NDA ruled states such as Jharkhand. We want an inquiry to check if the recovered money is part of the conspiracy to topple the democratically-elected Jharkhand government," spokesperson Kunal Ghosh said.

After a recent change of guard in Maharashtra, Adhikari had twice said that the JMM-led coalition government in Jharkhand and TMC dispensation in West Bengal, too, will meet a similar fate, and much before their tenure ends.

The BJP's West Bengal unit dubbed the allegations as baseless.

"The BJP is in no way involved in it. We think the TMC was trying to smuggle out the illegal cash it had earned through the school recruitment scam," BJP state president Sukanta Majumdar said.

(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.)
In 2011, when Mamata Banerjee stormed into Writers Building, which then housed the government in West Bengal, ending 34 years of Left rule, was one of her most trusted lieutenants. Among the few who had a say during the formation of the first Cabinet, he was one. But from the high perch to being stripped of all posts in the government and party, its a long drop.

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Please don't boycott my films, please watch them, superstar has said in response to hashtags calling for the boycott of his upcoming film "Laal Singh Chaddha" trending on Twitter.

The hashtags #boycottlaalsinghchaddha and #boycottbollywood have garnered tens of thousands of posts on Twitter. There were also some calls for supporting the film, an official remake of the 1994 Hollywood movie "Forrest Gump".

"That Boycott ... Boycott ... Boycott Laal Singh Chaddha... I feel sad also because a lot of people who are saying this in their hearts believe I am someone who doesn't like India... In their hearts they believe that... And that's quite untrue," the 57-year-old star said while replying to a question by PTI in a group interview here on Sunday night.

Many posts calling for a boycott of "Laal Singh Chaddha" recalled an earlier controversy in 2015 when Aamir had said he was alarmed by a number of incidents of growing "intolerance" in India and that his then wife Kiran Rao had suggested they should probably leave the country.

Responding to calls that his new, much-awaited film be shunned, Aamir said he loves India and requested fans to not think otherwise.

"I really love the country... That's how I am. It is rather unfortunate if some people feel that way. I want to assure everyone that it's not the case so please don't boycott my films, please watch my films," he said.

A section of Twitterati has also targeted his co-star Kareena Kapoor Khan by posting an old video in which she can be seen defending star children.

Directed by Advait Chandan of "Secret Superstar" fame, "Laal Singh Chaddha" follows the extraordinary journey of a simpleton named Laal (played by Aamir) as he chases his dreams and love. The film also features Mona Singh and Naga Chaitanya.

"When I chat with Kiran at home, she says Should we move out of India?' That's a disastrous and big statement for Kiran to make. She fears for her child (son Azad). She fears about what the atmosphere around us will be. She feels scared to open the newspapers every day," Aamir had said at the Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Awards in 2015.

"That does indicate that there is this sense of growing disquiet, there is growing despondency apart from alarm. You feel why this is happening, you feel low. That sense does exist in me," he had said.

Backed by Viacom18 Motion Pictures and Productions, "Laal Singh Chaddha" is scheduled to be released worldwide on August 11.

(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.)
PRI ESPL INT .MELBOURNE TGA1 AI-MEDICAL RESEARCH AI promises to revolutionise medical research, but a cautious approach is needed By Reece Hooker, Assistant Producer, 360info Asia-Pacific Melbourne, Aug 1 (360info) One week social-media users are generating and sharing amusing images using AI, the next we hear AI can predict the structure of over 200 million proteins. AI is particularly well placed to revolutionise medical research. The technology helps in two vital ways: it optimises research, and it can make discoveries that humans have not. AI is unshackled from the limitations that come with human researchers: it can trawl deep datasets exponentially faster, never needs to take a break, and never succumbs to illness or fatigue. Taiwanese computer scientist, businessman and author Kai-Fu Lee recently spoke about his optimism for the future of AI. We've surprised ourselves with how well machine learning algorithms work. It makes us focus on the things that AI cannot do, and it will probably either lead to a greater understanding of the human mystique of how we think or it will lead to more breakthroughs, leading to superintelligence It took 40 years, but I think we're basically there. None of this means the rise of the machines is imminent. Despite its advances, AI is still encumbered by technical limitations. AI pioneer Yosua Bengio said in 2021 that deep learning was not anywhere close today to the level of intelligence of a two-year-old child. A study by Pugliese et al. (2021) finds that more and more medical research is mentioning "machine learning". But maybe we have algorithms that are equivalent to lower animals, for perception. And we're gradually climbing this ladder in terms of tools that allow an entity to explore its environment, he said. Much more work needs to be done to perfect the technology, and there is no foreseeable date by which humans will be superfluous to the world of medical research. There is also the matter of ethics in AI, in which legislators will have to parse a minefield of questions about issues ranging from data collection to intellectual property and beyond. In the meantime, leading minds continue to use machine learning and AI to innovate and expand the horizon of what's possible in medical research. REALITY CHECK Between 2000 and 2019, the research community became much more interested in AI: the global output of AI research grew from 52,000 journal publications and conference papers in 2000 to roughly 403,000 in 2019. AI is projected to contribute US$15.7 trillion to the 2030 global economy. Nine in 10 of the 100 healthcare executives surveyed in 2020 said their hospital had an AI and automation strategy in place. BIG IDEAS "The goal and expectation is that in fully integrating AI into research about disease development, many unknowns will become known. What causes diseases to spread, worsen and change, and additional early signs or symptoms that research has yet to uncover, should reveal themselves with the new frontiers made possible by automated AI," Hiroaki Kitano, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology. "The use of AI in making medical decisions is still new and many barriers need to be overcome before it is used widely in clinical practice. For it to reach its full capacity, wider research and more rigorous approaches are needed to grapple with the ethical issues it raises. This is an ideal time for medical professionals, stakeholders and governments, as well as individuals and their families, to work together and seek a balance between the benefits and risks of the new technologies," Alexander Merkin, Auckland University of Technology. (360info) VM 08011017 NNNN

(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.)
AUCKLAND, New Zealand, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand Minister for Trade and Export Growth Damien O'Connor on Monday expressed his confidence in trade and economic relations between New Zealand and China.

Delivering a speech at the annual China Business Summit in Auckland, O'Connor said New Zealand will stay committed to investing in trade and economic relations with China.

Despite global trade disruptions, goods exports from New Zealand to China increased by 19.8 percent in 2021, accounting for 33 percent of New Zealand's total goods exports.

New Zealand has been active in multiple global trade engagements to support businesses in overcoming economic challenges, said O'Connor, highlighting the entry into force of the upgrade of its free trade agreement with China in April 2022.

"I see first-hand the vibrant and long-standing trade and economic links between New Zealand and China. The upgrade will modernize our existing 2008 agreement, ensuring that it is fit for purpose in today's trading environment," said O'Connor.

O'Connor also said "We welcome China's interest" in the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) as well as in the Digital Economy Partnership Agreement (DEPA).

O'Connor said he is proud to witness New Zealand enterprises exploring diverse business models and trade platforms in China and contributing to bilateral trade exchanges.

He mentioned the China International Import Expo (CIIE), saying that "New Zealand businesses are supported by the New Zealand government, which have been at every Expo since it first started in 2018."

"The CIIE has been a key platform for showcasing a broad range of New Zealand offerings into the China market. I am pleased that a number of New Zealand companies will be participating at this year's Expo," said O'Connor.

As the New Zealand border fully reopened on Sunday, O'Connor said he is looking forward to welcoming Chinese international students and tourists back.

"We will continue to invest in our trade and economic relationship with China, in the hope and expectation that it is one which continues to bring benefit to the people of both countries for a long time to come," said O'Connor. 
A heatwave in China has brought drought to regions that rely on the Yangtze river, the countrys longest. In Southwest Chinas Chongqing, local media reports more than 600,000 people and 36,000 hectares of crops are affected. Further east, the extreme weather is also threatening crops in Jiangxi province. Local authorities have issued warnings for high temperatures and carried out drought relief measures in parts of the country

Aug 17, 2022 05:59 PM
Photo taken on Aug. 1, 2022 shows a money exchange market in Kabul, Afghanistan.

Afghanistan received a fresh batch of 40 million U.S. dollars in cash humanitarian aid and deposited to one of the country's commercial banks, the central bank said in a statement on Monday. (Photo by Saifurahman Safi/Xinhua)

KABUL, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- Afghanistan received a fresh batch of 40 million U.S. dollars in cash humanitarian aid and deposited to one of the country's commercial banks, the central bank said in a statement on Monday.

"As part of a series of humanitarian aid to Afghanistan, 40 million U.S. dollars in cash arrived in Kabul yesterday (July 31) and was transferred to the Afghanistan International Bank," Da Afghanistan Bank (DBA) said.

While thanking the international community for sending humanitarian aid to Afghanistan, the DBA said that the cash aid would be spent transparently.

The last tranche of cash provided to Afghanistan as humanitarian aid was 32 million U.S. dollars, which helped the war-torn country increase foreign exchange reserves to prevent a possible economic collapse. 

Photo taken on Aug. 1, 2022 shows the central bank of Afghanistan in Kabul, Afghanistan.

Afghanistan received a fresh batch of 40 million U.S. dollars in cash humanitarian aid and deposited to one of the country's commercial banks, the central bank said in a statement on Monday. (Photo by Saifurahman Safi/Xinhua)

A man counts cash at a money exchange market in Kabul, Afghanistan, Aug. 1, 2022.

Afghanistan received a fresh batch of 40 million U.S. dollars in cash humanitarian aid and deposited to one of the country's commercial banks, the central bank said in a statement on Monday. (Photo by Saifurahman Safi/Xinhua)
Russia says U.S., NATO "main threats" to national maritime security

Xinhua) 08:09, August 01, 2022

Russian warships are seen during the country's annual Navy Day parade in Kronstadt in St. Petersburg, Russia, July 31, 2022. (Kremlin photo)

Putin said in a speech during the parade that the doctrine openly outlines the boundaries and zones of Russia's national interests.

MOSCOW, July 31 (Xinhua) -- The United States' quest for the dominance of world oceans and the expansion of NATO are the main threats to Russia's national maritime security, according to the new Russian naval doctrine adopted Sunday.

Russian President Vladimir Putin signed the Executive Order on Approving the Naval Doctrine of the Russian Federation and the Executive Order on Approving the Russian Navy Regulations earlier in the day before the central part of the Main Naval Parade.

The 55-page doctrine said the main challenges and threats to Russia's national security and sustainable development are "the strategic course of the U.S. towards domination in the world oceans and its global influence on international processes."

The expansion of NATO's military infrastructure to the Russian borders and the growing number of the bloc's drills in areas adjacent to the country's waters are also listed as major threats to Russia's national security.

Putin said in a speech during the parade that the doctrine openly outlines the boundaries and zones of Russia's national interests.

The maritime doctrine update reflects changes in the geopolitical and military strategic situation in the world, Russia's Deputy Prime Minister Yury Borisov said at a maritime board meeting in May, according to a TASS report.

(Web editor: Wu Chaolan, Du Mingming)
SINGAPORE, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- Singapore's Health Minister Ong Ye Kung said in parliament on Monday that the city-state government estimates about 60 percent of local residents are likely to have been infected with COVID-19, Singapore-based Asian news network CNA reported.

Ong added that it does not mean Singapore now has "herd immunity", as scientists around the world do not think herd immunity is achievable because the virus will continue to mutate, escape the protection of vaccines and infect people.

The minister said that Singapore is still in the middle of an infection wave driven by the Omicron variant BA.5, but over the last 10 days, infection numbers have been falling.

Ong said that Singapore should see the wave subsiding further this week.

As of July 31, Singapore registered a total of 1,714,056 COVID-19 cases, causing a total of 1,500 deaths. 
Government promises to impose severe sanctions against those involved

KIGALI, Rwanda/DOUALA, Cameroon (AA) - The Democratic Republic of Congo has launched an investigation after the UN peacekeeping mission in the country, MONUSCO, admitted that its troops killed two people in a shootout in a town in Beni territory on the border with Uganda, local authorities said Sunday.

Two compatriots died and 15 were wounded following shots fired by peacekeepers from a contingent of the MONUSCO intervention brigade from Uganda, said Patrick Muyaya Katembwe, the DRC's minister in charge of communication and media and government spokesman.

He announced the opening of a joint investigation with MONUSCO to establish responsibility for the incident and learn the motivation behind it and to impose severe sanctions against the peacekeepers involved.

Katembwe said they are already under arrest, stressing that they can no longer be part of the contingents of the UN mission pending the outcome of a plan to withdraw MONUSCO from the DRC.

In a statement, Bintou Keita, head of the mission, said she had learned with deep shock about the grave incident, which happened Sunday morning.

During this incident, soldiers of the Intervention Brigade of the MONUSCO force, returning from leave, opened fire at the border crossing for unexplained reasons and forced their way through. This serious incident resulted in loss of life and serious injuries, she said.

Footage of the incident posted on social media showed uniformed men advancing towards an immobilized UN convoy behind a closed barrier in the town of Kasindi in eastern DR Congo's Beni territory on the border with Uganda.

After a verbal exchange, the peacekeepers appear to have opened fire before opening the gate. They drove on and continued to shoot, scattering residents.

The perpetrators of the shooting have been identified and arrested pending the conclusions of the investigation that has already begun in collaboration with the Congolese authorities, added Keita.

The incident came days after demonstrations in several towns in eastern Congos North Kivu province demanding the departure of the UN mission, protests which claimed the lives of 19 people, including three peacekeepers.

Jean-Pierre Lacroix, the UN under-secretary-general for peace operations, visited Congo on Saturday, where he held talks with Congolese authorities aimed at avoiding a recurrence of the tragic incidents.

The UN mission in Congo is facing criticism for its perceived ineffectiveness at stopping fighting in the volatile east.

James Tasamba and Aurore Bonny/AA
Congolese protesters are seen inside the United Nations Mission for the Stabilisation of Congo (MONUSCO) Headquarters in Goma, DRC, July 25, 2022. VOA

Perpetrators of shooting have been identified and arrested, says UN official in Democratic Republic of Congo

KIGALI, Rwanda (AA)  The UN mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo's eastern province has admitted its troops killed people in a shootout in a town in Beni territory on the border with Uganda on Sunday.

Local authorities reported that two people were killed and about eight others injured after troops of the UN Stabilization Mission in Congo (MONUSCO) opened fire during an incident in the town of Kasindi near the border with Uganda.

In a statement, Bintou Keita, head of the mission, said she had learned with deep shock about the grave incident which happened Sunday morning.

During this incident, soldiers of the Intervention Brigade of the MONUSCO force, returning from leave, opened fire at the border crossing for unexplained reasons and forced their way through. This serious incident resulted in loss of life and serious injuries, she said.

This serious incident caused loss of life and serious injuries.

Footage of the incident posted on social media showed uniformed men advancing towards an immobilized UN convoy behind a closed barrier in Kasindi.

After a verbal exchange, the peacekeepers appear to have opened fire before opening the gate. They drove on and continued to shoot, scattering residents.

The perpetrators of the shooting have been identified and arrested pending the conclusions of the investigation that has already begun in collaboration with the Congolese authorities, added Keita.

The incident came days after demonstrations in several towns in eastern Congos North Kivu province demanding the departure of the UN mission, protests which claimed the lives of 19 people, including three peacekeepers.

Jean-Pierre Lacroix, the UN under-secretary-general for peace operations, visited Congo on Saturday where he held talks with Congolese authorities aimed at avoiding a recurrence of the tragic incidents.

The UN mission in Congo faces criticism for its perceived ineffectiveness at stopping fighting in the volatile east.

James Tasamba/AA
MANILA, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- Philippine President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos said on Monday that his government is not keen on rejoining the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Marcos said the ICC's ongoing investigation into the crime against humanity allegedly committed by the previous Rodrigo Duterte administration is not needed, adding the government is also conducting its investigation on the matter.

Marcos convened his legal team last week to discuss the administration's strategy in dealing with the ICC.

"I asked for the meeting so that we will know what to do if we will respond or not," Marcos told a press conference, stressing the need to figure out how his administration will respond because the ICC "is a very different kind of court."

The Philippines officially informed the United Nations in March 2018 about its decision to withdraw from the Rome Statute of the ICC after the body launched a probe into the alleged extrajudicial killings related to Duterte's anti-drug campaign.

Duterte at that time said the ICC accusations are "baseless, unprecedented and outrageous attacks."

According to Philippine government data, more than 6,000 people were killed in the war on drugs that Duterte launched after he took office in 2016.

Nevertheless, the ICC continued its probe after an ICC prosecutor asked the pre-trial chamber to resume the investigation. The ICC chamber asked the Philippine government to submit a comment showing proof that the national justice system of the Philippines is working to ensure accountability for the alleged crimes by Sept. 8. 
PHNOM PENH, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia's garment, footwear and travel goods industry has seen a 40-percent rise in exports in the first half of this year, according to a report from the General Department of Customs and Excise.

The Southeast Asian nation exported the products totally worth 6.6 billion U.S. dollars during the January-June period this year, up 40 percent from 4.72 billion dollars over the same period last year, the report said.

Ministry of Commerce's undersecretary of state and spokesman Penn Sovicheat attributed the growth to the full resumption of socio-economic activities in Cambodia, trade preferences, and a rise in global demand.

"The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) free trade agreement, which entered into force in January, has also contributed to this growth," he told Xinhua on Monday.

RCEP comprises 15 Asia-Pacific countries including 10 ASEAN member states, namely Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, and their five trading partners - China, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand.

"I believe that the growth will continue throughout this year as the global COVID-19 pandemic has waned," Sovicheat added.

Garment, footwear and travel goods industry is the largest foreign exchange earner for Cambodia. The sector consists of roughly 1,100 factories and branches, employing approximately 750,000 workers, mostly female.

"The garment sector has played an important role in boosting Cambodia's exports as other garment producing countries are still suffering from the impact of COVID-19," senior economist Ky Sereyvath, director general of the Institute of China Studies at the Royal Academy of Cambodia, told Xinhua. 
Reiterating India's 'zero tolerance to violence' stand, Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi has slammed former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for inking an agreement with Pakistan on terrorism within months of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks in 2008.

Addressing a session on 'Contemporary Challenges to Internal Security' in Kochi on Sunday, the Tamil Nadu Governor said, "When the 26/11 Mumbai terrorist attacks happened, the whole country was traumatised; the country was humiliated by a handful of terrorists. Within 9 months of the attacks, our then PM and Pakistan PM signed a joint communique stating both countries were victims of terrorism."

"Do we have Sathrubodh? Is Pakistan a friend or an enemy? That has to be clear. If you try to be in between, you have confusion," he added.

In 2008, 10 Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists (LeT) carried out 12 coordinated shooting and bombing attacks killing at least 174 people and leaving 300 wounded.

Speaking about the surgical strike as a befitting reply to Pakistan, he said, "After Pulwama attack, we hit back at Pakistan in Balakot using our air power. The message was that if you commit an act of terrorism you will have to pay the cost."

According to him, India's internal security at present is better than what it was during Manmohan Singh's rule.

"During the time of Manmohan Singh, the serious threat to our internal security was the Maoist violence. They had spread to over 185 districts across central India. And people were even talking about the Red Corridor.

The situation was alarming. Today, their presence is limited to less than 8 districts and that too at a much-reduced pace," he claimed.

"If you look at the instances of violence and cause of concern for the national security, you will see that there is a sharp decline. Neutralisation of the terrorists has been possible not because our system has improved dramatically, but largely because of people's cooperation. People have started rejecting the terrorists and cooperating with the system to normalise the situation."

Speaking on Kashmir, Ravi said, "There is zero tolerance to violence. It may sound harsh but anyone who uses a gun should be dealt with a gun.

No negotiation with anyone who talks against the unity and integrity of the country. There have been no talks with any armed group in the last 8 years, if only for surrender."

"In Jammu & Kashmir, they have killed thousands of people and then Yasin Malik, a JKLF man will come to Delhi and he will shake hands with the

Prime Minister. Hurriyat was the brain behind leading this. In the northeast, people killed hundreds of people and then we started talking to them and asked them to stop the violence. No negotiation, no talk with anyone who talks against the unity and integrity of our country.

"No question, no acceptance. It took time for the message to sink in. In the last 8 years, there has not been one negotiation, no talk with any of the armed groups. If it's a conversation, it is only for surrendering and rehabilitation, with no political content," stated the Governor.

"In Maoist areas, there is an ideology, they don't believe in Constitutional parliamentary democracy. That's not acceptable. So there is no question of any negotiation or talk with the Maoists," he added.

(ANI)

Also Read: Bengal BJP MPs protest outside Parliament over SSC recruitment scam


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Christopher Harris, 22, of Johnson City, Tn., was shot and killed on Sunday afternoon.

Chattanooga Police responded to a call of a shooting at 4:17 p.m. Police were alerted to a shooting victim who had shown up at Erlanger East suffering from a fatal gunshot wound.

Police determined the shooting location to be at 2500 O'Rear Street.

No arrests have been made.

Chattanooga Police ask anyone with any information regarding this incident to call 423-643-5100 or submit a tip via the Atlas One App (formerly the CPD Mobile App). You can remain anonymous. No amount of information is too small or insignificant.
An officer responded to a broken-down car on I-24 westbound that was pulled off onto the shoulder of the interstate with its hazard light flashing. Dispatch informed police that the complainant had a flat tire and could not get the lug nuts off of the tire. Police spoke with the driver and he said he was waiting on roadside assistance to help him change his flat tire. He denied help from the first and second officer that arrived on the scene. Because his car was disabled on the interstate at nighttime, the officer parked his patrol vehicle behind the mans car with emergency lights initiated to insure safety for him as they waited for roadside assistance. Police waited for approximately 30 minutes until dispatch told the officer the man had called back in asking for an estimated time on roadside assistance and informed dispatch that police were behind his vehicle but were not providing help. The officer spoke with the driver again and asked if he needed additional help and he said he was waiting for the police to help. The officer told the man he was police and offered to help him try and remove the lug nuts from his tire but as the officer attempted to remove his tire, he began to firmly tell the officer to stop and not to break his lug nuts. The officer told the man he would have to call roadside assistance that will have the proper tools to get his tire off if he did not want police assistance. He denied police help and said he would call roadside assistance.

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An officer reported that a man had flagged him down on I-24 westbound and said that a second driver had indicated that he had struck another vehicle. The man stopped at the first safe location and called police. He spoke little English (Spanish speaking) but said he did not believe he had struck anyone. There were no other vehicles or people on scene and no other crashes were called in by anyone that might have been involved. The man examined his truck and trailer and could not find any signs of damage, and neither could police.

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A woman on Patten Chapel Road told police she heard someone knock on her door and say "Help Me". She didnt look outside when this occurred. Police checked the area and didnt find anyone.

* * *

An officer saw a motorcycle with no back lights traveling at a high rate of speed southbound on Hixson Pike. There was a white male and a white female wearing a white tank top and white shorts on the motorcycle. There was no tag on the back of the motorcycle. The officer followed the bike to initiate a traffic stop for the traffic violations. The officer saw the woman turn and look behind them towards the patrol vehicle. The motorcycle took off at a high rate of speed when the officer initiated emergency lights. The officer turned off emergency lights and saw the motorcycle going over 100mph southbound on Hixson Pike, then turned onto Lupton Drive towards Red Bank. A BOLO was issued for the motorcycle. Prosecution is pending further suspect information.

* * *

A woman said she was locked out of her apartment on Citico Avenue. Police knocked on the door and her sister answered. The sister said the woman didnt live there and has only spent the night with her. Police offered the woman a ride, but she refused.

* * *

A woman at the Waffle House at 2024 E. 23rd St. told police there was a man in a vehicle, possibly a black Ford Fusion, that drove by and asked the woman why did she testify against his sister. The woman said she just wanted a report completed of the encounter.

* * *

Police responded to a wellness check on Clayton Drive. Once on scene, officers spoke with a woman who said she couldnt get the resident to come to the door. Officers knocked on the window and the resident came from the back room. She was very agitated and didnt want to speak with police. She said she was fine and asked officers to leave the home. She said she wasnt going anywhere to talk to anyone.

* * *

Police responded to a single vehicle crash on Amnicola Highway and found a backpack with a firearm, a phone on the dashboard and a glass pipe in the center console. The owner of the vehicle was contacted and he said it didnt belong to him. He said he lent the vehicle to a worker of his and he would call the worker to see if the vehicle was stolen from him. The weapon was run through info to see if it was stolen, and it wasnt. Police took all property recovered from the vehicle to the Chattanooga Property Division as found property. There is no known owner at this time.

* * *

A man at Roadtec at 800 Manufacturers Road told police someone busted out his front passenger window with a big rock. He thought that they might have stolen his handgun but he found it located in between the front seats. He said it might cost $100-$200 to get the window fixed.

* * *

An officer responded to suspicious activity on Wauchula Street where a woman said a silver Subaru was circling the house and took a picture of her house and the neighbors house. The car was last seen traveling northbound on Wauchula Street. The woman said it was an older white male driver that was the only occupant of the vehicle. The officer drove through the area and was unable to locate a car matching the description. The woman said there have been recent break-ins in the area and was concerned. The house was added to the watch list for two weeks.

* * *

A woman on W. 38th Street called police and said she left her 2015 Jeep Compass unlocked in the driveway of her boyfriend's residence and left her purse and backpack inside of it. Sometime during the night someone stole her property.

* * *

A man on E. 23rd St. told police someone stole the antenna off of his 2014 Jeep Patriot. He didnt know the replacement cost at the time.

* * *

A man on Central Drive told police he had money stolen from his account that he and the other account holder didnt know about. The man had no idea how anyone had his information for the account. He believes it was the other account holders son but has no evidence he took any money, he just believes it was him. Police asked the man to send any evidence he finds that would provide suspect information.

* * *

A man on Drew Road told police around 3 a.m. someone jacked up his 1994 Buick Roadmaster and removed the catalytic converter and stole it. They also rummaged through his 1994 Chevy K1500 4x4 pickup and stole his volt meter. He has video but the quality is not sufficient to help recognize a suspect.

* * *

A woman on N. Holly Street told police she was at the address to get her air conditioner back. She said a man took the air conditioner from her apartment approximately three days ago and put it into his mothers room. She had contacted the man about the air conditioner several times and he told her that he didn't have it. She picked up the mans brother and he slipped up by saying that he and the man got the air conditioner. The woman came to the house and saw the air conditioner in the window. She wanted the man to give her money for the air conditioner or give her it back. The man arrived and said he and the woman were together approximately two or three days ago when she made dinner and had him over. While with each other, he asked her if he could use the air conditioner for his mother's room since she was sick. The woman told him he could use it so the man and his brother got the air conditioner from the womans apartment. The woman said she just wanted the air conditioner back or for the man to pay her for it. After further discussion, both agreed the man would give the woman $40 in cash and wished that they did not talk to each other any further. The $40 was given to the woman and was told the man didnt want her talking to her again.
In the only contested area primary race for the newly created District 1, the State Senate race is beginning to heat up just before the Aug. 4 primary. With no incumbent candidate, the two Republican candidates are aggressively beating the bushes with flyers being mailed to the households and attending public and community events. The winner of the The winner of the primary will face Dr. Patricia Waters in November.

Mark Hall, state representative from Bradley County who chose to run for the open Senate seat rather than run for re-election, said he should be the one to win the race because he is from Bradley County. He made the remarks at the Bradley County Republican Womens Lunch, which was carried live on WCLE Radio. Rep. Hall served as seventh district commissioner from 2006 to 2018 when he ran for state representative . During his time as state representative, he authored Jokers Law. This bill increased the penalties for those who harm a law enforcement or service animal in Tennessee. It increases it from a class A misdemeanor to a Class D felony. The law gained national attention and it put Tennessee in the headlines as being tough on crime. According to state law, a class D Felony conviction carries a punishment of between two and 12 years in prison along with fines up to $5,000.

He also touts that he is a Marine veteran and small business owner. He is a barber at Marks Barber Shop in Cleveland.

Adam Lowe lives in Calhoun, Tn., just across the Bradley County line. He did live in Bradley County for 20 years and served one term on the County Commission with Mr. Hall. Mr. Lowe ran unsuccessfully for state representative in 2014. The graduate of Lee College has a Master's in Public Administration from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and a PHD in education leadership and public policy studies from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. He is an author, college educator, and while on the Bradley County Commission, he served as vice chairman , chairman of the education committee and on the committees for finance, law enforcement and juvenile services. He also is known for his work as a small businessman and conservative talk radio host for Talk 101.3. Dr. Lowe also serves as a faculty member in public policy at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va., and at Montreat College in Asheville, N.C. He was also director of the Cleveland State Community College Foundation dealing with workforce and scholarship initiatives. During this time, he stewarded the Bradley Achieves scholarship program and helped catalyze programs in the workforce.

Four published debates were scheduled for the two candidates - at Bradley, McMinn and Rhea counties along with one by WCLE radio in Cleveland. Both candidates were invited, but just prior to all four events, Rep. Hall said he had last minute scheduling conflicts.

The Senate District is composed of Bradley, McMinn, Meigs and Rhea counties. Bradley is the largest with 110,162 residents and 75,436 voters . As of Friday, Bradley had only 4,470 early voters. McMinn, with 54,059 residents and 31,982 registered voters only had 1,948 voted as of Friday morning. Rhea County has 33,136 residents and 20,567 registered voters . Rhea is coming close to Bradley in early voting with 2,872 as of Friday morning. With 13,049 persons and only 8,100 registered voters, Meigs County is the smallest in the district. As of Friday morning, 863 had voted.

County officials and citizens of Rhea and Meigs are concerned about losing representation in Nashville. Rhea is coming out from under the wing of current 12 th District Senator Ken Yager from Roane County. Yager has treated Rhea County over the years with grants and projects, including assisting in getting Nokian Tires which currently employees around 500 people. Meigs and McMinn County are losing retiring Senator Mike Bell from Riceville.





Dr. Waters is a retired professor from Troy University in Troy, Ala. She has also taught at the University of Alabama and Tennessee Wesleyan. She has her bachelor of arts in English from Memphis State, Masters and PHD from University of Tennessee at Knoxville. While in Memphis she taught French and English in high school and a community college and became a community activist in revitalizing downtown Memphis.

Dr. Waters states in her webpage that she moved back to her home in Athens in 2019.

All three candidates have been out fundraising. Dr. Waters' contributors are mostly retired teachers and professors with her largest contribution of $1,000 coming from a retired teacher from California.

Dr. Lowes contributors are mostly Cleveland, Athens and Dayton residents with only one PAC, Team Kid Pac of Nashville donating $1,200. Team Kid PAC is an educational political action group that according to their website wants to secure effective education for all Tennessee students.
Chattanooga-headquartered First Volunteer Bank has rebranded to Builtwell Bank effective Monday, as it begins to unify the look and feel of the banks 24 branches spanning 11 counties in Tennessee and Georgia. Builtwell Bank is Chattanoogas largest local community bank.

The Builtwell name demonstrates our continued commitment to being the well-built bank for which we are known, serving as the local economic engine for Tennessee and Georgia for another 118 years, said Builtwell Bank President and CEO Patti Steele.

Builtwell Bank was founded through the purchase of Marion Trust & Banking Company, a community bank started in 1904, in Jasper. The bank continues to grow and expand in Tennessee and Georgia. With the completion of the holding companys ninth bank acquisition in late 2021, the leadership team of Builtwell Bank developed a plan to rebrand the company to reflect its commitment to serve communities across Tennessee and Georgia for many years to come.

The merger of Dalton-based First Bank will be completed later in August, adding six additional offices in Whitfield and Gordon Counties to Builtwells footprint.

As we grow, its important for our name to be relevant and meaningful to the communities we serve, said Mrs. Steele. The Builtwell name signifies our commitment to be a sound, prosperous community bank, here to reinvest in our communities by helping customers save money, buy homes, start businesses and create jobs. Well-built communities start with well-built banks.

Mrs. Steele expects a smooth transition as the Builtwell Bank brand begins to appear across the region this month. The staff at Builtwell Bank is excited about this transition and invites customers to visit the newly rebranded offices or the banks website at www.builtwell.bank.
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern speaks at the annual China Business Summit in Auckland, New Zealand, Aug. 1, 2022. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and New Zealand. (Photo by Zhao Gang/Xinhua)

AUCKLAND, New Zealand, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said in a public speech on Monday that New Zealand has been firm and consistent in its commitment to a one-China policy.

Ardern delivered the speech at the annual China Business Summit in Auckland on Monday Morning.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and New Zealand. In reflecting on the bilateral relations, Ardern said that it is one of New Zealand's most important and complex relationships.

"We have a long history of engagement, and of beneficial interactions between our governments, our people, cultures and in commerce. New Zealand has been firm and consistent in our commitment to our one-China policy, and more recently in the implementation of our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership," said Ardern.

Ardern acknowledged China's success and contribution in poverty alleviation.

"China has witnessed remarkable development, as a result of reform and opening up to the global economy. At the same time, no single country has contributed more to the alleviation of poverty than China," said Ardern.

"Like many others, New Zealand is a supporter of China's integration into the global economy and trading system that helped China achieve this feat, including through China's accession to the World Trade Organization in 2001 and our own early FTA negotiations. As I've said, China has benefited enormously from these processes, as has New Zealand," said Ardern.

Ardern highlighted the people-to-people exchanges, bilateral economic and trade relations, and cultural and educational exchanges between New Zealand and China over the past years.

"In the three years immediately following our first diplomatic connections, bilateral trade increased to 38 million New Zealand dollars. Fast forward 50 years, and that figure is now closer to 38 billion New Zealand dollars. Economic connections between our two countries were further strengthened with the entry into force earlier this year of both the bilateral FTA upgrade, and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership", said Ardern.

Ardern said that both New Zealand and China have benefited from regional and global peace, stability and prosperity.

"Looking back over the 50 years, it is clear that China and New Zealand have both been major beneficiaries of relative peace, stability and prosperity in our region and globally. The rules, norms and institutions, such as the United Nations, that underlie that stability and prosperity remain indispensable. By facilitating global cooperation on issues that can only be solved collectively, international rules, norms and institutions are more important than ever," said Ardern.

The New Zealand prime minister said she is looking forward to a China trip.

"When China's COVID provisions make it possible, I hope to lead a business delegation to China to renew and refresh in-person connections. I hope to build on my 2019 visit to Beijing, to seize new opportunities for dialogue on regional and global issues, to further our cooperation on significant challenges such as climate change, environmental sustainability and biodiversity, to continue to deepen our cultural and people exchanges and support our businesses in charting the way ahead in our trade and economic relationship," said Ardern. (1 New Zealand dollar equals 0.63 U.S. dollar) 
A 29-year-old Rossville man was shot and killed on Monday while standing in front of a window inside his home located at 415 E. Peachtree St., according to Walker County Sheriff Steve Wilson.



Witnesses told authorities that two vehicles, a red Chevrolet or G.M.C. pickup truck and a dark- colored Dodge Charger or Challenger drove into the victims driveway. Moments later witnesses heard gunshots and then saw a young black male entering one of the vehicles before the vehicles sped away.



EMS transported the shooting victim to a local hospital where he later died.



The victim has been identified as Dakota Ryan Bradshaw, 29, of the residence. Mr. Bradshaws body will be transported to the GBI Crime Lab for an autopsy, the Sheriff stated.



The Sheriff said that Rossville Police, Chattanooga Police, GBI and other North Georgia law enforcement agencies are assisting with the investigation.



Tips can be submitted at walkerso.com or by calling Det./Sgt. Andy Cash at 706-670-1998 or Walker

County Dispatch at 706-375-7810
Police were called to Clayton Drive where a woman said she saw someone in her car located in her locked garage. Officers had answered a call the previous night for the same issue. Officers checked the area and didnt find anyone.

* * *

A man told police he had lost his phone sometime last night and tracked it that afternoon to Duncan Avenue. He and his friends had searched the lot but didnt find the phone outside. There was one vehicle in the lot and upon looking inside the vehicle, the phone was visible along with a womans purse. Police attempted to contact the owner but were unable. While waiting the owner of the vehicle arrived on scene. The owner said he had given a number of people rides last night and didnt know the items had been left in the vehicle. He allowed police to retrieve the items and return them to the man and woman.

* * *

A man on S. Marks Avenue told police he had gotten into a verbal dispute with his grandmother. The man appeared to be agitated. The officer spoke with his grandmother and she said the man was calling her names and acting out. The argument started because the grandmother wanted her grandson to pay $50 a week for rent. She said she wanted him to leave the residence. The man was able to grab some of his belongings and called a taxi cab. Police stayed on the scene and the man left without any further incident.

* * *

A man told police he received a notification from Experian that his email address had been changed and someone was applying to purchase a car at Capital Toyota at 5808 Lee Hwy. Everything was done online. He immediately contacted Experian to have that fixed and also notified Capital Toyota. Capital Toyota verified that the unknown had all of his information, including his date of birth and Social Security number and address but a different phone number. Capital Toyota stopped the process of the attempted purchase. Police suggested that he make an identity theft report with the police in his jurisdiction and to read and follow the suggestions on "identitytheft.gov."

* * *





A man on W. 47th Street and Virginia Avenue called police to report a minivan had been abandoned. The vehicle was not blocking traffic from getting through but is on a state maintained right of way. Its front driver tire was flat and there was no tag. The VIN was also partially obscured.

* * *

Police were called to 2200 Gunbarrel Road where a driver had broken down in traffic and another driver was behind her in the lane. While broken down, the two vehicles moved and slightly rolled into each other. No damage was caused to either vehicle.

* * *

A man called police and asked for help in getting his things back from his former girlfriend on Spiderwebb Way. Officers followed the man to the womans home and recovered his property without incident.

* * *

A man on E. 48th Street told police someone had stolen the catalytic converter off his truck from under the drivers side. There was also damage to the catalytic converter under the passenger's side but that it was not stolen (the suspect only attempted to steal it). He said nothing else was taken from his truck.

* * *

A woman on Sylvia Circle called police to report continuous issues she had been experiencing with her landlord. Ever since moving into the residence, she has noticing changes in her home as if workers had been on scene while she was not present. The woman asked that the issue be documented for court purposes.

* * *

Police spoke with the driver of a suspicious, black, two-door sedan parked on Menlo Street. It was parked in the street at a stop sign with its lights off. The driver said he was waiting for his friend, or going to his friends or leaving his friends place. The officer asked that he turn his lights on and move along, out of the middle of the street. He did so without further incident and was seen pulling into 701 N Germantown Road apartments.

* * *

A man on St. Paul Street told police his dog was going crazy. He stepped outside and saw a black male with dreads get into a white SUV and drive off. He saw that his driver side rearview mirror was broken.

* * *

Police saw a man sleeping on the sidewalk on McCallie Avenue. He said that he was at Alan Golds and was waiting to go home. He stays at 3800 Cummings Highway at the Covenant Transport Room 208. He was taken to Covenant Transport without incident.

* * *

A woman on 14th Avenue called police because her drunk son was being loud and keeping people awake. When police arrived, the son was completely passed out in his bed. After speaking to the son, he said he was going to go back to sleep.

* * *

Police were called to Taggart Drive to conduct a wellness check on a man but no one was at the residence.

* * *

An officer was flagged down by the manager of Dollar General at 728 Market Street. She said someone had tried to use a fake $100 bill. She wasnt sure who the person was or anything about the incident, but she wanted to hand the fake $100 bill over to police. Police took the fake bill to Property.

* * *

Police responded to a stolen vehicle on Talladega Drive. The man said his SUV was stolen. He has the keys for the car, but he leaves a spare set in his fiances vehicle. His fiances car was broken into. She said she locked the car but someone got inside and threw all the documents in the car around and found the spare key to the stolen vehicle. Officers saw multiple cameras and asked the man if he had any recording of the vehicle theft, but they are all live feed cameras except the ring doorbell which didn't catch any of the theft. The vehicle is an all-black Cadillac Escalade and it has 32-inch wheels, chrome panels on the B pillar, a custom Cadillac grill, a front license plate, and a license plate cover over the rear plate. The man also noticed he left his tool bag with tools, estimated to be $800. The only thing as of now stolen from the fiances vehicle was the key to the Cadillac. The stolen vehicle was entered into NCIC.

* * *

Police were called to J&M Pawn at 5821 Lee Hwy. when they were notified that the TBI said someone brought a stolen firearm into the store to be sold or pawned. An officer arrived and met the woman who was attempting to pawn the firearm. She was identified and said her boyfriend told her to pawn the firearm for him because he was in jail. The Glock 19 handgun was confirmed stolen through NCIC. The firearm was seized and placed into the Chattanooga Police Property Division.
Chef Rachel Hargrove from Below Deck offered a few more details about her altercation with Austen Kroll from Southern Charm and confirmed shes done with Bravo and Below Deck.

Chef Rachel from Below Deck met up with Austen in South Florida

Last week, Hargrove posted an article about Kroll and his beer company Trop Hop and tweeted, Cheers to the most narcissist t*** on Bravo. She later explained in a text exchange she had with Bravo PR that Kroll didnt like the fact that I dont party and was doing his whole thing  being an idiot. And added, The guys an idiot. Even when him and Shep [went] through my bag on the floor at upfronts while waiting to do dress rehearsal.

Chef Rachel Hargrove and Austen Kroll |Laurent Bassett/Bravo via Getty Images/Roy Rochlin/Getty Images

She recently offered a few more details about what happened. He was doing this promotional tour with his beer and he was in my hometown and also where I live now, Hargrove said on Another Below Deck Podcast. So I ended up joking with him. We had some banter. Hargrove is originally from Tampa, Florida and currently lives in Ft. Lauderdale.

Rachel reveals what Austen said to her

Hargrove said the promotional meetup went well. So we met up and I met with his brewing team, but they were amazing, she recalled. They were so cool. So I pretty much hung out with those guys the whole night. And then [Kroll] ghosted [me]. Which is fine, you know, whatever.

And then he reached back out and was just like, Im so sorry, he apologized. Which just fine. And its awesome that he did, she said. Then we started texting and I was just like Im in the middle of doing something I cant text. So we talked on the phone and apparently it was Sunday fun day for him. He was absolutely incoherent and he just said some nasty s*** to me. Which was Youre not funny. Youre just mean. And then kept going on and on and on.

Hargrove added that her connection with Kroll was not romantic. She said they mainly connected because they both were part of the Bravo family and hey dude, whats up, she said.

Chef Rachel Hargrove said shes done with Below Deck and Bravo

Hargrove also said she doesnt interact with anyone from the network or even Below Deck outside of the show. I actually ask to be flown into L.A. the night before I film, she said. And I do my pick-up interviews and then I fly out. I dont hang out with anyone.

The reason why is the fact that were looking at the ramifications for now, she said referring to her latest social media posts about Kroll and the network.

Well its that time again let's get huddled up around our TV for story time about #BelowDeck season 9 on @BravoTV with @capthlr, @Andy, and others pic.twitter.com/Jgdtcru5J2  Chef Rachel Hargrove (@HargroveRachel) February 7, 2022

As for her future on the show, Im no longer a fan of the network, she said. And Im no longer a fan of the show. Adding, Im done, she said referring to Below Deck. From here on out of this date and into the future. Hargrove also tweeted, I will no longer be associated with organizations I dont believe in.. #belowdeck #bravocon #wwhl #ANTM. Anyone else wants to piss me off this week? Lets f***ing go., she wrote.

Hargrove is anticipated to be the Below Deck chef on season 10, which will be her third consecutive season on the series.

RELATED: Below Decks Chef Ben Describes Chef Rachel as a Handful and I Appreciate Her
Tom Petty and Stevie Nicks were close friends for decades, and she knew him better than most. Nicks gave insight into her longtime friends personality and his ability to write empathetic music. She expressed her belief that Pettys capacity for empathy was due in part to his two wives and daughters. She explained the impact they had on him and his music.

Tom Petty | Vinnie Zuffante/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

The musician was married twice and had two daughters

Petty met his first wife, Jane Benyo, in his hometown of Gainesville, Florida. The pair had been dating for a while when Petty decided to move to California to pursue a career in music.

Wed been going out for a while, didnt officially live together, but I spent a lot of time at her apartment, Petty said in the book Petty: The Biography by Warren Zanes. She shared a place with Jim Lenahans girlfriend, Alice, who would later become his wife. And we got along good, but she was adamant that we get married before we leave.

Petty was hesitant, but he ultimately went ahead with the marriage. The couple had two daughters together and remained married until 1996. In 2001, he married Dana York, with whom he remained until his death in 2017.

Tom built something really good with Dana out of a period that was really unhappy, really hard, his bandmate Benmont Tench said. And I think it was a fight to build it. But against a lot of bad odds, they created something really, really beautiful.

Stevie Nicks said the women in Tom Pettys life made him more empathetic

When reflecting on her relationship with Petty after his death, Nicks addressed Pettys songwriting ability. An interviewer with Rolling Stone asked Nicks how Petty, who came out of a macho Florida culture and was the leader of a band that was almost like a gang, could write about women with frank but affectionate empathy.

He had two daughters. He had two amazing loves [Pettys first wife Jane; his second wife Dana, whom he married in 2001], Nicks said. He was surrounded by really strong women. The women around him pretty much went their own way, and he was good with that.

One of the most iconic duets of all time, Stop Draggin My Heart Around with @StevieNicks and TPATH, was released on this day. pic.twitter.com/1evYOKZc89  Tom Petty (@tompetty) July 9, 2022

She said that this empathetic side of Petty helped him give good advice.

He gave me a lot of advice about stuff, she said. He was the kind of person who said, Heres my advice. If you take it, great. If you dont, thats fine too. He was never going to shake a finger in your face and make you feel bad if you didnt take his advice.

Stevie Nicks counted Tom Petty as one of her closest friends

Petty and Nicks met while working on Nicks debut solo album, Bella Donna. According to Zanes, Nicks would finally be one of the few human constants in his life outside of his band, management, and crew.

Stevie came to me around 78And it was her mission in life that I should write her a song.@StevieNicks joining Tom on stage on the Hard Promises tour at @TheKiaForum in Los Angeles, 1981 pic.twitter.com/KltTlLL4PG  Tom Petty (@tompetty) July 10, 2022

Nicks said that it would be difficult to recover from Pettys death. She explained that she didnt even want to talk about him in the past tense.

Even when I talk about him now onstage, I talk about him like he is not dead  because I dont want him to be dead, she told NPR. So I talk to him like hes still down the street and I can, like, pick up the phone and call him.

RELATED: Tom Petty Never Listened to His Collaboration With Lindsey Buckingham: I Hated That Record
The Walking Dead Star Norman Reedus Botched His Proposal to Fiancee Diane Kruger but Hints at Their Impending Marriage

If The Walking Dead star Norman Reedus had advice to anyone planning an outdoor marriage proposal, it might be to check the weather first. A sudden thunderstorm ruined Reedus plans to ask his longtime love, Diane Kruger, to marry him. But it all worked out fine in the end.

What ruined Norman Reedus proposal to Diane Kruger?

Diane Kruger and Norman Reedus at Cannes on May 28, 2022 | Stephane Cardinale/Corbis via Getty Images

In a recent interview with Mens Journal, Norman Reedus talked about all things The Walking Dead and discussed his engagement to model and actor Diane Kruger.

Reedus had a proposal all mapped out. An avid motorcycle rider, he had planned to pop the question during a road trip from Atlanta to Savannah, Georgia. Unfortunately, Mother Nature had other plans. While he looked for the perfect place to pull over and pop the question, a sudden rainstorm had him gunning it for home instead. He decided to wait until another time.

I ended up doing it at our home in Georgia with our daughter on my lap, he revealed to Mens Journal. My daughter starts crying, were all crying, and she wails, Why are we crying? I tell her theyre happy tears, and shes like, Yay, theyre happy tears!'

The ring cost him as much as a house

Reedus and Kruger are a relatively private couple. They dont post many photos of their toddler on social media and dont show her face. While many celebrities are eager to post pics and details of their engagement, Kruger didnt rush online to brag about her ring.

Of course, the bauble would be a hard one to miss. During the 2021 Met Gala, Kruger was seen wearing the huge diamond on her left ring finger. According to Hello!, the solitaire could be worth $500,000. Thats enough to buy a nice house, depending upon where you live, of course.

The rock looks to be approximately eight carats and is either a cushion, emerald, or princess cut. Square diamonds are popular and highly sought-after for their brilliance.

How did Norman Reedus and Diane Kruger meet?

Diane Kruger and Norman Reedus are engaged https://t.co/zVe5h5SLn0 pic.twitter.com/1dv5VBCmXX  Yahoo Entertainment (@YahooEnt) August 28, 2021

The two actors met on the set of the 2015 movie Sky. Their characters were romantically involved, and Reedus told BuzzFeed in 2016 that before he had even read the script, he just kind of fell in love with her.

In November 2018, the couple welcomed their daughter, Nova Tennessee. She was Krugers first child, and the 46-year-old actor has stated shes happy she had her daughter later in life instead of at 30.

Reedus has a son, Mingus, with former partner Helena Christensen. The 22-year-old takes after his supermodel mother, with a modeling career of his own.

Regarding a wedding date, Reedus was vague, which is no surprise given the couples private nature.

What is The Walking Dead star doing now?

Norman Reedus on how he felt participating in his last Comic-Con panel for #TheWalkingDead: I kind of just want to cry and make out with everybody at the same time. #SDCC2022 https://t.co/BZkvf7VHge pic.twitter.com/yPojhKNiGe  Variety (@Variety) July 22, 2022

Norman Reedus is a busy man with multiple projects, including his debut novel, The Ravaged, and an upcoming spinoff of The Walking Dead, which will be shot in Europe.

With the original epic series The Walking Dead done filming, Reedus considered cutting his hair to symbolize a fresh start. But his bride-to-be put a stop to it.

According to Reedus, she brought up the 90s TV series Felicity. Actor Keri Russell, known for her fresh-faced appearance and luxurious mane of curls, saw her career tank after she cut her hair. That put some fear into him, so he skipped the haircut.

Reedus is also a restaurateur. He co-owns two Nic & Normans restaurants with The Walking Dead executive producer Greg Nicotero.

In addition, Reedus is an avid photographer and is known for being hands-on and devoted to his fans.

RELATED: The Walking Dead: Norman Reedus Was Supposed to Ride a Horse But Switched to a Motorcycle For 1 Reason
The globally positioned Eppendorf Group, a life science specialist, is picking up speed when it comes to climate protection. The company is reducing its CO 2 emissions and will be climate-neutral by 2028  much earlier than specified by the EU. To enable this, Eppendorf has developed a company-wide climate strategy with numerous measures for reducing its CO 2 emissions.

With our climate strategy, we will make Eppendorf climate-neutral by 2028. With this step, we will voluntarily be much faster than many other companies and will then already fulfill the goals of the EU Climate Law, which aim for climate neutrality by 2050, says Co-CEO Eva van Pelt. This is how we are meeting our responsibility to society and the environment as a global player and a company that acts sustainably.

Climate strategy offers solutions

Eppendorf has anchored the core topic of sustainability in its corporate strategy as a significant factor. Active in 33 countries around the world, the company has defined clear requirements to make the entire Group, including its partner companies Starlab and USA Scientific, climate-neutral as fast as possible.

Our climate strategy contains an overarching concept as the basis for converting the energy supply of all of our locations worldwide to renewable energies. We are also raising the climate standards for new buildings and optimizing energy efficiency in our existing buildings to substantially reduce consumption, says van Pelt, explaining the measures. Moreover, we are reducing our volume of air freight, reorganizing our vehicle fleet for climate neutrality and promoting environmentally friendly travel. Calculations show that with these measures, CO 2 emissions will drop to their lowest possible level by 2028.

Support for climate protection projects

However, even a comprehensive package of measures cannot completely avoid the production of CO 2 emissions by todays standards. Eppendorf compensates for its remaining greenhouse gases with the purchase of CO 2 certificates associated with climate protection projects, such as those pursuing the expansion of solar electricity, biogas plants or hydropower. At the same time, Eppendorf is working intensively to identify further opportunities to reduce its remaining volume of greenhouse gases.

Initial successes are already visible

Eppendorf actively sought to reduce its CO 2 emissions even before it began to implement its new climate strategy. For some time now, all its German sites as well as the plants in Enfield, Connecticut, U.S., and Maldon, England, have relied on CO 2 -neutral electricity from renewable energy sources, with the result that emissions in 2021 sank by a clear 57 percent in comparison with the year before. The Eppendorf vehicle fleet is changing, too. About 15 percent of all its vehicles in Germany run on purely electrical power. The effect of this measure is that our fleet CO 2 emissions in Germany have fallen from 120g/km at the end of 2020 to 85g/km today, and they will continue to drop significantly.

One success factor is solid data

An important factor in successfully implementing Eppendorfs climate strategy is its Sustainability Report, which enables valid statements on the success of the companys environmental and sustainability measures by collecting and comparing extensive amounts of data  for instance on the companys CO 2 emissions and energy consumption. With this data, we have created a reliable foundation for moving ahead at full speed toward climate neutrality, says van Pelt.

Supporting member of the KlimaWirtschaft Foundation
SYDNEY, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- Government of the Australian state of New South Wales (NSW) has approved 2.2 million Australian dollars (about 1.54 million U.S. dollars) in funding for a Chinese community culture museum in the country's biggest city, Sydney.

The funding under the government's Creative Capital Program will support transformation of the Haymarket library near Sydney's Chinatown into the Museum of Chinese in Australia (MOCA), the state's first museum dedicated to the Chinese community culture and history of the Chinese residents.

The museum is scheduled to open to the public in 2023.

"This investment will refurbish the Haymarket library into a modern museum, presenting traditional and digital exhibitions. It will allow Chinese Australians to tell stories from their past, present and future," NSW Minister for the Arts Ben Franklin told Xinhua on Monday.

The museum building will keep its historical exterior, but the interior will feature more digital accesses. It will display collections related to the history of Chinese people in Australia and provide community engagement programs.

"This museum will highlight our history and the contributions of the Chinese community and showcase how our multicultural society works uniquely, " said NSW Minister for Multiculturalism Mark Coure. 
For 15 precious years, Ron Sider was my colleague at Palmer Seminary of Eastern University, just outside of Philadelphia. One of the most passionate voices for defending the vulnerable, he broke negative stereotypes of evangelicalsas well as some conservative evangelicals negative stereotypes of social justice.

I first heard of Ron when New Testament scholar Gordon Fee declared that Rich Christians in an Age of Hunger was one book every North American Christian should read.

Gordon was not given to exaggerated book endorsements, so as a college student, I saved up my coins and bought a used copy. I had recently been reading 40 chapters of the Bible a day, so I was very familiar with the books recurrent message about caring for the poor. As I read Rich Christians, I was struck: Here was an author who genuinely paid attention to Scriptures emphasis on this theme.

Eventually, I discovered that Ron also advocated for racial justice and challenged apartheid, even at a time when those stances were still controversial among many white evangelicals in the United States.

Ron was always ready to learn. His commitment was not to a specific economic theory but rather to helping people in need. In that spirit of humility, he adjusted his approach to particular economic solutions in revised editions of Rich Christians. His PhD was in Reformation history, not global economics.

I knew less about economics than he, so I wouldnt have known the difference had he not told me later why he made the revisions. His initial approach to economics needed adjustment, he told me, but still, he hoped people would remember that he and his colleagues were right about apartheid.

Some of the more extreme critics complained that Rons handling of Scriptures demands about the poor were Marxist. Apparently, they had never really read him, never really read the Bible, or were themselves more committed to economic or political agendas than to the Bible.

Rons loyalty was to Scripture. He was no more radical than John Wesley or Charles Finney (and certainly far less radical than Saint Anthony and Saint Francis).

As I once pointed out to him, he was much more conciliatory than the biblical figures of Amos; Jeremiah; John the Baptist (Luke 3:11); and, most important of all, the Lord Jesus, who said we cannot be his disciples unless we surrender all our possessions (Luke 12:33; 14:33).

Although Ron was often associated with the evangelical Left, he remained consistently pro-life and insisted that the church should maintain biblical sexual ethics. Im pretty sure that he and I didnt always vote the same way, despite our agreement on ethics, but I never doubted that his vote was informed by his biblical conscience.

In conversation, I found him ready to embrace what he saw as the best solutions from either side of todays (tragically polarized) political aisle, and he maintained contacts on both sides of that split. He always remained the consistent evangelical Anabaptist that he wasliving simply and sacrificially and working on behalf of the needy. The 2013 book of essays dedicated in his honor is fittingly titled Following Jesus: Journeys in Radical Discipleship.

Despite stinging criticisms, Ron refused to surrender what he found in Scripture. One of our former students, Michael Jordannow dean of the chapel at Houghton Collegeput it this way in a Facebook post:

Dr. Sider stubbornly insisted that Christians should act for change on issues of systemic injustice not despite our religious convictions, but because of them. It made him thoroughly inconvenient to every cause, because he refused to be anyones useful idiot: he opposed abortion on demand and white flight with equal ferocity; he told us to listen to the Global South both about marriage and about American imperialism.

Article continues below

Ron humbly came alongside the global church and was eager to learn from fellow Christian leaders around the world. He spoke about totalitarian regimes in Latin America (whether right-wing or Marxist), apartheid in South Africa, the martyrdom of Christians in Nigeria, global hunger, health care access, and environmentalism.

I will confess that, for a while, I thought he was just being trendy on environmental issues. However, after learning about South Pacific Christians whose homes are being destroyed by rising sea levels, as well as my wifes experiences with oil pollution in Africa, I was soon convinced that this issue, too, had a human face. Ron was more prescient than I.

His impact on the North American church is particularly notable. He bridged long-standing gulfs by speaking to many evangelicals about social justicea passionate concern of many mainline churchesand speaking to much of the mainline church about evangelisma passionate concern of many evangelicals. He refused to let our cultural polarizations blind us to sides of Scripture that were uncomfortable for us.

At a time when I felt torn apart by my respective commitments to being theologically evangelical, experientially charismatic, and part of the Black church, there were no better guides for me than my senior colleagues, Ron Sider and Samuel Escobar. Ron respected and welcomed everybodys gifts in the body of Christ, and he wanted to bring together the best of them.

Image: Courtesy of Craig Keener

I met Ron in person when I was a PhD student involved with the organization he founded, then known as Evangelicals for Social Action (now Christians for Social Action). In part through Rons support and encouragement, I ended up at Eastern Seminary (now Palmer Seminary of Eastern University).

Although he was already a respected Christian leader with demands on his time, he took me under his wing by encouraging and advising me. When we differed in our exegesis of the least of these passage in Matthew 25, Ron humbly and graciously honored my interpretation by mentioning it as a respectable alternative view.

He was a genuine activistalways doing his best to help people in need. Through senator Rick Santorums office, he even helped me get my wife, Medine, to the US after the events of 9/11 slowed down the immigration process. Many others could tell similar stories of Rons eagerness to engage, network, and mentor. (Rons dear wife, Arbutus, a counselor, also helped me with posttraumatic stress from some past events.)

After 15 years of working with him at Palmer Seminary, I moved to Asbury Seminary (where I teach now). But leaving him was one of the many reasons I found that transition difficult, even though we stayed in touch.

The impact he made on me, on his students and readers, and on North American evangelicalism is hard to overestimate.

When I was doing my PhD at Duke University, the objections to Christianity I heard from undergraduates were not the traditional ones I was trained to answer. They accused the Christian faith of being racist, sexist, and imperialist. However, Rons life and legacy have consistently challenged all of those perceptions.

Given some of the similar concerns voiced by todays growing movement of young nones, I believe that wider acknowledgement of Rons voice could have helped prevent much of that hemorrhaging.

I miss you, dear brother. I will see you on the other side.

Craig Keener is F. M. and Ada Thompson Professor of Biblical Studies at Asbury Theological Seminary.

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The overturning of Roe v. Wade has brought new attention to a small but growing group of pro-life Christians who identify as abortion abolitionists.

This vocal minority rejects incremental steps toward outlawing abortion and reserves strong criticism for those who accept anything other than a federal ban equipped with criminal penalties for all involved.

The very foundation of the gospel is the law of God, said Tom Ascol, the president of Founders Ministries, in a recent documentary from abolitionist group End Abortion Now. God defines whats sin: You shall not murder. And thats true from the moment of conception until the natural ending of life.

Ascol is also a pastor who ran for president of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) in June. For two years in a row, abolitionists like Ascol spoke up at the SBCs annual meeting to push the denomination to take an abolitionist stance.

In 2021, they proposed a rigid resolution for immediate abolition of abortion without exception or compromise. It passed only when amended to allow for an incremental approach, the opposite of what they wanted. This years proposal was not brought for a vote, though several pastors criticized the SBCs Ethics and Religious Liberty (ERLC) Commissions campaign to make abortion not just illegal but unthinkable.

The move to entirely abolish abortion, rather than cut back or adjust laws to restrict the procedure, is inspired by slavery abolitionists like William Wilberforce, who was monumental in ending Britains participation in the slave trade in 1807. As a whole, many pro-lifers (not just abolitionists) view abortion as parallel to slavery, in that it treats a particular kind of human being as less than human and undeserving of human rights.

The pro-life movement has long contained differing strategies and approaches to the common goal of ending abortion. Before this years Dobbs decision, some pro-lifers pushed to prioritize the kinds of state bans not at risk of being shot down by the Court under Roe v. Wade, others wanted to see more restrictive but legally risky heartbeat bans move forward on principle, and an abolitionist minority considered more incrementalist movesanything short of an outright banas immoral compromise.

Without Roe limiting the states, abolitionists have become more outspoken and strident. Christians in the pro-life movement also want to see abortion eliminated but are largely in favor of the intermediary legal steps.

We believe that if full abolition of abortion is possible, then incrementalist and abolition mean the exact same thing, said Emily Albrecht, a speaker with the Equal Rights Institute (ERI).

She noted that abolitionists seek laws that would cause society to backtrack because they will easily turn into injunctions  and go to the Supreme Court. (Already, abortion bans in several states have been temporarily blocked by lawsuits.)

Most pro-life Christians also want to address the societal factors that lead to abortion and care for women as the second victims when they choose to abort. Abolitionists, however, are more likely to see them as perpetrators, along with the abortionists who perform the procedures. Some abolitionists also reject humane exceptions, like abortion permitted to save the mothers life.

Many women who have abortions are pressured to abort by abusive partners, by family members, or through dire economic circumstances, said Chelsey Youman, senior legislative director for the Human Coalition, a national pro-life organization. These women need care, compassion, and support, not punishment.

The abortion industry, which disproportionately impacts vulnerable demographics (Black women, for example, abort at four times the rate of white women), is the target of pro-lifers ire.

They should be held to account for taking advantage of vulnerable women, as well as abusive partners who push them to abort, said Youman.

SBC leaders made it clear at this years meeting that they do not support criminal penalties against women. You are not going to get me to say I want to throw mothers behind bars, said Brent Leatherwood, acting president of ERLC.

Leatherwoods comments align with the dominant narrative of the pro-life movement, which has always been compassion and care for pre- and post-abortive women. Abortion abolitionists, however, say this position is heretical, not Christian, and that incremental attempts to eliminate abortion are unbiblical.

Its not a personal feeling; its a moral absolute, said Dave Arcudi, a self-identified abortion abolitionist from South Dakota, in an interview with Christianity Today. We are not making religious decisions but [scientific ones].

Some, like Arcudi, arent part of a specific abolitionist organization but prefer the terminology in positioning themselves in the fight against abortion. Arcudi also noted that he holds abortionists, not women, criminally responsible for pregnancy termination.

Gregory Diacogiannis, a 38-year-old from Idaho, said he shifted from self-identifying as pro-life to abortion abolitionist because the former phrasing was too passive. We should stop using euphemisms and be forthright with what our goals are, Diacogiannis told CT. The complete and total end to abortion. Period.

Though he is an abolitionist, Diacogiannis said he doesnt hold to the view that women should be charged with a crime either. Many in the movement do support holding women responsible in the name of equal justice, however.

Equal justice is a prevailing phrase in the movement, a call to provide consistent application of the Christian belief that every human being bears Gods image and deserves legal protection. Thats what Alan Maricle, a representative of the group Abolish Human Abortion, said he stands for in holding women accountable.

Maricle told CT that mothers shouldnt be treated as helpless, innocent victims. Rather, they must take responsibility for their actions. Maricle viewed the Supreme Courts overturning of Roe v. Wade not as victory but as an ongoing demonstration of tyranny and wickedness, given they didnt abolish abortion completely.

They should have said abortion is murder and nobody is allowed to murder anyone according to the Constitution and the law of God, he said. Instead, they say states can decide if they want to allow murder within their borders.

Pro-life representatives are quick to push back against the abortion abolition narrative. National Right to Life, one the nations largest pro-life organizations, published a public letter signed by over 70 pro-life allies in May declaring that criminalizing women is antithetical to the pro-life charge and that women are victims of a callous industry created to take livesan industry that also denies abortions devastating physical and psychological consequences for women.

Its important to note that prior to 1973s Roe, state laws did not criminalize women who had abortions. Juries of that time considered them victims and sought only to punish abortion providers, so the view of abortive mothers as criminals is rather new.

And though the country has seen more than 63 million abortions since Roe, both grassroots and political pro-life activists have helped lower the annual rate nearly every year since the early 1980s through incrementalist laws and tactics.

The SBCs decision not to allow the abolition resolution to the floor this year shows their resistance, which is important given their massive influence as the largest non-Catholic denomination in the country. Prominent SBC pastor and professor Denny Burk urged Christians away from abolitionists, noting the groups statement that positions contrary to their own are a compromise with evil.

The ultimate goal is the abolition of abortion, Burk and seven other academics wrote in a joint essay in Public Discourse. But even if we cant reach that goal today, we are going to take as much ground as we can today and tomorrow and every day until we achieve total victory.

The abolitionist stance for criminalizing the actions of abortive mothers is perhaps the most controversial of positionsone that the majority of pro-lifers reject. Pew Research Center found that only 14 percent of Americans would support jail time for a woman in the case of an illegal abortion.

In our desire for justice for the child, we cant forget to see the needs of the woman and her value as a person, said Lauren Green McAfee, founder of Stand For Life and a CT board member. Seeing the mother as the villain does not uphold and apply a full understanding of the imago Dei.

Despite the strong difference in opinion regarding how to eliminate abortion, some pro-lifers retreat from criticizing allies in the comprehensive anti-abortion movement. They worry disunity may distract from the ultimate goal of fewer abortions. Some told CT they even were concerned about highlighting abolitionists in news coverage.

Though there are no prominent, national pro-life groups that support abolitionist tactics, abolitionists influence could grow in light of the Supreme Courts recent decision. Experts say theyll be looking for how abolitionist stances influence pro-life platforms in coming elections.
Archie Battersbee's life support to end after UN appeal rejected

The Court of Appeal in the United Kingdom has refused a request from the United Nations to further delay the removal of life support from 12-year-old Archie Battersbee despite his parents' objections.

Battersbee's life support could be removed as soon as midday Tuesday after the court rejected an interim measures injunction from the United Nations Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities on Monday.

Sir Andrew McFarlane, president of the family division, granted parents Holly Dance and Paul Battersbee a brief stay until 12 p.m. Tuesday so they can appeal to the U.K. Supreme Court, according to a statement from the Christian Legal Centre, which is representing the family.

Battersbee was found unconscious with a ligature around his neck in April, suffering a "catastrophic hypoxic ischaemic brain injury." He has not regained consciousness. Doctors and judges have agreed that the child is brain dead.

"We continue to be shocked and traumatised by the brutality of the U.K. courts and the hospital Trust," Dance said in a statement. "Our wishes as parents continue to be trampled on and ignored."

"We do not understand the urgency and rush to end life-support. The hospital Trust has at no point given us time to come to terms with what has happened," she continued. "This is no way for a compassionate society to treat a family in our situation. We will continue to fight for Archie."



The Court of Appeal held an online hearing Monday following interventions from the United Kingdom government and the UNCRPD in Battersbee's case. His parents have been engaged in an ongoing legal battle to prevent the removal of his life support.

Barts Health NHS Trust, which is responsible for child's care at the Royal London Hospital, had initially set a deadline of 2 p.m. Monday to remove the life support. According to a CLC statement, a legal stay preventing the removal of Archie's life support was put back into place Monday.

In a statement Sunday, Battersbee's family responded to remarks from Chief Medical Officer of Barts Health NHS Trust, Alistair Chesser, who stated the hospital was giving time for the parents to accept the decision by the courts that Battersbee's treatment should not continue. Chesser also added that there shouldn't be any more delays to starting palliative care without an order from the court.

The family, however, argues that the trust has not given them enough time and refused to compromise with the family, forcing them into court.

Representing the family, Edward Devereux QC submitted a statement to the court, saying that "Interim measures made under the human rights treaties are binding under international law," and that "any failure to abide by the terms of a request for interim measures in accordance with the terms of the Convention and, in particular, Art 4 of the Optional Protocol would be a flagrant, egregious and unacceptable breach of international law."

The parents have argued that stopping their son's treatment is a breach of the U.K.'s obligations under Articles 10 and 12 of the U.N. Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities, and Article 6 of the UN Convention on the Rights of Children, according to CLC.

Dance submitted an open letter to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Rt. Hon. Stephen Barclay MP, urging him to prevent the removal of her son's life support following CRPD's intervention.

On Sunday, the Government Legal Department referred the case back to the High Court for "urgent consideration."

The move followed a request last week by the UNCRPD following a refusal from the U.K. Supreme Court to intervene in the case. Lower courts had previously ruled against an appeal to stop the removal of life support.

The UNCRPD said in response to Battersbee's parents that its special rapporteur on communications "requested the State party to refrain from withdrawing life-preserving medical treatment, including mechanical ventilation and artificial nutrition and hydration, from the alleged victim while the case is under consideration by the Committee."

"[T]his request does not imply that any decision has been reached on the substance of the matter under consideration," the response states. "The Committee may review the necessity of maintaining the request for interim measures once the State party's observations have been received.'"

Last month, Justice Emma Arbuthnot ruled that the Royal London Hospital could discontinue life support, writing that the boy is likely dead "on the balance of probabilities." Arbuthnot granted the parents permission to appeal.

In a July 15 judgment, Justice Hayden ruled that it is in the child's "best interests" for his life support to be removed. Last week, three judges of the Court of Appeal in Central London denied the parents permission to appeal the second high court judge's decision.

Dance claimed that a video she shared last week purports to show Battersbee attempting to breathe on his own.
Bible found 'mostly unburnt' in fire that destroyed SUV: 'God is protecting firemen'

Can a man take fire to his car, and his Bible not be burned?"

It's not exactly an accurate rendering of Proverbs 6:27, but that scenario played out in real life after a fire consumed an SUV in Virginia, inexplicably leaving a Bible intact.

According to officials, crews with Rustburg Volunteer Fire Department in Campbell County responded to the fire just after 3 a.m. on July 25, where they found a Chevy Equinox ablaze along the northbound U.S. 29.

Images posted on the departments Facebook page showed the SUV totally burned out, including significant damage to the body, doors, roof and bumper. Even the cars frame showed signs of buckling.

But inside, fire crews found a Bible still intact and mostly unburnt, flipped open to 1 Chronicles and 2 Chronicles, two Old Testament books which cover various genealogies of the people of Israel.

Photos of the Bible showed the pages slightly burnt around the edges but otherwise still legible.

I feel God is protecting firemen at scenes. I felt He  protected these people, Lt. Eric Spitzer with the Rustburg Volunteer Fire Department told WSLS 10.

As striking as the images are, its not the first miraculous story of a Bible surviving a fire in the U.S.

Firefighters in West Virginia acknowledged Gods power after a devastating fire in March 2019 burned down a local church but spared all of the Bibles inside.

Picture this, a building so hot that at one point in time, firefighters had to back out. In your mind, everything should be burned, ashes. Not a single Bible was burned and not a single cross was harmed!! Not a single firefighter was hurt! Prayers for the pastor and the congregation today, the fire department wrote in a post on Facebook about the fire that destroyed Freedom Ministries Church.

A Bible that is approximately 150 years old survived two church fires in Wisconsin, including one from earlier this month, with the pastor declaring it truly a work of God.

Springs United Methodist Church of Plover recently endured a devastating fire, destroying the building and yet leaving the old Bible unscathed. The Good Book had previously survived a church fire in the 1950s when located at St. Paul's Methodist Church in downtown Stevens Point.

But perhaps the most remarkable story of a fireproof Bible comes from Jerry Bowyer, a financial economist and president of Bowyer Research, who shared in a 2016 op-ed for The Christian Post the previously untold story of an unburned Bible at a 9/11 crash site.

The story concerns the discovery of an "unburnt Bible among the smoldering and disintegrated wreckage" of Flight 93 near Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

"This is real. But it's not just a 'miracle,' which is to say a wonder from God meant to inspire us by telling us that He was there that day. It is what the New Testament called a semeion, a sign, which is to say a message to His people," Bowyer wrote.

"I believe it is a message about what kind of age we are in, why we are in that kind of age, and what will happen to our nation if we (like the 'man of God' in chapter 14) are unfaithful to our calling," he added.

Erin Hoover, who has worked as a volunteer firefighter, said she had a similar experience.

I was a responding vol. firefighter on 9/11 to Flight 93 in Shanksville, Somerset County. We were walking in the woods yelling for survivors, and looking for the wreckage, when we got on scene. We found wallets and papers, blowing in the wind that were charred and burnt. Unreadable. We did, however, find a Bible. Untouched. Completely readable. I dont talk much about responding that day, but felt compelled to share my story too. I have PTSD from that callGod is with us on those bad calls, those bad days," she wrote.

You just have to look up, she added.
Hmong Christians suffering severe persecution in Vietnam Officials vying with each other to create 'Christian-free zones'

Severe persecution of Hmong Christians is underway in Nghe An Province in Vietnam.

In the central Vietnam province, officials vying with each other to create Christian-free zones operate with no conscience or humanity, as if they were in a different country than the one whose religious freedom measures they are violating, Christian leaders say.

Authorities put immense pressure on animist relatives to drive Christians from their homes, exiling them from family, livelihood and community with nothing but the clothes on their backs. Some Christians have been forcibly separated from spouse and children, home and fields, sometimes even their wedding rings, if they persist in their faith. Then officials wash their hands and say these outrages are purely family matters.

The only way out is for the offending Christians to recant and revert to the animistic practices of their ancestral religion. Most steadfastly refuse to give up their new-found faith, which they testify has freed them from demonic oppression.

More often than individuals, it is entire extended Christian families who are driven from their homes, but earlier this month one mother was separated from caring for her two sons. Though only 33, Lau Y Pa has two teenage sons whom she was unable to contact. When Morning Star News met with her on July 10, wet tissues were piled in front of her as she had just learned that another newly Christian relative, Lay Y Tong, had suffered the same fate.

Such suffering, which has been quietly going on for years (especially in Nghe An Province), has hit mainly members of the not-yet-legally recognized Vietnam Good News Mission Church (VNGNMC) and the officially recognized Evangelical Church of Vietnam-North (ECVN-N).

The VNGNMC connects its victims with congregations and Christians able to shelter them in the provincial capital of Vinh, or in Saigon or Hanoi.

Both church organizations report the worst violations of religious liberty are taking place in the Ky Son District communes of Huoi Tu and Na Ngoi. Two extended families of 13 and 19 people in the Na Ngoi commune villages of Khu Kha I and Ka Duoi respectively have been regularly pressured and persecuted since April, when they were officially accepted as members of the government-recognized ECVN-N.

Gangs of top local officials and police officers, numbering up to 20, come repeatedly, sometimes in the middle of the night, browbeating and bullying them and threatening worse unless they return to spirit worship. Refusal to recant for these families has meant the seizing of their livestock, crops, fields and farm machinery and tools, the ransacking of their homes and cutting off their electricity. It has resulted even in refusal to let their neighbors charge their cell phones.

In the worse cases, villagers are pressured into seizing all the Christians property and driving them out of their community. This has happened regularly to ethnic minority families in various parts of northern Vietnam in recent years; such treatment leaves less photographical evidence than beatings but has graver consequences.

ECVN-N leaders have appealed to local officials and federal agencies for redress by phone and in writing, pointing out that government officials are breaking specific articles of the national Law on Belief and Religion. Church leaders attempts to visit the persecuted have been blocked, and they have received no response from any government agency.

The VNGNMC has written and/or phoned the commune, four district level agencies, four provincial level ones, and five federal ones. These appeals cite provisions of Vietnams religion law that authorities have broken. Church leaders have received no reply, leading them to believe they have no redress.

The VNGNMC also has just reported the case of Vu Ba Sua; because of her faith, officials have refused to register the birth of her baby, now over 2 months old. This makes the child ineligible for social benefits.

Sua took the child to the Ky Son hospital for a lung infection but was refused help. The hospital informed her that no Christians in Ky Son District were eligible for any government assistance. Further, because Sua and her husband made it clear they would not give up their faith, officials came to their home and confiscated livestock the government had earlier provided them.

Nghe An Province is the birthplace of Ho Chi Minh and thus proudly considered the cradle of the communist revolution. Officials compete for the honor of calling their jurisdiction a Christian-free zone.

Church leaders have found that they are sometimes better off working out problems quietly with local officials rather than reporting abuses for international exposure and advocacy. At this point, without any response to months of patient and polite requests for redress, the church leaders are left with no choice but to ask for international assistance and pressure. The serious religious liberty abuses in Nghe An Province, completely contrary to Vietnams own laws, beg for an international spotlight.

It is easy to blame solely recalcitrant local outlier officials, but the refusal of any Vietnamese authority to intervene is inexcusable and argues for embarrassing exposure and international accountability.

The urgent request of church leaders was, Please intervene for our persecuted Christians now!

Originally published at Morning Star News
6 EWCA pastors killed, 27 Christians kidnapped in Nigeria so far this year: report

ABUJA, Nigeria  Suspected Fulani herdsmen and other terrorists in Nigeria have killed six pastors and kidnapped 27 Christians of the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) in the past seven months, according to an ECWA report.

Among the 27 Christians kidnapped from January to date were six pastors, including one abducted in Kaduna state on Monday (July 25), Pastor Moses Dikko Usman.

James Saleh, a coordinator of ECWAs Evangelical Missionary Society (EMS), reported that among the six pastors slain was the Rev. Ezra Shamaki, an ECWA missionary killed on June 21 in the Kurmin Musa area of Kaduna state.

Ask God to comfort the family of the late Rev. Ezra Shamaki, our missionary serving in Kurmin Musa DCC, who was shot dead by terrorists, Saleh said. The terrorists kidnapped his wife, and they are yet to make any contact.

Mac Philips, another EMS coordinator, said that 15 other women and five men were also abducted in the June 21 attack.

At about 7 a.m., one of our missionaries was leading a prayer meeting when herdsmen stormed the village, killing and destroying anything in sight, Philips said. The armed terrorists stormed the prayer house, met them praying and opened fire on the missionary.

Though Shamaki was dead, one of the herdsmen shot him again with an AK-47 assault rifle, he said.

The herdsmen then abducted all the women in the church, and many other men and women in the community, and left, Philips said. Continue to pray for Gods protection upon our missionaries who are constantly in the line of fire, yet they have remained courageous to continue serving Him in various mission fields.

On July 5, terrorists killed the Rev. Adamu Buba in Iburu, Kasuwan Magani, Kaduna state, Philips said. Saleh added that Pastor Buba leaves behind a wife and seven children.

Paul said in Romans that nothing shall be able to separate us from the love of God, Saleh said. As long as hell and heaven exist, the gospel must thrive.

He said Pastor Nehemiah Ezekiel was killed in Unguwan Awallu of Kaduna states Kwassam area in an attack on the ECWA station there on April 5.

Philips said pastors Isma Dogari, Bulus Bayi and Yakubu Waziri were also killed for their faith this year.

To preach the Gospel for us is to die, to be safe is to stop preaching the Gospel, Philips told Morning Star News. Its a choice we all have to make  for us, we choose the former. The Gospel in Nigeria cannot be preached without casualties. Our lives are increasingly on the line, but nothing compares to the excellency of sharing the Gospel to a dying world without Christ.

Northern Nigeria is engulfed in terrorist attacks by Muslim extremists who invade predominantly Christian communities, he said.

While we mourn every day for these tragedies, we remain resolute with our weapons of love and peace, knowing that the battle before us is a mopped-up operation  because of the resurrection, we have won, Philips said.

Two ECWA members in Kaduna state were also killed this year, one in Ungwan Busa and another in Ungwan Chiyaya, Saleh said.

Among those kidnapped, he said, were Pastor Ahmadu Maikudi and two other Christians abducted along with him. They were abducted on June 16 in Gidan Isa Giwa, Zaria, Kaduna state. The wife of the Rev. Emmanuel Bako of Kasuwan Magani DCC, Kaduna state, was abducted on July 13. On May 9, gunmen kidnapped the Rev. Matthew Moses in Katsina state, northwest Nigeria, Saleh said.

The Rev. Mamuda Lakwadon, serving in the Indache area of Abaji, Abuja, was wounded during an attack by the armed herdsmen, Saleh added.

Many of our mission fields across the region are increasingly facing threats of attacks from terrorist herders/bandits and kidnap syndicates who continue to terrorize residents, he said. As the security situation in the country continues to deteriorate, our missionaries are increasingly facing grave danger.

Numbering in the millions across Nigeria and the Sahel, predominantly Muslim Fulani comprise hundreds of clans of many different lineages who do not hold extremist views, but some Fulani do adhere to radical Islamist ideology, the United Kingdoms All-Party Parliamentary Group for International Freedom or Belief (APPG) noted in a recent report.

They adopt a comparable strategy to Boko Haram and ISWAP [Islamic State West Africa Province] and demonstrate a clear intent to target Christians and potent symbols of Christian identity, the APPG report states.

Christian leaders in Nigeria have said they believe herdsmen attacks on Christian communities in Nigerias Middle Belt are inspired by their desire to forcefully take over Christians lands and impose Islam as desertification has made it difficult for them to sustain their herds.

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.
Large Arkansas church votes to leave UMC amid homosexuality schism: Pray for healing

A large congregation in Arkansas has voted to disaffiliate from The United Methodist Church, joining many others who are leaving the mainline Protestant denomination over its ongoing debate over homosexuality and same-sex marriage.

First United Methodist Church of Jonesboro voted Sunday evening to leave the UMC, with a reported 1,300 taking part in the vote and 69% voting in favor while 31% were against.

We all pray for healing in our congregation, stated the church in a Facebook post Sunday night that has been shared over 160 times as of Monday afternoon.

Stay UMC Jonesboro, a Facebook group comprised of members who did not want to leave the UMC, posted a statement on its page expressing disappointment over the vote result.

We are obviously disheartened and saddened that anyone would want to leave the UMC., We worked through a process that was problematic and challenging, said the group.

Our goal now is to be a resource to the Annual Conference should they have questions regarding the steps that were and were not followed.

In advance of the vote, First UMC held an 18-month long discernment process, with the churchs administrative board expressing its support for disaffiliation in a letter dated June 26.

The letter noted that the cost for keeping its property upon leaving the UMC will be approximately $650,000 and that it intends to join the Global Methodist Church, a recently launched conservative alternative to the UMC.

We affirm that the majority of the congregation opposes changing the belief structure and desires to remain the traditional Methodist Church we have always been, stated the letter.

By disaffiliating and joining the Global Methodist Church, Methodists continue to stay in this building and the belief structure remains the same.

The appeal of the GMC, according to the board, was that by joining the new denomination, it would remain a traditional Methodist congregation consistent with Wesleyan Theology, own all of our property and not be subject to a trust clause, have more autonomy in choosing pastoral staff, and have more accountability at the highest level of leadership because Bishops will not be appointed for a lifetime.

Our congregation has been consistently clear that the shifts in theological teaching and the failures of the UMC to enforce the doctrinal discipline do not reflect the beliefs of the strong majority of our membership, the board continued in its June letter.

By completing the process as outlined by the Discipline and our conference, we will be released from the United Methodist Denomination and retain full ownership of all of our church property and be free to join the Global Methodist Church.

In early June, it was reported that 35 of the 634 member churches of the UMC Arkansas Conference were considering disaffiliation from the mainline denomination.

This is not a battle to be won, its not a mixed martial arts cage match. Its a time of grief and discernment, said Arkansas Bishop Gary Mueller in a recent video posted online.

We need to respect the best intentions of others.
ISLAMABAD, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- Pakistan's Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) conducted operations in different areas of the country during the last 24 hours, seizing over 2,000 kg of drugs and arresting three suspects, an officer said on Monday.

According to a spokesperson of the ANF, the ANF conducted an intelligence-based operation in Pishin district of the southwest Balochistan province and seized 1,312 kg of hashish.

In another operation, the ANF intercepted a coal-laden truck at Kharlachi border crossing between Pakistan and Afghanistan in the northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province.

Officers seized 32 kg of opium and more than 400 kg of hashish hidden in the truck and smuggled from Afghanistan, the spokesperson said, adding that the driver of the truck was arrested on the spot.

Meanwhile, in another operation in the KP province, the ANF seized 144 kg of hashish from an uninhabited area in North Waziristan district, said the spokesperson.

The seized narcotics were hidden in shrubs for further smuggling across the country, the spokesperson added.

Separately, over 130 kg of narcotics were seized near the capital Islamabad, and 142 kg from the eastern Sheikhupura district in two intelligence-based operations, with two suspects being arrested, said the spokesperson. 
Socialists love abortion because they hate families

Can economics explain the lefts rage over the Supreme Courts abortion of Roe v. Wade? It can, and the logical chain isnt that long. But we must understand true Marxism, not the popular myth that it is nothing more than a way to help the poor.

Karl Marx claimed that class conflict drives history. The bourgeoisie get economic power by exploiting the much larger working class, the proletariat. Yet this conflict of interests has rarely boiled over into revolutions of the type that happened in Russia and China. What went wrong? Why didnt the poor and oppressed stand up and throw off their chains? It wasnt logical, Marxists alleged.

Marxs followers began rummaging through the closets of their dark minds for answers. One they dredged up was Critical Theory, which taught that women and minorities had been oppressed for so long they had become accustomed to it and didnt recognize how oppressed they were. Marxists claimed that Christianity helped the oppression of the proletariat by focusing their attention on heaven (encouraging them to endure hardship), and promoting the evil of private property. Another enabler of oppression, Marxists claimed, is the family.

Socialism before Marx had been anti-family from the beginning because socialists viewed Christianity as their arch enemy, according to F. A. Hayek in his classic book, The Counter-revolution in Science: Studies on the Abuse of Reason. They not only wanted to get rid of property, but the sexual morality and family life it endorsed as well.

Marxists fabricated the idea that the family hindered the proletariat awakening to their oppression: Institutions such as the family perform the function of ideological control, or convincing the masses that the present unequal system is inevitable, natural and good. Also, bourgeoisie passed on their great wealth to their children, so it became concentrated instead of spreading to the proletariat, according to Marxists.

Friedrich Engels, a wealthy bourgeois industrialist and sycophant of Marx, hated the Christian family so much he wrote a fake history of its origins by capitalists:

According to Engels, the monogamous nuclear family only emerged with Capitalism. Before Capitalism, traditional, tribal societies were classless and they practised a form of primitive communism in which there was no private property. In such societies, property was collectively owned, and the family structure reflected this  there were no families as such, but tribal groups existed in a kind of promiscuous horde in which there were no restrictions on sexual relationships.

Progressives (socialists) in the 20th century, accordingly, intended abortion to control the fertility of minorities, rather than to liberate women, according to Planned Parenthood:

The difficult truth is that Margaret Sangers racist alliances and belief in eugenics have caused irreparable damage to the health and lives of Black people, Indigenous people, people of color, people with disabilities, immigrants, and many others. Her alignment with the eugenics movement, rooted in white supremacy, is in direct opposition to our mission and belief that all people should have the right to determine their own future and decide, without coercion or judgement, whether and when to have children.

World War II destroyed the reputation of eugenics, so its promoters fished around for new uses for their favorite tools: abortion and minimum wages. By the 1960s they would use abortion against their old enemy, the family. In their twisted vision, having children enslaved women to the family and perpetuated capitalism. Abortion would free them to be like men. They could have sex with anyone they wanted and not be forced to marry because of children.

Not all proponents of abortion are socialists. Most are what Lenin called useful idiots in that they promote the cause of socialism without knowing it while thinking they advocate something else, such as womens liberation. But the intelligent socialist knows that abortion is a powerful weapon for destroying families and capitalism. The Supreme Court didnt completely disarm them, but it did force them to retreat a little.

Christians know that families form the heart of Gods organization of society. No doubt about it: children are a gift from the Lord; the fruit of the womb is a divine reward (Psalm 127:3). Socialists should heed the warning that, Those who trouble their family will inherit the wind. The fool will be servant to the wise ," (Proverbs 11:29) as well as, But if someone doesnt provide for their own family, and especially for a member of their household, they have denied the faith. They are worse than those who have no faith/" (I Timothy 5:8)
'He had hookers': Joe Rogan confuses Jerry Falwell Sr. with Jimmy Swaggart

Joe Rogan, who has one of the most popular podcasts in the world, made a major blunder when he confused the late Jerry Falwell Sr. with televangelist Jimmy Swaggart by describing the former as having been caught with "hookers."

On Wednesday's episode of the "Joe Rogan Experience" with "Triggernometry" hosts Francis Foster and Konstantin Kisin that covered a wide range of topics from free speech to the war in Ukraine, the three comedians and podcasters spoke about how people who virtue signal or claim to be "male feminists" are often the ones sexually harassing women or mistreating their colleagues.

"The more 'right' someone's opinions, the more naughty they are behind the scenes," Kisin said.

Foster, who, along with Kisin, is from England and less familiar with American televangelists and Evangelical leaders, said: "It's a new version of the fire and brimstone preacher, like Jerry Falwell. Do you remember that case?"

"Yes, of course," Rogan replied, mimicking Swaggart crying. "God, I have sinned you."

"He had hookers and s. He got a little too crazy," Rogan added. "But the thing is, back then, you didn't have Facebook. You couldn't counteract this with a nice blog post. ... So what he had to do was cry on TV and it's hilarious. It's hilarious also because he might've really meant it. Maybe he did really start off originally as a man of God and lost his way, and then got corrupted just like a politician."

Twenty minutes later, Rogan's producer, Jamie Vernon, told the podcasters that they had confused Falwell Sr. with Swaggart. "It wasn't him, by the way," Vernon said.

"It wasn't him (Falwell) crying?" Rogan asked before correcting himself. "Jimmy Swaggart, that's right. So which one's Jerry Falwell?"

His producer then made a second factual error when he said Falwell "had stuff going on, too, but he didn't cry."

"Did he (Falwell) get busted too? Was it the same thing? Hookers?" Rogan asked with everyone replying in the affirmative, still confused about who Falwell was.

"I had them confused," Rogan said.

"Jerry Falwell is now going to sue, wherever he is," Foster quipped.

Rogan replied, "We might have to edit that out. ... I don't know what he did."

Falwell Sr. was the founder of Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia, and the founding pastor of Thomas Road Baptist Church, where he served from 1956 until he died in 2007. He was also a major leader in what was known as the Moral Majority, which became a force in U.S. politics.

Swaggart, now 87, is a Pentecostal televangelist who started his ministry in 1971 that was originally known as the Camp Meeting Hour. He garnered a Grammy Award nomination for Best Performance for Traditional Gospel in 1980. He is now the senior pastor of the Family Worship Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

On Feb. 21, 1988, Swaggart delivered his famous and often parodied I have sinned sermon. After being caught with a prostitute, he took to the pulpit and tearfully confessed before his congregation, declaring: I have sinned."

He apologized to various people, including his family and the Assemblies of God denomination.

I have no one but myself to blame. I do not lay the fault or the blame of the charge at anyone else's feet. For no one is to blame but Jimmy Swaggart. I take the responsibility. I take the blame. I take the fault, he said.

To my fellow television ministers and evangelists, you that are already bearing an almost unbearable load, to continue to say and tell the great story of Jesus' love, I have made your load heavier and I have hurt you. Please forgive me for sinning against you.

On Oct. 11, 1991, Swaggart was caught with another prostitute when a California Highway Patrol officer pulled him over for driving on the wrong side of the road.
Postcard from Marble, Colorado

The only church in Marble serves as a visible reminder of the towns past.

With a population of just 133 souls at the last census, Marble is small even when compared to other mountain towns across Colorado.

Like the church, there is only one restaurant and one inn. The nearest gas station and post office are 30 miles away. If you include Schofield Pass, a seasonal mountain pass that requires four-wheel-drive vehicles, there are two roads in and out of town.

The limited road access also makes Marble an exclave in Gunnison County. Outside of summer, when a well-maintained shortcut that regular cars can easily take, the drive to the county seat of Crested Butte is at least 150 miles. By contrast, the ritzy ski resort of Aspen, seat of Pitkin County, is just 58 miles away.

Given the isolated location, it may seem like there is little reason for the town to exist. While that may be true today, the history of its existence lies in the mining of the towns namesake.

Marble quarried at 9,500 feet in elevation from deep inside the mountains was used to build iconic buildings and monuments, including the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery, the Roman Catholic cathedral in Denver and the state capitols of Colorado, Arkansas and Utah. It's also why that church is here.

The churchs simple carpenter Gothic architecture is a clue that the building is old. In fact, its actually older than Marble itself.

Originally built in 1886 as St. Johns Chapel for Episcopalians in Aspen, it was dismantled, transported by rail car and rebuilt at its present-day location in 1908. The tower and narthex, the latter of which also functions as a breezeway, were added a few years later.

Rededicated as St. Pauls Church, the space was also used by Roman Catholics and Congregationalists until 1941, when a series of natural disasters combined with the economic pressures of the Great Depression and American entry into World War II resulted in the closure of the quarry and mill. Almost overnight Marble became a ghost town.

By 1950, the shuttered church was once again being used for worship after the Marble Community Church received permission from the Episcopal Diocese of Colorado. A subsequent dispute with the diocese locked out the interdenominational congregation until the 1970s, when it was finally allowed back inside. However, the Episcopalians wouldnt deed over the National Register of Historic Places-listed building until 1985.

While additions and renovations have occurred over the ensuing years, much of the church, including the pump organ and altar, is original to the late Victorian era. The building is also a good representative of the wooden churches that gradually disappeared as congregations across denominations expanded and built larger churches out of stone or brick.

Unfortunately, Marble Community Church isnt open to visitors outside the weekly Sunday service at 10 a.m.

If you go

Learn more about the town at the Marble Historical Museum, which is housed within a circa 1910 former high school. While cluttered and in need of a more professional curation, it has a range of exhibits and artifacts that give visitors a better understanding of life in a Colorado mountain town in and around the turn of the last century.

Book a room at the Inn at Raspberry Ridge. Marbles only bed-and-breakfast faces the Crystal River and is an easy walk from the only restaurant, Slow Groovin' BBQ.

The closest airport with significant commercial flights is about two hours away in Grand Junction.

Dennis Lennox writes a travel column for The Christian Post.
Digital religion makes faith experience richer for millennial believers, study finds

For religious millennials  a generation with one of the lowest rates of participation in organized in-person religious activities in North America  engaging with digital religion has made their faith experience richer, while some who don't go to church have found religion in digital spaces, a new study suggests.

The study, "Digital Religion Among U.S. and Canadian Millennial Adults," recently published in the Review of Religious Research, explores the prevalence of some digital religion practices among 18- to 35-year-old millennials in the U.S. and Canada using data from the 2019 Millennial Trends Survey.

The report was authored by University of Waterloo sociology professor Sarah Wilkins-Laflamme.

Millennials are described as "generally those born and raised in the late 1980s, 1990s and early 2000s." For the purposes of this study, the cohort was limited to the years 1984 to 2001.

"As such, they are the first truly digital natives in North America, in that they were raised since childhood with the digital world at their fingertips," Wilkins-Laflamme said.

Digital religion is defined in the study as an umbrella concept that reflects "a new frame for articulating the evolution of religious practices online" and "points to how digital media and spaces are shaping and being shaped by religious practice."

Laflamme found that digital religion is practiced by a substantial minority of the millennial population. Some 29% of Canadian millennials in the study reported consuming religious or spiritual digital content at least once a month. That figure is much higher in the U.S., where 41% of millennials said they consume religious or spiritual digital content at least once a month.

"We know that more and more people are turning toward digital mediums for spirituality such as chat groups with pastors, online sermons and religious content on social media," Wilkins-Laflamme said in a statement to The Christian Post. "We've found that while digital religion isn't necessarily attracting a lot of new millennials to participate, it is making the experience of those already involved richer."

The study doesn't capture how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted the consumption of digital religion among millennials since 2020 but suggests there was already a majority of millennials in both the U.S. and Canada consuming religious or spiritual digital content at least once a year.

The study also indicates: "As rates of more conventional religious practices, such as in-person religious service attendance, have fallen in more recent years among younger generations, the expansion of the internet in our lives has meant that a larger proportion of millennials are coming into somewhat regular contact with religion and spirituality online."

Most U.S. and Canadian millennials who engage with digital religion at least once a month also do at least one in-person religious or spiritual activity monthly, the study suggests.

"There are only 5% of young adult respondents (16% of monthly or more frequent digital content consumers) who only do monthly or more frequent religious or spiritual digital content consumption without also attending religious services at least once a month or practicing an unchurched spirituality at least once a month," Wilkins-Laflamme said.

About 11% of millennials in the study reported that they consumed digital content and attended religious services monthly or more frequently, while another 6% said they did monthly or more frequent digital content consumption and unchurched spiritual activities. About 10% reported that they did all three types of activities at least once a month.

"In other words, 25% of millennial respondents across both countries take part in less conventional spiritual or religious activities at least once a month, and 11% include a digital component to these activities. Another 25% pair these frequent less conventional religious and spiritual activities with monthly or more frequent religious service attendance, among whom almost all include a digital component," the study noted.

Only 7% reported taking part in conventional religious service attendance at least once a month without other digital or unchurched religious and spiritual activities.

"We see a lot of overlap between digital religious and spiritual content consumption and religious service attendance among respondents. This said, it is also important to note that there is a significant minority of millennials who seem to do digital religion away from organized religion," the study added.

Wilkins-Laflamme told CP that while digital religion is a phenomenon among many millennials, it is not the reality for most millennials.

"It is still present though for a sizeable minority of the young adult population," she said. "And for many of them, digital religion plays an important complementary role to the in-person practicing of their faith."

Chestly Lunday, an expert in innovative leadership who has helped churches and companies lead in the digital age, told CP last month that one of the biggest reasons behind an ongoing decline in traditional church membership is that the younger generation and innovative Christians have migrated online while older adults haven't.

"What we're seeing [now] is the exodus of the late majority [from traditional churches]. We're not seeing the exodus of early adopters [of technology], and the early majority of innovators. They've been gone already for a while," Lunday said. "Church of the future is a network. And it's going to be digitally based. It's not going to be geographically based. It's going to be built on relationships and purpose."
Atheist group demands investigation of teacher who used Easter coloring book in class Superintendent defends teacher

A legal group that advocates for atheists, agnostics and nontheists is calling for an investigation into an Alabama teacher after she incorporated a coloring book picture of Jesus accompanied by a Scripture passage into a lesson plan.

Freedom From Religion Foundation, a Wisconsin-based nonprofit organization that advocates for a strict separation of church and state, sent a letter to Lawrence County Schools Superintendent Jon Bret Smith on July 21 expressing concern that a first-grade teacher at the districts Moulton Elementary School taught students about Jesus Christ and Easter, and also provided students with religious coloring book pages to take home.

The coloring book page in question featured a picture of Jesus Christ along with the words Jesus is alive and included a reference to Mark 16:6, a Bible passage that discusses the resurrection of Jesus.

The FFRF letter to Smith follows a complaint from a concerned parent, who maintained that the coloring book page was not included in the class curriculum.

FFRF Staff Attorney Christopher Line said that the purpose of the letter was to request that the District immediately investigate and ensure that [the teacher] and any other teachers in the district, are no longer teaching students religious lessons, distributing religious materials to students, or otherwise indoctrinating students into a particular religious belief.

The District must make certain that none of its employees are unlawfully and inappropriately indoctrinating students in religious matters by giving religious assignments, teaching about religion, or promoting their personal religious beliefs, he added. We ask that the District immediately investigate this situation and ensure that [the teacher] fully complies with the Establishment Clause and stops violating the rights of her students and parents.

Line instructed Smith: Please respond in writing, outlining the steps the District will take to correct this serious constitutional violation so we can notify our complainant. He also insisted that it is not a violation of the free speech rights of teachers when a school district regulates what they teach to students while acting in their official capacities.

The letter cited the 1987 U.S. Supreme Court case Edwards v. Aguillard finding that [f]amilies entrust public schools with the education of their children, but condition their trust on the understanding that the classroom will not purposely be used to advance religious views that may conflict with the private beliefs of the students and his or her family."

Using a religious holiday, Easter, as a pretext to teach religious lessons in a public school is unconstitutional, Line maintained. If the district turns a blind eye to the overt proselytization in [the teachers] classroom, it becomes complicit in an egregious constitutional violation and breach of trust.

For his part, Smith contends that the teacher did nothing wrong. In a statement to The Decatur Daily, Smith said, From my point of view, an investigation is not warranted because the teacher was teaching from the course of study.

"Every teacher in the state of Alabama is charged to thoroughly teach the course of study," Smith was quoted as saying. "That is covered under two objectives in the first grade course of study.

Objective No. 11 in the Alabama Course of Study for First Grade Social Studies states that students will identify traditions and contributions of various cultures in the local community and state. Specific examples of such traditions and contributions include Kwanzaa, Christmas, Hanukkah, Fourth of July and Cinco De Mayo.

Referring to Objective No. 11, Smith said that If Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa is in there, so also is Easter.

Objective No. 12 in the first-grade social studies curriculum declares that students will compare common and unique characteristics in societal groups, including age, religious beliefs, ethnicity, persons with disabilities, and equality between genders.

Stressing that No. 12 talks about religious beliefs, Smith identified Easter as an aspect of religious belief: Were definitely covered with the course of study. We want to make sure classroom discussions are based on the course of study. We teach what has been approved by the state.

FFRF rejected the comparison of Easter to Christmas, describing Christmas as a national holiday with pagan origins and many seasonal and secular accompaniments in contrast to Easter, which it characterized as a celebration of the supposed resurrection of the Christian deity and not a federal holiday.

FFRF officials believe that the teacher went beyond the course of study.

Public schools exist to educate, not to indoctrinate, FFRF Co-President Annie Laurie Gaylor asserted in a statement. The school district must take action to stop proselytization of a captive audience of 5- and 6-year-old students.
Justin Welby says divisions over gender identity, gay marriage won't be solved at Lambeth Conference

Justin Welby, the archbishop of Canterbury, has told the Lambeth Conference of Anglican bishops that their disagreements over "human identity and sexuality" will "not be solved at this conference."

He made the comments in his first of three keynote addresses Friday to 650 bishops of the Anglican Communion, which spans 165 countries.

They are meeting through Aug. 8 at the University of Kent in Canterbury.

Welby said: "Too often the Anglican Communion has been known best  where it is known at all as a Communion  for looking inwards and struggling with its own disagreements.

"Those questions, especially on the Christian and Anglican approach to human identity and sexuality, will not be solved at this Conference."

The divisions over sexual morality have become so heated that orthodox bishops in the Global South Fellowship of Anglican Churches (GSFA) announced Thursday that they will not receive Holy Communion at the opening and closing services of the Lambeth Conference "alongside gay-partnered bishops, and those who endorse same-sex unions in the Church's faith and order."

The GSFA bishops "shall remain seated."

Welby said his first presidential address would look at God's world, the second at God's church and the third at "the vocation we have, as bishops and bishops' spouses, of leading God's Church when we remember that God's Church does not exist for us; it exists for the salvation of the world."

He urged the bishops to look outwards "because we meet, as most of you know better than me, at a time of world crisis."

Alluding to the Apostle Peter's description in his first New Testament letter of the devil prowling around like a roaring lion (1 Peter 5:8), Welby said: "Many of us come aware of what Peter calls the roaring lions; the sense  and often reality  of attack, hostility, danger and uncertainty.

"Crises in both world and Church will be normal, because wherever there are human beings, there is sin, and crises are always fuelled by sin," he said.

The archbishop then listed the world crises since the last Lambeth Conference in 2008 hosted by his predecessor, Rowan Williams.

These included the "collapse of the Western banking system," COVID-19, and "the catastrophe that we are facing and particularly in the Global South over world food prices and availability," which he called "the biggest crisis in food availability in over half a century."

Added to the list were the war in Ukraine, "a major war involving a nuclear armed power," before adding that "with growing force and spread we are affected by climate change."

He continued: "On top of those global changes, there have been great roaring lions in so many of our own countries. Wars, persecution, civil disorder, poverty have struck hard at the weakest and the poorest in the flock, killing thousands who put their trust in Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord."

Addressing the question, "Should we not be focused on our inner differences, especially on those of sexuality?" he said: "Well, they do matter greatly, they are at the heart of people's understanding of who they are, as Christians, as human beings. We shall look at them both in the context of the Call on Human Dignity. We'll look at them again in the second Presidential Address, and in the context of our studies of 1 Peter. But they are not everything."

To applause from some in the audience, he said: "We cannot wait until everything is fixed to be God's Church for God's world, because that wait will go on longer than the wait for Jesus to return. And I have to say from the deepest point of my heart, I believe we will not quickly be forgiven if this is another gathering which focuses mainly on ourselves.

"To someone without food, or caught up in war, or persecuted, or suffering from intense poverty, their daily struggle is uppermost in their minds. They want a Church that stands with them.

"As shepherds we must, as Pope Francis said, 'smell of the sheep' because we are among them."

He concluded his address: "We must, as God's shepherds, hear the lions, understand them and be a global Church that will face and defeat, in the power of Christ  not by power, not by might, but by God's powerful Spirit  their empty and powerless threats, because at the end, for every one of us here and everyone in the flock, and everyone in the world, Christ is the conqueror, redeemer and saviour of all."

Originally published at Christian Today
Voters less likely to support politicians who don't condemn abortion activists violence: poll

Voters are less likely to support political candidates who refuse to condemn violence against pro-life pregnancy centers, according to a new poll.

The conservative advocacy organization Judicial Crisis Network released the results of a survey examining Americans' attitudes toward the protests and violence that have erupted following the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization reversing the Roe v. Wade ruling that legalized abortion nationwide.

The poll, published Wednesday, collected responses from 1,600 registered voters between July 14-17 and had a margin of error of +/-2.45 percentage points.

The poll was conducted three weeks after the Dobbs decision, following acts of vandalism at several pro-life pregnancy centers and churches. While pro-life advocacy groups and churches had become the target of vandalism after Politico published a leaked draft of the Dobbs opinion on May 2, the acts of violence against such organizations continued following the publication of the Dobbs decision on June 24.

Eighty-six percent of respondents expressed their disdain for "acts of vandalism and violence against pregnancy resource centers and churches" by indicating support for ensuring that "protestors who engage in acts of vandalism and violence against pregnancy resource centers and churches should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law." This feeling was shared by 91% of Republicans, 85% of Independents and 82% of Democrats.

Similarly, 83% of likely voters wanted to see politicians "publicly denounce this behavior and call for those engaging in it to be brought to justice." Eighty-eight percent of Republicans, 81% of Independents and 80% of Democrats shared this sentiment. A nearly identical share of likely voters (85%), Republicans (89%), Independents (82%) and Democrats (85%) maintained that "engaging in rage, intimidation, and acts of vandalism or violence undermines our democracy."

The survey inquired whether respondents would find themselves "more or less likely to vote for an elected official who refuses to speak out against acts of rage, vandalism, and violence against a pregnancy resource center."

Fifty-nine percent of the sample characterized themselves as "less likely" to support a candidate who refuses to condemn such violence, with supermajorities of Republicans (69%) and Independents (61%) reporting that they feel that way. A plurality of Democrats (49%) also cited refusal to condemn pro-abortion violence as a factor that would make them less likely to support a candidate.

In addition to the vandalism directed at pro-life pregnancy centers and churches, pro-abortion demonstrators have descended upon the homes of the six Supreme Court justices appointed by Republican presidents on a recurring basis over the past couple of months.

While Chief Justice John Roberts did not join with the five other Republican-appointed justices to form the majority opinion in Dobbs, he has found himself subject to protests outside of his home.

One liberal protest group, Shut Down DC, offered $50 to anyone in the food service industry willing to send them a direct message on Twitter if they saw a Supreme Court justice patronizing their establishment and would increase the payment to $200 if they remained there 30 minutes after the message. Two days earlier, Justice Brett Kavanaugh had to exit out the rear of Morton's Steakhouse in Washington, D.C., when protesters showed up.

DC Service Industry Workers... If you see Kavanaugh, Alito, Thomas, Gorsuch, Coney Barrett or Roberts DM us with the details!



We'll venmo you for a confirmed sighting and 0 if they're still there 30 mins after your message. https://t.co/xXWZ5JZiE7  ShutDownDC (@ShutDown_DC) July 8, 2022

Strong majorities of likely voters (72%), Republicans (83%), Independents (74%) and Democrats (61%) described themselves as less likely to vote for "an elected official who bullies, threatens, or intimidates Supreme Court justices."

The idea of offering "'bounties' for tips about where Supreme Court justices are dining out so they can show up and protest at the restaurant" did not sit well with Americans, 71% of whom classified such activity as "extreme and goes [too] far." Eighty-five percent of Republicans, 69% of Independents and 61% of Democrats opposed "bounties" for Supreme Court justices.

When asked if "protesting outside the private homes of Supreme Court justices, showing up at restaurants where the justices are eating dinner, and seeking other ways to disrupt the justices' private lives" as well as "offering money to those who share locations of Supreme Court justices who voted to overturn Roe v. Wade" "undermines our democracy," 61% of respondents answered in the affirmative.

Majorities of Republicans (71%), Independents (60%) and Democrats (52%) saw the aforementioned behavior as a threat to democracy.

Sixty percent of those surveyed agreed that "elected officials should speak out against people who protest Supreme Court justices at their private homes or restaurants where they are eating." While majorities of Republicans (75%) and Independents (59%) thought politicians should condemn such behavior, a plurality of Democrats (48%) said the same.

The survey also asked whether President Joe Biden, an outspoken opponent of the Dobbs decision, had a responsibility to "condemn protests at the homes of Supreme Court justices." Once again, 60% answered in the affirmative. Broken down by party, 75% of Republicans, 57% of Independents and 51% of Democrats wanted Biden to denounce protests at the justices' homes.

Additionally, an overwhelming majority of Americans (84%) believed that "when protestors engage in acts of intimidation, vandalism, or violence, they should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law." This feeling cut across party lines, achieving strong support among Republicans (89%), Independents (81%) and Democrats (82%).

"Americans overwhelmingly agree: Threats, protests at the homes of Supreme Court justices, vandalism, violence, and other intimidation tactics undermine our democracy," said Judicial Crisis Network President Carrie Severino in a statement. "From their unwillingness to enforce the law to their dangerous rhetoric, Democrats are putting the justices' lives at risk."

In June, Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives blocked a resolution that would have condemned the violence against pro-life pregnancy centers and churches. In 2020, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., vowed that the two Supreme Court justices appointed to the bench by then-President Trump at the time, Neil Gorsuch and Kavanaugh, would "pay the price" and "won't know what hit you if you go forward with these awful decisions," referring to the possibility of overturning or chipping away at Roe.

A man expressing a desire to kill Kavanaugh was arrested outside his home in Maryland last month. This prompted the House to pass a bill bolstering security for the justices, which the Senate had passed unanimously before the assassination attempt.

An FBI affidavit filed on Tuesday says that Nicholas John Roske also spoke of killing other Supreme Court justices named in the Politico leak.

"I could get at least one, which would change the votes for decades to come, and I am shooting for 3," he said, according to the affidavit.
Chinese state media threatens that China could shoot down Pelosis plane over visit to Taiwan Xi warns Biden: 'Those who play with fire will perish by it'

An analyst for a Chinese state-controlled media outlet threatened that the Chinese military could shoot down Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosis plane if U.S. fighter jets escort her to Taiwan during a planned visit to the island.

The threat comes after Chinese leader Xi Jinping reportedly warned President Joe Biden against relations with Taiwan during a phone call that lasted more than two hours Thursday.

If U.S. fighter jets escort Pelosis plane into Taiwan, it is invasion. The PLA has the right to forcibly dispel Pelosis plane and the U.S. fighter jets, including firing warning shots and making tactical movement of obstruction. If ineffective, then shoot them down, Hu Xijin, an analyst for the Chinese state-controlled Global Times, said on Twitter Friday in a post that has since been removed by the platform.

The threat comes amid reports that Pelosi is planning a visit to Taiwan, a democratic self-governed island that the Chinese Communist Party claims is part of its territory, as part of her Asia tour next week.

The Chinese mainland must be brave enough to take this step of flying warplanes over the island, which, unlike warplanes flight around Taiwan, can truly reflect Chinas sovereignty over the territory, and is more substantial than any visit to Taiwan by senior foreign officials, Xijin added. Using Pelosis visit to Taiwan to complete this leap is most likely to make it a peaceful transition.

On Thursday, Jinping spoke to Biden for two hours by phone on issues ranging from Russias invasion of Ukraine to the global economy, as well as Taiwan, The Wall Street Journal reported.

Xi urged the U.S. to tread cautiously in its ties with the island and that it was a matter of Chinas sovereignty. Those who play with fire will perish by it. It is hoped that the U.S. will be clear-eyed about this, Xi said, according to accounts of the meeting issued by the Chinese Embassy in Washington, the Journal said.

A senior Biden administration official was quoted as saying that Xi had used similar rhetoric in the past.

Biden was quoted as telling Xi that the U.S. policy remains unchanged, and also that the United States strongly opposes unilateral efforts to change the status quo or undermine peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.

In an op-ed for The Washington Stand, Arielle Del Turco, assistant director of the Center for Religious Liberty at Family Research Council, wrote that Pelosi has a longstanding legacy of promoting human rights in China, and noted that Biden said last week that Pelosis visit to Taiwan was not a good idea right now.

"Some Taiwanese analysts fear that if Pelosi were to back out of the trip now, it would further embolden Chinese belligerence and leave Taiwan in a more insecure position than before. It would also teach Chinese officials that if they make enough noise, they can control the actions of U.S. leaders. That should never be true," she wrote.

Bob Fu, president of ChinaAid and senior fellow for International Religious Freedom at FRC, was quoted as saying, Speaker Pelosi should visit Taiwan without further delay or excuses. The travel schedule of an American congressional leader must not and should never be dictated or sabotaged by the genocidal Xi Jinpings Communist regime.

Fu added that her visit will make it clear to the 23 million Taiwanese and the CCP, as well as to others of our Asian allies, that American people stand in absolute solidarity with our value-sharing allies and strategic partners.
5 babies born alive after abortions in Minnesota: report

An annual report detailing Minnesota's abortion data reveals that five babies were born alive after the procedure and no efforts were made to save their lives.

The 2021 report was released earlier this month by the Minnesota Department of Health. According to the report, 10,136 abortions were performed in the state last year, and more than 9,000 women who obtained abortions were Minnesota residents.

The report states that 159 abortions took place between 21 to 24 weeks gestation, and one abortion was said to have been between 25 to 30 weeks gestation. No abortions were listed as having occurred after 31 weeks gestation. The overwhelming majority of abortions were performed in the first 20 weeks of pregnancy, with more than half (6,975) occurring in the first nine weeks. Fetal gestational age was not reported in 118 cases, so it's unknown how far along the mothers were in those instances.

In 2015, Minnesota enacted the "Born Alive Infant Protection Act," amending abortion reporting requirements to include information about whether an abortion resulted in a born-alive infant. Consistent with the requirements of the law, the Minnesota Department of Health's report on induced abortions in the state identified five abortions "resulting in a born-alive infant."

Under the statutes, infants born alive as the result of abortion are to be "fully recognized as a human person" and all reasonable measures must be taken to preserve the life and health of the infant. The report indicates that in three of the five cases, "No measures taken to preserve life were reported and the infant did not survive."

One of the five babies born alive had "fetal anomalies," leading to the child's death after delivery. Two other "previable" infants were also born alive before dying, with no measures taken to preserve life in these instances either. Two born-alive babies were provided with comfort care before they died, as required by the state's Born Alive Infant Protection Act.

"When an abortion is performed after the 20th week of pregnancy, a physician, other than the physician performing the abortion, shall be immediately accessible to take all reasonable measures consistent with good medical practice, including the compilation of appropriate medical records, to preserve the life and health of any born alive infant that is the result of the abortion," the law reads.

The Minnesota Department of Health did not immediately respond to The Christian Post's request for comment on the report.

Live Action reported in 2020 that 108 babies had been born alive in five U.S. states within the last 12 years. The pro-life activist organization cited state records from Arizona, Florida, Michigan, Minnesota and Texas, where the infants had been born alive.

"There are only a handful of states (eight as far as we know) that require reporting for live births after abortions," Live Action's former Director of External Affairs Alison Centofante previously told CP in an email. "Some states that do require reporting had reported zero, an example of that would be Oklahoma."

"Babies born alive after botched abortions illuminates the humanity of every preborn child  a humanity that is present at the moment of conception. Beating hearts, pumping lungs, tiny fingers and toes. Hearing stories of babies born alive after botched abortions should wake people from their slumber of apathy," she added. "Abortion kills 2,363 babies every single day in the U.S. The procedure starves, poisons, beheads, and dismembers the most vulnerable members of our human family and we must do all we can to protect them."

Centofante contended that current infant protection laws at the federal level are insufficient to protect abortion survivors: "The 2002 Federal Born Alive Infant Protection Act is insufficient to ensure babies surviving abortion are given appropriate care because it simply acknowledges that all newborns, regardless of the circumstances of their birth, are to be recognized as persons from the moment of their birth if they show any sign of life.

"It does not provide specific duties for an abortion doctor to follow or penalties if they are not followed," she asserted.
Evangelical social activist Ron Sider dies at 82 Professor, author remembered as a 'Pioneer of the Evangelical Left'

Influential Evangelical progressive social activist, author and professor Ron Sider, who founded Christians for Social Action, died Wednesday at 82.

CSA Executive Director Nikki Toyama-Szeto announced Thursday that Sider died of cardiac arrest after a hospital stay for other medical issues on Wednesday evening.

"Ron listened well. For someone who taught many, who wrote much, and who led well, he was an extraordinary listener," wrote Toyama-Szeto.

"He had strong convictions and reasoned positions, but he was softhearted when it came to engaging with ideas that were different from his own  he asked questions, was always curious and always learning, and listened with an open heart and mind."

Toyama-Szeto also said Sider had a "compelling vision for justice" that "stirred hearts and souls," describing him as a pacifist who "called us to pursue peace with the same fervor of those who pursued violence."

"We at Christians for Social Action feel the loss of this humble, kind, and prophetic man," she added. "As the initial surprise passes, we hold deep gratitude for the big and small ways that Ron bore witness to God's heart, and how he always showed us a fuller picture of what it means to follow Jesus."

Born in Erie, Ontario, Canada, in 1939, Ronald James Sider helped create the 1973 Chicago Declaration of Evangelical Social Concern, signed by dozens of faith leaders.

The declaration included calls to end racism, economic injustice, western materialism, and gender inequality, confessing that "we have not demonstrated the love of God to those suffering social abuses."

"As evangelical Christians committed to the Lord Jesus Christ and the full authority of the Word of God, we affirm that God lays total claim upon the lives of his people," continued the statement.

"We cannot, therefore, separate our lives from the situation in which God has placed us in the United States and the world."

It was out of a series of "Thanksgiving Workshops" organized by Sider that Chicago Declaration came to be, according to Asbury University history professor David Swartz.

Swartz called the declaration a "landmark document of the postwar evangelical left."

Known for his political activism, Sider launched Evangelicals for McGovern in 1978, which Swartz described as the first partisan evangelical-founded political organization of the 20th century to elect a president.

In 1978, Sider founded Evangelicals for Social Action, an advocacy group that changed its name to Christians for Social Action in 2020 due to concerns over the term "evangelical."

Sider published or edited over 30 books and contributed chapters to several more. In 1977, he released his highly influential book Rich Christians in an Age of Hunger: Moving from Affluence to Generosity.

"His 1977 Rich Christians in an Age of Hunger ... argued that global economic injustices cannot be addressed simply through individual social ethics. They must be tackled structurally through such actions as lobbying Congress to reduce military spending and to drop barriers to imports from developing nations," Swartz wrote in a blog post remembering Sider as a "pioneer of the Evangelical left."

"In the decades since, Sider's progressive vision has persisted. With the exception of a vote for George W. Bush's 'compassionate conservatism' in 2000 that he now regrets, Sider has routinely embraced and stumped on behalf of many liberal Democratic policies."

In 2015, Sider joined around 70 faith leaders in signing an open letter to then-President Barack Obama urging him to keep a federal rule allowing religious organizations who contract with the federal government to hire people in keeping with their religious views.

Sider was a staunch critic of Donald Trump, having edited a 2020 book titled The Spiritual Danger of Donald Trump: 30 Evangelical Christians on Justice, Truth, and Moral Integrity.

"Our plea is to white Evangelicals to please take another look and ask, 'Does this person measure up to biblical norms?'" Sider told The Christian Post in an interview at the time.

"Even if you think the book will make you mad, given the title, I challenge you to read it and decide for yourself if there are any valid points that we are making there."

Sider also called on then-Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden to do more to address the concerns that Evangelical voters have regarding issues like abortion and religious liberty.

"There are millions of evangelicals (and Catholics) in swing states who want to vote for Biden," Sider said. "We agree much more with Biden than with Trump on numerous issues."

"But on two issues  abortion and religious freedom  we need to hear that Biden's campaign understands, respects and can talk to us about our concerns, even though they do not fully agree."

Sider taught at the Philadelphia campus of Messiah College and began teaching at Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary (now known as Palmer Theological Seminary) in Pennsylvania in 1977. He spent decades as a faculty member and became the Distinguished Professor of Theology, Holistic Ministry and Public Policy.

"Over the years, Ron challenged the followers of Jesus to embrace and live out the twin biblical mandates of evangelism and social action in his teaching, writing, and speaking," notes an obituary posted on the Palmer website.

"His effective ministry bore fruit in the seminary classroom, the local and global church, and further afield in the public sphere, both in the United States and abroad."

In March 2021, Sider announced that he had an aggressive form of bladder cancer but intended to "fight this cancer with all my might."

Sider is survived by his wife, Arbutus, three adult children and their families.
SOFIA, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- Bulgarian President Rumen Radev has signed a decree, setting the date of the new parliamentary election on Oct. 2, his press office said on Monday.

Radev dissolved, through the same decree, the current National Assembly with effect from Tuesday, the press office said.

It said the president also appointed Galab Donev as caretaker prime minister. The tasks and priorities of the caretaker government will be announced when it takes office on Tuesday.

Donev, 55, is the demography and social policies secretary of the president. He has served as caretaker minister of labor and social policy in three caretaker governments appointed by Radev so far: in January-May 2017, May-September 2021, and September-December 2021.

From May to December last year, Donev also served as caretaker deputy prime minister for economic and social policies.

Radev made the move after the coalition government led by Kiril Petkov was ousted by a no-confidence vote on June 22, and parliamentary parties failed to form a new cabinet.

Petkov's government was elected last December after three parliamentary elections within eight months -- regular elections on April 4, 2021, and early elections on July 11 and Nov. 14, respectively.

The National Assembly is Bulgaria's legislative body. It also elects the government by a simple majority, and has a four-year term -- except in certain circumstances such as when it is unable to elect a government. 
4 compelling reasons for the Senate to oppose redefining marriage

Last week, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Respect for Marriage Act, legislation that would repeal the overwhelmingly bipartisan Defense of Marriage Act of 1996 and codify the U.S. Supreme Courts redefinition of marriage in Obergefell v. Hodges into federal law.

Forty-seven House Republicans joined a unanimous Democratic caucus in voting for the bill, leading to speculation that Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) might be able to find enough Republican votes to pass the legislation. Although a handful of Republican senators have gone on record in opposition to the bill, a few have indicated support, while the majority have remained noncommittal.

Senator Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, is an example of a Republican who is considering voting for the bill. Despite criticizing the Obergefell decision in 2015, Ernst recently told reporters that she was keeping a very open mind about codifying same-sex marriage into federal law. She indicated she may support the bill because she has a good number of very close friends that are same-sex married.

Ernsts remarks reflect what is increasingly becoming the view of a portion of Republican lawmakers. Although the most recent version of the Republican Party platform condemns the Obergefell and United States v. Windsor decisions and states that marriage between one man and one woman is the foundation for a free society, formerly stalwart defenders of natural marriage seem to feel less strongly than they once did.

No one likes to be told they are on the wrong side of history, and no one likes being called hateful. Furthermore, the desire to affirm the dignity of our friends who identify as LGBT is rooted in the biblically consistent conviction that everyone has inherent value and ought to be treated with decency and respect. To affirm the dignity of our LGBT friends and avoid being vilified, should Republicans move on from social issues perceived as divisive, such as the definition of marriage?

Like any public policy proposal, it is appropriate to consider the merits of the legislation pending before the U.S. Senate. And there are several compelling reasons why the Respect for Marriage Act is problematic and senators should oppose it.

Rights of children

History shows that marriage has long been seen as a matter of public concern. This is because male-female sexual relationships alone have the capacity to bring new life into the world, and children are highly dependent and require care and attention to develop physically, morally, and intellectually. Societies have rightly believed (and social science proves) that a married man and woman are best suited to care for and raise their children. This reality has prompted the state  which has an interest in children maturing into responsible citizens  to concern itself with marriage.

Regrettably, the link between a strong marriage culture and a stable society has been downplayed in the United States in recent years as gratifying adult sexual desires has superseded the welfare of children as a societal goal. This shift toward favoring the perceived needs of adults in marriage policy was observed by Justice Samuel Alito in his Obergefell dissent. According to Alito, redefining marriage requires accepting the premise that the fundamental purpose of marriage is to promote the well-being of those who choose to marry. This view of marriage prioritizes emotional fulfillment and happiness for adults and, as Alito notes, ignores the fact that for millennia marriage was inextricably linked to the one thing that only an opposite-sex couple can do: procreate.

Elevating adult happiness over the needs of children is a relatively new development in how society thinks about marriage. The U.N. Convention on the Rights of the Child, written in 1989, states that as far as possible children have the right to know and be cared for by his or her parents. Even ancient societies indifferent to the morality of same-sex behavior recognized this truth and understood that men and women bring different gifts to parenting and that children benefit from being raised by their mother and father.

This is why the states primary interest in marriage has always centered on children and why marriage law has historically reflected the biological reality that every child has a mother and father and the moral reality that children have a right to a relationship with both parents. Enshrining same-sex marriage into federal law will further erode the understanding that biological parents are essential to the development of children.

Religious freedom repercussions

A second concern with the Respect for Marriage Act relates to religious freedom. Before Obergefell, examples of coercion and hostility against those with sincerely held religious or moral beliefs about marriage were numerous and growing. The stories of Barronelle Stutzman (a florist in Washington state), Kelvin Cochran (a fire chief in Atlanta), and Jack Phillips (a baker in Colorado) already illustrated the challenges facing those with convictions about marriage.

In his Obergefell dissent, Alito presciently observed that the courts decision to endorse same-sex marriage would be used to vilify Americans who are unwilling to assent to the new orthodoxy. Alito suggested that those who disagree with same-sex marriage will risk being labeled bigots and treated as such by governments, employers, and schools. Unfortunately, the intervening years have validated Alitos misgivings. In addition to dozens of wedding vendors (such as bakers, florists, and photographers), businesses, religious universities, adoption agencies, and churches have now faced censure, threats, and lawsuits over their sincerely held beliefs on marriage and human sexuality. Specifically, nondiscrimination and public accommodation laws and policies have been weaponized by local, state, and even the federal government to stigmatize, intimidate, and coerce those who believe in a biblical definition of marriage.

These examples, and others like them, should weigh heavily on Republican senators thinking about voting for the Respect for Marriage Act. The Supreme Court has already imposed same-sex marriage on the nation. Because the probability Obergefell being reversed is slim in the near future, this legislations most likely effect will be providing yet another weapon for LGBT activists to use against people of faith. This should give every senator pause as they review this bill.

States rights

Another problematic aspect of the Respect for Marriage Act: It would require every state to recognize as valid a marriage solemnized in another state. This requirement of complete reciprocity means that if California lowers the age of consent or if Vermont legalizes polygamy or throuple marriage, other states would be required to recognize these as valid marriages. Thus, by codifying the Obergefell decision that overruled 50 million Americans who voted in over 30 states to codify natural marriage into state law, the Respect for Marriage Act would run roughshod over the basic principles of federalism.

The Bedrock of a thriving society

Conservatives believe that values, ideals, and institutions that lead to human flourishing should be preserved  and that includes marriage, the pre-political institution undergirding civilization. Apart from the shifting political winds, nothing has changed in the last seven years. Marriage is still the bedrock of a thriving society. Deep down, Republican senators know this, which is why they shouldnt cave under progressive peer pressure.

For the sake of children, religious liberty, federalism, and the truth about marriage, senators should reject codifying Obergefell into federal law and oppose the misleadingly named Respect for Marriage Act.

Originally published at The Washington Stand.
The eternal knocks that gave my parents hope

My dad is a genius. Seriously, Im not even joking. He is the smartest man I know. He can argue with professors at theological colleges about Greek and Hebrew specifics of the Old Testament and preach up a storm. He can rebuild a car, run triathlons, play any sport, build a garage, play the piano (using all the black notes by ear!), and make beautiful furniture.

I remain completely dumbfounded at how my dad got to be so good at everything. He had no help.

Theres no easy way to say it  my dad was sold as a baby.

He did grow up with his mother, who was not mentally capable of raising a child, and a drunken father, which is why I guess they resorted to buying a baby instead of adopting one.

My dad grew up with the name Jackie Arthur. But it wasnt his name. He wouldnt learn his real name until much later when he told his mother he was getting married, and in response to the good news she threw him out of the house and threw his birth certificate out after him. My dad picked it up and discovered his original nameRobert John Strickland.

Many years later his mother died and my parents found the receipt in the attic for the purchase of a babyfor fifty dollars.

My dad found his way to a gang and was in the kind of trouble that people dont often escape from. Somehow he was rescued by a lady from the Salvation Army  a door knocker who insisted on finding folks who were excluded and stuck in cycles and stories that had bad endings.

The Salvation Army gave him a brass instrument and told him they needed him to play it in the band. And because they needed him, he stuck around. He played his part. Not only did it make the band better, but it also made his life better, too.

My dad would say that that little community would put up with the shenanigans of a broken and angry young boy in a way that would explain love to him  for the first time. And that love would warm his cold heart and embrace him in a way that would help him discover another kind of Father. One that wasnt drunk and abusive, like his veteran dad. One that wasnt mean and crazy like his broken mother. One that would have him, love him, protect him, and invite him into what he always wanteda place to belong.

My mother says she remembers the exact time and place she was when she heard the knock on the garage door. She was living in the garage of a loveless aunt who had rescued her from a violent home.

My mother wondered who they were and what they wanted. She heard them say they were from the Salvation Army. After they left, my mom asked her aunt, What is the Salvation Army? Her aunt answered her by suggesting she go find out for herself. And so she did.

She is forever thankful for her question that day. The couple at the door had an invitation for kids just like her who wanted a place to goa place to belong. She was wanted. She was welcomed. She could not wait to make her way as fast as possible out of that house and into the church.

The way my mom describes it moves me to tears. She tells me that when she made her way to the Salvation Army, she found what she had always been looking forhome.

So, two unwanted, rejected, and broken kids found welcome, belonging, and salvation through a peculiar bunch of people who put on uniforms and knocked on doors in the poor parts of their towns.

I love the eternal sound of those knocks. I hear them sometimes in my own heart. A knock. From Heaven.

Someone is looking. Someone is wanting. Someone is waiting. Someone is inviting.

There are a lot of people who need to hear that knock. A lot of folks are stuck in cycles of violence and rejection and fear. They are trapped in all kinds of ways, externally and internally. And the greatest deception they will face is that no one cares. That no one notices. That no one will ever come for them.

But I know the real story. Because Im the daughter of little Elizabeth and Jackie. There is no one unseen or unknown by God. There are no unwanted children in the family of the divine. Every. Single. Person. Matters. This isnt just wishful, idealistic thinking; its hope.

Hope.

Taken from The Other Side of Hope by Danielle Strickland. Copyright 2022 by Danielle Strickland. Used with permission from Thomas Nelson. www.thomasnelson.com
UN temporarily blocks removal of Archie Battersbee's life support

The United Nations Committee on the Rights of Persons With Disabilities has asked the United Kingdom to keep 12-year-old Archie Battersbee on life support while it considers the boy's case.

The CRPD issued an injunction Friday following a refusal Thursday by the U.K. Supreme Court to intervene in the case. Lower courts ruled against a request from the boy's parents, Hollie Dance and Paul Battersbee, to prevent Royal London Hospital from discontinuing life support.

Battersbee was found unconscious with a ligature around his neck in April, suffering a "catastrophic hypoxic ischaemic brain injury." Judges have agreed with the hospital's assessment that the child is likely brain dead.

The parents are supported in their legal fight by the Christian Legal Centre.

The legal center said in a statement Friday that the court order allowing the removal of Battersbee's life support went into effect Thursday afternoon.

The family applied to the UN CRPD because individuals and families can file complaints regarding potential violations of disabled people's rights. Battersbee's parents argue that stopping their son's treatment breaches the U.N. Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities and the U.N. Convention on the Rights of Children.

The UN CRPD said in response to Battersbee's parents that its special rapporteur on communications "requested the State party to refrain from withdrawing life-preserving medical treatment, including mechanical ventilation and artificial nutrition and hydration, from the alleged victim while the case is under consideration by the Committee."

"[T]his request does not imply that any decision has been reached on the substance of the matter under consideration," the response states. "The Committee may review the necessity of maintaining the request for interim measures once the State party's observations have been received.'"

Dance is grateful for the U.N's quick response.

"This is the first time this has ever happened in history of this inhumane system in the U.K.," she said. "There have been so many ups and downs, but we have put on the full armour of God, gone into the battle and now we have given Archie time, that is all we have ever asked for."

Last month, Justice Emma Arbuthnot ruled that the Royal London Hospital could discontinue Archie's life support, writing that the boy is likely dead "on the balance of probabilities." Despite her decision, Arbuthnot granted the parents permission to appeal.

In a July 15 judgment, Justice Anthony Hayden ruled that it is in the child's "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 stated 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 Battersbee the opportunity "to die in peaceful circumstances and in the embrace of the family he loved."

On Monday, three judges of the Court of Appeal in central London denied the parents permission to appeal the second high court judge's decision to end his life support treatment.
WEST HARTFORD  A combined 180 donors have committed $7.5 million in after-lifetime gifts during the first year of the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Hartfords new Life and Legacy program.

The commitments will someday be distributed to the organizations that each donor has earmarked them for.

Donors in our community can make an after-lifetime commitment to organizations and synagogues that they love that have made an impact on them, said Elana MacGilpin, the foundations development officer and coordinator of the Life and Legacy program. They feel strongly about doing that for the next generation and for their children and their grandchildren and for people they dont even know just because its so important for them to see the community sustain itself for generations to come.

The foundation called the $7.5 million committed in the first year of the four-year program a success. MacGilpin said she was personally impressed by the gratitude the community showed during the year.

People are so future focused, MacGilpin said. Theres so much going on in the world right now but people are able to think about the future and about others and that they want the organizations that they love to be sustained so future generations can have the same feelings and experiences that they have had. I think the organizations will be stronger and the community will be stronger because of these 180 people who have made these commitments.

Local day schools, synagogues and social services programs, as well as the Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford and the Mandell Jewish Community Center are among the chosen beneficiaries, MacGilpin said. Donations will be made not just in West Hartford, but across the Hartford region, including the Farmington Valley and places east of the Connecticut River.

Every gift is important and all of these gifts will make a difference to the organizations that the gifts are made, MacGilpin said. After-lifetime giving is unique, but the fact that people are able to make that decision now during their lifetime and feel good and proud about that, it makes us want to help people make those kinds of gifts. Its so important to sustain our community. Were only able to do that while were here. Thats what inspires us to help people have those discussions and really be thoughtful about the future.

MacGilpin said after-lifetime giving allows anyone and everyone to make a donation, because while they may not have the assets now, they can plan to have them be available then.

Its the opportunity to do something together and really feel part of something that is bigger than yourself and bigger than your own gift, MacGilpin said. Every gift is incredible and important, but all of these gifts together will sustain our entire community and all of these organizations. Its inspirational really the attitude around it and the time our partners are putting into it. We want them to feel that this is important and that this will make a difference. In the future, their organization will reap the benefits.
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JOHANNESBURG (AP)  More than 80 men suspected of the gang rapes of eight women and the armed robbery of a video production crew in the South African town of Krugersdorp, west of Johannesburg, appeared in court on Monday.

The men were arrested at an abandoned mining site following the rapes and robbery near the disused mine.

The suspects are allegedly illegal miners known as zama-zamas who dig for gold in the Johannesburg area's many closed mine shafts. Many of the illegal miners are foreigners, according to local reports. The zama-zama gangs of illegal miners are also blamed for widespread crime in the area, according to local residents.

The gang rapes occurred when a crew filming a music video at one of the abandoned mines was attacked by armed men on Thursday last week, according to police.

The crew of 22 people  12 women and 10 men  were busy filming a music video when they were allegedly attacked by a group of armed men clad in blankets," Police Commissioner for Gauteng province Lt. Gen. Elias Mawela in a statement.

The suspects ordered everyone to lay down and proceeded to rape eight of the women and robbed everyone of their belongings before fleeing the scene, he said. The crew was robbed of all their video equipment. Police are investigating 32 counts of rape, he said.

Laboratory studies of DNA samples from the raped women will be used to identify perpetrators of the rapes, National Minister of Police Bheki Cele said on Monday.

Others arrested are expected to face additional charges of illegal immigration and illegal mining.

More than 300 people demonstrated outside the Krugersdorp Magistrates Court on Monday to express the communitys fury over the rapes.

News of the gang rapes and robbery has angered community and womens organizations in the area, who have complained that such incidents are rife around Krugersdorp.

We are going to demand that the police station should be placed under administration because the community has reported many crimes committed by the zama-zamas but nothing has been done," said Zandile Dabula, secretary-general of Operation Dudula, an organization that protests against illegal immigrants in South Africa. The organization was part of the Monday protest outside the Krugersdorp courthouse.

It is clear that they are failing to deal with crime in this area so they should be placed under administration, said Dabula.
CONCORD, N.H. (AP)  A substance made when the body breaks down heroin was present a truck driver's blood just hours after he was involved in a 2019 crash that killed seven motorcyclists, a forensic toxicologist testified Monday.

The metabolite, referred to as 6-MAM," is unique to heroin and was found in the driver's blood below below the reporting limit, the concentration of substances that can be measured accurately, said Donna Papsun of Pennsylvania-based NMS Labs. She had been asked to do additional testing by the New Hampshire State Police Forensic Laboratory.

Papsun's testimony in the trial of Volodymyr Zhukovskyy expanded on what the National Transportation Safety Board says the driver told police about his drug use on the day of the crash.

Zhukovskyys lawyer, Steve Mirkin, has said his client did take heroin, fentanyl and cocaine on June 21, 2019, but said there's no evidence he was impaired at the time of the crash and that police did not make any observations in the hours afterward suggesting that he was impaired.

Papsun was questioned in superior court in Lancaster, New Hampshire, by lawyers from both sides about how long heroin stays in the system, as well as other drugs that showed up in Zhukovskyy's bloodwork, such as fentanyl, morphine and a metabolite found after cocaine consumption, and how those drugs could affect a person.

Prosecutors said Zhukovskyy, 26, of West Springfield, Massachusetts, was impaired and weaved back and forth repeatedly before the head-on crash on U.S. Route 2 in Randolph.

Zhukovskyy's lawyers have said the lead motorcyclist, who died, was drunk and caused the crash. His blood-alcohol level registered at nearly twice the legal limit of .08 in New Hampshire.

Papsun testified that 6-MAM" breaks down fast and has a half-life  the time it takes in the body to reduce it by half  ranging from about five to six minutes to about 25 to 30 minutes.

She said it could take up to 3 1/2 hours for the body to clear its original dose, but it could take less than time than that for some people, depending on an individual's ability to break that down."

Zhukovskyy's first blood sample was taken shortly after 8:30 p.m., about two hours after the collision. She said the second blood sample, taken about an hour later, did not show a reliable reading of 6-MAM."

Defense attorney Jay Duguay asked Papsun if just the presence of the substances alone in a person's blood means that they are impaired.

You can't make that determination based on the toxicology alone?" he said.

No," she answered.

The motorcyclists who died were part of Jarheads Motorcycle Club, for Marines and their spouses. They were from New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Rhode Island and ranged in age from 42 to 62. They were part of a larger group that had just left a motel along the highway and were headed to an American Legion Post in Gorham for a fundraiser.

They were traveling east when the collision with the westbound truck occurred.
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HAZARD, Ky. - For a few minutes Sunday morning, Karen Daugherty got a breath of normalcy.

Daugherty joined a group of churchgoers for a service at Gospel Light Baptist Church in Hazard, Ky. She was nearly 20 miles and a county over from where her home, in the community of Watts, had been destroyed by floodwaters that trapped her family for days.

"It was very refreshing just to be able to be there because I was raised Pentecostal and I know it was only by the grace of God that we're still here together," Daugherty said.

Sunday morning was probably a respite for many in Hazard and surrounding areas that have been hit hard by devastating flooding. Several churches had their first services since last week's record-breaking rains deluged eastern Kentucky.

The typically gentle streams that cut through narrow valleys between the region's mountains turned into roaring rivers in a matter of hours late Wednesday night. Sections of some creek-side communities were swept away, leaving behind only the foundations of houses.

At least 28 people have been killed, Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear said Sunday, and hundreds across the region have been displaced. Beshear said he expected the death toll to rise.

Just before the 11 a.m. service at Gospel Light Baptist on Sunday, more than a dozen rows of blue chairs were lined up for churchgoers in the center of the sanctuary. The walls of the room were lined with green cots, most of which covered in pillows, quilts and children's toys. The few unoccupied cots bared the bright logo of the American Red Cross.

Pastor Chris Fugate stood before a wooden cross at the front of the sanctuary and led the congregants in worship, delivering a sermon that had a clear message: "If I look to Jesus in bad times, He's there."

After the service, Gospel Light reverted to the shelter that it has been since the flooding began. Donated hot meals were doled out and cars streamed through the parking lot, either dropping off provisions or requesting food, cleaning supplies, diapers and cases of water - a necessity in an area where the vast majority of residents have gone days without running water.

Through the first four days of the disaster, Fugate said the church took in close to 200 people, some staying overnight and some coming and going.

"They slept on the chairs the first two nights," Fugate said. "We just got the cots last night."

Daugherty and several of her family members arrived at the church after an arduous escape from the swirling muddy waters.

She said they lived in a small home on a single row of cinder blocks near a pair of creeks, both normally "just ankle-deep."

"It all came so quickly," Daugherty said of the flood. "In like a matter of 20 minutes."

Her husband tied a rope around himself and their youngest daughter. After making it to higher ground, he returned for Daugherty and then for their animals, she said. They moved to a building on the back of the hillside and stayed in one room while the waters rose outside.

They were trapped for 2 and 1/2 days, Daugherty said. Rescue helicopters swirled overhead; she said one tried to land but was unable to do so. With the water still high but somewhat receding, Daugherty felt she had no choice.

"I walked out of there," Daugherty said, trudging through water. "Then I got a ride up [to Hazard]."

Without a charged cellphone for days, she said, she didn't know whether other family members had survived and that shelters were open. When she finally charged her phone, the first message that rolled in was from her sister, who was staying at Gospel Light. From the church they were able to send out more help to rescue the rest of her family.

"I'm very grateful for this place," Daugherty said. "Because without it, I don't know."

Two years before the flood, she said, a fire destroyed her family's home. Now, her home is destroyed again. But part of the structure was still standing, proof enough for Daugherty that others still had it worse.

"It's a very traumatic experience," Daugherty said. "There are people here that are missing family members, and their homes look like nothing's been built there."

Fugate started Gospel Light Baptist back in 2011. At the time, he was a drug detective with the state police, but he has since retired. He is also a member of the state legislature.

"My faith in people has grown this week, because it's easy to dwell on the negative," Fugate said. "I was a state trooper for 22 years, I saw the negative a lot."

Fugate started the church with the help of a close friend, Richy Miller, another former state trooper. Miller was spending his nights at the church in the days following the flooding, sharing stories with survivors and growing close with them.

"I've seen a lot of dead people in my career. Worked suicides, worked murders, car wrecks, people with their heads cut off. I've seen it all," Miller said. "I've never been as heartbroken as I have been with some of these people."

Johnny Williams, another member of the church who was volunteering around the shelter, said he was confident in the resiliency of the community because of the help he has seen neighbors offer neighbors.

"That's what we do here," Williams said. "Everybody in the mountains is family."

Of course, many will also heed Fugate's sermon and lean into their faith in tough times.

"I don't know what the next step is or where help is going to come from," Daugherty said. "But hopefully God has a plan. He's never failed us yet."
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CAIRO (AP)  The doors of jihad opened for Ayman al-Zawahri as a young doctor in a Cairo clinic, when a visitor arrived with a tempting offer: a chance to treat Islamic fighters battling Soviet forces in Afghanistan.

With that offer in 1980, al-Zawahri embarked on a life that over three decades took him to the top of the most feared terrorist group in the world, al-Qaida, after the death of Osama bin Laden.

Already an experienced militant who had sought the overthrow of Egypts infidel regime since the age of 15, al-Zawahri took a trip to the Afghan war zone that was just a few weeks long, but it opened his eyes to new possibilities.

What he saw was the training course preparing Muslim mujahedeen youth to launch their upcoming battle with the great power that would rule the world: America, he wrote in a 2001 biography-cum-manifesto.

Al-Zawahri, 71, was killed over the weekend by a U.S. drone strike in Afghanistan. President Joe Biden announced the death Monday evening in an address to the nation.

The strike is likely to lead to greater disarray within the organization than did bin Ladens death in 2011, since it is far less clear who his successor would be.

Al-Zawahri became crucial to turning the jihadi movement to target the United States as the right-hand man to bin Laden, the young Saudi millionaire he met in the Afghanistan-Pakistan region. Under their leadership, the al-Qaida terror network carried out the deadliest attack ever on American soil, the Sept. 11, 2001, suicide hijackings.

The attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon made bin Laden Americas Enemy No. 1. But he likely could never have carried it out without his deputy.

While bin Laden came from a privileged background in a prominent Saudi family, al-Zawahri had the experience of an underground revolutionary. Bin Laden provided al-Qaida with charisma and money, but al-Zawahri brought tactics and organizational skills needed to forge militants into a network of cells in countries around the world.

Bin Laden always looked up to him, said terrorism expert Bruce Hoffman of Georgetown University. Al-Zawahri spent time in an Egyptian prison, he was tortured. He was a jihadi from the time he was a teenager.

When the 2001 U.S. invasion of Afghanistan demolished al-Qaidas safe haven and scattered, killed and captured its members, al-Zawahri ensured al-Qaidas survival. He rebuilt its leadership in the Afghan-Pakistan border region and installed allies as lieutenants in key positions.

He also became the movements public face, putting out a constant stream of video messages while bin Laden largely hid.

With his thick beard, heavy-rimmed glasses and a prominent bruise on his forehead from prostration in prayer, he was notoriously prickly and pedantic. He picked ideological fights with critics within the jihadi camp, wagging his finger scoldingly in his videos. Even some key figures in al-Qaidas central leadership were put off, calling him overly controlling, secretive and divisive  a contrast to bin Laden, whose soft-spoken presence many militants described in adoring, almost spiritual terms.

Yet he reshaped the organization from a centralized planner of terror attacks into the head of a franchise chain. He led the creation of a network of autonomous branches around the region, including in Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, North Africa, Somalia and Asia.

In the decade after 9/11, al-Qaida inspired or had a direct hand in attacks in all those areas as well as Europe, Pakistan and Turkey, including the 2004 train bombings in Madrid and the 2005 transit bombings in London. More recently, the al-Qaida affiliate in Yemen proved itself capable of plotting attacks on U.S. soil with an attempted 2009 bombing of an American passenger jet and an attempted package bomb the following year.

After Bin Laden was killed in a U.S. raid on his compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan, al-Qaida proclaimed al-Zawahri its paramount leader less than two months later.

The jihad against America does not halt with the death of a commander or leader, he said. Chase America, which killed the leader of the mujahedeen and threw his body into the sea.

The 2011 Arab Spring uprisings around the Mideast threatened a major blow to al-Qaida, showing that jihad was not the only way to get rid of Arab autocrats. It was mainly pro-democracy liberals and leftists who led the uprising that toppled Egypts President Hosni Mubarak, the longtime goal al-Zawahri failed to achieve.

But al-Zawahri sought to co-opt the wave of uprisings, insisting that they would have been impossible if the 9/11 attacks had not weakened America. And he urged Islamic hard-liners to take over in the nations where leaders had fallen.

Al-Zawahri was born June 19, 1951, the son of an upper-middle-class family of doctors and scholars in the Cairo suburb of Maadi. His father was a pharmacology professor at Cairo Universitys medical school and his grandfather, Rabia al-Zawahri, was the grand imam of Al-Azhar University, a premier center of religious study.

From an early age, al-Zawahri was enflamed by the radical writings of Sayed Qutb, the Egyptian Islamist who taught that Arab regimes were infidel and should be replaced by Islamic rule.

In the 1970s, as he earned his medical degree as a surgeon, he was active in militant circles. He merged his own militant cell with others to form the group Islamic Jihad and began trying to infiltrate the military  at one point even storing weapons in his private clinic.

Then came the 1981 assassination of Egyptian President Anwar Sadat by Islamic Jihad militants. The slaying was carried out by a different cell in the group  and al-Zawahri wrote that he learned of the plot only hours before the assassination. But he was arrested along with hundreds of other militants and served three years in prison.

During his imprisonment, he was reportedly tortured heavily, a factor some cite as turning him more violently radical.

After his release in 1984, al-Zawahri returned to Afghanistan and joined the Arab militants from across the Middle East fighting alongside the Afghans against the Soviets. He courted bin Laden, who became a heroic figure for his financial support of the mujahedeen.

Al-Zawahri followed bin Laden to his new base in Sudan, and from there he led a reassembled Islamic Jihad group in a violent campaign of bombings aimed at toppling Egypts U.S.-allied government.

In the most daring attack, Jihad and other militants tried to assassinate Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak during a 1995 visit to Ethiopia. Mubarak escaped the hail of gunfire aimed at his motorcade, and his security forces all but crushed the militant movement in Egypt in the crackdown that followed.

The Egyptian movement failed. But al-Zawahri would bring to al-Qaida the tactics that he honed in Islamic Jihad.

He promoted the use of suicide bombings, to become al-Qaidas hallmark. He plotted a 1995 suicide car bombing of Egypts embassy in Islamabad that killed 16 people  presaging the more devastating 1998 al-Qaida bombings of the U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania that killed more than 200, attacks al-Zawahri was indicted for in the United States.

In 1996, Sudan expelled bin Laden, who took his fighters back to Afghanistan, where they found a safe haven under the radical Taliban regime. Once more, al-Zawahri followed.

Two years later, their bond was sealed when bin Laden, al-Zawahri and other militant leaders issued the Declaration of Jihad against Jews and Crusaders. It announced that the United States was Islams top enemy and instructed Muslims that it was their religious duty to kill the Americans and their allies.

The message consecrated a dramatic shift that al-Zawahri underwent under bin Ladens influence, changing from his longtime strategy of attacking the near enemy  U.S.-allied Arab regimes like Egypt  to target the far enemy, the United States itself.

Some in al-Zawahris Islamic Jihad broke away, opposed to the move. And some al-Qaida militants whose association with bin Laden predated al-Zawahris always saw him as an arrogant intruder.

I have never taken orders from al-Zawahri, Fazul Abdullah Mohammed, one of the networks top figures in East Africa until his 2011 death, sneered in a memoir posted online in 2009. We dont take orders from anyone but our historical leadership.

Soon after the alliance came the bombings of the U.S. embassies in Africa, followed by the 2000 suicide bombing of the USS Cole off Yemen, an attack al-Zawahri is believed to have helped organize.

When the U.S. invaded Afghanistan, al-Zawahri and bin Laden fled into Pakistan as a U.S. airstrike killed al-Zawahris wife and at least two of their six children in the southern Afghan city of Kandahar.

The CIA came tantalizingly close to possibly capturing al-Zawahri in 2003 and killing him in 2004. The CIA thought it finally had al-Zawahri in its sights in 2009, only to be tricked by a double agent who blew himself up, killing seven agency employees and wounding six more in Khost, Afghanistan.

In his 2001 treatise, Knights Under the Prophets Banner, al-Zawahri set the long-term strategy for the jihadi movement  to inflict as many casualties as possible on the Americans, while trying to establish control in a nation as a base to launch the battle to restore the holy caliphate of Islamic rule across the Muslim world.

Al-Qaida did make inroads in Europe. The bombers in the Madrid attacks that killed 191 were said to have been inspired by al-Qaida, although direct links remain uncertain. Al-Zawahri claimed al-Qaida responsibility for the 2005 London transit bombings that killed 52, saying some perpetrators trained in al-Qaida camps.

Not all terror campaigns were successful. Al-Qaidas branch in Saudi Arabia was crushed by 2006. Al-Zawahri himself had to write to the head of al-Qaidas branch in Iraq, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, to rein in his brutal attacks on Iraqi Shiites, which were hurting the networks image among Muslims.

That underlined al-Zawahris ultimate failure. With his concentration on a Muslim vanguard carrying out dramatic attacks, he never gained widespread popular support for al-Qaida in the Islamic world beyond a fringe of radical sympathizers.

His answer, in Knights Under the Prophets Banner, was for jihadis to continue hitting Americans, hoping to exploit anti-U.S. sentiment and draw in the public. He echoed that strategy in a June 2011 video eulogy to his slain boss.

Bin Laden terrified America in his life, he said, and will continue to terrify it after his death.

___

Former Associated Press writer Adam Goldman in Washington contributed to this story.
HONG KONG (AP)  Chinese e-commerce firm Alibaba said Monday that it wants to keep its shares listed in both New York and Hong Kong, days after U.S. regulators included it in a list of companies that may be delisted for not complying with auditing requirements.

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has said foreign companies face having their shares delisted if they don't give American regulators access to their financial statements and auditing process as required of other companies around the world.

The addition of Alibaba to the list is the latest blow as it suffers the fallout from Beijings regulatory crackdown on the technology industry.

Alibaba's inclusion among the companies potentially facing delisting follows its announcement last week that it wants to pursue a primary listing in Hong Kong, where it now has a secondary listing. That move would enable Alibaba to tap a wider base of investors, including those in mainland China.

Alibaba will continue to monitor market developments, comply with applicable laws and regulations and strive to maintain its listing status on both the NYSE and the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, the company said in an announcement filed to the Hong Kong stock exchange Monday.

The company said that the fiscal year that ended March 31, 2022, was its first non-inspection year under regulations that say a company that goes three years without complying with audit requirements will be forced to delist.

Alibabas Hong Kong stock price plunged 3.76% in Hong Kong on Monday, closing at 89.60 Hong Kong dollars.

The move by the SEC to include Alibaba for possible delisting could be in retaliation for its plans to seek the primary listing in Hong Kong, said Francis Lun, an investment manager and a veteran market commentator.

Alibaba is one of the most heavily traded Chinese companies in the U.S.

If you look at the stock price, investors are very pessimistic (about Alibaba), Lun said. Alibaba's New York-listed stock is down over 55% over the last 12 months.

Alibaba was fined a record $2.8 billion for anti-monopoly violations, and regulators scrutinized its financial affiliate Ant Financial closely after Ant was ordered to halt its initial public listing days before it was due to go public. The company has also seen slowing growth amid COVID-19 uncertainties and a general slowdown in the Chinese economy.

The primary listing in Hong Kong is expected to be completed by the end of this year.

Alibaba first went public in New York in September 2014 in what was then the world's biggest initial public offering at $25 billion. It completed a secondary listing in Hong Kong in November 2019.

Other Chinese firms seeking a primary listing in Hong Kong include cloud computing service provider Kingsoft Cloud Holdings and video sharing site Bilibili Inc.
Upper Room Books Releases Psalms for Black Lives

NEWS PROVIDED BY

The Upper Room

Aug. 1, 2022

NASHVILLE, Aug. 1, 2022 /Christian Newswire/ -- The Upper Room/Upper Rom Books, a division of The Upper Room, will release on August 1, 2022, Psalms for Black Lives: Reflections for the Work of Liberation by authors Rev. Dr. Gabby Cudjoe Wilkes and Rev. Andrew Wilkes.

Psalms for Black Lives initially arose as devotionals for a churchwide fasting experience led by the Revs Wilkes during the summer of 2020 when America was ablaze with righteous indignation over the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and countless others.

The Wilkes found that the ancient words of the Psalms spoke truth and inspiration not only to their immediate community, but also to the growing number of people called to the difficult work of pursuing justice, confronting structural racism, and building a society that equitably values Black lives.

Psalms for Black Lives includes thirty devotions, each containing a psalm, a reflection, and an invitation for the reader to develop a justice imagination through engagement with the text. the book also features discussion questions to support small-group study and a guide for congregational and community group interaction.

In her recommendation for the book, Rise Nelson, Director of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion at Yale University Library writes, "Pastors Gabby and Andrew have made this offering from and of love as a reminder of who you are and we are. It is an invitation to renew your faith in God and in the power of our community. It is a confirmation of God's plan for each of us and God's promise to be with us in our challenges and our victories." Rev. Kimberly Orr, publisher of The Upper Room states, "For too long the Black experience and voice have been muted as interpretive conversation partners for the Psalms. The Wilkes go a long way toward remedying this disparity. Psalms for Black Lives is an important work for beginning the healing process in our churches."

The Reverends Wilkes are co-founders and co-lead pastors of The Double Love Experience Church in Brooklyn, New York. Psalms for Black Lives is inspired by the countless individuals, organizers, collectives, and assemblies fighting, struggling, and planning for the liberation of Black lives, a precondition for the liberation of humanity.

To learn more, please visit UpperRoomBooks.com/BlackLives

The Upper Room is a global ministry dedicated to supporting the spiritual formation of Christians seeking to know and experience God more fully. From its beginning as a daily devotional guide, The Upper Room has grown to include publications, programs, prayer support, and other resources to help believers of all ages and denominations move to a deeper level of faith and service. The Upper Room is a part of Discipleship Ministries. Visit UpperRoom.org to learn more.

SOURCE The Upper Room

CONTACT: Lisa Lehr, 615-440-0019, llehr@upperroom.org
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WASHINGTON (AP)  Its back to the White House balcony and the Treaty Room for President Joe Biden as he contends with a rebound case of COVID-19.

Trapped in the White House for the second time in as many weeks, the president knows the drill this time: Hes got an office in the residence and his dog Commander to keep him company while he governs by Zoom and FaceTime.

Biden's latest bout with COVID-19 came with a new wrinkle: how to announce a major counterterrorism operation in Afghanistan from isolation.

Biden, dressed in a dark suit and red tie, walked to a lectern that had been wheeled onto the balcony of the Blue Room on Monday evening and informed the American people of the killing of Ayman al-Zawahri, the top al-Qaida leader, in a U.S. strike in Afghanistan over the weekend.

The White House allowed just one print reporter to watch Biden deliver his speech, by looking through a window in the adjacent Red Room. A TV cameraman filmed the president and a still photographer took photos  a smaller footprint than the group of journalists that is usually at the president's appearances.

Bidens initial COVID-19 diagnosis left him with a lingering cough and runny nose, press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said. His rebound case  labeled such because he tested positive on Saturday just three days after being cleared from isolation with two negative tests last Tuesday and Wednesday  has left him antsy about returning to a normal schedule.

Bidens rebound disrupted a trip home to Wilmington, Delaware, to reunite with first lady Jill Biden, who has been there since Bidens initial diagnosis. A trip Tuesday to Michigan to promote a $280 billion high-tech manufacturing bill he intends to sign was also scuttled.

Instead, Biden is stuck in COVID-19 isolation through at least Thursday, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines, and perhaps longer under the White Houses stricter protocols, which require a negative test to return to work.

Hes someone who likes to be out there with the American people, said Jean-Pierre on Monday. Hes looking forward to being out there again.

White House physician Dr. Kevin OConnor said in a Monday letter that the president continues to feel well this time around, even as he tests positive.

Shortly after Saturdays announcement that he was returning to isolation, the president tweeted a picture of himself masked, tieless and signing a declaration that added individual assistance for flood survivors in Kentucky.

He followed up by tweeting a 12-second video of himself on a White House balcony with Commander.

Im feeling fine, everything is good, said Biden, a pair of aviator sunglasses in his hand. But Commander and I got a little work to do.

Minutes later, he called Veterans Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough on FaceTime as he visited with people camping outside the U.S. Capitol in a bid for health benefits for military veterans exposed to toxic substances from burn pits during their service.

Biden tweeted that he had planned to visit the group in person on Saturday before he tested positive again, but instead sent McDonough with a delivery of pizza. He invited the advocates to the White House once hes cleared by his doctors to receive visitors.

It doesnt stop him from doing his job and doing the work of the American people, Jean-Pierre said of the presidents rebound infection.

During his course of isolation, Biden told reporters that his canine companion served as his alarm clock while the first lady was away.

Matter of fact, my dog had to wake me up this morning, he said last Tuesday. My wifes not here. She usually takes him out in the morning while Im upstairs working out. And so, I felt this nuzzle of my dogs nose against my chest about five minutes to seven.

Biden has been working from the ornate second-floor Treaty Room or stepping onto the adjacent Truman Balcony overlooking the South Grounds and the Washington Monument.

A limited number of essential staff are with him in the residence, including security and medical personnel and a small number of aides, who remain masked for their protection. Bidens usual in-person meetings, including his daily national security briefing, have shifted to virtual formats.

Plans for enabling a president to work in isolation were first developed when then-President Donald Trump tested positive for COVID-19 in October 2020, which required him to be admitted to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. As the highly infectious omicron variant spread and cases closed in around Biden, his administration refined plans for Biden to carry out his duties while isolating at the White House, according to two aides.

Biden, 79, was treated with the antiviral drug Paxlovid after he first tested positive on July 21. He tested negative for the virus last Tuesday and Wednesday, July 26 and 27, and was then cleared to leave isolation while wearing a mask indoors. His positive tests put him among the minority of those prescribed the drug to experience a rebound case of the virus.

The CDC says most rebound cases remain mild.

Jean-Pierre said 17 people initially identified as close contacts of Biden when he first tested positive, as well as six people deemed at risk from his rebound infection, have continued to test negative for COVID-19.
BISMARCK, N.D. (AP)  Two North Dakota Democratic lawmakers on Monday called for an attorney generals opinion on the states abortion restrictions, saying clarity in needed to ensure care is not denied in or delayed in emergency situations.

Reps. Zac Ista, of Grand Forks, and Karla Rose Hanson, of Fargo, said discrepancies in state law could result in victims of rape having to get permission from a spouse to obtain an abortion, or in doctors not treating ectopic pregnancies, which occur when an embryo grows outside the womb and often are life-threatening to the women involved.
JERUSALEM (AP)  An Israeli government investigation into the use of powerful eavesdropping technology by the police found that they only used it after securing a judicial warrant but that the flood of information exceeded the limits of their authority.

The probe was launched after Calcalist, a local business daily, published an explosive report that the police had used Pegasus, a controversial technology developed by Israel's NSO Group, to spy on public figures. The Justice Ministry rejected those claims in February, saying there was no evidence police had illegally hacked the mobile phones of those mentioned in the report.

The investigative team, led by Deputy Attorney General Amit Marari, released additional findings on Monday. It said there was no indication that police had used sophisticated technology to penetrate personal phones without a judicial order. But it said that when the technology was used, police received excess information not covered by the warrants.

It said that while there was no sign that the excess information was used, its acquisition was a violation of authority. The statement did not identify the technology.

The Calcalist report had prompted a public uproar, with then-prime minister Naftali Bennett calling the allegations very serious. The Justice Ministry launched its investigation shortly after the report came out in January.

The police welcomed Monday's findings, saying they proved that no deliberate activity was carried out in violation of the law.

Serious allegations against the conduct of the police turned out to be wrong, but unfortunately they caused great damage to the publics trust in the police, a police statement said.

Pegasus is a powerful tool that allows its operator to infiltrate a targets phone and sweep up its contents, including messages, photos, contacts and location history  without the target being aware or taking any action.

NSO has been linked to snooping on human rights activists, journalists and politicians in several countries. In November, the U.S. blacklisted the company, saying its tools had been used to conduct transnational repression.

NSO says it sells the product only to government entities to fight crime and terrorism, with all sales regulated by the Israeli government. The company does not identify its clients and says it has no knowledge of who is targeted. Although it says it has safeguards in place to prevent abuse, it says it ultimately does not control how its clients use the software.

The Association for Civil Rights in Israel said the latest findings show major failures that raise concerns about privacy and the rights of suspects. It called on authorities to bar police from employing such technology until detailed legislation is implemented to govern its use.

___

Associated Press writer Joseph Krauss in Ottawa, Ontario, contributed to this report.
BRUSSELS (AP)  The European Unions top court ruled Monday that national maritime authorities cannot impound ships involved in search-and-rescue work on suspicion that they might be overloaded due to the number of migrants they plucked from the sea.

The European Court of Justice ruling came in response to an appeal by German migrant aid group Sea-Watch. Two of the German group's ships were forced to undergo inspections in Sicily in 2020 after disembarking migrants for taking aboard more people than they were authorized to carry.

Italian harbor authorities also considered that the ships were not certified for search-and-rescue missions.

But the court said that rescued people must not be taken into account when verifying whether the rules on safety at sea have been complied with. The number of persons on board, even if greater than that which is authorized, cannot therefore, in itself, constitute a ground for a control.

The Luxembourg-based ECJ also said national port authorities have the right to inspect ships to assess whether rules on working conditions, health and safety, and the environment are being respected.

But it added that they do not have the power to demand proof that those ships hold certificates other than those issued by the flag state, which in the case of the Sea-Watch vessels was Germany.

Sea-Watch described the court decision as a victory that means that port authorities cant arbitrarily detain ships and prevent them from doing their work.

The ruling provides clear legal security for NGOs and is a victory for sea rescue. In the future, ships will thus continue to do what they do best: Rescue people instead of being arbitrarily stuck in port, the organization said in a tweet.

Neither the EU nor any of its 27 nations are actively searching for people in danger in the Mediterranean Sea, where more than 1,000 people have died or are missing so far this year, many of whom tried to reach Europe from North Africa in unseaworthy smugglers' boats.

But ships are bound by international law to respond to any distress call near them.

Most Europe-bound migrants hope to reach family or find work, but many of them are denied asylum because they fled poverty and not persecution or war.

Migration is a key issue in Italy's early parliamentary election on Sept. 25. Right-wing League party leader Matteo Salvini has promised to take a hard line on migration if his party comes to power in a center-right alliance.

___

Follow all AP stories on global migration at https://apnews.com/hub/migration.
Gerald Herbert/AP

NEW ORLEANS (AP)  A former Louisiana Democratic Party leader who resigned from the state Senate earlier this year, citing depression and a gambling addiction, pleaded guilty Monday to a federal wire fraud charge.

Former Sen. Karen Carter Peterson entered the plea before U.S. District Judge Sarah Vance, court records show. Documents filed Monday outlined a scheme in which she diverted more than $94,000 in campaign funds for personal use, including for casino gambling. Prosecutors said she also arranged for another $53,000 in state Democratic Party funds to be kicked back to her by associates she arranged to be hired by the party, who remained unidentified as of Monday.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP)  A special prosecutor said he wont bring charges against a former Oklahoma judge accused of sexual misconduct with several women, including two prosecutors who practiced in his court.

District Attorney Jason Hicks confirmed last week there wasnt enough evidence to support criminal charges against former Oklahoma County Judge Tim Henderson, 63, The Oklahoman newspaper reported. Henderson abruptly resigned last year after being accused of sexual misconduct.

In this investigation, it is crystal clear that Henderson preyed on young women whom he believed would respond in his favor," Hicks said in a statement to the newspaper. His actions generally started with emails, text messages, and an acknowledgment that he was willing and could help them with their careers.

It is obvious that he violated the trust of the public, and our profession, and as such should never be allowed to practice law again.

The married judge later acknowledged having a sexual relationship with two prosecutors, but insisted both were consensual. At least five women came forward during the investigation, including a sheriff's deputy.

Hicks was named a special prosecutor in May 2021 after Oklahoma County District Attorney David Prater disqualified his office.

Henderson was in good spirits after learning of the decision, his attorney, Tracy Schumacher, told the newspaper.

This was a very expensive investigation for taxpayers that should have been conducted by the Oklahoma Bar Association, she added.

It's not clear how many criminal cases presided over by Henderson could be affected by the scandal. The Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals last month granted a new trial in a drug trafficking case, and a decision is expected soon in a murder case.

Henderson has presided over a number of high-profile criminal trials in recent years, including that of ex-Oklahoma City police officer Daniel Holtzclaw, who Henderson sentenced to life in prison in 2016 after he was convicted of raping and sexually victimizing women while on his beat in Oklahoma City.
ODESSA, Ukraine - The first ship carrying grain departed a Ukrainian port early Monday under a United Nations-brokered deal to ease a global food crisis sparked by the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

The cargo vessel, loaded with more than 26,000 metric tons of corn, left Odessa amid fears that the deal, signed in Istanbul in late July, would fall apart after a Russian missile strike on the port a day after the signing.

The wail of a Ukrainian tug boat's horn marked the departure of the Razoni, a Sierra Leonian-flagged bulk carrier that began the journey at 9:30 a.m. local time. The ship was destined for Tripoli, Lebanon, according to Turkey's Defense Ministry. It had been stranded in the Odessa port since Feb. 18, according to marine tracking data.

Ukraine's minister of infrastructure, Oleksandr Kubrakov, said in a message on Twitter that the vessel was the first to depart the port of Odessa since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in late February. A Russian naval blockade of Ukraine's Black Sea ports halted grain exports, contributing to global food shortages.

"Thanks to the support of all our partner countries & @UN we were able to full implement the Agreement signed in Istanbul," Kubrakov tweeted Monday morning.

Sixteen additional vessels are waiting to depart, according to the minister, who noted that the expected resumption of grain shipments would provide at least $1 billion in much-needed foreign currency reserves for cash-strapped Ukraine.

After months of intense negotiations, European, U.N. and Ukrainian officials welcomed the departure of the first vessel.

In a statement released Monday, British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said the ship's departure is "an important first step" and expressed her gratitude to the "UN and Turkey for helping to secure this agreement."

Russia and Ukraine were among the world's top producers and exporters of grain, cooking oil and fertilizers before Moscow's invasion. Last year, Ukraine accounted for 10 percent of global wheat exports, according to the United Nations.

With more than 20 million tons of grain from last year's harvest stuck in storage, the resumption of shipments by sea has been a top priority for the Ukrainian government. But Russia's blockade has forced grain sellers to use alternatives, including river ports or costly overland routes, that have delayed deliveries.

The July 22 agreement signed in Turkey guarantees the safe passage of commercial ships from Odessa and two other Ukrainian ports. Set to remain in force for 120 days, it relies on monitoring of designated maritime corridors by delegations from Ukraine, Russia, Turkey and the United Nations in Istanbul.

Turkey and the United Nations brokered negotiations for months amid disputes over the agreement's terms, including security guarantees insisted upon by Ukraine. Russia and some Western countries had pushed for demining Ukraine's ports, which Kyiv feared would leave it vulnerable to attack, U.N. officials said. In the end, avoiding the mines has been left to Ukrainian ship pilots guiding the merchant vessels.

A Russian missile strike on Odessa's port less than 24 hours after the deal was concluded threatened to scuttle it.

"Ensuring that existing grain and foodstuffs can move to global markets is a humanitarian imperative," U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres said in a statement welcoming the Razoni's departure.

The Istanbul coordination center said in a statement that it had agreed to "specific coordinates and restrictions" along the maritime corridor and "requested all its participants to inform their respective military" and other authorities to ensure the Razoni's safe passage. By Monday evening, marine tracking data showed the vessel making its way along the corridor, southwest of Odessa and hugging Ukraine's coast.

It was expected to arrive in Turkish territorial waters Tuesday. After inspection in Turkey, it would continue on to Lebanon, the coordination center said.
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GUATEMALA CITY (AP)  A prize-winning Guatemalan journalist jailed on alleged money laundering charges that government critics have denounced as a pressure tactic has faced consequences for his work before.

In 2003, government agents searched Jose Ruben Zamora Marroquins home and threatened his life after he wrote a column suggesting former dictator Jose Efrain Rios Montt, then president of the congress, was running a parallel government.

Five years later, armed men abducted Zamora in Guatemalas capital before releasing him 10 hours later outside the city beaten and drugged. No one was arrested, but at the time it was believed to be in response to his newspapers work.

On Friday, plainclothes investigators and police with assault rifles arrested Zamora at his home. His initial appearance before a judge was canceled Monday, because the case file was apparently unavailable. The hearing was not immediately rescheduled, meaning Zamora would remain in jail.

It also meant that the details of the charges against Zamora remain a mystery. On Friday, government investigators also raided the offices of El Periodico, holding its employees in place for more than 15 hours.

Zamora founded El Periodico in 1996 and it quickly gained a reputation for uncovering government corruption. The paper made reporting scoops on the current administration of President Alejandro Giammattei and at least three of his predecessors.

Last year and this year, El Periodico published a series of investigations about the visit of Russian business people to Guatemala who met with Giammattei. The papers investigation accused Giammattei of accepting bribes in exchange for a concession of property in the port of Santo Tomas de Castilla.

Attorney General Consuelo Porras, who was recently reappointed by Giammattei to another term as the countrys top law enforcement official, has been sanctioned by the United States for pursuing investigations against prosecutors and judges who investigated corruption.

On Monday, authorities searched the home of one of those earlier targets, former judge Erika Aifan, who had fled to the United States after denouncing corruption.

Porras special prosecutor against corruption, Rafael Curruchiche, who is handling Zamoras case, was also sanctioned by the U.S. government as an alleged obstacle to investigating corruption.

Curruchiche has said the case is focused on Zamoras work as a businessman not as a journalist, but has offered no details.

That was difficult for others at El Periodico to reconcile because the government froze the newspape's bank accounts.

The bank accounts were suspended at the request of the (prosecutors office), with the only intention being to paralyze the finances of said media outlet, making it impossible to meet with its labor and contractual obligations, said Gerson Ortiz, El Periodicos news director.

Zamoras son, Ramon Zamora, was more direct. This is not a case against my father, it is a systematic attack against freedom of expression and democracy, he said. They started with the activists, continued on to the prosecutors and now they are starting to pursue journalists.
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WASHINGTON (AP)  Vice President Kamala Harris called climate change an immediate and urgent crisis Monday as she detailed more than $1 billion in federal spending to respond to disasters such as deadly flooding in Kentucky and wildfires ravaging her home state of California.

On a visit to Miami, Harris announced a series of grants being made available to states to help communities across the nation prepare for and respond to climate-related disasters.

Touring the National Hurricane Center before the grant announcement, Harris said disasters such as the Kentucky floods and California wildfires show how immediate, how current and how urgent'' it is to address extreme weather being experienced in the United States and around the world.

Climate change has become a climate crisis, and a threat has now become a reality,'' she said in a speech at Florida International University.

Harris cited deadly floods that have swept through Kentucky and Missouri, washing away entire neighborhoods,'' leaving at least 35 dead, including children. At least two people were killed in a wildfire in Northern California that was among several fires menacing thousands of homes in the western U.S. Hot and gusty weather and lightning storms threatened to boost the danger that the fires will keep growing,

The devastation is real. The harm is real. The impact is real,'' Harris said. And we are witnessing it in real time.''

In 2021, the United States experienced 20 climate-related disasters that each caused over $1 billion in damage, Harris said, citing a report by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. There were about six such disasters per year in the 1990s.

The frequency has accelerated in a relatively short period of time, Harris said. The science is clear. Extreme weather will only get worse, and the climate crisis will only accelerate.''

The White House is leading a government-wide response to climate disasters that recognizes the urgency of this moment and our ability to do something about it, Harris said, adding that leaders such as herself and President Joe Biden have a duty to act, not only after disaster strikes, but before disaster strikes, and that is why we are here today.''

The billion-dollar grant program announced by Harris doubles spending from last year on programs to defend against extreme weather events across the country. Biden announced last month that the administration will double spending yet again in the budget year that begins in October, spending $2.3 billion to help communities cope with soaring temperatures through programs administered by FEMA, the Department of Health and Human Services and other agencies.

The Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities, or BRIC, program, supports states, local communities, tribes and territories on projects to reduce climate-related hazards and prepare for natural disasters such as floods and wildfires. The program is funded through FEMAs Disaster Relief Fund and the bipartisan infrastructure law signed by Biden last year.

Communities across our nation are experiencing first-hand the devastating impacts of the climate change and the related extreme weather events that follow  more energized hurricanes with deadlier storm surges, increased flooding and a wildfire season thats become a year-long threat, said FEMA head Deanne Criswell.

A total of $1 billion will be made available through the BRIC program, with another $160 million to be offered for flood mitigation assistance, she said.

Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber said his city has elevated 11 miles of roads, installed 46 stormwater public pumps and retrofitted parks to include water-storing cisterns. The South Florida Water Management District in Miami-Dade County received $50 million for flood mitigation and pump station repairs to protect low-lying neighborhoods from sea-level rise and storm surge.

My city doesnt debate whether the climate is changing, we simply look at the ground on a sunny day and see flooding, Gelber said.

Jacksonville, Florida also received money under the BRIC program, winning $23 million for flood mitigation and stormwater infrastructure. Jacksonville, Florida's largest city, sits in a humid, subtropical region along the St. Johns River and Atlantic Ocean, making it vulnerable to flooding when stormwater basins reach capacity.

Kern County, California received nearly $40 million for underground water storage to allow access to clean water during droughts, while Austin, Texas received money to begin upgrading its power grid so that homes and businesses and houses of worship can keep on the electricity during summer and winter storms,'' Harris said.

The grant program is among a series of Biden administration actions intended to reduce heat-related illness and protect public health, including a proposed workplace heat standard.
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SAVANNAH, Ga. (AP)  An enclave of slave descendants on the Georgia coast have settled a federal lawsuit that claimed a lack of government services was eroding their island community, one of the few remaining Gullah-Geechee settlements on the Southeast U.S. coast.

The agreement states residents of the tiny Hogg Hummock community on Sapelo Island will receive improved emergency services and road maintenance from McIntosh County while some residents' property tax assessments will be frozen through 2025.

Island residents and land owners battled the county in U.S. District Court for nearly seven years before a deal was reached. A judge closed the civil case July 20, a few days before it was scheduled to go to trial.

The island's Black residents argued their community of about 50 people was shrinking rapidly as landowners paid high property taxes while receiving few basic services, creating pressure for them to sell their land.

Weve stood up," Reginald Hall, one of the Sapelo Island landowners who sued, said Monday. "And because weve been winning, we now have an opportunity for hope.

Descendants of enslaved people known as Gullah, or Geechee in Georgia, live in small island communities scattered over 425 miles (684 kilometers) of the Southern Atlantic U.S. coast, from North Carolina to Florida, where their ancestors worked on plantations until freed by the Civil War. Hogg Hummock, also known as Hog Hammock, on Sapelo Island is one of the last such communities.

Reachable only by boat from the mainland, the largely undeveloped barrier island about 60 miles (97 kilometers) south of Savannah has no schools, police, fire department or trash collection  though island property owners pay taxes used to fund those services elsewhere in the county.

The legal settlement requires McIntosh County to build a helicopter landing pad on the island for emergency rescues and evacuations, provide a truck equipped for emergency medical services and ensure the island's lone fire truck is in good working condition. The county will also pay for residents to receive firefighter and emergency responder training.

County officials also agreed to ensure the island's trash compactor is emptied once a month, while cutting garbage collection fees to Hogg Hummock residents by 30%, and to provide quarterly maintenance of the community's dirt roads and ditches. And the county will pay $2 million in cash to cover damages and attorney fees.

As has always been the case all residents of Sapelo receive the same services regardless of race. Any differences in services between the mainland and Sapelo are due to geography as it takes a 25-30 minute boat ride to get to Sapelo.

The settlement document said the deal was in no way an admission or acknowledgment of liability by county officials. Richard Strickland, the county's lead attorney in the lawsuit, denied the county had discriminated against Hogg Hummock residents because they were Black.

As has always been the case, all residents of Sapelo receive the same services regardless of race, Strickland said in an emailed statement Monday. Any differences in services between the mainland and Sapelo are due to geography, as it takes a 25-30 minute boat ride to get to Sapelo.

In addition to the claims against the county, the lawsuit also accused the state of Georgia of operating ferry boats and docks that failed to meet federal accessibility standards for people with disabilities.

State officials settled with the island residents in October 2020, agreeing to demolish and replace outdated docks while upgrading ferry boats to accommodate people in wheelchairs and those with impaired hearing. The state also paid a cash settlement of $750,000.

More than 40 island residents, landowners and their family members were listed as plaintiffs on the original lawsuit file in December 2015. Several of them died while the case was still pending, and a judge dismissed claims by 19 others because they couldn't prove they owned property on the island.
The Supreme Court's three liberal justices, in denouncing their colleagues' decision to eliminate the nationwide right to abortion, warned last month that returning this polarizing issue to the states would give rise to greater controversy in the months and years to come.

Among the looming disputes, they noted: Can states ban mail-order medication used to terminate pregnancies or bar their residents from traveling elsewhere to do so?

"Far from removing the court from the abortion issue," Justices Stephen Breyer, Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan wrote in dissent, "the majority puts the court at the center of the coming 'interjurisdictional abortion wars.'"

The overturning of Roe v. Wade after nearly 50 years is expected to trigger a new set of legal challenges for which there is little precedent, observers say, further roiling the nation's bitter political landscape and compounding chaos as Republican-led states move quickly to curtail access to reproductive care. It is possible, if not probable, that one or both of these questions will eventually work its way back to the high court.

"Judges and scholars, and most recently the Supreme Court, have long claimed that abortion law will become simpler if Roe is overturned," law professors David S. Cohen, Greer Donley and Rachel Rebouche wrote in a timely draft academic article cited by the dissenting justices, "but that is woefully naive."

As a result of the ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, abortions - both the surgical procedure and via medication - are banned or mostly banned in 13 states. Several others are expected to follow in coming weeks.

The Biden administration has pledged to ensure access to abortion medication, which is used in more than half of all terminated pregnancies in the United States, and prohibit states from preventing their residents from traveling out-of-state for care. But a month after the Dobbs ruling, administration officials are still debating how they can deliver on that promise beyond the president's executive order to protect access. A White House meeting Friday with public-interest lawyers was designed to encourage legal representation for those seeking or offering reproductive health services.

Democratic leaders and liberal activists have called on President Joe Biden to take bolder action, especially on medication abortion. Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, D, said in an interview that he has directly urged the president to make clear that abortion providers in states controlled by Democrats should be able to ship pills to patients anywhere in the country, whether or not the patient's state has enacted a ban. Pritzker advised the president to assert federal authority over the U.S. mail system, he said, and specify that no one will be prosecuted for prescribing or receiving them.

"People ought to be able to receive their medication in the privacy of their own home even if they live in a state where the procedure is not allowed," Pritzker added, saying Biden appeared "very receptive" to the idea.

The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Pritzker's characterization of the conversation.

Republican state attorneys general are preparing for a court fight, said Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kan., accusing Biden and the White House of exhibiting a "consistent disrespect for the law and the constitution and the Supreme Court."

"We're anticipating that he's going to do this," Marshall said.

- - -

Abortion pills

Already, the manufacturer of the abortion medication mifepristone has sued the state of Mississippi and promised that additional lawsuits would be filed in other states. It remains to be seen whether the Biden administration will intervene in one of those cases or file its own legal challenges.

The Justice Department has activated a "reproductive rights task force" to monitor and push back on state and local efforts to further restrict abortion, but officials have not fully detailed their plans. Attorney General Merrick Garland said during Friday's White House event that "when we learn that states are infringing on federal protections, we will consider every tool at our disposal to affirm those protections - including filing affirmative suits, filing statements of interest, and intervening in private litigation."

The Food and Drug Administration approved mifepristone in 2000, finding it safe and effective to end an early pregnancy. The medication, now authorized for the first 10 weeks of pregnancy, is used with a second drug, misoprostol, to induce an abortion.

Among the unresolved questions is whether FDA approval of medication preempts state action. Legal experts say it is unclear whether the federal government would succeed if it challenged state restrictions on abortion medication, and that it will depend on how those measures are written.

Garland said soon after the Supreme Court overturned Roe that states may not ban mifepristone "based on a disagreement with the FDA's expert judgment." The agency is charged with evaluating the safety and efficacy of drugs, and federal law generally preempts state law when two measures are in conflict.

Melissa Murray, a New York University law professor, said it was important for Garland to make a strong statement but that it is not a panacea in uncertain legal terrain.

"Even though the administration has said states can't ban mifepristone on the grounds that it is somehow unsafe, that doesn't mean they can't ban it for other purposes. That's an open question," said Murray, who was written extensively about reproductive rights.

An administration heath official said the White House and the FDA realize that if states succeed in banning the abortion pill, or imposing sharp restrictions, the federal government's authority on a range of medications could be undermined.

"If states want to ban vaccines, can they?" asked the official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk about the issue. "What if a state were run by Scientologists?" the official said, referring to the movement that has long opposed psychiatric medications.

The FDA lifted some restrictions on abortion pills in December, permitting providers to send medication through the mail in states that do not prohibit telemedicine for abortions. At least 19 states ban the use of telehealth for medication abortion, and Republican lawmakers in more than a half-dozen states have introduced or passed legislation to ban or severely restrict abortion medication, according to the Guttmacher Institute, a research group that supports abortion rights.

- - -

A case study

The federal case in Mississippi, filed before the Supreme Court's June ruling in Dobbs, offers a window into the coming legal disputes over abortion pill access.

GenBioPro, which sells mifepristone, initially sued Mississippi in 2020 over additional requirements the state imposed, including a waiting period and counseling. The office of Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch, R, said in recent court filings that the Supreme Court's decision allowing states to ban abortion strengthens the state's position. The case is not about the drug's safety but the state's authority over abortion "regardless of the means by which the abortion is induced," Fitch's office wrote.

Mississippi's trigger law, which took effect in July and bans nearly all abortions, makes no distinction between surgical abortions or abortions induced by medication, the office said.

Gwyn Williams, an attorney for GenBioPro, said the FDA has the power to decide which medications are safe. Individual states, she said, "do not get to legislate away the power Congress granted to FDA." The company, she said, intends to file additional legal challenges in other states.

Legal experts point to one of the few cases to raise similar questions. In 2014, Massachusetts tried to ban an FDA-approved opioid called Zohydro. Then-FDA Commissioner Margaret Hamburg recalled recently that she was deeply worried by the "rationale and the precedent it could set." At the time, she warned Massachusetts officials that the move could prompt other states to ban "such vital medical products as birth control or RU-486," the abortion pill.

A District Court judge sided with the opioid manufacturer and said the FDA's approval preempted state law. Massachusetts withdrew its regulations and did not appeal, meaning other judges are not required to follow the same legal reasoning.

Lawrence O. Gostin, director of Georgetown University's O'Neill Institute for National and Global Health Law, said FDA approval of drugs, including in the abortion context, "should supersede any state restrictions" because the agency is responsible for setting a national uniform standard for what drug patients can get access to in the United States.

The Biden administration has an "extraordinarily strong legal claim," he said. "Any other decision could open a floodgate of states making their own choices of FDA-approved medication, and that would be disastrous for the health and safety of Americans."

Even so, he said the same conservative majority of the Supreme Court that erased the constitutional right to abortion "might just say, states license medical providers and can make judgments about what those providers can and can't do."

Ed Whelan, a fellow at the conservative Ethics and Public Policy Center, said federal preemption does not mean states are barred from dictating how - or whether - certain drugs can be used.

"Assume that the FDA approved a drug for use in physician-assisted suicide," he wrote recently in National Review. "Why would anyone imagine that FDA approval overrode state laws barring physician-assisted suicide? Why should it be any different here?"

- - -

Out-of-state travel

In a separate opinion concurring with the Supreme Court majority in June, Justice Brett Kavanaugh wrote that the court's decision does not mean a state may block a resident from traveling to another jurisdiction to obtain an abortion. He characterized the legal question as "not especially difficult as a constitutional matter" based on the "constitutional right to interstate travel."

But Republican state lawmakers and national antiabortion groups have put forward plans to restrict out-of-state abortions and modeled those proposals on the Texas six-week abortion ban crafted to evade judicial review. A Missouri bill, which failed to pass during the 2022 legislative session, would have imposed civil liability on anyone who helped a resident travel out of state to obtain an abortion. South Dakota's governor has said she is open to such proposals, and an Arkansas senator has also expressed interest in similar legislation.

The Justice Department has emphasized that the Supreme Court's ruling does not prevent women from traveling across state lines to terminate a pregnancy. Citing "bedrock constitutional principles," Garland said individuals residing in states where access to reproductive care is banned "must remain free to seek that care in states where it is legal."

Legal experts, though, say these constitutional defenses are subject to debate and have not been tested in court. Even if the Justice Department filed a lawsuit challenging such restrictions, litigation takes time.

"It's not going to be instantaneous," said Murray, the law professor. "In the meantime, what you have is a landscape of confusion, chaos and uncertainty where patients don't know what their rights are and physicians don't know how their medical judgment will interact with laws on the ground. That climate of fear and confusion can be just as effective as an outright ban."
DALLAS (AP)  A man who evaded arrest for more than 12 years after being accused of fatally shooting his two teenage daughters in a taxi parked near a Dallas-area hotel was going on trial this week.

Testimony was scheduled to start Tuesday in the capital murder trial of 65-year-old Yaser Said, who is accused of killing 18-year-old Amina Said and 17-year-old Sarah Said on New Years Day in 2008. Said, described by relatives and friends as controlling and abusive, faces an automatic life sentence if convicted.

Prosecutors haven't made any comments on what motivated the killings, though police documents show that before the teens were killed, their mother had fled with them to Oklahoma because they feared Said. According to a police report, a family member told investigators that Said at one point had threatened bodily harm against one of his daughters for dating a non-Muslim.

In a letter written to the judge overseeing the case, Said said he was not happy with his kids dating activity but denied killing his daughters.

The sisters were shot multiple times in the Dallas suburb of Irving. Sarah Said managed to call 911 using a cellphone, telling the operator that her father shot her and that she was dying.

Yaser Said, sought on a capital murder warrant since the slayings, was placed on the FBI's most-wanted list. Said, who had worked as a taxi driver, was finally arrested in August 2020 in Justin, about 35 miles (58 kilometers) northwest of Dallas.

His son, Islam Said, and his brother, Yassim Said, have since been convicted of helping him evade arrest.

According to an affidavit for an arrest warrant filed just after the slayings, the teens' mother told police that Said had threatened her and the teens before, and had recently threatened to kill the whole family.
LAS VEGAS (AP)  Authorities have yet to release the names of a man and woman who were fatally shot in a central Las Vegas apartment complex.

Metro Police said the shooting late Friday stemmed from an apparent confrontation at the complex.
BISMARCK, N.D. (AP)  A man who was serving life sentences for killing four people at a North Dakota business in what authorities say was one of the state's most gruesome crimes has killed himself in prison, authorities said.

The North Dakota Highway Patrol said a trooper was called to the state prison in Bismarck at around 5:45 p.m. on Sunday regarding a resident who had caused self-harm. The trooper was told that Chad Isaak,48, had been taken by ambulance to a Bismarck hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 6:24 p.m.

Authorities didn't immediately give a cause of death.

Prison spokeswoman Kayli Richards said in a statement Monday that state confidentiality laws prevent her from disclosing whether Isaak had been considered a suicide risk or held under any special conditions at the prison.

She said Isaac shared a cell but that his roommate was not present at the time of the incident.

Richards said Isaak had one minor pending disciplinary report but had no others since being locked up. She didn't elaborate.

Isaak was serving four life sentences without the possibility of parole for the April 2019 killings of RJR Maintenance and Management co-owner Robert Fakler, 52; and employees Adam Fuehrer, 42; Bill Cobb, 50; and Lois Cobb, 45. The Cobbs were married. No motive was given at the trial.

The four were shot and stabbed inside the property management companys building in Mandan.

Isaak, a chiropractor and Navy veteran, lived at a Washburn property that the company managed, but authorities never established a motive for the killings.

Isaak was appealing his convictions.

Jesse Walstad, one of Isaaks trial attorneys, said Monday that he didn't know any details about his former clients death.

We concluded our representation after trial and sentencing, he said. We are very sympathetic to his family, of course. We have no comment beyond that.

During the trial, defense attorneys argued that investigators didnt seriously consider other possible suspects, including people who had either been evicted, sued or fired by RJR.

Prosecutors showed security camera footage from numerous businesses that authorities said tracked Isaaks white pickup truck from Mandan to Washburn on the day of the killings, along with footage from a week earlier that they said indicated the killer had planned the attack in advance.

Forensic experts testified that fibers on the clothing of the slain workers matched fibers taken from Isaaks clothing, and that DNA evidence found in Isaaks truck was linked to Fakler and possibly Lois Cobb.

Prosecutors presented the case as a puzzle in which all of the pieces pointed to Isaak, including a knife found in his washing machine and gun parts found in his freezer.

At Isaak's sentencing in December, Jamie Binstock, a daughter of Robert Fakler, told the court that Isaak is a heinous individual who should spend the rest of his life in prison and experience a lifetime of suffering and nightmares.

I do not want your life to end. Your family does not need to suffer the same way we did, Binstock told Isaak in court.

In a statement to The Associated Press on Monday, Binstock said, My thoughts and prayers are with his family.
JERUSALEM (AP)  At least one Palestinian was killed and another wounded during an Israeli military raid late Monday in the occupied West Bank town of Jenin, the Palestinian Health Ministry said.

The military said security forces arrested two suspects and confiscated a handgun, ammunition and cash. It said the troops came under fire when they entered Jenin's refugee camp and shot back at the gunmen. No security forces were harmed in the operation, it said.
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AUSTIN, Texas (AP)  The parents of a Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting victim live with a complex form of post-traumatic stress disorder and a constant fear that followers of conspiracy theorist Alex Jones will kill them, a psychiatrist testified Monday at Jones' defamation trial.

Neil Heslin and Scarlett Lewis, the parents of 6-year-old Jesse Lewis, have sued Jones and his media company Free Speech Systems over the harassment and threats they and other parents say they've endured for years while Jones and his Infowars website claimed the 2012 attack that killed 20 first-graders and six school staffers was a hoax or faked.

The overwhelming cause of their pain is what Jones is doing, said Roy Lubit, a forensic psychiatrist hired by the plaintiffs to review the trauma faced by the parents.

The post-traumatic stress disorder the parents suffer from is not based on a single event, but on constant trauma, and is similar to that endured by soldiers in war zones or child abuse victims, Lubit said.

Heslin and Scarlett Lewis are consumed not just with the memory of their son's horrific death, but the denials and attacks on them and their son's legacy they've endured for years. He noted the security the parents hired to protect them at the two-week trial.

Lubit said Heslin has had guns fired at his home and has been accosted on the street. Scarlett Lewis told Lubit that she installed sophisticated surveillance equipment at her home and sleeps with a gun, a knife and pepper spray at her bedside.

Jones' attorney Andino Reynal tried to attack the credibility of Lubit's testimony and whether he is biased in favor of the parents, who are seeking at least $150 million in the case. He noted that Lubit briefly ran for Congress in Connecticut as a Democrat in 2018.

You dont like Alex Jones, do you? Reynal asked.

I dont like what he does, Lubit answered.

Mark Bankston, attorney for Heslin and Lewis, said the family has gone into isolation under a large and professional security team because of an incident that happened since the trial began. He did not provide details of what happened.

They are in isolation and they are going to stay that way, and all I can tell you is they are terrified right now, Bankston said.

Heslin and Lewis have have attended almost all of the trial since opening statements on July 26, and first arrived at the courthouse with a small security detail. They left the courtroom together Monday morning.

Michael Crouch, a Connecticut psychologist who has treated Heslin and Stewart, said the lies about a Sandy Hook hoax stole precious memories of their son.

If Alex Jones, if he was spreading the belief, the lies, that Neils an actor, that means Jesse doesnt exist. Which is crazy," Crouch said. "Youre taking away what they know of their son, what they want to hold on to.

Heslin and Lewis are expected to testify Tuesday as the final witnesses for their side.

Reynal said Jones will testify Tuesday in his own defense.

Monday's testimony also included videotaped depositions from an Infowars reporter who said that at the website, there was no fact-checking, source-vetting, verifying information through second sources or training about journalistic standards.

Jones, who has attended only some of the trial, was not in the courtroom for Monday morning's testimony.

The trial is in Texas because Jones lives in Austin and his media company, Free Speech Systems, is based there. The company filed for federal bankruptcy protection, though defense attorneys say that should not disrupt the trial, which is in its second week.

Free Speech Systems, which operates Infowars, listed $14.3 million in assets. That includes almost $1.16 million in cash and almost $1.6 million in property and equipment, as of May 31.

It also listed $79 million in liabilities, with a $54 million debt owed to PQPR Holdings.

Sandy Hook families have separately sued Jones over the $54 million debt listing, arguing that PQBR is a Nevada-registered company owned by Jones and his family through shell entities. That lawsuit in state court is still pending.

Courts in Texas and Connecticut have already 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, judges issued default judgements against Jones without trials because he failed to respond to court orders and turn over documents.

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For more of the AP's coverage of school shootings: https://apnews.com/hub/school-shootings
Over the next three weeks, the CT Mirror will explore the effects and challenges of Connecticut's cash bail system.

Jean Conquistador didnt expect to have to post bail.

Hed been accused of violating his probation by showing up at his girlfriends house, so he drove himself to the New Britain Police Department on the morning of Jan. 13, 2022, after learning that there was a warrant out for his arrest. Figuring hed be back home in a few hours, he didnt ask anyone to watch his 11-month-old pit bull, Papo.

But at his virtual arraignment later that morning, Judge Laura F. Baldini set his bond at $45,000, partly because of the seriousness of the charge for which hed been put on probation. If Conquistador posted bond, the judge said, hed be put on intensive pretrial supervision to ensure he complied with the terms of his release.

But first, hed have to come up with $45,000. He could post the full amount himself, which hed get back once his case was resolved so long as he showed up for court. Or he could pay a bail bondsman thousands of dollars to assume the risk of paying Conquistadors bond  a fee that would not be returned to him.

Conquistador told the judge that neither was an option.

Im not going to bond out, so Ill be incarcerated, Conquistador said, asking someone  anyone  to tell his family he was going to jail and ask them to take care of Papo and get his pickup truck, which hed parked on Pearl Street, so it wouldnt get towed.

I do not have the money to bond out, he said.

There were almost 450 people in Connecticut correctional facilities on Jan. 1 who, like Conquistador, were held on bonds between $20,000 and $50,000 while they awaited trial. If they posted bail, theyd be able to fight their case from outside the confines of a jail cell. If not, theyd stay locked up until the case was resolved  when charges are dropped, when they plead guilty or when a jury decides their fate.

Connecticut has made major strides in reducing the number of people in its prisons and jails, thanks to criminal justice reforms and falling crime rates.

For perspective: There were 19,894 people in prisons and jails on Feb. 1, 2008; On May 20, 2022, there were 9,880.

But a greater proportion of those in lock-up aren't there serving sentences. They're awaiting trial in prison, because they couldn't afford bail.

According to a CT Mirror analysis of monthly reports produced by the Department of Correction, the accused made up about a quarter of those behind bars in June 2013. In January 2022, they made up 42 percent of those locked up.

Staying in jail longer before trial

Those locked up pretrial are also spending more time in jail, according to another analysis by the CT Mirror, especially since the start of the pandemic.

Much of the change in the incarcerated population over the past few years is due to the pandemic, according to experts. The pretrial population actually decreased by 21 percent between 2010 and 2019, said Marc Pelka, the undersecretary for the Criminal Justice Policy and Planning Division of the Office of Policy and Management.

There is a substantial number of people who never see their way to DOC [Department of Correction] following an arrest, Pelka said, explaining that not everyone who gets arrested remains locked up pretrial on a bond. At every kind of stage in the process, there's a review conducted to determine eligibility for diversion, discharge or some resolution.

But recent national research shows the increase in pretrial detention began well before COVID-19.

Between 1970 and 2015, there was a 433 percent increase nationally in the number of individuals who have been detained while awaiting trial, according to a report released earlier this year by the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights. The report also notes that more than 60 percent of defendants are jailed pretrial because they couldnt afford bail.

Presumption of innocence is the bedrock of our criminal justice system, with liberty the rule and pre-trial detention intended to be a carefully limited exception, said Norma V. Cantu, chair of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights. Under the current bail system, it has become the norm.

Research suggests being jailed pretrial makes people more likely to be convicted and receive harsher sentences than those who remain free until their case is resolved in court.

Imagine being held in jail for six months on a bond you cant afford, said Joshua Perldeiner, a deputy assistant public defender in New Britain and Conquistadors attorney. As those months tick by, you lose your apartment, your housing vouchers, your job, maybe even your family.

Your life has been turned upside down, Perldeiner said. Youve lost almost everything, but what you have gained is six months of jail credit, time that could be applied to your sentence. All you have to do is take a deal the prosecutors are offering you, collateral consequences of that conviction be damned.

So when the state turns around and says, Hey, you want to resolve this with a guilty plea, [youve] already done six months  You want to enter a plea for a year? That sounds very attractive, Perldeiner said. Cash bail uniformly punishes our clients.

In Connecticut, bail serves two purposes: to make sure people show up for court and to ensure good behavior if they are released while their case is pending.

The actual amount of a bond can be misleading because defendants dont need to post the full amount to get out of jail. They can post a surety bond through a bail bondsman, who, for a fee, will pay the bond if a defendant fails to show up for future court appearances.

Our role hasnt changed for 20 years that Ive been in the business, said Andrew Marocchini, the founder and general manager of BailCo Bail Bonds. It is our job to make sure that that defendant shows up to court. And if they don't, then we either have to pay the state to make the state whole, or produce the defendant, go out and find him or her and bring him back.

Connecticut enshrined the right to bail in the state constitution, even protecting criminal defendants from excessive bail. But a reasonable bond amount for someone with money could be unreasonable for someone who is poor.

Something that looks like a low bond on paper is not a low bond for somebody who does not have access to a lot of resources, Perldeiner said. The smaller your network of resources, the fewer people you can draw on, the more disproportionately these bonds affect your entire life.

Some lawmakers are interested in reforming  or reimagining  the system. Senate President Pro Tem Martin M. Looney, D-New Haven, asked the Sentencing Commission in 2019 to explore alternatives to Connecticuts cash bail system.

For a long time, I have had grave concerns about our bail system and the fact that very many low-income people are in effect punished by the bail system as it is, said Looney.

Looney said he would be willing to propose legislation to move Connecticut away from a money bail system.

Perhaps cash bail might be necessary when a defendant has a history of failing to appear for court hearings, Looney said, but most of the time, he believes a persons ability to post bond should be based on something other than their access to financial resources.

Poor people are, of course, disadvantaged in the criminal justice system, and the way the bail system sometimes operates is an example of that, said Looney.

High bond amounts and long stays in pretrial detention disproportionately affect people of color. A U.S. Commission on Civil Rights report found that Black and Hispanic defendants were more likely to be detained on higher bond amounts and more likely to be incarcerated pretrial.

The reality is the people that suffer from the bail system are the Black and brown communities, because they don't have this luxury of cash laying around where they can bond their loved ones out of jail, said Jewu Richardson, one of the directors of the CT Bail Fund. If you're giving people bonds they can't afford to post, I mean, what are you really doing? This system is not working, and people are suffering.

Conquistador is Hispanic. In Perldeiners experience, clients who are racial or ethnic minorities typically get assigned higher bonds than those who are white. The reasoning is complicated and often obscured in court proceedings, but Perldeiner said minorities tend to have more contact than whites with the criminal legal system, which influences how theyre perceived in court and can impact their bond amount.

His record is worse, because he's Hispanic, he was under more supervision than he would have been if he was white, because he'd been arrested more times, Perldeiner said.

So all of these things add up, these little, like, tiny kicks as a result of being Hispanic, add up to a thing where you can't even point to it at the time of arraignment to say, 'Oh, well, it was the judge who was racist,' because all of these things are kind of mystified by the system, so each of the little strikes against him that happened before he got into the courtroom, by the time he's in the courtroom, they're all kind of whitewashed.

An unexpected jailing

Conquistador appeared in court on Jan. 13 via a video feed from lockup. He interrupted the judge to tell her he hadnt gotten along with the bail commissioner in his interview that morning.

He definitely called me a racist, said the bail commissioner, who isnt identified in the court transcripts.

The bail commissioner recounted Conquistador's criminal history. His rap sheet included multiple violations of probation. He had a pending case for breach of peace and violating a protective order. Hed posted a $15,000 bond through a bondsman to get out of police lockup for those charges, but he was tapped out; he couldn't afford to bond out of jail again. He also had previous convictions for threatening, falsely calling 911, and violating probation.

Despite his past, the bail commissioner recommended that the judge release Conquistador on a promise to appear.

Perldeiner sided with the bail commissioner. Conquistadors girlfriend had obtained a protective order against him, Perldeiner said, but it had been amended in 2018. Shed told the public defenders office shed be willing to sign a sworn statement that Conquistador hadnt bothered her the night he showed up at her house; it had been her mother who had called the cops.

Perldeiner ran through the details of Conquistadors life, condensing all he had going for him into a few sentences: Self-employed. Enrolled to complete training for a commercial drivers license. Doing well with his mental health treatment.

The states attorney, Danielle Koch, disagreed. She asked for a $50,000 bond at Conquistador's arraignment because Conquistador had violated his probation by getting rearrested for a domestic violence charge. And, Koch said, Conquistador was under investigation by the Berlin Police Department for a road rage complaint.

The judge sided with the prosecutor.

Certainly, given this history, the fact that hes been afforded the opportunity to avail himself of the rehabilitative aspects of probation before, has numerous violations of probation, hes got a new criminal matter  the allegation in the VOP warrant also indicates that he allegedly failed to report to probation, leads this court to set a bond in the amount of $45,000 cash or professional surety, Judge Baldini said.

"Your Honor, if I may?" Conquistador asked.

Baldini kept talking, outlining where Conquistador would be allowed to go without having to tell his probation officer, should he post bond. Baldini tried to set a date for the next court hearing when Conquistador interrupted her.

"Your  your  your Honor, if I may?" Conquistador said.

"What is it" Baldini asked.

"Please," Conquistador interrupted.

" That you would like to say, sir?" Baldini finished her sentence.

Conquistador mentioned his puppy and pickup truck. Perldeiner said he was going to call Conquistador's mother to take care of it.

Baldini asked Conquistador and Perldeiner to stop talking over one another.

"You've indicated that you have a pickup truck that's outside?" Baldini said. "Perhaps you can speak with your attorney about facilitating whatever needs to get done with regards to that."

Instead of going home later that day, like he expected, he was transported to Hartford Correctional Center.

Posting bond  or not

Marocchini said bonds were used more often in the late 1990s, when he first joined the bail bondsman industry, even for low-level criminal charges that are now considered innocuous.

Over time what was realized for relatively low-level charges for offenders without a history, the bonds werent really necessary. It didnt really change the outcome of whether they showed up to court, Marocchini said. From a businessman standpoint, I would rather have more bonds than not, but there's certain things that are good for society and certain things that aren't, and it's kind of hard to stand by those things that aren't proven necessary.

Societal change isnt the only reason there are fewer bonds these days.

Lawmakers passed reforms in 2017 that barred judges from setting money bail in most misdemeanor cases, the major exception being for crimes involving family violence. Two years later, Superior Court judges changed court rules to allow defendants to post 10 percent of the cash bail in misdemeanor cases where the bond is $20,000 or less, funds they would get back once their case is resolved. If they paid a bondsman, they wouldn't get the money back.

As Pelka said, those charged with crimes in Connecticut have multiple chances to get out of jail without having to post bail, plead guilty or hope their case gets dropped.

When suspects are arrested, police can either give them a bond or a promise to appear in court. Those who stay locked up are visited by bail staff with the Court Support Services Division, who can modify the bond after interviewing defendants. Those still jailed and held on a bond are then arraigned in a court hearing, where prosecutors, public defenders and bond support staff make a recommendation to a judge about what they think the bond amount should be. The judge uses all that information, often in a hearing lasting only a few minutes, to decide how high or low to set a persons bond.

At any stage in this process, individuals can bond themselves out of jail if they have the money or enlist the services of a bond agent.

A lot of times, I will say, Listen, I'm gonna put a bond on you. What can you make? said Joan Newton, an intake referral assessment specialist who works at the New Britain Courthouse. If they have zero means to post anything, I'm going to try to get them out."

Newton talks to defendants in lockup, using a six-page assessment tool that assigns a defendant a score and an appropriate bond amount that corresponds with the severity of their charge.

Most of the people Newton sees have mental health or substance use issues.

I am one of the first people that they see other than police, Newton said, explaining the role she plays in connecting people in the justice system with support systems and programs to help them recover. I think the end goal is so these people don't reoffend. We want to rehabilitate them and make sure that they get the services that they need."

IAR specialists, also known as bail commissioners, like Newton are only one voice in the courtroom during arraignments. Defense lawyers and states attorneys also make arguments in court, usually for higher or lower bond amounts.

Saving money by serving time

Money is a proxy for risk in Connecticuts cash bail system. The higher a persons bond amount, the greater the court considers them either a risk to public safety or likely to skip court appearances.

Conquistadors past aligns with a point made by many in the bail bonds industry: that those with criminal cases who get locked up on a bond generally have spent time incarcerated before.

The defendants by and large in Connecticut jails have lengthy records, the ones who stay in jail. So you know, the concept that you're just a first timer  sure, it happens, said Jeff Clayton, executive director of the American Bail Coalition. But generally, it doesn't happen very often. Most of the people that get stuck in there are there for reasons far beyond 'I can't afford it.

But not everyone who is incarcerated on a bond wants to post it. Edwin Ortiz, a New Britain resident, said he was in jail on a $150,000 bond from Nov. 2019 to Jan. 2021, for misdemeanor sexual assault and breach of peace charges.

I couldnt post that, no way, said Ortiz.

Ortiz priced some bail bondsmen while he was in jail, trying to figure out how much it would cost to get himself out. But he didnt want to dip into savings and knew his family was strapped for cash. So he sat behind bars as COVID-19 worked its way through the prison system.

After more than a year, he was released on a promise to appear and given an ankle monitor. Ortiz acknowledges that getting released on a promise to appear is evidence the system works, that he wasnt held indefinitely on a bail he couldnt afford and forced to plead out  even though he did sit in jail for more than a year on bond.

In the whole midst of that, I could have caught COVID and passed away, he said.

Ortiz said he has been through the court system before. He has posted bond for cases in the past, but sometimes, when he knows hes going to have to do prison time anyway, it doesnt seem worth it to spend the money to go home if hes just going to have to come back.

When I know I have to do time, why bond out, get sentenced and have to come back? he asked.

When Ortiz was in jail for those 14 months, hed see his peers borrow money to bond out, only to come back a few months later. Hed ask what happened, and theyd tell him they just got sentenced.

Now you have to start from scratch when all that time would have counted, said Ortiz.

Another chance

It took almost two months, but Conquistador got out of jail on March 3. His mother and two aunts pooled together money from their disability checks, along with help from a friend, to pay a bondsman to get him released.

Hed spent two months in jail on two bonds he couldnt afford  one in New Britain, and another in Meriden. By the time he was released, hed lost the home hed been renting. His landlord kicked him out while Conquistador was in jail, throwing all his belongings outside by a dumpster. Someone took Conquistadors chainsaw and pressure washer, expensive tools he needed for work.

He owed money for car insurance payments that had accrued while he was in prison, and he owed money to a bondsman, he said, for getting him out of jail in November 2021.

Conquistador arrived for a hearing at the New Britain courthouse on April 29. He was dressed in his work clothes  army pants and a reflective jacket  for his job as a residential contractor at his own business, Conquistador General Contracting, LLC. Hed told members of his church he might not make it to work later that day because he might be going back to jail.

To stay out of jail and comply with the terms of his supervision, Conquistador had been required to ask his probation officer for permission any time he wanted to go somewhere. That level of scrutiny proved difficult for Conquistador, Perldeiner said. Tthe probation officer told the court that Conquistador should be put back in jail and given a higher bond.

Conquistador had been trying to get his life back together since getting out of jail. Hed been passing drug tests, going to school and church and getting mental health treatment.

Im doing what Im supposed to be doing, he said before the hearing.

Conquistador lingered outside the courtroom before Judge Maureen M. Keegan called his name.

Im a little bit nervous, he said, because if he were given a higher bond, hed be stuck in jail again. I wouldnt be able to pay it this time.

All told, Conquistador said, hed done seven years in prison, mistakes stretching back to his teenage years. Now 34, Conquistador is trying to stay out of the system. He was first arrested at age 14, doing time in juvenile detention centers and prisons across Connecticut.

My lifestyle was selling drugs, using drugs, stealing cars, stealing car parts, he said. I was careless in doing whatever I wanted to do.

Then, during a two-year sentence around 2015, Conquistador decided he wanted to change. He wrote letters to community colleges from his prison cell, asking them for educational pamphlets. He has since earned 21 college credits, working toward his dream of becoming a lawyer.

Conquistador had asked Keegan for another chance. He apologized, explaining that he takes medications to treat bipolar condition and sometimes reacts impulsively. He told her he got his commercial learners permit that past week, that hes been in and out of prison for a while, but hes trying to change.

Im still the same person, but Ive come a long way, he said.

Keegan wound up giving Conquistador one more chance to show he could comply with the terms of his supervision.

Youve got family members who put up a lot of assets so you could be out, Keegan said. Why would you play with that?

Conquistador thought about all the times he got arrested growing up when he was hanging out with the wrong crowd. His family had never bailed him out of jail before  until last March.

"They dug into their piggy banks to bond me out," he said later. "They knew I needed help."

State records show that, despite his change of heart in 2015, Conquistador still wound up in jail again after he decided to leave his prior life behind. He did a monthlong stint in jail at the end of 2017, then went back for eight days in March 2018. He was readmitted on a probation violation on June 1, 2018, staying in until he was sentenced to time served in August 2019. He was never released, though, because he picked up a new charge in prison for threatening a correction officer.

I was basically pressured into pleading guilty because I couldnt afford to bond out, said Conquistador.

Conquistador was released on Feb. 10, 2020. He stayed out of jail for almost two years after that  his longest stretch since 2015  until he was admitted on Jan. 13, 2022, when he turned himself in and didnt expect to have to post bail.

Perldeiner sees situations like Conquistadors all the time, people resolving to change but still winding up incarcerated, stuck in a cycle of arrest and release, imprisoned on low-level charges for violating the terms of their probation.

They just cannot claw their way out of the system, he said. Once the court has its hooks in you, it has you for life.

Conquistador put on his aviator sunglasses as he left the New Britain courthouse on April 29. It was a sunny day, the kind where there isnt a cloud in the sky.

Conquistador talked about his plans for the future and his struggles for a few minutes before heading off to work.

The sun shimmered off his reflective jacket as he walked away.

This reporting was made possible, in part, through support from the Fund for Investigative Journalism.
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PHOENIX (AP)  An Arizona lawmaker endorsed by former President Donald Trump who attended the Jan. 6, 2021, rally that preceded the violent assault on the U.S. Capitol and another lawmaker who also believes the 2020 presidential election results should be overturned are among four Republicans vying for the top elections post in the presidential battleground.

It's a trend seen in several Republican primaries this year that has led to mixed results for those who peddle conspiracy theories and promote the falsehood that widespread fraud led to Trump's defeat. Tuesday's primary elections feature similar candidates in Kansas and Washington state.

In Kansas, voters will choose between a challenger who questions the 2020 presidential results and the incumbent Republican who believes the election was secure in his state. Washington state's open primary also has a candidate who backs Trump's unsupported claims, although that's not the toughest challenge the Democratic incumbent faces.

So far this year, Republican primary voters have split on whether to put election skeptics on the November ballot.

In June, Nevada voters selected former state lawmaker Jim Marchant, who has been repeating the false claims that the 2020 election was stolen from Trump, to face the Democrat in an open race for secretary of state. But in Colorado, GOP voters rejected a local election clerk who has been appearing with Trump allies promoting conspiracies about voting machines and instead chose a Republican who vowed to keep politics out of elections.

And Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, who rejected Trump's plea to find enough votes for him to win the state, easily survived a primary challenge to advance in that state's May primary.

Arizona's secretary of state race is the most eye-catching and consequential of Tuesday's primary battles, in part because of Republican state Rep. Mark Finchem.

The retired Michigan police officer and current Arizona House member was at the Capitol on Jan. 6 and contends Trump lost Arizona because of rampant fraud. He backed a controversial and much-criticized state Senate audit of the 2020 election results in the state's most populous county and this year tried to get the Republican-controlled Legislature to notify Congress that Arizona wanted to decertify Joe Biden's election win.

Finchem also is suing in federal court with a leading GOP contender for Arizona governor to block the use of vote-counting machines in Arizona. The lawsuit contends they are potentially prone to hacking that can change votes. A judge is considering whether to throw out the case.

Finchem's claims come despite the lack of valid evidence of any widespread fraud that would have changed the result in Arizona, where Biden beat Trump by just over 10,000 votes. He maintains that fictitious ballots marred the results.

So for you to say that theres no evidence, I think the media is willfully disregarding the evidence thats out there, Finchem said.

His primary competitors include another state House member, Shawnna Bolick, a Trump supporter who contends the 2020 election was deeply flawed. She said in a televised debate that she would not have certified the election had she been secretary of state, despite it being a requirement to do so absent a court order.

And I would have been breaking the law at that point and that would have been fine, she said on the debate carried on Arizona PBS.

The other two Republican candidates are state Sen. Michelle Ugenti-Rita, who acknowledges Biden's victory and has made election reform a key focus during her 12 years in the Legislature, and Beau Lane, a businessman and political newcomer who has earned the endorsement of Republican Gov. Doug Ducey.

Ugenti-Rita said none of the other candidates has her understanding of election law and that she believes she has broad support across the state.

They immediately recognize my record and experience, and they feel assured that I can get the job done and that's the message, Ugenti-Rita said about voters. "Thats what people want. Theyre done with platitudes  it gets policy nowhere."

Lane said his executive experience makes him the best choice for the job. He noted his long engagement in Republican politics, back to when as a young man he was a page at the 1980 Republican convention in which Ronald Reagan was nominated for president.

"Above all, we need somebody who can be a fair dealer and help restore faith in elections," he said.

Lane said other than a few hiccups and isolated cases of voter fraud, the 2020 election was well run, although he joined the other Republicans in criticizing Democratic Secretary of State Katie Hobbs, who is seeking her party's nomination for governor.

Was there organized, rigged fraud that that changed the outcome of the election? he asked. I have seen no evidence of that."

Two Democrats are seeking their party's nomination  former Maricopa County Recorder Adrian Fontes, who lost his seat in the 2020 election, and Arizona House Minority Leader Reginald Bolding. Both criticize Finchem and other Republicans who question the 2020 election results and say a Finchem victory would be dangerous for democracy.

In Kansas, Secretary of State Scott Schwab also is facing a challenge from his right in the states GOP primary.

Schwab is a former Kansas House member who has defended the use of ballot drop boxes, which Trump and other Republicans say are prone to misuse, even though there is no widespread evidence of that. He has dismissed baseless theories about fraud, at least as a possibility in Kansas elections.

There were concerns that people had in other states, and some folks want to have that concern in Kansas, but theyre just rumors  I heard this in Georgia. I heard this in Arizona, I heard this in Nevada, therefore Kansas, Schwab said during a recent interview. And you cant copy and paste situations from one state to the next simply because our statutes are so different.

Schwabs primary opponent is Mike Brown, a construction contractor and former county commissioner in Johnson County, the states most populous and home to Kansas City-area suburbs.

Brown has made doubts about the security of Kansas elections central to his campaign. Hes promised to ban ballot drop boxes and said he will use the secretary of states office to pursue election fraud cases, rather than taking Schwabs approach of working through prosecutors.

Brown said that when Schwab says Kansas elections ran smoothly with no significant problems, the question is, Because he said so, or because he can prove it?

His answer is, Theres nothing to see here, keep moving, he added. You should start looking and you should stop moving.

Washington state's top two primary features Democratic Secretary of State Steve Hobbs, who was appointed by Gov. Jay Inslee last November and hopes to retain his seat for the remaining two years of former Republican Secretary of State Kim Wymans four-year term. He's the first Democrat to hold the office since 1965, taking Wyman's seat after she left for an election security job in the Biden administration.

Hobbs faces several Republican and unaffiliated challengers, including Tamborine Borrelli, an America First candidate who was fined by the state Supreme Court in June for making legally meritless claims alleging widespread voter fraud.

Hobbs has raised the most among the candidates for the race so far, followed by Pierce County Auditor Julie Anderson, who is running as a nonpartisan and said she is the most experienced in running elections.

Among the Republicans in the race, former Sen. Mark Miloscia  he is now head of the conservative Family Policy Institute  has raised the most money. Republican Sen. Keith Wagoner trails Miloscia in money but has been endorsed by former Republican Secretary of State Sam Reed.

Hobbs has pointed to his experience as a Washington National Guard lieutenant colonel and his months running the office to say why hes best positioned to address issues ranging from cybersecurity concerns to election misinformation.

Anderson said shes running as a nonpartisan because of the hyperpolarization across the country, saying that we dont need political parties in the secretary of states office calling balls and strikes at home plate."

Under Washington's primary system, the top two vote-getters advance to the general election in November, regardless of party. Results will likely take days to tally because it's an all-mail election.

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Associated Press writers John Hanna in Topeka, Kansas, and Rachel La Corte in Olympia, Washington, contributed to this report.

___

This story has been corrected to show that the Washington Supreme Court fined Tamborine Borrelli in June, not last month and that Steve Hobbs is a lieutenant colonel in the Washington National Guard, not a lieutenant.

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Follow AP for full coverage of the midterms at https://apnews.com/hub/2022-midterm-elections and on Twitter at https://twitter.com/ap_politics.
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LONDON (AP)  The leaders of Britain and Ireland joined scores of mourners on Monday for the funeral of politician David Trimble, who shared the Nobel Peace Prize for helping to end decades of violence in Northern Ireland.

U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Irish Premier Micheal Martin joined Trimbles widow and four children for the service at Harmony Hill Presbyterian Church in Lisburn, southwest of Belfast. Trimble died on July 25 at the age of 77.

Irish President Michael D. Higgins, senior British officials and politicians from both sides of Northern Irelands Catholic-Protestant divide also attended the funeral, including Trimble's one-time enemy, the former Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams.

Trimble, who led the Ulster Unionist Party from 1995 to 2005, became a key architect of the 1998 Good Friday peace agreement after he reversed his long-held opposition to negotiating with the Irish Republican Army-linked party Sinn Fein.

He shared the 1998 Nobel Peace Prize with moderate Irish nationalist leader John Hume for ending three decades of sectarian conflict in which more than 3,000 people died.

Trimble became Northern Irelands first minister in the Protestant-Catholic power-sharing government set up under the accord. It was soon rocked by disagreements over disarming the IRA, and Trimbles party was overtaken in public support by the more hardline Democratic Unionist Party.

Trimble resigned as party leader and lost his seat in Britains Parliament in 2005. He spent the final decade and a half of his life as a member of Parliaments unelected upper chamber, the House of Lords.

Rev. Charles McMullen said in a eulogy that Trimbles actions had saved many lives and allowed a generation to grow up in relative peace.

History will be exceedingly kind to David, even if life brought many unrelenting pressures and demands, he said.

McMullen urged politicians to honor Trimble by working to end Northern Ireland's current political crisis. The Belfast government is suspended amid a dispute over post-Brexit trade rules that some politicians say don't protect Northern Ireland's status within the U.K. enough.

Can we use this service today, in a fitting tribute to one of the great, to redouble our efforts on this island home of ours?" McMullen asked.
EAGLE PASS  On a cloudy recent Friday morning, the Moncada Baseball Park near the U.S.-Mexico border was empty, save for one young man practicing dribbling drills in the parks soccer fields.

Across the street, at a busy commercial vehicle inspection site with 18-wheelers rolling through after crossing the border from Mexico, the Texas Department of Public Safety  under questionable legal authority  dropped off a group of migrants whom officers identified as having illegally crossed into the country.

The migrants, about a dozen men and women, stepped out of a white Texas Department of Criminal Justice bus and were directed toward a truck port where they sat and waited under shade near an outdoor fan for nearly three hours. Then, a federal agent in a white Border Patrol van picked them up and drove them away. A few hours later, the process was repeated with a new group of migrants.

The procedure was part of a new step in Operation Lone Star, Gov. Greg Abbotts push to slow the number of migrants crossing the Texas border, testing the limits of the states ability to enforce immigration laws that are traditionally seen as a federal responsibility.

State and local law enforcement have long transferred custody of undocumented migrants to federal immigration authorities after theyve been arrested. But previously its been the federal governments job to pick them up. Abbotts decision to arrest migrants and actively bring them back to the border, essentially forcing such a handoff, represents a broadening of the states role in the immigration enforcement process. But experts disagree on how significant it is or whether its intruding on a federal responsibility and stretching the legal limits of the states efforts on the border.

There are ongoing questions about what authority they have to bus people from one location to another, said Aaron Reichlin-Melnick, policy director at the American Immigration Council. Legally speaking, is that immigration enforcement? I still dont know.

Getting answers has been difficult. Although the program has been operating since July 9, state and federal officials have ducked questions about how it works, refusing to say where the migrants are being transported to and from, what they are being arrested for and what happens to them after they are turned over to federal immigration authorities. The only way The Texas Tribune was able to confirm that federal authorities are accepting custody of the migrants was by staking out the Eagle Pass port of entry and witnessing the exchange in person.

Abbott announced his plans in early July to authorize DPS troopers and National Guard service members stationed at the border to arrest migrants caught crossing the border illegally and return them to the ports of entry. They immediately raised alarms for immigrant rights advocates who said Abbotts plan was veering into the federal governments purview over immigration enforcement and could lead to violations of the migrants civil rights because it was unclear what authority state officials were using to hold them under custody.

A spokesperson for U.S. Customs and Border Protection, which oversees Border Patrol, didnt answer questions about how Abbotts latest order affects agents work on the ground. Instead, the spokesperson referred to comments made by Chris Magnus, Customs and Border Protection commissioner, earlier this month during a news conference in Washington in which he responded to a question about Abbotts order.

Our goal is always to work cooperatively when we can within the law, and based on whats appropriate under different circumstances with our state and local partners, he said.

Texas Military Department officials provided at least one answer about how the program works at a legislative hearing earlier this month. Brig. Gen. Win Burkett of the 36th Infantry Division told lawmakers in July that National Guard service members play no role in the transportation of migrants to the border.

With limited information, immigration and border security experts disagree about how radically Abbotts order has changed state law enforcements involvement in immigration enforcement.

Victor M. Manjarrez Jr., who worked for the U.S. Border Patrol for 22 years and retired as the Tucson Sector chief in 2011, said Abbotts latest order is nothing out of the ordinary. He said local or state officers referring migrants to Border Patrol is a common practice along the Texas-Mexico border.

A bus from the Texas Department of Criminal Justice leaves an area near the International Bridge in Eagle Pass on Thursday, July 28, 2022. People who were apprehended by state troopers after crossing the border were brought to this area where they were handed over to Border Patrol custody. Credit: Sergio Flores for The Texas Tribune

Members of the Texas National guard sit in the shade with people who were apprehended by state troopers after crossing the border were brought to the International Bridge in Eagle Pass on Thursday, May 28, 2022. Those who were caught were handed over to Border Patrol custody. Credit: Sergio Flores for The Texas Tribune

Honestly, theres nothing that special, said Manjarrez, who is now the associate director of the Center for Law and Human Behavior at the University of Texas at El Paso.

Usually, he said, when law enforcement officers along the border come across migrants on foot or in a vehicle, they stop them on state charges. If the officers suspect the migrants crossed the border illegally, the officers hold the migrants until Border Patrol agents pick them up. But Abbotts order goes a step further by having state officers drive the migrants to a location where it is easier for Border Patrol to process them.

Instead of having troopers stuck on a highway, were going to take individuals to you, Manjarrez said.

To an extent, he added, local law enforcement officers along the U.S.-Mexico border have always enforced immigration laws.

If you call Border Patrol to show up, to some degree youre enforcing immigration law. If youre taking them to a port of entry, youre enforcing some type of immigration law, he said. In either case youre doing it.

Manjarrez said that during his time in Arizona, it was common for local law enforcement officers to take migrants to Border Patrol instead of waiting for immigration agents to arrive at the scene.

My argument would be, how is this different than whats been done in the past? he said. The big difference with this is that there was an executive order that came out, and it was intended to make a big splash.

But Denise Gilman, co-director of the Immigration Clinic at the University of Texas School of Law, said the transportation of the migrants to immigration authorities marks a drastic shift into a new level of immigration enforcement by the state. By taking the migrants back to the border for processing, she said, state officials are facilitating that enforcement.

The fact that they straight up dont take them across the border doesnt take away the immigration enforcement nature of it, Gilman said.

But in order to stop the practice, the federal government would likely have to sue. With Texas pressing further into immigration enforcement than any other state has done before, some immigrant rights advocates have been baffled that the Biden administration hasnt done so.

Gilman said that may be because Abbotts order doesnt fully call for the state to take immigration enforcement into its own hands. State officers are still handing off the migrants to federal immigration authorities at the border.

Its not completely clear that its 100% state unilateral action, as opposed to collaborative action with the federal government, she said.

Immigrant rights advocates also say Abbott could be inviting a lawsuit in hopes of setting up a legal battle with the Biden administration with the goal of overturning the U.S. Supreme Courts decision in a 2012 Arizona immigration law to expand the states ability to participate in immigration enforcement.

Texas has successfully been able to get initial wins in lawsuits against the Biden administration that have led the White House to restart two of the most consequential Trump-era immigration policies: Title 42, the pandemic health order that essentially closes the border to most people, and Migrant Protection Protocols, or remain in Mexico, which forces some asylum-seekers to wait in Mexico as their cases make their way through American courts. Another Texas lawsuit also led to a federal judge ruling that Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals  a program for younger immigrants who were undocumented to be able to get renewable work permits  is illegal. These three cases are still playing out in federal courts.

People who were apprehended by state troopers after crossing the border are brought to the International Bridge in Eagle Pass on May 28 to be handed over to Border Patrol custody. Credit: Sergio Flores for The Texas Tribune

In his executive order, Abbott cited the decision in a case over Arizonas so-called show me your papers law, which required police to ask people for proof of citizenship. Abbott wrote that the Supreme Court did not address whether reasonable suspicion of illegal entry or another immigration crime would be a legitimate basis for prolonging a detention, or whether this too would be preempted by federal law.

Reichlin-Melnick said Abbott was trying to find a loophole in the Arizona case.

Gov. Abbott says he thinks its an open question about whether or not state agents can enforce unlawful entry, Reichlin-Melnick said. If the state can enforce federal criminal immigration laws, that would get rid of quite a lot of the restrictions put on states in Arizona v. U.S., and its possible Gov. Abbott is looking for a test case that can expand things in that area.

Abbott did not answer a question about whether he wanted that case revisited and referred questions about the program to DPS.

But other Texas officials have been open about their wish to have the Supreme Court reconsider the decision.

Earlier this year, Texas Assistant Attorney General Brent Webster told a state Senate committee on border security that his office would like to see the court reconsider its decision in the Arizona case on whether local police officers could arrest migrants on immigration violations. In 2012, the Supreme Court ruled in a 5-3 decision that local police didnt have the authority to arrest someone based solely on their immigration status.

Our office doesnt agree with that ruling. We abide by that ruling because that is the current state of the law out of Supreme Court, he said. We welcome laws that might allow us to have a new case that we could go up on to redress this issue because the makeup of the Supreme Court has changed.

Meanwhile, Abbott has gotten around that requirement by directing state authorities to arrest migrants on state trespassing charges when they veer onto private property.

Reichlin-Melnick said it is clear that legal precedent bars local law enforcement agencies from enforcing immigration law without permission from the federal government.

Its pretty clear its not an open question. The Supreme Court has said over and over again that this is a federal responsibility, Reichlin-Melnick said. [Abbotts] attempting to loophole his way out of that, but its not a particularly strong loophole.

Disclosure: The University of Texas at El Paso and the University of Texas at Austin 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.

When you join us at The Texas Tribune Festival Sept. 22-24 in downtown Austin, youll hear from changemakers who are driving innovation, lawmakers who are taking charge with new policies, industry leaders who are pushing Texas forward and so many others. See the growing speaker list and buy tickets.

This article originally appeared in The Texas Tribune at https://www.texastribune.org/2022/08/01/texas-bus-migrants-ports/.

The Texas Tribune is a member-supported, nonpartisan newsroom informing and engaging Texans on state politics and policy. Learn more at texastribune.org.
ORINDA, Calif.  They waved signs that read Defeat the mandates and No vaccines. They chanted Protect our kids and Our kids, our choice.

Almost everyone in the crowd of more than three dozen was a parent. And as they protested on a recent Friday in the San Francisco Bay Area suburb of Orinda, California, they had the same refrain: They were there for their children.

Most had never been to a political rally before. But after seeing their children isolated and despondent early in the coronavirus pandemic, they despaired, they said. On Facebook, they found other worried parents who sympathized with them. They shared notes and online articles  many of them misleading  about the reopening of schools and the efficacy of vaccines and masks. Soon, those issues crowded out other concerns.

I wish Id woken up to this cause sooner, said one protester, Lisa Longnecker, 54, who has a 17-year-old son. But I cant think of a single more important issue. Its going to decide how I vote.

Longnecker and her fellow objectors are part of a potentially destabilizing new movement: parents who joined the anti-vaccine and anti-mask cause during the pandemic, narrowing their political beliefs to a single-minded obsession over those issues. Their thinking hardened even as COVID-19 restrictions and mandates were eased and lifted, cementing in some cases into a skepticism of all vaccines.

Nearly half of Americans oppose masking and a similar share is against vaccine mandates for schoolchildren, polls show. But what is obscured in those numbers is the intensity with which some parents have embraced these views. While they once described themselves as Republicans or Democrats, they now identify as independents who plan to vote based solely on vaccine policies.

Their transformation injects an unpredictable element into Novembers midterm elections. Fueled by a sense of righteousness after COVID vaccine and mask mandates ended, many of these parents have become increasingly dogmatic, convinced that unless they act, new mandates will be passed after the midterms.

To back up their beliefs, some have organized rallies and disrupted local school board meetings. Others are raising money for anti-mask and anti-vaccine candidates like J.D. Vance, the Republican nominee for Senate in Ohio; Reinette Senum, an independent running for governor in California; and Rob Astorino, a Republican gubernatorial candidate in New York.

In interviews, 27 parents who called themselves anti-vaccine and anti-mask voters described strikingly similar paths to their new views. They said they had experienced alarm about their children during pandemic quarantines. They pushed to reopen schools and craved normalcy. They became angry, blaming lawmakers for the disruption to their childrens lives.

Many congregated in Facebook groups that initially focused on advocating in-person schooling. Those groups soon latched onto other issues, such as anti-mask and anti-vaccine messaging. While some parents left the online groups when schools reopened, others took more extreme positions over time, burrowing into private anti-vaccine channels on messaging apps like WhatsApp and Telegram.

Eventually, some began questioning vaccines for measles and other diseases, where inoculations have long been proved effective. Activists who oppose all vaccines further enticed them by joining online parent groups and posting inaccurate medical studies and falsehoods.

So many people, but especially young parents, have come to this cause in the last year, said Janine Pera, 65, a longtime activist against all vaccines who attended the Orinda protest. Its been a huge gift to the movement.

The extent of activity is evident on Facebook. Since 2020, more than 200 Facebook groups aimed at reopening schools or opposing closings have been created in states including Texas, Florida and Ohio, with more than 300,000 members, according to a review by The New York Times. Another 100 anti-mask Facebook groups dedicated to ending masking in schools have also sprung up in states including New Jersey, New York and Connecticut, some with tens of thousands of members.

Renee DiResta, a research manager at the Stanford Internet Observatory who has studied anti-vaccine activism, said the movement had indoctrinated parents into feeling like they are part of their community, and that community supports specific candidates or policies.

Their emergence has confounded Republican and Democratic strategists, who worried they were losing voters to candidates willing to take absolute positions on vaccines and masks.

A lot of Democrats might think these voters are now unreachable, even if they voted for the party recently, said Dan Pfeiffer, a Democratic political adviser to former President Barack Obama.

Nathan Leamer, who worked at the Federal Communications Commission during the Trump administration and is now vice president of public affairs at the firm Targeted Victory, said Republican candidates  some of whom have publicly been against COVID vaccine mandates  were better positioned to attract these voters. He pointed to last years surprise win in Virginia of Gov. Glenn Youngkin, a Republican, after he gained the support of young parents by invoking their frustration over COVID-driven school closures.

Even so, Leamer said, these parents were a wild card in November. The truth is that we dont really know what these voters will do, he said.

I Found My People

Natalya Murakhver, 50, once considered herself a Democrat who prioritized environmental and food sustainability issues. Sam James, 41, said he was a Democrat who worried about climate change. Sarah Levy, 37, was an independent who believed in social justice causes.

That was before the pandemic. In 2020, when the coronavirus swept in and led to lockdowns, Murakhvers two daughters  Violet, 5, and Clementine, 9  climbed the walls of the familys New York City apartment, complaining of boredom and crying that they missed their friends.

In Chicago, James two toddlers developed social anxiety after their preschool shuttered, he said. Levy said her autistic 7-year-old son watched TV for hours and stopped speaking in full sentences.

We were seeing real trauma happening because programs for children were shut down, said Levy, a stay-at-home mother in Miami.

But when they posted about the fears for their children on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter, they were told to stop complaining, they said. Other parents called them selfish and whiny. Alienated, they sought other like-minded parents online.

Many found a community on Facebook. New groups, mostly started by parents, were rapidly appearing on the social network with people pushing for schools to reopen. In California, 62 Facebook groups dedicated to reopening or keeping elementary schools open popped up late last year, according to a review by the Times. There were 21 such groups in Ohio and 37 in New York. Most ranged in size from under 100 members to more than 150,000.

Facebook, which is owned by Meta, declined to comment. The company has removed groups that spread misinformation about COVID-19 and vaccines.

Murakhver joined some Facebook groups and became particularly active in one called Keep NYC Schools Open, which petitioned the city to open schools and keep them open through COVID surges. Last year, she became a group administrator, helping to admit new members and moderating discussions. The group swelled to 2,500 members.

We had the same cause to rally behind, Murakhver said. We couldnt stand by and watch our children suffer without their friends and teachers.

In Chicago, James joined two Facebook groups pushing Chicago schools to reopen. In Miami, Levy jumped into national Facebook groups and discussed how to force the federal government to mandate that schools everywhere reopen.

I found my people, Levy said. While she had been an independent, she said she found common ground with Republicans who understood that for us, worse than the virus, was having our kid trapped at home and out of school.

Into the Online Rabbit Hole

The Facebook groups were just the beginning of an online journey that took some parents from more mainstream views of reopening schools toward a single-issue position.

In Chico, California, Kim Snyder, 36, who has a 7-year-old daughter and 9-year-old son, said she was a longtime Republican. After her children had to stay home in the pandemic, she helped create a Facebook group in 2020 for Chico parents committed to reopening schools full-time.

At the time, her local schools had partially reopened and children were learning both online and in-person, Snyder said. But frustration over hybrid learning was mounting, and schools were repeatedly shut down when COVID surged.

By mid-2021, Snyders Facebook group had splintered. Some parents were satisfied with the safety measures and hybrid learning and stopped participating in online discussions, she said. Others were angry that they had not returned to a pre-pandemic way of living.

Snyder counted herself in the latter category. She channeled her discontent by attending in-person protests against mask requirements at public schools. At the rallies, she met activists who opposed all types of vaccines. She invited some to join her Facebook group, she said, because we were all fighting for the same thing. We wanted a return to normalcy.

The focus of her Facebook group soon morphed from reopening schools to standing against masks in schools. By late last year, more content decrying every vaccine had also started appearing in the Facebook group.

I started to read more about how masks and vaccines were causing all this damage to our kids, Snyder said.

Scientific advisers to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have said the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna coronavirus vaccine shots are considered safe for young children. But Snyder said she became convinced they were wrong. She browsed other Facebook groups too, to meet more parents with similar beliefs.

Activists posted statistics about COVID vaccines in those Facebook groups. Often that information came from the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System, a database maintained by the CDC and the Food and Drug Administration, which allows anyone to submit data. The CDC has warned that the database cannot prove that a vaccine caused a problem.

Yet in a September 2021 post in Snyders Facebook group, parents pointed to VAERS figures that they said showed thousands of vaccine-induced deaths.

This is absolutely dangerous! one parent wrote. This hasnt been really tested and is NOT NECESSARY.OMG!

Another post titled If you want to really know what is going on, read this linked to an article that falsely claimed vaccines could leave children sterile. The article was originally posted to a Facebook group named Childrens Health Defense, which supports an organization founded and chaired by anti-vaccine activist Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

That tipped some parents into repudiating every vaccine, from chickenpox to hepatitis, and against vaccine mandates of any kind. A right to self-determination so that parents could decide what vaccines their children took was paramount.

For the first time, I began to look at the statistics and questioned whether all the vaccines I had previously given my kids made sense, Snyder said.

Soon she joined explicitly anti-vaccine Facebook groups that activists linked to, including ones supporting Childrens Health Defense. In those forums, parents seethed at the authorities, arguing they had no right to tell them what to do with their childrens bodies. Activists posted other links to Twitter and Telegram and urged parents to join them there, warning that Facebook often removed their content for misinformation.

One link led to a Telegram channel run by Denise Aguilar, an anti-vaccine activist in Stockton, California. Aguilar, who speaks about her experiences as a mother on social media and on conservative podcasts, also runs a survivalist organization called Mamalitia, a self-described mom militia. She has more than 100,000 followers across her TikTok and Telegram channels.

Early in the pandemic, Aguilar posted conspiracy theories about the coronavirus origins, and questioned the effectiveness of masking. Now her messaging has changed to focus on political activism for the midterms.

In June, Aguilar encouraged her Telegram followers to vote for Carlos Villapudua, a Democrat running for California state Assembly who voted against a bill that would let children ages 12 and older get vaccinated without parental consent.

Patriots unite! wrote Aguilar, who didnt respond to a request for comment. We need to support freedom loving Americans.

From Talk to Action

By late last year, the talk among parent groups on Facebook, Telegram and Instagram had shifted from vaccine dangers to taking action in the midterms.

Snyder said her involvement against vaccines would 100% determine whom she voted for in November. She said she was disappointed in Gov. Gavin Newsom of California, a Democrat who encouraged masking and promoted the coronavirus vaccines.

In New York, Murakhver, who previously supported candidates who favored strong environmental protection laws, said she would vote based solely on a candidates position on mandates on all childrens vaccines.

The Facebook group she helped operate, Keep NYC Schools Open, has shut down. But Murakhver remains close with activists she met through the group, chatting with them on Signal and WhatsApp. While her children were vaccinated against measles and other diseases when they were babies, she now opposes any mandate that would force other parents to inoculate their children.

Im a single-issue voter now, and I cant see myself supporting Democratic Party candidates unless they show they fought to keep our kids in school and let parents make decisions about masks and vaccines, she said, adding that she prefers Astorino for New York governor over the Democratic incumbent, Kathy Hochul.

While states including California have deferred bills requiring COVID-19 vaccines for students attending public schools, many parents said they worried the mandates would be passed after the midterms.

If we dont show up and vote, these bills could come back in the future, Snyder said.

At the Orinda demonstration in April, more than 50 people gathered outside the office of Steve Glazer, a Democratic state senator, to oppose coronavirus vaccine mandates.

One was Jessica Barsotti, 56, who has two teenagers and was at her first rally. Previously a Democrat, Barsotti said elected officials had let her family down during the pandemic. She planned to cast her ballot in November for candidates who were against vaccine mandates.

If that is Republicans so be it. If it is independents, fine, she said. Im not looking at their party affiliation but how they fall on this one issue. Its changed me as a person and as a voter.

This article originally appeared in The New York Times.
Inside Hook

Dinosaurs arent on the menu at any contemporary restaurants  that would be a bizarre use of science  but a growing number of diners are discovering evidence of them as they eat their meals. A restaurant in the Sichuan province of China is the latest place where a customer correctly identified evidence of a dinosaurs presence millions of years after the creatures in question walked the earth.



A new article at The Washington Post has more details about the discovery. As paleontologist Lida Xing told the Post, Sauropod tracks are not rare in Sichuan Basin. Finding them in a restaurant, however  thats where things get a little more unexpected.



Two weeks ago, scientists verified that what the diner had identified as dinosaur tracks were exactly that  the footprints made 100 million years ago by two dinosaurs. Xing told the Post that she thinks that the dinosaurs were Titanosauriformes  a large sauropod species. The presence of Titan in its scientific name is no coincidence  these were massive creatures.



As the article notes, the diner in Sichuan isnt the only person to find evidence of dinosaurs presence in plain sight. The Post also cites the example of geology professor Mark McMenamin, who took some stones from a construction site at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and discovered the elbow bone of a predatory dinosaur from 175 million years ago. Its further evidence that links to the past can turn up where youd least expect them.
WFO PHOENIX Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Monday, August 1, 2022

_____

FLASH FLOOD WARNING

The National Weather Service in Phoenix has issued a

* Flash Flood Warning for...

Riverside County in southern California...

San Bernardino County in southern California...

* Until 830 PM PDT.

* At 236 PM PDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing

heavy rain across the warned area. Between 1 and 2 inches of rain

have fallen. Additional rainfall amounts up to 1 inch are possible

in the warned area. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin

shortly.

HAZARD...Life threatening flash flooding. Thunderstorms

producing flash flooding.

SOURCE...Radar.

IMPACT...Life threatening flash flooding of creeks and streams,

urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses.

* Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...

Park Boulevard, Indian Cove and Fried Liver Wash in Joshua Tree

National Park.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood

deaths occur in vehicles.

Be aware of your surroundings and do not drive on flooded roads.

Remain alert for flooding even in locations not receiving rain.

Arroyos, streams, and rivers can become raging killer currents in a

matter of minutes, even from distant rainfall.

Flooding is occurring or is imminent. It is important to know where

you are relative to streams, rivers, or creeks which can become

killers in heavy rains. Campers and hikers should avoid streams or

creeks.

_____

Copyright 2022 AccuWeather
WFO SAN DIEGO Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Sunday, July 31, 2022

_____

FLASH FLOOD WARNING

The National Weather Service in San Diego has issued a

* Flash Flood Warning for...

San Bernardino County in southern California...

* Until 430 PM PDT.

* At 121 PM PDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing

heavy rain between Victorville and Barstow. Between 0.5 and 1 inch

of rain has fallen. Heavy rainfall continues with an additional

inch of rain possible. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to

begin shortly.

HAZARD...Life threatening flash flooding. Thunderstorms

producing flash flooding.

SOURCE...Radar.

IMPACT...Life threatening flash flooding of creeks and streams,

urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses.

* Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...

I-15 Between Victorville And Barstow, northern Lucerne Valley,

Adelanto, Hwy 247 Between Lucerne Valley And Barstow, El Mirage,

Oro Grande and Helendale.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood

deaths occur in vehicles.

_____

Copyright 2022 AccuWeather
WFO SAN DIEGO Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Sunday, July 31, 2022

_____

FLASH FLOOD WARNING

The National Weather Service in San Diego has extended the

* Flash Flood Warning for...

San Bernardino County in southern California...

* Until 330 PM PDT.

* At 223 PM PDT, Doppler radar and automated rain gauges indicated

thunderstorms producing heavy rain across the warned area. Flash

flooding is ongoing.

HAZARD...Life threatening flash flooding. Thunderstorms

producing flash flooding.

SOURCE...Radar and automated gauges.

IMPACT...Life threatening flash flooding of creeks and streams,

urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses.

* Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...

Big Bear City, western Onyx Summit, eastern Lucerne Valley, Big

Bear Lake, Baldwin Lake, Hwy 38 Between Onyx Summit And Sugarloaf,

Hwy 18 Between Baldwin Lake And Lucerne Valley, Hwy 38 Between

Yucaipa And Onyx Summit, western Johnson Valley and Woodlands.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood

deaths occur in vehicles.

Be aware of your surroundings and do not drive on flooded roads.

...HEAT ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 PM PDT THIS EVENING...

* WHAT...Dangerously hot daily high temperatures between 90 and

100 degrees Fahrenheit for the valleys and 85 to 105 degrees

for mid elevations up to 6000 feet. Overnight lows will also

be warmer than normal, mainly in the 60s.

* WHERE...In California, northeastern Siskiyou County including

Macdoel and Dorris and all of Modoc County except the lakes

and higher portions of the Warner Mountains. In Oregon,

Klamath County and Lake County including all areas except the

higher mountains and lakes.

* WHEN...Until 11 PM PDT Sunday.

* IMPACTS...Hot temperatures may cause heat illnesses to occur.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...The duration of this heat wave will be

particularly long and is likely to be a top 5 event in the

climate record for duration. Take advantage of the cooler

overnight and morning periods if you want to beat the heat.

* View the hazard area in detail at

https://www.wrh.noaa.gov/map/?wfo=mfr

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.

...FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 315 PM PDT THIS

AFTERNOON FOR SOUTHEASTERN INYO AND SAN BERNARDINO COUNTIES...

At 225 PM PDT, CHP reported roadway flooding along Kelbaker Road

south of Interstate 15.

HAZARD...Life-threatening flash flooding. Thunderstorms producing

flash flooding.

SOURCE...Radar.

IMPACT...Life-threatening flash flooding of low-water crossings,

creeks, normally dry washes and roads.

Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...

Shoshone, Cima, Kelso, Dumont Dunes, Tecopa, Mountain Pass and Sr

127 Near Dumont Dunes.

...EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 PM PDT THIS

EVENING...

* WHAT...Dangerously hot daily high temperatures between 100 and

115 degrees Fahrenheit for the valleys, 90 to 100 degrees at

mid elevations, and 80 to 90 degrees in the mountains.

Overnight lows will also be much warmer than normal, mostly in

the mid 60s to mid 70s.

* WHERE...Most of Josephine and Jackson counties in southern

Oregon and most of Siskiyou County in Northern California.

This includes the Rogue, Illinois, Applegate, Lower Klamath

River, Scott, and Shasta Valleys as well as surrounding areas.

* IMPACTS...Extreme heat will significantly increase the

potential for heat related illnesses, particularly for those

working or participating in outdoor activities.

_____

Copyright 2022 AccuWeather
WFO SAN DIEGO Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Monday, August 1, 2022

_____

FLASH FLOOD WARNING

The National Weather Service in San Diego has issued a

* Flash Flood Warning for...

San Bernardino County in southern California...

* Until 245 PM PDT.

* At 1133 AM PDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing

heavy rain across the warned area. Between 0.75 and 1.5 inches of

rain have fallen. Additional rainfall amounts of 0.75 to 1.5

inches are possible in the warned area. Flash flooding is ongoing

or expected to begin shortly.

HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms.

SOURCE...Radar.

IMPACT...Flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban

areas, highways, streets and underpasses as well as

other poor drainage and low-lying areas.

* Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...

Big Bear City, Big Bear Lake, Baldwin Lake, Hwy 18 Between Baldwin

Lake And Lucerne Valley, Hwy 38 Between Onyx Summit And Sugarloaf

and Woodlands.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood

deaths occur in vehicles.

Be aware of your surroundings and do not drive on flooded roads.

_____

Copyright 2022 AccuWeather
WFO SAN DIEGO Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Monday, August 1, 2022

_____

FLASH FLOOD WARNING

Flash Flood Statement

National Weather Service San Diego CA

242 PM PDT Mon Aug 1 2022

...FLASH FLOOD WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 245 PM PDT THIS AFTERNOON FOR

SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY...

The heavy rain has ended. Flooding is no longer expected to pose a

threat. Please continue to heed remaining road closures.

A Flood Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM PDT Monday for a

portion of Southern California.

The National Weather Service in San Diego has issued a

* Flash Flood Warning for...

San Bernardino County in southern California...

* Until 445 PM PDT.

* At 243 PM PDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing

heavy rain across the warned area. Between 0.75 and 1.25 inches of

rain have fallen. Additional rainfall amounts of 0.75 to 1.25

inches are possible in the warned area. Flash flooding is ongoing

or expected to begin shortly.

HAZARD...Life threatening flash flooding.

SOURCE...Radar.

IMPACT...Life threatening flash flooding of creeks and streams,

urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses.

* Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...

Mount San Gorgonio, Forest Falls, Hwy 38 Between Yucaipa And Onyx

Summit and Mountain Home Village.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

This is a life threatening situation. Heavy rainfall may cause

extensive and severe flash flooding of creeks, streams, and ditches

in the El Dorado and Apple Burn Scars. Severe debris flows can also

be anticipated across roads. Roads and driveways may be washed away

in places. If you encounter flood waters, climb to safety.

Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood

deaths occur in vehicles.

Be aware of your surroundings and do not drive on flooded roads.

The National Weather Service in Las Vegas has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...

West central San Bernardino County in southern California...

* Until 330 PM PDT.

* At 243 PM PDT, a severe thunderstorm was located just west of

Barstow, moving north at 15 mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and frequent cloud to ground lightning.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Possible damage to roofs and trees, blowing dust, and

small hail.

* Locations impacted include...

Barstow, I-15 Between Victorville And Barstow, Owl Canyon

Campground, Hwy 247 Between Lucerne Valley And Barstow, Lenwood and

Nebo Center.

This includes the following highways...

Interstate 15 in California near mile marker 81.

Interstate 40 in California between mile markers 1 and 6.

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a

building.

Very frequent 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.

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of eastern Kern County

through 315 PM PDT...

At 246 PM PDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 15

miles east of Edwards AFB, or 25 miles northeast of Lake Los Angeles,

moving northeast at 15 mph.

HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph and 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...

Boron.

Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.

Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe

shelter inside a building or vehicle.

LAT...LON 3483 11763 3489 11781 3511 11763

TIME...MOT...LOC 2146Z 228DEG 13KT 3493 11765

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN

MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

_____

Copyright 2022 AccuWeather
WFO SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Sunday, July 31, 2022

_____

FLASH FLOOD WARNING

The National Weather Service in Hanford has issued a

* Flash Flood Warning for...

East Central Tulare County in central California...

* Until 400 PM PDT.

* At 130 PM PDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing

heavy rain across the warned area. Up to 1 inch of rain has

fallen. The expected rainfall rate is 1 to 2 inches in 1 hour.

Additional rainfall amounts of 1 to 2 inches are possible in the

warned area. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin

shortly.

HAZARD...Life threatening flash flooding. Thunderstorms

producing flash flooding.

SOURCE...Radar.

IMPACT...Life threatening flash flooding of creeks and streams

and low laying areas.

* Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...

Casa Vieja Meadows and Beach Meadows.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood

deaths occur in vehicles.

Move to higher ground now. Act quickly to protect your life.

In hilly terrain there are hundreds of low water crossings which are

potentially dangerous in heavy rain. Do not attempt to cross flooded

roads. Find an alternate route.

Flooding is occurring or is imminent. It is important to know where

you are relative to streams, rivers, or creeks which can become

killers in heavy rains. Campers and hikers should avoid streams or

creeks.

_____

Copyright 2022 AccuWeather
WFO SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Sunday, July 31, 2022

_____

FLASH FLOOD WARNING

The National Weather Service in Hanford has issued a

* Flash Flood Warning for...

Northern Kern County in central California...

Southeastern Tulare County in central California...

* Until 530 PM PDT.

* At 230 PM PDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing

heavy rain across the warned area. Up to 1 inch of rain has

fallen. The expected rainfall rate is 0.5 to 1.5 inches in 1 hour.

Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly.

HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms.

SOURCE...Radar.

IMPACT...Flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban

areas, highways, streets and underpasses as well as

other poor drainage and low-lying areas.

* Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...

Onyx, Weldon, Bear Peak, Pascoes, Blackrock and Kernville.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood

deaths occur in vehicles.

Be aware of your surroundings and do not drive on flooded roads.

In hilly terrain there are hundreds of low water crossings which are

potentially dangerous in heavy rain. Do not attempt to cross flooded

roads. Find an alternate route.

Flooding is occurring or is imminent. It is important to know where

you are relative to streams, rivers, or creeks which can become

killers in heavy rains. Campers and hikers should avoid streams or

creeks.

_____

Copyright 2022 AccuWeather
WFO SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Monday, August 1, 2022

_____

FLASH FLOOD WARNING

Flash Flood Statement

National Weather Service Hanford CA

254 PM PDT Mon Aug 1 2022

...FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 445 PM PDT THIS

AFTERNOON FOR NORTHEASTERN KERN COUNTY...

At 254 PM PDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing heavy

rain across the warned area. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected

to begin shortly.

HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms.

SOURCE...Radar.

IMPACT...Flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban areas,

highways, streets and underpasses as well as other poor

drainage and low-lying areas.

Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...

Onyx, Weldon and Walker Pass.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood

deaths occur in vehicles.

The National Weather Service in Las Vegas has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...

Northwestern San Bernardino County in southern California...

South central Inyo County in south central California...

* Until 400 PM PDT.

* At 252 PM PDT, a severe thunderstorm was located 25 miles west of

Sr 127 Near Dumont Dunes, or 30 miles southwest of Shoshone, moving

northeast at 10 mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and frequent cloud to ground lightning.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Possible damage to roofs and trees, blowing dust, and

hail up to a half inch in diameter.

* This severe thunderstorm will remain over mainly rural areas of

northwestern San Bernardino and south central Inyo Counties.

To report severe weather, contact your nearest law enforcement

agency. They will send your report to the National Weather Service

office in Las Vegas.

Frequent 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
China renews yellow alert for high temperatures

Xinhua) 08:13, August 01, 2022

BEIJING, July 31 (Xinhua) -- China's national observatory on Sunday continued to issue a yellow alert for high temperatures as an intense heatwave lingers in many regions of the country.

During daylight hours on Monday, parts of Xinjiang, Shaanxi, Hubei, Hunan, Sichuan, Chongqing, Guangdong, Guangxi, Zhejiang, and Fujian are expected to experience temperatures of over 35 degrees Celsius, the National Meteorological Center said.

Temperatures in parts of Sichuan and Chongqing may surpass 40 degrees Celsius.

The center advised the public to avoid outdoor activities during high-temperature periods in the afternoon and suggested workers exposed to high temperatures or who work for a long time outdoors take necessary protective measures.

China has a four-tier color-coded weather warning system, with red representing the most severe warning, followed by orange, yellow, and blue.

(Web editor: Wu Chaolan, Liang Jun)
WFO AMARILLO Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Sunday, July 31, 2022

_____

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING

The National Weather Service in Amarillo has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...

Northeastern Hemphill County in the Panhandle of Texas...

* Until 1100 PM CDT.

* At 1002 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Lake Marvin,

or 15 miles east of Canadian, moving east at 30 mph.

HAZARD...70 mph wind gusts.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Expect some tree damage. Damage is likely to mobile

homes, roofs, and outbuildings.

* Locations impacted include...

Lake Marvin and Glazier.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a

building.

Torrential rainfall is occurring with this storm, and may lead to

flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.

_____

Copyright 2022 AccuWeather
WFO PENDLETON Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Sunday, July 31, 2022

_____

EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING

URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE

National Weather Service Pendleton OR

243 PM PDT Sun Jul 31 2022

...EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 PM PDT THIS

EVENING...

* WHAT...Dangerously hot conditions with afternoon temperatures

of 100 to 110 degrees. Very warm overnight lows in the mid 60s

to mid 70s.

* WHERE...Portions of central, south central and southeast

Washington and central, north central and northeast Oregon.

* WHEN...Until 11 PM PDT Sunday.

* 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.

...EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 PM PDT

MONDAY...

Washington and north central and northeast Oregon.

* WHEN...Until 11 PM PDT Monday.

for heat-related illnesses, particularly for those working or

...EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 PM PDT MONDAY...

* WHAT...Dangerously hot conditions with afternoon temperatures of

up to 105 degrees and very warm overnight lows in the mid 60s

* WHERE...Portions of central Washington.

...HEAT ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 PM PDT THIS EVENING...

* WHAT...Afternoon high temperatures of 95 to 105 degrees. Warm

overnight lows as high as the upper 50s to mid 60s.

* WHERE...In Washington, East Slopes of the Washington Cascades,

Northwest Blue Mountains. In Oregon, Ochoco-John Day

Highlands, Northern Blue Mountains of Oregon, Southern Blue

Mountains of Oregon, Grande Ronde Valley, East Slopes of the

Oregon Cascades and Wallowa County.

* IMPACTS...Hot temperatures may cause heat illnesses to occur.

_____

Copyright 2022 AccuWeather
WFO SPOKANE Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Sunday, July 31, 2022

_____

EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING

URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE

National Weather Service Spokane WA

1126 PM PDT Sun Jul 31 2022

...EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING HAS EXPIRED...

...EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 PM PDT MONDAY...

* WHAT...High temperatures through Monday will range between 95 and

111 degrees. Overnight temperatures will only cool into the mid

60s to upper 70s.

* WHERE...Malott, Okanogan, Quincy, Winchester, Mansfield, Brewster,

Waterville, Monse, Omak, Nighthawk, Bridgeport, Nespelem, Ephrata,

Palisades, Oroville, Chelan, Cashmere, Othello, Entiat, Moses

Lake, and Wenatchee.

* WHEN...Until 11 PM PDT Monday.

* 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 the Monday.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

103 except 103 to near 110 across portions of the Upper Columbia

Basin and Lewiston-Clarkston Valley through Monday. Overnight

temperatures will be in the 60s to low 70s.

* WHERE...Portions of North and North Central Idaho. Portions of

East Central, North Central, Northeast, and Southeast Washington.

Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of

the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors.

_____

Copyright 2022 AccuWeather
Termen extins: A.O. Centrul de Drept al Femeilor anunta concurs privind selectarea unui expert international pentru dezvoltarea unui program de asistenta a femeilor private de libertate, victime ale violentei in baza de gen
Prince Charles accepted a payment of 1m from the family of Osama Bin Laden, two years after the al-Qaeda leader was killed, it has emerged. The Charity Commission has said there is no current role for the regulator in regard to this.

According to The Sunday Times, Prince Charles met with the al Qaeda founder's half-brother in London and allegedly agreed to accept 1m. The Prince of Wales's Charitable Fund (PWCF) received the donation.

A Charity Commission spokesperson said: Whether to accept a donation is ultimately a matter for trustees. Based on current information, this historic donation does not appear to be unlawful. There is therefore no role for the Commission.

Prince Charles took the money despite concerns being raised from advisers at Clarence House and PWCF, the Sunday Times reports.

Osama bin Laden was thought to be behind the September 11 attacks of 2001, which killed around 3,000 people in the US.

The PWCF said the donation from Sheik Bakr bin Laden in 2013 was carefully considered by PWCF trustees at the time.

It said: "Due diligence was conducted, with information sought from a wide range of sources, including government. The decision to accept the donation was taken wholly by the trustees. Any attempt to suggest otherwise is misleading and inaccurate."

Data for the financial year ending 31 March 2021, on the Charity Commission website, says total income for the charity was more than 10m, as was total expenditure.

This is not the first time the PWCF has come under scrutiny. Indeed, it was reported last month that Prince Charles accepted millions in cash from a former Qatari prime minister, which was donated to the fund.

PWCF's trustees had previously submitted information to the Commission via a serious incident report and the regulator found no concerns about the charitys governance, and declined to open an investigation.

The Commission's statutory inquiries into The Mahfouz Foundation and Burkes Peerage remain ongoing.

Editor's Note: This piece and its headline have been updated to reflect a new comment from the Charity Commission.

sign up to receive the Civil Society News daily bulletin here . For more news, interviews, opinion and analysis about charities and the voluntary sector,
National Lottery Community Fund (NLCF)  Climate Action Fund

Grants available: up to 1.5m over two to five years

Deadline to apply: No deadline

Who is the funding for?

The NLCF will accept applications from local and UK-wide partnerships that are delivered across at least two UK countries. Eligible organisations are registered charities, charitable incorporated organisations, community interest companies, not-for-profit companies, and more.



NLCF is looking to fund projects that focus on the link between nature and climate and that use nature to encourage more community-led climate action.



The funding can be spent on staff costs, volunteer expenses, general project costs, engagement activities, learning and evaluation, utilities or running costs, development costs, and capital costs.

When will you hear back?

Unspecified.

Find out more here.

UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and The Young Foundation

Grants available: 25,000

Deadline to apply: 14 September

Who is the funding for?

The funding is available to charities, community and research groups and local government who will become a cohort of Community Research Networks. Funding of 25,000 and can be used to build collaborations and partnerships, host workshops, engage communities, conduct desk research and collaborative bid writing, and any activities that are directly linked to consolidating a Community Research Network.

When will you hear back?

17 October

Find out more here.

The DPO Centre  Charity and Community Fund

Grants available: up to 10,000

Deadline to apply: 18 November

Who is the funding for?

The fund is for eligible charities and not for profit organisations with the grant going towards data protection consultancy services.

Successful applicants will receive support from DPO Centre experts, with the specific services offered to be compliance reviews and gap analysis, policy drafting and reviews, the completion of a Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIAs) and data protection training for all staff, volunteers and stakeholders.



To be eligible, charities must be based in the UK, have a management committee of at least three unrelated people in place, have a bank account in the charitys name and be willing to carry out a case study once the project has been completed.

When will you hear back?

December

Find out how to apply here.

Cero Generation and Enso Energy

Grants available: from 5,000

Deadline to apply: 7 October

Who is the funding for?

Cero Generation and Enso Energy have launched a grant funding programme to support charities and community groups near their Larks Green Solar Farm in South Gloucestershire.



Cero Generation and its partner - Enso Energy - are committing up to 30,000 to support local communities around the Larks Green Solar Farm.



The companies invite any local group within a 30-mile radius of Itchington, South Gloucestershire, to apply for funding by submitting their project ideas. Decisions will be made alongside a local panel of community representatives, to ensure that the local area is represented and local needs are met.

When will you hear back?

24 October

Find out more here.

sign up to receive the Civil Society News daily bulletin here . For more news, interviews, opinion and analysis about charities and the voluntary sector,
ITS THE SUN WOT WON IT. Thirty years ago, The Sun, a Rupert Murdochowned tabloid in the UK, plastered those words on its front pagea humblebrag it was notafter John Major, then Britains Conservative prime minister, was reelected; the day before, the paper had mocked up a front-page image of Neil Kinnock, Majors Labour Party opponent, inside a lightbulb next to the headline If Kinnock wins today will the last person to leave Britain please turn out the lights. Years laterappearing before an inquiry that was established following a massive phone-hacking scandal at another of his titlesMurdoch said that the Sun wot won it headline was tasteless and wrong since newspapers dont have that sort of power, adding that hed given the editor responsible for it a hell of a bollocking. But The Sun would again nod back at the lightbulb front page, returning to the theme in 2019 to warn that a Kinnock administration would have been a picnic compared to the Marxist plans of that years Labour candidate, Jeremy Corbyn. Boris Johnson, the Conservative prime minister, was subsequently reelected.

The Sun wot won it front page is often held up in the UK as shorthand for a broader debate around the influence of the press at election time. It also speaks to a version of that debate that is specific to Murdoch but extends beyond the UK: the question of whether, in the various countries where he owns media properties, he has an uncanny ability to anoint political winners or simply jumps on the bandwagons of politicians who look likely to win anyway. Earlier this year, this debate resurfaced in Australia, where Murdoch was born and still dominates the newspaper business, after that countrys Labor Party returned to power. Ahead of the election, a senior Murdoch lieutenant insisted that Murdochs Australian media business had no unified view of who to back, though Murdochs many critics have long accused him of running political cover for Scott Morrison, then the incumbent Liberal Party prime minister (who was not liberal in the US sense of the word). A number of commentators characterized voters rejection of Morrison as a sign that Murdochs influence was on the wane. Kevin Rudd, a former Labor prime minister and longtime Murdoch critic, mocked up a copy of a Murdoch paper with the headline Australia rejects Murdochs pick, calling it a front page youll never see.

ICYMI: Looming press-freedom threats in post-Roe America

Now Murdochs political influence has returned as a topic of conversation in the US after two of his American titles, the Wall Street Journal and the New York Post, recently published near-simultaneous editorials strongly criticizing Donald Trumps conduct on January 6, 2021. The Post went so far as to call Trump unfit to be president again. The two papers stance was not especially newboth have expressed squeamishness about the insurrection before, running similar back-to-back editorials after the House January 6 hearings kicked off in Junebut it nonetheless generated reams of coverage across the rest of the press, where it was often taken as a sign that Murdoch and his media empire have decisively broken with Trump after backing him for years.

This conclusion elicited some pushback, with other commentators pointing out that prominent opinion hosts on Fox News, Murdochs most influential US property, have very much not broken with Trump, decrying the January 6 hearings, for example, as a sham. (Wake me up when Sean Hannity editorializes against Trump, Washington Post media critic Erik Wemple requested.) On Friday, however, Jeremy W. Peters, of the New York Times, reported that cracks are showing on the Fox end of the Murdoch-Trump relationship, too. Peters noted that Trump has not been interviewed on Fox in more than a hundred days and that the network has also recently eschewed live coverage of his rallies and speeches while granting more airtime to other Republican presidential hopefuls, not least Florida governor Ron DeSantissnubs, Peters reported, that are not coincidental, reflecting Murdochs skepticism about Trump and his refusal to accept the result of the 2020 election. Foxs Howard Kurtz insisted yesterday that there is no edict against having Trump on the network, adding that he had tried (and seemingly failed) to book Trump recentlybut, per Peterss reporting, Trump does indeed feel neglected by the network. Last week, after a host on Fox & Friends noted polls showing DeSantis besting Trump, Trump blasted the show on Twitter Truth Social, accusing it of having gone to the dark side.

Among those who accept that Murdoch is actually breaking with Trump (more on which in a moment), there are different theories as to why hes doing ittheories that, together, reflect something like the aforementioned debate as to whether Murdoch is a merchant more of proactive influence or reactive judgment. Jonah Goldberg, of The Dispatch, has suggested that while its hard to know what Murdoch is truly thinking, his papers recent anti-Trump editorials could reflect that Murdoch feels he has gained all he can from Trump and that he is now trying to pivot the Republican Party toward more exciting prospects by sending a signal to conservative elites, if not yet Republican voters, that theres space on the right to explore a post-Trump future. Others have agreed that the recent editorials were pitched at political elites but suggested that their goal was only to distance Murdoch from Trump reputationally while Trumpy Fox hosts continue to play to the base. Politicos Jack Shafer, meanwhile, argued that Trump, in the final days of his political career, is now expendable for Murdoch, whose support of politicians has always been transactionalthough Shafer added that, should Trump come back and win the 2024 GOP nomination, Murdoch could still do what he always does and place his bet on the leading pony.

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Theres a lot to unpack here, starting with the question of whether Murdoch is really breaking with Trump. In a moral sense, at least, Id argue that the answer is no; as Ive written before, the only proper standard for Trumps coup attempt is zero-tolerance disavowaland if the recent editorials met that bar, then the Murdoch-enabled diatribes of, say, Tucker Carlson certainly do not. Id also argue, though, that this reality illuminates the broader debate about Murdochs influence more than it invalidates it. Murdochs print papers denouncing Trump over January 6 while he allows Carlson and company to go on denouncing the investigators suggests, perhaps, hedging on Murdochs part. And hedging is, in my view, a key insight in the broader debate here.

Murdoch is undoubtedly extremely powerful, not just in the US but in the UK, Australia, and elsewhere. His media propertieswhich, collectively, straddle key swaths of various marketshave manifestly exerted an outsize influence on political discourse, by reaching news consumers directly but also by molding the behavior of political elites who value that reach, or at least the perception of it; as the academic James Rodgers once put it with reference to the Sun wot won it debate, if politicians believe in the power of the press, then, in that sense at least, it is real. And yet Murdochs power has limits. He did not initially back Trump ahead of the 2016 presidential election; he pivoted to do so as Trumps hold on GOP voters became undeniable, and even then, he reportedly toyed, at one point, with throwing his weight behind Hillary Clinton. Murdoch, to my mind, exists in a constant equilibrium of making the weather while also checking the forecast; indeed, reading the public mood is essential to his ability to then influence it. This is not an exact sciencewhich is where hedging comes in.

When it comes to Trump, specifically, both arms of the broader Murdoch debate can be true at once in much the same way: Murdoch may be showing some signs of souring on Trump because he senses that thats the way public opinion is blowing, while also seeing that as an opportunity to get to help make the next Republican king, while also leaving enough wiggle room to cozy back up to Trump if he ends up retaining the crown. Above all, Murdoch values winningand, as with anyone for whom thats true, its preferable, but not essential, that he dictate the terms of victory. In his Times story, Peters reported that Murdochs Trump skepticism also reflects concerns that Republicans in Washington, like Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the minority leader, have expressed to the Murdochs about the potential harm Mr. Trump could cause to the partys chances in upcoming elections. Murdoch and McConnell are actually very similar. Both seem to find Trump an inconvenience. But they havent hesitated to ride his coattails to power before. And theyd both do so again in a heartbeat.

The Washington Post also published a story on Murdoch and Trump over the weekend, with its authors, Sarah Ellison and Jeremy Barr, broadly confirming Peterss reporting that Murdoch has lost his enthusiasm for Trump (if he was ever that personally enthused to begin with). Ellison and Barr noted that Murdoch has always been a pragmatist when it comes to his political relationships, then name-checked Tony Blair as evidence. Blair (eventually) took over from Kinnock as the leader of Britains Labour Party in the years after the Sun wot won it headline; five years on from that headline, he became Britains prime ministerwith Murdochs backing, which he had aggressively courted. The Sun dramatically announced that it was changing sides to back Blair, though its tone in doing so wasnt quite so hubristic. Blair would have won either way. Theres not much evidence that it was The Sun wot won it for Major five years earlier, either.

Below, more on the Murdoch media:



Other notable stories:

ICYMI: The R-word, and oversimplifying the economy

Has America ever needed a media watchdog more than now? Help us by joining CJR today

Jon Allsop is a freelance journalist whose work has appeared in the New York Review of Books, Foreign Policy, and The Nation, among other outlets. He writes CJRs newsletter The Media Today. Find him on Twitter @Jon_Allsop.
BEIRUT (AP)  Lebanon appeared Friday to reject claims by the Ukrainian Embassy in Beirut that a Syrian ship docked in a Lebanese port is carrying Ukrainian grain stolen by Russia, following an inspection by Lebanese customs officials.

A senior Lebanese customs official told The Associated Press that there was nothing wrong with the cargo of the Laodicea, which docked in the Lebanese port of Tripoli on Thursday, and that its papers were in order. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to talk to the media.

The controversy surrounding the ship has underscored how Lebanon, a tiny Mediterranean country bordering Syria, has been in the crosshairs of Russias months-long war in Ukraine.

The Laodicea is carrying 5,000 tons of flour and 5,000 tons of barley that Ukraines Embassy in Beirut says was illegally taken by Russia. After the embassy raised the alarm, Lebanese authorities initiated an investigation.

The Russian Embassy, meanwhile, has told Lebanese media that the Ukrainian claim was baseless.

The U.S. Department of the Treasury had sanctioned the Laodicea in 2015 for its affiliation with the Syrian government of President Bashar Assad.

According to the Ukrainian Embassy, the Laodicea is among scores of vessels that Kyiv alleges transported grain stolen by Russia. An embassy statement Friday said the ship had turned off its AIS tracking system in the Black Sea for 10 days, after docking earlier this month in Russia-controlled Crimeas port of Feodosia.

There, the embassy said, it was loaded with barley and wheat flour illegally exported from the territories of Zaporizhzhia, Mykolaiv and Kherson in Ukraine  areas taken by Russia in the war.

Marine Traffic, which monitors vessel traffic and location of ships on seas, said the vessel was initially heading to Tartus Port in Syria, and had been expected to arrive there earlier this week. It was unknown why it had rerouted to Lebanon.

There were no signs that its cargo was being unloaded and the customs official who spoke to the AP said the ship will remained docked until the owner decides what to do with the cargo.

Also Friday, Lebanons acting Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib said Lebanon had received a number of protests and warnings from a number of Western countries following the arrival of the Syrian-flagged ship in Tripoli. The British Embassy in Beirut told the AP that it had also raised concerns with Bou Habib about the ship.

The Ukrainian Embassy said it was going to ask Lebanese authorities to implement a Ukrainian court order and take possession of the vessel. Lebanese government officials declined to publicly comment on the matter, pending the investigation.

Lebanon is scrambling to improve ties with the West as the cash-strapped nation appeals for financial assistance to help with its economic recovery. Western countries and Gulf Arab states are irked by the political power and influence that the Lebanese militant Hezbollah group  a major ally of Iran and Syria  wields in Lebanese politics.

Ihor Ostash, Ukraines ambassador, met with Lebanese President Michel Aoun on Thursday, warning him that purchasing stolen goods from Russia would harm bilateral ties, according to an embassy statement.

Kyiv had previously praised Lebanon for condemning Russia for its war on Ukraine, which upset Hezbollah and allies who say they were not consulted on the matter  as well as Russia.

Ukraine had also recently promised to export flour to Lebanon, struggling with a wheat shortage and food security crisis.

Russias war on Ukraine, now in its sixth month, has prevented grain from leaving the breadbasket of the world, making food more expensive across the globe and threatening to worsen shortages, hunger and political instability in developing countries. Together, Russia and Ukraine export nearly a third of the worlds wheat and barley.

About the future: This frame grab from a video provided on Friday, July 29, 2022, shows A Syrian cargo ship Laodicea docked at a seaport, in Tripoli, north Lebanon. Lebanon appeared Friday to reject claims by the Ukrainian Embassy in Beirut that a Syrian ship docked in a Lebanese port is carrying Ukrainian grain stolen by Russia, following an inspection by Lebanese customs officials. (AP Photo)

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
KEARNEY PARK, Miss. (AP)  At least six workers suffered severe burns following a Friday morning explosion in central Mississippi.

The explosion happened at a salt water disposal site in Madison County, WLBT-TV reported.

At least six people sustained burns on at least 50% of their bodies, with one being burned from head to toe, said Minor Norman, the Madison County Fire Coordinator. Two people were airlifted to the University of Mississippi Medical Center for treatment.

Norman said the cause of the explosion was still under investigation Friday.

Were not sure what caused it, Norman said. There were four storage tank facilities to hold products from oil wells. They (the workers) were in the process of changing out two tanks with new fiberglass tanks. They were getting ready to go into service when the older tank exploded.

The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality was called to the site to investigate.

The injured people are employees of W.S. Red Hancock, a Mississippi-based welding and fabrication company. Company officials told WLBT-TV they were assessing the situation Friday but had no additional information.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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As numerous data compliance laws proliferate across the globe, security professionals have become too focused on checking their requirements boxes when they should be focused on reducing risk. Can the two work harmoniously together?

The answer depends on how effectively IT security leaders can work with their auditors and speak to their boards, say experts. These are their top five recommendations:

1. Focus on data protection

Its well-known that compliance is about protecting regulated data, while cybersecurity is focused on keeping bad guys out. From a data protection perspective, the key security measure then is to avoid processing or storing regulated data that isnt needed. If regulated data must be stored, make sure youre using stronger-than-recommended encryption, says James Morrison, national cybersecurity specialist for Intelisys, the infrastructure support division of payment systems company, ScanSource.

In my career, Ive seen small healthcare providers sending patient data in cleartext. So, to create compliant policies, ask how regulated data is handled from cradle to grave, explains Morrison, formerly a computer scientist with the FBI. You should be mindful of where your data exists, where its stored, how its stored, and for how long. Thats the right way to start the conversation around compliance and security.

2. Make security auditors your friends

As important as learning the perspective of auditors is helping them understand the basics of cybersecurity. As CISO at a previous company, Morrison held weekly meetings with his auditor to maintain a two-way conversation inclusive of compliance and security. By the time the company conducted its ISO 27001 infosec management update, the audit team was able to articulate clearly what they needed from the security team. Then Morrison himself gathered the information the auditors requested. Auditors are more appreciative if you take a team approach like this. And so are the CEOs and boards of directors, he adds.

However, teaching cybersecurity basics to auditors is difficult, adds Ian Poynter, a virtual CISO based on the U.S. east coast. This is especially problematic among auditors that come from the big consulting firms, who he likens to people with clipboards who ask questions but dont understand the security and risk context. In case after case, Poynter describes past experiences in which his clients passed their clipboard audits while fundamentally failing at security.

For example, in one instance the auditor asked if the company had a firewall and the IT manager checked the yes box because they had a firewall, even though it was still in the package and hadnt been installed yet. The auditors didnt understand that the firewall is not actually doing anything, although you still have a firewall, Poynter says sardonically. So, to audit properly, you need to know the context around the questions and how to ask the questions.

As a consultant to smaller companies, Poynter says its important to engage with auditors with those relationships to security and who understand the security and compliance aspects in tandem. For example, he points to a company preparing to spend $3 million on a SOC 2 provider. Going into the SOC 2 audit with the provider, Poynter provided both sides with security and vulnerability reports that were correlated against audit requirements. This, he says, greatly narrowed down the field of focus for the audit team, adding that it was a good example of how compliance and security mesh together to further the IT leaders business skills and improve security posture.

3. Use compliance as a base to build better security

Poynter also cautions that audit checklists go out of date regularly, so just passing an audit does not protect IT assets. Take, for example, passwords, which NIST used to require changing every 90 days. NIST has rescinded that rule because people cant remember their passwords, and instead recommends using passphrases with numbers and symbols that users can remember.

Avishai Avivi, CISO at security control validation company SafeBreach, agrees with Poynter. Avivi believes that compliance frameworks provide a basis for thinking about security programs, but compliance mandates are not prescriptive, nor do they rate the efficacy of controls. For example, he says, A compliance checklist tells you that you need to have a firewall. It doesnt tell you what type of firewall is suitable for your business, or what firewall rules to implement.

He also points to requirements for annual penetration tests, even though threats evolve much more frequently than that. This gap leaves compliant companies at risk of new vulnerabilities they dont know they have. Also open to interpretation is how to conduct the pen-test and against what computing resources, he continues.

We had a client that was only testing its external attack surface. So, we did a simulation from an internal corporate office network and showed them that if just one of their end-user stations is compromised, it can access all their development and production networks, Avivi explains. The client followed the compliance guidelines in terms of segmenting development from production networks, but there were no firewall controls to prevent someone from coming in from a corporate office to those environments.

In industrial control systems (ICS), NERC CIP and other standards are particularly bare-bones in their requirements, according to Jason D. Christopher, director of cyber risk at Dragos. Due to the lack of OT-specific detection in industrial networks, its more difficult to interpret compliance rules. Its a lot harder to have a compliance conversation because its hard to distinguish on a plant floor if you had a security incident that requires reporting or if it is a maintenance incident.

ICS systems like energy and power companies are already behind because their security controls are also at the low end of the maturity curve, Christopher continues. He then describes the compliance maturity curve in three stages. Crawling is filling in the check boxes. Walking is building a program around audit findings and cross-checking findings with compensating controls. In the run stage, network operators have exceeded compliance rules with the proper workflow and chain of command to support security and audit duties. Christopher stresses that the more mature the compliance and security programs, the better the collaboration and communication between auditors, CISOs, and the board.

4. Fix the vulnerabilities you find

Its that middle stage of maturity, the walk stage, where organizations mostly get hung up, say experts who call out many instances where organizations failed to make basic repairs based on audit findings. We had a company that did their pen-test as required by compliance. Then, a year later, the new pen-test came back with exact same vulnerability finding because the client had not addressed the findings from the prior years pen-test, Morrison says. Ultimately, they suffered a second breach around the same vulnerability. This time, the company fell into trouble with regulatory bodies.

Morrisons story sounds like a famous case currently winding through the U.S. District Court of San Francisco. In it, Joe Sullivan, CISO of Uber, faces prison time under federal charges because he didnt report a second ransomware breach that took advantage of the same vulnerability the FTC had demanded they close after a prior breach. Recently, more charges of wire fraud were added in what the FBI is now calling a cover up.

5. Measure improvements in security and risk posture

More than just a driver for reducing risk, compliance can also be used to measure improvements in security and risk posture. Morrison suggests a compliance dashboard to measure your risk score and using those dashboard policies to keep ahead of changing risks, such as adding a new tech or supporting a remote workforce. The dashboards should also help IT managers report to upper management in the business language of risk and reward that they understand.

As Avivi from SafeBreach explains, If you do security right, youre probably compliant. But if all you care about is compliance, youre probably not going to be secure.
Every time a user opens an app on their device, it seems they are being asked to provide both information necessary to engage with the app and far too often additional information that falls into the nice-to-have or marketing niche. Having CISOs participating in the discussions on what data is necessary for an app to function is table stakes. They should have a say in how that data is parsed to determine how it must be protected to remain in compliance with privacy laws. In addition, CISOs have a role to play in assisting the workforce in remaining safe online as well as protecting their (and the companys) privacy.

The risks of data over-collection

During a recent conversation with Rob Shavell, founder of DeleteMe, he commented how data over-collection by companies is a rampant problem. The data brokers take what you give them and what they scrape and package and sell it. He notes, Employers are now helping employees protect their PII [personal identifiable information] as it is in the companys interest to do so.

Speaking to what steps CISOs may take, Shavell suggests that they focus on data-collection compliance points and data tagging. In this manner, process and procedure evolve so data is kept as long as necessary so if an individual wants their PII deleted, it is feasible to do so. (Data privacy in the European Union in the form of General Data Protection Regulation [GDPR] includes the right to be forgotten requiring companies to delete an individuals information on demand.)

TikTok the glaring example of data over-collection

One example of an app that causes one to raise an eyebrow would be TikTok. Shavell comments on how TikTok comes across as a benign app used by kids, teens and adults. Every video interaction is cataloged. Teens become adults. He continued how over the course of time it is probable that this corpora of life path data will be used for predictive analysis to chart future course for individuals.

A recent Gizmodo article dissected a study by Internet 2.0, an Australian cybersecurity firm, titled Its Their Word Against Their Source Code  TikTok Report. Their research showed that the app does indeed connect to China and requests almost complete access to the contents of the phone while the app is in use. That data includes calendar, contact lists and photos. Robert Potter, co-CSO of Internet 2.0, told Gizmodo, When the app is in use, it has the ability to scan the entire hard drive, access the contact lists, as well as see all other apps that have been installed on the device. He noted that this was significantly more than what am app like TikTok needs access to.

Gizmodo was told by TikTok that the data collection conducted is In line with industry practices. We collect information that users choose to provide to us and information that helps the app function, operate securely and improve the user experience.

ADPPA is on the horizon

In late-June 2022, the American Data Privacy and Protection Act (ADPPA) was introduced within the House Energy and Commerce committee and exited committee on July 22. While it is not a panacea, indeed the state of California notes that if passed as written it will weaken some of the actions taken in California to protect the privacy of individuals, it is a step forward. Given the likelihood that it will take some time to wend its way through congress, there is no need for CISOs to wait to address some of the recommendations contained within the bill, as they make imminent sense from a data protection and privacy perspective.

Violet Sullivan, cybersecurity and privacy attorney who serves as the vice of client engagement at Redpoint Cybersecurity, shares, Digital transformation has created a very available method of surveillance tracking. She continues how this piece of bipartisan legislation has great potential to be our first real federal privacy legislation.

The bill includes the areas suggested by Shavell to include the right to delete, right to access and correct, need for companies to designate those responsible for the protection of the data (CISOs take note), and duty of loyalty. Sullivan explains, Duty of loyalty in theory would require organizations to act in the best interest of the individual when processing data and designing services. She adds, What this means for cybersecurity on the technical side  multi-factor authentication, network management, access control, vulnerability assessments, data retention and incident response process and procedures.

In sum, CISOs should be pushing to ensure that data collected is data protected.
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BAGHDAD (AP)  Thousands gathered in Baghdad on Monday for a counter-rally called by Iran-backed groups against their rival, an influential cleric whose followers are staging a sit-in inside the Iraqi parliament  only to withdraw hours later.

It wasn't immediately clear if the pullback by supporters of the Coordination Framework, an alliance lead by Shiite parties close to Iran, was a definite de-escalation in their power struggle with cleric Muqtada al-Sadr's loyalists.

Al-Sadr's followers have been camped out inside the parliament in Baghdads heavily fortified Green Zone since thousands stormed the building on Saturday, demanding reforms and denouncing the Iran-backed alliance. Al-Sadr's representative have called on supporters in Iraqi provinces to protest in their cities and towns in support of the parliament sit-in.

Dueling protests between the two major Shiite factions would have raised the prospect of escalating tensions and plunged Iraq deeper into crisis. The country has struggled with a political vacuum 10 months since federal elections were held last October with no one winning an outright parliament majority and tensions remain high.

Earlier Monday, Iraqi security forces erected concrete barriers ahead of the street protests by the Iran-backed groups.

By early afternoon, thousands of Shiite men arrived at the July 14th Bridge, which leads to the Green Zone, waving Iraqi flags and those belonging to Iran-backed groups and figures. They wore black, the custom ahead of the holy day of Ashura, an important day of mourning in the Shiite Muslim calendar. Ashoura starts on Sunday.

We are sending a message to the other side that we are with the law, the state, said one demonstrator, a member of former Prime Minister Nouri al-Malikis State of Law party. He declined to provide his name, fearing for his safety. Al-Maliki leads the Coalition Framework.

The alliance had instructed its supporters to say at the bridge and not enter the Green Zone but to wait for instructions."

Paramilitary forces belonging to the Popular Mobilization Forces, a state-sanctioned umbrella among which Iran-backed groups are the most powerful, formed a ring around the protesters to block off passage to the Green Zone.

Hours later, the protesters suddenly folded up their banners and left the area  after one of the alliance leaders, Qais al-Khazali, directed them to leave, announcing that their excursion" Monday had been for the sake of Iraq only."

Protesters promptly curled up flags and left the area. They also dismantled the tents erected near the protest site, that at first signaled the possibility of drawn-out demonstrations in a standoff between the two Shiite factions.

On Sunday, al-Sadr had egged on his followers inside the parliament, calling for a revolution to change the political system, the constitution and abolish his rivals. He urged Iraqi tribes to join him, a message his rivals saw as a call to a coup.

And though the Coalition Framework swiftly urged for a counter-rally, fractures also appeared within its leadership, with some members calling for restraint and others pushing for escalation.

Among those urging control and moderation was Fatah Alliance chief Hadi al-Ameri, two Shiite political officials tole The Associated Press, speaking on condition of anonymity in line with regulations. Kataib Hezbollah, another Iran-backed militia group, has also suggested it will not participate in the street protests.

If the situation escalates, it would be the closest that al-Sadr and al-Maliki's followers have come to a confrontation since 2008, when Iraqi troops during al-Maliki's administration drove out al-Sadr's then-militia, the Mahdi Army, out of the southern city of Basra.

Al-Sadr and al-Maliki, powerful in their own right, have been bitter enemies ever since.

Al-Sadr and his party, though the winners in the October parliamentary elections, were unable to muster majority support to form a government. The chance to do so now is with the Coalition Framework, which has nominated a protege of al-Maliki for the post.

The sit-in by al-Sadr's followers  a wide grassroots base among the most impoverished and disenfranchised Iraqi Shiites  is seen a s a tactic to pressure his rivals and prevent them from forming the next government.

Late Monday, caretaker Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi called for preserving public order and urged the sit-in brothers" to cooperate with the security forces, respect state institutions and evacuate them.

Meanwhile, two Shiite officials told the AP that the alliance sent al-Sadr an offer, through a mediator, that he call off the sit-in inside parliament in exchange for the Coalition Framework abandoning efforts to form a government on its own in the near-term.

The proposal also includes that the parliament be closed for an indefinite period while the two sides negotiate about forming the next Cabinet, they said. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because the proposal has not been made public.

There was no immediate reply from al-Sadr.
OLD SAYBROOK  A state police bomb squad has deemed a device found inside a local group home Monday morning was non-hazardous, authorities confirmed.

The bomb squad was called to the group home on Anchorage Lane Monday morning after the device was reported, according to Police Chief Micahel Spera.

The call prompted an evacuation of what he described as the second half of Anchorage Lane.

Further details on the incident were not immediately available.

Check back for updates
The fired CNN producer accused of trying to lure women and their daughters to his Vermont ski house for sexual training is facing a contempt of court claim in Connecticut, according to a new filing in a civil case against him.

John Griffin remains in federal custody in Vermont where he has pleaded not guilty to three counts of using a facility of interstate commerce to attempt to entice minors to engage in unlawful sexual activity.

Griffin, a former Stamford and Norwalk resident, has been accused of paying for a Nevada woman to travel to Vermont with her 9-year-old adopted daughter who was forced to engage in sexual activity, according to court documents.

Griffin is also being sued in Connecticut state Superior Court by the girl and her guardian who are seeking punitive damages based on the heinousness of the defendants misconduct, court documents said.

As part of the lawsuit, a judge agreed to require Griffin to give his attorney, Robert Berke, a specified amount of funds by July 1 to ensure the girl is paid if she wins the lawsuit.

But according to a motion filed by attorney Joel Foxon, who is representing the girl, Griffin has only made a partial payment of the amount required as of Friday. Foxon wants Griffin held in contempt of court based on the lack of full payment, court documents said. The amount Griffin was to give his attorney has been sealed by the court.

The girl, who is now living with the guardian in Connecticut, is referred to as Jane Doe in the lawsuit to protect her identity.

Foxon wants Griffin fined until he sets aside the rest of the money and is seeking for him to pay for the girls legal fees for filing the motion, the documents said.

Griffin did provide the federal government $1 million  his share from the sale of the Vermont home where the alleged incidents occurred  that will be held for restitution if he is found guilty of the federal charges, court documents said.

The girls adoptive mother was arrested and is now in prison in Nevada. The woman was sentenced in April to eight to 20 years in prison on each count in Nevada after pleading guilty to attempted lewdness with a child, court records show. The woman is also required to register as a sex offender and have lifetime supervision, court records show. She was arrested about 18 months before Griffin was charged.

The womans adopted child and her guardian claim in a lawsuit that she was forced to commit sex acts while she was at Griffins Vermont ski home. The child was 9 when the incidents allegedly occurred in July 2020, court documents said.

Griffin was using the alternative website, alt.com, to seek women who were submissive and open-minded, according to his federal indictment.

Griffin then used messaging features on Kik and Google Hangouts to communicate with some of the women, pretending to be the parents of underage girls, court documents stated. In the communications, Griffin tried to persuade parents to let him train their daughters to be sexually submissive, the indictment stated.

Griffin was once a producer for the Chris Cuomo show and was most recently a producer for CNN senior political analyst John Avlon before he was fired after his federal arrest.
SHELTON  State police said a Naugatuck man died after crashing a motorcycle on Route 8 in Shelton early Sunday.

The crash was reported around 12:35 a.m. in the area of Exit 12 southbound, according to an accident summary from state police.

Julian Torres III, 33, was riding a 2006 Suzuki GSX-R600 in the left lane and veered toward the median.

Police said Torres was thrown from the motorcycle and hit a metal guardrail. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The accident is under investigation. Police ask anyone who witnessed the crash or has any other information to contact Trooper Patrick Miko at 203-393-4200 or Patrick.Miko@ct.gov.

Furthermore, if you were driving through the area of the collision at the time of the crash and may have footage recorded on a vehicle equipped dashboard camera, you are also asked to contact Trooper Miko, state police said.
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AUSTIN, Texas  Its not just the death of their son Jesse Lewis in the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre that is causing Scarlett Lewis and Neil Heslin extreme anxiety, according to experts who testified Monday during a trial to determine if a jury will award them $150 million for being defamed by Alex Jones.

Its the vilification of Jesse, one of 20 first graders killed in the 2012 shooting, and themselves brought on by the lies Jones and his Infowars platform promoted by calling the Newtown shooting a hoax that is placing Heslin and Lewis in a constant state of fear and depression, said forensic psychiatrist Roy Lubit.

Now theyre struggling with constant threats to their safety and there is more trauma related to their loss, said Lubit who blamed their symptoms on the way Infowars has portrayed the shootings.

They are still in fear of Sandy Hook deniers and had to go into isolation under the protection of security due to some encounters this week, their attorney Mark Bankston said.

The simple and depressing truth is that they are in fear for their lives, Bankston said in a handwritten statement issued after the trial broke for lunch Monday. Nonetheless Neil and Scarlett are committed to finishing this trial because they know this moment is bigger than just them.

Jones attorney declined to comment on the need for the parents to go into isolation.

Despite their fears, both are still expecting to testify on Tuesday, Bankston said Monday. Jones is also expected to testify Tuesday, his attorney said.

Symptoms of trauma

Heslin shows little emotion  good or bad  and is sleeping less than two hours a night, the psychiatrist said. The emotions are all drained out of him, he said.

Lewis has a gun, a knife, pepper spray and an alarm system but she still refuses to turn on the air conditioning even in blistering heat because shes fearful that she wont hear if an intruder is coming for her, Lubit said.

She and Heslin have withdrawn from life, often isolating themselves out of fear they will be confronted by Sandy Hook deniers, many of whom got their information from Jones, Lubit said. They have been confronted on the street and in one case, someone fired a bullet into Heslins home, the psychiatrist said.

Parents who lose a child will always suffer a hole in their heart but after a few years they can find joy in everyday activities again, Lubit said. They wont be obsessing about the loss all of the time, he said.

In the case of Heslin and Lewis, their healing and sense of peace has been fractured by Jones repeated contention that their son didnt die and they are crisis actors who are being paid to grieve to help pass gun control measures, placing them in a constant state of depression and anxiety, Lubit said.

The psychiatrist was paid by the plaintiffs to assess their condition and testify at the trial, Bankston said. A second clinical professional who has seen Lewis and Heslin, psychotherapist Michael Crouch, also testified Monday, saying Jesses father struggled with the image Jones organization portrayed of the shootings.

Heslin and Lewis were advised to leave the courtroom during Lubit and Crouchs testimony to protect their treatment. Jones did not appear in court Monday.

Jones attorney, Andino Reynal, pointed out during cross-examination that Lubit ran for Congress as a Democrat while living in Fairfield County where the Sandy Hook shootings had occurred. Reynal also questioned why Lubits professional papers on the impact of negative support didnt include that Lewis and Heslin were injured by Alex Jones.

I have no intention of going back into politics, Lubit said. It was an unexpected thing. As for the omission, Lubit explained that he wanted to protect his professional standing and didnt want to include anything that could later be proven untrue.

As early as 2013, Heslin told Crouch during treatment sessions that he was concerned that people were making money off the Sandy Hook shootings. He said there are a number of people who were profiting off what happened at his sons school, Crouch said. People were profiting off of the death of children.

Heslin is haunted by the way the shootings played out, Crouch said. He had dropped his son off and he felt he didnt do enough to protect him, Crouch said.

Protecting their sons legacy

By 2018, Heslin felt he had to protect his sons legacy, Crouch said. An Infowars host had questioned whether Heslin held his dead son after the shooting. But Crouch told the jury that Heslin held Jesse at 1 a.m., hours after the shootings occurred. He said, please let me see my son, and the law enforcement officer let him in, Crouch said.

Jesse was a hero, he saved lives, when Adam Lanza (the shooter who took his own life as police arrived) had run out of ammunition and was reloading, Jesse said run, Crouch said as his voice cracked with emotion. There are kids that are now turning 16 that survived the shootings, Crouch said. Kids who got out, who said Jesse saved our lives, he said run.

Heslin will likely never get over the death of his son, but he will find a place to put it, Crouch said. The new injury is his own personal safety, Crouch said.

Jones and the two Sandy Hook parents the judge ruled he defamed plan to take the stand this week as a jury decides whether to award the parents up to $150 million. Thats $1 in compensation and $1 in punishment for the estimated 75 million Americans who doubt or disbelieve that the shooting happened.

Jones faces a similar but separate trial in Connecticut that begins with jury selection Tuesday.

The Connecticut trial, which will decide how much money Jones will pay an FBI agent and eight Sandy Hook families he defamed, was nearly complicated by a legal maneuver late last week by Jones in which he sued his own parent company, and that parent company filed for bankruptcy. But a Connecticut judge has said counsel should show up as scheduled on Tuesday morning, despite the bankruptcy filing.

At the same time, Jones announced on his Infowars platform in Texas, Obviously, Ill testify on my side next week. That was the first and only word about whether Jones would be on the stand to defend himself.

On the other side, attorneys planned to call Heslin and Lewis.

Jones called the shooting of 26 first graders and educators at Sandy Hook Elementary School staged, synthetic, manufactured, a giant hoax, and completely fake with actors. As a result, the parents argue, 75 million Americans doubt or disbelieve the shooting happened on Dec. 14, 2012.
Opinion: Due to the increased control the unelected Supreme Court has over American life, young people feel helpless to make change in their society. Will voting accomplish needed change?

----------

With the overturning of Roe v. Wade and other recent events, young people are as disillusioned with the government as ever.

It is so easy to fall into the mindset that violence is the only answer; it is so easy to believe that only unrest will solve our problems. I know because Ive been there, too. But threats of violence against elected officials are not the answer.

There is a common belief among some far-right conservatives that the Constitution allows citizens to overthrow the government if it is deemed tyrannical.

However, this is not the case; while it is sometimes claimed the Constitution says this, simple Google searches prove otherwise. This revolutionary phrasing is instead found within the Declaration of Independence, which is of course a non-legal document that cannot be cited within the law.

What the Constitution allows for, however, is the ability to do away with an unfit government via reform, elections and voting. Voting is something you can do if youre over 18, by the way.

A similar mindset to the alt-right is being expressed by many young people; both sides are equally bad, Biden and the Democrats are too corporate (despite being pro-union) and voting for such candidates is incomprehensible. Thus, the only solution would be to protest, riot or worse.

The world is changing, and change is needed to meet it. People feel helpless and hopeless, and like they have no control over their government. So, naturally people want to tear the system down. It is within your right to protest, but protesting alone will have no effect if you dont use your voice and vote for the change you want.

The 2022 midterm elections are on their way this November 8, and they could determine who controls Congress during a crucial time in this countrys history.

According to the 2020 NSLVE Campus Report, the nationwide Average Institutional Voting Rate increased from 53% in 2016, to 66% in 2020. However, UOs voting rate was unchanged from 2016, remaining at 56% in 2020 despite the large effort to encourage students to vote.

This time around, that effort seems nonexistent. This is likely because this is not a presidential election, and thus, in the partied-out, bombed-up minds of UO students, this election doesnt matter.

This is furthermore displayed by the fact that, among 18-21 year-olds, only 38% voted in the 2018 midterms, compared with 47% in 2016s general election and 50% in 2020s general election, as stated by the 2020 NSLVE Campus Report. Of course, these numbers increase steadily among age groups; if you need an additional reason to vote, then not voting is immature.

In the 2020 election, various student groups  many of whom were unrelated to each other and werent voting-centered  came together to get the vote out. Now its time to do it again. Every student group should be putting in more effort to encourage students to vote, not only is it the right thing to do, but many of their collective interests (like climate justice) involve pushing for legislative action.

So for those of you reading this: vote. Please. Just vote. Cmon, Im begging you.
New round of nuke talks likely to be held soon: Iranian lawmaker

Xinhua) 08:57, August 01, 2022

TEHRAN, July 31 (Xinhua) -- An Iranian lawmaker said on Sunday that new round of talks on the revival of the 2015 nuclear deal will probably be held soon, the Iranian Students' News Agency (ISNA) reported.

Given the European sides' efforts to resume the talks, Ali Bagheri Kani, Iran's chief nuclear negotiator, has hinted that the new round of the negotiations will probably be held in the coming days, Yaqoub Reza-Zadeh, a member of the Iranian Parliament's National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, told ISNA.

Hoping for a good agreement in the potential new round of talks, Reza-Zadeh noted that Iran will tread carefully in its efforts to achieve an outcome acceptable to both the people and the parliament.

The venue could still be Vienna, but the definite one "will eventually be determined following an agreement among the sides," he said.

Iran signed the nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), with world powers in July 2015, agreeing to curb its nuclear program in return for the removal of sanctions on the country. However, former U.S. President Donald Trump pulled Washington out of the agreement in May 2018 and reimposed unilateral sanctions on Tehran, prompting the latter to drop some of its commitments under the pact.

The talks on reviving the JCPOA began in April 2021 in the Austrian capital but were suspended in March this year because of political differences between Tehran and Washington.

After a three-month pause, the talks resumed in late June in Qatar's capital Doha, but failed to settle the differences.

(Web editor: Wu Chaolan, Liang Jun)
Like any exiting Prime Minister, Boris Johnson is busy working on his Resignation Honours list.

The 252 Conservatives in the Upper House are outnumbered by 434 Labour, Lib Dem and cross-benchers, so Boris aims to drape the ermine over dozens of new shoulders to help address this imbalance. And his plans are annoying all the right people.

In the Guardian last week, Gordon Brown called it a 'scandal'. The Labour peer and Lord Speaker John McFall said it 'undermines public confidence in our parliamentary system'.

But the noisiest of all in this squawking chorus has been Baroness D'Souza, one of McFall's predecessors as Speaker.

The 252 Conservatives in the Upper House (pictured) are outnumbered by 434 Labour, Lib Dem and cross-benchers, so Boris aims to drape the ermine over dozens of new shoulders to help address this imbalance

'Overstuffing the chamber . . . to achieve a majority of Tory-voting peers will not resolve the problem of poor and ill-thought-through legislation,' she moans. 'Instead it will do the public a disservice.'

This from the woman who as Speaker insisted taxpayers should not 'begrudge' the 4,000 of their money she spent on flowers over five years to brighten up her parliamentary office. In justifying her extravagance, D'Souza argued that there should be more 'respect' for the 'mystique' of Westminster.

Then there was the 1,120 she spent taking a Russian delegation to the ballet, including 230 to keep her chauffeur waiting outside for four hours. Let alone the 10,000 splurged on ceremonial clothes during her tenure.

So who is she to talk about 'doing the public a disservice'?

Love's labours lost on Liz Truss

As she appears unstoppable in her quest to become the new Conservative leader, there is one battle Liz Truss seems unable to win . . . with her own daughter.

Asked by LBC's Nick Ferrari at the first Tory hustings last week if she'd watched reality show Love Island, Truss replied: 'I did for ten minutes with my teenage daughter and I was horrified and turned it off.

'Unfortunately, she wasn't  and I'm quite worried she's gone to watch it on her own!'

With the final airing tonight, the TV remote is sure to be fought over at Casa Truss.

Former Labour Home Secretary Alan Johnson racks his brains to find something positive to say about the party's leader Sir Keir Starmer. 'Brilliant speeches on the platform, but awkward in interviews,' was Johnson's verdict on the Political Party podcast. Brilliant speeches? What did we miss?

Boris Johnson makes no secret of his admiration for Winston Churchill. But historian David Starkey believes he is more similar to David Lloyd George. 'Both had disrupted childhoods,' says Starkey. 'Both had ways with words. And both were driven by a powerful sexual appetite.'

Olwen  one of the Welshman's legimate brood (he had several illegitimate children, too)  once demanded of a shop assistant: 'Don't you know who I am? I am Lloyd George's daughter!' 'Aren't we all, dearie?' the girl replied.

Eccentric arch-Remainer Rory Stewart lost the Tory whip in 2019 after he failed to support Brexit legislation.

Now, in a further step away from Conservative values, Stewart has come out in favour of proportional representation.

He makes the case in Leftie mag the New Statesman, saying: 'People point out that I spend a lot of time sounding like a Lib Dem  they're probably right.' Sounds like Boris was correct to kick him out.

Leadsom wouldn't stay Mum

In her new political memoir, Snakes And Ladders, former Tory Cabinet minister Andrea Leadsom makes an astonishing revelation. On the very day she gave birth to her daughter in 2005, she dragged herself out of bed to attend a selection meeting for a Tory Parliamentary constituency. Leadsom wasn't chosen  but I hope the committee admired her grit. How many of today's work-from-home generation could say they'd do the same?

Tory MP Rehman Chishti has no regrets about his catastrophic bid to run for the Tory leadership. In an interview with PoliticsHome, the MP for Gillingham and Rainham said he hoped to be remembered as 'somebody who has self-belief'. Having secured precisely zero votes from his fellow MPs, I'm not sure this 'self-belief' was justified.
When Waitrose starts warning us to stock up on canned goods, you have to believe there must be something in the scare stories about looming food shortages.

Britain's most middle-class supermarket chain says we should be eating at least one tinned or frozen dinner a week to give us 'wiggle room' when planning meals.

That way, we won't be wasting increasingly scarce fresh ingredients. We're also advised not to go shopping on an empty stomach in case we impulse-buy food we don't need and which is destined to end up in the bin.

The way things are going, we'll all be forced to choose between green cheese and brown meat in future

Waitrose is the latest supermarket to scrap 'best before' dates on packaged fruit and vegetables, following the lead of Marks & Sparks. In future, shoppers should use the old-fashioned 'sniff test' to determine whether food has gone off.

As a rule of thumb, the presence of maggots is a good indication that something is long past its prime, as is anything which looks like a test bed for the production of penicillin.

I've always favoured the yardstick used by Walter Matthau's celebrated slob Oscar Madison, in Neil Simon's The Odd Couple, after fetching food from the broken-down fridge to feed his card-school buddies.

70 per cent of the food we throw away is probably perfectly edible

Offering the plate to his pal Murray the cop, Oscar says: 'I got, uh, brown sandwiches and, uh, green sandwiches. Which one do you want?'

'What's the green?'

'It's either very new cheese or very old meat.'

'I'll take the brown.'

The way things are going, we'll all be forced to choose between green cheese and brown meat in future. Probably wise to follow Waitrose's advice and open a tin of Alphabetti Spaghetti, just to be on the safe side.

When two of the top supermarket companies feel it necessary to tell us what food to buy  and what not to  you can be sure things are getting serious.

How long before the Government declares a 'food emergency'?

Waitrose is the latest supermarket to scrap 'best before' dates on packaged fruit and vegetables, following the lead of Marks & Sparks

Getting rid of 'best before' dates is only sensible and long overdue, in light of the fact that 70 per cent of the food we throw away is probably perfectly edible.

But urging us to switch to canned goods smacks of wartime rationing, suggesting there may be trouble ahead. Stand by for the Bog Roll Bandits once again laying siege to Costco and stripping the shelves of baked beans.

When I wrote about this rich bounty during the Covid lockdown  as we were being advised to stay at home and live off whatever we had in the pantry  Gary immortalised Mum in one of his fabulous, inimitable cartoons. It's an image I'll treasure, along with her legacy of tinned food

I have visions of a Mad Max-style landscape with hideously obese women in XXXXL tracksuits brawling in the aisles over the last value pack of catering-sized processed peas. (Presumably they'll have worked their way through all that panic-bought dried pasta by now.)

Joking aside, though, politicians have only just started waking up to the genuine threat of food shortages further down the line.

For too long, Britain's farmers have been hamstrung by the European Union's Common Agricultural Policy and muddle-headed eco-fanatics at home.

Sharp increases in the cost of living, the recent drought and the war in Ukraine  which has pushed the price of wheat and cooking oil through the roof  have exposed the urgent need to address the crisis in our countryside.

Britain has the expertise and capacity to become virtually self-sufficient in the production of essential foodstuffs. The quality of our fresh produce, from vegetables to beef, is second to none.

Politicians have only just started waking up to the genuine threat of food shortages further down the line

But, as the NFU president Minette Batters warned in the Mail on Sunday, British farmers are frustrated at every turn by a bureaucracy in thrall to EU rules and noisy 'conservationists'. Just as hysterical 'climate change' protesters have been able to thwart fracking, which would meet all this country's gas needs for at least 50 years, so has the Tibetan bobble-hat brigade been instrumental in steering agricultural policy away from food production.

Fields that could be used for growing crops or breeding cattle are lying idle because there's little profit in farming these days.

As Jeremy Clarkson has discovered, the only way to make money out of the land is to open a restaurant in your barn and let Amazon Prime make a documentary about it. Clarkson has done more to highlight the problems facing Britain's farmers than any politician. Now, thankfully, someone is paying attention.

Tory leadership frontrunner Liz Truss is pledging urgent help if and when she becomes Prime Minister. Not before time.

Six years after we voted Leave, Fizzy Lizzie  a former environment secretary  is promising finally to rip up petty rules and regulations generated both in Brussels and Whitehall. That's what taking back control was supposed to be about. The tragedy is that it has taken so long.

NFU president Minette Batters warned in the Mail on Sunday, British farmers are frustrated at every turn by a bureaucracy in thrall to EU rules and noisy 'conservationists'

While she's at it, Truss should rein in the metropolitan tree-huggers campaigning to make farmers' lives as miserable as possible.

Over the past few weeks, this column has had great fun lampooning the craze for 'rewilding' the countryside by reintroducing exotic species such as bison in Kent and Norwegian sea eagles in Scotland.

I joked that some of these headbangers wouldn't be satisfied until Britain had been turned into Jurassic Park.

But, in truth, it's no longer a laughing matter. Along with an official mania among the Guardianistas who run the Environment Agency for flooding agricultural fields to create wetlands suited to our old friend the Depressed River Mussel, the rewilders are manufacturing the conditions for food shortages.

Minette Batters says the future of Britain as a food-producing nation is under threat as never before

I suppose if push comes to shove we could always eat bison burgers and roast sea eagles.

But, as it stands, farmers are better off planting windmills than wheat. Minette Batters says the future of Britain as a food-producing nation is under threat as never before.

Scandalously, she maintains that 'food is viewed as an unfortunate by-product of delivering for the environment'.

This is where legislating for the demands of a shouty, single-issue minority of self-styled 'activists' has brought us  in agriculture, as in so many other areas.

Unless there is a radical sea-change in government thinking specifically over agriculture and energy  we face a grim future of queueing in the dark for everything from bread to petrol.

For now, though, best start stockpiling canned food

For now, though, best start stockpiling canned food. Not that the generation who lived through World War II would need any prompting.

When my mum died in March, she bequeathed us a rich inheritance of tinned goods  from scotch broth and Mulligatawny soup to evaporated milk and canned carrots. Much of it was priced in old money and had moved house with her about half a dozen times.

When I wrote about this rich bounty during the Covid lockdown  as we were being advised to stay at home and live off whatever we had in the pantry  Gary immortalised Mum in one of his fabulous, inimitable cartoons.

It's an image I'll treasure, along with her legacy of tinned food. You never know when all those cans might come in handy, especially if there's a run on baked beans at Waitrose.

A proper copper says no to the knee

Today's edition of Mind How You Go comes from Hampshire, where police arrested an army veteran for retweeting a photo of a swastika made out of gay pride flags.

A few weeks ago, in this column, I compared the triumphalist display of pride flags in London's Regent Street to Berlin 1938. Maybe I'll be getting my collar felt, too.

Policing the internet for ridiculous 'non-crime hate incidents' has become an obsession with the Old Bill, who have for years now put 'celebrating diversity' way ahead of actually nicking real villains.

At last, hope comes along in the shape of Stephen Watson, new chief constable of Manchester. After telling his officers to smarten up and attend all burglaries, he has condemned the pursuit of trivial non-crimes.

'We've got ourselves involved in stuff which is just not a policing matter. We've wasted our time as a result and we've caused people to question, frankly, whether we know what we're doing.'

Hallelujah. There speaks a proper, old-fashioned copper.

Watson also has no time for constantly genuflecting before anti-police groups such as Black Lives Matter. He takes the knee to no one except 'the Queen, God and Mrs Watson . . . '

But not necessarily, as Eric Morecambe might have observed, in that order.

For years, I've been trying to fathom who Lady Di's ex-minder Ken Wharfe reminded me of. Reading his memoirs in the Mail on Sunday, the penny dropped. He's the spitting image of Cheerful Charlie Chisholm's rival DS Ronnie Rycott  appropriately enough, in Minder.
I had to travel from London to Edinburgh and back last Tuesday. It was the day before the rail strike, but the usual chaos prevailed  power problems near Peterborough this time. If it is not one thing, it is another.

There are three more days of planned industrial action this summer. And it is not just rail workers. Postal workers have voted to strike. Criminal barristers have been protesting over pay, too.

We all grumble about the disruption. But as a self-employed person, I rather envy those who can stand together with colleagues to make their case.

Fiction  from the great 19thcentury novels, such as Emile Zolas Germinal and Elizabeth Gaskells North And South to 20th-century classics like John Steinbecks The Grapes Of Wrath  is very much on the workers side. In fact, I cannot think of a single novel (certainly not one that is still read and celebrated) that is more sympathetic to the bosses than the working poor.

British author Patricia Nicol has rounded up a selection of the best books on strikes including David Peace's GB84 and Lissa Evans' Old Baggage

The dangers of living in a country where companies can bully the authorities to run roughshod over human rights is portrayed in one of the most harrowing episodes of Gabriel Garcia Marquezs One Hundred Years Of Solitude.

The massacre described, in which the Colombian army opens fire on striking banana workers, is based on historic events at a United Fruit Company plantation in 1928.

I was reminded of David Peaces GB84 while watching the BBC drama Sherwood. His novel imaginatively recounts the 1984-85 Miners Strike from the politically oppositional perspectives of a union leader and an adviser to Margaret Thatcher.

Some rights we now take for granted were hastened by direct action. The redoubtable protagonist of Lissa Evans Old Baggage is Mattie, a former militant suffragette. Attending Emmeline Pankhursts funeral, she wears her prized campaign medals: ones that commemorate her hunger strikes, protests and incarcerations.

But this is a novel set in 1928. The question for Mattie is, what comes after the fight of your life?
When I was growing up, ice cream flavours comprised an uncompromising trio: vanilla, chocolate and strawberry.

If you were lucky, you got all three in a block of Walls Neapolitan. Cornettos were a generation away but oh how we celebrated the arrival of the Fab in 1967!

It was my weekly treat until I ditched it for a new favourite, the strawberry Mivvi, an innovation of icy white gunk coated with sweet red glue.

However, flavour-wise, we were still in vanilla territory. And, with this months extreme hot weather, Id be yawning with boredom after a day or two of those 50-year-old offerings had I not paid a visit to an extraordinary London ice-cream parlour.

Soy sauce ice cream (left) was delightfully moreish. Right: Worcestershire Sauce is another of the wackier ice cream flavours sold by Anya Hindmarch's London shop

Opened as a pop-up by the playfully inventive handbag designer, Anya Hindmarch, I can only describe the flavours on sale at The Ice Cream Project as familiarly unfamiliar.

Each has been made with food brands that sit in every larder across the land.

Yes, prepare yourself for Heinz Tomato Ketchup ice cream and another made with PG Tips. Then there is also mayonnaise flavour, Lea & Perrins, HP Sauce, Kikkoman Soy Sauce, baked beans and Salad Cream (both Heinz).

The sweet icon list includes Kelloggs Coco Pops and Frosties, Lyles Golden Syrup, Birds Custard and Polo  a mint sorbet with smashed Polo mints.

The wait to get into Anya Hindmarch's trendy ice cream shop is over an hour (file image)

I know. Much as I love creativity and innovation in food, I rather dread the next attention-grabbing twist on a classic. And while we have all welcomed new flavours such as salted caramel, the Ice Cream Project menu ought likely to be a step too far.

But heres the shock: HP Sauce ice cream is absolutely delicious. Toffee coloured, it has notes of windfall apple and caramel with a tiny bittersweet tang of malt vinegar. It is interesting in the right way  because it is innovation that succeeds.

Hindmarch loves a twist on the familiar, making everyday things in an extraordinary way. Her concept is much like the thinking behind Andy Warhols Campbells Soup Cans series in 1962. The pop artist also saw the beauty in modern culture and put two fingers up to the snobs who said otherwise.

Following the surprise delectability of the HP Sauce ice cream, I confidently tried the rest. Lea & Perrins Worcestershire Sauce flavour had a tomato sorbet base and sang Bloody Mary.

Heinz Tomato Ketchup flavoured ice cream was fruity and tart, contrary to my expectations

Lea & Perrins Worcestershire Sauce flavour had a tomato sorbet base and sang Bloody Mary

Kikkoman Soy Sauce had a slightly meaty overtone but was delightfully moreish. Heinz Tomato Ketchup was fruity and tart; Polo mint especially refreshing.

The Kelloggs cereal types were predictably good (the children in the shop loved them) and Birds Custard ridiculously rich.

Of the 14 flavours, I only disliked two: Heinz baked beans and Mayonnaise. The baked bean ice cream had actual whole baked beans dispersed in it (One of your five-a-day!). Biting on one of these nearly dislodged a crown.

Meanwhile, the mayonnaise was simply too offbeat, rich and sour at the same time.

Anya Hindmarchs Ice Cream Project has been developed with a Devon ice-cream manufacturer Granny Gothards.

Her parlour is situated along with her shops and eponymous cafe in Pont Street, Belgravia, where she holds regular pop-up events. And its already causing a stir on social media.

When I visited last week, a queue of more than 50 young people sweltered in the heat outside. Inside, two enthusiastic staff were scooping mixtures of flavours into pots costing 3.50.

Ketchup flavour was not among the pair I disliked: Heinz baked beans and mayonnaise

All the flavours are available in 500ml tubs at 10. One shopper bought a cool 18 pots.

Now, Hindmarchs concept may raise eyebrows but you must remember, ice cream has been an ever-changing invention.

It is not only one of the greatest and most loved discoveries in the world of food, it is also one of the oldest. If you reflect that we have only had electric refrigerators since 1870 and continuous automatic freezing was invented in 1926  less than 100 years ago  it is astonishing that ice cream has a more than 2,000-year history.

The first recorded sweet frozen desserts were made circa 550BC using clean virgin snow and ice cut from the high mountains of Europe and the Middle East, transported in hay-insulated carts to the lowland cities where they were stored in similarly wadded ice houses.

In Persia, now Iran, the ice was mixed with fruit syrups to make sharbat, an early version of sorbet  only available to the richest ruling classes who could afford to obtain the ice.

People have been making cold treats for more than 2,000 years - but this is a new twist

New versions of sweet ices were developed by the Greeks and the Romans, including those made by mixing ice with alcohol. But it was not until the 4th century that it was discovered that if you placed a bowl of cream over a tub of ice mixed with salt, it created an endothermic effect, freezing the contents of the bowl.

If you own a simple electric ice cream churn that sits in a pre-frozen tub, it is very little changed from this ancient method.

The French, Italians, British and Americans made ice cream commercially available in shops in the 19th century  flavoured with a vast choice of fruit, flower waters, coffee, nuts, candied fruits and chocolate.

Every glacier, gelateria and ice cream parlour competed heavily to outdo the competition, prompting some incredible creativity.

Certainly, Anya Hindmarchs shocking inventions are by no means the first.

Baked Alaska, created in 1867, has been attributed to various chefs including Antoine Alciatore of the New Orleans restaurant, Antoine. Cooks found that the egg whites in meringue spread over a dome of ice cream are a poor conductor of heat, so the pudding could be caramelised in the oven without melting the contents.

The Italian Futurist Filippo Tommaso Marinetti released a manifesto in the 1930s with recipes intending to upend Italian food traditions, suggesting simultaneous ice cream. The resulting combination of vanilla and onion was pronounced revolting.

Tomato Ketchup flavour is the latest innovation in a long history of wacky ice cream invention

We witnessed the popularity of brown bread ice cream in the 1970s and black pepper ice cream in the 1990s. And who can forget Heston Blumenthals notorious bacon and egg ice cream, served at his restaurant the Fat Duck in the 2000s?

Made by boiling crisp bacon with milk, combining it with scrambled egg, sieving it to make a smooth cream then frozen  it certainly made headlines.

It was, he said at the time, the restaurants most controversial dish. Blumenthal would also serve a version of the Twister lolly, made with smoked salmon and avocado.

Hindmarchs new ice age succeeds, not least because humour and scrumptiousness are carried together in one dollop. But also because her innovation inspires.

After my visit to The Ice Cream Project, I concocted a frozen ice- cream breakfast, with a scoop each of Hindmarchs Quaker Oats, Lyles Golden Syrup and PG Tips ice creams. It was, of course, Fab.
Meghan Markle and Rebekah Vardy are both 'women with no apparent talent' who 'think they know everything', Lady Colin Campbell has claimed.

Appearing on GB News today, the royal expert suggested the Duchess of Sussex, 40, who is currently living in her $14 million California mansion having stepped back from royal duty last year, is 'very committed to being self serving.'

After comparing the mother-of-two to Rebekah Vardy, she told Mark Dolan: 'We seem to have a whole slew of really rather tiresome, very opinionated women, who seem to have made their way in life through talents which are not immediately apparent, and they think they're the best thing since sliced bread. And they know everything.'

Lady Colin's comments come as it was claimed Prince Harry, 37, and Meghan won't be visiting the Queen when she takes her summer break at Balmoral despite an invite.

Meghan Markle and Rebekah Vardy are both 'women with no apparent talent' who 'think they know everything', Lady Colin Campbell has claimed

Speaking to GB News, Lady Colin said: 'She's very calculating and I think that if he had not been a Prince Henry of Wales, she wouldn't have given him two minutes, much less the length of time she intends to give him.

Asked on her opinion of Meghan was committed, she said: 'Yes, of course, she was very committed to being self serving, but only self serve. Public service? Not a chance.

'This is a woman who, in my opinion, everything is calculated and it all comes down to status, and bucks and attention.'

She added: 'Notice how dexterously she moved him from the royal family to Californiashe has clearly decided that she wasn't going to give her time or her energy to the British people or was serving humanity when she could serve her financial interests in a community property state, where in the event of a divorce she gets a whopping 50 per cent.'

Meanwhile Lady C compared the Duchess to Rebekah Vardy, whom she called 'pretentious'

California is a community property state, meaning all assets acquired during the marriage by either spouse are split equally, unless there is a pre-nup.

Lady C added: 'If she gets something better, he will be toast. If she never finds anything betterthat's the modus operandi of people who are very opportunistic, narcissistic and exploitative.

'I said in my book that I was told the royal family's great fear was that Harry would actually end up doing something rather dramatic and final.

'The people who know him very well, there was the fear that his passions would prevail over the limited amount of sense that he has. He's not the brightest star in the constellation.'

Appearing on GB News today, Lady C claimed the Duchess of Sussex has 'dexterously' moved the Duke to California 'where in the event of a divorce she gets a whopping 50 per cent'

On the couple's business deals, she said: 'I've been reliably informed that the figures that have been quoted were pie in the sky.

'Netflix and Spotify have not given them anywhere near the amount of money that they would like the world to [believe]

'No, I think that she is in some ways on a very slippery slope, shades of Rebekah Vardy.

'You know, the chickens come home to roost when you are as artificial as these women are.'

Asked about the court case involving Rebekah Vardy and Coleen Rooney, she said: 'I felt it was insanity.

The commentator claimed the American mother-of-two was driven by 'status, money and attention' (pictured with the Duke)

Asked if Rebekah was similar in character to Meghan Markle, she said: 'Yes, peas of the same pod.

'And I think they have exploited similar talents to arrive where they have arisen atthey're so pretentious.'

Her comments come as it emerged the Queen reportedly asked the couple and their two children, three-year-old Archie and Lilibet, one, to stay at her Scottish residence and told royal staff to prepare.

It was said that the Sussexes would not have to spend time with other royals such as Charles and William.

However the couple, who last went to Balmoral in 2018, are said to not be planning to attend the Scottish Highlands estate over the next few months.

A Balmoral insider told The Sun and Page Six: 'Staff have been told to expect the full list of royals including Harry, Meghan and their children.

'They are preparing for the Sussexes.'

Another sources is reported to have said: 'I would be stunned if they did turn up.'

It is understood the couple are planning to stay in the United States before the release of Harrys memoir.

PageSix reports that Harry, 37, and Meghan, 40, are not expected to join the Queen because they have not been invited.
Austrian Prince Paul-Anton Esterhazy von Galantha and his model girlfriend Franziska Reutter have tied the knot at a stunning service in Carinthia.

The 36-year-old aristocrat, whose family was once one of the richest in Austria-Hungary, wed 33-year-old Franziska, nicknamed Sissi, in a picturesque ceremony surrounded by loved ones last weekend.

Educated at a boarding school in England, Paul-Anton attended St Andrews University ahead of getting a Master's degree at Oxford, while Franziska studied mathematics at the University of Edinburgh before gaining a degree in civil engineering.

Franziska, who also descends from Austrian nobility, donned two elegant dresses for her big day - with her simple wedding gown featuring a billowing skirt, round neckline and a cinched waist.

Austrian Prince Paul-Anton Esterhazy von Galantha and his model girlfriend Franziska Reutter have tied the knot at a stunning service in Carinthia

The 36-year-old aristocrat, whose family was once one of the richest in Austria-Hungary, wed 33-year-old Franziska, nicknamed Sissi, in a picturesque ceremony surrounded by loved ones last weekend

Educated at a boarding school in England, Paul-Anton attended St Andrews University ahead of getting a Master's degree at Oxford, while Franziska studied mathematics at the University of Edinburgh before gaining a degree in civil engineering. Pictured, what appears to be the wedding reception

The blushing bride completed her look with a spotted veil, a dainty silver tiara, and a golden pendant necklace, as well as pearl earrings.

She carried a lavish array of white and cream flowers in her bouquet while holding onto her dashing husband's arm in pictures shared to social media.

Adding a smattering of glamorous makeup to her pretty features, she kept her hair in a low bun to avoid distracting from the stunning collection of jewellery on display.

The prince looked equally sophisticated in all his finery, which included a golden waistcoat with a blue polka dot tie.

In another image shared online, the couple are greeted by guests carrying colourful flowers and wearing traditional ensembles.

Their wedding reception then appeared to take place at a stunning white building, with glamorous guests gracing the grounds.

Franziska, who also descends from Austrian nobility, donned two elegant dresses for her big day - with her simple wedding gown featuring a billowing skirt, round neckline and a cinched waist

For her second frock, the bride appeared to don a sleeveless white number, with a flowing skirt and minimal details.

THE HISTORY OF THE HOUSE OF ESTERHAZY Prince Paul-Anton Esterhazy von Galantha's family were major landowners in the Austro-Hungarian. But when the two became separate nations following the First World War, the properties were split in different countries. Land reforms in Hungary meant properties were confiscated from former princes and other noble families. Meanwhile, one ruling head of the family, Prince Paul, eventually left his entire fortune to his widow Melinda following his death in 1989, rather than the properties and land going to his heir, his nephew Prince Anton (1936). Advertisement

She completed the look with an elegant pair of drop earrings as she posed with smartly-dressed guests in group photographs shared to Twitter.

Paul-Anton, the only child of Anton Rudolf Marie Georg Christoph Hubertus Johannes Karl Aglae, the 13th Prince Esterhazy von Galantha and his first wife, Ursula Koenig, and Franziska got engaged in 2021.

The groom was born in Munich on February 18, 1986, while the bride was born on July 6, 1989, in Klagenfurt and is the youngest of four children of Georg von Reutter and Joanna Rowena Christine Doubleday.

While at university, the prince reportedly studied business administration and international politics, while he also gained a Master's degree focusing on Central Eastern Europe.

Speaking in 2019 to Austrian newspaper Kronen Zeitung about the use of titles, he said: 'I have never held titles myself and live a completely normal life.

'Of course, these terms are still used. They are historical and come from times long past. However, this goes hand in hand with a close connection with the family history.'

His father Prince Anton is said to live in a stable at Eszterhaza Palace in Fertod, Hungary, where he is employed by the state, which now owns the palace, to 'play the Prince for tourists'.
A student claimed her 1,600-a-month accommodation was like a 'prison' - with broken heating, cockroaches crawling about and a bag of sick left out for a day.

Alicia Sowerby, 23, originally from York, moved into iQ Student Accommodation block of flats in Aldgate, London, last September when she enrolled at the University of Law: London Bloomsbury.

She finally moved out of the 412-a-week flat on Friday after a torrid year, which she said affected her physical and mental health.

Alicia, who shared the high-rise accommodation with other students from across the world, is now lifting the lid on the 'overwhelmingly upsetting' living conditions.

Alicia Sowerby, 23, originally from York, moved into iQ Student Accommodation block of flats in Aldgate, London, last September when she enrolled at the University of Law: London Bloomsbury. It is unclear how the damage above was caused

Although the shared accommodation has a flat screen TV, there were giant holes in the roof

A bag of vomit was left on a sofa and dripped onto the carpet for an entire day without anyone clearing it up

Alicia Sowerby, 23, (pictured) moved into the high-rise block in Aldgate, London when she began studying law in the capital last September

Do you have photos of awful student accommodation? Email chris.matthews@mailonline.co.uk Advertisement

She said: 'It's absolutely horrendous. You wouldn't believe it. It's such a lot of money I have no idea how they are getting away with this.

'The whole block stinks and there is rubbish everywhere. It's disgusting.

'There was a bag of sick left on a chair for a whole day - it was spilling out everywhere. Living there was so bad for my mental and physical health.

'Those living conditions are a breach of human rights. It's like living in a prison.

'I used to sit and work near the reception area and people were complaining all the time but nothing changed.'

Alicia, from York, moved in on September 4, 2021.

Despite the problems, she decided to stick it out - although others quickly cancelled their contracts, she said.

Mucky water then started leaking from the fifth to the fourth floor eight weeks ago, and from the light fittings in the smoking area

Ms Sowerby said the experience had been detrimental to her mental and physical health

The law student originally from York shared photos of rubbish including delivery bags and envelopes spilling from one room

She said the conditions were a breach of human rights and living in the flat was like being in a 'prison'

Alicia claimed a group of Chinese students even sought help from their embassy, and many contacted the local MP.

Residents also organised a petition over complaints, she claimed.

Pest control was called to an infestation of cockroaches, but the insects kept spreading throughout one of the floors, Alicia said.

Mucky water then started leaking from the fifth to the fourth floor eight weeks ago, and from the light fittings in the smoking area.

The lifts then broke at the start of May, so students were then forced to trudge up and down 32 flights of stairs until they were fixed.

Alicia said: 'I heard that one guy got stuck in the lift overnight. He couldn't get out, because the emergency button had been taken out.

Residents of the flats even organised a petition detailing their complaints, Ms Sowerby claimed

Water was pictured leaking through the fittings of a smoke alarm. It was unclear whether this prevented them from working

Other leaks left the green carpet in one of the student accommodation corridors with a large stain

The flat was a tip with shattered plates and glass all over the floor, which no one cleaned up

Full rubbish bags were left in the stairwell but no one came to clear them away for the students. 'We're just young people trying to live away from home for the first time. It was overwhelmingly upsetting and I really couldn't handle it,' Ms Sowerby said

'The pest control man said they were German cockroaches that spread really quickly, and they tried to get rid of them.

'But after he left I heard they had spread over the whole floor and it was going to be shut down. They are still there.

'We're just young people trying to live away from home for the first time. It was overwhelmingly upsetting and I really couldn't handle it.'

IQ Student Accommodation said: 'We pride ourselves on the high-quality accommodation we provide to our students and ensure common areas are cleaned multiple times each day.

'We are disappointed that Alicia has made a series of allegations, supported by misleading photographs, that do not reflect the reality of life at Aldgate.

'We frequently inspect our buildings and over the last year we have addressed every issue that Alicia has raised.'

The University said it had 'no relationship with the accommodation provider in question'.
The Spanish royals looked like the picture-perfect family as they stepped out in Mallorca this evening.

Accompanied by her husband King Felipe VI and their daughters, Princesses Leonora and Sofia, Queen Letizia was chic in a white skirt and cami top.

She accessorised the emerald-coloured satin top with a cross-body straw handbag with a leather strap.

Wearing her thick, dark brown locks down and tucked behind one ear, the Queen, 49, wore simple, classic earrings.

King Felipe VI, 54, Princess Leonor, 16, Princess Sofia and Queen Letizia, 49, looked like a picture-perfect family as they visitd the Cartuja de Valldemosa

All grown up! The young princesses wore white and baby pink dresses, with Leonor sporting boho curls and braids

She walked alongside daughters Princess Leonor, 16, and Infanta Sofia, 15, who were dressed in white and pink dresses.

Their neutral colours were a change from the bold tones shown off by the young princesses at the Cathedral of Santiago last week.

Looking exceptionally glamorous the two young princesses showed their styles are matching that of their mother's, while walking around Santiago de Compostela.

While young Sofia wore a pretty baby blue dress and flat ballet shoes while her hair was half combed up off her face, her older sister Leonor wore a 75 Cayro Vestido yasmin pink and red dress.

Letizia chose a Vogana 220 Mer dress in orange, pulled in at the chest, with matching soft brown Carolina Herrera Mini Doma Insignia satchel crossbody bag and singback camel suede pumps.

The Spanish Royal Family posed in front of a beautiful backdrop as they attended the Cartuja de Vallmossa in Mallorca, Spain

After smiling for photos, the family turned around to look at the beautiful backdrop

Even the King tells dad jokes! Queen Letizia gave her husband a knowing look while he spoke to his daughters

King Felipe VI looked cool and collected as he stepped out in a light blue cotton shirt, jeans and brown moccasins

But Princess Leonor of Asturias swapped bright pink for classic white during this evening's visit. She wore her hair down in loose boho curls with braids.

Cutting a casual yet stylish look, the King, 54, wore a light blue shirt and denim jeans.

The family were snapped visiting the Cartuja de Valldemossa in Mallorca, Spain, which was built in the 14th century.

King James II of Mallorca originally built the palace for his son Sancho - however by the end of the century it became disused when the kingdom of Mallorca was incorporated into the kingdom of Aragon.

Later, the king of Aragon gifted the former Palace to the monks, and the building became a monastery.

Princess Leonor of Asturias wore white wedge espadrilles with her hippie-chic white dress

Younger sibling Princess Sofia opted for flats as she paired her light pink dress with brown espadrilles

The princesses showed they are taller than their petite mother as the family walked in single file through the grounds
Thousands of women are raving about a new body wash from Frank Body that banishes acne and leaves the body silky smooth

Thousands of women are raving about a new body wash from Frank Body that banishes acne and leaves the body silky smooth after one use.

The 'game-changing' Clearing Body Wash, sold for $12.95 online and at Mecca, is made with acne fighting salicylic acid and claims to slough off stubborn dead skin, reduce excess oil and take out whiteheads and blackheads for good.

The simple formula is made with Kakadu plum, hydrating aloe vera and vitamin B to brighten and care for the skin and is made without 20 common ingredients that work against your skin.

The results are thanks to the inclusion of two types of gentle chemical exfoliants - lactic and glycolic - that banish a layer of dead cells to reveal clearer, more plump skin.

The 'game-changing' Clearing Body Wash, sold for $12.95 online and at Mecca, is made with acne fighting salicylic acid and claims to slough off stubborn dead skin, reduce excess oil and take out whiteheads and blackheads for good

These alpha hydroxy acids work together to exfoliate, hydrate, and help firm the skin.

It also has mango seed butter which can help soothe dry, irritated skin thanks to vitamin C and vitamin A which are both known to help even complexion.

The final powerhouse ingredient is macadamia seed oil, a rich, non-greasy oil, keeps skin hydrated long after use.

The brand predicts a staggering five million will be sold in coming months, with the formula already one of its best-selling products - in addition to the famous Original Coffee Scrub - despite only launching in February.

The company hasn't had such demand for a product since the release of its limited-edition Shimmer Scrub that had a 90,000 person waitlist and sold out in days.

As part of the brand's Everyday Range (a performance focused line of daily personal care products), the product claims to deliver 'more than just the basics people have come to expect from their body washes'.

The product has had countless five-star reviews since the launch, with many reporting blemish-free skin in a matter of weeks.

'I just discovered this body wash today and I'm never going back. head over heels,' one wrote.

The company hasn't had such demand for a product since the release of its limited-edition Shimmer Scrub that had a 90,000 person waitlist and sold out in days

The brand predicts a staggering five million will be sold in coming months, with the formula already one of its best-selling products - in addition to the famous Original Coffee Scrub - despite only launching in February

'A year ago I had the worst allergies and terrible skin problems, mostly acne, and for the first time ever at 30 years old I switched to frank and my skin is the clearest it's ever been in just a few months,' another added.

Another said: 'I got this because so many women rave about it. I figured I'd give it a shot. I have always struggled with the back of my thighs breaking out. After two washes now I can see a difference in how much this body wash has toned down the redness and the dryness that comes along with the breakouts on my skin.'

The wash is designed to be used before scrubbing, but after conditioning your hair and repeated daily, especially after sweat sessions.

You can buy the wash here.
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A famous 'Flintstones chic' house in Queensland has been listed as a $4,000 a day rental space four months after it was sold at auction for $2.7million.

The one-of-a-kind home in the southern Gold Coast suburb of Burleigh Heads will be available to hire for luxury events, photo shoots, filming and content creation after it captured the attention of thousands earlier this year.

Images of the spectacular pad took social media by storm after it was transformed by owners and renovators Matt Jamieson and Emma Sweeny into an opulent cave-like palace that looks as if it is decked out with floor-to-ceiling marble.

'Casa Ruin X', a one-of-a-kind Gold Coast home that went viral earlier this year, is now available to be rented out for $4000 a day

The unique home in the southern Gold Coast suburb of Burleigh Heads will be available to hire for luxury events, photo shoots, filming and content creation

The spectacular pad was made available to rent just last month for $4000 per whole day or $2500 for a half day and has already been used by influencer Mitch Orval to celebrate his birthday (pictured left)

'Casa Render X' was made available to rent just last month for $4,000 per day or $2500 for a half day and has most recently been used by influencer Mitch Orval to celebrate his birthday.

His partner and fellow influencer Chloe Szepanowski has also used the statement-making space to photograp her clothing brand.

The unique mansion wowed thousands of online buyers when it was on the market and was sold to a 26-year-old Melbourne man back in March.

The unique mansion wowed thousands of online buyers when it was on the market and was sold to 26-year-old Christopher Shao, from Melbourne, for $2.7million at an auction earlier this year

The unique home took Instagram by storm after it was transformed by owners and renovators Matt Jamieson and Emma Sweeny (pictured left with real estate agents Michael Kollosche and Eoghan Murphy)

Christopher Shao bought the 'Ruin X' home, which he calls his 'dream house', at an auction to the turn of $2.713888million on Sunday, March 13.

According to realestate.com.au, more than 300 people attended the auction at the Gold Coast property where Mr Shao placed the second bid of $2.505 million over the phone via a representative.

During negotiations, Mr Shao made an appearance at the house to increase his offer which eventually won him the rendered masterpiece and he subsequently celebrated the sale with champagne from the vendors.

The opulent cave-like palace is fully rendered making it look as if it is decked out with floor-to-ceiling marble

Before: Owners and renovators, Matt Jamieson and Emma Sweeny, from Project X have made the original home completely unrecognisable from the work of art is it now

Mr Jamieson and Ms Sweeny from artisan rendering business Render X bought for $775,000 in 2020 and spent five months renovating it

Little is known about the property mogul however it is understood he recently sold his Melbourne penthouse for close to $15million.

The 26-year-old told realestate.com.au he had to have the house after seeing it on social media.

'It's one-of-a-kind, there's nothing like it in Australia,' he said.

'Being young, it's my kind of style.'

The house is minutes from pristine beaches, and features a fully smooth rendered interior and exterior, very on-trend curves and a light earthy palette.

It was one of the hottest houses in Australia, becoming the most viewed listing on realestate.com.au when it was on the market and drew in hundreds of likes and comments on social media.

A cave-like entry way with an arched glass door leads to the show-stopping kitchen, living and dining area inside

The spectacular kitchen has four-metre high ceilings, Italian marble benchtops and luxe brushed cooper fittings adding to the grandeur of the home and the statement crystal chandelier in the formal lounge room oozes Hollywood glamour

Making stone look cosy is the stunning lounge room with warm bespoke lighting and Mediterranean-influenced quirky shaped recesses to display trinkets

Mr Jamieson and Ms Sweeny from artisan rendering business Render X made the original home, which they bought for $775,000 in 2020, completely unrecognisable from the work of art is it now during a five-month renovation.

A cave-like entry way with an arched glass door leads to the show-stopping kitchen, living and dining area inside.

The spectacular kitchen has four-metre high ceilings, Italian marble benchtops and luxe brushed cooper fittings adding to the grandeur of the home and the statement crystal chandelier in the formal lounge room oozes Hollywood glamour.

Back inside the house, the palatial master bedroom has high angled ceilings and a statement built-in bedframe with a curved head in keeping with the home's aesthetic

It also has arched doorways leading to a walk-in wardrobe that is every fashion-lover's dream with built-in shelving and a luxurious ensuite featuring golden sinks, taps and mirrors a huge free standing bathtub and open shower

Making stone look cosy is the stunning lounge room with warm bespoke lighting and Mediterranean-influenced quirky shaped recesses to display trinkets.

The dining area opens out onto the incredible backyard with checkered pavers and grass, a sparkling rounded pool with its own rendered diving board and a covered arched alfresco area with a built-in bar.

Back inside the house, the palatial master bedroom has high angled ceilings and a statement built-in bedframe with a curved head in keeping with the home's aesthetic.

There are also three more bedroom with bronzed glass built-in robes and a second lavish bathroom with a high end fit-out

Social media was abuzz after images of the one-of-a-kind home were posted on Instagram by real estate agents and the home's renovators

It also has its own access to the outside bar and seating area, arched doorways leading to a walk-in wardrobe that is every fashion-lover's dream with built-in shelving and a luxurious ensuite featuring golden sinks, taps and mirrors a huge free standing bathtub and open shower.

There are also three more bedroom with bronzed glass built-in robes and a second lavish bathroom with a high end fit-out.

Images of the house on social media drew in hundreds of impressed comments from users who love the 'seriously stunning' style and likened it to The Flintstones.

'Looks like something from Greece - wow. Amazing' one person said.

'Such a cool and unique look. Love the big palm trees!' commented another.

'Wow. What an amazing home. Reminds me of the flintstone era. I love it! This is what you call a home!,' wrote a third.
Woolworths has revealed an 'ultra rare' Fix-em collectible circling in stores - and it'll likely sell for hundreds - or even thousands - of dollars online.

The Infinity Gauntlet, easily recognised by fans of Disney's Marvel franchise, is a special extra Fix-em available to be collected, but there are only 200 available across Australia.

Woolworths is encouraging collectors to double check their collection as they may already have the limited-edition Fix-em without realising it.

Woolworths has announced the rare Fix-em collectible now circling in stores. There's only 200 available across Australia.

The Infinity Gauntlet, highly recognised by fans of Disney's Marvel franchise, is a special extra Fix-em available to be collected, but there are only 200 available across Australia

In the Marvel Comics, The Infinity Gauntlet is one of the most powerful objects in the universe and is the symbol of a golden left hand.

Fix-ems are reusable woven patches that can be adhered to a vast range of surfaces like metal, glass, plastic, and coated cardboard or paper, or permanently ironed onto some fabrics such as denim, cotton, and polyester for a longer lasting decorative flare.

The collectables are also made from at least 80 percent recycled material.

Fix-ems are reusable woven patches that can be adhered to a vast range of surfaces like metal, glass, plastic, and coated cardboard or paper, or permanently ironed onto some fabrics such as denim, cotton, and polyester for a longer lasting decorative flare

There are 36 Fix-ems in total from the Disney, Pixar, Marvel and Star Wars franchises, including Minnie and Mickey Mouse, Lightning McQueen, Dory, Spider-Man, Groot, and Darth Vader.

Fix-ems are certified by Good Environmental Choice Australia (GECA) as environmentally preferable.

With every $30 spent, customers will receive one Fix-em, with bonus Fix-ems received when participating products in a $30 shop are purchased.

With every $30 spent, customers will receive one Fix-em, with bonus Fix-ems received when participating products in a $30 shop are purchased

There are 36 Fix-ems in total from the Disney, Pixar, Marvel and Star Wars franchises, including Minnie and Mickey Mouse, Lightning McQueen, Dory, Spider-Man, Groot, and Darth Vader

Woolworths Senior Manager Continuity and Collectibles, Paul Stibbard said: 'Since launching Fix-ems earlier this month, we've been inspired and impressed by the creativity of our customers who are giving their everyday belongings a bit of extra flair with Fix-ems.

'As we begin to see many customers complete their collection, there are still dozens of ultra rare Fix-ems in circulation waiting to be collected.

'We encourage collectors to double check their collection in case they have unknowingly already collected the ultra rare Infinity Gauntlet, and look forward to seeing even more creative ways our customers are using their Fix-Ems.'
Controversial mummy blogger Constance Hall has shocked her family and fans after revealing her edgy new hairstyle.

The 38-year-old mum, who lives with her seven children in Western Australia, decided to cut her signature long locks on a whim even though no one close to her wanted her to.

Constance said she planned to chop off her locks on Facebook as 'a woman changes her life when she changes her hair'.

The change comes after the mum-of-seven opened up about her endless attempts to quit vaping after trying and failing 30 times this year.

Controversial mummy blogger Constance Hall has shocked her family and fans after revealing her brand new short hairstyle (pictured now)

The 38-year-old mum, who lives with her seven children in Western Australia, decided to cut her signature long locks on a whim even though no one wanted her to

Prior to the cut she had long hair and has changed her hair colour several times

'I've just decided that I'm gonna cut my hair off tomorrow. Nobody wants me to, my husband and kids love my long hair,' Constance wrote on Facebook.

'However I am superstitious and I believe that a woman who changes her hair changes her life.

'I'm also the divine feminine and long hair is about as essential to the divine feminine as perky t*ts.'

'I've just decided that I'm gonna cut my hair off tomorrow. Nobody wants me to, my husband and kids love my long hair,' Constance wrote on Facebook. 'However I am superstitious and I believe that a woman who changes her hair changes her life.'

Constance said she has a connection with her long hair and cutting it short can often feel like a mistake.

'I have come to accept that I will always regret cutting my hair off but always feel compelled to do it as the years pass and my desire to let go of old energy increases, the hair gets lopped off, the relief comes and sooner or later the regret kicks in with the long road of hair growth ahead and around and around we go,' she said.

After sharing a selfie smiling at the camera with her short hair, more than 76,000 people 'liked' the post and many were fond of the new look.

'I have to say when you announced your hair cut yesterday I was a bit embedded in how I thought you should look. But wowza! The most amazing part of your new style is your smile,' one person wrote.

'LOVE IT you look so much younger and you look happy and gorgeous as always,' another wrote.

'I chopped my hair nearly two years ago, went from medium curly hair to a pixie cut. Best thing I did,' a third added.

It follows on after the mum-of-seven opened up about her endless attempts to quit vaping after trying and failing 30 times this year

Last week the mum said she found it easy to find excuses to keep vaping before finally deciding to quit for good.

'At the end of the day I didn't want my kids to see me vape and so I found myself hiding from them for just one more sugary nicotine filled puff and that was a sh*t feeling,' she said.

In Australia it is illegal to import, buy or sell vapes or e-liquid without a doctor's prescription.

What are Australia's vaping laws, by state? Since 1 October 2021, all nicotine vaping products are prescription only medicines across all Australian States and Territories. It is illegal to import, buy or sell vape or e-liquid without a valid permit or prescription. Heavy penalties, including fines and imprisonments apply. This articles outlines the laws around vaping and electronic cigarettes in Australia. The Australian Border Force now has the power to intercept packages of nicotine vapes, nicotine pods and liquid nicotine. Any imports which are not supported by a valid prescription, or which are in excess of the prescribed amount, may be assessed by the TGA to be unlawful under the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989. Importing, attempting to import, and possessing nicotine vaping products, without a prescription, classifies them as a 'prohibited import'. A maximum penalty of a $222,000 fine is applicable. Consumers with a prescription are able to legally import e-cigarettes containing vaporiser nicotine from overseas to aide in smoking cessation, in accordance with the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) Personal Importation Scheme. Under the scheme, patients can order a maximum of three months' supply at one time and a maximum of 15 months' supply in a 12-month period, for personal use. Alternatively, patients with valid prescriptions may purchase the products at an Australian pharmacy. The Federal Government and the Therapeutic Goods Administration justified the change based on the significant increase in the use of nicotine e-cigarettes and other nicotine vaping products by young people, and the associated health dangers. NEW SOUTH WALES It is an offence to attempt to obtain, or have a restricted substance, such as nicotine vaping liquid, in one's possession without a prescription. The maximum penalty applicable for a restricted substance, such as nicotine vaping liquid, is a $2,200 fine and/or 6 months imprisonment. VICTORIA In Victoria, it is illegal to sell, possess or use liquid containing nicotine in an e-cigarette, without a prescription. QUEENSLAND In Queensland, it is prohibited to purchase, possess nicotine vaping liquid without a prescription, or to sell or supply, without lawful authority. A person who buys or possesses nicotine vaping liquid, without a prescription or reasonable excuse, faces a maximum penalty of a $27,570 fine. AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY It is illegal to purchase, sell and possess nicotine vaping liquid in the ACT, without a prescription or lawful authority. SOUTH AUSTRALIA In South Australia, it is illegal to sell nicotine vaping liquid or possess it, without a prescription, as outlined in the Controlled Substances Act 1984. WESTERN AUSTRALIA In Western Australia, it is illegal to sell, supply or possess an e-cigarette or any liquid that contains nicotine, without a doctor's prescription. A maximum penalty of a $45,000 fine is applicable to these offences. NORTHERN TERRITORY In the Northern Territory, it is illegal to sell, supply or possess an e-cigarette or any liquid that contains nicotine, without a doctor's prescription. Using or possessing nicotine vaping liquid, without a doctor's prescription, carries a maximum penalty of a $15,700 fine or 12 months imprisonment. TASMANIA It is illegal for a person to have a nicotine vaping product in ones' possession, without a prescription a maximum penalty of a $6,850 fine or 2-years imprisonment is applicable. SOURCE: Mondaq Advertisement

The Therapeutic Goods Association introduced the strict rule on October 1, 2021 after individual states and territories started to restrict the sale and use of vapes.

The strict no-sale laws in Western Australia date back to 2014 when a seller was convicted of selling a device as it 'resembles tobacco products'.

The Western Australian Supreme Court's decision highlights that products that resemble tobacco products, regardless of whether they contain nicotine or not, cannot be sold in WA by tobacco or general retailers and it is an offence under the Tobacco Products Control Act 2006 to sell these products.

While Queensland's legislators were the first to ban the use and sale of the devices completely.

'Nicotine products can only be prescribed by a registered medical practitioner (or other authorised prescriber) and may only be dispensed by a registered pharmacy,' the TGA ruled when announcing the October, 2021 rule changes.

'An e-cigarette device designed and intended for delivery of nicotine may be supplied by a registered pharmacy, for use with prescribed nicotine products, as part of a medically supervised smoking cessation program.'
Thousands have praised an unexpected heartfelt email from beauty retailer Mecca ahead of Father's Day, which is celebrated on September 4.

The email, which was sent to all members of the Australian site last week, gave those who didn't celebrate Father's Day due to poor relationships or death a chance to opt out of further promotional coverage.

'An option to opt out,' the email read.

'Sometimes it's nice to choose which emails you see from us. In the lead up to Father's Day, we understand if you don't want to receive emails on the subject - so we've made it easy to opt out.'

Thousands have praised an unexpected heartfelt email from beauty retailer Mecca ahead of Father's Day, which is celebrated on September 4.

Thousands flocked to Facebook to praise the brand's initiative, as many revealed that they had strained or non-existent relationships with their fathers.

'I'm so glad for this email because I was burnt pretty hard by my dad and I don't need any reminders,' one woman said.

Poll Is this email a good idea? Yes No, it's a marketing stunt No, people are too sensitive Is this email a good idea? Yes 19 votes

No, it's a marketing stunt 14 votes

No, people are too sensitive 10 votes Now share your opinion





'Even if it's not a go-to place for Father's Day gifts it's still great to see the initiative! I just hope they do the same for Mother's Day because I also don't have her around and it hurts to see,' she added.

But many were divided over the brand's seemingly thoughtful email, and questioned Mecca's true motives as other holidays did not receive the same treatment.

Others slammed it as a 'marketing stunt' and said it was an 'overly sensitive' move.

'I think a lot more thought could have gone into it,' wrote one disgruntled woman. 'I understand the sentiment but the specific reference to Father's Day was a bit weird.'

She claimed not to remember receiving something similar for Mother's Day, and wondered why a beauty brand would focus this initiative on Father's Day.

'I don't remember getting one of these for Mother's Day. Why not a general email with a list of holidays allowing customers to choose which ones they want to opt out of?' she asked.

Others disagreed.

'It could be a new initiative that has been implemented after Mother's Day this year,' she said.

'And we could see a similar email next year - but the holiday feedback is good, an definitely an idea to email the marketing team about!'

Hundreds flocked to Facebook to praise the beauty brand's caring initiative, as many revealed that they had strained or non-existent relationships with their fathers

Many said that the marketing emails were a constant reminder of their grief.

'My inbox is a minefield at this time of year!' wrote one man. 'So thoughtful from Mecca, well done. I wish more brands would do the same.'

Another added, 'Thank goodness for this. Mother's Day is the saddest day of the year for me - I avoided all my emails for weeks leading up to it due to every retailer going into over-drive with marketing.'

She continued, 'But I was really upset when Mecca sent me a Mother's Day card/item in my shopping order. I was too upset to even email Mecca about it - but maybe others did and that's why they are now doing this for Father's Day.'

'A motherless daughters support group that I'm in has done a template for its members to send to companies that don't offer the opt out around Mother's Day,' one woman revealed.

'So more and more companies are jumping on board. It is nice to not be bombarded! However, these things are always going to be in our face in stores which I find pretty difficult but just try to avert my attention - I don't need it in my inbox as well.'
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When people think of 'alternative' medicine, they often associate it with charlatans, quacks and pseudoscience.

But research suggests some remedies once written off as bunk may in fact help treat a range of conditions, from pain to depression, and even cancer.

Last week, a US study claimed to show for the first time that mindfulness meditation can act as a painkiller, dampening responses in the brain responsible for aches.

It followed major research in March that found a supplement made from shellfish had 'anti-cancer benefits'. In the study of 400,000 people, there was a 16 per cent lower risk of lung cancer in those who took the tablets regularly.

And research spanning decades has indicated the flower St John's wort can be as effective as antidepressants in people with mild or moderate depression.

Such research has convinced even the staunchest of critics there may be a place for alternative medicine in the way we treat modern disease.

Professor Edzard Ernst, chair of complementary medicine at the University of Exeter, has made a career out of calling out treatments with no scientific backing.

He recently authored the book Charles: The Alternative Prince, in which he denounced the Prince of Wales' obsession with homeopathy.

But he has admitted not all alternative medicine should be tarred with the same brush, and is keeping his eye on five of the most promising treatments in the field:

Professor Edzard Ernst (inset), the world's foremost expert in alternative medicine, says research has suggested glucosamine (top left), meditation (top), St John's wort (top right), TENS (bottom left) and melatonin (bottom right) could all be beneficial for a range of medical conditions

St John's wort for depression

Alternative medicines could also help treat another affliction becoming more prevalent in modern day society  depression.

Around 4.5 per cent of Britons are thought to be clinically depressed, according to some estimates, up by a fifth since the turn of the century.

NHS doctors currently prescribe cognitive behavioural therapy or antidepressants. But the latter can cause a range of side effects, including headaches, nausea and problems sleeping, leading some to seek alternatives.

St John's wort is a flower that has long been used to treat mental health problems. It is one of the best-researched herbal remedies and is taken as a daily capsule, costing around 25p per pill.

There is good evidence that St John's wort may reduce symptoms in people with mild-to-moderate, but not major depression. In many studies it seems to work as well as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), a popular type of antidepressant often prescribed to treat depression.

Mindfulness the new paracetamol? Trendy mindfulness meditation could be used as a painkiller, a study suggests. The practice involves 'being present' with your thoughts and feelings, normally using breathing techniques. It is said to help people feel less distressed when they face stressful emotional situations, but now scientists say they have proven for the first time it can also treat physical pain. They put around 30 healthy Americans through an eight-week mindfulness course and then compared them to a control group. Participants were given a brain scan before and after the course while their limbs were exposed to heat to establish a pain response. Those who practiced mindfulness showed less activity in regions of the brain responsible for soreness compared to the control group. A separate experiment on long-term mindfulness followers indicated they had physical changes to their brains that influenced their perception of pain. Researchers from the University of Wisconsin claim the results suggest mindfulness could be used instead of opioids or other painkillers for people with chronic aches. Practicing mindfulness is on the rise, particularly in the US, with some studies estimating 5.7million Americans have tried it at least once. Advertisement

The latest paper was done by researchers at the RAND Corporation in Santa Monica, California  a non-profit thinktank that produces research to the US Air Force.

The meta-analysis, published in Systematic Reviews in 2016, looked at 35 studies including 6,993 patients who were either given the herbal remedy, a placebo or antidepressants.

They found people taking St John's wort was as effective as antidepressants, while causing a third less side effects. It was also 53 per cent more effective than taking a placebo.

The authors wrote: '[St John's wort] monotherapy for mild and moderate depression is superior to placebo in improving depression symptoms and not significantly different from antidepressant medication.

'Adverse events reported in RCTs were comparable to placebo and fewer compared with antidepressants.'

Professor Ernst said: 'This is most encouraging, but one must nevertheless caution.

'St John's wort powerfully interacts with about 50 per cent of all prescription drugs and thus can cause considerable harm.'

TENS for pain

Knee pain, period cramps and endometriosis flare-ups could be aided by a special treatment that zaps the body with electricity, according to Professor Ernst.

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) aims to soothe aches by blocking nerve signals using a mild electrical current.

Using electricity for pain relief was first reported by the Romans, with Emperor Claudius's court physician noting standing on electric fish on the beach reduced his pain in 63 AD.

The first modern TENS machine was patented in the US in 1974, initially used for chronic pain, although it has since been broadened for a variety of aches.

Professor Ernst told MailOnline: 'Put simply, it consists of a little battery-driven generator of a low voltage electrical current that connects to electrodes which the patients attaches over the area of pain.

'It is believed that the electric current stimulates nerve cells that block the transmission of pain signals, modifying the perception of pain.'

The NHS currently recommends people considering TENS speak to their GP, who could refer them to a physiotherapist or pain clinic for the treatment.

But it states 'there's not enough good-quality scientific evidence to say for sure whether TENS is a reliable method of pain relief'.

However, Professor Ernst pointed to a review published in February of 381 trials with a total of more than 24,500 participants.

Published in BMJ Open, it found there was 'moderate-certainty evidence that pain intensity is lower during or immediately after TENS compared with placebo and without serious adverse events'.

Glucosamine for cancer

Another treatment that has long been touted by alternative medicine enthusiasts is glucosamine.

Glucosamine is found naturally in the body in cartilage, a tough tissue which helps cushion our joints. Other natural sources include the ends of chicken bones and crustacean shells.

They are sold as supplements for as little as 20p a pill.

Over the years, studies have failed to show definitively if the tablets can treat pain on a wide scale. But they are considered generally safe and many osteoarthritis report feeling some pain relief.

NHS GPs no longer prescribe it to arthritis patients due to a lack of concrete research.

But new research in March linked the pills with a lower risk of cancer.

The study of nearly 440,000 middle-aged adults published in the European Respiratory Journal found the pills had 'anti-cancer benefits'.

Researchers found the 82,600 participants who said they 'regularly' took the pills had a 16 per cent lower risk of developing lung cancer over the 11-year study period. They were also 12 per cent less likely to die from the disease.

However, the research did not go as far as to prove the pills were causing the lower risk, with other factors potentially at play.

Other studies have linked the use of glucosamine with a lower risk of heart disease.

The supplement is thought to have anti-inflammatory properties, which could help reduce the risk of cancer and arteries becoming clogged up  by allowing the immune system to function at full capacity.

Professor Ernst said: 'Even though this is only the latest of a series of studies all showing similar things, population studies cannot conclusively establish a causal effect. Clinical trials are now needed to do just that.'

Meditation for lower back pain

Chronic lower back pain is an increasingly common problem in the modern world, with many of us suffering from being hunched over desks all day.

But the solution could be found in ancient practice in the form of meditation, Professor Ernst suggested.

Meditation was first recorded in Hinduism's earliest scripts, which were written in around 1500 BC, and can be traced as far back as 5000 BC.

The practice involves focusing the mind on a particular object, thought or activity, to increase attention and achieve a calm and clear mental state.

It has since been adopted in the West as part of mindfulness, with research showing it to be beneficial for a range of mental and medical disorders, including high blood pressure.

A study published in Pain Medicine in February has suggested meditation could help people suffering with lower back pain.

Researchers from Taipei Medical University in Taiwan reviewed 12 trials including a total of more than 1,150 patients.

It found people who meditated had significantly reduced back pain after starting the practice compared to those who did not.

The authors said: 'Meditation-based therapies constitute a safe and effective alternative approach for CLBP management.'

Meditation is thought to relieve pain by altering the structure of the brain, making the feeling less intense.

Professor Ernst said the review suggested meditation could be beneficial for people living in pain.

He said: 'This is encouraging because, unlike chiropractic, meditation is not associated with serious adverse effects.'

A study published last week put around 30 healthy Americans through an eight-week mindfulness course and then compared them to a control group.

Participants were given a brain scan before and after the course while their limbs were exposed to heat to establish a pain response.

Those who practiced mindfulness showed less activity in regions of the brain responsible for soreness compared to the control group.

A separate experiment on long-term mindfulness followers indicated they had physical changes to their brains that influenced their perception of pain.

Melatonin for sleep

Professor Ernst's final top tip for alternative medicines could hold the key to getting a good night's sleep.

Melatonin is a hormone that is produced during the night that is thought to help control sleep patterns.

It naturally occurs in the pineal gland in the brain, but a manmade version can also be taken in pills, which cost up to 7 for 60.

He said: 'It is often advocated for sleep problems but many experts doubt that it truly works.'

But a systematic review published in the Journal of Neurology in January has shown the treatment might hold some promise after all, he said.

The paper by Tehran University of Medical Sciences in Iran looked at 23 studies with people taking melatonin for sleep.

The pills were found to have a 'significant effect on sleep quality' in those who took it.

The authors said: 'The treatment with exogenous melatonin has positive effects on sleep quality.'

Professor Ernst added: 'There is also some encouraging evidence to suggest that melatonin might have a range of positive effects in cancer palliation.'

However, since MailOnline's interview with Professor Ernst, a study found sustained use could lead to an unknown array of serious health issues including grave cognitive decline and psychiatric problems in the long-term.

In a 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.
Brazilian twins who were joined at the head have been successfully separated with the help of a British neurosurgeon.

Bernardo and Arthur Lima were born with fused brains.

The pair underwent seven operations in Rio de Janeiro, overseen by Great Ormond Street Hospital paediatric surgeon Dr Noor ul Owase Jeelani.

Almost 100 medics operated on the three-year-olds, who spent 27 hours under the knife during the final surgery.

It was one of the most complex separation processes ever completed, according to Dr Jeelani's charity Gemini Untwined, which funded it.

Ahead of the life-changing op, surgeons from London and Rio spent months trialling techniques using VR projections of the twins based on CT and MRI scans  which Dr Jeelani described as 'space-age stuff'.

Bernardo and Arthur Lima, who were born with fused brains, underwent several operations in Rio de Janeiro, with the direction of Great Ormond Street Hospital paediatric surgeon Noor ul Owase Jeelani. Pictured: the twins before the procedure with surgeon Dr Noor ul Owase Jeelani (right) and their parents Adriely and Antonia Lima (left)

The three-year-olds (pictured after the surgery) had seven surgical procedures, involving more than 27 hours of operating time in the final operation alone, and almost 100 medical staff

It was one of the most complex separation processes ever completed, according to the charity which funded it and which Mr Jeelani founded in 2018  Gemini Untwined. Pictured: Bernardo and Arthur Lima before the surgery

The separation of conjoined twins: A high-risk operation with a low success rate The surgical separation of conjoined twins is a delicate and risky procedure, requiring extreme precision and care. Therefore, the decision to separate twins is a serious one. Mortality rates for twins who undergo separation vary, depending on their type of connection and the organs they share. In cases where the pumping chambers of their hearts are conjoined, there are no known survivors. Although success rates have improved over the years, surgical separation is still rare. Since 1950, at least one twin has survived separation about 75 percent of the time. It is only after twins are born that doctors can use MRI scans, ultrasound and angiography to find out what organs the twins share. In order to determine the feasibility of separation, doctors must carefully assess how the twins' shared organs function. After separation, most twins need intensive rehabilitation because of the malformation and position of their spines. The muscles in their backs are constantly being flexed and they often have a difficult time bending their backs forward and backwards and sitting up straight. Source: University of Maryland Medical Center Advertisement

Speaking about the VR aspect of the surgery, Dr Jeelani said: 'It's just wonderful.

'It's really great to see the anatomy and do the surgery before you actually put the children at any risk.

'You can imagine how reassuring that is for the surgeons.

'In some ways these operations are considered the hardest of our time, and to do it in virtual reality was just really man-on-Mars stuff.'

He said, for the first time in the world, surgeons in separate countries wore headsets and operated in the same 'virtual reality room' together.

He said that previously unsuccessful attempts to separate the boys meant their anatomy was complicated by scar tissue, and he was 'really apprehensive' about the risky procedure.

Dr Jeelani said he was 'absolutely shattered' after the final 27-hour operation, where he took only four 15-minute breaks for food and water.

But it was 'wonderful' to see the family feeling 'over the moon' afterwards, he said.

'There were a lot of tears and hugs,' he said. 'It was wonderful to be able to help them on this journey.'

He added that, as with all conjoined twins after separation, the boys' blood pressures and heart rates were 'through the roof'  until they were reunited four days later and touched hands.

Dr Jeelani said they were recovering well in hospital and face six months of rehab.

He said his charity has become a 'global repository for knowledge and experience' of separation surgery, and he hopes it will serve as a model for a 'global health service' providing expert care in other rare diseases.

Dr Jeelani added: 'The idea behind the charity was to create a global health service for super-rare cases to try and improve results for these kids.

'The model of what we have done, I think, can and should be replicated for other super-rare conditions.'

This was Dr Jeelani's sixth separation procedure with Gemini Untwined, after previously operating on twins from Pakistan, Sudan, Israel, and Turkey.

He led the procedure alongside Dr Gabriel Mufarrej, head of paediatric surgery at Instituto Estadual do Cerebro Paulo Niemeyer in Brazil.

Dr Mufarrej said the hospital where he works has been caring for the boys for two-and-a-half years, and their separation will be 'life-changing'.

He said: 'Since the parents of the boys came from their home in the Roraima region to Rio to seek our help two-and-a-half years ago, they had become part of our family here in the hospital.

'We are delighted that the surgery went so well and the boys and their family have had such a life-changing outcome.'

As Bernardo and Arthur are almost four years old, they are also the oldest craniopagus twins with a fused brain to have been separated.

According to Gemini figures, one in 60,000 births result in conjoined twins, and only 5 per cent of these are joined at the head  known as craniopagus children.

It is estimated that 50 such sets of twins are born around the world every year.

Of them, it is thought only 15 survive beyond the first 30 days of life.

With current technologies, which the charity aims to make more accessible, approximately half of these cases would be candidates for successful surgical separation.
Americas first polio patient in nearly a decade was infected with the same strain of the virus as was spotted in Jerusalem and London earlier this year, researchers say.

Testing revealed the Orthodox Jewish man in his 20s and from Rockland County, New York  who was paralyzed by the disease  caught type 2 vaccine-derived polio virus (VDPV), like that detected in wastewater in the other nations.

It suggests there may be multiple transmission chains of the virus circulating globally, polio expert Dr Adam Ratner told DailyMail.com.

Today New York Citys Department of Health confirmed the virus had been detected in wastewater samples taken in Rockland County in early June.

Health officials said this was a warning sign for anyone who has not got vaccinated against polio, once the most feared disease in America, to do so. Polio is more dangerous in children.

Testing revealed the patient was infected with the same strain that had been detected in London and Jerusalem earlier this year (file photo)

Testing at labs run by the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) revealed that the New York patient had caught the same strain identified this year.

Some countries  but not the U.S.  still use an oral poliovirus vaccine. This uses a live form of the virus which, in rare cases, can be passed on to others when recipients excrete it. Over several infections it may then mutate to become like the more dangerous ancestral strains.

GPEI officials said more analysis was underway to determine where else in the world the virus may have spread to.

They said: It is vital that all countries, particularly those with a high volume of travel and contact with polio-affected countries and areas, strengthen surveillance in order to rapidly detect any new virus importation and to facilitate a rapid response.

The American polio patient revealed last month is a young Orthodox Jewish man who had not got the three-dose polio vaccine, reports suggest.

He has since been discharged from hospital to a house he shares with his wife and parents. But paralysis from the infection has left him struggling to walk again.

It was not clear how he caught the virus but the man has not recently traveled abroad, suggesting he likely picked it up from another un-vaccinated individual.

Ratner, who is also the director of pediatric infectious diseases at NYU Langone's Hassenfel Children's Hospital, warned that based on the detections abroad: 'It is possible that each of those was one chain where [infection] happened. But it is also possible that there are multiple independent vaccine-derived polios around.

'Although, in the U.S. this is unlikely because we don't use the oral polio vaccine.'

Neither London or Jerusalem have confirmed a polio patient being admitted to their hospitals so far. The U.S. is yet to detect a second case.

But all three say they have detected the type 2 VDPV in their wastewater within the last few months, suggesting it is spreading in the community.

In Rockland county, the virus was detected in early June  before the first case was reported.

But Ratner said this was 'not surprising' because it can take weeks for someone with the virus to start suffering symptoms.

He added: 'I think it suggest many more people may have been exposed to polio.

'There may be some number who were unvaccinated who came into contact with it but didn't go on to develop paralytric polio.'

Polio is a viral infection which in serious cases can spread to the spinal cord, triggering paralysis. About one in ten people who suffer this die from the disease.

Most who catch polio do not display any symptoms of the virus, but one in four will go on to develop flu-like symptoms including a sore throat, fever and stomach pain.

One in 25 will see their spinal cord infected, leading to paralysis.

Vaccination is the most effective way of avoiding the disease, as there are no effective treatments for people who catch it.

Children are routinely offered a three-dose vaccination course in the United States, with the first jab given at two months and the last by the age of 18 months.

They are also administered a booster shot between four to six years old, which is more than 99 percent effective at preventing infection.

In recent years and amid Covid disruption, the U.S. has fallen behind in vaccinating against the disease.

CDC data showed about 92.6 percent of Americans are fully-vaccinated against the virus by their second birthday, which is below the WHO recommended level of 95 percent to prevent an outbreak.

Polio has been eradicated in almost every country in the world thanks to the vaccination drive. But it still spreads under the radar in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
The baby formula shortage will last well into the fall, supply chain experts predict, as the crisis has gotten worse and President Joe Biden's administration is struggling to say how it will prevent another one from taking place.

All formula brands are reporting a 30 percent out-of-stock rate - 20 percent above the pre-crisis rate - and parents are criticizing the administration for having forgotten about their hungry children.

The White House points out Biden has signed into law a bill into that eliminates tariffs on safe imported baby formula and invoked the Defense Production Act to speed up U.S. production. The administration also has emphasized the work it has done to increase flexibility within the WIC program, which is one of the largest consumers of baby formula.

But that hasn't been enough to ease the crisis.

And it will be that way for a few more months. Experts tell DailyMail.com the shortages will go into the fall.

'By the end of summer, beginning of fall,' Hitendra Chaturvedi, a professor and supply chain expert at Arizona State University, told DailyMail.com, about how long the shortages will continue.

'This problem has been festering for a while. And it took a while for us to just expose it,' he noted.

When it finally eases, parents will see plenty of options - but it will just take time.

'You're gonna have more baby formula than you know what to do with - really six weeks, six to eight weeks,' Ram Ganeshan, a professor and supply chain expert at William & Mary, told DailyMail.com.

But parents are running out of patience. One Louisiana mom alleged it seems like those in power 'just forgot' about the ongoing crisis.

And lawmakers are pushing for answers on how to stop a shortage from happening again.

Lawmakers in both parties have been critical of the Food and Drug Administration for what they call a slow response to the crisis and they have asked for a plan on how another will be prevented.

FDA Commissioner Robert Califf has promised to review what he called 'systematic issues' at the federal agency he leads. These issues helped contribute to the administration's slow reaction to the emptying grocery store shelves.

'Do you have a plan to do that?' Democratic Senator Patty Murray, the chair of the Senate health committee, asked him at a May hearing. 'And when can we see it?'

'I'm going to keep pushing to see that plan,' she told him. 'I asked for this plan weeks ago, and I will not stop pushing until I see it. This is life or death, and Dr. Califf, it simply should not have taken this long.'

Califf has pointed out there severe staff shortages in the FDA, which is compounding the issue.

And he's asked lawmakers to give his agency additional legal authority to demand notification of when there could be a shortage.

'No law requires manufacturers of these products to notify FDA when they become aware of a circumstance that could lead to a shortage of these products. Without this information, the Agency may have little or no insight as to when a major shortage may occur, preventing us from taking potential mitigation efforts until a crisis becomes apparent,' he said a July Senate hearing.

The nation reported a 30 percent out-of-stock rate of baby formula on Friday, based on data compiled by IRI, a Chicago-based market research firm, from the week ended July 24. The week prior, ending July 17, the out-of-stock rate was 32 percent.

'Its very unfortunate the shortage is still here and we havent seen much improvement,' Dr. Morvarid Rahmani, a supply chain expert at Georgia Tech told DailyMail.com.

She and other experts outlined several steps the government could take to ease the crisis, including more access to the global market, increasing production domestically and to have more options - more competition - among the domestic products available for sale.

Nearly 98% of baby formula is manufactured domestically. Four companies account for roughly 90% of the market: Abbott, Reckitt, Nestle and Perrigo.

Rahmani also pointed out that 'the key challenge is they just havent considered baby formula an essential and critical product.'

'There are not really substitute for baby food  theres nothing else for them and certain populations are being affected more than others,' she noted.

Republican Rep. Mike Turner has introduced a bill that would end the federal requirement that each state contract with one manufacturer for its WIC program.

WIC programs are the biggest buyers of baby formula in the country and if a state has a contract with Abbott, for example, parents on WIC would be required to buy formula from that company.

'It's a federally created problem. I think we're not it's not just that this arose because of federal neglect. This actually arose because of the federal government intervening. And because of that, you know, I think we have even greater responsibilities,' Turner told DailyMail.com.

The supply chain experts say his bill would help low-income parents have more options in the face of another shortage.

'The federal government has basically created regional monopolies in in baby formula that has created barriers to entry for other food providers,' he said.

'The Biden administration could do this by regulation. They are not progressing to do so and so Congress needs to lead in this,' he added.

The baby formula shortage will last well into the fall, supply chain experts predict

President Joe Biden's administration is struggling to say how it will prevent another one from taking place

Among the solutions, the Biden administration announced Operation Fly Formula, a plan to import formula from abroad until the U.S. manufacturers could meet the need.

But the last flight announced was on July 18.

By July 24, the administration said, Operation Fly Formula will have transported more than 61 million 8-ounce bottle equivalents to the U.S.

The administration, however, hasn't imported enough formula to cover one week's worth of use as U.S. consumers usually buy enough powdered formula to make about 65 million 8-ounce bottles a week.

'It simply is simply not enough to fill the gap. I mean, I think it the optics are good, but it's not fast enough to fill that 20% gap,' Professor Ganeshan said.

The formula shortage was sparked in February when Abbott Laboratories closed its plant in Sturgis, Mich., and initiated a recall while food-safety regulators investigated a possibly deadly contamination.

The plant had been responsible for producing roughly one-fifth of U.S. formula and is a major supplier of specialty formulas that babies with special needs rely on to survive.

It restarted operations in early June, but stopped less than two weeks later after heavy storms flooded part of the facility.

It restarted operations again on July 1 and is focusing on producing the specialty formula Elecare, which is made for babies with digestive issues.
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Her accusation provoked an act of violence so unspeakable, its barbarity has resonated, undiminished, through the years.

Unseen for close to two decades, Carolyn Bryant Donham has evaded curious eyes and, some would say, justice.

Now, a DailyMail.com investigation has led us to the woman whose claims led to the brutal lynching of 14-year-old Emmett Till in 1955.

The case has been brought to the fore once again after an unserved warrant for Donham's arrest almost 70 years ago was discovered by a team led by Till's relatives early last month.

Seen in these exclusive pictures, Donham presents a stooped and frail figure to a world that has dwindled to the confines of the home she shares with her son, Thomas Bryant, 71, and her pet shih tzu.

Then, she was a 21-year-old mother-of-two, a so-called 'crossroads Marilyn Monroe.'

Today, Donham is 88 years old and, DailyMail.com can reveal, living in a small apartment community in Kentucky.

Carolyn Bryant Donham, the white woman responsible for the lynching of 14-year-old black boy Emmett Till in 1955, has been pictured by DailyMail.com for the first time in almost two decades after she was spotted at her Kentucky home this week

Now 88, Donham is living in a small apartment community - whose exact location is being withheld by DailyMail.com - with her son Thomas, 71, and their pet shih tzu

The now elderly woman appeared frail and stooped as she emerged from her home wearing a nasal cannula looped over her ears and into her nose

DailyMail.com can reveal Donham now suffers from cancer, is legally blind, and is receiving end of life hospice care in her apartment

Donham (left) was 21 and then known as Carolyn Bryant, when she accused 14-year-old Emmett Till (right) of whistling at her and making verbal and physical advances during an encounter at her family store in Money, Mississippi on August 24, 1955. Her allegations prompted her then-husband and brother-in-law to abduct and kill Till in one of the most barbaric lynchings in US history

She suffers from cancer, is legally blind, and is receiving end of life hospice care in the small, shared apartment - the exact location of which DailyMail.com has chosen not to disclose. Tubes delivering oxygen loop over her ears and into her nose.

She has good days and bad. At times Donham appeared like a ghost, pale and peering out her front door with cloudy eyes, still dressed in her nightgown and robe in the late afternoon.

At others, she was visibly more engaged. Dressed in blue top and khaki slacks, she waited for a visit from her hospice nurse, greeting her at the door and waving her off with her little dog at her feet and the promise of seeing her 'next week.'

When approached by DailyMail.com this week, her son answered the door. Donham stood only a couple of feet behind him.

Asked if either would speak about Till and the events that destroyed and re-shaped the worlds of so many, Bryant shook his head while Donham stood by silently.

Here she is just an anonymous old lady, living out her final days with her son in the apparent tranquility of a southern backwater town. She was last seen in 2004 when she was known to be living in Raleigh, North Carolina.

But to many, this woman is on a par with a Nazi war criminal and the decades have done nothing to dim the horror of what passed or the anger and grief that it spawned.

Nearly 70 years after Till's brutal murder, Donham now lives life as an anonymous old lady, living out her final days in the apparent tranquility of a southern backwater town

Dressed in blue top and khaki slacks, she waited for a visit from her hospice nurse, greeting her at the door and waving her off with her little dog at her feet and the promise of seeing her 'next week'

She has managed to go unnoticed over the past two decades, going on to live a long life - and now spending her final days in seclusion

Till, a 14-year-old black boy from Chicago, was visiting relatives near Money, Mississippi during the summer of 1955, when he entered a rural grocery store where Donham was working on August 24.

Donham, who is white, accused Till of whistling at her and grabbing her - a violation of the South's racist societal codes at the time - prompting her then-husband Roy Bryant to brutally murder the boy in return.

Bryant, who died in 1994, was ultimately acquitted of murder. Donham, however, managed to evade charges or any consequences in a case that shocked the world for its brutality.

When approached by DailyMail.com, Donham's son answered the door as she stood only a couple of feet behind him. She stood by silently as he shook his head when asked if he or his mother would speak about Till

Just three weeks ago, crowds of angry protesters descended on three addresses in Raleigh, North Carolina in which they mistakenly believed her to be living.

Chanting black power slogans, they gathered outside two residential addresses and even stormed a nursing facility, unaware that she left the town and the state some months earlier.

Their actions were spurred on by the discovery of an unserved warrant for Donham's arrest.

It was found by a five-person search team led by Till's cousin Deborah Watts and her daughter Terri along with members from the Emmett Till Legacy Foundation.

They discovered the document inside a file folder that had been stored in a box in the basement of LeFlore County Circuit Court in Greenwood, Mississippi. Donham was identified only as 'Mrs. Roy Bryant.'

Watts said that when they found the warrant, she and her daughter, 'cried and hugged each other.'

'Justice,' she said, 'Has to be done.'

Issued on August 29, 1955, the warrant was based on the Sheriff's belief that Donham played a part in the kidnapping of Till, that she drove around the town of Money, Mississippi seeking him out and ultimately identified the terrified teen when he was brought to her on the night of Sunday August 28 that year, dragged from his bed, to be tortured and murdered by Donham's husband Roy and half-brother, John Milam.

A police note on the back of the warrant says that she wasn't arrested because she was not in the county.

Yet a local sheriff told reporters at the time that he didn't want to 'bother' her since she had two little boys to care for.

Law enforcement have not said if they plan to 'bother' the woman who is now living out her final days in relative seclusion many miles away, but the smart money says it is unlikely despite the Till family's calls for her arrest.

Instead, she lives out her days visited by caregivers, hospice nurses, and a chaplain whom DailyMail.com observed carrying a bible as he entered Donham's home.

Early last month, an unserved arrest warrant for Donham - pictured on the lawn of her husband's defense attorney's office in 1955 - was found in the basement of a Mississippi courthouse, prompting Till's family and activists to mobilize and call for justice

Donham, pictured with her two sons, Roy Jr and Thomas, and then-husband Roy Bryant in September 1955, had claimed Till, a whistled at her. In return, Bryant and his brother abducted him from his great-uncle's home four days later and killed him

Roy Bryant (far right) and half-brother, J.W. Milam (far left) were charged with murder but were ultimately acquitted by an all-white jury. A triumphant Bryant is seen smoking a cigar as Carolyn embraces him after being cleared. Milam died of bone cancer at 61 in 1981 and Bryant died in 1994 also from cancer

Up until now, Donham (pictured left with her daughter Carol Ann) had not been seen in public since 2004 (right) when she was approached by CBS's 60 Minutes in North Carolina. DailyMail.com's exclusive photos show she has aged considerably since then

If forgiveness is on her mind, it is never something Donham has publicly sought when it comes to her part in the Till's horrific death.

In fact, in her most recent version of the events leading up to Till's death  and there have been many  Donham attempted to absolve herself of any guilt.

Instead, in a memoir dictated to her former daughter-in-law and recently leaked, Donham claims that she lied in a bid to save Till and casts herself as a victim not perpetrator of the scene.

In the leaked 99-page document, 'I Am More Than A Wolf Whistle,' obtained by the Associated Press she wrote: 'I did not wish Emmett any harm and could not stop harm from coming to him, since I didn't know what was planned for him.'

She claimed: 'I have always prayed that God would bless Emmett's family. I am truly sorry for the pain his family was caused.

'I tried to protect him by telling Roy that, 'He's not the one. That's not him. Please take him home.'

But bizarrely, she claimed that Till himself told the violent racists who had abducted him that he had indeed catcalled her, stepping up to take blame in a way that defied all common sense.

Emmett Till with his mother, Mamie Bradley in 1950. Till, who was from Chicago, was visiting relatives in Mississippi during the summer of 1955 when he was brutally murdered

Friends restrain grief-stricken Mrs. Mamie Bradley (left) as her son's body is lowered into the grave after a four-day, open casket funeral on September 5, 1955

Bradley insisted on having an open coffin funeral to show her son's tortured and mutilated body and expose the horror of his lynching and the persecution of African Americans in the US during the Jim Crow era

A plaque marks the gravesite of Emmett Till at Burr Oak Cemetery in Aslip, Illinois. His murder in Money, Mississippi, helped spark the US civil rights movement

As it was, according to Donham's early accounts, Emmett's only 'offense' was to wolf whistle at a white woman when he entered the grocery store that she ran with her husband who was out of town that day.

Last week MGM studios debuted the first trailer for their biopic 'Till' which will center on the character of Mamie who will be played by Danielle Deadwyler of 'The Harder They Fall,' fame. Whoopi Goldberg will also star.

In 2004, just one year after Mrs. Till's death, the Justice Department opened a cold case investigation into the killing to see if any more charges could be brought.

After three years of investigation, in 2007, then District Attorney Joyce Chiles of Greenwood empaneled a grand jury to hear the case against Donham and what amounted to extensive evidence, including thousands of pages of documents, some uncovered by filmmaker Keith Beauchamp.

The grand jury declined to bring any indictments.

Keith Beauchamp claimed to have found other suspects who were still alive and eyewitnesses who stated that Donham was in the truck when Till was abducted.

Speaking recently on the discovery of the Donham's unserved arrest warrant, Beauchamp said that as far as he was concerned Donham is a woman, 'who has been evading justice for over 66 years now.'

Just three weeks ago, crowds of angry protesters descended on three addresses in Raleigh, North Carolina in which they mistakenly believed Donham to be living, following the discovery of an unserved warrant for Donham's arrest

Activists taped 'eviction notices' to the addresses listed under Donham's public records

Video footage streamed live showed protesters knocking on doors calling out Carolyn Donham's name as they continued their search. But unable to locate her, they left the building

Lead Counsel for the Black Lawyers for Justice, Malik Shabazz, and other activists stormed a senior living center in search of her on July 6

The only reason she was never served with that warrant, Beauchamp said, 'was because of the protection of white womanhood.'

In 2017 the book, 'The Blood of Emmett Till,' written by historian Timothy B Tyson, and including quotes from Donham whom Tyson interviewed for the work, muddied the waters still further, casting doubt on Donham's courtroom testimony.

In her interview with Tyson, the historian claimed, she recanted much of the account she had given under oath, sparking Till family hopes that a day of reckoning might finally have come for Donham.

The FBI investigated but Tyson could provide no recordings, transcript or even notes to back up this incendiary claim.

Unable to stand up the allegation in the face of the womans denials, investigators ultimately closed the case in 2021 leaving the surviving members of the Till family, heartbroken but not surprised.
Anthony Albanese is set to take on Australia's wealthy gas companies as exporters are accused of sending our supplies overseas while we struggle with dire shortages.

An Australian Competition and Consumer Commission report on Monday predicted a significant gas shortfall next year that will further drive up spiking energy prices.

LNG giants who've cashed in on $70billion worth of exports this financial year are being warned of sweeping industry reforms if the shortfall, of up to 10 per cent of domestic demand, isn't plugged.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers said the latest gas inquiry report from the competition watchdog highlighted some 'alarming' features of the east coast gas market.

LNG exporters have seen a windfall of profits as global energy prices soar (pictured: the Curtis Island, Queensland LNG project)

'It projects a significant gas shortfall for next year unless gas producers supply more of their uncontracted or excess gas to the domestic market,' he said.

The report, released on Monday, said the shortfall would occur in 2023 if all the excess gas produced by exporters was sent overseas.

It foreshadowed the shortage would occur amid rising demand and an increase in uncontracted gas, which would likely be sold offshore at higher prices.

The report said the gap would be worse than the situation in 2017, when both the ACCC and the Australian Energy Market Operator predicted shortages the following year.

That resulted in the then-coalition government triggering the domestic gas security mechanism process and ultimately striking a deal with gas exporters to make excess gas available in Australia before it was sold overseas.

The Albanese government has put gas exporters on notice after a domestic shortfall was forecast

The Albanese government is completing its own overhaul of the domestic gas security mechanism trigger after the energy market crises earlier this year.

It has so far reserved its decision on pulling its gas trigger that will force exporters to set aside the resource for domestic use.

But industry sources are reportedly expecting it will be pulled in the next few months with the Albanese government ramping up its rhetoric against the gas companies.

Mr Chalmers said the government took the report's findings seriously and it would respond to the ACCC's inquiry.

'The (ACCC's) findings are deeply concerning and I urge gas producers to do the right thing by Australians,' Dr Chalmers said.

'It's critical that our domestic gas supply is secure and competitively priced, particularly when households and businesses are under extreme pressure.'

A showdown could be looming, however, with Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association acting chief executive Damian Dwyer recently saying Mr Albanese should back down on 'irresponsible calls to intervene in our gas export market'.

The shortfall could further drive up household gas bills and costs for businesses that rely on gas (file image)

Black coal generation in NSW and Queensland fell to its lowest-ever second quarter output following coal-fired power plant outages and fuel constraints, according to the Australian Energy Market Operator.

East coast wholesale gas prices have increased more than threefold in the second quarter, jumping to an average of $28.40 per gigajoule compared with $8.20 in the same quarter last year, the operator revealed in its quarterly report.
Companies across the country are so desperate to bring in and keep members of Gen-Z , they are offering all kinds of perks to young staff following the Covid-19 pandemic.

The advantages being offered to Gen-Z by employers include being offered the use of a home in the Hamptons, four-day work weeks, bringing your dog to work, membership of exclusive clubs, free mental health therapy and the ability to work from wherever you choose.

Generation Z typically refers to those born between 1997 and 2012. The generation constitutes more than a quarter of the population on earth and is the most diverse generation in American history.

A New York Times feature published on Sunday mentions the new work environment that a company such as Lego has created in order keep staff from Gen-Z including the company's first female master builder Danielle Ross content.

Ross, 26, told the Times that the Lego has embraced diversity in allowing employees to come to work with dyed hair, piercings and tattoos at their Legoland parks.

The policy is reflected in the types of building that Ross does with the miniature figures.

She said: 'I've been building people of all different races and nationalities and religions and any type of thing I can imagine, because I want everyone to feel represented.'

Ross told the Times that she identifies as LGBTQ.

According to the Times, Lego has had these policies in place since late 2021.

The company is not alone. Health food delivery service Kencko offers six sessions with a therapist for free, not just for the employee, but for any member of their household.

Denver-based Sage Hospitality has begun a four-day week program for workers at certain locations.

GoodRX, a company that scours pharmacies across the country in the search for cheaper prescriptions for patients, is allowing employees to work wherever they want in the US.

Health food delivery service Kencko is offering employees six sessions with a therapist for free

The Times reports that the four-day week applies to cooks, housekeepers and front-desk receptionists. The feature says that Sage found these roles the most difficult to fill in a post pandemic world.

Sage President Daniel del Olmo told the Times about the effect of the four day work saying: 'Rather than having this negative feeling of, I have to go to work because I have to make a living. Suddenly it is, I want to go to work because I can combine it with my life that I love.'

Additionally, Sage also allows staff to bring their dogs to work with them. Del Olmo said: 'A team member will take care of the dog if an associate has to clean a room or show a guest something.'

In 2021 the BBC reported that the trial of a four-day work week in Iceland was an 'overwhelming success.'

The network reported that many workers in the country's public sector had switched to shorter hours.

The BBC report goes on to say that Spain was trying a similar project while in the private sector, food giant Unilever had begun piloting a program over a four-day week with no reduction in pay in New Zealand.

GoodRX, a company that scours pharmacies across the country in the search for cheaper prescriptions for patients, is allowing employees to work wherever they want in the US.

Sage Hospitality that runs the Oxford Hotel in Denver, pictured here, has piloted a program allowing employees work four day weeks

They have gone so far as to employ a company that can build makeshift offices anywhere in the country for staff.

New York City-based communications agency Le CollectiveM began offering staff access to a house in the Hamptons during the summer in 2022.

An employee, Sydney Brodie, told the Times: 'I was already so local to the company but now I'm like, 'Why would you look anywhere else?''

On top of the Hamptons home, Brodie says that she was also given a membership to one of the most exclusive clubs in Manhattan, the Soho Club.

Brodie said: 'My company sees what I need as a person. They are giving me the tools to excel personality and professionally.'

Despite the perks, a 2022 survey from Career Builder found that the top priority for Gen Z workers was higher pay.

By comparison, a similar survey on millennials from Price Waterhouse Cooper in 2011 found that career progression was that generation's top priority.

In a section on how to recruit members of Gen-Z on their website, recruiting agency Monster said that 53 percent of the group preferred going to an office rather than working from home.

A 2022 survey from Deloitte found that 40 percent of Gen-Zers would be likely to leave their jobs within the next two years with pay being the main reason. A third of those would be willing to leave without another job lined up.

Deloitte Global deputy CEO and chief people and purpose officer Michele Parmelee told CNBC that members of Gen-Z are 'more empowered to ask for things. They have always demonstrated they are will to leave ... and they are expect more.'

This Dollar Store in Bremen, Indiana, went viral in 2022 after posting a sign saying no members of Gen-Z need apply

Although not everybody is so keen to hire members of Gen-Z.

In April 2022, a Dollar Tree store in Bremen, Indiana, went viral after posting a notice on their front window saying that they would not be hiring anybody born between 1997 and 2012.

The sign read: 'My 2 new cashiers quit because I said their boyfriends couldn't stand here for their entire shift. Don't hire Gen Z's. They don't know what work actually means. NOW HIRING. Baby boomers ONLY. Thanks.'

A 2021 poll from Fast Company-Harris found that 36 percent of 'younger millennials' and Gen-Z had suffered from age discrimination in the workplace.

Although ageism may be an issue, separate survey from Ten Spot, found that sexism, racism, pay inequality and bullying were all seen as bigger issues by members of Gen-Z in the work place than ageism.

In the United States age discrimination laws only kick-in for those above the age of 40.
Sir Keir Starmer is facing a major crisis as trade unions threaten to stop funding Labour over his lack of support for strikes.

Unite, the Opposition's main financial backer, called on Sir Keir to decide which side he was on and warned there was 'no point' giving money to a party that no longer supports workers.

Yet Sir Keir insisted that his focus is on turning Labour from a 'party of protest' into one that can win power.

The Labour leader sparked anger last week after he sacked Sam Tarry, the party's transport spokesman, for making up policy 'on the hoof' while being interviewed on a picket line.

Sir Keir Starmer (pictured) insisted that his focus is on turning Labour from a 'party of protest' into one that can win power

The Labour leader sparked anger last week after he sacked Sam Tarry (middle right), the party's transport spokesman, for making up policy 'on the hoof' while being interviewed on a picket line

There are now growing calls within the union movement to end funding for Labour until Sir Keir changes tack  possibly denying the party a crucial war chest in the next general election.

Last year the party was given more than 6million from unions  including 1million from Unite in affiliation fees  compared with less than 2million from donors and companies.

Sharon Graham, Unite's general secretary, told the Sunday Mirror: 'If I was speaking to Keir right now I would say to him, 'which side are you on?' Because the reality is, if I closed my eyes, sometimes I wouldn't know whether it was the Labour party or the Tories who were speaking.'

She added: 'You [Labour] need to show that you absolutely believe in defending workers. And if you don't do that you are no longer the party for workers  that's the reality.'

In a separate interview with the Observer, she said she expected the issue of funding for Labour to come up at Unite's next conference and said it was getting 'harder and harder to defend'.

'If I was speaking to Keir right now I would say to him, 'which side are you on?' said Unite general secretary Sharon Graham (pictured)

Miss Graham continued: 'There's no point giving money to a party that is basically sticking two fingers up to workers. It's almost like an abusive relationship.'

The boss of the train drivers' union, which remains affiliated to Labour, also said Sir Keir had been wrong to remove Mr Tarry during last week's strike.

Mick Whelan, general secretary of Aslef, told LBC: 'I publicly called out his decision on Sam Tarry in the week, I think it was the wrong one. [But] I do know generally he supports workers.

'Generally he has a policy that, when Labour are in power... [he will be] talking about growth and green transition.'

Asked to describe Sir Keir's relationship with trade unions, Mr Whelan replied: 'Mainly cordial, occasionally fractious  we are firm critical friends.'
Victoria's Covid chief Brett Sutton has suddenly emerged just days after Victorian Premier Dan Andrews batted away accusations he was hiding the top doctor.

Prof Sutton was a Victorian stalwart during the Covid pandemic, starring almost daily at the premier's press conferences.

However, he has from time to time said things that reportedly didn't please the government, such as letting slip to 3AW's Neil Mitchell in September 2020 that a Covid curfew wasn't his idea.

Victorian Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton made a flurry of media appearances on Friday after months of comparative silence

Mitchell noted that it been literally radio silence from the not-normally microphone-shy Prof Sutton ever since.

Why hasnt he spoken to me for two years? Mitchell told Daily Mail Australia.

Because the last time he spoke to me he was too honest and he embarrassed the government.

I know he would like to talk to me, I know hes willing to talk to me, the government wont let him.

Were in a bloody pandemic and people trust him. He knows hes got to get a message out but they wont let him.

'He should stand up for himself. He should insist.

Victorian Premier Dan Andrews denied he had been hiding Prof Sutton from the press

At a press conference last week, reporters asked Mr Andrews why requests to interview Prof Sutton were continually knocked back.

3AW's Dennis O'Kane said both the health department and the premier's media team had repeatedly blocked requests to talk to Prof Sutton.

'That's a matter for him  I'm not his press secretary, Dennis,' Mr Andrews said.

'He's perfectly capable of answering your questions and playing his role  he has quite a bit on.'

Top rating morning talk show host Mitchell called Andrews' response 'a load of nonsense'.

Compared to his 2021 look, as seen above, Prof Sutton presented on Friday in very casual attire

'I have no doubt he has been gagged by the government,' Mitchell said.

'We go to the Department of Health, others go to the Department of Health, and get an answer from the Premier's Department.

'They are controlling him. There is no question. They are restricting his access, because he can be embarrassing to government, and that is a bloody outrage. But what's new?'

Research conducted for The Australian by media monitoring service Streem showed Prof Sutton's media appearances had dried up to about 15 per cent of what they were a year ago.

In 2022, he has had just 250 media mentions a month compared to nearly 1800 mentions during last August alone.

Following Mr Andrews' testy exchange with the press, Prof Sutton suddenly re-emerged on the media scene last Friday.

He rang the 3AW newsroom in the morning to offer quotes and made himself available for interview to 3AW drive host Tom Elliott and ABC morning presenter Raf Epstein.

Then, with less than half an hour's notice, journalists were sent an urgent media alert to attend a 4.15pm media conference with the professor.

Top-rating Melbourne radio host Neil Mitchell says he hasn't been allowed to interview Prof Sutton for two years, ever since the CHO let slip he didn't advise a Covid curfew

Journalists hot-footed it to find a very casual Prof Sutton, whiskery beyond his normal designer stubble, and dressed in a T-shirt and grey furry jacket, all of which gave the impression of someone suddenly summoned from the home sofa.

During the interview with Elliot, Prof Sutton denied he had previously been 'gagged' or suddenly told he had to front the media.

'I don't turn down (interview) invitations that come through to me,' Prof Sutton said, leaving open the question as to who the gate-keepers were from contacting him.

Mitchell, who did not get offered an interview with Prof Sutton, was less than impressed.

'I believe he has been in a form of witness protection for some time: he has witnessed things and the government wants to protect itself,' he told The Australian.

'What happened on Friday was a veritable festival of Brett, after months of official stonewalling. It had the smell of a government panicking.'
Graduates are demanding salaries of up to $350,000 as firms fight to nab the best and brightest workers just weeks after they leave university.

Those completing university as medical practitioners, dentists, software engineers and stock traders can command exorbitant six-figure salaries, and can also expect a bunch of added bonuses and perks.

Australia is facing a dire skills shortage and struggling labour market as the two-year hangover from our strict border closures meant many backpackers fled the country and migrants are slowly returning.

The huge amount of jobs on the market - with less people to fill them - has meant the balance of power falls into the hands of jobseekers.

Graduates in the fields of medicine, dentistry and tech are commanding salaries of up to $350,000 (stock image)

Major recruiters are now expanding their entry-level programs by offering high salaries and perks as smaller players attempt to also attract degree holders, the Australian Financial Review reported.

Jeffrey Duncan, the co-founder of Prosple, a site that advertises graduate roles and internships, said he was shocked at how high graduate salaries were in 2022.

'I've never seen salaries jump so much in one year before,' he said.

'Top employers in traditionally high-paying sectors have taken it to a new level in the last 12 months.'

He crunched some numbers with the publication, explaining that the 'most sought-after graduates' were commanding $350,000 as traders and $200,000 as investment bankers.

Mr Duncan said salaries for graduate jobs in mining, oil and gas were also nothing to scoff at, paying up to $145,000.

Law graduates could also demand up to $130,000, while those in technology could request $120,000 and management consulting salaries were up to $115,000.

But the most highly-paid graduate roles, besides traders and investment bankers, come in the form of medical practitioners and dentists.

A job search done by Daily Mail Australia showed medical practices regularly offer salaries between $200,000 and $400,000.

For those in the medical field, practices usually require entry-level medical practitioners and dentists to relocate.

Medical practices are offering lucrative salary packages for entry-level medical practitioners and dentists. However, those who take on the roles would be required to relocate

Jeffrey Duncan, the co-founder of Prosple, said traders are commanding $350,000 and investment bankers $200,000 salaries (stock image)

The tech industry also provides entry-level roles with six-figure salaries, with software engineers amongst the highest earners.

Data compiled for The Australian showed annual graduate salaries for the top 10 tech firms range from $147,000 to $350,000.

Jane Street tops the list, offering a $350,000 salary for a software engineer graduate, almost six times the median salary of an Australian worker.

Optiver and IMC each pay $250,000 for the same position while Akuna Capital, Atlassian and Google all offer $200,000.

A first year product manager at Microsoft can look forward to a $187,000 salary while software engineer salaries at Canva start from $173,000

Rounding out the top 10 are Amazon, which offers $153,000 for a graduate software engineer, while a graduate business analyst Kearney offers $147,000.

Gym membership, weekly massages, daily breakfast, lunch, an annual company trip, a work-from-home allowance and competitive relocation package are some of the perks in Optiver's job description for graduate software developer.

The firm also offers internship salary packages of up to $175,000, plus benefits and says the attractive salaries reflect the demands for graduates' skills and expertise.
Tania Burgess (pictured) was 15-years-old when she was ambushed and stabbed 48 times while walking home from school. The teen uttered the name of her killer moments before she died

A man who brutally murdered 15-year-old Tania Burgess by stabbing her 48 times has walked free from jail.

Tania was 15 when a boy, then 16, ambushed and stabbed her at Foresters Beach on the NSW Central Coast on July 19, 2005 and left her to die.

Witnesses rushed to Tania's aid and heard the young teen utter the name of her killer moments before she died.

The 32-year-old man was released on parole from Cessnock Correctional Centre on Monday morning.

He will remain anonymous 17 years after the frenzied attack because of state laws which ban the identification of adults who committed crimes as children.

He is only known by the initials DL.

The now 32-year-old killer, who can only be named as DL because he committed the offence as a minor, will be released on parole on August 1 - 17 years after the frenzied attack

Parents Mandy and Chris Burgess are fighting to change the law which keeps the identify of their daughter's killer a secret.

'He gets to take no responsibility for anything that he's done,' her father, Mr Burgess, told 9News.

Tania's mother said there was no justice for her daughter as her killer would walk free and remain anonymous.

'Whether he was a youth at that age or 16 or now in this thirties as a man. I'll never forget it,' Ms Burgess said.

'What I care more about is that he will not hurt any other family again like he did to us.

'There's no justice. It's just a legal system we abide by.

'What happened to Tania, there is no justice. Nothing to what happened to her and what we saw that day is justice.'

Tania was taking a shortcut home through Forrester's Beach Resort (pictured) carpark when DL - a boy she caught the bus with but did not go to school with - attacked her

After being identified by a dying Tania, DL was arrested on the evening of the horrific murder. He received the maximum term of 22 years but on appeal had his sentence reduced by four years

The NSW State Parole Authority on June 23 accepted expert advice that strongly recommended DL should be released with supervision before his full sentence expired next year.

Justice James Wood said conditions of DL's parole included around the clock electronic monitoring which was critical in keeping the community safe.

'The priority is now supervision to foster his reintegration and the protection of the public,' the report, by the Serious Offenders Review Council, stated.

DL must follow a total of 15 bail conditions including providing authorities with daily notifications of all his movements, be electronically monitored and engage with treatment by a forensic psychologist.

Justice Wood extended the parole authority's deepest sympathies to Tania's parents who were present in court during the hearing.

Tania's parents, Chris and Mandy Burgess (pictured, with their murdered daughter Tania and their other daughter Gemma), are petitioning for the identity of their daughter's murderer to be known to the public

That fateful day in 2005, Tania was taking a shortcut home through Forrester's Beach Resort carpark when DL - a boy she caught the bus with but did not go to school with - attacked her.

Holidaymakers saw DL standing above Tania before they rushed to her aide as she lay dying in a pool of blood, struggling to breathe.

While most of the stab wounds DL inflicted were shallow, one reached Tania's heart.

DL was arrested on the evening of the horrific murder after Tania identified him moments before she died.

Police arrested DL at his home in nearby Bateau Bay and found bloodstained clothing in his bedroom.

At his trial, the jury only took 90 minutes to convict him. He was jailed for a maximum term of 22 years with a non-parole period of 17 years.

The sentence was reduced on appeal by four years in 2018, meaning he has been eligible for parole since mid-2018.

Tania's mother said DL had never expressed remorse and was now getting a chance at adult life - a life he denied her daughter.

Chris and Mandy Burgess (pictured, leaving King Street Courts on the first day of their daughter's murder trial), argued that DL should never be released and given the chance at an adult life that their daughter was forever denied

Ms Burgess started a petition for law reform which would reveal the identity of a perpetrator in heinous crimes and has received almost 150,000 signatures.

'We are saddened and frightened to know that our legal system in Australia can allow someone who so savagely murdered our daughter, who has shown no remorse for his horrific crime is now eligible for parole after just 13 1/2 years,' Ms Burgess wrote.

'Support us as we give our daughter Tania the justice she deserves ... push for our government to amend the identification law of serious offenders when they turn 18 so that they can be identified to the public.'
A huge piece of space junk from a spacecraft flown by Elon Musk's SpaceX has torpedoed into a farmer's property in the Snowy Mountains in NSW.

The three-metre object - a piece of a SpaceX Crew-1 craft - was discovered speared into the ground on a property south of Jindabyne, after farmer Mick Miners went to investigate a loud bang that was heard by his daughters.

Australian National University space expert Brad Tucker told radio host Ben Fordham he was called out to investigate the discovery.

'This is most definitely space junk which was part of the SpaceX Crew-1 trunk,' he said on Ben Fordham Live on Monday morning.

'SpaceX has this capsule that takes humans into space but there is a bottom part... so when the astronauts come back, they leave the bottom part in space before the capsule lands.'

Farmer Mick Miners (pictured) discovered the huge piece of space junk stuck in his property in the Snowy Mountains, south of Jindabyne

Australian National University space expert Brad Tucker confirmed it was part of Elon Musk's SpaceX Crew-1 (pictured)

Mr Tucker said the part has been in space since November 2020 and was starting to de-orbit.

'There was a plan of having it come down on Earth and purposely hitting the Earth's atmosphere so it would break apart and land in the ocean,' he said.

It's understood swathes of people across southern NSW saw an explosion and heard the loud bang when it crashed into Mr Miners' farm.

'We saw most pieces land in the ocean but clearly some hadn't because this three-metre piece was speared into the ground from space,' Mr Tucker said.

He said the object had landed a long way from Mr Miners' home, which was why it took some time to actually locate it.

'From a distance it looks like a tree almost, like a burnt tree, and then you get closer and you realise "hey that's not right",' Mr Tucker said.

Mr Miners' neighbour Jock also had a piece of space junk on his property.

'The Australian Space Agency is now handling it because there is actually a legal protocol... so technically it's still SpaceX's,' Mr Tucker said.

The Australian Space Agency is now handling the recovery of the junk - a piece of a Crew-1 spacecraft (pictured) flown by Elon Musk's SpaceX

'We assume they don't want it back because the whole point was to break in the ocean.

'Now if SpaceX said they want it back, well then they have to essentially pay Mick and Jock to get it all back.

'However, if they are able to keep it, they have options including giving it to a museum, selling it on eBay.'

Mr Tucker said there would be plenty people who would like to collect the space junk.

'They get a little tidy sum for all the trouble they have been put through,' he said.
2006

Assange creates Wikileaks with a group of like-minded activists and IT experts to provide a secure way for whistleblowers to leak information. He quickly becomes its figurehead and a lightning rod for criticism.

2010

March: U.S. authorities allege Assange engaged in a conspiracy to hack a classified U.S. government computer with former Army intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning.

July: Wikileaks starts releasing tens of thousands of top secrets documents, including a video of U.S. helicopter pilots gunning down 12 civilians in Baghdad in 2007. What followed was the release of more than 90,000 classified US military files from the Afghan war and 400,000 from Iraq that included the names of informants.

August: Two Swedish women claim that they each had consensual sex with Assange in separate instances when he was on a 10-day trip to Stockholm. They allege the sex became non-consensual when Assange refused to wear a condom.

First woman claims Assange was staying at her apartment in Stockholm when he ripped off her clothes. She told police that when she realized Assange was trying to have unprotected sex with her, she demanded he use a condom. She claims he ripped the condom before having sex.

Second Swedish woman claims she had sex with Assange at her apartment in Stockholm and she made him wear a condom. She alleges that she later woke up to find Assange having unprotected sex with her.

He was questioned by police in Stockholm and denied the allegations. Assange was granted permission by Swedish authorities to fly back to the U.K.

November: A Swedish court ruled that the investigation should be reopened and Assange should be detained for questioning on suspicion of rape, sexual molestation and unlawful coercion. An international arrest warrant is issued by Swedish police through Interpol.

Wikileaks releases its cache of more than 250,000 U.S. diplomatic cables.

December: Assange presents himself to London police and appears at an extradition hearing where he is remanded in custody. Assange is granted conditional bail at the High Court in London after his supporters pay 240,000 in cash and sureties.

2011

February: A British judge rules Assange should be extradited to Sweden but Wikileaks found vows to fight the decision.

April: A cache of classified U.S. military documents is released by Wikileaks, including intelligence assessments on nearly all of the 779 people who are detained at the Guantanamo Bay prison in Cuba.

November: Assange loses High Court appeal against the decision to extradite him.

2012

June: Assange enters the Ecuadorian embassy in London requesting political asylum.

August: Assange is granted political asylum by Ecuador.

2013

June: Assange tells a group of journalists he will not leave the embassy even if sex charges against him are dropped out of fear he will be extradited to the U.S.

2015

August: Swedish prosecutors drop investigation into some of the sex allegations against Assange due to time restrictions. The investigation into suspected rape remains active.

2016

July: Wikileaks begins leaking emails U.S. Democratic Party officials favoring Hillary Clinton.

November: Assange is questioned over the sex allegation at the Ecuadorian Embassy in the presence of Sweden's assistant prosecutor Ingrid Isgren and police inspector Cecilia Redell. The interview spans two days.

2017

January: Barack Obama agrees to free whistleblower Chelsea Manning from prison. Her pending release prompts speculation Assange will end his self-imposed exile after Wikileaks tweeted he would agree to U.S. extradition.

April: Lenin Moreno becomes the new president of Ecuador who was known to want to improve diplomatic relations between his country and the U.S.

May: An investigation into a sex allegation against Assange is suddenly dropped by Swedish prosecutors.

2018

January: Ecuador confirms it has granted citizenship to Assange following his request.

February: Assange is visited by Pamela Anderson and Nobel Peace Prize winner Adolfo Perez Esquivel.

March: The Ecuadorian Embassy suspends Assange's internet access because he wasn't complying with a promise he made the previous year to 'not send messages which entailed interference in relation to other states'.



August: U.S. Senate committee asks to interview Assange as part of their investigation into alleged Russian interference in the 2016 election.

September: Assange steps down as editor of WikiLeaks.

October: Assange reveals he will launch legal action against the government of Ecuador, accusing it of violating his 'fundamental rights and freedoms'.

November: U.S. Justice Department inadvertently names Assange in a court document that says he has been charged in secret.

2019

January: Assange's lawyers say they are taking action to make President Trump's administration reveal charges 'secretly filed' against him.

April 6: WikiLeaks tweets that a high level Ecuadorian source has told them Assange will be expelled from the embassy within 'hours or days'. But a senior Ecuadorian official says no decision has been made to remove him from the London building.

April 11: Assange has his diplomatic asylum revoked by Ecuador and he is arrested by the Metropolitan Police; he is remanded in custody by a judge at Westminster Magistrates Court.

April 12: He is found guilty of breaching his bail terms.

May 1: Sentenced to 11 months in jail.

May 2: Court hearing takes place over Assange's proposed extradition to the U.S. He tells a court he does not consent to the extradition and the case is adjourned until May 30.

May 13: Swedish prosecutors reopen rape case saying they still want to question Assange.

June 3: Swedish court rules against detaining him in absentia, setting back the extradition case.

June 12 Home Secretary Sajid Javid signs an extradition request from the US.

June 13 A hearing sets out the date for Assange's full extradition hearing - February next year.

November Swedish prosecutors stop investigation into an allegation of rape against Mr Assange

November 25 - Medics say without correct medical care Assange 'could die' in Belmarsh

December 13 - Hearing in London hears he is being blocked from seeing key evidence in case

December 19 - Appears at Westminster Magistrates Court via video-link where his lawyer claims US bid to extradite him is 'political'.

2020

February 24 -Assange faces an extradition hearing at Woolwich Crown Court.

Assange's representatives argue he cannot legally be handed to the US for 'political offences' because of a 2003 extradition treaty.

March 2 - Assange appears by video link at Westminster Magistrates Court, where he is refused bail amid the coronavirus crisis.

April 11 - Stella Moris, Assange's partner, who gave birth to his two children while he was living inside the Ecuadorian embassy, issues a plea for his release amid fears for his health.

June 24 - The US Department of Justice issues an updated 18-count indictment, over Assange's alleged role in 'one of the largest compromises of classified information in the history of the United States'.

August 25 - Ms Moris visits her partner in Belmarsh prison for the first time in almost six months.

September 7 - Assange's extradition hearings resume at the Old Bailey. They are expected to go on for up to four weeks.

October 1 - Judge Vanessa Baraitser adjourned the case at the Old Bailey until January 4.

January 4 - Judge Baraitser strikes down US extradition bid.

2021

October - Lord Chief Justice Lord Burnett, sitting with Lord Justice Holroyde, hears two-day appeal from US.

December 10 - They rule in favour of the US and overturn decision not to extradite Assange.

2022

January - High Court gives Assange permission to ask the Supreme Court to consider his case.

April - After years of legal toing and froing, Westminster Magistrates' Court formally issued an order to extradite the WikiLeaks founder

June - Priti Patel signs an order to extradite Julian Assange to the US to face espionage charge

July - Assange's defence files High Court appeal in the UK against extradition to the US
Embattled deputy Liberal leader Stuart Ayres has insisted he did not help John Barilaro land a $500,000 trade job in New York in a lengthy Facebook post.

Mr Ayres dismissed allegations he had a hand in appointing Mr Barilaro as the Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner to the Americas.

The minister claimed the only person who had the power to make the trade appointment was the CEO of Investment NSW.

Mr Ayres added in a press conference on Monday he had only texted a copy of the job advertisement to Mr Barilaro after it had already been placed on the Australian Financial Review.

Labor accused Mr Ayres of lying after he said he did not meet with Mr Barilaro during the recruitment process and had maintained his distance.

Embattled deputy Liberal leader Stuart Ayres has insisted he did not help John Barilaro land a $500,000 trade job in New York in a lengthy Facebook post

'The selections of our Senior Trade and Investment Commissioners (STICs) appointed in India, Japan, Singapore and China, were conducted in accordance with the GSEA,' Mr Ayres wrote on Facebook.

'It was an independent, transparent and meritorious selection process and the same process was used for the STIC - Americas role.

'Not liking Mr Barilaro or his style of politics is not a suitable reason to reject his application, let alone not select him for the role.'

Mr Ayres distanced himself from Mr Barilaro saying the pair did not consider each other close friends.

'While I respected Mr Barilaro in his role as Deputy Premier, Leader of National Party and his passionate (and at times excessive) advocacy of regional NSW I don't think we ever called each other close friends,' he wrote.

'In fact I can't think of one time in the 11 years we were both in parliament together that we shared a meal or a beer together outside of a work function.'

Mr Ayres doubled down on his comments in a heated press conference on Monday, insisting he did not interfere with the recruitment process.

'I wasn't involved in this recruitment process,' he said.

'I was not involved in the selection panel. I wasn't engaged in the writing of any of those reports.

'That practice and that process entirely sits within the purview of the New South Wales public service and Investment New South Wales.'

Mr Ayres doubled down on his comments in a heated press conference on Monday, insisting he did not interfere with the recruitment process

Mr Ayres dismissed allegations he had a hand in appointing Mr Barilaro as the Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner to the Americas

Mr Ayres made a lengthy Facebook post dismissing accusations he helped Mr Barilaro land the plum trade job in New York

Mr Ayres admitted to having 'discussions' with Investment NSW CEO Amy Brown but never influenced her decision making on who should be selected.

'The discussion was about people that were already on the list,' he said.

'It wasn't a request from me, it was merely a discussion that took place in the office about the people that were on the short list.

'The decision on who goes onto that short list is not for me.'

He insisted he would not step aside as Deputy Liberal Leader despite mounting pressure.

The trade minister made the comments ahead of the release of documents related to the appointment process on Monday by a parliamentary committee investigating how Mr Barilaro got the plum job.

More emails, reports and Mr Barilaro's CV will be among the documents to be released before the upper house inquiry resumes on Wednesday.

The Labor opposition says the government's 'fingerprints' are all over the controversial appointment.

An email released last week raised more questions about the role played by Mr Ayres.

Tabled documents included the email sent by Investment NSW CEO Amy Brown in February, in which she said she had discussed a shortlist of candidates with Mr Ayres.

She said Mr Ayres had requested adding a candidate to the selection process. The candidate's name has not been made public.

An email released last week raised more questions about the role played by Mr Ayres

Another Investment NSW document showed Mr Ayres and Mr Barilaro met on or before June 16 - the day before it was announced the former deputy premier had secured the role - and Mr Ayres had indicated he supported the appointment.

Senior public servant Jenny West has given evidence to the inquiry, saying she was told she had the job and that she subsequently lost her senior job at Investment NSW after the offer was withdrawn.

The $500,000 a year trade post based in New York was switched to a political appointment and went to Mr Barilaro, who last month relinquished it saying it had become untenable.

When the upper house inquiry hearing resumes on Wednesday, Ms Brown will be recalled.

Mr Barilaro will give his side of the story to the inquiry next Monday.
A senior ABC editor has called for the planned Indigenous Voice to Parliament to include 'reparations' and for the 'transfer of power' and 'control' to Aboriginal people.

Reparations involve making amends for a wrong that has been done, by providing payment or other assistance to those who have been wronged.

On Sunday, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese drew criticism from some quarters over the ill-defined and very broad powers of the Voice to Parliament would work - after announcing it will be the subject of a referendum over the next three years.

Among those was the Coalition spokesman for Indigenous Australians Julian Leeser, who said 'we need to see more of the detail' while broadly supporting the idea of a race-based body that will have the power to instruct government over any policies that impact Aboriginal people.

Speaking on the Insiders program, the public broadcaster's Indigenous Affairs editor Bridget Brennan filled in some of the blanks on what she thinks the Voice should mean.

'This has to be about justice. It has to be about reparations. It has to be about giving some power to Aboriginal communities,' she said.

Country Liberal Party Senator Jacinta Price (pictured) called the Voice to Parliament 'a gravy train'

So far, all that is certain about the Voice to Parliament is what the referendum question will be.

The question likely to be put to the public is: 'Do you support an alteration to the constitution that establishes an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice?'

The Prime Minister is concerned that giving too much detail would mean people voting 'no' if they 'disagree with one out of 50' clauses put forward.

'We're not doing that, we're learning from history,' said Mr Albanese - referring to the failed 1999 referendum on Australia becoming a republic, which many voted down not because they were against it in principle but because there was conflict over how the head of state would be chosen.

Speaking at the Garma Festival in the Northern Territory on Sunday, Ms Brennan said a Voice to Parliament would not supersede the Federal Parliament.

'The Parliament will have ultimate supremacy, of course,' she said.

What are reparations? Reparations involve making amends for a wrong that has been done, by providing payment or other assistance to those who have been wronged. They can also be the compensation for war damage paid by a defeated state. Advertisement

'But what sort of transfer of power does this mean for Indigenous people, because that needs to happen.'

Ms Brennan said the Prime Minister has a difficult task ahead of him, in convincing people across the country to vote Yes in the referendum.

'(Mr Albanese) is going to have different messages to sell to people. But I actually think there is an appetite now to see some transformative change,' she said.

Ms Brennan, who has Dja Dja Wurrung and Yorta Yorta heritage, emphasised that a Voice to Parliament needs to be strong and powerful.

'When we imagine was a Voice (to Parliament) would look like, I think it does need to have teeth, it does need to be feared (and) revered.

'It needs to be a building, it needs to be an institution that has much more than a voice. It has (to have) some control and some autonomy,' she said.

The Aboriginal flag is seen in Canberra. A referendum on an Indigenous Voice to Parliament is expected to be held next year.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is pictured with Aboriginal dancers at the Garma Festival in the Northern Territory

However there was concern that leaving the parameters of the Voice undefined risked making it too powerful.

Janet Albrechtsen, a columnist with The Australian, said the wording of the constitutional change establishing the Voice must include the right of parliament to abolish it.

Poll Should the Australian Constitution be amended to include an Indigenous Voice to Parliament? Yes No Unsure, I need to know more about it Should the Australian Constitution be amended to include an Indigenous Voice to Parliament? Yes 499 votes

No 3013 votes

Unsure, I need to know more about it 634 votes Now share your opinion





'The only safe way to ensure this novel indigenous body does not become a governance disaster of unholy scale is to give parliament the ultimate control to abolish it,' she wrote.

She also argued that the wording in the Constitution establishing the Voice must restrict the role of the Voice to making representations to parliament and to MPs, and not - as the proposed wording says - to being able to lobby 'executive government' over the fine detail of policies.

'Extending the reach of this body to everything done by executive government means it could permanently second-guess everything that passed across the desk of ministers or public servants,' Ms Albrechtsen wrote. 'This extension is an act of massive overreach that will radically change our system of government.'

Anthony Albanese is pictured speaking at the Garma Festival in the Northern Territory on July 30, 2022

However Ms Brennan said it was important the Voice 'has much more than just an advisory role'.

Speaking on the same panel as Ms Brennan, ABC's Q&A program host Stan Grant said there are many questions yet to be answered about the referendum.

'(Without knowing) how much of the detail will come before the referendum, what the Opposition does is critical,' he said.

'We know the bar is set very high with passing a referendum.'

Linda Burney, the Minister for Indigenous Australians, is set to partly answer that in this Monday's edition of Q&A (ABC, 9.36pm), which has already been recorded at the Garma Festival.

'There will be a lot of information out to the community about what people are voting on. It would be nuts for that not to happen,' she will say.

ABC's Indigenous Affairs editor Bridget Brennan (pictured) said a Voice to Parliament 'has to be about reparations'

Some of the criticism of the process of getting a Voice to Parliament has come from within the Indigenous community.

Writing on Facebook Sunday, Country Liberal Party Senator Jacinta Price, a Warlpiri-Celtic woman, said 'the voice is being (led) by members of the Indigenous elite who've spent their lives on the backs of the most marginalised and changed nothing for them...

'The Voice to Parliament is a gravy train attempting to ingrain itself into the constitution so despite its failures and lack of accountability can never be dismantled.'

Daily Mail Australia has contacted the ABC seeking comment on whether or not it supports Ms Brennan's comments on the Voice to Parliament.
Car buyers have been told to remain cautious of 'despicable' dealers selling vehicles for up to $10,000 more than what they should be.

New dealerships are driving up the prices of near-new demonstrator models to entice buyers unwilling to wait several months for a new vehicle.

Dealers are taking advantage of dire supply shortages caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and adding up to $10,000 to the cost of cars in-stock.

Industry experts say the limited supply and production of new vehicles coupled with strong demand has seen sellers charge extravagant prices for models in-stock, including demonstrator models with a few hundred kilometres on the clock.

Car buyers have been told to remain cautious of 'dodgy dealers' selling vehicles for up to $10,000 more than what they should be (stock image)

New dealerships are driving up the prices of near-new demonstrator models to entice buyers unwilling to wait several months for a new vehicle (stock image)

Dealerships are charging up to $92,468 drive-away for Ford Ranger models that should actually cost $73,281 drive-away, the Daily Telegraph reports.

The popular Toyota RAV4 hybrid is being sold for an extra $20,000 while Subaru, Kia and Volkswagen dealerships are adding up to $10,000 for some models.

Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries chief executive Tony Weber said the ballooning costs of demonstrator models in showrooms was 'appalling'.

'I think it's despicable behaviour to price gouge people when there is a supply constraint as there is at the moment,' he said.

'It's opportunism and it's something that is just not appropriate.'

Toyota Landcruisers are also in hot demand with a GXL ute selling for$82,000 - some $8,000 above what it would cost to buy new

The tradies favourite Toyota Hilux is soaring on the used market, selling for almost the same price as a new model

He said dealers keen to make a profit could actually be doing themselves a disservice as a growing number of brands embrace direct-to-customer sales.

Companies like Tesla, Honda, Mercedes-Benz and Polestar are opting to skip the 'middle man' and instead sell directly to their buyers.

This allows customers to buy vehicles at a fixed price with no dealer mark-up.

'This supports examination of different business models to eliminate this sort of behaviour by dealers,' Mr Weber said.

Car dealers keen to make a profit could actually be doing themselves a disservice as a growing number of brands embrace direct-to-customer sales (stock image)

It comes as used cars have exploded in value to the point where some older models are selling for more than it costs to buy them new.

How to cash in on the soaring used car market Used car dealers are getting unprecedented prices for highly sought after models including Toyota HiLux, Teslas and Landcruisers. James Ward, director of content at Drive, said those looking to take advantage of the windfall should remember that you'll also be buying at a higher price for the next car. So it's a good idea to lock in what you want to buy first so you're not left short. He said for those who might have a second or third car their not using, now would be the best time to sell. Advertisement

A growing number of drivers are willing to pay more for a used car than buying a new one as retailers report dire supply shortages and months-long waitlists.

Sellers are advertising their second-hand cars with tens of thousands of kilometres on the clock for thousands more than what they originally paid.

A Toyota HiLux SR5 that sold for $56,440 when new is listed on Carsales for $62,000 while a 2017 Toyota Corolla bought for $23,490, is listed for $27,590.

A Suzuki Jimny, a very popular four-wheel-drive, has jumped about $20,000 in second-hand value in less than two years.

A GXL ute which had done just 34km recently sold for $82,000 - some $8,000 above what it would cost to buy new.

Some listings that used to start at $30,000 are now asking upwards of $50,000.

One example was Toyota's RAV4 Hybrid, which can be bought new for $38,490 but a used model with 24,000km on the clock now listed online for a staggering $56,960.

In the first quarter of 2022, used cars sold for a 65 per cent higher price tag than they did three years ago - and even 18 per cent more than just six months ago, data from Moody Analytics showed.
Nature charities joined fire chiefs in calling for a ban on disposable barbecues yesterday, branding them a menace to the environment.

Keep Britain Tidy called for a national ban on sales of single-use barbecues, which can cost as little as 2, while the Woodland Trust urged campers and day trippers to leave them at home.

The London Fire Brigade has already backed a ban after they were implicated in blazes on tinder-dry grasslands around the capital.

The disposable devices are among the main causes of the many grass and open land fires recorded around the UK this summer, harming the environment and putting pressure on stretched emergency services.

Keep Britain Tidy called for a national ban on sales of single-use barbecues, which can cost as little as 2, while the Woodland Trust urged campers and day trippers to leave them at home

Around 4 per cent of serious accidental fires are robustly linked to barbecue use, Home Office figures show. Retailers including Waitrose and Aldi have already stopped stocking disposable barbecues.

They can also cause injury as the heat continues for many hours after the devices are put out. Allison Ogden-Newton OBE, chief executive of Keep Britain Tidy, revealed her son Sam, then 18, badly burnt his foot five years ago on a throwaway barbecue which had been buried on a sandy beach.

She said: When it comes to litter, there is nothing that gets me angrier than a disposable barbecue abandoned on a beach or in our precious green spaces.

Some of the wildfires that we have seen this summer were started by abandoned single-use barbecues.

The disposable devices are among the main causes of the many grass and open land fires recorded around the UK this summer, harming the environment and putting pressure on stretched emergency services

The cooking devices are environmental disasters, she added.

The Woodland Trust also urged consumers to stop using disposable barbecues which are banned from its sites. Peter Coles, the charitys site manager for Surrey and West Kent, said: Our woodlands are precious and protected places, home to many tree, plant and wildlife species.

Everything we do is to keep the woodlands and its inhabitants safe. Fires create huge amounts of damage and destruction to sensitive habitats.

n A petition demanding a ban had last night gathered more than 14,500 signatures. It was started by Toby Tyler, whose son William, nine, needed a skin graft after standing on sand where a barbecue had been. Find it at: www petition.parliament.uk/petitions/618664
Kemi Badenoch has told how she had to battle civil servants who supported the controversial Tavistock clinic for children.

The ex-equalities minister and Tory leadership contender said they tried to stop her speaking to former patient Keira Bell, who took legal action against the clinic's gender identity centre.

It has now been ordered to close by the NHS after a damning review. But Mrs Badenoch said officials had assured her that the clinic was doing a good job despite whistleblowers raising serious concerns.

The ex-equalities minister and Tory leadership contender said they tried to stop her speaking to former patient Keira Bell, who took legal action against the clinic's gender identity centre

She said this showed the dangers of civil service 'groupthink' and that ministers must be brave and face down vested interests.

'The truth is some battles have to be fought and won,' Mrs Badenoch wrote in The Sunday Times.

On becoming equalities minister in 2020, she wanted to meet campaigners on both sides of the debate.

But officials said it would be 'inappropriate' to speak to Miss Bell, who was given puberty-blocking drugs at 16. Mrs Badenoch overruled the advice to hear 'harrowing' testimony from the ex-patient.

On her piece for the Sunday Times, Mrs Badenoch wrote: 'The Whitehall machine often becomes the voice of interest groups in government rather than government's voice to interest groups,' the former Tory leadership contender wrote in the Sunday Times.

She said that when she became equalities minister in 2020, the Tavistock's Gender Identity Service (GIDS) for young people was 'presented to me by government officials as a positive medical provision to support children'

'This stems from a sincere, yet naive, belief that you can appease special interests with platitudes. The truth is some battles have to be fought and won.

'This requires strengthening a civil service that is terrified of controversy and recalibrating it towards policy and away from posturing on issues it believes as too 'contentious'.'

She said that when she became equalities minister in 2020, the Tavistock's Gender Identity Service (GIDS) for young people was 'presented to me by government officials as a positive medical provision to support children'.

And when she insisted on meeting campaigners on both sides of the debate, her officials tried to stop her speaking to Keira Bell, who was prescribed puberty-blocking drugs by the clinic aged 16 but later regretted transitioning and launched a landmark Judicial Review against the Tavistock.

'To my surprise, I was advised strongly and repeatedly by civil servants in the department that it would be 'inappropriate' to speak to her. I overruled the advice. Along with other advisers across government I met Keira and listened to what she had to say. Her testimony was harrowing and brought many on the Zoom call to tears,' Mrs Badenoch wrote.

She insisted that not all civil servants are 'hostile' but went on: 'A small minority of activist officials are the tail wagging the dog, often to the dismay of their colleagues and the hand-wringing of far more senior officials.'

She accused some mandarins of being 'too scared to challenge their own staff'.
Three young sisters were found dead after vanishing from their Texas home while by babysat by a family friend.

ZiAriel Robinson Oliver, 9, A'Miyah Hughes, 8, and Te'Mari Robinson Oliver, 5, were reported missing from their small town residence Friday night.

A dive team pulled their bodies from a private pond on a neighboring property early Saturday morning. Their cause of death has not yet been revealed.

Their mother took to Facebook saying the 'loss of my sweet babies' is 'so unreal.'

Although this is a hard time, the grieving mom said she 'has to be strong for the sake of my three other babies.'

Three young sisters were found dead after vanishing from their Texas home while by babysat by a family friend. Nine-year-old ZiAriel Robinson Oliver is pictured

ZiAriel Robinson Oliver, 9, A'Miyah Hughes, 8, (left) and Te'Mari Robinson Oliver, 5, (right) were reported missing from their small town residence Friday night

ZiAriel, A'Miyah and Temari went missing from their Atlanta, about 200 miles east of Fort Worth, home around 10pm Friday, prompting a multi-agency search for the girls.

A family friend had been watching the trio and their other siblings while their mother, Shommaonique Oliver, 28, was at work. The babysitter called 911 to report their disappearance.

Officials received reports that the girls were found in a pond near Highway 77 around 2am Saturday.

Police centered their search around the pond after a pair of shoes and other items of clothing were found scattered near and in the water.

'We located items of clothing around a pond and in a pond,' Texas Game Warden Shawn Hervey told KSLA Saturday.

'So, we centered the search around that small body of water, and with the use of divers we were able to recover three victims at approximately 2am.'

A dive team pulled their bodies from a private pond on a neighboring property early Saturday morning. Their cause of death has not yet been revealed

Police centered their search around the pond after a pair of shoes and other items of clothing were found scattered near and in the water. Video taken at the scene also showed a bicycle abandoned on the property

Video from the scene showed a bicycle abandoned on the property, seemingly close to the pond. It is unclear if the bike belonged to the girls and if they rode it to the property.

'We have no idea what the girls were doing there,' Cass County Sheriff Larry Rowe told the Texarkana Gazette.

Investigators have not reached any conclusions about their deaths and the bodies have been sent for autopsies.

'Nobody has been accused of anything,' Rowe said.

Harvey echoed: 'This is not an everyday occurrence, but it does happen.'

Their mother took to Facebook saying the 'loss of my sweet babies' is 'so unreal.' Although this is a hard time, the grieving mom said she 'has to be strong for the sake of my 3 other babies'

Shommaonique paid tribute to her daughters on Facebook in a series of posts telling her daughters to 'say hi to granny for me'

Shommaonique told DailyMail.com she is heartbroken over the loss of her daughters and not conducting interviews at this time.

'At this time Im just trying to bury my babies,' she said, noting on social media that the incident was 'unexpected' and a 'big hurt and shock' to their entire family.

'Through this whole process I have my family helping me to get through this hard time with me and the loss of my sweet babies Girls (sic) its so unreal,' she wrote.

'But I know I have to be strong for the sake of my other 3 Babiess because they need me more then ever!!!'

The grieving mother has created a GoFundMe account to help with funeral costs and other related expenses.

'This was so unexpect (sic) and a big hurt and shock to myself and my family. We are now asking for help to lay my sweet angles to rest,' she penned, adding: 'Whatever you can donate will be appreciated.'

Investigators have not reached any conclusions about their deaths and the bodies have been sent for autopsies

A family friend had been watching the trio and their other siblings while their mother, Shommaonique Oliver, 28, was at work. The babysitter called 911 to report their disappearance

Shommaonique has created a GoFundMe account to help with funeral costs

'Lord pls and I mean pls I want my kids back this hurt and words cant explain the pain Im going through I just want my baby girls back in my arm,' the grieving mother wrote in another post.

She added: 'Rest easy my sweet baby girls (sic) say hi to granny for me I miss and love yall.'

Friends and family alike have offered an outpour of support for Shommaonique during this incredibly difficult time.

'Sweet baby I have no words,' wrote Stephanie Spriggs-Luckey. 'No words will bring you any comfort. I'm so incredibly sorry for the loss of your precious babies.

'I will be praying for God to bring you peace and comfort as only he can.'

Friends and family alike have offered an outpour of support for Shommaonique during this incredibly difficult time

Her cousin, China Davis, shared photos of the girls on Facebook, saying: 'These babies are on my mind tough they are family as well as friends.

'I love you cousin Im praying baby girl my heart cries out for you!'

Shommaonique's Facebook page is flooding with messages of condolences and prayers, as well as loved ones expressing their complete and utter shock at the deaths.

'Praying for you and that God gives you strength,' echoed Dapatrick Jones.

'It definitely doesnt seem real!!' said LaKeithia Malone. 'Yes, stay strong for [your other kids]. You have us in your corner tho. (sic)'

J. Ray Web-Hill, who also shared photos of the sisters, encouraged everyone to donate to the fundraising page, noting the family 'would greatly appreciate any help you can give.'
A new twist has emerged in the case of missing Brisbane woman Kathleen Riethmuller, who vanished from Sydney last October, with police revealing they believe she may be alive and living in Melbourne.

Kathleen Riethmuller, 28, (pictured) has been missing since she mysteriously vanished from Sydney's northern suburbs last October

As part of Missing Persons Week, NSW Police have made a new appeal to find Ms Riethmuller, who walked into Elephant Backpackers in the inner Sydney suburb of Woolloomooloo on October 28 to make a booking to stay the night - which she would never fulfil.

She abruptly left reception without first visiting her room before heading to Sydney's north, where she was last seen on security footage visiting shops before walking along a busy road.

Hours later, Ms Riethmuller's belongings including her ID and bank cards were found abandoned 7km away in a backpack in a street at Lane Cove, while her phone was discovered by another member of the public in a neighbouring suburb.

Ms Riethmuller had shopped at Artarmon about 11.40am on October 28 and was sighted again at 2.30pm the same day in North Sydney wearing a long sleeve denim dress and black flat shoes.

Police now suspect the 28-year-old may be alive and possibly living in Melbourne.

Daily Mail Australia revealed in may that one of Ms Riethmuller's Facebook profiles, under the name 'Red Riding Hood', had been deleted since November (she is pictured in CCTV footage)

Police believe Ms Riethmuller (pictured) may be living in Melbourne.

NSW Police Minister Paul Toole said officers want to find Ms Riethmuller to ensure she is safe and well.

'The ripple effect that occurs when a person goes missing without reason or without a trace shouldn't be underestimated,' Mr Toole said on Monday.

Missing Persons Registry Manager, Detective Chief Inspector Glen Browne, said police need new information to find Ms Riethmuller.

'Her behaviour was clearly out of character when she was last seen, and we've been unable to establish any logical reason for her movements that day and subsequent disappearance,' Det Ch Insp Browne said.

'Investigators strongly suspect Kathleen may be alive and possibly living interstate, and any information to that effect would be very helpful to police.

'Ultimately we need the public's help.'

Ms Riethmuller is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 165cm  175cm tall, of thin build, with long dark hair.

A family friend previously told Daily Mail Australia a 'jittery' Ms Riethmuller checked into Elephant Backpackers (pictured) in, Woolloomooloo, the morning she disappeared

Police have launced a new appeal to find Ms Riethmuller as part of Missing Persons Week

The Daily Mail Australia revealed in May that one of Ms Riethmuller's social media profiles had been deactivated sometime since November, and she was known by police to use a series of aliases.

According to the Australian Federal Police missing person's register, Ms Riethmuller is known to use the aliases Amy Munroe, Kate Riethmuller, Margaret Riethmuller and Kate Muller.

According to social media profiles, Ms Riethmuller graduated from Brisbane Girls Grammar - which costs about $26,555-a-year - in 2010 before studying a Bachelor of Business Management/Science at The University of Queensland.

Facebook posts suggest the fitness enthusiast had been living in Sydney since at least May last year.

She was known to have frequented a unit on King Street in Sydney and a backpacker hostel on Sir John Young Crescent, Woolloomooloo, in the weeks leading up to her disappearance.

In one of her Instagram accounts, Ms Riethmuller said she worked in 'data science, innovation and market developments' with 'experience in consulting, finance and start-ups'.

In the weeks before her disappearance, Ms Riethmuller tried to sell a string of possessions on Gumtree , with police previously revealing they were exploring the possibility she travelled to Melbourne for work opportunities.

After checking into the backpacker hostel, Ms Riethmuller attended a Bunnings store on Reserve Road, Artarmon, about 11.40am on Thursday 28 October.

She was last captured on CCTV 15 minutes later walking eastbound on the northside of Falcon St towards Neutral Bay.

Her backpack was found by a member of the public later that afternoon on Centennial Avenue, Lane Cove, sparking the investigation into her whereabouts.
Some of the UKs leading universities offered students as much as 15,000 in cash last year to get them to defer their places.

Research shows almost 9million was paid collectively by nine of the 24 elite institutions of the Russell Group, suggesting the overall figure could be even higher.

Places in the group, which includes Oxford and Cambridge, fill up quickly. But some accepted too many students as the number getting A and A* grades rose due to lenient A-level marking in the pandemic.

Manchester University paid a total of 195,000 in cash to students they asked to defer their study by a year

Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Durham, Exeter, Glasgow, Leeds, Manchester and University College London offered a mixture of cash and accommodation discounts. Leeds paid 10,000 to 275 students and offered to waive first-year accommodation costs. Durham gave 209 students 5,000 each, while 11 dentistry students at Cardiff got 15,000 and free first-year accommodation.

At Birmingham University 23 medical students got 10,000 each to defer their place

Manchester University paid a total of 195,000 in cash, while 23 medical students at Birmingham got 10,000 each. The scale of the incentives was revealed via Freedom of Information requests by The Sunday Telegraph, with almost 800 students paid to delay their entry to 2022.

Matt Western, Labours universities spokesman, said it illustrated the chaotic approach to exams during Covid.

He added: The buck stops with the Government.

A spokesman for the Russell Group said that the voluntary deferrals were often for courses capped by the Government.
A senior police chief has said that recording non-crime 'hate incidents' makes people lose faith in cops.

Stephen Watson of Greater Manchester Police said that officers needed to have confidence in telling the public when matters were not for the police.

He said that he was happy that the national standards body for policy had issued guidance emphasising that offence being taken should not lead to views being stigmatised.

He said that officers recording non-crime hate incidents 'caused people to question whether we know what we're doing'.

Stephen Watson of Greater Manchester Police said that officers needed to have confidence in telling the public when matters were not for the police

Over 120,000 people in the UK have had actions recorded by police despite not breaching a criminal threshold - with the new guidance aiming to reduce this number and free up time.

Watson did emphasise that these recordings provided police with valuable data about trends of anti-social behaviour in communities.

'In certain circumstances, there are actually first-class examples of where we've just completely got this wrong', he told the Times.

Fiona Pilkington killed herself and her disabled daughter after over a decade of bullying in 2007 and Watson cited the example as where the recording of abuse would have been beneficial.

It comes after an army veteran was arrested by police for 'causing anxiety' after retweeting a picture of a swastika made out of Pride flags on social media.

Darren Brady, 51, slammed Hampshire Police for 'impeding his right to free speech' after he was placed into handcuffs on Friday at his home in Aldershot for sharing a meme.

Footage of the arrest was widely shared on social media and showed an officer who told Mr Brady he was being apprehended because his post had 'caused anxiety' and been reported to authorities.

The image Mr Brady retweeted was of a swastika that had been digitally manipulated and was made out of four LGBT pride flags.

In the video, shot on a mobile phone, Mr Brady can be heard asking the three police officers: 'Why am I in cuffs?'

One officer responds: 'It didn't have to come to this at all.'

Mr Brady replied: 'Tell us why you escalated it to this level because I don't understand.'

The officer adds: 'Someone has been caused anxiety based on your social media post. That is why you have been arrested.'

Darren Brady, 51, (pictured) slammed Hampshire Police for 'impeding his right to free speech' after he was placed into handcuffs on Saturday at his home in Aldershot for sharing a meme

The image Mr Brady (pictured) retweeted was of a swastika that had been digitally manipulated and was made out of four LGBT pride flags

This is the moment army veteran Mr Brady (pictured)was arrested by Hampshire Police (pictured right) for 'causing anxiety' after retweeting a picture of a swastika made out of Pride flags

Footage of the arrest was widely shared on social media. Two separate videos showed the arrest of Mr Brady (left) and Harry Miller (right) who tried to prevent the former serviceman from being detained

Harry Miller, a former police officer, was also arrested after claiming he had tried to prevent the former serviceman from being detained.

He told MailOnline: 'Hampshire Police showed a blatant disregard of the law. They approached Mr Brady and acted as summary judge, jury and executioner - but didn't know what offence he'd actually committed. They said he was being arrested for causing anxiety, which is utterly ridiculous!

'Mr Brady is a British Army Veteran and they were trying to extort him for money by making him pay around 80 for educational course so he could downgrade from a crime to a non-crime, which would still show up in a basic Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

'They thought they could get away with it. It was the world's worst shakedown.'

Commenting on the video circulating on Twitter, Mr Miller wrote: 'I'd been locked up by this time and missed this exchange. I'm speechless.'

Mr Miller, who in December won a Court of Appeal challenge over police guidance on 'hate incidents', said police visited the man 10 days earlier and has informed him that he could take the option of attending an 80 education course to avoid being arrested and possibly charged with a criminal offence.

The veteran said he needed time to mull it over, before the officers agreed to return at a future date.

Writing on Twitter on Sunday, Mr Brady told his followers: 'It's nice to be able to enjoy a Sunday morning in peace without being harassed by Hampshire Police trying to extort money from me, or have me 're-educated' for sharing a meme on the Internet.'

In a statement, Hampshire Police said: 'Officers felt it was necessary to arrest a man at the scene so they could interview him in relation to the alleged offence'

Donna Jones, Tory police and crime commissioner for Hampshire, slammed the county's police force on Friday

Full statement from crime commissioner criticising her own police force PCC Donna Jones: 'I am aware of the video published on Twitter which shows the arrest of two men in Hampshire yesterday, one for malicious communications and one for obstruction of a police officer. 'I have taken this issue up with the Constabulary today and have been advised officers made the arrests following a complaint from a member of the public of an alleged hate crime. 'It follows a post on social media of Progress Pride flags in the shape of a Swastika. 'I am concerned about both the proportionality and necessity of the police's response to this incident. When incidents on social media receive not one but two visits from police officers, but burglaries and non-domestic break-ins don't always get a police response, something is wrong. 'As Police Commissioner, I am committed to ensuring Hampshire Constabulary serves the public as the majority of people would expect. It appears on this occasion this has not happened. 'This incident has highlighted a really topical issue which Hampshire Constabulary and other police forces need to learn from. In order to support this I will be writing to the College of Policing to make them aware of this incident and encourage greater clarification on the guidance in order to ensure that police forces can respond more appropriately in the future.' Advertisement

Mr Brady shared the meme, which was originally posted by Laurence Fox, a 44-year-old actor turned campaigner, on social media.

Mr Fox said the image reflected his belief that LGBT pride month is 'enforced with a sense of hectoring authoritarianism'.

Police returned to the Mr Brady's property on Thursday, but he had contacted Mr Miller and Mr Fox during the intervening period. The pair run the Bad Law project together, which claims to 'challenge and depoliticise' policing.

They agreed to attend the man's home and were present when officers returned.

Mr Miller claims the former serviceman refused the offer of the educational course, leading to his arrest.

A statement from Hampshire Constabulary said: 'When officers arrived they were prevented from entering the address to discuss a potential resolution to the matter.

'As a result, officers felt it was necessary to arrest a man at the scene so they could interview him in relation to the alleged offence.'

But Mr Miller subsequently place himself between the officers and the veteran, telling police: 'You arrest him, you've got to come through me.'

He was also arrested on suspicion of obstructing police and has been released under investigation, describing the incident as 'one of the proudest moments of my life'.

In a separate video, Mr Miller is led to a marked police van in handcuffs and before he is taken inside, a cop asks: 'Have you got anything on you that could harm me or you?'

Mr Miller instantly replies: 'Just my razor sharp wit and knowledge of the law.'

The footage, captured by Mr Fox, also shows the actor and veteran accuse police of acting like the Gestapo.

Mr Miller won a Court of Appeal challenge over police guidance on 'hate incidents' in December after claiming it unlawfully interferes with the right to freedom of expression.

The former officer who describes himself as 'gender critical', was approached by colleagues at Humberside Police over alleged transphobic tweets in January 2020.

The force recorded the complaint as a 'non-crime hate incident', defined by the College of Policing's guidance as 'any non-crime incident which is perceived, by the victim or any other person, to be motivated by a hostility or prejudice'.

Mr Miller, from Lincolnshire, challenged both Humberside Police's actions and the College of Policing's guidance at the High Court and a judge ruled the force's actions were a 'disproportionate interference' with Mr Miller's right to freedom of expression.

Mr Fox returned to Twitter on Thursday unrepentant after being suspended for posting the meme.

The tweet resulted in a sharp backlash, with Twitter temporarily freezing his account for violating their 'hateful imagery' policy, and a London Assembly member calling on the Met Police to investigate Mr Fox.

Caroline Russell, who is also a member of the Police and Crime Committee in the Greater London Authority, wrote on Twitter: 'I hope the Met Police will look into Laurence Fox using pride flags to create nazi imagery and posting the images on a public platform.

'This is a hate crime,' Ms Russell wrote.

Laurence Fox, 44, an actor turned campaigner, was banned from Twitter over the weekend for posting a picture of a swastika made out of four LGBT pride flags

The tweet showed four LGBT pride flags positioned to make a swastika, captioned with the words, 'Oh blessed and most holy month'

Mr Fox hit back at the London Assembly member's intervention, however, accusing her of employing tactics reminiscent of those exercised by the Chinese Communist Party.

He wrote: 'This is the UK, not China. Good to know you would like to see your political opponents prosecuted for 'hate', locked up and probably worse.

'So thanks for proving my point for me,' Mr Fox said.

In another tweet, Mr Fox shared a link to a satirical article entitled, 'Scientists Discover Remote Island Untouched By Pride Month'.

Mr Fox captioned the tweet with the words: 'Don't cave in to the mob. Laugh instead.'

Access to Mr Fox's Twitter account was restored this morning, with the polemicist and founder of The Reclaim Party telling his 310,500 followers that the LGBT pride flag has become a 'holy flag' that 'cannot be criticised'.

The Campaign Against Antisemitism hit out at Mr Fox for his 'insulting' post.

Mr Fox's tweet was strongly condemned by the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust on Twitter

And the Campaign Against Antisemitism criticised Mr Fox's 'insulting' tweet

In a tweet, the campaign group wrote: 'Displaying pride flags in the shape of a swastika is not the edgy statement that you think it is.

'It is possible to express a view without the hate, and without insulting those murdered by the Nazis, which included Jews and LGBT people.'

The Holocaust Memorial Day Trust added: 'We are appalled to see Laurence Fox's vile tweet this morning with abhorrent use of the swastika.

'Gay men experienced untold suffering under the Nazis, including murder, castration, and medical experimentation.'

Twitter said Mr Fox's account was locked on Sunday evening for violating the site's rules, specifically their 'abusive profile information' and 'hateful imagery' clauses

'You cannot criticise the holy [LGBT pride] flags' Mr Fox asserted in a tweet after access to his account was restored. His political colleague Martin Daubney, deputy leader of the Reclaim Party, backed him up by posting his own image of a swastika, this time created from Union Jack flags (pictured)

Mr Fox's political colleague Martin Daubney, deputy leader of the Reclaim Party, rushed to back him up on the social media site, posting his own picture of a swastika - this time compiled from Union Jack flags.

'So is this worthy of a ban?', Mr Daubney, a former Brexit Party MEP, asked in a tweet of his red-white-and-blue swastika.

Seizing on Mr Daubney's now-deleted tweet, Mr Fox wrote: 'You can openly call [the Union Jack] a symbol of fascism and totalitarianism [on this site].

'You cannot criticise the holy [LGBT pride] flags.'

Mr Fox told MailOnline: 'While I'm pleased that my account has been reinstated, this temporary ban only served to reinforce the rank hypocrisy which Twitter is engaged in.

'Over the Jubilee weekend, I lost count of the number of posts comparing the prominence of Union Jack flags around the country to Nazi Germany.

'The prominence of the various pride flags and symbols throughout the month of June however not only goes unquestioned, but its acceptance and celebration are enforced with a sense of hectoring authoritarianism.

'My post was clearly meant to highlight this double standard  and the temporary ban which resulted from it effectively proved my point.'
The images are haunting. Two pairs of sisters, side by side, frozen in time with the dead-eyed stare of a passport picture.

These are the only known photographs of four young Saudi women bound together in tragedy after fleeing their homes for a better life and basic freedoms.

Those dreams ended in two separate double-death mysteries in chillingly similar circumstances, half a world apart in the US and Australia.

Tala, 16, (left) and Rotana Farea, 23, (right) had arrived in New York City on September 1, 2018, and maxed out their credit cards staying in luxury hotels

Asra Abdullah Alsehli, 24, (left) and her sister Amaal, 23, (right) were found dead in Sydney's south-west

In June, the rotting remains of sisters Amaal, 23, and Asra Abdullah Alsehli, 24, were found inside their inner-west Sydney unit, five years after they left Saudi Arabia and sought asylum in Australia.

There were no signs of forced entry, no clear signs of injury, and the cause of death remains undetermined, a lingering unsolved puzzle for police.

Two crucifixes were found in the apartment, a worker with access to the unit reportedly told the ABC.

Those who saw the pair around their Canterbury apartment building described them as 'like two little sparrows ... scared of something'.

The horrific case has now sparked comparisons with the 2018 double-death tragedy of inseparable Saudi sisters Rotana and Tala Farea, 16,000km away in New York City.

Their bodies were found bizarrely taped to each other when they washed ashore on the city's Hudson River waterfront after they escaped their homeland for a new life.

Like Amaal and Asra, there was originally no explanation for their deaths.

The Farea sisters were found taped together on the shore of the Hudson River on October 24 2018, with no signs of foul play and no evidence they jumped from a high point

Tala, 16 and Rotana Farea, 23, left Saudi for the US two years earlier, fleeing allegedly abusive relatives to live in a shelter in Virginia while they filed for asylum.

They moved to New York two months before their deaths and lived the high life in five-star luxury hotels like the Hilton, Hyatt and the Knickerbocker.

There they lived off room service - always eating two meals a day together - and occasionally shopping until they maxed out their credit card and the cash ran out.

They were last seen praying in the city's Riverside Park at 7am after finding out their bid for asylum had failed and they faced having to fly home to Saudi Arabia.

It appears to have proved the final straw. The pair used duct tape to bind themselves together... and threw themselves as one into the Hudson's killer currents.

On October 24, 2018, their decomposing corpses - still tied together - were found swept onto the rocks of Manhattan's Upper West Side.

Their deaths mystified the international community - although, unlike Amaal and Asra double tragedy, was determined to be suicide - after a three month inquiry.

'The tape was not binding them tight together,' New York Chief of Detectives Dermot Shea said. 'More like keeping them together.

'They would rather inflict harm on themselves and commit suicide than return to Saudi Arabia.'

Tala and Rotana Farea were seen praying in a park on New York's 158th Street, a few kilometres upstream from where their bodies were found on October 24, 2018

A witness told police of the haunting final scene of the sisters quietly praying before their tragic end.

'He described them as alone, just the two of them,' Shea said. 'They were sitting 30 feet apart, but he believed they were together.

'They were sitting with their heads in their hands, their heads lowered and making noises loudly that he describes as praying.'

Detectives unearthed allegations that the pair had been abused by their Saudi mother, father and brother before escaping in the hope of a new life in New York.

'This is not corroborated at this time from us but there are reports of abuse that had been brought to our attention,' added Shea.

'This is in another jurisdiction, and this is some time in the past.'

A three-month inquiry concluded the deaths were a tragic double suicide. The pair drowned with no other injuries but also no sign of them plunging into the water.

It's believed they may have walked gently together into the river's powerful flow before it swept them away in their final deadly embrace.

Their bodies were found 5km downstream from where they were last seen.

'The death of the Farea sisters was the result of suicide, in which the young women bound themselves together before descending into the Hudson River,' New York medical examiner Barbara Sampson said in January 2019.

The tragedy echoes the sad end of Amaal, 23, and Asra, 24, in Sydney - although the circumstances of their deaths may not be the same.

Like the Fareas, the Alsehlis were inseparable and reclusive and begged for asylum and discovered dead together in mysterious circumstances.

Police believe the two young women, found in separate beds, may have been dead for a month at their Canterbury unit before officers made the grim discovery.

Investigators believe the women died in May, around the time they stopped paying their $500 per week rent.

Detectives say they are open to 'all lines of inquiry'.

When they arrived in Sydney, Asra and Amaal Alsehli made contact with a refugee agency. Pictured: Their Canterbury apartment block, where they were found dead in June

UNSOLVED MYSTERIES OF SYDNEY'S SAUDI SISTERS - 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

The coroner has not released the bodies of the sisters to their family, although it is understood they could be buried in Sydney.

Police are to yet rule out homicide or suicide as investigations continue, hampered by the family blocking the release of the only two available pictures of the women.

The coroner finally overruled the family's wishes and released the passport photographs last week, revealing the dead women's faces publicly for the first time.

Eight weeks on from the grisly discovery, the case is still plagued with mysteries and inconsistencies.

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.

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.

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 and never started a conversation.

A black BMW coupe covered in dust was removed from the garage of the apartment block the day after the women's bodies were found

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 unit as mail piled up outside their door.

Asra applied for an apprehended violence order against a 28-year-old man in 2019 but later withdrew the application.

Lead Detective Inspector Claudia Allcroft insisted there was 'nothing to suggest' their family was involved in their deaths.

Daily Mail Australia revealed on Monday that the pair had reporting seeing a 'suspicious' man lurking between two cars, out the front of their home, in the months prior to their death.

But after investigations, it was not confirmed if the figure was suspicious - or whether the young women may have been jumping at shadows.

The women were not known to be part of any dissident Saudi networks.

The mysterious deaths have made waves on social media, with many Middle Eastern locals asking why the sisters felt the need to escape the Saudi Kingdom.

One man said the women exposed themselves to danger when they left their homeland: 'Do not leave Saudi Arabia in search of freedom. You will not find it.'
A minister's scandalous political history has resurfaced after she was sacked by NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet.

Workplace and Fair Trading minister Eleni Petinos, 35 - who was responsible for keeping the state's workplaces safe - was dumped on Sunday amid allegations of bullying in her office.

The allegation adds to her troubled past that includes being swept up in a sexting scandal, vomiting in a government car in an incident that became known as 'Barfgate' and accusations she abandoned her electorate, during a bushfire, to watch the Commonwealth Games.

Daily Mail Australia takes a look at some of the political scandals surrounding Ms Petinos during her time in power.

Eleni Petinos' scandalous political history has resurfaced after the NSW fair trading minister was sacked by premier Dominic Perrottet

'Barfgate'

Ms Petinos was identified as the person responsible for vomiting in a ministerial car after State of Origin II in 2017.

The member for Miranda, in Sydney's south, was targeted in a Facebook post by Labor's Walt Secord in a fake milk carton meme.

The carton referenced Ms Petinos as 'missing' after she seemed to disappear from the public eye following 'Barfgate'.

'Where in the world is Eleni? Patients and families want to speak to you about Sutherland hospital. Electors in Miranda are concerned about her whereabouts as she was last seen at the State of Origin with Deputy Premier,' the carton text read.

Ms Petinos demanded Mr Secord apologise for posting the image on Facebook, accusing him of defamation.

'I note you have engaged in defamatory publications against me and I request that you provide an unreserved apology and withdraw the defamatory material,' she wrote.

The member for Miranda, in Sydney's south, became the target of a popular meme printed on a milk carton

Sexting scandal

Ms Petinos was once again dragged into the public spotlight after she was involved in a sexting scandal with then-innovation minister Matt Kean in 2018.

His furious ex-girlfriend Caitlin Keage exposed text messages sent from Mr Kean, who is now the Treasurer, to Ms Petinos. Mr Kean said: 'Really need to f*** you'.

Ms Keage had posted the messages on Instagram along with the caption: 'When your boyfriend cheats on you when you're away with family.

'I was in Adelaide trusting my partner not to play up. But alas, here we are. Another minister getting away with his predatory behaviour.'

Ms Petinos denied the allegations, saying she was saddened to 'have been drawn into this relationship breakdown'.

Ms Petinos was once again dragged into the public spotlight after she was involved in a sexting scandal with then-Innovation minister Matt Kean in 2018 (pictured, Mr Kean with his former partner Caitlin Keage)

Mr Kean's furious ex-girlfriend Caitlin Keage exposed text messages sent from Mr Kean, who is now the Treasurer, to Ms Petinos. Kean said: 'I need to f*** you'

The messages revealed Mr Kean told Ms Petinos he was 'tempted to drive down to see' her, just after 10pm on December 27.

She replied: 'Miss me huh? lol,' before he said: 'Yup. Really need to f**k you.'

Ms Petinos said he already had 'CK for that' - a reference to Ms Keage - and when he asked, 'is that a no?' she replied: 'It's that time of the month.'

Mr Kean said: 'OK come up later x.'

She later texted Mr Kean and said: 'Just got your Christmas card you're absolutely gorgeous - love you xx.'

Commonwealth Games flight

Ms Petinos then drew backlash after flying to the Gold Coast to watch the Commonwealth Games as a bushfire ravaged her electorate months later.

Ms Petinos went to see a netball game despite the deliberately-lit blaze burning in the southern Sydney suburb of Alfords Point, in her electorate's west.

Ms Petinos drew backlash after flying to the Gold Coast to watch the Commonwealth Games as a bushfire ravaged her electorate months later

Dominic Perrottet announced on Sunday night he had terminated the services of Ms Petinos (pictured, Mr Perrottet and Ms Petinos in 2016)

'I am proud of my work while I served the people of NSW as Minister for Small Business and Minister for Fair Trading,' Ms Petinos said (pictured, Ms Petinos at a swearing-in ceremony at Government House in 2021)

'I remained in constant contact with the Acting Minister receiving updates throughout the day,' she told reporters at the time.

Sacking

Mr Perrottet announced on Sunday night he had terminated Ms Petinos after media outlets reported bullying allegations in her office.

'Today I spoke with the Minister for Small Business and Fair Trading Eleni Petinos after some further matters concerning her were brought to my attention,' he said in a statement.

'In light of these matters, Ms Petinos' service as a minister will cease with immediate effect, and I will write to the governor in this regard tomorrow.'

Ms Petinos issued a statement in response later on Sunday night.

'Today I spoke with the Minister for Small Business and Fair Trading Eleni Petinos after some further matters concerning her were brought to my attention,' Mr Perrottet said

'I am proud of my work while I served the people of NSW as Minister for Small Business and Minister for Fair Trading,' she said.

'I fought hard for small businesses who are the lifeblood of NSW and I will continue to advocate for them regardless of my role.

'The intense pressures and stresses of such important portfolios are significant for both staff and their minister. I thank my staff for their efforts in supporting me to deliver for the people of NSW.

'I would never intentionally offend anyone or make them feel uncomfortable, and if I did I am truly sorry.

'I pursue politics to make a positive difference and will continue to do so proudly as the Member for Miranda.'

Ms Petinos, who was responsible for keeping the state's workplaces safe, last week rejected accusations of improper conduct linked to her office.

'I value my staff and endeavour to provide a professional and safe environment for them,' she said.

A report had claimed one of Ms Petinos' former advisers lodged a complaint with the Department of Premier and Cabinet about being 'relentlessly bullied' by others while at work.

Ms Petinos has had up to eight staff members leave in the past seven months, according to reports. Mr Perrottet said it was 'possible, if not probable' that her workplace environment did not meet appropriate standards. Ms Petinos denies the allegations.

Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Victor Dominello will assume Ms Petinos' portfolio responsibilities.
A glum looking Scott Morrison has been sworn into Parliament after dodging the first week with a trip to Japan.

Mr Morrison joined former Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby in fronting the 47th Parliament on Monday morning and pledging his allegiance to the Queen.

Mr Joyce was unable to attend Parliament last week following the death of his father, Jim, aged 98.

The ex-prime minister then made his way to the backbench for the first time in nine years after resigning from the leadership of the Liberal Party following the May federal election loss.

Former Prime Minister Scott Morrison appears to be in a glum mood as he is sworn in, in the House of Representatives at Parliament House in Canberra, Monday, August 1, 2022. He then made his way to the backbenches for the first time in nine years

Labor MP Maria Vamvakinou, who also missed the first week of Parliament, was sworn in alongside the former Prime Minister and his deputy.

In the Senate, Greens senator Lidia Thorpe drew the ire of the Opposition benches after branding the Queen a 'coloniser' while reciting the oath of allegiance.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is off to a strong start in the first Newspoll since Labor won office.

His voter satisfaction rating is at 61 per cent, the poll published in The Australian on Monday shows.

This is the highest number recorded for a post-election Newspoll for a new Prime Minister since the satisfaction measure started in 1985.

Mr Albanese is also ahead on the preferred Prime Minister measure, at 59 per cent versus 25 per cent for Opposition Leader Peter Dutton.

On a two-party preferred basis, Labor is ahead at 56 per cent compared to 44 per cent for the Liberal-National coalition.

Former Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison was in a much better mood on February 11, 2022, when he was still the PM

Labor's primary vote has lifted to 37 per cent, from 32.6 per cent at the May 21 election, against 33 per cent for the coalition.

The Greens are tracking at 12 per cent, while the teal independents were on 10 per cent.

Independent Tasmanian Senator Jacqui Lambie said Mr Albanese wasn't just in a honeymoon period.

'He is still doing the wedding waltz,' she told Nine Network on Monday.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is pictured during Question Time in the House of Representatives at Parliament House in Canberra, Thursday, July 28, 2022

But she warned there were challenges ahead, particularly on the cost of living.

'There will be a fair bit of pressure on him over the next six months,' she said.

'Living standards out there are tough, people are doing it really tough, so let's see how it goes.'

The Newspoll of 1,508 voters was conducted between July 27-30.

Parliament sits for four days this week before taking a four-week break.
Victoria Police are on the hunt for a man following an alleged unprovoked assault outside a McDonald's restaurant in Melbourne that left another man with a shattered cheek.

A 49-year-old Keilor man was randomly attacked outside the Keilor Park Drive McDonalds just after midnight on July 8, police allege.

Two men had walked passed the 49-year-old, who was standing on the patio area, before one of them walked back towards the restaurant to confront him.

Victoria Police have released a photo and CCTV footage of a man (pictured) who they believe may be able to assist with their inquiries

The alleged unprovoked assault took place outside the Keilor Park Drive McDonalds (pictured) just after midnight on July 8

The man then allegedly hit the victim in head, causing him to fall to the ground and lose consciousness.

The two men then fled the area.

It's understood the perpetrator and the victim did not know each other.

The victim suffered a fractured cheek as a result of the vicious attack and required reconstructive surgery.

Police have since released a photo and CCTV footage of a man they believe could assist with their inquiries.

CCTV footage from inside the McDonald's restaurant shows the man approaching the other person

The video shows him approaching the alleged victim without any provocation.

He is described as being Caucasian in appearance, with light brown hair and a beard, and was wearing a white hoodie and black pants.

Anyone who witnessed the incident or has information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
A bitter battle is brewing in one Australian city over a council's 'woke' plans to remove the statue of a disgraced politician, who mutilated an Aboriginal man's dead body.

The statue of William Crowther, who removed the skull of Aboriginal man William Lanne in 1869 and sent it to London nine years before he became Tasmania's premier, will be torn down after years of debate and criticism.

The removal of the sculpture from Franklin Square, in Hobart's CBD, will cost around $20,000 but there are also plans to move it somewhere else.

The bronze statue, erected in 1889, has long been contentious in Hobart.

In 2021, an artist painted its head and hands red as part of a reimagining of the statue, symbolising the body part Crowther removed and that he had 'blood on his hands' over the mutilation.

The statue of William Crowther, who removed the skull of Aboriginal man William Lanne in 1869 and sent it to London nine years before he became Tasmania's premier, is set to be torn down

William Lanne was thought to be the last 'full-blooded' Aboriginal when he died in 1869

A row has blown up over 'woke' plans to remove the statue of disgraced colonial Australian politician, William Crowther, who mutilated an Aboriginal man's dead body

The proposal was outlined in a Hobart council report that claimed too many white men were memorialised in the city and that there would be more 'removals', The Australian reported.

Council member Simon Behrakis attacked the plan as a 'distraction with woke left wing issues over working on solving issues that actually affect the lives of Hobartians'.

'It's important that we acknowledge all aspects of history, including the bad parts. That is not the same as sanitising or censoring history,' he said in an earlier social media post about the statue.

Aboriginal Land Council of Tasmania chair Michael Mansell, who has been one of the most outspoken critics of the William Crowther statue, said the plan to move it somewhere else was 'illogical'.

'If the reason youre taking a statue down is because what the person did was so offensive, you couldnt put it up in any other context because people will remember what that guy stood for,' he said.

'Cutting up dead bodies just because they are Aboriginal and treating them as fair game, (as) animals, it wouldnt matter what good that person did, the scale of the atrocity stands out.'

Mr Mansell said any other statues with similarly 'horrible histories' should also be taken down.

Lanne was regarded as Tasmania's last 'full-blooded' Aboriginal man when he died from cholera and dysentery at 34.

In a gruesome piece of history, Crowther broke into the morgue where Lannes body lay, on behalf of London's Royal College of Surgeons.

Inside, Crowther 'decapitated (Lanne), sliced open his face and peeled off the skin, removing his skull and replacing it with the skull of a white man, stolen from another corpse in the morgue. He then stitched him back up, attempting to cover his crime.'

The move was condemned even back then.

Lanne's brain was put on show in an exhibition in London in 1912.

Crowther was known as a naturalist and surgeon but his life was defined for his infamous actions in exhuming and mutilating bodies in the name of science.

Council member Simon Behrakis attacked the plan as a 'distraction with woke left wing issues over working on solving issues that actually effect the lives of Hobartians'

Crowther is believed to have exhumed the remains of other Aboriginal Tasmanians including a seven-year-old girl named Mathinna.

After removing Lanne's head, Crowther was suspended from his role as an honorary medical officer at Hobart General Hospital.

In 2021, historian Reg Watson told the ABC that statues such as Crowther's could be left in place and their stories explained, whether good or bad.

'To me, politics comes into play here. The statue should be left alone and my fear is, what statue is next?'

'A suitable interpretation plaque can be placed next to the statue in the future, with the sad story told, but attacking statues is an American fashion.'
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi touched down in Singapore just before 4:30 am local time on August 1 to begin her much publicized Asian trip.

In a press release on Sunday, her office said she would visit four Asian countries  but most importantly, Taiwan was not on the list.

Officially, Pelosi does not have any apparent plans to visit the island democracy of Taiwan after Chinese diplomats threatened 'unbearable consequences' if she visited the self-ruled island under Chinese occupation.

Taiwan has been a prickly subject between the United States and China for years.

Two days before Pelosi landed in Asia, nine US Air Force KC-135 Stratotank refueling aircraft, two C-2 transport planes and one MH-60R Seahawk helicopter arrived at US Kadena Air Force Base in Okinawa on July 30, according to Japanese daily newspaper, Ryukyu Shimpo,.

The base is located around 500 miles from Taiwan.

The newspaper says that the arrival of the hardware is 'possibly due to U.S. House Speaker Pelosi's plan to visit Taiwan.'

The speaker's first stop after setting off from California was in Hawaii for refueling, then on to Guam landing at Anderson Air Force Base before arriving in Singapore on Monday morning.

Earlier in July, Pelosi  who is number three in the line of presidential succession  told the media in a press conference: 'It's important for us to show support for Taiwan.'

She added: 'None of us has ever said we're for independence, when it comes to Taiwan. That's up for Taiwan to decide.'

'Speaker Nancy Pelosi is leading a Congressional delegation to the Indo-Pacific region, including visits to Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea and Japan,' Pelosi's press release read.

Bloomberg's China editor John Liu said in an appearance on the network on Sunday: 'I do think it's worth mentioning that not mentioning if there will be a trip to Taiwan on her itinerary is different from saying she will not go to Taiwan.'

He added: 'It is not off the table that there could be a surprise visit.'

The speaker's first stop was in Hawaii, then on to Guam landing at Anderson Air Force Base before arriving in Singapore on Monday morning

Pelosi's plane, a C-40 B/C plane is the military's version of the Boeing 737-700 business jet

Earlier in July, Pelosi told the media: 'It's important for us to show support for Taiwan'

Pelosi's press release continued: 'The trip will focus on mutual security, economic partnership and democratic governance in the Indo-Pacific region.'

'In Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea and Japan, our delegation will hold high-level meetings to discuss how we can further advance our shared interests and values, including peace and security, economic growth and trade, the COVID-19 pandemic, the climate crisis, human rights and democratic governance.'

She is said to be arriving in Singapore first on Monday, where she will spend two days. according to the country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

While in the country, Pelosi will meet with Singaporean President Halimah Yacob and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.

But her trip has been met with much scrutiny by Chinese officials, who have warned that Washington would 'bear all the consequences' if Pelosi did visit Taiwan and have threatened to take 'resolute and forceful measures' against the US if the trip goes ahead.

And in its latest remarks, Chinese officials have warned that all options, including military ones, are already on the table if Pelosi does go through with the trip, according to Zhang Meifang, the Consul General of China in Belfast.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is set to begin her Asia tour this week to four Asian countries, but her itinerary did not include a potential visit to the island democracy of Taiwan

Chinese President Xi Jinping warned his U.S. counterpart, Joe Biden, that Washington should abide by the one-China principle and 'those who play with fire will perish by it'

The latest Chinese remarks warned that all options, including military ones, are already on the table if Pelosi does go through with the trip

Self-governed Taiwan's 23 million people live under the constant threat of invasion by authoritarian China, which views the island as its territory and has vowed to one day seize it, by force if necessary

The authoritarian country views visits by U.S. officials to Taiwan as sending an encouraging signal to the pro-independence camp in the island.

Under its one-China policy, Washington does not have official diplomatic relations with Taiwan, but is bound by U.S. law to provide the island with the means to defend itself.

The White House has been quick to reiterate that stance has not changed despite speculation over Pelosi making the trip.

'If the US pushes ahead and challenges China's bottom line... the US side will bear all the consequences arising therefrom,' Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said at a regular press conference.

He had previously expressed China's 'solemn position' over a potential Pelosi visit, telling reporters that China is prepared to 'take firm and strong measures to defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity.'

Chinese air force spokesman Shen Jinke was also quoted by state media as saying on Sunday that Beijing would 'resolutely safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity'.

Shen said at a military airshow that the air force has many types of fighter jets capable of circling 'the precious island of our motherland', referring to Taiwan.

He said China's 'air force has the firm will, full confidence and sufficient capability to defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity.'

And a comment by a People's Liberation Army unit on Weibo, China's Twitter-like social media, on Friday - 'Prepare for war!' - received 1.87 million thumbs-ups.

When U.S. aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan and its strike group returned to the South China Sea by Thursday, Chinese military ramped up exercises in the vicinity

Tensions have been escalating in the region across the South China Sea. On Saturday, Chinese military held live-firing drills in the waters off Fujian province, 62 miles away from Taiwan, according to local authorities.

Taiwanese navy launches a US-made Standard missile from a frigate during the annual Han Kuang Drill, on the sea near the Suao navy harbor in Yilan county on July 26

Taiwanese military forces conducted anti-landing drills near New Taipei City on Wednesday

On Thursday, Chinese President Xi Jinping warned his U.S. counterpart, Joe Biden, that Washington should abide by the one-China principle and 'those who play with fire will perish by it'.

Biden, in turn, told Xi that U.S. policy on Taiwan had not changed and that Washington strongly opposes unilateral efforts to change the status quo or undermine peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, where 23 million people live under the constant threat of invasion by China.

Still, officials on both sides have been gearing up for a possible confrontation.

When U.S. aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan and its strike group returned to the South China Sea by Thursday, Chinese military ramped up exercises in the vicinity.

And on Saturday, Chinese military held live-firing drills in the waters off Fujian province, 62 miles away from Taiwan, according to local authorities.

Chinese coast guard will hold an exercise in the South China Sea off Guangzhou province on Monday, according to another notice by the Maritime Safety Administration.

Prominent Chinese commentator Hu Xijin said on Saturday he deleted a tweet warning of military retaliation should U.S. fighter jets escort Pelosi on a Taiwan visit, after Twitter blocked his account.

And Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs, said this week that the number of intercepts by Chinese aircraft and ships in the Pacific region with U.S. and other partner forces has increased significantly over the past five years.

He said Beijing's military has become far more aggressive and dangerous, and that the number of unsafe interactions has risen by similar proportions.

Those include reports of Chinese fighter jets flying so close to a Canadian air security patrol last month that the Canadian pilot had to swerve to avoid collision, and another close call with an Australian surveillance flight in late May in which the Chinese crew released a flurry of metal scraps that were sucked into the other plane's engine.

Chinese officials have feared that an American official's visit to Taiwan could encourage the pro-separatist movement in Taiwan, which is self ruled but which China considers a territory

A handout provided by the Taiwan Ministry of National Defense shows paratroopers jumping off a plane during a drill as art of the Han Kuang military exercise that simulates the island's response to enemies' attacks on major targets

Taiwanese forces re pictured conducting anti-landing drills on Wednesday

U.S. officials, meanwhile, have said the administration doubts that China would take direct action against Pelosi herself or try to sabotage the visit.

But they don't rule out the possibility that China could escalate provocative overflights of military aircraft in or near Taiwanese airspace and naval patrols in the Taiwan Strait should the trip take place. And they don't preclude Chinese actions elsewhere in the region as a show of strength.

'It could be an air collision. It could be some sort of missile test, and, again, when you're doing those types of things, you know, there is always the possibility that something could go wrong,' Mark Cozad, acting associate director of the International Security and Defense Policy Center at the Rand Corp.

As a result, U.S. military officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity, have said it would increase its movement of forces and assets into the Indo-Pacific region if Pelosi does decide to visit Taiwan.

The officials declined to provide details of their plans, but said that fighter jets, ships, surveillance assets and other military systems would likely be used to provide overlapping rings of protection for her flight to Taiwan and any time on the ground there, increasing the troops that are already in the area.

They also described the need to create buffer zones around the speaker and her plane and are reportedly considering deploying a multi-domain task force that would utilize missile, electronic and cyber capabilities in an integrated manner in Asia, according to the Japanese news outlet Nikkei News.

They also said that a stepped-up U.S. military presence to safeguard Pelosi risked raising tensions.

'It is very possible that our attempts to deter actually send a much different signal than the one we intend to send,' Cozad said.

'And so you get into some sort of an escalatory spiral, where our attempts to deter are actually seen as increasingly provocative and vice versa. And that can be a very dangerous dynamic.'

On Wednesday, Biden told reporters he thought the U.S. military believed a Pelosi visit to Taiwan was 'not a good idea right now'.

The Asian tour comes at a politically sensitive time for Chinese and U.S. leaders.

Xi is expected to seek a precedent-breaking third term at a Congress later this year, while in the United States, Biden's Democratic Party will face a hard fight to retain control of the U.S. House of Representatives at November's midterm elections.
An alleged rapist has been charged by police following accusations he drugged a man before sexually assaulting him, stealing his belongings and erasing his phone.

Police said the suspect, a 22-year-old man from Kambah, in Canberra's south west, met the victim through a dating app.

On July 24, the pair agreed to meet up with the alleged victim inviting the accused to his home in nearby Philip.

The two men had sex on July 24, meeting the next day to have sex again, according to ACT Police.

An alleged rapist, 22, has been charged after allegedly drugging and sexually assaulting a man he met off a dating app (stock image)

Detectives allege the 22-year-old returned to the man's residence a few days later on July 28.

It was on this third visit that police allege the Kambah man drugged the Philip man with a substance, making him lose consciousness, before allegedly raping him in his home.

He then allegedly erased any trace of him on the man's phone before stealing things from his house and fleeing.

The victim reported the matter to police the next day.

Officers from the ACT Policing Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Team (SACAT) executed a search warrant on the suspect's home on Saturday, finding the allegedly stolen items at the 22-year-old's house.

He was arrested at the house and charged with sexual assault without consent, burglary and theft.

He faced ACT Magistrates Court on Monday.

Police are still investigating whether more people were involved in the matter or if other offences were committed.
A furious cabbie has been charged after allegedly going on a violent rampage when a group he drove argued about the cost of their taxi fare.

The group of four men took the cab into the heart of the Gold Coast's party strip around 1.30am on Monday morning, getting the driver to drop them at a Surfers Paradise intersection.

Police said a nearby security guard then saw the group arguing and raised the alarm when he saw the driver allegedly brandish a long, 20cm yellow knife.

The four men fled on foot but were pursued by the cabbie, who drove his taxi into one of the group members, police allege.

Police say a nearby security guard who witnessed the group arguing raised the alarm after he saw the driver allegedly brandish a long yellow knife (pictured)

The man allegedly run down by the driver was thrown onto the taxi's bonnet by the force of the hit but he and the other passengers received only minor injuries.

The taxi driver then allegedly reserved the cab, before revving the engine and again driving at speed towards the group, only narrowly missing them.

Officers tracked the vehicle to nearby Macintosh Park where the driver was arrested without incident on the side of the Gold Coast Highway.

The 35-year-old Surfers Paradise man has been charged with one count each of going armed so as to cause fear and dangerous operation of a motor vehicle.

He was bailed and is due to appear in the Southport Magistrates Court on August 15.
The final outstanding conviction in the Salem Witchcraft Trials has finally been axed 329 years on after an eighth grade teacher and her class fought to clear the persecuted woman's name.

Elizabeth Johnson Jr's exoneration came on Thursday, centuries on from the 1692 conviction which saw 22 year-old Johnson nearly put to death after she admitted practicing witchcraft.

The judgement, part of a $53 billion state budget signed by Massachusetts' Governor Charlie Baker, cleared Johnson, a woman who likely had a mental disability but never married or had children when she was accused in 1692.

None of the women who admitted witchcraft were ultimately put to death - although all 20 who denied it were.

Johnson Jr was spared, and went on to die in 1747, aged 77, with her name seemingly-forever smeared by the withcraft conviction.

Her exoneration served as the culmination of a three-year effort by civics teacher Carrie LaPierre and students at North Andover middle, who relentlessly campaigned to exonerate Johnson.

Aided by a state senator who helped champion the cause, the movement was ultimately successful, with officials deciding to pardon Johnson, who was given a reprieve from death after being forced to plead guilty during the infamous trials.

Historical document from the Salem Witch Trials on the examination of Elizabeth Johnson Jr. She died in 1747 at the age of 77, but her dubious distinction of being a 'witch' remained - until now

The exoneration, announced Thursday, came as the culmination of a three-year effort by civics teacher Carrie LaPierre (at left) and her students at North Andover middle, who, aided by State Senator Diana DiZoglio (at right), relentlessly campaigned to exonerate Johnson

The work of the 13 and 14-year-olds from North Andover Middle School was so meticulous that a state senator was inspired help expedite their legislation to pardon the woman

'I'm excited and relieved,' LaPierre, who started the campaign with her since graduated class last year, told the New York Times in an interview Saturday.

She told the paper that she, however, was saddened that she has not yet gotten to revel in the victory with her kids, who are currently on summer break.

'But also disappointed I didn't get to talk to the kids about it,' she shared. 'It's been such a huge project.'

The effort began early last year, when LaPierre's class was covering the notorious witch hunt as per the public school's yearly curriculum.

During these lessons, LaPierre came to the realization that, within various legislative attempts to exonerate the dozens of women and men found guilty by Salem city officials, Johnson's name, inexplicably, was not included.

The effort began early last year, when LaPierre's class was covering the notorious witch hunt as per the public school's yearly curriculum. During these lessons, the class came to the realization that, within various legislative attempts to exonerate the dozens of women and men found guilty by Salem city officials, Johnson's name, inexplicably, was not included

That realization, LaPierre said in an interview last week, came after she met a historian who had penned a book about Johnson's case and how her conviction remained, at a meeting for North Andover's Historical Society.

The author, LaPierre said, was Rhode Island archivist Richard Height, who was discussing the case with another teacher, which LaPierrelast woma overheard.

They then got talking about the case, and she realized that due to Height's being from another state, he was barred from filing legislation that could appeal Johnson's case.

Haight then offered her the chance to take up the case, to which the teacher without hesitation accepted. She then shared the story with the class, and filed the legislation.

'I certainly didn't start this project,' LaPierre told makers of a documentary about her and her students' struggles to exonerate Johnson, titled The Last Witch.

'The author, Richard Height, who wrote the book about Elizabeth Johnson and discovered she had never been exonerated,' LaPierre told the filmmakers.

'He was a member at the Historical Society in North Andover, and it just so happened another middle school teacher was there and they were speaking about this.

'And Richard is from Rhode Island, so he couldn't' do legislation. So, it was offered up to me, and I said, "sure, we'll take it."'

This drawing is called: 'The Arrest.' The original caption says: 'Illustration shows an officer of the law leading away an elderly woman, who has her hands out in a gesture of innocence'

Since hers wasn't among the several convictions formally set aside, Johnson's still technically stood, perturbing LaPierre and her pupils to no end.

'We called her E.J.J., all the kids and I,' she told The Times of their then building interest in Johnson and her case. 'She just became one of our world, in a sense.'

Johnson, unlike others wrongfully accused during the 17th century witch hunt, never had children and thus had no descendants to act on her behalf - further troubling LaPierre and her students, who felt the young woman had been misrepresented.

The class then petitioned to local lawmakers about the prospect of getting the ruling overturned - an appeal that eventually fell on the ears of Massachusetts State Senator Diana DiZoglio, who decided to help the class with their cause.

Subsequent legislation introduced by the politician, a Democrat from Methuen, was tacked onto a budget bill and approved last May, declaring Johnson pardoned and absolved of all alleged guilt.

Governor Baker's budget published Thursday finally put that pardon into effect, effectively putting Johnson's more-than-three-century-long case to a close.

The judgement saved Johnson - whose reported, unidentified mental disability likely served as a factor during the frenzy of Puritan injustice that began in 1692 - from becoming another lost statistic

The trials - fueled by feelings of superstition, fear of disease and strangers, and other petty indicators - saw 19 hanged, and one man crushed to death by rocks. Thirty, including Johnson, were found guilty, meaning 10 managed to escape death

The trials - fueled by feelings of superstition, fear of disease and strangers, and other petty indicators - saw 19 hanged, and one man crushed to death by rocks. Thirty, including Johnson, were found guilty, meaning 10 managed to escape death.

Meanwhile, dozens of more than 300 accused during the nearly yearlong hunt had their convictions tossed and were officially cleared, including Johnson's own mother.

It is not clear why Johnson's name remained over the years, but DiZoglio said it was likely due to the fact that she did not have any children or family and had no surviving relatives acting on her behalf - or that state officials simply failed to notice the oversight.

'Why Elizabeth was not exonerated is unclear but no action was ever taken on her behalf by the General Assembly or the courts,' DiZoglio said.

'Possibly because she was neither a wife nor a mother, she was not considered worthy of having her name cleared. And because she never had children, there is no group of descendants acting on her behalf.

DiZoglio, who testified to the state senate about the case and its importance last May, declared: 'We will never be able to change what happened to victims like Elizabeth but at the very least can set the record straight.'

Johnson Jr. was condemned in 1693 at the height of the Salem Witch Trials but never executed (File photo: artist depiction of Salem Witch Trials)

Democrat Senator DiZoglio wrote the bill that led to Johnson's formal exoneration

THE SALEM WITCH TRIALS OF 1692 CAUSED 'MASS HYSTERIA' In 1692, mass hysteria swept through Salem, Massachusetts. Superstitious townspeople, fearful of the devil, began accusing men and women of witchcraft and hounded scores of 'witches' to put on trial. The hysteria began after a group of young girls in claimed to be possessed by the devil and accused several local women of witchcraft. As hysteria spread throughout Massachusetts, a court convened in Salem to hear the cases. The first convicted witch, Bridget Bishop, was hanged that June. Eighteen others followed and some 150 more men, women and children were accused over the next several months. Trials continued with until May 1693. But by that May, the governor of Massachusetts had pardoned and released all those in prison. Advertisement

At the age of 22, Johnson was one of dozens sentenced to death in the Salem Witch Trials of 1692, during which 19 were hanged and hundreds of others accused.

'On 10 August 1692, 22-year-old Elizabeth Johnson Jr. of Andover, Massachusetts, was arrested for witchcraft  she told Justice Dudley Bradstreet that she too  participated in the big witch meeting in Salem Village,' the report penned by DiZoglio states.

Johnson was condemned to death on January 11, 1693 but ultimately received a stay of execution from Governor William Phips. She later died in 1747, at the age of 77.

In 2017, officials unveiled a semi-circular stone wall memorial inscribed with the names of people hanged at a site in Salem known as Proctor's Ledge. It was funded in part by donations from descendants of those accused of being witches.

LaPierre said some of her students initially were ambivalent about the effort to exonerate Johnson because they launched it before the 2020 presidential election and at a time when the COVID-19 pandemic was raging.

'Some of the conversation was, 'Why are we doing this? She's dead. Isn't there more important stuff going on in the world?''' she said.

'But they came around to the idea that it's important that in some small way we could do this one thing.'

DiZoglio, whose district includes North Andover, told The Times of the students' now successful efforts: 'These students have set an incredible example of the power of advocacy and speaking up for others who dont have a voice.'
Greens Senator Lidia Thorpe has mockingly recited the parliamentary oath of allegiance while slamming the Queen as a 'coloniser'.

The Aboriginal senator marched into the floor of the chamber on Monday morning and gave a Black Power salute as she prepared to take her oath for the start of a new post-election parliament.

After raising her right fist, she begrudgingly swore to serve the 96-year-old monarch, who is still Australia's head of state.

Ms Thorpe then sarcastically recited the oath of allegiance as she continued holding her fist in the air.

Lidia Thorpe strode into the Senate with her fist in the air and then mockingly called the Queen a 'coloniser'

'I will be faithful and I bear true allegiance to the colonising Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second,' the outspoken politician said in a mocking tone.

Her conduct received support from Greens Leader Adam Bandt, who tweeted: 'Always was. Always will be.'

Senator Thorpe was reprimanded and, smirking, eventually recited the oath correctly and was sworn into parliament.

'Senator Thorpe, Senator Thorpe, you are required to recite the oath as printed on the card,' said the chamber's president Sue Lines.

After reciting the pledge as required, Thorpe declared on Twitter: 'Sovereignty never ceded.'

Australia was a British colony for more than 100 years, a period during which thousands of Aboriginal Australians were killed and communities were displaced wholesale.

The country gained de facto independence in 1901, but has never become a fully fledged republic.

In 1999, Australians narrowly voted against removing the queen, amid a row over whether her replacement would be chosen by members of parliament, not the public.

Polls show most Australians are in favour of being a republic, but there is little agreement on how a head of state should be chosen.

However, scores of social media users criticised Senator Thorpe's behaviour on Twitter.

'What an absolute idiot is Lidia Thorpe,' wrote one.

'A total embarrassment to parliament and those she claims she represents.'

Another commented: 'Racist, anti-Australian, hate speech spewing trolls like you have no place in government and should be behind bars.'

'How childish Lidia... Another look at me moment for you. Can you please tell me one good thing you've done for indigenous Australians?' a third said.

The Greens senator was forced to recite the oath of allegiance again after she marched into Federal Parliament and sarcastically recited it. Her conduct received support from party leader Adam Bandt

It comes as the Greens senator claimed that Australia's parliament had no permission to exist - and that she was only a member so she could 'infiltrate' the institution, while still accepting the salary and benefits of a parliamentarian.

Ms Thorpe, who has both European and Aboriginal ancestors, said in June that her entry into the 'colonial project' of parliament was due to her aspirations to 'renew the nation' and be a voice and spokesperson for First Nations people.

The senator is part of a family succession of women who have had careers in Aboriginal activism: her grandmother Alma Thorpe established Victoria's Aboriginal health service while her mother Marjorie Thorpe was part of the national inquiry into what became known as the stolen generations.

Appearing on Channel 10's The Project, the senator said she also removed the Australian national flag during press conferences after Greens leader Adam Bandt was criticised for the same move.

'The Australian flag does not represent me or my people,' she told the panel.

'It represents the colonisation of these lands, and it has no permission to be here, there's been no consent, there's been no treaty, so that flag does not represent me.'

Panellist Waleed Aly asked the senator if her argument could also apply to the Australian parliament, in which she serves.

'Absolutely, I'm here to infiltrate,' she replied emphatically.

Senator Thorpe (pictured on Tuesday night) said her decision to enter the 'colonial project' was due to her aspirations to 'renew the nation' and be a voice that questioned

'I signed up to become a senator in the colonial project, and that wasn't an easy decision for me personally, and it wasn't an easy decision for my family either to support me in this,' she continued.

'However, we need voices like this to question the illegitimate occupation of the colonial system in this country.'

The panellist asked Senator Thorpe if she had given up her First Nations sovereignty by pledging allegiance to the Queen when she entered parliament.

The line of questioning enraged some viewers, who took to social media to brand him 'offensive' with others calling the interview a 'train wreck'.

'We have never ceded our sovereignty as First Nations people in this nation ever, ever, ever,' senator Thorpe said of her dismissal of the national flag.

What exactly IS the 'Voice to Parliament' they want Australians to vote for? Aboriginal ABC editor calls for payments to First Nations people for past injustices - and she wants it to have real power

A senior ABC editor has called for the planned Indigenous Voice to Parliament to include 'reparations' and for the 'transfer of power' and 'control' to Aboriginal people.

Reparations involve making amends for a wrong that has been done, by providing payment or other assistance to those who have been wronged.

On Sunday, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese drew criticism from some quarters over the ill-defined and very broad powers of the Voice to Parliament would work - after announcing it will be the subject of a referendum over the next three years.

Among those was the Coalition spokesman for Indigenous Australians Julian Leeser, who said 'we need to see more of the detail' while broadly supporting the idea of a race-based body that will have the power to instruct government over any policies that impact Aboriginal people.

Speaking on the Insiders program, the public broadcaster's Indigenous Affairs editor Bridget Brennan filled in some of the blanks on what she thinks the Voice should mean.

'This has to be about justice. It has to be about reparations. It has to be about giving some power to Aboriginal communities,' she said.

Country Liberal Party Senator Jacinta Price (pictured) called the Voice to Parliament 'a gravy train'

So far, all that is certain about the Voice to Parliament is what the referendum question will be.

The question likely to be put to the public is: 'Do you support an alteration to the constitution that establishes an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice?'

The Prime Minister is concerned that giving too much detail would mean people voting 'no' if they 'disagree with one out of 50' clauses put forward.

'We're not doing that, we're learning from history,' said Mr Albanese - referring to the failed 1999 referendum on Australia becoming a republic, which many voted down not because they were against it in principle but because there was conflict over how the head of state would be chosen.

Speaking at the Garma Festival in the Northern Territory on Sunday, Ms Brennan said a Voice to Parliament would not supersede the Federal Parliament.

'The Parliament will have ultimate supremacy, of course,' she said.

What are reparations? Reparations involve making amends for a wrong that has been done, by providing payment or other assistance to those who have been wronged. They can also be the compensation for war damage paid by a defeated state. Advertisement

'But what sort of transfer of power does this mean for Indigenous people, because that needs to happen.'

Ms Brennan said the Prime Minister has a difficult task ahead of him, in convincing people across the country to vote Yes in the referendum.

'(Mr Albanese) is going to have different messages to sell to people. But I actually think there is an appetite now to see some transformative change,' she said.

Ms Brennan, who has Dja Dja Wurrung and Yorta Yorta heritage, emphasised that a Voice to Parliament needs to be strong and powerful.

'When we imagine was a Voice (to Parliament) would look like, I think it does need to have teeth, it does need to be feared (and) revered.

'It needs to be a building, it needs to be an institution that has much more than a voice. It has (to have) some control and some autonomy,' she said.

The Aboriginal flag is seen in Canberra. A referendum on an Indigenous Voice to Parliament is expected to be held next year.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is pictured with Aboriginal dancers at the Garma Festival in the Northern Territory

However there was concern that leaving the parameters of the Voice undefined risked making it too powerful.

Janet Albrechtsen, a columnist with The Australian, said the wording of the constitutional change establishing the Voice must include the right of parliament to abolish it.

Poll Should the Australian Constitution be amended to include an Indigenous Voice to Parliament? Yes No Unsure, I need to know more about it Should the Australian Constitution be amended to include an Indigenous Voice to Parliament? Yes 499 votes

No 3013 votes

Unsure, I need to know more about it 634 votes Now share your opinion





'The only safe way to ensure this novel indigenous body does not become a governance disaster of unholy scale is to give parliament the ultimate control to abolish it,' she wrote.

She also argued that the wording in the Constitution establishing the Voice must restrict the role of the Voice to making representations to parliament and to MPs, and not - as the proposed wording says - to being able to lobby 'executive government' over the fine detail of policies.

'Extending the reach of this body to everything done by executive government means it could permanently second-guess everything that passed across the desk of ministers or public servants,' Ms Albrechtsen wrote. 'This extension is an act of massive overreach that will radically change our system of government.'

Anthony Albanese is pictured speaking at the Garma Festival in the Northern Territory on July 30, 2022

However Ms Brennan said it was important the Voice 'has much more than just an advisory role'.

Speaking on the same panel as Ms Brennan, ABC's Q&A program host Stan Grant said there are many questions yet to be answered about the referendum.

'(Without knowing) how much of the detail will come before the referendum, what the Opposition does is critical,' he said.

'We know the bar is set very high with passing a referendum.'

Linda Burney, the Minister for Indigenous Australians, is set to partly answer that in this Monday's edition of Q&A (ABC, 9.36pm), which has already been recorded at the Garma Festival.

'There will be a lot of information out to the community about what people are voting on. It would be nuts for that not to happen,' she will say.

ABC's Indigenous Affairs editor Bridget Brennan (pictured) said a Voice to Parliament 'has to be about reparations'

Some of the criticism of the process of getting a Voice to Parliament has come from within the Indigenous community.

Writing on Facebook Sunday, Country Liberal Party Senator Jacinta Price, a Warlpiri-Celtic woman, said 'the voice is being (led) by members of the Indigenous elite who've spent their lives on the backs of the most marginalised and changed nothing for them...

'The Voice to Parliament is a gravy train attempting to ingrain itself into the constitution so despite its failures and lack of accountability can never be dismantled.'

Daily Mail Australia has contacted the ABC seeking comment on whether or not it supports Ms Brennan's comments on the Voice to Parliament.
Pictured: Asra Abdullah Alsehli, 24. She and her sister were found dead in Sydney's south-west. She filed an AVO against a 28-year-old man in 2018, which was later withdrawn

A man who was hit with a restraining order on behalf of one of the Saudi Arabian sisters who was found dead in their Sydney apartment says the court action came about as the result of a 'small fight'.

Asra Abdullah Alsehli, 24, and Amaal Abdullah Alsehli, 23, were found dead inside their Canterbury unit in the city's south-west on June 7, five years after they fled their homeland and arrived in Australia with $5,000 in savings.

Police believe the two young women, found in separate beds, may have been dead for a month before officers made the grim discovery while conducting a welfare check.

There were no signs of forced entry, no clear signs of injury, and the cause of death remains undetermined. Investigators have been left mystified.

The sisters' only known interaction with the Australian justice system occurred in 2018, when Asra filed an apprehended violence order (AVO) against a 28-year-old man. The matter was withdrawn in court the following year.

The man told the Daily Telegraph he struck up a non-romantic friendship with Asra after 'meeting her on the street', before a 'small fight' led her to contact police and take out an AVO.

Pictured: Amaal Abdullah Alsehli, 23. Her body was found on June 7 in a Canterbury apartment

NSW Police have appeared to have backflipped on initial claims the women's family have been cooperating with investigation into their deaths. Pictured are police at the unit in June

'We had an argument, you know, like friends do...she was afraid so she contacted the police,' the man told the newspaper. 'Then the three of us went to the police, me, her and Amaal (Asras sister) and we told them what happened.

'We went to court [in 2019], the three of us and I told the judge what happened. Amaal explained it was just an argument and Asra was frightened but there was no problem anymore.'

Daily Mail Australia is not suggesting the man had anything to do with the mysterious circumstances that led to the sisters' deaths.

The man said he had not spoken to the sisters for about two years and was 'upset' and 'shocked' to learn of their deaths.

He said he has spoken to the police and told them everything he knows about the women.

Mysterious case takes a turn

The revelation comes as the mysterious case took another twist on Monday, with police backflipping on initial claims their family had been cooperating with investigators.

For weeks, NSW Police assured media the sisters 'well-connected' family in the Saudi kingdom were 'cooperating' and 'helping' with the investigation.

It has since been alleged that the family blocked detectives from releasing photographs of the women as part of a public appeal to shed light on the baffling case.

Police confirmed to Daily Mail Australia their photos and identities were released in consultation with the coroner - not the sisters' family - almost two months after their bodies were found.

Forensic police scoured the unit (pictured) in the wake of the grisly discovery on June 7 - a month after the women died

Other bizarre inconsistencies have also arisen during the investigation.

Police were unable to explain a delay on the release of toxicology reports which usually takes four to six weeks, despite previously insisting the findings were being 'fast-tracked'.

'That is a matter for the coroner,' police said in response our inquiries.

Until now, investigators always insisted the family were cooperating with investigators and had 'no reason' to believe the Alsehli sisters fled their homeland.

Police would not release details about the women's visa status at Wednesday's press conference but revealed officers were in touch with the family - who had instructed the consulate to act on their behalf.

Investigators believe the women died in May, around the time they stopped paying rent.

The coroner has not released the bodies of the sisters to their family, although it is understood they could be buried in Sydney.

Police are to yet rule out homicide or suicide as investigations continue.

Their rental agent Jay Hu revealed the women were originally 'good' tenants when they first moved in two years ago and had proof of 'ample' savings before falling behind on rent earlier this year.

'They stopped paying rent, so my colleague contacted them  they said the money would be coming soon,' he told the Daily Telegraph.

'But it still didn't come  a few more weeks went by and still not paid.'

The unit has undergone renovations including new carpet and repainting before the property went back on the market for lease last week.

It's also been revealed the sisters were both seeking protection from the Australian government as more details about their attempts to build a normal life here emerged.

They had an active claim for asylum in progress with the Department of Home Affairs, it has been confirmed.

The reasons they sought protection from the Australian government, detailed in their claim, are not known.

Police confirmed the women's identities were released last week in consultation with the coroner. Pictured are officers at the Canterbury complex investigating the women's deaths

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

But claims for asylum often relate to persecution or human rights violations on the basis of religion, sexuality, ethnicity, violence or political opinions, according to Amnesty International.

Both were in touch with settlement providers and were on bridging visas.

Reports published in Middle Eastern newspapers on Friday said the sisters had renounced Islam.

The sisters only left the Canterbury unit to study at TAFE, to go shopping or to work, their former landlord from a property they rented at Fairfield revealed to The Guardian.

The 'shocked' landlord claimed their mother visited the sisters in Sydney but didn't like Australia and left after only a brief visit.

News outlets based in Yemen shed more light on the mysterious situation - reporting that the women fled their homeland with a wad of cash in 2017 due to a tumultuous relationship with their parents.

They were also reported to have renounced Islam and became atheists. One had a boyfriend in Sydney.

Detective Inspector Claudia Allcroft insisted there was 'nothing to suggest' their family was involved in their deaths.

The women were not known to be part of any dissident Saudi networks.

The landlord said the sisters, who it reported fled Saudi Arabia in 2017 with $5,000 during a family holiday, both attended TAFE in Wetherill Park.

They also both worked doing traffic control for a Sydney building company.

'I was shocked when I saw their photos, I have no idea how this could have happened. They were very cute and friendly girls, we never had any problems with them,' their landlord told The Guardian.

When they arrived in Sydney, Asra and Amaal made contact with a refugee agency. Pictured: Their Canterbury apartment block, where they were found dead in June

He said the women did not talk much, or stay up late and didn't make 'loud noises'.

'Nothing weird ever happened.'

Asra Alsehli had a boyfriend, an Iraqi man with a beard, the landlord said.

She applied for an apprehended violence order against a 28-year-old man in 2019 but later withdrew the application.

According to Ana Yemenyi and Tomorrow's Yemen, the sisters were on a summer holiday with their family when they jumped on a plane to Sydney, via Hong Kong.

The sisters then connected with an Australian refugee organisation. It is understood they were on bridging visas in Australia.

Local news outlets said their brother was expected to make a public appeal to encourage any potential killer to come forward, but the family have so far remained silent.

The mysterious deaths have made waves on social media, with many Middle Eastern locals asking why the sisters felt the need to escape the Saudi Kingdom.

One man said the women exposed themselves to danger when they left their homeland: 'Do not leave Saudi Arabia in search of freedom. You will not find it.'

A black BMW coupe covered in dust was removed from the garage of the apartment block the day after the women's bodies were found

The Consulate of Saudi Arabia in Sydney has offered its condolences to the family, who are believed to be 'well connected'.

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.

Eight weeks on from the grisly discovery, the case is still plagued with mysteries and inconsistencies.

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.

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.

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 unit as mail piled up outside their door.

At last week's press conference, Detective 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.

'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.'
The horrifying moment a Queensland high school student lost control of a power buzz saw that amputated three of his fingers and a thumb during classwork has been revealed in court documents.

The Year 12 student was using a Makita Model LS 1040 compound mitre saw to shape rosewood off-cuts into drink coasters at around 12pm on June 1, 2018 at Dysart State High School, in central Queensland.

Holding the timber piece in his left hand, the teen used his right hand to control the saw but after bringing it down, he watched the spinning metal blade slice into his hand.

Court documents have detailed the shocking moment a Queensland year 12 student lost three fingers and thumb while using a Makita power saw to make drink coasters in class

'As the blade made contact with the timber it started to move and (the teen's) left hand came into contact with the moving blade,' the court documents stated, according to a Courier Mail report.

The mishap resulted in the amputation of the teen's thumb and three fingers.

Queensland's education department has been charged over the incident under the state's Work, Health and Safety laws.

In a statement issued to Daily Mail Australia the department said it was treating the matter gravely.

'The safety of students and staff is the departments highest priority and it takes any incident involving harm extremely seriously,' the statement said.

'As this matter is before the courts, the department is unable to make any further comment.'

The horrific accident happened on June 1, 2018 at Dysart State High School in central Queensland

The department is accused of failing to make sure teachers were 'adequately trained and experienced in the use of all plant to be used during the classes'.

Prosecutors also allege that using the saw to cut unprocessed and undressed short pieces of hardwood was not a properly assessed task and students were also not assessed and monitored adequately.

Queensland's education department is facing work health and safety charges over the incident

The school should have banned shorter length unprocessed and undressed timber from being used with a power saw and also made sure clamps were used to secure timber before a saw was used, the prosecution case claimed.

The education department could avoid prosecution if it makes a written 'enforceable undertaking' that is accepted by Worksafe Queensland as a sufficient means to eliminate the risks of such an accident occurring again.

Court documents seen by the Courier Mail said Education Queensland was 'pursuing an enforceable undertaking in relation to the matter'.

Prosecutors allege the school did not properly train teachers or adequately assess the risks of the task being carried out

Education department lawyers also asked for more time 'to finalise the proposed enforceable undertaking and submit to the regulator for a decision'.

If Workplace Health and Safety do not accept the department's undertaking, the matter will go before Emerald Magistrates Court in September.
A tip-off to police that a serial killer could have been responsible for the cold case murder of a sex worker whose body was found in an abandoned mine shaft was largely ignored by detectives.

Adele Bailey's body was found by two men exploring the 'Jack of Clubs' mineshaft in Bonnie Doone, Victoria, in 1995 after she disappeared 17 years earlier.

She had worked as a prostitute in St Kilda where she met now 68-year-old Bandali 'Ben' Debs who years later would be jailed for the murders of two other sex workers and two Victoria Police officers who unwittingly pulled him over.

Detectives tasked with the investigation under Operation Kale identified alleged corrupt cop Denis Tanner as a prime suspect who had arrested Ms Bailey in a sex worker crackdown a few months prior to her September 1978 disappearance.

Detectives visiting the mineshaft in 1995 noted it was located near to a property owned by the Tanner family and where Mr Tanner's sister-in-law was found dead in suspected foul play in 1984.

The boyd of Adele Bailey (pictured) was found in an abandoned Victorian mine shaft by two men exploring in 1995 - 17 years after she went missing

No arrests have been made over either woman's death, with a coroner finding in 1999 that Operation Kale's evidence could not establish a link between Mr Tanner and Ms Bailey's killing.

But so-called 'information reports' uncovered by The Herald Sun have now revealed a subsequent investigation into the two deaths, dubbed Operation Trencher, found that a tip-off implicating Debs in Ms Bailey's death was not followed up on.

A friend of Ms Bailey's, who is anonymous but the newspaper has called Marion King, phoned police on September 6 and 7 in 1995 after the body was found.

She said that she had briefly lived with Ms Bailey and that they both knew a man called 'Joe', but who she now realised was Debs.

'Adele may have been involved in a relationship with a person called 'Joe' who she believed to be Bendalli Michael Debb (sic) or similar, then aged in his mid-20s (sic),' a note in Operation Kale's files read.

A young Bandali Debs, who police and the courts have no doubt murdered Sergeant Gary Silk and Senior Constable Rodney Miller

Operation Trencher detectives tracked down Ms King and interviewed her.

She revealed she had met 'Joe' in the late seventies after she moved from New Zealand and lived with Ms Bailey in the Melbourne suburb of Elwood.

'I think she had a physical relationship with Joe because of the way they acted together, but I don't know for sure,' she told detectives, reports the newspaper.

Ms King claimed he was 'getting about a bit' and was also seeing a 'drag queen' called Marsha and another trans woman known as Jedda.

She told detectives that when she moved from Elwood and rented an apartment by herself in Prahran, that Debs moved in uninvited.

While there, she alleged to detectives he had raped her one night after threatening her with a razor and that, on another occasion, he had shot someone 'point blank' in the head, bundled the body in his blue van and drove away.

That claim was investigated by detectives but they were unable to identify a victim.

After Debs, who had been a prolific armed robber, was arrested in 2000 for shooting two police officers who had unwittingly pulled him over, she said she saw him in the newspaper and told Trencher detectives she believed he and Joe were the same person.

She said while she did not have information directly linking him to Ms Bailey's murder, she phoned police because she claimed the two had been close and she had allegedly seen him kill someone else.

She also warned police she feared he would not hesitate to shoot if cornered.

Debs is serving four life sentences in prison.

As well as the murders of the two police officers, Sergeant Gary Silk and Senior Constable Rodney Miller, he shot two sex workers - Donna Hicks in 1995 and Kristy Harty in 1997.

Sergeant Gary Silk (left) and Senior Constable Rodney Miller (right) were killed while on duty, investigating a series of robberies in the Melbourne suburb of Moorabbin

At a 2002 trial into the shooting of the police officer's, who were staking out an armed robbery target in Moorabbin, it was argued there were two killers - Bandali Debs and his criminal sidekick, 22-year-old Jason Roberts.

Victoria's Court of Appeal in July quashed Roberts' conviction, finding there had been a 'gross and fundamental corruption of the trial process'.

After a retrial involving four months of evidence and days of deliberations, the jury found Roberts not guilty of both murders.

The 41-year-old is still a convicted man, though, and is yet to be sentenced after he pleaded guilty to committing 10 armed robberies with Debs, his then-girlfriend's father, in the 1990s.

He was granted a retrial when ex-homicide squad detective Ron Iddles was handed an original statement - buried for 19 years - that showed police had omitted crucial evidence in their original case against him.

Jason Roberts (pictured with his girlfriend) has always maintained his innocence but has spent more than 20 years in prison

That statement had been uncovered by Melbourne crime reporter Anthony Dowsley and could lead to Roberts suing the state of Victoria for his two decades behind bars.

The jury's verdict was met with overwhelming sadness within the policing community, Police Association secretary Wayne Gatt said, and the families of Sgt Silk and Sen Const Miller were devastated.

'We are enormously grateful to the detectives of the Lorimer Taskforce whose dedication and professionalism has been outstanding,' they said in a statement.

'Their commitment over the 24 years since Gary and Rod were murdered has been an inspiration.'

Questions have turned to whether Jason Roberts (pictured in glasses) will be compensated after he was acquitted for the 1998 murders of two Victoria police officers

Chief Commissioner Shane Patton, who knew Sgt Silk professionally and socially, and who had been on jobs with Sen Const Miller, said the jury's decision was disappointing.

The retrial had been granted by the Court of Appeal after Mr Iddles found in 2015 the original statement made by one of the last officers to speak to the dying Miller that night was never included in the brief of evidence used to convict Roberts.

Instead, a second amended statement taken at a later date was used.

Debs has admitted to killing the two officers but Roberts, who was aged 17, claims he was not even there.
A panel beater accused of constructing a dedicated rape vehicle to prey upon vulnerable teens is back on the streets after his family put up $500,000 for his bail.

Garry Cook, 71, of Drouin is accused of committing rapes in 1998 when he was residing in Menzies Creek - a small town 40km east of Melbourne's Central Business District.

In chilling evidence provided to the Melbourne Magistrates' Court on Monday, police alleged Cook was aged in his 40s when he caused a wave of terror across the Dandenong Ranges.

An image of a dedicated rape wagon police believe Cook used to assault one victim

The married father of eight faces dozens of charges, including six counts of rape, abduction of a child under 16, false imprisonment, making threats to kill and sexual penetration of a child under 16.

The court heard Cook had been able to cover his tracks by his using his skills as a panel beater to construct and hide vehicles.

Cook has been running ProCar Collision Repair Centre, in Abbotsford, for more than three decades.

On September 24, 1998, detectives claim Cook picked up a 15-year old hitchhiker at about 8.45pm on Belgrave-Gembrook Road near the Belgrave railway station.

Once inside, he held a silver handgun to her head and drove her to a secluded area along a dirt track when he repeatedly raped her at gunpoint over 45 agonising minutes.

When he was finished, he dumped the girl on the outskirts of Emerald and fled into the night.

While the terrified teenager was able to provide a detailed description of her attacker and his vehicle, including its registration number, police were never able to find the car.

Police search the Dandenong Ranges for clues back in 1998

Police claim Cook struck again in December that same year.

This time his 15-year old victim was targetted as she went to wait for a bus at 7.45am.

She was just 10 seconds from home when Cook allegedly offered her a lift.

Again Cook allegedly pulled a silver handgun and drove her to a dirt track off Kallista-Emerald Road in The Patch.

This time he was driving a moroon-coloured 4WD wagon, which although clean, reeked of cigarette smoke.

The victim later described being forced at gunpoint into the rear of the vehicle where her attacker had placed a mattress.

Upon entry, Cook allegedly erected curtains covering the side and rear windows.

He told her to cover here eyes before repeatedly raping her in the back of the wagon and dumping her.

Again the teen was able to provide a detailed description of her attacker and the vehicle, which has never been found.

In opposing Cook's release on bail, Detective Senior Constable Shaun O'Meara said not only does Cook resemble photofit images provided by his alleged victims, but his DNA matched that taken from his victims' at the time.

'The accused had access to a wide variety of vehicles and he had the ability to utilise customer vehicles at his discretion, he had the ability and know how to modify vehicles, transfer number plates and had intimate knowledge of the offence locations,' he said.

The detective claimed both of Cook's alleged victims believed they would never make it out of his car alive.

'Both believed they were experiencing the last minutes of their lives,' he said.

Police search for clues in 1998. DNA was taken from Cook's alleged victims, which they say matches his

The court heard Cook had prior convictions for dishonesty matters dating back to the 1960s and 70s and had more recently been charged over a domestic violence offence.

In arguing for his release, Cook's lawyer Emily Clark said her client's sister would put up a $500,000 surety to ensure he complied with any bail conditions.

Magistrate Kieran Gilligan agreed the risk of Cook reoffending while on bail could be mitigated by the surety.

He also said Cook intended to challenge DNA evidence including samples taken from the alleged victims at the time and a sample taken from him during his police interview.

Police last month launched a public appeal, calling for those who hitchhiked in Melbourne's Dandenong Ranges in the late 1990s to share their experiences.

Cook will return to court on November 17.
Marilyn Manson sent a string of texts to Johnny Depp in 2016, comparing his current wife, Lindsay Usich, to the actor's ex-wife Amber Heard.

Manson, whose real name is Brian Warner, messaged Depp: 'I got an amber 2.0.'

The musician claimed Usich, his then-girlfriend, filed a restraining order against him, alleging Manson 'beat her up' and had drugs in his home.

Depp instructed his friend to 'don't take no s**t' and remain calm, noting it was important 'not to give her what she wants.'

The Pirates of the Caribbean star added: 'Sociopathic behavior... it is f***ing real, my brother!! My ex-c**t is god**** TEXTBOOK!!'

The text messages were made public over the weekend when thousands of pages of documents filed in Depp and Heard's defamation trial were unsealed.

Marilyn Manson sent a string of texts to Johnny Depp in 2016, comparing his current wife, Lindsay Usich, to the actor's ex-wife Amber Heard. Manson texted Depp: 'I got an amber 2.0'

The musician claimed Usich, his then-girlfriend, filed a restraining order against him, alleging Manson 'beat her up' and had drugs in his home

Depp instructed his friend to 'don't take no s**t' and remain calm, noting it was important 'not to give her what she wants'

The string of texts, which were reviewed by DailyMail.com, showed Manson, 53, seemingly worried about his relationship with Usich, 37.

The rocker claimed she was making abuse accusations against him that echoed claims Heard, 36, made against Depp, 59.

'Lindsay just pulled an amber on me...please delete,' Manson wrote.

Depp advised that his friend do everything in his power to avoid giving Usich 'what she wants which is TO MAKE YOU SCREAM, FLIP OUT AND FLIP OUT AND FEED HER NARCISSISM!!!'

Depp, referring to Heard as his 'ex-c**t,' said her behavior was 'textbook sociopathic' and noted he had been reading 'A LOT of material' on the topic.

'Should have read this s**t earlier,' he concluded.

Depp repeatedly advised that Manson 'keep a distance and speak as little as possible to Usich.' He and Manson are pictured together at the From Hell premiere in October 2001

Further texts included in the filing revealed how Depp and Manson discussed having their own 'cave' and made references to the film Salvo - which has been banned in several countries over its graphic portrayals of rape, torture and murder. Deep and Manson are pictured performing together at The SSE Arena Wembley on December 9, 2017

In later conversation, Manson voiced his concerns again: 'I got a serious police amber type scenario with L's family.

'I'm f***ing stressing. I don't know if you are back but I need asylum somewhere because I think the cops might be headed my way,' he wrote.

'Lindsay pulled an amber and she filed a police report,' another message stated. 'She is pulling an amber and the cops are gonna show up to serve me a restraining order.'

Depp advised, again, to 'keep a distance and speak as little as possible to her!!!'

'This is f***ed,' Manson later wrote. 'Said I beat her up. And gave the cops my address. And said that I have drugs here. So I am ready to book outta here.'

'Lindsay just pulled an amber on me...please delete,' Manson wrote in one of the texts. He is pictured with Usich in September 2014

Further texts included in the filing revealed how Depp and Manson discussed having their own 'cave' and made references to the film Salvo, saying: 'Lets have our own Salo. But no gay stuff with us.'

The film has been banned in several countries over its graphic portrayals of rape, torture and murder, mainly of subjects believed to be minors.

In another message Manson told Depp he would introduce him to a 'new fan' and noted she was of legal age.

'My new fan meet and greet girl. Looks like you need it. Trust me. Ill send a pic. 18,' he wrote.

The texts were not initially included in the evidence presented during Depp and Heard's defamation trial because the actor's legal team had fought hard to exclude any 'references to and evidence regarding Marilyn Manson.'

His lawyers argued the evidence would 'smear Mr. Depp under a guilty by association theory.'

Manson has been accused of sexual abuse and grooming by multiple women including his former fiancee actress Evan Rachel Wood. He sued Wood for defamation in March.

The rocker and Usich got married in 2020, approximately four years after the texts to Depp were sent.

The texts were not initially included in the evidence presented during Depp and Heard's defamation trial because the actor's legal team had fought hard to exclude any 'references to and evidence regarding Marilyn Manson.' His lawyers argued the evidence would 'smear Mr. Depp under a guilty by association theory.' Heard and Depp are pictured in February 2016

Marilyn Manson and Johnny Depp perform at the Stella McCartney Autumn 2016 presentation and special performance at Amoeba Music on January 12, 2016 in Hollywood, California

In June, Heard was ordered to pay Depp $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 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 $8.35 million.

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 $100 million she asked for.

Heard appealed the judge's decision in her defamation case against Johnny Depp on July 21 - two months after she was subjected to pay the large sum of damages.

In June, Heard was ordered to pay Depp $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 is pictured with his attorney, Camille Vasquez, at the Fairfax County Circuit Courthouse on May 27

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. She is picture with her attorney Elaine Bredehoft (left) before closing arguments on May 27

She had been 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.

Amid the news of Heard's appeals, Depp's representatives told DailyMail.com last week that they are confident in the verdict.

'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.

Depp's team said they filed an appeal to ensure 'all information is considered by the court' while they return to consider Heard's appeal.

Unsealed Johnny Depp and Amber Heard court documents show she REFUSED to take $16million from him during divorce - as she's forced to sell desert home to pay him $8.3million

Unsealed court documents show Amber Heard walked away from a divorce payout from Johnny Depp that could have run to tens-of-millions of dollars, as the financially-challenged actress sells her beloved California home.

Documents seen by the Daily Beast show that the Aquaman star, 36, ignored guidance from her legal team not to pursue Depp for the maximum cash she was entitled to after they filed for divorce in 2016.

She could have sought half Depp's $33 million he made filming the fourth installment of Pirates of the Caribbean, since it was made while they were married.

But Heard chose not to, and wrote them an email saying she was being 'amazingly true to (her) word, that this is not about the money.'

A judge refused to let that evidence be admitted during Depp's defamation lawsuit against Heard.

She was ordered to pay Depp a total of $8.3 million after being found guilty of defamation, but says she doesn't have enough cash to do so.

Amber Heard appears to have sold a Southern California property for over a million dollars, just as documents unsealed from her trial with Johnny Depp reveal she may have left tens of millions on the table in their divorce

She may now have begun raising some of that cash by selling her Yucca Valley home in the California desert for $1.05million, a profit of about $500,000 for Heard, as per TMZ.

Heard allegedly bought the house in 2019 through an anonymous trust tied to the actress.

There is speculation about Heard's ability to immediately cover the damages, which includes $10million in compensatory damages and $350,000 in punitive damages.

She will also receive $2million from Depp in a counter-lawsuit, leaving her with just over $8million to pay.

She may have begun raising some of that cash by selling her Yucca Valley home in the California desert for $1.05million, a profit of about $500,000

Heard allegedly bought the house in 2019 through an anonymous trust tied to the actress

There is speculation about Heard's ability to immediately cover the damages, which includes $10million in compensatory damages and $350,000 in punitive damages. She will also receive $2million from Depp in a counter-lawsuit, leaving her with just over $8million to pay

The latter amount was reduced from $5million due to Virginia's cap on such awards.

Newly-unsealed court documents suggest that Heard may have walked away from more than enough to pay up in their divorce.

The Daily Beast pointed out that Judge Penney Azcarate refused to allow Team Amber to submit a conversation she had with her lawyers during the divorce trial.

Attorneys for the actress were begging her to pursue what they felt were 'tens of million of dollars' she was entitled to through Depp's Pirates of the Caribbean profits.

They alleged that because Depp made Pirates of the Caribbean 5 during the marriage, it was 'community property' and an asset Heard was entitled to half of.

Newly-unsealed court documents suggest that Heard may have walked away from more than enough to pay up in their divorce

Judge Penney Azcarate refused to allow Team Amber to submit a conversation she had with her lawyers during the divorce trial. Attorneys for the actress were begging her to pursue what they felt were 'tens of million of dollars' she was entitled to through Depp's Pirates of the Caribbean profits

Heard would not allow them to chase that money, with her lawyers saying via email that she was being 'true to your word' that it wasn't about cash.

Judge Azcarate refused any reference to these emails in the scope of the defamation trial.

Perhaps the spiciest reveal from the documents is that team Depp may have attempted to submit nude photos of Heard, as well as Amber's brief work as an exotic dancer.

Heard's legal team argued these were 'irrelevant personal matters' that should not be allowed in the trial.
An eight-year-old boy allegedly killed in his home has been pictured for the first time as his mother faces court charged with murder.

Queensland Police found Zion Ziggy Sean Goltz unresponsive at a home in the Rockhampton suburb of Beserker just after 2am on Saturday, July 30.

Louwanna Thyra Goltz, 36, was arrested and charged with murder on Saturday and had her matter mentioned in the Rockhampton Magistrates Court on Monday.

It is understood Ms Goltz is Zion's mother and that the pair had only recently reunited after Zion spent several years in the care of child safety, the Courier Mail reported.

Police found eight-year-old Zion Ziggy Sean Goltz (pictured) unresponsive at a home in the Rockhampton suburb of Beserker during the early hours of Saturday, July 30

Louwanna Thyra Goltz, 36, was arrested and charged with murder on Saturday and on Monday had her matter mentioned in the Rockhampton Magistrates Court (pictured, the scene)

In a new photo of Zion, the brown-haired, brown-eyed little boy smiles sweetly as he appears to be distracted by something off-camera.

In another photo, seen by Daily Mail Australia, a cheeky Zion can be seen sitting in the back of a car with his mum as he pokes his tongue out at the camera.

Ms Goltz did not physically appear in court on Monday morning but was represented by defence lawyer Pierre Lammersdorf.

A brief of evidence was ordered, with the matter adjourned until October 26.

The 36-year-old will remain in custody as police wait for the results of an autopsy.

Officers found Zion at about 2.20am while responding to a welfare check at the Waterloo Street property, which is owned by the Department of Housing.

Officers found the little boy at about 2.20am while responding to a welfare check at the Waterloo Street property (pictured, police at the scene in Beserker)

Neighbours told the Courier Mail they often saw the little boy riding his scooter and it is understood Zion attended the local primary school.

Capricornia Police District Detective Acting Inspector Luke Peachey on Saturday said it was a tragic day for the family of the boy.

'The investigation is only a few hours old but hopefully in the next day or so we should have a clearer idea of what's happened,' he said.

'We're speaking to a number of witnesses. We're mapping it together  at this stage we're still contacting some family members to make sure they know.'
Prime Minister said under President Xi China has become 'more aggressive'

There are rising tensions between the Communist superpower and the US

Anthony Albanese has dodged a question about whether Australia would defend Taiwan if it was attacked by China, amid rising tensions between the Communist superpower and the US.

The Prime Minister said it is not in the interests of peace to make a big issue over 'potential conflict', but noted that China has become 'more aggressive' under President Xi Jinping.

On Friday, China fired a direct warning shot yet amid reports that US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi may the independent island state of Taiwan - which China considers its territory.

Hu Xijin, a commentator with the Chinese state-affiliated Global Times, suggested if Speaker Pelosi's plane was accompanied by American fighter jets, it would not rule out shooting them down.

Appearing on CNN on Monday, Mr Albanese was asked if Australia would defend Taiwan if China attacks it.

'We're not dealing with hypotheticals, as have Australian governments taken that position in the past,' he told CNN host Jake Tapper.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (pictured right) was questioned by CNN's Jake Tapper (left) on Monday about whether Australia would come to Taiwan's aid if it was attacked by China

Mr Albanese said although Australia supports a 'One China' policy - under which China claims Taiwan is part of the country and not a separate state - 'we also support the status quo when it comes to the issue of Taiwan, that people respect the existing structures that are there.

'I believe that clearly is in the interests of all parties, and I have taken the view as well that it is not in the interests of peace and security to talk up those issues of potential conflict.'

The Prime Minister said he is optimistic of Australia improving its diplomatic relationship with China.

'What we're preparing for is strengthening our alliances. We want to have good relationships with China and cooperate where we can, but we'll stand up for Australian values where we must,' he said.

'That is my approach to the relationship with China. Clearly it's changed in recent years.

'Under (President) Xi China has become more forward leaning, more aggressive in the region. We have strategic competition,' said Mr Albanese.

Australia's official view of the 'One China' policy Under the 'One China' policy, the Communist power claims Taiwan is part of China and not a separate country. Australia's official policy is that it 'adheres to its one China policy, which means we do not recognise Taiwan as a country. 'We maintain unofficial contacts with Taiwan promoting economic, trade and cultural interests.' Source: Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Advertisement

Ms Pelosi arrived in Singapore just before 4.30am local time (6.30am Australian east coast time) on Monday to begin her much publicised Asian trip, but still with no word if she will make a stop in Taiwan.

Two days before she landed in Asia, nine US Air Force KC-135 Stratotank refueling aircraft, two C-2 transport planes and one MH-60R Seahawk helicopter arrived at US Kadena Air Force Base in Okinawa on July 30, according to Japanese daily newspaper, Ryukyu Shimpo.

The base is located around 800km from Taiwan.

The newspaper says that the arrival of the hardware is 'possibly due to U.S. House Speaker Pelosi's plan to visit Taiwan.'

Ms Pelosi's reported plans to visit the island have sparked strong warnings from Beijing, and even unease in the White House with President Joe Biden trying to lower the temperature with China.

Beijing considers Taiwan its territory - to be seized one day, by force if necessary - and would see a visit by Ms Pelosi as a provocation.

'The trip will focus on mutual security, economic partnership and democratic governance in the Indo-Pacific region,' Ms Pelosi's office said in a statement, referring to the Asia-Pacific.

'Our delegation will hold high-level meetings to discuss how we can further advance our shared interests and values.'

The statement did not mention Taiwan, but last month Ms Pelosi said 'It's important for us to show support for Taiwan.'

She added: 'None of us has ever said we're for independence, when it comes to Taiwan. That's up for Taiwan to decide.'

Ms Pelosi is expected to begin the tour in Singapore, where meetings with the prime minister and president are on the agenda.

US Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi arrived in Singapore on Monday, kicking off her Asian tour as questions swirled over a possible stop in Taiwan that has fueled tension with Beijing

Chinese President Xi Jinping warned his US counterpart, Joe Biden, that Washington should abide by the one China principle

Her itinerary also includes Malaysia, South Korea and Japan.

The United States maintains a policy of 'strategic ambiguity' over whether it would intervene militarily if China invaded Taiwan.

While it recognises Beijing's claim to the island, it also backs Taiwan's democratic government.

As the House speaker, Ms Pelosi is third in line for the US presidency and one of the country's most powerful politicians.

The last House speaker to visit was Newt Gingrich in 1997.

Poll Should Australia fight on behalf of Taiwan? Yes, it's the right thing to do No, it's not our problem I'm not sure, it's complicated Should Australia fight on behalf of Taiwan? Yes, it's the right thing to do 385 votes

No, it's not our problem 221 votes

I'm not sure, it's complicated 121 votes Now share your opinion





Mr Biden and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping had a tense phone call last week that was clouded by disagreements over Taiwan.

Mr Xi issued an oblique warning to the United States not to 'play with fire' over the island.

The feverish speculation about Ms Pelosi's Taiwan plans has coincided with an increase in military activity across the region.

In Taiwan, there have been mixed views about the prospect of Ms Pelosi visiting, but figures from both the ruling party and the main opposition have said the island should not give in to Chinese pressure.

Bloomberg's China editor John Liu said in an appearance on the network on Sunday: 'I do think it's worth mentioning that not mentioning if there will be a trip to Taiwan on her itinerary is different from saying she will not go to Taiwan.'

He added: 'It is not off the table that there could be a surprise visit.'

Nancy Pelosi's plane, a C-40 B/C plane is the military's version of the Boeing 737-700 business jet

Why China set its sights on Taiwan Taiwanese soldiers hoist the flag of Taiwan in Taipei on May 10. China considers Taiwan as a part of its territory, but many Taiwanese people want the island to be independent China and Taiwan have a long-standing dispute over the island's sovereignty. China considers Taiwan as a part of its territory, more precisely a province, but many Taiwanese want the island to be independent. From 1683 to 1895, Taiwan was ruled by China's Qing dynasty. After Japan claimed its victory in the First Sino-Japanese War, the Qing government forced to cede Taiwan to Japan. The island was under the Republic of China's ruling after World War II, with the consent of its allies the US and UK. The leader of the Chinese Nationalist Party, Chiang Kai-shek, fled to Taiwan in 1949 and established his government after losing the Civil War to the Communist Party and its leader Mao Zedong. Chiang's son continued to rule Taiwan after his father and began democratising Taiwan. In 1980, China put forward a formula called 'one country, two systems', under which Taiwan would be given significant autonomy if it accepted Chinese reunification. Taiwan rejected the offer. Taiwan today, with its own constitution and democratically-elected leaders, is widely accepted in the West as an independent state. But its political status remains unclear. Advertisement
Two Saudi Arabian sisters made a report to building security about a suspicious man lurking outside their unit - just months before they were found dead in their bedrooms.

Asra Abdullah Alsehli, 24, and Amaal Abdullah Alsehli, 23, were found dead inside their apartment in Canterbury, in Sydney's city's south-west on June 7, five years after they fled their homeland with $5,000 in savings.

Police believe the women, who were found in separate beds and bedrooms, may have been dead for a month before officers discovered their decomposing bodies while conducting a welfare check.

There was no sign of forced entry, no clear signs of injury, and the cause of death remains undetermined although is being treated as suspicious.

One of the employees from their building management company told Daily Mail Australia the women approached them with safety concerns earlier this year.

Investigators have remained tight-lipped about the latest development in the mysterious case.

'The deaths are still being investigated and police continue to appeal for information which will form part of our brief for the Coroner,' NSW Police said in a brief statement.

Pictured: Asra Abdullah Alsehli, 24. She and her sister were found dead in Sydney's south-west. She filed an AVO against a 28-year-old man in 2018, which was later withdrawn

Pictured: Amaal Abdullah Alsehli, 23. Her body was found on June 7 in a Canterbury apartment

'They made a report that they saw a man 'acting weird' outside the building - standing between two cars and acting strange,' the employee said.

The worker said the women followed up the complaint and checked their security footage, but it was difficult to determine whether the man had malicious intentions.

'We checked the CCTV and saw there was a man there,' the employee said.

'But that spot is busy. There is a burger shop there and Uber Eats drivers coming and going all the time. He could have been anyone.

'We couldn't determine why he was there, but he didn't look like he was doing anything untoward, so there was no need to chase it up further.'

The worker said the women did not mention if they knew who the man was.

Late in 2021, the women also told building management they feared someone was tampering with their food deliveries.

However, surveillance cameras again found no evidence to back up their fears.

The building's surveillance was seized by police shortly after the women were discovered and has yet to be returned.

Detectives conducted two welfare checks after reports from the building management company. One was in March, after the women left food in the building's common areas.

Police discovered the sisters' bodies in June after they failed to pay rent for several weeks and the Sheriff turned up to serve the pair with an eviction notice.

The women, who lived on the corner flat above a burger shop, complained about a man 'acting weird' outside their building in the months before their deaths

Mysterious case takes a turn

The latest development in the mysterious case comes as police backflipped on initial claims the sisters' family had been cooperating with investigators.

For weeks, NSW Police assured media the sisters 'well-connected' family in the Saudi kingdom were 'cooperating' and 'helping' with the investigation.

But police sources on Sunday alleged that the family blocked detectives from releasing photographs of the women as part of a public appeal to shed light on the baffling case.

Police confirmed to Daily Mail Australia their photos and identities were released in consultation with the coroner - not the sisters' family - almost two months after their bodies were found.

Other bizarre inconsistencies have also arisen during the investigation.

Police were unable to explain a delay on the release of toxicology reports which usually takes four to six weeks, despite previously insisting the findings were being 'fast-tracked'.

'That is a matter for the coroner,' police said in response to inquiries.

Forensic police scoured the unit (pictured) in the wake of the grisly discovery on June 7 - a month after the women died

Until now, investigators always insisted the family were cooperating with investigators and had 'no reason' to believe the Alsehli sisters fled their homeland.

Police would not release details about the women's visa status at press conference on July 27 but revealed officers were in touch with the family - who had instructed the consulate to act on their behalf.

Investigators believe the women died in May, around the time they stopped paying rent.

The coroner has not released the bodies of the sisters to their family, although it is understood they could be buried in Sydney.

Police are to yet rule out homicide or suicide as investigations continue.

It's also been revealed the sisters were both seeking protection from the Australian government as more details about their attempts to build a normal life here emerged.

They had an active claim for asylum in progress with the Department of Home Affairs, it has been confirmed.

Police confirmed the women's identities were released last week in consultation with the coroner. Pictured are officers at the Canterbury complex investigating the women's deaths

The reasons they sought protection from the Australian government, detailed in their claim, are not known.

But claims for asylum often relate to persecution or human rights violations on the basis of religion, sexuality, ethnicity, violence or political opinions, according to Amnesty International.

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

Both were in touch with settlement providers and were on bridging visas.

Reports published in Middle Eastern newspapers on Friday said the sisters had renounced Islam.

The sisters only left the Canterbury unit to study at TAFE, to go shopping or to work, their former landlord from a property they rented at Fairfield revealed to The Guardian.

The 'shocked' landlord claimed their mother visited the sisters in Sydney but didn't like Australia and left after only a brief visit.

News outlets based in Yemen shed more light on the mysterious situation - reporting that the women fled their homeland with a wad of cash in 2017 due to a tumultuous relationship with their parents.

They were also reported to have renounced Islam and became atheists.

Detective Inspector Claudia Allcroft insisted there was 'nothing to suggest' their family was involved in their deaths.

The women were not known to be part of any dissident Saudi networks.

The landlord said the sisters, who it reported fled Saudi Arabia in 2017 with $5,000 during a family holiday, both attended TAFE in Wetherill Park.

They also both worked doing traffic control for a Sydney building company.

'I was shocked when I saw their photos, I have no idea how this could have happened. They were very cute and friendly girls, we never had any problems with them,' their landlord told The Guardian.

When they arrived in Sydney, Asra and Amaal made contact with a refugee agency. Pictured: Their Canterbury apartment block, where they were found dead in June

Asra applied for an apprehended violence order against a 28-year-old man in 2019 but later withdrew the application.

According to Ana Yemenyi and Tomorrow's Yemen, the sisters were on a summer holiday with their family when they jumped on a plane to Sydney, via Hong Kong.

The sisters then connected with an Australian refugee organisation. It is understood they were on bridging visas in Australia.

Local news outlets said their brother was expected to make a public appeal to encourage any potential killer to come forward, but the family have so far remained silent.

The mysterious deaths have made waves on social media, with many Middle Eastern locals asking why the sisters felt the need to escape the Saudi Kingdom.

One man said the women exposed themselves to danger when they left their homeland: 'Do not leave Saudi Arabia in search of freedom. You will not find it.'

The Consulate of Saudi Arabia in Sydney has offered its condolences to the family, who are believed to be 'well connected'.

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.

Eight weeks on from the grisly discovery, the case is still plagued with mysteries and inconsistencies.

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.

A black BMW coupe covered in dust was removed from the garage of the apartment block the day after the women's bodies were found

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.

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 unit as mail piled up outside their door.

At last week's press conference, Detective 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.

'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 doctor who booted Josh Frydenberg out of politics has scolded the vast majority of opposition MPs for not wearing asks in Parliament.

Monique Ryan defeated the former treasurer in the seat of Kooyong, in southeast Melbourne, at the May 21 election as one of the seven 'teal' independents.

A former paediatric neurologist, she asked Health Minister Mark Butler in question time what the government was going to do about long Covid in Australia.

But Dr Ryan's warning of an 'incoming national significant burden of disability and chronic illness' from long Covid drew jeers from Coalition MPs.

Monique Ryan, a paediatric neurologist turned 'teal' independent MP, pointed at the opposition benches and shouted 'put your masks on!' when she was heckled

As the heckling grew louder, Dr Ryan paused to point at the opposition benches and shouted 'put your masks on!'

This only served to raise the volume of jeering from the opposition, only eight of whom were wearing masks while all of Labor was.

Dr Ryan gave the hacklers a death stare and completed her question with a brief pause.

'Covid-19 infections in this country are at a record high and increasing, can the minister please explain how he proposes to manage the oncoming national significant burden of disability and chronic illness of repeated infection,' she said.

The great divide between the Coalition and Labor - and most of the crossbench - on mask wearing has been a frequent distraction in the first few days of Parliament.

All 77 Labor MPs and 26 senators have worn masks indoors since their first Cabinet and caucus meetings a week ago, and in every session of Parliament.

Health Minister Mark Butler (centre) was asked in in question time what the government was going to do about long Covid in Australia

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 last Tuesday. Mr Albanese wore a mask but Mr Dutton did not

Mr Albanese often leaves his mask off while in his seat at the centre table, as he is socially distanced from the rest of the House of Representatives.

By contrast, only a smattering of masks are worn by Coalition members, though that number has slightly increased over the past week

Michael McCormack, Karen Andrews, Angie Bell, Andrew Gee, Andrew Wallace, Mark Coluton, Rowan Ramsey, and Darren Chester wore them during Monday's question time.

The PM has strongly supported recommendations from health officials that Australians should wear masks indoors over winter.

Covid cases rose to among the highest levels in the pandemic in recent weeks, with 45,242 reported on Friday, with an estimated 369,850 active infections.

The divide was even more stark as while every Labor MP wore a mask in the House of Representatives last Tuesday, just five Coalition members followed suit

Mr Albanese and his Cabinet notably also wore masks at a meeting last Monday, and again at a meeting of the whole Labor caucus later that day

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.

The only time he was seen wearing a mask since Parliament began on Tuesday was at a Cancer Council morning tea on Wednesday.

Mr Butler, in his answer to Ms Ryan, said 300,000 Australians caught Covid every week, and half the country likely got it this year so far.

'This pandemic is still ravaging our community... Our focus is on getting through this wave. We have extended support to state hospital system,' he said.

'We have expanded access to fourth dose vaccines and antiviral treatment.

'We are encouraging Australians again to be Covid safe. In particular as the member pointed out to wear masks when their doors are not able to socially distant.

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

'We also need to come out to grips with long Covid.'

Mr Butler said long Covid was hard to diagnose and some of the more than 200 symptoms were fatigue, shortness of breath, and brain fog.

'More and more Australians are suffering longer term, multi-system disorders that prove hard to diagnose and treat,' he said.

'The truth is we dont know that each scale of the challenge.

'A common estimate of about four per cent of Covid patients experience long-term symptoms already runs to hundreds and hundreds of thousands of Australian.'
A disabled trans activist and author was canceled by a super woke mob after their job at defense contractor Lockheed Martin was revealed by a Twitter user.

Ana Mardoll, whose books have sold thousands, was first doxxed on July 30 as being employed at Lockheed's Fort Worth facility.

In response to the allegations, Mardoll did not deny that they worked at Lockheed.

The activist wrote on their now-deleted Twitter account: 'I've been aware that someone is trying to dox me and @ everyone I know in the process, so I might as well address some things here. I'm sorry I have to do this.'

They continued: 'I work at a large corporation which I will not name. I work in software licensing, procuring text editors and code compliers for others.'

The author added: 'I do not procure code for anything.'

Mardoll went on to say: 'I got this particular job because my family works for the same corporation. I stay because I'm on an unusual part-time arrangement for medical reasons.'

They concluded: 'I stay because I'm on an unusual part-time arrangement for medical reasons. It's hard to find a remove WFH job that will give me medical insurance but let me work 10-20 hours a week.'

According to their Amazon profile, Mardoll is Ana the author of the Earthside series, the Rewoven Tales novels, and many published short stories.

Ana Mardoll pictured here is the the author of the Earthside series, the Rewoven Tales novels, and many published short stories

Mardoll issued a response to the allegations that they worked for Lockheed

Following the posting of this Twitter thread, Mardoll deleted their Twitter account

Mardoll pointed out that as a disabled person, Lockheed Martin provided them with health insurance despite working part-time

Back in 2014, Lockheed was a founding member of the Disability Equality Index, an organization that campaigns for disabled persons inclusivity in the work place

The Twitter account that doxxed Mardoll was set up primarily with that objective, according to a post from the creator

On Lockheed Martin's official website, the company says in its inclusive hiring section that it 'supports individuals with disabilities by providing reasonable accommodations to remove identified barriers that may arise in the completion of essential job functions.'

In 2020, Lockheed won an award for disability inclusion.

Back in 2014, Lockheed was a founding member of the Disability Equality Index, an organization that campaigns for disabled persons inclusivity in the work place.

The Twitter account that was the first to identify the author as working for Lockheed said that they set up the account 'because I think other LGBTQIA ppl shouldn't work for companies that do war crimes.'

That person, who says that they are based in Bangkok, also created a Medium blog page that doxxed Mardoll fully, tying her address and personal social media accounts to her career at Lockheed Martin.

The page was later removed by Medium because it violated the blog site's standards.

Among those who joined in defending Mardoll included MSNBC writer Katelyn Burns

Burns balked at the idea of Mardoll being accused of being a war criminal, calling it 'next level insane'

That person later told MSNBC's Katelyn Burns in a conversation: 'Did you know Ana Mardoll works for Lockheed coding for an arms company that commits war crimes?'

Burns later tweeted: 'If you're accusing my friend of war crimes that is next level insane.'

She added: 'Looking forward to weirdo lefties doxing every Lockheed Martin employee with this much glee since Ive been informed its not really about this one person that these weirdos have obsessed over for months.'

Their Amazon profile goes on to say that Mardoll works include characters that are bisexual and polyamorous loves, transgender and genderqueer characters, disabled characters dealing with chronic pain and mental illness, survivors of sexual violence with post-traumatic stress disorders.

Their titles include, No Man of Woman Born, Cinder the Fireplace Boy: and other Gayly Grimm Tales and Transcending Flesh: Gender and Body Diversity in Futuristic and Fantastical Settings.

Mardoll's Amazon's profile describes them as a nonbinary trans boy in love with another trans boy. The pair live together in Texas with their five cats.

On July 5, a friend of Mardoll's wrote that the writer and their partner were moving from their home in Fort Worth, Texas, to Illinois.

The friend said that the writer was soliciting donations for the move through their Patreon and Etsy pages.

On their Patreon page, Mardoll further described themselves as being 'fat, physically disabled, mentally ill, nonbinary transgender, and bisexual.'

Mardoll said that the Patreon page would help to pay for their pain medicines and depression treatments.

In 2016, Mardoll was featured by Splinter News in an article on the importance of gender pronouns.

The author said: 'I have a gender, but it's not a simple binary male/female setting. The label I use most often for my gender is 'demigirl', because that fits me the best.'

Mardoll later said in the same article that she was okay with the pronouns 'she,' 'her,' 'xie' and 'xer.'

In a subsequent post on their website, Mardoll said that they now switched to 'he' and 'him' pronouns in casual conversations but preferred 'xie' and 'xer.'

One person who stood up for Mardoll included the words 'BLM' or 'Black Lives Matter' in their Twitter handle

Another person questioned if because they worked for the US government, they were morally responsible for foreign policy decisions

While another wondered if Mardoll was being singled out because they are a trans person

One fan who stood up for Mardoll wrote on Twitter: 'From what I understand a queer disabled person is stuck in the capitalist pipeline of feeding the military industrial complex and some dirtbag left types are harassing xer about it.'

That person includes the words 'BLM' or 'Black Lives Matter' in their Twitter handle.

Another person in response to the original doxer: 'I'm genuinely puzzled - do you honestly think that working for a company means someone approves of everything that company does? Like, I work for the US government, does that make me morally culpable for every action the gov takes?'

While another person said: 'Seems peculiar that out of all the 114000 people employed at Lockheed Martin, the one getting singled out and given s**t for it happens to be a trans person.'
Indigenous affairs minister Linda Burney has delivered a powerful speech about the importance of a Voice to Parliament, encouraging Australians to 'get this done together'.

Ms Burney delivered her address during Question Time on Monday after attending the Garma Festival in the Northern Territory with Anthony Albanese over the weekend.

There, the Prime Minister revealed the possible question that could be asked in a referendum, which was: 'Do you support an alteration to the constitution that establishes an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice?'

During her address, Ms Burney referred to a promise made by former Prime Minister John Howard back in 2007 about holding a referendum within 18 months to recognise Indigenous Australians in the constitution.

The Indigenous Australians minister Linda Burney (pictured) has encouraged Australians about voting for an Indigenous Voice to Parliament during question time in Parliament on Monday

Ms Burney attended the Garma Festival in the Northern Territory with Anthony Albanese on the weekend (pictured)

'I want to conclude by quoting another former Prime Minister, and I quote, 'The Australian people want to move. They want to move towards a new settlement on this issue. I'll put to the Australian people within 18 months a referendum to formally recognise Indigenous Australians in our constitution'.'

'That Prime Minister was John Howard in 2007. 15 years ago. If not now, when? If not now, when? Let's get this done together,' Ms Burney said.

The Indigenous Australians minister recalled to the senate the 'overwhelming sense of excitement' from the Indigenous community when the idea of an Indigenous Voice was put forward by the Prime Minister.

Ms Burney said the process to enshrine a Voice in the constitution would not be rushed, but now was the time to act.

'A Voice to Parliament is about both symbolism and practical outcomes, practical outcomes like education, housing and family violence,' she told parliament.

'A Voice to the Parliament means that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders will be consulted and heard on policies that affect them, practical outcomes that will make a real difference to people's lives.'

Mr Albanese said details about the Voice, such as its function and how it operated, would be worked out following consultation but it would only act as an advisory body and not as a third chamber of parliament.

Ms Burney said previous work about the Voice by Aboriginal leaders would not be jettisoned and would be part of the government's consideration.

The Prime Minister revealed the possible question that could be asked in a referendum: 'Do you support an alteration to the constitution that establishes an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice?'

Ms Burney referred to a promise made by former Prime Minister John Howard about holding a referendum to recognise Indigenous Australians in the constitution. She then added: 'If not now, when? If not now, when? Let's get this done together'

While a timeline for the referendum has not been finalised, Labor reportedly prefers holding the vote next year.

Mr Albanese said the move to enshrine a Voice to Parliament would be a way of advancing reconciliation.

'Five years on (from the Uluru Statement), it's time that we all walked the walk with Indigenous Australians,' he told parliament.

'It is not a matter of special treatment. It is not a matter of preferential power, it is about consulting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on decisions that affect them.'

The prime minister said the Voice would be an opportunity to 'uplift our nation'.

'The primacy of the Parliament is not affected ... it is a matter of a Voice being a vehicle to advance practical measures to gap,' he said.

Greens First Nations spokeswoman Lidia Thorpe said she welcomed the referendum and wanted all elements of the Uluru Statement to be enacted.

However, she called on the government to implement a treaty with Indigenous people and to follow through on all recommendations from the royal commission into deaths in custody.

While a timeline for a referendum on the matter has not been finalised, Labor reportedly prefers holding the vote next year (stock image)

Anthony Albanese said the Voice to Parliament would be an opportunity to 'uplift our nation'

'Our priority should be black justice in this country, our priority should be about saving lives today, not waiting for a referendum,' she told ABC radio.

First Nations Country Liberal Party senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price branded the bill 'virtue signalling' and called for more practical action.

'This bill is an unnecessary distraction from the important work that needs to be done that we as a coalition have invested heavily in,' she said.

Senator Thorpe also led a push in the Senate for the implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People through her private senator's bill.

She earlier made a stand in the Senate while being sworn in, raising her fist - often seen as a symbol of resistance - and branded the Queen a 'coloniser' while referring to herself as 'sovereign'.

Senator Thorpe was then forced to recite the oath of allegiance without the additional words.

Her bill will establish a framework to implement UNDRIP (United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples) and put in place annual reporting mechanisms.
The application that won John Barilaro a plum trade posting in New York was littered with typos and other basic errors, newly released documents show.

The former NSW deputy premier stood down from the $500,000-a-year posting last month following a severe backlash over his controversial appointment.

A parliamentary inquiry is now under way to determine why Mr Barilaro was handed the cushy job ahead of another top public servant, Jenny West - who was allegedly offered the role before the selection panel changed its decision.

A parliamentary inquiry is now under way to determine why Mr Barilaro was handed the job

The first sentence of John Barilaro's application for the New York trade job has a misplaced apostrophe

In the first sentence of his application, Mr Barilaro wrongly inserts an apostrophe to spell 'Americas', while his invitation to 'chat further in how' he is the best candidate for the role would better read 'chat further about how'.

He later misspells 'net zero emissions' by using a double 't' for 'net' and boasts about achieving '50/50 quality' (equality) for women.

Another achievement he lists is getting 'complimentary' - which means flattering or given free of charge - rather than complementary (adding to or enhancing) funding for projects.

There are numerous ungrammatical sentences such as 'utilising my rare diplomacy skills open doors' and misplaced capitals for words such as 'states'.

In the work history section he lists himself as deputy premier 'until present', which was not the case when he sent the application.

The mistake-ridden application adds another level of embarrassment to the deepening scandal engulfing Mr Barilaro and the state Liberal Party.

An email between a senior public servant Amy Brown (pictured) and the New South Wales Trade Minister threatens to blow away previous claims the NSW government weren't involved in the appointment of Mr Barilaro to a cushy job in New York

The application that won former John Barilaro a plum trade posting in New York was littered with typos and other basic errors, newly released documents show

Stuart Ayres was forced to deny allegations that as trade minister he had a hand in appointing Mr Barilaro as the Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner to the Americas.

The Minister for Western Sydney claimed the only person who had the power to make the trade appointment was the CEO of Investment NSW Amy Brown.

Mr Ayres added in a press conference on Monday he had only texted a copy of the job advertisement to Mr Barilaro after it had already been placed in the Australian Financial Review.

But an email from Ms Brown to a colleague revealed Mr Ayres had reviewed and added a name to the short-list for the New York posting.

'Min (Minister) Ayres and I have run through the "long" shortlist and our recommended "short" shortlist for NYC,' the email read.

'He'd like to add (redacted name) to the short shortlist please.'

NSW Trade Minister and Liberal Deputy Leader Stuart Ayres is facing pressure to stand down over the Barilaro New York job scandal

The inquiry previously heard Mr Barilaro had stated he'd get 'them' to put an office in New York - 'that's where I'm off to', he reportedly said

Mr Ayres has so far maintained hiring procedures were conducted at 'arm's length' from the government.

'The selections of our Senior Trade and Investment Commissioners (STICs) appointed in India, Japan, Singapore and China, were conducted in accordance with the GSEA,' Mr Ayres wrote on Facebook.

'It was an independent, transparent and meritorious selection process and the same process was used for the STIC - Americas role.

'Not liking Mr Barilaro or his style of politics is not a suitable reason to reject his application, let alone not select him for the role.'

He admitted to having 'discussions' with Investment NSW CEO Amy Brown but said he never influenced her decision making on who should be selected.

Senior public servant Jenny West (pictured) had her dream role in America stripped from her

The email (mock-up pictured) seems to imply trade minister Stuart Ayres was consulted in the hiring process of the American commissioner role, despite previous claims the government was kept at arm's length from the hiring process

'The discussion was about people that were already on the list,' he said.

'It wasn't a request from me, it was merely a discussion that took place in the office about the people that were on the short list.

'The decision on who goes onto that short list is not for me.'

He insisted he would not step aside as Deputy Liberal Leader despite mounting pressure.

Labor accused Mr Ayres of lying after he said he did not meet with Mr Barilaro during the recruitment process and had maintained his distance.

Premier Dominic Perrottet and his ministers have insisted hiring for the Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner to the Americas role was a matter purely decided by the public service.
Airport Chaos Undercover: Dispatches is on Channel 4 tonight at 8pm

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Desperate passengers resorted to crawling through hatches in the baggage reclaim area at one of Britain's busiest airports after they lost patience with hours of delays and 'chaos'.

In a graphic illustration of the problems gripping air travel since thousands of staff were sacked during the Covid pandemic, an undercover reporter working at Manchester Airport was told that fed-up travellers trying to get air-side to retrieve their bags 'happens all the time'.

The investigation by Channel 4 Dispatches  broadcast tonight  also exposes how a whistle-blower claimed pilots with one budget airline feel pressured to fly longer hours while suffering fatigue.

While a UK Border Force insider warns that on current staffing levels, lengthy queues at passport control will exceed three hours if passenger numbers reach pre-pandemic levels.

The alarming revelations come after months of disruption which has seen a staggering 1.7million people flying out of or into the UK impacted by cancellations within 48 hours of their flight.

Desperate passengers resorted to crawling through hatches in the baggage reclaim area at Manchester Airport

Video footage shows a passenger having crawled through the hatch after losing patience with hours of delays and 'chaos'

The full footage will be shown on Airport Chaos Undercover: Dispatches which is on Channel 4 tonight at 8pm

The reporter working as a baggage handler for Swissport was told passengers resorting to trying to get airside and retrieve their luggage 'happens all the time', causing 'fights'.

They branded the situation 'f*****g chaos', saying the cause was that they had 'literally no staff'.

Physically demanding work that would typically be covered by two or more people was performed by individual handlers, according to the programme, with conditions at shifts starting at 3am described as 'absolutely brutal'.

Meanwhile a Wizz Air pilot whistle-blower told the programme about what they feel is pressure to fly longer hours.

Speaking anonymously, the pilot said: 'There is a shortage of crew and to avoid cancelling flights they encourage staff to work harder.

'There is pressure for us to help out by flying on our days off. You can report sick if you are fatigued but you will lose financially if you do.'

The Home Office today said the warning about queues at passport control exceeding three hours was 'false', with over nine out of ten passengers queuing for less than 30 minutes in July.

A spokeswoman said Border Force 'works hard to ensure it has the right level of resources to check that passengers are compliant with our measures and to maintain border security as travel continues to open'.

It had recently recruited 800 new staff, she added.

Last month the Daily Mail revealed how Wizz Air's chief executive Jozsef Varadi came under fire for encouraging airline staff to work through fatigue.

At the time he said: 'We are all fatigued but sometimes it is required to take the extra mile.'

An undercover reporter was told that fed-up travellers trying to get air-side to retrieve their bags 'happens all the time'

Wizz Air racked up losses of 550million for the 12 months to the end of March  although revenue more than doubled to 1.4billion.

Martin Chalk, general secretary of the British Airline Pilots Association, told Dispatches someone who was 'fatigued' was 'not in a fit state to fly an aeroplane'.

Research for the programme claims almost seven in ten Wizz Air flights leaving the UK last month were delayed.

Swissport, the baggage-handling company used by many airlines, sacked over half of its 6,000 baggage handling staff during the pandemic.

In a bid to speed up counter-terrorist and accreditation checks on new recruits, ministers have ordered the vetting centre to prioritise airport staff to help plug the gaps quicker.

Swissport told the programme it was 'sorry for our part in the disruption some people have experienced at Manchester Airport'.

'We are doing everything we can to mitigate delays for passengers, including hiring more than 4,100 people since January,' it added.

Wizz Air said 'the safety and wellbeing of our passengers and crew is always our top priority'.

It said it operated an 'industry-leading fatigue management system' which was 'regularly reviewed and monitored' by aviation regulators.

A reporter was told passengers resorting to trying to get airside and retrieve their luggage 'happens all the time'

Wizz Air told the Daily Mail it would 'never compromise on safety', adding that it had hired 400 pilots in the past nine months.

In a statement it said there were 'no financial penalties' for pilots if they reported that they were fatigued.

'If our pilots report fatigue and alternative pilots cannot be found, then the flight will be cancelled,' it said. 'We will not hesitate to cancel flights whenever necessary to guarantee safety.'

In response to the claims, a Department for Transport (DfT) spokesman said: 'We've done everything within our power to support the aviation industry, including providing 8billion to protect jobs during the pandemic, but it's now for the sector itself to make passengers can get away on their well-deserved summer holidays.'

The department said action had included accelerated security vetting checks, as well as a temporary amnesty on airport slots to allow airlines to plan ahead and prevent last-minute cancellations.

The DfT spokesman added: 'These measures are clearly working and flight cancellations have recently fallen back to their 2019 levels following the changes which are providing passengers with more certainty.'

In a statement to the Daily Mail, Swissport stressed that delays were caused by 'disruption from multiple sources' and not just ground handlers.

Passengers queue for check-in at Manchester Airport's Terminal 2 for flights on Saturday as they go on summer holidays

Photographs taken behind-the-scenes of baggage chaos at Manchester Airport, which were revealed in April

Headcount at Manchester Airport had seen a net increase of 415 this year, it added.

The firm stressed it did not work with airlines which had experienced disruption at Heathrow or Gatwick.

Manchester Airport  whose managing director, Karen Smart, resigned in April following weeks of chaos for travellers  stressed that the undercover filming was done around a month ago.

It said the first week of the school summer holidays had seen 95 per cent of passengers pass through security in under half an hour.

Ground handling including check in and baggage is the responsibility of individual airlines, it added.

Airport Chaos Undercover: Dispatches is on Channel 4 tonight at 8pm
Guy Sebastian's former manager, convicted of fraudulently embezzling more than $600,000 from the pop star, will learn on Friday whether his bail is revoked on appeal.

The Crown on Monday in the NSW Court of Criminal Appeal made a third detention application, saying the judges did not need to be satisfied as a matter of certainty that Day would be going to jail.

'Rather, the court must be satisfied on a balance of probabilities that the responder will be going to jail.'

Guy Sebastian's former manager Titus Day (pictured), convicted of fraudulently embezzling more than $600,000 from the pop star, will learn on Friday whether his bail is revoked

The Crown on Monday in the NSW Court of Criminal Appeal made a third detention application saying the judges did not need to be satisfied as a matter of certainty that Day would be going to jail (pictured, Day, left and Mr Sebastian, right)

And if Day was ordered to serve his sentence in the community by way of an intensive corrections order, the Crown would submit that would be 'manifestly inadequate'.

Due to the serious nature of Day's offending, in circumstances where there was a flagrant breach of trust when he stole from the pop star, jail time would be inevitable, the court was told.

Day's barrister Dominic Toomey SC asked Justices Fabian Gleeson, Robertson Wright and Richard Cavanagh to accept Justice Peter Garling's reasoning for dismissing a previous bail detention application.

He said the 'probabilities approach' was not correct in assessing whether his client would be sentenced to full-time custody, and that a greater degree of certainty was required.

'This is not a case where the money that has been found to have been embezzled was used in the way one often sees in cases of embezzlement, where a person has simply sought to enrich themselves,' Mr Toomey said.

Day was convicted by a District Court jury of 34 charges after withholding royalty and performance fees owed to Mr Sebastian (pictured, with wife Jules Egan) between 2013 and 2020

He said he will provide evidence to show some money was used 'to meet expenses that were associated with performances associated with Mr Sebastian'.

'This is not the ordinary case.'

Mr Toomey was asked to submit some documentary evidence of this 'mitigating factor' before the judges make their decision on Friday.

Day managed the Australian Idol winner via his company 6 Degrees between 2009 and 2017 before the pair's relationship ended acrimoniously.

He was convicted by a District Court jury of 34 charges after withholding royalty and performance fees owed to Sebastian between 2013 and 2020.

Day was found not guilty of 13 charges.

He will face a sentence hearing on September 16.
A Queensland mayor who returned a blood alcohol test of more than three times the legal limit has been ordered to do community service after watching graphic footage of crashes.

Redland Mayor Karen Williams pleaded guilty to drink-driving on Monday, before saying she would return to work this week and describing the incident as a single lapse of judgment in 18 years of public service.

The 55-year-old drove her vehicle into a tree in Cleveland, southeast of Brisbane, at 8pm on June 23 after leaving the council offices after a 'stressful' day's work.

Williams faced especially harsh criticism over the incident as she had previously slammed youth drink drivers.

Redland Mayor Karen Williams pleaded guilty to drink-driving on Monday, before saying she would return to work this week and describing the incident as a single lapse of judgment in 18 years of public service

Cr Williams had been in the media earlier in June after launching a petition for safer roads following a 'lenient' sentence for a drink-driving teen who killed Kate Leadbetter, Matt Field and their unborn son (above)

Cr Williams had been in the media earlier in June after launching a petition for safer roads following a 'lenient' sentence for a drink-driving teen who killed Kate Leadbetter, Matt Field and their unborn son.

She was issued with a notice to appear in court on a charge of driving under the influence of liquor after returning a blood alcohol concentration of 0.177 per cent.

Up to 20 activists protested outside with numbers dwindling when it started to rain.

Cleveland magistrate Deborah Vasta sentenced Williams to 80 hours of community service, saying she believed the mayor was deserving of forgiveness and a second chance.

The 55-year-old drove her vehicle into a tree in Cleveland, southeast of Brisbane, at 8pm on June 23 after leaving the council offices after a 'stressful' day's work

But first she showed a graphic drink-driving awareness video in court, saying it was a regular part of her proceedings for traffic offenders.

So far this year 172 people have been killed on Queensland roads, making it the worst road toll in 30 years, Ms Vasta said.

She also said Williams had paid and will continue to pay very heavily for the mistakes she made that day.

Ms Vasta said Williams had 'copped an avalanche of condemnation and vitriol' that included phone messages calling her a 'piece of s***' and a 'two-faced bitch' and hoping she would go to hell after the incident that occurred hours after an online meeting with families of road crash victims.

There was also a small group of very hurt people who felt betrayed by Williams' actions, Ms Vasta said.

'It seems to me there's a very real desire to see your client punished more than an average drink driver, not just because she's mayor and should be held to a higher standard, but because of what some people see as stunning hypocrisy and betrayal,' she told Williams' lawyer Calvin Gnech.

Mr Gnech earlier told the court the mayor crashed her luxury council Lexus after a 'stressful' day handing down the annual budget.

Ms Vasta said drink-drivers were usually fined, but there was a genuine feeling many people wanted to see Williams 'humbled and punished more than the average person'.

Police were called to an intersection in Cleveland where they found the road-safety warrior and breath-tested her

Community service work would balance the condemnation and outrage of people who had been vocal, and the community would see Williams demonstrating her remorse in a physical way.

'It reflects that level of humility that simply paying a fine doesn't achieve,' Ms Vasta added.

Williams had four glasses of wine after finalising the council's budget and not eating since 6pm the previous day.

No one was injured when the council car she was driving left the road, travelled through a fence and struck a tree.

Williams has been on unpaid leave since being given the notice to appear.

Outside court Williams was interrupted by a handful of shouting protesters while she apologised, saying she acknowledged upsetting, disappointing and angering people who had put their trust in her.

Williams - who was elected as a councillor in 2004 and is in her third term as mayor - said she will work very hard to regain the trust of her community when she returns to work this week.

'I will never put my family, my friends, my community and my council colleagues in this position again,' she told reporters.

'This was a single lapse of judgment in 18 years of public service to my community.'

Williams was disqualified from driving for six months and is required to have an interlock device fitted for five years.

No conviction was recorded.
A federal politician has called for Australian states to have fewer powers after they closed borders and locked down millions during the pandemic.

Liberal National MP Terry Young said the federal government should have been able to take the lead on Covid policy, but was handcuffed by the constitution.

'I'm one of those people who would like to see the powers of the states and territories reduced,' he said in the House of Representatives on Monday.

Mr Young was opposing a bill that would stop the federal government overriding laws made in the ACT and Northern Territory, and launched into a rant about how states handled the pandemic as his reasoning.

'I think one thing that the pandemic showed us for sure was that Australians had a gutful of living in what they called eight countries,' he said.

Terry Young said there were people trying to go to work from Queensland into NSW and come back and couldn't because they had to quarantine (pictured is the closed NSW-Queensland border last September)

'With closed borders and different rules in every state when it came to who could go to work, who couldn't go to work, who they could see, who they couldn't see.

'We had people trying to go to work from Queensland into NSW and come back and couldn't because they had to quarantine. And yet on their passports they had one common thing... they were all Australian citizens.

'I might reside in Queensland but I am an Australian citizen, and as such myself and many other Australians and Queenslanders believe we should be allowed to move within our country and our borders as we see fit.'

Mr Young said those people, including him, would have preferred Scott Morrison and his government - which was critical of long lockdowns and snap border closures - set the policy.

'They wanted the federal government to lead when it came to mandates on the pandemic and we were actually constrained by the constitution,' he said.

'So anything that gives states and territories more powers, I'm against.'

Mr Young railed against how every state had different Covid rules and lockdowns (pictured is a women during a mask mandate in Queensland in December)

Under the Australian Constitution, states are responsible for setting health and local police policy, giving them the power to both make and enforce Covid rules.

The federal government has no power to intervene, which is why states largely did their own thing during the pandemic no matter how much Mr Morrison complained.

This, as Mr Young noted, meant rules in each state and territory were in many cases very different - notably Western Australia's long-standing hard border.

The House was at the time debating the Restoring Territory Rights bill, particularly in the context of euthanasia, which has been struck down by Canberra in the past when passed by the ACT or NT.
TalkTV political editor Kate McCann has recalled the moment she collapsed during the live Tory leadership debate between Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak - and told how she woke up on the floor staring at the studio lights.

Speaking to Kate Garraway and Richard Madeley on Good Morning Britain, she said she noticed how she was 'the wrong way up' when she came round, and thought 'that's not where I'm supposed to be.'

The showdown between the Foreign Secretary and ex-chancellor last Tuesday was taken off air after around 30 minutes after her collapse, and was later cancelled on the advice of medical experts.

Ms McCann said: I didnt see it coming. So no I wasnt nervous. I mean I was really nervous when we started, but that kind of heart hammering really good nerves when youre about to do something - adrenaline.

'But whatre really ironic is we got to that moment and wed just got started talking about Ukraine and I knew we had a really good question coming because Piers Morgan had just done an interview with the Zelenskys...so I releaxed.

'And at that moment I woke up on the floor and I have no recollection of feeling sick or dizzy or faint beforehand. Its just really really unfortunate.'

The political editor recalled noticing when she came around, 'I was the wrong way up, and I remember looking at the studio lights and thinking that's not where I'm supposed to be'

Speaking to Kate Garraway and Richard Madeley on Good Morning Britain this morning, the TalkTV anchor opened up about what happened after she collapsed during a live Tory leadership debate between Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak

This morning, Ms McCann told the GMB presenters she is now almost fully recovered. She went on to explain exactly what was going on for her throughout

When the hosts asked her what was going through her mind, she jokingly responded, 'Well, nothing!'

Ms McCann said she just remembered waking up disoriented on the floor, with a person who she presumed was Mr Sunak asking her how old she was.

But it was actually a paramedic who was questioning her as she came around. 'I think they were trying to see if I was aware or conscious,' she explained.

Ms McCann laughed as she recalled, 'They kept asking me over and over again, and I kept thinking why does Rishi Sunak want to know my age? It's not relevant here!'

At the moment she collapsed, Ms Truss was caught covering her face in shock before going to her aid.

The broadcast feed was swiftly cut, with viewers shown the message: 'We're sorry for the disruption to this programme. We're working hard to fix the issue and will return to normal programming soon.'

The dramatic moment when Ms McCann blacked out took place as Ms Truss was answering a question

A loud noise caused the clearly worried leadership hopeful to hold her face in shock

There was a long pause in the broadcast while viewers wondered what had happened in the studio, before a 'medical issue' was cited as being the cause of the disturbance.

Slowly, Ms McCann started to make sense of what was going on, as she said, 'Then it obviously wasn't Rishi Sunak, and I was the wrong way up, and I remember looking at the studio lights and thinking that's not where I'm supposed to be.'

She said many people, MPs and TV presenters alike, had got in touch with her about their fainting stories, with one telling her, 'When you're running on adrenaline and then your body relaxes, that can be enough unfortunately.'

The showdown between the Foreign Secretary and ex-chancellor last Tuesday was taken off air after around 30 minutes and then cancelled on the advice of medical experts present at the studio in Ealing, west London

The broadcast feed was swiftly cut, with viewers shown the message: 'We're sorry for the disruption to this programme. We're working hard to fix the issue and will return to normal programming soon'

Ms Garraway asked, 'Are you worried about this? Because it doesnt feel very normal Kate. You dont seem panicked by the fact that youre just fainting!'

Ms McCann responded with a laugh, 'Well, it's not normal!'

But when the presenters went on to ask if the doctors thought it was serious, she added, 'Oh no, it's fine. it's quite common.'

The hosts also asked if Ms McCann fainted frequently, to which she replied that she does not and only did so once a long time ago.

'I think it's just really unfortunate,' Ms McCann concluded. 'It's just bad luck.'

McCann has said she felt a 'little embarrassed' and a 'little bruised' upon her return to the studio the following day to host The News Desk.

Filling in as planned for regular presenter, Tom Newton Dunn, she joked 'after all the excitement from last night's leaders debate, thank goodness I'm sitting down'.

And the production team had hidden a chocolate bar and two bags of Skittles underneath her desk as a precaution, she has revealed, while her coffee cup was also filled with Coke.

McCann has said she felt a 'little embarrassed' and a 'little bruised' upon her return to the studio the following day to host The News Desk

Ms McCann, who left her role as political correspondent at Sky News to join TalkTV as its political editor in January, is a highly popular figure among Westminster journalists, and considered a 'rising star' in her industry

McCann said Ms Truss' shocked reaction was 'as you hope we all would' and allowed viewers to have a glimpse of 'the real person'.

She added: 'I only wish it was my questioning, not passing out, that had revealed it.'

Ms McCann, who left her role as political correspondent at Sky News to join TalkTV as its political editor in January, is a highly popular figure among Westminster journalists, and considered a 'rising star' in her industry.

The presenter, who is in her early thirties, graduated from Newcastle University in 2009 with a degree in Politics, and after a short stint as a parliamentary researcher joined the Guardian.

After short stints as a political correspondent at financial newspaper City AM and as a Whitehall correspondent at The Sun, she joined the Telegraph as one of its top political reporters.

Among her other achievements, Ms McCann was chair of the Press Gallery in 2018. She was only the second woman to hold the title in over 200 years.
The Lithuanian 'fruit picker', 22, accused of stabbing nine-year-old Lilia Valutyte to death as she played in the street with her little sister will be held in custody for six weeks until his next court date.

Lithuanian national Deividas Skebas has been remanded in custody ahead of his next appearance at Lincoln Crown Court on September 19, after making two court appearances in one day.

He spoke only to confirm his name, address and age during the short hearing at Lincoln crown court following an earlier hearing before magistrates.

He was not required to enter a plea to the charge, as a judge told him a provisional trial date would be set at the next court hearing.

Skebas is charged with the murder of Lilia who was stabbed to death last Thursday while playing with a hula hoop outside her mother's embroidery shop in the town centre of Boston, Lincolnshire.

She was found with a stab wound in Fountain Lane at 6.20pm and could not be saved despite the efforts of medics.

Deividas Skebas, 22, leaves Lincoln crown court following his second court appearance today

Innocent Lilia Valutyte died around 6.20pm on Thursday July 28 of a suspected 'stab wound'

He was arrested on Saturday afternoon at his home in a Victorian semi-detached house just 200 yards from where Lilia died.

Skebas, of Boston, was charged with murder on Sunday evening and appeared before Lincoln Magistrates' Court today.

His former girlfriend Beata Sapuskaite, 23, said Skebas was from an 'upper class' family of 'business people' and had gone to the UK to work before returning to Lithuania due to health problems.

'He was studying in Lithuania and came to England for agricultural work. He moved back to Lithuania but came back to Boston recently,' Sapuskaite told The Times.

Skebas spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth and address (he is pictured arriving at magistrates' court)

Skebas is pictured at a family party in Lithuania in 2020 at a photo posted on social media

Skebas, of Boston, will appear at Lincoln Crown Court later today

A prison van arriving at Lincoln Magistrates Court today where Skebas will appear charged with murder

Skebas arrived at court in a prison van shortly before 9am and was held in a cell until he was taken up to the glass-fronted dock in Court Six.

The suspect, who was wearing a grey t-shirt and grey track suit trousers, remained standing as he confirmed his date of birth in December 1999 and his address in Boston.

He then sat down, looking down at the floor as the charge was read out by the court clerk.

Prosecutor Marie Stace asked for the case to be sent to Lincoln Crown Court, and confirmed that the court had space for a hearing this afternoon.

District Judge Peter Viets remanded him in custody to appear again at 2pm today at Lincoln Crown Court.

The judge told him: 'The offence you are facing is the most serious offence that anyone can face in a court.

'This case has to go the crown court and I will formally send you there. The next hearing is at 2pm. In the meantime you will remain in custody.'

Lilia died from a single stab wound at around 6.20pm in Fountain Lane, Boston, just 100 yards from the town's famous St Botolph's Church known as the Boston Stump.

She is said to have been playing with her little sister outside the Sava Code embroidery and screen printing shop which was opened by her Lithuanian mother Lina Savicke in March this year.

Her death has prompted an outpouring of grief in the town which is known for its large Eastern European community.

Hundreds of floral tributes as well as cuddly toys have been left by local people in tribute to Lilia at the top of Fountain Lane.

Skebas came from the industrial city of Utena in north east Lithuania where members of his family still live.

He is said to have moved to the UK, and then returned to his home country, before arriving back in Boston recently.

His home in Thorold Street which overlooks Boston's Central Park was searched for clues by white-suited forensic officers over the weekend.

A Lincolnshire Police statement said last night: 'We have this evening (31 July) charged 22-year-old Deividas Skebas with the murder of nine-year-old Lilia Valutyte.

'Lilia tragically died following an incident in Fountain Lane, Boston, at around 6.20pm on 28 July. She is believed to have suffered a stab wound.

'Her parents are being supported by specially trained officers, and we would urge for their privacy to be respected at this particularly difficult time. Their welfare continues to be a priority for us.

'Following a combination of intelligence and information supplied by members of the public, armed officers made an arrest in the Central Park area of Boston at around 2.45pm on Saturday.'

Lilia (bottom left) was knifed at around 6.20pm on July 28 while she was reportedly playing in the street with her sister outside an embroidery and screen printing shop run by her Lithuanian mother Lina Savicke in Fountain Lane, Boston

A man pictured being held by police in Thorold Street, Boston, where he was arrested on suspicion of Lilia's murder

Chief Superintendent Martyn Parker of Lincolnshire Police said: 'This is a heartbreaking case that has affected many people in Boston, and further afield.

'Our thoughts continue to be with Lilia's family at this exceptionally difficult time.

'The response to such a devastating incident has involved committing significant resources to the investigation, and engaging with people in Boston who are understandably shocked by Lilia's death.

Skebas is pictured in Lithuania when he was younger

'Our officers have been in the town, speaking to the public and listening to their concerns. We'll continue to maintain a significant presence over the coming days.

'Finally, I'd like to extend my thanks once again to the public and the media, who have provided help in a challenging and fast-moving case. Your support is appreciated by our officers and staff.'

A service of prayers and reflection was held in memory of Lilia at St Botolph's church on Sunday afternoon heard how the Boston community had been left 'scarred' by her death.

Some of the 150 people at the service wept openly while lighting candles to remember the Lithuanian schoolgirl.

Jane Robertson, the associate rector, told how the 14th century Gothic church had echoed to the sound of children's happy voices during play activities earlier last week.

She said: 'Who would know that these scenes would be replaced with such sadness?'

Describing the 'sheer pain' of Lilia's family, she added: 'We can't begin to understand how they are feeling.

'How can this happen in a quiet market town in Lincolnshire?. There is perhaps anger, as well as grief, and maybe some fear as well.'

The death of the nine-year-old girl has left local people in Boston in a 'profound shock'

Rev Robertson went on: 'We can't for one minute put ourselves in the shoes of Lilia's family, but as a community the events have touched us very deeply and scarred us.'

She added in a prayer: 'We come here today, not sure what to say, or what to think. The tragedy that ended Lilia's life has touched us all, as individuals and a community.

'Today we grieve for a life so tragically cut short, for possibilities that will now not be realised, for dreams that will not come true.'

The rev Sally Clifton, curate of the church known as the Boston Stump, described Lilia as being 'full of life and joy' as she offered prayers for her classmates and friends she danced with.

She said: 'Our hearts are breaking for Lilia's family as they face the awful reality of life without their beloved child.'

The rev Clifton added: 'We pray for the Lithuanian community . Break down language and cultural barriers so can help them with love and compassion.

'May they know that we care deeply for them and share their pain.'

Skebas was charged over the girl's killing outside her mother's embroidery shop near the centre of Boston, Lincolnshire, at around 6.20pm last Thursday

Teams of police officers investigating Lilia's death yesterday searched drains, gutters and bins in Boston town centre, and looked under parked cars.

Officers wearing purple gloves were seen opening drain covers and lowering bucket grabs to pull out mud and debris.

Other officers looked in street waste bins and large commercial wheelie bins in the area.

The search was centred around Red Lion Street, and other roads between the murder scene and Thorold Street.

Lilia's family friend Jurate Matulioniene decribed her in a Facebook tribute as 'a 9-year-old angel' and 'one of the most beautiful creatures', saying: 'None will feel her mother's pain.'

She added: 'The girl was a ray of the sunlight, just like her parents, who were the main helpers of our community and school events. The pain is unspeakable. We are devastated at this shocking news! Rest in peace, little angel.'

Other friends told how Lilia who lived with her mother Lina Savicke and stepfather Aurelijus Savickas loved dancing and Harry Potter books.
A 42-year-old British tourist had their 9,227 Rolex lifted off his wrist during a dance with three boys in Milan who had previous offered to sell him drugs.

On the streets of Porta Nuova, a hub of clubs and other nightlife venues, three boys reportedly of North African origin approached the tourist on Sunday, offering him illegal drugs.

The tourist refused, but then inexplicably ended up dancing with the three boys, in what Milano Today described as a form of ballet.

Porta Nuova is a hub of clubs and other nightlife venues. People are pictured walking at the Naviglio Grande canal, one of the favorite spots for night life in Milan

After the dance was over, the tourist realised his watch was missing. He quickly contacted the police and reported the theft.

Authorities are checking CCTV and interviewing witnesses to track down the criminals.

Milan is a popular holiday destination for British tourists, but pickpockets frequent the streets and holidaymakers often fall foul to scams.

In early July, another thief stole a 59,000 watch from a man in central Milan.

The 58-year-old victim had his Richard Mille timepiece stolen in Corso Venezia in the Lombardy capital.

Not long after, a man on a scooter snatched a 33,500 watch from a 62-year-old American tourist from Florida.

Milan recorded the highest theft rate in Italy, with about 2.2 thousand cases per 100,000 inhabitants in 2020, according to Statistica.

Burglaries of shops and thefts are more common in Milan than in other Italian provinces.

Bologna and Rimini followed as the worst provinces for theft, with around six thousand cases reported.
The first shipment of Ukrainian grain has left the port city of Odesa in the wake of the deal Kyiv and Russia signed to ease the global food crisis.

The Sierra Leone-flagged cargo ship Razoni left the Black Sea port for Lebanon this morning, the Turkish defense ministry said. A statement from the United Nations said the Razoni is carrying more than 26,000 tons of corn.

It's hoped that the shipment will be the first of many to deliver much-needed grains to countries mainly in Africa and the Middle East facing food shortages and spiraling prices.

Russia has been blockading Ukraine's Black Sea ports for over five months now, stopping Ukrainian grain from reaching markets and even allegedly stealing it for export themselves.

But on Monday the Kremlin welcomed the departure of the first shipment, calling it a 'very positive' development.

'A good opportunity to test the effectiveness of the mechanisms that were agreed during talks in Istanbul,' Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.

In a rare moment of harmony between the bitter combatants, the Ukrainian minister of infrastructure struck a similar note.

A Ukrainian farmer works at a warehouse in Odesa, as the first ship leaves the port carrying 26,000 tons of Ukrainian grain

The Razoni is expected to deliver the first shipment of grain to Tripoli in Beirut after Russia and Ukraine separately signed a deal to restart grain exports in the Black Sea

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visits port of Odesa in Ukraine on July 29

The Razoni departed from Odesa Monday morning and is expected to stopover in Istanbul for an inspection before heading on to its final destination of Tripoli in Lebanon

'Today Ukraine, together with partners, is taking another step towards preventing world hunger,' Alexander Kubrakov said.

'Unlocking ports will provide at least one billion dollars (0.8 billion) in foreign exchange revenue to the economy and an opportunity for the agricultural sector to plan for next year,' Mr Kubrakov said.

Data from the Razoni's Automatic Identification System, a safety tracker for ships at sea, showed the vessel slowly coming out from its berth at Odesa port Monday morning alongside a tug boat.

The ship is expected to reach Istanbul on Tuesday, where it will be inspected, before being allowed to proceed, the ministry said.

Other convoys would follow, with 16 other ships were waiting to depart, respecting the maritime corridor and the agreed formalities in line with the agreement reached with Russia on July 22, Turkey said.

That landmark deal, which Ukraine and Russia each signed separately with Turkey and the United Nations, was aimed at relaxing Russia's blockade of Ukrainian ports.

It is intended to free up 22 million tons of grain and other agricultural goods that have been stuck in Black Sea ports for departure to countries in Africa and the Middle East which desperately needed them.

However, the day following the signing of the deal, Russia launched cruise missiles at the Odesa port which hit storage facilities there, calling into question Putin's good faith in the deal.

The corn will head to Tripoli in Lebanon. A 2020 explosion at its main port in Beirut shattered its capital city and destroyed grain silos there, a part of which collapsed on Sunday following a weeks-long fire.

Ukrainian firefighters battle a fire on a boat burning in the port of Odessa after missiles hit the port on July 23

The strike came a day after Kyiv and Moscow signed a landmark agreement hammered out over months of negotiations aimed at relieving a global food crisis

The Turkish ministry statement said other ships would also depart Ukraine's ports through the safe corridors in line with deals signed in Istanbul on July 22, but did not provide further details.

Turkey formally opened a special joint coordination center in Istanbul last Wednesday to oversee the exports. The center is being staffed by civilian and military officials from the two warring parties and delegates from Turkey and the UN.

Their primary assignment involves monitoring the safe passage of Ukrainian grain ships along established routes and overseeing their inspection for banned weapons on the way into and out of the Black Sea.

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.

UN estimates say nearly 50 million people began to face 'acute hunger' around the world as a direct consequence of the war.

Wheat prices fell sharply hours after the grain deal was signed. The deals also allow Russia to exports grain and fertilizers.
Archie Battersbee's mother today accused an NHS hospital trust of pursuing a 'choreographed execution' of her 12-year-old son - as the family prepared for a High Court hearing today to decide whether the boy's life support should stay on.

Hollie Dance said the family has had 'no support whatsoever' from Archie's carers Barts Health NHS Trust, telling Sky News: 'Absolutely none. I know they come across to the media as supportive and compassionate. It's very much the opposite. It's very misleading.'

Ms Dance said she was handed a letter on Saturday night with the 'choreographed execution' of Archie. 'There was no meeting, sat down and broken to gently,' she said.

It came as lawyers for the Government last night intervened to secure an online High Court hearing this morning after the United Nations asked for treatment to be continued while it considered his case. It is set to end at 2pm today.

The Government letter, marked VERY URGENT and written on behalf of Health Secretary Steve Barclay, read: 'In the circumstances, we wish to draw the (UN) Committee's request for interim measures to the Court's attention for its urgent consideration... We request that this letter is placed before the out-of-hours judge immediately...'

Archie, of Southend-on-Sea, Essex, suffered brain damage at home on April 7 and is in coma

Archie's mother Hollie Dance today told Sky it was wrong that her family had been forced to go beyond the justice system for the 'right thing' to be done

The move follows the United Nations Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD) issuing an interim measures injunction on Friday, July 29, to the UK government.

Despite the intervention, Barts Health NHS Trust, which is responsible for Archie's care at the Royal London Hospital, said that it would carry on with plans to remove life-support today.

Archie was found unconscious at his home in Southend, Essex, on April 7. Doctors were due to end his treatment at the Royal London Hospital at 2pm today.

Asked what she would want to see the Government doing at this stage, Ms Dance said: 'Just to overlook the decision that the justice system make, really.

'We shouldn't have to go outside our justice system to do the right thing by the citizens in this country.

'This is a 12-year-old...this is a child. They say about Archie's best interests, I don't believe for one minute that Archie's best interests would be to put his parents through what we're being put through. Our little boy wouldn't like that.

'I think that it needs overlooking, and I'm very grateful to the Health Secretary for doing what's he's done, very grateful. I just hope that it is overlooked within the court today.'

Ms Dance said the last couple of months have been 'an emotional rollercoaster'.

She said: 'It's been very draining. Stress levels are through the roof. Very heart-breaking. It's been a very hard few months.'

Asked how she is feeling about successful today's hearing will be, she said: 'I don't know really. I guess because of all the court appearances and things that we've had now and it seems...everything, apart from obviously the appeal that we won, everything seems to go in the trust's favour.

'It's just left me feeling very anxious all weekend. I've carried a lot of anxiety here in my chest. It just feels awful.'

Barts Health NHS Trust had written to the family over the weekend to inform them they intended to end treatment at 2pm today.

'The anxiety of being told that Archie's life-support will be removed tomorrow at 2pm has been horrific,' his mother, Hollie Dance, said.

'We are already broken and the not-knowing what was going to happen next is excruciating.

'We are relieved that the government has taken the UN's intervention seriously. This was not a 'request' but an interim measures injunction from the UN.'

Yesterday Archie's family released a statement responding to comments in the media from the hospital Trust regarding withdrawal of life-support, which they have described as 'misleading.'

Their family have been told by letter how the little boy will have his life support treatment removed tomorrow in a procedure they today branded 'cruel and wrong'.

The letter from the NHS Trust to Archie's parents, shared with MailOnline with their permission

Archie's parents' plea to stop his life support machine being turned off was rejected by court

Barts Health NHS Trust said in the note to his parents Ms Dance and Paul Battersbee 'all fluid infusions, medications, including vasopressin will be stopped' at 2pm on August 1.

In one part of the message the trust says a doctor will need to 'assess Archie regularly to confirm that the heart has stopped beating'.

One of the little boy's aunts had been booked on a flight to come over from Italy to see him but will now no longer be able to under the Trust's rules.

The letter - given to MailOnline with permission of the family - has come despite the UN urging a pause on proceedings.

A statement from Hollie and Paul said: 'The Trust has been dragging us as a family through the courts at a breakneck speed from April 27 till the final decision of the Supreme Court this Thursday evening.

'The Trust has never made any attempt to agree any sort of compromise with us on any matters great or small. For example this Friday, our lawyers received a letter from the Trust demanding that all videos of Archie and his medical equipment taken on the ward, which we believe is evidence of improvement in Archie's condition (such as his attempts to breathe independently) are immediately deleted; and threatened legal proceedings for an alleged breach of data protection.

'We as a family are very disappointed that the Trust's management has chosen to hide behind euphemisms and to mislead the public. It is hard to see any reason for that behaviour except knowing that what they are doing is cruel and wrong.'

It comes after Ms Dance, urged the Health Secretary to 'act immediately' to stop the treatment ending, saying it would be 'a flagrant breach' of his rights.

The letter, sent over the weekend, also read: 'We understand that any discussions around the withdrawal of Archie's treatment are very difficult and painful.

'However, we want to ensure that you and your family are involved as much as you wish to be.'

Doctors have been given permission to turn off Archie's life support machine, but his parents are trying to continue the fight to keep him alive. Pictured is Archie in hospital

In their letter Archie's parents Ms Dance and Mr Battersbee plead with Health Secretary Steve Barclay to intervene to prevent the 'extraordinary cruelty' of ending their son's life

Ms Dance and Mr Battersbee, the youngster's parents, will be told this morning how the withdrawal process is to be performed, with the aim to 'preserve Archie's dignity', the letter read.

It went on: 'You or any of the family may wish to lie on Archie's bed with him or have him in your arms, if that should be practically possible.'

Yesterday, Ms Dance had written an urgent open letter to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Stephen Barclay, urging the government to prevent withdrawal of life-support being withdrawn following the UN CRPD intervention.

Supported by the Christian Legal Centre, the families' lawyers had made a last-ditch application to the UN CRPD following the refusal of the UK's Supreme Court to intervene in the case on Thursday.

The court order for the removal of life-support came into effect at 2pm yesterday, but the family lawyers sought urgent assurances that Royal London Hospital would not begin removing treatment while the parents apply to the UN CRPD.

The UK has joined the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the rights of persons with disabilities, with UNRPD using this to ask the UK government to delay the withdrawal of life support while a complaint is investigated.

The family argue that stopping treatment would be in breach of the UK's obligations under Articles 10 and 12 of the UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities, and Article 6 of the UN Convention on the Rights of Children.

The UN CRPD has previously criticised the UK system of withdrawing life-sustaining treatment based on the patient's 'best interests' as determined by the Court.

Andrea Williams, chief executive of the Christian Legal Centre, a campaign organisation supporting Archie's parents, said: 'We have stood with the family from the beginning three months ago following the tragedy and now continue to pray for this beautiful boy, Archie, and for everyone involved.

'Life is the most precious gift we have.'

A High Court judge had ruled that ending treatment is in Archie's best interests, after reviewing evidence.

Ms Dance and Mr Battersbee, who are separated but both live in Southend, Essex, failed to persuade Court of Appeal judges to overturn that ruling and Supreme Court justices have refused to intervene.

Writing to Health Secretary Stephen Barclay on Saturday, Ms Dance said: 'If this happens, this will be an extraordinary cruelty, and a flagrant breach of Archie's rights as a disabled person.

Archie with his mother Hollie Dance (left), brother Tom Summers and sister Lauren Summers

'Archie is entitled to have the decisions about his life and death, taken by the NHS and UK courts, to be scrutinised by an international human rights body. Hastening his death to prevent that would be completely unacceptable.

'I trust that you will now act immediately, as a member of the Government responsible for the NHS, to ensure that this does not happen, and our country honours its obligations under the international human rights treaties which we have signed and ratified.'

They also asked the United Nations to intervene in a 'last-ditch' application, with it issuing an interim measures injunction to the UK government on Friday.

The UN Committee On The Rights Of Persons With Disabilities wrote to Archie's parents and legal team saying it had 'requested the state party [the UK] to refrain from withdrawing life-preserving medical treatment, including mechanical ventilation and artificial nutrition and hydration, from the alleged victim while the case is under consideration by the committee'.

It added: 'This request does not imply that any decision has been reached on the substance of the matter under consideration.'

The family said stopping treatment would be in breach of the UK's obligations under international human rights law.

Archie's parents asked hospital bosses to continue treatment until the UN has considered the case.

Judges in London 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.

Alistair Chesser, chief medical officer for Barts Health NHS Trust, said on Friday that 'further delay' in starting to provide 'palliative care' to Archie would 'not be appropriate' without a court order.

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: 'We recognise this is an exceptionally difficult time for Archie Battersbee's family and our thoughts are with them.

'We have received the letter and will respond in due course.'

MailOnline has contacted Barts for comment.
Vladimir Putin may be about to get another seafront pleasure palace as the Kremlin reportedly tries to take hold of a huge parcel of land in Georgia.

Aslan Bzhania, de-facto leader of the breakaway Abkhazia region on the Black Sea, says he has been ordered to hand over a 'beachside paradise' near the resort city of Pitsunda by Putin himself.

A 49-year lease has reportedly been signed in secret handing over control of 186 hectares of land, 115 hectares of water, and a nearby military camp to the control of Putin's Federal Protection Service - sparking protests among locals.

It is thought Putin will use the site - which houses a summer bolt-hole built by Josef Stalin and frequented by Nikita Khrushchev - to build a new home for himself, after opponents exposed his 1billion palace located just 200 miles up the coast.

Vladimir Putin has reportedly ordered leaders in a breakaway region of Georgia to hand over a parcel of land that houses an old Soviet summer retreat (pictured) so he can build a new palace

A 49-year lease has reportedly been signed to hand over 189 hectares of land, 115 hectares of water, and a nearby military camp (the area pictured) to Putin's Federal Protection Service

Mr Bzhania told furious locals that he is powerless to refuse the request because his fledgling government cannot survive without the support of Russia's military - despite it being battered by the war in Ukraine.

'I can say for sure that the Russian Federation can do without this dacha,' he said.

'But can we do without the support of the Russian Federation, its armed forces and its structures that guard our borders here? This is a big question.'

He admitted: 'This is a place where our main guest [Putin] comes.'

The 69-year-old Russian president has made at least two visits to the region - one in 2013 and another in 2017.

'There are now new technologies, new security conditions for protected persons. In accordance with this, such work is, of course, needed there,' Mr Bzhania added

This is seen as an acknowledgment that a new palace will appear on the site of the Soviet-era summer dacha.

Putin (pictured visiting the site in 2013) is alleged to have made the request in person to the region's de-facto leader, Aslan Bzhania

It comes after opposition politicians in Russia exposed Putin's ownership of this 1billion palace just 200 miles further up the Black Sea coast

Putin's palace is said to contain a pole-dancing boudoir among a 16-storey network of underground rooms and facilities

A huge swimming pool surrounded by mock-Grecian columns is also said to feature in Putin's other summer palace on the Black Sea

'We are going to carry out a major overhaul so that this facility works as a full-fledged residence of the President of the Russian Federation,' he said.

An earlier agreement in 1995 had given Russia privileged access to Pitsunda.

Mr Bzhania said he was forced to agree 'because Putin likes to visit there, and Russia has more money than us to equip the resort.

'I consider it right to transfer buildings and structures to the Russian side.'

Georgian president Salome Zourabichvili said: 'What we're seeing in Bichvinta is a form of annexation of Georgian territory by Russia.

'We see a strong popular reaction to the developments. This is the result of continued occupation.

'I strongly condemn this and call on the international community to strongly react.'

A secret deal on a 49 year lease on the land was signed in Moscow in January.

The property is one of five state dachas in Abkhazia built from 1931 to 1949 during the Stalin era.

The area was one of the most popular retreats for Soviet leaders.

'There is a huge noise in Abkhazia, as a large nature reserve of Pitsunda is handed over to Russia,' said Georgian blogger Tinatin Dias.

News that a huge parcel of land has been signed away to Russia has sparked protests locally, but the region's leaders say they were powerless to refuse

Protesters clash with police in the resort city of Pitsunda, where it is thought Putin is preparing to build a new summer palace

'Rumours say it was Putin's personal desire - apparently he wants to build a new estate there after the feeling Gelendzhik is not so safe any longer.'

One theory is that Putin wants a new Black Sea retreat after 1 billion Gelendzhik Palace - including a pole-dancing hookah boudoir, casino, and 'aqua disco' - was exposed by Russia's opposition media.

Abkhazia broke away from Georgia in the 1992-93 war soon after the fall of the Soviet Union. It is wholly dependent on Russia for survival.

Putin has since intervened another Georgian region - South Ossetia - in 2014.

Both 'states' are recognised only by Russia, Venezuela, Nicaragua, Nauru, and Syria.

Putin appeared stung when the Russian independent media revealed details of the newly-built clifftop high-security Gelendzhik Palace.

It includes a 16-storey underground complex - including a tunnel to the beach - compared with the lair of a James Bond villain.

Amid a scandal over state money being used to build the palace, Putin's best friend from his childhood, oligarch Arkady Rotenberg, 70, stepped in to say it was his development.

'This is a stunning place,' he claimed.

'We would like to build an apart-hotel there, this is why it has so many rooms.'

Sources claimed Rotenberg had stepped in to deflect blame from Putin.
A mother accused of killing her eight-year-old son allegedly claimed a 'voice told her' to kill him, as court documents reveal disturbing new insights into the little boy's death.

Zion Ziggy Sean Goltz died inside his home in Rockhampton on July 29, with mother Louwanna Thyra Goltz, 36, charged with his alleged murder and remanded in custody.

Court documents from Rockhampton Magistrates Court say Ms Goltz turned up at family members' house at around 1am on July 30 where she was allegedly 'rambling incoherently about spirits and referencing a covered artist's canvas' in her possession.

The artwork allegedly included the message 'protect Zion from Satan'.

Zion Ziggy Sean Goltz (pictured) died inside his home in Rockhampton sometime on July 29, with mother Louwanna Thyra Goltz charged with his murder

Queensland Police attended the home on Waterloo Street in Berserker just after 2:20am on Sunday morning to perform a welfare check, before finding Zion unresponsive.

In an objection to bail affidavit filed by police, first responders believed the child had died from strangulation, the ABC reported.

But an autopsy will be conducted to confirm the cause of death.

A witness told police the mother had been lying down watching TV with her son before a voice allegedly told her to kill him 'because Child Safety would take him away and she herself would end up in a body bag', court documents state.

Police will allege Ms Goltz's mental health had 'rapidly declined' in the weeks leading to Zion's alleged murder, and 'alarmingly quickly within the last week'.

Court documents reveal that family and neighbours had repeatedly heard the mother shouting over the past month. Some even reported her speaking an unknown language.

The relationship between Zion and his mother had previously been strong, but witnesses in the affidavit said it had recently turned.

One person claimed to have heard Ms Goltz talk about spirits, constantly referring to the canvas with satanic writings, the court documents state.

Queensland Police attended the home on Waterloo Street in Berserker just after 2:20am on Sunday morning to perform a welfare check, before finding Zion unresponsive

The artwork has been seized by police, which contains several references to Christian themes: 'May Lord Jesus forgive me for hurting Zion', 'Protect Zion from Satan', 'Satan leave Ziggy alone return to mother now' and 'Satan return to hell leave Zion soul', the affidavit states.

Ms Goltz was taken to the Mental Health Unit after mentioning spirits and voices while in the presence of police, often apologising for disrespecting the voices, court documents reveal.

She allegedly refused medication and had a series of bruising and scratch marks on her throat.

The affidavit says Zion had been born prematurely and needed an oxygen tank to breathe for his first year. He was later diagnosed with autism.

His mother will next appear in court on October 26.

Capricornia police acting inspector Luke Peachey said the first responders who attended the grisly scene would be offered counselling support.

'It hits a little bit harder when there's an eight-year-old boy who's been found deceased,' he said.
Story Hour, a unique platform that connects with cultures through timeless stories, with teenagers as authors-narrators, was held at the Federation of Telangana Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FTCCI) in Hyderabad on Sunday.

A one-hour audio book on Ramayana which won a UK Times award was showcased in three different languages, English, Hindi and Telugu at the event. One of the teenage authors of this audio book, Ayur Pulle, aged 16, interacted with the audience.

The Story Hour also had a puppet show on Ramayana that enthralled the audience. Founder of Story Hour Neelima Penumarthy presented her flagship puppet show which has engaged audiences across the world.

The Hindi audio book on Ramayana was narrated by Uppal KV School students and Telugu audio book was narrated by Devnar School for Blind students.

Two teenage authors - Aarush Kunbhalem and Ayur Pulle - took part in a discussion about their audio book A Brief History of Indian Independence.

Speaking on the occasion, Neelima said, "I started this endeavour because stories are important for a person because they develop ones personality and I chose teenagers and elderly as authors and writers because there is a storyteller in each of them. These are the two different sections of society which play a major role as teenagers write impulsively with current scenarios and elderly write with their experiences which produce a good story.

Telangana IT Principal Secretary Jayesh Ranjan was also present.
Anthony Albanese has hit back at suggestions Australians will vote on an Indigenous Voice to Parliament referendum without knowing how it will work by describing it as a 'pretty simple proposition' and 'good manners'.

Debate has raged after the Prime Minister proposed a referendum on recognising First Nation's people in the constitution and requiring consultation with them on decisions that impact their lives.

The proposed referendum has sparked more questions than answers since it was unveiled in a landmark announcement on Saturday.

It comes as one of Australia's leading universities introduces a mandatory Aboriginal module that students must complete before they graduate.

Mr Albanese copped an intense grilling on his controversial referendum when he appeared on The Project on Monday night.

'How do you expect people to vote on changing the constitution without knowing how it's going to work?' co-host Carrie Bickmore asked.

The Project's Carrie Bickmore (pictured) grilled the Prime Minister on Monday night

Mr Albanese is adamant people will know how it will work when they vote and that it will lead to better outcomes for the indigenous.

'Well, of course they will know how it works but the truth is that it is a pretty simple proposition,' he said.

Poll Should the Australian Constitution be amended to include an Indigenous Voice to Parliament? Yes No Unsure, I need to know more about it Should the Australian Constitution be amended to include an Indigenous Voice to Parliament? Yes 499 votes

No 3013 votes

Unsure, I need to know more about it 634 votes Now share your opinion





'The proposition is where matters affect Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander people, then those people, the First Nations people should be consulted on it.

'This is not a third chamber, it is simply good manners.

He added the Indigenous Voice to Parliament would be no different to consulting women's organisations to have an impact on women.

'The thing is that if you consult people, if you give them that sense of ownership, you're likely get more positive outcomes,' Mr Albanese continued.

'We know that from 120 years of experience of Canberra spending billions of dollars on not achieving the right outcomes if indigenous people are excluded from that process.'

The Project's Peter Hellier pointed out there are divided opinions within Aboriginal communities of how Indigenous Voice to Parliament should take place and asked how the government would manage disagreement within groups.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (pictured) described the Indigenous Voice to Parliament as an opportunity to uplift the nation

The Prime Minister acknowledged the challenge but argued differing views within indigenous groups is no different to Collingwood AFL supporters being divided on who would be in their team next weekend.

'The idea that this is a homogeneous group isn't right,' Mr Albanese said.

'People spent years leading up to the Uluru Statement from the Heart in 2017 and Indigenous communities overwhelmingly want this process to go forward.

'Hundreds of pages of detail have been worked through, they are all out there for people to see.

'Australia's birth certificate, the constitution should recognise the fact that people have been here for 60,000 years, the oldest continuous civilisation on Earth and that should be a source of pride. Our history didn't begin and end either in 1788.'

Mr Albanese rejected Steve Price's suggestion Opposition Leader Peter Dutton may 'blow up' the proposal and insists he discussed the plan with his leadership rival before it was publicly announced.

Melbourne's Monash University introduced the mandatory indigenous module last month

Anthony Albanese (pictured embracing Indigenous Minister Linda Burney on Saturday) says the proposed referendum will result in better outcomes for the indigenous

Another conversation with Mr Dutton will take place this week.

'I think that people of goodwill need to be constructive here. This is an opportunity to uplift the nation,' Mr Albanese said.

'It is very important that this be a unifying moment for the nation. This should be a source of pride and we need to do things differently.'

'We need to find a better way and a better way is by showing people respect. Australians understand that.

'I believe there'll embrace that and they will support a change, which is very simple to the constitution, one that makes our country more inclusive.'

Meanwhile, a major university has introduced a brand new Indigenous Australian Voices module which all students must complete before they can graduate.

Melbourne's Monash University introduced the mandatory module last month and has given students by week two of the second semester to complete it.

Failure to meet the deadline will result in students' access to the library, the university's learning management system and their academic record or results being cut off.

They will also be unable to sit exams or graduate.

'If you don't complete compulsory modules by the deadline, you will be encumbered,' the university warned in a notice on its website.

'And this will interfere with your participation in your units and submitting assessments.'

Monash University student will lose library access and won't be able to sit for exams or be able be able to graduate unless they complete the new compulsory module

Staff must also undertake the new module designed to 'ensure students fully understand Monash values'.

'You will be introduced to the rich and complex histories of First Nations Peoples and the lands on which we study, work and live,' the university states.

We hope that by completing this module, it will be the beginning of your desire to learn more, and to contribute to a society that respects Australias Indigenous Peoples, cultures and knowledges, and works towards addressing the legacies of the past.
A man who stole an Amazon delivery truck led police on a wild high-speed chase down a California freeway, smashing into three cars and driving down the wrong side of the road.

Police began their pursuit behind fugitive driver Quintin Jarnall Larks, 32, at 5.18pm on Monday 25 July when officers were responding to two robbery reports at a mobile home in Riverside, California.

During their investigations, Riverside Police Department were also getting several calls of an Amazon delivery truck hitting several parked vehicles, who said the same man, Larks, stole the truck.

Larks ignored police attempts to stop him which led to the high-speed pursuit on the freeway where three cop cars followed directly behind him.

A man who stole an Amazon delivery truck led police on a wild high-speed chase down a California freeway, smashing into three cars and driving down the wrong side of the road

Police began their pursuit behind fugitive driver Quintin Jarnall Larks, 32, at 5.18pm on Monday 25 July when officers were responding to two robbery reports at a mobile home in Riverside, California

The truck can be seen crossing over the central reservation into oncoming traffic, where other motorists swerved out of the way as he sped on to escape officers.

Aerial footage also shows the delivery truck smashing into three vehicles, rear-ending one as he dashed from one lane to the next, cutting across another at an intersection and pushing into a pick-up into the median wall.

He then ditched the stolen Amazon vehicle, jump over the wall before running across the freeway.

He tries to scale another wall by grabbing on to its foliage and jumps into what looks like a private property but footage then shows him back on the side of the road.

Larks ignored police attempts to stop him which led to the high-speed pursuit on the freeway where three cop cars followed directly behind him

Aerial footage also shows the delivery truck smashing into three vehicles, rear-ending one as he dashed from one lane to the next, cutting across another at an intersection and pushing into a pick-up into the median wall

The 32-year-old then puts his hands up to show police he was unarmed as he stands on the shoulder of the freeway, as police come to a halt in their vehicles just in front of him.

Aerial video shows Larks being held face down as officers arrest him.

Riverside Police say none of those injured by the collisions on the freeway were serious.After the arrest, Larks was taken to a nearby hospital where he was cleared by doctors.

He then ditched the stolen Amazon vehicle, jump over the wall before running across the freeway

He tries to scale another wall by grabbing on to its foliage and jumps into what looks like a private property but footage then shows him back on the side of the road

The 32-year-old then puts his hands up to show police he was unarmed as he stands on the shoulder of the freeway, as police come to a halt in their vehicles just in front of him

He was later charged with attempted murder, carjacking, driving under the influence of drugs causing injury, reckless evading of police, home invasion robbery and assault with a deadly weapon.

Larks is now being held at a local jail on $1million bail.

Captain Chad Milby of the Riverside Police Department told Fox News: 'This suspect posed a significant threat to our community.

'The composure and professionalism our officers, field supervisors and dispatchers performed during this intense and chaotic situation not only led to the apprehension of a very dangerous criminal, but demonstrated the high level of training our department goes through to keep Riverside safe.'
A struggling family of four who were evicted from their home in Britain's second home capital have been forced to live in a Travelodge for four months due to a lack of affordable housing.

Charlene Pascoe, 34, and her three children, from St Blazey, Cornwall, were left with nowhere to go after being evicted from their rental property in March when their landlord decided to move back in.

They have had to rely on their family and friends who live nearby for meals and play time away from their hotel room.

Ms Pascoe, a support worker for adults with learning difficulties, is from St Blazey, Cornwall, where some areas have up to 40 per cent of properties used as second homes.

During the pandemic, many landlords in Cornwall decided to cash in and sell up to holidaymakers looking to buy second homes in the sought after county.

This further increased prices in the property rental market, with limited affordable housing available for families who permanently reside in Cornwall.

The sheer level of second homes now in the popular holiday destination has caused a shortage in the supply of housing, leaving rent costs soaring.

Mum Charlene Pascoe, 34, and her three children, Freya, 12 (middle), Kieran, ten (right) and Darcy, two (left), have been living in a Travelodge for 15 weeks due to limited affordable housing in Cornwall as second home buyers flood the market

The family have had to rely on their family and friends who live nearby for meals and play time away from their hotel room. Pictured: The Travelodge hotel in St Austell where the family are staying

Ms Pascoe and her three children were living in the popular destination of St Blazey but can no longer find a home due to the influx of second home buyers. (File Image: The nearby Par Sands Beach)

During the pandemic, many landlords in Cornwall decided to cash in and sell up to holidaymakers looking to buy second homes in the sought after county.

This further increased prices in the property rental market, with limited affordable housing available for families who permanently reside in Cornwall.

The sheer level of second homes now in the popular holiday destination has caused a shortage in the supply of housing, leaving rent costs soaring.

Ms Pascoe and her children, Freya, 12, Kieran, ten, and Darcy, two, have been staying at the Travelodge St Austell in Cornwall for 15 weeks with no idea when they will be able to leave.

She said: 'Somebody said to me at the beginning, "look at it like a holiday" - it's most certainly not a holiday.'

Ms Pascoe was unable to find anywhere affordable in the area and their first night after their tenancy ended they spent sleeping on her mum's floor.

Cornwall Council booked the family into a Premier Inn for a week, before they were then moved to the Travelodge in St Austell - where they have been ever since.

Data from Cornwall Council shows where the county's 13,500 second homes were distributed in 2018

Outraged residents of Cornwall have previously criticised claims that the coastal county 'needs' second home owners - despite holidaymakers bringing the area 2 billion a year. Pictured: Graffiti in St Agnes, near Perranporth, from March tells second home owners to 'rent or sell your empty houses'

Now 15 weeks later they are no further forward, and Ms Pascoe is struggling to cope.

The family room has three beds, a bathroom, a kettle and a cool box - with no kitchen or living area.

Ms Pascoe's mother Sonia Johns, 57, lives a 15 minute drive away and she has been spending as much time as possible there, cooking dinner for her children and washing their clothes.

'We've had to put the majority of things in storage but the stuff we need still takes up loads of space,' she said.

'I look every day for houses on the council website to get us out of this mess but you can only bid on one property a week and it's always so busy.

'I have one daughter in big school, a son in junior school and a toddler starting nursery in September, - but if we can't find somewhere soon they'll have to move schools.'

A surfer walks past the vandalised property, located a stone's throw from the beach as Cornish residents voice their fury at the rental market

Being unable to store food anywhere has left organising meals extremely difficult as they have to take a daily trip to the shops.

'We then cook the food from that shop at mums and do it all again the next day,' she said,

'I don't know what we'd do if we didn't have mum's place because as soon as we wake up in the morning that's where we go.

'We then only come back to the Travelodge to sleep otherwise it's just too much.'

Ms Pascoe has struggled bringing up two-year-old Darcy in the Travelodge as the noise from other rooms and the car park stops her from getting to sleep.

A map showing the most sought-after second home towns for British city dwellers, with Cornwall's Falmouth, St Ives, and Newquay all within the top six in demand

The hotel staff are sympathetic to her situation, and allow Kieran and Freya to watch TV out in the cafe area whilst Ms Pascoe puts her to bed.

Currently Ms Pascoe is paying 3.10 per night as a service charge for the room, and Cornwall Council are covering the rest.

But the mother-of-three has found communicating with the council difficult and she claims she is rarely updated on their living situation.

She has to find out from reception staff every three weeks whether payment for the room has been extended which she finds extremely stressful.

'Having a two-year-old is a complete nightmare as everything is in her reach,' Ms Pascoe said.

'She either stays in her travel cot or her portable high chair when we're in the room, as it's to dangerous to let her crawl around.

Ms Pascoe praised the efforts of the hotel staff who have been on hand to help.

'They are the ones I ask about updates on our situation as the housing team at the council barely respond to my queries,' she said.

'At the minute they're paying for the room, but there is a service charge I'll have to reimburse them with at some point.

'I've worked out it should be around 350 by now - but again, I've had no communication from them about when this is to be paid.'

Renting privately is too expensive for Ms Pascoe who fears she has limited options now.

'All I can do is keep looking for council housing in the hope that I get lucky - although at the minute it seems like there is no light at the end of the tunnel,' she said.

Thee average cost of a property to rent in St Blazey is 950.97 per month, according to Houses for Sale & to Rent.

Families across the UK in other popular tourist destinations are also being driven out of their homes as second home buyers flock to the market.

In June, a nurse and her firefighter fiance revealed that they could no longer afford to live in the seaside town of Dorset due to the soaring rents caused by the influx of second homes.

A Cornwall Council spokesperson said: 'We sympathise with the position that some residents are finding themselves in as Cornwall continues to face extreme pressure on the availability of housing.

'We are committed to providing support for any resident faced with homelessness. However, there is a high demand for accommodation, including our own housing stock, properties that we rent, and other accommodation.

'We continue to offer support to all those living in emergency accommodation to help them find long-term homes.'
A detective has been found dead inside a Sydney police station with a full-scale investigation now underway.

The body of a 46-year-old detective sargeant was discovered inside Ermington Police Station in Sydney's south-west at midday on Monday.

NSW Police say there are no suspicious circumstances, with a firearm believed to have caused his death.

The body of a 46-year-old detective sargeant was discovered inside Ermington Police Station in Sydney's south-west at midday on Monday

The officer was on-duty at the station on Lister Avenue from a specialist command.

His death is set to trigger a number of reports, with the Professional Standards Command and Law Enforcement Conduct Commission to be involved.

Police have started a critical incident into the death of an officer with more than two decades of experience.

A report into the 46-year-old's death is currently being prepared for the Coroner.

NSW Police are offering support to colleagues and other staff at the station.
The US Justice Department will ask a federal judge on Monday to block a $2.2 billion merger of two of the 'Big Five' book publishers, Penguin Random House and Simon & Schuster, in a trial that is expected to feature testimony from horror writer Stephen King.

In the publisher merger trial, the government has focused not on what consumers pay for books but on advances paid to the most successful authors, especially those given $250,000 or more.

Some of the most highly-paid authors from both publishing houses include Hillary Clinton, Bill Clinton, and Bruce Springsteen - who were all allegedly paid over $10million in advances for their books.

Typically, celebrities, politicians, and award-winning authors are those who earn $250,000 or more in book advances, since publishing houses can already gauge their sale potential.

The government said in a pretrial brief: 'The evidence will show that the proposed merger would likely result in authors of anticipated top-selling books receiving smaller advances, meaning authors who labor for years over their manuscripts will be paid less for their efforts.'

The government also intends to show there was concern among the merging parties that the deal is not legal.

King, author of 'The Shining,' 'Carrie' and other blockbusters, will testify for the government in the merger case, along with publishing executives and authors' agents

Simon & Schuster published Hillary Clinton's book Living History - in which they paid her a reported $14 million in advance. It's believed that the merger will mean top selling authors won't get paid as much in advancements

It previously disclosed an email sent by Simon & Schuster CEO Jonathan Karp who wrote: 'I'm pretty sure the Department of Justice wouldn't allow Penguin Random House to buy us, but that's assuming we still have a Department of Justice.'

King, author of 'The Shining,' 'Carrie' and other blockbusters, will testify for the government, along with publishing executives and authors' agents.

Penguin Random House, the largest book publisher in the United States, said it planned to buy rival Simon & Schuster in November 2020.

The publishing house is owned by German media conglomerate Bertelsmann. Simon & Schuster is owned by ViacomCBS, now Paramount Global. The Justice Department filed its lawsuit in November 2021.

The defense, led by lawyer Daniel Petrocelli who defeated the Trump administration's 2018 bid to stop AT&T Inc from buying Time Warner, will argue the market for books, and for publishers to win top-selling authors, is competitive and that the merger will make it even more so.

The publishers will likely argue that the evidence shows that in bidding for potential bestsellers Penguin Random House and Simon & Schuster 'are rarely the top two bidders.'

US publishing powerhouse Simon & Schuster also own a number of smaller sub publishing units - for both adults and children

The top five publishers are Penguin Random House, HarperCollins, Macmillan, Simon & Schuster and Hachette, with Walt Disney Co and Amazon.com Inc also in the market. HarperCollins is owned by News Corp.

Judge Florence Pan of the US District Court for the District of Columbia will decide if the deal may go forward. The trial is expected to last two to three weeks.

Simon & Schuster also own a number of smaller sub publishing units - for both adults and children.

They include: Adams Media, Atria, Emily Bestler Books, Enliven, Folger Shakespeare Library, Free Press, Gallery, Howard, Jeter Publishing, One Signal, Scout Press, Avid Reader Press, Scribner, Simon Element, Threshold and Touchstone.

For children's books, the company also owns 11 additional publishing units, including Paula Wiseman Books, Atheneum, and Saga Press.

Penguin Random House is the home to nearly 275 editorially and creatively independent publishing imprints - including Penguin Classics, Writer's Digest Books, and Harmony Books.

If the merger goes ahead, the combined company would produce a disproportionate percentage of top-selling books in the US, it's been claimed.

But it's not believed that this merger would necessarily impact how much consumers are charged for books they buy. Instead, it's thought authors will be paid less for their work.

Some of the top authors who have been paid large sums in advances include Jennifer Egan. He novel Manhattan Beach was published by Simon & Schuster in 2017, and she allegedly was given a $1million advancement for the book.

In 2016, Penguin Random House paid author Emma Cline an advancement of $2million for her novel The Girls.

Bruce Springsteen was paid a reported $10million advancement by Simon & Schuster for his 2017 book Born to Run.

Simon & Schuster also published Hillary Clinton's Living History - in which they paid her a reported $14 million in advance.

And her husband and former President received a $15million advance from Penguin Random House subsidiary publisher Alfred A. Knopf for his title My Life, published in 2004.
A cancer survivor who had a double mastectomy has become the third British woman left outraged by a Spanish government 'beach body' equality poster that used their images without permission.

The poster, produced by Spain's Ministry of Equality, was intended to encourage body positivity in women and to enjoy the beach regardless of how they look.

Instead it has caused furore, with one of the women featured calling it 'rude and disrespectful.'

Juliet Fitzpatrick, 60, who posed topless in 2019 after a double mastectomy said that using and representing her body without permission seems to be 'totally against' the theme of the body positive campaign.

It features five women of diverse body types relaxing on a beach, including one topless woman who has had a breast removed after a mastectomy, with the caption: 'The summer is ours too.'

In an insult for two of the women, Juliet had a breast edited on to her likeness by the graphic artist who made the poster, while model Sian Green-Lord, 32, had her prosthetic leg edited out.

Juliet Fitzpatrick, 60, posed for photographer Amy Barwell in 2019 as part of her ongoing 'Mastectomy' photo series

The advert, produced by Spain's Ministry of Equality, shows five women of different ages, shapes and sizes relaxing on a beach, with the caption: 'Summer is ours too'. The woman at the back on the left is thought to have been lifted from images of Juliet Fitzpatrick

'For me it is about how my body has been used and represented without my permission,' Juliet told the BBC, adding that it seems to be 'totally against' the theme of the campaign.

The photographer who took the photos of a brave Juliet posing topless after the double mastectomy, Ami Barwell, suspects that the the image was lifted from her 'Mastectomy' gallery.

'Given the obvious and crude levels of photoshopping within the advert, I cannot confirm 100 per cent that the base image was taken from my 'Mastectomy' series, without further digital research,' she told Mail Online.

'There appear to be huge similarities, however the only person that can give absolute clarity on the source of these images, is the so-called 'artist' responsible for the ad campaign.

'If these images have been used & doctored without my consent, I am outraged.'

Both Juliet and Amy say they have contacted the artist who made the poster, Arte Mapache, but have not had a response.

Nyome Nicholas-Williams, 30, from London, is the other British woman to complain that her photo has been pinched.

She is seen in a gold bikini in the image  a picture she says was edited from an image she uploaded to her Instagram page.

She noticed it when one of her 78,000 followers alerted her to the poster.

Sian Green-Lord, 32, a mother-of-one, a model and motivational speaker from Leicester, said the editing of her prosthetic leg was 'beyond wrong'

'I was really taken aback because I had never seen it before,' Nyome told the BBC. 'It isn't a stock photo, it's a picture that I've taken on my Instagram.

'It's rude and it's disrespectful.'

'It is just a reminder that as a black woman my body is still policed and as women in general our bodies are still not ours,' she separately told Metro.

Meanwhile, amputee Sian was left 'shaking with rage' after she saw the poster.

Mapache used an image from her Instagram account, editing her swimsuit and adding a leg and armpit hair that do not feature in the original picture.

The mother-of-one, a model and motivational speaker from Leicester, said the editing was 'beyond wrong'.

'I don't know how to even explain the amount of anger that I'm feeling right now,' she said in a video posted on Instagram. 'It's just been brought to my attention by one of my friends that the Spanish Government is using my image on a body-positivity campaign but they have edited out my prosthetic leg. I am literally shaking. I am so angry.

Nyome Nicholas- Williams, 30, is seen in a gold bikini in the image  a picture she says was edited from an image she uploaded to her Instagram page

'There's one thing using my image without my permission. But there's another thing editing my body.

'My body, with my prosthetic leg. Oh my God, I'm shaking.

'I literally don't even know what to say but it's beyond wrong.'

Mrs Green-Lord had her leg amputated after she was struck by a taxi aged 24 while on holiday in New York in 2013.

Ms Nicholas-Williams, known as Curvy Nyome on Instagram, said the artist behind the campaign had been in touch and confirmed she will be paid, but she is yet to hear from the Spanish government

Raissa Galvao, a Brazilian model, also reportedly said that her image was used without her consent. The campaign was launched last week by Spain's Ministry of Equality and Institute of Women.

Although she is yet to respond to all the women who's images she took without permission, Mapache has issued a public apology.

'Given the - justified - controversy over the image rights in the illustration, I have decided that the best way to make amends for the damages that may have resulted from my actions is to share out the money I received for the work and give equal parts to the people in the poster,' the artist said.

'I hope to be able to solve all this as soon as possible, I accept my mistakes and that is why I am now trying to repair the damage caused.'

The Women's Institute defended the poster.

'The campaign is intended as a response to fatphobia, hatred and the questioning of non-normative bodies  particularly those of women, something that's most prevalent in the summertime,' it said in a statement.

The Spanish Government was approached for comment.
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The Chinese People's Liberation Army has issued another warning to Nancy Pelosi ahead of her expected trip to Taiwan with a video simulating a missile strike, aircraft carriers advancing and fighter jets in formation - and a stern warning from state media.

The video was posted on WeChat on Monday morning following reports the U.S. House Speaker will arrive in Taipei on Tuesday night - despite Beijing warning they could shoot her plane down and launch a military response.

Chinese state media personality Hu Xijin also issued a grim message to the top Democrat: 'Let her go to Taiwan. But pray before departure: wish herself a safe journey and wish herself not be defined by history as a sinner who starts a spiral of escalation process expanding military frictions to a large-scale war in the Taiwan Strait.'

Senior Taiwanese government officials and a US official both told CNN that the stop is on her trip, even though it is not on her public itinerary.

Reports from TVBS News in Taiwan have said Pelosi could arrive in Taipei as early as tomorrow night and her team has booked two hotels, although there is no mention of the visit in her official itinerary.

The US official added that defense department officials were working on securing a plan to keep her safe, according to CNN. The visit will inflame tensions with China, which considers Taiwan one of its own territories.

Amid the threat, Taiwanese officials reportedly have cancelled leave for soldiers and officers 'to immediately prepare' for the prospect of war.

Last Friday, Chinese state media said the government was prepared to shoot Pelosi's plane down if it was detected in its airspace accompanied by a fighter jet escort.

The latest warning was issued during a Chinese foreign ministry briefing by spokesperson Zhao Lijian, who said that because of Pelosi's status as the 'No. 3 official of the US government', a visit to Taiwan, which China claims as its own, would 'lead to egregious political impact'.

Lijian added that it would be 'a gross interference in China's internal affairs' and would lead to 'very serious developments and consequences.'

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi with Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong shaking hands during a meeting at the Istana Presidential Palace in Singapore on Monday on the first day of her trip

China's People's Liberation Army posted a video on WeChat showing missiles being launched, hours after reports of the visit surfaced

The video included missile strikes and simulated what an invasion may look like. Taiwan has also canceled leave for some soldiers in case of military action

Chinese state media personality Hu Xijin also issued a grim message to the top Democrat: 'Let her go to Taiwan. But pray before departure: wish herself a safe journey and wish herself not be defined by history as a sinner who starts a spiral of escalation process expanding military frictions to a large-scale war in the Taiwan Strait'

'We would like to tell the United States once again that China is standing by, the Chinese People's Liberation Army will never sit idly by, and China will take resolute responses and strong countermeasures to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity,' Zhao told a regular daily briefing.

Asked what kind of measures the PLA might take, Zhao said: 'if she dares to go, then let us wait and see.'

China's military might: The world's biggest standing army with 2 MILLION soldiers and more Navy ships than any other nation With Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan raising the prospect of a military intervention, the size of the Chinese forces and their arsenal has come to the foreground. General Secretary Xi Jinping has said he plans to surpass American military - long seen as their biggest rivals - by 2049 with improvements in technology and investments in hypersonic missiles and cyber-attack capabilities. The People's Liberation Army has 2,035,000 members, making it the largest active military force in the world. The U.S. has 1,195 million members as of September 2021, according to Department of Defense data. The Chinese Navy is the biggest in the world determined by the 355 front-line ships, compared to the U.S. which only has 305. It is known that Beijing ships are often smaller, but there are plans to increase their fleet of warships by 2030 by 70, while the U.S. is planning to add just 42, according to a Pentagon report on China's military. There are also only 300,000 active personnel in the Chinese Navy, compared to 350,000 in the U.S. Currently the PRC only has 320 warheads in its stockpile, but it wants to have at least 700 nuclear warheads and by 2030 it wants 1,000, far outpacing U.S. predictions from 2020. There are also heightened concerns that China is rapidly developing nuclear-capable air-launched ballistic missiles - on-top of being able to launch warheads from the ground and sea. The U.S. generally has more capability for launching high-powered attacks. There are 450 intercontinental ballistic missile silos on American soil compared to 250 in China and the U.S. has 2,717 combat aircraft compared to Beijing's 1,571. The Pentagon also has 5,414 combat helicopters at its disposal compared to the Chinese Communist Party's 902. Advertisement

The White House has also sent mixed messaging on the trip. Initially, President Biden said he didn't think it was a 'good idea', but last week National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said it was ultimately her decision.

Kirby was also on CNN on Monday morning criticizing the Chinese for their rhetoric.

'There is no reason for the Chinese rhetoric. There's no reason for any actions to be taken ... It is very much in keeping with our policy.

Pelosi kicked-off a tour of four Asian countries in the early hours of Monday morning in Singapore amid intense speculation that she may risk the wrath of Beijing by also visiting self-ruled Taiwan.

The House Speaker touched down in Singapore just before 4:30am local time, where Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong urged her at a meeting to strive for 'stable' ties with Beijing.

A press release from Pelosi's office on Sunday said she would visit four Asian countries - Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea and Japan.

During Monday's visit in Singapore, Pelosi and Lee discussed climate change and economic stability.

He also 'highlighted the importance of stable US-China relations for regional peace and security'. Later, she will attend a cocktail party at the American Chamber of Commerce.

But it is her potential visit to Taiwan that is overshadowing the whole trip.

Last week, during a call with President Joe Biden, China's Xi Jinping warned him not to 'play with fire' on the issue.

Pelosi would be the first House Speaker in 25 years to visit the territory after Republican Newt Gingrich.

The GOP have supported her trip and have said not going would be a sign of weakness, despite the tense rhetoric from Beijing.

Pelosi has also sparked anger from China in the past by meeting with pro-democracy dissidents and the Dalai Lama.

She also unfurled a banner in Tiananmen Square in 1991 which read 'to those who died for democracy,' in reference to the victims of the 1989 massacre.

In July, the speaker  who is number three in the line of presidential succession  told the media in a press conference: 'It's important for us to show support for Taiwan.'

The Global Times, China's state-run tabloid, suggested that Pelosi might use 'emergency excuses like an aircraft fault or refuelling' to land at a Taiwanese airport.

'If she dares to stop in Taiwan, it will be the moment to ignite the powder keg of the situation in the Taiwan Straits,' Hu Xijin, a former Global Times editor and now commentator, tweeted.

Beijing's foreign ministry on Monday warned a visit would 'seriously threaten the peace and stability' of the Taiwan Strait if it goes ahead.

Bloomberg's China editor John Liu said in an appearance on the network on Sunday: 'I do think it's worth mentioning that not mentioning if there will be a trip to Taiwan on her itinerary is different from saying she will not go to Taiwan.'

He added: 'It is not off the table that there could be a surprise visit.'

Clips from the video shows Chinese soldiers lined up in front of tanks. Beijing has said Pelosi's trip would cross a 'red line'

Chinese soldiers move missiles in the video posted by the military on Monday morning

US Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (L) shakes hands with Singapore's President Halimah Yacob at the Istana Presidential Palace in Singapore to kick off her tour of Asia and the Indo-Pacific

Pelosi tweeted a photo of her meeting a Marine detachment in Singapore at the end of the first day of her Asia trip

Pelosi's plane, a C-40 B/C plane is the military's version of the Boeing 737-700 business jet

A car convoy is pictured upon US Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi arrival at the Istana Presidential Palace in Singapore on August 1, 2022

Chinese state media warned over the weekend that a military response was on the table if Pelosi went ahead with her visit. An official posted a tweet with photos of fighter jets taking off from a Chinese aircraft carrier

The speaker's first stop was in Hawaii, then on to Guam landing at Anderson Air Force Base before arriving in Singapore on Monday morning
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The McKinney blaze - the largest wildfire recorded this year in California - has turned fatal as the inferno exploded in size and emblazed its way through Klamath National Forest.

Rescuers have found lost animals - including a tiny kitten with singed whiskers and a terrified puppy with its fur charred from the fire - amid the destruction caused by the devastating fire.

Two people were found dead in their car on their driveway in the town of Klamath River, California, amid the apocalyptic scenes as thousands of homes were evacuated, Siskiyou County Sheriff Jeremiah LaRue confirmed.

It's believed that the two people who tragically died on Doggett Creek Road were attempting to flee the fast-moving flames ripping through the state's dry terrain.

The threatening McKinney blaze, which is now engulfing 80 squared miles of dry tinderbox wildland in the area, has been spurred on by gusty winds and lightening strikes.

Firefighters are working tirelessly to put out the unpredictable blaze, which began on Friday afternoon - but it is currently zero per cent contained, according to Cal Fire.

Over 100 structures, including homes, have burned to the ground across 55, 493 acres in just over 60 hours since the McKinney fire started.

A kitten with singed whiskers that survived the McKinney Fire hides in rocks in the Klamath National Forest northwest of Yreka, California

The roaring inferno threatening wildlife and homes in California has now become fatal - after two people were found dead in a car in their driveway

A photographer came to the aid of a puppy - who had charred fur - wandering through the ruins of the area, as it was standing over a home that had been destroyed by the fire

The puppy wandered over to the man after surviving the devastating fire in California. The animal was later taken to a shelter

A dead fawn is seen after the McKinney Fire engulfed the area and caused thousands of people to flee their homes

The threatening blaze is now engulfing 80 squared miles of dry tinderbox wildland in the area as firefighters work tirelessly to calm the inferno

The charred remains of a boat on a trailer are seen at the McKinney Fire in the Klamath National Forest northwest of Yreka, California

The McKinney Fire burning near Yreka, California on Saturday

Flames burn to the Klamath River during the McKinney Fire in the Klamath National Forest northwest of Yreka, California, on July 31, 2022. The largest fire in California this year is forcing thousands of people to evacuate as it destroys homes and rips through the state's dry terrain

Authorities are now trying to protect homes and infrastructure instead of attempting to calm the size of the roaring wildfire.

A photographer came to the aid of a puppy wandering through the ruins of the area, where it was standing over a home that had been destroyed by the fire.

Jonathan Rivas brought the puppy to his truck, where he gave it water and then took it to the Rescue Ranch adoption center in the city of Yreka.

Intense overhead clouds formed by the inferno, which has been described as a 'fire-breathing dragon of clouds' is said to be generating its own thunderstorm - with many fearing that this will spark additional fires.

California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency Saturday as the fire intensified, in a bid to get state resources focused on saving the county from charring destruction.

Yesterday Caroline Quintanilla, a spokeswoman at Klamath National Forest, said: 'It's continuing to grow with erratic winds and thunderstorms in the area and we're in triple digit temperatures.'

Highway 98 has been shut because of the fires in the area and parts of Yreka, California have now been evacuated.

The Yreka Police Department issued evacuation orders for a neighborhood in the western part of the town - where they told locals to 'leave immediately.'

According to the National Weather Service, temperatures on Sunday rose between 90F and 100F causing a red flag fire danger warning to be issued.

The McKinney Fire exploded about 15 miles south of the Oregon border on Saturday in the Klamath National Forest

Jonathan Rivas brought the puppy to his truck, where he gave it water and then took it to the Rescue Ranch adoption center in the city of Yreka

The McKinney Fire burns near Yreka, California, as it ravaged 80 square miles of vegetation, destroying a dozen homes and forcing local residents to evacuate

Crawford and her husband stayed, as other residents evacuated, to defend their home from the McKinney fire in Northern California

Crawford walks past her home as a wildfire called the McKinney fire burns above the hill from her house in the Klamath National Forest, northern California, on Saturday

Highway 98 has been shut because of the fires in the area and parts of Yreka, California have now been evacuated

The Jackson County Sheriff's Office said search crews rescued about 60 hikers from backpacking on a trail that runs from Canada to Mexico.

The Pacific Coast Trail Association urged hikers to get to the nearest town while the U.S. Forest Service closed a 110-milesection of the trail from the Etna Summit to the Mt. Ashland Campground in southern Oregon.

Oregon state Representative Dacia Grayber, who is a firefighter, was camping with her husband, who is also in the fire service, near the California state line when gale-force winds awoke them just after midnight.

The sky was glowing with strikes of lightening in the clouds over the weekend, while ash was blowing at them, though they were in Oregon, about 10 miles away.

Intense heat from the fire had sent up a massive pyrocumulonimbus cloud, which can produce its own weather system including winds and thunderstorms, Grayber said.

She said: 'These were some of the worst winds I've ever been in and we're used to big fires.

'I thought it was going to rip the roof top tent off of our truck. We got the heck out of there.'

On their way out, they came across hikers on the Pacific Coast Trail fleeing to safety.

'The terrifying part for us was the wind velocity,' she said. 'It went from a fairly cool breezy night to hot, dry hurricane-force winds. Usually that happens with a fire during the day but not at night. I hope for everyone's sake this dies down but it's looking like it's going to get worse.'

The ruins of the Oak Mobile Park are seen at the McKinney Fire in the Klamath National Forest northwest of Yreka, California, on July 31, 2022

Flames burn to the Klamath River during the McKinney Fire in the Klamath National Forest northwest of Yreka, California

Klamath Interagency Hotshots rest while waiting for a new assignment as the McKinney Fire burns near Yreka, California

The McKinney fire has been burning since Friday afternoon, and is currently zero per cent contained

CNN Meteorologist Haley Brink explained that more than two million people are under red flag warnings on Monday - covering areas in northern California, eastern Washington, Montana, eastern Wyoming, western South Dakota, central Oregon, and northwestern Nebraska.

The US Forest Service said last night: 'The area remains in a Red Flag Warning today for a threat of dry lightning and strong outflow winds associated with thunder cells.

'These conditions can be extremely dangerous for firefighters, as winds can be erratic and extremely strong, causing fire to spread in any direction.

'New lightning fires are still being detected, including one overnight at the top of Doggett Creek north of the main fire. Crews will be assessing and addressing these fires as they are detected.

'Persistent drought conditions have caused extremely dry, receptive fuels which have resulted in rapid fire spread.'

There is a total of 648 firefighting personnel working on easing the blaze.

Jackson County Emergency Management told locals last night that there is currently no evacuations in place but warned that people must 'be ready' as conditions could change 'any minute.'

They said: 'Thunderstorm conditions continue and can change any minute so BE READY.

'New starts monitoring and response is ongoing. However, this weather means new fires could start and change conditions quickly.

'This is a good time to work on your familys preparedness and monitoring together.'

There is a total of 648 firefighting personnel working on easing the blaze - but currently it is zero per cent contained

The largest fire in California this year is forcing thousands of people to evacuate as it destroys homes and rips through the state's dry terrain, whipped up by strong winds and lightning storms. Pictured is a burned out car in the fire's aftermath

The Klamath River is shrouded in smoke during the McKinney Fire in the Klamath National Forest northwest of Yreka, California
Shocking footage has aired of the heated moment Chinese construction workers confronted an Australian camera crew filming a major Beijing-backed project in the Solomon Islands.

The South Pacific region was rocked earlier this year when the communist superpower signed a bilateral security pact with the Solomon Islands, sparking fears of a Chinese military base on Australia's doorstep.

The leaked security agreement stated Solomon Islands could 'request Beijing to send armed police, military personnel and other law enforcement and armed forces'.

Chinese state-owned companies are now flexing their muscle in key industries, as a journalist and cameraman from ABC's Four Corners recently learned first hand as part of an investigation which aired Monday night.

An employee objected to ABC filming China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation's project at Munda Airport in the Solomon Islands

In Munda in the nation's Western province, China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation is resurfacing the runway and building a new international terminal.

The Four Corners team were filming from a public road when they were confronted and ordered to stop by two Chinese workers wearing hard hats.

'Hey! This is not public. This is a private building,' one tells the crew.

The journalist stands his ground and argues they're permitted to film outside the site.

'No. Not allowed. Sorry,' the workers replies.

The journalist asks : Says who?

Tempers begin to flare when the second Chinese worker steps in and demands the crew to end filming.

'If you photo here, this is my logo, my company logo. End it.' he says pointing to the CCECC signage.

'Not allowed, I say again.'

The journalist fires back: 'Who says we're not allowed? According to who we're not allowed?'

Solomon Islands, where Chinese influence is growing, is just 2000km away from the Queensland coast

Chinese's influence and control in the Solomon Islands is growing following the signing of a bilateral security pact. Pictured is Chinese President Xi Jinping

The Chinese worker puts his hand over the camera in an attempt to stop.

The cameras continue rolling as the man gets out his phone to report the incident to a director.

'Director Li, arrange some people to come down here on site, time to get tough with them,' he shouts in Chinese.

Back-up soon arrives.

'OK, I will say again. Not allowed. OK. I say again - not allowed, OK?' the worker yells.

'Cover the camera lens. Go!

The media crew finally decide it's time to move on before the confrontation gets out of hand.

'OK, OK, OK, OK, we'll stop filming. We'll stop filming. It's fine. It's fine. OK, OK. He'll stop!' the journalist says.

'Don't touch the camera!'

Four Corners also revealed another Chinese state-owned company is negotiating to buy a forestry planation with a deep-water port and World War II airstrip.

Anthony Albanese has been assured by the Solomon Islands a Chinese military base won't be built on Australia's doorstep, but concerns remain

A delegation from China Forestry Group Corp. visited the plantation that covers most of Kolombangara Island in 2019, asking questions about the length of the wharf and depth of the water while showing little interest in the trees,

The board of Kolombangara Forest Products Ltd, which is owned by Taiwanese and Australian shareholders, wrote to the Australian government in May warning of the 'risks/strategic threats' posed to Australia by such a sale, the ABC reported.

Australias Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade wrote back to the board last week saying it was 'not intervening,' the ABC said.

U.S. and its allies' concerns over China's growing influence in the South Pacific intensified this year when China and the Solomons signed the controversial security pact which has been shrouded in secrecy.

Before being elected as Foreign Minister, Penny Wong described the deal which took place under the nose of the previous Liberal government, as the 'worst foreign policy blunder in the Pacific since World War II'.

Australia already has a security treaty with the Solomons and Australian police have been maintaining peace in the capital Honiara since rioting late last year.

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has insisted that China will never be allowed to establish a military base in his country and held bilateral meetings with Anthony Albanese and New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern during the recent Pacific Islands Forum in Fiji.

A draft security agreement stated Solomon Islands could 'request Beijing to send, armed police, military personnel and other law enforcement and armed forces. Pictured are Solomon Islands soldiers in training

He assured journalists an agreement signed earlier this year would not lead to a Chinese military facility within 2000km of the Queensland coast.

'The moment we establish a foreign military base, we immediately become an enemy. And we also put our country and our people as targets for potential military strikes,' he told reporters.

'There is no military base, nor any other military facility or institutions, in the agreement. 'And that's a very important point that we continue to reiterate to the family in the region.'

Tensions have been brewing in the nation of about 700,000 people after Mr Sogavare in September 2019 broke off diplomatic relations with Taiwan in favour of Beijing.

The decision angered many locals who fear the country's natural resources - mainly fishing, palm oil and logging - are being fleeced by the authoritarian power.

Beijing handed over about $730million dollars to the Solomon Islands government after the diplomatic switch was made.

A burnt out truck sits in the Chinatown district of Honiara on the Solomon Islands on November 26, 2021, after a third day of violence

Public sentiment is that this money was paid in exchange for a piece of their sovereignty including access to politicians and backdoors to ownership of both public and private businesses.

Last year anti-China riots broke out across the capital with protesters setting fire to Chinese-owned shops and government buildings.

Mr Sogavare narrowly survived a no-confidence vote just two weeks after the riots by allegedly using a slush fund of Chinese cash to pay off MPs.

In exchange for their support, MPs were allegedly paid the equivalent of AU$44,000 directly into their bank accounts from the South Pacific country's National Development Fund set up by the authoritarian state.
Tommy Robinson has been fined 900 for failing to turn up at a High Court hearing to be questioned about his finances.

Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, had been expected at a hearing in March over an unpaid 43,293 legal bill after he lost a libel case brought against him by a Syrian teenager last year.

Jamal Hijazi successfully sued Robinson after the then-15-year-old was assaulted at Almondbury Community School in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, in October 2018.

After a video of the incident went viral, Robinson made false claims in two Facebook videos, leading to the libel case.

Robinson said Mr Hijazi was 'not innocent and he violently attacks young English girls in his school'.

Founder and former leader of the anti-Islam English Defence League (EDL), Stephen Yaxley-Lennon (Tommy Robinson) arrives at the Royal Courts of Justice for the final hearing in a defamation case against him brought by a teenaged Syrian refugee Jamal Hijazi in central London

Jamal Hijazi (pictured) successfully sued Robinson after the then-schoolboy was assaulted at Almondbury Community School in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, in October 2018

In the clips, viewed by nearly a million people, 39-year-old Robinson also claimed Mr Hijazi 'beat a girl black and blue' and 'threatened to stab' another boy at his school - allegations found to be false last summer.

Following a pre-trial hearing in November 2020, the English Defence League (EDL) founder was ordered to pay more than 43,293 in legal costs.

Earlier this year, Mr Hijazi's lawyers successfully applied for an order requiring Robinson to return to court to answer questions about his finances on March 22, but the 39-year-old failed to attend.

'You don't know, you don't care. You're putting numbers here and you don't know if they're accurate,' Mr Hijazi's barrister Ian Helme suggested.

After questions about his tax returns, Robinson told the High Court that he had not contacted either his accountant or HMRC prior to Thursday's hearing.

He said that in 2020, he received around 1,000 a month from supporter donations, with it occasionally reaching 3,000 to 4,000.

A video showing Jamal Hijazi, 16, being pushed to the ground and 'waterboarded' in the playground at his school in Huddersfield was shared nationwide

Discussing his accountant, Robinson said: 'He's not my best mate, I owe him money...I haven't spoken to him.'

He was also quizzed over a claim he made in his book Enemy Of The State that when the EDL was founded in 2009, there were seven properties in his or his then-wife's name.

Robinson said: 'I had a ghost-writer that helped me with the book. I like to give off the impression that I'm a successful man even when I'm not.'

He later appeared to accept that there were not seven properties, shrugging when asked if the book was untrue and saying he had written the book years ago.

Later, Robinson told the court he previously received a salary while working for Canadian site Rebel Media and now works for a website called Urban Scoop.

Asked about the money he received from this site, Robinson said: 'You want the truth? I haven't received any money recently because they have not got any, I think they are borrowing money.'

Robinson was summonsed to court to face contempt proceedings in April and, at hearing today, was handed a 900 penalty after admitting being in contempt of court.

Mr Justice Nicklin said: 'I've decided to punish Mr Yaxley-Lennon's contempt by imposing a fine.'

He added that Robinson now has 14 days to pay and could be liable to serve 28 days in prison if he fails to do so.

The High Court was previously told that Robinson was facing mental health issues at the time of the March hearing, which he claimed were a result of being harassed.

Tommy Robinson speaks as he leaves the Royal Courts Of Justice in London, after appearing for the contempt of court hearing

He told the court: 'I was a mess, a total mess, a total mess suffering from PTSD.'

He also said he had struggled to get a bank account and now used an online company he refused to name.

'I've been closed by NatWest, I've been closed by HSBC...Lloyds closed me down as well.'

However, on Monday, Mr Justice Nicklin said: 'Whatever psychiatric issues Mr Lennon had, they did not prevent him from coming to the hearing that he failed to turn up at.'

The judge later said Robinson had recently published a video asking for support, including the words 'Don't let them lock Tommy up again' and 'Keep him free of the clutches of the corrupt establishment'.

Mr Justice Nicklin said he had decided to fine Robinson prior to seeing the video and that 'it was never serious enough to justify a period of imprisonment'.

The High Court judge also noted that Robinson had legal aid for his barrister for Monday's hearing, adding: 'He was in no need for donations for his representation today, the state was paying for it.'

Tommy Robinson supporters during the Free Tommy Robinson rally in Oxford Street in London protesting against his prison sentence after he was jailed for contempt of court

Counter-protesters from Stop Tommy Robinson and Stand up to Racism hold a banner during the demonstration Free Tommy Robinson rally

In June, Robinson appeared at the High Court to be questioned over his finances at the postponed hearing, where he told the court that, in a two-year period prior to declaring bankruptcy, he spent around 100,000 on gambling - largely in casinos.

'I sold a property, received the money and I spent it,' he said.

At another point, Robinson claimed he owed 160,000 to HM Revenue and Customs but later said this was an estimate.

He told the court that he spent money on 'drink, alcohol, partying'  all while receiving thousands in supporter donations, ranging from 1,000 to 4,000 each month.

The EDL founder was also questioned over claims that he and his ex-wife owned seven properties.

Robinson was previously jailed after being found in contempt of court after he filmed men accused of the sexual exploitation of young girls and live-streamed the footage on Facebook, in breach of a reporting ban, outside Leeds Crown Court in May 2018.

He was sentenced to 13 months in jail after being found in contempt of court on the day of the broadcast but served just two months before being freed after that finding of contempt was overturned by the Court of Appeal in August 2018.

The case was then referred back to the Attorney General and he was jailed again in July 2019.

Following Mr Hijazi's successful libel claim, Mr Justice Nicklin ordered Robinson to pay him damages of 100,000 and his legal costs, thought to be around 500,000.
Many colonies in Hindupur municipality were submerged after the irrigation canals were overflowing and water entered residential areas late on Sunday.  Representational Image/PTI

ANANTAPUR: Heavy rains hit many parts of Satya Sai and Anantapur districts since Sunday and inundated the low-lying areas.

With heavy rains in upstream parts of Karnataka, in Pennar basin in Chikkaballapur district, the Chitravati river was in spate. The Paragodu reservoir in Gowribidanur taluk of Karnataka located closer to AP border was overflowing.

A blast occurred at the gelatin sticks godown on the outskirts of Untakal village in Bommanahal mandal in Anantapur district on Monday. This was believed to have been caused by lightning in the course of rains.

At least 5,000 gelatine sticks caught fire, causing cracks for houses in nearby village Untakal. For safety considerations, the godown existed in the fields away from the village. No casualty was reported as there were no labourers in the godown. The gelaine sticks had been purchased from a licenced unit in Nalgonda district, officials said after preliminary investigations.

The Paragodu water was released into the river towards Chilamathur mandal as Chitravati floods submerged causeways and roads towards Puttaparthi. Revenue and irrigation authorities of AP and Karnataka sounded an alert to the inhabitants of Chitravati riverbed following the floods.

Teams of officials were monitoring the situation at Gorantala and Puttaparthi where Chitravati river flows closer to urban areas and villages. Last year, Chitravati water was flowing at dangerously high levels in Puttaparthi.

The government hospital at Madakasira was inundated and floodwater entered the hospital wards due to heavy flow from nearby hillock areas. The low-lying areas were submerged. Water entered shops and houses too in several areas.

Many colonies in Hindupur municipality were submerged after the irrigation canals were overflowing and water entered residential areas late on Sunday.

Amarapuram mandal recorded 164.2mm rainfall in a day. Penukonda town received 98.4mm followed by Madakasira 88.2mm and Hindupur town 74.8 mm. In addition to the flow of water from upstream Karnataka areas, the heavy rains locally too resulted in inundation of many habitations.

Hindupur municipal vice chairman Balarami Reddy along with civic authorities led rescue efforts in Model Colony area where the entire colony was full with rainwater and the roads were under more than 4ft of water.

Average rainfall in Satya Sai district was 37mm but a heavy rainfall of 1183mm was recorded on Sunday. Rain continued in many areas on Monday.

At least eight mandals received more than 50mm rainfall while 12 mandals 20-50mm and 10 mandals below 20mm. The rainfall was 266.2mm on Saturday.
Footage shows Spanish police raiding the beach and using a helicopter to drive off dozens of looters trying to snatch cannabis from a crashed drug traffickers' boat.

The bizarre raid was filmed from a nearby rooftop in Sanlucar de Barrameda, Cadiz province, southern Spain, on 29th July, in the middle of a drugs bust.

Spanish customs officers had intercepted the crashed drug dealers' boat after it was beached on the sand.

But when they tried to secure the crime scene, they were swamped by locals apparently trying to steal the stash.

Drug dealers had crashed their boat into the sand and left in full of cannabis, but when police tried to secure the crime scene, they had to chase off locals making a dash for the boat to try and seize the stash

One person commented: 'People who look like local residents or the general public, not traffickers, pounced on the drug bundles'

The video shows a customs helicopter flying almost at ground level to stop the thieves from making off with the drugs.

Even then, some still took a chance and sprinted under the helicopter to fill bags with the loot.

According to reports, the Spanish Customs Office requested the help of the Civil Guard and the National Police when its officers were overwhelmed by the looters.

The Spanish Customs Surveillance said in a statement on social media: 'Congratulations to our colleagues, who after an anti-drug operation in Sanlucar and their decisive action, managed to intercept a cache of hashish after the boat carrying the drug ran aground on the beach.'

Netizen 'Infierno civico' commented: 'The worrying thing is seeing how people who look like local residents or the general public, not traffickers, pounced on the drug bundles.'

Customs helicopter flies low as a deterrent to scare away dozens of people trying to steal drugs seized by the police on a beach in Sanlucar de Barrameda,

And social media user 'orlva' replied: 'That's how it goes in this country, the majority want a life with lots of money but with the minimum effort. Ignoramuses!'

The Spanish National Police has confirmed that the operation in question is ongoing.

Cadiz province is said to be a drug-trafficking hotspot due to its proximity to the African continent.

The province lies just nine miles from Morocco at the Strait of Gibraltar's narrowest point.
Vintage bottles, keys, clothing, and firearm accoutrements could be seen during the exhibit

A daguerreotype of a woman, dubbed the' Mona Lisa of the Deep' with a wry smile and long corkscrew locks was also on display

Strauss had a gold shipment on the boat when it went down

A pair of canvas sailcloth pants that may have been made by Levi Strauss were discovered in the wreckage

The historic treasures of the U.S.S. Central America were displayed for the first time to the public

Historical treasures like miner's pants that could have been made by Levi Strauss, mysterious daguerreotypes and gold jewelry from the U.S.S. Central America - a ship laden with gold that sunk in 1857 - went on display for the first time.

The 'accidental time capsule' from the Gold Rush Era sidewheel steamship was recovered by a rogue captain and a salvage company between the 1980s and 2014. Many of the treasures, however, have been hidden away due to years of litigation with insurance companies over who held rightful claim.

Dubbed the 'Ship of Gold,' an estimated value of the gold alone is $100-$150 million.

The 280-foot ship was traveling from Panama to New York by way of Havana, Cuba carrying nine tons of gold.

The 'Ship of Gold' the U.S.S. Central America went down with nine tons of gold and 425 passengers in 1857

The 'Mona Lisa of the Deep' daguerreotype recovered from the wreck of the U.S.S. Central America was on display in Reno, Nevada

Several daguerreotypes were found on the ship. Daguerreotypes are photographs taken by an early photographic process employing an iodine-sensitized silvered plate and mercury vapor

A pair of work pants, possibly an early rendition of jeans made by Levi Strauss were hidden underwater for over a hundred years until their discovery in 1988

A pair of miner's pants, button fly with riveted pockets, could have been among the first jeans fashioned by Levi Strauss

The U.S.S. Panama was laden with nine tons of gold which sunk in the Atlantic off the coast of South Carolina during a hurricane in September 1857

The ship also carried 578 passengers and crew, 425 of which perished in the Sept. 12, 1857 wreck off the cost of South Carolina in a Category 2 hurricane. Only 153 passengers, mostly women and children, survived.

Their belongings create a rare historic picture of American life just before the Civil War.

These rare historical items were on display for the first time last week since their discovery at the National Antique Bottle Convention in Reno.

'The S.S. Central America site is an accidental time capsule, and as such, it is a perfect glimpse into the time of these people,' Bob Evans, chief scientist and historian for the U.S.S. Central America collection, told the Reno Gazette Journal.

This gold brick salvaged from the wreckage of the U.S.S. Central America is worth more than a $1 million alone

Fred Holabird, left, and Bob Evans, right, pose for a portrait with artifacts found on the ship

Gold ingots, some of the first gold currency out of the Gold Rush were recovered from the wreckage

Gold and silver coins lay on the sea floor off the coast of South Carolina until their discovery in 1988

Hundreds of historic artifacts from the the U.SS. Central America were on display in Reno. They created an accidental time capsule of Gold Rush Era America

'There were people from all over the country who had traveled to California and now we're going home with their wealth,' he told the paper.

A pair of canvas sailcloth pants with a button fly, which were found in a trunk that once belonged to Lieutenant Dement, a veteran of the Mexican American War and passenger on the ship.

Evans said that the pants could have been the original work of Levi Strauss, who went to San Francisco in 1853 to make his fortune in the Gold Rush. He didn't paten his button-fly jeans until 1873, but they took off to become America's most iconic brand of jeans. The pants found in the shipwreck, have the same riveted pockets that are still found on Levi's today.

425 people died in the shipwreck. Only 153 passengers, mostly women and children survived. In addition to the huge loss of life, the loss of $8 million worth of gold contributed to the financial Panic of 1857

Stormy history of the U.S.S. Central America The SS Central America was in operation for four years during the California gold rush before it sank after sailing directly into a hurricane in September 1857 in one of the worst maritime disasters in American history. The 280-foot sidewheel steamer set sail from Panama on September 3, headed to New York City by way of Havana Cuba. A Category 2 hurricane shredded her sails off the coast of South Carolina. She took on water because of the heavy seas and foundered. There were 578 men, women and children on the boat and 425 of those passengers and crew were killed on September 12 in the storm. Only 153 passengers, mostly women and children survived. An estimated 9 tons of gold sank with it to the bottom of the ocean. In 1988, the ship was discovered by Capt. Tommy Thompson. He excavated the wreckage until 2012, when he was sued by investors for absconding with some of the treasure. He went into hiding until 2015, when he was located by U.S. Marshals. He refused to tell a judge where $2.5 million of the gold is. Thompson remains in jail, racking up fines for contempt of court. The treasure has been kept in three different locations, Ohio, Maryland and Massachusetts while a 10-year legal battle was waged over rights to the loot. Advertisement

Strauss himself had a shipment of gold being carried on the Central America.

A Brooks Brothers smoking jacket and undershirt were also found in the wreckage.

Several daguerreotype photographs were also on display at the convention, including the 'Mona Lisa of the Deep' a woman with an off-the-shoulder lace dress and corkscrew curls. The mystery woman, who has not been identified, flashes a wry smile, giving her her nickname.

Daguerreotypes, an early form of photo processing, were created using an iodine-sensitized silvered plate and mercury vapor.

The exhibit also boasted glass bottles for whiskey and wine, some still bound in their protective wicker cozies. The wine room key, along with its brass tag, were found in a safe. A holster for a large pistol, brass powder flasks, a powder horn and other firearm paraphernalia that were found on the wreck were also on display.

The sinking of the U.S.S. Central America was considered a great human and financial tragedy at the time.

The gold was worth $8 million at the time and its loss contributed to the financial Panic of 1857, which crippled the American economy.

The artifacts in the exhibit were kept in storage in three different states: Maryland, Massachusetts, and Ohio, until a court-approved settlement was reached ending a decades-long ownership dispute, according to the Associated Press.

When it was discovered in 1988 by a salvage team lead by Capt. Tommy Thompson, it was called 'America's greatest treasure,' however greed, intrigue and legal wrangling marred the find.

A group of Ohio investors who paid $12 million to fund the expedition said that they were cheated out of the returns and workers on the salvage ship, who were forced to sign a confidentiality agreement to keep the project secret, said they were stiffed as well.

Thompson was described as a secretive Howard Hughes-like figure by an attorney on one of the cases. He was accused of making off with $2.5 million in gold coins.

Tommy Thompson, who discovered the wreckage, is pictured holding a $50 pioneer gold piece retrieved in 1989 from the Central America. The former deep-sea treasure hunter is refused to disclose the whereabouts of 500 missing gold coins

Thompson told the judge that the gold was held in a trust in Belize, but he would not provide any details.

He went underground in 2012 after a judge ordered him to disclose the whereabouts of $2.5 million in gold coins.

U.S. Marshals caught up to him in 2015 in a Jacksonville, Florida gas station carrying nine different identification cards, most of them fake.

He still refused to reveal the true location of the gold and remains in federal prison today, with a daily $1000 contempt fine until he discloses the treasure's whereabouts.

In the meantime, a Ohio judge allowed Florida-based Odyssey Marine Exploration to continue Thompson's work in recovering the gold and historic artifacts from the site.

The bottles, pants and daguerreotypes will be sold in public auctions in October and November by Holabird Western Americana Collections.

The plunder is owned by a group of investors under the California Gold Marketing Group umbrella. Major league sports agent, Dwight Manley, who once repped Dennis Rodman, is the president of the organization.

Many gold coins were found in the wreckage. Thompson is accused of making off with $2.5 million worth of the historical currency
A 29-year-old sheriff's deputy and father-of-three was struck and killed by a drunk driver during a traffic stop on the last day of his field training.

Lorenzo Bustos was struck by the vehicle at around 12.50am on Friday morning as he stood behind his patrol car on Highway 155 South in Noonday, Texas.

The Smith County Sheriff's Office reported that the force of the car which hit Bustos knocked him under the patrol vehicle, where a second officer completing the traffic stop was sat in the passenger seat.

Bustos' colleague got out of the cop car to help the sheriff's deputy. After being taken to Tyler hospital, Bustos died from his injuries five hours later.

The person driving the car, 21-year-old Daniel Nyabuto, from Grand Prairie, was arrested and charged with intoxication assault.

Smith County Sheriff's Office have said it will be upgraded to intoxication manslaughter.

Lorenzo Bustos (pictured), a 29-year-old sheriff's deputy and father-of-three was struck and killed by a drunk driver during his final traffic stop on the last day of his field training

The person driving the car was 21-year-old Daniel Nyabuto (pictured), from Grand Prairie, was arrested and charged with intoxication assault. Smith County Sheriff's Office have said it will be upgraded to intoxication manslaughter

Nyabuto was booked into Smith County before being moved to the Gregg County Jail with a bond set at $750,000.

Bustos, who leaves behind a wife and three children aged four, five and eight, had served in Smith County Sheriff's Office for six months, and was on his final shift of field training when he was killed.

His workplace confirmed he previously served a year each with the Rusk County Sheriff's Office and the Henderson County Sheriff's Office.

Smith County Judge Nathaniel Moran ordered US and Texas flags to be lowered to half-mast in support of the fallen officer, with flags in downtown Tyler doing the same on Friday.

Judge Moran told KPTV: 'I am deeply saddened by the sudden and tragic death of a Smith County Sheriffs Deputy, who died while in the line of duty protecting our citizens.

Lorenzo Bustos was struck by the vehicle at around 12.50am on Friday morning after being struck by a vehicle as he stood behind his patrol car on Highway 155 South in Noonday, Texas. Pictured, Nyabuto being arrested

The Smith County Sheriff's Office reported that the force of the car which hit Bustos knocked him under the patrol vehicle, where a second officer completing the traffic stop was sat in the passenger seat. Pictured, Nyabuto being arrested

'I cannot express how deep my sympathy is for the family, and for the law enforcement community who mourn his passing most deeply.

'We issue fervent prayers of comfort during this time, and stand ready to do all possible for the family and for the sheriffs office.'

The East Texas Peace Office Association added that Bustos was a 'young deputy who had left us way too soon'.

The deputy's wife and children have been assigned a lieutenant to support the family until Bustos' funeral.

Bustos' family is also set to receive a 'substantial amount of money' from Smith County Sheriff's Office.
An inventor making bizarre Back to the Future DeLorean cars out of converted Reliant Robins has been banned from carrying on his business by a judge.

Tyler Delorean was ordered to remove all DeLorean Motor Company signs from his cars, website and merchandise, and has been banned from using the DeLorean as a trademark.

The cars, which resemble a cross between the iconic Back to the Future care and Del Boy's van from Only Fools and Horses, are even advertised as coming with a 'flux capacitor fitted as standard' and a 'free hoverboard with every purchase'.

Tyler Delorean has been ordered by a judge to remove all DMC signs from his cars, website and merchandise, and has been banned from using the DeLorean as a trademark

Mr Delorean, who's original name is Benjamin Granger, claims he is the love-child of John DeLorean and he has signed a contract with Netflix

But Mr Delorean - who claims to be motor mogul John DeLoreans secret son - says he would rather go to prison than give up on his dream.

He told Judge Richard Hacon: 'I feel so strongly about this that Id be willing to go to prison. I feel you made the wrong decision today.

'Your decision has had serious implications for my family, my marriage and my finances and I think I might be better off not doing it. Im going to lose my property anyway, Im looking at bankruptcy.

'Regardless of the decision, Im not in a good place. I never intended to make money - I just wanted to tell a story.'

Mr Delorean, from Newquay, Cornwall, gained widespread media attention when he displayed his cars at a number of national UK motor shows in 2021, where he was handed court papers claiming a trademark infringement on the car.

The cars have been displayed at a number of national UK motor shows in 2021 which was where he gained widespread media attention

The cars resemble a cross between the iconic Back to the Future care and Del Boy's van from Only Fools and Horses

He could face bankruptcy and even jail as a result, Londons High Court heard.

Mr Delorean - original name Benjamin Granger before he changed his name by deed poll - has been advertising his cars for 20,000 or $25,000 and, the court heard, has had interest in his story from Hollywood producers and even signed a contract with Netflix.

He claims to be the secret lovechild of John DeLorean, who in 1980 set up a manufacturing plant near Belfast, producing the DMC 12 car which became an icon due to the Back to the Future movies, before going bust just two years later.

The intellectual property of the original DeLorean was bought in 1987 by the DeLorean Motor Company (DMC), a Texas-based business which deals with second-hand DMC 12s, plus parts and branded merchandise including clothing.

The companys lawyers launched the lawsuit which reached court in London last week after having become aware of Mr DeLoreans project when he displayed his cars at the British Motor show and Classic Car Parade last year.

The DMC DeLorean was popularised by the Back to the Future films starring Christopher Lloyd as time-traveller Doc Brown and Michael J Fox as Marty McFly (pictured together)

The DeLorean Motor Company has successfully sued Tyler Delorean, who changed his name by deed poll to match motor mogul John DeLorean (pictured)

The judge ordered complete removal of all the DMC signs from his cars, website and merchandise, and told him to stop using DeLorean as a trademark

Charlotte Blythe, for the DeLorean Motor Company, told the Judge that Mr DeLorean is infringing DMCs trademarks and breaking the law.

But Mr DeLorean argued that his creations should be viewed as satire, with a view to having the cars featured on-screen, and that he should be allowed to carry on.

He said: 'The activities Ive done should be considered fair use and fair dealing.

'My main argument is that Im creating a parody or a pastiche.

'The car only cost 500. To charge $25,000 was a ridiculous price point. It was the original price point of the DeLorean in the 1980s.

'Everything I do is aimed to be humorous. It was all humour based. I would use the word hilarious.'

He also argued that the word DeLorean has now become a 'generic' term associated with time machines.

Tyler Deloran, pictured recently, says that he will likely lose his property and declare bankruptcy

But Judge Hacon told him: 'You say it is just a parody and really you want to use them in films and TV.

'Members of the public looked at your car and seemed to find it funny, and you have been to Hollywood and there is a Netflix production in prospect.

'The trouble is that parody isnt a defence to a trademark claim.

'I admire your enterprise, but you cant get round infringing the claimants trademark. That is against the law.'

Granting summary judgment in favour of the Delorean Motor Company, the judge said: 'Mr Deloreans car looks like a Reliant but with gullwing doors and the back end of a pick-up truck.

'He says he hoped the car would be used in a film. At least one Hollywood producer has contacted him and he has signed contracts in relation to a Netflix production.

'The defendants use of the word DeLorean is identical to the claimants marks. The logo is plainly similar, such as to cause confusion.

The cars are a mashup of the three-wheeled Reliant and the back-end of a pickup truck with doors that are pulled upwards

Mr DeLorean argued that his creations should be viewed as satire, with a view to having the cars featured on-screen, and that he should be allowed to carry on

'I must say I much admire the defendants enterprise in trying to create a business on the back of a Reliant made to look reminiscent of a DeLorean car.

'But that doesnt entitle him to infringe the claimants trademarks, so I will therefore grant summary judgment.'

The judge also ordered him to pay DMCs 20,633 costs of the hearing.

'If you dont do it and DMC come back to me, at best you would be fined and if you persist you could be sent to prison.

The judge also ordered him to pay DMCs 20,633 costs of the hearing.

Mr Delorean now has until early August to comply with the order.
A woman attending a Kenny Chesney concert at a stadium in Denver fell to her death on Saturday night after falling off from an escalator railing.

The accident occurred at around 10:52 p.m. at Empower Field at Mile High, home of the Denver Broncos, after the concert. The concertgoer, who has yet to be identified, fell to the concourse below. The distance of the drop remains unknown.

Denver Police reported the incident as an 'accidental death,' denying suggestions that the woman was pushed or shoved before the fall.

'To my understanding, there was none of that, it was just an accidental fall, I don't think anyone pushed her or anything like that,' police spokesman, Nate Magee, told The Denver Post.

It remains unclear if she was intoxicated while perching onto the escalator railing or if she died at the stadium or if she was even taken to hospital.

A woman, who remains unidentified, died on Saturday night after falling off from an escalator railing at Empower Field at Mile High at the end of a Kenny Chesney (pictured) concert

The tragedy struck at Empower Field at Mile High, home of the Denver Broncos. Pictured: concertgoers at the Kenny Chesney concert on Saturday night

Denver Police suggested the woman's fall was an accident, denying suggestions she was pushed off from the escalator's railing

In a statement shared with the Denver Post later on Sunday, Chesney said: 'I was devastated to learn of the loss of someone after our show. There had been so much joy, so much heart coming from the people of Denver last night  and to hear this is heartbreaking. Life is precious.

'Sharing music brings us together and that love we share makes us so much more. For the lady who came to share that love, there are no words. For her friends and family's loss, I grieve with them and for them,' the Grammy Award winning artist added.

The stadium's management company also publicly shared a statement on Twitter: 'We extend our deepest sympathies to the loved ones of the woman involved in the tragic incident that occurred at the end of Saturday's concert at Empower Field at Mile High.'

'There is nothing more important than the safety of our guests, and Stadium Management Company is in communication with the Denver Police Department as it investigates this unfortunate situation,' it added.

Stadium Management Company LLC, which oversaw the venue's security, shared a statement after the woman's death was made public, sharing that 'there is nothing more important the safety of our guests'

The distance of the woman's fall at Empower Field at Mile High remains unknown as of Monday

The Kenny Chesney concert first started at 4 p.m. on Saturday  an hour before its initial start time (5 p.m.).

The victim's autopsy has yet to be released, as of Monday morning. Denver Police tweeted 'if circumstances are deemed suspicious, we will update information on this thread.'

Last month, a Philadelphia man plunged 40 feet to his death after he apparently lost his balance and toppled over an escalator rail he was sitting on while watching The Weeknd's tour-opening concert.

Hugo Sanchez, 32, suffered head trauma from the fall on July 14 and was rushed to Thomas Jefferson University Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

The tragic fall happened just before 11 p.m. at Philadelphia's Lincoln Financial Field - The Weeknd's first stop on his North American tour.

Philadelphia Police told DailyMail.com that his fall appears to have been accidental, with 'no foul play suspected.'

The Weeknd, who posted a thank you to Philadelphia for helping to ring in the tour, went on to perform in New York and Boston. He has not made any mention of the incident on social media.

The tour's promoter is Live Nation, which was also the promoter of Travis Scott's deadly Astroworld Festival in 2021 that resulted in 10 deaths and hundreds of injuries.
A manager who was fired after his wife sent 'graphic and offensive' images to his work email address won 15,000 after he claimed he was the victim of a 'witch hunt' led by his boss.

Ricardo Da Silva worked as a production and manufacturing manager for BW Broadcast until he was sacked in June 2020 after the pictures were discovered during a search of his inbox.

He was told a company-wide IT security check had been undertaken and was shown two explicit images which had been sent to his work email address by his wife in 2017 and then forwarded on to his personal email address in 2019 during work time.

But an employment tribunal has now ruled that Mr Da Silva was unfairly dismissed and has awarded him 15,172.38.

When a dispute arose between the company's two directors Roger Howe and Scott Incz in 2017, Mr Incz believed Mr Da Silva took his rival's side.

Mr Da Silva claimed he had been 'set up' and the victim of a 'witch hunt' by his boss, after Mr Incz told IT to deliberately target him.

Mr Da Silva claimed that as part of the row Mr Incz used the images to threaten him by text.

Ricardo Da Silva worked as a production and manufacturing manager for BW Broadcast (office in Croydon pictured) until he was sacked in June 2020 after the pictures were discovered during a search of his inbox

The panel was shown several messages as evidence, with Mr Incz writing to Mr Da Silva: 'My opinion is you f****d it up... you decided Roger was a better option for you.

'You tried to steal my shares and you can f*** off. I have every email you sent. You are f****d!

'You are not my boss, you and your wife are going to be lit up in lights. She will be famous!'

The former manager worked for the Croydon-based broadcasting equipment since October 2006.

The tribunal heard Mr Howe passed away in March 2020 following a fall from the second floor of a building.

The following month Mr Incz texted Mr Da Silva saying his wife should stop spreading rumours about the death of Mr Howe, adding 'MI5 have been informed'.

Mr Da Silva was sacked in June 2020 for accessing and forwarding inappropriate images and 'failing to devote his whole time and attention to his duties' by doing this during work hours.

But the tribunal concluded that Mr Da Silva had not committed gross misconduct.

Employment Judge Omar Khalil ruled: 'This was a one-off incident with no wider circulation or actual risk of harm to another employee, a supplier or client.

'It was thus a contained incident. The photos were of Mr Da Silva and his wife only.

'The Tribunal concluded that BW Broadcast had not proved he was in material breach of contract entitling it to summarily terminate without notice.'

The judge also believed the initial investigation made the whole process unfair, adding: 'There was no investigation of whether or which other employees had been subjected to an IT check even on an anonymised basis.

'The Tribunal were left with an overwhelming impression that (Mr Da Silva) was targeted.'

Mr Da Silva won claims of unfair dismissal and wrongful dismissal but lost a claim of marriage discrimination.
The fired prison guard accused of taking bribes from male prisoners for access to the women's wing where they would assault female inmates insists: 'I'm innocent  and I was set up.'

David Lowe, 29, shook violently and broke down sobbing as he told DailyMail.com in an exclusive interview he was 'coerced into a false confession' because he 'feared for his safety' during questioning by a senior detective from Clark County Sheriff's Office in Jeffersonville, Indiana.

The former corrections officer faces felony charges and two civil lawsuits by a total of 28 women who claim they were subjected to horrific sexual assaults  including two rapes  after Lowe agreed to hand over keys to the secure area of the county jail in exchange for $1,000.

The criminal charges carry a maximum sentence of nine-and-a-half years in prison.

Clark County Sheriff Jamey Noel, the sheriff's department and other unnamed jail officials are also being sued over the 'night of terror' on the part of 'multiple male detainees' that allegedly took place in October 2021.

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Fired Indiana corrections officer David Lowe was spotted outside his trailer park home in Jeffersonville over the weekend amid claims he gave male inmates access to the county jail's women's wing in exchange for $1,000

Lowe, 29, is facing felony charges and two civil lawsuits by a total of 28 women who claim they were sexually assaulted by a group of male prisoners after he allegedly handed them the keys to the secure area

Lowe, who now claims he was coerced into making a false confession, was seen burying his face in his hands after revealing to DailyMail.com that he no longer has a lawyer after parting ways with the public defender assigned to his criminal case

But Lowe, in an exclusive DailyMail.com interview, now denies that he took any money for the keys  adding they were hanging on a beam in an office and stolen by male inmates while he was deliberately distracted by a prisoner claiming to have heart pains.

He also alleged that his guard was down because he was exhausted from working shifts of up to 20 hours for 31 days in a row.

Lowe, and unnamed jail staff in Jeffersonville are being sued by 28 female inmates who were raped and sexually harassed in a 'night of terror'

'I did not accept any money,' he told DailyMail.com defiantly. 'The truth is, I was mentally and physically drained and I was not paying attention on my part.

'I did not hand anyone the keys.'

Then, beginning to shake, Lowe continued: 'In the interrogation room later, I was coerced and even assaulted into making a false confession.

'During the entire interrogation I was threatened and in fear of my safety. I was scared for my life, so I told the detective what he wanted to hear.

'I confessed because I just wanted to end it. The figure of $1,000, I just made that up.'

The terrified women suffered hours of horrific sexual assaults by the rampaging male inmates, who threatened to kill them if they tried to call for help, according to the court papers.

Two men came into the female pods of the jail around 11:30pm on October 23 and issued the chilling threat say the documents.

Others then followed in the early hours of October 24, grabbing and groping the women and exposing their genitals.

Lowe shook violently and broke down sobbing as he protested his innocence and insisted he was 'set up'

He admitted that his actions did violate policy that night, but insisted he was not 'intentionally neglectful' nor did he accept any bribes in the incident

Some of the women were forced to hide in the bathroom or 'dark corners' of their dormitory as the rampage continued, according to the legal papers.

The alleged attacks lasted for hours and at least two women were raped during the brutal and sustained assaults, documents add.

The perpetrators are said to have worn towels and blankets over their heads and faces to conceal their identities.

When asked to comment on what happened to the women, Lowe began shaking even more violently and started to sob uncontrollably.

Between gasps, he said: 'I'd like to say I'm sorry. I wasn't paying enough attention.

'The ladies deserve justice, like myself. The inmates that took advantage of me and committed those heinous crimes against the ladies they deserve to be charged, but nothing has happened to them as far as I am aware. They set me up.

'And I'm sure everybody would be willing to agree with me on that. The truth needs to come out.

'This should never have happened. I lose sleep over this every night.'

Lowe, who had worked at the jail for a year, said he began his shift at 6pm and was near male pod 4B when one of the more elderly inmates complained of chest pains.

He was reluctant to go inside the pod on his own because of personal safety fears, so called for back-up, he said.

Lowe now claims he made a false confession during his interrogation and told detectives what they 'wanted to hear' because he was threatened and feared for his life

Pony-tailed Detective Donovan Harrod conducted the two-hour video-taped interview, with investigator James 'Bubba' Disponette also present

Video of Lowe's interrogation obtained by DailyMail.com shows Detective Lieutenant Harrod slamming his hand against a CB radio on the desk between him and a uniformed Lowe, sending it flying

At another point, while the investigators are out of the room, heavily tattooed Lowe can be heard talking to himself, saying: 'I didn't do anything last night I didn't do any of that s**t last night'

'Nobody came. I called for back-up because I don't like going into pods on my own,' he told DailyMail.com.

'But I wasn't going to take the chance of that inmate actually having a heart attack or something, so I went in there on good faith.

'It was a diversion to get those keys. Apparently they were hanging randomly out in the open on a support beam and one of the inmates saw them.'

He took an electronic blood pressure monitor into the pod, but the power outlet he tried wasn't working, so he tried an alternative, adding to the distraction he said.

He also had his back to most of the other prisoners.

'They got the key while I was doing something with the blood pressure monitor,' he said.

'Did I violate policy? Yes, but I did not intentionally be neglectful.'

Lowe, who lives in a mobile home 30 minutes from the county jail, said he had no idea of what happened that night because the violence occurred in a different section of the jail.

But when he turned in for his next shift he was immediately taken into an interrogation room.

Detective Lieutenant Donovan Harrod conducted the two-hour video-taped interview, with investigator James 'Bubba' Disponette also present.

Video of the interrogation obtained by DailyMail.com shows Harrod slamming his hand against a CB radio on the desk between him and the uniformed Lowe, sending it flying.

The former jail guard told DailyMail.com: 'He smacked the radio at me and hit me. That is assault.'

Pony-tailed Harrod can then be seen standing up over Lowe, pointing and yelling: 'Stand the f*** up. Stand up.'

Lowe lives in a mobile home community 30 minutes from the county jail, where he had worked for over a year

Lowe has been charged with trafficking with an inmate, aiding escape, and official misconduct and plans to plea not guilty, he told DailyMail.com

Lowe was seen getting into his car and heading to a gas station to pick up a couple of Red Bulls and then hung out in a grocery store parking lot for about an hour and smoked cigarettes but did not get out of the car

At another point, both investigators leave the room. The video cameras continue to record heavily tattooed Lowe as he talks to himself.

With his head in one of his hands, he says to himself: 'I didn't do anything last night I didn't do any of that s**t last night.'

Amid other indistinct words, he adds: 'F***ing get me locked up. This is bulls*** f***ing do this to me. they can believe what they want to believe.. f***ing locked up forever... federal jail.'

And then he says clearly: 'It's a f***ing set-up.' Then more slowly: 'It is a f***ing set-up.'

Ruefully he adds: 'I should never have gotten into this type of field.'

He was fired after the night of horror and does not currently have a job.

DailyMail.com caught up with Lowe on Saturday outside his gray mobile home in a rural location and surrounded by other similar buildings on a quiet road.

Earlier, he was spotted leaving the community in his blue Ford Explorer before heading to a nearby gas station to pick up two cans of Red Bull.

He then drove to a shopping plaza where he sat for more than an hour smoking at least three cigarettes and scrolling through his phone.

The former jail guard left without getting out of his car and returned home.

Outside the house he held his head in his hands after revealing to DailyMail.com that he no longer has a lawyer after parting with the public defender assigned to his criminal case.

He has been charged with trafficking with an inmate, aiding escape, and official misconduct.

'My trial is set for November 11 and I will be pleading not guilty,' he said. 'I'm going in to get another lawyer assigned on August 4.

'The last one, we didn't see eye to eye. He is great and everything, we just didn't agree on things.'

The first lawsuit names 20 female inmates at the time who say they were violated.

The second represents eight Jane Doe prisoners.

'As a direct and proximate cause of the actions of the Defendants, (the female inmates) suffered horrific physical and psychological injuries,' the suit states.

In the Clark County Sheriff's Office case report, obtained by DailyMail.com, Captain Mark Grube said he arrived at the jail on the evening of October 24 after receiving a complaint by one of the victim's attorneys

'There were surveillance cameras positioned in locations that showed the male detainees accessing' the women's pods.'

The lawsuit continues: '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 Plaintiffs and the other victims

'After multiple hours, a female inmate hit the emergency button and began screaming to call for correction officers. The male inmates retreated.'

After the attack finally stopped, the victims were allegedly punished by jail staff, losing their 'dark' privileges meaning the lights were to remain on in the female pods for the next 72 hours.

Twenty of the women have lodged a lawsuit against Sheriff Jamey Noel in both his individual and professional capacity

Clark County Sheriff's office blasted Lowe as a 'rogue corrections officer' in a statement to DailyMail.com defending the department over the horror and the civil legal actions.

The statement said it happened as the result of his 'unforeseeable criminal actions' and added: 'The individual in question chose to abandon his training, ethics and morals and made the unilateral decision to mortgage his career and future by allowing inmate access to the jail keys.'

Bart Betteau, one of the attorneys representing the 20 named women, told DailyMail.com that he believes there is video surveillance footage of the horror.

'We have requested what we can but enough time hasn't run for them to have to provide it. We believe that evidence will be available,' he said.

'The first thing we want is changes to be made. This is absolutely horrible. You can feel how horrifying it is when you talk to the women.

'They were in a place of security, when male inmates barged in there for a number of hours, doing what they want including raping women, and nothing was done about it.

Pictured: The Clark County Court in Jeffersonville, Indiana. Ex-corrections officer, David Lowe worked at the county jail behind the courthouse

'There are buttons on the inside of the door in case of emergencies, in the main pods to let the jailers know, and nothing.

'Again this is a video covered area, and they do nothing. They are meant to do standard walkthroughs that jail officers do and nothing.

'Until you look these women in the eye and hear them talk about it you can't understand their horror.'

Investigations by DailyMail.com reveal that many of the women named in the lawsuit have been released, although several are still incarcerated.

In the Clark County Sheriff's Office case report, obtained by DailyMail.com, Captain Mark Grube said he arrived at the jail on the evening of October 24 after a complaint by one of the victim's attorneys.

'Upon my arrival to the jail, I reviewed the video of the Pod 4 area and observed a total of three male inmates exit 4B section while Officer David Lowe was in the section with his back away from the door,' he writes.

'I then observe the males return to the section. Officer Lowe leaves the section and then again returns at which time two male inmates exit the section again while Officer Lowe has his back turned. I then observed a male inmate take a set of jail keys from the Pod office area in Pod 4.'

He continued: 'I reviewed additional video and observed male inmates form 4B section enter 4C section, 4D section and 4F section using keys at approximately 0210 hours.'

The women were housed in pods 4E and 4F, according to the lawsuits.

Clark County is in southern Indiana just across the Ohio River from Louisville, Kentucky. The Sheriff's Office said in a statement that its investigations included recorded interviews with all male inmates, corrections officers and more than 40 female inmates.

Clark County Jail was previously featured on A+E docuseries 60 Days In, where volunteers go undercover as prisoners for two months. Pictured: A still taken in the women's wing of the jail on the show

An image from an episode of A&E's 60 Days In in 2015 shows male inmates sitting in their pod

'The sheriff's detective division has continued to interview female inmates who were present in the pod that evening and these interviews have yielded information that is in direct opposition to the allegations made in the civil suit, it said.

'Further the investigation seems to indicate that there was a systemic plan by individuals who were incarcerated that evening to develop the narrative that makes up the crux of the claims in the civil case.'

Clark County Jail has previously participated in a television show called 60 Days In where volunteers pretend to be incarcerated on the A+E Network.

It is understood that the show, which is currently airing, was not filming during the incident.

Sheriff Noel is being sued in his personal and official capacity in the lawsuit brought by the 20 named women  but only in his official capacity in the other action.
A police officer sent a naked selfie to a woman after she complained she had been sexually assaulted in a pub, a hearing was told.

The sergeant told the woman he wanted to take her home and use his police handcuffs on her and confessed he was so aroused by her he would have sexually assaulted her himself.

He made the alleged comments after she approached the officer and told him she had been sexually assaulted in a bar and wanted to make an official complaint.

The shocking revelations were made at a disciplinary hearing today where the serving police officer faces allegations his behaviour amounted to gross misconduct.

If they are proven then the officer from Sussex Police could be drummed out of the force.

But controversially the officer has been granted anonymity to keep his identity a secret.

The move has sparked fury from rape charities who say granting the officer anonymity amounts to misogyny and erodes trust and confidence in the police.

Jayne Butler of Rape Crisis said: 'Granting anonymity to officers accused of misconduct does nothing to build up public trust.

'It speaks to a culture of misogyny, where the reputation of a police officer trumps the safety of women and girls.'

Sussex Police Headquarters in Lewes, pictured above, is home to Sussex Police where the accused sergeant has been granted anonymity

The hearing was told the alleged incident happened in March 2014 when the woman and her two sisters were enjoying a night out in Hastings, East Sussex.

They were drinking in Yates wine bar when Female A was groped by a man who put his hand up her skirt.

Cecily White, for Sussex Police, said the man put his hand up her skirt and groped her bottom and and vagina over her clothing.

She said: 'Out of the blue she was touched. She was shocked and disgusted by it. It was completely unwanted and uninvited.'

The man was evicted from the pub and the victim went outside to report the attack to police.

The sergeant, who was on patrol in the town centre, sat the victim in the front of his car to take a witness statement.

But as he took her statement he allegedly began making 'sexually suggestive' and 'flirtatious' remarks to her and told her he liked her short dress.

He said: 'You're turning me on. You're arousing me' and said he would have put his hands up her skirt himself.

The disciplinary hearing was told he then told her he wanted to take her home and tie her up.

Ms White said: 'He said he wanted to take her home and use his handcuffs on her and tie her up. He said something on the lines of 'Fair play to the guy for grabbing her bottom' as if he understood why he had done it saying: 'I would have done the same myself.'

The sergeant - known as PS X - took her mobile phone number and later sent her a full-length naked selfie.

Ms White said: 'Later she got a text from a number she did not recognise. She asked who it was and he replied with his name.

'He then sent a naked photo of himself. She said it was a full length picture of himself taken in the mirror and he had an erection in the photo.'

She showed it to her sister and deleted it along with the 'flirtatious' messages he had sent.

Months later she bumped into the officer again in court when the sex offender went on trial and was convicted for the sexual assault against her.

The officer asked her why she had not replied to his messages and again became 'flirtatious and suggestive.'

The woman batted off his advances and did not rise or reply to his flirtatious comments.

The hearing was told the victim did not make a formal complaint because she was scared and had deleted evidence from her phone, including the naked selfie and the flirtatious comments.

She only reported the incident in 2020 after the officer's name cropped up in an unconnected matter.

Today Jayne Butler, CEO of Rape Crisis, said: 'We're deeply concerned to hear that a serving police officer has been granted anonymity whilst facing disciplinary action.

'We know that the vast majority of those who experience sexual violence do not report what happened to them for fear of being disbelieved, judged or blamed for their assault. It is unacceptable that any survivor should also fear having unwanted sexual advances made towards them.

'Victims and survivors of sexual assault deserve to know if they report to the police they will be treated with respect and empathy. Whilst there is a lot of work happening at a national level to improve accountability across police forces, cases like this undermine those efforts.

'At a time when prosecution rates for rape are at an all-time low, we'd expect police forces to be doing everything they can to build up public confidence in the system. That means more accountability and transparency across forces, and a zero tolerance approach to officers that abuse their position of power.'

The anonymity order means members of the public could come into contact with the officer without knowing of the allegations against him.

Sussex Police has been accused of presiding over a culture of secrecy after dozens of officers were dismissed after being granted anonymity or their disciplinary hearings held in private.

The decision on whether to grant anonymity at a disciplinary hearings is made by the Legally Qualified Chair (LQC).

The LQC decides whether a dismissal will be 'heard in private' and is appointed by the Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC).

This may be done where the naming of an officer 'could risk the identification of a vulnerable victim or complainant'.

However, it can also be requested by the officers themselves.

Sussex Police has been plagued by a sex pest scandal after a series of probes into officers' behaviour.

Hastings police station was branded the 'the most sexist station in Britain' after a wave of pervert PCs were accused of being sex pests.

As well as conducting affairs with each other while on duty and viewing and exchanging pornographic pictures, Sussex officers also moonlighted as prostitutes, arranged to have sex with prostitutes and sent pornographic selfies to members of the public.

Some officers have been sacked from the force while others have been handed final written warnings

Sources say a major crackdown on 'lad culture' at the Hastings station was launched after complaints by several female officers and members of the public.

Whatsapp and Facebook groups used to exchange explicit sexual messages and images have been shut down, rowdy behaviour has been banned and officers have been read the Riot Act.

A spokesperson for Sussex Police said: 'Only the most serious cases are considered for a misconduct hearing and every hearing has an appointed Legally Qualified Chair (LQC) who is independent of Sussex Police.

'It is the responsibility of the LQC alone to determine whether or not a hearing is partially or wholly held in public or in private and whether any participant should be anonymised. Sussex Police are directed by and must abide by rulings made by the panel chair. Any officer attending a hearing has the right to make representations for it to be held in private.'

The hearing continues
Tributes have been paid to a teenage boy who was described as the brightest star after he was stabbed to death while tubing on the Apple River in Wisconsin.

Isaac Schuman, 17, was killed in a frenzied knife attack which left four other people in a critical condition.

Nicolae Miu, 52, was reportedly behaving 'strangely' towards a group of young boys before being confronted by Ryhley Mattison, 24, and a group of her friends.

The engineer reportedly stabbed Ryhley and three of her friends, leaving them in a critical condition, before killing Schuman.

Miu, from Prior Lake, Minnesota has been charged with one count of first degree intentional homicide, and four counts of attempted first degree intentional homicide.

His cash bail was set at $1 million at St Croix County Court, with another hearing to take place later this month.

Schuman's family have paid tribute to the honor roll student, who was described as the 'light of the family' and the 'brightest star.'

In a statement given to Kare11, his family said: In the last year, Isaac started a car and boat detailing business, he was growing the business rapidly and becoming quite an impressive young entrepreneur.

He was mature for his age and had a forward looking mentality that was uncommon for a High School Junior.

Isaac entered every room with a big smile, infectiously positive aura, and lifted everyone around him up.

He had an incredibly bright future ahead of him and we are all heartbroken and devastated beyond words that his future has been tragically and senselessly cut short.

Nicolae Miu, 52, from Minnesota, has been charged with first degree intentional homicide and four counts of attempted first degree intentional homicide. He allegedly killed Isaac Schuman, 17, and left four others in a critical condition after the frenzied knife attack

Isaac Schuman, 17, pictured, was killed in a frenzied knife attack which left four other people in a critical condition. He had been tubing on the Apple River with friends when he was attacked

Ryhley Mattison, 24, was one of the four other people attacked while tubing at Apple River in Wisconsin. She described feeling as though she had been 'punched' before realizing she was bleeding

We very much appreciate the overwhelming outpouring of love and support from our friends, Isaac's friends and the Stillwater Community.

They added that he had been looking forward to his senior year, and had hoped to get a degree in electrical engineering after trying out for the schools golf team.

A GoFundMe has been set up on behalf of the teenagers family to raise money for his funeral, which has so far received more than $1,300 in donations.

Ryhley, from Minnesota, confirmed that three of her friends, 20, 22, and 22, were also taken to hospital - with one of them being slashed 'from the bellybutton up'.

The group approached him after spotting him chatting to a group of teenagers who looked 'uncomfortable', as Miu reportedly asked them for 'young girls' numbers.

Speaking to DailyMail.com Ryhley said: I was with some friends tubing down the river, when a couple of them said that we needed to stop because there was a group of kids who looked uncomfortable.

There was an older man with them, so we stopped our tubes. The guys went over to see what was going on and then a few of my girlfriends and I also went over.

They explained that this older guy was asking these younger boys if they knew younger women or could get him the numbers of some younger women. It was creepy.

I dont really remember if someone said something to him, or exactly what was said, but then he punched my friend straight in the face.

I dont know if I then said something to make him more upset, but then I remember him turning and staring at me and he put his hand down by my stomach.

He looked like he was going to punch me. I said to my friend I think he punched me, and oh my god that hurt.

Officials combed the Apple river on Saturday afternoon to try and find the knife used in the stabbing of five people. A 17-year-old boy from Stillwater, Minnesota, was killed in the attack

A GoFundMe has been set up on behalf of the teenagers family to raise money for his funeral. So far more than $1,300 has been donated for the Stillwater High School pupil

Engineer Miu attacked Ryhley and three of her friends, leaving them in a critical condition, before stabbing a 17-year-old boy, from Stillwater, Minnesota, to death

Isaac's family have paid tribute to the honor roll student, who was described as the 'light of the family' and the 'brightest star.' They added that he had been looking forward to studying engineering at university

I looked down and I was bleeding out because he stabbed me. After that I just remember us trying to get away.

A bunch of random people tried to push me down the river, because we were close to the bridge, and they were helping me hold pressure on my stomach to make sure everyone else was safe.

Three of my other friends got stabbed, and a teenager, Isaac passed away. We didnt know him we just knew that he died.

I was the first one who was stabbed, and my other friend got cut from his bellybutton up. I have a punctured lung.

The doctors had to open up my stomach to fix my diaphragm and theyve stitched me up. Im on a lot of pain medication.

I think he had the knife between his fingers, I just saw that I was bleeding and I screamed call 911.

It didnt look like he was tubing, he was on his own. He was just walking around like a weirdo.

'The thing for me is that Ive just moved to the same area as him and its horrible.

Ryhley has also set up a GoFundMe page, which has already raised more than $1,200, in an attempt to help her recover from her injuries.

Miu was reportedly on his own when he was approached by a group who were concerned about him talking to some teenagers who looked 'uncomfortable'. Ryhley claimed he also punched her female friend in the face

Ryhley told DailyMail.com that she remembered feeling as though she had 'been punched' before screaming for someone to call the emergency services when she realized she had been stabbed. She has been left with a punctured lung and damaged diaphragm

Around 15-20 people were on the river in tubes at the time of the attack, at 3:45pm on Saturday

Sheriff Scott Knudson said that the attack was a scene of 'chaos', and highly unusual. He confirmed that Miu will appear in court on Monday

The motive of the attack is currently unclear, and police are trying to speak to anyone who was tubing on the river at the time.

Ryhley and her three friends were rushed to Regions Hospital, while Isaac was taken to Lakeview Hospital in Stillwater, Minnesota, where he was pronounced dead.

Miu was located at the exit point for tubers on the Apple River, which was located at the Village Park, 110 River Street, Somerset, Wisconsin.

Several witness had alerted law enforcement to the suspects location and he was taken into custody, without incident.

The Apple River has long been a popular summer recreational destination for Twin Cities residents.

They were attacked at around 3:45pm by a member of what St Croix County sheriffs believe was another tubing group of about six to eight people.

Sheriff Scott Knudson described the scene as chaotic and scary, adding 'I am sure anyone who witnessed this will never forget it. It is a tragedy.

'We don't know yet who was connected to who, who knew each other or what precipitated it.

'It's been a number of years since a stabbing has taken place, I don't know what to make of it. I just don't know.'
A Texas man was killed by a bullet from his own gun on Saturday when he shot a woman in the neck, only for the round to exit and hit him in the leg.

Byron Redmon, 26, is believed to have shot the unidentified woman in an apartment close to the 2200 block of Medical District in Dallas, Texas.

Cops responded to a report about the shooting to find the apartment empty, but found a distinct trail of blood leading into the street.

Minutes later, they received a call from the nearby Parkland Memorial hospital saying both Redmon and the woman had been found in a car with severe gunshot wounds.

Redmon was pronounced dead at the hospital. Officers have not yet released the identity or condition of the female gunshot victim.

A Texas man accidentally killed himself after a bullet he fired from a gun exited a woman's neck and struck him in the leg, police said

It is unclear whether the pair knew each other or the circumstances surrounding the shooting, but Dallas police confirmed that an analysis of the apartment suggested the same bullet was responsible for the woman's neck wound and Redmon's fatal leg injury.

'The preliminary investigation determined at the apartment, the male, Byron Redmon, 26, shot the adult female victim in the neck,' a police statement read.

'The bullet then exited and hit Redmon in the leg. Redmon died at the hospital.'

Facebook user Keyonnah Monae yesterday posted a tribute seemingly dedicated to Redmon, though this has not yet been verified.

The tribute read: 'You really hurt me with this one Byron! I still can't believe this real! I'm just waiting to get a notification saying you going live so we can crack up one more time... I know you ain't mean this way cousin!'

Bullets often change trajectory slightly when they hit a human body, as impact with organs and bones absorbs some of the bullet's energy and can cause it to take a slightly different course upon exit.

But low calibre rounds, such as the widely used .22 cal ammunition compatible with a range of handguns, rifles and other firearms, are known to ricochet off of bone and 'bounce' around the body - or have their trajectory considerably altered upon exit.

Police said the investigation into the incident is still ongoing, and have not specified the firearm Redmon used in the shooting.
Army personnel pay tribute to Axel, an Army dog who died due to bullet injuries during an anti-terrorist operation in Baramulla district on Sunday. ( DC )

SRINAGAR: A military ceremony was held at an Army base in Jammu and Kashmirs Baramulla district on Sunday to bid farewell to an elite assault dog Axel who fell to the militants bullets during a gunfight in the districts Wanigam Bala village a day ago.

A defence spokesperson here said that senior Army and J&K police officers including Major General S.S.Salaria, the GOC of the Kilo Force, attended the wreath-laying ceremony held at the headquarters of the 10th sector of the counterinsurgency Rashtriya Rifles at Hyder Baig outside the highway town of Pattan to pay homage to the slain dog.

Wreaths were laid by the KILO force commander, the officers of the 10 sector RR and 29 RR and representatives of the J&K police. Also, the Officer Commanding of the 26 Army Dog Unit and Axel's handler paid last respects to the fallen canine, the spokesman added.

The gunfight during which the Army assault dog laid down his life had left a newly recruited militant of the Jaish-e-Muhammad Akhtar Hussain Bhat alias Abid Bhai dead and two Army jawans and a J&K policeman injured.

Meanwhile, another local militant identified as Irshad Ahmed Bhat was killed in a gunfight with the security forces in Baramullas Binner area on Sunday. As per police records, the killed terrorist was active since May 2022. Before joining terrorist ranks the killed terrorist was working as a terrorist associate of proscribed Hizb-ul-Mujahideen along with his father who was a terrorist commander of the terror outfit got killed in year 2015 at Devbug (Baramulla), a statement issued by the police here said. End it
Yevgenia (pictured) plunged 82ft suffering multiple injuries after a supporting rope was not properly secured on a tree, according to reports

A free-flying extreme sport jump instructor has been jailed for four years after a woman plunged to her death in a 100ft fall in front of her husband.

'My wife was crushed before my eyes,' said Alexander Tkachenko.

Yevgenia Leontyeva, 33, had been reluctant to make the leap from a hotel rooftop, even though she had done so before.

The mother-of-three let her female friend go first, and this rope free-flying leap was successful, a court was told in Karaganda, Kazakhstan.

Witnesses said Yevgenia had appeared 'afraid' - but they heard instructor Alexander Muznikas, 33, urging her to jump.

He told her: 'It's not the first time you've jumped.

'You know how to do it. Did I put a safety harness on you for nothing?'

She is then seen on a harrowing video leaping from the rooftop moments after husband Alexander Tkachenko told her: 'I love you'.

Harrowing footage shows Yevgenia Leontyeva (left and right), 33, calmly stepping over the edge of the rooftop of a hotel in Karaganda, Kazakhstan

There are screams from onlookers on the roof and watchers below rush to her assistance after the appalling fall (pictured)

The full video, which MailOnline is not including, shows her hitting the ground before ramming into an iron fence right in the midst of her loved ones.

A supporting rope was not properly secured on a tree, according to reports.

There were screams from onlookers on the roof and watchers below were seen rushing to her assistance after the appalling fall.

A cross-line to which her rope was attached - and which was supposed to break her fall leaving her suspended above the ground - either failed to hold or was not even secured.

A man is seen falling to the ground as she crashes down, say reports.

He is believed to have been holding the safety line which should have been attached to the tree and he was floored by the force of her fall pulling on the unsecured rope.

The bereaved husband said: 'I came to support my wife.

'Well, how not to support your beloved.

'My wife was crushed before my eyes. I was in shock and panic. It was clearly the employee's fault.

'They did not coordinate their actions. The instructor didn't look down to make sure the rope was tied. He just told her: "Jump!"

'I don't wish this on anyone. He is guilty. He must serve time in jail. This, of course, will not return my spouse and mother of my children.'

Instructor Alexander Muznikas, pictured in the dock, was convicted of offering services which did not meet safety rules and causing death by negligence

He was sentenced to four years in a medium security jail. The judge acknowledged that he had rushed the woman to hospital after her horrific fall

Instructor Alexander Muznikas (pictured) was jailed after setting up extreme 'rope free-flying' incorrectly, leading to the death of Yevgenia Leontyeva

He said: 'After her fall, I knelt beside her. He [the instructor] came, but I don't remember what happened then. She was still breathing.'

He is raising the three children aged eight, 11 and 12.

Before the tragic leap, Yevgenia and her friend had posted 'Live it up' and 'Were going to fly'.

She suffered a serious skull fracture and brain injuries, and multiple right-sided fractures.

She was rushed to hospital but died as surgeons tried to save her.

Friend Anton Shevelev told the court he had demanded the instructor take off the harness because Yevgenia was 'afraid to jump' and they would 'go home'.

But Muznikas persuaded her to do the jump, he said.

The woman had three boys under 14, two of her own, and the son of a relative who had died.

Muznikas was convicted of offering services which did not meet safety rules and causing death by negligence.

The judge acknowledged that he had rushed the woman to hospital after her horrific fall.

In a sentence broadcast live on Kazakh TV, he was handed down four years in a medium security jail.

The woman had three boys, two of her own, and the son of a relative who had died (all pictured). Her husband is now raising the three children aged eight, 11 and 12
A mother-of-two climbed over safety barriers to take a selfie on a rock ledge popular on Instagram moments before plunging 30 metres to her death in front of her horrified family.

Rosy Loomba, a 38-year-old from Craigieburn, north Melbourne, was visiting the Grampians National Park in Victoria when she tumbled down the Boroka Lookout, near Halls Gap in December last year.

Her husband Basant and her two young sons watched as she slipped while trying to take a photo at the popular spot, just months after police warned tourists were risking their lives for selfies.

Mrs Loomba died from multiple injuries, including skull fractures and a dislocated spine, a coroner heard on Monday.

She had joined a busy queue at the selfie spot with her husband, Basant Loomba, with the couple clambering over barriers once they reached the front.

But as Mrs Loomba walked back towards her family, she slipped and fell after losing her balance - leaving her dangling over the edge of the cliff while her husband battled to pull her back up.

He was then forced to look on as she fell to her death.

Rosy Loomba (pictured, right, with her husband Basant, left) enjoyed hiking in nature with her family in Victoria before her shocking death in December last year

A sightseer at the Boroka Lookout where Ms Loomba fell to her death. A 59-year-old British tourist died after falling at the same spot in 1999

A review into the area after a similar tragedy in 1999 saw the then-Coroner advise enhanced infrastructure for 'safe viewing', but on Monday Deputy State Coroner Jacqui Hawkins said more needs to be done as social-media obsessed visitors continue to flock to the area.

'I note that adventurers and park attendees may continue to climb fences to access lookouts in order to get a photo or for their own curiosity,' Coroner Hawkins said.

'Mrs Loomba's death is a reminder of the dangers associated with ignoring signage and fencing, which is put in place to keep people safe.'

While the lookout spot is fenced off, Ms Hawkins said it was common for people to climb over the 'easily scaled' wire fence to take photos on the rock ledge.

At the time of Mrs Loomba's death, there were 30 other people waiting to have a photo taken.

Ms Hawkins recommended Parks Victoria install extra signage in the area that expressly stated people have died and been seriously injured at the location.

Bokoka Lookout is about 270km west of Melbourne in the Grampians National Park (above)

'I note that adventurers and park attendees may continue to climb fences to access lookouts in order to get a photo or for their own curiosity,' the coroner said in her findings.

'Mrs Loomba's death is a reminder of the dangers associated with ignoring signage and fencing which is put in place to keep people safe.'

The coroner's report noted Parks Victoria installed additional infrastructure and signage at Boroka Lookout this year.

Parks Victoria will provide a written response to the coroner within three months, setting out how the recommendations will be addressed.

'We're reviewing the existing signage at the Boroka Lookout, including reviewing the recommendations from the Coroner's Court,' a spokesperson told AAP in a statement.

Rosy Loomba pictured (left) with her husband and young sons, and (right) with husband Basant

Ms Loomba's family regularly enjoyed similar hikes, with her husband sharing many pictures on Facebook of the couple and their children in the bush and at famous lookouts including at the Dandenong Ranges.

It took Victoria Police and State Emergency Service volunteers more than six hours to retrieve Ms Loomba's body.

Her body had to be winched out by a specialist team after 9pm due to the harsh terrain.

Her husband Basant's sister, Jassu Minal Loomba, said Rosy, originally from India, had been devoted to her family.

'She was a good life partner for my brother and best mum for her kids,' she told the Herald Sun last year.

'[The family is] still in shock and it's really hard to believe.'

Rosy Loomba pictured with her sons (left) and husband Basant (right) loved hiking outdoors with her family. The much-loved community support worker, 38, fell to her death

The picturesque Grampians National Park's Boroka Lookout (pictured) is a popular destination for hikers with thousands of people climbing over barriers to snap their picture on the ledge

Warnings had already been issued about the Grampians area by local officers who fear tourists are willing to do anything for the perfect Instagram shot.

'One of the issues that is constantly tying up our resources is individuals risking life and limb in a bid to get the 'ultimate selfie',' a police warning read in January 2019.

'We regularly see dangerous photos and videos geo-tagged to the area where individuals have compromised their own safety to get a particular shot.

'We also frequently work with local rescue teams on missions to bring individuals to safety who have ignored signage and climbed over safety barriers or fencing.

'Our missions do not always have successful outcomes.'

Sergeant Russell Brown, of Halls Gap, made an eerie prediction that the 'absolutely ludicrous' posts of the area he sees online would eventually end in tragedy.

'From an emergency services point of view it's quite frustrating when you see that irresponsible action that can lead to serious injury or death,' he said.

'If you fall, you die.

'If this turns bad you've got to be thinking of your family, friends and other people who have to become involved.'

Police Minister Lisa Neville said the tragedy should serve as a reminder of the danger of taking extreme photos (pictured, a woman poses for a photo at the tip of Boroka lookout in February)

The Boroka Lookout, overlooking Halls Gap valley, has become an increasingly popular photo spot, with more than 6,000 Instagram posts tagged at the location.

One woman uploaded a photo posing at the dangerous lookout just three hours after the woman fell to her death. It's unclear if the image was taken before the accident.

Thousands of pictures show people who have climbed over the safety barriers to snap a travel photo while sitting, standing or even in some cases doing handstands and even backflips on the precarious stone ledge.

There is no suggestion that Ms Loomba was doing anything similar when she tragically slipped and fell - and she is not the only person to die there.

In January 1999, a 59-year-old British tourist fell to her death at the lookout while holidaying with her husband and other relatives who were taking photos.
Ukraine has recaptured dozens of southern settlements from Russia as Kyiv's forces lay the groundwork for a major counter-attack against Kherson city.

Dmytro Butriy, head of the Kherson region, said Kyiv's men have liberated 46 occupied settlements within the last 24 hours, mostly in the north.

But at least some are located to the south, along the Black Sea coast which is close to the city itself. Russia struck back by hitting Mykolaiv - down the coast from Kherson - with artillery overnight, destroying a medical centre.

Ukraine has previously boasted that the whole of Kherson - city and region - will be back under its control by September, in what would be a hammer blow for Putin.

Ukraine has re-taken 46 settlements in Kherson province within the last 24 hours, mostly in the north but some in the south close to the city itself (file image, a Russian soldiers in the city)

Kyiv's forces are tightening the noose around Kherson in preparation for a counter-attack to force Russia's troops out and re-take the city (file image, Ukrainian artillery)

Butriy said that the humanitarian situation in the region was 'critical' and reiterated the authorities' call to those who still remain in the area 'to evacuate to safer regions'.

Ukraine's counter-attack comes after its troops used newly-donated Western HIMARS rocket artillery to blow up strategic targets behind the Russian frontline.

In the last several weeks, Kyiv's men have struck ammunition depots and command posts, hampering Russia's ability to unleash terrifying artillery barrages which has helped them gain ground in the east.

They has also taken out high-ranking officers, hampering Russia's ability to fight.

Another major move came last week when the Antonovsky Bridge - the main road route connecting Kherson to the rest of Russia's occupied territory - was blow up using missile strikes.

A nearby railway bridge and a second road, over the top of the Nova Khakovka dam, have also been damaged by rockets.

It means Russia has no easy way to reinforce and resupply its troops in Kherson if Ukraine attacks, and no easy way to get troops out if they are defeated.

A firefighter extinguishes a burning hospital building hit by a Russian missile strike in Mykolaiv as Putin's men struck back overnight

A shell crater is seen in front of a hospital building hit by a Russian missile strike, as Russia's attack on Ukraine continues, in Mykolaiv

A rescue worker works in the aftermath of Russian shelling on a medical centre in Mykolaiv

Flames burn inside the ruins of a Ukrainian medical centre hit by Russian artillery overnight

Kyiv's men are now tightening the noose on the city, in the hopes of moving in and retaking it within the coming weeks.

The battle could prove decisive: If Ukraine wins, it will prove that the goal of pushing Russia off all its occupied territories is possible - at least in theory.

Victory will likely led to increased military aid and money from the West, and will provide Ukraine with an important morale boost after months on the defensive.

Lose, and it become much harder for Western leaders to justify continued support for Ukraine to their own people - particularly as winter approaches and Russia's decision to turn off gas supplies bites.

Losing the support of the West would hamstring Ukraine and could force Kyiv to accept an unfavourable peace deal that would freeze the conflict in place, giving Putin the chance to restart it again any time he sees fit.

Capturing Kherson was a major propaganda win for the Kremlin, and is the only regional capital that Putin's men have taken in five months of fighting.

It was seized early in the war, on March 3, as Russian troops spilled out of Crimea and across Ukraine's south.

Their advance met with greater success than attacks elsewhere because Ukraine is thought to have pulled troops from here to reinforce the capital before the war began, fearing that its capture would spell an early defeat.

Ukrainian artillery shoots towards Russian positions near Kharkiv, where attacks are ongoing

A shelling hole at a factory building damaged in a rocket hit in the small city of Merefa of Kharkiv area, Ukraine

A man walks past a damaged factory building after a rocket hit in the small city of Merefa in the Kharkiv area, Ukraine

Now, after Russia has retreated from Kyiv and with its Donbas assault blunted, Ukraine has returned to reclaim the region.

Aside from holding symbolic importance for both sides, the city is also strategically valuable for Ukraine and Russia.

It straddles the Dnipro River - Ukraine's main waterway that divides the country in two - and is Russia's sole toe-hold on the western side after the Kyiv retreat.

Kherson also sits just inland from the Black Sea with easy access to lucrative trading routes, and is home to military bases and an airfield.

Re-taking it would further shield Ukraine's main port city of Odesa from attack, but would also serve as a launching pad for further Ukrainian attacks to the east.

Crimea, which Russia seized and annexed the last time it invaded Ukraine in 2014, could be ranged by missiles from Kherson.

Taking the city would also open up routes to Melitopol, Berdyansk and Mariupol - three other large cities captured by Russia.
This is the dramatic moment a 'disgruntled worker' destroyed a luxury marina building as 'revenge for getting fired' in Canada.

Video footage shows someone smashing the bucket of a red digger through one side of the navy blue, red and white Pride Marine Group building which sits on the Pride of Rosseau Marina, in the Muskoka Lakes, in Ontario.

A 59-year-old man, who is understood to be a former employee on the property, has been charged with mischief over $5,000 (4,072) and will appear in court at a later date. He has also been issued with a $3,906 (3,200) fine.

A local resident filmed the jaw-dropping moment on Thursday July 21, and tweeted: 'You can't make this up.'

The clip shows the red digger swinging from one side to another, knocking its dipper arm into the property, clawing through the second floor.

The digger, which looks to have completely destroyed one side of the house, has reportedly caused damage worth millions

You cant make this up. A disgruntled, fired employee from a marina near our lake house snapped and destroyed the entire marina with an excavator. Does anyone have more information on what happened? #Muskoka pic.twitter.com/XcCLAVBFMy  Don Tapscott (@dtapscott) July 27, 2022

Video footage shows someone recklessly using a digger through one side of the navy blue, red and white Pride Marine Group building which sits on the Pride of Rosseau Marina, in the Muskoka Lakes, in Ontario, Canada

'A disgruntled, fired employee from a marina near our lake house snapped and destroyed the entire marina with an excavator,' said the resident before asking for more information on what might have happened.

The Pride of Rosseau Marina hosts properties listed for over $9.8million (8million), reports suggest, and is a hotspot for wealthy locals in Ontario as a summertime getaway spot and place to keep their expensive boats.

Owner of marina operator SWS Muskoka, Geordie Newlands, said that strains of the pandemic had meant that local companies had been forced to make redundancies.

A 59-year-old man, who is understood to be a former employee on the property, has been charged with mischief in relation to the incident and will appear in court at a later date. He has also been issued with a $3,906 (3,200) fine

'Luckily nobody got hurt, which is a good thing,' he told the Calgary Herald.

'It was almost surreal what happened. For something like that to happen... it's almost like fiction.

'It's a small community up here and it's pretty devastating.'

The footage has been widely viewed online, racking up over 275,000 views on Twitter, over 5,000 likes and more than 1,100 retweets and quote tweets.
Four female members of staff at a nursery have been arrested on suspicion of child cruelty following claims that a two-year-old child was physically assaulted.

Police officers descended on Lemongrove Nursery, Hook Farm Road, in Bromley, south east London, following the horrific alleged attack on May 20 this year.

The toddler who was allegedly attacked has 'no physical injuries', according to the Met Police.

The four women, aged between 18 and 28, were arrested on suspicion of child cruelty before being released on bail.

Two other female members of staff were interviewed voluntarily by detectives as police enquiries continue.

The nursery was suspended between May 31 and July 12 by Ofsted so that the school watchdog could probe the claims that a child may have been exposed to risk of harm.

Lemongrove Nursery has been closed after four female members of staff were arrested having allegedly physically assaulted a two-year-old child

The Met Police confirmed that the nursery is no longer operating while the force's Child Abuse team investigate.

A spokeswoman said: 'We can confirm police are investigating allegations of child cruelty in relation to a nursery school in Bromley.

'It is alleged that on Friday May 20 a two-year-old child was physically assaulted by staff members at the venue. There were no apparent physical injuries to the child.

'Four female members of staff, aged 18 to 28, have been arrested on suspicion of child cruelty and were subsequently released on bail.

'Two further female members of staff were interviewed voluntarily.'

The spokeswoman confirmed that enquiries are ongoing. 'Detectives from the Met's Child Abuse Investigation Team are investigating,' she added.

'We are aware the nursery is no longer operating.'

Lemongrove Nursery, which is open to children aged six months to five years old, received a 'Good' report in all areas from Ofsted on January 11 this year in the first routine inspection following on from the pandemic.

There is a team of 22 staff, with 16 of these holding appropriate early years qualifications at 'Level 2' and above, according to the Ofsted report.
Prince Charles's charitable fund will not be investigated by a watchdog for accepting 1million from the family of 9/11 mastermind Osama bin Laden.

It received the donation after the Prince of Wales had a private meeting with the terrorist's half-brother Bakr bin Laden in 2013  two years after the Al Qaeda leader was killed by US special forces.

But today the Charity Commission said trustees could take money from whomever they wanted and said it would not launch a probe into the cash gift.

A spokesperson told MailOnline: 'Whether to accept a donation is ultimately a matter for trustees.

'Based on current information, this historic donation does not appear to be unlawful.

'There is therefore no role for the Commission.'

Royal sources denied reports that Charles, 73, had 'brokered' the donation, or that he agreed to it in the face of opposition from his advisers.

Clarence House said the trustees of the Prince of Wales's Charitable Fund (PWCF) had agreed to accept the donation without the prince's involvement, and that they carried out 'thorough due diligence'.

Prince Charles was accused of a 'serious lack of judgment' yesterday after it emerged his charity accepted 1million from the family of Osama bin Laden

There is no suggestion that Bakr bin Laden, 76, had any involvement in terrorism. A PWCF source said its trustees had carried out 'a thorough examination of the issues' and decided that the actions of one member of the Bin Laden family 'should not tarnish the whole family'

But the latest revelation comes only weeks after it emerged the PWCF accepted more than 2.5million in cash donations, said to be stuffed in bags and suitcases, from a former Qatari prime minister.

And it raised further questions about the fundraising activities of the prince's charity, and why it accepted money from the Bin Laden family.

Former Government minister Norman Baker said: 'Prince Charles continues to show a serious lack of judgment about whom he will accept money from.

'Is there in fact anyone he would refuse money from? Is this really appropriate behaviour from the heir to the throne?'

The Bin Laden family publicly disowned Osama bin Laden in 1994, before it emerged his Al Qaeda network had carried out the 9/11 attacks.

Both the PWCF and Clarence House said the 1million donation was made and accepted, but said it was accepted by the charity's trustees, and not by the prince.

Sources denied reports that Charles had accepted the donation, and had done so despite objections by advisers  including at least one trustee  who pleaded with him to return the money.

It received the donation after Charles had a private meeting with the terrorist's half-brother Bakr bin Laden in 2013  two years after the Al Qaeda leader was killed by US special forces

Charles was reportedly introduced to Bakr bin Laden by Saudi royal Prince Khalid bin Faisal Al-Saud in June 2001. The pair met again in October 2001  four weeks after the 9/11 attacks  and dined at Charles's home Highgrove to discuss the Islamic faith

Royal sources also denied claims that one of Charles's household staff told the prince 'it would not be good for anybody' if it emerged he had accepted money from the Bin Laden family.

The PWCF said it had 'carefully considered' the donation and accepted only after seeking information from a range of sources, including the Government.

Charles was reportedly introduced to Bakr bin Laden by Saudi royal Prince Khalid bin Faisal Al-Saud in June 2001. The pair met again in October 2001  four weeks after the 9/11 attacks  and dined at Charles's home Highgrove to discuss the Islamic faith.

The two met again at Clarence House in October 2013, and the meeting was noted in the official Court Circular. The Sunday Times alleged Charles 'brokered' the 1million donation after that meeting, although the claim was denied by royal sources.

There is no suggestion that Bakr bin Laden, 76, had any involvement in terrorism.

A PWCF source said its trustees had carried out 'a thorough examination of the issues' and decided that the actions of one member of the Bin Laden family 'should not tarnish the whole family'.

PWCF chairman Sir Ian Cheshire said the decision to accept the donation was taken by the five trustees and that no wrongdoing was committed.

He added: 'Due diligence was conducted, with information sought from a wide range of sources, including Government. The decision to accept the donation was taken wholly by the trustees. Any attempt to suggest otherwise is misleading and inaccurate.'

A spokesman for Clarence House said: 'The PWCF has assured us that thorough due diligence was undertaken. The decision to accept was taken by the charity's trustees alone and any attempt to characterise it otherwise is false.'

The Charity Commission declined to comment.

How could an intelligent man get it so wrong

By Stephen Glover for the Daily Mail

At a recent lunch hosted by the Oldie magazine, the Duchess of Cornwall was in an admirably robust mood.

'The Duke of Edinburgh's philosophy was clear,' Camilla declared. 'Look up and look out, say less, do more  and get on with the job.' And that is just what I intend to do.'

We can only imagine what the plain-spoken Philip might have said about his eldest son's latest folly: the news that Charles accepted 1million for his charity from the family of Osama bin Laden, the most destructive terrorist who has ever lived.

Camilla should adopt Philip's no- nonsense approach and give her husband a good talking-to. She could say, for example: 'What a damn fool you've been  again. You seem to be going out of your way to bring discredit on the monarchy. You can sometimes be a blithering idiot, Charles.'

For it seems the heir to the throne doesn't listen to anyone else. According to the Sunday Times, which has revealed the 1million gift from two half-brothers of Osama bin Laden in 2013, one of his own household told him that his acceptance of it would cause national outrage if the news leaked to the media. And so it has.

Another adviser reportedly urged Prince Charles to return the money, and warned that he would suffer serious reputational damage if his name appeared in the same sentence as the terrorist, who was responsible for the murder of 67 Britons, along with thousands of Americans and others, on that dreadful day, September 11, 2001.

But Charles sailed on in a bone-headed way, just as he unwisely accepted a holdall stuffed with 1million from Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani  a former prime minister of Qatar and not necessarily the most admirable man who has ever walked the face of the earth  during a one-to-one meeting in Clarence House.

That money, like the gift from the Bin Laden family, was destined for the Prince of Wales's Charitable Fund. There is absolutely no suggestion that the prince is in any way venal or corrupt.

He simply has appalling judgment in such matters, combined with a kind of pig-headed arrogance. It is as though he believes that, as a consequence of his great importance, he is somehow exempt from the standards that govern the rest of us.

The opposite is the case. We look to our next King to provide an example of good sense  to be impeccable in his behaviour, just as his mother, the Queen, has been throughout her long reign.

If you were to ask 100 people down at the Dog and Duck whether they thought the prince should have accepted a gift from the family of a deadly terrorist (who was deservedly dispatched by American special forces in 2011), I wager that nearly all of them would say 'No'.

Would Charles accept a huge donation from the descendants of Heinrich Himmler or Adolf Eichmann were they in a position to make one? I don't imagine that even he would be so ill-advised.

So why take 1 million from the Bin Laden family? If anything, it would be less obnoxious to accept money from the fairly distant relatives of monsters whose sins were committed 80 years ago than from the half-brothers of an evil terrorist who has cast such a shadow over our own era. It makes little or no difference that the Bin Laden family long ago disowned its homicidal offspring.

I'm afraid  monarchist as I am, and an admirer of Prince Charles in many ways  that I almost despair at his foolishness. I can't understand how a decent and intelligent man could have got something so badly wrong.

What is clear is that his charity has led him astray. Last year, it was claimed that Michael Fawcett, his closest confidant, offered to help a Saudi billionaire obtain a knighthood in exchange for generous donations to the Prince's Foundation, of which Fawcett was chief executive. There is no suggestion Charles knew about this. Police are still investigating the matter.

At the very least, the prince must show that his charitable causes will in future be conducted in a more respectable and transparent fashion, and that there won't be any more holdalls full of high-denomination euro notes changing hands, or large gifts from the family of an infamous mass murderer.

And, as the Duke of Edinburgh is no longer with us, it really does fall to the straight-talking Camilla to give her husband a good dressing-down  and for the prince to take a closer look at himself than he is wont to do.

My worry is that Charles may have been guilty of other acts of stupidity in the past which have not yet come to light, and that, if they do, there will be more damaging revelations.

Careless behaviour on the prince's part is bound, if repeated, to weaken the monarchy. How terrifyingly quickly the Queen's precious legacy could unravel.
Russia on Monday said it was blacklisting 39 high profile British citizens, including Labour Party leader Keir Starmer, former prime minister David Cameron and journalist and TV host Piers Morgan.

The UK has been one of Kyiv's most loyal supporters after Russian president Vladimir Putin sent troops to Ukraine on February 24, and a slew of British commentators have expressed their unfavourable opinion of the Kremlin chief.

Russia's foreign ministry said the citizens listed, most of whom were politicians, government employees and journalists, 'contribute to the hostile course of London aimed at the demonisation of our country and its international isolation'.

'The choice in favour of confrontation is the conscious decision of the British political establishment, which bears all responsibility for the consequences,' the ministry added.

Moscow has banned several dozen British citizens - mostly politicians and journalists - from entering Russia since the start of its military campaign in Ukraine.

Russia on Monday said it was blacklisting 39 high profile British citizens, including Labour Party leader Keir Starmer, former prime minister David Cameron and journalist and TV host Piers Morgan (pictured)

The 39 freshly blacklisted Brits included Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer (left) and former Tory PM David Cameron (right)

'It wasn't on my vacation to-do list,' Morgan quipped on Twitter upon learning of the ban

The new additions include several Labour MPs, Scottish politicians and members of the House of Lords.

Meanwhile, the likes of Jonathan Munro - the head of the BBC's newsgathering - BBC News presenter Huw Edwards and ITV's political editor Robert Peston joined Piers Morgan on the list of British media figures now blacklisted.

'[Russia] wasn't on my vacation to-do list,' Morgan quipped on Twitter upon learning of the ban.

Russia's foreign ministry said it would keep adding to the list which now includes 255 prominent Britons.

'Given London's destructive drive to spin the sanctions flywheel on far-fetched and absurd pretexts, work on expanding the Russian stop-list will continue,' it said in a statement.

The UK has been one of Kyiv's most loyal supporters after Russian president Vladimir Putin (pictured) sent troops to Ukraine on February 24, and a slew of British commentators have expressed their unfavourable opinion of the Kremlin chief

A statement published on the Russian Foreign Ministry's website this afternoon declared 'personal sanctions relating to British politicians, journalists and businessmen'

The majority of the blacklisted Brits are politicians, including Prime Minister Boris Johnson, his cabinet and a variety of MPs, along with prominent media figures, war correspondents, political editors and other commentators.

Separately, the Russian Prosecutor General's office said it had declared the Calvert 22 Foundation, a non-profit organisation based in London, to be an 'undesirable organisation'.

'It has been established that its activity poses a threat to the foundations of the constitutional order and the security of the Russian Federation,' it said in a statement.

No comment was immediately available from the organisation, which was founded in 2009 by Russian-born economist Nonna Materkova and focuses on arts and culture in Russia and eastern Europe.

Who are the 39 Britons newly blacklisted by Russia? This is the latest list of 39 high profile British citizens which the Russian foreign ministry today announced had been blacklisted in Moscow: David Cameron, former British Prime Minister; George Robertson, member of the House of Lords of the Parliament of Great Britain; Angus Robertson, Scottish Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, Europe and External Relations; Fiona Hyslop, Scottish Cabinet Secretary for Economic, Labour and Cultural Affairs; Keir Starmer, member of the House of Commons of the British Parliament, leader of the Labour Party of Great Britain; David Lammy, Deputy of the House of Commons of the Parliament of Great Britain from the Labour Party, the 'shadow' Minister for Foreign Affairs of Great Britain; Lisa Nandy, Deputy of the House of Commons of the Parliament of Great Britain from the Labor Party, 'shadow' Minister for Social and Economic Development of Regions and Housing; Wendy Morton, Deputy Minister for Transport, UK; Ian Blackford, member of the House of Commons of the British Parliament, leader of the Scottish National Party faction; Nick Thomas-Symonds, Deputy of the House of Commons of the British Parliament from the Labor Party, 'shadow' Minister for International Trade; Kate Forbes, Minister for Finance and Economics, Scottish Government; Lorna Slater, Member of the Scottish Parliament for the Greens; Ross John Greer, Scottish MP for the Green Party; Alexander Cole-Hamilton, Member of the Scottish Parliament, leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats; Neil Charles Gray, Minister for Europe and International Development for Scotland; Laurence Lee, Second Permanent Undersecretary of Defense of Great Britain; Bate Toms, head of the British-Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce; Donald Wilson, Edinburgh City Councilor; Peter Ricketts, Member of the House of Lords of the UK Parliament; James Paul Gray, Member of the House of Commons of the UK Parliament from the Conservative Party; Paul Khan, partner at Renaissance Strategic Advisors; Clive Roads, founder of Royal Consulting; Christopher Samuel, founder of Christopher Samuel Associates; Anthony Whelan, Science Adviser, UK Department of Defence; Huw Walters, Head of Economic Security at the UK Department of Defence; Liam Fox, Member of the House of Commons of the UK Parliament from the Conservative Party; Helen Bower Easton, Foreign Office Spokesperson; David Aaronovich, columnist for The Times; Dan Sabbagh, War News Editor, The Guardian; James Crisp, European News Editor, Daily Telegraph; David Rose, freelance journalist; Caroline Wheeler, Political Editor, The Sunday Times; John Riley, head of Sky News; Jonathan Charles Munro, Head of BBC News; Edward William Robert Carr, associate editor of The Economist; Jerome Donald Starkey, military columnist for The Sun; Robert Peston, producer of corporations 'ITV' Piers Morgan, presenter of TV channel 'ITV' Huw Edwards, BBC presenter Source: Russian Foreign Ministry Advertisement
President Biden's doctor confirmed that he was still testing positive for COVID as of Monday morning and will continue his strict isolation, even as the president 'continues to feel well.'

Biden now hasn't left the White House complex in 12 days after he suffered a rebound case on Saturday that is believed to have been sparked by his Paxlovid treatment regimen.

White House physician Dr. Kevin O'Connor said Biden is still feeling well and is showing no symptoms.

The president has no public appearances on his schedule on Monday. In his stead, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre will brief reporters.

'The President continues to feel well as he starts his week,' O'Connor wrote. 'Given his rebound positivity which we reported Saturday, we continued daily monitoring. This morning, as could be anticipated, his SARS-CoV-2 antigen testing remained positive.'

President Biden's doctor confirmed that he was still testing positive for COVID as of Monday morning and will continue his strict isolation

O'Connor said Biden would continue to work from the White House. He also explained that the president's positive test was 'anticipated' given similar patients in his position.

The President will continue his strict isolation measures as previously described.'

According to O'Connor, 'He will continue to conduct the business of the American people from the Executive Residence.' O'Connor wrote that Biden 'continues to be very specifically conscientious to protect any of the Executive Residence, White House, Secret Service and other staff whose duties require nay (albeit socially distanced) proximity to him.'

That means Biden will continue to stay away from the West Wing, where aides conduct official business.

It all comes at crunch time in Washington, where Biden is in sight of grabbing some policy wins even as he eschews sitting down with lawmakers.

West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin (D), who spent months negotiating directly with Biden, announced last week he had reached a deal with Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer on a package that raises $739 billion in revenue, with $433 billion in spending on climate and other measures, and about $300 billion in deficit reduction.

Biden has been isolating in the White House for 12 days since testing positive for covid

Biden 'continues to feel well,' writes White House physician Dr. Kevin O'Connor

Biden's dog Commander has been his companion. First lady Jill Biden is in Wilmington

Biden released a video from COVID isolation on Sunday where he FaceTimes with advocates on Capitol Hill in lieu of going down there to help champion the PACT Act, which was defeated by Republicans and aims to aid veterans who were impacted by burn bits and other toxic chemicals

But Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.), whose vote would be crucial for passage, has yet to give the 'reconciliation' proposal, which is protected from Republican filibuster, a green light.

And House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is on a tour of Asia, with aggressive statements out of Beijing over reports she plans to visit Taiwan.

The president had tested negative for COVID-19 four days in a row after being infected last month. But medical experts insist his rebound case, while rare, is not completely unusual.

He tested positive on Saturday, and went back into isolation. Officials said he had six close contacts before the positive hit.

Physicians have noted that some people in higher risk categories who are treated with Paxlovid, as Biden was, are prone to suffer 'rebound' infections.

First lady Jill Biden remains in the family home in Wilmington, Delaware, and has been testing negative.

Biden had planned to reunite with her Sunday before getting his 'rebound' case.
Vladimir Putin has said a nuclear war must 'never be started' following heightened tension between Moscow and NATO in light of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

'As a state party to the Non-Proliferation Treaty and one of its depositaries, Russia is consistently complying with the letter and the spirit of the Treaty,' Putin said in a letter to participants of a conference on the treaty in New York.

'We proceed from the fact that there can be no winners in a nuclear war and it should never be unleashed, and we stand for equal and indivisible security for all members of the world community.'

UN head Antonio Guterres warned on the same day that humanity was 'just one miscalculation away from nuclear annihilation,' with the world facing a threat 'not seen since the height of the Cold War.'

Putin said Monday: 'There can be no winners in nuclear war, it should never be started'

Vladimir Putin previously announced a major new test of Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile

The Sarmat missile test launch on April 20, 2022. Putin has hinted at the possibility of a nuclear exchange with the West, though most experts agree the Russian president is unlikely to use the weapons against civilian targets

'We have been extraordinarily lucky so far. But luck is not a strategy. Nor is it a shield from geopolitical tensions boiling over into nuclear conflict,' Guterres said at the start of a conference of countries belonging to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

China, Russia, Britain, the United States and France have agreed that a further spread of nuclear arms and a nuclear war should be avoided, according to a joint statement by the five nuclear states on the UN Security Council, published by the Kremlin on Monday.

The United States and its nuclear allies also rebuked Russia for 'irresponsible and dangerous' talk about possibly deploying nuclear weapons as a review of the keystone nuclear treaty opened at the United Nations.

'Following Russia's unprovoked and unlawful war of aggression against Ukraine, we call on Russia to cease its irresponsible and dangerous nuclear rhetoric and behavior, to uphold its international commitments,' said the United States, France and Britain in a statement.

'Nuclear weapons, for as long as they exist, should serve defensive purposes, deter aggression, and prevent war. We condemn those who would use or threaten to use nuclear weapons for military coercion, intimidation, and blackmail,' they said.

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres speaks during the 2022 Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons at the United Nations in New York City on August 1, 2022

The call was issued as leaders met at the United Nations in New York for the 10th review conference of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), which came into force in 1970.

It comes as concerns are rising about the spread of nuclear technology, especially in Iran and North Korea, and China's rapid expansion of its nuclear arsenal.

While five leading nuclear powers are among the 191 states party to the pact, India, Pakistan, Israel and North Korea are not.

'The NPT has reduced the risk of a devastating nuclear war, and further reduction of that risk must be a priority for all NPT states parties and for this Review Conference,' the US-France-Britain statement said.

Vladimir Putin has staged nuclear drills with his road-launched intercontinental Yars missiles in a forest in western Siberia

The 7,500 mile range of the missiles means they would be capable of striking Britain or anywhere in Europe

They said that Iran, currently in negotiations to limit its nuclear development, 'must never develop a nuclear weapon,' and called on North Korea to halt its nuclear-related tests and launches.

In a separate statement US President Joe Biden called on Russia and China to demonstrate their commitment to limiting nuclear arms.

Russia should demonstrate its willingness to renew a separate bilateral nuclear arms reduction pact, the New START Treaty, when it expires in 2026, Biden said.

'My administration is ready to expeditiously negotiate a new arms control framework to replace New START,' he said.

'But negotiation requires a willing partner operating in good faith. And Russia's brutal and unprovoked aggression in Ukraine has shattered peace in Europe and constitutes an attack on fundamental tenets of international order.'

Head of Russian space agency Roscosmos Dmitry Rogozin with Vladimir Putin at Vostochny cosmodrome on April 12

Biden said China meanwhile has a responsibility 'to engage in talks that will reduce the risk of miscalculation and address destabilizing military dynamics.'

'There is no benefit to any of our nations, or for the world, to resist substantive engagement on arms control and nuclear non-proliferation,' Biden said.

'The health of the NPT has always rested on meaningful, reciprocal arms limits between the United States and Russian Federation. Even at the height of the Cold War, the United States and the Soviet Union were able to work together to uphold our shared responsibility to ensure strategic stability,' Biden said.

'The world can be confident that my administration will continue to support the NPT and seek to strengthen the nonproliferation architecture that protects people everywhere.'

Russian TV presenter Vladimir Solovyov, who threatens England with nukes, is pictured left

Putin's 'propagandist-in-chief' Dmitry Kiselyov previously threatened to drown Britain twice in a radioactive tidal wave using Satan-2 missile

The news comes after the Russian president put Russia's nuclear arsenal on high alert in February, and state-TV pundits in Russia suggested using nuclear weapons against the United Kingdom.

Earlier in the month, Putin's chief TV propagandist Vladimir Solovyov threatened to destroy England with a giant Satan-2 rocket, but leave Scotland, Wales and the island of Ireland unharmed.

Solovyov has previously threatened to destroy Great Britain with one hypersonic Sarmat, known in the West as Satan-2, a 15,880mph intercontinental nuclear-capable ballistic missile.

Earlier, Putin staged nuclear drills with his road-launched intercontinental Yars missiles in a forest in western Siberia.

The 7,500-mile range of the missiles are capable of striking Britain or anywhere in Europe.

Head of the Security Council, Dmitry Medvedev, issued the Kremlin's nuclear threat, warning of of the end of the 'existence of mankind' after warning the International Criminal Court (ICC) not to act against Russia.

Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko said in mid-July that Russia, Ukraine and the West must all agree to halt the conflict in Ukraine to avoid the 'abyss of nuclear war.'

Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko said Thursday that Russia, Ukraine and the West must all agree to halt the conflict in Ukraine to avoid the 'abyss of nuclear war'

'We must stop, reach an agreement, end this mess, operation and war in Ukraine,' Lukashenko, Russian President Vladimir Putin's top ally, told AFP in an exclusive interview in Minsk.

'Let's stop and then we will figure out how to go on living... There's no need to go further. Further lies the abyss of nuclear war. There's no need to go there.'

Belarus has served as a staging ground for Russia's intervention in Ukraine, but Lukashenko has so far avoided becoming a party to the conflict.

Analysts say that he is keenly aware of the fact that most Belarusians do not support sending troops into Ukraine.

The 67-year-old leader, who has ruled Belarus for nearly three decades, insisted that Kyiv authorities can end the war if they re-start talks with Moscow and accept its demands.

He urged Kyiv authorities to 'sit down at the negotiating table and agree that they will never threaten Russia.'

Talks between Russia and Ukraine largely ground to a halt in mid-April.

Russia has claimed its most potent nuclear missile, the 16,000mph hypersonic 'Satan-2', can destroy the UK
The University of West Georgia professor who shot dead a student in an as-yet unexplained attack over the weekend was denied bail on Monday.

Richard Sigman, 47, is in custody on seven felony charges including murder for the death of 18-year-old Anna Jones, a freshman who was due to start classes before she was gunned down on Saturday night during an evening out with friends in Carrollton, Georgia.

He appeared before in a wheelchair before a judge on Monday for his first court appearance where he was denied bond. The disgraced professor had a large gash on his head.

Police say he shot into the vehicle Jones was in after getting into an argument at Leopoldo's, a nearby pizzeria.

Much of the incident remains unexplained, including who Sigman argued with, or whether that person is any way connected to Anna.

Asked why he shot into her car, a police spokesman told DailyMail.com on Monday afternoon, after the court hearing: 'That is the burning question. We don't know.'

She was not at the pizzeria when Sigman got into an argument with another patron, and she does not know that man. Staff told him to leave when they saw he was armed with a handgun.

Sigman appeared before in a wheelchair before a judge on Monday for his first court appearance where he was denied bond. The disgraced professor had a large gash on his head.

Richard Sigman, 47, is shown in an unearthed Facebook photo practicing shooting with an assault rifle. It's unclear what type of gun was used in Saturday's attack

Sigman is shown in his booking photo, left. He is accused of murdering Anna Jones, right, who was in a car with her friends when he opened fire

After being thrown out of the pizzeria, Sigman walked over the parking deck where Anna was with her friends and opened fire into their vehicle. She was not at the pizzeria at the time of the argument, and it remains unclear why he targeted her car

'No, the male was not in the car with Anna and her friends nor did they know each other. They were not related at all.

'It doesnt appear Sigman followed anyone. Its bizarre to say the least,' the spokesman added.

After being thrown out of the pizzeria, Sigman walked over the parking deck where Anna was with her friends and opened fire into their vehicle.

Now, her family is raising money to pay for her funeral. They are also searching for answers in her death.

Sigman, who is believed to be unmarried, has been fired by the university.

He had been teaching business there since 2012.

The Carrollton Police Department is yet to answer some of the key questions that remain, including what type of weapon was used in the attack and whether he legally owned it.

Social media photos obtained by DailyMail.com portray Sigman to be a gun-toting nature lover who spends most of his time on the lake near his home.

Anna's friends and family are now trying to make sense of her sudden and senseless killing. She is shown at prom

The teenager with family. Among those mourning her death are the mothers of babies she looked after at a daycare center

The University of West Georgia has not commented on his employment history.

The school released a statement after Anna's death to say: 'The University of West Georgia has learned of the loss of one of its students, Anna Jones, who passed away following an off-campus incident earlier today.

'UWG has terminated the employment of Richard Sigman and continues to work with the city of Carrollton Police Department, which leads this ongoing investigation.'

Locals told DailyMail.com on Monday that the shooting occurred in a parking deck near the pizzeria, adjacent to the courthouse.

Nearby is Adamson Square, which some in the town say has become overrun with bars and drinking.

Sigman's social media profiles portray him as an outdoorsman who spends much of his time on the lake near his home

Before shooting Anna, police say Sigman got into a fight with a man in this pizzeria in the town

Anna's devastated family have taken to social media to share their grief and friends have launched a GoFundMe account on their behalf.

'She was a beautiful, sweet soul and her smile would light up a room! As with most parents, you never think that you will need life insurance for your child.

'This was a devastating and senseless crime that left a lot of hearts broken, a community mourning, and a family grieving.

'If you could, please help in any way,' family friend Jennifer Leperd said in a description for the page, which has raised $19,000 for her funeral.

Among those who donated to the page were women who previously hired Anna as a babysitter.

'I cant thank this girl enough for loving and caring for my baby boy like he was her own at the daycare.

'Almost every single afternoon when I came to pick him up he would be sitting in her lap holding her with the biggest smiles on both of their faces.

'They had so much love for each other,' one said.

Sigman is expected to make his first court appearance this afternoon.

He is currently being held in the Carroll County jail on seven charges; murder, three counts of aggravated assault and three counts of possession of a firearm in the commission of a crime.
Xi stresses solidarity of Chinese at home and abroad for national rejuvenation

Xinhua) 09:02, August 01, 2022

BEIJING, July 31 (Xinhua) -- The Central Conference on United Front Work was held from Friday to Saturday in Beijing. Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, attended and delivered an important speech.

In his remarks, Xi stressed that this year marks the centenary of the CPC's clear identification of its united front policy. It is imperative that we continue to ensure the patriotic united front develops in the right direction and accurately understand its historic position in the new era.

Xi defined the main tasks of the patriotic united front in the new era as follows: to follow the guidance of the Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and uphold the CPC's leadership; to adhere to the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics and hold high the great banner of patriotism and socialism; to balance commonality and diversity, focus on the central task of economic development and serve the overall interests of the country; to advance with the times and innovate on the basis of what has worked in the past; to strengthen theoretical and political guidance, and fulfill the political function of gathering support and pooling strength; to promote harmony between different political parties, ethnic groups, religions, social strata, as well as our compatriots at home and abroad; to promote concerted endeavor of Chinese people at home and abroad and bring together powerful strength for building China into a great modern socialist country in all respects and achieving the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

Li Keqiang presided over the conference. Li Zhanshu, Wang Huning, Zhao Leji and Han Zheng attended the conference. Wang Yang delivered concluding remarks.

Xi noted in his speech that the united front, as an important part of the Party's general line and general policy, has played a significant role in the different historical periods of China's revolution, construction and reform. Since the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012, the Party has implemented the national rejuvenation strategy within the wider context of once-in-a-century changes taking place in the world, and made comprehensive arrangements for united front work from the strategic perspective of national governance. Thus, we have made historic progress in united front work, with the united front demonstrating greater solidarity and dynamism while forging ahead to open up new horizons.

Xi stressed that we have developed, through practice, important thoughts on advancing the Party's united front work in the new era and put forward a series of new concepts, ideas and strategies to improve united front work. These mainly include the following twelve aspects: we must give full play to the role of the united front as an important means; we must secure support of the people and pool strength for our cause; we must strike the right balance between commonality and diversity; we must uphold, develop and improve China's new model of political party system; we must make fostering a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation the main task in the Party's work related to ethnic affairs; we must develop religions in the Chinese context; we must foster close bonds with non-CPC intellectuals and personages from new social strata; we must facilitate the healthy growth of the non-public sector of the economy and encourage those working in this sector to achieve success; we must exert the role of united front work to win hearts and minds of people in Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan as well as overseas Chinese; we must strengthen the ranks of non-CPC representative figures; we must grasp the laws governing united front work; and we must enhance the Party's overall leadership over united front work.

The important ideas on improving the Party's united front work in the new era represent a crystallization of the Party's wisdom in developing the united front over the past century and serve as the fundamental guidelines for united front work in the new era. The whole Party must implement them fully and faithfully, Xi said.

Xi noted that the united front must be maintained for a long time to come as it is an important assurance for the CPC to defeat the enemy, to govern and rejuvenate the country, and to rally all Chinese people both at home and abroad to realize national rejuvenation. Gaining people's support and an advantage in strength is vital to the success of the cause of the Party and the people, and represents the number one consideration in politics. Great unity and solidarity are what united front work tries to achieve as it is essentially about winning people's support and pooling strength. To achieve this, it is crucial that we stay committed to the principle of seeking common ground while putting aside differences, carry on the fine tradition of remaining united while staying open to criticism, seek commonality while respecting diversity, and as a result, expand common ground and achieve the greatest possible convergence of interests.

The CPC leadership over all aspects of united front work must be secured. United front affairs are the work of the entire Party, which requires close attention and concerted efforts of all Party members. Efforts must be made to establish a pattern of united front work, with Party committees exercising unified leadership, united front departments being responsible for coordination and other relevant departments performing their respective duties.

Xi stressed that great changes have taken place in terms of the opportunities and circumstances united front work faces as well as the missions and tasks it shoulders. As profound changes unseen in a century are evolving rapidly in the world, the united front plays an even more important role in safeguarding national sovereignty, security and development interests. On our journey to build a modern socialist country in all respects and realize national rejuvenation, the united front plays an even more prominent role in focusing on the central task and serving the country's overall interests. As the structure of our society is undergoing a profound change, the united front plays an even more important role in bolstering the Party's class foundation and expanding public support for it. We must thoroughly understand the significance of developing and expanding the patriotic united front in the new era and effectively perform our duties with a strong sense of mission and responsibility.

The united front was created for the purpose of achieving solidarity, on the basis of which it has thrived, said Xi. The historic task of the patriotic united front in the new era is to promote great solidarity of all Chinese people. He said that to fulfill this task, we must balance our efforts to uphold the Party's leadership and to expand consensus, making tireless efforts to achieve the latter and effectively uniting all the Chinese people from different political parties, ethnic groups, social strata, social groups, with different beliefs and even living under different social systems. We must strike a balance between making obvious achievements and those that are substantial but less obvious, so as to uphold a right perspective on officials' performance and advance the Party's united front work steadily into the future. We need to balance principle and flexibility, abiding by principled guidelines and policies while adopting flexible measures and solutions when necessary. While taking a firm political stance and adhering to basic political principles, we should also adopt proper approaches and methods in line with specific cases. We should balance solidarity and struggle, being adept in carrying out struggle and improving our ability in this regard to strive for genuine solidarity that is indestructible.

Xi emphasized that since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, the Party Central Committee has attached great importance to united front work from an overall and strategic perspective. A series of significant laws and regulations have been promulgated and several important meetings have been convened, such as the Central Symposium on Tibet Work, the Central Symposium on Xinjiang Work, the Central Conference on Ethnic Affairs, and the National Conference on Religious Affairs. Specific requirements were put forward and comprehensive arrangements made for improving the Party's work related to ethnic and religious affairs in the new era, and these requirements and arrangements must be fully implemented. Xi noted that we must uphold and improve the CPC-led system of multi-party cooperation and political consultation, calling for efforts to uphold the Party's leadership, strengthen political guidance and improve systems and mechanisms so as to make such cooperation rule-based, orderly and vibrant in the new era.

We should strengthen united front work on non-CPC intellectuals and personages from new social strata. With the fundamental focus on building consensus and the aim of instilling love for the country and an enterprising spirit, we will encourage them to strive for success in their careers and make the best of their talent by devoting themselves to reform and innovation. We should also promote the healthy development of the private sector and encourage those working in the sector to achieve success. We need to help them to develop firm ideals and convictions and uphold core socialist values, to put into practice the new development philosophy and to nurture an entrepreneurial spirit, so that they become qualified builders of socialism with Chinese characteristics. Efforts should be made to strengthen the ranks of patriots overseas, and help more foreigners understand and become friendly to China, so as to boost exchanges and mutual learning between Chinese and foreign cultures. We should also do a good job in united front work online and practice the mass line through the Internet, Xi said.

Xi noted that to strengthen united front work in the new era, it is crucial to uphold the Party's leadership, so that the entire Party make concerted efforts and all relevant sectors act in a coordinated manner. Party committees and leading Party members' groups at all levels must fulfill their principal responsibility for putting united front work high on their agenda. All departments and units should better realize the importance of united front work and join hands to create a powerful synergy. United front work departments should enhance self-development and exert their important roles as advisors, organizers, coordinators and supervisors. Officials of united front work should strive to improve their capacity for political judgment, thinking, and implementation, master the art of work and improve methods of work to establish a good image for their departments and themselves.

Li stressed while presiding over the meeting that Xi's speech carries great significance. According to Li, Xi hailed the historic contributions united front work has made over the past century and its achievements in the new era, expounded on its new ideas, thoughts and strategies formed since the 18th CPC National Congress, and analyzed its historic position in the new era. Li said that Xi also proposed guiding principles, fundamental tasks, focus of work as well as policies and measures for improving united front work in the new era, which are of political, ideological and theoretical significance.

We should study and digest what Xi said to think and act in line with the guiding principles of his speech. The Party has established Comrade Xi Jinping's core position on the Party Central Committee and in the Party as a whole and defined the guiding role of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, the significance of which requires our in-depth understanding, Li said. We should continue to strengthen our consciousness of the need to maintain political integrity, think in big-picture terms, follow the leadership core, and keep in alignment with the central Party leadership; enhance our confidence in the path, theory, system and culture of socialism with Chinese characteristics, and uphold Xi's core position on the CPC Central Committee and in the Party as a whole as well as the Central Committee's authority and its centralized, unified leadership. We need to carry out all our tasks in line with actual conditions, and make unremitting efforts to build China into a great modern socialist country that is prosperous, strong, democratic, culturally advanced, harmonious, and beautiful, and to realize the Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation, Li said.

According to Wang Yang in his concluding remarks, Xi's speech features great insight and rich connotations, elucidating a series of major theoretical and practical issues of united front work in the new era. Offering historic insight as well as theoretical and practical guidance, Xi's speech is a programmatic document containing the truth of Marxism.

Wang said that we should take studying and applying the guiding principles of the meeting as an important political task, deeply understand the decisive significance of the establishment of both Comrade Xi Jinping's core position on the Party Central Committee and in the Party as a whole and the guiding role of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, and comprehend General Secretary Xi Jinping's important thought on united front work in the new era in a complete, accurate and comprehensive manner. Firmly grasping the historic position and key missions of the patriotic united front, we should also revolve around the Party's central tasks on the new journey in the new era to bring together the strength and will of the people.

Wang called for concrete efforts that live up to people's expectations and stronger awareness in political orientation, thinking, and action of the need to effectively carry out united front work in the new era. It is imperative to industriously offset our deficiencies, set a good example in shouldering responsibilities, and use our wits to ably perform our duties, in a continued effort to maintain and enhance solidarity, progress, pioneering spirit, and dynamism in the united front. We should reinforce the Party's leadership over united front work, further improve the working pattern of building a broad united front, and proceed from realities to implement the decisions and plans of the Party Central Committee in a creative manner, in a bid to write a new chapter in the cause of the united front.

Members of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, members of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee, relevant leading members of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, state councilors, president of the Supreme People's Court, procurator-general of the Supreme People's Procuratorate, and relevant leading members of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference attended the meeting.

Also present were leading Party and government officials and officials in charge of united front work from all provinces, autonomous regions, municipalities and the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps (XPCC), leading officials of Party committees from sub-provincial cities, relevant leading officials from the central Party and government departments, people's organizations and the Central Military Commission, and leading Party officials from the financial institutions, enterprises and universities under the direct auspices of the central government, and heads of related research institutes. The meeting was held in the form of video teleconference, with venues set up in all provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities and the XPCC.

(Web editor: Wu Chaolan, Liang Jun)
The city has no master plan either for storm water drains or the sewerage network. Representational Image/DC

HYDERABAD: Civic authorities were not able to monitor the flow in storm water drains and sewer lines during the rains over the past two weeks, as most of them have been encroached. Nodal agencies are now asking the state government to work on the master plans and implement them or else the city would be inundated not only during monsoon but every time it rains.

The three spells of devastation were not an act of God but the result of human negligence, an official said. Over three years, at least Rs 1,000 crore government property and Rs 5,000 crore private property had been damaged in the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) limits, the official said.

The city has no master plan either for storm water drains or the sewerage network. For 9,000 km of roads, the city has only 1,000 km of storm water drains. The ideal figure would be twice the road length, or 18,000 km.

The city has only about 4,000 km of sewers, that too in the core city which are in need of an overhaul. The suburbs either have no drain network or the work to build them is incomplete. Hyderabad used to get about 750 mm of rain in a year, of which about 175 mm occurred in September. However, rapid urbanisation changed all that. For the past three years, the city has been receiving over 1,100 mm of rainfall every year.

The city witnessed massive floods in 2000, which resulted in an effort to improve the storm water drain and sewer network. The government hired Kirloskar Consultants in 2002 as technical consultants to draft a drainage master plan for the MCH area, then comprising 71 drains totalling 169 km in a 170-sq km area.

Based on their study, the MCH took up improvement of the Murki, Balkapur and Kukatpally nalas with Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) funds. The works could be completed only on a few stretches due to non-removal of encroachments and properties in the others.

The master plan prescribed wider nalas, with the intention that they should serve for 50 years. This required a large number of encroachments to be removed. The design was therefore modified with a one-year return. However, after discussions, it was proposed to retain larger widths for primary nalas which had large catchment areas.

As this was being worked out, the government merged 12 adjoining municipalities with the corporation in 2007, which multiplied the problem. It sparked rapid and uncontrolled urban growth and change of land use.

This impacted the network of urban lakes which affected the drainage of excess water when it rained. Lands were encroached upon and lakes became smaller. Choked lakes themselves became polluted.

Also, the Kirloskar and other studies were limited to the MCH area. The GHMC, which had become a 625-sq km behemoth, retained Voyants Solutions Pvt. Ltd in 2008 to draw up a master plan. They divided the GHMC area into 16 hydraulic zones and submitted the detailed project reports (DRPs) for 102 drains totalling 221 km in length.

The GHMC currently has 390 km of major drains  up from 169 km barely 15 years ago.

After the formation of Telangana, the government prepared proposals to widen nalas at 43 stretches over a total length of 100 km at a cost of Rs 2,300 crore to prevent flooding at most vulnerable areas. A drone survey was also conducted. The government sanctioned Rs 230 crore in 2017.

However, the works were stopped midway due lack of strong political will. The apathy resulted in flash floods in October 2020. Damage to the government property was estimated at Rs 567 crore in the GHMC area as also thousands of crores worth private property.

Putting aside Kirloskar and Voyants committee reports, the government asked the GHMC to prepare a comprehensive action plan to fight city floods and sanctioned Rs 910 crore to take up 64 works.

Then came the Strategic Nala Development Programme (SND), which officials call an eyewash. It is only an extension of existing networks with minimal land acquisition to widen the nalas, they said.

A civic official said the SNDP was resulting in waste of public money. Officials said without addressing the core problem by developing the storm water network of at least 15,000 km, the problem of urban floods would not be solved.
A husband smothered his wife with a pillow in their hotel room on holiday because he 'wanted her to keep quiet' and stop her 'nagging' him, jurors have been told.

Soong Hert Fong, 51, and Pek Ying Ling, 51, who had been married 27 years, had arrived in Newcastle from their home in Singapore on the next leg of their European tour, which had included trips to the Isle of Sky, Inverness and Edinburgh.

They were due to meet one of their three sons in Paris on December 7 last year having met other family during their trip.

But Newcastle Crown Court heard in the early hours of December 6, Fong, who was known as Alan Fong, murdered his wife, who was known as Evelyn Pek, in the County Aparthotel in Newcastle.

Jurors were told that after Fong had murdered his wife, he then sent a text to his eldest son, who was at university in Newcastle. It said: 'I have hurt your mother. She's gone. She's dead. I just lost it. I tried to cover her mouth to shush her. I just lost it.'

Fong, who denies murder but has admitted manslaughter claims he has 'no memory whatsoever' of the killing.

Pek Ying Ling, 51, known as Evelyn Pek, was smothered with a pillow by her husband Soong Hert Fong, known as Alan Fong, because he 'wanted her to keep quiet' and stop 'nagging' him, jurors at Newcastle Crown Court were told

The killing took place in the County Aparthotel in Newcastle in the early hours of December 6. Fong confirmed the death of his wife in a text to his eldest son at 7.07am saying, 'She's gone. She's dead. I just lost it. I tried to cover her mouth to shush her. I just lost it'

But Prosecutor Peter Makepeace QC rejected these claims and argues that Fong may have knelt on her shoulders during the attack to achieve the required force to kill her.

'He lost his temper, he snapped and he smothered her to death, apparently to stop her scolding him or nagging him or to keep her quiet,' the prosecutor said.

Fong also told police after his arrest: 'I just wanted to keep her quiet.'

Mr Makepeace told the court there was no known history of violence or trouble between the couple but one son suggested that Mrs Pek had been known to 'scold' her husband.

The court also heard that Fong injured his buttocks and hands in a fall during their stay at the Bosville Hotel at the Isle of Skye and had visited hospital both there and in Inverness for checks.

Fong had three further falls which resulted in another visit to hospital, this time to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle, which led to Mrs Pek 'scolding him for not taking good care of himself'.

Mr Makepeace said: 'She wasn't happy he was continuing to smoke while he was unwell.'

The court heard that the couple returned back to their hotel from the Newcastle hospital shortly after midnight on December 6.

Just hours later, at 7.07am, Fong had sent the text to their son confirming his wife's death.

Mrs Pek was found by emergency services lying with her legs hanging over the bottom of the bed with a pillow over her face.

The trial continues.
An unhinged tenured Michigan professor who called his students 'vectors of disease' and warned them to 'keep your f**king distance' settled his free speech lawsuit against the university where he taught for $95,000 and agreed to retire.

As part of the deal with Ferris State University, the irritated educator Barry Mehler agreed to a three-year gag order, according to a copy of the agreement obtained by the Associated Press.

The professor will have to pay $60,000 if he publicly criticizes the college during that period.

The judge in the case denied his request to be reinstated.

Dr. Barry Mehler, a tenured history professor at Ferris State University in Michigan, called his students 'vectors of disease' in a pre-semester video published on Sunday

Ferris State (pictured) said Mehler has been placed on leave while his conduct is investigated, but Mehler's attorney now says the university violated his First Amendment rihts

Mehler was suspended in January after he posted a 14-minute orientation video for his history class peppered with profanity and instructions about the syllabus, grades, plagiarism, classroom attendance and COVID-19 protocols.

In his lawsuit against the college, he said the suspension violated his First Amendment rights and he argued that his vile tirade was part of his 'style' that he had been applauded for by administrators in the past.

'The university should be celebrating and defending Dr. Mehler, not summarily disciplining him,' his lawyer Matthew Hoffer said in a letter.

'Dr. Mehler has been inundated with letters of support from current students, former students, and university faculty as well as students, educators and law professors from around the world,' Hoffer added.

In the video, the professor, who was upset that students were not required to be vaccinated, told the class that he held a tenured position and was going to retire next year so he didn't want to hear their complaints.

Mehler has been teaching at Ferris for nearly 30 years and is the director of the university's Institute for the Study of Academic Racism, according to his since-deleted bio

'Go complain to your dean, f*** you! Go ahead,' Barry Mehler yells in the video. 'I'm retiring at the end of this year and I don't give a flying f*** any longer!'

He also held up a helmet with a visor that he would have to wear in the classroom to keep the coronavirus from infecting him.

'I will not take questions in class because Im wearing this f**king helmet in order to stay alive,' he said, a reference to an astronaut-style helmet with air filters.

The college, which sits in Big Rapids, Michigan 155 northwest of Detroit, had decided to return to in-person classes and Mehler was concerned and unhappy about the risk of contracting COVID.

'I'm old enough to be your grandpa, and you people are vectors of disease to me,' he said. 'So when I look at a classroom filled with 50 students, I see 50 selfish kids who don't care whether grandpa lives or dies.'

Mehler says the video was intended to get his students' 'juices flowing' and that administrators have known about his style for years

The college suspended him after the video went viral on YouTube, racking up more than half a million views.

In addition to profanity, he made a sexual references as he ranted about his attendance policy, grades, plagiarism and COVID-19.

Mehler, who founded the Institute for the Study of Academic Racism, also told students that it didn't matter how hard they worked in his class because he randomly predetermined their grades prior to the semester.

'None of you are good enough to earn an A in my class,' Mehler said. 'So I randomly assign grades before the first day of class. I don't want to know anything about you. I don't even want to know your name. I just look at the number and I assign a grade. That is how predestination works...

'And don't come complaining to me. Take your complaints to God.'

Mehler said that his tirade was meant to provoke thought in the students.

'The whole idea was to get their juices flowing,' Mehler told the AP in January, referring to the video and his students. 'But they also knew their grade was not based on predestination. That was simply humorous.'

The Ferris State president at the time, David Eisler, said he was 'shocked and appalled.'
Donald Trump lashed out at Arizona House Speaker Rusty Bowers on Monday, after the Republican state official told ABC News that he would never vote for the former president again.

Bowers had been censured by the Arizona GOP after he testified in front of the Democrat-led House select committee investigating the January 6 attack on the US Capitol in June.

The state politician told lawmakers at the public hearing that the ex-president tried to pressure him to overturn Joe Biden's narrow victory in Arizona's 2020 presidential election.

Trump took to his Truth Social app one day after he appeared on ABC's This Week to claim Bowers was incapable of managing elections or the southern border crisis.

'Remember Arizona, your so-called "Speaker," Rusty (an appropriate name because he is Rusty, just like steel gets rusty and weak) Bowers, is absolutely terrible,' the former president wrote.

'He is "weak" and wrong on everything, including your horrible Open Border and pathetic election "counting." Vote him out!'

Despite testifying against Trump before the January 6 committee, Bowers still praised him and his policies, and claimed he would support Trump in a potential re-election bid.

Donald Trump responded to fellow Republican Rusty Bowers' criticism of him on Monday

On his Truth Social app, Trump mocked Bowers' name and criticized his handling of the 2020 election

Bowers told the Associated Press in June, 'If he is the nominee, if he was up against Biden, Id vote for him again. Simply because what he did the first time, before COVID, was so good for the county.'

He walked that back on Sunday, when Bowers told ABC's This Week that 'my vote will never tarnish his name on a ballot.'

'Ill never vote for him,' Bowers said.

'But I wont have to because I think Americas tired, and theres some absolutely forceful qualified morally defensible and upright people and that's what I want.'

Bowers also revealed that members of his own party labeled him a 'traitor' for telling the January 6 committee about Trump's attempt at 'cheating.'

As for the former president himself, Bowers accused him of being out of touch with everyday Americans - taking direct aim at Trump's populist persona.

It comes after Bowers spoke with ABC News on Saturday where he revealed he will 'never' vote for Trump again

Arizona House Speaker Rusty Bowers tells @JonKarl that he will never vote for Trump again.



"I wont have to because I think Americas tired and theres some absolutely forceful, qualified, morally defensible and upright people and that's what I want." https://t.co/xBDtn2md0s pic.twitter.com/BteEeRoTsE  This Week (@ThisWeekABC) July 31, 2022

'I have thought at times someone born how he was and raised how he was, he has no idea what a hard life is, and what people have to go through in the real world,' Bowers said.

'He has no idea what courage is.'

Bowers also denounced Republicans who support Trump's claims as 'demagogues' who 'rule by thuggery and intimidation.'

Trump is endorsing a challenger against Bowers' latest election bid in an effort to derail the state official's political career.

The term-limited Arizona House Speaker is running for a seat in the state Senate, where he's up against former state Senator David Farnsworth.

Their primary race is set for Tuesday, August 2.

At the same time another Trump-back candidate, former local news anchor Kari Lake, will be vying against establishment Republican-backed candidate Karrin Taylor Robson in the Arizona GOP gubernatorial primary.
Iranian journalist and activist Masih Alinejad told the Iranian government to 'go to hell' on Monday after claiming the country's regime was responsible for sending a man armed with a loaded AK-47 to her Brooklyn neighborhood.

'Go to hell,' Alinejad said in a direct message to the Iranian regime during an on-camera interview with CNN. 'I'm not scared of you. I have only one life. You care about power - I care about my dignity - and freedom like millions of other people inside Iran.'

Khalid Mehdiyev, 23, was found on Thursday with the assault rifle, a high-capacity magazine and more than $1,000 in cash stashed away in his car, according to a federal complaint.

Mehdiyev was sitting outside the journalist's Brooklyn home for two days in his gray Subaru Forester SUV with an Illinois license plate before he was caught in Alinejad's Ring camera footage, which showed the 23-year-old wandering on her porch.

'I'm not scared [for] my life at all because I know what I'm doing,' Alinejad said. 'I have only one life, and I dedicated my life to give voice to Iranian people inside Iran who bravely go to the streets, face guns and bullets to protest against Iranian regime, but this is happening in America. This is happening [for the] second time. They try to assassinate, to kill, and kidnap American citizens [on] US soil.'

Police are investigating why Mehdiyev was scooping out Alinejad's home.

Please listen to this interview on CNN and be my voice. Last week Iranian regime arrested anti compulsory hijab women inside Iran and tortured them to denounce themselves and me on state TV. Now they send a man with loaded AK-47 in New York to kill me.



pic.twitter.com/2WubfRCTTB  Masih Alinejad  (@AlinejadMasih) August 1, 2022

Iranian journalist and activist Masih Alinejad appeared on CNN to discuss the man arrested outside of her Brooklyn home who was found on Thursday with the the assault riffle, a high-capacity magazine, and more than $1,000 in cash stashed away in his car

Khalid Mehdiyev, 23, was seen in Ring camera footage. Alinejad shared the footage of the 23-year-old lurking on her Brooklyn porch on Twitter

Mehdiyev was outside Alinejad's house for days before he was arrested. Police found an AK-47 rifle in his car

Alinejad, 45, told CNN the Iranian regime has been targeting her family for constantly voicing her thoughts on freedom and women's rights in Iran, especially as some women seek to lose the traditional hijab.

'First, they put my brother in jail to punish me,' Alinejad said. 'Second, they brought my sister on TV to disown me publicly. Third, interrogated my mothers for hours and hours and asked her to take me to Turkey.'

'She added, 'Then they arrested all these women, and brought them all on TV to disown me publicly.'

Alinejad explained how the Iranian regime has targeted her family in attempt to combat her efforts for women's rights and freedom in the country

Alinejad has spoken out against corruption in the Iranian government. Anti-government protesters are seen outside the Iranian Embassy in Berlin in January 2020

Alinejad was targeted in 2021 in a kidnapping conspiracy before being saved by the FBI. She was taken to a safe house before learning on July 13 that four Iranian intelligence officers planned to snatch her from her house in Brooklyn and take her on a speedboat to Venezuela.

'Last year when I was here, it was when the FBI announced that they stopped the kidnapping plot,' she told CNN. 'I was like okay - I'm safe - finally - I'm going to enjoy my freedom in America to give voice to voiceless people inside Iran. But now I've been told, a few days ago, that I have to move from my house because this time, a man, was in front of my house with loaded guns to kill me.'

It was later revealed that private investigators were hired to capture footage of Alinejad and her family around her Brooklyn home.

Four suspects - Alireza Shahvaroghi Farahani, Mahmoud Khazein, Omid Noori, and Kiya Sadeghiwere - were identified in the kidnapping scheme as the FBI attempted to arrest them as they fled back to Iran.

A fifth suspect, Niloufar Bahadorifar, accused of supporting the plot financially but not participating in the kidnapping conspiracy, was later arrested in California.

Iranian officials denied the kidnapping allegations.

Before ending her interview with CNN, Alinejad left a message for President Joe Biden and his administration.

'Shut down the Islamic Republic... throw out all the Iranian diplomats,' she said. 'Why [are] they here? The Iranian regime twice challenged the US government on US soil. I deserve to have freedom in the United States of America. Kick them out. If you don't, believe me, they're going to come after more American citizens.'

Mahmoud Khazein (left) and Omid Noori (right) are among four Iranians charged in the kidnap plot

Kiya Sadeghi (left) is accused of being an asset working for the Iranian spy chief, Alireza Shahvaroghi Farahani (right)

Alinejad was intertwined into a kidnapping conspiracy in 2021. The FBI moved her to various safe houses and later revealed her kidnappers planned to smuggle her to Venezuela

Alinejad speculates Mehdiyev is apart of the Iranian regime's plan to silence her. The 23-year-old arrived on Alinejad's street in Brooklyn on July 27.

He was spotted on returning to the street a day later, and stayed in his car for hours.

'Mehdiyev behaved suspiciously during that time: among other things, he exited and entered the Subaru several times, ordered food to be delivered to the Subaru, approached the Residence, appeared to attempt to look inside the windows of the Residence and attempted to open the front door of the Residence,' Special Agent David Kasse wrote in his report.

Police pulled over Mehdiyev later on July 28 after he rolled through a stop sign and discovered he was driving with a suspended license, according to Kasse.

Documents by the NYPD revealed Mehdiyev was issued a parking ticket on July 23 on the same Brooklyn Street - he was taken into custody before cops found the gun and money inside his car.

Mehdiyev told investigators that he was trying to knock on the front door of Alinejad's house to inquire about a room to rent, but decided to flee in fear of waking someone up. He said the thousands of dollars in cash was intended for a hotel room.

He denied knowledge of the firearm found in his car before confessing ownership.

He later said he was in Brooklyn 'because he was looking for someone.'

Mehdiyev sat in his gray Subaru Forester SUV on a Brooklyn street with an Illinois license plate for days. He was pulled over by police on July 27 for rolling through stop sign. He was arrested for driving with an expired license and for a parking ticket he received on July 23 while parked on the same Brooklyn street

Mehdiyev told police he arrived at Alinejad's street to inquire about a room to rent. He said he fled the home out of fear he would wake up a resident
UN head Antonio Guterres warned Monday that the world faced 'a nuclear danger not seen since the height of the Cold War' and was just 'one miscalculation away from nuclear annihilation.'

'We have been extraordinarily lucky so far. But luck is not a strategy. Nor is it a shield from geopolitical tensions boiling over into nuclear conflict,' Guterres said at the start of a conference of countries belonging to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

'Today, humanity is just one misunderstanding, one miscalculation away from nuclear annihilation,' he said, calling on nations to 'put humanity on a new path towards a world free of nuclear weapons.'

Guterres's comments came at the opening of the Tenth Review Conference of the NPT at the UN headquarters in New York, an international treaty that came into force in 1970 to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres addresses the Tenth Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) where he warned 'we have been extraordinarily lucky so far'

Guterres's comments came at the opening of the Tenth Review Conference of the NPT at the UN headquarters in New York, an international treaty that came into force in 1970 to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons

The meeting, held at the UN's headquarters in New York, has been postponed several times since 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. It will run until August 26.

Guterres said the conference was 'a chance to strengthen' the treaty and 'make it fit for the worrying world around us,' citing Russia's war in Ukraine and tensions on the Korean peninsula and in the Middle East.

'Eliminating nuclear weapons is the only guarantee they will never be used,' the secretary-general implored, adding that he would visit Hiroshima for the anniversary of the August 6, 1945 atomic bombing of the Japanese city by the United States.

'Almost 13,000 nuclear weapons are now being held in arsenals around the world. All this at a time when the risks of proliferation are growing and guardrails to prevent escalation are weakening,' Guterres added.

In January, the five permanent members of the UN Security Council - the United States, China, Russia, Britain and France - had pledged to prevent the further dissemination of nuclear weapons.

At the last review conference in 2015, the parties were unable to reach agreement on substantive issues.

And the threat of nuclear proliferation is only growing, with Iran reported to have enough uranium to build 'one, if not two' bombs, an ex-US diplomat and nuclear weapons expert Robert Joseph warned.

Putin said Monday: 'There can be no winners in nuclear war, it should never be started' despite rattling the nuclear sabre multiple times since he launched his invasion of Ukraine

US President Joe Biden called on Russia and China to demonstrate their commitment to limiting nuclear arms

Meanwhile, the United States and its nuclear allies rebuked Russia on Monday for 'irresponsible and dangerous' talk about possibly deploying nuclear weapons as a review of the keystone nuclear treaty opened at the United Nations.

'Following Russia's unprovoked and unlawful war of aggression against Ukraine, we call on Russia to cease its irresponsible and dangerous nuclear rhetoric and behaviour, to uphold its international commitments,' said the United States, France and Britain in a statement.

'Nuclear weapons, for as long as they exist, should serve defensive purposes, deter aggression, and prevent war. We condemn those who would use or threaten to use nuclear weapons for military coercion, intimidation, and blackmail,' they said.

The call was issued as concerns are rising about the spread of nuclear technology, especially in Iran and North Korea, and China's rapid expansion of its nuclear arsenal.

While five leading nuclear powers are among the 191 states party to the pact, India, Pakistan, Israel and North Korea are not.

Putin: 'there can be no winners in nuclear war, it should never be started' Vladimir Putin has said a nuclear war must 'never be started' following heightened tension between Moscow and NATO in light of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. 'As a state party to the Non-Proliferation Treaty and one of its depositaries, Russia is consistently complying with the letter and the spirit of the Treaty,' Putin said in a letter to participants of a conference on the treaty in New York. 'We proceed from the fact that there can be no winners in a nuclear war and it should never be unleashed, and we stand for equal and indivisible security for all members of the world community.' UN head Antonio Guterres warned on the same day that humanity was 'just one miscalculation away from nuclear annihilation,' with the world facing a threat 'not seen since the height of the Cold War.' 'We have been extraordinarily lucky so far. But luck is not a strategy. Nor is it a shield from geopolitical tensions boiling over into nuclear conflict,' Guterres said at the start of a conference of countries belonging to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. It comes after the Russian president put Russia's nuclear arsenal on high alert in February, and state-TV pundits in Russia suggested using nuclear weapons against the United Kingdom. Advertisement

'The NPT has reduced the risk of a devastating nuclear war, and further reduction of that risk must be a priority for all NPT states parties and for this Review Conference,' the US-France-Britain statement said.

They said that Iran, currently in negotiations to limit its nuclear development, 'must never develop a nuclear weapon,' and called on North Korea to halt its nuclear-related tests and launches.

In a separate statement US President Joe Biden called on Russia and China to demonstrate their commitment to limiting nuclear arms.

Russia should demonstrate its willingness to renew a separate bilateral nuclear arms reduction pact, the New START Treaty, when it expires in 2026, Biden said.

'My administration is ready to expeditiously negotiate a new arms control framework to replace New START,' he said.

'But negotiation requires a willing partner operating in good faith. And Russia's brutal and unprovoked aggression in Ukraine has shattered peace in Europe and constitutes an attack on fundamental tenets of international order.'

Biden said China meanwhile has a responsibility 'to engage in talks that will reduce the risk of miscalculation and address destabilizing military dynamics.'

'There is no benefit to any of our nations, or for the world, to resist substantive engagement on arms control and nuclear non-proliferation,' Biden said.

'The health of the NPT has always rested on meaningful, reciprocal arms limits between the United States and Russian Federation. Even at the height of the Cold War, the United States and the Soviet Union were able to work together to uphold our shared responsibility to ensure strategic stability,' Biden said.

'The world can be confident that my administration will continue to support the NPT and seek to strengthen the nonproliferation architecture that protects people everywhere.'
A mother and her four children were among the seven people killed when a wrong-way driver slammed into a van on an Illinois interstate early Sunday morning.

The fiery crash happened around 2:11 a.m. on Interstate 90 in McHenry County, roughly 50 miles from Chicago.

Illinois State Police said Jennifer Fernandez, 22, of Carpentersville, Illinois was driving a 2010 Acura TSX the wrong way on I-90 for 'unknown reasons' when she smashed into the Chevrolet van being driven by Thomas Dobosz, 32, of Rolling Meadows, Illinois. Both vehicles burst into flames on impact.

Fernandez was found dead on the scene, state troopers said, along with all of the passengers in Dobosz' van, including his wife and four children.

Lauren Dobosz, 31, of Rolling Meadows and five children, four of which were hers, were killed in the crash, according to Illinois State Police. The children were ages 5 to 13.

Thomas Dobosz was the sole survivor of the crash and remains hospitalized at Loyola University Medical Center.

Lauren Dobosz, 31, of Rolling Meadows and five children ages 5-13, all in a Chevrolet full-size van, were killed, according to Illinois State Police

The five children who were killed in the crash were two 13-year-old girls, a 7-year-old boy, a 6-year-old boy, and a 5-year-old girl, all of Rolling Meadows

Scene of the crash on I-90 when Jennifer Fernandez, 22, drove the wrong way on the highway for 'unknown reasons' and smashed into the van. Both vehicles burst into flames on impact

Local Illinois man Alan Wiedmeyer told DailyMail.com that he was on his way to a fishing tournament when around 2 a.m., he was nearly hit head-on by a car that had made a sudden U-turn on I-90 in front of him.

'It headed straight for me as I was in the middle lane, and luckily I was able to swerve out of the way before it hit me,' he said, adding that he flashed his lights at them but the car kept going. 'The cars behind me also veered out of the way just in time.'

Wiedmeyer said he received texts about 10-15 minutes later from fellow tournament goers who alerted him that I-90 was closed after two vehicles had collided and burst into flames.

'Immediately my mind went to the car going in the wrong direction,' he said.

But it wasn't until around 11 a.m. later that morning that the car he swerved away from was the one that struck a van, killing five children.

'My heart just sunk especially finding out that five kids had lost their lives,' Wiedmeyer said.

'I felt guilt too that I could have stopped it and hit the other vehicle before it got to them,' he added. 'I have a two-year-old of my own, and I couldn't imagine losing a child in such a horrific accident.'

The five children who were killed in the crash were two 13-year-old girls, a 7-year-old boy, a 6-year-old boy, and a 5-year-old girl, all of Rolling Meadows. Their names have not been released.

Lauren Dobosz, 31, of Rolling Meadows and five children, were killed in the crash on Sunday. Her husband Thomas Dobosz, 32, who was driving the van, was seriously injured

Five children were killed in the crash Sunday, along with all four of the children of Thomas and Lauren Dobosz. Lauren died at the scene, along with the children. Her husband was injured

Neighbors told ABC7 Chicago that four of them were the couple's kids.

'When you find out it is people you've known for many years, it kind of hits a little harder,' neighbor David Moreno said. 'Losing your family in a split-second like that is not going to be easy for anybody.'

'My understanding is one of the eldest daughters had a friend with them,' Moreno added. 'I know it's going to be devastating for the community just to know that it was somebody that people have known.'

Lauren Dobosz's co-worker Kenny Felton said she started working at Lulu's Gaming in Rolling Meadows two months ago and described her as creative and always willing to help.

'She loved her kids and her husband,' Felten said. 'That was her life.'

'He's going to have a tough road ahead when he finds out what happened and just wish them all the best, and anything we can do, we'll be here for them,' he added.

Other neighbors along Owl Drive in Rolling Meadows told FOX 32 Chicago that the children would always say hello.

They said the couple took care of elderly grandparents who had lived in the home on Owl Drive for some time.

Investigators are working to determine why Fernandez was traveling in the wrong direction in the fatal crash that caused another collision.

A semi-truck rear-ended another semi when it stopped suddenly to let a medical helicopter land, officials said. A trailer on one of the trucks was damaged and boxes were scattered on the highway. One person suffered minor injuries.

Investigators are working to determine why Fernandez was traveling in the wrong direction

A charred van is hauled away from the scene of a crash in Illinois. A mother and five children were among the seven killed when a wrong-way driver slammed into the van early Sunday
An alleged smuggler was shot dead by cops moments after the driver of the pickup truck they were ferrying migrants in failed to stop for a revision near Mexico's border with Guatemala.

At least five migrants were in the vehicle with the driver and the man who was shot early Monday, the Chiapas State Attorney General's Office said in a statement.

The driver, identified only as Marcelino, told investigators with the state prosecutor's office that he and the smuggler, Fernando, had picked up the migrants in the Mexican border town of Comitan de Dominguez.

A pickup truck from the police department in the southern Mexican city of San Cristobal de las Casas lies burned in a street after residents protested the killing of an alleged migrant smuggler who was shot dead by cops Monday

A police vehicle burns in the middle of a street in San Cristobal de las Casas, Mexico, on Monday after an alleged migrant smuggler was shot by the police after his driver refused to stop at a checkpoint

They were headed north when they encountered municipal police from San Cristobal de las Casas around 12:06 a.m. local time.

"They were shot at on different occasions, and Fernando, who was traveling in the back seat, was wounded and killed," the Chiapas State Attorney General's Office said.

Someone in the truck opened fire on police, who then responded by shooting at the truck, according to an official in the state prosecutor's office who was not authorized to speak about the case.

Fernando's sparked protests in San Cristobal de las Casas as friends and family sought answers.

A police pickup truck was torched in the middle of a street near the state prosecutor's building around 3:00 a.m.

While receiving less attention than other migratory routes in southern Mexico, smugglers frequently use the sparsely-populated mountains in San Cristobal de las Casas to move people north from Central America.

The town is located almost 270 miles from the border city of Tapachula, where thousands are United States-bound migrants find themselves waiting on the Mexican government to approve special 30-day permits that allow them to move freely through the country while they wait for the their immigration process to play out.
Kathleen John, 39, was killed in the early hours of Friday morning after falling from a third-floor window in Wembley, west London

A man has appeared in court charged with the murder of a woman who died in north-west London after reports of a woman who had 'fallen from a height'.

Leonidas Georgalla, 50, of Harrow, appeared at Willesden Magistrates' Court today for a preliminary hearing.

He is accused of murdering Kathleen John, 39, on Friday, July 29, in London Road, Wembley.

He is due to appear at the Old Bailey at 10am on Wednesday, August 3, when a decision is expected with regard to bail.

Only a crown court judge can decide on bail when the charge is murder.

Georgalla is listed to appear at the same court for a plea and trial preparation hearing on August 30.

He was wearing a grey jumper and tracksuit bottoms and stood with his hands behind his back to confirm his name and age.

Georgalla was represented by Hemini Patel of Lawrence & Co, Kevin Kendridge was acting for the Crown Prosecution Service and Caroline Walsh was chair of the bench.

Leonidas Georgalla, 50, of Weald Lane, Harrow, appeared at Willesden Magistrates' Court today for a preliminary hearing

Georgalla is accused of murdering Kathleen John, 39, on Friday, July 29, in London Road, Wembley

A Metropolitan Police statement said: 'Emergency services were called at 02.22hrs to reports that a woman had fallen from a height.

'Officers attended along with the London Ambulance Service and London's Air Ambulance.

'Despite their efforts, Kathleen died at the scene.'

Detective chief inspector John Marriott, the lead investigator, said: 'I continue to appeal to any witnesses or anyone with information about the circumstances of Kathleen's death to call us on 101, quoting reference 656/29Jul.'
Around 100 firefighters are tackling a huge grass fire near Heathrow airport in West London, according to the London Fire Brigade.

A video shows a large plume of smoke shooting into the sky from a field near Hatton Road in Feltham on Monday, August 1 as a plane approaches the airport.

London Fire Brigade tweeted that around six hectares of grassland were alight and a 'large amount' of smoke was being produced.

They said: '15 fire engines and around 100 firefighters are tackling a grass fire near Hatton Road in Feltham.'

Around 100 firefighters tackled a huge grass fire near Heathrow airport in West London, according to the London Fire Brigade

London Fire Brigade tweeted that around six hectares of grassland were alight

Another fire in West London. So close to Heathrow! pic.twitter.com/XnAwDmnoAI  Anindya Guha (@AnindyaGuhaOrig) August 1, 2022

Around six hectares of land are alight and producing a large amount of smoke, they added. They said residents should keep their windows and doors closed.

The cause of the fire is not known and it began just before 2.50pm this afternoon.

A Heathrow spokesperson said the fire meant they alternated their runways for the afternoon but confirmed flights had not been affected.

Heathrow Noise, which provides live runway updates, said: 'Good afternoon, due to smoke from a fire off-airport we will be switching back to landing on the northern runway (27R) and taking off from the southern runway (27L). We apologise for the disruption.'

London Fire Brigade tweeted 15 fire engines and 100 firefighters are tackling the fire

Heathrow alternated their runways for the afternoon
A computer expert who claims to have invented the digital currency Bitcoin has been awarded just 1 in damages after he gave 'deliberately false' evidence in a High Court defamation case.

Australian Dr Craig Wright, purportedly Bitcoin creator 'Satoshi Nakamoto', sued blogger Peter McCormack for libel over a series of tweets in 2019 that alleged his claim to be the enigmatic inventor was fraudulent.

In a ruling on Monday, Mr Justice Chamberlain concluded the tweets, and a video discussion broadcast on YouTube where Mr McCormack made similar claims, had caused 'serious harm' to Dr Wrights reputation.

But the High Court judge limited Dr Wrights damages to 1 after he put forward a 'deliberately false' case over being disinvited from academic conferences because of the tweets until days before the libel trial in May.

In the tweets made between March and August 2019, Mr McCormack, a podcaster specialising in content about cryptocurrencies, alleged that 'Craig Wright is not Satoshi' and is 'a fraud'.

Australian Dr Craig Wright (pictured), purportedly Bitcoin creator 'Satoshi Nakamoto', sued blogger Peter McCormack for libel over a series of tweets in 2019 that alleged his claim to be the enigmatic inventor was fraudulent

Amid complaints from Dr Wrights solicitors, he tweeted in response: 'Lets go to court.'

In the lead-up to the libel trial, Dr Wright initially argued that he had been invited to speak at numerous conferences after the successful submission of academic papers for blind peer review, but that 10 invites were withdrawn following Mr McCormacks tweets.

This included alleged potential appearances at events in France, Vietnam, the US, Canada and Portugal.

But Mr McCormack submitted evidence from academics challenging Dr Wrights claims which were dropped from his case at the trial in May.

Dr Wright later accepted that some of his evidence was 'wrong' but that this was 'inadvertent', Mr Justice Chamberlain said.

The judge noted that there was 'no documentary evidence' that Dr Wright had a paper accepted at any of the conferences identified in the earlier version of his libel claim, nor that he received an invitation to speak at them except possibly one and nor that any invitation was withdrawn.

In a ruling on Monday, Mr Justice Chamberlain concluded the tweets, and a video discussion broadcast on YouTube where Mr McCormack (above) made similar claims, had caused 'serious harm' to Dr Wrights reputation

Dr Wrights explanation for abandoning this part of his case because the alleged damage to his reputation from the 'disinvitations' was outside England and Wales 'does not withstand scrutiny', the judge added.

He concluded that 'Dr Wrights original case on serious harm, and the evidence supporting it, both of which were maintained until days before trial, were deliberately false'.

Lawyers for Mr McCormack argued at trial that his tweets were made in 'flippant and light-hearted terms' and were in response to posts by Calvin Ayre, a Canadian businessman, 'goading others into accusing Dr Wright of being a fraud'.

They also claimed there were 'numerous other individuals who had posted the same allegations about Dr Wright', Mr Justice Chamberlain explained in his ruling.

Lawyers also 'relied upon attempts by Dr Wright to sell the rights to his life story as showing that he had not been hurt by the controversy surrounding his claim to be Satoshi and indeed was trying to exploit that controversy for gain', the judge said.

But the High Court judge limited Dr Wrights damages to 1 after he put forward a 'deliberately false' case over being disinvited from academic conferences because of the tweets until days before the libel trial in May (stock image of bitcoin)

Mr Justice Chamberlain concluded that although the tweets were 'flippant in tone' they came from 'a well-known podcaster and acknowledged expert in cryptocurrency'.

'They were unequivocal in their meaning. Many people who read them would have known that there was a lively debate about whether Dr Wright was Satoshi, but some of them must have been influenced by reading Mr McCormacks trenchantly expressed contribution to that debate,' the judge continued.

'The fact that he was willing to state his views so brazenly in response to threats of libel proceedings is likely to have made those who read them more, not less, likely to believe them.'

But the judge said that Dr Wrights pre-trial case over the serious harm to his reputation made it 'unconscionable' that he should receive 'any more than nominal damages'.

The judge said the identity of Satoshi Nakamoto was not an issue he had to determine in his ruling as Mr McCormack had earlier abandoned a defence of truth in his case.

CoinDesk reported that Dr Wright's lawyers distributed a statement which read: 'I intend to appeal the adverse findings of the judgment in which my evidence was clearly misunderstood.'
A governor is the head of a state and is appointed by the President of India under the Constitution. He is expected not to get identified with any political philosophy. However, the Maharashtra governor has no qualms about indulging in politics. He has often been accused by the Opposition parties of acting as the puppet of the Bharatiya Janata Party and making intemperate statements hurting the sentiments of people. The time may have come for the Centre to move this governor out of Maharashtra even if it is under Sena-BJP rule now.

Since becoming the governor of Maharashtra on September 5, 2019, Bhagat Singh Koshyari has earned himself the reputation of speaking first and thinking later. He has once again caused a political controversy out of nowhere with his statement that Marathi people will be left with no money and Mumbai will lose its status of being the financial capital if all Gujaratis and Rajasthanis are removed from Maharashtra. This has left the Eknath Shinde government in embarrassment. But more importantly, the comment has the potential to cause polarisation on regional lines.

The Marathi pride and sons of soil issues have often played a big role in Maharashtras municipal elections, particularly in Mumbai and its neighbouring Thane city. The Shiv Sena has controlled both the municipalities for more than two decades mainly by claiming to be the protector of the sons of soil. The governors statement has provided a chance to the Shiv Sena and its allies to put the BJP on the mat ahead of the all-important local body elections to be held in a few months. It was no surprise that Uddhav Thackeray dragged chief minister Shinde and the BJP into the controversy and accused them of harbouring a desire to separate Mumbai from Maharashtra.

The latest comment may be the last straw that breaks the camels back as Mr Koshyari has rocked the boat too often for comfort. Earlier this year, his remarks on social reformers Savitribai Phule and Mahatma Jyotiba Phule had caused a major row. While inaugurating a statue of Savitribai Phule in Pune, he had said, Savitribai was married off when she was ten years old and her husband Jyotiba was 13 years old. Now imagine, what would the boy and girl have been doing after marriage? In February this year, he was severely criticised by the Maratha organisation after he said, Who would have asked about Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj had there not been Samarth Ramdas? In October 2020, he had directed the state government to reopen the places of worship and asked the then chief minister Uddhav Thackeray if he had turned secular.

Surely, the Shiv Sena, Congress and NCP are targeting the governor to accomplish their political agenda. But the constant reckless remarks by the governor on the issues that are outside his constitutional duties are escalating tensions, threatening law and order issues, dividing people on communal/linguistic lines and aggravating political instability in the state. In such a situation, the state government should be raising a complaint with the President against the governor.

Maharashtra chief minister Shinde and his deputy Devendra Fadnavis have, however, given a limp response by merely saying that they do not agree with the governor. Mr Shinde, particularly, is at a crossroads in his political career after turning against his own party. Without the support of the Shiv Sena cadre, he needs to win over the common man, which will be difficult if the governor is allowed to continue unbridled. By not taking Mr Koshyaris habit of self-destruction seriously, he might be jeopardising his own position.
Amber Heard's sister told her boss that the Aquaman actress did sever Johnny Depp's finger when she hurled a vodka bottle at him, unsealed court documents have shown.

The unveiled documents reveal a deposition from Jennifer Howell, a former friend and boss of Heard's sister Whitney Henriquez, speaking about the finger incident that allegedly took place in 2015.

She recollects when Amber's sister scream in the office 'she's cut off his God damn finger' while the celebrity couple were in Australia as Depp was filming the fifth Pirates of the Caribbean film.

The deposition was made public over the weekend when thousands of pages of documents filed in Depp and Heard's defamation trial were unsealed.

In June, Heard was ordered to pay Depp $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.

Actor Johnny Depp displays the middle finger of his hand, which he claims was injured while he and his ex-wife Amber Heard were in Australia in 2015

Amber Heard leaving Fairfax County Circuit Courthouse. Heard was rewarded $2 million in compensatory damages out of the $100 million she asked for

Johnny Depp's severed finger, following an incident in Australia in 2015. Jennifer Howell, a former friend and boss of Heard's sister Whitney Henriquez, said that she exclaimed when Amber allegedly 'cut off his finger'

Depp 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 $8.35 million.

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 $100 million she asked for.

Speaking with Depp's attorney Camille Vasquez, Howell said: 'I was sitting exactly where I'm sitting right now because I'm sitting at my desk in the office. So I was sitting right here on my computer, working, in my zone, responding, doing whatever I was doing.

'And right over there, there were two black-and-white chairs at the time with a table in between it. Whitney was sitting in one of the black-and-white chairs.

'There's a door that goes out right over there as well, and she just screamed, 'She's done it now. She's cut off his God damn finger,' and made this huge proclamation. And I pushed my chair back. I was like, 'What?'

'And she goes, 'She cut off his finger. She cut off his finger.' And then she bolted out the door and was like, 'I got to call somebody. I got to call somebody.'

'And she went out the door and she called someone. I don't know who she called. That's what was said.'

When asked if Henriquez had specified who the 'she' and 'he' were in the scenario, Howell responded: 'It was Amber and Johnny.

'And she apparently had thrown a bottle and cut off his finger, is what she reported when she came back in from whoever she talked to outside.'

Heard denied causing the injury, saying that he hurt himself during a drunken rage.

Depp also told the court that he lied to a doctor over how he got the finger injury at the time.

Whitney Henriquez (pictured), sister of actress Amber Heard testifies at the Fairfax County Circuit Courthouse in Fairfax, Virginia

Meanwhile, unsealed court documents show Amber Heard walked away from a divorce payout from Johnny Depp that could have run to tens-of-millions of dollars, as the financially-challenged actress sells her beloved California home.

Documents seen by the Daily Beast show that the Aquaman star, 36, ignored guidance from her legal team not to pursue Depp for the maximum cash she was entitled to after they filed for divorce in 2016.

She could have sought half Depp's $33 million he made filming the fourth installment of Pirates of the Caribbean, since it was made while they were married.

But Heard chose not to, and wrote them an email saying she was being 'amazingly true to (her) word, that this is not about the money.'

A judge refused to let that evidence be admitted during Depp's defamation lawsuit against Heard.

She was ordered to pay Depp a total of $8.3 million after being found guilty of defamation, but says she doesn't have enough cash to do so.

She may now have begun raising some of that cash by selling her Yucca Valley home in the California desert for $1.05million, a profit of about $500,000 for Heard, as per TMZ.

Heard allegedly bought the house in 2019 through an anonymous trust tied to the actress.

There is speculation about Heard's ability to immediately cover the damages, which includes $10million in compensatory damages and $350,000 in punitive damages.

She will also receive $2million from Depp in a counter-lawsuit, leaving her with just over $8million to pay.
A woman who says she was allowed to transition to male after just two and a half hours of counselling is speaking out after she decided to 'detransition' to female.

Sam, 26, decided to pay for private therapy sessions when she began to question her gender identity when she was just 21, after she was told she would have to wait two and a half years for an NHS appointment.

She was initially thrilled when she was given a private appointment, and after self-diagnosing herself as a trans man after doing research online, was given the go ahead to begin hormone therapy and undergo a double mastectomy after just two hour-long appointments with a doctor.

Just two years after she began the hormone treatment and after a double mastectomy, she began suffering health complications, and realised she did not want to go ahead with full gender reassignment surgery.

By the time her initial NHS appointment came through, she began to realise she had made a mistake - and told doctors she was now seeking help transitioning back to a woman.

Sam, 26, from the Midlands (pictured after detransitioning) decided to pay for private therapy sessions at 21 after she was told she would have to wait two and a half years for an NHS appointment

After two years taking hormones, Sam says she began to suffer vaginal atrophy and decided she did not want gender reassignment surgery. She has transitioned back to living as a woman

Sam is now speaking out in a bid to help other people struggling with gender identity - and to warn them of the dangers of going through the process too quickly without proper therapeutic support.

Sam, from the Midlands, said: 'I am now reconnecting with my natural body in the form it is in now and my life is about moving along.

'I have the permanent effects of my journey but they don't invalidate me as a woman.

'I do still feel regret towards medical steps I took during my transition but I am working on loving and accepting my body for how it is rather than how used to be and how I wish it was.

'I do believe that therapy should be involved at all stages of the transitioning process to help spot and explore red flags that may appear in someone's transitional journey.

'I also think more information should be given to individuals to make sure that their informed consent is truly informed.

'It has been a really difficult journey for me, and I have lost a lot of friends in the process who felt that I am in some way anti-trans.

'I saw a community full of so many people who had transitioned and it had finally made them happy; and with hindsight, I looked at them and thought that would be what made me happy too.

'I now know that I am not a trans man, but I didn't have enough therapy to explore what was really going on with me and help me realise that I don't have to fit into a box of one of society's defined gender norms.

Sam (pictured after her mastectomy) is now warning others of the dangers of going through gender transition too quickly without proper therapeutic support

Sam had struggled with her identity during her teenage years, and shortly after she turned 21, in 2016, she discovered a community of trans people online which struck a chord with her

'I have been through the process and regretted my decision, so I feel like I am in a good position to share a different perspective about what should be done differently to help people who are questioning their identity.

'The industry is under huge pressure from the trans community to move things along quickly because of statistics around suicide. This frightened me into feeling I had to do everything as quickly as possible to avoid feeling that way.'

Sam had struggled with her identity during her teenage years, and shortly after she turned 21, in 2016, she discovered a community of trans people online which struck a chord with her.

'Throughout my teenage years, I fluctuated around identities until I discovered videos online about people who were transitioning for the first time and discovering who they were,' Sam explained.

'I identified with it a lot as I struggled to pinpoint who I was. I wasn't masculine and I wasn't hugely feminine and I wanted to feel this happiness and freeness I was seeing in others.

'So in February 2017, I decided to go to my GP, who referred me to a local NHS gender clinic, however, there was a two and a half year wait.

'I was an adult and earning money, so I decided to save and go privately because I thought I wanted the process to happen quicker.'

Sam was given an appointment to see a specialist at a private Gender Clinic in June 2017, but decided to legally change her name in May 2017.

Sam (pictured prior to her transition) said: 'I am now reconnecting with my natural body in the form it is in now and my life is about moving along'

'I was really identifying as non-binary, which I told the specialist at my first appointment.

'But between the first and second appointment, I decided that I would be treated more quickly if I identified as a man - and I would be able to get me to a point that I thought would make me happy.

'So I continued down a path that led me to identify as male by the time I got to my second appointment because I thought it would get me the fastest care and thought it would be easier to live as a man.

'I had decided I wanted to start taking testosterone and wanted surgery to remove sexual parts of my body, especially my breasts because they were very distressing for me.

'I was diagnosed with gender dysphoria which meant I could apply to start taking testosterone. It was crazily fast, but there was such a sense of urgency because I was feeling distressed and I didn't want things to get worse.'

After just two hour-long appointments at the clinic, Sam says she was prescribed cross-sex hormones, which she began taking in December 2017.

Five months later, in May 2018, she was able to undergo a double mastectomy, despite rules saying the patient must have lived as a man for a year - by citing the date of her name change as when she started living as a man - even though she did that prior to any therapy - and was put on the waiting list.

Sam said: 'I was able to have the surgery just a year and nine months after I first discovered trans people.

'I was so happy after the surgery because I had been binding my breasts for years. It felt like a huge relief.

'The hormones worked really quickly and within a few months, my voice had dropped, I grew body and facial hair and even developed a micro penis.

'My hairline also began to recede a little, and I noticed a huge change in my emotions. Whereas I'd once been a very emotional person, it felt as though the testosterone had numbed the heights of my emotions. Nothing made me feel incredible happy, and nothing made me incredibly sad any more.

'I had moved from working in childcare to working in a very male-dominated job working with trains, and when I first met people, nobody knew I had transitioned from female.'

But just two years after her surgery, by mid-2020, Sam began to suffer from vaginal atrophy - where the female sex organ tissue begins to die off because of the lack of female hormones to keep it functioning and healthy - which left Sam in crippling pain, as well as with an increased risk of developing cancer.

She was horrified when NHS doctors told her the only treatment available to her was to have a hysterectomy - an operation which she did not feel ready for and made her realised that she never wanted to have full gender reassignment surgery.

She explained: 'I wasn't prepared to have a hysterectomy at the age of 24.

'I felt distressed as didn't feel properly informed about the side effects that came with taking testosterone.

'I was experiencing imposter syndrome. I didn't feel like the other men I was around, and I felt like I was constantly pretending.

'So I started questioning why I wanted to identify as a man.

'I didn't want to regret my decisions but I was no longer comfortable living as a male.

'I researched more and I discovered a group of detransitioners, so I explored the femininity that I had suppressed for all of these years and I came to accept that I was female.

'Against the advice of my doctors, I stopped taking my hormone medication.'

She added: 'Although I still love having a flat chest, I won't be able to breastfeed if I ever have children and it has taken away the opportunity to learn to love my womanhood.

'I don't want to put my body through breast reconstruction but I know that I would've learnt to love my body in its entirety.

'I have also started to menstruate again, which took around a year to come back to after I stopped taking testosterone, although I have been left with excess body hair and a deeper voice.'

'I am talking about my experience because it is important to discuss these topics because, using their hindsight, detransitioners can help spot red flags and help others when it comes to making these important decisions.

'My family have always been supportive of me, but I have found that quite a lot of friends have drifted away since I have detransitioned.

'There seems to be a huge emphasis in society in supporting trans people, almost to the point that it is seen as what I did as being anti-trans.

'When I told people I was transitioning to male, I was met with overwhelming excitement and support from my friends.

'But when I revealed I would be reversing the process, I was met with questioning and distance from so many people I considered to be friends.

'The people who matter to me are here for me and I am in a much better place now and looking forward to the future.'
In his first public appearance since suffering a stroke three months ago, Meghan Markle's father thanked the British public for their support.

An exclusive video of Thomas Markle, 77, on GB News this evening marks his first public appearance since his stroke in May, which saw him lose his speech.

It was shown during Dan Wooton's interview with Mr Markle's son Thomas Markle Jr, where he opened up about his father's recovery.

In the video, Mr Markle can be seen sitting at a table overlooking a windy beach. He holds a whiteboard and pen, holding up the sign to the camera.

The sign reads: 'Hi Dan, Thank you and the British people for the best wishes and good will'.

Thomas Markle, 77, appeared in the video above a windy beach in his first public appearance since his stroke in May

Mr Markle thanked presenter Dan Wooton and the British public for their 'best wishes and good will'

The retired Hollywood lighting director suffered a stroke on May 23 and spent five days in hospital.

He fell over while shopping and had to be helped to his feet just days before he was hospitalised.

After being discharged, he said: I feel hugely grateful and know how lucky I am to be alive.

I want to thank everyone, especially the wonderful doctors and nurses who saved my life. They are angels.

I have been deeply moved by loving messages Ive received from all over the world. People have been so kind. I cant speak right now, but I am working hard and will thank people properly when I can.

Mr Markle had been planning to fly to the UK in June to celebrate the Queen's Platinum Jubilee, but the stroke, which left him with limited speech, scuppered the trip.

Thomas Markle was rushed to hospital after suffering a stroke - he was hospitalised for five days and lost his speech

Dan Wooton's interview with Thomas Jr airs tonight on GB News at 10:15pm

Writing on a whiteboard with a felt-tip pen at the time, he said: I wanted to come to pay my respects to the Queen. I wish her a happy Jubilee and many more years.

The severe stroke was caused by a blood clot on the right side of Mr Markles brain.

He was rushed to a hospital near his home in Rosarito, Mexico, before being transferred by ambulance to the US border where an ambulance was waiting to ferry him to a hospital in San Diego, California.

He has been in a critical-care ward all week and has made what one doctor told him was remarkable progress.

On leaving the Californian hospital, he was able to speak a few words, but faces what he calls an uphill battle to regain his power of speech.

I have lots of hard work to do and will do it, he wrote. I want to get well. Im so lucky to have had amazing care and love. Thank you everyone.

Mr Markle was be cared for by his 56-year-old son, Thomas Jr, who drove 11 hours through the night to be with his stricken father.

I was visiting my son and his family in Oregon when I got the call, said Thomas Jr at the time.

I will be here for Dad and do whatever it takes to help him on his road to recovery. Its been a terrible shock for everyone but Dad is a strong man and he is determined to get well.

'Hes already started working with a speech therapist and is making great progress. Weve received hundreds of messages of support for him from people all over the world.

We are so grateful for the outpouring of love for Dad. Im here for him for as long as it takes.

Mr Markle's daughter Samantha previously said that he may need a year of therapy to recover his speech after being struck down by the stroke.

His family had been worried about his high blood pressure for some time before he fell ill, resulting in him losing even the ability to tell paramedics what was wrong with him.

The 77-year-old had to write down his symptoms on a piece of paper.

Mr Markle was forced to miss his daughters wedding to Prince Harry in 2018 after he had two heart attacks just days before.

Dan Wootton Tonight airs Monday-Thursday at 9pm on GB News.
A member of the far-right Three Percenters militia was sentenced to more than seven years in prison for his role in the January 6 riot at the Capitol Building - the longest sentence yet for any of the insurrectionists.

Guy Reffitt, 49, of Wylie, Texas, was convicted by a jury in March of five felony charges, including bringing a gun onto the Capitol grounds and obstructing an official proceeding.

He had threatened to harm his own children if they ratted him out to the FBI.

'He said, 'If you turn me in, you're a traitor,'' his 19-year-old son, Jackson Reffitt told jurors. ''And traitors get shot.'

Federal guidelines recommend a prison sentence of 9 to 11.25 years for those crimes, prosecutors say.

Reffitt never entered the Capitol, but video evidence showed him egging on the crowd and leading other rioters up a set of stairs outside the building.

He was heard on his GoPo camera recording saying he planned to drag House Speaker Nancy Pelosi out by her feet 'with her head hitting every step on the way down,' according to a copy of the recording submitted at trial.

Guy Reffitt, 49, was sentenced to 7.25 years in federal prison after he was convicted in March on five counts, including bringing a weapon to the Capitol grounds and disrupting an official proceeding

Guy Reffitt (pictured at the Capitol), 48, of Texas, who was arrested in connection to the riot at the Capitol earlier this month, allegedly threatened to shoot his children if they became 'traitors' and turned him in to the FBI

Texts from Reffitt show him bragging about being at the Capitol during the riot on January 6

Reffitt lost his swagger at the hours-long sentencing where the feds sought 15 years for his crimes.

He decided to address the court, reversing his previous decision, though he said that his anxiety over public speaking was 'crushing him,' according to NBC News.

'I don't want anything to do with any groups or militias or any stupid sh*t like that,' he said. 'I do deeply regret everything.'

Reffitt was brought to tears at trial as his son told the jury about how his father threatened him if he dared to call the FBI. The elder Reffitt wiped away tears as his son Jackson testified that he felt 'gross' when he googled 'FBI tip' in order to report his father.

Jackson Reffitt, pictured, alerted the FBI to his dad's alleged role in the Capitol riots

Guy Reffitt's wife, Nicole (C), with her daughters Sara (L), and Peyton (R), depart the federal court house in Washington, DC, on Monday after husband's conviction

Later, Jackson Reffitt told The New York Times that he felt bad for turning his father in, but he doesn't regret it.

'I would say I'm sorry, because I don't feel like I put him in this situation, but I still feel guilty. I would do it again,' Jackson told the paper.

Judge Dabney Freidrich doubted Reffitt's conversion.

'I can't help but wonder, whether like many other Jan. 6 defendants, [if] I'm hearing what I'd like to hear from you as opposed to what you really believe,' the judge said.

'I clearly f**ked up,' he replied.

Even after his arrest, he wrote a letter on behalf of other incarcerated rioters.

'I hope that was the only day in American history we would without doubt feel the need to notify our government they have transgressed much too far,' he said.

Freidrich said that the claims in his letter 'border on the delusional.'

'He hasn't walked back his statements about being a martyr,' she said. 'He hasn't walked back his statements about being a patriot. And so, as here he sits, I have to consider: what is this man going to do when he's released from prison?'

Guy Reffitt, right, with his wife Nicole beside him. His son Jackson, center, turned him into the FBI after the January 6 riot on the Capitol Building. His daughters Sara and Peyton (far right) have stood by him through out the trial.

Guy Reffitt, far right, with his wife, Nicole, center, and three children who are all adults now

Still, his family stuck by his side after turning him in.

The insurrectionist's wife Nicole Reffitt said that she didn't think her husband would act on his statements, but said that the family was 'disturbed' by the comments.

His family set up a crowdfunding page on GiveSendGo asking for donations for his defense.

'Guy stood on the stairs of our Capitol that day not to cause terror, but to stand up to the corruption and evil that has eroded our government. You, the American people, have supported the Reffitts through some of the darkest days this family has endured, and I am now asking for a rally,' Nicole Reffitt wrote.

After the sentencing, Nicole Reffitt defended her husband, calling him a 'patriot' and saying the trial was 'political,' according to CBS reporter Rob Legare.

Speaking to reporters, Guy Reffitts wife Nicole calls his case political and says he acted like a patriot on Jan. 6. pic.twitter.com/pCd9Z6OSKf  Rob Legare (@RobLegare) August 1, 2022

Moments after her husband, Guy Reffitt, was sentenced to more than 7 years in prison for his actions at the US Capitol on January 6th, Nicole Reffitt shared a defiant message with the reporters outside. pic.twitter.com/mASqYc7Fie  Don Kauffman (@kauffdc) August 1, 2022

Guy Reffitt's daughters: "Trump deserve LIFE IN PRISON, if my father is in prison for this long." pic.twitter.com/tZHrkwtkCD  Neo Jane (@NeoJane8) August 1, 2022

His daughters Peyton and Sara, defended their dad, after the sentencing, blaming former President Donald Trump.

'Trump deserves life in prison if my father's in prison for this long,' Sara Reffitt said.

The Texas dad was the first Capitol rioter to go to trial in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.

He was caught on camera with a Smith & Wesson pistol in a hip holster. He also carried zip-tie handcuffs

To date, federal prosecutors have prevailed and won convictions in all but one of 13 trials tied to the Capitol attack.

Reffitt, of Wylie, Texas, seen here during the riot carrying a Smith & Wesson pistol and black hand-ties

Reffitt's (far right) trial was seen as an important test case as the U.S. Justice Department attempts to secure convictions from the hundreds of defendants who have not taken plea deals

Reffitt's lawyer, William Welch (pictured along Reffit in a courtroom sketch dated February 28, 2022) told jurors during opening statements that his client was one for dramatics: 'He exaggerates and he rants. This trial will be about fact versus hype'

Reffitt's wife told officials that Reffitt (pictured in blue with a helmet at the Capitol) was arguing about the incident with his son and daughter when he told them: 'If you turn me in, you're a traitor and you know what happens to traitors. ... Traitors get shot'

Supporters loyal to President Donald Trump clash with authorities before successfully breaching the Capitol building during a riot on the grounds on January 6

Pro-Trump protesters storm into the U.S. Capitol during clashes with police, during a rally to contest the certification of presidential election results by on January 6

Federal prosecutors had asked U.S. District Judge Dabney Friedrich to sentence Reffitt to 15 years, more than the U.S. sentencing guidelines recommend, citing Reffitt's crime as being 'calculated to influence or affect the conduct of government by intimidation or coercion.'

But on Monday, as the sentencing stretched into its fifth hour, the judge rejected the federal prosecutors' arguments.

'There are a lot of cases where defendants possessed weapons or committed very violent assaults,' Politico reported the judge saying. Friedrich noted that the harshest sentences so far have been for little more than five years.

'The government is asking for a sentence that is three times as long as any other defendant and the defendant did not assault an officer,' according to Politico's coverage.

Reffitt's attorney has sought to portray him as man who felt marginalized and down on his luck after losing his job in 2019.

Depressed and suicidal, his attorney said he turned to political news on social media and became a fervent believer in former President Donald Trump.

His daughter Peyton told the court in a letter she could see how her father's ego and personality 'fell to his knees when President Trump spoke.'

'You could tell he listened to Trump's words as if he was really truly speaking to him ... Constantly feeding polarizing racial thought.'

His attorney F. Clinton Broden said that while his client broke the law, his actions were not as egregious as those of others who entered the Capitol and assaulted police.

He noted that Reffitt will get credit for the 19 months he has already spent behind bars since his arrest, and has asked the judge to impose a sentence of no more than two years.
Two Florida police officers and a rental company representative were caught on camera ripping off locks while serving an eviction notice to the wrong home last week.

'What are you doing?' Land O'Lakes homeowner Jennifer Michele said to the three men through her Ring surveillance camera on Thursday.

'Uh, we are here to finalize the eviction,' a police officer said.

Michele responds, 'What eviction?'

'It was posted a week ago, it was posted last week,' the officer said.

The homeowner responded in confusion as another police officer wandered off the check the address at the front of the home, 'On my house?... I paid all my bills, my dogs are inside there.'

The officer proceeded to ask Michele her name before saying, 'Oh s***' and walking to the front of the home.

'What the hell is going on?' Michele demanded as the three men conversed in front of the home.

The officer immediately returned, 'Ay, we actually, we do apologize, we have the wrong house. It's the next-door neighbors. What we are going to have to do is we're going to have to - they are going to have to - repair their locks.'

The Land O'Lakes homeowner was away at lunch with her mom when she received a Ring notification on her phone. By the time she started interacting with the deputies, the locks were already broken off her front door.

Land O'Lakes homeowner Jennifer Michele posted a TikTok video of the locks to her home being ripped off my Florida police deputes and a rental agent representative. The video unexpectedly blew up after the Thursday incident

Two deputies and one rental agent representative ripped off the locks of the wrong home during an eviction notice procedure

The homeowner wasn't there at the time, but she witnessed the incident through the camera installed at her front door

Michele posted the footage on TikTok, which unexpectedly gained traction overnight with nearly 6 million views as of Monday afternoon. She has created multiple follow-up videos for spectators asking for more information about the incident

'So I got to my house, and the cops were at the correct house, which is right next door to me,' Michele said in a follow-up video. 'He came over to talk to me about it, and I'm pacing - I was so angry.'

She continued, 'I asked him, "who is responsible for reading the numbers on the house?" He told me that they all are - so there were three of them that read the number incorrectly.'

An officer explained to Michele that the neighbor who was going to be evicted would have her house cleaned out by officials.

Michele was paranoid for the rest of the day thinking of what she would've done if she was out of town or didn't have the Ring surveillance gear.

'I could've came home from lunch, and my key wouldn't go in - the lock - and I would have no idea why - because they didn't put a note on the evicted house's door.'

She later added, 'What if they cleared out all my stuff and then most likely they would've taken my dog to animal control.'

Michele has responded to various other comments asking her to reveal her dog. She further has addressed contentious comments of people claiming she needs to 'calm down' or that her 'voice is mad annoying.'

Michele has resided in the home for nearly 13 years and was angry to see the locks being ripped off her door.

'I am not familiar with the eviction process,' Michelle said. 'How is it possible that three people didn't have the right address?'

The Pasco Sheriff Department told DailyMail.com that the incident was a mistake, and they are investigating how the error occurred.

'Once the error was realized, deputies immediately worked to correct it,' a spokesperson said.

The sheriff's department further clarified that the locks were ripped off by a representative of the rental company.

To make up for the mistake, the officers bought Michele and her family lunch.

Michele has since laughed at the mistake while posting a parody of the interaction through the Ring surveillance footage.
A black bear crashed the home of a Connecticut family by breaking into its garage and then rummaging through their freezer and later attempted to return for a second time.

On Sunday, Bill Vannie was working on the front yard of his West Harftord home when he decided to grab a refreshment from inside, where he found the bear, according to his wife, Christine.

In footage shared online, the black bear can be seen intruding into one of the home's rooms while eating marshmallows and peanut butter crackers, Christine told local news outlets.

'Go on, that way. Go. Get out of here. Go on, go. Take off bud,' Bill says in the video, attempting to shoo the bear out the home's open front door.

Posted by Christine Vannie on Sunday, July 31, 2022

A black bear intruded a West Hartford home on Sunday while both homeowners, Christine and Bill Vannie, were working on the front yard, before it was shooed away

After Bill had shooed the black bear away, the animal attempted to come back inside the home through the back before it was told off once more

The black bear had been snacking on marshmallows and crackers found in the kitchen when Bill first saw it

As soon as the animal walks out of the home, Bill slams the front door shut.

The couple also noticed their fridge and freezer had been scoured through by the animal, with food items found on the ground of their garage.

Both accessories also appear to have been damaged as they are titled against the wall.

A day later, on Monday, the same bear returned to the home located on Walker Lane, breaking a screen door, though it didn't manage to break inside again.

Bill and Christine called the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) to report the incident.

The bear also damaged the couple's fridge and freezer, as bottles and cans appear on the ground in the home's garage

The fridge and freezer also appear to have been moved as they are tilted against the garage wall

The agency said it's 'concerned' by the bear's behavior and have provided a direct phone number for Bill and Christine to call should it come to the home again.

DEEP also said that it was going to install a trap in the area to avoid another bear break-in attempt.

Bears are not uncommon creatures in Connecticut, as it's estimated there are around 1,200 of them in the state, DEEP wildlife division Director Jenny Dickson told the Courant.

Most bears in the area are black bears, Dickson further said, adding that they are mostly in the Litchfield and Hartford counties in eastern Connecticut.

Rangers advise people not to run from bears and instead make the animals aware of human presence by speaking in an assertive voice, singing or clapping hands together.
Republican Texas Governor Greg Abbott sent a letter to the Democrat mayors of New York City and Washington, DC on Monday inviting them to see the southwestern border crisis firsthand.

'As you know, our nations southern border has become both a humanitarian and security crisis,' Abbott wrote.

'This crisis was created by President Biden and is one that requires immediate and decisive action to be stopped.'

It comes after both NYC Mayor Eric Adams and DC Mayor Muriel Bowser called on the federal government for help dealing with an influx of migrants that are straining their cities' dense urban infrastructures.

A majority of those asylum-seekers were bussed to Washington, DC from Texas and Arizona because of new measures signed by the states' Republican governors.

Both Democrat officials have blamed the moves for causing a 'humanitarian crisis' in their cities.

'Your recent interest in this historic and preventable crisis is a welcome development- especially as the President and his Administration have shown no remorse for their actions nor desire to address the situation themselves,' Abbott said to Adams and Bowser.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott, a Republican, invited the Democrat mayors of Washington, DC and New York City to see the southern border crisis firsthand

'As Governor, I invite you to visit our border region to see firsthand the dire situation that only grows more urgent with each passing day, and to meet with the local officials, who like yourselves, realize this matter deserves immediate federal action.'

He also urged them to publicly demand that President Joe Biden 'secure the border and put an end to this disastrous crisis.'

'President Bidens reckless open border policies have created a dangerous environment not only for tens of millions of Texans, but for communities all across the nation, including yours,' the letter continued.

'I look forward to welcoming you the Texas-Mexico border so that you can see this crisis for yourself. Please contact my office to make travel arrangements for your visits.'

DailyMail.com has reached out to Adams' and Bowser's offices for comment.

NYC Mayor Eric Adams and DC Mayor Muriel Bowser have both called on the federal government to help with the influx of migrants in their cities

Adams declared a city-wide emergency on Monday and called on the federal government to step in as a major influx of migrants strains New York City's shelter system.

Roughly 4,000 asylum-seekers have come to NYC since May, Adams' office stated.

'New York is a city of immigrants, and we will always welcome newcomers with open arms. Over the past two months, we have seen a significant increase in the number of asylum seekers arriving in our citys shelter system,' Adams said in a statement.

He had been calling the Biden administration for help since at least last month.

Adams pledged in the Monday statement that he will 'continue to work with federal and state partners to procure additional financial resources immediately' to assist with the surge.

During a July 21 press conference on the matter, Adams slammed Abbott and Arizona Governor Doug Ducey as 'heartless' over their bussing orders.

Asylum-seekers wait to be transported by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, agents after crossing the Rio Grande river into the U.S. from Mexico, at Eagle Pass, Texas, U.S., July 26. Both Texas Governor Abbott and Arizona Governor Doug Ducey signed orders allowing migrants the option of taking free buses to Washington, DC

Meanwhile, Bowser said she called on the National Guard for assistance in the nation's capital during a recent interview on CBS News' Face The Nation.

Like Adams she also heaped criticism on Abbott and Ducey, accusing them of duping migrants into boarding buses up North.

'This is a very significant issue. We have for sure called on the federal government to work across state lines to prevent people from really being tricked into getting on buses,' she said.

'We think theyre largely asylum seekers who are going to final destinations that are not Washington, D.C. I worked with the White House to make sure that FEMA provided a grant to a local organization that is providing services to folks. I fear that theyre being tricked into nationwide bus trips when their final destinations are places all over the United States of America.'

The number of asylum-seeker encounters at the southwestern land border reached a record high of 240,991 in May before subsiding to 207,416 instances in June.
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The White House on Monday all but confirmed Nancy Pelosis visit to Taiwan and issued a strong warning to China not to react with military force or threaten the House speaker.

Without directly saying Pelosi will make a stop on the self-governing island that Beijing sees as its own territory, President Joe Bidens administration warned  repeatedly - if she did go, there was no reason to escalate any military action.

We're going to watch this very, very closely, White House spokesman John Kirby said at the daily press briefing, and asked reporters what the 'drama' of her trip is - following 10 days of threats from Beijing after the prospect of her visit first surfaced.

'I don't know about the drama you're claiming exists. It's quite the contrary here,' he told reporters.

Pelosi is believed to be arriving in Taipei on Tuesday night and is set to meet Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen, a day after landing in Singapore to kick off her tour of Asia.

We're going to make sure that she has a safe and secure visit, because that's our responsibility. And we urge as I said at the outset, we urge China to see this - if she goes - to see this for exactly what it is: nothing new, no change to our policy, and certainly not an unprecedented visit by the Speaker of the House, Kirby added.

The Chinese People's Liberation Army issued multiple warnings ahead of Pelosis expected trip, including a new one on Monday that contained a video simulating a missile strike, aircraft carriers advancing and fighter jets in formation. There was also a stern warning from state media.

The video was posted on WeChat on Monday morning following reports the Speaker will arrive in Taipei on Tuesday night - despite Beijing warning they could shoot her plane down and launch a military response.

Chinese state media personality Hu Xijin issued a grim message to the top House Democrat: 'Let her go to Taiwan. But pray before departure: wish herself a safe journey and wish herself not be defined by history as a sinner who starts a spiral of escalation process expanding military frictions to a large-scale war in the Taiwan Strait.'

The White House said Pelosi has a right to visit Taiwan but reiterated its one-China policy. Kirby also reminded Beijing the speaker makes her own decisions on where to go and that her visit is not unprecedented.

We have been clear from the very beginning that she will make her own decisions and that Congress is an independent branch of government. Our Constitution embeds a separation of powers this is well known to the PRC given our more than four decades of diplomatic relations. The speaker has the right to visit Taiwan, and the Speaker of the House has visited Taiwan before without incident, as have many members of Congress, including this year, Kirby said in an opening statement.

The White House on Monday all but confirmed Nancy Pelosis visit to Taiwan and issued a strong warning to China not to react with military force or threaten the House speaker. Spokesman John Kirby (left) warned Beijing not to use her trip as a justification for military action

China's People's Liberation Army posted a video on WeChat showing missiles being launched, hours after reports of the visit surfaced

The video included missile strikes and simulated what an invasion may look like. Taiwan has also canceled leave for some soldiers in case of military action

Chinese state media personality Hu Xijin also issued a grim message to the top Democrat: 'Let her go to Taiwan. But pray before departure: wish herself a safe journey and wish herself not be defined by history as a sinner who starts a spiral of escalation process expanding military frictions to a large-scale war in the Taiwan Strait'

Pelosi would be the first speaker to visit Taiwan since 1997. Republican Speaker Newt Gingrich was the last to visit and he has encouraged Pelosi to go there.

White House officials are concerned the Chinese don't fully understand the concept of the separation of powers between the executive, legislative and judicial branches.

Pelosi would be visiting at a time when the Democrats control the House, Senate and the White House, so there are concerns that the Chinese may see this as an administration move.

China's military might: The world's biggest standing army with 2 MILLION soldiers and more Navy ships than any other nation With Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan raising the prospect of a military intervention, the size of the Chinese forces and its arsenal has come to the foreground. General Secretary Xi Jinping has said he plans to surpass America's military - long seen as their biggest rivals - by 2049 with improvements investments in hypersonic missiles and cyber-attack capabilities. The People's Liberation Army has 2,035,000 members, making it the largest active military force in the world. The U.S. has 1,195 million members as of September 2021, according to Department of Defense data. The Chinese Navy is the biggest in the world determined by the 355 front-line ships, compared to the U.S. which only has 305. It is known that Beijing ships are often smaller, but there are plans to increase their fleet of warships by 2030 by 70, while the U.S. is planning to add just 42, according to a Pentagon report on China's military. There are also only 300,000 active personnel in the Chinese Navy, compared to 350,000 in the U.S. Currently the PRC only has 320 warheads in its stockpile, but it wants to have at least 700 nuclear warheads and by 2030 it wants 1,000, far outpacing U.S. predictions from 2020. There are also heightened concerns that China is rapidly developing nuclear-capable air-launched ballistic missiles - on-top of being able to launch warheads from the ground and sea. The U.S. generally has more capability for launching high-powered attacks and has 800 overseas bases compared to just three run by the Chinese. There are 450 intercontinental ballistic missile silos on American soil compared to 250 in China and the U.S. has 2,717 combat aircraft compared to Beijing's 1,571. The Pentagon also has 5,414 combat helicopters at its disposal compared to the Chinese Communist Party's 902. But military analysts worry that China's expansion plans will make its military the largest in the world in the matter of decades. The American military is also in the middle of a recruitment crisis that could shrink its number, while China grows. Advertisement

Put simply, there is no reason for Beijing to turn a potential visit consistent with long standing US policy into some sort of crisis or conflict. Or use it as a pretext to increase aggressive military activity in or around the Taiwan Strait. And yet, over the weekend, even before Speaker Pelosi arrived in the region, China conducted a live fire exercise. China appears to be positioning itself to potentially take further steps in the coming days, and perhaps over longer time horizons, Kirby said on Monday.

He warned Beijing not to take any military action.

We will not take the bait or engage in saber rattling. At the same time, we will not be intimidated, Kirby said.

There's no reason to use a potential visit to justify or to spark some sort of crisis or conflict. We certainly aren't, have no interest in that. And there's no justification to use a potential visit as a pretext to conduct what could be escalatory measures, he said.

Reports from TVBS News in Taiwan have said Pelosi could arrive in Taipei as early as tomorrow night and her team has booked two hotels, although there is no mention of the visit in her official itinerary.

The US official added that defense department officials were working on securing a plan to keep her safe, according to CNN. The visit will inflame tensions with China, which considers Taiwan one of its own territories.

Amid the threat, Taiwanese officials reportedly have cancelled leave for soldiers and officers 'to immediately prepare' for the prospect of war.

Last Friday, Chinese state media said the government was prepared to shoot Pelosi's plane down if it was detected in its airspace accompanied by a fighter jet escort.

The latest warning was issued during a Chinese foreign ministry briefing by spokesperson Zhao Lijian, who said that because of Pelosi's status as the 'No. 3 official of the US government', a visit to Taiwan, which China claims as its own, would 'lead to egregious political impact'.

Lijian added that it would be 'a gross interference in China's internal affairs' and would lead to 'very serious developments and consequences.'

'We would like to tell the United States once again that China is standing by, the Chinese People's Liberation Army will never sit idly by, and China will take resolute responses and strong countermeasures to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity,' Zhao told a regular daily briefing.

Asked what kind of measures the PLA might take, Zhao said: 'if she dares to go, then let us wait and see.'

The White House has also sent mixed messaging on the trip. Initially, President Biden said he didn't think it was a 'good idea', but last week National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said it was ultimately her decision.

Kirby was also on CNN on Monday morning criticizing the Chinese for their rhetoric.

'There is no reason for the Chinese rhetoric. There's no reason for any actions to be taken ... It is very much in keeping with our policy.

Pelosi kicked-off a tour of four Asian countries in the early hours of Monday morning in Singapore amid intense speculation that she may risk the wrath of Beijing by also visiting self-ruled Taiwan.

The House Speaker touched down in Singapore just before 4:30am local time, where Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong urged her at a meeting to strive for 'stable' ties with Beijing.

A press release from Pelosi's office on Sunday said she would visit four Asian countries - Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea and Japan.

During Monday's visit in Singapore, Pelosi and Lee discussed climate change and economic stability.

He also 'highlighted the importance of stable US-China relations for regional peace and security'. Later, she will attend a cocktail party at the American Chamber of Commerce.

But it is her potential visit to Taiwan that is overshadowing the whole trip.

Last week, during a call with President Joe Biden, China's Xi Jinping warned him not to 'play with fire' on the issue.

Pelosi would be the first House Speaker in 25 years to visit the territory after Republican Newt Gingrich.

The GOP have supported her trip and have said not going would be a sign of weakness, despite the tense rhetoric from Beijing.

Clips from the video shows Chinese soldiers lined up in front of tanks. Beijing has said Pelosi's trip would cross a 'red line'

Chinese soldiers move missiles in the video posted by the military on Monday morning

US Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (L) shakes hands with Singapore's President Halimah Yacob at the Istana Presidential Palace in Singapore to kick off her tour of Asia and the Indo-Pacific

Pelosi tweeted a photo of her meeting a Marine detachment in Singapore at the end of the first day of her Asia trip

Pelosi's plane, a C-40 B/C plane is the military's version of the Boeing 737-700 business jet

A car convoy is pictured upon US Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi arrival at the Istana Presidential Palace in Singapore on August 1, 2022

Pelosi has also sparked anger from China in the past by meeting with pro-democracy dissidents and the Dalai Lama.

She also unfurled a banner in Tiananmen Square in 1991 which read 'to those who died for democracy,' in reference to the victims of the 1989 massacre.

In July, the speaker  who is number three in the line of presidential succession  told the media in a press conference: 'It's important for us to show support for Taiwan.'

The Global Times, China's state-run tabloid, suggested that Pelosi might use 'emergency excuses like an aircraft fault or refuelling' to land at a Taiwanese airport.

'If she dares to stop in Taiwan, it will be the moment to ignite the powder keg of the situation in the Taiwan Straits,' Hu Xijin, a former Global Times editor and now commentator, tweeted.

Beijing's foreign ministry on Monday warned a visit would 'seriously threaten the peace and stability' of the Taiwan Strait if it goes ahead.

Bloomberg's China editor John Liu said in an appearance on the network on Sunday: 'I do think it's worth mentioning that not mentioning if there will be a trip to Taiwan on her itinerary is different from saying she will not go to Taiwan.'

He added: 'It is not off the table that there could be a surprise visit.'

Chinese state media warned over the weekend that a military response was on the table if Pelosi went ahead with her visit. An official posted a tweet with photos of fighter jets taking off from a Chinese aircraft carrier

The speaker's first stop was in Hawaii, then on to Guam landing at Anderson Air Force Base before arriving in Singapore on Monday morning
Iran has threatened to rapidly 'build nuclear warheads' capable of 'turning New York into hellish ruins' if the US 'makes any stupid mistakes.'

Ben Sabti, an Iran expert, tweeted that an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) telegram channel threatened to produce atomic warhead for missiles.

The channel's message is: 'Iran can immediately return to Emad project and build an atomic bomb if Natanz facilities are attacked.'

An Emad is an Iranian long-range missile.

The IRGC-linked Bisimchi Media (Radioman Media) posted the video on its Telegram channel titled 'When Will Iran's Sleeping Nuclear Warheads Awaken.'

Ben Sabti, an Iran expert, tweeted that an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) telegram channel threatened to produce atomic warhead for missiles. The channel's message is: 'Iran can immediately return to Emad project and build an atomic bomb if Natanz facilities are attacked.' An Emad is an Iranian long-range missile (pictured)

In the short video, it is declared that Iran's regime will develop nuclear weapons in a swift period of time 'if the US or the Zionist regime make any stupid mistakes.'

According to Iran International, the video says that Iran's ballistic missiles have the capability of 'turning New York into hellish ruins', in a reference to Iran's space program.

The news organisation added that the video said: 'The nuclear facilities of Fordow have been built deep under mountains of Iran and are protected against trench-busting bombs and even nuclear explosion all infrastructures required for nuclear breakout have been prepared in it.

The regime can move its peaceful nuclear program to a nuclear weapons program at a fast pace, according to the video.

It comes after Iran said that it remains 'optimistic' about a possible revival of the 2015 nuclear deal after the European Union tabled a proposal aiming for a compromise in the talks stalled since March.

Foreign ministry spokesman Nasser Kanani said at his weekly news conference: 'We remain optimistic that the negotiation process will lead us to a logical and reasonable outcome.'

His comment comes after EU foreign policy chief and coordinator of the nuclear talks between Iran and world powers, Josep Borrell, last Tuesday submitted a new draft text and urged the different sides of the negotiations to accept it or 'risk a dangerous nuclear crisis.'

The negotiations to restore the deal began in Vienna in April 2021 but have stalled since March amid differences between Tehran and Washington on several issues.

The regime can move its peaceful nuclear program to a nuclear weapons program at a fast pace, according to the video. Pictured: A military drill with ballistic missiles

Negotiations occurred indirectly, through the European Union coordinator, in a bid to bring the US back into the deal and lift sanctions on Iran, on the basis that Tehran would return to its nuclear commitments.

There were also indirect talks hosted by Qatar at the end of June between the United States and Iran in a bid to get the Vienna process back on track, but those discussions broke up after two days without any breakthrough.

The US government has classified the IRGC as a foreign terrorist entity.

Mr Borrell said that the draft text includes 'hard-won compromises by all sides' and addresses, in precise detail, the sanctions lifting as well as the nuclear steps needed to restore' the 2015 pact.

Mr Kanani said: 'The Iranian side has carefully reviewed the text and presented its views.

Foreign ministry spokesman Nasser Kanani, pictured, said at his weekly news conference that Iran remains confident about the negotiations reaching a logical and reasonable outcome

'It is possible that in the near future we can reach a conclusion regarding the timetable for the negotiations.

He added: 'We will probably see a new round of negotiations' but he noted that 'it depends entirely on the willingness of the other side, especially the American side.'

Mr Kanani said: 'Washington must show that it is ready for a reasonable, logical and lasting agreement.'

The agreement made in 2015 gave Iran sanctions relief in exchange for curbs on its atomic programme to guarantee that it could not develop a nuclear weapon- something it has always denied seeking.

But after the US withdrew from the accord in 2018 under-then president Donald Trump, and Washington's reimposition of biting economic sanctions, prompted Iran to begin rolling back on its own commitments.

His comment comes after EU foreign policy chief and coordinator of the nuclear talks between Iran and world powers, Josep Borrell, pictured, last Tuesday submitted a new draft text

Since then, Iran has increased the levels of uranium enrichment, reaching the level of 60 per cent, far above the limit of 3.67 per cent set in the deal.

Deputy head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organisation Behrouz Kamalavandi told state TV on Monday evening that the organisation has started feeding gas into 'hundreds' of new centrifuges, including the advanced IR-6.

Mr Kamalavandi added that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) 'had already been notified of this action', without specifying what percentage the enrichment would be.

In July, the IAEA reported that Tehran had started 'feeding... a cascade of... centrifuges' at a fuel enrichment plant.

These techniques facilitate the process and would make it easier for Iran to switch to a different level of enriching uranium.
Seattle business owners are installing one-ton concrete blocks on the city's streets in a bid to prevent homeless people from camping out on the sidewalks.

The Democrat-led city struggles with a homeless population of nearly 13,300 - exacerbated by the pandemic - and they frequently set up tent camps along the streets.

But the concrete slabs are the way that locals are attempting to curb homeless camps and RVs being planted outside shops - after the city paused parking enforcement during the pandemic.

The blocks are so heavy that they can't be moved without specialized equipment - making them burdensome for the city to remove as they continue to pop up in Georgetown, Ballard and Sodo.

Despite it being illegal to place ecology blocks, sidewalks or parking spaces, anonymous residents continue to plant them in the city.

Business owner JW Harvey told The Seattle Times: 'Individual businesses and residents are putting ecology blocks out as taking matters in their own hands because if they call the city and say there are RVs out in front of their business or out in front of their home, they cant do anything about it.'

The one-ton concrete blocks have been put on the city's streets in a bid to prevent homeless people from camping out on the sidewalks

Homelessness is rife in Seattle, and tents pop up in public spaces. The homeless population has grown during the pandemic, pictured in March 2021

City residents said they were 'sad' and 'depressed' to see groups of tents appear as the number of homeless people soared after the start of the pandemic

There are hundreds of such blocks of the streets of Seattle, but only 25 property and business owners have been warned that they could face fines for not removing the blocks since June 2021

He said he has spent more time speaking to and helping homeless people than he has running his business - but he is now tired of trying to manage the 'ripple effects' of Seattle's overwhelming homeless population.

In 2020, Seattle and King County ranked as the third area in the nation with the most homeless people, recording roughly 11,700 people living on the streets.

Harvey added that business owners feel like they've got no choice but to put the concrete slabs because of the growing number of RVs and tents in the area.

The West Seattle Health Club told its members earlier this year that it would install eco-blocks once a homeless encampment was cleared by city authorities.

They wrote in June: 'To avoid the return of the encampment, the West Seattle Health Club is partnering with our neighboring businesses to place eco-blocks along the surrounding area.'

According to the local newspaper, there are hundreds of concrete blocks of the streets of Seattle.

However since June 2021, just 25 property and business owners have been warned that they could face fines for not removing the eco-blocks.

Last year, city residents said they were 'sad' and 'depressed' to see groups of tents appear as the number of homeless people soared after the start of the pandemic.

The homeless population in Washington State rose in 2020 by more than six per cent - or about three times the national average, according to the latest data

Encampments on the streets of Seattle have continued to grow since the pandemic

These pictures show reveal the conditions inside the growing city of tents threatening to overrun central Seattle only a week after an $8.3 million hotel turn shelter opened in March last year

The homeless population in Washington State rose in 2020 by more than six per cent - or about three times the national average, according to the latest data.

City officials have emptied two encampments in recent months, but many planned removals have been put on hold because of federal public health guidelines relating to the pandemic.

According to the Seattle Times, homeless people have increasingly resisted going to shelters since the pandemic began last year over concerns they could catch coronavirus from another resident.

But now, parents say they have had to resort to conducting 'sweeps' of public parks to make sure there are no needles on the ground before allowing their kids to play on swing sets as the encampments continue to grow.

'How do we get to a place where we think that's normal and a part of life in Seattle?' one resident asked Fox News.

'It's a shame that people can't enjoy the park,' said another resident.

The tent encampments include homeless people leaving needles and other drug paraphernalia - used to 'cook' methamphetamine and heroin, in spaces often close to schools.
US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi would do well to skip Taiwan in the course of her tour of Asian countries. The global situation is too fraught in the wake of the Ukraine war for the US to be toying with any thought of brinkmanship in this matter as the country has no diplomatic ties with the self-ruled island over which China has nurtured a decades-long claim.

Admirable as the clear lines of delineation among the three arms of US democracy is, it would not only be in the US national interest but also that of the world for the Speaker to skip Taiwan. Also, no high-ranking US official has visited the island for 25 years though the US is bound to provide the island the means to defend itself.

Any trip likely to ratchet up global tensions further would be most unwelcome, especially since Chinese President Xi Jinping minced no words in handing out a dire warning about Taiwan  those who play with fire will perish by it  that is still green in memory as it was served only on Thursday when he spoke with US President Joe Biden for well over two hours on the phone.

It is a good sign that amid the stress of the East and the West coming closest to Cold War II in the new millennium that the Presidents of US and China are talking to each other and there is also the possibility of their meeting in person soon. But it was too important to dial down Taiwan tensions because the proposed Pelosi visit led to war cries from within China with a unit of the PLA using that very word  prepare for war  on Chinas most popular social media platform Weibo.

It might seem the US is acceding to Chinas protests and heeding its signalling through the conduct of live-fire drills in the Taiwan Strait over the weekend if the Speaker were to skip the island in her tour that involves four stops in Asian countries. This is not the time for provocations when Chinas position vis-a-vis Russia and its invasion of Ukraine is known and the world, whose economy has already been battered by war, just cannot afford another conflagration. Will the superpowers see reason at least now?
Liz Truss tonight ruled out ever ordering the UK into lockdown if she becomes prime minister.

Facing Tory members at a leadership hustings she claimed she had always been against them despite being in Boris Johnson's administration that repeatedly closed shops, schools and pubs to deal with Covid.

Asked if she would authorise another lockdown, she said 'no, I wouldn't', and when asked if she thinks lockdown was a bad idea, she said: 'I wasn't really a core part of that Covid decision-making, and often frankly it was presented as a fait accompli, as the French would say, to the wider Cabinet.

'Every single time I was given the chance to express a view I was on the side of doing less.'

Facing Tory members at a leadership hustings she claimed she had always been against them despite being in Boris Johnson's administration that repeatedly closed shops, schools and pubs to deal with Covid.

Penny Mordaunt became the latest former leadership challenger to row in behind Liz Sunak tonight to deal Rishi Sunak another devastating blow.

The trade minister put her previous vicious fight with Team Truss behind her to back the Foreign Secretary, introducing her at tonight's live hustings in Exeter.

She joins Tom Tugendhat and Nadhim Zahawi as former candidates to support Ms Truss and cement her position as the favourite to enter No10 in September.

Addressing the event in Devon she said she liked both candidates were 'good Conservatives who love their country', but that Ms Truss was the 'hope candidate'.

'I've seen enough to know who the person I'm going to put my faith in is. And that is Liz Truss.'

A survey by Redfield and Wilton Strategies put her on 37 per cent - up 12 percentage points in a fortnight - with the Labour leader on 36 per cent. Sir Keir remains ahead of Rishi Sunak.

In turn Ms Truss referred to her as a 'great person, a great politician and a great patriot' despite her campaign being accused of dirty tricks to overtake her and force her way into the final two.

At one point Trade Secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan, a Truss supporter who is Ms Mordaunt's boss, went live on the radio to suggest she was lazy.

Mr Sunak today unveiled a plan to cut the basic rate of income take by 20 per cent by the end of the decade as he tried to make up ground.

But a new poll today put Ms Truss ahead of Keir Starmer in a head-to-head for best prime minister for the first time.

A survey by Redfield and Wilton Strategies put her on 37 per cent - up 12 percentage points in a fortnight - with the Labour leader on 36 per cent. Sir Keir remains ahead of Rishi Sunak.
Filippo Ferlazzo was reportedly diagnosed with bipolar disorder and spent time at a local psychiatric hospital before the killing

The man filmed beating a Nigerian street vendor to death in broad daylight claimed he was 'not racially motivated' as a judge probed his previous diagnosis with bipolar disorder.

Filippo Ferlazzo, 32, is accused of murdering father-of-two Alika Ogorchukwu, 39, as eyewitnesses filmed the attack in Civitanova Marche, central Italy on Friday.

Defending lawyer Roberta Bizzarri today submitted a formal request for Ferlazzo's psychiatric report.

He has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and recently spent a stint at a local psychiatric hospital, News Italy 24 reported, citing a court in his hometown Salerno.

Horror footage shows a man climb onto Alika and beat him before crushing him to death. Alika, who was married with two children, was seen struggling in the shocking video

Investigating judge Claudio Bonifazi quoted Ferlazzo's lawyer as claiming the accused murderer 'collaborated, apologized and made it clear that there was no racial motivation'.

Alika's autopsy results will be published tomorrow.

The Nigerian embassy in Rome stated: 'The incident occurred on a busy street and infront of shocked onlookers, some of whom made videos of the attack, with little or no attempt to prevent it.'

Ferlazzo reportedly became infuriated when Mr Ogorchukwu told the man's girlfriend she was beautiful, claimed Daniel Amanza, who runs the ACSIM association for immigrants in the Marche region's Macerata province.

An impromptu memorial has been placed at the scene of the crime

Charity Oriachi, wife of slain Alika, cries in the street where her husband was murdered

'This compliment killed him,' Mr Amanza told The Associated Press.

'The tragic fact is that there were many people nearby. They filmed, saying "Stop", but no one moved to separate them,' Mr Amanza said.

The father-of-two's brutal death was filmed by onlookers who made no attempt to physically intervene - sparking outrage online.

Police in Italy arrested Ferlazzo, 32, for the murder of Mr Ogorchukwu, and allegedly stealing the victim's mobile phone, according to local agency ANSA.

Cops used street cameras to track Ferlazzo's movements and arrested him on Saturday.

Local media reported that Ferlazzo is currently being held in the Montacuto prison in Ancona. It is claimed he will not be charged with racism.

'The situation is quite clear, everything seems to have emerged from a dispute over frivolous reasons, not racism', said Matteo Luconi, one of the investigators.

Demonstrators showed up at the site of the killing to remember Alika and condemn racism

People protest where Ogorchukwu was murdered in Civitanova Marche, Italy, on July 30

Shocking video footage of the attack has circulated widely on social media, eliciting outrage as Italy enters a parliamentary election campaign in which the right-wing coalition has already made immigration an issue.

Mr Ogorchukwu was selling goods when his attacker grabbed the vendor's crutch and struck him down with a series of blows, according to police.

The footage shows Ferlazzo wrestling the victim onto his back on the pavement as he fought back and climbing on top of Mr Ogorchukwu in an attempt to pin him to the ground.

Mr Ogorchukwu's wife, Charity Oriachi, said: 'Now I just want justice for my husband', during a protest at the murder scene on Saturday.

Enrico Letta, the leader of the left-wing Democratic Party, wrote on Twitter: 'The murder of Alika Ogorchukwu leaves us dismayed. The unprecedented ferocity. Widespread indifference. There can be no justification.'

Right-wing leader Matteo Salvini, who is making security a plank of his campaign, also expressed outrage over the death, saying 'security has no colour and needs to return to being a right.'

Protestors gathered yesterday, with one holding an image of Alika and the scene of his killing

'The aggressor went after the victim, first hitting him with a crutch. He made him fall to the ground, then he finished, causing the death, striking repeatedly with his bare hands,' police investigator Matteo Luconi told a press conference.

He later told Italian news channel Sky TG24 that onlookers called police, who responded after the suspect had fled and attempted to administer aid to the victim. An autopsy will determine if the death was provoked by blows, suffocation or another cause.

Mr Luconi said the assailant lashed out after the vendor made 'insistent' requests for pocket change. Police were questioning witnesses and viewing videos of the attack. They said the suspect has made no statement.

Flowers and cards have been set down by the spot where Alika was killed in broad daylight

Mr Ogorchukwu, who was married with two children aged 8 and 10, resorted to selling goods on the street after he was struck by a car and lost his job as a labourer due to his injuries, said Mr Amanza, of the ACSIM association for immigrants.

Macerata was the site of a 2018 shooting spree targeting African immigrants that wounded six people. Luca Traini, 31, was sentenced to 12 years in prison for the shootings, which Italy's highest court confirmed qualified as a hate crime.

Civitanova Marche's mayor, Fabrizio Ciarapica, met with members of the Nigerian community after hundreds demonstrated at the scene of the crime on Saturday.

'My condemnation is not only for the (crime) but it is also for the indifference,' Mr Ciarapica told Sky. 'This is something that has shocked citizens.'
Jon Stewart demonstrated in front of the Capitol on Monday to urge senators to pass legislation providing more funding for veterans who had been exposed to toxic burn pits after President Joe Biden called him to thank him for his advocacy.

Stewart issued another explective-filled rant at the lawmakers, who, last week, he referred to as 'motherf***ers.'

'I get it. I am a liberal piece of s***,' Stewart shouted outside the front stairs of the Capitol building. 'I know that I am I'm Hunter Biden's cocaine dealer.'

'But the VFW and the American Legion and the IAVA isn't and DAV isn't and the Wounded Warriors project isn't. So why are they standing here? You can attack me all you want. And you can troll me online,' he added.

'But here's the beautiful thing. I don't give a s***. I'm not scared of you. And I don't care. These are the people that I owe a debt of gratitude to and we all say gratitude to and it's about time we start paying it off,' he said.

He called on the Senate to stay in session until the legislation - which already has been approved by the House - was passed.

'I don't know if you know this, but they're allowed to stay open past five o'clock. They're not a public library. They're allowed to stay open past five,' he said of the senators. 'When you come back, if all the members aren't here, keep the lights on. Keep the doors open. And don't leave here tonight.'

Stewart and Democrats were furious last week after Republicans voted against moving forward with the veterans bill in the legislative process.

Biden also weighed in from his covid-isolation, sending Veterans Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough to Capitol Hill with boxes of pizza on Saturday to cheer them on.

The president faced-time with many of the activists, including Stewart, to thank them.

Biden has said in the past he believes his son Beau Biden was exposed to toxic burn pits during his tour of duty in Iraq and that it contributed to the brain cancer than killed him in 2015.

'I'd planned to stop by the Capitol and visit families fighting to pass burn pits legislation. COVID got in the way,' Biden tweeted on Saturday, the same day he tested positive for a rebound case of covd.

'So I FaceTimed them and sent some pizza. Its our sacred obligation to care for our veterans. I wont stop fighting alongside them to get this bill passed,' he added, including a video of him speaking with the activists, who have been camped out on the Capitol stairs.

Jon Stewart demonstrated in front of the Capitol on Monday to urge senators to pass legislation providing more funding for veterans who had been exposed to toxic burn pits

President Joe Biden called Jon Stewart and other activists on Saturday to thank them for their work to pass burn pits legislation

Biden, who is in isolation due to covid, sent Veterans Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough to Capitol Hill with boxes of pizza on Saturday to cheer on activists

Last week, all Democrats and eight Republicans voted for the Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act. But the 55 yes votes wasn't enough to break the filibuster on the bill, leaving it stalled in the legislative process.

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer had vowed to bring it up for another vote - likely sometime this week.

'In the coming days the Senate will also finish its work passing the PACT Act, the largest expansion of veteran health care benefits in decades, and a piece of legislation that should sail through this chamber with overwhelming bipartisan support,' Schumer said on the Senate floor on Monday afternoon.

'Over the past few days, the Capitol steps have been the site of something we should never see in this country: dozens of veterans, braving heat and heavy rain, protesting through the night demanding that the Senate take action on their health care benefits,' he said.

'In the coming days, we are going to give Senate Republicans another chance to do the right thing, to work with us so we can send this bill to the Presidents desk A-S-A-P,' he said.

Democrats were furious at Republicans' move.

'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.

'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'

Jon Stewart called Senate 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.'

Stewart, on Thursday, in a furious rant, called Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell a 'liar' and Toomey a 'coward' for their no vote. He also called the senators who voted against the bill 'motherf***rs.'

'If this is America First, then America is f***ed.'

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 seven-year-old Adelaide boy who died from 'serious health issues' has been pictured for the first time - as police launch South Australia's second major investigation into potential criminal neglect within the last month.

Makai Wanganeen was 'very sick' on February 10 when he was taken from his home in Craigmore, in the city's north, to Lyell McEwin Hospital, before being transferred to the Women's and Children's Hospital.

He died later that evening, with a special task force now investigating whether his death was due to neglect.

The probe is being carried out by the same investigators looking into the death of six-year-old Charlie, who died in July - reportedly from malnutrition in her family's government-owned home in Munno Para - also in the city's northern suburbs.

Detectives are looking into Makai's five siblings, aged between seven and 16.

Pictured: Makai Wanganeen, seven, who died from 'serious health issues' earlier this year

Makai was taken from his home in Craigmore, in the city's north, to the Women's and Children's Hospital in Adelaide (pictured) where he died on February 10

Makai's father Shane Wanganeen detailed his heartbreak in a gutwrenching Facebook post in March on the day of his son's funeral.

'From the bottom of my heart, I would like to show my appreciation to all that have helped and support me throughout this tragic event, he said on his page, which has since been deleted.

'Words cant really express how much (I) feel and what I really want to say to you all.'

One neighbour described Makai as a 'happy' and cheerful' kid.

'I was just gutted when I heard he died. I walked around in a daze for a couple of days,' the neighbour told The Advertiser.

Gordon Walters, who also lives on the same street, said he was shocked to hear about Makai's death.

'Thats sad Im actually shocked by that because the neighbourhood here is generally pretty quiet,' he said.

Police launch an investigation under Task Force Prime

South Australia Police detective superintendent Des Bray said during a press conference on Monday that a post-mortem revealed the boy had a number of serious health issues.

'The cause of death in itself wasn't enough to raise concern because it was a serious, recognised health issue,' he said.

Ten days after his death, information from 'various child protection authorities' was obtained and handed to police.

'Soon after, investigators began reviewing volumes of material and obtained an opinion from a paediatric expert,' Supt. Bray said.

'They formed the view that sufficient grounds existed to commence a criminal investigation of (alleged) criminal neglect causing death.'

The investigation will determine whether anyone was responsible for Makai's death, or the alleged neglect of his siblings - who have all been living with their father since November 2020.

The boy's mother was not living with him or his siblings when he died.

Charlie (pictured) was six when she was raced to Lyell McEwin Hospital in July. She died from malnutrition

The house Charlie died in was surrounded by junk - old toys, a tent, bikes and a disused freezer

When asked whether Makai's death was similar to Charlie's, he said: 'There is (alleged) neglect and abuse which we believe has occurred over a period of time but it doesn't have all the same characteristics of Charlie's.'

Charlie was found unresponsive at her family's housing commission home in Munno Para, in Adelaide's northern suburbs, in the early hours of Friday, July 15.

Her death sparked a major crimes investigation by police and has led her five siblings to be taken into the care of the state, as their mother was investigated for alleged criminal neglect.

It was later revealed that Charlie was suffering from coeliac disease - a severe immune disorder in which the digestive system reacts to gluten.

Child protection officers visited Charlie two days before her death but did not seem concerned about her welfare.

Supt. Bray said criminal neglect allegedly happens when a person with a duty of care to a child failed to take all reasonable steps to protect them from harm, and a child is harmed or dies as a result of that neglect.

The offence carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison.
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President Joe Biden on Monday evening announced a CIA drone strike killed al Qaeda leader's Ayman al-Zawahiri, Osama Bin Laden's fanatical deputy who was the mastermind behind multiple attacks over the last two decades that have left thousands of Americans dead.

In his remarks, Biden repeatedly invoked the September 11th terrorist attacks, which al-Zawahiri helped plan, and said the slaying of the world's top terrorist target demonstrated the resolve of the US to go after terrorist leaders, no matter where they hide and how long it takes.

'Now, justice has been delivered, and this terrorist leader is no more,' he said. 'We made it clear again tonight that no matter how long it takes, no matter where you hide, if you are a threat to our people, the United States will find you and take you out.'

Al-Zawahiri, 71, was killed by two Hellfire 'Ninja' missiles - fitted with extending blades - fired from CIA drones as he stood on the balcony of his safe house in a wealthy area of downtown Kabul this weekend in a mission that took six months to plan.

His wife, daughter, and grandchildren were living with him but were not harmed, American officials said. The home targeted in the strike was owned by a top aide to Sirajuddin Haqqani, the Interior Minister for the Taliban, who is close to senior al Qaeda officials and is wanted by the FBI for questioning.

Biden laid out al-Zawahiri's role in the terrorist organization, noting that, in addition to the 9/11 attacks, he was behind the bombing of the USS Cole in 2000 and the attacks on U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania in 1998.

'He carved a trail of murder and violence against American citizens, American service members, American diplomats, and American interests,' Biden said.

Biden concluded his remarks with a warning: 'To those around the world who continue to seek to harm the United States, hear me now. We will always remain vigilant, and we will act, and we will always do what is necessary to ensure the safety and security of Americans at home and around the globe.'

It was the United State's most significant strike against al Qaeda since the killing of Osama bin Laden in 2011. Al-Zawahiri replaced bin Laden as the terrorist group's top leader.

Biden, who remains in isolation after a rebound case of COVID, made his address from the first floor balcony off the Blue Room of the White House.

Al-Zawahiri was on the FBI's most-wanted terrorist list. There was a $25 million reward for information leading directly to him.

Elsewhere in the deadly attack:

The Taliban condemned the air strike in a statement and claimed that it 'violated international principles';

The heir apparent to al-Qaeda after the killing emerged as canny, military-trained operative Saif al-Adel;

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, a Republican, alleged Biden allowed the group to re-emerge.



President Joe Biden on Monday evening announced a CIA drone strike killed al Qaeda leader's Ayman al-Zawahiri (pictured right earlier this year), Osama Bin Laden's fanatical deputy who was the mastermind behind multiple attacks over the last two decades that have left thousands of Americans dead

Al-Zawahiri, 71, was killed by two Hellfire 'Ninja' missiles - fitted with extending blades - fired from CIA drones as he stood on the balcony of his safe house

The home was in a wealthy area of downtown Kabul and is believed to be linked to a high ranking Taliban official in its government

Al-Zawahiri was Bin Laden's No 2 in Al-Qaeda, the radical jihadist network once led by the Saudi millionaire. The two are seen above in this September 2006 file photo. Al-Zawahiri took over the organization after Bin Laden was killed in a SEAL team raid in 2011, but he was being hunted by the U.S. as far back as 1998

Al-Zawahiri, 71, was in a safehouse in Sherpur, a wealthy area of downtown Kabul that's home to multiple Taliban officials, when he was taken out in the drone strike

The terrorist leader was killed by two Hellfire missiles - fitted with extending blades - fired from CIA drones in a mission that took six months to plan. U.S. officials didn't confirm the model, but it is believed they used the R9X 'Ninja' missile that don't have explosives and limit collateral damage

From 9/11 to death on his balcony: How US tracked and killed Zawahiri Sept. 11, 2001 - Attack on twin towers of the World Trade Center. Al-Zawahiri is Osama bin Laden's top deputy and widely credited with masterminding the attack May 2, 2011 - Successful US operation to take out bin Laden at compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan 2011 - Al-Zawahiri succeeds bin Laden following the successful U.S. operation to take out world's top terror leader. US intelligence over several months gains 'increased confidence' terror leader's family has relocated to a safe house Early April - Top security staffers are informed of 'developing intelligence'. Shortly thereafter, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan briefs President Biden US officials develop 'pattern of life' for Al-Zawahiri. Al-Zawahiri arrives at the safe house location; US not aware of him ever leaving after he arrived Al-Zawahiri continues to crank out videos attacking the US and allies. The US then investigates 'construction and nature of the safe house' and building integrity so the strike could kill the terror leader without endangering civilians. Officials undertake operation to determine the identity of all the people in the safe house. Officials 'systematically eliminated all reasonable options' other than a strike. Officials hold a series of 'close-hold' briefing to vet intelligence. 'Key' agencies are brought into the process to make sure information is 'rock solid' and develop alternatives and minimize risks to civilians During the last few weeks of this period, Biden convenes several meetings with advisors and cabinet members to scrutinize intelligence May and June - Biden receives updates July 1 - Biden is briefed on a proposed operation in the White House Situation Room by key members of his cabinet. Attending are CIA Director William Burns, counterterrorism experts, Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines, and National Counterterrorism Center Director Christine Abizaid, national security adviser Jake Sullivan, Principal Deputy National Security Adviser Finer Biden examines a model that was constructed of the safe house inside the Situation Room. Biden requests further information on building plans and likely effects of a strike. Directs intel community to prepare impact analyses. Asks intel to consider risks to Mark Randall Frerichs, an American who disappeared in Afghanistan in 2020, impact on future access to Afghan air space, and on efforts to evacuate Afghan partners June and July - Principals and deputies convene in Situation Room multiple times to 'test the intelligence picture'. 'Tight circle' of agency lawyers confirms legal basis. They conclude al-Zawahiri is a lawful target. Biden asks all present for their view. 'All strongly recommended approval of this target' July 25 - Biden convenes advisors and key cabinet for final meeting on updated intel. Asks again about other options, the layout of rooms, and impacts. At the end of the meeting, Biden 'authorized a precise tailored airstrikes on the condition that have strike minimize, to the greatest extent possible the risk of civilian casualties.' July 30, 9:48 pm EDT - US undertakes 'precision counterterrorism operation in Kabul' to take out al-Zawahiri Advertisement

In a statement, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid confirmed that a strike took place and strongly condemned it, calling it a violation of 'international principles.'

The strike was conducted on a residential house in Kabul's Sherpur area, a wealthy downtown neighborhood where several Taliban government officials live.

Al-Zawahiri was standing on the balcony of the three-story home when two R9X missiles - a hellfire missile armed with long blades aimed at killing targets with kinetic energy to minimize major collateral damage - struck.

The hellfire missiles were developed for precision drone strikes and are often used against high-value targets.

The strike was carried out in the early morning hours of Sunday Kabul time  6:18 am there and 9:48 pm Saturday night in the United States after U.S. intelligence officials learned al-Zawahiri moved to Afghanistan in the last year.

'This year we identified that al-Zawahiri family his wife, his daughter, and her children relocated to a safe house in Kabul,' a senior administration official told reporters on a background briefing call ahead of Biden's speech.

Al-Zawahiri was never seen leaving that safe house, the official said.

The official said only al-Zawahiri was killed and that members of the Haqqani network, a terrorist group that is part of the Taliban government, removed his family from the safe house 'to another location consistent with a broader effort to cover up that they had been living in the space.'

'Al-Zawahiri family members were present in other parts of the safe house at the time of the strike, and were purposefully not targeted and were unharmed,' the official said.

Biden was first briefed on Al-Zawahiri's location on July 1. The official described their intelligence as 'rock solid.'

The official said Biden asked 'detailed questions' on their intelligence, examined a model of the house that intelligence officials built and brought into the Situation Room for him to see, and asked about the possibility of civilian casualties.

On July 25th, Biden made the decision to authorize the strike.

'He was particularly focused on ensuring that every step had been taken to ensure the operation would minimize that risk. And he wanted to understand the basis upon which we had confidence in our assessments. The President requested further information on the building plans and about likely effects of a strike,' the official said.

Biden was in isolation with his rebound case of covid when the strike was carried out but was kept informed when it began and when it ended, the official noted.

The Biden administration also made clear they expect the Taliban to abide by the terms of the Doha agreement, which outlined the terms for the American troop withdrawal from Afghanistan, and that al-Zawahiri's presence in the Afghan capitol city was a 'clear violation' of the agreement.

'Obviously this is a very important point for us to make clear that follow up on that we expect them to abide by the terms of the Doha agreement, and the presence of al-Zawahiri in downtown Kabul with a clear violation of that,' the official said.

'Going forward with the Taliban, we will continue to hold them accountable for their actions,' the officials.

'We will take action to protect our interests, pursuant to the terms of the agreement, which is firm that it al Qaeda should never be allowed to re-establish itself in Afghanistan.'

It was the first attack in Afghanistan since American forces left last year. It took six months to plan.

Biden was in isolation with his rebound case of covid when the strike was carried out but was kept informed when it began and when it ended, the official noted

Al-Zawarihi and his family were living at home in Kabul owned by Taliban Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani (above)

Al-Zawahiri's FBI wanted poster - there was a $25 million reward for information on him

Fanatical ideologue whose new brand of terror prized massacring innocents: Ayman al-Zawahiri inspired Bin Laden to attack the US and wanted Al-Qaeda to get NUCLEAR weapons Al Quaeda leader Ayman al Zawahiri in a recorded message Osama bin Laden's second-in-command Ayman al-Zawahiri, who has been killed by a CIA drone strike, led a new brand of terror that prized massacring innocents, having inspired the former leader to gather nuclear and biological weapons. Al-Zawahiri, who took over Al-Qaeda after Bin Laden's death in 2011, was killed in Kabul, Afghanistan following the US strike. The terrorist leader is said to have guided al-Qaeda to become one of the biggest radical movements, having been identified as a mastermind of the September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States that killed nearly 3,000 people. At 15, the Egyptian spearheaded his own militant group, Jamaat al-Jihad, that championed large-scale attacks and the murder of civilians. As it grew, he later merged it with al-Qaeda in the 1990s, bringing this focus on indiscriminate killing to the terrorist group. The 71-year-old was on the FBI's most-wanted terrorist list, having declared the US 'the far enemy', with a $25 million reward for information leading directly to him. The surgeon, also called The Doctor, led a terrorist lab developing biological weapons and was the force behind al-Qaeda's ambition to gain nuclear weapons. 'To kill Americans and their allies  civilian and military  is an individual duty for every Muslim who can do it in every country in which it is possible to do it, al-Zawahiri wrote in a 1998 manifesto. Three years later, he helped to plan the September 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. As part of this, al-Zawahiri was planned follow-on attacks across the US, and started a biological weapons program in Afghanistan. He sent group disciples out to find lethal strains of anthrax and scientists that would engage with his plans. However the Egyptian abandoned the biological weapons laboratory after a US-backed military effort forced Taliban allies of al-Qaeda out of power in Afghanistan. His own militant group began when he was 15, having organized an underground cell of friends to overthrow Egypt's Islamic theocracy and government, after it executed Qutb in 1966. This cell grew to become the Jihad Group, which plotted the assassination of Egyptian leaders in the early 1980s, and was also involved in the killing of the country's president, Anwar Sadat on October 6, 1981, the Washington Post reported. 'We have sacrificed and we are still ready for more sacrifices until the victory of Islam,' he shouted in the courtroom. He was briefly jailed for three years for the possession of arms, having been acquitted of the main charges. Later, he claimed to have been tortured while behind bars. After his release, he began touring South Asia and became the personal doctor to Bin Laden. In 1997, while living in Afghanistan, al-Zawahiri was involved in planning an attack on Egyptian tourists visiting the Luxor ruins. Advertisement

President Biden, in his remarks, said the drone strike on al-Zawahiiri was evidence that he was right when he told Americans last summere that removing all U.S. troops from Afghanistan would not undermine the United States' ability to fight terrorism.

'When I ended our military mission in Afghanistan almost a year ago, I made the decision that after 20 years of war, the United States no longer needed thousands of boots on the ground in Afghanistan, to protect America from terrorists who seek to do us harm.

'And I made a promise to the American people that we would continue to conduct effective counterterrorism operations in Afghanistan and beyond. We've done just that,' he said.

Al-Zawahiri took over al Qaeda after bin Laden's death in 2011, when bin Laden was killed in a raid by U.S. forces in Pakistan in 2011.

In 1998, he was indicted for his alleged role in the August 7, 1998, bombings of the United States Embassies in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, and Nairobi, Kenya.

On August 7, 1998, nearly simultaneous bombs blew up in front of the American embassies in Nairobi, Kenya, and Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, in Africa - 224 people died in the blasts, including 12 Americans, and more than 4,500 people were wounded.

Both he and bin Laden escaped U.S. forces in Afghanistan in late 2001.

Zawahiri's whereabouts had long been a mystery. Rumors have spread since late 2020 that al-Zawahiri had died from illness.

But he appeared in a new video in April, where he denounced the 'enemies of Islam.'

He appeared after a school in India banned the wearing of the hijab.

Before April, Al-Zawahiri last appeared in a video last year marking the 20th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, months after thee rumors spread that he was dead.

In that video, he proclaimed 'Jerusalem will never be Judaized' and praised al-Qaeda attacks  including one that targeted Russian troops in Syria in January 2021. SITE said al-Zawahiri also noted the US military's withdrawal from Afghanistan 20 years after the invasion.

Al-Zawahiri was born in Egypt in 1951 and worked as a surgeon.

He grew up in an upper-class neighborhood in Cairo, Egypt, the son of a prominent physician and grandson of famous scholars.

An Islamic fundamentalist, al-Zawahiri joined the outlawed Egyptian Islamic Jihad group as a teenager, being jailed twice for helping plot assassinations of two Egyptian leaders.

He eventually became the group's leader, which was dedicated to the creation of an Islamic state in Egypt, and in the 1980s he joined Mujahedeen fighting Soviet forces in Afghanistan.

There he befriended and joined forces with bin Laden, becoming his personal physician.

He formally merged his group, Egyptian Islamic Jihad, with al Qaeda in 1998.

The two men later issued a fatwa, or decree, that said: 'The judgment to kill and fight Americans and their allies, whether civilians or military, is an obligation for every Muslim.'

Al-Zawahiri's slaying has sparked questions as to whether the Taliban has welcomed the terrorist group back in, having previously developed ties with the terrorist group in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

Speculation is rising as to whether his living arrangements with Taliban interior minister Sirajuddin Haqqani could create further difficulties for the West's relations with Taliban-controlled Afghanistan.

Smoke rises from the US Embassy in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, in this frame grabe from TV, after a suspected car bomb exploded outside in 1998; al-Zawahiri was indicted for his alleged role in the August 7, 1998, bombings of the United States Embassies in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, and Nairobi, Kenya

Armed US Marines stand guard by the US embassy entrance in Nairobi in 1998 as FBI agents gather evidence in the bombing

U.S. military pall bearers carry the first five flag-draped coffins of 10 Americans killed in the bombings at the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya, during a memorial service at Andrews Air Force Base in 1998

Republicans slam Biden's 'ridiculous victory lap' after killing Bin Laden's longtime No. 2 Republicans are slamming President Joe Biden for applauding the killing of Al Qaeda's top leader, alleging his 'disastrous withdrawal' from Afghanistan paved the way for the group's resurgence. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy blamed Biden's botched exit from the Taliban-ruled country on the 'possible re-emergence of Al Qaeda,' alleging the US must take action to prevent terrorists from entering the nation. GOP Sen. Marjorie Taylor Greene echoed McCarthy's sentiment saying that even Americans will be glad Zawahiri is dead, 'Joe's victory lap is ridiculous.' Biden's critics allege the drone strike demonstrates the president's failure to combat terrorism and his blatant lies to the American people, citing previous statements he made claiming Al Qaeda was not present in Afghanistan. 'Today is further proof that our United States Military and Intelligence Community personnel will not stop pursuing those who threaten the United States of America and our interests,' McCarthy said in a statement to DailyMail.com. 'This news also sheds light on the possible re-emergence of Al Qaeda in Afghanistan following President Biden's disastrous withdrawal a year ago,' he continued. 'The Biden administration must provide Congress with a classified briefing as soon as possible to discuss the resurgence of Al Qaeda in the region over the past year, the current foreign terrorist threat to America, and the steps we must take to keep our country safe and prevent terrorists from entering the United States.' Advertisement

It comes as US President Joe Biden's officials said that Haqqani Network leaders knew al-Zawahiri was living in Kabul.

'Immediately after the strike, Haqqani operatives sealed off the area and relocated Zawahiri's relatives. A damning indictment of Taliban credibility,' said director of the Middle East Institute, Charles Lister.

It may add further credibility to recent intelligence claims from the US that the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, the official name of the Taliban government, has allowed al-Qaeda to re-emerge in Afghanistan, after taking over the country last year.

In June, UN security intelligence experts revealed that al-Qaeda was enjoying a 'safe haven' in Afghanistan under the Taliban and warned the country could become a base for international terrorist attacks once again.

Following the drone strike location reveal, House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy said: 'This news sheds light on the possible re-emergence of al-Qaeda in Afghanistan following President Biden's disastrous withdrawal a year ago.

'The Biden administration must provide Congress with a classified briefing as soon as possible to discuss the resurgence of al-Qaeda in the region over the past year, the current foreign terrorist threat to America, and the steps we must take to keep our country safe and prevent terrorists from entering the United States.

Bill Roggio, military commentator and managing editor of The Long War Journal, warned DailyMail.com ahead of the address that Biden would tout Zawahiri's death as a victory.

'The message tonight is going to be that this was a huge counter-terrorism success. But really this means that al-Qaeda is in Afghanistan and never left.' Roggio said.

He also cautioned there is more concern the Taliban is again harboring al-Qaeda.

'The big lie the Biden Administration told us to get out of Afghanistan was that al-Qaeda was gone,' Roggio explained. 'It is likely the US got Zawahiri because was over confident and operating in Kabul.

'He wasn't hiding out in the mountains. We're hearing that he was being sheltered by a top Taliban deputy. The Biden Administration is going to tout this as some victory of their 'over-the-horizon' capabilities, but that's the spin.'

Is this Al-Qaeda's next terror chief? Secretive heir apparent who 'oversaw Black Hawk Down operation' and helped carry out 9/11 attacks is poised to take over Pictured in just one of three published photos, al-Adel is the likely successor to the al-Qaeda throne. He is credited with masterminding the bombings of three US embassies in 1998 as well as playing a key role in the notorious 'Black Hawk Down' plot The heir apparent to the al-Qaeda throne after tonight's confirmed death of Ayman al-Zawahiri is a canny, military-trained operative with experience killing British and American soldiers. Egyptian ex-army officer Saif al-Adel was a founding member of al-Qaeda, having joined pre-cursor terrorist group Maktab al-Khidamat in the late-1980s. There he met future allies Osama bin Laden and al-Zawahiri, whose separate group Egyptian Islamic Jihad (EIJ) he would soon join. Little else is known about Saif al-Adel, who at around 60 years of age is one of the younger al-Qaeda bosses. Al-Adel was around 30 when he oversaw the infamous 'Black Hawk Down' operation in Mogadishu, Somalia, in which 19 American soldiers were killed and had their bodies dragged through the streets. Seven more were slain when two helicopters were shot down in the east Africa ambush, including two British soldiers, three Turks and a Frenchman. And since the assassination of Osama bin Laden in 2011, al-Adel has become an increasingly important strategist within the depleting terror cell. The only thing standing in his way to become the next al-Qaeda leader is that he is likely stuck in Iran - and may well have been for the past 19 years. In 2003, Iranian Ambassador to the UN Javad Zarif refused to confirm nor deny whether al-Adel was being held in the country. He told ABC News that terrorists tend to have multiple passports, with the Iranian government unable to confirm their identities. With what's left of al-Qaeda now based in Afghanistan - and in coexistence with the Taliban - al-Adel's geographic isolation could stop him taking the helm, foreign policy analyst Charles Lister suggested tonight. With his real name thought to be Mohammed Salah al-Din Zaidan, al-Adel's made-up moniker translates to 'Sword of Justice'. Thought not as brainwashed by Islamist ideology as his al-Qaeda colleagues, al-Adel used his military training to rise to the top of the shadowy organization in the wake of the September 11 attacks, in which senior operatives killed themselves. Al-Adel was in fact against the so-called 'Planes Operation', as it was known by members of the terror cell. Al-Adel is pictured (centre) on an al-Qaeda who's who published in 2005. Osama bin Laden is pictured top-left, with al-Zawahiri to his right and Mullah Omar to the right of al-Zawahiri. Saif is now one of the only original al-Qaeda leaders still alive The FBI Most Wanted poster on Al-Adel states the reward of up to $10million for information Al-Adel has risen to the top of al-Qaeda as much because of his own talents as by the United States' ruthlessness in killing his superiors But he helped organize the single most deadly terrorist attack in history after bin Laden became committed to the idea. According to ex-FBI agent and counter-terrorism expert Ali Soufan, who suggested al-Adel would be 'al-Qaeda's next leader' last year, Saif possesses a 'poker face' and a 'caustic tongue'. When training young soldiers, he was known to kidnap them in the middle of the night and conduct savage beatings in order to harden the troops. Al-Adel has risen to the top of al-Qaeda as much because of his own talents as by the United States' ruthlessness in killing his superiors. Osama's assumed successor son Hamza was killed in 2019 and fellow senior strategist Abu Muhammad al-Masri was assassinated in 2020. US intelligence states: 'Al-Adel is wanted in connection with the August 7, 1998, bombings of the United States Embassies in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, and Nairobi, Kenya.' Two hundred and twenty-four people died in the three East Africa blasts, including 12 Americans, with more than 4,500 people wounded. A $10million reward for information has been placed on al-Adel's head. And with ex-leader al-Zawahiri now slain, the attention of America's terrorist hunters will likely go onto Saif al-Adel. Al-Zawahiri, who took over Al-Qaeda after Bin Laden's death in 2011, was killed in Kabul, Afghanistan following a US airstrike this evening. The terrorist leader is said to have guided Al-Qaeda to become one of the biggest radical movements, having been identified as a mastermind of the September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States that killed nearly 3,000 people. Advertisement

The six-blade 'ninja missile' used to mince terrorists: CIA deployed two R9X Hellfires to shred Al Qaeda chief Ayman al-Zawahiri - a month after it was used to wipe out ISIS thug in Syria

Al Qaeda's leader Ayman al-Zawahiri became the latest victim of the feared Hellfire Ninja R9X missile that uses pop-out swords rather than an explosive to take down high profile targets, according to military experts.

Al-Zawahiri was killed in a drone strike in the Shirpur neighborhood of the Afghani capital of Kabul on Saturday, according to President Joe Biden.

The terrorist leader was 71 years old.

A senior Biden administration official told reporters on August 1 that a drone fired two Hellfire R9X missiles at the terrorist leader as he walked on to the balcony of his safe house.

The R9X carries 45kg of reinforced metal in its tip with six extendable blades designed to shred the target upon impact without triggering a blast that could prove deadly to those nearby.

The existence of the missile has not been confirmed by the US military.

The official described the al-Zawahiri assassination as a 'precise tailored airstrike.'

The possibly closest look we have of a used R9X in Yemen in June 2022. The red ball is the pneumatic accumulator that helps to propel the missile

Other targets shed to pieces by Hellfire RX9 missiles: List includes al Qaeda targets, an Iranian general and a mysterious terror financer The Hellfire RX9 missile is a highly secretive collaboration between the CIA and the DOD that has its origins during the Obama administration in 2011. The purpose of the project was to limit the amount of collateral damage and civilian casualties caused during conventional drone strikes. The R9X carries 45kg of reinforced metal in its tip with six extendable blades designed to shred the target upon impact without triggering a blast that could prove deadly to those nearby. Here are some of the known victims of one of the CIA's most sophisticated pieces of weaponry: Abu Khayr al-Masri - February 2017 Then al-Qaeda's second in command, Abu Al-Khayr al-Masri is thought to have been the first person killed by the RX9 missile. Al-Masri was killed alongside another militant in Idlib, Syria, on February 26, 2017. According to GlobalSecurity.org, locals at the scene, while suspecting a drone strike, were shocked that there was 'no real sign of a large explosion' and that the terrorist leader's Kia sedan remained largely in tact. Jamal Ahmad Mohammad Al Badawi - January 2019 This photo provided by the FBI shows Jamal al-Badawi. He was the mastermind behind the the Oct. 12, 2000 attack on the USS Cole that killed 17 sailors On New Year's Day 2019, Jamal Ahmad Mohammad Al Badawi, a prime suspect in the October 2000 bombing of the USS Cole, was killed by an R9X missile in Ma'rib Governorate, Yemen. He was driving alone when he was killed and there were no other reported casualties. The bombing of the USS Cole killed 17 American sailors. He was the first high-profile terrorist target that US forces killed in Yemen. Then President Donald Trump tweeted at the time: 'We have just killed the leader of that attack, Jamal al-Badawi. Our work against al Qaeda continues. We will never stop in our fight against Radical Islamic Terrorism!' Mohibullah - January 2020 In January 2019, the Afghani government confirmed that a mysterious financier of terrorism, known only as Mohibullah, was killed in a targeted strike in the northeastern part of Afghanistan. He was driving in a car when killed. Mohibullah was a Pakistani citizen. General Qassem Soleimani - Janaury 2020 A demonstrator holds the picture of Qassem Soleimani during a protest against the assassination of the Iranian Major-General Qassem Soleimani The R9X missile is also suspected of having been used in the air strike which killed Iranian general Qassem Soleimani in January, catapulting Washington and Tehran to the brink of war, although this was never confirmed. A report from The Hill at the time of Soleimani's death found that the height from which the general was struck had the characteristics of the RX9 missile. Abu al Qassam al Urduni and Bilal al Sanaani - June 2020 Hurras Al-Din leaders Abu al Qassam al Urduni and Bilal al Sananni were killed in Syria's Idlib province in June 2020. Like al-Masri, the pair were traveling in a car when they were hit by a drone strike. Similarly, local reported no explosion and their vehicle remained largely intact. Al Urduni was a close ally of key US target, al Qaeda organizer Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, who was killed in bombing in 2006. Abu Yahya al-Uzbeki - August 2020 Military trainer for al-Qaeda Abu Yahya al-Uzbeki was killed by what one news source referred to as a '100-pound flying switchblade' in August 2020. Al-Uzbeki had also been work in with Hurras Al-Din at the time of his death. Abu Hamzah al-Yemini - June 2022 Abu Hamzah al-Yemini, the leader of Hurras al Din, was killed in northwestern Syria on June 29 this year. ' Abu Hamzah al-Yemeni was travelling alone on a motorcycle at the time of the strike,' US Central Command said in a statement, adding that an 'initial review indicates no civilian casualties.' Multiple experts said that the scene of al-Yemini's death showed the hallmarks of the RX9 missile. Advertisement

Osama Bin-Laden's former number two was staying in the home with members of his family. President Biden said that there other injuries as a result of Saturday's strike.

It was the United State's most significant strike against al Qaeda since the killing of bin Laden in 2011. In fact, the RX9 was considered when plans were being drawn up to permanently take down the 9/11 mastermind.

The R9X Hellfire missile has become one of the US military's favored weapons for precision assassinations as it carries a lower risk of collateral damage.

Developed during Obama's presidency in 2011 amid concerns over the number of civilians being killed in drone strike campaigns in the Middle East, the 'ninja' missile is so nicknamed because it foregoes the use of an explosive warhead.

It the result of a combined effort by the CIA and the Department of Defense.

The missile is made Lockheed Martin and Northrop Gumman. It is not clear how many R9X missiles that the Pentagon have in their possession.

The R9X is not mentioned in the 2022 budget requests for missile procurement.

The secretive military Joint Special Operations Command has confirmed the use of the R9X twice, in 2019 and 2020, reports the New York Times. But it has reportedly been used on nearly a dozen other occasions to take out specific targets.

During the Korean and Vietnam wars in the 1950s, the US military pioneered an idea of non-explosive kinetic bombs named Lazy Dogs.

The bombs were designed to kill using kinetic energy after being dropped from aircraft. The weighed between 560 and 625 pounds. Lazy Dogs did not prove to be popular among commanders and their development was halted in the 1960s.

The existence of the R9X was first reported by the Wall Street Journal in 2019. The newspaper said that the missile was used in attacks on persons in Afghanistan, Libya, Iraq, Yemen and Somalia.

The Journal said that those worked with the R9X is referred to as the 'flying Ginsu,' a reference to a popular brand of steak knives.

An unnamed official source told the newspaper at the time that the missile was created with the 'express purpose of reducing civilian casualties.'

The article referred to the weapon as being similar to a 'speedy anvil.'

The example that the Journal provides suggests that the R9X was so precise that if a target was in a car with an innocent driver, the missile would take out the target and spare the driver.

The same report said that the missile's blades can cut through buildings, and car roofs.

At the time of the WSJ report, Human Rights Watch's Letta Tayler wrote on the group's website that the RX9 should not necessarily be viewed as a more ethical weapon.

Tayler said: 'On its own, the R9X won't resolve the host of legal issues surrounding the US targeted killing program, which since 2002 has killed thousands of people with scant transparency.'

In August 2021, the R9X was thought to have been used to kill two ISIS militants in the Nangarhar province of Afghanistan. According to Task and Purpose, the missiles were fired from a MQ-9 Reaper drone.

Following that strike, Army Major General William 'Hank' Taylor bragged about the lack of civilian casualties adding: 'Without specifying any future plans, I will say that we will continue to have the ability to defend ourselves and to leverage over-the-horizon capability to conduct counterterrorism operations as needed.'

That strike was in response to the Hamid Karzai International Airport attack that killed 13 US servicemembers.

In addition to the August 2021 attack, the R9X is thought to have been used in the killing of al Qaeda second-in-command Ahmad Hasan Abu Khayr al-Masri in February 2017.

It was used again to take out Taliban leader Mohabullah in Afghanistan in January 2019, that same month the missile was used on USS Cole bombing suspect Jamel Ahmed Mohammed Ali al-Badawi in Yemen and Hayat Tahrir al-Sham leader Abu Ahmed al-Jaziri in June 2019

The following year, the missile was the cause of death of Hurras Al-Din leaders Qassam al-Urduni and Bilal al-Sanaani in Syria.

The latter featured the use of three 100-plus-pound warheads, according to the Military Times.

Al-Zawahiri joins a list of undesirables that includes, Hamas leader Ahmed Yassin, who was killed in 2004 by the Israeli Air Force, who have been taken out by variations of the traditional Hellfire missile.

While in use by the US military, conventional Hellfire missiles have taken out Anwar al-Awlaki, an Al Qaeda organizer as well as high-ranking Al Qaeda leader Abu Yahya al-Libi, who was killed in Pakistan in 2012, Al-Shabaab leader Moktar Ali Zubeyr, who met his end in 2014 in Somalia, not to mention Mohammed Emwazi aka Jihadi John who was killed in 2015 in Syria.

The explosive warhead on a traditional hellfire missile weighs around 20 pounds.

The last high-profile use of the Hellfire Ninja was when Abu Hamzah al-Yemeni - the leader of the Hurras al Din - was compromised in the city of Idlib in Syria in June 2022.

Images from that scene showed the twisted remains of a motorcycle strewn across the ground, suggesting the missile scored a direct hit on its target.

Hurras al Din is a relatively small but powerful armed group led by Al Qaeda loyalists, which was led by Yemeni until his death yesterday.

It's estimated to have 2,000 to 2,500 fighters in rebel-held Syria, according to the United Nations.

The R9X missile is also suspected of having been used in the air strike which killed Iranian general Qassem Soleimani in January, catapulting Washington and Tehran to the brink of war, although this was never confirmed.

In his remarks following al-Zawahiri's killing, Biden repeatedly invoked the September 11th terrorist attacks and said the killing of al-Zawahiri demonstrated the resolve of the United States to go after terrorist leaders, no matter where they hide and how long it takes.

'Now, justice has been delivered, and this terrorist leader is no more,' he said. 'We made it clear again tonight that no matter how long it takes, no matter where you hide, if you are a threat to our people, the United States will find you and take you out.'

The motorbike, that was reportedly being ridden by jihadist leader Abu Hamzah al-Yemeni at the time that he was killed by a US drone strike, is shown mangled after being hit by the R9X

Blitzed on his balcony: How CIA spied on Ayman al-Zawahiri for six months before pounding terror chief with two Hellfire missiles when he stepped out of Kabul home and 'lingered'

The United States killed al Qaeda boss Ayman al-Zawahiri in a drone strike Saturday, following a more than 20-year effort to assassinate the terrorist.

Labeled by US officials as Osama bin Laden's number-two, al-Zawahiri, 71, was a key plotter of the September 11 terrorist attacks and took over as the leader of the notorious terror group following bin Laden's death in 2011.

The strike was carried out early Sunday at an Afghanistan safe house the elderly terrorist had be holed up in, at 6:18 am local time and 9:48 pm Saturday in the US.

The early morning attack saw al-Zawahiri killed by two hellfire missiles fired from drones deployed by the CIA, as he stood on the balcony of the safe house in downtown Kabul.

The Egyptian-born jihadist apparently proceeded to linger on the landing, as U.S. intelligence had noted he often did, allowing the drone ample time to execute the attack.

The mission, officials said, took six months to plan - but served as the culmination of a much wider, carefully coordinated campaign to track down and kill the al Qaeda head, who had successfully evaded US armed forces up until this point.

The slaying came more than 11 years after Bin Laden was killed in Pakistan by U.S. Navy Seals on May 2, 2011, in a more hands on, drone-less strike that came after a nearly decade-long hunt for the 9/11 mastermind.

Labeled by US officials as Osama bin Laden's number-two, al-Zawahiri, 71, was a key plotter of the September 11 terrorist attacks and took over as the leader of the notorious terror group following bin Laden's death in 2011

An Egyptian born to a comfortable family in Cairo in 1951, al-Zawahiri first came on authorities' radars in the 90s, shortly after the formation of the terror group in 1988 by Bin Laden - at which time al-Zawahiri was already a member.

The two terrorists reportedly met sometime in late 1980s, when al-Zawahri reportedly kept the Saudi millionaire safe in the caves of Afghanistan from Soviet bombardments that then had been common in the region.

In 1998, he was named Bin Laden's deputy, further raising his profile, as he began to appear alongside the Saudi national at al-Qaeda held news conferences, airing anti-American sentiment and calling for other likeminded Muslims to join their cause.

That same year, al-Zawahiri, then 47, was indicted for his alleged role in the August 7, 1998, bombings of the United States Embassies in Tanzania and Kenya.

The August 7 attack saw nearly simultaneous bombs blew up in front of the embassies in Dar es Salaam and Nairobi, killing 224 - including 12 Americans - and wounding more than 4,500.

At the time, al-Zawahri - who was radicalized after he and hundreds of militants were tortured in Egyptian prison after Islamic fundamentalists' assassination of President Anwar Sadat in 1981 - had bolstered the terror group by merging it with his own group, Egyptian Islamic Jihad, which he had started in the 80s.

He would then help hone the group secretly in his home nation, all while evading Egyptian intelligence, until it achieved cells of followers all across the globe.

After years of quietly assembling suicide attackers, funds and plans, al-Zawahri, Bin Laden and several others would carry out the infamous September 11 attacks, putting him and other conspirators at the top of the FBI's Most Wanted List.

Going into hiding, al-Zawahri would then work to ensure that al-Qaeda members survived the global manhunt that would ensue - all while rebuilding the group's shattered leadership in the Afghan-Pakistan border region, and serving as the supreme leader over branches in Iraq, Asia, Yemen,

In this 1998 photo, Ayman al-Zawahri, left, listens during a news conference with Osama bin Laden in Khost, Afghanistan. A U.S. airstrike killed al-Qaida leader al-Zawahri Saturday

In the years that followed, al-Zawahri and Bin Laden would take credit for a series of attacks across Europ and Africa, as US forces successfully rounded up several accused of masterminding the 9/11 plot.

Despite efforts that included a combination of unrelenting raids and missile and drone strikes, both al-Zawahri bin Laden would successfully manage to evade US forces, and hide elsewhere in the Middle East.

It would take roughly a decade before US armed forces were able to track down at least one of the terror group's elusive top members, with a group of US Navy seals successfully taking out Bin Laden, then 54, at a compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan.

It was at this point that al-Zawahiri assumed leadership of the group, taking over immediately after the death of his friend.

US intelligence would then learn over the course of several months from sources with 'increased confidence' that the terror leader's family had relocated to an unspecified safe house somewhere in the Middle East.

The next clue to the al-Qaueda kingpin's whereabouts would not come for another decade, after rumors swirled in 2020 that the terror boss had died from illness.

Those rumors were put to bed, however, the very next year, on the 20th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, when al-Zawahiri appeared in a video where he celebrated the US military's withdrawal from Afghanistan 20 years after the invasion.

In that video, he proclaimed 'Jerusalem will never be Judaized' and praised al-Qaeda attacks  including one that targeted Russian troops in Syria in January 2021.

The sudden spot seemingly did not provide US officials any clues as to where al-Zawahiri was hiding - however, seven months later, top US security staffers were reportedly informed of 'developing intelligence' that he and his family were back in Afghanistan.

The breakthrough came in April, after US officials learned that the terror leader's wife, daughter and children had relocated to Kabul, at an al-Qaeda safehouse - the one struck over the weekend.

Officials eventually determined that al-Zawahri, too, was at the house - setting into motion a plan that would see officials construct a scale model of the multifloored, terraced property.

That model would eventually be brought it into the White House Situation Room to President Joe Biden, who along with several senior security officials, including National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, would plot the attack, knowing that al-Zawahri was partial to sitting on the home's balcony.

The group then painstakingly constructed 'a pattern of life,' as one official put it, for the terror leader, and said Monday that they had been confident he was on the balcony when the missiles flew.

In this television image from Arab satellite station Al-Jazeera, Osama bin Laden, right, listens as his top deputy Ayman al-Zawahri speaks at an undisclosed location, in this image made from undated video tape broadcast by the station April 15, 2002

Inside the administration, only a small group of officials at key agencies, as well as Vice President Kamala Harris, were allowed into the highly classified planning process.

During this time, as the US investigated the 'construction and nature of of the safe house' and building integrity so the strike could kill the target without putting civilians in danger, al-Zawahiri would continue to crank out videos attacking the US and its allies

Shortly after, US officials 'systematically eliminated all reasonable options' other than a strike, after confirming the identities of all the people inside.

'Key' agencies, officials said, were then brought into the process to make sure that intel was 'rock solid' before eventually carrying out the top-secret operation.

During the last few weeks of this period, Biden convened several meetings with advisors and cabinet members to scrutinize the intelligence and analyze various updates as to the situation at hand.

On July 1, Biden was briefed in the Situation Room about the operation, and closely examined the model of the home al-Zawahri was hiding out in. He gave his final approval for the operation on Thursday.

Just as US officials had planned, the jihadist had been standing on the balcony of his hideout when the early-morning strike was carried out.

'We make it clear again tonight: That no matter how long it takes, no matter where you hide, if you are a threat to our people, the United States will find you and take you out,' Biden said Monday, announcing the attack's success to the nation.

Hours later, a statement from Afghanistan's Taliban government confirmed the airstrike, but did not mention al-Zawahri or any other casualties.

It said it ''strongly condemns this attack and calls it a clear violation of international principles and the Doha Agreement,' the 2020 U.S. pact with the Taliban that led to the withdrawal of American forces.

'Such actions are a repetition of the failed experiences of the past 20 years and are against the interests of the United States of America, Afghanistan, and the region,' the statement said.
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We eat it cooked or raw, wrapped in batter or smothered in the most delicately complex of sauces.

But if you're one of the 87 per cent of Britons who love consuming it, you may be surprised to learn that we don't know all that much about fish.

It seems that many of us are often left baffled by the descriptions on restaurant menus and don't know our gravadlax from our gambas.

(For those not in know, gravadlax is cured salmon with dill while gambas are Spanish prawns cooked in garlic.)

A survey suggests that 41 per cent of diners have faced the embarrassment of not understanding that sashimi is a Japanese dish of sliced raw fish.

Forty-six per cent did not know that ceviche is also a raw dish, with the fish cured in lemon or lime juice.

CAN YOU NAME THESE SIX TYPES OF FISH DISHES FROM A DESCRIPTION AND PICTURE?

(9) Thin slices of raw tuna

(7) Spanish prawns cooked in garlic

(8) A Japanese dish of sliced, raw fish

(3) Raw fish, cured in lemon or lime juice

(2) An Italian dish of deep-fried fish and seafood

(15) Fish eggs (from the Sturgeon)

Some 49 per cent admitted having to ask a waiter what frito misto is  an Italian dish of deep-fried fish  while 33 per cent needed to be told that moules mariniere are mussels cooked in cream, garlic and parsley.

Gravadlax defeated 45 per cent and gambas 44 per cent. A surprising 15 per cent even admitted they weren't sure what caviar was.

The results come from a survey by restaurant booking website TheFork, which found that 62 per cent of us wish we were more knowledgeable about seafood.

In fact, 61 per cent said ordering fish and seafood at a restaurant can be as confusing as ordering the wine. For example, 21 per cent admit they have ordered sashimi or ceviche without realising it was raw.

The survey also shows our lack of knowledge extends to the home, with 47 per cent admitting the only fish they have ever cooked has come from a supermarket  either battered or breaded.

Some 36 per cent have never peeled a prawn, 43 per cent have not prepared mussels and nearly half have never shucked an oyster  that's opening the shell to reveal the meat inside.

Patrick Hooykaas, managing director at TheFork, said: 'As our research has uncovered, we're a nation of fish lovers with absolutely zero idea about fish  from how to pronounce it to how to unlock maximum meat and flavour.

'TheFork has now teamed up with leading London seafood and fish restaurants available to book on the platform to offer the first ever 'shellmelier' steward until September 4.

Just as a sommelier offers specialised knowledge and recommendations on wine, the new service will see fish experts sharing their knowledge with restaurant patrons  from where to locate the tastiest, most tender meat in a crab leg to how to shuck an oyster perfectly every time.
Johnny Depp suffers from erectile dysfunction which sparked an alleged sexual assault on Amber Heard with a liquor bottle, her lawyers have claimed in unseal court documents.

'Though Mr. Depp would rather not disclose his erectile dysfunction condition, such condition absolutely is relevant to sexual violence, including Mr. Depp's anger and use of a bottle to rape Amber Heard,' the March 28 filing says.

Depp's alleged medical condition is what contributed to his violent behavior towards his ex-wife, Heard's lawyers argue.

The Aquaman actresses legal team claims that Depp's medical condition makes him more likely to become 'angry or agitated' that leads him into anger and aggression.

Heard claimed that while he took medication for erectile dysfunction, it's poor performance only made him more angry, and in one instance, Heard claims 'he took it out on me'.

'I called it angry sex that Johnny could not fully perform,' she alleged. 'He would throw me on the bed, he did this several times, and he'd force himself on me in an angry way.'

The actress also said that Depp would spend a lot of time with his drinking buddies, including both her father David Heard and shock-rocker Marilyn Manson, and he would arrive home 'even more sexually and verbally abusive'.

Johnny Depp and Amber Heard were subjected to a six-week trial following the actresses claims in a 2018 newspaper opinion piece that her ex-husband abused her

Court documents released during the weekend claim that Depp allegedly suffers from an erectile dysfunction

The actress also said that Depp would spend a lot of time with his drinking buddies, including both her father David Heard and shock-rocker Marilyn Manson, and he would arrive home 'even more sexually and verbally abusive'

Heard also alleged that she supported herself financially the entire time that she and Depp were dating, despite Depp's insistence that 'I'll take care of you'.

'Johnny wanted to own me entirely, he'd fight me on every job,' she said. 'The way he talked about working actresses was despicable. Being an actress was a sin to him, it was the equivalent of being a w***e'.

Heard and Depp headed to court in April for six-week trial in Virginia to discuss the abuse allegations made throughout the couples relationship. The pair married in 2015, but separated a little bit over a year later before officially divorcing in 2017.

Heard claimed that Depp allegedly abused her dating back to 2013 when she claims the Pirates of the Caribbean sexually assaulted her.

Heard took the stand in May to testify that her ex-husband allegedly raped her with a liquor bottle and threatened to 'carve up' her face with it in 2015, according to Page Six.

'I didn't know if the bottle he had inside me was broken,' she said, breathing heavily as she held back tears. 'I couldn't feel it. I couldn't feel anything.'

Court documents show that the alleged assault occurred at the same time Depp suffered from a severed finger - claiming Heard had thrown a vodka bottle at him while in Australia.

Unveiled documents accessed on August 1 further revealed Heard's sister told her boss that the Aquaman actress did sever Depp's finger when she threw a bottle of vodka at him.

The was deposition was given by Jennifer Howell, a former friend and boss of Heard's sister, Whitney Henriquez, speaking about the finger incident.

She recollects when Amber's sister scream in the office 'she's cut off his God damn finger' while the duo were in Australia as Depp was filming the fifth Pirates of the Caribbean film.

Despite the accusations by the Aquaman actress, Depp denied the sexual assault allegations from his ex-wife throughout the defamation trial that ended in June with a judge siding with Depp.

Heard was ordered to pay her ex-husband $10.35 million in June, when a jury ruled she defamed Depp in a newspaper opinion piece published in 2018.

Speaking with Depp's attorney Camille Vasquez, Howell said: 'I was sitting exactly where I'm sitting right now because I'm sitting at my desk in the office. So I was sitting right here on my computer, working, in my zone, responding, doing whatever I was doing.

'And right over there, there were two black-and-white chairs at the time with a table in between it. Whitney was sitting in one of the black-and-white chairs.

'There's a door that goes out right over there as well, and she just screamed, 'She's done it now. She's cut off his God damn finger,' and made this huge proclamation. And I pushed my chair back. I was like, 'What?'

'And she goes, 'She cut off his finger. She cut off his finger.' And then she bolted out the door and was like, 'I got to call somebody. I got to call somebody.'

'And she went out the door and she called someone. I don't know who she called. That's what was said.'

When asked if Henriquez had specified who the 'she' and 'he' were in the scenario, Howell responded: 'It was Amber and Johnny.

'And she apparently had thrown a bottle and cut off his finger, is what she reported when she came back in from whoever she talked to outside.'

Heard denied causing the injury, saying that he hurt himself during a drunken rage.

Depp also told the court that he lied to a doctor over how he got the finger injury at the time.

Depp shows the middle finger of his hand, which he claims was injured while he and his ex-wife Amber Heard were in Australia in 2015

Depp's severed finger, following an incident in Australia in 2015. Depp claims heard through a bottle of Vodka at him which caused the injury

Whitney Henriquez (pictured), sister of actress Amber Heard testifies at the Fairfax County Circuit Courthouse in Fairfax, Virginia

The unsealed court documents further showed that Heard walked away from a divorce payout from Depp that could had granted her tens-of-millions of dollars.

Heard could have sought half of Depp's $33 million he made while filming the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise - since the pair were still married. However, documents obtained by the Daily Beast show that Heard ignored guidance from her legal team to not sue Depp for the maximum amount.

Heard will also receive $2 million from Depp in a counter-lawsuit, leaving her with just over $8 million to pay.

Heard was ordered to pay Depp a total of $8.3 million after being found guilty of defamation, but says she doesn't have enough cash to do so.

The Aquaman actress has filed an appeal to overturn the judge's ruling on July 21.
Britain's most productive nuclear power station was switched off yesterday, despite warnings that its closure could trigger yet another increase in energy bills.

Releasing a huge plume of steam to mark the occasion, Somersets Hinkley Point B split its last atom after nearly five decades of power generation.

Experts warn that decommissioning Hinkley, which contributed about 3 per cent of the UKs power, means we will have to burn more gas to generate electricity.

Its closure means there are now just seven nuclear plants operating in Britain. Boris Johnson has pledged to build eight nuclear power stations in eight years.

Signing off: A huge plume of steam rises above the Hinkley B nuclear power plant yesterday as it shuts down after 46 years

Henry Edwards, an editor at the energy specialists S&P Global, told the BBC he expected the closure of Hinkley would hit consumers by forcing up the price of gas.

He said: If you take a generator out of the market thats fully paid off, and doesnt have the gas price premium that replacement power will have or the carbon cost then, yes, the wholesale price will rise.

Power firm EDF, which owns the plant, said: Hinkley B has reliably produced zero-carbon electricity for over 46 years, more than 15 years longer than envisaged when built, and will complete its generating phase as the most productive nuclear site the UK has ever had.

Water pumped out from the Electricite de France SA's (EDF) Hinkley Point B, nuclear power station sprays up as it meets the Bristol Channel near Bridgwater in Somerset

Another reactor at the site, Hinkley Point A, was switched off in 2000. EDF  which is 85 per cent owned by the French government  is building a replacement, Hinkley Point C, which is expected to cost 25 billion and will open in 2027.

Hinkley Bs life cannot be extended any further due to cracks in its graphite core, described by energy expert Dr Paul Dorfman, of Sussex University, as an end-of-life condition. The power station was originally supposed to be switched off in 2016, but careful management of the technology kept it going until yesterday.

100 billion kettles later... Hinkley B in Somerset generated 3 per cent of the UKs electricity last year Over its 46 years, it has boiled the equivalent of 100 billion kettles It has generated 311 terawatt hours, or 311 billion kilowatt hours  to use the units we see on our domestic energy bills Thats enough to power 100 million homes for a year at average UK usage 750 people work at the site, which came online in 1976  when Mamma Mia! by Abba was No1 in the charts Hinkley B has boiled the equivalent of 100 billion kettles Advertisement

Mike Davies, station director of Hinkley Point B, said: Now our attention turns to the job of defuelling the power station.

For the next three to four years, teams at Hinkley will get the plant ready to be decommissioned, including removing the remaining nuclear fuel from the reactors and transporting it to Sellafield for storage. Once that work is complete, EDF will hand the station over to the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority.

Jonathon Porritt, a former head of Friends of the Earth, said that while Hinkley Point B will stop generating electricity, the waste that its generated over the last 46 years will live on for a very, very long time.

It came as developers and critics clashed over a proposed offshore wind farm in Wales.

The wind farm, which is in its planning phase and is set to include up to 50 turbines, could supply energy to 500,000 of the countrys 1.38 million households.

Awel y Mor could help tackle climate change and minimise the UKs reliance on imported energy, German-owned energy company RWE Renewables said.

But critics of the scheme say the turbines, which would stand just over six miles off the North Wales coast, would harm marine life and affect tourism.

Flintshire Council officials fear the wind farm could ruin the views from Snowdonia and other beauty spots that draw tourists to the area.

A spokesman said the project would be a substantial detractor to several special qualities associated with the designated landscapes of North Wales and the national park.
He championed large-scale attacks and the indiscriminate killing of civilians

He was a mastermind of the September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States

Osama bin Ladens second-in-command Ayman al-Zawahiri, who has been killed by a CIA drone strike, led a new brand of terror that prized massacring innocents, having inspired the former leader to gather nuclear and biological weapons.

Al-Zawahiri, who took over Al-Qaeda after Bin Ladens death in 2011, was killed in Kabul, Afghanistan following the US strike.

The terrorist leader is said to have guided al-Qaeda to become one of the biggest radical movements, having been identified as a mastermind of the September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States that killed nearly 3,000 people.

At 15, the Egyptian spearheaded his own militant group, Jamaat al-Jihad, that championed large-scale attacks and the murder of civilians.

As it grew, he later merged it with al-Qaeda in the 1990s, bringing this focus on indiscriminate killing to the terrorist group.

The 71-year-old was on the FBI's most-wanted terrorist list, having declared the US 'the far enemy', with a $25 million reward for information leading directly to him.

The surgeon, also called The Doctor, led a terrorist lab developing biological weapons and was the force behind al-Qaeda's ambition to gain nuclear weapons.

Al Quaeda leader Ayman al Zawahiri in a recorded message where he threatened that attacks on London would continue as a result of Tony Blair's policies in the middle east

Al-Zawahiri was Bin Laden's No 2 in Al-Qaeda, the radical jihadist network once led by the Saudi millionaire. The two are seen above in this September 2006 file photo

'To kill Americans and their allies  civilian and military  is an individual duty for every Muslim who can do it in every country in which it is possible to do it, al-Zawahiri wrote in a 1998 manifesto.

Three years later, he helped to plan the September 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.

As part of this, al-Zawahiri was planned follow-on attacks across the US, and started a biological weapons program in Afghanistan. He sent group disciples out to find lethal strains of anthrax and scientists that would engage with his plans.

However the Egyptian abandoned the biological weapons laboratory after a US-backed military effort forced Taliban allies of al-Qaeda out of power in Afghanistan.

Osama bin Ladens second-in-command Ayman al-Zawahiri has been killed by a CIA drone strike, after the FBI put a $25million bounty on the al-Qaeda leader's head.

The 71-year-old was on the FBI's most-wanted terrorist list, with a $25 million reward for information leading directly to him

His own militant group began when he was 15, having organised an underground cell of friends to overthrow Egypt's Islamic theocracy and government, after it executed Qutb in 1966.

This cell grew to become the Jihad Group, which plotted the assassination of Eqyptian leaders in the early 1980s, and was also involved in the killing of the country's president, Anwar Sadat on Octover 6, 1981, the Washington Post reported.

'We have sacrificed and we are still ready for more sacrifices until the victory of Islam,' he shouted in the courtroom.

He was briefly jailed for three years for the possession of arms, having been acquitted of the main charges. Later, he claimed to have been tortured while behind bars. After his release, he began touring South Asia and became the personal doctor to Bin Laden.

In 1997, while living in Afghanistan, al-Zawahiri was involved in planning an attack on Egyptian tourists visiting the Luxor ruins.

Al-Zawahiri is pictured on an al-Qaeda who's who published in 2005. Osama bin Laden is pictured top-left, with al-Zawahiri to his right

A five-year-old British girl was one of the 62 who died during the 45-minute killing rampage, the Washington Post reported.

The next year, al-Zawahiri was indicted for his alleged role in the August 7, 1998, bombings of the United States Embassies in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, and Nairobi, Kenya, which killed hundreds of people.

Both he and bin Laden escaped U.S. forces in Afghanistan in late 2001, and was thought to have fled to Pakistan.

He took over Al-Qaeda in 2011, when bin Laden was killed in a raid by U.S. forces in Pakistan.

A succession of Al-Zawahiri deputies were also killed after bin Laden's death, weakening his international coordination efforts.

Al-Zawahiri appeared in a video last year marking the 20th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, months after rumours spread that he was dead

Al-Zawahiri's whereabouts had been a mystery, with rumours spreading since late 2020 that he had died from illness.

But he appeared in a new video in April, where he denounced the 'enemies of Islam', after a school in India banned the wearing of the hijab.

In a nine-minute video released by As-Sahab Media, al-Qaedas official media wing, al-Zawahiri praised Muslim student Muskan Khan after she wore the Islamic scarf at a school in Karnataka state, governed by Prime Minister Narendra Modis Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

According to translations provided by counter-terror experts on Twitter, including the SITE Intelligence Group that monitors jihadist websites, the Egyptian-born doctor accused the pagan Hindu democracy of India of seeking to oppress Muslims.

Al-Zawahiri also decried France, Holland, and Switzerland, as well as Egypt and Morocco, as enemies of Islam for their anti-hijab policies.

Ayman al-Zawahiri, left, with Osama bin Laden. Al-Zawahiri helped to plan the September 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon

He further criticised the governments of Pakistan and Bangladesh, accusing them of defending the very enemies that have empowered them to fight us.

His death will be formally announced by President Joe Biden in an address to the nation from the White House at 7:30 pm ET.

'Over the weekend, the United States conducted a counterterrorism operation against a significant al Qaeda target in Afghanistan. The operation was successful and there were no civilian casualties,' a senior administration official confirmed.

The drone attack is the first known over-the-horizon strike by the United States on an al-Qaeda target in Afghanistan since American forces withdrew from the country on August 31, 2021.

US officials did not clarify where in Afghanistan the strike took place.

The New York Times, Washington Post and CNN were among outlets reporting the target's identity, citing unidentified sources.

On Saturday morning the Afghan interior ministry denied reports circulating on social media of a drone strike in Kabul, stating that a rocket struck 'an empty house' in the capital, causing no casualties.

Early Tuesday in Kabul, however, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid tweeted that an 'aerial attack' was carried out on a residence in the Sherpur area of the city.

'The nature of the incident was not revealed at first. The security and intelligence agencies of the Islamic Emirate investigated the incident and found in their preliminary investigations that the attack was carried out by American drones,' his tweet said.

Somalis hold a poster as they demonstrate against the Al Shebab Somali rebel group's announcement that they will officially join the Al Qaeda Islamic militant network. Al-Qaeda chief Ayman al-Zawahiri officially announced the union between the two terror groups in 2012

In recent months the Taliban have largely barred media from covering the aftermath of security incidents and frequently deny or downplay any casualties.

Al-Zawahiri last appeared in a video last year marking the 20th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, months after rumours spread that he was dead.

In that video, he proclaimed Jerusalem will never be Judaized and praised al-Qaeda attacks  including one that targeted Russian troops in Syria in January 2021. SITE said al-Zawahiri also noted the US militarys withdrawal from Afghanistan 20 years after the invasion.

In recent years, al-Qaeda has faced competition in jihadi circles from its rival, the Islamic State group. IS rose to prominence by seizing large swaths of Iraq and Syria in 2014, declaring a caliphate and extending affiliates to multiple countries across the region.

ISs physical caliphate was crushed in Iraq and Syria, though its militants are still active and carrying out attacks.

Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the shadowy leader of IS, was killed by US special forces in a raid in northwestern Syria in October 2019.

Al-Zawahiri was born in Egypt in 1951 and worked as a surgeon. He moved to Jeddah in the 1980s, where he met bin Laden. He became his personal advisor and physician.
Pictured in just one of three published photos, al-Adel is the likely successor to the al-Qaeda throne. He is credited with masterminding the bombings of three US embassies in 1998 as well as playing a key role in the notorious 'Black Hawk Down' plot

The heir apparent to the al-Qaeda throne after tonight's confirmed death of Ayman al-Zawahiri is a canny, military-trained operative with experience killing British and American soldiers.

Egyptian ex-army officer Saif al-Adel was a founding member of al-Qaeda, having joined pre-cursor terrorist group Maktab al-Khidamat in the late-1980s.

There he met future allies Osama bin Laden and al-Zawahiri, whose separate group Egyptian Islamic Jihad (EIJ) he would soon join.

Little else is known about Saif al-Adel, who at around 60 years of age is one of the younger al-Qaeda bosses.

Al-Adel was around 30 when he oversaw the infamous 'Black Hawk Down' operation in Mogadishu, Somalia, in which 19 American soldiers were killed and had their bodies dragged through the streets.

Seven more were slain when two helicopters were shot down in the east Africa ambush, including two British soldiers, three Turks and a Frenchman.

And since the assassination of Osama bin Laden in 2011, al-Adel has become an increasingly important strategist within the depleting terror cell.

The only thing standing in his way to become the next al-Qaeda leader is that he is likely stuck in Iran - and may well have been for the past 19 years.

Al-Adel is pictured (centre) on an al-Qaeda who's who published in 2005. Osama bin Laden is pictured top-left, with al-Zawahiri to his right and Mullah Omar to the right of al-Zawahiri. Saif is now one of the only original al-Qaeda leaders still alive

The FBI Most Wanted poster on Al-Adel states the reward of up to $10million for information

In 2003, Iranian Ambassador to the UN Javad Zarif refused to confirm nor deny whether al-Adel was being held in the country.

Al-Adel has risen to the top of al-Qaeda as much because of his own talents as by the United States' ruthlessness in killing his superiors

He told ABC News that terrorists tend to have multiple passports, with the Iranian government unable to confirm their identities.

With what's left of al-Qaeda now based in Afghanistan - and in coexistence with the Taliban - al-Adel's geographic isolation could stop him taking the helm, foreign policy analyst Charles Lister suggested tonight.

Yet Foundation for the Defense of Democracies senior fellow Bill Roggio remained bullish about al-Adel's chances of succeeding the role, telling Task and Purpose he remains the 'likely' candidate.

With his real name thought to be Mohammed Salah al-Din Zaidan, al-Adel's made-up moniker translates to 'Sword of Justice'.

Thought not as brainwashed by Islamist ideology as his al-Qaeda colleagues, al-Adel used his military training to rise to the top of the shadowy organisation in the wake of the September 11 attacks, in which senior operatives killed themselves.

Al-Adel was in fact against the so-called 'Planes Operation', as it was known by members of the terror cell.

But he helped organise the single most deadly terrorist attack in history after bin Laden became committed to the idea.

According to ex-FBI agent and counter-terrorism expert Ali Soufan, who suggested al-Adel would be 'al-Qaeda's next leader' last year, Saif possesses a 'poker face' and a 'caustic tongue'.

President Biden confirmed tonight in an address from the White House that an American drone strike killed al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri in Afghanistan

When training young soldiers, he was known to kidnap them in the middle of the night and conduct savage beatings in order to harden the troops.

Al-Adel has risen to the top of al-Qaeda as much because of his own talents as by the United States' ruthlessness in killing his superiors.

Osama's assumed successor son Hamza was killed in 2019 and fellow senior strategist Abu Muhammad al-Masri was assassinated in 2020.

US intelligence states: 'Al-Adel is wanted in connection with the August 7, 1998, bombings of the United States Embassies in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, and Nairobi, Kenya.'

Two hundred and twenty-four people died in the three East Africa blasts, including 12 Americans, with more than 4,500 people wounded.

A $10million reward for information has been placed on al-Adel's head.

And with ex-leader al-Zawahiri now slain, the attention of America's terrorist hunters will likely go onto Saif al-Adel.

Al-Zawahiri, who took over Al-Qaeda after Bin Ladens death in 2011, was killed in Kabul, Afghanistan following a US airstrike this evening.

The terrorist leader is said to have guided Al-Qaeda to become one of the biggest radical movements, having been identified as a mastermind of the September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States that killed nearly 3,000 people.

Saif al-Adel's rival, Osama Bin Laden's son Hamza, was killed by American forces in 2019

Hamza bin Laden (left as a child) is the son of deceased former Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden (right) who is believed to have groomed him to take over the terror group

At 15, the Egyptian spearheaded his own militant group, Jamaat al-Jihad, that championed large-scale attacks and the murder of civilians.

As it grew, he later merged it with Al-Qaeda in the 1990s, bringing this focus on indiscriminate killing to the terrorist group.

The 71-year-old was on the FBI's most-wanted terrorist list, having declared the US 'the far enemy', with a $25 million reward for information leading directly to him.

The surgeon led a terrorist lab developing biological weapons and was the force behind Al-Qaeda's ambition to gain nuclear weapons.

'To kill Americans and their allies  civilian and military  is an individual duty for every Muslim who can do it in every country in which it is possible to do it, Al-Zawahiri wrote in a 1998 manifesto.

Three years later, he helped plan the September 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.

Al-Zawahiri was planned follow-on attacks across the US, and started a biological weapons program in Afghanistan. He sent group disciples out to find lethal strains of anthrax and scientists that would engage with his plans.

However, the Egyptian abandoned the biological weapons laboratory after a US-backed military effort forced Taliban allies of Al-Qaeda out of power in Afghanistan.

It comes after a top ISIS official was assassinated by the United States early in July when he and his deputy were hit by an American drone strike in northwest Syria.

The strike killed senior ISIS leader Maher al-Agal, US officials said, taking credit for the daytime attack in the northern village of Khaltan in the Syrian countryside.

Al-Agal - one of the top five leaders in the terrorist group - was riding a motorbike in the village when he was targeted by the American missile, which killed him instantly.

Another senior ISIS official was also hit by the attack, officials said, but survived. The official, who was not named, was reportedly wounded.

Al-Agals body, which was badly burned and mutilated in the attack, was transported to an Idlib hospital.

The attack took place in the Jenderies district in Afrin - an area northwest of Aleppo, near the country's shared border with Turkey.

The war-torn region has been under occupation by the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army (SNA) since March 2018.

The strike killed senior ISIS leader Maher al-Agal taking credit for the attack in the northern village of Khaltan in the Syrian countryside. Pictured are Syrian Civil Defence officials surveying the site

The attack took place in the Jenderies district in Afrin - an area northwest of Aleppo, near the country's shared border with Turkey. The region has become a haven for hundreds of ISIS terrorists and leaders in recent years, as the country continues to face a civil war

In January 2020, the United States carried out an airstrike that killed a leader of Al Qaeda's affiliate in Yemen after months of tracking him.

Qassim al-Rimi, 41, was killed in the January strike but officials had been waiting to confirm the information before making public statement.

A $5million reward for any information leading to his capture was offered by the State Department. It was late doubled to $10million as al-Rimi was linked to numerous plots against the U.S.

In November, CIA personnel learned of al-Rimi's location from an informant. The government then started using surveillance drones to track him, according to an U.S. official who was briefed on the strike.

Local news in Yemen reports that the strike killed two militant suspects in the area of Wadi Abedah in central Yemen, but did not identify who those people were.

Al-Rimi is a veteran of the Queda training camps in Afghanistan and whose 'terrorist pedigree traces to the era before the September 11 attacks,' NYT reports.

He then returned to Yemen and was sentenced to five years in prison there for plotting to kill the American ambassador there.

Al-Rimi broke out of jail after only a year and quickly rose in the ranks of the Qaeda affiliate.

A $5million reward for any information leading to his capture was offered by the State Department. It was late doubled to $10million as al-Rimi was linked to numerous plots against the U.S.

In 2017, al-Rimi notably sent President Donald Trump an audio message taunting him for a Special Operations Forces raid on an al Qaeda compound in Yemen that led to the first military combat death under the Trump administration, CNN reports.

Qassim al-Rimi, 41, was killed in the January strike but officials had been waiting to confirm the information before making public statement

President Joe Biden confirmed the leader of ISIS was dead in February in what he described as a cowardly move to blow up himself and his family instead of facing justice for his terrorists acts.

Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurayshi set off a bomb that killed himself as well as his wife and two children during a raid by U.S. commandos on a house in northwest Syria.

'United States military forces successfully removed a major terrorist threat to the world,' Biden said in remarks at the White House.

Thirteen were reported killed, including six children and four women during the mission, which involved 24 Special Operations commandos backed by attack jets, Reaper drones and helicopter gunships.

'As a final act of desperate cowardness, [al-Qurayshi] with no regard to the lives of his own family or others in the building, he chose to blow himself up,' Biden said, adding the ISIS leader blew up 'that third floor rather than face justice for the crimes he has committed, taking several members of his family with him.'

ISIS leader Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurayshi set off a bomb that blew himself up during a raid by U.S. special forces

'This horrible terrorist leader is no more,' he added.

After al-Qurayshi was named the head of ISIS in 2019, the United States put a bounty of up to $10 million on his head.

Biden, along with Vice President Kamala Harris and national security aides monitored a live-feed of the operation from the White House Situation Room, according to a photo released by the administration.

'This operation is testament to America's reach and capability to take out terrorist threats, no matter where they try to hide anywhere in the world. I'm determined to protect the American people from terrorist threats, and I'll take decisive action to protect this country,' Biden said in his short remarks where he took no questions.

'We remain vigilant. We remain prepared. Last night's operation took a major terrorist leader off the battlefield and sent a strong message to terrorists around the world: We will come after you and find you,' the president added.

In the raid, U.S. special forces landed in helicopters and assaulted the house in a rebel-held corner of Syria, near the border with Turkey, clashing for two hours with gunmen, witnesses said in local reports.

The raid targeted a large house in Atmeh in the Idlib region of Syria where the ISIS leader was hiding. The three-story house was left with its top floor shattered in the wake of al-Qurayshi's suicide bomb.

It was a gruesome scene, according to local reports, with blood splattered on the white bricks that constructed the home and body parts scattered around the area.

Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurashi, also known as Abdullah Qardash or Hajji Abdullah, became the leader of the ISIS terrorist organization after former leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi also blew himself up in a similar raid by U.S. forces in 2019 in the nearby town of Barisha.

American helicopters carrying 24 commandoes arrived just after 1am. When they left two hours later ISIS leader Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurayshi was dead

A general view shows on February 3, 2022 the scene following an overnight raid by US special operations forces against a suspected high-ranking jihadist in Atmeh, in Syria's northwestern province of Idlib, which left at least 13 people dead

A Syrian man takes a picture of a blood soaked kitchen at the scene of a US anti-terror raid in Atmeh, Idlib

The raid by the U.S. commandos targeted a suspected jihadist leader in a house in Syria's northern town of Atmeh. The operation, which residents say lasted about two hours, jolted the village near the Turkish border - an area dotted with camps for internally displaced people from Syria's civil war. The target was killed in Atmeh, located mere miles from the town of Barisha where former ISIS leader al-Baghdadi was killed in 2019
Third parties in Canada  updated to 2022 (Part Two) By Mark Wegierski

web posted August 1, 2022 Interestingly enough, some of the most significant third parties have existed in Quebec. A major Quebec-nationalist (but also Catholic-traditionalist) party that flourished on the provincial level in Quebec before 1960 was the Union Nationale. The party and the province was led for decades by Maurice Duplessis  a figure somewhat similar to U.S. strongman Huey Long  who was called Le Chef. Duplessis had (in 1948) given Quebec its distinctive, traditional-looking flag  the blue cross with the Bourbon lilies. Duplessis support for the Diefenbaker Conservatives in the 1958 federal election led to Diefenbaker winning one of the largest majorities in Canadian history  but Diefenbaker was simply unable to make the support from Quebec more permanent. There was also the death of a promising young leader of the Union Nationale in a car-accident  who could have perhaps eventually become Canadas first French-Canadian conservative Prime Minister. The Union Nationale largely disintegrated after his death, and the triumphant Quebec Liberals subsequently enacted the so-called Quiet Revolution  a widespread secularization of Quebec life. The Ralliement creditiste, which existed in various embodiments at the federal and provincial levels in Quebec, was sometimes together with, and sometimes apart from, the Social Credit Party of Canada. The Ralliements main leader was Real Caouette. In the 1962 federal election, the Ralliement won 26 seats in Quebec, while the Social Credit Party won only four seats in English-speaking Canada. The unwillingness of the English-Canadian leadership of the Social Credit Party to allow Real Caouette to lead the whole party, resulted in a split in 1963. Although some years later, Real Caouette became the leader of the whole party, by that time it had lost all of its federal seats in English-speaking Canada. There have been as well the separatists (or sovereigntists) in Quebec -- called the Parti Quebecois (PQ) in the province, and the Bloc Quebecois (BQ) in the federal Parliament. The PQ has frequently formed the government of Quebec  and has been able to shepherd through two referendums on sovereignty, in 1980 (strictly-speaking, a referendum on sovereignty-association) and in 1995. The 1995 referendum came very close to success. The Bloc Quebecois had largely won most of the Quebec vote (obviously, they ran candidates only in Quebec) in the federal elections of 1993 to 2008. However, in the 2011 federal election, they were routed by the NDP  winning only 4 seats. The Quebec triumph of the NDP in the 2011 federal election (winning 59 of 75 seats)  especially in regard to the victories of some very young and inexperienced candidates  is difficult to adequately explain. In the 2015 federal election in the province of Quebec, NDP support was greatly reduced, and the Bloc Quebecois was able to win 10 seats. However, in the 2019 federal election, the Bloc Quebecois enjoyed a resurgence, winning 32 seats. In the 2021 federal election, they won 32 seats. In recent years, there was also a somewhat more conservative provincial party in the province of Quebec called the Action democratique du Quebec (ADQ) (although it virtually collapsed in the 2008 Quebec provincial election)  which had tended to support the Conservatives federally. There has now arisen a centre/centre-right third party in Quebec, the Coalition Avenir Quebec (CAQ) into which the ADQ has folded itself. In the October 1, 2018 provincial election, the CAQ was able to win a strong majority of 74 of 125 seats, while the Liberals were reduced to 32 seats, and the very left-wing Quebec solidaire won 10 seats, ahead of the Parti Quebecois, which was reduced to 9 seats. This was a truly historic election. The Conservatives/Progressive Conservatives had disappeared from provincial politics in Quebec many decades ago. However, in very recent times, the Conservative Party of Quebec has attracted some support. At the federal level, the support of Quebec voters for the Conservatives/Progressive Conservatives was fitful and sporadic. In the enormously important federal elections from 1963 to 1980, the Progressive Conservatives were usually barely able to win one or two seats in Quebec. The Liberal majority in the federal Parliament, especially under Pierre Trudeau, was heavily based on holding nearly every seat from Quebec. One of Brian Mulroneys great successes was the huge support the Progressive Conservatives received from Quebec voters in the 1984 and 1988 federal elections. It was a success, however, that did not last into the 1993 federal election. There is also now a very left-wing party in Quebec, called Quebec solidaire, which holds ten seats in the Quebec legislature. Between 1989-1994, the Equality Party held four seats in the Quebec legislature. They were representatives of the provinces Anglophones (i.e., the English-speaking minority, which is mostly centered in West Montreal and the so-called Eastern Townships) (which are actually in the western part of the province of Quebec). The latter term is derived from the fact that these were the eastern-most areas of British-demarcated administrative units (townships). The Equality Party also drew support from the so-called Allophones  the minorities in Quebec whose first language is neither English nor French. One of the most enduring joke-parties in Canada, the Rhinoceros Party, was centered largely in Quebec. In earlier decades, it was snidely said of the NDP and its prospects in Quebec, that some of its candidates in Quebec ridings in federal elections, actually got fewer votes than the Rhinos. (And the profile of the earlier CCF in Quebec had actually been even lower.) The Rhinoceros Party has never elected a member of a legislature. To be continued. Mark Wegierski is a Canadian writer and historical researcher. Home
Two crucifixes were found in the southwest Sydney unit where the bodies of two Saudi Arabian sisters were found decomposing in their bedrooms.

Asra Abdullah Alsehli, 24, and Amaal Abdullah Alsehli, 23, were found dead inside their apartment in Canterbury on June 7, five years after they fled their homeland.

Police believe the women, who were found in separate bedrooms, may have been dead for a month before officers discovered their decomposing bodies while conducting a welfare check.

There was no sign of forced entry, no clear signs of injury, and the cause of death remains undetermined although is being treated as suspicious.

One of the employees from their building management company told Daily Mail Australia there were two crucifixes found on the floor of one of the bedrooms.

It is unclear whether the crosses belonged to the women, or if they indicated they had renounced Islam.

Pictured: Asra Abdullah Alsehli, 24. She and her sister were found dead in Sydney's south-west. She filed an AVO against a 28-year-old man in 2018, which was later withdrawn

Pictured: Amaal Abdullah Alsehli, 23. Her body was found on June 7 in a Canterbury apartment

Investigators have remained tight-lipped about the latest development in the mysterious case.

'The deaths are still being investigated and police continue to appeal for information which will form part of our brief for the Coroner,' NSW Police said in a brief statement.

The worker said the women approached them with safety concerns earlier this year.

'They made a report that they saw a man 'acting weird' outside the building - standing between two cars and acting strange,' the employee said.

The worker said the women followed up the complaint and checked their security footage, but it was difficult to determine whether the man had malicious intentions.

'We checked the CCTV and saw there was a man there,' the employee said.

'But that spot is busy. There is a burger shop there and Uber Eats drivers coming and going all the time. He could have been anyone.

'We couldn't determine why he was there, but he didn't look like he was doing anything untoward, so there was no need to chase it up further.'

The worker said the women did not mention if they knew who the man was.

Late in 2021, the women also told building management they feared someone was tampering with their food deliveries.

However, surveillance cameras again found no evidence to back up their fears.

The building's surveillance was seized by police shortly after the women were discovered and has yet to be returned.

Detectives conducted two welfare checks after reports from the building management company. One was in March, after the women left food in the building's common areas.

Police discovered the sisters' bodies in June after they failed to pay rent for several weeks and the Sheriff turned up to serve the pair with an eviction notice.

The women, who lived on the corner flat above a burger shop, complained about a man 'acting weird' outside their building in the months before their deaths

Mysterious case takes a turn

The latest development in the mysterious case comes as police backflipped on initial claims the sisters' family had been cooperating with investigators.

For weeks, NSW Police assured media the sisters 'well-connected' family in the Saudi kingdom were 'cooperating' and 'helping' with the investigation.

But police sources on Sunday alleged that the family blocked detectives from releasing photographs of the women as part of a public appeal to shed light on the baffling case.

Police confirmed to Daily Mail Australia their photos and identities were released in consultation with the coroner - not the sisters' family - almost two months after their bodies were found.

Other bizarre inconsistencies have also arisen during the investigation.

Police were unable to explain a delay on the release of toxicology reports which usually takes four to six weeks, despite previously insisting the findings were being 'fast-tracked'.

'That is a matter for the coroner,' police said in response to inquiries.

Forensic police scoured the unit (pictured) in the wake of the grisly discovery on June 7 - a month after the women died

Until now, investigators always insisted the family were cooperating with investigators and had 'no reason' to believe the Alsehli sisters fled their homeland.

Police would not release details about the women's visa status at press conference on July 27 but revealed officers were in touch with the family - who had instructed the consulate to act on their behalf.

Investigators believe the women died in May, around the time they stopped paying rent.

The coroner has not released the bodies of the sisters to their family, although it is understood they could be buried in Sydney.

Police are to yet rule out homicide or suicide as investigations continue.

It's also been revealed the sisters were both seeking protection from the Australian government as more details about their attempts to build a normal life here emerged.

They had an active claim for asylum in progress with the Department of Home Affairs, it has been confirmed.

Police confirmed the women's identities were released last week in consultation with the coroner. Pictured are officers at the Canterbury complex investigating the women's deaths

The reasons they sought protection from the Australian government, detailed in their claim, are not known.

But claims for asylum often relate to persecution or human rights violations on the basis of religion, sexuality, ethnicity, violence or political opinions, according to Amnesty International.

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

Both were in touch with settlement providers and were on bridging visas.

Reports published in Middle Eastern newspapers on Friday said the sisters had renounced Islam.

The sisters only left the Canterbury unit to study at TAFE, to go shopping or to work, their former landlord from a property they rented at Fairfield revealed to The Guardian.

The 'shocked' landlord claimed their mother visited the sisters in Sydney but didn't like Australia and left after only a brief visit.

Detective Inspector Claudia Allcroft insisted there was 'nothing to suggest' their family was involved in their deaths.

The women were not known to be part of any dissident Saudi networks.

The landlord said the sisters, who fled Saudi Arabia in 2017, both attended TAFE in Wetherill Park.

They also both worked doing traffic control for a Sydney building company.

'I was shocked when I saw their photos, I have no idea how this could have happened. They were very cute and friendly girls, we never had any problems with them,' their landlord told The Guardian.

When they arrived in Sydney, Asra and Amaal made contact with a refugee agency. Pictured: Their Canterbury apartment block, where they were found dead in June

Asra applied for an apprehended violence order against a 28-year-old man in 2019 but later withdrew the application.

The mysterious deaths have made waves on social media, with many Middle Eastern locals asking why the sisters felt the need to escape the Saudi Kingdom.

One man said the women exposed themselves to danger when they left their homeland: 'Do not leave Saudi Arabia in search of freedom. You will not find it.'

The Consulate of Saudi Arabia in Sydney has offered its condolences to the family, who are believed to be 'well connected'.

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.

Eight weeks on from the grisly discovery, the case is still plagued with mysteries and inconsistencies.

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.

A black BMW coupe covered in dust was removed from the garage of the apartment block the day after the women's bodies were found

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.

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 unit as mail piled up outside their door.

At last week's press conference, Detective 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.

'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.'
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Video emerged last week of a man getting the QR code from his Tesco Clubcard tattooed on his wrist, so he never missed out on a bargain again.

Dean Mayhew paid 200 to get his wrist permanently inked with the code at a tattoo parlour in Chessington, south-west London.

The 30-year-old had become tired of missing out on bargains by forgetting his clubcard so decided to make sure he had it on him at all times.

Video shows the tattooed QR code failing to scan at a self-service checkout, but working with a handheld scan gun at the counter.

Mayhew has become one of the newest members of a growing global community known as the biohackers, or 'grinders'.

MailOnline has taken a look at some of the best examples of so-called 'biohacking'  deliberately making alterations to the body with technology to make life easier.

MailOnline has taken a look at some of the best - and most extreme - examples of 'biohacking' - from the Sydney man with an travel card chip implanted in his hand to the 'cyborg artist' with an antenna on his head, and one of the first biohackers, Professor Kevin Warwick, an engineer at Coventry University

Dean Mayhew, 30, paid 200 to get his wrist permanently inked with the code at a tattoo parlor in Chessington, south-west London

The tattooed QR code failing to scan at a self-service checkout, but working with a handheld scan gun at the counter

WHAT ARE BIOHACKERS? Biohackers, or grinders, are people who hack their own bodies with do-it-yourself devices. They practice body modification in an effort to extend and improve human capabilities. They usually turn to body modification experts like piercing artists to perform the implant procedures - but many do it themselves too. One of the first biohackers was Kevin Warwick, an engineer at Coventry University who had an RFID (Radio-Frequency Identification) chip implanted into his arm. Advertisement

'CAPTAIN CYBORG'

One of the first biohackers was Professor Kevin Warwick, an engineer and the Vice-Chancellor at Coventry University, now affectionately referred to as 'Captain Cyborg'.

In 1998, Professor Warwick had an RFID (Radio-Frequency Identification) chip implanted into his arm, which allowed him to open doors and switch on lights with a wave of his arm.

'This is essentially the same technology as is used in contactless payment cards except that it's packaged in a small tube about the size of a grain of rice,' Professor Warwick recalled in 2016.

'Back in 1998 my RFID was almost an inch long  technology has clearly moved on since then.'

Professor Warwick was assisted by his GP, who created a hole in his arm, and then made sure the implant remained in place and that no infection occurred  although many modern-day biohackers dispense with such expert assistance.

'Most biohackers today do not have such luxuries but instead carry out operations themselves, learning as they go about basic medicine and sterilisation,' Professor Warwick said.

In 2002, he also had a 'BrainGate' device implanted in the nerves in his arm, letting him control a robot hand via the internet using his thoughts.

Pictured here in 1998, cybernetics Professor Kevin Warwick has a silicon chip implanted into his arm, at the time said to be the world's first such medical experiment

TESLA HACK

In 2019, software engineer and biohacking YouTuber Amie D.D. took the functional RFID chip out of the key to her Tesla Model 3 and had it implanted into her arm.

The chip was taken out of the card using acetone and a biopolymer layer was applied to make it safe for insertion.

A piercing shop in Texas, called Shaman Modifications, performed the procedure and implanted the chip in her right arm.

Video posted to her YouTube channel shows the bloody procedure, which some may find hard to watch.

After the implant was made, Amie said she just needed to place her arm within an inch of the console to start her car, although she didn't demonstrate this in the video.

IMPLANTED TRAVEL CARD

In 2017, a Sydney man extracted a chip from an Opal card  the city's travelcard inspired by London's Oyster  and had it implanted in his hand.

The man, Meow-Ludo Disco Gamma Meow-Meow (his legal name), was able to hold his hand to the card reader to tap on or off while using Sydney's transport system.

However, transport officers gave him a $200 fine and a conviction for travelling without a valid Opal card, even though he had money on his Opal account and was therefore paying for the journey.

Sydneysider Meow-Ludo Disco Gamma Meow-Meow (his legal name), was able to wave his hand to tap on or off while using Sydney's transport network

According to Transport NSW, tampering with an Opal card is a breach of the Opal Terms of Use and means the card is no longer valid for travel.

In June 2018, Meow-Meow successfully appealed against the conviction, although he was still made to pay the $200 fine and $1,000 in legal costs.

In an interview outside the Sydney court, he said: 'This whole case wasn't about the money  it was about whether I was in the right to do what I was doing.

'I don't think I broke the Opal system in any way that meant I should have been fined.'

He also said he now travels with an Opal card, and that the chip was still embedded in his arm and was no longer working.

'THE HUMAN CYBORG'

British scientist Peter Scott-Morgan was an expert in robotics and became what he described as a 'human cyborg' in his efforts to overcome a debilitating condition.

He decided to challenge what it meant to be human when he refused to accept his fate following a diagnosis of motor neurone disease in 2017

The world-renowned roboticist underwent a series of incredibly complex and risky operations during his journey to become a cyborg

He planned to extend his life by becoming fully robotic, and made a number of adaptations including laser eye surgery, feeding tubes and a remarkably life-like avatar to express emotion.

The robotics expert also underwent a laryngectomy, meaning he lost his physical voice, but in doing so, he avoided the added danger of saliva potentially entering his lungs, due to his condition.

Peter Scott-Morgan passed away in June 2022 at the age of 64.

THE 'EYEBORG'

'Cyborg artist' Neil Harbisson is known as the first person in the world to have an antenna implanted in his skull.

He was born with achromatopsia, the most extreme form of colour-blindness where one can only see in black and white and shades of grey.

To overcome this, he created his electronic 'eye', dubbed a 'eyeborg', an antenna that hangs down in front of his face and lets him 'hear' colours as different musical frequencies.

The eyeborg works via a head-mounted camera connected to a computer that picks up the colours directly in front of Harbisson and converts them into sound waves.

Self-declared 'cyborg artist' Neil Harbisson was born with achromatopsia. He's known as the first person in the world to have an antenna implanted in his skull

For the device to work, he had to memorise the frequencies related to each colour  so high frequency hues are high-pitched, while low frequency hues sound bolder.

Red is the lowest frequency, with a note that is in-between F and F sharp, and violet is the highest frequency, with a note hovering around C.

Harbisson said the eyeborg completely changed the way that he perceives art, giving him a world in which colour and sound are the same thing.

The device is featured in his passport photo, so the UK government accepts that the device is a part of him and therefore recognises him as a cyborg, he's claimed.

SEISMIC SENSORS

In 2012, Spanish artist Moon Ribas got seismic sensors implanted under the skin of her feet that would vibrate whenever there was an earthquake.

Ribas could feel every earthquake on the planet in real time, as the chip was connected to a custom-made iPhone app, in turn connected to geological monitors around the world.

The strength of the vibrations would depend on how strong the earthquake is. When Nepal was devastated by a 7.8 magnitude quake in April 2015, the vibrations were so strong it woke Ribas up in the middle of the night.

'It felt very weird, like I was there,' she said. 'I feel connected to the people who suffer through an earthquake.'

Spanish artist Moon Ribas had the seismic sensors removed in 2019 but said she was still getting 'phantom' vibrations after experiencing them for so long

Ribas revealed on Facebook in 2019 that she'd had the implants removed after seven years, although she said she was still receiving 'phantom earthquakes'.

'How long will these last? Will the extraction of the cybernetic organ affect my identity? Am I a phantom cyborg now?' she posted.

Among her other biohacks are a pair of earrings that vibrate whenever there was someone around her  including directly behind her, giving her 360-degree senses.

PENIS VIBRATOR

Rich Lee, a salesman from Utah who describes himself as the 'Elon Musk of sex-tech', is working on a device called the 'Lovetron9000'.

Already demonstrated as a prototype, Lovetron9000 can be implanted under a man's pubic bone to make his penis vibrate, giving a more pleasurable experience for a partner during sex.

Lee is CEO of a company called Cyborgasmics, which promises the device is 'coming soon', although the prototype was shown off more than five years ago.

Rich Lee (pictured), a salesman from Utah, is building a device known as the Lovetron 9000 which can be implanted under a man's pubic bone, making the penis vibrate

He told DailyMail.com in 2017: 'I have a lot of people that contact me that are women who are interested in getting something for their husband or boyfriend which surprised me.

'But I can see it being very useful in a lot of relationships where a man is intimidated by toys.'

Describing the device, Lee said: 'Basically, [it] works a lot like those novelty vibrating c**k rings, only implanted. It just vibrates under the skin at the base of the penis.'

Lee has several implants of his own, including one in each ear that serve as headphones and two magnets in two different fingertips for feeling magnetic fields.

INJECTABLE MAGNETS

Dangerous Things is a Seattle-based biohacking retailer formed in 2013 by Amal Graafstra, which believes 'our bodies are our own, to do with what we want'.

On its website, the firm sells magnets, about half an inch in length, for up to $129 (105), that can be implanted into the body with just a 'simple injection'.

Dangerous Things claims that biomagnets 'enhance the human experience' and have multiple uses, including lifting metal objects like paperclips, as if by magic, to impress your fellow office workers.

On its website, the firm sells magnets, about half an inch (15mm) in length, for up to $129 (105), that can be implanted into the body with just a 'simple injection'

Biomagnets can also hold small metal parts against the body, or manipulate magnetic sensors, like the lid close sensor in a MacBook.

Dangerous Things warns that nothing it sells 'have been certified by any government regulatory agency for implantation or use inside the human body'.

'Your personal decision to purchase and ultimately the safe use of this device is strictly your responsibility and at your own risk,' it says.

GLUCOSE MONITOR

Serge Faguet is a Russian Ukrainian internet entrepreneur, Stanford dropout and a self-described biohacker.

He describes his main hobby as 'hacking my body and mind using a logical, science-based approach' and manipulating his biochemistry 'to get more of the things I want'.

One of this hacks is a monitor implanted under the subcutaneous fat  located under the skin and above the muscle  on his belly.

The belly monitor continuously measures his glucose levels and sends the data to his smartphone.

Among his other non-implanted hack techniques are injecting somatropin, a growth hormone, every day and using a pair of $6,000 hearing aids in public despite having perfect hearing.
Over the weekend, debris from an out-of-control Chinese rocket crashed to Earth over the Indian and Pacific oceans.

There had been fears that pieces of the 23-tonne Long March 5B booster could come down over a populated area, but experts had said the probability of this was extremely low.

Nevertheless, NASA hit out at China by accusing Beijing of not sharing the 'specific trajectory information' needed to calculate where possible debris might fall.

Elsewhere at the weekend, a 10ft (3m) piece of space junk  thought to be from one of Elon Musk's spacecrafts  crashed into a farmer's property in Australia at around 15,500mph (25,000km/h).

The object, believed to be part of the SpaceX Crew-1 craft, was found in a sheep paddock by a farmer living on a large property in the Snowy Mountains in New South Wales.

These events have sparked further questions about the threat of space debris to people on the ground, although experts insist it is still a very remote possibility that anyone would be hurt.

A recent study by scientists at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver warned there was a 10 per cent chance that an out-of-control rocket or spacecraft could kill someone within the next decade.

Meanwhile, Jonathan McDowell, an astrophysicist at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, told MailOnline that despite the increase in space debris in low-Earth orbit, this does not equate to more risk for humans.

The remnants of the Chinese rocket were caught on video as it disintegrated over Malaysia, before landing in the Indian Ocean on Saturday night

The video, taken by a Twitter user who initially thought it was a meteor, shows the craft racing across the sky before it burns in the atmosphere upon its re-entry

The 23-tonne core stage of China's Long March 5B-Y3 rocket plunged to Earth over the Indian Ocean on Saturday

'Not especially,' McDowell said, when asked whether there was an increased risk, 'because most countries are being better about disposing of the larger debris safely.'

He added: 'The Long March 5B is the most worrying one because it is so large. But there is a (lower) risk from the debris from all countries.'

McDowell believes that instead of being an increasing risk, it is instead one 'we are becoming more aware of'.

'All space agencies have taken measures to reduce the amount of falling space debris but the current norms are still not strict enough, as the Australian incident shows,' he added.

McDowell has kept a list of the biggest uncontrolled reentries, dating back to the Sputnik rocket in 1958.

China's Long March 5B is the latest to be added to that list.

It blasted off from Hainan Island at 2:22pm local time on July 24, before delivering a new module to China's Tiangong space station.

It then began an uncontrolled descent toward Earth's atmosphere, leading to China being accused for a third time of not properly handling space debris from its rocket stage.

Yet another out-of-control Chinese rocket sparked concern  a year after one of Beijing's spacecrafts showered debris over the Indian Ocean

HOW MANY ITEMS ARE THERE IN ORBIT? Rocket launches since 1957: 6,200

6,200 Number of satellites in orbit: 13,100

13,100 Number still in space: 8,410

8,410 Number still functioning: 5,800

5,800 Number of debris objects: 31,500

31,500 Break-ups, explosions etc: 630

630 Mass of objects in orbit: 9,900 tonnes

9,900 tonnes Prediction of the amount of debris in orbit using statistical models Over 10cm: 36,500

36,500 1cm to 10cm: 1,000,000

1,000,000 1mm to 1cm: 130 million Source: European Space Agency Advertisement

SpaceX is yet to acknowledge the Australian debris as its own, but experts say its re-entry path matches that of the Crew-1 Trunk, which is the unpressurised bottom part of the capsule.

Launched in 2020, SpaceX Crew-1 was the first operational crewed flight of a Crew Dragon spacecraft.

Last month, scientists at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver analysed the risk to human life of objects plummeting to the ground after re-entering the Earth's atmosphere.

Under current practices, the researchers found that, if a typical rocket re-entry spreads debris across a 10 square metre (108 sq ft) area, then there is roughly a 1 in 10 chance that one or more casualties will occur over the next 10 years.

They also said there was a higher risk to those living in the global south, with errant parts three times more likely to land at the latitudes of Jakarta, Dhaka and Lagos than those of New York, Beijing or Moscow.

However, despite 80 per cent of the world's people living in what is known as a 'risk zone', just 0.1 per cent of it is considered populated.

'Everything else is ocean, forest or agricultural land,' said Dr Shane Walsh, a research fellow at the International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research.

'It's extremely unlikely to cause damage or loss of life.'

The problem with China's rockets is rooted in the risky design of the country's launch process.

Usually, discarded rocket stages re-enter the atmosphere soon after liftoff, normally over water, and don't go into orbit.

However, the Long March 5B rocket does.

There have been calls by NASA for the Chinese space agency to design rockets to disintegrate into smaller pieces upon re-entry, as is the international norm.

But China has previously rejected accusations of irresponsibility, with the Chinese Foreign Ministry saying the likelihood of damage to anything or anyone on the ground is 'extremely low'.

US Space Command confirmed that the debris re-entered the atmosphere at approximately 12.45pm ET on Saturday, referring all questions about the precise location of re-entry and debris dispersal to the Chinese government.

NASA said Beijing had not shared the 'specific trajectory information' needed to calculate where possible debris might fall.

It had been feared that the debris could land in Mexico, but it ultimately landed in the ocean, without causing any injuries or damage.

'All spacefaring nations should follow established best practices and do their part to share this type of information in advance to allow reliable predictions of potential debris impact risk,' NASA Administrator Bill Nelson said.

'Doing so is critical to the responsible use of space and to ensure the safety of people here on Earth.'

A recent study claimed there was a higher risk to those living in the global south, with errant parts three times more likely to land at the latitudes of Jakarta, Dhaka and Lagos than those of New York, Beijing or Moscow. Some major and high-risk cities are labelled: 1, Moscow; 2, Washington, DC; 3, Beijing; 4, Dhaka; 5, Mexico City; 6, Lagos; 7, Bogota; 8, Jakarta

This pie chart shows the proportion of the global casualty expectation contributed by each state

WHAT IS TIANGONG? China's space station is called 'Tiangong', meaning 'Heavenly Palace'. Tiangong is comprised of several different modules that are launching one by one. In April 2021, the core module, called 'Tianhe', was launched. The first crew arrived at Tianhe two months later. In July 2022, Wentian, a smaller module where research experiments will take place, attached to Tianhe. In October 2022, a second research lab module, Mengtian, will also attach to Tianhe. When it does, the Tiangong space station will be complete. Another two spacecraft that can dock at the station  Shenzhou and Tianzhou  respectively transport crew and cargo, and aren't considered part of the station itself. China also plans to launch Xuntian, a space telescope that would co-orbit with the space station, in 2024. Advertisement

Last May, one of the country's Long March rockets broke up on re-entry above the Indian Ocean, north of the Maldives, leading to concerns that it could smash into a populated area on land.

It ultimately fell into the ocean, but Nelson still issued a strongly-worded statement which said: 'Spacefaring nations must minimise the risks to people and property on Earth of re-entries of space objects and maximise transparency regarding those operations.'

In 2020, pieces from the first Long March 5B fell on Ivory Coast, damaging several buildings but not causing any injuries.

Although rocket launches vary, boosters and other sizeable parts from rockets fall back to Earth or are abandoned in orbit.

In most cases, the abandoned rocket parts re-enter the atmosphere in an uncontrolled fashion and debris may land anywhere along the flight path.

An estimated 13,100 satellites have been launched into orbit since 1957, according to the European Space Agency, with 8,410 remaining in space and 5,800 still functioning.

The total mass of all objects in orbit is said to equate to around 9,900 tonnes, while statistical models suggests there are 130 million pieces of debris from 1mm to 1cm in size.

In June, the UK government announced plans for an 'RAC for space' as part of its vision to tackle millions of shards of debris clogging up near-Earth orbit.

It also wants to improve the sustainability of future space missions, with Science Minister George Freeman issuing a stern warning to the likes of Russia and China that 'the days of putting up whatever they want have got to be over'.

He said a 'Wild West' space race without effective regulation would only serve to increase the growing threat of debris in orbit, including hundreds of old satellites.

Farmer Mick Miners (pictured) discovered the huge piece of space junk from SpaceX stuck in his property in the Snowy Mountains, south of Jindabyne

Australian National University space expert Brad Tucker confirmed it was part of Elon Musk's SpaceX Crew-1 (pictured)

Mr Freeman also told MailOnline that he expected Elon Musk to fall in line with Britain's push for space sustainability, adding that the need for action was not something the US billionaire could ignore.

Critics of Musk say his Starlink constellation is hogging space, with both China and the European Space Agency taking aim at his satellite-internet system, but the Tesla founder has rubbished these fears.

The UK government's raft of new measures includes regulating commercial satellite launches, rewarding companies that minimise their footprint on the Earth's orbit, and dishing out an additional 5 million for technologies to clean up space junk.
If you're struggling to complete your crossword or your Wordle, you could try nibbling something sweet.

The taste of sweetness can boost creativity, researchers have found.

But it's not about the brain getting a sugary hit, they said.

The effect of the sweet taste was specific to creativity - and did not improve people's performance on analytical, attention-to-detail tasks.

The link with creativity is thought to be due to the way humans associate sweet taste with positive experiences and situations.

Because positive situations are non-threatening, they allow our minds to become more open, said lead researcher Dr Lidan Xu.

If you're struggling to complete your crossword or your Wordle, you could try nibbling something sweet

Background music disrupts creativity The common belief that music boosts brain function and spurs creativity may be little more than a myth, after researchers found 'strong' evidence to suggest the opposite to be true. Music was found to significantly 'disrupt' a host of brain functions that are associated with creativity, including verbal ability and problem solving, a new study has showed. Performing these tasks under library environments however did not affect performance when compared to with working in the quiet. Putting background music on while you work or revise could in fact stunt creativity and prevents concentration, contrary to popular belief. Read more Advertisement

'When people perceive the nature of a situation is positive, no threat, they are willing to adopt an explorative mindset, which broadens their attention to encompass novel ideas,' said Dr Xu, from the University of North Texas in the U.S.

In contrast, analytical and attention-to-detail tasks require a more narrow, rigid focus, she said.

And it's not necessary to actually feel a positive mood change from the sweet taste for it to increase our creativity - it still acts as a cue to more inspired thinking because of our history with sweet food, said Dr Xu.

'Sweet taste can independently influence creativity because of the associations that people have developed with the sweet taste experience, above and beyond what sweet taste does for our mood,' said Dr Xu.

'Sweet food is often consumed in a positive environment, such as when you are seeking comfort, during celebrations (e.g. birthdays), or family/friends gatherings,' she said.

'Evolutionarily, sweetness is also considered the most pleasurable taste in nature and is considered benign.

'In fact, in old times, people tried to use taste to differentiate whether a food was toxic or not, so sweet food signals safety, energy, and non-toxic.

'Because of these positive associations that people have developed over a long period of time, sweetness has been developed into a positive implicit affective [relating to mood] cue.'

The researchers, whose findings are published in the journal Organizational Behaviour and Human Decision Processes, carried out seven different experiments.

The effect of the sweet taste was specific to creativity - and did not improve people's performance on analytical, attention-to-detail tasks

These included a blind taste test with different tasting liquids to establish that it was indeed the sensory experience of sweetness, rather than another taste, that was driving the creativity. This experiment also tracked participants' mood and found that sweet taste didn't actually have to make people feel happier in order to have the effect.

Other experiments directly compared the effect of sweet taste on creative vs non-creative tasks.

And a further test found that overriding the positive connections people made with sweet tastes by telling them how bad for their health sugary things were weakened the effect of the sweet taste on creativity, showing that it is the link with positivity that is the driving force.

But if you're reading this thinking about the effect of sweet treats on your waistline, you could try simply imagining one instead: one of the experiments found that just focusing on the idea of a sweet taste vs imagining salty, bitter and neutral tastes, led to higher creative performance.

'Of course, there is no question that consuming excessive amounts of sugar is bad for one's health, and we do not advocate for an increase in sugar consumption,' said Dr Xu.

'Importantly, our studies demonstrate that the effect of sweet taste on creativity may emerge even with a mere taste of a sweet snack  such as a single candy, bite-sized cookie, or piece of dried fruit.

'We also show that the effect occurs without actual consumption,' she said, adding that simply imagining a 'sweet taste experience can foster creative output'.
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Eye-opening population density spike maps have revealed the true scale of how jam-packed America's coastal areas are compared to its interior - and the staggering detail that New York City's five boroughs could hold all the people on Earth if they stood shoulder-to-shoulder.

Standard population density maps are colored but flat, so it's difficult to know how dense one area truly is in comparison with another. While the spread of humanity may not be surprising, these maps break down population density into spikes - the higher the spike, the larger the volume of people living in one area - that offer a fascinating visual appraisal of how humans congregate along the coasts near water in North and South America, Europe, Asia and Australia, due to a longstanding preference since humans evolved from ocean organisms.

These maps are unique because they don't show any drawn boundaries between states in America or between nations in Europe, Asia and Africa. Instead, they rely upon the population spikes to reveal the most fascinating aspects of human migration and settlement worldwide.

The maps' creator Alasdair Rae, a former professor of urban studies and planning at the University of Sheffield, told DailyMail.com: 'In a way these graphics are blindingly obvious, they tell us what we know, but its a slightly different way of seeing the world. Its interesting and its also quite enjoyable - part science, part fun and part art.'

On the largest global map, each spike represents an area of two square kilometers or about 1.24 miles. On the map of the United States as well as the maps of Europe, Asia and Australia, each spike is 1 square kilometer or about 0.62 miles. Although we use miles in the US, the scientific community broadly uses kilometers for this type of information so Rae stuck with that.

'Where there's water on Earth, you find life as we know it,' astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson has said, and these epic data visualizations lend credence to his statement.

America's population density can be seen as a westward settlement but more prominently as a result of great mega-regions that have developed around clustered cities and suburbs over time and, when their population is added up, comprise about 60 percent of the country's total population of 329.5 million.

AMERICA: On the map of the US, each spike is 1 square kilometer or 0.62 miles and there are no boundaries between states. The eastern half of America is much more populated than the western portion and the highly populated East Coast cities of Boston, New York, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. are seen on the right

MEGALOPOLIS: 'It's impossible to go from Boston to Washington, D.C. without feeling like it's one giant city,' Rae said. The northeast corridor, pictured in the image above created exclusively for DailyMail.com, is home to 51 million people and 15% of the US population, who live in Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, New York City and Boston, and is a great example of what French geographer Jean Gottman called a 'megalopolis' in his book of the same name

'It's impossible to go from Boston to Washington, D.C. without feeling like it's one giant city,' he said. 'But you've got California, where you go from San Francisco to Los Angeles and there's a ton of wide open spaces.'

The French geographer Jean Gottman recognized the mega-region trend early in his 1961 book Megalopolis: The Urbanized Northeastern Seaboard of the United States.

Demographers are always asked: how many people live in Boston or Columbus, Ohio? But their answer is often quite annoying to the average person who's just curious about population density. Their response is something along the lines of: What do you mean by Boston or Columbus?

'This kind of map, it doesn't pay attention to where administrative boundaries of certain cities are,' Rae emphasized.

For instance, Chicago has a jagged edged, uneven boundary and is home to over 2.7 million residents, but the wider Cook Country metropolitan area has over 9.5 million people. Atlanta is similar, with a city population of about 500,000 and the larger metro area being home to 6 million people.

'We're used to looking at maps with boundaries and sometimes that makes sense,' Rae, who shares the finished images on his blog, said. 'There's deliberately no boundaries [between states or nations] on this to look at where people are within a larger area.'

NORTH AMERICA: Standard population density maps are colored but flat, so it's difficult to know how dense one area truly is in comparison with another. While the spread of population may not be surprising, these maps break down population density into spikes - the higher the spike, the larger the volume of people living in one area

EASTERN US: America's population density can be seen as a westward settlement but more prominently as a result of great mega-regions that have developed around clustered cities and suburbs over time and, when their population is added up, comprise about 60 percent of the country's total population of 329.5 million. One sees dense areas in Florida, in the foreground at left, and also in the northeast corridor

GLOBAL VIEW: The above image created by Rae shows where the world's population lives - with each spike representing 1 square kilometer. Although there are no boundaries between nations, it's quite clear what areas are populated with humans

Rae said the maps were born of scientific curiosity sparked in part by an academic paper he wrote a few years back on population density. That interest, combined with having extra time during the Covid lockdowns and a new computer meant for quickly complex graphics, led him to start producing the compelling images from the European Union's Global Human Settlement Layer data.

He begins the process by downloading a large, compressed image file - the entire world one is about 700 MB - that's just black and white. Rae then opens it using a free, open-source software tool called Aerialod that allows him to begin experimenting with the images by adding colors, changing the size of the spikes, adding different shadows to emphasize dense areas even more, and so on.

'I can choose how high to make the spikes, but all relative to each other,' Rae said, adding that the population figures comes from satellite data cross-referenced with census figures. 'So no matter what I do, if I make New York City 5 kilometers (3.11 miles) high, everything else will be scaled proportionally.'

But there's a limit to what Rae, or anyone, can do with the files.

'If you wanted to show every small town, youd have to make NYC so large it would be off the screen. Unless youve got a screen thats like a mile wide, some places dont really appear or you have to strain your eye to see them.'

Graphics put together by blogger Tim Urban show that every human being on Earth (as of 2015) could fit in New York City's five boroughs if they stood shoulder to shoulder (left) and that the world's population could fit inside a very large cube measuring 0.67 miles placed in the middle of Manhattan (right)

Traditional flat maps that use colors to depict different areas and how they've been populated can be quite deceptive.

'If youre looking at Denver or Boston - within those city limits are probably similar sized populations,' Rae said.

In terms of population within the city limits, Boston is more than 689,000 and Denver is more than 715,000.

'But Denver is surrounded by not very much compared to Boson, which is part of the larger metropolitan area of around 8 million people. In a 3-D map you can see youve got from Boston all the way down to Stanford, Connecticut and up to Maine - you can see it's part of a much bigger urban region,' Rae explained. 'Denver is like a beacon in the middle of what looks like emptiness.'

Although places like New York City, London, Paris and Singapore certainly feel extremely crowded, especially on mass transit at rush hour, an analysis in 2015 by Tim Urban of the blog Wait But Why determined that the world's population could fit standing shoulder to shoulder within the five boroughs of New York City.

Urban claims you can fit 1,000 people standing next to one another within a 10 by 10 meter square (32 by 32 feet).

Extrapolating from that, Manhattan could hold 590 million people; Brooklyn could hold 1.38 billion; Queens could hold 2.83 billion; the Bronx could hold 1.09 billion and Staten Island could fit 1.51 billion.

Urban also calculated how large of a building would be needed to hold the world's population and he came to the conclusion that everyone living at that time could fit within a huge cube where each side measured 0.67 miles - but only if they stand very close to each other, stacked up like toy figures.

Urban's image of the cube shows the Empire State Building and the Burj Khalifa for scale.

'I find these quite useful for just understanding the densities that some people actually live at  the New York City example is just, its quite good because it makes you think about how much space people take up, but then how much space is actually needed to provide everything that we need,' Rae said regarding the Tim Urban graphics.

GREAT LAKES: The Great Lakes are a major point of settlement for humans and that's reflected above where you can see large concentrations in Midwestern American cities like Milwaukee, Cleveland, Chicago and Detroit. Rae said the maps were born of scientific curiosity sparked in part by an academic paper he wrote a few years back on population density

All the spike maps demonstrate real world population variations and settlement patterns in an enticing way that standard ones don't quite capture.

'You don't get the same level of nuance with a flat map as compared to the spike maps,' Rae said. 'There's loads of this data around but it requires some manipulation and skill to turn it into something hopefully meaningful.'

When looking at the entirety of the spike maps, Rae's urban studies and planning interests come to the fore - he sees missed opportunities for easier rapid transit between heavily populated cities and mega-regions.

'For me, it looks like in California, what a perfect line of population you have from Los Angeles going from east of central valley all the way up to san Francisco,' he told DailyMail.com. 'If youre really looking to capitalize on population density, just think of the rapid transport efficiencies.'

WEST COAST: California, which is home to 40 million residents and comprises 12 percent of the US population, has two main population centers focused around Los Angeles in the south (home to 18.5 million people) and San Francisco in the north (home to 4.6 million people). 'For me, it looks like in California, what a perfect line of population you have from Los Angeles going from east of central valley all the way up to san Francisco,' Rae told DailyMail.com. 'If youre really looking to capitalize on population density, just think of the rapid transport efficiencies.'

WEST COAST AND GREAT PLAINS: America's west coast is home to two densely populated metropolitan areas centered around Los Angeles and San Francisco. Looking east toward the Great Plains, there's a lot of space without humans

EARTH: On the largest global map, pictured above, each spike represents an area of 2 square kilometers or about 1.24 miles. The above shows where the world's population lives as evidenced by the spikes, but all the land masses have been removed

In Europe, meanwhile, one sees a higher concentration of people living inland in northern Italy, all of Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg. For most European countries, the highest density is about 20,000 people per square kilometer; in London, which isn't part of Europe, it goes up to 25,000 humans per square kilometer (keeping in mind that 1 square kilometer is 0.62 miles).

In the UK, most people live in the area from Manchester southward down to the London metropolitan area - which itself is home to 14.2 million and was the largest such concentration in Europe prior to Brexit.

'Spain in particular is weirdly either super empty or super dense - thats a historical thing as far as how the country developed,' Rae said. 'If you go to Madrid and Barcelona, theyre super dense.'

The spike maps also reveal terrain without actually labeling any of it. For instance, the huge, curved open area without any spikes that cuts across a large area - those are the Alps, the highest mountain range in Europe.



EUROPE: The continent is most densely populated in the north and center, and along its coasts as well. The United Kingdom's southern half is very populated, especially the London metropolitan area. 'Spain in particular is weirdly either super empty or super dense - thats a historical thing as far as how the country developed,' Rae said

Asia is one of world's most populated continents with China and India, in particular, vying for population supremacy over the years. The two countries are home to about 36 percent of the world's population.

China is renowned for its mega-cities Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Chengdu and Chongqing - all of which are home to between 15 and 25 million people each.

Indonesia's population is about 275 million but the country is composed of thousands of islands.

'What I didnt realize was the density in island of Java. Jakarta metro area has like 30 million people,' said Rae. 'The Island of Java is almost the same area as England, but its got the same population of England plus the population of Germany.'

If you imagine squeezing Germany's 83 million residents into the United Kingdom with its 69 million residents, you get a sense of the high population density of Java.

In India, there are 29 states with a wide range of population densities. The largest, Uttar Pradesh, holds 241 million people - in about the same land area as the UK - while the smallest, Sikkim, is home to 670,000.

'People talk about the Asian century and the changing power dynamics of the global economy, and when you look at it from a population perspective, you think yeah,' Rae said.

Japan, which is home to 125.8 million people, is extremely dense with humans because of its size. The island nation is only 234,825 square miles, which means its land easily fits inside of California with about 15,000 square miles to spare. The most densely populated part of Japan, seen in the largest spikes, is the city of Tokyo which is home to 13.9 million people.

Australia is home to 25.6 million people and its land mass is 2.97 million square miles, making it the world's sixth largest country. From a natural resources point of view, the country is a powerhouse - with iron ore, gold, aluminum and petroleum topping the list - but its population is concentrated in the cities of Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth.

Rae points out places like China and Japan, well known for having thousands of miles of high speed trains to ferry people easily between cities.

Although Rae's initial foray into make these maps came amid Covid lockdowns - when population density was very much on everyone's mind - he plans to keep exploring and creating them and uncover interesting new details.

'Ive always just been fascinated with geography and where people live and what things look like and settlement patterns,' he said. 'I try and take data that might be a bit weird or unwieldy to work with and make it into something more like information and less like data.'

AUSTRALIA: Home to 25.6 million people with a land mass is 2.97 million square miles, it is the world's sixth largest country. From a natural resources point of view, Australia is a powerhouse - with iron ore, gold, aluminum and petroleum topping the list - but its population is concentrated in the cities of Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth

ASIA: China and India are vying for population supremacy. The two countries are home to about 36 percent of the world's population. China (seen above) is renowned for its mega-cities Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Chengdu and Chongqing - all of which are home to between 15 and 25 million people each. At the upper right, one sees the highly populated coastal areas of Pyongyang, North Korea, and Seoul, South Korea
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Divers have revealed new treasures from a legendary 17th century shipwreck that have been hidden beneath the Bahamas' shark-infested waters for 350 years.

The Nuestra Senora de las Maravillas (Our Lady of Wonders) was a two-deck Spanish galleon ship that sank off the Little Bahama Bank in the northern Bahamas on January 4, 1656.

The majority of its treasure  an estimated 3.5 million pieces of eight  was salvaged between 1656 and the early 1990s, but recent efforts using modern technology have uncovered artefacts on the ship that have never been touched since the sinking.

Included in the hoard are Spanish olive jars, Chinese porcelain, iron rigging, and gold and silver coins, as well as a silver sword handle that belonged to the soldier Don Martin de Aranda y Gusman.

Three gold chains have also been saved, as well as four pendants worn by members of the sacred Order of Santiago, a religious band of knights deeply active in Spanish maritime trade.

Some of the items were contraband that was 'illegally greasing the palms of Spanish merchants and officials'.

All these finds are unique among the world's three million shipwrecks, according to experts, and will be exhibited at a new museum at the Bahamas for the first time staring next week.

Included in the hoard are Spanish olive jars, Chinese porcelain, iron rigging, and gold and silver coins, as well as a silver sword handle that belonged to the soldier Don Martin de Aranda y Gusman. Pictured, high-status personal belongings  gold jewellery, chain, pendants and coins from the Maravillas

Artist's depiction of the Nuestra Senora de las Maravillas (Our Lady of Wonders), a two-deck Spanish galleon armed with 36 bronze cannons

Nuestra Senora de las Maravillas (Our Lady of Wonders) sank off the Little Bahama Bank in the northern Bahamas on January 4, 1656

HISTORY OF THE 'NUESTRA SENORA DE LAS MARAVILLAS' The Nuestra Senora de las Maravillas (Our Lady of Wonders) was a two-deck Spanish galleon armed with 36 bronze cannons. In 1654 it was serving as the Almirante (vice-flagship) of the Tierra Firme (Mainland) fleet when it sank. It was carrying treasure to Seville, both as royal tax and private property. Maravillas was unusual because it was transporting a double cargo - both its own consignment of silver, as well as silver salvaged from the wreck of the Jesus Maria de la Limpia Concepcion that was supposed to supply the 1654 fleet but sank off Ecuador in October 1654. Near midnight on January 4, 1656, Maravillas and her flagship, Nuestra Senora de la Concepcion, collided. Its planks broke between the top of the waterline and the holds. In under 30 minutes after the collision, the Maravillas violently struck a reef and sank. Around 600 of the 650 people on board died. Advertisement

'The Maravillas is an iconic part of The Bahamas's maritime history,' said Carl Allen, founder of Allen Exploration, which led the recent expeditions.

'Were delighted to be licensed by the Bahamian government to explore the Maravillas scientifically and share its wonders with everyone in the first maritime museum in The Bahamas.'

The 891-ton Our Lady of Wonders was part of the Tierra Firme (Mainland) fleet, homeward-bound to Spain from Havana, Cuba, laden with royal and private consignments.

Also onboard Our Lady of Wonders was a former Spanish cargo wrecked off Ecuador a year and a half earlier, weighing the ship down further.

She ended up colliding with her fleet flagship, hitting a reef 30 minutes later and sinking rapidly. The majority of the 650 people on the galleon grabbed hold of floating debris and drifted away, never to be seen again.

About 150 clung to pieces of the galleon still above the water. Most died from exposure during the night or were eaten by sharks. Overall, only 45 people survived and around 600 people were lost.

The wreck was quickly relocated after sinking in January 1656, and by July 1658, Spanish records show that the wreck was completely buried under sand.

Many Spanish, English, French, Dutch, Bahamian and American salvors later tried to recover the wreck and the treasures within but had little success.

In the modern era, it was rediscovered by Robert Marx in 1972 who heavily salvaged remains. Further remains were salvaged by Herbert Humphreys between 1986 and the early 1990s, but according to Allen Exploration what's left of the ship have been 'pounded into oblivion'.

'The wreck of the galleon had a tough history,' said Allen. '[It was] heavily salvaged by Spanish, English, French, Dutch, Bahamian and American expeditions in the 17th and 18th centuries, and blitzed by salvors from the 1970s to early 1990s.

'Some say the remains were ground to dust. Using modern technology and hard science, we're now tracking a long and winding debris trail of finds.'

Here, the Allen Exploration team are snapped underwater while recording an iron anchor along the Maravillas shipwreck trail

In 2019, after the Bahamian government granted it a license to explore the wreck, Allen Exploration used a vast network of 8,800 magnetometers  devices that measure anomalies in the Earths magnetic field, caused by the presence items with magnetic properties.

These mapped the location of the untouched artefacts, from potsherds and iron hull fasteners to rigging, coins, ballast and high-status goods.

Divers were also employed to recover them and bring them back to land for the first time in 350 years. Now the collection is back on land, Allen Exploration has no intention to split it up or sell it.

The ship's debris trail spans a whopping eight miles (13km), although Allen Exploration is not releasing information about its exact position to protect the site.

One of the 'stunning' discoveries is an 887-gram gold filigree chain, about 70 inches long, made up of 80 alternating circular flat and tubular links, decorated with four-lobed rosette motifs.

It was intended for a wealthy aristocrat or even royalty, and was probably crafted in the Philippines from local gold using Chinese craftsmen, and then exported to Spain by way of Mexico on a Manila galleon.

Another item is an oval-shaped golden pendant with a gold Cross of St. James on top of a large green oval Colombian emerald.

The outer edge is framed by 12 more square emeralds, perhaps symbolising the 12 apostles.

A unique golden filigree chain from the Nuestra Senora de las Maravillas (Our Lady of Wonders), probably made in Manilla, the Philippines

A second golden pendant found on the Maravillas' debris trail is oval in shape and 4.7 centimeters long. At its center a gold Cross of St. James overlies a large green oval Colombian emerald. The outer edge is framed by 12 more square emeralds, perhaps symbolizing the 12 apostles

A gold and pearl ring from the Maravillas shipwreck. New finds are unique among the world's three million shipwrecks, according to experts, and will be exhibited at a new museum at the Bahamas for the first time

Allen said the priceless artefacts were found lying on 'dead gray reefs' and that seeing the sea floor gave him 'mixed feelings'.

'The sea bottom is barren,' he said. 'The colorful coral that divers remembered from the 1970s is gone, poisoned by ocean acidification and choked by meters of shifting sand. It's painfully sad.

'Still lying on those dead gray reefs, though, are sparkling finds: olive jars, the spikes that held the Maravillas together, the odd cannon and anchors.'

Silver and gold coins and emeralds and amethysts, as well as a 75-pound silver bar, are among those thought to be illegal contraband consignments, unauthorised by the Spanish Crown.

Spanish Americas' galleons carried at least 20 per cent contraband above what was declared on manifests, some even over 200 per cent.

Allen Exploration's Bahamas Maritime Museum  in the city of Freeport, Grand Bahama  will open on August 8.

An olive jar from the wreck of the Maravillas, used to transport general foodstuffs. Allen Exploration has no intentions to split up the collection or sell it

Personal belongings range from the silver sword hilt of the soldier Don Martin de Aranda y Gusman to a pearl ring, two glass wine bottles and four pendants worn by knights of the Order of Santiago. Pictured, a glass wine bottle discovered on the Maravills wreck site

Gold and bezoar stone scallop-shaped pendant of the Order of Santiago with a cross of St. James at its centre from the Maravillas shipwreck

Allen Exploration's Bahamas Maritime Museum (pictured) in the city of Freeport, Grand Bahama will open next Monday, August 8
Earth is under a solar storm warning for August 3, as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announces there is a chance of a minor G1-class geomagnetic storm hitting our planet.

A G-1 storm can weaken power grid fluctuations, impact satellites and potentially spark auroras in regions around the northern pole  in this case the electric colors will be seen in skies over Canada and Alaska. However, it is the weakest of five classified by NOAA.

The geomagnetic storm is due to a coronal hole in the southwest region of the suns face that is spewing out gaseous material.

Mike Cook, who works in space weather operations, told DailyMail.com that the hole has enhanced solar wind speeds by shooting solar winds out in a stream. He also notes that it is forecasted to cause G-1 conditions, but we will have to see if that comes true in the next 24 to 48 hours.

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The geomagnetic storm is due to a coronal hole (pictured) in the southwest region of the suns face that is spewing out gaseous material'

NOAAs space weather prediction center classifies geometric storms in five stages  one being the weakest and five the strongest.

And the one set for this week will have a very low impact on satellites and technologies on Earth. It may, however, confuse migratory animals that uses Earths magnetic field as a navigational tool.

This is because geomagnetic storms trigger electric currents in the magnetosphere and ionosphere as the area shaped by Earth's magnetic field is compressed and disturbed.

There was also a C9.3 flare that shot out of the sun on Sunday. C-class flares are small with few noticeable consequences on Earth, but they are exciting to see.

There was also a C9.3 flare that shot out of the sun on Sunday. C-class flares are small with few noticeable consequences on Earth, but they are exciting to see. The flare appears like a broken circle exploding out of the sun

This one, however, did not erupt on the side of the sun facing Earth, but it exploded enough to be captured by NASAs Solar Dynamics Observatory  a craft that has been investigating our massive star since launching in 2010.

The flare was captured late on July 31. This graph shows then the flare was picked up by satellites

It takes 169,090 hours to reach the sun if you were traveling approximately 550 miles per hour.

The C9.3 flare yesterday was from a region that technically isn't even on the Earth facing disk yet, its just around the NE [north eastern] limb, Cook told Dailymail.com.

And solar flares themselves do not cause geomagnetic storming, it is only if a CME (coronal mass ejection) is associated with a flare AND Earth directed.

The snake-like filament are CMEs, which are large expulsions of plasma and magnetic field from the sun's corona  the outermost layer of a star's atmosphere.

The Earth experienced a solar storm on July 19 that brought along stunning auroras to the northern US and Canada. Pictured is an image of the auroras over Seattle, Washington

The Earth experienced a solar storm on July 19 that brought along stunning auroras to the northern US and Canada.

The storm made headlines over the weekend when Dr Tamitha Skov announced she spotted a 'snake-like filament' on the sun's surface Friday - and it was moving toward the Earth strike zone.

Auroras were seen earlier Friday morning, right when the storm hit, filling the northern skies with stunning electric shades of purples and greens.

Cook DailyMail.com on July 19: 'There have been several CME [coronal mass ejections] eruptions the last few days (solar storms) but there is also a Coronal Hole (the black hole like structures) which is center disk.'

'We should see impacts from that in the next 2-3 days.'

And is correct, the cosmic show is not over - the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) shows a G1-Class is expected to impact our planet as early as Thursday and late as Friday.
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) announced it will add Wi-Fi to all 191 above ground stations and 21 Staten Island railways stations in the next 10 years, but the free internet connection will cost New Yorkers' their privacy.

MTA is working with Transit Wireless, a New York-based communications infrastructure company, which is flipping the bill for the $600 million project and will mine data from users who connect to the service.

The firm has not clarified what data will be collected. DailyMail.com has contacted Transit Wireless for more information on the matter.

Transit Wireless, which describes itself as 'one of the largest data-driven captive audience platforms,' has already unleashed Wi-Fi to 281 underground subways.

Although trading privacy for Wi-Fi is part of the deal, many New Yorkers are still thrilled over getting the service - many criticize the MTA for waiting as long as it has to provide them with access and are frustrated it will take another 10 years.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority is working with Transit Wireless to provide Wi-Fi service to the 191 above-ground subway stations

The MTA and Transit Wireless have been very vague in the data mining, but has also mentioned 'monetizing' as another revenue source for the firm.

This could mean that it will play specific ads for users who are connected to the subway Wi-Fi.

According to The New York Times, the MTA is set to get a cut of the profits made by Transit Wireless.

Once the company makes back its $600 million, it will give the MTA 20 percent over a six-year period and then increasing it to 40 percent after 15 years from the start of the service.

One Twitter user revealed that the Wi-Fi comes at a cost to New Yorkers

Some New Yorkers are thrilled to hear about Wi-Fi coming to all subway stations, noting that they can't believe it has taken this long

The MTA could see as much as $400 million from this project.

Regardless, many New Yorkers are happy to finally have Wi-Fi service at all subway stations.

One person shared on Twitter, following the announcement: 'OMG... This is unbelievable. NYC's subway system still not wired for cellphone & wifi services yet? We still have to wait another ten yrs?

NBC journalist, Marcus Harun, also took to Twitter to share his frustrations: 'Why can I get wifi traveling 500 mph in the sky (plane), but can't get it on earth (NYC subway) in 2022? I mean, I pay them a whopping $2.75.'

NBC journalist, Marcus Harun, also took to Twitter to share his frustrations. It will, however, take another 10 years for Wi-Fi to be available

NYC Transit President Richard Davey, said in a statement: 'Having uninterrupted network connection underground will reimagine how New Yorkers travel by providing the opportunity to take advantage of every minute of their commute with cell service and internet connection, which can also ease any traveling obstacles visitors face when trying to navigate the system.

'We look forward to using the enhanced connectivity to improve the service information we provide for customers.'

More than three million people ride New York City's subway system every day and providing service has been a long, on-going project for officials.

The 10-year project will also provide coverage to the 21 Staten Island railway stations. This will ensure all 418 miles of track has cellular service

Transit Wireless was founded in 2005 and began building the infrastructure necessary to provide cellular service across Manhattan.

The firm's phase one launched 2013, which added service to 30 stations in Manhattan.

Transit Wireless is paying the $600 million to complete the project. It has not revealed which lines will be finished first, but riders will have access as each section is completed

Phase two rolled out October 2014 that covered all of Queens and several other stations in Manhattan, including Bryant Park, Herald Square, and Grand Central Terminal.

Three years later, all 279 underground stations had service and in 2020, the firm brought connection to the L that runs between Brooklyn and Manhattan  the first tunnel in the system to have full connectivity.

Now Transit Wireless is working to wire the rest of the railways. In the end, it will have cost Transit Wireless $1 billion to provide service to all above and underground stations.

MTA President of Construction and Development Jamie Torres-Springer, said in a statement: 'This latest advancement in technology will coordinate with other work throughout the system to fit out hundreds of miles of tunnels to enable cell service between stations and support MTA operational needs.

'We look forward to closing the remaining cellular coverage and data connectivity gaps in our subway system.'

The addition of wi-fi and cell phone service in 2017 came as former Governor Andrew Cuomo announced upgrades for the then century-old transit system.

Cuomo said $29 billion was being allocate to the plan, which also added digital countdown clocks, replacement subway cars and mobile charging states on subway cars.

Across the US in Northern California, officials plan to provide wi-fi at all 50 stations by 2024 with the help of Bay Area Transit.

And in London, riders at every station will have access by the end of 2024 as well.
Bones of an adult mammoth and her calf have been uncovered at a 37,000-year-old butchering site in New Mexico, which suggest humans settled in North America 17,000 years than previously believed.

A team of scientists, led by The University of Texas at Austin, extracted collagen from the bones, allowing them to carbon date the settled age of 36,250 to 38,900 years old.

The bones were discovered in a three-foot-tall pile, with 95 percent belonging to the adult, and featured slaughter marks and fractures from blunt force impact

The discovery adds to the growing evidence that there were societies before people crossed the Bering Strait land bridge some 20,000 years ago. The bridge, also called Beringia, connected Siberia and Alaska during the last Ice Age, and allowed people to come from Asia into North America.

Timothy Rowe, lead author of the study, told DailyMail.com that the ancient humans likely came from Asia, but whether they took a coastal or overland route to the America's remains an open question. A separate study in 2021 found some of the first Americans crossed the Bering Sea in paddle boats, stopping along chain of islands that were above the surface during the last Ice Age.

Previous studies have produced remains of ancient humans dating back 20,000 years ago and other artifact that suggest there were people in the area before Clovis  those who crossed the land bridge. However, the mammoth bones are the earliest evidence found to date.

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Scientists discovered a three-foot-tall pile of mammoth bones that belonged to an adult female and her calf. However, 95 percent of the bones were from the adult

Rowe said in a statement: It's not a charismatic site with a beautiful skeleton laid out on its side. It's all busted up. But that's what the story is.

The discovery was also made in Rowes backyard. His neighbor spotted a tusk protruding out from the ground and he quickly called a team in to help with the excavations.

Once most of the dirt was removed, the open-air butchering site was revealed that includes different areas separated by walls made of stone and clay.

The mammoth bones, both the adult and calf, were found in a pile with the adults head and tusks laid on top.

The bones were discovered at an open-air butchering site that included separate areas blocked off by walls.

The mammoth bones featured slaughter marks and fractures from blunt force impact

Most of the remains in the heap belonged to the adult, including 44 broken cranial fragments, and intact upper right second molar and 12 isolated tooth plates, 25 ribs broken into 52 fragments, 3 vertebrae and 15 vertebral fragments, 32 percussion-impact bone flakes, 9 butterfly fragments, 20 unidentifiable bone fragments, and 267 bags of small bone scraps.

Pictured is an illustration of what the mammoth adult looked like

The adults face (tusks, premaxillae, and partial maxillae) is the single largest, heaviest element present and was positioned on top of the bone pile, reads the study published in the journal Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution.

It was sheared from the cranium at the nares, and its maxillary alveoli are broken and empty.

'The calf is represented by a partial left maxilla and dentary with intact dentitions, three isolated tooth plates, left tibia diaphysis, and 10 rib fragments.

The study also notes that the separation of the adults face bones from the cranium was caused by the most profound skull fracture.

Before the mammoth bones were found it was a 20,000-year-old burial in Montana that was the oldest evidence of humans settling in North America.

The discovery adds to the growing evidence that there were societies before people crossed the Bering Strait land bridge some 20,000 years ago. Pictured is a map showing how the land bridge once connected the two continents

The study also notes that the separation of the adults face bones from the cranium was caused by the most profound skull fracture. Pictured are the animal's face bones that features fractures from blunt force impact

In 1968, construction workers uncovered ancient tools and the remains of a young child at the site.

It is the oldest genome ever recovered from the New World, and artifacts found with the body show the boy was part of the Clovis culture that came across the Bering Strait land bridge.

The so-called Anzick skeleton was found with about 125 artifacts, including Clovis fluted spear points and tools made from antlers, and covered in red ochre, a type of mineral.

Eske Willerslev of the University of Copenhagen in Denmark, who led the study, said in a statement: The Clovis boy's family is the direct ancestor to roughly estimated 80% of all present day Native Americans.

'Although the Clovis culture disappeared its people are living today.
The US Navy plans to deploy 150 artificial intelligence-powered 'ghost ships' across the seven seas by 2045, which means one in three of its warships will be an uncrewed robotic warship.

These AI-powered ships will be smaller and cheaper to operate because they do not require life-support systems and can be piloted remotely, and the technology could be the answer to the military's recruitment nightmare  the Navy is at 89 percent of its goal for the fiscal year ending in September.

The expansion was announced in the 'Chief of Naval Operations Navigation Plan 2022' report that states the military branch is expanding its fleet to ensure it controls most of the seas and compete with the opposition, specifically China.

The development also includes more than 350 manned ships and approximately 3,000 aircraft, which is a dramatic increase from the just 75 new ships added to the regime over the past two decades. The Navy currently operates 300 warships.

The Navy is finally moving forward with its plans to unleash a fleet of robotic warships. Here is the unmanned surface vessel Ranger departing from Pearl Harbor

The lack of recruit is considered to be the worst since the end of the Vietnam War in 1975 and some are blaming it on the 'woke' culture.

Traditional masculinity is now frowned upon, but it used to be the driving force in motivating young Americans to sign up for their country.

Most of those who do join the ranks are from southern states, but as Jeff Groom writes in Spectator World, seeing 'Confederate statues being torn down and military bases being renamed, endless media and elitist demonization of your culture as racist and deplorable and backwards, and military and civilian leadership that thinks diversity and inclusion (i.e. fewer white men) is best thing since sliced bread. Would you volunteer? Identity politics works both ways.'

However, the Navy is hoping the rise of the robotic warships will fill in the gaps of its missing sailors.

The Navy's pursuit of unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) slowed in recent years amid Congressional skepticism over the new technology, according to USNI News.

The ships will be smaller and cost less to operate since they do not need human survival gear or quarters for sailors. Pictured is Sea Hunter sitting pierside at Naval Base San Diego in California

The 2045 plan also states the military branch is expanding its fleet to ensure it controls most of the seas and compete with the opposition, specifically China. Pictured is the Range and Nomad near the Channel Islands

Lawmakers wanted to see more testing of the robotic ships and held fast to its idea that the Navy must first understand how to properly operate them.

And this has set the Navy and the other branches behind China and Russia that adopted the technology into their arsenals years prior.

Russia, for example, began testing for a 45-foot-long uncrewed torpedo vessel, which, according to TASS new agency, will be designed to conduct detection and elimination of enemy submarines autonomously.

And China wrapped up testing in January for its 200-ton unmanned battle ship.

The US Navy's ghost ships will feature surface and subsurface platforms that will provide intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance.

The vessels are packed with sensors to 'see' incoming enemies and obstacles as it cruises the waters autonomously.

The Navy has been working on robotic warships for years, as in 2020 the military branch announced it is designing a system for its unmanned robotic warships that will communicate like human sailors, allowing the craft to safely navigate through waterways.

The goal is to enable human bridge crews to converse with robot ships using normal speech over the worldwide radio system used for ship-to-ship communication.

The Navy ships would be designed to understand secure radio transmissions, incorporate their meaning into its world model, develop appropriate maneuvering plans and respond via voice on the radio.

The US Navy's ghost ships will feature surface and subsurface platforms that will provide intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance. Pictured is Sea Hawk (front) and Sea Hunter (back) cruising through waters in the Pacific

Also last year it was revealed the military branch was developing a robot submarine that is controlled by artificial intelligence that could kill without human control or input.

The project is being run by the Office of Naval Research and has been described as an 'autonomous undersea weapon system' according to a report by New Scientist.

Details of the killer submersible were made available as part of the 2020 budget documents, which also revealed it has been named CLAWS by the US Navy.

Very few details about the 'top secret' project have been revealed beyond the fact it will use sensors and algorithms to carry out complex missions on its own.

It's expected CLAWS will be installed on the new Orca class robot submarines that have 12 torpedo tubes and are being developed for the Navy by Boeing.

However, the most recent news is the ending of the Pentagon's Ghost Fleet Overlord program in January of this year.

This initiative, started in 2018, aim to accelerate the Navy's adoption of unmanned and autonomous systems.

Now, the four robotic warships developed and trained over the past four years will be added to the Navy's fleet, including one dubbed 'Nomad.'
The Russia-Ukraine conflict is supposed to show that main battle tanks might be a major force on the battlefield. However, despite these flaws, they can be strengthened to make them less exposed in the era of more advanced precision weaponry.

Defense Deal by South Korea

A deal announced by Seoul revealed the sale of 1,000 K2 tanks and 648 K9 self-propelled K9 armored howitzers, in addition to the 48 FA-50 fighter jets to Poland costing the US $20 billion, noted Asiatimes.

By 2030, the UK intends to be able to deploy 148 Challenger 3 MBTs, though this number could rise in light of developments in Eastern Europe.

Heavy tanks like the German Leopard 2, American M1A2 SEP, French Nr. 8 Leclerc, and Israeli Merkava Mk.4 are mentioned in international arms negotiations, reported EurAsian Times.

There are now around 73,000 operating tanks worldwide, unintentionally designed by the British and utilized for the first time during World War I, mentioned Global Times.

Russia has 12,420 tanks compared to the US's 6,612, North Korea's 5895, China's 5,250, India's 4,614, and Pakistan's 2,824 tanks.

Tanks as Armored Cavalry

Tanks are essential because attacking armies require a mechanism to advance their soldiers. They must also cover those soldiers as they go forward.

They use their heavy weapons to destroy roadblock defenses and create panic in the enemy's rear. It is a tool that may be used in various ways to help any army advance.

Read Also: US Army May Use These Futuristic Weapons to Face Adversaries in the Wars of Tomorrow

Losses are minimal when Russian main battle tanks have to learn how to fight in this theatre in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. On July 1, the West asserted that at least 1,500 tanks had been destroyed.

The Russians may have been caught off guard when using NLAWs, Carl Gustav M4s, and man-portable Javelins at the beginning of the battle, but they are no longer a factor. These weapons are prone to malfunction.

Western analysts assert that Russian tanks are poorly designed, with the crew and ammunition crowded together and inadequate protection from aerial attack.

Drones and Anti-Tank Guided Missiles

Two threats have been foisted, like man-portable missiles and drones on the battlefield that took casualties.

Detecting heat sources inside a tank and striking the weakest point of the armor, javelins and NLAWS are fire-and-forget rockets. These rockets can launch attacks from atop the tank in full attack mode.

Armed drones are a low-cost method of attacking tanks from the air, and Turkish-made TB2s, smaller than a light plane, has proven effective against armor in several international conflicts.

On Russian targets, the Ukrainians use laser-guided bombs. The US Switchblade and other suicide drones linger that divebomb targets.

Since then, all of these threats have been eliminated, the Ukrainian army has fallen, and Russian soldiers are now in charge of several regions of Ukraine.

Since the commencement of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Ukraine and the West have asserted that heavy tanks are ineffective against hand-held rocket launchers and drones. Since then, Russia has strengthened the protection of its main battle tanks with fewer losses.

Related Article: New Russian Main Battle Tank (MBT) T-14 Armata: Is This a Capable Tank for Combat and Performance?

@ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
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Because Ive booked the cheapest room possible (150)  described as a Georgian cosy  there will be no chance of a view or a bath, I tell myself while walking up Richmond Hill past the iconic vista of the Thames, painted by Turner and Constable.

But I still ask if theres any chance of an upgrade. Sorry, were completely full, says the man at reception. But hows your day been until now?

Not great, actually, I tell him. You?

Still breathing.

The Inspector checks into Richmond Hill Hotel (above) in South West London, which occupies a series of 18th-century buildings that have been blended into one big one

And off I go to room 236 where, in fact, (and bless the receptionist) theres a free-standing tub, French windows and even a balcony.

I cant quite see the Thames, but directly across the road stands The Wick, described by some people as the most beautiful building in the country.

Designed in 1775, it was once the family home of actor Sir John Mills, who sold it to Ronnie Wood of the Rolling Stones before Pete Townshend of The Who bought it.

The Inspector's room, a Georgian cosy (pictured), is 'tasteful' with bare taupe walls, colourful cushions, and a sky blue armchair

The hotel houses 143 rooms, all of which have been freshened up in the past 12 months. Above is one of the Georgian Collection rooms

Across the road stands The Wick (above), described by some people as 'the most beautiful building in the country'. Picture courtesy of Creative Commons

Last year, it was on the market for 15 million.

If you are partial to Georgian architecture, then Richmond is bliss.

The Richmond Hill Hotel (sister hotel of The Grand Brighton) occupies a series of 18th-century buildings that have been blended into one big one.

It houses 143 rooms, all of which have been freshened up in the past 12 months.

Mine is tasteful. Bare taupe walls, colourful cushions, sky blue armchair.

Downstairs is something of a rabbit warren, and I pass several conference rooms on the way to the restaurant, now called 144 On The Hill.

Pictured is the Georgian Suite. Of the hotel's setting, the Inspector says: 'If you are partial to Georgian architecture, then Richmond is bliss'

Above is the lounge and bar area of the 144 On The Hill restaurant. The Inspector stays for dinner, and finds that 'its bright and cheery  and bitterly disappointing'

A main course at 144 On The Hill

Its bright and cheery  and bitterly disappointing.

My mackerel starter amounts to the tiniest piece of fish sitting in an indifferent sauce, and the 32 ribeye steak is tough and flavourless.

Breakfast is a buffet affair, with powdery scrambled eggs and greasy fried eggs served from huge stainless steel containers.

If you want a decent cup of coffee theres an extra charge  in my case, 4.50 for a flat white.

And where do we stand on those machines that take an age before your toast drops out  and invariably needs to go back in for a second time? They shouldnt be here, thats for sure.
The famously wholesome Irwin siblings almost veered into R-rated territory during their guest appearance on RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under this week.

Robert and Bindi were tasked with introducing a challenge in the first episode, and managed to keep things clean despite the Stan show's bawdy reputation.

The wildlife warriors and Drag Race superfans instructed the Aussie and Kiwi queens to make catwalk outfits that 'celebrate the natural beauty of our homelands'.

Robert (left) and Bindi Irwin (right) almost veered into R-rated territory during their guest appearance on RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under this week

They explained the task in a video recorded at Australia Zoo, and in classic Irwin style had a huge Burmese python resting on their shoulders.

At the end of the segment, it was Robert's turn to say host RuPaul Charles' iconic catchphrase: 'Good luck... and don't f**k it up.'

RuPaul usually says this before the start of each runway challenge, but sometimes celebrity guests are allowed to do the honours instead.

After introducing a runway challenge, it was Robert's turn to utter host RuPaul Charles' iconic catchphrase: 'Good luck... and don't f**k it up' - but he was just too wholesome to say it

'Robert, before we get constricted, is there anything else you'd like to say?' Bindi smiled.

'Good luck, and don't...' he began, leaving a long pause as the drag queens looked nervously around the work room.

He then shook his head and said: 'Nah, I can't say it!'

RuPaul (pictured) usually says 'Good luck... and don't f**k it up' before the start of each runway task, but sometimes celebrity guests are allowed to do the honours instead

The Irwins are known for their family-friendly public image, and using the F-word would be rather off-brand for them.

But it seems Robert, 18, and Bindi, 24, aren't afraid to make fun of their wholesome reputation from time to time.

The Irwin family became world-famous thanks to the conservation efforts of late patriarch Steve 'The Crocodile Hunter' Irwin.

The drag queens looked nervously around the work room as they waited to see if Robert would say the F-word on television

Steve died on September 4, 2006, at the age of 44 after being pierced in the chest by a stingray while filming a documentary on the Great Barrier Reef.

Following his death, Steve's family, including his children, widow Terri, and son-in-law Chandler Powell, have continued his legacy at Australia Zoo in Queensland.

RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under streams exclusively on Stan in Australia
Pat Carroll, a comedic television mainstay for decades, Emmy-winner for Caesar's Hour and the voice Ursula in The Little Mermaid has died at the age of 95.

Her daughter Kerry Karsian, a casting agent, said Carroll died at her home in Cape Cod, Massachusetts, on Saturday, while EW reported she passed away while recovering from pneumonia.

Her other daughter Tara Karsian wrote on Instagram that they want everyone to 'honor her by having a raucous laugh at absolutely anything today (and everyday forward) because besides her brilliant talent and love, she leaves my sister Kerry and I with the greatest gift of all, imbuing us with humor and the ability to laugh...even in the saddest of times.'

Painful loss: Pat Carroll, a comedic television mainstay for decades, Emmy-winner for Caesars Hour and the voice Ursula in The Little Mermaid has died at the age of 95; Pictured 2013

Carroll was born in Shreveport, Louisiana, in 1927. Her family relocated to Los Angeles when she was 5 years old.

Her first film role came in 1948 in Hometown Girl but she found her stride in television. She won an Emmy for her work on the sketch comedy series Caesar's Hour in 1956, was a regular on Make Room for Daddy with Danny Thomas, a guest star on The DuPont Show with June Allyson and a variety show regular stopping by The Danny Kaye Show, The Red Skelton Show and The Carol Burnett Show.

She also played one of the wicked stepsisters in the 1965 television production of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella with Lesley Ann Warren.

Difficult: Her daughter Kerry Karsian, a casting agent, said Carroll died at her home in Cape Cod, Massachusetts, on Saturday, while EW reported she passed away while recovering from pneumonia; Pictured 2008

Memorable villain: One of her most famous roles is being the voice of Ursula in Disney's The Little Mermaid, which came out in 1989

And she won a Grammy in 1980 for the recording of her one woman show Gertrude Stein, Gertrude Stein, Gertrude Stein.

A new generation would come to know and love her voice thanks to Disney's The Little Mermaid, which came out in 1989.

She was not the first choice of directors Ron Clements and John Musker or the musical team of Howard Ashman and Alan Menken, who reportedly wanted Joan Collins or Bea Arthur to voice the sea witch.

Fascinating: Carroll would often say that Ursula was one of her favorite roles: 'She's a mean old thing! I think people are fascinated by mean characters'; Pictured with actress Jodi Benson - who voiced Ariel - at Disney's California Adventure park in 2011

Colorful roles: She also played one of the wicked stepsisters in the 1965 television production of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella with Lesley Ann Warren; (L-R) Carroll (as Prunella), Jo Van Fleet (as Stepmother) and Barbara Ruick (as Esmerelda)

Elaine Stritch was even cast originally before Carroll got to audition. And her throaty rendition of Poor Unfortunate Souls would make her one of Disney's most memorable villains.

Carroll would often say that Ursula was one of her favorite roles. She said she saw her as an 'Ex-Shakespearean actress who now sold cars.'

'She's a mean old thing! I think people are fascinated by mean characters,' Carroll said in an interview.

A remarkable career: She won an Emmy for her work on the sketch comedy series Caesar's Hour in 1956; Pictured with co-star Carl Reiner at the 9th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards on March 16, 1957 in New York

'There's a fatal kind of distraction about the horrible mean characters of the world because we don't meet too many of them in real life. So when we have a chance, theatrically, to see one and this one, she's a biggie, it's kind of fascinating for us.'

She got the chance to reprise the role in several Little Mermaid sequels, spinoffs and even theme park rides.

Carroll was also the voice of Granny in the English-language dub of Hayao Miyazakis My Neighbor Totoro.
She's the Brazilian temptress who caused a stir on Married At First Sight this year.

And Carolina Santos turned heads once again on Sunday as she stripped down to a very revealing bikini at her local beach in Sydney.

The 34-year-old's ample cleavage was on display as she showed off her eye-popping assets in the skimpy blue and orange two-piece.

Married At First Sight's Carolina Santos turned heads on Sunday as she stripped down to a very revealing bikini at her local beach in Sydney

Carolina's barely there bikini top and tie-side bottoms offered minimal coverage for her morning sunbathing session.

The mother of one showcased her flawless body while sitting on a rocky cliff in a gallery of racy Instagram snaps.

She also shared a video of herself walking off towards the ocean, drawing attention to her perfectly peachy derriere.

The 34-year-old's ample cleavage was on display as she showed off her eye-popping assets in the skimpy blue and orange two-piece

The business owner, who is dating her MAFS co-star Daniel Holmes, hinted at heartbreak in the caption of her post.

'Smile and no one will see how broken you are inside,' she wrote.

Carolina and Daniel were involved in one of the biggest scandals in Married At First Sight history earlier this year.

The mother of one also shared a video of herself walking off towards the ocean, drawing attention to her perfectly peachy derriere

They began hooking up while she was still technically 'married' to her on-screen husband Dion Giannarelli.

The pair had several rendezvous while hapless Dion tried everything to make things work with his uninterested 'wife'.

Daniel maintains Carolina's love and support has been a positive influence in his life.

Carolina, who is dating her MAFS co-star Daniel Holmes (right), hinted at heartbreak in the caption of her post. 'Smile and no one will see how broken you are inside,' she wrote

The personal trainer, 31, previously praised his girlfriend for 'saving' him from steroid addiction and helping him get clean.

The couple recently made headlines after Daniel posted a worrying Instagram Story on July 1 saying he felt 'lost, lonely and scared'.

They later said the post was not a cry for help but just the result of a 'really bad day'.
Yolanda Hadid has made a grand return to social media and uploaded an endearing Instagram post to announce the end of her 'detox.'

The mom of three, 58, typed out a list of reasons as to what prompted her hiatus, including focusing on both her mental and physical health.

The former model detailed her struggles with depression following her mother's passing and her battle with Lyme disease.

Detox: Yolanda Hadid, 58, has returned to Instagram after taking a nine month break to focus on both her mental and physical health

Yolanda shared a photo of herself sitting on soft cushions with her face upturned towards the sky with glistening water stretched out behind her.

The TV personality wrote out a lengthy caption to her 3.8 million fans and followers. After stating her return, she jumped into expressing her reasons for stepping away from social media for such a long time.

'After the loss of my mother I really struggled with depression followed by a lyme relapse.the emotional stress and grief strongly effected my immune system.'

Personal struggles: The mom of three typed out a list of reasons as to what prompted her hiatus and detailed her struggles with depression following her mother's passing and her battle with Lyme disease

If left untreated, Lyme disease can lead to health issues such as joint pain and in other cases, can cause severe neurological problems such as 'weakness or impaired muscle movement', according to Mayo Clinic.

'My phone addiction didnt help either, it started to take so much time away from being present in my life. Its so easy to get lost in other peoples stories while forgetting to live and love your own,' she continued.

Yolanda also reflected on the past and how phones have caused people to 'lose the art of communication.'

She then expanded on how the hiatus has had an amazing and positive impact on her life.

Health battle: The former model has been suffering with Lyme disease for years, and took a break from social media due to a 'lyme relapse'; Pictured 2020

Needing a break: The TV star also explained that the loss of her mother caused her to lapse into depression: 'After the loss of my mother I really struggled with depression followed by a lyme relapse.the emotional stress and grief strongly effected my immune system'

'Anyway this has been a wonderful reset, time to break the habit of picking up my phone 50 times a day.'

The Real Housewives alum stated that she was able to, 'focus on myself, my health journey and being present in this moment of my life.'

To finish off her caption, Yolanda added how her life has changed for the better since her nine month break.

'Time has slowed down and feels a lot calmer, more time to just sit and actually read a book, time to reconnect with people, be creative and most importantly time with my family.'

Her daughter Bella, 25, seemed to also share her mother's joy and typed out, 'We love you,' in the comment section.

Focus: Yolanda explained that she took the nine month break from social media to focus on herself and her family; Pictured with daughters Bella, 25, and Gigi, 27

Devoted grandmother: Yolanda is pictured with Gigi's daughter, Khai, one, as she learns to ride a pony

During an interview on the Wendy Williams Show, Yolanda opened up about her struggle with Lyme disease and the time it took to properly diagnosis the health problem.

'At first, for maybe a year, a year and a half, I was just kind of thinking I'm tired, I have the flu,' she explained.

Doctors at first told her that she had chronic fatigue, but she expressed that, 'Something was eating my brain. I can't think anymore. I mean, I forgot the alphabet, I forgot how to read a book.'

After meeting with a specialist abroad in Belgium, the mom of three was officially diagnosed with 'chronic neurlogoical Lyme disease.' Both her daughter, Bella, and her son, Anwar, 23, also have the disease.
Calvin Harris is said to have spent a whopping 1million on his fiancee Vick Hope's engagement ring.

It emerged the DJ, 38, and TV and radio presenter Vick, 32, were engaged in May this year after a whirlwind five-month romance.

However it is claimed the couple are planning a low-key ceremony for their big day, with an insider told The Sun: 'Although it is a stunning ring and extremely expensive, the couple arent going for a flashy or expensive wedding.

Splashing the cash: Calvin Harris is said to have spent a whopping 1million on his fiancee Vick Hope's engagement ring (couple pictured in May)

'The extravagance of the rock will eclipse how much theyre going to spend on the big day itself as they want to keep it low key and simple with just a core of close friends and family present.

'Either way, money is no real object for Calvin who has made millions creating hit dance tracks over the past 15 years.'

Vick was spotted wearing her diamond engagement ring at the Chelsea Flower Show in May after Calvin popped the question underneath a tree at his Ibiza farm, Terra Masia.

Love story: It emerged the DJ, 38, and TV and radio presenter Vick, 32, were engaged in May this year after a whirlwind five-month romance

A source told MailOnline at the time: 'Calvin and Vick's relationship has moved quickly but they're smitten with each other.

'They could not be happier and are already planning their wedding, which is set to take place in Ibiza, where they grew close during Vick's secret visits to the White Isle.

'After keeping their relationship private, they decided to go public at the Chelsea Flower Show on Monday, they want everyone to now know their happy news.'

In April, Vick shared a photo of a tree at Calvin's 138-acre farm, Terra Masia.

Calvin had previously posted the same tree, where he later proposed to Vick, on his own Instagram account.

Persistence: Scottish DJ Calvin has been pursuing Vick for over a decade, having first asked her out when she was 19 (pictured in May)

Vick also teased an image of the couple on the beach in Ibiza by posting a picture of her feet alongside a man's foot believed to be Calvin's.

Calvin has liked every one of Vick's Instagram pictures since January, when he showed his admiration for her bikini photos taken in Mexico.

Vick's romance with Calvin hasn't gone unnoticed by her Radio 1 co-star Jordan North, 32, who regularly teases her about their closeness live on their show.

Calvin first pursued former Strictly star Vick, who appeared on the BBC series in 2018, ten years ago.

She revealed during her days co-hosting the Capital FM Breakfast Show in 2018 that Calvin had asked her out when she was 19 but she turned him down because she was unimpressed with his looks.

Secret visits: In April, Vick shared a photo of the same tree Calvin had previously posted on his own Instagram account, located on his farm

Home sweet home: Calvin posted an image on Instagram of him hugging the same tree in August 2021, where he later proposed to fiancee Vick

However, since his A-list makeover, which even led to an Emporio Armani underwear shoot, she admitted to regretting the decision, comparing his new look to an 'Adonis.'

Breakfast host, Roman Kemp, 29, revealed: 'Calvin Harris asked Vick out on a date when he did Acceptable in the 80s.'

Vick replied: 'He looked how he used to look, I was shallow, I was 19, and I said no and I went off with either Scouting for Girls, or The Wombats, I don't which, I thought they were going to be bigger but no, it turns out Calvin Harris was going to turn into an Adonis.'

Calvin reportedly split from model girlfriend Aarika Wolf in March while Vick has been publicly single since breaking up from boyfriend of four years, Tom Rosenthal.

The multi-millionaire DJ has previously dated pop stars Rita Ora, 31, Taylor Swift, 32, and Ellie Goulding, 35.

After selling his two multi-million-pound mansions in Los Angeles two years ago, Calvin snapped up a 138-acre farm called Terra Masia in Ibiza, where he now resides.
Kaia Gerber showed off the latest upcoming looks from the winter collection of French luxury brand Celine on social media.

The 20-year-old model wore Celina silk boxers and Celine high boots in a black-and-white photo by Hedi Slimane Photography posted on Saturday on Instagram.

The brunette beauty also displayed a new Celine chain box bag from the winter 2022 collection available in stores and on Celine.com starting on August 26.

French brand: Kaia Gerber showed off the latest looks from French luxury brand Celine on social media

Kaia also was shown in a close-up profile posted on Sunday on Instagram by Celine for the brand's roughly 4.9 million followers.

She wore Celine cat-eye sunglasses along with a cashmere turtleneck and necklace from the brand in the black-and-white image by Hedi Slimane Photography.

Hedi, 54, since February 2018 has been the creative, artistic and image director of Celine.

The French ready-to-wear and leather luxury goods brand was founded in 1945 by Celine Vipiana and her husband Richard.

Silk boxers: The 20-year-old model wore Celina silk boxers and Celine high boots in a black-and-white photo by Hedi Slimane Photography posted on Saturday on Instagram

Celine has been owned by LVMH group since 1996 and the brand has about 180 stores worldwide.

Kaia is the daughter of supermodel Cindy Crawford, 56, and businessman Rande Gerber, 60.

She has an older brother Presley, 23.

Model mom: Kaia is shown last November with her supermodel mom Cindy Crawford

Kaia has been in a relationship with actor Austin Butler, 30, after first being linked romantically in December 2021.

Austin recently headed to Budapest, Hungary to shoot the Dune sequel.

Kaia also has been making a name for herself as an actress. She stars in the new short film The Palisades, which premiered last week at LA Shorts International Film Festival. The 13-minute long film is billed on IMDb as 'an exploration into the subtleties of female friendship' and was directed by Carissa Gallo.

The Los Angeles native last year also starred in three episodes of American Horror Stories, and four episodes of American Horror Story: Double Feature.

She also has a recurring role in the Apple TV+ period comedy miniseries Mrs. American Pie that started shooting in May. The series stars Kristen Wiig, Laura Dern, Allison Janey, Leslie Bibb, Ricky Martin and Carol Burnett.
War And Justice: The Case Of Marine A (C4)

Rating:

Extreme Heights Repair Team (Dave)

Rating:

Was Panoramas production team watching? And did they squirm with shame to see sensitive, balanced, unbiased reporting in action?

Last months scurrilous BBC1 attack on British special forces in Afghanistan was a catalogue of unsubstantiated smears. Even the title was prejudicial: SAS Death Squads Exposed: A British War Crime?

In complete contrast, War And Justice: The Case Of Marine A (C4) carefully examined the case of Sgt Alexander Blackman, accused of murder on the battlefield, and allowed viewers to make up their own minds.

Sgt Alexander Blackman was accused of murder on the battlefield

War reporter Chris Terrill summarised the role of the Royal Marines: They were there to draw fire, the red rag to the Taliban bull  human bait to invite the attack.

Many Mail readers already knew exactly what they thought. It was a travesty that the Royal Marines veteran was in jail after being placed in a challenging position during combat. The Mails forthright campaign raised 810,000 for the legal appeal that won him freedom. His voice cracked as he expressed his gratitude for your generosity.

Video images from J Companys patrols headcams, in the opium-poppy fields of Helmand in 2011, cannot be screened. But the audio was so graphic that every detail was imprinted on the minds eye.

After a U.S. Apache helicopter chased down two Taliban terrorists, raking the fields with hundreds of machine gun rounds, Sgt Blackman and his men were sent in. War reporter Chris Terrill summarised the role of the Royal Marines: They were there to draw fire, the red rag to the Taliban bull  human bait to invite the attack.

To prosecute Sgt Blackman for his decision, taken in the heat of battle, was a twisted piece of legal logic

War And Justice: The Case Of Marine A allows viewers to make their own mind up about the case

One of the enemy fighters was mortally wounded but alive. The British troops faced a bitter dilemma. If they summoned medics to evacuate the dying man, insurgents might attack the helicopter with rocket-propelled grenades.

Sgt Blackman despatched the Afghan with a shot to the chest. He knew he was in breach of the Geneva Convention  but the alternative was to let him bleed to death.

Minutes earlier, U.S. air crew had fired more than 300 armour-piercing bullets at the two enemy fighters toting AK47s who had attacked an Army outpost. While technically not unarmed, their weapons might as well have been peashooters against a helicopter gunship. Thats war.

Sgt Blackman came across as a resilient, honest man, but the real heroine was his campaigning wife Claire

To prosecute Sgt Blackman for his decision, taken in the heat of battle, was a twisted piece of legal logic  or, as novelist Frederick Forsyth put it, as bent as a corkscrew. Trying to straighten out the complexities, this documentary flipped back and forward in time, occasionally tying itself in knots. Dates flashed up on a board like a railway timetable, but it would have been better to set out the events in chronological order.

Sgt Blackman came across as a resilient, honest man, but the real heroine was his campaigning wife Claire. I came to see this as a real love story, said lawyer Jonathan Goldberg. Without Claire he would still be rotting in prison. And, very probably, without the Mails readers too.

Abseiling steeplejack and forces veteran Eric Phillips described his work, on Extreme Heights Repair Team (Dave), as kinda like what I was doing in the military but not getting shot at.

Forces veteran Eric Phillips on Extreme Heights Repair Team and his crews work, as they rappelled down the 645ft concrete wall of New Bullards dam in California, was accompanied by ominous electronic rumblings and a breathless voiceover.

U.S. documentaries do love to exaggerate the machismo of their subjects. Even a film about the mating cycle of the dormouse is bound to be flammed up into a epic tale of sex and savagery.

Eric and his crews work, as they rappelled down the 645ft concrete wall of New Bullards dam in California, was accompanied by ominous electronic rumblings and a breathless voiceover.

Thats one of those moments that take about a year off your life, gasped narrator Trask Bradbury, as a metal hook creaked slightly. The more he urged us to be thrilled, the duller it got.
Peta Murgatroyd was open and honest with her fans on Sunday as she spoke candidly about her IVF process.

The 36-year-old professional dancer shared several video clips to Instagram as she recounted her rough morning.

'Of course it's the hardest at the end, right? To get what you want  to get this beautiful baby,' she said.

Speaking up: Peta Murgatroyd was open and honest with her fans on Sunday as she spoke candidly about her IVF process

The New Zealandborn beauty revealed that it was her first morning injecting the hormone progesterone.

She began to tear up as she said, 'I looked at the injections and I'm like, "Holy crap."'

She picked up a transparent packet with the needle secured inside and held it up to the camera to show viewers.

'It's really big,' she marveled before telling her nearly one million followers she remembered a nurse suggesting that her husband lend a hand with it.

Sharing her struggle: The 35-year-old professional dancer shared several video clips to Instagram as she recounted her rough morning

Speaking vulnerably she admitted she forgot what intramuscular meant and thought she'd be fine without help.

In one snippet she noted that her husband, Maksim Chmerkovskiy, had left earlier and she needed to take the hormone by 10am.

Peta added the detail that she'd have to use the needle in her butt, 'which is good, but it's like really actually hard to turn around that much.'

'I'm flexible,' she said, 'but to bend my back around to get the meatiest part of the butt is f***ing challenging.

'Everything is getting upped,' the Dancing With the Stars alum added. 'I've quadrupled my estrogen, I'm still on aspirin, I'm starting antibiotics...' she rattled off.

She ultimately had to give herself a pep talk. 'I just kept telling myself, "Peta, get it in. Be grateful. Move on with your day. Stop crying."'

Positive: The mother-of-one credited her son Shai with keeping her 'grounded' and making 'this all worth it'

The mother-of-one credited her son Shai with keeping her 'grounded' and making 'this all worth it.'

The blonde beauty shared a photo with the five-year-old boy and added, 'I look at him and I want 4 more babies. He is my everything and I cannot wait to give him a brother or sister.'

She previously shared information about her quest for a second child at the end of June.

Sharing a video of herself in a hospital she wrote, 'Taking you guys on this journey with me for baby no: 2 is actually kinda special and incredible. I love sharing stuff with you all, and well.this is me being as transparent as possible.'

Procedure: Murgatroyd shared a video where she took her first in vitro fertilization injection, starting her journey with her IG followers

Prior to that, Murgatroyd spoke to People about enduring three miscarriages in just two years.

Peta recalled feeling 'petrified, embarrassed, and ashamed' after she miscarried for the first time in a Whole Foods bathroom in the fall of 2020.

Nine months later she lost a second baby, days before she planned to share the pregnancy news with Maks.

The third miscarriage came last October while Maks was in the Ukraine filming the country's version of Dancing With the Stars.
They welcomed their first child - a baby girl named Mia - on March 25.

And The Block's Luke Packham and his fiancee Olivia celebrated their daughter's baptism over the weekend at The King's School in Paramatta.

On Sunday, Luke shared photos of the special day on his Instagram page, along with the caption - 'A special day for Mia's baptism and her Godparents! A lovely day spent with all our loved ones that we will cherish forever '.

The Block's Luke Packham and his fiancee Olivia celebrated their daughter's baptism over the weekend at The Kings School in Paramatta

The couple dressed their little one in a gorgeous white lace dress and wore matching light ensembles.

Olivia looked stunning in a white lace shirt worn underneath a white waistcoat and trousers.

Meanwhile, Luke was dapper in a cream three-piece suit, which matched his partner's ensemble.

Back in March, Luke shared a sweet photo alongside his adorable newborn daughter as they celebrated her one month milestone.

'One month loving you, my gorgeous girl ' he captioned the post.

The couple dressed their little one in a gorgeous white lace dress and wore matching light ensembles

Back in March, Luke shared a sweet photo alongside his adorable newborn daughter as they celebrated her one month milestone

Luke and his lawyer partner announced the arrival of their first child on March 29.

At the time, he shared a photo of the newborn clasping his finger, writing: 'Our little Mia Jessica Packham was born yesterday!'

'She is healthy and doing great. We love her so very much! I will be uploading some photos of her in the near future,' he continued.

Baby joy! Luke and his lawyer partner announced the arrival of their first child on March 29

Alongside a photo of the newborn clasping his finger, he old wrote: 'Our little Mia Jessica Packham was born yesterday!'

The couple revealed last year that they were expecting their first child together.

'It wasn't planned but we always said, "If it happens, it happens", and that's how we've approached the situation, but we were both stoked when we found out,' the Love Island Australia star gushed to Woman's Day magazine.

Luke and Olivia became engaged in October last year, and were originally planning to tie the knot in late 2021.

Getting married: Luke announced his engagement to Olivia last year in October, sharing this sweet photo of himself and his new fiancee

Luke announced his engagement to Olivia during a diving expedition in Byron Bay last year, sharing the news on Instagram with a heartfelt post.

'Took this girl diving today and popped the question at the bottom of the ocean! Was a moment I will remember forever,' he wrote next to a photo of the couple embracing on a boat.

Olivia proudly showed off her new diamond ring, while also holding a laminated piece of paper that read: 'OLIVIA JESSICA KISS you make me the happiest man. WILL YOU MARRY ME?'
The United States has begun working on brand new types of weapons that would help it keep up with China's military advancement and let it be able to deter a potential invasion of Taiwan.

American military officials have continuously stressed that they consider China the main "pacing challenge" for development and engagement. This means that Beijing is a competitor that is making significant progress toward challenging U.S. defense strategy on the international stage.

U.S. Navy Advancement

One way that the U.S. Navy has identified water-born drones is an affordable but effective means of delaying that challenge. Furthermore, the Navy's 5th Fleet has already deployed smaller drones of this nature in waters off the Middle East.

During the summer, four of the largest drones currently deployed will take part in a multi-nation naval exercise in the Pacific Ocean. The drones would allow the U.S. Navy to maintain fleet size in comparison to China's growing fleet while also achieving three other goals.

These are weapons range, scouting, and command and control and the technology would also avoid costly mistakes that have arisen with traditional ships in recent years. Officials said that several combat ships found after deployment had a variety of issues, as per Fox News.

This includes propulsion problems that lead to the early retirement of the ships, the ammo for a stealth destroyer's "Advanced Gun System" proving too costly to maintain, and a new aircraft carrier showing issues with its launch system.

Read Also: Donald Trump Blasts Biden Administration's Idea of Prisoner Swap with Russia Amid Brittney Griner's Case

However, critics have argued that the Navy rushed too much regarding the addition of new technology to its vessels. Cmdr. Jeremiah Daley, on the other hand, said it was a matter of "moving the technology forward and having confidence in the capability."

According to the Associated Press, the situation comes as Moscow has accused the U.S. of "navigation bullying" in the South China Sea. China blasted a top U.S. Navy official on Friday after the latter criticized Beijing's increasingly aggressive actions in the South China Sea.

South China Sea

The Chinese official said that America's military deployments in the disputed waters, which it called "navigation bullying" could spark confrontations. The Chinese Embassy in Manila also said that it strongly deployed U.S. Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro's remarks, which were "unfounded accusations against and maliciously smeared China" and inflated the "China threat."

On Tuesday, Del Toro underscored how Beijing has encroached on the sovereign waters of its Asian neighbors in violation of international law. He said that the U.S. military's focus in the Asia-Pacific region, particularly in the disputed South China Sea, would never slacken and, in fact, has intensified despite the war in Ukraine.

Furthermore, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has planned a trip to Taiwan over rising tensions with Moscow. The official set off from California on Saturday to begin a tour of several Asian nations that may include a stop in the island nation of 23 million people.

The visit would come as China claims Taiwan, a self-governing island democracy, as its territory, and has vowed to take it back under its control, threatening force if necessary. During a call on Thursday, Chinese President Xi Jinping sharply warned United States President Joe Biden against intervening in the dispute, the New York Times reported.



Related Article: [Report] China Warns To Shoot US Jets Escorting Nancy Pelosi If House Speaker Continue Plan To Visit Taiwan

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It was party time at the Headliner Oasis club.

Cast members from Jersey Shore: Family Vacation were spotted as they left one of their favorite haunts on Sunday in Neptune, New Jersey.

The famous partiers made their way past hundreds of fans who had their phones out ready to catch a glimpse of the reality stars they walked by a gated area.

Party time: Cast members from Jersey Shore: Family Vacation visited one of their favorite bars in Neptune, NJ, Sunday. Deena Nicole Cortese, 35, looked beach ready in a pair of red, black and white palazzo pants with a coordinating bra top

Deena Nicole Cortese, 35, looked beach ready in a pair of red, black and white palazzo pants with a coordinating bra top. She carried a matching jacket and styled her dark hair in long layers.

She was with her husband, Chris Buckner, who wore a tan T-shirt, knee-length denim shorts and sneakers.

She was followed by Vinny Guadagnino, 34, and Mike 'The Situation' Sorrentino, 40.

Vinny looked fit in a graphic T-shirt, dark shorts and sneakers. His beard was closely cropped as was his hair. The Double Shot At Love host wore dark sunglasses as he shared fist bumps with waiting fans.

'The Situation' kept it casual in a pair of denim shorts and a black crewneck T-shirt. His hair was closely cropped on the sides with highlights on the top.

The boys! Vinny Guadagnino, 34, looked fit in a graphic t-shirt, dark shorts and sneakers. Mike 'The Situation' Sorrentino, 40, kept it casual in a pair of denim shorts and a black crewneck T-shirt

Fan favorite Nicole 'Snooki' Polizzi, 34, looked shore chic in a floral bucket hat, a low cut black top with an empire waist, Daisy Dukes and black platform sandals.

Her castmate Angelina Pivarnick, 36, chose a sexy mini-skirt with a cross over scarf halter top and high heel sandals. She styled her long hair straight and completed the look with dark sunglasses.

Jenni 'JWoww' Farley, 37, kept with the basic black theme, donning a black bra top and biker shorts. She highlighted the look with a neon yellow duster and high heel sandals with clear straps.

High Heels: Nicole 'Snooki' Polizzi, 34, looked shore chic in a floral bucket hat, a low cut black top with an empire waist, Daisy Dukes and black platform sandals. Angelina Pivarnick, 36, chose a sexy mini-skirt, scarf halter top and high heel sandals

She was accompanied by Ronnie Ortiz-Magro, 36, who showed off his bulging arms in gray muscle shirt. He kept his beard closely trimmed and wore dark shorts, sunglasses and a billed cap as he left the club.

The castmates first came together in 2009 for the Jersey Shore reality show, which ran until 2012. They group re-united in 2018 for Jersey Shore: Family Vacation, in which they take trips to various cities to discover the night life.

Jenni and Snooki are teaming up for a new reality show, Celebrity Shore, which is currently in pre-production.
Angelina Jolie took to Instagram on Sunday to reveal where her daughter Zahara will be attending college.

The 47-year-old actress posted a photo of Zahara, 17, along with a few of her new classmates.

'Zahara with her Spelman sisters! Congratulations to all new students starting this year. A very special place and an honor to have a family member as a new Spelman girl,' Angelina wrote in the caption for her roughly 13.3 million followers.

College bound: Angelina Jolie took to Instagram on Sunday to reveal where her daughter Zahara will be attending college

The photo showed Zahara crouching in the center and beaming while posing with Spelman College students.

Spelman College located in Atlanta was founded in 1881 and received its collegiate charter in 1924.

The private, historically black women's liberal arts college is the oldest private HBCU liberal arts college for women in the US.

Angelina adopted Zahara in 2005 from an orphanage in Ethiopia and she also was later adopted by her ex-husband Brad Pitt, 58.

Special place: 'Zahara with her Spelman sisters! Congratulations to all new students starting this year. A very special place and an honor to have a family member as a new Spelman girl,' Angelina, shown last October in Rome, wrote in the caption for her roughly 13.3 million followers

Brad and Angelina also are parents to Maddox, 20; Pax, 18' Shiloh, 16; and 14-year-old twins Knox and Vivienne.

Angelina has been in Europe recently directing her new film Without Blood, based on the international-bestselling novel of the same name by Italian writer Alessandro Baricco, 64.

She is set to write, direct and produce the film starring Salma Hayek, 55, and Demian Bichir, 59.

Proud mom: Angelina adopted Zahara, shown together last September in Beverly Hills, California, in 2005 from an orphanage in Ethiopia and she also was later adopted by her ex-husband Brad Pitt

Angelina and Brad split six years ago and he was declared legally single three years ago amid a bitter custody battle for their children.

Brad has been seeing a new woman, but is not in a 'serious' relationship, a source told People on Wednesday.

'He's dating, but is not in a serious relationship,' the insider said about the Hollywood icon who was previously wed to Friends vet Jennifer Aniston and engaged to Gwyneth Paltrow.
Lil Durk says he's going to be taking a break from the stage in the wake of an onstage accident Saturday at Lollapalooza in Chicago involving a pyrotechnic explosive.

'Due to the incident that happened at Lollapalooza in Chicago on stage, Ima take a break & focus on my health,' said the 29-year-old musical artist, whose real name is Durk Derrick Banks. 'I finished my performance yesterday for my fans. Appreciate yall.'

In an accompanying photo, the Chicago native was seen with a bandage over his right eye while seated in a medical facility.

The latest: Lil Durk, 29, says he's going to be taking a break from the stage in the wake of an onstage accident Saturday at Lollapalooza in Chicago involving a pyrotechnic explosive

In the incident, Lil Durk was performing his track Back In Blood when he accidentally made contact with a pair of pyrotechnic smoke flares, Variety reported.

In a clip on Plugged Soundz Instagram, the Broadway Girls hitmaker was seen rubbing his shirt on his eyes in the wake of making contact.

Crew members were seen rushing to help the musical artist, which a voice on the microphone said, 'Woah, woah, you alright, bro? [The smoke] shot straight up.'

Lil Durk did not leave the stage amid the series of events, and finished his set, saying, 'F*** it, no more smoke, lets do it,' according to Page Six.

Rocking out: He was seen prior to the accident performing at Lollapalooza at Grant Park in Chicago

Staying busy: Lil Durk has more than 20 shows slated through the middle of October, as of Sunday

According to Billboard, Lil Durk has more than 20 shows slated through the middle of October, as of Sunday.

He received kind words on his social media post from colleagues including Trippie Redd, who wrote, 'Damn get better bro,' while 2Rare wrote, 'Get well broski.'

Swizz Beatz said, 'Get well King, while T.I. wrote, 'Shake back King.'

Among the other performers at the Lollapalooza festival this weekend at Grant Park in Chicago included J. Cole, Willow Smith, Jhene Aiko and Big Sean on Saturday, while Sunday's concert included Green Day and BTS artist J-Hope.

Scary: In the incident, Lil Durk was performing his track Back In Blood when he accidentally made contact with a pair of pyrotechnic smoke flares
She's been keeping a low profile since giving birth to her first child with beau A$AP Rocky in May.

But Rihanna made an Instagram appearance on Sunday via her lingerie brand Savage X Fenty.

The 34-year-old mogul showed off her ample cleavage as she posed in a spiced orange camisole, part of the line's Dolled Up Xtra VIP Box.

New post: Rihanna made an Instagram appearance on Sunday via her lingerie brand Savage X Fenty

Riri's dark hair was styled in a precise center part and cascaded over her shoulders in a bone straight look.

The music sensation's chest nearly spilled out of the top, which featured a 'printed cotton-like floral lace trim,' as the Savage X Fenty site described it.

The deep V-neck design was punctuated by a small bow at the center and it boasted a lightly ruffled, flowing body.

The item also had matching shorts, which the Barbados-born pop star modeled in the sexy, shadowy image.

Successful: This past May marked four years since the creative launched the inclusive, subversive line of intimates

In the photo Rihanna wore a long gold chain around her neck that fell between the crevice of her chest, drawing the eyes to the top.

She flaunted her curves as she sat on a plush, cream-colored rug with her hip poking out.

The caption read, 'All dolled up For no one but ya d-mn self,' before directing followers to 'grab the new Dolled Up Xtra VIP Box.'

This past May marked four years since the creative launched the inclusive, subversive line of intimates.

Cute: The four-year Savage X Fenty anniversary was celebrated with a festive Instagram Reels video that featured a voiceover from Rihanna, whose full name is Robyn Rihanna Fenty

The milestone was celebrated with a festive Instagram Reels video that featured a voiceover from Rihanna, whose full name is Robyn Rihanna Fenty.

As various clips showed the superstar wearing pieces from the range, she said, 'My vision for the Savage X brand has always been having women feel confident in expressing themselves.'

The caption said, 'Our fearless Founder, @badgalriri, envisioned a line where everyBODY could feel confident & sexy. And in 4 short years, we've Xpanded beyond our wildest wild thoughts. But dont get it twisted. This really is just the beginning'

Rihanna has also branched out with skincare and beauty lines respectively dubbed Fenty Skin and Fenty Beauty.

Earlier this month she reportedly filed a trademark to extend her empire with a haircare brand.
Hilary Duffs husband Matthew Koma called out Candace Cameron Bure Friday for her use of the Bruce Springsteen classic Born in the U.S.A. in a TikTok clip this past July 4.

In a TikTok clip, Koma, 35, was in side-by-side frames with Cameron Bure, 46, when he spoke about the meaning of the 1984 song from Springsteen.

'Yeah that, the song youre playing? Yeah, its about veterans coming home from Vietnam and being treated like s***,' Koma said. 'Yeah, its not about the Fourth of July.'

The latest: Hilary Duffs husband Matthew Koma, 35, called out Candace Cameron Bure, 46, Friday for her use of the Bruce Springsteen classic Born in the U.S.A. in a TikTok clip this past July 4

In the clip on Independence Day, Cameron Bure said 'Happy Fourth of July!' as she donned a patriotic ensemble of a red shirt that read 'God Bless America' with a headpiece of red, white and blue stars atop a black cap that read, 'God is Good.'

Springsteen, 72, has past commented on the 'certain social context' of the popular song in interviews.

Chatting with MuchMoreMusic decades back, the musical icon said that 'the country had veered to the right, and the Republicans at the time were basically attempting to co-opt anything American,' adding that 'Born in the U.S.A. was a song of rebellion.'

On the Renegades: Born in the U.S.A. podcast with former President Barack Obama last year, Springsteen explained how the song tracked the feelings of a fictional Vietnam veteran and how he viewed his country following the war.

In a TikTok clip, Koma was in side-by-side frames with Cameron Bure when he spoke about the meaning of the 1984 song from Springsteen

Koma said of the 1984 rock staple: 'Its about veterans coming home from Vietnam and being treated like s***'

'This is a song about the pain, glory, shame of identity and of place,' Springsteen said. 'So its a complex picture of the country. Our protagonist is someone who has been betrayed by his nation and yet still feels deeply connected to the country that he grew up in.'

The New Jersey native noted that 'has been appropriated ... because it was so powerful' and 'because its imagery was so fundamentally American.

'But it did demand of you to hold two contradictory ideas in your mind at one time: that you could both be very critical of your nation and very prideful of your nation simultaneously. And that is something that you see argued about to this very day.'

In the clip on Independence Day, Cameron Bure said 'Happy Fourth of July!' as she donned a patriotic ensemble of a red shirt that read 'God Bless America' with a headpiece of red, white and blue stars atop a black cap that read, 'God is Good'

Koma wrote the post to Cameron Bure after Dance Moms personality JoJo Siwa, 19, last week called her 'the rudest celebrity' shed ever met

Springsteen, snapped last year in NYC, previously said of the song that 'the country had veered to the right, and the Republicans at the time were basically attempting to co-opt anything American,' adding that 'Born in the U.S.A. was a song of rebellion'

Koma, who exchanged vows with Duff, 34, in December of 2019, wrote the post to Cameron Bure after Dance Moms personality JoJo Siwa, 19, last week called her 'the rudest celebrity' shed ever met.

Siwa said that she when she was 12, she had approached Cameron Bure at a 2016 event for the premiere of Fuller House, and Cameron Bure had turned down her request to take a picture with her, but had done so for others.

'It was at the afterparty that she didnt wanna take a picture with me, and I was OK with that,' Siwa said. 'But then I turned around, and when I looked back, she was taking pictures with other kids.'

Siwa told Page Six that she and Cameron Bure 'did speak on the phone' after her recollection went viral on social media.
Michelle Keegan and Mark Wright have reunited for a romantic date day after spending eight weeks apart while the actress filmed her new BBC drama in Australia.

The former soap star, 35, and the TV presenter, 35, enjoyed a romantic harbour cruise in Sydney in Sunday, days after Mark shed a rare light on the couple's marriage by sharing the secret to making their long-distance relationship work.

Michelle and Mark cruised past the iconic Opera House and Harbour Bridge to the Sydney coastal suburb of Manly, where they stopped off for a drink and a bite to eat.

Back together: Michelle Keegan and Mark Wright have reunited for a romantic date day after spending eight weeks apart while the actress filmed her new BBC drama in Australia

The couple, who have been married since 2015 and together since 2012, then got dressed up and headed out for a slap-up dinner at Cantonese restaurant, Mr. Wong.

Mark seemed to be loving his time in Sydney, with the former TOWIE star taking to Instagram to document a sea swim on Monday and heap praise on the Australian way of life.

He wrote: 'The lifestyle out here is like no other. Laidback, healthy and nothing is any trouble to anyone.'

Michelle has been hard at work in Australia for the past eight weeks shooting her latest project, new BBC drama Ten Pound Poms, set in the 1950s.

Day of fun: The former soap star, 35, and the TV presenter, 35, enjoyed a romantic harbour cruise in Sydney in Sunday

Cheers to that! The couple, who have been married since 2015, then got dressed up and headed out for a slap-up dinner at Cantonese restaurant, Mr. Wong

The actress will star as a young nurse named Kate in the six-part period drama, who arrives in Australia without her fiance and will do whatever it takes to try and rewrite her devastating past.

Ten Pound Poms tells the tale of a group of Brits as they leave dreary post-war Britain in 1956 to embark on a life-altering adventure on the other side of the world.

For only 10 , they have been promised a better house, better job prospects and a better quality of life by the sea in sun-soaked Australia.

But life down under isn't the idyllic dream the new arrivals have been promised. Struggling with their new identity as immigrants, the drama follows their triumphs and pitfalls as they adapt to a new life in a new country.

Down Under: Mark seemed to be loving his time in Sydney, with the former TOWIE star taking to Instagram to document a sea swim on Monday and heap praise on the Australian way of life

New project: Michelle has been hard at work in Australia for the past eight weeks shooting her latest project, new BBC drama Ten Pound Poms, set in the 1950s

Last week, Michelle's husband Mark shed rare light on the couple's long-distance marriage as he admitted being in the same industry has made their relationship easier.

Speaking to MailOnline, Mark said he and Michelle 'support each other' to achieve all of their 'goals and dreams'.

Speaking about their relationship, he said: 'I think both being in the same industry really helps. Because we get each other's careers, and we totally understand it.

'Essentially, we both just want each other to achieve all of our goals and all of our dreams and we just support each other every step of the way for that, you know.'

Mark recently said: 'If you're in love and in a happy relationship you will be happy to see each other.

'We support each other': Last week, Mark admitted being in the same industry has made their relationship easier (pictured together in May)

'You have to learn that you've been together for a long time and not seen each other in three weeks so it's exciting at first but then it goes back to being a 10 year relationship.

'The longer you go, the more pressure there is because the longer it's been. But I was in LA and had a dinner with Piers Morgan and I told him it was hard. He said: 'I had this with my wife and we have a three weeks rule so don't let it go past three weeks.''

When asked about their current situation, Mark said: 'It's tough though with Australia, it's a lot of flying.'

It was recently reported Michelle is to take in 2.5m from her TV work, as she and husband Mark are thought to be TV's richest young couple.

With an estimated combined net worth of around 12m, it's no wonder the pair are splashing the cash into their luxe new 'dream home' - a 1.3million Essex mansion.
Love Island fans have slammed Luca Bish for 'overreacting' to being voted for by his fellow Islanders for least compatible couple, hours after his mother told him to watch his behaviour.

The fishmonger, 23, was greeted by his mum and dad in the meet the parents episode on Sunday, and they didn't hold back in giving him a telling off.

Luca asked his parents what they thought of his behaviour and they hinted at him they were less than impressed with how he was towards Tasha on occasion.

Unpopular: Love Island fans have slammed Luca Bish for 'overreacting' to being voted for by his fellow Islanders for least compatible couple, hours after his mother told him to watch his behaviour

His mum said, 'We've laughed, we've cried, and there have been times when I've wanted to come in and give you a good telling off. Just sometimes overreacting. Well, Luca, when you come home we'll have a chat about it.'

Luca asked, 'But do you think with the Tasha stuff, I came on a bit strong,' and his mother replied, 'Do you know what? You've resolved it. That's the main thing. Yeah, you did overstep the mark.'

He added: 'If I've done wrong I know it and hearing you two say it is even more...'

It comes after Love Island has been the subject of more than 5,000 complaints to broadcasting watchdog Ofcom in the past two weeks, relating to alleged 'misogynistic behaviour' and 'bullying' by some of the male contestants, including Luca.

Reprimanded: The fishmonger, 23, was greeted by his mum and dad in the meet the parents episode on Sunday, and they didn't hold back in giving him a telling off

Fans took to Twitter to applaud Luca's parents for calling him out for his actions.

One said: 'the fact that lucas parents even know hes overreacting abt everything speaks volumes'.

While another echoed: 'Atleast Lucas mum told him he was being a d******d the guys a knob!'

A third tweeted out: 'luca even ur mum told you to calm down #loveisland'.

Put in his place: Fans took to Twitter to applaud Luca's parents for calling him out for his actions

However, it appears Luca did not want to heed his parents' advice, after only hours later he kicked off about being in the public vote.

After being saved, he sat down at the firepit and muttered to Gemma Owen: 'Ooh Im gonna have some fun tonight,' suggesting he was about to kick off.

Later, Luca said: 'The people I voted for I dont give a f**k', adding that he sounded 'angry' because: F**king all I know is how good me and Gemma are, but then three of you voted for me.'

Not happy: However, it appears Luca did not want to heed his parents' advice, after only hours later he kicked off about being in the public vote

He and Gemma sat down with Indiyah Polack and Dami Hope, where they justified their vote for them.

Indiyah explained: 'We know that arguments are normal, but its the stuff that youre arguing about, small little things like you lot in the challenge and your protectiveness, I just feel like it was blown out of proportion.

While Luca tried to argue back, Gemma maturely calmed down the situation, saying: 'Thats their point, they can say it without us trying to fight back.'

Explanation: He and Gemma sat down with Indiyah Polack and Dami Hope, where they justified their vote for them

Viewers at home blasted Luca for his reaction, saying it was both over-the-top and hypocritical, after he had called out Tasha for being upset over being in the bottom and also voted for his fellow Islanders.

One said: 'Luca so bitter that he was voted for when Davide doesnt even care that everyone voted for them. Its a game show. Not that deep.'

Another person pointed out: 'Luca your mum already warned you about your over reactions. Rest man'.

Hypocrite: Viewers at home blasted Luca for his reaction, saying it was both over-the-top and hypocritical, after he had called out Tasha for being upset over being in the bottom

A third echoed: 'luca is such a baby omg how is this a whole grown adult??? like hours after his mum said he needs to watch how he reacts to situations'.

Someone else argued: 'Remember when Luca got angry at Tasha for being upset about being in the bottom 3 and said it shouldnt matter because her and Andrew are together and thats all that matters. And now look at his behaviour tonight. Complete and utter hypocrite.'

A fifth agreed, writing: 'Luca you should be happy just to be in the final with the girl you love, isnt that the same thing you were telling Tasha????'

And a sixth tweeted: 'you know lucas overreacting when even ekin-su isnt making that big of a deal out of it'.
My Kitchen Rules is back.

The hit show will see iconic food star Nigella Lawson join the new season, alongside Manu Feildel, when it starts again on Sunday, August 7 at 7pm.

They will be joined by Matt Preston and guest judges Colin Fassnidge and Curtis Stone.

Once again the teams will be split into two groups.

Meet the teams vying to impress Nigella Lawson and Manu Feildel on the My Kitchen Rules reboot

Janelle and Monzir, NSW, Dating

Janelle and Monzir, NSW, Dating

Sassy baker Janelle, 27, and partner Monzir, 26, are dating and intend of showing the judges they have what it takes to be on the show.

The couple have solid teamwork and a winning menu that draws on their blended Turkish/Filipino and Sudanese heritage.

A dab hand on the barbecue, Monzir loves full-flavoured spice rubs and cooking over coals with his two special ingredients: chilli and peanut butter.

Dubbed by friends as the 'Kardashian of cakes', Janelle runs a successful cake decorating business, has a fine eye for detail which must be 'perfect'.

Steven and Frena, SA, Engaged

Steven and Frena, SA, Engaged

South Australian lovebirds Steven, 31, and Frena, 25, believe their rock-solid relationship is one of their biggest strengths in the MKR competition.

Growing-up between Singapore and Malaysia, Frena loves Chinese, Indonesian and Javanese flavours and has loved the kitchen since she was five.

Fiance Steven was born in Australia to British parents and experienced a childhood filled with his gran's roast dinners.

In the kitchen, the couple work as one making their curry pastes, condiments and pasta from scratch.

A win in the competition would kick-start their dream of opening a Malaysian street cafe in Adelaide.

Ashlee and Mat, WA, Foodie parents

Ashlee and Mat, WA, Foodie parents

Margaret River's husband and wife team, Ashlee, 36, and Mat, 39, have a wide range of cuisines under their belt coming into the MKR competition.

Ashlee is speedy in the kitchen  and although Mat operates at a 'slightly slower' pace  the couple of 18 years make a powerful team, have strong food knowledge and know how to balance flavours.

The pair love entertaining, but Ashlee has one hard and fast rule for visiting friends and family: she plans and cooks all breakfast, lunch and dinner menus.

Kate and Mary, QLD, Fine diners

Kate and Mary, QLD, Fine diners

Radiation therapists and close friends Kate and Mary love to host dinner parties and long lunches, bringing people together through food.

They have an immense passion for cooking with high-end premium ingredients and favour no-fuss simple cooking served on share platters.

They don't believe in wasting time on bad food or being timid with constructive criticism. Visiting and critiquing new restaurants is one of their favourite sports!

Arrnott and Fuzz, NSW, fashionista friends

Arrnott and Fuzz, NSW, fashionista friends

Besties Arrnott, 44, and Fuzz, 34, call themselves the 'fabulous Fijians' and were drawn together by their love of cooking, food and creativity.

Fashion stylist Fuzz and designer Arrnott both love making people feel good in their own skin and say food is their love language.

Growing up surrounded by big families who all loved to eat, Arrnott and Fuzz learned to cook from much-loved family members.

Both are excited to showcase their Fijian heritage, serving a slice of tropical paradise through punchy flavours, colours and textures.

Peter and Alice, Vic, Dad and daughter

Peter and Alice, Vic, Dad and daughter

Nothing is off limits for this animated Victorian father and daughter team, Peter, 56, and Alice, 31.

While the pair don't often see eye to eye, both firmly believe in the ethos that there is always room for 'one more' at the family dinner table.

Alice says it's time for her to spread her wings after five years of working in the family cafe.

The teams will be split into two groups again this year. Pictured: Group two

Winning MKR would bring her one step closer to realising her food truck dreams: Asian small eats with big flavours and no fuss.

Former banker Peter wants to open a high tea room, combining his love for baking and entertaining.

Group 2

Che and David, WA, Chilli mates

Che and David, WA, Chilli mates

Che, 43, and David, 35, love chilli. Che owns an award-winning hot sauce company and David is revered in the competitive chilli-eating world.

The pair met on the chilli scene and quickly bonded over all things chilli and cooking.

They describe their entertaining style as relaxed but say teams would be making a big mistake if they underestimated their skill in the kitchen just because they're 'chilli heads.'

Rosie and Hayley, QLD, Aunt and niece

Rosie and Hayley, QLD, Aunt and niece

Rosie, 53, and Hayley, 29, say their relationship has become even closer as they have gotten older.

Rosie, a breast cancer survivor, says her diagnosis changed her, instilling an attitude that sees her make the most of every opportunity.

Rosie's 'life's too short' motto means the pair try not to take themselves too seriously, laugh loud and take chances.

Rosie and Hayley love entertaining friends and family with their casual Italian cooking style.

Rosie's perfectionism and Hayley's can-do attitude, this team is set.

Leanne & Milena, VIC, Italian sisters

Leanne & Milena, VIC, Italian sisters

Italian sisters Leanne, 50, and Milena, 52, are best friends.

The fiery pair learned to cook from their mother, who was constantly in the kitchen cooking for her eight children.

The team describe their cooking style as 'easy' Italian, saying it only takes a few ingredients to make a great-tasting plate.

The sisters, who make their own salami, pancetta, olives and pasta, decided to compete on MKR to put their beloved mum's food on the map.

Nicky and Jose, SA, Spanish foodies

Nicky and Jose, SA, Spanish foodies

Fitness fanatics Nicky, 46, and Jose, 51, live life to the max.

They met on a dancefloor six years ago and have been together since. They are not married or engaged but share a matching tattoo.

Jose is Spanish and grew up around Spanish food, which has been a constant theme in his life with his parents owning a restaurant.

Sophie and Katherine, NSW, Posh friends

Sophie and Katherine, NSW, Posh friends

Sophie, 53, and Katherine, 55, met 18-years-ago on a camping trip and love to cook and laugh together over a wine or two.

The outspoken, fun-loving, entrepreneurial mums own The Dinner Ladies, a successful food service delivering ready-to-eat meals.

Both are confident home cooks who favour nutritious food and showcase fresh ingredients.

They want their instant restaurant to be a warm and inviting space where everyone feels at home.

Matt and KT, VIC, Best friends

Matt and KT, VIC, Best friends

Matt, 36, and KT, 33, met at a friend's 18th birthday party and say theyre more like siblings.

Matt grew up a proud Yamaji man from the Gascoyne region in Western Australia with a nose-to-tail food philosophy.

The pair use Australian native ingredients and transporting their guests to the Australian Outback during their MKR instant restaurant.

They dream of opening their own native cooking store, offering hard-to-find native ingredients and products.
She announced she was expecting her first baby with fiance James Taylor in May, with the happy news coming just a month after the pair got engaged in Rome.

And Made In Chelsea star Maeva D'Ascanio, 25, proudly showcased her baby bump on Sunday as she slipped into a very busty plunging swimsuit for a new Instagram snap.

It came days after she also flaunted her growing stomach in lacy white underwear as she posed for a serene photo in her bedroom.

Strike a pose: Made In Chelsea star Maeva D'Ascanio, 25, proudly showcased her baby bump on Sunday as she slipped into a very busty plunging swimsuit for new Instagram snap

In Maeva's latest snap, she put on a sultry display in the revealing swimwear which showcased her assets and burgeoning bump.

The fiery French reality star allowed her brunette locks to tumble over her shoulders and she wore a light palette of make-up as she smiled for the mirror selfie.

Fans were quick to comment on her radiant look, with one remarking: 'You look gorgeous. Youre so beautiful wow!!!'

Maeva also took to her stories where she filmed herself posing in the racy swimsuit.

Lovely: It came days after she also flaunted her growing stomach in lacy white underwear as she posed for a serene photo in her bedroom

While another clip saw her filming her baby bump as he unborn child moved and kicked inside.

Last month, the stunner impressed fans once again as she slipped into an angelic white lingerie set adorned with pastel flowers.

The beauty, who wore her hair loose for the image, stood at the bottom of her bed with one hand resting on her hip.

In June, Maeva told Hello! magazine: 'All my dreams are coming true at the same time. I still don't believe it!' as she announced her baby news.

Mum-to-be: Maeva also took to her stories where she filmed herself posing in the racy swimsuit

Magical: While another clip saw her filming her baby bump as he unborn child moved and kicked inside

She continued: 'It's all amazing - I just want to enjoy it all as much as I can.'

Meanwhile, her co-star and fiance James, 26, said: 'We are more excited every day.

'My dad told me that, when he had his first child, he never thought he could love something so much.

'And I'm starting to get an inkling of that feeling as this baby growing in Maeva's tummy is pretty special.'

After a trip to Japan was cancelled, the couple decided to have a holiday in Italy, where James proposed at the famous Trevi Fountain in Rome.

Maeva recalled throwing a coin into the Italian landmark as befits the tradition, and made a wish that James, whom she has been dating for three years, would propose.

Overjoyed: In June, Maeva told Hello! magazine : 'All my dreams are coming true at the same time. I still don't believe it!' as she announced her baby news

She told the publication: 'I did my wish which was, "I really hope James is going to propose to me soon.'"

'And then I opened my eyes and he was there on one knee. I was thinking, "Wow, this is it! Is this real?" It was everything I had ever wanted.'

The couple's proposal may have come as a surprise to some Made In Chelsea viewers after James admitted to kissing another girl behind Maeva's back on the show in May, in what he described as a 'drunken night' at London nightclub Raffles.
She's one of the stand-out stars of historical-romance drama Bridgerton.

And on Friday, Nicola Coughlan unveiled her dodgy sunburn after filming outdoors in regency gowns for season three of the hit Netflix show.

The Irish actress, 35, took to her Instagram Stories where she posted a photograph of herself, which showed her pulling down the neckline of her top to show off her red chest.

Bridger-tan! On Friday, Nicola Coughlan, 35, unveiled her dodgy sunburn after filming outdoors in regency gowns for season three of Bridgerton

Nicola - who plays Penelope Featherington - was make-up free as she smiled for the candid snap.

The actress wrote: 'And so... the Bridgertan* returns,' and explained: '*sunburn you get while wearing a regency dress.

Last month, Bridgerton confirmed that filming for the hotly-anticipated third series had begun and has also teased that three new cast members are joining the Ton.

The popular period drama confirmed that it is back in production after the record-breaking second season was released in March.

Costume problems: Nicola plays Penelope Featherington in the hit Netflix show (Pictured with Claudia Jessie in character as Eloise Bridgerton)

The third series will focus on the love story of Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan) and Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton).

Netflix announced Bridgerton was back in production with a teaser video that showed cast members appearing on screen and holding up three fingers.

Jonathan Bailey, who plays Viscount Anthony Bridgerton, was first to appear on screen and grinned as he held up two fingers, before turning his hand around and flashing three fingers - hinting at the move from seasons two to three.

Adjoa Andoh, who stars as the fierce Lady Dunbury, also made the gesture as she walked past a row of trailers while looking at her phone, with her character's extravagant hairpiece in place.

It's back! Last month, Bridgerton confirmed that it is back in production after the record-breaking second season was released in March (Pictured: Nicola Coughlan revealing the news)

Three! Netflix announced Bridgerton was back in production with a video that showed cast members, including Jonathan Bailey, appearing on screen and holding up three fingers

Golda Rosheuvel, who plays Queen Charlotte, flashed a huge grin as she stuck her head out of her trailer to join in, followed by a laughing Claudia Jessie (Eloise Bridgerton).

Other cast members who joined in with the announcement included Luke Thompson (Benedict Bridgerton), Polly Walker (Lady Featherington), Jessica Madsen (Cressida Cowper) and Martins Imhangbe (Will Mondrich).

The footage ended with Luke Newton, who plays Colin Bridgerton, opening a carriage door to reveal Nicola Coughlan, who stars as Penelope Featherington/Lady Whistledown.

Nicola, sporting her character's recognisable rouge wig, announced: 'Bridgerton Season three filming has officially begun!'

The pair, who will be the focus of season three as their relationship looks set to develop, then headed off in the carriage at the end of the video.

New faces: It has also been revealed that new cast members Daniel Francis (left) and Sam Phillips (right) will be joining the romantic series

Cast: And James Phoon (pictured) - who has appeared in Wreck - is set to star as Harry Dankworth in the third series

As well as the exciting news that filming is back underway, it has also been revealed that three new cast members will be joining the romantic series.

Daniel Francis, who has previously starred in Stay Close, will be joining the cast as Marcus Anderson, 'a charismatic presence who lights up any room he enters, attracting the notice of certain matriarchs in the ton -- and the ire of others'.

Meanwhile, The Crown's Sam Phillips will play Lord Debling, described as a genial lord with 'unusual interests'.

A description of his character adds: 'But with wealth and a noble title to back up his eccentricities, he'll have no shortage of interest from young ladies this season.'

And James Phoon - who has appeared in Wreck - is set to star as Harry Dankworth in the third series.

A summary of his character reads: 'What Dankworth lacks in wit and intelligence, he more than makes up for with serious good looks.'
Russian President Vladimir Putin has stated that the Russian Navy would receive Zircon hypersonic missiles over the next several months.

Vladimir Putin remarked during a Navy Day parade in St. Petersburg when he praised Tsar Peter the Great for developing Russia into a marine power. The president stated that the Zircon cruise missiles will be deployed in the next months, allowing the Russian Navy to attack threats promptly.

Russian Forces to Get Zircon Hypersonic Missiles

Russia initially tested the Zircon in January 2020, claiming it could reach speeds of up to 6,600 mph and hit targets within a 1,000-kilometer range (620 miles). This assertion has not been independently verified. Five persons were injured in a claimed Ukrainian drone strike on the Black Sea Fleet headquarters in Russian-occupied Crimea. Following the purported attack, Razvozhayev later stated that the city's Navy Day celebrations would be canceled.

Serhiy Bratchuk, the chief of the Odesa regional military administration in Ukraine, disputed Russian accusations of a strike and labeled it a provocation. More than 40 Ukrainian prisoners of war were murdered in a bombardment at Olenivka, which is part of the Russian-backed self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic, Newsweek via MSN reported.

Hypersonic missiles can travel at nine times the speed of sound, and Russia has performed several Zircon test launches from warships and submarines in the last year. Russia's president made no mention of Ukraine in his address, but emphasized that the missiles would be placed wherever Moscow's interests lay.

It comes amid accusations of a 'homemade drone attack' on Russia's Black Sea Fleet headquarters, which injured six personnel, according to pro-Russian mayor Mikhail Razvozhaev, while Ukrainian officials denied any participation. The primary threat to Russia, according to the doctrine, is the United States' strategic policy of dominating the world's waters and the march of the NATO military alliance closer to Russia's frontiers.

Read Also: Kentucky Flood Death Toll Reaches 16, But Governor Warns It's 'Going To Get a Lot Higher'

Russian Troops Attack Mykolaiv

If diplomatic and economic measures are exhausted, Russia may utilize its military power suitably to the situation in the world's waters, according to the policy, implying Putin is ready to deploy the new Zircon missiles against any maritime danger to Russia's frontiers, as per Daily Mail.

According to local reports, the southern Ukrainian city of Mykolaiv was heavily shelled early Sunday morning as Putin used his country's Navy Day to deliver additional military threats to anybody opposing Russia's sovereignty and freedom.

Cluster bombs, as stated by Mykolaiv Mayor Oleksandr Senkevych, were blowing out windows and demolishing balconies. Vitalii Kim, the chief of the Mykolaiv regional military administration, at least one person was murdered and two were injured in the incident.

Separately, at least three people were killed and eight were injured in combat in eastern Ukraine, according to the Donetsk military-civilian administration, which stated artillery, Russian Grad missiles, and Uragan rockets were used to strike settlements in the region.

In what he described as a government decision, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called on the remaining people of the Donetsk area to evacuate immediately on Saturday. At least 40 detainees were killed in an attack on a jail in separatist-held eastern Ukraine on Friday. Many of the Ukrainian troops who surrendered at the Azovstal factory in Mariupol some months ago have been housed at the Olenivka jail near Donetsk.

As reported by Ukrainian intelligence, the strikes were carried out by the Russian mercenary company Wagner and were not coordinated with the Russian Ministry of Defense. CNN is unable to independently confirm the allegations made by Ukrainian military intelligence.

Related Article: Ukrainian Forces Face Challenges as German-Supplied Artillery Begins Breaking Down With Heavy Use

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Florence Pugh is said to be unhappy with her Don't Worry Darling co-star and director Olivia Wilde as it's claimed she 'hooked up' with Harry Styles while engaged to Jason Sudeikis.

Harry, 28, and Florence, 26, play a married couple in the sexually charged movie, which tells the story of a 1950s housewife living with her husband in a utopian experimental community. Olivia appears as a character called Bunny.

Olivia, 38, and Jason, 46, got engaged in 2012 and share children Otis, eight, and Daisy, five.

Rift? Florence Pugh is 'not happy with Don't Worry Darling director Olivia Wilde, (right) because she hooked up with co-star Harry Styles, (left), while engaged to Jason Sudeikis'

Jack and Alice: Florence and Harry play Jack and Alice Chambers, who seem to be the perfect couple... until she starts discovering things about their secretive community

But there is some confusion over timings because Olivia and the Ted Lasso star were thought to have split in November 2020.

Olivia made headlines with Harry in January 2021, when they were photographed holding hands at his manager's wedding.

While it's never been confirmed that Olivia and Harry's romance began while she was still engaged to Jason, Page Six have reported that Florence has fallen out with Olivia over the coupling.

Wilde for the role: Olivia directs the movie but also stars as a character called Bunny

Family: Olivia and Jason were previously engaged however they separated in late 2020. The two stars share two children together, Otis, 8, and Daisy, 5, (pictured in February 2020)

Olivia and Jason's relationship timeline May, 2011 - Jason and Olivia meet at a Saturday Night Live wrap party in 2011, when both were recently single after ending their marriages Jason later recalled he didn't make 'any sort of moves' at the time November, 2011 - The pair start dating after months of friendship December 2012 - Jason proposes over the holidays 2014 - The couple welcome their first child, a son Otis 2016 - Their daughter Daisy is born with Wilde explaining how she believes becoming a parent with Jason is a stronger commitment for the couple than tying the knot October 2020 - Olivia starts shooting her second directional effort Don't Worry Darling, starring new cast member Harry Styles November 2020 - Jason and Olivia split January 2021 - Harry and Olivia's romance is confirmed when they are seen holding hands at his agent's wedding in Montecito, California, on January 3 Advertisement

An insider told the site: 'Flo seeing Olivia and Harry all over each other on set did not go down well as Olivia was still with Jason when she first hooked up with Harry.'

At the time, sources claimed the relationship with Harry was the main reason for the split.

One insider told the site that the affair with Harry had been ongoing for a month, leaving Jason distraught.

The insider added this week: 'Jason and the kids visited Olivia on set at the beginning a few times, so I think this all made people feel a little uncomfortable.'

MailOnline has contacted a spokersperson for Olivia Wilde, Harry Styles and Jason Sudeikis for comment.

Fans have noticed that Florence has not praised Olivia as a director on the project.

She is said to have failed to 'like' a post in which Wilde included the full official trailer for Dont Worry Darling last week.

Yet Olivia shared a picture of Pugh and wrote: 'Watching this woman work was such a fking thrill! Cannot wait to show you more. @florencepugh@dontworrydarling.'

Florence didn't respond but that same day posted a trailer for another new project, Oppenheimer.'

One fan wrote: 'The way Florence Pugh has yet to post about dont worry darling even though there are two trailers out for it and yet shell post about every single other project that shes doing right now like what did Olivia Wilde do ????'

However, a source told Page Six Florence was already scheduled to post about Oppenheimer that day for some specific reason and it had nothing to do with a response to Olivia

Olivia and Harry will soon step on the red carpet at the Venice Film Festival for the world premiere of the new movie and no doubt all eyes will be on them.
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They said 'I do' in a lavish ceremony in Italian port town Civitavecchia on July 30.

And newlywed Kelly Brook, 42, flashed her dazzling wedding ring on Sunday as she and her husband Jeremy Parisi, 37, leave the luxurious Hotel Il Cavalier D'Arpino.

The model looked effortlessly chic in a blue and white mini dress, teamed with beige shoes while her new jewellery was on display.

Newlywed: Kelly Brook, 42, flashed her dazzling wedding ring on Sunday as she and her husband Jeremy Parisi, 37, leave the luxurious Hotel Il Cavalier D'Arpino

Kelly went makeup free and scraped her brunette locks back into a bun as she packed up their rental car with her new husband.

Model and actor Jeremy, who looked somewhat exhausted after their big day, cut a casual figure in a navy t-shirt, grey shorts and a pair of white trainers.

Presenter Kelly finally married her long-term boyfriend Jeremy Parisi in his native Italy on Saturday afternoon.

Low-key: Model and actor Jeremy, who looked somewhat exhausted after their big day, cut a casual figure in a navy t-shirt, grey shorts and a pair of white trainers

Stunning: The model looked effortlessly chic in a blue and white mini dress, teamed with beige shoes while her new jewellery was on display

Beauty: Kelly went makeup free and scraped her brunette locks back into a bun as she packed up their rental car with her new husband

The bride exchanged vows with Parisi in Italian port town Civitavecchia, a popular holiday destination famed for its historic architecture.

Walking hand in hand with her new husband following the ceremony, Kelly looked stunning in a traditional ivory white bridal gown with sheer lace detail.

Diamond: The beauty flashed her huge new rock while closing the Audi car door

She was seen holding its floor-length hemline away from the rough terrain surrounding Torre di Cicero - the 19th century villa that served as their wedding venue.

Her long brunette locks were styled in soft waves and she let them cascade down her shoulders, and added a delicate tiara and veil on top of her head.

Jeremy cut a very handsome figure, as he held hands with his bride, in a black tailored three-piece suit, and tie with a flower pinned to his lapel.

The ceremony had originally been planned as an outdoor event in an area some 1,500 metres high, but an unexpected rainstorm prompted a last minute change of plans.

Consequently, the bride, groom and an assortment of friends and family members celebrated the ceremony within the walls of Torre di Cicero.

It's understood that Kelly pulled out all the stops for the day, with the bride-to-be paying for funfair rides and inviting A-list guest Kylie Minogue, according to The Sun.

The publication reported that the former Big Breakfast host has thrown 'the kitchen sink' at her wedding to give her and Jeremy the day to remember, with the plans turning into an 'extravagant affair'.

Couple: Kelly and Jeremy recently celebrated their seventh anniversary - which marks the day he packed up his French abode and moved in with her in Kent

Opening up about her romance with her 'best friend and soulmate', Kelly told The Mirror : 'I've found someone who can keep up with me and the lifestyle that I love'

The model is said to have splashed out up to 500,000 for her big day.

A source told The Sun: 'Kelly has thrown the kitchen sink at her wedding and its turning into quite an extravagant affair. She has booked the Villa Nota Pisani in central Italy for the ceremony and reception.

The insider added that the villa is a 'beautiful location' and the couple 'fell in love with it' immediately after setting eyes on it.

They went on: 'Kelly has invited all her friends and stars like Kylie are on the guestlist. The ceremony is going to be really romantic but Kelly wants to give her family and pals a real party afterwards. She has been in talks with a company to put on a funfair for everyone  and the drinks will be flowing all nigh

Congratulations! The bride exchanged vows with Parisi in Italian port town Civitavecchia, a popular holiday destination famed for its historic architecture

After earning her fortune following a successful 25 year career as a model, actress and media personality, it appears there was no expense spared when it came to making Kelly's wedding dream come true.

The source added: 'Kelly knows Jeremy is her soulmate and this is going to be her only wedding so shes going all out. All in it is looking to cost her between 300,000 and 500,000  but to her it is money well spent.

The insider continued to say that it is 'Kellys dream wedding' and that 'everything she ever wanted' is now 'becoming a reality.'

Big day: After earning her fortune following a successful 25 year career as a model, actress and media personality, it appears there was no expense spared when it came to making Kelly's wedding dream come true

Kelly and Jeremy recently celebrated their seventh anniversary - which marks the day he packed up his French abode and moved in with her in Kent.

Opening up about her romance with her 'best friend and soulmate', Kelly told The Mirror: 'I've found someone who can keep up with me and the lifestyle that I love.

'It's the combination of having a very exciting life but also having moments where it's nice to stay home, watch Netflix and walk the dog. It's getting that balance.'
Bachelorette star Timm Hanly and his fiancee Briana De La Motte became engaged in April.

On Monday, Timm, 30, shared a video to Instagram Stories in which the loved-up couple held hands.

Laying her hand on top of Timm's, Briana showed off her giant diamond engagement ring.

Bachelorette star Timm Hanly and his fiancee Briana De La Motte became engaged in April. Both pictured

The impressive sparkler shined as Briana showed it off from various angles.

Timm shared the good news of his engagement to Instagram earlier this year.

He uploaded a photo of the pair embracing in font of rose pedals that spelled out, 'I [heart emoji] you'.

On Monday, Timm, 30, shared a video to Instagram Stories in which the loved-up couple held hands. Laying her hand on top of Timm's, Briana showed off her diamond engagement ring

'It was always you, and always will be,' he captioned the post, which was quickly inundated with comments from his reality star friends.

The couple had been dating on and off for six years before his stint on Angie Kent's season of the Bachelorette in 2019, in which Timm placed runner-up to Carlin Sterritt.

The former footy star went on to appear in Bachelor In Paradise in 2020, where he struck up a romance with Brittany Hockley.

Timm shared the good news of his engagement to Instagram earlier this year

Briana also uploaded this photo of her new diamond engagement ring to Instagram

The pair left the show as a couple after just a few episodes, but broke up not long after returning to Australia from Fiji.

Timm and Briana finally went public with their newly-rekindled romance soon after Bachelor In Paradise's finale.

At the time, Timm also enlisted Briana to be the face of his new clothing range, Front Runner.

He wanted to show his girlfriend how important she was to him, and said the decision to involve her in the project was a 'quick and easy' one.

Timm and Briana The couple had been dating on-and-off for six years before he found fame on The Bachelorette in 2019. Pictured: Angie dumping Timm at the Bachelorette finale

After losing The Bachelorette, the former footy star went on to appear in Bachelor In Paradise in 2020, where he struck up a romance with Brittany Hockley (right). Timm and Briana went public with their newly-rekindled romance soon after Bachelor In Paradise's finale in 2020

Speaking to Daily Mail Australia, Timm admitted it was tough keeping their rekindled romance a secret while his stint on The Bachelorette and Bachelor In Paradise played out.

'It was harder to hide it than it was to put it out there,' he said at the time.

'Briana's been hidden for the last few months. She deserves to let the world know that we are together and in love.

'It's natural when you love someone to want to everyone to see it.'
They are parents to daughter Jane, born April 2020.

And on Sunday, Joshua Jackson and wife Jodie Turner were seen heading the Red Hot Chili Peppers concert in LA at SoFi Stadium.

The 44-year-old actor held hands with Jodie, 35, as they made their way inside the venue.

Good looking duo: They are parents to daughter Jane, born April 2020. And on Sunday, Joshua Jackson and wife Jodie Turner were seen heading the Red Hot Chili Peppers concert in LA at SoFi Stadium

Jodie looked incredible in patchwork jeans, adding a crystal embellished Gucci belt around her svelte waist.

The actress showcased her midriff in a cropped green lace bralette, adding a cropped white collared shirt.

The stunning star hit the pavement in beige platform heels while sporting a dark red handbag and a green scarf in her hair.

Jodie finished off her chic look with statement making sunglasses and minimal makeup, highlighting her natural beauty.

Staying close: The 44-year-old actor, who wore a black Falconeri T-shirt and a black jacket, held hands with Jodie, 35, as they made their way inside the venue

Happy: Jodie looked incredible in patchwork jeans, adding a crystal embellished Gucci belt around her svelte waist

Joshua looked handsome in cream colored bottoms, adding a black Falconeri T-shirt, a black jacket, and Gucci sneakers.

Joshua and Jodie were first seen holding hands in November 2018, just one month after they 'were all over each other' at Usher's 40th birthday party, according to US Weekly.

'Super smitten and gazing into each other's eyes as they danced together the whole night,' US Weekly's insider said of Joshua and Jodie at Usher's October 2018 birthday bash.

Weeks later, they also rang in New Year's together in Nicaragua; Joshua gushed about his vacation to the tropical country while sharing a video of him spending time with professional surfer Kevin Cortez on his Instagram page.

Happily ever after: Joshua and Jodie were first seen holding hands in November 2018, just one month after they 'were all over each other' at Usher's 40th birthday party, according to US Weekly; pictured February 2, 2020 in London at the British Vogue and Tiffany & Co. Fashion and Film Party at Annabel's

Jodie also shared sizzling bikini snaps from Nicaragua at the same time, although none showed Joshua.

The lovebirds were seen picking up a marriage license in August 2019, with the duo stepping out with rings in November 2019.

Their marriage was confirmed in December 2019 by People.

Joshua and Jodie welcomed their first child, a daughter named Janie, in late April 2020, their reps confirmed to People.
Strictly lovebirds Nadiya Bychkova and Kai Widdrington were all smiles as they head back to work on Monday.

The pro dancing couple stepped out of the studio hand-in-hand for a coffee break, after rehearsing the professional routines for the new series of Strictly Come Dancing, which kicks off in September.

The Ukrainian-Slovenian dancer, 32, flashed her abs in a pink leopard print crop top and gym leggings, teamed with a pair of white trainers.

Beaming: Strictly lovebirds Nadiya Bychkova and Kai Widdrington were all smiles as they head back to work on Monday

The star sported a natural palette of makeup underneath a pair of oversized sunglasses, while styling her blond locks straight.

Meanwhile Kai, 26, looked low-key in a black t-shirt, grey cargo trousers and a pair of high top trainers.

Nadiya has been dating her Strictly co-star since January, following her split from ex-fiance Matija Skarabot, 34, in 2021, with whom she shares her daughter Mila, five

The couple moved in together in May, with a source telling The Sun: 'Moving in together was the obvious next step for Nadiya and Kai. Theyve grown so close and it just made sense.

Loved-up: The pro dancing couple stepped out of the studio hand-in-hand for a coffee break, after rehearsing the professional routines for the new series of Strictly Come Dancing, which kicks off in September

Beauty: The star sported a natural palette of makeup underneath a pair of oversized sunglasses, while styling her blond locks straight

It comes after Nadiya revealed she plans to rescue her family members from war-torn Ukraine as soon as she gets the opportunity.

After months of tensions between Moscow and Kyiv, Russia launched an invasion of Ukraine by land, air and sea on February 24.

The Strictly dancer, who was joined by her boyfriend Kai at the National Reality Television Awards at Porchester Hall Thursday night - spoke exclusively to Mail Online at about her war-ravaged country.

Casual: Kai, 26, looked low-key in a black t-shirt, grey cargo trousers and a pair of high top trainers

Relationship: Nadiya has been dating her Strictly co-star since January, following her split from ex-fiance Matija Skarabot, 34, in 2021

'I think were all affected by it,' she said. 'I still have my father there and my grandparents, a lot of friends, its a very tough subject to talk about. Its so difficult.'

'The war has been going on since 2014 when my family was involved all the time so its been very long for me.'

She added: 'Im in touch with them and I help as much as I can. I couldnt get my father and my grandmother anywhere close to me but theyre there and theyre safe at the moment so as soon as I will get the chance to get them Ill do that.

There was better news on the night for Nadiya as she took home a much sought after award on the night.

The professional dancer looked a vision in a light blue chiffon gown, featuring an elegant trail.

The dress also featured a belt element round the waist, drawing in her petite frame.

Meanwhile, Kai cut a dapper figure in a black suit while dressing up the look with a grey tie.
She's been lapping up the Greek culture this week on another luxury trip away.

And Amanda Holden flaunted her sizzling physique as she lounged poolside in the sun-soaked location on Monday.

The presenter, 51, had her toned abs and bronzed tan on display in a navy bikini in the new snap she shared to her Instagram Story.

Looking good! Amanda Holden, 51, flaunts her sizzling physique in a navy bikini as she relaxes poolside in Greece

The BGT judge looked great in the triangle bikini top that showed a glimpse of her ample assets and had silver chain detailing on it.

The matching briefs from from brand Melissa Odabash had tie detailing at the sides and set of her tan perfectly.

She accessorised with designer sunglasses and had her honey tresses slicked back with the pool water while going makeup free and lowering herself into the water.

It comes after on Friday, Amanda stripped down to a skimpy black bikini as she seductively strutted towards a swimming pool before diving in.

OMG! It comes after on Friday, Amanda stripped down to a skimpy black bikini as she seductively strutted towards a swimming pool before diving in during her Greek trip

Taking to her Instagram Stories, the star shared a video of her antics, which showed her wearing a shirt and wrap skirt but ending up in just her two-piece swimwear set.

Amanda began with her short sleeved oversized black shirt left unbuttoned before ripping it off as she strolled forwards.

She then lowered down the chic pareo style skirt which was wrapped around her waist before striding forth in her bikini.

Strutting barefoot to the water's edge, the mum-of-two displayed her toned physique in her swimwear before diving into the swimming pool.

Perfection: Amanda showed off her toned physique as she dived into the swimming pool impressively

On Wednesday, the Britain's Got Talent judge showcased her incredible figure in the video as she struck a series of playful poses by the pool.

The clip began with the star donning a white open shirt with a pair of navy shorts as she soaked up the sun.

She then stripped off to reveal a black and white striped two-piece that highlighted her sun-kissed tan and washboard abs.

Wearing her blonde locks in a poker straight style, Amanda also sported a pair of sunglasses.

Stunning: It came after on Wednesday, Amanda proved she was making the most of the summer as she shared a sizzling bikini clip

Alongside the post, the former Wild At Heart actress wrote: 'Glimmer in the sun'.

Meanwhile, Amanda turned up the heat on Tuesday, as she shared another bikini-clad snap to Instagram.

The star looked unreal in a bright blue bikini that showed off her toned abs and ample cleavage.

Amanda wrapped up in a coordinating blue cover up and matched her hair scrunchie to her outfit.
Taylor Armstrong has swapped a diamond for an orange. The former reality star will be returning to Bravo in a new Housewives franchise, DailyMail.com can report.

A fellow castmate close to Taylor exclusively confirmed that the 51-year-old is joining the new season of Real Housewives of Orange County - though she has not yet been made a permanent member of the show.

Armstrong just came off a successful season of Peacock's Real Housewives Ultimate Girls' Trip and sources revealed that it just 'makes sense' for her to join the OC crew.

She's back: Taylor Armstrong has joined the Real Housewives of Orange County, a castmate confirmed exclusively to DailyMail.com

A cast member close to Taylor tells DailyMail.com: 'We're all excited that Taylor will be filming with us.'

'While Taylor hasn't been given a permanent cast position yet, she will be showcasing her life with the ladies of Orange County,' they added.

'I am excited to be back on Housewives as a friend of the ladies,' Taylor tells DailyMail.com. 'Orange County has been my home for the last seven years. I recently bonded with Tamra on RHUGT, and have met Shannon and Heather. I cant wait to meet the rest of the women and get going.'

The mother of one's return to Bravo should be seamless after she recently starred in Real Housewives Ultimate Girls' Trip Ex-Wives Club on Peacock.

'She did so well on the Ultimate Girls Trip that it makes sense for her to join Tamra [Judge] on OC,' a member of the cast dished.

A cast member close to Taylor tells DailyMail.com: 'We're all excited that Taylor will be filming with us. While Taylor hasn't been given a permanent cast position yet, she will be showcasing her life with the ladies of Orange County.'

They added of Taylor: 'Her life is thriving now, she is a different woman to the one we saw on the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.'

Armstrong was an original cast member of RHOBH, starring in the first three seasons from 2010 to 2013. She later returned as a guest on the series in seasons four through six.

Her time on the series was fraught with personal drama as her marriage to Russell Armstrong ended with cameras rolling amid allegations of abuse.

The reality star claimed Russell became abusive while she was pregnant their daughter and said things got worse after Kennedy was born.

OG: Armstrong was an original cast member of RHOBH, starring in the first three seasons from 2010 to 2013 and recently starred in season two of Peacock's Ultimate Girls' Trip (cast pictured L-R Jill Zarin, Taylor Armstrong, Tamra Judge, Vicki Gunvalson, Phaedra Parks, Brandi Glanville and Dorinda Medley)

In her memoir, Hiding From Reality, Armstrong detailed Russell's violent behavior during their marriage, which landed her in hospital after he suspected her of sleeping with a Chippendales dancer during Lisa Vanderpump's daughter's bachelorette party in Las Vegas.

At the time, tests on her battered eye - the result of Russell's punch - revealed that 40% of the bone which supports the eye had been fractured and that Taylor would need reconstructive surgery which involved titanium implants.

Taylor had previously revealed that she wanted to be cast on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, in the hope Russell would control his temper.

'She did so well on the Ultimate Girls Trip that it makes sense for her to join Tamra [Judge] on OC,' a member of the cast dished (Amstrong, Judge pictured in June)

Russell took his own life in 2011 shortly after Taylor filed for divorce.

Outside of the Housewives, in 2014 Taylor joined season four of the relationship rehab reality series Couples Therapy.

She also found unexpected viral fame when a screen grab from Housewives with Kyle Richards was used in a now infamous woman yelling at cat meme.

Armstrong will be featured in season 17 of RHOC.
Heidi Klum shared an eye-popping clip to her Instagram page on Monday morning.

The 49-year-old German supermodel was seen in a skimpy string bikini as she opened her legs to show off her pink, purple and orange briefs.

The TV star has been very aggressive about showing off her figure on social media as she enjoys a beach vacation in St Barts.

What a view: Heidi Klum shared an eye-popping clip to her Instagram page on Monday morning. The 49-year-old German supermodel was seen in a skimpy string bikini as she opened her legs to show off her pink, purple and orange briefs

In this new short video she has her head back and her arms back, making her bottoms the focus of the shots.

There are palm trees behind her as she sits on a lounge chair with a yellow towel.

Her hair appears wet as it lays curled under her head.

In her caption she simply wrote 'Monday' as she added smiley face and a heart emoji. There were no comments in the comment box but she did have over 10K likes in under 13 minutes.

Giving her fans what they want: The TV star has been very aggressive about showing off her figure on social media as she enjoys a beach vacation in St Barts

The day before she appeared confident as she put her firm derriere on display in a topless photo wearing only a string bikini bottom on Instagram.

The America's Got Talent judge's long blonde locks looked just-out-of-the-pool wet as they cascaded down her back.

Writing 'My hot girl summer 2022,' the 5ft9in model looked over her right shoulder as she leaned across a balcony with a view of the ocean.

The stunning snap appeared to be taken during her recent trip to St. Barts in the French West Indies.

Photos from social media also show that her husband Tom Kaulitz have been enjoying a fun-filled holiday with her four kids and his identical twin brother and bandmate, Bill Kaulitz, 32.

A photo of the pair was labeled 'Zwillinge,' which is German for twins.

Confident: The model appeared confident as she flaunted her toned and tanned body in a topless photo wearing only a string bikini bottom on Saturday

With her true love: She also posted this image last week with husband Tom Kaulitz

She has a habit of showing off her killer curves: Klum seen last month on Instagram

In one set of Instagram Stories posts, Heidi's husband was shirtless as she nuzzled up against him.

The Making the Cut host often enjoys sharing romantic posts that include her hubby and Saturday was no exception.

She used animal face filters to mask some of their amorous activities as they kissed and cuddled for the camera.

The model and the Tokio Hotel guitarist have been married since 2019.

Heidi's 18-year-old daughter Leni is following in her mother's footsteps as a model and the proud mom couldn't help but post a photo of her look-alike offspring in a silver one-shoulder mini dress standing next to designer Michael Kors, 62, and another model on her Instagram stories.

The trio appear to be in a beautiful villa overlooking the sea.
Australia's longest running soap Neighbours ended last week after 37 years.

And Alan Fletcher, who played Dr Karl Kennedy in the show for almost three decades, revealed on Monday he was considering following his character into the world of medicine.

Speaking on Magic Radio's Breakfast Show the actor said: 'Now that I've finished Neighbours, I'm thinking about actually going into medicine'.

'I'm thinking about really going into medicine': Neighbour's Alan Fletcher has revealed he plans a career change following the soap's axe (pictured earlier this month)

Alan, 65, told hosts Ronan Keating and Harriet Scott that up until now he had done everything to keep his on-screen persona separate from his personal life.

He joked: 'While I've been on Neighbours, I religiously don't give medical advice, because I'm really worried of the authorities tracking me down'.

Speaking about the show's finale which was watched by over 3M viewers in the UK he said: 'Well, all I can say to you is that we've already had a celebration of a show that people have loved for 37 years'.

In character: Alan played physician Karl Kennedy in the long running Australian soap and featured in many high profile storylines

'We want to see tears in the eyes in lounge rooms all over the UK. That's our objective.  As we're saying thank you to the audience for being on the journey with us. It's a great way to finish, I think it's a beautifully crafted finish. Hopefully people will be happy with it'.

Speaking about his fellow cast mate Margot Robbie, who played Donna Freedman in the show before hitting big in Hollywood, he said: 'The treat to me is the pinnacle of what Neighbours can achieve in terms of training people and guiding them'.

Before adding: 'Mind you, when she walked into the studio very early on, both Jackie Woodburne, who plays Susan, literally turned and went okay, she's the bees knees'.

Pals: Alan has starred with his on screen wife Jackie Woodburne on the show for 28 years making them the longest serving characters

He gushed: 'She's got everything. She can do comedy; she can do wonderful high drama. Margot is a natural talent that was always destined to go to the top she's just marvellous, absolutely marvellous.'

Alan then went on to say that all his fellow actors that returned to the show came back with the feeling of giving back to the show changed their lives in a big way.

'My greatest experience over the last few weeks was I walked into the canteen and Guy Pearce [who played Mike Young] is sitting there and that guys a big wheel in Hollywood these days. I worked with him about 20 years ago'.

Proud: Alan gushed about his fellow co-stars Guy Pearce (left, in 2022) Margot Robbie (right, on the show in 2011)

Goodbye: Stars Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan also returned to their roots for the soap's finale

'And to walk up and just say good day mate, how are you? It's like it was yesterday. All he had to say was I wanted to come back and do this because I know how much Neighbours has given me, and it's time to pay it back. And I think that's the attitude that everybody bought to it. Let's just honour the show that gave us our start.'

Alan went on to say he would be soon be touring the UK in a one man show: 'I created the Dr. Karl Kennedy in conversation show three years ago. It has been cancelled year after year, but finally in September, I am actually touring all over the UK doing that show'.

Before adding: 'And then again next March we're doing the Neighbours farewell tour. Which is massive and going to be in every major city, in the biggest venues.

Surprise! Hours before the finale Australian Alan surprised EastEnders fans as he swapped Ramsay Street for Albert Square in a special farewell clip posted to social media

'I think we've got three shows at The London Palladium, and it's gonna be huge. So yeah, I've still got plenty of Dr. Karl activities.

Hours before the finale Australian Alan surprised EastEnders fans as he swapped Ramsay Street for Albert Square in a special farewell clip posted to social media.

As well as clever interaction which saw Alan playing himself in a scene with some cast members of the BBC soap, stars sent heartwarming messages to the cast and crew of the Aussie show.

In the short video, Linda Carter, played by actress Kellie Bright, is sat expressing her sadness over Neighbours coming to an end.

When actor Alan - who recently revealed he has been diagnosed with alopecia areata, an autoimmune disorder that causes hair loss - unexpectedly pops into Bridge Street Cafe looking for a taxi in order to make a 'swift exit,' Linda is stunned.

She leaps to her feet and, after confirming that it's 'Dr Karl Kennedy', swiftly asks Whitney Dean, played by Shona McGarty, to take a photograph of her with the Australian soap star.
Sarah Jessica Parker had some fun with friends over the weekend.

The Sex And The City vet attended the latest Invivo X, SJP wine tasting and blending session with Invivo Co-Founders Tim Lightbourne and Rob Cameron. It has been years since they spent time together as they were apart due to COVID-19.

Parker told DailyMail.com: 'Their final 2022 Sauvignon Blanc blend is tropical and has wonderful fresh citrus aromatics with a full and round mouthfeel and long finish. We are eager for our customers around the world to try it.'



A look at her off time: Sarah Jessica Parker had some fun with friends over the weekend

Her pals: The Sex And The City vet attended the latest Invivo X, SJP wine tasting and blending session with Invivo Co-Founders Tim Lightbourne and Rob Cameron

Also present was from famed fashion photographer and longtime friend of Invivo, Nigel Barker.

Sarah looked lovely in a lace and plaid prairie girl dress with her blonde hair pulled up.

The company added, 'Cheers to another fabulous blending session with #invivo co-founders Tim and Rob and our partner in wine, @sarahjessicaparker! We came, we saw, we drank lots of delicious wine  and we can't wait to share the new vintages with you.

Cute Parker: Sarah looked lovely in a lace and plaid prairie girl dress with her blonde hair pulled up

Hey DM! Parker told DailyMail.com: 'Their final 2022 Sauvignon Blanc blend is tropical and has wonderful fresh citrus aromatics with a full and round mouthfeel and long finish'

'Special thanks to @nigelbarker for capturing some fantastic shots and @baccarathotels for hosting.'

The partners in wine came together recently at the Baccarat Hotel in New York to create the fourth vintage of their award-winning New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, Invivo X, SJP.

This was the first time they blended their wine in person in over three years  the last two vintages were blending virtually during Covid.

Back at it: It has been years since they spent time together as they were apart due to COVID-19

They were all 'very excited' to be back in person doing this all together as Sarah Jessica is very involved in the wine-making process for her brand, the actress told DailyMail.com.

Last year Parker and her Invivo X, SJP Cofounders released a third vintage of their award-winning Sauvignon Blanc.

Parker shared with DailyMail.com an exclusive video of their winetasting and blending session that reveals what really goes into making the wine behind the 'X' on the bottle.

Happy to share: 'We are eager for our customers around the world to try it,' she also told DailyMail.com

Pout it! The company added, 'Cheers to another fabulous blending session with #invivo co-founders Tim and Rob and our partner in wine, @sarahjessicaparker!'

Wine chat: 'We came, we saw, we drank lots of delicious wine  and we can't wait to share the new vintages with you,' it was added

'Blending sessions with my Invivo partners Tim Lightbourne and Rob Cameron always make for a fun and fulfilling experience,' the New Yorker told DailyMail.com exclusively.

'Of course, I usually prefer to be in their physical company, but after three virtual blending sessions together we've learned to make the most of it,' added the mother of three.

'They are both so knowledgeable and continue to teach and guide me through each session,' admitted the movie star who only got into the wine business a few years ago.

Wine woman: They were all 'very excited' to be back in person doing this all together as Sarah Jessica is very involved in the wine-making process for her brand, the actress told DailyMail.com

In 2021: Last year Parker and her Invivo X, SJP Cofounders released a third vintage of their award-winning Sauvignon Blanc

And she added that working on her wines is certainly a fun side hustle to acting.

'This is our third Sauvignon Blanc together, but each process has been so different,' continued Parker who is married to actor Matthew Broderick.

'We always like to try new things, but with this vintage, we decided to blend multiple samples together into one and ended up with a creation that is incredibly unique, but still very much a Sauvignon Blanc at heart.'

Sarah then added to DailyMail.com: 'I've been proud of all of our creations, but the notes in this one are spectacular. I'm proud of our Invivo family and excited to bring this vintage to life and share it with our fans.'

Wine chit chat: Parker shared with DailyMail.com an exclusive video of their winetasting and blending session that reveals what really goes into making the wine behind the 'X' on the bottle

Sarah plays an instrumental part in wine blending, which is the last stage of the winemaking process that sees winemakers combine different wines from various estates to create one ultimate blend that brings out the best characteristics of all.

Typically, Sarah and her Invivo business partners Tim Lightbourne and Rob Cameron, who are based in New Zealand, blend the new vintages of their wines together in-person but have adapted to the current international travel restrictions by making the last three new vintages of their wines (Sauvignon Blanc and Rose) virtually.

After the Sauvignon Blanc harvest in March in the Marlborough region in New Zealand, six Sauvignon Blanc wines were made by Invivo Co-founder and winemaker Rob, and sent across the Atlantic to Sarah Jessica, along with wine-blending equipment.
Nichelle Nichols, who played Lieutenant Nyota Uhura in the original 'Star Trek series, died.

Kyle Johnson, Nichols' son, announced her death on her website on Sunday. Johnson stated that his mother died naturally. Johnson described his mother's life as well-lived and so an example for everyone. He requested privacy for the family.

Ground-Breaking Actress Nichelle Nichols

Nichols and her 'Star Trek' character Uhura broke ground as one of television's first Black female protagonists. Rod Roddenberry, son of the show's founder Gene Roddenberry and executive producer of the current editions of 'Star Trek,' lamented Nichols' death on Sunday.

Grace Nichols was born in Illinois as Nichols. According to the National Space Society, for which Nichols served on the board of governors, she was discovered as a teenager in Chicago by composer and musician Duke Ellington while working as a dancer and choreographer.

Before his part in 'Star Trek,' Nichols was a talented dancer with only a few acting credits. Nichelle Nichols appears in the first season of 'Star Trek' in 1966. She pondered abandoning the show at first because she felt her role lacked substance. She opted to remain after meeting Martin Luther King, Jr., who was a fan of the program.

She then collaborated with Roddenberry to give Uhura revolutionary authority and control, something unprecedented in television history. In 1968, a kiss between Nichols' Uhura and William Shatner's Capt. James T. Kirk in the episode 'Plato's Stepchildren' broke boundaries.

The show served to reshape viewers' perceptions of what was acceptable on television, and it was an early statement on the acceptability of interracial marriages. According to her website, Nichols became a NASA spokesman when the original 'Star Trek' ended. She assisted in the recruitment of astronauts and featured in public service announcements, as per NBC News.

We celebrate the life of Nichelle Nichols, Star Trek actor, trailblazer, and role model, who symbolized to so many what was possible. She partnered with us to recruit some of the first women and minority astronauts, and inspired generations to reach for the stars. pic.twitter.com/pmQaKDb5zw  NASA (@NASA) July 31, 2022

According to the Los Angeles Times, NASA acknowledged Nichols for assisting in the recruitment of Sally Ride and Frederick Gregory. NASA honored Nichols on Sunday as a worldwide influence who helped it develop. In the 1960s, the 'Star Trek' television series defied stereotypes by casting black and minority actors in major roles.

Nicholls portrayed Lt Uhura, a professional and level-headed communications officer who defied stereotypes. She and 'Star Trek' actor William Shatner, who played Captain Kirk in the series, made history in 1968 when they exchanged one of television's first interracial kisses - but it wasn't romantic.

Despite her success, Nicholls had pondered leaving the program at one point. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who regarded her part as the first non-stereotypical role played by a black woman in television history, persuaded her differently. She went on to appear in the first six 'Star Trek films when the series ended in 1969.

Nicholls, in addition to acting, became an ambassador for the US space agency Nasa, assisting in the recruitment of women and minorities for its Space program, BBC reported.

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Tributes Pour in For Nichelle Nichols

Several tributes to Nichols, whose death was made public by her family on Sunday, were made, many of them by famous artists and celebrities:

Representation matters.



Excellence in representation matters even more.



Thank you, #NichelleNichols.

Rest well, ancestor.  pic.twitter.com/LV6e1UYyzG  Be A King (@BerniceKing) July 31, 2022

I shall have more to say about the trailblazing, incomparable Nichelle Nichols, who shared the bridge with us as Lt. Uhura of the USS Enterprise, and who passed today at age 89. For today, my heart is heavy, my eyes shining like the stars you now rest among, my dearest friend.  George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) July 31, 2022

Many actors become stars, but few stars can move a nation. Nichelle Nichols showed us the extraordinary power of Black women and paved the way for a better future for all women in media. Thank you, Nichelle. We will miss you. pic.twitter.com/KhUf4YM6pX  Lynda Carter (@RealLyndaCarter) July 31, 2022

One of my most treasured photos - Godspeed to Nichelle Nichols, champion, warrior and tremendous actor. Her kindness and bravery lit the path for many. May she forever dwell among the stars. #RIPNichelle #Uhura pic.twitter.com/nFXHif8HEC  Stacey Abrams (@staceyabrams) July 31, 2022

The legendary Nichelle Nichols has died at 89.



Her son Kyle announced the news of her passing.



Nichols was a trailblazer.



She was one of the first Black actors to play a major role on a television series and the type of role she had on Star Trek was groundbreaking. pic.twitter.com/cA8KKnmdTb  Yashar Ali  (@yashar) July 31, 2022

We lost two greats. Two people who changed their respective games.



Two Black Icons.



Rest easy Nichelle Nichols and Bill Russell. And thank you.  pic.twitter.com/AWyLdBDBlO  Jill Hopkins (@Jillhopkins) July 31, 2022

Nichelle Nichols left behind such a beautiful legacy of what it really means to use the platform you have to make the world a better place. I think of her example often and I hope others will too. Rest well, Lt.  Ashley Nicole Black (@ashleyn1cole) July 31, 2022

Related Article: Will Smith Makes Emotional Public Apology to Chris Rock After Oscars Slap; Fans React

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Three-time Grammy nominee Mystikal was arrested on six charges - including first-degree rape - and booked into the Ascension Parish Jail in his native Louisiana on Sunday morning.

Sheriff Bobby Webre announced on Facebook that the 51-year-old registered sex offender was apprehended due to an alleged sexual assault at an area hospital where the victim 'sustained minor injuries.'

Mystikal (born Michael Tyler) was also charged with 'simple robbery, domestic abuse battery, strangulation, false imprisonment, and simple criminal damage to property.'

Busted again: Three-time Grammy nominee Mystikal was arrested on six charges - including first-degree rape - and booked into the Ascension Parish Jail in his native Louisiana on Sunday morning

On Monday, TMZ reported that the troubled hip-hop star - who is father to daughter My'chelle, 23; and son Million, 22 - 'has yet to see a judge and no bond has been set.'

Mystikal previously spent 18 months in the Caddo Correctional Center from 2017-2019 for first-degree rape and second-degree kidnapping, which were ultimately dismissed due to lack of evidence in 2020.

Before that, the former US Army combat engineer served 81 days in East Baton Rouge Parish Jail in 2012 on a misdemeanor charge of domestic abuse battery.

And Mystikal also served six years at Elayn Hunt Correctional Center for sexual battery and extortion against his hairstylist as well as two misdemeanor counts of failing to file tax returns for 1998-1999.

'This is an ongoing investigation': Sheriff Bobby Webre announced on Facebook that the 51-year-old registered sex offender was apprehended due to an alleged sexual assault at an area hospital where the victim 'sustained minor injuries'

Hospital incident: Mystikal (born Michael Tyler) was also charged with 'simple robbery, domestic abuse battery, strangulation, false imprisonment, and simple criminal damage to property' (pictured September 25)

Father-of-two: On Monday, TMZ reported that the troubled hip-hop star - whose father to daughter My'chelle, 23; and son Million, 22 - 'has yet to see a judge and no bond has been set' (pictured in 2001)

Lucky break: Mystikal previously spent 18 months in the Caddo Correctional Center from 2017-2019 for first-degree rape and second-degree kidnapping, which were ultimately dismissed due to lack of evidence in 2020

The canceled rapper is next scheduled to perform September 3 at Ohio's Jacobs Pavilion at Nautica in Cleveland alongside rappers Too $hort and Juvenile.

In 2020, Mystikal appeared in BET's five-episode docuseries No Limit Chronicles centered on Master P and his label.

The Shake Ya A** hitmaker - who was last featured on Blush's 2017 track Cinderella - hasn't released a full-blown record since his fifth studio album Tarantula in 2001.

Long rap sheet: Before that, the former US Army combat engineer served 81 days in East Baton Rouge Parish Jail in 2012 on a misdemeanor charge of domestic abuse battery

Released in 2010: And Mystikal also served six years at Elayn Hunt Correctional Center for sexual battery and extortion against his hairstylist as well as two misdemeanor counts of failing to file tax returns for 1998-1999

Still on? The canceled rapper is next scheduled to perform September 3 at Ohio's Jacobs Pavilion at Nautica in Cleveland alongside rappers Too $hort and Juvenile
She walked hand-in-hand with a mystery man in Marbella last month.

And Megan Barton-Hanson was soaking up the sun again on Monday as she set pulses racing in a VERY skimpy bikini.

Taking to her Instagram Stories the Love Island star, 28, showcased her jaw dropping figure as she sat beside her hotel pool.

Stunner: Megan Barton-Hanson, 28, showcased her jaw-dropping figure in a VERY skimpy white bikini as lounged by the pool on Monday

The stunner put on a sizzling display in the barely there two-piece as she flaunted her toned abs and pert bottom for the camera.

The white ensemble featured gold chain detailing and popped against the reality star's sun kissed skin.

Megan's incredible physique was on full display as she laid back on a luxurious sun lounger.

Gorgeous: The stunner put on a sizzling display in the barely there bikini as she flaunted her toned abs and pert bottom for the camera

Close up: The star offered a close up of her ample assets in the clip

The television personality shielded her eyes behind oversized designer shades as she tied her blonde tresses back from her beautiful face.

Opting for a glamorous palette of make-up the star posed up a storm as she seductively gazed into the camera.

Megan accessorised the eye-popping look with gold name chains around her neck that spelled out the words Megan and Pieces (her star sign).

Megan ran her manicured fingers over her taut waist before rolling onto her front to cheekily offer a glimpse of her peachy derriere.

Perfection: Opting for a glamorous palette of make-up the star posed up a storm as she seductively gazed into the camera

Saucy: The reality star pulled at her bikini bottoms in the sizzling video

It comes after Megan stepped out hand-in-hand once more with a mystery man as they headed to a pool in Marbella earlier this month.

The OnlyFans star has been putting on a cosy display with her unknown companion during their getaway, which comes just weeks after she looked loved-up with her ex boyfriend James Lock.

The outing will no doubt cause confusion, after Megan appeared to have rekindled her tumultuous romance with James, as they were seen holdings hands on a trip to the Costa del Sol last month.

Eye-popping: Megan's incredible physique was on full display as she laid back on a luxurious sun lounger

Cheeky: Megan ran her manicured fingers over her taut waist before rolling onto her front to cheekily offer a glimpse of her peachy derriere

Megan and the TOWIE star, 35, previously split up following a hotel room bust-up in March.

But it recently appeared their romance is back on as they put on a cosy display during their outing, with James wrapping his arm around the glamour model.

Their reunion comes after Megan was reportedly left terrified after her hotel room door was 'kicked in' during a heated row with James in March.

According to The Sun, the reality star alerted the hotel staff who dialled 999, with police spotted arriving by onlookers at the hotel shortly after.

Megan had been staying at the 350-a-night Courthouse Hotel in central London, after she enjoyed a date with another reality star at the same club where James was also partying.

Exes: The outing comes after Megan and James Lock previously split up following a hotel room bust-up in March (pictured in March)

Megan was leaving a nightclub at 1.30am with Life On Marbs star Adam Graham shortly after her ex James arrived with a mystery women.

Things then reportedly took a serious turn hours later when it is believed that TOWIE star James was informed of Megan's room number.

A source told the publication: 'At one point, the hotel door was kicked. There was a lot of shouting. Megan was shocked. It was all very aggressive'.

The source believed James was handed a key by staff after he showed them photos of himself and Megan.

The insider added: 'This all happened in broad daylight in a busy hotel. It was very dramatic and Megan's hotel door was damaged in the chaos'.

James and Megan ended their relationship for the second time earlier this year and both later stepped out with new romantic interests.

The on-off pair went Instagram official with their rollercoaster romance in October last year after meeting on Celebrity Ex On The Beach, but their union lasted just two months before they split after Christmas.

They reunited when James gifted Megan with a cake shaped like her breasts.

While Megan was said to be 'upset' over what happened, it was claimed that pals thought their 'weird connection' meant this might not be the end.
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Kim Kardashian was seen in a wet T-shirt over a white bikini as she splashed around in the ocean this weekend.

The 41-year-old reality TV star wore a white shirt that read The Incredibles in blue as she added a SKIMS SWIM top and briefs that hugged her slender hips.

Kim has been spending recent weeks away from her boyfriend Pete Davidson and a source tells E!: 'They are still going strong and making it work.'

"When they are apart, they are in constant communication," a source tells the site, adding that they 'FaceTime consistently' and are 'always getting quick phone calls in when they can.'

Wet Kimmy! Kim Kardashian was seen in a wet T-shirt over a white bikini as she splashed around in the ocean this weekend. The 41-year-old reality TV star wore a white shirt that read The Incredibles in blue as she added a SKIMS SWIM top and briefs that hugged her slender hips

Kim's choice of T-shirt is interesting, as her ex-husband Kanye West has often compared his family to The Incredibles in past interviews.

Meanwhile, the Hulu beauty has been enjoying a summer off from work as she spends time with her four children she had with ex-husband North, Saint, Chicago and Psalm.

This comes after North West mastered the TikTok Minion Makeup Challenge Trend by turning Kim into a 'Mommy Minion.'

Kim's oldest daughter North West took to their shared TikTok account, @kimandnorth, to take on the Minion Makeup Challenge.

The makeup tutorial already boasts over 15 million views and has almost 4 million likes.

Working with a variety of colorful makeup palettes and tools, nine-year-old West went to task on her canvas, her mother Kim's face, and the final result has made TikTok go wild.

Summer fun in the sun: The Hulu beauty has been enjoying a summer off from work as she spends time with her four children she had with ex-husband Kanye West

A boat off in the distance: Kim looked to be totally alone - except for the photographer and the boat in the background

West, known for her artistic talent, masterfully took on the challenge that has grown increasingly popular on TikTok by thoughtfully curating and applying the perfect yellow hue to her mothers usually natural-glam face.

Kardashian assisted in the process by priming her face before West applied the bright yellow foundation.

With careful precision, West then drew on the black wire frames of the signature Minions goggles and accentuated the look with the use of silver and white makeup to fully evoke the look of the Despicable Me Minions characters faces.

To complete the look, the young aspiring makeup artist applied a custom blended shimmery blue lip color to Kardashians mouth.

Having fun with her daughter, Kardashian took it one step farther and dressed in her version of the Minion denim uniform to complete her role play.

A closer look: Kardashian dressed in her version of the Minion denim uniform to complete her role play

The incredible transformation was revealed with Kardashian playfully making her signature kissy face and throwing up a peace sign while casually lounging in her closet on a settee 'Mommy Minion.'

Its safe to say that North nailed the look on her mom.

The Kardashians and Wests are big fans of the Despicable Me franchise and have always shared their affinity for the characters on social media.

Effectively transforming her mother into a real-life-sized Minion for TikTok, it appears that North and Kim are enjoying mommy-daughter time together even amidst the Kardashians incredibly busy business and legal ventures.

So much makeup: She seemed to be using the eye shadow kit from Kim's sister Kylie Jenner of Kylie Cosmetics

The lips: The young makeup artist applied a custom lip color to Kardashian's mouth; on the right she wears blue
Peta Jane skincare owner Peta Murgatroyd wore a red Baywatch-style swimsuit to buy an electric heating pad at CVS in Malibu on Sunday.

The 35-year-old Kiwi-born Aussie also dressed her phenomenal 5ft7in figure in a pink caftan maxi cover-up, beige Birkenstock-style sandals, and a straw sun hat.

Peta purchased the $30 Sunbeam 'Advanced Heat' heating pad on the advice of her 1.8M social media followers, who urged her to pre-warm her progesterone oil shots for in-vitro fertilization.

Normal attire in Malibu! Peta Jane skincare owner Peta Murgatroyd wore a red Baywatch-style swimsuit to buy an electric heating pad at CVS in Malibu on Sunday

'I put the syringe in the [heating pad] without the needle, heated it up, iced my butt, and it worked!' Murgatroyd confirmed via Instastory on Monday.

'Thank you, thank you, thank you. I'm seriously, like, choking up because it helped me so much.'

The two-time DWTS Mirrorball Champ 'can barely sit on the toilet seat' after 'internally bruising' her right butt cheek while attempting to inject herself on Sunday.

'Thank you for everybody who said, "Massage it after you put it in,"' Peta - who suffers from polycystic ovary syndrome - continued.

Beach style: The 35-year-old Kiwi-born Aussie also dressed her phenomenal 5ft7in figure in a pink caftan maxi cover-up, beige Birkenstock-style sandals, and a straw sun hat

Baby journey: Peta purchased the $30 Sunbeam 'Advanced Heat' heating pad on the advice of her 1.8M social media followers, who urged her to pre-warm her progesterone oil shots for in-vitro fertilization

'Because yesterday I just put it in and today I felt a little baby lump under there, like, it wasn't too crazy. I can see over time how that will build up and create, like, a massive lump. So thank you. Doing that.'

Murgatroyd's eyes widened as she noted that her husband Maksim Chmerkovskiy 'had a good time this morning massaging the butt, so yeah, all is well.'

Fertility specialist Dr. Mark Surrey 'retrieved 40 eggs out of 27 follicles' from the professional Latin hoofer at the SoCal Reproductive Center in Beverly Hills on July 2.

Murgatroyd confirmed via Instastory on Monday: 'I put the syringe in the [heating pad] without the needle, heated it up, iced my butt, and it worked! Thank you, thank you, thank you. I'm seriously, like, choking up because it helped me so much'

Pain in the butt! The two-time DWTS Mirrorball Champ, seen wearing a LULUSIMONSTUDIO T-shirt, 'can barely sit on the toilet seat' after 'internally bruising' her right butt cheek while attempting to inject herself on Sunday

Peta - who suffers from polycystic ovary syndrome - continued: 'Thank you for everybody who said, "Massage it after you put it in." Because yesterday I just put it in and today I felt a little baby lump under there, like, it wasn't too crazy. I can see over time how that will build up and create, like, a massive lump. So thank you. Doing that'

Daddy duties: Murgatroyd's eyes widened as she noted that her husband Maksim Chmerkovskiy 'had a good time this morning massaging the butt, so yeah, all is well'

Peta has 'quadrupled' her estrogen, she's 'still on aspirin,' and she's 'starting antibiotics' as well as taking 'three other pills plus all this other vaginal stuff.'

Murgatroyd wrote Sunday via Instastory that their five-year-old son Shai Aleksander has kept her 'grounded' as she 'cannot wait to give him a brother or sister.'

The blonde beauty and the Ukrainian 42-year-old - who've suffered three miscarriages in two years - celebrated their fifth wedding anniversary on July 8.

Takes a village: Fertility specialist Dr. Mark Surrey 'retrieved 40 eggs out of 27 follicles' from the professional Latin hoofer at the SoCal Reproductive Center in Beverly Hills on July 2

It's all worth it: Peta has 'quadrupled' her estrogen, she's 'still on aspirin,' and she's 'starting antibiotics' as well as taking 'three other pills plus all this other vaginal stuff'

'I want four more babies': Murgatroyd wrote Sunday via Instastory that their five-year-old son Shai Aleksander has kept her 'grounded' as she 'cannot wait to give him a brother or sister'

Peta and Maksim originally met while performing on Broadway in 2009, began dating in 2012, and split for 10 months in 2013-2014 before tying the knot in 2017.

And it can't be easy for the dancing duo to watch Chmerkovskiy's brother Val and wife Jenna Johnson's excitement over getting pregnant with their second child 'after two years of infertility.'

It's doubtful Murgatroyd or the Dancing with the Stars Ukraine judge will dance in the 31st season of Dancing with the Stars - premiering September 19 on Disney+ - since she hasn't competed since 2020 and he hasn't competed since 2017.

Love Hangover: The blonde beauty and the Ukrainian 42-year-old - who've suffered three miscarriages in two years - celebrated their fifth wedding anniversary on July 8 (pictured Thursday)

Still going strong! Peta and Maksim originally met while performing on Broadway in 2009, began dating in 2012, and split for 10 months in 2013-2014 before tying the knot in 2017
Laura Whitmore stunned in vintage Versace as she hosted the Love Island live finale on Monday.

The TV star, 37, showcased her enviable frame in the 70s-inspired floral jumpsuit with spaghetti straps as she posed ahead of the TV spectacular.

The garment featured split trouser legs and was paired with platform heels.

Wow: Laura Whitmore stunned in vintage Versace as she hosted the Love Island live finale on Monday day

Laura wore heart-shaped earrings and wore her tresses in a soft half-updo.

She captioned the snap: 'Right lets do this. I found this preloved Archive @versace scrolling through @ebay_uk and knew it was my finale look!!

'Me and @emmalanestylist had a lot of fun planning this one! Now get me in that villa and lets crown the winners.'

Glowing: The TV star, 37, showcased her enviable frame in the 70s-inspired floral jumpsuit with spaghetti straps as she posed ahead of the TV spectacular

Hopefuls: The final episode of the ITV dating series will see Ekin-Su Culculoglu and Davide Sanclimenti, Gemma Owen and Luca Bish, Tasha Ghouri and Andrew Le Page, and Indiyah Pollack and Dami Hope battle it out to be crowned winners

It has been another unmissable summer of romance and drama during this year's series of Love Island.

But tonight the curtain falls on the nation's favourite villa as the public's favourite couple will be revealed and win the coveted 50,000 prize.

The final episode of the ITV dating series will see Ekin-Su Culculoglu and Davide Sanclimenti, Gemma Owen and Luca Bish, Tasha Ghouri and Andrew Le Page, and Indiyah Pollack and Dami Hope battle it out to be crowned winners.

On Sunday night's show, Paige Thorne and Adam Collard narrowly missed out on a place in the final as they were dumped from the villa following a public vote.

The Love Island final on August 1 comes after the series was aired for exactly eight weeks.
Angelina Jolie had some fun dancing with her 17-year-old daughter Zahara over the weekend.

The Oscar-winning actress was seen kicking up her heels at the Greater Los Angeles Morehouse Alumni Association and NAASC Los Angeles.

A video was shared by Instagram user Brandon Rainey, Morehouse LA President, where the 47-year-old actress could be seen busting out some moves.

A light mood: Angelina Jolie had some fun dancing with her 17-year-old daughter Zahara (far left) over the weekend

Party time: The Oscar-winning actress was seen kicking up her heels at the Greater Los Angeles Morehouse Alumni Association and NAASC Los Angeles

Rainey said the Salt actress was seen doing the Electric Slide dance with her daughter as music blasted.

Jolie wore her brunette hair partially pulled back as she had on pretty makeup.

The Hollywood icon, whose father is Jon Voight, also had on a light gray sweater.

The room was filled with other women dressed casually as they danced along with the A list actress.

Dance team: A video was shared by Instagram user Brandon Rainey, Morehouse LA President, where the 47-year-old actress could be seen busting out some moves

This comes after Jolie took to Instagram on Sunday to reveal where her daughter Zahara will be attending college.

The siren posted a photo of Zahara along with a few of her new classmates.

'Zahara with her Spelman sisters! Congratulations to all new students starting this year. A very special place and an honor to have a family member as a new Spelman girl,' Angelina wrote in the caption for her roughly 13.3 million followers.

The photo showed Zahara crouching in the center and beaming while posing with Spelman College students.

Spellhouse fun: Rainey said the Salt actress was seen doing the Electric Slide dance with her daughter as music blasted

Smiles everyone: Jolie wore her brunette hair partially pulled back as she had on pretty makeup. The Hollywood icon, whose father is Jon Voight, also had on a light gray sweater

Party people: The room was filled with other women dressed casually as they danced along with the A list actress

Spelman College located in Atlanta was founded in 1881 and received its collegiate charter in 1924.

The private, historically black women's liberal arts college is the oldest private HBCU liberal arts college for women in the US.

Angelina adopted Zahara in 2005 from an orphanage in Ethiopia and she also was later adopted by her ex-husband Brad Pitt, 58.

A good time was had by all: Here is a man touching Angie's hand as they danced together

Brad and Angelina also are parents to Maddox, 20; Pax, 18' Shiloh, 16; and 14-year-old twins Knox and Vivienne.

Angelina has been in Europe recently directing her new film Without Blood, based on the international-bestselling novel of the same name by Italian writer Alessandro Baricco, 64.

She is set to write, direct and produce the film starring Salma Hayek, 55, and Demian Bichir, 59.

College bound: Jolie took to Instagram on Sunday to reveal where her daughter Zahara will be attending college

Angelina and Brad split six years ago and he was declared legally single three years ago amid a bitter custody battle for their children.

Brad has been seeing a new woman, but is not in a 'serious' relationship, a source told People on Wednesday.

'He's dating, but is not in a serious relationship,' the insider said about the Hollywood icon who was previously wed to Friends vet Jennifer Aniston and engaged to Gwyneth Paltrow.
The Boston heat has not hindered the filming of Marvels new blockbuster Madame Web starring Dakota Johnson.

The sweltering humidity also did not stopped the 32-year-old star from rocking the red leather jacket that her character, Madame Web, will soon be synonymous with once the movie releases when she was seen on set on Monday.

This is not the first time Johnson has been spotted working on the film. Onlookers have snapped behind-the-scenes pictures and video while the crew has taken over the streets of Boston making parts of the east coast city look like its counterpart New York circa 2001.

Bringing the heat: The Boston heat has not hindered the filming of Marvels new blockbuster Madame Web starring Dakota Johnson. The sweltering humidity also did not stopped the 32-year-old star from rocking the red leather jacket that her character, Madame Web, will soon be synonymous with once the movie releases when she was seen on set on Monday

Johnson, originally of Fifty Shades of Grey acclaim, has evolved as an actor in the last several years and her introduction to Sonys Marvel Universe of Spider-Man Characters as Madame Web will add notable depth to her portfolio as an ever-rising star.

Johnson worked her scenes today wearing the red leather jacket, jeans, and black combat style boots her character is sure to be seen throughout much of the film.

The actress wore a gray tank top tucked into the top of her jeans, a slight variation from the other looks we have seen thus far from set.

In her costume: Johnson worked her scenes today wearing the red leather jacket, jeans, and black combat style boots her character is sure to be seen throughout much of the film

In February, headlines were made when news that Johnson landed the leading part in the film broke. Madame Web is Sonys first modern comic book adaptation to feature a female in the title role.

In the 1980 comic book written by Denny O'Neil and illustrated by John Romita Jr., Madame Web is depicted as an elderly woman with a chronic autoimmune disorder (myasthenia gravis) who requires the use of a life support system that looks like a spider web.

Web is first introduced in the series in the 1980s The Amazing Spider-Man No. 210 is a clairvoyant mutant whose abilities benefit Spider-Man and other heroes who call themselves Spider-Woman.

Madame Web's age and medical condition prevented her from actively fighting villains, but she's a key component in the interconnected multiverse and sources confirmed that the project (in other words, the hero herself) could turn into something else.

Not NYC: This is not the first time Johnson has been spotted working on the film. Onlookers have snapped behind-the-scenes pictures and video while the crew has taken over the streets of Boston making parts of the east coast city look like its counterpart New York circa 2001

While the plot details have been kept quiet, the images coming from the set show Johnson personifying a strong, capable, and soon-to-be noteworthy hero in the world of Marvel.

Her strength is prominent and her natural beauty radiates without the fuss and hyper-sexualization sometimes perpetuated in the comic world.

While filming, Johnson has been shown love and support from her boyfriend Chris Martin, the front man of Coldplay.

He has been present while shes been on location. The duo, who have been dating for five years, have been all smiles as they have been spotted on outings and dates around the city.
Emily Ratajkowski was seen spending some quality time with her son Sylvester, one, on a leisurely stroll in Manhattan on Sunday afternoon amid divorce rumors.

As her ex Sebastian Bear-Mcclard hit the Dogpound gym for a grueling workout, the supermodel, 31, pushed her little boy's stroller down a sidewalk as she paraded her incredibly toned legs in a pair of charcoal grey shorts.

Despite having to deal with the fallout of the 34-year-old actor's alleged infidelity, she appeared in good spirits as she smiled while rocking a white t-shirt and New Balance sneakers.

Emily Ratajkowski was seen spending some quality time with her son Sylvester, one, on a leisurely stroll in Manhattan on Sunday afternoon amid divorce rumors

The five-foot-seven was not wearing her engagement ring or wedding band, and later switched into a pair of light grey sweatpants.

Meanwhile, Ratajkowski estranged husband looked downcast as he prepared to work up a sweat.

Following claims that his 'serial' cheating led to the end of their four-year marriage, the Uncut Gems producer appeared to be keeping a low profile in a dark tank and baggy shorts.

Sad: Ratajkowski estranged husband looked downcast as he headed to the Dogpound gym for a grueling workout amid divorce rumors

Doting mom: As her ex exercised, the supermodel, 31, pushed her little boy's stroller down a sidewalk as she paraded her incredibly toned legs in a pair of charcoal grey shorts

Last Thursday, Ratajkowski revealed her true feelings about their breakup by 'liking' tweets about what caused her marriage to end.

The 31-year-old's social media activity comes after it was revealed that she and husband Sebastian have split after a four-year marriage amid claims the producer is a 'serial cheater.'

Though Emily is yet to release an official statement about the reason for the split, she chose to like a tweet which specifically mentioned her estranged partner's alleged infidelity.

Newly-single: The five-foot-seven was not wearing her engagement ring or wedding band, and later switched into a pair of light grey sweatpants

Hitting the gym: Meanwhile, Bear-Mcclard looked downcast as he headed to the Dogpound gym for a grueling workout

'cant believe that little b***h cheated on emrata,' one furious fan tweeted, which received a like from the Inamorata designer.

Another tweet stated: 'Girls, how are we celebrating Emratas divorce'.

While Emily liked a third comment which read: 'emrata finally free from that man just proves that god is actually very real.'

Sad: In late July, a source close to the star confirmed her single status to PEOPLE, and said Emily is focusing on parenting her son Sylvester, 16 months, with Bear-McClard

Telling: Last Thursday, Emily chose to like a tweet which specifically mentioned her estranged partner's alleged infidelity

It was reported in late July that the fashion star made the decision to leave her film producer husband following the claims of his infidelity, but is believed to be coping well.

A source close to the star recently confirmed the news to PEOPLE, and said Emily is focusing on parenting the couple's son Sylvester, 16 months.

They said: 'They split recently. It was Em's decision. She is doing okay. She is strong and focused on her son. She loves being a mom.'

The unnamed source also said Ratajkowski plans to file for divorce, but paperwork has not yet been filed.

Better times: In February, she marked their four-year wedding anniversary with pictures from their courthouse ceremony (pictured above)

Her focus: Emily was reportedly the one who made the decision to leave her husband, and is now focusing on the couple's son Sylvester, 16 months

The pair's split comes after a source told Page Six that Sebastian has been a 'serial cheater', saying: 'Yeah, he cheated. He's a serial cheater. It's gross. He's a dog.'

Rumors of a rift first began when the fashionista started appearing without her wedding ring, and did not post any public Father's Day wishes to her husband of four years last month.

The Inamorata founder and Sebastian first started dating on Valentine's Day in 2018, and just a few weeks later, they were married during a civil ceremony in New York City on February 23, 2018, with just a few friends as witnesses.

Two and half years later the couple announced they were expecting a baby. They welcomed their son into the world on March 8, 2021.
They enjoyed a wild girls' night out on Thursday evening in Sydney.

And The Project host Carrie Bickmore, 41, and radio star Fifi Box, 45, were seen checking out of the swanky Kimpton Margot hotel the morning after.

The two women shared a laugh as they rolled their suitcases to a chauffeured car.

Pyjama party! The Project's Carrie Bickmore and Fifi Box checked out of their Sydney hotel on Friday after a wild girls' night out

Carrie and Fifi were dressed like typical Melburnians, both wearing black outfits.

Carrie looked incredibly chic in a knitted turtleneck sweater with a pair of black skinny jeans and black combat boots worn over the top.

Meanwhile, a hungover Fifi went for more casual flying attire, wearing a baggy lilac top over a padded jacket.

Carrie and Fifi were dressed like typical Melburnians, with both wearing black outfits

She also donned skinny jeans and combat boots.

The night before, the pair appeared ready to cut loose with Carrie looking as youthful as ever and Fifi clad in a busty emerald dress.

The Gold Logie winner shared the snap on Instagram along with several others throughout the night, before revealing the next morning Fifi had a hangover.

Carrie looked incredibly chic in a knitted turtleneck sweater with a pair of black skinny jeans and black combat boots wore over the top

The night before, the pair appeared ready to cut loose as they dressed to the nines

It comes after Carrie's recent return to The Project following her 'family adventure' in Britain, which some viewers suspected had been cut short.

Many had expected her to be gone for six months or more, and some even suspected she hoped to get a job in the UK, so they were understandably confused when she slipped back into her role on the panel without fanfare on July 11.

Fans of the newsreader had been in the dark about her trip, as she had never indicated a specific return date.

Carrie, 41, looked as youthful as ever and Fifi, 45, clad in a busty emerald dress

Instead, Bickmore simply said she was 'going to be taking a few months off' from April with her partner Chris Walker and their three children, travelling across Europe while being mostly based in London.

'Chris and I and the kids are heading off on a family adventure together,' she said at the time.

'We've been wanting to do it for a while but lots of reasons, timing hasn't been right, but we figure it's never going to be the perfect time to go.'

The Gold Logie winner shared the snap on Instagram along with several others throughout the night, before revealing the next morning Fifi had a hangover

It comes after Carrie's recent return to The Project following her 'family adventure' in Britain, which some viewers suspected had been cut short

'It's something we really want to do before my son starts his final years at school so we're doing term two in the UK. So I will be off for a couple of months,' she added.

As it turned out, returning in 'a few months' is precisely what Bickmore did.

Yet during her sabbatical some viewers feared she would never return to the Channel 10 current affairs show, pointing to various 'clues' suggesting she was planning a more permanent move.

For example, Bickmore said she had been inspired by fellow Project panellist Kate Langbroek, 56, who spent two years living in Bologna, Italy, with her family.

Bickmore said she had been inspired by fellow Project panellist Kate Langbroek, 56, (right) who spent two years living in Bologna, Italy, with her family

Furthermore, Bickmore had sold her five-bedroom family home in Melbourne just days before announcing her extended leave.

Some fans speculated this was because she and her family were hoping to buy a place to live in England.

Yet none of these theories came to fruition, as Bickmore returned to The Project on July 11, just three months after jetting abroad.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has renewed its requests to visit a Ukrainian site of an attack that resulted in the death of dozens of prisoners of war as the battle between Moscow and Kyiv continues.

In a statement, the Red Cross said that families must receive urgent news and answers on what happened to their loved ones. The committee argued that the parties must do everything in their power, including impartial investigations, to help determine the facts behind the attack.

Dozens of Prisoners of War Killed

The situation comes as Russia and Ukraine have traded accusations over the missile strike or explosion in the front-line town of Olenivka that killed prisoners held by Moscow-backed separatists. On Sunday, Russia invited United Nations and Red Cross experts to investigate the incident.

Moscow has also published a list of 50 Ukrainian prisoners of war killed and 73 others who were wounded in what is said was a Ukrainian military strike with a U.S.-made High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS), as per Reuters.

On the other hand, Ukraine's armed forces have denied responsibility for the incident, arguing that Russian artillery attacked the prison to hide the mistreatment of prisoners. The ICRC, on top of seeking access to the area, also offered to help evacuate the wounded and donate supplies.

Read Also: Ukrainian Forces Face Challenges as German-Supplied Artillery Begins Breaking Down With Heavy Use

It said that as of yet, they have received no official confirmation that granted them access to visit the site of the PoWs affected by the attack. They also said that to date, their offer of material assistance has not been accepted.

According to The Telegraph, despite the brutality of the war, Russia has continued to launch attacks on several Ukrainian cities, hitting a school and a bus station. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that the ICRC and the United Nations have a duty to react to the shelling of the prison complex.

Request To Visit Site of Attack

The facility is located in Ukraine's eastern Donetsk province and Zelensky called once again for Russia to be declared a terrorist state for its aggression. The official said that condemnation at the level of political rhetoric was not enough to address the mass murder that Russia has committed.

Satellite photos that were taken before and after the attack showed that a small, squarish building in the middle of the Olenivka prison complex was demolished, its rook in splinters. The ICRC said that it was requesting access to the site to "determine the health and condition of all the people present on-site at the time of the attack."

The committee also said that its priority now was to make sure that the wounded receive life-saving treatment and that the bodies of the dead are dealt with in a dignified manner. A think tank based in Washington, the Institute for the Study of War, said that the competing claims and limited information prevented assigning full responsibility for the attack.

"The occupiers' attack on Olenivka is a deliberate war crime by the Russians, a deliberate mass murder of Ukrainian prisoners of war. There should be a clear legal recognition of Russia as a terrorist state. Russia has proven with numerous terrorist attacks that it is the biggest source of terrorism in today's world," Zelensky said, Business Insider reported.

Related Article: Vladimir Putin Teases Deployment of Zircon Hypersonic Missiles Soon Amid Russia-Ukraine War

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While the Adani group bought spectrum in the 26 GHz band, which is not for public networks, Jio acquired spectrum across several bands, including the coveted 700 MHz band that can provide 6-10 km of signal range and forms a good base for fifth generation or 5G in all 22 circles in the country.  PTI

New Delhi: After a competitive bidding battle that lasted an entire week, Indias first-ever mega 5G spectrum auction finally ended on Monday, with spectrum worth a total of Rs 1,50,173 crores being sold to telecom companies. The auction saw about 71 per cent of total spectrum bid out in the latest auction. Billionaire Mukesh Ambanis Reliance Jio was the top bidder, winning a bid of over Rs 88,000 crores to consolidate its leadership position in the telecom space. Bharti Airtel, cash-strapped Vodafone Idea and Adani Data Networks came second, third and fourth respectively in the bidding for their priority circles.

Briefing the media after the final days auction on Monday, telecom minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said that Mukesh Ambanis Reliance Jio emerged as the largest bidder for the 5G spectrum, acquiring close to half of all the airwaves sold in the latest auction for Rs 88,078 crores, while the Adani group bought only 400 MHz, or less than one per cent of all spectrum sold, for Rs 212 crores.

Sunil Mittals Bharti Airtel was the second-highest bidder with 19,867 MHz spectrum in various bands worth Rs 43,084 crores, while Vodafone Idea snapped up 2,668 MHz worth Rs 18,784 crores. The total bids worth Rs 1,50,173 crores for 71 per cent of the total bids of 72,098 MHz of spectrum offered across 10 bands in this latest auction, the minister said, adding the government in the first year will get Rs 13,365 crores in payment for the spectrum, and 5G services could be launched by October this year.

While the Adani group bought spectrum in the 26 GHz band, which is not for public networks, Jio acquired spectrum across several bands, including the coveted 700 MHz band that can provide 6-10 km of signal range and forms a good base for fifth generation or 5G in all 22 circles in the country.

Sources said both Bharti and Jio have built a pan-India spectrum footprint for 5G, with Vodafone Ideas and Adani Data Networks participating selectively in the bidding. While the government had put on offer spectrum in 10 bands, it got no bids for high-priced airwaves in 600 MHz, 800 MHz and 2300 MHz bands.

At the end of the auction, the mop-up from the 5G spectrum is estimated to be almost double of the Rs 77,815 crores worth 4G airwaves sold last year, and triple of the Rs 50,968.37 crores garnered from the 3G auction in 2010. About two-thirds of the bids were offered for the 5G bands (3300 Mhz and 26 GHz), while more than a quarter of the demand came in the 700 Mhz band -- a band that had gone unsold in the previous two auctions (2016 and 2021), the sources added.

The mega 5G spectrum action kicked off last Tuesday with bidding over Rs 1.45 lakh crore on Day 1. The auction was stretched to seven days because of the bidding fight over UP East circle among participants. The UP East circle -- which includes Lucknow, Allahabad, Varanasi, Gorakhpur, Kanpur -- saw bidding activity pick up once again for 1800 MHz, a band primarily used by telcos for 4G services. UP East -- which has over 10 crore mobile subscribers -- accounted for all the incremental spectrum sales on Sunday, amid a pitched battle for radio waves among players such as Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel.

As of May this year, Reliance Jio had 3.29 mobile subscribers in UP East, Bharti Airtel (3.7 crore) and Vodafone Idea (2.02 crore). The bidding intensity for 1800 MHz band in Uttar Pradesh East circle had peaked between Wednesday and Friday, then subsided somewhat Saturday. On Sunday, however, renewed interest was seen and demand flared once again outstripping the spectrum supply, the sources said.
Vijayawada: As the Telangana government raises its concern over the backwater effect due to the implementation of the Polavaram project on Bhadrachalam and at others places, Andhra Pradesh says there is no scope for a fresh survey.

Three surveys have been already held based on directions from the Central Water Commission and there is no need for a fresh survey to gauge the possible maximum flood possibility of 50 lakh cusecs unless otherwise warranted, the AP government has said.

Telangana water resources engineer-in-chief C Muralidhar wrote a letter to the chief executive officer of Polavaram Project Authority recently, expressing concerns over the backwater effect from the Polavaram project on Bhadrachalam town and other places. He called for another round of backwater studies by involving a neutral agency for a revised PMF of 50 lakh cusecs and for initiating protection measures against the drainage congestion vis-a-vis Kinnerasani and Murreduvagu rivers.

AP water resources authorities say the maximum flood received in Godavari river in the last 500 years was 28 lakh cusecs. In 1986, it was 36 lakh cusecs (at Sir Arthur Cotton barrage at Dowleswaram), against 28 lakhs cusecs in 2006 and 26 lakh cusecs in the recent floods.

They say that the Polavaram project dams height has been fixed at 45.72 metres FRL, based on an assessment that the maximum flood received is to the tune of 36 lakh cusecs only and the Polavarams concrete spillway has been designed to withstand floods upto 50 lakh cusecs, which is cited as a factor for safety.

The authorities say that three surveys involving Andhra Pradesh Engineering Research Lab in erstwhile AP, IIT, Hyderabad and a joint team of engineering from both AP and TS have been carried out on submergence areas of Polavaram project and these did not notice any major issue of concern over submergence.

The initial survey found the submergence area comprising 373 habitations in 272 villages at the 45.72 meter contour level.

Moreover, the AP government has taken up a Lidar survey (light detection and ranging), a remote sensing method used to examine the surface of the earth to find out the submergence areas. The processing and analysis of data are in progress and the details are expected to be out shortly to give a clear picture of areas of submergence due to the Polavaram project, AP officials said.

Referring to Telangana seeking protection against drainage congestion of Kinnersani and Murreduvagu rivers, the AP authorities say that such a situation could last for a few hours or a day when the water level in Godavari river is above the water levels in the two rivers. Once the water level starts receding, the water from rivers joins the river water, they said, referring to the study reports.

The AP authorities also raise concern saying that both Odisha and Chattisgarh have not conducted any environmental impact study on the submergence of their areas due to the backwater effect from the Polavaram project so far. This, even as the AP government has made it clear it is ready either to compensate or to strengthen their flood banks, keeping in mind the heavy floods witnessed at 36 lakh cusecs level.

If Telangana asks for a fresh study at 50 lakh cusecs of floods, both the states may ask for the same, causing fresh hurdles to the execution of the Polavaram project, it is pointed out.

An official from AP water resources department said, Three studies have been carried out involving professional agencies. These found no major abnormalities on submergence due to Polavaram project, keeping in mind the heavy floods of 36 lakh cusecs. Now, seeking a fresh study in anticipation of a flow of 50 lakh cusecs of floodwater is unacceptable. It will encourage other stakeholders to raise similar demands and if so, this would result in a fresh delay in the execution of the project.
So far this year, some 700 students are feared to have fallen victims to poor quality of food. (DC File Photo)

HYDERABAD: This year, July in particular, has not been good for students in government-run social welfare schools. On average, there was at least one case of food poisoning of students in different districts every week this year, an issue which came to the fore after students at IIIT Basar launched an agitation last month.

On Monday, at the KGBV School at Bela, a mandal headquarters in the Adilabad district, where 22 girl students developed food poisoning symptoms. So far this year, some 700 students are feared to have fallen victims to poor quality of food.

While there was no death as a direct result of food poisoning, a student, 18-year-old Shabotu Sanjay Kiran from IIIT Basar, died while undergoing treatment at a hospital in Warangal on July 26.

Inquiries by Deccan Chronicle into the state of affairs at IIIT Basar which was visited by education minister Sabitha Indra Reddy who promised the students that things would change for the better, revealed that nothing really changed much. Students told this newspaper that many of them did not eat properly as the sambar or other curries were way too spicy.

The common problems that have been listed just this year with respect to food quality include finding of earthworms, cockroaches, and other creepy-crawlies in food items, while spoilt rice and vegetables used for cooking are more or less staple among most of the government-run welfare schools, colleges, and hostels.

All it takes to keep children healthy is to ensure the kitchen staff are trained in hygiene, and the contractors use quality vegetables, and rice. This is not difficult at all, an official from Akshaya Patra Foundation, which prepares tens of thousands of meals for school children in Telangana every day, said.

Food poisoning incidents this year

July: Girls Residential School, Ramayampet, Medak: 27 fall sick

July: Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Gurukul Girls Residential School, Kamalapur, Karimangar: 8 fall sick

July: IIIT Basar: 400 students have lunch, fall ill

July: SC Girls Hostel, Esnampally, Siddipet: 45 fall sick

April: ST Gurukul School, Damarecharla, Nalgonda: 26 affected

March: Ekalavya School of Girls, Sirolu, Mahbubabad district: 40 take ill

March: Govt Primary School, Pedda Mungalched, Mahbubnagar; more than 10 children treated at hospitals
A technician wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) gestures next to a biohazard sign inside a molecular laboratory facility set up to test for the monkeypox disease during its inauguration at the King Institute in Chennai on July 28, 2022. (AFP)

New Delhi/Thiruvananthapuram: India on Monday reported its first monkeypox death. A 22-year-old man, with no typical symptoms, had tested positive in the United Arab Emirates before flying home to Kerala on July 21. Following this, the Union health ministry has formed a task force to monitor the emerging situation.

He first sought treatment at a hospital in Ernakulam after he developed minor symptoms. He was admitted to a hospital in Thrissur on July 27, but there will still no obvious symptoms. His condition deteriorated on Friday and he died on Saturday.

Around 20 people who had come into contact with him, including family, friends and medical staff, are under quarantine in Thrissur. The monkeypox was confirmed on Monday following tests at the National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune. Kerala health minister Veena George has directed officials to investigate the matter.

This particular variant of monkeypox is not as highly virulent or contagious like Covid-19, but it does spread. Comparatively, the mortality rate of this variant is low. Therefore, we will examine why the 22-year-old man died in this particular case as he had no other illness or health problems, the minister said.

The Union health ministry has formed a task force to monitor the monkeypox scenario and suggest response initiatives to tackle its spread. The task force will be headed by Dr V.K. Paul, Niti Aayog member (health), and will include officials from the National Aids Control Organisation, DGHS and ICMR. It will provide guidance to the government on expansion of diagnostic facilities in the country and explore emerging trends related to vaccination for the disease. ICMR has been asked to make arrangements for diagnostics of the monkeypox disease in case of a major outbreak.

WHO says monkeypox is a viral zoonosis  a virus transmitted to humans from animals  which has symptoms similar to smallpox, although clinically less severe. Monkeypox typically manifests itself with fever, rash and swollen lymph nodes and may lead to a range of medical complications. It is usually a self-limiting disease, with symptoms lasting for two to four weeks.
Activists are also running an online campaign while batting for legislation of the Act in the State.(DC Image)

HYDERABAD: The implementation of The Right to Services Act for holding government officials accountable and to ensure time-bound delivery of public services to citizens is yet to take-off in Telangana. Although this was promised when the state was created, it remains only on paper even as 18 states, including Karnataka, Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra have been implementing the Act.

It was back in 2016 that people heard about this from CM K. Chandrashekar Rao and then finance minister, Etala Rajendar.

This Act contains statutory laws and provisions to ensure time-bound delivery of public services to citizens of India. It also defines the mechanism to punish delinquent public officers if they fail to deliver the requested service within a stipulated time, says B.V. Seshagiri, an advocate and socio-political activist, who is running a campaign in favour of the Act.

There was talk of a citizens charter to bring in transparency into administration by including different kinds of services and penalisation of officials in case of delay. The government rather than implementing this has brought in ambiguity by not even putting GOs in public domain, said VC of Forum for Good Governance, V.B.J. Chelikani Rao.

The Act was adopted by the NDA government after it was piloted by the earlier UPA government. Linked to the centralised mechanism, public grievances are received on the Centralised Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System (CPGRAMS) portal.

Last year, the Union government further reduced the maximum period for resolving the public grievance from 45 to 30 days and officials got less time for getting penalised.

Activists are also running an online campaign while batting for legislation of the Act in the State.

In Telangana, issues like 'reforms in revenue' have brought in more scope for corruption and hardships to the general public. If the Services Act is implemented the officials will be forced to resolve the matter within a given time. We are getting good response for our campaign and we hope that the state government will bring in legislation for implementation of this Act in the monsoon session hoped Seshagiri.
Moscow wants a UN probe to investigate the alleged rocket assault instigated by Kyiv to silence the Azov prisoners.

The Neo-Nazi prisoners of war (POWs) were suspected of divulging information that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky wanted to stop. Moscow blamed Ukraine for the strike, telling US-made HIMARS rocket launchers were used to carry it out.

Moscow Alleges Kyiv Attacked Former Allies

The Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) prison, where 50 Ukrainian Nazis were murdered in a HIMARS missile strike and more were injured, has been the subject of an invitation for experts from the Red Cross and the UN to look into, said the Russian Defense Ministry last Sunday, reported RT News.

Russian MoD said that it should be made clear, once and for all, that the Russian Federation did not order a rocket assault on the Azov prisoners via a UN probe.

Hundreds of Ukrainian detainees, mostly members of the "Azov" neo-Nazi militia who gave themselves up in Mariupol in May, were detained at the facility in Yelenovka, south of Donetsk.

The strike was carried out using HIMARS multiple rocket launchers, which were built in the US, the Russian military said earlier.

Moscow claimed that Zelensky's administration and the White House were to blame for the deaths of Ukrainian neo-Nazis, noted Hi India.

Ukraine claims the attack on Friday as one of its notorious misdirections that claimed Moscow was to blame, saying the torture and execute prisoners, which is the practice of the neo-Nazi brigade, citing Indonesia Posts in English.

Zelensky Blamed on DPR Shelling

According to the DPR head, Denis Pushilin, the Ukrainian leader allowed the destruction of neo-Nazi survivors of Mariupol with US HIMARS to silence them and frame the Kremlin.

Read Also: Donald Trump Net Worth 2022: Did Trump Get Richer Since Leaving the US Presidency?

Because they knew where they were being detained, Kyiv officials knew that the POWs would reveal information on war crimes that could be related to them.

According to Eduard Basurin, spokesman for the DPR militia, any information that could be used to harm Zelensky has been permanently destroyed.

Expected Washington officials and neocons were slow to blame Ukraine as the chief instigator of the rocket assault.

As expected, John Kirby, spokesman for the US National Security Council, told reporters that nothing in these early claims had been independently verified.

Russia, Defense Ministry Says Ukrainian Forces Obliterated

Russian armed forces destroyed more fighters of another notorious group called the Kraken neo-Nazi formation, who took the role after the Azov's destruction in Mariupol, said Ministry of Defense spokesman Major General Igor Konashenkov on Saturday.

In an update on the ongoing special operation in Ukraine, on July 28, an air-launched weapon attacked a train carrying troopers from the elite assault battalion of the President of Ukraine's 1st Separate Brigade at the Krasnoarmeysk railway station in the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR).

Taken out were 140 neo-Nazis killed by the missile attack, while 250 others had varying degrees of injuries, as the Russian tactical strike demolished even their hardware.

As warned by the Kremlin, more destruction was repeated in Bogodukhov, located in Kharkov Region; units of Kraken Nazis were hiding from Russian attack in a 'meat processing plant' as a part-time base. They were still hit, and 30 Nazis were obliterated, with ten units of equipment demolished.

Moscow asked a UN probe to prove a HIMARS rocket assault on Azov Prisoners that killed them came from Zelensky's orders; opposite of claims.

Related Article: Moscow Reports Ukraine Neo-Nazis Uses Civilians as Human Shields in Donetsk and Lugansk Republics After the Battle of Mariupol

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New Delhi: In his monthly Mann Ki Baat address on Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the sacrifices of Indias heroic freedom fighters. Offering his humble tributes to the revolutionaries who made numerous sacrifices for the country, Modi said that he is happy to note that Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav is taking the form of a mass movement. He urged people to put tiranga as the profile picture on their social media platforms between August 2 and 15.

The PM said India will witness a splendid and historic moment as the country celebrates the 75th anniversary of Independence on August 15 this year.

Calling the 91st episode of Mann Ki Baat special, Modi said, The Almighty has blessed us with this great fortune. Think about it... Had we been born in the era of slavery, then how would we have imagined this day? That yearning for freedom from slavery, that desperation for freedom from the shackles of subjugation, how formidable it must have been!

The PM exhorted the nation to remember that millions of our countrymen fought for independence every single day and sacrificed for the sake of freedom.

He said imagine waking up every morning dreaming about Indias independence and eventually dedicating our lives to the freedom movement, chanting Vande Mataram and Bharat Maa Ki Jai for a better future for our country and the generations to come.

Referring to Azadi Ki Railgadi Aur Railway Station, a government initiative to create awareness among the people about the role of Indian Railways in the freedom struggle, the PM pointed out that many railway stations in the country are associated with the history of the freedom movement and urged people to visit such stations in their vicinity to know about their significance in the freedom struggle.

He said, 75 such railway stations have been identified spread over 24 states across the country. These 75 stations are being decorated very ornately. Many types of programmes are also being organised on these stations. You should also take out time to visit one such historical station in your vicinity.

Mr Modi added, Gomoh Junction in Jharkhand is now officially known as Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Junction Gomoh. Do you know why? Actually, at this very station Netaji Subhash was successful in dodging British officers by boarding the Kalka Mail. All of you must have heard the name of Kakori Railway Station near Lucknow. The names of brave hearts like Ram Prasad Bismil and Ashfaq Ullah Khan are associated with this station. The brave revolutionaries had displayed their might to the British by looting the treasury of the British being carried by train. Whenever you talk to the people of Tamil Nadu, you will get to know about Vanchi Maniyachchi Junction in Thoothukudi district. This station is named after the Tamil freedom fighter Vanchinathan ji. This is the same place where Vanchi, 25 years of age then, had punished one British collector for his actions.

Referring to the heroism of Indian freedom fighters Mr Modi further said, Friends, on July 31, all of us countrymen salute the martyrdom of Shaheed Udham Singh ji. I offer my humble tributes to all such other great revolutionaries who sacrificed their all for the country.

The PM also expressed his happiness over Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav taking the form of a mass movement. People from all walks of life and from every section of society are participating in different programmes connected with it. One such event took place in Meghalaya earlier this month. People remembered the brave warrior of Meghalaya, U. Tirot Singh, on his death anniversary. Tirot Singh ji fiercely opposed the British conspiracy to control the Khasi Hills and destroy the culture there, he said.
The team members inspected the damages caused to houses, roads, crops and other infrastructure. They also interacted with the affected people. (Photo: File/ By Arrangement)

HYDERABAD: The seven-member Central team, which was on a two-day visit to the flood-affected districts in Telangana to assess the damage caused by recent heavy rains and subsequent floods, completed its proceedings on Friday. The seven members were divided into two teams. One team visited five flood-affected mandals in the Nizamabad district and the other team visited Bhupalapally and Mulug districts on Thursday.

On Friday, the teams visited Bhadradri Kothagudem, Adilabad, Nirmal and Mancherial districts.

Soon after their return to Hyderabad, the Central team members met Chief Secretary Somesh Kumar and top officials. The Chief Secretary briefed them about the ground situation and submitted the estimates of the losses suffered by various departments.

The team will submit a report to the Centre recommending financial assistance. The state government requested the Centre to provide Rs 1,000 crore as immediate assistance towards flood relief to the state.

It sent a preliminary report to the Centre stating that Rs 1,400 crore loss was caused due to damages to roads, bridges, houses, check dams, cattle, crops etc.

The inter-ministerial team headed by Sourav Rai toured Bhadrachalam and surrounding villages on Friday which were worst hit by floods in the Godavari river. Secretary for disaster management Rahul Bojja accompanied it.

The team members inspected the damages caused to houses, roads, crops and other infrastructure. They also interacted with the affected people. The team also inspected a photo exhibition at the ITDA office arranged by Bhadradri Kothagudem district administration on the damages caused by the floods.

Kothagudem collector D. Anudeep briefed the team about Rs 162 crore losses suffered in the district. The team also visited flood-hit areas in Nirmal district. It inspected Kadam dam, which received record inflows last week due to heavy rains in upstream areas. Nirmal collector Musharraf Ali Faruqui briefed the team on the damages caused by the floods in the district.
The Parsi community in the twin cities celebrated the 175th anniversary of the Parsi Fire Temple in Secunderabad in a grand manner on Sunday (DC)

Hyderabad: The Parsi community in the twin cities celebrated the 175th anniversary of the Parsi Fire Temple in Secunderabad in a grand manner on Sunday by gathering at the temple and offering prayers.

The temple was built by the philanthropists Seth Viccaji Meherji and Seth Pestonji Meherji. Every 25 years, such celebrations are hosted at the temple by the descendants of the two founders and the trustees of the temple board. There are only about 1,000 Parsis in the twin cities, and on Sunday, nearly all of them were at the temple.

Shahzad Irani, who visited the temple in the morning, said a group photograph was taken of every visitor to the temple, which was something that is done every 25 years. Celebrations continued throughout the day. In the evening, several prominent members of the community attended the celebrations.
HYDERABAD: Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao is most likely to skip the national committee meeting on Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav convened by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi on August 6. The Chief Ministers of all the states are members in this committee. Official sources said the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) has received an invitation from the Prime Minister on Monday.

The Lok Sabha Speaker, Governors, Union ministers, political leaders, officials, media personalities, spiritual leaders, artists, film personalities and eminent persons from other walks of life are also members of this committee.

However, the Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) sources said the chances of the Chief Minister taking part in this meeting are remote as Rao had been avoiding meeting Modi since February 5 this year.

When Modi came to Hyderabad to take part in 20th annual celebrations of Indian School of Business on May 26, the Chief Minister flew to Bengaluru a couple of hours before his arrival. Rao did not meet Modi, when he came to the city again to take part in BJP's national executive meeting on July 2 and 3.

Rao last met Modi on September 3 last year in Delhi and submitted representations on several pending issues concerning Telangana. After the Huzurabad bypoll in November last year, the relations between TRS and BJP were strained and thereafter Rao never met Modi.
HYDERABAD: The state government has disbursed only one fourth of the funds it had sanctioned for the welfare of toddy tappers since 2014- 15. This information was revealed to a RTI query by state BJP president Bandi Sanjay Kumar.

It may be recalled that in the first week of July, Sanjay had announced that he had filed around 100 RTI queries with various government departments, and state-sponsored, or, owned organisations like Telangana Toddy Tappers Cooperative Finance Corporation Limited (TTTCFC).

He urged all his party leaders to file similar RTI queries at the district and mandal levels as part of the partys decision to be armed with RTI replies and take on the TRS-led government on multiple issues. With regard to the actual money spent, TTTCFC said that between 2014-15 and 2021-22, the government had sanctioned Rs 76.30 crore but only Rs 24.83 crore was actually released. The corporation spent Rs 18.79 crore of that money, the RTI reply said. It was way back in 2018- 19 they had last received Rs 21.54 crore of the Rs 65 crore that was sanctioned. The corporation used around Rs 15.50 crore. In the last eight years, the state government released funds only thrice-2015-16, 2017-18 and 2018-19.
The government has envisioned the Har Ghar Tiranga (tricolour at every home) exercise in the run up to the 75th anniversary of Indias independence. (PTI Photo)

New Delhi: An appeal by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the countrymen on Friday to hoist or display the national flag in their homes between August 13-15 to strengthen the Har Ghar Tiranga movement drew criticism from the Opposition, which alleged that the appeal was being made by a campaigner for the organisation which took 52 years to hoist the national flag in Nagpur.

The Opposition also slammed the government for the recent amendment to the Flag Code and destroying the livelihood of those who made the national flags from khadi. The government has envisioned the Har Ghar Tiranga (tricolour at every home) exercise in the run up to the 75th anniversary of Indias independence. In a series of tweets, the Prime Minister said that the Har Ghar Tiranga movement will deepen "our connect with the tricolour and noted that it was on July 22 in 1947 that the national flag was adopted.

"Today, we recall the monumental courage and efforts of all those who dreamt of a flag for free India when we were fighting colonial rule. We reiterate our commitment to fulfil their vision and build the India of their dreams, said Modi, adding that this year India is marking Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav.

The PM also posted details of official communications leading to the adoption of the tricolour as the national flag. He also posted a picture of the first tricolour unfurled by India's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru.

In a similar appeal, Union home minister Amit Shah said, With this campaign, the tricolour will be hoisted on about 20 crore houses across the country, which will work to further brighten the unbroken flame of patriotism in the minds of every citizen, especially the youth.

Shah said people will be able to increase respect and attachment for the tricolour among the younger generation and tell them about the sacrifice of the heroes who fought for our freedom. He said the national flag not only unites every citizen but also strengthens the spirit of devotion towards the nation among the people.

The Opposition, however, cried foul. Slamming the government, Congress MP Jairam Ramesh said, "Hypocrisy Zindabad! They are destroying the livelihood of those who made the national flags from Khadi, which Nehru ji described as the uniform of India's independence. He has been a campaigner for the organisation, which took 52 years to hoist the National Flag in Nagpur."

Citing the recent amendment in the Flag Code, Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra tweeted in Hindi, "Modi Ji, the tricolour made of Khadi shows the self-reliance of the country and represents the livelihood of lakhs of people who are associated with it. I hope on this historic day you will listen to the Khadi flag manufacturers and take a sensitive decision on their demand."
HYDERABAD: Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao returned to Hyderabad on Sunday after a week-long stay in Delhi. Rao's main focus in Delhi was to pursue pending loan issues with the Centre. Official sources said the Chief Minister was planning to tour the districts from the first week of August to launch development programmes, inaugurate integrated collectorate complexes and TRS offices. To start with, he will inaugurate the Integrated Police Control and Command Centre at Banjara Hills on August 4.

The Chief Minister plans to launch 'revenue camps' in all districts to resolve land issues in Dharani portal for which the state government has received lakhs of applications.

In Delhi, more than engaging in politics, Rao confined himself to pursuing pending loan issues and deployed Chief Secretary Somesh Kumar and finance secretary K. Ramakrishna Rao with meeting Union secretaries on a day-to-day basis to pursue the matter.

Officials were successful in getting the nod of the Power Finance Corporation (PFC) and Rural Electrification Corporation (REC) to disburse balance 20 per cent loans to Kaleshwaram and Palamuru-Ranga Reddy lift irrigation projects that were stalled four months ago.

Officials were also successful in convincing the Union food ministry to extend the deadline of paddy procurement for recent rabi by 45 days in lieu of the Centre stopping rice procurement from mills from the first week of June.
Bhatti expressed anguish that despite the Congress Legislature Party bringing to the notice of the government the magnitude of crop loss some 10 days back, the official machinery had remained unmoved.  Facebook

Hyderabad: Questioning the state governments failure to assess crop damage due to floods, CLP leader Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka urged Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao to instruct officials to send a report to the Centre on priority so that money for flood relief could be released.

In a media statement on Sunday, Bhatti expressed anguish that despite the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) bringing to the notice of the government the magnitude of crop loss some 10 days back, the official machinery had remained unmoved. This spoke volumes about the governments attitude towards farmers.

Further delay would only deprive the farmers of Central schemes like Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY). The state government is to be blamed for the suicide of farmers following crop damage, he emphasised.

The CLP leader said that as per the rough estimates, 13 lakh acres of standing crop of cotton, soyabean, maize, paddy amongst others were completely damaged. It has been 15 days since the crops were damaged, but the state government is yet to announce compensation. In undivided AP, both the state and Central governments responded in time, but under the TRS government nothing of that sort is being witnessed, he added.
With less than two weeks left before the global launch, Samsung has opened the pre-reserve window for the upcoming premium phones-- Galaxy Fold4 and Flip4 series in India.

With the third generation Galaxy Fold and Flip series phones in 2021, Samsung made phones with bendable displays mainstream and like the Note series, has carved out a niche segment.

South Korean consumer electronics company is a leading brand in the industry that offers full-fledged commercial foldable phones in the market world around

Samsung is very confident of people buying Galaxy Fold4 and Flip4, whose features are yet to be fully revealed.

Prospective buyers can pay a token amount of Rs 1,999 on Samsung.com and avail of additional benefits worth Rs 5,000 when the devices get launched later this month.

Samsung Galaxy Unpacked 2022: Here's what to expect

Besides the Galaxy Fold4 and Flip4, Samsung is expected to bring the Galaxy Watch5 and Watch5 Pro along with the Galaxy Buds Pro 2 series.

As far as the features of the Galaxy Fold4 and Flip4 series are concerned, they are said to feature an IP6X rating for water and dust-resistant rating. Also, come with premium and durable build quality over its predecessors.

The Galaxy Fold4 is expected to feature a 6.2-inch cover display and inside, it may feature a wider 7.6-inch bendable OLED screen. Both the displays are said to support a 120Hz refresh rate.

The upcoming foldable phone is said to be powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, 8GB RAM/12GB RAM, up to 1TB storage, and a 4,400mAh battery.

Also, it will feature a primary triple-camera on the back- a main 50MP + 12MP ultra-wide sensor + 10MP telephoto with 3X zoom with LED flash on the back. On the cover display, it will have a 10MP sensor. And, on the wide-screen panel, it will have a 16MP camera.

Galaxy Flip4 is said to come with a 6.7-inch screen, which can fold vertically. The company is said to have incorporated an improved bendable display panel that can sustain longer than previous iterations. Also, on the front, it will have a bigger 2.1-inch screen, compared to 1.9-inch in the predecessor.

It runs Android 12-based One UI 4 OS, 8GB RAM, 128GB/256GB storage, Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, a 3,700mAh battery with support for 25W wired charging speed, 10W wireless charging speed, 5W reverse wireless charging speed.

It is said to feature a dual-camera module- main 12MP wide (with OIS) backed by a 12MP 123-degree ultra-wide-angle lens with LED flash, and 4K video recording capability. On the front, it is expected to feature a 10MP sensor.

Samsung is scheduled to host Galaxy Unpacked 2022 event on August 10 at 9:00 am ET (6:30 pm IST). The program will be streamed live online on the company's official website and YouTube channel.

Get the latest news on new launches, gadget reviews, apps, cybersecurity, and more on personal technology only on DH Tech.
Dozens of citizens gathered at Freedom Park on Sunday to protest Animal Husbandry Minister Prabhu Chauhans statement that Bengaluru will be free of stray dogs.

The minister said on July 7 that the three lakh stray dogs will be moved to a shelter.

Sujata Prasanna, a member of Action for Animal Justice, called the statement misleading.

First, there is no such facility available in Bengaluru, which can accommodate lakhs of dogs. Second, the statement is in contempt of the Supreme Courts rulings and guidelines and violates the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, she said.

Stray dogs are protected under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, and rules enacted under Section 38 of the act, particularly the Animal Birth Control (Dogs) Rules, 2001, which makes it illegal for an individual, residents welfare association or estate management to remove or relocate dogs.

People tried relocating dogs assuming that the minister had given them permission. The municipal corporation can only take the street dogs away for neutering/spaying. Following the operation, the municipal corporation must ensure that the dogs are returned to their former territory to avoid dogfights, Sujata added.

Surge in complaints

The ministers statement triggered a surge in complaints against animals, she said.

His remarks have caused undue anxiety and concern among animal caretakers, she added.

She continued: We have sent numerous e-mails to the ministers office, filed RTIs and met him in person. He had promised to clarify his statement after a meeting with the BBMP and the animal husbandry department within 10 days. But no such clarification has been issued yet.

Nearly 60 citizens gathered at the protest asked the minister to clarify his remarks.
South Africa: Eskom meets with business, JSE

Eskom has met with Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) and top leadership from at least 70 businesses n a Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) and Business Leadership South Africa (BLSA)-led session.

The session is part of the state power utilitys efforts to find solutions to its ailing power generation issues.

During the session Eskom CEO Andre de Ruyter mapped out the strategies currently in place to ensure that there is enough power supply on the grid.

The purpose of the discussions was to identify initiatives where the parties can collaborate and plant the seeds of opportunity to leverage private sector investment capacity and harvest the low hanging fruit in the electricity industry, de Ruyter said.

The Eskom CEO called on the business leaders to support the power utilitys electricity strategy by pursuing opportunities to make investments and realising savings benefits from the reforms of the electricity industry that were announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa recently.

Group CEO of the JSE, Leila Fourie, highlighted the importance of private business and government working together to make sure that the electricity crisis is addressed.

We are at a very important inflection point as a country and today we took the opportunity to unpack some of the proposed solutions for business-to-business partnerships in the generation of electricity. President Ramaphosas plan literally opens the door for investors and entrepreneurs to provide solutions that can have many other indirect and positive consequences for our country, especially when it comes to creating jobs.

We need to work together to address the energy generation challenge to the benefit of all South Africans, Fourie said.

According to Eskom, the session identified four areas where private business can make an impact including:

Opportunities to invest in own-generation projects and Independent Power Producers (IPPs) through land leasing and wheeling arrangements

Encourage the use of electricity sparingly to safeguard the national grid through co-ordinated energy efficiency campaigns

Provide support for security interventions to protect the electricity infrastructure from vandalism and theft

Contribute to the development and alignment of enabling policies related to the fiscus and environmental, energy and industrial sectors

During a robust Question-and-Answer session, company CEOs expressed their appreciation of Eskoms transparency on the key issues, offered practical solutions to unlock generation capacity and pledged their support of the public utilitys plan in partnership with the relevant government role players. Through BLSA, a framework for delivery will be tabled with companies to ensure traction on the agreed initiatives.

The parties have committed to extending the discussions to stakeholders based in both Cape Town and Durban, where some of the large electricity users and potential electricity investors are based, Eskom said.  SAnews.gov.za

This story has been published on: 2022-08-01. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Russian Armed Forces to get Zircon hypersonic missiles in months: Putin

Xinhua) 09:07, August 01, 2022

MOSCOW, July 31 (Xinhua) -- The Russian Armed Forces will obtain Zircon hypersonic missile systems in the coming months, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Sunday.

"The capabilities of the Navy ... are constantly improving. Suffice it to mention the latest Zircon hypersonic missile systems, which are unstoppable and have no analogues in the world. Dear comrades, their delivery to the Russian Armed Forces will begin in the coming months," Putin said during the Navy Day parade.

The frigate Admiral Gorshkov will be the first to take up combat duty with this weapon on board, he added.

"The duty area of the ship equipped with Zircon hypersonic cruise missiles will be determined based on the interests of ensuring Russia's security," he said.

Putin said earlier that a Zircon missile could have a speed of Mach 9 (over 11,000 kph) and a flight range of more than 1,000 km.

(Web editor: Wu Chaolan, Liang Jun)
Senator Ron Johnson charged the FBI with serious prejudice on Sunday, citing whistleblower accusations that the bureau withheld damaging evidence regarding Hunter Biden.

The Wisconsin Republican told Fox & Friends that he had no trust in FBI Director Christopher Wray, whom Donald Trump selected to supervise anything involving President Joe Biden's son.

Sen. Johnson Criticizes FBI For Hunter Biden Bias Allegations

Meanwhile, the Justice Department is investigating Hunter Biden's offshore business transactions in a separate tax inquiry. On Tuesday, Johnson issued a letter to Wray, Attorney General Merrick Garland, and other Justice Department officials, stating that the bureau went out of its way to 'improperly discount unfavorable Hunter Biden evidence as misinformation' to halt investigations against the president's son.

He said that the FBI hampered his August 2020 inquiry of Hunter Biden's overseas business connections. Johnson said that the FBI had 'done nothing with the alleged proof. Johnson's main worries revolve around an FBI briefing he got in August 2020 while he and colleague Republican Senator Chuck Grassley were investigating Hunter Biden at the time.

It comes after Grassley demanded on Monday that the agencies respond to similar charges against Hunter Biden in the run-up to the 2020 race. On Monday, Grassley stated that very credible whistleblowers had come forward claiming a systematic campaign inside the FBI to suppress bad material concerning President Joe Biden's son, Daily Mail reported.

Johnson used the whistleblower complaint to urge that the Justice Department conduct an internal inquiry or appoint a special counsel to investigate the handling of information concerning Hunter Biden.

Read Also: President Joe Biden Tests Positive for COVID-19 Again, Goes to Isolation Despite Saying He Feels Fine

Johnson Expects That Hunter Biden Indictment Will Be Concealed

The NY Post mined information found on Hunter Biden's laptop left behind at a computer repair shop in Delaware as the basis for a series of blockbuster exposes in October 2020 about the first son's shady business relationships in China and Ukraine, according to Johnson's letter.

Later articles in The Washington Post about Hunter Biden, who is being investigated in Delaware for possible tax evasion and money laundering in conjunction with his international business transactions, stated that he benefited from his father's influence. They also revealed that, contrary to popular belief, the president was aware of his son's financial dealings.

In accordance with Republican senator, Hunter Biden may be charged, but the public will never hear the full story. Prosecutors are considering charges for suspected tax evasion and giving a false statement in connection with the purchase of a handgun at a period when he should have been barred from doing so due to drug addiction. The government probe has reached a critical point, according to the latest deliberations, and the younger Biden has denied any misconduct, Washington Examiner via MSN reported.

Grassley recently announced that whistleblowers told him FBI officials were undermining or burying facts about Hunter Biden, incorrectly labeling verified evidence as disinformation, adding to the controversy surrounding the president's son. Although President Joe Biden has denied knowledge of his son's business dealings, Fox News reported on Thursday that the elder Biden met with at least 14 of Hunter Biden's business associates while he was vice president in the Obama administration.

Related Article: Donald Trump Blasts Biden Administration's Idea of Prisoner Swap with Russia Amid Brittney Griner's Case

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Sri Lanka's Supreme Court on Monday extended until August 4 the overseas travel ban on former prime minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and his younger brother and former finance minister Basil Rajapaksa, who are widely blamed for the current economic crisis in the island nation.

A five judge bench of the Supreme Court led by Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya announced the Monday's decision in a petition filed against the brothers of former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa by a group including former Chairman of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce Chandra Jayaratne, former Sri Lanka swimming champion Julian Bolling, Jehan Kanagaratna and Transparency International Sri Lanka.

The direction was issued when a motion related to the petition requesting the court to issue an order for an investigation against the people responsible for the current economic crisis came up on Monday.

The petition claimed that three persons -- Basil, Mahinda and former Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal -- were directly responsible for the unsustainability of Sri Lankas foreign debt, its debt default and the current economic crisis leading to an acute shortage of basic commodities such as food, fuel, and medicines.

On July 15, Sri Lankas apex court had barred the trio from leaving the country till July 28, the report said.

The ban was later extended till August 2.

Last month, Basil was prevented from leaving Sri Lanka following protests from passengers and officials at the Bandaranaike International Airport here.

Mahinda and Basils brother Gotabaya Rajapaksa, the former Sri Lankan President, arrived in Singapore on July 14 on a "private visit" from the Maldives after he fled his country to escape a popular uprising against his government's economic mismanagement.

Rajapaksa has been issued a new visa by Singapore, extending his stay in the country till August 11.

Sri Lanka has seen months of mass unrest over the worst economic crisis and many blame the former government led by Rajapaksa and his family for mishandling the island nation's economy.

The government declared bankruptcy in mid-April by refusing to honour its international debt.

The island nation of 22 million people, is under the grip of an unprecedented economic turmoil, the worst in seven decades, leaving millions struggling to buy food, medicine, fuel and other essentials.

Sri Lankas total foreign debt stands at USD 51 billion.
Wild elephants coming down the nearby Bhutan hills destroying crops here in Guwabari is as serious a problem as it used to be a decade ago. However, as farmer Gopal Barman, and his other farmer friends, would attestit doesnt impact their livelihoods as badly as it used to.

Thanks to the decision farmers like Barman took nearly a decade agothe farmers here in Guwabari village in north Assams Tamulpur district moved to betel nut cultivationthey can have a harvest.

Betel nut has changed our lives. Elephants cant destroy the betel nuts, the way they used to the crops like paddy or mustard, 45-year-old Barman told DH, as he sat with at least 20 other farmers, to talk about the current problems confronting farming, such as irrigation, impact of climate change, lower prices of paddy and elephant depredation.

Rows of betel nut trees on both sides of the road welcome visitors to Guwabari and at least 15 other villages around it. Earlier, we used to have a few betel nut trees in our backyards for personal consumption, and we used to sell some. But now, most houses have planted betel nuts due to the elephant problem and the lower income from other crops, Barman said.

For him, betel nuts grown in one hectare of land fetch him at least Rs 1 lakh every year, whereas paddy from the same land acreage would bring just Rs 20,000. Betel nuts dont need much attention, except a little irrigation during the winter. But cultivation of paddy has become expensive. We need to use more and more fertilisers and insecticides due to fast changes in weather patterns. This may be due to climate change impact, said a 70-year-old farmer, Haren Kalita.

A betel nut plant starts bearing fruits after five years, and it gives fruit for 30-40 years, whereas we have to face the same struggle with paddy and other crops every year, he said

Getting the markets for betel nuts is also not a problem as local traders queue up to buy the products. Many have even paid in advance for the next three years. This has definitely helped us increase our income, Kalita said. Paddy, mustard, pulses and sugarcane used to be the main crops here about 20 years ago. But the good price and less production cost lured many farmers to switch to betel nuts. This has helped us tackle the impact of elephant depredation to a large extent also, Kalita said.

Over 1,200 families live in the surrounding villages such as Ekrabeel, Bhawraguri, Kombhirjhar, Jaipur, Notunkhuti and Bogorikhuti. Betel nut cultivation has become the major crop for the farmers here.

The increase in income has also helped many farmers to buy solar fences to check the movement of elephants frequently coming down the adjoining hills of Bhutan. Elephants not only destroy the crops, sometimes they attack villagers, too. Solar fences have provided a little relief, but we are still trying to find a foolproof solution, he said.
Rajya Sabha proceedings were adjourned till 2 pm on Monday amid massive sloganeering and protest by Congress and other Opposition parties over various issues, including price rise.

When the House reassembled at 12 noon for Question Hour after adjournment during the morning session, Opposition parties again started protesting.

Some MPs from the Opposition benches also came into the Well of the House and shouted slogans.

Also Read | Rajya Sabha productivity falls to 16% in second week of Monsoon session

However, Bhubaneswar Kalita, who was in the chair, went ahead with the Question Hour.

Several questions were taken up amid the protest.

It was at around 12.40 that the proceedings were again adjourned till 2 pm.

Before adjourning the proceedings, Kalita told protesting members that the leader of Opposition (Mallikarjun Kharge) has demanded discussion on the issue of price rise.

Also Read | Shiv Sena MP gives suspension notice in RS over arrest of party leader Sanjay Raut

He further said the leader of the House (Piyush Goyal) has informed that the discussion would be taken up tomorrow.

Protesting members did not yield to Kalita's request for order in the House leading to adjournment.

The House during the the morning session, which started at 11 am, was adjourned for similar reason for about an hour.
A protest march taken out on Sunday by a section of believers and priests against the Church of South India's South Kerala diocese bishop Dharmaraj Rasalam in Thiruvananthapuram turned violent.

Rasalam and other top officials of the diocese are facing an Enforcement Directorate's probe in connection with alleged collection of capitation fee for admissions to a medical college run by the diocese, as well as money laundering. A section of priests and believers were protesting against Rasalam, accusing him of financial irregularities.

On Sunday, hundreds of believers and priests took out protest march to the CSI church and Bishop's residence in Thiruvananthapuram, demanding Rasalam's resignation. The march turned violent after police set up barricades. The police lathicharged agitators after they tried to break the police barricades. Some suffered minor injuries. Several persons were taken into custody by the police.

ED on last Monday carried out raids at various premises of the diocese, including its headquarters in Thiruvananthapuram and office and residence of the Dr Somervell Memorial CSI Medical College director Bennet Abraham. Rasalam's attempt to leave the country was also foiled by the ED at the Thiruvananthapuram airport on Tuesday morning.
In the past, anger against minorities was the standard response that followed murders of activists affiliated to BJP and various Hindu right-wing groups.

But the recent murder of Praveen Nettaru, surprisingly, has enraged the loyal BJP cadre against the partys own state leaders.

Though the electoral ramifications of this fury is too early to predict, the cadre appears to be seeking hardline Hindutva leaders in the government.

In the short term, this could lead to massive changes in the state government and the party unit, if the high command felt that such a move was necessary to pacify its angry foot soldiers.

The developments, which have rattled the state BJP leaders, have largely remained restricted to coastal and Malnad districts - where the party has been dominant for two decades now.

While BJP firefights this crisis, experts feel it provides an opportunity for other parties to make inroads into some OBC communities, which are stuck with the saffron party for long.

Sources in the party feel that the outburst aimed at party leaders, including Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai ,was not a healthy development, as it could dent the morale of party workers.

Even the audio of BJP MP and Yuva Morcha national president Tejasvi Surya, requesting leaders from Chikkamagaluru Yuva Morcha unit to withdraw their resignations was leaked to media by a karyakarta, the sources said.

The recent remarks by former minister K S Eshwarappa, criticising Yuva Morcha leaders who resigned, have also not done any favour.

There is a section of party workers who look at the BJP government in Uttar Pradesh and feel that bulldozing houses of perpetrators of violence is the best way to go. Considering the statements issued to media and social media posts, it is clear that a sizable number of party workers want the same to be followed here, the sources said.

Prof Muzaffar Assadi, chairman, department of political science and public administration, University of Mysore, said communities such as Billavas could shift allegiance after Praveens murder.

They feel that members of the community are just made scapegoats. With the recent development, it appears that the circle (of shifting political affiliations) will be complete as a section of OBCs, who had last backed Congress in the 70s and early 80s, may realign their loyalties in favour of the Congress again, he said.

The state BJP unit, however, is confident that any discontent can be addressed.

Only 12-13 people have resigned after the incident. Such anger is common in the beginning. It will be tackled in the coming days, said Mahesh Tenginakayi, general secretary of the state BJP.

On demands by party cadres that more hardline leaders were required, he said that the government was aware of it.

On whether changes in the government or party unit were discussed after the recent developments, Tenginakayi replied in the negative.
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A protest has taken place against the decision by British Secretary of State Shailesh Vara to grant a Public Interest Immunity Certificate (PIIC) in relation to the death of Noah Donohoe (14).

Noah Donohoe was found dead in a Belfast storm drain days after disappearing in June 2020.

Speaking to Derry Now at Monday's protest outside the PSNI Strand Road Barracks, Derry City and Strabane District councillor, Christopher Jackson (Sinn Fein) said it was disgraceful that the PSNI would try to cover up and withhold information in relation to the death of a 14-year-old child.

There certainly is not the truth, transparency and accountability that we would expect from the PSNI and other public services.

Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council Councillor Sandra Duffy has also written to Shailesh Vara asking him to reverse his PIIC decision.

Mayor Duffy said: It is vitally important that Fiona Donohoe and her family and friends get the full truth about Noah's death and that there is open and transparency throughout this process.

I will continue to stand with Fiona Donohoe and her family in their campaign for justice and truth. They deserve nothing less. We need to join together to oppose any effort to cover up the circumstances of Noahs death.

Also at the protest, former People Before Profit MLA, Eamonn McCann said it was very important that people came out in public and expressed their anger at the way Fiona Donohoe had been treated in relation to her son.

He added: The fact of the matter is, if they have issued a PIIC, that was not done on a casual basis. That was done as a result of discussions between high level political people and security people. What were they discussing and why is it we can't be told what they were discussing?

If they have a valid reason for doing this, tell us what it is. What's more, there are an awful lot of people, hardly anybody in the North will say they are against telling the truth about how wee Noah was killed. Everybody says, 'Yes, we are in favour of the truth' but where are they? Why is the Policing Board still packed with people from all arts and parts and all sides of the political spectrum?

There is a lot in this issue that we are not being told about. It is not even that the truth is not being told. Why is the truth not being told? What do some people know that the rest of us don't know?

We are talking about the State and what the State has done to us. For years we have been talking about this. Here is a clear example of the State condoning, in effect, the murder of a child, almost certainly a sectarian murder, which we can't say for definite and we can't say it for definite because we are not being told the facts. Tell us the truth and be done with it. Let the blame fall where it may, said Eamonn McCann.
An ancient woodland has opened to the public for the first time in more than 500 years.

The Woodland Trust conservation charity hopes Mourne Park will now become a popular visitor attraction, having bought 156 hectares of the 212 hectare site last year.

It is currently raising funds to buy a further 46 hectares.

As part of the 5.2 million campaign, the trust has reinstated walking paths in woodland that has not offered public access since the 1500s.

Three trails have been completed over loose gravel paths covering a variety of gradients and lengths. They have been called the Bluebell Walk, the Woodland Loop and the Whitewater Trail.

Mourne Park is near Kilkeel in Co Down on the edge of the Mourne Mountains, an area of outstanding natural beauty.

The charity says the park is home to extremely rare woodland and is also inhabited by wildlife such as red squirrels, otters and pine martens.

The Woodland Trust, which is celebrating its 50th year, has bought 1,200 sites across the UK in the last five decades.

The initial purchase of Mourne Park was part funded by Stormonts Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs and the Garfield Weston Foundation.

Ian McCurley, director of Woodland Trust Northern Ireland, said: Mourne Park is one of the most important areas of natural beauty in the whole of Northern Ireland, with 73ha of precious ancient woodland so incredibly rare to find.

We want to open Mourne Park up in a sensitive way, to allow the public to enjoy it in all its glory. So we have created three walking trails in our first phase of works.

In these times, when people are calling for more green space, access to the countryside has never been more important.

He added: We need help to acquire the additional 46ha, to complete restoration in this precious ancient landscape, improve access for people and create more havens for wildlife.

To be able to protect woodlands on this landscape scale means more for nature, more for people and more for climate change.

For more information visit https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/mourne.
Detectives investigating the death of a man in Ballymena have charged a 29-year-old man with murder.

The body of Victor Hamilton, 63, was discovered in Orkney Drive in the Co Antrim town on Wednesday morning.

The 29-year-old will appear before Colerain Magistrates Court sitting in Ballymena on Monday morning.

We have arrested a third person in connection with the murder of 63-year-old Victor Hamilton in Orkney Drive in Ballymena on Wednesday, July 27 pic.twitter.com/cIIBXznnhF  Police Mid and East Antrim (@PSNIMEADistrict) July 31, 2022

Police said Mr Hamilton was found dead in the driveway of his home.

The 29-year-old was arrested on Thursday in the Spring Meadows area of Armagh.

A 23-year-old woman was detained on Friday in the Belfast area, while a 33-year-old man was detained in Portadown in the early hours of Sunday.

Detective inspector Gina Quinn said: We would like to thank the public for their assistance to date and continue to appeal to anyone with any information that could assist us with our investigation to contact us on 101 quoting reference 273 27/07/22.

Information can also be provided to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, which is 100% anonymous and gives people the power to speak up and stop crime.
A man has been remanded in custody charged with the murder of another man in Ballymena.

Mamadu Saido Djalo, 29, appeared before a district judge on Monday morning, accused of killing 63-year-old Victor Hamilton.

The body of Mr Hamilton was discovered in the driveway of his home in Orkney Drive in the Co Antrim town last Wednesday morning.

Djalo, from Springfield Crescent in Belfast, appeared before Coleraine Magistrates Court, sitting in Ballymena, via video-link from Musgrave Street police custody suite in Belfast.

During the short hearing, he spoke only to confirm he understood the charge he was facing.

A detective sergeant told the court he could connect Djalo to the charge.

Blaine Nugent, representing the accused, said he was not in a position to make an application for bail on Monday.

He requested that the case be listed again in a weeks time so a bail application could be made.

In the circumstances we are not in a position to move a bail application today; we expect to be able to do so in a week, the barrister said.

Deputy District judge Philip Mateer remanded Djalo in custody until August 8 when he will appear before the court again.

A 33-year-old man detained by police in Portadown in the early hours of Sunday on suspicion of Mr Hamiltons murder remained in custody on Monday morning.

A 23-year-old woman arrested in Belfast on Friday has been released on bail pending further police inquiries.
China has received widespread criticism over a rocket booster that helped launch part of a space station into orbit that crashed into Earth's atmosphere on Saturday over the Indian Ocean.

Officials believe that the 25-ton debris re-entered the planet's atmosphere over Southeast Asia at around 10:45 a.m. In Malaysia, witnesses reported seeing bright objects in the sky that resembled meteors but said that it was likely debris.

China's Rocket Debris

Experts at Aerospace Corporation have closely tracked the booster and believe that the vast majority of the rocket burned up in the atmosphere. However, they said that it was possible that as much as 20% to 40% of the object could have remained intact until it reached the ground.

But so far, there have been no reports of damage or injuries from any of the island nations that surround the eastern part of the Indian Ocean. The sights of the falling debris are similar to China's rocket booster returns in 2020 and 2021 when they landed over Africa and the Indian Ocean, as per the New York Post.

China launched the Long March-5B rocket on July 24 which delivered a laboratory module for its new Tiangong Space Station, before falling back towards Earth. Due to the incident, the United States and several other countries have slammed China for the threat that the debris could bring.

Read Also: Vladimir Putin Teases Deployment of Zircon Hypersonic Missiles Soon Amid Russia-Ukraine War

In a statement, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson criticized the People's Republic of China for the country's lack of transparency over the potentially catastrophic event. The official said that Chinese authorities did not share specific trajectory information as their Long March 5-B rocket fell back to Earth.

According to Space, several social media users have captured footage of the falling debris, with the most striking coming from Twitter user Nazri Sulaiman. The video was a 27-second recording from Kuching, Malaysia. It shows one section of the object outshining others as it was trailed by fiery debris.

Burning Rocket Stage

In his initial post, Sulaiman wrote, "Meteor spotted in Kuching!" but later apologized and corrected his post to say that it was a rocket, not a meteor. Another Twitter user, @HanifDaspepzz, captured a similar video that showed debris streaking across the sky high over an ornate rooftop as the rocket stage burned up in the atmosphere.

In Lampung, Indonesia, a video released on Instagram showed what appeared to be an early phase of the re-entry when the Long March 5-B rocket stage was largely intact. In a Weibo statement, officials with the China Manned Spaceflight Engineering office said that the re-entry occurred at 119.0 degrees east longitude and 9.1 degrees north latitude.

An astrophysicist at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, Jonathan McDowell, said that no other country leaves these 20-ton things in orbit to re-enter in an uncontrolled way. The remarks come amid accusations that China is not properly handling space debris from its rocket stage.

Nelson noted that Beijing trajectory information of the debris was critical to the responsible use of space and to ensure the safety of people on Earth. The China Manned Space Agency said that most of the remnants burned up during the re-entry process over the Sulu Sea, which is located between the island of Borneo and the Philippines, CNN reported.



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Google Pixel 6a went on sale last week, with some users noticing an issue with the devices fingerprint unlock feature. Any fingerprint can unlock the affected Google Pixel 6a devices, according to reports.

As the new Google Pixel 6a is now available more widely, some users have noticed that any fingerprint is able to unlock their new phones in a rather worrying security lapse by the tech giant.

According to 9To5Google, last week, two reports emerged about the Pixel 6a's under-display fingerprint sensor (UDFPS) allowing anybody to unlock it. This includes people that did not register their fingerprints ahead of time.

Now there are, so far, six additional reports of this occurring. They range from being able to unlock with a different finger that was not registered to being able to unlock another person's Pixel 6a, the report said.

One person said the issue did not occur again after removing all saved fingerprints and re-adding them.

The report mentioned that most buyers do not appear to have this issue with the Pixel 6a.

It is unclear if a new update will resolve the issue or whether there is a deeper hardware problem on affected phones, the report said.

This month, a report said that 36 percent of Google Pixel owners wish to switch to other brands amid issues.

(Apart from headline, rest of this article is un-edited from a newswire)
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By WILSON RING

Associated Press

BURLINGTON, Vt.  After a nearly 70-year absence, a passenger train running from Vermont's revitalized Burlington train station to New York City headed south Friday as part of a nationwide renewal of interest in rail travel.

Last November, President Joe Biden, who famously rode Amtrak between Washington and his Delaware home during his 36 years in the Senate, signed legislation that includes $102 billion for passenger and freight rail investment that will help Amtrak improve and expand its services over time.





. . .
Mourners at the funeral of Lord Trimble have heard an appeal for Northern Irelands political leaders to redouble their efforts to break the Stormont impasse as a tribute to the peace process architect.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Taoiseach Micheal Martin were among those who were at Harmony Hill Presbyterian Church in Lisburn, Co Antrim, for the funeral of the former first minister.

Irish President Michael D Higgins, DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and Sinn Fein vice president Michelle ONeill also attended the service in Lambeg.

Former Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams was also in the church as was Secretary of State Shailesh Vara, NIO Minister Conor Burns and representatives from all the main political parties in Northern Ireland.

A crowd of roughly 100 people gathered outside the church to hear the service which was relayed on loudspeaker.

Nobel Peace Prize winner Lord Trimble died last week at the age of 77 following an illness.

The former leader of the Ulster Unionist Party played a key role in forging the 1998 Good Friday/Belfast Agreement that ended decades of conflict in Northern Ireland.

Months after the deal was signed, the peer, from Co Down, was jointly awarded the Nobel prize with late SDLP leader John Hume in recognition of their efforts to stop the bloodshed and establish a powersharing system of devolved governance in the region.

On Tuesday, the Stormont Assembly will reconvene for a special sitting to pay tribute to Lord Trimble.

The institutions are currently on ice, with the DUP blocking the creation of a powersharing administration in protest at Brexits Northern Ireland Protocol.

Lord Trimbles widow, Lady Daphne, took her place in the front row as the coffin was carried into the church by their sons and daughters.

Minister Rev Fiona Forbes welcomed mourners to the service.

She said: The array of those who have gathered today to pay their respects bears witness not only to Davids impact on the political landscape of which he was so much a part, but also to the imprints he left upon the same, and to the legacy he left all of us.

Of course, we come to remember an academic, a party leader, a peacemaker, a Nobel laureate, the first to serve in the role of first minister in the new Northern Ireland Executive established as part of the Good Friday Agreement.

But we also come to remember a husband, father, and grandfather, a brother, brother-in-law and uncle, a colleague, a committed member of this church family, and a friend.

Lord Trimbles eldest son, Richard, has thanked the public for their sympathies and kind words following the death of his father.

Rev Dr Charles McMullen told mourners that Lord Trimbles actions had allowed a generation in Northern Ireland to grow up in relative peace.

Delivering a tribute at the service, the former moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland said: Alongside others, he rose to seemingly impossible challenges with considerable strength of character, intellectual acumen, and complete integrity.

The reward for all of us has been a radically changed landscape here in Northern Ireland, which has saved many lives and allowed a generation to grow up in relative peace.

As so many have said over these past few days, history will be exceedingly kind to David even if life brought many unrelenting pressures and demands.

Dr McMullen added: He was a committed family man and, as I have sat with Daphne, his daughters Victoria and Sarah, and sons Richard and Nicholas over these past few days, I have been deeply touched and moved by so many stories, all of which underlined how dearly loved he was by them.

They gave him to us and we want to take this opportunity to express our deepest appreciation to them.

He told the congregation that the Omagh bombing had doubled Lord Trimbles determination to achieve peace.

He said: As first minister, David had to cut short a family holiday in order to get home to visit Omagh in the aftermath of that terrible bombing which killed so many, an experience that left him utterly devastated but doubled his determination to keep building bridges and working for peace.

I can remember bumping into him days after the conclusion of the Good Friday Agreement and hearing how, afterwards, on his way home he had gone to a hole in the wall but could not remember his pin number.

That was an indication of being under almost unbearable stress, but then he always had the courage of his convictions and was prepared to pay the cost.

Dr McMullen said he hoped the funeral service could be used as an inspiration to redouble efforts to resolve political differences in Northern Ireland.

Referring to Lord Trimbles Nobel prize speech in 1998, he told mourners: In that speech, David made this inspiring comment: The dark shadow we seem to see in the distance is not really a mountain ahead, but the shadow of the mountain behind  a shadow from the past thrown forward into our future. It is a dark sludge of historical sectarianism. We can leave it behind us if we wish. But both communities must leave it behind, because both created it.

It is a very powerful quotation because it reminds us of the achievements of the Good Friday Agreement in placing the principle of consent at the centre of our politics and ultimately removing the gun.

It reminds us also that, although we are on a journey from the past, the mountain still casts a shadow and we are all, to a greater or lesser extent, recovering sectarians.

Can we use this service today, in a fitting tribute to one of the great, to redouble our efforts on this island home of ours?

With courage, pragmatism and generosity of spirit, may our politicians engage wholeheartedly in resolving the outstanding issues surrounding the Northern Ireland Protocol, so that our democratic institutions are quickly restored and we can all move forward together.

Conservative peer Lord Godson said Lord Trimble was the most substantial figure thrown up by unionism since the foundation of Northern Ireland in 1921.

He said: In death he is finally being afforded the respect and love from all communities on this island that he deserves, and did not always receive in the height of his powers.

At the end of the service the Trimble family led mourners from the church, before taking time to meet those who had attended the service.

Lord Trimbles remains were interred later.
Former Trump Envoy Richard Grenell says the US State Department is complicit in backing a potential Kosovo-Serbian war initiated by fascistic elements in Pristina. He said it was avoidable by the Kosovan PM's actions were tolerated instead of seeking diplomatic reconciliation.

Trump-Negotiated Peace Shattered by weak US Officials

Richard Grenell, who oversaw the US intelligence community for a while before negotiating an agreement between Kosovo and Serbia under the Trump administration, reported RT.

Last Sunday, he accused Albin Kurtin, the Kosovan prime minister, of acting foolishly by starting a dispute with Belgrade, but he emphasized that the State Department was wrong to support the action, noted Hi India.

He discounted any Russian intervention and said that a foreign power manipulates the Kosovan official, tweeted on Sunday night. It was an attempt to get back to Belgrade after a long-settled conflict.

The decision to go to a potential Kosovo-Serbian war rather than work towards recovery and prosperity is a very risky one; the US State Department should not abet it.

When Kosovan police arrived at two administrative crossings with Serbia early in the day to implement Kurti's decision to confiscate Serbian license plates and documents, the Serbian army was put on high alert, and local Serbs set up barricades.

This would have separated the remaining Serbs in the province's northern region from their family members.

Former Trump envoy Grenell clarified that although it involved Kurti acting unilaterally to forbid Serbian identification cards and license plates inside Kosovo, it was unimportant.

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He described the prime minister as a seasoned fascist and far-left radical. He also said that the Serbs should ignore the leader's conduct, citing The Fast Newz.

Is the West Tapping Kurti To Cause a Stir?

The former Trump officials emphasized that even Albanians are aware that the Kosovan PM is a nasty guy.

It said the prior meeting between Kosovan President Vjosa Osmani and current Secretary of State Antony Blinken revealed a weak US position.

He made jabs at US President Joe Biden for, unlike Trump, not including the Balkans in his foreign policy.

Numerous deals with the two at-war nations were made under the Trump administration through economic advantages that benefited both parties.

As a result of his cooperation with Donald Trump, the EU is accusing Hashim Thaci of war crimes; Kurti and Osmani are two fascists who disturb the Peace.

Grenell served as the US ambassador to Germany, a special representative for Kosovo, and the acting director of national intelligence during the tenure of Donald Trump (February-May 2020).

Kurti is a former student activist whose Self-determination (Vetevendosje) party supported reuniting with Albania and advocated for the separatist region to become autonomous.

Became the PM in early 2020 but got ousted after a month on the job with a zero-confidence vote, but returned with enough support a year later.

The US ambassador to Pristina, Jeffrey Hovenier, asked the Kosovan government to postpone the implementation of the document policy before the postponement began last Sunday.

Former Trump Envoy Grenell said the US State Department unwisely is pushing a Potential Kosovo-Serbian war that should be avoided, but the lackluster foreign policy of Joe Biden for the Balkans is questionable.

Related Article: EU Energy Crunch: Russia To Reduce Gas Supplies to the Bloc Via Nord Stream 1 Pipeline

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The Wee Binnian Walkers will host their three day annual Walking Festival from 9-11 September and wish to invite people to them to hike in the stunning landscapes of the Mourne and the Cooley Mountains. Sponsoring this year's festival is Jackson Sports, Belfast.

Wee Binnian Walkers was formed as a social club that walks in 1987.This is the 26th Wee Binnian Walkers annual walking festival. There was no festival in 2020 & 2021.

The Festival HQ is the Town Hall, Church Street, Warrenpoint BT34 3HN. All buses depart from and return to the Town Hall. Free car parking is available on The Square public car park and three other car parks within close walking distance.

There are two walk options on Friday 9 September including a night walk  both are grade two. On both Saturday 10 and Sunday 11, there are four walks  graded one-three. Walkers must register to join a walk, either in advance via Ticket Source or on the day at the festival base. See the Wee Binnians website www.weebinnians.com for further details. Prices:

Three days - 30

Two days - 22

One day - 12

Night walk - 10

Blister boogie - 30

After Walks events include on the Friday night, an informal get together at the Skylite Room, No.7 Duke Street, Warrenpoint at 8pm, where attendees can relax after the first days walking and get a chance to mingle with fellow walkers.

On Saturday night the legendary Blister Boogie, the social highlight of the weekend. Dinner and dance. Admission by ticket only, available via Ticket Source. Venue: Whistledown Hotel, Warrenpoint - Time: 8.00pm.

Apres Hike Festival Close takes place after the walks, and include complimentary refreshments, as well as a free draw courtesy of Wee Binnians. Venue: Warrenpoint Town Hall, BT34 3HN.

More details and the festival leaflet can be found here as well as on the website www.weebinnians.com and on Facebook/ Instagram.
Lost baggage problems, knowing when to turn up to Dublin Airport and what passengers can do when flights were cancelled were raised by Dundalk TD Ruairi O Murchu when airport and airline chiefs came before the Oireachtas Transport Committee last week.

Senior officials from Aer Lingus, Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) and baggage handling firms were quizzed by the Sinn Fein deputy about issues affecting passengers as they try to get away for the summer.

Lost baggage, and the length of time it is taking for handlers and airlines to get it back to passengers, was a main theme of the meeting, which lasted three hours.

Deputy O Murchu said he had seen himself the stacks of suitcases piled up at the airport.

Darren Moloney, MD of Sky Handling Partners admitted there were hundreds of bags still waiting to get back to their owners, but a new landside unit had been opened so passengers could come to the airport themselves to claim their baggage.

Deputy O Murchu said that while he accepted some of the current lost luggage problems at Dublin Airport are being caused by issues at other airports, particularly in Britain and Holland, people are being greatly impacted.

He said he noted a large increase in the numbers of people who are not checking in luggage for flights but are taking them on board themselves.

Chief Operations Officer at Aer Lingus, Peter ONeill, told Deputy O Murchu the airline currently has 1200 open lost luggage files.

The Dundalk TD also asked about cancelled flights and how people are being accommodated when this happens.

Mr ONeill said efforts are made to book people onto the next available flight, but admitted that, with peak summer season, this can be quite limited.

Deputy O Murchu received confirmation that there are no plans to limit access to Dublin Airport, unlike other airports around Europe this summer.

He also secured an assurance from the Transport Committee that the issue of foreign driving licences that can be used on national roads in the State, but not at the airport, and which is limiting the numbers of people who can apply for jobs as drivers and baggage handlers, will be looked at by the committee in the coming weeks.

Deputy O Murchu asked about the current advice for people about when to turn up for flights from the airport.

Lynne Embleton, CEO of Aer Lingus, said there are issues, particularly on morning flights, where passengers whose flights are leaving in minutes are behind those in the security queue whose flights are not departing for hours.

Vincent Harrison from the DAA said the airport had a responsibility to give out one size fits all advice to passengers and if airlines wanted to issue bespoke advice to their customers, they could do that.
According to police and local sources, an 18-year-old girl was reportedly shot and killed by a professor at the Georgia university where she planned to enroll in the autumn.

In the Saturday killing of Anna Jones, a recent high school graduate who was enrolled as an incoming freshman at the University of West Georgia, Richard Sigman, 47, was arrested and charged with murder, possession of a handgun, and aggravated assault.

Professor Charged After Killing an Incoming Freshman

According to Carrollton police, a guy reported to security at Leopoldo's, a local pizza restaurant, that Sigman threatened to shoot him after the two got into an altercation about midnight. According to detectives, when security approached the professor and discovered he had a firearm, they urged him to leave.

Authorities claimed Sigman departed and headed toward a parking garage, where he reportedly began firing into a parked vehicle where Jones was seated. When the young woman was hit, her companions rushed her to the hospital, where she was pronounced dead, New York Post reported.

Jones was then transported to Tanner Medical Center. After receiving a complaint of a gunshot wound, local police were called to the hospital at 12:27 am. The 18-year-old was pronounced dead at the hospital after being treated for her injuries.

Given that they attended the same institution, it is unknown if Sigman and Jones knew one another or had a past connection. The University of West Georgia issued a statement on Saturday afternoon confirming Sigman's dismissal and expressing regret for Jones' death.

Read Also: Pope Francis Considers Retiring, Acknowledges Being Unable To Travel Anymore Due to Strained Knee Ligaments

GoFundMe Page Launched in Death of 18-Year-Old Georgia Teen

"The University of West Georgia has heard of the death of one of its students, Anna Jones, who died earlier today as a result of an off-campus event," university President Dr. Brendan Kelly said in a statement. Sigman is now facing accusations, including one count of murder, three counts of aggravated assault, and one count of possession of a handgun during the commission of a crime.

A GoFundMe campaign has been set up to assist Jones' bereaved family. As of Sunday morning, it had generated more than $13,000, well above its $7,500 target. "She was a lovely, wonderful person, and her smile would light up a room!" commented Jennifer Lepard, who organized the page, according to Newsweek via MSN.

As per The Sun, Sigman was asked to leave the area when he got into a quarrel and allegedly threatened to shoot the man he was arguing with when security noticed he had a pistol. According to detectives, Sigman then proceeded to a parking deck a block away from the pizza business and opened fire on the parked car in which Jones was seated.

Jones had just graduated from Mount Zion High School, which paid homage to her after learning of her death. According to the school's website, all UWG students, professors, and staff will have access to counseling and support services.

Related Article: American Gun Makers Asserts Firearms Do Not Cause Crimes, Murderers Using Them Do

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A senior U.S. military source said on Friday that 4,000 soldiers, largely from Indonesia and the United States, will perform a combined military exercise next week to highlight the significance we have on a free and open Indo-Pacific area.

The biennial Super Garuda Shield exercise takes place amid a backdrop of heightened tensions with China over the latters growing aggressiveness in the region, which the United States described as much larger in scope and size than prior exercises.

However, Major General Stephen G. Smith, who will be in charge of the exercises ground operations, told reporters in Jakarta on Friday that the exercise shouldnt be interpreted as a reaction to any tensions.

This exercise poses no threat to anyone, anywhere, and should not be interpreted as such. This drill is solely between military personnel, he stated.

Following news that U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi intended to visit Taiwan as early as August, tensions and rhetoric erupted this week. But in a phone chat on Thursday, U.S. President Joe Biden and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping mostly avoided escalation, suggesting that neither side  already consumed with domestic economic problems  wants a new crisis across the Taiwan Strait.
THE much-loved presenter of the BBC podcast You, Me And The Big C, and mother-of-two Deborah James raised millions of pounds for research through the Bowelbabe Fund before her death in June.

Deborah shared candid Instagram posts on her progress and videos showing her treatment, and encouraged others not to delay getting symptoms checked out.

Here is everything you need to know about bowel cancer, its warning signs and treatment:

How common is bowel cancer?

Almost 2,700 people are diagnosed with bowel cancer each year in Ireland.

It is the second most common of all cancers in men and the third most common of all cancers in women in Ireland.

What are the main symptoms?

Persistent and unexplained changes in your bowel habits - you may notice that you need to poo more frequently and your stools are looser, said Dr Nikki Ramskill, GP at the digital healthcare provider Livi.

What is normal for you might be abnormal for someone else.

Noticing blood in your poo or coming from your bottom is another sign. Often it is dark red or brown in colour, she says.

Unexplained weight loss, extreme tiredness for no obvious reason and a pain or lump in your tummy are other warning signs, Dr Wilde said.

In some cases, bowel cancer can stop digestive waste passing through the bowel.

This is a medical emergency and you should seek urgent medical care, warned Dr Ramskill.

Signs of this happening include sickness with constant swelling around your abdomen and abdominal pain brought on by eating.

Could the symptoms mean something else?

Quite possibly, but it is so important to find out what is causing any of these signs.

Having these symptoms does not always mean you have bowel cancer - they can often be a sign of other common conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), an infection, or inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), such as Crohns disease or ulcerative colitis, Dr Ramskill said.

What will happen at the GP appointment?

It is a good idea to keep a symptoms diary ahead of your appointment to discuss with the doctor.

On the day, your doctor may want to examine your tummy and bottom to check for any lumps. You may also be asked to take a blood test - this will check for an iron deficiency which can be a sign of bowel cancer, said Dr Ramskill.

In some cases, you may also be required to provide a stool sample, this is so that your poo can be checked for blood - another symptom of bowel cancer.

How treatable is it?

Bowel cancer is treatable and curable, especially if diagnosed early, Dr Wilde said. Nearly everyone survives bowel cancer if diagnosed at the earliest stage, but this drops significantly as the disease develops. Early diagnosis really does save lives.

Being aware of the symptoms and visiting your GP if you are concerned can help increase chances of an early diagnosis.

Whats a FIT test?

Your GP might request you do a FIT (Faecal Immunochemical Test) which helps to detect bowel cancer at an early stage, when treatment has the best chance of working, Dr Wilde explained. It can be carried out at home.

The test can also find polyps (non-cancerous growths), which might develop into cancer. Polyps can usually be removed, to lower the risk of bowel cancer.

The FIT test looks for hidden blood in poo and you can take the test in the privacy of your own home.

The test has a stick attached to the lid, which is used to take one small poo sample and placed back into the tube.

Its then sent to a screening centre and you will be notified of your results in about two weeks, she said.

What is a colonoscopy?

Your doctor may also refer you for a colonoscopy at hospital if they suspect something is not quite right about your bowel or colon. It is a very common procedure - thousands are carried out across the country every week.

The procedure involves an endoscopist putting a thin flexible tube with a camera on the end up your bottom so they can see the inside of your bowel, says Dr Wilde.

[It] gives a close-up view of the inside of your bowel so they can clearly see if theres anything wrong.

A colonoscopy can feel a little uncomfortable, but its an important part of maintaining good all-round health.

Most people who have a colonoscopy wont have bowel cancer. But, if bowel cancer is detected at its earliest stage, nearly everybody is treated successfully.

What treatment is available?

If you are diagnosed with bowel cancer, you will be cared for by a multi-disciplinary team who will discuss your treatment options depending on which part of your bowel is affected, how far the cancer has spread and your general health, said Dr Ramskill. This can include surgery combined with chemotherapy, radiotherapy or biological treatments.

In some cases a colostomy or ileostomy (stoma) may be needed.

Donate to Deborah James fund at bowelbabe.org.
HANNAH OConnors hair had long been a great source of conversation amongst all those who had the good fortune to meet her.

She usually wore it up, all 3ft of it, coiled around and around, and flat to the back of her head, like a large cinnamon roll.

The only people who knew her little secret were her mother and her sister.

From her childhood days, she had long been obsessed with all things hair-related. Not having been blessed with anything other than a sprig of growth on her rather generous-sized head, actresses like Sophia Loren and Jean Shrimpton all had what Hannah craved - voluminous, long hair.

When she stumbled across an advert for handmade wigs in the Irish Times, at the age of 17, her foray into the world of extravagant up-dos and unconventional styles, began with gusto.

Over the years, her ever-increasing collection, which grew to include buns, plaits, beehives and other such designs, was carefully washed, dried and styled in the confines of No.1, Main Street, away from the prying eyes of Kilroche village.

Hannah OConnor, that hair will be the death of you, her mother had said on more than one occasion.

On the little hill just above the village, with a view over the Atlantic Ocean, one could almost imagine Nancy OConnor pulling on her glasses and raising her head out of the soil to peer down the main street, with a derisory look.

******

Denis Rua Sheehy had just unwrapped his ham sandwiches and set himself up for the tea, when the phone rang.

Hello, Kilroche Garda Station, Sergeant Sheehy here, he mumbled through a mouthful of food.

A strangled muffle came down the line.

Din, would you come up here as fast as you can please, shes dead, shes dead...

He thought he recognised the voice, but wanted to be absolutely sure...

Is that you, Maura?

Oh Jesus, Din, theres an awful, awful lot of blood, poor Hannah...

Din shoved another sandwich into his mouth, grabbed his hat, and headed for OConnors.

As he knelt there now at the foot of the cast-iron staircase, it became very clear to him. Hannahs hair, which according to Maura had involved a long plait, had gotten caught in the handrail of the stairs, sending her flying straight over the last 6ft of bannister, to land splat on the flagstone floor below. Judging by the pools of blood, death had been instant.

Her hair, her bloody hair killed her, oh dear God, Maura bawled.

Im no doctor, Maura, but Im sure it was quick, Im so sorry, what a terrible thing to happen.

Oh God, poor Hannah, shes gone, shes gone.

Din got up from his crouching position and stood there awkwardly, shifting uncomfortably from foot to foot. Hed never dealt with anything of this magnitude before.

Ill make you a quick cuppa before you go, Din, Maura said hurriedly, Im sure I interrupted your tea.

Not at all thanks, Maura, Id better be getting on, I have some work to do back at the station, youve enough on your plate.

Maura was having none of it.

I wont take no for an answer, she said, hurrying out to the kitchen.

It was only when Maura left that Din thought of ringing Dr Murphy. Although he hadnt found a pulse, it was probably best to have the doctor double-check, call an undertaker and do the necessaries. Jack, sounding like hed just woken up, said that hed be there pronto.

Din followed Maura to the kitchen, where she had the table set with a pot of tea, cups and saucers, and a large plate of biscuits. Her house-coat had a few splatters of blood on it, he noted. That was to be expected, he supposed.

She took it off, and draped it over the back of an old fireside armchair. Something clattered to the floor with a loud clunk. A long hair plait, adorned with a beautiful diamante clip, lay bloodied and tangled on the kitchens immaculate, tiled floor.
Authorities have arrested a man with a loaded AK-47 outside the Brooklyn home of an Iranian journalist and were behaving "suspiciously," forcing her to flee.

The journalist, identified as activist Masih Alinejad, was living at her Brooklyn home with the rest of her family. She was targeted in an alleged kidnapping plot last year by Iranian nationals after speaking out against the Iranian regime.

Iranian Journalist Threatened

The indictment in that previous case alleged that the plot was organized by an Iranian intelligence official. However, Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs denied any involvement, calling the accusations "baseless and ridiculous."

Alinejad said that she was at her Brooklyn home on Thursday when federal agents informed her about the armed man. She said that authorities told her to keep away from her home and was immediately shocked, wondering what she would even do if she opened the door.

On Thursday afternoon, New York Police Department (NYPD) officers arrested the suspect, identified as Khalid Mehdiyev, as he was driving away from the Brooklyn neighborhood. It was after he failed to stop at a stop sign, said a federal criminal complaint, as per CNN.

NYPD officers also found that the suspect was driving without a valid driver's license and they later found a suitcase in the backseat of his vehicle that contained a loaded AK-47-style assault rifle. Inside, there was also an additional second magazine and $1,100 in $100 bills.

Read Also: Hunter Biden Probe: Sen. Ron Johnson Casts Doubt on FBI's Transparency, Expects "Deal" To Hide First Son's Indictment

Authorities charged the suspect with possessing a firearm with an obliterated serial number and are set to be back in court on Aug. 12. Mehdiyev's attorney, Stephanie Marie Carvlin, has not responded to requests for comment regarding the incident.

According to the Washington Post, while Alinejad was not identified by prosecutors, she said on Sunday that she was the target of the individual, uploading a video on Twitter that showed the man outside of her Brooklyn home. In a tweet, she said that the FBI was able to stop the kidnap attempt on her last year. She noted that her crime was giving voice to voiceless people and urged the United States administration to be tough on terror crimes.

Man With a Loaded AK-47

The criminal complaint said that Mehdiyev said that he was unaware of a gun and argued that the suitcase was not his. He told investigators that he only borrowed the vehicle and that he placed his wallet and other personal effects in the front pocket of the suitcase for "safekeeping."

Later in an interview with law enforcement officials, he said that he was in Brooklyn looking for a place to live. Mehdiyev said that he attempted to open the door of the residence to knock on an inner door to ask if the residents would rent him a room.

On the other hand, the 45-year-old journalist has been an outspoken critic of the Iranian government and the Taliban in Afghanistan. She has used her Instagram page to speak out about Iran's abuses to 7.2 million followers.

She said that she needed to be strong, noting that the Islamic Republic's goal is for women to live in fear and paranoia. Alinejad said that she wanted to use her freedom of speech in the U.S. to give others a greater voice, Yahoo News reported.



Related Article: Donald Trump Blasts Biden Administration's Idea of Prisoner Swap with Russia Amid Brittney Griner's Case

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Taliban and Iranian border guards have been engaged in gun battles along the Iran-Afghan frontier, leaving at least one person dead on the Afghan side, police officials said.

"We have one killed and one wounded; the cause of the clash is not clear yet," Bahram Haqmal, the police spokesman for the southern Afghan province of Nimroze, told Reuters on July 31.



Maysam Barazandeh, the governor of the Iranian border area of Hirmand, told the semiofficial Fars news agency that the fighting had ceased and that there were no casualties on the Iranian side.



Both sides accused the other of opening fire first.



According to Irans Tasnim news agency, the clashes broke out after Taliban forces tried to raise their flag "in an area that is not Afghan territory."



Taliban fighters have frequently clashed with Iranian security forces since the Islamist group took control of Afghanistan last August.



Iran has struggled to cope with an influx of some 5 million Afghans who have fled since the Taliban seized power.



The two countries share a 900-kilometer border. Tehran has not recognized the Talibans claim to be Afghanistans ruling government.



The rest of the international community has also refused to recognize the Taliban's rule, demanding that it respect human rights and show tolerance for other groups.

Based on reporting by Reuters and dpa
It has been a journey riddled with strife for 17-year-old Haroon Kamal, who cleared his Class X CBSE Board exam with an impressive 97% this year. The son of a Yemeni-Keralite couple, the youngster was forced to relocate from his hometown in Sanaa, Yemen, when the country's war with Saudi Arabia broke out in 2015.

According to a report in The New Indian Express, Haroon, now a resident of Ernakulam, Kerala, cleared his Class X exams as a student of Irshadhiya Public School at Koovalloor near Kothamangalam. However, things were not all fair-sailing when he first got to India. Forced to evacuate Sanaa at short notice, the family was unable to procure the documents required for Haroon to continue his education here in India. Consequently, he had to sit at home for a year and it was only after his father approached the Indian authorities for help, that he was able to continue his education. The authorities were kind enough to support with a special letter for my childs admission even though he had lost a year, said Kamal Muhamed, a Kerala-based businessman-philanthropist, to TNIE.

School itself was not an easy affair, as the youngster did not speak or understand Malayalam and not all of his peers at school here could speak English. Besides, the Yemen Modern School, where he studied back in Sanaa, followed the American syllabus. "I would dedicate my time to learning for at least two-three hours, with small breaks in between. During exams, I would study for longer hours and do a thorough revision," he told TNIE.

Overtime, he learnt to understand and speak Malayalam enough to communicate with the people. In his Class X results, which were released on July 22, he scored A1 in all his subjects. While he has joined the Computer Science stream now, he tells TNIE, "I am yet to figure out what I should pursue after finishing Class XII, but I am sure that it would be something in the Engineering field."






Spain develops tool for easier monitoring of antibiotic use in animals



Spain's Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food had developed a new tool to make it easier for farmers to self-monitor the use of antibiotics within the Computerized System for the Control of Veterinary Antibiotic Prescriptions (PRESVET).



The tool will allow all holders registered in the General Register of Livestock Farms (REGA) to consult quarterly reports of livestock farm antibiotic use, with these prescriptions reported to PRESVET.



The information collected in the reports will show the habitual use of antibiotics on each livestock farm and will allow comparison, at the national level, with those of the same species and zootechnical classification. In this way, farmers will be able to directly evaluate antibiotic use on their farms.



Additionally, users can authorise one or more veterinarians (previously registered in PRESVET) to view the reports of their farms and facilitate their work in advising on antimicrobial resistance so that they can propose alternative measures to antibiotic use.



- MAPA (Spain)






Maxim Agri Holding, Victory Farms Ltd and Gatsby Africa announce joint partnership for aqua feed mill in Kenya

Maxim Agri Holding, Victory Farms Ltd, and Gatsby Africa have announced Samakgro, a joint partnership for an aqua feed mill that will be managed by Maxim Agri to produce high-quality aqua feeds to meet the demand of East Africa's growing aquaculture industry.

Netherland-based Maxim Agri is focused on providing top quality animal feed and customised nutrition solutions to help maximise the performance of small land commercial farmers. The company has built extensive experience in emerging markets through its operations in Pakistan and Sri Lanka, with its Kenya operations launched in November 2017.

As the partnership kicked off, the construction of an environmentally-friendly feed mill facility is already ongoing in Naivasha, Kenya. The products created there will be specifically formulated to meet the rigorous nutritional requirements in the aquaculture industry, with the right nutrition profile to support fish growth and health.

The feed mill will also invest in local ingredient trials and development, testing for the right mix of nutritional elements from Kenya-produced ingredients.

The partnership acknowledges and embraces the environment as a resource to be used responsibly and sustainably, according to Victory Farms. Furthermore, the main production facility will operate solely on sustainable sources of energy.

Obaid ur Rehman, general manager of SamakGro Limited Kenya, said: "We are excited about the strategic advantages and opportunities for the aquaculture industry that this joint venture will create through localising feed production and making available a product of verifiable, consistent quality that aquaculture practitioners and entrepreneurs can rely on."

Caesar Asiyo, Victory Farms' chief development officer, expressed confidence that once it is operating at full capacity, the SamakGro feed mill will play an instrumental role in alleviating the perennial shortage of affordable quality aqua feeds in Kenya and become a major contributor to level the field for the growth of a robust and competitive aquaculture industry.



- Victory Farms Ltd




Hun Ty processing 40 tonnes of iridescent shark catfish for debut Cambodian export to China

Hun Ty Co Ltd  the sole company in Cambodia awarded the right to process iridescent shark catfish (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus) for export to China  is currently processing the first batch of 40 tonnes of the fish scheduled for Cambodia's maiden trial shipment to the Chinese market next month, according to a senior fisheries official.

This comes after a July 20 meeting to hash out some remaining export-related issues between a team from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries' Fisheries Administration (FiA), Hun Ty and representatives of the three fish farms registered with the Chinese side, during which the processing company confirmed that it would have 40 tonnes ready for August.

The fish, sometimes referred to as simply "iridescent shark", is one of Cambodia's more cultivated shark catfish varieties.

FiA deputy director Hav Viseth told The Post on July 27 that the company was testing a production line to process about one tonne of iridescent shark catfish a day  far below full capacity. The production line was purchased from Yun Sovannarith Pra Fish Farm, one of the three farms that have been authorised to raise and supply the fish export to China.

Viseth said that a chemical analysis of the meat of fish to be processed  conducted by the FiA as part of a quality and safety inspection  had yielded good results.

On July 23, Hun Ty started buying the fish from the farm located in northern Phnom Penh's Prek Pnov district, at one tonne per day for processing and freezing, Viseth said, adding that the maiden export would serve as a way to gauge the Chinese people's preference for Cambodian pra' fish.

He suggested that Hun Ty could sign purchase contracts with the other two farms depending on the results of the trial export.

If successful, "it'll be clear that orders will pile on in greater numbers, and we want other fish-farm owners to register for an evaluation by Chinese Customs to be able to export more pra' fish to China," Viseth said.

Chhuon Chamnan, director of the FiA's Department of Fisheries Post-Harvest Technologies and Quality Control (DFPTQ), told The Post on June 20 that export of other pra species to China would require additional authorisation.

Yon Sovannarith Pra Fish Farm administrative director Um Chan Chamnan revealed that Hun Ty plans to increase its purchases to five tonnes per day down the road.

Chan Chamnan said the farm and company had entered into the current short-term contract at an "acceptable price", noting that the agreement could last in the range of "one to two months", due to the constant fluctuations in market rates for the fish.

"The company requires pra fish that weigh between 900-1,100 grammes, all of which must be kept alive to preserve the freshness and quality of the meat. We are ready to expand operations when our pra fish have the support of the Chinese," he said, adding that the farm also supplies about three tonnes of the shark catfishes to the local market.

Fisheries production in Cambodia reached 856,400 tonnes in 2021, down by more than 8.5% from 936,300 tonnes a year earlier, according to data from the 2020 and 2021 annual fisheries reports.

Aquaculture accounted for 40.676% at 348,350 tonnes, which was down by 13.0% from 400,400 tonnes in 2020.

- The Phnom Penh Post
Clarence House, Prince Charles' official house, has denied reports in the UK's Sunday Times that the heir to the throne arranged a deal in 2013 to receive a $1 million charitable payment from Osama bin Laden's half-brothers.

Despite the reservations of top advisers at the time, Prince Charles accepted the contribution from Bakr bin Laden and Shafiq bin Laden for The Prince of Wales's Charitable Fund (PWCF).

Prince Charles Accepted bin Laden Family' Donation

On Saturday, Clarence House refuted that claim, claiming that the decision to accept the money was made by the charity's Trustees, not Prince Charles. Bakr bin Laden is the former head of the Saudi Binladin Group, a construction firm situated in Jeddah.

According to US court filings, Osama bin Laden was removed as a stakeholder from the family corporation in 1993, while Bakr bin Laden was chairman. When al Qaeda carried out the September 11, 2001 attacks in New York, Osama Bin Laden was the network's head. Ten years later, he was slain by US special forces in an operation.

Neither Bakr nor Shafiq bin Laden have any known ties to terrorist activities, nor do they appear on any counter-terrorism sanctions lists issued by the United Nations or the governments of the United States, the European Union, or the United Kingdom, as per CNN.

Despite the reservations of experts, Prince Charles, the heir to the British throne, accepted the contribution during a meeting with Bakr bin Laden at Clarence House on October 30, 2013.

Clarence House confirmed the donation but denied that Charles arranged it or made the decision to accept it. The trustees of the organization made the choice to accept the money, and any effort to depict it otherwise is untrue, according to the spokeswoman.

Read Also: [Report] Angelina Jolie's Lawyers Try To Serve Brad Pitt Court Papers at SAG Awards, Oscars

Prince Charles' Series of "Cash-For-Honor" Scandals

The fund's chairman, Ian Cheshire, also stated that the decision to accept the contribution was made wholly by the trustees at the time. Since the news was released, Prince Charles has been chastised on social media. Prince Charles recently came under criticism when it was revealed that he collected a $3.07 million cash payment from a Qatari politician between 2011 and 2015, part of it in a bag.

Meanwhile, the Prince's Foundation, another of the prince's organizations, is being investigated by authorities on charges that its CEO offered to assist a Saudi millionaire obtain honors and citizenship in exchange for payments, according to Newsweek via MSN.

As per Prince Charles' foundation, clearance was granted after the monies were put in the organization's bank account at Coutts, where they were placed on hold until further deliberation. Bakr and Shafiq bin Laden have not been linked to any terrorist activities, nor has there been any hint of connection. They are linked to Osama through their father, Yemeni-born millionaire Mohammed bin Awad, who built his fortune through a building firm before dying in an aircraft crash in 1967.

Bakr was given control of the corporation, but his relationship with the Saudi royals soured in 2015 after an event at one of its projects resulted in 100 deaths. Bakr and his two elder brothers, Saad and Salah, were detained in an anti-corruption investigation two years later. Bakr debuted a year ago. The family severed ties with Osama years ago, yet their link to him has remained with them.

Because charities are not required to identify their donors, the link has not been documented in any formal public documentation. Last month, a royal insider claimed that the future king operated on advice and that such occurrences had not occurred in the previous half decade and would not occur again.

Only a few months ago, the Metropolitan Police and Charity Commission opened separate investigations into claims of a different type involving ties between Charles' Prince's Charity - a separate entity from the PWCF - and Saudi billionaire Mahfouz Marei Mubarak Bin Mahfouz's foundation.

At the same time, Prince Charles' long-time ally Michael Fawcett resigned as chairman of the Prince's Foundation, following allegations that he pledged to help contributor Dr. Bin Mahfouz obtain not just British citizenship but also a knighthood. Prince Charles has stated that he is unaware of any cash-for-honors proposals, Daily Mail reported.

Related Article: Prince William Pegging: Prince of Cambridge's Rumored Affair Resurfaces After Hashtag About Him Trends Online

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According to Ukrainian and Turkish officials, a ship carrying grain departed the Ukrainian port of Odesa for Lebanon on Monday in accordance with a safe passage agreement.

This was the first departure since the Russian invasion cut off transportation via the Black Sea five months ago. The foreign minister of Ukraine referred to it as "a day of relief for the world," particularly for nations that were at risk of food shortages and famine as a result of the halted supplies.

First Ukraine Ship Carrying Grain Export Sails

The trip was made possible because to a deal between Russia and Ukraine to transport grains and fertilizer that was mediated by Turkey and the UN last month. The ship Razoni, which is registered in Sierra Leone, is scheduled to sail to Lebanon, according to the Turkish defense minister.

The United Nations has issued a warning about the possibility of numerous famines this year as a result of the Russian invasion of Ukraine on February 24, Reuters reported. Nearly a third of the world's wheat exports come from Russia and Ukraine. However, war along Ukraine's eastern shoreline and Western sanctions against Russia have stopped grain shipments from safely departing ports.

The agreement intends to ensure the safe transit of grain shipments into and out of the ports of Pivdennyi, Chornomorsk, and Odesa. Moscow has denied being to blame for the food crisis, blaming Ukrainian mining on the approaches to its ports and Western sanctions for impeding exports.

The Razoni will anchor in the Bosphorus off Istanbul on Tuesday afternoon, according to Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar, when a combined team of Russian, Ukrainian, United Nations, and Turkish personnel will inspect it. According to officials of the Ukrainian administration, 17 ships are scheduled to depart at Black Sea ports with about 600,000 tonnes of cargo, primarily grains, with more ships will follow.

Read Also: Pope Francis Considers Retiring, Acknowledges Being Unable To Travel Anymore Due to Strained Knee Ligaments

Importance of Russia-Ukraine Grain Deal

Per NY Post, the agreements also let Russia to export fertilizer and grain. The shipments, according to Kubrakov, would also improve Ukraine's war-torned economy. Gov. Pavlo Kyrylenko of Donetsk reiterated his stern request for everyone to depart. He highlighted how important it was to get the remaining 52,000 children out of the area.

Two persons in Kharkiv were hurt by a Russian attack in the early morning. One person was harmed while waiting at a bus stop for a bus, while another person was hurt when a Russian shell went off close to an apartment complex.

Repeated shelling in the southern city of Mykolaiv led to fires near a hospital and the destruction of a consignment of humanitarian goods that contained food and medications. Analysts said that the ongoing conflict may endanger the grain agreement, alarmed clients.

The top grain exporters in the world are Ukraine and Russia, but the conflict resulted in a de facto blockade of the Black Sea. As a result, Ukraine's exports fell to a sixth of what they were before the conflict, and grain prices rose.

Around 47 million people are currently experiencing "acute anger" as a result of the effects of the conflict, according to the UN's World Food Program. Injecting more wheat, sunflower oil, fertilizer, and other items into the global market would help prevent famine and will also meet humanitarian needs, according to the agreement on reopening closed Black Sea transport channels last month.

It aims to export five million metric tons of grain per month, the pre-war amount. Oleksandr Kubrakov, the minister of infrastructure for Ukraine, said that the shipments will bring in at least $1 billion in foreign exchange earnings and provide the agricultural industry a chance to make plans for the next year, as per Al Jazeera via MSN.

Related Article: Ukraine's Largest Grain Export Company Owner Killed by Mykolaiv Shelling as Shipments Set To Resume

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Team IOM Medals >> 0 0 0

Day Three: Donnelly finishes 13th in Women's All-Around Final

Sun, 31 Jul 2022



Isle of Man CGA / Facebook

Manx gymnast Tara Donnelly was back in action in the Artistic Gymnastics at the Commonwealth Games this afternoon.

Tara was competing in the Women's All Around Final at the Arena Birmingham.

She scored the following:

Uneven Bars - 11.100

Balance Beam - 11.850

Floor Exercise - 11.300

Vault - 12.800

Total: 47.050

Tara said she felt a relief from pressure following her previous performance on Saturday:

Media

Tara Donnelly Post Sun
Check banknotes before they're withdrawn from circulation

Isle of Man residents are being urged to check if they have any United Kingdom paper 20 or 50 notes before they are withdrawn from circulation on 30 September 2022.

Anyone with notes in their possession is advised to pay them in to their bank or have them exchanged for newer notes. They may also be spent while they remain legal tender, although acceptance would be at the discretion of the business owner.

The withdrawal from circulation follows the introduction of polymer, or plastic, versions of both notes which include additional security features designed to make them harder to counterfeit. The 20 note was introduced in February 2020 and features a picture of the artist JMW Turner; the 50 note was introduced in June 2021 and features the mathematician and computer scientist Alan Turing.

Isle of Man Bank will continue to accept the discontinued notes after the deadline and repatriate them to the UK. Most other banks in the Island are expected to take a similar approach.

Further information about the withdrawal of the paper UK 20 and 50 notes is available via the Bank of England website: https://www.bankofengland.co.uk/.../paper-20-paper-50...
An e-bike- and scooter-sharing startup co-founded by Olympian Usain Bolt appears to have shut down operations, highlighting recent problems in the micromobility sector, TechCrunch has reported. Bolt Mobility was present in around five cities including Portland, Burlington, Vermont and Richmond in California, along with others via an acquisition, and some of those are facing abandoned equipment and unanswered calls.

"We learned a couple of weeks ago (from them) that Bolt is ceasing operations," a transportation planner in Chittenden County, Vermont, told TechCrunch. "Theyve vanished, leaving equipment behind and emails and calls unanswered. Were unable to reach anyone, but it seems theyve closed shop in other markets as well."

Bolt Mobility actually expanded not less than 18 months ago, buying the assets of Last Mile Holdings, which operated Gotcha and OjO Electric. That opened up 48 new markets to the company in mostly smaller cities like Raleigh, NC and Mobile, Alabama. (Bolt Mobility is not to be confused with the Bolt ride-sharing and scooter app in Europe.)

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However, Bolt Mobility lost its permit to operate in Portland in July due to issues with insurance and outstanding fees. A spokesperson in Burlington said that around 100 bikes were left inoperable and with dead batteries, with the city telling the company to claim them before the country takes ownership. "All of our contacts at Bolt, including their CEO, have gone radio silent and have not replied to our emails," a Burlington representative said.

As CrunchBase reported earlier, scooter startups like Bird have hit the skids after starting as billion-dollar "unicorns." Bird's problem is essentially that it charges a fair amount of money, around $6 for a 20-minute rental  quite a bit more than a metro or bus ride.t Bird lost a huge amount of money in 2020 after taking in just $79 million in revenue  down 40 percent over 2019. Following a SPAC merge, it's stock price has subsequently cratered from $10 to just over 50 cents today.
Microsoft is taking an interesting approach to secure regulatory approval for its acquisition of Activision Blizzard. In a recent filing spotted by Rock Paper Shotgun, the company told New Zealands Commerce Commission the troubled publisher produces no must have games. Yes, you read that right.

There is nothing unique about the video games developed and published by Activision Blizzard that is a must have for rival PC and console video game distributors that give rise to a foreclosure concern, the company says in the document. Put another way, Microsoft believes owning the rights to best-selling Activision Blizzard franchises like Call of Duty wont prevent rivals like Sony from competing against it.

At first glance, that would seem to be a nonsensical argument to make about a company Microsoft plans to spend $68.7 billion to acquire. All the same, its a claim the tech giant is making in response to its rivals. In a filing with Brazilian regulators, Sony called Call of Duty an essential game and an AAA title that has no rival. It argues the franchise is so popular that it influences the consoles people buy. Sony is likely speaking from experience. In 2015, the company announced an agreement with Activision that saw some Call of Duty content arrive on PlayStation consoles first.

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Downplaying the importance of Call of Duty is just one of the ways Microsoft has tried to placate regulators. In February, the company pledged it would continue to make the franchise available on PlayStation consoles beyond the end of any agreements Sony and Activision had in place before the acquisition was announced. More recently, the company announced a labor neutrality agreement with the Communications Workers of America, which has been organizing video game workers across the industry.
Sega fans who plan to buy the Genesis Mini 2 will need to import the retro console from Japan. Whats more, the company estimates it will have approximately one-tenth of the stock that it had during the Genesis Mini launch in 2019 to sell to US and European consumers. Sega blamed the situation on the ongoing global semiconductor shortage.

A Sega spokesperson told Polygon the company had initially planned to release the Genesis Mini 2 only in Japan, but that by using Amazons Japan Store system, we found that at least a small number of units could be sold via Amazon.com, so a portion was allocated to make the North American version. With $22 shipping from the country, US consumers can expect to pay about $125 to import the retro console once it's available on October 27th.

Thats a hefty price hike considering the original Genesis Mini launched at a more affordable $80. The new console will feature over 50 titles, including Sonic CD, Virtua Racing, OutRun, Shining Force CD and Fantasy Zone. Judging by the packaging, it will also come with a six-button controller. One of the few complaints we had with the original was that it came with a cramped three-button gamepad.
Are Barack and Michelle Obama's daughters having an excessively good time in LA?

Former First Daughters Malia and Sasha Obama are allegedly worrying their parents about their extravagant spending habits.

According to an informant who talked to OK magazine, the two girls have been hanging out with people who are also pretty spendy with their money now that they are in Los Angeles.

The source added that Malia and Sasha now dine at high-end restaurants on most evenings and shop for luxury outfits in Beverly Hills and West Hollywood.

Aside from that, the two girls spend tens of thousands of dollars on salon and spa visits.

Malia was recently photographed dining at an pricey vegan restaurant and taking a shot at a pricey Peruvian restaurant in West Hollywood.

Meanwhile, her sister Sasha is said to be spending a lot of money on expensive manicures.

Despite being wealthy $70 million, Michelle and Barack Obama grew up substantially more humble, despite their family's lack of financial difficulties when their children were small.

"Their daughters' spending is now at the top of Barack and Michelle's gripe list," the insider continued.

They went on to say, "They are aware that they are no different from many other families whose children are enjoying their independence from the nest. This is simply another vexing aspect of motherhood."

As previously reported by the site, Michelle and Barack are concerned not only about Sasha and Malia Obama's spending habits, but also about their daughters' burgeoning romances.

Michelle quipped on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" in Aprilthat her girls adored the Jonas Brothers and that "they are bringing mature guys home."

"Previously, it was only pop bands. They now have boyfriends and actual lives."

READ ALSO: Florence Pugh Feuding With Olivia Wilde Because of Harry Styles Affair?

Michelle also admitted that she seeks guidance from her mother when it comes to parenting Sasha and Malia.

"She said, 'I'm not raising infants, I'm raising actual individuals to be out in the world,' and I simply kept that in mind with the kids," she explained.

Still, the claim concerning Sasha and Malia Obama's crazy spending habits should be taken with a grain of salt. There is no evidence that the two former First Daughters are spending their parents' money on shopping, fine eating, and self-care.

READ MORE: 'Today' Feud: NBC Show Hosts Just Confirmed Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb's Rumored Feud?
Nothings official, but Elon Musk may be building his own airport near Austin.

The Tesla CEO, who moved to Texas from California in late 2020, flies to and from Austin regularly to check in on his EV makers Gigafactory Texas and his other ventures in the state. Those include private space flight company SpaceX and tunneling business The Boring Co.

Now, Musk is reported to be planning a private airport east of Austin, according to Austin news site Austonia.

Without identifying them, Austonia reported multiple sources confirmed there are conceptual plans for such a private facility near Bastrop.

On Monday, Bastrop County officials said they were unaware of such plans.

There has been no formal communication with the county regarding this airport, said Adena Lewis, director of tourism and economic development in Bastrop.

The Boring Co., SpaceX and Tesla didnt respond to requests for comment.

To build a private airport, Musk would need approval from the Federal Aviation Administration and be required to follow the agencys environmental standards.

Such a facility could provide Musk access to The Boring Co.s headquarters, which is 3 miles from Austin Executive Airport. The Tesla electric vehicle manufacturing gigafactory is 15 miles from that private airport and 5 miles from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport.

SpaceXs rocket testing facility in McGregor is located about 97 miles north of the city-owned airport.

Musk, who currently travels mainly in a 2015 Gulfstream G650ER, has ordered a Gulfstream 6700, according to multiple sources. The $78 million aircraft is expected to be delivered in early 2023.

According to public flight plan data, Musk has made several landings and takeoffs from Austin on his Gulfstream in the past two weeks, a schedule not out of the ordinary based on reviews of his planes activity. Heres a look:

On July 18, Musk returned to Austin from Greece. He left later the same day for Long Beach, Calif.

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.

On July 21, he flew from Long Beach to Brownsville  near his SpaceX Starship compound in Boca Chica  and from there back to Austin.

Tuesday, he flew from Austin to San Jose, Calif.

Wednesday, he returned to Austin from San Jose.

Thursday, he flew from Austin to Brownsville.

Friday, he returned to Austin from Brownsville.

The possibility of Musk building a private airport comes after Tesla made a deal with a Mexico state to open a dedicated lane to fast-track border crossings at the Colombia Solidarity checkpoint, upriver from Laredo, Bloomberg reported last month. Nuevo Leon, which has at least six suppliers for Tesla, borders the United States for about 10 miles.

eric.killelea@express-news.net
New Zealand authorities have fully reopened the country's borders to international travelers by lifting the last of their COVID-19 restrictions, which were considered one of the toughest border regimes during the pandemic.

The nation began to reopen its borders in February by slowly lifting restrictions imposed on New Zealand residents. This was followed by the return of tourists in May from more than 50 countries including the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.

New Zealand Reopens Borders

It was on Sunday midnight when the final border restrictions ended with tourists from non-visa waiver countries, international students, and cruise ships allowed to enter the country. The majority of visits are still required to have received vaccination against the coronavirus and take two tests after arriving, but will not be required to quarantine.

In a speech at the China Business Summit in Auckland on Monday, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said, "It's been a staged and cautious process on our part since February as we, alongside the rest of the world, continue to manage a very live global pandemic, while keeping our people safe," as per Aljazeera.

The country mostly kept the coronavirus pandemic at bay during the peak of its spread until the highly infectious Omicron variant in December rendered its tough border controls largely ineffective. At one point, the South Pacific nation boasted one of the lowest death tolls worldwide.

Read Also: Ukraine's Largest Grain Export Company Owner Killed by Mykolaiv Shelling as Shipments Set To Resume

However, its isolation decimated industries such as tourism and left thousands of New Zealand residents stranded overseas. Before the global health crisis, tourism and international education were New Zealand's biggest and fourth-largest exports, respectively, with the former employing more than 225,000 people.

According to Reuters, on top of allowing international travelers into the country, authorities will now also let cruise ships and foreign recreational yachts dock at its ports. International students were considered a significant contributor to New Zealand's economy and educational providers are hoping that by reopening the borders, they will again provide a boost to schools and universities.

Tourism Demand

In a statement, New Zealand Tourism Minister Stuart Nash said that the return of cruise ships will also provide a boost for local industries. He said that most cruise visits happen during the warmer months of October to April, and summer is the biggest bumper tourism season overall.

Ardern added that New Zealanders are hosts, noting that Manaakitangan [hospitality] streams through the people's veins. She noted that the country opened its arms to tourists and students, including from China, which prior to 2020 was the nation's largest source of international students and second-largest source of tourists.

The news was a positive thing for tourism operators, businesses, and educational providers despite predictions from Immigration New Zealand that visitors are more likely to trickle than flood in over the next few months.

Simon Sanders said that it was safe to say that the agency was not expecting the same level of demand prior to the coronavirus pandemic. The official noted that there were several factors that come into play, including travel restrictions in other countries, The Guardian reported.



Related Article: First Grain Shipment from Ukraine Leaves Odesa Under New Deal with Russia To Ease Global Food Crisis

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Gasoline prices in San Antonio plunged another 16 cents over the past week to an average $3.57 a gallon as recession fears tightened their grip on crude oil markets.

Prices in the San Antonio metro area have fallen nearly 83 cents per gallon over the past month, according to the fuel-price tracking service GasBuddy. Mondays price was still nearly 87 cents higher than a year ago.

Nationally, gasoline fell 16 cents to an average $4.17 a gallon in the past week. Thats down 66 cents from a month ago but still $1.02 more than a year ago.

Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, said prices should keep falling.

As long as oil prices hold at these levels or lower, he said, well see another decline in most areas this week.

Pump prices have been falling for weeks as recession fears pushed oil below $100 a barrel and high prices drove away consumers, who found ways to cut back on gasoline. But that trend could reverse as prices come back down, said Andrew Gross, spokesman for AAA.

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.

We know that most American drivers have made significant changes in their driving habits to cope with high gas prices, he said. But with gas below $4 a gallon at nearly half of the gas stations around the country, its possible that gas demand could rise.

According to new data from the Energy Information Administration, gas demand increased to 9.25 million barrels per day from 8.52 million the week before. The estimated rate is 80,000 barrels per day lower than a year ago, it could slow pump price decreases if the trend holds. Additionally, total domestic gasoline stocks decreased by 3.3 million barrels to 225.1 million, signaling that higher demand reduced inventory last week.
LENORAH  To the naked eye, the Mako Compressor Station outside this dusty West Texas crossroads 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 1,914 pounds 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 that 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. Last year 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, the 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 902 pounds 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 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.

The AP found that Targa Resources, a Houston-based natural gas storage, processing and distribution company, was the closest operator to 30 sites that were emitting a combined 6,600 pounds 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, the agencys 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 at most oil and gas sites are still under review and if implemented will likely face legal challenges.

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.

To track emissions, the U.S. government keeps an inventory of methane released into the atmosphere. Those figures are used by policymakers and scientists to help calculate how much the planet will warm.

The AP found that 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 carbon dioxide for a year of operations in the Permian. 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 the AP with a single example of a polluter being fined or cited for failing to report or underreporting emissions.

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. Its the product that we ultimately want to bring to market.

But climate scientists and environmentalists warn that the industrys incremental efforts are nowhere near enough to avoid dire consequences for humanity.

Methane is responsible for 25 percent 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.
Comedian Gabriel Fluffy Iglesias is headed back to San Antonio this fall.

He will perform at the AT&T Center at 8 p.m. Oct. 8. Tickets, $51.50-$76.50, go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday at AT&TCenter.com and at ticketmaster.com.

Its been just over a year since Iglesias last appearance here. He had planned a monthlong run at the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, but it was cut short when he was diagnosed with COVID-19.

He had been slated to record a Netflix special at the end of the residency, but that didnt happen. He ended up filming his next special in May at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, where he became the first comedian to sell out the venue, playing to a crowd of 55,000. It is slated for release later this year.

Iglesias has often spoken of his fondness for San Antonio.

When people say, What's your home away from home? I say its San Antonio and El Paso, just because of the amount of history I have in those cities, he said in an interview with the Express-News last year. The Latino Laugh Festival was around in the 90s, and I was part of all those shows. For comics, that was like our Super Bowl.

And just the city itself, you don't really have to talk up San Antonio, its an awesome city.
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Heres alook ahead at the week in arts and entertainment:

Concert: Expect plenty of heartfelt and angry tunes as Warped Tour regulars Rise Against, pictured, and The Used team up for a celebration of 00s punk and emo. Post-rock band Senses Fail will open. 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Tech Port Center + Arena, 3331 General Hudnell Drive. $44-$74, techportcenter.com.

Streaming: Lightyear, the Toy Story spinoff that tells the tale of the Space Ranger who inspired the Buzz Lightyear toy, makes its digital debut. The voice cast includes Chris Evans and Keke Palmer. Available Wednesday on Disney+.

Movie: Five assassins board a fast-moving train. What will happen next? Thats the setup for one of the summers most anticipated thrillers, Bullet Train, based on a novel by Japanese crime writer Kotaro Isaka. The cast includes Brad Pitt, Karen Fukahara (The Boys) and reggaeton star Bad Bunny. Opens Friday.

Album: Some of country musics biggest stars, such as Eric Church and Luke Combs, and top-notch songwriters like Ashley McBryde and Tyler Childers pay tribute to country great John Anderson on Something Borrowed, Something New. Also counting the memories are Gillian Welch & David Rawlings, Brothers Osborne and Sturgill Simpson. Available Friday.

Art: San Antonio-based artist Nick Hay, who has shown his work all over the U.S., returns after a five-year hiatus with a solo show titled Bad Guys and Ghosts. The 60 new mixed-media pieces include found objects such as shells and leaves. The shows opening reception will include an outdoor performance by Austin synth-pop trio Hey Cowboy!, joined by Elnuh and Baldemar. Reception 7-11 p.m. Saturday (music starts at 8); on display by appointment through Aug. 27, Presa House Gallery, 725 S. Presa. Reception free, concert $10, presahouse.com.

Staff writers Jim Kiest, Deborah Martin and Austin Taylor contributed to this report.
Three Hays County school districts are seeking additional campus officers through their contracts with the Hays County Sheriffs Office for the upcoming school year in the wake of the Uvalde mass shooting.

If the current plan moves forward, there will be six new officers spread across the districts, which would be the largest one-year increase the county has seen. Precinct 4 Commissioner Walt Smith said that in past years the number of officers has increased by one or two at a time as new schools are built.

The Hays County Commissioners Court voted Tuesday to approve additional officers for one of the districts and will make decisions on the others later this month.

The May 24 massacre at Robb Elementary School killed 19 students and two teachers and has prompted many schools in San Antonio and beyond to more deeply discuss safety on campuses.

On ExpressNews.com: Hays CISD eyes increased law enforcement presence, more cameras following Uvalde school shooting

In Hays County, the tragedy is part of what got conversations rolling about whether additional officers were needed this upcoming year, but Smith said that its probably a discussion that was coming soon anyway since the county tries to assess the need for officers every year or two. Smith also said that growth in each district played a role in the requests for new officers.

Smith and Precinct 2 Commissioner Mark Jones sponsored the agenda item to address school officers. Smith said he and Jones reached out to each district that contracts with the Sheriffs Office for officers to see whether they needed any additional help.

Hays Consolidated Independent School District said it would like three new officers, Wimberley ISD asked for two, and Dripping Springs ISD requested one.

I think the more of them we have, the better it is, Smith said.

Smith emphasized that the officers are just one part of security at school, saying that other training and safety measures are critical, as well as mental health programs.

There are four public school districts in Hays County. San Marcos CISD is the only one that does not contract with the Sheriffs Office for its officers; it works with the San Marcos Police Department. San Marcos Baptist Academy also contracts with Hays County Sheriffs Office for its districts sole campus officer.

San Marcos CISDs school board met Monday and talked about its plan for the school officer program. District chief of communications Andrew Fernandez said that the district will be moving forward with five officers, which is how many officers the school had been operating with previously.

On Aug. 16 the San Marcos City Council will consider an interlocal agreement with the district regarding the placement of officers, which could include an increase in the number of officers allocated to campuses, according to the citys bilingual communications specialist, Tatiana Salazar.

On ExpressNews.com: Uvalde City Council, school board ask lawmakers in Austin to change Texas gun laws

There are currently 17 campus officers spread across the three public school districts and one academy with which the Sheriffs Office contracts. The six-officer increase would bump that up to 23. But that doesnt include supervisors.

Hays County Chief Deputy Mike Davenport said that for every four to seven deputies, there needs to be one supervisor. Upping the number of officers will require some internal restructuring, effectively adding two supervisors. He said those two additions would be promotions from within the department rather than brand-new hires.

The county and school districts split the cost of each campus officer, with the school paying close to 80 percent and the county covering the rest. The Commissioners Court is considering a 50/50 split for the first two years of the six new officers contracts; it would flip back to the traditional split in the third year. The county alone pays for supervisors rather than sharing the cost with the schools.

The commissioners voted Tuesday to use $103,985 of Hays County general funds to add two new officers to Wimberley ISD. This represents a 50/50 share of the cost that Precinct 3 Commissioner Lon Shell said will last for two years before going back to the 79 percent/21 percent split.

The Wimberley ISD board of trustees will still need to vote on bringing in new officers to move forward; an item regarding employment of additional officers is on the boards Aug. 3 agenda.

The commissioners have discussed using American Rescue Plan Act funds to cover its end of the bargain for the other two districts, but Shell pointed out that some general funds may end up being used in those agreements as well.

So far there are four deputies who have expressed interest in being assigned to be a campus officer. If no one else volunteers, the final two positions could be hired from outside the organization. Since hiring and training from the outside could take months, some schools might not have officers when school starts in the coming weeks. Davenport said there is no final decision yet on which schools would receive officers first.

On ExpressNews.com: As big questions and anger swirl, Uvaldes school district tries to prepare for fall opening

Hays CISD has officers at its six middle and four high school campuses, but it does not have any at its 15 elementary schools. Jeri Skrocki, the district director of safety and security, said that if they get the three new officers they have requested, they would be charged with patrolling five elementary schools each.

Wimberley ISD has four campuses  a primary school, an elementary, a junior high and a high school. District communications director Allen Bruggman said there is currently an officer at the junior and high school campuses. If the school gets two additional officers, one will go to the primary school and the other will be stationed at the elementary.

Dripping Springs ISD officials did not reply to an interview request about their plans for the campus officer they requested.

Smith said that in addition to helping add officers to campuses, the Commissioners Court is also looking to simultaneously increase funding to each districts existing mental health programs, though the details of what that will look like are still being sorted out.

megan.rodriguez@express-news.net
WASHINGTON (AP)  President Joe Biden announced Monday that al-Qaida leader Ayman al-Zawahri was killed in a U.S. drone strike in Kabul, an operation he said delivered justice and hopefully one more measure of closure to families of the victims of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the United States.

The president said in an evening address from the White House that U.S. intelligence officials tracked al-Zawahri to a home in downtown Kabul where he was hiding out with his family. The president approved the operation last week and it was carried out Sunday.

Al-Zawahri and the better-known Osama bin Laden plotted the 9/11 attacks that brought many ordinary Americans their first knowledge of al-Qaida. Bin Laden was killed in Pakistan on May 2, 2011, in operation carried out by U.S. Navy SEALs after a nearly decade-long hunt.

As for Al-Zawahri, Biden said, He will never again, never again, allow Afghanistan to become a terrorist safe haven because he is gone and were going to make sure that nothing else happens.

This terrorist leader is no more, he added.

Now Playing: President Joe Biden confirms that a U.S. drone strike in Afghanistan this weekend killed al-Qaida leader Ayman al-Zawahri, declaring justice has been delivered. This terrorist leader is no more, Biden said from the White House's balcony. (Aug. 1) Video: Associated Press

The operation is a significant counterterrorism win for the Biden administration just 11 months after American troops left the country after a two-decade war.

The strike was carried out by the CIA, according to five people familiar with the matter who spoke on the condition of anonymity. Neither Biden nor the White House detailed the CIA's involvement in the strike.

Biden, however, paid tribute to the U.S. intelligence community in his remarks, noting that thanks to their extraordinary persistence and skill the operation was a success.

Al-Zawahris death eliminates the figure who more than anyone shaped al-Qaida, first as bin Ladens deputy since 1998, then as his successor. Together, he and bin Laden turned the jihadi movements guns to target the United States, carrying out the deadliest attack ever on American soil  the Sept. 11 suicide hijackings.

The house Al-Zawahri was in when he was killed was owned by a top aide to senior Taliban leader Sirajuddin Haqqani, according to a senior intelligence official. The official also added that a CIA ground team and aerial reconnaissance conducted after the drone strike confirmed al-Zawahris death.

On Tuesday morning, White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan told ABC's Good Morning America that there was nobody on the ground in uniform when this strike occurred." Sullivan added that the U.S. government is in direct communication with the Taliban on this, and Im not going to telegraph our next moves, but the Taliban well understand the United States is going to defend its interests.

Over the 20-year war in Afghanistan, the U.S. targeted and splintered al-Qaida, sending leaders into hiding. But Americas exit from Afghanistan last September gave the extremist group the opportunity to rebuild.

U.S. military officials, including Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, have said al-Qaida was trying to reconstitute in Afghanistan, where it faced limited threats from the now-ruling Taliban. Military leaders have warned that the group still aspired to attack the U.S.

After his killing, the White House underscored that al-Zawahri had continued to be a dangerous figure. The senior administration official said al-Zawahri had continued to provide strategic direction," including urging attacks on the U.S., while in hiding. He had also prioritized to members of the terror network that the United States remained al-Qaida's primary enemy, the official said.

The 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon made bin Laden Americas Enemy No. 1. But he likely could never have carried it out without his deputy. Bin Laden provided al-Qaida with charisma and money, but al-Zawahri brought tactics and organizational skills needed to forge militants into a network of cells in countries around the world.

U.S. intelligence officials have been aware for years of a network helping al-Zawahri dodge U.S. intelligence officials hunting for him, but didnt have a bead on his possible location until recent months.

Earlier this year, U.S. officials learned that the terror leaders wife, daughter and her children had relocated to a safe house in Kabul, according to the senior administration official who briefed reporters.

Officials eventually learned al-Zawahri was also at the Kabul safe house.

In early April, White House deputy national security adviser Jon Finer and Bidens homeland security adviser Elizabeth Sherwood-Randall were briefed on this developing intelligence. Soon the intelligence was carried up to national security adviser Jake Sullivan.

Sullivan brought the information to Biden as U.S. intelligence officials built a pattern of life through multiple independent sources of information to inform the operation, the official said.

Senior Taliban figures were aware of al-Zawahris presence in Kabul, according to the official, who added the Taliban government was given no forewarning of the operation.

Inside the Biden administration, only a small group of officials at key agencies, as well as Vice President Kamala Harris, were brought into the process. Through May and June, Biden was updated several times on the growing mound of intelligence that confirmed al-Zawahri was hiding out in the home. Over the last few weeks, Biden brought together several Cabinet officials and key national security officials to scrutinize the intelligence findings.

On July 1, Biden was briefed in the Situation Room about the planned operation, a briefing in which the president closely examined a scale model of the home al-Zawahri was hiding out in. He gave his final approval for the operation on Thursday. Al-Zawahri was on the balcony of his hideout on Sunday when two Hellfire missiles were launched from an unmanned drone, killing him.

Al-Zawahri's family was in another part of the house when the operation was carried out, and no one else was believed to have been killed in the operation, the official said.

We make it clear again tonight: That no matter how long it takes, no matter where you hide, if you are a threat to our people, the United States will find you and take you out, Biden said.

Al-Zawahri was hardly a household name like bin Laden, but he played an enormous role in the terror group's operations.

The two terror leaders' bond was forged in the late 1980s, when al-Zawahri reportedly treated the Saudi millionaire bin Laden in the caves of Afghanistan as Soviet bombardment shook the mountains around them.

Al-Zawahri, on the FBIs Most Wanted Terrorist list, had a $25 million bounty on his head for any information that could be used to kill or capture him.

Al-Zawhiri and bin Laden plotted the 9/11 attacks that brought many ordinary Americans their first knowledge of al-Qaida.

Photos from the time often showed the glasses-wearing, mild-looking Egyptian doctor sitting by the side of bin Laden. Al-Zawahiri had merged his group of Egyptian militants with bin Ladens al-Qaida in the 1990s.

The strong contingent of Egyptians applied organizational know-how, financial expertise, and military experience to wage a violent jihad against leaders whom the fighters considered to be un-Islamic and their patrons, especially the United States, Steven A. Cook wrote for the Council on Foreign Relations last year.

When the 2001 U.S. invasion of Afghanistan demolished al-Qaidas safe haven and scattered, killed and captured its members, al-Zawahri ensured al-Qaidas survival. He rebuilt its leadership in the Afghan-Pakistan border region and installed allies as lieutenants in key positions.

He also reshaped the organization from a centralized planner of terror attacks into the head of a franchise chain. He led the assembling of a network of autonomous branches around the region, including in Iraq, Saudi Arabia, North Africa, Somalia, Yemen and Asia. Over the next decade, al-Qaida inspired or had a direct hand in attacks in all those areas as well as Europe, Pakistan and Turkey, including the 2004 train bombings in Madrid and the 2005 transit bombings in London.

More recently, the al-Qaida affiliate in Yemen proved itself capable of plotting attacks against U.S. soil with an attempted 2009 bombing of an American passenger jet and an attempted package bomb the following year.

But even before bin Ladens death, al-Zawahri was struggling to maintain al-Qaidas relevance in a changing Middle East.

He tried with little success to coopt the wave of uprisings that spread across the Arab world starting in 2011, urging Islamic hard-liners to take over in the nations where leaders had fallen. But while Islamists gained prominence in many places, they have stark ideological differences with al-Qaida and reject its agenda and leadership.

Nevertheless, al-Zawahri tried to pose as the Arab Springs leader. America is facing an Islamic nation that is in revolt, having risen from its lethargy to a renaissance of jihad, he said in a video eulogy to bin Laden, wearing a white robe and turban with an assault rifle leaning on a wall behind him.

Al-Zawahri was also a more divisive figure than his predecessor. Many militants described the soft-spoken bin Laden in adoring and almost spiritual terms.

In contrast, al-Zawahri was notoriously prickly and pedantic. He picked ideological fights with critics within the jihadi camp, wagging his finger scoldingly in his videos. Even some key figures in al-Qaidas central leadership were put off, calling him overly controlling, secretive and divisive.

Some militants whose association with bin Laden predated al-Zawahris always saw him as an arrogant intruder.

I have never taken orders from al-Zawahri, Fazul Abdullah Mohammed, one of the networks top figures in East Africa until his 2011 death, sneered in a memoir posted on line in 2009. We dont take orders from anyone but our historical leadership.

There had been rumors of al-Zawahris death on and off for several years. But a video surfaced in April of the al-Qaida leader praising a Indian Muslim woman who had defied a ban on wearing a hijab, or headscarf. That footage was the first proof in months that he was still alive.

A statement from Afghanistans Taliban government confirmed the airstrike, but did not mention al-Zawahri or any other casualties.

It said the Taliban strongly condemns this attack and calls it a clear violation of international principles and the Doha Agreement, the 2020 U.S. pact with the Taliban that led to the withdrawal of American forces.

Such actions are a repetition of the failed experiences of the past 20 years and are against the interests of the United States of America, Afghanistan, and the region, the statement said.

-

Associated Press writers Lolita C. Baldor, Ellen Knickmeyer, Zeke Miller, James LaPorta, Michael Balsamo and Darlene Superville in Washington; Rahim Faiez in Islamabad; and Lee Keath in Cairo contributed reporting.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP)  Another round of rainstorms hit flooded Kentucky mountain communities Monday as more bodies emerged from the sodden landscape, and the governor warned that high winds could bring another threat  falling trees and utility poles.

Gov. Andy Beshear said the death toll rose to 37 while hundreds of people remained unaccounted for five days after one of the nations poorest regions was swamped by nearly a foot of rain. The water poured down hillsides and into valleys and hollows, engulfing entire towns. Mudslides marooned some people on steep slopes.

Beshear suggested many of the unaccounted for would be located when cellphone service resumes.

When cell service gets back up, we do see a whole lot of people finding people they love and care about, so looking forward to those stories, he said.

Radar indicated that up to 4 more inches (10.2 centimeters) of rain fell Sunday, and the National Weather Service warned that slow-moving showers and thunderstorms could provoke more flash flooding through Tuesday morning.

If things werent hard enough on the people of this region, theyre getting rain right now, Beshear said Monday at the Capitol in Frankfort. Just as concerning is high winds  think about how saturated the ground has been." The wind "could knock over poles, it could knock over trees. So people need to be careful."

An approaching heat wave means its even going to get tougher when the rain stops, the governor said. "We need to make sure people are ultimately stable by that point.

Chris Campbell, president of Letcher Funeral Home in Whitesburg, said hes begun handling burial arrangements for people who died.

These people, we know most of them. Were a small community, he said of the town about 110 miles (177 kilometers) southeast of Lexington. It affects everybody.

His funeral home recently buried a 67-year-old woman who had a heart attack while trying to escape her home as the water rose. Campbell knew her boyfriend well, he said.

On Monday, he met with the family of a husband and wife in their 70s, people he also knew personally. He said its hard to explain the magnitude of the loss.

I dont know how to explain it or what to say, to be completely honest, he said. I just cant imagine what theyre going through. I dont think there really are words for it.

Campbell said his 90-year-old grandmother lost the entire home where she's lived since 1958. She managed to escape to a neighbors house with only some photos. Everything else is gone, he said.

More than 12,000 utility customers remained without power. At least 300 people were staying in shelters.

The floods were unleashed last week when 8 to 10 1/2 inches (20 to 27 centimeters) of rain fell in just 48 hours in parts of eastern Kentucky, southern West Virginia and western Virginia.

The disaster was the latest in a string of catastrophic deluges that have pounded parts of the U.S. this summer, including St. Louis. Scientists warn that climate change is making such events more common.

Meanwhile, nighttime curfews were declared in response to reports of looting in two of the devastated communities  Breathitt County and the nearby city of Hindman in Knott County.

Breathitt County declared a countywide curfew from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. The only exceptions were for emergency vehicles, first responders, and people traveling for work.

I hate to have to impose a curfew, but looting will absolutely not be tolerated. Our friends and neighbors have lost so much. We cannot stand by and allow them to lose what they have left, County Attorney Brendon Miller said in a Facebook post.

Breathitt County Sheriff John Hollan said the curfew decision came after 18 reports of looting. He said people were stealing from private property where homes were damaged. No arrest have been made.

Hindman Mayor Tracy Neice also announced a sunset-to-sunrise curfew because of looting, television station WYMT reported. Both curfews will remain in place until further notice, officials said.

Last weeks flooding extended to parts of West Virginia and Virginia. President Joe Biden declared a federal disaster to direct relief money to flooded counties, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency was helping. Another relief effort came from the University of Kentuckys men basketball team, which planned an open practice Tuesday at Rupp Arena and a charity telethon.

Coach John Calipari said players approached him about the idea.

The team and I are looking forward to doing what we can," Calipari said.

___

Associated Press writers Dylan Lovan in Louisville, Kentucky; Gary B. Graves in Lexington, Kentucky; Mike Pesoli airborne with the National Guard; Leah Willingham in Charleston, West Virginia; and Julie Walker in New York City contributed to this report.
Larry W. Smith/Getty Images

The Bexar County Sheriff's office said deputies found hundreds of pieces of stolen mail during a traffic stop last week.

The two women  34-year-old Rebecca Losakowski and 20-year-old Lenora Salas  in the vehicle also had drug paraphernalia with them and have been charged with felony theft of mail, engaging in criminal activity and possession of a criminal instrument, the sheriff's office said.
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RENO, Nev. (AP)  The developer of a geothermal power plant facing legal challenges in Nevada agreed Monday to suspend construction just hours after a U.S. appeals court had refused to halt the project that opponents say would harm an endangered toad and destroy sacred hot springs.

In a ruling Monday morning, a three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rejected a bid by environmentalists and a Nevada tribe to reinstate an injunction that temporarily blocked work earlier this year on Ormat Nevadas plant 100 miles (161 kilometers) east of Reno.

But hours later, lawyers for Ormat, the government, environmentalists and the tribe filed a joint stipulation in federal court in Reno detailing a voluntary agreement to suspend construction for at least 30 days  and perhaps until the end of the year.

The unusual turn of events comes after the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service took the rare step of declaring the Dixie Valley toad endangered on a temporary emergency basis in April  something the agency has done only one other time in 20 years.

The project is one of several underway in the West that the Biden administration backs as a way to combat climate change by expediting the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy.

It would generate carbon-free power by tapping hot water from beneath the earth. But the Fish and Wildlife Service concluded in April it could lead to the extinction of the toad by adversely affecting groundwater that feeds wetlands in the only place the speckled toad, about the size of a quarter, is known to exist.

Monday's panel ruling from the San Francisco-based 9th Circuit, which heard oral arguments on the appeal in June, said it couldnt consider the emergency listing because it happened after the appeal was filed in January.

The Center for Biological Diversity and the Fallon Paiute-Shoshone Tribe subsequently amended their suit to include the listing. They allege Ormat and the bureau are violating the Endangered Species Acts requirement that they consult with the wildlife service before proceeding with any activity that could harm protected species.

The conflict has put a spotlight on some of the challenges the Biden administration faces as it tries to meet its goal of having the U.S. power grid run on clean energy by 2035.

The new agreement filed Monday acknowledges the formal consultation must be completed so any risks to the toad can be fully evaluated before it's harmed.

Its not every day that you can lose at the 9th Circuit but still come out ahead, but today is a win for the Dixie Valley toad, said Patrick Donnelly, Great Basin director for the Center for Biological Diversity.

This agreement comes just in the nick of time to save this little toad from extinction, he said.

Ormat agreed to suspend construction until the service issues a formal biological opinion following the consultation, or until Dec. 31, whichever comes first.

It also agreed to provide 30 days' notice before resuming any construction. In turn, the opponents agreed they won't seek any new court orders before receiving such notice.

Ormat Vice President Paul Thomsen said the Reno-based company already was working with the two agencies to facilitate the consultation process and as part of those collaborative efforts has temporarily paused construction to focus on these efforts.

Ormat is confident that BLM and the Fish and Wildlife Service can find a path forward for the project that will both adequately protect the Dixie Valley toad and allow development of this critical renewable geothermal resource, he said in an email late Monday.

The 9th Circuit's panel ruling earlier Monday said further delay of the project would make it all but certain Ormat would be unable to meet a contract deadline to complete construction by the end of this year.

Ormat said earlier that failure to meet the deadline would cost the company $30 million over 20 years and could jeopardize the entire project, which was approved by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management in November.

Beyond the economic losses to Ormat, the panel said, the district court properly considered the public interest in a source of carbon-free baseload electricity, royalty returns to the federal government, and state and local taxes which would be collected as a result of the project.

The joint stipulation outlines a schedule with filing deadlines as U.S. District Judge Robert C. Jones in Reno continues to consider the case on its merits.

Critics say the project will violate the Religious Freedom Restoration Act by restricting access to the site where Native Americans have worshipped for thousands of years.

Their lawsuit also accuses the bureau of violating the National Environmental Policy Act by failing to complete an environmental impact statement on the potential impacts  a much more exhaustive review than the environmental assessment it produced.

The 9th Circuit panel ruled that Judge Jones was correct in deferring to the expertise of BLM scientists who concluded that adequate safeguards were in place.

The plans the bureau approved address unanticipated impacts and impose meaningful mitigation measures as needed," the ruling said. BLM was not required to mitigate impacts to zero."
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For weeks, dysfunction on the South San Antonio Independent School District board has kept it from approving major decisions needed for schools to be ready to open this month.

Two out of three meetings called in July could not be held for lack of a quorum, delaying the appointment of principals, a campus safety plan and a budget for the new school year.

Then, after appointing two new trustees, the board began to tackle those problems Tuesday. The sudden burst of productivity included a series of unanimous approvals of top-level administrative positions and the districts compensation plan.

But because of doubts about whether one of the new board members was properly appointed, questions lingered about the legality of all those actions.

Ive never seen this before, said Abe Saavedra, a veteran educator assigned by the Texas Education Agency to monitor the board.

During Tuesdays meeting, Ernesto Arrellano, the board president, had just opened a discussion about filling one of two vacancies on the board when trustee Gilbert Rodriguez stood up and walked away without a word.

The board had achieved a quorum and could legally meet that night only because Rodriguez had shown up at the last minute.

And now he was leaving.

Arrellano quickly called for a vote on a motion to appoint Gina Rovello, 41, to the board. He joined trustees Stacey Alderete and Homer Flores in approving it.

Then the door slammed and Rodriguez was gone. The meeting continued without him.

Rovello, appointed to replace Connie Prado, a longtime trustee who had resigned at the end of June, took her seat on the board. She then joined the others in voting to appoint Cynthia Ramirez, 58, to replace Rodriguez, in line with the districts position that he had resigned  a position Rodriguez disputes.

Saavedra said he wasnt sure if the vote to approve Rovello will hold up, and if it doesnt, everything that was accomplished afterward could be void, he said.

Ronald Cortes

A question for lawyers

Rodriguezs situation underlines the intricacy of the subplots swirling around the board. He resigned in February, then changed his mind, he said. He never withdrew his resignation in writing, however, and continued to vote at board meetings. Only recently did the district inform him that letters of resignation automatically take effect eight days after theyre submitted.

So he was out  forced out, he said in an interview  but even a trustee who is out continues to function as a trustee until replaced.

On ExpressNews.com: Texas Education Agency to investigate South San ISD board  again

With Rodriguez bolting  but apparently not quite out of the room yet  as Rovello was appointed, its unclear whether the boards subsequent decisions that night will hold up.

I dont know if the vote is legitimate. That will be a question for lawyers or someone at the TEA to ultimately decide, Saavedra said later after reviewing videotape of the meeting.

Saavedra is a former superintendent of South San ISD himself. He was called out of retirement in 2014 after leading Houston ISD, the states largest school district.

Robert Wilson, the districts lawyer, sees no problem with Rovellos appointment. He said Rodriguez voted no before he stood up and walked away and was still present when the vote was taken.

Thats not how Rodriguez remembers it.

I did not vote, and when I became disengaged and left, the quorum was broken, he said.

A spokesperson for the TEA said the agency is aware of the situation and is looking into it.

Rodriguez said he submitted his letter of resignation Feb. 8 to Alderete, the board secretary, but verbally rescinded it two days later and participated in board meetings for months afterward without anyone at the district telling him the resignation had taken effect.

I was having some personal issues that I didnt think would be resolved, but they did, Rodriguez said. I was able to sort through them and  I advised Ms. Alderete that I would not be resigning and that she would be destroying the letter.

The letter apparently was not destroyed. On July 13, the districts interim superintendent, Henry Yzaguirre, told the board by email that Rodriguez had resigned as of today. In an interview, Yzaguirre said the resignation had taken effect in February.

The district or any of the trustees never received anything from him rescinding it, he said. We never heard it. I dont know if anybody else heard it. Even then, it was nothing official rescinding it.

Ronald Cortes

Struggling to have meetings

The districts policy is that board members continue to perform their duties until a proper successor has filled their vacancy.

There was no strategy as to when and how to replace Rodriguez, Yzaguirre said. It is up to the board president to put it on the agenda.

Filling the vacant seats was on the agenda for a board meeting a week earlier, but not enough trustees were present to create a quorum. Weve been struggling to have meetings, Yzaguirre said.

Arrellano and Alderete declined to comment on the situation.

Rodriguez believes it became convenient for the board to react to his resignation letter only after he submitted a memo, along with trustee Shirley Ibarra, requesting a reorganization of the board and asking that the district use the Texas Association of School Boards to conduct a new superintendent search.

The board suspended Superintendent Marc Puig in December, and  after failing to meet several times for lack of a quorum  started the process of firing him in May. By June, he had reached an agreement with the board and resigned.

Puig had lasted about two years as superintendent. His predecessor, Alexandro Flores, took a contract buyout after less than a year.

On ExpressNews.com: Departing South San super to get $187K in separation agreement

On Tuesday, the new trustees introduced themselves.

Ronald Cortes

A brand-new South San ISD

Rovello said she has lived in South San her whole life and has three daughters, two of whom currently attend school in the district and one who graduated in 1999. She works as a health care caseworker.

Im here to try to better our community and do everything that I can for our children, Rovello said.

Ramirez has worked in education for 23 years and is an administrative assistant in the technology department at Harlandale ISD. She was on the South San board from 2000 to 2006 and in 2009 for six months, when she filled a sudden vacancy.

This is my third time serving the board, and Im truly honored. I live in the district, graduated 1982, Ramirez said. My kids have gone through the district also. ... Im very familiar with the way the district is run. I really want to say thank you so much to this staff. Everyone here has worked so hard.

I hope today is going to be the beginning of a brand-new South San ISD, Ramirez said.

After the meeting, Ramirez said she was shocked that board members havent been attending meetings, recalling her experience with trustees who didnt all agree but could disagree with respect.

No matter what the situation was, we showed up, she said. Recently it has just been very chaotic, something Ive never seen before.

Ramirez said she wants to focus on getting a new superintendent and keeping the board united.

We are all adults and we are there to take care of the issues at hand for these students, Ramirez said. It is not about our adult problems.

claire.bryan@express-news.net
A Trump-backed conspiracy theorist is making progress to secure the chief election position in Arizona in one of the most tightly divided battleground states in the United States.

Finchem, a poster child for election deniers following the 2020 presidential election, is an Arizona state lawmaker who is running with former President Donald Trump's endorsement in Tuesday's Republican primary for secretary of state.

Arizona State Primary

The candidate has support from a coalition of other like-minded candidates running to be election administrators in their own states. The group has gained traction in several other close 2020 swing states. But Finchem has a significant edge in a rare public poll of the secretary of state race published on Friday.

If Finchem wins on Tuesday, he will become the latest member of the "America First Secretary of State Coalition" to secure the Republican nomination in a key battleground. This would put them a general election win away from running the 2024 presidential vote in their states.

The situation comes four years after they worked to subvert President Joe Biden's election win and falsely claimed that the vote was marred with fraud. The founder of the coalition, Jim Marchant, is the Republican nominee in Nevada, while Kristina Karamo is the de-facto GOP pick in Michigan, as per Politico.

Read Also: US Officials Expect House Speaker Nancy Pelosi To Visit Taiwan Despite Angry Military Threats From China

On the other hand, in Pennsylvania, the governor picks the state's chief election official and coalition member Doug Mastriano is the GOP candidate for that position. In Arizona, GOP state legislators have embraced Trump's fictitious claims and financed investigations into the 2020 vote count.

Trump's Conspiracy Theorists

Supporters of the former president are "gunning for secretary of state," said Mike Noble, the chief of research and managing partner at the Arizona-based polling firm OH Predictive Insights. He said that the situation is definitely one that they have really put a priority on.

Despite his advantage, Finchem faces significant opposition in the primary, including from Beau Lane, a businessman who was endorsed by GOP Gov. Doug Ducey. However, if the latest polling is any indication, Arizona Republicans are poised to elevate someone who has relentlessly sought to undermine confidence in state elections as their pick to run future elections.

According to Vox, State House Speaker Rusty Bowers will have a severely challenging primary election. Furthermore, the race to challenge Sen. Mark Kelly features five Republicans, including state Attorney-General Mark Brnovich. He is whom Trump supporters are still hounding to challenge election matters and Trump-backed election denier Blake Masters.

On the other hand, Finchem, along with Kari Lake, have made Trump's election fraud claims a centerpiece of their campaigns for secretary of state and governor, respectively. The two offices are known to have the most direct influence on elections.

Finchem also traveled to Mar-a-Lago for the premier of a documentary advancing the specious notion that the 2020 presidential election was a fraud. During a campaign stop, he said that during the premier, Trump took 20 minutes with him where the former president allegedly said that the Arizona secretary of state race was the most important race in the United States, the New York Times reported.



Related Article: Former State Secretary Mike Pompeo Blasts Biden Administration's Inaction Amid China's Threat to US During Nancy Pelosi's Asia Trip

@ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
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For months, the slight man slept in and out of hotels along Austin Highway, where neon lights from fast food cafes and stores lit up the night.

It was far from the home where hed grown up in a middle-class family, far from the business where hed seen success until a salvo of setbacks. Prescription pills took a toll. Then came methamphetamine highs. In that state, the drug solved all of his problems.

The now broad-shouldered man barely weighed 140 pounds. His face was gaunt and drawn. Hamilton K. Barton, 52, didnt resemble the man who is well known today at his workplace, 1 Haven for Hope Way. As CEO of the nonprofit Pay it Forward, Barton understands the needs of those in recovery the program serves. Thats why he shares his story of long-term recovery and homelessness to give voice to people struggling with alcoholism, trauma and drug addiction.

I have the opportunity to be their megaphone, Barton said. We see miracles on a daily basis. We get to see the light come on. We try to share that if we can do it, they can do it.

Pay it Forward is one of the residential partners on campus at Haven for Hope. Women at Alpha Home and men at Lifetime Recovery who have completed treatment are eligible to live at the sober-living dormitory with access to recovery services.

About the author A 22-year veteran of the Air Force, Vincent T. Davis embarked on a second career as a journalist and found his calling. Observing and listening across San Antonio, he finds intriguing tales to tell about everyday people. He shares his stories with Express-News subscribers every Monday morning. See More Collapse

Barton grew up watching his father struggle with alcoholism.

At one point, Barton dropped out of high school and moved to Arizona.

In 1989, he moved back to San Antonio. He earned a GED and studied at San Antonio College. At age 20, he ran a small vending company, where he learned to operate a business. Five years later, he worked for a telecommunications firm, rising to regional manager.

As Bartons life began to change, drinking became a pastime. His first wife died from leukemia. He started a construction company, doing well until his second marriage fell apart. He became addicted to medications he used to treat infections from cuts at work sites and bouts of anxiety.

When prescriptions for pain killers and Xanax ran out, Barton turned to pushers on the streets. He lost his home, business, cars and eventually his children. He left his first treatment program after 33 days. He landed on the streets, mad at his parents, his first wife for dying and his second wife for leaving.

After 15 months of living on the streets, he realized it was his responsibility to change his life.

Barton signed up for treatment with Lifetime Recovery on the South Side. Then he moved into an Oxford House residence, part of a national network of recovery homes. Barton said there are more than 3,200 houses across the country, free of drugs, where bills are paid at a weekly meeting and everyone has a say.

He sought out his dad, who had been sober for 20 years. His father saw a man who wanted to recover. He told him to report that Monday at 8:30 a.m. as a file clerk at his law firm. The $8.50 an hour job allowed Barton to earn a living, be successful and reengage with his children.

After six months, he was elected chapter chair at the house. His first problem-solving experience came in a house that was struggling and needed support. The men were fearful, tense and didnt see a way out. Barton helped broker a plan that came without penalty.

After a second-chapter meeting, residents elected Barton as chapter chair. That meeting made him realize there was a purpose in the work. A friend and professor at the University of Texas at San Antonio suggested Barton enroll in the paralegal program at the UTSA Business School. Becoming a paralegal allowed Barton to increase his income and legitimacy.

Barton was recommended as a board member for Pay it Forward because he knew what sober living looked like. Not knowing the responsibilities of a board member, he attended a San Antonio Area Foundation board boot camp. Eighteen months later, he was chosen as the board chair.

In 2017, Julie Wisdom-Wild came on board as CEO for a year. After four months, she selected Barton on staff as development manager.

When Wisdom-Wild left, the board elected him as the next CEO.

On Thursday, Ben Brooks, 41, walked with Barton through the Pay it Forward sober living dorm at the campus. Four and a half years ago, Brooks was a former program member. Now, hes the dormitory manager of the two-story dorm that includes 46 mens and 30 womens beds. Barton said hes proud of Brooks and his staff, who support the residents on their myriad journeys to success.

Not only do I have an opportunity to grow from his instruction, but I have an opportunity to grow with him in our recoveries, Brooks said. Im grateful for this man. Hes continued to help me to get where I think I ought to be.

Barton knows his associates recovery birthdays because its important to celebrate the accomplishments after leaving a place thats claimed many souls. There was a time he thought hed always be an addict and never have a normal life.

Then he had an epiphany: its not about him, but everyone around him.

Barton is married and has four boys of his own and a stepdaughter. Hes grateful to be the parent and husband he always wanted to be but didnt know how.

The life I live today, theres no choice but to exist in gratitude, Barton said. I didnt think this was possible. Were like a soldier in a foxhole. If you tell me Ive got to move and cover you, Im going to stand up and cover you. Thats what we do for our people  we stand up and cover them.

vtdavis@express-news.net
San Antonio experienced 29 days last month in which temperatures hit triple-digits, leading to the hottest July on record for the city, according to the National Weather Service. It was the third consecutive month of record heat.

According to Brandon Gale, a meteorologist with the NWS in San Antonio and Austin, the average temperature  including both highs and lows  was 89.8 degrees in July 2022, beating the previous record of 88.7 degrees set in 2009.

The average high last month was 101.6, which beat the 2009 July record of 100.6, Gale said.

Through July 31, San Antonio International Airport, a temperature-measuring point for the NWS, is at 51 days of triple-digit heat this year, just eight days shy of the record for San Antonio of 59 days.

"We can sort of 'guestimate' that days in triple-digit heat this year will be somewhere on the order of 70, give or take 10," Keith White, another meteorologist with the NWS, said last week. "That will depend on whether or not we're able to see some rain in the late summer and early fall, but nothing's looking favorable for that."

On ExpressNews.com: How to talk about the heat without being boring

The lack of rain has been a contributing factor to the record-breaking heat.

"The sun is putting its energy into heating the air instead of evaporating moisture," White said. "La Nina conditions, which we're still under, typically bring us warmer, dryer conditions in the fall, winter, into the early spring. It was the hottest December on record, but we saw that in January and February, there was some cooler weather."

Gale noted that La Nina conditions are expected to continue through the remainder of the year, bringing slightly warmer and slightly dryer conditions than normal. As far as the outlook for next year, Gale said, San Antonio could be looking at a neutral phase, somewhere between La Nina and El Nino conditions, which could help the area escape the dry pattern and conditions currently in place.

May and June were also the warmest of those months on record, White noted. There could be a secondary "wet period" in September and October, and the tropical storm season continues until November, but things are not looking favorable for significant rain amounts, according to the NWS.

On ExpressNews.com: San Antonio's hottest summer on record could become the new normal

White said San Antonio could see temps in the 100s until October.

Starting in the early fall, more cold fronts and low-pressure systems should work their way south from the north, White added, which could produce some good rainfall amounts.

shepard.price@express-news.net | @shepardgprice
City Hall is the bastion of public safety, streets and sidewalks, parks funding and nonprofit support.

The work of city government is much deeper than this, of course. In making funding decisions about infrastructure, public safety, where potholes are filled or not filled, where parks are built or not built, city government grapples with long-standing concerns around equity and community fairness, environmental impacts, and how the community grows and evolves.

It is a place where policy has lasting and visible impacts on peoples lives, and there is very little space between the community and those elected to represent them. To riff on a lyric from Doug Sahm, City Hall gets down to the nitty-gritty.

But sometimes, City Hall needs to be a place to make larger, symbolic statements. This brings us to the upcoming vote on a resolution to support abortion rights in the aftermath of the reversal of Roe v. Wade and Texas trigger law banning abortions unless the mothers life is at risk. There are no exceptions for rape and incest.

Such a resolution is symbolic. Abortion is not within the citys purview. But it carries import because it shows how Texas is a politically diverse state. As District 5 Councilwoman Teri Castillo has said, not all Texans support the overturning of Roe. In fact, polling has shown the vast majority of Texans  78 percent  support allowing abortion in some circumstances. Already we have seen dramatic cases in which abortion bans have jeopardized the health of women and forced a 10-year-old rape victim in Ohio to travel to Indiana for the procedure.

The resolution offers another layer of assurance the city will not use funds to investigate or track abortions and miscarriages. Likewise, Bexar County District Attorney Joe D. Gonzales, citing prosecutor discretion, has said his office will not be prosecuting abortion cases.

We support the proposed resolution. While we understand why many people oppose abortion, such a decision should belong to women and families. The government has taken away that right in a vast display of overreach. Such a resolution shows a path forward  a statement of values to fuel political advocacy and change  as Texas and other states grapple with the consequences of the U.S. Supreme Courts decision.
Addressing a Hidalgo County GOP dinner last month, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick singled out for praise a friendly Democrat in the crowd, retiring state Sen. Eddie Lucio Jr. of Brownsville.

Patrick said Lucio, the most moderate Democrat in the Senate, voted more for conservative causes than one or two of my Republicans and never ever let me down when I needed a vote.

Then, in the next breath, Patrick said Republicans need to capture Lucios seat.

Adam Hinojosa, wherever youre sitting, you need to win that district, Patrick said, referring to the GOP nominee, because we can win that district now that [Lucio]s retired.

The scene helped illustrate the unique dynamics both parties now face in Texas Senate District 27, which is the only competitive Senate district in November  and just so happens to be in South Texas. Republicans have high hopes in the region this cycle after former President Donald Trump fared surprisingly well there in 2020 and the GOP flipped a congressional seat there in a June special election.

After a sleepy primary in Senate District 27  at least compared to the Democratic side  Republicans intent on making gains among Hispanic Texans are starting to pay more attention to the race, sensing an opportunity that is too good to pass up in the current environment.

Still, it remains to be seen if Republicans will prioritize the contest as much as others in the region. They are up against a formidable Democratic nominee in Morgan LaMantia, a McAllen lawyer whose whose family runs the L&F beer distributor  and who spent over $3 million to win her partys nomination while making bipartisan appeals that could pay off in November.

Redistricting is fueling the GOP optimism in the district  it is now a seat that President Joe Biden would have carried hypothetically in 2020 by fewer than 7 percentage points  but so is the broader GOP offensive in the region, which got a shot of momentum in June when Republican Mayra Flores won a congressional seat there. More notably, Flores won the longtime Democratic stronghold that anchors the district  Cameron County  which is also the biggest county in SD-27.

Hinojosa said Flores win let voters know this is possible. He added that he has had great conversations with Patrick about policy, including the issue that has so endeared the lieutenant governor to Lucio  his willingness to buck his party and staunchly oppose abortion. When Lucio announced his retirement last year, Patrick issued a statement that alluded to Lucios anti-abortion record and said he hoped the new Senator from his district will have the courage to continue Sen. Lucios legacy.

I believe [Patrick] as well as a lot of statewide Republicans understand the opportunity here, Hinojosa said. Its very real.

Patrick stayed out of the primary in the district  a conspicuous absence given that he engaged aggressively in the nominating contests for every other open Senate seat. But he seems to have focused more on the race now that Hinojosa is the nominee, shouting him out twice at the Hidalgo County GOP Lincoln Reagan Dinner and promising to do everything I can to help make the Rio Grande Valley a Republican stronghold.

Gov. Greg Abbott, whose campaign is especially focused on South Texas, similarly kept quiet during the primary but sees an opening in the general election. His campaign had Hinojosa participate in a news conference countering the state Democratic convention last week in Dallas, and while Abbott has not made any formal endorsements for the November election yet, his top political strategist, Dave Carney, said SD-27 is in the heart of our southern Texas region and were gonna do everything we can to turn out our voters there.

Its definitely a winnable seat, Carney said.

Lucio, for his part, said it is hard to say how competitive the race will be until closer to November. In an interview, he reiterated his support for LaMantia, recalling how her grandfather endorsed him when he first ran for Senate in 1990, but he also called Hinojosa a very fine gentleman.

I dont know how much the partys gonna pour into his campaign, Lucio said, but if its significant, hell give her a very good race for her money.

Lucio endorsed LaMantia back during her primary, but she distanced herself from some of his less popular positions among fellow Democrats, namely his anti-abortion record. While it may have helped her emerge as the Democratic nominee, it is now one of the biggest contrasts that Hinojosa is citing for the November election.

Im pro-life and she is very much not pro-life, Hinojosa said. In a district where our Democrat Sen. Eddie Lucio is very pro-life, thats a pretty drastic shift [if voters elect LaMantia].

At least financially, Hinojosa is at a huge disadvantage in the race. Compared to her seven-figure machine, he raised less than $50,000 as of June 30 and loaned himself $88,000. He had a little over $5,000 cash on hand at the end of June; LaMantia had $58,000.

LaMantia has nonetheless been aware that even after a competitive Democratic primary, she may have to work hard to defend the district in the general election. She has campaigned hard on her business experience and spent her primary runoff criticizing both parties for inaction on border problems. In one TV ad, she told Biden, who is deeply unpopular all over Texas, that his administration has no plan for the border.

LaMantias runoff opponent, Sara Stapleton-Barrera, accused LaMantia of echoing Republican talking points, but LaMantias big-spending campaign plowed its way to a 14-percentage-point victory in May.

Still, it is an open question whether Republicans are ready to fight as hard in SD-27 as they are in other overlapping districts. For example, they are expected to battle to get Flores reelected to Congress in November, when she faces U.S. Rep. Vicente Gonzalez, D-McAllen, in a bluer district, and state House leadership is all in on electing Republican Janie Lopez to a new battleground seat in Cameron County.

One of Lopezs major backers, the Associated Republicans of Texas, has not endorsed Hinojosa yet, but its vice president, Aaron De Leon, said the group is looking to expand the map any way we can.

Texans for Lawsuit Reform, another big-spending group based in Austin, has already backed LaMantia with $115,000 in contributions throughout her Democratic primary and runoff. But the tort reform group is close to Republican leadership, and it is unclear how it will navigate the general election in Senate District 27. Asked about the race, a spokesperson said the group has not made any decisions about general election endorsements yet.

Disclosure: Texans for Lawsuit Reform has been a financial supporter of the Texas Tribune. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribune's journalism.

The Texas Tribune is a nonprofit, nonpartisan media organization that informs Texans about public policy, politics, government and statewide issues.
Educators, parents, advocacy groups and others traveled from around Texas to weigh in on a once-in-a-decade rewrite of the states social studies curriculum on Monday at the State Board of Education.

When the meeting started at 8 a.m., 126 people had signed up to speak. The room was packed, with nearly every chair filled and some sitting on the floor around the edges of the boardroom. For hours, the board listened to invited testimony from elected officials and academic experts who had worked on drafting the curricula.

IN-DEPTH: Parents rights hearing at Texas Capitol draws a hundred supporters, and a book-ban protest

Theres a long history of political battles at the state education board over how it addresses subjects such as evolution, Moses, the inception of the Civil War and human sexuality.

The intense discussion comes after months of controversy over public school lessons and library books across Texas. Broadly, many conservatives believe that liberals have smuggled their ideology into public schools. They say parents saw this leftist bias firsthand as they helped their children with virtual learning at home during COVID-19 school lockdowns, leading to a wave of parental involvement in school boards and other avenues to change education policy.

Meanwhile, those on the left see recent education policies pushed by Republicans as extremist and harmful. Examples include a law inspired by the debate around critical race theory that was enacted last year, restricting how racism and the legacy of slavery can be addressed in class, and efforts to ban books from public schools and libraries that focus on race or LGBTQ perspectives.

At a noon press conference in the boardrooms lobby, Carisa Lopez, political director for the left-leaning watchdog group Texas Freedom Network, said the board politicized the social studies curriculum in 2010, heaping praise on McCarthyism, listing Moses as a historical figure and discussing slavery as a side issue to the Civil War.

This years drafts are an improvement, she said, at least so far.

The standards were written by volunteer work groups and content advisers chosen by members of the board, which will edit the curriculum directly and vote on it later this summer. Its historically at that point in the process where the watchdog group has seen changes it views as most objectionable, Lopez said.

Make no mistake, public education is under attack. And the state board and these standards are just the newest battleground, Lopez said. This kind of extremism has become all too familiar to all of us in the last few years. We have watched with growing alarm as our state's leaders push ahead on a cynical campaign to censor and politicize what students learn. They have stoked racial divisions, smeared teachers and encouraged fringe conspiracy theorists. Teachers and librarians feel under siege, some have lost or left their jobs because they oppose book bans and censorship.

Those in Austin to speak against the curriculum sat together, almost entirely women of around the same age, some speaking for groups such as Tarrant County Moms for Liberty, as individuals, or Moms for Liberty, Travis County.

They expressed frustration that Moses is not included as a historical figure in the high school curriculum and say theres too much focus on examples of racism or cruelty in American and Texas history. Further, they say the Ten Commandments should be taught as formative to the U.S. Constitution, and that children are generally being asked to learn too much at too young an age.

In short, the United States of America is an exceptionally good country, and social studies and history must not be taught through a politicized, manipulated lens, said Evelyn Brooks. Vote no on this massive overhaul.

State Sen. Bryan Hughes, the Republican who wrote the social studies bills passed last year by the Legislature, also testified Monday morning, as did Texas Supreme Court Chief Justice Nathan Hecht.

Many teachers and education groups opposed Hughes bill last year, saying it would make teachers lives harder. Since it became law, theres been a substantial teacher workforce shortage in Texas, and some ex-teachers say the bills restrictions played into their decision. Teachers have also found themselves in the middle of other controversies that have sprung up across Texas around how schools can teach race, the history of civil rights, and the Holocaust.

Hughes acknowledged that theres widespread misunderstanding about what last years legislation actually does. (The term critical race theory never appears in the text of the law.)

The law does not preclude lessons about slavery, or about Jim Crow laws passed in the wake of the Civil War, or about the Civil Rights era, he said.

That bill is not an attempt to sanitize the teaching of history any other way, Hughes said. And the truth is good and bad, and the difficult things that we've been through and those things we've overcome.

While groups on the left are happy  so far  with the curriculum changes, groups on the right are incensed.

There were 20 who registered to speak Monday in favor of the draft standards published earlier this month and 34 against. The rest indicated they were neutral.

Ahead of Monday mornings meeting, Rev. Dave Welch, president of the Texas Pastor Council, wrote to the State Board of Education warning him that the council was strongly opposed to the social studies curriculum as drafted. The council has fought for socially conservative policies since its 2003 founding, and it presented Gov. Greg Abbott with its Faithful Citizenship Award in 2013. The letter foreshadowed many of the complaints that were expressed during the hearing.

The tone of Welchs letter underscored the intensity with which advocacy groups are eyeing the social studies curriculum revision. He quoted a Bible verse where Jesus said, whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him to have a heavy millstone hung around his neck, and to be drowned in the depth of the sea..

Welch said the group is frustrated that Moses was not included as a historical figure in the curriculum, that middle school students will be expected to learn about historical civil rights efforts for gay people and that the ethnic studies curriculum includes concepts of intersectionality, LGBT rights, Critical Race Theory (CRT), and describes border security as the militarization of the U.S. Mexico border.

These are just a few of the concerning recommendations made by unelected workgroup members of what should be in and what should be out, Welch wrote.

edward.mckinley@chron.com
U.S. Rep. Troy Nehls is raising funds for his re-election campaign by asking supporters to join a group devoted to the impeachment of President Joe Biden and donate money to support the effort.

In a pair of recent fundraising emails, Nehls argues that Bidens border policies  which include the reversal of certain Trump-era immigration restrictions  amount to a dereliction of duty and are grounds for impeachment. The emails ask supporters to join a so-called Coalition for Presidential Impeachment, upon which they are asked to contribute $5 to $500 toward Nehls campaign.

LAST WEEK: As Texas Rep. Troy Nehls attacks Biden as unfit, Pete Buttigieg hits back

Its unclear if the group exists beyond Nehls efforts to fundraise and gather supporters email addresses, or how its working to impeach Biden. A president can be impeached with a majority vote of the House, and then faces a trial in the Senate that can lead to removal from office.

Nehls, a Republican from Richmond and former Fort Bend County sheriff, is seeking a second term in Congress in November. His district was among the most competitive in the state before Republicans redrew it to include more GOP voters in last years redistricting process, expanding the boundaries out to bright-red Matagorda and Wharton counties southwest of Houston.

Days into his term, Nehls grabbed national attention for his role during the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol, when he was spotted in photos attempting to reason with rioters who were outside the House chamber. Nehls voted not to certify Arizona and Pennsylvanias electoral votes for Biden, though he also called for those who stormed the Capitol to be prosecuted and said he wanted to help settle differences between Biden and Trump supporters.

A few months later, Nehls approached Biden after the president addressed a joint session of Congress, offering to help the new Democratic administration reform the countrys criminal justice system.

Since then, however, Nehls has emerged as an ardent critic of Biden. During an infrastructure-focused committee hearing last week, Nehls questioned Bidens mental acuity and asked Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg if members of the presidents cabinet had discussed invoking the 25th Amendment  under which a president can be removed if deemed unfit for office.

Sadly, he shakes hands with ghosts and imaginary people, he falls off bicycles; even at the White House Easter Celebration, the Easter Bunny had to guide him back into his safe place, Nehls said. Cue cards say, sit here or end of speech, which he actually states  that is, if he stays awake.

In his recent impeachment-centric fundraising emails, sent out Friday and Monday, Nehls states that hes more than ready to get the ball rolling, implementing my plan to impeach Joe Biden, without providing further details.

Joe Biden has had his opportunity to right his wrongs, but hes chosen to ignore the American people and our constitutionally-protected right to secure borders long enough! Nehls latest fundraising email reads. If you agree, and youre ready to make President Biden answer for his dereliction of duty, join myself and the millions of other Americans who are ready to make it happen.

There does not appear to be a path for Republicans to impeach Biden while they remain in the minority in both chambers of Congress, though some  including U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz  have suggested Biden may be impeached if the GOP regains control of the U.S. House during the midterms.

Yeah, I do think theres a chance of that, whether its justified or not, Cruz said on his podcast in January, arguing that Democrats weaponized impeachment by twice voting to impeach President Donald Trump.

jasper.scherer@chron.com
Air Serbia is preparing to expand its route network with around twelve new routes, some of which will be launched as early as this winter season, although the majority will be added next summer. The carriers CEO, Jiri Marek, told Aviation Week, We are currently planning around a dozen of new destinations for next year, as well as more frequencies in the region to guarantee connectivity to Chicago, New York and China. And some of the new destinations, even exotic ones, might come already in the winter season. Mr Marek noted that Air Serbia does not need additional destinations in Europe, but more frequencies, indicating that many of the upcoming new routes will be outside of the continent.
Hardly a day goes by when some dyspeptic George Will-type doesnt solemnly invoke the Watergate hearings as the only precedent for the House Jan. 6 committee hearings chaired by Rep. Benny Thompson.

But puh-leeze!

I knew Sam Ervin, and Benny Thompson is no Sam Ervin. OK, I didnt really know Senator Sam, but like millions of others I watched him chair the Senate Watergate Committee, and I got to know and trust him for his fairness, his sense of humor, and his humility.

Those are three qualities that are not just lacking in Thompson, but mysteriously absent from every member of the House Select Committee to Investigate the Attack on the United States Capitol (hereinafter known as the Get Trump Committee).

If you were looking for a word to describe Thompson, Adam Schiff, Liz Cheney, and Adam Kinzinger, how about smug, sanctimonious, self-satisfied? Take your pick. Any of them would accurately describe the demeanor and character of all the members of the Jan. 6 committee. In fact, the current committee is as far from the Watergate committee that was investigating campaign practices of President Nixon as a monkey is from a monk.

Start with this forgotten fact: The Watergate Committee was created by a unanimous vote of the Senate, truly bipartisan and truly reflective of a national mandate to learn the truth about the Watergate break-in. The Get Trump Committee was created by a vote of 222-190 in the House, with only two Republicans voting to support the partisan assault on President Trump  namely Cheney and Kinzinger, both of whom had earlier voted to impeach Trump and who had already made up their minds that he was a danger to the country.

The Watergate Committee had Republicans selected by the Senate minority leader to serve on the committee to ensure that Republican President Richard Nixon got fair treatment. The Get Trump Committee has only two Trump-hating Republicans among its members, namely the aforementioned Cheney and Kinzinger, who were selected not by House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy but by the Democratic Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi. McCarthy had originally appointed five members to the committee, but then withdrew those after Pelosi refused to seat two of them because they made it known that they would actually ensure that President Trumps rights were protected in the hearings.

As currently constituted the committee has afforded Donald Trump no rights whatsoever. There is no minority counsel. There is no ranking member. There is no Republican-appointed legal staff working to challenge the narrative put forth by the Trump-hating majority. Worst of all, there is no cross-examination. Of course not. After all, cross-examination has been called the greatest legal engine ever invented for the discovery of truth. If you arent after the truth, you dont allow cross-examination. Just ask Stalin.

Another point of divergence: The Watergate Committee did its most important work in public, whereas the Get Trump Committee does its questioning in secret, only bringing witnesses into the light of day when they have been sanitized, groomed, and sworn to the proposition that Trump is a danger to the republic. Most of the witnesses are reduced to sound bites and snippets that have been clipped and collected out of hours of testimony, then shaped into a pastiche of anti-Trump paranoia. The few witnesses who are deemed suitable for prime time face no challenges, no hard questioning to test their stories, but just the fawning appreciation of Thompson and Cheney for sticking to the approved narrative: Orange Man Bad.

So despite the recurring appearances of Watergate figures John Dean and Carl Bernstein on TV hyping the current investigation, there is nothing remotely appropriate in the comparison.

A more fitting parallel to the Jan. 6 committee hearings, and yet one that the mainstream media assiduously avoids, is the McCarthy hearings of the 1950s when Sen. Joe McCarthy and his allies sought to demolish the reputations of their political enemies, up to and including President Dwight Eisenhower.

McCarthy rose to fame in 1950 when he announced he had a secret list of 205 officials in the State Department who were communists. This was shocking news, and as the United States fought the war against communism in Korea, McCarthy stoked fears of a Fifth Column in our own government that was working against our democratic interests. He parlayed his unsubstantiated claim into a powerful political weapon and was put in charge of the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, where Sens. Susan Collins and Carl Levin later said, McCarthy's zeal to uncover subversion and espionage led to disturbing excesses. His browbeating tactics destroyed careers of people who were not involved in the infiltration of our government.

Consider the similarity to the Get Trump Committees paranoid narrative about thousands of insurrectionists in and out of the government. They are the scapegoats for a brazen plan to crush Trump and foil his obvious intention to return to the White House via the 2024 election. Under the guise of an investigation into the violence of Jan. 6, the Democrats are abusing the powers of Congress to wage war on free speech, free thought, and free elections.

But we can and must hope that the Get Trump Committee will follow the same ruinous arc as the McCarthy investigation. First McCarthys committee used lies, smears, and innuendo to destroy the lives of innocent Americans, but then those lies boomeranged and brought down both McCarthy and his power-mad crusade after he targeted not just the State Department but also the U.S. Army.

With McCarthy in charge, the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations in the fall of 1953 started to look into supposed improprieties in the Army Signal Corps as well as the personal lives of a variety of military personnel. But by the spring of the following year, McCarthys own behavior came into question when the Army accused him of trying to get special privileges for a former member of his staff who had been drafted. It was this that led to McCarthys downfall when the Senate ordered an investigation into the senators tactics and ethics.

The so-called Army-McCarthy hearings were raw, dramatic, and televised live, not in the style of the Get Trump Committees show trial setting, but as unscripted psychodrama with McCarthys penchant for persecution on full display to the nation.

Most famous, of course, was attorney Joseph Welchs defense of a young lawyer in his firm who had once belonged to a radical trial lawyers guild and whom McCarthy tried to use to smear Welch himself as a harborer of communists.

Welchs famous response to the attack on his colleague was the beginning of the end for McCarthy:

Until this moment, Senator, I think I never really gauged your cruelty, or your recklessness.  If it were in my power to forgive you for your reckless cruelty, I would do so. I like to think I'm a gentle man, but your forgiveness will have to come from someone other than me.  Let us not assassinate this lad further, senator.  You've done enough. Have you no sense of decency, sir, at long last? Have you left no sense of decency?

Although the investigation largely cleared McCarthy of wrong-doing in his claims about the Army, his popularity plummeted as the nation watched the unbalanced performance of a man who would say anything to destroy his enemies, truth be damned.

I have little doubt that a similar fate would await Rep. Cheney and her colleagues on the Get Trump Committee were they brave enough to invite witnesses in for live testimony in front of the television cameras. But they are not brave. They do not permit Trumps aides and allies to face their accusers publicly, nor do they allow the calling of witnesses to exonerate the former president.

They are afraid to admit that Trump asked his supporters to march peacefully and patriotically to the Capitol. They will never call Nancy Pelosi to the stand to defend her own lapses of judgment on Jan. 6, nor will they ask the FBI to explain their use of informants in the crowd that day. They certainly dont want to acknowledge the many irregularities in the 2020 presidential election, all of which seemed to benefit Joe Biden.

No, this is not the equivalent of a Watergate hearing, nor even the detestable McCarthy hearings. In both of those, there was due process that allowed the truth to be sought in a fair and impartial manner.

Ironically, it was Sam Ervin himself who was one of the people responsible for ending the witch hunt that McCarthy had unleashed on America. Just one month after Ervin was appointed senator from North Carolina in 1954, he was named by none other than Vice President Richard Nixon to join a bipartisan committee of three Republican senators and three Democratic senators who would decide whether McCarthy deserved to be censured by the full Senate for his outrageous behavior.

Even in that role, where as a Democratic senator he could have tried to railroad McCarthy for his own gain, Ervin insisted on seeing that his political enemy received fair treatment, including the right to cross-examine witnesses against him and to be investigated in open hearings.

Ervin declared at the time: "It is important that all persons concerned have a fair shake."

That is one thing you will never hear Liz Cheney say, and it is certainly something that Donald Trump has never received from the media, from Democrats in Congress, from his own Justice Department, or from this committee.
Farmers have just two months left to help shape a pilot scheme set up to boost the industry's skills and careers opportunities.

The Institute for Agriculture and Horticulture (TIAH) unveiled the platform earlier this year, with a launch date expected in 2023.

Farmers are wanted to trial the online service, bringing together new and existing training opportunities to make skills and career development more accessible to all.

Mark Woods, a beef and arable farmer from the Wye Valley, signed up to become a TIAH Cultivator in light of the challenges surrounding recruitment and retention.

I think the fact that TIAH is engaging the industry on the development of their platform before it goes live is fantastic, said Mr Woods.

The pilot scheme gives individuals the opportunity to sense check what is being developed and provide real-time feedback on whats required. Its all about creating a system thats fit for purpose."

Through the scheme, Cultivators are offered the chance to join virtual training sessions, on a variety of topics, when it suits them.

Mr Woods explained that the struggle with recruitment and retention of staff due to misconceived perceptions about the industry and the available career options was a significant concern across the industry.

However, this scheme is an opportunity to change the issue and allows farmers to play a part in the future success of agriculture and horticulture," he said.

Its more important than ever that we work together to showcase the professionalism of the sectors and promote the fact that there are various exciting career paths that are more than just a job.

Id really encourage others to be proactive and sign up to the scheme to help attract and secure a highly skilled labour force."

Janet Swadling, chief executive at TIAH, said that the organisation was encouraged by the contribution that had already been made from farmers.

The cultivators have already given us some fantastic feedback on the online platform, but we want to make sure every region is well represented in the scheme.

"Therefore, having a greater proportion of cultivators involved in the scheme will help us to ensure farmers and growers in every area are supported in their careers with the best possible service,."

Farmers interested in finding out more about the pilot scheme can sign up online.
Harrison & Hetherington has named its main pedigree auction ring after David Thomlinson, an auctioneering legend who was tragically killed on his farm three years ago.

H&H Group non-executive director Dawn Harrison unveiled the plaque Ring 3 The David Thomlinson Ring on 29 July prior to the British Limousin Clubs 50th Anniversary Sale.

Born and bred in Cumbria, David left school in 1962 and began working as an office boy at Harrison & Hetherington based in Botchergate, Carlisle.

During his early career he took and passed his Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyor exams, then moved across into auctioneering and rose through the ranks to managing director  a career spanning 57 years.

He sadly died three years ago as a consequence of a tragic accident on his farm.

David served for six years as chairman of the National Beef Associations Pedigree Breeders Committee, prior to becoming its chairman in 2013, a role he held for several years.

Harrison & Hetheringtons Borderway Auction Mart is the platform for many of the UKs pedigree cattle and sheep sales.

Michael Scott, chairman of the H&H Group, said the ring was named after David due to his 'outstanding dedication' to the livestock auctioneering world.

The Board and everyone at H&H wanted to pay tribute to David who really was a cornerstone in the business.

"It seemed an appropriate honour to name Ring 3, our main pedigree ring, after David as he was so passionate about the pedigree aspect of the operation.

We decided to make this official during the Limousin Clubs 50th anniversary celebrations, as David was a notable pedigree Limousin breeder and had been involved with the society since its inception, being a former Chairman of the north west Limousin Cattle Breeders Association.

Although David could have retired, he still maintained a key role within the company through his love of the livestock rings as an auctioneer, mentor, and assisting the land agency with property sales.

With many successes and highlights during his work as an auctioneer, one of his most proud moments was the sale of a Texel Shearling Ram, Loosebeare Imp, in 2003 which sold for 120,000gns.

In 2014, David started the bidding for the exceptional animal Glenrock Illusion at 10,000gns before seeing the price rise 125,000gns, this was the highest priced heifer ever sold at that time.

Craig Ridley, honorary president of the British Limousin Cattle Society concluded: David was an integral part of our society and is greatly missed by everyone.

"He was an inspiration to many and was always happy to help and support in any way he could.

"It is a great honour to be involved in celebrating his life in this way and is a very fitting way to open our 50th anniversary celebrations at Borderway.
Apple's M2 MacBook Pro high-end version and Mac Mini are reportedly arriving late this year or before 2022 ends.

Apple's M2 MacBook Pro High-End Version 2022 Debut

As per the latest story by Apple Insider, the high-end variants of the M2 MacBook Pro and the all-new M2-powered Mac Mini are expected to see the light of day this 2022.

Apple has yet to confirm if it is launching the first high-end variant of its M2 MacBook Pro, as well as a new Mac Mini, which runs on the latest M2 chip.

However numerous rumors have been hinting that the Cupertino-based tech giant is working on the release of the more premium M2 MacBook Pro and M2 Mac Mini before this year reaches its final curtain call.

But this time, no less than the Bloomberg journalist, Mark Gurman, claims in his latest "Power On" newsletter that Apple plans to release more M2 offerings this year.

Gurman, who specializes in predicting all sorts of Apple stuff, had a lengthy discussion about the recent financial report of the iPhone maker.

The Bloomberg journalist points out that the dismal sales of Macs are likely due to the all-new M2 models that Apple has recently unveiled. And its delay has affected its sales figures as well.

Apart from the Apple financial results, Gurman also offered his predictions for the upcoming M2 offerings of the renowned tech giant.

He believes that the MacBook would massively rebound as Apple introduces its lineup of high-end M2 MacBook Pro models before 2022 ends.

The tech behemoth has recently debuted two new high-end models of the MacBook Pro, 14-inch and 16-inch options. However, these premium machines still sported a bumped-up version of the M1 chip, namely the Ultra and Max variants.

Read Also: Apple's First MacBook Pro with Touch Bar Set To Be 'Vintage' - What Does This Mean?

Apple M2 Mac Mini?

On top of the upcoming high-end M2 MacBook Pro models, Gurman also hints that Apple is working to launch the first-ever M2 Mac Mini.

It is worth noting that the Cupertino tech giant already released the 2022 M2 MacBook Pro last June 24, according to a report from IGN.

Its arrival also marks the debut of the all-new M2 chip, which also powers the 2022 MacBook Air.

While the tech giant already gave its MacBook offerings an M2 treatment, it has yet to unveil a Mac Mini counterpart.

But Gurman predicts that the wait for the M2 Mac Mini would not be that long, as the iPhone maker seeks to release it "later this year."

The "Power On" newsletter also mentions that the renowned tech giant is expectedly launching a 15-inch MacBook Air, the next generation Mac Pro and iMac in 2023.

Related Article: M2 MacBook Air Orders are Now Being Shipped - Which Countries Will Get Them First?
Lamb from the UK will have plenty of commercial opportunities within the US once shipments commence, according to an American meat importer.

Fernando Munoz from G&C Foods in New York believes the taste of UK lamb and the passion of British sheep farmers will help open doors for exporters in this potentially lucrative market.

Fernando was one of five American visitors who joined the AHDB last week to explore what opportunities exist for the UK lamb sector.

The purpose of this visit was to connect key importers in the US with lamb exporters in the hope that once commercial shipments begin.

Fernando's business has grown to be one of the most respected redistributors in the eastern half of the US  delivering to 27 states.

He said: Now I know more about UK sheep production I believe there are a lot of opportunities in the US for your lamb. It has another story to tell, from another country and offers an alternative to US lamb.

Weve had a great visit to the UK and spending time with your farmers, weve seen they have a delicate touch to what they do  its not just produce and go.

"There is a story behind everything and a lot of love and passion for the job which you dont typically see in other countries.

It has been great also to taste the lamb, I thought it was tender and mild and had a great flavour to it  it was fantastic.

"I think opportunities exist within foodservice, but also in retail and Im really looking forward to UK lamb coming to the US.

The visit was organised by AHDBs senior export manager for the Americas Susana Morris, who has branded the event a huge success.

She said: The feedback we received was very positive, with our American visitors praising the taste of lamb from the UK, as well as being rightly impressed with the high animal welfare standards and the rich history of farming in the UK.

The delegation of importers and processors spent five days with AHDB and visited retailers, processors and farmers  including Cotswold beef farmer Dave Barton and sheep farmer Sam Jones in Worcestershire.

Sam, whose farm has been in his family for 90 years, welcomed the visitors on Tuesday and showed them around his farm and his flock of 1,500 sheep.

It was great to meet with the American buyers and promote British lamb which we are trying to sell into America, said Sam.

Its a massive market and if we do it right it could make a big difference to our meat market in general.

They visited the farm and went away with some great ideas and reassuring values of how we look after our livestock.

Animal welfare in the UK scored highly with the American delegation, with John Gurner from JBS USA saying our production and care of animals was the biggest positive of the visit.

Id like to thank AHDB for this initiative, he added. It has been a great opportunity and learning experience for us as this is a market we have not looked at before as a company, but it will be a focus market now.

What you have over here is a very lean, high muscle, slightly smaller animal. Its been a very good tour and great to see the farmers, their passion and their ability to use genetics. The science they are using here is probably more developed than a lot of places in the world.

But the level of animal husbandry and the care they have for their animals, has been one of the most positive things we have seen here in the UK.

During their visit, the delegation attended the NSA Show in Malvern, where they got to meet key players in the UK sheep sector as well as hearing presentations from AHDB experts, Red Tractor and the NSA.

They also had the opportunity to speak with Farming Minister Victoria Prentis, who attended the event.

AHDB international market development director Dr Phil Hadley kicked off the presentations with an overview of UK agriculture, highlighting the current exports markets, as well as the current volumes and value of red meat exports.

He said: This visit has been a huge success and we were delighted to host the delegation. At the NSA Show we had a really engaging session with our American visitors, and they had a lot of questions for us about capacity and price.

This visit was an opportunity to make some valuable connections with five of the most respected lamb importers in the US.

"By showcasing our production methods, introducing them to our farmers and processors and providing lamb for them to sample, we have really been able to highlight the benefits of importing our red meat."
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Apparel exports from Turkiye increased by 16.43 per cent year-on-year in January-June 2022, according to the data from the Turkish Statistical Institute and the countrys ministry of trade. During the first six months of the current year, Turkiye exported apparel worth $9.818 billion, compared to exports of $8.432 billion during the same period of 2021.

Category-wise, exports of knitted and crocheted clothing and accessories (HS chapter 61) earned $5.443 billion in January-June 2022, registering a growth of 12.76 per cent over $4.827 billion earned during the same months of the previous year.

Exports of non-knitted apparel and accessories (HS chapter 62) were valued at $4.374 billion, showing an increase of 21.4 per cent compared to $3.604 billion exports made in January-June 2021.

Apparel exports from Turkiye increased by 16.43 per cent year-on-year in January-June 2022, according to the data from the Turkish Statistical Institute and the country's ministry of trade. During the first six months of the current year, Turkiye exported apparel worth $9.818 billion, compared to exports of $8.432 billion during the same period of 2021.#

Meanwhile, Turkiyes imports of cotton, cotton yarn and cotton textiles (HS chapter 52) increased by a sharp 65.4 per cent to $2.790 billion over $1.686 billion in the first six months of 2021.

Turkiyes total export of knitted and crocheted clothing and accessories (HS chapter 61) and non-knitted apparel and accessories (HS chapter 62) were valued at $18.294 billion during year 2021.

Ends ------------------------

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (KUL)
The UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) will scrutinise eco-friendly and sustainability claims by ASOS, Boohoo and George at Asda about their clothing, footwear, and accessories. The move comes as part of CMAs ongoing investigation into potential greenwashing and follows concerns around the way the firms products are being marketed to customers as eco-friendly.

In January this year, the CMA turned its eye to the fashion sector, where an estimated 54 billion is spent by consumers annually, and its initial review identified concerns around potentially misleading green claims.

These included a number of companies creating the impression that their products were sustainable or better for the environment, with little to no information about the basis for those claims or exactly which products they related to.

The UK Competition and Markets Authority will scrutinise eco-friendly and sustainability claims by ASOS, Boohoo and George at Asda about their clothing, footwear and accessories. The move comes as part of its ongoing probe into potential greenwashing and follows concerns around the way the firms' products are being marketed to customers as eco-friendly.#

CMA will probe the statements and language used by the businesses, the criteria used by some of these businesses to decide which products to include in these collections, items included in these collections that do not meet the criteria, lack of information provided to customers about products included in the eco ranges and any misleading statements made by the companies about fabric accreditation schemes and standards, according to a UK government press release.

CMA has written to the three firms outlining its concerns. Possible outcomes of the probe include securing undertakings from the companies to change the way they operate, taking the firms to court, or closing the case without further action, the release said.

The move comes after the CMA published its Green Claims Code in September 2021. The code aims to help businesses understand how to communicate their green credentials, while avoiding the risk of misleading shoppers.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)
9. Kareena Kapoor Khan Best Film - Veere Di Wedding (2018)

is a rollicking romp designed to push across the idea that girls have more fun than the boys. At the same time, whats good is that it doesnt take itself too seriously and winks and nods at you to do the same., a somewhat commitment phobic girl who is having a hell of a good time with Rishabh Malhotra (Sumeet Vyas) in Australia and who kind of spoils her fun when he proposes. For the first time in her life, she bites the bait and the whole wedding shebang turns into something she has no control over whatsoever. Sonam plays Avni, a divorce lawyer who wants to get married to satisfy her nagging mom but who is actually the player of the group, somewhat mildly addicted to sex and loving it. Sakshi is a young mother married to a foreigner (Edward Sonnenblick) and has been boycotted by her family because of that. And Swara plays a super-rich girl on the verge of divorce. They have been friends since childhood and belong to Delhis upper-crust but apart from Sonam, who is Delhi based, are settled abroad and come to India solely for Kareenas wedding. How they face their own demons and help Kareena have the wedding of her dreams forms the crux of the film. Kareena was brilliant in the film as a woman who is honest about her commitment issues and tries to get around them as she has genuine feelings for the man she loves.
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Ecuador remains in full default on its US$412m debt to Perenco

LONDON, Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Perenco has today successfully frozen all Luxembourg bank accounts used by the Republic of Ecuador to make coupon payments in respect of its 2030, 2035 and 2040 sovereign bonds, raising the possibility of the country defaulting on its bond coupon payments and its obligations to bondholders and creditors.

Perenco's action arises from the non-payment by Ecuador of a US$412m debt, the revised amount awarded to Perenco in May 2021 by the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes ("ICSID") Committee following Ecuador's unsuccessful attempts to have the final arbitration Award of September 2019 annulled.

Despite Ecuador's solemn and written undertaking given by its Minister of Finance to pay the Award voluntarily, unconditionally and in full, within 60 days of the ICSID Committee's decision on annulment (namely 27 July 2021) Perenco has to date, more than one year later, still not received a single dollar from Ecuador.

Perenco remains hopeful that Ecuador's Government will finally honour its international obligations, demonstrate its commitment to the rule of law, and uphold its promises to foreign investors, by promptly satisfying the Award without further delay.

The freezing of bank accounts in Luxembourg from which payments are made on Ecuador's bond coupons serves to highlight the risks the international investment community faces in any dealings with Ecuador, and sees the country put its own creditworthiness at risk. Unless and until Ecuador fulfils its obligations under the Washington Convention and its express undertaking to pay Perenco in full, Perenco has been left with no choice but to take steps to enforce its payments rights against Ecuador in Luxembourg and other jurisdictions.

Background

Perenco's long-running dispute against the Republic of Ecuador arises from Ecuador's imposition of Law 42, which unilaterally and illegally increased the State's take in Perenco's participation contracts for Blocks 7 and 21. In September 2019, Perenco had secured a final Award with an ICSID Tribunal awarding it damages of US$448 million on its principal claims plus post-award interest and almost 80% of its costs.

On 28 May 2021, an ICSID Committee comprehensively rejected Ecuador's attempts to annul the final Award in its entirety. The ICSID Committee instead reduced the total amount of the Award due to Perenco to US$412 million on its principal claims plus post-award interest and costs and upheld the remainder of the Award.

About Perenco

Perenco is an independent hydrocarbons producer. Founded in 1992, the Group is involved in the entire life cycle of projects, from exploration to decommissioning. Its strength lies in the ingenuity and versatility of its 6,800 employees, who allow the Group to develop a fully sustainable, optimised and integrated business. By enhancing and developing local resources, Perenco supports the economic growth and human development in each of the 15 partner countries where it operates.

www.perenco.com

Media Enquiries:

Mark Antelme, Celicourt Communications

+44 (0)20 8434 2643

perenco@celicourt.uk
Iran says proposed ideas submitted to accelerate nuclear talks

Xinhua) 09:14, August 01, 2022

TEHRAN, July 31 (Xinhua) -- Iran has submitted proposed ideas in "both substance and form" to the other sides of the Vienna talks on reviving the 2015 nuclear deal, to pave the way for the "swift conclusion" of the talks, Iran's top negotiator said Sunday.

Ali Bagheri Kani, also deputy Iranian foreign minister for political affairs, said on Twitter that Tehran is ready to conclude the negotiations in a short period provided that the other sides would also be prepared to do the same.

Bagheri Kani added the nuclear talks, which started in the Austrian capital in April 2021, were aimed at "fixing the damaging complicated situation caused by the U.S. unilateral and unlawful withdrawal" from the nuclear agreement, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), in 2018.

He gave the assurance that Iran is working closely with its JCPOA partners, in particular the European Union foreign policy chief and Coordinator of the JCPOA Joint Commission Josep Borrell, to give the United States another chance to prove its "good faith" and "act responsibly."

Iran signed the JCPOA with world powers in July 2015, agreeing to curb its nuclear program in return for the removal of sanctions on the country. However, former U.S. President Donald Trump pulled Washington out of the agreement in May 2018 and reimposed unilateral sanctions on Tehran, prompting the latter to drop some of its commitments under the pact.

The talks on reviving the JCPOA began in April 2021 in the Austrian capital but were suspended in March this year because of political differences between Tehran and Washington.

After a three-month pause, the talks resumed in late June in Qatar's capital Doha but failed to settle the differences.

(Web editor: Wu Chaolan, Liang Jun)
Eight electronic service providers were suspended by the Indonesian government on Saturday.

The Government of Indonesia has effectively blocked access to several electronic service providers (ESPs) because they missed the deadline for registering under a controversial licensing regime. Eight companies including Steam, Epic Games, PayPal, and Yahoo were banned after they failed to comply with a new government requirement regarding Indonesia's restrictive content moderation laws.

Indonesia's 2020 MR5 law orders companies that are identified as "Private Electronic System Providers" to register with a government database or be banned, Engadget reported. The deadline for registering was last week.

Like India's restrictive 2021 IT law, Indonesia's 2020 MR5 law empowers the government to regulate online platforms and order them to take down content that they feel is unlawful or a threat to public order. "Urgent" requests give these platforms only four hours to respond and take down such content.

Are Global ESPs Complying with Indonesia's Strict Laws?

Big Tech giants Google, Amazon, and Meta rushed to register with Indonesia's government to comply with its new requirements, Reuters reported. But eight ESPs failed to meet the deadline, including Yahoo, Steam, Paypal, DoTA2, Counter-Strike, EpicGames, Origin.com, and Xandr.com.

Indonesia's Ministry of Communication and Information general director Semuel Abrijani Pangerapan told a local news network that the government may temporarily reopen access to PayPal to enable users to withdraw their money. The country has an estimated 191 million internet and a young, tech-savvy population that heavily relies on ESPs.

Read Also: PayPal Helps Ukraine, Waives Fees for Funds Sent to Ukrainians

Indonesian Government's MR5 Faces Backlash from Internet Users, Human Rights Activists

Ministerial Regulation 5 (MR5), which caused the ban of PayPal, Steam, and a handful of other ESPs after they missed Friday's deadline for registration, was first enacted in November 2020 with little consultation. Critics believe that MR5 is heavy-handed and overbroad as it does not meet international human rights laws, The Diplomat reported.

It is also a blow to the right to privacy. Under the law, digital operators must provide Indonesia's Ministry of Communication and Information Technology (KOMINFO) a guarantee that law enforcers can access their electronic systems and data, which is a clear violation of privacy laws.

Indonesia's content moderation regulations also raise censorship concerns, as the government orders anything "that disturbs the community or public order" to be taken down. This description is very vague and broad and can be defined as anything the Indonesian authorities choose.

In 2021, Human Rights Watch called upon Indonesia's minister of communication and information technology to "suspend and substantially revise" the regulation because they believed it did not "meet international human rights standards."

Linda Lakhdhir, Asia legal advisor at Human Rights Watch, described MR5 as "a tool for censorship that imposes unrealistic burdens on the many digital services and platforms that are used in Indonesia." She added that it poses a serious risk to privacy, freedom of speech and freedom to access information.

Similarly, a 2021 report from the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), a digital rights group, described Indonesia's laws as "invasive of human rights," The Verge reported. The organization also wrote a letter to the Ministry of Communication and Information, urging the Indonesian government to repeal the "invasive content moderation rules."

Related Article: Steam Summer Sale Start Date Leaked - Are Your Wallets Ready?
BRUSSELS/FRANKFURT/PARIS (dpa-AFX) - U.K. stocks were moving higher on Monday as investors cheered upbeat earnings updates from the likes of HSBC and Pearson. The benchmark FTSE 100 rose 23 points, or 0.3 percent, to 7,446 after closing 1.1 percent higher on Friday. HSBC Holdings soared 6 percent after the lender reported second-quarter earnings that beat analysts' forecasts. Pearson surged 6.2 percent. The publishing and education firm reaffirmed its full-year guidance after posting a 22 percent rise in first-half adjusted operating profit. Spectris, a supplier of precision instrumentation and controls, plunged nearly 7 percent despite reporting higher revenue and adjusted operating profit for the first six months of 2022. AstraZeneca dropped 1 percent. Innate Pharma SA announced that a planned futility interim analysis of the INTERLINK-1 Phase 3 study sponsored by AstraZeneca did not meet a pre-defined threshold for efficacy. 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.
EV Technology Group's strategic partner MOKE International opens the doors of new 'Casa MOKE' flagship store in Saint-Tropez

New MOKE website launches offering customers in the UK and Europe a personalised MOKE experience online, with cars delivered to an address of their choice

This completes a seamless, online and offline experience for MOKE customers

Electric MOKE on sale now with pre-orders starting from 990 at www.mokeinternational.com (http://www.mokeinternational.com)

(http://www.mokeinternational.com) EV Technology Group (NEO:EVTG, OTCQB:EVTGF, DE:B96A) recently reached a definitive agreement to purchase up to 100% of MIL, boosting MIL's capabilities as it embarks on global expansion with new Electric MOKE

Electric MOKE revives spirit of the 1960s icon for the EV era and futureproofs British automotive brand for next generation

TORONTO, Aug. 01, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- EV Technology Group Ltd. (the "Company" or "EV Technology Group") (NEO: EVTG, OTCQB: EVTGF, DE: B96A) announces today that its strategic partner MOKE International Limited ("MIL"), working with its distribution partner MOKE France SAS ("MOKE France"), has opened the doors of its new flagship store in its spiritual home, Saint-Tropez, France. Additionally, it has launched a brand-new website offering the unique MOKE experience online, where potential owners across the UK and Europe can configure their Electric MOKE and pay GBP990 to secure their pre-orders and join the waiting list.

The new website gives customers the freedom to decide between having a new Electric MOKE delivered to a convenient address of their choice, or to collect it in person at Casa MOKE, situated in one of the world's most glamourous locales.

The original Mini Moke first appeared in 1964 and was embraced by luminaries such as Brigitte Bardot, James Bond and The Beach Boys; driven in glamourous and exclusive locations including the French Riviera. Saint-Tropez quickly became the spiritual home for the MOKE brand, making it the perfect location for the new Casa MOKE flagship store. The newly launched MOKE website offers the same unique MOKE experience for an online audience.





Pictured: Casa MOKE, Saint-Tropez





Pictured: Casa MOKE, Saint-Tropez

EV Technology Group bringing MOKE into the sustainable mobility era

To springboard MOKE International into the electric age and make the Electric MOKE widely available to customers, EV Technology Group, recently agreed to acquire a further 53% of MIL for total transaction value of approximately US$55.1M, and maintain an option to acquire the remaining shares of MIL. It is EV Technology Group's mission to create and redefine the joy of motoring by electrifying iconic brands. Their investment and expertise will allow the MOKE brand to rapidly expand into global markets.

Unique MOKE experience both online and at Casa MOKE

The Electric MOKE is much more than just an electric vehicle; it's an emblem of fun and freedom. The culture and ethos behind MOKE is as enduring as the charm of the car itself, making customer experience a crucial element of the purchasing process. The new MOKE International website features a configurator, allowing potential customers to design their own Electric MOKE to their preferred specifications, with a choice of five iconic colours from launch - Granite Grey, Sunlight Yellow, Sunset Orange, Scuba Blue and Wave Blue.

The newly-opened Casa MOKE flagship store in Saint-Tropez offers a bespoke customer experience where they can muse over and experience the Electric MOKE in person, and in the French Riviera, making green, luxurious open top driving a reality.

A network of MOKE partners and agents are being established worldwide to harmonise logistics, sales and aftersales services. In the UK, MOKE International has an exclusive partnership with Hendy Group, a family-run business with over 20 dealerships and servicing facilities located throughout the south of England.

Isobel Dando, CEO of MOKE International, said: "MOKE now offers customers the ease of configuring and purchasing their Electric MOKE online, as well as the intimate experience of the Casa MOKE flagship store. Both the website and Casa MOKE launch focus on creating a personal and simple customer experience. Online orders are delivered to an address of the customer's choice, and at Casa MOKE customers can enjoy the Electric MOKE for themselves in a relaxed, friendly atmosphere in MOKE's spiritual home, Saint-Tropez."

Wouter Witvoet, CEO and founder of EV Technology Group, said: "The MOKE International team have created a seamless user experience, whether you start offline or online. From coming into Casa MOKE and encountering the Electric MOKE first hand, to finalising a purchase with the configurator. The brand is full of joy - and that's exactly what EV Technology Group wants to achieve when electrifying iconic brands."

Fully electric. Fully British. Fully MOKE

Production of the Electric MOKE is already underway in England, with first customer deliveries already being fulfilled. Using a 44hp motor and weighing under 800kg, the rear-wheel-drive MOKE covers 0-34mph (0-55kph) in 4.3 seconds and achieves a top speed of 50 mph (80 km/h). A full charge takes just four hours via a Type 2 port and the Electric MOKE covers up to 80 miles of range on a single charge - enough for four round trips across the Cote d'Azur.

Electric MOKE specifications

Range 120 km* Charge 4 hours Top speed 80 KM/h 0-55 KM/h 4.3 seconds Power 33 kW Battery LITHIUM-ION

*Subject to Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WTLP) testing

Media

Rachael D'Amore

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

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/

About MOKE International

MOKE and the MOKE logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of MOKE International Limited 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. The MOKE is a revitalised, re-engineered version of the iconic Mini Moke that was originally designed by the legendary Sir Alec Issigonis, the designer of the 1959 Mini, and launched in 1964. The Mini Moke was created as a low-cost and easy to maintain recreational and utility vehicle, but it quickly gained cult status in fashionable resorts such as the French Riviera and the Caribbean. It has been driven by Beatles, Bridget Bardot and James Bond alike. MOKE International has brought the Mini Moke into the modern age by integrating up-to-date driving technologies, including full electric power, while remaining faithful to the iconic design which made it a global hit in the 1960s. True to its heritage, MOKEs today are engineered and built in Northamptonshire, England. Production takes place at a 500,000sq ft state-of-the-art facility owned and operated by British automotive manufacturing services company, Fablink Group.

MOKE

MOKE and the MOKE logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of MOKE International Limited

Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains forward-looking statements including, but not limited to: the direct-to-consumer website of MIL, online orders for the Electric MOKE, the real world performance of the Electric MOKE and the definitive agreement between EV Technology Group and the shareholders of MIL. 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

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/7e3df276-27d5-47c8-90a4-d2556f360744

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/53f75ef2-5253-4cfa-b4e1-d01198cb26a1
Pre-Tax NPV of 5% of US$690 million, Pre-Tax IRR of 26.35% and AISC of US$1,005/oz

2.27Moz gold production over a 14-year mine life, producing 200,000 oz per annum in the first 5 years

Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - August 1, 2022) - Pasofino Gold Limited (TSXV: VEIN) (OTCQB: EFRGF) (FSE: N07) ("Pasofino" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has filed under its profile at www.sedar.com the Feasibility Study in respect of the Dugbe Gold Project in Liberia. Further, the Company is pleased to announce that Hummingbird Resources Plc ("Hummingbird") has confirmed that the option exercise conditions have been satisfied such that the Company may within 120 days from the date of this press release deliver the option satisfaction notice (the "Notice") to Hummingbird. Upon delivery of the option satisfaction notice the Company will acquire its 49% interest in the Project (prior to the issuance of the Government of Liberia's 10% carried interest)[1].

Following acquisition of its 49% interest in the Project, both Pasofino and Hummingbird will have the right to exercise the option to consolidate ownership by converting Hummingbird's 51% ownership of the Project for a 51% shareholding in Pasofino, such that Pasofino would own 100% of the Project (prior to the government of Liberia's 10% carried interest), subject to the receipt of all required approvals including the TSX Venture Exchange.

30 days after Pasofino provides the Notice it will be responsible for sole funding the first US$4.71 million of Joint Venture Expenditures and shall remain as operator during such sole funding period.

A strategic review of options to best realize the maximum value of the Dugbe Gold Project for all stakeholders is being led by Pasofino with the support of Hummingbird.

Krisztian Toth, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Pasofino, commented:

"We are pleased to advance to this stage, satisfying the requirements to earn our initial 49% interest in the Dugbe project. As we continue in our partnership with Hummingbird, we look forward to jointly exploring strategic opportunities and generating maximum value for each of our stakeholders."

HIGHLIGHTS

5Mtpa throughput, for a potential mine life of 14 years.





Estimated head grade of 1.30 g/t over the life of mine.





Average annual production of ounces of 200 koz for the first 5 years with a LOM Average of 172koz.





Average Estimated Recovery of 83% for the combined Tuzon and Dugbe F pits.





A start-up capital cost of USD 435 million.





A post tax NPV at 5% of USD 524 million, for a gold price of US$1,700/oz.





Life of mine AISC of USD 1005/oz.





A post tax IRR of 23.6%.





A 3.3 year payback period.





The Mineral Reserve Estimate has 66Mt at a grade of 1.30 Au g/t with a total of 2,760koz.





Life of Mine strip ratio of 4.02.





QUALIFIED PERSONS STATEMENT

Scientific or technical information in this disclosure that relates to processing and related infrastructure results was reviewed by Mr Robin Welsh, a full-time employee of DRA Global. Mr Welsh is a Professional Engineer in good standing with the Engineering Council of South Africa and has sufficient experience that is relevant to the project under consideration which he is undertaking to qualify as a Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101.

Scientific or technical information in this disclosure that relates to mining results was reviewed by Mr Frikkie Fourie, an independent consultant for DRA Global. Mr Fourie is a Professional Engineer in good standing with the Engineering Council of South Africa, is a Member of the South African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy and has sufficient experience that is relevant to the project under consideration which he is undertaking to qualify as a Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101.

Scientific or technical information in this disclosure that relates to financial results was reviewed by Mr Juan Kotzee, an independent consultant for DRA Global. Mr Kotzee is a Financial Accountant, and has sufficient experience that is relevant to the project under consideration which he is undertaking to qualify as a Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101.

ABOUT THE DUGBE GOLD PROJECT

The 2,559 km2 Dugbe Gold Project is in southern Liberia and situated within the southwestern corner of the Birimian Supergroup which is host to the majority of West African gold deposits. To date, two deposits have been identified on the Project; Dugbe F and Tuzon discovered by Hummingbird in 2009 and 2011 respectively. The deposits are located within 4 km of the Dugbe Shear Zone which is thought to have played a role in large scale gold mineralization in the area.

A large amount of exploration in the area was conducted by Hummingbird up until 2012 including 74,497 m of diamond coring. Pasofino drilled an additional 14,584 m at Tuzon and Dugbe during 2021. Both deposits have Mineral Resource Estimates dated 17 November 2021. Following the completion of the Definitive Feasibility Study in June 2022 a Mineral Reserve Estimate was declared, based on the open-pit mining of both deposits over a 14-year Life of Mine.

In addition, there are many gold prospects within the Project including the Bukon Jedeh area acquired in late 2020. Here artisanal mining has extracted gold since the 1930's, including from currently active open pits over 20 m deep working fresh-bedrock. At the DSZ target on the Tuzon-Sackor trend Pasofino has discovered a broad zone of surface gold mineralisation in trenches and outcropping along strike from Tuzon. At this and several of the other prospects no drilling has been carried out to date.

In 2019, Hummingbird signed a 25-year Mineral Development Agreement ("MDA") with the Government of Liberia providing the necessary long-term framework and stabilization of taxes and duties. Under the terms of the MDA, the royalty rate on gold production is 3%, the income tax rate payable is 25% (with credit given for historic exploration expenditures), the fuel duty is reduced by 50%, and the Government of Liberia is granted a free carried interest of 10% in the Project.

NATIONAL INSTRUMENT 43-101 TECHNICAL REPORT

A technical report for the Dugbe Gold Project was prepared in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 and filed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on the Company's website at www.pasofinogold.com. Readers are encouraged to read the technical report in its entirety, including all qualifications, assumptions and exclusions that relate to the details summarised in the previous news release. The technical report is intended to be read as a whole, and sections should not be read or relied upon out of context. For this reason, information contained in this news release in respect of the Dugbe Gold Project may not be comparable to similar information made public by United States companies subject to the reporting and disclosure requirements under the United States federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder. 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.

ABOUT PASOFINO GOLD LTD.

Pasofino Gold Ltd. is a Canadian-based mineral exploration company listed on the TSX-V (VEIN).

Pasofino, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, is earning a 49% economic interest (prior to the issuance of the Government of Liberia's 10% carried interest) in the Dugbe Gold Project.

For further information, please visit www.pasofinogold.com or contact:

Lincoln Greenidge, CFO

T: 416 451 0049

E: lgreenidge@pasofinogold.com

CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This news release contains "forward-looking statements" that are based on expectations, estimates, projections and interpretations as at the date of this news release. Forward-looking statements are frequently characterised by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "seek", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "suggest", "indicate" and other similar words or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur, and include, without limitation, statements regarding the ability to raise the funds to finance its ongoing business activities including the acquisition of mineral projects and the exploration and development of its projects. 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 may include, but are not limited to, the results of exploration activities; the ability of the Company to complete further exploration activities; timing and availability of external financing on acceptable terms and those risk factors outlined in the Company's Management Discussion and Analysis as filed on SEDAR. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

[1] Following the issuance to the Government of Liberia of its 10% interest in Hummingbird Liberia, the Company will own a 44.1 economic interest in the Hummingbird Liberia (consisting of a 39% shareholding interest and a 5.1% interest in the economic benefit that Hummingbird is entitled to from its 51% shareholding interest in Hummingbird Liberia).

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/132459
AUSTIN, TX / ACCESSWIRE / July 20, 2022 / Appodeal announced today that it has joined forces with Adjust, the mobile marketing analytics platform, to deliver a growth experience to all mobile app and game creators. With this partnership, all Appodeal users now have access to their user acquisition (UA) and attribution data from a single dashboard.

By aligning Appodeal's monetization with Adjust attribution, app and game creators get the full range of insights related to their marketing ROAS (Return on Ad Spend). Mobile developers and publishers now have more tools and resources that make it easier to reach their business goals and scale their projects more efficiently.

"Adjust's measurement and attribution data ignite the Appodeal Growth Engine by powering the Growth Intelligence dashboard with deep UA insights hidden inside the apps' data." says Pavel Golubeff, CEO and founder at Appodeal. "Appodeal users can take advantage of real-time data synchronization to find which marketing actions bring the most profits and which ones devour their ad spend."

Benefits of aligning Attribution & Monetization data

One of the main advantages of integrating Appodeal and Adjust is the ability to forecast the potential revenue resulting from UA efforts.

"Appodeal uses all of Adjust's attribution data to deliver crucial insights to app creators and help them increase their users' LTV (LifeTime-Value)," comments Alexandre Pham, Vice President EMEA at Adjust. "These valuable insights allow publishers to get the complete picture of their apps' revenue flow, including ad revenue and IAPs (In-App Purchases)."

It is now possible to predict revenue beyond the UA campaign level by going deeper into the app's data. This allows creators to find out, for example, which user acquisition networks, ad groups, ad sets, ad creatives, and install source apps are delivering the best ROAS (Return On Ad Spend).

Additionally, Appodeal enables automation based on actual and predicted data, making it possible for mobile app creators to make smarter UA decisions. This becomes highly relevant for publishers of any size, putting them at the same level as top-chart companies with highly developed business intelligence tools.

Appodeal: A self-service Growth Platform

Appodeal is an all-in-one growth engine made to monetize, optimize user acquisition, and scale mobile apps and games. With one SDK integration, app developers and publishers can access a wide range of growth tools, business insights and ad demand sources, enabling them to self-publish their apps while staying independent. App publishers can also ignite Appodeal's growth engine to grow their apps portfolio's LTV, ROAS, retention rates, and other performance metrics.

Appodeal's Growth Platform has been created for publishers of all kinds and sizes. Small indie developers find it highly useful as they don't need to rely on any publishers to launch and scale their apps. At the same time, bigger publishers with a large app portfolio don't need to develop their own Business Intelligence technologies and can rely on a solid platform with over 7 years of experience in the market.

In its mission to empower publishers and developers, Appodeal is also offering them the opportunity to join its industry-first Accelerator Program, giving app creators free access to:

- In-house analytics tools,

- UA optimization tools,

- Monetization SDK with bidding networks and A/B testing,

- Educational materials, such as soft launch guidelines.

Creators accepted in Appodeal's Accelerator Program are reimbursed for all of the funds spent during the soft launch.

How to start aligning Adjust attribution & Appodeal monetization data?

Developers and publishers who want to start aligning their attribution and monetization data can do so easily - and all in one place - by creating only an Appodeal account and integrating Appodeal's SDK into any mobile app or game. Soon after Appodeal gets the SDK request, the app will receive automatic and free access to Adjust functionalities.

Once it's connected, the Appodeal dashboard will start receiving data, and mobile app creators will have full access to LTV forecasts, high-level insights into their UA campaigns, and complete control of Growth Intelligence tools.

Contact: diana.sulzhenko@appodeal.com

SOURCE: Appodeal Stack

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/709066/Appodeal-Partners-with-Adjust-to-Enrich-its-Growth-Platform-with-Attribution-Insights


MOSCOW (dpa-AFX) - The first ship carrying grain under a landmark deal signed by Ukraine, Russia and Turkey last month left the Ukrainian port of Odesa on Monday.



The Razoni, carrying a cargo of 26,527 tons of corn, is the first cargo ship to leave a Ukrainian Black Sea port since February 26; two days after the Russian invasion began. It is bound for the Mediterranean port of Tripoli, in Lebanon.



An agreement to allow the safe transportation of Ukrainian grain shipments through the Black Sea was signed in the Turkish city of Istanbul on July 22 after talks brokered by the United Nations and Turkey.



The deal dubbed a 'beacon of hope' by UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres established a Joint Coordination Centre (JCC) in Istanbul, under the auspices of the UN, by representatives from the three governments who inked the deal, known officially as the Black Sea Grain Initiative.



The task of the coordination center will be to carry out 'general monitoring and coordination of safe navigation in the Black Sea.



The JCC said it has requested all its participants to inform their respective military and other relevant authorities of this decision to ensure the safe passage of the vessel.



The deal also paves the way for Russian food and fertilizer to reach global markets. This development is expected help reduce soaring food prices worldwide, and avert the possibility of famine afflicting millions in the months ahead.



In a statement welcoming the departure of the first grain ship, Guterres said he hopes 'this will bring much-needed stability and relief to global food security especially in the most fragile humanitarian contexts.'



A statement issued by the UN chief's Spokesperson said that the UN emergency food agency, WFP, which is a major customer of Ukraine's grain and cereals, was planning to buy, load and ship an initial 30,000 tonnes of wheat from Ukraine, on a UN-chartered vessel.



Russian blockade of Black Sea ports that prevented supply of grains to global market and reduced production prospects in Ukraine because of the war had led to steep increase in wheat and other grains' prices.



Ukraine and Russia account for nearly a third of global wheat imports, with the two countries supplying more than 45 million tons annually, according to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).



The Grain Initiative allows for significant volumes of exports from thew Black Sea ports of Odesa, Chernomorsk, and Yuzhny. Inspection teams will monitor the loading of grain at the ports, wit Ukrainian pilot vessels guiding the ships through the Black Sea, after which they will head out through the Bosphorus Strait, passing Istanbul, along an agreed corridor.







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Finsbury Growth & Income Trust Plc - Transaction in Own Shares

For immediate release

1 August 2022

FINSBURY GROWTH & INCOME TRUST PLC

(the "Company")

MARKET PURCHASE OF COMPANY'S OWN SHARES

The Company announces that it has today purchased 88,600 of its own shares ("Ordinary Shares") at a price of 851.56 pence per Ordinary Share. Such shares will be held in treasury by the Company.

The transaction was made pursuant to the authority granted at the Annual General Meeting of the Company held on 9 February 2022.

Following this transaction, the total number of Ordinary Shares held by the Company in treasury is 5,118,411; the total number of Ordinary Shares that the Company has in issue, less the total number of Ordinary Shares held by the Company in treasury following such purchase, and therefore, the total number of voting rights in the Company is 219,872,892.

The figure of 219,872,892 may be used by shareholders as the denominator for calculations of interests in the Company's voting rights in accordance with the FCA's Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules.

For and on behalf of

Frostrow Capital LLP

Company Secretary

For further information, please contact:

Victoria Hale

Frostrow Capital LLP

Tel: 020 3 170 8732
Penang, Malaysia--(Newsfile Corp. - August 1, 2022) - Duesenberg Technologies Inc. (OTCQB: DUSYF) (the "Company" or "Duesenberg"), an OTCQB-listed issuer, announced today that on July 28, 2022, the Company closed a private placement financing by issuing 2,142,857 shares of its common stock (the "Shares") at a price of USD$0.14 per Share for total proceeds of USD$300,000.00 (the "Financing"). The Shares were issued pursuant to the provisions of Regulation S of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act") to the person who is not a resident of the United States and is otherwise not a "U.S. Person" as that term is defined in Rule 902(k) of Regulation S of the Act.

The proceeds of the Financing will be used to support research and development of Duesenberg Electric and Heritage Vehicles, as well as for day-to-day operations.

For additional information regarding the Private Placement please refer to the Current Report on Form 8-K the Company filed with the SEC on July 28, 2022.

The above does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the Company's securities in the United States. The securities have not been registered under the Act and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. persons unless an exemption from such registration is available.

In addition, the Company is pleased to announce appointment of Mr. Aernout Reints Bok to its Board of Directors.

Mr. Reints Bok has extensive experience leading global teams and finding resolutions with issues related to IP, CT, R&D, Operations, Marketing and Supply Chain. Mr. Reints Bok also consults on business development, change management, competence development, and assists with integrating new business units. Mr. Reints Bok has been employed by Signify (formerly Philips Lighting) & KLite since 2009, and prior to that by Philips Semiconductors since 1995. Mr. Reints Bok received his Master's Degree from Technical University of Delft.

About Duesenberg Technologies Inc.

Duesenberg Technologies Inc. was established out of the collective ambition of investors experienced in the online business and marketing. Our goal was to help entrepreneurs and businesses turn their own ideas and visions into successful companies. The Company's business strategy relies heavily environmentally friendly technologies. Duesenberg Technologies' goal is to be climate neutral across its full value chain, in line with the goals set by the Paris Agreement. The Company is committed to energy resiliency through Development in Energy Transition Goal. This strategy identifies an immediate and urgent need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to help mitigate the effects of climate change, reduce energy use, and improve air quality. The Company is posed to play a vital role in supporting all three of these objectives by reducing the environmental impact through manufacturing a new type of luxury electric vehicles.

On behalf of the Board of Directors,

Lim, Hun Beng (Joe), President

CONTACT INFORMATION

Duesenberg Technologies Inc.

+1-236-304-0299

contactus@duesenbergtech.com

Forward-Looking Information Cautionary Statement

Except for statements of historic fact, this news release contains certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities law. Forward-looking information is frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates at the date the statements are made, and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements including, but not limited to delays or uncertainties with regulatory approvals and research and development of an Electric Vehicle. There are uncertainties inherent in forward-looking information, including factors beyond the Company's control. There are no assurances that the business plans for the Company as described in this news release will come into effect on the terms or time frame described herein. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change except as required by law. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Additional information identifying risks and uncertainties that could affect financial results is contained in the Company's filings, which are available at www.SEC.gov. We seek safe harbour.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/132491
COLORADO SPRINGS, CO / ACCESSWIRE / August 1, 2022 / Fortitude Gold (OTCQB:FTCO) (the "Company") today announced the timing of its second quarter 2022 earnings conference call scheduled for Wednesday, August 3, 2022. Fortitude Gold is a gold producer, developer, and explorer with operations in Nevada, U.S.A. offering investors exposure to both gold production and dividend yield.

Conference Call

Fortitude Gold's CEO, Mr. Jason Reid, will host the conference call Wednesday, August 3, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time. Topics of discussion will include second quarter results and an update on current operations. The conference call will be recorded and posted to the Company's website.

Q&A

Following Mr. Reid's opening remarks, the Company will host a question and answer (Q&A) session.

Date: Wednesday, August 3, 2022

Time: 11:00 AM Eastern (9:00 AM Mountain)

There are two ways to join the conference call:

To join the conference via webcast, please click on the following link: https://www.webcaster4.com/Webcast/Page/2640/46294.

To join the call via telephone please use one of the following dial-in details:

Toll Free: 877-545-0320

International: 973-528-0002

Participant Access Code: 216447

Please connect to the conference call at least 10 minutes prior to the start time using one of the connection options listed above.

About Fortitude Gold Corp.:

Fortitude Gold is a U.S. based gold producer targeting projects with low operating costs, high margins, and strong returns on capital. The Company's strategy is to grow organically, remain debt-free and distribute substantial dividends. The Company's Nevada Mining Unit consists of five high-grade gold properties located in the Walker Lane Mineral Belt and a sixth high-grade gold property in west central Nevada. The Isabella Pearl gold mine, located on the Isabella Pearl mineralized trend, is currently in production. Nevada, U.S.A. is among the world's premier mining friendly jurisdictions.

Cautionary Statements: This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. If you are risk-averse you should NOT buy shares in Fortitude Gold Corp. The statements contained in this press release that are not purely historical are 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. When used in this press release, the words "plan", "target", "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "intend" and "expect" and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements include, without limitation, the statements regarding the Company's strategy, future plans for production, future expenses and costs, future liquidity and capital resources, and estimates of mineralized material are forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements in this press release are based upon information available to the Company on the date of this press release, and the Company assumes no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements.

Forward looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties, and there can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate. The Company's actual results could differ materially from those discussed in this press release. In particular, the scope, duration, and impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mining operations, Company employees, and supply chains as well as the scope, duration and impact of government action aimed at mitigating the pandemic may cause future actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by any forward-looking statements. Also, there can be no assurance that production will continue at any specific rate.

Contact:

Greg Patterson

719-717-9825

greg.patterson@fortitudegold.com

www.Fortitudegold.com

SOURCE: Fortitude Gold Corporation

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/710401/Fortitude-Gold-Announces-Second-Quarter-Conference-Call
NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / August 1, 2022 / Greystone Monticello announces Eric T. Baum has joined as Head of the Multifamily Bridge Sales Desk, working closely with the firms' originators, including sizing, quoting, and issuing bridge loan applications. Formed in 2021, the Greystone Monticello joint venture provides a wide range of bridge financing options in the multifamily and seniors housing industries.

Mr. Baum brings more than 25 years of experience in commercial real estate lending, management and credit analysis to Greystone Monticello. Throughout the course of his career, he has originated, structured, underwritten and closed over $23.2 billion of commercial real estate debt products on all property types across the United States. Most recently, Mr. Baum was a Managing Director at Lument, where he originated new bridge loan opportunities for multifamily assets, including nearly stabilized and transitional properties. He has served as a Managing Director at Exantas Real Estate Funding, focusing on loan underwriting, credit analysis and closings, and has also held senior positions with CW Financial Services, Ventras and Capmark Financial Group/GMAC Commercial Mortgage.

Mr. Baum will be based out of Philadelphia, reporting to Mark R. Jarrell, Executive Vice President, Portfolio Lending at Greystone Monticello.

"Eric has incredibly deep expertise and long-standing industry relationships in commercial real estate finance, particularly in the multifamily space," said Mr. Jarrell. "We are excited about the impact that he will have on the Greystone Monticello joint venture and look forward to his leadership in furthering our ability to serve our clients well, with solutions that make sense for their unique situations."

About Greystone Monticello

Greystone Monticello is a joint venture formed in 2021 between Greystone and MONICELLOAM to provide comprehensive bridge financing solutions to healthcare and multifamily investors.

Greystone is a private national commercial real estate finance company with an established reputation as a leader in multifamily and healthcare finance, having ranked as a top FHA, Fannie Mae, and Freddie Mac lender in these sectors. Loans are offered through Greystone Servicing Company LLC, Greystone Funding Company LLC and/or other Greystone affiliates. For more information, visit www.greystone.com.

MONTICELLOAM affiliates offer floating rate term loans, 5, 7 and 10-year fixed rate term loans, as well as working capital lines of credit. MONTICELLOAM affiliates provide financing for skilled nursing facilities, assisted living facilities, independent living facilities and other healthcare facilities or senior housing communities throughout the U.S. The firm was founded in October 2014 by Alan Litt, Thomas Lally and Jonathan Litt, each of whom has over 25 years of industry experience as lenders, investors, developers and owner operators. For more information, visit www.monticelloam.com.

PRESS CONTACT:

Karen Marotta

Greystone

212-896-9149

Karen.Marotta@greyco.com

SOURCE: Greystone & Co

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/710431/CRE-Industry-Veteran-Eric-T-Baum-Joins-Greystone-Monticello
New York, New York--(Newsfile Corp. - August 1, 2022) - 'Shareable Solutions' has unveiled a series of ESG commitments. Through its consultancy work, the firm intends to help businesses to minimize negative environmental effects. The announcement underlines Shareable Solutions' aim of making companies more aware of their operations' potential negative impacts beforehand before providing them with effective guidance to shift their strategies.

Senior firms at Shareable Solutions underline how they will be promoting the new climate and environmental rules for investors announced by the US Securities and Exchange Commission. Shareable Solutions' mission is to enable its clients, irrespective of their size or their industry, to identify social challenges that could arise as a result of company decisions and to formulate effective solutions to these. Similar rules formulated by the European Union are emphasizing how these commitments are more important than ever.

The transparency facilitated by Shareable Solutions' data analytics is forming a key element of the company's newly announced ESG approach. It believes that effective and data-driven ESG compliance and reporting will potentially help businesses to improve their operations. The company highlights that possible advantages provided by open and effective ESG reporting include potential top-line growth of the company, cost reduction in its operations, and proper regulatory and legal compliances. In addition to this, transparent ESG reporting offers a possible pathway towards a better relationship with government authorities, which in turn can provide enhanced access to resources. Shareable Solutions ensures that its efforts provide businesses with a balance of potentially boosting productivity without this coming at the expense of the environment. This can also potentially improve customer relations, with new research indicating that six in ten consumers will willingly change their retail habits to reduce the environmental impact. Furthermore, two-thirds of respondents to a recent survey stated that they bear sustainability in mind when making a purchase.

ESG compliance and transparent reporting demand efficient collection, processing, and analysis of related data. Shareable Solutions is facilitating this by providing its clients with advanced data-science and data-analytics. In-depth insights from this enable businesses to devise the best way to promote products, services, and strategies that meet ESG standards. This may help companies attract greater investments, and also to possibly deliver long-term value to their customers.

"The company is committed to assisting entrepreneurs in cultivating a sustainable and environment-friendly business culture. As the climate situation escalates into a global emergency, the company is committed to our philosophy of 'do no harm' and strive to reduce any negative impacts businesses could have on the environment. The company provide advanced technologies and management practices to make businesses potentially more sustainable and environmentally-conscious," says Tory Lipsey, Founder and Group CEO of Shareable Solutions.

Media Contact:

Name: Tory Lipsey

Email: info@shareablesinc.com





To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/132475
Google's new Android smartphone immediately received an update following its release.

Google released a Pixel 6A update just days after the Android smartphone was released. The update addresses an issue that prevented users from unlocking the bootloader and performing mods and is bundled within the device's first update that was released last week.

The Verge reported that some phone manufacturers and carriers prevent users from accessing the device's bootloader, but Google in fact does. Users can access the bootloader of Pixel 6A's that are not tied to a specific carrier, which are often referred to as "unlocked" devices.

The bootloader is a piece of software that loads a device's operating system or OS when it turns on. Accessing the bootloader on an Android device lets the user have full control over the OS in what is called rooting. This also allows users to install modded versions of Android, which are called ROMs.

Latest Release of Google Pixel 6A Disabled Bootloader Unlocking Process

According to Android Police, issues of unlocking the Pixel 6a's bootloader arose last week, with reports from people in several forums confirming that the bootloader on the Android device is inaccessible. Under Developer OPtions, the setting that a user needs to toggle to launch the unlocking process can't be adjusted and is "grayed out."

The first Pixel 6A update fixes this issue, but no functional patch notes were included in the said update, implying that there was no way to find out what type of fixes or changes may have been included at the time. It also may require a factory reset following the update.

The Pixel 6A update from Google appears to be available for Verizon, Verizon MVNOs, and Japanese carriers, but users with other carriers should expect a rollout soon as well.

Google Pixel 6A Feature Arrives in Other Pixel 6 Devices

Last week, TechRadar reported that the expanded mode of the Magic Eraser, a tool that uses AI to remove unwanted objects in pictures, was going to be made available in earlier Pixel 6 devices. Upon the release of the Google Pixel 6A, the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro also got an update that included Camouflage mode with the Magic Eraser, making it no longer unique to just the Pixel 6A.

The report argued that users should go for the "superior older phone over its budget alternative," especially when the Pixel 6A features are being made available to the Pixel 6 anyway. The report advised that as long as the Google Pixel 6A maintains a stable price after its launch, then users should definitely go for the older models. However, it is notable that these cheaper alternatives often drop their prices or go on sale after a few months, so users will face a tougher decision then.

Read Also: Google Pixel 6's Latest Update Fixes Camera and Charging Issues

Earlier in July, 9to5Google recommended that users who are looking to purchase a new Pixel should rather consider watching out for discounts on the Pixel 6, whose price had gone down to $499 last month on Amazon during Prime Day. The Pixel 6A comes with a $449, which could go lower in the next few months.

The only differences are the RAM, which according to the report shows a small decrease of 8Gb to 6GB and a step back from wireless charging. Also, the body is built with mostly plastic instead of glass. In terms of the camera, the Pixel 6A has the same 12MP setup present in previous Pixels, but the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro has the better 50MP camera.

The Pixel 6A attempted to compensate for a better fingerprint sensor, which earned intense criticism in the Pixel 6. Lastly, both Pixel 6 and the Pixel 6A have the same update policy of at least three years of major Android updates and five years of security updates. This means, however, that the Pixel 6A's release will allow itself a few more months, with support going through to about October 2026.

Related Article: Google's Pixel 6a Reportedly Faster, More Reliable With Fingerprint Scanner
MIAMI, FL / ACCESSWIRE / August 1, 2022 / The notion that leadership is founded on confidence, creativity, or any combination of what we typically think of as dynamic virtues, misses a key aspect of long-term success. So says, Jozef (Jos) Opdeweegh, international CEO and author of Fair Value; reflections on good business.

Drawing on a career that has spanned the USA, UK, and European Union, Opdeweegh claims that the strength of great leaders, lies not in their certainty but in having the humility to recognize they don't have all the answers. Even when setting out a manifesto - be it personal, political, or strategic - he argues, it's vital to leave space for others to enhance the debate.

In a recent interview for Authority Magazine, Opdeweeghreaffirmed this position, explaining that his book Fair Value is not written as a formula for success. Rather it's an invitation to follow a path of discovery based on the values and virtues we believe to be good. In other words, Fair Valueis a springboard for readers to consider how they might empower the human potential that's integral to their organizations, peer groups, and communities.

Jos Opdeweeghis known for his philosophic and thoughtful approach. "I take my inspiration from past and present leaders who recognize our collective potential will always surpass what any individual can contribute. And what I find these role models have in common is a certain lack of pride. This isn't self-effacement, it's a mindful modesty that keeps them curious and attentive to the opinions of others," Opdeweegh says.

Writing on his website, Opdeweeghrecently explored why Values should always be open to Fresh Ideas. In a typically powerful piece, he draws on contemporary events to illustrate the need for a diversity of opinions, claiming "a sure sign that values are not representative or effective in their purpose is when they become overly aligned to one particular viewpoint."

At the root of this approach, says Opdeweegh, is a deeply felt commitment to humility: "from Socrates to Ghandi, history's greatest thinkers and leaders are united in knowing the limits of their wisdom. But here's the thing rather than seeing this as a weakness, they leverage their conviction as a strength."

And humility, says Opdeweegh, has never been more relevant to governments, organizations, and businesses today. "From the legacy of Covid-19 to the cost-of-living crisis and the war in Ukraine, the Democratic West is facing greater uncertainty and challenges than it has for generations. To come through we will need a steadfastness of belief in our values - but also a willingness to listen, to learn from mistakes, and where necessary to reset our course for the better," Opdeweegh affirmed.

There's a quote that Opdeweegh says inspires him every day. "Self-confidence is very important but without compassion and humility, it's just arrogance," said the first-time author. "I especially love it that the source of those words is unknown. It comes from our collective wisdom rather than any one person."

And that, says Opdeweegh, is a maxim for leadership anywhere and for all time.

Read more of Jozef Opdeweegh's reflections on leadership and life at his website and in his acclaimed book Fair Value; reflections on good business.

Contact:

Andrew Mitchell

Email: media@cambridgeglobalmedia.com

Phone: 404-955-7133

SOURCE: Jozef Opdeweegh

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/710450/Jozef-Opdeweegh-Why-Humility-Is-A-Strength-For-The-Ages
Ioneerhas signed a 5 year binding Lithium Offtake Agreement with Prime Planet Energy & Solutions. The company is a joint venture battery company between Toyota Motor and Panasonic. Ioneers Executive Chairman, James Calaway said: Ioneer is grateful to announce another key milestone for our company with a Lithium carbonate agreement with Prime Planet Energy & Solutions. The company is a world class organisation, and we look forward to being their treated partner." Shares are trading 2.2 per cent higher at 57 cents.Junior miner Cobre Limitedtoday announced its second intersection of significant copper mineralisation from its ongoing drill programme in Botswana. Commenting on initial drilling results, Cobre Executive Chairman and Managing Director, Martin Holland, said: The Ngami Copper Project in Botswana is demonstrating exceptional promise with this outstanding copper intersection which confirms that we are potentially sitting on a new copper discovery ." Shares are trading 57 per cent higher at 14 cents.Plexure Group Limitedannounced today that it has entered into new agreements with its largest customer, McDonalds Corporation , for Plexures digital customer engagement platform. The platform and unique data-driven capabilities support 147 million customer interactions each day for McDonalds. Plexure Group CEO Dan Houden said: We are excited about our continued partnership with McDonalds and look forward to working collaboratively toward our mutual goal of delivering excellent experiences for McDonalds customers through our world-leading customer engagement platform. Shares are trading 82 per cent higher at 31 cents.
UiPath (NYSE: PATH), a NYC-based enterprise automation software company, acquired Re:infer, a London, UK-based natural language processing (NLP) company for unstructured documents and communications.

The amount of the deal was not disclosed.

Founded in 2015 by Ph.D. scientists from the AI research lab at University College London and led by Dr. Ed Challis, CEO, Re:infer uses machine learning (ML) technology to mine context from communication messages and transform them into actionable data with speed and accuracy.

The company allows users to deploy custom machine learning models to analyze documents and communications data generated by a typical business each day  data previously lost or ignored due to processing limitations. Their no-code interface allows business users to train their own AI models for greater specificity and flexibility. The self-learning capability continuously improves model accuracy to assist customers in identifying bottlenecks and inefficiencies. Today, Re:infer serves many of the worlds leading enterprises  including large banking, insurance, and e-commerce organizations  to scale their services, enhance customer experience, and drive process improvement. This includes Deutsche Bank, Hiscox Ltd., and Farfetch.

FinSMEs

01/08/2022
Johnathan Amit Kanarek and Danielle Dafni / Credit: Yarin Taranos

Peech, a Tel Aviv, Israel-based provider of a platform that transforms raw video footage into branded edited videos, raised $8.3m in Seed funding.

The round was led by Ibex Investors with participation from Cardumen Capital, Fresh Fund as well as angel investors Nas Daily, Ariel Maislos, and others.

The company intends to use the funds to expand its AI capabilities and to diversify its media creation solutions.

Co-founded by Danielle Dafni and Johnathan Amit Kanarek in 2020, Peech provides ai AI-powered automatic video editing solution that transforms raw video footage into one-of-a-kind professional branded videos in seconds. The solution designs elements according to companies brand books, including an intro, outro, graphic text, stock footage, music & subtitles. The company, which has conducted beta programs with SimilarWeb, Namogoo, Hibob, Natural Intelligence, Circles, and more, is opening the platform up to new customers.

FinSMEs

01/08/2022
CGTN: We noticed that recently the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed railway has entered the stage of construction above the subgrade and the Karot Hydropower project has been put into full operation. In the meantime, a new batch of Chinese assistance has been delivered to Afghanistan and Sri Lanka, among others. We have seen continuous progress in cooperation projects between China and its neighboring countries despite multiple challenges including the lingering COVID-19 pandemic, increasing risk factors in regional economy, blows dealt to the industrial and supply chains and growing noises for decoupling and breakage of the industrial and supply chains. Could you shed some light on how this has been made possible?



Zhao Lijian: The Asia-Pacific is a common home for China and other countries in the region. China has always followed open regionalism and been committed to jointly building an Asia-Pacific community with a shared future with other regional countries.

Both the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed railway and the Karot Hydropower project you mentioned are hallmark projects of the high-quality Belt and Road cooperation between China and relevant countries, and they will give a strong boost to local socio-economic development after completion. Throughout the process of advancing relevant projects, China has always focused on development and cooperation, kept in mind the benefits of people in these countries, and respected the development needs and independence of relevant countries. We have always acted upon the vision of win-win cooperation, openness and inclusiveness, been committed to equal consultation on the basis of mutual respect and sought to form synergy for relevant cooperation and complement each other with comparative strengths. We have never pursued political agenda in the name of promoting economic cooperation, still less put China before anything else or force other countries to pick side. In the wake of the earthquake in Afghanistan and the economic difficulties in Sri Lanka, China has done its best to help and put credibility, the greater good and sincerity first, for we believe this is the way how neighbors should treat each other.

Just as State Councilor Wang Yi noted in his speech at the ASEAN Secretariat not long ago, the friendly cooperation between China and its neighbors and other countries in the Asia-Pacific has been able to keep advancing steadily and make accelerating progress because China has always upheld the concept of peaceful coexistence, the goal of development and rejuvenation, the principle of independence and the spirit of openness and inclusiveness. This is an embodiment of Oriental wisdom and Asian strength and an important contribution to global economic recovery and growth.

Xinhua News Agency: It has been reported that the Tenth Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) will be held in New York in August. Will China attend the conference? What outcomes would you like to see?



Zhao Lijian: The Tenth NPT Review Conference will be held from August 1 to 26 at the UN headquarters in New York. The Director-General of the Department of Arms Control of Chinas Ministry of Foreign Affairs will head a delegation to the conference.

The NPT is the cornerstone of the international nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation regime and an integral component of the post-war international security architecture. The world is undergoing once-in-a-century changes and a pandemic at the same time and entering a stage of fluidity and turbulence. The global strategic security environment has been deteriorating. The international nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation regime is confronted with grim challenges. There is deep divergence in the area of peaceful uses of nuclear energy. It is Chinas hope that all sides will take this conference as an opportunity to firmly uphold the universality, authority and effectiveness of the NPT, advance in a balanced manner the three pillars of nuclear disarmament, non-proliferation and peaceful uses of nuclear energy, and add new vigor to the NPTs role in serving peace and development.

China has been actively implementing the Global Security Initiative. We are committed to the vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security. We stand ready to work in concert with all parties for a successful and productive NPT Review Conference to improve global nuclear governance and uphold the international order underpinned by international law. At the same time, we will firmly safeguard the legitimate security and development rights and interests of China and the developing world.

Macau Monthly: A delegation of Japanese lawmakers, led by former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba, recently visited Taiwan and met with the leader of the Taiwan region. What is Chinas response?



Zhao Lijian: Taiwan is an inalienable part of Chinas territory, and the Taiwan question is purely Chinas internal affair. China firmly opposes all forms of official interaction between the Taiwan region and countries having diplomatic ties with China. We seriously urge the Japanese side to earnestly abide by the principles of the four political documents between China and Japan and its solemn commitment on the Taiwan question, prudently and properly handle relevant issues and not to send wrong signals to the Taiwan independence forces. The DPP authorities attempt to rope in external forces to engage in political manipulation and benefit politically will never succeed.

PTI: We have seen the elaborate statements from both sides after yesterdays talks between President Biden and President Xi Jinping. From Chinas point of view, what exactly is the outcome, especially on the issue related to Taiwan?



Zhao Lijian: With regard to the telephone conversation between the heads of state between China and the US, the Chinese side has issued a press release at the earliest time possible.

As for the Taiwan question, President Xi elaborated on Chinas principled position on the Taiwan question. Chinas opposition to official exchanges between the US and Taiwan is clear and consistent. Recently, China has made its position and attitude clear on multiple occasions. As President Xi stressed, the three Sino-US joint communiques embody the political commitments made by the two sides, and the one-China principle is the political foundation for China-US relations. China firmly opposes separatist moves toward Taiwan independence and interference by external forces, 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 Chinas national sovereignty and territorial integrity is the firm will of the more than 1.4 billion Chinese people. The public opinion cannot be defied. Those who play with fire will perish by it. It is hoped that the US will be clear-eyed about this. The US should honor the one-China principle and implement the three joint communiques both in word and in deed.

CCTV: A follow-up on the talks between President Xi and President Biden yesterday. The White House Press Secretary said that President Joe Biden raised genocide and forced labor practices in Xinjiang during the call with President Xi Jinping. Can you confirm this?



Zhao Lijian: I can tell you that allegations of genocide and forced labor in Xinjiang are pure lies. You said the White House Press Secretary claimed that genocide and forced labor came up in last nights call. That is disinformation.

Kyodo News: During the call between the two Presidents, the Chinese side made clear its position on the Taiwan question. The two sides also agreed to stay in touch. But if Speaker Pelosi would visit Taiwan, does China believe that the atmosphere to keep the China-US high-level dialogue going will no longer exist?



Zhao Lijian: In their phone conversation yesterday, Chinese and US Presidents had a candid, in-depth communication and exchange on China-US relations and issues of interest. The Chinese side has repeatedly made clear to the US side our serious concern over Speaker Pelosis potential visit to Taiwan and our firm opposition to the visit. If the US side challenges Chinas red line, it will be met with resolute countermeasures. The US must bear all consequences arising thereof.

China Daily: Former Australian Prime Minister Paul Keating openly criticized US House Speaker Pelosis potential visit to Taiwan in a recent statement, saying it would be foolish, dangerous and unnecessary to any cause. If the situation is misjudged or mishandled, the outcome for the security, prosperity and order of the region and the world and above all for Taiwan would be catastrophic, he added. Do you have any comment?



Zhao Lijian: About Speaker Pelosis potential visit to Taiwan, people with insight both within and outside the US have spoken out on this. We believe former Prime Minister Paul Keatings statement is one such example. We hope the US side will see what they see and hear their voice of reason.

Bloomberg: The US readout from the call yesterday said that the two sides agreed that their team should work towards an in-person meeting between the two Presidents. Can you confirm that was agreed on the call? Do you have any information about when that meeting might be? Could the two Presidents meet at the G20 Summit in Bali?



Zhao Lijian: I can tell you that both Presidents agreed to stay in touch and instructed the two teams to keep up communication and cooperation.

Bloomberg: Can you confirm whether the specific question of Nancy Pelosis possible visit to Taiwan came up on the call?



Zhao Lijian: I think I have covered the related points.

PTI: Are there any other issues besides Taiwan discussed by the two leaders, especially the issues related to the Indo-Pacific? Can you just give us an idea of any outcome related to that?



Zhao Lijian: It was late at night when the phone call between the two Presidents concluded. The Chinese side released a readout immediately afterwards.

During the call, the two Presidents had a candid communication and exchange on China-US relations and issues of interest. President Xi elaborated on Chinas principled position on the Taiwan question. He stressed that the two sides need to maintain communication at all levels and make good use of existing channels to promote bilateral cooperation. The two Presidents also exchanged views on the global economic situation. The two sides believe that China and the US 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. President Xi also stressed that attempts at decoupling or severing supply chains in defiance of underlying laws would not help boost the US economy. They would only make the world economy more vulnerable. 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 uphold the international system centering on the UN and the international order underpinned by international law. The two Presidents exchanged views on issues including the Ukraine crisis.

Bloomberg: One question on the Long March rocket which still has not returned to Earth. The tracking data shows still a risk of hitting a populated area. Do you have any more information about where China expects the rocket remains to land?



Zhao Lijian: I shared relevant information the day before yesterday and gave Chinas position on that. I have nothing more to add at the moment. The team responsible for the mission is keeping a very close eye on it.

Macau Monthly: On July 26, the Helena Kennedy Center at the Sheffield Hallam University in the UK issued a report to once again hype up the so-called human rights issues in Xinjiang. Do you have any comment?



Zhao Lijian: The institution you mentioned has released multiple fake reports on Xinjiang. It was previously revealed that some authors of these reports had received large funding from certain US agencies and some even have links with terrorist groups. The patron of the Helena Kennedy Center is the founder of an extremist anti-China political group. The allegations of forced labor in Xinjiang as claimed by the report are seriously flawed. They cannot even stand basic fact-check and have been proven false by the people cited in the reports themselves. The Helena Kennedy Center presents itself as an academic institution, but serves in reality as the tip of the spear of the anti-China forces. This is such a contemptible act.
On the afternoon of July 29, 2022, President Xi Jinping had a phone conversation with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi.



Xi Jinping pointed out, currently, under the intertwined impact of a pandemic and drastic changes both unseen in a century, the world is entering a new period of turbulence and transformation. The aspirations of people of all countries for development and security have become more urgent, and the call for international fairness and justice has grown only stronger. In the face of the complicated international situation, China and Iran have strengthened solidarity and cooperation, enhanced the common interests of the two sides, and safeguarded the legitimate rights and interests of the vast developing countries. China views China-Iran relations from a strategic perspective and stands ready to work with Iran to constantly push for new progress in the China-Iran comprehensive strategic partnership.

Xi Jinping stressed, the two sides should continue to firmly support each other on issues concerning respective core interests and major concerns, and uphold non-interference in others' internal affairs, which is a basic norm governing international relations. It's important to maintain close communication on implementing the comprehensive cooperation plan between the two countries, actively advance practical cooperation in key areas, continue to carry out anti-pandemic cooperation, and strengthen communication and coordination in regional and international affairs. China has always supported Middle East countries in solving regional security issues through solidarity and coordination, and supported the people in the Middle East in exploring development paths independently. China is ready to strengthen communication and cooperation with Iran within such frameworks as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. China appreciates Iran's active support for the Global Development Initiative (GDI) and the Global Security Initiative (GSI), and stands ready to work with Iran to promote the implementation of the initiatives and push for the development of the international order towards a more just and reasonable direction.

Raisi said, Iran and China jointly celebrated the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties last year. Over the past 50 years, bilateral cooperation has yielded important outcomes. He believes that with joint efforts of both sides, Iran-China relations will realize even higher-level development in the future. It is a priority and key part of Iran's established foreign policy to firmly deepen the Iran-China comprehensive strategic partnership. Both Iran and China oppose hegemonism and unilateralism, and reject interference in other countries' internal affairs, illegal unilateral sanctions and double standards. Iran firmly pursues the one-China principle and supports China in safeguarding its core interests. Iran highly appreciates China's important and active role in international and regional affairs, and supports the GDI and the GSI both put forward by China. Iran is ready to maintain close communication and coordination with China, safeguard international fairness and justice, defend the common interests of developing countries, and promote peace, security and development in the region and the world at large.
ByteDance's TikTok has taken the world by storm. The social media app launched as Douyin in China in September 2016, but thanks to ByteDance acquiring Muscial.ly in 2017, the company was able to port over Muscial.ly's 200 million account list to TikTok, per Investopedia. This porting helped create the app we know today.

The app has gained so much traction since then, with it being the most downloaded app in 2021, according to Forbes, with Instagram and Facebook being the second and third most popular apps.

The United States has also contributed to the record as 94 million Americans have downloaded the app even after former president Donald Trump banned it, per Business of Apps.

Thanks to these statistics, Facebook and Meta's parent company, Meta, recently made some changes to its social media apps to take on TikTok's reign. However, these changes inspired anger and confusion among the users of Meta's social media platforms.

For Instagram users, this anger culminated into a single meme that was made half-jokingly at first, "Make Instagram Instagram again."

Here is how it started.

'Make Instagram Instagram Again' Origin Story

It all began with 21-year-old influencer and photographer Tati Bruening, who was annoyed with Instagram suggesting an endless stream of Reels on her home tab - a place where the Reels shouldn't be, per Gizmodo.

Her annoyance reached a point where she began composing a state in a meme format declaring her hate for the changes Instagram leadership is making in its app. With a white background and black lettering, she keyed in the now-famous "Make Instagram Instagram Again" meme.

Bruening admitted that she made the meme half-jokingly, but like other halves, there is another side, which is based on seriousness. She then made an accompanying Change.org petition with her demands and hoped for the best.

She always saw that TikTok and Instagram served different audiences, wherein the former was for people looking to have a laugh while the latter is for connecting friends, families, and loved ones together.

"TikTok has such a different audience and such a different type of content than Instagram does," Bruening said. "I completely view them as non-competitors between each other."

Read More: CDPR Vetaran Developers To Launch Feudal Japan-based Online Action Game

Her reasoning is not without good reason. Bruening is also a content creator on TikTok, with her account registering more than 2.5 million followers. Meanwhile, she has 329,000 followers on Instagram.

Not long after, her meme began to receive hundreds of thousands of likes. The meme got so much attention that Kylie Jenner, Instagram's most followed woman, along with Kim and Kourtney Kardashian, shared it on her Instagram profile, further spreading Bruening's meme, per The Verge.

The same could also be said about Bruening's Change.org petition. Thanks to her meme, the petition received more than 136,000 signatures on July 29 alone.

Meta And Instagram's Response And Eventual Cave In

Meta and Instagram were initially dismissive of the uproar Bruening and other like-minded people made. At first, Instagram head Adam Mosseri released a statement about the changes happening on Instagram, but in the end, it was him basically saying "sorry, not sorry."

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg even joined in on the fun, with him announcing that Instagram users will see even more posts from people they didn't follow to perfect the "Discovery Engine."

The Discovery Engine was created to make Meta capable enough to compete with TikTok's "heavy use" of AI to recommend videos regardless of where they come from, which made TikTok become one of the most used apps in the world.

Unfortunately, Zuckerberg's statement, just like Mosseri's, was met with criticism. With Kylie Jenner and the two previously mentioned Kardashian sisters sharing Bruening's meme, both decided to back down from testing the Discovery Engine and temporarily reducing the amount of AI-recommended content in users' Home Feeds, per Tech Crunch.

Mosseri was ecstatic to hear the news, saying that she's glad she took the risk of further promoting the cause by talking to the press about her concerns with the app.

"It was a win for Instagram as well because it shows how passionate we all are about this app and how much we want to see it succeed." Bruening added. "That's very important, and I think that they should be proud that their community has given feedback and that we are all in this together to make this app a better place."

Related Article: Instagram is Now Asking Users About Their Race, Ethnicity  But Why?
Maria Mitchell was a pioneering astronomer and a lot of "firsts" for women in science.

Today 204 years ago, a wee baby girl was born to the Mitchell family, who unbeknownst to them would literally change the world. Maria Mitchell was born on August 1, 1818 in Nantucket, Massachusetts to William and Lydia Mitchell, who would go on to have a total of 10 kids. Maria was the third.

But among her parents, Mitchell's father, an astronomer and teacher, was instrumental in who she was to become: first female astronomer in the United States and the first American scientist to discover a comet. Both her parents, who were Quakers, advocated equal education for girls but it was her father who significantly contributed to her education as a young woman, the National Women's History Museum reported.

The Early Beginnings of Maria Mitchell

Mitchell was a true advocate of education for women. At the tender age of 16, after completing her education at Cyrus Peirce's School for Young Ladies, she opened a school for girls that would teach them math and science. She would also assist her father in rating chronometers for the Nantucket whaling fleet. By 1936, Mitchell started work as a librarian of the Nantucket Atheneum and would then spend 20 more years reading and observing the universe at night.

Read Also: Did You Know That NASA was Established on This Day in 1958?

Many Firsts: Amazing Facts About the Woman Who Discovered Miss Mitchell's Comet

1. Mitchell was the first American scientist to discover a comet.

On October 1, 1847, atop the roof of the Pacific Bank, Mitchell saw a new "telescopic comet" five degrees above the polar star using a two-inch telescope. Her findings were initially published in the journal of Britain's Royal Astronomical Society on November 12 of that year and enabled her to claim the gold medal offered by Danish King Frederick VI to anyone who would first see a new comet detectable only by a telescope anywhere in the world, Nature reported.

While Mitchell's discovery was closely matched by astronomers in Italy, Germany and Britain, her claim to it was championed by Harvard University's president at the time, Edward Everett, who argued her case in several scientific journals and personally wrote to the Danish consul in Washington DC. The discovery was then named "Miss Mitchell's Comet."

2. The first woman elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

The discovery of "Miss Mitchell's Comet" brought the young female astronomer worldwide fame. At 32 years old, she became the first woman elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and also the first woman to enter the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

3. Mitchell was likely one of the first professional women to be hired by the US government.

Around the same time, Mitchell was employed by the US government to make calculations for a US Coastal Survey project. By 1949, she was appointed a computer for the "American Ephemeris and Nautical Almanac" and within a year was elected to the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

Mitchell received a large equatorial telescope from a group of prominent American women led by Elizabeth Peabody in 1858, Britannica reported. Her work was also promoted by a number of feminists as she later traveled to Europe to further study the stars.

4. Mitchell was the first director of the Vassar College Observatory.

When Vassar College opened in 1865 in Poughkeepsie, New York, it appointed Mitchell as their director. Reluctantly but with the support of her father, she accepted the position of director of the observatory and professor of astronomy. Her students included scientist and logician Christine Ladd-Franklin, who was later known for contributions to the theory of color vision and Ellen Swallow Richards, a chemist and founder of the home economics movement in the US.

5. Mitchell was the first to find that sunspots were whirling vertical cavities and not clouds.

Mitchell's years of peering into the telescope also helped pioneer in the daily photography of sunspots. IN fact, she was also the first to discover that sunspots were in fact not clouds but instead were whirling vertical cavities. She would also study comets, nebulae, solar eclipses, and even the satellites of Saturn and Jupiter.

Related Article: Today in History: NASA Launches Skylab 3 Mission, What Happened to Skylab?
By Mark McKee |

James Bond is the biggest name in the espionage film game. Nothing is more exciting than a dashing secret agent traversing the world to prevent the worst catastrophes. Especially when they do it with action and flair. For a while now, there has been a call to see James Bond as a female, creating a super-agent that women can get behind as inspiration the way that James Bond did for men. While there has been a lot of backlash and controversy over that idea, Skydance Media and Netflix arent waiting for that to become a reality. Instead, they are creating their own spy thriller with a female protagonist, this one led by superstar Gal Gadot. Thanks to her Instagram, fans got an exciting update.

While Heart of Stone has a plot being kept under wraps, it is being described as a spy thriller in the vein of James Bond. Outside of casting news and a few peeks into the project, Gal Gadot and friends have kept an infuriatingly tight lid on things. However, she posted an image of the crew behind her in a selfie with a message that the film had finished shooting and was a wrap. The lead actress revealed the project had been in development for four and a half years with a shooting schedule that spanned five months and just as many countries. She continued by thanking everyone involved.

Gal Gadot is joined in the project by Jamie Dornan of Fifty Shades of Grey fame. He also has gained critical acclaim for his recent projects in Belfast (nominated for Critics Choice and Golden Globes) and The Tourist. Also joining them is the criminally underrated Sophie Okonedo, who starred in Hotel Rwanda, The Simple Life of Bees, and alongside Gadot in Death on the Nile. Rounding out the cast is Alia Bhatt, Matthias Schweighofer, and Jing Lusi. The film is directed by Tom Harper, which will be by far his most significant production after making a name for himself with War & Peace, Peaky Blinders, and Aeronauts. DC veteran Greg Rucka, who also penned the script for The Old Guard and the sequel, is co-writing the script with Allison Schroeder. Schroeder is powerful with the female empowered characters as she is known for her work on Hidden Figures (a story behind the critical female team for the space program) and Frozen II.

While not much else is known about the film, with a strong female protagonist and strong females around her, Gal Gadot has a chance to bring women to the spy genre of the industry. Backed by a female writer with a history of portraying women in an empowering way, this film has the chance to be another smash hit for Netflix. With the film wrapping up and the principles on their way home, it is now being sent to editing (which means a trailer is on the way!), and we hope to see Netflix drop the film in the next few months. Who needs James Bond when you can have a bigger and better character who has evolved with the times?
Alibaba was put on the SEC's watch list of Chinese companies that could be delisted in the US under the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act of 2020 (HFCAA).

Alibaba is Facing Delisting Threats in the US Stock Market

Alibaba Group Holding has been added to a growing list of Chinese companies that could be delisted from US stock exchanges after it declared plans to seek the primary listing on Hong Kong's market to expand its investor base.

Alibaba, the South China Morning Post owner, was placed on the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)'s watch list of Chinese firms that may be delisted under the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act in 2020 (HFCAA).

According to that rule, international corporations who don't turn in their audit documents to a US accounting monitoring group for three years in a row risk being delisted. The three-year countdown has therefore begun for Alibaba to meet the criterion.

If Alibaba does not comply with that legal requirement, it may become the most prominent Chinese company delisted in the US. The Hangzhou-based business did not immediately answer an inquiry for comment on Saturday.

American depositary shares of Alibaba fell 11% on Friday to settle at US$89.37 due to the SEC's action. Since its high in late 2020, the company's value has decreased by about two-thirds due to regulatory challenges in China and the US and a deteriorating global macroeconomic situation.

More than 150 Chinese businesses are on the SEC's preliminary delisting list, including e-commerce firms JD.com and Pinduoduo, video-sharing platform Bilibili, and electric automobile Nio. After filing annual reports, they were assigned to the SEC's watch list of "HFCAA-liable" corporations. Alibaba, on the other hand, filed on Tuesday.

According to a study by the US-China Economic and Security Review Commission, 261 Chinese businesses were listed on major US stock markets by the end of March.

Read Also: New York's Subway Tunnels Will Eventually Get Cellular Service - But When?

Share Price of Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. Dropped for the Third Straight Day

The price of Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. dropped for the third day in a row as investors evaluated the effects of Jack Ma allegedly giving up control of his fintech company and as concerns about its profitability persisted.

On Friday (July 29), shares dropped 6.1% at the closing in Hong Kong, ranking among the Hang Seng Tech Index's largest losers. The IT giant is anticipated to release its first-ever quarterly sales growth report that is negative next week.

As traders discussed the ramifications of a story that Ma would relinquish control of Ant Group Co., which Alibaba controls to a third, the selloff persisted. While the decision may help both companies overcome certain legal obstacles, a change in management might put off Ant's initial public offering.

Kenny Wen, head of the investment strategy at KGI Asia in Hong Kong, worries that Jack Ma's pick may delay Ant's IPO. A-share companies may have trouble receiving approval if their ownership changes within three years.

Additionally, Ele.me, which Alibaba owns, and other online food delivery services were warned about a pricing war by the market regulator of Hangzhou city, according to Wen of KGI Asia

Alibaba is now 11% lower than it was on Tuesday (July 26), when confidence over mainland capital inflow was boosted by its proposal to change its Hong Kong listing to primary.

To trade below its 50-day moving average, the Hang Seng Tech Index fell 4.9 percent. JD Health International Inc. and Kuaishou Technology were two further notable decliners.

Related Article: Alibaba's Hong Kong-listed Stakes Raise to 6% While Its Linkage With Ant Group Has Ended
TOKYO, Aug. 01, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Global Low-Code Development Platform Market Size is valued at USD 16 Billion in 2021 and is projected to reach a market size of USD 159 Billion by 2030; growing at a CAGR of 28.8%.

As digital transformation accelerates, data volumes grow, and industrial facilities become smarter, there will be an even greater need to rely on non-developer workers to handle business applications without involving IT departments. Because of its simplicity and speed, using a low-code platform makes uplifting the citizen developer much easier to implement. In fact, 70 percent of low code users with no prior experience with low code platforms managed to learn low code in less than a month, according to results. The rapid adoption of digitization across varied industries is one of the trends in the low-code development platform market that supports industry growth. Additionally, the surging need for rapid customization and scalability is driving the low-code development platform market revenue.

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Report Coverage:

Market Low-Code Development Platform Market Market Size 2021 USD 16 Billion Market Forecast 2030 USD 159 Billion CAGR During 2022 - 2030 28.8% Analysis Period 2018 - 2030 Base Year 2021 Forecast Data 2022 - 2030 Segments Covered By Component, By Application Type, 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 Salesforce, Inc., Appian, Microsoft, Mendix Technology BV, Creatio, OutSystems, Pegasystems Inc., Oracle, ServiceNow, Quickbase, LANSA, and Zoho Corporation Pvt. Ltd. Report Coverage Market Trends, Drivers, Restraints, Competitive Analysis, Player Profiling, Regulation Analysis Customization Scope 10 hrs of free customization and expert consultation

COVID-19 Impact on the Global Low-Code Development Platform Market Value

Despite ongoing cost-cutting campaigns, the surge in remote production throughout the COVID-19 pandemic will fuel low-code adoption. The expansion of low code as a general social and technological phenomenon is expected. The global market's instability and volatility as a result of temporary and permanent closures of businesses due to the COVID-19 pandemic have resulted in a significant demand for remote tools for software development globally. In addition, the increasing pressure on organizations to augment their digital capabilities during the pandemic pushed IT professionals to incorporate new and faster software development methods. As a result, the COVID-19 pandemic had a positive impact on the low-code development platform industry, which is expected to grow in the coming years.

Low-Code Development Platform Market Dynamics

The emergence of industry 4.0 is supporting the low-code development platform market growth. Facilities are adapting quickly to the ever-changing industry 4.0 landscapes, and their data flows reflect this. In today's industry 4.0 scenarios, factories can be a data minefield, and this will only get worse. The simplest and most effective way to monitor all activity in sync is to ensure centralized orchestration, especially for enterprises with different locations situated in various countries, each with multiple process areas and personalized IT setups. Centralized orchestration combined with a hybrid integration framework is the ideal combination for the industry. This is common with low-code platforms.

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Reduced costs and scalability are two other factors driving the industry's expansion. Low-code development platforms can save billions of dollars in project backlog costs. It significantly reduces backlogs by assisting the development team in completing more tasks in less time. Furthermore, the primary goal of low-code development frameworks is to create cost-effective, flexible, and rapid applications that are adaptable to enhancements and less complex in terms of maintenance.

The advantage to build applications with minimum cost and resources is one of the aspects that have opened up new growth opportunities for the market in the coming years. Businesses can create mobile and web applications using low-code. Workspace applications, legacy modernization applications, and operation improvement applications are the most common types of low-code applications. However, the lack of customization in these platforms may prevent the market from growing between 2022 and 2030.

Low-Code Development Platform Market Segmentation

The global market has been segmented into five categories: component, application type, organization size, industry vertical, and region.

Based on the component, the market is split into platforms and services. In 2021, the platform sub-segment acquired a significant share, whereas the services sub-segment is projected to witness a substantial growth rate.

By application type, the market is divided into mobile-based, web-based, and desktop/server-based. Among them, mobile-based accounted for the majority of the share in 2021 and is expected to do so in the coming years. On the other hand, web-based applications are likely to register a notable growth rate from 2022 to 2030.

Large enterprises and small and medium enterprises are the two sub-segments considered under the organization size segment. According to our low-code development platform market forecast, the large enterprises segment will occupy a considerable market share from 2022 to 2030.

Furthermore, BFSI, retail, education, IT & telecom, transportation & logistics, automotive & manufacturing, and others are the segmentation of industry verticals. According to our low-code development platform industry analysis, BFSI is one of the lucrative sub-segments that is driving the industry growth.

Low-Code Development Platform Market Regional Outlook

North America, Asia-Pacific, Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa are the regional classification of the global low-code development platform market. North America is a leading region in the global market due to the existence of numerous prominent players in the U.S. and Canada. The early adoption of technologies and widespread application of enterprise software such as ERP, CRM, custom applications, and databases are some of the factors that are supporting the North America low-code development platform market.

Asia-Pacific is anticipated to register the fastest growth rate (CAGR) throughout the forecasted period from 2022 to 2030. The implementation of industry 4.0, IoT, AI, big data analytics, and rapidly rising automotive and manufacturing industries are driving the Asia-Pacific low-code development platform market.

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Low-Code Development Platform Market Players

Some prominent low-code development platform companies covered in the industry are Salesforce, Inc., Appian, Microsoft, Mendix Technology BV, Creatio, Out Systems, Pegasystems Inc., Oracle, Service Now, Quickbase, LANSA, and Zoho Corporation Pvt. Ltd.

Browse More Research Topic on ICT Sector:

The Global Telecom Equipment Market accounted for USD 538.9 Billion in 2021 and is expected to reach USD 967.9 Billion by 2030 with a considerable CAGR of 6.9% during the forecast timeframe of 2022 to 2030.

The Global Non-Fungible Token Market Size accounted for USD 16 Billion in 2021 and is estimated to reach USD 212 Billion by 2030, with a significant CAGR of 33.7% from 2022 to 2030.

The Global Process Analytics Market Size accounted for USD 625 Million in 2021 and is projected to reach USD 21,918 Million by 2030 growing at a CAGR of 48.5%.

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MELBOURNE, Australia, Aug. 01, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Clean TeQ Water (ASX:CNQ) (OTCQX: CNQQF) has released its June 2022 Quarterly Report, showing quarterly cash receipts of AUD 2.5M up by 60% from the previous quarter (AUD 1.6M). The quarter included an AUD 5M contract signed with Power Water Corporation in the Northern Territory, Australia, to remove uranium from a remote community's groundwater. The treatment plant is the first to be delivered as part of the Northern Territory Government's AUD 28M program to improve water quality and supply infrastructure to prioritized areas of critical need.

The Company has also received a AUD 10M order from its civil construction partner for delivery of a 15 megaliter per day Recycled Water Treatment Facility at the Cleveland Bay Purification Plant for Townsville City Council in Queensland, Australia. The Company will be responsible for the process design, delivery, installation, and commissioning of the equipment, which will allow treatment of the water to Class A standard for reuse in industry and irrigation. The current design includes certain provisions for a second phase of the project to make the effluent suitable for a wider range of industrial uses. The project forms a central part of the local government's long term strategy to enhance water security.

Clean TeQ Water's recent growth is driven by its portfolio of unique technology solutions that the Company is implementing throughout the world. This includes the BIONEX project in Ordos (China) which is now continuously operating and removing nitrate to ultra-low levels (below 1 part per million) required to protect the yellow river basin. The company's industrial water treatment project in the Middle East and in New South Wales (Australia) have entered the construction phase, while a drinking water project in Queensland (Australia) has entered the commissioning phase.

Clean TeQ Water's 100% owned subsidiary, NematiQ, has progressed towards field piloting by converting recently produced membrane sheets into membrane elements and skids. NematiQ's Graphene Membranes have been used in laboratory demonstration equipment to confirm the treatment efficiency in applications such as the treatment of surface water to remove dissolved organic compounds (DOC), removal of chemical oxygen demand (COD) from treated effluent, and the concentration of black liquor in the pulp and paper industry. Graphene Membranes have the potential to cut energy use in half compared to conventional polymeric nanofiltration membranes and reduce or eliminate the production of waste brines.

The Company has significant activities planned for the current quarter including:

Start of the first field demonstrations utilizing its NematiQ Graphene Membrane technology

Appointment of David Menzies as NematiQ CEO, to accelerate commercialization of the Graphene membranes

Implementation of the Cleveland Bay Purification Plant project in Townsville and start construction of the Northern Territory Uranium Removal project.

Final commissioning and full hand-over of the company's Ordos BIONEX, and Koumala projects

Finalize construction of the company's HIROX project with NESR in the middle east and its EVAPX project in New South Wales

Continuation of commercial discussions to expand the company's footprint into new geographies and sectors.

Read the full quarterly report here.

For more information, please contact:

Willem Vriesendorp

CEO and Investor Relations

+61 3 9797 6700

Email: info@cleanteqwater.com

Website: www.cleanteqwater.com

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Gurugram, India, Aug. 01, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --

In April 2022, Trina Solar Co., Ltd launched the Vertex S+ module series for European rooftops. It has features like dual-glass design, 210mm n-type Vertex cells and is designed for maximum compatibility as well as easy installation.

In September 2021, Hanwha Q CELLS participated in Berlins Solar city Masterplan, an initiative created to help the city achieve climate-neutrality. The company participated with a plan to equip the rooftops of commercial and residential facilities in Berlin with solar PV modules to provide clean and eco-friendly electricity to users.

In September 2019, JinkoSolar Holding Co., Ltd signed a contract with METKA GEN for 300 MW of JinkoSolars ultra-high efficiency Cheetah modules to be installed at a solar power plant in Caceres Spain. (The Talasol Project). This project is one of the largest utility scale projects in Europe and is expected to set a benchmark in Europe in terms of competitively-priced and subsidy-free solar power.

Net metering and Self-Consumption Policies: The European Solar market is driven by net metering system which uses a discount mechanism to balance annual energy that is delivered and purchased. Growth for solar PV particularly in Denmark, Spain and Italy is pioneered by net-metering. The drastic reduction in FIT and increase in grid parity makes it easier to integrate renewable energy system for net-metering and self-consumption.

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Integrated Market Structure: The presence of a number of highly experienced facilitators ranging from wafers manufacturers, modules manufacturer, project developers to installers provide integrated structure for rapid market growth. High installation facilitators for solar photovoltaic are responsible for creating the fast projects and low installation cost.

Innovative Application Like BIPV and Agri-PV: Innovation is one of the major driver for growth of solar panel in Europe. Applications going beyond rooftop PV such as building-integrated PV and Agri PV can be deployed across all structures and terrains. The agriPV solution by German start-up Next2sun involve vertically ground- mounted solar modules and solar tubes by TubeSolar which produce electricity when set up on farmland while protecting crops from hailstorm.

Analysts at Ken Research in their latest publication  Europe Solar Photovoltaic Panel Market Outlook and Forecast to 2027 - Driven by Favorable Policies to Achieve Carbon Neutrality by 2050 and Integrated Market Structure Enabling Fast Projects: Ken Research  believe that the Solar Photovoltaic Panel market is expected to grow on the basis of net metering and self-consumption policies due to their affordability & flexibility to meet varying needs of different industry users.

Key Segments Covered in Europe Solar Photovoltaic Panel Market:-

Europe Solar Photovoltaic Panel Market By Technology

Monocrystalline Silicon

Thin-Film

Polycrystalline Silicon

Others

Europe Solar Photovoltaic Panel Market By Connectivity

On-Grid

Off-Grid





Europe Solar Photovoltaic Panel Market By Deployment

Ground-Mounted

Rooftop Solar

Europe Solar Photovoltaic Panel Market By End User Segment

Residential

Commercial

Industrial

Utility

Europe Solar Photovoltaic Panel Market By Geography and Major Countries

Germany

Spain

The Netherlands

France

Poland

To learn more about this study - Request for Free Sample Report

Key Target Audience:-

Solar Cells Manufacturers

Solar Panel Manufacturers

Solar Panel Raw Material Suppliers

Solar Panel Assemblers

Solar Panel Distributors

Solar Energy Equipment Assemblers

Solar Power Generation Equipment Manufacturers

Utilities Departments

Solar Energy Research Organizations

Renewable Energy Research Organizations

Investment Funds

Independent Power Producers (IPP)

Allied/Auxiliary industries for Solar Panels

Potential Investors in Solar Panel Companies

Renewable Energy Providers

Ministries of Energy and Power Generation

Ministries of Energy and Power Distribution

Environment Control and Emission Regulatory Organizations

Time Period Captured in the Report:-

Historical Period: 2017-2021

Forecast Period: 2022-2027F

Major Solar Photovoltaic Panel Companies in Europe Mentioned in the Report:-

Jinko Solar

Canadian Solar

First Solar

Hanwha Corporation

SHARP Corporation

Trina Solar

JA Solar Technology Co., Ltd

Photowatt

Solarwatt

Luxor Solar

Megasol Energy Ltd.

SoliTek

To learn more about this study - Request for Free Sample Report

Notable Emerging Solar Photovoltaic Panel Companies in Europe Mentioned in the Report:-

Soluxtec GmbH

AxSun Solar GmbH & Co. KG

aleo solar

Calyxo TS Solar GmbH

Onyx Solar Group LLC

SolarMente

Zytech Solar

4solar

ARIENS SOLAR

Corab

Eolus

SOLEMS S.A.

beem-energy

Sillia Energia

VOLTEC solar

Key Topics Covered in the Report:-

Snapshot of Europe Solar Photovoltaic Panel Market

Industry Value Chain and Ecosystem Analysis

Market size and Segmentation of Europe Solar Photovoltaic Panel Market

Historic Growth of Overall Europe Solar Photovoltaic Panel Market and Segments

Competition Scenario of the Market and Key Developments of Competitors

Porters 5 Forces Analysis of Europe Solar Photovoltaic Panel Industry

Overview, Product Offerings, and SWOT Analysis of All the Key Competitors

Covid 19 Impact on the Overall Europe Solar Photovoltaic Panel Market

Future Market Forecast and Growth Rates of the Total Europe Solar Photovoltaic Panel Market and by Segments

Market Size of End User Industries with Historical CAGR and Future Forecasts

Analysis of Europe Solar Photovoltaic Panel Market in Major European Countries

Major Production / Consumption Hubs in the Major Countries

Major Production/Supply and Consumption/Demand Hubs in Each Major Country

Major Country-wise Historic and Future Market Growth Rates of the Total Market and Segments

Overview of Notable Emerging Europe Solar Photovoltaic Panel Companies within Each Major Country

Ground-mounted Solar Photovoltaic Panel Market

Solar Photovoltaic Panel Ground-Mounted Market

Ground-mounted Solar PV Panel Market

Solar PV Panel Ground-Mounted Market

Rooftop Solar Photovoltaic Panel Market

Solar Photovoltaic Panel Rooftop Market

Covid-19 Impact on Solar Photovoltaic Panel Market

Covid-19 Impact on Solar PV Panel Market

Covid-19 Impact on Photovoltaic Panel Market

Commercial Photovoltaic Panel Market

Hanwha Corporation Solar Photovoltaic Panel Market

Canadian Solar Inc. Solar Photovoltaic Panel Market

Trina Solar Photovoltaic Panel Market

First Solar Photovoltaic Panel Market

JA Solar Photovoltaic Panel Market

For more information on the research report, refer to below link:-

Europe Solar Photovoltaic Panel Market

Follow Us:-

LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube

Contact Us:-

Ken Research

Ankur Gupta, Head Marketing & Communications

Support@kenresearch.com

+91-9015378249

Frequently Asked Questions:-

What is the Study Period of this Market Report?

The Europe Solar Photovoltaic Panel Market is covered from 2017  2027 in this report, which includes a forecast for the period 2022-2027.

What is the Future Growth Rate of Europe Solar Photovoltaic Panel Market?

The Europe Solar Photovoltaic Panel Market is expected to witness a CAGR of about 19% over the next 5 years.

What are the Key Factors Driving the Europe Solar Photovoltaic Panel Market?

Net-metering system and favourable government policies are expected to be the primary drivers of this market.

Which is the Fastest Growing Technology Segment within the Europe Solar Photovoltaic Panel Market?

Monocrystalline Silicon is the fastest growing technology segment within the Europe Solar Photovoltaic Panel Market.

Who are the Key Players in Europe Solar Photovoltaic Panel Market?

Jinko Solar, Canadian Solar, First Solar, Hanwha Corporation, SHARP Corporation, Trina Solar, JA Solar Technology Co., Ltd, Photowatt, Solarwatt, Luxor Solar, Megasol Energy Ltd., and SoliTek are the major companies operating in Europe Solar Photovoltaic Panel Market.
Dublin, Aug. 01, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- 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/wluu3h
Tesla is securing its electric vehicle production through signing deals with two suppliers from China.

As the pandemic continues and as the materials to make EV looming becomes scarce, Tesla has signed a deal to continue its partnership with both CNGR Advanced Material Co and Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt Co.

These two Chinese companies are intended to supply the electric vehicle company with the ample materials needed to produce the batteries of tesla.

Singing these two long-term contracts are the latest move from Tesla to guarantee supplies in the face of intensifying competition.

Tesla's Material Supply Deals

Tesla is getting supplies for both companies in the next few years. According to Bloomberg, both supplying companies have signed pricing agreements with the electric-vehicle behemoth for supplies until the middle of this decade.

From the first of July in 2022 to the end of 2025, Huayou Cobalt will supply Tesla with the necessary resources. According to the miner, the prices of the goods will be determined by the market prices for nickel, cobalt, and manganese, in addition to the fees associated with processing.

Furthermore, between the years 2023 and 2025, CNGR will provide the EV manufacturer with their products.

The transactions involve the purchase of ternary precursor materials and chemical cocktails, both of which are essential to the process of energy storage in lithium-ion batteries.

In its annual impact report for 2021, Tesla included a list of direct suppliers, which included both Huayou and CNGR. In its statement, CNGR claimed that it has been a supplier to Tesla from the year 2020 up until this year.

Tesla's Possible Materials Shortage

The shift toward the use of cleaner sources of energy is driving up demand for the components that go into batteries, while supply has been constrained by difficulties in logistics connected to Covid and a scarcity of investment.

This causes the prices of the raw materials to rise, which in turn reduces the profitability of some automobile manufacturers.

The partnership comes as major automobile manufacturers scramble to stock up on battery metals in anticipation of an impending supply crunch.

Soon after Ford Motor Company revealed a list of suppliers with raw materials which include Argentinean lithium and Indonesian nickel, General Motors Company announced deals to buy inputs ranging from cathode materials to lithium.

This came shortly after Ford Motor Company disclosed a list of suppliers with raw materials including nickel from Indonesia.

In China, Tesla maintains a large presence, with a primary manufacturing center located in Shanghai.

Read Also: Tesla Is Taking a Break From Hiring-Elon Musk Might Cut Off 10% of Jobs

Fragile Chinese Manufacturing Market

China's manufacturing operations were hampered the past few months as the country experienced another severe way of COVID-19 outbreak. Due to the rampant spread of the virus, the local government of the affected city, along with the country's policy, went to impose strict isolation policies to put an end to spread.

Unfortunately, the location of the manufacturing warehouses that supply goods to different companies have been impacted and were forced to close for a given time.

According to another report from Bloomberg, as long as the government continues to adhere to its rigorous Covid Zero strategy, which entails increasing restrictions whenever a viral breakout occurs, the recovery of the economy will remain uncertain.

Recent tensions in the manufacturing powerhouse of Shenzhen, located in the south of China, have disrupted factory operations there, which has raised concerns about the potential for disruptions to global supply chains.

Related Article: Tesla CEO Elon Musk Confirms a Home HVAC With HEPA Filter Is on the Product List
EV Technology Groups strategic partner MOKE International opens the doors of new Casa MOKE flagship store in Saint-Tropez

New MOKE website launches offering customers in the UK and Europe a personalised MOKE experience online, with cars delivered to an address of their choice

This completes a seamless, online and offline experience for MOKE customers

Electric MOKE on sale now with pre-orders starting from 990 at www.mokeinternational.com

EV Technology Group (NEO:EVTG, OTCQB:EVTGF, DE:B96A) recently reached a definitive agreement to purchase up to 100% of MIL, boosting MILs capabilities as it embarks on global expansion with new Electric MOKE

Electric MOKE revives spirit of the 1960s icon for the EV era and futureproofs British automotive brand for next generation

TORONTO, Aug. 01, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- EV Technology Group Ltd. (the Company or EV Technology Group) (NEO: EVTG, OTCQB: EVTGF, DE: B96A) announces today that its strategic partner MOKE International Limited (MIL), working with its distribution partner MOKE France SAS (MOKE France), has opened the doors of its new flagship store in its spiritual home, Saint-Tropez, France. Additionally, it has launched a brand-new website offering the unique MOKE experience online, where potential owners across the UK and Europe can configure their Electric MOKE and pay GBP990 to secure their pre-orders and join the waiting list.

The new website gives customers the freedom to decide between having a new Electric MOKE delivered to a convenient address of their choice, or to collect it in person at Casa MOKE, situated in one of the worlds most glamourous locales.

The original Mini Moke first appeared in 1964 and was embraced by luminaries such as Brigitte Bardot, James Bond and The Beach Boys; driven in glamourous and exclusive locations including the French Riviera. Saint-Tropez quickly became the spiritual home for the MOKE brand, making it the perfect location for the new Casa MOKE flagship store. The newly launched MOKE website offers the same unique MOKE experience for an online audience.





Pictured: Casa MOKE, Saint-Tropez





Pictured: Casa MOKE, Saint-Tropez

EV Technology Group bringing MOKE into the sustainable mobility era

To springboard MOKE International into the electric age and make the Electric MOKE widely available to customers, EV Technology Group, recently agreed to acquire a further 53% of MIL for total transaction value of approximately US$55.1M, and maintain an option to acquire the remaining shares of MIL. It is EV Technology Groups mission to create and redefine the joy of motoring by electrifying iconic brands. Their investment and expertise will allow the MOKE brand to rapidly expand into global markets.

Unique MOKE experience both online and at Casa MOKE

The Electric MOKE is much more than just an electric vehicle; its an emblem of fun and freedom. The culture and ethos behind MOKE is as enduring as the charm of the car itself, making customer experience a crucial element of the purchasing process. The new MOKE International website features a configurator, allowing potential customers to design their own Electric MOKE to their preferred specifications, with a choice of five iconic colours from launch  Granite Grey, Sunlight Yellow, Sunset Orange, Scuba Blue and Wave Blue.

The newly-opened Casa MOKE flagship store in Saint-Tropez offers a bespoke customer experience where they can muse over and experience the Electric MOKE in person, and in the French Riviera, making green, luxurious open top driving a reality.

A network of MOKE partners and agents are being established worldwide to harmonise logistics, sales and aftersales services. In the UK, MOKE International has an exclusive partnership with Hendy Group, a family-run business with over 20 dealerships and servicing facilities located throughout the south of England.

Isobel Dando, CEO of MOKE International, said: MOKE now offers customers the ease of configuring and purchasing their Electric MOKE online, as well as the intimate experience of the Casa MOKE flagship store. Both the website and Casa MOKE launch focus on creating a personal and simple customer experience. Online orders are delivered to an address of the customers choice, and at Casa MOKE customers can enjoy the Electric MOKE for themselves in a relaxed, friendly atmosphere in MOKEs spiritual home, Saint-Tropez.

Wouter Witvoet, CEO and founder of EV Technology Group, said: The MOKE International team have created a seamless user experience, whether you start offline or online. From coming into Casa MOKE and encountering the Electric MOKE first hand, to finalising a purchase with the configurator. The brand is full of joy  and thats exactly what EV Technology Group wants to achieve when electrifying iconic brands.

Fully electric. Fully British. Fully MOKE

Production of the Electric MOKE is already underway in England, with first customer deliveries already being fulfilled. Using a 44hp motor and weighing under 800kg, the rear-wheel-drive MOKE covers 0-34mph (0-55kph) in 4.3 seconds and achieves a top speed of 50 mph (80 km/h). A full charge takes just four hours via a Type 2 port and the Electric MOKE covers up to 80 miles of range on a single charge  enough for four round trips across the Cote dAzur.

Electric MOKE specifications

Range 120 km* Charge 4 hours Top speed 80 KM/h 0-55 KM/h 4.3 seconds Power 33 kW Battery LITHIUM-ION

*Subject to Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WTLP) testing

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

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/

About MOKE International

MOKE and the MOKE logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of MOKE International Limited 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. The MOKE is a revitalised, re-engineered version of the iconic Mini Moke that was originally designed by the legendary Sir Alec Issigonis, the designer of the 1959 Mini, and launched in 1964. The Mini Moke was created as a low-cost and easy to maintain recreational and utility vehicle, but it quickly gained cult status in fashionable resorts such as the French Riviera and the Caribbean. It has been driven by Beatles, Bridget Bardot and James Bond alike. MOKE International has brought the Mini Moke into the modern age by integrating up-to-date driving technologies, including full electric power, while remaining faithful to the iconic design which made it a global hit in the 1960s. True to its heritage, MOKEs today are engineered and built in Northamptonshire, England. Production takes place at a 500,000sq ft state-of-the-art facility owned and operated by British automotive manufacturing services company, Fablink Group.

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

Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains forward-looking statements including, but not limited to: the direct-to-consumer website of MIL, online orders for the Electric MOKE, the real world performance of the Electric MOKE and the definitive agreement between EV Technology Group and the shareholders of MIL. 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

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/7e3df276-27d5-47c8-90a4-d2556f360744

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/53f75ef2-5253-4cfa-b4e1-d01198cb26a1
Founder and Designer Adam Porter-Smith plays with masculine and feminine design using sexy silhouettes and classic colors



Original swimwear sketches to be released in a series of collectible NFTs available at thesmithsociety.cent.co

NEW YORK, Aug. 01, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Smith Society, a lifestyle brand that rethinks it items for social settings and founded by Adam Porter-Smith, today announced the launch of its flagship swimwear line. Inspired by one-piece mens swimsuits from the 1920s and reimagined for the 2020s, the new line plays with masculine and feminine design through sexy silhouettes and classic colors.

The entire line will be presented in a trunk show at Bellport General in Bellport NY from 3PM to 7PM on August 7th, 2022. The swimwear is also available at thesmithsociety.com. Journalists interested in attending or meeting privately for a desk-side with Adam Porter-Smith can contact michael@larkinvolpatt.com.

In conjunction with the launch The Smith Society is releasing a series of collectible NFTs available at thesmithsociety.cent.co. The NFTs feature early sketches and design ideas for the collection. On the day of the trunk show, a special NFT will be released via a QR code available exclusively in real life at the event. The NFT is not only collectible but also unlocks access to other trunk shows, sneak previews, an upcoming launch party, and much more.

Gender-specific doors in the world of apparel have been knocked down in the last four or five years, and much progress has been made with the degendering of fashion, said Porter-Smith. My design aesthetic was emboldened as I watched gay culture and beyond embrace silhouettes and new ideas around what we wear and the tone it sets in a new and more open world of fashion.

The new line includes four inspired pieces:

The Smith Society Classic Belted Bather  This classic swim brief includes an original logo buckle design and comes in black, white, and navy.

The Smith Society Y Back Tank  Reimagined tank features ultra soft fabric and can be worn with the Belted Bather for a classic 20s look. Available in black, white, and navy.

The Smith Society Racerback Cabana Stripe Thong  This sexy second skin comes in black and white, pink and white, and Mediterranean blue and white.

The Smith Society X Back  Modernized classic lifeguard style features a support waist belt and functional logo buckle design. Available in black, white, and navy.

I find it fascinating that up until the 1940s blue was not associated with boys and pink was not associated with girls. Someone came along and made a conscious and very powerful decision to attach colors to genders. I dont see color as a gender marker, I see it as a way to express our true selves. Wear what makes you, you. continued Porter-Smith.

RSVPs for the trunk show are not required. Bellport General is located at 138 S. County Rd., Bellport NY, 11713.

About The Smith Society

Founded by Adam Porter-Smith, The Smith Society is a lifestyle brand that rethinks it items for social settings. Adam and his creative partner Andrew Egan have conceived a flagship swimwear line that reimagines 1920s American men's bathing suits with a fresh perspective for the 2020s. With sexy silhouettes and classic colors, The Smith Society is modernizing timeless fashion by playing with feminine and masculine designs for a new generation. For more information subscribe @ thesmithsociety.cent.co. To shop the line visit thesmithsociety.com

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/69a6894b-b9dc-4ccc-9d6c-ddaef6eeeacc

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/77a7f059-d183-4ee2-9345-346eb11f5c95
WAWA, Pa., Aug. 01, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Wawa, Inc. is thrilled to announce today the return of its month-long Cheers to Classrooms celebration from August 1  August 31 across the Sunshine State. Cheers to Classrooms will recognize teachers and school administration who educate, guide and inspire children across our region. The celebration will include:



Free Any Size Hot Coffee or Fountain Beverage for Teachers & School Administration

All day, every day from August 1 - 31, any size hot coffee or fountain beverage is free for all teachers and school administration. Faculty need to simply share they work at a school at the register to receive offer.





All day, every day from August 1 - 31, any size hot coffee or fountain beverage is free for all teachers and school administration. Faculty need to simply share they work at a school at the register to receive offer. $50,000 Cheers to Classrooms Chainwide Fund

Through a partnership with Donors Choose, an online resource for teachers to submit funding requests for school supplies/support, Wawa has designated a $50,000 chainwide matching fund to support schools throughout its operating area. Teachers can submit a project at www.donorschoose.org, and those schools that meet Wawas funding criteria could receive matching funds starting August 22.



Wawa is excited to bring back its Cheers to Classrooms initiative to put a smile on the faces of teachers and administration that work so hard to do the same for children in our community, said Robert Yeatts, Senior Director of Store Operations, Wawa. Our associates are also looking forward to visiting local schools throughout the month to welcome teachers back into the classroom and show our appreciation for everything they do!

Wawa will launch its Cheers to Classrooms initiative in its Mid-Atlantic operating area of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C., in September 2022.

About Wawa, Inc.

Wawa, Inc., a privately held company, began in 1803 as an iron foundry in New Jersey. Toward the end of the 19th Century, owner George Wood took an interest in dairy farming and the family began a small processing plant in Wawa, PA in 1902. The milk business was a huge success, due to its quality, cleanliness and certified process. As home delivery of milk declined in the early 1960s, Grahame Wood, Georges grandson, opened the first Wawa Food Market in 1964 as an outlet for dairy products. Today, Wawa is your all day, every day stop for freshly prepared foods, beverages, coffee, fuel services and surcharge-free ATMs. Wawa stores are located in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, Florida and Washington, D.C. The stores offer a large fresh foodservice selection, including Wawa brands such as custom prepared hoagies, freshly-brewed coffee, hot breakfast sandwiches, specialty beverages and an assortment of soups, sides and snacks. Forbes.com Ranks Wawa as #23 of Americas Largest Private Companies in 2020. For more information, visit us on www.wawa.com or follow us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram at @wawa.

CONTACT: public.relations@wawa.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/15699f0b-5d05-4c02-8ca6-f5d7afed7c4b
New York, Aug. 01, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Environmental monitoring is essential due to increasing pharmaceutical & biopharmaceutical research and development activities, backed by high spending in the industry globally. Need for meeting the safety and quality assurance mandates in drug formulation is bolstering reliance on pharmaceutical & biotechnology environmental monitoring. As of 2020, the global R&D spending in the pharmaceutical industry was approximately USD 210 billion.

Research Nester examined the statistical and analytical approach that is required for the growth of  Global Pharmaceutical & Biotechnology Environmental Monitoring Market  between the years 2022 and 2031. The key industrial insights provided in the report gives a better idea about the market overview to the readers regarding the existing scenario in the market. The report further includes in-depth market analysis in five major regions, i.e., North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific and Middle East & Africa, including the current and future industry trends, innovations, and challenges, along with strategies that will help industry players to attain their business targets.

Biotechnology has become more prevalent within the pharmaceutical industry, helping the industry with research and development of new products, new processes, methods and services and to improve existing ones. In the pharmaceutical industry, biotechnology accounted for over USD 250 billion in drug revenue in 2019. Government initiatives to support biotechnology across several nations is a significant growth factor. For instance, in the Union Budget 2022-23, as per India Brand Equity Foundation (IBEF) the Indian government sanctioned USD 343.56 million to improve infrastructural support for several areas including biotechnology and bioinformatics besides agriculture and genetic engineering among others.

Get a Sample PDF Brochure: https://www.researchnester.com/sample-request-3931

Adoption of biotechnology for medical research and development activities is leading to a surge in the demand for environment monitors. Driven by these primary factors, the global pharmaceutical & biotechnology environmental monitoring market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of ~6% over the forecast period, i.e., 2022  2031. Additionally, increasing government investment in the biotechnology industry, along with favorable reimbursement policies for the biotech research projects are further anticipated to boost the market growth. For instance, in 2020, approximately USD 100 billion was invested in biotech companies in the United States. Moreover, the development of technology in healthcare sector, backed by increasing R&D activities, is also estimated to boost the growth of the market. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) statistics, as of 2021, gross domestic R&D expenditure on health (health GERD) was 14.8% in East Mediterranean, 12.8% in the Americas, and 12.4% in South-East Asia, of the total GERD.

For more information in the analysis of this report, visit: https://www.researchnester.com/reports/pharmaceutical-biotechnology-environmental-monitoring-market/3931

Geographically, North America region is anticipated to hold the largest share of the pharmaceutical & biotechnology environmental monitoring market throughout the forecast period on the back of presence of advanced healthcare infrastructure, and high focus on medical R&D activities. For instance, health or medical R&D funding in the United States in 2018 was about USD 114.5 billion in total, according to National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics (NCSES).

Furthermore, the market in Asia Pacific region is estimated to witness noteworthy growth over the forecast period. Increasing development and adoption of advanced biotechnology in developing countries, such as India, China, and Japan is driving the market growth in the region. Moreover, increasing investment in biotech companies is also expected to boost the growth of the market. For instance, as per the data by the India Brand Equity Foundation (IBEF), there were over 2,700 biotech start-ups and 2,500 biotech companies in the country, as of November 2021. The Indian biotechnology industry was valued at USD 63 billion in 2019, and is projected to reach USD 150 billion by 2025. Further, under the Indian Union Budget 2021-22, the government outlay for biotechnology research and development was over USD 200 million.

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The study further incorporates Y-O-Y growth, demand & supply and forecast future opportunity in North America (U.S., Canada), Europe (U.K., Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Hungary, Belgium, Netherlands & Luxembourg, NORDIC [Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark], Poland, Turkey, Russia, Rest of Europe), Latin America (Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Rest of Latin America), Asia-Pacific (China, India, Japan, South Korea, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand, Rest of Asia-Pacific), Middle East and Africa (Israel, GCC [Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman], North Africa, South Africa, Rest of Middle East and Africa).

The global pharmaceutical & biotechnology environmental monitoring market is segmented on the basis of end-user into pharmaceutical industry, biotechnology industry, academic & research institutes, and others. The biotechnology industry segment is estimated to hold a substantial share in the global market on the back of increasing funding for research activities in the industry. For instance, global funding for biotech startups was collectively around USD 50 billion by the end of 2021. Growing number of biotech researchers, especially in developed countries are advancing the industry further.

The global pharmaceutical & biotechnology environmental monitoring market is also segmented on the basis of type.

Global Pharmaceutical & Biotechnology Environmental Monitoring Market; Segmentation by Type

Monitoring Equipment

Media

Software

Microbiology Services

Others

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Some of the prominent players and their company profiling included in the global pharmaceutical & biotechnology environmental monitoring market research report are Thermo Fisher Scientific Company, Springer Nature Limited, Applied Microarrays Inc., CD Genomics, RELX Group, MilliporeSigma (Merck KGaA), QIAGEN, Agilent Technologies, Inc., Danaher Corporation, Eppendorf SE, and others. The profiling enfolds growth opportunities, challenges, market trends, competitive analysis and positioning, along with the strategies used by them to stay ahead of their competitors.





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The manufacturer and distributor of hemp-derived products announces the launch of its newest offering, the Delta-9 gummies range, which is now available at their official website at https://www.exhalewell.com/



GLENDALE, Calif., Aug. 01, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- New cannabinoids are popping up on the market, grabbing the attention of their users. As a result, there is a massive demand for products that are safe, reliable, and easy to use. As per the experts- Exhale Wellness is the most preferred brand by customers due to its quick ability to respond to customer demand and bring premium quality cannabinoids."

As compiled by Farm Bill Act 2018-all Exhale Wellness D9 gummies hold less than 0.03% of Delta-9 THC (dry weight). This gummy range is one of the major releases of a new cannabinoid from Exhale Wellness.

About Exhale Wellness

With prior experience in the organic food industry, Exhale Wellness is one of the renowned brands based in Los Angeles, California. Being a cultivator, researcher, and enthusiast in the hemp sector, the brand holds in-depth knowledge of producing high-quality hemp products. While having a partnership with the best hemp farms in Colorado, Exhale Wellness uses high-quality ingredients to produce superior quality products.

Furthermore, the brand has a dedicated team of professionals who work hard to determine the quality of the products to deliver organic, plant-based products to the users. In this regard, the brand entirely understands the value of salubrious products- since it offers the finest quality products that not only offer therapeutic benefits but also enable individuals to lead a wholesome life.

After spending countless hours and days on careful research and development, the brand produces unique Delta-9 products that can easily set the standards in the industry. In addition, Exhale Wellness always prioritizes vegan and organic ingredients to deliver goods free from dairy, gluten, and GMO, and with no artificial colors and flavors.

What Is Delta-9 THC?

THC stands for Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol or tetrahydrocannabinol-9 which is a cannabinoid molecule found in the Cannabis Sativa plant and tends to deliver psychoactive effects- that make people high. Unlike its cousin brother-delta-8, D-9 delivers a bolder experience that can be associated with euphoric effects. Such a substance has low or no adverse effects, but taking it at moderate dosage is what experts recommend.

However, Delta-9 has already entered the marketplace and tends to offer promising benefits, offering relaxation and calmness, decreasing anxiety, and increasing appetite.

About Exhale Wellness Delta-9 Gummy

Delta-9 Gummies are the newest additions to the Exhale Wellness product line that are available in two different strengths, including 225mg and 450mg, and come with a price of $69.95. Additionally, the 450 mg strength is available at a price of $89.95.

These D-9 gummy cubes are a sweet treat infused with the punch of Delta-9 THC, which is considered one of the most popular and potent cannabinoids worldwide. Exhale Wellness D-9 Gummies contain hemp-derived Delta-9 THC, which is federally legal in most states with less than 0.03% of dry weight.

These sweet treats are made from high-quality hemp and are GMO-free with no artificial flavors or colorings. Moreover, the product is lab tested in-house and then independently tested by an ISO-certified third-party laboratory to determine the overall content to ensure its safety and compliance with federal regulations.

With this, the brand offers fast and free shipping on its products, and if a user is not satisfied with the quality of the product, then the brand provides a 30-day money-back guarantee.

About Exhale Wellness Delta-9 Gummy Drops

Delta-9 Gummy drops are the newest additions to the Exhale Wellness product line that is available in a handy premium container, a fresh, fruity, and pre-dosed alternative for hemp users. These gummy drops are a unique product that can uplift your mood to the next level while evaluating your mind, body, and spirit. Produced with all-natural ingredients, these gummy drops are a guilt-free option that comes with numerous therapeutic benefits.

These gummy drops are a cruelty-free product with no animal gelatin, suitable for vegans with maximum potency. That said, such a product is easy to use and offers discrete usage, allowing the users to carry this product anywhere they want.
LOS ANGELES, CA, Aug. 01, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via NewMediaWire  US Nuclears (OTC-QB: UCLE) subsidiary, Overhoff Technology Corp., is the world premier manufacturer of tritium monitoring equipment, whose sales are thriving amid the amazing surge of well-funded nuclear power and fusion plants and projects. Tritium is generated in nuclear reactors as a byproduct of fission during nuclear energy production, is used as the fuel for fusion energy projects such as ITER, and is often used in pharmaceutical testing and manufacturing, exit and gun sight lighting, and maintaining the US nuclear weapons stockpile. Overhoff tritium monitoring products monitor tritium at all of these points and processes, during the production, storage, and use of tritium, to environmental monitoring of stack releases, drinking water, and seawater.

Due to the difficulty of detecting tritiums low energy beta ray emissions, there are only a handful of tritium monitoring manufacturers in the world, and Overhoff is well known as being the quality leader in this industry. Overhoff is the only company with the designs, craftmanship, and skills to manufacture not only tritium air monitors, but also tritium water monitors for measuring tritium in drinking water and even in seawater. Due to Japans imminent release of 1.3 million tons of tritium contaminated water into the Pacific Ocean, Overhoff is in talks with customers in Japan and the worried countries all around the Pacific about providing ground breaking, ultra-sensitive, tritium water monitors for measuring resulting tritium levels in the seawater, the fisheries, and drinking water. Overhoff also supplies tritium water monitors to desalination plants to track any contamination in the plants seawater input and to track the quality of the drinking water that these plants provide for human consumption.

Tritium is mainly produced in nuclear reactors, and it is currently in very short supply. The stockpile of tritium is around 25 kg today, yet it is estimated that it could take up to 125 kg of tritium to fuel a fusion reactor in the future. The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), General Atomics, Savannah River Lab, and UKAEAs H3AT facility are just a few examples of companies working on boosting tritium production to support the growing need for tritium. Overhoff works directly with all of these companies, and is in a prime position for supplying tritium monitoring instrumentation as it is needed.

Safe Harbor Act

This press release includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results may differ from expectations, estimates and projections and, consequently, you should not rely on these forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. Words such as "expect," "estimate," "project," "budget," "forecast," "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "may," "will," "could," "should," "believes," "predicts," "potential," "continue," and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from the expected results.

Investors may find additional information regarding US Nuclear Corp. at the SEC website at http://www.sec.gov, or the companys website at www.usnuclearcorp.com.

CONTACT:

US Nuclear Corp. (OTC-QB: UCLE)

Robert I. Goldstein, President, CEO, and Chairman

Richard Landry, Chief Financial Officer

(818) 883 7043

Email: info@usnuclearcorp.com

usnuclearcorp.com

tech-associates.com

overhoff.com
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Aug. 01, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Millrock Resources Inc. (TSX-V: MRO, OTCQB: MLRKF) ("Millrock" or the Company) reports that Felix Gold (ASX: FXG, Felix Gold or Felix) has disclosed results from the first nine holes they have drilled on the Treasure Creek gold project this year. Treasure Creek lies just north of the City of Fairbanks, Alaska. Since commencement of drilling in May 2022, Felix has already drilled more than 100 reverse circulation drill holes and drilling continues more. Assay results are being released in batches as they become available from the laboratory.



A highlight intersection of 89.9 meters grading 1.20 grams per tonne gold starting from 32.0 meters downhole has been reported by Felix Gold from Hole 22TCRC008. All nine holes reported so far are from the NW Array prospect, and intersected gold mineralization. The full results published by Felix Gold can be seen in their two most recent press releases available on their website. Note that Millrock has not independently verified the results reported by Felix Gold.

Millrock President & CEO Gregory Beischer commented: This is a great start to the drilling program that Felix Gold has undertaken. Millrock owns 9,957,157 shares of Felix Gold or about 5.8% of the company. Additionally, Millrock is to be granted a net smelter return royalty on the project that ranges from 1.0% to 2.0%. We hope that these first drill intersections are indications of a new gold deposit discovery that significantly increases Millrocks share price and market capitalization. More and more discoveries of gold are being made in Fairbanks and the district should soon be recognized as a globally-significant gold mining camp.

The Treasure Creek gold project is situated 20 kilometers north and west of Kinross Fort Knox gold mine, and 10 kilometers west of Freegold Ventures Ltd new discovery at Golden Summit. Alluvial gold deposits in gravels of Treasure Creek point to a bedrock source on the Felix Gold claims where large, strong soil geochemical anomalies are known from historical work and a major soil sampling program done in 2021.

Qualified Person

The scientific and technical information disclosed within this document has been prepared, reviewed, and approved by Gregory A. Beischer, President, CEO, and a director of Millrock Resources. Mr. Beischer is a qualified person as defined in NI 43-101.

About Millrock Resources Inc.

Millrock Resources Inc. is a premier project generator to the mining industry. Millrock identifies, packages, and operates large-scale projects for joint venture, thereby exposing its shareholders to the benefits of mineral discovery without the usual financial risk taken on by most exploration companies. The company is recognized as the premier generative explorer in Alaska, holds royalty interests in British Columbia, Canada, and Sonora State, Mexico, is a significant shareholder of junior explorer ArcWest Exploration Inc., and owns a large shareholding in each of Resolution Minerals Limited and Felix Gold Limited. Funding for drilling at Millrocks exploration projects is primarily provided by its joint venture partners. Business partners of Millrock have included some of the leading names in the mining industry: EMX Royalty, Coeur Explorations, Centerra Gold, First Quantum, Teck, Kinross, Vale, Inmet, and Altius, as well as junior explorers Resolution, Riverside, PolarX, Felix Gold and Tocvan.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

Gregory Beischer

Gregory Beischer, President & CEO

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:

Melanee Henderson, Investor Relations

Toll-Free: 877-217-8978 | Local: 604-638-3164

Twitter | Facebook | LinkedIn

Some statements in this news release may contain forward-looking information (within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation) including without limitation the intention to perform further exploration including drilling on the Treasure Creek project. These statements address future events and conditions and, as such, involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the statements.
Global Green Hydrogen market expected to reach US$72 Billion by 2030 (4) with growth anticipated at a 54.7% CAGR between 2021 and 2028 (3)

with growth anticipated at a 54.7% CAGR between 2021 and 2028 Progressus advanced electrolyzer system (AES) intellectual property shown to provide up to 70% energy cost savings relative to conventional electrolyzer technologies

Progressus AES intellectual property capable of extracting and producing hydrogen from blended natural gas streams that are becoming prevalent in projects around the globe

Since 2020, there have been more than two dozen hydrogen injection projects announced in the United States

Major utilities from around the globe such as SoCalGas, CenterPoint Energy, Enbridge, ATCO Gas, Snam SpA, Enagas S.A., and Open Grid Europe are actively working on projects to inject hydrogen into their natural gas grids, thus increasing the availability of green power and ensuring energy security for the future



TORONTO, Aug. 01, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Progressus Clean Technologies Inc. (Progressus or the Company) is pleased to provide an update and details on the Companys exclusive intellectual property On June 23, 2022, Progressus executed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with BioQuest Corp (OTC:BQST) by which BioQuest will acquire up to 100% of the issued and outstanding shares of Progressus.

Progressus owns the rights to exclusive intellectual property that can enable the extraction of dilute amounts of hydrogen, at high purity, from a variety of different gas streams  often called syngas. Utilizing its unique cell design, fabrication, and membrane technology, oxygen free electrolysis is possible at industry leading efficiencies with an improved safety profile.

Within the industry today, water electrolysis is the norm for hydrogen production. This traditional technology generally requires 40 - 50 kWh of electricity per kilogram of hydrogen produced(1). With Progressus AES technology, hydrogen can be produced for a variety of gas streams utilizing hydrogen that is present in small amounts, often wasted today, with less than 15 kWh of electricity required to produce each kilogram of hydrogen(2). Using these numbers as an illustration, AES technology can provide up to 70% energy savings for each kilogram of hydrogen produced. This has the potential to result in billions of dollars in savings for the global hydrogen economy.

With almost unprecedented levels of potential growth in the global green hydrogen market at a 54.7% compound annual growth rate between 2021 and 2028(3), the market is expected to reach US$72 Billion by 2030(4). One of the most active spaces for hydrogen storage and utilization is within the existing natural gas infrastructure available around the globe. This solution has the potential to solve the complicated question of how to store green energy and hydrogen for utilization during off peak periods and/or during demand spikes.

Since 2020, there have been more than two dozen hydrogen injection projects announced in the United States alone with companies such as SoCalGas reinforcing and driving additional commitments in early 2022.(5) Further, major gas utilities from around the globe such as SoCalGas, CenterPoint Energy, Enbridge, ATCO Gas, Snam SpA, Enagas S.A., and Open Grid Europe are all actively working on projects to inject hydrogen into their natural gas grids, increasing the availability of green power and ensuring energy security for the future.(6)

The Companys intellectual property is uniquely positioned to potentially capitalize on this global opportunity. While currently focused on applications for small scale residential use, applications can be scaled dramatically across industries including ammonia fertilizer production, refining, transportation, and others.

The LOI sets forth certain understandings between BioQuest, a Nevada corporation, and Progressus with respect to a proposed acquisition or other restructuring transaction between the parties. BioQuest and Progressus currently intend that, subject to the negotiation, execution and delivery of a definitive agreement, satisfactory in all respects to both parties, and approval of the transaction by all corporate actions required by the parties concerned, BioQuest shall acquire up to 100% of the issued and outstanding shares of Progressus and, in return, Progressus shareholders will receive shares of BioQuest. Details regarding the transaction will be provided after the execution of the definitive agreements.

ABOUT Progressus Clean Technologies

Progressus Clean Technologies (formerly AES-100 Inc.) is a venture stage green technology company focused on the development of novel hydrogen generation and separation technologies. Progressus Clean Technologies owns the exclusive rights and intellectual property pertaining to the Advanced Electrolyzer System for the production of hydrogen from dilute syngas.

ABOUT BioQuest Corp.

BioQuest Corp. sells primarily into the retail business-to-business market and internet-based business to consumer, BioQuest is Headquartered in Newport Beach, CA. Additional information on BQST is available at www.bioquestcorp.com

Forward Looking Statement

Any statements contained in this press release that do not describe historical facts may constitute forward-looking statements as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements in this press release concerning the companys expectations, plans, business outlook or future performance, and any other statements concerning assumptions made or expectations as to any future events, conditions, performance or other matters, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements inherently involve risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ materially from any forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, the Companys failure to implement or otherwise achieve the benefits of its proposed business initiatives and plans; the failure of the Company and Progressus to enter into a definitive agreement related to the Transaction; the Companys ability to raise the funding required to support its continued operations and the implementation of its business plan; the ability of the Company to develop effective new products and receive required approvals; competitive factors, including customer acceptance of the Companys based products that are typically more expensive than existing Products; dependence upon third-party vendors, including to manufacture its products; and other risks detailed in the Company's periodic report filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC), including its Form 10-K and 10-Qs.

Contact:

Redwood Investment Group (949)-299-2665
Pune India, Aug. 01, 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 Baking Ingredients market is operating currently and is predicted to expand in the near future. The manufacturers and suppliers involved in the Baking Ingredients 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 type, application, 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 Baking Ingredients market are Ingredion Incorporated, Darling Ingredients Inc., Archer Daniels Midland Company, Roquette Freres, Omega Protein Corporation, SunOpta, Koninklijke DSM N.V., Cargill Incorporated, Kerry Group Plc, and BASF SE among others. To achieve a substantial market share in the worldwide Baking Ingredients 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, Ingredion Incorporated is one of the most significant manufacturers and distributors present in the global Baking Ingredients market.

Baking ingredients comprises of food coloring, baking flours, food extracts, leaveners, salt, sugar, cake premixes, and fondant among other add-ins such as chocolate chips and vanilla extract. Such bakery ingredients are being used to make incredible baking goods. Texture, appearance, and flavor of almost of all bakery items is essentially determined by aforementioned ingredients. In addition, it is used for enhancing the softness, freshness, and flavor of baked goods and extend their shelf life along with boosting the protein content.

An increasing demand for convenience food as well as consumer preference for tastier, attractive, & textured delicacies has led to the increased consumption of confectionery and bakery products. In addition, such products are easily accessible with lower price and enhanced nutrition. Moreover, significant rise in population of lower and middle income groups across developing countries is projected to boost consumption of confectionery and bakery products. This has driven growth of the global baking ingredients market.

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Scope of Baking Ingredients Market Report

Report Metric Information Study Period 2021-2029 Base Year 2021 Forecast Period 2022-2029 Market Share Unit USD Billion Segments Covered Type and Application Regions Covered North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, South America and Middle-East and Africa Major Players Ingredion Incorporated, Darling Ingredients Inc., Archer Daniels Midland Company, Roquette Freres, Omega Protein Corporation, SunOpta, Koninklijke DSM N.V., Cargill Incorporated, Kerry Group Plc, and BASF SE among others

Segmentation Analysis

Colors & flavors segment is expected to be the fastest growing segment in 2021.

The packaging type segment includes emulsifiers, enzymes, starch, fiber, oils, fats, and shortenings, baking powder and mixes, preservatives, colors & flavors, leavening agents, and others. Colors & flavors segment is expected to witness considerable growth rate during the forecast period. Upsurge in demand for natural colors & flavors in the global bakery industry has boosted growth of this segment. For instance, a recent survey by FMCG Gurus, about 34% of people pays more attention to natural ingredients while purchasing food and drink.

Rolls and pies segment is expected to be the fastest growing segment in 2021.

The application segment includes bread, cookies & biscuits, rolls & pies, confectionary and others. Rolls and pies is expected to witness considerable growth rate during the forecast period. A roll is filled with whipped cream, and a pie is a baked product made of pastry dough casing that contains a filling of different sweet or savory ingredients. Pies are available in a single or double crust with fruit and cream fillings. These are ready-to-eat baked products, which are extremely convenient to consume with no extra effort and time on cooking & preparation.

Rolls and pies are ready-to-eat baked products, which are extremely convenient to consume with no extra effort and time on cooking & preparation. Thus, hectic lifestyle is driving the market for rolls & pies, which is eventually contributing to the growth of the global baking ingredients market. Increase in changing lifestyle patterns in the regions of Asia-Pacific, such as India and China, which contribute to more than 37% of the total world population, fuels the demand for high-quality products and comfortable living. This in turn boosts the need for convenience food products; thereby, driving the growth of the market.

Regional Analysis

The regional analysis provides a detailed perception about the key regions and the countries. Some of the key countries analyzed for the Baking Ingredients 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. This is due to the fact that rise in demand for ready-to-eat and convenient products is boosting the sales of the bakery ingredients in the region. In addition, Canada and the U.S. has seen increased prevalence of obesity. However, Asia-Pacific is expected to witness considerable growth rate during the forecast period. Owing to the rise in demand for processed bakery food products and surge in consumer awareness toward clean label products and health ingredients has driven growth of the market in this region.

Country Analysis

Germany

Germany Baking Ingredients market size was valued at USD 1.86 billion in 2021 and is expected to reach USD 3.00 billion by 2029, at a CAGR of 6.4% from 2022 to 2029.

Germany has one of the leading baking ingredients industries in Europe. In addition, the country produces more than 3,200 types of bread every day due to availability of a variety of cereals in the country. For instance, the Germans uses almost all types of grains including wheat, rye, spelt wheat, barley, millet, corn, oats, and rice in their breads. This significance of baking of bread in the country is a major contributor to the baking ingredients market.

In addition, the industry manufacturers in this country are responsible for creation of some of the most widely known bakery products. Moreover, increased consumer awareness about baking ingredients and mounting chocolate consumption among teenager population in this country has driven demand for Baking Ingredients.

China

China Baking Ingredients market size was valued at USD 3.38 billion in 2021 and is expected to reach USD 5.37 billion by 2029, at a CAGR of 6.2% from 2022 to 2029. Rising population along with the increased disposable income in China has favored demand for baking ingredients. In addition, this country is one of the leading consumer of baked products. This has significantly boosted growth of baking ingredients sector in the country.

Moreover, according to the FAS China, tree nuts, butter, and dried & processed fruits are seeing huge growth potential as a baking ingredients in this country. Also, female consumers with aged 26-40 years are accounted for 94% of the home baking population in the country.

Such factors are expected to create lucrative growth opportunities for the market.

India

India Baking Ingredients market size was valued at USD 0.85 billion in 2021 and is expected to reach USD 1.42 billion by 2029, at a CAGR of 6.9% from 2022 to 2029. India is one of the strongest growing economies in Asia. The factors including increasing population, increasing disposable income, and changing lifestyle has driven growth of the India Baking Ingredients market.

In addition, upsurge in biscuits, bread, and fast-moving consumer goods consumption in India is further fueling demand for Baking Ingredients. Also, the country is seeing significant rise in western food trends. Such factors are expected to create lucrative growth opportunities for the market.

Covid-19 Impact

Covid-19 had a major impact on almost all of the industries such as construction, manufacturing, oil and gas, automobile, etc. However, the demand for Baking Ingredients has increased during the period. In most of the regions, demand for processed food category which includes baking condiments such as baking soda, cocoa powder, and baking powder have grown significantly.

On the other hand, the major end-users were temporarily closed during this period and thus the usage of Baking Ingredients significantly decreased. However, the Baking Ingredients market is projected to see considerable growth in post pandemic.

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https://greyviews.com/reports/dog-food-market/85



Global Dark Chocolate Sauce Market Size by Packaging Type (Bottles and Jars, Pouches and Sachets, Others), Distribution Channel (Supermarkets and Hypermarkets, Convenience Stores, Online Retail, Others), Regions, Segmentation, and forecast till 2029.
Roseau, Aug. 01, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The global market has witnessed several shocks over the last few years, but the Commonwealth of Dominica has been able to protect itself from these thanks to assistance of the Citizenship by Investment Programme.

This year, the programme will be the main revenue generator, according to the governments EC$1.2 billion budget which was presented on Tuesday 26 July 2022. The budget was presented under the theme Rising Above the Challenges, Seeing Beyond the Horizon, Embracing all Opportunities to Deliver Dynamic Dominica.

Americans looking for a better lifestyle will see the tangible benefits offered by the CBI programme of Dominica.

Dominicas Prime Minister, Dr Roosevelt Skerrit, noted that through a strong vision and relentless efforts of the government and people, a new Dominica is being built, a more developed Dominica now exists, and Dynamic Dominica is within reach. He emphasised that during the this fiscal year, non-tax revenue is estimated to be at EC$513.8 million or 57.3 percent of the total recurrent revenue, which is predominantly receipts from the CBI Programme. While presenting the budget Prime Minister highlighted the achievements, challenges, and determination of the government of Dominica.

If this administration had not restructured the CBI programme, our citizens would have had to shoulder a much heavier tax burden and many of the development programmes which have taken this country forward so rapidly, could not have otherwise been put in place, said the Prime Minister during the budget proceedings in the National Assembly.

Major highlights of the Fiscal Budget 2022-2023

Agriculture: Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit made significant announcements in the agriculture sector and announced an initial investment of EC$1 million in the provision of greenhouses, saran netting/cover material, insect netting, equipment, and irrigation systems to ensure the availability of fresh vegetables and fruits year-round. The government also plans to propagate and distribute 600,000 seedlings to farmers at a subsidized price. Prime Minister also announced a special fund of EC$1 million to support large banana farmers to satisfy the growing local and export demand.

In the Fiscal Year 2022-2023, the government also plans to give aid to an initial 10 poultry farmers to increase capacity to 10,000 chicks and consideration of a licensing regime for whole chickens imported into Dominica. Besides this, the National Abattoir will be rehabilitated at the cost of EC$3.8 million to improve operations and output.

The Prime Minister also promised a EC$345,000 in investment for the development of locally-produced animal feed and subsidies of hatcheries for local production and export. Furthermore, he said for the procurement of agricultural produce; the government will spend an additional EC$5 million to Dominica Export Import Agency (DEXIA) as a revolving fund for procurement of agricultural produce and EC$3.7 million to strengthen five (5) new farmer producer organizations and crop production clusters to improve economies of scale.

Prime Minister said the government also plans to increase the market share of Dominica agricultural produce, and an investment of EC$1.5 million will be made in the establishment of "Buy Dominica Depots in strategic Caribbean markets" in countries such as St Kitts, Antigua, Tortola, St Maarten, St Thomas. An amount of $1 million is set aside for the marketing and promoting of Dominica's agricultural produce and products.

New medical school: Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit said that the government has entered into an agreement with CSOM Holdings Limited for the operation of a new medical school which will be named the American Canadian School of Medicine. It will be operated from the former Ross University Campus in Picard. The school will offer a four-year medical degree (MD) designed for students who have already completed Bachelor's degrees and will be run by an experienced team comprising doctors who have held positions at major universities in the United States including a former Vice President of Operations of the Ross University School of Medicine.

Most of the students are expected to come from Canada, the United States of America, and the Caribbean. Initial preparations for a September 2023 commencement have started and will accelerate over the next few months. The Prime Minister urged all Dominicans to be prepared for the opportunities which will be created through the school in Portsmouth. He said the government is optimistic about the potential of this new school and its positive impact on Dominica and on the people in the North in particular.

Education: In the Fiscal Budget 2022-2023, The Ministry of Education, Human Resource Planning, Vocational Training and National Excellence received the second highest allocation of EC$78.8 million. The government will upgrade the Kelleb Laurent, Jones Beaupierre, Salybia and Castle Bruce primary schools to increase access to earlier childhood education. Besides this, the designs for the Goodwill Secondary School, as well as the Thibaud, Tete Morne, Calibishie, Bellevue Chopin and Sineku primary schools have all been finalised and are on course for construction to commence in 2023. This year, the construction of an early childhood facility at the Baroness Patricia Scotland Primary School will also be done.

Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit added that the government is determined to provide access and ensure a comfortable learning environment for all children.

Reduction of VAT on Electricity: Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit, also announced that Value Added Tax (VAT) on electricity would be reduced effective from August 1, 2022. The government has decided to increase the number of VAT-free units from 100 kWh to 150 kWh of electrical energy provided by DOMLEC to domestic consumers per billing period.

Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit said the complete removal of VAT on fuel surcharge on electricity bills will apply to all categories of consumers, namely, domestic, commercial, industrial, government and hotels. This measure will assist all of DOMLECs customers except those who are already receiving the VAT-free service.

He added that DOMLEC is working on recommissioning the PADU Hydro Plant which has been out of operation since Hurricane Maria. It is expected that this plant will be operational by November 2022. This will provide further relief by reducing the amount of diesel-generated electricity and thereby reducing the fuel surcharge.

International Airport: Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit promised the people of Dominica that this massive project would be delivered by 2026, and work on the same had commenced. The development of this Airport will increase opportunities for contractors, construction workers, engineers, plumbers, electricians, and other service providers. Due to the high volume of work, the supplies which will be required, as well as the expected high level of employment, many people and businesses in Dominica are expected to benefit during the construction of the International Airport. This Airport will be a game changer for Dominica and its people.

Prime Minister said, I continue to call on Dominicans to equip themselves for the opportunities which will be available once the Airport is operational. I encourage students to begin pursuing relevant fields of study that will position them to take advantage of employment opportunities as air traffic controllers, specialized equipment maintenance personnel, fire-fighters, customs, immigration, and security officers, among others.

Geothermal powerplant: While announcing the budget, PM Roosevelt Skerrit informed that the preliminary designs for the Geothermal Power Plant had been completed, and the government would sign the commercial agreements and begin mobilization for the construction of the power plant this year. The construction period is estimated at 18 months, and expectedly by 2024, the 10 MW geothermal plant will be operational.

Prime Minister said the government awarded two contracts valued at US$2.5 million, for the preparatory work for the development of the transmission network from the Roseau Valley to Fond Cole and from Fond Cole to Sugar Loaf.

This transmission network will make it possible to connect the hydro and geothermal power plants from the Roseau Valley to the rest of the country. The lines will be upgraded from the existing 11 kV to 33 kV and 69 kV. The upgraded lines will result in a reduction of line losses and will be built to withstand the impact of a major climate-related event. This is a significant component of the countrys climate resilience plan for the electricity sector. He said the geothermal power will eliminate the fuel surcharge currently paid by consumers of electricity. This will result in a significant reduction in the price of electricity for all consumers.

Tourism: In this financial year, two additional areas will be established - Kalinago Tourism Development and Romance in Nature. Dominica was ranked by Travel and Leisure Magazine as the Best Island in the Caribbean for 2022. In this ranking, Dominica is described in these words, anything-but-average island lures eco- travellers with a jumble of rain forests, volcanoes, hot springs, thunderous waterfalls, and black-sand beaches. It has an undiscovered quality that can be rare not only in the region but the world over. It's a dream for hikers, snorkelers, and all kinds of adventurers, but the island also offers pockets of over-the-top luxury, including this year's best resort hotel in the Caribbean  Secret Bay.

The government will continue to position Dominica as a destination of choice for eco-tourism, sporting events, festivals, cultural activities, and conferences. The rave reviews we received from the successful hosting of a thrilling weekend of International Cricket earlier this month reinforces the opportunities to make Dominica one of the best sporting venues in the Caribbean. We have refocused our marketing strategy to particularly highlight our key attributes as a Nature Island under five areas of focus: Aqua, Health and wellness, Agrotourism, Adventure, and Festivals and Events, said PM Skerrit.

This fiscal year, the government will also focus on product development, marketing, re-imaging and repositioning of the Tourism industry. The government also plans to enhance the visitor experience through new projects. As well as the beautification, restoration, capacity building, and training will also be done.

Health: PM Roosevelt Skerrit said about the accomplishments of the country during the COVID-19 pandemic and improvements in the healthcare and wellness centres. He mentioned, Government values the health and well-being of our people, and this is why we have spared no effort to continuously improve the standard of health care available in this country. In the last Fiscal Year, most of the resources of the Ministry of Health, Wellness and New Health Investment continued to be devoted to meeting expenditures related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Prime Minister Skerrit emphasized vaccine coverage in the country.

He also announced the projects commissioned by the government of Dominica. He said that the Dominica China Friendship Hospital was nearing completion and noted the availability of these machines, which will help to reduce the need for Dominicans to travel overseas for medical care and treatment. It also helps position Dominica as a hub within CARICOM for the provision of specialized services and as a means of boosting medical tourism. To date, Dominica has completed the construction of twelve (12) new Health and Wellness Centers with funding from our Citizenship by Investment programme; and they are all in use. In addition, a new Health and Wellness Centre at Savanne Paille is now at an advanced stage of construction. Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit also shared details on the Marigot Hospital, which began in January 2020 and is now complete and currently installing the medical equipment and furnishings.

Housing: PM Roosevelt Skerrit stated that in the last Fiscal Year, 213 families were provided with keys to new resilient homes. We have supported our people in repairing and rebuilding their homes, and we are building new homes for our citizens, he said. On September 16, 2020, the government introduced another innovative and transformational programme for Dominicans 40 years and younger, a programme which provides EC$10,000 to first-time home builders and purchasers of a home. Till now, the applications of two hundred (200) young people have been approved, and disbursements continue to be made for the purchase of building materials, payment of land/property transfer fees, construction-related services and labour costs.

The CBI Programme of Dominica was launched in the year 1993 and is world-known for its due-diligence procedure. Investors can apply for the alternative citizenship of Dominica through two investment options  Economic Diversification Fund (EDF) and Real Estate Investment Option.

Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit underlined tremendous advancements in the sector during the Budget 2022-2023. He emphasized that despite the disruption caused by COVID-19 to in-person classes, he said the government ensured that students across the country had access to online education through the distribution of over 12,000 digital devices. PM Skerrit also mentioned the newly constructed as well as rehabilitated schools, including Delices, Morne Jaune, Wills Strathmore Stevens primary schools, Grand Bay Primary School and Mahaut Primary School.

He said, Government continues to prioritize the transformation and modernization of the Public Service. We realize that an agile, resilient and modern public sector is key to the efficient implementation of governments development agenda, a national driver for doing business, facilitating investment and delivering services to our people. PM Roosevelt Skerrit also said about the recruitment of experienced teachers and principals in schools. He informed that a similar exercise has also commenced for Primary Schools.

During the Budget 2022-2023 presentation, Prime Minister Skerrit highlighted that the Citizenship by Investment Programme of Dominica had helped the government in achieving all the desired goals and providing a better future for its citizens. While mentioning the notable accomplishments of the government in the last fiscal year, he outlined the heavy investments in the countrys infrastructure and different sectors, including health and wellness, tourism, housing and many more.
The Philippines was apparently hit by rocket debris that was used to launch a section of China's new space station.

China Successfully Launched a Laboratory Module Into Space

As previously reported, the 23-ton Wentian laboratory module was launched into orbit on July 24 at 2:22 a.m. ET (2:22 p.m. local time) from the Wenchang Space Launch Site in Hainan, China, using China's most potent rocket, the Long March 5B. At 3:13 p.m. ET (3:13 a.m. local), or nearly 13 hours later, it successfully connected to the Tiangong Space Station.

In April 2021, Beijing launched the Tianhe, the first module of the space station, into space. The Tiangong Space Station will take on a T-shape once the last module has docked. The entire T-shaped structure will be around one-fifth the size of the International Space Station when it is finished.

However, the problem lies after the rocket launch.

It was previously noted that there are considerable concerns about where the massive Long March 5B rocket may crash after delivering Wentian. In contrast to most others, this type of rocket safely releases its lower stages into the ocean below. It fires its entire first stage into low-Earth orbit to deliver its cargo, with no means of rerouting or modifying its course when it crashes to Earth.

Read More: China's Wentian Module Successfully Launches, Docks at Tiangong Space Station

China's Rocket Debris Hit Western Philippine Region

We have reported last week that according to estimates by Aerospace Corp., a federally funded nonprofit space research facility that monitors the reentry of orbital debris, the possible debris field covers the US, Australia, Africa, India, and Southeast Asia.

ABC News reported that the Chinese's rocket debris hit western Philippine region on Monday (Aug. 1).

Fortunately, there was no reported damage in the affected area.

Official from the Philippine Space Agency Marc Talampas said authorities have been told to keep an eye out for rocket debris that may have splashed down into the waters off the province of Palawan.

"We are monitoring the situation and have also issued an advisory to the public to be vigilant, avoid contact with any suspected floating debris and to report to local authorities immediately," Talampas told The Associated Press (via ABC News).

It should be noted that the Chinese Space Agency did not allegedly inform the Philippine Space Agency about the rocket debris.

This Is Not the First Time That China Allowed Rocket Stages To Fall to Earth Uncontrolled

ABC News noted that for permitting rocket stages to fall to Earth uncontrolled twice in the past, China has drawn a significant level of criticism. Following the landing of pieces of a Chinese rocket in the Indian Ocean, NASA allegedly accused Beijing of "failing to meet responsible standards regarding their space debris" last year.

Beijing confirmed that Tiangong-1, the nation's first space station, lost control and plummeted into the Pacific Ocean in 2016. In May 2020, an uncontrolled 18-ton rocket also dropped.

As pointed out in the previous report, to protect everyone on earth, space agencies control how rocket debris reenters the atmosphere. However, China's decision to not guide the rocket's debris has drawn criticism from NASA, especially given that China has previously done so.

Related Article: Debris from China's Wentian Space Lab Barreling Towards Earth, Making Uncontrolled Reentry Within Days
Akron, OH, Aug. 01, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Apple Growth Partners (AGP), award-winning accounting and business advisory firm, was recently named one of the 2022 Best Employers in Ohio for the fourth consecutive year. Along with the recognition, AGP welcomed Dana Patterson, CPA, CGMA, as a principal for the audit and assurance team.

The annual list of the Best Employers in Ohio was created by Best Companies Group in partnership with Crains Cleveland Business and Crains Content Studio-Cleveland.

This statewide survey and awards program is designed to identify, recognize, and honor the best places of employment in Ohio, benefiting the state's economy, its workforce, and businesses. The 2022 Best Employers in Ohio list is made up of 47 companies.

Being recognized for the fourth year as a Best Employer in our home state of Ohio is an incredible honor, states Chuck Mullen, chairman. Our states economy has changed dramatically over the last four years, including increasing competition for talent in our industry. We remain laser-focused on ensuring our firms culture exceeds the needs of our staff members and the Best Companies survey results in valuable insights.

Committed to championing the healthy growth of its team, AGP recently welcomed Dana Patterson, CPA, CGMA, to the audit and assurance team as a principal. Specializing in nonprofit clients, Patterson brings a wealth of experience to the firm with more than 20 years of audit, tax, and consulting services. She is also a Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor. Patterson is well-versed in various industries, including HUD, real estate, and retail, in addition to her work within the not-for-profit community. She is a Malone University graduate and a member of the American Institute of CPAs and the Ohio Society of CPAs.

The addition of Dana to our audit department has been significantly beneficial, comments Erica Ishida, president. Not only is she an established leader within the Northeastern Ohio nonprofit sector, but also, she brings leadership expertise to our team. We are proud she chose our firm to continue growing her impressive career.

About Apple Growth Partners

Apple Growth Partners (AGP) is an award-winning accounting and business advisory firm with more than 77 years of creative solutions that deliver healthy, sustainable growth. AGP offers a full range of services for privately held businesses, including tax planning and compliance, audit and assurance, business valuation, litigation consulting, employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs), fraud prevention and detection, family office services for High-Net-Worth individuals, and transaction advisory. With more than 100 employees, AGP collaborates with business owners and partners across Ohio and beyond, extending client services through a remote workforce in 2020 while maintaining office locations in Akron, Canton, Charlotte (AGPN, PLLC), Chicago, and Cleveland. AGPs professionals provide expertise in additional industries and services, such as employee benefit plans, bookkeeping, auto dealerships, manufacturing, construction and real estate, and Black-owned businesses. AGPs mission statement is championing the Healthy Growth of our people, our clients, and our communities through authenticity, world-class service, and taking care of each other.

To learn more, visit http://www.applegrowth.com.

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Attachments
MAPLE GROVE, Minn., Aug. 01, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- TopLine has received final approval from federal and state regulators to convert from a federal to a state-chartered credit union, and along with this change the credit union will be changing Federal to Financial in its name, becoming TopLine Financial Credit Union, effective today August 1, 2022. This move comes after the credit unions board of directors and membership approved the conversion in May.



Previously, TopLine was regulated by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), and moving to a state charter means the credit union will now be regulated by the State of Minnesota Department of Commerce, which also regulates other financial institutions in the state. TopLine will be joining more than 70% of Minnesota credit unions as a state-chartered credit union, and will continue to remain a federally insured credit union by NCUA.

Founded in 1935 to serve Bell System telephone employees and expanding to a community charter in the early 2000s, TopLine now serves more than 46,500 members through 5 locations and holds over $675 million in assets. With the charter conversion TopLine will now be able to expand its community-based field of membership and offer financial services and products to serve four additional counties, for a total of 11 counties that include: Anoka, Carver, Chisago, Dakota, Hennepin, Isanti, Ramsey, Scott, Sherburne, Washington and Wright in Minnesota. The charter approval expands the opportunity to reach new potential members with affordable financial education and services  including savings, checking, credit cards, loans, mortgages, insurance, investments and small business financial products, all with remote access.

We are thrilled to receive final approval for TopLines conversion to a state-chartered credit union, said Tom Smith, TopLine President and CEO. This is a significant opportunity for us to broaden our reach in more communities to serve more individuals, families and small business owners, to act as a resource to advocate for financial well-being, as well as support additional social responsibility efforts to positively impact our communities; all to better fulfill our cooperative mission of helping people. Were excited about serving even more of our Minnesota friends and family. Members and potential new members will be able to take advantage of all the technology and self-service options we offer through our website, online applications, Online/Mobile Banking, fee-free ATM networks with over 82,000 locations, and, of course, our Member Care Center and Lending teams who are available by phone and email. This exciting time in TopLines history would not have been achieved without the hard work and dedication of our employees, board of directors, members, NCUA and the Minnesota Department of Commerce. The Commerce Department has been a true partner during the application process, and we thank them for their guidance to make this possible.

For more information, please visit www.TopLinecu.com/statecharter or see our complete list of Frequently Asked Questions.

TopLine Financial Credit Union , a Twin Cities-based credit union, is Minnesotas 13th largest, with assets of more than $675 million and serves nearly 46,500 members. Established in 1935, the not-for-profit financial cooperative offers a complete line of financial services from its five branch locations  in Bloomington, Brooklyn Park, Maple Grove, Plymouth and in St. Pauls Como Park  as well as by phone, mobile app and online at www.TopLinecu.com . Membership is available to anyone who lives, works, worships, attends school or volunteers in Anoka, Carver, Chisago, Dakota, Hennepin, Isanti, Ramsey, Scott, Sherburne, Washington and Wright counties in Minnesota and their immediate family members. Visit us on our Facebook page or Instagram. To learn more about the credit unions foundation, visit www.toplinecu.com/foundation.

CONTACT:

Vicki Roscoe Erickson

Senior Vice President, Marketing & Communications

TopLine Federal Credit Union

verickson@toplinecu.com

763.391.0872

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ccaf1512-08eb-497a-a028-d2b26e84c0d4
New York, Aug. 01, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Smart Crop Monitoring Market - A Global and Regional Analysis: Focus on Product and Application, Supply Chain Analysis, and Country Analysis - Analysis and Forecast, 2022-2027" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06310920/?utm_source=GNW



The smart crop monitoring market is still in an evolving phase. Increased research and development activities are underway to develop smart crop monitoring technologies and products, which are expected to increase due to the increased demand for food and the need for automation in the agriculture sector.



Increasing investment in smart agriculture is one of the major opportunities in the global smart crop monitoring market. Moreover, smart crop monitoring technologies also help in reducing crop losses due to crop diseases and harsh climatic conditions, which aid the farmers in increasing crop quality and quantity.



Impact



 With an increased worldwide focus on achieving the global food demand, the shift to digital, smart, and data-driven products in the agriculture sectors brings significant sales and financing opportunities. The shift is more prominent in automation and robotics segments in regions such as North America and Europe.

 Furthermore, smart crop monitoring has a moderate to high impact on crop protection systems to reduce crop losses due to crop diseases and pest infestations.



Impact of COVID-19



In the wake of the pandemic, labor shortages have caused disruptions in the agricultural processes, thereby leading every country to re-emphasize food security and increase domestic food production.With an aim to solve labor shortages, the increased application of automated technologies such as sensors, data analytics, variable-rate technology, and others have been introduced in the production system.



Each country continued to promote policies on increasing the adoption of smart crop monitoring techniques, which have proved to be the appropriate solution.



Market Segmentation:

Segmentation 1: by Application

 Soil Monitoring

 Weather Forecasting

 Yield Monitoring

 Crop Protection

 Others



The global smart crop monitoring market in the application segment is expected to be dominated by crop protection technologies. This is due to smart crop monitoring being a highly beneficial methodology to decrease crop losses due to crop diseases, pest infestations, and harsh climatic conditions.



Segmentation 2: by Type

 Hardware

 Software

 Services



The global smart crop monitoring market is slightly more dominated by the services segment. This is due to the wide variety of services in the form of advisories and consultations, and rental equipment results in the higher adoption and usage by the end users globally.



Segmentation 3: by Technology

 Sensing and Imagery

 Automation and Robotics

 Variable-Rate Technology (VRT)

 Guidance Technology



The automation and robotics segment dominates the global smart crop monitoring market due to the higher adoption of products such as robots, drones, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV).



Segmentation 4: by Region

 North America - U.S., Canada, and Mexico

 Europe - Italy, Germany, Spain, France, and Rest-of-Europe

 China

 U.K.

 Asia-Pacific - Japan, India, Australia, and Rest-of-Asia-Pacific

 Middle East and Africa - Saudi Arabia, South Africa

 South America - Brazil, Argentina, Rest-of-South America



North America generated the highest revenue of $701.88 million in 2021, which is attributed to the R&D advancements and supporting government regulations in the region. Europe is an attractive region for the smart crop monitoring market because of the availability of the different market fragments.



Recent Developments in Global Smart Crop Monitoring Market



 In February 2022, Airbus S.A.S and Intelinair partnered to provide Airbus S.A.S accurate and satellite-based imagery data to Intelinairs platform, AGMRI, which is an AI-based crop analytics platform. This would aid in providing farmers with accurate images and data of their fields throughout the crop production cycle.

 In January 2022, iTree Consulting & Services and AGRIVI partnered to bring digital agriculture solutions to farmers and agri-food value chain stakeholders in Mexico.

 In May 2021, AGCO Corporation collaborated with Robert Bosch GmbH, BASF Digital Farming GmbH, and Raven Industries Inc. to innovate and develop precision spraying and variable-rate technologies in the agricultural fields. The collaboration is aimed to make crop protection products more efficient by reducing input costs.

 In March 2021, MAM and Kubota Corporation partnered, aiming to provide agricultural equipment, services, and solutions to Japan.

 In March 2021, CNH Industrial N.V. partnered with ML6 to help transfer an algorithm to a multi-faceted camera. ML6 helped economize and optimize the algorithm and help get it implanted by working with the camera provider, CNH Industrial N.V.



Demand  Drivers and Limitations



Following are the demand drivers for the smart crop monitoring market:

 Need to Reduce Crop Losses

 Higher Yields as Compared to Conventional farming

 Government Support and Initiatives for Smart Crop Monitoring Equipment



The market is expected to face some limitations too due to the following challenges:

 Cyber and Online Data Security

 Lack of Connectivity and Technical Awareness

 High Set-Up Costs



How can this report add value to an organization?



Product/Innovation Strategy: The product segment helps the reader understand the different types of smart crop monitoring technologies available for deployment in the agriculture sector and their potential globally.Moreover, the study provides the reader with a detailed understanding of different smart crop monitoring products by application (soil monitoring, weather forecasting, yield monitoring, crop protection, and others), by types (hardware, software, and services), and by technology (sensing and imagery, automation and robotics, variable-rate technology, and guidance technology).



Crops produced by the utilization of smart crop monitoring technologies generate higher revenues when compared to conventional equipment.



Growth/Marketing Strategy: The global smart crop monitoring market has seen major development by key players operating in the market, such as business expansion, partnership, collaboration, and joint venture.The favored strategy for the companies has been product partnerships, joint ventures, and product launches to strengthen their position in the smart crop monitoring market.



For instance, in December 2021, Ceres Imaging announced to offer new soil moisture probes as part of its precision irrigation subscription service to farmers in California.



Competitive Strategy: Key players in the global smart crop protection market analyzed and profiled in the study involve smart crop monitoring manufacturers that provide different products.Moreover, a detailed competitive benchmarking of the players operating in the global smart crop monitoring market has been done to help the reader understand how players stack against each other, presenting a clear market landscape.



Additionally, comprehensive competitive strategies such as partnerships, agreements, and collaborations will aid the reader in understanding the untapped revenue pockets in the market.



Key Market Players and Competition Synopsis



The companies that are profiled have been selected based on inputs gathered from primary experts and analyzing company coverage, product portfolio, and market penetration.



The top segment players leading the market include variable-rate technology (VRT) and automation and robotics, which capture around 52% of the presence in the market. Players in other technologies, such as sensing and imagery and guidance technology, account for approximately 48% of the presence in the market, as of 2021.



Some of the prominent names established in this market are:

Company Type 1: Sensing and Imagery

 Ceres Imaging

 CNH Industrial N.V.

 CropIn Technology Solutions Private Limited

 Deere & Company

 PrecisionHawk, Inc.

 Prospera Technologies

 Climate LLC



Company Type 2: Automation and Robotics

 Kubota Corporation

 Raven Industries Inc.

 Robert Bosch GmbH

 Small Robot Company

 Trimble Inc.



Company Type 3: Guidance Technology

 AGRIVI

 Airbus

 Alibaba Group Holding Limited

 IBM Corporation

 Microsoft Corporation



Company Type 4: Variable-Rate Technology (VRT)

 AGCO Corporation

 CLAAS KGaA mbH

 Granular, Inc.



Countries Covered

 North America

 U.S.

 Canada

 Mexico

 South America

 Brazil

 Argentina

 Rest-of-South America

 Europe

 Germany

 Italy

 Spain

 France

 Rest-of-Europe

 U.K.

 Middle East and Africa

 Saudi Arabia

 South Africa

 China

 Asia-Pacific

 Japan

 India

 Australia

 Rest-of-Asia-Pacific

Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p06310920/?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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ALEXANDRIA, La., Aug. 01, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Red River Bank (the Bank) opened its newest banking center today at 700 Baronne Street, New Orleans, Louisiana. This is Red River Banks first full-service banking center in the New Orleans market and its 28th banking center in Louisiana.



Red River Bank also operates a combined loan and deposit production office (LDPO) in the Energy Centre on Poydras Street in New Orleans, which opened in December 2021. Also, in March 2022, the Bank announced the purchase of property on Veterans Memorial Boulevard in nearby Metairie, Louisiana, for a future location of the Bank.

We have witnessed the New Orleans banking landscape change dramatically over the past couple of years, said Red River Bank President and CEO Blake Chatelain. At the same time, we have recognized an opportunity to extend our customer-focused, community-banking experience to that market with our LDPO and, now, a full-service banking center.

Red River Bank New Orleans Market President Meghan Donelon has led efforts to develop the Banks presence throughout New Orleans since joining the Bank in September 2021. What sets Red River Bank apart is our genuine desire to listen to customers needs and react to those needs quickly, stated Donelon. Credit decisions are made locally, and support is provided by our experienced team of individuals. Day-to-day customer service is easily accessible, and we take pride in helping our customers and the communities we serve. Louisiana is the focus of our bank, and we are thrilled to offer New Orleans its first full-service Red River Bank banking center.

Donelon, along with Banking Center Manager Vicki Pouey, plan to host a grand opening of the Baronne Street banking center later this year.

About Red River Bank

Red River Bank is a Louisiana state-chartered bank established in Alexandria, Louisiana, in 1999 that provides a fully integrated suite of banking products and services tailored to the needs of its commercial and retail customers. Red River Bank operates from a network of 28 banking centers throughout Louisiana and one combined loan and deposit production office in New Orleans, Louisiana. Banking centers are located in the following Louisiana markets: Central, which includes the Alexandria metropolitan statistical area ("MSA"); Northwest, which includes the Shreveport-Bossier City MSA; Capital, which includes the Baton Rouge MSA; Southwest, which includes the Lake Charles MSA; the Northshore, which includes Covington; Acadiana, which includes the Lafayette MSA; and New Orleans, which includes the New Orleans MSA. Red River Bank is a subsidiary of Red River Bancshares, Inc., which trades under the trading symbol RRBI on the Nasdaq Global Select Market. Learn more at redriverbank.net.
SAN DIEGO, Aug. 01, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Next-generation conversation automation platform, Verse, has announced the launch of its latest product offering, Verse Capture. The chatbot alternative provides businesses with the ability to transform website traffic into real-time 2-way text conversations powered by Human-Guided AI.

While typical chatbot services handle traffic with automated messages and default response prompts, Verse Capture starts with an on-site inquiry and carries conversations forward to the mobile world via SMS messaging. This win-win scenario provides consumers the ability to interact with businesses 24/7 from the convenience of their smartphone devices while simultaneously capturing new website leads and opportunities for the business.

Unlike other products on the market that focus solely on generating new leads, Verse Capture takes newly captured leads through an SMS engagement and qualification campaign as soon as conversations start, ultimately driving qualified opportunities to businesses rather than just more cold, unscreened leads that aren't ready to connect yet. Verse Capture is a game changer for businesses looking to maximize the value of their website and the direct traffic that it generates.

"The numbers don't lie. We have found that text-based lead capture & qualification drive up to 50% more website conversions than traditional and outdated methods and old forms," David Tal, CEO & Co-Founder of Verse. "Verse is dedicated to creating a frictionless experience for businesses and their customers alike. Verse Capture does just that - simplifying the entire customer experience and boosting ROI from their marketing efforts."

Verse Capture, like all of the Verse Product Suite, was built with compliance at the center, so businesses have peace of mind knowing best practices are enforced at the forefront of the widget, and throughout every step of the customer's journey. To learn more about Verse Capture and how to increase lead generation through the power of SMS messaging, please visit https://verse.io.

For press inquires please email press@verse.io







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Image 1: Verse Capture





Verse Capture form on website









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Wynyard Quarter, Aug. 01, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- North Island, NZ based HERMA Labels New Zealand is pleased to announce the launch of their new website. While all of the companys products are shipped from their Auckland warehouse, the website will now allow customers to perform a variety of tasks, including designing their own labels. With its Material, Office and Home, and Labelling Machines business divisions, HERMA is a self-adhesive specialist with a comprehensive chain of expertise.



All of HERMA's goods are made in Germany, using cutting-edge production and printing tools, providing customers with 100% supply security. Strong self-adhesive materials, premium labels, and accurate modular labelling equipment are all represented by the brand HERMA. One of Europe's top producers, the business specialises in the field of self-adhesive technology. The group has been drawing clients with their ongoing chain of expertise and Germany-made products since 1906.

HERMA has over 100 years of history and now boasts over 1,100 employees at seven locations to ensure the further development of the HERMA brand and the numerous HERMA products in the field of self-adhesive technology. For any labelling need a client may have, HERMA's cutting-edge adhesives, pressure-sensitive labels, and labelling equipment cumulatively represent the ideal solution. The newly launched website makes it even easier for customers to design and order their labels, while also showcasing the extensive list of pre-designed options.



Label materials (papers and films), adhesives and release liners are all offered together as adhesive materials by HERMA's self-adhesive material business (for a variety of sectors). Labels for a wide range of labelling purposes can be manufactured using these diverse self-adhesive materials. In the Office & Home section of the new website, there are a variety of craft and school items available in addition to labels for office, retail, and logistics. One can use HERMA Labels New Zealand mounting and archiving systems, book covers, stickers, and folders both at home and at the office or school.

Additionally, there are numerous other uses for the labels, including file labels for use in offices, address labels for mail and packages, seal and security labels, and pre-printed labels for use as signs, including outdoor contexts. One can get labels with HERMA for any business or household purpose. Herma also gives customers the opportunity to design their own labels, through their free software (Label Assistant Online) or via Word templates, which customers can use to easily and quickly design and print labels individually with laser and inkjet printers.



Custom-made products for industrial applications are available in the HERMA Labels section. Whether a project involves product presentation, shipping labels, barcode and sealing labels or labels that adhere to difficult surfaces, HERMAs industrial labels are suitably diverse  and developed for a wide variety of applications. The company can produce tailor-made labels for customers in special designs, in economical quantities, unprinted or in different print qualities, as labels on rolls, sheet labels, and even fan folded labels.

Further, the business sells labelling equipment and label applicators. The most precise, effective, and flexible labelling machines are produced by HERMA, a leading manufacturer of label applicators. In the machinery industry, HERMA provides solutions for a variety of labelling applications, whether they require fully automatic labelling machines, semi-automatic machines, or print and apply systems. A wide range of shapes and items can be reliably and properly labelled with one or more labels using various labelling types, such as top, bottom, side, wrap-around, or seal labelling. Thanks to the modular design of HERMA labelling machines, even the most unique labelling requirements can be met.

HERMA Labels New Zealand is also partnered with Accurate Labelling, and they supply New Zealand businesses and retailers with great quality labels, thermal printers, and printing accessories. They are the preferred supplier for blank and printed labels, label printers and software, thermal ribbon, and more. HERMA believes that quality is of utmost importance, which is one of the reasons for this partnership. When it comes to HERMA products, all labels are tested and approved for excellent, trouble-free printing (TUV ISO 9001 Quality Certified). HERMA is doing their part to protect the environment by having FSC certified products, solvent-free water-based adhesives, acid-free plasticiser free labels, and recycled or recyclable label options. The company offers a wide range of labels, including those intended for addressing and shipping, clear labels, colour labels, creative and fancy labels, admin and office labels, circle labels, and even industrial labels which are made for durability and outdoor use. No matter what a client may need, HERMA will be able to provide the right label from existing collections or custom design one for the client.



To learn more about HERMA Labels New Zealand and the labelling options they offer, customers may visit their newly launched website. The team can also be contacted via phone or email.

###

For more information about HERMA Labels New Zealand, contact the company here:



HERMA Labels New Zealand

Tyrone Murphy

press@hermalabels.co.nz

North Island, New Zealand
ST. EDWARD, Neb., Aug. 01, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BigIron Auctions announced today their agreement to acquire Sullivan Auctioneers LLC  headquartered in Hamilton, Illinois. The agreement, finalized on July 19, will bring more than 300 employees together to serve the needs of the online auction industry across the US.



Our shared philosophies of transparency, trust and hard work solidified our decision to combine organizations, said Big Iron CEO Mark Stock. Together we are better.



With almost 80 years of combined expertise, BigIron Auctions and Sullivan Auctioneers will continue as a BigIron Company with locations in Omaha, Columbus and St. Edwards, Nebraska; Hamilton, Illinois; Huntington, Indiana; and Bird Island, Minnesota. Ron and Mark Stock will continue to head the Nebraska locations, while Dan, Joe, Matt, Luke and Michael Sullivan will continue to lead the Hamilton, Huntington, and Bird Island locations.

Weve always had great respect for the Stock brothers. They are visionaries and true leaders, said Dan Sullivan. We believe the future of our companies will allow us to provide bidders, buyers, and sellers the best possible auction experience, while securing top dollar for their land and equipment.

BigIron and Sullivan Auctioneers have always believed customer experience is of utmost importance, and the new BigIron Company will preserve the family owned feel and personal touch provided by both organizations to date.

As we move into the second half of 2022, we are now focused on discovering where our combined knowledge, tools and passion can be leveraged for a better customer experience, Mark said. This marriage of organizations is another exciting chapter for all of us: one we couldnt be happier to be part of. Our strategy is to continue to deliver best-in-class auction experiences and create a one-stop auction marketplace for all.

About BigIron Auctions

BigIron Auctions has served as an industry leader for over 38 years, reinventing the way used farm, construction, and transportation equipment is sold by featuring weekly online auctions every Wednesday. BigIrons acquisition of Sullivan Auctioneers will grow it to one of the largest unreserved online auction businesses serving rural America, selling tens of thousands of items weekly to registered bidders representing a global marketplace.

About Sullivan Auctioneers

Headquartered in Hamilton, Illinois, Sullivan Auctioneers, LLC is one of the largest real estate and farm machinery auctioneers in the nation. For more than 40 years, they have been conducting professional, full-service auctions connecting sellers with thousands of interested buyers around the world. Family values, hardworking employees, and a focus on customer satisfaction have ensured that every auction is a success.

The link below directs you to a short announcement video from BigIron Auctions and Sullivan Auctioneers: BigIron - Sullivan: Better Together
Cincinnati, Ohio, Aug. 01, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- *** Media Advisory ***

The Ports Laura Brunner to testify before members of the U.S. Senate on the negative impact institutional investors have had on the Hamilton County, Ohio housing market

What : U.S. Senate hearing on how renters and communities are impacted by todays housing market.

Who : Laura Brunner, President & CEO of The Port of Greater Cincinnati Development Authority (The Port), will testify before members of the U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, including Chairman Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Ranking Member Patrick J. Toomey (RPA), and former presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren (DMA), on the impact institutional investors have had on the lack of homeownership opportunities for area residents wanting to generate personal wealth through home equity.

When : Tuesday, August 2, 10:00 AM EDT

Where : The Dirksen Senate Office Building 538, Capitol Hill, Washington, D.C.

How to watch : hearing | Hearings | United States Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs (senate.gov)

U.S. Senate Media Alert:

The U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs will meet in open session, hybrid format, to conduct a hearing entitled The Rent Eats First: How Renters and Communities are Impacted by Todays Housing Market.

The witnesses presenting testimony before the U.S. Senate subcommittee will be:

Laura Brunner , President and CEO, The Port of Greater Cincinnati Development Authority

, President and CEO, The Port of Greater Cincinnati Development Authority Professor Matthew Desmond , Maurice P. During Professor of Sociology and Director of The Eviction Lab, Princeton University

, Maurice P. During Professor of Sociology and Director of The Eviction Lab, Princeton University Rosana Morey, Small Property Owner

Small Property Owner Darion Dunn, Managing Partner, Atlantica Properties

Managing Partner, Atlantica Properties Diane Yentel, President and CEO, National Low Income Housing Coalition

Background Information from December 8, 2021 - Press Release - The Port Takes Action to Protect Renters and Promote Affordable Single-Family Homeownership
English French

MONTREAL, Aug. 01, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Since the opening of Roxham Road, an estimated 800 to 1,000 people cross into Quebec every week, most of whom will settle in Montreal. Wanting to facilitate the integration of teenagers who arrive at the border at the end of school year or during the summer, the Quebec ministry of education approached the YMCA to deploy a new pilot project over the summer.



Supervised by a highly qualified intervention team and peer helpers, this project allows young people to discover their new living environment, meet other teenagers, and make friends. The four service points are in neighbourhoods identified as entry points for newcomers: Saint-Laurent, Saint-Michel, Saint-Leonard, and Montreal North.

The team supports them in their integration through language courses, outings, a variety of pedagogical, sports, and educational activities, and more.

The YMCA Welcome and Discover Zone aims to offer teenagers who just arrived in Montreal a first experience of their new environment that is positive, stimulating, and full of discovery.

In place until classes resume in the fall, the project has been quite conclusive to date. The YMCA Welcome and Discovery Zone project helps mitigate the fears of the unknown for young newcomers to the province by providing them with the opportunity to hang out with other teens and discover their neighbourhood and the resources available. The project ensures teens arent left to their own devices over the summer and helps reduce the anxiety of starting at a new school in the fall, explains David Karoumbata, Program Coordinator at the YMCAs of Quebec.

About the YMCAs of Quebec

The YMCAs of Quebec are a unique charitable organization whose mission is to encourage and inspire all people to fulfill their potential, thrive and contribute to their community. The YMCAs of Quebec offer programs in over 30 points of service and virtually across the province, as well as operating an International Language School, YMCA Residence and Camp YMCA Kanawana. As the first YMCA in North America, the YMCAs of Quebec have been present in Montreal since 1851 and their impact reaches across more than 13 boroughs on the island of Montreal.

Contact person:

Veronique Lettre

Director of Communications

Telephone: 514-506-9897

Email: veronique.lettre@ymcaquebec.org
Investors with losses over $500,000 are encouraged to contact the law firm at no cost to learn more about recovering their losses



LOS ANGELES, Aug. 01, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Portnoy Law Firm advises Tupperware Brands Corporation (Tupperware or the Company) (NYSE: TUP) investors that a class action filed on behalf of investors that purchased Tupperware shares and lost money are encouraged to contact the firm to discuss their legal rights.

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 May 4, 2022 the Company announced poor operating results, coming in far below estimates: Adjusted EPS from continuing operations 12 cents, estimate 53 cents. Net sales $348.1 million, estimate $362.5 million. Furthermore, the Company withdrew its full year 2022 guidance, and named a new CFO. The Company attributed the poor performance to arcane events in Russia and Ukraine. Interestingly, when pressed by analysts on a conference call, the Company acknowledged that Russia and Ukraine only accounted for 2% of its revenue.

On this news, the Companys shares fell sharply in value, thereby injuring investors.

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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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BTS perform during the 64th Annual Grammy Awards show in Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. April 3. Reuters-Yonhap



K-pop boy band BTS might still be able to perform overseas while serving in the military, South Korea's defense minister said on Monday, as the country debates shortening mandatory military service for K-pop stars to three weeks from about two years.



The issue is coming sharply into focus with the oldest member of band, Jin, turning 30 next year. Under a 2019 revision of the law, globally recognized K-pop stars were allowed to put off their service until 30.



Military service is hugely controversial in South Korea where all able-bodied men aged between 18 and 28 must fulfil their duties as part of efforts to defend against nuclear-armed North Korea.



Over the years, some categories have won exemptions  either allowed to put off service or to do shorter service  including Olympics and Asian Games medal winners and classical musicians and dancers who win top prizes at certain competitions.



Parliament is now debating a bill that would shorten military service for K-pop stars.






NY City, New York, United States , Aug. 01, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS  July 29, 2022  ACTAI Global and the Extreme Tech Challenge (XTC) announced today their inaugural "Neckerverse" summit, bringing together leaders in technology, venture capital, and blockchain, with creators, conservationists and social impact professionals to catalyze Web3 (DAO's, NFT's Metaverse) projects focused on global good.

Web3 is opening the door to a new, more collaborative era, said Bill Tai, founder of ACTAI Global and co-founder of Extreme Tech Challenge. We are bringing together people from a diverse set of areas that together can help us outline how to leverage this technology shift in impactful ways". Program topics will center on leveraging new "Web3" economic models to build products, services and technology that can enhance and accelerate a more equitable, responsible, and advanced society.

Neckerverse is an invite-only summit, held on Sir Richard Branson's Necker Island in the BVI. TapJets, the leading crypto-native private jet charter company, has joined as the events sole Platinum Sponsor. We are excited to sponsor this event to support the next generation of Web3 visionaries, said Eugene Kesselman, Chairman, and CEO of TapJets. At TapJets, we believe thoroughly in the power of technology to change lives. We are a crypto-native company because we know digital currencies and their sister technologies are here to stay. At the event, we plan to launch our industry-changing Jet Card that will accept payment in crypto and will have no blackout dates. In addition, we look forward to the discussions and the opportunity to create initiatives at Neckerverse.

The Neckerverse summit will also host a Web3 showcase featuring 3 startup winners of the "Web3 Pitch Fest", a joint effort of the Extreme Tech Challenge and Coindesk. These startups were the stand out companies participating and presenting at the Coindesk Consensus Festival in June 2022. This first-of-its-kind global competition provided a platform for massively innovative Web3 projects and communities worldwide to reach the more than 14,000 attendees of the Consensus 2022 Festival.

Our goal is to amplify the best and brightest startups across the metaverse, blockchain, crypto and decentralized tech sectors, said Young Sohn, co-founder of Extreme Tech Challenge and founding managing director of Walden Catalyst Ventures. From dozens of applicants, these three winning companies truly represent the future of Web3 and perfectly encapsulate XTCs mission of positive impact.

The three winners from the Web3 Pitch Fest to showcase at the Neckerverse event are:

Givepact: A free crypto fundraising platform for nonprofits that funds a community DAO for social impact.

Merkle Science: Next generation crypto threat detection, risk management and compliance for businesses, banks and government agencies.

Mona: The first platform enabling any creator to build, mint, and sell metaverse worlds, all accessible via the web browser.

The founders of these companies will present during Neckerverse to a global audience of investors, founders, venture capitalists and other leaders from over twenty countries. The participation of these winners was generously sponsored by Neckerverses sponsors, including TapJets, OneOf, Mission Gate, Mighty Buildings, FMFW.io, and NIMA Capital.

To set the tone, Bill Tai added "To the truly engaged, work and play are one and the same. Expect to have fun, in unexpected ways. Our mix of people as previously described, will be supplemented, as usual, with world class athletes that will inspire us all to be our best. We always bring together an incredible mix." This year's gathering will include professional kiteboarders Rita Arnus and Nick Jacobsson. Rita Arnaus, sponsored by Porsche, is a top ranked kiteboarder, on the GKA World Tour. Nick is an extreme athlete who has achieved milestones unmatched including flying off and safely landing a 210 meter jump off of the Burj Al Arab in Dubai, as well as pioneering kite jumps off of the Great House on Necker Island at previous gatherings.

About ACTAI Global:

ACTAI Global is a 501(c)(3) based community of Athletes, Conservationists, Technologists, Artists, and Innovators with a charter to support environmental conservation and economic empowerment via entrepreneurship. ACTAI Global catalyzes community gatherings around the world, and has done so in locations including Barbados, Brazil, British Virgin Islands, Morocco, Norway, Switzerland, and USA (various locations).

About Extreme Tech Challenge (XTC):

Extreme Tech Challenge is a 501(c)(3) public benefit corporation whose mission is to empower start-ups creating new tech innovations to address global challenges. XTC believes that it is the worlds largest purpose-driven technology ecosystem and competition inspired by the United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Extreme Tech ChallengeTM competition is supported by leading corporations, venture capital investors, foundations, policymakers, universities and tech conferences to give exceptional startups the potential for global visibility, the opportunity to raise capital, the ability to network with global leaders, and access to world-class mentorship to help them pioneer technological breakthroughs that address our most extreme global challenges. A complete list of XTC partners and how to join can be found at www.extremetechchallenge.org.

About TapJets:

TapJets is changing the way people book and travel on private jets. TapJets was founded on transparency, ease-of-use, and putting the control back in the hands of YOU, the flier. Our founders are all aviation professionals, bringing more than 120 years of aviation experience, which empowers us to offer top-of-the-line technology while also being deeply ingrained in the inner workings of aviation, from start to finish. At TapJets, we want to give power back to the flier so that you can choose the best travel experience for your particular needs. Our customers pay ONLY for the time they fly, and they pay much less than traditionally charged by air charter companies. Our leadership has over 120 years of combined aviation experience. Learn more about us at tapjets.com.

Contacts:

Maria Serafica  Event Director, Neckerverse; CFO, ACTAI Global: maria@seraficacpa.com

Victoria Slivkoff  Executive Managing Director, Extreme Tech Challenge: victoria@extremetechchallenge.org

Brad Cohen  Executive Vice President of Sales, TapJets: brad@tapjets.com



For the original news story, please visit: https://prdistribution.com/news/extreme-tech-challenge-and-actai-global-join-forces-to-accelerate-web3-global-conversations-and-adoption-organizations-to-host-inaugural-neckerverse-summit/9239092



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Mercedes suspects that Ferrari will drive with an illegal accelerator in 2022. This could also have been the reason for Charles Leclerc's crash in France. The German team suspects Ferrari of the illegal pedal after Mercedes' own software indicated it.

Article continues under ad

In Austria, earlier in July, Leclerc spoke over the radio about a problem with his accelerator. It would have stuck. The Monegasque still had his Ferrari under control and eventually won the race. When Leclerc parked his Ferrari in the wall two weeks later in France, many people immediately wondered if it was again to do with the accelerator. Leclerc waved this away and said that it was his own fault, but Mercedes seems to think differently about this. Motor.es report.

Mercedes does not trust Ferrari

Mercedes would consider going to the FIA because the team thinks Ferrari is driving with an illegal accelerator. Mercedes have software they can apply to the open data supplied to the teams, with which they can mimic telemetry from rival teams.

The software would have indicated that Leclerc stopped driving in the laps before the crash in France. Yet he continued to accelerate, without having his foot on the accelerator. Mercedes itself expects that the complaint is probably too vague, but the team hopes that they can convince the FIA to investigate anyway.




By Anna J. Park







Foreign investors account for about 94 percent of illegal short selling cases caught by financial authorities over the past 12 years.







According to Financial Supervisory Service (FSS) data submitted to Rep. Lee Jung-mun of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea, 93.7 percent of 127 people who have been sanctioned by the financial authorities since 2010 turned out to be foreign investors.







"Considering that foreign investors accounted for 67.9 percent of cumulative short selling transactions over the past five years, the fact that they account for more than 93 percent of those who were sanctioned due to illegal short selling practices shows that the local financial authorities have been passive in curbing wrongful short selling practices on the part of foreign investors," the lawmaker said.







Despite the passage of a revision to Korea's Capital Markets Act that strengthened punitive measures on illegal short selling practices, calls are growing for the stricter application of the law against foreign investors.







Only 82 cases of illegal short selling have been caught over the last five years, involving both local and foreign investors. Most of the sanctions imposed upon those caught for illegal short selling practices have been penalties of moderately small amounts. On average, the sanctioned investors paid about 163 million won ($125,000).







President Yoon Suk-yeol vowed late last month to take stricter measures to eradicate wrongful acts of short selling. Following the president's direction, the Financial Services Commission (FSC), the FSS, the Korea Exchange (KRX) and the Supreme Prosecutors' Office announced a set of strengthened measures to crack down on illegal short selling practices, including more thorough investigation and monitoring.


Financial Supervisory Service Governor Lee Bok-hyun speaks during a parliamentary committee meeting held at the National Assembly in Seoul on July 28. Yonhap

By Anna J. Park







The Financial Supervisory Service (FSS) is currently drawing up measures that will toughen up banks' preventive efforts to detect early any signs of irregularities. The move is in response to a series of recent banking crimes, including several high-profile embezzlement cases involving bank employees.







The FSS submitted documents to the Assembly's National Policy Committee saying it is working on a set of measures to enhance local banks' internal controls.







In order to devise effective measures, the FSS, local banks' compliance officers as well as the Korea Federation of Banks formed a taskforce team to discuss the matter together. The final set of measures for strengthening banks' internal controls to prevent financial crimes is slated to be announced in October, following consultation with the Financial Services Commission (FSC).







"After holding a total of six meetings of the joint taskforce team, the final comprehensive set of measures will be announced in October," an FSS official said, adding that the financial watchdog will also be collecting financial companies' opinions.







One of the specific measures being considered is expanding the implementation of compulsory vacation for bank employees. Banks can look into the employees' work-related transactions during the vacation period, so that the firms can detect any abnormalities in them.







The FSS chief has also highlighted the need to strengthen banks' internal controls, as it is one of the key factors that could contribute to curbing employees' criminal intent in the first place.







"It is necessary that local banks be alerted to the laxity in their efforts to prepare effective internal controls," FSS Governor Lee bok-hyun said during a National Policy Committee meeting last Thursday.







Furthermore, the FSS plans to push forward revising the Act on Corporate Governance of Financial Companies, aiming to strengthen key management officials' responsibility regarding financial crimes. The financial regulator will also expand on-site inspections of bank branches, while banks are advised to bolster their compliance departments.


PLA aims to become modernized, world-class military

09:27, August 01, 2022 By ZHANG ZHIHAO ( China Daily

Xi Jinping (center), general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, attends a reception on Sunday to celebrate the 95th anniversary of the founding of the People's Liberation Army, which falls on Aug 1. Xi, who is also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, is joined by other members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee-Li Keqiang, Li Zhanshu, Wang Yang, Wang Huning, Zhao Leji and Han Zhengas well as Vice-President Wang Qishan. YAN YAN/XINHUA

The Chinese People's Liberation Army will strive to become a modernized, world-class military that can meet China's security needs and developmental interests, State Councilor and Minister of National Defense General Wei Fenghe said on Sunday.

Monday marks the 95th anniversary of the founding of the PLA. Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, attended a reception celebrating the occasion in Beijing on Sunday.

Entrusted by Xi, who is also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, and on behalf of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, the State Council and the Central Military Commission, Wei conveyed Xi's appreciation to the uniformed personnel and the civilian staff serving the PLA and the People's Armed Police Force, as well as to those who contributed mightily to China's military development.

Since its creation by the Communist Party of China, the PLA has been dedicated to fighting for national independence and liberation, as well as for the prosperity of the country, Wei said during his toast to guests at the reception.

Over the past 95 years, the PLA has provided unflinching support for the nation's sovereignty, security and development interests. It has also made a significant contribution to world peace and stability, Wei added.

In the future, the PLA will strengthen itself through reforms and modernization, becoming a world-class military that can meet the demands of the country and China's global standing, he said. The PLA will also provide strategic support for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

The Qiushi Journal, a flagship magazine of the CPC Central Committee, publishes on Monday a public speech made by Xi during the ceremony marking the 90th anniversary of the founding of the PLA in 2017.

In that speech, Xi highlighted the CPC's absolute leadership over the military, stressed the importance of military reform and innovation, and urged the country's armed forces to bear in mind the sacred duty of fighting for the people.

"History has told us that reform, innovation, and keeping pace with the times, are the roads that lead to continuous progress for the people's army," Xi said. "Only by continuous reform and innovation, can the people's army constantly gain development vitality and put itself in an invincible position."

(Web editor: Peng Yukai, Liang Jun)
Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup, left, and U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin inspect an honor guard before their bilateral talks at the U.S. Department of Defense in Washington, D.C., Saturday (local time). Courtesy of Ministry of National Defense



Expanded exercise may also irk China



By Kang Seung-woo



Plans to expand a combined military drill between South Korea and the United States against North Korea's growing threats are expected to bring the Korean Peninsula back to a state of confrontation, ratcheting up cross-border tensions, Pyongyang watchers said, Monday.



The prediction comes as the allies seek to enhance their overall capabilities to deal with a possible all-out war on the peninsula through the Ulchi Freedom Shield (UFS) exercise, scheduled for Aug. 22 to Sept. 1, according to Seoul's defense ministry. In addition, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un also threatened last week to annihilate the new South Korean administration he claimed is pursuing a U.S.-led hostile policy against the North.



"It is inevitable that inter-Korean confrontation will deepen as North Korea has strongly responded to the combined exercise," said Cho Han-bum, a senior researcher of the Korea Institute for National Unification.



Park Won-gon, a professor of North Korean studies at Ewha Womans University, also presented a similar view.



"North Korea has denounced the combined exercise, along with a dispatch of U.S. strategic assets, as a hostile policy toward the country, so the North is anticipated to vehemently respond to the drill in accordance with its leader's pledge, which would greatly escalate tensions on the peninsula," Park said.



On Thursday, the North Korean dictator warned that the Yoon Suk-yeol administration and its military authorities will face annihilation should it make any "dangerous attempt" like a preemptive strike.



"Such a dangerous attempt would be punished immediately by powerful forces, and the Yoon Suk-yeol administration and his military would be wiped out," he said in his speech to mark the 69th anniversary of the armistice that halted the 1950-53 Korean War that fell on Wednesday.



The diplomatic observers also predicted that North Korea's response will come after the combined drill ends.



"I think we are expected to see tensions intensify in September as North Korea has traditionally staged military provocations after the end of the combined exercise," Cho said.



Park also said, "At this point, North Korea is prone to opt for a high-intensity provocation such as a seventh nuclear test or a launch of an inter-continental ballistic missile."



South Korean and U.S. intelligence authorities believe that another North Korean nuclear test is imminent.



Park added that it was only a matter of time before North Korea takes action.



Cho said the all-out war scenario would also affect China, which could trigger a backlash from Beijing.



"The U.S. Forces Korea commanding general underscored on July 29 the need to expand the bilateral alliance into a multinational and multidimensional coalition to deal with challenges from China and Russia as well as North Korea. In addition, Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup also cited the need to preserve the freedom of navigation in the South China Sea and peace in the Taiwan Strait during his meeting with U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, July 30, both of which are U.S.-led anti-China policies," Cho said.



"In that sense, tensions on the peninsula are highly likely to mount."



In fact, the North Korean regime has stressed its strong relations with China amid a prolonged deadlock in its nuclear talks with the U.S. and the intensifying Sino-U.S. rivalry.



There is no urgent issue that can cause friction between South Korea and China, but if the South Korea-U.S. alliance leads to another situation similar to the deployment of a U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense battery here, Beijing may opt for economic retaliation against Seoul, according to Cho. China is South Korea's largest trading partner.



"If the South Korea-U.S. alliance moves beyond the peninsula, it is apparently aimed at countering China. If so, China is likely to prepare for countermeasures," he added.






Australia-based ioneer, an emerging lithiumboron supplier, signed a binding offtake supply agreement with the Prime Planet Energy & Solutions (PPES) joint venture between Toyota Motor Corporation and Panasonic Corporation, in which ioneer will supply PPES with lithium carbonate from its Rhyolite Ridge Lithium-Boron Project in Nevada. (Earlier post.)

PPES is a battery production company established through joint-investment between Toyota and Panasonic.

Under the agreement, ioneer will deliver 4,000 tons per annum (tpa) of lithium carbonate to PPES over a 5-year term. PPES will utilize ioneers lithium carbonate to produce batteries for use in US electric vehicles.

ioneer is expected to produce an annual average of approximately 20,600 tonnes of lithium carbonate/hydroxide along with approximately 174,400 tonnes of boric acid per year over the Rhyolite Ridge projects 26-year life. The dual production of lithium and boric acid allows ioneer to not only produce lithium in the US, but to do so at the very bottom of the global cost curve. ioneer anticipates commencing production in 2025 to support urgent requirements for battery materials in the United States.

This agreement follows two earlier binding offtake agreements with Ford and EcoPro and, in total, represents the completion of pre-production lithium carbonate supply commitments the company currently intends to make for Rhyolite Ridge.

Key terms of the agreement with PPES include:
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CANBERRA, Australia (AP)  A new bill was introduced in the Australian Parliament on Monday seeking to lift a 25-year ban on doctor-assisted dying in two territories.

Australias sparsely populated Northern Territory in 1995 became the first place in the world to legalize voluntary euthanasia. But the landmark law was overturned by the Australian Parliament two years later after four terminally ill people had been legally helped to die, leaving the Northern Territory one of last parts of Australia where doctor-assisted deaths remain banned.

For too long Australians living in the territories have been treated as second-class citizens, government lawmaker Luke Gosling, who represents a Northern Territory electorate, told Parliament.

He and fellow legislator Alicia Payne introduced a bill to the House of Representatives that would allow the legislatures of the Northern Territory and Australian Capital Territory to legalize assisted dying.

The two territories do not have the same legal rights as the six states, that have each legislated euthanasia laws in recent years.

The Australian Parliament does not have the same constitutional power to overturn state laws as it does territory laws. The two territories account for fewer than 1 million of Australias population of 26 million people.

Payne, who represents an electorate in the Australian Capital Territory, which comprises Canberra and two villages, described her bill as urgent. She described mercy killing of the terminally ill as an incredibly important debate that we are not allowed to have simply because of where we live.

Conservative government lawmaker Kevin Andrews introduced the bill in 1997 that banned the territories from making assisted dying laws. A conservative government was again in power in 2018 when a bill failed to overturn the ban. That bill fell two votes short in the Senate. Previous attempts also failed in the Senate in 2008 and 2010.

Since then, Victoria became the first state to legalize assisted dying in June 2019, and New South Wales in May this year became the last state to pass its own euthanasia laws.

The center-left Labor Party federal government, that was elected in May, has announced it will allow its lawmakers to vote on the bill according to their consciences rather than adopt a party line.

The opposition conservative Liberal Party has also allowed conscience votes on previous euthanasia bills.

The Catholic Church is lobbying federal lawmakers to vote against the bill.
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GREENWICH  The Board of Selectmen will take action on a climate change resolution at its next meeting, First Selectman Fred Camillo promised.

But its not clear which resolution the selectmen will vote on.

Teenage members of the Greenwich Environmental Advocacy Group, who initiated the effort for local action on climate change, submitted one draft that is considered stronger in addressing climate changes threats to our future.

But Harry Fisher, a new member of the Board of Estimate & Taxation who said he working as an individual, wrote another one, which critics said had less teeth in it.

Were going to vote on this in two weeks, Camillo said. I give you my word, and I think my colleagues want to get something done, too.

The Board of Selectmen had hoped to vote at its Thursday meeting. But the issue was delayed until the Aug. 11 to give the board more time to consider the separate resolutions.

The advocacy groups version calls for the Board of Selectmen to declare the existence of a rapidly changing climate, which threatens the future of our natural world upon which our community, region and country rely and said the town should consider ways to advance sustainability and climate resiliency whenever they develop future developmental priorities, policies, plans, budgets and actions.

The selectmen would also be called upon to develop a sustainability and climate resiliency plan by Dec. 23 to move the town to carbon neutrality and increased community resilience.

We wanted to make sure that everybody on all sides liked what was in there so we could get a comprehensive, bipartisan document, Isabelle Harper, founder of the Greenwich Environmental Advocacy Group, said at the meeting. We want to get the commitment to making an action plan.  Climate change is a huge issue and no municipality, no matter how sheltered they might be, is immune to the impacts of climate change.

Fishers version calls for Greenwich government only to continue to develop townwide strategies and recommendations to enable the town to effectively adapt to the potential impacts of climate changes, including, but not limited to the impact of drought, severe storms and flooding.

There are several other differences between the two drafts, with stronger language describing climate change in the advocacy groups version. But both drafts agree that the town faces increased risks to public health and safety as well as possible power loss and flooding.

Im hoping this is well-received and it seems like it is from the (Board of Selectmen), Fisher said of his proposal. I look forward to trying to work toward a vote for a good compromise in two weeks.

But some supporters of the advocacy group objected to Fishers draft, which they said came in too late for review. They called for transparency before the selectmen vote next month.

Having a new resolution brought up at the 11th hour at a meeting like this is patently unfair to the process and should not have happened, said Myra Klockenbrink, who has been working as a mentor to the students in the group.

Fisher should have brought up his version sooner, Klockenbrink said, since he took part in a meeting led by Harper last week to rewrite the resolution.

Julie DesChamps, founder of Waste Free Greenwich, said she was worried that the delays put Greenwich behind the curve in forming a climate action plan.

We need to act now for our health, economy and environment, DesChamps said. That starts with a strong resolution on climate change based on scientific consensus and fact. Yet the debate around this resolution is marred by hubris and climate change denial. Its a slap in the face to our youth who inherit these problems and are asking for climate action now.

Fisher rejected the claim that he was a climate change denier.

I believe climate has been changing for millions, thousands, hundreds of years, he said. The narrative out there that its all humans fault is really not justified. I think its also important not to conflate weather and climate. The events of last weeks (heat wave) was just weather. It was a weather event. Hurricanes are weather events.

Before theAug. 11 vote, Camillo said he wants the Board of Selectmen to go over both drafts in an executive session to match them up, see what we like and make this the strongest possible document.

Selectwoman Lauren Rabin said she wants the resolution linked to the towns 10-year Plan of Conservation and Development,.

I want to make sure we have a consistent way that were approaching things, Rabin said.

The resolutions language has been a sticking point since it was introduced in June. The initial resolution called for declaring a climate change emergency, drawing objections from several residents, including Camillo. Harper and others then rewrote the resolution.

kborsuk@greenwichtime.com
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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.

___

Follow APs climate coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/climate-and-environment
Erik Trautmann / Hearst Connecticut Media

NORWALK  A 60-year-old city man drowned at Calf Pasture Beach Sunday afternoon while attempting to rescue a woman who had fallen into the water, police said.

Mauricio Rodas-Garcia, of Norwalk, was pronounced dead after emergency crews responded shortly after 4:45 p.m. to the beach and transported him to Norwalk Hospital, according to Police Lt. Terrence Blake.
Xiaomi presented a Smart Glasses concept last year, and the prototype is already a reality, less than a year after the announcement.

The Mijia Glasses Camera are now up for pre-order at the companys in-house crowdfunding platform. The introductory price is CNY2,499 (about $370) and customers will receive a wearable thats 100 grams and has a custom Snapdragon 8-based chipset, as well as a dual camera setup with 5X optical zoom.



Xiaomi Mijia AR Glasses

The Snapdragon chip is assisted by 3GB RAM and 32GB storage, and apparently, there is an independent ISP. The display is a product of Sony and is a silicon-based OLED with a peak brightness of 3000 nits, 1800 nits to the eye, 3281 ppi density, and with TUV certification for blue light levels.

The dual camera has a 50MP main sensor with Quad Bayer pixel binning, while the secondary is an 8MP 5x telephoto periscope with OIS and can record up to 100 minutes of video non-stop.



Xiaomi Mijia AR Glasses

The battery capacity is 1,020 mAh and supports wireless charging at 10W. 30 minutes of charging can bring 80% from flat. Other specs and features include live translation on the screen and native support for Xiaomis AI assistant XiaoAI.

The product is following the classic crowdfunding recipe - gather pre-orders and then with the money accumulated it starts manufacturing the device. Once the company is ready for straightforward production, the device is said to cost CNY2,699 (around $400).

Source (in Chinese) | Via 1  Via 2 (in Chinese)
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is surrounded by war veterans in front of a monument celebrating the country's "victory" in the Korean War (1950-53) in Pyongyang, North Korea, on July 27, the 69th anniversary of the end of the war, in this photo released July 28 by the North's official Korean Central News Agency. Yonhap



Enough people may be immune, or many 'fever' cases could be unrelated, experts say



By Jung Min-ho



North Korea's official numbers of suspected COVID-19 cases and photos of the ruling elite in recent weeks suggest that it is clearly making progress against the coronavirus despite almost no vaccination efforts, according to experts Monday.



North Korea's number of new suspected COVID-19 cases remained at zero for the third consecutive day, according to the Korean Central News Agency, Pyongyang's official mouthpiece. On Monday, it reported that no additional fever cases had been confirmed over the previous 24 hours until 6 p.m. the previous day. The total number of such cases from late April stood at 4.77 million, of which 99.99 percent had recovered, it claimed. The number of deaths remains at 74 and its fatality rate is below 0.0016, far lower than South Korea's 0.12.



Given the two undeniable reports from the North  that fever cases spiked before falling and that leader Kim Jong-un recently appeared in the middle of a crowd of war veterans without masks  experts have laid out two scenarios: either that enough North Koreans are now immune to COVID-19, thanks partly to their stronger immune systems, or that most of the fever cases were not COVID-related in the first place.



"North Koreans may have a stronger active immunity, given that they are exposed to all sorts of infectious diseases," Choi Jung-hoon, a former infectious disease doctor from the North, told The Korea Times. "It is important to keep in mind that its official numbers should not be trusted. If it (herd immunity) was the case, this means that a lot more people died and suffered from COVID-19 in the process than the numbers claim  The progress has also been helped by its draconian measures, which would be politically impossible in democratic countries."



Citing his sources in North Korea, Choi said there was no significant vaccine campaign there. "There are people who have received vaccine shots, including those who must visit China for trade matters, but not a significant number of people," he added.



Choi is not alone in his belief that North Korea's unsanitary conditions may have saved many people from severe COVID-19 symptoms. Some research papers by Indian scientists, including "COVID 19 mortality: Probable role of microbiome to explain disparity," also argue that those living in low- and middle-income states may have been able to stave off severe forms of the infection due to exposure to various pathogens in their childhoods, which give them sturdier immune systems.





North Korean leader Kim Jong-un wearing a mask inspects a pharmacy in Pyongyang, North Korea, May 15, in this photo released May 16 by the official North Korean Central News Agency. Yonhap
August is here and Samsungs next-gen foldables are close behind. Fans in India can now pre-reserve a device over on Samsung.com and doing so will net them a discount at launch day.

For 2,000 you can grab a #Next Galaxy VIP pass, which will convert into a 5,000 discount when buying the upcoming Galaxy devices. Note that the pass is not tied to the Z foldables, you can also get it if you are planning to pick up one of the new Galaxy Watch5 models or the new Galaxy Buds2 Pro.

Of course, none of these have been made official yet. However, with this pre-reservation you will have access to Samsung Live (real-time Q&A sessions), product demos and more, including gifts and freebies. You can also join the Smart Club for additional benefits.

The Galaxy Unpacked event is scheduled for August 10 (Wednesday next week, starts at 6:30 PM in India) and we expect the pre-orders to start as soon as possible.

Head over to Samsung.com if youre interested in the pre-resrvation perks.

By the way, there is a similar deal in the US where you can get up to $200 Samsung Credit if you reserve a Galaxy Z foldable, Watch5 and buds early (you can also pick just one or two for a smaller discount).

Via
Former Philippine President Fidel Valdez Ramos, a U.S.-trained ex-general who saw action in the Korean and Vietnam wars and played a key role in a 1986 pro-democracy uprising that ousted a dictator, has died
A man who murdered his wifes divorce attorney on the steps of her Hagatna law office in 1995 has been killed at the Department of Corrections.

The man arrested in connection with his killing is serving a five-year sentence for stabbing a child.

Cesar Dizon, a 69-year-old inmate serving a life sentence with a possibility of parole, was found injured at the Department of Corrections minimum security unit at 6:53 p.m. Sunday, according to a news release from Maj. Antone F. Aguon.

Dizon was taken by ambulance to Naval Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 8:06 p.m., Aguon said.

The case was turned over to Guam Police Department, where Criminal Investigation Detectives were activated and assumed the investigation.

MB Koto, whose name is also spelled Kotto in court documents, was arrested in connection with aggravated murder, aggravated assault, assault, use of a deadly weapon in the commission of a felony and promoting prison contraband, police spokeswoman Officer Berlyn Savella said.

Rubinstein murder

In 1998, Dizon pleaded guilty to the August 1995 murder of his ex-wifes attorney Jan Rubinstein. He was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole. All of his requests for parole have been denied.

Rubinstein, a mother of three and an activist in the fight against spousal abuse, was 35.

After losing a bitter divorce case on Aug. 23, 1995, Dizon followed Rubinstein to the Howard Trapp Law Office in Hagatna, where she worked. Rubinstein had represented Dizons wife in court, and then-Judge Benjamin J. Cruz had granted the divorce at 4 p.m. that day.

At 4:30 p.m., as Rubinstein stood on an outdoor stairway leading to the office, Dizon shot her in the back of her head. She died from the wound on Aug. 26, 1995.

Guilty of assault

In 2017, Koto was charged with attempted murder, aggravated assault, assault and family violence. Koto got into a fight with a woman and was chasing her when a girl intervened and Koto punched the girl. When the girls 11-year-old cousin tried to help defend her, Koto pulled out a knife and stabbed the 11-year-old boy in the neck, court documents stated.

In March 2019, Koto was found guilty of aggravated assault, assault and a special allegation of possession and use of a deadly weapon in the commission of a felony. He was sentenced to five years in prison.
The final batch of high school seniors from Guams public high schools graduated Monday morning, officially closing out the 2021-2022 academic school year.

The 175 seniors participated in the Rainbow graduation ceremony to receive their high school diplomas at the Okkodo High School gym.

To the parents, friends, relatives that are here, this is a very momentous occasion for all of them. I was trying to read the caps on one of them and I saw never too late ... it is never too late, said Francis Santos, acting superintendent of the Guam Department of Education.

Mondays ceremony celebrated the high school seniors who officially completed their credit requirements for graduation over the summer.

Lanz Naputi, graduate of Southern high school, shared some of the challenges he faced before graduation, including, Staying on task, trying not to get off track, and trying to keep up with my credits, along with not getting side tracked from working, said the junior ROTC participant who plans to join the Marines.

Shaneen Taga, a Rainbow graduate of Tiyan High, said she is planning on pursuing a career in culinary arts, shared a few words to those who are still trying to get their high school diploma.

Just do your best and in the end, its worth it, like today. I am super excited to be here, said Taga.

Taga shared how rewarding it was, despite the difficulties, to follow through and complete her credits.

I honestly didnt think I would be here; I was thinking about giving up, added Taga.

Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero attended Mondays ceremony and shared with the graduates: You have an inner strength to use your resources ... You have made the commitment to finish your high school graduation so you can move on to your career and your lives ahead of you.

The ceremony consisted of graduates from the following schools: George Washington High, 47 graduates; J.P. Torres Success Academy, three graduates; John F. Kennedy High, 26 graduates; Okkodo High, 20 graduates; Simon Sanchez High, 29 graduates; Southern High, 25 graduates; and Tiyan High, 25 graduates.
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National Assembly Speaker Kim Jin-pyo / Yonhap



National Assembly Speaker Kim Jin-pyo will meet with U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi later this week to discuss regional security, economic cooperation and other pending issues, his office said Monday.



After the meeting set for Thursday morning, the two speakers will hold a joint press conference before having lunch together, Kim's office said.










Haiti - FLASH : Registrations for the UEH admission contest, dates of the contests of the entities (2022-2023)





The State University of Haiti (UEH) informs that registrations for the UEH admission contest will be held from August 1st to 26, 2022. Applicants can register in a maximum of 3 entities.



I: REGISTRATION CONDITIONS:

Not already be a student at UEH

Having its baccalaureate card or secondary school leaving certificate

Pay the registration fee of 800 gourdes per entity

Hold your Tax Identification Number (NIF) issued by the DGI



II: REGISTRATION STEPS:

First pay the registration fee of 800 Gourdes per entity at any SOGEBANK branch in the name of the account: UEH/DEMANDE D'ADMISSION, number: 706054558

Fill out the online form: www.admission.ueh.edu.ht You must enter the payment slip number when registering online

Choose the entities (3 maximum)

Print the registration form

Go to the chosen entities between 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. to collect the exam room access card



Important:Any registration made with the Unique Identification Number (NIU) will be automatically rejected. Only the NIF of the DGI is accepted.



III: DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR VALIDATION IN THE ENTITIES:

2 recent identical photos (6 months) in passport format (Write on the back of each photo: surname, first name, telephone and NIF).

Registration form

Tax identification number

ID

Deposit form made at SOGEBANK for each entity chosen



IV: DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FROM ADMITTED FOR REGISTRATION:



Only applicants who have passed the admission exam are authorized to submit the following documents to the entity selected to attend the courses.



Birth certificate or extract from the National Archives

2 recent identical photos (6 months) in passport format (Write on the back of each photo: surname, first name, telephone and NIF).

Tax identification number

ID

Certificate of completion of secondary studies or document justifying success in the baccalaureate



ADMISSION CONTEST DATES:



September 1st, 2022:

Institute of African Studies and Research of Haiti (IERAH/ISSERS)



September 4th, 2022:

Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy (FMP)



September 6, 2022:

Faculty of Dentistry (FO)



September 11, 2022:

Faculty of Human Sciences (FASCH)



September 12, 13 and 14, 2022:

Campus Henry Christophe de Limonade (CHCL)



September 18, 2022:

Faculty of Applied Linguistics (FLA)



September 25, 2022:

Higher Normal School (ENS)



September 25, 2022:

Jacmel Law School (EDJ)



October 1, 2022:

Faculty of Ethnology (FE)



October 2, 2022:

National Institute of Administration, Management and Advanced International Studies (INAGHEI)



October 2, 2022:

Law School of Port-de-Paix (EDEPP)



October 7, 2022:

Faculty of Agronomy and Veterinary Medicine (FAMV)



October 9, 2022:

Faculty of Law and Economics (FDSE)



October 9, 2022:

Faculty of Law, Economics and Management of Cap-Haitien (FDSEG-CAP)



October 9, 2022:

Fort Liberte Law School (EDSEFL)



October 10 and 11, 2022:

Hinche Law School (EDSEH)



- There will be no refund of registration fees.



- There will be no consideration for: lateness, violation of admission requirements and/or registration steps. payment made in another bank or on another account.



LIST OF ENTITIES :



Faculty of Human Sciences (FASCH)

Ave. Christophe, Impasse le Hazard, Port-au-Prince



Faculty of Ethnology (FE)

No.10 Avenue Magloire Ambroise, Port-au-Prince



Faculty of Law and Economics (FDSE)

103 Oswald Durand Street, Port-au-Prince



Faculty of Applied Linguistics (FLA)

38 Dufort Street, Port-au-Prince



Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy (FMP)

89 Rue Oswald Durand, Port-au-Prince



Institute of African Studies and Research (IERAH)

92, corner of rue Lafleur Ducheine and rue ove.Christophe, Port-au-Prince



National Institute of Administration, Management and Advanced International Studies (INAGHEI)

135, Avenue Christophe, Port-au-Prince



Faculty of Dentistry (FO)

87, rue Oswald DURAND



Campus Henry Christophe de Limonade (CHCL)

Rte. National No. 6, lemonade



Hinche Law School (EDSEH)

Rue Simon Sylvestre, Creole Village, Hinche



Fort Liberte Law School (EDSEFL)

Rue du Quai, Fort-Liberte



Law School of Port-de-Paix (EDEPP)

33 Benito Sylvain Street, Port-de-Paix



Jacmel Law School (EDJ)

Route du Cimetiere, Habitation Wolf, Jacmel



Faculty of Law, Economics and Management of Cap-Haitien (FDSEG-CAP)

22 Rue JK, Cap-Haitien



FOR INFORMATION:

Email: admission@ueh.edu.ht

Phone :41039827; 44945108; 22622000 (Ex: 1205 / 1220)

RECTORATE OF THE UEH: 21. Rue Riviere. Port au Prince

UEH website: www.ueh.edu.ht



Online registration: www.admission.ueh.edu.ht



HL/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - Textile Subcontracting : S&H Global, will cut 4,000 jobs





Odney Pierre Ricot, the Minister of Social Affairs and Labour, accompanied by Dithny J. Raton, the special labor mediator for the clothing industry, Me Guerline Jean-Louis Labor Director, Pierre-Michel Joassaint Executive Director of the Technical Execution Unit (UTE) and Jean-Charles Amstrong Director of the Caracol Industrial Park (PIC), met on July 28, 2022, the managers of the Haitian subsidiary S&H Global of the South Korean textile group Sae-A, installed in the Park since 2012 and which employs 10,000 workers.



The discussions focused on the decision of the South Korean company to reduce its workforce by 4,000 workers (40%) by next October (announced about 2 weeks ago https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-37151-haiti-subcontracting-loss-of-4-000-jobs-by-the-end-of-the-year.html ) or 8% of some 50,000 estimated workers in the sub- current treatment in Haiti



During the discussions, the leaders of S&H Global justified this decision by the 45% drop in orders from their American retail customers (in particular the Gap, Target and Walmart brands) due to the current global economic crisis...



Minister Ricot expressed his concerns about this decision which, according to him, will have serious consequences on the daily lives of the workers concerned and their families. He also asked S&H Global officials to strictly respect the rights of workers in the context of this reduction in the workforce.



For her part, Me Guerline Jean-Louis encouraged the company's leaders to continue the dialogue with the unions and to communicate regularly with the authorities of the Park and the UTE to guarantee transparency throughout the process.



Se alos :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-37151-haiti-subcontracting-loss-of-4-000-jobs-by-the-end-of-the-year.html



HL/ HaitiLibre


















South Korea's Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup / Yonhap



South Korea's Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup noted the need Monday for the "normalization" of an intelligence-sharing pact with Japan, as Seoul seeks tighter security cooperation with Washington and Tokyo amid evolving North Korean military threats.



During a parliamentary session, Lee responded to an opposition lawmaker's question on the General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA), thought to be underutilized amid the two countries' prolonged rows over wartime history and trade.



"(I) believe that the normalization of the GSOMIA is needed," he said. "We will do that under a comprehensive review to see if we need to proceed with that immediately in a hurry or from a larger perspective of the South Korea-Japan relations."



Regarding the argument that the GSOMIA normalization should wait until Japan lifts its export curbs on industrial materials crucial to the South's tech sectors, Lee pointed out the move toward the normalization would help serve the country's national interests.



The fate of the GSOMIA was thrust into doubt in August 2019 when Seoul decided to end the pact in protest at Tokyo's unilateral export curbs seen as an apparent retaliation for the 2018 Supreme Court ruling ordering Japanese firms to compensate victims of wartime forced labor.



But in November that year, however, Seoul suspended the decision, on a conditional basis, to terminate the GSOMIA and indefinitely put off its expiration amid speculation that Washington made behind-the-scene efforts to salvage the pact seen as a tool to facilitate trilateral security collaboration with its Asian allies.



Asked to comment on the current status of the North's nuclear weapons capabilities, Lee said the reclusive regime appears to be at a point where it is making efforts for their operational deployment.



He added it would be fair to say the North has made "considerable" progress in securing the atmospheric reentry technology for an intercontinental ballistic missile.



The minister was also pelted with questions regarding a South Korean fisheries official killed at sea by the North in 2020 and the forced repatriation of two North Korean fishermen in 2019.



He said the then Seoul government had gleaned "special intelligence (SI)" related to the two cases through its own military assets rather than the combined assets of the South and the United States.



SI refers to intelligence gathered through various means, such as the interception of communication signals. (Yonhap)




ST HILDAS COLLEGE in Oxford is hosting its crime fiction weekend later this month and on Saturday, the PD James dinner will feature a whodunnit written by author and Henley Standard reviewer, Philip Gooden.

This years event, which has been an annual fixture in crime novelists calendars since 1994 and went online during the coronavirus pandemic, will be a hybrid one.

In-person registration allows access to every lecture and event on the premises with a chance to revisit talks online for one month afterwards, while options include one-day and digital-only passes.

Overnight accommodation is available for weekend visitors.

Bestselling and respected crime writers will be gathering together at the college, to talk about all the writers and novels that have influenced their own works. With a theme this year of Town and country: Green lanes to mean streets, subjects covered include American Gothic settings, Australian landscapes and a tribute to writer Mo Hayder, who died last year.

The talks and discussions feature authors Mick Herron, Jake Kerridge, Elly Griffiths, Nadine Matheson, Imran Mahmood, Beth Lewis, Greg Buchanan, Leye Adenle, Abir Mukherjee, S.A. Cosby, Anna Bailey, Anthony J Quinn, Trevor Wood, Ann Cleeves, Peter May and William Shaw.

The proceeds from Saturdays PD James dinner will go to support the work of the English School and students at the college, kindly endowed by the late author, who was an Honorary Fellow.

There will prizes awarded to best digital and in-the-room solvers clever enough to correctly work out whodunnit in Philip Goodens specially commissioned interactive murder mystery, Murder in Green.

When mercurial property developer Jack van Dal is murdered in his McMansion overlooking the River Isis, Inspector Andy Beech has four people on his radar. Who plunged a screwdriver into van Dals heart  his eco-warrior ex-wife; his stepson, an army veteran in line to inherit whats left; a portrait artist he fiercely criticised; or a local restaurateur who needed his investment money?

The play stars Abir Mukherjee as Inspector Andy Beech, Elly Griffiths as Jacks ex-wife, Jake Kerridge as the stepson, Mick Herron as the portrait artist and Nadine Matheson as the restaurateur.

St Hildas crime fiction weekend, Town and country: Green lanes to mean streets runs from Friday, August 12 to Sunday, August 14 in the setting of St Hildas College, Oxford.

For more information, visit www.st-hildas.ox.ac.uk/

content/2022-st-hilda%E2%

80%99s-college-crime-fiction-weekend-0
ITS the Twenties. Some people will do anything, up to and including murder, to become celebrities. Sex and scandal make headlines. But being notorious isnt easy.

Just to be clear, this is the 1920s and the setting is Chicago in the era of prohibition, illicit nightspots, Al Capone and all that jazz.

The welcome revival of Chicago the musical now at the New Theatre in Oxford shows us that justice might be a branch of showbiz, that celebrity has always been a bit of a drug, and that media manipulation is nothing new.

When Roxie Hart (Faye Brookes) shoots her lover shes carted off to Cook County Jail. Facing the noose, she persuades her gullible husband to scrimp together the $5,000 necessary to hire hotshot lawyer Billy Flynn (Lee Mead). But the jail already contains another queen bee in the shape of Velma Kelly (Djalenga Scott) who violently disposed of her husband and sister after finding them in bed together.

In fact, the jail is full of women who have got rid of their other halves because they had it coming in the words of Cell Block Tango.

Rivalry springs up between Roxie and Velma as they fight for the spotlight and the bigger headlines, under the calculating eye of the cell block mama (played by Sinitta). The glamorous and unrepentant murderesses might almost be sisters, never forgetting that Velma has already killed hers.

Chicago is a thoroughly cynical musical and all the more enjoyable for it.

Perhaps the only moment of pathos in the evening is when Roxies schmuck of a husband Amos (Jamie Baughan) sings the number Mr Cellophane. He gets a big round of applause. And the only moment of real seriousness is when one of the Cook County inmates is actually hanged for murder, something which jolts Roxie into facing reality.

Otherwise, this is an evening which is sassy, stomping and slinky, performed with verve and style by a talented cast who gave it their all.

And be reassured: its hot outside and hot in every sense on stage but the theatre is comfortably air-conditioned.




Korea is considering whether to petition an international court over Japan's decision to discharge radioactive water from its crippled Fukushima nuclear power plant into the sea, the oceans minister said Monday.







Last month, Japan's nuclear regulator, the Nuclear Regulation Authority, formally approved the plan to discharge the radioactive waste water stored in tanks at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant into the Pacific Ocean. More than 1.2 million tons of tritium-laced water is expected to be released.







During a parliamentary committee session Monday, Oceans Minister Cho Seung-hwan said that the government-wide task force on the Fukushima plan has reviewed "multiple times" whether to take the issue to the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS).







Korea has urged Japan to have in-depth discussions with neighboring countries before pushing ahead with the plan, and has been working to garner international support for alternatives.







"The government, primarily, is making constant efforts to prevent Japan from releasing the contaminated water," Cho said. "The government has raised the issue during multilateral meetings, stressing scientific and objective analysis verifications."







Some lawmakers and civic groups have criticized the Seoul government for not doing enough to prevent the plan.







"We do not accept the release plan. Our stance is that we also need to think of responses (to its actual release)," Cho added.







Last year, then-President Moon Jae-in ordered officials to explore referring Japan's Fukushima plan to the international court, including filing for an injunction.







In August 2021, the Seoul government submitted a document to the London Protocol secretariat that suggests the formation of a task force in charge of the Fukushima issue, though Japan has insisted that the matter is not subject to discussions under the Protocol.







The London Protocol calls for banning dumping, with some exceptions. It has 53 signatories, including Korea which joined it in 2009. (Yonhap)










A disability advocacy group resumed its rush-hour subway protest campaign Monday calling for a state budget for enhancing disability rights, leaving early morning trains on Subway Line 5 delayed by nearly an hour.







Demanding a budget for disability rights, including the right to free movement, dozens of wheelchair-bound activists of the Solidarity Against Disability Discrimination (SADD), divided into three groups, boarded or transferred en masse to trains at the Gwanghwamun subway station during the peak morning rush hour at 8 a.m.







SADD had been staging rush-hour subway protests on and off since late last year before temporarily suspending them on July 4, demanding Finance Minister Choo Kyung-ho come up with a clear stance on their calls for the disability budget.







The subway-delaying protests will be staged again during the morning rush hour every Monday if their demand is not answered, SADD warned.







The resumed protest on Monday had delayed trains going both directions on Subway Line 5 by about an hour before the civic group ended the campaign about two hours later.







No physical conflicts were reported between the activists and police officers at the station, although police blared out warnings against illegal protests through speakers.







"Finance Minister Choo Kyung-ho made a resolution for tax cuts for the rich but passed the task of securing a budget for disability rights on to different government ministries," an official of SADD said in a press conference in front of the National Assembly following the subway campaign. (Yonhap)






President Yoon Suk-yeol answers reporters' questions during an interview on his way to the presidential office in Yongsan District, Seoul, July 26. Korea Times file



By Nam Hyun-woo



Despite the pros and cons, President Yoon Suk-yeol has been carrying out impromptu interviews with the press on a daily basis to publicize his views on the latest issues he is asked about. However, he seems to have forgotten the original reason behind the practice as a means of communicating with the public, as Yoon has begun to pick and choose the questions that he wants to answer.



According to the presidential office, Yoon will go on holiday until Friday and reflect on his ideas for state affairs. He will be staying in Seoul during his summer vacation.



As the president will take one week off, his morning ritual of answering reporters' questions at the entrance of his apartment building will not take place during the period. The earliest possible day to resume the Q&A sessions will be Aug. 8.



The last time he took questions from reporters was July 26, when he slammed the protests by high-ranking police officials around the nation against his administration's plan to set up a supervisory bureau over the police under the interior ministry, calling their collective action "a serious breach of discipline."



On the afternoon of July 26, a photograph of Telegram messages between Yoon and the ruling People Power Party's (PPP) acting Chairman Kweon Seong-dong was released, in which Yoon described PPP Chairman Lee Jun-seok as a troublemaker "pointing guns inwards at us."



With Kweon and other members of the party's leadership resigning in the aftermath of the text messages, Yoon, who had been the one who sent those messages to Kweon, did not appear for the morning Q&A sessions on July 27 and 28 because he was attending events outside the presidential office.



On July 27, reporters were waiting in the lobby of the presidential office to ask Yoon questions there, when he returned to the office after an outside event. However, officials from the public relations office dispersed the reporters, claiming they were "mean," "not keeping to the rules we agreed to," and "crossing the line."



After dispersing the reporters, Choi Young-bum, the senior presidential secretary for public relations, held a news conference to blame reporters' "ambushing being inappropriate," saying they were "not keeping to the rules of doorstepping." During the conference, Yoon went straight into his office, snubbing the questions of some of the remaining reporters.



On July 29, Yoon was supposed to come to the office in the morning, because he was scheduled to receive a briefing from the education minister. However, the presidential office abruptly changed the schedule and Yoon started his day by visiting the Government Complex Seoul in Gwanghwamun to preside over a meeting on the COVID-19 response, which triggered suspicions that Yoon was avoiding being doorstepped by reporters.





Ruling People Power Party's former acting Chairman Kweon Seong-dong sends a Telegram message to President Yoon Suk-yeol during a National Assembly interpellation session on July 26. The messages sent from Yoon read, "Our party (the PPP) is doing well," and, "The party has changed after replacing the chairman who was pointing guns inwards at us." Joint Press Corps
Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP) has been associated with the Uniform System of Accounts for the Lodging Industry (USALI) since the association was established in 1952. In recent editions, HFTP has provided expertise support and funding for its publication without reimbursement. Widely used across the globe as the standard for hospitality financial and operational reporting, the successive revisions to the USALI have consistently been a collaborative process between representative industry organizations, ensuring the information presented best represents current reporting standards and industry practices.

After definitively purchasing the rights to the USALI, HFTP began in 2019 the process to revise the current 11th edition. To start, the association established with AHLA the Global Finance Committee (GFC), comprised of financial leaders representing both groups from the largest U.S. and international hotel brands, operators and owners. This new committee was a change from the previous revision process, which was overseen by the AHLA Educational Institute. However, after AHLA EI assets were sold to the National Restaurant Association, including its hospitality certification programs, the idea was for the GFC to independently govern/oversee the content and future revisions of the USALI.

While both organizations initially aimed to work together on numerous projects, including the USALI, it became apparent that their business practices are too diverse. This includes AHLA's ambition to become the one voice for the entire hospitality industry in the United States. From the perspective of AHLA in initial talks between the two groups, this could only be achieved by a merger of the associations. HFTP declined the offer to merge, and subsequently the co-chairs of the GFC, who represent AHLA, held a vote to halt all work on the 12th edition until an agreement could be made between AHLA and HFTP. Due to the disparate interests and business models of HFTP and AHLA, HFTP has determined the best path forward to complete the 12th edition is to do so on its own.

All current members of the GFC will be invited to continue the project which will be finalized by the end of the year. It is expected that there will be some vacancies on HFTPs USALI committee which will maintain a balance of hotel owners, operators and consultants. Industry experts interested in applying for a vacancy should contact Millicent Athanos, HFTPs Staff Vice President  Administration & USALI at [email protected].

Furthermore, AHLAs intent to become a competitor in the event space spurred a change in the associations relationship. This was evident with the recent announcement of a new, competing AHLA / Questex event, scheduled over the same days as the 2023 Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition and Conference (HITEC).

HFTP wishes AHLA and their for-profit partner the best of luck in the new endeavor, said Frank Wolfe, CAE, CEO of HFTP. Competition always makes everyone in the comp set raise the bar a bit and HITEC has had plenty of competition over the years. The unfortunate issue for the industry is that the impact on the suppliers and HITEC allies such as AAHOA, CHTA, HSMAI and IHITA was not taken into consideration before duplicating the HITEC dates, published well in advance. Decisions like this really create a hardship for the industry, especially the suppliers without whom we would not survive.

HITEC North America, established in 1972, is the oldest and largest hospitality technology conference in the world. The upcoming HITEC will be held at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada on June 2629, 2023. For more information, www.hitec.org.

About HFTP

Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP), established in 1952, is a hospitality nonprofit association headquartered in Austin, Texas USA with offices in United Kingdom, Netherlands and Dubai. HFTP is recognized as the spokes group for the finance and technology segments of the hospitality industry with an international network of members and stakeholders. HFTP uniquely understands the industry's pressing issues, and assists its stakeholders in finding solutions to their challenges more efficiently than any organization. HFTP offers expert networks, educational resources, career development programs, research, leadership opportunities and conferences and events. For more information about HFTP, visit www.hftp.org. For the latest news, visit the HFTP News page at news.hftp.org and the HFTP Connect blog at blog.hftp.org.

Millicent Athanos

Staff Vice President, Administration & USALI

+1 512 220 6449

HFTP
Many of us have hardly left our country of residence, if at all, in the past 2-3 years. This year, the headwinds have changed, consumers are craving to finally get away and the statistics are starting to reflect a strong determination to do so. To decompress from the past few years, a far-flung location is on the wishlist for many, but whilst the virus seems to have become all but a distant memory, the subsequent challenges it has brought are all very real and ongoing with regards to our summer vacation 2022.

The hospitality and leisure industry is set to flourish this summer, with bookings on the rise according to Skift. There has been a consumer shift in 2022 with shoppers putting their $s back into services and less so into goods, with airlines, hotels, bars and restaurants all reporting strong demand, according to recent reports on an influx of booking rates observed by travel booking sites. So, what are you waiting for? Grab your passport and your sunhat - its time to take off with caution!

Tourism is bouncing back, can the travel industry cope?

Identifying bottlenecks

Demand is currently outstripping the capacity of the hospitality and tourism industry in the last few weeks and months. Multiple issues have culminated into a perfect storm for travel chaos this summer, with many travelers experiencing queues snaking out of the airport doors, lost baggage and flight cancellation. One TUI co-pilot was hailed a "hero" after loading passengers baggage onto the plane himself due to airport staff shortages, in this viral video.

As governments around the world are almost unanimous in adopting a "living with Covid" strategy, and mostly all have dropped the requirements for vaccination to enter, we find ourselves in a new phase of the saga whereby the past years events are now shaping the rocky present and future of the hospitality and travel industry. The macro-environment is fragile due to a sharp surge in demand, labour shortages, supply chain issues and soaring overheads. In short, the outlook is turbulent to say the least.

The big question for us holiday-goers is, how does all of this really affect our vacations in 2022?

The labor shortage - patience is a virtue

The number of people employed in the hospitality industry in 2022 is just 1% below pre-pandemic levels and 21.5% up on 2020, currently standing at 330 million worldwide. However, due to pent up demand, a surge in tourism has meant that there are many more vacant roles that the hospitality labor supply simply cant fill. Travelers can expect chaos from long queues at airport check-in, delays and a higher chance of lost baggage, to understaffed hotels and restaurants taking longer to meet your needs. Whilst hospitality staff are trained professionals in offering service excellence, the ongoing labor shortage means you should expect slightly lower levels of customer experience and to approach the overstretched staff with friendliness and patience.

Supply chain issues - be curious, go local

Global logistics company, DHL, recently wrote, The long tail of the pandemic has continued to create problems for the logistics industry too, exacerbating supply chain stress points across many sectors. What does this mean for you? Hotels, restaurants and bars may not be receiving certain perishable goods, so you might not be able to have your favorite whisky. The best way to avoid disappointment: enjoy some local delicacies!

Prices going up - dont expect much bang for your buck

Its hard not to have noticed that the cost of living has gone up in recent months, from the fuel we put in our cars, our food shop, to our energy bills. Travel and tourism will not escape these rises. Travel metasearch site Kayak has reported 17% increases in flights this year compared to the same period in 2019, citing jet fuel as the primary cause. So, travelers can expect everything from a flight to a double scoop of pistachio gelato to noticeably go up in price.

Summer travel trends 2022

According to a new report by Skyscanner in 2019, 35 percent of travelers were planning and booking trips further in advance. The average back then was at least 90 days or more before departure. While the amount of these trips have decreased in volume, the 30-59 day and 60-89 day segments for booking horizons have increased significantly, at a 24 percent and 38 percent increase.

Source: EHL

1. Rest & relaxation - the wellness vacation

Rest, relaxation and wellness seem to be high on the agenda for holiday makers this year. Skyscanner claims: "Ultimate relaxation is the most popular trip type, with over 40% of travelers dreaming of a getaway to ease their mind, body and soul". The past few years of the pandemic have taken its toll on our mental and physical health, but it has also given people space and time to reflect and listen to their bodies. Now we can finally go away again, we will use our vacation time more wisely to focus on recharging our bodies in order to be ready and healthy in our regular lives.

2. Multi-generational family vacations

According to travel site Black Tomato, this summer were putting right the necessary wrong of spending so little time with family members since the pandemic took hold. Big cross generational family get-togethers are on the agenda for many, as the perfect antidote from the solitude many people have coped with over the past few years. What better than a reunification in an exotic land full of new experiences to bond over?

3. Adventure vacation into the unknown

Intrepid travel is seeing a huge rise in demand this year as travelers seek fast paced, adrenaline-filled trips that put them in an environment totally opposite to your everyday life. This is echoed by the Skyscanner report which found that the length of trips is evolving this year - of the 48 percent of respondents who said they would spend more in 2022, they said that this spend increase will be going towards longer trips.

For travelers, this pursuit of the "opposite" is ultimately about newness, a taste of the unknown. And after months of diminished horizons, theyre facing it with newfound confidence and incomparable elan. Theres boldness here with travelers whove been digging deep, seeking sights and experiences that theyve long dreamt of and have finally put them into action. "Every trip has been a literal breath of fresh air, said Tom Marchant, Black Tomato co-founder.

4. The solo trip

In 2022, its time to indulge in self care. A solo trip allows for selfish choices, zero compromise and a bit of luxury. Whether its a city break or a trip into the wilderness, solo travel of all kinds is booming. The past few years has allowed people to take stock of their lives and invest in their personal development. This trend rings true with the Skyscanner report which found that 86 percent of survey respondents said that they plan to spend at least the same on international travel than in 2019, with half of that number saying they will spend more on travel in 2022.

5. The workation

The pandemic caused an acceleration of remote working, allowing workers to reap the benefits of fitting travel around their work schedule - dubbed the "Workation". According to an ONS survey of UK workers in 2022, the hybrid working pattern looks set to stay as more than 8 in 10 workers who had to work from home during the coronavirus pandemic said they planned to continue hybrid working, whilst one in seven adults work exclusively remotely. An Airbnb survey showed those who are able to work remotely are booking longer trips of 2+ weeks to make the most of cheaper rates for longer stays and access to natural surroundings whilst taking minimal annual leave. Hotels are also adapting their offering to meet demand with rooms and shared spaces designed around remote working and special workation deals.

4 tips to avoid holiday disappointment this summer

Book through as few companies as possible. When booking a vacation, package holidays are a good idea this year. This is especially important if booking tours and excursions: try to book as much as possible through one single operator. The fewer stakeholders involved in your trip, the more ownership they have over the entire vacation and the knock-on impact one cancellation could have on other elements of the trip. Therefore in the case your trip is disrupted or cancelled, youll be more likely to be offered a refund or alternative dates. Book at the last minute. With last minute cancellations rife, if you can hold your nerve and be flexible with your plans, waiting for a last minute package deal could mean that the trip is going ahead without any unexpected surprises. Now is the time for spontaneity! Read the fine print in your travel insurance deal. Insurance price comparison website Compare the Market said that all the travel insurance policies listed on their website are likely to cover claims related to COVID-19 for emergency medical and repatriation costs. However, be aware that not all policies on Compare the Market cover non-medical issues, such as flight or hotel cancellations. Always book with a credit card for double protection. Arrive earlier than usual at the airport. Due to airport staff shortages, travelers are experiencing longer queues for check-in, bag drop and security. This has resulted in some people missing their flights even though they were at the airport with plenty of time. To ensure you make it to your gate in time, build in an extra hour on top of the recommended amount of time to arrive pre-flight.

Saying yes to travel!

If youre lucky enough to be able to take a vacation this year - savour it! It may not be exactly what youre used to, but no doubt you will have a newfound appreciation for travel and the hospitality staff who enable us to have these transversal experiences. It seems that the common thread of travel trends this summer is one of travel being a deep human desire, a birthright of sorts - something that this year we are resolute not to forego for anything.

The moral of the story for those traveling in summer 2022? You will travel differently this year, thats for sure. 72 percent of us are going to say yes to travel this year (budget allowing, of course), and 61 percent of us will admit to being more open to various types of holidays, whether its a party mini break with friends or a solo yoga retreat. Whether you go to Taiwan, Brazil or the Dominican Republic, this is the year to just say "yes!"

Ecole hoteliere de Lausanne

Communications Department

+41 21 785 1354

EHL

View source
A Houston man is suing FedEx, his former employer, alleging the company subjected him to a hostile and discriminatory work environment full of slurs, insults, jokes and other offensive comments because of his religion, race and national origin.

Jake Parker worked as a senior vehicle technician at a FedEx shipping center in north Houston station for roughly five years, according to the lawsuit. Parker says he was wrongfully terminated after reporting multiple instances of harassment and discrimination from his coworkers and even his supervisor because of his religion.

Parker identifies himself to be of Russian Jewish descent and said he and his wife, who is Indian and Pakistani, are practicing Muslims, according to the lawsuit.

The lawsuit details slurs, insults and "offensive" jokes that were hurled at Parker, including implications that he and his family were terrorists.

Parker alleges one coworker called him a "Jew" and said he should have been "gassed with all of his people." Parker also said the same coworker pointed a scanner with a red laser on it at his head, yelling a religious slur aimed at people of the Muslim faith and allegedly asked Parker if he and his wife played "cowboy and Indians."

On HoustonChronicle.com: DOJ investigating city of Houston for alleged discrimination in response to illegal dumping 311 calls

After learning Parker's wife was Indian, the lawsuit says his supervisor allegedly told employees they needed to get rid of him before Parker could report him for hostile and offensive comments, such as the belief that "Indian people smell bad and do not shower."

Parker also alleged that when he brought in Indian food to work for lunch, his supervisor would complain that it smelled bad, according to the lawsuit.

Parker says the company first ignored his complaints in January 2021 when he pointed out that a coworker had been improperly stacking tires. The confrontation then became "physically aggressive," Parker said, requiring other employees to restrain him after he allegedly threatened to fight Parker twice.

Although Parker and other witnessing employees reported it, his supervisor said their statements were not needed, according to the suit.

RELATED: Houston LGBTQ couple was discriminated against while planning their wedding. So they started their own event planning business.

Rather than address his concerns, Parker alleges FedEx's investigation was "biased and incomplete." He went on to say the company did not take any action to prevent the countless "harassing, inappropriate and offensive comments" that followed after the confrontation, despite reporting it multiple times to management.

Parker alleges the company instead retaliated against him for his complaints by firing him, but allegedly did not discipline or or terminate his coworker, who is Christian.

In a statement to the Chronicle addressing the allegations, a spokesperson for Fed Ex Corp said, "FedEx does not tolerate discrimination. We will defend the lawsuit."
LeToya Luckett seems to be living life her way, and having a lot of fun, with her new YouTube series, Leave it to LeToya."

The former Destinys Child star and "Greenleaf" actress is back in Houston, recently divorced, with her two young children, and she's sharing her life and her love for Houston with fans. Her YouTube show launched earlier this summer and has more than 100,000 followers.
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The Battleship Texas is slated to leave the San Jacinto Battleground Historic Site this month for dry-dock repairs in Galveston.

The Battleship Texas Foundation and its partners, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and Texas Historical Commission, announced that the vessel is will be towed around the middle of the month from its La Porte home to the Gulf Copper & Manufacturing Corp.s Galveston shipyard for major repairs.

The ship, which has been docked at the San Jacinto Battleground Historic Site since 1947, will go to a new home at a yet-undetermined location once repairs are completed.

Crews began preparing for the move last week by installing pumps to limit water intake from any potential leaks, according to a press release from the foundation.

While the move is expected to occur in the coming weeks, the date pends on factors including weather and progress of final preparations at the Galveston shipyard, according to Bruce Bramlett, the foundations executive director.

(The shipyard) is finishing up work on the dock, and we need the weather and the currents to be right because theres a lot that goes into (this move), he said. When they say theyre ready, were going.

In May, more than 20,000 cubic yards of mud was removed from ships stern to make for a smoother journey when the ship is towed across the Houston Ship Channel.

More Information For more on the Battleship Texas: https://bit.ly/3Je5MJE See More Collapse

The last surviving battleship to participate in both world wars, the Texas played a crucial role in Allied attacks at Normandy, Iwo Jima, Okinawa and in North Africa in World War II. It was the first battleship to launch an airplane off the deck.

Designated as U.S. National Historic Landmark, the ship was one of the first museum ships and has been the focus of ongoing preservation efforts throughout its stay in La Porte.

There are so many people who have fond memories, and it may not anything to do with World War II or service, but that ship is a special place in so many peoples memory, historian Abbie Grubb said in 2019 following the official announcement that the ship would be moved from the La Porte location.

For the foundation, the move to Galveston is part of a long-term fix for the vessel, said Bramlett.

In 2021, the foundation received a half-million-dollar federal grant to perform needed structural work on the ship, including replacement of the deck. Recently, restoration was completed for the propeller and a map painted on a wall of the ship. Except for the 14-inch guns, all the ships weapons have been removed and are being restored.

This last departure from La Porte to Galveston for more work marks the start of a new era for the battleship, said Bramlett.

It now has a future, he said. This is far and away the most profound restoration effort on the Battleship Texas that has ever taken place since she came here (to La Porte).

The foundation will continue to oversee the ships operations after it finds its new home to dock.

For those that feel the move is a final break from local history because the ship will no longer be at the battleground site, the foundation, said Bramlett, has a different perspective.

The parks history is there  it has to be there because its where the (Battle of San Jacinto) took place, he said. When the Battleship Texas sails out, its history goes with it. Its history was made by moving around. If Im connected to the region, of course Im going to grieve that its going, but if the bigger goal is to see it survive and flourish, its the right thing to do.

yorozco@hcnonline.com
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HCA Houston Healthcare opened a new 24/7 emergency room in Creekside, extending the reach of the health care provider in The Woodlands and Tomball.

HCA TOMBALL: Hospital unveils statue of Dr. Norman Graham

The HCA Houston ER 24/7 Creekside location celebrated its grand opening with a ribbon cutting on July 25. Officially opened for service July 26, the facility provides a full suite of emergency care and outpatient services for all ages.

The freestanding ER is located at 26306 Kuykendahl Rd. in Tomball and will serve members of the Tomball and Woodlands communities.

CUTTING-EDGE: HCA North Cypress becomes first area hospital to perform robotic lung biopsy

HCA Houston ER 24/7 locations are open on holidays and accept most insurance plans.

The Creekside location has onsite labs and imaging, accepts EMS transport and is equipped with exam rooms for trauma, pediatrics and major trauma.

For more information, visit www.hcahoustonhealthcare.com/er-24-7.

chevall.pryce@chron.com
OnScene

Two males in southeast Houston were killed early Monday when a transaction devolved into a shooting and police chase where a person was thrown from a car, authorities said.

One of the men got out of a Nissan Altima about 1:45 a.m. and stepped into a white Mercedes at a gas station on the 10600 block of Monroe Boulevard for what appeared to be "some sort of transaction," Sgt. Michael Arrington of Houston police's homicide division said. A suspect shot the driver of the Mercedes multiple times inside the car.
A dead shark is displayed to offer a "unique experience" to customers in the seafood section of Yongsan E-mart in Seoul, Sunday. Captured from Twitter



Retail store apologizes for gruesome display



By Lee Hae-rin



A large retail store at Yongsan Station in Seoul, has come under fire for a bizarre scene in which a dead, bleeding shark was on display in a photo zone at the seafood section, to provide "a unique experience" for customers, Monday.



Several people who visited the Yongsan branch of E-mart posted pictures of the animal, along with their comments about the gruesome scene on social media and online communities, Sunday.



In those pictures, a dead shark placed on ice dripping with blood is displayed at the supermarket's seafood section. A Styrofoam box is placed underneath to collect the blood dripping from its tail and a sign is placed on its head reading "Careful, it will bite if you touch it."



Next to the carcass stands another sign calling this "an exclusive event at Yongsan E-mart," and featuring the characteristics of the animal, names of dishes using sharks, a graphic of a popular animated shark character, as well as welcoming customers to put on a shark-shaped hat, take a souvenir picture with the fish and share it on social media.





A dead shark is displayed to offer a "unique experience" to customers in the seafood section of Yongsan E-mart in Seoul, Sunday. /Courtesy of Park Si-soo
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School districts across the Houston region are trying to fill thousands of teacher vacancies before most will be welcoming students back to classrooms in the coming weeks.

A review of about 18 area school districts job listings, including Alvin, Deer Park, Fort Bend, Galena Park, Goose Creek, Katy, Magnolia, Pasadena, Galveston, Humble, Spring Branch and Spring ISDs, as well as Lamar CISD, showed a need for more than 3,400 educators to fill a variety of vacancies as of Monday.

The Houston Independent School District, the states largest system scheduled to kick off its year Aug. 22, had about 870 openings for certified teachers listed on its career portal Monday.

Aldine ISD, which serves nearly 67,000 students and employs more than 4,000 educators, currently has 370 teacher vacancies. That number is way up from previous years, according to administrators, despite recruiting efforts that include signing bonuses, increased salaries and looking for applicants internationally. Klein ISD is searching for 120 teachers, according to its website. Cypress-Fairbanks ISD, the states third-largest system, is trying to fill 472 teaching vacancies.

It is a nationwide problem as low pay, long hours and the politicization of education have taken their toll on the beleaguered profession.

You look across the state and across the country, there are districts even smaller than us with even more vacancies, HISD chief talent officer Jeremy Grant-Skinner said. Were all feeling the challenge together of staffing during this very unique time. Were feeling like were going to get as close as we can.

More education news: Texas teachers demand higher pay, safer conditions as school shooting fears rise and staffing worsens

HISD, with roughly 195,000 students and 27,000 full- and part-time employees, had about the same number of vacancies at this time a year ago, Grant-Skinner said, before reducing it to about 400 by the time schools opened. To fill those openings until certified educators could be hired, the district sent central administration staffers who held teacher certifications into classrooms. Grant-Skinner said there have been no conversations about doing that again this year.

The 870 openings represent about 8 percent of the 11,000 teachers included in the upcoming years budget.

Since then, the district has raised teacher pay, hoping it will help recruit and retain educators. Several other districts, including Katy and Cypress-Fair ISDs, also have boosted teacher salaries.

One of the biggest contributing factors appears to be difficulty retaining existing teachers despite teacher production numbers increasing as a state, according to a statement issued by the Texas Education Agency. However, the current rate of production may not be enough to meet district needs since: A) many teachers are leaving the profession, B) school systems across Texas are adding positions, subsequently creating additional vacancies to fill.

Texas last year employed 377,000 teachers, an all-time high, according to the agency.

The state typically loses about 10 percent of its certified teaching workforce each year.

Jackie Anderson, president of the Houston Federation of Teachers, HISDs largest teachers union, attributed the statewide shortage to a lack of dignity and respect given to educators. That has exacerbated issues that existed before the COVID-19 pandemic, which brought about an array of new difficulties presented by remote learning and circumstances that affected students social and emotional well-being.

Teachers are feeling, first of all, not respected, Anderson said. When given the opportunity to do something different, some of them have just chosen to do something different because of the workload, low pay ... These problems, weve always had, but I think in some ways teachers have realized their voice and theyre using their voice to say Weve had enough or Were not taking it anymore. Its time for the state of Texas to change its culture in our schools and whats expected.

Educator shortage task force: TEA adds 24 teachers to task force studying educator shortages after initially having only two

The statewide problem prompted Gov. Greg Abbott  who has politicized education repeatedly by repeating conservative talking points conflating LGBTQ+ literature with pornography and decrying so-called Critical Race Theory being taught in classrooms  to create a task force to study the issue. The group, which is expected to come up with a final report of recommendations, initially included only two teachers.

To Anderson, that alone demonstrated the extent of shortage problems in Texas.

You dont have to form a task force to find out whats going wrong or to find out what teachers think, Anderson said. Ask teachers.

Following backlash at the apparent oversight, TEA added two dozen teachers to the group.

For some who have left, the decision was personal.

Kendra Yarbrough-Camarena spent 18 years working at HISD, most recently teaching a government and public administration class at Wheatley High School. As the district prepares to implement a new transition program for its low-performing schools, staff at Wheatley  one of the campuses  was told they would have to reapply for their jobs, Yarbrough-Camarena said.

She already had contemplated leaving the profession she called her passion. She had been through the pandemic. She had been through a transition year returning to in-person instruction. And she had missed plenty of her sons water polo games or arrived late because of work.

She wanted consistency and better pay.

I love teaching. I love education. To be honest, its my passion, but at a point I had to kind of come to a conclusion and say, Am I going to be able to do the things that I need to do for my family and Am I going to have the time available to do those things? said Yarbrough-Camarena, 43, now a director at a heavy equipment company. Of course, returning is always going to be an option for me because it is what I love. But at this point in my life for where Im at personally, and whats important for me ... is making sure that I can provide for my family to ensure that my own children get access to everything that they need to reach their potential and their goals  and then having that time to spend with them, and go to those games and be at their school. That, to me, is what I personally need and is most valuable to me at this moment.

At Conroe ISD, administrators look to fill more than 70 instructional vacancies.

This is higher than in previous years, and we attribute that to growth in our district with the opening of new schools along with teacher shortages nationwide, CISD spokesperson Sarah Blakelock said.

Before school resumes, districts plan to keep recruiting.

There are all sorts of reasons that have made it more difficult than ever to recruit for positions really in any organization, but certainly in school districts and certainly among teachers, Grant-Skinner said. We hire every day of the year so we will continue hiring.

Jamie Swinnerton contributed to this report.

alejandro.serrano@chron.com

hannah.dellinger@chron.com
This article originally appeared in The Texas Tribune. The Tribune is a member-supported, nonpartisan newsroom informing and engaging Texans on state politics and policy. Learn more at texastribune.org.

Over the last two years, universities across Texas and the rest of the country have worked hard to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 on their campuses with virtual classes, masks and increased cleaning of public spaces.

Now, as colleges prepare for students to return to campus next month, a new disease is gaining steam around Texas and the country: monkeypox.

State health experts say universities should start communicating with students ahead of the fall semester about how to identify symptoms and avoid contracting the virus. They also say schools should consider how they would respond to an outbreak on campuses where students live in close proximity engaging in intimate behaviors and sharing beverages or food.

TELL ME MORE: What is monkeypox and how is it spread? Things to know about the arrival of the disease in Houston.

College and university (students require) a very specific kind of messaging, and those messages need to be prepared now so they can be reaching those students before they return to school, said Rebecca Fischer, an assistant professor of epidemiology and biostatistics at Texas A&M University. When school comes back, we need to be ready to roll out messaging if something happens on campus.

Monkeypox is much harder to contract via casual conversation or in a classroom setting than COVID-19, and health experts say the risk of exposure to monkeypox is currently low. So far, the virus has mainly spread between men who have sex with men, though anyone can get the virus though close contact. While it is not a sexually transmitted infection, it most easily spreads through skin-to-skin contact and is often passed along during sexual activity.

The virus is not deadly and hospitalization is rare, but Fischer said it is an unpleasant and painful virus. The virus causes painful, pus-filled blisters and lesions on the skin, along with fever and swollen lymph nodes in the early stages of infection. It can last from a few days to a month.

State and national health experts believe the number of cases will continue to rise exponentially and will spread.

One of the most important things is this communication plan, and I think that this is something were failing at currently in the United States, Fischer said. People are becoming afraid because they dont understand monkeypox.  What theyre hearing is we have cases in our community. What they are not hearing is what is my personal risk?

THE IMPACT: As monkeypox spreads in Texas, here's why the vaccine is so difficult to find

Some university spokespeople said leaders are starting to think about the fall, though they are mainly relying on local health departments for guidance. None of the universities has the monkeypox vaccine. The state has received 14,000 doses of the vaccines, which are being provided to the local health departments.

Representatives for Baylor University and Texas A&M said their health care providers have been trained to spot symptoms and possible cases among patients who come into campus clinics. The University of Texas at Arlington said it will be able to test symptomatic individuals for monkeypox and plans to distribute health information closer to the start of the school year.

Multiple schools, including Texas Tech University and the University of Texas at Dallas said they are meeting to discuss monkeypox mitigation and response plans for the fall.

The University of Texas at Austin, which had one positive case of monkeypox confirmed last month, did not respond to questions. But a spokesperson told the Chronicle of Higher Education, the risk to the greater campus community remains low.

'LIVING IN HELL': A Houston monkeypox victim on his battle against the disease

On its health center website, UT-Austin acknowledged it anticipates more cases. Just as we have seen with other communicable diseases, we expect campus to mirror the community with the incidence of this virus, the website reads.

Beyond these early steps, few universities shared specifics for how campus leaders plan to handle positive cases on campus, including where the school plans to quarantine a student who tests positive for the virus, how students would continue with classes or if the university would conduct contact tracing. Fischer said schools should begin making these plans.

Im not alarmed, but Im moderately concerned about containment and mitigation efforts, Fischer said. We dont want to get caught with our pants around our ankles.  the best way to contain disease spread is to have aggressive plans to roll into action up front.

One school, the University of Texas at Rio Grande Valley, said it would isolate an infected student and handle each case on an individual basis while following guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

On its website, the CDC recommends providing isolation spaces with a dedicated bathroom for people who live in close spaces like student housing.

PROVIDING AID: Houston Health Department to get new shipment of monkeypox vaccine

David Lakey, vice chancellor for health affairs and chief medical officer at the University of Texas System, said many schools are still in the planning phase and are putting together messages to send students. He said schools must find a way to educate students without stigmatizing the group of people among whom the virus is currently being spread: men who have sex with other men.

We need to make sure were careful to reach out to groups letting them know that this is occurring, Lakey said. Thats not going to be the only way that it can be spread, but thats the population thats being spread through right now.Misinformation has also made providing accurate information about the monkeypox virus especially vital.

Last month, a lecturer at the University of Texas at Dallas drew condemnation from students after he said on Twitter, Can we at least try to find a cure for homosexuality, especially among men? and said anal sex can lead to a variety of diseases. Health officials say one of the main ways monkeypox spreads is through prolonged physical contact, but it is not a sexually transmitted disease.

The university said it was investigating complaints about the professors statements and has allowed students signed up for the professors fall classes to switch to new course sections taught by different professors.

Disclosure: Baylor University, Texas A&M University, Texas Tech University, University of Texas - Arlington, University of Texas - Dallas, University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley, University of Texas at Austin and University of Texas System have been financial supporters of the Texas Tribune. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribune's journalism.
Here are the records to watch as August begins on pace to be the hottest summer since the National Weather Service began keeping track more than a century ago:

FOR THE HEAT LOVERS: Some Houstonians actually enjoy this record-setting heat: 'You're going to be hot anyway'

Rainfall

The Houston area's August heat records were all set in 2011. That year also was among Texas' driest, when the drought-stricken Lone Star State registered just 0.09 inches of rainfall during the month of August.

THE TEXAS HEAT WAVE: When will the Texas heat wave end? Houston meteorologist Matt Lanza on what to know

For perspective, that is less than an hour's worth of of light showers.

Luckily, the greater Houston will usher in the new month Monday with widespread rainfall that "should keep temperatures down a little," NWS meteorologist Josh Lichter said. But beyond this week, the weather pattern is likely to push the region closer to drought conditions similar to those the region experienced in 2011.

Hottest day

With Texas setting heat record after heat record this summer, few people would be surprised to see thermometers edge past 109 degrees to claim the title of "hottest day in August."

TRENDING: One squirrel's method of beating the Texas heat captures TikTok's attention

That's how hot it got on Aug. 27, 2011, when meteorologists recorded the triple-digit scorcher at a tracking station at George Bush Intercontinental Airport.

At least one day in this August could reach 110, however, if current forecasts are correct.

MORE: Even in record Texas heat, all construction workers dont get breaks. A bill would change that.

Hottest August

The hottest August on record was  you guessed it  2011, when the Houston area monthly average hovered just above 90 degrees.

While meteorologists have been tracking heat records since 1889, record-setting summers are becoming more frequent. Of the top 10 hottest Augusts on record, four have occurred in the last 12 years: 2010, 2011, 2019 and 2020.

'SEND HELP': Texans are venting frustrations about the scorching heat in hilarious TikTok videos

Whether or not 2022 earns a place on that unenviable list, Lichter urged area residents to remain vigilant in the heat.

"Always make sure your relatives, pets and neighbors are safe," he said Sunday evening. "Don't just look after yourself, but also look after others."
Its often observed that Houston doesnt just have one downtown, but several.

The lack of traditional zoning has allowed miniature cities within the city to flourish. Apart from Downtown Houston itself, places such as Uptown, Energy Corridor, Texas Medical Center and Westchase are nuclei for jobs, housing and amenities, each boasting bigger numbers than many American downtowns.

What Houston has lacked for decades is connective tissue linking these employment hubs to its neighborhoods. The Metropolitan Transit Authority is on a mission to change that. In responding to the overwhelming will of voters, who approved $3.5 billion in bonds in 2019, Metro has planned several new transit corridors to provide multiple modes of transportation for a city starved for alternatives to driving.

If Houston wants to grow its population without traffic getting even worse, we need to give future generations transportation choices  from light rail to buses to bicycle lanes. A future where Houstonians wont have to be tethered to a car for their daily commute isnt just some urbanist fantasy; its a necessity for the city to stay competitive with its big-city rivals.

The keystone to realizing that goal is the 25-mile University Line, a $1.5 billion bus rapid transit proposal that will connect neighborhoods from Westchase to the Tidwell Transit Center. Not every transit investment makes sense, but this one does for three reasons: It connects several of Houstons biggest downtowns. It connects Metros existing investments, making the system work better as a whole. And, finally, it will improve the lives of Houstonians who either leave their cars at home or must rely on transit.

Although the University Line vehicles will roll on wheels, they will look like a light rail train running in a dedicated lane and will stop at stations with platforms. The central part of the project along Richmond Avenue has been at the forefront of Houstons transit plans for nearly 20 years. Former Congressman John Culberson made a science of blocking any federal funding for the plan. Now, with a final virtual hearing scheduled Monday, the project is inching toward construction by late 2024 or early 2025. Once completed, it would be among the longest BRT lines in the nation, with 40 stations connecting northeast Houston to dozens of communities, as well as the University of Houston and Texas Southern campuses.

And yet the promise of the University Line hasnt swayed its consistent critics. The Chronicles Dug Begley reported last week that many transit opponents are raising a stink that Metro systems relatively modest ridership has failed to justify the projects high cost. They worry that construction of the University Line will snarl traffic, invite unwelcome development and cripple local businesses.

Some of these concerns are reasonable. Building out public transit from scratch is often a messy ordeal. Unlike robust mass transit systems such as those in New York and Chicago, which have existed for more than a century, Metro is still in its relative infancy. Its first light rail project, the Red Line, is barely old enough to vote. And transit officials have mismanaged expectations for attracting riders. When the Purple Line was proposed in 2012, officials estimated that the route would carry 28,800 riders daily by 2030. So far, the lines highest average daily ridership was 7,581 in 2019.

Yet raw ridership numbers dont tell the whole story. Public transit agencies across the nation have suffered declines in ridership since the COVID-19 pandemic and are struggling to adjust to the new reality that many of those riders might never return as working from home becomes the new normal for those tapping away at keyboards. Still, Metro appears to be beginning to recover its lost riders. Its most recent monthly ridership data from May shows a 36 percent increase from 2021 in both total riders and average weekday riders.

Metros planning strategy revolves around a basic premise: If we put transit where the people and jobs are, riders will come. The University Line is a crucial east-west corridor linking the Silver Line with the Red, Purple and Green. A Downtown Houston worker who rides a commuter bus in from Sugar Land would be able to make meetings at the Medical Center or Uptown with ease.

These things work as a system; they dont work as individual segments, Metro board chair Sanjay Ramabhadran told the editorial board. So when you build multiple segments of the overall system, you recognize the full benefit of the connectivity that then translates into ridership.

Higher and higher ridership isnt the only goal. The people who consistently use Metro  lower-income commuters who cant necessarily afford a car or have the ability to drive one  remain reliant on it. Transit opponents complaining that buses are a nuisance must realize that there are people who wait for the bus in blistering summer heat every day to connect them to jobs, education and health care.

As for cost concerns, its true that a $1.5 billion bus line is expensive. Its also a pittance compared withthe $12.5 billion the Texas Department of Transportation plans to spend on highway expansion in Houston over the next decade. As a car-centric city, we are conditioned to see roads and freeways as a public good. We hardly bat an eye at the astronomical price tags; only until recently have advocates and local leaders asked TxDOT to justify the cost and prove that those added lanes wont simply become clogged with cars and trucks when completed.

Houstons population is expected to nearly double by 2040. In the same way that boosters of the states highway expansion argue that adding car capacity is necessary to accommodate this projected growth, transit officials believe their fully realized long-term plan will enhance the citys menu of transportation options.

Metro officials have their work cut out for them. They must reassure the people who have showed up to the numerous public hearings on the University Line that they are going to do right by the businesses and neighborhoods along the proposed corridor and ensure construction will be as accommodating as possible. Whats needed now is a process that makes the line work better for everybody.
Brett Coomer, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer

Harris County Precinct 4 Commissioner Jack Cagle tested positive for COVID over the weekend, and will monitor meetings this week from home, according to his office.

In an email, Cagles office said he began experiencing mild, cold-like symptoms, Saturday morning.
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By Shin Freedman





I visited an Indian Reservation in Arizona before the pandemic where I met an old woman who was a weaver. I was among a group of tourists who watched her hand-weaving a beautiful blanket. People took pictures of her. I did too. When the group of tourists moved away from her, I watched her some more. Then I sat down to rest and to look at her woven textiles. I heard a voice whispering softly: "What are you?" Surprised at the quiet voice, I did not respond right away. She asked me again, "What are you?" while her hands were steadily coordinating the wool threads and her eyes were attentive to the loom.



The question intrigued me because it was not as intrusive as what my ethnicity was, nor where was I from that people typically ask. This question was not as direct as "What is your name?" or "What do you do for a living?" Simply put, "What are you?" she asked. It took me a while to respond to her. I told her that I am Korean. This frail Native American woman nodded in acknowledgement while her hands were steady on the weaving machine, and she told me that she was Navajo. We had officially exchanged our introductions. She went about her weaving.



I often think of that exchange in Arizona. The beauty of this short exchange is that it was simple, elegant, non-invasive, non-aggressive and purposeful. I was not sure that my answer as being Korean fully explained my being. What am I? I am a former educator. I suppose I could go on explaining the multiple dimensions of my identity by adding more nouns. Her simple question puzzled me in such a way that I had to think about how I might answer her.



In the European Middle Ages, one's last name was given by their trade: Carpenter, Baker, Miller, Smith. Bakers baked bread, Millers milled grains, Carpenters built with wood, Carvers carved things and so on. In Korean society a long time ago, there used to be the Kims' village, or the Parks' village and everyone had the same name and similar professions. So, either by your name or your profession, it was easy to find out what you were.



A proper introduction of oneself matters and it is a learned skill set important in social situations. You cannot just impose your curiosity on others as if you were a child. These days most business communication courses include giving "elevator pitches" as part of the core curriculum. In the brief time, just enough for an elevator ride, you introduce yourself or your product. This name, elevator pitch, explains the duration of the speech. For job interviews or networking opportunities, an elevator pitch can be effective and useful.



In today's global business world, we are often asked to articulate who we are. Our name, occupation or profession does not represent us completely. Our nationality, ethnicity and credentials do not answer the question successfully. We humans are complex beings not easily definable by one or two attributes.



I am redrafting my own elevator pitch now to include I am a grandmother, wife, daughter, aunt, writer, author, teacher, educator, Korean-born and a retiree. By the way, what are you?





Shin Freedman (shinfreed@gmail.com) is the co-author of "Becoming a Library Leader: Seven Stages of Leadership Development."


Pittsfield Walmart Reopens After Coolant Leak

PITTSFIELD, Mass.  The Walmart store at Berkshire Crossing was closed for hours Monday morning for a coolant leak.

According to a Fire Department report, an employee accidentally damaged a freon line to one of the large commercial refrigeration units. Firefighters initiated a Tier 1 hazardous materials action and notified the hazmat team. Tier 1 means the materials involved can be contained or extinguished by first-responders. It assumes minimal risk to the public and the environment.

The regional hazmat team coordinated the cleanup with the Fire Department. The refrigeration system was shut down and isolated and the building ventilated until the air was at normal levels. No injuries were reported.

Freon is a tasteless, mostly odorless gas that can cause serious injury when inhaled.

The incident occurred about 5:15 a.m. and the department store was closed until about 12:30 p.m. according to an employee who said they could not comment further.
Despite an ongoing campaign since 2019 for the repeal of proposed provisions in Indonesias revised Criminal Code, the governments determination to ratify the legislation poses grave concerns for press freedom, writes Jim Nolan.

Students hold a banner that reads "Cancel revision of criminal code law" during a protest outside the parliament building in Jakarta on September 30, 2019. Credit: Adek Berry / AFP

Serious concerns about threats to the independence and freedom of the press by Indonesias proposed revised Draft Criminal Code (RKUHP) continue to be voiced, notwithstanding recent attempts by President Jokowi to provide for more consultation with civil society and press freedom groups.

The draft RKUHP, first introduced in 2019, provoked massive demonstrations and was met with widespread condemnation by press freedom and human rights groups. In the light of ferocious opposition, it was withdrawn, only to resurface in recent weeks.

Civil society groups in Indonesia have been advocating for the repeal of numerous objectionable provisions from the current draft since 2019, without success. Despite assurances about consultation, the government appears determined to push the bill through.

The hiatus did not spell a re-think on the part of the government. On July 6, 2022, the government handed over a new revised Draft Bill on the Criminal Code (RUU KUHP) to the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR) which represented very little progress. The new draft law has again been met with strong opposition. But despite this, the DPR and the government have said they would speed up its ratification without making any substantial changes to the 2019 draft.

The relative haste with which this latest draft was re-introduced was condemned by civil society groups as evidence of the governments lack of commitment to uphold transparency and inclusivity for all stakeholders, including civil society, to meaningfully consult and voice their concerns. A large coalition of civil society groups condemned this as clearly undermining the fundamental democratic principles that Indonesia has always claimed to the world it stands for.

There are many aspects of the draft which have drawn criticism, but key provisions still pose real threats to press freedom. According to the well-respected Press Council of Indonesia, there remain 19 articles in the RKUHP that have the potential to criminalise journalistic work. These 19 articles also contradict the spirit of Law Number 40 of 1999 concerning the Press, according to the Council.

Chairman of the Press Council, Azyumardi Azra, at a special press conference on Friday, July 15 (15/7/2022) called for the offending articles to be removed from the draft because they have the potential to threaten the freedom of the press.

The articles concerned cover a wide range of issues which impinge upon press freedom. There are now proposed crimes against State Ideology (Article 188); Crimes of Insulting the Honour or Dignity of the President and Vice President (Articles 218, 219, 220); a Crime of Broadcasting or Disseminating False News or Notifications, (Articles 263 and 264); the criminalisation of acts of humiliation of the Government; the Crime of Broadcasting or Disseminating False News or Notifications (Articles 263 and 264); Crimes against Insulting Public Powers and State Institutions (Articles 351-352); and the Crime of Defamation (Article 440).

In the RKUHP, the media will also be prohibited from broadcasting news that has not been verified. If the news does not match the facts, journalists and the media can be subject to Article 263 and Article 264. Punishments for journalists and media are also tiered depending on the impact of the news that occurs in the community. This is a curious requirement which raises the prospect of significant abuse.

Legal specialists have assessed the draft of the RKUHP imposed by the government as full of rubber articles. This is a term applied to the ITE law almost since its inception in 2008 when AJI, the IFJ and many press freedom groups warned of its potential to chill press freedom. No clear legal standard is set out in the law, and this can only mean there is ample scope for abuse.

Critics have pointed out that all these objectionable provisions are vaguely and broadly drafted, giving the government and government agencies an almost unfettered discretion that will lead to selective prosecutions and significantly curb freedom of speech and expression in the country.

Critics contend that if passed, the law will substantially create a chilling effect on those exercising their rights while simultaneously creating a culture of self-censorship and a climate of fear.

A broad coalition of civil society groups (the Safenet coalition) argues that, if parliament adopts the current draft, this will represent a significant breach of Indonesias human rights obligations, particularly under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), to which Indonesia is a party. The Covenant recognises that limitation of fundamental freedoms should only occur when strictly necessary and in a proportionate manner. Such vague and overbroad provisions are clearly not consistent with the ICCPR.

Critics point out that there are no public interest defences to any of these offences.

Nor does the new law do anything to address the more serious concerns about real and significant threats to journalists in this new era of cyber-libel, notable for the widespread cyber targeting of journalists, academics, activists, and students, who have faced torrents of cyber-attacks.

Threats to human rights now take a relatively new form being carried out through various digital attacks, including hacking, doxxing (publishing an individuals personal details with malicious intent), cyber harassment, hacking and spying. These attacks have been directed at human rights defenders, indigenous leaders, environmental activists, anti-corruption activists, and women's groups.

In the 2020 Global Cybersecurity Index report, Indonesia was ranked 24th out of 182 countries. It is considered far from safe. Nothing in the proposed law addresses these concerns.

Ministerial Regulation 5 Threatens to Restrict Press and Internet Freedom

In May 2021, an international coalition of 25 civil society organisations filed an open letter condemning this regulation and urging the government to repeal it. An online petition to protest the regulation has been signed by more than 11,000 netizens. On July 22, 2022, members of the Coalition held a demonstration in front of the office of the Ministry.

The coalition has identified a number of key articles in the regulation which threaten press freedom.

Article 9 (points 3 and 4) firmly forbids private PSEs to publish content containing prohibited information, including those violating the laws, causing public unrest, and disturbing public order.

The terms causing public unrest and disturbing public order are rubber articles. They can be interpreted to target criticisms of public authorities, and police.

The rubber article will permit authorities to target critical content, for example, media coverage of crimes or content about human rights violations in Papua. In other words, the regulation can easily be deployed as a tool for the authorities to abuse their power.

Article 14 allows a citizen, civil society groups, state agencies or law enforcement to request the blocking of access to information which, may cause public unrest and disturbs public order.

Articles 21 and 36 require electronic systems operators to provide access for ministries, state agencies, and law enforcement to be able to enter their electronic data and systems for reasons of supervision or assisting law enforcement.

Critics warn that this access can be misused by the government to intimidate the media. Granting access to personal data strongly violates the privacy rights of the public, including journalists.

Criminal Defamation and the ITE Law

Despite constant criticism, the Indonesian government has done very little to reform draconian defamation laws, notably Law No.19 of 2016 on Information and Electronic Transactions (the ITE Law). Critics have regularly pointed out the threats to media freedom represented by the ITE law. Its so called rubber articles are the antithesis of properly crafted legal provisions which provide protections and legal certainty for citizens.

The latest and most conspicuous example of the dangers of the ITE law came in March 2022, when two environmental Indonesian activists, Haris Azhar, and Fatia Maulidiyanti, were named suspects in a defamation case.

The complaint alleging defamation was brought by the Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, arguably the most senior and powerful minister in Jokowis cabinet. He complained about a YouTube video in which the two activists discussed alleged connections between mining businesses and military operations in Papua. They claimed Luhut was implicated as a shareholder of one of the companies operating in the region.

G20

Present indications are that the government will press forward with the Draft Criminal Code (RKUHP), despite the continuing opposition. Perhaps critics will now have to concentrate on highlighting the threat to Indonesian press freedom in November when Indonesia chairs the G20 conference in Bali.

Jim Nolan is the International Federation of Journalists pro-bono legal counsel for the Asia-Pacific and a regular legal observer on key cases in the region
By Choo Jae-woo





It looks like the governments of South Korea and China will not be together celebrating the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations that falls on Aug. 24. They once co-hosted the ceremony, such as the 10th anniversary in 2002 and the 20th in 2012. The latter was also attended by then Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping. The 25th anniversary was snubbed by the Chinese side following the THAAD conflict in 2017. Since then, there seems to be no way to turn back the clock to pre-THAAD relations that the two countries now cherish.



This year, there was already an indication that co-hosting a commemorative activity is already a foregone conclusion due to the pandemic situation. The United States and China in February went about their own way to commemorate the 50th anniversary of then U.S. President Richard Nixon's visit to Beijing. Amidst their ever deteriorating relationship, the chances for Japan and China marking the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic relations that comes this September seems close to nil.



Had THAAD not affected the relationship, Beijing could take part in an anniversary event hosted by Seoul, which is free from COVID restraints. The conflict-ridden relationship since the deployment decision in July 2016 seems to be out of solutions, at least for the foreseeable future, as the two capitals won't budge on what they had agreed before. Supposedly in October 2017 a consensual compromise, also known as "Three Nos," was introduced. It stipulates Korea to oppose additional deployment, joining America's missile defense system and Korea-Japan-U.S. alliance.



To date, however, all is out of sync. Four additional THAAD mobile launchers, for instance, were transferred to Korea in June 2017 following the arrival of the first two in March. Although it is a fact that a full THAAD unit consists of six launchers, the separate shipment in the eyes of Beijing was already a breach of the compromise. The U.S. admittedly had to push the envelope against Korea's unwillingness to host a full unit, according to then U.S. National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster's book, "The Battlegrounds: To Defend the Free World."



The THAAD deployment per se already means Korea has de facto joined America's missile defense system. Moreover, the frequent defense talks with the U.S. and Japan this year have transpired their latent intent to enhance the chances for a trilateral alliance.



Korea is sandwiched between the U.S. and China over the THAAD issue. To the U.S., procrastinating the construction of a THAAD site by President Yoon Suk-yeol's predecessor, Moon Jae-in, in the name of an incomplete environmental survey was a disappointment as once expressed by Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin in March 2021.



The situation has only enforced protests and blockades by locals in the area, denying the hospitality supply route to the U.S. forces stationed there. Their opposition comes from health safety reasons, alleging "the electromagnetic radiation from the system's radar could cause serious harm to nearby residents and could contaminate agricultural products."



To China, the sense of betrayal from the Moon government remains bitter. Having retired from power, Moon left the environment survey idling. It literally deferred the responsibility to resolve the conflict to the incumbent government, one who seems to have no interest in doing so.



President Yoon during his presidential campaign already promised more THAAD to protect the people from North Korea's missile threats. Furthermore, he wants to rebuke the "Three Nos" for not being an official agreement. After all, it is not legally binding and therefore there's no need to respect it, he justified.



However, President Yoon can no longer ignore the situation and will be pressed for a solution. The U.S. wants Korea to complete the construction of the THAAD site as soon as possible for the improvement of living conditions for the U.S. forces there with a full access to proper hospitality. China, on the other hand, wants Korea to fully comply with the "Three Nos." Till then, Beijing's punitive measures will remain intact, keeping the bilateral relationship stalled.



Few choices are available to the Yoon government. Of the limited diplomatic options, it can first implement its declared diplomatic stance. That is to be fair and square over conflicts extending to the sovereignty of Korea as a nation and national interests. It must apply it not only to its allies and neighboring states but also to its own people. Should there be a prioritizing order, it must first find a way to persuade its domestic constituencies. If it cannot, how can it expect to persuade the external parties that are in a conflict of interest?



Once the Yoon government can solve it domestically, it can move forward. With the support it garnered from its own people, it will be able to place the THAAD system and site operation on the right track. It will in return heighten Washington's confidence and trust in its ally. Against that outside opposition including China, there is not a better diplomatic weapon than a strong endorsement from its own people in defending the nation's security interests.



John F. Kennedy once quoted British writer G.K. Chesterton, "Don't take a fence down until you know the reason why it was put up." And Confucius once said, "The strength of a nation derives from the integrity of the home." Mending relations with China must begin at home.





Choo Jae-woo (jwc@khu.ac.kr) is a professor of international relations at Kyung Hee University and director of the China Center at the Korea Research Institute for National Security. He was a visiting fellow of Brookings Institution.




In the book Empire of Pain, Patrick Radden Keefe describes the leadership "style" of some of the members of the Sackler family, the owners of Purdue Pharma. (Think oxycontin.)

For example, CEO Richard Sackler liked to bring his dog Unch to the office. In my favorite passage from the book:

UNCH had a tendency to [poop] in the hallways, and Richard had a tendency to not pick it up. So visitors to the ninth floor learned to weave around the occasional deposit left by the dog on the royal purple carpet.

When board member Kathe Sackler had computer problem at her Westport, Connecticut, mansion, she had a tendency to phone Purdue headquarters and have them send a company tech. She also seemed to enjoy a captive audience. "What Kathe liked to do was call you to her office late in the day and just lecture you for hours," a former Purdue executive said.

In the executive's opinion, the success of one drug had given rise to a self-regarding aura of superhuman business prowess. And regardless of their job titles, most of the Sacklers weren't leading, at least not in the way we usually define "lead."

Instead, they used the authority of their positions to say and do whatever they chose.

The result? As the former executive says, "They would just inflict themselves on us."

Which naturally affected employee performance.

According to a 2013 meta-analysis of 57 different studies published in The Leadership Quarterly, the negative impact created by a bad boss outweighs the positive impact created by a good boss. "Destructive leadership" significantly decreases employee job satisfaction, performance, dedication and commitment, well-being, and turnover intention. (Hi, Great Resignation.)

As the researchers write:

As expected, the highest correlation arises between destructive leadership and attitudes toward the leader. Surprisingly, the next highest correlation was found between destructive leadership and counterproductive work behavior.

Inflict yourself on your employees and they won't just dislike you. If they hold leadership positions, whether formal or informal, they will also like start to act like you -- and not in a good way.

Fortunately, it's easy to tell when you're straying into the infliction zone:

You say or do something because you can, not because you should, and you're inflicting. Leaving dog poop in the hallway is an obvious example. Less obvious (and a lot more common) is wasting the first 10 minutes of a meeting by talking about your recent vacation.

Leaving dog poop in the hallway is an obvious example. Less obvious (and a lot more common) is wasting the first 10 minutes of a meeting by talking about your recent vacation. You say or do something simply because it's your company, and you're inflicting. An upside of being an entrepreneur is that you are your own boss. A downside is that you are your own boss; as Warren Buffett says, a primary reason toxic CEOs manage to keep their jobs is because they don't report to anyone. So while it is your company, the rules should apply to you more than they do to everyone else.

An upside of being an entrepreneur is that you are your own boss. A downside is that you are your own boss; as Warren Buffett says, a primary reason toxic CEOs manage to keep their jobs is because they don't report to anyone. So while it is your company, the rules should apply to you more than they do to everyone else. You put performance above people. According to Adam Grant (if you haven't noticed, the title of this post is an homage to Adam's viral article about languishing), "employees are not resources to manage. They're humans to value. Bad managers only care about your results. Good managers care about your well-being. Great managers care more about your well-being than your results. We do our best work when leaders put people above performance." So while it is your company, your employees still work with you, not for you.

One last thought: Research shows remote workers tend to be more productive, spending more time per day on core work and significantly less time on communication.

The same holds true for non-remote work: Leave people alone, and they get to spend more time getting things done.

Ultimately, that's the best way to determine if you're serving or inflicting. If what you do or say helps people do their jobs better, helps them feel more valued and respected, helps them develop skills and abilities that support your goals and theirs, then you're serving the people you lead.

Otherwise?
Prevent Unauthorized Transactions in your demat / trading account Update your Mobile Number/ email Id with your stock broker / Depository Participant. Receive information of your transactions directly from Exchanges on your mobile / email at the end of day and alerts on your registered mobile for all debits and other important transactions in your demat account directly from NSDL/ CDSL on the same day." - Issued in the interest of investors.

KYC is one time exercise while dealing in securities markets - once KYC is done through a SEBI registered intermediary (broker, DP, Mutual Fund etc.), you need not undergo the same process again when you approach another intermediary.

No need to issue cheques by investors while subscribing to IPO. Just write the bank account number and sign in the application form to authorise your bank to make payment in case of allotment. No worries for refund as the money remains in investor's account."

www.indiainfoline.com is part of the IIFL Group, a leading financial services player and a diversified NBFC. The site provides comprehensive and real time information on Indian corporates, sectors, financial markets and economy. On the site we feature industry and political leaders, entrepreneurs, and trend setters. The research, personal finance and market tutorial sections are widely followed by students, academia, corporates and investors among others.
Suven Pharmaceuticals Ltd has announced that the US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) completed a pre-approval inspection at manufacturing facility of Suven Pharmaceuticals Limited Hyderabad, India 'Casper Pharma Private Limited' (Casper Pharma) at GMR Hyderabad SEZ.

The inspection was conducted from July 25 -July 29, 2022.

As per the filing, the audit is part of the agencys inspection for three product applications filed and slated to be manufactured at this site, the company said.

"We are glad to have completed the audit successfully with Zero observations and at the end of the inspection no form 483 was issued by USFDA which implies compliance and conformance to applicable cGMP regulations", said Venkat Jasti, Managing Director of Suven Pharmaceuticals Limited".



At around 10:11 AM, Suven Pharmaceuticals was trading at Rs476.25 per share lower by 1.02% on the BSE.
Television | TV Channels

HeyHey! is helping brands across the entertainment industry enter web3 and navigate new waters: Global founder & CEO Caleb Franklin HeyHey! is a leading-edge online platform that facilitates new forms of experiential engagement between fans and global celebrities, creators, and influencers by utilising new-age technologies like web3, blockchain, and NFTs to create digital products that are ahead of the curve. Read More...

iWorld | OTT discovery+ uncovers India's untold story of 'Kohinoor' with Neeraj Pandey and Manoj Bajpayee discovery+ on Friday announced Secrets of the Kohinoor, a new docuseries in the Secrets franchise that retraces the story of the world's most precious diamond, 'Kohinoor,' and will premiere on 4 August 2022. discovery+, along with acclaimed director Neeraj Pandey and Bollywood actor Manoj Bajpayee. Read More...

Movies | Hindi

UFO Moviez expects the company will return to pre-pandemic level: Sanjay Gaikwad As long as there are no new pandemic-induced restrictions that would affect business operations, UFO Moviez founder and managing director Sanjau Gaikwad is optimistic that the company will soon return to the pre-pandemic level. Read More...

DTH | DTH Operator Dish TV appoints Rakesh Mohan as non- executive independent director DTH operator Dish TV has announced that the board of directors at their meeting held on Friday, i.e. 29 July, 2022 has inter-alia, upon receipt of requisite approval from the ministry of information and broadcasting and on the recommendation of the nomination and remuneration committee, approved the appointment of Rakesh Mohan as a non-executive independent director. Read More...

Television | TV Channels Uday Shankar & Punit Goenka to speak at APOS 2022 Former Disney Asia Pacific head Uday Shankar, who has now teamed up with James Murdoch for a JV Bodhi Tree Systems and who is also Marigold Park founder, director, and ZEEL manging director & CEO Punit Goenka, is among the speakers at APOS 2022, which will take place in-person in Singapore at the Capella from 27-29 September 2022. Read More...
In the wake of death threats that Salman Khan received reportedly from the members of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang - which is reportedly behind Sidhu Moose Wala's murder - the Bollywood actor requested for weapon license. The actor has been issued a gun license.

Salman Khan gets gun license

AFP

This comes after Khan met with newly-appointed Mumbai Police Commissioner Vivek Phansalkar. Khan had said that he just wanted to congratulate his old friend, but the grapevine is abuzz with rumours that he met him to seek gun license.

Salman Khan has also upgraded his car to a bulletproof land cruiser

web screen grab

Furthermore, reports suggest that Salman Khan has upgraded his regular car to a luxury bulletproof land cruiser. He was earlier using Toyota Land Cruiser's old model.

Did you know Lawrence Bishnoi had bought Rs 4 lakh rifle to kill Salman Khan over blackbuck hunting case in 2018?

TOI

As per News 18's sources in Delhi Police's Special Cell, Bishnoi told them that he wanted to kill Salman Khan over the 1998 blackbuck poaching case. He even admitted that he bought for Rs 4 lakhs for the same. Blackbucks are dear to the Bishnoi community in Haryana, Rajasthan and Punjab.



Khan's life is in danger after he and his father got a death threat delivered in the form of a letter.

AFP

HGS Dhaliwal, special commissioner Delhi Police (special cell) said that during the interrogation, Lawrence Bishnoi said, "Since the Bishnois consider the blackbuck to be the reincarnation of their religious guru, Bhagwan Jambeshwar also known as Jambaji, acquittal or punishment from the court will not be the last verdict for him."



"Lawrence Bishnoi also said actor Salman Khan and his father (Salim Khan) either tender public apology in Jambaji temple or the Bishnois will kill them," Dhaliwal informed.

Not only Salman Khan, but his lawyer Police Hasti Mal Saraswat has also got a death threat.

Police has initiated an investigation to ascertain the authenticity of the threat letter and deployed a policeman with him for his security. Saraswat told police in his complaint that a threat letter was found on July 3 in a door knob of the High Court's Jubilee Chamber, which has offices of lawyers.

ANI

The complaint said the letter bore initials of Lawrence Bishnoi and his aide Goldy Brars names. It said the lawyer will meet Sidhu Moosewalas fate, adding that an "enemys friend is their first enemy. The letter was found by Saraswats assistant Jitendra Prasad and he informed lawyer about it immediately. But since he (Saraswat) was out of India, he informed the police commissioner about the matter. After this, an FIR was filed on Wednesday," Mahamandir SHO Lekh Raj Sihag said, as per PTI.

"We are probing the authenticity of the letter and have provided security to Saraswat in view of the threat," Sihag said.

(For more news and updates from the world of celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment, and let us know your thoughts on this story in the comments below.)


A 27-year-old has talked about his struggles in finding a job; he claims he can't find one because he looks 'like a 12-year-old.'

Mao Sheng, from Guangdong province, China, has found it difficult to land a job to support his unwell father as his child-like look puts potential employers off.

TIkTok

27-Year-Old man says he can't get a job because he 'looks like a child'

Mao says that many employers have accused him of lying about his age because of his small structure and baby face. While others think his appearance will cause issues with authorities who could start asking questions if they believe child labour laws are being broken.

Fed-up of repeatedly being refused a job, he created a TikTok video to share his plight.

Mao said he was desperate to land a job to financially support his father, who is recovering from a stroke.



He and a friend to the streets in search of work at factories in the city. But while his friend quickly secured employment, Mao was left disappointed and still out of work.

Mao Sheng finally gets a call from recruiters

But since the video went viral, he has now reportedly had a number of possible employers interested.

Mao has now accepted one of the jobs, according to Oddity Central. He now hopes to earn enough to help his father recover. Once they get over that hill, he hopes to find a girlfriend and start a family.

Meanwhile, a 15-year-old boy got a high-paying job offer in the US after winning a coding contest but lost it after the company found out he was too young.

TOI

Vedant Deokate won the competition and landed him his dream job. The teenager bagged a Rs 33 lakh per annum salary.



The firm based out of New Jersey offered the teenager a position in the HRD team. He had to assign work and manage the coders. However, sadly, for Vedant, the offer was withdrawn after the firm found out he was just 15.



For more trending stories, follow us on Telegram.


Its one thing for CIOs to say that cloud computing will see the highest rate of spending growth in 2022, as recorded in a Morgan Stanley survey. Its quite another thing to actually spend that money.

But spending they are, as last weeks results from the big three cloud vendors (AWS, Microsoft, and Google) demonstrated. Yes, growth for each of these cloud providers decelerated. But youd have to be a committed cloud denier to argue that cloud adoption isnt continuing to boom, even in the face of a recession.

Or, more probably, precisely because of a looming recession.

Raining on the cloud parade?

Over at The Wall Street Journal, Dan Gallagher suggests that even the cloud cant float above a recession. The argument, based on slowing growth within the big three cloud providers, is that recessionary pressure is causing IT decision-makers to cut spending due to macroeconomic uncertainty.

Im not sure the data actually lines up with this thesis.

Sure, Google saw growth slow to 36% (down from 44% the quarter before). Microsoft hit 40%, down from 46%. And AWS? Down a few percentage points, settling in at 33% (down from 37%). Thats bad, right?

Maybe. First, growth is always bound to slow as the underlying numbers get bigger. AWS, for example, notched nearly $20 billion in the quarter. How many businesses can you name that grow 33%, much less 3%, on such a massive base? Its much easier to grow at 100% every quarter (as each of the cloud vendors used to do) when the underlying numbers are much smaller. Its historically unheard of to grow at the rates that each of the big three cloud vendors are showing. Google, the smallest of the three by market share, still managed an impressive $6 billion in revenue and grew 36%. This is astounding growth.

By comparison, and as one example, in 2019 the U.S. Bureau of Labor named healthcare as one of the fastest-growing industries. United Healthcare, the largest U.S.-based healthcare company by market cap, tends to grow in the low single digits (12% last year). What about McKesson? Also 12%. HCA Healthcare? Hardly at all last quarter.

These lower growth numbers are not because these arent great companies in fast-growing industries. They are. Its just that cloud spending is growing even faster, and not just for one or two providers. All the big cloud vendors are booming.

Party like its 2008

This brings me to my second point. I am sure CIOs are putting plenty of IT projects on hold as they try to make sense of increasingly challenging economic conditions. Thats normal. But if the recession in 2008 is any indication, this brief respite is just that: brief. In 2008 we saw a few trends actually gain strength and speed, including open source and cloud computing. Why those two? Each affords flexibility to the IT decision-maker, allowing her to scale up or down as needed.

On the Amazon earnings call, Amazon CFO Brian Olsavsky took time to point out that in the 2008 time frame, AWS noticed that [the recession] did help our cloud business  because, again, when youre trying to launch a new product or service and you have to face building your own data center and getting capital for a data center and building it yourself or moving to the cloud and essentially buying incremental infrastructure capacity, cloud computing really shows its value.

What does this mean for you?

For one, if youre responsible for IT in your enterprise, youre in good company, both in terms of slowing your spending but also in terms of planning to keep spending. When Morgan Stanley asked IT buyers which areas theyre least likely to cut, digital transformation was topped by only security in terms of a ring-fenced budget item. Digital transformation is generally a matter of moving out of data centers and into the cloud, but even cloud computing as a distinct category wasnt far behind.

Second, were spoiled for choice. It would actually be a sign of market weakness if one cloud were doing well and the others were limping along. That isnt the case. Healthy markets depend on robust demand and supply, and in cloud computing, customers have plenty of good options.

All this means that despite, or perhaps precisely because of economic headwinds, now is a great time to get serious about making further cloud investments.
25 senior Chinese officials face disciplinary actions in Jan-Jul, as anti-graft efforts intensify

By Xu Keyue (Global Times) 09:33, August 01, 2022

A total of 25 senior Chinese officials, or centrally administered officials, have faced disciplinary actions so far this year, equaling a record annual number in recent years, underscoring the Communist Party of China (CPC)'s zero tolerance toward corruption and its intensifying efforts to fight corruption, experts said on Sunday.

On Thursday, the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) and the National Supervisory Commission announced that Xiao Yaqing, minister of industry and information technology, has been put under investigation for suspected violations of Party discipline and laws. Xiao is the 25th centrally administered official - mostly above vice-ministerial level - who has faced disciplinary actions so far this year.

In the first half of this year, a total of 24 centrally administered officials have faced disciplinary actions, almost equaling the record number in the whole 2021, according to a list on the official website of the CCDI.

In 2021, 25 centrally administered officials were put under disciplinary investigations, up from 18 in 2020, 20 in 2019 and 23 in 2018, according to a Legal Daily report on July 13.

The anti-corruption situation in the first half of this year is characterized by an increase in the number of senior officials put under disciplinary investigation and an increase in the frequency of such actions, Zhuang Deshui, deputy director of the Research Center for Government Integrity-Building at Peking University, told the Global Times on Sunday.

This reflects the Party's strong political determination to crack down on corruption, and aims to eliminate the canker of corruption within the Party and create a clean political ecology, Zhuang noted.

Meanwhile, ahead of the Party's 20th National Congress, such intensifying efforts also convey the message that senior officials will be strictly selected so that truly outstanding officials will be promoted to important positions, the expert said.

A meeting of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology on Friday also stated that the disciplinary probe into Xiao reflects the strong will of the CPC Central Committee to unswervingly promote comprehensive and strict governance of the Party, highlights the distinctive character of the Party's courage in self-reform, and is a strong signal that corruption will be punished with zero tolerance.

Xiao became the first head of a national ministry to be investigated this year, according to a China.org.cn report.

Xiao joined the CPC in December 1981 and graduated from Central South University majoring in Material Processing Engineering, with an on-the-job postgraduate degree, a doctorate in engineering, and is a professor-level senior engineer, China.org.cn reported on Friday. Xiao became the Minister of Industry and Information Technology in August 2020.

In addition to the rise in the number of senior officials put under disciplinary investigations, China's zero-tolerance anti-corruption efforts so far this year also covered important areas such as financial sectors, experts noted.

Ding Wenwu, general manager of the National Integrated Circuit Industry Investment Fund Co, became one of the latest executives of state-owned enterprises to be investigated. According to the CCDI, Ding is under disciplinary inspection on suspicion of serious violations of discipline and law.

In addition, Lu Jun, former deputy director of the fund management department of China Development Bank, was put under investigation for serious violations of discipline and law. Lu was also in the management of the National Integrated Circuit Industry Investment Fund Co, media outlet yicai.com reported on Saturday.

In the past half month, a number of people connected to the National Integrated Circuit Industry Investment Fund Co have been investigated, drawing a great deal of attention to the industry, the report said.

Zhuang said that corruption cases in the financial sector often involve huge amounts of money, which may bring financial risks to the country, and anti-corruption in the sector lays a solid foundation for the country to achieve stable and sustainable economic development in the long term.

The expert noted that with more problematic people being punished and more loopholes being exposed in the financial sector through anti-graft probes, China is likely to further reform its financial supervision system to better prevent financial risks.

(Web editor: Peng Yukai, Liang Jun)
Disclose info transparently so that investors can trust market



The financial authorities and prosecutors have announced a set of measures, declaring war against illegal short selling. The announcement came one day after President Yoon Suk-yeol called for strong measures to uproot wrongful acts surrounding short selling last Wednesday, saying, "Market disruptions through illegal short selling have been fueling investor concerns."



The measures include strengthening investigations into illegal short selling, particularly capitalizing on the unlawful practice of short selling without borrowing shares. All profits from illegal short selling will be confiscated if any signs of such activities are found, and all investors, including those abroad, will be required to report to the authorities 90 days after they first borrowed the shares for short selling.



Short selling is a trading technique in which investors sell stocks they borrowed, expecting that the share prices will fall. They can make profits by buying back the stocks at lower prices and repaying them.



The measures are long overdue, given that many retail investors have argued that short selling favors foreign and institutional investors. Some retail investors have even been calling for a ban on short selling amid a broad-based fall in stock prices. Their anger, exploded more recently when the news broke that local brokerages, including Korea Investment & Securities, had been fined for illegal short selling.



Investors' negative views of short selling stem from their doubts about the imbalance of data and information between retail and institutional investors. That is, large institutions and foreign investors, which dominate the short selling market, have unequal access to information. So it's essential to disclose information transparently so that investors can trust the market.



The reason why illegal short selling is rampant here is that offenders usually get a slap on the wrist. Therefore, it's welcome news that the related agencies have joined forces to get tough on illegal short selling and come up with remedial measures that can address the problems related to short selling. The government should be strongly determined to prevent short selling from harming retail investors.


We have now completed Westpacs exit of insurance underwriting following the sales of our general insurance and lenders mortgage insurance businesses in Australia, as well as life insurance in New Zealand, he said.

A TAL media release said all of the banks life insurance business and existing Westpac Life policies transfer to the TAL Group today. The company also welcomed more than three hundred Westpac Life employees.

The completion of the Westpac Life business acquisition, alongside the strategic alliance with Westpac, is another significant step towards TALs goal of protecting more Australians in more ways, throughout their lives, said TAL Group CEO, Brett Clark (pictured above right).

The TAL release also said that today marks the beginning of an exclusive 20-year strategic alliance between the life insurer and Westpac allowing the banks Australian customers to access TALs life insurance products.

The Westpac release said a loss of more than $1 billion after tax will be classified in the Groups 2022 financial year results as a notable item primarily relating to the difference between the sale proceeds of $900 million and the carrying value of net assets in the business.
We saw cyberattack numbers peak towards the end of the year, Omer Dembinsky, the firms data research manager said in a Press release last December. I expect these numbers to increase going into 2022, as hackers will continue to innovate and find new methods to execute cyberattacks, especially ransomware. Were in a cyber pandemic if you will.

In terms of industry, the education and research sector logged the highest number of weekly attacks in 2021 at 1,605 per organization, increasing 75% from the previous year. This was followed by military and government agencies, which experienced 1,136 weekly incidents for a 47% rise, and communications companies reported 1,079 attacks per organization every week, climbing 51%.

Although North American businesses registered the least number of weekly attacks at 502, the figure still represented a 61% yearly ascent, the second biggest spike among all regions, trailing only Europe.

Read more: How can small businesses protect themselves from cyber threats?

Given the current threat environment, it is only a matter of time before an organization suffers a major cyberattack. The situation highlights the need for every business to have a clear understanding of what steps to take when crisis strikes as their survival often depend on how effective their cyber response strategies are.

A step-by-step guide on how businesses should respond to a cyberattack

To find out the best practices for responding to a cyberattack, Insurance Business checked the websites of several industry specialists for tips and strategies. Here are the steps that companies should take if they fall victim to an attack, according to experts.

1. Engage a data forensics investigation team

The first thing that businesses should do once they detect a cyberattack is to quickly secure their IT infrastructure and immediately mobilize a cybersecurity response team to identify the source of the attack and its cause. This involves mobilizing their own cybersecurity team or enlisting the services of third party if they do not have one and instructing them to start work while the evidence is still fresh.

This should be a team of cross-discipline professionals trained in protecting your business from such attacks, explained New York-based software company Wickr. Its important that each team member has been properly trained in his or her role and knows precisely what to do in the event of an attack.

According to global information security services provider ITSEC, an incident response team can include forensics specialists, information security professionals, and the companys senior management and legal council.

Working together, this team will deliver your initial response to the crisis, the firm said.

Read more: What are the biggest ransomware trends facing US businesses?

2. Determine the type of attack

Identifying the type of attack enables the cybersecurity response team to implement the appropriate measures, according to experts.

Once you know what type of attack is occurring, you can know where to focus your attention on and how best to contain and recover from the attack, Wickr wrote on its website. You need to know not just the type of attack but also the likely source, the extent of the attack, and its probable impact.

Global consulting giant EY noted how knowledge of the enterprise network environment is critical at this stage as the response team isolates the incident and zeroes in on the affected systems and data.

Depending on the severity, complexity, and urgency of the incident, appropriate escalation procedures are enacted based on pre-established criteria, the firm explained. The triage guidelines should be continuously fine-tuned to stay current with the organizations risk environment so that critical risks are not missed, and low-level risks dont take up precious resources.

3. Contain the threat

Once the type of attack has been identified and confirmed, the next step is preventing the threat from causing further damage.

Most passive attacks are designed to provide the attackers with a persistent backdoor into your systems, so that data can continue to be extracted over time, Wickr warned. Its important to identify and shut down all access the attackers may have to your system. The same is true, obviously, if your company is the victim of a more active attack.

Read more: Business identity theft  what can US companies do to protect themselves?

4. Assess and repair the damage

After the cyberattack has been contained, businesses need to assess the extent of the damage and take the necessary steps to strengthen their systems.

The compromised organization should identify and address vulnerabilities in the environment, sufficiently strengthen the environment to complicate the attackers effort to get back in, enhance its ability to detect, and respond to future attacks, and prepare for eradication events, EY advised.

California-based software company Delinea added that to restore the systems to a pre-incident state, businesses need to take some necessary steps.

Collect as much evidence as possible and maintain a solid chain of custody, the firm said. Gather logs, memory dumps, audits, network traffic, and disk images. Without proper evidence gathering, digital forensics is limited so a follow-up investigation will not occur. Eliminate the security risk to ensure the attacker cannot regain access. This includes patching systems, closing network access, and resetting passwords of compromised accounts.

During the eradication step, create a root cause identification to help determine the attack path used so that security controls can be improved to prevent similar attacks in the future. Perform vulnerability analysis to check whether any other vulnerabilities may exist.

5. Notify the proper authorities

Experts also pointed out the importance of notifying the proper authorities as soon as possible.

Report the incident to your local law enforcement if recommended by your legal counsel, ITSEC said. The quicker they know, the more they can do to help.

Immediately contact the FBI and state and local law enforcement offices, Wickr added. Youll also want to report the attack to the Secret Services Electronic Crimes Task Force, as well as the Internet Crime Complaint Center and the Federal Trade Commission. If your company has cyber liability insurance, contact your insurance carrier for advice and support.

6. Communicate with affected parties

A cyberattack can result in major reputational damage. Because of this, experts advise businesses to work with public relations specialists to determine how to best manage the impact of the incident.

Your customers will need to be notified, especially if the attack impacted any customer data, Wickr explained. Its also important to issue a press release regarding the incident. You need to be upfront and transparent about the attack in order to maintain public trust.

If any other businesses have been affected, notify them, ITSEC added. This includes your bank, financial services partners, and the credit bureaus that can monitor your accounts for fraud resulting from the breach.

Designate a contact from your organization to release the notifications when appropriate. That person should have all the latest news on the breach, those affected, and your current response activities.

Read more: Biggest cybersecurity challenges to watch out for in 2022

7. Learn from the experience

Surviving a cyberattack should be a learning experience for businesses and help them better prepare for future incidents.

It is also important for the organization to turn a reactive crisis management case into lessons for proactive cyber risk management, EY noted. The cyber response team should summarize information security improvement measures based on the investigations outcome.

[Assess] what went well and what did not go well, Delinea advised. Plan how it can be improved in the future. Write up an incident response report and include all areas of the business that were affected by the incident.

The firm added that businesses should also evaluate whether management was satisfied with the response and determine if they need to invest further in staff, training, or technology to improve their security stature.
Last week, Marsh McLennan CEO Dan Glaser said the worlds largest global broker was not raising any recession red flags yet, and Gallagher was also confident on Gallaghers prospects in an economic downturn.

If you go back to 2007 and 2008, [or] the pandemic clenches, we learned again, which we have through many tough times, that our clients will stop paying their people before they stop paying their premiums, Gallagher said. And thats a pretty good business to be in regardless of the economy.

The Gallagher boss said there was next to no slowdown in premium increases during the quarter.

When I look at our renewal premiums by line for nearly all coverages, second quarter increases were equal to or higher than first quarter, Gallagher said.

One exception to the rule, though, was professional liability  and Gallagher said this was mostly seen in directors & officers.

Additionally, we are not seeing any significant signs of economic slowdown, Gallagher said. In fact, second quarter midterm policy endorsements and cancellations continue to trend more favorably than a year ago.

Looking to reinsurance, Gallagher said there were very real signs of hardening in the reinsurance market.

Property reinsurance pricing is up across the board and most notably US hurricane and Australian property risks are up anywhere from 15% to more than 40%, Gallagher said.

In casualty, there were more modest price increases that were a bit less challenging, according to Gallagher.
By Deauwand Myers





The American midterm elections this year will be the most consequential ones since at least I was born. If Republicans win back the House of Representatives and or the Senate, a white, Christo-fascist, illiberal party with a death cult of personality for Trump or Trumpism will be in power. President Biden could be impeached for no reason, show trials of Cabinet officials will occur, horrific policies like a universal abortion ban, and even worse, will happen.



The Republicans have chosen power over all else, and now they are saying the quiet things out loud. Christian nationalism and attempting to abolish the separation of church and state, along with jokes about slavery are all recent examples of some things elected officials on the right have said or done  on record.



Republicans are better than Democrats at deploying power and breaking norms to maintain it. But the horror show some members of Congress could unleash on women, Jews, sexual minorities and people of color cannot be understated. Abolishing Roe v. Wade is just the beginning. Biden holds the executive branch, so any such insane legislation would be vetoed. But everything else, including judicial appointments, would be nonstarters.



And the Left, fatalistic and always preoccupied with complaining about all the things Biden hasn't passed  things he cannot pass constitutionally with a 50/50 Senate  belies all his accomplishments.



One problem is personality. Democrats famously are bad at touting their accomplishments and even worse at messaging. But if the repeal of abortion rights doesn't motivate enough young women and men to vote, and vote according to their interests, not to mention ameliorate the slow roasting of our planet, nothing will.



And if this is a crisis, Democrats have to start early and often in registering people to vote and organize accordingly.



Midterms are bad for the political party in power, historically speaking. But with one party having given up on a democratic republic altogether, this election season must be seen as a year where voting blue is an act of survival.



Republicans and U.S. conservativism have had a bent towards ethnocentrism and white supremacy for a long time. William F. Buckley had the good sense to purge anti-Semitism from the party ranks decades ago.



This Republican Party ain't your mother's GOP. The decline of it started with Reagan, a racist and oddly homophobic president (odd because so many gay men were in his administration).



Even if Democrats prevail this autumn, cases at the Supreme Court could even upend the electoral process. States run by Republican legislators argue that states should be able to overturn elections, regardless of the count or what the election officials say.



This kind of thing happened after the Reconstruction era to disastrous effects. Native Americans and so-called free Blacks didn't vote in most states for over a hundred years.



In many ways, this current situation is all about the "white fear"  according to journalist and Black intellectual Roland Martin, which is also the title of his book  that in a generation, white folks will be a minority. Failed presidential candidate Senator Mitt Romney said as much. "We want our country back" is the same as "Make America Great Again." When was America "great," and for whom? Was it when women couldn't vote? Or Blacks? Was it when women couldn't divorce or use contraception? Was it when wealthy white men ruled with absolute power?



It's all of these and more. The sky is falling, that is for sure. And once you get a fascist state, it is very difficult to supplant. Ask Japan, Germany, Turkey, Russia, China.



Republicans are like North Korea. They only understand power. Only when they are decisively punished at the ballot box and kept in the minority up and down the ballot will this nakedly racist and venal party learn its lesson.



And I am going on to my 40s. I cannot get unexpectedly pregnant. By the time Earth is truly inhospitable, I will be dead. This is one of the many reasons Pax Americana was such a foolish thing for the world to subscribe to. If you put all your security and prestige onto one nation, one with the most powerful military on Earth with the second-largest nuclear arsenal, what happens when it descends into madness? What if a smarter version of a demagogue like Trump ascends to power and his coup succeeds?



This election cannot be all Blacks turning out to vote while no one else does. The midterm election needs all hands on deck. What is at stake is trying to preserve a flawed democracy, and saying that we did our best to preserve it. These are end days. The writing is on the wall. And either we hang together, or we hang apart.



But don't let despair paralyze you. We can all salvage this. Volunteer. Study the candidates. Go on voter drives. I've been to undemocratic countries. It's a hell you wouldn't soon forget.



I hope America can do right and do better and not fall into apathy or say voting is meaningless.





Deauwand Myers (deauwand@hotmail.com) holds a master's degree in English literature and literary theory, and is an English professor outside of Seoul.








Floridas top insurance regulators and the Florida Association of Insurance Agents in late July blasted the Demotech financial rating firm after the organization reportedly notified 17 insurers that they will soon be downgraded.

Demotech President Joe Petrelli said that the Florida insurance commissioner, the states chief financial officer and the FAIA had misconstrued his firms plans in their strongly worded missives.

The OIR letter, the CFOs letter and the FAIA press release are all inaccurate, Petrelli told the Insurance Journal. He declined further comment and declined to name the 17 troubled insurers, but promised to provide a fuller explanation later.

Demotech began rating Florida insurers in the 1990s, after powerful Hurricane Andrew hit the states southern end in 1992, causing billions of dollars in damages. The storm resulted in several carriers becoming insolvent and some national carriers, which are rated by larger rating firms, fled the state. Now, Demotech has become the dominant rating system for most Florida insurers.

It has carriers over a barrel and is using questionable methodology in its analyses, FAIA and regulators charged.

After 25 years, Demotech virtually holds a monopoly on issuing financial strength ratings to Florida domestic carriers while being largely unknown/unnecessary in other parts of the country, FAIA President Kyle Ulrich wrote in a blog article titled, Is it time for Florida to turn the page on Demotech?

It is abundantly clear that Floridas property market has been held hostage by unscrupulous trial lawyers, public adjusters, and contractors for years, Ulrich argued. Now, the actions of one rating company could add to the list.

The controversy flared after FAIA said July 21 that it had obtained copies of letters from Demotech to the 17 property insurers, notifying them that their financial strength rating will soon be downgraded, from A Exceptional to S Substantial or M Moderate.

Downgrades are never good news and in some cases have preceded insolvencies or rehabilitation proceedings for insurers. The S rating suggests the carriers still have substantial reserves, Petrelli has said. But its not enough for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the quasi-governmental secondary lenders that back the majority of residential mortgages in the United States.

Without Fannies and Freddies blessings, millions of Florida homeowners insured by those 17 carriers could be required to obtain expensive force-placed policies, CFO Jimmy Patronis said in his letters to the director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency and to the heads of the lending corporations. He urged them to rethink the lenders reliance on Demotech insurance ratings.

If Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac de-authorize a sizeable percentage of Floridas insurers based on the dubious ratings of one company, it would create financial chaos for millions of Floridians, Patronis wrote.

Some 115,000 Florida insurance agents also could be exposed to litigation risks, and may not have adequate coverage under their errors and omissions policies, Patronis and Ulrich said.

Insurance Commissioner David Altmaiers letter to Petrelli charged that Demotech has failed to adhere to its own standards in determining the financial ratings. The office has noted several discrepancies between these recent decisions and the rating methodology posted on Demotechs website, Altmaier wrote.

Ohio-based Demotech has previously indicated that targeted carriers can appeal and provide further financial information and perhaps obtain additional capital. But insurers have told OIR that Demotech is now unwilling to consider additional information and access to capital infusions, the commissioners letter said.

The timing and the tenor of the agents and regulators outrage surprised some in the Florida insurance industry. Petrelli had suggested in May that several carriers could be downgraded this year, thanks in part to the continued costs of fraudulent roof claims and excessive claims litigation. He also sent open letters to Floridas governor and others, noting that legislation approved in May had not gone far enough to help some companies.

Perhaps it was the sheer number of insurance companies that could be in trouble that set off the alarm bells this week. Ulrich declined to comment other than the sentiments included in his blog post.

Others in the industry have warned for months that many insurers are in trouble, especially after reinsurance prices rose by as much as 50% for some companies. Four carriers have been deemed insolvent so far this year and 12 have stopped writing new business.

Everyone knew this was coming, one industry source said.

The Office of Insurance Regulation, in fact, recently released a market stability report that indicated that 27 insurers  more than half of the active carriers in Florida  have been placed on a watch list. Due to several factors that suggest the companies are facing financial difficulties, the OIR referred the companies to its newly created insurer stability unit for enhanced monitoring, as required by recent legislation.

Still, the FAIA said a new approach is needed.

Is now the time for insurers, lawmakers, and regulators to look for a more stable and predictable alternative to Demotech? Ulrich asked.

Topics Florida
California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara adopted and issued a rate for workers compensation insurance pure premium that he said reflects Californias still-recovering economy. Laras action maintains the benchmark rate at $1.45 per $100 of payroll for workers comp insurance, unchanged from last year.

The rate is effective Sept. 1, 2022.

Were working hard to get California back to business as usual as people return to work, Lara said.

Laras decision results in an average advisory pure premium rate that is below the $1.56 average rate proposed by the Workers Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau of California in its filing with the California Department of Insurance. Lara issued the advisory rate after a virtual public hearing on June 14, and a review of the testimony and evidence submitted by stakeholders.

The pure premium rate is only advisory. The average advisory pure premium rate level of $1.45 approved by Lara is roughly 18% lower than the industry-filed average pure premium rate of $1.77 as of Jan. 1, 2022.

Topics California Workers' Compensation
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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 years-long coverup to protect the bishops 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 courts 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.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Massachusetts
Ukraine made its first shipment of grain since Russias invasion, marking a small but crucial first step toward unlocking the millions of tons of crops piling up in the country and boosting global food supplies.

The Razoni, a cargo ship loaded with 26,527 tons of corn, left for Lebanon on Monday morning, according to the United Nations, which together with Turkey helped broker the deal to restart exports. Ukraine Infrastructure Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov confirmed the departure and said there were 16 other ships in the greater Odesa region waiting for their turn to sail.

Wheat, corn and soybean futures slid in Chicago. Ukraine is one of the biggest grain and vegetable-oil suppliers and the loss of exports via its Black Sea ports has shaken the food trade and raised the threat of a hunger crisis. Mondays shipment represents a milestone achievement under the July 22 agreement to create safe shipping corridors through three of Ukraines ports, although it remains unclear how quickly exports can ramp up.

Prevent world famine together with @UN, @EU_Commission, #G7. The first ship left the Odesa port since 24.02.2022 pic.twitter.com/Nin8nSV8LM

 Oleksandr Kubrakov (@OlKubrakov) Aug. 1, 2022

Ensuring that existing grain and foodstuffs can move to global markets is a humanitarian imperative, a spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in a statement. The secretary-general hopes that this will be the first of many commercial ships moving in accordance with the initiative.

Scores of ships are stuck in the ports dotted along the Black Sea and are expected to begin moving out in caravans if all goes well. However, shipowners will have to secure insurance for cargoes and vessels, and also find enough crew to sail them. A Russian attack on Odesas sea port with cruise missiles hours after signing the deal raised questions earlier about its commitment.

Lloyds of Londons Ascot, Marsh Provide Insurance for Ukraine Sea Corridor

Ukraine will start moving agricultural goods to ports this week, Kubrakov said on TV. The country has been shipping some volumes of grain by road and rail while the ports remained closed, but in much smaller volumes than it can export by sea. It expects to reach full throughput capacity for transporting agricultural goods within weeks, the minister wrote earlier.

The pace of exports will be important as Ukraines farmers have warned they are running out of space to store crops, which could have a negative effect on how much grain is sown for next years harvest.

Ukraine has also accused Russia of stealing grain from occupied areas of the country and exporting it. Lebanon seized a ship loaded with barley and wheat flour while it determines whether the cargo may have been stolen from Ukraine, Public Prosecutor Ghassan Oueidat said at the weekend. Grain shipments from Russian-occupied Crimea have surged since the invasion, indicating that Ukrainian grain is being exported via sanctioned ports there, according to analysts. Russia denies stealing grain.

The Razoni is expected to arrive in Istanbul on Tuesday, according to Turkeys Defence Ministry. The agreement provided for monitoring by a joint coordination center in Istanbul, with representatives of all the parties.

The World Food Programme is planning to purchase, load and ship an initial 30,000 tons of wheat out of Ukraine on a UN-chartered vessel, with more details expected in the coming days, the UN said.

With assistance from Taylan Bilgic, Abdel Latif Wahba and Aine Quinn.

Photograph: Bulk carrier M/V Razoni, carrying a cargo of 26,000 tonnes of corn, leaves Ukraines port of Odesa, en route to Tripoli in Lebanon, on Aug. 1, 2022. Photo credit: Oleksandr Gimanov/AFP/Getty Images

Copyright 2022 Bloomberg.

Topics Russia Ukraine
Arachas Corporate Brokers Ltd., a Dublin-based subsidiary of The Ardonagh Group, announced it has reached an agreement to acquire Irelands Frank Glennon Ltd., Frank Glennon (Life & Pensions) Ltd., and Administration and Management Services Ltd.

Glennon Insurances is a trusted name in Ireland for insurance, having spent 75 years building strong, long-tenure client relationships from a diverse range of industries including construction, medical, retail, professional services, real estate and professional affinity group relationships.

Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed.

As an independently operated brokerage, Glennon specializes in corporate, small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs), employee benefits, financial planning and affinity home and motor businesses, with over 80 million in gross written premium (GWP) and more than 100 employees, with offices in Dublin.

The similarities between Arachas and Glennon Insurances, in terms of our business and our people-first culture, put us out in front, in a highly contested race, to acquire Glennon, commented Conor Brennan, the CEO of Ardonagh Europe and Arachas.

Their broking capacity and ability to manage risk over a long period of time is impressive. This, together with their experience in general insurance, life, pensions and business insurance is all highly complementary, to the rapidly growing Arachas business. Im delighted to be adding Glennon to a reputable list of Irish family businesses, who are now thriving under the Arachas brand.

David Glennon, chairman, Glennon Insurances, described the deal as a milestone moment in the 75 years since his grandfather founded the company.

I am confident that our dedicated employees, loyal clients and partners are in excellent hands, as part of the Arachas family. I know that Arachas has a strong vision to grow the business that will help us to continue to deliver what we have always offered our clients, namely a high quality service delivered by an expert and dedicated team, Glennon added.

With many potential buyers approaching us, Arachas stood out as a partner who shares our family business values and our approach to listening to our clients so that we can find the best way to protect what matters most to them, according to John Bissett, CEO, Glennon Insurances.

Subject to regulatory approval, the Glennon business will be integrated into Arachas following completion of the transaction, growing the Arachas headcount in Ireland to over 600.

Originally established in 1969, Arachas has grown to be a nationwide broker in Ireland with over 500 employees at offices around the country. Arachas was acquired by Ardonagh  the international Insurance group with over 100 offices and 9,000 employees in 2020 and today operates as part of its Europe platform.

Source: Arachas

Topics Mergers & Acquisitions Agencies
Heavy rains brought another round of flooding to the St. Louis region that was already recovering from record rains earlier this week, prompting firefighters to help dozens of people escape the floodwaters.

No injuries were reported from Thursdays flooding, but the St. Louis Fire Department said on Twitter that it responded to 75 flooding-related emergencies and 60 people were rescued or helped to safety.

Among the rescues, the department said firefighters carried six children to safety from a daycare at Cornerstone Institutional Baptist Church, where 15 children and three adults reportedly were trapped.

The Rev. Paul Sheridan, a longtime priest at St. Louis University High School, a Jesuit college prep school, was among several drivers whose cars became trapped by rising floodwaters Thursday afternoon. He told KSDK-TV that when the water reached his seat, he dashed out of his car.

Sheridan swam to a nearby tree and St. Louis firefighters helped the 77-year-old priest get into a nearby McDonalds restaurant. He said he kept thinking about people who had lost their homes.

Ive never been caught in a storm like that and, no, I cant walk on water, Sheridan said, laughing.

The storms that began Thursday afternoon lasted for a few hours and dropped about 2 to 4 inches (5 to 10 centimeters) of rain, according to early National Weather Service estimates.

Debbie Boshans, her husband and their cat had been rescued Tuesday from their home due to flooding, and they were working to load belongings onto a trailer Thursday when rain began falling again, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported. Their street flooded a second time.

I cant believe this happened again, Boshans son-in-law, Kyle Mathes, told the newspaper. Its a double whammy.

Earlier in the week, a storm system dropped more than 12 inches (30 centimeters) in St. Charles County and up to 10 inches (25 centimeters) in other areas on Tuesday and Wednesday. That prompted widespread flooding. Parts of southern Illinois also saw flooding after heavy rains.

Authorities said two men drowned in the earlier St. Louis-area storm.

The weather service said the rain that began early Tuesday was the most prolific in the St. Louis metropolitan area since records began in 1874.

The flooding came the same week that heavy rains caused deadly flooding and massive property damage in central Appalachia.

Topics Flood
The Michigan Supreme Court last week said the states anti-discrimination law covers sexual orientation, a victory for LGBTQ residents.

The court, in a 5-2 opinion, said the word sex in Michigans key civil rights law applies to sexual orientation and not just 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, Judge 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 court is bound by the language that the Legislature has enacted, not what the parties  believe the Legislature should have enacted or what any individual representative believed was enacted, Clement said.

In 2019, Rouch World, an event center in Sturgis, 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.

The Court of Claims said in 2020 that it was bound by a Court of Appeals decision decades earlier that found sexual orientation wasnt covered by the civil rights law.

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.

Democratic Attorney General Dana Nessel, who is gay and had argued the case at the Supreme Court, praised the decision.

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 said.

Topics Michigan
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Elon Musk countersued Twitter Inc. on Friday, escalating his legal fight against the social media company over his bid to walk away from the $44 billion purchase, although the lawsuit was filed confidentially.

While the 164-page document was not publicly available, under court rules a redacted version could soon be made public.

Musks lawsuit was filed hours after Chancellor Kathaleen McCormick of the Delaware Court of Chancery ordered a five-day trial beginning Oct. 17 to determine if Musk can walk away from the deal.

Twitter did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Also on Friday, Musk was sued by a Twitter shareholder who asked the court to order the billionaire to close the deal, find that he breached his fiduciary duty to Twitter shareholders and award damages for losses he caused.

Musk owes a fiduciary duty to Twitters shareholders because of his 9.6% stake in the company and because the takeover agreement gives him a veto of many of the companys decisions, according to the lawsuit, which seeks class status. The lawsuit was filed by Luigi Crispo, who owns 5,500 Twitter shares, in the Court of Chancery.

Musk, the worlds richest person and chief executive of Tesla Inc., said on July 8 he was abandoning the takeover and blamed Twitter Inc for breaching the agreement by misrepresenting the number of fake accounts on its platform.

Twitter sued days later, calling the fake account claims a distraction and saying Musk was bound by the merger contract to close the deal at $54.20 per share. The companys shares ended on Friday at $41.61, the highest close since Musk abandoned the deal.

McCormick fast-tracked the case to trial last week, saying she wanted to limit the potential harm to Twitter caused by the uncertainty of the deal.

Twitter has blamed the court fight for slumping revenue and causing chaos within the company.

The two sides had basically agreed to an Oct. 17 trial, but were at odds over the limits of discovery, or access to internal documents and other evidence.

Musk accused Twitter this week of dragging its feet in response to his discovery requests, and Twitter accused him of seeking huge amounts of data that are irrelevant to the main issue in the case: whether Musk had violated the deal contract.

The chief judge in her order on Friday appeared to anticipate discovery disputes to come.

This order does not resolve any specific discovery disputes, including the propriety of any requests for large data sets, said McCormick.

Musk also faces a week-long trial in Wilmington, Delaware, beginning Oct. 24. A Tesla shareholder is seeking to void as corporate waste and unjust enrichment the CEOs record-breaking $56 billion pay package from the electric vehicle maker.
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The Boy Scouts of America must adjust their plan to create the biggest sexual abuse compensation fund in the U.S. in order to win final court approval for the $2.7 billion proposal, a judge ruled.

The decision by a federal judge in Wilmington, Delaware, came after weeks of testimony from abuse experts, financial advisers and insurance specialists over whether it would be fair  and legal  for the Boy Scouts to route those abuse claims to the compensation fund instead of allowing them to proceed in court. The fund would compensate 82,000 people who claim they were molested while part of the 112-year-old organization.

In a complicated ruling of almost 300 pages that included more than 750 footnotes, US Bankruptcy Court Judge Laurie Silverstein declined to make certain legal findings demanded by the Boy Scouts. One example was her refusal to make particular factual findings related to rules governing the trust funds distribution.

For the Boy Scouts to exit bankruptcy oversight, they need Silverstein to approve their proposed reorganization. The plan is based on the trust fund and the lengthy procedures it would use to determine how much each victim is entitled to receive.

In her conclusion, Silverstein didnt say whether she was approving or denying the complex compensation fund, but instead simply told the Boy Scouts that they have decisions to make regarding the plan and need sufficient time to determine how to proceed.

Silverstein said she would hold a court hearing on the status of the reorganization after Boy Scouts have reviewed her detailed ruling.

After a rocky start to the bankruptcy case in 2020, the Boy Scouts eventually settled with the main victims groups, several wealthy local scouting councils and some insurance companies. Those groups kicked in the $2.7 billion and voted overwhelmingly in favor of the proposal.

At the start of the case, the Boy Scouts faced about 1,400 abuse claims. An advertising blitz by law firms seeking clients pushed that number to 82,000. Some insurance companies attacked the increase, claiming a substantial number of the allegations were likely to be fake.

The holdout insurers, including American International Group Inc., Liberty Mutual Holding Co. and Travelers Cos., tried to convince Silverstein to reject the compensation fund by arguing that the rules for deciding who should be paid and how much are unfair.

A few dozen abuse claimants also opposed the plan, saying they should be able to pursue their lawsuits in a traditional court, instead of seeking compensation from the fund. Silverstein overruled some of those objections in her opinion released Friday.

The plan to create the trust distribution fund was also opposed by the U.S. Trustee, a federal bankruptcy watchdog, which argues that too many groups and individuals are being released from liability in the deal.

The case is Boy Scouts of America, 20-10343, U.S. Bankruptcy Court, District of Delaware (Wilmington).

Photo by George Frey/Getty Images

Copyright 2022 Bloomberg.

Topics Legislation
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Three hostile foreign actors breached the federal courts document management system via an incredibly significant and sophisticated cyberattack more than 18 months ago, the chairman of the House Judiciary Committee said on Thursday.

Representative Jerrold Nadler, a New York Democrat, said on Thursday that his committee learned in March of the startling breadth and scope of the courts documents management system security failure. He added the hack had a disturbing impact on both pending civil and criminal litigation and national security.

In January 2021, the Administrative Office of the US Courts said it was investigating an apparent compromise in its electronic case filing system, which enables attorneys to file case documents such as pleadings, motions and petitions with courts online. The office said the breach occurred as a result of vulnerabilities in its electronic case filing system that risked compromising sensitive sealed filings.

Sealed filings arent publicly available and can be kept from view due to a range of concerns spanning confidential personal and business information or national security secrets.

Matthew Olsen, assistant attorney general for the National Security Division at the Department of Justice, cited hacking threats from China, Russia, Iran and North Korea in response to Nadlers concerns during a Thursday committee hearing, saying the challenge when it comes to nation-state cyber activity is significant. He referred to an ongoing investigation into the matter but gave no details. Nadler didnt name the three hostile foreign actors or say how he learned of their alleged role.

Senator Ron Wyden, an Oregon Democrat, said the federal judiciary has yet to publicly explain what happened and has refused multiple requests to provide unclassified briefings to Congress. On Thursday, he accused the federal judiciary of concealing what happened and demanded more information.

I write to express serious concerns that the federal judiciary has hidden from the American public and many members of Congress the serious national security consequences of the courts failure to protect sensitive data to which they have been entrusted, Wyden said in a letter to the director of the Administrative Office of the US Courts.

Wyden said the judiciarys decentralized court system is flawed and has opposed congressional efforts to modernize, creating unmanageable security risks. He urged the federal judiciary to adopt a set of mandatory cybersecurity standards and audits that all federal courts would be required to follow.

Nadler said the breach wasnt related to a cyber-espionage campaign that was revealed in December 2020 and affected nine federal agencies  including the Department of Justice  and about 100 businesses. US officials blamed that attack, which partially relied on installing malicious code in updates for software made by SolarWinds Corp., on Russian state-sponsored hackers.

In January 2021, an Administrative Office spokesperson told Bloomberg Law that they believed the apparent compromise was tied to the broader SolarWinds-related hacks.

As we said in January 2021, the Judiciary faces a significant threat to our electronic case management system, the office said in a statement released later on Thursday. Since that time, we have taken and continue to take significant actions to protect our systems and the sensitive information they contain.

The statement did not say whether the breach referred to at the hearing was believed to be connected to the one disclosed last year.

Photographer: Andrew Harnik-Pool/Getty Images

Copyright 2022 Bloomberg.

Topics Cyber




Online shopping in Korea rose around 10 percent in June from a year ago as the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions boosted demand for travel and leisure services and food, data showed Monday.







The value of online shopping transactions came to 16.8 trillion won ($12.9 billion) in June, up 10.4 percent from 15.2 trillion won from a year earlier, according to the data from Statistics Korea.







Purchases made through smartphones, tablets and other mobile devices rose 15.8 percent on-year to 12.4 trillion won. Mobile shopping took up 74 percent of the total value of online shopping.







On April 18, Korea lifted most COVID-19 restrictions, except the mask mandate in closed environments, in a major step toward returning to pre-pandemic life.







In June, online purchases of travel services, as well as cultural and leisure services, more than doubled from a year ago as eased virus curbs increased people's outdoor activities.







Online purchases of travel and transportation services also jumped 102 percent on-year to 1.65 trillion won, the most since August 2019.







That of cultural and leisure services soared 121.6 percent to a record high of 276.4 billion won.







Online shopping for food and beverages rose 16.8 percent to 2.22 trillion won as more people bought groceries online during the pandemic.







Online transactions of food delivery services rebounded in June from a month earlier, as hot weather and frequent rains raised demand for food delivery.







In June, online purchases of food delivery services increased 4.6 percent on-year to 2.06 trillion won. In May, they declined for the first time since 2017, as more people chose to dine out amid increased outdoor activities. (Yonhap)






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.

Under the ordinance approved last week by the City Council on a 4-to-2 vote, police must get a judges approval to use the software and cellphone surveillance towers. And they may use them only to investigate 39 violent crimes, including murder, rape, stalking and battery of a police officer.
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Six workers suffered severe burns following a Friday morning explosion at a oil drilling storage tank in central Mississippi.

The workers sustained burns on at least 50% of their bodies, with one being burned from head to toe, said Minor Norman, the Madison County Fire Coordinator. Two people were airlifted to the University of Mississippi Medical Center for treatment.

Norman said the cause of the explosion was still under investigation Friday. The crews were conducting maintenance on the tanks, which are used to hold waste water from oil well operations, according to local news reports.

Were not sure what caused it, Norman said. There were four storage tank facilities to hold products from oil wells. They (the workers) were in the process of changing out two tanks with new fiberglass tanks. They were getting ready to go into service when the older tank exploded.

The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality was called to the site to investigate.

The injured people are employees of W.S. Red Hancock, a Mississippi-based welding and fabrication company. Company officials told WLBT-TV they were assessing the situation Friday but had no additional information.

Personnel from the Mississippi Oil and Gas Board, the state fire marshal, law enforcement and emergency first responders were working the scene and had blocked a road to the area.

Were just doing our due diligence now and dont want to say anything thats inaccurate, and were deeply sad for the injuries sustained and hope to have more information shortly, Jess New, executive director of the Oil and Gas Board, told the Clarion-Ledger newspaper.

Photo: The road to oil well storage site is blocked after a tank explosion in Flora, Miss., on Friday. (Hannah Mattix/The Clarion-Ledger via AP)

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Mississippi
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The recent brouhaha regarding Demotech and its Financial Stability Ratings (FSRs) of as many as 20 Florida insurers has now come full circlealmost. One important question remains unanswered.

Before answering the question, and for those whove just joined the discussion, a good summary of these happenings can be found in Kyle Ulrichs blog . As president of the Florida Association of Insurance Agents (FAIA) hes got a valuable grassroots statewide perspective. Not coincidentally his blog both begins and ends by asking the still unanswered question: Is it time for Florida to turn the page on Demotech?

He wasnt the only one taking umbrage with Demotechs President, Joe Petrelli, whose letter to CEOs warned of impending downgradesagain.

Petrelli lit a brushfire to say the least. Florida CFO Jimmy Patronis immediately wrote federal officials (the presidents of the Federal Housing Authority, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac) calling Demotechs methodologies dubious. Insurance Commissioner David Altmaier demanded Petrelli answer specific questions about inconsistencies in his approach. And the FAIA (and others) impugned Petrellis motives calling them ulterior or saying  many industry observers often roll their eyes every time Joe Petrelli speaks. (See Note #1 below)

Even more enlightening were the comments from Frontline Insurance Company. While most carriers were silent CEO Leman Porter, according to the Insurance Journal, circulated a statement which included the following:

This is a matter of politics being played out between Demotech and the Florida Legislature, and between Demotech and Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac to get Demotechs S rating accepted. We unknowingly have gotten caught in the crossfire and will move past this to continue our success in the marketplace shortly. Emphasis added.

Porters politics was a reference to something many may not knowthat some carriers use another rating agency called Kroll or KBRA. It has a competitive advantage over Demotech because its secondary rating is accepted by Fannie Mae but Demotechs secondary rating of S is not. Allegedly thats why Petrelli did what he didto pressure Fannie Mae to accept Demotechs S rating. It backfired obviously but, that shouldnt distract from any exposed need for an alternative to Demotech. (See NOTE #2 below)

Using steps similar to those he used in 2017, 2018, 2020 and 2021, Petrelli backpedaled causing some to ask if hes done it before why was this time so different? Well for one thing, according to many Ive spoken with (and Kyle Ulrichs blog), Demotech has been very outspoken about legislative reforms and Petrelli actually called for some of the Special Session reforms, sending letters and grandstanding before the session convened. Then, when it was all over, his downgrade letter characterized the legislatures hard work as too little, too late.

Not the best way to win friends in Tallahassee. And, as it turns out, not in Washington DC either.

In my opinion, Petrelli not only launched Kyle Ulrichs question, he also gave flight to its answer which isYES!

Yes, of course, Florida needs an alternative to Demotech. And, in my opinion, it should be one created by the State of Florida, for the unique needs of the State of Florida.

Look at it this way: Florida had problems with hurricane models, so Florida created its own hurricane model. When Florida had problems finding coverage for damaged homes after Andrew, it created the FRPCJUA, the precursor to Citizens. And when Florida had a problem with reinsurance Florida lawmakers created The Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund.

Now Florida has a problem with a monopolistic rating agency that threatens downgrades to assist lobbying efforts with the Fed.

Why cant lawmakers authorize and fund Floridas own ratings bureau? It would need to be independent of political influence, of course. It should exercise an academic approach to number crunching and assign ratings based only on those numbers and the requirements of Fannie and Freddie. No threats. No last minute downgrades. And it should have a secondary rating that even if it isnt a perfect A would still meet the requirements of the secondary mortgage market, like Kroll. Putting the mortgage issue aside, what good is a rating that gets downgraded only days before a carrier goes broke? (See NOTE #3 below)

THIS JUST INNo sooner did I write all the above than OIR publishes its solution a temporary reinsurance arrangement through Citizens for insurers facing downgrades from Demotech. Its a nifty idea, its already authorized by statute and it allows insurers to continue with their existing rating acceptable to the secondary mortgage market. Some have even called it a beautiful solution. Altmaier said In the event we need to implement this temporary solution, consumers will not need to seek coverage elsewhere, agents will not need to move policies, and lenders can have confidence that these insurers continue to meet the mortgage qualifications.

With the possible exception of Joe Petrelli, with whom I have not spoken, everybody seems to like OIRs innovative approach. (See Editors Note, below). Kyle Ulrich, also with whom I have not spoken, seems to like it, see his latest blog . (See Note #3 below) And, for what its worth, I like it too. Mostly because it made Kyle Ulrichs turn the page question much easier to answer.

All thats left now is how to make this so called beautiful solution permanent.

After all, the OIR has demonstrated that maybe Florida doesnt even need a rating agency.

NOTE #1: see Letters from CFO Patronis ; see Blog from Kyle Ulrich ; see letter from Commissioner Altmaier ; see letter from Petrelli to Altmaier .

NOTE #2: Kroll or KBRA among other things performs financial service ratings for a variety of sectors including insurance. The explanation I received is that in an instance where Demotech were to downgrade a carrier the Kroll secondary rating of BBB would allow it to continue qualifying for mortgages under Fannie Mae. This competitive advantage has become increasingly problematic for Demotech.

NOTE #3: The solution of Citizens providing quota share reinsurance to private market carriers is eerily like one I drafted for FAIA 15 or so years ago called, the Windstorm Coverage Fund (WCF). Carriers could opt to purchase retail windstorm coverage to the extent they needed to do so as a means to write policies otherwise destined for the residual market. The concept was drafted, the numbers were run and it was submitted to lawmakers where it was summarily quashed by industry lobbyists.

This article first ran July 29 on Scott Johnsons blog page. Johnson is a former executive vice president of FAIA, is a consultant, a blogger, and author of books on insurance and on association management. In the 1980s, Johnson was vice president of Shamrock Automation Systems, an insurance rating software company.

Editors note: Petrelli has not addressed the assertions that Demotech floated the potential downgrades as a means of pressuring Fannie and Freddie into accepting a financial strength rating of less than A exceptional. But he has said that Demotech has played a vital role in reviewing the strength of insurance companies in Florida, when other rating firms would not.

On the plan to now use Citizens to provide a cut-through endorsement or reinsurance for some carriers that are in danger of losing their ratings or which may be in financial difficulty, in order to ensure approval from Fannie and Freddie, Petrelli called it a fascinating idea.

My initial thought is that prior to assigning any level of FSR, we would want to view the reinsurance cut-through endorsement, Petrelli said in an email to the Insurance Journal. Second, although Citizens is a government-backed agency, we would also need to do a review of its ability to be a reinsurance company.

Topics Florida
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Insurance agents in flooded parts of Kentucky reported Monday that their towns had been inundated with river water and mud  but few residents have flood insurance.

From what I know, almost no one has flood insurance, and they got water 4 to 5 feet deep in their homes, said Tim Ison, an agency in Hazard, in Perry County, part of a four-county area that has seen at least 30 people killed and hundreds of homes damaged or destroyed.

Ison mostly writes auto policies and reported that his agency has been swamped with dozens of claims for vehicles that were damaged in the flooding over the last five days.

The mud is unbelievable, Ison said. Theyve taken truckload after truckload out of the parking lots around here, but its everywhere. And a lot of people still dont have power.

Laura Feltner, owner of a State Farm agency in Hazard, which writes homeowner policies, said she was too busy to talk Monday morning. Another agency reported widespread damage to homes, most of which did not have National Flood Insurance Program policies or private flood coverage. Several other agencies in flooded towns did not answer telephone calls. Others reported that agents were out helping to get aid, including food and water, to displaced people.

Rescue workers were still trying to reach missing people Monday morning, but were hindered by debris piled up by the floodwaters, according to news reports. Kentuckys governor said he believes recovery crews are going to be finding bodies for weeks, many of them swept hundreds of yards, maybe a quarter-mile plus from where they were last, according to CNN and NBC News.

More than 12,000 people were without power, another hazard as temperatures were expected to climb later this week. Meanwhile, more rains were expected today.

A lot of these places have never flooded. So if theyve never flooded, these people will not have flood insurance, Donald Mobelin, the mayor of Hazard, told CNN. If they lose their home, its total loss. Theres not going to be an insurance check coming to help that. We need cash donations, he said, referring to a relief fund set up by the state.

The lack of flood insurance in the region is not unusual. Studies in recent years have shown that only 7% of Americans hold flood policies. And flood insurance rates for many properties in vulnerable areas are rising this year after the Federal Emergency Management Agency revamped its risk ratings to be more data-driven and equitable.

Liability claims could arise at some point. The Associated Press reported that the coal industry, diminished though it is, could have made the flooding worse. The hardest hit areas of eastern Kentucky received between 8 and 10.5 inches of rain over 48 hours, and the degradation of the land wrought by coal mining might have altered the landscape enough to help push rivers and creeks to crest at record levels.

Decades upon decades of strip mining and mountaintop-removal mining leaves the land unable to help absorb some of that runoff during periods of high rainfall, said Emily Satterwhite, director of Appalachian Studies at Virginia Tech University.

The North Fork of the Kentucky River reached 20.9 feet (6.4 meters) in Whitesburg  more than 6 feet over the previous record  and crested at a record 43.5 feet (13.25 meters) in Jackson, said National Weather Service meteorologist Brandon Bonds.

Melinda Hurd, 27, was forced from her home in Martin, Kentucky, on Thursday afternoon when the Big Sandy River rose to her front steps  and then kept coming.

As soon as I stepped off my steps it was waist high, she told the Associated Press. She is staying with two of her dogs at Jenny Wiley State Park in Prestonsburg, about 20 minutes from her home.

Hurds neighbors werent as lucky; some were stuck on their roofs, waiting to be rescued.

Many people in this part of Appalachia had no homeowners insurance of any kind, according to news reports.

Evelyn Smith lost everything in the floods that devastated eastern Kentucky, saving only her grandsons muddy tricycle. But shes not planning to leave the mountains that have been her home for 50 years, the AP reported.

Like many families in this dense, forested region of hills, deep valleys and meandering streams, Smiths roots run deep. Her family has lived in Knott County for five generations. Theyve built connections with people that have sustained them, even as an area long mired in poverty has hemorrhaged more jobs with the collapse of the coal industry.

After fast-rising floodwaters from nearby Troublesome Creek swamped her rental trailer, Smith moved in with her mother. At age 50 she is disabled, suffering from a chronic breathing disorder, and knows she wont be going back to where she lived; her landlord told her he wont put trailers back in the same spot. Smith, who didnt have insurance, doesnt know what her next move will be.

Ive cried until I really cant cry no more, she said. Im just in shock. I dont really know what to do now.

For many people who lost their homes, connections with family and neighbors will only grow in importance in the aftermath of the floods, which wiped out homes and businesses and engulfed small towns. Still, in a part of the state that includes seven of the 100 poorest counties in the nation, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, they may not be enough for people already living on the margins.

The flooding extended to West Virginia, where Gov. Jim Justice declared a state of emergency for six southern counties, and to Virginia, where Gov. Glenn Youngkin also made an emergency declaration that enabled officials to mobilize resources across the flooded southwest portion of the state.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Top photo: A home in Eastern Kentucky is washed onto a road on Saturday after historic rains during the week flooded many areas of Kentucky. (Michael Clevenger/Courier Journal via AP)

Topics Agencies Flood Kentucky
Wildfires in California and Montana exploded in size overnight amid windy, hot conditions and were quickly encroaching on neighborhoods, forcing evacuation orders for over 100 homes Saturday, while an Idaho blaze was spreading.

In Californias Klamath National Forest, the fast-moving McKinney fire, which started Friday, went from charring just over 1 square mile to scorching as much as 62 square miles by Saturday in a largely rural area near the Oregon state line, according to fire officials. The fire burned down at least a dozen residences and wildlife was seen fleeing the area to avoid the flames.

Its continuing to grow with erratic winds and thunderstorms in the area and were in triple digit temperatures, said Caroline Quintanilla, a spokeswoman at Klamath National Forest.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency Saturday as the fire intensified. The proclamation allows Newsom more flexibility to make emergency response and recovery effort decisions and access federal aid.

It also allows firefighting resources from other states to assist California crews in battling the fires, according to a statement from the governors office.

Meanwhile in Montana, the Elmo wildfire nearly tripled in size to more than 11 square miles within a few miles of the town of Elmo. Roughly 200 miles to the south, Idaho residents remained under evacuation orders as the Moose Fire in the Salmon-Challis National Forest charred more than 67.5 square miles in timbered land near the town of Salmon. It was 17% contained.

A significant build-up of vegetation was fueling the McKinney fire, said Tom Stokesberry, a spokesman with the U.S. Forest Service for the region.

Its a very dangerous fire  the geography there is steep and rugged, and this particular area hasnt burned in a while, he said.

A small fire was also burning nearby, outside the town of Seiad, Stokesberry said. With lightning predicted over the next few days, resources from all over California were being brought in to help fight the regions fires, he said.

McKinneys explosive growth forced crews to shift from trying to control the perimeter of the blaze to trying to protect homes and critical infrastructure like water tanks and power lines, and assist in evacuations in Californias northernmost county of Siskiyou.

Deputies and law enforcement were knocking on doors in the county seat of Yreka and the town of Fort Jones to urge residents to get out and safely evacuate their livestock onto trailers. Automated calls were being sent to land phone lines as well because there were areas without cell phone service.

Over 100 homes were ordered evacuated and authorities were warning people to be on high alert. Smoke from the fire caused the closure of portions of Highway 96.

The Pacific Coast Trail Association urged hikers to get to the nearest town while the U.S. Forest Service closed a 110-mile section of the trail from the Etna Summit to the Mt. Ashland Campground in southern Oregon.

Oregon state Rep. Dacia Grayber, who is a firefighter, was camping with her husband, who is also in the fire service, near the California state line when gale-force winds awoke them just after midnight.

The sky was glowing with strikes of lightening in the clouds, while ash was blowing at them, though they were in Oregon, about 10 miles away. Intense heat from the fire had sent up a massive pyrocumulonimbus cloud, which can produce its own weather system including winds and thunderstorms, Grayber said.

These were some of the worst winds Ive ever been in and were used to big fires, she said. I thought it was going to rip the roof top tent off of our truck. We got the heck out of there.

On their way out, they came across hikers on the Pacific Coast Trail fleeing to safety.

The terrifying part for us was the wind velocity, she said. It went from a fairly cool breezy night to hot, dry hurricane-force winds. Usually that happens with a fire during the day but not at night. I hope for everyones sake this dies down but its looking like its going to get worse.

In western Montana, the wind-driven Elmo fire forced evacuations of homes and livestock as it raced across grass and timber, according to The National Interagency Fire Center, based in Idaho. The agency estimated it would take nearly a month to contain the blaze.

Smoke shut down a portion of Highway 28 between Hot Springs and Elmo because of the thick smoke, according to the Montana Department of Transportation.

Crews from several different agencies were fighting the fire on Saturday, including the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes Fire Division. Six helicopters were making drops on the fire, aided by 22 engines on the ground.

In Idaho, more than 930 wildland firefighters and support staff were battling the Moose fire Saturday and protecting homes, energy infrastructure and the Highway 93 corridor, a major north-south route.

A red flag warning indicated that the weather could make things worse with the forecast calling for dry thunderstorms, with lightning, wind and no rain.

In Hawaii, fire crews and helicopters have been fighting flames Saturday evening on Maui near Paia Bay. The Maui County Emergency Management Agency said roads have been closed and have advised residents and travelers to avoid the area. It is unclear how many acres have burned. A red flag warning is in effect Sunday.

Meanwhile, crews made significant progress in battling another major blaze in California that forced evacuations of thousands of people near Yosemite National Park earlier this month. The Oak fire was 52% contained by Saturday, according to a Cal Fire incident update.

As fires raged across the West, the U.S. House on Friday approved wide-ranging legislation aimed at helping communities in the region cope with increasingly severe wildfires and drought  fueled by climate change  that have caused billions of dollars in damage to homes and businesses in recent years.

The legislative measure approved by federal lawmakers Friday combines 49 separate bills and would increase firefighter pay and benefits; boost resiliency and mitigation projects for communities affected by climate change; protect watersheds; and make it easier for wildfire victims to get federal assistance.

The bill now goes to the Senate, where California Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein has sponsored a similar measure.

_____

Boone reported from Boise, Idaho.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Catastrophe Natural Disasters USA Wildfire
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Global market trend 2025-2029 New York State declares a disaster emergency over monkeypox outbreak Impact on 96 pcr plate by Newsintegra927

New York state has declared a disaster emergency over an outbreak of monkeypox impacts on the 96 pcr plate

New York's rapidly spreading monkeypox outbreak was declared a state disaster emergency late on Friday by Governor Kathy Hochul, as authorities raced to distribute vaccines to contain the spread of the virus. The measure comes as the number of monkeypox infections in New York approaches 1,400, with most of the infections in the city. New York City is the epicenter of the monkeypox outbreak in the United States

"With more than a quarter of monkeypox cases in this country occurring in New York State, we need to respond with every tool in our Arsenal," Hochul said of the emergency declaration in a statement. The head of the World Health Organization declared the virus a global health emergency late last week. As of Wednesday, more than 20,000 cases of monkeypox had been detected in 77 countries worldwide. There are now about 4,600 reported cases in the United States, according to USA Today.

The executive order specifically expands the pool of eligible individuals who can be vaccinated against monkeypox to include emergency medical service workers, pharmacists and midwives. It also allows physicians and registered nurse practitioners to issue standing orders for non-patient-specific vaccines and requires providers to send vaccine data to state health departments.

Meanwhile, the mayor of San Francisco declared a state of emergency in the city on Thursday due to the growing number of cases in the city. There have been 800 cases in California and 261 in San Francisco. "We desperately need vaccines to support the people of San Francisco," London Mayor Breed said. Federal health officials say they are still considering whether to declare monkeypox a public health emergency, which would free up additional resources.

After the federal government struggled to get enough monkeypox vaccine earlier this month, supplies have climbed steadily in recent weeks, peaking on Friday with 780,000 doses distributed nationwide. About 110,000 doses were sent to New York, including about 30,000 doses outside the city. Earlier this week, vaccine clinics in the greater New York area, as well as several upstate counties, faced huge demand because of limited vaccine supplies, as people booked appointments within hours.

Healthcare workers from the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene help people register for the monkeypox vaccine at a vaccination site in New York City on July 26, 2022. On July 29, New York declared a statewide disaster emergency due to monkeypox. Based on previous outbreaks of monkeypox around the world, some groups may also be at increased risk of severe consequences if infected. This includes people with weakened immune systems, older New Yorkers, children under the age of 8 and pregnant women.

Overview of market area prospect of 96 pcr plate

By region, the market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East and Africa (MEA). North America is further divided into countries such as the United States and Canada. The European region is further divided into The United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Russia and the rest of Europe. The Asia Pacific region is further subdivided into China, Japan, Korea, India, Australia, Southeast Asia and the rest of Asia Pacific. The Latin America region is further subdivided into Brazil, Mexico and the rest of Latin America, and the MEA region is further divided into GCC, Turkey, South Africa and the rest of MEA.

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Analysis and forecast of the market size of PCR diagnostic industry

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a nucleic acid synthesis technology that uses the principle of DNA double-strand replication to replicate specific DNA fragments in vitro. With this technology, the detection equipment can amplify the target gene in a large number in a short time, expanding the target gene fragment to the order of millions to billions, thus achieving high sensitivity detection. At present, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) diagnosis of infectious diseases such as hepatitis, venereal disease, intestinal respiratory disease and tumor single gene detection is an important application field. In 2020, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) diagnostic technology was identified as the "gold standard" for COVID-19 diagnosis due to its high sensitivity and accuracy.

China's PCR diagnostic market is developing rapidly, with the market size growing rapidly from about RMB 2.37 billion in 2015 to about RMB 5.93 billion in 2019, with a compound annual growth rate of 25.8%. China's PCR industry experienced explosive growth due to the huge demand for testing caused by the outbreak of COVID-19 in 2020, and the market size of China's PCR diagnostic industry exceeded 10 billion yuan in 2020. With the introduction of a large number of PCR diagnostic instruments, the PCR diagnostic industry will enter a new stage of development. It is expected that the PCR diagnostic industry will maintain a double-digit growth rate, and the market size of the PCR diagnostic industry will reach about 23.42 billion yuan in 2030 based on the factory price, and the cagR will reach about 13.3% from 2019 to 2030.

Market Demand of the 96 pcr plate

The DNA/RNA Extraction Kit market and other 96 pcr plate s are projected to grow at a CAGR of 8.26% during the forecast period 2022-2027.

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the 96 pcr plate market for a short time due to restrictions on different business and research activities for 96 pcr plate s. In addition, diagnostic tests for other diseases and medical conditions in hospitals and other clinical diagnostic facilities have been affected as COVID-19 has led to fewer patients taking tests. However, the high rate of COVID-19 infection and research activities are undertaken by major companies in the field of sequencing to expand their understanding of the virus and its origins, as well as molecular diagnostics of the SARS-COV-2 virus, have led to the development and launch of many DNA - and RNA-BASED COVID-19 kits, The kits proved so important that they were in great demand.

Market drivers for the 96 pcr plate

The growth of the DNA/RNA extraction kit market is primarily driven by increased investment in R&D activities in different areas, including molecular diagnostics for different chronic and infectious diseases. For example, the US spent $842 billion on R&D activities in 2020, followed by China at $664 billion, according to the ORGANISATION for Economic Co-operation and Development. Technological advances worldwide, new product launches by major market players, and an increase in cancer cases are also likely to complement the growth of the markets under study.

Other factors, such as increased demand for automation of DNA/RNA extraction technologies, new user-friendly and easy extraction kits, and DNA/RNA for analysis of new diseases causing microorganisms, are expected to drive DNA/RNA growth. RNA Extraction Kit market during the forecast period. Therefore, low awareness and availability of the kit and low market penetration in less developed and developing regions around the world are the major factors limiting the growth of the DNA/RNA extraction kit market.

North America is expected to dominate the global 96 pcr plate market during the forecast period

North America, which holds a major share in the 96 pcr plate market, is expected to show a similar trend during the forecast period, mainly due to the high level of R&D activity in the region and the presence of major market players in the region constantly developing their products for the markets studied.

In the region, the US is expected to take a major share of the DNA/RNA extraction kit market due to heavy investment in R&D by government and private entities, increased demand for 96 pcr plate s, and the rising prevalence of chronic diseases.

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Despite being a pain patient for about five years, the first time I heard of oral ketamine as a chronic pain treatment was when I met Dr Kirk Levins in the National Maternity Hospital in Holles Street. I was attending him for scar tissue and nerve pain in the lower back and pelvis, having already seen dozens of various consultants in Dublin, London, Washington, and Zurich for various (mostly unsuccessful) surgeries and treatments over that period.

My physiotherapist spoke wonders about a consultant who had worked with St Vincents pain team for years, now treating Irelands countless pelvic pain patients. After waking up from a day procedure, my pain levels skyrocketed. Instead of offering me the usual temporary aid of fentanyl, Dr Levins prescribed me liquid ketamine. Building up in my system, I could take small amounts per day and could stop the medication anytime, without the usual withdrawals. That part I found hard to believe, but he confirmed that Brexit had led to a sudden but brief shortage of liquid ketamine in Ireland, and some patients were suddenly cut off from the supply. He has been prescribing it since he was a trainee at St Vincents University Hospital, which has used liquid ketamine for over 15 years. Instead of experiencing withdrawals, as with opioids and medications like Lyrica (pregabalin), his patients were fine when they stopped taking liquid ketamine; apart from their pain levels rising, of course.

Ketamine, when used in anaesthesia, causes a dissociative state, essentially disconnecting the part of our brain and spinal cord where we receive and transmit signals from the body part, working on the whole central nervous system. The medication is routinely used in anaesthetic practice to reduce acute pain, and also for severe depression.

Ive since been taking it three times a day for around four months now, and Ive noticed undeniable benefits, specifically in allowing me to taper off Lyrica and completely ditch opioids. Ive been dependent on Lyrica for four years, and tapering off the drug is known to be incredibly difficult  not least if you have fibromyalgia, like myself. Liquid ketamine works differently to recreational use, leading to highly contrasting effects. Rather than give you a high, the liquid version simply reduces acute and chronic pain as well as anxiety. Dr Levins described to me how he switched his opioid-dependent patients to liquid ketamine.

"The initial response is one of fear, as many people have heard it is used as a horse tranquilliser, says Dr Kirk Levins, Consultant Anaesthetist, Pain Specialist at SVUH and National Maternity Hospital. I typically explain that it's an anaesthetic agent that can be used on animals. However, it was a potent analgesic right from the first time it was tested. The original precursor to it was phencyclidine, developed in 1958. In 1962, ketamine was synthesised by Parke Davis consultant and organic chemist Calvin Stevens. Human trials began in 1965, with prisoners in the United States given infusions.

When it was initially introduced in 1970, they were using very high doses for anaesthetics, Dr Levins offers. Over the last decade or so, its been used more and more in anaesthesia, pain medicine and depression. According to research, ketamine may change dysfunctional brain cell pathways and connections through the process of neuroplasticity. Its effects come about by the way it acts on the signals of a particular chemical messenger, glutamate.

I had heard about recent trials involving ketamine and severe depression, seeing as one was taking place in Trinity College Dublin and St Patricks Mental Health Services, led by Professor Declan McLoughlin. Dr Levins has also noticed immense mental health benefits for his patients.

We conducted a study of 79 patients, though we have many more who have been treated with ketamine in the last 15 years, and they had a 41.6% decrease in pain relative to their baseline with oral ketamine, he explains.

We also noticed a significant decrease in depression and an improvement in quality of life. Multiple studies have shown that liquid ketamine works far more rapidly than antidepressants. We also havent seen any problems with long-term use, Dr Levins adds.

The 79 patients we looked at are just the tip of the iceberg. There are many more patients with excellent responses to ketamine. It works for all neuropathic pain states. Generally, Ive been able to treat pelvic pain with interventions. When you have chronic pain, pathways both in the spinal cord and the brain change. Over time, these pathways reduce the requirement for stimulus to be painful. A proposed mechanism for the long-term benefit of chronic pain is that ketamine may alter the affective-motivational component of pain.

Potentially, because ketamine blocks the NMDA receptor, these connections in the brain become weaker and weaker over time, Dr Levins continues, enthusiastically. It's one of the few drugs that has the potential to reverse central nervous system changes. It also acts on other receptors, working differently to opioids.

While Dr Levins is also an expert at pain intervention  treating Holles Streets pelvic pain patients with huge success  its incredibly comforting to know that there are pharmaceutical aids for those of us who frequently deal with failed treatments; especially ones without the withdrawals and mood issues that opioids bring. With the data and first-hand patient feedback to support the hypothesis, it seems like Special K is here to stay.
A hotel in Youghal was awarded a contract worth over 12 million to accommodate Ukrainians arriving into Ireland following the Russian invasion earlier this year.

The owners of Dublins Citywest Hotel, meanwhile, were awarded contracts worth just under 10m as it acts as a hub for arrivals for those fleeing the war.

In total, the Government has agreed on contracts worth 99.3m on accommodation and ancillary services such as catering, cleaning and laundry with hotels and guesthouses around the country according to tender documents published by the Department of Integration.

Over 90 such contracts have been signed as the State continues to scramble to secure accommodation for the 32,000 arrivals from Ukraine whove required it.

The Irish Examiner reported last week that the Aviva Stadium had been used to temporarily house around 100 refugees before they were moved to other accommodation. It comes as the Government has also been reaching out to the GAA and religious organisations in a bid to secure temporary housing for Ukrainians.

Student accommodation

Councils are also looking for properties on islands off the Irish coast to accommodate Ukrainians living in student accommodation.

Thousands of refugees face having to leave accommodation before the next academic year begins, with many being told they need to vacate their flats over the next two weeks.

Of the 32,000 whove sought accommodation since their arrival, around 28,000 have been placed in serviced accommodation with a further 1,100 in emergency accommodation. Its understood the latter form of accommodation is seen as temporary, with people moved on quickly.

Citywest has been acting as a hub for arrivals before they move elsewhere, and the Department of Integration awarded contracts worth 2.45 million and 8.34 million since the outbreak of the war.

Six locations in Cork have been providing accommodation and/or other services according to the tender documents.

It includes Weddings by Franc Ltd (622,440), Knockrow Trading Ltd/Munster Arms Hotel (294,840), The Drimoleague Inn (254,800), CRM Properties/The Dutch Tulip (451,095) and Trabolgan Holiday Centre (4,471,879).

'Care centre'

Youghals Quality Hotel, which was transformed into a care centre for Ukrainian refugees, has a contract with the State worth 12.5 million according to the documents.

Over three-quarters of the 43,000 refugees arriving into Ireland since the end of February have sought accommodation from the State. Its understood that the Government has modelled for up to 50,000 people to have arrived by the end of August.

When students return to university in the coming weeks, it will put further strain on the system as many had student accommodation spaces had been used for Ukrainian people during the summer.

The Department of Integration said that of the 4,900 student accommodation beds it contracted around the country, including Cork, some 3,200 are currently in use.

Several thousand people are also living in pledged accommodation  either vacant or shared. The Government said last week that a 400 monthly payment for those hosting Ukrainian refugees had opened for applications, with the first payments to be given on Tuesday, August 9.

"In light of the continued significant numbers of people coming here, the department is contracting all forms of accommodation, particularly mindful of potentially significant numbers that may arrive, a spokesperson said.
It is said that if youve managed to annoy and infuriate all sides, then clearly you are doing something right. This being the case, the government should be fairly happy with the compromise on sectoral emissions budgets it has cobbled together after weeks and months of wrangling and arm-twisting.

The headline-grabbing number is of course the 25% emissions cut agreed for agriculture, the sector contributing by far the largest single share of the national carbon pollution pie, at over one third of all emissions.

While this is undoubtedly an unfairly low percentage of the overall burden, for agriculture to come within the proverbial country mile of this target will require the dramatic reversal of an aggressive expansionist policy in the dairy sector that has seen around half a million cows added to the herd, pushing overall sectoral emissions up by almost 20% in the last decade.

Further, the current roadmap for the dairy sector published by Teagasc, the state agricultural research agency, sees continued expansion in dairy output until at least 2027. While often presented as being impenetrably complex, the basic equation here is actually surprisingly simple: more milk means more methane, more nitrogen and more water pollution. No amount of tech fixes or promises of efficiency can overcome these basic facts.

If agriculture is to reduce its emissions by a quarter this decade, and those emissions are in lock-step with ruminant livestock agriculture, then something has to give. Minister Charlie McConalogue has rushed to stress that no farmer will be forced to reduce herd numbers. In other words, everything is voluntary.

Really? Are the carbon budgets for the energy and transport similarly voluntary, to be discarded if viewed as inconvenient in the years ahead? This is clearly not the case, hence McConalogues reassurances on this score should be interpreted with caution.

The governments plan to have solar farms cover 6,000 hectares of land sounds ambitious. A typical well located solar farm should generate one megawatt of electricity per four hectares at peak output, meaning the government plan would add around 1.5gw of solar, the equivalent of two typical gas or coal-fired power stations.

For farmers, leasing land for solar farms should be a financial no-brainer, as installation is generally fairly quick and easily reversible in the future. Solar farms are also far less visually intrusive than wind turbines, and are thus less likely to provoke local Nimby resistance.

Eamon Ryans plan to go big on anaerobic digesters (AD) sounds at first glance to be a winner. It makes perfect sense to harness slurry and food waste for methane production, but scaling up will require feeding lots of grass into the AD units. This means using some of our grass to produce energy instead of meat and milk, thus allowing farmers to reduce their stocking density and cut emissions with little or no loss of income.

But the science on AD is far from simple. First, the grass being fed into a digester cannot be grown using (imported) artificial nitrogen, otherwise you are simply turning one fossil fuel into another form of fuel, which makes no sense from an energy standpoint. Second, ADs have to be extremely well run and maintained, as any leakage of methane over around 2% wipes out the climate benefits of the entire unit.

As Marie Donnelly, chair of the states Climate Change Advisory Council (CCAC) pointed out, there remains considerable uncertainly around how the carbon budgets will be delivered.

While the CCAC acknowledges that the government targets are a useful starting point, this needs to be thought of as a ratchet. Targets, ambition  and pain  are all going to have to be ratcheted up significantly later this decade to make up for missing our targets in the shorter term.

Donnelly also noted that when taken together, the targets theoretically achieve 43%, which is well shy of the governments headline 51% goal, and even at that, the Land Use sector is omitted. In Ireland land use is, in fact, a major net source of carbon emissions, particularly from drained peaty soils and peat bogs.

The transport sector has been given a 50% target, which would require radical changes on a scale not seen in the last half century and more. Consider how long the idea of building a Dublin Metro has been kicking around without an inch of actual rail line being laid, or look at the resistance at local level to even the mildest efforts at taking road space from private motorists and the scale of the challenge of transport decarbonisation becomes clearer.

A shift to electric vehicles is now inevitable given that the motor industry is quickly switching away from petrol and diesel-powered vehicles, but simply replacing a million regular cars with a million EVs will do nothing to ease congestion and our car-dependent culture.

The electricity production sector has been handed the monumental target of 75% decarbonisation by 2030, partly to compensate for others negotiating far lower ambitions. This will present formidable technical challenges but, with strong ambition on offshore wind in particular, it may well be achieved.

A big imponderable in all of this is what happens when the coalition falls and, in all likelihood, is replaced by a Sinn Fein-led administration. The party has remained uncharacteristically mute throughout the entire emissions budget process, seemingly determined to not risk any political capital whatever on taking a position, especially regarding agri emissions. Avoiding tough decisions of course will no longer be so easy once Sinn Fein is itself in power.

As the negotiations dragged on this summer, Europe burned and wildfires and deadly floods circled the globe. As temperatures in the UK breached 40C earlier this month, the highest ever recorded, the spectre of devastating a climate breakdown drew ever closer to our own shores.

It used to be seen as politically courageous or naive to advocate for strong action on climate. Now, anything else frankly looks suicidal.

John Gibbons is an environmental journalist and commentator
A man has been charged with murdering a nine-year-old girl who was found stabbed in the street in Boston, Lincolnshire.

British police said 22-year-old Deividas Skebas, who was arrested on Saturday after a CCTV appeal following the death of nine-year-old Lilia Valutyte, will appear at Lincoln Magistrates Court on Monday.

Lilia died after suffering what is believed to be a stab wound in Fountain Lane, Boston, at about 6.20pm on Thursday.

Lilia was found dead on Thursday (Joe Giddens/PA)

In a statement confirming that Skebas had been charged, Lincolnshire Police said Lilias parents are being supported by specially trained officers.

The statement added: We would urge for their privacy to be respected at this particularly difficult time. Their welfare continues to be a priority for us.

Following a combination of intelligence and information supplied by members of the public, armed officers made an arrest in the Central Park area of Boston at around 2.45pm on Saturday.

Lithuanian national Deividas Skebas, 22, of Thorold Street, Boston, has been charged with murder and is due to appear at Lincoln Magistrates Court, on Monday.

Chief Superintendent Martyn Parker said: This is a heartbreaking case that has affected many people in Boston, and further afield.

Our thoughts continue to be with Lilias family at this exceptionally difficult time.

The response to such a devastating incident has involved committing significant resources to the investigation, and engaging with people in Boston who are understandably shocked by Lilias death.

Our officers have been in the town, speaking to the public and listening to their concerns. Well continue to maintain a significant presence over the coming days.

Finally, Id like to extend my thanks once again to the public and the media, who have provided help in a challenging and fast-moving case. Your support is appreciated by our officers and staff.

A forensic officer near the scene of the stabbing in Boston (Joe Giddens/PA)

Skebas was detained after four CCTV images were released of a man detectives said they wished to trace.

Police have previously said that they are not looking for anyone else in connection with the death.

The CCTV showed a man in the Wormgate and Fountain Lane area of Boston at 6.15pm on Thursday  five minutes before Lilia was found dead.

Lincolnshire Police also said that two people who were arrested earlier this week have now been released with no further action.

Lilia had reportedly been playing with her younger sister on the street just yards from an office where their mother was working at the time.

The girls had a hula-hoop, and a toy pram was left at the scene, according to local people.
A Chinese security person walks past a mural outside the U.S. embassy in Beijing, Monday. U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has arrived in Singapore, kicking off her Asian tour as questions swirled over a possible stop in Taiwan that has fueled tension with Beijing. AP-Yonhap



U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi kicked off a closely-watched Asia tour on Monday in Singapore as China warned that its military would never "sit idly by" if she were to visit Taiwan, the self-ruled island claimed by Beijing.



Amid widespread speculation over whether she would make a stop in Taiwan, Pelosi's office announced on Sunday that she was leading a Congressional delegation to the region that would include visits to Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea and Japan. It did not mention Taiwan.



Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said that it would be "a gross interference in China's internal affairs" if Pelosi visits Taiwan, and warned that it would lead to "very serious developments and consequences."



"We would like to tell the United States once again that China is standing by, the Chinese People's Liberation Army will never sit idly by, and China will take resolute responses and strong countermeasures to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity," Zhao told a regular daily briefing.



Asked what kind of measures the PLA might take, Zhao said: "if she dares to go, then let us wait and see."



China views visits by U.S. officials to Taiwan as sending an encouraging signal to the pro-independence camp in the island.



Washington does not have official diplomatic ties with Taiwan but is bound by U.S. law to provide the island with the means to defend itself.





People eat as a television broadcasts news about U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi, at a restaurant in Taipei, Taiwan, Monday. Reuters-Yonhap



A visit by Pelosi, who is third in the line of succession to the presidency and a long-time critic of China, would come amid worsening ties between Washington and Beijing. Republican Newt Gingrich was the last House speaker to visit Taiwan, in 1997.



During a phone call last Thursday, Chinese President Xi Jinping warned his U.S. counterpart Joe Biden that Washington should abide by the one-China principle and "those who play with fire will perish by it".



Biden told Xi that U.S. policy on Taiwan had not changed and that Washington strongly opposes unilateral efforts to change the status quo or undermine peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.



On Monday, Taiwan Premier Su Tseng-chang did not directly respond when asked whether Pelosi will visit on Thursday, as local media have speculated.



"We always warmly welcome visits to our country by distinguished foreign guests," he told reporters in Taipei.



Shi Yinhong, an international relations professor at Renmin University in Beijing, said that if Pelosi visits Taiwan it would prompt the strongest counter-measures by Beijing in years, but he did not expect that to trigger major military conflict.



"China has reiterated in no ambiguous terms its opposition to Taiwan separatism. The U.S. has reiterated many times its one-China policy has not changed and that it is against any change to the status quo by either side of the Taiwan Strait," he said.



"Unless by accident, I am sure neither side would intentionally take military action that could lead to a major security risk."





In this photo provided by Ministry of Communications and Information, Singapore, U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, left, and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong shake hands at the Istana Presidential Palace in Singapore, Monday. AP-Yonhap
Burma ASEAN Foreign Ministers to Push for Tougher Action on Myanmar

The ASEAN Foregin Ministers' Retreat in January 2022. / AFP

PHNOM PENHMalaysia is set to lead a push for tougher action on Myanmar when a regional bloc of foreign ministers meet this week, as anger mounts at the junta for stonewalling crisis resolution efforts.

The 10-country Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)which has spearheaded so far fruitless diplomatic efforts to restore peacelast week condemned the juntas execution of four prisoners.

Myanmar has been in chaos since a putsch in February last year and the death toll from the militarys brutal crackdown on dissent has passed 2,100, according to a local monitoring group.

Ministers meeting in Phnom Penh from Wednesday are expected to lament the lack of progress on ASEANs Five-Point Consensus plan, agreed to in April last year, which called for an immediate end to violence and dialogue between the junta and coup opponents.

As well as voicing deep concern about recent developments and calling for restraint, the ministers will also demand concrete actions to effectively and fully implement the Five-Point Consensus, according to a draft communique obtained by AFP.

After more than a year of no progress on the plan, Malaysia will present a framework for its implementation, even as critics deride ASEAN as a toothless talking shop.

The key element of the framework is there must be an end-game. You have to have an end-game. What is the end-game of the five-point consensus? Malaysian Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah told AFP.

Making a mockery

Within the bloc, frustrations are growing after the Myanmar junta went ahead with its first executions in decades despite personal pleas from Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen.

Among the four executed were Phyo Zeya Thaw, a rapper-turned-lawmaker from ousted civilian leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyis National League for Democracy, and veteran political activist Kyaw Min Yubetter known as Jimmy.

It shows the junta is making a mockery of the [consensus plan], Saifuddin wrote in a weekend newspaper article.

Singaporean Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan characterized the executions as a grave setback to ASEANs efforts to resolve the crisis, while Thailands Foreign Ministry spokesman Tanee Sangrat said the move aggravates the vexing problems of Myanmar.

A senior ASEAN diplomat told AFP he does not expect any country to go as far as calling for Myanmars expulsion from the bloc.

But some members, led by Malaysia and the Philippines, want to bar the military regime from sending ministers to all ASEAN meetingsincluding Novembers summituntil there is progress on the five-point plan.

Political appointees of the administration, especially the military administration, are not welcome, the Philippines Assistant Foreign Secretary for ASEAN Affairs Daniel Espiritu said.

Myanmars top diplomat, Wunna Maung Lwin, has not been invited to Phnom Penh and was also left out of a foreign ministers retreat in February, while junta leader Min Aung Hlaing was snubbed at a leaders summit last year.

Even North Korea is welcome at this forum but the Myanmar junta isnt it has to be recognized just how isolated Myanmar is, even in its neighborhood, said Aaron Connelly, a Southeast Asia specialist at the International Institute for Strategic Studies.

Maritime row

Along with the Ukraine-Russia conflict, ongoing South China Sea tensions will be another hot button issue on the agenda.

US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken will fly in, with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Russias top diplomat Sergei Lavrov also expected to attend and hold meetings with the ASEAN ministers.

But analysts do not expect a repeat of 2012 when Cambodia, a key Beijing ally, last hosted ASEAN and was accused of siding with China on the disputed sea, resulting in no communique being issued.

Cambodia has learnt its lesson. It was the first time ASEAN didnt come up with a joint statement and Cambodia got big blowback from it, said Thitinan Pongsudhirak, an analyst at Thailands Chulalongkorn University.

Hun Sen doesnt want to shoot himself in the foot again.

China claims most of the sea, with competing territorial assertions from Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam.

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Burma KIA and Resistance Allies Kill At Least Five Myanmar Junta Troops

Kachin Independence Army troops at their headquarters Laiza in Kachin State. / The Irrawaddy

At least five Myanmar junta soldiers were killed by the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and its resistance allies in clashes and ambushes in Indaw Township, Sagaing Region, over the weekend.

On Sunday, at least three shootouts broke out in the north of the township when troops were attacked, according to Indaw Revolution (IR), the media wing of the Indaw Peoples Defense Force (PDF).

Regime forces fled into villages when attacked, an IR member told The Irrawaddy on Monday.

He added that a resistance fighter suffered serious injuries and junta casualties are unknown.

On Saturday, the resistance forces used five landmines to attack the same group of troops on the Indaw-Banmauk highway.

In the ambush, five regime soldiers were confirmed killed and at least 10 others injured. The injured soldiers were transported to Indaw town in two ambulances, said IR.

Following the ambush, regime forces randomly attacked a village and reportedly arrested two civilians, IR said.

Indaw PDF urged people to avoid the highway due to ongoing clashes.

On Thursday afternoon, the KIA and Indaw PDF raided regime forces having a party at a karaoke bar in the township. A regime soldier was killed and another captured alive, said IR.

On Thursday the resistance ambushed two vehicles transporting regime troops from Mawlu police station to Indaw. A vehicle was damaged but the junta casualties are unknown.
Burma Myanmar Civilian Govt Warns Foreign Firms Investing Under Junta

An anti-regime protester in Thingangyun Township, Yangon, on April 30, 2021 / AFP

Myanmars civilian National Unity Government (NUG) has threatened seven Singaporean firms and a Chinese company for investing in the junta.

The NUGs ministry of planning, finance and investment said it will enforce severe sanctions and penalties for foreign investments which failed to comply with the shadow governments instructions.

The NUGs warning came three days later after a peoples defense force raided an electric power plant operated by a private firm and the regime in Magwe Region.

Six Singaporean solar power firms  Myanmar Satoketayar, Myanmar Kyeeonkyeewa, Myanmar Kindar, Myanmar Sedawgyi, Myanmar Shwekyin and Yangon Thermal Power  have been approved by the junta-controlled Myanmar Investment Commission to produce and sell electricity in Yangon, Magwe, Mandalay and Bago regions.

Another Singaporean firm, SIM Co Ltd is permitted to develop ports and stores to provide services for the offshore drilling industries, according to the NUG.

Meanwhile, a Chinese firm Best Garment Myanmar was approved to build factories in Yangon.

The shadow ministry said its cabinet has demanded all investment permits and endorsements issued since last years coup be suspended.

In July and August last year, the NUG warned that it will not recognize any new investments approved by the junta and will take action against those investing under the regime.

This is the last warning for investors not to seek a permit to invest and to unconditionally suspend their operations, said the shadow ministrys statement said.

Last Thursday, many staff and a chief engineer were detained by a resistance force during the raid on an electric power plant which is a joint venture between a private company and the regime in Kyaw, Gangaw District in Magwe region.

Yaw Defense Force claimed responsibility for the raid and arrests.
Burma Myanmar Regime Soldiers Kill Teenager and Elderly Women in Sagaing

Houses in Kan Thit Village, Khin-U Township torched by junta troops in June 2022. / CJ

Myanmar junta troops have killed four civilians in Sagaing Region since July 17, including a teenage boy and two women in their late 80s, as well as seven resistance fighters during their raids on villages in Khin-U Township, while forcing over 10,000 locals to flee their homes.

Four columns of junta soldiers, including over 100 from Ye-U Township and 60 who were airlifted into Khin-U, have been raiding villages in the township since July 17.

Four locals, including a 13-year-old boy and two old women, and seven resistance fighters were killed in the raids, according to local Peoples Defense Forces (PDF). The PDF fighters were not killed in battle, but were murdered in cold blood after being captured by military regime troops.

Some victims were shot dead. Some victims wounded by gunshots were cut with a knife before being shot dead. Some were shot and put in the fire, said a local resident.

Two resistance fighters were killed by junta troops when they went to Thawuthti Village to rescue villagers, believing that regime forces had already left the village.

A 13-year-old boy from Magyi Oak Village was wounded by regime gunfire. A local PDF leader drove him to a hospital but their vehicle encountered junta troops. The PDF leader was shot dead, while the boy was dragged from the vehicle and left in a ditch to die.

Junta troops fired mortars at fleeing villagers during their raid on Magyi Oak Village on July 26 knowing that they were civilians, said residents.

A villager said: The first group [of junta soldiers] came in secretly. After they had surrounded the village, the second group opened fire. So the villagers who were fleeing were trapped. Then they fired mortar shells at us, even though they knew we were just villagers fleeing, before opening fire on us.

The National League for Democracys Khin-U Township organizer Ko Aung Naing Win, 35, was burned alive in a silo in Shin Min Dwe Village, while an 89-year-old woman who was too old to flee was burned alive in her house in Letpan Hla Village.

On Saturday, junta troops fired artillery at Inn Pat Village in Khin-U from 8am to 4pm. An 86-year-old woman was killed in an artillery strike and two others, including an 85-year-old woman, were injured.

A Khin-U resident told The Irrawaddy on Sunday: They fired artillery almost the whole day from the south-west of Inn Pat Village. The attack was more intense after 2pm when they [junta troops] searched the village with drones and fired shells. An old woman was hit in the head by shrapnel and her brains came out. The two others sustained minor injuries.

Five houses were damaged by artillery strikes, he added. Regime troops belonging to Division 33 of the Northwestern Command and their affiliates committed the killings and arson attacks, according to locals. The troops raided villages in the southeast and northeast of Khin-U and around half of the soldiers reportedly remain in Khin-U Town.
Burma Myanmars Civilian Foreign Minister Condemns Worlds Empty Words on Toppling Regime

Junta forces in Yangon in early 2021. / The Irrawaddy

Following Myanmar juntas hanging of four democracy activists, the civilian National Unity Governments (NUG) foreign minister Daw Zin Mar Aung asked the United Nations Security Council to send troops and weapons using the Responsibility to Protect (R2P) principle to stop the regime killing more civilians.

How many more lives does the international community need before it can act decisively against the junta? Weapons for Ukraine, airlifts for Afghans and deafening silence for Myanmars people. Who are we to you? Are we expected to suffer more atrocities than the others? she asked on Saturday.

She said while the world called for restraint and negotiations, junta leader Min Aung Hlaing hardened his stand. While the world calls for State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi to be released, Min Aung Hlaing moved her from house arrest into prison. When the world asked him not to allow the executions, he had four political prisoners killed and the junta spokesman said the regime will execute more, Daw Zin Mar Aung added.

We appreciate the statements of condemnation after the execution of our friends but without practical action, they are hollow words. Effective, decisive, united collective action is needed immediately, she said.

She called on the Security Council to supply troops and weapons and for UN member states to cut junta revenue streams and suspend all its international representation.

Daw Zin Mar Aung demanded recognition for the NUG as the official government and the same rights and dignity offered to other democratically elected governments, instead of legitimizing the junta or issuing ineffective statements of regret.

Formed as a parallel government on April 16 last year, largely by elected lawmakers from the ousted National League for Democracy and their ethnic minority allies, the NUG has enjoyed popular support at home and abroad. A majority of Myanmars people see it as their legitimate government, while the regime has branded it a terrorist organization.

We have a vision for the peaceful future of our country I assure you that the people of Myanmar shall prevail. Peace and justice shall prevail. And we will restore Myanmar to its place among the democracies, Daw Zin Mar Aung said.

Monday marked 18 months of the peoples revolution against the junta.

Since grabbing power on Feb. 1, 2021, the junta has killed more than 2,100 people, including more than 140 children, and arrested more than 14,000 people.

According to the NUGs parliamentary committee, at least 99 elected lawmakers remain behind bars and two parliamentarians were killed by the junta.
Burma Over 80 Myanmar Junta Troops Reportedly Killed in Karen State Clash

Fighters from Cobra Column / Cobra Column

More than 80 Myanmar regime soldiers were reportedly killed on Saturday in Karen State during clashes with Venom Commando, a local resistance group, as junta forces attempted a clearance operation in Shwe Aye Myaing Village near the strategic Ukayit Hta military outpost in Myawaddy Township.

Hundreds of Myanmar military troops from 44 Light Infantry Division (LID) clashed with Venom Commando fighters at 11am on Saturday morning, according to a Venom Commando press release.

One Venom Commando fighter said the village was like a killing field, with between 80 and 90 regime troops killed in the battle.

So many were killed that I couldnt count their bodies. They [regime forces] thought we had run out of ammunition, so they marched towards us and we just opened fire and killed them. It was like a killing field. There were between 80 and 90 bodies, said the Venom Commando fighter. The Irrawaddy was unable to confirm the casualties independently.

Junta forces responded with heavy artillery strikes.

On Sunday morning, there was also intense fighting between 44 LID and Cobra Column, a local Peoples Defense Force, and the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) at Thone Htat Kwe on the Myawaddy-Waw Lay road. The Myawaddy-Waw Lay road is vital for reinforcing and resupplying military outposts including Ukayit Hta.

Many junta troops were killed and wounded, according to Cobra Column, which said it suffered no casualties. The Irrawaddy was unable to verify casualties from both sides.

Venom Commando also attacked junta forces in the area with mines on July 27, claiming that a regime company commander and soldier were killed and many others injured.

Since June 26 Venom Commando, along with Cobra Column, the KNLA and fighters from the Karen National Defense Organization, has been attempting to capture the Ukayit Hta outpost near the border with Thailand.

But with the military regime having already lost outposts at Maw Khee and Thay Baw Boe in Karen State in May, junta forces have been defending Ukayit Hta with massive air and artillery strikes. The Myanmar military reportedly carried out 125 airstrikes from June 27 to July 1 as it defended the outpost, with some jets entering Thai air space, forcing the junta to apologise to the Thai government.

Small-scale clashes between regime forces and the resistance groups continued throughout July.
The Philippines has no plan to rejoin the International Criminal Court, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr said Monday, with the tribunal's prosecutor seeking to resume a probe into the ex-president's deadly drug war.

Rodrigo Duterte, who left office on June 30, pulled the Philippines out of the ICC in 2019 after it launched a preliminary probe into his drug crackdown, which killed many thousands of people.

ICC judges authorised a full investigation into the anti-narcotics campaign last September, saying it resembled an illegitimate and systematic attack on civilians.

It suspended the probe two months later, after Manila said it was looking into the alleged crimes itself.

But ICC prosecutor Karim Khan said in June that the request by Manila to defer the probe was unjustified and that it should restart "as quickly as possible".

Marcos, who backed Duterte's drug war, has previously indicated he would not cooperate with the ICC.

On Monday, he went even further.

"The Philippines has no intention of rejoining the ICC," Marcos told reporters.

Son of the country's late dictator, Marcos Jr was elected president by a landslide in May with the help of a powerful alliance with Duterte's daughter, Sara, who won the vice presidential race.

During his presidency, Duterte refused to cooperate with the court, claiming it had no jurisdiction -- an assertion rejected by the Philippine Supreme Court.

Under pressure from the UN Human Rights Council and the ICC, the government has examined several hundred cases of drug operations that led to deaths.

Charges have been filed in a handful of cases. Only three police have been convicted for slaying a drug suspect.

The ICC has invited the Philippines "to offer observations" on Khan's request to resume the probe, the presidential communications office said.

Manila has until September 8 to respond.

- 'We are not under them' -

Marcos said Monday that a recent meeting with his legal team, which includes Duterte's former spokesman Harry Roque, was to discuss whether the administration would respond.

"What we're saying is we have an investigation here and it's ongoing, so why do we have to have that?" Marcos said on the sidelines of an event to promote booster shots of Covid-19 vaccines.

"It's also possible that we will not bother (to respond) at all because we are not under them."

Human rights group iDefend said they were undeterred by Marcos' decision, and vowed to "continue to fight for justice and accountability".

Even if the ICC gathers enough evidence to bring a case against Duterte, its rules prevent him from being tried in absentia.

The 77-year-old is still hugely popular among many in the Philippines who supported his quick-fix solutions to crime, and he remains a potent political force.

A self-professed killer, Duterte told officers to fatally shoot narcotics suspects if their lives were at risk.

He defended the crackdown, saying it had saved families and prevented the Philippines from turning into a "narco-politics state".

Government data show at least 6,252 people died in police anti-drug operations during Duterte's six-year term.

Rights groups say Duterte created a climate of impunity and estimate that tens of thousands have been killed by police, hitmen and vigilantes, even without proof they were involved in drugs.
With his impressive performance as a senior lawyer in "Extraordinary Attorney Woo," actor Kang Ki Young makes headlines and entices new fans to tune in to his latest drama. Since his debut, the actor has appeared in many popular works, but it was only in 2022 that he received the invitation to appear as the main lead. As the drama progresses, Kang Ki Young dominates the small screen. Let's take a look at his impressive filmography!

'Oh My Ghost'

While he plays the role of a righteous and reputable lawyer in "Extraordinary Attorney Woo," Kang Ki Young was once a chef with a wide variety of amazing recipes under his belt.

In 2015, Kang Ki Young joined Park Bo Young and Jo Jung Suk as a sous chef in the popular thriller comedy series "Oh My Ghost."

His comical personality and astonishing ability to give life to his character left a great impression on the viewers.

'W: Two Worlds'

After exploring the fascinating world of gourmet and entrees, Kang Ki Young transformed into a cardiothoracic surgeon in Han Hyo Joo and Lee Jong Suk's fantasy romance series "W: Two Worlds."

Even when he's given a professional role to portray, Kang Ki Young finds the perfect timing to make the viewers laugh.

In particular, his chemistry with Han Hyo Joo, who works as a doctor in the same hospital as him, was lauded by South Korean fans and Korean drama junkies from all over the world.

'Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo'

Following his doctor-acting role, Kang Ki Young aspired to become an award-winning actor in the 2016 blockbuster series "Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo."

In the drama, Kang Ki Young acted as Lee Sung Kyung's paternal uncle, who works at their family chicken restaurant.

His funny remarks, coupled with his immense concern for his niece, totally allowed fans to see him in a new light.

Kang Ki Young didn't only make a name for himself as a comedian slash actor but also an excellent father figure.

'At Eighteen'

In the 2019 coming-of-age drama "At Eighteen," Kang Ki Young played the noblest profession he has ever received yet.

Along with Ong Seong Wu, Kim Hyang Gi, and Shin Seung Ho, Kang Ki Young joined as a cool and quirky teacher.

Like his many works, the actor incorporated his comedic personality into his teacher role, which his students and colleagues deeply loved.

With that said, Kang Ki Young is an actor equipped with the versatility and flexibility to play any role he is given.

Don't miss Kang Ki Young every Wednesday and Thursday in "Extraordinary Attorney Woo" at 9:00 p.m. KST on Netflix!

KDramaStars owns this article.

Written by Elijah Mully.
Kim Hee Sun, Yoo Hae Jin, and more are confirmed to lead the cast of the upcoming movie "Sweet and Warm." The lineup is officially announced by Mindmark, the distributor of the rom-com film.

Meet the 'Sweet and Warm' Cast

Helmed by "Punch" and "A Melody To Remember" director Lee Han and penned by Lee Byung Hun of "Tazza" and "Again My Life," the forthcoming film follows the story of a single mother who meets a researcher at a confectionary company.

Kim Hee Sun plays Il Yeong who raises her kid alone while hustling as a call center employee at a loan review company. Despite being a single mother, she has a positive outlook amid the changes in her life.

In "Sweet and Warm" she meets Chi Ho, played by Yoo Hae Jin, a researcher at a genius confectionery company, known for his best-selling products.

As noted by News 1 Korea, joining the duo is "Hong Kong Express" star Cha In Pyo, who will take the role of Chi Ho's older brother, Seok Ho. Viewers could expect a sibling rivalry between the two.

In addition, officially included as the "Sweet and Warm" cast is the versatile star Jin Seon Kyu as Byeong Hoon.

Interestingly, "Sweet and Warm" is a reunion project between him and Yoo Hae as they both starred in Song Joong Ki's 2021 movie "Space Sweepers."

Jin Seon Kyu will portray the character of the son of the confectionary company's president while Han Sun Hwa is set to show off her charm as Eun Suk.

Lastly, joining the cast lineup is the up-and-coming actress Jung Da Eun who recently appeared in Netflix's "D.P." and is known for her role in "Divine Fury."

Following the release of official cast members, Mindmark also shared that "Sweet and Warm" had started gearing up and began its production in mid of July. It only means that the upcoming film might be released sometime next year.

Interestingly, the forthcoming rom-com film is Kim Hee Sun's comeback to the big screen after 19 years.

Her last silver screen appearance was in the 2003 Korean film "The Man Who Went to Mars."

Kim Hee Sun 2022 Comeback: From 'Tomorrow' to 'Remarriage and Desires'

This 2022, Kim Hee Sun stars in back-to-back hit K-dramas. After her successful 2020 series "Alice," the 45-year-old beauty once again showed off her versatility as a star.

She took the role of sassy and fearless grim reaper Goo Ryun in "Tomorrow" with SF9's Rowoon, Lee Soo Hyuk, and Yun Ji On.

Kim Hee Sun stunned the viewers with her badass role and her massive transformation by donning pink hair.

Months after the K-drama concluded, she headlined a Netflix revenge series "Remarriage and Desires," portraying the role of grieving widow Seo Hye Seung who seeks vengeance against her husband's mistress.

Jung Eugene, Park Hoon, Lee Hyun Wook, and Cha Ji Yeon were also part of the cast.
Lee Dong Wook teases fans with a sneak peek of his character in "Tale of the Nine-Tailed 1938." The Hallyu star will reprise his role as Lee Yeon, a.k.a the Gumiho, for the highly anticipated sequel. Keep on reading for ll the details.

Lee Dong Wook's Instagram Features his Gumiho Look for 'Tale of the Nine-Tailed 1938'

On Lee Dong Wook's Instagram, the actor showed off his hairstyle for the upcoming sequel, sporting long platinum blonde locks and donning a traditional men's hanbok.

The scene was taken near a river alongside a child actress.

On Lee Dong Wook's Instagram, he posted a caption that reads, "'Nine-Tailed Fox 1938' is running hard."

Interestingly, fans expressed how excited they are to see Lee Yeon for the K-drama's second season.

Kim Bum is joining Lee Dong Wook as a lead star, who will also reprise his role as Lee Rang, Lee Yeon's half-brother.

Besides the duo, "Nine-Tailed Fox 1938" also welcomes a new character, Ryu Hong Joo, who was once a guardian spirit of a mountain in the west but becomes the owner of one of the best restaurants in Myoyeongak.

Interestingly, Ryu Hong Joo is played by the award-winning actress Kim So Yeon from "The Penthouse."

What to Expect in 'Tale of the Nine-Tailed 1938'

Due to the public's demand and overwhelming response of viewers to the 2020 series, Lee Dong Wook and Kim Bum returned for the "Tale of the Nine-Tailed" sequel.

In May, the two actors confirmed their appearance with a new female lead.

As for the second season, the fantasy romance series will focus on Lee Yeon's desperate struggle to return to the present day.

In a previous report obtained by a media outlet, the actor expressed his excitement to continue playing Lee Yeon.

"I'm happy to be able to take on 'Tale of the Nine-Tailed' once again. I worked enjoyably with splendid staff and great actors," he said.

As for the new female lead, Kim So Yeon, she is grateful to be considered to play the role, adding, "I'll work hard on preparing to portray the attractive character Ryu Hong Joo successfully."

Lastly, Kim Bum also expressed the same thought and said he is happy to reunite with old workmates and meet new cast members for the sequel.

The directors of the 2020 "Tale of the Nine-Tailed" Kang Shin Hyo and Jo Nam Hyung are reunited for the second installment, alongside Han Woo Ri, who also penned the first season.

Viewers are set to witness and be entertained by the series' diverse characters and dynamic action scenes.

In addition, the officials also confirmed "Tale of the Nine-Tailed" season 3.

However, as for the second season, the broadcast network and officials are yet to announce the premiere date, but it will be released sometime in 2023.

KDramastars owns this article.

Written by Geca Wills
FILE - People march to protest against the February military takeover, in Yangon, Myanmar, on April 11, 2021. The banner reads, "Absolutely no dictatorship." Japanese video journalist Toru Kubota has been detained by security forces in Myanmar while covering a protest against military rule in the countrys largest city, pro-democracy activists said Sunday, July 31, 2022. (AP Photo, File)
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August Craft Month celebrates local craft in Ireland across the entire month, with a host of exciting events taking place throughout Kilkenny.

This year is the largest ever August Craft Month with a packed programme of over 230 events including workshops, exhibitions, and festivals to allow audiences to immerse themselves in local craft.

People can enjoy creative craft celebrations on their doorstep, as well as hit the road on a craft inspired adventure or staycation.

In Kilkenny local makers from the Cushendale Woollen Mills, Clay Rooms Kilkenny and Jerpoint Glass Studios will all be involved in the celebrations and events, to name a few.

The programme provides unmissable opportunities to experience, participate in, support, buy and learn about the local stand-out craft sector. Here are just some of the exciting events on offer in Kilkenny.

Transforming fleece to fabric for 6 generations

Location: Mill Road, Graiguenamanagh, Kilkenny

Date: 1st to 31st of August

Price: Free

Visit one of only two remaining vertical woollen mills in Ireland today to hear about how rare Irish fleece is transformed into premium yarns and textiles. Learn about the Cushendale woolen mills history since 1204 with the establishment of Duiske Abbey and continuing through to six generations of the same family. Open studio with 1:1 talks about the mill history and process for anyone who calls over the month of August.

Go on, go on, you will, you will

Location: Unit 1 Crossleigh House, Colliers Lane, Kilkenny

Date: 5th to 14th of August

Price: Free

This exhibition will showcase the work of many ceramic makers from around Ireland including Rose Marie Durr, Gus Mabelson, Aisling McElwain, Caroline Dolan, Jim Behan, Hilary Jenkinson, Mark Campden, Etaoin O Reilly, Liselott Oloffoson, Niamh Harte, Helen Costello, Niamh Synnott, Andrew Ludick, Natalka Makhova and more.

A chance to see the variety of techniques approaches and styles that can exist in this humble domestic vessel that most people use and take for granted daily. We will be celebrating the simple things in this fun exhibition with something for everyone to enjoy!

The exhibition will be held in the windows of Clay Rooms Kilkenny

Exhibition at Grennan Mill

Location: Grennan Mill Craft School, Island Mill Thomastown, Co. Kilkenny

Date: 5th to 14th of August

Price: Free

Arts Week exhibition at Grennan Mill Craft School 5th-14th August.

Exhibiting makers include Debra Bowden, Samantha Capatti, Lorna Donlon, Peter Dovovan, Mary Ann Gelly, Seamus Gill, Nial Harper, Orla Kaminska, Sophie Longwill, Eva Lynch, Susan OByrne, Coilin ODubhghaill, Angela OKelly, Annemarie Reinhold, Chrissy Shanahan, Michal Tylicki and George Vaughan.

Natural Traces

Location: Jerpoint Glass Studio, Stoneyford, Kilkenny

Date: 30th of July to 31st of August

Price: Free

This exhibition showcases Ceramic artist Jane Jermyn and Printmaker Stephen Vaughan. The work on display in Natural Traces demonstrates the makers process to expand visually through inspiration and exploration.

Craft NI, Design & Crafts Council Ireland and Cork Craft & Design have come together to deliver this important initiative.

For more information, and to get a feel for the craft events near you and across Ireland, visit www.augustcraftmonth.org.
Local councillors have been informed that Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) would not be 'in favour' of putting footpaths along a busy stretch of the N24 in South Kilkenny.

Earlier this year, local residents made a presentation to Piltown Municipal District councillors expressing their deep concerns on the issue.

They made the point that HGVs and other vehicles pass by their houses at speeds of 100km/h, with little to no buffer zone between the road and residential dwellings.

In response, councillors requested for TII to undertake a feasibility assessment and options study for the provision of urgently needed safety improvements and sustainable transport options along the route.

At the last full council meeting in late July, the response from TII was relayed to all elected members.

Director of Services at Kilkenny County Council, Tim Butler, stated that TII are an approving authority and depend on us [Kilkenny County Council] to do feasibility studies, which we generally dont do on national roads.

We have hundreds of kilometres of national roads in Kilkenny. Its unusual to have footpaths on national roads but weve taken the point and looked at speed limit and will have further discussion on the issue," he said.

TII are generally not in favour of footpaths and public lighting on national roads. We had a similar issue with calls for footpaths leading out to Dunmore from Kilkenny city.

In response, Cllr Ger Frisby stated that the Piltown MD councillors didnt take it lightly to bring this issue forward.

Its a unique area, when houses were built there it was different in terms of traffic volume and we as a council have to do something," he said.

That could be traffic calming, reduced width on road but we just need to make it safe for them [locals affected] and come to an arrangement that will support TII, council and residents."

Cllr Tomas Breathnach also made the point that the character of the area is different from the norm of a normal national road, citing the number of dwellings, businesses, amenity areas, a restaurant and a major employer operating along the road.

Cllr Fidelis Doherty stated that the road is particularly wide in Grannagh and does lend itself to the provision of footpaths.

Director of Services, Tim Butler, agreed to follow-up the matter with the relevant authorities.
This eagerly anticipated collaboration, specially commissioned by Kilkenny Arts Festival, sees poet in residence Theo Dorgan join forces with composer Colm Mac Con Iomaire for a thrilling new work that transforms the story of how poetry in Ireland began.

In these once off performances Dorgans words (in Irish and English) are spoken by actors Aaron Monaghan and Brid Ni Neachtain, set to an original score by Colm Mac Con Iomaire, performed live by the composer himself and a six-piece ensemble.

This unique event brings together two of Irelands greatest creatives in literature and music.

Throughout Theo Dorgans acclaimed career which has seen him work in a number of fields poetry has been the centre of his life born out by the numerous awards he has won and the languages around the world his work has been translated into.

Nuala OConnor once said of Colm Mac con Iomaire, In a crowded field of outstanding Irish fiddle players and interpreters of traditional music Colm Mac Con Iomaire is unique. His voice is unmistakably his own and his music bears distinctive creative hallmarks which have as much to do with his personality and character as with his impressive technical mastery, musical authority and exquisitely expressive playing.

Dorgans poem, Eriu and Amergin, explores the mythical encounter between Amergin Gluingel, a bard who took part in the Milesian conquest of Ireland, and Eriu, a Tuatha De Danann princess.

Filled with contemporary resonances, Eriu and Amergin is a lyrical exploration of identity, heritage and migration, and the ambiguous encounter between the foreign and the native, taking place 11 and 12 August at the Watergate Theatre Kilkenny. Now booking at kilkennyarts.ie

This project received a commission award from the Arts Council of Ireland.

Musicians involved in the collaboration are: Colm Mac Con Iomaire (violin), Catherine Fitzgerald (piano/keys), Alannah Thornborough (harp), Lorcan Byrne (drums), Ian Doyle (guitar), Colm Quearney (guitar/bouzouki) and Fionn O hAlmhain (uilleann pipes).

Kilkenny Arts Festival runs for 11 days from 4-14 August 2022 with a programme designed to connect audiences once again with artists that invigorate, intrigue and inspire. Live music, which was sorely missed during the restrictions, is back in force alongside exciting theatre, dance, opera and literary events which includes a number of festival commissions and co-productions. 11 days, over 100 performances in Kilkennys most iconic and beautiful spaces across the Marble City.

For more see www.kilkennyarts.ie
Frankie Boyle swaps comedy for crime with his debut novel

Fiction

1. Her Majestys Royal Coven by Juno Dawson is published in hardback by HarperVoyager. Available now.

Juno Dawson might be best known for YA novels, but now shes launching her first adult series  and it has a supernatural spin. This is a fun and adventurous novel, drawing together fantasy and contemporary politics with great gusto and imagination. It tells the story of an ancient coven of witches, who are facing the same challenges as contemporary governments and individuals are today  but in an even more explosively dangerous way. Carefully crafted characters come together in this world that is so close to being ours, but still a step away from what we know, with magic and romance front and centre. Despite being a bit sickly sweet and gimmicky in places, this novel succeeds in drawing attention to vital conversations we all should be having, while also telling a brilliant story.

8/10

(Review by Imy Brighty-Potts)

2. The Retreat by Sarah Pearse is published in hardback by Bantam Press. Available now.

Its UK Publication Day!! #TheRetreat is out today in the UK! A big thank you to my agent @ce_seymour, editor @CottonFinn , publicist @ThomasssHill & the wider team @TransworldBooks for their hard work on the book and to every reader and author who has supported so far! pic.twitter.com/7oAgoo6o1b  Sarah Pearse (@SarahVPearse) July 21, 2022

Fans of The Hunting Party by Lucy Foley might very well enjoy The Retreat. Its also a thriller set in an isolated location  in this case Reapers Rock, a creepy island thats been reinvented as an Instagram-friendly health and wellness spa. And very lovely it would be too, if it wasnt for a vicious serial killer bumping off the guests one by one. Sent to investigate is DS Elin Warner, whose boyfriend happens to be the retreats architect, and who has plenty of demons of her own. In fact, pretty much everyone in the book is hiding a dark secret or a dodgy past, making guess-the-killer a serious challenge. With its short chapters, each one ending on a cliffhanger, The Retreat is designed to keep you guessing to the very end. A great one to read on holiday  provided youre not visiting a creepy island, of course

7/10

(Review by Jackie Kingsley)

3. Meantime by Frankie Boyle is published in hardback by Baskerville. Available now.



Publication day! Thanks to everyone who helped make it happen. Hope you dig it. pic.twitter.com/woK7nehVp4  Frankie Boyle (@frankieboyle) July 21, 2022

Frankie Boyle the stand-up comedian  whose brilliant rants are littered with funny, shocking, often obscene but always gripping storylines  has become Frankie Boyle the crime novelist, whose debut is similarly funny, shocking and gripping. Meantime is set in Glasgow, in the aftermath of the Independence referendum, with central character Felix McAveety just about staying clear of drugs long enough to investigate the murder of his friend Marina, after deciding the police arent interested. He needs help to switch from being an occasional bar worker/drop out to a private detective, so he enlists the support of a dying crime novelist. The investigation lurches through a heady mix of drugs, stalkers and dangerous criminals. You can imagine Boyle actually reading the book out loud, with each chapter peppered with amusing anecdotes and hilarious observations.

7/10

(Review by Alan Jones)

Non-fiction

4. Femina by Janina Ramirez is published in hardback by WH Allen. Available now.

My book #Femina is officially released on Thursday. Im so excited/nervous/anxious/delighted and Id love to see it soar! You can help it grow wings by ordering here https://t.co/dJ4r8yhuqV. I am trying to frame history differently so we clearly see those that have been excluded. pic.twitter.com/XfcwLLJEOy  Dr Janina Ramirez (@DrJaninaRamirez) July 19, 2022

In 2007, on farmland in an unprepossessing part of North Yorkshire, archeologists excavated the burial mound of a seventh century noble who came to be known as the Loftus Princess. The significance of her grave and its lavish decorations challenged the common perception of the benign roles of women in the Middle Ages, and forms one of a series of inspiring portraits in Janina Ramirezs Femina. Through her exhaustive research, a radically new narrative emerges; one which flies in the face of more conventional histories of the period. Ramirez reveals the lives of women who controlled vast kingdoms and acted as power brokers between rival clans, their stature emphasised by the veneration they were evidently afforded in death. Once routinely disregarded as femina in historical records, Ramirez brings these long-forgotten heroines back to life. In doing so, she implicitly exposes the extent to which the realities of the period have been overlooked, and relishes the opportunity to set the record straight.

8/10

(Review by Mark Staniforth)

Childrens book of the week

5. You Can Do It by Marcus Rashford and Carl Anka is published in paperback by Macmillan Childrens Books. Available now.

A follow-up to You Are A Champion, children will undoubtedly find You Can Do It hugely inspiring. In it, Marcus Rashford shares some deeply personal stories  such as what was going through his head when he missed the penalty in the Euro 2020 final, as well as what happened afterwards  all giving teachable moments on how to be a better you. It covers everything from the importance of taking care of yourself and how to be a better ally, to why we should celebrate our differences. The language is clear, inclusive, not at all patronising, and will resonate with any child, and the illustrations give the book extra vibrancy. Its perfect for any young person whos looking to make a difference in the world, but doesnt quite know how to go about it.

9/10

(Review by Prudence Wade)
President Michael D Higgins has issued a statement reiterating his condemnation of the war in Ukraine following criticism of a letter written by his wife on the conflict.

President Michael D Higgins had faced calls to state unequivocal support for the Ukrainian cause and oppose Russian aggression amid the furore created by his wife Sabinas letter.

Mrs Higgins wrote to the Irish Times last week to criticise one of the newspapers editorials on the conflict.

In the letter, she said the fighting would go on until the world persuades President Vladimir Putin of Russia and President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine to agree to a ceasefire and negotiations.

Critics have suggested Mrs Higgins was drawing an equivalence between the actions of Ukraine and Russia.

Scrutiny of the letter intensified after it was reportedly published for a brief period on the Irish presidents official website. It appears since to have been removed from the site.

A number of representatives from parties in Irelands coalition government have voiced concern.

A statement issued to the Irish Times by a spokesperson for President Higgins said: The record shows President Higgins has been unequivocal in his condemnation of the Russian invasion of Ukraine from his original statement on March 1.

He has repeatedly condemned what he has described as the illegal, immoral and unjustifiable Russian invasion of Ukraine.

He has called for an immediate Russian withdrawal and end to the violence. He has voiced his steadfast support for the victims of this terrible conflict and met with Ukrainian refugees in Ireland and the Ukrainian Ambassador many times.

President Higgins has stressed the importance of using every available chink of diplomacy.

The spokesperson added: President Higgins has also publicly commended and continues to commend people and communities across Ireland for their generosity and solidarity with the people of Ukraine.

It is heartening to witness so many people in Ireland and across the globe unite in their support for the Ukrainian people, offering shelter, food, aid and other forms of assistance to those fleeing the war.

The Presidents statement today made no mention of Mrs Higgins letter.

Fine Gael senator John McGahon had earlier called on Mr Higgins to clarify whether he was aware of the letter before it was published or had any role in drafting it.
China determined to safeguard its sovereignty, senior envoys say

09:38, August 01, 2022 By MINLU ZHANG, ZHAO RUINAN ( Chinadaily.com.cn

Zheng Zeguang, Chinese ambassador to the UK. [Photo/chinese-embassy.org.uk]

China is resolute in safeguarding its national sovereignty and will never allow any room for "Taiwan independence" forces in whatever form, senior envoys said.

"The one-China principle is the basic principle for China to establish and develop diplomatic ties with other countries. So it must always be observed," Zheng Zeguang, China's ambassador to the United Kingdom, said on Saturday.

"At present, the biggest threat to peace and stability in the Taiwan Straits comes from the obdurate secessionist activities of the 'Taiwan independence' forces and the connivance and support of external forces," Zheng said in a video message celebrating the 95th anniversary of the founding of the People's Liberation Army.

"We will never allow any room for 'Taiwan independence' forces in whatever form. No one should underestimate the great resolve, firm will and strong capability of the Chinese people in defending national sovereignty and territorial integrity," he said.

China is always a defender of world peace and a contributor to global development, and it upholds the international order. The PLA is a staunch force firmly committed to maintaining regional stability and promoting world peace, he added.

Geng Shuang, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, also reiterated on Friday China's resolve in safeguarding its national sovereignty.

Geng Shuang, China's deputy permanent representative to the UN. [Photo/Chinese Foreign Ministry's official website]

"No one should underestimate the determination and ability of more than 1.4 billion Chinese people to defend its national sovereignty and territorial integrity. I hope the country concerned will see this clearly and not play with fire," he said during a Security Council briefing on Ukraine.

The envoys' remarks came as tensions between China and the US have risen recently amid reports that US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was considering a visit to Taiwan. China says the visit would be a violation of the US' commitment to not developing official exchanges with the island, which is an integral part of China.

China firmly opposes separatist moves toward "Taiwan independence" and interference by external forces, and never allows any room for "Taiwan independence" forces in whatever form, President Xi Jinping told US President Joe Biden during their phone conversation on Thursday.

During the briefing, Geng said the Ukraine crisis shows the importance of upholding the UN Charter, "with words matching deeds, instead of saying one thing while doing another, not to mention double standards or selective application".

"While some country has repeatedly emphasized the principle of sovereignty over the issue of Ukraine, it has incessantly challenged the sovereignty of China over Taiwan and even deliberately created tensions in the Taiwan Straits," Geng said. "This disregards and is an infringement of the purposes and principles of the UN Charter."

The envoy emphasized that "only by attaching importance to the security of others and safeguarding the security of everyone, can our own security be truly realized".

"All countries should uphold a common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security concept, attach importance to each other's legitimate security concerns, build a balanced, effective and sustainable global and regional security architecture, and jointly safeguard world peace," he said.

Geng said that at a time when the international community is in dire need of unity and cooperation to overcome difficulties together, "it is extremely irresponsible and dangerous to cling to the Cold War mentality and bloc politics".

"We must not let the crisis of Ukraine kick off a new Cold War. We must not repeat the mistakes of history. We must not let humanity experience once again the unbearable scourge of war," he said.

(Web editor: Peng Yukai, Liang Jun)
A slew of banking crises, struggles, and repression have recently rocked the rural areas of Henan province in China. Earlier in the year, several local banks declared that customers could no longer withdraw their own savings. The depositors quickly organised a struggle against the banks, which were aided and abetted by the CCP bureaucracy. Despite living under the most technologically advanced surveillance state in world history, the depositors protests soon escalated from economic to political demands and slogans. These unprecedented developments garnered widespread attention across China, as many workers and youth fear for their future amidst lockdowns and real estate crises that threaten to spill into other sectors of the economy.

After months of mass struggle and government repression, the Chinese state has begun returning the savings of depositors at five Henan and Anhui rural banks. However, nothing has been fundamentally resolved. These concessions wont conceal the barbarous and reactionary nature of Chinas despotic capitalism, which has been exposed by this event.

The Bank Run and Initial Struggles

As of April this year, multiple banks from the rural regions of Chinas Henan and Anhui provinces, have ceased providing withdrawal or transaction services to their savings account depositors. Back in March police announced that Sun Zhenfu, the former vice president of Xuchang Rural Commercial Bank, which sponsors five of these rural subsidiary banks, was wanted for serious economic crimes. According to reports, tens of billions of yuan from about 400,000 depositors were affected.

Covid health codes have become a tool of political control in China / Image: Fair Use

After a month of fruitless waiting, hundreds of depositors gathered outside the China Banking Regulatory Commission (CBRC) in Zhengzhou (the provincial capital of Henan). The protesters carried signs with slogans like, return my savings. That a protest of this scale was able to take place  despite extremely harsh COVID-19 restrictions and the generally repressive environment under the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) regime  illustrates the rapidly rising fury of the depositors.

However, what really drew national attention to the bank crisis was the Henan red health code scandal. Over a thousand rural bank depositors COVID-19 health code suddenly turned red for no reason whatsoever. A red code usually indicates high risk of infection, leading to that person being banned from public spaces. This move stirred up anger towards bureaucratic arbitrariness among the anger of masses, stoking fears of anti-COVID measures being used to strengthen the CCPs political control.

Facing a tidal wave of criticism from the public  which was even publicly commented on by conservatives like Hu Xijin, former chief editor of the party-owned Global Times  the CCP attempted a familiar manoeuvre in an attempt to defuse the masses anger. It attributed the scandal to the actions of a few local officials individually violating party disciplines and state regulations. The party consequently subjected these officials to disciplinary measures and declared that it does not tolerate changing the health code for reasons other than pandemic control.

However, although the CCP promised the strictest and heaviest punishment for the offending officials, to date, no one has actually been prosecuted. Meanwhile, ordinary citizens face detention and even criminal sentences should they attempt to falsify their health codes. It is thus clear that punishment is strictest and heaviest only when it meets the interests of the bureaucracy.

The July protest and its aftermath

In the following months, there have been a number of smaller protests (including one on 27 June at which the police used warning shots to disperse the crowd), and a second red health code scandal against the depositors. But no plans were made on the part of the bank or the state to return savings to depositors. The lack of sincerity and the inflated arrogance of the state has thoroughly irritated depositors, which led to a large-scale protest on 10 July.

Injured protestors / Image: Fair Use

Over a thousand depositors carried banners with slogans like, no savings, no human rights, against the corruption and violence of the Henan government, against the abuse of power, against the beating of depositors by Henan government-aligned gangs. Others shouted the slogan: Li Keqiang [Chinas premier], investigate Henan!

The regime immediately deployed large numbers of police around the protest and ordered it to disband. Their efforts were in vain. A group of unidentified men wearing white shirts then plunged into the protest, dragging and beating them in order to disperse the crowd. At the same time, the police, who are often referred to as protectors of the people'' in China, stood aside and watched the carnage unfold without intervening. It seems the protesters are not the people'' they exist to supposedly protect! Many of the protesters were severely injured by the thugs. Some were beaten until they bled from their eyes or mouth. One disabled protestor was even battered unconscious.

The mainstream Chinese media, which had denounced the Henan red health code scandal, maintained complete silence over this incident. One exception, Life Week (), cautiously referred to it in a feature report on the bank crisis, saying the protestors had a conflict with the police and some unidentified people, and some were injured (our emphasis).

Nevertheless, the denunciations of these barbarian actions grew rapidly on social media. Some social media users compared the public photos of policemen in the area and these unidentified men in white, and found that some of the white-shirted thugs had a strong resemblance with registered policemen, further exposing the hypocrisy and cruelty of the police state.

However, no doubt because of the resolve shown by the protesting depositors, the state quickly made a series of concessions. On 10 July, the Xuchang police announced, a criminal group headed by Lyu Yi, through Henan New Fortune Group and co controls several rural banks such as Yuzhou Xinminsheng [They] used them to illegally transfer funds, manipulate business records, and conceal information. These acts implicate Lyu in multiple serious criminal offences.

On 11 July, just a day after the protest, Henans Local Financial Regulatory Bureau announced that commencing from 15 July, repayments would be made [to depositors], starting with individual customers with deposits of up to 50,000 yuan in one institution. The second round of repayments, which deals with deposits up to 100,000 yuan ($14,787), began on 25 July. Thus, despite the repression of the government, the movement has scored victories.

How did the movement develop?

The protesting depositors have shown resolution and bravery from the start, especially in face of the authoritarianism of the CCP regime. Nevertheless, the July protest had a significantly different spirit to those in May and June. This was an expression of the dialectic of the movements development.

The depositors only made economic appeals in earlier protests, which has then gained a political character / Image: Fair UseOf course, the July protest was the biggest, and it signified a rise in the movements intensity. However, most significant of all was the politicisation of this protests slogans  something that is extremely rare in China. Slogans raised in May and June like, return my savings, were purely economic, and did not directly attack the regime. The arrogant bureaucrats, however, couldnt even tolerate protests as moderate as these. Far from responding in a reasonable way, the local bureaucrats resorted to brutal crackdowns, which in turn spurred the depositors to draw political conclusions. Furthermore, the Chinese masses could feel  if not consciously understand  how in two red health code scandals, the byzantine state machine had demonstrated how it fundamentally opposes their basic human rights.

As the conflict intensified, the protesters on 10 July didnt limit themselves to demanding repayment alone, but raised general slogans with political intentions. They targeted the abuse of power and corruption and violence of the Henan government, and demanded (genuine) freedom, equality, justice, and rule of/by law [the Chinese word  means both]. Although these demands are largely taken directly from CCPs own propaganda, which portrays China as already having all these things, they nonetheless indicated a qualitative leap in the movement from the economic to the political.

Of course, it is hard to say how important these political demands really were to the protesters, but they certainly indicated their disgust  not to mention distrust  towards the regime. At the same time, the fact that the protesters used the slogans of the regime itself to criticise it reflects a growing political understanding (although it is still generally low) among an ever-increasing portion of the Chinese masses, and that the regimes legitimacy has been shaken.

The governments continuous repression, on one hand demonstrated its sheer contempt for the masses, but on the other hand exposed its lack of confidence and its fear of mass movements. This duality is expressed in how, after the brutal dispersal of the July protest, a repayment plan was immediately brought forward. Even in the face of such peaceful protests, the bureaucracy was afraid that direct concessions would weaken its image of absolute authority, and encourage further mass struggles. This attitude illustrated their impotence in dealing with social problems, and how they can only rely on force. As Bertolt Brecht said, fear rules not only those who are ruled, but the rulers too.

At the time of writing, the state is still repaying deposits under 100,000 yuan, and it is unknown when all deposits might be returned. Nevertheless, the struggle, and the crimes of the state displayed through this episode will remain in the minds of millions of Chinese people. It is one in a chain of struggles of the gradually awakening Chinese masses, which is subtly altering their consciousness. As new storms approach, future fighters would do well to study the valuable lessons contained in this event.

A barbarous social system

The protesters no doubt raised the slogan, no savings, no human rights in an attempt to emphasise their right to reclaim their deposits, but they also semi-consciously demonstrated that in China, or indeed any capitalist country, property ownership is the precondition of so-called human rights. In this system, which places profit above people, the only way to guarantee our rights on paper  including the right to life and health  is to have enough wealth.

The tragedies that many working-class depositors had to endure as a result of this bank run is a reflection of this brutal social reality. After the bank crisis broke out, a former accountant lost sight in her left eye due to extreme anxiety, and was unable to afford proper medical treatment without the help of her sisters family. More appallingly, a clerk, who was ill herself but refused treatment due to the need to prioritise treating her mothers diseases, had to abandon her mothers treatment due to a lack of money. She was even unable to afford a grave after her death.

To these depositors, the months of delays in the states response was undoubtedly a crime. At the same time, the head of the New Fortune Group, Lyu Yi  a passionate collector of antiques  has been continuing his extravagant life in the United States.

The brutality of the regime and its failure to apply even its own laws, must be exposed and criticised thoroughly. But the mere demand for a reliable bourgeois government  as many liberals in China and internationally raise  cannot fully answer the question that is posed. A capitalist society with better protection of workers incomes, although obviously less terrible, remains a society that prioritises profit and that is indifferent to human suffering. Even if the banks function normally, tragedies like these will remain regular occurrences.

Moreover, although the state has blamed corrupt local bureaucrats and unlawful businessmen for this crisis  attempting to portray it as an accidental occurrence  we must understand that capitalism can never eliminate the collusion between the capitalist class and the state. The recently leaked Uber files confirm this. In the same way, it can never eliminate oppression and violence. Besides, the Chinese economy is now facing various simultaneous debt crises. These include a crisis in which banks have been unable to provide houses to home buyers, leading to the boycott of mortgage repayments by borrowers. These crises illustrate the pressure exerted by the economic downturn on the Chinese banking system, again placing the masses savings at risk. The fundamental problem then is not a group of recklessly corrupt officials. Rather, it is the system of capitalism itself, i.e. what the CCP farcically calls socialism with Chinese characteristics.

What we really need is a society that puts human needs above profits, meaning a democratic economy planned by the working class. This requires the abolition of capitalism. To achieve this, it is necessary for the masses  above all, the proletariat  to unite under a Marxist programme, and to struggle determinedly against the Chinese capitalist class and its despotic regime, not only for transitional democratic and labour rights, but for a socialist revolution.
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2 dead in the McKinney Fire in Northern California, the state's largest blaze this year
In this photo provided by the U.S. Department of Justice, former Soviet military officer and arms trafficking suspect Viktor Bout (C) deplanes after arriving at Westchester County Airport November 16, 2010 in White Plains, New York.
Police have been investigating a fire at the Vivion Oaks apartments near North Oak Trafficway and NE 50th Court after two people were found dead there last Monday.
President Yoon Suk-yeol and Indonesian President Joko Widodo hold a joint press conference at the presidential office in Seoul, Thursday, following their summit. Joint Press Corps



KF-21 conducts second flight test successfully



By Kang Seung-woo



Despite last week's summit between Korea and Indonesia, concerns over Jakarta's possible default on the KF-X joint fighter jet program still remain, after the meeting failed to come up with a clear-cut solution to the Southeast Asian country's overdue payment problem.



The KF-X, aimed at producing an advanced multirole fighter jet, was initiated in 2001 and the two nations signed a deal in 2010 to cooperate on the project. Indonesia agreed to finance 1.6 trillion won, amounting to 20 percent of the total development cost of 8.8 trillion won ($6.71 billion), in exchange for a number of planes to be manufactured there for the Indonesian Air Force as well as technology transfers. But Indonesia has been defaulting on the deal since 2017, failing to pay 800 billion won it promised so far.



In the lead-up to the summit, Thursday, there were expectations among the local defense industry that the visit of Indonesian President Joko Widodo, also known by the nickname Jokowi, to Seoul may serve as momentum to finding a breakthrough in resolving the overdue payment issue. In addition, the successful first flight of the domestically developed KF-21 Boramae fighter jet before Jokowi's arrival added to the anticipation. The KF-21 is made by Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), the nation's lone aircraft manufacturer.



However, the much-heralded summit appears to have turned out anticlimactic, with neither of the two leaders going into details about how to fix the problem, raising speculation that the payment issue may not have been high on the agenda during their talks, contrary to the presidential office's expectations that the payment issue would be settled soon.



"The two countries have reaffirmed their commitment to continue working together so that the joint fighter jet program can proceed smoothly until the end," President Yoon Suk-yeol said during a joint press conference after the summit at the presidential office.



According to Yoon's office, Widodo proposed to Yoon during the summit that the countries hold consultations to resolve the payment issue.



"Given that Jokowi made the proposal, it is time that working-level discussions be followed," said an official of Yoon's office.



However, while Yoon referred to Indonesia's commitment to the KF-X program, the Indonesian president did not mention issues related to the KF-X during the press conference.



Last November, as delayed payments for its share raised doubts about its sincerity of the program, the two countries newly agreed that Indonesia would make 30 percent of its total payments in kind, although the country has since reneged on the agreement.





A KF-21 Boramae fighter jet flies over Sacheon, South Gyeongsang Province during its first flight test, July 19. Courtesy of Defense Acquisition Program Administration


Pyongyang supports denuclearization in principle, but only as part of wider disarmament efforts



By Kim Yoo-chul



North Korean leader Kim Jong-un officially warned that his regime is prepared to use nuclear weapons in a possible military confrontation with the United States and South Korea, while observers expect Pyongyang to delay its seventh nuclear test until after the Chinese Communist Party completes its convention in the fall.



After Kim's remarks carried by the North's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), South Korea's presidential National Security Office urged the North to return to talks and asked it to take steps in advancing its denuclearization process.



Regarding the definition of denuclearization, North Korea is fixated on denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula, which also means the United States ending its "nuclear umbrella" security partnership with South Korea. The White House and the Pentagon clarified earlier their firm commitment to supporting coordinated diplomatic efforts to achieve the complete denuclearization of North Korea.



But two former aides to ex-President Moon Jae-in, both of whom had been involved in previous landmark talks between then President Donald Trump and the North's Kim, asked Seoul's foreign policy and inter-Korean affairs teams to reconsider its continuation of the complete, verifiable, irreversible denuclearization (CVID) concept.



CVID is similar to the "Libya model," which means that a provision of large-scale economic benefits including sanctions relief are promised, but only after Pyongyang completely dismantles its nuclear weapons.



Common thoughts are that Kim won't give up his nuclear weapons at all. The former aides said the time has come to navigate other "realistic and applicable options."



"The biggest sticking point during the two previous nuclear summits between the heads of the United States and North Korea in Singapore and Hanoi was sanctions against North Korea. But Kim Jong-un had hoped for the United States to offer credible security guarantees, the request of which was refused. North Korea's Kim and his family still want reassurances from the U.S. side for their security. A security guarantee matters more than the lifting of sanctions," a former aide to ex-President Moon said.



After the collapse of the 2019 U.S.-North Korea summit in Hanoi, then North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Yong-ho said the North would advance the progress of taking denuclearization steps if the United States were to commit to a security guarantee, promising that the Kim regime would be safe.



Pakistani model?



Is North Korea seeking a declaration of an official non-hostile intent or even non-aggression pact? What specifically would be guaranteed? What kinds of form would a guarantee take  a declaration of an end to the Korean War, or a peace treaty? Or could it be a part of pricey confidence-reaffirming steps and military force reductions?







Despite the continuation of joint military exercises between Seoul and Washington, the United States has never directly attacked North Korea since the signing of the 1953 Korean Armistice Agreement to end the war that began in 1950 when North Korea invaded South Korea. Since then, North Korea has committed repeated acts of terrorism, nuclear threats and incursions.



"Between May 28 and May 30, 1998, Pakistan conducted six underground nuclear tests and later declared itself a nuclear state," another former aide to Moon, who was also engaged in the North Korean nuclear talks, added. "In return for placing visible, formal and legally binding caps on its nuclear programs and taking steps to improve its relationships with India, the United States removed most sanctions on Pakistan, while keeping in place those barring the provision of nuclear technology that may contribute to the Indian and Pakistani nuclear programs. From North Korea's viewpoint, the Pakistan model looks compelling."



At the time of Pakistan's declaration that it had become a nuclear state, the U.N. Security Council failed to impose economic sanctions on Islamabad due to China and Russia's opposition. But the Bush administration's War on Terror campaign saw Pakistan benefiting a lot from U.S. support because Washington considered Islamabad a potential facilitator in reviving U.S.-China relations at that time. Now, the United States wants to counter China's growing influence around the world.



Within that context, some security experts said given Pyongyang's attention to Islamabad's experience and the similarities between them  Pakistan never signed the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and North Korea withdrew from the treaty in 2003, with Pyongyang facing a democratic Seoul as Islamabad did with New Delhi  North Korea could conduct up to five small-scale nuclear tests suitable for 300-kilogram nuclear warheads for possible use in KN-23 or KN-24-class short-range ballistic missiles in only a few days, as Pakistan had done in 1998.



"North Korea is already a nuclear state. Kim Jong-un will never give up his nuclear weapons," said Lee Yong-joon, a former deputy foreign minister. "Pyongyang may want to become the Pakistan of Northeast Asia. That means North Korea will support denuclearization in principle, but only according to global disarmament effort. Corresponding measures should be implemented in conjunction with North Korea's nuclear disarmament steps if the United States and like-minded countries want to address the North's nuclear issues."




Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, fourth from left in front row, poses with the mayors of other cities from across the world in a group photo during the World Cities Summit at Marina Bay Sands Convention Center in Singapore, Aug. 1. Courtesy of the Seoul Metropolitan Government



Mayor Oh Se-hoon shares policies, inks bid to host the event in 2023



By Ko Dong-hwan



In the latest annual summit for the leaders of 90 cities from across the world, Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon attended sessions and meetings to introduce some of the city's policies, which he says have improved the quality of Seoulites' lives.



In Singapore from Sunday to Monday for the World Cities Summit (WCS) and World Cities Summit Mayors Forum, Oh shared with the other mayors his policies to make Seoul a more sustainable and livable place.



His official schedule kicked off on Sunday when he delivered an opening speech for the forum, which is part of the summit's programs, in the Marina Bay Sands Convention Center. In the forum, which focuses on typical urban problems and attempts to form international solidarity in solving them, Oh introduced the city's policies related to digital transformation and carbon neutrality  two of the suggested topics for this year's WCS.



Oh delivered the eight-minute speech in English in front of Desmond Lee, Singapore's minister for National Development, Ahmed Aboutaleb, the Dutch mayor of Rotterdam, LaToya Cantrell, the American mayor of New Orleans, Sally Capp, the Australian mayor of Melbourne and other political and industrial dignitaries as well as those from international organizations.



Traditional urban living formulas are no longer effective, said Oh, in the face of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, climate crisis, global pandemics and wars. The mayor said that today cities need a group of policies for the digital transformation that provide internet-based administrative services whenever and wherever users need them, such as a project called Metaverse Seoul, a system to control city traffic based on AI and big data and to provide educational opportunities for all  like Seoul Learn, a city-run online educational platform  despite socioeconomic inequality.



Oh also urged the other leaders to join the global carbon neutrality movement amid the climate crisis. Oh said Seoul is reshuffling itself to reduce the current amount of greenhouse gas emissions it generates by 30 percent by 2026. "Eighty-eight percent of greenhouse gas emissions (in Seoul) come from buildings and traffic," said Oh in the forum, which was held in person for the first time in three years. "So we are remodeling aged buildings into buildings with low carbon emissions and erecting all new buildings as zero-energy structures. To make 10 percent of all the vehicles registered under Seoul electric, we are now expanding charging stations across the city to make them reachable within five minutes from anywhere in the city."





Seoul Housing and Communities Corporation CEO Kim Heon-dong, from left, Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, and Lee Kwan-ok, an associate professor of urban planning at the Business School of the National University of Singapore check out the green spaces inside mixed-use development project Marina One in Marina Bay, Singapore, July 30. Courtesy of the Seoul Metropolitan Government
By Martin Schram





It was four in the afternoon on March 10, 1991, when the first planned explosion of Saddam Hussein's chemical weapons went off at the U.S. weapons depot in Khamisiyah, Iraq, and the first gray-white smoke cloud that would come to be called The Plume wafted skyward and drifted over the troops. There would be many blasts that day.







Bill Florey, a young and proud-to-serve E4 Specialist, had just parked his truck after a day's work.







Francesca Yabraian, who would become his friend and would fight the losing battle to save his life (at a time when it seemed horribly clear the Department of Veterans Affairs wasn't), was just a student half-a-world away. She was in Dallas on that day.







Pat Toomey was also half-a-world away on March 10, 1991. Pennsylvania's future Republican senator was all into the rich expectations of his first career (in international currency swap transactions and derivatives) when his hopes were shaken. Deutsche Bank acquired the London-based investment bank where he worked, and he didn't know what to expect. So, he returned to Allentown, Pennsylvania, and began a career rich with a different sort of expectations: politics.







What Toomey couldn't know back then was that, in the summer of 2022, he'd be in a position to shake up the hopes and expectations of thousands who also served in Iraq with the same pride Bill Florey felt on that 1991 day.







Florey was Yabraian's friend and work colleague when she became concerned about the bump near his right temple that seemed to be growing. His VA doctor said it was just an infection and injected penicillin. It kept growing. So she went to the VA with him and told the VA doctor Florey had to get an MRI that day or they'd have to drag her out! Florey got his MRI. It showed a tumor had penetrated into his brain.







Next it became a problem Washington actually should have solved. The VA denied Florey benefits for a service-related injury, claiming it was "less likely than not" that his cancer was caused by The Plume from Saddam's chemical weapons. Then Yabraian contacted me about her friend's plight. It turned out a VA study showed it was actually TWICE as likely as not that Florey's cancer came from exposure to Saddam's exploded chemical warheads.







Bill Florey died on New Year's Day, 2005, before the VA could grant him the benefits he'd earned. And the VA's bureaucratic rules were that when military personnel die, their unpaid claim for compensation owed dies with them. His tragic story became the beginning of my 2008 book, "Vets Under Siege: How America Deceives and Dishonors Those Who Fight Our Battles," published by Thomas Dunne Books, St. Martin's Press.







Sadly, "Vets Under Siege" told many similar tragic tales. But it also proposed solutions; and other investigations and hearings produced many more. One was the Vietnam War-era reform in which the VA began assuming all who served in Vietnam are now presumed to have been exposed to the dangerous defoliation chemical Agent Orange. Vietnam War veterans no longer have to prove they were exposed to Agent Orange to get benefits for illnesses the chemical is known to cause.







And this summer, a new veterans reform bill was being approved with overwhelming bipartisan Senate and House support that assumed that all who were in Iraq  and who suffered cancers or other illnesses known to be caused by Iraq's chemical weapons  would be presumed to have been exposed to plumes from what the military now calls its "burn pits."







But suddenly 25 Republican senators reversed their earlier "yes" votes and blocked final passage of that veterans' care reform bill  just weeks after they'd joined Democrats in approving the bill with 84 votes.







Now Sen. Pat Toomey enters our story. In June, Toomey had objected to an accounting procedure for $400 billion that was in the original bill the Senate had passed and sent to the House. Toomey resurfaced his objection as a reason to block the bill Republicans had already decisively supported. This time, only 55 senators voted yes; but 60 are needed to prevent a filibuster.







Why did Republicans suddenly switch from yes to no? Democrats charged that for Republicans it was just political spite. Democrats gave President Joe Biden a major victory on a spending bill compromise this week, and they say Republicans didn't want to give Biden a win on veterans' care reform too. Toomey, of course, quickly denied that.







The Washington Post reported that the Senate's No. 2 Republican leader, Sen. John Thune of South Dakota, said this veterans' bill vote was "separate" from the overall spending deal, but conceded, about the spending compromise, "obviously it doesn't help."







And so it goes in this city. Many thousands of military veterans who are suffering from the same exposure that killed Bill Florey are coping with their latest reality: While it is nice when Republicans sincerely thank them for their service, "obviously it doesn't help" them as they struggle to pay their medical bills and survive.









Martin Schram (

), an op-ed columnist for Tribune News Service, is a veteran Washington journalist, author and TV documentary executive. This article was distributed by Tribune Content Agency.


By Hussein Ibish



With President Joe Biden having departed the Middle East, the region's two prime antagonists are thinking about just getting along. Iran and Saudi Arabia, having completed five rounds of talks in Iraq over the past year, both said recently that they were moving toward higher-level negotiations on reconciliation. Paradoxically, this budding rapprochement between friend and foe offers important opportunities for Washington.



After severing diplomatic ties following a January 2016 mob attack on the Saudi Embassy in Tehran, the Riyadh government hoped sanctions on Iran by President Donald Trump's administration might produce a change in Iranian conduct. Instead, Iran became more aggressive than ever, culminating with a devastating missile strike on Saudi Aramco facilities in September 2019.



The Trump administration, usually bellicose toward Iran, turned a blind eye, noting that no Americans had been killed. That proved a final straw for the Saudis. They were already upset that the Barack Obama administration's 2015 nuclear deal with Iran ignored two main concerns  Iran's drone and missile arsenal, and its network of armed gangs in Arab countries including Iraq, Lebanon, Syria and Yemen.



The Saudis concluded that Washington was no longer reliable, and that if they wanted their top security issues involving Tehran to be on the negotiating table, they were going to put them there by themselves. After the 2020 U.S. election, that realization dovetailed with the Biden administration's encouragement of diplomacy over the use of force in the region.



The formal reconciliation talks began in April 2021 at the Baghdad airport; Iraq constituting something approximating neutral ground. Initially, little progress was made. The Saudis focused on getting Iran to pressure its Houthi clients in Yemen to agree to a cease-fire and eventual peace settlement in a war that has turned into a quagmire for Riyadh. The Iranians wanted only to discuss restoring diplomatic relations.



But after the fifth round earlier this year, and amid the growing sense that Iran was stubbornly blocking Biden's effort to revive the nuclear deal, there was a minor, but real, breakthrough. Responding to Iranian prodding, the Houthis finally agreed to a truce, which has lasted more than two months and allowed significant humanitarian relief into the beleaguered country.



The Saudis' securing and maintaining the cease-fire in the bloody conflict pleased the White House and Congress. Riyadh also took the opportunity to finally rid itself of the obstreperous Yemeni president, Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi, replacing him with a new Presidential Leadership Council.



Another round of talks, which seems imminent, will come at a pivotal moment in U.S. relations with friends and foes in the Middle East. Biden's visit was intended to repair strained U.S.-Saudi relations. But perhaps more importantly, the president encouraged Saudi Arabia to join other Arab countries, and even Israel, in building a set of informal cooperative security arrangements. These would include air- and missile-defense systems to offset Iran's increasingly powerful arsenal.



The eventual aim of such expanded collaboration is for the U.S. military to reduce its Middle East footprint, doing less with more, because regional cooperation could prove more effective and sustainable than outside intervention.



Not everything is going smoothly. There are already signs that the Houthis may break the uneasy truce in Yemen. Iran will play a central role in whether that happens, because it uses such militias to increase or relieve pressure on its adversaries, adjusting violence like turning a spigot.



It's also clear that Tehran hopes to use the reconciliation talks with Riyadh to drive a wedge between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia. The idea is to make the Saudis choose between either rebuilding close cooperation with Washington or achieving rapprochement with Iran and extraction from the Yemen war.



It's a crude trap. Washington can outflank Tehran by strengthening security commitments to Saudi Arabia, while making it clear it expects greater Saudi cooperation on energy production and pricing, keeping Russia and China at arm's length, and being open to greater regional security coordination. The Gulf Arab countries still have major doubts about U.S. commitment and reliability, but they understand there's no practical alternative to American support.



Iranian media are playing up Saudi Arabia's supposed enthusiasm for wide-ranging reconciliation, but in fact the Saudis remain highly skeptical. The U.S. and Saudi Arabia can give the Iranians a set of clear choices: They can have relations restored with the Saudis, a renewed nuclear agreement with Washington, and respect for legitimate security concerns  but only on reasonable terms, starting with curbing violence by their regional proxies.



The partnership between Washington and Riyadh may not be as strong as it once was, but it's clearly on the mend. And it's certainly still strong enough to be able to show Iran that it can't score cheap victories by trying to divide them.





Hussein Ibish is a senior resident scholar at the Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington. This article was published in the Bloomberg and distributed by Tribune Content Agency.




Following his historic performance at the Lollapalooza 2022, J-Hope reveals how much time he dedicated to preparing for his stage in his live broadcast. Curious? Keep on reading to know more.

BTS J-Hope Reveals How Long He Practiced for Lollapalooza 2022 Performance

On July 31 local time, BTS rapper J-Hope made history by becoming the first-ever South Korean artist to headline the main stage of this year's annual Lollapalooza music festival, held at the Grand Park in Chicago. Not only that, but because of his performance, Lollapalooza recorded their most in-demand single-day ticket as J-Hope became the biggest draw the festival has ever had in 31 years.

As part of his stage, which has been dubbed the "Hobipalooza" by fans, J-Hope ended the music festival with a bang by performing a whopping 20 songs. His historical performance featured songs from BTS' past albums, as well as from J-Hope's albums "Hope World" and his latest release "Jack In The Box."

Some of the songs lucky fans heard live included "Hope World," "Base Line," "Cypher Pt. 1," "Daydream," "Dynamite (Tropical Remix)," "Outro: Ego," "Trivia : Just Dance," and "Chicken Noodle Soup" which featured Becky G for their first-ever live performance together.

Following his immensely successful headlining performance, he and fellow BTS member Jimin went on to Naver V LIVE to hold a live broadcast with fans to talk about Lollapalooza.

During the broadcast, J-Hope thanked fans, saying, "Everyone, [Lollapalooza] is finally over. I am really grateful."

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: BTS J-Hope Becomes Entirely Different Person in Lollapalooza- and ARMYs Are Wilding

He then revealed how many hours he dedicated of his time to rehearse and perfect his Lollapalooza performance. He shared that he took around six hours of his day every single day to practice for a month or two for his 20-song setlist.

"I practiced for about six hours every day. It is an important performance, and I can't stain BTS' name with such a huge performance as BTS' J-Hope," said the "Arson" rapper.

Jimin Played Big Role in J-Hope's Performance

J-Hope added that Jimin also attended his Lollapalooza performance and felt comfort knowing he was there to show his support. Jimin then complimented J-Hope and his performance, saying, "I really watched as a fan today."

J-Hope then shared that Jimin played a big role in his preparations for the performance, saying, "Jimin's help played a big role. While preparing for Lollapalooza, I was in a dark world. But he became my light."

Jimin added that it must have been hard for J-Hope, as they had been promoting as a group for years, and this was the first time he performed on his own.

J-Hope then concluded, saying, "I think I had a really good experience. It was definitely fun taking on the challenge myself." They wrapped up by saying that the other BTS members are working on music in good health and are doing well.

Did you watch J-Hope's Lollapalooza performance?

Check out the Naver V LIVE here:

For more K-Pop news and updates, always keep your tabs open here on KpopStarz.

KpopStarz owns this article.

Written by Robyn Joan
Despite a crash killing a pedestrian crossing Williams Street in July, city officials have said a recent study shows a new traffic light in the area is not warranted.

On July 19, an 81-year-old man was killed after crossing Williams Street street near its intersection with Milwaukee Street, just before Williams Street turns into Interchange North.

Even before that fatality, officials had decided to conduct a study about a block away because of concerns about safety at the bottom of the Center Street hill that goes up to the new Stone Ridge subdivision.

Officials from the City of Lake Geneva and Walworth County shared the cost to have a traffic study conducted near the corner of Center Street and Interchange North/County Highway H to determine if a traffic signal is warranted at that intersection.

Members of the Lake Geneva City Council unanimously approved, April 25, to pay up to $4,000 for the study with the county paying the rest of the cost. The study was projected to cost between $6,000 and $7,000.

Lake Geneva Public Works Director Tom Earle announced during the July 25 public works committee meeting that the study has been completed, and it has been determined that a traffic signal is not warranted at that intersection.

Unfortunately, we did not meet the warrants, and we didnt come close to the warrants, Earle said. We were well far below. So the county has backed out because the warrant study showed it didnt need it.

Study results

Representatives from Baxter & Woodman Consulting Engineers, Inc. of Madison conducted the study during a 24-hour period on Wednesday, June 22.

The study states that about 15,677 vehicles traveled through the intersection during the 24-hour period, with about 1,336 vehicles traveling through from 3:15 p.m. to 4:15 p.m., which is considered the peak traffic hour for that area. The study states that the amount of traffic that was counted does not meet warrants for a traffic signal.

The existing traffic volumes and conditions of County Highway H and Center Street fail to meet any of the traffic signal warrants, the study said. Therefore, a traffic signal is not warranted at this intersection at this time. Even if this count was conducted on a summer weekend day, traffic on the major route would increase significantly, but the minor approach traffic would likely not increase enough to meet warrants.

About 45 pedestrians and 21 bicycles crossed the intersection during the 24-hour period, according to the study.

The study states that no more than nine pedestrians or bicycles crossed the intersection during any given hour, with four pedestrians or bicycles crossing during the peak traffic hour.

The pedestrian volume is not high enough, therefore warrant not met, the study said.

According to the study that focused on the Center Street intersection and not the surrounding area, seven reported accidents have occurred at the intersection during the last five years with no more than three reported accidents occurring during the past year.

The study said three of the seven reported accidents included non-serious injuries, and the other four reported accidents were property damage only.

While there was a fatality a block away involving a pedestrian, the study found there were not accidents involving fatalities or serious injuries directly at the Center Street intersection.

This intersection has less than five reported crashes in a 12-month period, and we are not aware of any additional countermeasures utilizing at this intersection, therefore warrant not met, the study stated.

Road improvements or better lighting

The study recommended that road improvements or better lighting be installed at the intersection before a traffic signal is considered for the area.

Earle said officials from the Town of Geneva have approached him about working with the city to still have a traffic signal installed in that area.

The area north of the intersection is located in the Town of Geneva.

City officials have considered installing a traffic signal in that area, because traffic near that intersection has increased during the past few years, as the Stone Ridge subdivision on the Center Street hill has been developed.

The town expressed a little bit of interest in maybe partnering in about that light, Earle said. So there may be an opportunity forthcoming where we may be able to work together with the developer and the town to do the light. But as of right now, it was a brief, casual conversation where they brought it up.

Alderman Richard Hedlund said he would like to have a traffic signal installed at the intersection, because traffic can become congested in that area.

I drive up and down that hill 10 times a day and when you get a semi sitting there trying to turn left on Interchange North, it backs up, Hedlund said.

The study said another traffic analysis could be conducted at that intersection after the Stone Ridge subdivision is completed.
The Big Foot Lions Club gathered in Reid Park in Fontana-on-Geneva Lake on Saturday, July 30 for the 38th Annual Big Foot Lions Club Lobster Boil-Steak Fry, which turned out to be a huge success.

Andy Pearce, a Lions Club Booster, could not have been happier with the turnout and the event itself.

To sum it up in one word, it was amazing, he said. There were around 3,000 people in the park at one time around 5 p.m.

The event took place from noon-11:30 p.m.

We sold about 2,850 dinners in total plus about a thousand hamburgers and hot dogs, Pearce said. It was just super. The weather was beautiful and everything ran really smooth.
Chandigarh [India], August 1 (ANI): Bharatiya Janata Party Punjab unit on Sunday hit out at the ruling Aam Aadmi Party in the state calling them a political outfit which believes in "sheer propaganda and publicity" while alleging that the party spent Rs 42 lakhs to do "propaganda" of saving of Rs 21 lakhs in the name of presenting a paperless budget.

"The AAP is nothing but a political outfit which believes in sheer propaganda and publicity. The so-called much hyped paper-less budget saved 21 lakhs and a whopping 42 lakhs were spent by the AAP government to do propaganda that 21 lakhs has been saved. Economics seems to be really not a forte of the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann," said BJP state chief Ashwani Sharma while addressing a press conference.

Also Read | Uttar Pradesh Shocker: Dalit Woman Sexually Harassed in Muzaffarnagar, Seven Held.

Hitting out at the Mann government over the law and order situation in the state, Sharma said that it has touched a "new low".

"The law and order situation has touched a new low and there is fear psychosis in the public. No one is feeling safe," he said.

Also Read | Assam: Himanta Biswa Sarma Government Extends Financial Support to COVID-19 Orphans.

The BJP leader alleged that AAP, which came to power earlier this year ending Congress rule in the state, was "corrupted" by power.

"AAP needs to humble up and govern with respect and responsibility. Power has absolutely corrupted them and the ministers are going berserk in the garb of inspections," he said.

Sharma said that BJP is the only party that can bring peace to the state.

"In the coming days, the only party which will be able to deliver justice and peace is BJP in the state. We are very sure that the public will give AAP a befitting defeat," he said.

Talking about the preparations for the 75th anniversary of India's Independence, Sharma said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's appeal to put national flags on the houses is a "great movement".

"The BJP in the state has made all arrangements for Amrit Mahautsav on 75th anniversary of Independence. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has encouraged every Indian to celebrate this year by putting national flags on their houses. It is a great movement for us. India is a united and proud nation which believes in its Atamnirbhar campaign," he 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)
Guwahati, Aug 1 (PTI) The Assam government on Monday launched a programme for issuing caste certificates to students through digital means, which will simplify the process and take forward the government's endeavour of easing public service.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma launched the Mission Bhumiputra' and its portal, which is being implemented by the departments of Tribal Affairs (Plain) and Social Justice and Empowerment, an official release said.

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Speaking on the occasion, Sarma said the manual system of issuing caste certificates will cease with the opening of the portal.

From August eight onwards, deputy commissioners (DCs) will give the format of applications for caste certificates to the headmasters of educational institutions and the latter will fill up and return the formats to the DCs, who then will forward the applications to the boards/authorities of respective caste or tribe.

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The DC then will convene a meeting with the boards to decide on the protocol for issuing caste certificate to the students.

In case of any doubt, the application may be sent for further verification. The certificates issued at the end of the process will be available in the digi locker under the IT Act with digital signature of the respective DC.

The chief minister said that earlier people had to bear encumbrances to secure the caste certificates and with the launch of Mission Bhumiputra, such problems will ease.

From next year, students from Class 8 can apply for caste certificates through this portal, which will also be lined with CM's dashboard to enable the Chief Minister's Office to monitor the entire process, Sarma said.

He asked the departments of Tribal Affairs (Plain) and Social Justice and Empowerment to generate awareness on this new initiative.

The chief minister also said the government has laid emphasis on issuing Economically Weaker Section certificates to the people as steps will be taken to issue such certificate to the students from class 8 onwards.

He also said that following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's emphasis on Minimum government, maximum governance', the state government has been facilitating different public services seamlessly to the people.

With the introduction of digitalisation, different services have been rendered to the people transparently and expeditiously. This system has put an end to the menace of middleman', Sarma maintained.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Devotees offer prayers at Shree Gauri Shankar Temple in Chandni Chowk, on the third Monday of 'Sawan' month (Photo/ANI)

New Delhi [India], August 1 (ANI): Devotees thronged temples in various parts of the country as they celebrate the third Monday of the holy month of Sawan by offering prayers to the deities.

Sawan is considered to be the most auspicious month. Sawan month is dedicated to Lord Shiva who is worshipped during this month. The devotees observe fast on each Monday which falls in the Sawan month.

Also Read | Devotees Throng Temples as They Celebrate Sawan Somwar

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As per the Hindu calendar, the third Monday of the 'Sawan' month is also observed as Vinayaka Chaturthi. Devotees of Lord Ganesha observe a fast on this day. They believe that doing so will please the Almighty and he in return will bless them with wealth of wisdom and patience. Some devotees also call this day as Varad Vinayaka Chaturthi. The term Varad means "asking God to fulfil the desires of the devotee".

A large number of devotees gathered outside Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Uttar Pradesh's Varanasi to offer prayers on the third Monday of Sawan month.

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A devotee present at the venue told ANI, "Before beginning the rituals, the temple is cleaned with Gangajal. After that, a lamp is lit before Lord Shiva and Lord Ganesha's idol. And then, we offer prayers to the deity."

It was seen that a huge number of devotees also offered prayers at the Augharnath temple in Uttar Pradesh's Meerut, on the third Monday of Sawan month.

"Today is an auspicious day. We are here to offer prayers to Baba Bholenath (Lord Shiva). I hope he blesses my family with his best wishes," said a devotee at Meerut temple.

A similar crowd was witnessed in a Shiv Temple near Baba Kharak Singh Marg in the national capital. Notably, the temple authorities outside the temple have put up a notice advising devotees to adhere to the COVID-19 protocols.

Also, devotees offer prayers at Shree Gauri Shankar Temple in Chandni Chowk in Delhi, on the third Monday of 'Sawan' month.

Devotees in the state of Uttarakhand also celebrated the festival with zest and enthusiasm. Shiv temple in Haridwar too witnessed a number of devotees celebrating the third Monday of Sawan month.

Recently, on July 26, an official informed that more than three crore Shiva devotees visited Haridwar till now to collect the holy Ganga water to be offered as 'Jalabhishek' to Lord Shiva.

"Till yesterday, the number of Kanwariyas was three crore and five lakhs, there is no doubt that the number of 'Kanwariyas' who are leaving from Haridwar are more compared to the 'Kanwariyas' who arrive here today," District Magistrate Vinay Shankar Pandey had told ANI.

'Kanwar Yatra' is an annual pilgrimage undertaken by Lord Shiva's devotees in which devotees are known as 'Kanwariyas' visit places like Haridwar, Gaumukh and Gangotri in Uttarakhand and Sultanganj in Bihar to fetch the holy water of the Ganges and then worship the God with the same water.

The Kanwar Yatra has resumed this year after a gap of two years due to Covid-19 restrictions. Administrations of several areas are adopting necessary measures to avoid any untoward incidents during the holy pilgrimage.

After the conclusion of this Yatra, this Monday of Sawan month is considered highly auspicious and devotees of Shiva offer prayers to seek blessings of Lord Shiva. (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, Aug 1 (PTI) A total of 1,737 criminal cases were registered and 39 people convicted across the country for violating environmental laws in the last three years, the government informed Parliament on Monday.

Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav shared this information in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha asked by Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Eknath Shinde and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Rita Bahuguna Joshi.

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"As per the available information, 1,737 criminal cases have been registered or recorded under Environment (Protection) Act, 1986; Air (Prevention and Control of pollution) Act, 1981; and Water (Prevention and Control of pollution) Act, 1974. Thirty-nine people were actually convicted under these Acts during the said period. No repeat offenders have been reported so far," Yadav said.

The data assumes significance in the backdrop of the Union environment ministry's proposal to decriminalise environmental laws to "weed out fear of imprisonment for simple violations".

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"The government has proposed to decriminalise the existing provisions of the Environment Protection Act, 1986 by introducing provisions for imposing heavier penalties and additional penalties, which shall, on one hand act as a deterrent for violators and on the other hand encourage self-regulation for law-abiding entrepreneurs," the minister said.

Union Minister of State for Environment Ashiwini Kumar Choubey told the Rajya Sabha last week that the proposed amendment is also aimed at protecting law-abiding citizens and entrepreneurs from undue harassment in case of minor non-compliances, which would have otherwise resulted in filing of court cases and increasing the burden on the judicial system.

However, in case of serious violations that may result in a grave injury or loss of life, the provisions of the Indian Penal Code will be applicable, in addition to penalties that may be imposed.

(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, Aug 1 (PTI) India will be part of a mega air combat exercise in Australia this month that is set to witness the participation of around 100 aircraft and 2,500 military personnel from 17 countries.

India's participation in the exercise, "Pitch Black", has been confirmed by the Australian government.

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The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) considers "Pitch Black" as its "capstone" international engagement activity with the air forces of strategic partners and allies.

The exercise is scheduled to take place from August 19 to September 6.

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An Australian readout said about 100 aircraft and 2,500 military personnel from 17 countries will arrive in the Northern Territory in the country in two weeks to commence Pitch Black 2022 (PBK22).

With a four-year hiatus since the last edition of Pitch Black due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this year's exercise will see a return of the combined force to Australian skies, enhancing interoperability and strengthening relationships, it said.

PBK22 Director Engagement Group Captain Peter Wood said he is pleased to see the return of Pitch Black after the extended break.

"International participation in Exercise Pitch Black, from within the Indo-Pacific region and further abroad, provides all nations' personnel with experience in working with aircraft, systems and work practices, in northern Australia's unique environment, that would otherwise be unfamiliar," Group Captain Wood said.

"Exercising with our international partners in combined air combat operations is pivotal to ensuring Air Force remains ready to respond whenever the Australian government requires," he added.

The readout said this year's participants include Australia, Canada, India, France, Germany, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, the Netherlands, New Zealand, the Philippines, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, Thailand, the UAE, the UK and the US.

"We are very much looking forward to working with our international partners once again for Exercise Pitch Black," Group Captain Wood said.

The defence and security ties between India and Australia have been on an upswing in the last few years.

In June 2020, the two countries elevated their ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership and signed a landmark deal for reciprocal access to military bases for logistics support.

The Mutual Logistics Support Agreement (MLSA) allows the militaries of the two countries to use each other's bases for repair and replenishment of supplies, besides facilitating scaling up of overall defence cooperation.

The Australian Navy was part of the Malabar naval exercise hosted by India in November 2020 as well as last year.

(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, Aug 1 (PTI) The Lok Sabha was on Monday adjourned till 12 noon after a few minutes of business following protests by opposition leaders demanding withdrawal of suspension of four Congress MPs.

As the House met at 11 am after the weekend break, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla congratulated Indian sportspersons who have brought laurels to the country in the ongoing Commonwealth Games.

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While Mirabai Chanu, Jeremy Lalrinnunga and Achinta Sheuli have bagged gold, Bindyarani Devi and Sanket Sargar got silver and Gururaja Poojary got bronze, he noted.

Birla congratulated the medal winners and all players participating in the sporting event and said they are the inspiration for the youth of the country.

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When he took up questions related to different ministries, Congress members started protests demanding the withdrawal of suspension of four of their colleagues.

Initially they protested standing at the aisles but later came to the well of the House.

The speaker appealed to them to go back to their seats and allow the House to run.

Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Arjun Ram Meghwal accused the opposition of disrupting the proceedings and not allowing the House to function by their protests.

Birla said such protests were not good as it was lowering the dignity of the House. The opposition did not heed to the appeals following which the speaker adjourned the House till 12 noon.

Four Congress MPs -- Manickam Tagore, Ramya Haridas, TN Prathapan and S Jothimani -- were suspended last Monday for the rest of the session for protests and carrying placards inside the House.

Lok Sabha proceedings have been disrupted mostly due to the opposition protests, seeking a discussion on price rise and GST rate hike on some food items, even since the Monsoon Session began on July 18. PTI ACB NAB

(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], August 1 (ANI): The Supreme Court on Monday asked the Bombay High Court to decide expeditiously the plea of Lt Col Prasad Purohit, an accused in the 2008 Malegaon blast case, regarding the prior sanction for his prosecution.

Purohit had said that the sanction granted by the government to prosecute him in the case, was wrong in law.

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A bench of Justices Hemant Gupta and Justice Vikram Nath asked the High Court to decide the plea of Purohit pending already for quashing the sanction for his prosecution in the case.

"The writ petition filed by the petitioner bearing Writ Petition is pending consideration before the High Court wherein the petitioner has sought quashing of the sanction under Section 197(2) of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973. Keeping in view the facts and circumstances of the case, we deem it appropriate to request the High Court to take up the said writ petition and decide the same expeditiously in accordance with the law. The writ petition is disposed of in above terms," the bench in its order stated.

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Purohit had moved the High Court with his plea challenging the validity of the sanction granted by the government to prosecute him under the stringent Unlawful Activities Prevention Act in the case.

A prior sanction for Purohit's prosecution was required since he was a serving Army officer at the time.

Earlier, a special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court had dismissed his plea to discharge him from the case.

In the 2008 Malegaon blast case, six people were killed and over 100 injured after an explosive device strapped to a motorcycle went off near a mosque at Malegaon in north Maharashtra, about 200 kilometres from Mumbai. All the seven accused in the case are currently out on bail.

BJP MP Pragya Singh Thakur, Sameer Kulkarni, retired Major Ramesh Upadhyay, Sudhakar Chaturvedi, Ajay Rahilkar and Sudhakar Chaturvedi are the other accused in the case. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Mumbai, August 1: A woman from Mumbai who went missing 20 years ago after travelling abroad for work has been traced to Pakistan with the help of social media. Hamida Bano (70), who lives in Hyderabad city of Pakistan, managed to get in touch with her family in suburban Kurla recently after having left the city in 2002 to work as a house help in Dubai.

According to the woman's family, Waliullah Maroof, an activist in Pakistan, met Bano who told him how an agent in Mumbai cheated her with a promise of work in Dubai 20 years ago and she had landed in the neighbouring country instead.

Bano started living in Hyderabad, a major city in Sindh province of Pakistan, and subsequently got married to a local man, with whom she had a child. But her husband later died, they said. Pakistan Shocker: Man Chops Off Policeman's Nose, Ears And Lips for Having Illicit Relations With His Wife.

On hearing her story and yearning to go back home, Maroof uploaded Bano's video on his YouTube channel and looked for a social activist in Mumbai who could help him, and eventually found one Khaflan Shaikh. Shaikh then circulated the video in his local group and tracked down Bano's daughter Yasmeen Bashir Shaikh, who lives in Kasaiwada area of Kurla.

"My mother left India in 2002 for Dubai for work through an agent. However, because of the agent's negligence, she landed in Pakistan. We were unaware of her whereabouts and could get in touch with her only once through the same agent," Yasmeen said.

In the past, Bano had travelled to Qatar, too, to work as a house help, she said.

"We are happy that our mother is alive and safe. We now want the Indian government to help us bring her back,'' Yasmeen said. The family plans to approach the Pakistan High Commission to bring the septuagenarian back home safely.

(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], August 1 (ANI): The Delhi High Court on Monday observed that considering the documents on record it is clearly seen that there was no license which was ever issued in favour of the plaintiff Smriti Irani or her daughter while directing Congress leaders to take down their contents from social media related to Goa bar issue.

The plaintiff or her daughter are not the owners of the restaurant. It has also been established by the plaintiff prima facie that the plaintiff or her daughter never applied for the license.

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Delhi High Court said that it perused the various documents on record, particularly, the Show Cause Notice dated June 21, 2022 issued by the Government of Goa, office of Commissioner of Excise, which has been addressed to one Anthony Dgama, and not to the plaintiff or her family members.

Court further noted that perusal of the aforesaid categorically shows that the reputation of an individual has been placed at the highest altar and has been considered akin to the Right to Life of a citizen under Article 21 of the Constitution of India. Thus, there is an imperative need to protect the reputation of an individual, least to say, that of the plaintiff who is a respected member of the society and an esteemed member of the Union Ministry.

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Since the plaintiff commands an esteemed position as a Minister in the Government of India and considering the nature of her public office, there is immense public glare and scrutiny of any information about the plaintiff in the public domain. Jairam Ramesh, Pawan Khera and Netta D'souza have conspired with each other and other individuals and organisations to launch a tirade of false, scathing and belligerent personal attacks on the plaintiff and her daughter with a common motive to malign, defame and injure the reputation, moral character and public image of the plaintiff and her daughter.

Further Delhi High Court directed all the social media platforms, namely, Youtube, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to remove the allegations, videos, posts, tweets, re-tweets, captions, and taglines with the morphed pictures of the plaintiff and her daughter along with the underlined material with such defamatory content or anything similar thereto including recirculation on their respective platforms.

The plaintiff has been able to make out a prima facie case. Balance of convenience also lies in favour of the plaintiff and against the defendants (Congress leaders) I am satisfied that if the defamatory allegations and contents linked to it, are allowed to remain on the internet and social media platforms, then the extent of damage to the plaintiff could be of the immense magnitude and injurious to the reputation of the plaintiff and her family said the court.

"I deem it expedient to pass an adinterim injunction directing defendant Congress leaders Jairam Ramesh, Pawan Khera and Netta D'souza to delete and remove the allegations, video of the impugned Press Conference dated July 23, 2022 and the contents linked to the same as set out in document 2 and 3 of the plaint, published against the plaintiff from all the social media platforms, namely, Youtube, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Social media platforms are also directed to remove the allegations, videos, posts, tweets, re-tweets, captions, and taglines along with the morphed pictures of the plaintiff and her daughter with the underlined material with such defamatory content or anything similar thereto including recirculation on their respective platform" said the court.

Court also said the defendant fail to comply with the directions as hereinabove within 24 hours of pronouncement of this order, Social media platforms are directed to take down the tweets and other materials on the URLs as well as other tweets which may appear in the plaint thereof. Next date of hearing before the court is November 15, 2022.

Defamation Suit files by Union Minister Smriti Irani clearly state that the plaintiff also served a legal notice dated July 24.

However, no reply was given by the Congress leaders nor any documents with respect to various allegations made by these leaders during the Press Conference were ever produced in order to substantiate their allegations against the plaintiff and her family members.

The suit submitted that the defendant Jairam Ramesh and Netta D'souza have indulged in character assassination of the plaintiff and her family at the highest level.

It has been averred that all documents and information pertaining to the ownership of the restaurant and the property upon which it is situated; the licenses applied and granted for the restaurant are in the public domain.

Congress leaders have purposefully not verified the purported information available to them before making the defamatory allegations against the plaintiff and her family members. Defendant never sought any clarification from the plaintiff, regarding the true owner of the said property on which the said restaurant is located and whether the plaintiff's daughter has applied for a liquor license for the said restaurant. (ANI)

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New Delhi [India], August 1 (ANI): The Ministry of Civil Aviation on Monday in Rajya Sabha said that scheduled domestic airlines are not charging any fee for completing web check-in formalities.

Minister of State for Civil Aviation General VK Singh (retired) in a written reply to a question about whether most of the airline companies in the country are assigning most of the seats to the passengers on a payment basis in the name of online check-in before travelling.

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Singh replied that the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued Air Transport Circular (ATC)-01 of 2021 titled, "Unbundle of Services and fees by scheduled airlines" as per which, some services like preferential seating have been allowed to be unbundled and charged separately from the travellers. Such unbundled services are provided on an "opt-in" basis by Airlines and are not mandatory in nature.

The question was raised by S Selvaganabathy, BJP MP from Pudducherry. He further asked whether any guidelines have been issued by Government to the airline companies to regulate the sale and allotment of seats.

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Singh replied that there is also a provision for auto seat assignment to the passengers who have not selected any seat for web check-in before scheduled departure. Scheduled domestic airlines are not charging any fee for completing web check-in formalities.

As far as check-in at Airports is concerned, the Ministry of Civil Aviation has advised all the scheduled airlines not to charge any additional amount for issuing boarding passes at the airport check-in counters as the same cannot be considered within 'tariff' as provided under Rule 135 of The Aircraft Rules, 1937. Ministry of Civil Aviation or Directorate General of Civil Aviation has been receiving grievances related to air transport.

They are redressed as per the established mechanism or extant guidelines in the matter, Singh added.

Earlier, DGCA had made it clear that airlines charging for preferred seats is as per the unbundling of fare and is left to airlines and we have no role in that. (ANI)

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New Delhi, Aug 1 (PTI) There was no consensus on the Par-Tapi-Narmada river linking project, the government stated in Parliament on Monday as the reason behind its cancellation.

In a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Jal Shakti Bishweswar Tudu said under the National Perspective Plan (NPP), the National Water Development Agency (NWDA) under the Ministry of Jal Shakti has identified 30 links (16 under the peninsular component and 14 under the Himalayan component) for the preparation of feasibility reports.

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Par-Tapi-Narmada (PTN) is one of the links identified under the peninsular component of the NPP, the minister added.

On the reason behind the cancellation of the Par-Tapi-Narmada river linking project, he said the Interlinking of Rivers (ILR) programme is being pursued by the government in a consultative manner, building consensus amongst the party states on water sharing, and "there is no consensus on the Par Tapi Narmada link".

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Tribals from the region have been protesting against the project, fearing that it will be implemented and cause a large-scale displacement in the affected districts.

According to the India Water Resources Information System, the project had proposed to transfer water from the water-surplus regions of the Western Ghats to the deficit regions of Saurashtra and Kutch, involving seven reservoirs proposed in north Maharashtra and south Gujarat.

Apart from the seven dams, it envisaged three diversion weirs, two tunnels, a 395-km-long canal, six power houses and a number of cross-drainage works.

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New Delhi [India], August 1 (ANI): The Rajya Sabha on Monday passed the Indian Antarctic Bill, 2022 to assist in protecting the frozen continent where India operates research centres and is part of several scientific explorations.

The Bill aims at making it easier for the government to ensure that research and other activities conducted at the South Pole by its citizens do not violate any of the international treaties to which India is a party.

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The Bill was passed with a voice vote amid Opposition uproar over various issues that included price rise, increased rate of Goods and Services Tax and Enforcement Directorate's action against Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut.

The Indian Antarctic Bill, 2022 provides "for the national measures for protecting the Antarctic environment and dependent and associated ecosystems and to give effect to the Antarctic Treaty, the Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources and to the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty".

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The Bill was passed by the Lok sabha on July 22.

The Bill also provides a regulatory framework for India's Antarctic activities through legal mechanisms which will help in the efficient operation of the Indian Antarctic Programme. It confers jurisdiction on Indian courts to deal with crimes and disputes committed by Indian citizens in parts of Antarctica.

It plans to facilitate India's involvement in the management of tourism in the Antarctic and the sustainable development of fisheries. It also aims to increase India's international visibility and credibility in Polar governance for cooperation in scientific studies and logistics.

The Bill plans to set up Indian Antarctic Authority (IAA) as an apex decision-making authority under the Earth Sciences Ministry, to provide an accountable process for supervision of Antarctic research and expeditions.

The Bill prohibits activities that contaminant the Antarctic continent including, nuclear explosion and radioactive waste disposal, the introduction of non-sterile soil, and the discharge of plastic, garbage and other substance into the sea.

During a discussion on the Bill, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Earth Sciences, Jitendra Singh said, the purpose of the Bill is to ensure de-militarisation of the (Antarctic) region along with getting rid of mining or illegal activities.

Antarctica is the southernmost continent and does not have any indigenous population. The entire region is demilitarized and is used for scientific and peaceful purposes as per the Antarctic Treaty that came into force on June 23, 1961.

The Antarctic Treaty was signed on December 1, 1959, by 12 countries: Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Chile, France, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, South Africa, the USSR, the UK and the US. Their objective was to demilitarise Antarctica, promote international scientific cooperation, and to set aside territorial sovereignty disputes.

In the following years, more countries joined the Antarctic treaty. There are now 54 members, of which 29 countries have consultative (voting) status in the Antarctic Consultative Meetings held annually and 25 countries have non-consultative membership.

India became a member of the Antarctic Treaty on August 19, 1983, and on September 12 of the same year, it received consultative status.

Following the Antarctic treaty, member countries signed the Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources at Canberra in 1980 which India ratified in 1985.

The countries also signed the 'Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty (the Madrid Protocol) in 1991, which designates the continent as a natural reserve, devoted to peace and science. (ANI)

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Kanpur (UP), Aug 1 (PTI) A private school here stopped the recitation of religious prayers in the morning assembly after a row erupted over allegations that the students were being compelled to recite Islamic verses.

The school also said they have discontinued the practice of reciting verses from different religions, including Sikhism, Hinduism and Islam, in the assembly, and now only national anthem will be sung.

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The school authorities clarified that prayers of all religions were recited at the school during the morning assembly as part of the 'Sarva Dharma Samman' (all religions are equal) ideology.

The controversy erupted after a parent tweeted that the students at Florets International School were compelled to recite the 'Kalma Tayyab' during the morning assembly following which the district administration ordered a probe.

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Assistant CP (Seesamau) Nishank Sharma told PTI that after the tweet went viral, the information was shared with the district magistrate and other senior officials, who were directed to look into the matter.

Sharma along with Additional City Magistrate-III Jiyalal Saroj reached the school and sorted out the issue amicably.

We questioned the school managing director Sumeet Makhija who clarified that prayers of all four religions were recited at the school during the morning assembly as part of the 'Sarva Dharma Samman' ideology," the ACP said.

Makhija noted that the school, established about two decades ago, had been encouraging the recital of 'Gayatri Mantra', 'Gurubani' and 'Duaa', which are part of Hindu, Sikh, Muslim and other religious verses, in the morning assembly to teach the students that all religions are equal.

The practice has been going on for over a decade, but suddenly some parents and people affiliated with right-wing groups objected to the practice, said ACM-III Saroj.

The school diary has verses of all major religions, including Hinduism, Sikhism, Christianity and Islam. There is surely no intention of promoting any one religion, Makhija asserted.

From today, we have stopped reciting these prayers and started singing only the national anthem," he added.

City's additional DM Atul Kumar told media that a written complaint was received and the police were asked to investigate the matter and take action accordingly.

The school also declared a holiday on Monday owing to the controversy.

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Thane, Aug 1 (PTI) Thane district in Maharashtra reported 106 fresh COVID-19 cases, taking the tally to 7,34,219, a health official said on Monday.

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The district is left with 758 active cases while 7,22,181COVID-19 patients have recovered so far.

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With no fresh death due to the infection, the fatality toll stood at 11,927 as of Sunday, he added.

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Mumbai, August 1: The Mumbai police have arrested two diamond brokers in connection with the theft of precious stones worth Rs 3.5 crore, an official said on Monday.

The police apprehended Bharat Kandol (39) from Gujarat and Amrut Bhai Patel (58) from the western suburb of Goregaon here, while the mastermind behind the crime, Kaushik Chovatila, is on the run, the official from Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC) police station said.

An FIR was registered on July 18, following which the duo was arrested last week and the stolen stones were recovered from them, he said. The accused had allegedly contacted a diamond merchant, expressing interest in purchasing some stones and visited his BKC office on July 7, the official said. Andhra Pradesh Shocker: Man Kills Son-In-Law By Slitting His Throat For Harassing His Daughter in Chittoor.

The accused had selected three stones during their visit and left the premises saying they will return in a week with the money for the diamonds, he said. The merchant later realised that the diamonds chosen by the accused were missing and on examining the CCTV footage from the premises, saw the duo stealing the stones, the official said.

''We have arrested the accused under sections 120-B (criminal conspiracy), 409 (criminal breach of trust) and 419 (impersonation) of the Indian Penal Code,'' inspector Rajesh Gawli of BKC police station said.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
New Delhi [India], August 1 (ANI): During a search, a wristwatch, which is a prohibited item, was found from Sharjeel Imam in jail and he was not cooperating in the search Tihar jail authorities on Monday informed the court. Sharjeel Imam had moved an application alleging physical assault during a search in his cell on June 30, 2022.

Additional Sessions Judge Amitabh Rawat of Karkardooma Court directed the jail authorities to provide the CCTV footage, affidavit and the first reply on the application to the applicant Sharjeel Imam.

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The matter has been now listed for August 16, 2022, for further hearing.

During the hearing the advocate Talib Mustafa and Ahmad Ibrahim refuted the claim of the jail officials saying that watch is not a prohibited item. The permission of keeping the watch was obtained by their client.

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It was also submitted by Sharjeel Imam that he told the members of the search team that he had permission to keep the watch. It was kept in a book which has been sent to Bihar. I will get the book and show the permission.

The jail authorities submitted that there was another bag in the cell of Sharjeel Imam. He did not allow me to open the bag.

On the application of Sharjeel Imam, the court has called for the CCTV footage of the cell where he is lodged.

On July 23, after seeing the CCTV footage, the court asked a Tihar jail official to appear before it.

It is stated that the search was conducted in his ward on June 30, 2022, under the supervision of the Deputy Jail Superintendent.

It is also stated that Sharjeel Imam misbehaved with staff. He threatened to falsely implicate them. He made the complaint to remain in media highlights.

Jail authorities stated the entire incident is recorded in the CCTV and the same has already been preserved. It will be produced in the court as and when directed.

Sharjeel had sought direction to jail authorities to preserve the CCTV footage. It was alleged that a search was illegally organised in his cell on the evening of June 30. His clothes and books were thrown by inmates during the search. He was assaulted in the presence of the assistant superintendent when he tried to stop them. (ANI)

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Islamabad, Aug 1 (PTI) Pakistan's top election body is set to announce on August 2 the much-awaited and delayed decision in the prohibited funding case against the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party led by former prime minister Imran Khan, it emerged on Monday.

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) stated on its website that a three-member bench headed by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikander Sultan Raja and comprising Nisar Ahmed Durrani and Shah Muhammad Jatoi will preside over the hearing.

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It said that the decision of the case, also referred to as the foreign funding case, would be announced at 10 am.

Akbar S Babar, a PTI founding member, had filed the case in November 2014 about alleged serious financial irregularities in the party's funding from Pakistan and abroad.

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Babar is no longer associated with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party.

The ECP had reserved its verdict in the case on June 21 after a prolonged hearing.

The ECP had come under criticism from the ruling alliance, including the Pakistan Democratic Movement, Pakistan Peoples Party and Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan for the delay in the case.

PTI chief Khan has been accusing the Chief Election Commissioner of being biased and demanding his resignation.

He also announced on Monday that workers of his party would protest outside the ECP office in Islamabad on Thursday to press for his resignation.

Any adverse decision may have serious implications for the party.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Colombo, Aug 1 (PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi has sent a congratulatory letter to his newly-appointed Sri Lankan counterpart Dinesh Gunawardena and assured India's support to the people of the island nation, which is facing its worst economic crisis in decades, the High Commission of India here said on Monday.

Gunawardena, a veteran politician and a close ally of the Rajapaksa family, was appointed Sri Lanka's prime minister by President Ranil Wickremesinghe on July 22.

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"PM @narendramodi sent a congratulatory letter to PM H.E @DCRGunawardena. PM assured that as a dependable friend and close neighbour, India shall continue to support the people of Sri Lanka," the Indian mission said in a tweet.

Prime Minister Modi also expressed hope that Sri Lanka will witness quick economic recovery, ensuring the prosperity and well-being of its people, it added.

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A stalwart of Sri Lankan politics, Gunawardena, 73, earlier served as the foreign minister and education minister. He was appointed as Home Minister in April by then President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

The prime minister's post fell vacant after Wickremesinghe, 73, was sworn in as the country's eighth president after Rajapaksa fled the country and then resigned as president last month.

Last week, Modi congratulated President Wickremesinghe and said that India will continue to be supportive of the quest of the people of the island nation for stability and economic recovery, through established democratic means.

The new Sri Lankan government faces the task of leading the country out of its economic collapse and restoring order after months of mass protests that forced President Rajapaksa to flee the country and resign.

The Indian government assistance to Sri Lanka has reached almost USD 4 billion since January this year.

Sri Lanka needs about USD 5 billion in the next six months to cover basic necessities for its 22 million people, who have been struggling with long queues, worsening shortages and power cuts.

The country is currently holding talks with the IMF and other foreign countries on financial aid to tide over the current economic crisis.

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New Delhi, August 1: The Indian government has activated bilateral air service agreements with 116 countries and is allowing foreign carriers to serve India to add more flights to the countrys metropolitan cities.

India has signed bilateral Air Services Agreement (ASA) with 116 foreign countries, Minister of State for Civil Aviation Gen VK Singh (retd) informed the Parliament in a written reply on Monday.

Any designated foreign airline can operate to/from a point in India if it is designated as a point of call in the bilateral Air Services Agreement (ASA) signed between India and the country which has designated the airline, he added. Travel industry experts said the governments move will benefit passengers and may bring down airfares. MiG-21 Fighter Aircraft of Indian Air Force Crashes in Rajasthan, Both Pilots Killed.

It is good to have bilateral air service agreements with countries to increase seat capacity and have an open sky policy for foreign carriers as it will benefit passengers, Anju Wariah, Director, Group Business Development, STIC Travel Group told ANI.

The government has also said due to a significant imbalance in the number of points of call in favour of foreign carriers at present, it is not granting any non-metro airport as a new point of call to any foreign carrier for the purpose of operating passenger services.

Indian designated carriers are free to mount scheduled operations to and from any international airport, including Kannur International Airport, under the ambit of bilateral ASAs concluded by India with foreign countries. The travel industry has been urging the government for quite some time that foreign carriers be allowed to operate from cities other than metro airports. Jet Airways Starts Hiring Pilots for Airbus' A320, 737NG and 737Max Aircraft.

Indian-designated carriers are free to mount operations from any city but a foreign carrier is not. Till the time its not done, there will be a demand-supply gap which can impact prices, Anju Wariah said. The countries with which India has signed bilateral air service agreements include those in Asia, Europe, Middle East and South America.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 02, 2022 12:20 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
Bhopal, Aug 1: A man was forced to carry his mother's body on his motorcycle for over 50 km after a government-run hospital denied a hearse van to him in Madhya Pradesh's Shahdol district.

The deceased was identified as Jaimantri Yadav, a resident of Anuppur district (located in Madhya Pradesh-Chhattisgarh border).

A few day ago, she was admitted to a government hospital with an acute chest pain. As her condition deteriorated, Anuppur district hospital authorities referred her to a medical college-cum district hospital in adjoining district - Shahdol, where she died during treatment, a hospital employee told IANS on Monday.

After the woman died, her son tried to arrange for a hearse to take the body home for cremation but to no avail. However, there was no hearse available at the hospital, the employee said on condition of anonymity. Madhya Pradesh Shocker: Zomato Delivery Man Stabbed to Death, Robbed in Indore.

The family tried to arrange for a private ambulance but due to exorbitant charges, they decided to take the body on a two-wheeler. Subsequently, the body was wrapped in a bedsheet, tied to the motor-cycle which was riden by the woman's son for around 50 km.

The incident came to light after someone, who filmed the act, uploaded it on social media which soon went viral.

Notably, it is not first such incident in Madhya Pradesh where due to unavailability of ambulance, families had to take the bodies on their own.

On July 11, an 8-year-old child was seen waiting for a vehicle to take the body of his two-year-old brother to home after the hospital authority refused to provide hear van in Guna district.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 01, 2022 03:28 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
The Florets School in Kanpur has landed in controversy after students were allegedly made to recite the 'Kalma' as part of the morning prayers.
As the new Google Pixel 6a is now available more widely, some users have noticed that any fingerprint is able to unlock their new phones in a rather worrying security lapse by the tech giant.
#Madagascar's Defence Minister #RichardRakotonirina has confirmed that 32 people were killed in an arson attack in a village in the #Malagasy district, about 100 km west of the capital Antananarivo.



Photo: IANS (Representational image) pic.twitter.com/qi1hZuYsJL IANS (@ians_india) August 1, 2022

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#Patna: Two youths were killed and four others were injured after a speeding car hit them on #AIIMS-Digha elevated road on Sunday night. pic.twitter.com/0Z1zYIxccw IANS (@ians_india) August 1, 2022

(SocialLY brings you all the latest breaking news, viral trends and information from social media world, including Twitter, Instagram and Youtube. The above post is embeded directly from the user's social media account and LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body. The views and facts appearing in the social media post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY, also LatestLY does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.)
Ambassador: UK to hand over 2 mine countermeasures ships to Ukraine.



Ukraine's Ambassador to the U.K. Vadym Prystaiko told Suspilne media that a group of naval sailors is already going through training to operate the ships, and the U.K. might transfer more of them later on. The Kyiv Independent (@KyivIndependent) August 1, 2022

(SocialLY brings you all the latest breaking news, viral trends and information from social media world, including Twitter, Instagram and Youtube. The above post is embeded directly from the user's social media account and LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body. The views and facts appearing in the social media post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY, also LatestLY does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.)
Spain colonized Chile, just like any Latin American country, and it has a culture widely influenced by Spanish traditions.

Chile's population is largely mestizo, with a mixture of Spanish and Indian heritage, with an appreciation for the influence of indigenous culture has been growing. According to Britannica, many Latin American countries depend heavily on agriculture and mining, but not Chile.

Chile developed its economy based on manufacturing, with it becoming one of the more urbanized Latin American societies.

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People in Chile

The Chileans are ethnically a combination of Europeans and Indians, with indigenous tribes in the country including the Atacamenos, Diaguitas, Picunches, Araucanians (Mapuches), Huilliches, Pehuenches, and Cuncos, and the conquistadores from Spain.

In addition, a few Africans were brought to Chile as slaves during colonial times as the tropical plantation economy did not develop.

English, Italian, and French merchants also established themselves in the growing cities of Chile after independence and during the republican era. The Catholic church has also played a significant role and power over Chile.

According to Cultural Atlas, Spanish colonialists introduced Catholicism to Chile in the 16th century. The Catholic church has played a role in opposing certain regimes, such as former Chile President Augusto Pinochet Ugarte.

There has been a slow decline of Catholicism followers, including the influence of the Catholic church across the country over the years. However, Catholicism remains the most popular religion, especially among the elite Chilean society.

As for the country's landscape, the Chilean Andes form most of the border with Argentina, which includes the highest segment of the Andes Mountain chain. It serves as a physical and a human divide.

Aside from that, Chile is within the Ring of Fire. The area experiences a high number of earthquakes and is home to many active volcanoes. According to experts, active volcanoes in the country are around 80 to 90.

Traditions in Chile

With Catholicism influences in the country, Chile has Christmas and New Year traditions. Chilean families exchange gifts and eat Pan de Pascua, a Chilean version of fruitcake.

Families also enjoy cola de mono, which is made of milk, sugar, coffee, cinnamon, and alcoholic spirits. International Living reported that Chile is known for hosting the biggest New Year's Eve festival in the country in Valparaiso.

It also celebrated the largest fireworks display in Latin America. As part of their traditions, Chileans place money in their shoe and walk around the block for luck, money, and future travel prospects.

They also practice writing down their negative experiences and burning the paper. It symbolizes the act of letting go and moving forward.

Chile's Indigenous people also celebrate their New Year on June 24, during the winter solstice. Participants celebrate the cycle of life and the harvests.

Some of the well-known literary figures in Chile are award-winning poets Gabriel Mistral and Pablo Neruda, including novelists Isabel Allende.

READ MORE: Travel in Brazil Amid Pandemic: Here Are Things You Should Be Aware of Before Visiting the Latin American Country

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Mary Webber

WATCH: Chile Travel: Culture and Tradition Chile - Open Nature - From Chile Travel
California is seen to experience another large-scale wildfire this week. The McKinney Fire has already burned more than 51,000 acres of land as of Sunday.

Fox News reported that the threat brought by the calamity could be worsened by chaotic weather conditions, as the northern part of California was bracing for thunderstorms and hot, windy conditions on Sunday.

The said fire specifically occurred in northern California's Klamath National Forest. McKinney Fire erupted at 2:38 p.m. on Friday, specifically at Highway 96 and McKinney Creek Road southwest of the Klamath River. The cause remained under investigation as of Sunday, Sacramento Bee reported.

The blaze in Siskiyou County exploded in size to more than 80 square miles just two days after it erupted. Officials confirmed early Sunday that the McKinney Fire had burned a total of 51,468 acres of land so far, making it the largest California wildfire in 2022.

According to officials, McKinney Fire was 0% contained as of Sunday morning.

"Little progression was observed on the fire's edge closest to Yreka City," according to the fire's incident commanders. The McKinney Fire remained five and a half miles away from Yreka City, an area home to over 7,000 people.

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California Wildfire 2022: Thunderstorms May Increase the Threat of McKinney Fire

On Sunday, U.S. Forest Service spokesperson, Adrienne Freeman, said that expected thunderstorms in an area located just south of the Oregon state line are a big concern.

"The fuel beds are so dry, and they can just erupt from that lightning... These thunder cells come with gusty, erratic winds that can blow fire in every direction," Freeman noted.

Klamath National Forest officials also pointed out that the massive smoke plume from the McKinney Fire created its weather, including lightning storms.

Due to the lightning, two more fires were added to California Wildfire 2022. A smaller fire located west of the McKinney Fire sparked by lightning threatened the town of Seiad on Saturday.

According to Siskiyou County Sheriff's Office spokesperson Courtney Kreider, a third fire located southwest of the big blaze prompted evacuations of around 500 homes on Sunday.

California Wildfire 2022: McKinney Fire Prompts Evacuation

Evacuations were made over the weekend as the McKinney Fire continued to wreak Havoc in Siskiyou County.

On Saturday afternoon, Yreka Police evacuated a mobile home park called Oakridge Mobile Estates. The police department announced that the said area needed additional time for evacuation due to its proximity to the McKinney Fire.

Fairchild Medical Center in Siskiyou County also moved its patients out of the hospital for "an abundance of caution." The said patients were brought to other hospitals as far as those in Sacramento.

Around 60 hikers off the Pacific Crest Trail on the California side of the Red Buttes were assisted by the Jackson County Sheriff's Office Search And Rescue and Rogue Valley Transportation District (RVTD) personnel in Oregon on Saturday.

Officials also began compiling a list of missing or found animals amid the wildfire. An evacuation was set up at the Weed Community Center at 161 E. Lincoln Ave. American Red Cross area branch spokesman Stephen Walsh noted that at least 20 people stayed in the evacuation center as of Saturday.

California Gavin Newsom also declared a state of emergency in Siskiyou County on Saturday due to the effects of the McKinney Fire. The governor's office claimed that the said blaze destroyed homes, threatened critical infrastructure, and prompted the evacuation of almost 2,000 residents.

READ MORE: Brazil Reports First Monkeypox Death Amid Current Outbreak That Caused Global Health Emergency

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Written by: Joshua Summers

WATCH: McKinney Fire Burns More Than 51,000 Acres in Northern California - From ABC News
Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido is currently recognized by many countries, including the United Kingdom and the United States, as the legitimate president of Venezuela. Now, he won a court battle in the U.K. against the current Venezuelan government under rival President Nicolas Maduro.

The case was about who had the right to Venezuela's gold held by the Bank of England. According to the Associated Press, the court win takes him a step closer to victory in his current battle against Maduro, who defeated Guaido in what many considered to be rigged and invalid elections back in 2018.

U.K. Court Does Not Recognize Venezuelan Supreme Court Ruling on the Gold

The Banco Central de Venezuela currently has two rival boards. One was appointed by the current government under Nicolas Maduro, and Juan Guaido appointed the other.

Both sides are battling to secure the release of over 800 million pounds worth of gold currently held within the vaults of the Bank of England.

Venezuela's Supreme Court, the Supreme Tribunal of Justice of Venezuela, previously ruled that the gold held at the Bank of England should go to Maduro.

However, since the Bank of England is under the United Kingdom and its government recognizes Guaido as the president of Venezuela, the bank refused to hand any gold to the Maduro government. This led to the long and drawn-out court battle between the current Venezuelan government and the Venezuelan government recognized by the United Kingdom.

According to NBC News, a London High Court judge ruled that British courts need not recognize the judgments of the Venezuelan Supreme Court. In addition, Judge Sara Cockerill added that there was also no basis in recognizing another Venezuelan Supreme Court decision that deemed Guaido's bank board appointments unconstitutional.

READ NEXT: Venezuela: US Officials in Talks With Nicolas Maduro Admin in Bid to Free Jailed Americans, Rebuild Ties

Juan Guaido, Nicolas Maduro Camps Release Statements Regarding Court Ruling

Shortly after the decision, Juan Guaido released a statement and said this benefits the Venezuelan people as it protects Venezuela's sovereign gold reserves.

Meanwhile, Maduro board lawyer Sarosh Zaiwalla noted that the ruling is unfortunate as the issue rested on the recognition of foreign judgments. The Venezuelan Central bank also released a statement complaining that the British Court subordinated itself to British foreign policy and violated international law.

However, CNN reported that Guaido's board will not be allowed to access the gold until the legal dispute is fully resolved. Maduro's board has considered appealing the ruling.

The dispute started in 2019 when then-Venezuelan National Assembly president Guaido swore himself in as interim leader of Venezuela. Maduro won the elections amid staggering human abuse allegations, a worsening economy, and claims of election fraud.

Over 50 countries recognized Juan Guaido as the true winner of the elections and the real president of Venezuela. One of his first moves was to take control of the Venezuelan assets abroad, which led to the two rival National Bank boards. The Venezuelan Supreme Court ruled for Nicolas Maduro, but the Bank of England, which held the gold reserves, sided with the opposition.

READ MORE: Cuba: Latin Grammy Winner and Dissident Artist Sentenced to Prison

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Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: Venezuela's Juan Guaido Preparing for Next Steps - From AP Archive
An El Salvador archbishop on Sunday lauded the efforts of the country's government on gang crackdown amid the state of exception imposed after March's violence.

Archbishop Jose Luis Escobar Alas claimed that the Salvadorans support the measure imposed by the government to curb the gang violence in the country.

"People don't want the violence to return... They not only want these things maintained, but they also want them to advance, to end the violence," Escobar Alas said in a news conference.

The archbishop added that the people of El Salvador are afraid of returning to how their country was before after experiencing how to live without the scourge of gang violence.

Critics of El Salvador's state of exception claimed that the measure has violated human rights, arguing that the government has arrested innocent people. The activist group noted that young men are frequently arrested based on their age, appearance, or whether they live in a gang-dominated area.

Human rights groups also claimed that the measure imposed on El Salvador led to arbitrary detentions.

Archbishop Escobar Alas noted on Sunday that he has heard the complaints of the families, adding that he talked to President Nayib Bukele's government to prevent the said "margins of error." He also emphasized that he urged Bukele's government to release those who might be innocent.

READ NEXT: El Salvador: President Nayib Bukele Warns Children on Joining Gangs, Saying It Leads to 'Prison or Death'

Salvadorans From U.S. Support Pres. Nayib Bukele's Gang Crackdown in El Salvador

NBC News reported that President Nayib Bukele's approval rating soared to almost 90% amid the gang crackdown, which activists claim also curbs civil liberties in El Salvador,

There were no U.S.-based polls that would indicate the level of support for Bukele. However, the news outlet reported that the Los Angeles area, the home of the largest Salvadoran-born population in the U.S., as well as other cities, showed support.

Carlos Zaragosa, a Los Angeles resident and the head of the El Salvador Foundation, appealed that most of Bukele's support came from his gang crackdown measure. He also noted that Bukele is doing the "best work" when it comes to gang crackdown in their home country.

Iris Lara Cubias, the president of Juntos Por Una Sonrisa Shulton Foundation in Los Angeles, said Bukele is giving a heightened sense of security and "a lot of help that was never seen before in the country."

"The popularity of Bukele right now, especially among the diaspora has to do with the deep frustration of the Salvadoran people with the performance of previous governments," Florida International University's Latin America and Caribbean Center Director Jose Miguel Cruz said.

El Salvador Gang Crackdown

The state of exception that granted placing El Salvador under a state of emergency was imposed after 62 people died in just a day, believed to have happened due to gangs.

Authorities believe that the killings were a result of the gang violence driven by MS-13 and Barrio 18.

The state of emergency was originally imposed in March to curb the gang violence in the country, but on July 20, it was extended for another 30 days.

According to reports, over 43,000 people were arrested since March, with Human Rights Watch citing 60 credible reports of deaths in custody.

READ NEXT: California Wildfire 2022: McKinney Fire Burns 51,000 Acres, Thunderstorm Could Make Matters Worse

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Written By: Joshua Summers

WATCH: El Salvador Drug Gangs Face 'World's Coolest Dictator' as Innocent Suffer in Crackdown - From Channel 4 News
Luiz Inacio da Silva, better known across the world as Lula, is Brazil's former president. However, he is mounting a political comeback after the courts nullified his previous corruption convictions. So, who is this Brazilian politician making a career comeback and trying to unseat right-wing president Jair Bolsonaro?

From Labor Leader to President, From Convict to Presidential Front-runner

Lula had little formal education and started working as a press operator in an automobile parts factory. An accident at the factory he was working at made him involved in union activities, and eventually became a labor leader.

He became president of the Steel Workers' Union of Sao Bernardo do Campo and Diadema and started mobilizing labor groups around Brazil, including holding strikes in the 1970s when Brazil was under military rule. This then led to his imprisonment before getting freed and continued his work as a labor leader.

In 1980, he and other leftist leaders co-founded the Partido dos Trabalhadores (PT), or Workers' Party. Then, in 1982, he added the nickname Lula to his legal name. As it is usually in Brazil, that nickname will become what he will be known for, much like Pele, Ronaldo, Neymar, Ronaldinho, Nene, and other famous Brazilians that are only known by one name.

He first entered politics in 1982, running under PT as a congressman. He lost that election but came back in 1986 to run again and won this time. When his term ended, he did not run for Congressman again but became more embroiled in the Workers' Party. He ran again in 2002, but this time, embracing a more media-friendly image. This then led to him running for president and winning.

He served as president from 2003 to 2010. Under Lula, Brazil became the world's eighth-largest economy, and this led to the country being awarded the right to host the 2016 Summer Olympics. He also championed environmental conservation and indigenous rights as president, and there was a substantial decrease in deforestation starting in 2004 during his term.

However, since he left office in 2010, Brazil has started to decline. Corruption scandals started to plague him and other members of the ruling Workers' Party. He tried running for president again in 2018 but was imprisoned for corruption. However, according to the Canadian Inquirer, he went under a "dubious judicial process, notable for its speed, timing, and lack of tangible evidence."

However, as Brazilians started becoming frustrated with the Workers' Party, the once-fringe far-right leader Jair Bolsonaro began to rise. He won the presidency with Trump-like strategies, often maligning the media and the opposition. His policies were not environment-friendly, favoring big agriculture over maintaining the Amazon rainforest. Recently, though, Bolsonaro is becoming unpopular in Brazil, mainly with his mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic.

As Bolsonaro started ruling the country, Lula began to rise again. He was released in November 2019 after 580 days of imprisonment when the Supreme Federal Court ruled that the judge who sentenced him was biased. Several more cases against him were deemed null, and on March 8, 2021, Judge Edson Fachin of the Supreme Federal Court declared that all convictions against the former president were not valid. This meant that Lula could run again as president. Polls show he is currently leading against Bolsonaro.

READ NEXT: Brazil: Lula Da Silva Calls for Calm After Ally Killed by Jair Bolsonaro Supporter

How Much is Lula Worth?

The presidential front-runner came a long way from his roots as a mere factory worker. He may become president again. Though the corruption allegations against him were all dismissed, he is still mired in corruption allegations.

According to Forbes Magazine, there are rumors that the leftist leader is actually a secret billionaire. Allegations state that his son, Fabio Luis Lula da Silva, nicknamed Lulinha, owns a $50 million jet and is one of the owners of the world's largest beef producer, JBS. Lula denied this.

However, Forbes also does not recognize Lula or his son as billionaires and said in an article that "there is no evidence suggesting that Lula is close to becoming a billionaire."

Meanwhile, Lula is also alleged to have plenty of unlisted assets. He is also receiving money for speeches he makes at home and abroad. This includes receiving around $100,000 for a 50 minute-speech to LG in 2011. He was also paid for speeches to other companies like Microsoft and Tetra Pak.

Lula's actual net worth is still disputed by many sources. Some sites like All Famous Birthdays list him at around $1.5 million. However, due to the rumors of his unlisted assets, corruption allegations, and the money he receives from his public speaking engagements, he may be worth far more than that. Right now, his actual net worth remains a mystery, as he may still have much more than what is currently known.

READ NEXT: Brazil Elections: Towel Sales Mock Jair Bolsonaro Supporters' Mistrust of Polls

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Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: Thousands cheer Brazil's former President Lula da Silva | DW News
Not only in clothing, but the virus could also spread through linens, bedding sheets in hotels, and even towels.

The monkeypox outbreak has been stirring headlines in the past few weeks.

With the World Health Organization (WHO) finally declaring the monkeypox outbreak a global health emergency, the United States, among other countries, has ramped up its efforts in combatting misinformation and disinformation about the virus.

Recently, experts have explained how the virus is transmitted from person to person - but it seems like there is a high chance that it could also infect others through objects.

What Is Monkeypox?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), monkeypox is a rare disease caused by the monkeypox virus, part of the same family as the variola virus, the culprit behind smallpox.

Despite its very visible effects on humans, monkeypox is rarely fatal, with a 3%-6% ratio.

The monkeypox virus was solely concentrated on the African continent before the outbreak, but health officials announced that the first cluster of cases came in the United Kingdom after someone from Nigeria brought it to the country. Since then, monkeypox transmission in Europe has spread fast.

How Is Monkeypox Transmitted?

The World Health Organization reports that monkeypox could be transmitted in various ways.

Mainly, monkeypox spreads to humans via close contact with an infected person or animal or from any material contaminated with the virus.

More so, the virus could be trasmitted directly from one person to the next through direct contact with the infector's lesions, scabs, body fluids, and even respiratory droplets.

People could get infected with the virus, particularly during intimate contact. This includes anal, oral, vaginal, and even touching the infected person's reproductive organs.

Massage, hugging, kissing, and even prolonged face-to-face contact could also spread the virus.

But among these, the monkeypox virus could also spread through clothes.

READ NEXT: Brazil Reports First Monkeypox Death Amid Current Outbreak That Caused Global Health Emergency

Can Monkeypox Spread Through Clothes, Linens?

The days of fitting room escapades might be over as the monkeypox virus could be transmitted through clothes, a Kentucky immunologist reveals.

Since people could get infected through the scabs, bodily fluids, and lesions of a person's monkeypox, it is logical that it could be transmitted independently.

"The act of putting clothes on and removing them can scrape the skin. So, if someone with active monkeypox lesions tries on clothes and then someone else tries them afterward, there is a chance they can contract monkeypox," University of Kentucky College of Medicine Dr. Ilhem Messaoudi Powers told KVUE ABC.

Not only in clothing, the virus could also spread through linens, bedding sheets in hotels, and even towels.

However, Dr. Messaoudi said it is currently difficult to determine how long the virus stays on the infected fabric, so cleaning it thoroughly should be the next step.

The WHO has corroborated the information and confirmed that the monkeypox virus could spread through the following materials,

The CDC said that experts and scientists are still studying if the virus could be transmitted from asymptomatic patients, excretory fluids, and even the infection rate on respiratory excretions.

For more factual information about the 2022 monkeypox outbreak, visit WHO and CDC's official websites.

READ MORE: California Considers Declaring Monkeypox State of Emergency Amid Rising Cases

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Written by: Ivan Korrs

WATCH: How monkeypox spreads - From Washington Post
Arizona Rep. Rusty Bowers testified in front of the January 6 select committee about the pressure campaign from former President Donald Trump and his associates to overturn the 2020 election results.

Bowers faced criticism after his testimony for expressing that he would vote again for Trump in 2024. However, he clarified to "This Week" co-anchor Jonathan Karl that it was not the case. The Arizona House speaker said that his vote "will never tarnish his name on a ballot," according to an ABC News report.

Karl asked if Bowers would never vote for Trump again, wherein Bowers answered that he will not have to vote for Trump as he thinks "America's tired."

Bowers added that he does not trust the authority that Trump would exercise if placed in a position of power again.

The Arizona representative said he has not been contacted by the Justice Department, which is also doing its own probe on the Capitol attack.

The Republican lawmaker said that he would cooperate with the department if he was asked to do so.

Bowers said that he has nothing to hide and wants "to tell the truth."

READ NEXT: Jan. 6 Hearings: Donald Trump Could Face Multiple Criminal Referrals to DOJ -Rep. Liz Cheney

Rep. Rusty Bowers on Donald Trump

The Hill noted that Bowers called the former president a "demagogue," who was said to have held on his base through "thuggery" and threats. The Arizona lawmaker also said that Trump has no idea what courage is, being born and raised the way he was.

The recent remarks of Bowers were different from his statement in June, when he earlier said that he would support Trump in a rematch of the 2020 election.

Before testifying in front of the January 6 panel, Bowers said he would vote for Trump again if he was the nominee and if he was up against U.S. President Joe Biden.

Bowers had also rejected claims that they discussed a "rigged 2020 presidential election" in Arizona before testifying. He noted that members of the Republican party have called him a "traitor" after appearing in front of the January 6 panel, while the former president called him a "coward."

Capitol Riot Probe and Donald Trump

Cheney said that Trump was involved in the "most serious misconduct" of any U.S. president in history by prompting the riot and refusing for more than three hours to condemn the violence.

The vice chair of the select committee also said that Trump is unfit for elected office and should never be close to the Oval Office again, as reported by the Voice of America News report.

On the other hand, Trump has criticized several former aides for turning against him and testifying in front of the select committee.

The mob that breached the U.S. Capitol had vandalized the building and had been violent with law enforcement agents.

The riot also sent lawmakers and former U.S. Vice President Mike Pence to flee for their safety.

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: Arizona state Speaker Russell Bowers testifies to Jan. 6 committee - from ABC News


War veteran and Zimbabwe National Army Brigadier-General Benjamin Mabenge (Retired) has died.

The liberation fighter died in Harare yesterday at a local hospital and has since been declared a national hero, in recognition of his contribution before and after independence.

Brig-Gen Mabenge, whose Chimurenga name was Cde Freddie Matanga, will be buried at the National Heroes Acre tomorrow.

His body is expected to be flown this morning to his farm in Kwekwe, before it returns later in the day for burial the following day.

The message of his national hero status was conveyed to family members last night by Defence and War Veterans Minister, Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, who was accompanied by Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Kazembe Kazembe.

Minister Muchinguri, who is also Zanu PF national chairman, said she had been sent by President Mnangagwa to convey the highest honour bestowed on Brig-Gen Mabenge following the immense contribution he made during the liberation struggle.

We have been sent to you as a family by the President who is also the First Secretary of our party Zanu PF to convey his, the party and Governments condolence on the loss of Cde Matanga. He dedicated himself to join the family of Zanu PF, so we are equally in mourning together with you, said Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri.

Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri said Brig-Gen Mabenge was renowned for his bravery, resentment to corruption and principled from the time he went to Zambia in 1994 to join the liberation struggle. The President and the Government have said he should be buried alongside his colleagues at the National Heroes Acre, she said.

Brig-Gen Mabenge, said Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri, went to Tanzania for training, and Chimoio in Mozambique where he was deployed.

He was forthright and frank. Upon his return at independence, he joined the Zimbabwe National Army where he rose to become a Brigadier General. He was a fountain of wisdom, he fought for us to be a sovereign country. He was an exemplary leader, said Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri.

The President is saying as Government, we are indebted to the Mabenge family who gave us their son. He has a rich history. Some in our midst are cowards, we now want the return of our erstwhile colonisers to rule us, said Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri.

Speaking on behalf of the family, the deceaseds son, Mr Aleck Mabenge, thanked the Government for the honour conferred to their father.

Can you convey our indebtedness to the Government and the President. We want to acknowledge the support we have been getting during our fathers illness, he said.

Born on August 6, 1954 at Runde Clinic under Chief Mazvihwa, in Zvishavane district, Brig-Gen Mabenge went to Copper Queen Primary School.

He later went to Zambia and received military training at Mgagao in Tanzania, and Mozambique between 1974 and 1981.

In 1976, he became Zanla General Staff (Special Task) as Political Commissar for Tangwena sector, Manica province.

In 1976, he was in the Zanla High Command as Field Operational Commander in Gaza and between 1979, up to 1981 he was Zanu PF Chief Representative to the Middle East, based in Damascus, Syria.

After independence, he resumed his educational studies through correspondence with Rapid Results College.

He later acquired a Diploma in Business with the Professional Institute of Administration and Commerce of Southern Africa as well as the Sales and Modern Marketing Management with Transworld Tutorial College, and other courses with the Zimbabwe Defence Staff College.

Brig-Gen Mabenge later became a board member of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces Services Commission from 2014 to 2019, board member for Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation from 2010 to 2014 and deputy general manager for Anjin Diamond Mining Company between 2010 and 2013, among other companies he served.

He also held different portfolios in Zanu PF. Herald
Laurel, MS (39440)

Today

Thunderstorms, some locally heavy early, then partly cloudy after midnight. Storms may contain strong gusty winds. Low 73F. Winds NW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 100%..

Tonight

Thunderstorms, some locally heavy early, then partly cloudy after midnight. Storms may contain strong gusty winds. Low 73F. Winds NW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 100%.
A State agency responsible for rivers and lakes has thrown into the spanner into the works of a plan to recommence mining in Laois and Kilkenny at Galmoy.

The Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) has lodged an appeal with An Bord Pleanala against the Kilkenny County Council granting of permission to Shanoon Resources start mining Co Kilkenny.

The agency's appeal centres on the environmental impact of mining on surface water. It holds the local authority in Kilkenny responsible for not scrutinising the impact sufficiently.

There have been multiple failures by the planning authority in their consideration of this application and that permission should be overturned pending satisfactory resolution of the concerns documented, says the appeal.

The applicants claim 190 jobs could be created if zinc and lead mining recommences underground between Kilkenny Laois.

Shanoon also has an application pending with Laois County Council which is due to reach a decision shortly.

The mine closed in 2014 but the applicants believe there is reserves remaining to justify reopening. Up to 310,000 tonnes of ore would be mined annually under the plan to recommence.
The former garda station in Ballitore, which closed a decade ago, is not being considered to accommodate Ukrainian refugees, the OPW has confirmed.

The two-storey facility outside the village was shut down as part of a nationwide review of the garda network which also saw the closure of stations in Kill as well as Ballymore Eustace, Hollywood and Donard.

When asked about the current status of the Ballitore garda station, the OPW told the Leader that some surplus properties may be made available to the government as part of the humanitarian response to the war in Ukraine, but the Ballitore property not being considered.

A spokesperson said: The OPW continues to progress its property disposal programme in line with its disposal policy, ie, consider alternative State use in the first instance, in advance of sale. One of the alternative State uses that has been considered for surplus properties is the accommodation requirement of the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

as part of the humanitarian response to the war in Ukraine.

The OPW and the Department are in regular communication and surplus properties owned by the OPW will be made available to the Department, if required, in advance of a disposal.

The statement added: However, the Department has not indicated that the former garda station property at Ballitore is viable for their requirements and the OPW intends to proceed with its disposal at the appropriate time.
Chinese ambassador calls for commitment, consolidation, growth in China-New Zealand ties

Xinhua) 11:11, August 01, 2022

AUCKLAND, New Zealand, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- Chinese ambassador to New Zealand Wang Xiaolong on Monday called for joint efforts by China and New Zealand to focus on commitment, consolidation and growth in developing bilateral relations.

Delivering his keynote speech at the annual China Business Summit in Auchland, Wang reviewed the development of bilateral ties, and suggested that both sides focus joint efforts on the three keywords of commitment, consolidation and growth in their relations.

"We shall not waver in our commitment to the relationship no matter how the international situation evolves," he said, noting that the success of the China-New Zealand economic and trade relations has been blessed by the strategic guidance of the leaders of both countries and the broad-based support of the two peoples.

China and New Zealand signed a free trade agreement in 2008, and its upgraded version came into force in April this year.

"Since 2008, China-New Zealand trade in goods has maintained an average annual growth rate of 17 percent, much higher than the 3 percent annual growth rate of New Zealand's total export of goods during the same period. In that process, China has become New Zealand's biggest trading partner and the biggest source of surplus," Wang said.

The two sides could strengthen the alignment of priorities and aim to break new grounds in cooperation, including climate change, sustainable agriculture, public health and pandemic preparedness and response, bio-medicines, infrastructure development, and people-to-people exchanges, Wang said.

This year, the two countries celebrate the 50th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations, the ambassador said. Over the past 50 years, China-New Zealand cooperation has created many "firsts," taking the lead in the development of relations between China and Western developed countries, he noted.

Wang said that these rich assets have laid a solid foundation for the further development of bilateral relations.

Wang also stressed in his speech China's commitment to regional and global peace and stability.

(Web editor: Peng Yukai, Liang Jun)
Apostle TF Chiwenga on Chamisa:



1. He is immature and childish



2. He is a coward, leads from the back



3. He is a hypocrite



4. How come he has never been arrested?



5. Shocking revelations are coming



6. He will lose in 2023



7. Sikhala is a better leader, leads from the front pic.twitter.com/UhN2Vp5e3x
The heavily damaged grain silos in the port of the Lebanese capital, Beirut, on July 31, 2022 AFP

In a sinister and barely believable coincidence, a section of the grain silos at Beirut's port have collapsed on the eve of the commemoration of the blasts that all but detsoyed this part of the city two years ago. The silos, which stood 50 metres tall, collapsed in a cloud of dust on Sunday, July 31. They had been heavily damaged by the deadly double explosion on August 4, 2020, having served as a rampart for the western part of the capital by absorbing part of the blast.

The imposing silhouette of the silos, which dominated the port, became an emblem of the disaster  an explosion caused by the detonation of a huge stock of ammonium nitrate unsafely stored in the vicinity of a residential area.

Recently, a fire broke out in the silos and authorities realised that the fall of the structure was imminent. Television cameras were waiting to catch it. The spectacular collapse of the unstable part of the complex on Sunday drew residents to the seaside to photograph the blackened facade and the rubble around it. In this unlikely scene, onlookers arrived wearing face masks, the air full of smoke. Helicopters flew back and forth over the silos, dropping water.

Read more Lebanon seizes ship carrying 'stolen' Ukrainian grain

"We have been breathing in smoke for three weeks, which is surely very harmful. Let's put an end to this fire," said Omar (who only gave his first name), a resident of Karantina, a neighborhood beside the port. He did not actually hear the partial collapse, but was alerted to it by videos shared on social networks.

Lack of transparency

In this part of the city, residents have been speculating that the fires that repeatedly broke out in early July inside the former wheat reserve were in fact intentional. The lack of transparency on the part of the authorities has fueled further confusion on this subject.

According to the outgoing government, led by Prime Minister Najib Mikati, the fire was caused by the fermentation of grain due to summer heat. Thousands of tonnes of grain had not been removed after the explosion, because of the fear that the structure would collapse. The fires accelerated the tilting of the weakened building.

Read more Subscribers only A strike in Lebanon's public sector threatens to paralyze the state

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On several occasions, firefighters were mobilized to extinguish the flames before being ordered to leave the premises because it was too dangerous. The residents of the neighborhoods near the port had received brief advice beforehand  close your windows and wear a mask. On Sunday evening, experts and officials were giving conflicting opinions on the possible outcome of the collapse.

For some people, Sunday's scene reawakened terrifying memories of the 2020 explosion that killed more than 200 people and injured more than 6,000. The truth behind these explosions has still not been established to this day  the investigation has been blocked since December by political leaders delay tactics.

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LIMERICK'S four-time All-Ireland SHC winner Barry Hennessy has helped launch of a scholarship opportunities for GPA members at South East Technological University.

Kilmallock's Hennessy has been back-up to Nickie Quaid across the last decade in the Limerick senior hurling panel.

In the past week, Hennessy was present at the launch as the Gaelic Players Association (GPA) along with South East Technological University (SETU) announced details of a number of scholarship opportunities for inter-county players on both the Carlow and Waterford campuses of SETU.

It is fantastic to be able to make these, potentially life-changing, opportunities available to our members. One of our key pillars is development and we could not fulfil our objectives were it not for our relationships with third level educational institutions across Ireland. So, on behalf of our members, I want to give a heartfelt thanks to the South East Technological University for their support of inter-county players," said GPA CEO Tom Parsons.

Prof Denis Harrington, Head of Department of Graduate Business SETU Waterford said they were pleased to offer GPA scholarships to eligible postgraduate business students.

"The scholarships provide opportunities to talented sportspersons to further their studies as well as extending their personal and professional development at the SETU School of Business. Past recipients have contributed fully to the scholarship programme, mentoring and supporting younger students as well as attending school and institutional networking events. We are delighted that these opportunities will be available again this year for incoming students," outlined Harrington.

Dr Ciara Losty, SETU Waterford Course Leader for the MSc in Applied Sport and Exercise Psychology said they would offer scholarships for the Department of Sport and Exercise Science, Waterford Campus, to GPA members.

"Supporting inter-county players in their academic goals, and pursuing their further education is a key objective of our department. A huge thank you to the GPA and SETU for collaborating and making this happen. We look forward to welcoming GPA members onto our programmes," said Losty.

David Denieffe Vice-President for Academic Affairs SETU said it was important to "recognise the relationship between academic performance, health and wellbeing".

"This collaboration highlights our combined commitment to the holistic development of student athletes by supporting them to fulfil their academic and sporting potential," said Denieffe.

Players who have any queries on these scholarship opportunities should contact the GPAs Education Manager Karen Thorpe  karen@gaelicplayers.com.
IRISH farmers have a critical role to play in Irelands climate strategy, believes Pat McCormack.

We need to move away from demonising the sector and start to put in place real plans to allow the sector to continue to do what it is good at, producing sustainable quality food contributing to EU and global food security and delivering on measures to reduce Irelands emissions, said the ICMSA president.

He said that negative commentary regarding agriculture emissions in recent days has not been helpful and will do little to foster a partnership approach to our climate challenge which is needed if we are to meet our targets.

Farmers are very angry at the aggressive approach being taken against our sector in recent days and some of these commentators need to inform themselves of the facts. For example, if every farmer in the country installed solar panels on their farms producing renewable carbon free energy, this would not be reflected in the 22% reduction figure, instead it would be allocated to the energy inventory.

If every farmer planted 100 native trees that would sequester carbon and also contribute to biodiversity, this would not be reflected in the 22% reduction but would be allocated to the LULUCF sector. These are the realities of the climate inventory and if we are to maximise the potential of the farmer contribution to climate change, we need to move away from demonising the sector and actually put in place plans to maximise its potential and work with farmers in a positive fashion, said Mr McCormack.

The ICMSA president said Irish farmers as food producers, are amongst the most sustainable in the world.

Despite all the negative commentary in recent days, farmers are not the demons they are being portrayed as, they are making a significant contribution not just in agriculture but across other sectors and the Government at this stage needs to put its cards on the table in terms of supports so that farmers can contribute further in a positive and constructive manner, concluded Mr McCormack.
FOR MANY, the book-filled shopfront at O Mahonys seems as old as the fabric of time itself, and this year the flagship Limerick city store is taking a look back at six incredible generations of trading.

After 120 years in business, they have traded through two world wars, with their first year in business marking the discovery of T-Rex fossils and the introduction of the infamous teddy bear toy.

Frank OMahony, Managing Director, said that his grandfather J.P O Mahony started the business back in 1902 with three staff, no cat and a small shop of about 550 square feet.

By 1973, the year I started working full-time, we had 26 employees in a shop of about 5,000 square feet, Frank said, adding that he ran the store with his brother David until 2018, after which he was left to carry the can.

Today, the family own five stores, across Limerick, Tralee, Ennis, NUIG and UL, employing between 80 and 120 people with the 120 O Connell Street shop covering nearly 16,000 square feet.

While the storefront has seen many iterations throughout the years, Frank is still in awe at the loyalty and dedication of some of O Mahonys customers over the past 120 years.

He described OMahonys as more than just a bookshop and said it is touching to have so many regular customers visiting the shop.

We are fortunate to have not just loyal customers but a cohort of dedicated, long serving staff who bring a wealth of knowledge and personality to our shops, he added.

One such example was found when staff were digging through old archival material, looking for decades old memorabilia and shop history to share as part of the celebratory events.

Ann (81) from Limerick wrote to the store in 1984 and again in 2020 to praise staff for the fantastic work that they do.

She said: I am 81 years of age and have been dealing with you for many, many years  as an avid reader I had occasion to shop for books during this pandemic and your postal service has kept this old lady very happy.

President Michael D Higgins also speaks fondly of the O Connell Street store, reminiscing on days coming down as a child to the place that started him off on a lifelong journey of books and literature.

Staff also uncovered three old ads placed in the Limerick Leader in the early 1900s. One offered picture framing, stationery, pass books, gold nibs, prayer books and rosary beads.

A second advertised Christmas cards and calendars, while a third enticed potential customers to pick up a pack of gold edge playing cards.

While times have changed and the physical book has been challenged by digital and audio versions, Frank remains unphased, stating that book buying in stores has continued to strengthen throughout the pandemic.

Books suddenly became popular in the media again. Things like BookTok on TikTok have been amazing. If something gets mentioned on that, the sales go through the roof, he said.

He added that book sales have been solid for the last number of years and are even continuing to rise. He said the future is bright and that parents are valuing reading as an educational tool.

If the last eighteen months have taught us anything, it is that the future is largely unknown. But some of my now adult children are already making plans for the 150th anniversary party in 2052 and the 200th in 2102. I am not sure I'll make that one, but you can think of me, Frank quipped.

Keep an eye out on O Mahonys website and Facebook for more celebratory events including special book signings and the release of more memorabilia and nostalgic archive material.
TWO Limerick libraries are set to benefit from over 3 million in funding for 46 branch facilities.

Funding of 2.2 million will be provided to roll-out the My Open Library initiative in a further 17 branches, which will allow people to access their local library outside of normal opening hours.

Newcastle West library is one of 17 national branches set to benefit, with a total project cost of 161, 200. The Department of Rural and Community Development has committed 145,080 of this.

A further 900,000 will be invested in enhancing the equipment in 29 branches that already have the My Open Library service in place.

Cappamore library is one of these libraries set to benefit, with a current status of Ready to open.

Minister Humphreys, who announced the investment last Tuesday, said it will ensure thousands more members can access their local library outside of normal opening hours.

This initiative allows people to avail of self-service library services between the hours of 8am and 10pm, seven days per week.

They provide such essential services to people, both young and old, and this funding will give so many more people greater access to their local branch, she said.

My Open Library will provide for out of hours stock issue and return, internet use, printing, photocopying and scanning as well as studying and reading spaces as well as access to toilets.

Minister Humphreys said that the new initiative reflects the fact that some people like to visit their library early in the morning or late in the evening due to work commitments.

The Minister concluded: It will also form an important part of the successor to the current public library strategy which my Department is currently working on.
THE OWNERS of a quarry on the Clare-Limerick border have offered a reward for information after diesel was stolen from them twice in two weeks.

The family-operated O'Connell Quarries LTD in Ardnacrusha shared CCTV stills of the latest incident on their Facebook page.

The social media post reads: "These thieves came into our quarry in Ardnacrusha on Tuesday night last, did damage to a vehicle and robbed the diesel from it."

They went on to say they also had diesel stolen two weeks ago. They think the vehicle the perpetrators used to arrive in and make good their escape in is a Toyota Avensis.

"We just want to let people in the area know to be vigilant and if they have any significant information (perhaps a reg number) there will be a reward. Please keep an eye for this car in the area, thanks," concludes the Facebook post.

Gardai confirmed to Limerick Live they attended the business following the theft that occurred at approximately 1am on Wednesday, July 27.

"A quantity of fuel was taken in the course of the incident. No arrests have been made and investigations are ongoing," said a garda spokesperson.

The total cost of the diesel stolen is around 1,000.
Hyatt Hotels Corporation has signed a management contract with Bhopals Noor-Us-Sabah Palace for the debut of The Unbound Collection by Hyatt brand in India.

The company said Noor-Us-Sabah Palace was one of Bhopals oldest and most sought-after hotels, and will undergo extensive refurbishment to join the collection. The hotel will have 60 rooms and is expected to open in 2025.

The brand is a collection of distinctive properties, all with a different story to tell. We are focused on thoughtful growth based on locations that matter most to our guests, and introducing our brands across India has been a priority for us," said Dhruva Rathore, vice president of development, India & Southwest Asia, for the firm. Bhopals history and the Noor-Us-Sabah Palaces rich Nawabi heritage make it a perfect addition to the brand. This collection of independent hotels has seen great momentum across the globe, as each property invites guests to experience distinct culture and history, and we look forward to expanding its footprint throughout the sub-continent."

The property is spread over 18 acres and was originally built as a royal residence in the 1920s by Bhopals last ruling Nawab Hamidullah Khan for his eldest daughter, Abida Sultan, and it was subsequently converted into a hotel in 1998.

We are delighted to work alongside Hyatt for the first hotel in India within the collection portfolio," said Sikandar Hafiz Khan, chairman - Reliable Group, which owns Noor-Us-Sabah Palace.

In the last 25 years, Noor-Us-Sabah has successfully established itself as an exemplary destination for those seeking a comfortable stay and delightful food, all in the environs of a historical palace. Bhopals heritage and history find resonance in its palaces, architecture, and culinary offerings and have always found favor amongst both Indian and international tourists. Noor-Us-Sabah Palace will continue to honor the history of the building and the city. We are certain that the combination of our expertise in Indias real estate and hospitality market will allow us to bring our vision for Noor-Us-Sabah Palace to life.

Once open, Noor-Us-Sabah Palace is expected to join 30 hotels within the collection globally, including Carmel Valley Ranch in Carmel, California, Jinmao Hotel Lijang in Lijang, China, Hotel La Compania in Panama City, Panama, Parisi Udvar Hotel Budapest, among others.
IIT- Delhi is exploring the possibilities to make its presence for the first time in a foreign land. In the ongoing parliamentary session, Minister of State for Education Subhas Sarkar informed the Lok Sabha on Monday, that the government is encouraging IIT-Delhi to look for opportunities for establishing a campus in the United Arab Emirates.

The efforts of India's globally acclaimed technical institute to mark its foreign presence began in February this year when a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement(CEPA) was signed between India and UAE on 18 February. Till now, a total of 23 IITs have been established only within Indian territory.

The Joint India-UAE Vision Statement issued on February 18 after a virtual summit between the leaders of the two countries said: ..... the leaders agreed to establish an Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) in the United Arab Emirates".

Following this agreement, the Centre has asked the IIT, Delhi to figure out the possibility of establishing another campus in the UAE, the minister said.

"IIT Delhi requested the Indian Ambassador to UAE to identify and arrange a meeting with the relevant UAE authorities. Accordingly, the Department of Education and Knowledge, Abu Dhabi (ADEK) was identified as the relevant UAE authority," he said.

In the first meeting between IIT Delhi and ADEK, both sides focused on introducing their respective organizations and getting familiar with the other one. In the meeting, they also expressed their eagerness to take this project forward, informed Sarkar.

The second meeting was joined by UAE's Department of Economic Development and Advanced Technology Research Council. The two departments conveyed the Economic vision and research priorities of Abu Dhabi in their presentations.

On the other hand, IIT Delhi prepared a presentation on the mentoring model to be followed by the older IITs to prepare the new IITs for facing challenges and maintaining the benchmark of excellence. It also shared its experience in mentoring IIT Ropar and IIT Jammu, he added.





With inputs from PTI
Beginning August 1, 2022, many banks will need the Positive Pay System (PPS) for cheques issued for 5 lakh or more. Such cheques will be turned down by your banker if you don't offer Positive Pay confirmation. The banks may refuse to clear such cheques if the PPS rules are not followed.

With effect from January 1, 2021, banks were asked to implement the PPS for all types of cheque payments (cash, transfer, and clearing). However, not all banks and clients embraced it as soon as possible and obediently. However, from August 1, 2022, many banks have made PPS registration mandatory for customers.

Also Read: SBI Positive Pay System: How to cancel high-value cheques

The idea of positive pay entails a procedure for verifying important information on cheques with significant values. In order to complete this process, the cheques issuer must send SBI specific information via SMS, mobile app, internet banking, or ATMs. CTS sends the drawee bank a minimum set of information about the cheque, including the date, beneficiary/payee information, amount, and so on. CTS then compares that information to the information on the submitted cheques.

Also Read: Bank Holidays August 2022: Banks to remain closed on these days. Full list here

Bank of Baroda released guidelines in June that advocated making the PPS confirmation essential for cheques issued for Rs. 5 lakh and above as of August 1. In the event that a valid pay confirmation is not given on or before August 1, cheques issued for these amounts will be returned in the clearing/Intersol system without payment.

What is Positive Pay System (PPS)?

Under the PPS, which is a component of the cheque clearing system, the drawee bank would process the cheques for payment based on the information provided by the account holder at the time of cheque issue.

Also Read: For merger, HDFC Bank to raise 2.7 trillion

A person who writes a high-value cheque ( 5 lakh or above) must provide the drawee bank with information such as the date of issuance, beneficiary's name, etc. This can be electronically filed by email, a mobile banking app and online banking.
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A United States airstrike killed al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahri in Kabul, government sources revealed Monday.

Al-Zawahri was one of the al-Qaeda leaders behind the 9/11 terrorist attacks and a close confidant of Osama Bin Laden, who was killed by U.S. special forces in 2011.

Now justice has been delivered and this terrorist leader is no more, President Joe Biden said in a nationally televised address Monday evening. No matter how long it takes, no matter how long you hide, if you are a threat to our people, the United States will find you and take you out. He added that Afghanistan cant be a launching pad against the United States.

According to Biden, intelligence officials tracked al-Zawahri and his family to a home in a crowded area of Kabul earlier this year. The president approved the operation, which took place Sunday, last week. The New York Times reported that the terrorist leader was killed by two Hellfire missiles while standing on a balcony of the home. A senior administration official addressing a pool of reporters said that the operation was successful and there were no civilian casualties.

Over the weekend, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid confirmed that a U.S. drone strike had taken place in the capital of Kabul, saying the group strongly condemn[ed] the attack and called it a clear violation of international principles and the Doha Agreement.

The death of al-Zawahiri, one of the last remaining al-Qaeda leadership figures from the 9/11 era, raises questions about its future leadership. Al-Zawahiri presided over the terrorist group since the U.S. killed Osama Bin Laden in 2011. Many analysts expected that Hamza Bin Laden, one of the terror leaders sons, would take over the leadership of al-Qaeda, but the U.S. claimed to have killed him in a 2019 strike, effectively ending the Bin Laden legacy of al-Qaeda leadership.

The strike marks a somewhat rare return to operations in Afghanistan for U.S. forces, which left the country in a chaotic exit in August 2021. At the time, President Biden pledged in a speech that his administration would maintain the fight against terrorism in Afghanistan despite the withdrawal. U.S. counterterrorism policy in Afghanistan, Biden said, would be conducted with so-called over-the-horizon capabilities that can strike terrorists and targets without American boots on the ground.

Al-Zawahiri rose to prominence in al-Qaeda after he fled Egypt for Afghanistan, having been imprisoned for his association with jihadists involved with the assassination of Anwar al Sadat.. In Afghanistan, he met Osama Bin Laden and, according to contemporaries, was influential in Bin Ladens views in the early days of al-Qaeda and helped push the Saudi terror leaders towards a strategy that included targeting the U.S., rather than just Middle Eastern governments. Zawahiris own terror group, Egyptian Islamic Jihad, merged with al-Qaeda in 2001, weeks before the 9/11 terrorist attacks, cementing his role as al-Qaedas deputy leader.

In the years since the U.S. killing of Bin Laden, al-Zawahiri appeared to pin the groups fortunes on the civil war in Syria, where an al-Qaeda franchise named Jabhat al-Nusra gained strength. But local jihadists eventually broke with the al-Qaeda brand in an apparent attempt to reduce American concern and pressure on its operations. The Islamic State, an offshoot of al-Qaedas Iraq franchise, eventually displaced both al-Qaeda and al-Zawahiri as the leaders of global jihadism, leaving the Egyptian doctor with a sparse bench of leaders and affiliates relative to al-Qaedas early post-9/11 years.
WASHINGTON  The U.S. House approved the Assault Weapons Ban on Friday, a bill that would impose the first ban in decades on semi-automatic weapons. It follows mass shootings in Uvalde and across the country, and members of the Texas delegation voted mostly along party lines.

Reps. Henry Cuellar, D-Laredo, and Vicente Gonzalez, D-McAllen, were the only Texans to buck their party when they voted against the bill, which appears destined to fail in the Senate. The two members were among five House Democrats to oppose the legislation, which narrowly passed on a 217-213 vote.

The bill would ban the importing, manufacturing, selling, transferring or possession of certain types of semi-automatic weapons. It would cover semi-automatic pistols and rifles that accept detachable magazines and have certain types of barrels, grips and stocks.

The passage of the legislation comes after years of mass shootings, including the shootings at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde and at a church in Sutherland Springs, where the gunmen used such weapons. Some Democrats spoke in favor of the legislation on the House floor Friday while standing next to photos of the victims of the Uvalde shooting.

There are 19 babies who were murdered at Robb Elementary School in Texas who will never have the right to vote.  There are two teachers who were murdered who will never have the opportunity to seek the future that was theirs, Rep. Al Green, D-Houston, said before Fridays vote. We have a governor in the state of Texas who could have saved all of those lives if he had  after the shooting at Walmart [in El Paso] that took 23 lives  legislation such as what were passing today.

The legislation stands virtually no chance of passing the Senate, where 60 votes are needed to end debate. Sen. John Cornyn, a Texas Republican who was the GOP leader in bipartisan gun safety talks last month, told reporters there would be no more gun negotiations after Congress passed a modest gun measure earlier this summer.

Congress most recently passed an assault weapons ban in 1994, but it expired 10 years later. The mass shootings have renewed calls from Texas politicians and other Democrats for another ban.

Cuellar and Gonzalez, who are in tight reelection races this year, were the only two Texas Democrats to not co-sponsor the semi-automatic weapons ban.

Republicans blasted Democrats for supporting the legislation.

What would do more right now than banning AR-15s would be to ban Democrat thinking in the big cities thats allowing the crime rates to just explode, Rep. Louie Gohmert of Tyler said on the House floor before Fridays vote.

The Texas Tribune is a nonpartisan, nonprofit media organization that informs Texans  and engages with them  about public policy, politics, government and statewide issues.
Danny Zaragoza, Staff Photographer / Laredo Morning Times

Teachers and other instructional staff at St. Augustine returned to work from their summer break on Monday to begin the professional development and classroom set up needed for a successful 2022-23 academic year.

St. Augustine High School will be hosting the Catholic Schools Convocation Week to prepare teachers, faculty and staff for the upcoming school year.
One local businessman is about to donate hundreds of pairs of shoes to one of the most vulnerable child populations in the community and surrounding areas.

Charlie Clark, the president and CEO of Charlie Clark Automotive Group, announced that he has bought over 150 pairs of shoes for the Foster Angels of South Texas (FAST) Foundation. He will make the official donation to the organization on Tuesday.

Clark asked for community donations to collect 500 pairs of shoes for the donation. However, he said he would make up the difference if they didn't collect enough.

Clark said that the company initially bought 167 pair of shoes and then asked the community to donate any they could in efforts to reach their goal of 500.

Whatever we dont collect via donations, we are going to pick up the difference and pay for all the rest, Clark said. Also, aside from this we are also paying for pants, shirts, underwear and socks for all these children as well.

FAST provides immediate assistance to children and youths in foster care in the 19 counties that make up Region 11 of South Texas. The foundation ensures that these children have their basic needs met as well as providing experiences of normalcy.

Webb County is one of the counties served through this organization, and Clark states that he is surprised that approximately 263 children are from the Webb County and Laredo area.

I had no idea that there was so many foster children in the area, Clark said. We are covering Laredo and The Valley.

Clark states that helping out foster children is a given considering the fact that many of these children often receive little motivation, as they have no direct paternal figures which help them feel good about themselves and the things they do. He said connecting with them is a vital way to make them feel loved.

Imagine what they have been already through and suffered through, and to know that someone is out there that cares about them and makes them feel special, makes them feel wanted and makes them feel loved is everything, Clark said. This is because their lives can go in two different directions: it can go in a bad direction or in a good direction, and we want them to go in a good direction and be loved and healthy. This is the beginning of that."

Clark states that if the children have pride in themselves and their appearance then all this helps them feel better about themselves and who they are.

This is the first time we are doing it, but we are always looking for these opportunities, he said. Whenever we can give to kids in need, women, children and families that are in need, we do it. We make sure to try to get the community involved, but if the community does not get to cover everything that needs to be covered, then we cover the difference.

On Christmas, Clark said he plans another major event for foster children in the county and surrounding areas by holding a giveaway for the older foster children.
Banda MS continued their whirlwind tour schedule Friday night with a stop at the Sames Auto Arena in Laredo.

The visit was a part of the "Gracias a Ti" tour, which comes of the back of the release of their 2021 release "Positivo."

After this stop, the group will continue onto Baha Beach Fest in Rosarito, Mexico before heading to California, Washington D.C., Colorado and Arizona.

Continue scrolling through the slideshow to see photos of Banda MS performing at the Sames Auto Arena.
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PRISTINA, Kosovo (AP)  Kosovo's authorities early Monday moved to ease mounting ethnic tensions in the country by delaying a controversial order on vehicle license plates and identity cards that triggered riots by minority Serbs who put up roadblocks, sounded air raid sirens and fired their guns into the air.

The Kosovo government accused neighboring Serbia of instigating the riots in order to destabilize the country that declared independence in 2008 after a NATO intervention that stopped Serbias bloody crackdown against ethnic Albanian separatists in 1999.

Officials in Kosovo had earlier decided that as of Aug. 1 they would resume the practice of requiring vehicles that enter from Serbia to replace Serbia license plates with Kosovo ones. For the past 11 years, the reverse was required by Serbia for vehicles driving from Kosovo that transit through Serbia.

Kosovo also is planning to block its ethnic Serb minority from only using Serbian identity cards when crossing the border, the same approach that Serbia uses for Kosovar citizens.

After discussions with European and U.S. partners, the reciprocity license plate and identity card plan was being postponed for a month, until Sept. 1, the Kosovo government said.

EU Foreign Policy chief Josep Borrell said he welcomed the move, adding that he expected all roadblocks to be removed immediately.

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti said Kosovar authorities would implement the decision once barricades in the north were removed. He added that it took only 20 seconds for 1,501 Serb citizens to enter Kosovo by midday using the entry-exit document, as opposed to an hours wait for Kosovar citizens to enter Serbia.

A Kosovo government statement said that many aggressive acts like blocking roads and shot-firing in the northern areas dominated by ethnic Serbs took place on Sunday and accused Serbia of inciting them.

Kosovo was part of Serbia until an armed uprising in 1998-1999 by the territorys ethnic Albanian majority triggered a bloody crackdown by Serbs. A NATO bombing campaign to force Serbias troops out of Kosovo ended the war. But Serbia refuses to recognize Kosovos 2008 declaration of independence.

European Commission spokesman Peter Stano said the EU was following developments very closely and with concern and that both parties have been invited to Brussels to sit down and talk in the framework of the EU facilitated dialog.

Kurti and President Vjosa Osmani blamed Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic for the latest protests.

Vucic and (Petar) Petkovic are the main responsible persons for the riots, Kurti wrote in Facebook. Petkovic is Belgrades official in charge of Kosovo.

Osmani also wrote on Facebook that Vucics efforts to destabilize Kosovo" would fail.

Vucic responded by saying that weve never been in a more complex situation than today and blamed Kosovo for the escalating tensions over the licenses plates and ID cards.

He said Kosovo was trying to make itself appear to be the victim, adding that Kurti is trying to be seen in the same light as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Vucic said Kosovo cannot stop its ethnic Serbs from using Serbian identity cards when they cross the border. He later visited Serbian Army headquarters in Belgrade in what was seen as a thinly veiled warning that all options - including military action - were on the table.

Serbian Foreign Minister Nikola Selakovic accused Kossovo of making unacceptable unilateral actions" weighed against the small country's Serb population and urged Kossovar authorities to change tack.

It is not only about I.D. cards and registering vehicle plates. It is about the way of behavior, Selakovic. If someone is really oriented to search the peaceful solution for all the existing issues, then that one should not act in the way they been acting.

Serbian ally Russia denounced the Kosovo government, saying the latest measures were intended to chase the remaining Serbs out of Kosovo. There are fears in the West that Russia could use Serbia to destabilize the Balkans and thus shift at least some attention from its war in Ukraine.

The NATO-led peacekeeping mission in Kosovo said it was monitoring the tense situation in northern Kosovo and was prepared to intervene if stability is jeopardized.

The force said it would "take whatever measures are necessary to keep a safe and secure environment in Kosovo at all times, in line with its UN mandate.

The mission, which has some 3,800 soldiers from 28 countries, is led by NATO but is supported by the United Nations, the European Union and others.

German Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht hailed the Kosovar government's decision as contributing to easing tensions.

-

Semini reported from Tirana, Albania. AP writer Dusan Stojanovic contributed from Belgrade, Serbia, Lorne Cook from Brussels, Kirsten Grieshaber from Berlin and Menelaos Hadjicostis from Nicosia, Cyprus.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Local News, Health & Wellness

By Chris Boyle Published: August 01 2022

Urge Blakeman Administration to Continue Increasing Outreach Efforts as NY Cases Grow.

Nassau County Legislators Arnold W. Drucker (D - Plainview) and Debra Mule (D - Freeport) are encouraging residents who are seeking the monkeypox vaccine to utilize a newly established County web portal to access appointments.

This comes nearly two weeks after Legislators Drucker, Mule and their Minority Caucus colleagues urged Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman to dramatically increase Nassaus outreach and efforts to contain the spread of the virus, which was declared a public health emergency of international concern by the World Health Organization.

Individuals who visit https://www.nassaucountyny.gov/5433/Monkeypox-Vaccine-Info will be provided with a link to Northwell Healths website, where they can schedule appointments at their 1 Marcus Avenue vaccination pod in New Hyde Park.

The website also contains basic information about scheduling an appointment at Nassau University Medical Center in East Meadow. Individuals seeking to schedule an appointment at NUMC can call 516-486-6862, and then press 1, 1, and 9 to leave a voicemail which will be returned by NUMC staff to schedule.

While this is a small step in the right direction, it is no substitute for the type of direct outreach that is necessary to reach the communities that have been most impacted by the spread of monkeypox, Legislators Drucker and Mule said. It is long past time for Nassau County to join forces with trusted leaders in the LGBTQ+ community for the purpose of beginning an aggressive public information campaign that will raise awareness, calm fears and combat stigma associated with this pressing public health concern.
Local News, Crime, Business & Finance, Press Releases

By Long Island Published: August 01 2022

AG James Encourages Workers in the Crypto Industry Who May Have Witnessed Misconduct to File a Whistleblower Complaint.

New York Attorney General Letitia James today issued an investor alert urging any New Yorker deceived or affected by the cryptocurrency crash to contact her office. Many high-profile cryptocurrency businesses have frozen customer withdrawals, announced mass layoffs, or filed for bankruptcy, while investors have been left in financial ruin. As part of the Office of the Attorney Generals (OAG) ongoing investigative work, OAG is interested in hearing from New York investors who have been locked out of their accounts, who are unable to access their investments, or who have been deceived about their cryptocurrency investments. New Yorkers who have been affected by this conduct are strongly encouraged to report these issues to OAG. Attorney General James also encourages workers in the cryptocurrency industry who may have witnessed misconduct or fraud to file a whistleblower complaint with her office, which can be done anonymously.

The recent turbulence and significant losses in the cryptocurrency market are concerning, said Attorney General James. Investors were promised large returns on cryptocurrencies, but instead lost their hard-earned money. I urge any New Yorker who believes they were deceived by crypto platforms to contact my office, and I encourage workers in crypto companies who may have witnessed misconduct to file a whistleblower complaint.

In the last few months, investors have lost hundreds of billions of dollars in cryptocurrency markets. New Yorkers who have been affected by the dramatic devaluations of the Terra and Luna virtual currencies and the account freezes on cryptocurrency staking or earning programs, such as Anchor, Celsius, Voyager, and Stablegains, are strongly encouraged to contact OAGs Investor Protection Bureau. In addition, any New Yorker who believes they are a victim of fraudulent or deceptive conduct should also share their experiences with OAG.

If you are worried that you or someone you know has been a victim of investment fraud, contact OAGs Investor Protection Bureau online or email investor.complaints@ag.ny.gov. If you have worked in the crypto industry and believe you may have knowledge of wrongdoing, contact OAGs Investor Protection Bureau, email investor.complaints@ag.ny.gov, or file a complaint using the online whistleblower portal.

Todays investor alert continues Attorney General James' efforts to regulate the cryptocurrency industry and protect New York investors. In June, Attorney General James warned New Yorkers of the dangerous risks of investing in cryptocurrencies after the market reached record lows. Also in June, Attorney General James reached a nearly $1 million settlement with crypto platform BlockFi Lending LLC for offering unregistered securities. Earlier this year, Attorney General James issued a taxpayer notice to virtual currency investors and their tax advisors to accurately declare and pay taxes on their virtual investments. In October 2021, Attorney General James directed unregistered crypto lending platforms to cease operations for not fulfilling their legal obligations. In March 2021, Attorney General James warned New Yorkers of the risks of cryptocurrency investments and reminded investment platforms of their legal obligations.
1st August 2022

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London South East were delighted to welcome Petro Matad (MATD) CEO Mike Buck, and to get a progress report on the Heron 1 well in Mongolia.

Mongolia is landlocked between China and Russia, and is keen to get some energy independence from their neighbours. China's Zero Covid policy has caused some difficulties although Mongolia has coped rather well with Covid thinks Mike, and people are travelling freely within Monglia now, and the Southern Border crossing is due to open shortly.

"We have ordered all of the surface equipment we need for the Heron 1 completion, including the pump, the power generation unit etc. These are manufactured and are shipping right now, and we expect them to be in country within weeks" Mike told us. "The Southerly border crossing is still restricted on the Chinese side due to Covid but is reported to be opening soon. Equipment is still passing through slowly however and in a couple of weeks that stuff will be in."

"We've also minimised the permitting requirements for Heron with a useful workaround and those are also in hand. And we've designed a frack for Heron 1 using a European-based specialist, bringing globally tried and tested frack solutions to Mongolia, effectively for the first time. The in-country fracking company has had to send some of it's equipment back to China for repairs, but it's coming back in now. Crews have also changed out as people that were stuck in country for a very long time and not able to work have finally managed to go home, and replacement crews are coming in. The fracking contractor expects to be operational next month."

"Service contracts are signed with the fracking and testing teams, although we don't yet have an exact date as to when the fracking company will be on site as they have a backlog of work for their parent PetroChina. That said, the testing contractor has said he's giving us priority."

"It's been difficult to get quality time with PetroChina's Mongolian operating affiliate as they have had considerable problems of their own. As for this half year, it's fair to say we haven't advanced as far as we wanted to, due to two main factors, land access and Covid."

"Our land was meant to certified as Special Purpose, meaning it doesn't need approvals at local level. But at a local level it isn't recognised as such. Mongolia has been a nomadic country and land law can be overlapping and problematic, and so it is with us."

"Since 2019 we have been pushing Central Government hard to certify our land as Special Purpose as per the PSC. This has taken far too long. Draft amendments to the Land Law have been prepared and will fix the problem long term and are supposed be going through various Parliamentary committees this Fall.

"However, at the administrative (local) level we are finally seeing some progress, as a result I think of our lobbying, and our certification is now advancing with cabinet support , and we are hopeful of a positive solution soon. I had hoped it would have been resolved by 2019."
(Alliance News) - The following is a round-up of London-listed company director and manager changes announced on Monday and not separately reported by Alliance News:

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ReNeuron Group PLC - Bridgend, Wales-based stem cell and exosomes technology company - Promotes Chief Financial Officer Catherine Isted to chief executive officer, effective from September 1. Isted joined the company in October 2021 as CFO, from Oxford BioMedica PLC. In February, CEO Olav Hellobo resigned, and Chair Iain Ross, supported by Isted, ran the business together. "Over the last six months and under my leadership, Catherine has worked with the executive team to refine the strategic and operational focus of the company," Chair Iain Ross comments.

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Speedy Hire PLC - Newton-le-Willows-based tools and equipment hire - Promotes Chief Operating Officer Dan Evans to CEO, effective from October 1. Evans, who has been with the company for 14 years, will succeed Russell Down, who announced his intentions to step down in May. Down will remain employed by Speedy until May next year, ensuring an effective transition.

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Trellus Health PLC - White Plains, New York-based digital health platform for complex chronic conditions - Appoints Stephen Young as interim CFO, with immediate effect. Young is taking over from Richard Evans, whose interim contract has ended. Young, who joins Trellus in a non-board capacity, has previously been CFO at Pure Wafer PLC, British Biocell International and Axiom Manufacturing Ltd.

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Arbuthnot Banking Group PLC - London-based private and commercial lender - Appoints Independent Non-Executive Director Nigel Boardman as chair of the company's principal subsidiary, Arbuthnot Latham. Henry Angest, who has been chair of Arbuthnot Latham since 1994, will remain as a non-executive director of the bank. He will also continue in his role as chair and CEO of Arbuthnot Banking. Also appoints Frederick Angest as a non-executive director of the company with effect from September 1.

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By Sophie Rose; sophierose@alliancenews.com

Copyright 2022 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.
High temperatures across Europe this month have unleashed a prolonged marine heatwave in the Mediterranean Sea that could ravage ecosystems and kill off several species in the coming weeks, scientists have warned.

The extreme heat in recent weeks has already sparked wildfires and led to thousands of heat-related deaths in Europe, but that warmth hasn't been limited to the land.

The warmer air along with shifting ocean currents and a stable sea surface have warmed coastal Mediterranean waters several degrees Celsius beyond the average temperature of 24C to 26C for this time of year.

Waters between Spain's Balearic Islands and the Italian coast were up to 5C warmer than at the same time last year, Spain's AMET weather agency said on Friday  while also warning that temperatures around the Spanish coast would be 3C to 4C higher until at least mid-August.

Spain's ports' authority said in a statement the water in Cabo de Gata, in the country's southeastern corner, registered a ten-year temperature record of nearly 28C on Monday.

Marine heatwaves, which are far less researched than heatwaves on land, are becoming more frequent due to climate change, adding pressure to ecosystems already struggling from over-fishing and plastic pollution.

Ocean scientist Jean-Pierre Gattuso told Reuters that water near the French coastal city of Nice was measured at 29.2C on July 25 - around 3.5C higher compared to the same day last year.
If you'd like to leave a comment (or a tip or a question) about this story with the editors, please email us

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Manchester, VT (05254)

Today

Cloudy early, then off and on rain showers for the afternoon. Thunder possible. High around 70F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 70%..

Tonight

Rain likely. Low 57F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%. Rainfall near a half an inch.
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The authorities instructed the family of the person to isolate themselves until a complete diagnosis is made.The hospital authorities told media persons that the person has not displayed any symptoms of monkeypox in the initial diagnosis. Doctors said that the rashes found on the skin could be due to some skin ailment.The doctors also told media persons that he was kept in isolation at the hospital as a precautionary case and that his swab samples have been sent to the National Virology Institute, Pune for testing. He would be kept in isolation till the test report of his swab samples is received.Source: IANS
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Why Should Online Games be Banned?

State Chief Secretary V. Irai Anbu had held a meeting of top officials on Saturday to bring out a ban on online betting and gambling but will not go for a strict ban on all online games. Instead, the government is planning to restrict and regulate the games and limit the time spent on online games to one a day or once in a week. The amount of money to be spent on online games will also be restricted.Seventeen people have committedin the past three years due to online games. The committee constituted by the government has given a report thatfor those playing and money is lost in huge volumes.The Central government is also in discussions with the states to bring in new legislation or changes in the existing legislation to regulate the industry.A study by the Union government has pegged the number of people playing online games in the country at 400 million and expected to reach 700 million by 2025.Several political parties in the state including Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) have been vociferously campaigning in the state for effecting a ban in the state for online games.However, sources in the government told IANS that if a total ban is implemented, it would lead to several legal battles, and hence it is contemplating a regulation of the game and to allow only a restricted amount to be spent in a fixed period of time to play online games.Source: IANS
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GRANT TOWNSHIP  A motorcyclist was taken to the hospital Friday afternoon after being injured in a crash.

According to a news release from the Mecosta County Sheriff's Office, deputies responded about 3:30 p.m. Friday, July 29, to a report of a personal injury accident on Stones Corner Road near 150th Avenue in Grant Township.
LANSING  Abortion could become illegal in parts of Michigan after a state Court of Appeals panel ruled Monday that a state judges injunction blocking the enforcement of a pre-Roe ban does not apply to county prosecutors.

The 91-year-old abortion ban, which had been blocked in May from taking immediate effect, makes it a crime for physicians to perform abortions unless the life of the mother is in danger.

The new ruling will have the largest impact on the 13 prosecutors in the state that have abortion clinics in their county. Seven of those prosecutors  all Democrats  have previously said they will not enforce the 1931 law.

Republican prosecutors in Kent and Jackson counties, however, plan to enforce the 1931 abortion ban, meaning that abortion providers could get charged with a felony.

If a report is presented to this office, we will review it like we do any other report of possible criminal behavior, Kent County Prosecutor Christopher Becker said in a statement Monday. We will make the decision to charge, or not to charge, based on the facts presented in the report and the applicable Michigan law.

Becker, who had previously said in June he would ignore the injunction and enforce the 1931 law, said no reports have been brought to his office to this point. Kent County includes Grand Rapids, the state's second largest city.

Jackson County Prosecutor Jerard Jarzynka didnt immediately respond to a request for comment.

The three-judge panels ruling came after Becker, Jarzynka and several anti-abortion groups requested the Court of Appeals overturn a lower courts injunction on the 1931 ban. The court's ruling Monday said that Becker and Jarzynka dont have standing because the injunction does not apply to county prosecutors.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has also filed a lawsuit asking the Michigan Supreme Court to recognize a right to abortion under the due process clause of the Michigan Constitution and to stop enforcement of the 1931 law.

Midland County Prosecuting Attorney J. Dee Brooks told the Daily News in June that he must look at both the U.S. Constitution and the Michigan Constitution when considering enforcement of any law.

"The bottom line is theres a number of issues that need to be resolved before we could consider any enforcement of (the 1931 law). I dont believe we can enforce any current laws until we get decisions by the Michigan Supreme Court, and the Court of Claims as to the injunction.

Total or near total abortion bans are already in effect in the nearby states of Indiana, Ohio and Wisconsin, with bans expected in roughly half the states.

Michigan's Democratic Attorney General Dana Nessel, who has previously said she will not defend the 1931 law, said in a statement Monday that the legal battle continues on multiple fronts, and that the ruling is not the final say on this issue in Michigan."

Planned Parenthood of Michigan said in a statement following the ruling that it will continue providing abortions and is evaluating legal options.

Earlier this month, abortion rights activists submitted signatures to bring a constitutional amendment before Michigan voters in November that would affirm the right to make pregnancy-related decisions without interference, including about abortion and reproductive services such as birth control. If the amendment passes, it would supersede the 1931 law.


More than 300 students have met the academic requirements to receive their Bachelor of Arts degrees from Kalamazoo College in 2022.

Kaitlin Gandy and John Luke Tuck, both of Midland, were among the graduates.
ISLAMABAD (AP)  A Pakistani army helicopter flying in a rescue and relief mission in the country's flood-stricken southwest lost contact with a regional control tower and was missing late Monday, the military said.

The fate of its six-member crew, including a top commander, was not immediately known. The helicopter was part of aid efforts in the flood-affected southwestern Baluchistan province.
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WASHINGTON (AP)  The White House on Monday decried Beijing's rhetoric over an expected visit by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to Taiwan, vowing the United States will not take the bait or engage in saber rattling and has no interest in increasing tensions with China.

White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby underscored that the decision on whether to visit the self-ruled island that China claims as its own was ultimately Pelosi's. He noted that members of Congress have routinely visited Taiwan over the years.

Kirby said administration officials are concerned that Beijing could use the visit as an excuse to take provocative retaliatory steps, including military action such as firing missiles in the Taiwan Strait or around Taiwan, flying sorties into Taiwan's airspace and carrying out large-scale naval exercises in the strait.

Put simply, there is no reason for Beijing to turn a potential visit consistent with long-standing U.S. policy into some sort of crisis or use it as a pretext to increase aggressive military activity in or around the Taiwan Strait, Kirby said.

The Biden administration pushed back on Beijing as Pelosi held talks with officials in Singapore on Monday at the start of her Asian tour.

While there have been no official announcements, local media in Taiwan reported that Pelosi will arrive Tuesday night, making her the highest-ranking elected U.S. official to visit in more than 25 years. The United Daily News, Liberty Times and China Times  Taiwan's three largest national newspapers  cited unidentified sources as saying she would arrive in Taipei after visiting Malaysia and spend the night.

Talk of such a visit is sparking fury in Beijing, which regards Taiwan as its own territory and has repeatedly warned of serious consequences" if the reported trip goes ahead.

If Pelosi insists on visiting Taiwan, China will take resolute and strong measures to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said in Beijing, without giving details.

Those who play with fire will perish by it, Zhao said. We would like to once again admonish the U.S. that we are fully prepared for any eventuality and the PLA will never sit idly by. The People's Liberation Army is China's military.

Chinas U.N. Ambassador Zhang Jun reiterated Beijings threat to take action if Pelosi makes what he called a provocative visit to Taiwan, reiterating that the one China principle is a red line and we allow no one to cross this red line.

Zhang told a news conference at the start of Chinas presidency of the U.N. Security Council this month that Taiwans tendency toward independence is further developing with the support of some external forces, which he didnt name.

So, if we do not take appropriate, forceful action to stop it, and the situation might be even out of control, Zhang said. So it is legitimate for the Chinese government, for the Chinese military, to take any action to prevent Taiwan to go further down the wrong direction, namely towards independence.

Zhang said he wasnt in a position to reveal what actions, but what I can tell is that the firmness, the determination is there. We will do whatever we can to defend our sovereignty and the territorial integrity.

Chinese President Xi Jinping also warned the U.S. against meddling in Beijings dealings with the island in a phone call last week with President Joe Biden.

Germanys Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock warned against a Chinese invasion of Taiwan while sharply criticizing Russias invasion of Ukraine. Baerbock told reporters at U.N. headquarters in New York on Monday: We do not accept when international law is broken and a larger neighbor attacks its smaller neighbor in violation of international law -- and of course that also applies to China.

China has been steadily ratcheting up diplomatic and military pressure on Taiwan. Threats of retaliation for a visit by Pelosi have driven concerns of a new crisis in the Taiwan Strait, which separates the two sides, that could roil global markets and supply chains.

Beijing sees official American contact with Taiwan as encouragement to make the island's decades-old de facto independence permanent, a step U.S. leaders say they dont support. Pelosi, head of one of three branches of the U.S. government, would be the highest-ranking elected American official to visit Taiwan since then-Speaker Newt Gingrich in 1997.

The Biden administration has tried to assure Beijing there was no reason to come to blows and that if such a visit occurred, it would signal no change in U.S. policy. Administration officials on Monday called on China to tone down the rhetoric, underscoring that there was no reason for Beijing to escalate tensions in the Taiwan Strait over the potential visit. Members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee were to receive a classified briefing on Taiwan from senior Pentagon and State Department officials on Monday evening.

What I can say is this: this is very much precedent in the sense that previous speakers have visited Taiwan, many members of Congress go to Taiwan, including this year, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said. And so, if the speaker does decide to visit and China tries to create some kind of crisis or otherwise escalate tensions, that would be entirely on Beijing.

Still, U.S. officials have signaled that the military would be prepared to respond if needed in the event of any action by China in response to any possible stop in Taiwan by Pelosi.

On Monday, the Navy aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan and its strike group were in the Philippine Sea, according to the officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss military operations.

The Reagan, the USS Antietam, a cruiser, and the USS Higgins, a destroyer, left Singapore after a port visit and moved north, heading to their homeport in Japan. The carrier has an array of aircraft, including F/A-18 fighter jets and helicopters, on board as well as sophisticated radar systems and other weapons.

Taiwan and China split in 1949 after the Communists won a civil war on the mainland. Both sides say they are one country but disagree over which government is entitled to national leadership. They have no official relations but are linked by billions of dollars of trade and investment.

The United States switched diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing in 1979, but maintains informal relations with the island. Washington is obligated by the Taiwan Relations Act, a federal law, to see that Taiwan has the means to defend itself.

Washingtons One China policy says it takes no position on the status of the two sides but wants their dispute resolved peacefully. Beijing promotes an alternative One China principle that says they are one country and the Communist Party is its leader.

We expect to see Beijing continue to use inflammatory rhetoric and disinformation in the coming days, Kirby said. The United States, by contrast, will act with transparency.

On Monday, Pelosi met with Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, President Halimah Yacob and other Cabinet members.

Singapore's Foreign Ministry said Lee welcomed a U.S. commitment to strong engagement with the region, and the two sides discussed ways to deepen U.S. economic involvement through initiatives such as the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework.

Lee and Pelosi also discussed the war in Ukraine, tensions surrounding Taiwan and mainland China, and climate change, it said in a statement. Lee highlighted the importance of stable U.S.-China relations for regional peace and security, it added, in an apparent allusion to reports of Pelosi's visit to Taiwan.

Pelosi has said she is visiting Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea and Japan in a tour to discuss trade, the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, security and democratic governance.

On Thursday, Pelosi is to meet with South Korean National Assembly Speaker Kim Jin Pyo in Seoul for talks on security in the Indo-Pacific region, economic cooperation and the climate crisis, Kims office said in a statement.

It declined to provide further details about her itinerary, including when she is arriving in South Korea and how long shell stay. Pelosis schedule for Wednesday remains unclear and there were no details on when she will head to Japan.

___

Ng reported from Kuala Lumpur and Soo reported from Hong Kong. Associated Press writers Huizhong Wu in Taipei, Taiwan; Kim Hyung-jin in Seoul, South Korea; Edith Lederer at the United Nations; and Lolita C. Baldor, Josh Boak, and Matthew Lee in Washington contributed to this report.
BIG RAPIDS  Officers with the Big Rapids Department of Public Safety responded to the following calls. All calls may not be reported. All suspects are assumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

 A Newaygo County deputy dropped off a Big Rapids Public Schools computer that was recovered in a stolen vehicle in Newaygo County. The computer was not reported stolen, so it was given back to BRPS.

 Officers responded to a three-vehicle personal injury accident near Perry Avenue and Clark Street. One vehicle was hit crossing Perry Avenue from Ferris State University to Clark Street by another vehicle heading east on Perry Avenue. The vehicle crossing Perry Avenue flipped and rolled onto another vehicle stopped at the Clark Street stop sign. Minor injuries, no transport.

 A civil dispute was reported in the 100 block of North Michigan Avenue. Officers spoke with complainant who said a male allegedly was calling her bad names at the farmers market. Police report a previous history of this behavior between them.

 A warrant arrest was executed in the 1100 block of Fuller Avenue. Officers had been dispatched for a report of a couple arguing. Upon investigation of the complaint, one party was found to have a warrant for child neglect/support. He was arrested for his warrant.

 A larceny was reported in the 400 block of South Michigan. Caller reported hearing a noise outside his apartment. Caller looked out to see two juveniles; one allegedly had taken a shovel off the porch of that residence but returned it when confronted by caller. Contact was made with the juveniles who both denied taking item. Report completed will be forwarded for review.

 A traffic stop near State and Ferris led to driver being cited for driving while license suspended, second, and unregistered vehicle.

Wednesday, July 27

 Officers executed a warrant arrest in the 300 block of Morrison Avenue. A male was arrested and transported to meet with Reed City.

 A suspicious situation was reported in the 600 block of Finley. A yard was reportedly teepeed by unknown suspects.

 Officers executed a warrant arrest. They met Reed City at dispatch.

Thursday, July 28

 Officers responded to the 500 block of North Warren Avenue for a report of a brown and white dog who had approached a man fishing. The owner never showed up, and the dog was taken to the Animal Rescue Coalition.

 Officers responded to the 1100 block of Catherine for a check wellbeing request. A male reportedly was yelling at his son after he misplaced his bike. A neighbor was concerned as she heard him tell his son he was going to hit him in the face. Police reported the male was calm and his son found his bike.

 A suspicious situation was reported in the 900 block of Rose. A 10-year-old male allegedly was chatting on Discord, being sexually explicit. Unknown how old the other person was.

 Officers responded to the 800 block of North Fourth for a report of two disorderly females who allegedly got into an argument. Both claimed they allegedly were assaulted by the other. Case was sent to the city attorney for review.

 Officers responded to the 500 block of South Michigan for a report of breaking and entering. The tenants reportedly left items in the garage since last August. They opened the garage to find the boxes had been gone through and items allegedly taken and destroyed. Unknown when the incident exactly happened. Case is under investigation.

 A smart phone was found behind the middle school by the river.

 While completing lockups, an officer found someone had broken the latch on the bathroom stall at a property in the 100 block of East Pine. Cameras were reviewed, but nothing shows the entry point of the bathroom. The Department of Public Works was notified.

Friday, July 29

 Officers responded to the 1100 block of Catherine for a report of littering. The owner said the current renter allowed two other individuals to move into the trailer, then the renter was kicked out by them. The unknown male and female living at the trailer allegedly are dumping trash in a neighboring lot and behind the trailer. Attempt was made at the trailer with no response.

 Officers responded to the 800 block of Water Tower. Police said a male allegedly was paranoid that the apartment complex is putting things in the air and water in his apartment.

 A suspicious situation was reported in the 1800 block of Milton. A female reported finding a note on her door saying, I found you. She had believed the note was from an ex that had stalked her previously. Turns out the note was from neighbor kids doing a TikTok prank.

 A civil dispute was reported in the 300 block of West Bridge. A window was found broken from what appeared to be a rock. Upon reviewing camera footage, it was found the neighbor was mowing his lawn and kicked a rock up damaging the window

 Officers responded to the 600 block of Birch. A male reported he wasnt feeling well and needed to talk to someone at the ER. Officers walked with him from his house to the ER at his request.

Saturday, July 30

 Officers responded to the 400 block of Second Avenue for a report of a barking dog. Police report the issue is an ongoing neighbor dispute. The dog owners agreed to keep the dog inside while they are not home as it barks nonstop.

 Officers responded to the 100 block of West Madison. Caller reported that all her items allegedly had been thrown out in a dumpster by a previous roommate.

 A noise warning was issued in the 600 block of Chestnut.

 Officers responded to the 200 block of Baldwin. Partygoers from the noise complaint were causing issues. One was escorted out after paying his tab.
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This weekend, the banks of the Tittabawassee River will be flowing with activity at the annual River Days Festival. Hosted by the Midland Area Community Foundation, the festival is set for Thursday through Sunday in Downtown Midland.

River Days is designed to be an inclusive community celebration to honor Midlands past and embrace its future, said Kevin LaDuke, communications officer at Midland Area Community Foundation. He explained that holding the festival near the Midland Tridge is fitting; just as the structure connects different areas of downtown , various organizations and sectors of the community collaborate for River Days.

Its true community building on display, LaDuke said. Theres so much going on. Theres something for everybody.

He said this years event will highlight the importance of the Tittabawassee and Chippewa rivers and their history. The Tridge spans the junction of the two rivers.

NorEast Outdoors will offer a free Kayak Poker Run from 5-8 p.m. Friday by the Tittabawassee River. Participants can rent or bring their own kayak, paddle around the Tridge and collect poker cards. The best three hands will win prizes. NorEast Outdoors will also provide free kayak lessons from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday; kayak rentals for both events are $15.

Guests will also have the opportunity to paddle a 29-foot replica Voyageur canoe on the Chippewa and Tittabawassee rivers, courtesy of the Chippewa Nature Center. This free event is set for 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday.

Volunteers with the Midland County Historical Society will provide free historical tours around the downtown area. The tours, which last 45 to 75 minutes, will run from 10 a.m.-9 p.m., starting near the Bob Johns Main Stage near the Tridge.

The river also lends its name to the Run the River 5K Run and Walk, hosted by Greater Midland Community Center. The event begins at 5 p.m. and includes three race times. For $32, participants will receive a pint glass and complimentary drink ticket for the craft beer and wine tent. For more information and to register for the run/walk, visit www.greatermidland.org/events/runtheriver2022

The festivities, which are available for little to no cost, will be spread out on both sides of the river. Free events include a silent dance party 7-10 p.m. Thursday; and a bungee jumper, zipline, climbing wall and live music on the Bob Johns Main Stage throughout the weekend. A free showing of the movie Inside Out is planned for 9:30 p.m. Friday

Across the river, local performing groups, yoga classes and musicians will take to the Kids Zone Stage, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday in Chippewassee Park. A cornhole tournament is set for 1 p.m., with registration beginning at noon. Professional skaters will give demonstrations during a pro-skating exhibition 1-3 p.m. Saturday at Trilogy Skate Park.

Saturdays events culminate with the Esther Gerstacker Fireworks Show at 9:45 p.m., with fireworks launched from St. Charles Park.

Another major feature of River Days is the food. About 15 food vendors will be stationed along the Pere Marquette Rail Trail throughout the weekend. Cuisine includes barbecue, pizza, ice cream, tacos, coffee, sweets and more.

Midland Rotary Clubs will host a cheeseburger fundraiser dinner 5-10 p.m. Friday near the Bob Johns Main Stage. Cheeseburgers, provided by LaLondes Market, will be available for $5. The Rotary Clubs will also offer a craft beer and wine tent, with drinks provided by Molasses Smokehouse and Bar, 5-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

At noon Saturday, Nates Cart will host two hot dog eating contests  one for kids, another for adults. Awards will be given for first, second, and third place for the largest number of hot dogs eaten in 10 minutes.

The Midland Lions Club will provide a barbecue chicken dinner 3-6:30 p.m. Saturday  or until the 900 meals are sold out  near the Bob Johns Main Stage; dinners can also be picked up off-site 3-6 p.m. in the city parking lot on Jerome Street. The dinner includes half a chicken, baked potato, applesauce, roll, cookie and drink. Cost is $12.

This years River Days Festival will also incorporate hot air balloon events across the city, weather permitting. The Main Street Glow kicks off the festival at 7-8:30 p.m. Thursday along Main Street. Pilots will have their baskets set up along the street and will turn their burners on.

Competitive balloon flights are scheduled for 6:30-8 a.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Balloons will launch from different locations across the city and attempt to fly to Chippewassee Park, where balloonists will attempt to hit targets.

Balloon launches are set for 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday from Chippewassee Park. Following the launch, the balloons will return to the park for the hot air balloon glow 9-9:30 p.m.

LaDuke observed that the hot air balloon events have drawn crowds of people to Downtown Midland since the annual Balloon Fest combined with River Days in 2018.

People come out in droves to see the balloon displays, LaDuke said.

For up-to-date information about balloon events, visit the River Days Facebook page.

A full list of River Days activities, including a map and detailed schedule, can be found at riverdaysmidland.com.
Michigan is one of the best states to travel in a Skoolie. There is so much more to this amazing place than just Detroit and Traverse City. They deserve an honorable mention as those areas do bring in a lot of traffic to our great state in general, but there are so many more incredible nooks and crannies to explore.

When traveling in a converted school bus, its essential to keep any and all options open. One of the best ways to travel is to boondock  or off-grid. If you have the proper setup for such an adventure, the possibilities truly are endless. We absolutely love the state of Michigan for our adventures in our bus, it may be biased as I am a Michigan native myself but I promise its worth your time of day.

If you enjoy camping, fishing, hiking, or anything outdoors, Kalkaska County is a hidden gem in Michigan for you. Only 35 minutes east of Traverse City and 3.5 hours north of Detroit, Kalkaska County is a good travel destination. My family has spent a lot of time in this town as my father is an avid fisherman and fly-fishing is his specialty (Im even named after a trout!) Now, if youre in an off-grid rig like us you can find anywhere to boondock here. We generally choose a box store parking lot where we find online camping apps for a night or there are plenty of harvest hosts in that area as well. We also choose campgrounds while traveling. Taking our bus to and from the places in town is just as easy.

First on the list is the National Trout Memorial. This is placed in the center of town. Most things operate seasonally here, as its a summer destination. The Kalkaska museum, next to the trout memorial operates in June, July and August. I recommend looking up the hours of operation before going if you plan to check out the actual museum. Nonetheless, the gigantic, vividly colored trout that doubles as a fountain is more than interesting to look at - even just from the roadside.

Fishing is of course the main attraction of this quaint town. From experience, I prefer Little Rapid River. If you have children this is also fun for them. The water is refreshing and fast-paced. This river is so clean, you can literally see the dirt in the bottom and fish swimming at your feet. Its deep enough to swim comfortably without too many rocks or debris in the way. There are many areas where others hang up swinging, knotted ropes off the side of the waterway that anyone can use. The logs that have fallen across from downed trees make for the best walkway and places to jump in. You can swim with the trout here and catch a good amount. This river is not completely secluded in some parts making it easy access to anyone who wants to take a dip or fish together. Theres nothing like pulling off to the side of the road in our bus, swimming and fishing then cooking up a meal and enjoying the view.

Along with the abundance of camping and fishing spots, there are many areas in the town to shop. Many antique stores, a farmers market, and several different places to spend time outdoors. Im a huge fan of exploring all a small area has to offer and making it a priority to feel like weve seen it all when we visit in our Skoolie.

Kalkaska makes you feel like youre right at home with all of the kind, welcoming folks as well. If you do choose a trip here you will not regret it.
DEEP / Contributed

The states Environmental Conservation Police rescued a fox stuck in an old car tire and a hawk trapped in a fishing lure this weekend, according to the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.

In the first of two calls, conservation officers responded to an area in the northwestern part of the state where a fox had gotten its head caught in the center of a tire, likely while chasing a small rodent, the agency wrote in a Facebook post on Sunday.
Fotis Dulos texted a close friend in Greece, asking him to make a planned alibi call the morning his estranged wife disappeared, according to a search warrant obtained by federal authorities in October 2020.

The brief call made by Andreas Toutziaridis around 8:30 a.m. on May 24, 2019 placed him at the center of Connecticuts largest investigation in recent history and prompted federal authorities to examine his potential role in the death and disappearance of Jennifer Dulos, court documents showed.

Special Agent Craig Bowling with the Department of Homeland Security was looking for any evidence that Toutziaridis participated in federal crimes, including interstate domestic violence, obstruction of justice, aiding and abetting and conspiracy from Feb. 1, 2019 to June 25, 2019 when he sought the federal search warrant, court documents said.

Bowling requested that his affidavit, explaining why he wanted the search warrant, the search warrant and any other federal warrants be sealed to protect the integrity of the investigation. The warrant was served, but the case was closed by acting Connecticut U.S. Attorney Leonard Boyle on Nov. 12, 2021 without an arrest, the document said.

Toutziaridis and his attorney could not be reached for comment.

The search warrant, obtained by Hearst Connecticut Media Group, is now part of the defense for Michelle Troconis whose attorney Jon Schoenhorn is seeking any evidence that other suspects were considered, but not charged in the case.

Schoenhorns client, who was Fotis Dulos live-in girlfriend at the time of the disappearance, has pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to commit murder, tampering with evidence and hindering prosecution charges.

Attorney Kent Mawhinney, a close friend of Fotis Dulos, has also pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to commit murder.

Fotis Dulos died by suicide in January 2020 while facing murder, kidnapping and other charges in his wifes death and disappearance.

The New Canaan mother of five has never been found, but she has been presumed dead by authorities and her family based on evidence investigators found the night of her disappearance.

In his suicide note, Fotis Dulos said he was innocent and that Troconis and Mawhinney had nothing to do with Jennifers disappearance. He also asked investigators to stop harassing Toutziaridis.

New Canaan police asked federal agents from the Department of Homeland Security for their assistance early in the investigation, according to the search warrant, which was sealed until November 2021.

But the federal involvement was unknown to even most insiders, including the Superior Court judge presiding over the criminal cases against Troconis and Mawhinney who admitted last week he was not aware of the parallel federal investigation.

After Fotis Dulos indicated on May 25, 2019  the day after the disappearance  that he would not help authorities in their search for his estranged wife, Bowling said in his affidavit that New Canaan police asked him to join the investigation.

Bowling was initially assigned to monitor whether Fotis Dulos or Troconis made any travel arrangements, the documents stated.

Toutziaridis was added to the list after an examination of Fotis Dulos cellphone revealed the two had been in contact in the hours before the disappearance, the search warrant said.

Bowling and other federal agents seized Toutziaridis phone when he entered the U.S. on June 25, 2019 at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey to stay with his friend Fotis Dulos, court documents said.

A review of his phone revealed that Fotis Dulos had called his friend the day before the disappearance, but Toutziaridis didnt answer, court documents stated.

Fotis Dulos texted Toutziaridis at 10:30 p.m. that night, instructing his friend to call the following day  May 24, 2019  at 3:30 p.m, his time in Greece, which would be 8:30 a.m. Eastern Standard Time in Connecticut, the search warrant said.

On the morning of May 24, 2019, Mawhinney and Troconis were in Fotis Dulos office at his Farmington home in an effort to establish an alibi for him while he was in New Canaan, police have said in arrest warrants.

Fotis Dulos cellphone was left in the office and rang at 8:26 a.m., arrest warrants stated. Troconis answered the phone, but claimed the connection was poor and the call failed after a few seconds, arrest warrants said.

Toutziaridis then made a calendar entry in his device in Greek that was translated to telephon(ed) Fotis, the search warrant said. The entry was for 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Eastern Standard Time, the court document said.

Based on my training and experience, and participation in this investigation, I believe the entry about speaking to Fotis, was a false entry, made in an attempt to conspire with (Fotis) Dulos to create an alibi for him, Bowling wrote in the search warrant.

Police believe Fotis Dulos was lying in wait for his estranged wife at her New Canaan home when she returned from dropping off their children at school around 8 a.m. that day.

While Troconis and Mawhinney were in his office in Farmington, arrest warrants said Fotis Dulos was likely trying to clean up after attacking his estranged wife in the garage of her New Canaan home, arrest warrants said.

The amount of blood and evidence of a cleanup indicated Jennifer Dulos would not have survived the attack without immediate medical intervention, according to the state medical examiners office.

Almost two hours after he made the call to Fotis Dulos cellphone, Toutziaridis sent a video to his friend and two other people through WhatsApp, the search warrant said. The video, which investigators believe is a meme available online, shows a man who is asked a question by a woman off camera, the search warrant said.

All right, you have two choices: A, you can live the rest of your life with your wife, or B... the woman says in the video, according to the search warrant.

The man then interrupts and yells B, before the video abruptly ends, the search warrant said.
Sarah Corry is the Executive Director of Purple Hearts Reunited and the proud daughter of a Marine Vietnam Veteran and two-time Purple Heart recipient. She resides with her two children, Andrew and Claire, in Vermont.

"Grandpa's heart is purple?" My son asked with a bewildered look on his face. "Why isn't it red?"

Andrew, five years old at the time, overheard my conversation with my father, a Marine Corps Vietnam War Veteran, discussing how grateful my brothers and I are to have my dad's two Purple Hearts in our possession to share and pass down to our children.

As I sat with my son and showed him the two tangible symbols of sacrifice his grandfather made for our country, I was overcome with emotion. This moment with my son was not only precious to me as a mom, but deepened the commitment I have for my role as executive director of Purple Hearts Reunited.

Our mission of returning lost or stolen military medals of valor to veterans or their families is something I have always been passionate about but until this moment, my experience of reuniting medals with families was with my Executive Director hat on. Now I view each one as a proud daughter and grateful mother.

I share this story with you today, on National Purple Heart Day. This day honors families who represent our nation's heroes from World War I, World War II, Korea, Vietnam, and the War on Terror. When servicemen and women are wounded or sacrifice their life in times of war, our country awards the service member or their family with the prestigious Purple Heart.

An estimated 1.8 million Purple Hearts have been awarded in our Nation's history. Over time, many of these medals become lost, stolen, or simply misplaced and we have the tremendous honor of bringing them home.

The original Purple Heart, designated as the Badge of Military Merit, was established by George Washington -- then the commander-in-chief of the Continental Army. From then on, as its legend grew, so did its appearance. Although never abolished, the award of the badge was not proposed again officially until after World War I. General Douglas MacArthur, commissioned work of a new design and the Purple Heart was revived on the 200th Anniversary of George Washington's birth by Executive Order of the President of the United States on February 22, 1932.

As I sit here with my son and share the stories of those heroes we are honoring this year, I am completely overwhelmed by their sacrifice to this country.

Men like 1st Sergeant Fred Mueller who was killed on "D-Day" over Normandy with the famed 101st Airborne Division.

Soldiers and Marines like Private First Class Joseph M. Hish and Captain Sebert N. Perry who fought on the hallowed grounds of the Meuse-Argonne and Belleau Woods one hundred years ago during the Great War.

A lost husband and father in Chief Quartermaster Ray C. Ayers, who was killed while serving on the U.S.S. Houston during the Battle of Sunda Strait.

Those that participated in great history, such as Technical Sergeant Thomas M. Williams Jr., who participated in the first heavy bombing mission over Japan.

Our elite operators such as Sergeant First Class Billy D. Evans, who while serving as a Green Beret in Vietnam, received our nation's second highest decoration, the Distinguished Service Cross.

Men who died on frozen battlefields like Corporal Robert G. Miller, who succumbed to his injuries in the Korean War.

Last but not least, our modern-day warriors such as Staff Sergeant Michael T. Jeffrey, who received a Purple Heart for service in Iraq and is currently struggling to find comfort and peace with those injuries that still plague him.

We do more than rescue and return these medals; we reunite and heal families. We return what is often the last tangible piece of a veteran to his or her family. This is often the solace that is needed for a military family to commemorate their loved one's service.

Return ceremonies, like one we held today, educate communities across the country about what it means to serve and provide them with the history behind the medal as well as a detailed accounting of their loved ones' service. In 1973, thousands of military records were destroyed in a devastating fire at the National Personnel Record Center. Through our foundation we have begun the process of piecing together the tattered narrative of American heroes. More importantly, we have honored them by sharing their stories with their own families and a grateful Nation.

Since 2012 we have returned over 500 medals, traveled over 100,000 miles, and affected the lives of over one million people through the foundation. More importantly, we have given precious moments like the one I experienced with my son back to mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters and grandchildren across our great nation. Today, we have the great privilege of sharing that moment to seven deserving families and one living hero.

National Purple Heart Day is a wonderful day to highlight these American heroes and their sacrifice. Our nation has heroes currently serving around the world on freedom's frontier, however, and as long as they continue to selflessly serve, Purple Hearts Reunited will continue to work to ensure that these warriors and the tokens and mementos of their service will forever be respected, remembered and returned home.

-- The opinions expressed in this op-ed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Military.com. If you would like to submit your own commentary, please send your article to opinions@military.com for consideration.
A command created in the wake of World War II marked its 70th anniversary while staring at a burgeoning threat as Russia continues its invasion attempt in Ukraine.

The U.S. military's European Command celebrated seven decades of existence Monday in a festive ceremony that included a cake and talk of the need to hold the NATO alliance together.

EUCOM, as the command is known, was founded in 1952 as a permanent U.S. military presence in Europe in the wake of WWII. It was established as part of an overall "Outline Command Plan" by then-President Harry S. Truman, meant to codify an American military presence on the continent as concerns about an impending contest with the Soviet Union grew.

Now headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany, EUCOM is responsible for working with American allies to prevent Russia from invading any more countries, while helping funnel arms into Ukraine.

Read Next: Veterans Protest at US Capitol as Pressure Mounts on Senate Republicans over Toxic Exposures Bill

"From the aftermath of World War II through the Cold War and into the challenges of the 21st century, the strong partnerships EUCOM has forged throughout the entire continent in the last seven decades plus its ironclad commitment to NATO have helped maintain security and stability in the Euro-Atlantic area," said Gen. Christopher Cavoli, the commander of EUCOM, in a press release Monday.

The celebration comes as the Biden administration also announced Monday an additional $550 million in ammunition for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems and 155mm howitzers. Those two weapons systems are considered particularly critical for Ukraine's ongoing, bloody fight in the east of the country where many towns have been reduced to rubble as Ukrainian and Russian troops continue to struggle for control.

Monday's latest batch of military aid is the Biden administration's seventeenth instance of repurposing military inventories for use in Ukraine since last year, according to a Department of Defense press release.

The announcement noted that the aid included 75,000 rounds of ammunition for the howitzers.

The U.S. has allocated about $8.8 billion in assistance to Ukraine since the beginning of the administration.

"Over the last 70 years, generations of U.S. Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, Coast Guardsmen, civilians, contractors and now Guardians have preserved, deterred and defended an increasingly dynamic Euro-Atlantic security environment," Cavoli said.

-- Drew F. Lawrence can be reached at drew.lawrence@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @df_lawrence.

Related: Ukraine Seeks to Retake the South, Tying Down Russian Forces
This story was originally published by ProPublica.

ProPublica is a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative newsroom. Sign up for The Big Story newsletter to receive stories like this one in your inbox.

When an Army veteran was looking for somewhere to get an online aviation degree a couple of years ago in hopes of becoming a pilot, Liberty University advertised having the speed and flexibility she needed: accelerated eight-week courses with start times throughout the year and 52 affiliated flight schools around the country where she could get the required flight training. She signed up for the program, paying with the GI Bill benefits that have made military veterans such a reliable source of revenue for Liberty and other universities with large online programs.

But when her husband, who was still on active duty, learned he would be transferred from Georgia to Hawaii, she discovered that the lone Liberty flight affiliate on Oahu, Georges Aviation Services in Honolulu, did not offer the accelerated courses Liberty had touted. This meant that it would take her double the time to complete her program, two years rather than one, and would cost U.S. taxpayers more along the way, she stated in a complaint she filed with the Department of Veterans Affairs.

There was not one time where it was clearly stated that some flight affiliates do not accept students in the accelerated program, she wrote in her complaint. I would not have enrolled knowing that I didnt have the option at every flight affiliate and now I am stuck with having very few courses remaining and an inability to continue in the program.

The complaint was one of more than a dozen provided in response to a public records request about Liberty that was filed with the Veterans Affairs departments GI Bill Feedback Tool and shared with ProPublica. In 2018, ProPublica published an investigation of the highly lucrative online operation at Liberty, the evangelical college in Lynchburg, Virginia, founded in 1971 by the Rev. Jerry Falwell. The investigation showed how under the leadership of Falwells son, Jerry Falwell Jr., who took over after his fathers death in 2007, Liberty turned its online division into the financial engine of its burgeoning campus and political network, helping drive the universitys net assets from $150 million in 2007 to more than $2.5 billion in 2018.

The article revealed how much Liberty  the second-largest provider of online education after the University of Phoenix  relied on taxpayer funding for tuition revenue: Its students received more than $772 million in total aid from the Department of Education by 2017, plus more than $40 million from the Department of Veterans Affairs. Military veterans are such a big market for Liberty University Online that it has a whole division assigned to them.

And the article described a steep drop-off in quality from the traditional college to the online courses that was openly acknowledged among Liberty faculty. It showed how the university managed to keep its costs in delivering online courses exceedingly low by relying on low-paid instructors and course designers. This helped explain how Liberty, which is a nonprofit organization, managed to pocket $215 million of net income on nearly $1 billion in revenue in 2016, but it also helped explain why students were filing complaints with Virginias higher education oversight agency. It was a couple dozen such complaints, obtained via a public records request, that gave rise to the ProPublica investigation, revealing a much deeper iceberg of concerns about Libertys online operation. (In the 2018 article, Falwell Jr. described the universitys financial management as shrewd and defended the quality of its instruction.)

There have been dramatic changes at Liberty since then: In the summer of 2020, Falwell Jr. resigned as president after news reports of extramarital activities involving him and his wife. (He said that his wife had had an affair but that he had not.) Meanwhile, the university community has witnessed the realization of the goal that Falwell cited in championing Donald Trump for president in 2016: the Supreme Courts overturning of Roe v. Wade.

Throughout all the upheaval, though, complaints about online education have kept coming, as shown by the VAs records, which were provided to Dahn Shaulis, a higher education blogger who filed a records request for complaints and then shared the agencys response with ProPublica. Those records do not indicate whether the VA took any action in response to the complaints.

A spokesperson for Liberty said in a statement that the university is not presently aware of any negative findings by the VA for any such complaints. In several circumstances, the statement continued, including one referenced, the VA independently determined the students complaint to be unfounded and did not request Libertys review. (The spokesperson said the university is legally barred from disclosing certain specific details about individual students.) He added that Liberty has trained hundreds-of-thousands of students and naturally not every student was fully satisfied with their experience, but we are ranked much lower with regard to VA complaints per capita compared to our online competitors.

Asked about the complaints against Liberty, a VA spokesperson replied with a statement that noted: VA continues to review and monitor all GI Bill schools compliance with applicable statutes and regulations, and when necessary, will take appropriate action and provide GI Bill students, the public, and state or federal partners with timely information and options. The statement added, Actions taken in response to a reported issue are not shared on the GI Bill Feedback Tool.

The woman moving to Hawaii was not the only aggrieved aviation student. Another complaint, filed early this year, alleged a bait and switch tactic by Liberty to gain a students enrollment. The university offered a course meant to allow a helicopter pilot to transition their skills into an airplane certification, combining that training with prerequisite courses that would together result in a full-tuition load. The transition course required special approval, and the applicant applied for and received it, and then went through the requisite financial check-in portal to confirm his payment via the GI Bill.

Only after hed done all that did it emerge that, according to the complaint, the transition course was in fact nonexistent. But he was signed up for the prerequisite courses, which he would never have bothered to take on his own. After he protested, the university unenrolled him completely from the university, which he took as retribution. He asked that the VA place [Liberty] in a review status where they are forced to administer the program in a more circumspect manner.

For another veteran, the problems started later in his time at Liberty, when he was just a few credits shy of getting his degree. In May 2021, he suddenly got notice that his financial aid had been suspended because he had supposedly fallen short of Satisfactory Academic Progress standards, even though his GPA was well above the 2.0 given as the minimum necessary on the financial aid website. The university then demanded he pay $2,934 to make up the difference, which he said made it impossible to complete his degree. He was unable to reach anyone to resolve the matter. I have made several calls to the school and no one has been willing or able to help in getting the information needed to ensure that this issue gets resolved, he wrote. I have filed several appeals to this and all have been denied but they have refused to say why or ask for any additional information from me in any way.

Lack of communication was a recurring theme in the complaints. Another student, entering her last semester in the school of education, had reached out to Liberty early this year to let the school know that due to health problems, she would be unable to act as a student teacher and would need to transfer into a nonlicensure track as a result. But she said she received incorrect information and was placed into the wrong class and from there fell into a morass of delays and unreturned emails, as emails are the only way that the school lets students communicate with the gate coordinators who oversee advancement through the education degree program.

Advising has told me that they are required to answer in 48 hours, but that has never been the case for me, she wrote. At this point, I feel like they have taken my money and the money of the VA and are now leaving me high and dry. They do not seem to care that I am going to be unable to graduate and finish my degree after years of work. I have invested countless hours trying to meet their requirements and have faced nothing but misinformation, incorrect information [and] people passing the buck to someone else. She concluded, I feel like I have wasted my time and money as well as the money the VA has invested in my education.

Yet another veteran offered a more systematic criticism this spring. Liberty, his complaint asserted, was failing GI Bill recipients on three levels: The university fails to certify their GI Bill benefits properly, which often creates a welter of unnecessary debts and offsets; it fails to provide proper academic advising, with the consequence that veterans can get over their heads and fail classes or not be adequately informed about course loads; and it fails to provide adequate academic support for the online programs, with communications limited mostly to emails. They do not answer their phones besides the call centers that cannot provide detailed support no matter what, he wrote.

For another veteran who was seeking a Ph.D. in health science and ended up in a billing dispute with the university, the most confounding part was his sense that Liberty was indifferent to the troubles he was experiencing. Little do they know this causes undue stress in our lives, he wrote in his complaint, but Im sure they do not care because they are only in it for the money.
Veterans continued their round-the-clock protest at the U.S. Capitol on Monday to press senators to vote on toxic exposure legislation before they leave Washington at the end of this week.

A core group of about 20 veterans has been camping on the steps of the Senate since Thursday, after the bill, the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act, also known as the PACT Act, was blocked during a procedural vote by Senate Republicans.

The ranks of the protesters, who endured extreme heat and rain throughout the weekend, swelled to more than 100 on Sunday, according to Rosie Torres, cofounder of the advocacy group Burn Pits 360.

Read Next: At Liberty University, Veterans' Complaints Keep Coming

"The veterans service organizations are walking the halls right now. They are working the inside, and we are out here standing with our signs," Torres said during an interview Monday. "We're not leaving until they give us a vote."

Veterans, their families and advocates were stunned last week when the bill -- which was passed by the Senate in June in an 84-14 vote but was returned to the chamber following an issue over an included tax provision -- failed to garner sufficient votes to proceed.

Sixty votes were needed to advance the measure, but it garnered only 55 yes votes. The noes included 25 Republicans who had supported the nearly identical version the month before, as well as Senate Majority Chuck Schumer, who switched his vote to ensure that the bill could be reconsidered.

Shortly after the failure, Schumer pledged to revive the legislation. A vote could come as early as Tuesday.

"I will hold a new vote this week, and I am urging everyone to vote 'yes.' This is not a Washington issue. This is a local issue. We just need Washington to help solve it," Schumer said in a press conference Sunday.

The PACT Act would expand health care and benefits to post-9/11 veterans exposed to burn pits used in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere to incinerate trash and other environmental hazards, such as volatile organic compounds, depleted uranium and petrochemicals.

The bill would designate 23 diseases as presumed to be linked to military service, paving the way for veterans to receive expedited health services and disability compensation without having to provide proof that their illness was service-related.

The bill also contains provisions for veterans who served in previous conflicts. It would expand benefits for Vietnam-era veterans who have developed hypertension as a result of Agent Orange exposure; would allow veterans and family members sickened by contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, to file lawsuits; and expand coverage for veterans exposed to radiation during hazardous cleanups in the 1960s and 1970s.

Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Pa., who has been the most vocal critic of the legislation and a key reason it failed last week, said he objected to the bill because it expands the Department of Veterans Affairs' mandatory spending account, transferring money from discretionary funds, which are determined and set by Congress each year.

Toomey said his concerns had "nothing to do with the purpose of the bill."

"It's a budgetary gimmick that has the intent of making it possible to have a huge explosion in unrelated spending," he said following the failed vote last week.

Toomey was one of the 14 Republicans who had previously voted against the bill in June. He has proposed an amendment to the PACT Act to change the spending categorization.

"We are spending way too much money to use -- to hide behind a veterans bill, the opportunity to go on an unrelated $400 billion spending spree is wrong and we shouldn't allow it," Toomey said Sunday speaking to Jake Tapper on CNN's "State of the Union."

The Congressional Budget Office estimated the cost of the bill to be more than $580 billion from 2022 through 2031, including more than $421 billion in mandatory spending that would cover the cost of disability benefits and health care for sickened veterans.

As the bill is written, it appears that all the funding would go to veterans disability compensation and health care, to include providing the VA the money it will need to care for an expected influx of new patients and claimants.

Speaking after Toomey on CNN Sunday, VA Secretary Denis McDonough said Toomey's proposal would effectively cap spending to care for affected veterans each year and end funding after 10 years.

"Let's not sign up to that, because at the end of the day, the risk of that is going to be rationing of care to veterans," McDonough said.

Senate Veterans Affairs Committee ranking member Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kan., cosponsor of the bill and one of eight Republicans who voted to advance the legislation last week, suggested that Republicans may have voted against the bill in retaliation over a deal on climate change, tax and health care legislation between Schumer and Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va.

Torres said that, over the weekend, several senators stopped by to talk with protesters, including Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., and Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn. President Joe Biden spoke with the protesters over FaceTime and sent pizzas to them via McDonough, who visited the group.

No senators who voted against the motion have visited, she added.

"The 25 should come out here and look these people in the face," said Torres, who has been fighting for such legislation for the past decade. "They're cowards."

As the crowd grew Monday, advocate and comedian Jon Stewart joined the group, saying that all Americans owe the veterans who served "a debt of gratitude."

"It's about time we start paying it off," Stewart said. "Can we please not force veterans, disabled from their heroism and sacrifice, to stand outside the Capitol building, days on end, waiting on this Congress to do the thing they already did on June 16?"

-- Patricia Kime can be reached at Patricia.Kime@Military.com. Follow her on Twitter @patriciakime.

Related: Sweeping Toxic Exposure Bill Passed by House
The opinions expressed in this op-ed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Military.com. If you would like to submit your own commentary, please send your article to opinions@military.com for consideration.

Nancy Pelosi did not need to go to Taiwan. But having publicly broached the possibility of alighting in Taipei during her tour of Asian capitals, she must go. Otherwise, the U.S. House speaker will appear to have quailed before the bombast issuing from Chinese Communist Party (CCP) officialdom since the news broke that she might visit President Tsai Ing-wen.

Pelosi would lose face were she to relent now. And America would lose face not just with China, but with allies and friends, by association. Its standing in the Indo-Pacific would suffer.

Which is doubtless what Beijing wants to bring about through its huffing, puffing diplomacy. Never forget that the CCP regards peacetime diplomacy as war carried on through other means. The party wages "three warfares" on a neverending, 24/7/365 cycle, striving to shape the political and strategic environment in its favor through psychological, media, and legal means. It hopes bluster will deter the speaker from carrying through with her plans. One party-affiliated reporter, Hu Xijin, has even tried to define the visit an "invasion" of China, and espoused the use of violent force should U.S. fighters escort her plane to Taiwanese airspace.

And indeed, in recent months, the People's Liberation Army (PLA) has displayed an increasing penchant for deploying violence to help Beijing get its way.

In late May, for instance, a Chinese J-16 fighter jet intercepted an Australian P-8 reconnaissance aircraft over the South China Sea. During the intercept, the PLA pilot crossed close in front of the Australia plane and released chaff into its engines. A plane that deploys chaff discharges clouds of reflective material -- typically including aluminum or aluminum-coated fibers -- to fool hostile radar. Using it at close range is a big deal; ask any aviator. Before flight operations on board aircraft carriers, for instance, the crew turns out on the flight deck to conduct a "FOD walkdown," meaning sailors pick up small bits of debris that might cause "foreign object damage" if sucked into a delicate turbine whose innards are whirling around at extreme speed.

Foreign object damage could bring down an aircraft if severe enough. It's understandable why Canberra remained circumspect following the incident -- after all, the aircraft and crew survived -- but Australian leaders would have been within their rights had they branded the incident an armed attack. Hotdogging around a foreign plane is bad enough. Deliberately inflicting damage that could bring it down constitutes aggression of a higher order. China's "gray-zone" operations involve deploying all means short of violent force to make geopolitical gains bit by bit. This murky approach puts the onus on China's opponents to pull the trigger first, and bear the blame for the outbreak of war. Or to desist from opposing China's will, and surrendering their interests.

Increasingly, though, PLA commanders seem comfortable flirting with initiating the use of armed force. If so, they could set in motion an escalatory dynamic that carries grave repercussions. China may be emerging from the gray zone.

How should the speaker and her entourage proceed should they follow through with the Taiwan visit? In a backhanded way, I agree with Hu Xijin. Pelosi's aircraft should go without fighter escort, much as cargo aircraft made their way to strife-torn, starving Berlin without escorts during the Berlin Airlift of 1948-1949. The Truman administration made a conscious decision not to supply fighters, rightly judging that Soviet leader Josef Stalin would blanch at an act of naked aggression such as shooting down unarmed aircraft on a humanitarian mission. Washington dared Moscow to prove it wrong.

The parallel is inexact, like all historical parallels. But in all likelihood CCP general secretary Xi Jinping will exercise the same sensible restraint today that the Soviet strongman exercised in 1948. After all, ties between the U.S. Congress and the Republic of China are nothing new. If it goes ahead, Pelosi's Taiwan visit will not mark some radical departure from past practice. All you have to do is venture out to the Pell Center for International Relations and Public Policy here in Newport. Among other things the Pell Center houses a reproduction of the late Rhode Island senator Claiborne Pell's office. Even a passing glance at the foreign awards and decorations festooning the office bears witness to Pell's relationship with Taiwan. He would have found it hard to stand had he worn them all at the same time! And Pell was far from alone in Congress as a friend to the island. Support from lawmakers is bipartisan, widespread, and evidently sincere.

So is the Chinese Communist Party really spoiling for a fight over a Pelosi Taiwan visit? I hope not, but we may soon find out. Over to you, Xi.

A 1945 Contributing Editor writing in his own capacity, Dr. James Holmes holds the J. C. Wylie Chair of Maritime Strategy at the Naval War College and served on the faculty of the University of Georgia School of Public and International Affairs. A former U.S. Navy surface warfare officer, he was the last gunnery officer in history to fire a battleship's big guns in anger, during the first Gulf War in 1991. Holmes also blogs at the Naval Diplomat.

This article originally appeared on 19fortyfive.com.
Of all the controversies surrounding the Vietnam War, one of the most enduring continues to be the use of Agent Orange. The United States military sprayed nearly 12,000 square miles of Vietnamese jungles with the chemical defoliant over a 10-year period in an effort to clear large areas of jungle that provided Viet Cong guerrillas with cover, shelter and food.

Sixty years later, the legacy of Agent Orange isn't just illnesses, birth defects and continued deforestation in Vietnam. It's also the question of the United States' legal liability for its use, how to clean up the damage caused by military-produced herbicides and how to care for its victims.

Among those victims are an ever-growing number of veterans who worked with the chemical and are affected by an equally expanding number of health conditions, some of which are considered presumptive by the Department of Veterans Affairs, and others that are not.

Related: Get VA Disability Pay for Agent Orange-Related Conditions

The chemical contaminant in Agent Orange can have a half-life of up to 20 years, but when buried or leached below the soil surface or in river sediment, it can remain up to 100 years or more. It's an ongoing problem that will not disappear with the last Vietnam War veteran.

What Is Agent Orange?

Agent Orange is one of a series of chemical herbicides used during the Vietnam War. Known as color-coded herbicides, or "Rainbow Herbicides," the spectrum also included Agents Green, Pink, Blue, Purple and White, along with three variations of Agent Orange. They could be identified by a colored band around the drum containing the chemical.

Of all herbicides used in South Vietnam, only Agent Orange was formulated differently from the materials for commercial application that were readily available in the United States.

Barrels of Agent Orange.

It was created in 1940, decades before American involvement in Vietnam and even before the United States entered World War II. Agent Orange was used in the United States as an agricultural defoliant, as it had the ability to kill some plants while leaving others unaffected.

The U.S. government compelled nine American companies to make Agent Orange for military use, including Dow Chemical and Monsanto, using the Defense Production Act of 1950. By this time, Agent Orange was strictly for the military, which controlled its transportation, storage and later use.

The chemical itself is a mixture of two herbicides, 2,4-D and 2,4,5-T. Both of the ingredients that make up Agent Orange became common herbicides in American industrial agriculture. 2,4-D is still used today, but 2,4,5-T use ended in the West in 1985. The problem with 2,4,5-T is its production process: the process itself contaminates the chemical with a byproduct called TCDD, a dioxin.

Dioxins are persistent organic pollutants, also known as "forever chemicals." While Agent Orange as a whole dried quickly and broke down when exposed to sunlight when not bound to soil, leaves or grass, the TCDD dioxin contaminants in Agent Orange do not. TCDD is a human carcinogen and the most harmful of all dioxins.

The Monsanto Chemical Company reported that the TCDD in Agent Orange could be toxic as early as 1962. The President's Science Advisory Committee reported the same to the Joint Chiefs of Staff that same year. Studies from 1954 onward confirm the toxicity of both herbicides used in Agent Orange.

Why Agent Orange Was Used In Vietnam

During World War II, the U.S. military didn't use a chemical defoliant in combat, but by the time American advisers were sent to South Vietnam, the U.S. had already developed a delivery system for it. Moreover, the United Kingdom had already used Agent Orange in combat while fighting rebel forces in Malaya, setting an internationally recognized precedent for the legality of the tactic.

The first U.S. defoliation missions in Vietnam were launched in 1961, near the village of Dak To. In 1962, while American Special Forces were operating along South Vietnam's border with Laos, the U.S. Air Force launched Operation Ranch Hand, which would use C-123 cargo planes with rainbow herbicides to defoliate areas near highways, railroads and power lines.

Defoliant spray run during Operation Ranch Hand in the Vietnam War by UC-123B Provider aircraft. (National Museum of the U.S. Air Force)

The next expansion of Ranch Hand targeted crops used to feed Viet Cong guerrillas in the A Shau Valley using Agent Blue, which was especially effective at killing rice. Agents Blue and Orange are chemically unrelated, however. Blue is made up of arsenic compounds, still deadly to humans and lives forever in soil and water supplies.

Over time, arsenic poison builds up and magnifies in humans and animals, increasing in toxicity over decades. Four million gallons of Agent Blue would be sprayed over Vietnam between 1961 and 1971, but Blue didn't work on broadleaf vegetation such as jungle canopies as well as the other rainbow herbicides.

Agents Pink, Purple and Green were phased out by 1964, being contaminated with three times as much TCDD as Agent Orange. By 1965, the U.S. military no longer needed presidential authority to spray Agent Orange, and it was being used extensively around Vietnam, particularly against the Ho Chi Minh Trail in Laos and the area between the demilitarized zone and the Cam Lo River known as "Leatherneck Square."

Air Force C-123 cargo planes fitted with 1,000 gallons of herbicide and a delivery system would make spraying runs in three- to five-plane formations. If the area was hot with enemy activity, these runs would be supported by fighter or bomber aircraft to clear the area first.

The goal was to remove cover and concealment used by the Viet Cong and North Vietnamese Army, to reveal hidden bases, communications centers and potential targets, and to improve visibility in tracking troop movements. If C-123 missions couldn't be run, the U.S. used UH-1 and H-34 helicopters, by boats or by hand spraying.

A river bank defoliation from the Admiral Elmo R. Zumwalt, Jr. Collection.

Given the climate of the region, most areas required multiple spray runs to be effective. Eighty percent of the spray hit the jungle canopy, 14% penetrated the inner levels and only 6% affected the jungle floor. The use of Agent Orange tapered off as the health effects of the agent became more and more apparent to Defense Department researchers.

An estimated 19 million gallons of these chemical agents were sprayed over Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos during the war. At least 11 million were Agent Orange.

Da Nang Air Base defoliated the central coast and areas of the Ho Chi Minh Trail. Bien Hoa, Nha Trang, Tan Son Nhut, Phan Rang, Tuy Hoa and Phu Cat Air Bases also housed Agent Orange missions for use inside South Vietnam. These bases, like the target areas, are still contaminated with the chemical.

Spraying Agent Orange in Mekong Delta near Can Tho, 1969. (U.S. Army)

It's still not known how many of the 3.8 million American troops in Vietnam during this period were exposed to the rainbow herbicides.

What Agent Orange Does to the Body

Once introduced into the environment, dioxins like TCDD take a long time to break down, if they do at all. They accumulate in the fatty tissues of animals and humans, building up into the food chain. This means that youth previously unaffected by Agent Orange can be exposed to TCDD by ingesting animal fat contaminated with the toxin.

Acute exposure to TCDD and other dioxins can cause chloracne, a dark, patchy series of lesions on the skin. Longer-term exposure causes alterations in liver function, immune system impairment and damage to developing nervous, endocrine and reproductive systems, according to the World Health Organization.

A known human carcinogen, exposure to Agent Orange causes a number of chronic issues, diseases and cancers. There are 17 presumptive conditions the VA recognizes as connected to Agent Orange exposure, including Hodgkin's disease, lymphomas and cancers affecting the bladder, prostate and respiratory system.

Related: Conditions caused by Agent Orange

If the short- and long-term exposure wasn't apparent, effects of Agent Orange have been shown to skip a generation, meaning genetic effects can reappear in subsequent generations.

What Happened to Agent Orange

The National Institutes of Health began to determine the long-term effect of Agent Orange use in laboratory mice and proved that 2,4,5-T was contaminated with TCDD. Independent research began to show that the same malformities shown in animal testing could happen to humans exposed to TCDD.

In 1969, the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) called on the Defense Department to end its use of herbicides containing 2,4,5-T -- specifically Agent Orange -- which it eventually did.

The defoliation campaign continued, however. The U.S. military switched to Agent White, a chemical herbicide created by Dow that did not contain the dioxin contaminant. The problem for the commanders in Vietnam was that Agent White took as long as four months to defoliate what Agent Orange did in a matter of hours.

In May 1970, the Air Force flew its last defoliation mission. In February 1971, the DoD announced that all crop destruction missions would also cease. From that point on, Agents Blue and White would only be used in the areas surrounding fire base perimeters, and only on a limited basis.

The remaining 2.22 million gallons of Agent Orange were moved by the U.S. Air Force to Johnston Island Atoll in the South Pacific, where they were incinerated.

Leaking Agent Orange barrels at Johnston Atoll circa 1973. (Department of Defense)

The VA estimates that as many as 2.8 million Vietnam veterans could have been exposed to Agent Orange while between 2.1 and 4.5 million Vietnamese civilians may have been affected by exposure. The numbers do not include American civilians, U.S. Navy veterans stationed off the coast, Vietnamese combatants or those affected after the war's end.

-- 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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It's a reality of military life: We have limited time at any given duty station, whether that's a short 10 months for a course or an extended four-year stint at a base. No matter how long you're there, the time can go quickly. Sometimes, it feels like you just watched the movers drive away with a truck full of empty boxes, and before you know it, you're picking up sandwiches and sodas for your next moving crew to pack you back up.

As a professional organizer, I help my clients get organized in more aspects of their lives than just closets and pantries. Time is truly the most precious of commodities, so it's one of my favorite things to help my clients tame. While the duty station time crunch can be one of the frustrating parts of military life, it can also be one of the biggest blessings. Having a limited amount of time at each location can light a fire under you to get out and experience your new home city, state or country.

One of my first pieces of advice to new military spouses is this: Get your bucket list organized. It may not seem like the most obvious guidance, as most people expect me to point them toward PCS binders and color-coded moving labels. (And to be fair, that's usually the next thing I talk to them about!) I find that families without a clear and concrete bucket list are far more likely to do the stressful last-minute pre-PCS scramble to try to see the sights, go to the restaurants and take the day trips they meant to when they first arrived.

Here are my top tips to get your bucket list out of your head and into an organized, tangible and visual checklist:

Grab a map of your new location and a marker. Then, circle places you want to go and color them in when you've experienced it. Etsy is an excellent resource for scratch maps or pin maps of states, countries and national parks.

Use a simple whiteboard or chalkboard. This method makes adding, removing and checking things off your list easy.

A felt letter board can be a stylish way to have your bucket list out in plain sight. I did this for our short 11-month stint in Virginia, and it was a perfect size -- and cute as well!

If digital is more your cup of tea, try a shared Google Maps list, an iPhone note or a Google spreadsheet checklist (or a combination of all of these).

Get the kids involved! Giving them an entry or two on the bucket list can be a great way to get them excited about their new home. Encourage older kids to write their own bucket list and display it in their room.

If seeing every bucket list item at once is overwhelming, try organizing your list by season. This is especially important for shorter assignments, so you don't miss fall foliage or spring flowers, because you weren't tracking what free weekends would be best to catch those amazing colors!

Rather than having an open-ended list, I encourage you to take the time to schedule your outings and trips. It's far too easy to never get to something if you don't put a date to it.

Finally, I urge my clients to have a weekly family meeting. Discussing your bucket list at your family meeting is a great way to keep it top of mind. For our year in Virginia, we picked one bucket list item a month to tackle, put it on our calendars during our family meeting, and assigned one person to be in charge of planning that outing.

After all that planning and dreaming, it's time to make your bucket list happen! We are currently stationed in Vicenza, Italy -- a dream of a duty station. We have only two years here, so we feel pretty rushed to see as much of Europe as we can in this short time. The only way to make this happen with busy work, school and social schedules is to plan, plan and plan some more.

Here's how I organize my busy little family's European travels:

I framed scratch maps in our tiny entryway as inspiration. I am a checklist fanatic, so I love that I can scratch off the country flags when we've been there as a family. They're also a fun conversation starter when people come over! To make it less overwhelming, I used whiteout tape over the countries we don't plan on visiting while stationed here.

Our entryway garage door is magnetic, so I use a set of dry-erase magnets to plan our trips for the next six months and beyond. My husband and I started with our top priority locations and assigned each place a magnet. We then created a calendar with four-day weekends and potential time to take leave. This has evolved over the time we've been here, with trips getting scrapped because of travel restrictions and schedule changes. That's been the beauty of the dry-erase magnet board; it's incredibly flexible when the calendar and priorities change!

Once we've decided on a trip and dates, I plan the trip using a notebook I created. Many people like to do things like this in a digital format, but I prefer writing it all out by hand. Each trip gets a cover page with a to-do list, including hotels to book, restaurants to reserve, and tickets to purchase. Then, each day gets an hour-by-hour itinerary, so we know where to be and when. A note: This does NOT mean I plan each and every hour. In fact, I leave a LOT of flexible space because we are traveling with a toddler ... and I think it's far more fun to save some room for the unexpected.

My husband and I share Google Maps lists for each trip that we can each add to as we're researching our trip ahead of time. Then, we make sure to download an offline version of the map before the trip, in case we lose service. It works like a charm to help visualize the day and route we want to take when exploring.

I create an email folder for each trip to contain hotel confirmation, dinner reservations, museum tickets and tour booking emails. This makes it super easy to pull information up while we're on the go.

After each trip, I gather all of our paper keepsakes from the trip -- tickets, museum brochures, maps and our daily itinerary pages -- and put them in a binder sleeve for memorabilia. I also gather all of our receipts from the trip and go through my iPhone photos and use those to journal what we did each day. It's become a precious ritual I do after each trip. I will be excited to pass it down to our son so he can read about all the adventures we had when he was too young to remember. And it's honestly surprising how often I share these journal entries with friends who are planning to visit the same places!

-- Lauren Weldon May is an Army spouse, certified professional organizer and owner of Manifesto Home + Office.

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The Mariners, Braves and Dodgers are among the teams interested in Brandon Drury, reports Jon Morosi of MLB Network.

Drury has seemed like an obvious trade candidate for a few months now, due to a variety of factors. Hes an impending free agent with a modest salary who is playing for a basement-dwelling team. Beyond that, hes having the best season of his career and is capable of playing multiple positions, making him a fit for many clubs. He is slashing .275/.336/.523 and just hit his 20th home run. That production is 33% better than league average, according to wRC+. Hes also taken the field at all four infield positions this season, in addition to a brief cameo in right field.

The interest from the Dodgers, as well as the Giants, was reported a few weeks ago. As for Seattle and Atlanta, they are likely interested in Drury primarily for second base, despite his ability to play elsewhere. Most of Drurys work this year has been at the hot corner, with 53 starts there, though hes also manned the keystone in 20 different contests.

For the Mariners, theyve given the bulk of this years playing time at second base to Adam Frazier, who is having a down year at the plate. After a strong 2021 where he hit .305/.368/.411 for a wRC+ of 114, the Mariners acquired him from the Padres in an offseason trade. Unfortunately, hes only been able to muster a .244/.304/.312 line for Seattle, amounting to a wRC+ of 81. Hed likely be the infielder most at risk of losing playing time in the event of a Drury trade, with Eugenio Suarez, J.P. Crawford and Ty France occupying the other spots around the diamond. Theres also the possibility of a platoon, as Frazier hits from the left side of the plate and Drury the right.

As for the Braves, their need for help at second base arose when Ozzie Albies suffered a foot fracture in June. Hes been on the shelf about six weeks already and could return in about a month, though he still hasnt begun a rehab assignment. With Albies out of action, most of his playing time has gone to Orlando Arcia, who is hitting .238/.316/.371 on the year. That amounts to a 92 wRC+, which is just 8% below league average but well below Drurys work on the year. With Dansby Swanson, Austin Riley and Matt Olson taking up the other spots in the dirt, second base would stand out as the most obvious spot to plug Drury if he were to be put into an Atlanta jersey.

For the Reds, theyre well out of contention and have already begun their deadline selloff with Fridays Luis Castillo trade. Drury seems highly likely to follow him out the door, with Tyler Mahle, Donovan Solano, Tommy Pham also among those that the club will exchange for prospects. The trade deadline is in about 48 hours, 5pm CT on August 2.
The abductors of two Nollywood actors, Cynthia Okereke and Clemson Cornel, are demanding a hefty ransom before they release the actors.

The Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) confirmed that the kidnappers have contacted the families.

The duo went missing on Thursday after going to a film location at Ozalla town in Enugu State.

AGN President, Emeka Rollas gave an update on the fate of Okereke and Cornel.

The kidnappers have made contact and are demanding the sum of $100,000.

We are not sure what to expect from them because the same thing is happening everywhere.

We are also working closely with the different security operatives, Premium Times quoted him saying.
The Police at Adenta in the Greater Accra Region are holding a young Ghanaian lady known on Instagram as Safina Diamond for allegedly stabbing her boyfriend to death.

Safina allegedly stabbed her boyfriend, who had just come to Ghana from Canada weeks ago, multiple times in the neck and stomach, leading to his death.

The police are yet to officially state the reason behind the alleged action. But unconfirmed reports said she allegedly disclosed that she took the action in self-defence.

It is also alleged that the deceased is a married man, who left his wife to meet the suspect, who also has a Ghanaian boyfriend.

Further reports indicated that Safina and her Ghana boyfriend have been remanded into police custody and the case adjourned to August 12, 2022.

On her Instagram profile, Safina described herself as an artiste, but not much is known about her in that space.

---DGN online
Lydia Forson, actress

01.08.2022 LISTEN

Lydia Forson, a Ghanaian actress and socialite has taken a swipe at the Minister of Communications and Digitalisation, Ursula Owusu for causing people to suffer despite knowing there is a relief plan.

She claimed that the Minister purposefully delayed launching the self-service app (for a fee of 5 cedis) in order to frustrate people and make Ghanaians suffer.

In a tweet spotted by Modernghana News today, Monday, August 1, she stated that the Minister was aware of the deadline extension but allowed Ghanaians to waste valuable time in long queues.

You waited at the very last minute, watching people panic, in despair and frustrated in long queues to announce an extension you knew full well you were going to give; and an app( for GH5) you already had in motion, she wrote.

She further states No one can tell me this wasnt the plan all along.

Her tweets prompted the Legal Counsel to the President, Mr. Kow Essuman, who reacted by saying But the fact that you make contingency plans doesnt mean you dont want your original plan to work. In other words, having a plan B doesnt mean you want plan A to fail.

But Miss Lydia defended her assertions saying Kow please; this is ridiculous Im sorry, theres absolutely nothing you can say to me to make me think otherwise, NOTHING. To wait until the very last minute, play on people's desperation to roll this out? In opposition, you would have had placards in town against it.

This comes after the Minister, at a presser on Sunday, July 31, announced a deadline extension from today, July 31, to September 30, to allow all Ghanaians who are having difficulty completing the process to do so.

The deadline has been extended for the second time since its inception in October 2021.

"Upon consultation, Government has decided to grant a final conditional extension. The programme will be extended to September 30 to end on the anniversary of its commencement, which will give us one full year of SIM re-registration," the minister stated.

She continues It will be reviewed at the end of this month [July] and any SIM that has not been fully registered by the end of August will be barred from certain services including voice and data. It will also be more expensive to use unregistered SIMs.

Also, a new phase for the SIM re-registration exercise will be launched in the first week of August 2022.

Ursula Owusu, says the SIM Registration App will be available for download on both Android and IOS.

The Minister added that each registration via the app will be liable to a 5cedi surcharge.

"The SIM Registration App will be available for download on both android and IOS this week barring any unforeseen circumstances. Each registration via the app will be subject to a 5-cedi surcharge," she said.

Concerning how citizens can access the App, she said, Adequate time will also be required for publicity and public education on the use of the Self-Service SIM Registration App.
The vast majority of deaths due to monkeypox have been registered on the African continent. Africa remains the only part of the world with no doses of the vaccine, according to the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Let us get vaccines onto the continent, acting head of the African Centre for Disease Control, ACDC, Ahmed Ogwell, said in a weekly media briefing on Thursday, pointing to another instance of 1.3 billion people on the continent without access to a vaccine, as in the Covid-19 pandemic.

The World Health Organisation declared monkeypox a new global health emergency after 20,000 cases were reported in 77 countries. Some 75 people have died in the 11 African countries where the disease was recorded, according to Ogwell.

While the disease was already present on the continent in central and west Africa before the global spread, it was detected in Europe, North America and Asia in May as it spread.

Monkeypox on the African continent was mainly spread to people via infected rodents, while in Europe and North America, people with no links to animals or recent trips to the African continent seems to be contracting the disease.

WHO has stressed that anyone can be infected with monkeypox if they are in close contact with someone with the disease or they touch contaminated clothing or sheets. However, researchers are still looking into how it is spread via skin-to-skin contact.

Race for the vaccine

Both the US and Europe have secured doses after a number of delays; the European Commission reported it has purchased 160,000 vaccines, while the US has obtained some 800,000 doses that will soon be distributed.

Africa CDC has been working to get vaccines to the continent, but Ogwell said that it could not yet indicate when this would happen.

The solutions need to be global in nature, he said, a point well-learned from the Covid-19 pandemic, where the West put their own populations first before the African continent. If we're not safe, the rest of the world is not safe.

African governments worked together with international bodies to create their own vaccines after the significant lag time in getting Covid-19 doses.

WHO has said it is creating a vaccine-sharing mechanism for the monkeypox vaccine without giving any details, so it is not evident whether African countries will have priority.

Both in Europe and the US, most infections have occurred in men who have sex with men, though health officials have stressed that anyone can contract the virus.
01.08.2022 LISTEN

Some members of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) in Techiman South sustained varying degrees of injury when some NDC thugs believed to be operating in the constituency on two occasions within a week clashed with some party executives and other members at two locations, leaving most of them in critical conditions at the Techiman Holy Family Hospital.

Some constituency and ward executives who were scheduled to address a press conference on Sunday July 24, 2022 at Akina Hotel about the partys on-going internal elections had to lock horns with the partys thugs who are believed to be usually used to attack people during general elections.

As if that was not enough, the NDC thugs resurfaced again last Thursday 28th July, 2022 at the partys constituency office and attacked anyone they met with machetes and other offensive weapons.

In the process, about ten Executives and party faithful including the Constituency Secretary, Sulemana Twi Brempong; Youth Organizer, Halidu Sulemana, and the Communications Officer, Alhaji Sulemana Issah were mercilessly beaten to pulp by their own party people and had to be rushed to the hospital.

Our correspondent gathered that there have been a series of similar attacks within the NDC in the Techiman South, resulting in heightening tension and animosity among party faithful in the area.

Free for all fight

Just as we were about to start the press conference, some thugs welding all manner of offensive weapons stormed the party office in one of the partys official pick-up vehicles in the possession of the suspended Constituency Chairman, Alhaji Nuhu Fawa, and started attacking us without any provocation, Kwadwo Agyei, the NDC Branch Chairman for Central Dwomo told the media in an interview.

According to him, the constituency chairman had been suspended for six months by the partys Regional Disciplinary Committee but still carries himself. He accuses the chairman of being behind the attacks visited on the constituency executives.

When the thugs, who numbered over 30 jumped on us at the venue, it degenerated into a free-for-all fight. They slapped one of my boys who also retaliated and so it became an open fight among us and as a result the planned meeting could not come on.

A video being circulated on social media about the incident captures parts of the melee as someone is seen hitting people with a bench.

Reports say it took the timely intervention of the Military Patrol Team to rescue the Executives from being lynched by the party thugs.

NDC Communicators in the constituency have withdrawn their services and subsequently boycotted all radio programs to register their displeasure about happenings in the party.

2020 elections aftermath

After the 2020 Presidential and Parliamentary elections which saw the Electoral Commission declare Martin Adjei-Mensah Korsah winner, the NDC Parliamentary Candidate Dr. Christopher Baasonti Beyere filed a suit at the Wenchi High Court (a case in which Judgement is expected to be given on 20th November, 2022). Ahead of the final finall, there have been serious tension in the party as they keep blaming one another for their election defeat.

The cracks in the Techiman South constituency of the opposition National Democratic Congress keep worsening by the day making the party unattractive.
Member of Parliament for Damongo constituency, Abu Jinapor has inspected development projects being executed in the constituency to accelerate socio-economic prosperity.

At Damongo, the legislature inspected projects such as the construction of a community centre and an ultra-modern Regional Coordinating Council office complex for the Savannah Region.

Others were the construction of regional offices for the Ghana Education Service and National Health Insurance Scheme, High Court building, office complex for Youth Employment Agency and bungalows for security services which are almost complete and awaiting staffing.

The Damongo lawmaker and his team later proceeded to Nabori, a farming community along the Damongo-Laribanga stretch where he inspected the ongoing construction of a three-classroom unit block and a staff common room.

Addressing journalists, he said the visit was to keep himself abreast with the pace of developmental projects in the constituency being executed by his office and the central government to help better the lives of the citizenry.

According to him, the NPP led government remains committed to giving the Savannah Region its fair share of the national cake and therefore urged his constituents to rally their support behind him and the president.

Giving his impression about the projects, the MP said he was satisfied with the progress of work done so far and expressed optimism that the constituency will continue to receive attention with respect to development.
Thousands of Sudanese protesters rallied in the capital Sunday to demand an end to military rule and tribal clashes that have killed over 100 people, AFP correspondents said.

"Down with Burhan," they chanted, referring to General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the army chief who last year led a military coup that upended a transition to civilian rule following the 2019 ouster of president Omar al-Bashir.

Near-weekly protests have been held since, despite a deadly crackdown that has killed at least 116 people, according to pro-democracy medics.

"The authority is the people's," protesters chanted, demanding soldiers return to their barracks.

Since last year's coup, Sudan -- already one of the world's poorest countries -- has been reeling from a spiralling economic crisis and a broad security breakdown which has seen a spike in ethnic clashes in its far-flung regions.

On July 11, tribal clashes over a land dispute erupted in southern Blue Nile state, leaving at least 105 people dead and 291 wounded, and sparking protests demanding justice and calls for coexistence.

Protester Mohamed Ali told AFP on Sunday that he was demonstrating for "one unified nation".

The military council has "turned a blind eye" to tribal violence, Ali said, "because these problems allow it to stay in power".

Pro-democracy activists have long accused Sudan's military and ex-rebel leaders who signed a 2020 peace deal of exacerbating ethnic tensions for political gain.

The strength of the pro-democracy movement has ebbed and flowed since the coup, most recently rocked by a surprise announcement on July 4, when Burhan pledged in a televised address to step aside and make way for Sudanese factions to agree on a civilian government.

Key civilian leaders dismissed his move as a "ruse", and pro-democracy protesters have held fast to their rallying cry that there can be "no negotiation, no partnership" with the military.

Other civilian factions have been more amenable to negotiations, seeing them as a necessary stepping stone to democratic rule.
It seems the decision by President Akufo-Addo to revoke the ministerial appointment of Hon. Sarah Adwoa Sarfo has not been welcomed by some Ghanaians, especially the opposition National Democratic Congress, NDC.

President Akufo-Addo on Friday, 29th July, 2022 through a press statement issued by Eugene Arhin, Director of Communication at the Presidency indicated the decision was in accordance with the 1992 constitution.

However, Akuapem North NDC Deputy Youth Organiser, Ahmed Agbenyadzi has asked the President and the Economic Management Team to focus on reviving it rather the ailing economy than bothering Ghanaians with internal party issues.

He argued the issue regarding Dome-Kwabenya lawmaker should not take the centre stage of the country's current debate as there are more pressing issues that are affecting Ghanaians badly due to poor management of the economy over the past six years.

"My brother, I don't know why this Government is disturbing Ghanaians with this issue of Adwoa Sarfo. Even NPP MPs who are always present at Parliament have not done anything positive to support the government so are they not the same as Hon. Adwoa Sarfo? Ghanaians are expecting President Akufo-Addo and Dr. Bawumia to fix the broken economy not this back and forth issue of Adwoa Sarfo," Ahmed Agbenyadzi told the reporter in an interview.

The NDC Communicator added that Ghanaians are now living in pain and anguish due to the effects of the current state of the economy, making life very difficult for many.

He, however, assured Ghanaians the next NDC government in 2025 will ensure good and pragmatic policies are implemented to redeem the country from the economic mess.
The Prince of Wales accepted a payment of 1m from the family of Osama Bin Laden, the Sunday Times reports said.

Prince Charles accepted the money from two of Osama Bin Ladens half-brothers in 2013, two years after the al-Qaeda leader was killed, it adds.

The Prince of Waless Charitable Fund (PWCF) received the donation.

Clarence House said it had been assured by PWCF that thorough due diligence had been conducted, and the decision to accept the money lay with the trustees.

Any attempt to characterise it otherwise is false, it told the BBC.

Clarence House also said it disputed a number of points made in the newspapers article.

Bin Laden was disowned by his family in 1994 and there is no suggestion that his half-brothers had links to his activities.

According to the report, Prince Charles accepted the money from Bakr Bin Laden, who heads the wealthy Saudi family, and Bakrs brother Shafiq, following a meeting with Bakr at Clarence House.

The heir to the throne took the money despite objections from advisers at Clarence House and PWCF, the Sunday Times reports, citing multiple sources.

However, Sir Ian Cheshire, chairman of PWCF, told the newspaper that the 2013 donation was agreed carefully considered by the five trustees at the time.

Due diligence was conducted, with information sought from a wide range of sources, including government, Sir Ian added.

The decision to accept the donation was taken wholly by the trustees. Any attempt to suggest otherwise is misleading and inaccurate.

The PWCF awards grants to UK-registered non-profit organisations to deliver projects in the UK, Commonwealth and overseas.

No rule has been broken, no law has been broken. All appropriate checks were carried out and even the Foreign Office was called upon to give its opinion  it cleared the donation.

So how is this front page news? A source at the Prince of Waless Charitable Fund told the BBC that the sins of the father  thats Osama Bin Laden  should not disqualify other members of the family from making a donation. Which makes sense.

But equally, did Prince Charles or his inner circle really think it was a good idea to take money from the Bin Ladens? Or did they think it was fine so long as it was never made public?

Because once it was public  however many checks were made and rules were followed  it was always going to look horrible.

Just like the enormous cash donation from a former Qatari Prime Minister or the letter from Prince Charless close friend and aide promising a knighthood to a Saudi citizen who had promised and made substantial donations.

Ministers and members of parliament are, in the end, governed by the ballot box. The Royal Family derives its position and authority from a different place, from a settled acceptance by the public that overall they bring credit to the country.

Does a donation from the Bin Ladens  however remote from the evildoing of a disowned son  fit into this model of monarchy?

Osama Bin Laden was top of the US most wanted list . He is believed to have ordered the terror attacks on New York and Washington on 11 September 2001  which killed almost 3,000 people  including 67 Britons.

He was killed by US forces in 2011. A PWCF source told the BBC that though the name [Bin Laden] has very unhappy history, the sins of the father should not be visited on the rest of the family, which is an eminent one in the region.

The source added that the donation had been cleared by the Foreign Office.

This is not the first time that Prince Charles or his charity has been scrutinised for its donations.

It was reported last month that Prince Charles accepted a suitcase containing a million euros in cash from a former Qatari prime minister  one of three cash donations totalling around 2.5m.

Clarence House said at the time that donations from the sheikh were passed immediately to one of the princes charities and all the correct processes were followed.

The Charity Commission later decided against launching an investigation into the donation.

In February, the Metropolitan Police began an investigation into claims the charity offered honours help to a Saudi citizen.

Clarence House said the prince had no knowledge of the alleged offer of honours or British citizenship on the basis of donation to his charities.

To millions of Saudis, the name Bin Laden is totally innocuous. In the West and much of the rest of the world, it will forever be associated with the 9/11 terror attacks of 2001.

But in Saudi Arabia, it is a byword for the Jeddah-based construction firm that used newfound oil wealth to fund mosques, palaces and other buildings by royal decree.

The family were not originally Saudi: they came from a part of southern Yemen, the Hadhramaut, that has produced many of Jeddahs most successful and wealthy entrepreneurial families.

Osama, one of the many sons of the companys founder, who emigrated from Yemen in the early 20th century, was long known as the black sheep of the family.

He spent much of the 1980s in Afghanistan helping the mujahideen fight the invading Soviet army, so essentially he was on the same side then as the CIA and Pakistan.

But by the 1990s, he had become a radical Islamic extremist and the family disowned him in 1994. Osama Bin Laden then moved first to Sudan, and soon after to Afghanistan. The rest is history.

Source: BBC
01.08.2022 LISTEN

An Accra High court has issued an order for substituted service against Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) President, Albert Kwabena Dwumfour and three others.

This follows efforts to serve them the writ of summons in an interlocutory injunction brought against him by a member of the GJA, Justice Lee Adoboe.

The court giving the order indicated the defendants including the former president of the GJA, Affail Monney, are to be served by substituted service the writ of summons, the statement of claim and the motion on notice for the interlocutory injunction.

These have been boldly posted at the Press Centre and the Notice Board of the High Court (general jurisdiction).

The GJA a month ago ignored a court process injuncting the newly-elected President from being sworn in.

That notwithstanding, Albert Dwumfuor was sworn in at a ceremony at the Accra International Conference Center, hence this order for substituted service by the applicant, Mr. Justice Lee Adoboe.

Earlier suit

In the suit, Justice Lee Adoboe contended that the bribery allegations levelled against Mr. Dwumfuor should have been investigated before the elections were held.

Justice Lee Adoboe had said in an interview that he was praying the court to declare the election of Albert Dwumfuor as GJA President null and void.

A declaration that the offer of cash, favors and/or incentives by the 3rd Defendant and Samuel Amoh Tobin to members of the 1st Defendant Association in the Western region, constitutes an election malpractice under Article 52 of the GJA Constitution, part of the applicants claims against the defendant reads.

The injunction was served to the officials of the GJA on Wednesday, a day before the swearing-in of the newly elected executives.

Attachments:

Justice Adoboe Vrs GJA Substituted Service

Justice L. Adoboe Vrs GJA Injunction

Justice L. Adoboe Vrs. GJA Writ
Australian state announces funding for Chinese community culture museum in Sydney

Xinhua) 13:09, August 01, 2022

SYDNEY, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- Government of the Australian state of New South Wales (NSW) has approved 2.2 million Australian dollars (about 1.54 million U.S. dollars) in funding for a Chinese community culture museum in the country's biggest city, Sydney.

The funding under the government's Creative Capital Program will support transformation of the Haymarket library near Sydney's Chinatown into the Museum of Chinese in Australia (MOCA), the state's first museum dedicated to the Chinese community culture and history of the Chinese residents.

The museum is scheduled to open to the public in 2023.

"This investment will refurbish the Haymarket library into a modern museum, presenting traditional and digital exhibitions. It will allow Chinese Australians to tell stories from their past, present and future," NSW Minister for the Arts Ben Franklin told Xinhua on Monday.

The museum building will keep its historical exterior, but the interior will feature more digital accesses. It will display collections related to the history of Chinese people in Australia and provide community engagement programs.

"This museum will highlight our history and the contributions of the Chinese community and showcase how our multicultural society works uniquely, " said NSW Minister for Multiculturalism Mark Coure.

(Web editor: Peng Yukai, Liang Jun)
01.08.2022 LISTEN

A group calling itself the Concerned Mobile Network Subscribers in Ghana is calling out the Minister for Communications and Digitalization, Ursula Owusu Ekuful for trying to what they said overburden Ghanaians with "a five Ghana cedi self-service fee" on the SIM card re-registration.

According to the group, the Minister's decision to impose the GHc5.00 fee is illegal, since she had not sought any parliamentary approval.

A statement issued and signed by the leader of the Concerned Mobile Network Subscribers, Ras Mubarak (former MP for Kumbungu Constituency), advised Ms. Owusu Ekuful to abandon the insensitive decision which has the potential to compound the already economic hardships inflicted on the masses by the government.

"Serious governments all over the world are giving their citizen's relief packages to ease the burden of the global economic meltdown. It is therefore disappointing that the Minister will seek to illegally impose further burden on the already struggling Ghanaian public," the statement asserted.

It indicated that the Communications Minister had announced that a SIM Registration App will be available for download on both android and IOS this week adding that, each registration via the app will be subject to a 5 cedi surcharge.

The statement stressed, "This surcharge as announced by the Minister would be illegal if collected".

It also condemned the whole SIM card re-registration exercise which it said was dehumanizing, more frustrating and "lacked a well thought-through implementation strategy, hence the confusion and flip flop".

The Concerned Mobile Network Subscribers blamed the confusion and chaos that had characterized the "illegal sim-card registration exercise" on the Minister for Communications.

Read full statement below:

RESPONSE TO MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS ANNOUNCEMENT ON THE CHAOTIC SIM RE-REGISTRATION EXERCISE

We note with disappointment the Minister of Communications announcement today on the chaotic SIM re-registration exercise where she failed to apologize to Ghanaians for the chaos associated with the exercise.

The confusion and chaos that have characterized the illegal sim-card registration exercise should be blamed at the doorsteps of the Minister for Communications.

Also disappointing was the Ministers indication that a SIM Registration App will be available for download on both android and IOS this week and that each registration via the app will be subject to a 5 cedi surcharge.

This surcharge as announced by the Minister would be illegal if collected. The Minister has been an MP for some time and should know what ought to be done to impose fees or charges. She has not sought parliamentary approval and has no authority to impose fees or charges without parliamentary approval.

Secondly, at a time of an economic meltdown where serious governments all over the world are giving their citizens relief packages to ease the burden of the recession, it is disappointing that the Minister will seek to illegally impose further burden on the already struggling Ghanaian public.

We call on her to abandon this insensitive announcement to illegally impose a surcharge of GHc 5 on Ghanaians.

We the Concerned Mobile Network Subscribers maintain that the dehumanizing nature of the roll out was avoidable.

The whole exercise lacked a well thought-through implementation strategy, hence the confusion and flip flop.

END.

Signed

Ras Mubarak (Former MP-Kumbungu)
01.08.2022 LISTEN

The contractor security officer at Newmonts Ahafo mine who was reported missing last week has been found, Modernghana News can report.

On Wednesday, July 27, at about 6.30pm, the security officer informed his colleague he was going to ease himself in the bush. After over 45 minutes of not returning to his duty post, his colleague reported his absence to the supervisors on duty.

The company notified the Minerals Commission which an on-site fact-finding investigation was conducted. In collaboration with community leaders, police, local government officials, his family a joint search team was initiated to find the missing officer.

READ MORE: Newmont Ahafo Mine's security man missing for going to shit in the bush

Also, a joint search party made of the Police, Newmonts Emergency Team, Protea Coin Ghana (our contracted security provider), and some community volunteers conducted an extensive search for the missing security officer over the past four days.

A hunter found him at midday on Sunday, 31st July in a neighbouring forest reserve where he had traveled to ease himself.

The secuity officer is currently with the police assisting with investigations of his disappearance. Newmont has also arranged medical and psychological support for him.

I would like to thank the joint search team who worked tirelessly over the last 72 hours to find the missing security officer, said Samuel Eshun, Acting General Manager, Ahafo South Mine.

Management of the Ahafo South Mine assures that the safety and security of its workforce will continue to remain its priority.

We will review this incident thoroughly and ensure that the lessons learnt inform further enhancement of our security protocols and procedures, part of a release issued by Newmont Africa has said.
The Member of Parliament (MP) for Ningo Prampram constituency, Samuel Nartey George is irritated with Communications Minister Ursula Owusu for her "shambolic" handling of the SIM re-registration exercise.

He claims that the new deadline announced by the sector minister was dead on arrival.

In a series of tweets spotted by Modernghana news on Sunday, July 31, he chastised the Minister for issuing directives requiring the use of a passport for registration.

The outspoken legislator describes the Ministry's move as "tragic comedy," "shambolic."

He sarcastically referred to it as a policy that "must be studied in schools."

Ursula Owusu blames everyone but herself for the mess we face today with registration. The deadlines she has given are impractical and poised to fail even before commencement. We are uncertain about the robustness of the paid-for app she says would launch 2 days after her deadline has lapsed.

Again, we see incoherence in her directive to Ghanaians in the diaspora to use their Passports. The same passports she is refusing for us to use within the jurisdiction, he stated.

His tweets added, This is a tragic comedy of poor policy decisions, shambolic implementation plans and a clueless approach to technology rollout. Her shambolic public policy implementation would be studied in lecture rooms across the world as how not to implement a public policy.

His jabs come after the Minister, at a presser on Sunday, July 31, announced a deadline extension from Sunday, July 31 to September 30, to allow all Ghanaians who are having difficulty completing the process.

Upon consultation, Government has decided to grant a final conditional extension. The programme will be extended to September 30 to end on the anniversary of its commencement, which will give us one full year of SIM re-registration," the minister stated.

She adds It will be reviewed at the end of this month [July] and any SIM that has not been fully registered by the end of August will be barred from certain services including voice and data. It will also be more expensive to use unregistered SIMs.
The Minister for Communications and Digitalisation, Ursula Ekuful, addressed the plight of many Ghanaians who were calling for the extension of the deadline for SIM card re-registration due to their inability to complete the process on Sunday, July 31.

At a press conference, the Minister extended the deadline to September 30 to allow all Ghanaians who are having difficulty completing the process to do so.

Upon consultation, Government has decided to grant a final conditional extension. The programme will be extended to September 30 to end on the anniversary of its commencement, which will give us one full year of SIM re-registration," the minister stated.

However, the Minister added that anyone who is unable to complete the process by August will be barred from using services such as voice and data.

It will be reviewed at the end of this month [July] and any SIM that has not been fully registered by the end of August will be barred from certain services including voice and data, she noted.

She added that It will also be more expensive to use unregistered SIMs.

Also, a new phase for the SIM re-registration exercise will be launched in the first week of August 2022.

Ursula Owusu, says the SIM Registration App will be available for download on both Android and IOS.

The Minister added that each registration via the app will be liable to a 5-cedi surcharge.

"The SIM Registration App will be available for download on both android and IOS this week barring any unforeseen circumstances. Each registration via the app will be subject to a 5-cedi surcharge," she said.

Explaining how citizens can access the App, she stated, Adequate time will also be required for publicity and public education on the use of the Self-Service SIM Registration App.
Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Member of Parliament (MP) for the North Tongu constituency has applauded government for extending the deadline for the SIM re-registration exercise to September 30.

He also advised government to concentrate on resolving the issues surrounding the acquisition of the Ghana Card.

In a tweet shared on his handle on Sunday, July 31 sighted by Modernghana News, the vocal legislator added that he believes the issues will be resolved with proper consultations.

I commend government for extending the deadline for the SIM card re-registration exercise. Its now time to immediately fix the avoidable bottlenecks with Ghana Card issuance and the needless ID rigidity.

With adequate consultation, its possible to end the stress and chaos, his tweet reads.

His praise comes after the Minister, at a presser on Sunday, July 31, announced an extension to September 30 to allow all Ghanaians who are having difficulty completing the process another window.

The deadline has been extended for the second time since its inception in October 2021.

"Upon consultation, Government has decided to grant a final conditional extension. The programme will be extended to September 30 to end on the anniversary of its commencement, which will give us one full year of SIM re-registration," the minister stated.

She continues It will be reviewed at the end of this month [July] and any SIM that has not been fully registered by the end of August will be barred from certain services including voice and data. It will also be more expensive to use unregistered SIMs.

Also, a new phase for the SIM re-registration exercise will be launched in the first week of August 2022.

Ursula Owusu, says the SIM Registration App will be available for download on both Android and IOS.

The Minister added that each registration via the app will be liable to a GHS5 fee.

"The SIM Registration App will be available for download on both android and IOS this week barring any unforeseen circumstances. Each registration via the app will be subject to a 5-cedi surcharge," she said.

Explaining how citizens can access the App, she said, Adequate time will also be required for publicity and public education on the use of the Self-Service SIM Registration App.
The plaintiff in the case involving the current Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) President, Albert Kwabena Dwumfour and the immediate-past President Roland Affail Monnie, has served a writ via substituted service to the defendants.

Court bailiffs posted the writ on the premises of the GJA and Atinka Media Village on Friday, following a directive by the court for the plaintiff, Justice Lee Adoboe, to serve the defendants the writ via substituted service.

The High Court, on Friday, 22 July 2022, ordered that the former President of the GJA, the current President and the GJA be served the writ via substituted service.

The court directed that the processes be posted at the 1st Defendant address, which is Ghana Journalist Association, Press Centre, Abdul Nasser Avenue, Ringway Estates, Accra and on the Notice Board of the High Court, Accra General Jurisdiction.

It is further ordered that a copy of the Order for Substituted Service shall be posted as well as Hearing Notice for the motion for Interlocutory Injunction.

Journalist Adoboe filed an injunction suit against the swearing-in of Mr Dwumfuor as GJA president following allegations of bribery levelled against him in the lead-up to the polls.

Mr Adoboe wanted those allegations investigated first before the swearing-in.

Mr Adoboe is praying the court to, among others, declare that the offer of cash, favours, and/or incentives by the 3rd defendant [Mr Dwumfour] and Samuel Amoh Tobin, to members of 1st defendant association in the Western Region, constitutes and electoral malpractice under article 52 of the GJA constitution.

About a week before the election, The Fourth Estate reported that a member of the GJA in the Western Region, Dotsey Koblah Aklorbortu, petitioned the election committee of the association to investigate and act on the conduct of Mr Dwunfuor, who was one of the three contestants for the presidency. The other two GJA presidential contestants were the editor of The Ghanaian Times, Dave Agbenu; and a journalist and communications consultant, Gayheart Mensah).

In the petition, Mr. Aklorbortu alleged that Mr. Dwumfour with tacit support from the Chairman of Tobinco Group of Company, Mr Amoh Tobbin, offered members of the GJA in good standing, [at a meeting], in addition to the buffet, an amount 500 (sic)to vote for Mr. Albert Dwumfour.

The petitioner further alleged that Mr. Amoh Tobbin, in the said meeting at the Atlantic Hotel in Takoradi, told journalists to vote for Mr. Dwumfour in order to protect and promote his business.

He said during the previous administration, his business suffered under Mr Opuni and that he used the media to protect his interest. Therefore, voting for Mr. Albert Kwabena Dwumfour to become the GJA President will mean protection for his business interest.

Mr Tobbin is heard in the video saying if it were a political thing, he would ask, Should I give a TV [set] or this or that, which was greeted with laughter from the journalists present at the meeting.

I will be of help because Im in the industry and more so, Im a businessman. So, Ill need you tomorrow. If you come tomorrow after voting for him and I turn you down, Tobinco is a household name. Who knows tomorrow? he said.

Im not a politician, who will say it and just go away. Im a businessman. Im in a lot of businesses. So do him [pointing to Albert Dwumfour] a favour. Do me a favour by bringing him. When you bring him why I want you to bring him on board is to support my business as well. Hes my corporate person. He does all my social [activities], he told the journalists.

The petitioner says the actions of Albert Dwumfour contravene Article 52 (b) (c) and (d) GJA constitution 2004. It states 52 (b) it shall be an election offence for any candidate to directly or indirectly offer cash, favours, any incentives, or apply threats with the intention to influence the election results. (c) Any candidate found contravening the provisions of Article 52 (b) shall be disqualified after due investigation by the elections committee and (d) if found guilty, the candidate shall be barred from standing for any GJA elections for the next two (2) subsequent general elections.

The first hearing of the suit is slated for August 22.

Source: classfmonline.com
A 48-year-old man, Solomon Kyere, has been found dead in cells of the Kyeremasu police station in the Bono Region.

The man, who was being held in police custody for assault and threat of harm, was invited by the police on Tuesday, 27 July 2022 and detained.

His body was, however, found hanging in the cell's washroom, from the iron bars at the vent.

The man is reported to have used a nylon singlet he wore in custody, to tie his neck.

His body was found unresponsive by the counter NCO on duty, General Constable Abdulai Iddrisu Mohammed.

He was rushed to the Presbyterian Health Centre at Kyeremasu.

The man was subsequently referred to the Presbyterian Hospital at Dormaa Ahenkro, where he was pronounced dead.

The body has since been deposited at the Presbyterian Hospital Morgue for autopsy and preservation.

Investigations have also commenced into the incident.

Classfmonline.com
The helicopter lands in the middle of rice fields, heralding the arrival of Kenyan presidential candidate William Ruto as he seeks votes from the densely populated, politically influential heartland of Mount Kenya.

Located in the centre of the country and flanked by an extinct volcano that gives the vast region its name, Mount Kenya has long played a key role in presidential elections and this year is no exception.

As the underdog in the August 9 election, where he will face Raila Odinga, a veteran opposition politician who now has the backing of the ruling Jubilee party, Ruto and his team know that winning Mount Kenya is essential.

The 55-year-old has vowed to lift millions of Kenyans out of poverty, making "bottom-up" economic growth a major plank of his campaign.

At the rally in Kirinyaga country, Nancy Njeri, a 78-year-old rice farmer, told AFP he had her vote.

"Ruto will bring changes in education, youth employment, he will ensure we have fertiliser to grow our rice, and many more things," she said.

Kirinyaga governor Anne Waiguru predicted a huge victory for Ruto's United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party in the region, telling AFP that he is "someone who is accepted by the people of Mount Kenya."

"He has done a lot of groundwork in that regard," the UDA politician said.

Raila Odinga's team insists the 77-year-old will win a majority in Mount Kenya, pointing to the selection of Kikuyu lawyer Martha Karua as his running mate. By Yasuyoshi CHIBA (AFP)

Ruto, a businessman from the Kalenjin tribe who is currently serving as Kenya's deputy president, was originally slated to succeed President Uhuru Kenyatta.

Instead, he found himself banished to the sidelines after his boss struck a deal with arch-rival Odinga.

Embittered but ambitious, Ruto launched a new party and began laying the foundation for his candidacy, focusing in particular on the region which is perhaps most representative of the complex politics that govern Kenya.

Sacred Kikuyu land

It was a long shot for the Kalenjin leader, at least on paper.

Mount Kenya is the sacred land of the Kikuyu, Kenya's largest ethnic group, who believe that God lives in the snow-capped volcano they call Kirinyaga.

Nearly six decades after independence in 1963, Mount Kenya continues to be at the heart of Kenyan politics. By Tony KARUMBA (AFP/File)

The fertile region, home to mango orchards and coffee plantations, also occupies a hallowed place in Kenyan history -- the Mau Mau rebellion against the British Empire began here in 1952.

"From that time (onwards) there is this sense of entitlement that the Kikuyus have always had," said analyst Herman Manyora, who favours Odinga.

Nearly six decades after independence in 1963, Mount Kenya continues to be at the heart of Kenyan politics.

Three of the country's four presidents -- Jomo Kenyatta, his son Uhuru, and Mwai Kibaki -- are Kikuyu.

The economically powerful community has always backed its own people -- a widespread phenomenon in Kenya, where the tribal vote has played a big role in previous elections.

Kirinyaga governor Anne Waiguru says William Ruto is 'accepted' by the people of Mount Kenya. By Tony KARUMBA (AFP)

Politicians have also exploited ethnic divides to deadly effect in 2007-2008, when Kenya witnessed a vicious bout of post-poll violence that pitted mainly Kikuyus against Luos and Kalenjins, leaving more than 1,100 dead.

But this year, Kikuyus -- who account for around six million of Kenya's 22 million voters -- will have to choose between Ruto, a Kalenjin and Odinga, a Luo.

The alliance between Kenyatta and Odinga has ruffled feathers in Mount Kenya, where some have turned on their former leader, accusing him of abandoning "kihoto" (the Kikuyu concept of justice) by sidelining his deputy.

"We as the Kikuyus cannot be told who to support, Uhuru is a traitor," George Mwaura, a 38-year-old motorcycle taxi driver, said at the Kirinyaga rally.

The 'Martha effect'

But Odinga's team insists that the 77-year-old will win a majority in the region, pointing to the selection of Kikuyu lawyer Martha Karua as his running mate.

The choice of Karua, a former justice minister nicknamed the "iron lady", has "energised and excited the mountain", said David Murathe, a prominent Kikuyu and vice-chairman of the Jubilee party.

Ruto's running mate Rigathi Gachagua is also a Kikuyu who once served as Kenyatta's personal aide, but Murathe said he lacked Karua's credentials as a key player in Kenya's pro-democracy movement.

Mount Kenya is a fertile region in the heart of the country. By TONY KARUMBA (AFP/File)

Even accounting for a worst-case scenario, the Odinga-Karua ticket could expect to secure at least 60 percent of Mount Kenya's votes, Murathe told AFP.

"I would not be surprised if Ruto gets the shock of his life" when the results are announced, he said.

Academic Macharia Munene also testified to the presence of the "Martha effect", telling AFP: "There was a time it appeared to be all Ruto, about six-seven months ago.

"It's declining, that overwhelming support. It's been eroded," he said.

"Whether the erosion is big enough to turn the tables is another matter."
Police have arrested five persons in connection with the attack on the Bono East National Democratic Congress party office at Techiman on July 28.

The five were identified as Kojo Agyei alias Kojo Cocaine, Illiasu Sulemana aka Oboot, Andrew Kemire, Fatau Abdallah and Alhaji Nuhu.

During the attacks, one person sustained multiple knife wounds and is currently on admission at the Techiman Government Hospital, police noted in a statement.

The sliding windows of the party office and a vehicle which was parked at the office were also vandalised.

All the suspects will be put before court later today.

We wish to take the opportunity to urge individuals and groups to choose dialogue rather than violence to resolve their differences, since the Police will not hesitate to apply the law, police concluded.

citinewsroom
Ghanaians who are not resident in the country, have up till December to update their SIM card registration details with the Ghana Card, the Minister for Communications and Digitalisation Ursula Owusu-Ekuful has announced.

According to the Minister, such persons can use their passports to complete the SIM card registration process for now.

Speaking at a press briefing on Sunday, 31 July 2022, the Minister said: Non-resident Ghanaians who do not have the Ghana Card can use their passports to complete the process but will be required to update their details with the Ghana Card once they acquire it.

She added: They have up till December 2022 to do so.

I urge them to comply with these directives and to contact the NCA if they have any peculiar challenges.

Meanwhile, the ongoing SIM card re-registration exercise which was billed to end today, Sunday, 31 July 2022, has been extended to 30 September 2022.

The programme will be extended to 30 September to end the anniversary of its commencement, which will give us a full year, the Minister told journalists.

Any SIM that has not been registered by end of August will be barred from receiving services,

Source: classfmonline.com
Ghanas no-guarantor student loan scheme was made possible by the Ghana card, Vice-President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has said.

Dr Bawumia, on Wednesday, 8 June 2022, launched the policy at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Kumasi.

The policy was a promise made by the Akufo-Addo government prior to the 2020 elections.

The aim is to make tertiary education accessible to Ghanaian youth, especially graduates from the highly subscribed Free Senior High School programme.

Dr Bawumia stated that with the No-Guarantor Student Loan scheme, the cumbersome and restrictive scheme of students providing SSNIT contributors as guarantors before they could access student loan for tertiary education, has been abolished.

The No-Guarantor Student Loan policy makes it possible for qualified young Ghanaians to access loans to fund their tertiary education, using their Ghana card.

Extoling the importance of the Ghana at the recently-held Civil Service Awards ceremony in Accra on 29 July 2022, in order to drive home his earlier insistence that he would prefer the Ghana card to 1,000 interchanges, Dr Bawumia said: Today, because of the unique identification, weve been able to introduce a no-guarantor student loan policy because, before, you needed to bring guarantors because you didnt know whether youd find this student or not, once they started working, and the workers who were on SSNIT, some of them have paid a heavy price for guaranteeing for students who have run away, but now, we can identify everybody uniquely and we are going to start this from birth because we are linking Ghana Health Service, Birth and Deaths with the NIA now and we hope by the end of this year,  the system would have been completed and when a child is born, that is when we issue the national ID number and they take it through school till death and that is how we transform this economy.

The Ghana card is a valid verification document issued by the National Identification Authority (NIA) to Ghanaians and resident foreign nationals living everywhere for the purpose of identification.

The card bears personal information about the individuals whose identity can be verified at all times. The NIA National Identity System utilises three types of biometric technology for identification purposes.

These are the fingerprints unique to each individual in the form of digitised templates, and facial templates in the form of a digitised colour photo of the cardholder and the iris.

The card contains basic identification information including a photograph of the cardholder, along with a name, date of birth, height, and a personal identification number that has been randomly generated and assigned to the holder and has an expiry date.

Source: Classfmonline.com
Vice-President Alhaji Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has said some people wondered if he had gone mad after he recently said he would prefer the Ghana card to 1,000 interchanges at a public event.

A few weeks ago, not too long, I was touting how important the Ghana card was  the identification system that weve put in place in Ghana  and I even said, for me, at this stage of our development, I would even prefer this to a thousand interchanges. You can imagine the furore this caused: This man, wabodam anaa?  To wit: Are you mad? Dr Bawumia exclaimed when he addressed the Civil Service Awards ceremony in Accra on 29 July 2022.

He said other people also went like: What is he talking about?, How could the Ghana card, the system, be so much [more] valuable [than 1000 interchanges?].

Demonstrating, in his view, the validity of his comment, Dr Bawumia said: Ill give you a few examples  and it wasnt said cavalierly  there was thinking to that statement and I want you think about it: for the first time in our history as a country, we have a unique identity system, which is biometric and, so, we can uniquely identify every individual  whether they are alive or dead.

So, immediately, if you can uniquely identify each individual, the case of ghost names on our public sector payroll will become a thing of the past, immediately  and Im working with the Controller and Accountant General; we are doing a lot of good work on the Controller payroll database and cleaning it up, he said.

For example, he said: If you look at what has happened recently, National Service Scheme, we found 14,000 ghost workers; saved, annually, GHS114 million to the public exchequer just from one institution, National Service, 14,000 ghost workers because we looked for unique identity.

Again, he said: Just a couple of days ago, SSNIT reported finding 27,000 ghost pensions and they were being paid GHS327 million a year.

Two institutions; you add a yearly savings that this discoveries have made just in two institutions, GHS441 million. Over ten years, you are talking of over GHS4 billion.

This is just two institutions and you can be sure that when we go through every institution, youll see that we will be able to eliminate all ghost workers, thanks to the Ghana card.

The Ghana card is a valid verification document issued by the National Identification Authority (NIA) to Ghanaians and resident foreign nationals living everywhere for the purpose of identification.

The card bears personal information about the individuals whose identity can be verified at all times. The NIA National Identity System utilises three types of biometric technology for identification purposes.

These are the fingerprints unique to each individual in the form of digitised templates, and facial templates in the form of a digitised colour photo of the cardholder and the iris.

The card contains basic identification information including a photograph of the cardholder, along with a name, date of birth, height, and a personal identification number that has been randomly generated and assigned to the holder and has an expiry date.

Source: Classfmonline.com
Renowned Ghanaian businessman, Dr. Paa Kwesi Nduom has indicated that he is a strong supporter of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addos Ghana Beyond Aid agenda.

In an open letter to the President, the three-time Presidential candidate notes that despite his support for the initiative, he has reservations and fears it may become a mere slogan if action is not taken.

To begin with, I support this vision for Ghana because it will promote self-reliance that would lead to greater prosperity of our citizens.

I am a supporter of Ghana Beyond Aid without reservations.

My concern is that this vision may become a mere slogan. Over the years, Ghanaians have heard the private sector is the engine of growth with no fuel to make the engine move for the benefit of the people, parts of Dr. Nduoms letter reads.

In a proposal, the founding member of Ghana's Progressive People's Party has recommended that a ban is placed on the importation of rice and sugar for the country to rely on local produce.

He also wants a complete ban on the importation of chocolate, soft drinks, fruit juices, fruits, poultry, and meats.

All Cocoa roads and projects funded by COCOBOD must be given to indigenous Ghanaians and their companies.

Immediately ban the serving of any imported food or drink at all state functions.

School feeding programmes must only use locally produced food and drinks.

Take firm steps to ensure indigenous Ghanaian control (ownership) of the financial sector  banking, insurance, investment, pension, and others at all levels.

All professional services agreements  architectural, technology, financial etc., must have at least 25% indigenous Ghanaian participation, parts of the recommendations to President Akufo-Addo reads.

Below is a copy of Dr. Paa Kwesi Nduoms letter to the president below:

HE. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo

Jubilee House

Accra

Dear Mr. President,

Ghana Beyond Aid: My Recommendations To Walk the Talk

Ghana Beyond Aid is a vision put forth by your Administration. You have articulated this forcefully and pushed it in presentations to Ghanaian citizens. You have also stood your ground on this with foreign leaders particularly those from the western divide of global governance. Many have hailed it and bought into it as a very necessary agenda.

Recently though, the vision seems to be fading and does not find expression in formal presentations such as the budget and your own speeches at home and abroad. It is time to light some fire under this vision and make it real.

To begin with, I support this vision for Ghana because it will promote self-reliance that would lead to greater prosperity of our citizens.

I am a supporter of Ghana Beyond Aid without reservations.

My concern is that this vision may become a mere slogan. Over the years, Ghanaians have heard the private sector is the engine of growth with no fuel to make the engine move for the benefit of the people. They have been presented with Zero Tolerance for Corruption and Probity, Accountability, Transparency and yet corruption is seen by citizens as the main barrier to their well-being. Many leaders, in business and politics have put out their versions of Ghana First visions yet there is no common agenda to work with to make it come alive.

When the late General Ignatius Kutu Acheampong championed the Ghanaian ownership of the commanding heights of the economy, it spawned concrete actions that are still delivering benefits to the state and its people. Operation Feed Yourself was and remains a popular policy from the Acheampong era.

Given where we are, the following are actions I highly recommend for you to consider implementing to push the Ghana Beyond Aid vision.

All infrastructure contracts signed by the state must have a minimum 25% of value go to an indigenous Ghanaian and his/her enterprise.

All Cocoa roads and projects funded by COCOBOD must be given to indigenous Ghanaians and their companies.

Ban completely, the importation of chocolate, soft drinks, fruit juices, fruits, poultry and meats.

Ban the importation of rice and sugar.

Immediately ban the serving of any imported food or drink at all state functions.

School feeding programmes must only use locally produced food and drinks.

Take firm steps to ensure indigenous Ghanaian control (ownership) of the financial sector  banking, insurance, investment, pension and others at all levels.

All professional services agreements  architectural, technology, financial etc., must have at least 25% indigenous Ghanaian participation.

All new and renewed concessions for gold, bauxite, oil and gas, diamond, timber must have a minimum of 25% indigenous Ghana ownership.

The digitalization agenda must be placed firmly, 100% in the hands of indigenous Ghanaians and their companies.

Give full rights and recognition to Ghanaians who by necessity have become citizens of other countries  to vote, be employed by the state and compete for elective offices.

Will this hurt? Initially, yes. But eventually, we will be a better country, one whose citizens can aspire to prosperity with confidence.

I would appreciate the opportunity to discuss the recommendations further.

Presented, Your Excellency, for your consideration.
Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has launched the 175th anniversary celebrations of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church Ghana (EPCG) with a call on Ghanaians to view and utilize the various religious inclinations as a force for good and a facilitator of national cohesion.

As children of the only and one true God, whether Christian or Muslim, we all believe in the God of Isaac, Jacob and Abraham. We all believe in the virgin birth of Mary. We all believe that Jesus Christ is the savior and that Jesus Christ will come back again to save the world.

This is what should bring us together as a people. We must see religion as a force for unity and not a force for division. This is a charge we must keep as children of God, Dr Bawumia stated at the launch, which took place in Accra on Sunday, July 31, 2022.

Ghanas unique acceptance and peaceful co-existence is the envy of many across the world and must be guarded jealously, Dr Bawumia pointed out, with the country retaining its peaceful credentials in a recent global survey.

In addition to the economic and development issues that the church must be concerned with is the need for the church and pulpit to be used as instruments for a peaceful nation building. According to the recent Global Peace Index, Ghana maintains its position as the second most peaceful country in sub-Saharan Africa and the most peaceful in West Africa.

This is a remarkable feat that must be guarded jealously without any compromises no matter what. Both the Bible and Quran place much emphasis on the matter of peace. And it is gratifying to note that in Ghana we have such a religious tolerant and acceptable society that makes it effortless for a Christian priest to worship with Muslims and vice versa, to the point that a Muslim Chief Imam could celebrate his 100th years anniversary with Christians in the church.

Citing himself as an example to buttress his point of peaceful co-existence, Vice President Bawumia continued: We live in a society where a mother and some children could be Christians and a father and some children could be Muslims. As a young boy at Sakasaka primary school in Tamale I was born by a Methodist mother (then Susuana Mariama) and a Muslim father. Growing up I was an active member of the Methodist Boys Brigade until my mum changed to Islam. I suspect I am the only Muslim member of the Boys Brigade. Till date, out of my sibling size of seventeen (17), nine (9) are Christians and eight (8) Muslims. That is the beauty of the religious acceptance in Ghana.

EP Church Ghana

Dr Bawumia commended the church for its enormous contribution to national cohesion and development, saying it has been a reliable, trusted, and formidable agent of the transformation, civilization, and progress of society. The gains we have made as a nation pre- and post-independence in moral, spiritual and socio-economic development could not have been entirely possible without the keen involvement of the church.

Indeed, we cannot mention any monumental contributions of the church to nation-building without recognising the role of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church Ghana. In addition to your numerous educational establishments including over 500 basic and tertiary institutions such as Mawuli, Mawuko, EP Senior High Schools in Hohoe, Saboba, Tatale, plus Vocational and Technical Schools, as well as Colleges of Education, you have also earned the enviable reputation of establishing the first university in the entire Volta and Oti Regions, the Evangelical Presbyterian University College (EPUC).

Your health centres in Wapuli, Ho, Dambai, Blajai, inter alia, coupled with your numerous relief and development projects in the areas of agricultural development, climate change advocacy, HIV/AIDS & TB Programmes, among several others, have added to your endless list of achievements over the past seventeen and half decades of your existence, he observed.
US president Joe Biden led the tributes on Monday to the Star Trek actress Nichelle Nichols whose death was announced on Sunday night at the age of 89.

"Our nation has lost a trailblazer of stage and screen who redefined what is possible for Black Americans and women," said Biden.

Nichols, born into a working class family in Chicago in December 1932, trained for stage and singing roles before landing the part of Lieutenant Uhura in the 1960s science fiction series Star Trek.

Disillusioned after the first season of adventures of the space ship Enterprise, she was dissuaded from quitting the show by the civil rights leader Dr Martin Luther King who said her presence as a Black woman on the bridge was inspirational.

She remained on board for another two seasons to become one of the iconic characters along with Captain Kirk, Mr Spock, Dr McCoy, Mr Chekov and Mr Sulu.

William Shatner and George Takei, who played Kirk and Sulu respectively, mourned their former co-star.

Takei tweeted a picture of the two of them together with a riff on one of the famous lines from the series.

"Our nation is forever indebted to inspiring artists like Nichelle who show us a future where unity, dignity and respect are cornerstones of every society," Biden added.

In one episode - Plato's Stepchildren - Uhura and Kirk were forced to kiss by a race of superbeings.

The embrace was among the first televised interracial kisses and added to the groundbreaking mythology of the show.

Many actors become stars, but few stars can move a nation," tweeted Lynda Carter, who starred in Wonder Woman during the late 1970s.

"Nichelle Nichols showed us the extraordinary power of Black women and paved the way for a better future for all women in media. Thank you, Nichelle. We will miss you.

The American space agency Nasa also posted its thanks for Nichols' work encouraging minorities into becoming astronauts.

Nichols' son, Kyle Johnson, announced his mother's death on her official Facebook page.

"Her light however, like the ancient galaxies now being seen for the first time, will remain for us and future generations to enjoy, learn from and draw inspiration."
Broadspectrum Limited has pledged its commitment to continuously promote the agribusiness sector and play a key role in attracting the youth to venture into the Agribusiness Value Chain.

The organization donated to the maiden edition of the Youth in Agribusiness Festival, held by the John A. Kufour Foundation in Kumasi on the 27th-29th July 2022.

The festival showcased the outstanding development of young people within the agribusiness sector in the country.

Speaking at the festival, the Project Manager, E-Agric - Broadspectrum Ltd, Mr. Castro Antwi-Danso was of the belief that there were many opportunities within the agricultural value chain in Ghana and urged the youth to take advantage of them.

They should collaborate and find opportunities to get and create employment opportunities for themselves because agriculture contributes 19.7% of our current GDP, accounts for over 30% of export earnings and serves as a major source of inputs to our manufacturing industry. Its not only cropping or livestock production; there are opportunities in digital agriculture, transportation, logistics and warehouse, he said.

Head of Marketing & Corporate Communications at Broadspectrum Limited, Morenike Ayodele, said her organization will continue to provide the resources both financial and human to help sustain the initiative by the John A. Kufuor Foundation.

We believe in providing opportunities for young people and the agribusiness sector provides enough space for young people to find opportunities to enhance themselves. The E-Agric initiative, is the future of Agriculture in Ghana. It seeks to bring all the key actors in the agricultural sector on a platform to interact with each other. The goal is to improve the livelihood of the farmer while safeguarding the food production of the country, she stated.

Broadspectrum Limited is an African Information Communication Technology company that offers a unique range of innovative and advanced communication and digital solutions to boost Africas digital economy support African business productivity and connect them to the world.

The company is currently providing technological solutions for the Ministry of Agriculture on the Planting for Food and Jobs programme in the 5 Northern Regions of Ghana. The Project involves the biometric registration of 1.7 million farmers to create a database of farmers and is currently being used for the national input subsidy programme in the five Northern Regions.
01.08.2022 LISTEN

Science has gifted us tools and evidence-based approaches to ensure that there is minimal risk of transmission of HIV virus from HIV-positive parents to the child during pregnancy, delivery and breastfeeding. Despite these tools existing since almost two decades now to ensure every child is born HIV-free to positive parents, we have failed to implement them fully. As per UNAIDS, despite substantial progress made in the last two decades to ensure that every child born to positive parents is HIV-free, 150,000 such children were born in 2020. This is nearly eight times more than the desired goal of achieving less than 20,000 children born with HIV worldwide by 2020. More worrying is that the pace of the decline has slowed in recent years.

Dr Glory Alexander, who has been devotedly working for providing medical care to people living with HIV, for more than three decades, spoke with CNS (Citizen News Service) spoke around the 24th International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2022). Besides, being one of the organisers of this worlds largest AIDS conference taking place in Montreal, she is also the founder of ASHA Foundation (Action, Service, and Hope for AIDS Foundation) in Bengaluru, India, and elected as national Vice President of AIDS Society of India.

According to the latest report of NACO (National AIDS Control Organization of India), in 2020-21 a little more than half (56% or 11,744) of the estimated HIV positive pregnant women (20,900) received care through HIV counselling and testing services in government and private healthcare facilities. Of those diagnosed HIV positive, 10,937 pregnant women were initiated on or were already on lifelong antiretroviral therapy and 85% infants born to HIV-positive mothers were put on antiretroviral prophylaxis. The report further says that To achieve the target of elimination of Mother-to-child transmission of HIV, there is a need of significant improvement since overall coverage of Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PPTCT) cascade service is low at National level as well as inter-State level.

Dr Alexander said that, In India women constitute about 44% of those infected with HIV. Women who come from HIV key affected populations such as sex workers, are more likely to be reached by HIV services periodically and receive care. But 90% of the women living with HIV in India are housewives who mostly get infected through their husbands. When they get pregnant, HIV infection could get transmitted to their children. It is very important to target these women, more so as they do not perceive themselves to be at risk of HIV infection as they are likely to have single partners and may not be indulging in risky sexual behaviours. Moreover, Indian women are perceived as caregivers but themselves have poor health-seeking behaviour. So they rarely come by themselves to get tested, even though it is very important to diagnose these women early on.

However, women are likely to reach out to a health facility during pregnancy. That is a good time to do their HIV test and put them on treatment, if diagnosed HIV positive. The treatment also prevents the risk of transmission to the child during the mother's pregnancy. Treatment for prevention of mother to child transmission brings down the risk of transmission from about 40% in the breastfeeding population to less than 5%. If a woman is already on antiretroviral therapy and she becomes pregnant the risk of transmission is less than 1%, shared Dr Alexander.

Women are more prone to co-morbidities like cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. They also respond in a different manner to antiretroviral therapy as we have to worry about their bone health and there is an increased risk of cancer of the cervix in women who are HIV positive. Thus women and children are very important cogs in the wheel for the management of HIV infection and need to be diagnosed and treated early on, she added.

In India every year 27 million women get pregnant and hidden among them are about 20500 women who are HIV-positive. It is very difficult to be able to trace all these 27 million women and test them for HIV. So one barrier is testing such a large pool of pregnant women every year. As per the annual 2020-21 report of NACO, till September 2020 they were able to test about 15.7 million women for HIV and of these about 9, 000 were found to be HIV positive. Another problem is that even today many women in the rural areas do not come to a hospital even for an antenatal check-up, though that is slowly improving over the years, said Dr Alexander.

Not a single HIV positive child born to positive parents in Dr Glorys cohort

Today in India many HIV positive women want to have children and in the past few years I have not had a single positive child born in my small cohort of pregnant women as I test them all and put them on antiretroviral therapy if found positive. To have or not have a child is a womans individual or personal decision or choice and should not be forced on her. We still have instances in India where many HIV positive women were being falsely advised to have an abortion as they were told their child would be born HIV positive. In fact if an HIV positive woman wants to become pregnant we must support and help her so that she gives birth to an HIV negative infant, said Dr Glory Alexander.

Thirty five years of medical service of people living with HIV: how did it begin?

In 1987, I had just started working as a Consultant physician at Baptist Hospital in Bengaluru, capital of Indias state of Karnataka. One Monday morning while doing my hospital ward rounds, I came across a newly admitted American patient who was very sick with a respiratory problem. He asked me if he had AIDS. I was shocked, because at that time even we doctors had very little knowledge about AIDS. After sending him to the intensive care unit, I went to the library to read up on AIDS and was convinced that he was suffering from Pneumocystis pneumonia, a very common opportunistic infection in people who are infected with HIV. I sent his blood sample for diagnosis to my alma mater Christian Medical College Vellore, as no HIV testing facilities were available in Karnataka at that time. We lost the patient 36 hours after my first interaction with him. His test results came one week later confirming that he was HIV positive. He died a lonely painful death far away from his family. I learnt later that he was a homosexual person from San Francisco who had come to India because of the stigma he was facing in his own country. His death impacted me severely. I wanted to do something for the people living with HIV. I finally resigned from my full time hospital job and started ASHA Foundation to contribute my two bits for society. We started an AIDS helpline to keep people informed about HIV and also a clinic for HIV-positive patients. Later we included adolescent health education, camp rainbow for HIV positive children, care and support services for families and people infected with HIV and prevention of mother-to-child transmission, as part of our services, shared Dr Alexander.

To end HIV transmission from positive parents to the child during pregnancy, delivery and breastfeeding, four major actions need to be taken: primary prevention of HIV among women of childbearing age; prevention of unintended pregnancies among women (especially those living with HIV); prevention of HIV transmission from a woman living with HIV to her infant; and provision of appropriate treatment, care and support to women living with HIV, as well as their children and families.

As of now, fourteen countries have eliminated mother to child transmission, out of which four -Thailand, Malaysia, Maldives and Sri Lanka - are in the Asia Pacific region. While India is making some progress in this direction, it is still far away from achieving this goal. Let us hope that AIDS 2022, gives an added impetus to the countries resolve to ensure that no child is born with the HIV virus. Amen!

Shobha Shukla  CNS (Citizen News Service)

(Shobha Shukla 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)
The Northern Regional Director of the Ghana Education Service, Dr. Peter Attafuah, has said the 'Back to School' campaign has so far yielded positive results.

He indicated that thousands of kids had dropped out of school before the 'Back to School Campaign' was launched, majority of them being northerners.

According to Dr. Peter, some students became pregnant when schools were closed completely for several months due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The education director, however, noted that the 'Back to School Campaign' has been successful in getting thousands of dropouts in the Northern Region and around the country back to the classroom.

It will be recalled that the Ministry of Education (MoE), in collaboration with religious bodies, traditional leaders, and various stakeholders, launched the 'Back to School Campaign' in January 2021 with a call on parents and caregivers to send their wards back to school.

A member of the Northern Region's Girls Advisory Council, Faiza Duut Majeed noted that girls who became pregnant while in school frequently feel discouraged from continuing their education due to stigma.

According to her, the campaign has helped many children and parents recognize the importance of going back to school by educating them about the value of education and the consequences linked to dropping out of school.

She added that the campaign also assisted in reducing the stigma in the schools and communities, allowing the girls to feel more comfortable returning to school.

Dr. Peter Attafuah and Madam Faiza made these remarks when they were panelists at a 'Youthatalk' conference organized by Northern Sector Action on Awareness Center (NORSAAC) in Tamale.

The conference is part of the 'Inform Choices for Change' initiatives that is being implemented by Norsaac and its Danish partner, Axis, which aims to educate young people about reproductive health.

Madam Blessilla, a staff member of Norsaac stated that the current phase of the project will collaborate with some four colleges of education in Northern Ghana to promote reproductive health.
The worlds leader in instant delivery services, Zipline, has announced the appointment of Mr. Mawuli Atiemo as the new General Manager of its Ghana operations.

His appointment takes effect from July 2022.

Mawuli is joining Zipline from AstraZeneca where he was the Ghana Country Lead. He has had over 15 years of multi-sectoral wealth of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, stretching across various business development functions. In the various positions he has held over the years, Mawuli Atiemo has demonstrated rare leadership responsibility, including building and developing talents, managing high-performing teams, and developing and increasing sales.

Through his leadership as Sales Manager in 2017 with AstraZeneca, the team he headed delivered the 2018 budget with strong double-digit growth and won the Best Sales Team in Sub Saharan Africa for 2018, Best Sales Manager Award for Sub Saharan Africa, and Circle of Excellence MEA (Middle East Africa) winner.

He played a core role in AstraZeneca Sub Saharan Africas (SSA) growth, leading both business and company's strategic objective and driving execution of the sales and marketing initiatives in Ghana. His valued contribution to the business has been recognized at both AstraZeneca African Cluster and Middle East Africa (MEA) Level.

Mawulis appointment comes at a time when the successes of Zipline in Ghana has largely been said to be the driver of Ziplines rapid expansion into countries like Nigeria, Kenya, USA, Japan and Cote DIvoire.

Here in Ghana, Zipline has commenced operations in April 2019 from one distribution center in Omenako and has expanded to six operational hubs, serving over 2500 health facilities with an average daily delivery of 250 medical commodities per distribution center.

In order to help assuage obvious challenges of access in the health sector, the government of Ghana has made several investments to mitigate the challenges associated with access to universal health coverage. In 2019 when global challenges of Covid-19 hindered the even distribution of Covid-19 vaccines, Ziplines robust system became a critical special purpose vehicle for the governments vaccine inoculation drive. Within minutes, several health facilities and inoculation centers were linked to vaccines and PPEs faster than known traditional logistics delivery methods.

Not only did vaccine stockout reduce significantly, but there was also a substantial increase in the types of medicines and supplies stocked at health facilities. This culminated in Ghana recording no Covid-19 vaccine expiries and this largely due to the even distribution across the country.

Recently, the company has supported the Ghana Health Services to distribute 334,276 tablets of ivermectin to selected communities in the Ejura Sekyedumase, Sekyere Central, and Offinso North Districts, as part of an annual campaign of mass ivermectin tablets administration targeted at reducing the incidence of Onchocerciasis an infectious and parasitic disease categorized under Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs).

These impressive efforts in using technology to disrupt how instant deliveries are made via drone have not gone unnoticed. The company has received the U.S. Department of States Awards for Corporate Excellence (ACE) and has been recognized as the Worlds biggest drone delivery network.

Ghana, of course, is currently the country with the largest national-scale drone delivery system globally. The government of Ghana is saving lots of money as drug expiries as a result of over-stocking by health facilities is significantly reducing as Zipline now plays the role of an even distributor in times of need. Referrals as a result of the non-availability of medical commodities is reducing very fast within the operational communities of Zipline. Industry watchers have thus tipped Zipline as the company to look out for when it comes to instant aerial deliveries.

As the General Manager, Mr. Atiemo will oversee the day-to-day operations of the company, responsible for developing strategic plans for increasing profitability and developing business relations for business growth as well as look to foster good working relations with all stakeholders including the government of Ghana.
Ningo Prampram MP, Samuel Nartey George

01.08.2022 LISTEN

The Member of Parliament (MP) for Ningo Prampram, Samuel Nartey George has lambasted the Minister of Communications and Digitalisation, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful after bowing to pressure and extending the deadline for the SIM Card re-registration.

The Minister in the last few weeks has been on the receiving end of several backlashes after she had insisted that the deadline for the registration would not be extended on July 31.

However, addressing a press conference on Sunday, the Minister announced an extension of the deadline to September 30.

The Mobile Network Operators MNOs and the National Communications Authority (NCA) (and I dare say the National Identification Authority have all engaged additional staff, procured the necessary logistics and are incurring significant expenses to conduct this exercise successfully. Any extension of the process increases their cost. Upon consultation with the industry and in view of the challenges enumerated above, I have very reluctantly decided to grant a final conditional extension.

The programme will be extended to 30th September to end on the anniversary of its commencement. That will give us one full year of SIM registration. It will be reviewed at the end of this month and any SIM that has not been fully registered by the end of August will be barred from receiving certain services including voice and data services, Hon. Ursula Owusu-Ekuful said.

Speaking to TV3 on the New Day show today, Sam George said the Minister has set herself up for public ridicule.

According to him, the Minister is working for the people and must not be telling the Ghanaian people she takes decisions reluctantly.

If you listened to the Minister yesterday, once again she set herself up for ridicule for failure. Her directives are just hot air. She works for us, she serves us, and that is one thing she must remember.

She cant be telling us that she is reluctantly [extending the deadline], like we care. Whether reluctantly or willingly you will grant the extension and you have up, Sam George noted.

Despite the latest extension, the SIM Card re-registration is not expected to be completed due to the continuous challenges associated with the Ghana Card acquisition.
The Presbyterian Church of Ghana is currently mourning after learning of the death of one of its Ministers.

Reverend Joseph Foli Ahinakwa, the Tuobodom District Minister of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana (PCG) died over the weekend after a car crash.

According to the information gathered, the Minister of the Presby church died on Saturday, July 30 in the accident.

He was reportedly driving a pick-up vehicle that crashed with a sedan vehicle. Per the checks made, he was returning from Nkoranza where he had gone to deliver food to delegates of the Brong-Ahafo Presbytery Catechists Conference.

Unfortunately, he died on the spot when the accident happened.

Prior to his death, Reverend Joseph Foli Ahinakwa was awaiting his send-off to the Ga Presbytery after receiving confirmation that he has been transferred from the Brong Ahafo Region.

He is being mourned by the entire Presby church.

The Minister also an astute banker worked with the ADB Bank.
At the outset, the government must be commended for extending the deadline for the SIM registration to 30th September, 2022. This is a mark of a listening and empathetic government determined to promote inclusive development and growth, through and through.

The master stroke in all this is the introduction of the SIM Registration App which will be available for download on both android and IOS this week barring any unforeseen circumstances. The Minister of Communication, Hon. Ursula Owusu intimated that each registration via the app will be subjected to a 5 cedi surcharge. Its obvious that the cost of registering via the App is far cheaper than boarding a taxi or Trotro to a registration center. The App also brings convenience, comfort and time savings to Ghanaians for which it must be embraced wholeheartedly.

I will encourage Ghanaians to take advantage of the the deadline extension and the introduction of the App to register their SIM. Its normal to have non-conformists, pessimists and anti-development agents within a big population like Ghana with the sole aim of fighting to compromise development. Such unpatriotic persons act on the premise of varied. However, Ghanaians shouldnt not be hoodwinked by their false pronouncements and misinformation.

Let me hasten to add that the NIA outfit should scale up their delivery mechanism in order to serve Ghanaians in need of the Ghana card for varied purposes including SIM registration on time.

Its in the interest of every Ghanaian to obtain a Ghana card and use same to register their SIM. The SIM card registration exercise would be of utmost help to the citizenry as government strives to fight crime, develop the telecommunications space and promote e-business.

The SIM registration would contribute to national security. Every single SIM operational in the system with unique user who can be identified easily would help the government keep track of illegal immigrants, criminals, and individuals who might pose a risk to Ghana.

Furthermore, the SIM registration would prevent identity theft and fraud. No one can use another persons SIM to commit any form of crime including mobile money fraud.

Nonetheless, the SIM registration would promote law enforcement goals by making it easier for police to determine the identity of individuals and criminal suspects.

Ghana has made giant strides in eliminating the issue of multiplicity of identity card which has been a concern to many for decades.

The Ghana Card Data Harmonisation and Integrations program has so far enabled the integration of data between NIA and the following institutions:

National Health Insurance Authority

Social Security and National Insurance Trust

Ghana Revenue Authority

Student Loans Trust Fund

Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority

The Bank of Ghana

Telecommunication Companies (Airteltigo, MTN, Vodafone and GLO)

Twenty-three (23) universal banks have been successfully connected to the Verification System Platform.

Let me reiterate the call on Ghanaians to as a matter of urgency, acquire their Ghana card and register their SIM before the 30th September deadline.

Evans Osei Yeboah TSOOBOI

NPP E/R Communications Director
A forum has been held for the youth to discuss issues around their Reproductive Health Education (RHE) and development as well as engage stakeholders on such issues.

Representatives from youth groups in the five regions in the north attended the forum in Tamale dubbed: YOUTHATALK to discuss the issues, which included teenage pregnancy, child marriages, sexual and gender-based violence, HIV and AIDS and sexually transmitted infections.

They also engaged representatives from the National Youth Authority, Ghana Health Service, Ghana Education Service, and the National Population Council on measures to address such issues.

It was organised by Norsaac, a human rights community engagement, and policy influencing organisation, as part of the Informed Choices for Change project funded by AXIS to champion RHE.

Some of the youth, who participated in the forum, expressed the need for especially health workers to be professional in attending to their health needs and not divulge information about their health issues to others.

Madam Miriam Bonah, Senior Midwife at Tamale Central Hospital said most health facilities had had their staff trained on youth friendly services assuring the youth of professional health services.

Dr Peter Attafuah, Northern Regional Director of Education expressed the need for increased advocacy on issues of RHE to properly guide children to lead responsible lifestyles.

Dr Attafuah said such advocacy should target parents and religious leaders to appreciate the fact that there was the need to teach children sex education such that they would not kick against it.

Alhaji Issifu Seidu Iddi, Northern Regional Director of the National Population Council said contraceptive use was increasing in the region saying this was good for the health of couples and the countrys population.

Miss Blessilla Na-afoe Kandoh, Youth Advocacy and Campaigns Coordinator at Norsaac told the youth that RHE is an empowerment tool. It is just to enhance our knowledge to make informed choices about our RHE and our overall development and also empower young people. So, we also have a role to play in this advocacy for RHE.

She said, in view of issues affecting young people including high levels of teenage pregnancy, child marriages, sexual and gender-based violence, HIV and AIDS and sexually transmitted infections, we need RHE guidelines so that we have approved content on RHE for all young people in the country to have access to quality information.
African Union Member States Ministers of Finance, Monetary Affairs, Economic Planning, and Integration has concluded deliberations focused on Improving Africas access to Capital: Debt Management and the Rising Influence of Credit Rating Agencies.

The meeting convened under the 5th Ordinary Session of the Specialized Technical Committee made far-reaching recommendations on assessments by Member States, on the state of debt crisis in their respective countries as way of promoting transparency and accountability, which in turn facilitates debt restructuring and reduces vulnerabilities.

The Ministers of Finance and Central Bank Governors further recommended for the establishment of a regulatory institution in Africa in order to strengthen mechanisms on tax transparency, effective and prudential fiscal management, and combating illicit financial flows information available to the Communication for Development and Advocacy Consult (CDA Consult) in Tema stated.

The Ministers reiterated the need to establish an African Credit Rating Agency on the basis of self-sustainability, political and financial autonomy, and adopted the Tax Strategy and the Strategy on curbing Illicit Financial Flows (IFFs).

The STC meeting accepted the proposal of Afreximbank and ATIA to be designated as Specialized Agencies of the African Union.

The STC requested African Union Member states to ensure a significant proportion of their annual budgets are committed to the financing of industrialisation projects, supported by prudential taxation policies and practices to enhance domestic resource mobilization, to minimise rigidities in credit creation.

H.E. Hichilema Hakainde, President of the Republic of Zambia, in a statement read on his behalf by Hon. Situmbeko Musokotwane, Minister for Finance and National Planning of Zambia observed that the national incomes for African countries have remained low, coupled with high inequality and poverty rates which he noted as partly due to huge infrastructure deficits, low levels of human development, and low levels of private investment.

To address this the President underscored the need for Africa to access to low-cost capital and establishing a predictable, competitive, and stable economic policy environment. I am greatly convinced that, the importance of the African Union Financial Institutions has been well established and very well-articulated in a way that it has now become common knowledge amongst the wide variety of stakeholders involved in this inspiring and expected ground-breaking journey.

To address longer-term challenges and achieve financial stability and autonomy, there is need to speed up the operationalization of African financial institutions as indicated in Article 19 of the Constitutive Act of the African Union.

According to the Tax Transparency in Africa 2021: Africa Initiative Progress Report, Financial resources available for Africas development are limited, and have been decreasing since 2010 with the sharp decline of commodity prices after the global financial crisis.

The amount of financing per capita decreased significantly during the period 2010-18 for both domestic revenues and external financial flows, by 18% and 5% respectively.

African Union Commissioner for Economic Development, Trade, Tourism, Industry and Minerals, Amb. Albert Muchanga reiterated the need to accelerate domestic resource mobilization to reduce reliance on foreign capital. Agenda 2063 stipulates that for it to be fully and effectively implemented, 75-90% of financial resources must be mobilized domestically across Africa.

He added, as we harness the spirit of innovation, one key issue that we need to realize is that the African Union is a source of value creation.

It is a brand that is lucrative politically, diplomatically, strategically; and, inter-alia, commercially. Therefore, African Union policy organs like this Specialized Technical Committee need to come up with ways and means of transforming this source into value capture to drive our progress as a continent, and in this way, relying on our own resources.

Chair of the Bureau of the STC and Deputy Minister for Finance of the Republic of Ghana, Hon. Dr. John Ampontuah Kumah noted that additional structural reforms such as debt restructuring and reprioritizing public spending are required to ensure long-term debt sustainability.

We need to collectively work together to transform Africa into a global powerhouse of the future. Reconfiguring the global debt relief architecture, including reinstating the Debt Service Suspension Initiative (DSSI), will be crucial in supporting debt-ridden African countries transition towards a path of sustainable debt in the medium to long term".
The first shipment of Ukrainian grain left the port of Odesa on Monday just over a week after Ukraine and Russia signed a deal with Turkey and the UN aimed at restarting grain exports from Ukraine's ports on the Black Sea.

Ukraine's infrastructure minister, Oleksandr Kubrakov, said on social media that the Sierra Leone-flagged cargo ship Razoni would head to Lebanon loaded with 26,000 tonnes of Ukrainian corn.

The five-month halt of deliveries from Ukraine - one of the world's biggest grain exporters - has contributed to soaring food prices, hitting the world's poorest nations especially hard.

Officials said the Razoni would make its way through a specially cleared corridor in the mine-infested waters of the Black Sea.

"It is expected in Istanbul on August 2," the Turkish foreign ministry said in a statement.

"It will then continue its journey after it has been inspected in Istanbul."

Other convoys would follow, respecting the maritime corridor and the agreed formalities, the statement added.

Last week Russian and Ukrainian officials gave the green light to a pair of twin deals brokered by Turkey and the UN to resume the grain exports.

The two countries signed two separate agreements with Turkey and the UN as they refuse to engage directly with each other.

Halt

Around 22 million tons of grain and other agricultural products have been stuck in Black Sea ports due to the conflict which started on 24 February when the Russian president Vladimir Putin ordered his country's armed forces into Ukraine.

Grain prices have fallen by two percent since it was announced the two sides were close to a deal.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres welcomed the departure of the vessel.

A UN statement added: "The Secretary-General hopes that this will be the first of many commercial ships moving in accordance with the initiative signed, and that this will bring much-needed stability and relief to global food security especially in the most fragile humanitarian contexts.

"Ensuring that existing grain and foodstuffs can move to global markets is a humanitarian imperative," it added.

The World Food Programme also planned to purchase, load and ship an initial 30,000 metric tonnes of wheat out of Ukraine on a UN-chartered vessel, the statement said.

Steps

The European Union also hailed the ship's departure as a first step towards alleviating the food crisis.

Dmytro Kuleba, Ukraine's Foreign Minister, said the shipment would have global ramifications.

The Russian government described the shipment as very positive news

"As for the departure of the first ship, this is a good opportunity to test the effectiveness of the mechanisms that were agreed during talks in Istanbul," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.
A lecturer at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Dr Wilberforce Aggrey who is standing trial over the disappearance of his wife who is also a staff of the Lands Commission, Rhodaline Amoah-Darko, has been granted a bail of GHS300,000.

The Kumasi High Court granted the KNUST lecturer bail, with one surety to be justified.

Dr Aggrey is, however, yet to meet the bail conditions.

The case has since been adjourned to Monday, 17 October 2022.

Three Teaching Assistants (TAs) from the KNUST have so far mounted the witness box to testify against him.

Dr Aggrey has been charged with kidnapping.

The KNUST lecturer was invited for interrogation by the Police following incoherent statements he made when his wife went missing on Monday, 30 August 2021.

The husband made a report to the police on Thursday, 2 September 2021, after the wife allegedly left home at Gyenyase in Kumasi and did not return.

Per police investigations, communication from the KNUST lecturers phone reporting the incident to family members and that from the alleged kidnappers using the missing ladys phone to demand a ransom were from the same location close to the residence of the couple.

The prosecutor for the case told the court that the lecturer had admitted to sending messages from the wifes phone under threats from the alleged kidnappers that his family would be harmed if he failed to do so.

He revealed that the messages that had been sent from Mrs Aggreys phone to her husbands phone and later from her husbands phone to relatives were all sent from the same location near the couples residence, according to their investigations.

He further revealed that the lecturer explained that he had to send his wife to a location near the Volta Lake to ensure her safety.

The Lands Commission staff left home for Sunyani on Monday, 30 August 2021, and has since not been found.

Source: classfmonline.com
Ghanaian business mogul and economist, Dr. Kofi Amoah wants Ghanaians to stay sharp and not fall for the campaign of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) to break the 8.

In a post on his social media, he opines that the Breaking the 8 agenda of the NPP is a euphemism for corruption, big debts, and among other things impunity to continue leading the country into a ditch.

BREAKING THE 8 is a euphemism for Corruption, big debts, importation, joblessness n impunity to continue, part of a post on the Twitter page of Dr. Kofi Amoah reads.

According to him, Ghanaians must reject the dominance of the NPP and the largest opposition party, the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

In his view, the duopoly of the two biggest political parties in the country has been unhealthy and left Ghana in the current unconvincing state it finds itself.

The mis-governance has caused hardships on all citizens with severe increases in cost of living across board n return to IMF

Gh must reject the NPP/NDC unhealthy duopoly, Dr. Amoah added in his post.
The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and the Minerals Commission has procured five-speed boats to fight illegal mining on water bodies.

The 6.5 meters Rigid-Hulled Inflatable Boats (RHIB) will be deployed on Rivers Ankobrah, Prah, Birim and the Black Volta to rid these water bodies of any form of illegal mining.

Speaking at the commissioning at Beposo in the Shama District, Mr Samuel Abu Jinapor said the boats would be operated by the security services and river guards.

He stated that the procurement of the speed boats was part of measures adopted by the government to find a lasting solution to illegal mining and the pollution of water bodies.

He mentioned some of the measures taken to promote environmentally-sound small-scale mining as the introduction of the mercury-free Gold Katcha and the revamping of the Community Mining Schemes.

Mr Jinapor reiterated that water bodies remain red zones for mining and that Operation Halt II would continue to support the other security services and river guards to protect water bodies.

He called on all Ghanaians, particularly the communities along river bodies to be vigilant, report those involved and support the fight against illegal mining.
The Chairman of the National Development Planning Commission, Prof George Gyan-Baffour, has said Ghana is making progress in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals 4 (SDGs).

Prof Gyan-Baffour, who was presenting Ghanas Second Voluntary National Review (VNR) at this years United Nations High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) in New York, said after the easing of Covid19 restrictions, improvements have been made in children who engaged in any type of learning activity  increasing from 62.2 per cent to 71.3 per cent from June to September in 2020.

He added that: a 100 per cent completion rate has been achieved at Primary Level while JHS continue to record improvements reaching 83.1%.

On secondary education, Prof Gyan-Baffour said the Free Senior High School policy introduced in 2017, provides access to education, particularly for low-income households, adding that enrolment has increased from 54,186 in 2017 to 71,126 in 2021, representing an annual average growth of 7.8 per cent.

He indicated that the country also made progress in the forest cover, citing, for example, the aggressive tree planting campaign under the Green Ghana project, which led to the planting of 20 million trees in 2021 with the target of planting at least a 100million trees cumulatively by 2023.

He stated that internet use has increased tenfold in the last decade, reaching 80.6 per cent of the population, bringing people closer than ever before and providing an enabling environment for the governments digitization agenda.

Prof Gyan-Baffour called for multi-stakeholder collaboration for innovation and resource mobilization, the establishment of an effective link between planning and resource allocation, the availability of quality data, and the ongoing coordination of the United Nations Country Team to appropriately cement the governments achievements.
01.08.2022 LISTEN

The Human Trafficking Secretariat with assistance from law enforcement agencies rescued 831 victims of human trafficking in 2021.

The caretaker minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MoGCSP), Madam Cecilia Abena Dapaah, disclosed this at an event to mark the 2022 World Day against Human Trafficking in Accra on Friday.

She said the coordination between the secretariat and law enforcement agencies had significantly improved and response to human trafficking issues has been rapid.

To further curb the incidence of child trafficking, Madam Dapaah said the secretariat trained 600 law enforcement officers, staff of the Gender Ministry and key stakeholders to increase their familiarity with issues of human trafficking, child labour and child protection.

She used the occasion to launch the National Plan of Action for the elimination of human trafficking in Ghana from 2022 to 2026.

World Day Against Trafficking in Persons dubbed Blue-Day is observed on July 30 every year to sensitize citizens on human trafficking. Human Trafficking involves recruiting, transporting, and possession of human individuals through coercion or other fraudulent means to exploit them for profit.
The government is committed to adding value to Ghanas mineral resources to reap its full benefits.

In this regard, the Ghana Integrated Aluminium Development Corporation (GIADEC), is working to add value to bauxite mined in the country and build an integrated aluminium industry.

The Ghana Integrated Iron and Steel Development Corporation (GIISDEC), is also working to add value to manganese deposits to build an integrated iron and steel industry.

The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Mr Samuel Abu Jinapor disclosed this at the commissioning of a bauxite and manganese weighing bridge in Apemanim in the Ahanta West District of the Western Region.

He noted that efforts by both corporations would be complemented by major expansion works and the development of refineries.

The measures to add value to the countrys mineral resources include the expansion of the Awaso bauxite mine together with a refinery, the development of new mines in Nyinahini and Kyebi together with refineries and the modernisation and expansion of the Volta Aluminium Company (VALCO) to smelt alumina refined here in Ghana, he said.

He noted that the weighing bridge would help mining companies and their regulators to track and confirm actual volumes hauled from the mines to the Takoradi Port.

Mr Jinapor stated that the tracking of bauxite and manganese export was very crucial, as it was the main source of revenue generated from their production.

In the absence of a functioning refinery to add value to these minerals, the tracking of their export is very crucial, as it is the main source of revenue generated from their production, he reiterated.
GJA President, Albert Dwumfour

01.08.2022 LISTEN

Seven regional chairmen of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) have raised red flags about what they regard as a 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.

The aggrieved chairmen are also not happy about a purported press release issued by the association replacing three of its members serving on the National Media Commission (NMC) and the Public Interest and Accountability Committee (PIAC).

The regional chairmen, who jointly signed a memorandum calling for the meeting include Maxwell Kudekor, Eastern Region; Larry Paa Kwasi Moses, Bono, Bono East and Ahafo Regions and Yakubu Abdul Majeed, Northern Region.

The rest are William Nlanjerbor Jalulah, Upper East; Kingsley E. Hope, Ashanti Region; Dzifa Emma Tetteh, Tema Region and David Yarboi, Central Region.

They contended that the NMC and the PIAC were creatures of statute and cannot be controlled or allowed to be used by any individual or group of persons for their "personal vendetta."

According to the regional chairmen, Section 7 (1) of ACT 449 guarantees 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, resigns or otherwise ceases to hold office, the aggrieved chairmen explained.

PIAC replacement

They argued in their Memo that, On the matter of the PIAC replacement, we refer you to section 55 (6) of the Petroleum Revenue Management Act 2011, ACT 815 which provides 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.

In their view, the purported press release has cast a dent on the 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.

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, portions of the memorandum read.

Submission of policies

Meanwhile, the chairmen are, 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."

According to them, they are 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.

Please find below the full copy of the Memo signed by the seven aggrieved GJA Regional Chairmen

MEMORANDUM

TO: National Executive Committee

FROM: Regional Chairmen (Members of National Council)

DATE: July 27, 2022

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)
African Governments must invest in indigenous digital solutions and workforce to drive the agenda of transforming the digital space in Africa.

Africa must be a leader in this revolution with its youthful population who are already strategically positioned to create tailored made digital solutions for Africas problems, Dr Lazarus Chakwere President of Malawi stated at the 11th African Internet Governance Forum (AfIGF 2022) in Lilongwe, Malawi.

The vision for a digital Africa can only be realized if we invest in indigenous digital solutions, Dr. Chakwere stated as captured by the Communication for Development and Advocacy Consult (CDA Consult) in Tema.

The forum which was on the theme: Digital Inclusion and Trust in Africa, was organized by the government of Malawi in collaboration with the African Union Commission (AUC) and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA).

The forum brought together high-level officials, dignitaries, and participants drawn from African Union Commission, Member States, UN Organisations, the private sector, academia, and civil society to discuss digitalization.

Dr. Amani Abou-Zeid, African Union Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy said since 2020, digital technologies have proven to be the lifeline that made our communications easy, our work going and businesses functioning.

We cannot go back as we need to ensure digitalization is deep-rooted in our economies since our ultimate goal is to create a single digital market for a united Africa.

Dr. Abou-Zeid said Africa is being impacted by the rapidly-changing global economic and political conditions apart from the Pandemic.

She said I believe what matters the most now are two things: Resilience and Security. I cannot think of any other sectors that can have powerful impacts to foster resilience and address energy security than digitalization and energy to ensure food and energy security for the future generation.

She also underlined the need for Africa to devise ways to keep pace with the increasing demand for digital infrastructure, bridge connectivity gaps, especially the urban-rural disparity and address the gender digital divide and create decent jobs for Africa's younger population.

We have a young population with about 65 percent of working age. We do believe that Africa has all to offer to young people when it is integrated.

"I call upon regional and international partners to invest in the bankable and impactful projects under Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA) which packages regional and continental priorities in the energy, transport, and digital sectors, Dr. Abou-Zeid stated.

The Forum was specifically tailored towards four major thematic areas including, affordable and meaningful access, cybersecurity, privacy and personal data protection, digital skills and human capacity development, and digital infrastructure and was preceded by three events: the School on Internet Governance, the Youth African IGF and a Parliamentarian Symposium.

The African Internet Governance Forum is Africa's multistakeholder forum of Internet actors. Formally launched in Nairobi, during the global Internet Governance Forum (IGF) in 2011, it carries the voices and efforts of the African continent to the global agenda while ensuring the benefits of a viable information society accrue to every African citizen.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications, Mr. Ken Ashigbey has provided clarity on the amount that will be charged for using the newly-introduced application to register SIM Cards.

To fast-track the ongoing SIM Card re-registration exercise, the Minister of Communications and Digitalisation, Hon. Ursula Owusu-Ekuful has announced that an App will be available for download this week.

The App that is expected to make it easy for Ghanaians trying to link their SIM Cards with their Ghana Card will come with a GHS5 charge for every registration.

The SIM Registration App will be available for download on both android and IOS this week barring any unforeseen circumstances.

Each registration via the app will be subject to a 5 cedi surcharge, Hon. Ursula Owusu-Ekuful told the media on Sunday, July 31.

Speaking to TV3 in an interview today, Ken Ashigbey stressed that the GHS5 charge is not the decision of the telecom companies in the country.

The CEO of the Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications explained, This app is not a telco app, this app is an app that the regulator has put in place and so who pays what and how much is paid is not the decision of the telcos.

The platform is provided by the common platform provider who has developed the platform the NCA to work with it but the data sits at NITA which is a state-owned data centre.

Although the announcement of the introduction of the App has been welcomed by many Ghanaians, Member of Parliament (MP) for Ningo Prampram, Sam George has issued a caution that the Ministry of Communication must seek parliamentary approval before the GHS5 charge on the App takes effect.
The Minority in Parliament is calling for the extension of the SIM card re-registration to the end of 2022.

They also want the Voters ID to be used as a valid ID for the process, in addition to the Ghana Card.

Speaking to Citi News, the Bunkpurugu MP, Abed-nego Bandim, also reiterated the Minoritys concerns with the mode of identification for re-registering SIM cards.

We think that it should be extended to the end of the year. For the September deadline, we have still not enabled people to obtain the Ghana Card to register their SIM Card, Mr. Bandim said.

We have been calling for the other national ID card to be used to register SIM Cards, as it was done in 2021.

The Minister has to relook at the whole exercise, extend it to the end of the year and allow the voter ID card which is used to elect Members of Parliament and used to elect the President for people to use to register their SIM cards, the MP explained.

The government had initially set July 31 as the deadline for all persons to re-register their SIM cards with their Ghana Cards.

Persons who had failed to comply with the directive would have had their SIM cards deactivated.

The regulations are to help law enforcement agencies to identify SIM card owners, track criminals who use phones for illegal activities, curb phone theft, hate text messaging, mobile fraud activities, and SIM Box fraud.

Statistics from the National Communication Authority (NCA) show that as of Thursday, July 21, 2022, 16,969,034 individuals had registered for the Ghana Card, with about 16,535,623 cards printed, while 15,395,607 had linked their Ghana Card to their SIM cards.

To boost the registration process, the government has put in place a self-service registration application, which will be made available on both Android and IOS platforms this week.

---citinewsroom
01.08.2022 LISTEN

There is brewing tension following a decision by the Western North Region Minister, Richard Ebbah Obeng, to unilaterally appoint his spokesperson to act as the Municipal Chief Executive for Bibiani-Anhwiaso-Bekwai.

In a letter intercepted by 3news.com, John Koah, who is a Personal Aide to the Minister, is to act as a care-taker liaison officer between the Assembly and the Regional Minister on all matters that require the attention of the regional minister.

Regional Ministers over the years act as chief executives of any assembly anytime the substantive political appointee is removed or deceased.

Alfred Amoah, the former MCE for Bibiani-Anhwiaso-Bekwai, died in a car accident on Tuesday, July 12 while he was returning from Accra from an official meeting.

In his stead, the regional minister was supposed to have assumed his position until a new chief executive is nominated by the President.

However, Mr Ebbah Obeng has delegated his powers because of what he states as busy schedules in a letter dated Friday, July 29, 2022, and copied the Municipal Coordinating Director and the Presiding Member.

The development is said t have ignited uproar within the corridors of the Bibiani-Anhwiaso-Bekwai Municipal Assembly.

Some assembly members, who spoke to 3news.com, have threatened to physically prevent the ministers surrogate John Koah from coming to the Assembly.

We are waiting for him, we will resist this with our blood, an assembly member said.

---3news.com
President Nana Akufo-Addo, says the effects of the Slave Trade have been devastating to the African continent and to the African Diaspora, with the entire period of slavery stifling Africa's economic, cultural and psychological progress.

Speaking at the Reparations and Racial Healing Summit on Monday, 1st August 2022, President Akufo-Addo stressed that reparations for Africa and the African diaspora are long overdue.

However, he bemoaned the fact that the subject of reparations becomes a debate only when it comes to Africa and Africans.

According to the President, when the British ended slavery, all the owners of enslaved Africans received reparations to the tune of twenty million pounds sterling, the equivalent today of twenty billion pounds sterling, but enslaved Africans themselves did not receive a penny. Likewise in the United States, owners of slaves received three hundred dollars for every slave they owned; the slaves themselves received nothing.

Indeed, in the case of Haiti, the country had to pay reparations amounting to twenty-one billion dollars ($21 billion) to French slaveholders in 1825 for the victory of the great Haitian Revolution, the first in the Americas and the Caribbean which freed the slaves.

President Akufo-Addo continued, Native Americans have received and continue to receive reparations; Japanese-American families, who were incarcerated in internment camps in America during World War II, received reparations. Jewish people, six million of whom perished in the concentration camps of Hitlerite Germany, received reparations, including homeland grants and support.

He continued, So, it is time for Africa, twenty million of whose sons and daughters had their freedoms curtailed and sold into slavery, also to receive reparations.

Whilst reiterating that no amount of money can restore the damage caused by the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade and its consequences, which have spanned many centuries, the President stated that nevertheless, it is now time to revive and intensify the discussions about reparations for Africa. Indeed, the time is long overdue.

He, thus, asked participants at the Summit not to overly concern themselves with modalities for the payment of reparations, but, rather, work to establish, unequivocally, first the justice in the call for reparations.

And, even before these discussions on reparations conclude, the entire continent of Africa deserves a formal apology from the European nations involved in the slave trade for the crimes and damage it has caused to the population, psyche, image and character of the African the world over, the President added.

With the Caribbean Community, CARICOM, having taken the lead in the reparations debate, President Akufo-Addo urged the African Union to engage with our kith and kin from the diaspora, and form a united front to advance the cause of reparations.

The discourse on reparations cannot succeed without emphasis on racial healing. We need to heal from the wrongs of the past in order to capitalise on the opportunities that await us in the future, he added.
The Vice President, Dr Mahamadu Bawumia has disclosed that the construction of the four-tier Suame Interchange in Kumasi will begin in September 2022.

The much-anticipated project according to him is in fulfilment of a promise made by the New Patriotic Party NPP to residents of the Ashanti Region some time ago.

Dr Bawumia said this on Monday, August 1, 2022 when he commissioned the 100 kilometres Kumasi Inner City Ring Road and Adjacent Streets Project at Kentinkrono in the Ashanti Region.

The revelation by the Vice President follows the approval of the loan facility for the Suame project by parliament.

Parliamentary approval

Parliament on Wednesday (July 27, 2022) approved a loan agreement for the construction of a 4-tier interchange at Suame roundabout in Kumasi.

The agreement is between the Government of Ghana (GoG) and Deutsche Bank S.A.E.

It is to finance the design and construction of the Phase One of the Suame Interchange and Ancillary Works Project in Kumasi.

The total amount of the loan approved is 156.4million.

The loan agreement between the Government of Ghana (GoG) and the Deutsche Bank S.A.E was in two folds

The first was an amount of 135,396,518.38 and the other 21million bringing the total to 156.4million.

It is expected to be completed within a period of 36 months from the commencement date in September 2022.

Dr Bawumia explained that the project will convert the Suame roundabout into a four-tier interchange to ensure the free flow of traffic within the area and help reduce long travelling hours.

He noted that all is set for the project to commence adding that President Akufo-Addo will officially cut sod in September this year.
August 01, 2022

On The 'Woke' Flight To Taiwan

Is this the most 'librul' rubbish headline ever?

Investing in Real Estate as Self-Care

Many women seeking independence after a breakup or divorce have discovered emotional empowerment and even healing in real estate investment.

What is the definition of 'many'? I wonder at what tiny slice of the market this 'woke' advertisement for buying real estate is targeted.

---

Anyway - More seriously.

That too old 'woke' lady with the massive freezer full of very expensive ice-cream let it know through Taiwanese media that she wants to arrive in Taipei tomorrow, August 2, at 22:30 local time (14:30 UTC) and stay over night.

Pelosi's trip is a stupid thing to do but she is a politician and stupid things are what they generally do.

Michael D. Swaine @Dalzell60 - 12:26 UTC  Aug 1, 2022 I have been told that Pelosi has said she will only not go 2 TW if Biden publicly discourages her n she can blame him. Anyone else heard this? Sounds like Pelosi. Why cant they both confer n conclude its not a good idea? Why the blame game, if true?

Pelosi expected to visit Taiwan, Taiwanese and US officials say

I can think of several reasons why Pelosi will not arrive in Taiwan. Here flight might, for example, get diverted. But it is also possible that it happens but is followed by huge consequences, likely to the disadvantage of the U.S. and Taiwan.

There is also this thought, by Cynthia Chung, which might become relevant:

In October 2019, Jake Sullivan, who became U.S. National Security Advisor in 2021, stated in an interview that the U.S. needed a clear threat to rally the world and play the role of saviour of mankind and that China could be that organizing principle for U.S. foreign policy. In the 2019 interview, he acknowledges that the problem was that people were not going to believe that China is a global threat, that their view of China is too positive and that the United States would need a Pearl Harbour moment, a real focusing event to change their minds, something he calmly stated that would scare the hell out of the American people.

She correctly traces such 'Pearl Harbour moment' thinking back to neo-conservative movement. Chung closes with this:

Thus, when Jake Sullivan observes that there is not enough anti-China sentiment to bolster an image of the United States as a saviour of mankind against China and that America is in need of a Pearl Harbour moment I would be very wary. The circus around Pelosis trip to Taiwan in the coming days, and evident glee that is coming forth from many of these neocons frothing at the mouth over this prospect is a clear sign that something incredibly reckless and stupid is about to happen. Pelosis airplane might indeed be shot down on her completely irrelevant and unnecessary trip to Taiwan, and if it is, dont be surprised if it was the Americans themselves who are behind it, who have shown they are willing to do anything for that Pearl Harbour moment.

I for one surely hope that the above does not happen.

Posted by b on August 1, 2022 at 15:54 UTC | Permalink

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August 01, 2022

Ukraine Open Thread 2022-120

Only for news & views related to the Ukraine conflict.

Off topic comments will be deleted and repeated offenders WILL get banned.

The current open thread for other issues is here.

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BEIRUT (AP)  Lebanon and Israel are getting closer to reaching a deal in a more than a decade-old maritime border dispute between the two neighbors, a U.S. envoy and Lebanese officials said Monday.

Lebanon and Israel have been officially at war since Israels creation in 1948 and both countries claim some 860 square kilometers (330 square miles) of the Mediterranean Sea.

Amos Hochstein, a senior adviser for energy security at the U.S. State Department who has been mediating between the two neighbors, expressed optimism after his meetings Monday in Beirut with Lebanons president, caretaker prime minister and parliament speaker.

The joint meeting between Hochstein and the top leaders may indicate that a breakthrough could be near and that Lebanon's political leadership backs such a deal.

The atmosphere is positive and the gap of disagreements in this field is narrowing, Deputy Parliament Speaker Elias Bou Saab told reporters after the meeting.

Hochstein arrived in Beirut on Sunday to inform Lebanon of Israels response to Beiruts June proposal over the disputed sea border area.

Following his last visit to Lebanon in June, Hochstein told the U.S.-funded Alhurra television that the Lebanese government took a very strong step forward by presenting a more united approach, and anticipated that there could be progress to reach a settlement.

I remain optimistic that we can make continuous progress as we have over the last several weeks, Hochstein said in brief comments after the 90-minute meeting at the presidential palace.

He added that he looks forward to coming back to the region" and being able to make the final arrangements.

Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri described the talks as positive.

Lebanons caretaker Foreign Minister Abdallah Bouhabib told the local Al-Jadeed TV that major progress has been made. We are trying to set things up so that we can search for gas and they (Israelis) too, he said.

Lebanon is in bad need of an agreement as it hopes to exploit offshore gas reserves to try and alleviate what has become the worst economic crisis in its modern history.

On Sunday, Lebanese militant Hezbollah group aired drone footage of Israeli ships in a disputed gas field in the Mediterranean Sea, highlighting the tension at the center of U.S.-mediated Israel-Lebanon maritime border talks.

Lebanon claims the Karish gas field is disputed territory under ongoing maritime border negotiations, whereas Israel says it lies within its internationally recognized economic waters.

The Israeli military earlier this month shot down three Hezbollah unarmed drones flying over Karish gas field in the Mediterranean Sea. Mikati at the time criticized Hezbollah, saying the move could pose risks to the country.

Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in an interview last week said that the militant group can locate and strike Karish and any other Israeli gas field.

Later Monday, Hochstein told the local LBC TV station, when asked about Hezbollah's recent activities, that the best and only way to achieve a resolution to this long-lasting dispute is through the negotiating table and through diplomacy.

He warned that anything else has the risk of causing some miscalculated harm to those negotiations and end them.

Israel and Hezbollah are bitter enemies that fought a monthlong war in the summer of 2006. Israel considers the Iran-backed group its most serious immediate threat, estimating it has some 150,000 rockets and missiles aimed at Israel.
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KYIV, Ukraine (AP)  The first ship carrying Ukrainian grain set out Monday from the port of Odesa under an internationally brokered deal to unblock the embattled country's agricultural exports and ease the growing global food crisis.

The Sierra Leone-flagged cargo ship Razoni sounded its horn as it departed with over 26,000 tons of corn destined for Lebanon.

The first grain ship since Russian aggression has left port, Ukrainian Minister of Infrastructure Oleksandr Kubrakov declared on Twitter.

Russia and Ukraine signed agreements in Istanbul with Turkey and the U.N. on July 22, clearing the way for Ukraine to export 22 million tons of grain and other agricultural products that have been stuck in Black Sea ports because of Russias invasion of Ukraine more than five months ago. The deals also allow Russia to export grain and fertilizer.

As part of the agreements, safe corridors through the mined waters outside Ukraine's ports were established.

Ukraine and Russia are major global suppliers of wheat, barley, corn and sunflower oil, with the fertile Black Sea region long known as the breadbasket of Europe. The holdup of shipments because of the war has worsened rising food prices worldwide and threatened hunger and political instability in developing nations.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy sounded a cautious note. Calling the shipment the first positive signal that there is a chance to stop the spread of a food crisis in the world, he also urged international partners to closely monitor Moscows compliance with the deal.

We cannot have the illusions that Russia will simply refrain from trying to disrupt Ukrainian exports, Zelenskyy said.

In Moscow, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov hailed the ships departure as very positive, saying it would help test the efficiency of the mechanisms that were agreed to during the talks in Istanbul.

Under the agreements, ships going in and out of Ukrainian ports will be subject to inspection to make sure that incoming vessels are not carrying weapons and that outgoing ones are bearing only grain, fertilizer or related food items, not any other commodities.

The Razoni was scheduled to dock early Wednesday in Istanbul, where teams of Russian, Ukrainian, Turkish and U.N. officials were set to board it for inspection.

More ships are expected to leave from Ukraines ports through the safe corridors. At Odesa, 16 more vessels, all blocked since Russias invasion on Feb. 24, were waiting their turn, with others to follow, Ukrainian authorities said.

But some shipping companies are not yet rushing to export food across the Black Sea as they assess the danger of mines and the risk of Russian rockets hitting grain warehouses and ports.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who proposed the grain deal in April, said the Razoni was "loaded with two commodities in short supply: corn and hope.

Hope for millions of people around the world who depend on the smooth running of Ukraines ports to feed their families, he said.

Lebanon, the corns destination, is in the grip of a severe financial crisis. A 2020 explosion at its main port in Beirut shattered its capital city and destroyed grain silos. Lebanon imports mostly wheat from Ukraine but also buys its corn for making cooking oil and animal feed.

Kubrakov said the shipments will also help Ukraines war-shattered economy.

Unlocking ports will provide at least $1 billion in foreign exchange revenue to the economy and an opportunity for the agricultural sector to plan for next year, he said.

Hearing the ship sound its horn as it left port delighted Olena Vitalievna, an Odesa resident.

Finally, life begins to move forward and there are some changes in a positive direction," she said. "In general, the port should live its own life because Odesa is a port city. We live here. We want everything to work for us, everything to bustle.

The resumption of the grain shipments came as fighting raged elsewhere in Ukraine, with Russia pressing its offensive in the east while Ukraine tries to retake territory in the Russian-occupied south.

Ukraines presidential office said at least three civilians were killed and 16 wounded by Russian shelling in the Donetsk region over the past 24 hours. Donetsk Gov. Pavlo Kyrylenko repeated a call for all residents to evacuate, emphasizing the need to remove about 52,000 children still there.

Two civilians were killed and two seriously wounded when Russian forces fired missiles at a bus evacuating people from a village in the southern Kherson region, according to Oleksandr Vilkul, head of the military administration in the city of Kryvyi Rih.

Ukrainian authorities have been calling on civilians in that region, which was overrun by Russian troops early in the war, to evacuate ahead of a planned counteroffensive.

More shelling was reported in Kharkiv in the northeast and Mykolaiv in the south.

Analysts warned that the continuing fighting could still upend the grain deal.

The departure of the first vessel doesnt solve the food crisis; its just the first step that could also be the last if Russia decides to continue attacks in the south," said Volodymyr Sidenko, an expert with the Kyiv-based Razumkov Center think tank.

In other developments:

 In Washington, President Joe Biden approved an additional $550 million in military aid to Ukraine, including more ammunition for howitzers and for the new American-supplied multiple rocket launchers that are making a difference on the battlefield. The package brings total U.S. military assistance to Ukraine to approximately $8.7 billion since the start of the Biden administration.

 Ukraines human rights ombudsman said he had written to his Russian counterpart suggesting a joint visit to the Olenivka prison, where dozens of Ukrainian POWs were killed in an explosion Friday. Dmitry Lubets said the Russian side indicated it would consider it.

Both sides have blamed each other for the blast at the prison, which is in Russian-controlled territory. Ukrainian officials maintain the explosion was caused by a bomb set off inside the building.

The International Committee of the Red Cross has also requested access to the prison, but so far has been turned down.

___

Fraser reported from Ankara, Turkey. Jon Gambrell in Dubai contributed.
Boston Globe/Boston Globe via Getty Images

Three sisters who were reported missing from the small North Texas town of Atlanta on Friday, July 29, were found dead in a private pond on Saturday, July 30. The three girls, 9-year-old Ziariel Oliver, 8-year-old Amanda Hughes, and 5-year-old Temari Oliver, were discovered just after midnight, the Fort Worth Star Telegram reported.

The Texas Department of Parks and Wildlife Game Wardens for Cass County and Bowie County Dive Teams arrived at the private pond around 9:30 p.m. on Saturday. TPWD game wardens searching the area found one of the girl's shoes by the pond. The children's mother confirmed it was one of her daughter's shoes and footprints were also found in the mud, Texarkana station TKAL reported.
Infomedia Buys Stake in Monitoring Firm MediaCatch

In Denmark, media intelligence specialist Infomedia has acquired a 23% stake in media monitoring tech specialist MediaCatch, gaining access to both a Nordic and international market.



MediaCatch, which was co-founded by CTO, Filip Wallberg, CEO, Lars Damgaard Nielsen, CIAO, Anders Glent Buch, and CDO, Ccilie Bach Kjrulf, provides AI-driven audio and visual media intelligence software, and its tech currently live scans more than 30 TV channels, over fifteen radio channels, and 650+ web media, Danish YouTube, and selected social media. The firm offers brand and media analyzes, as well as products such as sponsorship analytics, diversity analyzes, and media monitoring as software-as-a-service. In addition, the company has developed technologies related to logo, sound, speech, object, and facial recognition, as well as others that can detect humour, scenarios, and more.



The investment in MediaCatch follows Infomedia's previous acquisition of online news content monitoring tech firm Opoint in 2018, and the acquisition of the media monitoring company M-Brain in 2019. Infomedia says the latest deal will strengthen the monitoring of audio and video in its own media monitoring solution. Infomedia CEO Thomas Vejlemand (pictured) comments: 'With this investment, we will improve the quality of our solutions in Danish, Finnish, Norwegian and Swedish, and the main international languages can be added through the possibilities available via MediaCatch.'



Web sites: www.infomedia.dk and www.mediacatch.io .




Erwin Mariano, 51, a homeless man, recounted the events that transpired Saturday when he awoke to flames five feet away from him. He had sought shelter in an abandoned building at the Hagatna pool which was engulfed in fire on July 30, 2022.
Duncan_Andison/Getty Images/iStockphoto

The Jacksonville Historic Preservation Commission is scheduled to meet in regular session at 5:30 p.m. today in the Municipal Building, 200 W. Douglas Ave.

Among the items on the agenda are:
Duncan_Andison/Getty Images/iStockphoto

The South Jacksonville Plans Commission is scheduled to meet in regular session at 7 p.m. today in Village Hall, 301 Dewey Drive.

Among the items on the agenda are:
CAIRO (AP)  A fuel tanker truck caught fire and exploded Monday in central Libya, killing at least nine people and injuring 76 others, health authorities said.

The incident took place in the central town of Bent Bayya when the tanker truck overturned before catching fire and exploding, the state-run Libya News agency reported.
Eight-year-old Nicholas Warmowski of Jacksonville was well-prepared for his year-long international trip.

My stuffed Bunny, Monkey and Penguin each got their own passports. Thats their names, Warmowski said. Ive had them so long I cant remember how long Ive had them.

Nicholas and his father and mother, Steve and Tiffany Warmowski, left Jacksonville in late July on a lengthy, multi-country journey that will see the family re-connecting with old friends and experiencing much of Europe and South America.

This is something new, we havent done a lot of traveling, but Dad and I like camping, Nicholas said. Im excited to see Romania and Sweden. Romania because I get to see Tudor (a foreign exchange student who stayed with the Warmowskis) and Sweden because I get to see people we know and their grandchildren.

The Warmowskis are known in the Jacksonville community for their business, Warmowski Photography, and their involvement in a number of community organizations, including the Rotary and Kiwanis clubs. Tiffany and Steve have hosted numerous foreign exchange students over the years, and have taken trips abroad themselves, as part of service club international exchange programs.

This isnt a place-based trip, its a people-based trip, Steve said. Our intention is to go to towns to see people that we know and to get to know the life in those towns.

The Warmowskis started their trip in Germany and their itinerary includes stays in Slovakia, France, Sweden, Romania, England, Italy, Greece, the Netherlands, Argentina and Brazil. Many of the locations are where former exchange students that the family has hosted reside. Other stops along the way are to meet fellow traveling friends.

Weve been talking about this for years. In 2020 we had tickets purchased for a three or four week tour of Europe but that got canceled because of COVID, Steve said. We saw that if you could take a pause from your business because of COVID, then you could take a pause from your business and do something positive, which is to reconnect with all of our friends.

Warmowski Photography is on hiatus as the family visits friends on two continents. The Warmowskis sold their home and have stored their possessions. Nicholas is being home and road schooled by his parents.

The cost of living in Jacksonville is low and people have supported our business enough that we have been able to save money in order to do this, Tiffany said. I was in charge of the Rotary Exchange program for our club for 15 years so Ive had numerous exchange students from all over the world. One of the reasons that we are traveling is to see them.

I know that I have a romanticized view of other cultures and by spending an extended amount of time in those places Id like to kind of peel some of the shiny away and see what works for them and what doesnt work, Tiffany said. Then I can see my own country through fresh eyes and appreciate my country more.

Steve is a Chicago native who studied at the University of Illinois, where he began his career in photojournalism at the student newspaper, The Daily Illini. He worked as a photojournalist in Freeport and Decatur, Illinois before coming to work for the Jacksonville Journal Courier in 1997.

Tiffany was born in Peoria and raised in Chicago Heights and Lansing. She enrolled as a deaf-education major at MacMurray College in 1994 and took a photography class because she had an interest in it. Tiffany met Steve during her senior year in 1997 when he covered the opening day of classes at the college for the newspaper.

I saw him and said, oh, thats a nice camera, can I look at it? Tiffany said. He let me use his camera and asked me if I wanted to freelance for the paper.

Tiffany did freelance work at the Journal-Courier, had two internships there, and then was hired as a staff photographer. Tiffany and Steves professional lives turned personal in November 1998, and they were married in September 2001.

The couple left the newspaper business and opened Warmowski Photography in 2007. Nicholas was born in 2014.



We were received so graciously in our community and were very well-supported, Tiffany said. Not just from clients who hired us but also from Jacksonville Main Street and the Chamber of Commerce, the business organizations and service clubs.

Tiffany has been involved with the Jacksonville Rotary Club, the Jacksonville Area Museum, and the MacMurray College Foundation and Alumni Association. Steve has been active with the Jacksonville Kiwanis Club and was the president of the Jacksonville Parks Foundation that helped to bring the dog park to the community and lobbied for the trail at Lake Jacksonville. He also served two terms as a Jacksonville alderman.

The Warmowskis are temporarily leaving a lot behind in Jacksonville, but they are excited about what the next year will bring.



My goal for our family is that we rely on each other more and become closer to each other and learn more about each other by putting ourselves in challenging and different situations, Tiffany said. Personally, I would also like to become more resilient. Im a little bit Princess and the Pea, and I hope that by putting myself in lots of different situations that I will maybe not be so particular.

Steve thinks the experience will have a profound positive effect on their son.

A big hope for us is to have Nicholas have a great experience, just for him to explore the world, maybe even become an exchange student later, Steve said. This will give him a nice way to meet other cultures and find out about other places.

Nicholas, or Nico as he is known by his friends at Eisenhower Elementary School, is looking forward to re-connecting with Tudor Balint, the exchange student who stayed with the Warmowskis in Jacksonville. Nicholas and Tudor have a long-running, inside joke that Nicholas hopes to continue.

I especially liked Tudor, Nicholas said. He lived in Romania and the Russians stole his iPad.
Matt Rourke/AP

The National Labor Relations Board has dismissed a charge Starbucks filed against union organizers in Phoenix, saying there was not enough evidence that pro-union workers blocked store entrances or intimidated customers during a spring rally.

Seattle-based Starbucks filed the charge with the labor board in April. The company contended that pro-union workers violated U.S. labor law by threatening workers and customers a Phoenix Starbucks store.
TAPACHULA, Mexico (AP)  An alleged migrant smuggler was killed by police near the Mexico-Guatemala border early Monday after the driver of the pickup truck he was traveling in ignored police officers order to stop.

The Chiapas state prosecutors office said in a statement that five migrants, whose nationalities were not given, were also traveling in the truck with the driver and the man who was shot.
Pope to Kazakhstan Sept. 13-15, may meet Russia patriarch View Photo

ROME (AP)  Pope Francis will travel next month to Kazakhstan, where he could meet with Patriarch Kirill, the leader of the Russian Orthodox Church, who has justified Moscows war in Ukraine.

Francis, 85, will attend an interfaith conference in the Kazakh capital, Nur-Sultan, from Sept. 13-15, the Vatican said Monday.

Francis called off a planned encounter with Kirill in June in Jerusalem because of the diplomatic fallout it would have created. Kirill has justified the invasion of Ukraine on spiritual and ideological grounds, calling it a metaphysical battle with the West. He has blessed Russian soldiers going into battle and invoked the idea that Russians and Ukrainians are one people.

Francis and Kirill, who had a first historic encounter in Havana in 2016, have spoken by video call at least once since the war began.

The Kazakh government is hosting a Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions from Sept. 14-15. Kirill has been invited and the Moscow Patriarchate has said he would attend.

Returning from his just-concluded trip to Canada, Francis told journalists on Saturday that in addition to Kazakhstan, he also hoped to visit Ukraine but that nothing had yet been confirmed. Vatican officials say they hoped to organize a trip even in the coming weeks.

On Sunday, Francis again prayed for Ukraine, saying he had never stopped praying for the attacked, martyred Ukrainian people, during his Canadian pilgrimage.

If you look at reality objectively, considering the damage that war brings every day to those people but also the entire world, the only reasonable thing to do is to stop and negotiate, he said. May wisdom inspire concrete steps of peace.

Francis has criticized Russias invasion of Ukraine and Kirills support for the war, telling an Italian newspaper in May that the patriarch shouldnt become Putins altar boy.

The Russian Patriarchate shot back that it was regrettable that Francis chose the wrong tone to relay the contents of their March video call.

Francis, whose mobility has been limited because of strained knee ligaments, said he thought the Kazakhstan trip would be fairly tranquil, without too much moving around since it was purely to attend a religious congress.

A trip to Ukraine would be far more complicated and would presumably require he take the train in from Poland.

Ive said I want to go to Ukraine. Lets see what I find when I get home, he said.

By NICOLE WINFIELD

Associated Press
UK, Irish leaders at funeral for peacemaker David Trimble View Photo

LONDON (AP)  The leaders of Britain and Ireland joined scores of mourners on Monday for the funeral of politician David Trimble, who shared the Nobel Peace Prize for helping to end decades of violence in Northern Ireland.

U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Irish Premier Micheal Martin joined Trimbles widow and four children for the service at Harmony Hill Presbyterian Church in Lisburn, southwest of Belfast. Trimble died on July 25 at the age of 77.

Irish President Michael D. Higgins, senior British officials and politicians from both sides of Northern Irelands Catholic-Protestant divide also attended the funeral, including Trimbles one-time enemy, the former Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams.

Trimble, who led the Ulster Unionist Party from 1995 to 2005, became a key architect of the 1998 Good Friday peace agreement after he reversed his long-held opposition to negotiating with the Irish Republican Army-linked party Sinn Fein.

He shared the 1998 Nobel Peace Prize with moderate Irish nationalist leader John Hume for ending three decades of sectarian conflict in which more than 3,000 people died.

Trimble became Northern Irelands first minister in the Protestant-Catholic power-sharing government set up under the accord. It was soon rocked by disagreements over disarming the IRA, and Trimbles party was overtaken in public support by the more hardline Democratic Unionist Party.

Trimble resigned as party leader and lost his seat in Britains Parliament in 2005. He spent the final decade and a half of his life as a member of Parliaments unelected upper chamber, the House of Lords.

Rev. Charles McMullen said in a eulogy that Trimbles actions had saved many lives and allowed a generation to grow up in relative peace.

History will be exceedingly kind to David, even if life brought many unrelenting pressures and demands, he said.

McMullen urged politicians to honor Trimble by working to end Northern Irelands current political crisis. The Belfast government is suspended amid a dispute over post-Brexit trade rules that some politicians say dont protect Northern Irelands status within the U.K. enough.

Can we use this service today, in a fitting tribute to one of the great, to redouble our efforts on this island home of ours? McMullen asked.
Officials: North Dakota murderer kills himself in prison View Photo

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP)  A man who was serving life sentences for killing four people at a North Dakota business in what authorities say was one of the states most gruesome crimes has killed himself in prison, authorities said.

The North Dakota Highway Patrol said a trooper was called to the state prison in Bismarck at around 5:45 p.m. on Sunday regarding a resident who had caused self-harm. The trooper was told that Chad Isaak,48, had been taken by ambulance to a Bismarck hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 6:24 p.m.

Authorities didnt immediately give a cause of death.

Prison spokeswoman Kayli Richards said in a statement Monday that state confidentiality laws prevent her from disclosing whether Isaak had been considered a suicide risk or held under any special conditions at the prison.

She said Isaac shared a cell but that his roommate was not present at the time of the incident.

Richards said Isaak had one minor pending disciplinary report but had no others since being locked up. She didnt elaborate.

Isaak was serving four life sentences without the possibility of parole for the April 2019 killings of RJR Maintenance and Management co-owner Robert Fakler, 52; and employees Adam Fuehrer, 42; Bill Cobb, 50; and Lois Cobb, 45. The Cobbs were married. No motive was given at the trial.

The four were shot and stabbed inside the property management companys building in Mandan.

Isaak, a chiropractor and Navy veteran, lived at a Washburn property that the company managed, but authorities never established a motive for the killings.

Isaak was appealing his convictions.

Jesse Walstad, one of Isaaks trial attorneys, said Monday that he didnt know any details about his former clients death.

We concluded our representation after trial and sentencing, he said. We are very sympathetic to his family, of course. We have no comment beyond that.

During the trial, defense attorneys argued that investigators didnt seriously consider other possible suspects, including people who had either been evicted, sued or fired by RJR.

Prosecutors showed security camera footage from numerous businesses that authorities said tracked Isaaks white pickup truck from Mandan to Washburn on the day of the killings, along with footage from a week earlier that they said indicated the killer had planned the attack in advance.

Forensic experts testified that fibers on the clothing of the slain workers matched fibers taken from Isaaks clothing, and that DNA evidence found in Isaaks truck was linked to Fakler and possibly Lois Cobb.

Prosecutors presented the case as a puzzle in which all of the pieces pointed to Isaak, including a knife found in his washing machine and gun parts found in his freezer.

At Isaaks sentencing in December, Jamie Binstock, a daughter of Robert Fakler, told the court that Isaak is a heinous individual who should spend the rest of his life in prison and experience a lifetime of suffering and nightmares.

I do not want your life to end. Your family does not need to suffer the same way we did, Binstock told Isaak in court.

In a statement to The Associated Press on Monday, Binstock said, My thoughts and prayers are with his family.

By JAMES MacPHERSON

Associated Press
Indiana House GOP facing debate on abortion ban exceptions View Photo

INDIANAPOLIS (AP)  Republicans who dominate Indianas Legislature remain divided over how tight they should make a proposed ban on nearly all abortions as debate on the bill shifted Monday to the state House following the Senates narrow weekend approval of the proposal.

Significant disagreement included whether exceptions to the ban should be a llowed for rape and incest victims, while a prominent House conservative said he believed the version approved by the Senate wouldnt prohibit as many abortions as claimed by its sponsor.

A House committee is scheduled on Tuesday to hear public testimony on the proposal and possibly debate changes to it ahead of voting on advancing the bill to the full House.

Many anti-abortion activists oppose the version approved Saturday by a 26-20 vote in the Republican-dominated Senate, arguing that it is too lax and objecting to the rape and incest exceptions included in the bill that generally would prohibit abortions from the time a fertilized egg implants in a uterus.

Republican House Speaker Todd Huston and GOP Rep. Wendy McNamara of Evansville, who is sponsoring the bill in the House, both said Monday that they favored allowing those exceptions.

McNamara said the law needed to be conscientious of those people who experienced trauma in rape and incest situations.

Indiana has among the first-Republican Legislatures considering tighter abortion laws not already on the books since the U.S. Supreme Courts decision overturning Roe v. Wade. West Virginia lawmakers passed up the chance Friday to approve an abortion ban that included exceptions for victims of rape and incest, as well as for medical emergencies. That move delayed further action until later in August.

Indiana Republican Rep. Tim Wesco of Osceola said he and other social conservatives would be pushing for removal of the rape and incest exceptions from the bill, along with a tighter definition of what would allowable abortions. Wesco said he didnt know whether that push would be successful but disagreed with supporters of the bill who maintain it would prohibit nearly all abortions in the state.

I think the bill it passed out of the Senate and is ineffective and it has some significant problems that potentially even rollback what we have in current law, Wesco said.

The Indiana proposal followed a political firestorm over a 10-year-old rape victim who traveled to the state from neighboring Ohio to end a pregnancy. The case gained attention when an Indianapolis doctor said the child had to come to Indiana because a newly imposed Ohio law bans abortions if cardiac activity can be detected in an embryo or fetus, possibly as early as six weeks of pregnancy.

Such abortions would still be allowed under the Indiana proposal, though the Senate-approved version limits how long rape and incest victims have to undergo an abortion. Those 16 or older could get an abortion until eight weeks of pregnancy to sign a notarized affidavit attesting to the attack, , while people younger than 16 would have until 12 weeks.

The bill also includes provisions under which doctors could face felony criminal charges and up to six years in prison for performing an illegal abortion. Thats the same potential penalty for performing abortions under Indianas current 20-week ban.

Representatives of several medical groups have raised concerns about doctors possibly being questioned and prosecuted over their medical decisions.

The Indiana Hospital Association said in a statement that it was concerned about a new state abortion law creating an atmosphere that will be perceived as antagonistic to physicians.

We caution our public officials from sending signals that could further exacerbate our health care workforce shortage and threaten access to care, hospital association President Brian Tabor said. We urge lawmakers to protect all medical professionals from liability and other repercussions when working in good faith to comply with state laws while providing lifesaving care to Hoosier moms and babies.

By TOM DAVIES

Associated Press
Dutch mom gets 3 years in US for supporting Somali militants View Photo

ALEXANDRIA, Va. (AP)  A Dutch woman was sentenced to three years in prison Monday for donating several hundred dollars to a group that supported the militant group al-Shabab in Somalia.

The sentenced imposed on Farhia Hassan, 38, was far less than the 8-year sentence sought by prosecutors.

She was convicted earlier this year by a jury at U.S. District Court in Alexandria of conspiring to provide material support to terrorists.

Prosecutors said she was one of about 15 women who gathered in an online chatroom and regularly committed small amounts of money to support al-Shabab militants in Somalia and Kenya. In all, prosecutors say she donated about $300 over a three-year period, though they admitted difficulty tracking payments.

Hassan, a Somali native and mother of six, was granted asylum in the Netherlands as a teenager and settled in the city of Terneuzen. She was initially charged in 2014, but fought extradition for seven years before she was brought to the U.S. to face trial.

Two leaders of the group have already been convicted and sentenced to terms of 12 and 11 years, respectively.

Hassans lawyers argued she never should have been charged in the first place. They said it was overreach for the U.S. to charge a Dutch woman for supporting Somali militants when she had no connection whatsoever to the U.S.

While al-Shabab has been designated a terrorist organization by the U.S., it carried no such designation in the Netherlands or the European Union at the time the group was active, from 2011 to 2014.

The defense lawyers, Jessica Carmichael and Yancey Ellis, also said the minimal contributions attributed to their client warranted only a minimal sentence. They argued for a sentence of time served, about nine months.

Ms. Hassan has been punished enough, they wrote in sentencing papers.

Prosecutors, though, said $300 can go a long way. In court papers, they said the money could be used in Somalia to pay an al-Shabab fighters monthly wages or buy an AK-47 military rifle or a camel.

At Mondays hearing, Hassan said through a Somali interpreter that she is not an al-Shabab supporter but was donating money to help the Somali people.

Prosecutors, though, said there is no evidence Hassan has truly deradicalized, and said those who participated in the online chats regularly heard lectures supporting suicide attacks and assassination of clerics, among other violent acts.

Every indication before the Court is that she believes just as firmly in al-Shabaabs mission as she did in 2011 when the conspiracy began, prosecutor Danya Atiyeh wrote.

Judge Anthony Trenga, who imposed the sentence, said he largely agreed about Hassans radicalization. But he said Hassans actions did not merit imposition of a so-called terrorism enhancement that usually results in extreme increases to the recommended term under federal sentencing guidelines.

Hassan has the ability to appeal her conviction and sentence.

By MATTHEW BARAKAT

Associated Press
Sen. Graham challenges 2020 Georgia election probe subpoena View Photo

ATLANTA (AP)  U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham is challenging a subpoena to testify before a special grand jury thats investigating whether then-President Donald Trump and others broke any laws when they tried to overturn Joe Bidens win in Georgia.

Graham, a Republican from South Carolina, received a subpoena that was issued on July 26 and orders him to appear before the special grand jury to testify on Aug. 23, his lawyers said in a court filing. Graham is seeking to have the challenge to the subpoena heard in federal court in Atlanta rather than before the Fulton County Superior Court judge whos overseeing the special grand jury.

The senator is one of the Trump allies who Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis wants to question as part of her investigation into what she alleges was a multi-state, coordinated plan by the Trump Campaign to influence the results of the November 2020 election in Georgia and elsewhere.

Graham had said repeatedly that he would fight the subpoena once he received it, which happened last week, according to his lawyers. He has denied meddling in Georgias election.

In a court filing last month, Willis, a Democrat, wrote that Graham made at least two telephone calls to Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger and members of his staff in the weeks after Trumps loss to Biden, asking about reexamining certain absentee ballots to explore the possibility of a more favorable outcome for former President Donald Trump.

When he made those calls, Graham was engaged in quintessentially legislative factfinding  both to help him form election-related legislation, including in his role as then-Chair of the Judiciary Committee, and to help inform his vote to certify the election, his lawyers wrote in a court filing on Friday.

Grahams lawyers cite a provision of the U.S. Constitution that they say provides absolute protection against inquiry into Senator Grahams legislative acts. They also argue sovereign immunity prevents a local prosecutor from summoning a U.S. senator to face a state ad hoc investigatory body. And they assert that Willis has failed to demonstrate the extraordinary circumstances necessary to order a high-ranking federal official to testify.

Willis office will respond in court and expects Graham to testify before the special grand jury, spokesperson Jeff DiSantis said.

Given that Graham has been summoned to testify on Aug. 23, his lawyers asked for expedited consideration of his motion to quash. The judge granted that request, setting a hearing for Aug. 10.

Graham had previously filed a federal court challenge in South Carolina to try to stop Willis efforts to compel him to testify. Before a judge there could hold a hearing, he withdrew that case and agreed to file any challenges to a subpoena in the investigation in either state superior court or federal court in Georgia, according to a court filing.

U.S. Rep. Jody Hice, a Georgia Republican, filed a federal court challenge similar to Grahams after he received a subpoena to testify before the special grand jury. After hearing arguments from his lawyers and from Willis office, a federal judge last week declined to quash his subpoena.

U.S. District Judge Leigh Martin May, who is also assigned to hear Grahams challenge, sent the matter back to Fulton County Superior Court, saying that there are at least some questions that Hice may be compelled to answer. If disagreements arise over whether Hice is protected under federal law from answering certain questions, he can bring those issues back to her to settle, she said.

Willis has confirmed that the investigations scope includes a Jan. 2, 2021, phone call between Trump and Raffensperger during which Trump urged Raffensperger to find enough votes to overturn his loss in the state.

I just want to find 11,780 votes, which is one more than we have, Trump said during that call.

Trump has denied any wrongdoing and has repeatedly described his call to Raffensperger as perfect.

Willis is also interested in false allegations of election fraud made by former New York mayor and Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani and others during Georgia legislative committee meetings in December 2020. Jacki Pick Deason, a Dallas-based lawyer and podcaster, spoke at one of those meetings on Dec. 3, 2020.

Willis is trying to compel Deasons testimony. Because she lives outside Georgia, Willis has to use a process that involves getting a judge in Texas to order her to appear. A judge in New York has already ordered Giuliani to testify next week.

In a court filing in Texas last week, Deason argued that she shouldnt be ordered to testify. She cited alleged flaws with the paperwork Willis filed seeking her testimony, argued that a summons to appear before a Georgia special grand jury is not recognized in Texas and said that the demand for her appearance is based on a false assertion that she was a lawyer for the Trump campaign. She also said that it would be an undue burden for her to travel to Atlanta on days when the special grand jury is meeting in August because of professional obligations and other commitments.

___

Associated Press writers Meg Kinnard in Columbia, S.C., and Jamie Stengle and Jake Bleiberg in Dallas contributed to this report.

By KATE BRUMBACK

Associated Press
Man who stormed Capitol with gun gets longest prison term View Photo

WASHINGTON (AP)  A Texas man convicted of storming the U.S. Capitol with a holstered handgun, helmet and body armor was sentenced Monday to more than seven years in prison, the longest sentence imposed so far among hundreds of Capitol riot cases.

Prosecutors said Guy Reffitt told fellow members of the Texas Three Percenters militia group that he planned to drag House Speaker Nancy Pelosi out of the Capitol building by her ankles, with her head hitting every step on the way down, according to a court filing.

Reffitts prison sentence  seven years and three months  is two years more than the previous longest prison sentence for a Capitol riot defendant. But its less than half the length of the 15-year prison term requested by a federal prosecutor, who called Reffitt a domestic terrorist and said he wanted to physically remove and replace members of Congress.

Reffitt was the first person to go on trial for the Jan. 6, 2021, attack, in which supporters of then-President Donald Trump halted the joint session of Congress for certifying Joe Bidens 2020 electoral victory.

U.S. District Judge Dabney Friedrich, who presided over Reffitts jury trial, also sentenced him to three years of supervised release after his prison term and ordered him to pay $2,000 in restitution.

Sentencing guidelines calculated by the judge called for a term of imprisonment ranging from seven years and three months to nine years.

Friedrich rejected prosecutors contention that an upward departure for terrorism  leading to a far longer sentence  was warranted in Reffitts case. It was the first time that prosecutors have requested that sentencing enhancement for a Jan. 6 case.

He wanted to physically and literally remove Congress, Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Nestler told the judge. We do believe that he is a domestic terrorist.

Friedrich, however, questioned why Reffitt would merit the terrorism enhancement when many other rioters engaged in violence and made similarly disturbing threats.

The longest sentence before Reffitts was five years and three months, for two men who pleaded guilty to assaulting police officers at the Capitol.

Reffitt, who already has been jailed for approximately 19 months, initially balked at speaking to the judge during Mondays hearing. But he changed his mind during a lunch break and offered an expletive-laden apology to police officers, lawmakers and congressional staffers who were at the Capitol on Jan. 6. Calling himself an idiot, Reffitt struggled to explain why he stormed the Capitol.

It was a big blur, he said. It was just very chaotic and confusing.

Friedrich questioned the sincerity of Reffitts apology and expressions of remorse, noting that he has been publishing statements from jail in which he portrays himself and other rioters as patriots who were justifiably rebelling against a tyrannical U.S. government.

Not only are they not patriots, they are direct threats to our democracy and will be punished as such, the judge said.

Reffitt suggested that his fiery rhetoric from prison was hyperbole necessary to raise money to support his family.

Im on the street if I dont say something that would garner money for them, he said.

Defense attorney Clinton Broden asked for Reffitt to be sentenced to no more than two years in prison. Broden noted that Reffitt didnt assault any law enforcement officers or enter the Capitol building.

Videos captured the confrontation between outnumbered Capitol police officers and a mob of people, including Reffitt, who approached them on the west side of the Capitol.

Reffitt was armed with a Smith & Wesson pistol in a holster on his waist, carrying zip-tie handcuffs and wearing body armor and a helmet equipped with a video camera when he advanced on the officers, according to prosecutors. He retreated after an officer pepper sprayed him in the face, but he waved on other rioters who ultimately breached the building, prosecutors said.

Reffitt didnt testify at his trial before jurors convicted him in March of all five counts in his indictment. The jury found him guilty of obstructing Congress joint session, of interfering with police officers outside the Capitol and of threatening his two teenage children if they reported him to law enforcement.

Reffitts 19-year-old son, Jackson, testified that his father told him and his sister, then 16, that they would be traitors if they reported him to authorities and warned them that traitors get shot.

Guy Reffitt was a member of the Texas Three Percenters militia group, according to prosecutors. The Three Percenters movement refers to the myth that only 3% of Americans fought in the Revolutionary War against the British.

Reffitt lived with his wife and children in Wylie, Texas, a Dallas suburb. He drove to Washington, D.C., with Rocky Hardie, a fellow member of the militia group.

Hardie testified that both of them were armed with holstered handguns when they attended Trumps Stop the Steal rally before the riot. Hardie also said Reffitt gave him two pairs of zip-tie cuffs in case they needed to detain anybody.

More than 840 people have been charged with federal crimes related to the riot. Over 340 of them have pleaded guilty, mostly to misdemeanors. More than 220 have been sentenced, with nearly half of them receiving terms of imprisonment. Approximately 150 others have trial dates stretching into 2023.

Reffitt is one of seven Capitol riot defendants to get a jury trial so far. Jurors have unanimously convicted all seven of them on all counts in their respective indictments.

___

Follow APs coverage of the Jan. 6 committee hearings at https://apnews.com/hub/capitol-siege.

By MICHAEL KUNZELMAN

Associated Press
Flash floods close roads into Death Valley National Park View Photo

DEATH VALLEY NATIONAL PARK, Calif. (AP)  Some roads in and out of Death Valley National Park have been closed after they were inundated over the weekend with mud and debris from flash floods that also hit western Nevada and northern Arizona hard.

Officials on Sunday provided no estimate on when the roads around Death Valley would be reopened.

Motorists were also urged to avoid Southern Californias Mojave National Preserve after flooding buckled pavement on some roads. The rain also prompted closures of highways and campgrounds elsewhere, but no injuries were reported

The storms produced torrential downpours and the National Weather Service reported that more than an inch (2.5 centimeters) of rain fell in 15 minutes Sunday near Kingman, Arizona, which is close to the stateline with California.

In a mountainous area east of Los Angeles at the edge of the San Bernardino National Forest, mudslides sent trees and large rocks onto roads, blocking them near the city of Yucaipa.

Forecasters said more thunderstorms were possible on Monday.
AUSTIN, Texas (AP)  The parents of a Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting victim live with a complex form of post-traumatic stress disorder and a constant fear that followers of conspiracy theorist Alex Jones will kill them, a psychiatrist testified Monday at Jones' defamation trial.

Neil Heslin and Scarlett Lewis, the parents of 6-year-old Jesse Lewis, have sued Jones and his media company Free Speech Systems over the harassment and threats they and other parents say they've endured for years while Jones and his Infowars website claimed the 2012 attack that killed 20 first-graders and six school staffers was a hoax or faked.

The overwhelming cause of their pain is what Jones is doing, said Roy Lubit, a forensic psychiatrist hired by the plaintiffs to review the trauma faced by the parents.

The post-traumatic stress disorder the parents suffer from is not based on a single event, but on constant trauma, and is similar to that endured by soldiers in war zones or child abuse victims, Lubit said.

Heslin and Scarlett Lewis are consumed not just with the memory of their son's horrific death, but the denials and attacks on them and their son's legacy they've endured for years. He noted the security the parents hired to protect them at the two-week trial.

Lubit said Heslin has had guns fired at his home and has been accosted on the street. Scarlett Lewis told Lubit that she installed sophisticated surveillance equipment at her home and sleeps with a gun, a knife and pepper spray at her bedside.

Jones' attorney Andino Reynal tried to attack the credibility of Lubit's testimony and whether he is biased in favor of the parents, who are seeking at least $150 million in the case. He noted that Lubit briefly ran for Congress in Connecticut as a Democrat in 2018.

You dont like Alex Jones, do you? Reynal asked.

I dont like what he does, Lubit answered.

Mark Bankston, attorney for Heslin and Lewis, said the family has gone into isolation under a large and professional security team because of an incident that happened since the trial began. He did not provide details of what happened.

They are in isolation and they are going to stay that way, and all I can tell you is they are terrified right now, Bankston said.

Heslin and Lewis have have attended almost all of the trial since opening statements on July 26, and first arrived at the courthouse with a small security detail. They left the courtroom together Monday morning.

Michael Crouch, a Connecticut psychologist who has treated Heslin and Stewart, said the lies about a Sandy Hook hoax stole precious memories of their son.

If Alex Jones, if he was spreading the belief, the lies, that Neils an actor, that means Jesse doesnt exist. Which is crazy," Crouch said. "Youre taking away what they know of their son, what they want to hold on to.

Heslin and Lewis are expected to testify Tuesday as the final witnesses for their side.

Reynal said Jones will testify Tuesday in his own defense.

Monday's testimony also included videotaped depositions from an Infowars reporter who said that at the website, there was no fact-checking, source-vetting, verifying information through second sources or training about journalistic standards.

Jones, who has attended only some of the trial, was not in the courtroom for Monday morning's testimony.

The trial is in Texas because Jones lives in Austin and his media company, Free Speech Systems, is based there. The company filed for federal bankruptcy protection, though defense attorneys say that should not disrupt the trial, which is in its second week.

Free Speech Systems, which operates Infowars, listed $14.3 million in assets. That includes almost $1.16 million in cash and almost $1.6 million in property and equipment, as of May 31.

It also listed $79 million in liabilities, with a $54 million debt owed to PQPR Holdings.

Sandy Hook families have separately sued Jones over the $54 million debt listing, arguing that PQBR is a Nevada-registered company owned by Jones and his family through shell entities. That lawsuit in state court is still pending.

Courts in Texas and Connecticut have already 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, judges issued default judgements against Jones without trials because he failed to respond to court orders and turn over documents.

___

For more of the AP's coverage of school shootings: https://apnews.com/hub/school-shootings
LONDON (AP)  A British court on Monday refused to block a hospital from ending life-support treatment for a 12-year-old boy who has suffered catastrophic brain damage.

The parents of Archie Battersbee have fought unsuccessfully in the courts to prevent the Royal London Hospital from turning off the boy's ventilator and stopping other interventions that are keeping him alive. That had been due to happen Monday, but after the family appealed to the United Nations, the British government asked the Court of Appeal to take another look at the case.

After an emergency hearing, the court said it would not extend a stay on the withdrawal of life support beyond noon on Tuesday.

Every day that (Archie) continues to be given life-sustaining treatment is contrary to his best interests and, so, a stay, even for a short time, is against his best interests," judge Andrew McFarlane said.

The judge said the medical evidence showed that Archies system, his organs and, ultimately, his heart are in the process of closing down. The options before the court have always been stark.

Archie's parents can still ask the U.K. Supreme Court if it will hear the case. If it agrees, the deadline would likely be extended again.

Archie was found unconscious at home with a ligature over his head on April 7. His parents believe he may have been taking part in an online challenge that went wrong. Doctors believe Archie is brain-stem dead and say continued life-support treatment is not in his best interests.

Several British courts have agreed. Mondays hearing came after the U.N. Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities asked for treatment to be continued so it could examine the case.

Archies mother, Hollie Dance, said doctors and judges should not have the final say about Archies treatment.

Archie is my child, she told the BBC. It shouldnt be anybody elses decision but ours.

The case is the latest in the U.K. that has pitted the judgment of doctors against the wishes of families. In several cases, including this one, the families have been backed by a religious pressure group, Christian Concern.

Under British law, it is common for courts to intervene when parents and doctors disagree on the treatment of a child. In such cases, the rights of the child take primacy over the parents right to decide whats best for their offspring.

Alistair Chesser, chief medical officer for Barts Health NHS Trust, which runs the hospital, said the plan to withdraw treatment will proceed unless the court directs otherwise.

Our deepest sympathies are with Archies family at this difficult time, he said.
MERIDEN  Tony Cusnias passion for vehicles started to grow when he was a teenager living in Ecuador. Eventually he moved to the U.S., and now he is the owner of Pelletiers Auto Center, a car dealership on Kensington Avenue.

The business focuses on selling used vehicles, while offering different warranty options, and does not require an excellent or good credit score to finance a car, said Cusnia.

Pelletiers finances cars and registers them for customers at the Department of Motor Vehicles. Cusnia said he has owned dealerships since 2010, and in 2016, he purchased Pelletiers Auto Center. The business inventory ranges from Toyotas to Chevrolets and BMWs. Sedan and SUV models are available.

Business journey

Cusnia recalled being poor and working in a banana harvesting business beginning at age 10. His dream was to own a business to make a living. Cusnia has had a passion for vehicles his whole life and learned to repair them when he was 15 years old, he said. At age 19, he opened his first business in Ecuador, selling parts and repairing vehicles.

In 2003 he came to the U.S. and in 2006 he purchased a restaurant. Cusnia explained he didnt know the restaurant industry enough and shut down the business in 2009. That was my best school, he said.

Cusnia came from Ecuador looking to thrive as a business owner. I wanted to demonstrate to myself that everything is possible, Cusnia said.

He now encourages others to become business owners but warns them about getting to know the industry prior to opening a

business.

He also wanted for his son to go to school in the U.S. Cusnias dream is now a reality as his son recently graduated college. Cusnia said he is looking forward to continuing to operate the car dealership, but is also looking into purchasing a farm to create a warehouse with products imported from Ecuador. Cusnias major challenge in his journey was starting from scratch when he moved to the U.S. His reward has been having the ability to be successful or to fail fast and start over, he said.

Elizabeth Carrera, of Meriden, met Cusnia about eight years ago through other friends. Carrera said she has purchased various vehicles from Cusnia and is in the process of financing another vehicle through Pelletiers Auto Center. Carrera said she has recommended the business to family and friends because of her good experience working with Cusnia.

Its a dealer thats very serious in everything, she said.

The customer service experience is one of the things Carrera has enjoyed the most about Pelletiers Auto Center. She described Cusnia as someone who is kind and who likes to motivate others. For more information about Pelletiers Auto Center, call 203-715-4867 or visit pelletiersauto.com.

ksantos@record-journal.com203-317-2364Twitter: @KarlaSantosNews
Marylands Republican voters have chosen their nominee for attorney general, and its a real doozy: Meet Michael Peroutka, a neo-Confederate former councilman who has espoused conspiratorial views about Sept. 11.

CNNs KFile has uncovered episodes of radio shows co-hosted by Peroutka from 2006 in which he pushes debunked 9/11 conspiracy theories, claiming the World Trade Center towers fell due to controlled demolition.

What happened on 9-1-1, I told you that I had been doing some research and watching some videos, Peroutka said during one of the shows. And I said that if the buildings in New York City, the World Trade Center buildings, came down by demolition charges  that is to say  if there was this evidence that there was that something was preset there, then the implications of that are massive.

Peroutka added, Ive been doing some reading and doing some studying, and I believe that to be very, very true.

But his 9/11 conspiracy theorizing went beyond just the Trade Center. Peroutka hypothesized that some elite bureaucrat might have the power to demolish any building in New York City. That begs the question that if there are preset charges in Building Seven, whats to stop there for being preset charges in Buildings 1, 2 8, 9, and 27? Peroutka said. Are there charges in every building in New York City? Is everyone ready to be brought down whenever some elite bureaucrat decides that hes gonna pull it?

In other radio shows, KFile found, Peroutka pushed another unfounded conspiracy 9/11 theory: that a missile, rather than a plane, hit the Pentagon. Peroutka claimed there was no evidence of bodies or luggage at the crash site, saying it was very plausible that a missile that looked like a plane hit the Pentagon. He went so far as to float the possibility that people who died in the Pentagon attack were moved elsewhere to be killed.

Now, you could clearly understand that somebody whose loved one was lost on that plane, very possibly, could have gotten some piece of forensic evidence that indicated that their loved one was in fact deceased. But who says that came from the Pentagon? he said.

Peroutkas outlandish and harmful views dont end with 9/11. From 2012 to 2014, he was a board member of League of the South, a neo-Confederate organization deemed a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center. In 2012, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) labeled Peroutka as an active white supremacist and secessionist sympathizer.

During his 2004 run for president under the Constitution Party, Peroutka embraced League of the South, which would later go on to help plan the Charlottesville Unite the Right rally. Peroutka has not disavowed the group. He also embraced the Confederate flag, appearing beside one at a campaign event. I am proud to be a member of the League of the South, he wrote on his blog in 2004. I look forward to receiving the support  from guys with Confederate flags in their trucks.

According to Vice, during his presidential run, Peroutka gave a speech to League of the South where he claimed he was still angry that Maryland did not secede at the start of the Civil War. There should have been more of us in 1861, he said.

At the same convention, Michael Bedford Peroutka argued that after secession, the neo-confederate forces must ensure their new government is tied to the Bible. This is the GOP nominee for the states highest law enforcement office. pic.twitter.com/N9hYDb5HJj  Vaughn Stewart (@DelegateStewart) July 21, 2022

Peroutka has espoused other radical views, including that the separation of church and state is a great lie. And he claims that gay marriage cant be law, because it violates Gods law. In 2014, he advocated secession and taking a Biblical world view and apply[ing] it to civil law and government.

If Peroutka wins in November, it will make history. Not only would the state have elected a neo-Confederate conspiracy theorist attorney general, he would be Marylands first elected Republican attorney general in more than a century. He is running against Democratic nominee Rep. Anthony Brown, who, if elected, would be the states first Black attorney general.
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In a setback for Visa in a case alleging the payment processor is liable for the distribution of child pornography on Pornhub and other sites operated by parent company MindGeek, a federal judge ruled that it was reasonable to conclude that Visa knowingly facilitated the criminal activity.

On Friday, July 29, U.S. District Judge Cormac Carney of the U.S. District Court of the Central District of California issued a decision in the Fleites v. MindGeek case, denying Visas motion to dismiss the claim it violated Californias Unfair Competition Law  which prohibits unlawful, unfair or fraudulent business acts and practices  by processing payments for child porn. (A copy of the decision is available at this link.)

In the ruling, Carney held that the plaintiff adequately alleged that Visa engaged in a criminal conspiracy with MindGeek to monetize child pornography. Specifically, he wrote, Visa knew that MindGeeks websites were teeming with monetized child porn; that there was a criminal agreement to financially benefit from child porn that can be inferred from [Visas] decision to continue to recognize MindGeek as a merchant despite allegedly knowing that MindGeek monetized a substantial amount of child porn; and that the court can comfortably infer that Visa intended to help MindGeek monetize child porn by knowingly provid[ing] the tool used to complete the crime.

When MindGeek decides to monetize child porn, and Visa decides to continue to allow its payment network to be used for that goal despite knowledge of MindGeeks monetization of child porn, it is entirely foreseeable that victims of child porn like plaintiff will suffer the harms that plaintiff alleges, Carney wrote.

In a statement, a Visa spokesperson said: Visa condemns sex trafficking, sexual exploitation and child sexual abuse materials as repugnant to our values and purpose as a company. This pre-trial ruling is disappointing and mischaracterizes Visas role and its policies and practices. Visa will not tolerate the use of our network for illegal activity. We continue to believe that Visa is an improper defendant in this case.

A rep for MindGeek provided this statement: At this point in the case, the court has not yet ruled on the veracity of the allegations, and is required to assume all of the plaintiffs allegations are true and accurate. When the court can actually consider the facts, we are confident the plaintiffs claims will be dismissed for lack of merit. MindGeek has zero tolerance for the posting of illegal content on its platforms, and has instituted the most comprehensive safeguards in user-generated platform history.

The companys statement continued, We have banned uploads from anyone who has not submitted government-issued ID that passes third-party verification, eliminated the ability to download free content, integrated several leading technological platform and content moderation tools, instituted digital fingerprinting of all videos found to be in violation of our Non-Consensual Content and CSAM [child sexual abuse material] Policies to help protect against removed videos being reposted, expanded our moderation workforce and processes, and partnered with dozens of non-profit organizations around the world. Any insinuation that MindGeek does not take the elimination of illegal material seriously is categorically false.

In June, MindGeek CEO Feras Antoon and COO David Tassillo resigned. The Montreal, Quebec-based company also laid off an unknown number of employees. That came in the wake of a June 20 New Yorker expose that found Pornhub hosted sexually explicit nonconsensual videos including those with children.

The plaintiff in the case against MindGeek and Visa is Serena Fleites, who, when she was 13, was pressured by her then-boyfriend into making a sexually explicit video  which he allegedly uploaded to Pornhub (with the title 13-Year Old Brunette Shows Off For the Camera) without her knowledge or consent. Fleites attorneys say the video, which was alleged to have been viewed millions of times on MindGeek sites, destroyed her life: While MindGeek profited from the child porn featuring plaintiff, plaintiff was intermittently homeless or living in her car, addicted to heroin, depressed and suicidal, and without the support of her family, her lawsuit, filed in June 2021, states. Fleites story was featured by New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof in December 2020, who detailed how MindGeek monetizes child rapes.

In his July 29 decision, Carney ruled partly in Visas favor. He wrote in the opinion that Fleites simply has no basis for claiming Visa directly participated in the sex trafficking ventures that harmed her. In addition, he ordered Fleites to provide a more definite statement with respect to her common law civil conspiracy cause of action against Visa.

In a second ruling (available at this link), Carney compelled MindGeek to undergo jurisdictional discovery, which attorneys for Fleites said will reveal MindGeeks shadowy operations and those controlling it by exposing the defendants financial relationships. Where the money flows in the MindGeek web, which may relate to ownership of the porn sites that generate revenue, matters to the courts jurisdictional analysis, the judge said in the opinion. As the court sees it, financially benefitting from the sexual exploitation of minors is the core of this case.

On Saturday, activist investor Bill Ackman of Pershing Square Holdings, who has previously called out the role of Visa and Mastercard in enabling MindGeeks ability to make money from child pornography, posted a thread on Twitter about the ruling in the case.

Visas conduct here is inexcusable, likely to cause the company incalculable financial and reputational damage as well as create serious personal liability and potential criminal liability for the board, Ackman wrote in part. According to Ackman, neither he nor Pershing Square have any economic interest, long or short, in Visa, Mastercard or any other payments company, bank or financial institution.

According to Ackman, after he read the Times story about Fleites and Pornub, he reached out to the CEOs of Visa and Mastercard to express concerns about their part in enabling MindGeeks business. Shortly afterward, both companies cut off consumer payment processing to MindGeeks sites; within a day or so, MindGeek removed >10m illegal videos, 80% of its content, the hedge fund manager said. However, they both soon reactivated business-to-business payments for the purchase of ads on MindGeek sites and for subscriptions to premium content, representing about 90% of the companys revenue, per Ackman.

Ackman wrote that Visa CEO Alfred Kelly should know that the majority of child trafficking victims are from lower-income families including Black and Brown families. I would recommend that Visas board, and separately Mr. Kelly, should hire independent white collar and criminal counsel. He concluded the thread with, Et tu, @Mastercard?

Michael Bowe, partner at Brown Rudnick and lead attorney representing Fleites in the lawsuit, said in a statement, The courts holding that our detailed complaint adequately pleads Visa was engaged in a criminal conspiracy to monetize child porn means Visa and other credit card companies are finally going to face the civil and perhaps criminal consequences of this unconscionable and illegal activity.

The case, Serena Fleites v. MindGeek S.A.R.L. et al., is Docket No. 2:21-cv-04920-CJC-ADS in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.

Fleites is one of 34 individual plaintiffs who last year sued Pornhub and MindGeek, alleging exploitation and monetization of child pornography, rape videos, trafficked content, stolen content and other nonconsensual content. The litigation is the first application to date of Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO), child pornography and trafficking laws seeking to hold financial institutions accountable for illegal conduct monetized by and through the systems of companies whose payments they process.

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Madalyn Mendoza, MySA.com

San Antonio can now get a slice of square-shaped, Detroit-style pizza from Via 313, which is open near Medical Center. The Austin-based brand neighbors other restaurants founded in ATX, like P. Terry's and Torchy's. The three Austin-founded eateries are located in or around the new Gateway shopping area off Wurzbach Road.

Madalyn Mendoza, MySA.com

Via 313 hosted a media tasting event on Friday, July 29. An array of pizzas were set up buffet style for guests to try, like Classic Cheese, The Cadillac, The Detroiter, and The Ambassador Bridge. Not into bricks of pizza? Via 313 also serves a smaller selection of thin-crust, bar-style pies.
WASHINGTON (AP)  President Joe Biden announced Monday that al-Qaida leader Ayman al-Zawahri was killed in a U.S. drone strike in Kabul, an operation he said delivered justice and hopefully one more measure of closure to families of the victims of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the United States.

The president said in an evening address from the White House that U.S. intelligence officials tracked al-Zawahri to a home in downtown Kabul where he was hiding out with his family. The president approved the operation last week and it was carried out Sunday.

Al-Zawahri and the better-known Osama bin Laden plotted the 9/11 attacks that brought many ordinary Americans their first knowledge of al-Qaida. Bin Laden was killed in Pakistan on May 2, 2011, in operation carried out by U.S. Navy SEALs after a nearly decade-long hunt.

As for Al-Zawahri, Biden said, He will never again, never again, allow Afghanistan to become a terrorist safe haven because he is gone and were going to make sure that nothing else happens.

This terrorist leader is no more, he added.

The operation is a significant counterterrorism win for the Biden administration just 11 months after American troops left the country after a two-decade war.

The strike was carried out by the CIA, according to five people familiar with the matter who spoke on the condition of anonymity. Neither Biden nor the White House detailed the CIA's involvement in the strike.

Biden, however, paid tribute to the U.S. intelligence community in his remarks, noting that thanks to their extraordinary persistence and skill the operation was a success.

Al-Zawahris death eliminates the figure who more than anyone shaped al-Qaida, first as bin Ladens deputy since 1998, then as his successor. Together, he and bin Laden turned the jihadi movements guns to target the United States, carrying out the deadliest attack ever on American soil  the Sept. 11 suicide hijackings.

The house Al-Zawahri was in when he was killed was owned by a top aide to senior Taliban leader Sirajuddin Haqqani, according to a senior intelligence official. The official also added that a CIA ground team and aerial reconnaissance conducted after the drone strike confirmed al-Zawahris death.

On Tuesday morning, White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan told ABC's Good Morning America that there was nobody on the ground in uniform when this strike occurred." Sullivan added that the U.S. government is in direct communication with the Taliban on this, and Im not going to telegraph our next moves, but the Taliban well understand the United States is going to defend its interests.

Over the 20-year war in Afghanistan, the U.S. targeted and splintered al-Qaida, sending leaders into hiding. But Americas exit from Afghanistan last September gave the extremist group the opportunity to rebuild.

U.S. military officials, including Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, have said al-Qaida was trying to reconstitute in Afghanistan, where it faced limited threats from the now-ruling Taliban. Military leaders have warned that the group still aspired to attack the U.S.

After his killing, the White House underscored that al-Zawahri had continued to be a dangerous figure. The senior administration official said al-Zawahri had continued to provide strategic direction," including urging attacks on the U.S., while in hiding. He had also prioritized to members of the terror network that the United States remained al-Qaida's primary enemy, the official said.

The 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon made bin Laden Americas Enemy No. 1. But he likely could never have carried it out without his deputy. Bin Laden provided al-Qaida with charisma and money, but al-Zawahri brought tactics and organizational skills needed to forge militants into a network of cells in countries around the world.

U.S. intelligence officials have been aware for years of a network helping al-Zawahri dodge U.S. intelligence officials hunting for him, but didnt have a bead on his possible location until recent months.

Earlier this year, U.S. officials learned that the terror leaders wife, daughter and her children had relocated to a safe house in Kabul, according to the senior administration official who briefed reporters.

Officials eventually learned al-Zawahri was also at the Kabul safe house.

In early April, White House deputy national security adviser Jon Finer and Bidens homeland security adviser Elizabeth Sherwood-Randall were briefed on this developing intelligence. Soon the intelligence was carried up to national security adviser Jake Sullivan.

Sullivan brought the information to Biden as U.S. intelligence officials built a pattern of life through multiple independent sources of information to inform the operation, the official said.

Senior Taliban figures were aware of al-Zawahris presence in Kabul, according to the official, who added the Taliban government was given no forewarning of the operation.

Inside the Biden administration, only a small group of officials at key agencies, as well as Vice President Kamala Harris, were brought into the process. Through May and June, Biden was updated several times on the growing mound of intelligence that confirmed al-Zawahri was hiding out in the home. Over the last few weeks, Biden brought together several Cabinet officials and key national security officials to scrutinize the intelligence findings.

On July 1, Biden was briefed in the Situation Room about the planned operation, a briefing in which the president closely examined a scale model of the home al-Zawahri was hiding out in. He gave his final approval for the operation on Thursday. Al-Zawahri was on the balcony of his hideout on Sunday when two Hellfire missiles were launched from an unmanned drone, killing him.

Al-Zawahri's family was in another part of the house when the operation was carried out, and no one else was believed to have been killed in the operation, the official said.

We make it clear again tonight: That no matter how long it takes, no matter where you hide, if you are a threat to our people, the United States will find you and take you out, Biden said.

Al-Zawahri was hardly a household name like bin Laden, but he played an enormous role in the terror group's operations.

The two terror leaders' bond was forged in the late 1980s, when al-Zawahri reportedly treated the Saudi millionaire bin Laden in the caves of Afghanistan as Soviet bombardment shook the mountains around them.

Al-Zawahri, on the FBIs Most Wanted Terrorist list, had a $25 million bounty on his head for any information that could be used to kill or capture him.

Al-Zawhiri and bin Laden plotted the 9/11 attacks that brought many ordinary Americans their first knowledge of al-Qaida.

Photos from the time often showed the glasses-wearing, mild-looking Egyptian doctor sitting by the side of bin Laden. Al-Zawahiri had merged his group of Egyptian militants with bin Ladens al-Qaida in the 1990s.

The strong contingent of Egyptians applied organizational know-how, financial expertise, and military experience to wage a violent jihad against leaders whom the fighters considered to be un-Islamic and their patrons, especially the United States, Steven A. Cook wrote for the Council on Foreign Relations last year.

When the 2001 U.S. invasion of Afghanistan demolished al-Qaidas safe haven and scattered, killed and captured its members, al-Zawahri ensured al-Qaidas survival. He rebuilt its leadership in the Afghan-Pakistan border region and installed allies as lieutenants in key positions.

He also reshaped the organization from a centralized planner of terror attacks into the head of a franchise chain. He led the assembling of a network of autonomous branches around the region, including in Iraq, Saudi Arabia, North Africa, Somalia, Yemen and Asia. Over the next decade, al-Qaida inspired or had a direct hand in attacks in all those areas as well as Europe, Pakistan and Turkey, including the 2004 train bombings in Madrid and the 2005 transit bombings in London.

More recently, the al-Qaida affiliate in Yemen proved itself capable of plotting attacks against U.S. soil with an attempted 2009 bombing of an American passenger jet and an attempted package bomb the following year.

But even before bin Ladens death, al-Zawahri was struggling to maintain al-Qaidas relevance in a changing Middle East.

He tried with little success to coopt the wave of uprisings that spread across the Arab world starting in 2011, urging Islamic hard-liners to take over in the nations where leaders had fallen. But while Islamists gained prominence in many places, they have stark ideological differences with al-Qaida and reject its agenda and leadership.

Nevertheless, al-Zawahri tried to pose as the Arab Springs leader. America is facing an Islamic nation that is in revolt, having risen from its lethargy to a renaissance of jihad, he said in a video eulogy to bin Laden, wearing a white robe and turban with an assault rifle leaning on a wall behind him.

Al-Zawahri was also a more divisive figure than his predecessor. Many militants described the soft-spoken bin Laden in adoring and almost spiritual terms.

In contrast, al-Zawahri was notoriously prickly and pedantic. He picked ideological fights with critics within the jihadi camp, wagging his finger scoldingly in his videos. Even some key figures in al-Qaidas central leadership were put off, calling him overly controlling, secretive and divisive.

Some militants whose association with bin Laden predated al-Zawahris always saw him as an arrogant intruder.

I have never taken orders from al-Zawahri, Fazul Abdullah Mohammed, one of the networks top figures in East Africa until his 2011 death, sneered in a memoir posted on line in 2009. We dont take orders from anyone but our historical leadership.

There had been rumors of al-Zawahris death on and off for several years. But a video surfaced in April of the al-Qaida leader praising a Indian Muslim woman who had defied a ban on wearing a hijab, or headscarf. That footage was the first proof in months that he was still alive.

A statement from Afghanistans Taliban government confirmed the airstrike, but did not mention al-Zawahri or any other casualties.

It said the Taliban strongly condemns this attack and calls it a clear violation of international principles and the Doha Agreement, the 2020 U.S. pact with the Taliban that led to the withdrawal of American forces.

Such actions are a repetition of the failed experiences of the past 20 years and are against the interests of the United States of America, Afghanistan, and the region, the statement said.

-

Associated Press writers Lolita C. Baldor, Ellen Knickmeyer, Zeke Miller, James LaPorta, Michael Balsamo and Darlene Superville in Washington; Rahim Faiez in Islamabad; and Lee Keath in Cairo contributed reporting.
EAGLE PASS  On a cloudy recent Friday morning, the Moncada Baseball Park near the U.S.-Mexico border was empty, save for one young man practicing dribbling drills in the parks soccer fields.

Across the street, at a busy commercial vehicle inspection site with 18-wheelers rolling through after crossing the border from Mexico, the Texas Department of Public Safety  under questionable legal authority  dropped off a group of migrants whom officers identified as having illegally crossed into the country.

The migrants, about a dozen men and women, stepped out of a white Texas Department of Criminal Justice bus and were directed toward a truck port where they sat and waited under shade near an outdoor fan for nearly three hours. Then, a federal agent in a white Border Patrol van picked them up and drove them away. A few hours later, the process was repeated with a new group of migrants.

The procedure was part of a new step in Operation Lone Star, Gov. Greg Abbotts push to slow the number of migrants crossing the Texas border, testing the limits of the states ability to enforce immigration laws that are traditionally seen as a federal responsibility.

State and local law enforcement have long transferred custody of undocumented migrants to federal immigration authorities after theyve been arrested. But previously its been the federal governments job to pick them up. Abbotts decision to arrest migrants and actively bring them back to the border, essentially forcing such a handoff, represents a broadening of the states role in the immigration enforcement process. But experts disagree on how significant it is or whether its intruding on a federal responsibility and stretching the legal limits of the states efforts on the border.

There are ongoing questions about what authority they have to bus people from one location to another, said Aaron Reichlin-Melnick, policy director at the American Immigration Council. Legally speaking, is that immigration enforcement? I still dont know.

Getting answers has been difficult. Although the program has been operating since July 9, state and federal officials have ducked questions about how it works, refusing to say where the migrants are being transported to and from, what they are being arrested for and what happens to them after they are turned over to federal immigration authorities. The only way The Texas Tribune was able to confirm that federal authorities are accepting custody of the migrants was by staking out the Eagle Pass port of entry and witnessing the exchange in person.

Abbott announced his plans in early July to authorize DPS troopers and National Guard service members stationed at the border to arrest migrants caught crossing the border illegally and return them to the ports of entry. They immediately raised alarms for immigrant rights advocates who said Abbotts plan was veering into the federal governments purview over immigration enforcement and could lead to violations of the migrants civil rights because it was unclear what authority state officials were using to hold them under custody.

Courtesy, Mandi Cai / Texas Tribune

Migrant crossings at the Southwest border

Most migrants crossing from Mexico enter the U.S. in Texas. In June, U.S. Customs and Border Protection said it encountered 207,416 people at the Southwest border, and 26% have crossed more than once. Around 44% of the month's crossings were processed under an order that went into effect during the coronavirus pandemic, which turns most migrants back to Mexico.

A spokesperson for U.S. Customs and Border Protection, which oversees Border Patrol, didnt answer questions about how Abbotts latest order affects agents work on the ground. Instead, the spokesperson referred to comments made by Chris Magnus, Customs and Border Protection commissioner, earlier this month during a news conference in Washington in which he responded to a question about Abbotts order.

Our goal is always to work cooperatively when we can within the law, and based on whats appropriate under different circumstances with our state and local partners, he said.

Texas Military Department officials provided at least one answer about how the program works at a legislative hearing earlier this month. Brig. Gen. Win Burkett of the 36th Infantry Division told lawmakers in July that National Guard service members play no role in the transportation of migrants to the border.

With limited information, immigration and border security experts disagree about how radically Abbotts order has changed state law enforcements involvement in immigration enforcement.

Courtesy, Sergio Flores for The Texas Tribune Courtesy, Sergio Flores for The Texas Tribune Sergio Flores for The Texas Tribune

Victor M. Manjarrez Jr., who worked for the U.S. Border Patrol for 22 years and retired as the Tucson Sector chief in 2011, said Abbotts latest order is nothing out of the ordinary. He said local or state officers referring migrants to Border Patrol is a common practice along the Texas-Mexico border.

Honestly, theres nothing that special, said Manjarrez, who is now the associate director of the Center for Law and Human Behavior at the University of Texas at El Paso.

Usually, he said, when law enforcement officers along the border come across migrants on foot or in a vehicle, they stop them on state charges. If the officers suspect the migrants crossed the border illegally, the officers hold the migrants until Border Patrol agents pick them up. But Abbotts order goes a step further by having state officers drive the migrants to a location where it is easier for Border Patrol to process them.

Instead of having troopers stuck on a highway, were going to take individuals to you, Manjarrez said.

To an extent, he added, local law enforcement officers along the U.S.-Mexico border have always enforced immigration laws.

If you call Border Patrol to show up, to some degree youre enforcing immigration law. If youre taking them to a port of entry, youre enforcing some type of immigration law, he said. In either case youre doing it.

Manjarrez said that during his time in Arizona, it was common for local law enforcement officers to take migrants to Border Patrol instead of waiting for immigration agents to arrive at the scene.

My argument would be, how is this different than whats been done in the past? he said. The big difference with this is that there was an executive order that came out, and it was intended to make a big splash.

But Denise Gilman, co-director of the Immigration Clinic at the University of Texas School of Law, said the transportation of the migrants to immigration authorities marks a drastic shift into a new level of immigration enforcement by the state. By taking the migrants back to the border for processing, she said, state officials are facilitating that enforcement.

The fact that they straight up dont take them across the border doesnt take away the immigration enforcement nature of it, Gilman said.

But in order to stop the practice, the federal government would likely have to sue. With Texas pressing further into immigration enforcement than any other state has done before, some immigrant rights advocates have been baffled that the Biden administration hasnt done so.

Gilman said that may be because Abbotts order doesnt fully call for the state to take immigration enforcement into its own hands. State officers are still handing off the migrants to federal immigration authorities at the border.

Its not completely clear that its 100% state unilateral action, as opposed to collaborative action with the federal government, she said.

Immigrant rights advocates also say Abbott could be inviting a lawsuit in hopes of setting up a legal battle with the Biden administration with the goal of overturning the U.S. Supreme Courts decision in a 2012 Arizona immigration law to expand the states ability to participate in immigration enforcement.

Texas has successfully been able to get initial wins in lawsuits against the Biden administration that have led the White House to restart two of the most consequential Trump-era immigration policies: Title 42, the pandemic health order that essentially closes the border to most people, and Migrant Protection Protocols, or remain in Mexico, which forces some asylum-seekers to wait in Mexico as their cases make their way through American courts. Another Texas lawsuit also led to a federal judge ruling that Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals  a program for younger immigrants who were undocumented to be able to get renewable work permits  is illegal. These three cases are still playing out in federal courts.

Courtesy, Sergio Flores for The Texas Tribune

In his executive order, Abbott cited the decision in a case over Arizonas so-called show me your papers law, which required police to ask people for proof of citizenship. Abbott wrote that the Supreme Court did not address whether reasonable suspicion of illegal entry or another immigration crime would be a legitimate basis for prolonging a detention, or whether this too would be preempted by federal law.

Reichlin-Melnick said Abbott was trying to find a loophole in the Arizona case.

Gov. Abbott says he thinks its an open question about whether or not state agents can enforce unlawful entry, Reichlin-Melnick said. If the state can enforce federal criminal immigration laws, that would get rid of quite a lot of the restrictions put on states in Arizona v. U.S., and its possible Gov. Abbott is looking for a test case that can expand things in that area.

Abbott did not answer a question about whether he wanted that case revisited and referred questions about the program to DPS.

But other Texas officials have been open about their wish to have the Supreme Court reconsider the decision.

Earlier this year, Texas Assistant Attorney General Brent Webster told a state Senate committee on border security that his office would like to see the court reconsider its decision in the Arizona case on whether local police officers could arrest migrants on immigration violations. In 2012, the Supreme Court ruled in a 5-3 decision that local police didnt have the authority to arrest someone based solely on their immigration status.

Our office doesnt agree with that ruling. We abide by that ruling because that is the current state of the law out of Supreme Court, he said. We welcome laws that might allow us to have a new case that we could go up on to redress this issue because the makeup of the Supreme Court has changed.

Meanwhile, Abbott has gotten around that requirement by directing state authorities to arrest migrants on state trespassing charges when they veer onto private property.

Reichlin-Melnick said it is clear that legal precedent bars local law enforcement agencies from enforcing immigration law without permission from the federal government.

Its pretty clear its not an open question. The Supreme Court has said over and over again that this is a federal responsibility, Reichlin-Melnick said. [Abbotts] attempting to loophole his way out of that, but its not a particularly strong loophole.

Disclosure: The University of Texas at El Paso and the University of Texas at Austin 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.
Westside nonprofit and historical groups are once again pushing to protect an old building downtown that was once a brothel and orphanage after a two-alarm fire forced the owner to demolish the old building.

The three groups, Westside Preservation Alliance, Esperanza Peace and Justice Center, and the Conservation Society of San Antonio, have submitted the now barren property at 503 Urban Loop, San Antonio, TX 78204, for historic designation consideration. The group first did this in August 2021 to save a two-story building on the property from demolition.

The first round of historic designation approval occurred in September 2021. But in February, a two-alarm fire destroyed most of the back of the building and it was demolished by the owner shortly afterward. That owner is a company where Bill Miller Bar-B-Q heir Dougals Miller is copartner. He planned on building an eight-story mixed-use tower.

Jerry Lara /San Antonio Express-News

San Antonio firefighters said at the time that the fire may have been caused by a person who was houseless trying to stay warm. Either way, the building is now gone.

Miller has yet to return to the Historic and Design Review Commission with any new or updated plans for the site, but committee members recommend denying historic designation, according to agenda documents. Instead HDRC recommends the donating of any materials and newly discovered artifacts to a local archeological group, and funding for research and a permanent exhibit at the Museo del Westside.

Google Street View

The two-story property was built in 1883 and was home to prominent San Antonio figure Fannie Porter, and then infamous gang known as the Wild Bunch. It served as a brothel until 1912. That's when Rev. J. W. Shaw, the bishop of the San Antonio diocese at the time, bought the property, and then sold it to the Carmelite Sisters of the Carmel of Divine Heart of Jesus in 1918.

The Carmelite Sisters owned it until they sold the property to Father Flanagan's Boys Home of San Antonio in 1990, later known as Boys Town.

HDRC is set to consider the historic designation on Wednesday, August 3.
Update: 4:34 p.m. Monday, August 1: The San Antonio Police Department were conducting a routine traffic stop for a traffic violation when the man exited his vehicle and fled on foot toward a Red McCombs' body shop, Officer Ricardo Guzman said in an official statement.

"Officers found [the man] hiding in a room located inside the location, by himself. Officers then observed he had a firearm in his possession," Guzman said. "[They] secured the immediate area due to the situation (Barricaded Subject)."

SOU/SWAT, negotiators and the Mental health unit were then called to the scene, Guzman added. The barricaded man was calmly talked to by the negotiators and was taken into custody without incident, no parties were injured at the time.

Update: 3:34 p.m. Monday, August 1: The man was taken into custody by San Antonio police officers.

Update: 1:47 p.m. Monday, August 1: No shots have been fired, according to San Antonio Police Department officials. The woman that reportedly fainted was related to the suspect. She has since been treated by paramedics with no injuries being reported. Hostage negotiators are still on the scene, as well as SWAT and mental health units in an attempt to deescalate the situation, according to KENS5.

The original story as it follows:

San Antonio Police Department officials have reported that there is an individual that has barricaded themselves inside a car dealership in the 4800 block of NW Loop 410. Police say that no shots were fired but the man is armed, according to San Antonio Express-News reporter Jacob Beltran.

The man is barricaded by himself inside the Red McCombs body shop, according to Beltran. The location is being evacuated, but the scene is still considered active as of 12:30 p.m. on Monday, August 1.

The San Antonio Police Department reported that the individual is a 34-year-old man, but the police are unaware as to why the person is on the run or has locked himself in the body shop. Authorities know that the man is alone inside the building with a gun and that hostage negotiations have begun with the aim of having him. surrender.

This is on going story and will be updated with more information.
Lambert here: Im loving the idea that theres an Integrity Council for the Voluntary Carbon Market. No red flags there!

By Matthew Green, global investigations editor at DeSmog. He has previously worked at Reuters and the Financial Times. Originally published at DeSmog.

Proposals to boost transparency in the carbon offset market could shine a light on brokers who buy credits cheaply from Indigenous communities before selling them to companies at inflated prices.

The measures form part of a wide-ranging package drafted by the Integrity Council for the Voluntary Carbon Market, a governance body aiming to boost the quality of carbon offsets. The proposals were published this week, beginning a 60-day public consultation.

Major emitters such as banks, airlines and oil companies are flocking to carbon markets to help meet net-zero targets by financing projects that tackle carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions elsewhere. Each carbon credit represents a tonne of CO2 that has either been reduced at source or removed from the atmosphere  often through schemes to protect tropical forests or other ecosystems.

Critics of carbon offsetting have long argued that much of the money spent by companies on carbon credits ends up in the hands of carbon brokers, rather than Indigenous and other local communities stewarding the project sites.

The proposed new standards on financial disclosure would aim to level the playing field by revealing how much of the income generated by carbon credits flows to project developers, brokers and local people.

When a buyer in the carbon market purchases a credit, the actual project developer may be getting five dollars a tonne. But the ultimate price in the voluntary carbon market might be $20. Where is the mark-up going? Pedro Barata, co-chair of a 12-member expert panel that drew up the proposals, told DeSmog.

The proposed new disclosure standards were not intended to pry into individual transactions to work out which intermediaries might be making a killing, Barata said. But some market participants wanted access to more information about the amount of revenue reaching project developers and communities.

Thats a controversial issue, but were not shying away from that controversy  were putting it out there with a formulation and asking people: is this correct, is this worthwhile, can we extract information that is actually going to improve the working of the market? Barata said.

Carbon Credit Rush

Surging demand pushed the value of the carbon markets where companies buy offsets above $1 billion for the first time last year  more than double their value in 2020, according to Ecosystem Marketplace, a nonprofit provider of environmental finance data.

Known as the Core Carbon Principles, the Integrity Councils draft proposals are designed to tackle the many pitfalls that plague the fast-growing offsetting industry, from land-grabs in developing countries to the risk that forest projects can literally go up in smoke.

It is hoped that companies who want to show they are serious about tackling climate change will only buy credits generated by projects that adhere to the principles  envisaged as a gold standard quality assurance stamp.

The 124-page draft document contains a wide range of options that may be revised and whittled down following the public consultation. The final version of the Core Carbon Principles is due to be approved by the Integrity Councils board, chaired by Annette Nazareth, a former commissioner with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, by the end of the year.

[Lambert here: Sadly, I cant get this interactive chart to work properly in our page layout. But you can resize and search the chart at the original.]

Predatory Aspects

The role of the finance industry in steering the Integrity Council has raised concerns among climate campaigners who fear that banks and brokers may ultimately prove the biggest beneficiaries of plans to rapidly expand the trade in carbon offsets.

Mark Carney, a U.N. climate envoy and former governor of the Bank of England, who launched a widely criticised forerunner initiative to the Integrity Council, serves on the Councils advisory panel. BlackRock, the worlds largest asset manager, and the Institute of International Finance, a Washington DC-based financial services lobby group, are also represented.

The so-called Integrity Council is heavily-weighted by people who have zero experience of understanding the predatory aspects of offsets on the ground, said Tom Goldtooth, executive director of the Indigenous Environmental Network, a coalition of indigenous and grassroots environmental justice activists. It is dominated by banks and polluters that have terrible track records of ignoring Indigenous Peoples demands and who do not have a clue what a real solution to climate change looks like.

DeSmog reported in March that the organisation had failed to fill three board posts reserved for representatives of Indigenous and local communities. Francisco Souza, a Brazilian economist and member of the Apurina Indigenous Peoples of the Brazilian Amazon has since taken up one of the posts. There are also several indigenous representatives in the advisory panel.

William McDonnell, the Integrity Councils chief operating officer, said the organisation was in discussion with various Indigenous groups to fill the remaining posts.

Theres a very real prospect of further appointments to the board. I expect that to happen this year, McDonnell told DeSmog.

Other campaigners argue that incremental improvements to the quality of carbon offsetting projects will do little to mitigate the risk that companies will use the practice as an excuse to continue polluting.

No matter how high the standards are, offsetting simply isnt a substitute for action to rapidly and dramatically cut carbon emissions, said Charlie Kronick, senior programme advisor at Greenpeace.

Despite the scepticism, Barata, the co-chair of the Integrity Councils expert panel, said his colleagues had laid out robust proposals to ensure communities shared the benefits of offsetting projects. These include a possible levy on carbon credits to help implement the Paris Agreement by channelling finance to assist vulnerable countries to adapt to climate damage.

On the environmental and social safeguards, well never be able to please everyone. But I certainly think that we have done a good job in terms of putting the bar high, Barata said.
On Saturday, fundamentalist Christian organization Operation Save America held a rally at the Tennessee State Capitol in downtown Nashville, claiming that the Supreme Court didn't go far enough with this summer's reversal of the Roe v. Wade ruling. OSA members were met with counterprotesters  anti-fascists and members of pro-choice group Jezebel Rebellion. OSA held a convention in nearby Smyrna last week.

Photographer and sometime Scene contributor Ray Di Pietro was on the scene. See his photographs below.

Fundamentalist group Operation Save America's rally at the state Capitol, July 30, 2022 Fundamentalist group Operation Save America's rally at the state Capitol, July 30, 2022 Fundamentalist group Operation Save America's rally at the state Capitol, July 30, 2022 Fundamentalist group Operation Save America's rally at the state Capitol, July 30, 2022 Fundamentalist group Operation Save America's rally at the state Capitol, July 30, 2022 Fundamentalist group Operation Save America's rally at the state Capitol, July 30, 2022 Fundamentalist group Operation Save America's rally at the state Capitol, July 30, 2022 Fundamentalist group Operation Save America's rally at the state Capitol, July 30, 2022 Fundamentalist group Operation Save America's rally at the state Capitol, July 30, 2022 Fundamentalist group Operation Save America's rally at the state Capitol, July 30, 2022 Fundamentalist group Operation Save America's rally at the state Capitol, July 30, 2022 Fundamentalist group Operation Save America's rally at the state Capitol, July 30, 2022 Fundamentalist group Operation Save America's rally at the state Capitol, July 30, 2022 Fundamentalist group Operation Save America's rally at the state Capitol, July 30, 2022 Fundamentalist group Operation Save America's rally at the state Capitol, July 30, 2022 Fundamentalist group Operation Save America's rally at the state Capitol, July 30, 2022 Fundamentalist group Operation Save America rallies at the state Capitol, July 30, 2022 Fundamentalist group Operation Save America's rally at the state Capitol, July 30, 2022 Close Buy Now
(Natural News) Amid a mortgage crisis in China, which has sparked protests and homebuyers threatening to boycott payments, social media companies have stepped up censorship; blocking messages, keywords and videos of demonstrations.

(Article by Will Henney republished from ReclaimTheNet.org)

In China, social media companies are required to censor or remove content that undermines social stability, like the ongoing mortgage protests.

On Twitter-like Weibo, the hashtag #stopmortgagepayments has been blocked, reported Reuters.

Searching the hashtag brings back a notice saying: Due to related laws and rules, the topic page cannot be displayed.

A protester from Henan province told Reuters that a video he uploaded on ByteDance-owned Douyin protesting the mortgage crisis was among the top trending at one point but is now unavailable.

Douyin also blocked a video showing homebuyers fingerprinted notices declaring a boycott of mortgage payments, according to screenshots obtained by Reuters. The TikTok-like platform said that the video didnt pass scrutiny.

Another protester told Reuters that he was unable to share videos about the crisis via messaging app WeChat.

In an effort to contain the situation, local governments and regulators are trying to reassure protesters that the projects will be completed and that everything will be taken care of.

The censorship is not limited to social media. Analysts at a few securities and research firms were advised to not discuss the protests. Because of an order from above, an employee at a developer was told by his boss that staff had been banned from commenting on the crisis.

The protests timing is not good for the Chinese Communist Party, which would prefer social stability ahead of the 20th Communist Party Congress, where the partys leadership is expected to extend President Xi Jinpings leadership to a third term.

Read more at: ReclaimTheNet.org
Welcome Chinese friends to Ghana

By Winfred Nii Okai Hammond (People's Daily Overseas Edition) 13:35, August 01, 2022

Winfred Nii Okai Hammond, Ambassador of Ghana to China (Haiwainet/Fu Yongchao)

In 1960, Ghana established diplomatic relations with China and became one of the first African countries that set up its embassy in Beijing.

Under the leadership of the current President Akufo-Addo, Ghana attaches great importance to developing its relations with China. In 2018, President Akufo-Addo made a state visit to China and the two country leaders jointly set out the blueprint for the Ghana-China relations. With the frequent high-profile exchanges between the two countries, continuous impetus has been injected in the bilateral relations. Ghana believes that the inclusive multilateralism imbedded in the international system centered on the UN can propel the establishment of a community of shared future for mankind. The Ghanaian government pays great attention to enhancing political trust with China and showing strong mutual support in issues related to each others core interests.

Economy wise, Ghana and China have been cooperating in a close manner and enjoying prosperity in the bilateral trade all along. In 2019, the bilateral trade volume between Ghana and China has registered 7.46 billion USD, ranking at the top among its investment in all African countries. China is Ghanas largest trading partner and source of foreign capital. Ghana is Chinas seventh largest trading partner in Africa. Under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative and the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), China has been playing a significant role in Ghanas economic transformation, especially when it comes to infrastructure and health care.

Chinas investment in Ghana is quite extensive, covering agriculture, industry, services, mineral development, healthcare, infrastructure, etc. In recent years, the two countries have achieved prominent cooperation in aviation, power generation, automobiles, daily cosmetic& personal care products as well as food. Amongst all, the Ghana aviation project as well as the Sunon Asogli Power project invested by the China Africa Development Foundation have been listed as the model project for Sino-Africa investment and have made tremendous contribution to job creation and development promotion in Ghana. In addition, the natural gas processing factory and the fibre network constructed by the Chinese side have also laid a solid foundation for the digitization and industrialization in Ghana.

Ghana longs to deepen economic and trade relations with China. As the second largest economy in West Africa, the Ghanaian economy has maintained a sound momentum. Under the support of the Ghanaian government, many flagship programs including One Factory Per District and Planting for Grain and Job Creation have achieved smooth development. Ghana enjoys favorable commercial environment and huge development potential. The Sino-Africa Forum -Dakar Action Plan (2022-2024) has offered a clear direction for deepening Ghana-China relationship. With regards to power facilities for renewable energies, roads connecting villages and townships, mini water conservancy projects for irrigation in villages and townships, the two countries have broad prospects going forward in cooperation.

Besides, Ghana accords great weight to humanity and cultural exchanges with China. The establishment of the Confucius Institute in Ghana University marks a milestone in Ghanas history of teaching and disseminating Chinese language and culture. Ever since the establishment of the Institute, the number of the Ghanaian learning Chinese, martial arts and other Chinese cultural elements has greatly increased. The Chinese government has also offered scholarship to the Ghanaian students so that they can have overseas study experiences in China.

Ghana hopes to explore this gold mine of tourism together with China. It has already issued many incentive mechanisms to boost tourism and attract foreign investment. When the pandemic is over, Ghana would be welcoming friends from China!

Author: Ghana Ambassador to China

(Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun)
(Natural News) Prepare for the lies of Wikipedia, also known as Woke-a-pedia, to become the so-called truth of the virtual world. The kings of misinformation claim they are in desperate need of regulating and banning misinformation across the entire internet  the very problem Wikipedia helped create.

Wikipedia is calling themselves the default first stop for internet users quest for information, though even public school kids know its a heap of garbage thats dead wrong on everything from politics to health and safety information. Plus, Wikipedia has already been exposed as a Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) disinformation front. Wikipedia serves as a Deep State propaganda tool for the CIA and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) masquerading as an online encyclopedia.

Facebook, also known as Fakebook or Meta, brags about Woke-a-pedia having posted over six million entries, while adding tens of thousands of new ones every month, but do opinions and propaganda about pop culture qualify as entries in an online dictionary or encyclopedia? Plus, everything about medicine and vaccines is scripted, posted and edited by pharma shills that have been exposed time and time again, so, you were saying?

Meta announces new AI-powered tool Sphere to guard MSM misinformation and ban all truth that debunks Wikipedia propaganda

Sphere is the new AI scanner that automatically crawls the web, searching for and deleting truth news that exposes fake news, able to scan hundreds of thousands of citations in real time. Anything that doesnt support Democrat narratives about war, famine, global warming, transgenderism, perversion, chemical medicine or COVID-19 clot shots gets scrubbed, banned, deleted and erased from history, just like the Nazi book burning, but this is done AI-style online.

By using AI systems to do all the illegal censoring of truth news and actual historical events that counter the fake news narratives, Wikipedia believes they will be able to attract new (shill) editors and (woke and gullible) readers alike. Wikipedia has been revealed countless times for allowing very opinionated, non-sourced allegations to persist as fact, while fact checking and banning sourced information that counters those dogmatic entries.

Conspiracy theories run amuck on Woke-a-pedia, and its hard to find the truth about anything at all, unless youre doing a book report on caterpillars or wondering why there are so many palm trees are in Florida.

Misinformation and fake facts infest Wikipedia, Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and WebMD

Anyone looking to be led down dark, dangerous rabbit holes of misinformation and disinformation does not need to look further than Woke-a-pedia, Fakebook and Pharma Shill Central (WebMD). Want to believe the Fauci Flu clot shots are safe and effective, even though they are dangerous and defective? No problem. Artificial intelligence is actively scrubbing and censoring all information that reveals the gene-mutating spike protein injections are the worst thing you can do for your health and safety during the scamdemic.

The so-called crowd-sourced internet encyclopedia will now use AI Sphere to flag sources that dont support the false claims that litter and envelop the entire corrupted platform. Some truth sources will be flagged with a recommendation of a fake news source to trick the readers into thinking they have found accuracy in reporting. Its just the opposite though. In the sphere of fake news and misinformation, Wikipedia will now have shill editing in the form of artificial intelligence.

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg values profits over battling misinformation, and thats been evident during his false claims made to Congress during testimonies. Too much information about Zuckerbergs disinformation campaign has already been leaked by internal sources from Facebook, so theres no trusting anything he backs, especially this AI fact checking technology for Wikipedia.

Do your own research and dont use Google. Try the search engine Brave BETA and get more truth news and real information. Bookmark Censored.news to your favorite websites for truth news thats being censored from the rest of media as you read this.

Sources include:

NaturalNews.com

CNBC.com
(Natural News) Real life demons are out in full force in America, enraged because they wont be able to legally murder as many human babies as they have been for decades. In the heart of Americas insane LGBTQ-vial-leftist metropolitan city of Seattle, the naked demons came out to parade for the children they groom each day for sin and murder. In droves they walked, cycled, paraded and urinated in front of all the children in the name of baby murder rights that have been stripped from them in the recent Supreme Court undoing of Roe v. Wade. So now, all the hard-Left corporations have declared their undying support and money to pay for any mother living in a US state that wont allow abortions, to travel to a libtard state, all expenses paid, to murder their baby and sacrifice the fetus to Satan.

Corporate-funded baby murder vacations

Interested in fully paid abortion vacations, sponsored by the demonic Leftists? After the Supreme Court finally overturned Roe v. Wade, 25 corporate giants decided to provide financial assistance to pregnant employees to help them decide to kill their babies and do it for free while on a paid vacation. In some cases, even the pregnant moms children will get to travel to the baby-murder state of their choice to accompany their mother while she murders the baby in her womb.

Whats next, the corporate-paid donation of the aborted babys organs, to use in laboratories to brew the next pandemic that Biden is bragging about? Surely Planned Parenthood will welcome minority mothers under their wing (Satans wing) to exterminate the baby and hock the still-beating heart for some cold hard cash on the (biotechnology) black market.

25 U.S. corporations fund a baby-murdering vacation plus gender-mutilation surgery for your other kids

Here are the first 25 U.S. corporations to jump on the satanic bandwagon and offer funding and paid baby-murder vacations for mothers-not-to-be:

Microsoft  of course, the genocidal freak Bill Gates supports one of the top ways to reduce the population of the world, while targeting minorities with baby-first genocide tactics. Microsoft calls it critical healthcare, which means kill or maim children by abortion and vaccination. This funding also supports vacations to libtard states for gender-mutilation surgery in the name of LGBTQ rights.

Apple  More funding from the genocidal maniac Bill Population Reduction Gates, also known as Bill Hells Gates. Need to travel out of state to murder your almost-born or just recently born child? Bills got your wallet padded and your rights ensured. In case you were unaware, 2.25% of the 79,000 million dollars in Apple shares is owned by Bill and Melinda Gates, totaling $1.8 billion in Apple holdings.

Meta  The tech giant Meta will fund your out-of-state baby murder needs, as long as its still legal.

Yelp  Yelp wants to hear your fetus yelp when its plucked from the womb or dissolved with toxins in the name of Satan, so theyre funding out-of-state abortion travel expenses. The decision, Yelp says, supports human rights which means the right to murder other humans in the name of Satan.

Disney  Of course, the kings of pedophilia and child grooming are willing to pay for travel expenses for out-of-state baby murder trips. The funds will include family planning so you can make the most of the whole baby-murder vacation in the libtard state or demon-run metropolitan city of your choosing.

Uber  Uber wants to also pretend that reproductive health means helping humanity, when it really means murdering babies. The rideshare company will pay for your ride to the baby-death-camp in another state, so you can exterminate human life on their dollar.

Netflix  Of course, Woke-Flix is funding baby-murder vacations and gender-affirming care (gender mutilation and perversion surgery) in retaliation for the Supreme Courts decision. Woke-Flix is offering $10,000 per baby murder to show their undying support (pun intended).

Bumble  The female-driven dating service app wants all women to be able to kill their kids in the womb, so the company will donate to Planned Un-Parenthood, a Federation of Amerikan communism and population reductionism.

Match Group  Another dating app company is partnering with Planned Un-Parenthood to end lives before they can even start by funding abortion vacations. They plan to extend funding for this population reduction scheme to all their US staff, including money for traveling, lodging and the extraction of the child.

Box.com  All in to cover travel and medical expenses for abortions.

Levi Strauss  The denim company will reimburse employees, including even their part-time staffers, for baby-in-womb murders.

Comcast-NBC Universal  Cable television moguls are offering $4,000 per trip and up to 3 abortions per year. So as soon as the woman kills her baby in the womb, she can go home, get pregnant again, and plan her next vacation.

Warner Bros Discovery  The owners of CNN, the Counterfeit News Network, will cover expenses for moms and their family members who want to travel to a baby-murder state, according to a company spokesperson.

Conde Nast  This media company will pay for travel and lodging for baby killers and anyone who wants to become infertile or mutilate their genitals with irreversible surgery.

JPMorgan Chase  Theyve covered abortion for years, but starting in July, will add abortion travel money to their company benefits package.

Nike -The sportswear giants are also all in for funding baby-in-womb murder-travel packages theyre calling a family planning journey. How is it family planning if youre getting rid of family members?

Starbucks  The diabetes-and-obesity-causing-coffee specialists will also be funding the medical travel benefit for out-of-state abortions (Satanic donations).

Dicks Sporting Goods  Dicks will give $4,000 to women to travel out-of-state to kill their babies before they exit their vaginas.

Kroger  This grocers healthcare package includes $4,000 to cross state lines to extinguish a baby or get unfertilized.

Alaska Airlines  Supports travel monies for employees who dont value human life.

Goldman Sachs  Theyll pay all in or out-of-state medical procedures, treatments and evaluations that lead to ending human life in the womb.

Zillow, HP, HPE, and Accenture are all in for funding a whole range of human extermination healthcare benefits, travel assistance and covered medical services.

Watch the demonic abortion activists in Seattle:

Stay tuned to NaturalNews for updates on mutilation nation, where corporations fund population reduction and perversion, no matter what state you live in. Bookmark Censored.news to your favorite websites for truth news thats being censored from the rest of media as you read this.

Sources for this article include:

TheGatewayPundit.com

Breitbart.com

Wgal.com

NaturalNews.com
(Natural News) Almost one-quarter of the workforce at American-Israeli crypto lender Celsius was laid off last month as the company faces restructuring and possible insolvency.

According to LinkedIn, Celsius has about 650 staff members, but 150 of them were let go amid a financial crisis that saw customer withdrawals halted in June.

Celsius cited extreme market conditions for its decision to pause withdrawals and hire restructuring specialists. The company is also exploring options to preserve and protect assets following the turbulent situation.

It is being reported that central banking giant Goldman Sachs is leading a $2 billion raise from investors to purchase Celsius distressed assets. Crypto exchange FTX, meanwhile, passed on a deal to purchase the company itself after examining its toxic finances.

Celsius joins a growing (number) of crypto firms letting go of staff amid bearish market conditions. Coinbase (COIN) laid off over 1,100 employees in June, with exchanges Bybit, Huobi, Banxa and several others letting go of staff in the past month, Coindesk reported.

Billions of dollars in bitcoin trapped inside Celsius and other exchanges; CNBC says investors may have to just write it off

The plight of Celsius and these other exchanges came about during a massive cryptocurrency crash that sent bitcoin and many other coins in a downward spiral.

This correction left many companies that handle crypto in a bind as they apparently were not holding enough assets to accommodate their customers, suggesting widespread fraud throughout the industry.

The latest reports indicate that billions of dollars worth of bitcoin are now trapped inside halted or failed platforms such as Celsius. Investors may be forced to turn their holdings into a tax write-off, as they may never be able to get it back out again.

Centralized crypto storage solutions, it turns out, are not a safe place to hold ones digital assets. Unless your crypto is held in a private wallet, it is subject to possibly disappearing in the event of extreme market conditions.

Even those who do hold bitcoin and other cryptos in private wallets are reeling at the sudden and massive drop in prices that have occurred over the past several months  not the best store of value, especially for those who bought in really high.

If your funds become totally worthless and irrecoverable, you may be eligible to write them off as a nonbusiness bad debt on your taxes, says Shehan Chandrasekara, a certified public accountant, about funds that are not trapped inside crypto lending platforms.

Its not going to cover up your entire economic loss, but its going to give you some type of tax benefit because at least you get to write off that initial investment that you put in.

This is the type of thing over which you take to the streets, not just suck it up and write some of it off. That any crypto investor is just accepting this without question is truly mind-boggling.

Currently, many of the crypto platforms that are now in dire straits claim that the freezes and other problems are just temporary while they scramble for new ways to shore up liquidity. Or, in the case of Celsius, they are attempting to restructure and secure additional lines of credit.

Electronic currency was the magic plan for the current government to be able to steal everyones bank account, suggested one reader at Natural News about crypto.

Imaginary money is like all other imaginary things: its a cute idea, but when the gold standard, silver certificate or just plain governments promise plunges in value, then imaginary money goes poof!'

The latest crypto-related news can be found at DollarDemise.com.

Sources include:

CoinDesk.com

NaturalNews.com

CNBC.com
(Natural News) Facebook will start labeling some posts about climate change similar to how it has labeled posts discussing the coronavirus pandemic and the recent elections, the company announced in February.

The labels will direct users to the platforms Climate Science Information Center, an existing hub that includes articles and data that debunk common climate myths. Experts from George Mason University, the Yale Program on Climate Communication and the University of Cambridge will oversee the program.

The labels are an addition to Facebooks current practice of flagging posts with climate change misinformation. For now, the labels will appear on posts in the United Kingdom. It will soon come to more countries, including the United States.

This update represents Facebooks latest attempt to weed out lies about climate change as if embracing its role as an arbiter of truth. Previously, Founder and Chief Executive Officer Mark Zuckerberg had said the company must do away with regulating online speech after former President Donald Trump accused Twitter of censorship.

Now, Zuckerberg has argued that the best way to keep misinformation from spreading on Facebook is not only to flag and remove misleading posts but also to offer users accurate information from authoritative sources.

Facebook did not mention what kind of posts will be labeled, so it is not clear how peer-reviewed studies, news stories and opinion pieces will be classified under this new strategy.

It is not clear how many users have visited the sites Climate Science Information Center to date. However, the company has said that over 600 million people visited a similar information hub with facts and data about COVID-19. Months later, the company launched a Voting Information Center for the U.S. elections.

Facebook draws from its previous strategies

Facebooks strategy for tackling so-called climate change misinformation is not unlike what it did about myths surrounding the coronavirus pandemic. Beginning in March, the platform put vetted information about the virus at the top of users news feeds in a bid to stop misleading content from spreading on the network.

The new update seems to be an answer to calls from legislators for Facebook to take more action in preventing the spread of climate change misinformation on the platform.

More than a year ago, some U.S. senators, including Democrat Elizabeth Warren, said there should be no company too big or too powerful to be held accountable for its role in the climate crisis. Facebook is no exception.

The senators had demanded that Facebook answer questions about its fact-checking policies after it was found to have reversed a decision by its fact-checkers to label an op-ed piece false for including allegedly inaccurate information about climate change. Under its current guidelines, op-ed pieces are exempt from fact-checking.

Furthermore, spokespeople for Facebook have since maintained that speech from politicians was not eligible to be fact-checked.

Facebook found itself in hot waters again after it started removing millions of posts with false information and data about the coronavirus pandemic, including one by Trump. In his post, Trump said the country is learning to live with COVID-19 the same way it learned to live with the flu. Facebooks policy communications manager, Andy Stone, said they delete false information about the severity of the disease.

Last year, Facebook, along with rival platform Twitter, also suspended Trumps account following news that Trump sanctioned the storming of the U.S. Capitol. (Related: The false and exaggerated claims still being spread about the Capitol riot.)

But this new situation is different. Sander van der Linden, a professor of social psychology at the University of Cambridge, said that Facebook is now in a unique position to counter online misinformation. The sites new Climate Science Information Center is a crucial step toward debunking dangerous falsehoods, he added.

Go to FacebookCollapse.com for more articles about the censorship of Facebook.

Sources include:

Finance.Yahoo.com

TheGuardian.com

TheVerge.com

BBC.com
(Natural News) A member of the Florida House of Representatives has asked a popular online store to prevent Libs of TikTok from selling merch on the platform. The reason? Libs of TikTok offered the term groomer as a promo code in the online shop, and groomer, apparently and as of last week, is a slur against the LGBTQ community.

(Article by Libby Emmons republished from ThePostMillenial.com)

Anna Eskamani, who represents Floridas House District 47, piled on to a demand to get popular Twitter account Libs of TikTok banned from selling merch in Shopifys online store over the term, which oddly enough has been linked to the LGBTQ community by members and supporters of that community itself.

Floridas Press Secretary Christina Pushaw said that she was horrified that a government official, Anna Eskamani, is using her position to push a company to deplatform a private citizen due to a political disagreement. And indeed, it does seem that the place of an elected official is not to petition corporations to ban users from its platform that are engaging in legal commerce.

The beginning of the petition to ban Libs of TikTok from selling merch on Shopify began with a Media Matters article that made the wild claim that the term groomer is an LGBTQ slur.

Media Matters wrote that A significant driver in the fabricated groomer narrative, its Twitter and Instagram accounts have been used repeatedly to misgender people, target teachers who support their LGBTQ students, and flag Pride Month events, at least two of which were later targeted by white supremacist organizations, including the Proud Boys and Patriot Front.

Libs of TikTok has used the term groomer to describe elementary school teachers who coerce their students into using preferred pronouns, or who come out to their students and encourage students to do the same, or who hold Pride parades to groom kindergarteners into becoming LGBTQ activists. For this, the account is accused of participating in hate directed towards sexual orientation and gender.

Harvard grad, journalist and self-proclaimed wise Latina Alejandro Caraballo complained that: Shopify is allowing Libs of Tik Tok to use their services in violation of their terms of service against hate directed towards sexual orientation and gender. LoTT is openly using the anti-LGBTQ slur GROOMERS as a discount code on Shopifys platform, Caraballo writes. She shared a Media Matters article that articulated this concern as well.

Eskamani jumped on board, boosting Caraballos post to Shopify and demanding to know why the online shop hadnt yet responded. Eskamani apparently thinks that online stores should ban sellers that are adamantly opposed to sexualizing children in classrooms. Shopify do you have a response? She asked.

@Shopify do you have a response?  Rep. Anna V. Eskamani ? (@AnnaForFlorida) July 22, 2022

Caraballo shared a tweet from the Libs of TikTok account that specified that yes, a discount in the merch shop could be had with promo code GROOMER, and then Shopifys terms of service restricting users from promoting hate or violence against people based on gender, sexual orientation or other forms of discriminatory intolerance.

While One Fresh Pillow reached out to Eskamani to state that they, too were concerned and horrified, others pointed out that Libs of TikTok literally reposts content shared by teachers, and others, proclaiming their intentions to bring children into the gender identity cult.

At this point, Eskamani doubled down, insisting that Shopify respond to the concern.

Good  we need a response!  Rep. Anna V. Eskamani ? (@AnnaForFlorida) July 22, 2022

Those horrified by Libs of TikTok, which has also exposed drag queens who expose themselves to children at drag queen story hours at public libraries, are not horrified by the people doing the grooming, but by the account pointing it out.

The Babylon Bees Seth Dillon made this point on Twitter, saying that the only thing thats truly horrific here is the sexualization of children, which Libs of TikTok exposes every day.

Im horrified that a government official, Anna Eskamani, is using her position to push a company to deplatform a private citizen due to a political disagreement.  Christina Pushaw ? ?? (@ChristinaPushaw) July 24, 2022

Last week, author and mathematician James Lindsay was locked out of Twitter for responding to an article about the term groomer being affiliated by LGBTQ activists with LGBTQ activism with the words ok, groomer. Other gay activists groups have sought to distance themselves from current LGBTQ activist groups, declaring that under no circumstances is lesbian, gay or bisexual advocacy interested in indoctrinating children.

Florida has been adamantly opposed to allowing children to be sexualized in classrooms or indoctrinated into gender identity, and to that end passed the Parental Rights in Education bill. The bill prevents students from being taught sex ed that is not age appropriate, and gives parents the right to not be kept in the dark by teachers and administrators in the event that their children socially gender transition at school but try to keep it secret from parents.

As pushback against the bill came from across the country, Pushaw termed it the anti-grooming bill, and the internet lost its collective mind.

Read more at: ThePostMillenial.com
(Natural News) Democrats are just fine with illegal immigration and open borders as long as they dont have to deal with the masses of people streaming across our southwest border.

But once they have to do so, they get upset and demand that someone step in to help; in this case, the federal government.

The GOP governors of Texas and Arizona  Greg Abbott and Doug Ducey, respectively  have been busing illegal migrants to the nations capital for months so that the congressional Democratic majority that refuses to hold Joe Bidens handlers responsible for implementing open-border policies has to deal with them.

Only, congressional Dems remain aloof; the Democrat mayor of the city, Muriel Bowser, is instead having to take on the added burden of thousands of migrants months after she and fellow Democrats called Abbott, Ducey and other Republicans racists and bigots for demanding the kind of secure border the country experienced under Donald Trump.

And now shes upset about it and wants the National Guard deployed to help deal with the influx, according to the New York Post:

Washington DC Mayor Muriel Bowser has requested the National Guard step in to help handle the arrival of thousands of migrants from the US-Mexico border, saying the nations capital has reached a tipping point.

In a July 19 request for assistance to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, Bowser reported that over 4,000 individuals arriving on nearly 200 buses have come to DC since April, when Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey pledged to put migrants on charter buses to protest the Biden administrations immigration policies.

Our collective response and service efforts have now become overwhelmed, Bowser wrote.

[O]ur homeless services system is already under great strain; and tragically, many families arrive in Washington, DC with nowhere to go, or they remain in limbo seeking onward destinations across the United States.

With pledges from Texas and Arizona to continue these abhorrent operations indefinitely, the situation is dire, the mayor noted further, and we consider this a humanitarian crisis  one that could overwhelm our social support network without immediate and sustained federal intervention.

Weve had a number of discussions, she said. Weve facilitated FEMAs involvement with a million dollar grant that has now been increased to work with a lead nonprofit agency. Weve facilitated using those grant funds to set up respite center in a neighboring jurisdiction and Ive also asked the Secretary of the Army to deploy the D.C. National Guard to help lead that effort.

Some 4,000 migrants is just a days worth of illegal immigration in Texas and Arizona, so naturally, Abbott does not have much sympathy for the Democrat mayor whose party is responsible for his state and its communities being inundated and overwhelmed with migrants for more than a year.

D.C. is experiencing a fraction of the disastrous impact the border crisis has caused Texas, Abbott tweeted this week. Mayor Bowser should stop attacking Texas for securing the border & demand Joe Biden do his job.

Bowser said in her letter that she expects the crisis in D.C., a term that Democrats have resisted using when speaking about Bidens border crisis, to escalate.

The number of people crossing the border seeking asylum, we expect to only go up, we need to make sure that there is a national response, not an ad hoc city by city, state by state response, she continued.

Abbott spokeswoman Renae Eze told the Washington Examiner that the nations capital, which is overwhelmingly Democrat, 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.

The irony and hypocrisy of Democrats on this issue is mind-blowing.

Sources include:

WashingtonExaminer.com

USAToday.com

NYPost.com
(Natural News) Praised for its effective pandemic response and for getting more vaccines than it needed, the truth is Mongolia brought Covid upon itself with the experimental jab like many others, wrote Joel Smalley posting a short video clip showing the relationship between Covid cases, deaths and administration of Covid injections.

(Article by Rhoda Wilson republished from Expose-News.c0m)

Mongolia started Its mass Covid-19 vaccinations on 23 February 2021. At this point, according to Worldometer, the cumulative Covid deaths over the previous 12 months was 2. Two people out of a population of almost 3,4 million.

Having been Covid free during 2020, two months after mass vaccination began Mongolia was experiencing its worst outbreak yet and resumed its public vaccination drive on 23 April 2021.

Six vaccines are approved for use in Mongolia. As of 5 May 2021, according to the Foreign Ministry of Mongolia, 42.2 per cent of the population had been vaccinated and 1,398,592 doses had been administered. Mongolia had received 2,600,540 vaccines through COVAX, the AstraZeneca and Pfizer brands. In addition, the government had purchased Sputnik V from Russia and Sinopharm from China.

Worldometer shows a dramatic increase in Covid deaths beginning just before 23 April 2021 which stood at a total of 69 for the preceding 14 months  67 of those having died after the vaccination program began. Since then, 2,112 have been added to Covids death toll. If there was ever a pandemic, it began after the population had been injected with the so-called Covid vaccines.

Our World in Data agrees and shows a direct correlation between vaccines administered and Covid deaths:

For those who doubt the validity of both Worldometer and Our World in Data, the World Health Organisation confirms, barring some timing differences in data: In Mongolia, from 3 January 2020 to 7:12pm CEST, 22 July 2022, there have been 934,357 confirmed cases of Covid-19 with 2,119 deaths, reported to WHO. As of 8 July 2022, a total of 5,635,286 vaccine doses have been administered. [emphasis our own]

How many lives could have been saved if Mongolian officials had not insisted in injecting its population? It could be decades before the true death toll from Covid injections is known.

Read more at: Expose-News.c0m.
(Natural News) Its no wonder the far-left Democratic Party caters to the so-called LGBTQ crowd  its because so many of them are straight-up sexual deviants, even to the point of criminality.

The latest example: A high-ranking United States Postal Service official was recently busted for attempting to meet a boy for sex.

As reported by The National Pulse, the official appointed under President Joe Biden was caught during a child sex sting, admitting Im a pedophile on camera.

The report noted that Russell Rappel-Schmid, the chief data officer for the U.S. Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC), was busted in San Diego, Calif., as he attempted to meet a 14-year-old boy for a sexual tryst.

The report adds:

The PRC is responsible for overseeing the U.S. Postal Service (USPS)  which deals with mail-in ballots during election season  and Rappel-Schmid was tasked with running the commissions data management and compliance with the OPEN Government Data Act.

While federal authorities have not yet confirmed the man in the video is Rappel-Schmid, the San Diego County Sheriffs Department announced that Rappel-Schmid was released from the citys Central Jail early Tuesday morning after being arrested on Monday. His felony arraignment is set for next Monday.

Rappel-Schmid was in the city for a business conference, according to reports, when he attempted to set up a meeting with who he believed was a 14-year-old boy to have sex. The group People vs. Predators videoed the encounter; the USPS official is seen on that video admitting to being a pedophile.

Russell Rappel Schmid Im a pedophilehttps://t.co/zgSD2lrjYT  An Open Secret (@AnOpenSecret) July 13, 2022

Following the allegations and being charged with attempting to meet up with a minor for sex, the U.S. Postal Service immediately fired Rappel-Schmid and issued a statement.

The Postal Regulatory Commission has become aware of the recent arrest of one of our employees. Upon becoming aware of this information, the Commission has terminated this employee effective immediately. The Commission is shocked and horrified at these serious allegations and maintains a steadfast commitment to promptly deal with any claims of employee misconduct, the statement said.

In addition, Rappel-Schmids profile has already been removed from the USPS website.

He joined the oversight body under President Joe Biden in May and previously served as the State of Alaskas first chief data officer. Rappel-Schmid also worked at the USPS Office of Inspector General (USPS OIG) on the data analytics team and as an audit manager, The National Pulse reported.

Separately, the outlet filed a previous investigative report on Sam Brinton, a drag queen and high-level hire at the Department of Energys Office of Nuclear Energy who has defended a controversial gay prostitution website with a track record of allowing children to be promoted for sexual services on the platform.

In addition to performing in drag, Brinton is a self-avowed LGBTQ+ activist who has lectured on kink at college campuses and taken part in interviews about fetish roleplay:

In an article published on September 15th on the pro-LGBT+ website Advocate, Bidens latest top nuclear hire dives into a defense of the Rentboy.com website, which shuttered following an August 2015 illegal prostitution raid. Rentboy is a colloquial term for young men who have sex with older men in exchange for money, often under dubious circumstances.

Brinton, who now serves as the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Spent Fuel and Waste Disposition in the Office of Nuclear Energy, defended the now-shuttered website in a September 2015 op-ed in Advocate magazine: The Real Ramifications of the Rentboy Raid.

The U.S. District Court of the Eastern District of New Yorks indictment also revealed the sites negligence regarding underage sex work, in Asia especially.

Sources include:

NaturalNews.com

TheNationalPulse.com
(Natural News) Russia threw down the gauntlet to the United States after announcing plans to collaborate with China to build the first lunar base. An Order of the Government of Russia detailing the plan was published in February of 2021.

Roscosmos has completed domestic proceedings to harmonize the Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the Russian Federation and the Government of Peoples Republic of China on cooperation to create the International Lunar Research Station, Roscosmos, Russias state corporation for space activities, told SpaceNews.

Russia previously ignored a chance to team up with the U.S. after refusing to sign the Artemis Accords, an international agreement detailing guidelines for those who wish to participate in the Artemis program, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)s mission to the moon.

The forthcoming deal should fuel a new space race between the two countries as NASA also plans to build a lunar base as part of the Artemis program.

China and Russias lunar base plan

China came up with the idea for the International Lunar Research Station. The objective of the project is to create a long-term robotic presence on the moon by the next decade, before eventually establishing a sustained human presence.

Chinas Change-6, -7 and -8 missions, as well as Russias Luna 27 probe, will make up the first leg of the project. The two partner countries will then expand their operations by the early 2030s by launching long-term robotic and potentially short-crewed missions. The goal for 2036 to 2045 is to establish a long-term human presence.

The pair plans to build humanitys first sharing platform on the lunar south pole and support scientific exploration, technical experiments and the use of lunar resources. (Related: Defense Secretary Esper: China, Russia have killer satellites in space.)

The official announcement of the project coincided with last years Global Space Exploration Conference, according to Roscosmos, which was held in the city of St. Petersburg in Russia.

The project is also open to other nations. The European Space Agency (ESA) is said to be closely monitoring the program in anticipation of joining. At the same time, the agency is committed to Americas space programs after signing a memorandum of understanding with NASA last year.

Russia rejects space deal with US

The deal with China comes after Russia refused to join eight other nations in signing the Artemis Accords during the International Astronautical Congress (IAC) in October of 2020.

Drafted by the U.S., the accord lays out guidelines for the peaceful exploration of outer space. The participating nations are Australia, Canada, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates and the U.S.

The accord was made in preparation for NASAs Artemis program. This mission will see the creation of a lunar base camp on the moons south pole and an outpost called Gateway, which would orbit the moon and serve as a docking station for spacecraft.

Roscosmos Director General Dmitry Rogozin rejected the accord because of Gateway. The development of the outpost, according to Rogozin, appears to eschew the existing intergovernmental agreement (IGA) established for the International Space Station (ISS). Signed by the U.S., Russia, Canada, Japan and ESA member states, the IGA laid out a cooperative framework for the peaceful use of the ISS.

The most important thing here would be to base [the Gateway] program on the principles of international cooperation which were used in order to fly the ISS program, Rogozin said in press conference following an IAC session.

But NASA already vowed to develop Gateway using the ISS agreement alongside the Artemis Accords. According to NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine, the agency is working with each ISS partner to draw up memorandums of understanding, which will extend the ISS agreement for use on the planned outpost.

The Gateway uses the intergovernmental agreement established for the International Space Station, Bridenstine said after the session.

All of the protocols that exist on the International Space Station would also exist for the Gateway, so I dont think that thats a challenge, he continued.

Learn more about upcoming space missions at Space.news.

Sources include:

TheSun.co.uk

ESA.int

Space.com

SpaceNews.com
(Natural News) You can tell that Barack Obama is really serving a third term via the dementia patient in the Oval Office, Joe Biden, by the left-wing extremists who have been appointed to positions of power within the federal government.

One of the first things Bidens Obama-linked handlers did was have him create a new diversity office within the State Department, a position that was filled by Gina Abercrombie-Winstanley, a black woman who had been given instructions to implement policies aimed at ensuring that only certain approved candidates would be selected to fill positions.

The policy did not take into account seniority, experience, proficiency or education, but rather skin color, gender, sex, and persons who dont espouse the wrong religion (which would be Christians).

In other words, white male heterosexuals who believe in the Christian God need not apply  at least, thats according to a State Dept. whistleblower who made it clear in an email memo obtained by Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) that is the result of policy directives implemented by Abercrombie-Winstanley, whose previous experience was as the U.S. Ambassador to Malta during Obamas second term, 2012-2016.

According to a report by The Blaze:

During a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing, Cruz confronted Abercrombie-Winstanley over an email from a senior State Department official that disclosed discriminatory hiring practices.

The email says that hiring practices have developed inside the State Department so that certain candidates could not be hired because they have a disability; they are white men; they are straight, white men; they are not of the right religion,' Cruz said. Did you clear this guidance?

Ive never seen that before, Abercrombie-Winstanley responded.

So you didnt know it had been sent, Cruz followed up.

This is the first time Im seeing it, sir, she clarified.

Cruz went on to note that the email represents a mandate to discriminate against certain people, which he then said is the direct result of Abercrombie-Winstanleys policies to make the department more equitable.

Earlier, when he was leading to his questions, Cruz called those policies brazen discrimination.

The report continued:

Later, Abercrombie-Winstanley claimed that she is definite and certain that discriminatory hiring policies are not in practice at the State Department. Cruz then appeared to seize on her admission. If such practices are not happening, then why is a diversity and inclusion office necessary?

So youre the chief diversity officer and you are arguing you are certain discrimination is not happening at the State Department, is that right? Is that what youre testifying? Cruz pressed. Its what you just said.

In response, the State Dept. official said that discriminatory hiring practices are unlawful while going on to explain that the nations diplomatic agency is not overtly or on purpose violating the law and the U.S. Constitution. However, she did say that she believes there are discriminatory people who work at the State Dept.

What would you say you do around here? Cruz followed up in quoting a line from the comedy film Office Space.

What is your job if not to stop discrimination? And unfortunately, I believe that your job, in practice, is encouraging this discrimination, he declared.

WATCH:

https://t.co/ZjEAwF1xsP  Dr. Jonny Republic If You Can Keep It ?? (@JonDougherty10) July 29, 2022

In naming Abercrombie-Winstanley to her post in April 2021, Secretary of State Antony Blinkin essentially indicted the entire State Dept. as racist and bigoted:

As Secretary of State, my job is to ensure that our foreign policy delivers for the American people. To achieve that, we have to recruit and retain a workforce that truly reflects the American people.

Diversity and inclusion make our diplomatic team stronger, smarter, more creative, more innovative. Because were operating in a diverse world, and Americas diversity is a source of strength that few countries can match, when we fail to build a team that reflects America, its like were engaging the world with one arm tied behind our back.

And as President Biden has made clear, prioritizing diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility is also a national security imperative.

Weve got our work cut out for us. The State Department simply isnt as diverse and inclusive as it needs to be.

Democrats are as destructive to our society as any foreign entity.

Sources include:

State.gov

TheBlaze.com
According to information published by Mehr News on July 29, 2022, the Russian naval parade involved warships of the Azerbaijani and Iranian navies for the first time.

Follow Navy Recognition on Google News at this link

Iranian Sina class fast attack craft Paykan and Joshan (Picture source: Russian MoD)

This year, the naval parade in Kaspiysk on the Caspian Sea has brought together 26 combat ships and gunboats, 15 support vessels, over 900 personnel, and four aircraft.

The parade formation included the missile ships Tatarstan and Dagestan, the small artillery ships Grad Sviyazhsk, Uglich, and Stupinets, the hydrographic survey boat Nikolay Ivashintsov, the harbor minesweepers Magomed Gadzhiyev and Herman Ugryumov and the anti-saboteur boat Yunarmeyets Dagestana, the Caspian Flotillas press office reported.

The Caspian Flotilla has demonstrated its combat capabilities at sea and on the shore during the naval parade. Naval sailors have demonstrated about 10 combat episodes, among them thwarting an attempt to violate the state border, breaching a minefield, and conducting a naval battle with a simulated enemy.

In addition, the mariners have demonstrated delivering a missile strike against a notional enemys key facilities, rendering assistance to a ship in distress, conducting anti-amphibious assault defense, landing an amphibious assault force, and battling for landing on the shore.

About the IRIS Paykan

The Iranian missile boat Paykan is an Iranian-made Sina-class fast attack craft. The Sina class is nearly identical to the Kaman class and Paykan and Joshan are both often referred to as members of the Kaman class.

The ship has a length of 47 m (154 ft 2 in), a beam of 7.1 m (23 ft 4 in), and a draught of 2 m (6 ft 7 in). She has a displacement of 275 tons and can reach a top speed of 36 knots (67 km/h; 41 mph).

Paykan was Iran's first self-made missile boat and is equipped with two or four C802 SSM anti-ship missiles, one Fajr-27 76 mm dual-purpose gun and one 40 mm anti-aircraft gun.
People want to connect to all of their apps all of the time from all of their devices no matter where they are. And they pretty much can, thanks to wide-area networks (WANs).

At its core, a WAN is a network of networks. The Internet itself is a giant WAN, and how you connect to it can be as diverse as through an Ethernet cable, coaxial cable, or a cellular radio signal.

Your office network, home Wi-Fi, cellphone, smartwatch, doorbell camera and vehicle-based Internet connection are just endpoints on a vast global WAN that is constantly evolving to carry more traffic, and to carry that traffic faster as the demands for near-instantaneous access to resources increase.

How is a WAN different from a LAN?

A Local Area Network (LAN) is confined to a relatively small area. In the business world, LANs are generally limited to a single building or a small campus. In a LAN topology, all the devices that end users need to access are connected by switches and routers. Your home Wi-Fi is also a LAN, where you can connect multiple devices, including laptops, desktops, printers and smart home devices via a central router.

When your network requires access to resources that are not available on the LAN, an external link is added to the router. So, while a LAN connects you to local resources on your network, a WAN connects multiple networks together to share resources.]

In the case of a company that has a corporate headquarters and multiple branch offices scattered around the world, the WAN connects multiple LANs, While LANs typically connect end users through Ethernet technology, WANs can employ a variety of transport methods.

What is a private WAN?

LANs are typically maintained by an organizations IT staff, but WANs are typically reliant on physical connections provided by the major telecommunication carriers. There are different ways to transport WAN data, each with benefits, drawbacks, and costs.

A private WAN is implemented with leased data lines. The service provider maintains the network (through multiple interconnects and vendors, if necessary) to create a continuous link between the network endpoints. Leased lines provide consistent symmetric upload and download speeds. Since the service provider reserves specific infrastructure for a private WAN, it is usually the most expensive option. Should there be damage at any point in the link you will likely see an interruption in service, making it necessary for you to plan for redundancy.

What is a cloud WAN?

As employees moved to remote locations and applications moved to the cloud, organizations began shifting to a cloud-based WAN approach that takes advantage of a mesh of networks to provide highly redundant connectivity anywhere in the world.

For example, Amazon offers AWS Cloud WAN, a managed service that customers can use to build and manage a global network that connects resources running across your cloud and on-premises environments, including branch offices, data centers, and Amazon Virtual Private Clouds (VPCs).

What is an MPLS WAN?

An MPLS network is managed end-to-end by a single service provider such as Verizon or AT&T, using an already existing set of physical networks to create a virtual path through them. The Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol suite (TCP/IP) breaks the data stream into smaller chunks, or packets, that are sent independently and reassembled at the destination endpoints of the network.

Each packet contains a payload and an identifying header that includes destination and reassembly information. Every packet is verified at the destination and, if successful, an acknowledgment is returned to the sender. Should verification fail, a request is sent back to the point of origin to be re-transmitted.

Data packets on an MPLS network are labeled and routed based on that pre-defined path for fast transport speeds across the network. An MPLS cloud uses multiple physical networks and is able to change routes to take advantage of the best bandwidth or to bypass problems. Traffic can be shaped through Quality of Service (QoS) parameters, such as video and Voice over IP Telephony (VoIP), to improve performance by application. While less expensive than leased lines in a Private WAN, MPLS can be expensive compared to connecting directly to the internet.

What is an internet-based WAN?

Instead of paying a premium for a leased line or MPLS connection, organizations can also simply connect directly to the internet through an Internet Service Provider (ISP).

A straight internet connection gives you access to the vast number of network nodes that comprise the largest WAN ever built. The downside is that there is no specific authority controlling the quality and reliability of the data path through the internet.

Data packets must be inspected for destination addresses at each routing hop and are delivered on a best-effort basis. This is fine for many applications such as emails that do not have issues with latency between the sender and receiver, but could be problematic for apps that require low latency.

Also, since the internet is a distributed public network, there is a greater chance of data packets passing through the servers of bad actors looking to collect or corrupt your data. Unlike MPLS or leased lines, it is critical to use encryption on all traffic.

The internet is ubiquitous and readily available from multiple sources, making it the cheapest option available to build your WAN upon.

What is a managed cloud WAN?

Vendors are also offering managed cloud WAN services, which include global connectivity, the ability to set policies for the entire global network from a single policy control point and a single management dashboard that allows organizations to monitor WAN features such as connectivity, routing, performance, access control and applications. A managed cloud WAN enables organizations to connect all on-prem sites and branch offices.

What is a wireless WAN?

A wireless WAN deploys cellular broadband radio devices to connect with a series of radio towers, referred to as cells, which act as base stations to convert the wireless data packets that travel across private or cloud WANs. (It is also possible to connect multiple devices to perform point-to-point communication using a wireless transportation layer.)

The wireless network infrastructure is designed to support millions of connections across a nationwide footprint. As the endpoint transceiver passes beyond the range of a cell, the network automatically hands the connection off to the next, providing uninterrupted connectivity. Since the cellular network is already established, a wireless WAN can be deployed quickly and relatively inexpensively.

One of the more common uses for this type of WAN is to connect Internet of Things (IoT) devices that collect and process data. For example, the parking meter you pay is connected via a wireless WAN to collect your payment and check your authorization to stay in the space. As newer 5G technology rolls out, its higher bandwidth promises to allow mission-critical data exchanges, such as those used by self-driving cars.

What does the modern WAN architecture look like?

It is important to understand the type of data you are working with on your WAN. You will build something different if transporting highly sensitive or low latency-dependent data.

At the WANs core, you will have connections from all the differing types of transports that allow traffic to route where it is most efficient and cost-effective. If you need highly secure, fast, and consistent connectivity, a private WAN should be an option.

For most of your traffic that requires reliable data delivery, such as content delivery, VoIP, or video conferencing, an MPLS connection will provide a secure, redundant, and consistent connection less expensively than with a leased Line. You will also be able to shape your network traffic by assigning QoS parameters to ensure that critical services get priority.

Finally, add Internet connectivity to direct your non-critical traffic to the lowest-cost route available. It also opens you to allowing user connectivity from anywhere through tunneling. The most common tunnel is the Virtual Private Network (VPN). VPN connections encrypt data to keep it private as it travels over public networks like the internet.

You can also establish a point-to-point VPN connection to act as a redundant link for leased lines as an inexpensive insurance policy in the event of service disruptions. The VPN is encrypted and, while slower, will provide a temporary solution in a disaster.

Sitting between the internet and your network will be a firewall that blocks any traffic that you havent explicitly allowed; an extra layer of protection on top of the VPN.

Wireless connectivity into your WAN will come from endpoints needing to connect over a cellular network, such as a smartphone accessing an application through a secured website or by first connecting to a VPN that allows access to resources such as database servers or storage devices.

WAN management and optimization

The speed of light limits the speed of data across the WAN, as data packets travel on fiberoptic cables. The greater the distance between the endpoints, the longer it takes data to make the trip, and while a few hundred milliseconds seem like nothing to us humans, they are an eternity to modern computing infrastructures.

It is also worth noting that while things seem to be happening simultaneously on the network, data packets are actually moving sequentially along the wire. As more devices use the network, problems such as congestion and dropped packets can introduce performance problems.

WAN optimization addresses these problems with features such as deduplication (reducing redundant data transmission), compression (reducing the size of data), and caching (storing commonly used data closer to the endpoint).

A technique called traffic shaping establishes QoS parameters that prioritize network packets for time-sensitive applications such as voice and video over less time-sensitive traffic such as email, thus improving overall performance.

What is SD-WAN?

WAN management is both a time consuming and labor intensive effort. Software-defined WAN ( SD-WAN) helps by employing software to monitor the performance of all available WAN connections and choosing the most efficient route by traffic type.

For example, smooth video playback requires that packets be delivered in order. Putting this traffic on a busy link like the internet can slow the delivery of packets, so SD-WAN would direct these packets over the leased line or MPLS.

Email, which is not subject to poor user experience if packets arrive later, can use the public Internet. SD-WAN software accounts for each type of link and shifts the traffic to the best path based on cost and performance characteristics.

SD-WAN technology is a critical component of any networking strategy, with a $3.25 billion market in 2021 that is expected to grow 30% in 2022, according to DataVagyanik, a market intelligence firm.

Future of WANs

WAN technology has come a long way since the early days of circuit-switched telephone lines and 2400 baud modems. Today, leased lines, wireless, MPLS, and the public internet makes it possible for you to videoconference on demand from your telephone to anyone around the world, backup your data to another city, manage the operations of a self-driving vehicle, and work from any place you can get a radio signal.

WANs arent just limited to Earth. NASA and other space agencies are working to create a reliable "interplanetary internet," which aims to transmit test messages between the International Space Station and ground stations. The Disruption Tolerant Networking (DTN) program is the first step in providing an internet-like structure for communications between space-based devices, including communicating between the Earth and Moon, or other planets.
In November 2020, the conference room at the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District in Champaign was full of first-contact employees calling people infected with COVID-19 to get a list of contacts to pass on to tracers. Administrator Julie Pryde said over 80 people had been hired since the pandemic began in March 2020. On Aug. 1, 2022, the agency announced that contact tracing would cease on Aug. 15.
Reporter

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).
Champaign resident Scott Best went on uninterrupted until Deputy Mayor Will Kyles broke in twice to politely point out that hed gone beyond the five minutes speakers are allotted. So you dont want to hear the rest is what youre saying? I understand," Best said. Typical ... Responded Kyles: Thank you for your respect.
Ethan Simmons is a reporter at The News-Gazette covering the University of Illinois. His email is esimmons@news-gazette.com, and you can follow him on Twitter (@ethancsimmons).
Alzheimers disease blood biomarkers (BBMs) may revolutionize the diagnosis of Alzheimers in the future, but are not yet ready for widespread use, according to a newly-published article by leading international clinicians and researchers convened by the Alzheimers Association. At the same time, they are important and valuable for current research trials and cautious initial use in specialized memory clinics.

Blood-based markers show promise for improving, and possibly even redefining, the diagnostic work-up for Alzheimer's. Remarkable progress has been made, but additional data are needed before BBMs can be used as a stand-alone test for diagnosis, and before considering broad use in primary care settings." Maria C. Carrillo, Ph.D., Alzheimer's Association chief science officer and co-author of the article

"In this article, the expert workgroup clearly defines both short- and long-term research priorities needed to fill significant knowledge gaps that still exist, such as how well these blood-based markers work in diverse communities and in those living with multiple health conditions," Carrillo added. "Also included are consensus appropriate use recommendations for use of BBMs in the clinic and in research trials."

"The Alzheimer's Association Appropriate Use Recommendations for Blood Biomarkers in Alzheimer's Disease," by Oskar Hansson, M.D., Ph.D., et al, is published online today by Alzheimer's & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer's Association. The recommendations will be reported today and tomorrow at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference (AAIC) 2022 in San Diego and online.

"Blood-based biomarkers for Alzheimer's are already improving the design of clinical trials, and they are very likely to revolutionize the diagnosis of Alzheimer's in the future," said Oskar Hansson, M.D., Ph.D., director of the Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases at Lund University and Skane University Hospital, Malmo, Sweden, and first author on the newly published article. "That said, the implementation of such markers in trials and practice must be done in a careful and controlled way so as not to accidentally cause more harm than good. Much more research is needed before widespread clinical use of BBMs."

According to the article, BBMs show "great promise"  especially markers for Alzheimer's-related brain changes related to nerve cell damage/death, and tau and beta amyloid accumulation  for "future use in both clinical practice and trials. However, few prospective studies have investigated the implementation of such BBMs in more heterogeneous populations."

Not ready for "prime time"

The workgroup points out that no studies have extensively evaluated BBMs for neurodegenerative diseases in primary care, and calls for "well-performed BBM studies in diverse primary care populations." Such studies should also evaluate the impact of BBMs on diagnostic accuracy and change in patient management.

In addition, use of BBMs for general population risk screening and as direct-to-consumer risk tests are not recommended.

The workgroup also says that BBMs should not yet be used as primary endpoints in pivotal treatment trials. However, this does not preclude the use of certain BBMs for decision making in clinical trials with adaptive design, where they could be used to inform decisions on continuing a trial or not.

Many current uses

There are current uses for Alzheimer's BBMs, according to the workgroup. For example, they "recommend use of BBMs as (pre-)screeners to identify individuals likely to have Alzheimer's pathological changes for inclusion in trials evaluating disease-modifying therapies, provided Alzheimer's status is confirmed with positron emission tomography (PET) or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) testing."

BBMs can be used as exploratory outcomes in most clinical trials in Alzheimer's and other neurodegenerative dementias. In non-Alzheimer's trials, BBMs can be used to identify patients who likely have Alzheimer's-related brain changes, if that is a condition of exclusion from the study.

"We also recommend cautiously starting use of BBMs in specialized memory clinics as part of the diagnostic work-up of patients already experiencing cognitive symptoms, as long as the results are confirmed whenever possible with CSF or PET, which are the current reference standards," said Charlotte E. Teunissen, M.D., Ph.D., head of the Neurochemistry Laboratory at Amsterdam University Medical Centers, the Netherlands and senior author on the article.

"The implementation of BBMs in primary care will likely take a much longer time because there are very few relevant and high-quality research studies on Alzheimer's-related BBMs conducted in this setting, but more prospective studies are expected to launch in the coming years," Teunissen added.

Establishing the path for BBMs in research

The appropriate use recommendations (AURs) provide specific guidance for current use of, and research needed on, the four most advanced types of Alzheimer's plasma biomarkers: plasma amyloid-beta 42/amyloid-beta 40 (A42/A40), phospho-tau (p-tau), neurofilament light (NfL), and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), as well as potential combinations of markers. For example, the need for:

Real-world studies on the robustness of plasma A42/A40 as a diagnostic test for cerebral A pathology.

Head-to-head studies comparing the performance of different forms of p-tau in different clinical contexts and across disease stages.

Most important and enlightening are the recommendations repeated by the authors throughout the AURs or those they say apply across the biomarkers, including:

Perform prospective studies in primary care settings, including representative and diverse populations with cognitive symptoms. Evaluate the causes of false positives and negatives; the reference standard must be of high quality and preferably include CSF or PET.

Study whether BBMs outperform what is already available today in primary care, and if they also improve diagnosis and management, including treatment decisions.

[Gain] better understanding of biological and disease-associated variability and potential impact of medical comorbidities and concomitant medications.

[Learn whether] certain BBM-based algorithms can be used alone to support an Alzheimer's diagnosis, or should they only be used as a gatekeeper to CSF/PET.

Eventually (a) perform head-to-head comparisons of different plasma biomarker assays, and (b) establish the most optimal combinations of easily accessible biomarkers.

Defining the need

According to the workgroup, about 25-30% of patients with a clinical diagnosis of Alzheimer's dementia are misdiagnosed when assessed at specialized dementia clinics, and the accuracy of clinical diagnosis is similar or even lower for other dementias, including frontotemporal dementia, dementia with Lewy bodies and vascular dementia. In fact, in most countries, most patients with cognitive or behavioral symptoms are managed in primary care where the misdiagnosis is even higher. The problem is especially acute in the earliest stages of the disease.

"There is a great global need for accurate BBM-based diagnostic and prognostic algorithms that can substantially improve the accuracy of a diagnostic work-up of Alzheimer's, particularly in the early stages of the disease," said Reisa Sperling, M.D., professor of Neurology at Harvard Medical School and director of the Center for Alzheimer Research and Treatment at Brigham and Women's Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital, and a co-author of the article.

The established CSF and PET measures have excellent diagnostic properties, but are less useful outside very specialized clinics due to limited accessibility, invasiveness (e.g., CSF measures require a lumbar puncture, and PET requires infusion of stable isotopes and exposure to radiation) and high costs. This precludes use of CSF and PET biomarkers in most primary and secondary care settings worldwide.

"A major benefit of the use of blood-based biomarkers is that the collection of blood is less invasive and likely less costly than CSF or neuroimaging markers, and more feasible for primary care practitioners," said Adam Boxer, M.D., Ph.D., Endowed Professor in Memory in Aging at the Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco and a co-author of the article. "This may enable earlier and more equitable referral of individuals to dementia specialists and participation in clinical trials of potential new therapies."
Karla Garcia said her son's social media addiction started in fourth grade, when he got his own computer for virtual learning and logged on to YouTube. Now, two years later, the video-sharing site has replaced both schoolwork and the activities he used to love  like composing music or serenading his friends on the piano, she said.

"He just has to have his YouTube," said Garcia, 56, of West Los Angeles.

Alessandro Greco, now 11 and a soon-to-be sixth grader, watches videos even when he tells his mom that he is starting homework, making his bed, or practicing his instrument. When she confronts him, she said, he gets frustrated and says he hates himself because he feels like watching YouTube isn't a choice.

Alessandro tells her he just can't pull himself away, that he is addicted.

"It's vicious  they've taken away my parenting ability," Garcia said. "I can't beat this."

Some California lawmakers want to help Garcia and other parents protect their children's mental health by targeting website elements they say were designed to hook kids  such as personalized posts that grab and hold viewers on a specific page, frequent push notifications that pull users back to their devices, and autoplay functions that provide a continuous stream of video content.

Two complementary bills in the state legislature would require websites, social media platforms, or online products that children use  or could use  to eliminate features that can addict them, harvest their personal information, and promote harmful content. Those that don't comply could face lawsuits and hefty fines. One of the measures would impose penalties of up to $7,500 per affected child in California  which could amount to millions of dollars.

Federal lawmakers are making a similar push with bills that would tighten children's privacy protections and target features that foster addiction. One would require online platforms to provide tools to help parents track and control their children's internet use. The measures were approved by a U.S. Senate committee July 27.

"We have to protect kids and their developing brains," said California Assembly member Jordan Cunningham (R-San Luis Obispo), a lead author of both bills and a father of four children, at a committee hearing in June. "We need to end Big Tech's era of unfettered social experimentation on children."

But Big Tech remains a formidable foe, and privacy advocates say they are concerned one of the California measures could increase data intrusions for everyone. Both bills have cleared the state Assembly, but whether they will survive the state Senate is unclear.

Tech companies, which wield immense power in Sacramento, say they already prioritize users' mental health and are making efforts to strengthen age verification mechanisms. They are also rolling out parental controls and prohibiting messaging between minors and adults they don't know.

But these bills could violate companies' free speech rights and require changes to websites that can't realistically be engineered, said Dylan Hoffman, executive director of TechNet for California and the Southwest. TechNet  a trade association for tech companies, including Meta (the parent company of Facebook and Instagram) and Snap Inc. (which owns Snapchat)  opposes the measures.

"It's an oversimplified solution to a complex problem, and there isn't anything we can propose that will alleviate our concerns," Hoffman said about one of the bills that specifically targets social media.

Last year, the U.S. surgeon general, Dr. Vivek Murthy, highlighted the nation's youth mental health crisis and pointed to social media use as a potential contributor. Murthy said social media use in teenagers had been linked to anxiety and depression  even before the stress of covid-19. Then during the pandemic, he said, the average amount of teenagers' non-academic screen time leaped from almost four hours a day to nearly eight.

"What we're trying to do, really, is just keep our kids safe," Assembly member Buffy Wicks (D-Oakland), another lead author of the California bills and a mother of two children, said at the June committee hearing.

One of Cunningham and Wicks' bills, AB 2273, would require all online services "likely to be accessed by a child"  which could include most websites  to minimize the collection and use of personal data for users younger than 18. This includes setting default privacy settings to the maximum level unless users prove they are 18 or older, and providing terms and service agreements in language a child can understand.

Modeled after a law passed in the United Kingdom, the measure also says companies should "consider the best interests of children when designing, developing, and providing that service, product, or feature." That broad phrasing could allow prosecutors to target companies for features that are detrimental to children. This could include incessant notifications that demand children's attention or suggestion pages based on a child's activity history that could lead to harmful content. If the state attorney general determines a company has violated the law, it could face a fine of up to $7,500 per affected child in California.

The other California bill, AB 2408, would allow prosecutors to sue social media companies that knowingly addict minors, which could result in fines of up to $250,000 per violation. The original version would also have allowed parents to sue social media companies, but lawmakers removed that provision in June in the face of opposition from Big Tech.

Together, the two California proposals attempt to impose some order on the largely unregulated landscape of the internet. If successful, they could improve kids' health and safety, said Dr. Jenny Radesky, an assistant professor of pediatrics at the University of Michigan Medical School and a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics, a group that supports the data protection bill.

"If we were going to a playground, you'd want a place that had been designed to let a child explore safely," Radesky said. "Yet in the digital playground, there's a lot less attention to how a child might play there."

Radesky said she has witnessed the effects of these addictive elements firsthand. One night, as her then-11-year-old son was getting ready for bed, he asked her what a serial killer was, she said. He told her he had learned the term online when videos about unsolved murder mysteries were automatically recommended to him after he watched Pokemon videos on YouTube.

Adam Leventhal, director of the University of Southern California Institute for Addiction Science, said YouTube recommendations, and other tools that mine users' online history to personalize their experiences, contribute to social media addiction by trying to keep people online as long as possible. Because developing brains favor exploration and pleasurable experiences over impulse control, kids are especially susceptible to many of social media's tricks, he said.

"What social media offers is a highly stimulating, very fast feedback," Leventhal said. "Any time that there is an activity where you can get a pleasurable effect and get it fast and get it when you want it, that increases the likelihood that an activity could be addictive."

Rachel Holland, a spokesperson for Meta, explained in a statement that the company has worked alongside parents and teens to prioritize kids' well-being and mitigate the potential negative effects of its platforms. She pointed to a variety of company initiatives: In December 2021, for example, it added supervision tools on Instagram that allow parents to view and limit kids' screen time. And in June, it started testing new age verification tactics on Instagram, including asking some users to upload a video selfie.

Snap spokesperson Pete Boogaard said in a statement that the company is protecting teens through steps that include banning public accounts for minors and turning location-sharing off by default.

Meta and Snap declined to say whether they support or oppose the California bills. YouTube and TikTok did not respond to multiple requests for comment.

Privacy groups are raising red flags about the measures.

Eric Null, director of the privacy and data project at the Center for Democracy and Technology, said the provision in the data protection bill that requires privacy agreements to be written in age-appropriate language would be nearly impossible to implement. "How do you write a privacy policy for a 7-year-old? It seems like a particularly difficult thing to do when the child can barely read," Null said.

And because the bill would limit the collection of children's personal information  but still require platforms that children may access to gather enough details to verify a user's age  it could increase data intrusions for all users, he said. "This is going to further incentivize all online companies to verify the age of all of their users, which is somewhat counterintuitive," Null said. "You're trying to protect privacy, but actually you're now requiring a lot more data collection about every user you have."

But Karla Garcia is desperate for action.

Thankfully, she said, her son doesn't watch violent videos. Alessandro prefers clips from "America's Got Talent" and "Britain's Got Talent" and videos of one-hit wonders. But the addiction is real, she said.

Garcia hopes legislators will curtail the tech companies' ability to continually send her son content he can't turn away from.

"If they can help, then help," Garcia said. "Put some sort of regulations on and stop the algorithm, stop hunting my child."
Bamako, Mali (PANA) - The Malian government has condemned "with the utmost rigour" the "hateful and defamatory remarks" of French President Emmanuel Macron, which, it said, could arouse ethnic hatred
insights from industry Dr. Ignacio Duran & Alex Filicevas Medical Oncologist & Executive Director Marques de Valdecilla University Hospital & World Bladder Cancer Patient Coalition

In this interview with Dr. Ignacio Duran, who is a medical oncologist at Hospital Universitario Marques de Valdecilla, and Alex Filicevas, who is the Executive Director of the World Bladder Cancer Patient Coalition, the gap between healthcare professionals and patients is discussed, as well as measures on how to close the gap.

Video credit: Janssen Pharmaceuticals

Can you tell us about the key challenges that HCPs face during consultations?

Dr. Ignacio Duran: The key challenges that HCPs face during consultations include a number of things, but I would say one of them is probably the level of information that the patient has when it comes to a first visit.1 This is probably a team effort, where we will have to work with other specialists because it would be helpful if the patient has received some degree of information by the surgeon or other specialists before they are seen in the clinic by an oncologist.2

Are there any aspects of the disease which people with bladder cancer find more difficult to discuss with their doctor?

Alex Filicevas: There are many aspects of the disease that people faced with bladder cancer find difficult to discuss with a healthcare professional.3 However, the disease and the impact of cancer overall affects different patients very differently. So, it is a rather individual experience.4 But if I had to choose one area that patients often find difficult to freely and comfortably talk about, its the impact on sexual health,5 and this is an area where perhaps it remains unaddressed in the healthcare setting.6 Both men and women have different needs when it comes to talking and communicating about this disease.

The impact on sexual health is not always discussed with the patient, especially in advance of more radical treatment, and they may find it more difficult to address it on their own initiative with the healthcare professional.5 Another area that is also not often discussed is emotional and mental well-being. This has an impact on patients at the time of diagnosis, but also throughout treatment and after the treatments.7,8 Mental health is an area that requires more of a focus;7 it is a challenging conversation to have for both a patient and the healthcare professional.9

All these different support needs require attention. I think we, as a patient advocacy community and as healthcare professionals, need to make sure that patients do not feel alone.

Dr. Ignacio Duran: I think expected outcomes are also a difficult topic to discuss.10 This is one of the topics that, sometimes, is a little bit more difficult when it comes to discussing response rates and expected survival. Those are things that still, in my clinic, generate a little bit of discomfort. We may find family members that want to know a lot about expected outcomes, and the patient does not want to receive all that information or vice versa.11 That is a challenging conversation when it comes to expected outcomes.

How can we try to bridge the gap between patients and their doctors?

Alex Filicevas: To bridge the gap between patients and HCPs, I think it is important to also, from a patient advocacy standpoint, for patient groups to work with healthcare professionals, but at the same time, for healthcare professionals to be encouraged to work with the patient groups themselves. This builds a mutually-beneficial relationship, bringing greater awareness to shared decision-making processes and the importance of empowering patients to participate in the care and more actively understand the different treatment choices available and the impact of treatment on the patient.12,13

Alex Filicevas: Like Dr.Duran said, having that conversation about expected outcomes is also difficult.10 The role of patient support services that are available, whether in the healthcare setting, healthcare services setting, or from patient organizations themselves, is really important where patients can go and speak to other patients who have gone through the same journey and have a broader network of support that goes beyond their immediate healthcare team and their immediate family or friends.14

Dr. Ignacio Duran: We need to generate materials with some basic information, and we need to make the patient understand that there has to be some clear communication adopted between the doctor, the healthcare provider, and the patient.1 That is one side of the story. The other side is the healthcare professional; we need to make them feel confident about the data that they have to share with the patient.15 Doctors need to understand that they need to have empathy when they are talking to patients.16 Sometimes, we are too busy, too stressed, and we have too many patients, and we bring the whole discussion just down to numbers.

How can we encourage more open conversations around all these aspects of the disease to ensure the best outcomes for patients?

Alex Filicevas: I think awareness plays such an important role and it is essential to create awareness about the disease, about bladder cancer itself, among the general public, at-risk populations and in primary care policy research.17 I think across the whole spectrum, the conversation about bladder cancer is not as broadly spoken about as other disease areas.18 So, it is essential to normalize talking about it and, specifically, its symptoms,19 which, in turn, will also help dissolve the sense of embarrassment that can be associated with talking about bladder cancer, or talking about a private area of our body.19

Dr. Ignacio Duran: From a HCP perspective, to make this conversation easier and to make the communication between healthcare providers and patients easier, I think we need a few things. First of all, we need to tell healthcare providers that this is key, that this is important, and that every patient has his or her own personal story.20

The second thing is we need to understand the value of time; this is something that we forget because in day-to-day practice, we have too many patients to see. But I think, at least, when it comes to major discussions, that could be the first visit, or that could be the visit before we're going to discuss a major therapeutic approach. I think we should, ourselves, reserve enough amount of time so that we are not in a rush so that we are able to create that atmosphere that is going to make that conversation more fluent.20

How can we empower patients to take a more active role in their disease management?

Alex Filicevas: Given the life-changing implications of the treatment decisions the patients have to make together with their healthcare team, I think it is crucial that patients are fully involved in the decision-making process of their treatment and feel comfortable in doing so.12 It is thus essential to help patients understand that there is an entire team in a multidisciplinary care environment that is there to make sure that they receive the best diagnosis, treatment, and care possible and that this team is behind them to help them achieve the best outcomes.21

Alex Filicevas: It is also crucial to create an environment where patients feel comfortable enough to discuss their questions and concerns that they may have about their treatment. Without that empowering environment for shared decision making where you can really have those open conversations and the sense of mutual decision making, patients rely a lot also on healthcare professional expertise, which, of course, is essential. This can sometimes lead however, to patients not adequately exploring all the consequences, for example, of the decisions about their care.22 As I mentioned, previously, patient groups too... this is an environment where they can also talk to peers who have been on that same journey, same treatment, and get that really first-hand experience and information from someone who's been through it personally.23

Dr. Ignacio Duran: It is not only healthcare professionals but also pharma companies that should more actively include patients in some of the discussions that we are currently having and in some of the activities that we are currently having, such as advisory boards. I think we should probably have patients more frequently included in our discussions.24,25 There are many courses, there are many one-day about bladder cancer research, and we need to include patients. We need to hear the voice of patients because, sometimes, we are discussing our approaches, outcomes, and limitations, but we do it from our perspective, and I think we need to incorporate their voice.24

What tools and resources might be useful to improve HCP and patient interaction during the consultations so that we can make sure that patients and HCPs are getting the most out of it?

Alex Filicevas: From my side, I think there are many resources and conversations that we have already had so far, ensuring the patients know that they can bring someone with them along to the consultation.26 I know in light of the COVID pandemic, there have been some limitations to this, but having someone come with the patient to support them, to have that conversation with the healthcare professional can really help them better understand and better absorb the information that they are receiving.27 We often hear from patients that they are not aware of this option, so I think encouraging patients to bring someone with them, if they have someone that they can bring with them, is a really helpful and easy thing to do to help patients.28

How does collaborative decision-making positively impact the patient experience and ultimately improve patient outcomes?

Dr. Ignacio Duran: Making decisions in such a way is going to be beneficial for both. I think we are moving from the old model where decisions were made from one side of the table to the current model where decisions need to somehow be agreed upon between the healthcare provider, healthcare professional and the patient who is on the other side of the table.12

One reason for this is that there are multiple treatment options available for one disease.29 This is when it is even more relevant to sit down with the patient and discuss their options. It is still relevant to have a conversation between the treating physician and the patient.30

Alex Filicevas: I think shared decision-making can often lead to greater patient satisfaction with their treatment decision and having a sense of choice.22 Dr. Duran mentioned that there is an increasing amount of choice that is becoming available to patients, not in all cases, but in an increasing number of cases,31 and it is a wonderful development for the patient community.

Fewer decisional regrets as well, better exploring all the options, and the impact of all these different treatment options on the patient's life, quality of life and affecting daily interests or activities that they want to undertake.32 I think, overall, their mental health outcomes would naturally improve given the greater participation and greater satisfaction. So, this could potentially create an overall increase in mental health and add, in a sense, to a greater quality of life too.22 I think increasing awareness among the general population can help lead to more timely diagnosis, and thus better care, and ultimately, better outcomes for patients as well.17

This greater public profile of bladder cancer can also have a tremendous impact on patient advocacy and perhaps lead to a more well-resourced workforce that has more time to spend with patients. So, I think there are a lot of different elements that can impact the high-quality care of patients, and I think that all of it stems from greater awareness about bladder cancer itself.13,17

About Dr. Duran:

As a Medical Oncologist with interests in clinical and translational research and teaching, Dr Ignacio Duran is currently working at the Medical Oncology Department of Hospital Universitario Marques de Valdecilla in Santander, Spain where he leads the GU oncology section.

Dr. Duran is a member of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) and the Spanish Society of Medical Oncology (SEOM). His major interests are genitourinary tumors, neuroendocrine tumors, and anticancer clinical drug development.

About Alex Filicevas:

As Executive Director at World Bladder Cancer Patient Coalition, Alex Filicevas is a passionate cancer patient advocate focused on driving meaningful change in cancer research, policy, and care. Alex is also President of All.Can International and a EUPATI fellow.

Filicevas leads the efforts to foster an international community of strong bladder cancer patient advocates and organizations around the world, empowering patient voices across the research and care continuum.

References

Chung J, et al. Supportive Care in Cancer. 2019, Assessment of quality of life, information, and supportive care needs in patients with muscle and non-muscle invasive bladder cancer across the illness trajectory, 27:38773885 American Cancer Society. Understanding Your Options and Making Treatment Decisions. Available at: https://www.cancer.org/treatment/treatments-and-side-effects/planning-managing/making-decisions.html. Last accessed June 2022. Theurologyfoundation.org - Time to Talk Day: The Urology Stigma, 2021, Website. Available at: https://www.theurologyfoundation.org/news/latest-news/time-to-talk-urology-stigma. Last accessed June 2022. Lewandowska A, et al. 2020. The Problems and Needs of Patients Diagnosed with Cancer and Their Caregivers, Int J Environ Res Public Health, 18 (1), 2020 Fight Bladder Cancer. Surviving bladder cancer. Available at: https://fightbladdercancer.co.uk/get-help/living-cancer/surviving-bladder-cancer. Last accessed June 2022. Bessa A. et al, BMC Urology. Unmet needs in sexual health in bladder cancer patients: a systematic review of the evidence. 2020, 20, 64. Action Bladder Cancer UK. The impact of urological cancer on mental wellbeing. Website 2019. Available at: https://actionbladdercanceruk.org/news/news-categories/the-impact-of-urological-cancer-on-mental-well-being/#61. Last accessed June 2022. Cancer research UK. Bladder cancer  coping. Available at: https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/bladder-cancer/living-with/coping. Last accessed June 2022. Edmondson A et al. J Cancer Surviv, The patients' experience of a bladder cancer diagnosis: a systematic review of the qualitative evidence, 2017, 11(4):453-461. Cancer.net. Talking with your doctor about prognosis. Available at: https://www.cancer.net/blog/2014-08/talking-your-doctor-about-prognosis Last accessed June 2022 Lewis S, et al. BMJ Open, 2020, Cancer caregivers experiences of prognosis in Australia: a qualitative interview study. 10, 2020 Franklin, M. et al, Health, Between knowing and doing person-centredness: A qualitative examination of health professionals perceptions of roles in self-management support, 25(3), pp. 339356 25(3), pp. 339356. MacLennan, S, J. et al. Front Oncol. There is insufficient information and support around the emotional aspects of dealing with a bladder cancer diagnosis. 2020;10:465. Cancer.net, Why Peer Support Is Important for People Coping With Cancer. Available at: https://www.cancer.net/blog/201706/why-peer-support-important-people-coping-with-cancer. Last accessed June 2022. POLITICO. Common but neglected: bladder cancer needs research, policy & solutions. Available at: https://www.politico.eu/sponsored-content/common-but-neglected-bladder-cancer-needs-research-policy-solutions/ Last accessed June 2022. Berry L. L. et al. Journal of Oncology Practice. Role of Kindness in Cancer Care, 13, (11) 2017. World Bladder Cancer Patient Coalition. Raising Awareness. Available at: https://worldbladdercancer.org/our-work/raising-awareness/. Last accessed June 2022. BJU International. Bladder Cancer  Time for a higher profile in our region. Available at: https://bjui-journals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/bju.13877 Last accessed June 2022. World Bladder Cancer Patient Coalition. World Bladder Cancer Awareness Month May 2022. Available at: https://worldbladdercancer.org/awareness-month/. Last accessed June 2022. Hardavella G, Aamli-Gaagnat A, Frille A, Saad N, Niculescu A, Powell P. Top tips to deal with challenging situations: doctor-patient interactions. Breathe (Sheff). 2017;13(2):129-135. doi:10.1183/20734735.006616 ESMO. 763P The influence of multidisciplinary team meetings on treatment decisions in muscle invasive bladder cancer: A nationwide study in the Netherland. Available at: https://www.annalsofoncology.org/article/S0923-7534(20)40831-2/fulltext#relatedArticles Last accessed June 2022. NHS. Involving people in their own health. Available at: https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/ppp-involving-people-health-care-guidance.pdf. Last accessed June 2022. Cancer.Net. Support Groups. Website. Available at: https://www.cancer.net/coping-with-cancer/finding-social-support-and-information/support-groups. Last accessed June 2022. ZS Oncology. The new realities of oncology patient engagement: What pharma can do. Available at: https://www.zs.com/insights/the-new-realities-of-oncology-patient-engagement-what-pharma-can. Last accessed June 2022. Cancer Research UK. Working with a patient advisory panel in your research. Available at: https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/funding-for-researchers/patient-involvement-toolkit-for-researchers/planning-your-patient-involvement/choosing-your-patient-involvement-method/working-with-a-patient-advisory-panel-in-your-research. Last accessed June 2022. World Bladder Cancer Patient Coalition. Newly Diagnosed. Available at: https://worldbladdercancer.org/bladder-cancer-article/newly-diagnosed/. Last accessed June 2022. OncoLink. What can I do BEFORE my first appointment with the oncologist. Available at: https://www.oncolink.org/oncopilot/what-can-i-do-before-my-first-appointment-with-the-oncologist. Last accessed: June 2022. Stanford Health Care. Bladder Cancer Care. Available at: https://stanfordhealthcare.org/medical-conditions/cancer/bladder-cancer/patient-care-resources/what-to-expect.html. Last accessed June 2022. Cancer.net. Bladder Cancer  treatment by stage. Available at: https://www.cancer.net/cancer-types/bladder-cancer/treatments-stage. Last accessed June 2022. American Cancer Society. Treating Bladder Cancer. Available at: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/bladder-cancer/treating.html Last accessed May 2022 Macmillan Cancer Support. Treatment Decision For Bladder Cancer. Available at: https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/bladder-cancer/treatment-decisions-for-bladder-cancer. Last accessed June 2022. Oncology Nurse Advisor. Shared Decision Making Benefits. Available at: https://www.oncologynurseadvisor.com/home/departments/from-cancercare/oncology-care-shared-decision-making-benefits-patients-treatment/. Last accessed June 2022. Cancer.net. Talking with your doctor about prognosis. Available at: https://www.cancer.net/blog/2014-08/talking-your-doctor-about-prognosis Last accessed July 2022

About Janssen Pharmaceuticals

At Janssen, were creating a future where disease is a thing of the past. Were the Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson, working tirelessly to make that future a reality for patients everywhere by fighting sickness with science, improving access with ingenuity, and healing hopelessness with heart. We focus on areas of medicine where we can make the biggest difference: Cardiovascular & Metabolism, Immunology, Infectious Diseases & Vaccines, Neuroscience, Oncology and Pulmonary Hypertension.
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center will host the virtual Cancer Neuroscience Symposium Sept. 22-23, 2022, in collaboration with the journal Advanced Biology. The symposium is free to attend and gathers leading experts in the field to discuss a variety of topics on the relationship between cancer biology and neuroscience. Registration includes the opportunity to participate in an abstract competition and to view sessions following the event.

The Cancer Neuroscience Symposium will bring together neuroscientists, cancer biologists and clinicians in the developing field of cancer neuroscience to explore how the nervous system impacts tumor development and progression. The planned sessions will cover a broad range of topics including:

Neural regulation of cancer

Glial cell regulation of cancer

Cancer neuro-immunology

Tumors in the central and peripheral nervous systems

Neurological side effects of cancer therapies

Quality of life, neural health and rehabilitation

Interdisciplinary research is key to making impactful discoveries in cancer neuroscience, so it is critical to assemble scientists with complementary expertise in order to share insights in tumor neurobiology, nervous system tumors, neurotoxicity and symptom research. By hosting this symposium with Advanced Biology, MD Anderson is pleased to foster discussion and collaboration between the disciplines and to stimulate advances in this emerging field that can benefit our patients." Moran Amit, M.D., Ph.D., symposium organizer, assistant professor of Head and Neck Surgery

The symposium also includes an abstract competition open to all registrants. All submitted abstracts will be published as part of a proceedings supplement in Advanced Biology, and the top three will be selected for a monetary award. Researchers are encouraged to send their submissions to [email protected] by Sept. 1. Select early-stage investigators also will be invited to work with an editor to contribute a perspective piece in a future issue of the journal.
The Cognitive and Neurobiological Approaches to Plasticity Center, or CNAP, at Kansas State University will continue important neuroscience-related research, thanks to a grant of $11.2 million from the National Institutes of Health.

The phase II grant is part of the Centers of Biomedical Research Excellence, or COBRE, program, and builds on phase I research, which started in July 2017 with the original $10.6 million COBRE grant that established CNAP.

The phase II grant will fund the next five years of CNAP research on plasticity, which is the way the brain changes over time. CNAP is a statewide effort led by K-State that also involves the University of Kansas and Wichita State University. At K-State, CNAP involves interdisciplinary researchers from the College of Arts and Sciences, the Carl R. Ice College of Engineering, the College of Health and Human Sciences, and the College of Veterinary Medicine.

Receipt of the phase II COBRE award is a fantastic achievement for the CNAP center. We will be using the funds to continue to support junior faculty development and make significant infrastructure upgrades to core facilities to support cutting-edge neuroscience techniques." Kimberly Kirkpatrick, university distinguished professor of psychological sciences and CNAP director

The new grant will help CNAP continue to reach three key goals:

 Promote neuroplasticity research by supporting junior faculty.

 Establish a critical mass of investigators in this area of research to compete for external funding.

 Support and improve research infrastructure for neuroplasticity research.

The phase II funding also will help with three new research projects; continue to expand upon three research core facilities, including the Behavioral Neuroscience Core, the Cognitive Neuroscience Core and the Neuroinformatics Core; operate the pilot grant program; and strengthen connections with other research centers and organizations in through scientific exchange networks.

The NIH National Institute of General Medical Sciences supports COBRE awards, which are part of the Institutional Development Award program that focuses on building research capacity in states with historically low levels of NIH funding. The COBRE program funds research in three separate, five-year phases.
Women with reduced kidney function received a diagnosis of chronic kidney disease to a less extent than men in the same situation. Women were also less likely to have their kidney function monitored, to visit a nephrologist and to use recommended treatments for chronic kidney disease. This according to a new study by researchers from Karolinska Institutet in Sweden published in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology.

Our results clearly show sex differences in the care of chronic kidney disease that disadvantage women. We believe that efforts to improve the situation and ensure equal care can reduce both society's and the individual's burden of this disease." Juan Jesus Carrero, study's last author, professor at the Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet

Chronic kidney disease affects some ten per cent of the population and is characterised by a steady deterioration of kidney function. The disease is rarely detected in its early stages but can damage a wide variety of bodily tissues and organs and is associated with an increased risk of other diseases.

There are sex differences in the incidence, prevalence, development, and outcomes of chronic kidney that could be explained by biological differences between men and women, but also by differences in the quality of care provided to them. Guidelines have well-defined recommendations on how to screen, diagnose, monitor, and care for individuals at risk of chronic kidney disease or with established chronic kidney disease, and these recommendations are not sex-based.

In the present study, the researchers examined differences between men and women in their routine care for chronic kidney disease.

The study included over 220,000 people identified when they first exhibited reduced kidney function with a so-called eGFR value below 60 ml/min/1.73m2. Data was collected from the Stockholm CREAtinine Measurements (SCREAM) project, which contains information on everyone in the region of Stockholm, Sweden who had blood tests for creatinine in connection with a routine doctor's visit. These creatinine tests were combined with factors such as age and sex to calculate an eGFR (estimated glomerular filtration rate), which is a measure of kidney function.

The participants were people over 18 years of age who had had a creatinine test taken between 2009 and 2018. The researchers followed them from their first low eGFR reading in order to explore sex differences in terms of receiving chronic kidney disease diagnosis, how kidney function was monitored, visits to nephrologists and medical treatments used.

At the start of the study, 55 per cent of the participants were women. The average age of the participants was 77 for women and 74 for men. For the next 18 months, fewer women than men were diagnosed with chronic kidney disease (eight and three per cent respectively), a difference that was observed regardless of stage of disease. Men were roughly twice as likely as women to see a nephrologist within 18 months of when their reduced kidney function was identified, regardless of the stage of the disease, the presence of albumin in the urine or referral criteria.

"These are people with probable chronic kidney disease, and our study shows that women are less likely to receive the same nephrology care as men," says the study's first author Oskar Swartling, doctoral student at the Department of Medicine, Solna, Karolinska Institutet. "Just getting the disease diagnosed is important for several reasons, including getting referral to the kidney specialist and to make other clinicians aware of this condition, so that they can avoid prescribing common medications that can further damage the kidneys."

In 91 per cent of the men and 87 per cent of the women, kidney function had been monitored by additional creatinine measurement at least once over the subsequent 18 months. The numbers for the measurement of albumin in the urine were lower: 34 per cent and 28 per cent, respectively. The differences between men and women were attenuated but remained when the researchers adjusted for comorbidities, medications or educational level and was also noticed among people with confirmed chronic kidney disease after repeated testing.

In general, a higher proportion of the men (56 per cent) than the women (47 per cent) used RASi (renin angiotensin system inhibitor) drugs, the main medication to retard the progression of chronic kidney disease. Statins, which are recommended to prevent cardiovascular complications, were used by 38 per cent of the men and 29 per cent of the women. Their use was higher in presence of conditions where guidelines strongly recommend for these treatments, but there too the proportion of women using such medication was lower.

"We are unable to identify the reasons between this potential under-management in women, whether they are explained by physician or patient's attitudes or gaps in health processes," says Professor Carrero. "In any case, our study brings attention to a problem amenable to correction, and this should be our next focus."

It's unclear whether the findings are generalizable to other health systems, but isolated observations in other reports support the existence of such sex gaps in the UK, Canada, and the US.

The study was funded by the Swedish Research Council. Some of the researchers have received grants and fees for lectures and consultation from private companies beyond the scope of this study.
In a recent study posted to the Research Square* preprint server and under review at BMC Ophthalmology, researchers evaluated the infectivity of two severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) A lineage variants on human ocular tissues in vitro.

Background

The main clinical presentation of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is pneumonitis; however, studies have reported that the ocular tissues may be susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infections. In addition, in vitro studies have reported the presence of transmembrane protease serine 2 (TMPRSS2) and angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) in the corneal and conjunctival epithelium, which are essential for SARS-CoV-2 entry into the host. Further, there are concerns about SARS-CoV-2 transmission from corneas recovered from SARS-CoV-2-positive donors to corneal transplant recipients.

About the study

In the present study, researchers assessed the susceptibility of human ocular tissues to SARS-CoV-2 infection by A lineage variants in vitro. They also evaluated SARS-CoV-2 A lineage variants stability in cornea preservation media.

Donor conjunctival, limbal, and corneal epithelium were cultured and inoculated with two variants of SARS-CoV-2 A lineage belonging to GISAID (global initiative on sharing all influenza database) clade S, which were: the 2019-nCoV/USA-WA1/2020 (NR-52281) isolate and the hCoV-19/Hong Kong/VM20001061/2020 (NR-52282) isolate. The ocular surface susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infections by the two isolates was evaluated.

Donor ocular tissues were obtained from donors with SARS-CoV-2-negative test reports in 3 days before death or no SARS-CoV-2 infection concerns based on Eye Bank Association of America (EBAA) or Food and Drug Administration (FDA) screening guidelines. In addition, flat-mounted Descemets stripping endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK) grafts and cultured human corneal endothelial cells were treated with NR-52281 and NR-52282 for evaluating corneal endothelium susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection.

The samples were subjected to immunostaining analysis to assess the expression of SARS-CoV-2 spike (S)-protein and nucleocapsid (N) protein to confirm SARS-CoV-2 infection. Subsequently, NR-52282 was inoculated into corneal preservation media and stored in cold storage (4oC) for two weeks, and evaluated for alterations in SARS-CoV-2 titers [tissue culture infectious dose (TCID 50 )]. Infection into Vero E6 cells (ATCC CRL-1586) was performed to confirm the infectivity of both viral isolates and to propagate the viruses.

Results and discussion

In total, nine sets of conjunctival, limbal, and corneal epithelial cells were cultured from nine separate donor tissues, and three sets of endothelial cells were cultured for the analysis. The average ages of epithelial cell donors and graft donors were 78 years and 68 years, respectively, and 67% and 50% of the corresponding donors were men, respectively.

NR-52282 and NR-52281 isolates caused extensive SARS-CoV-2 infections in Vero E6 cells at two days post-infection (dpi) and the infected cells showed robust SARS-CoV-2 S and N expression in the immunostaining analysis. On the contrary, there was no SARS-CoV-2 N expression in the DSAEK graft keratocytes.

All three types of ocular epithelial cells were susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infections caused by NR-52282 and NR-52281 at two dpi with 67% (n=16) and 68% (n=17) of specimens infected with NR-52281 isolate and NR-52282, respectively. The rates of infection for the conjunctival, corneal, and limbal epithelial cells were 78% (n=14), 65% (n=11), and 57% (n=8), respectively, and the rates of infection did not significantly differ across the ocular epithelial cell types infected with either of the SARS-CoV-2 isolates.

Post-inoculation, the endothelium of four out of 10 DSAEK grafts (40%) had an active SARS-CoV-2 infection caused by NR-52282. A decrease of <1 log in SARS-CoV-2 titers was observed out to two weeks in the cornea preservation media. Samples of 22% (n=2) of donors were positive for SARS-CoV-2 and none of the donors showed complete resistance to infection across the inoculated samples. No statistically significant differences were observed in the rates of infection by sex and age.

Chondroitin sulfate (CS) is a substance present in cornea preservation media that aids in stabilizing endothelial membranes of the human cornea and may contribute to SARS-CoV-2 envelope stability in the cornea preservation media since SARS-CoV-2 is an enveloped ribonucleic acid (RNA) virus. Active SARS-CoV-2 infection and replication in donor corneas could result in greater SARS-CoV-2 titers; however, a marginal decline in titers may be observed due to limitations in SARS-CoV-2 replication in cold storage and the presence of defensins.

Conclusions

Overall, the study findings showed that SARS-CoV-2 A lineage variants could infect conjunctival, limbal, and corneal epithelium and corneal endothelium without statistically significant differences in lineage A variants infectivity. In addition, contaminated corneas of donors could be at an increased risk of graft failure in the initial days due to replication of SARS-CoV-2 in the endothelial tissues.

Further, SARS-CoV-2 lineage A isolates can remain stable and retain infectivity in cornea preservation media for two weeks at 4oC, precluding the usage of transient quarantine measures for clearing contaminated tissues. The study findings support continual screening of donor corneas for SARS-CoV-2 presence to minimize the risks of contaminated ocular tissue transplantation.

*Important notice

Research Square 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.
When Jennifer Lucier and her husband found out they were expecting a baby in 2016, they immediately made three phone calls.

The first was to her mother. The second was to her husband's family. And the third was to the Roper St. Francis Healthcare Learning Center.

That last call, she felt, was particularly urgent. Lucier wanted to secure a spot for her unborn infant on the day care's long waiting list.

Lucier works as a cardiovascular ICU nurse for Roper St. Francis Healthcare, the only hospital system around Charleston, South Carolina, that operates a child care center for the children of its employees.

The catch is there isn't room for everyone. Roper St. Francis employs 5,000 people, and its day care can accommodate only 130 infants and children. More than 100 children typically sit on that waiting list. Lucier's newborn was 9 months old before an opening became available.

"We were ecstatic," said Lucier, who also gave birth to twins in 2020. Her children are still enrolled in the Learning Center.

Roper St. Francis Healthcare opened the facility more than 30 years ago to address a perennial human resources problem: recruitment and retention. Today, it remains one of the relatively few hospital systems in the United States to operate a full-time child care center for its employees, though that appears to be changing. Some hospitals are now considering child care centers as a means of solving one of the pandemic era's big challenges: persuading employees to stay.

Nationally, only about 1 in 10 workers have access to employer programs that cover some or all of the costs for child care services  either on the job site or off  according to a report published last year by the U.S. Department of Labor. The health sector seems to be doing more: About one-third of U.S. hospitals offer child care benefits.

But the data obscures the wide variation of those benefits. Some hospitals provide access only to backup care so parents can make last-minute arrangements for sick children. Even among hospitals that offer more robust benefits, many parents, like Lucier, end up spending time on a waiting list.

Hospitals scrambled at the beginning of the pandemic to accommodate clinical staff members who suddenly found themselves unable to both work and care for their kids. More than two years later, most do not offer permanent solutions for parents facing the country's ongoing child care crisis. Meanwhile, thousands of child care providers, ranging from small, at-home programs to large day care facilities, have closed since early 2020, making it even more difficult for families to secure care than it was for Lucier when she first gave birth.

These challenges are felt across all business sectors. A benefits report published by Care.com this year estimated that at least 4 million U.S. workers resigned each month during the second half of 2021, nearly half of them citing that they were struggling with child care or senior care challenges.

But retention has become a particularly urgent issue when it comes to nurses, who are overwhelmingly women and who have resigned from hospitals in huge numbers during the pandemic, citing burnout, stressful working conditions, and other workplace problems. In fact, the number of registered nurses in the U.S. dropped by more than 100,000 last year  "a far greater drop than ever observed over the past four decades," according to a report published by Health Affairs. In a recent McKinsey & Co. survey involving hundreds of nurses, 32% indicated they may leave their current position within the next year.

"People are leaving the industry because they're not able to balance work and life," said Priya Krishnan, senior vice president of client relations for Bright Horizons, the largest provider of employer-sponsored child care in the country.

Bright Horizons operates 82 hospital-based child care centers out of 655 centers it runs across the country. Krishnan said most of the recent conversations the company is having with potential clients have been with hospitals.

"Retention is the biggest reason they're thinking about this," she said.

The federal government offers businesses an annual tax credit worth up to $150,000 for providing child care to employees. Indirect financial incentives also exist. According to the 2022 "National Health Care Retention & RN Staffing Report" published by NSI Nursing Solutions, hospitals lose an average of about $46,000 when a bedside nurse resigns, which equaled about $7 million in nursing turnover costs for the average hospital in 2021.

But anecdotal evidence offered by Roper St. Francis suggests that employees whose children are enrolled in the Learning Center are much less likely to leave. The system experienced significant turnover during the pandemic, said Melanie Stith, its vice president for human resources. But during that time, she said, only two employees whose children attended the Learning Center resigned.

In a recent survey of parents who use the Learning Center, 91% indicated that the child care facility was the reason they remained in their jobs. Roper St. Francis loses money operating the Learning Center, but it's still considering an expansion of child care services as it builds a bigger hospital in nearby Berkeley County.

That's not to say, historically, that money hasn't been made in child care. Bright Horizons, founded in the 1980s with an investment from Bain Capital, made hundreds of millions of dollars for the private equity firm. Now publicly traded, its shares are worth about half what they were at the peak of their value in February of last year.

Some hospitals still consider child care a good investment.

"I look at this as being a really, really vital piece of the benefits package, especially for families with kids who are infants to school-age," said Rebecca Gomez, a clinical health psychologist at Wellstar Health System, based in the Atlanta area. Both of her children are enrolled in Wellstar's Learning Academy operated by Bright Horizons.

"Everything about it has made my life so much easier," Gomez said.

As with the Roper St. Francis Healthcare Learning Center in Charleston, Wellstar employees often end up waiting for an available spot. And Wellstar doesn't operate child care facilities on every hospital campus, Gomez said.

Even so, the breadth of Wellstar's child care offerings makes it an outlier. Other notable examples include Mass General Brigham in Boston and NewYork-Presbyterian, both of which have long offered child care for employees. And while providing on-site child care remains rare, hospitals are increasingly exploring options for it.

Ballad Health  a hospital system with medical facilities in Appalachian Tennessee, Virginia, and North Carolina  recently announced it will invest $37 million over the next three years to build 11 child care centers, in addition to the three it already operates. The expansion will allow the system based in Johnson City, Tennessee, to increase its child care capacity from 200 slots to 2,000.

For employees, hospital-based child care isn't typically free. Roper St. Francis Healthcare in Charleston charges all parents who use the Learning Center a weekly rate, ranging from $200 to $220, based on the age of the child, slightly higher than the market average.

Some hospital systems create a sliding scale that takes into consideration the employee's salary. A doctor, for example, might pay more than an X-ray tech to enroll a child. Ballad Health recently polled employees, who indicated, on average, they could afford to pay about $145 per child per week.

Like many hospital systems, Ballad has struggled to keep nurses from leaving during the pandemic. But it's also competing with other regional employers for jobs. Tony Keck, executive vice president of system innovation at Ballad Health, said a new casino in Bristol, Virginia, recently hired 600 people. It's expected over the next few years to hire thousands more, he said.

"We're not just competing for doctors and nurses," Keck said. The hospital also needs to attract housekeeping staff and other lower-wage workers whom the casino and others are targeting.

But nurses are particularly crucial. Keck said Ballad Health raised its starting nursing salary by more than 30% over the past two years, but hospitals in nearby markets such as Knoxville  which paid nurses higher salaries to begin with  raised their rates, too.

"We can't keep up with that," he said. Ballad Health leaders hope the new child care centers will offer the system a competitive advantage, "which is why we're trying to move as quickly as possible," he said.
Poxviruses pose a threat to humanity that should be taken seriously, as the current outbreak of monkeypox shows. A research team from the University of Wurzburg is now working on the development of new drugs.

The coronavirus pandemic is far from over, and already another virus is causing a stir: "International outbreak of monkeypox" was the cry in the media a few weeks ago, followed by daily headlines along the lines of "first case of monkeypox in Baden-Wurttemberg, Bavaria, Berlin and so on". Subsequent reports, like that of Bavaria's public broadcasting service Bayerischer Rundfunk - "Study: monkeypox pathogen mutates faster than expected" - or that of the German weekly news magazine Der Spiegel - "Doctor says of monkeypox: 'We have gone past the point in time where the virus could still have been stopped completely'", did nothing to calm the situation.

And at the latest since the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared the monkeypox outbreak in more than 50 countries an "emergency of international concern" on 23 July, it should be clear to everyone: Viruses can cross species barriers at any time and cause novel diseases, known as zoonoses, in humans. In extreme cases, they can even trigger another pandemic.

Innovative approaches to drug development

Given this context, it seems more than fitting that the University of Wurzburg (JMU) is now launching a new research project that deals with this very topic. "A structure-based approach to combat zoonotic poxviruses" is its title.

This project, with funding of around EUR700,000 from the Volkswagen Foundation, is headed by Professor Utz Fischer, Chair of Biochemistry at JMU, and his colleague DrClemens Grimm. Also on board is Intana Bioscience GmbH, a biotech company based near Munich with a special interest in the development of new agents. Poxviruses are the focus of this project.

Poxviruses carry a high risk potential

"We know that animals carry many types of viruses in their organism that can pose a threat to humans," says Utz Fischer. Unfortunately, it is impossible to predict which of them will be the next to make the jump across species barriers. However, it is clear that some viruses have a higher potential than others and are therefore more threatening to humanity, with poxviruses right at the top of this list. The aim of the project is therefore to conceive new approaches to developing novel drugs against pox pathogens. To this end, the scientists are looking for substances that interfere with the viral transcription process and thus prevent the viruses from multiplying.

Fischer and his team can draw on findings that they presented to the public last autumn. "We succeeded in visualising the poxviral gene expression machinery at the atomic level," explains the biochemist. These studies therefore allow to observe how the molecular machinery acts when the virus multiplies. The images show in detail how the players involved operate during the early phase of transcription. The short videos can be seen on the university's YouTube channel:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Ij9iFks-NE

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

An approach that can also be applied to swine fever

With the search for agents that can inhibit these molecular machines, the team can exploit a special circumstance: While many viruses draw extensively on the biochemical resources of the host cell for their multiplication, poxviruses encode their own molecular machinery in their genome for this purpose. Important components of this machinery are two enzymes: DNA polymerase, which multiplies the viral genes, and RNA polymerase, which transcribes the viral genes into mRNA.

This unique replication strategy offers the opportunity to search for inhibitors of key viral complexes and enzymes that attack at this exact point and thus spare the host cells, ideally making them free from side effects. Should the team succeed in identifying and designing such molecules, they might even kill two birds with one stone: "Because the transcription machineries of Poxviridae and Asfarviridae are highly similar, our research is also likely to be of relevance for the economically highly threatening Asfarvirus-linked swine fever disease," says Fischer.

Technical progress helps the research

What is most helpful to the scientists in their work are technical advances. One of these is a significant increase in the resolution of cryo-electron microscopic images. With this technology, samples are "flash-frozen" to temperatures of up to minus 180 degrees Celsius. This is what makes it possible to examine biological molecules and complexes in solution and to reconstruct their three-dimensional structure on the scale of atoms.

The JMU has had a suitable electron microscope for many years. "Many medically relevant target molecules are therefore becoming the focus of drug design. We will use this technology alongside established methods to identify molecules that target the special structures of poxviruses and disrupt their multiplication," explains Clemens Grimm, who carries out structural biology analyses at the department.

Indeed, the scientists involved are optimistic that they will succeed over the coming years in defining a number of chemical compounds that can serve as a kind of guiding structure for the subsequent development of a pharmaceutical product.

Poxviruses are a threat for several reasons

It is, of course, a coincidence that the research team is starting its work at the same time as this outbreak of monkeypox - the application was written months ago. But what is not a coincidence is that the scientists are focusing on poxviruses. After all, these pose a potential threat to humanity for various reasons. For one thing, there are currently very few antiviral drugs available, and these often display very limited potency.

In addition, while there is effective protection against pox infection in the form of vaccination, after the World Health Organization (WHO) declared smallpox eradicated in 1980, the corresponding vaccination campaigns were terminated in the ensuing years. Since then, herd immunity to poxviruses has been noticeably dwindling in humans. It is no wonder that a recent study ranks the monkeypox virus as one of the most threatening viruses because of the risk of infecting humans, adapting to its new host through mutations and then spreading exponentially.
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(Newser)  It's been a worrisome few weeks for Google, as profits dipped for the second quarter in a row and hiring was temporarily paused. Now, CEO Sundar Pichai has put out an alert to employees, seeking ideas to boost efficiency and up productivity and warning of an economy that doesn't look to be improving anytime soon. CNBC reports that this call to action came Wednesday during the Alphabet company's "all-hands" meeting of 170,000-plus full-time workers, where Pichai announced "Simplicity Sprint," an initiative to "remove speed bumps," "eliminate waste," and develop products at a quicker pace, per an internal survey seen by the news outlet.

"It's clear we are facing a challenging macro environment with more uncertainty ahead," Pichai told employees, asking them to share their ideas with management via the survey by Aug. 15. "There are real concerns that our productivity as a whole is not where it needs to be for the headcount we have." The Verge notes that Pichai's words came on the tail of a memo last month warning that Google isn't "immune to economic headwinds," as well as an additional memo announcing a two-week hiring freeze "to review our headcount needs." That latter comment dovetailed with Pichai's remarks on Wednesday, when he mentioned "consolidating where investments overlap and streamlining processes"what some took to be a hint that layoffs may be coming down the pike.

Fiona Cicconi, Google's personnel chief, fielded that concern, noting there weren't plans at the moment to cull the workforcein fact, she said hiring was still happening for "critical roles," even though the hiring pace would slow down overall into 2023but she also didn't guarantee layoffs wouldn't happen. "We're asking teams to be more focused and efficient and we're working out what that means as a company as well," she said, per CNBC. Fortune notes that Google isn't the only tech firm making such moves: Microsoft recently said it would be slashing some jobs, while Facebook parent Meta has also pulled back on hiring. (Read more Sundar Pichai stories.)
(Newser)  A ship carrying nearly 30,000 tons of corn set sail on Monday and received widespread press in the process. That's because it's the first ship carrying Ukrainian grain to leave the country under a deal with Russia brokered by the UN and Turkey and designed to ease the global food crisis. "The first grain ship since Russian aggression has left port," Ukraine's Minister of Infrastructure Oleksandr Kubrakov tweeted, noting it was the first ship to leave that port since Feb. 24; an accompanying video shows the cargo ship sounding its horn.

The Sierra Leone-flagged vessel, the Razoni, will dock Tuesday afternoon in Istanbul for an inspection by a joint team of Russian, Ukrainian, Turkish, and UN officials, reports the AP. Its final destination is Lebanon, which is suffering from a devastating financial crisis. The BBC observes that "the operation will have to last for a sustained period for either Ukraine's damaged economy or tens of millions of people around the world to benefit." Kubrakov says another 16 ships that have been blocked by Russia are poised to depart, and he sounded an optimistic note: "Unlocking ports will provide at least $1 billion in foreign exchange revenue to the economy and an opportunity for the agricultural sector to plan for next year."

The deal, which was two months in the making and signed July 22, covers a 120-day period during which Russia has agreed not to attack the ships or ports. It can be extended if both Ukraine and Russia agree to do so. CNN reports that once this ship is cleared in Turkey, a schedule will be established for additional shipments. The Guardian reports Ukraine is said to be sitting on more than 20 million tons of grain. (The day after the deal was signed, the port was attacked.)
(Newser)  Iran could build an atomic bomb if it really wanted toit just doesn't plan to, at least at the moment. So said Mohammad Eslami, head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, on Monday, according to the Fars news agency, echoing similar remarks made last month by a senior adviser to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. "As [Kamal] Kharrazi mentioned, Iran has the technical ability to build an atomic bomb, but such a program is not on the agenda," Eslami said in what both Reuters and the BBC note was a "rare" claim on such matters from top Iranian officials.

It's a suggestion that increases concerns over how fast Iran could build up the amount of enriched uranium needed to construct such a weapon. When the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran set up by multiple world powers was still solidly in place, that so-called breakout time was said to be about one year. The Trump administration abandoned the pact in 2018, and in June of this year, the International Atomic Energy Agency estimated Iran could pull together the required amount of enriched uranium in just a few weeks. In its May report, the IAEA noted Iran had about 95 pounds of uranium enriched to 60% purity (a nuclear weapon requires about 55 pounds of uranium enriched to 90%); the cap under the 2015 pact had limited Iran to uranium enriched to just 3.67%.

Talks to re-up the nuclear weapons agreement have faltered of late, though Reuters notes that Iran's top nuclear negotiator over the weekend sounded hopeful on "a new round" of negotiations. Meanwhile, the Jerusalem Post reports that Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corpswhich the US has classified as a terror grouphas put out a short video on the Telegram platform warning that "if the US or the Zionist regime make any stupid mistakes," the nation can now develop nuclear weapons quickly and "[turn] New York into hellish ruins," according to the Iran International media outlet. (Read more Iran stories.)
(Newser)  While it's still unknown what caused a co-pilot to exit a turboprop plane and fall to his death on Friday, a firmer picture of the timeline is emerging. But it remains a confusing picture. The News & Observer used FAA records to piece together the following series of events: The plane departed Raeford, North Carolina, around 1:10pm, with Charles Hew Crooks, 23, and a second unnamed pilot aboard. About 20 minutes later, the plane started circling Raeford West Airport and then experienced a hard landing on a dirt military runway near the airport. The plane aborted the landing, and one of the men aboard told air traffic control, "We were attempting to land, made contact with the ground, had a hard landing and decided to go around, and at that point we lost the [right] wheel."

The caller requested permission to land at Raleigh-Durham International Airport and told the air controller they would try to land on the plane's belly. The plane was at about 3,850 feet when it flew over Fuquay-Varina, where Crooks' body was found, around 2:30pm. The plane landed about 20 minutes later in Raleigh with only one pilot aboard. The plane in question is a CASA C-212 Aviocar, which features a rear loading ramp that can be opened during flight, "making it ideal for parachute training." The plane was tied to Rampart Aviation, which provides parachute training, among other things, for certain US military units. Crooks was a pilot for Rampart.

Crooks' father, Hew Crooks, spoke to WRAL in the wake of his son's death. He described him as passionate about flying. "He pursued his private pilot license while he was in college. I think he got that when he was a sophomore," Hew Crooks said, adding that his son had since worked as a flight instructor and was certified to fly in almost all conditions. "He said a couple weeks ago, he wouldn't trade places with anybody in the world. He loved where he was. ... I can't imagine what happened. ... I don't know. We can't process it right now." (Read more plane accident stories.)
(Newser)  "I don't know how this happened," Orange County Fire Chief Michael Morganstern told a reporter. But rescuers still managed to undo the painful predicament a teenage girl found herself in after an unsuccessful escalator ride. Per KTLA 5, firefighters were called to the MainPlace Mall in Santa Ana, Calif., on Sunday evening around 6:30. There, they found a girl with her hand lodged firmly in the escalator handrail. "The teen was deemed to be in stable condition, so crews worked to dismantle a portion of the escalator without causing further injury," KTLA reports. As Morganstern later explained, rescuers "went through the process of finding a way to dissect the mechanism" and ultimately used a Dremel to cut away plastic and remove enough bolts to free the hand.

It took about an hour to complete the rescue. Video from the scene shows crews working at the bottom of the escalator, and the teenager appears to be seated on the ground. Once freed, she was taken to the hospital and is expected to make a full recovery. Morganstern reminded the public to always keep hands on top of the escalator rail. Per the News & Observer, this story comes on the heels of an escalator-related tragedy in Denver on Saturday, when a woman fell to her death after a Kenny Chesney concert. Denver Police tweeted that she was sitting on an escalator handrail when she lost her balance and fell into the concourse below. It's being investigated as an accidental death. (Read more escalators stories.)
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(Newser)  Move over, world's most expensive sandwich, here's the world's most expensive McDonald's breakfast. A man traveling to Darwin, Australia, from the Indonesian island of Bali was fined nearly $2,000 after a biosecurity dog detected two sausage and egg McMuffins and a ham croissant in his backpack, CBS reports. Under Australia's strict biosecurity laws, he was fined $1,874 for carrying unauthorized meat products into the country. The traveler had not declared the breakfast on his incoming passenger card, reports SBS.

Australia has stepped up biosecurity measures amid an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in Indonesia, reports the Guardian. Australia is currently free off the livestock disease, and officials say an outbreak could lead to a mass culling of animals that would cost the country tens of billions of dollars. The virus is "carried by live animals and in meat and dairy products, as well as in soil, bones, untreated hides, vehicles, and equipment used with these animals," Australia's agriculture ministry says. "It can also be carried on peoples clothing and footwear and survive in frozen, chilled, and freeze-dried foods."

"This will be the most expensive Maccas meal this passenger ever has, this fine is twice the cost of an airfare to Bali," Murray Watt, Australia's agriculture minister, said in a statement on Monday. "But I have no sympathy for people who choose to disobey Australias strict biosecurity measures and recent detections show you will be caught." He also praised Zinta, the black Labrador that found the illicit McMuffins. She was recently placed at Darwin's airport as part of the stricter measures and "it's excellent to see she is already contributing to keeping the country safe," Watt said. (Read more Australia stories.)
(Newser)  House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's Asia trip has begunand according to reports from CNN and the Wall Street Journal as well as Taiwanese media, it will include a stop in Taiwan. A source tells the Journal that people Pelosi plans to meet in Taiwan, including government officials, have been told that she will be visiting the island Tuesday and Wednesday despite stern warnings from China. China considers the self-governing democracy to be its own territory, and Xi Jinping recently warned President Biden about "playing with fire." CNN, citing a US government official, reports that Pentagon officials are monitoring Chinese movements in the region and are working on a plan to keep Pelosi safe.

On Monday, Pelosi and her delegation were in Singapore, where she met Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and other officials, the AP reports. According to Taiwanese media, she will travel to Taipei after a Tuesday visit to Malaysia, making her the highest-ranked US official to visit Taiwan since then-House Speaker Newt Gingrich in 1997. China has warned of "serious consequences" if the trip goes ahead, but White House national security spokesman John Kirby says there's "no reason" for the rhetoric. "Theres no reason for any actions to be taken," he said Monday. "It is not uncommon for congressional leaders to travel to Taiwan, it is very much in keeping with our policy and is consistent with our support to Taiwan under the Taiwan Relations Act."

"A Speaker of the House has visited Taiwan before without incident, as have many members of Congress over the years, including this year," said National Security Council spokeswoman Saloni Sharma. China's state-run Global Times, however, called the possible move a "provocation" in an editorial Monday and said America's "increasingly blatant besiege and containment against China is rapidly deteriorating China's peripheral environment." (Read more Taiwan stories.)
(Newser)  Calling Guy Reffitt's advocacy of political violence absurd and delusional, a federal judge on Monday imposed the longest sentence yet on a defendant convicted of attacking the US Capitol. US District Judge Dabney Friedrich gave the Texas man a prison sentence of 87 months, the Washington Post reports. Reffitt was convicted in March of obstruction of Congress as it assembled to certify the result of the 2020 election on Jan. 6, 2021, and four other felonies. He was the first person convicted at trial in the attack. While in prison, Reffitt has called himself a patriot and a martyr. "Patriots honor and respect the rule of law," the judge told him.

Prosecutors sought a 15-year sentence, pointing out that Reffitt led a mob while armed. The defense wanted a two-year term, which would have been below federal guidelines. Friedrich settled on the bottom end of the guidelines; the high end is 108 months. The judge, who was appointed to the court by former President Donald Trump, declined to add a terrorism enhancement, per Politico. Prosecutors wanted a punishment stiff enough to affect the 330 or so people awaiting trial who might be thinking about taking a plea deal. About 70 riot defendants so far have pleaded guilty, and eight other than Reffitt have been convicted at trial. He'll be under court supervision for three years after his release from prison.

In court Monday, Friedrich said Reffitt has yet to disavow his call to "forcibly remove legislatures and install a new government." The defendant changed his mind Monday afternoon about addressing the court in an effort to reassure the judge. "I did want to definitely make an apology, multiple apologies and accept my responsibility," Reffitt said. But his rambling statement, which included profanities, did not seem to sway Friedrich, who pointed out that his previous apology was much more qualified. One of Reffitt's children, who were threatened by their father and told not to inform on him, told the court that Trump, not her father, was the leader of the violence. "My father's name wasnt on the flags that everyone was carrying there that day," daughter Peyton Reffitt said. "There was another man's name." (Reffitt's son reported him to the FBI weeks before the riot.)
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

A five-day exhibition has opened at the City Centre Bahrain marking the World Day against Trafficking annually observed on July 30. Public Security Deputy Chief Major-General Dr Shaikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Khalifa opened the expo on behalf of Public Security Chief Lieutenant General Tariq bin Hassan Al Hasan.

The opening ceremony was attended by the Director-General of General Directorate of Criminal Investigation and Forensic Evidence, Interior Ministrys directices and members of the National Anti-Human Trafficking Committee.

The event includes various sections, including efforts to fight anti-human trafficking crimes. Visitors were treated to memorial gifts and awareness publications. The Kingdom of Bahrain has maintained its top tier ranking, for the fifth consecutive year, in recognition of its dedicated efforts to combat human trafficking.

The US State Departments 2022 report on Trafficking in Persons (TIP) has placed the Kingdom of Bahrain in Tier 1 status.
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

Two engineers from the National Space Science Authority (NSSA) have obtained membership accreditation to the Space Generations Advisory Council.

They are Aerospace Eng. Owl Ali Al Quraan and Eng. Munira Al Maliki. It is a landmark achievement as they are the first representives of Bahrain to have been accepted in the Council, which enjoys the sponsorship and support of the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs.

Located in Vienna, Austria, the Council is a non-governmental organisation and a global professional network that aims to spread awareness by inspiring and engaging the next generation of young people in space sector issues.

It values the voice of the youth in the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs as an observer in the space industry and in other international organisations such as the International Astronautical Federation (IAF).

NSSA Chief Executive Officer Dr Mohamed Ibrahim Al Asiri said: The National Space Science Authority is proud of the excellence of its engineers in various regional and international space sector forums.

The accreditation of the Space Generations Advisory Council is an important stage for young professionals in the space sector, as it provides them with the practical and knowledge necessary to assume leadership positions in various prestigious international organistions such as the United Nations and the IAF, and this is a very important matter.

The authority is always striving to harness its capabilities to develop its young cadres and achieve the vision of His Majesty the King and the directives of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince to advance the Bahraini youth, develop their capabilities and empower them in various fields to gain the honour of serving his country.
Agencies | Beirut

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

Lebanons Hezbollah yesterday aired drone footage of Israeli ships in a disputed gas field in the Mediterranean Sea, highlighting the tension at the center of US-mediated maritime border talks between Lebanon and Israel.

The footage was aired as the US energy envoy, Amos Hochstein, was landing in Beirut to mediate ongoing talks between Lebanon and Israel over their sea borders.

Lebanon claims the Karish gas field is disputed territory under ongoing maritime border negotiations, whereas Israel says it lies within its internationally recognised economic waters.

Caretaker Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib in a statement on Friday said Hochstein will inform Lebanon of Israels response to Lebanons June proposal, adding that he was optimistic about reaching an agreement soon.

There was no immediate response to the video from Israel. The footage aired on the Iran backed party and militias Al Manar television, showed barges from reconnaissance drones over the Karish gas field and their coordinates.

It ended with footage of a rocket with the words within range in Arabic and Hebrew. The Israeli military earlier this month shot down three Hezbollah unarmed drones flying over Karish gas field in the Mediterranean Sea.

Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati criticised Hezbollah, saying the move could pose risks to the country. Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in an interview last week said that the militant group can locate and strike Karish and any other Israeli gas field.

Following his last visit in June, Hochstein told US-funded Al-Hurra television that the Lebanese government took a very strong step forward by presenting a more united approach, and anticipated that there could be progress to reach a settlement.
Agencies | New Delhi

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

India's first confirmed monkeypox death occurred in the state of Kerala, a State government minister told reporters, on Monday.

The man, aged 22, died in the Thrissur district on Saturday, and his family had told officials that he had tested positive in a Gulf country on July 21.

According to local media, health officials rushed samples of the deceased to the National Institute of Virology, a regional centre in Alappuzha, for confirmation.

The doctors who treated the patient observed that the mans symptoms were similar to monkeypox. According to one of the doctors, the patient did not have red marks or blisters when he was admitted. Later on, however, such symptoms started appearing on his body.

The family members have been asked to perform the last rites as per the WHO protocols.

India has reported five cases of monkeypox so far, of which three cases are from Kerala, one is from Delhi and one from Andhra Pradesh's Guntur.Following this, the central government is on an alert even as the count of infections in some other countries has risen.

NITI Aayog's member (Health) Dr V K Paul said that there is absolutely no need for any panic as the government has taken significant measures to keep the disease in check.

In an Interview with ANI, Dr Paul sought to assert that there was no need for any undue panic but added that it was still important that the country and the society stay vigilant."There is no need to panic, as of now, but one must report in time if they spot any symptoms, he said.According to World Health Organization (WHO), more than 18,000 cases have been reported from 78 countries.

"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," said Dr Tedros, Director General, WHO on Thursday.

Monkeypox is a zoonotic disease caused by the monkeypox virus, which belongs to the same family of viruses that causes smallpox. The disease is endemic in regions like West and Central Africa but lately, cases have been reported from non-endemic countries too, according to the WHO.
Japan was still struggling to make sense of the violent death of Shinzo Abe when the man suspected of killing him gave police information that has sent shockwaves through the countrys political establishment.

Tetsuya Yamagami said he shot Abe because of the former primer ministers links to the Unification church, also known as the Moonies, which he blamed for bankrupting his family. Yamagamis mother, a longtime member of the church, reportedly gave it 100m [618,000] in donations two decades ago, plunging their family into poverty.

Three weeks on from Abes death, details have emerged showing that the churchs ties to politicians extend well beyond Japans longest-serving prime minister, angering voters and raising questions about its influence on the ruling Liberal Democratic partys policies on gender equality and sexual diversity.

Daily revelations that ruling and opposition party MPs have courted the church  from attending events to enlisting its members in campaigns  in return for mobilising voters have jolted the current prime minister, Fumio Kishida, and his party just weeks after their comfortable victory in upper house elections.

A poll published on Sunday by the Kyodo news agency showed that the approval rating for Kishidas cabinet had dropped more than 12 percentage points to 51% in a matter of weeks. In addition, more than 53% of respondents said they opposed plans to hold a state funeral for Abe next month. ...continue reading
Newtown Police Department / Contributed photo

NEWTOWN  A 71-year-old Florida man is facing an animal cruelty charge following the death of a dog last week.

David Czerniawski was arrested and charged July 25, after police say he brought a male chihuahua to Berkshire Veterinary Hospital in Sandy Hook, where a veterinarian determined the dog was dead due to blunt force trauma.
Actor, comedian and Fairfield native Justin Long is returning to his hometown to host a screening of the 1985 classic, "Back to the Future."

The screening is part of a day-long movie marathon of all three "Back to the Future" movies at the Sacred Heart University Community Theatre in Fairfield on Saturday, Aug. 6. Long will host the 8 p.m. screening of the first movie.

Long is a multi award-winning actor with work that spans a number of genres including horror, comedy, drama and science fiction. Some of Long's most notable films include "DodgeBall: A True Underdog Story," "Live Free or Die Hard," "Tusk" and the "Alvin and the Chipmunks" series. Long is set to appear in the long-awaited "Clerks" sequel  "Clerks III." The third movie in the Clerks franchise comes 16 years after the second movie, and follows the staff of the Quick Stop Convenience Store as they look to make their very own movie.

The actor has been quoted on numerous occasions about his love for "Back to the Future." In a 2020 interview with IMDb, Long said that he remembered first watching the movie as a kid at the Fairfield Community Theatre (now-Sacred Heart University Community Theatre).

"I remember the feeling of being so thoroughly entertained. Like there was something exciting about it; an excitement that I hadn't really experienced from a movie before," Long said. "Every time I watch it, I marvel at something new."

Long also said in the interview that while different generations admire different cultural heroes  such as Marlon Brando or Justin Bieber  he will forever look up to Michael J. Fox's portrayal of Marty McFly in the movie.

The event will benefit the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp, a Connecticut based non-profit, founded by Paul Newman, that provides the joys of camp for ill children and their families. Long also has deep ties with the organization, even winning the Hole in the Wall Gang money from his win on Celebrity Family Feud last year.

Long was born and raised in Fairfield and attended Fairfield College Preparatory School. His father, Raymond James Long, is a retired college professor who taught at Fairfield University, and his mother, Wendy Lesniak, is a former Broadway actress. His brother, Damian Long, is a teacher at Weston High School.

Screenings take place at the following times: "Back to the Future" at 11 a.m. and 8 p.m., "Back to the Future Part II" at 2 p.m. and "Back to the Future Part III" at 4:30 p.m. Justin Long will only host the 8 p.m. screening of "Back to the Future." Tickets are free for all showings.
SAINT JOHN, NB, July 28, 2022 /CNW/ - The Forum of Ministers Responsible for Immigration (FMRI), met today to consider opportunities for the future of immigration to Canada and initiatives to respond to pan-Canadian labour shortages. Ministers discussed ways to maximize the effectiveness of the immigration system to meet economic and regional needs, including increasing provincial/territorial (PT) involvement in the selection process and input into Express Entry modernization, avoiding duplication, increasing the allocations of the Provincial/Territorial Nominee Programs (PNPs) and providing timely multi-year allocations before March 31st, 2023. Ministers had conversations about Canada's immigration response to the full-scale invasion of Ukraine and the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, federal-provincial/territorial (FPT) measures to attract immigrants to meet labour market and demographic needs, and recent settlement and integration efforts.

Ministers examined the progress made towards achieving the FPT Strategic Plan for Immigration (SPI) 2020-2023 and reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring the immigration system is an effective tool for economic recovery, protecting the world's most vulnerable populations, and helping newcomers fully participate and succeed in a welcoming Canadian society. Ministers supported greater FPT collaboration on temporary resident settlement services, immigration policies, and programs and pathways to transition from a temporary status to permanent residency.

Canada's immigration Ministers condemned Russia's invasion of Ukraine and reaffirmed their commitment to welcoming and supporting displaced Ukrainians and their family members who are fleeing violence. FPT governments have collectively taken action to respond to both the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan and Russia's invasion of Ukraine, including expediting the travel of displaced Ukrainians to Canada and extending access to services Ukrainians need to live, work or study. Ministers recognized that although Ukrainians coming to Canada as temporary residents are already contributing to their new communities, many require substantive supports. PTs also recognized that many Ukrainians are seeking permanent residency and expressed the need for greater federal resources to ensure Ukrainians' successful arrival and settlement.

Additionally, from coast to coast to coast, Canada welcomed close to 17,000 Afghan Refugees. The FMRI emphasized the need for a collaborative approach among governments to ensure these newcomers are welcomed in a coordinated and comprehensive manner.

Over the last year, immigration continued to contribute to population and economic growth in Canada. Ministers took stock of the joint FPT efforts to welcome and settle over 405,000 immigrants in 2021, a record number. FPT consultations on shared priorities for the immigration levels plan remain a cornerstone of Canada's immigration system. Ministers recognized the need to build on consultation efforts and seek views more effectively from stakeholders, partners and Indigenous Peoples.

The FMRI discussed the necessity of improving federal immigration processing times. Ministers reflected on the outcomes of federal special measures introduced during the pandemic and agreed that going forward, short-term immigration strategies must be consistent with longer term objectives. It will be important to monitor and understand the impacts of current and emerging pressures on the immigration system, such as a growing demand for housing and social services, when planning for the future.

Ministers recognized that Canada has one of the most comprehensive and facilitative immigration systems in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) though opportunities for enhancement remain. Reflecting on the increasing complexity of the economic immigration system, Ministers agreed on the need for a more agile, client-centered system. Ministers acknowledged the essential roles and responsibilities of federal and PT governments in Canada's immigration system, and highlighted the importance of working together so programs are complementary and flexible. Ministers recognized that it is essential for federal and PT governments to collaborate to achieve regional economic immigration objectives. Ministers highlighted that PT knowledge of real-time regional labour market needs is an advantage that must be leveraged.

Furthermore, Ministers considered ways to meet regional needs and increase immigration to Canada's smaller and rural or remote communities including mapping and coordinating economic and settlement capacity across the country, taking stock of the lessons learned from the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) and the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP). The well established and successful PNP remains the primary tool for regional economic immigration and allows for testing of new approaches to meet a wide range of demographic and labour market needs. PT Ministers called for timely increases in PNP allocations to help address increasing labour needs in jurisdictions across the country and expressed unanimity over the need for greater agency over the PNP programs and the selection process of economic immigrants.

Ministers agreed to take steps to ensure public support for immigration remains strong, and to continue to work together to ensure that long-term FPT immigration goals contribute to Canada's future prosperity. Ministers committed to a mid-term meeting in advance of the annual FMRI Ministers Meeting.

Note: As requested by the Government of Quebec, the Quebec minister responsible for immigration holds observer status at the Federal-Provincial/Territorial Ministers' Table. Under the Canada-Quebec Accord, Quebec assumes sole responsibility for establishing immigration levels, and for the selection, francization and integration of immigrants. In areas under its responsibility, Quebec develops its policies and programs, and legislates, regulates and sets its own standards.

About the FMRI: The Forum of Ministers Responsible for Immigration is an FPT decision-making body with the goal of supporting a flexible, timely and effective immigration system for Canada. In 2020, FPT Ministers established a vision for immigration to Canada and a mission for the FMRI. The vision articulates a co-ordinated strategic plan for a system that strengthens the positive economic and social benefits of immigration in all parts of Canada. The FMRI's mission is to advance joint immigration priorities and to enhance Canada's immigration policies and programs.

Quotes:

"Immigration is key to addressing labour shortages across our country and I am excited about the productive discussions with the provinces and territories we've had here today. As Canada continues to see increased demand of those seeking to live and work in Canada, our governments will continue to work together to ensure our immigration system can withstand the demand and meet the diverse needs of our clients. Our collaborative efforts on immigration will help strengthen our post-COVID economic recovery in the short term, while continuing to contribute to local economies and communities in the long-term and bring the benefits of immigration from coast to coast to coast."

- The Honourable Sean Fraser, P.C., M.P., Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship and federal co-chair of the Forum of Ministers responsible for Immigration.

"This joint meeting has allowed us to strategize on ways to streamline the immigration process to help provinces and territories meet their labour market priorities while finding ways to be more flexible in our approaches. We will continue to find ways to improve the experience of all immigration candidates and employers throughout the immigration process."

- The Honourable Arlene Dunn, Minister Responsible for Immigration, Minister Responsible for Opportunities New Brunswick, and Provincial-Territorial co-chair of the Forum of Ministers Responsible for Immigration.

SOURCE Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada

For further information: Contacts for media only: Aidan Strickland, Press Secretary, Minister's Office, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, [email protected]; Media Relations: Communications Branch, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, 613-952-1650, [email protected]; Michel LeBlanc, Marketing and Communications Specialist, Opportunities New Brunswick, 506-227-2845, [email protected]
According to his brother Sunil Raut, Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut was taken into custody late on Sunday.

Sunil, the brother of Raut, claimed that Raut had been arrested and that he would appear in court on Monday.

Sanjay Raut was taken into custody. He was detained because the BJP is terrified of him. They have not provided any documentation to us (regarding his arrest). Hes been set up. Tomorrow at 11.30 am, he will appear in court  Sunil Raut said on Sunday.

Sources claim that ED agents earlier in the day confiscated Rs 11.50 lakhs in undeclared cash from Rauts home.

After many hours of inspections at his Mumbai home, Raut was held by Enforcement Directorate agents on Sunday in connection with the Patra Chawl land fraud case; however, Sanjay Rauts lawyer had earlier claimed that his client was neither detained nor arrested.

Enforcement Directorate (ED) called Sanjay Raut on June 28 in relation to the investigation into the Rs 1,034 crore Patra Chawl land fraud and the prevention of money laundering.
At interfaith harmony meeting in New Delhi, Security Advisor Ajit Doval, said there are a few people who, in the name of religion or any other belief system, are resorting to violence and creating mistrust between different communities. It is affecting the entire country while spilling over outside the country too he added.

The All India Sufi Sajjadanashin Council (AISSC) organised the meeting and passed a resolution banning religious organisation like the Popular Front of India (PFI) involved in radicalism.

We cant be mute spectators. We have to organise and raise voices, improve on the mistakes. Weve to make every sect of India feel that we are a country together, we are proud of it and that every religion can be professed with freedom here, Doval said in meeting.

Doval said in the meeting: If we have to challenge this atmosphere (of animosity), then the biggest need is that we have to, within our country, in our own home, be alert and keep intact our unity, and make progress as a unified country. The country has made progress with speed in the last couple of years, and the profit of this progress will be reaped by all religious communities.

He added, But there are many forces that are trying to create an atmosphere of negativism which obstructs the progress of the nation There are a few people who, in the name of religion or any other belief system, are resorting to violence and creating mistrust between different communities. This affects the whole country  within the country as well as internationally.

AISSC founder-chairman Hazrat Syed Nasiruddin Chishty discussed major issues with the NSA and then passed a resolution.

We condemn when an incident occurs. Its time to do something. Need of the hour is to rein in and ban radical organisations. Be it any radical organisation, including the Popular Front of India (PFI), they should be banned if there is evidence against them, Hazrat Syed Naseruddin Chishty said.

He told that the leaders discussed measures to combat radicalism in the country and AISSC will initiate a nation wide movement soon.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Sunday urged the public to exercise caution in light of recent severe rains that have pummelling portions of Kerala and forecast for more in the coming four days.

People should exercise extreme caution, the Chief Minister said on Sunday, as India Meteorological Department has issued a warning that state would see heavy rain for the next five days. Heavy rains are falling in the districts of Kottayam, Pathanamthitta, Idukki, Kollam, and Thiruvananthapuram. River water levels are rising all around the world. Many streams were inundated.

Tragically, one person died while the other three people escaped when four Tamil Nadu tourists became stranded in a flood at the Achankovil river in Kollam district as a result of severe rainfall.

Munnilav town became flooded following a landslide in Munnilav village in Meenachil taluk of Kottayam district. One person was reported missing in the landslide and subsequently found.

After a torrent entered the Kallar-Meenmutti waterfalls inside the boundaries of Thiruvananthapuram Vithura Police Station, cars became stranded on the other side of the road. Police officers from the Vitura police station assisted in the rescue of two adolescents who were stranded on top of rocks close to Kallar in Vitura village.

The police, fire department, and other government organisations have been told to be on guard. At the scene of accidents, rescue efforts are in progress. Neyyar Dams four shutters were lifted. Tourist attractions in Ponmudi, Kallar, and Mankayam are closed.

Fishermen were urged under no circumstances to enter the sea. People have been told to leave landslide-prone regions immediately.

Chief minister asked that everyone be prepared to completely abide by any warnings that Disaster Management Authority issues at the appropriate times.
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NORTH HAVEN  Gillian Webb was in the process of opening a New Haven-based Caribbean restaurant when the COVID-19 pandemic hit in early 2020.

The pandemic shut down the project but did not deter Webb, who instead filled food orders from her home.

Two years later and one town over, shes found a new spot for her restaurant: a storefront at 448 Washington Ave. in North Haven.

The only Caribbean restaurant in the suburban town, Island Cho Caribbean Cuisine serves both Trinidadian and Jamaican dishes. It opened its doors in early July, Webb said.

Webb hails from Trinidad and Tobago, she said, but her husbands Jamaican background prompted her to learn to cook Jamaican food.

Im able to offer both cuisines, she said. Its pretty unusual to find a Trinidadian cooking Jamaican food or vice versa. ... What we have is something thats kind of different.

The business is a family project. Webb co-owns it wither her husband, Charlton Webb, and her nephew, Omari Wright.

Along with Webbs 3-year-old daughter, Adaolisa, the group pulled into the eaterys parking lot shortly before 11 a.m. Friday to get ready for the day.

Visitors might recognize the spot, which formerly housed Hidden Kitchen, a popular breakfast spot with a new location nearby.

The space now is peppered with neat, tan-colored, rectangular tables where customers can sit and order everything from chicken roti to rasta pasta.

They might notice a pattern in the bright space around them: a butterfly motif graces the restaurants decor.

Each table has a centerpiece featuring a fake white butterfly, while a pile of coasters at the counter has butterfly-shaped cut-outs. The beloved creature also forms part of the Island Cho logo.

Webb said the theme honors her late daughter, Amara, who had cystic fibrosis.

She loved butterflies, Webb said.

Webb and Wright came up with the restaurant name with Amara in mind, too. Cho is Japanese for butterfly.

When Webb stayed home to care for her daughter, cooking was something that I did to try to help out financially in the house, she said.

When she catered events, she said, people would encourage her to open a restaurant.

Now she has done just that.

In Webbs brick-and-mortar store, diners can choose from a wide variety of entrees, from jerk chicken to stew pork, to curry goat, red snapper and oxtail.

Each comes with a choice of two sides, and the list is long: Webb recommends peas and rice for those looking to try Jamaican food, though the mac and cheese is one of her personal favorites.

Alternatively, customers could order the Trinidadian version of roti, flatbread with curry. Though the dish has its origin in India, it is a staple for many Trinidadian families, Webb said.

Webb and her nephew, Wright, prepare the dishes, with Webb focusing on the entrees and Wright on the appetizers. Called Plantain Cho, one starter consists of crispy shrimp wrapped in plantain.

That is our signature, said Webb. Its a really interesting flavor when you add the sweet plantains with the fried shrimp.

At first, Webb was anxious about drawing customers in North Haven because the town lacks a large Caribbean population, she said.

But she also saw an opportunity.

Many people in the area visit the Caribbean for vacation, Webb said, and they enjoy the food there.

When they get back, they dont have access to this type of food, said Charlton Webb.

I thought it would be a very good idea to bring the food to them, Gillian Webb said.

So far, the plan seems to be working. Though in its early days, business is going exceptionally well, according to Webb.

Wright agreed.

Its been doing pretty well, he said. Each day is better than (the day) before.

meghan.friedmann@hearstmediact.com
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Alex Jones and two Sandy Hook parents are expected to testify Tuesday in a Texas trial to determine how much the Infowars host owes the parents in defamation damages.

Parents Neil Heslin and Scarlett Lewis have been anticipated to take the stand in the trial, which began last Monday in Travis County District Court in Austin. But even Jones attorney had been unsure whether his client would testify until the end of the day Monday.
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ANSONIA  Police are asking for the publics help in a search for a missing woman.

In a prepared statement, Lt. Patrick Lynch said Ariana Bel-Jean, 19, of Ansonia, left her home on July 27 and has not returned.
NEW HAVEN  A gold Ford Taurus that had been double-parked in front of the Apple Store on Broadway went airborne after it pulled out in haste, tried to avoid a subsequent collision, jumped the wrought-iron and concrete fence of the Broadway center lot and landed on top of a white SUV, police said.

Two people, including the Taurus driver, sustained non-life-threatening injuries, said police Sgt. Brendan Canning. The Taurus driver was cited for reckless driving and failure to maintain lane, he said.
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PUTNAM, Conn. (AP)  Even as numerous Republican-governed states push for sweeping bans on abortion, there is a coinciding surge of concern in some Democratic-led states that options for reproductive health care are dwindling due to expansion of Catholic hospital networks.

These are states such as Oregon, Washington, California, New York and Connecticut, where abortion will remain legal despite the U.S. Supreme Courts recent ruling overturning Roe v. Wade.

Concerns in these blue states pertain to such services as contraception, sterilization and certain procedures for handling pregnancy emergencies. These services are widely available at secular hospitals but generally forbidden, along with abortion, at Catholic facilities under the Ethical and Religious Directives set by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

The differing perspectives on these services can clash when a Catholic hospital system seeks to acquire or merge with a non-sectarian hospital, as is happening now in northeastern Connecticut. State officials are assessing a bid by Catholic-run Covenant Health to merge with Day Kimball Healthcare, an independent, financially struggling hospital and health care system based in the town of Putnam.

We need to ensure that any new ownership can provide a full range of care  including reproductive health care, family planning, gender-affirming care and end-of-life care, said Connecticut Attorney General William Tong, a Democrat.

Lois Utley, a specialist in tracking hospital mergers, said her organization, Community Catalyst, has identified more than 20 municipalities in blue or purple states where the only acute care hospitals are Catholic.

We are definitely sliding backwards in terms of comprehensive reproductive health, Utley said. Catholic systems are taking over many physician practices, urgent care centers, ambulatory care centers, and patients seeking contraception wont be able to get it if their physician is now part of that system.

According to the Catholic Health Association, there are 654 Catholic hospitals in the U.S., including 299 with obstetric services. The CHA says more than one in seven U.S. hospital patients are cared for in a Catholic facility.

The CHA's president, Sister Mary Haddad, said the Catholic hospitals provide a wide range of prenatal, obstetric and postnatal services while assisting in about 500,000 births annually.

This commitment is rooted in our reverence for life, from conception to natural death, Haddad said via email. As a result, Catholic hospitals do not offer elective abortions.

Protocols are different for dire emergencies when the mother suffers from an urgent, life-threatening condition during pregnancy, Haddad said. Catholic health clinicians provide all medically indicated treatment even if it poses a threat to the unborn.

This approach is now being mirrored in several states imposing bans that allow abortions only to save a mothers life. There is concern that doctors governed by such bans  whether a state law or a Catholic directive  may endanger a pregnant womans health by withholding treatment as she begins to show ill effects from a pregnancy-related problem.

In California, Democratic state Sen. Scott Wiener is among those warily monitoring the proliferation of Catholic health care providers, who operate 52 hospitals in his state.

The hospitals provide superb care to a lot of people, including low-income communities, Wiener said. But they absolutely deny people access to reproductive health care as well as gender-affirming care (for transgender people).

Its the bishop, not professional standards, that are dictating who can receive what health care, Wiener said. That is scary.

Charles Camosy, professor of medical humanities at the Creighton University School of Medicine, says critics of the mergers fail to acknowledge a major benefit of Catholic health care expansion.

These mergers take place because Catholic institutions are willing to take on the really hard places where others have failed to make money, he said. We should focus on what these institutions are doing in a positive way  stepping into the breach where virtually no one else wants to go, especially in rural areas.

That argument has resonance in mostly rural northeast Connecticut, where Day Kimball serves an aging population of about 125,000.

Kyle Kramer, Day Kimballs CEO, said the 104-bed hospital has been seeking a financial partner for more than seven years and would soon face very serious issues if it had to continue on its own.

Regarding the proposed merger, he said, Change is always difficult.

However, he said Day Kimballs providers would remain committed to comprehensive health care if the merger proceeds, seeking to ensure that patients are informed of all options when it comes to such matters as contraception, miscarriages and ectopic pregnancies.

As for abortions, Kramer said Day Kimball had never performed them for the sole purpose of ending a pregnancy and would continue that policy if partnering with Covenant.

Despite the assurances, some residents are concerned that the regions only hospital would become Catholic-owned. Some merger opponents protested outside the hospital last Monday.

The public is being told if you dont take Covenant, you wont have a hospital at all, said Elizabeth Canning of Pomfret, Connecticut. Which is, of course, frightening. So people go, Okay, well, well take them. ... Its better than nothing.

Ive had wonderful care here. Thats not my objection, Canning continued. I dont want any religion involved in my health care.

Sue Grant Nash, a retired Day Kimball hospice social worker from Putnam, described herself as religious but said she doesn't believe people's values should be imposed on others.

Very important articles of faith that Catholics may have, and I respect completely, shouldnt impact the quality of health care that is available to the public, she said.

There have been related developments in other states.

In Washington, Democratic state Sen. Emily Randall plans to re-introduce a bill that would empower the attorney general to block hospital mergers and acquisitions if they jeopardize the continued existence of accessible, affordable health care, including reproductive health care. Gov. Jay Inslee says he is in support of such a measure.

The state has already passed a bill that bars the states religious hospitals from prohibiting health care providers from providing medically necessary care to hasten miscarriages or end nonviable pregnancies, like ectopic pregnancies. Under the new law, patients can sue a hospital if they are denied such care, and providers can also sue if they are disciplined for providing such care.

In Oregon, the state has new authority to bar religious hospitals from acquiring or merging with another health care entity if that means access to abortion and other reproductive services would be reduced. A law that took effect March 1 requires state approval for mergers and acquisitions of sizable health care entities.

Thirty percent of acute care beds in the state are controlled by systems that restrict access to these services, according to Katie Shriver of the Service Employees International Union, who testified in support of the bill last year.

The law also allows the state to consider end-of-life options allowed by hospitals seeking to establish a footprint or expand in Oregon, which in 1994 became the first state to legalize medical aid in dying.

In Newport Beach, California, Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian divorced itself from a large Catholic health system earlier this year. The separation from Providence Health & Services, which runs 52 hospitals across seven states, came after a years-long legal battle.

In a 2020 lawsuit, Hoag said it was a captive affiliate of Providence, which is headquartered more than 1,000 miles away in Washington state. Hoag was founded as a Presbyterian institution in 1952.

In 2013, Hoag joined with St. Joseph Health, a local Catholic hospital chain, aspiring to broaden access to health care in its area. In 2016, Providence Health absorbed St. Joseph along with Hoag.

Hoags doctors questioned Providences move to standardize treatment decisions across its hospitals and also balked at restrictions on reproductive care. In 2014 then-Attorney General Kamala Harris approved the health systems affiliation on condition that Hoag would not be bound by Catholic health directives.

Hoags lawsuit said its Presbyterian beliefs, values and policies have been compromised due to restrictions within the larger Catholic system.

 In New York, two Democratic legislators proposed a bill this year that would have required the states health department to publish a list of health services that are unavailable at each general hospital so patients can be better informed.

The lawmakers said the legislation, which failed, was needed to address health care deserts where hospitals have closed or merged with religiously affiliated entities and reproductive care and other health services have been lost.

The New York Civil Liberties Union, which has raised concerns about hospitals in Schenectady and Lockport affiliating with Catholic entities, says some New York patients have had difficulty obtaining miscarriage services and birth control pills from Catholic providers.

___

Crary reported from New York. Associated Press reporters Rachel La Corte in Olympia, Washington; Andrew Selsky in Salem, Oregon; Adam Beam in Sacramento, California; and Deepa Bharath in Los Angeles contributed.

___

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.
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NORWALK  Luis Mario Rodas described his older brother as a good father, a good brother  a good son.

Mauricio Rodas-Garcia, was also trying to be a good husband when his wife lost her balance Sunday while the couple was wading in the partially submerged sandbar that extends into Long Island Sound at Calf Pasture Beach.

The Norwalk man went to help when his wife had difficulty regaining her balance and he was pulled under water, city officials said.

Despite the efforts of heroic bystanders who tried to save Rodas-Garcia from the area that is not monitored by lifeguards, the 60-year-old Colombia native died.

He left a lot of good people behind, Luis Mario Rodas said in a phone interview Monday.

Its just very unfortunate, the way he died, he added.

The area of Calf Pasture Beach where the incident occurred near the sailing school and Coast Guard auxiliary building is not designated as a swimming area or watched by lifeguards, according to city officials.

The unfortunate incident where Rodas-Garcia and his wife accidentally fell into the water occurred in an area that is not a designated swim area and where no lifeguards are on duty, city spokesperson Michelle Woods Matthews said Monday. This is typically a quiet, secluded area where beachgoers go to sit and read and is near city signage that notes that there are no lifeguards on duty in this area.

Lt. Terry Blake said the tide had begun to go out at the time of the incident, but he was unaware of any other issues such as a riptide.

Bystanders pulled Rodas-Garcia from the water and performed CPR until a Norwalk police officer arrived, officials said.

The city has an officer assigned to Calf Pasture Beach on a daily basis. The officer who arrived on the scene was at the beach and arrived immediately after being notified as heroic bystanders were bringing the victims to shore, Woods Matthews said.

Woods Matthews said the Norwalk police officer took over CPR until medics arrived.

Rodas-Garcias wife was conscious when her husband was pulled from the water and was not injured, according to police.

Norwalk resident Maryellen Frank was on the beach when the incident occurred and initially thought the couple was swimming and not in distress.

It was a busy day at the beach, lots of boats in the channel, people in the water, and toward evening, I saw the woman on the sandbar and she was waving her arms and it looked like the man was standing beside her, Frank said. It was strange, but wasnt clear, and that was the hard part, it took a few minutes for people to realize there was a problem. It didnt look a lot different from people playing around in the water.

A Norwalk resident of about 30 years, Frank said she lives near the water and is an avid open-water swimmer and beachgoer.

She first noticed something was wrong when she heard Rodas-Garcias wife shout ayude, or help in Spanish.

The man looked like he as standing. I could see his head and hat and in the maybe 30 seconds it took to run to the sandbar, he had gone under, Frank said. Two young men from the sailing rental ran out, strong swimmers, trying to find him. Its so frightening because the water looks deceptively calm. You can see the bottom, but if you cant swim, its easy to panic.

The swimmers who dove in to locate Rodas-Garcia struggled for several minutes to find him below the surface, but eventually were able to remove him from the water, Frank said.

Frank said the police officer assigned to the beach reached the victims quickly and the fire department soon arrived, but it took a little longer for the ambulance to get there.

It felt like a long time before the ambulance got there, Frank said. It was so tragic. He had been under for several minutes. People were arriving for the concert at the beach, so there was a lot of onlookers. The ambulance crew worked on him for some time too, doing medical intervention, but it was just so unfortunate.

Beachgoers, swimmers and people walking along the shore all gathered to help, including several women comforting Rodas-Garcias wife, Frank said.

Everyone on the beach was very galvanized to help. The woman in the water had never gone all the way under. People on the beach brought her towels and comforted her. Someone brought a phone so she could make a call, Frank said. It was a happy Sunday that just turns so dark.

Luis Mario Rodas said his brother has five adult children from previous marriages. He said his brother grew up in Colombia before coming to the United States where he worked as a jeweler.

He was a great brother, a good son and great person, his brother said. Hell never give you a reason to fight him or be upset with him.

Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.

abigail.brone@

hearstmediact.com
Alex Joness company has filed for bankruptcy, but it wont stop court proceedings in a Connecticut case to determine how much he owes in damages to Sandy Hook families he defamed.

A Connecticut judge threatened sanctions if attorneys do not show up as scheduled at 9 a.m. Tuesday to discuss a separate attempted cross claim in which Jones sued his parent company in state Superior Court.

Jones company, Free Speech Systems, also filed for bankruptcy in Texas last week in what his opposition said was an attempt to avoid a penalty in three defamation cases in Texas and Connecticut.

Jury selection in a lawsuit to determine how much Jones must pay to an FBI agent and eight Sandy Hook families Jones defamed is set to begin 9 a.m. Tuesday, and Judge Barabara Bellis issued an order on the bankruptcy filing making sure jury selection can proceed as planned.

The court has reviewed the notice of bankruptcy filed by the defendant Free Speech Systems LLC, Bellis wrote. It appears that the defendant Alex Jones has not filed for bankruptcy.

Jones himself is not listed in the bankruptcy, filed in Southern Texas Bankruptcy Court. The petition for bankruptcy only mentions Free Speech Systems.

Arguments are set to begin this week in the Connecticut case, and Bellis wrote that counsel are ordered to appear in person, and that failure to do so will result in sanctions.

Just two days before jury selection is due to begin in Connecticut, Mr. Jones has once again fled like a coward to bankruptcy court in a transparent attempt to delay facing the families he has spent years hurting, attorney Chris Mattei said in a statement Friday. These families have an endless well of patience and remain determined to hold Mr. Jones accountable in a Connecticut court.

The bankruptcy filing will also not affect a case being litigated this week in Austin, Texas, in which a jury is set to determine compensatory damages for defamation. In that case, plaintiffs Scarlett Lewis and Neil Heslin have asked for $150 million.

One day before filing for bankruptcy, Jones sued Free Speech Systems, which he owns, to indemnify and hold harmless Alex Emric Jones from any damages or other costs which may be assessed or entered against him in this litigation, according to a claim Jones filed in state Superior Court against FSS.

In a response, attorneys for the plaintiffs called the attempt to cleave Jones liability from that of FSS a work of fiction.

The cross claim alleges the fiction that this wholly controlled subsidiary promised to hold Jones harmless for damages in this case, inviting this proceeding to enter Mr. Jones conspiracist world where found facts and sworn testimony mean nothing at all, reads the families objection. To ensure that Jones does not benefit from this latest ploy, the cross claim should be stricken immediately as untimely and made in bad faith.

Alex Jones will do anything to delay trial in this case, including effectively suing himself, the response says.

Its not the first time Jones has filed for bankruptcy in an attempt to delay trial or escape restitution. Earlier this year, a week before the first defamation awards trial was set to begin in Texas, three of Jones shell companies filed for bankruptcy. Though it was delayed, that case began last week.

Jones representatives have testified in court that his Infowars store had $165 million in sales between 2015 and 2018, and that Jones himself made $76 million in 2019. The representatives have also said Jones has paid $10 million in legal fees to date, and has lost $20 million as a result of the Sandy Hook lawsuits.

Reporter Rob Ryser contributed to this story.
Christian Abraham / Hearst Connecticut Media

NEW HAVEN  A 34-year-old New Haven man was found shot near Edgewood and Ellsworth avenues early Sunday, according to police.

Officers were called to the area around 4:30 a.m. due to an alert from their gunshot detection system. There, they discovered the wounded man. Paramedics took the man to Yale New Haven Hospital, and his injuries were not life threatening, Officer Scott Shumway said in an email Monday.
EMMITSBURG, Md. (AP)  A 26-foot statue of the Virgin Mary is back in place at a Catholic university in Maryland.

The Frederick News-Post reports that the statue has been put back in place atop a 78-foot pedestal at the National Shrine Grotto on the campus of Mount St. Mary's University in Emmitsburg after a year of restoration work.
Ambassador of Ghana to China: Young Ghanaians much in favor of China

By Zhang Liulu (People's Daily Overseas Edition) 13:44, August 01, 2022

Winfred Nii Okai Hammond, Ambassador of Ghana to China (Haiwainet/Fu Yongchao)

I got to know China at a very young age. I remember it was 1964 when then Premier Zhou Enlai visited Ghana. At that time, many Ghanaian kids know how to pronounce the three words of Zhou Enlai. When receiving the special interview from Haiwainet the other day, Dr. Winfred Nii Okai Hammond, Ambassador of Ghana to China started with a clip of memory. I know a lot about the beginning of the China-Ghana friendship and Ive been following Chinas development ever since, Hammond commented, Ive always hoped that one day I could come to China to work. And now my wish has come true.

A peasant is checking the growth of cocoa on a cocoa plantation in Ghanas Eastern Region. (Photo/Xinhua News Agency)

I had a photo together with Academician Yuan Longping

In 2013, Hammond, who was then working in the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, first set foot on China. During this short working visit, he visited Academician Yuan Longping to learn about technologies related to agriculture. "Academician Yuan Longping used his wisdom and technology to help my country increase rice production. The Ghanaian respect him a lot. I had a photo together with Academician Yuan Longping," Hammond shared with us.

In 2021, designated as the Ambassador of Ghana to China, Hammond exclaimed, I am no longer an observer to Chinas development, rather, he finally saw his wish of working in China come true. Ive always been interested in China and Ive read many books about China. To me, taking the position as the Ambassador of Ghana to China marks a new stage for me. I hope to leverage this opportunity and get to know more about China and the Chinese people, Hammond said frankly.

When talking about his feelings upon arrival in Beijing, Hammond mentioned that: The air is pretty fresh. He commented that compared to 2013, the air quality in Beijing has significantly improved, thanks to China's unremitting efforts in pursuing sustainable development and using clean energy. "China pays attention to environmental development and makes the whole country cleaner."

From north China to south China, from enterprises to universities, ever since Hammond took office as the ambassador, his schedule has been tightly packed with travels across China. Whenever I go to different areas, the local people would always present to me their local specialties with pride, Hammond told us, Everyone would friendly share with you the local culture and cuisine. Chinese people have great hospitality.

Through peoples joyful faces, Hammond could strongly feel the seismic changes of the Chinese society. He believes that If a country wants to develop, it should pay special attention to its rural areas. In China, Ive seen that the rural people were not left behind in the countrys process of development. According to him, the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the government not only have helped the rural people get engaged in farming and agriculture, but also have been dedicated to securing peoples livelihood through building the rural medical care and education system as well as promoting the environmental development in the rural. It is quite a feat that China could manage to help so many people out of poverty within such a short period of time. I believe the CPC will lead China to even greater achievements, Hammond noted.

Kingsford who comes from Ghana founded Hainan Kingsford International Trading Company in Haikou and also opened a second office for the company in Ghana. The company is mainly engaged in import and export trade, focusing on products such as shea butter and African black soap. His company enjoys the duty-free policy of the Free Trade Port in Hainan, importing raw materials from Africa and other places, and processing them into products in Hainan for sale to mainland China and the rest of the world, free of import duties, import links VAT and consumption tax. (Photo/Yuan Chen)

I was recommended Chinese products while browsing the Internet

In todays world, no country is an island, Hammond stated, In the new historic period, we long to see Chinas enhanced cooperation and exchanges with the world. Hammond has confidence over the future between China and Africa. According to him, China has maintained good relations with many African countries and benefited the African people. Ghanas largest trading partner and investor is China. To our generation, in various filed like road, railway and bridge construction as well as agriculture and industry, we see Chinese friends everywhere. Ghana longs to deepen cooperation with China.

Friends all sent over greetings when they heard that Hammond was about to take office as Ambassador of Ghana to China, You seem to have many more friends all of a sudden! He smiled.

Hammond believes that Africa is not only endowed with abundant natural resources, but also huge potential markets for development. It can achieve win-win with Chinese investors. The Secretariat of the African Continental Free Trade Area is located in Ghana. Its member countries will integrate the resources of the African continent and enhance cooperation. Development of infrastructure should take the lead. Hammond says that in this regard, both the "the Belt and Road" initiative that emphasizes connectivity and the "China-Africa Cooperation Vision 2035" that clearly puts forward the trade promotion program have provided Africa with development opportunities.

Hammond pays special attention to development of E-commerce. According to him, the Ghanaian people have extensive needs for Chinese products. From construction materials, telecommunication gadgets to food, products manufactured by China have already become part of life for the Ghanaian. Before coming to China, I was recommended Chinese goods when browsing the Internet, Hammond said, China has indeed offered a diversified selection of products to Ghana and to Africa at large.

Ghanaian girls in national costume. (Photo/Ghana Tourism Authority)

Chinese language skills make a plus

Hammond sincerely hopes that as the two countries continue to deepen the economic and trade relations, the people-to-people exchanges would also be closer. Maintaining close economic and trade cooperation with China can further open up the door to China for the young Ghanaian. In Hammonds eyes, todays China has worldwide influence. Learning the Chinese language, culture and technologies can not only bring personal development opportunities to individuals, but also facilitate ones contribution to the country in terms of knowledge and strength.

Hammond said joyfully, ever since the establishment of the Confucius Institute in Ghana in 2013, many young Ghanaian people have developed strong interests in learning Chinese. Over the past nine years, more than 40,000 Ghanaian students have studied in the Confucius Institute. Chinese has opened up a window for them to get closer to the Chinese culture. Apart from language learning, students in the Ghana Confucius Institute also share with each other traditional Chinese knowledge in tea, traditional Chinese medicine, calligraphy, Chinese Kungfu (Chinese martial arts), etc., to constantly boost their senses of closeness to China. We highly appreciate this opportunity to learn more about China. This is a valuable asset, said Hammond.

Hammond shared in smiles that in his casual time, he would spare time out to learn Chinese, but his speed of progress is far behind his own children. One of them is attending school in Beijing. Chinese is a mandatory subject. The other child is determined to come to China for doctors degree. He is diligently learning Chinese back in Ghana. We really envy those who speak fluent Chinese. We attach great importance to Chinese education. Hammond believes that in todays world, speaking Chinese would get one some extra points and make one more competitive at work. The young Ghanaian people like China a lot, thanks to our contact and exchanges with China in the past decades. We long to continue to deepen bilateral exchanges and together stride toward a shared future.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun)
A Place for All Conservatives to Speak Their Mind.
Osita Okechukwu, director-general of the Voice of Nigeria (VON), says northern Christians will not vote for Atiku Abubakar, presidential c...

Osita Okechukwu, director-general of the Voice of Nigeria (VON), says northern Christians will not vote for Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Okechukwu spoke while fielding questions from journalists in Abuja on Sunday.

He said the APC will change whatever is not working in the country if the party wins the 2023 elections.

Our first slogan in APC is change. Our mantra is change. We will not remain static, never. We will change whatever is not working. All we ask Nigerians is to give us another 8 years as you gave our sister political party, the PDP, he said.

Regarding the northern Christians outrage over APCs Muslim-Muslim ticket; if any pundit thinks they will vote for Atiku, my answer is capital NO. No matter what, they know he is bringing nothing new to the table.

But I know that in the fullness of time, contrary to the speculations of spin doctors, they would not vote for the former vice-president.

Find out. Northern Christians do not trust Atiku. They know his cherry-picking antics as per rule of law and rotation convention. They also know his ambivalence on religion, as demonstrated in the late Deborahs imbroglio in Sokoto, which is still fresh in the mind of every Christian.

Secondly, they know that Tinubu and by extension the Yorubas DNA is devoid of religious extremism and bigotry. Yorubas celebrate Eid and Xmas together.

Okechucku alleged that Atiku breached the rotation agreement of the opposition party.

They are fully aware that Atiku has violently breached the rotation convention of president from north to south and, painfully, by extension, of the PDPs constitution. If he fails as in 2019, the rotation convention goal post must be shifted, he said.

It is on record that Atiku enjoyed and celebrated rotation convention when in 2018, Governor Nyesom Wike and other southerners in obedience to the letters and spirit of section 3(c) of PDPs constitution allowed only northern presidential aspirants to contest in Port Harcourt.

But in the 2022 PDP presidential primary election, he fought tooth and nail to jettison the rotation convention, arguing childishly that it is not applicable to PDP. Hence, breached section 3(c) of PDPs constitution. Some of us southerners are as hurt as northern Christians over this willful breach.
Oseni Rufai, Arise Television journalist, has alleged that a police officer forcefully took his car over alleged traffic violation. The ...

Oseni Rufai, Arise Television journalist, has alleged that a police officer forcefully took his car over alleged traffic violation.

The journalist said a police officer pointed a gun at him because he committed a traffic offence.

A Nigerian police officer pointed a gun at me and forcefully took my keys and drove my car off, because he wanted to enforce a traffic infraction, he wrote on Twitter .

Reacting to Osenis statement, Benjamin Hundeyin, Lagos police spokesperson, said the journalist disobeyed traffic laws and resisted the police.

He said Oseni admitted to committing a traffic offence by passing through the bus rapid transit (BRT) lane, and that his claim that he was misdirected by Google Maps is not tenable.

Hundeyin, however, said the police will pay attention to the issue and sanction the officer involved if found guilty.

Rufai, lets not do this. You admitted to me that you passed a BRT lane. Its against the law, he wrote on Twitter .

Your claim that google maps took you there is not tenable. You disobeyed and resisted the officers. We will sanction the officer who misused firearm if proven

Well sanction the officer who misused firearm if proven, the spokesman assured.

In a tweet, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olus Chief Press Secretary, Gboyega Akosile said the pundit will be prosecuted.

Thank you Rufai, while the @PoliceNG deal with the police officer in their own way, wed ensure that necessary action is taken against you for driving on BRT lane as youve admitted to the police.

Youre a lawbreaker and you should face the necessary penalties, the media aide added.
The Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has scheduled a meeting for Wednesday as part of plans to reconcile the ...

The Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has scheduled a meeting for Wednesday as part of plans to reconcile the Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike and other aggrieved party members.

The Chairman of BoT, Senator Walid Jibrin also disclosed that the BoT would also meet with presidential aspirants.

He expressed concern that the primary election that produced the presidential candidate of the party, Atiku Abubakar and the subsequent appointment of the Governor of Delta state, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa as the vice presidential candidate was causing unnecessary confusion among some PDP members.

Jibrin stressed that there was no problem as envisaged by some people in the main opposition party.

He stated: I want to assure everyone that all plans are on ground to bring all members together as one and united. What is happening in PDP can never be compared with the situation in APC, especially their plans in trying to bring religious issues of Muslim-Muslim president and vice president.

Jibrin noted that some groups are trying to reconcile aggrieved members, saying the latest intervention was coming from some former and serving governors of the party.

He added: The aim of the group is to reconcile aggrieved people, especially Wike. Interestingly, the BoT the highest advisory body and the conscience of the party are meeting on Wednesday, 3rd August, to discuss the issues accordingly by coming up with strong recommendations with the special committee for the special reconciliation of aggrieved members, especially governor wike.

After the BoT meeting we will meet with and wike and all aggrieved members and all past presidential Aspirants. It is my prayer as Chairman of BoT that the PDP will remain strongest and win all elections in 2023.
The Vice Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ifeanyi Okowa, has claimed Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State is ...

The Vice Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ifeanyi Okowa, has claimed Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State is his friend.

Okowa said this while commenting on the ongoing crisis in the PDP.

The Delta State governor said he is making an effort to reach out to Wike, adding that everything is being settled bit by bit.

Recall that Wike is disgruntled over PDP presidential candidate Atiku Abubakars choice of Okowa as his running mate.

Atiku had rejected the recommendations of a committee he set up to select his running mate after his victory at the PDP presidential primaries.

The 16-man committee had recommended Wike, who came second during the partys primary election but Atiku opted for Okowa, insisting that he picked who could deliver.

Speaking on the development, Okowa, however, said in an interview with BBC pidgin, We have been talking internally. Everything is being settled. You know that when something happens and everybody cant agree, its settled bit by bit.

That is what we are still working on from the inside. We are finding a way to talk. I will say, he is my friend, I am his friend, and we will find a way to talk.

Atiku has said his own version of what happened, and I am sure that version he said is the true position. I am also not saying that Wike is lying, but if someone carries their anger, it is important to air your views. For us in the party, its about how to bring everybody together, how all of us can work together. Wike is still a very important member of the party, he has worked so hard for the party as many of us have worked hard too, so we pray that everything comes together and we talk. Im sure very soon we will be sitting down.
Ifeanyi Okowa, governor of Delta, says Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), does not have the needed experience to ...

Ifeanyi Okowa, governor of Delta, says Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), does not have the needed experience to lead Nigeria.

Okowa, who is the vice-presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), spoke in an interview with BBC pidgin.

While admitting that Obi has experience from being a former governor, he, however, added that it is not deep enough to lead Nigeria.

I did not say he wont have any votes, he will have. But what Im saying is that hes not a new candidate. It has not been long since he left PDP. You know he was in APGA before, from APGA he came to PDP. It hasnt been long since he left (PDP) so he cannot say anything about PDP because thats where he was before, he said.

Some of us are still here. At every party, there are good people and bad people. But todays Nigeria is very troubled and we need the right person. That is why I am appealing to our youths be wise and vote well, they should not be blinded by the concept of a false change because that is how they raved on Jonathan in 2015.

His (Obi) previous experience is not enough for this one (presidency), it will be hard. His experience is not deep enough. Even as a current governor ruling in a time of crisis, I know how hard it is. I even want to learn under Atiku because he has experience with the federal government. The thing is not easy. For them to have handled the economy at that time and made it something better, offering hope, creating jobs, and filtering the society, was not easy because its a bigger thing. So someone is supposed to learn through that. If you look at Obis experience youll know its small.

Speaking on the crisis in the PDP, Okowa said Nyesom Wike, governor of Rivers, is his friend and that he is making an effort to reach out to him.





Weve been talking internally, everything is being settled. You know that when something happens and everybody cant agree, its settled bit by bit. That is what were still working on from the inside. We are finding a way to talk Ill say, he is my friend, I am his friend, and we will find a way to talk, he said.

Atiku has said his own version of what happened, and I am sure that version he said is the true position. I am also not saying that Wike is lying, but if someone carries their anger, it is important to air your views. For us in the party, its about how to bring everybody together, how all of us can work together. Wike is still a very important member of the party, he has worked so hard for the party as many of us have worked hard too so we pray that everything comes together and we talk. Im sure very soon well be sitting down.

The decision of Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the PDP, to name Okowa as his running mate for the 2023 presidential election caused division in the party.

Some party stakeholders, including Samuel Ortom, governor of Benue, had expressed concerns over Atikus decision to ignore Wike, who was recommended for the position by the partys national working committee (NWC). Wike placed second in the partys presidential primary election which took place in May.

But in a recent interview, Atiku said the panel did not choose Wike and that he did not pick Wike as his running mate because he wanted someone he could work with amicably.

Responding to the claims made by the PDP presidential candidate in the interview, Wike accused Atiku of lying, saying he would speak on the matter soon.
Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola said he opted not to seek any political position in 2023 because he believes at his age, ...

Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola said he opted not to seek any political position in 2023 because he believes at his age, politicians should quit for younger elements to blossom.

We are talking about young people, is it not time for us to leave the space? The former two-term Lagos governor enthused in an interview with Punch. I came in at 39, Im going at 60, let some 30-year olds too come and start their journey. Its time to go.

Earlier touted as one of the frontrunners for presidency in the 2023, Mr Fashola abstained from joining the potpourri of contestants who jostled for his party, the All Progressives Congress ticket in the June 7 primary election.

Im going home, he stressed when asked of his next political move.

You see, next year, it will be 35 years since I left school, 1988 to 2023. So, if I took a public service career, I will retire next year, because the rule is 35 years of service or 60 years of age, and coincidentally by next year, Ill be 60 years.

The APC is sponsoring Bola Tinubu, 70, as its presidential candidate in the 2023 elections. Mr Tinubu is Mr Fasholas predecessor and political benefactor in Lagos.

But Mr Fashola said he cannot answer for his partys decision to field the septuagenarian for Nigerias top job, saying it was Mr Tinubus personal decision.

Ive answered you about myself and thats my own decision. The candidate also has his own decision to make that he wants to lead the country in an elected capacity, Mr Fashola said.

Mr Fasholas statement echoes that of former president Olusegun Obasanjos.

Mr Obasanjo had charged Nigerian youth to take over leadership now and not wait for tomorrow.
The Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN) of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has c...

The Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN) of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has called off its strike.

The union had embarked on a strike on June 22 over the non-payment of welfare packages.

Auwalu Kiyawa, Lagos state chairman of the union, had announced the strike, saying it will not be called off until the demands of the workers are met.

However, Abubakar Jimoh, NAFDAC spokesman, confirmed on Monday that the strike had been called off after the union reached an agreement with the agency.

Jimoh added that the staff had been instructed to resume immediately.

Yes, they have called off the strike and agreement reached with the union. The union has told the staff to resume work immediately, he said.

A source disclosed that only workers from the south had participated in the strike.

The source said though the entire union agreed on the matter of welfare package, the Abuja and northern axis of the union excluded themselves from participating in the strike.

The Abuja axis believes that the strike is premature and that they will not join, the source had said.

The issue is bordering on staff welfare. The Lagos and Abuja chapters are unanimous on the issue, but the method of achieving it is what they disagreed on, particularly the timing.

The union had also gone on strike in 2021 over the backlog of unpaid financial claims, poor work environment, lack of staff bus to ease transportation difficulties, and discriminatory payment of COVID palliative.
The Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Gani Adams has alleged of plots by terrorists to attack Lagos, Oyo, and Ogun States. Adams said intellig...





The Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Gani Adams has alleged of plots by terrorists to attack Lagos, Oyo, and Ogun States.





Adams said intelligence report at his disposal showed that terrorists were setting up camps in forests in Osun, Oyo and Ogun States.





He disclosed this in a statement issued by his Media Aide, Kehinde Aderemi.





Adams said the terrorists were seen with a large cache of ammunition.





He urged the Southwest governors to use local security agents in tackling the impending attacks.





Adams said the terrorists would never be allowed to attack the Southwest.





We are aware of their plans to strike in Lagos, Ibadan, Oyo State and Abeokuta in Ogun State, however, I implore all the governors in the south-west to recruit local security service structure in their various local governments.





Information reaching me today is that the terrorists are in-between Osu forest and Ile Ife, Osun State, fully armed with various ammunition and they are presently in the forest between Abeokuta and Ibadan planning to attack us in the south-west, he said.





Recall that Adams had said the security challenges and the state of the country showed that Nigeria was sleepwalking into collapse.
Watertown, NY (13601)

Today

Cloudy early, then off and on rain showers for the afternoon. Thunder possible. High 81F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%..

Tonight

Cloudy. Slight chance of a rain shower. Low near 60F. Winds light and variable.
Watertown, NY (13601)

Today

Cloudy skies with a few showers this afternoon. Thunder possible. High 81F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 30%..

Tonight

Cloudy skies early, then off and on rain showers overnight. Low near 60F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 40%.
Watertown, NY (13601)

Today

Considerable cloudiness. Occasional rain showers this afternoon. Thunder possible. High near 80F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%..

Tonight

Cloudy skies this evening. A few showers developing late. Low around 60F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 30%.
The City Council on July 29 asked a civil district court judge to block Mayor LaToya Cantrells handling of the Wisner Land Trust, arguing she has illegally diverted millions of dollars away from the city into the pockets of private interests.

It is the latest installment in an ongoing battle over the land trust, which encompasses more than 50,000 acres in Jefferson, Lafourche and St. John the Baptist parishes.

The land trust, which includes property leased by several lucrative oil and gas companies, was supposed to expire in 2014 and become property of the city.

But that has proven easier said than done. Former Mayor Mitch Landrieu essentially kicked the can down the road by issuing several temporary extensions to the trusts old pay out structure. Then in 2020, Cantrell quietly made the extension permanent.

It was a move that has left the council  which had called for repeated investigations into the land assets worth, as well as requests for proposals on what to do with it once it became public  fuming.

There was no legal way to do this, District A Council Member Joe Giarrusso said Monday.

My analogy is this: If you think of the trust as a person, once the person is expired  its dead. It cannot be resuscitated or revised  [Cantrells] ratification attempting to revive all of this is incorrect, because its dead.

The land trust was established in 1914 by banker and philanthropist Edward Wisner, and it divided his wealth between his family and attorneys, Charity Hospital (now LSU Health Sciences Center), the Salvation Army, Tulane University and the mayor of New Orleans, who was to receive 34.8% of it.

Through what is known as the Wisner Donation, the mayors office historically issued grants with its portion of the funds in order to support organizations focused on beautification, recreation, education and human services.

But Wisner had stipulated that the land trust expire on its 100th anniversary in 2014  and that all of it be surrendered to the city.

A Landrieu administration dispute over whether the city needed board permission for its Wisner Donation grants previously led to a lawsuit, with the state appeals court ruling that board approval was, in fact, required. But the court also ruled the trust should have been terminated in 2014.

Council members for two years have been arguing that Cantrells permanent extension of the trust was unilateral and undermined their authority. According to the City Charter, the mayor is required to get the councils approval before any modifications can be made to a trust that benefits the city.

The petition filed in court names Cantrell and several Wisner successors as defendants.

Council members say it remains unclear how much the land trust is worth. Earlier this spring, Cantrells administration estimated it was worth $17 million, according to the Times-Picayune. But the council suspects it could be worth more than $110 million.

Cantrells office declined to comment on the issue because it typically does not discuss active litigation.

But Giarrusso had plenty to say.

The city is entitled to 100% of the corpus, he said. We want to make sure the residents are getting all of what they are entitled to instead of the 35% ... Everything belongs to us.
Check out going back to school with the St. Tammany Library
You dont think my child is going to plunge to his death in an industrial building when he is poised in every way for a great life, said mother of Anthony Clawson, who died Saturday.
UK's Prince Charles, the longest-serving heir apparent to the throne in British history, accepted a donation of 1 million pounds (USD 1.21 million) from the family of Osama bin Laden in 2013.

As first reported by The Sunday Times of London, The Prince of Wales's Charitable Fund received the donation in 2013 from the brothers Bakr and Shafiq bin Laden, half-brothers of Osama bin Laden, the founder of Al Qaeda and architect of the September 11 attacks, quoted The New York Times (NYT).

Clarence House confirmed that the terrorist's brothers donated money to the royal charity, but denied reports that the prince had personally brokered the deal or made the decision to accept it.

"The Prince of Wales' Charitable Fund has assured us that thorough due diligence was undertaken in accepting this donation," read a statement released by Clarence House.

"The decision to accept was taken by the charity's trustees alone and any attempt to characterize it otherwise is false," the statement added.

News of the payment follows a series of recent royal scandals, including a report in June that Prince Charles had accepted USD 3.1 million in cash donations from a Qatari billionaire between 2011 and 2015, some of which was received personally in a suitcase and shopping bags, reported NYT.

The UK paper reported that Prince Charles had brokered the payment after a private meeting with Bakr bin Laden at Clarence House in London on October 30, 2013, two years after Osama bin Laden was killed in Pakistan.

The paper also reported that the heir to the throne had agreed to accept the donation despite the vocal objections of his own advisers, reported NYT.

Some of the prince's aides had warned Charles of the inevitable blowback should it become known that his charity had accepted money from the family of the man who orchestrated the terrorist attacks that killed nearly 3,000 people, including 67 Britons.

A royal official, unauthorized to speak publicly, denied that the prince accepted the donation, negotiated the deal or was advised to return the money, reported NYT.

Founded in 1979, The Prince of Wales's Charitable Fund says that its mission is "to transform lives and build sustainable communities by awarding grants to a wide range of good causes within our core funding themes: heritage and conservation, education, health and well-being, social inclusion, environment and countryside."
Godfrey Hirst has abandoned its claim for damages and agreed to provide details of its own advertising campaigns after it acknowledged during a High Court hearing that it had not provided all documents relevant to the case.

The hearing follows an ongoing David versus Goliath battle with Godfrey Hirst attempting to prevent NZ owned Bremworth making specific claims about the benefits of wool carpets.

Godfrey Hirst is owned by the worlds largest flooring company, Mohawk Industries, who also owns the Feltex brand. Listed on the New York Stock Exchange, Mohawk has annual revenues in excess of US$11.2bn and has a significant share of the plastic-based synthetic carpet market.

In 2020 Bremworth, which has manufacturing facilities in Napier, Whanganui and Papatoetoe, adopted a new strategy which saw it shift to 100% NZ wool fibres for the production of wool carpets.

The move has been seen as a significant boost for New Zealands agricultural sector and potentially the countrys export revenues at a time when wool sales had slumped. Bremworth has also reduced its own consumption of imported plastic raw materials by approximately 2,500 tonnes per annum.

While latest Government data shows the value of New Zealands wool product exports, of which most is carpet, has fallen by 44% over the past six years, there are positive signs for the industry with forecasts projecting a 10% increase in export revenue for 2023.

Godfrey Hirst brought a case against Bremworth saying the NZ companys claims around wool carpets being "better for the environment" and that a switch from synthetics to all wool carpets is "changing for good" are misleading.

This was despite Godfrey Hirst making similar claims, including that they pride themselves on making the most environmentally friendly carpet on the planet.

As part of the legal process, Bremworths counsel requested that Godfrey Hirst provide copies of its own advertising along with details of Godfrey Hirst's engagement with the Commerce Commission prior to bringing its claim (the Commission took no enforcement action) and what Godfrey Hirst had been communicating to the industry.

At the hearing before Associate Judge Johnston, Godfrey Hirst acknowledged it had failed to provide all of its relevant advertising.

Through its legal counsel Godfrey Hirst said it would be providing the advertising at a future date, however, the company would be dropping its damages claim against Bremworth.

Greg Smith, Bremworth CEO, says the company, which has been voted New Zealands most trusted carpet brand, stands by its Lets Go Good Together campaign which does not in any way mislead NZ consumers.

Smith says he believes that wool carpets are not only the best for design and performance on the floor, wool fibre is also NZ grown, natural, biodegradable and renewable.

New Zealands wool industry has struggled in recent decades against the backdrop of cheaper synthetic alternatives, but the world is changing and we are confident our homegrown wool is the natural solution to imported synthetic carpet fibres.

Our research shows more consumers see the benefits of wool, however we still have a significant amount of work to do to provide the farming sector with the reassurance they need to remain committed to the industry in the long term.

Rebuilding the domestic and export industry and educating the market requires a significant investment and our full attention - which this court action is an obvious diversion away from.

As a company we remain committed to supporting New Zealands wool sector and working to promote the lifestyle and design benefits of this natural fibre.

We firmly believe it is a consumers right to make an informed choice between wool products and synthetic alternatives which are essentially plastic, he says.

1 August 2022

-ENDS

GodfreyHirstDropsClaimsForDamages

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Two people were found dead inside a burned vehicle in the path of the raging McKinney Fire in Northern California, according to the Siskiyou County Sheriffs Office.

The bodies were found around 10 a.m. PT on Sunday by fire personnel battling the fire.

The vehicle was located in a residential driveway along Doggett Creek Road, which is off of Highway 96, west of the Klamath River, police said in a statement.

No information has been released about the victims identities.

The fire started after 2 p.m. on July 29 as firefighters responded to a newly reported wildfire in the Klamath National Forest.

The McKinney Fire has become the states largest wildfire so far this year. It has scorched over 55,493 acres and remains 0 percent contained as of Monday morning.

Triple-digit heat and erratic winds have created an extreme wildfire threat, officials said.

The fuel beds are so dry and they can just erupt from that lightning, U.S. Forest Service spokesperson Adrienne Freeman said. These thunder cells come with gusty erratic winds that can blow fire in every direction.

The National Weather Service issued red flag warnings on Sunday as the fire continued to burn near the CaliforniaOregon border. Over 2 million people are under the warnings in parts of Northern California, central Oregon, eastern Washington, Montana, eastern Wyoming, western South Dakota, and northwestern Nebraska.

Heat, instability, and increasing moisture along with multiple low-pressure impulses moving through this afternoon/evening and again Tuesday are expected to bring isolated to scattered thunderstorms and abundant lightning on dry fuels to the area, the National Weather Service said Sunday.

Dry thunderstorms ignited several smaller fires throughout northern Siskiyou County and the Klamath National Forest, forest service officials said in a news update.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency Saturday for Siskiyou County due to the effects of the McKinney Fire, which has destroyed homes, threatened critical infrastructure, and forced the evacuation of almost 2,000 residents.
Republicans on the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis and the House Oversight Committee have joined forces in an investigation over the thousands of nursing home deaths in New York state during the COVID-19 pandemic, saying New York Democrats ignored previous inquiries.

The controversy began in 2020 when thousands of New York nursing home residents died during the pandemic, drawing extra scrutiny to then-Gov. Andrew Cuomos policy of sending elderly patients recovering from COVID-19 into nursing homes.

Afterward, Cuomo came under fire over allegations that he intentionally hid nursing home deaths. New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli released an audit earlier this year saying New Yorks Health Department failed to account for more than approximately 4,100 lives in nursing homes due to COVID-19.

While the Departments duty is to act solely to promote public health, we determined that, rather than providing accurate and reliable information during a public health emergency, the Department instead conformed its presentation to the Executives narrative, often presenting data in a manner that misled the public, the audit said.

Lawmakers sent a letter to New York Gov. Kathy Hochul demanding records of key information, including how many total deaths there were and what directives were issued by the governors office regarding hospital discharges to nursing homes or any and all other types of assisted living facilities

We owe it to the thousands of families who lost loved ones in New York nursing homes to hold Governor Cuomo accountable for his reckless policies that likely contributed to their deaths, Oversight Committee Ranking Member James Comer said. Its past time New York officials provide Congress all information and data about former Governor Cuomos deadly order. We need answers and accountability now.

The Republicans say they previously sent inquiries to Cuomos office to no avail.

Every family deserves answers and accountability for Corrupt Cuomos order that resulted in the deaths of thousands of seniors in New Yorks nursing homes. For the sake of families who needlessly lost loved ones, I am providing critical oversight of all data on Cuomos deadly order, House Republican Conference Chairwoman Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) said. We must know how much Kathy Hochul knew about Cuomos criminal nursing home coverup and have accountability for the senseless loss of lives.

Hochuls office did not respond to a request for comment in time for publication.

By Casey Harper
CROWN POINT  A 47-year-old man admitted Friday to shooting another man in the stomach during a fight last year at an East Chicago liquor store, court records show.

Tavaris L. Cooley, of East Chicago, pleaded guilty to battery resulting in moderate bodily injury, a level 6 felony.

If Lake Criminal Court Judge Salvador Vasquez accepts Cooley's plea agreement, he could face a sentence of six months to 2 1/2 years.

If the judge orders Cooley to serve any time incarcerated, he would serve it in the Lake County Community Corrections alternative placement program, the plea agreement states.

In exchange for Cooley's plea, Lake County prosecutors agreed to dismiss three higher battery counts.

Cooley admitted he began arguing with a man he's known for decades March 13, 2021, inside the Gas Center Liquor Store at 5680 Indianapolis Blvd. and the confrontation turned physical.

The man was taken to a hospital and underwent surgery after Cooley shot him, court records state.

Cooley was represented by attorney Maryam Afshar-Stewart. His sentencing was set for Sept. 1.
HOBART  One Dyer resident is dead and another is in critical condition after their kayaks overturned Sunday night on Robinson Lake in Hobart, according to Indiana Department of Natural Resources spokesman Tyler Brock.

The deceased is being identified at this time only as a 19-year-old man.

The man was declared dead at the scene, Brock said.

A spokesperson for the Lake County coroner's office was not immediately available Monday morning for comment.

A 54-year-old Dyer woman was in critical condition Monday, Brock said.

"The identities of the involved individuals are being withheld to allow family to make the appropriate notifications," he said.

Emergency officials were contacted around 8:15 p.m. Sunday by witnesses who saw two kayakers tip over on the lake and begin struggling about 200 feet offshore, Brock said.

"As the kayakers struggled, one witness entered the water to rescue them," he said. "During that attempt, both kayakers went under the surface of the water. The witness located the female and swam her back to shore with the help of a Hobart police officer who arrived on scene."

Hobart Police Chief Garrett Ciszewski said Officer Garrett White, who was the first on the scene at 5300 Liverpool Road, joined others in removing the female from the water and starting CPR.

Officers Andrew Cafiero and Ryan Zuklin continued CPR until Hobart firefighters arrived to take over.

"The woman was transported to St. Mary's Hospital, where she remains in critical condition," Brock said.

"Officers continued to search the water for the second, male victim until divers arrived from Hobart Fire Department and Lake County Dive team entered the waters," Ciszewski said.

The man's body was recovered by Crown Point Fire Department divers around 9:08 p.m., according to Brock.

"Initial investigation revealed that both kayakers had wearable life jackets with them, but were not wearing them at the time of the incident," he said.

Indiana conservation officers and the Lake County coroner's office are investigating.

"Heroic efforts on the part of bystanders, Hobart Firefighters & Hobart Police saved the life of one person that went under the water at Robinson Lake tonight," the Hobart Fire Department posted on social media. "Unfortunately, one other person has passed."

"Personal flotation devices are necessary pieces of equipment when on any body of water," the department said.

Other assisting agencies included the Lake County Sheriff's Department, Cedar Lake Fire Department, Merrillville Fire Department and Superior Ambulance.

Come back to nwi.com for updates as they become available.
McDonalds Contract Update and Earnings Guidance

o Restructuring of Plexures commercial terms with its largest client, McDonalds Corporation.

o Reinforces McDonalds relationship  new 5-year contract term, with further renewal on agreement by the parties.

o Plexure division now profitable following completion of transformation  cost base reduced and operational improvements delivering.

o Wider Group (being the merged Plexure and TASK entities) immediately profitable and cashflow positive.

Auckland, New Zealand - Plexure Group Limited (NZX/ASX: PX1 or Plexure) announces that it has entered into new agreements (Contracts) with its largest customer, McDonalds Corporation (McDonalds), for Plexures digital customer engagement platform.

Under the Contracts, Plexure will continue to provide its platform to McDonalds over the next five years, for net positive cashflow per annum, subject to operational performance. This compares with previous losses from the Plexure division. Further description of the Contracts is set out in the Appendix to this announcement.

Plexures digital customer engagement platform and unique data-driven capabilities support 147 million customer interactions each day for McDonalds. Plexures technology powers digital loyalty, personalisation, ordering and payment via the McDonalds mobile app for customers across 66 markets, including major markets such as Italy and Japan.

Plexure Group CEO Dan Houden said: We are excited about our continued partnership with McDonalds and look forward to working collaboratively toward our mutual goal of delivering excellent experiences for McDonalds customers through our world-leading customer engagement platform.

Transformation of Plexure Division Complete

The renegotiation of the Contracts completes the transformation of the Plexure division under the new management team in place following the merger of TASK and Plexure in September 2021. This transformation includes:

o Business restructure  including a significant reduction in the cost base of the Plexure division;

o Operational improvement  improved performance of the Plexure division, including expanded technological capabilities and scalability;

o Improved contract terms  profitable commercial terms secured, as described above.

The TASK division continues to deliver profitable revenue growth through its leading enterprise solution to stadiums, casinos, multi-site QSR or casual dining and large-scale food services companies across the globe.

Plexure Group CEO, Dan Houden, added:

The renegotiated commercial terms with McDonalds represent the culmination of a major transformation of the Plexure division underway since the merger with TASK. The transformation immediately underpins Group profitability and enables the business to focus on driving profitable growth by leveraging its combined technology stack to provide an end-to-end cloud engagement and transaction platform at scale for the global QSR and hospitality sector.

Earnings Guidance

Plexure is pleased to provide earnings guidance for the Group, reflecting the significant improvement in performance following the successful turnaround of the Plexure division in particular, as described in this announcement.

Plexure expects, for the year ending 31 March 2023, total revenue of circa NZD$56 million, compared with NZD$32.6 million reported in the previous financial year . EBITDA, adjusted for non-cash employee share charges of NZD$5.2 million, is expected to be a profit of NZD$3.7 million for the year. This compares to an adjusted EBITDA loss of NZD$13.1 million for the previous financial year.

The Plexure division will deliver positive operating cash flow that will enable the Group to invest in the TASK divisions growth in particular and seek to realise the potential of the Group.

ENDS

PX1 McDonald's Contract Update and Earnings Guidance 1-Aug-22

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CALUMET CITY  In a pair of unanimous votes last week, the City Council approved a $53 million budget and the possible first step in a redevelopment plan for River Oaks Center, which the city is negotiating to buy.

Council members gave the city's finance team the go-ahead to prepare the documents that would be necessary to seek bonds for the River Oaks redevelopment.

The redevelopment could include replacing the vacant Sears store  which closed in 2013  in the mall's northeast corner with a $79 million water park.

The second phase of the project could include the construction of the south wing of a hotel catering to families with younger children. The third phase could feature building the north wing of the hotel, targeted at the business community with conference facilities and a rooftop bar and pool.

The city already owns the former Sears property, which covers 27 acres and has been appraised at $1.9 million, and plans to sell it to Chicago-based Jackson Nuckolls Group LLC for redevelopment.

River Oaks was opened as an outdoor mall in 1966 and was converted to an indoor mall in a 1994 redevelopment. Two anchor stores, Sears and Carson's, closed in 2013, leaving two remaining anchors: Macy's, the successor to original anchor Marshall Field's, and JCPenney. The latter was announced to be closing in 2020, but that decision was reversed.

Another possible component of the River Oaks redevelopment plan is an overhaul of the 200-acre indoor mall, whose lack of upkeep has been a source of criticism from both business owners and the administrations of current Calumet City Mayor Thaddeus Jones and his predecessor, Michelle Markiewicz Qualkinbush.

That has spurred Jones' push for the city to buy the mall from current owners, Namdar Realty Group and Mason Asset Management.

"Upon being elected in 2021, I made it quite clear to the mall owners that Calumet City would no longer tolerate the current disposition of the property," Jones said in a statement. "The current operation has become the laughingstock of Cook County. The City Council and I will not stand idle and allow this precious gem to continue to be a cesspool for crime and mismanagement."

Budget

The city's $53 million budget for the 2022-23 fiscal year is an increase of $4 million from the current year.

It includes $8 million in new revenue, without a tax increase. Jones credited that in part to an increase in the number of businesses in the city from 415 to 628.

Other highlights of the budget:

Cutting city expenditures by $500,000;

Reducing Fire Department overtime from $1.3 million to $800,000 in conjunction with the hiring of additional firefighters;

Hiring nine additional police officers, with plans to hire 10 more in 2023, and the implementation of bike and ATV patrols;

Reduced health care costs by $350,000.

"I am grateful to the Aldermen for passing this budget," Jones said in a statement. "It addresses a variety of issues and potential challenges impacting our residents. This budget will allow us to not only fulfill the obligation to our residents and youth, but we now can aggressively capture this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to transform our city for the better."
The Indiana Department of Transportation is collecting comments on a plan to install electric vehicle charging stations as part of a federally funded program to create a network of half a million charging stations nationwide.

Intended to reduce the range anxiety that can keep people from buying electric cars and trucks, the plan details the states proposal for using nearly $100 million in National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure money to create Indianas share of a nationwide network of 500,000 charging stations by 2030.

The federal funding, part of last year's infrastructure bill, will be distributed over five years for the construction and operation of Direct-Current Fast Charging Stations along federally designated Alternative Fuel Corridors, which in Indiana include all interstate highways plus U.S. 31. INDOT also hopes to have U.S. 30 designated an AFC.

The vision (for EV) really complements the state and INDOTs larger vision for infrastructure and transportation, INDOT Deputy Commissioner Scott Manning said during an online presentation on the plan in May. Alongside the states Next Level road and bridge plan, he said, the goal for the EV plan is to create a reliable EV network that can be maintained and operated by private entities to minimize ongoing public funding.

The federal requirement is to have a charging station within 50 miles of any point on the corridors. Indiana currently has 354 charging stations, including various stations on private networks including Teslas, but only 23 are of the DC Fast Charging type and just four are NEVI compliant  meaning theyre located within one mile of an AFC.

Manning said Indianas planning should put stations closer than the 50-mile spacing requirement.

Electric vehicles in Indiana  Total registered EVs: 6,990 (ranking 25th in the U.S.)  Percentage of registered vehicles that are electric: 0.11%  Charging stations: 354 (29th in U.S.)  Charging ports per 100 EVs: 13.6 (38th in U.S.)  Registration fees: $150 annually for EVs; $50 for hybrids and PHEVs. Source: INDOT

A local match of 20% to the federal money is required, for which INDOT hopes to engage in public-private partnerships to achieve as much of the financing as possible. The state is also using money from the Volkswagen emissions settlement to fund its electric vehicle infrastructure work.

The INDOT plan includes three phases. The first, essentially for planning, will run from October of this year through September 2023; the second, to create charging stations in high demand areas, from June 30, 2024, to June 30, 2025; and the third, starting Sept. 30, 2024, to build out the network.

INDOT and its partners would be starting with those locations where we have the necessary power infrastructure and all of the other components necessary to get the program launched successfully, Manning said during the online session. Well continue to add additional phases and build out the plan as long as the federal funding allows us to do so.

INDOT has also worked with electric utilities on grid management issues the charging stations would create, likely requiring investments from the utilities and plans for load balancing, off-peak charging incentives, metering, battery storage and other practices.

The plan is available on INDOTs website, where public comment will be accepted through Aug. 20.

The plan is also under federal review by the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation, which is expected to complete its review by Sept. 30.
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham declared a state of emergency in the northeastern New Mexico city of Las Vegas on Friday, after the areas drinking water supply was threatened by damage from an out-of-control prescribed fire burn.

While the water was safe to drink, the authorities warned that there was only a two-month supply available for Las Vegas, a city of about 13,000 people.

The Gallinas River, which serves as the primary drinking source for the city, is covered with ash and soot from the Calf Canyon/Hermits Peak fire, which is now nearly contained after burning more than 341,000 acres.
Donald J. Trump called a top Republican in the State Legislature in Wisconsin in recent days to lobby for a measure that would overturn his 2020 loss in the state to President Biden, the latest signal that the former president remains undaunted by congressional and criminal investigations into his election meddling.

Mr. Trumps advisers said the former president saw an opening to press the Republican official, Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, after a Wisconsin Supreme Court ruling prohibited the use of most drop boxes for voters returning absentee ballots.

Since drop boxes were used during the 2020 election, Mr. Trump argued, the state should be able to invalidate the results of that election. He pushed Mr. Vos to support a resolution that would retract the states 10 electoral votes cast for Mr. Biden. Mr. Trumps advisers said the phone call took place on July 9  the day after the court issued its opinion.
Stuart Woods, a prolific, prizewinning mystery writer who churned out multiple best sellers during what his memoir duly described as an extravagant life, died on July 22 at his home in Washington, Conn. He was 84.

The death was confirmed by his wife, Jeanmarie Woods, his only immediate survivor. She did not specify a cause.

Mr. Woods, who was also a swashbuckling licensed private jet plane pilot and trans-Atlantic sailor with homes in New York, Maine and Florida, tacked into his career as a novelist somewhat haphazardly.
When Ms. Carroll makes her first entrance, Frank Rich wrote in The Times, a nervous silence falls over the audience at the Shakespeare Theater at the Folger here, as hundreds of eyes search for some trace of the woman theyve seen in a thousand television reruns. What they find instead is a Falstaff who could have stepped out of a formal painted portrait: a balding, aged knight with scattered tufts of silver hair and whiskers, an enormous belly, pink cheeks and squinting, froggy eyes that peer out through boozy mists. The sight is so eerie you grab onto your seat.

One realizes, Mr. Rich continued, that it is Shakespeares character, and not a camp parody, that is being served.

Patricia Ann Carroll was born on May 5, 1927, in Shreveport, La., and grew up in Los Angeles. Her father, Maurice, worked for the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power; her mother, Kathryn (Meagher) Carroll, worked in real estate and office management.

Ms. Carroll attended Immaculate Heart College in Los Angeles and later studied drama at the Catholic University of America in Washington, but she did not graduate from either school. I realized that what I was learning was not going to advance what I wished to do, she said in 2011. I always thought experience was the best preparation.

In 1947, Ms. Carroll left Los Angeles for Plymouth, Mass., where she worked at the Priscilla Beach Theater and, she said, ate, drank and breathed the theater. She made her professional stage debut there that year in A Goose for the Gander, starring Gloria Swanson. She eventually made it to New York, where, among other odd jobs, she shined shoes while pursuing theater work.
Here is what we know so far about some of the victims.

Nellie Mae Howard, 82

Image Nellie Mae Howard Credit...

Joe Engle, the sheriff of Perry County, interrupted his search for flood victims over the weekend to bury a loved one of his own in Chavies, Ky. Sheriff Engle, who is a pastor, said that walking by faith, rather than by sight, would be the theme of his sermon because that was how his great-aunt, Nellie Mae Howard, had lived.

During the storm, Ms. Howard sheltered at the home of her daughter, Patricia Collins, according to Angel Campbell, Ms. Collinss daughter. But at around 1 a.m. on Thursday, Ms. Campbell saw a Facebook post from a cousin saying that the flood had submerged the enclave of homes where her mother lived.

As the hours passed, she learned that her mother had been found and was alive. Her grandmothers body was discovered Friday morning.

Ms. Campbell said her mother told her that water had rushed into the living room, setting furniture and appliances afloat and eventually washing Ms. Collins and Ms. Howard out of the home. Ms. Collins became wedged up against a neighbors home, with loose lumber piled on top of her. It took nearly two hours for neighbors to dig her out, Ms. Campbell said.

When a search party located Ms. Howards body, her grandson, Chris Collins, lifted her up, Ms. Campbell said. He checked for a pulse, knowing he would find none, and cleaned the mud from her face. Then, he waited with her for hours until a rescue boat arrived.

Among Ms. Howards journals, the family said, were lyrics to a song by the Gaither Vocal Band carefully written in her handwriting: When my eyes are closed in death with my Jesus Ill be at rest. Then youll know Im satisfied.
We will pray for peace and seek peace, but there will be no surrender and Serbia will win, President Aleksandar Vucic of Serbia said on Sunday at a news conference. If they dare to persecute and mistreat and kill Serbs, Serbia will win, he continued, adding later, Weve never been in a more difficult, complicated situation than today.

Mr. Vucic, who convened a high-level meeting of security and military officials on Sunday night, said that the Kosovar government was trying to cast him in the same light as President Vladimir V. Putin by blaming the unrest on Serbias close relationship with Russia, a fellow Slavic and Orthodox Christian nation.

Kosovos leader, Mr. Vucic said during Sundays news conference, was trying to take advantage of the global mood by projecting that big Putin gave orders to little Putin, so the new Zelensky, in the form of Albin Kurti, will be a savior and fight against the great Serbian hegemony.

Vladimir Djukanovic, a Serbian member of Parliament from Mr. Vucics ruling party, also linked the border spat to the war in Ukraine, tweeting, Seems to me that Serbia will be forced to begin the denazification of the Balkans, an ominous reference to Russias justification for the invasion of Ukraine.

Serbia, a candidate to join the European Union, has maintained close ties with Moscow and has not joined Western sanctions on Russia, though it did vote in favor of a United Nations resolution condemning the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Belgrade and Moscow share animosity for the NATO military alliance because of its bombing of Yugoslavia in 1999, when Mr. Vucic was a spokesman for the Serbian strongman Slobodan Milosevic.

NATO still maintains a peacekeeping presence in Kosovo, with a force of approximately 3,700 troops. In a news release, NATO said its force on the ground was ready to intervene if stability is jeopardized.
Three days after an explosion at a Russian detention camp in Ukraine, relatives and friends of the prisoners are confronted by a torment that compounds their fury: uncertainty.

The Russian government, which blames Ukraine for the strike, produced a list of 50 prisoners who it said had died at the Olenivka camp in Donetsk Province, eastern Ukraine. But evidence that Ukraine says shows the bombing was an inside job has further fueled mistrust of the Russians after five months of fighting.

As a result, many relatives are waiting for independent confirmation of casualties.

The Russian list included the name of Vlad, 28, a member of the regiment that fought to defend the Azovstal steel factory in the port city of Mariupol. Anastasia Kavulich, a friend, also 28, said she had seen evidence that he had been killed, though that had not been confirmed by either the Ukrainian authorities or his family.
Mick Moloney, a recording artist, folklorist, concert presenter and professor who championed traditional Irish culture and encouraged female instrumentalists in a male-dominated field, died on Tuesday at his home in Manhattan, in Greenwich Village. He was 77.

Glucksman Ireland House N.Y.U., New York Universitys center for Irish studies, announced his death. No cause was given. Less than a week earlier, Mr. Moloney had performed at the Maine Celtic Festival in Belfast, Maine.

An immigrant from Ireland, Mr. Moloney was a pioneering scholar in the field of Irish-American studies at N.Y.U., where he was named a global distinguished professor. The university houses his extensive collection of materials in its Archives of Irish America. He reissued a wealth of music by 19th- and 20th-century Irish bands and brought the music to a wide audience whose familiarity with Irish culture often did not extend much beyond commercialized Saint Patricks Day events.
Infratil, together with its co-investors the NZ Super Fund and the Longroad Energy management team, announce that MEAG, acting as the asset management arm for entities of Munich Re, has agreed to invest US$300 million to acquire a 12% stake in Longroad Energy (Longroad), the US renewable energy company. The transaction implies a pre-money valuation for Longroad common equity of US$2,000 million. Infratil and the NZ Super Fund will each also invest a further US$100 million and retain a ~37% stake. The balance of ~14% is owned by Longroad management. MEAGs investment is subject to certain conditions, primarily customary US regulatory approvals from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States. Completion of the transaction is expected in the last quarter of the calendar year.

In early 2022, Longroad initiated a process to seek a minority investor to join in raising an additional US$500 million of capital to support increasing its renewable development activity and scale. The additional capital will primarily be used to fund Longroad Energys near-term development pipeline, which includes 4.5GW of development projects to begin construction over the next 3 years. The business is planning to reach financial close on ~1,000MWs of projects before year end, including Sun Streams 3, the 500MW solar and storage project in Maricopa County, Arizona.

Infratil chief executive Jason Boyes said that the pre-money valuation of Infratils stake at completion implied by the transaction of US$800 million was significantly higher than the independent valuation received on 31 March 2022 of US$220 million, and listed market consensus. It was also in line with the enterprise valuation multiple achieved for the sale of Tilt Renewables Australian business in 2021, at 40 times Longroads FY2023E proportionate EBITDA of ~US$83 million[1].

Infratil is extremely happy with this outcome. We remain very optimistic about the opportunities and outlook for Longroad and are pleased to be increasing our investment as part of this transaction. Longroad is well-positioned in a key geography, with high-quality operating assets, built-in growth through its development portfolio, and a proven team. The new investment from a leading global infrastructure investor in MEAG is a strong endorsement of the business and the sector, and we look forward to working with them.

This transaction, alongside the sale of Vodafone New Zealands passive mobile towers announced in July, continues the trend of private market valuations of infrastructure assets for like-minded, long-term investors exceeding listed market consensus.

NZ Super Fund Head of External Investments and Partnerships Del Hart said Longroad has been one of the NZ Super Funds most successful investments and, in line with our long-term, partnership approach to infrastructure development, we are pleased to both welcome MEAG as a co-investor and contribute more capital ourselves. It has been exciting to see Longroad grow since we first invested in 2016 and we look forward to seeing it continue to deliver both strong financial returns and positive environmental and social outcomes.

Longroad CEO Paul Gaynor said The additional capital will allow Longroad to maximise its competitive position in what remains one of the most attractive markets in the world for renewable energy investment. We expect to benefit from improved purchasing power, providing greater optionality and value-maximisation opportunities, reliable cash flows from a growing operating base to support the larger pipeline and downside protection.

Dr Alexander Poll, MEAGs Senior Investment Manager responsible for U.S. infrastructure investments, said This investment is a significant step to further increase the US renewable portfolio for Munich Re. Given Munich Re's strong position in the US insurance market, we are interested in further investing in the United States.

Martin Kaufmann, Senior Investment Manager MEAG U.S. infrastructure investments, said This investment makes an important contribution to Munich Res net-zero climate commitment under the Net-Zero Asset Owner Alliance (AOA), which Munich Re joined in 2020. We are also pleased to have teamed up with professional partners on this investment to build a successful long-term relationship.

Morrison & Cos Global Head of Energy Vimal Vallabh added Longroad represents the second of our renewables businesses to reach a level of maturity that has been given strong endorsement by the market, after the sale of the Australasian-focused renewables business, Tilt Renewables. We continue to increase our exposure to this attractive sector through our ongoing interest in Longroad and through the rapid expansion we are experiencing in Europe through Galileo and our newest platform Gurin Energy, which is focused on the Asian market.

Estimated impact on FY2023 International Portfolio Annual Incentive Fee

Infratils investment in Longroad is part of the International Portfolio Annual Incentive Fee (Annual Incentive Fee) assessment each year. To calculate the Annual Incentive Fee, the valuation of Infratils investment in Longroad includes an estimate of the tax payable and sale costs if Infratil were to realise the investment.

Based on an updated independent valuation as at 30 June 2022, which took into account the proposed transaction and capital raise, Infratils 40% stake in Longroad was valued at US$798 million (NZ$1,284 million), or US$614 million (NZ$987 million) post-estimated tax and sale costs, which results in an estimated Annual Incentive Fee in relation to Longroad at 31 March 2023 of NZ$103 million.

Infratil notes that the actual Annual Incentive Fee at 31 March 2023 will be determined based on independent valuations of each of the relevant investments as at that date. If an Annual Incentive Fee is ultimately determined to be payable at 31 March 2023, the fee will be payable in three equal tranches over the period to 31 March 2025, with the latter two tranches only being payable if the total valuation of the relevant investments as at 31 March 2024 and 31 March 2025 respectively is no less than the total valuation determined as at 31 March 2023.

Summary: Valuation of Infratils interest in Longroad Energy

31 March 2022 (40% interest) US$220m (NZ$315m)

(US$158.6m post-estimated tax and sale costs)

30 June 2022 (40% interest) US$798m (NZ$1,284m)

(US$613.6m (NZ$987 million) post-estimated tax and sale costs)

At Closing (37.1% interest, post-money) US$927m (NZ$1,426m)

At completion of the transaction, Infratil will have invested a net US$112 million in Longroad since 2016, and achieved an IRR of 59% p.a. based on the US$800 million pre-money valuation of its stake implied by this transaction (post-estimated performance fees and tax and sale costs payable if Infratil realised its stake).

[1] FY23 is to 31 December 2023. FY23E proportionate EBITDA excludes development costs, and excludes the 50% interest of Longroads partners in the El Campo, Prospero 1 and Little Bear projects.

Investor enquiries should be directed to:

Mark Flesher

Investor Relations

Email: mark.flesher@infratil.com

Media enquiries should be directed to:

David Lewis, Thompson Lewis

+64 21 976 119

david@thompsonlewis.co.nz

About Longroad Energy

Longroad is a Boston-headquartered renewable energy developer focused on the development, ownership, and operation & asset management of wind and solar energy and storage projects throughout the US.

Since its establishment in 2016 Longroad has developed and acquired 3.2GW of wind and solar projects, of which it still retains 1.5 GW. Longroad currently has a 15 GW development pipeline composed of wind, solar, solar and storage, and standalone storage assets across 13 states, from which it is targeting developing over 1.5 GW annually.

In addition to developing, financing, and constructing renewable energy projects, Longroad provides operations and asset management services to 3.5 GW of wind and solar projects across the US.

For more information, visit https://www.longroadenergy.com/

About MEAG

MEAG manages the assets of Munich Re and ERGO. It has representations in Europe, Asia and North America and offers its extensive know-how to institutional and private customers. MEAG currently manages assets to the value of around  330 billion, around  60 billion of which in its business with institutional investors and private customers.

MEAG invests in alternative assets in North America on behalf of Munich Re group and other non-US institutional investors. MEAGs most recent infrastructure investments in the US comprise 400 MW of solar farms and battery storage in California in 2021, various regulated US water assets in 2020, as well as New Yorks Astoria Energy Partners and Long Beach Container Terminal in 2019.

Infratil announces new capital and co-investor for Longroad Energy

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That Shostakovich concert  played by the Mahler Youth Orchestra under the baton of Teodor Currentzis  was about as traditional as the Ouverture Spirituelle got this year, aside from Handels Messiah, which was led by Jordi Savall but with smaller, clearer forces than usual and at the less-than-400-seat Kollegienkirche.

With its pride of place on the Ouverture Spirituelles opening night, the Babi Yar  nicknamed for its setting of a poem about remembering the massacre of over 30,000 Jews at the site in Ukraine  might have seemed a response to the war there, where Russian missiles struck the area around the Babyn Yar Holocaust Memorial Center in the early days of the invasion. But, in an eerily prescient move, it was programmed last year.

Beyond that, the program was conducted by Currentzis, who with his ensemble MusicAeterna is under scrutiny for ties to the Russian state. (On Tuesday, he announced the formation of a new group, Utopia, with Western backing; tellingly, the news release referred to him as Greek instead of Greek-Russian, as he had been identifying himself, and made no mention of what this development means for the future of MusicAeterna.)

At the Babi Yar concert, though, the audiences focus seemed to be more on the performance itself, given the ecstatic response to the orchestra and Currentzis  not to mention members of the MusicAeterna Choir and the Bachchor Salzburg. The soloist, Dmitry Ulyanov, had a characterful, sonorous bass that was reason enough to forgive indulgences by Currentzis like having the instrumentalists stand at an emotional climax (a gesture that doesnt trust the music), or interminably holding his arms up to keep the hall silent at the end of the symphony (a gesture that doesnt trust the listeners).

The evening took a more adventurous turn not long after at the Kollegienkirche, where members of Cantando Admont and Klangforum Wien presented two harrowing and hauntingly resonant works by Luigi Nono, one inspired by horrors in Poland during World War II (Ricorda cosa ti hanno fatti in Auschwitz), the other by oppressive Soviet rule (Quando stanno morendo. Diario polacco n. 2).
Aside from its significance to Ms. Huth, the verdict offered a degree of satisfaction for many of the other women who for years have accused Mr. Cosby, now 85, of similar abuse. For them, Ms. Huths case offered an opportunity for public vindication of their accounts after Mr. Cosbys criminal conviction in the Andrea Constand case was overturned on due process grounds by a Pennsylvania appellate panel last year.

A lawyer for Ms. Huth, Gloria Allred, said in an email: Bill Cosby filed a notice of intention to file a motion for a new trial. He fought our case with everything he had for seven and a half years, and he lost. We expect to be victorious in upholding the verdict against Mr. Cosby, which we fought hard for and won.

But Mr. Cosbys supporters have said they viewed the monetary damage award in the Huth case as a victory because the jury had the option of awarding a significantly higher sum.

Mr. Cosby has consistently denied the many accusations brought against him, but many of his accusers had been barred from filing their own suits because they had not come forward at the time when they said Mr. Cosby had attacked them.
An evergreen question for our times: How do we fix the world?

In Blake Crouchs UPGRADE (Ballantine, 341 pp., $28), Logan Ramsay has seen firsthand what happens when you try to improve on nature. While attempting to genetically modify rice, Ramsays mother, Miriam, provoked the Great Starvation: devastating the planets staple crops, killing millions of people and leading to the criminalization of gene editing. Logans been trying to atone ever since  by helping the government hunt down rogue geneticists. But while raiding a secret lab, hes exposed to a designer virus that rewrites his DNA, making him stronger, faster and smarter, and embroiling him in a war for humanitys future.

Upgrade is sleek and propulsive, a page-turner with unexpectedly beautiful passages that give you pause amid the thrills. I had extraordinary dreams and an ordinary mind, says Logan, whose thoughtful, anguished perspective provides the book with much of its depth. Logan as a son, a father, a brother, is much more interesting than Logan as an augmented warrior, and I appreciated how much that was part of the books design.

But while the novel raises several ethical and philosophical questions, it isnt always interested in exploring them. This would be fine if Crouch werent foregrounding the emergent brilliance of his protagonist; its a little frustrating to see so-called geniuses dramatically siloed off to work against each other, blind to the difference between a conversation and an irreconcilable ideological split. Its not Flowers for Algernon, but if Michael Crichton had written a superhero novel, it would look a lot like Upgrade.
Taiwan clash tests Chinas appetite for confrontation

The Chinese military has warned of its readiness to defend its claims over Taiwan ahead of an expected visit from Nancy Pelosi, the U.S. House speaker.

However, Chinas leader, Xi Jinping, is also confronting a brittle economic and political moment at home, and careening into a crisis over Taiwan could damage his standing even as he rallies nationalist support.

Xi, who is likely to secure his Communist Partys backing later this year, is intent on remaining in power. But Pelosis potential meeting with Taiwanese leaders could further challenge his public support as Chinas growth falters under Covid outbreaks and shutdowns. If Pelosi follows through, experts say Xi is likely to use displays of military might to convey Beijings anger while trying to avoid a volatile standoff that would spook markets and drag down Chinas economy.
Russias blockade since its invasion sent global grain prices soaring and brought the threat of famine to tens of millions of people, particularly in the Middle East and Africa. Wheat prices have since eased, but experts think they are likely to rise again, in part because of other factors, including the prices of energy and fertilizer.

The issues affecting food markets have not been solved, said Ehsan Khoman, who manages emerging-market and commodities research for Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group. There is still a shortage.

Aid officials say that the scale of the global food crisis  years in the making and fueled by wars, climate shocks and the economic devastation of the coronavirus pandemic  is so immense that no single event will reverse the situation.

As many as 50 million people in 45 countries are on the brink of famine, according to the U.N.s World Food Program. In the 20 worst-hit countries, the situation is likely to worsen substantially by the end of the summer, it said.
Biden administration officials said they expected her trip to include a stop in Taiwan, which would be the highest-level visit by an American official in 25 years. But Pelosi has not said whether she will go to the self-governing island.

Speculation about that possibility has jangled nerves in both Beijing and Washington. China, which considers Taiwan its territory, has issued increasingly sharp warnings in recent days that a Pelosi visit would provoke a response, perhaps a military one.

Administration officials have conceded that they do not know the extent to which China is willing to risk a confrontation.

Details: Pelosi had proposed a trip to Taiwan earlier this year. (It was postponed because she contracted the coronavirus.) She was expected to arrive in Singapore today, and she has said that she will also visit Malaysia, South Korea and Japan.

Background: The Biden administration has grown increasingly worried that Chinas leader, Xi Jinping, might try to move against Taiwan within the next year and a half. During a two-hour phone call on Thursday, Xi warned Biden against playing with fire on Taiwan, according to a Chinese government statement that did not explicitly mention Pelosi.

Military: In the past year, Chinas military planes have increasingly probed Taiwans airspace. In June, Beijing raised the stakes by declaring jurisdiction over the Taiwan Strait. And on Saturday, Chinas military said it would conduct drills with live ammunition off Fujian Province, about 80 miles from Taiwan.
Judge says Visa cannot escape Pornhub-related lawsuit

This weekend, Judge Cormac J. Carney of the U.S. District Court of central California refused Visas request to be dismissed from a case that claims it conspired to help MindGeek, parent company of the website Pornhub, profit from images of child sexual abuse.

Is Visa helping others make money from illegal images? The court says it may have, allowing certain claims against Visa to proceed, based on its role in processing payments for MindGeek. The suit was filed by a woman who says MindGeek profited from naked videos taken when she was an underage teen that were posted on Pornhub.

If Visa was aware that there was a substantial amount of child porn on MindGeeks sites, which the Court must accept as true at this stage of the proceedings, then it was aware that it was processing the monetization of child porn, moving money from advertisers to MindGeek for advertisements playing alongside child porn like Plaintiffs videos, Judge Carney wrote.

The decisions unusually strong language raises alarms for payment processors. This early-stage win signals that companies may not be able to easily distance themselves from accusations of misdeeds by their clients.

Judge Carney: When the Court couples MindGeeks expansive content removal with allegations that former MindGeek employees have reported a general anxiety at the company that Visa might pull the plug, it does not strike the Court as fatally speculative to say that Visa  with knowledge of what was being monetized and authority to withhold the means of monetization  bears direct responsibility (along with MindGeek) for MindGeeks monetization of child porn, and in turn the monetization of Plaintiffs videos.

Visa argued that the case could upend finance. In its motion to dismiss, Visa said that a decision against the company would upend the financial and payment industries, making it impossible for Visa to do its job processing transactions for millions of law-abiding businesses and consumers. A company spokesman told DealBook in a statement that it condemns sex trafficking, sexual exploitation, and child sexual abuse materials as repugnant to our values and purpose as a company. The Visa spokesman said the company does not tolerate the use of its network for illegal activity and continues to believe it is an improper defendant, calling the ruling disappointing, and saying it mischaracterizes Visas role.

The judge, though, wrote that Visas argument was reminiscent of the too big to fail refrain from the financial industry in the 2008 financial crisis, and said asking Visa to not let its services be used to facilitate illegal activity was not a tall order.
Unfortunately, the escalating costs of doing business in California required this decision, said Shane Smith, the chief executive of Smithfield, citing utility rates and a voter-approved law regulating how pigs can be housed.

Workers and company officials see a larger economic lesson in the impending shutdown. They just differ on what it is. To Ms. Robles, it is evidence that despite years of often perilous work, we are just disposable to them. For the meatpacker, it is a case of politics and regulation trumping commerce.

The cost of doing business in California is a longtime point of contention. It was cited last year when Tesla, the electric-vehicle maker that has been a Silicon Valley success story, announced that it was moving its headquarters to Texas. Theres a limit to how big you can scale in the Bay Area, said Elon Musk, Teslas chief executive, mentioning housing prices and long commutes.

As with many economic arguments, this one can take on a partisan hue.

Around the time of Teslas exit, a report by the conservative-leaning Hoover Institution at Stanford University found that California-based companies were leaving at an accelerating rate. In the first six months of last year, 74 headquarters relocated from California, according to the report. In 2020, the report found, 62 companies were known to have relocated.
Wells Fargo is reactivating a hiring practice that it paused this year after a former employee revealed that it was leading managers to interview nonwhite candidates for jobs that had already been filled, according to a memo seen by The New York Times.

The banks practice, known as its diverse slate policy, requires that half the candidates interviewed for certain jobs be female or nonwhite. It also calls for the panel of people interviewing candidates for certain jobs to be diverse. Beginning Aug. 19, the practice will again be put in place for certain jobs, with new features added to prevent abuse, according to the memo, which was sent to managers at the bank on Monday.

The bank acknowledged in the memo that its guidelines could be improved. One problem executives found, according to the memo: Our guidelines and processes can be overly prescriptive.
A deal to free trapped grain provides only partial relief.

A major factor pushing wheat prices down has been the progress of negotiations over the fate of more than 20 million metric tons of grain stuck in Black Sea ports in Ukraine. A little over a week ago, an agreement was reached to open an export corridor to allow some of the grain trapped by the war to move out across the world. For the first time in more than five months, a ship loaded with grain left a port in Ukraines Odesa region on Monday.

The deal may not hold amid the fighting, and even if it does, experts say it probably wont be enough to address other issues hanging over the global wheat market.

This agreement has been bigged up as something that will be a solution to the worlds food shortage, and it is just not, said Tracey Allen, an agricultural commodities strategist at JPMorgan Chase.

Other, more entrenched factors in the wheat market, from the prices of energy and fertilizer to climate change, could play a bigger role in determining the cost  and availability  of a loaf of bread around the world.

Experts think wheat prices are likely to rise again. Adding further uncertainty is that futures contracts work by allowing buyers and sellers to agree on a price for wheat that will be delivered in the future, typically three months time. And a lot can change in three months.
DUNEDIN, New Zealand  Pacific Edge (NZX, ASX: PEB) today provides further information for shareholders on proposed changes to the Medicare Local Coverage Determination (LCD) that governs the reimbursement of Cxbladder in the US. This follows the decision by Pacific Edge to request a trading halt on Friday 29 July 2022 to ensure investors were well informed on the draft proposals.

The proposed changes to the LCD by Novitas, the Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC) with jurisdiction for Pacific Edges US laboratory, have the potential to disrupt the reimbursement of Cxbladder.

Having consulted with our US-based advisers and industry experts, Pacific Edge believes the proposed changes are unlikely to survive the ongoing review process in their current form. The consensus view we received was that the proposed changes to the LCD are contrary to US legal requirements and precedent. The proposed changes also fundamentally change the process for determining coverage for specific tests and could deprive US clinicians and Medicare patients access to diagnostic tools with proven, peer-reviewed clinical utility.

If the proposed LCD and LCA were approved unchanged, Cxbladder would not qualify for coverage from Novitas for tests reimbursed by the US Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). These tests represent a significant portion of current Cxbladder testing revenue. Multiple companies with dozens of diagnostic tests that have existing coverage or are seeking coverage, would similarly be impacted by this proposal.

Pacific Edge Chief Executive Dr Peter Meintjes says, We commend the broader initiative to simplify and streamline the coverage process. However, given the explicit prior coverage and payment history for Cxbladder tests, we have presented our initial concerns to Novitas.

We will work with CMS and its contractors to make the necessary changes to the drafts to ensure that there is no disruption to the coverage of Cxbladder, as far as we are able. We will also be encouraging the many clinicians and healthcare providers already using our tests to support our position. We will update shareholders as we progress this matter.

Since Cxbladder gained CMS reimbursement coverage in 2020, Pacific Edge has received CMS reimbursement for over 10,000 tests. Cxbladder has also been adopted by some of the US largest integrated care networks and has been incorporated into their clinical treatment guidelines.

To date more than 80,000 patients globally have benefitted from our tests, while the volume of clinical evidence supporting the tests continues to grow. The evidence continues to show how Cxbladder tests can assist clinicians to safely intensify or de-intensify the clinical workup for patients presenting with hematuria, resolve diagnostic dilemmas during hematuria evaluation, and monitor for the recurrence of urothelial cancer in post-treatment patients.

Novitas has extended the period for public comments on the proposals until 6 September 2022. Novitas has not provided a specific date for a decision, however we understand it must either publish or withdraw the draft LCD within a year of the end of the public comment period. Regardless of a positive or negative determination, we understand CMS is required to give Pacific Edge at least 45 days notice of the effective determination date.

Chairman Chris Gallaher says, Pacific Edge remains well capitalized and positioned to execute on our long-term strategic objectives.

Pacific Edge will continue to update shareholders on this matter as further information becomes available.

Released for and on behalf of Pacific Edge by Grant Gibson Chief Financial Officer.

For more information:

Investors Dr Peter Meintjes

Chief Executive

Pacific Edge

P: +6422 032 1263

Media

Richard Inder

The Project

P: +64 21 645 643

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Is Cxbladder still being reimbursed in the US?

Yes. But Novitas, the Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC) with jurisdiction for Pacific Edges US laboratory in Hummelstown, Pennsylvania, has proposed changes to the Local Coverage Determination (LCD) that governs the reimbursement of Cxbladder tests in the US. These proposed changes have the potential to disrupt reimbursement for patients with Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans accounting for a significant part of the current Cxbladder testing revenue.

What is a Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC)?

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), relies on a network of MACs to serve as the primary operational contact between the Medicare fee for service (FFS) program and the health care providers enrolled in the program. MACs perform many activities including establishing Local Coverage Determinations (LCDs), which are decisions to cover a particular item or service in a MACs jurisdiction.

What is a Proposed LCD?

MACs such as Novitas, periodically propose new LCDs on whether to cover a particular item or service in a MAC jurisdiction (region). As Novitas notes on its website: Proposed LCDs are works in progress that are available on the Medicare Coverage Database site for public review. Proposed LCDs are not necessarily a reflection of the current policies or practices of the contractor.

What has Novitas proposed?

In June Novitas proposed to fundamentally change its approach to determining if a genetic/genomic test should be reimbursed for Medicare patients in the US. Specifically, Novitas has proposed a new approach to coverage in a draft LCD (DL39365/DL3967) and a draft Local Coverage Article (LCA, DA59125) for Genetic Testing in Oncology. Under its current local coverage determination, Novitas reviews the clinical evidence for individual diagnostic products. Going forward, Novitas is proposing that it will determine which tests to cover by relying solely on criteria established by third party external knowledge bases: (1) Clinical Genome Resource (ClinGen); (2) National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN); or (3) Oncology Knowledge Base (OncoKB).

How does the new approach impact Cxbladder and Pacific Edge?

If the proposed LCD and LCA were approved unchanged, Cxbladder would no longer receive reimbursement for Cxbladder from Novitas as the tests are not specifically mentioned in any of the three knowledge bases that Novitas has identified. OncoKB and ClinGen are SNP -only databases, meaning that they are unsuitable for multi-analyte assays with algorithmic analyses (MAAAs), so advanced gene expression tests would only be able to obtain coverage by inclusion in NCCN guidelines.

What does Pacific Edge think of the LCD and LCA?

Pacific Edge believes the proposed LCD and LCA will not survive in their current form because:

 They do not meet the statutory requirements for an LCD.

 They do not comply with CMS requirements for the development of LCDs.

 Their new approach of using knowledge bases as a determinant for CMS coverage is not well supported within the draft LCD.

 The proposed LCD and LCA are insufficient to allow stakeholders to understand whether tests are covered and would inappropriately restrict coverage for tests.

What is Pacific Edge doing to change the Novitas proposal?

Pacific Edge has presented in person to Novitas and has made a detailed submission comprehensively setting out its concerns and the drawbacks of this new approach. It is also sharing insight with other biotech companies that could be similarly affected by the new approach to make their concerns known to Novitas before the end of the consultation period, and engaging with industry advocates.

If the draft LCD was first published in June, why did Pacific Edge only notify the NZX and ASX and call a trading halt on Friday 29 July 2022?

In June the draft proposals did not appear to affect Pacific Edge since there was no indication that coverage for Cxbladder under its existing LCD was changing. Additionally, Cxbladder was not explicitly mentioned in the proposed LCD. However, on Friday morning on 29 July 2022 (NZT), the company became aware that the latest revision of the draft explicitly excluded Cxbladder from reimbursement. In consultation with the NZX, Pacific Edge decided a trading halt was appropriate because there was information in the public domain that needed clarification and context. Given the time differences between New Zealand and the United States, where the subject matter experts are based, and the complexity of the proposals, a full and complete response was not able to be completed within a reasonable time, resulting in a request for a trading halt.

When will Pacific Edge know if the proposed LCD is finalized?

Novitas is required to give Pacific Edge at least 45 days notice of the effective determination date. Novitas is consulting interested parties on the proposals until 6 September 2022. Novitas has not provided a specific date for a decision, but it must either publish or withdraw the draft LCD within a year of the end of the public comment period.

PACIFIC EDGE COMMENTS ON PROPOSED NOVITAS LCD

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WASHINGTON  Senator Joe Manchin III of West Virginia has secured a promise from Democratic leaders and the White House to complete a highly contested 304-mile gas pipeline in his state, his office said, a major concession won as part of negotiations over a climate and tax bill.

Mr. Manchin, who clinched a surprise agreement last week among Democrats to pass landmark climate legislation, made easing permits for energy projects a requirement of the deal. On Monday, his office made public details of the side agreement he struck with Senator Chuck Schumer of New York, the Democratic majority leader, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and President Biden.

It would ensure that federal agencies take all necessary actions to permit the construction and operation of the gas line, known as the Mountain Valley Pipeline. The project  which has been opposed for years by environmentalists, civil rights activists and many Democratic state lawmakers in Virginia  would carry natural gas from the Marcellus shale fields in West Virginia across nearly 1,000 streams and wetlands before ending in Virginia.
Younger people have many rituals that mark important passages  graduations, weddings, ceremonies for newborns, even milestones like acquiring drivers licenses or casting first votes  while older adults have few. Though birthday and anniversary parties may be great fun, they do not usually involve the same kind of life-cycle changes or the contemplation that rituals can bring later in life.

Thats partly because ceremonies observed since antiquity dont acknowledge the longevity of modern life, Jeanette Leardi, a social gerontologist and community educator in Portland, Ore., said. Americans born in 1900 didnt expect to see age 50; why would they have planned rituals for later in life?

But the lack of opportunities to celebrate, Ms. Leardi said, also reflects the ageist assumption that older adults have nothing much to look forward to, that they are incapable of change. Yet transitions lie at the heart of such rites of passage, she added: As a culture, we dont have an appreciation that this person has lived for decades and is ready to move into a new role, and that we should honor that.

Mr. Oxman is now 86 and still a practicing lawyer. Raised by secular Jewish parents, he did not have a bar mitzvah as a teen. Decades later, it was important to me to have done it, he said. Although he had served as president of the congregation, he said, the ceremony and the weeks of preparation were extremely meaningful and marked the first time I felt like I really belonged.
Cliffhanger (Aug. 31)

Few megastars have mounted as many comebacks as Sylvester Stallone (one of the many parallels between the actor-filmmaker and his most famous creation, Rocky Balboa). He was rebounding from an ill-advised attempt at comedy  remember Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot?  when he fronted this white-knuckle thriller in 1993. The boilerplate script (which Stallone co-wrote) amounts to Die Hard on a Mountain, with Stallone as the rugged but desperate hero, John Lithgow as the elegant terrorist villain and the Rocky Mountains as the locale. But Stallone and Lithgow fill their roles nicely, and the director Renny Harlin (previously of, by no coincidence, Die Hard 2) orchestrates the mayhem with panache.



Stream it here.

The Dark Knight Rises (Aug. 31)

Christopher Nolan capped his Batman trilogy  and followed up The Dark Knight, one of historys most commercially and critically successful comic book films  with this 2012 action epic. Its neither as thrilling as The Dark Knight nor as narratively efficient as the earlier Batman Begins, and it borders on bloated at nearly three hours. But theres something boldly operatic to its ambition, to how Nolan folds in new villains, post-Occupy politics and a decidedly unheroic tone of borderline nihilism. Tom Hardys Bane is a true terror, and Anne Hathaways Catwoman is a gem of complex sensuality.



Stream it here.

Mission: Impossible  Ghost Protocol (Aug. 31)

It speaks to the high quality of the entire series that no clear consensus seems to exist on the best film of the Mission: Impossible franchise. But theres a strong case to be made for this, the fourth entry, which was the live-action directorial debut of the Pixar alum Brad Bird (The Incredibles). Tom Cruise returns as Agent Ethan Hunt, this time drawn into the complex, globe-trotting pursuit of a nuclear terrorist who frames Hunt and his team for a bombing at the Kremlin. Simon Pegg, back from Part 3, offers welcome comic relief, the new additions Jeremy Renner and Paula Patton add considerable spice, and two of the set pieces  the aforementioned Kremlin sequence and Cruises gripping climb of the Burj Khalifa  are among the franchises best. (The seriess first and second installments also leave Netflix at the end of the month.)



Stream it here.

A Nightmare on Elm Street (Aug. 31)

Wes Craven went from a genre journeyman to a horror icon  and launched one of the most venerable slasher franchises ever  with this 1984 creeper. Craven wrote and directed this story of suburban teens that find their dreams haunted  often with deadly, real-life results  by the neighborhood boogieman, Freddy Krueger (Robert Englund). Heather Langenkamp is the resourceful protagonist, while Johnny Depp, in his film debut, is one of the more memorable victims. Subsequent sequels would highlight Krueger with greater prominence but diminishing returns, effectively turning the films into horror-comedies. But this inaugural entry is a lean, mean, scare machine, filled with terrifying images and well-crafted suspense.



Stream it here.
If a prisoner has ordered a hard copy of Blood in the Water, on which the map appears on the back cover, the department will provide a redacted paperback version instead, the lawyers wrote.

The dispute comes as parents, school officials and lawmakers around the country are increasingly demanding that books on topics like sexual and racial identity be removed from libraries and curriculums. Officials have tried to justify book bans in prisons by arguing that certain types of information, like instructions on building a weapon or on how to escape, may be legitimately denied.

New York policy is to encourage inmates to read publications from varied sources if such material does not encourage them to engage in behavior that might be disruptive to orderly facility operations. Publications should not describe lock-picking techniques, for example, or incite disobedience toward law enforcement personnel.

The Attica uprising a half century ago was a massive occasion of disobedience. An assault by hundreds of heavily armed state troopers ended four days of violence at the maximum-security prison 350 miles from New York City. The uprising left 43 people dead, including 10 guards and civilian employees who had been held hostage by the prisoners.
A number of victims also took cabs before they were assaulted, but those drivers are rarely interviewed.

Victims said their cases were assigned to officers who did not know how to investigate them or didnt bother. You interviewed a victim who said that Special Victims detectives insisted she call her assailant, who had raped her in a park in Bushwick. Why, and what happened after that?

That victim, who allowed us to use her first name, Meghan, didnt feel comfortable making that call. The man was someone she had just met at a bodega. He somehow got her number afterward and had been calling her, so she was terrified on top of the trauma of having been violently raped.

Making the controlled call was the only option the detectives gave Meghan, and she said no.

They hadnt knocked on any doors to see if anyone living around the park heard her scream. The friend who sent Meghan home in a cab wasnt interviewed, and neither was the driver. Instead, the investigators closed the case until DNA test results came back on the clothing that Meghan was wearing when she was attacked.

By that time, she had learned that she was pregnant by her attacker and had decided to have an abortion. In fact, when the detectives called, she was in a clinic waiting room. They wanted her to delay the abortion so that they could collect fetal DNA.

Meghan felt she couldnt wait any longer or undergo another invasive procedure that wouldnt prove she was raped. So she said no, and they closed the case again, labeling her uncooperative.
Less than a decade ago, the United States had some 20 million doses of a new smallpox vaccine  also effective against monkeypox  sitting in freezers in a national stockpile.

Such vast quantities of the vaccine, known today as Jynneos, could have slowed the spread of monkeypox after it first emerged in the United States in mid-May. Instead, the supply, known as the Strategic National Stockpile, had only some 2,400 usable doses left at that point, enough to fully vaccinate just 1,200 people.

The rest of the doses had expired.

Now, some 10 weeks into the outbreak, many people at high risk who want to get vaccinated have been unable to find a dose and may not be able to find one for months.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Monday endorsed Representative Mondaire Jones, a first-term upstate congressman who is facing a stiff battle in his bid to capture an open seat in New York City.

Following an unusually messy redistricting process, Mr. Jones opted not to run again in his current district, which encompasses Rockland County and parts of Westchester County, or in a neighboring one to the south. Either would have required him to compete against incumbents, one of whom is the powerful chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.

When that chair, Representative Sean Patrick Maloney, announced he would run in Mr. Joness reconstituted 17th District  drawing outcries from Mr. Jones and his allies  Ms. Pelosi supported Mr. Maloney.
The redistricting saga has forced incumbents to campaign in unfamiliar territory and to face unexpected challengers, injecting an element of unpredictability and setting off primary contests defined by ideology, ethnicity and local political power struggles, as well as by issues around public safety and affordability.

Residency requirements are eased in redistricting years, meaning candidates only have to live in the county they are running in, not the district. They must, however, move to the district if they win.

In the Bronx, State Senator Gustavo Rivera faced a choice: stay in the rent-stabilized apartment he has lived in for over two decades and take on State Senator Robert Jackson, or find another district to run in. He chose the latter, and will go up against the preferred candidate of the Bronx party machine.

Im not looking forward to jumping into the rental marketplace, but I will think about that pain after the 23rd of August, said Mr. Rivera, a Democrat, referencing the primary date for contested races in the State Senate and Congress. Im not pleased.
In elections where voters are already getting bombarded with ads, the odds that a volunteer contact can help get people to the polls may be canceled out by the odds the contact will turn them off entirely. One study found that handwritten postcards supporting state legislative candidates in 2018 actually reduced turnout. Meanwhile, Sister District Action Network found that a postcard campaign they coordinated in 2019 had a marginally significant negative effect on turnout in primaries, and no impact in the general election.

Yet national groups continue to push this approach. This year, Vote Forward aims to have volunteers print and send some 10 million heavily scripted voter turnout letters. With most of the personalization gone and the risks of counterproductive freelancing clear, one could well ask why these groups are using volunteers at all. Are letters to voters just chum to draw in small-dollar donors? A gig-economy scheme that works only because volunteers pay for their own stamps?

Theres a better way. One of us, Dr. Putnam, has been observing progressive infrastructure in Pittsburghs once ruby-red northern suburbs since 2017, when ordinary voters appalled by Donald Trump came together by the dozens and then hundreds, hoping to contest every seat, in every election. In 2017 they helped elect the first Democrat within memory to the North Allegheny school board; in 2018 they helped flip a State Senate seat and oust an incumbent Republican congressman. In 2019 they battled for town council seats.

Each year, they gained experience and had more political conversations that were within their own community, but outside their own bubble. They heard firsthand their neighbors reactions to national Democrats sound bites. They learned not to overestimate the impact of anonymous contacting.

For 2021, they recruited four school board candidates, intentionally choosing people whose profile and networks did not just echo those of activists. Rather than spamming voters via distant digital volunteers, the team primarily sent the candidates themselves and trusted endorsers (community leaders and popular local incumbents) to knock on doors. Volunteers instead focused on hyperlocal fund-raising and house parties, capitalizing on their existing ties rather than ignoring them.

Dr. Putnam handed out cards for the candidates on Election Day, watching as the campaign team executed a turnout effort reminiscent of an old-fashioned party machine. In the face of a huge infusion of Republican cash and attacks on mask mandates, Covid policies and critical race theory, two of the four were elected, and one of them is thought to be the first African American ever to serve on the North Allegheny school board. Their supporters are already at work on the next election.
When Ms. Taylors sons play outside, they regale her with stories of watching rodents climb up the sides of the building. And when you do sign up for the exterminator, she said, they come by, hand you three mousetraps and walk away.

Earlier this year, the Taylors were moved into a nearby hotel for a few days while asbestos was removed from their apartment. Ms. Taylor has asthma, as does Ethan.

You get what you get  that was the attitude we got when we started complaining, Ms. Taylor said. And I was thinking, No, you get hot water all the time, you get a reliable elevator.

She said her written complaints  or tickets  take months to get a response, if they get one at all. So much of her correspondence plays out online, and she noted that tenants are instructed not to go directly to the super or maintenance department.

You have to call the housing assistant whos been assigned to you, she said. And the housing assistant will try to get information about all the issues and then report back to you. You have to call so many times and demand to talk to management, and you get the label of being difficult because you want to speak to management.
Politicized origins tracing report betrays ethics of science

Xinhua) 14:35, August 01, 2022

Photo taken on June 22, 2022 shows the White House in Washington, D.C., the United States. (Xinhua/Liu Jie)

- Since the outbreak of the pandemic, the U.S. government, grilled by simmering popular grievances over its botched response, has been maneuvering to play victim, and to scapegoat and smear China by alleging the COVID-19 virus originated from a Wuhan lab.

- While the United States is a "prime suspect" of the virus' early spread, it has also been the de facto "superspreader" for the global pandemic.

BEIJING, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- An advisory group on COVID-19 origins tracing recently compiled a preliminary report, in which it rehashed the so-called "lab leak theory" without presenting even a shred of credible evidence.

Authored by the Scientific Advisory Group for the Origins of Novel Pathogens (SAGO), the report stands as another grievous departure from the ethics of science and a fresh episode to politicize what ought to be a serious scientific quest.

Since the outbreak of the pandemic, the U.S. government, grilled by simmering popular grievances over its botched response, has been maneuvering to play victim, and to scapegoat and smear China by alleging the COVID-19 virus originated from a Wuhan lab.

To make room for such a preposterous narrative, Washington pressured scientists and muted professional voices. In an outright mockery of the spirit of science, the White House last year even preposterously ordered its intelligence agencies to probe the origins of the virus.

U.S. national flags fly at half-staff at the Washington Monument to mourn 1 million American lives lost to COVID-19 in Washington, D.C., the United States, on May 12, 2022. (Xinhua/Liu Jie)

In fact, a China-WHO joint study report released in March last year has unambiguously stated that a lab leak of COVID-19 is "extremely unlikely." This conclusion was based on the field studies in Wuhan by experts from many countries, and has earned full recognition by WHO experts.

The SAGO report is a total disappointment. It has failed to honor scientific integrity, and yielded to Washington's political pressure and manipulation.

While the group, formed by the World Health Organization (WHO), tries to press a case for the lab leak scenario, it has neither smoking gun nor consensus even among its own experts. The panel admitted in the report that "there has not been any new data" to support the laboratory hypothesis.

"I want to have something much more solid than just a hypothesis," Carlos Morel, a Brazilian parasitologist and a panelist who voiced dissent, was quoted as saying on the Science magazine website. "If you don't have evidence, why should I discuss it?"

The Lancet journal also detailed in a recent article experts' mixed response to the preliminary report. David Robertson, head of viral genomics and bioinformatics at the University of Glasgow in Scotland, said that the group having been "distracted by baseless theories such as a hypothetical lab incident, for which there remains no evidence, is disappointing."

The fact that this SAGO report unfairly targets China without sufficient discussion about origins tracing at multiple locations worldwide is also an obvious proof of its politicized nature.

A medical worker collects a swab sample from a man at a COVID-19 testing site on Times Square in New York, the United States, May 17, 2022. (Xinhua/Wang Ying)

According to virological studies, traces of the virus emerged before the officially registered initial infections in a number of places around the world. In the United States, for example, footprints of the coronavirus in biological and environmental samples were found as early as the end of 2019. Also, a blood sample collected from American white-tailed deer in 2019 turned out to be positive in antibody tests for COVID-19 infection.

Washington has yet to give convincing answers to such crucial questions as when exactly the disease first broke out within the U.S. borders. Studies have suggested that early U.S. cases may have been largely undercounted and mistaken for flu. Doubts remain over the respiratory diseases of unknown cause in Virginia, the large-scale EVALI outbreak in Wisconsin, the unexplained pneumonia outbreaks in two retirement communities near the Fort Detrick base in July 2019, and vaping-related lung illness cases that doubled in Maryland in September 2019, among others.

While the United States is a "prime suspect" of the virus' early spread, it has also been the de facto "superspreader" for the global pandemic. The country is home to many of the world's top-class medical facilities, scientists and professionals, yet it has tallied the world's highest caseload and death toll. And it continues to respond to the pandemic with inaction and indifference.

A latest report by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Children's Hospital Association found that over 14 million children in the United States have tested positive for COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic and approximately 6.1 million cases have been reported in 2022.

And in SAGO's own logic, the United States should be the prime target for investigation. In recent years, security problems with U.S.-funded biolabs worldwide and their suspicious bio-military activities have stirred mounting public concern. The U.S. Department of Defense funded 336 laboratories in about 30 countries to conduct experiments with bat coronavirus samples and other studies, according to publicly available data.

Photo taken on Feb. 19, 2020 shows the Pentagon seen from an airplane over Washington D.C., the United States. (Xinhua/Liu Jie)

Take Fort Detrick, where the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases is located. It has inherited the devilish legacy of Unit 731 of the Imperial Japanese Army, and has kept in its storage many infectious pathogen samples.

And back in 2014, Waverley View Investors LLC sued the U.S. Army for loopholes in Fort Detrick's disposal of toxic waste, which caused the levels of trichloroethylene in the area to be 42 times as high as the federal standard. In February 2015, 106 families and individuals from Frederic County of Maryland filed a class action lawsuit against Fort Detrick for harm and death caused by exposure to hazardous materials from Fort Detrick and asked for 750 million U.S. dollars in compensation. However, the U.S. government and army have consistently denied any wrongdoing.

Meanwhile, new epidemics like the mysterious child hepatitis and monkeypox are hitting some European countries and the United States. SAGO claims that it intends to better understand the "origins of emerging and re-emerging future epidemics/pandemics." So, why not investigate the United States?

In an open, transparent and responsible manner, China has kept its doors open to international health experts and offered full support for the work of the WHO. China is by far the only country that has invited more than once WHO expert groups for joint SARS-CoV-2 origins study.

China has also shared more data and research findings on SARS-CoV-2 origins study than any other country. It is the only country that has shared multiple times research progress on origins-tracing with the WHO.

Origins tracing should be scientific in nature. A truly unbiased investigation must let science reign and clues lead the way. Apparently, this highly-politicized report manipulated by Washington can in no way stand the scrutiny of science and history.

(Web editor: Wu Chaolan, Liang Jun)
ARDC grants 99,915 Euros to Finnish ham radio club

Finland's national amateur radio society, the SRAL, reports the OH2CH radio club applied for and got a grant of 99,915 Euros



The SRAL say:

Amateur Radio Digital Communications (ARDC) is a private foundation whose mission is to support the science and technology of amateur radio and digital communications

https://www.ampr.org/

Espoo's Radio club OH2CH has done pioneering work by going through the ARDC application process with a successful outcome, receiving a 99,915 Euro grant for the implementation of an independent 5GHz IP backbone network focused on radio amateur services.



The network will connect the digital and analog repeaters maintained by the club together and enable access to AMPRnet services and the internet. The SRAL board also got to be in a small part of this process when they wrote a letter of support for the application.



This 'exercise' now opens doors for other clubs to apply for grants for various technical and scientific projects in the area of amateur radio technology. This kind of activity and activity will significantly increase the visibility and viability of the radio amateur hobby in the future.



Congratulations to Espoo Radio club OH2CH for the remarkable work and clearing the way. And a special note to Erik Finskas as the active promoter of the OH2LAK project.



Espoo Radio club's OH2CH website

http://oh2ch.org/



SRAL https://tinyurl.com/IARU-Finland
Life as a short plant can be tough. Taller competitors hog the sunlight, leaving shrimpier species to photosynthesize from whatever scraps filter through. But at least one ground-hugger has found a solution that many of us more diminutive humans have probably at least fantasized about: shoving those rangy neighbors out of the way.

The finding, reported earlier this year in the journal Current Biology, is the first documented case of interspecies shoving in the botanical literature, said Peter Grubb, an emeritus professor of botany at Cambridge University who was not involved in the research. The study authors, Dr. Grubb said, are the first people to have made relevant measurements on the pushing power of the leaf.

The pushy leaf in question belongs to the evocatively named tall elephants foot, or Elephantopus elatus. The plant is an aster that sends out long, flat leaves from a central stalk in a circular pattern known as a rosette. The foliage can form dense mats on the forest floor of pine savannas in the Southeastern United States.
In interviews, 27 parents who called themselves anti-vaccine and anti-mask voters described strikingly similar paths to their new views. They said they had experienced alarm about their children during pandemic quarantines. They pushed to reopen schools and craved normalcy. They became angry, blaming lawmakers for the disruption to their childrens lives.

Many congregated in Facebook groups that initially focused on advocating in-person schooling. Those groups soon latched onto other issues, such as anti-mask and anti-vaccine messaging. While some parents left the online groups when schools reopened, others took more extreme positions over time, burrowing into private anti-vaccine channels on messaging apps like WhatsApp and Telegram.

Eventually, some began questioning vaccines for measles and other diseases, where inoculations have long been proven effective. Activists who oppose all vaccines further enticed them by joining online parent groups and posting inaccurate medical studies and falsehoods.

So many people, but especially young parents, have come to this cause in the last year, said Janine Pera, 65, a longtime activist against all vaccines who attended the Orinda protest. Its been a huge gift to the movement.

The extent of activity is evident on Facebook. Since 2020, more than 200 Facebook groups aimed at reopening schools or opposing closings have been created in states including Texas, Florida and Ohio, with more than 300,000 members, according to a review by The New York Times. Another 100 anti-mask Facebook groups dedicated to ending masking in schools have also sprung up in states including New Jersey, New York and Connecticut, some with tens of thousands of members.
We live in a town of Wizard of Oz. People say one thing, and then behind a closed curtain theyre doing another.

GRETCHEN GORHAM, the co-owner of a sandwich shop in Ketchum, Idaho, about the failed tax increase proposal to fund affordable housing for workers in the resort town.
She and Mr. Queen had gone back and forth for days before deciding to terminate the pregnancy. She was dreading the abortion. She had cried in the car pulling up to the clinic. She had heard about the Supreme Court undoing Roe v. Wade but thought that since she had scheduled her abortion before the decision, and before any state ban took effect, the procedure would be allowed.

Tennessee allows abortion if a womans life is in danger, but doctors feared making those decisions too soon and facing prosecution. Across the country, the legal landscape was shifting so quickly, some abortion clinics turned patients away before the laws officially took effect or while legal battles played out in state courts.

Century-old bans hanging around on the books were activated, but then just as quickly were under dispute. In states where abortion was still legal, wait times at clinics spiked as women from states with bans searched for alternatives.

It was into this chaos that Ms. Underwood was sent home, still pregnant, and reeling. What would happen now? The doctor said she should go to Georgia, where abortions were still legal up to 22 weeks, though that state had a ban that would soon take effect.

How would her fiance get the time off work to make the trip? How would they come up with hotel and gas money? How long did she have until she herself became ill? A new, more terrifying question hit her: What if she felt a kick?

I Want a Girl

Mr. Queen said he realized his fiancee was pregnant before she did.

She had thrown up almost every morning for an entire week and had started asking for Chinese takeout, which she normally hated. One night in May, after his shift as manager at a Dollar General store, he brought home a pregnancy test for her. He hoped and prayed it would come back positive.
Ms. Johnson and others had been cooking whatever people brought to the community center  corn, soup, canned pork  and delivering meals on four-wheelers to those who could not make it to the center in person. But it was so hard to get supplies, even drinkable water, that there was a limit to what they could do.

Even aside from the storms, there were deep concerns about the sweltering days ahead, given that around 11,000 customers were still without power and more than twice that number were without water. Another 44,000 were under a boil water advisory, the governor said on Monday morning.

Many people in the mountains rely on small water supply lines running down the creeks and hollows, and repairs to these lines could take weeks, said Greg Stumbo, a former state representative, who was unloading relief supplies at a recreation center in Knott County. Its going to be bad when it gets hot again, he said. Houses were already baking in a sea of sticky mud, he said, and you cant hardly clean all that stuff up if you dont have water and electricity.

Cleaning was the herculean task that lay before the exhausted citizens of Whitesburg, a town of roughly 2,000 people that hugs the Kentucky River. On Monday afternoon, the hilly streets were lined by soggy mountains of carpets, air conditioning ducts, toys, couches and chairs. On the sidewalk in front of a church stood a pew, before a vast selection of books, including hymnals, prayer guides, a Quran and a copy of The Joy of Trivia.
Al-Zawahri was long believed to have been living in Pakistan. That he was killed in Kabul is a testament to not only the porous border between the two countries but also to Al Qaedas decades-long use of facilities, houses, buildings and compounds throughout both countries, a U.S. official said. And unlike the relatively sleepy city of Abbottabad, Pakistan, where Bin Laden was killed by a commando raid in 2011, his successor apparently spent the last weeks of his life right smack in the Afghan capital.

Earlier this year, American intelligence sources learned that al-Zawahris wife, daughter and grandchildren had relocated to a house in Kabul, a senior administration official told reporters during a conference call on Monday night under White House ground rules requiring anonymity. The official said that the family had exercised longstanding terrorist tradecraft that was intended to prevent anyone from following them.

Still, the official said, American intelligence agencies grew increasingly confident that al-Zawahri was at the house as well. As they did in the case of Bin Laden, intelligence officials used different sources and methods to build a so-called pattern of life that confirmed his presence, the official said. Once al-Zawahri arrived at the location, American officials were never aware of him leaving, and he was observed for sustained periods on the balcony where he was ultimately struck.

Two top aides to Mr. Biden  Jonathan Finer, his deputy national security adviser, and Elizabeth Sherwood-Randall, his homeland security adviser  were first briefed on the intelligence in April. Later other officials were brought in, including Jake Sullivan, the national security adviser, who briefed the president.

On July 1, William J. Burns, the C.I.A. director; Avril D. Haines, the director of national intelligence; Christine Abizaid, the director of the National Counterterrorism Center; and other officials discussed the planned operation with Mr. Biden. They showed the president a model of the house al-Zawahri was staying in, and Mr. Biden asked questions about weather, construction materials, risk to civilians and other factors that could influence the success of the operation, the official said.

The strike was an important achievement for Mr. Biden, whose unpopularity in polls has jeopardized his partys chances in the midterm elections this fall and prompted fellow Democrats to urge him to let someone else run in 2024. But such successes on the battlefield have had little lasting political benefit for his predecessors. Successful raids killing the head of the Islamic State and a top Iranian commander made no meaningful difference for Mr. Trump, and even the raid that killed Bin Laden resulted in only a temporary bump in the polls for President Barack Obama.
The Republican governor of Maryland condemned his partys nominee for state attorney general over the weekend for previously promoting a conspiracy theory about the Sept. 11 attacks. The governor criticized the G.O.P.s direction two weeks after its voters chose far-right candidates for top state offices.

Blaming our country for Al Qaedas atrocities is an insult to the memory of the thousands of innocent Americans and brave first responders who died that day, Gov. Larry Hogan wrote on Twitter on Sunday. These disgusting lies dont belong in our party.
Mr. Finchem did not respond to requests for comment for this article, and one of his lawyers declined to comment. But in a May email he assured Republican supporters that if he had been in office in 2020, we would have won. Plain and simple. In the days after the election, he was co-host of an unofficial hearing at a downtown Phoenix hotel where Mr. Giuliani, Mr. Trumps personal lawyer, aired bogus stolen-elections claims. He was instrumental in trying to advance a slate of fake Trump electors in Arizona  part of a scheme to overturn the elections in a number of states that is being investigated by the Justice Department  and he is helping gather signatures to petition to decertify the states election results, even though that is not legally possible.

Mr. Finchem also marched to the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. He has said he did not come closer than 500 yards, but photos have surfaced showing him near the Capitol steps. He is not among the Oath Keepers who have been criminally charged, though he has been subpoenaed by the House committee investigating the attack.

Mr. Trump called him the kind of fighter we need in his endorsement and invited him to speak at his recent rally in Arizona. In the meantime, the other three Republican candidates for secretary of state, who in Arizona also serves as lieutenant governor, have staked out a range of positions on the 2020 election.

State Representative Shawnna Bolick says she would not have certified President Bidens 2020 victory, even though it was legally required: That wouldve been fine, she said during a debate. I would have been breaking the law. The other two candidates  State Senator Michelle Ugenti-Rita and Beau Lane, an advertising executive  say they would have followed the law and certified the election.

I dont think hes helping build faith in elections, I think hes sowing doubt in elections, and thats not what the secretary of state needs to do, Mr. Lane said of Mr. Finchem in an interview.
Ms. Pelosi, who arrived in Singapore on Monday, has not officially confirmed her plan to stop in Taiwan, citing security concerns. But local reports in Taiwan said officials there had been informed that she would arrive on Tuesday evening or Wednesday morning local time. She originally planned to visit Taiwan in April but called off that trip after testing positive for the coronavirus.

Understand the China-Taiwan Tensions Card 1 of 4 Understand the China-Taiwan Tensions What does China mean to Taiwan? China claims Taiwan, a self-governing island democracy of 23 million people, as its territory and has long vowed to take it back, by force if necessary. The island, to which Chiang Kai-sheks Chinese forces retreated after the Communist Revolution of 1949, has never been part of the Peoples Republic of China. Understand the China-Taiwan Tensions What does Xi Jinping want? Chinas leader has made it clearer than any of his predecessors that he sees unifying Taiwan with China to be a primary goal of his rule  and a key to what he calls Chinas national rejuvenation. Mr. Xi is also keen to project an image of strength ahead of his expected confirmation to an unprecedented third term this fall. Understand the China-Taiwan Tensions How is the U.S. involved? In an intentionally ambiguous diplomatic arrangement adopted in 1979, the United States maintains a one China policy that acknowledges, but does not endorse, Beijings claim over Taiwan. U.S. leaders have remained vague about how they would help Taiwan if China attacked, but President Biden has pledged to defend the island. Understand the China-Taiwan Tensions Why are tensions rising now? Speaker Nancy Pelosis recent trip to Taiwan  the highest level visit to the island by an American official since 1997  has ignited regional tensions, prompting China to conduct its largest-ever military exercises near Taiwan. A chorus of official Chinese bodies portrayed her trip as part of an American effort to sabotage Chinas efforts at unification with Taiwan.







American officials monitoring intelligence reports have become convinced in recent days that China is preparing a hostile response of some sort  not an outright attack on Taiwan or an effort to intercept Ms. Pelosis plane, as some fear, but an assertion of military power that may go beyond even the aggressive encounters of recent months. Some cited the Taiwan Strait crisis of 1995 and 1996, when China fired missiles to intimidate the self-governing island and President Bill Clinton ordered aircraft carriers into area.

Analysts said a similar conflict could be vastly more perilous today because the Peoples Liberation Army is far more robust than it was then, armed now with missiles that could take out carriers. The worry is that even if no combat is intended, an accidental encounter could easily spiral out of control.

This is an exceptionally dangerous situation, perhaps more so than Ukraine, said Evan Medeiros, a China expert at Georgetown University and a former Asia adviser to President Barack Obama. The risks of escalation are immediate and substantial.

At the White House, Mr. Kirby did not say whether American intelligence agencies had detected any concrete indications of Chinese actions, but he was unusually specific in outlining the possible responses that the United States anticipated.

White House officials have privately expressed concern that a visit by Ms. Pelosi would touch off a dangerous cycle of escalation in Asia at the same time Washington is already consumed with helping Ukraine fight off Russias invasion. Much of Americas military industrial complex is busy arming Ukraine, which could hamper efforts to bolster weapons shipments to Taiwan.
KINSHASA, Democratic Republic of Congo  United Nations peacekeepers opened fire at a border crossing in the Democratic Republic of Congo on Sunday, U.N. and Congolese authorities said, killing two people and injuring 15 others in a spasm of violence that punctuated weeks of tensions over the agencys role in Africas second-largest nation.

Local protesters have recently escalated their calls for United Nations forces to leave the region, saying the soldiers have failed to protect civilians against an alarming surge of violence carried out by an array of militant groups. The killings on Sunday come just days after at least 19 people, including three U.N. peacekeepers, were killed and 60 others injured, in demonstrations against the peacekeeping mission in the cities of Butembo and Goma.

On Sunday, a U.N. peacekeeping brigade returning from leave opened fire at the border post in Kasindi town, in the North Kivu Province along the border with Uganda, Bintou Keita, the head of the U.N. mission in Congo, said in a statement. Ms. Keita said the force opened fire for unexplained reasons and forced their way through the border crossing causing loss of life and serious injuries.
Hams on SOTA event help prevent major forest fire The ARRL reports while participating in the Black Hills Amateur Radio Club's (ARC) annual Summits on the Air (SOTA) event in South Dakota on July 16, 2022, two amateur radio operators helped spot a potential forest fire



ARRL say:



Ryan Lindblom, KE0LXT, President of the Black Hills ARC, and Christopher Jaques, KD0RAS, had made their trek to Cicero Peak. Just before heading back down, they noticed what might be smoke or dust to the south near Hot Springs. Lindblom made a contact on their simplex frequency to ask a local amateur radio operator if there had been any reports of Forest Service activity in the area.



An off-duty ranger was monitoring a local ham repeater from his home, heard traffic from Cicero Peak, and called in the alert. A fire crew and a helicopter were able to contain a small fire 2.5 miles south of Pringle, South Dakota.



Ward Hall, WC0Y, attending the Black Hills SOTA weekend for his second year, reported that a forest ranger on Bear Mountain stepped out of the ranger tower to greet him, but at the time, was busy monitoring firefighting traffic.



"I could hear the radio activity while I was on the ground near the tower," said Hall. "The ranger later told me that the Forest Service was alerted to a small fire when an off-duty ranger was monitoring a local ham repeater and heard the traffic from Cicero Peak." Hall said the ranger credited the ham activity for an early alert that allowed them to address the fire while it was small. "He was very appreciative of how the ham activity helped them and asked that I pass it on," Hall added.



ARRL Dakota Division Director Bill Lippert, AC0W, applauded the work of the amateur radio operaters for early reporting of what could have been a major fire, as well as credited the Forest Service for their quick response.



The Black Hills Amateur Radio Club had 12 people participating in their Black Hills SOTA weekend. The club has 75 members and covers the Black Hills region of South Dakota, which is in the southwest corner of the state. They are headquartered in Rapid City, South Dakota, and they are an ARRL Affiliated Club.



Source ARRL Letter July 28, 2022

http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter
Gerhard Schmitt, the former lead principal investigator for Cooling Singapore, said the idea for the project started because he had asked a group of older residents in 2011 whether Singapore had always been this hot. They told him that it never used to be so bad and that they had once been able to spot morning dew on grass.

Mr. Schmitt and his team of researchers started investigating what happened. It became clear that urbanization had made Singapore a lot warmer than before. In recent decades, the government transformed the city-state by building tall skyscrapers, piling concrete, steel and glass where Singapores natural forests once stood.

That contributed directly to what climate researchers call the urban heat island effect, where the difference between downtown Singapore and the forests in the northwestern part of the island can exceed 12.6 degrees.

In 2017, researchers for Cooling Singapore recommended 86 ways the city-state could modify its planning, such as changing the direction of buildings to create wind flow and using district cooling systems  which pipe chilled water to surrounding buildings to cool the air  instead of relying on air-conditioners.

They had also said that using reflective paints would be a good way to mitigate heat. But Peter Crank, a research fellow with Cooling Singapore, said they are expensive, so the cost-benefit is potentially challenging.
The secretary general of the United Nations warned on Monday that humanity was just one misunderstanding, one miscalculation away from nuclear annihilation, citing the war in Ukraine among the conflicts driving the risk to a level not seen since the height of the Cold War.

All this at a time when the risks of proliferation are growing and guardrails to prevent escalation are weakening, the official, Antonio Guterres, said. And when crises  with nuclear undertones  are festering from the Middle East and the Korean Peninsula to Russias invasion of Ukraine.

Mr. Guterres was speaking at the opening session of a conference at the U.N. headquarters in New York about upholding and securing the 50-year-old global Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, meant to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons, aiming for eventual disarmament.
The Ukrainian military said on Monday that in recent weeks it had destroyed at least 15 ammunition depots in southern Ukraine alone  with many of the strikes captured on video  forcing the Russians to use surface-to-air missiles to strike ground targets. The Pentagon said last week that Ukraine was using Western weapons to increasingly devastating effect.

The Ukrainians have become very effective in finding and killing Russian command and control hubs and destroying large amounts of Russian equipment, a senior U.S. Defense Department official said on Friday.

The exiled Ukrainian governor of Kherson, Dmytro Butrii, said on Monday that some 46 villages in the province had been liberated but that some of them had been nearly completely destroyed and were still under Russian shelling.

The Russians have shown that they can still cause widespread death and destruction with the vast arsenal still at their disposal.

Use of overwhelming force has been at the heart of Russian military doctrine since Soviet days. The advances their forces made this spring in the eastern Luhansk region came only after Russian artillery had basically reduced towns to rubble.

Their tactic remains much the same as it was during the hostilities in Luhansk region, Serhiy Haidai, head of the Luhansk Regional Military Administration, said on Monday.
People feel that if they speak this way and not that way, things will work out as they want, said Ronit Gadish, head of the Academys Scientific Secretariat, which is charged with setting norms for modern Hebrew. Gender equality sits on that platform. People delude themselves that if they change the language to fit their agenda, they will win their battles for some cause or other.

Hebrew is by no means the only language that has been the target of calls for change. Many world languages, like French, make every noun either masculine or feminine. And the United Nations has issued guidelines for nondiscriminatory communications in the six official languages of the organization: Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish.

Nor is gender inclusivity the only existential issue facing Hebrew. Many Israelis pepper their speech with English terms, and among tech entrepreneurs in particular, English professional terms are often used in the original or in some cannibalized, Hebraicized form.

But its the gender issue that is causing the most angst in Israel.

Merav Michaeli, the feminist leader of the Labor party, is widely credited with having led the charge for a more inclusive Hebrew. At first she tended to favor only using the feminine form, but has switched to more frequent use of both.
A blast at a detention camp in eastern Ukraine killed at least 50 Ukrainian prisoners of war. The attack has enraged Ukrainians, who call it a war crime. Russia said, without offering evidence, that a Ukrainian missile strike caused the explosion.

Here is what we know about the blast, its causes and consequences.

What do we know about the camp where the blast hit?

The explosion ripped through a barracks at Correctional Colony No. 120, a prison camp in the Russian-occupied town of Olenivka in eastern Ukraines Donetsk Province, on Thursday night at around 11 p.m. The detainees included hundreds of Ukrainian fighters who surrendered in May to Russian forces after making a last stand to defend a steelworks in the port city of Mariupol.

Russia has called many of them war criminals, without providing evidence, while many Ukrainians view them as heroes. There are believed to be at least 2,000 prisoners at the camp, and there have been numerous reports by prisoners, their relatives and human rights groups of torture and abuse. Ukraines general staff have accused Russia of causing carnage in part to hide evidence of torture and executions at the camp.
WASHINGTON  The United States will send another $550 million in arms to Ukraine to help it fend off Russia, the White House said on Monday, increasing the total American investment in the fighting there to more than $8 billion since the invasion began in February.

President Biden authorized the latest package as the first cargo ship of food left the Ukrainian port city of Odesa after months of Russian blockade, in accordance with an agreement with Moscow. The White House called on the Kremlin to continue abiding by the pact to ease a growing food crisis around the world.

Russia has, of course, weaponized food, said John F. Kirby, a spokesman for the National Security Council. We urge Russia to meet its commitments under this new arrangement.
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A Chinese court recently issued a controversial ruling, ordering a woman to pay 3.79 million yuan ($560,000) to her lovers wife, because their relationship wasnt recognized by law.

Scorned wives suing their husbands lovers isnt unheard of. On the contrary, a quick Google search of the phrase alienation of affection reveals that its still quite a common practice, although this law tort was abolished in many jurisdictions around the world. But whereas that refers to one spouse suing a third party for damaging their marriage and usually leading to divorce, a recent case in China saw one wife sue her husbands mistress to return all the material possessions he had given her during their affair. The court sided with the woman and ordered the mistress to pay a whopping 3.79 million yuan to her lovers wife.

Photo: Eric Prouzet/Unsplash

According to documents released by the Peoples Court of Zhuanghe in Liaoning, northeastern China, the plaintiff, a woman surnamed Li, and her husband, Wang, had been married since 1991. In 2008, Wang began an extramarital affair with another woman, identified by the pseudonym Xiaoxia. A couple of years ago, Li learned about her husbands affair, after discovering that he had been regularly sending her sums of money.

Wang admitted to his affair, telling his wife that he had also fathered a 10-year-old son with Xiaoxia and that he had been supporting them for years. evidence presented in court showed that Wang had transferred 1.47 million yuan ($217,700) to his mistress between 2013 and 2020, had bought her two apartments worth a total of 1.45 million yuan ($214,700) and had also gifted her a car worth 870,000 ($128,800).

Photo: Sora Shimazaki/Pexels

Xiaoxia argued that she never knew Wang was married and that the money she received from Wang over the years went to child support, but the court said that this case was about ownership of assets and not about child support. Chinese law states that neither party of a marriage can spend the couples common property without the others consent, and since Li never gave her consent for Wangs gifts, Xiaoxia now has to return a total of 3.79 million yuan ($560,000) to her lovers wife.

The court did tell Xiaoxia that she has the option to file a separate case and sue Wang for child support, but that their relationship up to this point goes against public customs.
A disgruntled excavator operator who allegedly got fired by their employer recently took revenge by destroying several luxury homes in Ontarios exclusive Muskoka Marina.

A 59-year-old man has been charged with mischief and slapped with a $5,000 fine after a viral video circulating online showed him using an excavator to severely damage several properties in Muskoka Marina, a popular summer retreat of the rich and famous in Ontario. Police officers who arrived on the scene just after 9 p.m. on July 21st discovered significant damage to the marina on Lake Rosseau in Muskoka Lakes Township, but no suspect. It was only after a video recorded by a local went viral on Twitter that the 59-year-old perpetrator was identified. He is now scheduled to appear in court and risks spending time behind bars.

Photo: C.H Yu/Unsplash

It was almost surreal what happened. For something like that to happen its like fiction, Geordie Newlands, owner of the SWS Muskoka marina said, adding that the cost of the damage was in the millions.

Although neither police nor the owners of the damaged marina homes were willing to speculate on the motives of the accused, the viral video posted on Twitter suggests that it is the work of a disgruntled former employee.

You cant make this up. A disgruntled, fired employee from a marina near our lake house snapped and destroyed the entire marina with an excavator. Does anyone have more information on what happened? #Muskoka pic.twitter.com/XcCLAVBFMy  Don Tapscott (@dtapscott) July 27, 2022

Believe it or not, this sort of incident isnt really that rare. Just last year, we wrote about a contractor in Germany who defaced an apartment building he helped build after a dispute with the property developer over payment.
ICQPodcast - SOTA Mountain Adventure

In this episode, Martin Butler (M1MRB)is joined by Chris Howard (M0TCH), Martin Rothwell (M0SGL), Frank Howell (K4FMH), and Leslie Butterfield (G0CIB) to discuss the latest Amateur / Ham Radio news. Colin (M6BOY) rounds up the news in brief and in the episode's feature SOTA Mountain Adventure.

We would like to thank Scott Wright (K0MD), Richard Langmead (5B4AJG) and our monthly and annual subscription donors for keeping the podcast advert free. To donate, please visit - http://www.icqpodcast.com/donate

News stories include: -

UK Direct to Full Examination Syllabus

Traffic Messages in APRS Map Service

National ARRL Program for School Teachers

144/430 MHz bands to be used for PMR during 2024 Olympics

Radio Hams to Operate from Hot Air Balloon

Flight Refuelling Amateur Radio Society Hamfest

Commonwealth Games 2022 Amateur Radio Station on the Air

Lack of Danish Ham Radio Training

The ICQPodcast can be downloaded from http://www.icqpodcast.com
Finn Partners will handle the debut of the International Travel Show sponsored by Travel + Leisure Co., slated for New Yorks Jacob K. Javits Convention from Oct. 28 to Oct. 30.

The New York Times Co. had sponsored the event for 18 years up to 2020.

Themed The Future of Travel, the shows opening day is dedicated to travel advisors and media, while the remaining two days of exhibitions, cultural presentations and seminars are for consumers.

Finn Partners will handle media relations for ITS, staff the press center, consult on programming and support sponsors.

Paul Muir, ITS president, said Finn picked up the business because of its deep expertise in the travel and hospitality sector and its robust relationships with the consumer, travel, lifestyle and business media.

Finn Partners ranked No. 2 on ODwyers roster of travel firms with 2021 fees of $20.7M.
FGS Global represents Valvoline as the Lexington, KY-based company that sells its auto lubricants and engine maintenance products business to Saudi Aramco for $2.7B cash.

The deal will enable Valvoline to "unlock the full, long-term value of our strong but differentiated retail services businesses," said Valvoline CEO Sam Mitchell.

Saudi Aramco, which is the world's biggest oil company, said the addition of Valvoline's lubricants line fits perfectly with its strategy to develop downstream capabilities.

Following the deal's close, Valvoline will own the Valvoline brand for all retail services globally except in China and certain countries in the Middle East and North Africa.

Saudi Aramco, which is eager to expand its partnerships with car/truck makers, will own the Valvoline brand globally for all products.

Valvoline has signed a long-term agreement with Saudi Aramco to supply its retail chain with lubricants.

FGS Global's Jamie Tully, Devin Broda and Warren Rizzi handle Valvoline.
Stockbridge, which is minutes south of Atlanta via I-75, is looking for a firm to handle the naming rights and marketing of its amphitheater that opened in 2020.
MEMBERS of the Prince of Waless Leinster Regiment Association will gather in Birr on Sunday August 7th to mark the disbandment of the distinguished Irish regiment one hundred years ago.

The highlight of the centenary weekend will be a Ceremony of Commemoration at the Memorial outside the regimental Depot in Crinkill.

Led by Templemore Pipe Bank, members of the Association will fall in behind a Colour Party and Regimental Standards of the Leinster Regiment Association and the other four disbanded Irish Regiments and parade from the Military Cemetery to the monument, which was unveiled in 2013.

Present will be Minister of State at the Department of Finance, Sean Fleming TD., who will represent the Government. He will be joined by local political representatives, Offaly County Council and Birr clergy.

The welcome address will be given from a Reviewing Platform by the Chair of the Leinster Regiment Association (LRA), Col. Mark Weldon.

Noted Birr historian, Brian Kennedy, will outline the lead up to the disbandment of the regiment and the laying up of regimental Colours at Windsor Castle in June 1922.

Before King George V on June 12th, 1922, the Regimental Colours of the Prince of Waless Leinster Regiment, the Royal Dublin Fusiliers, the Royal Munster Fusiliers, Connaught Rangers and the 18th Regiment of Foot Royal Irish Regiment (& South Irish Horse) passed, in the words of His Majesty, to be kept forever in the care of the King and his descendants.

In St Georges Hall, the King told the representatives of the disbanded Irish infantry regiments: You are called upon to part with them today for reasons beyond your control and resistance. By you and your predecessors these Colours have been reverenced and guarded as a sacred trust - which trust you now confide in me.

As your King I am proud to accept this trust. But I fully realise with what grief you relinquish these dearly-prized emblems; and I pledge my word that within these ancient and historic walls your Colours will be treasured, honoured, and protected as hallowed memorials of the glorious deeds of brave and loyal regiments.

During the First World War, about 2,000 Leinsters were killed and scores injured in fierce fighting on the Front. Four soldiers earned the highest decoration for valour, the Victoria Cross, and many others received recognition for their distinguished service.

LRA member and respected authority on the regiment, Stephen Callaghan, will tell those in attendance of the hand-over of Crinkill Barracks to the Irish Free State authorities and what happened subsequently.

Following a Pipers Lament, wreaths will be laid at the base of the Memorial by Government, County Council, the Leinster Regiment Association and other Irish disbanded regiments.

The Exhortation and Last Post will be followed by a minutes silence. The Dedication will be given by Col. Weldon and an ecumenical blessing will be performed by local clergy.

The Sunday August 7th event will conclude with a March Off and playing of the National Anthem.

LRA Vice-Chair, Denis Kirby, says the Crinkill event will be the highlight of this, the centenary year of the end of the Leinsters.

Mr Kirby adds: On behalf of the Association, Im indebted to everyone who has worked so hard to make this weekend possible, particularly those on the ground in Birr and Crinkill. Considerable effort has gone into marking a truly historic military event in the history of Ireland. All are welcome to attend.

We are also in a recruitment phase and would welcome new members to the fold. I would encourage anyone wishing to join to have a chat with us before or after the event in Crinkill.

There is a long military tradition in Birr and South Offaly. The Leinsters mostly recruited from five designated counties in the Irish midlands but men also joined from Cork, Belfast, Dublin and, of course, England.

The Regiment was short-lived. It was set up in 1881 and had a lifespan of just forty-one years, but you can say it had an eventful history in many theatres of conflict including South Africa.

For many soldiers, laying up of Regimental Standards in 1922 was akin to a great personal tragedy. Our Association will keep the flame burning brightly as we look forward to commemorating and honouring the men who served.

Earlier on Sunday, the Leinster Regiment Association will hold its AGM in Oxmantown Hall. It will be followed by a public lecture at 11.30am on Martin OMeara VC from Lorrha by historian, Gerard OMeara.
Offaly had a special visitor last week with Irelands favourite weatherman, Deric Hartigan of Virgin media, doing a number of live broadcasts from the Birr Town and Birr Castle Demesne.

He was in town to mark the start of the 54th Birr Vintage Week and Arts Festival, one of Irelands longest running festivals, which will see 80 events taking place in 10 days and he got into the spirit of things donning his own vintage outfit.

While in town, Deric met many of the people behind Vintage Week, including Emma Nee Haslam Manager of Birr Theatre and Arts Centre, who spoke about the wide range of activities taking part at the festival.

Deric also spoke to Ethna Garahy, Vintage car enthusiast and owner of a stunning 1967 duck egg blue vintage Morris Minor. She showed him some stunning Vintage cars that will be part of the vintage car.

Robert Parkinson explained the fun to be had at the Crinkill Soap Box Derby taking place as one of the closing events of the festival and poet and writer Rita Kelly, who is a judge of the Victorian Sponge and cucumber sandwich competition at the Great Vintage Picnic held at Birr Castle, also participated.

It was an early start for many from the town, young and old, who turned up in full vintage costume for the broadcast, which gave a hint of the festivities scheduled for the next ten days.

The Birr Vintage and Arts Festival is just one of a number of festivals taking place in Co Offaly during 2022. For more information see www.visitoffaly.ie
THE ENDORSEMENT by the Taoiseach of calls for permanent long-term public residential care in Roscrea has been greeted as a major step towards a positive outcome in securing the future of the town's only public nursing home.

Roscrea's Dean Maxwell Community Nursing Home was the subject of a meeting on Friday last (July 29) where a delegation from the Dean Maxwell Action Group met with Taoiseach Michael Martin and Ministers at government buildings and had what they described as a very successful meeting.

Chairman of Roscrea Community Development Council, John Lupton, told the Tribune there was a recognition by all that there must be a complement of long term stay community nursing beds in Roscrea for Roscrea people and its immediate hinterland.

This core pillar of what campaigners have been long fighting for in Roscrea had never before received such a high-ranking endorsement as that of the Taosieach, and has been welcomed as a solid indication of progression in the right direction.

The meeting was chaired by the Taoiseach and attended by the Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly, and Minister for Older People, Mary Butler and Independent Tipperary TD, Michael Lowry, who facilitated the meeting and requested the Taoiseach attendance.

Tipperary Fianna Fail TD, Jackie Cahill and Roscrea based County Councillors Michael Smith (FF) and Shane Lee (IND) and the Dean Maxwell Action Group, represented by Anne Keevey, David Kiernan and John Lupton also participated.

Government Departmental Officials were also there, including officials from the HSE, headed by Marie Bridgeman, Manager of the HSE in the Mid West.

It was confirmed that following the meeting the HSE are now also committed to a complement of long term stay beds for Roscrea. From the meeting it was recognised that much work needed to be done by the HSE, and the relevant Government Departments to ensure that optimum use is made of available resources in Roscrea and that the development of these resources would take place insofar as may be feasible, Mr. Lupton told the Tribune.

The Taoiseach said that the progress in formulating a strategy will be reviewed again three months from now to evaluate what progress the Departments and HSE have made.

Mr. Lupton said that it represents a new beginning, as the principle of the right of Roscrea people to have a long term stay bed facility within the community is now accepted - which has never before been officially acknowledged by the HSE.

However, it is only a beginning, he stressed, adding that much strategic work and planning needs to be done over the coming months to determine how these long term stay beds will be provided in Roscrea.

This must be done in the context of a Strategic Plan by the HSE for services for older people in Roscrea, to include the continuation of the Day Care Centre and respite facilities.

While we would all like to report a more definitive outcome, I think the meeting was very promising and worthwhile and the principle of a long term stay facility in Roscrea for Roscrea people, which was to be lost to the community has now been restored, Mr. Lupton said.

A TURNING POINT

Speaking following the meeting, Deputy Michael Lowry told the Tribune the meeting marked a turning point for the future of Roscreas Dean Maxwell Nursing Home.

Deputy Lowry said there will be capital investment for Roscrea and we are now on a clear pathway to a satisfactory resolution. Deputy Lowry said the meeting provided an excellent opportunity to address the needs of the people of Roscrea.

We received a commitment that an overall Service Plan would be prepared and developed to cater for all aspects of elderly care. This plan will include the provision of long-stay beds designated for the town and parish of Roscrea.

Dean Maxwell will continue to be central to health care delivery, Deputy Lowry said.

Today's meeting was most encouraging and a turning point in gaining recognition to address the future of Dean Maxwell and a full and complete Social Care Plan for the people of Roscrea.

We are now on a clear pathway to a satisfactory resolution. I will continue to give this issue my time and attention, he said.

Roscrea based Tipperary County Councillor, Michael Smith (FF) said the meeting was positive, but stressed there must be room for future growth to accommodate a changing demographic and growing needs.

The asset test in a democracy is how it caters for the most vulnerable in our society. Since the 25 long stay beds were swiped away with the stroke of a pen from the Dean Maxwell, many people in the Roscrea area were worried that their hope of having long stay beds near their home were no longer available, Cllr. Smith said.

I have always advocated and fought for the HSE to secure investment for the development and enhancement of a new modern nursing home on its current site.

I will never turn my back on this or the fight for this facility knowing how well the dedicated staff cater for the needs of the elderly and the attachment of families who loved ones benefit from these excellent services.

A major effort had been made by the Action Committee, other stakeholders and myself to prepare and design a plan which incorporates the potential of the existing site and additional lands now available.

This plan was agreed, and then recently presented at a meeting of An Taoiseach, Michael Martin, Minister of Health, Stephen Donnelly, Minister of State Mary Butler, Department officials and the HSE.

I am glad that the HSE have moved in their stance in relation to the provision of long stay beds for our town and community, but it may well be at too great a cost, Cllr. Smith said.

One matter seems to be abundantly clear - there is not one extra bed for the area of Roscrea.

We have to work together to ensure that any proposals that are discussed are for long term future of elderly care in Roscrea. We also have to secure investment for the provision of services in the current Dean Maxwell Nursing Home, Cllr. Smith said.
China has warned it will "resolutely safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity" as tensions rise over Taiwan, amid rumours of a US visit to the self-ruled island.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has touched down in Samoa ahead of a special visit commemorating 60 years of friendship between the island nation and New Zealand.It is a stunning day in Apia, with sunny skies welcoming the delegation...
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has officially been welcomed with a traditional ava ceremony in Samoa - on the same grounds a Treaty of Friendship was signed between the two nations 60 years ago.In a luxurious setting at the top of...
Labour's Lisa Nandy has been pictured visiting striking workers on a picket line despite Sir Keir Starmer warning his frontbench MPs that they should not attend them.
George Takei is among the Star Trek actors who have paid tribute to trailblazing Nichelle Nichols following her death at the..

Belfast Telegraph 31 Jul 2022
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Despite the sometimes heavy rain Monday, about one dozen volunteers gathered to help distribute about 7,000 pounds of food to Midland area residents.

On Aug. 1, volunteers, many from the Midland Evangelical Free Church, went to the Greater Midland North Family Center for its monthly food distribution. More than 150 cars showed up to receive food amid a high need of food assistance in northern Midland County.

Andrea Secrease, executive director of Greater Midland North and Coleman family centers, said Eastern Food Bank of Mid-Michigan and the Emergency Food Bank of Midland County began working with those two-family centers at the start of the pandemic for these food distributions.

The center had to pause on the distributions for a few months this year due to funding issues, but is now able to run them again with smaller food trucks.

About 2.5 million pounds of food has been distributed since the partnership began, she said.

Georgia Pelli, director of operations for North Family Center, said 200-300 people showed up before the break. She hopes to get the word out to people that they are back to regular redistributions.

On Monday, Pelli said about 160 cars showed up for the distribution, but that does not represent the true number of people served. She said families and people without access to working vehicles will carpool to these in order to access food.

Many of the people who showed up were seniors, who Pelli said can have a hard time accessing benefits like food stamps. She said people have to sign up for them on the states website, and many forget passwords since they are not as tech-literate as younger generations. They have to jump through a lot of hoops to get services and ask questions, with phone calls difficult to get through to the state, she added.

These seniors may also fear they are a burden asking for food assistance, mistakenly believing they are taking food away from others who need it, Pelli said.

We are here to help, Pelli said. All these facilities are here to help.

Both Pelli and Secrease said the rural nature of north and northwest Midland County also contribute to the issue of food insecurity, with high gas prices preventing many from being able to go down to the city of Midland for groceries.

Coleman was considered a total food desert up until last year, meaning there was not a place to get fresh food in the community. But through a partnership with Greater Midland and United Way of Midland, a community grocery store was opened in the town last year open three days a week.

Despite this new store and these food distributions, Secrease said food insecurity still exists in this region, particularly in the Coleman area, due to low incomes and lack of transportation.

I do think that being in the city of Midland, we are isolated enough and geographically isolated enough that folks do not realize some of the need that does exist in northern Midland County, Secrease said. They also do not understand some of the resources that are available.

The North Family Center does its food distributions on the first Monday every month and the Coleman Family Center, located at 4839 N. Coleman Schools Drive, does its food distribution on the final Monday every month. People can drive up to the centers, where food is put into their cars.

Secrease said the center can also help with connecting people with other resources regarding food insecurity. To reach the North Community Center, call 989-689-7770. To reach to Coleman Family Center, call 989-465-2079.
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The bulletproof vehicles that Colombias government assigns to hundreds of high-risk individuals are supposed to make them safer. But when an investigative reporter discovered they all had GPS trackers, she only felt more vulnerable  and outraged.

No one had informed Claudia Julieta Duque  or apparently any of the 3,700-plus journalists, rights activists and labor and indigenous leaders who use the vehicles  that the devices were keeping constant tabs on their whereabouts. In Duques case, it happened as often as every 30 seconds. The system could also remotely cut off the SUV's engine.

Colombia is among the worlds most dangerous countries for human rights defenders  with more than 500 killed since 2016. It is also a country where right-wing extremists have a track record of infiltrating national security bodies. For Duque, the GPS revelation was chilling: Movements of people already at risk of political assassination were being tracked with technology that bad actors could weaponize against them.

Its something super invasive, said Duque, who has been a persistent target of rogue security agents. And the state doesnt seem to care.

The government agency responsible has said the trackers were installed to help prevent theft, to track the bodyguards who often drive the vehicles and to help respond to dangerous situations.

For a decade, Colombia had been installing trackers in the armored vehicles of at-risk individuals as well as VIPs, including presidents, government ministers and senators. The agency's director made that disclosure after Duque learned last year through a public records request that the system was recording her SUVs location an average of five times an hour.

The director dismissed privacy concerns and called the practice fundamental to guaranteeing security.

Considering the tracker a danger to her and her sources, Duque pressed for details on its exact features. But the National Protection Unit, known as UNP in Spanish, offered little. She then demanded the agency remove the device. It refused. So in February, Duque returned the vehicle, left the country and filed a legal challenge.

Now back in Bogota, she is hoping for satisfaction when Gustavo Petro, Colombias first leftist president, takes office Aug. 7.

Petros domestic security transition team did not respond to questions from The Associated Press on the matter.

Whatever action the new administration takes will reflect on its avowed commitment to human rights and its ability to reform a national security establishment long run by bitter political foes.

The UNP is a pillar of that establishment. It employs, mostly as bodyguards, dozens of ex-agents of the disgraced DAS domestic security agency, which was dissolved in 2011 after the government of former President Alvaro Uribe abused it to spy on Supreme Court justices, journalists and political opponents.

Prominent among them were Petro himself  and Duque.

She was surveilled, threatened and bullied by DAS operatives after uncovering evidence that the 1999 assassination of beloved humorist and peace activist Jaime Garzon was a crime of the state. Duque's reporting eventually helped convict a former DAS deputy director in the killing, and three other ex-DAS officials have been convicted of psychological torture for threatening the lives of Duque and her daughter.

Trials against eight others are pending. Through it all, threats forced her into temporary exile nearly a dozen times.

The questions about the GPS devices added to growing concerns about an agency that once ranked among Latin Americas most effective in human rights protection. Adam Isacson, an analyst with the Washington Office on Latin America, said the UNP became less responsive, more politicized and more penetrated by criminality under the outgoing conservative government.

With social leaders being killed nearly every other day during the past four years, this was the worst time for the unit to fall into disarray, he said. Right-wing death squad activity spiked following a historic 2016 peace pact with leftist rebels.

Duque says she was tipped to the GPS trackers in early 2020 when she learned of a planned attempt on her life, but when she asked about them, the government stonewalled for a year.

When she finally got documents with the aid of the InterAmerican Human Rights Commission, they showed her location was recorded 25,183 times over 209 days from February to August of last year alone. A software manual described a panoply of other control options, including remotely operating cameras and door locks managed through vehicles' computers.

Duque asked if any such features were active in the government-leased vehicles but said she got no answer. The general manager of the company that provides the GPS software told the AP that it only tracks location and speed and enables engine cutoff.

A 2021 contract with the vehicle-leasing company obtained by Duque stipulates that a UNP official must approve any engine cutoff and that collected data be kept a minimum of two years. Nothing in the contract supports the claim made by the UNP that the system tracks bodyguards and enables quick reactions in dangerous situations.

UNP officials declined to respond to questions from the AP. There is no evidence the GPS tracking led to any harm to any of the people under protection.

Agency officials took offense last year when Duque questioned their intentions.

We dont persecute or follow anyone illegally, Director Alfonso Campo tweeted in October. The information compiled by GPS is private" and only handed over to a judge or judicial authority when required in a case or for security reasons. The AP asked the chief prosecutor's office if had made any requests, but it did not respond.

Privacy experts consider the Colombian government's tracking illegal and disproportionate and say it poses an unnecessary hacking risk.

Under the country's 2012 privacy law, affected individuals must consent for such data to be retained. But they were never asked, said Emmanuel Vargas, a privacy law expert helping Duque.

There is no indication that GPS helped protect the indigenous leader Miller Correa, who was kidnapped and killed in mid-March while driving alone on a rural highway. The tracker served afterward to retrieve his government-issued car, which was not armor-plated.

A June 2021 letter from the government to the InterAmerican commission said the UNP took all measures necessary to ensure data on protected individuals was not accessible to (agency) functionaries. But in a December letter to Duque, the agency indicated it does not directly administer the data-protection efforts. A contractor is responsible.

After Duque publicized her findings, several other high-risk Colombians publicly voiced distrust of their government-provided security details.

One was investigative journalist Julian Martinez, whose book about the infiltration of DAS by corrupt narco-paramilitaries won a 2017 national journalism award.

Martinezs government-assigned bodyguards didnt just spy on him after he published articles on alleged drug corruption involving the outgoing government. He accuses them of collecting material for a smear campaign organized by their boss  an outside contractor and former DAS official.

In February, Martinezs armored vehicle was attacked in Bogota by armed men who were reportedly repelled by his bodyguards. He was nearby at the time, and no one was hurt. Martinez doesnt believe it was a robbery attempt, as investigators have said they suspect.

The protection scheme has become a scheme of control, he said from Argentina, where he fled last month after denouncing an alleged plot to strip him of protection by claiming he was abusing it.

Alberto Yepes, a leading rights activist who assists victims of extrajudicial killings by Colombias military, is certain the UNP is being used to spy on him. He suspects cellphone circuitry he discovered in September in his government-provided vehicle could be used to eavesdrop on conversations.

Yepes is not sure Petro can succeed in overhauling the protection unit due to the heavy involvement of contractors with military backgrounds.

It will be difficult for the new government to change, he said. Theyre going to have to negotiate.

___

Associated Press Writer Astrid Suarez in Bogota contributed to this report.
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Midland County Clerk Ann Manary is confident that Tuesday's local elections will run smoothly, while Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson warned during a Monday morning press conference that some people may try to disrupt the election process or to intimidate voters.

"I do not (anticipate any disruptions)," Manary told the Daily News on Monday. "We are very fortunate here in Midland. People understand our process and are respectful and always treat our (poll) workers with kindness."

Of course, Manary is not only overseeing the elections as the county clerk - she is Republican candidate for the 95th District State House nomination.

During a 15-minute livestreamed speech in Detroit, Benson, a Democrat who is up for reelection this November, appeared to be preemptively warning anyone who might intend to disrupt the elections in Michigan, which include primaries for governor, Congress, and State House and Senate.

"We will not tolerate any attempt to disrupt our elections," Benson warned. "If necessary, we will remove and arrest bad actors. We will protect the voting rights of every citizen."

Benson also vowed that any attempts by election canvassers to decertify the results of the elections would be "futile."

"Election canvassers may attempt to sow seeds of doubt," Benson said. "Canvassers already refused to certify elections in New Mexico. That may happen here. If it does, we will be ready,"

Vote challengers

In Midland County, Manary noted that the Democratic Party, the League of Women Voters and one other group have notified the clerk's office that they will have challengers at the polls.

A challenger, who must be credentialed, can challenge the vote of a particular voter who the challenge may believe is not registered to vote, Manary explained.

"This is rare in Midland, but it is part of election law," she said. "After the 2020 elections, people want to be more involved in the process, which I think is wonderful."

A challenger can present a challenge to the chairperson of the polling location before the voter in question votes. The challenger and chairperson then would both fill out forms and the voter would receive what is called a "challenge ballot." The ballot number is written on the face of this ballot and is covered up with white-out tape.

The only way that a challenged vote would be invalidated, Manary said, is if a court ruled to that effect, and then the county clerk's office would have to subtract the votes on that ballot from the totals.

Benson also said that more than 6,000 new poll workers have signed up to work tomorrow's elections across the state.

Manary said a significant number of new poll workers will join Midland County's ranks  but many workers have stepped down.

"We have seen an uptick here in Midland of new election workers. People want to get involved after the 2020 elections," she said. "We also had a lot of poll workers who were at the age where they wanted to be done. Its a very long day.

"It's always good to get new folks in and have them be part of the process."




BEAR LAKE  In just his third year as a conservation technical assistant with the Manistee Conservation District, Tyler Dula has already earned statewide recognition.

During the Michigan Association of Conservation Districts summer conference in June, Dula was named Technician of the Year by the Conservation District Employees of Michigan organization.

"It's definitely a huge recognition," Dula said. "... It really shows that everything that I've learned over the last almost three years is finally paying off. I think we're doing some great things in Manistee County."

The Technician of the Year award is reserved for "a technician that has shown exemplary service and technical merit," according to the Conservation District Employees of Michigan website.

"I was informed after the fact that the staff here at my office had nominated me for that award," he said. "Essentially, they submitted my accolades and what I had accomplished over the last year to the (Conservation District Employees of Michigan) and the board essentially determined who had the greatest impact."

Dula said he didn't always intend to go into conservation, and grew up wanting to become a police officer.

"As I was talking with police officers, they said, 'Get a major in something besides criminal justice,' and I kind of always liked the outdoors, so I decided to major in natural resource management instead," he said. "Then I kind of just fell in love with the science aspect of it, and wildlife management. I kind of just continued along that career path."

After obtaining a bachelor's degree from Grand Valley State University, Dula accepted a position with the Huron Pines AmeriCorps program, in Gaylord, where he worked as a habitat restoration technician.

"I really got my feet wet with habitat management and restoration through that program," Dula said. "After that, I worked seasonally for the (Department of Natural Resources) and then back in October of 2019 I accepted this position with the Manistee Conservation District."

In his current role, Dula works with landowners who would like to implement conservation practices on their land.

"I'll set up a site visit with them and we kind of take their whole property into context when we're out there. My main goal is to identify resource concerns that I see visible on the property and I develop a conservation plan for that landowner," Dula said. "Essentially, I'll point out the issues and what they can do to improve those issues to address those resource concerns. They get a conservation plan, they get the technical information on how to go about doing that.

"Then, if they're interested, they can submit an application for cost share through the (Natural Resources Conservation Service) to implement those practices."

Dula was quick to credit his colleagues at the Manistee Conservation District for helping him become the technician he is today.

"I feel like we have a really good team here at the Manistee Conservation District," he said. "We learn from each other and, only being here since 2019, I've gained a wealth of experience."
An injunction blocking the enforcement of the 1931 Michigan abortion ban issued in May has been lifted for the 13 prosecutors in the state that have abortion clinics in their county.

The Michigan Court of Appeals ruled Monday that the injunction does not apply to county prosecutors, which could make abortion illegal in parts of the state.

The 91-year-old abortion ban, which had been blocked by the injunction from taking immediate effect after the Roe v. Wade ruling, makes it a crime for physicians to perform abortions unless the life of the mother is in danger. It does not include exceptions for rape or incest.

The decision could greatly hinder Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's, Attorney General Dana Nessel's and many other pro-abortion rights advocates' fight to maintain legal access to abortion. Seven prosecutors in counties with abortion clinics  all Democrats  have previously said they will not enforce the 1931 law.

Republican prosecutors in Kent and Jackson counties, however, plan to enforce the 1931 abortion ban, meaning it would be a felony for a woman to seek abortion care and for a doctor to provide it. Those with felony charges cannot vote in some states. In Michigan, people with convictions can vote after they are released from incarceration.

"If a report is presented to this office, we will review it like we do any other report of possible criminal behavior," Kent County Prosecutor Christopher Becker said in a statement Monday. "We will make the decision to charge, or not to charge, based on the facts presented in the report and the applicable Michigan law."

Whitmer, who has consistently claimed since the Roe ruling that she will "fight like hell to protect a womans ability to make her own medical decisions," wrote in a Tweet Monday that "nothing stopped me from fighting before  today is no different."

Nessel, who has previously said she will not enforce the 1931 law, said in a statement Monday that the "legal battle continues on multiple fronts," and that the ruling is not the "final say on this issue in Michigan."

"Todays ruling will not deter my efforts to continue to fight for Michigan women," Nessel said. "The legal battle continues on multiple fronts and those of us who value access to reproductive healthcare and respect a womens right to make the best decisions for herself, according to her own moral, cultural and religious beliefs are not backing down. While I respect the ruling from the court, it is by no means the final say on this issue in Michigan."

Planned Parenthood of Michigan said in a statement Monday its doors will remain open for abortions.

"Planned Parenthood of Michigan will continue to evaluate our legal options and remains committed to protecting abortion access in Michigan," read the unattributed statement. "Planned Parenthood of Michigan will continue to provide abortion services in accordance with the law. PPMI patients can keep their appointments and our doors remain open."

The Michigan Court of Appeals' decision Monday is unrelated to a lawsuit filed by Whitmer against prosecutors in counties with abortion clinics. The Michigan Supreme Court has not decided whether to take up the case.

On April 7, 2022, Whitmer filed the lawsuit and asked the Michigan Supreme Court to recognize a constitutional right to an abortion under the Due Process Clause of the Michigan Constitution. She filed it nearly one month before the leak of a draft opinion by Justice Samuel Alito indicating the court was prepared to take the step to ban abortion at the federal level.
The University of Utah congratulates the more than 8,000 graduates who make up the Class of 2022 during an in-person commencement ceremony on May 5, after two years of virtual celebrations due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Students in the Class of 2022 ranged in age from 21 to 73 and earned 8,702 degrees. Graduates represented 55 U.S. states and territories, and 65 foreign countries.
NEW YORK (AP)  Masih Alinejad, an Iranian opposition activist and writer in exile in New York City, had already been identified as the target of an alleged kidnapping plot. A year later, it appears the threats against her keep coming.

Federal prosecutors in New York charged a man last week with driving around Masihs Brooklyn neighborhood over the weekend with a loaded assault rifle and dozens of rounds of ammunition. Alinejad said Monday that authorities told her the man was looking for her, and that a home security video had caught him skulking outside her front door.

It is shocking that someone came to my house with a loaded assault rifle, Alinejad told The Associated Press in an email. Last year, the FBI foiled a kidnap plot. Now a killer is dispatched to deal with me.

The suspect, Khalid Mehdiyev, has been locked up without bail and his lawyer declined comment. The U.S. Attorneys office also wouldnt talk about the case beyond what for now is a gun possession charge.

Last year, U.S. prosecutors charged an Iranian intelligence officer and others with plotting to kidnap Alinejad and take her back to Tehran. Iranian officials called accusations baseless and ridiculous.

Alinejad, who worked for years as a journalist in Iran and became a U.S. citizen in 2019, has long been targeted by its theocracy after fleeing the country following its disputed 2009 presidential election and crackdown. Shes known as a prominent figure on Farsi-language satellite channels abroad that criticize Iran.

In the new case, a criminal complaint filed against Mehdiyev doesnt directly tie him to Iran or the kidnapping plot. Instead, it only charges him with a gun violation based on a traffic stop by the New York Police Department, but also cites what they say were his contradictory statements about his conduct that implicate him in a more serious way.

The complaint says Mehdiyev was seen lurking near Alinejads home last week and, after ordering food delivery to his vehicle, approached the residence and looked in through the windows and tried to open the front door. A short time later, police officers pulled him over and arrested him for driving with a suspended license.

A later search of the car found a suitcase containing a rifle loaded with a round in the chamber and a magazine attached, along with a separate second magazine, and a total of approximately 66 rounds of ammunition, the papers say, adding, The serial number of the rifle appears to have been obliterated.

Initially, Mehdiyev claimed he was in the neighborhood looking for a room to rent, the papers say, and that he had borrowed the car he was driving and didnt know about the gun. He later admitted the gun was his and that he had been in the area looking for someone, they add.

At that point, he stopped talking and asked for a lawyer.

In her email, Alinejad said her situation shows the need for the U.S. government to take a tougher stance toward Iran.

What happened this weekend is NOT normal and does not just affect just me, she wrote. This poses a risk to EVERYONE. This is not behavior that anyone in the United States should be accepting as normal.
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Lots of perplexed Americans are asking the question, How did we get here?

They ask how is it that a rich, powerful and generally happy country that was chugging along so smoothly in the 21st century has almost overnight become an economic, social and ideological train wreck.

Its a fair question  and the answer has little to do with the pandemic and the collateral damage weve done to ourselves with lockdowns and the war on COVID.

Today, the country is divided into dozens of red-blue factions who argue bitterly about everything from federal spending and abortion to oil pipelines, gun control, vaccines and corrective gender surgery for 12-year-olds.

The major liberal media have become shameless lapdogs of the Democrats in power in Washington, D.C.

Comedians are being cancelled for being incorrectly funny. Future U.S. Supreme Court justices cant  or wont  define the word woman.

Our great and special country has never been perfect, obviously. For starters, ask Native Americans, Blacks, women and gays.

But 2022 America has gone mad  in every sense of the word. And the person we can pin much of the blame on is .

Barack Obama.

In 2008 the sainted liberal from Chicago cruised into the White House on the ideal of hope and change, his powerful oratory and the promise of a better, colorblind and more equal future for all Americans.

But once in office, as his big dreams evaporated, he lit the fires and fanned the flames of much of the political insanity and negative feelings about America we are suffering with today.

For example, Obama was the first president, in my lifetime who openly criticized specific people in the population.

You didnt build that he told business people whove started successful companies.

The police acted stupidly I think he said when criticizing the Boston cops who arrested professor Henry Louis Gates for breaking in to his own house.

The whole hate the police theme  which morphed during the Trump years into the Defund Police campaign  was essentially sparked by Obamas attitude about police and his ignoring of the gang violence wracking cities like his hometown.

Meanwhile, Obamas wife Michelle was the first First Lady to say publicly she was not proud of America.

And when Barack went off to tour Europe, he made it a point to publicly apologize for Americas past failings.

But its now clear that the worst thing Obama inflicted on the country in the long run was Joe Biden.

Instead of his many possible but now forgotten VP picks, Obama chose a long-time, washed-up, gaffe-prone, moderate hack Democrat and failed presidential wannabe from the who-cares-state of Delaware.

Sen. Amtrak was carrying around a careers worth of bad bipartisan baggage.

Friend of KKK alums like Sen. Robert Byrd, foe of busing for school integration, plagiarizer, hawkish on wars in Iraq and other Middle East places, hard guy on urban crime, mis-handler of the Clarence Thomas confirmation hearings  Biden held a bunch of positions that simultaneously offended or embarrassed his friends and enemies.

Biden was the booby prize of VP candidates in 2008  and we can thank Obama for making it possible for Old Joe to eventually become the booby prize of American presidents in 2020.

President Biden  who some argue is really the front man for Barack Obamas third term  is a mouthpiece for harmful leftwing energy and environmental policies that the Old Joe of old would never push.

Sadly, were stuck with Biden for two more years, if he can last that long.

But theres hope for America to become great again  again.

In the fall Republicans will retake Congress. Obamas socialist ideas and negative attitude about America will die the political deaths theyve always deserved.

And well never hear of them again  until 2024, when Democrats put Michelle Obama of Marthas Vineyard at the top of their ticket.

Yikes.

Michael Reagan, the son of President Ronald Reagan, is an author, speaker and president of the Reagan Legacy Foundation. Send comments to reagan@caglecartoons.com and follow @reaganworld on Twitter.
Photo: (Photo : Brandon Bell/Getty Images)

Following a failed science experiment at home, a 12-year-old boy, who suffered second and third-degree burns on 50 percent of his body, is on his way to recovery after ten surgeries.

Barrett McKim from North Carolina is still in treatment at an Atlanta specialized burn care center. He was rushed to this hospital five weeks ago after his mother, Caroline McKim, found him burning in their yard.

According to WLOS, Barrett could now get up from the bed, trying to walk and move again. His mother said that the 12-year-old is determined to "fight through the pain" and has been working on getting better during his physical therapy sessions.

His 10th surgery was on July 27, wherein doctors did a skin graft to take some skin at the back of his thighs for his back. His thigh's frontside, which had second-degree burns, is healing nicely.

"This is a very long road," Caroline said. "We're, hopefully, on the downward slope of being in the hospital."

Read Also: Teen Bully Opens Fire at 12-Year-Old Girl Who Ran as She Carried Her Baby Brother

What happened to Barrett McKim?

The boy, who is homeschooled, was experimenting with a Bunsen burner and rubbing alcohol when Caroline heard a pop. She rushed to her son, who also tried to run towards his mother with his whole body on fire.

Caroline also suffered burns on her arms when she helped extinguish the flames to save her son. The mom recalled that the fire would not go out even as Barrett was rolling on the floor in their kitchen. She was spraying him with water until 911 arrived with the ambulance.

They were airlifted to Atlanta on a 45-minute flight. It was devastating for the mom to see most of her son's skin gone. It hurt even more when Barrett asked his mother if he would die.

Barrett had to go through five surgeries immediately. Suffice it to say; that he is still fortunate to be alive.

Caroline said she was supposed to leave for a few minutes to pick up her daughter, who was babysitting. She can't imagine what would have happened to Barrett if she were not at home at that time, per WRDW.

Kyle McKim, Barrett's father, was told that his son would take at least 18 to 24 months to recover fully. During this recovery period, Barret needs to wear bandages and go to physical therapy.

When asked what he's looking forward to the most when he's out of the hospital, the 12-year-old said he wants to be with his brothers and sisters. He's also looking forward to returning to his archery practice.

Fundraiser for Barrett McKim's hospital expenses

The family has established a GoFundMe to help cover the cost of his hospitalization. Over 1,500 people have donated over $150,000 to support the child's recovery.

Caroline said that they had been overwhelmed with the generosity of strangers. They even received cards from people they didn't know, including Hawaii. Caroline is also undergoing physical therapy for her arm and has recently regained her grip and more movement.

The McKim family is grateful for the outpouring of support, and they continue to count the blessings and pray for Barrett's healing.

Related Article: Mom of Alleged Bully Blamed for Burning Connecticut Boy Shows Proof Son Wasn't the Aggressor
Photo: (Photo : Getty images )

Sonja Loja, 36, the mom who strangled her three kids and then killed herself, left a chilling note to her husband explaining that she took the kids with her. Neighbors reported that the woman's husband, Pedro Panjon, fainted after discovering the children's bodies. His wife left a two-page suicide note for him.

The mom killed her children, ages 12, 10, and five, inside their Danbury home on Wednesday and then hanged herself in a shed in the backyard, The Sun reports.

The father found that something was amiss when he went home from work that day. He went inside, discovered the gruesome scene, and after a couple of minutes, came out of the house and called 911 before fainting. Danbury police found Loja hanging in the shed.

No sign of violence

Panjon said he saw no signs of violence from his wife. He realized something was amiss when he arrived home from work that day, and none of the kids ran out to greet him. They would usually rush out yelling that he had arrived, then help bring his things in, like his lunchbox.

But that day, When he came home and found the door locked, he sensed something was wrong. When he saw his wife's letter, he did not have the heart to finish reading it.

The father immediately ran to a room and found his 12-year-old son, Junior Panjon, on the floor and his 10-year-old daughter, Joselyn Panjon, on the bed. His youngest, Jonael Panjon, 5, was in another room. Responders found Loja near a swing set and toys that children used in her illegal daycare operation.

On the day of the murder-suicide, she told her ten clients not to drop off their kids.

Read Also: 13-Year-Old Florida Girl Survives Alligator Attack While Swimming in Boat Dock.

Suffering from depression

Loja arrived in the United States 15 years ago from Ecuador. According to News.com, the Connecticut mother battled depression and had been crying for days after her illegal child-care business was closed. A relative, Digna Naulaguari, 47, said that Loja's depression had gone untreated because she had no insurance and "it was too expensive to go to the doctor."

The recent closure of her illegal daycare business exacerbated her mental health condition, Naulaguari added. The closure made her so sad that she often said she needed to work. However, she wanted to work from home since she has three kids.

On Monday, Loja called her sister in Westchester County to tell her that she had not slept in days as she was "under a lot of stress." The sister promised to join her for a weekend barbeque with other family members, but she died two days after the call.

The two children who died were students of Danbury Public Schools. A team of professionals will be available at Morris Street School and Westside Middle School on Monday from 10 a.m. to noon to help family members, staff, and students process the tragedy, Hartford Courant says.

Related Article: Virginia Mom Gets Maximum 55 Years Life Sentence for Killing 2-Year-Old Kid with Autism
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The dad of a North Carolina pilot, who died after exiting a plane during a mid-flight emergency, said his family is still trying to reckon with what led to the death of the 23-year-old.

Hew Crooks told WRAL that his son Charles Hew Crooks had spent years working toward his dream of becoming a pilot. That dream can no longer become a reality, with the patriarch saying his family is left wondering what led to his son's death.

Crooks said they can't process it now, admitting he does not know what happened. The body of Charles, who was co-piloting the flight, was found in a Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina, backyard on Saturday, July 30, one day after the tragic incident.

Victim was not wearing a parachute when he fell to his death

An unidentified family told the media outlet that they were home when the incident occurred. They said they heard a loud thud in their backyard on Friday, July 29. Although they did not see anything at the time of the impact, police showed up and later found the pilot's body in the trees of their backyard.

According to Wake County emergency management spokesperson Darshan Patel in a statement on Friday, the victim was not wearing a parachute, and it is still unclear why he exited the plane. Officials said they believed Charles Hew Crooks either fell or jumped out of the plane.

He was onboard a twin-engine CASA CN-212 Aviocar with another pilot when it took off on Friday, according to NBC News. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said that the pilot onboard with the victim asked to make an emergency landing at Raleigh-Durham International Airport after having an issue with the landing gear. The plane touched down around 2:40 p.m. The pilot sustained minor injuries. Officials said the pilot was released from a local hospital on Friday evening.

Read Also: Daughter Describes Parents as Cancer Warriors as They Fight Their Respective Deadly Disease Together

Crooks' death leaves a hole in the family

The grieving dad said he couldn't imagine what happened to his son, adding that they would figure it out. As authorities tried to piece together what happened in the incident, Crooks remembered his beloved son as an avid aviator.

Hew Crooks said his son pursued his private pilot license while in college, getting that when he was a sophomore. The proud dad said his son told him a couple of weeks ago that he would not trade places with anybody in the world and that he loved where he was.

Crooks clarified in the interview that his son was certified to fly in any condition, and he had previously been a flight instructor. He added that the loss of his son had left an irreparable void in the family.

He said they are a strong and very loving family, but this death leaves a hole. They are waiting for investigators to determine what led up to his son's final moments, according to the Daily Mail.

Related Article: Georgia Mom Arrives in Queens, NYC for Emotional Reunion with Missing Son
Not long ago, buying a router meant choosing between the older Wi-Fi 5 standard and the more recent Wi-Fi 6, with reasonable arguments for choosing either one. But now, those two existing standards are contending with a third option, called Wi-Fi 6E, which the industry has been hyping as Wi-Fis biggest upgrade in two decades.

All of which complicates whats already a fairly agonizing decision, with companies such as TP-Link, Netgear, and Asus selling routers across all three Wi-Fi generations. If youre trying to expand your wireless coverage or eliminate dead zones, heres what you need to know:

Why Wi-Fi 5 still matters

The Wi-Fi 5 standardknown as 802.11ac before the industry started branding its standards the same way Apple names its iPhoneslaunched in 2013, but it remains available today in lower-cost routers. Its also still a fine option for a couple of reasons:

First, theres no inherent difference in reception range between Wi-Fi 5 and Wi-Fi 6, so you may be able to get comparable coverage with a much cheaper router.

Amazons Eero three-pack with Wi-Fi 5, for instance, costs $169, which is $30 less than the Wi-Fi 6 version with the same advertised 5,000 square feet of coverage. The $200 Google Wi-Fi three-pack and $269 Google Nest Wifi two-pack still use Wi-Fi 5 as wellGoogle doesnt even offer Wi-Fi 6 versionsand you can even buy a Wi-Fi 5 mesh system from Vilo for $100. If youre just trying to extend coverage or eliminate dead zones, buying the best Wi-Fi 5 system you can makes more sense than getting an inferior Wi-Fi 6 system in the same price range.

Vilos mesh Wi-Fi 5 three-pack costs just $100 Vilo

Also, most of your devices probably still use Wi-Fi 5 anyway.

Youll still find this older standard in the entry-level iPad, nearly all Roku players (except a couple that still use Wi-Fi 4), all Intel-based Macs, all PCs from prior to mid-2019, and all Fire TV devices except the new Fire TV Stick 4K Max. While these Wi-Fi 5 devices will also work with newer Wi-Fi 6 routers, they wont get any benefits from the newer standard.

One related note: If youre buying a mesh router, you might see them advertised as either dual-band or tri-band. With tri-band systems, the mesh points have their own dedicated line of communication, separate from the ones that feed data to your devices, and that results in less congestion and better speeds. Still, this feature isnt exclusive to Wi-Fi 6 either. A tri-band Wi-Fi 5 system with more robust backhaul may be a better use of your money than a dual-band system with Wi-Fi 6.

Where Wi-Fi 6 makes sense

Wi-Fi 6 does have some advantages over Wi-Fi 5, but you may be able to get by without them.

If youre splurging on gigabit interneteven though its overkill for most peopleyoull likely want a Wi-Fi 6 router to go with it. As the networking expert Dong Ngo has noted, Wi-Fi 6 can hit speeds of around 1,000 Mbps in the real world with most devices, while Wi-Fi 5 might get to around half those speeds at best.

That extra speed wont matter for services like Netflixwhich consumes around 25 Mbps for 4K videobut could come in handy if youre downloading torrent files from the internet, moving huge amounts of data between networked storage drives, or streaming from a local media server at extremely high bandwidths.

TP-Link GX90 Read our review Best Prices Today:

Wi-Fi 6s other big advantage is that it can more efficiently handle lots of connections at the same time. One new technology, called OFDMA, is geared toward smart home devices, and may be helpful if you plan to connect a bunch of Wi-Fi-enabled light bulbs and switches to your network. Wi-Fi 6 also extends a feature called MU-MIMO to uploads, which can be useful during simultaneous Zoom calls or online gaming sessions.

Router makers also claim that phones and laptops get better battery life while using Wi-Fi 6, though Ive yet to see any independent tests that quantify this. They support a stronger from of network security as well, but unless all your devices support Wi-Fi 6, you wont reap the benefits of that extra protection.

Granted, some Wi-Fi 6 routers benefit from additional features that arent directly related to the standard itself, such as better-designed antennas or more powerful processors. (Weve found, for instance, that TP-Links Archer AX50 Wi-Fi 6 router has better performance and range than the Archer A7 with Wi-Fi 5.) Still, Wi-Fi 6 alone doesnt guarantee better reception, and its speed gains wont be noticeable for most internet use cases.

Wi-Fi 6E: Still early

Wi-Fi 6E is theoretically a big deal because it adds a new frequency band to home routers for the first time in more than a decade.

Todays Wi-Fi 5 and Wi-Fi 6 routers offer two bands to minimize congestion, with the 2.4 GHz band offering slower speeds at longer range, and the 5 GHz band offering faster speeds at somewhat shorter range. Your router may automatically divvy up connections between these two bands, or it may display them as separate networks, letting you manually assign devices to each one. (Just to add more confusion, 5 GHz bands are often labeled as 5G out of the box, despite having nothing to do with your phones 5G network.)

Wi-Fi 6E adds a 6 GHz band to the mix, further reducing congestion and allowing for speeds that were seldom possible on the 5 GHz band. But there is one major drawback: Its range is even shorter than that of the 5 GHz band. This will likely improve over time through better hardware and even newer Wi-Fi standards, but for now tests by CNET found no noticeable speed gains for Wi-Fi 6E at close range, and huge drop-offs at further distances.

Meanwhile, current Wi-Fi 6E hardware is expensiveNetgears new Wi-Fi 6E mesh system costs $1,500, and even TP-Links most basic Wi-Fi 6E router lists for $200, money that would be far better spent on a mesh system with Wi-Fi 5 or Wi-Fi 6.

Netgears Orbi with Wi-Fi 6E is among the priciest mesh Wi-Fi systems you can buy. Netgear

Besides, device support for Wi-Fi 6E is currently limited to Samsungs Galaxy S21 Ultra and S22 Ultra, a handful of lesser-known phones, and a small number of laptops. (Rumors of Wi-Fi 6E in the iPhone 13 did not pan out.) While other devices will still be able to connect to Wi-Fi 6E routers, they cant make use of the extra band thats costing you all that extra money.

None of which means that you should skimp on quality when replacing an old routerIve found that old or cut-rate routers tend of be the source of most Wi-Fi problemsbut make sure youre investing in the features that really matter, not the ones that enjoy the most hype.

For more tech advice like this, sign up for my Advisorator newsletter, where a version of this story first appeared.
Theres a healthy overlap of PC gamers and Nintendo Switch owners. In fact, now that both Sony and Microsoft are bringing at least some of their exclusives to PC, Id argue its the perfect one-two punch for the gaming market. If youve been drooling over those official wireless throwback controllers Nintendo has been making, the better to authentically play NES, Super NES, Sega Genesis, and Nintendo 64 games on the Switch, you can now use them with Steams official controller system.

Since the controllers use standard Bluetooth, just like all Switch controllers, there was nothing stopping you from connecting them to a gaming PC before. But as of last week, all three controller designs are officially supported by the Steam Input system. As PC Gamer reports, all you need to do is connect them via Bluetooth and Steam should recognize them right away, ready to be customized for just about any PC game, just like the standard Switch and Switch Pro controllers. The Hori Fighting Stick Mini 4 is also supported.

The controllers are near-perfect replicas of Nintendos classic designs, the only difference being the addition of Bluetooth wireless and internal rechargeable batteries. (They dont even have modern console Home buttons, just to keep the authenticity.) The controllers are meant to be used with the Nintendo Online system, a set of hundreds of free emulated games thrown in when you subscribe to the Switchs online multiplayer.

The NES, Super NES, Genesis, and Nintendo 64 Bluetooth controllers are hard to come by. Nintendo only makes them in small batches which are frequently sold out, and wont even sell them to you if youre not currently subscribed to Switch Online. Currently all of the Switch Online controllers are going for more than double their MSRP on Amazon and eBay.
Sri Lanka has resumed technical discussions with the International Monetary Fund on a potential bailout after a new government took office, the finance ministry said on Friday.



Discussions with the multilateral lender started in April under former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. The Sri Lankan government hopes to secure an Extended Fund Facility (EFF) - which would be conditional on making economic reforms - to help battle the worst economic crisis since independence in 1948.



Ranil Wickremesinghe was appointed as president after Rajapaksa was ousted on July 13 by a popular uprising following months of severe shortages of fuel, food and medicines.



Wickremesinghe, who served six terms as prime minister, also hopes to restructure Sri Lanka's debt.



The talks with IMF were highly successful and Sri Lanka is working with advisers to reach consensus on a deal with creditors, the government said.



The South Asian nation of 22 million has $12 billion overseas debt with private creditors. It defaulted on a bond payment earlier this year and is struggling to pay for imports of basic goods.

Source: Reuters









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 United Kingdom (UK) and Ghana will go further and faster to combat terrorism, organised migration crime, drug trafficking and other global threats following a summit in London.



A statement issued by the British High Commission in Accra, copied to the Ghana News Agency said the UK Government hosted the second UK-Ghana security dialogue between July 25 and 27, to discuss the countries shared interests in tackling global issues.



Madam Priti Patel, the UK Home Secretary and Mr Albert Kan-Dapaah, the Minister for National Security of Ghana agreed to strengthen law enforcement agency collaboration, strengthen engagement on border security, work together to enhance cyber security in Ghana and support regional solutions to instability in Ghanas neighbouring states.



Madam Patel said: The UK and Ghana have a deep and long-standing relationship, and we are powerful allies when confronting the scourge of organised criminal gangs that operate across our borders.



Ghana is the beacon of freedom and democracy in West Africa and through our joint work we are tackling global threats and cracking down on the threats to our mutual security.



Mr Kan-Dapaah said: The UK is a primary and reliable partner to Ghana; therefore, we welcome essential security initiatives from the UK towards building Ghanas resilience to address national and regional threats.



The Home Secretary visited Ghana last year in the first round of talks, opening a new Home Office-funded immigration taskforce office in the process.



The statement said because of the joint working, since January 2022, 14 organised crime groups had been disrupted preventing the facilitation of 56 individuals from entering the UK illegally, saving the UK over 812,000 in the process.



It said through the New Plan for Immigration, that the UK Government was working with countries around the world to tackle the heinous people traffickers who work across borders and bring misery to vulnerable people.



It said the Home Secretary hosted a reception with Ghanaian delegation at Lancaster House on July 25 before counterparts discussed topics including, serious and organised crime, border management, security, countering terrorism and violent extremism, conflict prevention and military over the course of two-day event.



It noted that the Defence staff met to discuss peacekeeping, regional stability, counter-terrorism and maritime security.



Mr James Heappey, the UK Minister of State for the Armed Forces, said: The UK is committed to expanding defence cooperation with the Ghanaian Armed Forces and we will continue to work together in frameworks such as the Accra Initiative to counter violent attacks and insurgency in West Africa and the Sahel.





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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The Ghanaian Cardinal-designate, Bishop Richard Kuuia Baawobr, has been elected the President of the Symposium of Episcopal Conference of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM).



Vatican News reports that the Bishop of Ghanas Catholic Diocese of Wa who was named Cardinal on May 29 was elected Saturday, July 30, the eve of the Eucharistic celebration to mark the conclusion of the 19th Plenary Assembly of SECAM in Ghanas capital city, Accra.



Bishop Baawobr, 63, takes over from Philippe Cardinal Ouedraogo who has led SECAM since July 2019.



Also elected with Bishop Baawobr were two vice presidents, Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu of the Archdiocese of Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Bishop Lucio Andrice Muandula of the Diocese of Xai-Xai, Mozambique.



The Ghanaian Bishop, ordained a Priest in July 1987 is among 21 new Cardinals to be created in the next Consistory scheduled for August 27.



Security and migration - good starting points



Following his election, Bishop Baawobr said his election as SECAM President came as a total surprise.



"I was surprised that they elected me because this is my first time participating at a SECAM meeting. At the same time, I am grateful that they have elected me. I see it as trust that they are showing in me  for now, I cannot say these are my priorities," he said.



"It is important that we first listen to the regional Episcopal Conferences, and it is good that our SECAM standing committee is comprised of regional conferences. I also find that the theme we discussed at this Plenary, Ownership of SECAM; Security and Migration in Africa and the Islands, is a good starting point".



Called to serve and to listen



On May 29, 2022, Pope Francis announced that at a consistory scheduled for 27 August, he would create new cardinals for the Church. Among those will be the Cardinal-designate, Bishop Baawobr. Asked by Vatican News what all these new appointments mean to him personally, Bishop Baawobr said the bottom line was that they are all a call to serve.



"What all this means for me as Cardinal-elect and President of SECAM, I think, is that both are a call to serve God through my brothers and sisters and by listening to them," said the Ghanaian prelate.

Source: graphic.com.gh









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Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has launched the 175th-anniversary celebrations of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church Ghana (EPCG) with a call on Ghanaians to view and utilize the various religious inclinations as a force for good and a facilitator of national cohesion.



As children of the only and one true God, whether Christian or Muslim, we all believe in the God of Isaac, Jacob and Abraham. We all believe in the virgin birth of Mary. We all believe that Jesus Christ is the savior and that Jesus Christ will come back again to save the world.



This is what should bring us together as a people. We must see religion as a force for unity and not a force for division. This is a charge we must keep as children of God, Dr Bawumia stated at the launch, which took place in Accra on Sunday, July 31, 2022.



Ghanas unique acceptance and peaceful co-existence is the envy of many across the world and must be guarded jealously, Dr Bawumia pointed out, with the country retaining its peaceful credentials in a recent global survey.



In addition to the economic and development issues that the church must be concerned with is the need for the church and pulpit to be used as instruments for a peaceful nation building. According to the recent Global Peace Index, Ghana maintains its position as the second most peaceful country in sub-Saharan Africa and the most peaceful in West Africa.



This is a remarkable feat that must be guarded jealously without any compromises no matter what. Both the Bible and Quran place much emphasis on the matter of peace. And it is gratifying to note that in Ghana we have such a religious tolerant and acceptable society that makes it effortless for a Christian priest to worship with Muslims and vice versa, to the point that a Muslim Chief Imam could celebrate his 100th years anniversary with Christians in the church.



Citing himself as an example to buttress his point of peaceful co-existence, Vice President Bawumia continued:



We live in a society where a mother and some children could be Christians and a father and some children could be Muslims. As a young boy at Sakasaka primary school in Tamale, I was born by a Methodist mother (then Susuana Mariama) and a Muslim father. Growing up I was an active member of the Methodist Boys Brigade until my mum changed to Islam. I suspect I am the only Muslim member of the Boys Brigade. Till date, out of my sibling size of seventeen (17), nine (9) are Christians and eight (8) Muslims. That is the beauty of the religious acceptance in Ghana, he revealed.



EP Church Ghana



Dr Bawumia commended the church for its enormous contribution to national cohesion and development, saying it has been a reliable, trusted, and formidable agent of the transformation, civilization, and progress of society. The gains we have made as a nation pre- and post-independence in moral, spiritual and socio-economic development could not have been entirely possible without the keen involvement of the church.



Indeed, we cannot mention any monumental contributions of the church to nation-building without recognising the role of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church Ghana. In addition to your numerous educational establishments including over 500 basic and tertiary institutions such as Mawuli, Mawuko, EP Senior High Schools in Hohoe, Saboba, Tatale, plus Vocational and Technical Schools, as well as Colleges of Education, you have also earned the enviable reputation of establishing the first university in the entire Volta and Oti Regions, the Evangelical Presbyterian University College (EPUC).



Your health centres in Wapuli, Ho, Dambai, Blajai, inter alia, coupled with your numerous relief and development projects in the areas of agricultural development, climate change advocacy, HIV/AIDS & TB Programmes, among several others, have added to your endless list of achievements over the past seventeen and half decades of your existence, he observed.

Source: Peacefmonline.com









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Three thousand two hundred and twenty-four police recruits have passed out from five police training schools in the country. They are made up of 1,953 males and 1,020 females who constitute the first batch of recruits for 2022 who have successfully completed the Basic Police Training programme.



The graduation ceremonies were held simultaneously in the national capital - Accra, Koforidua, the Eastern Regional capital; Ho in the Volta Region, Kumasi in the Ashanti Region and Pwalugu in the Upper East. In all, 847, 416, 361, 612 and 725 of the recruits were trained in the regions in that order.



During the six-month training, the recruits acquired skills in riding, driving, swimming, crowd control, incident, disaster, crime scene and traffic management, radio communication, intelligence gathering and community-based patrols.



Other programmes included charge office management, access control, arrest and search procedures, use of force procedures and human rights, client care and professional police ethics, tactical progression, weapon handling and high-risk operation.



Also, deserving recruits were honoured for their sterling performances in the fields they were adjudged in.



Largest intake



Mary Anane-Amponsah reports from the National Police Training School at Tesano, Accra that the 847 recruits who were the largest intake, displayed parade formations such as Nkabom, (Unity) Dwennimmen and Nteasee (Understanding) to the admiration of all present.



The Director-General of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Commissioner of Police (COP) Isaac Ken Yeboah, who was the reviewing officer for the parade, said the service under the new administration had positioned itself to ensure that personnel exhibited international best practices in consonance with the vision of the service.



He said that would enhance the way the police controlled crowd and maintained law and order in the country.



This is the first batch of recruit intake since the government gave clearance for recruitment of 5,000 men and women into the service, COP Yeboah said, adding that the second and third batches were still in training.



At the senior officer level, the Police Academy, for the first time in history is running Cadet Officers Courses for 308 personnel at a session, which is the biggest number witnessed at the academy, the Director-General of CID indicated.



All-male recruits



Intakes at the training schools in Koforidua and Ho were all males. From Koforidua, Pacome Emmanuel Damalie reports that an all-male 416 new recruits at the Koforidua Police Training School passed out as General Constables and General Sergeants.



The number also included 50 under cadets (graduates) who passed out as General Sergeants at the event held at the Jubilee Park to officially admit the new police officers into the Ghana Police Service. Addressing the parade, the Director-General of Police Administration, COP Christian Tetteh Yohuno, who was the reviewing officer, charged the new recruits to serve as good examples in order not to drag the reputation of the service into disrepute.



He said the Police Administration had taken a stance to weed out miscreants and criminals that were parading themselves as police officers, thus, contributing to the destruction of the hard-earned reputation of the police service.



COP Yohuno said emerging crimes, terrorism, cyber-related crimes and changes in modus operandi of criminals were some of the issues that impinged on the police every day.



That translated into increased demand for police personnel to deliver services that were more diverse, complex, skilled and specialized in order to deal with current crime trends.



It is to equip police personnel with the requisite knowledge and the skill sets needed to effectively deal with these challenges of modern policing that the IGP, Dr George Akuffo Dampare, introduced a paradigm shift in recruit training modules and a changing focus in policing in the country as a whole, he said.



That the IGP did this by standardizing recruit training modules and curriculum, and restructuring of recruit training activities with expanded improved facilities, the Director-General of Police Administration said.



COP Yohonu indicated that equal emphasis was now placed on-field training with practical attachment to gain field experience under close supervision of cadet officers. Hitherto, the emphasis was mainly on enhancement of recruits knowledge on the laws they are expected to enforce when they pass out, he explained.

Source: graphic.com.gh









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The chiefs and people of Lante Dzan We on Saturday celebrated their annual Homowo festival amidst drumming, dancing, and the firing of muskets.



Clad in red attire, the people led by Nii Lante Okropon VI, Chief of Lanate Dzan We (Trom Destiny), sprinkled kpokpoi, the traditional food of the Ga people, at some sacred places to ask the gods for a bumper harvest during the year.



Nii Okropon described the celebration as peaceful.



He called on the youth to desist from drug abuse to save their lives.



He said drug abuse amongst the youth did not only affect the individual but also had an impact on the socio-economic development of the country.



Nii Okropon advised students to desist from examination malpractices and develop comprehensive career goals that would prepare them for the job market.



He added that inefficient preparation of graduates for the job market had ushered most of them into abusing drugs, and there was a need for a more comprehensive approach to the rising incidence of drug abuse and mental health-related cases among others.



Nii Okrorpon advised students to be innovative and improve on their technological expertise to have competitive over their counterparts.



He appealed to the government to provide the community with potable water and other social amenities to improve their standards of living.





Source: GNA









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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









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The Trails Before Us:

Scratching the Surface - Caleb Holonko:

Gravel To The Grave! - Here, There, Everywhere - Ep.2:

Theo Erlangsen - Stof Boer:

Title Team x Title Slopestyle Course At SilverStar:

Weekend Slayer - Episode 10 - Nelson:

Yeti Cycles: B+W: 001:

Whistler With Ian Morrison:

Kirt Voreis - Full Speed Ahead:

Chill Trail By Vinny T:

Devon Smilie - Etnies:

Tom Dugan - F-It All:

Honey - Wethepeople:

A Portrait On Jamie Thomas:

Code - Plan B:

Josh Dirksen's 'No Idea' Part:

Colby Raha - QuarterPipe High Air:

The World Is Poorly Designed. But Copying Nature Helps:

Connecting Walls - How To Climb In Somebody Elses Backyard:

Runner:

The Trails Before Us follows 17-year-old Nigel James, a Dine mountain biker, as he hosts the first Enduro race in the Navajo Nation. Through revitalizing livestock and wildlife trails on his grandparents land, Nigel and a new generation of riders honor the connection to their land, community, and culture. Director: Fritz Bitsoie.Throughout my life Ive spent many summers road tripping to the B.C. interior with very minimal exploration outside of Christina Lake. After seeing so many friends post and rave about the amazing trails, I decided to venture to Castlegar and Nelson for my first taste. Man, did it deliver! Endless single track, crazy woodwork, and some untouchable flow trails! It was great to put my little flair on trails that I normally would just chill through. Thanks to all the trail builders that are killing it out there! I would love to buy you a bunch of beers, yall are crushing it - Caleb HolonkoIt was 2019 when I watched an EF Gone Racing episode about the GBduro, where road cyclist and certified cool guy, Lachlan Morton set a record for the 2,000km stage race from Lands End to John OGroats. The 30min video allowed a glimpse of an extraordinary physical feat, but more importantly proved that the endurance muscle is in the mind. You see Morton hit what he described as rock bottom, yet he kept riding. I found myself both frightened and mesmerized as I watched him ride through the night, chasing an end that never seemed to be any closer. I admire cyclists like Lachlan, whose strength and skills transfer, allowing them to perform across disciplines; a true athlete! Off and on over the next two years, I thought about that ride. I read stories and watched videos of FKTs, rides that lasted over 24 hours and solo missions across entire countries. What was it like? To ride through the night, and through unknown territory? To ride past the limit of anything you had ever done before. I couldnt imagine myself capable of any of it. But then, why not? Will I ever find out the length and breadth of my capabilities if I dont force myself to take on a challenge like this?Theo Erlangsen and his all South African crew got together after winter to rebuild the Commencal South Africa farm track for his first build and video project. With eight days and one machine, Theo had big ideas and not a lot of time! Local legend and trail builder Duran van Eden smashed out hours on end in the machine and the boys managed to rebuild around 1022m of trail to completely refresh the mountain! Hot and dusty trails with an amazing backdrop is a good combo for spectacular viewing. The project is a testament to the talented media, builders, and riding that is brewing amongst young South African mountain bikers.Some of Title's local athletes had the opportunity to ride the freshly sculpted Title Slopestyle course at SilverStar Mountain Resort last fall, shortly before Crankworx took place! The course was designed and built by Brett Rheeder and Matt MacDuff in collaboration with SilverStar. Video: Brody Jones & Kadison Pelletier.If you've ever dreamed of hanging out with Kurt Sorge for the weekend, that dream is about to come true. The Hoff has invited us to stay at his house, ride his jumps, and shred trails with his crew of beauties in Nelson B.C.! We link up with local legends Garett Buehler and Alex Volokhov along with good friends Russ Fountain, Chandrima Lavoie, Kevin Weinerth and more! The weather is looking a bit dicey, but that doesn't stop us from shredding sand chutes, machine built jump trails, and Kurt's insane backyard jumps. Produced by Eric Lawrenuk. Filmed by Mitch Cheek.The culmination of a five day trip in SLC with Warren Kniss and Bryn Bingham aboard their Yeti SB140s. Riders: Warren Kniss & Bryn Bingham. Video: Kasen Schamaun.Nac-Nac landers, trail speed records, and plenty of laughs! Join the man of many voices, Ian Morrison, as he shows off his favourite features in the Whistler Bike Park! Video: Influx Productions.Max speed down Cline Butte with Kirt Voreis and his new Niner WFO. Full speed ahead on a hot and dry summer day."Chill Trail" is a new concept created by the partnership of Bike Vision - a trail building company - and Vinny T, pro rider. The main goal of the Chill Trail is to combine the vision of an athlete and the know-how of a trail building company. The first Chill Trail was born and inaugurated this year in France in the Bernex Bike Park! We are happy to announce that you will be able to find a new Chill Trail in the summer of 2023 in the Metabief Bike Park in the French Jura! Who will want the 3rd one? Video: Maxime Rambaud.He put in some serious work for this one. Video: Eddie Cuellar.When it comes to biking, your boy aims to please. And yet again... he does not dissapooint! Please enjoy another classic calamity featuring the one and only Tommy Dugan.20 minutes of Felix Prangenberg, Dan Kruk, Jordan Godwin, and Riley Smith.The skate legend opens up in our new film. From the outside looking in, it would appear as though Jamie Thomas always had his shit together. Notoriously disciplined and driven, few have left an indelible mark in skateboarding like the Chief. As a pro skater, filmer, editor, brand builder, entrepreneur, and designer, Jamie has built a legacy on being meticulous, laser focused, and detail-oriented that hasnt been matched since his meteoric rise to the top. If you grew up skating in the 90s or 2000s, theres a very solid chance that Jamie was your favourite skater and Zero was your favourite brand. Hell, even Graham Coxon, guitarist of Blur, wrote a song called Jamie Thomas at the height of their collective fame. Now approaching 50 with a new perspective on balance and life, Jamie reflects on his decades of experience, acknowledging that his obsessiveness was actually a self-destructive coping mechanisma fatal flaw preventing him from being the well rounded family man hes become today. Thats isnt to say hes not still completely obsessed with everything he does. Its just that hes learned to compartmentalize his time in order to live a more balanced and fulfilled life. Dont think youll see him slow down anytime soon, though. As he says, I dont really think about retirement. I dont want to just sit somewhere. That sounds like purgatory. I just want to keep learning and growing. Without further ado, were proud to present A Portrait on Jamie Thomas, a short film about Jamie in 2022. The good, the bad, the Chief.Plan B is proud to present our new compact full-length video "CODE." Starring: Chris Joslin, Trevor Mcclung, Felipe Gustavo, Pat Duffy, Aurelien Giraud, Tommy Fynn, and Kristion Jordan.New Hampshire's Josh Dirksen bombs everything - hills, reservoirs Megaramps - in his latest edit. Video: Brock Shearen.Colby Raha soars 49 feet in the air to secure gold in MotoX QuarterPipe High Air at X Games 2022!Japans Shinkansen doesnt look like your typical train. With its long and pointed nose, it can reach top speeds up to 150200 miles per hour. It didnt always look like this. Earlier models were rounder and louder, often suffering from the phenomenon of "tunnel boom," where deafening compressed air would rush out of a tunnel after a train rushed in. But a moment of inspiration from engineer and birdwatcher Eiji Nakatsu led the system to be redesigned based on the aerodynamics of three species of birds. Nakatsus case is a fascinating example of biomimicry, the design movement pioneered by biologist and writer Janine Benyus. She's a co-founder of the Biomimicry Institute, a non-profit encouraging creators to discover how big challenges in design, engineering, and sustainability have often already been solved through 3.8 billion years of evolution on earth. We just have to go out and find them.Unable to travel overseas due to the ongoing pandemic, Katsutaka "Jumbo" Yokoyama and Keita Kurakami head for Yakushima, an island in the south of Japan not well-known for its climbing. There, they find an abundance of bullet rock to develop and a group of locals that would teach them the importance of being good visitors.This captivating short documentary profiles the young Canadian long-distance runner Bruce Kidd at 19 years old. Kidd eventually went on to win a gold and bronze medal at the 1962 Commonwealth Games, and was a competing member of the 1964 Canadian Olympic team. Directed by Don Owen (Nobody Waved Good-bye, Toronto Jazz), the film is luminously photographed by John Spotton and features poetic commentary composed and spoken by the great Anglo-American poet W.H. Auden. The camera follows Kidds sprightly movements as he runs on piers, practice tracks, and finally, in an international race. Oblivious to the clapping crowds and the flash of cameras, he knows full well that in the long run it is the cold stopwatch that tells the truth.Photo: Guy Fattal
Hometown Hero Adam Maxwell Wins the PokerStars UKIPT Nottingham Main Event

August 01, 2022 Lewis Powell

Hometown hero Adam Maxwell won the PokerStars UKIPT Nottingham Main Event on its return for 98,150 at Dusk Till Dawn poker club. The 27-year-old Nottingham local managed to come out on top of the 582 entrants field to take home the trophy in front of his friends. The professional poker cash game player previously had just over $200,000 in live tournament winnings where he exclusively plays at Dusk Till Dawn Nottingham.

Maxwell started Day 3 second in chips and managed to navigate through the tough field to come out on top after a competitive heads-up battle with fellow professional Jonathan McCann. The two struck a deal after Maxwell won a big pot heads up where he caught McCann bluffing with a busted flush draw in which Maxwell secured 81,010 compared to McCann's 74,500. The two had to play for the remaining 17,140 as well as the UKIPT Nottingham Main Event trophy.

PokerStars 1,100 UKIPT Nottingham Main Event Final Table Results

Place Player Country Payout 1 Adam Maxwell United Kingdom 98,150 2 Jonathan McCann United Kingdom 74,500 3 David Ledden United Kingdom 47,460 4 Michael Howard United Kingdom 36,500 5 Daniel Gormley United Kingdom 28,080 6 Fabio Sperling Germany 21,610 7 Alex Montgomery United Kingdom 16,610 8 Philip Clarke United Kingdom 12,780 9 Tom Simm United Kingdom 10,250

Winner's Reaction

PokerNews caught up with Adam Maxwell after the biggest win of his career. His previous biggest score was a fourth-place finish in a 1000 tournament at Dusk Till Dawn for 30,000. When asked about his big win, Maxwell said, "It feels very good; it's not quite sunk in yet."

When asked about the heads-up battle with Jonathan McCann, Maxwell said, "It was a tough battle, but I feel like the cards went my way".

PokerNews asked Maxwell about his start in poker. He said that he started playing in school with his friends in 10 home games before starting to play online. He said, "(I started taking poker more seriously) in my second/third year of university."

When asked about what kinds of games Maxwell plays, he said that he is a cash game player who only focuses on no-limit hold'em. Maxwell said that the bubble was a key point in his tournament as that was when he started to accumulate a lot of chips and emerged as a big stack. Maxwell said he would be back to grinding cash and continue to play the tournament series when they happen at Dusk Till Dawn. Maxwell will not have to wait long as Dusk Till Dawn will be getting prepared for PokerStars LIVE Road to PSPC Nottingham, which will be from the 25-29th of August.

Final Table Recap

The final table started off quick as the extended final table bubble on Day 2 left many short stacks at the start of play. Start-of-day short stack Tom Simm was the first to go as his ace-queen lost a flip to start-of-day chip leader David Ledden's pocket jacks.

Next to go was Philip Clarke, who shoved his pocket deuces for five big blinds from the big blind over Daniel Gormley's raise. Gormley had queen-ten and won the flip to send Clarke home.

Alex Montgomery was next to go as he shoved king-ten from the small blind only to lose to Michael Howard's ace-nine.

Fabio Sperling's elimination in sixth ensured there would be a British champion as the German was unfortunate to run into Maxwell's pocket threes when Sperling shoved ace-three from the small blind.

Gormley was eliminated next as he limped shoved ace-ten from the small blind only to run into Ledden's pocket queens. There was no ace for Gormley which sent him to the rails.

Michael Howard called for his tournament life on a three-diamond ace-high board with pocket kings with the king of diamonds but was up against McCann's flush to send him home.

Three-handed lasted a while where Ledden lost his chip lead to McCann, who was in pole position before Maxwell eliminated Ledden with pocket tens against Ledden's ace-nine.

McCann went into the heads-up battle with the chip lead but was caught bluffing, which put Maxwell into the lead. Action paused while a deal was agreed between the two players. They came back to battle for the trophy and remaining prize money. It was a drawn-out affair before Maxwell eventually ground McCann down to take down the trophy. McCann shoved over Maxwell's limp with king-four but he was behind against Maxwell's ace-eight. Maxwell turned a straight, and the river came a brick to give the title to Nottingham local Maxwell.

Congratulation to Adam Maxwell for winning the PokerStars 1,100 UKIPT Nottingham Main Event!
Aiken, SC (29801)

Today

Cloudy this morning. A few showers developing during the afternoon. High around 80F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 30%..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies early will give way to cloudy skies late. Slight chance of a rain shower. Low 68F. Winds light and variable.
An incident where four people in separate cars were reportedly shooting at each other has left one man dead.

Capt. Eric Abdullah of the Aiken County Sheriff's Office reported deputies were called to the intersections of Belvedere Road and the Jefferson Davis Highway (US Routes 1 and 78) and Belvedere Road and Augusta Road just after 5 p.m. Sunday after several 911 callers reported individuals in four vehicles were shooting at each other with handguns.

He said deputies located a 22-year-old Black male who was deceased in the driver's seat of a vehicle behind a home on Augusta Road shortly after the shooting.

Aiken County Coroner Darryl Ables identified the man as Deangelo R. Washington, 22, of Beech Island. He said Washington was pronounced dead on the scene from multiple gunshot wounds.

Abdullah said preliminary findings indicate the shooting may have been the result of a disturbance from an event at Midland Valley High School.

Midland Valley High School can be accessed from either of the next two traffic lights if a person heads eastbound on the Jefferson Davis Highway.

"We are in the early stages of this investigation and community assistance is important to any investigation," Abdullah continued. "We ask that if anyone has any information that would lead to the whereabouts and identities of any suspects, we encourage them to contact the Aiken County Sheriffs Office at 803-648-6811. These suspects should be considered as armed and dangerous."

He added people wishing to provide information anonymously can do so through Midlands CrimeStoppers.

"Your tip could earn you a cash reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to the arrest of the person(s) responsible for any crime," he said.

Ables said Washington's body will be autopsied in Newberry Wednesday morning.

The shooting remains under investigation by the sheriff's office and Aiken County Coroner's Office.
Aiken Department of Public Safety officers have arrested a Graniteville woman in connection with the hit-and-run death of a pedestrian Sunday night on Richland Avenue West in Aiken.

A male pedestrian also suffered serious injuries as a result of the accident, according to a Monday news release from Aiken Public Safety.

Holly Worley, 31, has been charged with leaving the scene of a collision resulting in great bodily injury and leaving the scene of a collision resulting in death, the release stated.

Alexa Little, 20, of Louisville, Georgia, was pronounced dead at the scene, according to a Monday release from Aiken County Coroner Darryl Ables.

An autopsy will be conducted in Newberry.

Emergency Medical Service personnel transported the other pedestrian to Augusta University Medical Center.

A vehicle struck Little and the male pedestrian around 9:56 p.m. Sunday and then left the scene, according to the Aiken Public Safety release.

When the officers who responded to the collision arrived at its location on Richland Avenue West near the Dyches Road intersection, Emergency Medical Service personnel were treating the two victims.

A short time later, the vehicle believed to have been involved in the accident was located and its driver subsequently was identified.

The Aiken Department of Public Safety and the Aiken County Coroners Office are continuing their investigations.

In January, Tamia Jahne Jackson, 20, of Aiken was killed in a hit-and-run accident on Richland Avenue West near the Dyches Road intersection.
Charleston, SC (29403)

Today

A mix of clouds and sun this morning followed by some light rain this afternoon. High 84F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%..

Tonight

A few clouds. Slight chance of a rain shower. Low near 70F. Winds light and variable.
MOUNT PLEASANT  Sujith Varghese never intended to open a restaurant in Charleston.

The owner of two Indian restaurants in New York, Varghese came to Charleston last year for a vacation. After a meal at a local Indian restaurant, Vargheses friend suggested he open a location in the Lowcountry.

On June 15, Varghese did just that, debuting Spice Palette at 1220 Ben Sawyer Blvd. in Mount Pleasant.

The name was inspired by the food itself, described by Varghese as catering to those in search of traditional and new Indian cuisine.

A palette is considered a mixed array of colors or flavors, Varghese said. Thats how I think of Indian food, especially our Indian food. Its a mixed color of flavors and colors and different spices and that all combines into one to make one specific dish to what it is.

At Spice Palette, diners wont have trouble finding something to order from the expansive offering that Varghese said will change every six months.

Vegetarian options dot the menu that also features a variety of meat, such as chicken and lamb. Along with familiar dishes like chicken tikka, vindaloo and korma, Spice Palette serves specialties that are less common at Indian restaurants in the United States  lamb phaal and prawn moilee, for instance.

The restaurants bread program is particularly detailed with 12 types of naan, chapati, roti, paratha and poori available for $4 to $6.

Spice Palette is open for lunch and dinner Tuesday through Sunday. For more information, visit spicepaletteindiancuisine.com.
GREENVILLE  A North Carolina-based bank plans to set up a full-service branch next to Bon Secours Arena.

First Carolina Bank bought the corner lot at the intersection of North Church and North Academy streets in downtown Greenville for $2.5 million, per public property records, and plans to open its second South Carolina location by the end of the year.

"We've spent time in the market over the last 12 to 18 months, seeking out the location that we wanted to be," President and CEO Ron Day said. "We really feel like we're going to be a part of an enhanced front door to downtown Greenville."

The vacant building on the less-than-an-acre lot was previously the home of Logisticus Group, a privately-owned transportation logistics company. In the past few weeks, the group moved to a space at 1000 E. North St., a marketer with Logisticus Nisha Patel said in an email.

The bank, with $1.8 billion in assets, plans to renovate the building by adding two drive-through lanes and an ATM lane. Presently, the main entrance to the structure is on North Church Street. The bank will make its main entrance on the backside, facing Bon Secours Arena, and maintain the other entrance for its commercial loan office.

The bank should obtain its permit to begin construction this month, Chief Operating Officer Kristen Brabble said. A construction crew put up fencing during the week of July 25 so renovations can begin as soon as the permit comes through.

The bank originated in Rocky Mount, N.C., and has spent the last few years adding locations in North Carolina, Virginia, Georgia and South Carolina. The latest locations opened in Columbia and Atlanta on March 14 and May 9, respectively. The Greenville location, which the bank plans on opening in late November or early December, will be the companys ninth location. The bank will have $2 billion in assets by the end of year, Day said.

First Carolina has been in business in South Carolina for multiple years before opening physical locations, with more than $225 million on the loan business in the state. Close to $100 million of that is in Charleston, Day said.

Elaine Day, Ron Day's daughter, will serve as the branch supervisor in Greenville. She holds a bachelor's and master's degree from Clemson University and has lived in the Upstate for almost nine years.

The bank is actively recruiting for an Upstate market executive and expects to have that role seated by the third quarter of this year. Other roles may include universal bankers, a senior banking officer and a commercial loan officer. It expects a staff of six or seven at the location.

The bank has aspirations for more expansion in South Carolina.

"We haven't initiated a search on real estate in Charleston, but we have had conversations with people, and we're looking for that right person to sort of lead, spearhead that effort," Day said.
GREENVILLE  A Greenville developer who painted a historically Black church pink in protest of a U.S. congressman met with the surrounding West Greenville community to talk through their concerns and discuss what might happen next.

By the end of the July 30 forum on a muggy Saturday inside the church, developer Ron Rallis had committed to turning the building into a community center if a strong business plan is developed.

Eight days earlier, the West Greenville community woke to find the church had been transformed into an ode to the pink "trap house" created in Midtown Atlanta by rapper 2 Chainz. The word 'TRAP' was painted above the front doors. A model police car and an oven, both also painted entirely pink, were dropped in front to complete the replica.

The area has faced intense gentrification pressure as growth radiates westward from downtown Greenville. The spectacle created a stir and attracted a stream of gawkers, both in person and in viral posts online.

It also sparked a debate: What does it mean for a privileged white developer to buy a Black church, appropriate hip-hop culture and use it to draw attention to personal grievances?

During the forum, Rallis sat at the edge of a stage inside the former sanctuary he planned to be transform into a wedding event space when he bought it for $425,000 in December 2021.

A small crowd peppered him with questions and comments.

"You being a privileged man made a statement in a community where we've been trying to have a voice forever," Titanya Miles, who grew up in the community, told Rallis as she lamented that the neighborhood "can't even get sidewalks."

"If you're going to make a statement in our neighborhood," she said, "don't let it be for selfish reasons. Let it be that you want to help us."

Her mother, Latisha Miles, told Rallis the attention presented an opportunity.

"I don't know what your real reasoning is for doing it, but all I know is it can make a big difference, because that church being painted pink got a lot of attention," Latisha Miles said.

As Rallis explained to the audience, the transformation was meant to give voice to his ongoing criticism of U.S. Rep. William Timmons. He has also done that for the past month on a highly-charged Instagram account originally dedicated to the wedding venue project.

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That was the focal point of Rallis' explanation to the community during the forum. He said the decision to paint the church pink wasn't premeditated.

"It just kind of fell into place," Rallis said. "There was no agenda, per se. I just got tired of being quiet and waiting from one court date to the next. Just because I'm white doesn't mean there wasn't injustice done to me."

In an interview with The Post and Courier afterward, Rallis said he picked the church to make his statement because it was the only one of his properties near Greenville that was vacant. The former owner, Bibleway Full Gospel Missionary Baptist Church, moved out a few weeks before. Rallis allowed the congregation use the building for free after he bought it.

Bill Gibson, a son of the late Greenville Civil Rights leader Lottie Gibson and an advocate for underprivileged Black youth, told Rallis he should commit to using the church to help the community.

"Black people feel disparaged again," Gibson said. "Put your money where your mouth is at. Let this be a community space."

Rallis told to the audience that 2 Chainz, the source of his inspiration, painted the Atlanta house pink at first solely to market a 2017 album. Only afterward did the house become a vehicle for the rapper to give back to the community in ways such as using it as an AIDS clinic.

Rallis accepted the challenge but made clear he needed a solid plan. The event's organizer, community activist Traci Fant, said she would convene a group of community members to come up with a proposal.

Put my money where my mouth is? Sure," Rallis said. "But Im an investor first. Am I willing to do what you just said? OK, lets bring a business plan. Lets do it.

The developer moved to Greenville from Southern California in 2009 and described himself as a military family kid who built his wealth from the ground up.

He said there is no current plan for the building after the wedding venue idea fell through due to floodplain issues.

Could I have done things a different way? Sure," Rallis told those attending the meeting. "But were all here because of my circumstances. Were all here because we have an opportunity to make change. What that change is, lets use the platform to do whatever you guys come up with.
Summerville, SC (29483)

Today

Cloudy this morning. A few showers developing during the afternoon. High 82F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 30%..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies. Slight chance of a rain shower. Low 69F. Winds light and variable.
CONWAY  An Horry County man has pleaded guilty to charges of murder and attempted murder for his role in a shooting that took place in Longs in 2020.

Tylik Jervon Griffin, 22, of Longs was scheduled to go to trial on Aug. 15, but pleaded guilty on July 29 to the charges.

Judge Benjamin Culbertson sentenced Griffin to 30 years in prison after hearing from the state and defense.

In June, Judge Thomas W. Cooper Jr. sentenced Griffins codefendant, Tyrell Vanquiz Harrison, to serve 45 years after a jury found Harrison guilty of the same charges.

The charges for both men stemmed from a January 2020 shooting that left one man dead and another injured in the Longs section of Horry County.

"Theres no question that this was an unnecessary and violent attack, but this is as close to justice as we can get for the victims in a case this egregious," said violent crimes prosecutor Nancy Livesay with the 15th Circuit Solicitor's Office, who prosecuted the case with Assistant Solicitor Christopher Helms.

"Both of these defendants will serve lengthy prison sentences for their actions, and that was our goal setting out.

According to authorities, Griffin and Harrison requested a ride from the two victims from a club in the Cedar Branch area during the early morning hours on Jan. 3, 2020. When the vehicle got close to its destination, the defendants presented weapons and attempted to rob the victims at gunpoint.

The victims refused to hand over their personal belongings, and both were shot in the back of the head. One victim died at the scene while the other was transported to Grand Strand Regional Medical Center and underwent emergency surgery.

The information that the surviving victim was able to provide law enforcement led to the identification and arrests of both Griffin and Harrison. That same victim identified Griffin and Harrison as the assailants at Harrisons trial last month.

The state presented Griffin's case to the court based on South Carolinas accomplice liability doctrine, commonly referred to as the hand of one, is the hand of all," according to authorities.

The well-established doctrine recognizes that the actions of codefendants during the commission of crimes are attributable to each another.

According to authorities, Harrison and Griffin were convicted on charges that require them to serve every day of their respective sentences. These are non-parole-eligible offenses, and neither of the defendants can get any time taken off of their sentences while they are incarcerated.

Authorities said murder and attempted murder are also both most serious and violent offenses as defined by the South Carolina Legislature.

"This not only has bearing on how much of the sentence must actually be served, but also subjects Griffin and Harrison to further potential criminal liabilities should they be convicted of similar conduct after they are released any time in the future," Helm said.
SPARTANBURG  South Carolina First Steps plans to host two events in Spartanburg that are a part of its statewide Countdown to Kindergarten initiative.

Every summer, South Carolina First Steps hosts events in counties across the state that help children get ready for the school year.

On Aug. 5 from 6 to 8 p.m., there is an event at the Childrens Museum of the Upstate in downtown Spartanburg. Families will be able to gather resources and supplies from local community partners. Children can practice real life kindergarten experiences and play in a mock classroom.

Another event will take place at the Upstate Family Resource Center on Aug. 13 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Children will receive school supplies and participate in learning activities. There will also be COVID-19 vaccines, dental screenings and eye screenings available on-site.

For a child to be ready for kindergarten, they need the verbal skills, fine motor skills and pre-math skills, said Georgia Mjartan, executive director of South Carolina First Steps. There are a lot of different components to what readiness looks like and it's not just academic readiness.

South Carolina First Steps is a state agency and nonprofit whose goal is to make sure children are prepared to start school. For the Countdown to Kindergarten initiative, the organization launched a website where families can find information on upcoming celebrations, search for their childs school and find tips and resources related to school readiness. The site outlines 60 different developmental milestones that a rising kindergartner should have met.

We know that all children from birth to age five need different levels of support, and their families need different programs to help them get ready for success in school, Mjartan said.

Another component is a home visit program. The future teacher of the kindergartener will visit the home for five weeks in the summer, and the sixth visit takes place at the school.

The nonprofit and agency works with families from before birth up until a childs first day of kindergarten.

South Carolina First Steps is in every county in the state. In some counties, families can sign up to have books delivered to their homes starting in the first month of their childs life. Some counties focus on making sure children have access to high quality childcare. Local directors and teachers work with childcare center directors to make sure programs are educational for children. Other counties focus on parent education, home visits and parenting groups.
Fund another round of direct financial aid, like Prugraman Salappe''

Invest into building a new hospital

Assist businesses to hire or keep workers, and help residents who are still unemployed

They should be spent on a wide range of services and programs

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The Wall Street Journal reports this morning that a New York man possessing an illegal assault-style rifle was arrested near the home of an Iranian dissident who was previously the target of an alleged kidnapping plot by government operatives of the Islamic Republic. The New York Post has an accessible version of the story here. The brief Post story adds several telling details.

The New York man is Khalid Mehdiyev. Mehdiyev was arrested in Brooklyn after New York Police Department officers pulled him over for running a stop sign and found a suitcase containing a loaded AK-47-style assault rifle. Fortunately, Mehdiyev has been charged in federal court, so he remains in custody. He hasnt been released under New Yorks bail law.

Mehdiyev is charged with one count of possessing a firearm with an obliterated serial number. He was long on ammo and cash. He had a suitcase with 66 rounds and $1,100 in cash.

These are the scary scenes capturing a man who tried to enter my house in New York with a loaded gun to kill me.

Last year the FBI stopped the Islamic Republic from kidnapping me.

My crime is giving voice to voiceless people. The US administration must be tough on terror. pic.twitter.com/XsxlFLSlOk  Masih Alinejad  (@AlinejadMasih) July 31, 2022

The FBI affidavit supporting the criminal complaint swears that surveillance video and other records show that over two days last week Mehdiyev parked for hours near a Brooklyn residence. The Journal notes that the complaint doesnt specify the location or occupant of the residence, but reports that the occupant of the home is Masih Alinejad, an Iranian dissident and human-rights activist who had previously been the target of an alleged kidnapping plot that led to criminal charges last year[.] The Journal story is accompanied by a chilling photo of Mehdiyev taken by a security camera outside Alinejads Brooklyns residence drawn from the tweet above.

One can reasonably infer that this case is illustrative of Jay Solomons reporting in The Iran Wars. We covered the Iranian kidnap plot on Alinejad here and drew on Solomons book at that time. Please see the post on the kidnap plot. I assess with high confidence that the disregard of the Iranian regime for the sovereignty of the United States will have no impact on the diplomacy of the Biden administration.
According to Senator Tom Cotton, the leak of Nancy Pelosis planned trip to Taiwan came straight from the White House. The AP reported yesterday that Taiwan was omitted from the itinerary of her Asian trip, but security concerns must have had something to do with that. Today comes word that Taiwanese and US officials expect her to visit Taiwan.

The Wall Street Journal reports that Pelosi is indeed planning to visit Taiwan. The Washington Examiner now reports Taiwan cancels leave of some soldiers to immediately prepare for war.

The Biden administration has both lowered respect for the United States among our enemies and amplified Pelosis visit into something like a crisis. It would be terrible for the United States if she succumbed to the pressure of the CCP and the Biden administration. We wish her the best on her planned visit.
The National Assembly has been advised to consider the peculiarities of various sectors of the economy while enacting Local Content legislation for sectors like construction, information technology, power and others.

The Executive Secretary Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Simbi Wahote, made the recommendation while delivering a lecture at the 5th edition of the Valuechain Magazine Lectures and Awards held on Monday, July 25 in Abuja. He spoke on the topic, the impact of Nigerian Content Law: Taking a cue from the successes in the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry,

He noted that the success and accomplishments recorded in the implementation of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act had prompted the clamor by various stakeholder for the extension of the law to other sectors.

The NCDMB boss said the consideration of the Bill to extend the Local Content Law to those sectors must adopt a bespoke approach to cater for the peculiarities of those sectors in order to achieve success.

The recommendation is coming on the heels of ongoing efforts by the National Assembly to enact the Nigerian Local Content Development and Enforcement Bill 2020 to create a local content legislation for other key sectors of the national economy.

The Executive Secretary who was represented at the event by the Head, Legal Services of the Board, Naboth Onyesoh, hinted that President Muhammed Buhari had reinforced the local content practice in the oil and gas industry through his total support for the Boards programmes as well as by issuing the Executive Orders (EO: 003 & 005) which aim to promote local content in the public procurements and projects.

There is no question about the imperative of extending local content law to other sectors. Interestingly, this patriotic desire is being expressed from different perspectives. Each of bills have their merits and concerns; the concerns would require relevant stakeholder inputs and collaboration to sort out and to make progress, he said.

Much as it does not lie only in our mouth as a Board to determine the shape or form the proposed legislative intervention would take, the Board strongly aligns with the call to extend the Nigerian Content Law to other sectors. However, based on our experiences in 12years of implementing the current law and the peculiarity of the oil and gas industry, we think that it would be more efficient and successful to adopt a bespoke approach, which would consider the peculiarities of the various sectors intended to be covered he concluded.

He maintained that the NCDMB has been pragmatic in implementation of the Nigerian Content Law in the oil and gas industry to support in the critical task of nation-building and for the actualization of some of the federal governments policies and initiatives under President Muhammed Buhari. He stressed that the Boards activities have been geared towards the drive for job creation, implementation of the decade of gas, ease of doing business, diversification in the context of the economic recovery and growth and plan (ERGP).

While commending the efforts of Valuechain magazine, Mr Onyesoh noted that the publications story resonates with that of the Board because it tells of the positive impact of a small organization within a relatively short period of time.

He said, the publisher has made significant impact on the media landscape and the oil and gas sector. He noted that the magazine had carved a niche for itself by taking up the task of providing solutions by presenting credible information and education to empower Nigerians to participate actively in the oil and gas industry.
Haitham Al Ghais, the new secretary-general of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), has resumed office on Monday.

Mr Al Ghais, a former oil official from Kuwait, was appointed by acclamation for a three-year term at the special meeting of the OPEC Conference held on January 3. He succeeds Nigerias Mohammad Sanusi Barkindo who died in July.

Mr Barkindo passed away during a visit to Nigeria, just weeks before the end of his six-year tenure.

In a comment, Mr Al Ghais said It is a great honour for me to be at the helm of an Organization that has been instrumental in supporting a stable and sustainable supply of oil to the world for more than 61 years.

Throughout its history, OPEC has been at the forefront of promoting dialogue, cooperation and partnerships to achieve its mission. Today, I look forward to working with all our Member Countries and our many partners around the world to ensure a sustainable and inclusive energy future which leaves no one behind, he said.

According to an OPEC statement, Mr Al Ghais, a respected oil technocrat and well-known OPEC figure, brings a great wealth of experience from both his diplomatic background, as well as his extensive experience in the energy and oil sectors in both OPEC founder member Kuwait and internationally.

The Secretary Generals career in the global oil industry spans 30 years. He advised six Kuwaiti Oil Ministers on the global oil market and its developments over the past years, the statement said.

He is also a veteran of the Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC). He served at KPCs offices in Kuwait; Beijing, China; and London. Before taking the position of OPEC Secretary General, he was the Deputy Managing Director for International Marketing at KPC.

He was a leading member of Kuwaits Delegation to the meetings of OPEC and the Declaration of Cooperation (DoC) between OPEC Member Countries and non-OPEC oil-producing countries, the statement said.

It said the secretary-general served as Kuwaits Governor for OPEC from 2017 to 2021. He was also a Member of the Organizations Internal Audit Committee, which he later skilfully chaired.

He was the first Chairman of the DoCs Joint Technical Committee (JTC) following the inception of the historic framework in December 2016. He led the Committee with great distinction in its first year and subsequently served as a Member of the JTC until June 2021.

The Secretary-General also played a key role in drafting and developing the landmark Charter of Cooperation (CoC). The CoC was endorsed by OPEC Member Countries and several non-OPEC producing countries in July 2019 at the Sixth OPEC and non-OPEC Ministerial Meeting, it said.
South Africa: SAPS mobilising maximum resources to crack down on violent crimes

Following a spate of mass shootings around the country, South Africas provincial commissioners are mobilising maximum resources towards preventing more such incidents and apprehending the perpetrators.

Recent weeks have been marred by incidents of shootings that have resulted in multiple murders and injuries in mostly KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng.

In July alone, a total of 1 173 illegal firearms and 7 738 live ammunition were confiscated countrywide, 1 035 of these were confiscated in Gauteng alone.

The National Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS), General Fannie Masemola, said some of these firearms, ammunition and dangerous weapons were seized during roadblocks, as well as stolen vehicles and drugs.

General Masemola was updating the nation on Monday in Pretoria on measures in place to address crime in the country.

This reflects our determination as management of the SAPS to intensify our efforts, dealing decisively with the proliferation of illegal firearms, thus reducing the volumes of serious and violent crimes, he said.

General Masemola said there is an indication that in general, most serious and violent crime is committed between Fridays and Mondays.

Taking from this, the General said that all provinces are now conducting simultaneous blitz operations with high visibility and combat operations throughout the weekend.

These entail cordon and searches, as well as intelligence-driven, multi-disciplinary, disruptive operations.

Tighter enforcement of the Firearms Control Act, the National- and Provincial Liquor Acts, and the Second Hand Goods Act, as well as strategic mounting of roadblocks, are operational interventions against which Commanders are now being measured, he said.

Station Commanders are now expected to align their daily duties and reporting to the Crime Threat and Pattern Analysis of their local policing precinct.

Over 20 000 suspects arrested in July

The police have arrested over 22 320 suspects across the country in July for crimes committed against members of communities.

3 193 of these suspects were arrested for assault GBH, 576 for murder, 360 attempted murder, 432 for rape and 177 for sexual offences, General Masemola announced.

He commended the Western Cape Organised Crime Detectives for the diligent investigative work that ultimately resulted in a life sentence for the 2016 murder of Pasika Kwaza.

This comes after his wife was sentenced to 12 years imprisonment for murder and 18 months for defeating the ends of justice.

One of the accomplices was handed a life sentence, while the other two were also slapped with long term imprisonment sentences.

General Masemola also commended the Gauteng FCS Detectives whose quality work enabled the life sentence handed down on Ntuthuko Shoba in relation to the brutal murder of Tshegofatso Pule last year.

I have directed the Divisional Commissioner: Detective and Forensic Services as well as the Provincial Commanders that this is the skill-set, the energy, diligence and commitment that each victim of Gender-Based Violence and Femicide, deserves, he said.

Masemola assured South Africans that the multi-disciplinary team of investigators assigned to the West Village incident of multiple rapes of eight young women, will leave no stone unturned in ensuring that the suspects are ultimately linked to the crimes and face the full might of the law.

At this point, on behalf of the management of the SAPS, I want to extend our condolences to the colleagues, families of our Special Task Force Members who lost their lives this past week.

May the souls of the late Sergeant Matidza (34) from Jabulani, Warrants Officers Tolbadi and Tshaka, and ex-member Warrant Officer Mfadu rest in peace, he said. SAnews.gov.za

This story has been published on: 2022-08-01. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Army Day: The Chinese military as we know it

(People's Daily App) 15:41, August 01, 2022

You often see the Chinese military in the news during those life-or-death moments.

But it is on training days like these that build them into the heroes we know.

They were an integral force in Wuhan's battle against COVID-19 in the early stages of the outbreak.

They raced against the clock to save patients' lives in ICUs and wards.

They fight floods and provide relief to vulnerable groups affected by disasters.

They trek to some of the remotest areas, answering the needs of residents.

They contribute to global peace and stability, carrying forward the Chinese nation's aspiration for peace with action.

Generation after generation, they have written a history of courage and wisdom, sometimes with their own lives.

The badge of honor always belongs to these heroes and their stories are always worth being told  and not solely on Army Day.

(Produced by Chen Lidan, Zhan Huilan, Li Bowen and Xie Runjia; Hou Chenchen, Wang Jinpan and Wang Xiaodong also contributed to the video.)

(Web editor: Peng Yukai, Liang Jun)
Overwhelmed by challenges of governance, President Muhammadu Buhari has said that he is eager to leave office. He made the confession when governors of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) paid him Sallah homage in Daura, Katsina State. It has been tough, he quipped. The president has just 10 months for his wish to come to pass. One of the issues that have constantly gnawed at his government has been corruption. He had pledged to cripple it during the 2015 electioneering with his well-known refrain: If we dont kill corruption, corruption will kill Nigeria. Sadly, the epidemic has become so contagious that some argue that it has now reached fairly overwhelming proportions.

Tragically, cronyism and nepotism in Buharis key appointments have conflated with the working of government agencies at cross-purposes to fuel corruption. A House of Representatives ad-hoc committee is currently conducting a probe into the controversial fuel subsidy regime, which has had the national treasury haemorrhage for years. It is ridiculous that no public entity, including the President, as the substantive minister of Petroleum Resources, the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning or the National Assembly, with oversight powers over public expenditure, can state with certainty the quantity of fuel consumed daily in Nigeria. And hence the rightful amount of subsidy payment required for this volume.

The House estimates that Nigeria consumes between 40 and 45 million litres daily, but is worried that the NNPC Ltd uses between 65 and 100 million litres per day to determine subsidy charges as contained in its monthly reports to the Federal Accounts Allocation Committee. As such, the huge incongruity between these figures is indicative of the massive corruption that Buharis government has condoned for the past seven years, despite what have also been recurrent public demands for accountability over this enormous discrepancy, which have largely been to no avail. Besides, a weak regime and its complicit security personnel at our land borders cannot contain illegal petroleum product marketers, who often smuggle the subsidised fuel into neighbouring countries. This contributes to debilitating perennial shortages and inflated costs of the commodity at home.

In a motion that set the stage for the inquest, Hon. Sergius Ogun said there is evidence that subsidy charges on petrol are duplicated: Subsidy is charged against petroleum products sales in the books of NNPC Ltd, as well as against crude oil revenue in the books of NAPIMS, to the tune of over N2 trillion, he noted. Yet, without any empirical template, the President sought, and received legislative approval in April that hiked petrol subsidy to N4 trillion for this year. Inevitably, another Pandoras Box will be opened at the end of the probe, as a similar investigation unfolded in 2011. Out of N2.5 trillion claimed as subsidy then, a total of N1.7 trillion was discovered to have been paid illegally to fraudsters who never imported any fuel. The key actors involved included government agencies, such as the NNPC. The revelation had then compelled the government to review subsidy payments downwards to N971 billion, as the 2013 and 2014 budgets evinced.

In addition, crude oil is still stolen on an industrial scale on Buharis watch, as the United Kingdom think-tank, Chatham House, characterised the heist in 2013. Consequently, Nigeria cannot meet its OPEC production quota of 1.8 million barrels per day, and is struggling with an output of 1.25 mpd. The Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Oil Producers Trade Section, and Independent Petroleum Producers Group reported an estimated $3.2 billion worth of crude oil theft between January 2021 and February this year alone. The Bonny Terminal that should receive 200,000 barrels of crude per day, had instead received a measly 3,000 barrels per day, which forced Shell to declare a force majeure in the first quarter of this year. This act of economic sabotage is perpetrated by both locals and foreign nationals, with the assistance of complicit military personnel, who have the responsibility to avert oil theft and secure our porous maritime spaces. Nobody has been held to account for this illicit trade till date.

Nigerias floundering anti-graft campaign is why the country is now on a fiscal cliff. Debt services gulped N1.9 trillion in the first four months of this year  exceeding the N1.3 trillion revenue within the same period. Government revenues go into private pockets, dodgy accounts of ministries, departments and agencies of government and collusive banks that have side-tracked the Treasury Single Account introduced to checkmate abuses in revenue generation. This fact came into bold relief with the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmeds revelation that N5.2 trillion of public funds are with ten MDAs. Only N53.5 billion of the amount was recovered as of April, after an 18-month effort.

With no political will to push policies through and the MDAs working in opposite directions, bureaucrats and political appointees see their offices as vast acres of diamond to be mined for personal benefits. A penal regime that allows a former Comptroller of Nigeria Customs Service, who stole N40 billion, to return just N1.5 billion in a plea bargain makes a mockery of President Buharis anti-corruption campaign. Again, fiscal governance that allows an Accountant-General of the Federation to allegedly siphon N109 billion is clearly ineffective.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) could have made more progress, it seems, but for the serial interference of the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN). This sparked the dissonance between the AGF and the former Chairman of the Commission, Ibrahim Magu that set the chain of events leading to Magus suspension and an inquest for alleged abuse of office by a panel chaired by retired Justice Ayo Salami. Strangely, the findings of the panel have not been made public. Instead, Magu was promoted to the rank of Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) and then retired.

Interference in corruption cases, as is usual in this administration, negates genuine anti-graft drive. Yes, the AGF, by virtue of Section 174 (1) (2) (3) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, has powers to take over any criminal proceedings instituted by any authority or discontinue this. However, such action, the constitution emphasises, Shall have regard to public interest (and) the interest of justice. PREMIUM TIMES finds it difficult to see how the AGFs actions are driven by these ideals. The Danjuma Goje alleged N25 billion corruption trial by the EFCC, traded off by this administration on the altar of political expediency in the Senate, will continue to raise questions about the sincerity of Buharis anti-corruption fight.

Encouraged by how this odd routine from the AGF has served the interest of public officeholders, rather than the public good, a senator facing a corruption trial, sponsored a Bill to amend the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA). The bill seeks to ensure that case files are submitted to the office of the AGF by prosecuting agencies for his imprimatur. At a Public Hearing on the bill by the Senate Committee on Judiciary, the EFCC chairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa, opposed the move, stressing that, This will constitute undue interference by the AGF, who is a political appointee, in the work of law enforcement agencies. His counterpart at the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Offences Commission (ICPC), Bolaji Owosanoye, concurred. PREMIUM TIMES firmly believes that this is a legislative ambush, intended to defang anti-graft operations. Nigerians and civil society organisations should vehemently resist this devious and criminogenic drift.

An anti-corruption president with no moral scruples in appointing tainted friends and individuals on corruption trial as ministers, as Buhari has repeatedly done, cannot be taken seriously. It is on record that a serving cabinet member, Bashir Magashi of the defence ministry, refunded $400,000, out of $550,000, to the Federal Government from a frozen account in 2001, held on his behalf at the Jessy, UK branch of bank PNB Paribus. This was money acquired from illegal crude oil allocation during the Sani Abacha regime.

In accordance with our laws, people are innocent until proven guilty. However, to appoint into public office people undergoing trial lowers the bar in the quest for probity and accountability. Countries fighting corruption head-on are drifting from emphasis on legalism to the primacy of morality in dealing with money laundering cases. This is what the UKs Unexplained Wealth Orders (UWO) seeks to achieve. Assets  cash or property in excess of 50,000  are seized by law enforcement agencies, until the owner proves the legitimacy of such possession. The burden of proof of innocence is on the owner, not the government. This is similar to the paradigm shift in Switzerland where you have to prove that you have earned that money legally, before any deposit could be made in any Swiss bank, as its erstwhile Ambassador to Nigeria, Hans-Rudolf Hodel, revealed.

These are strong innovative strategies and best practices, which have eluded Buharis fight against corruption. Racketeering at Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) offices in passports procurement remains a problem. The persistent low ranking of Nigeria in Transparency Internationals Corruption Perception Index, (154 out of 180 countries in 2021); the endemic fraud in constituency projects by members of the National Assembly with no lawmaker held to account; the grass-cutting contract for which a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation is being prosecuted; the N523 million school feeding scandal during the 2020 COVID-19 lock-down; the presidents signature lethargy that has ensured that the forensic audit report on the Niger Delta Development Commission submitted last September remains a secret document, are hallmarks of failures in the anti-graft war.

Unfortunately, time is running out for the Buhari government. Recovery of looted funds and convictions by the EFCC and ICPC, more than in previous administrations, are not achievements that will outlive this government.

The pardon granted by the Council of State to former Governors Joshua Dariye and Jolly Nyame, the only ex-governors convicted for corruption under Buhari, remains in conflict with Buharis avowed commitment to the fight against corruption. So too is the recommendation by the Presidential Advisory Committee on Prerogative of Mercy, chaired by the AGF, that Francis Atuche, a former bank chief executive be released after just a year in jail, out of his six-year jail term for stealing N25.7 billion.

An uncompromising anti-corruption government does not spare banks that breach money-laundering laws and other financial regulations, as is the norm in Nigeria. Standard Chartered bank, for instance, paid $1.1 billion in fines to the US and UK authorities in 2019 for money laundering breaches, while BNP Paribas incurred $9 million in penalty in the US for rates-rigging in 2018.

President Buhari should reflect on all these issues and come to terms with the reality that on the score of his anti-corruption policies, he has clearly failed.

EDITORS NOTE: This post has been updated with the name of the incumbent minister who returned loot to government. We apologise for the initial omission.
On the morning of 11 April, 2008, Rakiya Ibrahim walked into Dalhatu Specialist Hospital in Lafia, Nasarawa State, to access ante-natal services. She had gone to the hospital following advice from her pregnant neighbour on the benefits of ante-natal care for her and her unborn child.

Ms Ibrahim was already 18 weeks pregnant at the time she made the decision she later considered a life-changing one.

At the hospital, as is done for every pregnant woman, Ms Ibrahims blood sample was taken for regular screening.

About 30 minutes later, a female nurse dressed in a combination of white and blue uniform called the women into her office one after the other, until it got to my turn, Ms Ibrahim, who resides in the Angwan Gayam area of the state, narrated to this reporter in Hausa.

After giving a lengthy preamble speech, the nurse said I have contracted a disease called HIV, she said.

According to Ms Ibrahim, the nurse further explained the implication of living with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and its effect on her unborn child which by the way, was her first child.

When the child was eventually born, he tested negative for the virus.

Receiving the news that my son Umar was not infected with the virus is probably the happiest news of my life, she said.

The reason for this happy ending is not far-fetched. She began her anti-retroviral treatment immediately after the diagnosis and also followed up at the health facility until delivery.

In the absence of intervention, Ms Ibrahim had a 15 to 45 per cent chance of passing the virus on to her child, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).

After Umar, Ms Ibrahim delivered five more children. Sadly, her last child, Asmau, tested positive for HIV, due to Ms Ibrahims actions. Of all six children, Asmau is the only one born positive for HIV and the reason for this is obvious.

While pregnant with Asmau, Ms Ibrahim shunned the health facility and opted for the help of a Traditional Birth Attendant (TBA). This means she never enjoyed pre-natal services throughout her pregnancy.

She also stopped taking her medications in the mistaken belief that she was no longer living with the virus.

I thought the virus was no longer in my blood since I was feeling good and all my first five children were born negative, Ms Ibrahim said.

That one wrong move by Ms Ibrahim not only put her life at risk but also jeopardised the life of little Asmau.

Pregnant women prefer TBAs

According to WHO, TBA is a person who assists a mother during childbirth and who initially acquired her skills by delivering babies herself or through an apprenticeship with other TBAs.

Before the advent of modern obstetric services, TBAs were popularly known to render services to pregnant women, especially in the African region.

With major progress made around the globe, it is anticipated that women will give birth in approved health clinics, but some women, especially those in rural communities, still patronise TBAs.

Like in many low and middle-income countries, many pregnant women in Nigeria continue to give birth at home with the help of TBAs, putting their lives and that of the child at risk. Ms Ibrahim, while carrying Asmaus pregnancy, fits into this category.

Nonchalance as was the case when Ms Ibrahim was pregnant with Asmau is not the only reason some pregnant women prefer to use TBAs.

Deborah Yakubu, a woman living with HIV and residing in Igu, a community in Bwari, a suburb of the FCT, said she prefers the TBA in her community to health workers at the Primary Health Centre (PHC).

Ms Yakubus reason is that health workers most times make pregnant women feel neglected. She initially commenced ante-natal at the health facility but stopped halfway due to ill-treatment from the nurses.

She also said it is far cheaper going to a TBA because they mostly accept wrappers or food items as a form of payment.

It is easier to communicate with the TBA than those nurses, although I regret infecting my child with the virus, she said.

Ms Yakubu also said at the health centres, we are forced to make payment for different forms and antenatal services/requirements. I cant always afford that, she said.

Research has shown that the obsession of pregnant women with TBAs contributes majorly to increased maternal and child mortality rates. It has also frustrated the efforts to Eliminate Mother to Child Transmission of HIV (EMTCT) in Nigeria.

Despite proven medical interventions in place to prevent a mother from transmitting the virus to her child, many children are still born with HIV every year.

A large number of these babies contracted the virus because their mothers failed to access health facilities for ante-natal care, the National Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT) lead at the National AIDS and STIs Control Programme (NASCP), Gbenga Ijaodola, said.

Mr Ijaodola said some pregnant women opt to deliver at home or other birthing locations instead of approved health centres.

He said data from the 2018 National Demographic Health Survey (NDHS) indicates that a larger percentage of pregnant women still patronise TBAs.

He said this is due to some factors, which include socioeconomic status, long distances to the health facility, and the current economic situation in Nigeria.

The preference of TBAs by pregnant women is mostly based on information they got from their grandmothers, mothers and other family or community members. Its like a tradition, he said.

However, a TBA called Mama Aisha residing in the Angwan Gayam area of Nasarawa State said women in her community prefer her for child delivery because of the connection she has built over time.

Mama Aisha said she is considered a great help to the community due to the number of children she has successfully delivered.

The intention is not to harm any mother or child but just to help them deliver safely, Mama Aisha said in Hausa. Helping pregnant women deliver their children is what Mama Aisha knows how to do best. But she is ignorant of HIV or any implication it may have on the child.

One of many

Four years old Asmau is one of the millions of children born with HIV globally every year. At least one child globally was infected with HIV every two minutes in 2020, according to the United Nations Childrens Fund (UNICEF).

Data from UNICEF also shows that 120,000 children died from AIDS-related diseases in 2020, or one child every five minutes.

In Africas most populous country, Nigeria, many children are born with the virus every year. This is despite various programmes and interventions in place to prevent MTCT.

A report by the National AIDS and STIs Control Programme (NASCP) indicates that 3,409 babies born in Nigeria in the past four years tested positive for HIV.

A UNICEF report also shows that at least one child between the ages of 0-9 years was infected with HIV every 30 minutes in 2020. This means that about 20,695 children in Nigeria were newly infected with HIV in 2020.

About 30 per cent of AIDS-related deaths in 2020 also occurred in children, according to the report.

MTCT is one of the many challenges to Nigerias efforts toward ending the HIV epidemic.

Nigeria contributes the largest burden of babies born with HIV in the world. In 2016 alone, the country accounted for 37,000 of the worlds 160,000 new cases of babies born with HIV.

The statistics dont lie, the numbers keep increasing, Mr Ijaodola said.

Born with the virus

Like Asmau, six years old Hajara was also born with the virus.

Hajaras mother, Maimuna Adamu, said she never visited the hospital throughout her pregnancy. making her ignorant of the implication of her status on the child.

Ms Adamu, who resides in Angwan Alhamdu, Nasarawa eggon in Nasarawa State, said she delivered Hajara at home with the help of a TBA popularly called Mama in the community.

She, however, regrets her decision of avoiding the health facility. Whenever I remember my child is infected with HIV because of me, I cry, she said in Hausa.

More than one million women globally infected with HIV are estimated to deliver babies without professional help each year. Asmau and Hajaras mothers contribute to this figure.

Estimates from the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS also show that 21.58 per cent of HIV-infected pregnant Nigerian women transmitted the virus to their children in 2016 because they failed to seek prenatal services.

The assistant director of NASCP, Jamiyu Ganiyu, said MTCT is preventable through tracking the delivery of a proven set of health interventions but nothing can be done when pregnant women fail to present at the health facility.

Mr Ganiyu said the preference for TBA is a major challenge as more than 50 per cent of women who attend antenatal care end up delivering at home.

He said most pregnant women opt for TBAs majorly due to the high cost of healthcare services and distance to health facilities.

Integrating TBAs

Although TBAs play an important role in the provision of care to pregnant women, especially in rural communities, they are barely recognised by the formal health sector.

Health experts have repeatedly advocated the integration of TBAs into health services by providing them with HIV counselling and other training.

Engaging these women in activities lined up to fight HIV will ensure the country records a high success rate in PMTCT, Wale Akinboboye, a public health expert, said.

Mr Akinboboye explained that TBAs are described as unskilled individuals because they are yet to receive a form of training to carry out certain procedures.

He said their presence and activities in communities cannot be overlooked as many communities in Nigeria have the tradition of using TBAs.

He said TBAs have a large clientele base and better access to pregnant women in rural communities. This is because they are trusted by pregnant women in the community they serve.

It will be a safe option integrating them into the PMTCT programmes, he said.

The public health expert explained that some African countries are already engaging TBAs and recording success stories.

The government must recognise the role of TBAs, identify and register the TBAs, educate and train the TBAs on HIV/AIDS, PMTCT and encourage them to always make referrals to PHCs for HIV counselling and make testing a part of their routine, he said.

Mr Akinboboye said the government must also encourage TBAs by providing incentives for every referral made to health facilities.

This will empower them to provide basic ante-natal care and refer those at high-risk pregnancies to the health facility, he said.

Mr Akinboboye ultimately believes that getting women to attend antenatal clinics in established health facilities will be key to stopping MTCT in Nigeria.

The Chief Programme officer, Community Prevention and care services of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), Babayemi Olakunde, said there are ongoing efforts to identify TBAs and the numbers of women that visit them within a period of time.

Mr Olakunde said this will ensure the government engages them strategically to meet the needs of pregnant women.

We are working on a framework that can guide the engagements with TBAs so we can bring them on board to provide PMTCT services, he said.

Only if the TBAs that delivered Asmau and Hajara had background knowledge on HIV and its implications, they would have been HIV-free today.

But its not too late to prevent more children from being born with HIV, Mr Akinboboye, the public health expert, said.

Low awareness, Access to PMTCT services

PMTCT programmes have focused primarily on preventing transmission from an HIV-infected woman to her infant. But not much attention has been given to improving the knowledge and awareness of HIV transmission and prevention among pregnant women, especially in rural communities.

Around the globe, persons living with HIV, including pregnant women, are treated with daily combinations of powerful ARVs.

When treatment suppresses the virus in pregnant women, their newborn babies also receive ARVs for six weeks, which makes transmission rates drop to less than one per cent. This method has worked in many developed countries as the MTCT rate has become low.

But in Nigeria, cases are on the increase because the regimen cannot be given if pregnant women do not know their status.

Mr Ijaodola said the majority of pregnant women do not know their HIV status and those who are aware, do not know the virus can be transmitted to the child.

He said some women are also ignorant of the importance of ante-natal care to them and their children.

These are the major issues in eliminating mother-to-child transmission, he said.

According to the 2018 NDHS, only about half of the population of women know that HIV can be transmitted during pregnancy, labour/delivery, or breastfeeding.

And only a little more than half of women know that the risk can be averted by the mother taking special drugs, the report stated.

If Ms Adamu had had access to professional health services during her pregnancy, Hajara would have been saved from contracting the virus.

She also contributes to the percentage of pregnant women in Nigeria who are unable to access PMTCT services.

We are working to engage various key players at the community level to ensure they provide the right information for all women of reproductive age, Mr Ijaodola said.

During a media dialogue on PMTCT held in Calabar, Mr Ijaodola said some stakeholders are working with the ministry of health to ensure women present their babies at facilities to undergo HIV testing at birth, and after six weeks for a retest of both positive and negative newborns.

He said the government is highly interested in the global drive for the elimination of Mother-to-Child Transmission.

He noted that this is in line with the global target which mandates that 95 per cent of all HIV-positive pregnant and breastfeeding mothers receive antiretroviral therapy; 95 per cent of all HIV-exposed infants receive antiretroviral prophylaxis and 95 per cent of all HIV-exposed infants have early infant diagnosis within 6-8 weeks of birth.

Mr Ijaodola said to achieve this set target, more awareness is needed among all populations and with special attention to pregnant women.

What determines the health of every nation is how they take care of their women and children. And the joy of every mother is that her baby comes out clean devoid of any infection, HIV inclusive, he said.

The Lafia state coordinator of the Association of Women Living with HIV/AIDs in Nigeria (ASWHAN), Ruth Yakubu, said there are ongoing awareness exercises in Nasarawa State to highlight the importance of attending antenatal during pregnancy.

Ms Yakubu said this will ensure women know their HIV status and also make effort to protect the child.

If these awareness creations are effective, more Nigerian children will be born free of HIV.

NOTE: Names of persons Living with HIV were changed to protect their identities.
The federal government has blamed petroleum marketers for the recent increase in petrol pump prices.

The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, said the government was still paying subsidy on petrol imported into the country.

I can tell you authoritatively, we have not deregulated. The government is still subsidizing petrol prices. If there are increases in price, it is not from the government, he told Journalists Monday at a stakeholders consultation forum on regulations organised by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, (NMDPRA) in Abuja.

He said increased prices implemented in the last two weeks were probably from the marketers.

I will talk to the Authority to ensure that they actually regulate the price. This is not from the government, we have not deregulated, Mr Sylva said.

Fuel scarcity has continued in Abuja despite the governments assurances the problem would be resolved.

Marketers had listed the high cost of buying petrol at the depots and the high cost of diesel to truck them as the major factors responsible for the scarcity.

The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) said its members could not sell at the government-regulated price given increased costs.

In July, Abuja marketers increased the pump price of petrol with several stations selling the product above N165 a litre.

Some filling stations within the city centre sell petrol at N180. Mr Sylva did not say why the government has failed to enforce its price.

He said fuel queues in Abuja were gradually disappearing  the same claim the government has made for months without a permanent solution.

The queues in Abuja are going but I dont know whether you are seeing more queues but a lot is being done, he said.

I noticed that the queues are already disappearing. There are some issues, I believe that the authority chief executive of NMDPRA will be in a better position to explain some of the problems.

But a lot is going on to ensure that the queues end. As of yesterday, I noticed that the queues in Abuja are easing off, he added.
On August 12, 2020, the media feasted on stories of Oluwatoyin Ogundipes sudden removal as vice-chancellor of the University of Lagos (UNILAG). Before then, the universitys governing council headed by Wale Babalakin, a senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN), had probed Mr Ogundipe on several corruption allegations, including the misappropriation of funds and recruitment irregularity.

Between 2018 and 2019, the UNILAG governing council constituted a panel led by Saminu Dagari, a representative of the federal government, and Eddy Omolehinwa, a professor of accounting, to look into the institutions finances, expenditures and budgets. It was based on the damning report of the panel that the governing council removed Mr Ogundipe.

Displeased with the vice-chancellors removal, President Muhammadu Buhari constituted a panel led by Tukur Saad, a former Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Minna, Niger State, to look into the crisis.

But in a letter addressed to the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, in October 2020, Mr Saad noted that his panel was restricted to checking if Mr Ogundipes removal followed due process.

The recommendation that the VC should be reinstated was limited to the procedure of his termination, Mr Saad said in the letter. It did not mean he should be absolved of all wrongdoing. If among the faults enumerated in the report the government believes he should be sacked, that does not contradict our recommendations.

President Buhari would later reinstate Mr Ogundipe without probing the allegations against him. Mr Babalakin, who led the governing council that removed Mr Ogundipe, resigned in protest.

But a few months after submitting the report of the panel he chaired, Mr Saad faulted the reinstatement of Mr Ogundipe by Mr Buhari. He said he reluctantly endorsed the report of the panel because members of the committee appeared to be biased towards Mr Ogundipe against Mr Babalakin.

The new presidential panel report

On March 29, 2021, the federal government constituted another presidential visitation panel, led by Martins Agwai, a former Chief of Army Staff, to scrutinise the management of UNILAG between 2015 and 2019, including the controversial dismissal of Mr Ogundipe as Vice-Chancellor.

After several months of painstaking investigation, the Agwai-led panel submitted its report to the Ministry of Education, but the federal government has so far failed to disclose the findings of the committee to the public.

In September 2021, some part of the panel report indicting Mr Ogundipe for executing multi-million procurement fraud and contract splitting was leaked by some newspapers. But Sonny Echono, the then permanent secretary at the education ministry, denied the authenticity of the reports, claiming it was fake. Some members of the panel however told PREMIUM TIMES the leaked report was genuine.

Since it was partly leaked last year, the education ministry has held on to the original copy of the Agwai-led report and ignored the Freedom of Information (FOI) request filed by this newspaper. Against all odds, PREMIUM TIMES obtained a copy of the document the federal government refused to make public.

However, our reporting, including reviewing the Agwai-led panel report that the government wants unpublished and speaking with insiders in UNILAG and the ministry of education, showed that the Buhari-led administration is deliberately concealing the panels findings from the masses.

Frivolous contract awards

PREMIUM TIMES gathered that the Agwai-panel report backed the actions taken against Mr Ogundipe in 2020 by the Wale Babalakin-led governing council of the institution, but President Buhari would ignore the recommendation of the panel he had constituted.

After reviewing several committee reports and petitions accusing the Vice-Chancellor of corporate malfeasance, the presidential panel stated that Mr Ogundipe and his management ran an opaque administration that hid the finances of the university from the governing council and the body vested in law to be the custodian of those finances.

The panel also established that Mr Ogundipe and his team engaged in various acts of contract splitting in their procurement of goods and services for the university.

For instance, Mr Dagari, the chairman of the committee constituted by the university council in 2018 to review the expenditure of the university, appeared before the Agwai-led panel to present the report that led to the initial sack of Mr Ogundipe.

The Dagari-led committee had indicted Mr Ogundipe for spending, without due process, N112.4 million on the renovation of his official residence and the living quarters of the bursar, Olalekan Lawal, and the registrar, Oladejo Azeez.

The committee found that Mr Ogundipe purchased two official vehicles for N52 million, spending far above the universitys tender board limit. He was also said to have spent N57.9 million on estacodes for foreign trips.

Under the Vice-Chancellors watch, the university paid the sum of N2.4 million monthly to Ademola Adeleke, the dean of students affairs, for 17 months. Mr Ogundipe paid Mr Adeleke from May 2017 to September 2018 for an unspecified purpose, the Dagari-led panel said.

He was also accused of spending N57.2 million on waste management and janitorial services.

Prof Ogundipes defence was carefully studied. He did not deny any of these allegations, and there appears to be no valid justification in law for all his defences, the Agwai panel report read in parts.

Multi-million fraud, contract splitting

Corroborating, the immediate past acting director of works in the university, Tunde Oloko, presented a report before the presidential panel indicting Mr Ogundipe for paying over N2 billion to contractors in excess of his approval limit and without the knowledge of the governing council.

Engineer Oloko alleged that the vice-chancellor directly engaged in contract splitting and frequently got him to sign off on payments where there was either no execution or the execution had not been completed, the report said. These allegations are contrary to the Public Procurement Act and the Fiscal Responsibility Act.

Another member of the panel set up by the governing council, Eddy Omolehinwa, gave an account of Mr Ogundipes misconduct as UNILAGs Vice-Chancellor while presenting his report at the Agwai-led committee.

Mr Omolehinwa said under Mr Ogundipe, the UNILAG management budgeted N147 million for all the institutions departments while twice that amount, a suspicious N300 million, was budgeted for janitorial services for the same period.

This directly violates Section 7 of the University Act that vests the finances of the University in the Council, the panel noted.

Favouritism and abuse of office

Relying on the testimony of another member of the university governing council committee, Bayo Adaralegbe, the Agwai-led panel indicted Mr Ogundipe for falsifying an interview process to favour a candidate during the recruitment process for the position of director of works in the university.

Mr Adaralegbe also accused Mr Ogundipe of attempting to get Olukemi Fadehan, the university librarian, appointed as a professor at a time the institution had no academic department for Library Science. Mr Adaralegbe submitted minutes of the council meeting where the interview process was cancelled because the scoring sheets were altered to support his allegations, according to the panel report.

He stated that this happened in the presence of Professor Ben Ogbujiafor, then deputy vice-chancellor of the university, Dr Saminu Dagari, then Council member and two representatives from the Federal Character Commission, the panel report stated.

Dr Adaralegbe alleged that Professor Ogundipe attempted to get the Librarian, Dr. (Mrs.) Olukemi Fadehan to be appointed as a Professor Librarian, at the University of Lagos at a time when the University did not have a department for Library Science and was not admitting undergraduate or postgraduate students for Library Science, the report added.

VC Ogundipe rendered Registrar redundant

On several occasions, Mr Ogundipe breached procurement procedures through some members of the tender board of the university who approved projects he nominated without proper scrutiny.

The registrar of the university, Oladejo Azeez, for instance, admitted before the Agwai-led panel that most of the tender board members were loyalists and puppets to Mr Ogundipe.

Mr Azeez admitted issuing award letters for projects based on the vice-chancellors memorandum without sighting and scrutinising the projects legal and contractual documents leading to the award of the contracts, according to the report.

The Panel also found that the office of the registrar had been weakened and undermined with the removal of some units under the office.

The report listed the 14 units that were excised from the office of the registrar, including Information and Public Relations, Admissions, Student Records, Student Affairs, Academic Affairs, Senate and Ceremonies, Legal Services, and Procurement.

The registrar lacks custody and control of important confidential and sensitive documents of the university, the report stated.

Again, education ministry denies Ogundipes indictment

Despite PREMIUM TIMES exclusive access to the original copy of the presidential panel report, Ben Goong, the director of press and public relations at the Ministry of Education, denied Mr Ogundipe was found culpable of wrongdoing by the Agwau-led committee.

He, however, failed to produce a copy of the said report.

When contacted for comments on the allegations against him, Mr Ogundipe refused to respond to multiple phone calls placed to his line. He also ignored text messages requesting his reaction to the findings in this story.

Qosim Suleiman is a reporter at Premium Times in partnership with Report for the World, which matches local newsrooms with talented emerging journalists to report on under-covered issues around the globe.
Details have emerged on the resolutions taken at a meeting of a group of leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on the crisis in the main opposition party.

The meeting was hosted on Sunday at the Rivers State Governors lodge in Abuja by Governor Nyesom Wike.

Most of those in attendance had backed the governor ahead of the PDP presidential primary, which he lost to a former vice president, Atiku Abubakar.

Speaking with journalists after the meeting on Sunday, a member of the partys Board of Trustees, Jerry Gana, said the group was meeting for the first time to review the primary, which was held at the partys national convention in Abuja, and the developments in the party ahead of the kick-off of electioneering.

Mr Gana hinted that the group took some decisions, but he did not disclose them.

We know that developments will unfold, and when they do, we shall brief Nigerians. We met together for the first time after the primaries of the PDP.

We have frankly reviewed matters among ourselves. We want to confirm we are solidly together as a group.

However, multiple insiders have told PREMIUM TIMES that the meeting extensively deliberated on the dispute between Mr Wike and Atiku over the presidential candidates choice of Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, as his running mate.

Mr Wike has avoided Atiku since the announcement of the running mate. On Friday, the Rivers governor accused Atiku of telling lies and deploying some leaders of the party as attack dogs against him.

The crisis is said to be delaying Atikus composition of his campaign organisation.

But according to sources at the Abuja meeting of Sunday, the group insisted that the National Chairman of the party, Iyorchia Ayu, must step down to allow another person from the south of Nigeria to take his place.

The leaders said this would be their precondition for any meeting with Atiku over their roles in his campaigns for the 2023 election.

The group decried the lopsidedness of the leadership of the party in favour of the northern zones. Mr Ayu, an ally of Atiku, is from Benue State in the Northcentral zone, while the presidential candidate is from Adamawa State in the Northeast zone.

The leaders noted that aside from those two, Mr Ayus immediate lieutenant in the partys National Working Committee, Umaru Damagum (Deputy National Chairman, North), the chairman of its Board of Trustees, Walid Jibrin; and the chairman of the PDP Governors Forum, Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State, are all from the North,

How can a party that is systematically one-sided sell itself in the South? one of the sources who spoke with this newspaper said.

The leaders also accused Atiku of sidelining party leaders outside his core supporters in his decision-making. They said they were aware that those in Atikus camp have allegedly shared key government positions among themselves, even before next years elections.

How can we work for a presidential candidate who is already sidelining other leaders who are not in his camp and expect that he would change when he becomes president?

The candidate has not demonstrated good faith at all. The election is for Atiku to lose. If he wants to win, he knows what to do. The ball is in his court. We were clear at the meeting that he alone can decide if he wants to win or lose the election, the source.

The meeting also accused Mr Ayu of dividing rather than unifying the PDP since his emergence as National Chairman.

The minimum condition for negotiation is that the chairman has to step down. We have resolved not to leave the party. We will stay at the party and fight from within the party.

Fifty-one persons attended the meeting, including five governors and seven former governors.

The governors who attended the meeting were Mr Wike (of Rivers), Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State, Samuel Ortom of Benue State and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State. Two other governors were said to have sent their regrets for not being able to attend.

Also in attendance were former governors Donald Duke of Cross River, Gabriel Suswam of Benue, Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo, Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa, Ibrahim Idris of Kogi, Jonah Jang of Plateau and Hassan Dankwambo of Gombe. A former Ekiti governor, Ayo Fayose, was also said to have been absent for health reasons.

Also at the meeting were a former PDP Deputy National Vice Chairman (North), Suleiman Nazif; and a former Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Mohammed Adoke.

Others are sitting and former senators Hosea Agboola, Phillip Aduda, Zainab Kure, Garba Lado, Sandy Onoh, Olaka Nwogwu and many members of the House of Representatives.

Also in attendance were Mohammed Sani Abacha, the partys governorship candidate in Nasarawa , David Ombugadu, and Mike Omeri, a former director-general of the National Orientation Agency.
Applicants sitting for CVR at INEC headquarters in Lagos

Scores of applicants seeking to register for the Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) on Sunday besieged INEC headquarters in Lagos in a last-minute rush to beat the July 31 deadline.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) which started on June 28, 2021, was initially billed to end on June 30 before it was extended to July 31.

NAN correspondent who monitored the closing observed that many applicants were still struggling to get registered to vote in the forthcoming 2023 elections.

Many applicants defied all odds and continued to wait till night to get registered.

Speaking to journalists, Sandra Ifeanyi, one of the last-minute applicants who just got registered, said she was able to register after much struggle for about six hours.

Ms Ifeanyi said: I came here at 6.00 a.m. I thank God that I finally got registered to have my PVCs. It has been a long day for me.

Also, Kanu Nekowa, an applicant who was still struggling to register, said that the last-minute rush was because many people got to know late that their votes would count.

Mr Nekowa said, Many of us didnt believe in the system before, that is the reason why many people didnt want to come out at first.

Speaking on the crowd, Muyiwa Yusuf, INEC Head of ICT Department, who is in charge of the enrollment machines, told journalists that the commission would do its best to capture as many as possible.

Mr Yusuf said the commission was attending to applicants with 10 enrollment machines at the headquarters and had attended to more than 300 as of noon.

According to him, those who have issues with transfer of registration, and replacement of lost or defaced PVCs were being handled under a canopy by staff while some other INEC officials were also using phones to address some of those issues.

He said that those who wanted to register newly or had issues with their fingerprints in past elections were separated from others to be attended to in the enrollment centre, to make the exercise smooth and seamless.

Mr Yusuf said that the commission would attend to all applicants that had been given tally numbers since morning.

As of the time of filling this report at 7.00 p.m., many of the applicants were still waiting to be attended to.

In Lagos State, as of July 18, those who registered online were 640,560 but many of them had not completed their registration, while those who completed the exercise were 451,156, according to INEC. (NAN)
The Nigeria Medical Association, FCT Chapter, has appealed to the federal government to beef up security in the FCT following recent threats in the environs.

The Chairman of the NMA FCT Chapter, Enema Amodu, made the appeal on Sunday at a news conference to unveil programmes lined for the 2022 Scientific Conference/Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the association.

He said: Lately, there had been bold incursions into the FCT, and this would negatively impact on the socio-economic indices of the FCT, and by extension the nation at large.

He, therefore, called on the federal government to take very definite measures to curb the evolving menace within FCT and its environs.

The chairman also said the programmes lined up for the 2022 week-long Scientific Conference/AGM would be a unique one where issues on health insurance would be discussed.

He said the theme for the 2022 Scientific Conference/AGM would be mainly on the National Health Insurance Authority Act, a bill he said was before the National Assembly, sponsored by Ibrahim Oloriegbe.

According to him, the importance of the health insurance act could not be over-emphasised if Nigeria must achieve broader universal health coverage to change the narrative of the health sector.

He said other issues which continue to stifle the development of the health sector like intra-professional rivalry would also be discussed.

This AGM will be an opportunity for us to take stock of the situation, and our activities as doctors and healthcare providers.

This AGM will also witness election of new officers to take over the mantle of leadership; as there can only be one person per time, I call on all contestants to play politics devoid of malice and bitterness.

NMA belongs to all of us, and at the end of the day, NMA will win, he stressed.

(NAN)
The United Bank for Africa Plc on Monday announced the appointment of Oliver Alawuba as its Group Managing Director.

The new GMD will be overseeing all the Groups banking operations across its 20 African country network and globally in the United Kingdom, the United States of America, France, and the United Arab Emirates.

Mr Alawuba joined UBA in 1997 and has held a series of senior positions, including as the CEO of UBA Ghana, the CEO of UBA, Africa and most recently, as Group Deputy Managing Director, a statement said on Monday.

In his reaction, UBA Group Chairman, Tony Elumelu said: I am very pleased to announce Oliver Alawuba as the new Group Managing Director of the UBA Group. Oliver has extensive experience in Nigeria and our African network and is well equipped to advance our pan-African and global strategy.

I have no doubt that Oliver will build on the legacy of Kennedy Uzoka, who has exemplified transformational leadership by championing a customer-first philosophy; launching our twentieth operation in Africa, UBA Mali; acquiring a wholesale banking licence for UBA UK in the United Kingdom; and opening our fourth global operation, UBA Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates.

Mr Alawuba expressed his commitment to his new role as Group Managing Director, saying: I am grateful for the opportunity to lead this great institution and would like to thank the UBA Group Chairman and the members of the Board of Directors for the confidence they have put in me to deliver the mandate.

The statement added that Mr Alawuba takes on his new position from August 1, 2022, subject to approval by the Central Bank of Nigeria.

Other Appointments

Equally appointed is Muyiwa Akinyemi, as Deputy Managing Director. Mr Akinyemi joined UBA in 1998, as a Senior Banking Officer in UBAs Energy Bank, and has served the Group in Nigeria and our broader Africa network for twenty-four years.

Other executive appointments are Sola Yomi-Ajayi, Executive Director, Treasury and International Banking; Ugochukwu Nwagodoh, Executive Director, Finance and Risk Management; and Alex Alozie, Executive Director and Group Chief Operating Officer, who joined the Group in 2019 and has driven the Groups digital transformation and operational efficiencies.

Also appointed is Emem Usoro, Executive Director, North Bank, who joined the Group in 2011 and has served in a series of senior regional appointments across Nigeria, covering the retail, corporate and public sectors.

The Board also announced the retirement of some Executive Directors, who have completed their tenor and will continue to serve the broader Group upon regulatory approval of a holding company structure.

A further announcement was made on the retirement of a Non-Executive Director, Joe C. Keshi, OON, who served as Vice Chairman of the board. This takes effect from August 1, 2022 after a completion of his tenure of twelve years.

The Group Chairman congratulated the retiring Directors on the completion of their tenors and their exemplary records.

United Bank for Africa is one of the largest employers in the financial sector on the African continent, with 25,000 employees group wide and serving over 35 million customers globally. Operating in twenty African countries and in the United Kingdom, the United States of America, France and the United Arab Emirates, UBA provides retail, commercial and institutional banking services, leading financial inclusion and implementing cutting edge technology.
A visually impaired man, Anibueze Nnadi, whose building was demolished in September 2021, has again appealed to Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State to come to his aid.

Mr Nnadis house, which was still under construction, was allegedly demolished by Christopher Okwor, the traditional ruler of Ihekwuenu-Aku Autonomous Community in Igboetiti Local Government Areas of the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) learnt that Mr Okwor claimed he is the owner of the land where the two-bedroom apartment was being constructed for Mr Nnadi by a philanthropist, Okechukwu Ezemagu.

The building was nearing completion when it was pulled down by hired thugs.

The Enugu State Government immediately waded in and announced the suspension of the traditional ruler.

The governments action came on the heels of protests by angry youths of the community against the demolition.

When the NAN correspondent visited Mr Nnadi on Monday in Aku Village, he was seen squatting in a portion of the demolished structure.

I will continue to appeal to the governor to come to my rescue, the 65-year-old said. I have no alternative, so I have continued to be here, but it pains more anytime it rains.

Mr Nnadi, who expressed sadness over the demolition, thanked Governor Ugwuanyi for his intervention.

But I am still begging him to get me an accommodation to alleviate my sufferings, especially this rainy season.

I am always upset whenever it threatens to rain because I have no better place to run to for shelter.

I will continue to cry for help from the governor and other well-meaning citizens of Enugu State.

I want the world to know that I was rendered homeless by my fellow man, simply because I am blind.

I have firm belief that the governor will come to my aid because he is a good man.

I am also looking onto God for justice. With God, nobody will take away my ancestral land from me, Mr Nnadi said.

(NAN)
The Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, on Sunday met with some governors of his party  the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)  and a few other members.

The meeting held behind closed doors at the Rivers State Governors Lodge, Abuja.

Although the details of the meeting, which lasted hours, remains unclear, it might be connected to the internal crisis in the PDP.

The governor, who recently returned from a foreign trip, had accused the partys presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, of lying against him.

He had also described some of their partys chieftains as attack dogs of Atiku.

His comment was a reaction to his defeat at the partys presidential primary and the failure of Atiku  who won the election  to pick him as the running mate.

PREMIUM TIMES reported how an aggrieved Mr Wike refused to congratulate the Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, after he emerged the vice-presidential candidate.

The governor also reportedly ignored efforts made by Atiku and his team to see him  a move Mr Wike described as untrue.

He, however, said Atiku did not send anyone to speak to him.

He further said the idea of setting up a committee was only being seen in the media and insisted that he would remain in the PDP and help rebuild the party.

Present at Sundays meeting were Governors Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State, Samuel Ortom of Benue State, and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State.

Some former governors present were Donald Duke of Cross River State, Gabriel Suswam of Benue State, Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State, Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State, Ibrahim Idris of Kogi State, and Jonah Jang of Plateau State.

Mr Wikes meeting with the governors occurred barely 24 hours after he met with former Secretary General of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, and former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara.

The duo, though members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), are currently angry at the party and its leadership for choosing to run with a Muslim-Muslim ticket.

They have vowed to use their PVCs and prayers to resist the move by the APC.

Their meeting with the Rivers State governor comes amid speculations that he (Wike) has oined the APC.

Mr Wike has, however, denied the speculations of his defection.
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A former Vice Chancellor of Lagos State University (LASU), Ojoo, Lateef Hussein, is dead.

Mr Hussein, a professor of Physics and lecturer at the University of Ibadan until his retirement, reportedly died on Sunday evening at 75 after a brief illness.

The announcement is contained in a statement issued by the university and posted on its official Facebook page.

Reacting to the news on Monday, the universitys incumbent vice-chancellor, Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello was said to have expressed her deep shock at the passing away of her former boss.

Mrs Olatunji-Bello served under Mr Hussein as a deputy vice-chancellor before her appointment as acting vice-chancellor.

About Mr Hussein

The professor of Physics served as the sixth substantive vice-chancellor of the university between 2005 and 2011.

Upon his appointment in 2005 under the administration of former Governor Bola Tinubu, Mr Hussein finished his first term of four years in 2009 and was reappointed for another four-year term in 2009.

However, the former vice-chancellor, like his substantive successor, Oladapo Obafunwa, faced challenges with the workers unions on the campus over issues of welfare, and allegation of victimisation.

He was, however, chased out of the university campus in 2011, causing an abrupt end to his tenure midway into the second term.

One of the then deputy vice-chancellors and now the incumbent substantive vice-chancellor, Mrs Olatunji-Bello, was appointed in acting capacity.

Mr Obafunwa was later appointed a substantive replacement in 2011 but he suffered the same fate with the university workers at the tail end of his administration when he was pelted with sachet water and chased out of the main campus in Ojo.

Though Mr Obafunwa aspired to return to the university for a second term, Olanrewaju Fagbohun, a professor of Law, was appointed in 2016 for a five-year single term of office.

Mr Fagbohun, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) later broke the jinx as the first vice-chancellor to not only complete his term of office but to also have his exit celebrated on the campus.

But his successor was not appointed without crisis. A substantive success could not be appointed until some months after he left office as the processes were characterised by allegations and counter-allegations of manipulations and abuse of power.

Burial plan

Meanwhile, the management of the university disclosed that Mr Hussein will be buried on Monday according to Islamic rites.

The respected scholar will be buried today, Monday, August 1, 2022, according to Islamic rites at Atan Cemetery shortly after a Janazah prayer at LASUTH Central Mosque, Ikeja, Lagos, the statement noted.

It, however, did not include the time of the burial activities.
An All Progressives Congress (APC) senator has called for the resignation of all security chiefs over the spate of terrorists attacks in the country.

Sani Musa, who represents Niger East Senatorial District of Niger State in the Senate, in an interview with Channels Television on Sunday, described the countrys state of insecurity as a pointer to leadership failure at all levels.

With emphasis on the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mr Musa said many of the terrorists attacks witnessed under the current government would have been prevented if all concerned agencies had acted intelligence as appropriate.

If you recall, last year or earlier this year, my governor cried loud that there is an infiltration of Boko Haram terrorists creating cells within Niger State, the lawmaker said.

He added, What proactive action has the NSA taken? We will have to call a spade a spade. If I am the NSA, national security adviser in this country, I will tender my resignation because I have failed. I have failed.

Apart from the over 10 years old insurgency in the North-east, various forms of violent crimes, such as banditry, kidnapping, unprovoked attacks on communities, have taken root in many other parts of the country in recent times.

Despite early warnings, the Kuje Medium Prison in Abuja was attacked about four weeks ago by terrorists to free their detained members.

In the just concluded week, PREMIUM TIMES reported the attack on the Presidential Guards Brigade as well as the one on Nigerian Army in Madalla, a border town between Niger State and the FCT.

Nigerias security agencies lost some officers even though the some of the terrorists were also reported killed.

The incidents have escalated fears about insecurity among the residents of the federal capital.

Why terrorism persists  Sani Musa

In the light of these recents attacks, Mr Musa called on President Muhammadu Buhari to reconsider his approach in the fight against insecurity.

He argued that the security challenges persist because there has not been serious consequences for heads of concerned security agencies.

Let me tell you why we are having issues with security. I will tell you. Have we fired any of the commanders? Have we tried to investigate anything that is happening? There are two things about life, there is no midway. It is either life or death.

There is no midway about that, which one are we going to take as a part of destiny? Are we going to remain silent and the worst happens? I am here as a Nigerian. I am voted under the party APC, before APC, there was a government. Are we going to continue the way we are every time we notice that this has failed. no! We must all come together. We must re-strategise. We must solidify our borders. Our borders are very porous.

I cannot remember how prisons have been attacked. Have you had anyone sanctioned? Nobody has been sanctioned. On Thursday. I had a meeting with my constituents on their way back. These attacks were happening and they could not cross. How do you feel about that? Mr Musa complained.
Members of the vigilante group at Dabai, a community in Gwale Local Government area of Kano on Sunday allegedly lynched a Quranic teacher.

The teacher, Musa Mai-Almajirai, was a popular Quranic teacher in the community, with hundreds of Almajiri pupils.

He was reportedly beaten to death at the vigilantes office after an unidentified woman accused him of stealing a child.

Ibrahim, the son of the deceased teacher, told PREMIUM TIMES Monday morning that the commander of the vigilante group has been arrested for the alleged crime.

He was passing through and heard a newborn child crying at a dump site. He decided to pick up the toddler, and in the process, a woman shouted at him, calling him a child thief, Ibrahim said.

The alarm raised by the woman attracted the attention of the members of a vigilante group and other members of the community who started beating him.

They took him to the vigilantes office and continued the beating. He subsequently, collapsed.

Some residents identified him and rushed him to a hospital, but he gave up the ghost on the way to the hospital.

The police has arrested the commander of the vigilantes in the area, identified only as Munkaila, he is being interrogated at the Rigiyar Zaki Division, Ibrahim said.

He said the abandoned child has been handed over to the village head of the area.

The matter is already with the police, we believe that they will do justice to everyone, he added.

The spokesperson of the police in Kano Abdullahi Kiyawa, could not be reached at the time of filing this report. Several calls to his known mobile phone number did not connect.
The Katsina State Police Command has reinstated the ban on the movement of motorcycles across the state.

This is coming four months after the state government temporarily lifted the ban to ease movement during the Ramadan period.

In a statement on Monday, the Police Command Spokesman, Gambo Isah, said the enforcement followed a recent increase in the number of attacks and threats by terrorists and other criminals using motorcycles.

The ban was announced in January by the then Commissioner of Justice, Ahmed El Marzuq, but was lifted four months ago.

Mr Isa said, I am directed to draw the attention of the general public that the ban on the movement of motorcycles from 2200hrs to 0600hrs in Katsina city is still in force. While in the Frontline LGAs from 1800hrs to 0600hrs.

It was temporarily lifted to ease movement during Ramadan. The enforcement became necessary because of the recent threat to security caused by terrorists and other criminals riding on motorcycles.

Katsina State, like many others in the North-West and a part of the North-Central, has been witnessing bandits attacks that led to the death of hundreds of thousands of people and displacement of millions of others.

The terrorist gangs mostly use motorcycles to launch attacks on rural and urban communities, abduct innocent residents and take them into the bush. The terrorists use motorcycles to carry out attacks in rural communities and towns.

Authorities believe bandits use motorcycles to easily gain access to remote villages, access their own camps that are mostly in deep forests and easily run away when they are chased by security agents or vigilante groups members.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), on Monday, disowned a website urging Nigerians to enroll for voter cards despite the closure of the exercise.

The commission officially ended the Permanent Voters Card (PVC) registration on 31 July. The deadline, initially set for 30 June, was extended to 31 July following public outcry.

The INEC, in a statement by its spokesperson, Festus Okoye, on Monday, cautioned Nigerians against a fake website claiming that the federal government has approved individual registrations of PVC online.

The commission states unequivocally that the site is not linked to the commission and the link/portal is spurious and from a dubious source, Mr Okoye said.

He did not disclose the name, the link or other details of the website in question, but reiterated the commissions exclusive power to register voters and conduct national elections in Nigeria.

The INEC added that it has ended the exercise and Nigerians should therefore embrace the new reality.

The Independent National Electoral Commission is the only body constitutionally and legally mandated to conduct the registration of persons qualified to vote in any election in Nigeria and to update and revise the register when the need arises.

The commission is solely responsible for organising, undertaking, and supervising national elections in the country and does not share this responsibility with anybody or organisation.

Members of the public are strongly advised not to succumb to the antics of online scammers and should avoid such fake sites.

The commission has concluded the Continuous Voter Registration exercise nationwide and does not need to open an additional site or portal for the purposes of registration of voters, Mr Okoye said.

Youths dominate CVR exercise

Meanwhile, in its latest CVR update released on Monday, barely 24 hours after the official closure of the exercise, the INEC pegged the total number of fresh registrants at 10,487,972.

With over 3.44 million online and 8.85 million physical registrants, the commission said a total of 12,298,944 persons completed the CVR registration before the closure of the exercise which started in June 2021.

READ ALSO: PVCs discovered in drainage system as INEC commences probe

According to data seen by PREMIUM TIMES, not less than 8.7 million of the total registrants are youths while 87,083 of the participants are persons living with disabilities.

Lagos, Kano and Delta lead states with the highest number of registrants, while Ekiti, Yobe and Abuja (FCT) have the least number of fresh registrants both online and in-person (physical).

Lagos has 585,629 registrants as Kano and Delta came close with 569,103 and 523,517 total registrants.

Ekiti has the lowest with only 124,844 registrants.
Important Disclaimer: This audio is not meant for public consumption, at least not while I am alive. If you come in contact with it for any reason while I am still on this earth, please call 999.

I am making this my audio diary because I hate reading and writing. Who book elp?

For those who know me, I quit school in class two, but that was when my education started. All my diplomas from the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, were obtained via adult education, which we all know is a scam, especially for those who were already rich when we paid and collected the diplomas. It is the same with my bachelors degree in International Studies and Diplomacy from Washington University in St. Louis. Na wuluwulu.

But it works. It worked for me, and it just worked for the dancing Senator Ademola Adeleke, who copied my template by collecting a certificate from America at old age and subsequently won the governorship of Osun State.

Regarding intellectual rigour, I cannot compete with my beautiful wife, who went to school properly. So, when, the other day, she called this audio diary series my scrotum monologue, I only shook my head. Once in the US, she tried to get me to go and see Eve Enslers play, The Vagina Monologues, but I refused. I told her, no be me and you.

Anyway, in this episode, I wanted to address the 14 youths of Awomama and many more before they were killed in the volatile Oru axis by over a dozen overzealous state and non-state actors operating in that territory. I called them actors because they were not what they claimed to be. Having been on the streets myself, the youth leader in Imo State of the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) as far back as 1983, I know the streets. I know the killers and the killed. They are often misguided, misunderstood, and mismanaged victims of the aftermath of a failed state. You can quote me on that.

Unfortunately, I wont be addressing the issue of our boys being killed because of the unnecessary controversy surrounding the so-called expensive wristwatch I wore to join other APC governors to go and greet President Muhammadu Buhari for Salah.

I know it shocked all of you miserable souls that I own such expensive watches. For the record, I was not poor when God, in his ultimate wisdom, made me the governor of Imo State. I had been chopping life for a while before I decided to serve my people. I was a wristwatch jagaban before una useless, thankless, hopeless job, and I will remain a jagaban long after I finish my second term in office and return to the Senate. So, you all should get that fact in your big heads. I was living large, riding in Rolls Royce, wearing million-dollar watches even before the Supreme Court judges pronounced what had been written and delivered years before I was born. In 2011, the Supreme Court made me a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria against all odds. Surprisingly, none of you noticed until my people at the Supreme Court did it again in 2018. That was when e shock you all.

I have said this before in this series and it deserves to be repeated here. I am not the first Supreme Court-stamped governor. Rotimi Amaechi was number one. So, to all of you burning your energy on this, not minding your business, I give you the middle finger. Come and beat me.

Like my media people told you, even though it did not get into your blockheads, I had owned these statement pieces even before I became a senator. Yes. In the lucrative business I was into before I joined politics, we often collect those collectibles as an alternative to cash. If our business partners had no cash on hand, we grab the watches on their wrists as an alternative. That was how I developed the love for statement wristwatches.

It is called a statement piece because I make a statement by wearing it. Those empty hollow men who have nothing in their heads are not just mesmerised by my political acumen, they are also in awe of my watches that proclaim to those who know the worth of things how classy and sophisticated I am.

I am not a fool. I know that when political appointees and office holders visit Buhari, they put on cheap clothes, watches, and shoes. They do it to give the president the impression that they are not corrupt. I am not a hypocrite. I have seen my security report, and the president has also seen it. So, there is no need for me to join the pretension everywhere around Buharis Aso Rock.

I dont know if I should mention this here. But why not? My expensive wristwatches make a statement to the agents of the EFCC, the FBI and the Scotland Yard of this world that the man they are looking at is wearing items that cost more than the money in their retirement accounts. It invokes undiluted adoration.

It is mere poverty that makes some of you say that only empty shells make statements with the wristwatches, shoes, and clothes they wear. These quality emblems are the things that enhance the personalities of the distinguished. Not that you people will value what is apparently beyond your pay grade. We do not build mansions with two dozen rooms because we will sleep in all the rooms each night. We do so because it announces that we, the Ijeles of our dominion, have arrived.

Out of pity, some people in my media team told you all that it wasnt possible that I was wearing a wristwatch that cost more than any house in my state. You know it, and I know nothing is fake about me. I do not do fake. My fair complexion is God-given. My enthralling poise that women fall for is from heaven. I am the eagle that landed on a well-trimmed lawn for the world to admire. Unu anugo?

I go this far to explain what is not a matter of importance so that historians among you can have the facts when you write the history of Nigerias historical individuals like me. As the Onwa-Netiri Oha 1 of Omuma, I want to make sure that my legacy is unblemished. Nonsense stories like my November 11, 2018, co-called arrest because of my companys failure to execute a US$12 million contract for the dredging of the Calabar channel must not be allowed to dent my stellar image. After all, ships are ducking and offloading goods at Calabar port as I speak.

Next week, I will address the issue of the 14 Awomama youths killed by the so-called Ebubeagu Security Network while returning from a marriage ceremony. Like some of you, I saw clips of their corpses on the streets, some inside gutters. I also saw the youths of the area carry the corpses of the dead in wheelbarrows and trucks as they protested. Despite the fact that none of those youths protested when my house in Omuma was set on fire, I will go beyond what Ogwu Mozambique, my beloved commander of Ebubeagu, with whom I am well pleased, told me.

Until then, hasta la vista, baby. Like Arnold Schwarzeneggers character in The Running Man said, Im not into politics, Im into survival. It doesnt matter how many of you call me Hope the Barbarian, I will keep terminating every hothead who sticks around. I am not lying when I say, I, your pain in the neck, will be back.

Udo, to those who want udo. Kata-kata to those who want kata-kata.

Yours truly,

His Excellency, Hope Odidika Uzodinma, the great Executive Governor of Imo State.

July 20, 2022

Rudolf Ogoo Okonkwo teaches Post-Colonial African History at the School of Visual Arts in New York City. He is also the host of Dr. Damages Show. His books include This American Life Sef, Children of a Retired God, among others.
In the last week, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has re-invigorated the G7 security operations to secure the territory, which involve collaboration and partnerships with states contiguous to the FCT area. The procedure includes taking the fight to the bandits and terrorists in their camps, primarily in these bordering states of the FCT. The extent to which this effort will allay the fears of residents of Abuja is yet to be seen.

Once upon a time, Abuja, Nigerias federal capital, was a serene and sprawling city that accommodated persons of all faith, social strata, and economic pursuits. Abuja, to the elite, offered an escape from insecurity, alongside the hustling and bustling that plagued other major cities in the country. It was a city in which most of the elite wanted to own a property, raise a family, or even retire in old age.

The city was a haven for the professional middle class linked to the public sector. It was a city of hope for the many poor people who migrated to its surburbs with the dreams of advancement.

Abuja was a prototype of future cities in Nigeria. It was founded on the vision of a centralised symbol of our national unity. But the era of Abuja being a fortress of peace and tranquillity seems to belong to history.

Now, Abuja is fast becoming the epicentre of terrorist activities that have literarily and metaphorically held the country captive. Abuja is technically under siege. Recently, the barrage of attacks on this city has left everyone perplexed. The more these attacks unfold, the more it has become clear that they are well-orchestrated and coordinated.

The assault of bandits and terrorists has gradually focused on symbols of power and national monuments. It is either an attack on trains linking the nations capital, the targeting and killing of military personnel in various parts of the city, an assault on the Kuje correctional centre, or an offensive on the presidential Brigade of Guard  the last line of defence of the President. These terrorists are even emboldened to issue a threat to kidnap President Buhari.

Residents of Abuja, like other Nigerians, live in morbid fear of insecurity, and most have doubts about their peaceful existence in a city that is gradually becoming a ghost of itself.

Things got a bit more complicated after 800 inmates, among them 60 Boko Haram members, were freed during the Kuje jailbreak. The war front of terrorist activities has moved from the North-east to the North-west, parts of North-central, and now Abuja. Recently, the president called a high-stake security meeting to tackle insecurity in Abuja and other parts of Nigeria that have faced the brunt of bandits and terrorist attacks. The Inspector General of Police has belatedly raised intelligence gathering efforts and ordered the strategic deployment of security assets across the city.

The Nigerian military is promising to take the war to these terrorists and bandits in their camping areas in neighbouring states near Abuja. These assurances and statements are recurring decimals and soundbites each time these criminals attack. The government assures residents of safety after every incident without a corresponding improvement in the security of the people. Abuja residents, like the Nigerian populace, have lost confidence in the nations security architecture and apparatus. Worse still, nobody is accepting responsibility or facing the law. Residents are reaching the point of taking their safety and security into their own hands since they have lost trust in the security arrangement of the government.

The increased attacks on Abuja is reminiscent of the strategy adopted by other ISWAP insurgents and bandits in other parts of Africa and Afghanistan. We should remember that the Taliban started with the attack of the fringes and rural areas in Afghanistan. Next, they attacked Kabul, the capital, with the intention of taking over control of state power. This strategy was like their approach in the nearby African countries of Mali, Chad, and Guinea.

Abuja is rightly a metaphor for the situation in the whole of Nigeria today. Nobody envisaged that Abuja would ever come under siege, as such there are no connected satellite cities to absorb refugees in case of such an eventuality.

The heightened sense of siege is even more evident, given that road transport in and out of Abuja from a nearby state is fraught with danger. The Kaduna-Abuja express road is a den of kidnappers and bandits, while other major roads linking Nasarawa and Niger States to Abuja are unsafe. After terrorists attacked the Abuja-Kaduna train line, travel options for the elite and middle class have been further depleted. With increasing attacks ever closer to the airport, even air travel doesnt appear so safe anymore.

Further evidence of Abuja being under siege is apparent in the security measures put in place by both government and non-governmental agencies. Abuja increasingly has more checkpoints with armed police and military men littering everywhere. There is a pervasive sense of impending doom in the collective psyche of residents, and individuals are more security conscious than usual. The government has shut down schools within the Abuja metropolis and beefed up the security of other soft targets.

The increased attacks on Abuja is reminiscent of the strategy adopted by other ISWAP insurgents and bandits in other parts of Africa and Afghanistan. We should remember that the Taliban started with the attack of the fringes and rural areas in Afghanistan. Next, they attacked Kabul, the capital, with the intention of taking over control of state power. This strategy was like their approach in the nearby African countries of Mali, Chad, and Guinea.

The terrorists or ISWAP start by attacking villages and cities near the capital and capturing them. After that, they will begin destroying military facilities and other symbols of power within and outside the capital. Then they will mount an all-out attack to seize the government.

We hope Nigeria is not heading to become the next Afghanistan. Therefore, we must defend Abuja and ensure that we do not fall prey to these non-state actors with a sinister motive. A pertinent rhetorical question is: Why are these terrorists fixated on attacking the President, the best representation of power, government, and democracy? They are sending a clear message that they are bold enough to challenge Nigerias very essence of power. If the peace, safety and security of Abuja are compromised, its meaning and symbolism of national unity will evaporate .

There are narratives and counter-narratives on why the Nigerian military is not wiping these people out. Some reports highlight the possibility of collusion with some elements in the military that give them information and protect them because they are sympathetic to their cause. This gets credence when reports indicate that security operatives got credible intelligence of some imminent attacks, yet no one acts upon such intelligence. For example, the DSS raised 44 official reports signalling a possible attack on Kuje Correctional Facility, but still the security operatives could not forestall the attack.

Some conspiracy theories border on the belief that there is an unwritten agreement to allow these people to take over the government of Nigeria for whatever purpose. This conspiracy is gathering momentum, given that security operatives appear to know the hiding places of terrorists and bandits but seem to keep dealing with them lightly.

A combination of heightened insecurity with the free fall of the Nigerian economy is a recipe for greater disaster. Nigeria is facing an economic siege that is having devastating effects on its citizens. There seems to be hopelessness in the land, and nobody is optimistic about fixing insecurity and the economy. The government seems perplexed.

People cannot seem to understand why Nigerias professional Army cannot defeat this rag tag, untrained, criminal bunch running around killing and maiming people. It begs the question of why Nigeria, with all the resources it has dedicated to security in the past ten years, has not made any considerable progress in eradicating insecurity; instead, the menace keeps growing at an alarming rate.

In the last week, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has re-invigorated the G7 security operations to secure the territory, which involve collaboration and partnerships with states contiguous to the FCT area. The procedure includes taking the fight to the bandits and terrorists in their camps, primarily in these bordering states of the FCT. The extent to which this effort will allay the fears of residents of Abuja is yet to be seen. However, it is time to develop a more permanent solution to the insecurity problems of Abuja and Nigeria.

An essential aspect of an enduring resolution of the countrys menace of insecurity is to look at the socio-economic, religious, and political dimensions of the issues involved. This strategy will help us identify the root causes of insecurity and the steps needed to tackle this sustainably.

A combination of heightened insecurity with the free fall of the Nigerian economy is a recipe for greater disaster. Nigeria is facing an economic siege that is having devastating effects on its citizens. There seems to be hopelessness in the land, and nobody is optimistic about fixing insecurity and the economy. The government seems perplexed. Some in the Senate are already clamouring for an ompeachment of the president if he cannot deal with insecurity in the next six weeks. Whatever becomes of this ultimatum is yet to play out for now. However, I can boldly predict that it will go like similar ultimatums in the past, without any serious bite or consequence.

Every day new security threats dampen the hope of ordinary citizens. The capacity of the state to enforce law, order and security keeps shrinking. Electioneering campaigns will soon dominate our public space, and Nigerians will be fed with various promises on how each party or candidate will tackle insecurity and the economy.

It is time to analyse every solution proffered critically, and citizens must vote on the basis of their conscience and conviction about the candidate who will solve these problems. We cannot survive as a nation if things continue like this. All well-meaning Nigerians must wake up and smell the coffee, regardless of ethnic group, religion, or creed.

We must act now or never! We must avoid the pitfalls of Mali and Afghanistan, and never allow our country to fall into the hands of warlords like in Sudan. A stitch in time saves nine.

Dakuku Peterside is a policy and leadership expert.
The Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) has commended Polaris Bank for its commitment to the growth of the pharmaceutical industry and Nigerias health sector.

National Chairman ACPN, Pharm. Adewale Oladigbolu gave this commendation at the closing ceremony of the just-concluded 41st Annual ACPN National Conference held in Lagos.

He thanked Polaris Bank for partnering with the association to host this years scientific conference, especially coming on the heels of the recent MoU between Polaris Bank and ACPN which enables members to expand and run efficient pharmaceutical services. The MOU, amongst other opportunities, provides digitized access to instant credit facilities for SMEs and business owners in the sector.

Pharm. Oladigbolu acknowledged that this is the first time the association was having a scientific poster presentation from Community Pharmacists at the conference, which indicates the depth of Community Pharmacy practice as researchers in the country.

Speaking further on highlights of the conference, the ACPN Chair said that the conference was very successful as it afforded members opportunity to improve their skills and knowledge of modern pharmaceutical practice; as well as providing them the opportunity to engage in relaxation and networking.

Polaris Banks Group Head, Products and Market Development, Mrs. Adebimpe Ihekuna, who spoke at the conference on behalf of the Bank, noted that ACPN is one of the frontline healthcare providers that should be supported with needed funding to grow their businesses and by extension, the industry.

Mrs. Ihekuna explained that ACPN members who wish to expand their businesses can now quickly and conveniently access instant credit facilities of up to N100m via a multi-functional card scheme.

ALSO READ: Polaris Bank partners Association of Community Pharmacists to digitize credit process

She noted that the process eliminates the challenges that SMEs and business owners usually encounter while processing loans if they process such through VULTe  The Digital Bank by Polaris, especially since the process is digitized to remove barriers associated with obtaining credit.

The 5-day conference themed: Ajumose Eko 2022 took place at the Festival Hotel, Festac, Lagos, from July 25 to July 29, 2022.

Against the backdrop of the Banks consistent support for Nigerias health sector, Polaris Bank was recognized as the Outstanding Healthcare Financial Institution of the Year few months ago by the Nigeria Healthcare Excellence Awards (NHEA), the nations premier Health Award body.

Polaris Bank, adjudged the Digital Bank of the Year, is a future-determining and digitally driven Bank committed to delivering industry-defining products to individuals, SMEs, and corporates.
The operatives of the State Security Service (SSS) have reportedly arrested a Boko Haram leader in Ogun State.

The SSS arrested the suspect on Saturday in Abeokuta where he allegedly disguised himself as a security man.

An Abeokuta-based radio station, Rock City 109.1 FM, had reported the story in its news bulletin, causing panic among residents.

An audio of the newscast went viral across social media platforms in the state on Sunday.

Earlier, there had been rumours in the state of plans by the terrorist group to attack some states in the South-west, including Ogun State.

On Sunday, the police in Lagos said it had placed officers on alert after intelligence reports that suspected gunmen were planning an attack in the state.

The SSS operatives arrested the suspect at the Ijaye area of Abeokuta at night, an official of the secret police told PREMIUM TIMES.

The official requested not to be named because of the sensitivity of the matter.

He said the suspected terrorist reportedly arrived in Abeokuta from Katsina, and took a up security job at Ijaye, while gathering intelligence for an attack.

The source also said that the suspect moved to Abeokuta to set up a terrorist cell for kidnapping and terror attacks.

According to him, following an intelligence gathering, gun-wielding security operatives stormed his hideout and picked him up.

It was not an easy ride. Intelligence and the grace of God were sufficient for the operatives. There are still many of them around, but the operatives are on top of their game, he added.

As of the time of filing this report, efforts to speak with the spokesperson of the SSS, Peter Afunanya, were unsuccessful as he neither answered phone calls nor responded to a text message sent to his phone.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Abimbola Oyeyemi, said he was not aware of such arrest.
A pathologist with the Premier Hospital whose name was not disclosed will be cross-examined virtually, Mukaila Fadeyi, the coroner in the ongoing inquest of Peju Ugboma said on Monday.

During the hearing at the magistrate court in Ogba, the coroner fixed the 22nd of August for the virtual sitting.

The inquest seeks to unravel the circumstances surrounding the death of the mother of two.

Mrs Ugboma, a Lagos-based chef, died days after undergoing fibroid surgery at the Premier Hospital in April 2021.

The family said an independent autopsy by pathologists at LASUTH showed that Mrs Ugboma suffered internal bleeding after the surgery.

The autopsy discovered, the family said, that she had about two litres of blood in her abdomen and pelvic area.

The deceased

Mrs Ugboma, until her death, was the founder and chief executive officer of a pastry company, I Luv Desserts, with over ten years of experience. She also ran a blog, The Service Critic, where she reviewed her dining experiences.

She was formerly the Head of Business Strategy at First Independent Global before resigning and setting up her company.

Inquest

Earlier in the hearing, the coroner asked if we still have voluntary witnesses who would be cross-examined virtually?

Abimbola Akeredolu, a senior lawyer representing the hospital, said the pathologist that represented the hospital during the autopsy has a report.

She added that he is currently in Saudi Arabia and would like to testify.

The lawyer did not state the pathologists name in open court and refused to divulge it when approached by journalists at the end of the sitting.

Babatunde Ogungbamila, a lawyer to the deceased family, told the coroner that he does not have a fresh witness.

Oloruntomi Olagunju, a lawyer representing Shola Johnson, a consultant nephrologist at the Lagos State Teaching Hospital (LUTH), said his client was summoned by the state government.

But Oluwaseun Akinde, the states lawyer, said it is not necessary for her to be cross-examined anymore.
MBABANE  Sugar sales contribute immensely to the economy of Eswatini as it is one of the highly exported products.

The sugar industry of Eswatini has in the past decade managed to export and excess of nine million metric tonnes (mt) of sugar in Africa and Europe.

The industry was now facing a challenge; sugar production has decreased by 5.7 per cent in the current reporting period. Sugar production was forecast at 613 139mt in 2021/22 from an actual production of 684 563 mt in 2020/21 (a decrease of 10.4 per cent).

Drop

The decline was attributed to the drop in cane production and quality which decreased by 5.5 per cent as production for 2021/22 was forecast at 5 444 050mt from an actual production of 5 759 016mt in 2020/21. There was also a decrease in the quantity of the cane crushed from local farms as it decreased to 5 759 016mt, from 6 001 618mt forecasted in 2020, which projects a 4 per cent decrease. This further nullified the sales of sugar as it dropped by 9.9 per cent, the forecast at 639 874mt in 2021/22 from 709 835mt in 2020/21. The challenges in the industry further affected the rate of exports as they heavily declined by 21 per cent to 210 904mt against 267 139mt in 2020/21. This was outlined by the chairman of Royal Eswatini Sugar Corporation (RES) and Tibiyo Taka Ngwane Managing Director Dr. Absalom Dlamini in the Tibiyo Taka Ngwane annual performance report.

Production

Dlamini said the reduction in production, and consequently sales, were mainly due to poor cane quality in the current reporting period. He said the declined in the quantity and quality of cane crushed contributed to the decrease in production and sales thus affecting exports. Tibiyo has substantial interest in sugar markets globally as a result of having invested heavily in the sugar industry from where it derives more than 80 per cent of its income, he said. The chairman added that the effects of riots and strikes further contributed to the decline in the performance of the sugar industry.

Sugar cane fields were torched by unknown arsonists at the peak of the unrest and about 100 000mt was destroyed.

Budget

During the reporting period, compared to budget, the Eswatini sugar industrys production was lower than the budget while sales were relatively on target, he said. Total assets increased by 7.7 per cent from E2.3 billion to E2.5 billion in 2021. The managing director said the organisation was able to successfully fulfil its mandate of improving, in whatever way possible, the lives of the people of Eswatini, and to partner with government and other stakeholders in their national development efforts. The RES and its subsidiaries have reported that the total comprehensive income attributed to the owners of the company amounted to E302.6 million, which was 40.38 per cent lower than the record results achieved in 2020/2021.

This was mentioned in their condensed results for the year ended March 31, 2022 released yesterday. The company said the reduction was due to the lower cane volumes, 3.2 million tonnes of cane was crushed in the period under review which was seven per cent lower than cane crushed in the same period last year.

Rains



The current drop was negatively affected by the late arrival of rains, long after the crop had been stressed, pests and diseases in the form of yellow sugarcane aphid and thrip outbreaks, RES mentions in the statement. RES said the reduction was also caused by the increase costs due to wet cane harvesting and milling, and significant cost escalations in the last quarter of the financial year following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. They said sugar production was commensurately lower at 424 294 tonnes as compared to 461 567 tonnes for the same period last year.
Improved customer services with the help of chatbots, virtual helpers, and artificial intelligence interfaces and use in fraud detection drive the growth of the global AI in fintech market.

PORTLAND, Ore., Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Market Research published a report, titled, 'AI in Fintech Market by Component (Solution, Services), by Deployment Mode (On-premise, Cloud), by Application (Virtual Assistants (Chatbots), Business Analytics and Reporting, Customer Behavioral Analytics, Others): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021-2031.' According to the report, the global AI in fintech industry generated $8.23 billion in 2021, and is anticipated to generate $61.30 billion by 2031, witnessing a CAGR of 22.5% from 2022 to 2031.

Download Report (350+ Pages PDF with Insights, Charts, Tables, Figures): https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/17018

Prime determinants of growth

Improved customer services with the help of chatbots, virtual helpers, and artificial intelligence interfaces and use in fraud detection drive the growth of the global AI in fintech market. However, strict laws restrain the market growth. Contrarily, fintech companies are increasingly harnessing the power of AI for fintech crypto to automate workflows, improve decision making, and add value. Therefore, this is a major factor expected to provide lucrative opportunity in the coming years.

Covid-19 Scenario

The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has had a positive impact on the growth of the AI in fintech market. This is due to adoption of advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence by most of the fintech companies. This technology is helping fintech companies by making both credit repair and credit monitoring faster and more accurate than before, thus providing customer satisfaction.

Furthermore, from process automation to using biometric identification to reduce credit fraud, AI is fueling improvements that deliver better results for consumers while also helping the fintech industry leaders operate more efficiently and profitably than before.

Moreover, many fintech companies have experienced a surge in demand as working practices and customer banking habits changed during the COVID-19 pandemic. The advent of AI-based financial services has created faster, more efficient, and typically cheaper banking as compared to traditional financial services.

This trend is going to continue in the post-pandemic as well.

Scope of the Report: -

Report Attribute Details Revenue forecast in 2030 $61.30 billion Growth rate CAGR of 3.8% from 2022 to 2031 Forecast period 2022 - 2031 Report coverage Revenue forecast, company ranking, competitive landscape, growth factors, and trends Regional scope North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, MEA Country scope U.S., Canada, Germany, U.K., France, Italy, Spain, Japan, China, India, South Korea, Australia, Brazil, Mexico, South Africa, Saudi Arabia Key companies profiled Amazon Web Services, Inc., Cisco Systems, Inc., ComplyAdvantage, Cognizant, Capgemini, FICO, Google, Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP, HCL Technologies Limited, IBM, Intel Corporation, Inbenta Holdings Inc., Microsoft, Oracle, Saleforce, Inc., SAP SE, and TIBCO Software, Inc. Access Table PDF

The solutions segment to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period

Based on component, the solutions segment held the highest market share in 2021, accounting for more than three-fifths of the global AI in Fintech market, and is estimated to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period. This is attributed to the fact that most fintech firms have started adopting AI and advanced machine learning algorithms to manage the massive volume of data being generated for meaningful insights and better-informed decisions. However, the services segment is projected to manifest the highest CAGR of 26.9% from 2022 to 2031, due to rise in demand for software-as-a-service (SaaS).

Specific Requirement on COVID-19? Ask to Our Industry Expert:

https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-for-customization/17018?reqfor=covid

The on-premise segment to maintain its lead position during the forecast period

Based on deployment mode, the on-premise segment accounted for the largest share in 2021, contributing to around two-thirds of the global AI in fintech market. On-premise deployment offers enhanced security features, which drive their adoption for AI in financial technologies. However, the cloud segment is expected to portray the largest CAGR of 28.9% from 2022 to 2031, owing to the advantage of cloud deployment in enabling businesses to manage volatile work environments.

The virtual assistant (chatbots) segment to maintain its lead position during the forecast period

Based on application, the virtual assistant (chatbots) segment accounted for the largest share in 2021, contributing to more than one-third of the global AI in fintech market, and is projected to maintain its lead position during the forecast period. With a robust increase in the number of online applications & smart devices that are required in the connected world, the need for the exposing additional data through the API technology is rising in the market. Furthermore, there is increase in requirement for the businesses to adopt the API technology to provide the personalized and better user experience. These factors play a crucial role for making this segment the fastest growing segment. The research also analyzes business analytics and reporting & customer behavioral analytics segments.

North America to maintain its dominance by 2031

Based on region, North America held the highest market share in terms of revenue 2021, accounting for more than one-third of the global AI in fintech market. The increasing adoption of technology in the finance sector, such as artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) is a major factor for the growth of AI in FinTech market in North America. However, the Asia-Pacific region is expected to witness the fastest CAGR of 25.0% from 2022 to 2031. This is due to the fact that surge in adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) in financial markets in the region.

Leading Market Players: -

Amazon Web Services, Inc.

Cisco Systems, Inc.

ComplyAdvantage

Cognizant

Capgemini

FICO

Google

Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP

HCL Technologies Limited

IBM

Intel Corporation

Inbenta Holdings Inc.

Microsoft

Oracle

Saleforce, Inc.

SAP SE

TIBCO Software, Inc.

The report provides a detailed analysis of these key players of the market. These players have adopted different strategies such as new product launches, collaborations, expansion, joint ventures, agreements, and others to increase their market share and maintain dominant shares in different regions. The report is valuable in highlighting business performance, operating segments, product portfolio, and strategic moves of market players to showcase the competitive scenario.

Key benefits for stakeholders

This report provides a quantitative analysis of the market segments, current trends, estimations, and dynamics of the AI in Fintech market analysis from 2021 to 2031 to identify the prevailing AI in Fintech market opportunity.

In-depth analysis of the AI in Fintech market share assists to determine the prevailing market opportunities.

Major countries in each region are mapped according to their revenue contribution to the global AI in Fintech market forecast.

Market player positioning facilitates benchmarking and provides a clear understanding of the present position of the market players.

The report includes the analysis of the regional as well as global AI in Fintech market trends, key players, market segments, application areas, and market growth strategies.

Key Market Segments

Component

Solution



Services

Deployment Mode

On-premise



Cloud

Application

Others



Virtual Assistants (Chatbots)



Business Analytics and Reporting



Customer Behavioral Analytics

By Region

North America



U.S.





Canada



Europe



United Kingdom





Germany





France





Spain





Russia





Netherlands





Rest of Europe



Asia-Pacific



China





India





Japan





Australia





Singapore





Rest of Asia-Pacific



LAMEA



Latin America





Middle East





Africa

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"We have also published few syndicated market studies in the similar area that might be of your interest. Below are the report title for your reference, considering Impact of Covid-19 Over This Market which will help you to assess aftereffects of pandemic on short-term and long-term growth trends of this market."

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Mobile banking market was valued at $715.3 million in 2018 and is expected to reach $1,824.7 million by 2026, registering a CAGR of 12.2% from 2019 to 2026.

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We are in professional corporate relations with various companies and this helps us in digging out market data that helps us generate accurate research data tables and confirms utmost accuracy in our market forecasting. Allied Market Research CEO Pawan Kumar is instrumental in inspiring and encouraging everyone associated with the company to maintain high quality of data and help clients in every way possible to achieve success. Each and every data presented in the reports published by us is extracted through primary interviews with top officials from leading companies of domain concerned. Our secondary data procurement methodology includes deep online and offline research and discussion with knowledgeable professionals and analysts in the industry.

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SINGAPORE, Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Vantage, an international multi-asset broker, is pleased to announce that it is launching a month-long donation drive in support of UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, to help refugees and internally displaced persons worldwide.

Vantage will be matching all donations from both new and existing clients, dollar for dollar, to support humanitarian efforts undertaken by UNHCR. The donation drive will run for one month until 30 August and may be extended based on client feedback.

Vantage partners UNHCR for global fundraising activity for refugees, matches donations dollar-for-dollar.

UNHCR is a global organisation that has spent the last 70 years dedicated to saving lives, protecting rights and building a better future for refugees. Vantage and UNHCR jointly believe that everyone has the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge.

According to UNHCR, the number of people forced to flee conflict, violence, human rights violations, and persecution has now crossed the staggering milestone of 100 million for the first time on record, highlighting worldwide food insecurity, the climate crisis, war in Ukraine and other emergencies from Africa to Afghanistan as leading causes.

Ann Moey, Partnerships Manager at UNHCR says, "International solidarity is needed now more than ever, and all sectors of society can do their bit to help. Support from private sector partners like Vantage helps us inject vital energy into our humanitarian efforts, and allows us to deliver more assistance to vulnerable, displaced communities worldwide."

The fundraising initiative is another step forward in Vantage's corporate ESG journey, which was driven by the collective desire among its staff to make the world a better place. This donation drive follows closely after Vantage's partnership with Supercar Blondie in participating in the Blue Carbon ESG initiative in Sardinia, Italy, as well as its multi-year sponsorship of the McLaren MX Extreme E team.

Sofiia Starchevska, ESG Ambassador at Vantage, said, "It's infinitely more empowering and motivating knowing that your actions are one of many. It's easier to see the power of collective, as opposed to individual, action, and this is what we want to achieve with this fundraising activity."

"At Vantage, we know that the mental, emotional, and physical trauma of being displaced and having to rebuild in a strange land is a massive challenge, and we hope our initiative will double our support for refugees to seek protection and enable them to rebuild their lives. Together with UNHCR, we hope to make care our shared currency."

For more information about our fundraising programme, please visit:

https://donate.unhcr.org/sg/en-sg/vantage

About Vantage

Vantage is a global, multi-asset broker offering clients access to a nimble and powerful service for trading CFDs on Forex, Commodities, Indices, and Shares.

With more than 10 years of market experience. Vantage now has over 1,000 employees/personnel across more than 30 global offices.

Vantage is more than a broker. It provides a trusted trading ecosystem, an award-winning mobile trading app, and a faster and simpler trading platform that enables clients to take advantage of trading opportunities. Download the Vantage App on App Store or Google Play.

Be empowered to better capitalise on winning market opportunities when you

trade smarter @vantage.

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Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1745281/Vantage_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Vantage
MBABANE - Eswatini Development Finance Corporation (FINCORP) have won a silver award for Capital Provider of The Year, at the Southern Africa Regional Exporters Awards 2022.

The highly anticipated list of winners for the second edition of the awards themed, Celebrating the Export Excellence of Southern African Brands, was revealed on Tuesday at the Boardwalk Casino and Hotel in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape, South Africa. The Southern Africa Regional Exporters Awards entries were drawn from nine participating countries; Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, and Zambia. FINCORP was shortlisted as a finalist for the Capital Provider of The Year category, alongside the Lesotho National Development Corporation (LNDC), Lesotho Development Finance Unit, and FoxFin Financial Services (South Africa).

Honour

The intention of the awards Capital Provider of The Year category was to honour companies that have developed the best instruments or facilities and have ensured accessibility, affordability, sustainability, and the effectiveness of risk mitigation measures that are put in place to mitigate against all risk that were normally faced by exporters. Lesotho Post Bank won the Bronze award, the Silver award went to FINCORP, and the category winner was the Lesotho National Development Corporation (LNDC). FINCORP was represented by Brand Development and Communications Officer, Manqoba Makhubu, who received the award on behalf of the corporation from the Consul General of Namibia in Cape Town Selma Nghinamudova.

FINCORP Group Managing Director Dumisani Msibi said they were pleased, honoured, and humbled for winning this award.

He thanked the award organisers Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC) and the USAID Southern Africa Trade and Investment Hub USAID Trade Hub for recognising and awarding FINCORPs hard work of economically developing emaSwati through the provision of accessible financial services. We are pleased to be recognised by the awards as one of the best capital providers in the region. I believe that this award reflects our commitment and impact in pursuit of our founding mandate-to empower Eswatini citizens through provision of meaningful access to credit, job creation, and poverty alleviation, he said.

Msibi expressed further gratitude to FINCORP shareholders, board and management, financiers, clients, and staff for playing a significant role in make the corporation a strong and remarkable brand to be reckoned with. This recognition also acts as a catalyst for us to continue exploring new ways or innovations to keep on enhancing accessibility, affordability, sustainability, and effective risk mitigation measures in line with our new strategy, he said.

Encouraging

He also thanked the USAID Southern Africa Trade and Investment Hub Eswatini team for encouraging FINCORP to join the awards. The Southern Africa Regional Exporters Awards was a collaboration between the Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC), and the United States Government, through the USAID Southern Africa Trade and Investment Hub (USAID Trade Hub). The event was attended by Deputy Minister, Department of Trade, Industry and Competition, South Africa, Nomalungelo Gina; United States (US) Consulate General, Cape Town, Todd P. Haskell; Member of Executive Council (MEC), Department of Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Mlungisi Mvoko; and Executive Mayor Nelson Mandela Bay Metro, Eugene Johnson.
BOSTON, Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- ArcLight Capital Partners, LLC ("ArcLight") announced today their affiliate, Sequitur Renewables, LLC ("Sequitur"), has entered into an agreement with affiliates of GlidePath Power Solutions LLC ("GlidePath") to acquire five operating wind farms in Pennsylvania and West Virginia (the "Portfolio"). The Portfolio, totaling 185MW of operating capacity, sells power and renewable energy credits into the merchant PJM market. Sequitur is also acquiring 80MWh of battery energy storage ("BESS") development opportunities adjunct to the Portfolio from GlidePath. Closing is subject to customary conditions.

"ArcLight is excited to re-enter the wind market through the establishment of the Sequitur platform. This platform follows prior domestic wind-focused investments in Leeward Renewables, Terra-Gen Power and CPV Wind," said Carter Ward, Partner at ArcLight.

Affiliates of ArcLight recently announced development milestones associated with the 335MWh Long Beach Pier S BESS project in Long Beach, California and the 540MWh Luyster Creek BESS project in New York, New York.

"The Sequitur acquisition and BESS development opportunities leverage ArcLight's core expertise in power generation, renewables and energy transition," said Dan Revers, Managing Partner at ArcLight.

"Arclight's long history of wind operations will bring great value to these wind farms," said Chris McKissack, Chief Executive Officer of GlidePath, who continued, "and will allow GlidePath's team and investors to focus on our core business of deploying and operating energy storage projects."

About ArcLight

ArcLight is a leading private equity firm focused on energy, infrastructure and energy transitions with a successful long-term track record. Founded in 2001, the firm helped pioneer an asset-based approach to investing across the power, renewables, infrastructure and broader energy value chain. Since then, ArcLight has invested approximately $27 billion in 119 transactions, including over $11 billion of equity capital into the electrification segment, which includes power, transmission, renewable infrastructure and energy transition investments. Through its large infrastructure portfolio, ArcLight is focused on providing decarbonizing energy solutions with a strong ESG focus. Based in Boston, the firm's investment team employs a value-added investment approach that benefits from its dedicated in-house technical, operational, and commercial specialists and partners, as well as the firm's approximately 1,800-person asset management affiliate. More information about ArcLight can be found at www.arclight.com.

Milbank served as legal counsel on the transaction to ArcLight. McGuire Woods served as legal counsel on the transaction to GlidePath.

SOURCE ArcLight Capital Partners
NEW YORK, Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Brixmor Property Group Inc. (NYSE: BRX) ("Brixmor" or the "Company") announced today its operating results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2022. For the three months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, net income was $0.29 per diluted share and $0.30 per diluted share, respectively.

Key highlights for the three months ended June 30, 2022 include:

Executed 2.0 million square feet of new and renewal leases, with rent spreads on comparable space of 14.6%, including 0.9 million square feet of new leases, with rent spreads on comparable space of 34.3%

Sequentially increased total leased occupancy to 92.5%, anchor leased occupancy to 94.8%, and small shop leased occupancy of 87.7%

Small shop leased occupancy of 87.7% reflects a 70 basis point sequential improvement and represents a new record for the portfolio



Leased to billed occupancy spread totaled 350 basis points



Total signed but not yet commenced lease population represented 2.8 million square feet and $53.8 million of annualized base rent

of annualized base rent Reported an increase in same property NOI of 6.7%

The contribution from base rent - excluding COVID-19 rent deferrals (lease modifications) and rent abatements accelerated 90 basis points this quarter to 370 basis points

Reported Nareit FFO of $148.9 million , or $0.49 per diluted share

, or per diluted share Stabilized $39.0 million of reinvestment projects at an average incremental NOI yield of 11%, with the in process reinvestment pipeline totaling $398.2 million at an expected average incremental NOI yield of 9%

of reinvestment projects at an average incremental NOI yield of 11%, with the in process reinvestment pipeline totaling at an expected average incremental NOI yield of 9% Completed $251.1 million of acquisitions and $84.5 million of dispositions

of acquisitions and of dispositions Amended and restated the Company's unsecured credit facilities, increasing the total amount available by $200 million to $1.75 billion , while extending the maturities and lowering pricing

to , while extending the maturities and lowering pricing Received a credit rating upgrade from Fitch Ratings to 'BBB' from 'BBB-', with a stable outlook

Published the Company's annual Corporate Responsibility Report (view the 2021 report at https://www.brixmor.com/why-brixmor/corporate-responsibility)

Subsequent events:

Completed $26.1 million of dispositions

of dispositions Updated previously provided NAREIT FFO per diluted share expectations for 2022 to $1.93 - $1.97 from $1.88 - $1.95 and same property NOI growth expectations for 2022 to 5.5% - 6.0% from 3.0% - 4.5%

"We are tremendously pleased to deliver another strong quarter of outperformance, driven by the execution of our value added business plan," commented James Taylor, CEO and President. "That performance is reflected in growth in traffic to our centers, strong leasing volumes, compelling lease spreads and net effective rents, record small shop occupancy, record average in place ABR PSF, and strong NOI and bottom line FFO growth. Importantly, these same results, coupled with our forward leasing and reinvestment pipelines, provide great visibility on our continued growth."

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

Net Income

For the three months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, net income was $87.8 million , or $0.29 per diluted share, and $90.4 million , or $0.30 per diluted share, respectively.

and 2021, net income was , or per diluted share, and , or per diluted share, respectively. For the six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, net income was $167.3 million , or $0.56 per diluted share, and $142.8 million , or $0.48 per diluted share, respectively.

Nareit FFO

For the three months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, Nareit FFO was $148.9 million , or $0.49 per diluted share, and $138.6 million , or $0.46 per diluted share, respectively. Results for the three months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021 include items that impact FFO comparability, including transaction expenses, litigation and other non-routine legal expenses, and loss on extinguishment of debt, net, of $(1.4) million , or $(0.00) per diluted share, and $(0.5) million , or $(0.00) per diluted share, respectively.

and 2021, Nareit FFO was , or per diluted share, and , or per diluted share, respectively. Results for the three months ended and 2021 include items that impact FFO comparability, including transaction expenses, litigation and other non-routine legal expenses, and loss on extinguishment of debt, net, of , or per diluted share, and , or per diluted share, respectively. For the six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, Nareit FFO was $294.3 million , or $0.98 per diluted share, and $269.2 million , or $0.90 per diluted share, respectively. Results for the six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021 include items that impact FFO comparability, including transaction expenses, litigation and other non-routine legal expenses, and loss on extinguishment of debt, net, of $(1.4) million , or $(0.00) per diluted share, and $(3.6) million , or $(0.01) per diluted share, respectively.

Same Property NOI Performance

For the three months ended June 30, 2022 , the Company reported an increase in same property NOI of 6.7% versus the comparable 2021 period.

, the Company reported an increase in same property NOI of 6.7% versus the comparable 2021 period. For the six months ended June 30, 2022 , the Company reported an increase in same property NOI of 7.6% versus the comparable 2021 period.

Dividend

The Company's Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.24 per common share (equivalent to $0.96 per annum) for the third quarter of 2022.

per common share (equivalent to per annum) for the third quarter of 2022. The dividend is payable on October 17, 2022 to stockholders of record on October 4, 2022 , representing an ex-dividend date of October 3, 2022 .

PORTFOLIO AND INVESTMENT ACTIVITY

Value Enhancing Reinvestment Opportunities

During the three months ended June 30, 2022 , the Company stabilized five value enhancing reinvestment projects with a total aggregate net cost of approximately $39.0 million at an average incremental NOI yield of 11% and added six new reinvestment projects to its in process pipeline. Projects added include four anchor space repositioning projects and two outparcel development projects, with a total aggregate net estimated cost of approximately $19.2 million at an expected average incremental NOI yield of 10%.

, the Company stabilized five value enhancing reinvestment projects with a total aggregate net cost of approximately at an average incremental NOI yield of 11% and added six new reinvestment projects to its in process pipeline. Projects added include four anchor space repositioning projects and two outparcel development projects, with a total aggregate net estimated cost of approximately at an expected average incremental NOI yield of 10%. At June 30, 2022 , the value enhancing reinvestment in process pipeline was comprised of 55 projects with an aggregate net estimated cost of approximately $398.2 million at an expected average incremental NOI yield of 9%. The in process pipeline includes 18 anchor space repositioning projects with an aggregate net estimated cost of approximately $78.5 million at an expected incremental NOI yield of 7% - 14%; 14 outparcel development projects with an aggregate net estimated cost of approximately $26.2 million at an expected average incremental NOI yield of 10%; and 23 redevelopment projects with an aggregate net estimated cost of approximately $293.5 million at an expected average incremental NOI yield of 9%.

, the value enhancing reinvestment in process pipeline was comprised of 55 projects with an aggregate net estimated cost of approximately at an expected average incremental NOI yield of 9%. The in process pipeline includes 18 anchor space repositioning projects with an aggregate net estimated cost of approximately at an expected incremental NOI yield of 7% - 14%; 14 outparcel development projects with an aggregate net estimated cost of approximately at an expected average incremental NOI yield of 10%; and 23 redevelopment projects with an aggregate net estimated cost of approximately at an expected average incremental NOI yield of 9%. An in-depth review of a recent redevelopment project, which highlights the Company's reinvestment capabilities, Village at Mira Mesa ( San Diego -Chula Vista- Carlsbad, CA MSA), can be found at this link: https://www.brixmor.com/blog/village-at-mira-mesa-jim-taylor.

-Chula Vista- MSA), can be found at this link: https://www.brixmor.com/blog/village-at-mira-mesa-jim-taylor. Follow Brixmor on LinkedIn for video updates on reinvestment projects at https://www.linkedin.com/company/brixmor.

Acquisitions

During the three months ended June 30, 2022 , the Company acquired four shopping centers and one outparcel at an existing property for a combined purchase price of $251.1 million , including:

, the Company acquired four shopping centers and one outparcel at an existing property for a combined purchase price of , including: Elmhurst Crossing (previously announced), located in Elmhurst, Illinois ( Chicago - Naperville - Elgin, IL -IN-WI MSA).

( - - -IN-WI MSA).

North Riverside Plaza (previously announced), located in North Riverside, Illinois ( Chicago - Naperville - Elgin, IL -IN-WI MSA).

( - - -IN-WI MSA).

West U Marketplace (previously announced), located in Houston, Texas ( Houston -The Woodlands- Sugar Land, TX MSA).

( -The Woodlands- MSA).

Lake Pointe Village, a 162,263 square foot grocery-anchored community shopping center located in Sugar Land, Texas ( Houston -The Woodlands- Sugar Land, TX MSA), for $81.0 million in June 2022 . Lake Pointe Village is anchored by a highly-productive Whole Foods Market and has compelling near-term leasing and densification opportunities. The property is located in a high-income submarket within ten miles of seven other Brixmor assets and will benefit from leasing and operational synergies resulting from the Company's clustered presence in the trade area.

( -The Woodlands- MSA), for in . Lake Pointe Village is anchored by a highly-productive Whole Foods Market and has compelling near-term leasing and densification opportunities. The property is located in a high-income submarket within ten miles of seven other Brixmor assets and will benefit from leasing and operational synergies resulting from the Company's clustered presence in the trade area. During the six months ended June 30, 2022 , the Company acquired seven shopping centers, one land parcel at an existing property, and one outparcel at an existing property, for a combined purchase price of $410.6 million .

Dispositions

During the three months ended June 30, 2022 , the Company generated approximately $84.5 million of gross proceeds on the disposition of five shopping centers, as well as three partial properties, comprised of 1.1 million square feet of gross leasable area.

, the Company generated approximately of gross proceeds on the disposition of five shopping centers, as well as three partial properties, comprised of 1.1 million square feet of gross leasable area. During the six months ended June 30, 2022 , the Company generated approximately $145.5 million of gross proceeds on the disposition of ten shopping centers, as well as four partial properties, comprised of 1.7 million square feet of gross leasable area.

, the Company generated approximately of gross proceeds on the disposition of ten shopping centers, as well as four partial properties, comprised of 1.7 million square feet of gross leasable area. Subsequent to June 30, 2022 , the Company disposed of one shopping center, as well as one partial property, for $26.1 million of gross proceeds.

CAPITAL STRUCTURE

During the three months ended June 30, 2022 , the Company raised approximately $3.7 million in gross proceeds, excluding commissions, from the sale of approximately 0.1 million shares of common stock at an average price per share of $26.29 through its at-the-market ("ATM") equity offering program.

, the Company raised approximately in gross proceeds, excluding commissions, from the sale of approximately 0.1 million shares of common stock at an average price per share of through its at-the-market ("ATM") equity offering program. During the six months ended June 30, 2022 , the Company raised approximately $48.1 million in gross proceeds, excluding commissions, from the sale of approximately 1.9 million shares of common stock at an average price per share of $25.55 through its ATM equity offering program.

, the Company raised approximately in gross proceeds, excluding commissions, from the sale of approximately 1.9 million shares of common stock at an average price per share of through its ATM equity offering program. As previously announced, on April 28, 2022 , the Company's operating partnership, Brixmor Operating Partnership LP, amended and restated its $1.25 billion revolving credit facility and $300 million term loan facility, while adding a new $200 million delayed draw term loan facility. The restated unsecured credit facilities extend the maturity of the revolving credit facility to June 2026 , extend the maturity of the term loan facility to July 2027 , and improve the pricing of the unsecured credit facilities.

, the Company's operating partnership, Brixmor Operating Partnership LP, amended and restated its revolving credit facility and term loan facility, while adding a new delayed draw term loan facility. The restated unsecured credit facilities extend the maturity of the revolving credit facility to , extend the maturity of the term loan facility to , and improve the pricing of the unsecured credit facilities. The Company has $1.2 billion in liquidity and no debt maturities until June 2024 .

GUIDANCE

The Company has updated its previously provided NAREIT FFO per diluted share expectations for 2022 to $1.93 - $1.97 from $1.88 - $1.95 and its same property NOI growth expectations for 2022 to 5.5% - 6.0% from 3.0% - 4.5%.

- from - and its same property NOI growth expectations for 2022 to 5.5% - 6.0% from 3.0% - 4.5%. Expectations for 2022 same property NOI growth include a:

Contribution from base rent of approximately 450 bps



Contribution from revenues deemed uncollectible of approximately 0 bps to 50 bps



Contribution from all other line items of approximately 100 bps

Expectations for 2022 Nareit FFO:

Do not contemplate any additional tenants moving to or from a cash basis of accounting, either of which may result in significant volatility in straight-line rental income



Do not include any additional items that impact FFO comparability, including litigation and other non-routine legal expenses, loss on extinguishment of debt, and transaction expenses, or any one-time items

The following table provides a reconciliation of the range of the Company's 2022 estimated net income attributable to common stockholders to Nareit FFO:

(Unaudited, dollars in millions, except per share amounts)

2022E

2022E Per Diluted

Share Net income

$285 - $298

$0.95 - $0.99 Depreciation and amortization related to real estate

335

1.11 Gain on sale of real estate assets

(45)

(0.15) Impairment of real estate assets

5

0.02 Nareit FFO

$580 - $593

$1.93 - $1.97

CONNECT WITH BRIXMOR

For additional information, please visit https://www.brixmor.com;

Follow Brixmor on:

Twitter at https://www.twitter.com/Brixmor



Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Brixmor



Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/brixmorpropertygroup



YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/user/Brixmor; and

Find Brixmor on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/brixmor.

CONFERENCE CALL AND SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

The Company will host a teleconference on Tuesday, August 2, 2022 at 10:00 AM ET. To participate, please dial 877.704.4453 (domestic) or 201.389.0920 (international) within 15 minutes of the scheduled start of the call. The teleconference can also be accessed via a live webcast at https://www.brixmor.com in the Investors section. A replay of the teleconference will be available through midnight ET on August 16, 2022 by dialing 844.512.2921 (domestic) or 412.317.6671 (international) (Passcode: 13730173) or via the web through August 2, 2023 at https://www.brixmor.com in the Investors section.

The Company's Supplemental Disclosure will be posted at https://www.brixmor.com in the Investors section. These materials are also available to all interested parties upon request to the Company at [email protected] or 800.468.7526.

NON-GAAP PERFORMANCE MEASURES

The Company presents the non-GAAP performance measures set forth below. These measures should not be considered as alternatives to, or more meaningful than, net income (calculated in accordance with GAAP) or other GAAP financial measures, as an indicator of financial performance and are not alternatives to, or more meaningful than, cash flow from operating activities (calculated in accordance with GAAP) as a measure of liquidity. Non-GAAP performance measures have limitations as they do not include all items of income and expense that affect operations, and accordingly, should always be considered as supplemental financial results to those calculated in accordance with GAAP. The Company's computation of these non-GAAP performance measures may differ in certain respects from the methodology utilized by other REITs and, therefore, may not be comparable to similarly titled measures presented by such other REITs. Investors are cautioned that items excluded from these non-GAAP performance measures are relevant to understanding and addressing financial performance. A reconciliation of these non-GAAP performance measures to net income is presented in the attached tables.

Nareit FFO

Nareit FFO is a supplemental, non-GAAP performance measure utilized to evaluate the operating and financial performance of real estate companies. Nareit defines FFO as net income (loss), calculated in accordance with GAAP, excluding (i) depreciation and amortization related to real estate, (ii) gains and losses from the sale of certain real estate assets, (iii) gains and losses from change in control, (iv) impairment write-downs of certain real estate assets and investments in entities when the impairment is directly attributable to decreases in the value of depreciable real estate held by the entity and (v) after adjustments for unconsolidated joint ventures calculated to reflect FFO on the same basis. Considering the nature of its business as a real estate owner and operator, the Company believes that Nareit FFO is useful to investors in measuring its operating and financial performance because the definition excludes items included in net income that do not relate to or are not indicative of the Company's operating and financial performance, such as depreciation and amortization related to real estate, and items which can make periodic and peer analyses of operating and financial performance more difficult, such as gains and losses from the sale of certain real estate assets and impairment write-downs of certain real estate assets.

Same Property NOI

Same property NOI is a supplemental, non-GAAP performance measure utilized to evaluate the operating performance of real estate companies. Same property NOI is calculated (using properties owned for the entirety of both periods and excluding properties under development and completed new development properties that have been stabilized for less than one year) as total property revenues (base rent, expense reimbursements, adjustments for revenues deemed uncollectible, ancillary and other rental income, percentage rents, and other revenues) less direct property operating expenses (operating costs and real estate taxes). Same property NOI excludes (i) corporate level expenses (including general and administrative), (ii) lease termination fees, (iii) straight-line rental income, net, (iv) accretion of below-market leases, net of amortization of above-market leases and tenant inducements, (v) straight-line ground rent expense, net, and (vi) income or expense associated with the Company's captive insurance company. Considering the nature of its business as a real estate owner and operator, the Company believes that same property NOI is useful to investors in measuring the operating performance of its portfolio because the definition excludes various items included in net income that do not relate to, or are not indicative of, the operating performance of the Company's properties, such as depreciation and amortization and corporate level expenses (including general and administrative), lease termination fees, straight-line rental income, net, accretion of below-market leases, net of amortization of above-market leases and tenant inducements, and straight-line ground rent expense, net and because it eliminates disparities in NOI due to the acquisition or disposition of properties or the stabilization of completed new development properties during the period presented and therefore provides a more consistent metric for comparing the operating performance of the Company's real estate between periods.

ABOUT BRIXMOR PROPERTY GROUP

Brixmor (NYSE: BRX) is a real estate investment trust (REIT) that owns and operates a high-quality, national portfolio of open-air shopping centers. Its 379 retail centers comprise approximately 67 million square feet of prime retail space in established trade areas. The Company strives to own and operate shopping centers that reflect Brixmor's vision "to be the center of the communities we serve" and are home to a diverse mix of thriving national, regional and local retailers. Brixmor is a proud real estate partner to over 5,000 retailers including The TJX Companies, The Kroger Co., Publix Super Markets and Ross Stores.

Brixmor announces material information to its investors in SEC filings and press releases and on public conference calls, webcasts and the "Investors" page of its website at https://www.brixmor.com. The Company also uses social media to communicate with its investors and the public, and the information Brixmor posts on social media may be deemed material information. Therefore, Brixmor encourages investors and others interested in the Company to review the information that it posts on its website and on its social media channels.

SAFE HARBOR LANGUAGE

This press release may contain 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 statements include, but are not limited to, statements related to the Company's expectations regarding the performance of its business, its financial results, its liquidity and capital resources and other non-historical statements. You can identify these forward-looking statements by the use of words such as "outlook," "believes," "expects," "potential," "continues," "may," "will," "should," "seeks," "projects," "predicts," "intends," "plans," "estimates," "anticipates" or the negative version of these words or other comparable words. Such forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties, including those described under the sections entitled "Forward-Looking Statements" and "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, as such factors may be updated from time to time in our periodic filings with the SEC, which are accessible on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. Accordingly, there are or will be important factors that could cause actual outcomes or results to differ materially from those indicated in these statements. These factors should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read in conjunction with the other cautionary statements that are included in this release and in the Company's filings with the SEC. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or review any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as required by law.

###

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS





Unaudited, dollars in thousands, except share information































As of

As of









6/30/22

12/31/21

Assets









Real estate











Land $ 1,834,558

$ 1,773,448





Buildings and tenant improvements 8,328,668

8,009,320





Construction in progress 106,802

101,422





Lease intangibles 557,519

544,224









10,827,547

10,428,414





Accumulated depreciation and amortization (2,885,202)

(2,813,329)



Real estate, net 7,942,345

7,615,085



Cash and cash equivalents 16,828

296,632



Restricted cash 11,928

1,111



Marketable securities 19,661

20,224



Receivables, net 245,459

234,873



Deferred charges and prepaid expenses, net 151,897

143,503



Real estate assets held for sale 23,201

16,131



Other assets 58,406

49,834

Total assets $ 8,469,725

$ 8,377,393

















Liabilities









Debt obligations, net $ 5,148,480

$ 5,164,518



Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities 518,252

494,529

Total liabilities 5,666,732

5,659,047

















Equity









Common stock, $0.01 par value; authorized 3,000,000,000 shares;











308,796,008 and 306,337,045 shares issued and 299,669,016 and 297,210,053











shares outstanding 2,997

2,972



Additional paid-in capital 3,279,775

3,231,732



Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) 2,298

(12,674)



Distributions in excess of net income (482,077)

(503,684)

Total equity 2,802,993

2,718,346

Total liabilities and equity $ 8,469,725

$ 8,377,393

















CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS













Unaudited, dollars in thousands, except per share amounts















































Three Months Ended

Six Months Ended









6/30/22

6/30/21

6/30/22

6/30/21

Revenues

















Rental income $ 305,898

$ 286,933

$ 604,260

$ 563,394



Other revenues 233

91

500

3,376

Total revenues 306,131

287,024

604,760

566,770

























Operating expenses

















Operating costs 34,497

28,755

69,293

60,140



Real estate taxes 42,304

42,257

83,944

85,145



Depreciation and amortization 85,137

81,212

169,359

164,632



Impairment of real estate assets 7

431

4,597

1,898



General and administrative 29,702

26,461

57,702

51,106

Total operating expenses 191,647

179,116

384,895

362,921

























Other income (expense)

















Dividends and interest 35

104

110

191



Interest expense (47,886)

(49,689)

(95,208)

(98,683)



Gain on sale of real estate assets 22,988

32,603

44,899

38,367



Loss on extinguishment of debt, net (221)

(32)

(221)

(1,229)



Other (1,609)

(466)

(2,148)

304

Total other expense (26,693)

(17,480)

(52,568)

(61,050)

























Net income $ 87,791

$ 90,428

$ 167,297

$ 142,799

























Net income per common share:





















Basic



$ 0.29

$ 0.30

$ 0.56

$ 0.48



Diluted



$ 0.29

$ 0.30

$ 0.56

$ 0.48

Weighted average shares:





















Basic



299,992

297,216

299,246

297,196



Diluted



301,094

298,277

300,360

298,222

























FUNDS FROM OPERATIONS (FFO)













Unaudited, dollars in thousands, except per share amounts















































Three Months Ended

Six Months Ended









6/30/22

6/30/21

6/30/22

6/30/21

























Net income $ 87,791

$ 90,428

$ 167,297

$ 142,799



Depreciation and amortization related to real estate 84,089

80,368

167,279

162,823



Gain on sale of real estate assets (22,988)

(32,603)

(44,899)

(38,367)



Impairment of real estate assets 7

431

4,597

1,898

NAREIT FFO $ 148,899

$ 138,624

$ 294,274

$ 269,153

























NAREIT FFO per diluted share $ 0.49

$ 0.46

$ 0.98

$ 0.90

Weighted average diluted shares outstanding 301,094

298,277

300,360

298,222

























Items that impact FFO comparability

















Litigation and other non-routine legal expenses $ (848)

$ (17)

$ (881)

$ (49)



Loss on extinguishment of debt, net (335)

(498)

(335)

(2,329)



Transaction expenses (221)

(32)

(221)

(1,229)

Total items that impact FFO comparability $ (1,404)

$ (547)

$ (1,437)

$ (3,607)

Items that impact FFO comparability, net per share $ (0.00)

$ (0.00)

$ (0.00)

$ (0.01)

























Additional Disclosures

















Straight-line rental income, net (1) $ 6,751

$ 3,404

$ 11,490

$ 5,676



Accretion of below-market leases, net of amortization of above-market leases and

tenant inducements 2,160

3,368

4,204

4,352



Straight-line ground rent expense, net (2) (173)

(42)

(165)

(88)

























Dividends declared per share $ 0.240

$ 0.215

$ 0.480

$ 0.430

Dividends declared $ 71,921

$ 63,850

$ 143,798

$ 127,694

Dividend payout ratio (as % of NAREIT FFO) 48.3 %

46.1 %

48.9 %

47.4 %























(1) Includes straight-line rental income reversals and re-establishments associated with the conversion of tenants between the cash and accrual bases of accounting of ($0.1 million) and

($0.7 million) during the three months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Includes straight-line rental income reversals and re-establishments associated with the conversion of

tenants between the cash and accrual bases of accounting of ($0.2 million) and ($2.3 million) during the six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively. (2) Straight-line ground rent expense, net is included in Operating costs on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

























SAME PROPERTY NOI ANALYSIS



























Unaudited, dollars in thousands









































































Three Months Ended





Six Months Ended















6/30/22

6/30/21

Change

6/30/22

6/30/21

Change

Same Property NOI Analysis

























Number of properties

356

356

-

354

354

-

Percent billed

88.9 %

88.0 %

0.9 %

88.9 %

87.9 %

1.0 %

Percent leased

92.5 %

91.1 %

1.4 %

92.5 %

91.1 %

1.4 %



































Revenues



























Base rent

$ 202,905

$ 194,565





$ 401,979

$ 386,060







Expense reimbursements

60,974

57,250





121,956

116,870







Revenues deemed uncollectible

5,035

2,139





7,189

(2,006)







Ancillary and other rental income / Other revenues

5,833

4,527





11,403

8,976







Percentage rents

2,394

1,443





5,652

3,455















277,141

259,924

6.6 %

548,179

513,355

6.8 %

Operating expenses



























Operating costs

(31,941)

(26,840)





(64,335)

(55,942)







Real estate taxes

(39,037)

(39,803)





(77,780)

(79,966)















(70,978)

(66,643)

6.5 %

(142,115)

(135,908)

4.6 %

Same property NOI

$ 206,163

$ 193,281

6.7 %

$ 406,064

$ 377,447

7.6 %



































NOI margin





74.4 %

74.4 %





74.1 %

73.5 %





Expense recovery ratio





85.9 %

85.9 %





85.8 %

86.0 %







































Percent Contribution to Same Property NOI Performance:



































Change

Percent

Contribution





Change

Percent

Contribution







Base rent - excluding COVID-19 rent deferrals (lease modifications) and rent abatements

$ 7,079

3.7 %





$ 12,324

3.3 %







Base rent - COVID-19 rent deferrals (lease modifications) and rent abatements

1,261

0.6 %





3,595

1.0 %







Revenues deemed uncollectible

2,896

1.5 %





9,195

2.4 %







Net expense reimbursements

(611)

(0.3 %)





(1,121)

(0.3 %)







Ancillary and other rental income / Other revenues

1,306

0.7 %





2,427

0.6 %







Percentage rents

951

0.5 %





2,197

0.6 %



















6.7 %









7.6 %







































Reconciliation of Net Income to Same Property NOI

























Same property NOI

$ 206,163

$ 193,281





$ 406,064

$ 377,447





Adjustments:



























Non-same property NOI

13,499

11,928





27,870

28,641







Lease termination fees

930

4,073





2,060

5,457







Straight-line rental income, net

6,751

3,404





11,490

5,676







Accretion of below-market leases, net of amortization of above-market leases and

tenant inducements

2,160

3,368





4,204

4,352







Straight-line ground rent expense, net

(173)

(42)





(165)

(88)







Depreciation and amortization

(85,137)

(81,212)





(169,359)

(164,632)







Impairment of real estate assets

(7)

(431)





(4,597)

(1,898)







General and administrative

(29,702)

(26,461)





(57,702)

(51,106)







Total other expense

(26,693)

(17,480)





(52,568)

(61,050)





Net income

$ 87,791

$ 90,428





$ 167,297

$ 142,799







































SOURCE Brixmor Property Group Inc.
BIRMINGHAM, Ala., Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Encompass Health Corporation (NYSE: EHC), the largest owner and operator of inpatient rehabilitation hospitals in the United States, today reported its results of operations for the second quarter ended June 30, 2022 and affirmed its 2022 guidance.

"Our second quarter results are further evidence of the strong demand for our inpatient rehabilitation services," said President and Chief Executive Officer of Encompass Health Mark Tarr. "Second quarter discharge growth was 4.9%, on top of 18.7% discharge growth in the second quarter of 2021. While we continue to face near-term staffing challenges, we remain confident in the long-term prospects for our business."

On July 1, 2022, Encompass Health completed the spin off of Enhabit Home Health & Hospice ("Enhabit"), which is now an independent, publicly traded company. Enhabit's second quarter results are required to be in this earnings release, but no commentary on those results is included herein. Beginning with the third quarter of 2022, Enhabit's historical results will be reported in Encompass Health's discontinued operations.

Consolidated results











Growth

Q2 2022

Q2 2021

Dollars

Percent

(In Millions, Except Per Share Data) Net operating revenues $ 1,330.5

$ 1,287.7

$ 42.8

3.3 % Income from continuing operations attributable to

Encompass Health per diluted share 0.49

1.13

(0.64)

(56.6) % Adjusted earnings per share 0.89

1.17

(0.28)

(23.9) % Cash flows provided by operating activities 244.6

255.9

(11.3)

(4.4) % Adjusted EBITDA 240.2

278.9

(38.7)

(13.9) % Adjusted free cash flow 205.7

205.6

0.1

 %

Six Months Ended June 30,









2022

2021







Cash flows provided by operating activities $ 463.5

$ 414.4

$ 49.1

11.8 % Adjusted free cash flow 371.6

313.0

58.6

18.7 %

See attached supplemental information for calculations of non-GAAP measures and reconciliations to their most comparable GAAP measure.

General and administrative expenses



Q2 2022

% of

Consolidated

Revenue

Q2 2021

% of

Consolidated

Revenue

(In Millions) General and administrative expenses, excluding

stock-based compensation $ 28.6

2.1 %

$ 36.8

2.9 %

General and administrative expenses decreased as a percent of consolidated revenue due to improved operating leverage, a decline in the mark-to-market value of the Company's nonqualified 401(k) plan, and lower incentive compensation in Q2 2022.

General and administrative expenses in the above table exclude $22.9 million and $4.1 million in costs associated with the strategic alternatives review of the Company's home health and hospice business for the second quarter of 2022 and the second quarter of 2021, respectively.

Inpatient rehabilitation segment results











Growth

Q2 2022

Q2 2021

Dollars

Percent Net operating revenues: (In Millions) Inpatient $ 1,037.8

$ 976.9

$ 60.9

6.2 % Outpatient and other 24.7

24.7



 % Total segment revenue $ 1,062.5

$ 1,001.6

$ 60.9

6.1 %

















(Actual Amounts) Discharges 51,902

49,492

2,410

4.9 % Same-store discharge growth











1.6 % Net patient revenue per discharge $ 19,995

$ 19,739

$ 256

1.3 % Revenue reserves related to bad debt as a

percent of revenue 2.2 %

1.7 %





50 bps

















(In Millions) Adjusted EBITDA $ 225.0

$ 254.0

$ (29.0)

(11.4) %

Revenue  Inpatient revenue growth resulted from increased volumes and pricing. Total discharge growth for the second quarter of 2022 was 4.9% with same-store growth of 1.6%. Revenue reserves related to bad debt as a percent of revenue increased 50 basis points, primarily attributable to a shift in payor mix toward non-Medicare payors.



Growth in net patient revenue per discharge of 1.3% primarily resulted from an increase in reimbursement rates, partially offset by the resumption of sequestration.



Outpatient and other revenue was unchanged.





 Inpatient revenue growth resulted from increased volumes and pricing. Total discharge growth for the second quarter of 2022 was 4.9% with same-store growth of 1.6%. Revenue reserves related to bad debt as a percent of revenue increased 50 basis points, primarily attributable to a shift in payor mix toward non-Medicare payors. Growth in net patient revenue per discharge of 1.3% primarily resulted from an increase in reimbursement rates, partially offset by the resumption of sequestration. Outpatient and other revenue was unchanged. Adjusted EBITDA  The 11.4% decrease in Adjusted EBITDA primarily resulted from increased utilization and pricing of agency staffing and sign-on and shift bonuses.

Home health and hospice segment results











Growth

Q2 2022

Q2 2021

Dollars

Percent Net operating revenues: (In Millions) Home health $ 220.2

$ 232.3

$ (12.1)

(5.2) % Hospice 47.8

53.8

(6.0)

(11.2) % Total segment revenue $ 268.0

$ 286.1

$ (18.1)

(6.3) %















Adjusted EBITDA $ 43.8

$ 61.7

$ (17.9)

(29.0) %

















Please refer to Enhabit's Q2 2022 earnings materials filed separately today.

2022 guidance

The Company is affirming its guidance for its ongoing inpatient rehabilitation business for full-year 2022.



2022 Guidance Ranges

(In Millions, Except Per Share Data) Net operating revenues $4,250 to $4,300 Adjusted EBITDA $820 to $840 Adjusted earnings per share from continuing

operations attributable to Encompass Health $2.77 to $2.91

For considerations regarding the Company's 2022 guidance ranges, see the supplemental information posted on the Company's website at http://investor.encompasshealth.com. See also the "Other information" section below for an explanation of why the Company does not provide guidance for comparable GAAP measures for Adjusted EBITDA and adjusted earnings per share.

Earnings conference call and webcast

The Company will host an investor conference call at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time on Tuesday, August 2, 2022 to discuss its results for the second quarter of 2022. For reference during the call, the Company will post certain supplemental information at http://investor.encompasshealth.com.

The conference call may be accessed by dialing 866 342-8591 and giving the pass code EHCQ222. International callers should dial 203 518-9713 and give the same pass code. Please call approximately ten minutes before the start of the call to ensure you are connected. The conference call will also be webcast live and will be available for on-line replay at http://investor.encompasshealth.com by clicking on an available link.

About Encompass Health

Encompass Health (NYSE: EHC) is the largest owner and operator of inpatient rehabilitation hospitals in the United States. With a national footprint that includes 150 hospitals in 35 states and Puerto Rico, the Company provides high-quality, compassionate rehabilitative care for patients recovering from a major injury or illness, using advanced technology and innovative treatments to maximize recovery. Encompass Health is ranked as one of Fortune's 100 Best Companies to Work For. For more information, visit encompasshealth.com, or follow us on our newsroom, Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

Other information

The information in this press release is summarized and should be read in conjunction with the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2022 (the "June 2022 Form 10-Q"), when filed, as well as the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 1, 2022 (the "Q2 Earnings Form 8-K"), to which this press release is attached as Exhibit 99.1. In addition, the Company will post supplemental information today on its website at http://investor.encompasshealth.com for reference during its August 2, 2022 earnings call.

The financial data contained in the press release and supplemental information include non-GAAP financial measures, including the Company's adjusted earnings per share, leverage ratio, Adjusted EBITDA, and adjusted free cash flow. Reconciliations to their most comparable GAAP measure, except with regard to non-GAAP guidance, are included below or in the Q2 Earnings Form 8-K. Readers are encouraged to review the "Note Regarding Presentation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures" included in the Q2 Earnings Form 8-K which provides further explanation and disclosure regarding the Company's use of these non-GAAP financial measures.

Excluding net operating revenues, the Company does not provide guidance on a GAAP basis because it is unable to predict, with reasonable certainty, the future impact of items that are deemed to be outside the control of the Company or otherwise not indicative of its ongoing operating performance. Such items include government, class action, and related settlements; professional feesaccounting, tax, and legal; mark-to-market adjustments for stock appreciation rights; gains or losses related to hedging instruments; loss on early extinguishment of debt; adjustments to its income tax provision (such as valuation allowance adjustments and settlements of income tax claims); items related to corporate and facility restructurings; and certain other items the Company believes to be not indicative of its ongoing operations. These items cannot be reasonably predicted and will depend on several factors, including industry and market conditions, and could be material to the Company's results computed in accordance with GAAP.

However, the following reasonably estimable GAAP measures for 2022 would be included in a reconciliation for Adjusted EBITDA if the other reconciling GAAP measures could be reasonably predicted:

Interest expense and amortization of debt discounts and fees - estimate of $160 million to $170 million

to Amortization of debt-related items - approximately $10 million

The Q2 Earnings Form 8-K and, when filed, the June 2022 Form 10-Q can be found on the Company's website at http://investor.encompasshealth.com and the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.

Encompass Health Corporation and Subsidiaries Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)



Three Months Ended June 30,

Six Months Ended June 30,

2022

2021

2022

2021

(In Millions, Except Per Share Data) Net operating revenues $ 1,330.5

$ 1,287.7

$ 2,664.1

$ 2,518.1 Operating expenses:













Salaries and benefits 773.8

708.2

1,549.8

1,395.4 Other operating expenses 193.4

172.7

375.5

335.0 Occupancy costs 19.3

20.2

40.2

40.4 Supplies 52.8

50.0

108.9

101.9 General and administrative expenses 60.3

54.2

108.7

92.8 Depreciation and amortization 68.8

63.4

135.0

125.9 Total operating expenses 1,168.4

1,068.7

2,318.1

2,091.4 Loss on early extinguishment of debt 1.1

1.0

1.4

1.0 Interest expense and amortization of debt discounts and fees 60.6

41.8

100.2

84.6 Other expense (income) 6.3

(4.6)

9.9

(6.0) Equity in net income of nonconsolidated affiliates (1.0)

(1.0)

(1.9)

(2.0) Income from continuing operations before income tax expense 95.1

181.8

236.4

349.1 Provision for income tax expense 23.8

39.5

55.0

74.0 Income from continuing operations 71.3

142.3

181.4

275.1 Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax 

(0.3)



(0.3) Net and comprehensive income 71.3

142.0

181.4

274.8 Less: Net and comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests (22.6)

(28.7)

(45.2)

(54.2) Net and comprehensive income attributable to Encompass Health $ 48.7

$ 113.3

$ 136.2

$ 220.6















Weighted average common shares outstanding:













Basic 99.2

99.0

99.2

99.0 Diluted 100.3

100.2

100.2

100.2 Earnings per common share:













Basic earnings per share attributable to Encompass Health common shareholders:













Continuing operations $ 0.49

$ 1.14

$ 1.37

$ 2.22 Discontinued operations 





 Net income $ 0.49

$ 1.14

$ 1.37

$ 2.22 Diluted earnings per share attributable to Encompass Health common shareholders:













Continuing operations $ 0.49

$ 1.13

$ 1.36

$ 2.20 Discontinued operations 





 Net income $ 0.49

$ 1.13

$ 1.36

$ 2.20















Amounts attributable to Encompass Health common shareholders:













Income from continuing operations $ 48.7

$ 113.6

$ 136.2

$ 220.9 Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax 

(0.3)



(0.3) Net income attributable to Encompass Health $ 48.7

$ 113.3

$ 136.2

$ 220.6

Encompass Health Corporation and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(Unaudited)



June 30, 2022

December 31, 2021

(In Millions) Assets





Current assets:





Cash and cash equivalents $ 186.5

$ 54.8 Restricted cash 70.8

65.1 Accounts receivable 658.7

680.3 Other current assets 116.4

121.2 Total current assets 1,032.4

921.4 Property and equipment, net 2,730.1

2,601.6 Operating lease right-of-use assets 238.5

242.0 Goodwill 2,456.5

2,427.9 Intangible assets, net 398.4

417.5 Other long-term assets 226.3

254.5 Total assets $ 7,082.2

$ 6,864.9 Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity





Current liabilities:





Current portion of long-term debt $ 49.2

$ 42.8 Current operating lease liabilities 36.7

38.4 Accounts payable 138.3

137.6 Accrued expenses and other current liabilities 611.2

530.0 Total current liabilities 835.4

748.8 Long-term debt, net of current portion 3,233.5

3,243.9 Long-term operating lease liabilities 211.9

213.1 Deferred income tax liabilities 79.8

86.7 Other long-term liabilities 177.0

173.2

4,537.6

4,465.7 Commitments and contingencies





Redeemable noncontrolling interests 43.3

42.2 Shareholders' equity:





Encompass Health shareholders' equity 2,003.0

1,911.3 Noncontrolling interests 498.3

445.7 Total shareholders' equity 2,501.3

2,357.0 Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $ 7,082.2

$ 6,864.9

Encompass Health Corporation and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(Unaudited)



Six Months Ended June 30,

2022

2021

(In Millions) Cash flows from operating activities:





Net income $ 181.4

$ 274.8 Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax 

0.3 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities





Depreciation and amortization 135.0

125.9 Stock-based compensation 16.3

14.8 Deferred tax expense (7.9)

6.2 Other, net 22.0

4.0 Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions 





Accounts receivable 29.8

(38.1) Other assets 2.2

(17.2) Accounts payable 3.9

6.6 Accrued payroll 16.1

27.4 Other liabilities 64.7

10.3 Net cash used in operating activities of discontinued operations 

(0.6) Total adjustments 282.1

139.3 Net cash provided by operating activities 463.5

414.4 Cash flows from investing activities:





Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired 

(97.7) Purchases of property and equipment (230.0)

(212.7) Additions to capitalized software costs (4.9)

(10.0) Other, net (11.4)

(1.2) Net cash used in investing activities (246.3)

(321.6) Cash flows from financing activities:





Principal borrowings on notes 400.0

 Principal payments on debt, including pre-payments (345.2)

(207.3) Borrowings on revolving credit facility 300.0

45.0 Payments on revolving credit facility (330.0)

 Principal payments under finance lease obligations (11.9)

(11.8) Debt amendment and issuance costs (25.0)

 Taxes paid on behalf of employees for shares withheld (7.7)

(16.4) Contributions from noncontrolling interests of consolidated affiliates 42.6

36.1 Dividends paid on common stock (56.3)

(56.9) Distributions paid to noncontrolling interests of consolidated affiliates (46.6)

(52.7) Other, net (0.1)

0.1 Net cash used in financing activities (80.2)

(263.9) Increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash 137.0

(171.1) Cash, cash equivalents. and restricted cash at beginning of period 120.3

310.9 Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at end of period $ 257.3

$ 139.8

Encompass Health Corporation and Subsidiaries

Supplemental Information

Earnings Per Share



Three Months Ended June 30,

Six Months Ended June 30,

2022

2021

2022

2021

(In Millions, Except Per Share Data) Adjusted EBITDA $ 240.2

$ 278.9

$ 485.2

$ 529.7 Depreciation and amortization (68.8)

(63.4)

(135.0)

(125.9) Interest expense and amortization of debt discounts and fees (60.6)

(41.8)

(100.2)

(84.6) Stock-based compensation (8.8)

(12.0)

(16.3)

(14.8) Loss on disposal or impairment of assets (2.3)

(2.9)

(2.9)

(2.8)

99.7

158.8

230.8

301.6 Items not indicative of ongoing operating performance:













Loss on early extinguishment of debt (1.1)

(1.0)

(1.4)

(1.0) Costs associated with the strategic alternatives review (22.9)

(4.1)

(32.5)

(5.0) Costs associated with the Frontier acquisition 

(1.3)



(1.3) Change in fair market value of equity securities (3.2)

0.7

(5.7)

0.6 Pre-tax income 72.5

153.1

191.2

294.9 Income tax expense (23.8)

(39.5)

(55.0)

(74.0) Income from continuing operations (1) $ 48.7

$ 113.6

$ 136.2

$ 220.9















Basic shares 99.2

99.0

99.2

99.0 Diluted shares 100.3

100.2

100.2

100.2















Basic earnings per share (1) $ 0.49

$ 1.14

$ 1.37

$ 2.22 Diluted earnings per share (1) $ 0.49

$ 1.13

$ 1.36

$ 2.20

(1) Income from continuing operations attributable to Encompass Health

Encompass Health Corporation and Subsidiaries

Supplemental Information

Adjusted Earnings Per Share



Q2

6 Months

2022

2021

2022

2021















Earnings per share, as reported $ 0.49

$ 1.13

$ 1.36

$ 2.20 Adjustments, net of tax:













Costs associated with the strategic alternatives review 0.32

0.03

0.39

0.04 Costs associated with the Frontier acquisition 

0.01



0.01 Income tax adjustments 0.05



0.06

(0.03) Loss on early extinguishment of debt 0.01

0.01

0.01

0.01 Change in fair market value of equity securities 0.02



0.04

 Adjusted earnings per share* $ 0.89

$ 1.17

$ 1.86

$ 2.22

* Adjusted EPS may not sum due to rounding.

Encompass Health Corporation and Subsidiaries

Supplemental Information

Adjusted Earnings Per Share



For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2022





Adjustments





As Reported

Loss on Early Extinguishment of Debt

Income Tax Adjustments

Costs Associated with the Strategic Alternatives Review

Change in Fair Market Value of Equity Securities

As Adjusted

(In Millions, Except Per Share Amounts) Adjusted EBITDA* $ 240.2

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 240.2 Depreciation and amortization (68.8)









(68.8) Interest expense and amortization of debt discounts and fees (60.6)





20.5



(40.1) Stock-based compensation (8.8)









(8.8) Loss on disposal or impairment of assets (2.3)









(2.3) Loss on early extinguishment of debt (1.1)

1.1







 Costs associated with the strategic alternatives review (22.9)





22.9



 Change in fair market value of equity securities (3.2)







3.2

 Income from continuing operations before income tax expense 72.5

1.1



43.4

3.2

120.2 Provision for income tax expense (23.8)

(0.3)

5.5

(11.3)

(0.9)

(30.8) Income from continuing operations attributable to Encompass Health $ 48.7

$ 0.8

$ 5.5

$ 32.1

$ 2.3

$ 89.4 Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations** $ 0.49

$ 0.01

$ 0.05

$ 0.32

$ 0.02

$ 0.89 Diluted shares used in calculation 100.3





















* See reconciliation of net income to Adjusted EBITDA ** Adjusted EPS may not sum across due to rounding.

Encompass Health Corporation and Subsidiaries

Supplemental Information

Adjusted Earnings Per Share



For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2021





Adjustments





As Reported

Loss on Early Exting. of Debt

Income Tax Adjustments

Costs Associated with the Strategic Alternatives Review

Costs Associated with the Frontier Acquisition

Change in Fair Market Value of Equity Securities

As Adjusted

(In Millions, Except Per Share Amounts) Adjusted EBITDA* $ 278.9

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 278.9 Depreciation and amortization (63.4)











(63.4) Interest expense and amortization of debt discounts and fees (41.8)











(41.8) Stock-based compensation (12.0)











(12.0) Loss on disposal or impairment of assets (2.9)











(2.9) Loss on early extinguishment of debt (1.0)

1.0









 Costs associated with the strategic alternatives review (4.1)





4.1







Costs associated with the Frontier Acquisition (1.3)







1.3



 Change in fair market value of equity securities 0.7









(0.7)

 Income from continuing operations before income tax expense 153.1

1.0



4.1

1.3

(0.7)

158.8 Provision for income tax expense (39.5)

(0.3)

(0.1)

(1.1)

(0.3)

0.2

(41.1) Income from continuing operations attributable to Encompass Health $ 113.6

$ 0.7

$ (0.1)

$ 3.0

$ 1.0

$ (0.5)

$ 117.7 Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations** $ 1.13

$ 0.01

$ 

$ 0.03

$ 0.01

$ 

$ 1.17 Diluted shares used in calculation 100.2

























* See reconciliation of net income to Adjusted EBITDA ** Adjusted EPS may not sum across due to rounding.

Encompass Health Corporation and Subsidiaries

Supplemental Information

Adjusted Earnings Per Share



For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2022





Adjustments





As Reported

Loss on Early Extinguishment of Debt

Income Tax Adjustments

Costs Associated with the Strategic Alternatives Review

Change in Fair Market Value of Equity Securities

As Adjusted

(In Millions, Except Per Share Amounts) Adjusted EBITDA* $ 485.2

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 485.2 Depreciation and amortization (135.0)









(135.0) Interest expense and amortization of debt discounts and fees (100.2)





20.5



(79.7) Stock-based compensation (16.3)









(16.3) Loss on disposal or impairment of assets (2.9)









(2.9) Loss on early extinguishment of debt (1.4)

1.4







 Costs associated with the strategic alternatives review (32.5)





32.5



 Change in fair market value of equity securities (5.7)







5.7

 Income from continuing operations before income tax expense 191.2

1.4



53.0

5.7

251.3 Provision for income tax expense (55.0)

(0.4)

5.7

(13.8)

(1.5)

(65.0) Income from continuing operations attributable to Encompass Health $ 136.2

$ 1.0

$ 5.7

$ 39.2

$ 4.2

$ 186.3 Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations** $ 1.36

$ 0.01

$ 0.06

$ 0.39

$ 0.04

$ 1.86 Diluted shares used in calculation 100.2





















* See reconciliation of net income to Adjusted EBITDA ** Adjusted EPS may not sum across due to rounding.

Encompass Health Corporation and Subsidiaries

Supplemental Information

Adjusted Earnings Per Share



For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2021





Adjustments





As Reported

Loss on Early Exting. of Debt

Income Tax Adjustments

Costs Associated with the Strategic Alternatives Review

Costs Associated with the Frontier Acquisition

Change in Fair Market Value of Equity Securities

As Adjusted

(In Millions, Except Per Share Amounts) Adjusted EBITDA* $ 529.7

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 529.7 Depreciation and amortization (125.9)











(125.9) Interest expense and amortization of debt discounts and fees (84.6)











(84.6) Stock-based compensation (14.8)











(14.8) Loss on disposal or impairment of assets (2.8)











(2.8) Loss on early extinguishment of debt (1.0)

1.0









 Costs associated with the strategic alternatives review (5.0)





5.0







Costs associated with the Frontier Acquisition (1.3)







1.3



 Change in fair market value of equity securities 0.6









(0.6)

 Income from continuing operations before income tax expense 294.9

1.0



5.0

1.3

(0.6)

301.6 Provision for income tax expense (74.0)

(0.3)

(3.4)

(1.3)

(0.3)

0.2

(79.1) Income from continuing operations attributable to Encompass Health $ 220.9

$ 0.7

$ (3.4)

$ 3.7

$ 1.0

$ (0.4)

$ 222.5 Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations** $ 2.20

$ 0.01

$ (0.03)

$ 0.04

$ 0.01

$ 

$ 2.22 Diluted shares used in calculation 100.2

























* See reconciliation of net income to Adjusted EBITDA ** Adjusted EPS may not sum across due to rounding.

Encompass Health Corporation and Subsidiaries

Supplemental Information

Reconciliation of Net Income to Adjusted EBITDA



Three Months Ended June 30,

Six Months Ended June 30,

2022

2021

2022

2021

(In Millions) Net income $ 71.3

$ 142.0

$ 181.4

$ 274.8 Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax, attributable to Encompass Health 

0.3



0.3 Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests (22.6)

(28.7)

(45.2)

(54.2) Provision for income tax expense 23.8

39.5

55.0

74.0 Interest expense and amortization of debt discounts and fees 60.6

41.8

100.2

84.6 Depreciation and amortization 68.8

63.4

135.0

125.9 Loss on early extinguishment of debt 1.1

1.0

1.4

1.0 Loss on disposal or impairment of assets 2.3

2.9

2.9

2.8 Stock-based compensation 8.8

12.0

16.3

14.8 Costs associated with the strategic alternatives review 22.9

4.1

32.5

5.0 Costs associated with the Frontier acquisition 

1.3



1.3 Change in fair market value of equity securities 3.2

(0.7)

5.7

(0.6) Adjusted EBITDA $ 240.2

$ 278.9

$ 485.2

$ 529.7

Reconciliation of Segment Adjusted EBITDA to Income from Continuing Operations

Before Income Tax Expense



Three Months Ended June 30,

Six Months Ended June 30,

2022

2021

2022

2021

(In Millions) Total segment Adjusted EBITDA $ 268.8

$ 315.7

$ 545.1

$ 601.4 General and administrative expenses (60.3)

(54.2)

(108.7)

(92.8) Depreciation and amortization (68.8)

(63.4)

(135.0)

(125.9) Loss on disposal or impairment of assets (2.3)

(2.9)

(2.9)

(2.8) Loss on early extinguishment of debt (1.1)

(1.0)

(1.4)

(1.0) Interest expense and amortization of debt discounts and fees (60.6)

(41.8)

(100.2)

(84.6) Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests 22.6

28.7

45.2

54.2 Change in fair market value of equity securities (3.2)

0.7

(5.7)

0.6 Income from continuing operations before income tax expense $ 95.1

$ 181.8

$ 236.4

$ 349.1

Encompass Health Corporation and Subsidiaries

Supplemental Information

Reconciliation of Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities to Adjusted EBITDA



Three Months Ended June 30,

Six Months Ended June 30,





2022

2021

2022

2021

(In Millions) Net cash provided by operating activities $ 244.6

$ 255.9

$ 463.5

$ 414.4 Interest expense and amortization of debt discounts and fees 60.6

41.8

100.2

84.6 Equity in net income of nonconsolidated affiliates 1.0

1.0

1.9

2.0 Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests in continuing operations (22.6)

(28.7)

(45.2)

(54.2) Amortization of debt-related items (2.5)

(2.0)

(4.8)

(4.0) Distributions from nonconsolidated affiliates (1.9)

(0.8)

(2.9)

(1.8) Current portion of income tax expense 33.7

42.0

62.9

67.8 Change in assets and liabilities (91.4)

(39.3)

(116.7)

11.0 Cash (provided by) used in operating activities of discontinued operations (0.1)

0.6



0.6 Costs associated with the strategic alternatives review 22.9

4.1

32.5

5.0 Costs associated with the Frontier acquisition 

1.3



1.3 Change in fair market value of equity securities 3.2

(0.7)

5.7

(0.6) Other (7.3)

3.7

(11.9)

3.6 Adjusted EBITDA $ 240.2

$ 278.9

$ 485.2

$ 529.7

Encompass Health Corporation and Subsidiaries

Supplemental Information

Reconciliation of Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities to Adjusted Free Cash Flow



Three Months Ended June 30,

Six Months Ended June 30,





2022

2021

2022

2021

(In Millions) Net cash provided by operating activities $ 244.6

$ 255.9

$ 463.5

$ 414.4 Impact of discontinued operations (0.1)

0.6



0.6 Net cash provided by operating activities of continuing operations 244.5

256.5

463.5

415.0 Capital expenditures for maintenance (39.5)

(30.5)

(74.0)

(53.8) Distributions paid to noncontrolling interests of consolidated affiliates (25.3)

(24.9)

(46.6)

(52.7) Items not indicative of ongoing operating performance:













Transaction costs and related assumed liabilities 26.0

4.5

28.7

4.5 Adjusted free cash flow $ 205.7

$ 205.6

$ 371.6

$ 313.0

For the three months ended June 30, 2022, net cash used in investing activities was $123.2 million and resulted primarily from capital expenditures. Net cash used in financing activities during the three months ended June 30, 2022 was $19.3 million and resulted primarily from cash dividends paid on common stock and distributions to noncontrolling interests of consolidated affiliates.

For the three months ended June 30, 2021, net cash used in investing activities was $226.0 million and primarily resulted from capital expenditures and the acquisition of assets from Frontier Home Health and Hospice. Net cash used in financing activities during the three months ended June 30, 2021 was $186.4 million and primarily resulted from net debt payments, cash dividends paid on common stock, and distributions to noncontrolling interests of consolidated affiliates.

For the six months ended June 30, 2022, net cash used in investing activities was $246.3 million and primarily resulted from capital expenditures. Net cash used in financing activities during the six months ended June 30, 2022 was $80.2 million and primarily resulted from cash dividends paid on common stock and distributions to noncontrolling interests of consolidated affiliates.

For the six months ended June 30, 2021, net cash used in investing activities was $321.6 million and primarily resulted from capital expenditures and the acquisition of assets from Frontier Home Health and Hospice. Net cash used in financing activities during the six months ended June 30, 2021 was $263.9 million and primarily resulted from net debt payments, cash dividends paid on common stock and distributions to noncontrolling interests of consolidated affiliates.

Encompass Health Corporation and Subsidiaries

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements contained in this press release and the supplemental information which are not historical facts, such as those relating to the spin off of the home health and hospice business and its impact on the business model, outlook and guidance, the nature of the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on Encompass Health's business and financial assumptions, legislative and regulatory developments, financial guidance, development projects, balance sheet and cash flow plans, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In addition, Encompass Health, through its senior management, may from time to time make forward-looking public statements concerning the matters described herein. All such estimates, projections, and forward-looking information speak only as of the date hereof, and Encompass Health undertakes no duty to publicly update or revise such forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Such forward-looking statements are necessarily estimates based upon current information, involve a number of risks and uncertainties, and relate to, among other things, future events, Encompass Health's plan to repurchase its debt or equity securities, dividend strategies, effective income tax rates, its business strategy, its financial plans, its future financial performance, its projected business results or model, its ability to return value to shareholders, its projected capital expenditures, its leverage ratio, its acquisition opportunities, and the impact of future legislation or regulation. Actual events or results may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of a variety of factors. While it is impossible to identify all such factors, factors which could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those estimated by Encompass Health include, but are not limited to, the continued spread of COVID-19, including the speed, depth, geographic reach and duration of the spread, which could decrease our patient volumes and revenues and lead to staffing and supply shortages and associated cost increases; actions to be taken by the Company in response to the pandemic; the legal, regulatory and administrative developments that occur at the federal, state and local levels; Encompass Health's infectious disease prevention and control efforts; the demand for Encompass Health's services, including based on any downturns in the economy, consumer confidence, or the capital markets and unemployment among family members; the price of Encompass Health's common stock as it affects Encompass Health's willingness and ability to repurchase shares and the financial and accounting effects of any repurchases; any adverse outcome of various lawsuits, claims, and legal or regulatory proceedings involving Encompass Health, including any matters related to yet undiscovered issues, if any, in acquired operations; Encompass Health's ability to attract and retain key management personnel; any adverse effects on Encompass Health's stock price resulting from the integration of acquired operations; potential disruptions, breaches, or other incidents affecting the proper operation, availability, or security of Encompass Health's or its vendors' information systems, including unauthorized access to or theft of patient, business associate, or other sensitive information or inability to provide patient care because of system unavailability as well as unforeseen issues, if any, related to integration of acquired systems; the ability to successfully integrate acquired operations, including realization of anticipated tax benefits, revenues, and cost savings, minimizing the negative impact on margins arising from the changes in staffing and other operating practices, and avoidance of unforeseen exposure to liabilities; Encompass Health's ability to successfully complete and integrate de novo developments, acquisitions, investments, and joint ventures consistent with its growth strategy; increases in Medicare audit activity, including increased use of sampling and extrapolation, resulting in additional unpaid reimbursement claims and an increase in the backlog of appealed claims denials; changes, delays in (including in connection with resolution of Medicare payment reviews or appeals), or suspension of reimbursement for Encompass Health's services by governmental or private payors; changes in the regulation of the healthcare industry at either or both of the federal and state levels, including as part of national healthcare reform and deficit reduction and Encompass Health's ability to adapt operations to those changes; competitive pressures in the healthcare industry and Encompass Health's response thereto; Encompass Health's ability to obtain and retain favorable arrangements with third-party payors; Encompass Health's ability to control costs, particularly labor and employee benefit costs, including group medical expenses; adverse effects resulting from coverage determinations made by Medicare Administrative Contractors regarding its Medicare reimbursement claims and lengthening delays in Encompass Health's ability to recover improperly denied claims through the administrative appeals process on a timely basis; Encompass Health's ability to adapt to changes in the healthcare delivery system, including value-based purchasing and involvement in coordinated care initiatives or programs that may arise with its referral sources; Encompass Health's ability to attract and retain nurses, therapists, and other healthcare professionals in a highly competitive environment with often severe staffing shortages, which may be worsened by the pandemic, and the impact on Encompass Health's labor expenses from potential union activity, staffing shortages, and competitive compensation practices; general conditions in the economy and capital markets, including any instability or uncertainty related to armed conflict or an act of terrorism, governmental impasse over approval of the United States federal budget, an increase in the debt ceiling, or an international sovereign debt crisis; the increase in the costs of defending and insuring against alleged professional liability claims, including claims associated with patient and employee exposures to COVID-19, and Encompass Health's ability to predict the estimated costs related to such claims; and other factors which may be identified from time to time in Encompass Health's SEC filings and other public announcements, including Encompass Health's Form 10K for the year ended December 31, 2021 and Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2022 and June 30, 2022, when filed.

Media Contact

Casey Winger, 205 447-6410

[email protected]

Investor Relations Contact

Mark Miller, 205 970-5860

[email protected]

SOURCE Encompass Health Corp.
MOLINE, Ill., Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Deere & Company (NYSE:DE) announced today that former BorgWarner and Ford Motor Company executive, Felecia Pryor will join its senior leadership team as Senior Vice President and Chief People Officer effective August 15.

In this newly created role, Pryor will have responsibility for the company's human resources, labor relations, enterprise security, aviation, and brand and communications functions. She will report directly to John May, Deere & Company chairman and chief executive officer.

Felecia Pryor has been named as Senior Vice President and Chief People Officer for Deere & Company.

Pryor joins Deere with nearly two decades of experience in human resources and related fields at BorgWarner, Inc., and Ford Motor Company. In her most recent position, she was executive vice president and chief human resources officer at BorgWarner. Earlier, she was vice president of human resources at the company's Morse business unit. Pryor previously spent 16 years at Ford, where she was global human resources director and served in executive roles in Thailand and China. She earlier held human resources and labor relations positions at various Ford assembly plants and at the company's financial-services unit.

"Over the course of her career, Felecia has compiled an impressive record of achievement in a range of HR-related areas and is well-known for her expertise in diversity, equity and inclusion, talent development, executive compensation, performance management, succession planning, and employment law," said May, Deere's chairman and CEO. "Felecia will play an instrumental role in helping us achieve the company's strategic ambitions, strengthen the John Deere brand, and attract and retain top talent."

About Deere & Company:

Deere & Company (www.JohnDeere.com) is a global leader in the delivery of agricultural, construction, and forestry equipment. We help our customers push the boundaries of what's possible in ways that are more productive and sustainable to help life leap forward. Our technology-enabled products including John Deere Autonomous 8R Tractor, See & Spray, and E-Power Backhoe are just some of the ways we help meet the world's increasing need for food, shelter, and infrastructure. Deere & Company also provides financial services through John Deere Financial.

For more information on Deere & Company, visit us at www.deere.com/en/news/.

SOURCE Deere & Company
Local 89 Members Secure Excellent Five-Year Contract After Three Months on Picket Line

WASHINGTON, Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- After 12 weeks on the picket line, Teamsters Local 89 members at FireKing in New Albany, Ind., have voted unanimously to ratify a new five-year agreement, successfully ending their strike with a resounding victory. FireKing workers will return to work August 2 after a brief plant shut down to prepare the factory to return to full production for the first time in three months.

Workers voted unanimously to ratify the agreement on July 30. The new contract includes a 22 percent increase in wages over five years, with the first 10 percent immediate upon ratification. Other highlights include lower deductible health insurance that will provide significant savings to members, faster vacation accrual, bonuses for perfect attendance, enhanced seniority and bidding language, and Juneteenth as a paid holiday.

"FireKing Teamsters stood up and fought back for workers' rights. Throughout the strike, we all stuck together like glue. We are a tight-knit group, and this strike made us even closer and stronger," said Dale Beanblossom, a 36-year mixer-operator at FireKing and Local 89 member who served as strike captain for the 70-worker unit.

FireKing Teamsters went on strike on May 9, following a unanimous strike authorization vote and rejection of the company's "last, best and final" offer.

On May 17, Teamsters General President Sean M. O'Brien and General Secretary-Treasurer Fred Zuckerman both visited the strike line to stand with members and show their support.

"Let this be a lesson to other employers that the Teamsters will not back down in our members' fight against corporate greed. We will not stop fighting and we will not break," O'Brien said. "The International stands behind its members. When workers decide to strike, they will have the full backing of 1.2 million members behind them."

"Local 89 members knew they had the support of the entire Teamsters Union," said Zuckerman, who served as President of Local 89 for more than 20 years. "I've known this unit for years. They are a strong and dedicated group, and we wanted to let them know that they had every tool and resource at their disposal."

Teamsters International Vice President and Local 89 President Avral Thompson noted that the company struggled with the loss of their experienced and skilled workforce after workers went on strike and immediately brought in scab labor.

"The company released numerous press statements insisting all was well, but the plant was running far below 50 percent production. Management was constantly dealing with a revolving door of scab temporary employees who quit almost as quickly as they were brought in," Thompson said. "In the end, our members showed this company their true value and worth. These folks stood together, said 'enough is enough' and showed their employer what real union power looks like. This victory is a testament to our members that they were able to endure all of this and still come out as winners."

Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.2 million hardworking men and women throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. Visit www.teamster.org for more information. Follow us on Twitter @Teamsters and "like" us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/teamsters.

Contact:

Daniel Moskowitz, (770) 262-4971

SOURCE International Brotherhood of Teamsters
Recognized industry powerhouse takes helm and charts course for continued growth

NEW YORK, Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Leading global fundraising consulting firm Graham-Pelton announced today the appointment of Walt Edwards as its president.

Leading global fundraising consulting firm Graham-Pelton announces the appointment of Walt Edwards as its president. Tweet this Graham-Pelton has appointed Walt Edwards, a recognized authority in healthcare philanthropy and philanthropic training, as President.

A recognized authority in healthcare philanthropy, Edwards has been a Graham-Pelton Associate for two and a half years and is the chief architect of Beyond Gratitude, Graham-Pelton's signature grateful patient fundraising service line. "Walt is the right leader for this next stage in Graham-Pelton's history," said Graham-Pelton founder, Craig Leach. "Walt's impressive background and leadership skills will help Graham-Pelton strengthen our core competencies and develop new services to expand market share. We believe his strong leadership experience and innovative thinking will usher in the next level of growth not just for our firm, but for the nonprofit industry as a whole."

"It's a pleasure to be named president of a firm as globally recognized and distinguished as Graham-Pelton," said Edwards. "The firm's ethos for supporting, growing, and evolving the nonprofit industry through trusted partnership and innovation is inspiring, and I'm honored to be chosen to lead the talented Graham-Pelton team in this effort."

Prior to Graham-Pelton, Edwards served as Assistant Vice President for Talent Development at the University of Texas at Austin where he built fundraising culture and led strategic visioning across the university. Edwards also led the sales and service delivery teams at a nationally recognized professional services firm. During his tenure and under his leadership, the consulting firm experienced exponential growth and added premier institutions to its roster.

Among Edwards' own extensive client list are Penn Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, UNC Health Foundation, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Emory Healthcare, Rutgers Health, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, USF Health, Children's Hospital of Orange County, Moffitt Cancer Center, Conquer Cancer (the ASCO Foundation), among many others.

Edwards is a graduate of Colby College and has a J.D. from Case Western Reserve University School of Law along with an M.B.A. from the Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University.

About Graham-Pelton

Graham-Pelton is the fundraising consulting firm chosen by leading nonprofit organizations worldwide. Our mission is clear: elevate philanthropy so nonprofits can flourish. Graham-Pelton is a member of Collegium, a broad system of best-in-class professional service firms exclusively serving nonprofits. For more information, visit grahampelton.com.

SOURCE Graham-Pelton Consulting, Inc.
SAN DIEGO, Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Nationally recognized InnoVision Marketing Group has been named agency of record for Island Fin Poke. Continuing to expand at a steady pace, InnoVision will assist Island Fin Poke with branding, franchise development, digital marketing, and national public relations & outreach. This offers InnoVision the opportunity to help expand the national reach and awareness of Island Fin Poke.

"We look forward to helping Island Fin become the leader in the poke category," says Ric Militi Tweet this Serving clients across the country, InnoVision is headquartered in San Diego.

The brand approached InnoVision after seeing the branding, positioning and marketing strategies that have led to much growth and success for other franchises on their client roster. Experts in branding and creating sticky campaigns, the campaign the company developed for Huey Magoo's, The Filet Mignon of Chicken, has received national praise and recognition.

San Diego-based InnoVision Marketing Group offers the full scope of marketing services completely in-house, including digital media, traditional media, web development, design, public relations, video production and more. Representing a variety of clients in different industries, Island Fin Poke adds to their franchise and fast-casual dining category.

"We are so honored to have the opportunity to work with Mark [Setterington]. His vision is clear, and his passion and enthusiasm are contagious," says Ric Militi, CEO / Executive Creative Director of InnoVision Marketing Group. "We look forward to helping Island Fin become the leader in the poke category  it's a goal we know is achievable, and we are excited to be part of it."

Coming in at #22, between Chipotle and Jersey Mike's, Island Fin Poke is a top mover and shaker, recognized in Entrepreneur Magazine's 2022 Top Food Franchises Ranking, the 2022 Top New & Emerging Franchises Ranking and Fast Casual's 2022 Movers & Shakers List.

Offering fresh Hawaiian-style poke bowls, described as sushi in a bowl, Island Fin Poke serves fresh poke in endless combination options, creating customized bowls for every guest. Guests choose from responsibly-sourced ingredients and can personalize their own poke bowl with options including over eight proteins, 25 different toppings, gluten-free house-made sauces that have been creatively crafted, and specialty mix-ins. Island Fin Poke offers a unique and full-service experience to each and every guest that walks through their doors, implementing this approach into everything they do.

Entering into four new markets with four new locations by the end of this year, Island Fin Poke currently has 24 locations open, looking to double in the next year.

"Island Fin Poke could not be more excited to have InnoVision as our agency of record. We are truly humbled that such an incredible agency has committed to helping us to become the brand we know we can be," says Mark Setterington, Co-founder and CEO of Island Fin Poke.

InnoVision is made up of five divisions including public relations, film production, digital media, traditional media and Espanol. Representing brands in multiple categories, including airports, automotive, fast-casual dining, food & beverage, healthcare, soft drinks, casinos, retail, tribal government, economic development and nonprofit, the agency serves clients across the US.

To learn more about InnoVision Marketing Group, please contact Bianca Kasawdish at [email protected] or click here.

About InnoVision Marketing Group

What began as an idea of a way to better service clients, has turned into a brand that stands out among the rest. InnoVision Marketing Group is a full-service, nationally recognized agency, with clients across the country, including Seattle, Los Angeles, Texas, New York, New Jersey, Phoenix, Tampa and Orlando. From branding to creative design, media buying, digital advertising, web development and SEO, video production, social advertising and management, PR and digital content, entirely everything is done in-house. Our client portfolio spans across several different industries, including casino, dining, jewelry, healthcare, lifestyle, nonprofit and more.

Since first opening in 2012, InnoVision has branched out from its humble beginnings, adding world-class clients to a growing roster that includes Valley View Casino & Hotel, Palomar Health, Huey Magoo's Chicken Tenders, and more. InnoVision also offers commercial film production through Pretzel Logic Productions, a wholly owned subsidiary, creating cutting-edge commercial and internet films while embracing storytelling and the brand vision.

At the heart of everything we do, InnoVision is committed to maintaining our unique culture. Team members at InnoVision are continually empowered, inspired and supported on a daily basis, no matter their position. We work hard to ensure an environment that team members thrive and grow in. The happier our team is, the better the work we produce  something we remember every day. To learn more about InnoVision, please visit TeamInnoVision.com.

About Island Fin Poke

Island Fin Poke is a Florida-based fast-casual concept known for its Hawaiian-style build-your-own poke bowls. From farm-to-fork, the brand uses the freshest ingredients to bring traditional flavors from the islands to local communities nationwide. Founded in 2017, Island Fin Poke has 20+ locations open, with numerous others in various stages of development. Island Fin Poke was listed in Fast Casual's 2022 Movers & Shakers List. For more information, or if interested in joining the brand's Ohana, please visit https://www.islandfinpoke.com/.

Contact:

Bianca Kasawdish

Director of Public Relations

& Digital Content

InnoVision Marketing Group

(619) 516-9337

[email protected]

SOURCE InnoVision Marketing Group
Grants Awarded in Partnership with Truist Cares COVID-19 Relief Efforts

WASHINGTON, Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Internet Society today announced that seven recipients will share $1 million in grant funding to expand broadband access in their communities as part of the Truist Expanding Potential in Communities (EPIC) Grant. This second round of funding follows the $1 million in grants distributed last year to five recipient organizations and will continue to support broadband Internet connectivity initiatives to help alleviate disparities in education, employment, and social welfare in the Southeastern United States.

The Internet Society will distribute the grants to organizations and entities selected by an advisory committee of municipal and community networks and policy and community development experts. The grants will support community networks built, owned, and operated by local governments and organizations. The recipients of the 2022 Truist EPIC Grant are:

Connected Communities Wi-Fi Project in Washington, D.C. , will receive $175,000 to deploy high-speed Wi-Fi at a DC Housing Authority property, connect residents to devices, and facilitate digital literacy and skills training programs.

will receive to deploy high-speed Wi-Fi at a DC Housing Authority property, connect residents to devices, and facilitate digital literacy and skills training programs. Connecting for Good in Austin, Texas , will receive $175,000 to expand a project to connect low-income multi-dwelling unit buildings and nearby single-family homes across the city to free and low-cost broadband Internet service.

will receive to expand a project to connect low-income multi-dwelling unit buildings and nearby single-family homes across the city to free and low-cost broadband Internet service. Edgewood ISD Connected Beyond the Classroom in San Antonio, Texas , will receive $175,000 to expand its network of home Internet access service for students across the Edgewood Independent School District.

will receive to expand its network of home Internet access service for students across the Edgewood Independent School District. Fifth Ward Internet Connectivity Project in Houston, Texas , will receive $175,000 to provide up to 700 low-income families with Internet access and offer options for increasing digital literacy skills, installing public Wi-Fi benches, and adding antennas and nodes to community spaces.

, will receive to provide up to 700 low-income families with Internet access and offer options for increasing digital literacy skills, installing public Wi-Fi benches, and adding antennas and nodes to community spaces. Montgomery Connects MoCoNet in Montgomery County, Maryland , will receive $175,000 to create in partnership with Older Adults Technology Services power by AARP, the Housing Opportunities Commission, and affordable housing developer APAH, a Senior Planet Montgomery smart connected community for diverse, lowincome older adults by providing 100 Mbps MoCoNet broadband, Emergency Connectivity Fund devices and digital empowerment skills training, to enable residents to be independent and engage with each other as a community.

will receive to create in partnership with Older Adults Technology Services power by AARP, the Housing Opportunities Commission, and affordable housing developer APAH, a Senior Planet Montgomery smart connected community for diverse, lowincome older adults by providing 100 Mbps MoCoNet broadband, Emergency Connectivity Fund devices and digital empowerment skills training, to enable residents to be independent and engage with each other as a community. Roanoke Connect in Roanoke Rapids , Town of Halifax, North Carolina , will receive $175,000 to expand a network to increase broadband access in rural northeast North Carolina counties with high poverty rates.

, will receive to expand a network to increase broadband access in rural northeast counties with high poverty rates. Sunnyside Technology Hub in Houston, Texas , will receive $175,000 to create a broadband coverage area in the Sunnyside community of Houston in an area of flat terrain that lacks tall buildings.

Many communities in those states representing the recipients do not have adequate broadband infrastructure, especially in rural regions, and, when they do, it is often too expensive for many residents. According to President Biden's infrastructure plan, in Alabama, nearly 12% of residents live in areas without broadband infrastructure, and nearly one in five do not have Internet service. There are similar access and cost barriers in North Carolina and Florida, according to the Biden administration's state-by-state infrastructure report .

"After the success of the last round of grant funding, we were thrilled to once again provide support for projects that deliver for their communities by expanding Internet accesssomething that has only become more crucial as the pandemic has lingered," said Lynette Bell, president of Truist Foundation. "These additional grant recipients displayed extraordinary commitment and planning in addressing the urgent need to connect their communities, and we're proud to expand our support for local efforts to build a sustainable internet infrastructure."

Community networks are communications infrastructures built, managed, and used by local communities or municipalities and are a sustainable solution to address these connectivity gaps in underserved regions. The Internet Society has a long history of working with communities worldwide to fund, build and, train people with the skills needed to run and maintain community networks.

The Truist EPIC Grant recipients were selected from a pool of 47 applicants from across the Southeast. Their applications demonstrated need, community support, a long-term sustainability plan, and technical expertise and met the criteria of low-income, indigenous populations or communities of color. The grant is part of Truist Cares, a cooperative effort between Truist Financial Corporation, Truist Foundation, Inc. and Truist Charitable Fund to provide communities, organizations and individuals disaster relief and assistance during the COVID-19 crisis.

About the Internet Society

Founded in 1992 by Internet pioneers, the Internet Society is a global non-profit organization working to ensure the Internet remains a force for good for everyone. Through its community of members, special interest groups, and 120+ chapters around the world, the organization defends and promotes Internet policies, standards, and protocols that keep the Internet open, globally connected, and secure. For more information, please visit: Internetsociety.org .

About Truist

Truist Financial Corporation is a purpose-driven financial services company committed to inspiring and building better lives and communities. Truist has leading market share in many high-growth markets in the country. The company offers a wide range of services including retail, small business and commercial banking; asset management; capital markets; commercial real estate; corporate and institutional banking; insurance; mortgage; payments; specialized lending; and wealth management. Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, Truist is a top 10 U.S. commercial bank with total assets of $544 billion as of March 31, 2022. Truist Bank, Member FDIC. Learn more at Truist.com.

About Truist Foundation

The Truist Foundation is committed to Truist Financial Corporation's purpose to inspire and build better lives and communities. Established in 2020, the foundation makes strategic investments in nonprofit organizations to help ensure the communities it serves have more opportunities for a better quality of life. The Truist Foundation's grants and activities focus on building career pathways to economic mobility and strengthening small businesses. Learn more at Truist.com/Purpose/Truist-Foundation .

SOURCE THE INTERNET SOCIETY
Reyes Breaks Long-Standing Record by Being Named the First Latina to Win the State in Over 25 Years

CHICAGO, Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Angel Reyes of Chicago was named Miss Illinois USA 2022 during the 71st edition of the state pageant held on Monday, May 30th  making her the second Latina to win Miss Illinois USA in their 70-year history. With this monumental achievement, Angel will continue to advocate for social change and transformation through a variety of philanthropic initiatives on her journey to Miss USA.

Angel is the niece of famed-entrepreneur, Carolyn Aronson, who is at the helm of two of the only fully Latina-owned beauty brands, It's A 10 Haircare and Be A 10 Cosmetics. Aronson knows the true power of supporting other women marching fearlessly towards their goals, even when they seem impossible to most. That's why she is thrilled to continue to support Angel on her journey towards Miss USA 2022, providing counsel, glam, and motivation along the way.

To further amplify this historic moment, Aronson's award-winning hair care and makeup brands It's A 10 Haircare and Be A 10 Cosmetics are proud to announce a special year-long promotion offering 20% off both lines using the code ANGEL20. This festive deal is available now and will last through Monday, October 3rd, 2023.

"I have seen my niece endure so much adversity but never falter in the face of it. She reminds me of the young Latina I used to be a go-getter attitude who turns that hardship into motivation to succeed," said Aronson. She continued, "Over the years I have watched Angel grow immensely - and now the world gets to see her shine too. I am overjoyed to support her road to the upcoming Miss USA pageant as she continues to break barriers and shine a bright light on our Latina community. She is an inspiration to us all and we cannot wait to see all that she will accomplish in the future!"

As Miss Illinois USA, Angel is using her platform to serve and make a difference in the lives of others, particularly those in need. This is a cause she's passionate about, having experienced many life altering circumstances being raised by a single mother in the inner city of Chicago. Angel aims to enrich and empower the lives of those battling hardships through her longtime partnership with the Hermosa Neighborhood Association - a resident advocacy group fighting for better city services, schools, parks, and safety in Hermosa, Chicago. Angel will also use her platform to increase the organization's visibility through a variety of community-directed events including a job fair she's hosting this summer. In tandem, Angel will partner with the Special Olympics Chicago for the Chicago Duck Derby - their annual large fundraising event- and much more.

"It is such an honor to be named Miss Illinois USA 2022 because this win goes far beyond myself. Growing up, I didn't see many role models who looked like me in the mainstream media and I hope to be an inspiration for other young Latinas who feel underrepresented. I want to show them that anything is possible if you set your mind to it and work hard," said Angel. "I'm excited to bring you on my journey to Miss USA and to continue sharing my story with all of you!"

Angel is no stranger to pageantry, having started at the age of 15, she has been a fierce competitor on the local, state, national & international level winning 3 titles on the local stage and international level. Now at the age of 25, Angel has been working the beauty, health, and wellness circuit for over 7 years  starting her career as a professional makeup artist and now working as a medical aesthetics professional managing SpaDerma.

Angel will represent Illinois at Miss USA 2022 this fall. Prior to the competition, Angel will attend a series of retreats and bootcamps for all pageantry contestants taking place in Cancun, Mexico; Omaha, Nebraska; and Broken Brow, Oklahoma. You can follow Angel Reyes' journey to Miss USA 2022 on the Miss Illinois USA 2022 Instagram page @missilusa and Angel's personal Instagram page @therealangelreyes. The Miss USA finals will be held on Monday, October 3, 2022 at 8:00 p.m. ET live on fyi at the Grand Sierra Resort in Reno, Nevada.

SOURCE Its a 10 Haircare
WUXI, China, July 31, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- NeuroXess announced that it has been included in MIT Technology Review's list of the world's 50 smartest companies  the TR50 list  released on July 29 in Wuxi, China. NeuoXess was recognized mainly for its silk-enabled minimally invasive implantable high-throughput flexible brain-machine interface (BMI) system. It is the youngest company (founded in October,2021) to date to make the list. Dr. Tiger H. Tao, Co-founder and Chief Scientist at NeuroXess, attended the award ceremony.

NeuroXess made the list of MIT Technology Reviews TR50 for its silk-based minimally invasive implantable flexible brain-machine interface technology

Every year since 2010, MIT Technology Review has assembled the list of what it considers the world's 50 smartest companies, based on two necessary criteria, technology leadership and business acumen, as part of an effort to give an indication of what the future of technology will look like. The TR50 list has long been regarded as one of the most important guides to the world's emerging technologies and a global technology innovation benchmark. The most important factor taken into consideration when putting together the list, is the ability of the firm to implement and commercialize emerging technologies.

NeuroXess is a high-tech life science company focusing on flexible BMI technologies to protect and better understand the brain. The company has put together an outstanding and synergized team from both the academia and the industry to simultaneously achieve the benefits of cutting-edge research and the realization of commercial value. NeuroXess has obtained financing amounting to $15 million earlier this year, just three months post-inception. It was the largest early-stage financing achieved in this field in China.

A single silk-based flexible neural probe consists of thousands of channels for single neuron recording and brain stimulation while the implantation incision is less than 0.7 mm in diameter. The technology has been applied and tested comprehensively in rodent and non-human primate models for preclinical verification. The company has received the clinical ethics approval for its flexible BMI technology to go to clinical trial.

The brain-computer interface technology submission garnered the Super AI Leader, the highest award given at the 2021 World Artificial Intelligence Conference. The technology was selected as one of the conference's key new findings together with the Huawei Pangu Large Model technology and Alibaba Cloud's Aurora Heterogeneous Computing Acceleration Platform. The technology is also included on the list of the 2021 AI research achievements at the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

NeuroXess has achieved several core technology breakthroughs in terms of the manufacturing of the key device for the invasive brain-computer interface. Some of the NeuroXess's devices have already surpassed Neuralink in terms of certain performance indicators.

SOURCE NeuroXess
LIES, lies and more lies - which have become currency in public discourse and especially in defence of the political status quo and its leadership - are becoming definitive of a Eswatini society drowning in an immoral cesspool to the point that they have embedded themselves and evolved into a sub-culture feeding the gargantuan appetites of those that have made the obtaining polity their meal ticket as the truth lies prostrate, unable to raise itself up in the absence of moral compass bearers and conscientious ethical support pillars.

It is on the back of the truth being sacrificed on the altar of political expediency that this country lacks, or has a few, men and women of rectitude. Regrettably some of those include so-called men and women of the cloth and go by whatever title they have adopted who have allowed themselves to be captured because of greed and materialism.

Truth

As ably pointed out by George Orwell when he posited: In a time of deceit telling the truth is a revolutionary act. And yes, we certainly are in that season in this the Kingdom of Eswatini to the point that the pulpit has also not been spared as demonstrated during so-called national prayer services. Why, even the undeserving and ill-qualified to pontificate, routinely abuse the pulpit, spewing lies to endear themselves to those issuing meal tickets for the feeding trough, to further narrow and selfish interests. Indeed whereas dignity is important but it isnt a moral constant but a time dependent variable. Unfortunately they are lacking on both counts; dignity and morality.

Peddling lies in public spaces has somewhat become a preoccupation of defenders of the obtaining social and political order. And to much chagrin, what has become a beloved national vice has also not spared Parliament where it appears some legislators are paid to lie for their political principals to secure their political longevity. Not only do lies manifest through the spoken word but also through commission and omission - in what they do or do not do, in what they say and do not say - as well as direct and tacit support for the immoral and injustice visited upon those on the foot of the political and socio-economic ladder. What a bunch of hypocrites and losers!

Reduced

Recently senators, a good number of whom have been reduced to small men and women for publicly prostrating themselves for strategic positions in pursuit of their favourite pastime of bootlicking, woke up from slumber land to decry the spike in the murder of police officers. Heinous as the murder of police is, none of these senators had anything to say when the security forces slaughtered an as yet undetermined number of protestors, which the Human Rights and Integrity Commission inspection report put at a conservative 46, with many more injured and maimed. Could it be that lives of members of the security forces are better and worthier than those of the people who were demanding to have a voice on how they are governed through the installation of a pluralistic body politic in place of the monopolistic and self-serving tinkhundla political order?

Paradoxically, the self-same senators claimed to be also representing the people across the country albeit this is hogwash. Perhaps with the exception of the minority elected by Members of Parliament (MPs), the peoples elected representatives in the House of Assembly, the majority of senators are serving their interests, which is their political principals, to secure their tenure. Consequently, they can hardly be said to be sensible, prudent and ethical lawmakers that the people deserve. Hence the only track record the senators can lay claim on has nothing to do with the people but everything to do with praise singing and peddling of falsehoods to secure their supper.

In the circumstances, senators were, like the rest of the leadership, unable to provide a single solution towards stopping the killing of police officers. And it is not through a fire-fight between the police and the perpetrator(s), as irresponsibly suggested by National Commissioner (NATCOM) of Police William Tsitsibala Dlamini. Indeed beating war drums is not a core value of the policing eco system but is criminal. In his reported very public tirade, the police chief seems to forget the dozens of deaths attributed to his charges during last years pro-multi-party democracy unrest. Till this far, there is no evidence that any of those either killed, injured or maimed were armed and posed a threat to the police. Did he not see the busload of teachers who were suffocated with teargas and those attempting to flee through windows becoming moving targets for his trigger-happy charges? Does the police chief know the face of cowardice? If ever there were questions over his suitability to head the police service, then the fact needs no further emphasis. Of certainty is that the day of reckoning cannot be put off forever and change will make sure of that.

Loyalists and apologists of the tinkhundla political system, who are all complicit to the mass murders and ought to face the consequences in a future government of a reformed political dispensation, must stop pointing fingers elsewhere apropos the subject of murder of police officers. It is the State that is culpable for fanning and visiting violence on those on the other side of the political schism. And it is the state that can also stop the murders of police officer by facilitating the convening of a political dialogue instead of resisting inevitable political transformation. The time for change cannot be put off any longer lest change itself will manage the process.

As I see it, the first port of call is accounting for those killed by state security agents during last years civil unrest. Without accountability for the dead any hope of a return to normalcy is misplaced. The dead will continue to speak beyond their graves until justice is done. No political dialogue can take place under the circumstances until proper investigations and accountability for the dead happen. Government and the leadership must, from henceforth, take responsibility for each police officer killed.
Ramps up for Further Southeast Asia Expansion Following Partnership with Industry Leader Luen Thai and Launch of State-of-the-Art NTX Cooltrans Facility in Cambodia

SHANGHAI and SINGAPORE, July 31, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- NTX, a global textile technology leader, announced the completion of nearly 200 million US dollars in a C2 round of financing led by Centurium Capital, with additional contributions from existing shareholder NRL Capital. Index Capital served as the exclusive financial advisor. The funds will be used to fund operational needs to meet the rapidly rising demand of the expanding customer base.

The funding was secured after the company successfully became a preferred supplier to global international brands such as Adidas. The company also demonstrated continued expansion of its textile manufacturing ecosystem developed around the waterless coloration technology - NTX Cooltrans.

Gary Liu, Managing Director of Centurium Capital, commented: "Through its proprietary dyeing technology, NTX brought about revolutionary innovation to the global textile supply chain, effectively solving the long-standing pain points of traditional textile manufacturing of high water and energy consumption and pollution. In addition, NTX adds significant value to the industry by helping improve their production efficiency and service capabilities. With ESG as an integral part of our 'invest to transform' investment thesis, we look forward to a long-term partnership with NTX to make positive contributions to the sustainable development of the global textile supply chain. "

NTX has revolutionized the textile industry by introducing NTX Cooltrans, a breakthrough waterless dyeing & printing system that delivers up to 90% in water savings, alongside dramatic reduction in energy usage and virtual elimination of water waste. With NTX Cooltrans as a foundation, the company has established a Southeast Asia-based ecosystem of textile processing plants to become the next generation sustainable eco- friendly supply chain partner for some of the world's biggest fashion and apparel brands.

NTX functions as a complete environmentally friendly textile processing solution provider by putting in place best practices, technical expertise, staff training, raw material sourcing and market opportunities across its ecosystem.

Kalvin Chung, Chairman and Co-founder of NTX, commented, "We welcome the latest round of funding and we're excited about the future of NTX. Over the years we've seen NTX Cooltrans mature into a solution that satisfies and exceeds the requirements of some of the most demanding global brands in the marketplace. Just as important, has been the development of our business models that today give us a clear path to scale up NTX into a global supply chain solution provider."

The funding is especially pertinent as the textile industry has recently seen a slew of announcements regarding green initiatives across the globe. Some of the key initiatives include:

The European Commission's EU Strategy for Sustainable and Circular Textiles that includes textile waste legislation which will take effect by 2025.

The Fashion Industry Charter for Climate Action updated in 2021 features ambitious goals of dramatically scaling down greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and includes signatories such as Adidas, Nike, Gap and countless other global brands.

A host of initiatives have also arisen in South East Asian countries exemplified by Vietnam Textile and Apparel Association (VITAS) setting a 2030 goal of reducing energy consumption by 15% and water consumption by 20%.

In aggregate, all of these initiatives have set a stage for textile businesses that either completely re-engineer their processes with green solutions or become obsolete in terms of global competitiveness.

NTX Expands Presence in Southeast Asian Market via Partnership with Global Textile Manufacturing Leader Luen Thai

In recent years, the Southeast Asian market has seen tremendous growth as it continues to establish itself as a global supplier of manufactured goods. Most striking examples are the record growth of exports in Vietnam by 48.2% in March of this year contributing to Vietnam's total exports for the quarter equaling US$88.58 billion. Other Southeast Asian countries have also risen one after another, and they are expecting to accelerate development even further boosted by the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). The free trade agreement is set to further strengthen business ties across Asia and positions the Southeast Asian members including Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, and Cambodia - countries with NTX presence - to serve as ideal supply chain bases for global clothing and apparel markets.

In response to this trend, NTX has doubled down on establishing a strong presence in Southeast Asia where a textile production cluster continues to blossom and attract the right talent and support systems to service global demand. Its most recent joint venture with Luen Thai under the name Luentech Textiles Solutions (LTS) has already resulted in a new state-of-the-art NTX Cooltrans facility to expand production capacity and satisfy growing demand for green textile supply chain partners. The facility is the first of its kind to be designed entirely around the newest iteration of its waterless coloration technology. The launch of the new plant also aligns with the Kingdom of Cambodia's drive to diversify and modernize its textile industry.

Every aspect of the new facility was designed around NTX Cooltrans, meaning it incorporates all the sustainable eco-friendly factors that the solution provides. NTX Cooltrans integrates pre and post treatment processes delivering significant savings in energy consumption. The up to 90% reduction in water use is an especially meaningful aspect of NTX Cooltrans. Cambodia is working hard on improving the environmental impact of its manufacturing sector. The significantly reduced water consumption of NTX Cooltrans waterless technology means that these facilities can operate in environments where water comes at a premium.

NTX is focused on a long term strategy of transforming the South East Asian textile industry into a high technology focused hub. Plants and mills that form the NTX ecosystem are fast becoming renowned as operations that are exemplary for eco-friendly practices, sustainability, and respectful employee working conditions. This is in line with the vision NTX has set at its inception and it is perfectly aligned with the requirements that are increasingly in demand by global brands operating in the European Union, the United States and Asia-Pacific regions.

NTX Solution Addresses Key Issues with the Printing and Dyeing Phase of Textile Production

The printing and dyeing phase of textile manufacturing is the bottleneck of the global textile and apparel supply chain. Companies that provide these services are under extreme pressure to deliver in a timely manner the endless designs that are requested by the big international apparel brands. The slightest change in design, material, or finish require an overhaul of the production process causing delays, issues with output quality or consistency. Traditional systems consist of non-standardized production processes that rely heavily on skilled labor often working under agonizing and unsafe conditions. It's a system that depends on having excessive amounts of ready to use inventory of raw materials, generates excessive waste, and requires large capitalization. Furthermore, according to a European Parliament led study the textile industry is responsible for 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions, while a study from International Labor Organization found that up to 36% of those emissions came from the dyeing, printing and finishing steps in the process. In short, dyeing and printing is ripe for technological disruption due its technical shortcomings and environmental impact. NTXand its waterless coloration technology NTX Cooltrans provides a proven path forward.

NTX Cooltrans technology and the corresponding production ecosystem addresses all of these issues. It can execute designs precisely and consistently across all materials, within its ecosystem facilities. This eliminates waste generated by quality and consistency issues. It also makes the system agile and able to scale up or down capacity across the plants. The efficiency improvements of NTX Cooltrans can result in a shortened delivery cycle of finished products by 30 to 50%. NTX Cooltrans is both accurate & precise at dye transfer and color fixation, which lead to substantial energy and water savings. The state- of-the-art machinery requires less labor and provides safe, ergonomic working conditions. It is a prime example of the technologies necessary to implement environmental protection strategies arising across the globe.

NTX Management Team has the Experience, Industry Expertise, and Global Scope to Elevate NTX to new Global Leadership Heights

The management team of NTX has a rich background in the textile industry complemented by experience in the world's top 500 enterprises.

Chairman Kalvin Chung is the core technical soul of the company, developing revolutionary and innovative cold transfer printing and dyeing technologies, while guiding the R&D direction for the group.

the core technical soul of the company, developing revolutionary and innovative cold transfer printing and dyeing technologies, while guiding the R&D direction for the group. The General Manager of Strategic Development Center, Allen Lai , has developed the textile business in the Asia-Pacific region of the Bayer Group and is now responsible for supply chain development and joint venture planning.

, has developed the textile business in the region of the Bayer Group and is now responsible for supply chain development and joint venture planning. Ryosuke Chono, head of business development for casual wear brands, is a former executive of Japan's Toray Group.

Toray Group. David Yeh , head of Thailand's LP Group, is the current CEO of NTSG.

, head of LP Group, is the current CEO of NTSG. Peter Decorte , Puma's former Sr. Production Head in Asia, and also former CEO of Tong Siang Textiles, is responsible for the global brand fabric supply chain operations.

, Puma's former Sr. Production Head in Asia, and also former CEO of Tong Siang Textiles, is responsible for the global brand fabric supply chain operations. Jeffrey Hsu , Chief Innovation & Marketing Officer, has worked with well-known textile enterprises across Europe , the United States , and Asia . He is responsible for the development, marketing and sales of the group's innovative material applications with global apparel brands.

The leadership team has a proven track record of innovation and business development. NTX has already obtained over 100 patents for NTX Cooltrans. It has established valuable partnerships and built up a next generation supply chain ecosystem that is ready for the requirements of the decades to come.

Bolstered by the revolutionary breakthrough in printing and dyeing technology, NTX became an Adidas certified supplier and established a global supply chain of apparel fabrics for several international brands. NTX continues to establish cooperation with a number of leading textile and garment enterprises, and provides services for dozens of leading international clothing brands. As the world of textile production evolves and new environmental requirements, resource and energy use constraints, and business practice demands are revealed, NTX has shown to have a comprehensive leading edge to meet the challenges ahead.

About NTX

NTX is committed to creating revolutionary textile solutions through continuous research and innovation that are ecologically and economically sustainable. We are driven to achieve a zero-waste benchmark by conserving energy, reducing and eliminating water use, while never compromising performance or functionality. Our automated and modularizable system solutions allow for local-to-local production, further shortening lead times and cutting down on transportation emissions. Cost is often the unmentionable C word for sustainability, NTX believes that sustainability and economics must go hand-in-hand to materialize clean eco-conscious solutions into reality. For more information on NTX, please visit www.ntx.global

About Centurium Capital

Centurium Capital is a leading private equity investment firm in China and primarily focuses on investing in China's healthcare, technology, consumer and business services sectors. As a transformational capital provider with a focus on business model innovation and resolving structural deficiencies to unlock growth potential, Centurium pursues a hands-on and operations-centric investment approach to drive value creation and generate long term shareholder value. For more information on Centurium Capital, please visit www.centurium.com

About Luen Thai

Sustainable shared success through reinvention drives Luen Thai and makes it an eXtraOrdinary Company. We are a global leader in apparel and accessories manufacturing and in sustainable fashion technology. We are committed to give the best care to our people, communities, and the environment in all our locations. Luen Thai believes that cooperation resulting from working towards sustainable shared success with our stakeholders: shareholders, customers, suppliers, employees, and local communities, will create more positive and lasting benefits to end-consumers, the industry, and the world. At the forefront of our reinvention are quality, speed, flexibility, sustainability, and cost.

SOURCE Centurium Capital
OKLAHOMA CITY, Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Oklahoma Complete Health announced today it has donated critically needed infant formula to Infant Crisis Services. The formula will be distributed to underserved communities and help alleviate ongoing supply shortages. To date, over 100 cannisters of formula have been delivered providing approximately 2,100 meals for newborns and babies.

"We are so grateful for this generous donation from Oklahoma Complete Health during these times when so many families are in need," said Miki Farris, Executive Director of ICS. "This formula will provide the little ones of Oklahoma with the foundation they need to grow healthy and strong."

"The lack of availability of baby formula adds an undue stress on families and can have a negative impact on the health of the babies we seek to protect," said Clay Franklin, President and CEO of Oklahoma Complete Health. "Oklahoma Complete Health is happy to support Infant Crisis Services in their effort to provide formula to babies in the greatest need."

Many families are at least partially dependent on formula to feed and nourish their babies. The Oklahoma State Department of Health urges families not to resort to diluting formula or making homemade formula in the wake of shortages. While supplies are starting to slowly return, many underserved and rural areas are still experiencing critical shortages.

"Reaching babies inside and outside of the Oklahoma City metro is important as we seek to address the need in our rural communities," said Keisia Sobers-Butler, VP of Population Health of Oklahoma Complete Health. "Working with an organization like Infant Crisis Services is a vital part in our efforts to provide support to families during this critical time in a baby's development."

In a continued effort to help Oklahoma families through the formula shortage, Oklahoma Complete Health will provide additional deliveries of formula in the coming weeks and months. Infant Crisis Services will then distribute formula in Oklahoma, Caddo, Canadian, Carter, Cleveland, Comanche, Custer, Garvin, Grady, Kay, Lincoln, McClain, Payne, Pontotoc, Pottawatomie, Seminole, and Stephens counties.

If impacted by infant formula shortages, Oklahoma Complete Health is encouraging families to follow these guidelines and to seek out community resources for additional support, as needed:

DO talk with your pediatrician and ask if they have supplies of formula. Your local WIC office may also be able to suggest places to look.

talk with your pediatrician and ask if they have supplies of formula. Your local WIC office may also be able to suggest places to look. DO check smaller stores and local community pharmacies, which may not be out of supply when the bigger stores are.

check smaller stores and local community pharmacies, which may not be out of supply when the bigger stores are. DO try new formulas. Many babies can switch brands of formula, including generic store brands, unless your infant is on a specific extensively hydrolyzed or amino acid-based formula. Ask your pediatrician about recommended specialty formula alternatives available for your infant.

try new formulas. Many babies can switch brands of formula, including generic store brands, unless your infant is on a specific extensively hydrolyzed or amino acid-based formula. Ask your pediatrician about recommended specialty formula alternatives available for your infant. DO NOT make a homemade formula or use imported formulas. This is not safe for your infant, as there are specific nutritional needs for an infant. The FDA reviews and makes sure that all infant formula sold in U.S. stores meets very strict rules about their ingredients to ensure it supports healthy growth and development.

make a homemade formula or use imported formulas. This is not safe for your infant, as there are specific nutritional needs for an infant. The FDA reviews and makes sure that all infant formula sold in U.S. stores meets very strict rules about their ingredients to ensure it supports healthy growth and development. DO NOT switch to cow's milk or other milk substitutes from the dairy section of the grocery store, such as almond or soy beverages (sometimes labeled as milk). This is true for babies 0  12 months of age.

switch to cow's milk or other milk substitutes from the dairy section of the grocery store, such as almond or soy beverages (sometimes labeled as milk). This is true for babies 0  12 months of age. DO NOT water down formulas or use toddler formulas for infants younger than 12 months old. This includes adding more water when mixing powdered formula or adding extra water to ready-to-serve, non-concentrated liquid formula. Both practices affect the nutrition your infant is getting.

water down formulas or use toddler formulas for infants younger than 12 months old. This includes adding more water when mixing powdered formula or adding extra water to ready-to-serve, non-concentrated liquid formula. Both practices affect the nutrition your infant is getting. DO NOT purchase expired or damaged cans. Check expiration dates.

Families impacted by formula shortages can also visit infantcrisis.org to learn more about accessing their services.

About Oklahoma Complete Health

Oklahoma Complete Health is a Care Management Organization that serves the needs of Oklahomans through a range of health insurance solutions. Oklahoma Complete Health serves our communities by focusing on under-insured and uninsured individuals through its federal insurance marketplace plan (Ambetter) and its Medicare Advantage Plan (Wellcare). Oklahoma Complete Health is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Centene Corporation, a leading healthcare enterprise. For more information visit www.oklahomacompletehealth.com.

SOURCE Oklahoma Complete Health
CHARLOTTE, N.C., Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The leadership team of Okuma America Corporation, a world-leading builder of computer number control (CNC) machine tools, controls and automation systems, is pleased to recognize EMEC Machine Tools Inc. as its distributor of the year for Okuma's fiscal 2021 reporting year.

The leadership team of Okuma America Corporation, a world-leading builder of computer number control (CNC) machine tools, controls and automation systems, is pleased to recognize EMEC Machine Tools Inc. as its distributor of the year for Okumas fiscal 2021 reporting year.

Trevor Smethurst of the EMEC Machine Tools leadership team accepted the award on May 25, 2022, at Okuma's annual distributor meeting in Charlotte, North Carolina, USA. EMEC Machine Tools Inc is headquartered in Mississauga, Ontario with an additional office located in Montreal, Quebec, covering Eastern Canada and the Maritimes. EMEC has been an Okuma distributor since 1995.

"Receiving this Distributor of the Year Award was completely unexpected but truly a great honor, especially when you consider the caliber of our colleagues within the Okuma distribution family," shared EMEC Machine Tools Inc. President Bill Mara. "The award is recognition of the hard work and dedication of the EMEC team during what has been a very difficult time for everyone. On behalf of the ownership at EMEC, I can say we are very proud of our team."

The Okuma Distributor of the Year Award was established to recognize a distributor partner for exceptional performance in both selling and servicing Okuma products and services throughout a given year. More specifically, the award criteria focuses on performance across many disciplines including sales, operations, engineering, service, aftermarket parts, finance, marketing, HR and IT, all of which are vitally important to supporting Okuma's mission of passionately pursuing a customer for life.

Tim Thiessen, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Okuma, expressed his gratitude for EMEC, stating "valuing meaningful partnerships is one of our central corporate values at Okuma, and we truly value the strong partnership that we have experienced with the EMEC team for more than 25 years! Their commitment to creating and nurturing long-term customer relationships in Canada has resulted in growth opportunities for our customers and our mutual businesses. We look forward to many more years of partnership."

About EMEC Machine Tools Inc.

For over twenty-five years now EMEC Machine Tools Inc. has been privileged to represent some of the finest machine tool builders in the world on an exclusive basis across our territories in Eastern Canada. From day one the mainstay of our company has been the Okuma line of machine tools and over the years we have been able to enhance our product offerings with the addition of Tsugami. Soraluce, Milltronics and Geminis.

With so many years in business and over 3,000 installations across our territories we have come to recognize that customers are looking to build relationships with suppliers they can trust and who can help them achieve the results they need to compete. At EMEC, we continue to strive to improve and invest in the expertise to help our customers every step of the way and we look forward to sharing in our customers' success for the next 25 years.

For more information, visit www.emecmt.com or follow us on Facebook , Instagram , and LinkedIn .

About Okuma America Corporation

Okuma America Corporation is the U.S.-based sales and service affiliate of Okuma Corporation, a world-leading builder of CNC (computer numeric control) machine tools, controls and automation systems. The company was founded in 1898 in Nagoya, Japan, and is the industry's only single-source provider of CNC machines, drives, motors, encoders, spindles and automation systems, all manufactured by Okuma. The company designs its own CNC controls to integrate seamlessly with each machine tool's functionality. In 2014 Okuma launched the Okuma App Store, the industry's only centralized online marketplace for machine tool apps and related content. Along with its extensive distribution network (largest in the Americas), and Partners in THINC network of enhanced manufacturing technologies, Okuma is committed to helping users gain competitive advantage through the open possibilities of machine tools today and into the future. For more information, visit Okuma.com or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.

SOURCE Okuma America Corporation
NEW YORK, Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Oliver Wyman, a global management consulting firm and business of Marsh McLennan (NYSE: MMC), announced today the opening of a new Actuarial office in Bermuda and that Faisal Haddad will lead the office.

"As demand for our actuarial services continues to grow both in Bermuda and for our US clients with Bermuda subsidiaries, our new office under Faisal's leadership will establish a strong local presence and provide additional resources to better serve and collaborate with clients across the insurance industry," says David Weinsier, US Insurance Practice Leader, Oliver Wyman Actuarial. "I am excited to have Faisal lead and grow our Bermuda team and local offerings. He will strengthen our existing deep Bermuda and reinsurance expertise and enhance our ability to serve our clients."

Chad Wischmeyer, Actuarial Practice Managing Partner, adds: "We are proud of our growth and consistent high-quality service to our clients. Our new Bermuda office will bring Oliver Wyman's actuarial teams even closer to clients and better assist them with their strategic and business needs globally."

The office opening marks a new milestone in Oliver Wyman's global footprint. With a local presence and resources now in Bermuda, Oliver Wyman will improve its service to clients across all industries and capabilities.

Faisal Haddad has more than 15 years of diverse international industry experience for reinsurers and consultancies across both sides of the Atlantic. He specializes in offshore reinsurance solutions for back books and new product offerings, capital management and balance sheet optimization. An Approved Actuary for companies in Bermuda, Faisal has assisted clients with setting up offshore reinsurers, primarily Bermuda and Cayman, and discussions with the regulators. Before joining Oliver Wyman, Mr. Haddad was the Chief Actuary for Brookfield's offshore entities in Bermuda and Cayman. Prior to that, he was with Willis Towers Watson Bermuda.

About Oliver Wyman

Oliver Wyman is a global leader in management consulting. With offices in more than 70 cities across 30 countries, Oliver Wyman combines deep industry knowledge with specialized expertise in strategy, operations, risk management, and organization transformation. The firm has more than 5,700 professionals around the world who work with clients to optimize their business, improve their operations and risk profile, and accelerate their organizational performance to seize the most attractive opportunities. Oliver Wyman is a business of Marsh McLennan [NYSE: MMC].

For more information, visit www.oliverwyman.com. Follow Oliver Wyman on Twitter @OliverWyman.

SOURCE Oliver Wyman
Maine-based internet service provider utilizes Tarana's next-generation fixed wireless technology to bring fast, affordable monthly packages to Millinocket

HALLOWELL, Maine, Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Outer Reach Broadband, a Maine-based internet service provider, announced today the launch of its internet service to the town of Millinocket, providing a far less expensive alternative to cable companies and the like. Utilizing next-generation fixed wireless access (ngFWA) technology from Tarana, an industry-altering broadband solution provider, Outer Reach is now able to provide over 1,800 Millinocket homes with high-speed, reliable internet service. Monthly internet packages start at just $44.99.

A view of Penboscot Ave in Millinocket, ME.

"Joining the Millinocket community is a huge thrill for us," said Tom Kirby, President of Outer Reach Broadband. "It's a truly special town that will benefit from accessible high-speed internet subscriptions in exciting new ways. Our home-grown approach to connecting communities was made for Maine towns just like Millinocket, so we're really looking forward to these new opportunities."

For the project, Outer Reach implemented Tarana's Gigabit 1 (G1) wireless broadband solution to cover six square miles with high-speed internet service. Planning and development for the project kicked off in December 2021 and was entirely completed in June 2022, totaling just six months to deploy a full, Tarana-backed network. Basil Alwan, CEO of Tarana, said, "We are delighted to help Outer Reach close the digital divide in small-town Maine. Now the people of Millinocket have an option for quality internet without long delays or high prices. It is great to see our G1 platform making a difference in deserving communities."

About Outer Reach Broadband

Outer Reach Broadband is a Maine broadband company founded in 2020, on a mission to close Maine's digital divide by providing fast, reliable and affordable internet access. Outer Reach is committed to delivering dependable customer service and cutting edge fixed wireless technology. For more information, visit https://outerreachbroadband.com .

About Tarana

Tarana is on a mission to accelerate the pace of bringing fast and affordable internet access to the world. With a decade of research and $400M+ of investment, they've created an entirely unique next-generation fixed wireless access (ngFWA) technology instantiated in their Gigabit 1 (G1) platform. G1 delivers a game-changing advance in broadband economics using both licensed and unlicensed spectrum, and has been installed by over 120 service providers globally since launching in 2021. Visit www.taranawireless.com to learn more.

SOURCE Outer Reach Broadband, LLC
MANILA, Philippines, Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- PLDT Inc. officially fired up the US-Transpacific Jupiter Cable system, the Philippines' fastest, direct data cable link to the US and Japan. This latest cable system will immensely boost the country's international data capacity and advance the digital infrastructure needed to further spur the country's economic growth.

PLDT activated country's link to the newest international submarine cable with some of the top enterprises from the country's major industries, key officials from the government, and diplomatic partners. "The PLDT Group takes pride in leading our nation's digital advancement, made possible through dynamic synergies with government and private sector partners," PLDT and Smart President and CEO Alfredo S. Panlilio said as he acknowledged event guests.

The 14,000-kilometer Jupiter Cable system is the newest international gateway connecting the Philippines directly from PLDT's cable landing station in Daet, Camarines Norte to Japan and the US West Coast.

Already ahead in terms of international capacities among Philippine telcos, Jupiter will triple PLDT's international capacity to about 60 Terabit/s, further cementing its lead in the industry and reinforcing its commitment to driving the country's digital capabilities forward.

Together with a sound investment environment, robust ICT capabilities, and available local data center infrastructure, the capacity offered by Jupiter is expected to help promote the Philippines to global hyperscalers and position the country as the new digital hub in the Asia-Pacific.

"This milestone immensely strengthens our thrust in helping us position the Philippines as the next hyperscaler hub of Asia-Pacific and enriching the country's Hyperscale Ecosystem," said PLDT and Smart FVP and Head of Enterprise Business Group Jojo G. Gendrano.

"It will also enable us to increase international capacity into our data centers  now a major component of the country's digital ecosystem  and enhance the attractiveness of the country as an investment destination. Our network of VITRO data centers, with our newest to be built in Sta. Rosa, readies the country to service and drive this rising industry," he added.

Currently, PLDT has extensive participation in 16 international submarine cable networks and is set to expand further with the completion of two more major international cable systems, namely Asia Direct Cable (ADC) and the APRICOT cable system, set to be completed in the next two years. It also operates the most expansive fiber optic network among local ISPs at 803,000 kilometers.

SOURCE PLDT Inc.
Global leader in printing and shipping solutions is projected to open over 20 new centers this year

DENVER, Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- PostNet , a global leader in high-quality printing and shipping solutions, continues to showcase its dedication to growth after opening nine new centers this year. The company is positioned to open more than 20 centers across the United States before the year ends.

PostNet has opened nine centers this year and is positioned to open more than 20 centers across the United States before the year ends.

"Franchising offers small business owners a proven model, support, brand recognition and more," said Bill McPherson, vice president of franchise development. "Competition is vigorous in this industry, yet we have been able to grow at an exponential rate. That is a testament to our team and the culture we've built at PostNet."

PostNet's growth hasn't gone unnoticed. In January, the franchise was named to Entrepreneur's Franchise 500 list, which recognizes the top franchises in the United States. In addition, Entrepreneur also named PostNet to its Top Global Franchise list. That list is comprised of the top 200 franchises that have an expanded presence internationally.

"Opportunities for business ownership are high right now despite the difficult business climate over the past two years," McPherson said. "People are drawn to PostNet because it offers a chance to be successful while also addressing the needs of small businesses. That is a win-win combination for everyone involved."

PostNet franchisees offer printing, shipping, marketing solutions and mailboxes to their clients. From designing a custom graphic to packing and shipping packages, the franchise offers various services for their communities. For nearly three decades, PostNet has franchised and built an extensive network of business centers around the world.

For more information, visit https://www.postnet.com/.

About PostNet

PostNet opened its doors in 1993. With nearly 700 locations in North America, Central America, South America and Africa, PostNet is a global leader in printing and shipping solutions. In 2017, PostNet joined the MBE Worldwide family. Combined, MBE has nearly 2,600 locations in 44 countries. For more information about PostNet services, visit www.postnet.com. To learn about franchise opportunities, visit www.postnetfranchise.com.

About MBE Worldwide

MBE Worldwide S.p.A. ("MBE"), a privately-owned company with its headquarters in Italy, is a Global Commerce enabler for SMBs and consumers thanks to its platform providing e-commerce, fulfillment, shipping, marketing and print solutions via multi-brand operations: PrestaShop, Mail Boxes Etc. (except the US and Canada), PostNet, PACK & SEND, Spedingo.com, AlphaGraphics, Multicopy and Print Speak. The combination of our retail platform - that currently counts 2,900+ Service Centers in 53 Countries with more than 12.000 associates - with our PrestaShop ecommerce platform served almost one million business customers in FY 2021 generating 1.01 billion (US $1.2 billion) of System Wide Sales and 24 billion (US $28.5 billion) of e-commerce Gross Merchandise Value.

For additional information please visit MBE Worldwide Group websites at www.mbecorporate.com - www.prestashop.com/en - www.mbeglobal.com - www.postnet.com - www.packsend.com.au - www.spedingo.com/en - www.alphagraphics.com - www.multicopy.nl - www.printspeak.com - www.mbe.it - www.mbe.es - www.mbe.de - www.mbefrance.fr - www.mbe.pl - www.mbeportugal.pt - www.mbe.co.uk

MEDIA CONTACT:

Heather Ripley

Ripley PR

865-977-1973

[email protected]

SOURCE PostNet
NEW YORK, Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of investors of Unilever PLC ("Unilever" or the "Company") (NYSE: UL). Such investors are advised to contact Robert S. Willoughby at [email protected] or 888-476-6529, ext. 7980.

The investigation concerns whether Unilever and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices.

[Click here for information about joining the class action]

Unilever is a British multinational consumer goods company which sells more than 400 products in over 190 countries, including Ben & Jerry's ice cream, which they acquired in 2000. In an attempt to preserve Ben & Jerry's longstanding "Social Mission," Unilever's acquisition of Ben & Jerry's included allowing for an independent board of directors, which was given primary responsibility for preserving and enhancing the objectives of the company's Social Mission (the "B&J Board").

More than 20 years after the acquisition, Ben & Jerry's remains a wholly owned subsidiary of Unilever with an independent board addressing the company's Social Mission. Since the acquisition, the B&J Board continued its Social Mission by engaging in promotions and advocacy across a host of issues concerning the environment, voter turnout, fair trade, and genetically modified organisms. Today, the B&J Board, chaired by Anuradha Mittal ("Mittal"), consists primarily of social activists who joined long after Unilever's acquisition.

The B&J Board passed a resolution in July 2020 to end sales of Ben & Jerry's products in areas that the B&J Board considers to be Palestinian territories illegally occupied by Israel. According to Mittal, Ben & Jerry's CEO Matthew McCarthy ("McCarthy") chose not to "operationalize" the resolution immediately, thus temporarily thwarting the B&J Board's decision. During the morning of July 19, 2021, Unilever and its hand-picked CEO McCarthy "operationalized" the B&J Board's resolution to boycott Israel. Ben & Jerry's announced on its website and through its Twitter account that, upon the expiration of the current licensing agreement by which its products had been distributed in Israel for decades, Ben & Jerry's would end sales of its ice cream in "Occupied Palestinian Territory", but Ben & Jerry's would purportedly continue to sell its products in Israel.

The decision by the B&J Board appeared to arise out of the boycott, divestment, and sanctions ("BDS") movement. The BDS movement is a pro-Palestinian movement promoting boycotts, divestments, and economic sanctions against Israel. The BDS movement's objective is to coerce Israel into making concessions to the Palestinians by using boycotts and the like to exert economic and political pressure. Additionally, and of particular significance here, 35 U.S. states have adopted laws, executive orders, or resolutions aimed at discouraging boycotts, divestment, and sanctions of Israel ("Anti-BDS Legislation").

During the morning of July 22, 2021, CNBC reported that the states of Texas and Florida were examining Ben & Jerry's actions in connection with the states' Anti-BDS Legislation. In addition to condemnation of Ben & Jerry's boycott by Texas Governor Greg Abbott, CNBC reported that Texas State Comptroller Glenn Hegar, who controls billions of dollars in assets for Texas' public pension funds, had already told his office to take action. Similarly, the state of Florida's CFO Jimmy Patronis ("Patronis"), who controls Florida's public pension funds, told CNBC that his office was already discussing the issue. In a letter reportedly sent to Ben & Jerry's CEO, Patronis wrote: "It is my belief that Ben & Jerry's brazen refusal to do business in Israel will result in your placement on the Scrutinized Companies that Boycott Israel List." The letter also stated that Florida would then "be prohibited from investing in Ben & Jerry's or its parent company, Unilever." Being added to the list also meant that Unilever would not be able to enter or renew contracts with the state or any municipality in Florida.

Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com

CONTACT:

Robert S. Willoughby

Pomerantz LLP

[email protected]

888-476-6529 ext. 7980

SOURCE Pomerantz LLP
NEW YORK, Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Squarespace, Inc. (NYSE: SQSP), the all-in-one website building and ecommerce platform, today announced the expansion of its board of directors with the appointment of Neela Montgomery, effective August 3, 2022.

"We are pleased to welcome Neela Montgomery to the Squarespace Board," said Anthony Casalena, Founder & CEO of Squarespace. "We believe her global leadership experience will be a tremendous benefit to our long-term growth strategy."

Neela Montgomery

Neela Montgomery is currently a Board Partner at Greycroft Partners LLC, a venture capital firm and serves on the board of Logitech International S.A., where she has held positions on the Audit and Compensation Committees. Ms. Montgomery brings more than 20 years of global retail and consumer leadership experience, having served as Executive Vice President of CVS Health and President of CVS Pharmacy. Prior to CVS Health, Ms. Montgomery was CEO of Crate & Barrel Holdings, a global home furnishings retailer that includes Crate & Barrel, CB2, and Hudson Grace. In addition, she served on the executive board of Otto Group, a global retail and services group and one of the leading ecommerce retailers in the world and served as Executive Chairwoman across five of its operating companies, including Crate & Barrel. Earlier in her career, she spent 12 years in Tesco PLC, a British multinational retailer and a top 10 international retailer, in various leadership roles across strategy, international, ecommerce, and merchandising. Ms. Montgomery studied at Oxford University and holds an MBA from INSEAD in France and Singapore.

About Squarespace

Squarespace is the all-in-one platform with everything to sell anything, providing customers in over 200 countries and territories with all the tools they need to sell physical products, digital content, classes, appointments, reservations and more. Powered by best-in-class design for a consistent brand experience across all touchpoints, our suite of fully integrated products enables anyone to manage their projects and businesses through websites, domains, ecommerce, marketing tools, and scheduling, along with tools for managing a social media presence with Unfold and hospitality business management via Tock. Squarespace is headquartered in downtown New York City, with offices in Dublin, Ireland, Portland, Oregon, and Chicago, Illinois. For more information, visit www.squarespace.com.

Contacts

Investors

[email protected]

Media

[email protected]

SOURCE Squarespace, Inc.
American Lung Association releases data that examines Americans' knowledge about lung cancer on World Lung Cancer Day

CHICAGO, Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Survey data released today show that only 40% of Americans are concerned that they might get lung cancer and only about one in five have talked to their doctor about their risk for the disease, despite lung cancer being the leading cause of cancer deaths in the U.S. Today on World Lung Cancer Day, the American Lung Association's LUNG FORCE initiative released the 2022 Lung Health Barometer, a national survey that examines awareness, attitudes and beliefs about lung cancer.

"Lung cancer's burden on families, individuals and our healthcare system is far too great, and awareness about the disease is too low. In fact, only 29% of Americans know that lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in the U.S. This low awareness is due in part to an undeserved stigma that has followed lung cancer for decades. The fact is that anyone can get lung cancer, and no one deserves it," said Harold Wimmer, National President and CEO of the American Lung Association. "The good news is that the lung cancer survival rate has risen substantially, and awareness of this deadly disease has steadily increased. Greater awareness of lung cancer is key to securing research funding, encouraging lung cancer screening, reducing stigma around this disease, and ultimately, saving lives."

The 2022 Lung Health Barometer surveyed 4,000 Americans nationwide about lung health and lung cancer. Key findings show that:

Only about one in four respondents (26%) were aware that the lung cancer survival rate increased by over 30% in the past ten years.

73% of adults have not spoken with their doctor about their risk for lung cancer and only 40% are concerned they might get the disease.

Only 29% of Americans know that lung cancer is the leading cancer killer.

Nearly 70% of respondents were not familiar with the availability of lung cancer screening for early detection of the disease.

See more Lung Health Barometer survey results here.

Lung cancer screening is key to early diagnosis, and early diagnosis saves lives. While awareness about the screening is still low, there has been significant work done recently to increase eligibility. Last year, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force expanded the guidelines for screening to include individuals ages 50 to 80 years who have a 20 pack-year smoking history and currently smoke or have quit within the past 15 years. This nearly doubled the number of individuals eligible for screening and has the potential to save significantly more lives than previous guidelines. Learn more about lung cancer screening at SavedbytheScan.org.

This is the seventh year of the Lung Health Barometer, which is conducted by the Lung Association's LUNG FORCE initiative. LUNG FORCE unites those impacted by lung cancer and their caregivers across the country to stand together against lung cancer.

For media interested in scheduling an interview with a lung cancer expert, contact Jill Dale at 312-940-7001 or [email protected].

About the American Lung Association

The American Lung Association is the leading organization working to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease through education, advocacy and research. The work of the American Lung Association is focused on four strategic imperatives: to defeat lung cancer; to champion clean air for all; to improve the quality of life for those with lung disease and their families; and to create a tobacco-free future. For more information about the American Lung Association, which has a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator and is a Gold-Level GuideStar Member, or to support the work it does, call 1-800-LUNGUSA (1-800-586-4872) or visit: Lung.org.

About LUNG FORCE

The American Lung Association's LUNG FORCE initiative those impacted by lung cancer and their caregivers across the country to stand together against lung cancer. Increased awareness about lung cancer, more education on lifesaving screening and more research funding are critical to fuel lifesaving breakthroughs. Through education, advocacy and research, LUNG FORCE works to provide hope to all those impacted by the disease and save more lives. Find out more at LUNGFORCE.org .

American Lung Association  55 W. Wacker Drive, Suite 1150  Chicago, IL 60601

1331 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Ste. 1425 North  Washington, D.C. 20004

1-800-LUNGUSA (1-800-586-4872) Lung.org

CONTACT: Jill Dale | American Lung Association

P: 312-940-7001 M: 720-438-8289E: [email protected]

SOURCE American Lung Association
MBABANE  Police say the teacher who allegedly hired four men to rob her husband, intended to kill him in order to use funds from his estate to pay her debts amounting to over E30 000.

The investigating officer said Winile Taurus Antones was up to her neck in debts and allegedly plotted to kill her husband and use her inheritance to settle the debts. In papers filed by the Crown to oppose the application for bail that has been filed by the teacher, Antones, the investigating officer described the robbery of Bhekumusa Dube as a murder gone horribly wrong. Antones (37) of Timbutini, who is a teacher at Emvimbeko High School, was arrested for allegedly conspiring with her cousin and two others, in the hacking of Dube on the head with a bush knife and further kicking and slapping him with open hands. They also have been accused of robbing him of his white Chevrolet Corsa LDV registered BSD 426 BH, valued at E51 000 and his two cellphones worth E1 900.

Incident



The incident happed at Lwandle in the Manzini Region on June 5, 2022. Dube and Antones are said to have separated and the teacher resides at her parental home at Lwandle. Antones was arrested together with Siphamandla Ndzinisa (24), Sandile Ndzinisa (29), both of Lwandle, and Bongumusa Masina (28) of Thulwane. Antones, who is pregnant, filed an application for bail at the High Court. Among her reasons to seek to be granted bail, the teacher told the court that she was almost due to give birth. The Crown has filed papers to oppose her release from custody. The investigating officer, Detective Sergeant Absalom Dlamini, who is based in the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) at Sidvokodvo Police Station, said the evidence at their disposal showed that Antones was the one who orchestrated the commission of the offence.

Dlamini informed the court that Antones allegedly engaged the other accused persons to assist her in carrying out the murder of her husband. He stated that Antones wanted Dube to die so that she would use her inheritance to settle her debts. The evidence in the possession of the police, according to Dlamini, suggests that Antones owed three people amounts including E17 000, E8 000 and E5 000 adding up to E30 000. These amounts, according to the investigator, exclude interest on the debts.

Investigations

We gathered through the investigations that the plan was to eliminate the complainant (Dube) so that money from his estate could be used to settle the debts. In fact, it was supposed to be murder as she wanted her husband dead so that she used the inheritance monies to settle her debts as she is heavily in debts. The robbery charge was a result of a murder plot gone wrong, Dlamini said. He informed the court that there was evidence implicating Antones in the commission of the offence. He submitted that they had evidence suggesting that she allegedly wanted her husband dead because the two reportedly had serious domestic issues and adding to the domestic issues was Antoness debts. The investigator alleged that there was also evidence to the effect that Antones orchestrated the whole thing and was seen picking up her co-accused in her car after the commission of this offence.

I submit further that our investigations revealed that accused two and three (Siphamandla and Sandile) are related to the applicant, hence her release on bail may endanger her life as the other relatives are outraged by the applicants action and this may result in them taking the law into their own hands, the investigator added. Dlamini said it would not be in the interest of justice to grant her bail.
MONTREAL and QUEBEC, Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Tacora Resources Inc. ("Tacora" or the "Company") today announced that Heng Vuong will be joining the Company as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer on September 12, 2022. Mr. Vuong will lead Tacora's finance, treasury, tax, risk management, corporate development and accounting functions and report directly to Joe Broking, President and Chief Executive Officer.

"I am very pleased to welcome Heng to the Tacora team," said Mr. Broking. "Heng's experience and proven track record will be extremely valuable as we grow Tacora into a leading producer of high grade iron ore for the advancement of green steel processes and, subject to final process verification and economic assessment, possibly the only North American supplier of high purity manganese for development of advanced battery technology."

Tacora Resources Inc. Appoints Heng Vuong as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Tweet this

Mr. Vuong will be joining Tacora with more than 18 years of global investment banking and capital markets experience in Toronto, New York and Beijing, most of these years having been spent focused on the metals and mining sector at Goldman, Sachs & Co., a leading global financial institution. In his most recent role as a Managing Director, Investment Banking Services he advised companies in the natural resource, industrial, technology and real estate sectors.

Mr. Vuong holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from HEC Montreal, is originally from Montreal and is fluent in English and French and is proficient in Mandarin Chinese.

Investor and Analyst Contact:

Joe Broking

President and Chief Executive Officer

T  +1 (218) 398-0079

E  [email protected]

About Tacora Resources Inc.

Tacora is a private company that is focused on the production and sale of high-grade and quality iron ore products that improve the efficiency and environmental performance of steel making and, subject to final process verification and economic assessment, the development of a high purity manganese product for advanced battery technology. The Company owns and operates the Scully Mine, an iron ore concentrate producer located in Wabush, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada with a production capacity of 6 million tonnes per year, and owns the Sydvaranger Mine, a mine located in Sr-Varanger, Norway that is currently idled with a feasibility study recently completed for an expansion to 4 million tonnes per year of iron ore concentrate. The Company's equity investors include funds managed by Proterra Investment Partners LP; Aequor Holdings LLC; Cargill, Inc.; a fund managed by Orion Mine Finance; Titlis Mining AS; and MagGlobal LLC. 100% of the Scully Mine concentrate is purchased and marketed globally by a subsidiary of Cargill Inc. Additional information about the company is available at www.tacoraresources.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains statements that are forward-looking in nature and relate to our expectations, beliefs, and intentions. All statements other than statements of historical fact are statements that could be deemed to be forward-looking. Although Tacora believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors and are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may accordingly differ materially from those in forward-looking statements, and these statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause outcomes to differ from our expectations. The forward-looking information set forth herein reflects Tacora's expectations as at the date of this press release and is subject to change after such date. Tacora disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

SOURCE Tacora Resources Inc.
Texas de Brazil will match up to $25,000 in guest donations

DALLAS, Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Guests dining at Texas de Brazil from August 1st to September 30th can join the Brazilian-American steakhouse brand as it launches its annual campaign to support the lifesaving mission of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital : Finding cures. Saving children. Since beginning the partnership in 2013, Texas de Brazil and its patrons have raised nearly $1,000,000 for St. Jude.

Guests dining at Texas de Brazil from August 1stSeptember 30th can join the brand as it launches its annual campaign. Tweet this St. Jude Children's Research Hospital patient, Eleanor. Diagnosis - blood cancer.

Guests dining at domestic locations can help support patients and families at St. Jude by adding contributions of any dollar amount to their check totals at the end of their dining experience. To reward the guest for their donation, Texas de Brazil is providing a $5 dining certificate for every $5 donated. Gift certificates have a maximum potential of $50 and must be redeemed during a future visit. Texas de Brazil will be matching donations up to $25,000.

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Each year, approximately 16,000 children and teens in the U.S. are diagnosed with cancer. Childhood Cancer Awareness Month is about people and organizations coming together to raise funds and awareness needed to cure childhood cancer. Supporters can join St. Jude Children's Research Hospital as it rallies the nation to make a significant impact and save more kids.

"Year after year, our guests continue to support our partnership with St. Jude and because of them, we are able to help St. Jude end childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases," says Salim Asrawi, president of Texas de Brazil. "We value our guests and their contributions, as well as our employees who eagerly promote the campaign and ensure its success," he adds.

Because of generous supporters, families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food so they can focus on helping their child live. Treatments invented at St. Jude have helped increase the overall childhood cancer survival rate from 20% to more than 80% since it opened in 1962. St. Jude won't stop until no child dies from cancer.

Call Texas de Brazil restaurants for more information or visit texasdebrazil.com and view the 'Specials' page.

About Texas de Brazil Churrascaria

Texas de Brazil is an authentic Brazilian-American steakhouse featuring a continuous dining experience that blends the unique culture of Brazil with the generous hospitality of Texas. The menu features a vast selection of grilled meats, a 50-item salad area, an award-winning wine list and a la carte dessert selections. Founded as a family-owned business in 1998, Texas de Brazil now has locations in 20 states along with 12 international locations. For more information, visit www.texasdebrazil.com .

About St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is leading the way the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. Its purpose is clear: Finding cures. Saving children. It is the only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center devoted solely to children. Treatments invented at St. Jude have helped push the overall childhood cancer survival rate from 20% to more than 80% since the hospital opened in 1962. St. Jude won't stop until no child dies from cancer. St. Jude shares the breakthroughs it makes, and every child saved at St. Jude means doctors and scientists worldwide can use that knowledge to save thousands more children. Because of generous donors, families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food, so they can focus on helping their child live. Visit St. Jude Inspire to discover powerful St. Jude stories of hope, strength, love and kindness. Join the St. Jude mission by visiting stjude.org, liking St. Jude on Facebook, following St. Jude on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and TikTok, and subscribing to its YouTube channel.

SOURCE Texas de Brazil
Consumers can fill up at designated fueling pumps across the US to help kids in their community

HOUSTON, Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Driven by the success of its first year, Shell Oil Products US ("Shell") is proud to announce the return of The Giving Pump initiative, benefiting non-profits across the nation. Starting today and running through Oct. 31, a portion of the purchases made by consumers who use the designated pump at select Shell stations will support local children's charities. For the second year, The Giving Pump can be found across 48 states as part of Shell's Force For Good initiative to give back and drive positive change in local communities.

The Giving Pump by Shell will support 527 U.S. non-profits such as children's hospitals, school and literacy programs. Tweet this On August 1, Shell unveils The Giving Pump at 6,500 Shell gas stations nationwide. Proceeds from The Giving Pump will support 527 local charities making a positive impact on the lives of children. In 2021, Shell raised over $1.5 million for local non-profits through The Giving Pump initiative. In 2022, The Giving Pump expands to over 100 more charities and adds another month to the campaign, ending on October 31.

The Giving Pump will be specially marked at participating stations with colorful signage to inspire consumers to fuel up and support a range of children's focused nonprofits, including children's hospitals, schools, literacy programs, youth-based food pantries and more. The number of Shell stations has more than doubled from last year with more than 6,500 Shell stations across the US participating in this three-month Giving Pump initiative. To find a participating station near you, visit shell.us/givingpump.

"We are thrilled to bring back The Giving Pump to make an even bigger impact this year and give customers the chance to support local charities across the country," said Shannon Bryan, Manager of Brand and Communications for Shell Retail US. "We encourage our customers to pay it forward at the pump and choose The Giving Pump on their next fill up or road trip pit stop to help us fuel the future of local communities."

The Giving Pump is supporting 527 local charities across the US including Boys & Girls Clubs, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Shriner's Hospital for Children, Make a Wish Foundation, Autism Speaks and more.

In 2021, Shell wholesalers and retailers donated over $1.5 million, supporting over 400 children's charities through The Giving Pump. In the US, the designated giving pumps were used 7.2 million times and pumped 72 million gallons of gas.

Visit shell.us/givingpump to find additional program details, participating sites and content on local charity partners, and follow @ShellStationsUS to keep up with the latest news.

Media Images: Link

ABOUT SHELL

Shell Oil Products US is an affiliate of Shell plc, a global group of energy and petrochemical companies with operations in more than 70 countries. In the U.S., Shell operates in 50 states and employs more than 12,000 people working to help tackle the energy challenges of the future.

SOURCE Shell
The 8th Branded Shorts - Now Open for Submissions

Highlighted by the newly established HR Competition supported by Indeed for short films from the perspective of Human Resources as well as the 2nd Deloitte Digital Award that combines "digital" & "human" themes to depict the future of the digital world in business and society

SHIBUYA, Japan, Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Beginning Monday, August 1st, Branded Shorts, Japan's only international branded movie competition, will begin accepting submissions for the 2023 Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia, one of Asia's biggest international short film festivals and accredited by the Academy Awards.

URL http://brandedshorts.jp/en/entry2023/

Go Miyashita of Deloitte Digital & Go Mizushima of Indeed Japan

Branded Shorts, established by the festival in 2016, is a new type of communication by companies and organizations that transcends the boundaries of "advertising" and aims to communicate their social values (services, products, and experiences) to consumers, as a form of "cinematic communication." The festival defines Branded Movies as films that are selected and have eight perspectives; inevitability, ability to change perceptions, ability to share, message power, viewership retention, originality, timelessness, and post-viewing retention.

During the submission period, we will announce a short list that will lead to the final nomination. We will gather jurors from various industries in advertising and film for the 2023 film festival, and the best Branded Movie selection will be awarded the "Branded Shorts of the Year."

The HR category supported by Indeed, newly established this year, is calling out for Branded Movies from the perspective of human resources, and recruitment. The Deloitte Digital Award will be presented to the best film among all nominated entries based on the theme of "Fusion of Digital and Humanity" that emphasize "Purpose" (meaning of existence), "New" (novelty), "Design," "Human Experience" (value of human experience), and "Engagement" (affection).

In addition, for the 12th Visual Tourism Awards, we are looking for regional branded movies produced by local governments and organizations.

For the Deloitte Digital Award

Statement from Go Miyashita, Deloitte Digital Marketing Officer:

"We rediscovered much potential of branded movie trough many award candidates this year.

We hope next 2023 award becomes an opportunity to create "New" way of communication to express companies' and social purpose.

Looking forward to seeing fantastic works."

For the HR competition supported by Indeed

Statement from Go Mizushima, Indeed Japan Marketing Director:

"Indeed Japan promotes "Owned Media Recruiting," the concept that actively communicates a company's mission, purpose, and culture through their own media.

We have high expectations for the effectiveness of branded movies as a new method of information dissemination.

We believe that a company's appeal does not necessarily have to be grandiose, and that it will resonate more with people if it is realistic. We hope that you will revitalize the dormant attraction of your company and convey it to job seekers."

Media Contact:

Fuyumi Tanaka

0354748201

[email protected]

SOURCE Committee for Short Shorts Film Festival
Four-Day Event in Las Vegas Will Feature Guest Speakers Walsh, Tai

LAS VEGAS, Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Nearly 3,000 members and allies of the United Steelworkers (USW) union from across the United States, Canada and the Caribbean will meet next week in Las Vegas to chart the future of the largest industrial union in North America during the union's International Constitutional Convention in Las Vegas.

It will be the USW's first in-person constitutional convention since 2017. More than 2,300 elected delegates, 600 observers, international officers and staff, and more than 100 international guests from unions in 22 countries, will gather under the banner "Everybody's Union."

The USW delegation represents 850,000 workers and retirees in a diverse array of industries including metals, mining, rubber, paper and forestry, oil refining, chemicals, natural gas, health care, renewable energy, communications, transportation, higher education and the public sector.

The proceedings will open at 10 a.m. on Aug. 8 in the MGM Grand Marquee Ballroom, and are expected to conclude by 5 p.m. on Aug. 11. USW International President Tom Conway will deliver a keynote address on the state of the union and the opportunities and challenges facing USW members and working families across North America.

Guest speakers are expected to include U.S. Labor Secretary Marty Walsh, U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai, AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler, and Mexican Senator and labor leader Napoleon Gomez Urrutia.

Updates from the proceedings will be made available daily on the union's convention site: convention.usw.org. A daily photo collection will be available at www.usw.org/flickr.

To sign up for text messages, text USWCVN to 47486 (U.S.) or to 32323 (Canada). Social media updates will be available at the following sites:

- Facebook.com/Steelworkers, Facebook.com/USWMetallos (Canada)

- Twitter.com/Steelworkers, @steelworkers, @steelworkersCA (Canada), #EverybodysUnion

- Instagram.com/Steelworkers, Instagram.com/uswmetallos

- YouTube.com/steelworkers

MEDIA: USW-issued credentials are necessary for reporters to gain access to the convention floor. E-mail Jess Kamm Broomell or R.J. Hufnagel of the USW using the information above for instructions on how to obtain credentials.

The USW is the largest industrial union in North America, representing workers in a range of industries including metals, mining, rubber, paper and forestry, oil refining, health care, security, hotels, and municipal governments and agencies.

Contact: Jess Kamm Broomell, [email protected] or R.J. Hufnagel, [email protected]

SOURCE United Steelworkers (USW)
Music Video Brings Love & Enchantment to Afrobeat World

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- On August 6th, BET releases the World Premier of JayQ The Legends music video 'So In Love', an afrobeat adventure of love and enchantment filmed in Nassau Bahamas and surrounding deserted Islands.

So In Love Releases on BET Aug 6, 2022

"My 'So In Love' video concept is a natural beauty with a heart-forward metaphor," says JayQ The Legend. "In the face of news and social media filled with violence, disasters, and hate, I bring you the simplicity of beauty, love, and adventure." Continuing on, "However, there was nothing simple about the making of this video, as it required getting into shoulder-deep Caribbean waters to reach un-dockable islands, where we were shooting."

'So in Love' is a song that I wrote for a very special person in my life. We all can find that special person if we open ourselves up and stop hiding behind our insecurities." JayQ continues, "This song will be the first song I dance to at my wedding. I can't wait for everyone to share in my joy, and I hope that will inspire lovers around the world."

JayQ The Legend is a Billboard artist, most recognizable for his song "Body Talk", which is featured in the Netflix film "The App that Stole Christmas". He has created his own genre of music "afrobounce", a combination of his heritage and New Orleans upbringing. A Wiz-kid smooth in his delivery and this energy on stage is undeniable. Ed Sheeran, Drake, Beyonce and Chris brown have given a positive nod to Afrobeats, the new mega-genre of world music, JayQ The Legend puts his special twist on.

"So In Love" is the perfect wedding song. His song "Holiday Feeling" is the follow-up Bar Mitvzah song to the Black-eyed P's "I gotta feeling."

He is currently on tour with Master P. The music video, shot on a Blackmagic 6k Pro, was created and directed by BreakOut Music CEO, Miriam Bavly.

Breakout Music, is an Award Winning Music, Movie, & Media Company

Breakout Music's mission is two-fold 1) fortify exceptional artists with strategic and personalized game plans to elevate their brand & careers, and 2) create and produce feel-good, thought-provoking screenplays that elevate society.

This press release was issued through 24-7PressRelease.com. For further information, visit http://www.24-7pressrelease.com.

SOURCE BreakOut Music and Films
Daily Contest Voting Period Runs Through August 31

KNOXVILLE, Tenn., Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- PetSafe brand , a global leader in pet product solutions, has chosen the 30 finalist communities to compete for dog park funds in its popular Bark for Your Park grant contest. This year, PetSafe will award prizes totaling $125,000 to nine deserving communities.

2022 PetSafe Bark for Your Park Grant Finalists

Finalists were chosen by a panel of PetSafe judges who scored each submission on the level of community enthusiasm and support for a dog park project along with the impact that a dog park project will have on the community. Participants entered to win funds for either a new park or to improve an existing dog park. Following the contest voting period, four communities with the highest votes will receive $25,000 for the construction of a new park and five will be awarded $5,000 to enhance their local dog parks. The 2022 finalists for each category include:

New Parks

Beeville, TX

Bellville, OH

Damascus, VA

Ephrata, PA

Hancock, NY

Hialeah, FL

Hoodsport, WA

Hot Springs, SD

Houston, TX

Lawrence Township, NJ

Maryville, MO

Natchitoches, LA

Painesville, OH

Sebewaing, MI

Seneca, SC

Sesser, IL

Shelby, MI

Spartanburg, SC

Titusville, PA

Tucson, AZ

Existing Parks

Arlington Dog Park  Arlington, NE

K-9 Cove  Miami Lakes, FL

Canyon Run Dog Park  St. Johnsbury, VT

Hammond Creek Dog Park  Lawrenceburg, KY

Kaufman Dog Park  Marion, OH

Kiroli Dog Park  West Monroe, LA

Peekskill Dog Park  Peekskill, NY

Sandy's Bark Park  Wausau, WI

Shelby Farms Dog Park  Memphis, TN

Now through August 31, 2022, anyone over the age of 18 living in the U.S. can vote once per day, every day for their favorite community at barkforyourpark.com . Employees and partner employees of the parent company of PetSafe, Radio Systems Corporation, are not eligible to vote in the grant contest.

Since introducing the program in 2011, PetSafe has awarded more than $1.65 million to support more than 80 off-leash dog parks in the United States.

"The PetSafe brand is always looking for ways to help pet parents. That's why we're so proud to support communities by helping provide a safe place where dogs can run and play," says Celeste Vlok, marketing manager for PetSafe brand. "It's exciting to see the enthusiasm and commitment each finalist community has put into fulfilling their dog park dreams. We invite all to join the fun by voting for their favorite community."

For more information on the 2022 Bark for Your Park grant contest and to vote for a favorite community, visit barkforyourpark.com .

About PetSafe

PetSafe is dedicated to keeping pets healthy, safe and happy through innovative product solutions. As an industry leader, PetSafe brand offers behavioral, containment and lifestyle solutions. PetSafe brand is owned by Radio Systems Corporation, headquartered in Knoxville, Tennessee, and services over 50 countries globally. For more information, visit petsafe.net .

Media Contact:

Heather Griffith

PR Specialist

[email protected]

SOURCE PetSafe
--Doctors from AdvantageCare Physicians travel abroad to provide medical care to Haitian communities in need 

NEW YORK , Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Ophthalmology specialists from AdvantageCare Physicians (ACPNY), one of the largest primary and specialty care practices in New York City, traveled to Haiti in July on a medical mission of mercy. Doctors Anika Michael and Benjeil Edghill spent a five-day care mission in the Caribbean country, where they evaluated and treated more than 400 patients and completed approximately 90 surgeries.

AdvantageCare Physicians Dr. Anika Michael and Dr. Benjeil Edghill sit with patients they cared for on medical mission to Haiti

"We are proud of Dr. Michael and Dr. Edghill for their outstanding charitable work and sense of compassion both at home and abroad," said Dr. Navarra Rodriguez, M.D., President & Chief Medical Officer of ACPNY. "Extending empathy, clinical services, and a sense of global community is how many of ACPNY's medical team members give back and stand out."

Given the infrastructure challenges and political turmoil Haiti has faced, access to medical care, especially ophthalmology, is often limited. Over the last fifteen years, Dr. Michael has engaged in these twice-yearly missions to the country to provide life-changing patient sight-restoring procedures, including cataract surgeries.

Among the many stories the doctors shared from their latest visit was one of a young man in his thirties who came from over four hours (by car) away but arrived too late for that day's clinic. Rather than turn back, he decided to stay overnight and camped on a bench to be first in line for the following day's clinic. The ACPNY team returned his sight that same morning upon examination and treatment. Before this visit, the gentleman was blind for three years after suffering a work-related injury.

"It's stories like this that make all the hard work worth it," said Dr. Anika Michael, M.D. ACPNY Ophthalmologist. "In the face of the pandemic, natural disasters, and political turmoil, seeing such resilience in the people of Haiti fills me with hope for the future."

"The reward of making an impact has me excited to go back," said Dr. Benjeil Edghill, M.D. ACPNY Ophthalmologist who made the trip for the fourth time this year. "We are not only returning the sight of our patients, but we are also giving them and their caretakers their lives back."

For more information on care services provided by ACPNY, please visit the website ACPNY.com.

About AdvantageCare Physicians

AdvantageCare Physicians, one of the largest primary and specialty care practices in the New York area, provides quality, personalized care that is focused on the whole patient. With more than 40 medical offices across the five boroughs and Long Island, serving more than half a million patients. AdvantageCare Physicians takes a team-based approach to care where physicians work with nurses, social workers, nutritionists, behavioral health specialists and other professionals. Visit www.acpny.com to learn.

SOURCE AdvantageCare Physicians
Communities join the fight against suicide by coming together to save lives and support those impacted by suicide

CHICAGO, Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- This fall, communities across Illinois will join the fight against suicide in local Out of the Darkness Community Walks, sponsored by the Illinois Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP). The walks provide an opportunity for people impacted by suicide to come together to connect and support one another, as well as raise awareness and funds for AFSP.

Walks are held in LaSalle County, Rockford, Springfield, DeKalb, the Quad Cities and other cities and towns throughout Illinois in September and October:

DeKalb  11:00 a.m. , October 8 , Hopkins Park , DeKalb , IL

 , , , , IL LaSalle County  1:00 p.m. , October 15 , Washington Park , Ottawa , IL

 , , , , IL Rockford  10:00 a.m. , September 24 , Rock Valley College , Rockford , IL

 , , , , IL Springfield  2:00 p.m. , October 15 , University of Illinois-Springfield , Springfield , IL

 , , , , IL Quad Cities  1:00 p.m. , September 18 , Wharton Field House, Moline , IL

, , Wharton Field House, , IL Find other local community walks: www.afsp.org/ILTogether

In 2020, 54% of Americans had been affected by suicide in some way. AFSP works to prevent suicide through education, advocacy and support for those impacted by suicide. The Out of the Darkness Community Walks raise awareness of these efforts and funds, which are split between Illinois and national efforts. Community walks in Illinois raise more than $400,000 annually. This is in addition to the annual Out of the Darkness Chicagoland Walk, being held on Sept. 17, 2022 this year, which is the largest of the AFSP community walks in the country.

"The Illinois Out of the Darkness Walks create immeasurable opportunities for love, compassion, outreach, and healing, which can be difficult to find in today's world climate," said Alexis Ferracuti, LaSalle County Walk Chair. "Personally, the Illinois chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention has helped by providing sustainable resources and opportunities for mental health trainings to allow my rural community to have access to resources it desperately needs. You're never alone and the Out of the Darkness walks truly show that to everyone who attends."

Since the first walk was held in 2004, these walks have provided a platform to create awareness about mental health issues. American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is dedicated to saving lives and bringing hope to individuals affected by suicide. The organization creates a culture that is smart regarding mental health through educational programs, advocation for suicide prevention and providing support for those affected by suicide. All donations go towards these efforts with the goal to greatly reduce the national suicide rate.

"I'm forever grateful for the opportunity to have volunteered for the last ten years and to have gained the knowledge and community programming that I have had access to only because of the efforts of our organization," said Ferracuti.

There is no fee to register for an Out of the Darkness Walk. Individuals wishing to participate can find the registration page for their local walk at www.afsp.org/ILTogether. Register today and be part of the movement coming #TogetherToFightSuicide.

For more Information about the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention go to https://afsp.org/.

To find out more about the nearest local community walk, check www.afsp.org/ILTogether.

About the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention:

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is dedicated to saving lives and bringing hope to individuals affected by suicide. The organization creates a culture that is smart regarding mental health through educational programs, advocation for suicide prevention, and providing support for those affected by suicide. All donations go towards these efforts with the goal to greatly reduce the national suicide rate.

About Out of the Darkness Community Walks:

The mission of The American Foundation of Suicide Prevention's Community Walks is to allow a platform for individuals to come together in support of suicide prevention. Held in hundreds of cities across the country, these events give people the courage to open up about their own connections to suicide, and also provide an easier venue for mental health discussion across diverse backgrounds.

If you or someone you know is at risk of suicide, please call or text 988 for the Suicide Crisis Lifeline.

Or call the U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255, text TALK to 741741 or go to https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/.

SOURCE American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
Customer benefits of investments include bolstering electric grid and more clean energy

ST. LOUIS, Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Ameren Missouri filed with the Missouri Public Service Commission (PSC) a request to adjust its electric base rates next year. The new rates would take effect in mid-2023 to recover the cost of major upgrades for electric system reliability and resiliency for customers, as well as investments to support the transition to cleaner energy for the benefit of customers and local communities.

The filing made today will be carefully reviewed by the PSC and many other stakeholders over the next 11 months. If the request is approved by regulators, the rate adjustment in 2023 would cost an average residential electric customer about $12 a month (based on approximately 1,017 kilowatt-hours of usage per month). Ameren Missouri's electric rates today are only slightly higher than they were five years ago and this rate adjustment request, if approved, would reflect a yearly average increase of approximately 2.3% since 2017.

"The electric system upgrades Ameren Missouri has made are crucial to ensuring our customers have safe and reliable energy during the continued transition to cleaner sources of generation," said Mark Birk, chairman and president of Ameren Missouri, a subsidiary of Ameren Corporation, (NYSE: AEE). "Our customers depend on us to deliver reliable service and they're seeing fewer outages with shorter durations, delivering up to a 40% improvement in reliability on circuits with innovative technology. Thanks to these investments, our system performs better even in extreme weather events such as Winter Storm Uri last year and the intense heat we are experiencing this summer."

Even in this challenging economic climate, Ameren Missouri is working to keep electric rates as low as possible for customers by cutting its costs and making prudent investments. Residential rates for Ameren Missouri customers are more than 23% below national and Midwest averages, according to the latest Edison Electric Institute Typical Bills and Average Rates Report.

"Our goal is to keep rates as low as possible, while protecting long-term energy reliability and resiliency for our customers," said Warren Wood, vice president of regulatory and legislative affairs at Ameren Missouri. "We do this by focusing on necessary and prudent system investments our customers depend on, while also reducing our operational costs wherever possible in these uncertain economic times. We work to meet the needs of our customers today while transitioning to a stronger, smarter, cleaner, more reliable and resilient grid for future generations."

The need for reliable, resilient and affordable energy has never been greater. Ameren Missouri changed its long-term energy plan earlier this summer to address these needs while thoughtfully transitioning to cleaner sources of energy and to achieve its net-zero carbon emissions goal by 2045.

Key components of the rate review adjustment request include:

Strengthening the grid through Ameren Missouri's Smart Energy Plan, including infrastructure upgrades bolstering reliability and resiliency, more renewable generation, installation of smart meters, and the addition of programs to stimulate economic growth for communities across the state.

through Ameren Missouri's Smart Energy Plan, including infrastructure upgrades bolstering reliability and resiliency, more renewable generation, installation of smart meters, and the addition of programs to stimulate economic growth for communities across the state. Offering rate options that fit a range of customer lifestyles, thanks to how smart meters communicate with the updated grid. Customer benefits include the opportunity to reduce costs by using information from their smart meter to help shift the timing of their energy usage. Smart meters also enable quicker restoration in the event of an outage and faster connection when moving or starting service.

that fit a range of customer lifestyles, thanks to how smart meters communicate with the updated grid. Customer benefits include the opportunity to reduce costs by using information from their smart meter to help shift the timing of their energy usage. Smart meters also enable quicker restoration in the event of an outage and faster connection when moving or starting service. Evolving our generation plans for cleaner energy and to ensure the system remains reliable and resilient for all customers.

for cleaner energy and to ensure the system remains reliable and resilient for all customers. Providing cleaner energy to the communities we serve through the Neighborhood Solar program by installing parking lot solar facilities in partnership with local organizations.

A slide presentation with additional details regarding Ameren Missouri's rate review adjustment request will be available at AmerenInvestors.com beginning at 4 p.m. Central time on Aug. 1, 2022.

As the communities we serve manage current economic conditions, Ameren Missouri has made even more energy assistance available. The company recently expanded its Clean Slate program by adding $1 million in additional funding to help those who may not qualify for state or federal assistance. Ameren Missouri also offers flexible payment options and connects customers with government and community assistance funding programs through the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).

"We want our customers to know we are here to help them," Birk said. "Any customers in need of assistance should contact us today for information regarding access to energy assistance grants with expanded eligibility requirements and to arrange flexible payment options. We also have energy efficiency programs and energy management tools to make it easier for customers to manage their energy use."

For more information about the filing, visit AmerenMissouri.com/InvestingInMissouri.

About Ameren Missouri

Ameren Missouri has been providing electric and gas service for more than 100 years, and the company's electric rates are among the lowest in the nation. Ameren Missouri's mission is to power the quality of life for its 1.2 million electric and 135,000 natural gas customers in central and eastern Missouri. The company's service area covers 64 counties and more than 500 communities, including the greater St. Louis area. For more information, visit Ameren.com/Missouri or follow us on Twitter at @AmerenMissouri or Facebook.com/AmerenMissouri.

SOURCE Ameren Missouri
MBABANE  Members of Umbutfo Eswatini Defence Force (UEDF) last Wednesday reportedly shot dead two suspects who were attempting to smuggle two stolen vehicles into the country.

According to sources close to the matter, the incident happened at Dwalile area in the afternoon. The sources said soldiers who were patrolling the area noticed the two vehicles, a white and an inferno metallic Toyota GD6 double cabs, and tried to stop them, but the drivers attempted to escape.

The insider narrated that the soldiers fired warning shots but the drivers did not stop. The sources said it was then that the soldiers fired straight at the vehicles and shot the drivers, who died on the spot while some passengers who were on board fled.

Visible

The white car had two visible holes on the drivers side and those were believed to be a result of the gunshots. The cars were suspected to have been stolen from the Republic of South Africa. They both had South African registration numbers. When sought for comment, UEDF Public Affairs Officer 2nd Lieutenant Tengetile Khumalo could only confirm receipt of two controlled Toyota GD6 double cab vehicles, which were handed over to the pertinent law enforcement agency. When asked about the suspects, Khumalo said she would have to wait for a fully detailed report from the battalion in charge of the operational area for further information.

The army has been very handful in controlling criminal activities that usually happen along the borderlines. In the armys first quarter report that was tabled in Parliament in the past weeks, the UEDF reported to have controlled several forms of crimes, ranging from drug smuggling, livestock rustling, illegal firearms and illegal crossings. In the report, the army reported to have controlled dagga valued at E1 298 000 over a period of three months. The army said 61 arrests were made for this crime. The army also reported 98 952 informal crossings in the period under review. These crossings included 44 047 entries and 54 905 exists.
The Panel will be Moderated by Jeffrey Cummings, MD, ScD, and Krista Lanctot, Ph.D.

BERWYN, Pa., Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Annovis Bio, Inc. (NYSE: ANVS) ("Annovis" or the "Company"), a late-stage clinical drug platform company addressing neurodegenerative diseases, announced that Maria Maccecchini, Ph.D., Founder, President, and CEO of Annovis, will be participating on the Systems Biology of Alzheimer's Disease Panel at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference (AAIC).

The panel will focus on the need and underpinning rationale for advancing novel therapeutic approaches for Alzheimer's disease. The four companies will present their novel approaches as well as their outlook on developments impacting clinical trials and patients.

The panel is scheduled to take place on August 4th, 2022, at 8-9:15 AM Pacific Time / 11 AM - 12:15 PM Eastern Time. Interested parties may access a live panel discussion through the AAIC 2022 conference site and archived webcast of the presentation on the Company's investor relations website at: www.annovisbio.com.

Details of the panel are as follows:

Panel Moderators:

Jeffrey Cummings , MD, ScD, Director of the Chambers-Grundy Center for Transformative Neuroscience at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas ; Professor of Medicine at Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine at Case Western Reserve University ; and Principal Investigator/Director of the National Institute of General Medical Sciences-funded Center for Neurodegeneration and Translational Neuroscience.

, MD, ScD, Director of the Chambers-Grundy Center for Transformative Neuroscience at the ; Professor of Medicine at Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine at ; and Principal Investigator/Director of the National Institute of General Medical Sciences-funded Center for Neurodegeneration and Translational Neuroscience. Krista Lanctot, Ph.D., Director of the Neuropsychopharmacology Research Group at Sunnybrook Research Institute; Professor in the Departments of Psychiatry, Pharmacology and Toxicology at the University of Toronto ; and researcher in neuropsychiatric symptoms secondary to central nervous system pathology, neuroimaging, serum protein, lipid and metabolite biomarkers, and interventions.

Participants:

Raymond J. Tesi , MD, President, CEO, and acting CMO of INmune Bio

, MD, President, CEO, and acting CMO of INmune Bio Hans Moebius , MD, Ph.D., CMO of Athira Pharma

, MD, Ph.D., CMO of Athira Pharma John Didsbury , Ph.D., Founder, President, and CEO of T3D Therapeutics

, Ph.D., Founder, President, and CEO of T3D Therapeutics Maria Maccecchini, Ph.D., Founder, President, and CEO of Annovis Bio

For more information, please visit https://aaic.alz.org/overview.asp.

About Buntanetap

Buntanetap (previously known as ANVS401 or Posiphen) is an oral translational inhibitor of neurotoxic aggregating proteins (TINAPs), which mode of action leads to lower levels of neurotoxic proteins and consequently less toxicity in the brain. In a Phase 2a clinical trial in AD and PD patients, treatment with buntanetap resulted in statistically significant improvement in motor function in PD patients and cognition in AD patients. Additionally, buntanetap was shown to reduce biomarkers associated with AD or PD, it was well-tolerated and safe, and its pharmacokinetics were found to be in line with levels measured earlier in humans, meeting primary, secondary and exploratory endpoints.

About Annovis Bio, Inc.

Headquartered in Berwyn, Pennsylvania, Annovis Bio, Inc. is a late-stage clinical drug platform company developing transformative therapies that treat neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD) and other chronic and acute neurodegenerative diseases. The Company believes that it is the only company developing a drug that inhibits more than one neurotoxic protein, improves the information highway of the nerve cell, known as axonal transport, reduces inflammation and protects nerve cells from dying in chronic and acute neurodegeneration. Annovis conducted two Phase 2 studies: one in AD patients and one in both AD and PD patients. In the AD/PD study, buntanetap showed improvements in cognition and memory in AD as well as body and brain function in PD patients.

For more information on Annovis Bio, please visit the Company's website www.annovisbio.com and follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements in this press release contain "forward-looking statements" that are subject to substantial risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release may be identified by the use of words such as "anticipate," "expect," "believe," "will," "may," "should," "estimate," "project," "outlook," "forecast" or other similar words, and include, without limitation, statements regarding the timing, effectiveness, and anticipated results of buntanetap clinical trials. Forward-looking statements are based on Annovis Bio, Inc.'s current expectations and are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Further, certain forward-looking statements are based on assumptions as to future events that may not prove to be accurate. These and other risks and uncertainties are described more fully in the section titled "Risk Factors" in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Forward-looking statements contained in this announcement are made as of this date, and Annovis Bio, Inc. undertakes no duty to update such information except as required under applicable law.

Media and Investor Contact:

Nic Johnson

Russo Partners, LLC

(303) 482-6405

[email protected]

SOURCE Annovis Bio
ZURICH, Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The crypto market downturn has caused much disruption, with some big players reducing their staff numbers by around 20%. The crypto dip has hit everyone hard, and even the most well-known platforms are struggling to adjust. In contrast, Astra Protocol continues to grow despite the challenging landscape.

There has never been a more critical requirement for improved regulations in the crypto space. Several crypto platforms have filed for bankruptcy in the last few weeks. This event has been touted as crypto's equivalent to the fall of Lehman Brothers, which ultimately led to the 2008 mortgage debt and financial crisis. Wall Street had to adapt to overcome those difficult times, and the digital asset market must do the same. Astra Protocol is designed to facilitate these necessary changes through improved blockchain and crypto regulations. Astra is needed now more than ever to help prevent disreputable market behaviour, which is why the Astra team is constantly expanding.

As part of Astra's growth, they are also excited to announce two more incredible partnerships with Limechain and Concise Software. Limechain is a cutting-edge blockchain development consultancy that helps enterprises build on Web3 and blockchain technology. With over 150 projects under its belt, Limechain is one of the most experienced players in the space. Their experts have worked with notable Web3 platforms like Hedera Hashgraph, Polkadot, and AllianceBlock, and the team at Astra are thrilled to have them on board. Concise Software is another of the premier blockchain development software companies and has worked on some of the most influential digital projects with global companies like Visa and Santander. Like Limechain, they specialize in all facets of blockchain, from smart contracts to dApps. Their expertise will help bolster Astra's strong tech team even further as the Astra Protocol becomes vital to reinvigorate the crypto market.

On partnering with Astra, CEO and Founder at Limechain, Nick Todorov, said, "At Limechain, we are thrilled to be partnering with Astra and to be able to support them in their efforts to improve the DeFi sector's ability to comply with regulations and ensure investor protection. As one of the world's premier Web3 developers, we're looking forward to working with Astra to build industry-leading compliance products that will help DeFi achieve greater adoption."

CEO of Concise Software, Lukas Hostynski, said, "Working with partners like Astra Protocol helps match cutting-edge technology for Web3 Economy with the top-notch software development teams that focus on blockchain tech provided from Concise Software side. We're excited to work with a Web3 Compliance Solution partner with expertise in decentralized tech to bring these trusted, efficient solutions to the communities. We all believe that this collaboration will not only be a crucial project for Concise Software, but also important in accelerating the evolution of decentralized compliance layers (including KYC & AML) for DeFi markets."

Damien O'Brien, Co-Founder and Executive Chairman at Astra Protocol, says, "we're thrilled to have Concise Software and Limechain onboard, we've seen the success of their other projects and recognised that they are a perfect fit for Astra. With our combined expertise, strong advisory board, and technological knowledge, Astra is set to achieve its mission of becoming the compliance service platform for Web3."

Limechain and Concise Software will help Astra further their mission of making blockchain technology accessible to businesses and individuals worldwide and safer for all, creating an unrivalled Astra technology development team.

Astra believes these partnerships will be a major force in pushing Web3 and blockchain technology forward and out of this current slump. Astra is happy to announce that it's on course to launch in Q3 this year, in line with their goal.

While other blockchain platforms struggle to navigate the current challenges, Astra has been designed with a secure future in mind. By bridging the gap between innovation and regulation, Astra will make the digital asset market safe and prosperous while reducing volatility.

SOURCE Astra Protocol
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas , Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Carlson Law Firm is pleased to announce that Louie Cook has joined our personal injury litigation team.

Cook focuses his practice on high-stakes personal injury claims such as wrongful death and catastrophic litigation. In addition to trying cases in Texas, Cook has been admitted to practice pro has vice in numerous states, including New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, Oklahoma, Illinois, Missouri, California, North Dakota, Oregon, Idaho and Kentucky.

Cook's clients and their stories have been featured on CBS, the Washington Post and several other major news outlets. Most recently, one of Cook's cases sparked a national recall of over 54,000 vehicles for faulty airbags.

Some of Louie's notable victories on behalf of his clients include:

$40,500,000.00 verdict for the single death in Armijo v. Werner Enterprises, Inc.

verdict for the single death in Armijo v. Werner Enterprises, Inc. $64,000,000.00 settlement for an oilfield worker who received significant burn injuries in an oilfield explosion.

settlement for an oilfield worker who received significant burn injuries in an oilfield explosion. $17,000,000.00 settlement for a double fatality as a result of driver distraction.

settlement for a double fatality as a result of driver distraction. $10,000,000 settlement against a trucking broker for a single fatality crash.

settlement against a trucking broker for a single fatality crash. $10,000,000 settlement against an oilfield services company for a fatigue-related crash.

settlement against an oilfield services company for a fatigue-related crash. $7,500,000.00 settlement for a single fatality as a result of over service at a bar.

settlement for a single fatality as a result of over service at a bar. $5,100,000.00 verdict on behalf of two injured construction workers.

verdict on behalf of two injured construction workers. $4,350,000.00 death and serious injury, product liability settlement.

Cook graduated Magna Cum Laude from Baylor Law School. During his time at Baylor, he won both the prestigious Dawson & Sodd Moot Court Competition and the "Mad Dog" Mock Trial Competition. He also served as a Senior Executive Editor on Baylor's Law Review. Louie attributes his success at Baylor Law to the work ethic and perseverance he developed as a member of several nationally ranked cross-country and track teams at Oklahoma Baptist University and as an avid surfer.

Cook will be based out of the firm's White & Carlson Corpus Christi location and will work alongside esteemed attorney Brantley White.

About Us

The Carlson Law Firm is a national law firm committed to providing exceptional legal services in the areas of personal injury, product liability, class actions, nursing home abuse, and consumer protection. The Carlson Law Firm has been successfully representing clients for over 45 years with 18 locations nationwide.

Media Contact:

Kazia Conway

[email protected]

Twitter, Facebook

Source: The Carlson Law Firm

SOURCE The Carlson Law Firm
Get a comprehensive report summary describing the market size and forecast along with research methodology. View our Sample Report

Autologous Cell Therapy Market 2021-2025: Scope

The autologous cell therapy market report covers the following areas:

Autologous Cell Therapy Market 2021-2025: Segmentation

Product

Autologous Stem Cell Therapy: The autologous stem cell therapy segment will contribute the highest market share. This segment is growing at a medium pace due to its manufacturing complexities. Vendors are conducting extensive clinical trials due to fewer complications associated with the use of autologous stem cell therapy.



Autologous Cellular Immunotherapies

Geography

North America : North America will account for 43% of the market's growth during the forecast period. This growth is attributed to limitations in traditional organ transplantations, which is fueling the demand for stem cell therapies. Moreover, market growth in this region will be slower than the growth of the market in other regions. The US and Canada are the key countries for the autologous cell therapy market in North America .

: will account for 43% of the market's growth during the forecast period. This growth is attributed to limitations in traditional organ transplantations, which is fueling the demand for stem cell therapies. Moreover, market growth in this region will be slower than the growth of the market in other regions. The US and are the key countries for the autologous cell therapy market in .

Europe



APAC



South America



MEA

Learn about the contribution of each segment summarized in concise infographics and thorough descriptions. View a PDF Sample Report

Autologous Cell Therapy Market 2021-2025: Vendor Analysis

We provide a detailed analysis of around 25 vendors operating in the autologous cell therapy market, including Bayer AG, Brainstorm Cell Therapeutics Inc., Daiichi Sankyo Co. Ltd., FUJIFILM Holdings Corp., Holostem Terapie Avanzate Srl, Osiris Therapeutics Inc., Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., Sumitomo Chemical Co. Ltd., and Vericel Corp. among others. The key offerings of some of these vendors are listed below:

Bayer AG - The company offers induced pluripotent stem cells, which are developed by reprogramming mature body cells to behave like embryonic stem cells that are injected to restore diseased tissue in patients.

The company offers induced pluripotent stem cells, which are developed by reprogramming mature body cells to behave like embryonic stem cells that are injected to restore diseased tissue in patients. Brainstorm Cell Therapeutics Inc. - It is a cell therapy platform, which develops mesenchymal stem cells for the treatment of human diseases such as immune and inflammatory diseases.

It is a cell therapy platform, which develops mesenchymal stem cells for the treatment of human diseases such as immune and inflammatory diseases. Daiichi Sankyo Co. Ltd. - It is an immune-modulatory progenitor cell therapeutic agent, which is used for ischemic heart failure.

It is an immune-modulatory progenitor cell therapeutic agent, which is used for ischemic heart failure. FUJIFILM Holdings Corp. - The company uses induced pluripotent stem cells to derive differentiated cells, which are used in researching various diseases and conditions.

The company uses induced pluripotent stem cells to derive differentiated cells, which are used in researching various diseases and conditions. Holostem Terapie Avanzate Srl - It is an advanced therapy medicinal product containing stem cells indicated to repair the cornea after injury.

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Autologous Cell Therapy Market 2021-2025: Key Highlights

CAGR of the market during the forecast period 2021-2025

Detailed information on factors that will assist autologous cell therapy market growth during the next five years

Estimation of the autologous cell therapy market size and its contribution to the parent market

Predictions on upcoming trends and changes in consumer behavior

The growth of the autologous cell therapy market

Analysis of the market's competitive landscape and detailed information on vendors

Comprehensive details of factors that will challenge the growth of autologous cell therapy market vendors

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Autologous Cell Therapy Market Scope Report Coverage Details Page number 120 Base year 2020 Forecast period 2021-2025 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 14.16% Market growth 2021-2025 USD 4.11 billion Market structure Fragmented YoY growth (%) 13.5 Regional analysis North America, Europe, APAC, and South America Performing market contribution North America at 43% Key consumer countries US, UK, Germany, Canada, and Japan Competitive landscape Leading companies, competitive strategies, consumer engagement scope Companies profiled Bayer AG, Brainstorm Cell Therapeutics Inc., Daiichi Sankyo Co. Ltd., FUJIFILM Holdings Corp., Holostem Terapie Avanzate Srl, Osiris Therapeutics Inc., Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., Sumitomo Chemical Co. Ltd., and Vericel Corp. 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 :

Executive Summary

Market Landscape

Market ecosystem

Value chain analysis

Market Sizing

Market definition

Market segment analysis

Market size 2020

Market outlook: Forecast for 2020 - 2025

Five Forces Analysis

Bargaining power of buyers

Bargaining power of suppliers

Threat of new entrants

Threat of substitutes

Threat of rivalry

Market condition

Market Segmentation by Product

Market segments

Comparison by Product

Autologous stem cell therapy - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

Autologous cellular immunotherapies - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

Market opportunity by Product

Customer landscape

Geographic Landscape

Geographic segmentation

Geographic comparison

North America - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

- Market size and forecast 2020-2025 Europe - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

- Market size and forecast 2020-2025 Asia - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

- Market size and forecast 2020-2025 ROW - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

Key leading countries

Market opportunity by geography

Market drivers

Market challenges

Market trends

Vendor Landscape

Vendor landscape

Landscape disruption

Vendor Analysis

Vendors covered

Market positioning of vendors

Bayer AG

Brainstorm Cell Therapeutics Inc.

Daiichi Sankyo Co. Ltd.

FUJIFILM Holdings Corp.

Holostem Terapie Avanzate Srl

Smith and Nephew plc

Sumitomo Chemical Co. Ltd.

Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.

Vericel Corp.

Appendix

Scope of the report

Currency conversion rates for US$

Research methodology

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
PETALUMA, Calif., Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Bipolar Winter, Volume I is author Samuel David Steiner's novel based on historical facts surrounding the Seventh-day Adventist church. Bipolar Winter, Volume I introduces readers to historian Aldo Lombardi, a recent graduate of the Pontifical Gregorian University summoned to appear before Pope Benedict. Allison Gillespie is an investigator whose assignment leads her to Aldo and a 500-year-old secret whose discovery may unravel the very fabric of the Christian faith. The pair must discover the truth behind the secret and reveal what the leaders of the modern Seventh-day Adventist church know that could destroy the Catholic Church. It's a race against time to expose the truth before hundreds of millions of followers are thrown into chaos and before a rogue sect unleashes a global cataclysm intended to fulfill its founder's doomsday prophecy.

Bipolar Winter, Volume I: A Work of Fiction Based on Historical Facts Bipolar Winter, Volume I: A Work of Fiction Based on Historical Facts

Steiner, a native of Mobile, Alabama, began the Bipolar Winter project in 2011, and Bipolar Winter, Volume I was published in July 2020. The book draws upon Steiner's experiences within the Seventh-day Adventist church and his decision to leave the church as an adult. Bipolar Winter, Volume I is available on Amazon in hardcover, paperback, e-book, and audiobook. Anyone who enjoys mystery, suspense, and thriller novels, as well as those who enjoy historical fiction and books about religion and spirituality will quickly become absorbed in Bipolar Winter, Volume I.

The Adventist church teaches that the Seven Last Plagues and a final global battle brings about the end of all life on earth. This global body  the Seventh-day Adventist church  is considered by many to be the world's most anti-Catholic and anti-protestant organization. Learn about all of this and so much more in Bipolar Winter, Volume I. Then decide for yourself  what is fact and what is fiction?

For more information on the Bipolar Winter project and to preview the prologue and chapter 1 of Bipolar Winter, Volume I, visit https://www.bipolarwinter.com/ . Inquiries about the book and author appearances can be made by contacting Mr. Steiner through the information below.

Contact Information

Name: Samuel David Steiner

Email: [email protected]

Phone Number: 707- 321-8463

SOURCE Samuel David Steiner
New donations throughout the Madison community supporting Black-owned businesses and Black entrepreneurs, expansion of Black cultural programs, and Boys & Girls Clubs skilled trades career opportunities



BMO's commitment to Madison now exceeds over $1 million

MADISON, Wis, Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - BMO Financial Group today announced a $650,000 investment in several Madison community programs and organizations. These contributions will support the Urban League of Greater Madison's Black Business Hub , The Center for Black Excellence & Culture , and Boys & Girls Clubs of Dane County's McKenzie Workforce Development Center .

"Investments like these are at the core of our Purpose, to Boldly Grow the Good in business and life," said Anthony Hudson, Regional President, Retail Banking, Wisconsin, BMO Financial Group. "We are pleased to work with these great organizations to help make progress for the Madison community. Today's announcement, with these tremendous partners, exemplifies our commitment for a thriving economy, sustainable future, and inclusive society throughout the communities we serve."

"We are proud to work with the Urban League, The Center for Black Excellence & Culture, and the Boys & Girls Clubs to support the delivery of these important community programs. Alongside the economic growth and prosperity achieved by customers we serve, this financial commitment is a direct investment in the future of the Madison economy," said Jeff Ticknor, Senior Vice President and Group Marketing Director, Commercial Banking, Wisconsin, BMO Financial Group.

BMO is investing $250,000 over five years in the Urban League of Greater Madison's Black Business Hub. The Hub will serve as an entrepreneurial incubator for small businesses created by people of color. It will serve as an economic anchor, drawing resources to the area to create opportunities for business growth, employment, and social development. The Hub will support 200 Black-owned businesses and entrepreneurs, create or relocate 150+ jobs, and train Black real estate developers.

"The Urban League of Greater Madison is enormously proud of the partnership that we have with BMO in creating greater access to opportunities in the banking industry," said Ruben L. Anthony, Jr., Ph.D., President and CEO, Urban League of Greater Madison. "As we are on a mission to help build wealth for Brown and Black people in this community, BMO is right there with us, supporting initiatives such as the development of the Black Business Hub. This project and partnership we will create wealth for multiple generations."

BMO is also committing $250,000 over five years to The Center for Black Excellence & Culture. The Center will be a state-of-the art performing and visual arts center, cultural center, business innovation and co-working space all under one roof. The Center will ensure Dane County is a place where talented Black people build their careers, raise their families, and contribute to the local economy. It will offer unique, multi-generational, interconnected programming to support the Black community and engage the entire Madison community.

"The Center for Black Excellence and Culture offers an exciting and important opportunity to create a cultural home for the Black community in Madison. This important investment in The Center demonstrates BMO's support in making the Madison community a welcoming, culturally rich home where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. We are grateful for BMO's leadership and commitment to The Center," said Dr. Alex Gee, Founder, The Center for Black Excellence and Culture.

In addition, BMO's contribution of $150,000 over three years will help support Boys & Girls Clubs of Dane County's McKenzie Workforce Development Center. The Development Center is creating career pathways for individuals to gain certifications or on-the-job training for skilled trades. The Center will educate, and support interested youth to pursue careers as plumbers, carpenters, HVAC technicians, electricians and more. BMO's investment will allow young adults to access resources, programming, and support systems that will generate transformational change for families in South Central Wisconsin.

"Recently, we took on an initiative to build a skilled trades center that will offer the youth in our community another pathway to success and BMO was one of the first supporters to join our cause. Their team members are helping us build out a $35 million youth work force center by providing volunteers, funding, and guidance to help us achieve this historic goal, which will ultimately improve the labor shortage and racial disparities we see in our region," said Michael Johnson, CEO, Boys & Girls Clubs of Dane County.

BMO has committed more than $1 million to the Madison community. These investments are integral to BMO EMpower , BMO's five-year, $5 billion commitment to address barriers faced by minority businesses, communities, and families.

About BMO Financial Group

Serving customers for 200 years and counting, BMO is a highly diversified financial services provider - the 8th largest bank, by assets, in North America. With total assets of $1.04 trillion as of April 30, 2022, and a team of diverse and highly engaged employees, BMO provides a broad range of personal and commercial banking, wealth management and investment banking products and services to more than 12 million customers and conducts business through three operating groups: Personal and Commercial Banking, BMO Wealth Management and BMO Capital Markets.

Web: www.bmo.com Twitter: @BMOmedia

SOURCE BMO Financial Group
Strong consumer demand continues to move boat inventory faster than before the pandemic

Global average boat value is 28.9% higher than 2019

Boats sold in the first half of the year total over $6 billion globally

Average price of boats in the 26-foot range continues to rise, up 71.5% in the U.S. and 140.6% internationally

MIAMI, Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Boats Group , a global leader in online boating marketplaces, today announced findings from its latest market report , analyzing the first half of 2022 while comparing pre-pandemic trends alongside pandemic-driven growth. The rising value of boats has yet to affect consumer demand, with listed boats moving off the market faster and sales remaining higher than before the pandemic in 2019.

The 2022 Boats Group Midyear Market Index shows strong consumer demand continues to move boat inventory faster than before the pandemic.

Consumer demand coupled with lower than normal inventory levels is driving these historic spikes in boat values as the global average boat price is now $182,900, an increase of 28.9% from 2019. This is further reflected in how quickly boats are moving off the market, selling 32 days faster than last year and 83 days faster than in 2019.

"The continuous and strong growth we've seen from our marketplace data is a key indicator of the overall health of the boating market," said Courtney Chalmers, Vice President of Marketing at Boats Group. "As we compare pre-pandemic numbers to the current market conditions, we're looking for shifts in consumer behavior that will further provide insight about what we can expect in 2023."

Throughout the past year, budget-friendly options have become increasingly popular for buyers looking to get out on the water. Boats in the 26-foot range saw an average price increase of 71.5% in the U.S. and 140.6% internationally compared to pre-pandemic values. The overall market driver for unit sales from 2019 to 2022 were boats in the less than 35-foot segment.

"As we head into the second half of 2022, we're closely tracking the volume of boats listed for sale. Early indicators show inventory making a comeback and becoming more consistent compared to the peaks and valleys we saw in 2020 and 2021," said Chalmers. "This very positive trend will help boat builders, dealers and brokers to be well-positioned for the strong consumer demand that doesn't appear to be going anywhere."

For a comprehensive view of the boating market, visit boatsgroup.com/news to download the 2022 Midyear Market Index from Boats Group.

About Boats Group

Boats Group owns and operates the world's leading online boating marketplaces, connecting the largest global audience of boat buyers with top sellers and manufacturers. Boats Group's portfolio includes a variety of industry-leading brands like Boat Trader, YachtWorld, boats.com, iNautia, Cosas De Barcos, Botentekoop, Annonces du Bateau, Boats and Outboards, Boatshop24, Click&Boat and Trident Funding.

For nearly three decades, Boats Group has helped marine retailers sell more boats faster and convert more shoppers into buyers than any other source. Through a comprehensive suite of digital business solutions, including proprietary web-based contract management tools, and premier digital marketing strategies and services, Boats Group delivers unmatched value to its industry partners and optimizes the virtual path to boat ownership.

Owned by Permira, Boats Group is headquartered in Miami, Florida, United States, with co-headquarters in Fareham, England, and additional offices in Padova, Italy and Barcelona, Spain. For more information about Boats Group, visit www.boatsgroup.com.

Media Contact: Rachael Lobeck | Boats Group | [email protected]

This release contains disclosures that are forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include all statements that do not relate solely to historical or current facts and can be identified by the use of words such as "may," "will," "expect," "project," "estimate," "anticipate," "plan," "believe," "potential," "should," "continue" or the negative versions of those words or other comparable words. These forward-looking statements are based upon Boats Group's current plans or expectations and are subject to a number of uncertainties and risks. These statements are not guarantees of future performance, and Boats Group has no specific intention to update these statements. As a consequence, current plans, and anticipated actions may differ from those expressed in any forward-looking statements made by Boats Group or on Boats Group's behalf.

SOURCE Boats Group
TOKYO, Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Boeing [NYSE:BA] will strengthen its partnership with Japan by opening a new Boeing Research and Technology (BR&T) center. The facility will focus on sustainability and support a newly expanded cooperation agreement with Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI).

Boeing and METI have agreed to broaden their 2019 Cooperation Agreement to now include a focus on sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), electric and hydrogen powertrain technologies, and future flight concepts that will promote zero climate impact aviation. That is in addition to exploring electric and hybrid-electric propulsion, batteries, and composite manufacturing that will enable new forms of urban mobility.

"We are excited to open our latest global research and technology center here in Japan," said Greg Hyslop, Boeing chief engineer and executive vice president of Engineering, Test & Technology. "Working with terrific partners like METI, the new center will expand upon Boeing-wide initiatives in sustainable fuels and electrification, and explore the intersection of digitization, automation and high-performance aerospace composites for greater sustainability in our future products and production systems."

The BR&T  Japan Research Center will be located in Nagoya, which is already home to many of Boeing's major industrial partners and suppliers. The facility will further expand Boeing's research and development footprint in the region, which includes centers in Australia, China and Korea.

Boeing is fully committed to supporting Japan's SAF industry and has been accepted as the latest member of ACT FOR SKY, a voluntary organization of 16 companies that works to commercialize, promote and expand the use of SAF produced in Japan. It was founded by Boeing airline customers All Nippon Airways (ANA) and Japan Airlines (JAL), along with global engineering company JGC Holdings Corporation, and biofuel producer Revo International.

Masahiro Aika, representative of ACT FOR SKY, said, "ACT FOR SKY welcomes the participation of Boeing. We look forward to Boeing collaborating with the other members to "ACT" for the commercialization, promotion and expansion of SAF in Japan."

In addition to becoming partners in ACT FOR SKY, Boeing has a long history of innovating with ANA and JAL on sustainable aviation, which includes pioneering SAF-powered flights and launching the ground-breaking 787 Dreamliner. Today, they signed agreements to work together to study advanced sustainable technologies, including electric, hybrid, hydrogen and other novel propulsion systems in an endeavor to reduce the carbon footprint of aircraft.

Boeing Chief Sustainability Officer Chris Raymond added, "To ensure the enormous societal benefits of aviation remain available for generations to come, we must continue to partner with capable innovators and leaders to support the industry's commitment to net zero carbon emissions by 2050. We are humbled to join ACT FOR SKY and collaborate with other members to share global best practices and help with the scale up and demand of SAF in Japan. And we are honored to open the Japan Research Center and expand our work with airline customers ANA and JAL on advanced technologies to realize zero climate impact aviation."

As a leading global aerospace company, Boeing develops, manufactures and services commercial airplanes, defense products and space systems for customers in more than 150 countries. As a top U.S. exporter, the company leverages the talents of a global supplier base to advance economic opportunity, sustainability and community impact. Boeing's diverse team is committed to innovating for the future, leading with sustainability, and cultivating a culture based on the company's core values of safety, quality and integrity. Join our team and find your purpose at boeing.com/careers.

Contact:

Lisa Maull

Global Enterprise Sustainability

+314-614-4583

[email protected]

Rob Henderson

Boeing Communications, Japan

+81-90-1420-9662

[email protected]

SOURCE Boeing
BOSTON, Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Burns & Levinson represented Syrup Tech, the AI-powered predictive software platform for inventory excellence in commerce, in its $6.3 million seed funding round led by Gradient Ventures, Google's AI-focused venture fund. The round also included Flybridge Capital, Firstminute Capital, Rackhouse Ventures, as well as Angel investors including (former) executives at Adidas, Bonobos, Salesforce, ASOS, ThredUp, Casper, Zalando, and Stripe. 1984 Ventures, who led the company's pre-seed round last year, continued investing in this round.

The new funding, which was announced on July 13, 2022, will be used to scale Syrup's AI-powered platform, expand its reach, and develop new modules and features.

The Burns & Levinson team was led by partner Robert Chow with assistance from associate Michael Andreasen.

"We have been working with Syrup Tech since their founding in 2020 and are excited to be part of this next phase in the company's growth," said Chow. "Inventory planning is a critical issue for retailers and manufacturers, and this seed funding round will enable Syrup Tech to take its innovative solutions to the next level. We look forward to supporting their ongoing success as they expand their team and service offerings and explore new growth opportunities."

"Robert Chow and his team at Burns & Levinson have provided invaluable wisdom and guidance on every facet of our startup business," said James Theuerkauf, CEO and Co-Founder of Syrup Tech. "Their thoughtful advice has helped us accelerate our growth and their support with our pre-seed and seed funding raises were particularly important. We truly appreciate their trusted legal counsel."

About Syrup Tech

Syrup Tech is an AI-powered predictive software venture for inventory excellence in commerce. Syrup's mission is to pave the way for a world where commerce is no longer a wasteful industry. The company's decision-support engine is empowering merchandisers and planners at omni-channel brands and retailers to make data-driven inventory decisions. Syrup was founded in 2020 and is based in New York. For more information, visit www.syrup.tech.

About Burns & Levinson LLP

At Burns & Levinson, we provide high-level, client-centric and results-oriented legal services to our regional, national and international clients. We are a full-service law firm with 125 lawyers in Boston, Providence and London. Our areas of expertise include: business/finance, business litigation, divorce/family law, venture capital/emerging companies, employment, estate planning, government investigations, intellectual property, M&A/private equity, probate/trust litigation, and real estate. We partner with our clients to solve their business and personal legal issues in a collaborative, creative and cost-effective way. For more information, visit Burns & Levinson at www.burnslev.com .

Contact:



Amy Blumenthal or Kristen Weller Blumenthal & Associates

Chief Marketing & Business Development Officer (617) 879-1511

(617) 345-3555 [email protected]

[email protected]

SOURCE Burns & Levinson
SEATTLE, Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Business Impact Northwest (BINW), and Amazon are joining forces to help small businesses prosper as they recover from the challenges of COVID-19.

Leveraging SBA, Business Forward's National Small Business Digital Alliance and Amazon's digital business tools, BINW will provide growth-enabled business resources and educational workshops as part of a Small Business Digital Accelerator Program to help advance equitable and inclusive growth in Washington State.

Our mission is to grow businesses that create jobs in underserved communities said Joe Sky-Tucker, CEO of BINW Tweet this Business Impact NW, Small Business Administration, and Amazon Announce Effort to Help Local Small Businesses

The program will support small businesses and entrepreneurs across Washington who are interested in becoming online sellers or looking to optimize e-commerce. The program is targeting fifty (50) small businesses to participate.

"Small businesses need assistance to recover after the pandemic, and Amazon is happy to provide resources to help them grow," said Taylor Hoang, head of community engagement, Amazon in Seattle. "We are excited to help Washington entrepreneurs thrive through this partnership."

"Our mission is to grow businesses that create jobs in underserved communities," said Joe Sky-Tucker, president and CEO of BINW. "This partnership will help give business owners a better opportunity to succeed and promote long-term positive economic change in our communities."

"SBA is committed to supporting the development and growth of small businesses and entrepreneurs," said Mike Fong, Region X SBA administrator. "We are pleased to work with BINW and Amazon and other members of the National Small Business Digital Alliance to help businesses succeed, especially after facing the challenges of the pandemic."

Businesses who have an established product and are ready to engage will get the most out of the training.

Live weekly sessions will be held virtually starting on August 18. A live virtual session recap will be available on Wednesdays starting August 24 from 10:00-11:30 a.m. (PT) View the schedule at Small Business Digital Accelerator Program  Business Impact NW .

Businesses that attend all six weeks of virtual trainings will be eligible to apply for the Holiday Shopping Opportunities Program.

In partnership with Amazon, Business Impact NW will select five to fifteen (5-15) businesses to sell at live pop-up vending events throughout Puget Sound during the 2022 Holiday Shopping Season. In addition to selling products in-person, selected businesses will be promoted through Amazon, Business Impact NW, and other partners' digital channels in anticipation of Small Business Saturday.

Visit Small Business Digital Accelerator Program  Business Impact NW to register and learn more.

Contact:

KD Hall

206.966.2198

[email protected]

SOURCE Business Impact Northwest
MBABANE  The two South African tinyanga who were in the country two weeks ago charge more than E18 000 to pastors who seek secret powers.

This was revealed by one of the traditonal healers, Dr Fohla Inyanga, who was in the country with Khwesha Mfana for three days, courtesy of pastors and businesspeople, among others, to assist them advance their churches and businesses. During their previous visit, they said they attended to more than 35 people - pastors, businesspeople and ordinary members of the public while in the country.

Phones

Dr Fohla Inyanga has informed this publication that their phones had not stopped ringing as their services were in demand and he said they would surely be back in the country. He said pastors who sought their services for the first time were charged E9 500 and those who were familiar with the service paid E18 000 and upwards, depending on the level they were at. Pastors who are only starting to use our services pay E9 500, while those who have amandla already operating and are familiar with our services pay from E18 000 upwards, he said. The inyanga said they had received bookings from a number of emaSwati and would be returning to the country. The pair said they came from Jozini, Kamhlabuyalingana, eButhonga, KwaGayumuthi, ezweni labathakathi.

Clientele

The renowned traditional healers caused a spectacle during their initial visit to the country, they mentioned that they had a good rapport with their Eswatini clientele and were looking forward to returning. However, not everyone was happy with the services offered by the tinyanga, with some expressing shock that their target market was pastors. The Ministry of Home Affairs was reached for comment on the matter, specifically to ascertain how far the regulations were which would ensure pastors and prophets who performed ill-practices on their congregants or hosted services where perculiar behaviour resounded all in the name of religion were regulated.

Communications Officer in the ministry Mlandvo Dlamini said the regulations were at their draft stage and they would be sending them to Parliament for approval in due course. We are treating the regulations with urgency and working to ensure they are soon tabled in Parliament. In previous years, we have seen numerous practices which are unforeseen and odd, such as the feeding of grass to congregants all in the name of religion and with these regulations we are aiming to do away with such churches, said Mlandvo.

Eswatini Revenue Service (ERS) Head of Communications Vusi Dlamini was also reached for comment to ascertain how foreign nationals who operated their business in the country remitted their taxes to ERS, more especially those who accepted cash payments. Responding, the ERS head of communications referred this reporter to Riccardo Kruger, ERS Customer Service Manager, who said the principle that was provided by law was that the onus to withhold tax on imported services was upon the local importer of that service; the amount withheld is 10 per cent of the value of the services being imported. For example, if a business brings in a lawyer from outside of the country, the local business is required by law to withhold 10 per cent on the agreed upon fee, which will then be remitted to ERS. This principle is further dependent on all other legal requirements being met; e.g. a permit has been sought for the foreign service provider to operate locally and a legal contract exists between the foreign service provider and the local entity.

It is not clear who invited the said traditional healers to come and operate in the country, as well as if all other legal requirements were met. We have systems that we use that aim to identify such cases that may not be compliant with the law, but the system has its shortcomings, so it is possible for some transactions to elude the tax administration, said Kruger. Dr Khwesha, as he is fondly known, during a telephone interview with this reporter, disclosed that pastors and businesspeople who used their services paid according to their level of experience. Ngeke unike umuntu osacala into elingana neyemuntu osekdala ayenza lento, he said. The SA traditional healer said their price range varied based on their clients experience and level of prominence.

Previously, while they were in the country, Dr Fohla said they came mostly at the instance of pastors ukuzobaphakamisa namabandla abo. He said their other clients were businesspeople who required assistance to win tenders, among other things, and individuals who sought employment, healing and other requirements. We have come to Eswatini at the instance of businesspeople and mostly pastors. Ikakhulu silethwe abafundisi njengoba nisibona (as you can see us, we were brought here by pastors). But we wont reveal their identities, Dr Fohla said. According to Dr Fohla, they were in the country for a period of three days and they attended to about 35 clients. The two were travelling in a navy blue Ford Ranger with stickers of snakes and a calabash, which attracted the attention of members of the public.

Sick

They said they were in the country to assist people who were in need of their services, such as job seekers, the sick and any requirement they might have. Dr Fohla said they had brought all that would be required by their clients. He also mentioned that apart from the about 35 people who called them to come to the country, they could attend to others who might contact them. He described Dr Khwesha Mfana as a traditional Zulu doctor. He also mentioned that other clients visited their headquarters, esgodlweni esikhulu in Jozini. In a previous comment, Council of of Swaziland Churches Reverend Zwanini Tshabalala said this was a difficult matter to respond to as they were not aware of the identities of the pastors in question.

However, he said as council, according to their knowledge, the two things (traditional healing and preaching), did not mix. He said they did not believe that there were pastors who required powers from traditional healers.

We do hear of such now and again but we have no evidence of it. We neither accept it nor encourage it from our membership. This might be individuals behaving in an unwelcome manner and the churches in which they belong, if there are such people, should advise them accordingly.

We believe pastors are called by God to do His work and He gives them the required tools to carry out His work and the gift of the Holy Spirit. Kuticinisa asikwati tsine, said Tshabalala.

Powers

According to Tshabalala, it would be difficult to deal with this allegation because they had not heard of a member of the council being implicated in seeking powers to preach from traditional healers. Also previously, Swaziland Conference of Churches of Secretary General Themba Ngozo said: Ngumkhuhlana lona (It is madness). No preacher gets his powers from a traditional healer; power comes from God, who gives pastors the responsibility to preach. Any pastor who consults traditional healers is not a preacher of the Word of God. He is a fake pastor. The people (Dr Khwesha Mfana and Dr Fohla Inyanga) you are talking about, if they say they have been called by pastors to give them powers, they should reveal their identities, otherwise no pastor receives powers from a traditional healer; kungaba ngumhlolo, said Ngozo. When informed that the renowned traditional healers, Dr Khwesha Mfana and Dr Fohla Inyanga, had shown this journalist pictures of a prominent pastor taken with the latter, Ngozo said they should publish those pictures, so that we can see that they are telling the truth.
Get a comprehensive report summary describing the market size and forecast along with research methodology. The sample report is available in PDF format

C4ISR Market 2021-2025: Scope

The C4ISR market report covers the following areas:

C4ISR Market 2021-2025: Vendor Analysis

Technavio provides a detailed analysis of around 25 vendors operating in the C4ISR Market, including BAE Systems Plc, Booz Allen Hamilton Holding Corp., Elbit Systems Ltd., General Dynamics Mission Systems Inc., L3Harris Technologies Inc., Lockheed Martin Corp., Northrop Grumman Corp., Raytheon Co., Saab AB, and Thales Group among others. The key offerings of some of these vendors are listed below:

BAE Systems Plc - The company offers C4ISR products such as Identification systems and combat ID, WIN-T, CONOPS, and C41 tactical vehicle.

The company offers C4ISR products such as Identification systems and combat ID, WIN-T, CONOPS, and C41 tactical vehicle. Booz Allen Hamilton Holding Corp. - The company offers a C4ISR product, Integrated C4ISR, a force multiplier that enhances mission capabilities and enables warfighters to meet continuing requirements, despite anticipated cuts.

The company offers a C4ISR product, Integrated C4ISR, a force multiplier that enhances mission capabilities and enables warfighters to meet continuing requirements, despite anticipated cuts. Elbit Systems Ltd. - The company offers C4ISR products such as Battle management systems (BMS), HF/VHF/UHF/microwave radio networks, Elbit Systems EW and SIGINT, and Ground surveillance radars (GSR).

The company offers C4ISR products such as Battle management systems (BMS), HF/VHF/UHF/microwave radio networks, Elbit Systems EW and SIGINT, and Ground surveillance radars (GSR). General Dynamics Mission Systems Inc. - The company offers C4ISR products for engineering and integration, software support and cyber security engineering support. The company also provides communication and control systems such as GeoSuite, Tactical Ground Reporting System, and Tactical Airspace Integration System.

The company offers C4ISR products for engineering and integration, software support and cyber security engineering support. The company also provides communication and control systems such as GeoSuite, Tactical Ground Reporting System, and Tactical Airspace Integration System. L3Harris Technologies Inc. - The company offers C4ISR products with capabilities such as Network ISR System Architecture, SIGINT Systems: Signals, Sensors and Processing, Communications System Development and Integration, Specialized Aircraft, Maintenance and Modification, Navigational Warfare, Threat Awareness and Self-Protection Systems, and others.

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C4ISR Market 2021-2025: Segmentation

Platform

Land based: This segment will contribute the highest to the market growth during the forecast period. The C4ISR system for land-based platforms includes armored vehicles, ground stations, and surveillance radars, as well as individual personnel who carry mobile equipment.



Airborne



Naval



Space based

Geography

North America : North America will account for 42% of the market's growth during the forecast period. The suppliers of C4ISR systems in the region are focusing on efficient integration, maintenance, and upgrading of the existing C4ISR systems. This will drive the growth of the market in North America . Moreover, market growth in this region will be faster than the growth of the market in other regions. This US is a key country in the market in the region.

: will account for 42% of the market's growth during the forecast period. The suppliers of C4ISR systems in the region are focusing on efficient integration, maintenance, and upgrading of the existing C4ISR systems. This will drive the growth of the market in . Moreover, market growth in this region will be faster than the growth of the market in other regions. This US is a key country in the market in the region.

Europe



APAC



South America



MEA

Learn more about the contribution of each segment of the market. View our Sample Report

C4ISR Market 2021-2025: Key Highlights

CAGR of the market during the forecast period 2021-2025

Detailed information on factors that will assist C4ISR market growth during the next five years

Estimation of the C4ISR market size and its contribution to the parent market

Predictions on upcoming trends and changes in consumer behavior

The growth of the C4ISR market

Analysis of the market's competitive landscape and detailed information on vendors

Comprehensive details of factors that will challenge the growth of C4ISR market vendors

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C4ISR Market Scope Report Coverage Details Page number 120 Base year 2020 Forecast period 2021-2025 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 4.15% Market growth 2021-2025 USD 30.22 billion Market structure Concentrated YoY growth (%) 3.61 Regional analysis North America, Europe, APAC, and South America Performing market contribution North America at 42% Key consumer countries US, Germany, China, and Russian Federation Competitive landscape Leading companies, competitive strategies, consumer engagement scope Companies profiled BAE Systems Plc, Booz Allen Hamilton Holding Corp., Elbit Systems Ltd., General Dynamics Mission Systems Inc., L3Harris Technologies Inc., Lockheed Martin Corp., Northrop Grumman Corp., Raytheon Co., Saab AB, and Thales Group 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 - Aerospace and defense

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 Platform

5.1 Market segments

Exhibit 15: Platform - Market share 2020-2025 (%)

5.2 Comparison by Platform

Exhibit 16: Comparison by Platform

5.3 Land based - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

Exhibit 17: Land based - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 ($ billion)



Exhibit 18: Land based - Year-over-year growth 2020-2025 (%)

5.4 Airborne - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

Exhibit 19: Airborne - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 ($ billion)



Exhibit 20: Airborne - Year-over-year growth 2020-2025 (%)

5.5 Naval - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

Exhibit 21: Naval - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 ($ billion)



Exhibit 22: Naval - Year-over-year growth 2020-2025 (%)

5.6 Space based - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

Exhibit 23: Space based - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 ($ billion)



Exhibit 24: Space based - Year-over-year growth 2020-2025 (%)

5.7 Market opportunity by Platform

Exhibit 25: Market opportunity by Platform

6 Customer landscape

7 Geographic Landscape

7.1 Geographic segmentation

Exhibit 27: Market share by geography 2020-2025 (%)

7.2 Geographic comparison

Exhibit 28: Geographic comparison

7.3 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 (%)

7.4 Europe - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

- Market size and forecast 2020-2025 Exhibit 31: Europe - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 ($ billion)

- Market size and forecast 2020-2025 ($ billion)

Exhibit 32: Europe - Year-over-year growth 2020-2025 (%)

7.5 APAC - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

Exhibit 33: APAC - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 ($ billion)



Exhibit 34: APAC - Year-over-year growth 2020-2025 (%)

7.6 South America - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

- Market size and forecast 2020-2025 Exhibit 35: South America - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 ($ billion)

- Market size and forecast 2020-2025 ($ billion)

Exhibit 36: South America - Year-over-year growth 2020-2025 (%)

7.7 MEA - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

Exhibit 37: MEA - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 ($ billion)



Exhibit 38: MEA - Year-over-year growth 2020-2025 (%)

7.8 Key leading countries

Exhibit 39: Key leading countries

7.9 Market opportunity by geography

Exhibit 40: Market opportunity by geography ($ billion)

8 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends

8.1 Market drivers

8.2 Market challenges

Exhibit 41: Impact of drivers and challenges

8.3 Market trends

9 Vendor Landscape

9.1 Vendor landscape

Exhibit 42: Vendor landscape

9.2 Landscape disruption

Exhibit 43: Landscape disruption



Exhibit 44: Industry risks

9.3 Competitive Scenario

10 Vendor Analysis

10.1 Vendors covered

10.2 Market positioning of vendors

Exhibit 46: Market positioning of vendors

10.3 BAE Systems Plc

Exhibit 47: BAE Systems Plc - Overview



Exhibit 48: BAE Systems Plc - Business segments



Exhibit 49: BAE Systems Plc  Key news



Exhibit 50: BAE Systems Plc - Key offerings



Exhibit 51: BAE Systems Plc - Segment focus

10.4 Booz Allen Hamilton Holding Corp.

Exhibit 52: Booz Allen Hamilton Holding Corp. - Overview



Exhibit 53: Booz Allen Hamilton Holding Corp. - Product and service



Exhibit 54: Booz Allen Hamilton Holding Corp.  Key news



Exhibit 55: Booz Allen Hamilton Holding Corp. - Key offerings

10.5 Elbit Systems Ltd.

Exhibit 56: Elbit Systems Ltd. - Overview



Exhibit 57: Elbit Systems Ltd. - Business segments



Exhibit 58: Elbit Systems Ltd.  Key news



Exhibit 59: Elbit Systems Ltd. - Key offerings



Exhibit 60: Elbit Systems Ltd. - Segment focus

10.6 General Dynamics Corp.

Exhibit 61: General Dynamics Corp. - Overview



Exhibit 62: General Dynamics Corp. - Business segments



Exhibit 63: General Dynamics Corp.  Key news



Exhibit 64: General Dynamics Corp. - Key offerings



Exhibit 65: General Dynamics Corp. - Segment focus

10.7 L3Harris Technologies Inc.

Exhibit 66: L3Harris Technologies Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 67: L3Harris Technologies Inc. - Business segments



Exhibit 68: L3Harris Technologies Inc.  Key news



Exhibit 69: L3Harris Technologies Inc. - Key offerings



Exhibit 70: L3Harris Technologies Inc. - Segment focus

10.8 Lockheed Martin Corp.

Exhibit 71: Lockheed Martin Corp. - Overview



Exhibit 72: Lockheed Martin Corp. - Business segments



Exhibit 73: Lockheed Martin Corp.  Key news



Exhibit 74: Lockheed Martin Corp. - Key offerings



Exhibit 75: Lockheed Martin Corp. - Segment focus

10.9 Northrop Grumman Corp.

Exhibit 76: Northrop Grumman Corp. - Overview



Exhibit 77: Northrop Grumman Corp. - Business segments



Exhibit 78: Northrop Grumman Corp.  Key news



Exhibit 79: Northrop Grumman Corp. - Key offerings



Exhibit 80: Northrop Grumman Corp. - Segment focus

10.10 Raytheon Technologies Corp.

Exhibit 81: Raytheon Technologies Corp. - Overview



Exhibit 82: Raytheon Technologies Corp. - Business segments



Exhibit 83: Raytheon Technologies Corp.  Key news



Exhibit 84: Raytheon Technologies Corp. - Key offerings



Exhibit 85: Raytheon Technologies Corp. - Segment focus

10.11 Saab AB

Exhibit 86: Saab AB - Overview



Exhibit 87: Saab AB - Business segments



Exhibit 88: Saab AB Key news



Exhibit 89: Saab AB - Key offerings



Exhibit 90: Saab AB - Segment focus

10.12 Thales Group

Exhibit 91: Thales Group - Overview



Exhibit 92: Thales Group - Business segments



Exhibit 93: Thales Group  Key news



Exhibit 94: Thales Group - Key offerings



Exhibit 95: Thales Group - Segment focus

11 Appendix

11.1 Scope of the report

11.2 Currency conversion rates for US$

Exhibit 96: Currency conversion rates for US$

11.3 Research methodology

Exhibit 97: Research Methodology



Exhibit 98: Validation techniques employed for market sizing



Exhibit 99: Information sources

11.4 List of abbreviations

Exhibit 100: 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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SOURCE Technavio
PALO ALTO, Calif., Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- California ChangeLawyers, Equal Justice Society, and Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, filed an amicus brief (https://changelawyers.org/amicus) in the Supreme Court of the United States in Students for Fair Admissions (SFFA) v. Harvard. Endorsed by 22 other organizations, the brief asks the Court to uphold more than four decades of precedent allowing the consideration of race as one of many factors in admissions to higher education.

Equal Justice Society California ChangeLawyers

The Supreme Court has established and repeatedly affirmed the use of race as part of a holistic admissions process to create diverse campus communities that benefit all students. Two federal courts have already ruled in Harvard's favor, overwhelmingly rejecting every argument put forward by SFFA.

In their brief, EJS, ChangeLawyers, and Wilson Sonsini describe SFFA's "reckless, radical operation" that attacks an educational institution's right to make its own judgments on how it develops a student body by blinding it to race and ethnicity.

Instead of allowing universities and colleges to consider a broad array of qualifications and characteristics necessary to achieve true diversity, SFFA wants to limit what these institutions consider.

The brief reveals SFFA's misplaced reliance on California's experience with Proposition 209 as evidence that the surgical removal of race and ethnicity from admissions is a safe and minor procedure. In truth, California's Proposition 209 was a dangerous operation that inflicted immediate, palpable harm on many talented Black, Latinx, and other prospective and admitted students.

California's universities became less diverse, not more. In the three years after Proposition 209, the average enrollment rate of Black and Latinx students declined by 21.3 and 12.7 percent, respectively, at the University of California campuses. As a result, "the path to leadership" became less "open to talented and qualified individuals of every race and ethnicity."

That decrease in diversity led to precisely the outcome that the Grutter decision warned of: a loss of "confidence in the openness and integrity of the educational institutions." This is clearly evidenced by the 12 to 13 percent decrease in applications from underrepresented groups the year that Proposition 209 went into effect.

If these harms had afflicted only one generation of Californians, that alone would be reason enough not to repeat SFFA's operation on the nation as a whole. The reality is that California has still not recovered.

Proposition 209, and the resulting damage to California, is not a model the Court should adopt for the country.

"Institutions of higher learning lose legitimacy in the eyes of the people when they do not reflect the diversity of the communities they exist to serve. Preserving race-conscious admissions policies helps to build trust in the inherent fairness of our American education system," said Christopher Punongbayan, Executive Director of California ChangeLawyers.

"Systems of white supremacy seek to overtake university and college admissions out of fear of what a racially-equitable world looks like," said Mona Tawatao, Equal Justice Society Legal Director. "Without the fair shot that holistic admissions provide, generations of talented Black, Latinx, Native American, and AAPI students would be shut out of selective colleges and universities through no fault of their own and to the detriment of us all."

"We are so proud to have partnered with the Equal Justice Society and ChangeLawyers in seeking to vindicate the Court's precedent and the interests of students and universities in this important matter," said Mark R. Yohalem of Wilson Sonsini.

EJS, ChangeLawyers, and Wilson Sonsini join dozens of groups including students, Asian American advocacy organizations, businesses, civil rights groups, universities, and economists in supporting Harvard and rejecting SFFA's anti-diversity arguments.

For more information, visit https://changelawyers.org/amicus.

California ChangeLawyers (formerly California Bar Foundation) is a statewide foundation that empowers the next generation of lawyers, judges, and activists to create a more diverse legal profession, a fair justice system, and a better California. We believe that a state as diverse as California should have a justice system led by advocates of all ethnicities & races.

http://www.changelawyers.org

The Equal Justice Society is transforming the nation's consciousness on race through law, social science, and the arts. Our legal strategy and advocacy aims to broaden conceptions of present-day discrimination to include unconscious and structural bias by using social science, structural analysis, and real-life experience.

https://equaljusticesociety.org

Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati. For more than 60 years, Wilson Sonsini's services and legal disciplines have focused on serving the principal challenges faced by the management and boards of directors of business enterprises. The firm is nationally recognized as a leading provider to growing and established clients seeking legal counsel to complete sophisticated corporate and technology transactions; manage governance and enterprise-scale matters; assist with intellectual property development, protection, and IP-driven transactions; represent them in contested disputes; and/or advise them on antitrust or other regulatory matters.

https://www.wsgr.com

SOURCE Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati
SACRAMENTO, Calif., Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The California Lawyers Foundation (CLF) is pleased to launch a new grant application process to support projects advancing diversity, equity and inclusion, access to justice, and civic engagement and outreach in 2023.

To be considered for a 2023 grant, nonprofit and legal services organizations should fill out the fields on the CLF's grant application page, and a staff member will then provide a complete application form.

Applications will be accepted until November 1, 2022. CLF will announce the grant recipients on December 15, 2022.

"CLF has developed amazing partnerships over the course of the last couple of years with legal services organizations, student organizations, and other nonprofits," CLF President Heather L. Rosing said. "We are now excited to take our work to the next level with the announcement of our official grant process. These funds will support and amplify the excellent work of our philanthropic partners in the areas of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging, access to justice, and civic education and outreach."

Founded in 2019, CLF awarded seven grants in the approximate amount of $403,000 in 2020 and 2021. CLF is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization governed by a Board of Directors of philanthropists and trailblazers in the legal community. Learn more about CLF's work.

"We could not achieve success in creating pathways for diverse lawyers, investing in civics education, and supporting access to justice work without the financial support from the California Lawyers Association (CLA), CLA Sections, law firms and individual lawyers throughout California," Foundation CEO and Executive Director Oyango A. Snell said. "We are excited to leverage our financial support and invest in the work of our community partners through our 2023 grant program."

ABOUT CALIFORNIA LAWYERS FOUNDATION

Formed in 2019, the California Lawyers Foundation ("CLF") is the charitable arm and partner of the California Lawyers Association, California's voluntary statewide bar association. While new to the scene, the CLF is a statewide foundation actively developing and supporting projects that improve access to justice for people in need and make the legal system more fair and efficient for everyone; increase diversity in the profession and help educate Californians about the 3rd branch, the role of lawyers and the rule of law. CLF is a tax-exempt organization under Internal Revenue Code ("IRC") Section 501(c)(3). For more information about CLF, please visit calawyersfoundation.org.

ABOUT CALIFORNIA LAWYERS ASSOCIATION

Established in 2018, California Lawyers Association is the bar association for all California attorneys. CLA's mission is to promote excellence, diversity, and inclusion in the legal profession and fairness in the administration of justice and the rule of law.

SOURCE California Lawyers Association
More Guests, More Fun at Busiest Homeports and Top Destinations

MIAMI, Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- In a year of many milestones  including its 50th Birthday  Carnival Cruise Line has reached another important mark, welcoming three million guests since the restart of guest operations in July 2021, amidst a busy summer season across its fleet of 23 ships.

In a year of many milestones  including its 50th Birthday  Carnival Cruise Line has reached another important mark, welcoming three million guests since the restart of guest operations in July 2021, amidst a busy summer season across its fleet of 23 ships.

After recording its biggest booking week in the cruise line's 50-year history this spring, the last quarterly Carnival Corporation business update projected Carnival Cruise Line's ships to reach nearly 110% occupancy this summer. That expectation is being realized in the increase of guests across the fleet. Carnival saw its total guest count hit the two million mark in May and it has now risen to three million in less than 75 days  an average of 95,000 guests per week.

Carnival's five busiest homeports, PortMiami, Fla., Port Canaveral, Fla., Galveston, Tex., Long Beach, Calif., and New Orleans, La., were among the first to resume guest operations and account for 77 percent of all Carnival embarkations and an impressive guest total of 2,324,823. Port Canaveral is also home to Carnival's new Excel-class flagship and the first ship in North America powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG) Mardi Gras, that is reaching a milestone of its own, welcoming 250,000 guests on board since its inaugural sailing. In terms of the number of sailings, Carnival's hometown of PortMiami leads the way with more than 215 voyages to date.

Homeports in Tampa, Fla., Charleston, S.C., Baltimore, M.D., Mobile, Ala., Jacksonville, Fla., Norfolk, Va., Seattle, San Francisco and New York, many of which resumed operations this year, have also been key to Carnival's strategy in reaching the three million mark of total guests since restart. All told, Carnival has generated significant economic impact to all 14 of its U.S. homeports, both year-round and seasonal operations, as well as the scores of destinations its ships and guests have visited the past 13 months.

"Carnival set the pace for the industry as the first major cruise line to return to full guest operations in the U.S., and we continue to lead as we now have welcomed three million guests who have enjoyed much-needed vacations," said Carnival president Christine Duffy. "The economic benefit to our homeports and destinations is also significant and we are looking forward to restarting cruise operations in Australia this October."

In addition to sailing from all 14 of Carnival's year-round and seasonal U.S. homeports, the cruise line's three-ship deployment to the Pacific Northwest set in motion its largest Alaskan season ever, with approximately 100,000 guests expected to embark on unforgettable vacations from both Seattle and San Francisco. The Port of San Francisco is also Carnival's newest seasonal homeport, strengthening its position as the cruise line embarking more guests than any other operator from California.

Carnival Pride is spending the summer in Europe, offering itineraries packed with stops at 40 popular ports across 17 countries, and embarkations from both Barcelona, Spain and Dover, England. The ship will return to Tampa and resume operations there on Nov. 12, 2022.

In all, Carnival ships have made more than 3,000 port-of-call visits at 92 individual ports in 36 countries. Carnival ships have called on Mexico the most with about 800 visits  half of which have been to Cozumel, making it the cruise line's most popular port. After Cozumel (385 calls), the other destinations included in the top five are: Nassau (320 calls) and Half Moon Cay (155 calls) in The Bahamas, Amber Cove, Dominican Republic (159 calls), and Mahogany Bay, Roatan (123 calls). It's not surprising several of the top spots are destinations developed specifically for cruisers, and building on that premise, Carnival recently broke ground on a new $200 million cruise port in Freeport, Grand Bahama which officials anticipate will breathe new tourism life into the economy of the second-largest city in The Bahamas.

Guests are also enjoying shore excursions in all those destinations and have gone on two million since restart, bringing commerce and economic activity to those communities and local businesses. In Cozumel, the most popular excursion includes catamaran sailing and snorkeling at Paradise Reef, enjoyed by 30,000 guests. An excursion featuring a fun-filled day at Blue Lagoon Island is the most popular in Nassau, frequented by more than 25,000 guests. In Mahogany Bay, 13,000 guests have chosen to "Discover Roatan" by observing the island's wildlife and natural beauty on a guided tour.

The rapid return of Carnival's guest base is consistent with the growth that has been previously announced, with five ships joining the fleet over the next two years. This November, Costa Luminosa will become Carnival Luminosa and begin sailing seasonally from Brisbane, Australia. Carnival Celebration, an Excel-class ship powered by LNG, will join its innovative sister Mardi Gras as part of the Carnival fleet and begin service from PortMiami in November. A third Excel-class ship, Carnival Jubilee, is set to debut next year from Galveston. Carnival also continues to plan the launch of its new concept, "Choose Fun with Carnival, Italian Style," which will bring two additional ships from Costa into the Carnival fleet in 2023 and 2024 respectively.

For additional information on Carnival Cruise Line and to book a cruise vacation, call 1-800-CARNIVAL, visit www.carnival.com, or contact your favorite travel advisor or online travel site.

ABOUT CARNIVAL CRUISE LINE

Carnival Cruise Line, part of Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL;NYSE: CUK), is proud to be known as America's Cruise Line. Since its founding in 1972, Carnival has continually revolutionized the cruise sector, making a cruise vacation an affordable and popular option for millions of guests. Carnival operates from 14 U.S. homeports and employs more than 40,000 team members representing 120 nationalities. Carnival's newest ship, Mardi Gras, featuring the first roller coaster at sea, is the first cruise ship in the Americas powered by eco-friendly Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG). Carnival returns to Australia in October 2022 and will welcome four additional ships over the next two years, including Carnival Celebration, which arrives to Miami in November to close out Carnival's 50th birthday festivities.

SOURCE Carnival Cruise Line
MINNEAPOLIS, Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Castlelake, L.P. ("Castlelake"), a global alternative investment manager with approximately 17 years of experience investing in asset-rich opportunities, today announced it has opened an office in Madrid, cementing its longstanding presence in the country and the broader southern European region. Castlelake's office is located in the Salamanca district of Madrid, positioning it in close proximity to the banking, investment and financial community, and offering employees and visitors convenient access to transportation and amenities.

"Castlelake has been an active participant in the Spanish market and broader Iberian Peninsula for more than a decade, and we are pleased to formalize that experience with a local office in the vibrant city of Madrid," said Rory O'Neill, Managing Partner and Chief Executive Officer of Castlelake. "We believe this strategic location will support and advance our long-term investment objectives in region and provide our global team members with incremental flexibility and support."

The Madrid office will be initially staffed by existing team members and Castlelake will seek to selectively expand its local presence over time, focusing on building a team primarily comprised of investment professionals with specialized experience in real asset investing and specialty finance investing in the region.

"We believe the southern European market will continue to offer compelling opportunities for Castlelake over the long-term," said Evan Carruthers, Managing Partner and Chief Investment Officer of Castlelake. "Our decision to open a local office is a significant step toward deepening longstanding relationships with existing partners and counterparties, and better equips our team to form new relationships with the potential to fuel new opportunities."

The Madrid office is Castlelake's seventh global office and its third in Europe, joining footprints in Dublin, established in 2020, and London, established in 2006. Castlelake's European team includes more than 70 team members who contribute local market insight and expertise to the firm's investment strategy. Since its founding in 2005, Castlelake has invested more than $6 billion in European investment opportunities across more than 750 transactions and 16 countries.

About Castlelake

Castlelake, L.P. is a global alternative investment manager focused on investments in real assets, specialty finance and aviation across the risk spectrum, from value-oriented to income and investment grade credit. Founded in 2005, Castlelake manages approximately $21 billion of assets. The Castlelake team comprises more than 250 experienced professionals, including 95 investment professionals, across seven offices in North America, Europe and Asia. For more information, please visit https://www.castlelake.com/.

Contact

Castlelake Media Relations

Molly Blemker

+1 612 851 3083

[email protected]

Prosek Partners for Castlelake

Josh Clarkson / Remy Marin

[email protected]

+1 212 279 3115

SOURCE Castlelake
Stock Market Symbols

GIB.A (TSX)

GIB (NYSE)

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MONTREAL, Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - CGI (TSX: GIB.A) (NYSE: GIB) announced today that it intends to enter into a private agreement with CDPQ for the purchase for cancellation of 938,914 of its Class A subordinate voting shares ("Class A Shares") held by CDPQ for a price of $106.51 per Class A Share, which represents a discount to the closing price on July 29, 2022 of the Class A Shares on the Toronto Stock Exchange ("TSX").

The transaction will be made in connection with the periodic portfolio rebalancing of CDPQ. Once completed, CDPQ will continue to hold approximately 22.5 million Class A Shares, representing approximately 9.5% of CGI's total outstanding shares.

"Once again this year, CGI produced excellent results for its shareholders and this repurchase of shares is an opportunity to monetize a portion of our investment to the benefit of our depositors" said Kim Thomassin, Executive Vice-President and Head of Quebec at CDPQ. "Following this transaction, CDPQ will continue to be one of the main shareholders of CGI, and we intend to remain so to support the long-term growth of this information technology leader."

"This transaction is consistent with our value creation strategy and is immediately accretive to our shareholders," said Julie Godin, Co-Chair of the Board, CGI. "CGI has the strength and capital resources to execute on our Build and Buy profitable growth strategy given our strong balance sheet and excellent cash generation, combined with $2.3 billion of cash readily available at the end of June 2022."

A favourable decision was obtained from the Autorite des marches financiers (AMF) to exempt CGI from the issuer bid requirements under applicable securities legislation. The transaction will be entered into at a discount, in accordance with the decision of the AMF, and is expected to be entered into later today and settled on August 2, 2022.

The share repurchase will be made under CGI's normal course issuer bid ("NCIB"), the renewal of which was announced on February 2, 2022. Under the NCIB, CGI is authorized to repurchase up to 18,781,981 Class A Shares by February 5, 2023. The NCIB allows for purchases outside the facilities of the TSX by private agreements pursuant to exemption orders issued by securities regulators. As at July 29, 2022, CGI had repurchased 5,088,959 Class A Shares under its current NCIB.

Information regarding the share repurchase, including the number of Class A Shares purchased for cancellation and aggregate price paid, will be available on the SEDAR website at sedar.com following the completion thereof. CGI will not issue any additional press release in respect of this share repurchase.

About CGI

Founded in 1976, CGI is among the largest independent IT and business consulting services firms in the world. With 88,500 consultants and professionals across the globe, CGI delivers an end-to-end portfolio of capabilities, from strategic IT and business consulting to systems integration, managed IT and business process services and intellectual property solutions. CGI works with clients through a local relationship model complemented by a global delivery network that helps clients digitally transform their organizations and accelerate results. CGI Fiscal 2021 reported revenue is $12.13 billion and CGI shares are listed on the TSX (GIB.A) and the NYSE (GIB). Learn more at cgi.com.

About CDPQ

At CDPQ, we invest constructively to generate sustainable returns over the long term. As a global investment group managing funds for public retirement and insurance plans, we work alongside our partners to build enterprises that drive performance and progress. We are active in the major financial markets, private equity, infrastructure, real estate and private debt. As at December 31, 2021, CDPQ's net assets totalled CAD 419.8 billion. For more information, visit cdpq.com, follow us on Twitter or consult our Facebook or LinkedIn pages.

CDPQ is a registered trademark owned by Caisse de depot et placement du Quebec and licensed for use by its subsidiaries.

Forward-looking information and statements

This press release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of Canadian securities laws and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and other applicable United States safe harbours. All such forward-looking information and statements are made and disclosed in reliance upon the safe harbour provisions of applicable Canadian and United States securities laws. Forward-looking information and statements include all information and statements regarding CGI's intentions, plans, expectations, beliefs, objectives, future performance, and strategy, as well as any other information or statements that relate to future events or circumstances and which do not directly and exclusively relate to historical facts. Forward-looking information and statements often but not always use words such as "believe", "estimate", "expect", "intend", "anticipate", "foresee", "plan", "predict", "project", "aim", "seek", "strive", "potential", "continue", "target", "may", "might", "could", "should", and similar expressions and variations thereof. These information and statements are based on our perception of historic trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other assumptions, both general and specific, that we believe are appropriate in the circumstances. Such information and statements are, however, by their very nature, subject to inherent risks and uncertainties, of which many are beyond the control of CGI, and which give rise to the possibility that actual results could differ materially from our expectations expressed in, or implied by, such forward-looking information or forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include but are not restricted to: risks related to the market such as the level of business activity of our clients, which is affected by economic and political conditions, additional external risks (such as pandemics, armed conflict and inflation) and our ability to negotiate new contracts; risks related to our industry such as competition and our ability to attract and retain qualified employees, to develop and expand our services, to penetrate new markets, and to protect our intellectual property rights; risks related to our business such as risks associated with our growth strategy, including the integration of new operations, financial and operational risks inherent in worldwide operations, foreign exchange risks, income tax laws and other tax programs, our ability to negotiate favourable contractual terms, to deliver our services and to collect receivables, the reputational and financial risks attendant to cybersecurity breaches and other incidents, and financial risks such as liquidity needs and requirements, maintenance of financial ratios, and changes in creditworthiness and credit ratings; as well as other risks identified or incorporated by reference in this press release, in CGI's annual and quarterly MD&A and in other documents that we make public, including our filings with the Canadian Securities Administrators (on SEDAR at www.sedar.com) and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (on EDGAR at www.sec.gov). For a discussion of risks in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, see Pandemic risks in section 10.1.1. of our annual MD&A and section 8.1.1. of our quarterly MD&A. Unless otherwise stated, the forward-looking information and statements contained in this press release are made as of the date hereof and CGI disclaims any intention or obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking information or forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law. While we believe that our assumptions on which these forward-looking information and forward-looking statements are based were reasonable as at the date of this press release, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking information or statements. Furthermore, readers are reminded that forward-looking information and statements are presented for the sole purpose of assisting investors and others in understanding our objectives, strategic priorities and business outlook as well as our anticipated operating environment. Readers are cautioned that such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. Further information on the risks that could cause our actual results to differ significantly from our current expectations may be found in the section titled Risk Environment of CGI's annual and quarterly MD&A, which is incorporated by reference in this cautionary statement. We also caution readers that the above-mentioned risks and the risks disclosed in CGI's annual and quarterly MD&A and other documents and filings are not the only ones that could affect us. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial could also have a material adverse effect on our financial position, financial performance, cash flows, business or reputation.

SOURCE CGI Inc.
Through its extensive fiber footprint, data centers and network assets, Cirion aims to assist companies of Latin America's most relevant industries in their path to digital transformation.

Marks completion of Stonepeak's acquisition of former Lumen Technologies' Latin American operations

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina and NEW YORK, Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Cirion, previously the Latin American operations of Lumen Technologies, today announced the launch of its brand, its purpose of furthering progress in Latin America through technology, and executive leadership team to create a leading digital infrastructure and technology company in Latin America.

The completion of the sale of Lumen Technologies' Latin American operations to Stonepeak, a leading alternative investment firm specializing in infrastructure and real assets, gives Cirion greater flexibility to expand its business in the region and allows the company to form new strategic alliances while offering the regional and global solutions customers expect, with the services they need.

Cirion's purpose is to further progress in Latin America through technology, assisting companies across relevant industries in their paths to digital transformation. Enterprises based in the region will continue experiencing the same high quality service and network levels they were accustomed to with Lumen's Latin American business.

Cirion and Lumen will maintain a strategic partnership to help ensure a seamless global experience and continuous service to customers in the region. This relationship includes reciprocal reselling and network agreements that leverage each other's extensive fiber footprints, data centers, and other network assets.

Cirion's leadership team has more than 20 years of experience working together to drive the company's growth. Facundo Castro will serve as Cirion's Chief Executive Officer. Cirion has also made several new hires in recent months into the company's executive team, all of whom bring extensive experience in the sector across the region.

"We believe technology is key to our digital future and know what it takes to drive industry change. We are confident that we have the right people, partners, and resources to bring fast, reliable, and exceptional services to our customers," said Facundo Castro. "We are very enthusiastic about the opportunities that lay ahead and look forward to positioning ourselves as the technological partner of choice for Latin America's most relevant industries."

"Closing this transaction marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for Cirion as the company continues to expand its fiber and data center network across its already strong footprint in Latin America," said Stonepeak Managing Director and Co-Head of Communications Andrew Thomas. "We are excited to partner with Cirion's team and apply our experience as active investors in global digital infrastructure to drive sustainable long-term growth."

Additional Resources:

About Stonepeak

Stonepeak is a leading alternative investment firm specializing in infrastructure and real assets with approximately $49.3 billion of assets under management. Through its investment in defensive, hard-asset businesses globally, Stonepeak aims to create value for its investors and portfolio companies, and to have a positive impact on the communities in which it operates. Stonepeak sponsors investment vehicles focused on private equity and credit. The firm provides capital, operational support, and committed partnership to sustainably grow investments in its target sectors, which include communications, energy transition, transport and logistics, and social infrastructure. Stonepeak is headquartered in New York with offices in Austin, Hong Kong, Houston, London and Sydney. For more information, please visit www.stonepeak.com.

About Cirion:

Cirion is a leading digital infrastructure and technology provider, offering a comprehensive suite of fiber network, connectivity, colocation, cloud infrastructure, and communication and collaboration solutions with the purpose of furthering Latin America's progress through technology. Cirion serves over 6,400 Latin America-based and multinational customers, including enterprises, government agencies, cloud service providers, wireline and wireless carriers, ISPs, and other leading businesses. Cirion owns and operates a facilities-based network and data center portfolio, with extensive coverage spanning across the Latin America region. Learn more about Cirion at www.ciriontechnologies.com

SOURCE Lumen Technologies
NEW YORK, Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Shareholder rights law firm Julie & Holleman has launched an investigation into the proposed acquisition of Convey Health Solutions Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: CNVY) by its principal shareholder, TPG Capital.

To learn more about the investigation, click here.

Through its funds, TPG already owns approximately 75% of Convey Health's outstanding shares of common stock. Under the companies' merger agreement, announced on June 21, 2022, TPG will acquire the remaining outstanding shares of Convey Health for $10.50 per share in cash, which represents an enterprise value for the company of approximately $1.1 billion.

Julie & Holleman is investigating potential legal claims available to Convey Health's shareholders regarding the proposed acquisition, including claims relating to TPG's and management's conflicts of interest and the adequacy of the $10.50 per share acquisition price.

If you would like more information about Julie & Holleman's investigation, or about the acquisition in general, please contact W. Scott Holleman by email at [email protected] or by telephone at (929) 415-1020. You may also visit the firm's website by clicking here.

Julie & Holleman is a boutique law firm that focuses on shareholder litigation, including derivative actions, mergers and acquisitions cases, securities fraud class actions, and corporate investigations. The firm's attorneys litigate in state and federal courts across the nation. For more information about the firm, please visit www.julieholleman.com. This notice may constitute attorney advertising.

SOURCE Julie & Holleman LLP
DALLAS, Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Comerica Incorporated (NYSE: CMA) announced it will align all payments-related operations into one division directed by Allysun Fleming who will serve as the new Executive Vice President, Payments. Fleming will report to Peter Sefzik, Executive Vice President, Commercial Bank.

Allysun Fleming, Comerica Bank Executive Vice President, Payments

"Our vision is to grow and optimize Comerica in ways that deepen the value we provide our commercial, wealth and retail customers," said Sefzik. "With the addition of Allysun's leadership and expertise, along with the investments we continue to make in our payments business, it allows us to improve how we serve our customers and provide future growth opportunities."

Enhancing the digital capabilities of its existing payment services and embracing agility in the growth and support of alternative payment options to meet the needs of its customers across all business lines has remained a priority for Comerica. It was an early entrant with Zelle for real time payment transfers. And last year, it introduced real-time payments to its Treasury Management services, and more recently it launched efforts to transform the onboarding experience for customers looking to expand or begin using Treasury Management services.

Fleming will help drive continued change in the space, as she provides strategic direction, financial management and leadership for all aspects of the Treasury Management and Payments businesses.

Fleming's career has included more than 18 years in the financial services industry, with experience across various segments including Treasury Management, digital customer experience and commercial, consumer and small business banking. She joins Comerica from Wells Fargo in Charlotte, North Carolina, where she most recently delivered customer improvements as Head of Customer Transformation for Commercial Banking. Fleming continued to progress during her 12 years with the organization, serving in a variety of roles with increasing responsibility across Treasury Management, including managing Treasury Management Client Delivery, which was compromised of Implementation, Commercial account opening, and Enrollment and Automation tools teams; driving digital transformation and product simplification initiatives; and global product management experience. Coupled with her Treasury Management knowledge, Fleming garnered consumer and small business banking experience through Business Deposit product management and finance roles for Wells' Consumer Bank.

Prior to Wells, Fleming held a variety of international assignments at HSBC, including Commercial Banking Relationship Management; Strategy and Business Development for M&S Money; digital product management for Internet and Self-Service Banking; and Human Resources.

Fleming earned a bachelor's degree in economics and political science from the State University of New York at Buffalo.

Comerica Incorporated (NYSE: CMA) is a financial services company headquartered in Dallas, Texas, and strategically aligned by three business segments: The Commercial Bank, The Retail Bank and Wealth Management. Comerica focuses on relationships, and helping people and businesses be successful. In addition to Texas, Comerica Bank locations can be found in Arizona, California, Florida and Michigan, with select businesses operating in several other states, as well as in Canada and Mexico. Comerica reported total assets of $86.9 billion as of June 30, 2022.

SOURCE Comerica Incorporated
Ayres is Recognized on the Renowned List for Seventh Consecutive Year

SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- IGEL , provider of the managed endpoint operating system for secure access to any digital workspace, today announced that CRN , a brand of The Channel Company , has recognized Jed Ayres, CEO, on its 2022 Top 100 Executives list in the Innovators category. CRN acknowledges forward-thinking and innovative technology leaders like Ayres, on this annual list, who have proven their commitment and dedication to the channel through solution-provider-focused strategies and a willingness to take bold steps despite market unpredictability.

CRN's Top 100 Executives list shines a light on the executives who are shaking up the status quo, supporting channel partners, and placing big bets on where the market is headed next. CRN commends these visionaries across four sub-categories: the 25 Most Influential Executives, Top 25 Channel Sales Leaders, Top 25 Innovators and Top 25 Disruptors. Each sub-category has its own set of strengths that positively impact the IT channel.

Joining IGEL in 2016, Ayres has become a prominent influencer in the end user computing (EUC) market. As the world of digital work evolves to a new hybrid work model, he has positioned IGEL to lead the industry with technology that unlocks a collaborative, secure and productive computing experience, from any device, anywhere, on any cloud platform. His vision, innovation and channel-first alignment has rapidly established IGEL as a managed endpoint operating system software leader.

"Jed is very deserving of this honor," said Bill Veghte, Executive Chairman, IGEL. "I have worked with many channel leaders over the years and Jed stands above in his energy, his passion, and his commitment to the end-user computing industry and the channel partners that IGEL works with to deliver better solutions to customers."

"Winning leaders embrace innovation while going all-in with partners in their commitment to accelerating business growth and digital transformation for their customers," said Blaine Raddon, CEO of The Channel Company. "Their exceptional vision, know-how and execution contributed significantly to the strength of their companies, partners, customers, and the IT channel as a whole. Congratulations to all included on the CRN 2022 Top 100 Executives list for successfully bringing channel-focused innovation to the market, enabling new growth opportunities, and producing one channel success story after another."

The Top 100 Executives list will be featured in the August 2022 issue of CRN Magazine and online at www.CRN.com/Top100 .

IGEL on Social Media

Twitter: www.twitter.com/IGEL_Technology

Facebook: www.facebook.com/igel.technology

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/igel-technology

YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/IGELTechnologyTV

IGEL Community: www.igel.com/community

About IGEL

Today, the world of work is hybrid. Multiple clouds can deliver applications sourced from anywhere to a widely distributed workforce using all types of devices. Right at the moment when the world of work needs it most, IGEL has the solution for fully managed, secure endpoint access to any digital workspace that gives IT teams strong control and end-users the freedom to work as they wish in a hybrid world. Enabling choice of any cloud, from any device, anywhere, IGEL unlocks a collaborative and productive end user computing experience while solving the common security and management challenges required to compete and win in today's world of hybrid work. With a growing ecosystem of more than 100 IGEL Ready technology partners, IGEL has offices in Europe and the United States and is represented by partners in over 50 countries. For more information on IGEL, visit www.igel.com.

About The Channel Company

The Channel Company enables breakthrough IT channel performance with our dominant media, engaging events, expert consulting and education, and innovative marketing services and platforms. As the channel catalyst, we connect and empower technology suppliers, solution providers, and end users. Backed by more than 30 years of unequalled channel experience, we draw from our deep knowledge to envision innovative new solutions for ever-evolving challenges in the technology marketplace. www.thechannelcompany.com

Follow The Channel Company: Twitter, LinkedIn , and Facebook.

 2022 The Channel Company, LLC. CRN is a registered trademark of The Channel Company, LLC. All rights reserved.

SOURCE IGEL Technology
SIPHOFANENI  Newly-elected Siphofaneni Member of Parliament (MP) Nomalungelo Ntombi Simelane, affectionately known as LaZwide, says she will pick up where her husband left off in Parliament.

In an interview with this publication after being announced the winner yesterday, she said the people of Siphofaneni and emaSwati took a tough decision and entrusted her with ensuring that she pursued what her husband, Mduduzi Gawuzela Simelane, advocated for. Former Siphofaneni MP, Simelane, together with Hosea and Ngwempisi MPs Mduduzi Bacede Mabuza and Mthandeni Dube, who were arrested for allegedly inciting the public to riot, were calling for an elected prime minister as opposed to one who was appointed by the King. LaZwide was announced the winner by Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) Returning Officer Sibusiso Dlamini at Siphofaneni High School Hall where the votes were counted.



Amassed



She amassed 2 612 votes to beat her closest contender, Moshoeshoe Nkambule, a candidate of Madlenya Umphakatsi, who got 1 031 votes while Sabelo Ngcamphalala of Ngevini Umphakatsi managed only 391 votes. LaZwide said even though she was elected at a time when the current political climate in the country was unstable, she wished to always embrace truth in the discharge of her duties as a legislator. She stated that the people of Siphofaneni were still asking questions as to what prompted government to sack her husband. The KaMkhweli Umphakatsi candidate and eventual winner said the electorate had made their voice clear that they wanted her to complete what they had sent her husband to do in Parliament.She added that the electorate had tasked her with taking her husbands mandate of seeing a democratically elected government by the people to the end.

I promise the people of Siphofaneni that I will work hard in fulfilling what they have sent me to do in Parliament and also what they had tasked my husband with pursuing while he was still an MP. Working together, we will fulfil their wish.

I am short for words to describe my excitement and feeling that Siphofaneni people have trust in me and they came in their numbers to vote me into Parliament, she said. LaZwide further thanked all the voters under the seven chiefdoms and the support she received from people beyond the borders of the country through messages and prayers. Moreover, she thanked members of the Swaziland Liberation Movement (SWALIMO) across the country and the people of Siphofaneni for holding a vigil to ensure that they left for their respective places of abode after the results had been announced.Macomrades, I say thank you (ngiyabonga) for your fighting spirit and I thank the people of Siphofaneni for the confidence they demonstrated in electing me. I also thank Gawuzela for his never die spirit and his resolute decision to stand for the truth, including Bacede and Mthandeni and many others.I would like to also acknowledge the prayers and support from pastors. I became stronger and stronger each passing day through their spiritual support, LaZwide concluded.

Congratulated

Worth mentioning is that the Siphofaneni electorate, who welcomed and congratulated LaZwide for her win, collectively mentioned that they would also vote for her in next years national elections. Tambuti Umphakatsi candidate Mzamo Ndwandwe obtained the least amount of votes, 12. second with a least votes was Mphumakudze Chiefdoms Hlobsile Thwala got 44. Khetsile Sikhondze from Maphilingo Umphakatsi amassed 77 votes while Thokozani Nkambule of Nceka Umphakatsi accumulated 246.The total number of votes from the 12 polling stations was 4 447. The sorting and counting of the ballot papers took almost five hours. It started at 10:55pm.
ATLANTA, Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Delta Air Lines, Inc. (NYSE:DAL) ("Delta") announced today the early tender participation results, as of 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on July 29, 2022 (the "Early Tender Time"), of its previously announced cash tender offer for up to $1.5 billion in aggregate purchase price, excluding accrued and unpaid interest (the "Maximum Tender Amount"), of certain of its outstanding debt securities (the "Notes").

With respect to the Notes validly tendered and not validly withdrawn at or prior to the Early Tender Time, Delta has elected to have an early settlement date to make payment for such Notes on August 2, 2022. The tender offer is being made on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Offer to Purchase dated July 18, 2022 (the "Offer to Purchase").

The following table sets forth certain information regarding the Notes and participation in the tender offer, including the aggregate principal amount of each series of Notes that was validly tendered as of the Early Tender Time according to D.F. King & Co., Inc., the Tender Agent and information agent for the tender offer:

Title of Security

CUSIP No(s). / ISIN

Acceptance

Priority Level

Aggregate Principal

Amount Outstanding

Aggregate

Principal

Amount

Tendered

Aggregate

Principal

Amount to be

Accepted for

Purchase

Proration

Factor1 Delta Air Lines, Inc.

7.000% Senior Secured

Notes due 2025 (the

"2025 Notes")

247361ZX9 U24740AM1 / US247361ZX93 USU24740AM10

1

$2,019,378,500

$477,865,000

$477,865,000

100.0 % Delta Air Lines, Inc.

7.375% Notes due 2026

(the "2026 Notes")

247361 ZZ4 / US247361ZZ42

2

$940,646,000

$83,517,000

$83,517,000

100.0 % Delta Air Lines, Inc. and

SkyMiles IP Ltd. 4.500%

Senior Secured Notes

due 2025 (the "SkyMiles

Notes")

830867 AA5 G8200V AA3 / US830867AA59 USG8200VAA38

3

$2,500,000,000

$855,822,085

$855,822,085

100.0 % Delta Air Lines, Inc.

3.800% Notes due 2023

(the "2023 Notes")

247361 ZP6 / US247361ZP69

4

$421,188,000

$83,700,000

$65,228,000

77.9 % 1 The proration factor has been rounded to the nearest tenth of a percentage point for presentation purposes.

The deadline to withdraw Notes validly tendered in the tender offer was 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on July 29, 2022, which deadline has not been extended. Accordingly, previously tendered Notes may no longer be withdrawn, except where Delta determines additional withdrawal rights are required by law.

The acceptance of tendered Notes was made in accordance with the tender offer terms as described in the Offer to Purchase. As the aggregate purchase price of the Notes validly tendered and not validly withdrawn as of the Early Tender Time exceeded the Maximum Tender Amount, the 2023 Notes that were accepted for purchase by Delta were prorated so as to accept the maximum principal amount of the 2023 Notes that did not result in the Maximum Tender Amount being exceeded. Delta will not accept for purchase any Notes tendered after the Early Tender Time.

Delta has engaged BofA Securities and Citigroup Global Markets Inc. to serve as the Lead Dealer Managers, BNP Paribas Securities Corp., MUFG Securities Americas Inc. and PNC Capital Markets LLC to serve as the Dealer Managers in connection with the tender offer and has appointed D.F. King & Co., Inc. to serve as the Tender Agent and information agent for the tender offer. Copies of the Offer to Purchase are available by contacting D.F. King & Co., Inc. via telephone by calling (800) 967-5084 (toll-free) or banks and brokers (212) 269-5550 or by e-mail: [email protected]dfking.com. A copy of the Offer to Purchase is also available at the following web address: www.dfking.com/delta. Questions regarding the terms of the tender offer should be directed to BofA Securities at (980) 388-0539 or via the email address [email protected] or Citigroup Global Markets Inc. at (212) 723-6106 or via the email address [email protected].

This press release is for informational purposes only and is not an offer to purchase or a solicitation of an offer to purchase with respect to any securities. In addition, this press release is not an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities. The tender offer is being made only pursuant to the Offer to Purchase and only in such jurisdictions as is permitted under applicable law. In any jurisdiction in which the tender offer is required to be made by a licensed broker or dealer, the tender offer will be deemed to be made on behalf of Delta by the Dealer Managers, or one or more registered brokers or dealers that are licensed under the laws of such jurisdiction.

About Delta

No one better connects the world

More than 4,000 Delta flights take off every day, connecting people across more than 275 destinations on six continents with a commitment to industry-leading customer service, safety and innovation. As the leading global airline, Delta's mission is to create opportunities, foster understanding and expand horizons by connecting people and communities to each other and their potential.

Delta's more than 80,000 employees believe our customers should not have to choose between seeing the world and saving the planet. Delta is working toward more sustainable aviation by leveraging existing solutions and technologies, investing in the future of sustainable aviation fuel and actively engaging with next-generation solutions.

Our people lead the way in delivering a world-class customer experience, and we're continuing to ensure the future of travel is personalized, enjoyable and stress-free. Our people's genuine and enduring motivation is to make every customer feel welcomed and respected across every point of their journey with us.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements made in this press release that are not historical facts, including statements regarding our estimates, expectations, beliefs, intentions, projections, goals, aspirations, commitments or strategies for the future, should be considered "forward-looking statements" under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements are not guarantees or promised outcomes and should not be construed as such. All forward-looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the estimates, expectations, beliefs, intentions, projections, goals, aspirations, commitments and strategies reflected in or suggested by the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, market conditions and the timing and ability of Delta to consummate the tender offer; the material adverse effect that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on our business; the impact of incurring significant debt in response to the pandemic; failure to comply with the financial and other covenants in our financing agreements; the possible effects of accidents involving our aircraft or aircraft of our airline partners; breaches or lapses in the security of technology systems on which we rely and of the data stored within them, as well as compliance with ever-evolving global privacy and security regulatory obligations; disruptions in our information technology infrastructure; our dependence on technology in our operations; our commercial relationships with airlines in other parts of the world and the investments we have in certain of those airlines; the effects of a significant disruption in the operations or performance of third parties on which we rely; failure to realize the full value of intangible or long-lived assets; labor issues; the effects of weather, natural disasters and seasonality on our business; changes in the cost of aircraft fuel; extended disruptions in the supply of aircraft fuel, including from Monroe Energy, LLC ("Monroe"), a wholly owned subsidiary of Delta; failure or inability of insurance to cover a significant liability at Monroe's Trainer refinery; failure to comply with existing and future environmental regulations to which Monroe's refinery operations are subject, including costs related to compliance with renewable fuel standard regulations; our ability to retain senior management and other key employees, and to maintain our company culture; significant damage to our reputation and brand, including from exposure to significant adverse publicity or inability to achieve certain sustainability goals; the effects of terrorist attacks, geopolitical conflict or security events; competitive conditions in the airline industry; extended interruptions or disruptions in service at major airports at which we operate or significant problems associated with types of aircraft or engines we operate; the effects of extensive government regulation we are subject to; the impact of environmental regulation, including but not limited to increased regulation to reduce emissions and other risks associated with climate change, and the cost of compliance with more stringent environmental regulations; and unfavorable economic or political conditions in the markets in which we operate or volatility in currency exchange rates.

Additional information concerning risks and uncertainties that could cause differences between actual results and forward-looking statements is contained in our Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021 and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2022. Caution should be taken not to place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements, which represent our views only as of the date of this press release, and which we undertake no obligation to update except to the extent required by law.

SOURCE Delta Air Lines
Events impact people movement and demand, so businesses and governments need to keep track of their impact. New research reveals the major US cities that will experience unusually high event impact in August.

SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The August 2022 Event Index reveals eight US cities set to experience high volumes of large events in August, as well as several cities set to experience sudden plunges into events. With more than 11,400 events with 2,500+ attendees taking place in the United States this August, businesses can tap into the people movement and billions of dollars in demand these drive. This is especially true for the cities experiencing unusually high or low periods, all of which are detailed in this new report.

Events impact demand so businesses need to track their impact. Eight cities will experience high event impact in August. Tweet this Cities that will experience notably high event impact in August 2022.

PredictHQ , the demand intelligence company, today released its August 2022 PredictHQ Event Index report. Companies such as Uber, Accor Hotels and Domino's Pizza use PredictHQ's intelligent event data to forecast demand more accurately. The Event Index is a simple entry point for companies to begin to proactively prepare for the fluctuations in demand that events cause as a score out of 20 per city.

This is generated by unique model applied to 40+ major US cities to identifies how substantial an impact events will have each week. This score is calculated for each city's baseline event activity based on five years of historical, verified event data and millions of events per location. An index score of 10 represents an average score, a score above 15 means the city is likely to be significantly busier than usual, and a score below an 8 means that city will likely be noticeably quieter than usual. Every city has its own baseline and scale to accommodate for the variation in their populations and event norms. For example, a score of an 18 in New York City will entail millions of people moving about the city, whereas a score of 18 in Wichita, Kansas will involve just over 100,000 people.

This gives companies operating in those areas a simple summary to help them plan for any anticipated demand surges or drops. Of the cities in the August report, Detroit is set to experience two weeks of substantially higher event activity, so businesses near these major event clusters can roster on more staff, stock up on inventory or consider different pricing and packaging to make the most of these demand surges. Detroit weighs in with a 16.4 out of 20 for the week of August 14, and will peak at 16.6 the week of August 21.

In August, the cities with the highest activity are:

Detroit at 16.4 (week of August 14 ) and 16.6 (week of August 21 )

at 16.4 (week of ) and 16.6 (week of ) Indianapolis at 16.4 (week of August 21 )

at 16.4 (week of ) Pittsburgh at 16.1 (week of August 21

at 16.1 (week of Fort Worth : 15.7 (week of August 21 )

: 15.7 (week of ) Chicago at 15.7 (week of August 7 ), 16.3 (week of August 14 ) and 15.5 (week of August 21 )

at 15.7 (week of ), 16.3 (week of ) and 15.5 (week of ) Plus Columbus , Milwaukee , Oklahoma City and more

All of the above plus more are detailed in the report as set to experience unusually high or low event activity in August. Notably, August will see weeks of notably low event impact for cities such as:

Orlando at 4.9 for the week of August 14

at 4.9 for the week of New York at 7 for the week of August 28

at 7 for the week of Dallas at 7.1 for the week of August 14

at 7.1 for the week of Charlotte at 7.7 for the week of August 14 and 7.2 for the week of August 28

and 7.2 for the week of Cincinnati at 7.5 for the week of August 14

PredictHQ CEO Campbell Brown said: "A major challenge for businesses right now is keeping track of which cities should be gearing up for busy periods and which cities should be preparing to mitigate the impact of quieter times. Events are a powerful and reliable indicator of demand, and using verified event data provides a relevant and scalable way to do centralized demand planning and forecasting. For example, teams in Chicago may know they're in a stretch of busy weeks, but almost certainly won't know that Miami and New York will have a surprisingly quiet week in the middle of August, when they can save on inventory and staffing.

PredictHQ tracks global events across 19 categories, accounting for attendance-based events like concerts and sports, non-attendance-based events like school holidays and unscheduled events such as severe weather incidents. This breadth of event coverage is critical for the Event Index, as the peak weeks are caused by many overlapping large events.

While the Event Index provides an accurate look ahead at people movement, it is designed to be a simple and accessible summary of the demand intelligence PredictHQ offers  particularly for large companies operating worldwide. Industry leaders in on-demand, accommodation, QSR and transport use PredictHQ's verified and enriched event data to inform staffing decisions, pricing and inventory strategies, and many other core business functions.

For more information on PredictHQ please visit www.predicthq.com .

About PredictHQ

PredictHQ, the demand intelligence company, empowers global organizations to anticipate changes in demand for their products and services through intelligent event data. PredictHQ aggregates events from 350+ sources and verifies, enriches, and ranks them by predicted impact so companies can proactively discover catalysts that will impact demand.

Media Contact:

[email protected]

SOURCE PredictHQ
Digital Finance Forum of Global Digital Economy Conference 2022 Kicked off

BEIJING, Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- With the development of information technology, the world has entered the era of digital economy. The modern financial industry is one of the industries with the highest degree of digitization and the closest ties to the digital economy as well as an important driver of growth for the high-quality development of the digital economy.

The Digital Finance Forum of the Global Digital Economy Conference (hereinafter referred to as GDEC) 2022 kicked off in the Beijing Banking & Insurance Business Park in Shijingshan District on July 30. As an important part of the thematic forums of this GDEC, the Digital Finance Forum is organized by the Shijingshan District People's Government of Beijing Municipality and Asia Digital Group. The forum, as a platform for in-depth exchange, centered on building a bridge for financial industries, driving financial innovation and digital strategic upgrade under the new dual-cycle pattern and helping the development of digital finance in China's capital.

Wang Wei, First Class Inspector of Beijing Municipal Bureau of Economy and Information Technology, Zhao Weijiu, Member of Standing Committee of CPC of Beijing Local Financial Supervision and Administration, Deputy Director of Beijing Local Financial Supervision and Administration, Li Xin, Deputy Secretary of CPC Beijing Shijingshan District, Mayor of Shijingshan District People's Government of Beijing Municipality, Zhu Dongfang, President of Asia Digital Group and other guests were present on site. Over 20 important guests in the financial sector from 10+ countries were invited to attend the forum offline or online to discuss the transformation of the digital financial industry with focus on the trend of digital finance. More than 100 visitors from financial institutions and enterprises joined the on-site events, supplemented with online links involving 1.2 million people.

Adopting the Market-Oriented Operation Led by Government

Nowadays, the digital economy with the deep integration of information technology and the real economy has become a global trend, and the corresponding financial digital transformation has also become the main task of financial industry transformation when the government-led and market-oriented operation plays an irreplaceable role.

According to the speech delivered by Wang Wei, First Class Inspector of Beijing Municipal Bureau of Economy and Information Technology, Beijing, centering on the construction of the national financial management center, will further promote the innovative practice of digital finance, in cooperation with the Beijing Local Financial Supervision and Administration to build a modern digital financial system in China's capital, improve the level of digital finance supporting the development of the real economy, and help the construction of Beijing into a global model city of digital economy. It is necessary to take such measures as supporting the implementation of key digital financial institutions and major projects, improving the digitalization of financial infrastructure, increasing the openness of public data and social data, accelerating the implementation of the Beijing Digital Economy Promotion Regulations, deepening the construction of the Beijing International Data Exchange and the Zone for Financial Data and providing data of higher quality as a key factor of production.

Zhao Weiju, Member of Standing Committee of CPC of Beijing Local Financial Supervision and Administration, Deputy Director of Beijing Local Financial Supervision and Administration, pointed out in his speech that Beijing's fintech will take the deepening of digital industrialization and financial digitization as the main task, with focus on both the supply side and the demand side, give full play to the synergistic effect of financial reform and financial opening and take stronger steps to enhance the innovation of a modern digital financial system that fits the positioning of the capital so as to build a strong and solid network for building Beijing into a benchmark city for the global digital economy. Great efforts will be made to foster the main body of the digital financial industry, strengthen the R&D and innovation of digital financial technology, expand the experience of the digital financial application scenarios, construct and improve the supervision system of digital finance, and optimize the industrial layout of digital finance.

Li Xin, Deputy Secretary of CPC Beijing Shijingshan District, Mayor of Shijingshan District People's Government of Beijing Municipality, noted in his speech that Shijingshan District has seized development opportunities and issued the Five-Year Plan for Digital Economy, in alignment with the development orientation of the Beijing Banking & Insurance Business Park given by the State Council to build a National Financial Industry Demonstration Zone. In this way, the financial digital transformation is regarded as the support of strategic importance for the development of regional digital economy. In order to further promote the development of digital finance, Li Xin proposed four guarantees, that is, building a consensus on cooperation to promote the development of digital finance, creating an ecological environment conducive to the its development, fostering new drivers of growth for digital finance and constructing the "circle of friends" of digital finance.

Jointly Exploring the Path to Future via Exchange of Ideas

Lenny Zhao, Vice President and Head of Visa Consulting and Analytics (VCA), Visa Greater China, delivered a speech themed as "Responsible Innovation Fostering the Sustainable Development of Digital Payment", reflecting the thinking and commitment of the world's leading digital technology companies to digital payment security to advance the sustainable development of the digital economy.

Fan Bin, VP & Senior Partner, IBM Consulting Greater China Group, General Manager, IBM Consulting China Financial Service Sector, delivered a speech on the theme of "Let's Create a Digital Finance New Era", and Jin Songhua, CFO of Microsoft Greater China talked about "AI Empowers Innovation for Sustainable Growth", both expounding their ideas for the future of new digital finance, and sharing their experience in the development of digital finance in related industries. Fiona Ma, Treasurer of California, USA, Tom Simpson, Managing Director, China Operations & China Chief Representative China-Britain Business Council, Arno Oudijn, Financial Counsellor at the Netherlands Embassy and Kasia Greco, Vice President, Vienna Chamber of Commerce & Industry delivered speeches on topics such as "UK-China Digital Finance Overview and Outlook" and "Fintech Developments, an Outsiders' Perspective". They have explored new trends and hot issues in the development of digital finance from a broader perspective beyond the industry to seek for opportunities to deepen cooperation and development with digital finance in China.

The roundtable discussion around "Critical Thinking with Digital Intelligence to Reconstruct Financial" was moderated by Zhang Li, executive vice president of Asia Digital Group. A lively discussion on digital intelligence, the core of the transformation of the digital financial format was presented among guests including Li Xianxia, Member of Standing Committee of CPC Beijing Shijingshan District, Deputy Mayor of Shijingshan District People's Government of Beijing Municipality, Li Wenhua, Deputy Mayor of Shijingshan District People's Government of Beijing Municipality, Zhang Ning, Director of the Central University of Finance and Economics, Liu Dongmin, Director of the Division of International Finance, Institute of World Economics and Politics, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Li Junping, Vice President of Alibaba Cloud Intelligence, Michael Jing, Senior Vice President of BOE, Du Xiaozheng, GM of Business Analysis Division at GienTech, Chairman of Data Development Committee at GienTech, Bu Renhai, Data Solutions Expert of China Information.

Promoting Steady Progress in Digital Financial Innovation Guided by Think Tank

In order to further enhance and promote the development of digital finance in Shijingshan District, this Digital Finance Forum witnessed the signing of the strategic cooperation framework agreement between the Shijingshan District People's Government and Asia Digital Group, represented by Li Xianxia, Member of Standing Committee of CPC Beijing Shijingshan District, Deputy Mayor of Shijingshan District People's Government of Beijing Municipality and Zhang Li, Executive Vice President of Asia Digital Group respectively.

Meanwhile, in order to strengthen the Shijingshan District Digital Finance Consultant Team, Li Xin, Deputy Secretary of CPC Beijing Shijingshan District, Mayor of Shijingshan District People's Government of Beijing Municipality presented letters of appointment for senior consultants of digital finance of Shijingshan District to over guests from academia and business in digital finance, including Fan Bin, VP & Senior Partner, IBM Consulting Greater China Group, General Manager, IBM Consulting China Financial Service Sector, Jin Songhua, CFO of Microsoft Greater China, Zhang Li, Executive Vice President of Asia Digital Group, Huang Hongying, Vice President of Alibaba Cloud Intelligence, Li Junping, Vice President of Alibaba Cloud Intelligence, Michael Jing, Senior Vice President of BOE, Liu Dongmin, Director of the Division of International Finance, Institute of World Economics and Politics, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Zhang Ning, Director of the Central University of Finance and Economics, Du Xiaozheng, GM of Business Analysis Division at GienTech, Chairman of Data Development Committee at GienTech, Huang Wanzhong, Chief Data Expert of China Information, Vice Chairman of DAMA China, International Data Management Association, Wu Lianfeng, Vice President & Chief Research Analyst IDC China, Doris Liu, Head of Inward Investment China (Hong Kong), Scottish Development International, Qu Shaoguang, Vice General Manager of China Financial Computerization Group, Zhang Shaofeng, Founder, Chairman, CEO of Bairong Inc., Li Fan, Secretary of the Party Committee, General Manager of the Tech Innovation Department of China Everbright Group, Han Bo, Board Director, President of Longyingzhida (Beijing) Technology Co., Ltd., etc. The consultants and leaders of Shijingshan District conducted in-depth exchanges and discussions at the subsequent meeting on the development of modern financial industry in Shijingshan District, and offered suggestions for promoting steady and solid progress in the innovation of digital finance in this area.

In addition, this forum utilized AI, VR, AR and other digital technologies to build a cloud platform that breaks the boundaries of time and space through cloud conferences, livestreaming videos, cloud exhibitions and cloud docking, together with offline conferences. The cloud platform can enable the global audience to experience as if they were here, with latest projects and research results presented in a detailed and multi-dimensional manner from such enterprises as China CITIC Bank, Bank of Beijing Shijingshan Sub-branch, China Banking and Insurance Information Technology Management Co., Ltd., CRCC Cyber Information Technology Co., Ltd., China Banking and Insurance Information Technology Management (Beijing) Co., Ltd., Beijing Iron Ore Trading Center Corporation, Beijing Shangrong Factoring, BOB-Cardif Life Insurance Co., Ltd. Beijing Branch, Guobao Life Insurance Co., Ltd. Beijing Branch and Bairong Inc.

The Digital Finance Forum of this GDEC is committed to building a diversified digital finance platform based on the present and facing the future through the release of academic achievements, the collision of cutting-edge ideas, the face-to-face communication between government and market and the technological display of digital financial projects.

SOURCE Asia Digital Group
Creates Leading Colocation and Interconnection Provider in Africa

AUSTIN, Texas, Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Digital Realty (NYSE: DLR), the largest global provider of cloud- and carrier-neutral data center, colocation and interconnection solutions, today announced the successful completion of its previously announced agreement to acquire a majority interest in Teraco, a leading carrier-neutral data center and interconnection services provider in South Africa, from a consortium of investors, including Berkshire Partners and Permira, in a transaction valuing Teraco at approximately $3.5 billion.

The acquisition of Teraco adds South Africa to Digital Realty's three existing markets on the continent, including Kenya, Mozambique, and Nigeria. The strategic importance of these four markets has been enhanced by the recent and ongoing implementation of new subsea cable networks encircling Africa. Combined with Digital Realty's highly connected facilities in Marseille, our customers have a range of strategic connectivity hubs from which to serve all corners of the African market.

As South Africa's largest and most densely interconnected data center platform, Teraco supports the rapid growth of the continent's internet community through its expanding portfolio of data centers. Teraco's experienced management team, growing multi-national customer base, quality infrastructure and ownership of NAPAfrica, the continent's largest Internet Exchange Point, are key differentiators that position the company for sustainable growth.

"We are very excited to complete this transformative transaction that positions Digital Realty as the premier data center and connectivity provider on the high-growth African continent," says A. William Stein, Chief Executive Officer, Digital Realty. "Today's milestone gives us significant regional scale and access to a premier, high-quality portfolio in Africa's largest market, enhancing our ability to serve growing customer demand for connectivity in the region. We're thrilled to strengthen our global platform and deepen our commitment to investment in Africa, as we capitalize on the tremendous opportunity in the region."

"Teraco has made significant progress in achieving our strategic objectives, including improving the connectivity and accessibility of our data centers, in supporting the rapid digital transformation in the region," says Jan Hnizdo, Chief Executive Officer, Teraco. "Africa is poised to remain a high growth, high-demand area for data center solutions and our combined, diversified platform will further enable us to support our customers in the pan-Africa region and around the world."

With the acquisition, Teraco will be known as Teraco: A Digital Realty Company.

About Digital Realty

Digital Realty brings companies and data together by delivering the full spectrum of data center, colocation and interconnection solutions. PlatformDIGITAL, the company's global data center platform, provides customers with a secure data "meeting place" and a proven Pervasive Datacenter Architecture (PDx) solution methodology for powering innovation and efficiently managing Data Gravity challenges. Digital Realty gives its customers access to the connected communities that matter to them with a global data center footprint of 300+ facilities in 50+ metros across 27 countries on six continents. To learn more about Digital Realty, please visit digitalrealty.com or follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter.

About Teraco

Teraco, a leading carrier-neutral colocation provider in Africa, is the first provider of highly resilient, vendor-neutral data environments in sub-Saharan Africa. With its world-class data centre infrastructure and network-dense ecosystems, Teraco forms a vital part of the African Internet's backbone and is essential to the modern enterprise's digital transformation strategy. Teraco is part-owned by Digital Realty (NYSE: DLR)  offering customers a global data center platform designed to enable digital business to scale within a highly connected data community across 300+ data centers in 50+ metros and 27 countries on six continents  and a consortium of private equity investors, including Berkshire Partners LLC and Permira. For more information, please visit teraco.co.za or follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter.

For Additional Information

Media Contacts

Helen Bleasdale

Digital Realty

+1 737 267 6822

[email protected]

John Christiansen / Kevin Siegel

Sard Verbinnen & Co

+1 (415) 618-8750 / +1 (310) 201-2040

[email protected]

Investor Relations

Jordan Sadler/ Jim Huseby

Digital Realty

+1 737 281 0101

[email protected]

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements which are based on current expectations, forecasts and assumptions that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially, including statements related to the company's closing of the transaction with Teraco, the South African and African market, development plans and operations in Africa, access to subsea cables, Digital Realty's strategy, expected growth of the digital economy, customer demand, and expected benefits. For a list and description of such risks and uncertainties, see the reports and other filings by the company with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. 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.

SOURCE Digital Realty
Revenues grew by +21% compared to 2021 thanks to growth in all markets and distribution channels

Profitability grew compared to 2021 thanks to increased revenues and improved operational efficiency

Strong focus on the key strategies identified in the strategic plan, particularly the development in the United States and the digital channel

MILAN, August 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- During the first half of 2022, illycaffe's consolidated revenues grew by 21% compared to 2021.

In the Ho.Re.Ca. channel, revenues benefited from a gradual recovery in out-of-home consumption, and saw double-digit growth compared to 2021, narrowing the gap with pre-pandemic levels. This was especially true in Italy, where revenues grew by 30% compared to 2021 thanks to an acceleration in the rate of new client acquisition, particularly in the premium segment, and to an increase in average consumption.

Revenues grew compared to 2021 in the HOME channel as well. In particular, revenues from the online channel grew by 11% compared to 2021, with the United States and China driving growth.

In the United States, a priority market of the industrial plan, revenues grew by 34% compared to 2021 thanks to the positive performance of the modern trade, which was due, among other things, to strengthened collaboration with Amazon, and recovery in the food service channel.

The other markets in which the brand is present also saw significant growth in revenues compared to 2021. In particular, revenues in China grew by 16% compared to 2021, driven by the online channel.

In spite of constant pressure due to increases in the costs of raw materials and logistics costs, EBITDA grew compared to the previous year, as it benefited from increased revenues and improved operational efficiency reflecting a strong strategic focus on long-term drivers of growth.

Cristina Scocchia , Chief Executive Officer of illycaffe, commented as follows:

We are pleased with the results achieved in the first half of 2022. The positive performance of all markets underscores the effectiveness of the strategies laid out in the industrial plan, which revolve around international growth with a focus on the United States and China, which are the markets with the highest potential for us. Revenue increase was supported by all distribution channels, with a good balance between home and out-of-home.

Despite the exponential rise in the cost of raw materials and logistics, EBITDA saw an acceleration, fueled by a rise in revenue and a stronger operational efficiency, reflecting a strong strategic focus on long-term drivers of growth.

Such results are a solid base to face a year that we expect to be complex and challenging, especially on the profitability front, due to the growing uncertainty and volatility related to the macroeconomic context and geopolitical tensions.

illycaffe is an Italian family-owned company, founded in Trieste in 1933. Its mission has always been to offer the best coffee to the world. Illycaffe produces a unique 100% Arabica blend, combining 9 of the best varieties in the world, selected by illycaffe: every day 8 million cups of illy coffee are served in over 140 countries around the globe, in the cafes, restaurants and hotels, in single-brand cafes and shops, at home and in the office. As a result of its innovations, illycaffe contributes to the coffee technology progress at global level. In 1991, the "Premio Ernesto Illy de qualidade sustentavel do cafe para espresso" was launched in Brazil for quality espresso coffee. Illycaffe has contributed to the sharing of the know-how, paying growers a premium price for the best quality selected by illycaffe. Since 2016, with the "Ernesto Illy International Coffee Award", the company has celebrated coffee growers all over the world that, according to illy, have produced the best sustainable coffee. Since 2013, the company has been in the list of the World Most Ethical Companies. In 2019, it enhanced its commitment to pursue a sustainable business model integrating the interest of people with the environment, adopting the status of Societa Benefit (Benefit Company) and adding this commitment into its own bylaws. In 2021, illycaffe was the first Italian company in the coffee sector to obtain the international certification as B Corp as a result of its commitment to comply with the highest standards of social and environmental performance. The company also founded the University of Coffee, which has the objective of sharing culture at all levels, offering a comprehensive and practical training to growers, baristas and coffee lovers. Everything that is "made in illy" is about beauty and art, the founding principles of the brand, starting from its logo, designed by artist James Rosenquist, up to illy Art Collection cups, decorated by over 120 international artists. In 2021, the company had 1305 employees and a turnover of about 500 million. There are 205 illy single-brand shops in over 40 countries all over the world. In 2021, Rhone Capital became a minority shareholder of illycaffe with the aim of contributing to the company's international growth plans.

SOURCE illycaffe
LOS ANGELES, Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- International best-selling author and inspirational speaker Dr. Erica Miller has been selected for inclusion in the Nationwide Registries Women of Distinction 2022 Honors Edition for her outstanding achievements, unique contributions and professional excellence. At 88 years of age, Dr. Miller has a long history of sharing her lessons about power of the human spirit. Dr. Miller's energy, passion for life and undeniable spark blend seamlessly with her richly deserved wisdom.

Dr. Erica Miller

Dr. Miller has made her mark on her profession and will become part of history as one of the top professionals in her field. "I am extremely humbled to be recognized as a Woman of Distinction," says Dr. Miller. "To be recognized by your peers is incredibly gratifying and I am thankful to the National Registries for this award. I am grateful for the continued opportunity to share my experiences and inspire others to live their lives with guts, grit, and gusto."

A Holocaust survivor and Israeli Air Force veteran, Dr. Miller earned a Ph.D. in clinical psychology and ran a chain of mental health clinics throughout Los Angeles and Orange County for more than 30 years. In addition, Dr. Miller established and oversaw the California Diversion Intervention Foundation, a non-profit organization that offered programs to serve the needs of the substance abuse and domestic violence population referred by the courts.

Continuing her track record of service and success, Dr. Miller still oversees her family's real estate business in Austin, Texas. Dr. Miller is the author of three books: The Dr. Erica Miller Story: From Trauma to Triumph, Don't Tell Me I Can't Do It: Living Audaciously in the Here and Now and the international best-seller Chronologically Gifted: Aging with Gusto!

For more information about Dr. Erica Miller, visit her website at www.drericamiller.com.

About the Nationwide Women of Distinction

With expert females representing every major industry, Nationwide Registries Women of Distinction Honors Edition is a trusted resource and tool dedicated to highlight the professional accomplishments and stories of today's best and brightest women in business. Nationwide Registries Women of Distinction is dedicated to the preservation of each individual female's story as each of them deserve their own special place in history.

CONTACT:

Gerri Knilans

Publicist for Dr. Erica Miller

[email protected]

805 496-8850

SOURCE Dr. Erica Miller
NEW YORK, Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Education Cannot Wait (ECW) announced today US$25 million in catalytic seed funding to roll out a first-ever Multi-Year Resilience Programme in Cameroon. The new allocation brings ECW's total investments in Cameroon to over US$30 million to date to reach crisis-affected girls and boys with quality education.

The multi-year investment will be delivered by a consortium of grantees, including the Norwegian Refugee Council (US$3 million), Plan International (US$3.2 million), UNESCO (US$3.5 million), UNICEF (US$6.8 million), UNHCR ($5.6 million) and the World Food Programme ($2.9 million) in alignment with the Government of Cameroon's plans for education in the crisis-affected parts of the country.

The three-year programme aims to mobilize US$50 million in additional resources to reach a total of 227,000 internally displaced, refugee, returnee and host community children and adolescents within the North-West, South-West, Far North, East and Adamawa regions.

The investment responds to the multiple shocks Cameroon has experienced over the last decade, including numerous prolonged humanitarian crises and resulting population movements, socio-political crises, recurrent flooding driven by climate change, the Boko Haram Lake Chad Basin regional crisis, protracted conflict in neighboring Central African Republic, and compounding impacts of COVID-19.

The most recent analysis indicates that more than 1.9 million school-aged children in the country require urgent humanitarian assistance. More than 1.2 million need urgent assistance in the North and South-West alone, and close to 400,000 need assistance in the education sector in the Far North.

"We call on donors, the private sector and other strategic partners to urgently mobilize additional resources to realize the dreams of quality education for the children and adolescents in Cameroon. Together, we can advance progress towards SDG4: ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all," said Yasmine Sherif, Director of Education Cannot Wait, the UN's global fund for education in emergencies and protracted crises.

"At a time when reflections on the transformation of education are underway, this new program will make it possible to strengthen the resilience of our education system and increase opportunities for all girls and boys affected by the various crises raging in Cameroon to access a quality inclusive education in a healthy, safe and protective environment," said Cameroon Minister of Education Professor Laurent Serge Etoundi Ngoa.

SOURCE Education Cannot Wait
CHICAGO, Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- EMC filtration market is projected to grow from USD 861 million in 2022 to USD 1,160 million by 2027; it is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.1% during the forecast period, according to a new report by MarketsandMarkets. The growth of the market is attributed to the stringent environmental and EMC regulations, increasing adoption in industrial automation applications, and increasing deployment of data centers in developing nations. During the forecast period, development of EMC and power quality filters for new application areas such as electric vehicle and renewable energy is expected to create growth opportunities for the market.

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EMC filters product type to account for larger share of EMC filtration market in 2022

EMC Filters accounted for a larger share of the EMC filtration market in 2021 and it is expected to remain dominant throughout the forecast period. Increasing focus on considering electromagnetic compatibility to calculate the quality of electromagnetic products has accelerated the market potential for EMC filters. For example, in the power systems designing process, EMC filters help enhance the overall anti-interference capacity and service life of the power systems by offering good electromagnetic compatibility. Increasing efforts by regulatory bodies toward developing stringent noise regulations to suppress noise generated from electronic devices to a reasonable level will accelerate the growth opportunities for EMC filter manufacturers. Also, EMC filters help achieve immunity, reduce emissions, and fulfill fast transient requirements to deliver a robust design for electronic devices. Therefore, government and regulatory bodies have set policies and regulations for adopting EMC/EMI filters. For instance, in the US, the Federal Communications Commission regulates EMI and the set EMI policies under Title 47 Part 15, which focus on noise immunity and noise emissions of electronic devices among various industries.

Industrial automation application to lead EMC filtration market in 2022

Industrial automation to hold high opportunities for EMC filtration market compared to other applications in 2022 and 2027. Motor dive application holds for the majority of the share in the industrial automation application. EMC and power quality filters in motor drives are used to minimize EMI problems, high-frequency common-mode noise, leakage current issues, and overvoltage transients. The filters used in motor drive applications are selected on various parameters such as motor drive power rating, full load current rating, operating voltage, and EMC requirements such as EN 61800-3 for the power drive system. EMC filters are integrated between the inverter output terminals and input terminals of the induction motor to limit the effect of EMI, common-mode noise, and differential noise. Moreover, the introduction of new regulations by several authorities such as the International Electrotechnical Commission and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers to guide the engineers on emission limits to protect circuits and other devices will further accelerate the growth opportunities for EMC filtration in motor drive applications.

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Market in Europe to hold significant opportunities for the market during forecast period

Rising inclination toward environmental consciousness and valiant efforts to develop processes in sync with maintaining safe ecology will drive the adoption of EMC filtration solutions in Europe. A wide range of legislations and harmonization standards have come into force and been published in the field of EMC in the past few years. For example, in the European Union, the EMC directive 89/336/EEC of the Council of the European Communities focuses on the protective aims of the EMC directive that all equipment must comply with. The manufacturer or importer must guarantee conformity with the respective standard in the form of a declaration of conformity. These standards and regulations will increase the adoption of EMC filters in the region.

Major vendors in the EMC filtration market include Schaffner Holding AG (Switzerland), Delta Electronics, Inc. (Taiwan), TDK Corporation (Japan), TE Connectivity (Switzerland), Littelfuse, Inc (US), Sinexcel (China), Schurter Holding AG (Switzerland), AstrodyneTDI (US), among others.

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Solar Landscape Completes Installation on Facility That Will Deliver Guaranteed Power Bill Savings to Nearby Residents While Creating Jobs and Lowering Emissions

NEPTUNE, N.J., Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Solar Landscape , New Jersey's largest community solar owner and operator, announced today that it has completed construction on the first of 46 community solar projects approved by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) in Year 2 of the Community Solar Energy Pilot Program.

Solar Landscape Completes Construction on the First Year 2 Community Solar Project in New Jersey.

New Jersey's first completed Year 2 project is located on an Extra Space Storage site in Neptune , one of 10 sites owned by the company that is hosting community solar Year 2 projects with Solar Landscape. Extra Space Storage's total 6.5-megawatt (MW) community solar portfolio will cover 800,000 square feet of rooftop solar that will power over 1,400 nearby homes.

"We are thrilled to be involved in this community solar project. At Extra Space Storage, we have been equipping our locations with solar for over a decade, and this new effort to bring solar power to the local community is an exciting development," said McKall Morris, Senior Manager of Communications and Sustainability. "Partnering with Solar Landscape on this project aligns perfectly with our commitments to be good corporate citizens and to participate in environmental initiatives that are positive for our communities, customers, employees, and shareholders."

"Community solar is a vital part of Governor Murphy's clean energy initiative which is aimed at reaching 100 percent clean energy by 2050," said Joseph L. Fiordaliso, President, New Jersey Board of Public Utilities. "We are extremely proud of our rapidly growing Community Solar program and a special congratulations to Solar Landscape for becoming the first Year Two project in our program to go online. We are particularly excited that projects such as this enable us to provide access to solar energy for residents who have been unable to access solar energy, because of barriers like cost or where they live."

"Community solar is a central piece of our state's clean energy infrastructure," said Jane Cohen, Director of the Office of Climate Action and the Green Economy. "New Jersey has prioritized the development and deployment of community solar to improve access to clean energy for thousands of New Jersey families, reduce energy costs, and generate good-paying jobs and workforce development opportunities in the growing clean energy industry. We recognize this project as an important step forward in the expansion of Community Solar to our coastal communities and congratulate Solar Landscape for bringing this project online."

"Thanks to Governor Murphy, the NJBPU, community leaders across the state and our installers, New Jersey has become a national model for clean energy equity," said Solar Landscape CEO Shaun Keegan. "The promise of community solar in New Jersey has arrived, and it's bringing guaranteed savings to residents at a time when many other costs are increasing. We're proud to be partnering with Extra Space Storage on this project, which connects business leaders with the local community and saves residents money."

Community solar allows residents to subscribe to a nearby solar installation that is often hosted on a commercial property. The residents receive the electricity generated at a discounted rate, with extra savings for low- to moderate-income households. NJBPU's Community Solar Energy Pilot Program , which is part of Governor Murphy's clean energy agenda, expands access to renewable energy for those who previously could not install solar panels for reasons such as high costs, lack of roof control, or a shaded property.

As part of the community solar program, Solar Landscape has partnered with dozens of schools, nonprofits and community organizations. It has educated nearly 1,000 New Jersey residents and students about renewable energy careers. Along with Sustainable Jersey City, an environmental education nonprofit, the company awarded $20,000 in scholarships to high school seniors through its Community Sustainability Challenge scholarships . Solar Landscape also partners with nonprofits such as Asbury Park's Interfaith Neighbors and the Affordable Housing Alliance to build the community support necessary to make community solar projects successful.

The Neptune community solar site will generate approximately 500 kilowatts of energy, with the other nine sites located in New Jersey towns spanning seven counties (Atlantic, Bergen, Hudson, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, and Ocean counties):

Egg Harbor

Ho Ho Kus

Jersey City

Lawrence

Parlin

Old Bridge

Iselin

Neptune

Hazlet

Toms River

The diversity of these towns underscores the innovation of New Jersey's community solar program, which enables the commercial real estate sector to contribute meaningfully to lowering carbon emissions by installing panels on their entire roof, not just the portion that covers the building's energy needs. The program also allows the commercial sector to play a role in expanding energy equity by making it possible for community solar subscribers  the majority of whom are lower-income  to power their homes with renewable energy and participate in the fight against climate change.

Solar Landscape and Community Solar: Clean Energy Equity, Savings and Workforce Development

Through the New Jersey Community Solar Energy Pilot Program's Year 1 and 2, Solar Landscape has 70 MW of solar energy built or under construction. The company currently owns and operates more than half  eight out of 14  of New Jersey's active community solar projects, making it the nation's largest clean energy portfolio designated for low- and moderate-income (LMI) households. The projects have generated more than 22.63-gigawatt hours of emissions-free electricity to date, the equivalent of avoiding 9,790 metric tons of CO2 being put into the local air.

Last year the company cut the ribbon on the state's first community solar project with Governor Phil Murphy . Upon completion of all its approved projects, the company's 54 community solar sites will power more than 11,000 homes, the largest portfolio in the nation to focus on lower-income subscribers.

Over the next 20 years, the company estimates that the projects will save New Jersey residents over $20 million on their energy bills.

Residents interested in learning more about community solar can visit www.SolarLandscape.com .

About Solar Landscape

Based in Asbury Park, Solar Landscape is a leading full-service developer, designer, installer, owner, and operator of community solar and solar energy solutions for the commercial/industrial, municipal, public school and non-profit marketplaces. The company employs more than 100 people and has more than 200 megawatts of solar energy projects completed or under construction. For more about Solar Landscape, visit www.solarlandscape.com or check us out on Twitter , LinkedIn , Facebook , or Instagram .

About Extra Space Storage

Extra Space Storage Inc., headquartered in Salt Lake City, is a real estate investment trust, and a member of the S&P 500. As of March 31, 2022, the Company owned and/or operated 2,130 self-storage properties, which comprise approximately 1.5 million units and approximately 164.2 million square feet of rentable storage space. The Company is the second largest owner and/or operator of self-storage properties in the United States and is the largest self-storage management company in the United States. The company has won several industry awards for their sustainability efforts. Learn more on ir.extraspace.com.

Contact: Shannon Furey, [email protected]

SOURCE Solar Landscape
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M., Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- First Choice Community Healthcare, Inc., ("First Choice"), is a community healthcare provider headquartered in Albuquerque, New Mexico, which experienced a data security incident that may have involved personal and protected health information belonging to individuals who sought medical treatment or services at First Choice. First Choice has sent notification of this incident by way of the United States Postal Service to potentially impacted individuals and provided resources to assist them.

On March 27, 2022, First Choice became aware of a possible data security incident event involving its technological environment. Following discovery, First Choice engaged an independent cybersecurity firm to investigate the scope of potential access to the First Choice environment, and whether sensitive information may have been affected. The investigation subsequently revealed that certain protected health information may have been accessed or acquired without authorization. First Choice then initiated a comprehensive review of the potentially impacted data to determine the types of personal and protected health information involved and identify the potentially impacted individuals, which was completed on June 3, 2022. Based on the investigation, the affected personal and protected health information may have included names, Social Security numbers, First Choice patient ID number, diagnosis and clinical treatment information, medications, dates of service, health insurance information, medical record number, patient account number, date of birth, and provider information.

On August 1, 2022, First Choice provided notice of this incident to the potentially impacted individuals. In so doing, First Choice provided information about the incident and about steps that potentially impacted individuals can take to protect their information.

In addition, First Choice has established a toll-free call center to answer questions about the incident and to address related concerns. Call center representatives are available Monday through Friday from 7:00 am  7:00 pm Mountain Time and can be reached at 1 (833) 423-1900, or you can go to https://response.idx.us/firstchoice.

The privacy and protection of personal and protected health information is our top priority, and First Choice deeply regrets any inconvenience or concern this incident may cause.

SOURCE First Choice Community Healthcare, Inc.
NKHANINI  Nomalungelo LaZwide Simelanes win has vindicated the EBC, the Constitution and laws of the country.

This was according to the Chairman of the Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC), Prince Mhlabuhlangene Dlamini, at the official announcement of the results of Siphofaneni Inkhundla vote at EBCs offices at Nkhanini yesterday.Dlamini was addressing concerns that emanated prior to the elections that government would allegedly do all that was possible to bar Simelane from winning the elections on the basis that she was the wife of former Member of Parliament (MP), Mduduzi Gawuzela Simelane, who had turned a fierce critic of government. The chairman said the win by LaZwide gave all the countrys election processes a stamp of approval. This also demonstrates that our traditional system and the democratic process can work together in peace and harmony, he said.

Dlamini said any suggestion that the local elections did not live up to ethical standards and were undemocratic had been watered down by the success of the elections at Siphofaneni this past weekend. This election solidifies the fact that our elections are free and fair, and that the EBC is an ethical organisation that carries out its mandate in line with the provisions of the Constitution and laws of the land. If this was not the case, we would not be where we are today, he said. The chairman further stated that the Siphofaneni elections provided a clear answer on the fairness of the monarchial democratic system.

Example

He made an example that the Southern African Development Communitys (SADC) election standards incorporated provision of the African Unions (AU) standards, while those of the AU had provisions from standards set by the United Nations. This makes it easier for such bodies to monitor our election processes. It pleases the EBC that during the course of the Siphofaneni elections, we had observers from various countries. We believe they will also attest to the success we have observed, he said.

Elaborating, Dlamini thanked all stakeholders who participated to ensure the success of the Siphofaneni elections. First and foremost, he thanked the King for allowing emaSwati to have a voice in governance, through the elections. He thanked traditional authorities, especially chiefs, for the important role they played in looking after the people. He also thanked the police, health officials, the Royal Science and Technology Park (RSTP) and all involved during the exercise.

We also thank the community of Siphofaneni for the enthusiasm and good conduct displayed during the elections. We started the process with a cloud hanging over it, but the people of Siphofaneni were exemplary through respect shown throughout the process, he said. LaZwide, as declared by the EBC, amassed 2 612 votes to win. The EBC congratulated her on her success and advised that she kept herself abreast with the countrys Constitution, as governance at all levels of government worked in line with the provisions of the Supreme Law.

We have one level of our parliamentary system that is not functioning well, bucopho. I would like to encourage those elected not to forget about the people and by extension the whole country. They must familiarise themselves with the operation of ministries, because that way one is well positioned to provide effective leadership, Dlamini said.
New sell-side offering fundamentally improves the way first-party addressable audience data is segmented, controlled, and transacted by publishers to lift eCPMs and programmatic sales results

NEW YORK, Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- ArcSpan Technologies (www.arcspan.com), a New York-based, real-time audience data monetization and optimization company announced the launch of ArcSpan's Contextual APP (referring to the integrated data functions "Analyze", "Process" and "Push"), a new solution within ArcSpan's Audience Engine platform that significantly empowers publishers to structure and monetize their contextual first-party audience data. Contextual APP provides an efficient, consumer privacy-forward data processing solution that offers leading publishers greater data control, insights, and access to monetization pathways. Different from legacy providers, this advanced contextual solution incorporates text, image, and video components.

ArcSpan's next-gen audience monetization platform, Audience Engine strengthens publishers' and retailers' media revenue strategies as the digital advertising industry transitions away from the use of third-party cookies. Through ArcSpan's suite of audience data solutions, publishers can better organize, segment, scale, transact and optimize their media sales initiatives and achieve greater alignment with buy-side demand and other tech partners. ArcSpan's data science incorporates deterministic signals and artificial intelligence to improve publishers' abilities to define their audiences and deliver higher-value, targeted ad impressions in real-time across multiple data taxonomies. ArcSpan works across desktop, video, and mobile programmatic channels with additional support for CTV and other digital channels in development.

"...Contextual APP offers more integrated and scalable data solutions to drive revenue" said Chris Guenther, ArcSpan COO Tweet this

"I have used ArcSpan's Contextual APP on my owned and operated site, Sportsnaut, and it proves there is opportunity for classification and taxonomy for specific content across the web," said Jeff Misenti, Co-founder of The Publisher Desk. "As someone who manages multiple websites with vastly different content, I am always looking for automated technology to make things easier for publishers. ArcSpan is arming publishers with the right tools to bring robust contextual data insights and transparent trusted activation to better position their clients for growth."

"We're receiving positive feedback for Contextual APP because it offers more integrated, transparent and scalable data solutions and controls purely focused on driving revenue and ROI for the sell-side," said Chris Guenther, ArcSpan COO and former global head of programmatic at NewsCorp. "Publishers know their content and audience engagement levels the best. Contextual APP enables greater first-party data visibility, quality segmentation, quantifiable results and actionable sales insights gleaned from that content, which addresses significant publisher pain points with programmatic media."

According to Guenther, the three core operating components of Contextual APP include:

a. Data Analyze : ArcSpan's proprietary and integrated data measurement and sales lift benchmarking tools assess opportunities to increase the quality and quantity of a publisher's addressable audience data set

b. Data Process : ArcSpan's real-time data processor configures publisher contextual data according to IAB and other industry contextual data taxonomies. ArcSpan's processor complements a publisher's existing ad server, DMP and CDP partners

c. Data Push : ArcSpan enables delivery and tracking of data sales across multiple transaction pathways, including Prebid, SSP and DSP revenue operations to optimize across channels and evolving demand sources

ArcSpan's enhanced system design is based on the company's deep programmatic expertise gained working across rapidly changing sell-side, buy-side and adtech platform solutions over the past ten-plus years. This announcement marks an important advancement for publishers to start monetizing underutilized first-party data directly with buyers in the programmatic environment. Through Contextual APP, programmatic sellers can better align with buyers seeking access to trusted, unique, and scalable targeted audience segments.

Garret Vreeland, CCO and co-founder said, "We're addressing two major challenges for publishers. First, we are helping to boost the value of sometimes 70%-80% of a publisher's audience data that is sub optimally organized and being sold at eCPMs lower than they deserve. Second, we understand many publishers are concerned about their current 2022 sales outlook and need to unlock better tactics to improve their Q3 and Q4 sales potential. ArcSpan's Contextual APP is well-positioned to deliver incremental sales quickly for a light lift."

"The overall ArcSpan Audience Engine Platform approach represents a series of coordinated enhancements to make first-party audience data selling more automated, integrated and scalable for publisher revenue teams. We look to generate an estimated 30% to over 100% lift in addressable audience data sales for publishers in a dynamic market environment," said Art Muldoon, CEO and co-founder. "ArcSpan serves as a trusted partner to help publishers quickly retool and deliver first-party, cookieless addressable audiences that is both cost effective and tech agnostic."

About ArcSpan Technologies

ArcSpan Technologies is an exciting first-party data monetization company that is building a best-in-class addressable audience segmentation and revenue optimization platform for leading digital publishers and retail brands to navigate the "Identity Revolution." As publishers seek to adapt to a first-party addressable audience marketplace, ArcSpan's Audience Engine boosts customer revenue by enhancing the quality and quantity of real-time targetable audiences while tracking and optimizing to sales KPIs across digital channels. ArcSpan's enterprise technology product suite and data solutions drive on-site and off-site monetization success.

Established by digital industry leaders from Accordant Media, dentsu, NewsCorp, and Beeswax, ArcSpan prioritizes consumer data privacy and fosters industry transparency. The company is headquartered in New York City. www.arcspan.com

SOURCE ArcSpan Technologies
Seasoned finance and operations executives will help FloorFound rapidly scale its business as retailers turn to recommerce in record numbers to drive sales and protect the planet

AUSTIN, Texas, Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- FloorFound , the pioneer and leader in recommerce for oversized items, today announced the appointment of Corey Blahuta as Senior Vice President of Finance and Mandy Shellnut as Senior Vice President of Operations. These new executive leaders will oversee all aspects of FloorFound's finance and operations, working alongside CEO Chris Richter to cement FloorFound as the preeminent technology platform for oversized recommerce.

These appointments come as leading retail brands across the globe turn to FloorFound's end-to-end recommerce platform to simplify the complexities of oversized returns and resale, from coordination of item pickup and inspection to marketing, sales and revenue recovery. Today, FloorFound serves dozens of innovative furniture brands including Burrow, Floyd Home, Joybird, Living Spaces, Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams and more. Together with its clients, FloorFound has helped keep nearly 500,000 pounds of furniture in circulation and out of landfills to date.

Corey Blahuta : As SVP of Finance, Corey will oversee all aspects of FloorFound's finances. He brings decades of experience in accounting, analysis, budgeting, forecasting, corporate governance and more to the FloorFound executive bench to accelerate global growth. Corey most recently served as CFO of BP3 Global, a leading analytics and decision management technology provider to the Fortune 500. He has also held senior finance roles at UnboundID (acquired by Ping Identity), CoVi Technologies, vcfo and PwC.

Mandy Shellnut : Mandy will oversee all aspects of FloorFound's business operations as SVP of Operations. She brings over 20 years of experience in complex global supply chains for retail and logistics leaders including Alchemee (formerly The Proactiv Company), Living Spaces, Abbott and Ingram Micro. With deep expertise in global B2B & DTC customer care, 3PL & transportation, and supply chain transformation, Mandy will help FloorFound rapidly grow its national fulfillment network and technology partnerships to deliver the best possible end-to-end recommerce experience.

"We're thrilled to welcome Corey and Mandy to the FloorFound team as we rapidly expand our business to keep up with the growing demand for oversized recommerce," said Chris Richter, CEO of FloorFound. "We're fortunate to attract incredible talent and clients around our massive business opportunity and compelling vision to protect the planet. Corey and Mandy bring extraordinary vision and proven success in scaling companies, and I look forward to working alongside them as we transform retail."

About FloorFound

FloorFound is focused on protecting the planet by extending the lifecycle of oversized retail products. Founded with the mission of empowering a circular future for all retail, FloorFound's end-to-end Recommerce platform and extensive warehouse network simplify the complexities of oversized returns and resale, from coordination of item pickup and inspection to marketing, sales and revenue recovery. Joybird, Floyd Home, Burrow and Inside Weather rely on FloorFound to power their resale storefronts and drive traffic via the FloorFound marketplace. With FloorFound, large items can find new life and create new joy. For more information, visit https://floorfound.com/ .

SOURCE FloorFound
Surge in international trade, expansion of the e-commerce industry worldwide, and rise in free trade agreements between many nations propel the growth of the global freight forwarding market.

PORTLAND, Ore., Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Market Research published a report, titled, "Freight Forwarding Market by Service (Transportation and Warehousing, Packaging and Documentation, Value-added Services), by Mode of Transport (Land Freight Forwarding, Sea Freight Forwarding, Air Freight Forwarding), by Customer Type (B2B, B2C), by End-use Industry (Retail and E-Commerce, Manufacturing, Healthcare, Automotive, Others): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021-2031." According to the report, the global freight forwarding industry garnered $192.50 billion in 2021, and is estimated to reach $285.15 billion by 2031, manifesting a CAGR of 4.1% from 2022 to 2031.

Drivers, Restraints, and Opportunities

Increase in international trade activities, the expansion of the e-commerce sector across the globe, and surge in the free trade agreements between various countries drive the growth of the global freight forwarding market. However, strict regulations regarding emission levels hinder the market growth. On the other hand, advancements in technologies and attaining cost cutting & reducing lead time became possible through the adoption of multimodal systems. This, in turn, is estimated to present opportunities during the forecast period.

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Covid-19 Scenario

Owing to lockdown restrictions during the initial stages of the Covid-19 pandemic, many freight forwarding activities were halted. There were ban on international trade, domestic travel, and import-export activities. This, in turn, impacted the freight forwarding market negatively.

According to the report by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the total container volumes at Chinese ports fell down by 10.1% in initial months of 2020. Moreover, air freight volumes reduced by 19% in March 2020 . This hampered the overall revenue in the freight forwarding market.

. This hampered the overall revenue in the freight forwarding market. As business to business (B2B) logistics industry was effected and halted their operations during the lockdown, it made an impact on the market. However, business to customer (B2C) logistics activities increased during the pandemic with rise in the online retail and e-commerce industry. This impacted the market positively as market players restructured and managed their activities.

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The transportation and warehousing segment to maintain its lead position during the forecast period

Based on service, the transportation and warehousing segment accounted for the largest market share in 2021, contributing to more than half of the global freight forwarding market, and is expected to maintain its lead position during the forecast period. This is due to rise in adoption of warehousing and transportation management software to optimize routes, convert paper-based documentation into digital analog, decrease freight costs, track deliveries in real-time, and improve customer service. However, the value-added services segment is estimated to witness the largest CAGR of 5.7% from 2022 to 2031, owing to changes in consumer habits and rise of the e-commerce sector.

The sea freight forwarding segment to maintain its dominant share during the forecast period

Based on mode of transport, the sea freight forwarding segment contributed to the highest market share in 2021, accounting for nearly half of the global freight forwarding market, and is expected to maintain its dominant share during the forecast period. This is due to new technological developments such as machine-to-machine (M2M) communication and focus on reducing carbon footprints. However, the air freight forwarding segment is projected to manifest the fastest CAGR of 5.2% from 2022 to 2031. This is attributed to increase in offering of multi-modal services and rise in express-parcel deliveries worldwide.

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The B2B segment to maintain its lead status by 2031

Based on customer type, the B2B segment held the largest market share in 2021, accounting for nearly four-fifths of the global freight forwarding market, and is expected to maintain its lead status by 2031. This is due to technological advancements that lead to implementation of automated task scheduling software and time-slot management solutions. However, the B2C segment is projected to register the fastest CAGR of 6.6% from 2022 to 2031, owing to lower cost as compared to B2B orders, lightweight, and availability of free shipping options.

Asia-Pacific to maintain its dominance by 2031

Based on region, Asia-Pacific contributed to the highest market share in 2021, accounting for nearly two-fifths of the global freight forwarding market, and is estimated to maintain its dominance by 2031. This is attributed to surge in the e-commerce industry in emerging economies and supportive initiatives for the development of logistics infrastructure. However, North America is projected to manifest the largest CAGR of 5.0% during the forecast period. This is due to technological advancements that led to digitalization and the presence of leading players.

Leading Market Players

Kuehne+Nagel International AG

MGF

Nippon Express Co., Ltd.

Transporteca

United Parcel Service of America, Inc.

Bollore Logistics

CEVA Logistics AG

Schenker Deutschland AG

Deutsche Post DHL

Dimerco

DSV A/S

Expeditors International of Washington , Inc.

, Inc. FedEx

Hellmann Worldwide Logistics

Uber Freight LLC

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SAN DIEGO, Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- On Wednesday, September 28, Girls Inc. of San Diego will host its second annual SHE LEADS: Strong, Smart and Bold Women of San Diego event. Business and community leaders throughout San Diego County will come together in person to honor three extraordinary women who have made standout contributions in the fields of technology, finance and government, as well as a commitment to making an impact on women and girls.

"Protecting and advancing women's rights has never been more critical," said Sandra Ainslie, CEO of Girls Inc. of San Diego. "We are proud to highlight these female change-makers as they continue to redefine leadership and make pathways for our future generation of girls."

We are privileged to recognize the following trailblazers who are paving the way for the next generation of girls:

Maritza Diaz , CEO of ITJ, enabling companies to create software centers of excellence in Mexico .

, CEO of ITJ, enabling companies to create software centers of excellence in . Kim Folsom , Founder, Chairperson and CEO of Founders First Capital Partners, bridging the funding and economic gap for diverse founder-led businesses.

, Founder, Chairperson and CEO of Founders First Capital Partners, bridging the funding and economic gap for diverse founder-led businesses. Janessa Goldbeck , CEO of Vet Voice Foundation and a Marine Corps veteran, empowering military veterans to become civic leaders and policy advocates as they continue their service at home.

The featured guest emcee will be Keristen Holmes of CBS 8. The outdoor event will take place on September 28 from 6-8 pm PDT at the Farmer & The Seahorse in San Diego. Libations, light bites and lawn games will be offered, and the event will conclude with a live panel discussion featuring all three women.

To purchase tickets or become a sponsor, visit: https://sheleads2022.eventbrite.com/

About Girls Inc. of San Diego County

Girls Inc. of San Diego County inspires girls to be strong, smart and bold by providing hundreds of girls each year with life-changing support and real solutions to the unique issues girls face. By providing no-cost, research-based programming the organization helps girls in the county overcome gender, economic, and social barriers so they may see college as attainable, resist peer pressure, explore professional fields in STEM. (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) and take their seat as tomorrow's leaders.

For more than 50 years, the nonprofit organization has supported high-need girls with no-cost programming to help them succeed in life.

Media Contact:

Sandra Ainslie

619-886-2090

[email protected]

SOURCE Girls Inc. of San Diego County
NEWARK, N.J., Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The global abrasives market is expected to grow from USD 38.87 billion in 2020 to USD 66.71 billion by 2028, at a CAGR of 7.13% during the forecast period 2021-2028. The Asia Pacific region accounted for a major market share of 53.56% in 2020. The presence of many local and global key manufacturers across the region is one of the key factors driving the market's growth. In addition, significant infrastructure development in countries such as India and China further boosts demand for abrasives. On the other hand, the North American region is projected to grow at a prominent CAGR of 8.2% over the forecast period. Increasing demand for abrasives in the various end-use sectors, such as aerospace, automotive, and metal fabrication, is driving the market's growth.

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The natural segment accounted for the significant market and was valued at USD 19.92 billion in the year 2020

The raw material type segment is divided into natural and synthetic. The natural segment accounted for the major market and was valued at USD 19.92 billion in 2020. This share is mainly due to the increasing usage of natural raw materials for manufacturing abrasives. The abrasives made from natural raw materials are used in various end-user verticals, such as the automotive, construction, and metal fabrication. Thus, the high demand for natural raw materials for abrasives drives the market's growth.

The bonded abrasives held the major market share and were valued at USD 15.69 billion in the year 2020

The type segment includes coated abrasives, bonded abrasives, and super abrasives. The bonded abrasives held the major market share and were valued at USD 15.69 billion in 2020. Bonded abrasives hold the grains with the help of adhesives and are available in various forms, including discs and wheels. The high adoption of bonded abrasives in the automotive industry drives the market's growth.

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The automotive segment dominated the global market and held the major market share of USD 15.42 billion in the year 2020

The end-use industry segment includes aerospace, automotive, machinery, metal fabrication, electrical & electronics equipment, and others. The automotive segment dominated the global market and held a major market share of USD 15.42 billion in 2020. With the increasing technological advancement in the automotive industry, the demand for abrasives has increased in the automotive sector.

Regional Segmentation Analysis:

The regions analyzed for the market include North America, Europe, South America, Asia Pacific, the Middle East, and Africa. The Asia Pacific region accounted for the major market of 53.56% in 2020. The presence of many local and global key manufacturers across the region is one of the key factors driving the market's growth. In addition, significant infrastructure development in countries such as India and China further boosts demand for abrasives. On the other hand, the North American region is projected to grow at a prominent CAGR of 8.2% over the forecast period. Increasing demand for abrasives in the various end-use sectors, such as aerospace, automotive, and metal fabrication, is driving the market's growth.

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Competitive Analysis:

Major players in the global abrasives market are Tyrolit Group, Asahi Diamond Industrial, 3M Company, Robert Bosch GMBH, Compagnie de Saint-Gobain S.A., Henkel, Deerfos, Sak Industries, Fujimi Incorporated, and Carborundum Universal Limited among others.

This study forecasts revenue and volume growth at global, regional, and country levels from 2018 to 2028. The Brainy Insights has segmented the global abrasives market based on below segments:

Global Abrasives Market by Raw Material:

Natural

Synthetic

Global Abrasives Market by Type:

Coated Abrasives

Bonded Abrasives

Super Abrasives

Global Abrasives Market by End Use Industry:

Aerospace

Automotive

Machinery

Metal Fabrication

Electrical & Electronics Equipment

Others

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About the report:

The global abrasives market is analyzed on the basis of value (USD billion), volume (kilotons), import (kilotons), and import (kilotons). All the segments have been analyzed on global, regional and country basis. The study includes an analysis of more than 30 countries for each segment. The report offers in-depth analysis of driving factors, opportunities, restraints, and challenges for gaining the key insight of the market. The study includes porter's five forces model, attractiveness analysis, raw material analysis, and competitor position grid analysis.

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The Brainy Insights is a market research company, aimed at providing actionable insights through data analytics to companies to improve their business acumen. We have a robust forecasting and estimation model to meet the clients' objectives of high-quality output within a short span of time. We provide both customized (clients' specific) and syndicate reports. Our repository of syndicate reports is diverse across all the categories and sub-categories across domains. Our customized solutions are tailored to meet the clients' requirement whether they are looking to expand or planning to launch a new product in the global market.

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SINGAPORE, Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Golden Gate Ventures, a venture capital fund in Southeast Asia (SEA) founded by Silicon Valley natives, today announces the expansion of its Vietnam and Indonesia teams, as well as the addition of Silicon Valley executive and professor Stephen Ciesinski as a senior advisor.

Expanding Vietnam and Indonesia Teams to Support the SEA Startup Golden Triangle

The Southeast Asia startup ecosystem has entered a new phase, coming off a highly successful golden decade of growth. With Vietnam joining SEA's startup heavyweights Indonesia and Singapore to form a golden triangle, the region is tipped to continue its growth trajectory in spite of recent headwinds in the technology sector. As a natural growth initiative, Golden Gate Ventures continues to add key hires to its Indonesia and recently established Vietnam offices, further strengthening its SEA network.

Tram Nguyen joins the Vietnam team as Associate on the investment team. She comes with advisory experience from the Big Four accounting firms, having consulted on a number of cross-border deals in fast-growing industries. As Investment Associate, Tram will be working across Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi to identify opportunities, review deals and target cross-border synergies to cross-pollinate ideas, business models and success cases.

Nishal Hiranandani has also recently joined Golden Gate Ventures as Analyst in Indonesia, bringing with his startup operational experience. Of note, Hiranandani was most recently on the strategy team leading financing projects for Warung Pintar, which provides financial access to Indonesia's millions of MSMEs (micro, small and medium enterprises) through an ambitious end-to-end digital ecosystem to transform traditional trade. He will be working alongside the firm's partners to identify early-stage investment companies and manage deals from sourcing to closure.

"We are seeing increased startup activity and ever stronger investment interest in SEA, especially across the SEA startup golden triangle of Vietnam, Indonesia and Singapore. The addition of Tram and Nishal to the team comes at an important point in Golden Gate Ventures' own growth story to support the opportunities that are continuing to emerge at lightspeed. Now more than ever, we are laser focused on our FirstIN strategy  to be the first institutional investor check into startups  and drive a long-term growth strategy with them," said Vinnie Lauria, Founding Partner at Golden Gate Ventures.

Building on Silicon Valley Roots and Global Insights

Golden Gate Ventures also adds Professor Stephen Ciesinski as Senior Advisor to its team. A Silicon Valley resident and former executive of a number of tech companies, Ciesinski is a current faculty member at Stanford's Graduate School of Business, as well as an advisor to several VC funds and private enterprises spanning three continents. In this role, Professor Ciesinski will share insights on global tech trends, valuable lessons from other startup ecosystems and emerging global movements to help Golden Gate Ventures' portfolio unlock growth and tap into long-term opportunities.

Professor Ciesinski brings a breadth of experience and insights across high-level technology and business trends. According to Vinnie Lauria, Founding Partner at Golden Gate Ventures, "The first decade of growth for SEA startups came from laying a strong foundation for the ecosystem. The next decade is about bringing a high level of sophistication and maturity to each portfolio company to help them innovate based on curated insights and collective wisdom. Prof Ciesinski brings experience in helping startups in other complex regions like LATAM scale  quickly and sustainably  most critical at this inflection point in the SEA startup growth story. SEA continues to have great potential relative to the other markets over the next 18 months with the IMF forecasting ASEAN's pole position in GDP growth globally for 2023."

Professor Ciesinski adds, "These are exciting times for the SEA startup ecosystem and it is very insightful for our students to have the opportunity to see inside Golden Gate Ventures as a case study that the Stanford Graduate School of Business conducted. There is so much that SEA and Silicon Valley can learn from each other and from other regions to unlock not just exponential growth but sustainable acceleration to keep building new global tech giants together."

Ciesinski, Tram and Nishal all join Golden Gate Ventures right on the heels of the firm's announcement of Tiago Alves as Entrepreneur in Residence in May, as the firm deepens its portfolio growth strategy for what it calls the '1.5  2nd generation' of founders emerging in Southeast Asia.

About Golden Gate Ventures

Golden Gate Ventures is a VC fund in Southeast Asia (SEA) founded by Silicon Valley natives. Since 2011, Golden Gate Ventures has launched four funds and invested in over 60 companies. The firm focuses on investing in the rising consumer internet class in Southeast Asia. Breakout companies include Carousell (mobile classifieds), CodaPay (mobile payments), Appota (Vietnam mobile publishing platform), Loship (last mile logistics), Mio (social commerce), Carro (Auto Marketplace), Vui (early wage access) and Xendit (Payment Processing).

SOURCE Golden Gate Ventures
Mouthwatering Flavors Combine for a Limited Time

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Great Steak (www.TheGreatSteak.com), America's Premier Cheesesteak brand, is introducing a new item to the menu that is both protein-packed and inspired by a beloved breakfast meal. The Steak and Eggs Philly Sandwich is available now for a limited time.

Featured Menu Item:

Great Steak's New Steak and Eggs Philly Sandwich Combines the Best of Two Mealtimes into One Tweet this Great Steak Steak and Eggs Philly Sandwich

Steak and Eggs Philly Sandwich: Grilled steak, peppers, onions, and scrambled eggs, topped with melted provolone cheese, all in between a toasted roll.

In addition to the new Steak and Eggs Philly Sandwich, Great Steak has recently launched its new Catering Menu filled with ready-to-serve items from hearty sandwiches, wraps and salads to a build-your-own baked potato bar.

"We are excited to bring our newest sandwich featuring steak and eggs to our guests," said Bridgette Seip, national marketing manager for Great Steak. "This longtime favorite combines the best of two mealtimes into one with our mouthwatering grilled steak as the star of the show!"

Celebrating 40 years this year, Great Steak's special anniversary sweepstakes is going strong with chances to win a Limited-Edition Great Steak 40th Anniversary Swag Pack. Two lucky winners are selected each month through the end of the year. For more details on Great Steak's 40th Anniversary sweepstakes, please visit https://www.thegreatsteak.com/40thanniversary.

The Steak and Eggs Philly Sandwich will be available in Great Steak locations nationwide until December 31st.

ABOUT GREAT STEAK

Headquartered in Scottsdale, Ariz., Great Steak has been serving fresh, grilled to order cheesesteaks in locations across the United States and abroad. The menu has grown from a single cheesesteak to a complete line of Specialty Sandwiches, Great Fries and Fresh Baked Potatoes. Great Steak maintains its authenticity by serving the finest American ingredients, from specialty cut and marinated beef to our freshly baked bread. Grilled to order, grilled to perfection, Great Steak is genuine homegrown comfort food. Founded in 1983, Great Steak has grown across the U.S. and abroad. In 2004 Great Steak became part of the Kahala Brands family, one of the fastest growing franchising conglomerates in the world with a portfolio of nearly 30 fast-casual and quick-service restaurant brands with close to 3,000 locations in over 25 countries.

SOURCE Great Steak
HAIKOU, China, Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- On July 30, at the China International Consumer Products Expo 2022 in Hainan, China, a fashion show with the theme of "Li Brocade Weaving Mountains and Seas" held by Changjiang Li Autonomous County, Hainan, brought a refreshing experience to Chinese and foreign guests, according to Changjiang Converged Media Center.

The scene of the fashion show with the theme of "Li Brocade Weaving Mountains and Seas"

The show was curated by the young designer brand INSULAiRE. The brand was founded in Paris in 2017 and means 'incidents of the island' or 'islanders'. INSULAiRE's founder and designer Yang Zhikai was born and raised in Hainan. He draws inspiration from traditional local culture and delivers it through a modern and international mindset. He has integrated the traditional Li brocade with Hainanese elements such as Tanka culture and the ocean to design sophisticated stylish clothing that presents the distinctive traditional Li ethnic group's cultural identity.

This show was not only held to inherit and protect the culture of the Li brocade, but also to promote their commercialization and the development of all-season tourism in Changjiang.

In recent years, Hainan Changjiang has tapped local tourism and cultural resources, put forward the goal of building a first-class tourism destination in western Hainan, and vigorously cultivated sports, ecology, culture, rural tourism and other formats. "Appreciating kapok flowers in the spring, enjoying the fragrance of mangos in the summer, visiting Chess Bay in the autumn, and climbing Bawang mountains in the winter" has gradually become a unique advantage of Changjiang's whole-area, all-season and all-times tourism.

SOURCE Changjiang Converged Media Center
CHICAGO, Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Harris Associates L.P., adviser to the Oakmark Funds and an affiliate of Natixis Investment Managers, announced portfolio manager changes to the Oakmark Equity and Income Fund, Oakmark Global Fund, Oakmark Global Select Fund, Oakmark Fund, and Oakmark Select Fund.

Effective December 31, 2023, Clyde McGregor will be transitioning his portfolio management duties and stepping off the Oakmark Equity and Income Fund and the Oakmark Global Fund. Mr. McGregor will remain with Harris Associates as an investment leader and portfolio manager in the firm's Private Wealth Management business.

As part of Mr. McGregor's upcoming portfolio transition, Harris Associates is pleased to announce the appointment of the following individuals to co-portfolio manager roles for the Oakmark Funds, effective August 1, 2022.

Michael Nicolas and Alex Fitch will join Clyde McGregor, Colin Hudson and Adam Abbas as co-portfolio managers of the Oakmark Equity and Income Fund. Mr. Nicolas joined Harris Associates in 2013. He has been a co-portfolio manager of the Oakmark Fund since 2020. Mr. Fitch joined Harris Associates in 2011 and is the director of U.S. research.

Colin Hudson and John Sitarz will be named co-portfolio managers of the Oakmark Global Fund with David Herro, Tony Coniaris, Clyde McGregor and Jason Long. Mr. Hudson joined Harris Associates in 2005. He has been a co-portfolio manager of the Oakmark Bond Fund since 2020 and the Oakmark Equity and Income Fund since 2013 and has served on the institutional Global and Global Concentrated Strategy teams since 2012. He is also the co-head of fixed income at Harris Associates. Mr. Sitarz joined Harris Associates in 2013 and has served as a U.S. research analyst.

"First, I'd like to thank Clyde for his immense contribution to the Oakmark Funds," said Tony Coniaris, chairman and portfolio manager. "Good succession planning requires a plan and a deep bench. In this case, Harris Associates and the Oakmark Funds have the luxury of both. We believe these manager additions strengthen our team and best position our clients for success over the next decade and beyond."

Harris Associates is also pleased to announce the following manager appointments: Colin Hudson and John Sitarz will be named co-portfolio managers of the Oakmark Global Select Fund with David Herro, Bill Nygren, Tony Coniaris and Eric Liu.

Robert Bierig will be added as a co-portfolio manager to the Oakmark Fund with Bill Nygren and Michael Nicolas. Mr. Bierig joined Harris Associates in 2012 and is a portfolio manager for several of Harris Associates' investment strategies.

Robert Bierig and Alex Fitch will become co-portfolio managers of the Oakmark Select Fund alongside Bill Nygren and Tony Coniaris.

"The Oakmark Funds' strong performance track records have been primarily due to the strength of our teamsand these additions make the teams stronger than ever," said Bill Nygren, chief investment officer-U.S. equities and portfolio manager. "These individuals, as research analysts, have been contributing to our success for years, and our expectation is that their skill will continue benefitting our shareholders for many years to come."

The new appointments better align portfolio management teams across the business. To that end, Bill Nygren will be transitioning his global portfolio management responsibilities to focus on domestic portfolios. As a result, he will be stepping off the Oakmark Global Select Fund, effective at the end of 2023. Mr. Nygren will continue as chief investment officer-U.S. equities and co-portfolio manager of the Oakmark Fund and the Oakmark Select Fund.

Tony Coniaris will provide continuity on global portfolios alongside David Herro and the global team. Mr. Coniaris will remain a co-portfolio manager of the Oakmark Global Fund and the Oakmark Global Select Fund. In light of these responsibilities, he will be stepping off the Oakmark Select Fund, effective at the end of 2023.

ABOUT OAKMARK AND HARRIS ASSOCIATES

The Oakmark Funds are a mutual fund family that utilizes a long-term value investment approach. Oakmark's investment philosophy centers on the belief that superior long-term results can be achieved through investing in companies priced at a significant discount to what Harris Associates believes is a company's intrinsic value, with strong growth prospects and owner-oriented management teams. The Oakmark Funds' assets under management totaled approximately $50 billion as of June 30, 2022. More information about the Oakmark Funds is available at oakmark.com.

Harris Associates L.P., a Chicago-based investment management firm founded in 1976, serves as the adviser to the Oakmark Funds. Harris Associates also manages U.S., international and global portfolios for institutional and high-net-worth investors worldwide. Including Oakmark, assets under management at Harris Associates totaled approximately $99 billion as of June 30, 2022. More information about Harris Associates is available at harrisassoc.com.

Before investing in any Oakmark Fund, you should carefully consider the Fund's investment objectives, risks, management fees and other expenses. This and other important information is contained in a Fund's prospectus and summary prospectus. Please read the prospectus and summary prospectus carefully before investing. For more information, please call 1-800-OAKMARK (625-6275).

ABOUT NATIXIS INVESTMENT MANAGERS

Natixis Investment Managers' multi-affiliate approach connects clients to the independent thinking and focused expertise of more than 20 active managers. Ranked among the world's largest asset managers1 with more than $1.3 trillion assets under management2 (1.2 trillion), Natixis Investment Managers delivers a diverse range of solutions across asset classes, styles, and vehicles, including innovative environmental, social, and governance (ESG) strategies and products dedicated to advancing sustainable finance. The firm partners with clients in order to understand their unique needs and provide insights and investment solutions tailored to their long-term goals.

Headquartered in Paris and Boston, Natixis Investment Managers is part of the Global Financial Services division of Groupe BPCE, the second-largest banking group in France through the Banque Populaire and Caisse d'Epargne retail networks. Natixis Investment Managers' affiliated investment management firms include AEW; AlphaSimplex Group; DNCA Investments;3 Dorval Asset Management; Flexstone Partners; Gateway Investment Advisers; Harris Associates; Investors Mutual Limited; Loomis, Sayles & Company; Mirova; MV Credit; Naxicap Partners; Ossiam; Ostrum Asset Management; Seeyond; Seventure Partners; Thematics Asset Management; Vauban Infrastructure Partners; Vaughan Nelson Investment Management; and WCM Investment Management. Additionally, investment solutions are offered through Natixis Investment Managers Solutions and Natixis Advisors, LLC. Not all offerings are available in all jurisdictions. For additional information, please visit Natixis Investment Managers' website at im.natixis.com | LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/natixis-investment-managers.

Natixis Investment Managers' distribution and service groups include Natixis Distribution, LLC, a limited purpose broker-dealer and the distributor of various U.S. registered investment companies for which advisory services are provided by affiliated firms of Natixis Investment Managers, Natixis Investment Managers S.A. (Luxembourg), Natixis Investment Managers International (France), and their affiliated distribution and service entities in Europe and Asia.

1 Cerulli Quantitative Update: Global Markets 2021 ranked Natixis Investment Managers as the 15th largest asset manager in the world based on assets under management as of December 31, 2020.

2 Assets under management ("AUM") of current affiliated entities measured as of March 31, 2022 are $1,320.6 billion (1,187.6 billion). AUM, as reported, may include notional assets, assets serviced, gross assets, assets of minority-owned affiliated entities and other types of non-regulatory AUM managed or serviced by firms affiliated with Natixis Investment Managers.

3 A brand of DNCA Finance.

SOURCE Harris Associates L.P.
Home touring activity in June moved closer to 2019 levels as the formerly red-hot housing market cools

Home showing activity is down across the U.S., with June seeing an 18.7% year-over-year decline in home tours  though showing activity is still well above pre-pandemic levels.

Markets averaging double-digit home tours per listing fell from March's record high of 121 markets to three in June.

The West region again saw the largest decline in showing activity, with buyer traffic down 44.1% year-over-year.

CHICAGO , Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- In what may be a welcome change for home shoppers used to abnormal market activity, the latest data from the ShowingTime Showing Index found home showings declined again year-over-year in June  though home touring activity is still above pre-pandemic levels. ShowingTime is one of the residential real estate industry's leading technology providers of showing management and market statistics.

The decline in home showings across the country is another indicator that the housing market may be moving toward rebalancing, as inventory improves and competition among home buyers eases. The Northeast saw the smallest drop in June, with a 10.9% dip in showings. The Midwest followed with a 16.7% drop, while the South's 25.9% decline and West's 44.1% downturn rounded out the regions. The U.S. overall had an 18.7% fall in buyer traffic compared to this time last year.

Burlington, Vt., led all markets in showings per listing in June with an average of 13.58, marking the second consecutive month in which it claimed the top spot. Notably, Burlington is also one of the few markets where showings per listing are up significantly year over year  in other markets analyzed, showings stayed flat or declined.

Rochester, N.Y. and Cleveland also saw double-digit showings per listing, rounding out the three markets to reach that distinction. The dwindling number of markets to see double-digit showings per listing represents a turnaround from the spring, when that number reached triple digits from February through April.

"Most markets are experiencing a slowdown in buyer activity, especially compared to the historically high traffic seen last year," said ShowingTime Vice President and General Manager Michael Lane. "While summer is a slower time of year for real estate compared to spring, the dip we're seeing compared to last June suggests this slowing is more about a rebalancing of an overheated market than just marking the end of the home shopping season."

Metropolitan Area Ratio of Showings to

Listings Year-Over-Year

Change Month-Over-Month

Change U.S. 5.55 -15 % -11 % Burlington, VT 13.58 9 % -14 % Rochester, NY 10.18 -16 % -11 % Cleveland, OH 10.16 -18 % -15 % Richmond, VA 9.96 -15 % -16 % Hartford, CT 9.85 1 % -13 % New Haven, CT 9.82 -4 % -13 % Bridgeport, CT 9.73 -9 % -19 % Akron, OH 9.71 -17 % -18 % Manchester, NH 9.41 -25 % -9 % Bloomington-Normal, IL 9.27 -2 % -25 % Grand Rapids, MI 9.26 -24 % -18 % Dallas, TX 9.24 -30 % -16 % Kansas City, MO 9.22 -18 % -11 % Virginia Beach, VA 9.18 -16 % -14 % Buffalo, NY 9.17 -22 % -13 % Harrisburg, PA 9.02 -1 % -12 % Tulsa, OK 9.01 -9 % -12 % Trenton, NJ 9.00 -13 % -19 % Baltimore, MD 8.92 -21 % -16 % Washington, DC 8.89 -20 % -12 % Columbia, SC 8.85 -23 % -14 % Toledo, OH 8.85 1 % -13 % Oshkosh, WI 8.83 2 % -9 % Appleton, WI 8.82 -4 % -13 % Philadelphia, PA 8.82 -13 % -11 %

About ShowingTime

ShowingTime is an industry leader in home touring technology and a proud affiliate of Zillow Group, Inc . ShowingTime's technology and services simplify the tour scheduling process for buyers, sellers and agents across the industry. ShowingTime products are used in hundreds of MLSs representing more than one million real estate professionals across the U.S. and Canada.

CONTACT:

Elana Bodow

Barbara Wagner Communications

(315) 440-7554

[email protected]

Katie Prael

Barbara Wagner Communications

(646) 737-4600

[email protected]



SOURCE ShowingTime
Post 00-s HK young man tells China story through music in Beijing

17:09, August 01, 2022 By Liu Ning, Yuan Meng ( People's Daily Online

On the latest episode of The Youth, we tell you the vigorous story of Jiang Yang, Hugo, a Hong Kong student currently studying at the School of Journalism and Communication, Peking University. A music fanatic, Hugo wrote the song Bauhinia to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Hong Kongs return to the motherland. Together with another 24 college students from universities at both Beijing and HKSAR, Hugo said they hoped to sing out loud the young generations expectation for Hong Kong and the mainland to walk hand in hand towards a brighter tomorrow.

(Web editor: Peng Yukai, Liang Jun)
TORTOLA, British Virgin Islands, Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- iFOREX, a leading global financial broker with offices in the British Virgin Islands, recently launched iFOREX Crypto, a mobile trading app dedicated exclusively to the cryptocurrency CFD trading market.

To view the Multimedia News Release, please click:

Cryptocurrency Trading (PRNewsfoto/iFOERX)

iFOREX Aims to Simplify Crypto Trading With Launch of iFOREX Crypto Trading Platform iFOREX recently launched iFOREX Crypto, a mobile trading app dedicated exclusively to the cryptocurrency CFD trading market. MultiVu - PR Newswire MultiVu

The idea for iFOREX Crypto came as an answer to a growing problem: the world of cryptocurrency is more popular than ever, however it presents a variety of challenges that can make it difficult for even the most skilled crypto enthusiasts to enter with confidence. These challenges include expensive fees associated with traditional crypto exchanges, the hassle and security risk of maintaining an e-wallet, the need for proper education, and the often high prices of the cryptos themselves that can make traditional crypto trading unattainable.

iFOREX Crypto offers crypto enthusiasts a way around these challenges with a large selection of tradeable cryptocurrencies including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Ripple, Litecoin, Dogecoin, and many others, along with no blockchain fees and no need for an e-wallet. Additionally, users can access the app's built-in Learning Hub to gain the basic skills required to understand the cryptocurrency market and open their first trading deal.

A spokesperson for Formula Investment House Ltd, operator of the www.iforexcrypto.in website, said: "The hype surrounding cryptocurrency trading can be felt around the globe, however it can be both intimidating and expensive to enter if you're not familiar with it, and there's a lack of general education about how crypto trading works. With iFOREX Crypto, we aim to democratize access to the cryptocurrency market by providing investors of all skill and experience levels with a simplified, intuitive trading experience, along with the necessary education to trade crypto CFDs with knowledge."

For over 25 years, iFOREX has remained one of the largest and most respected firms in the Fintech industry, emerging early on as an industry leader in technological innovation and with a dedication to trust and excellence. "iFOREX Crypto is the next logical move for a company that holds knowledge and client confidence as two of its highest priorities," the spokesperson added.

To celebrate the launch of iFOREX Crypto, the company is offering a limited time promotion that will award up to $200 for free in a Dogecoin deal to the first 200 people to download the app, register for an account, and complete verification.

The iFOREX Crypto app is available for both Android and iOS operating systems and can be downloaded from the Google Play and Apple App stores, respectively.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1864737/iFOREX_Cryptocurrency.jpg

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1864512/iFOREX_Logo.jpg

SOURCE iFOERX
ALL.SPACE announces the arrival of the industry's force multiplier, the 'smart terminal', designed to unlock the power of any combination of cellular and satellite networks enabling unparalleled service and experience levels.

READING, England and WASHINGTON, Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- ALL.SPACE, (formerly Isotropic Systems), is announcing the fifth generation 'smart terminal', which is moving into initial production for release at the end of 2022. The ALL.SPACE software-defined service enablement platform can connect with all networks via multiple, simultaneous, full performance links that converge intelligent routing, edge computing, integrated modems, and cellular access in a fully integrated solution.

ALL.SPACE Terminal

Headquartered in Reading, UK, ALL.SPACE is recognised for its major industry breakthrough as the first and only field-proven platform to simultaneously deliver full-performance connections across all significant orbits from a single device. The company recently concluded live field tests with the US and UK governments and several satellite operators demonstrating multiple, simultaneous connections across LEO, MEO and GEO orbits. It is the only technology platform to prove this capability in a single device and empowers users to harness the full benefits of new satellite constellations.

ALL.SPACE has extended this capability to converge advanced communications over multiple networks and operators, with 3G, 4G and 5G cellular multi-network integration plug-and-play options. The platform's unique ability to connect all satellite operators across all orbits and all cellular operators across all available networks creates the world's most convergent communications platform.

ALL.SPACE is pioneering the smart terminal segment and moving the industry beyond multiple antennas and terminals for different networks. It delivers a fully reconfigurable and flexible platform that converges infrastructure, networks, edge computing, intelligent routing, and software-defined capabilities all through one device.

Commenting on the milestone announcement, John Finney, Founder and CEO, of ALL.SPACE said: "With the growing capabilities of the next generation of satellite NGSO and HTS ecosystems, and the pressing need to connect satellites in different orbits, we have created the next chapter for the all-important ground segment. We are leading the industry to the fifth generation of ground systems with our smart terminals. This will be a catalyst for a whole new era of communications, defined by multiple full-performance connections, power and waveform integration, computing, resource control, and intelligent routing that enables a range of value-added software-defined services. These services deliver edge-based intelligence, decision making, and operational efficiency capabilities to our customers."

ALL.SPACE will be the first company in the world to release smart terminals at the end of this year, shipping to a significant backlog of commercial and NATO defense customers, all their communication capabilities to take advantage of multiple networks and operators across the globe all through a single ALL.SPACE device.

The mission of ALL.SPACE is to innovate and extend global connectivity and reach for our customers. We unlock new markets demanding next-generation satellite services through all forms of intelligent, software-enabled, multi-link, multi-orbit, and multi-domain convergence.

The ALL.SPACE smart terminal will significantly impact the future of communications by delivering ubiquitous connectivity to remote locations on land, in the air and at sea. This game-changing solution opens once unimaginable opportunities for a broad range of businesses and markets, including defense, aero, maritime telecom, rail, and government. This unrivaled capability set leads ALL.SPACE to our motto: One Device. All Networks. No Compromise.

About ALL.SPACE

ALL.SPACE, formerly Isotropic Systems, has developed the world's only full-performance smart terminal, which operates as an intelligent multi-network services enablement platform. With offices in the UK and US, ALL.SPACE is the 'smart terminal' market leader. At the core of its proposition are multiple layers of connectivity, infrastructure, computing, and intelligent routing through a range of value-added services that deliver analysis and decision-making capability to enable commercial and defense enterprises from any location on earth.

The ALL.SPACE smart terminal is redefining next-gen communications by enabling truly ubiquitous connectivity and once unattainable possibilities across a broad range of markets, including government and defense, aero, maritime and rail, satellite, and telecom services. Investors include AEI HorizonX Global Ventures, SES, Orbital Ventures, Seraphim Capital, Firmament Ventures, Space Angels, Promus Ventures, and Waterlow Management Limited, among other family office investors. For additional information, visit http://ALL.SPACE

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1869634/ALL_SPACE_1.jpg

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1869635/ALL_SPACE_Logo.jpg

SOURCE ALL.SPACE
Dr. Cacchione Will Lead Jefferson in Shaping the Future of Healthcare, Higher Education and Discovery

PHILADELPHIA, Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Thomas Jefferson University and Jefferson Health's Board of Trustees today announced that Joseph G. Cacchione, MD, will join as the organization's new CEO, effective September 6, 2022. Dr. Cacchione comes from Ascension Health, one of the largest nonprofit healthcare systems in the U.S., where he has served as an integral leader since 2017.

Joseph G. Cacchione, MD

Most recently, Dr. Cacchione served as Executive Vice President, Clinical and Network Services (CNS) for Ascension Health, a $28B organization with 165,000 employees across 145 hospitals and 2,600+ care sites in 19 states and the District of Columbia. Before his current role, he served as CEO of Ascension Michigan with 15 hospitals and 22,000 employees.

Jefferson's Board of Trustees' Chair Patricia D. Wellenbach said: "Jefferson is a national leader in healthcare delivery and higher education. The Board was laser-focused on finding a leader who would be committed to our mission of 'improving lives' by prioritizing innovation, partnerships, and reducing racial, ethnic, health and socioeconomic disparities. With Dr. Cacchione, we've found the visionary and operational leader we need to reach new heights in healthcare, research and higher education. His experience successfully managing large, complex organizations while also demonstrating thoughtful, inclusive leadership, leaves no doubt in my mind that he is the best person to take Jefferson into the future."

As a lifelong advocate for clinical quality and patient experience, Dr. Cacchione has an impressive record of identifying high-impact opportunities to best meet the needs of patients and communities, and designing strategies to provide better care while enabling growth consistent with an organization's core mission. His detailed understanding of the delivery of clinical services has enabled him to collaborate and implement innovative approaches that improve efficiency with sensitivity to their impact on clinical quality, caregiver engagement and patient experience. The depth and breadth of Dr. Cacchione's visionary leadership coupled with his vast experience in various markets and business conditions are key to the new CEO's ability to take the Jefferson organization to new heights in reimagining health, education and discovery to create unparalleled value.

"I am honored to be the next CEO of Jefferson Health and Thomas Jefferson University. Jefferson has long served as a national model for excellence in care delivery, higher education, discovery and innovation," said Dr. Cacchione. "I look forward to working together with the dedicated Jefferson team to continue the remarkable work they have done around creating one of the nation's most respected healthcare organizations and distinctive universities. I believe in organizations that make their communities better, and I can think of no better example than Jefferson."

As Jefferson CEO, Dr. Cacchione will continue to advance the enterprise's growth strategy. He will work closely with Jefferson Health President Bruce A. Meyer, MD, MBA, and Thomas Jefferson University President Mark L. Tykocinski, MD to further shape the future of healthcare, research and professions-focused education on a national and international stage.

Emeritus Board Trustee H. Richard Haverstick, Jr. has served as interim CEO and President of Thomas Jefferson University and interim CEO of Jefferson Health since January 1, 2022, while Jefferson's Board embarked on a national search for a permanent CEO. Mr. Haverstick will work with Dr. Cacchione to ensure a smooth transition as he assumes his new role.

The search was led by Leslie J. McNamara, Vice Chair of the Jefferson Board of Trustees, and was guided by the important work the Board already had begun years ago around the 'CEO of the Future.'

"The search committee was immediately struck by Dr. Cacchione's ability to transform and manage complex organizations with a clear vision, while building diverse and high-performing teams to execute against a well-defined strategy. That approach will serve Jefferson well as we map out what's next," said McNamara.

Some of Dr. Cacchione's recent accomplishments include:

Served as Executive Vice President of Enterprise-Wide Clinical Network Services at Ascension, a $28B organization with 165,000 employees across 145 hospitals and 2,600 care sites across 19 states.

organization with 165,000 employees across 145 hospitals and 2,600 care sites across 19 states. Led Ascension Michigan's multi-million-dollar statewide health system, including planning and directing a significant turnaround in one year through revenue growth and stewardship.

Played an instrumental role in creating a new strategic plan focused on moving the organization to a differentiated quality, value and consumer centricity.

Led Ascension's enterprise initiative to centralize operations and unite stakeholders around a common purpose and vision, transforming the organization from disparate operating entities into one unified operating company.

Launched a proprietary ACA plan to address the needs of uninsured patients.

Developed and oversaw system-wide strategies to integrate NIH's Equity consensus categories into Ascension's culture and operations through successful internal initiatives, external affiliations and data applications.

Created a data-informed Community Impact Department combining mission and clinical perspectives on Social Determinants of Health and Health Equity.

Grew Ascension's employed physician enterprise by 25% over four years, improved financial performance, and improved physician well-being index by 30%.

Maintains an extensive national network of industry, government and thought leaders.

Before his time at Ascension Health, Dr. Cacchione spent eight years at the Cleveland Clinic, a leading academic medical center that integrates clinical and hospital care with research and education, where he played a major enterprise role in business development while also serving as Chairman of Operations and Strategy for its Heart and Vascular Institute. Before that, he served as executive vice president and chief of quality and operations at Saint Vincent's Health System in Erie, PA, where he oversaw the development of several service lines, including orthopedics, oncology, neuroscience and cardiovascular. Previously, he spent the first 20 years of his professional career as a private practice cardiologist and large private physician practice executive.

Dr. Cacchione earned his MD from Hahnemann University and his BS degree from Gannon University. Dr. Cacchione completed his internship and residency in internal medicine at Case Western Reserve University. He also completed his residency in cardiology at the University of Rochester (Rochester, NY) and served as a Cardiac Research and Interventional Fellow at Case Western Reserve University. He is Board Certified in internal medicine, cardiovascular disease and interventional cardiology and has been recognized many times for his contributions to his field and the prestigious institutions he has served. He also has held numerous leadership roles on a national level and in Pennsylvania for the American College of Cardiology and has served on a number of national and community-based administrative health committees. He has authored and co-authored scholarly papers, and presented at national conferences and meetings on healthcare systems, new paradigms in healthcare, cardiology and cardiovascular disease and healthcare administration. He holds active medical licenses in Ohio, New York and Pennsylvania.

About Jefferson

Nationally ranked, Jefferson, which is principally located in the greater Philadelphia region and southern New Jersey, is reimagining health care and higher education to create unparalleled value. Jefferson is more than 43,000 people strong, dedicated to providing the highest-quality, compassionate clinical care for patients; preparing tomorrow's professional leaders for 21st-century careers; and creating new knowledge through basic/programmatic, clinical and applied research. Thomas Jefferson University, home of Sidney Kimmel Medical College and the Kanbar College of Design, Engineering and Commerce, dates back to 1824 and today comprises 10 colleges and four schools offering 200 undergraduate and graduate programs to more than 8,400 students. Jefferson Health serves patients through millions of encounters each year at 18 hospitals (10 are Magnet designated by the ANCC for nursing excellence) and over 50 outpatient and urgent care locations throughout the region.

About Jefferson's Enterprise CEO Search

Jefferson's Enterprise CEO Search Committee was chaired by Board member Leslie J. McNamara and included Robert S. Adelson, Drew Morrisroe, John P. Silvestri, Michael E. Sneed and Ramona Rogers-Windsor. The Committee worked together with Egon Zehnder in conducting this national search. Egon Zehnder is the world's largest privately held leadership advisory firm. The firm has a distinguished history of successful health system and higher education executive searches. Leslie, the members of the Committee and Egon Zehnder dedicated themselves to identifying and assessing feedback from more than 450 people. This has been the most extensive and inclusive assessment process Jefferson has ever conducted.

SOURCE Thomas Jefferson University and Jefferson Health
TOKYO and CINCINNATI, Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Underlining its global commitment to reduce its carbon emissions to be net-zero by 2040, Kao signed The Climate Pledge, a commitment co-founded by online retailer Amazon and environmental advocacy group Global Optimism.

As a signatory of The Climate Pledge, Kao agrees to measure and report greenhouse gas emissions on a regular basis, implement decarbonization strategies in line with the Paris Agreement and take action to neutralize any remaining emissions with additional, quantifiable, real, permanent, and socially beneficial offsets to achieve net-zero annual carbon emissions by 2040  10 years ahead of the Paris Agreement on climate change. Kao already set new targets for realizing a decarbonized society in 2021 and is aiming to reduce carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) emissions to be net-zero by 2040, and become a carbon negative company by 2050.

Sustainability is at the core of Kao's corporate philosophy and ESG strategy, the Kirei Lifestyle Plan. The Japanese word 'kirei' describes something that is clean, well-ordered and beautiful, all at the same time. Implemented in 2019, the Kirei Lifestyle Plan encompasses three main pillars, namely "Making my everyday more beautiful", "Making thoughtful choices for society, and "Making the world healthier and cleaner". Included in these pillars are 19 key leadership actions, which include decarbonization and the development of clean and environmentally safe products.

By 2030, Kao commits to improve consumers' quality of life, promote a sustainable lifestyle and make the world healthier and cleaner through decarbonization, zero waste, water conservation and air and water prevention. Kao aims to be net-zero carbon by 2040 and carbon negative by 2050 in its business activities.

To achieve its global goal to reduce its carbon emissions to be net-zero by 2040, Kao is accelerating its carbon reduction pathway by transitioning to non-fossil fuels, implementing measures to further reduce the environmental impact of its products across the entire lifecycle, and proactively introducing innovative technologies. As part of these measures, Kao installed the largest photovoltaic power generating facilities for on-site power generation at its Sakata Plant in 2021. Since last year, the company was also able to further reduce its scope 1+2 emissions and increase the use of renewable energy, achieving 100% renewable energy on all 55 logistics sites in Japan, the Sumida Complex (including the Tokyo Plant), and the Sakata Plant.

In the Americas region, all factories and owned offices operated by Kao Consumer Products have been supporting 100% renewable electricity since 2019. Furthermore, energy saving measures were implemented, resulting in a 14% reduction in energy consumption since 2010. In US and Austria, Kao generates its own solar energy, which it aims to expand at every opportunity. Until 2025, Kao plans to further reduce its carbon footprint by continuing to cut water consumption and reducing waste in its production sites.





"In order to achieve the goals set by our Kirei Lifestyle Plan, we are fully committed to becoming net-zero carbon by 2040. Beyond our own efforts, we believe that strong alliances and partnerships make all the difference. By signing The Climate Pledge, we are part of a meaningful network of some of the world's largest and most important companies that act today for a better tomorrow", commented Dave Muenz, Managing Executive Officer and Senior Vice President, ESG, Kao.

"We are thrilled to welcome Kao to The Climate Pledge," said Sally Fouts, Global Lead of The Climate Pledge at Amazon. "Urgent innovation and collaboration from the private sector, across regions and industries, is critical in order to decarbonize the global economy at scale, and The Climate Pledge offers the opportunity to join a community of leading businesses, all committed to transformational action on climate. We look forward to working with Kao and the more than 300 signatories of the Pledge to achieve this ambitious goal, together."

About Kao

Kao creates high-value-added products and services that provide care and enrichment for the life of all people and the planet. Through its portfolio of over 20 leading brands such as Attack, Biore, Goldwell, Jergens, John Frieda, Kanebo, Laurier, Merries, and Molton Brown, Kao is part of the everyday lives of people in Asia, Oceania, North America, and Europe. Combined with its chemical business, which contributes to a wide range of industries, Kao generates about 1,420 billion yen in annual sales. Kao employs about 33,500 people worldwide and has 135 years of history in innovation. Please visit the Kao Group website for updated information.

https://www.kao.com/global/en/

About Kao's Kirei Lifestyle Plan

Over the past 130 years, Kao has worked to improve people's lives and help them realize more sustainable lifestyles  a Kirei Lifestyle. The Japanese word 'kirei' describes something that is clean, well-ordered and beautiful, all at the same time. The Kao Group established its ESG strategy, the Kirei Lifestyle Plan in April 2019, which is designed to deliver the vision of a gentler and more sustainable way of living. By 2030, Kao aims to empower at least 1 billion people, to enjoy more beautiful lives and have 100% of its products leave a full lifecycle environmental footprint that science says our natural world can safely absorb.

About The Climate Pledge

The Climate Pledge is a commitment to be net-zero carbon by 2040 that forms a cross-sector community of companies and organizations, working together to crack the climate crisis and solve the challenges of decarbonizing our economy. The Climate Pledge was co-founded by Amazon and Global Optimism in 2019.

For more information please contact Lauren Donner, Tractenberg & Co. I [email protected]

SOURCE Kao USA Inc.
Acquisition expands Kensing's surfactant and specialty esters product offerings

KANKAKEE, Ill., Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Kensing, LLC ("Kensing" or the "Company"), a leading manufacturer of natural vitamin E, plant sterols, specialty esters and high-purity anionic surfactants, and a portfolio company of One Rock Capital Partners, LLC ("One Rock"), today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the Hopewell, Virginia amphoteric surfactants and specialty esters manufacturing operations (the "Business") from Evonik Corporation ("Evonik").

Located in Hopewell, Virginia, the Business primarily serves the personal care market, with a focus on skin care, hair care and oral care applications. The Business is known for product quality and technical leadership, with over 50 years of experience in betaines chemistry and ships products to leading personal care and home care customers in North America.

"The amphoteric surfactants and specialty esters manufacturing operations that Kensing will acquire as a result of this transaction are complementary to our existing product portfolio derived from plant-based feedstocks," said Serge Rogasik, Chief Executive Officer of Kensing. "Building on our leadership position in high-purity anionic surfactants, by acquiring the Business, we are expanding Kensing's presence in personal care and home care ingredients to provide our customers with an expanded range of low-detergency product and service offerings."

Rohan Narayan, Partner at One Rock added, "We are excited to support Kensing in its second add-on acquisition. The Business manufactures innovative, high-quality, natural raw material based products and is a great fit for Kensing. We continue to actively support Kensing's pursuit of acquisition opportunities aimed at further strengthening its position as a leading, global manufacturer of plant-based ingredients."

The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions and is expected to close in the third quarter of 2022.

ABOUT KENSING

Kensing, LLC is a leading manufacturer of a broad range of specialty chemicals derived from vegetable-oils including plant sterols, natural vitamin E, anionic surfactants and esters. Headquartered in Kankakee, IL, Kensing's high-quality, precisely formulated ingredients serve a diverse array of customers across the home & personal care, pharmaceuticals, nutrition and agricultural markets. Kensing is uniquely focused on providing customers with a superior level of service, agility and expert collaboration to help them develop improved products. To learn more, please visit www.kensingsolutions.com.

ABOUT EVONIK

Evonik is one of the world leaders in specialty chemicals. The company is active in more than 100 countries around the world and generated sales of 15 billion and an operating profit (adjusted EBITDA) of 2.38 billion in 2021. Evonik goes far beyond chemistry to create innovative, profitable and sustainable solutions for customers. About 33,000 employees work together for a common purpose: We want to improve life today and tomorrow. To learn more, please visit: https://history.evonik.com/en.

ABOUT ONE ROCK

One Rock makes controlling investments in companies with potential for growth and operational improvement using a rigorous approach that utilizes highly experienced Operating Partners to identify, acquire and enhance businesses in select industries. The involvement of these Operating Partners affords One Rock the ability to conduct due diligence and consummate acquisitions and investments in all types of situations, regardless of complexity. One Rock works collaboratively with company management and its Operating Partners to develop a comprehensive business plan focused on growing the enterprise and its profitability to enhance long-term value. For more information, visit www.onerockcapital.com.

MEDIA CONTACT

Julia Cohen

Prosek Partners for One Rock Capital

[email protected]

SOURCE One Rock Capital Partners, LLC
INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev., Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Kleiner Device Labs today announced that its new KG2 Surge flow-thru interbody system was used in its first surgical procedure. Dr. Anders Cohen performed a single-level TLIF, fusing L5-S1 at The Brooklyn Hospital Center on July 19, 2022. Utilizing the new device, bone graft delivered through the KG 2 conduit was more than three times the volume of the void of the collapsed disk space.

Used in its first surgical procedure, the KG2 Surge Flow-Thru Interbody System streamlines implantation and grafting Tweet this Dr. Anders Cohen performed the first spinal fusion procedure with the new Kleiner Device Labs KG(tm)2 Surge(tm) Flow-Thru Interbody System at the Brooklyn Hospital Center. Dr. Cohen is shown holding the KG2 just before implantation. The KG2 combines steps to streamline the implant introduction, positioning and grafting processes in lumbar spinal fusion procedures, and comes as a complete system with the selected size implant pre-attached, in a sterile tear-open pack.

Noted Dr. Cohen post-surgery, "I was honored to perform the inaugural KG 2 Surge spinal fusion procedure. The system worked flawlessly, allowing precision placement of the interbody cage and fusion graft in a seamless sequential manner. The integrated fusion delivery system enabled a quick, maximum delivery of the graft material to the re-expanded disc space. The system is intuitive and reduces the number of steps usually needed to perform this procedure. There is minimal learning curve for the physician and our team."

The KG2 Surge flow-thru interbody system is a single-patient-use bone graft delivery tool coupled with a 3D-printed titanium I-Beam fusion implant. The implant has no lateral walls and serves as a conduit for unimpeded flow of a broad spectrum of bone graft materials through the pre-attached, rectangular insertion tool. The rectangular cannula maximizes the cross-sectional area available for graft material flow and eliminates the challenge of trying to apply bone graft after cage insertion. Since the system comes pre-assembled and sterilized in a single use tray, there is minimal scrub tech training and no implant tray re-processing/sterilization -- an ideal system for an ASC or hospital. Also, the implant is directly insertedit is not touched or pre-packed. The KG2 system allows for a single insertion process to take the place of the multi-step, multi-instrument pass practice that is typical of current spinal fusion procedures. The surgical procedure with KG2 Surge spares contusion of delicate nerve tissue and reduces the risk of surgical site infection. Because the system comes pre-sterilized and pre-assembled, it also eliminates the back table "fiddle factor."

For KG2 videos, technical specifications, instructions for use, or clinical efficacy information, please go to the company's web site.

About Kleiner Device Labs

Kleiner Device Labs is creating new instruments and devices to advance minimally invasive spine surgery and improve outcomes and costs. Kleiner Device Labs is headquartered in Incline Village, Nevada.

About Spine Surgery at The Brooklyn Hospital Center

The Division of Neurosurgery is one of the hospital's centers of excellence. Led by Dr. Anders Cohen, a nationally recognized expert in minimally invasive spine surgery, the Division offers preventive care, rehabilitation, medical care and effective surgical procedures for multiple conditions of the spine and brain. For more information or to make an appointment, please call 718-250-8103 or visit tbh.org/BrooklynSpine.

KG and Surge are trademarks of Kleiner Device Labs.

For Kleiner Device Labs:

Sales and Surgeon Contact

Bob Haugen

[email protected]

M: 224.223.2118

Media Contact

Brad Samson

[email protected]

M: 714.955.3951

Investor Contact

Stewart Peabody

[email protected]

M: 312.498.5892

For The Brooklyn Hospital Center:

Kim Flodin

[email protected]

718.250.8000

MKT-00010-37 Rev 1

SOURCE Kleiner Device Labs
The reimagined fragrance is a modern take on the classic

NEW YORK, August 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Kylie Minogue and Scent Beauty Inc. announce the United States relaunch of Kylie Minogue Darling Eau de Parfum, her signature fragrance on ScentBeauty.com and in key retailers today after successfully relaunching in countries including the United Kingdom, Spain, France, and Australia earlier this year. Kylie Minogue Darling Eau de Parfum is a modern, longer-lasting version of Darling, that beautifully recreates the iconic and beloved original fragrance.

Kylie Minogue Darling Eau de Parfum

The original Darling was launched to great success in 2006 and with Kylie's enduring star power, it is no surprise that Darling is making a comeback. Firmenich Perfumer Ilias Eremendis captured the beauty of the original scent architecture but in a modern, vegan formula. Darling is a floral fragrance as thrilling as the pop darling who inspired it with playfully luscious top notes of passionfruit, freesia and lychee, a soaring floral heart of lily and boronia flower and a warm, lingering dry down of sandalwood, amber wood and vanilla.

As for the relaunch of her signature fragrance, Kylie remarks, "Darling holds a very special place in my heart. It is such a joy to share this beautiful scent with my fans once more."

Darling's bottle and pack design reimagine the original through a modern lens: a shimmery pink, sleek bottle, with a lace-textured cap and all the glamour of the original. Darling has been reimagined to be modern, floral, and simply irresistible not unlike Kylie Minogue herself.

Scent Beauty Inc.'s, CEO, Stephen Mormoris shares, "The original launch of Darling was a momentous occasion in the fragrance world. Kylie connected deeply with her fans and customers and it was a global success. This time around is no different, Kylie is a timeless beauty, sharing a timeless scent. We are thrilled to be re-releasing this classic with a modern twist into the market."

Kylie Minogue Darling is available online at ScentBeauty.com in 8 ml, 30 ml and 75 ml, where you have the option to order a discovery size and get a coupon for $10 off the full-size bottle.

About Kylie Minogue

Since The Loco-motion topped the charts in 1987, and became the highest selling single of the decade in Australia, Kylie has sold over 80 million records, achieved 34 top tens and 7 number ones. In 2008, Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II awarded Kylie an OBE for her services to music. In the same year she was awarded the highest cultural honour in France, chevalier dans l'odre des Arts et des Lettres, by the French Government for her contribution to the enrichment of French culture. As well as these prestigious accolades, Kylie has a Grammy, three BRIT Awards and 17 ARIAs. In 2011 she was inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame and in 2019 received an Officer of the Order of Australia Award (AO).

In 2019, Kylie set the current record for the most-watched performance ever at Glastonbury, with over 3.9m people tuning in. With her latest studio album "DISCO" reaching Number 1 in the UK's Official Charts, Kylie has become the first female artist to top the UK albums chart in five consecutive decades.

About Scent Beauty, Inc.

Scent Beauty, Inc. is the world's first multi-brand e-commerce platform for bespoke scented products through unique, culturally relevant Brands to consumers worldwide, available on ScentBeauty.com.

Scent Beauty's portfolio consists of sectors that showcase the extensive possibilities of scent: Fashion, Lifestyle, Influencers, Artists and Artisans. Scent Beauty is a leader in product innovation and subscribes to the values of diversity, sustainability and ease of shopping from home.

SOURCE Scent Beauty
Strengthens the group's global franchise

Expands client offering in clearing, metals, fixed income and equities

Creates leading US franchise and extends global footprint to Dubai and APAC

LONDON, Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Marex Group ('Marex'), the diversified global financial services platform, today announces that it has agreed to acquire ED&F Man Capital Markets, the financial services division of ED&F Man Group. ED&F Man Capital Markets has approximately 450 employees across the globe and generated over $235 million of revenues in 2021. The deal is expected to complete by the end of the year, subject to regulatory approvals.

Marex's longstanding strategy has been to grow the firm and increase diversity of earnings, both by product and geography, and this transaction accomplishes that. This will materially expand Marex's client offering in Clearing, add to its market-leading Metal franchise and to the nascent businesses in Fixed Income and Equities. It will also extend the firm's global footprint in Dubai and APAC and create a leading US franchise.

Marex has a strong track record acquiring high quality businesses and, across its portfolio of acquisitions over the past three years, has increased revenues by 25% and profit by 190% versus the respective prior year's performance, delivering an average portfolio ROE of 20%.

Marex is excited about the growth prospects for the ED&F Man Capital Markets businesses and how in combination it can better serve existing customers and attract new clients.

Ian Lowitt, CEO of Marex Group, commented: "We are delighted to welcome the ED&F Man Capital Markets team to Marex. The business is an excellent fit with our existing capabilities, and I am excited by the opportunity of working across the significantly strengthened and expanded global footprint. Marex is gaining a high-quality global team. Underscoring our commitment to grow and better serve our clients, this acquisition creates a more competitive, diversified and resilient firm which will provide an enhanced client offering as well as more opportunities for our staff. This is an exciting time for the firm, and we anticipate a bright future for the combined businesses."

Commenting, Jade Moore, Group Executive Director of ED&F Man, said: "Over the decade since its creation, ED&F Man Capital Markets has grown to become a financial brokerage operating at the heart of the global financial services ecosystem. On completion, a new chapter will start as part of Marex and with the benefit of their market leading platform. The sale of ED&F Man Capital Markets is very much in line with our group's strategic plan to focus on our core soft commodities trading businesses. Marex will be able to provide the appropriate resources and investment to enable the firm to achieve its full potential and we are therefore confident that this change in ownership will be to the benefit of all our stakeholders."

Barclays served as financial advisor to Marex on this deal.

Enquiries please contact:

Marex

Helena Rowe

+44 (0) 20 7650 4488 | [email protected]

Robert Coates

+44 (0) 7880 486 329 | [email protected]

Tristan Peniston-Bird / Katherine Bell

FTI Consulting

+44 (0) 7772 031 886 / +44 (0) 7976 870 961 |[email protected]

ED&F Man

Emma Kane

SEC Newgate

+44 (0) 7876 338 339 | [email protected]

About the Marex Group

Marex is a diversified global financial services platform, providing essential liquidity, market access and infrastructure services to clients in the commodities, energy and financial markets.

The Marex Group provides comprehensive coverage across five core services: Market Making, Execution & Clearing, Hedging & Investment Solutions, Price Discovery and Data & Advisory. It has a leading franchise in many major metals, energy and agricultural products, executing around 38 million trades and clearing over 193 million contracts in 2021. The Marex Group provides access to the world's major commodity markets, covering a broad range of clients that include some of the largest commodity producers, consumers and traders. Marex maintains a strong balance sheet with prudent capital and liquidity positions and has an investment grade credit rating.

Marex was established in 2005 but through its subsidiaries can trace its roots in the commodity markets back almost 100 years. Headquartered in London with 22 offices worldwide, the Marex Group has over 1,100 employees across Europe, Asia and the Americas.

For more information visit www.marex.com

About ED&F Man

ED&F Man is a global agricultural commodities merchant with 5,500 people in 50 countries. ED&F Man Commodities is the Group's core commodity trading division, trading sugar, coffee and molasses products. For more information visit www.edfman.com

About ED&F Man Capital Markets

ED&F Man Capital Markets is a global financial brokerage business and the financial services division of ED&F Man. It provides access to multiple exchanges and clearing houses across multiple jurisdictions, offering an unrivalled breadth of products and services: future and options, metals, fixed income, equities, energy and foreign exchange. For more information, please visit www.edfmancapital.com

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1869852/Marex.jpg

SOURCE Marex Group
CHICAGO, Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, McDonald's (NYSE: MCD) CEO, Chris Kempczinski sent the following message to the McDonald's global System, announcing the company's new Chief Information Officer, Brian Rice.

The Digital CV and headshot for Mr. Rice are embedded within this release.

McDonald's Appoints Brian Rice as Executive Vice President and Global Chief Information Officer Related Documents View PDF

+ + +

I am proud to announce that Brian Rice is joining McDonald's as Executive Vice President and Global Chief Information Officer, reporting directly to me and serving on our Global Senior Leadership Team.

Brian's accomplishments make him the perfect enterprise leader to continue to drive our digital vision to new heights as we deliver on our Accelerating the Arches strategy.

In getting to know him, it is clear Brian leads with a unique blend of head, heart and foresight. A vocal champion for values-based leadership, he has a keen desire to empower the people around him, learn through thoughtful questions and identify synergies that lead to impactful and valuable solutions. These qualities make him a tremendous fit for our System.

His experience leading enterprise technology teams spans well-known brands and global businesses, including Kellogg Company, Mars, General Motors and Cardinal Health. At each turn, Brian has successfully modernized technology systems, built new capabilities, and elevated the role of digital in building relationships with customers to drive growth. At the same time, he's continuously developed and trained technology professionals, several of whom have gone on to become CIOs of global corporations. This experience and mentorship will be crucial as we build upon our strong foundation and deep bench of talent.

Our innovations in digital and technology are powering our ambition to double down on our 3Ds (digital, delivery and Drive Thru). We're scaling new capabilities including loyalty  which is now in nearly 50 markets  introducing new innovations like artificial intelligence and automated order taking, and modernizing data systems to move faster while improving the experience for customers and crew.

As I shared in our most recent earnings call, these investments are driving the business forward. This past quarter, digital sales were $6 billion in our top 6 markets alone and we have an opportunity to significantly increase digital as a percentage of total sales.

While we further fortify an even stronger technology backbone across every aspect and touchpoint of our business, Brian will partner with leaders across the center, our segments and our markets to support our transformation of the McDonald's experience into an extraordinary and personalized journey for every person.

Brian and his family will be based in Chicago, and he'll officially be joining us on August 31.

In the meantime, please join me in welcoming him to the McFamily.

Chris

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.

SOURCE McDonald's Corporation
New Delhi, Aug 1 (UNI) The Centre has formed a National Task Force to monitor the Monkeypox cases in the country, officials from the Union Health Ministry confirmed on Monday.

The task force will monitor and provide guidance on the expansion of diagnostic facilities and explore vaccination to check the spread of infection in the country, officials said.

According to senior officials, the national task force will comprise a team of experts led by Dr VK Paul, member (Health), NITI Aayog and members including officials (secretary-level) from the Union Health Ministry, Pharma and Biotechnology department of the central government.

So far, India has recorded four Monkeypox cases. Of them, three cases were reported in Kerala and one in Delhi.

One suspected death by Monkeypox was also reported in Kerala on Sunday. A 22-year-old man, who had recently returned from the UAE, was found dead with symptoms of the disease during his treatment at a private hospital, according to the state government.

Kerala Health Minister Veena George told the reporters that the patient had tested positive for Monkeypox before his departure to India on July 22 and had suppressed his health status from the authorities, based on the information collected from the deceased's relatives.

A high-level probe has been initiated to investigate the causes behind seeking a delay in the treatment, George informed.

UNI ASH ING
The Mexican region shipped the first truck of avocados across the border, strengthening Mexico's status as the number one source of the beloved fruit

DALLAS, Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Mexican avocado industry celebrated the first-ever delivery of fresh avocados across the border from the Mexican state of Jalisco into the United States. The agreement was first announced in 2021 by Mexican authorities with the United States to allow avocado imports from the additional Mexican state.

Jalisco joins the state of Michoacan, delivering fresh, quality avocados to meet the growing demand in the U.S. Michoacan exports billions of pounds of avocados to the United States each year1. The Michoacan region meets the ideal conditions for producing and harvesting the freshest avocados year-round, with its rich volcanic soil, natural irrigation, and unique topography. Now, combined with Jalisco's summer crop, the opportunity for high-quality Mexican avocados to reach U.S. consumers' table will be even stronger.

"Our expansion into the Jalisco region strengthens our grower base and allows us to increase our import numbers, enhancing our mission of providing consumers with the freshest avocados year-round," said Ron Campbell, Executive Director at the Mexican Hass Avocado Importers Association.

In fact, the demand for avocados has grown dramatically over the last twenty years. In the past 7 years alone, U.S. consumption of Avocados From Mexico, the number one selling avocado brand in the United States, has doubled  now at more than 8 pounds per capita per year2. In 2021, the United States imported $3.0 billion avocados, with $2.8 billion coming from Mexico (92%)  that's 1.2 million metric tons of avocados coming from Mexico just last year. And, since 1997 when Mexico first began exporting, production has grown, with the supply of Mexican avocados in the U.S. reaching more than 2 billion pounds.3

"This first export of avocados from Jalisco only improves the already positive economic benefits of avocado imports from Mexico," said Campbell. As Mexican avocado imports move through the food supply chain, they contribute $6.5 billion in economic output and $4 billion in GDP in the U.S. economy .4 "In fact, because Avocados From Mexico has tapped into U.S. culinary trends of consumers, it's boosted avocado consumption by over 600%, an impressive 10% average annual growth rate4 and we expect it only to increase."

The Association of Avocado Exporting Producers and Packers of Mexico (APEAM A.C.), the only cooperative partner for exporting avocados into the United States, now works closely with Jalisco to deliver even more avocados to the U.S. This new agreement allows the import of fresh Hass avocados from Mexico to expand and operates under the Cooperative Service Agreement between the USDA-Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service and APEAM. The new agreement integrates 695 orchards, 9,441 hectares, 11 packing houses and 10 municipalities in Jalisco.

Unmatched Commitment to Quality, Sustainability, Safety and Traceability in the Supply Chain

Avocados imported from Jalisco adhere to the same standards to provide consumers in the U.S. with the high-quality avocados they know and expect from Mexico. In fact, the industry goes above and beyond standards to ensure every avocado meets consumer expectations of flavor and consistency.

And, with a strong commitment to sustainable practices, the avocado industry, its members, and its success depend on the conservation of the natural environment, soil, forests, and water, as well as the economic security of its fundamental communities in Mexico.

APEAM's close partnership with the USDA ensures that all avocado growers and packers in Mexico comply with the most stringent phytosanitary rules and regulations. Alongside the USDA, APEAM ensures that all growers and packers adhere to good agricultural practices (GAP) and the highest quality and food safety standards. Through every step of the supply chain, the industry enacts rigorous guidelines, and these standards start at the orchards. To confirm that phytosanitary requirements are being executed throughout the orchards and packing houses, nearly 90 USDA regulatory officers and 12 administrative staff systematically conduct a series of inspections. All export-certified orchards and packing houses require these inspections before they can be harvested and exported to the U.S. The USDA's partnership with APEAM is the backbone of the avocado industry in Mexico  their attention to phytosanitary standards, food safety and the industry's commitment to traceability and quality is a strong indication of the close cooperation between the two nations and ensures an abundant supply of avocados all year long.

For more information on the journey of avocados from Mexico to the United States, visit www.AvocadoInstitute.org

About Avocados From Mexico

Avocados From Mexico (AFM) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Mexican Hass Avocado Importers Association (MHAIA), formed for the purpose of advertising, promotion, public relations and research for all stakeholders of Avocados From Mexico . Under agreements, MHAIA and the Association of Avocado Exporting Producers & Packers of Mexico (APEAM) have combined resources to fund and manage AFM, with the intent to provide a focused, highly- effective and efficient marketing program in the United States. AFM is headquartered in Irving, Texas.

Hass Avocado Board Volume Data Hass Avocado Board 2020 US Census Data The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) According to a Texas A&M Study, between 1989/1990 and 2019/2020

Media Contact:

Ana Ambrosi

[email protected]

SOURCE Avocados From Mexico
PITTSBURGH, Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- MSA Safety Incorporated (NYSE: MSA) today announced it has accepted the resignation of its Chief Financial Officer, Kenneth Krause, effective August 26, 2022. Mr. Krause, who was elected CFO in December 2015, is leaving to accept the position of CFO at another public company located outside of Pennsylvania.

Nish Vartanian, MSA Safety Chairman, President and CEO, said the company has initiated a comprehensive external search for a new CFO. In addition, MSA Chief Accounting Officer Jonathan Buck has been appointed interim CFO.

"On behalf of our Board of Directors and the entire MSA organization, we want to thank Ken for his many contributions to MSA during his 15 years with the company," Mr. Vartanian said. "Ken helped MSA achieve meaningful improvements in profitability and cash flow, resulting in top quartile performance with regard to stock price and total shareholder return," he said.

About MSA Safety

Established in 1914, MSA Safety Incorporated is the global leader in the development, manufacture and supply of safety products that protect people and facility infrastructures. Many MSA products integrate a combination of electronics, mechanical systems and advanced materials to protect users against hazardous or life-threatening situations. The company's comprehensive product line is used by workers around the world in a broad range of markets, including the oil, gas and petrochemical industry, the fire service, the construction industry, mining and the military. MSA's core products include self-contained breathing apparatus, fixed gas and flame detection systems, portable gas detection instruments, industrial head protection products, firefighter helmets and protective apparel, and fall protection devices. With 2021 revenues of $1.4 billion, MSA employs approximately 4,800 people worldwide. The company is headquartered north of Pittsburgh in Cranberry Township, Pa., and has manufacturing operations in the United States, Europe, Asia and Latin America. With more than 40 international locations, MSA realizes approximately half of its revenue from outside North America. For more information visit MSA's web site at www.MSAsafety.com.

SOURCE MSA Safety
WASHINGTON, Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Media accreditation is now open for the launch of the fifth SpaceX Dragon spacecraft and Falcon 9 rocket that will carry astronauts to the International Space Station for a science expedition mission as part of NASA's Commercial Crew Program.

The earliest targeted launch date for the mission is Friday, Sept. 29, from Launch Complex 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

The Crew-5 launch will carry two NASA astronauts Mission Commander Nicole Mann and Pilot Josh Cassada, along with JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) astronaut Koichi Wakata and Roscosmos cosmonaut Anna Kikina, who will serve as mission specialists. This is the first spaceflight for Mann, Cassada and Kikina. It is the fifth trip for Wakata.

Following a crew handover period, astronauts from NASA's SpaceX Crew-4 mission are scheduled for return to Earth in October aboard their SpaceX Dragon Freedom.

Media accreditation deadlines for Crew-5 launch are as follows:

U.S. media and U.S. citizens representing international media must apply no later than 4 p.m. EDT Thursday , Sept. 1.

, Sept. 1. International media without U.S. citizenship must apply no later than 4 p.m. Monday, Aug. 22 .

All accreditation requests should be submitted online at:

https://media.ksc.nasa.gov

COVID-19 safety protocols for this event will be communicated closer to the date of the event. For questions about accreditation, please email: [email protected].

If you have special logistical requests, such as space for satellite trucks, tents, or electrical connections, please send your request to: [email protected] by Friday, Sept. 16.

For other questions, please contact Kennedy's newsroom: at 321-867-2468.

Para obtener informacion sobre cobertura en espanol en el Centro Espacial Kennedy o si desea solicitar entrevistas en espanol, comuniquese con Antonia Jaramillo: 321-501-8425.

For launch coverage and more information about the mission, visit:

https://www.nasa.gov/commercialcrew

SOURCE NASA
WASHINGTON, Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Kidney Care Partners (KCP)  the nation's largest non-profit, non-partisan coalition of more than 30 organizations representing patients, professional care providers, and a wide range of kidney care stakeholders  applauded the introduction of the bipartisan bill in the U.S. House of Representatives, H.R. 8594, to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to clarify and preserve the breadth of the protections under the Medicare Secondary Payer Act. Sponsored by Representatives Yvette Clarke (D-NY), Jodey Arrington (R-TX), Buddy Carter (R- GA) and Danny Davis (D-IL), the legislation, if passed, would restore protections intended by Congress in the original enactment of the language at issue in the Medicare Secondary Payor Act and ensure individuals living with end stage renal disease (ESRD)  or kidney failure -- cannot be discriminated against based on their need for dialysis.

"KCP thanks Representatives Clarke, Arrington, Carter and Davis for their leadership on this bill and for acting quickly to address the troubling efforts of private insurers to force individuals requiring dialysis care out of their preferred plan," said Michele Kimball, executive director of KCP. "This legislation will prevent harm to these vulnerable individuals by eliminating any distinction among patients by insurers based on their need for dialysis care, which we believe was always the true intent of the Medicare Secondary Payer Act. It will also help to reinforce the Medicare Part A Trust Fund, which is increasingly underfunded."

"As someone who has personally and painfully experienced the limitations of Medicare when needing a new wheelchair, I applaud this effort to protect a patient's right to choose the best coverage option for themselves," said Dialysis Patient Citizens (DPC) Board of Directors President Andrew Conkling. "Preserving an individual's right to continue their private insurance plan allows for continuity of care and creates an incentive for insurers to cover detection and treatment of chronic kidney disease. Detection and care for early kidney disease can help delay the need for dialysis- ultimately creating cost savings and improving outcomes. Passage of H.R. 8594 would be a win not just for those already living on dialysis but for any American living with or at risk of kidney disease."

Earlier this year, KCP expressed concern that health plans discriminated against those with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) by limiting coverage of life-sustaining treatment, ultimately driving patients to drop their private group coverage, many of which included additional financial protections for both them and their families, in favor of Medicare. This issue was recently considered by the Supreme Court in the Marietta Memorial Hospital Employee Benefit Health Plan v. DaVita case.

"Fundamentally, this is a coverage and cost issue  one that directly impacts patients' ability to afford needed kidney care while further reducing equity among patients in accessing it. Passage of H.R. 8594 will once and for all prevent insurers from pushing dialysis patients prematurely from private insurance into the Medicare program. Its' passage would be a win for patients and the American taxpayer, and KCP urges Congress to act swiftly on this important measure," Kimball concluded.

SOURCE Kidney Care Partners
LONDON, Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- NatWest Group plc ("NatWest Group") and NatWest Markets N.V. ("NWM N.V.") (each an "Offeror" and, together, the "Offerors") have each launched today separate tender offers to purchase for cash (with respect to the tender offers launched by NatWest Group, the "NatWest Group Offer", and with respect to the tender offers launched by NWM N.V., the "NWM N.V. Offer", and collectively, the "Offers") any and all of certain series of their respective U.S. dollar denominated notes set out in the table below (collectively, the "Notes", and each a "Series").

The NatWest Group Offer is being made on the terms and subject to the conditions set out in NatWest Group's offer to purchase dated August 1, 2022 and the related Notice of Guaranteed Delivery (the "NatWest Group Offer to Purchase"), and the NWM N.V. Offer is being made on the terms and subject to the conditions set out in NWM N.V.'s offer to purchase dated August 1, 2022 and the related Notice of Guaranteed Delivery (the "NWM N.V. Offer to Purchase" and, together with the NatWest Group Offer to Purchase, the "Offers to Purchase"). Capitalized terms with respect to the NatWest Group Offer not otherwise defined in this announcement have the same meaning as in the NatWest Group Offer to Purchase and capitalized terms with respect to the NWM N.V. Offer not otherwise defined in this announcement have the same meaning as in the NWM N.V. Offer to Purchase.

Purpose of the Offers

Each Offeror is providing the holders of its Notes with an opportunity to have their Notes repurchased while maintaining a responsible approach to the management of its capital position and, in the case of NatWest Group, its MREL (minimum requirement for own funds and eligible liabilities) position. Each Offeror will continue to meet all of its capital requirements and, in the case of the NatWest Group, MREL requirements, irrespective of the outcome of its Offer.

Terms of the Offers

NatWest Group is offering to purchase for cash, on the terms and conditions described in the NatWest Group Offer to Purchase, any and all of the outstanding Notes set out in the table below:

Title of Security Issuer ISIN/CUSIP Principal Amount Issued Principal Amount Outstanding Fixed Spread (bps) Reference U.S. Treasury Security Maturity Bloomberg Reference Page Hypothetical Purchase Price (Illustrative)(1) 6.125% Subordinated Tier 2 Notes due 2022 The Royal Bank of Scotland Group plc (2) US780099CE50 / 780099CE5 $2,250,000,000 $1,303,830,000 +40 1.625% U.S. Treasury due December 15, 2022 (ISIN: US912828YW42) December 15, 2022 FIT T/0-1 $1,010.40 per $1,000 6.100% Subordinated Tier 2 Notes due 2023 The Royal Bank of Scotland Group plc (2) US780097AY76 / 780097AY7 $1,000,000,000 $465,426,000 +90 0.250% U.S. Treasury Security due June 15, 2023 (ISIN: US912828ZU76) June 10, 2023 FIT T/0-1 $1,018.04 per $1,000 6.000% Subordinated Tier 2 Notes due 2023 The Royal Bank of Scotland Group plc(2) US780097AZ42 / 780097AZ4 $2,000,000,000 $1,396,278,000 +125 3.000% U.S. Treasury Security due June 30, 2024 (ISIN: US91282CEX56) December 19, 2023 FIT1 $1,023.97 per $1,000 5.125% Subordinated Tier 2 Notes due 2024 The Royal Bank of Scotland Group plc(2) US780099CH81 / 780099CH8 $2,250,000,000 $1,241,175,000 +145 3.000% U.S. Treasury Security due June 30, 2024 (ISIN: US91282CEX56) May 28, 2024 FIT1 $1,013.01 per $1,000 3.875%

Senior Notes due 2023 The Royal Bank of

Scotland Group plc(2) US780097BD21 / 780097BD2 $2,650,000,000 $2,650,000,000 +75 3.000% U.S. Treasury Security due June 30, 2024 (ISIN: US91282CEX56) September 12, 2023 FIT1 $1,002.23 per $1,000





















(1) For illustrative purposes only, a hypothetical Purchase Price for each Series is set out in the table above, based on a hypothetical Price Determination Time of 2.00 p.m. New York City time, on July 29, 2022. Holders should note that the actual Purchase Price for each Series determined in the manner described herein and in the relevant Offer to Purchase could differ significantly from the hypothetical Purchase Price for each Series set out in the table above.

(2) Currently NatWest Group plc.

NWM N.V. is offering to purchase for cash, on the terms and conditions described in the NWM N.V. Offer to Purchase, any and all of the outstanding Notes set out in the table below:

Title of Security Issuer ISIN/CUSIP Principal Amount Issued Principal Amount Outstanding Fixed Spread (bps) Reference U.S. Treasury Security Maturity Bloomberg Reference Page Hypothetical Purchase Price (Illustrative)(1) 7.750% Subordinated Deposit Notes, Series B, due 2023 NatWest Markets N.V.(2) US00077TAA25 / 00077TAA2 $250,000,000 $135,566,000 +75 0.125% U.S. Treasury Security due May 15, 2023 (ISIN: US912828ZP81) May 15, 2023 FIT T/0-1 $1,029.92 per $1,000 7.125% Subordinated Deposit Notes, Series B, due 2093 NatWest Markets N.V.(2) US00077TAB08 / 00077TAB0 $150,000,000 $150,000,000 +120 2.250% U.S. Treasury Security due February 15, 2052 (ISIN: US912810TD00) Oct 15, 2093 FIT1 $1,656.99 per $1,000





















(1) For illustrative purposes only, a hypothetical Purchase Price for each Series is set out in the table above, based on a hypothetical Price Determination Time of 2.00 p.m. New York City time, on July 29, 2022. Holders should note that the actual Purchase Price for each Series determined in the manner described herein and the relevant Offer to Purchase could differ significantly from the hypothetical Purchase Price for each Series set out in the table above.

(2) NatWest Markets N.V. (formerly known as ABN AMRO Bank N.V., of which ABN AMRO Bank N.V., New York Branch, was a part).

Each Offer will expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on August 8, 2022, unless it is extended (such date and time, as the same may be extended, the "Expiration Deadline") or earlier terminated.

Purchase Price; Accrued Interest

Purchase Price

The purchase price (in respect of each Series, the "Purchase Price") for each $1,000 principal amount of the Notes of the relevant Series validly tendered and not validly withdrawn at or prior to the relevant Expiration Deadline received by the Tender Agent at or prior to the relevant Expiration Deadline or the relevant Guaranteed Delivery Date (as defined herein), as the case may be, and accepted for purchase by the relevant Offeror, will be equal to an amount (rounded to the nearest cent) that would reflect, as of the relevant Settlement Date (as defined herein), a yield to the maturity date of such Series equal to the sum of (i) the Reference Yield (as defined in the relevant Offer to Purchase) for such Series, plus (ii) the fixed spread in respect of such Series set forth in the relevant table above (in respect of each Series, the "Fixed Spread"). Specifically, the relevant Purchase Price will equal (i) the value of all remaining payments of principal and interest on the Notes of the relevant Series up to and including the scheduled maturity of the relevant Series, discounted to the relevant Settlement Date, at a discount rate equal to (x) the relevant Reference Yield (as defined in the relevant Offer to Purchase) plus (y) the relevant Fixed Spread, minus (ii) any Accrued Interest in respect of the Notes of the relevant Series, in each case calculated in the manner set out in the relevant Annex to the relevant Offer to Purchase.

Accrued Interest

In addition to the relevant Purchase Price, holders of the Notes accepted for purchase pursuant to the relevant Offer(s) will also receive, on the relevant Settlement Date, accrued and unpaid interest on each $1,000 principal amount of such Notes (rounded to the nearest cent) from, and including, the last interest payment date up to, but not including, the relevant Settlement Date ("Accrued Interest"). Holders whose Notes are tendered and accepted for purchase pursuant to the Guaranteed Delivery Procedures will not receive payment in respect of any interest for the period from and including the relevant Settlement Date to the relevant Guaranteed Delivery Settlement Date. Accrued Interest for each $1,000 principal amount of such Notes validly tendered and accepted for purchase will be rounded to the nearest $0.01, with $0.005 being rounded upwards, in accordance with the conditions of such Notes.

Settlement

Unless an Offer is extended, reopened or earlier terminated, payment of the relevant Purchase Price, plus any Accrued Interest to holders of Notes that are validly tendered and not withdrawn and accepted for purchase in such Offer is expected to be made on August 10, 2022 (in respect of each Offer, the "Settlement Date") or, in the case of Notes accepted for purchase pursuant to the Guaranteed Delivery Procedure, on August 11, 2022 (in respect of each Offer, the "Guaranteed Delivery Settlement Date").

Offer Conditions

Each Offer is not conditional upon any minimum amount of Notes being tendered. However, each Offer is conditional upon the satisfaction or waiver of certain conditions described in the relevant Offer to Purchase.

An Offeror's obligation to accept for purchase and pay for the Notes that are validly tendered and not withdrawn in the relevant Offer is not conditioned upon the outcome of the other Offeror's Offer.

Withdrawal Rights

Notes tendered pursuant to an Offer may be withdrawn at any time before the relevant Withdrawal Deadline. In addition, if the relevant Offer is extended, the related Withdrawal Deadline will be extended to the earlier of (i) the relevant Expiration Deadline (as extended) and (ii) the 10th Business Day after the commencement of the relevant Offer (in respect of each Offer, the "Commencement Date"). Notes tendered pursuant to an Offer may also be withdrawn at any time after the 60th Business Day after the relevant Commencement Date if, for any reason, that Offer has not been consummated within 60 Business Days of the relevant Commencement Date. If the relevant Offer is terminated without any Notes being purchased thereunder, the Notes tendered pursuant thereto will be promptly returned to the tendering holders.

The relevant deadline set by DTC or any intermediary for the submission of Tender Instructions may be earlier than the deadlines set out herein.

Indicative Timetable

The following table sets out the expected dates and times of the key events relating to each Offer. This is an indicative timetable and is subject to change.

Events Dates and Times Commencement Date

Commencement of the Offers upon the terms

and subject to the conditions set forth in the

relevant Offer to Purchase. August 1, 2022 Price Determination Time

The time in respect of each Offer, at which the

Reference Yield for each Series of Notes will be

determined by the relevant Dealer Managers. 2:00 p.m., New York City time, on August 8, 2022, unless otherwise extended in respect of the relevant Offer Withdrawal Deadline

The deadline in respect of each Offer for holders

to validly withdraw Notes tendered before this

date and time, unless otherwise extended as

described herein. 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on August 8, 2022, unless otherwise extended in respect of the relevant Offer Expiration Deadline

The deadline in respect of each Offer for holders

to tender Notes pursuant to the relevant Offer in

order to qualify for payment of the relevant

Purchase Price plus any Accrued Interest. Each Offeror will issue a press release

announcing the principal amount of each Series

accepted for purchase pursuant to the relevant

Offer promptly after the relevant Expiration

Deadline. 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on August 8, 2022, unless otherwise extended in respect of the relevant Offer Guaranteed Delivery Date The deadline in respect of each Offer for holders

using the Guaranteed Delivery Procedures

described in the relevant Offer to Purchase to

deliver their Notes. 5:00 p.m. New York time, on the second Business Day following the relevant Expiration Deadline Settlement Date

Payment in respect of each Offer of the relevant

Purchase Price, plus any Accrued Interest for all

Notes validly tendered and not validly withdrawn

and accepted for purchase pursuant to the

relevant Offer (other than the Notes tendered in

either Offer pursuant to the Guaranteed Delivery

Procedures). Expected on August 10, 2022, the second Business Day following the relevant Expiration Deadline Guaranteed Delivery Settlement Date

Payment in respect of each Offer of the relevant

Purchase Price plus any Accrued Interest for all

Notes validly tendered and not validly withdrawn

and accepted for purchase pursuant to the

Guaranteed Delivery Procedures. Expected on August 11, 2022, the third Business Day following the relevant Expiration Deadline





The times and dates above are subject, where applicable, to the right of each Offeror to extend, re-open, amend, limit, terminate or withdraw its respective Offers, subject to applicable law. Accordingly, the actual timetable in respect of either or both Offers may differ significantly from the expected timetable set out above.

Holders should confirm with the bank, securities broker or any other intermediary through which they hold their Notes whether such intermediary needs to receive instructions from a holder before the deadlines specified above in order for that holder to be able to participate in, or withdraw their instruction to participate in, the Offers.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Copies of each Offer to Purchase are available at the following web address: https://deals.is.kroll.com/natwest

DISCLAIMER

This announcement and each Offer to Purchase (including the documents incorporated by reference therein) contain important information which should be read carefully before any decision is made with respect to the relevant Offer. If you are in any doubt as to the contents of this announcement or the relevant Offer to Purchase or the action you should take, you are recommended to seek your own financial and legal advice, including as to any tax consequences, immediately from your 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 or intermediary must contact such entity if it wishes to participate in the Offers. None of the Offerors, the Dealer Managers, the Tender Agent, the fiscal agent or the trustee (as applicable) with respect to the Notes (or any of their respective directors, employees or affiliates) make any recommendation as to whether holders should tender Notes pursuant to the Offers.

OFFER RESTRICTIONS

European Economic Area ("EEA")

The communication of this announcement, the Offers to Purchase and any other documents or materials relating to the Offers do not constitute an offer of securities to the public for the purposes of Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 (as amended, the "Prospectus Regulation") and accordingly the requirement to produce a prospectus under the Prospectus Regulation does not apply to the Offers.

United Kingdom

The communication of this announcement, the Offers to Purchase and any other documents or materials relating to the Offers are not being made, and such documents and/or materials have not been approved, by an authorized person for the purposes of section 21 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (the "FSMA"). Accordingly, this announcement, the Offers to Purchase and such other documents and/or materials are not being distributed to, and must not be passed on to, the general public in the United Kingdom. The communication of the Offers to Purchase and such other documents and/or materials is exempt from the restriction on financial promotions under section 21 of the FSMA on the basis that they are only being distributed to and are only directed at persons to whom they can lawfully be circulated outside the United Kingdom or to: (i) persons in the United Kingdom having professional experience in matters relating to investments falling within the definition of investment professionals (as defined in Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (as amended, the "Order")); (ii) persons falling within Article 43 of the Order; or (iii) any other persons to whom the relevant Offer to Purchase and such other documents and/or materials may otherwise lawfully be communicated under the Order (all such persons together being referred to as "relevant persons"). This announcement and the Offers to Purchase and such documents and/or materials are directed only at relevant persons and must not be acted on or relied on by persons who are not relevant persons. Any investment or investment activity to which this announcement and the Offers to Purchase relate is available only to relevant persons and will be engaged in only with relevant persons.

The communication of this announcement, the Offers to Purchase and any other documents or materials relating to the Offers do not constitute an offer of securities to the public for the purposes of s of Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 (as amended) as it forms part of United Kingdom domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 (EUWA) (the "UK Prospectus Regulation") and accordingly the requirement to produce a prospectus under the UK Prospectus Regulation does not apply to the Offers.

Belgium (in respect of the NatWest Group Offer only)

Neither this announcement (in so far as it relates to the NatWest Group Offer), the NatWest Group Offer to Purchase nor any other documents or materials relating to the NatWest Group Offer have been submitted to or will be submitted for approval or recognition to the Financial Services and Markets Authority (Autorite des services et marches financiers / Autoriteit voor financiele diensten en markten) and, accordingly, the NatWest Group Offer may not be made in Belgium by way of a public offering, as defined in Articles 3 and 6 of the Belgian Law of April 1, 2007 on public takeover bids as amended or replaced from time to time. Accordingly, the NatWest Group Offer may not be advertised and the NatWest Group Offer will not be extended, and neither this announcement, the NatWest Group Offer to Purchase nor any other documents or materials relating to the NatWest Group Offer (including any memorandum, information circular, brochure or any similar documents) have been or shall be distributed or made available, directly or indirectly, to any person in Belgium other than "qualified investors" in the sense of Article 2(e) of the Prospectus Regulation, acting on their own account. This announcement (in so far as it relates to the NatWest Group Offer) and the NatWest Group Offer to Purchase have been issued only for the personal use of the above qualified investors and exclusively for the purpose of the NatWest Group Offer. Accordingly, the information contained in this announcement (in so far as it relates to the NatWest Group Offer) and the NatWest Group Offer to Purchase may not be used for any other purpose or disclosed to any other person in Belgium.

France

This announcement, the Offers to Purchase and any other documents or offering materials relating to the Offers may not be distributed in the Republic of France except to qualified investors (investisseurs qualifies) as defined in Article 2(e) of the Prospectus Regulation. This announcement and the Offers to Purchase have not been and will not be submitted for clearance to the Autorite des marches financiers.

Italy

None of the Offers, this announcement, the Offers to Purchase or any other documents or materials relating to the Offers has been or will be submitted to the clearance procedure of the Commissione Nazionale per le Societa e la Borsa ("CONSOB"), pursuant to applicable Italian laws and regulations.

The Offers are being carried out in the Republic of Italy ("Italy") as an exempted offer pursuant to article 101-bis, paragraph 3-bis of the Legislative Decree No. 58 of February 24, 1998, as amended (the "Financial Services Act") and article 35-bis, paragraph 4 of CONSOB Regulation No. 11971 of May 14, 1999, as amended (the "Issuers' Regulation"). The Offers are also being carried out in compliance with article 35-bis, paragraph 7 of the Issuers' Regulation.

Holders or beneficial owners of the Notes located in Italy can tender the Notes through authorized persons (such as investment firms, banks or financial intermediaries permitted to conduct such activities in Italy in accordance with the Financial Services Act, CONSOB Regulation No. 20307 of February 15, 2018, as amended from time to time, and Legislative Decree No. 385 of September 1, 1993, as amended) and in compliance with applicable laws and regulations or with requirements imposed by CONSOB or any other Italian authority.

Each intermediary must comply with the applicable laws and regulations concerning information duties vis-a-vis its clients in connection with the Notes and the Offers.

General

The Offers do not constitute an offer to buy or the solicitation of an offer to sell Notes (and offers to sell will not be accepted from the holders) in any circumstances in which such offer or solicitation is unlawful. In those jurisdictions where the securities or other laws require the Offers to be made by a licensed broker or dealer or similar and any of the Dealer Managers or any of the Dealer Manager's respective affiliates is such a licensed broker or dealer in that jurisdiction, the Offers shall be deemed to be made by such Dealer Manager or affiliate, as the case may be, on behalf of the relevant Offeror in such jurisdiction.

Each holder participating in the Offers will be deemed to give certain representations in respect of the jurisdictions referred to above and generally as set out in the relevant Offer to Purchase. Any tender of Notes pursuant to an Offer to Purchase from a holder that is unable to make these representations will be rejected. Each of the Offerors, the Dealer Managers and Kroll Issuer Services Limited reserves the right, in its absolute discretion (and without prejudice to the relevant holder's responsibility for the representations made by it), to investigate in relation to any tender of Notes, whether any such representation given by a holder is correct and, if such investigation is undertaken and as a result the relevant Offeror determines (for any reason) that such representation is not correct, such offer to sell will be rejected.

Each Offeror and their respective affiliates expressly reserve the right at any time or from time to time following completion or termination of the Offers made by it, to purchase or exchange or offer to purchase or exchange Notes or to issue an invitation to submit offers to sell Notes (including, without limitation, those tendered pursuant to the relevant Offer(s) but not accepted for purchase by it) through open market purchases, privately negotiated transactions, tender offers, exchange offers or otherwise, in each case on terms that may be more or less favorable than those contemplated by the relevant Offer(s). In addition, each Offeror also reserves the right to issue new debt securities from time to time, including during the term of the Offers made by it.

THIS ANNOUNCEMENT CONTAINS INFORMATION THAT QUALIFIED OR MAY HAVE QUALIFIED AS INSIDE INFORMATION FOR NATWEST GROUP PLC, FOR THE PURPOSES OF ARTICLE 7 OF THE MARKET ABUSE REGULATION (EU) 596/2014 (MAR) AS IT FORMS PART OF DOMESTIC LAW BY VIRTUE OF THE EUROPEAN UNION (WITHDRAWAL) ACT 2018. THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS MADE BY ALEXANDER HOLCROFT, HEAD OF INVESTOR RELATIONS FOR NATWEST GROUP PLC.

THIS ANNOUNCEMENT CONTAINS INFORMATION THAT QUALIFIED OR MAY HAVE QUALIFIED AS INSIDE INFORMATION FOR NatWest Markets N.V., FOR THE PURPOSES OF ARTICLE 7 OF THE MARKET ABUSE REGULATION (EU) 596/2014 (MAR). FOR THE PURPOSES OF MAR AND ARTICLE 2 OF COMMISSION IMPLEMENTING REGULATION (EU) 2016/1055, THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS MADE BY Vasileios TSAGRIS, TREASURER OF NatWest Markets N.V.

Legal Entity Identifiers

NatWest Group plc 2138005O9XJIJN4JPN90 NatWest Markets N.V. X3CZP3CK64YBHON1LE12

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

From time to time, the Offerors may make statements, both written and oral, regarding our assumptions, projections, expectations, intentions or beliefs about future events. These statements constitute "forward-looking statements". The Offerors caution that these statements may and often do vary materially from actual results. Accordingly, the Offerors cannot assure you that actual results will not differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. You should read the sections entitled "Risk Factors" in the relevant Offer to Purchase, in the Annual Report and H1 2022 Interim Report of the relevant Offeror which is incorporated by reference therein and "Forward-Looking Statements" in the Annual Report and H1 2022 Interim Report of the relevant Offeror, which is incorporated by reference in the relevant Offer to Purchase.

Any forward-looking statements made herein or in the documents incorporated by reference herein speak only as of the date they are made. Except as required by the U.K. Financial Conduct Authority (the "FCA") or the Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets (the "AFM"), as applicable, any applicable stock exchange or any applicable law, the Offerors expressly disclaim any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statement contained in the relevant Offer to Purchase or the documents incorporated by reference herein to reflect any changes in expectations with regard thereto or any new information or any changes in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based. The reader should, however, (i) with respect to NatWest Group consult any additional disclosures that NatWest Group has made or may make in documents that NatWest Group has filed or may file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and (ii) with respect to NWM N.V. consult any additional disclosures that NWM N.V. has made or may make in documents that NWM N.V. has filed or may file with the AFM.

SOURCE NatWest Markets N.V.; NatWest Group plc
46% are hiring for new roles; 45% will bring in more contract talent

More than 3 in 4 managers still worry about workers quitting

MENLO PARK, Calif., Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The job market will remain strong for the latter part of 2022, research from talent solutions and business consulting firm Robert Half shows. According to the company's State of U.S. Hiring Survey of more than 1,500 managers, 46% of respondents anticipate adding new permanent positions during the second half of the year; another 46% expect to fill vacated positions and only 8% foresee hiring freezes or layoffs.

Highlights from Robert Half's State of U.S. Hiring Survey Research from Robert Half shows U.S. companies' hiring plans and strategies in the second half of 2022.

Companies' Plans for Hiring Permanent Staff

Second Half

2021 First Half

2022 Second Half

2022 Adding new positions 51 % 65 % 46 % Filling vacated positions 48 % 33 % 46 % Not adding new or filling vacated positions 2 % 2 % 6 % Eliminating positions 0 % 1 % 2 %

Increased Demand for Contract and Early-Career Talent

Forty-five percent of managers across practice areas plan to bring in more contract professionals by year-end  especially in technology (60%) and finance and accounting (54%). In addition, 72% of employers intend to hire more entry-level or early-career professionals.

"Despite talk of an economic slowdown, many companies remain in hiring mode  and professionals with in-demand skills continue to have options," said Robert Half senior executive director Paul McDonald. "In addition to staffing critical functions, employers are increasingly turning to contract talent to stay nimble while keeping projects moving forward and productivity high."

View Robert Half's Demand for Skilled Talent report for additional insight on hiring trends by profession.

Top Hiring Challenges and Strategies

According to the research, 88% of managers said it's challenging to find skilled professionals, primarily due to a lack of qualified talent (38%) and candidates' salary expectations being higher than what their company is willing to offer (22%).

In turn, employers who have the resources are using a range of recruiting tactics to win over skilled workers:

46% are increasing starting salaries.

34% are providing signing bonuses.

33% are offering remote options.

31% are evaluating candidates outside of their company's geography and allowing new hires to live anywhere.

28% are loosening education, skills or experience requirements.

View a video and infographics of the research highlights.

Employers Brace for More Quits

More than half of managers (51%) reported an increase in voluntary turnover within their department in the last year. And nearly 8 in 10 (78%) are concerned about more employees quitting. Those in marketing and creative (84%) and finance and accounting (79%) are most likely to worry about resignations from their team.

McDonald noted, "As long as the job market favors workers, staff retention will continue to be a big concern for businesses. Doubling down on employee wellbeing, empowerment and development initiatives can go a long way toward building staff satisfaction and loyalty as the market fluctuates."

About the Research

The online survey was developed by Robert Half and conducted by an independent research firm from June 17 to July 14, 2022. It includes responses from more than 1,500 managers with hiring responsibilities in finance and accounting, technology, marketing and creative, legal, administrative and customer support, and human resources at companies with 20 or more employees in the U.S.

About Robert Half

Robert Half (NYSE: RHI) is the world's first and largest specialized talent solutions and business consulting firm that connects opportunities at great companies with highly skilled job seekers. Robert Half offers contract and permanent placement solutions and is the parent company of Protiviti, a global consulting firm. Visit roberthalf.com and download the company's award-winning mobile app.

SOURCE Robert Half
HEIDELBERG, Germany, Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- NEC NGSI-LD Scorpio Broker has been selected as a FIWARE context broker for Amazon Web Services' (AWS) Smart Territory Framework (STF). The STF is a set of tools and standardized modules that AWS partners and customers can use to build and operate smart solutions and services that adhere to the European Telecommunications Standardization Institute (ETSI) industry standard for context information management, NGSI-LD.

Developed by NEC Laboratories Europe and NEC Corporation India, NEC Scorpio Broker is a core component of FIWARE's Smart Reference Architecture. FIWARE is a curated framework of open-source platform components that supports the development of smart solutions in line with NGSI-LD requirements.

STF leverages the Smart Data Models initiative, which provides NGSI-LD-compliant open-license smart data models for different industry domains such as Smart Cities, Smart Agrifood, Smart Environment and Smart Manufacturing. Modular and built on open-source and open-standards, the STF makes it easy to integrate existing solutions and add new capabilities and modules over time to its core, which consists of two modules: the STF IoT module and a FIWARE context broker.

Ali Benfattoum, IoT & Smart Cities Specialist at Amazon Web Services, said, "We have designed the Smart Territory Framework  STF  to make it easier and faster for our partners and customers to build scalable and interoperable platforms and solutions that break down data silos."

Scorpio Broker is the first FIWARE context broker that fully complies with ETSI NGSI-LD v1.3.1. Using NGSI-LD, it shares and reuses information across different application domains and lets smart services exchange and link information between networked, intelligent systems and platforms in a stable and repeatable way.

Scorpio Broker was selected as an STF context broker for its full compliance with the NGSI-LD specification and its easy integration with AWS serverless services. With built-in high availability, these services can be scaled automatically and have a pay-for-use billing model  all designed to increase AWS customer agility while improving cost efficiency.

NEC Laboratories Europe and AWS worked together to provide a scalable and available implementation of Scorpio Broker on AWS. The implementation uses serverless services like AWS Fargate to easily run and scale the Scorpio Broker container, and Amazon Aurora Serverless to automatically start up, shut down and scale capacity up or down for the PostgreSQL database used by the context broker.

Erno Kovacs, Senior Manager of Data Ecosystems and Standards at NEC Laboratories Europe, said, "Using Scorpio Broker with an advanced cloud solution like AWS STF, you can build smart services that link different IoT devices and services in very little time, while ensuring semantic interoperability with other devices. Whether it's a neighborhood connected by IoT devices or a farm optimizing crop yields  the building blocks and the data models remain the same. Scorpio Broker is already being used to advance smart solutions in different regions of the world."

Using the open-source software development framework AWS Cloud Development Kit (AWS CDK), each module of the STF, including Scorpio Broker, can be easily deployed in a safe and repeatable manner.

Scorpio Broker will be deployed in NEC's advanced 5G networks for selected projects. It is available in different configurations, including standalone servers and full cloud deployments using scalable serverless architecture.

References

S Carsten et al. 2018. Smart Services. Science Direct, Procedia  Social and Behavioral Sciences 238, pp 192  198. 10.1016/j.sbspro.2018.03.02

About NEC Laboratories Europe GmbH

NEC Laboratories Europe research and develop cutting-edge technology to create innovative social solutions. Located in Heidelberg, Germany, major research areas of NEC Laboratories Europe include artificial intelligence, blockchain security, 5G and 6G networks and IoT platforms. These technologies promote NEC Group solutions for a better society in the fields of digital health, safer cities, public services and communication infrastructure.

For more information visit https://www.neclab.eu.

About NEC Europe Ltd.

NEC Europe Ltd. is a wholly owned subsidiary of NEC Corporation, a leader in the integration of IT network technologies that benefit businesses and people around the world. NEC Europe Ltd. is building upon its heritage and reputation for innovation and quality by providing its expertise, solutions and services to a broad range of customers, from telecom operators to enterprises and the public sector.

For additional information, please visit the NEC Europe Ltd. home page at: http://uk.nec.com.

SOURCE NEC Laboratories Europe GmbH
Honoring the visionary musician with sustainable, earth-friendly CBD wellness products.

DENVER, August 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Jerry Garcia Wellness, the CBD-centric business that evokes the vision and values of Jerry Garcia, announced today the launch of its CBD wellness brand and products. Known as the founder of The Grateful Dead, one of the most successful touring bands in rock and roll history, Jerry Garcia was an early proponent of cannabis legalization and believed in its natural benefits decades before it became widely recognized as an effective aid to health and wellness.

Jerry Garcia Wellness products include a collection of highly effective tinctures, a full array of topicals, and custom molded rose-shaped gummies inspired by Garcias love of roses. Jerry Garcia Wellness products include a collection of highly effective tinctures, a full array of topicals, and custom molded rose-shaped gummies inspired by Garcias love of roses.

The brand is an officially licensed partner of the Garcia family and features a full line of CBD products that will pay homage to the Jerry Garcia legacy. Products include a collection of highly effective tinctures, a full array of topicals, and custom molded rose-shaped gummies inspired by Garcia's love of roses. Each product elicits its own unique vibe, and all are centered on caring for the mind, body, and soul, as well as our planet.

More than 109 million Americans have used CBD for years to help with relaxation, sleeplessness, muscle soreness, balance, mental well-being, and to naturally support the body's response to a whole host of other physical and mental discomforts.

Jerry Garcia Wellness has enlisted Cameron Keluche, founder of KelSie Biotech, as Head of Product Development, to ensure that the quality and efficacy are second to none. Kelsie Biotech is known in the industry as a developer of some of the most highly effective CBD products and brands.

All Jerry Garcia Wellness products are made with 100% USDA Certified Organic CBD and a myriad of other natural, functional, botanical ingredients. Consumers can trust the brand to deliver highly efficacious, all-natural, hemp-derived, cannabidiol-based products.

"It is an honor to work on this 100% organic and plastic-free CBD project initiated by Jerry Garcia Wellness," said Keelin Garcia, Jerry's daughter and president of Jerry Garcia Music Arts, LLC. "We appreciate how dedicated the company has been to ensure that every aspect of the project is in line with what father believed in and supported. We're excited to be able to honor him on his 80th birthday by sharing this natural wellness CBD program with his fans."

"It's so cool that Jerry Garcia Wellness is announcing its debut in the CBD market on Garcia's 80th birthday," added Chris McCutcheon, Jerry Garcia Foundation board member, a long-time member of the Grateful Dead extended family, and Chief Historian and Story Teller for Jerry Garcia Wellness, "The whole venture's mission serves as a tribute to Garcia's fans by giving new life to his vision."

Staying true to Garcia's desire to take care of the Earth is a core tenet of Jerry Garcia Wellness. As a lifelong enthusiast of both Jerry Garcia's and the Grateful Dead's music and art, company founder and CEO Bobby Brahms has worked diligently with the Garcia family to ensure all products and packaging, along with the company's mission, are in line with Jerry's belief in sustainability.

"We will be including Jerry's fine art and other recognizable iconography in our packaging to instantly identify the brand as one that is his," said Brahms, "Every detail of every product has been designed to recognize and respect Jerry's vision for legal cannabis products that are intended to improve well-being without harming the planet. Fans and those seeking a better quality of life alike will know that they're getting a superior product that carries on Jerry's prolific legacy with each experience."

To carry on Garcia's work as a philanthropist, the company will be donating a portion of its proceeds to charities directed by his family. Jerry Garcia Wellness products will be available this fall for purchase online and at retail locations. To sign up for information and product availability, visit JerryGarciaWellness.com or email [email protected] .

About Jerry Garcia Wellness

Jerry Garcia Wellness continues to honor the legendary artist and musician by creating products he would be proud of through sustainable means. Jerry Garcia Wellness was developed in conjunction with a team of long-time organic CBD product producers and the Garcia family. The company develops and sells premium, responsibly sourced, all-natural, organic, highly effective, hemp-derived cannabidiol-based products. A portion of all sales will be donated to charitable organizations directed by Jerry's family.

Media Contact:

Adam Romero

Ericho Communications

[email protected]

929-276-1994

SOURCE Jerry Garcia Wellness
ST. PAUL, Minn., Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Johnson // Becker, PLLC is a nationwide products liability law firm with extensive experience representing victims of pressure cooker explosions. The firm has represented over 500 clients who have been severely burned by exploding pressure cookers designed and sold by numerous manufacturers.

Johnson//Becker filed this Complaint against manufacturer Sunbeam Products Inc., on behalf of Barri Bolden, a resident of West Haven, Connecticut alleging that Ms. Bolden was burned by a defective Crock-Pot pressure cooker.

The pressure cooker explosion occurred when the lid opened while the unit was still under pressure, causing its scalding hot contents to erupt onto Ms. Bolden. In 2020, Sunbeam recalled 900,000 Crock-Pot pressure cookers following reports of lids opening while the contents were still pressurized, including 99 reports of burn injuries similar to Ms. Bolden's. These injuries occurred despite assurances the Crock-Pot pressure cooker will not open until the unit has depressurized. The Complaint alleges the manufacturer "failed to exercise ordinary care in the manufacture, sale, warnings, quality assurance, quality control, distribution, advertising, promotion, sale, and marketing" of the Crock-Pot pressure cooker.

This suit is filed by Lisa A. Gorshe and Anna R. Rick of Johnson // Becker, PLLC.

Questions about a Crock-Pot pressure cooker Lawsuit? Contact a Johnson// Becker lawyer today for a free case review.

If you or a loved one has been injured by a defective Crock-Pot pressure cooker, you may want to speak with the lawyers at Johnson//Becker. We are filing new pressure cooker 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/product-liability/pressure-cooker-lawsuit/, https://www.johnsonbecker.com/product-liability/crock-pot-pressure-cooker-lawsuit/ or contact Johnson // Becker directly at (800) 279-6386.

SOURCE Johnson // Becker, PLLC
ISTANBUL, Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Aiming to offset the carbon emissions caused by flights, Turkish Airlines will launch a new program called Co 2 mission. The program aims to balance the emissions caused by all business trips from the company's personnel. As for the guests, they will be able to fly more environmentally conscious on a voluntary basis. With this program, the national flag carrier will ensure carbon offset becomes achievable and practical for anyone with environmental awareness.

Turkish Airlines launches new program, Co2mission, to combat climate change. (PRNewsfoto/Turkish Airlines)

Starting its operations on August 1, the program's website offers numerous portfolio options for carbon offset with environmental and communal benefits such as renewable energy and forestation. Passengers aiming to offset the emission of their flight can do so by contributing their desired amount to the project portfolio of their choice, thus purchasing an emission reduction certification accredited by United Nations. The passenger contributions will be used to support the projects accredited by VCS and Gold Standard and can submit their third-party evaluation and reviews without any cuts by Turkish Airlines.

Sharing his thoughts on the voluntary carbon offset project "Co 2 mission," Turkish Airlines Chairman of the Board and Executive Committee Prof. Dr. Ahmet Bolat stated: "We are continuing to take the initiative to combat climate change, which stands at the forefront of today's global problems. Soon, we will add another to our sustainability focused projects which are proving themselves with successful results. The projects supported by the carbon offset program will also show our heartfelt commitment to United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The decision to implement this program is the result of our desire to conduct all our operations responsibly. I am sure that our passengers will also show great interest in the program with the knowledge that all of us are responsible for this beautiful world we share."

Flight date information along with arrival-departure stations are enough to take part in the carbon offset process. Guests are able to complete their carbon offset process whenever they want, regardless of which airline they traveled with. With the THY Co 2 mission platform, it is possible to calculate the carbon offset amount with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) methodology, which considers route length, aircraft type, fuel consumption and numerous other factors. The platform will be reachable through Turkish Airlines website during ticket purchases or directly through the Co 2 mission website: http://turkishairlines.co2mission.com/.

Video link: https://youtu.be/jliZwfGJyJk

Turkish Airlines Inc.

Office of Media Relations

General Management Building

34149, Yesilkoy-Istanbul

Tel: +90 (212) 463 63 63  11153 / 11173

Fax: +90 (212) 465 20 78

[email protected]

SOURCE Turkish Airlines
Sindhudurg (Maharashtra), Aug 1 (UNI) Shiv Sena Yuva leader and former Maharashtra Minister Aditya Thackeray on Monday said the 40 rebel MLAs and their leader Chief Minister Eknath Shinde not only betrayed the Shiv Sena and its chief Uddhav Thackeray but also humanity.

Thackeray said this to party workers at Kudal in Sindhudurg district.

Thackeray severely criticised the rebel group and said that if they (rebels) had any courage then there was no need to revolt and to go at Surat or Guwahati. He challenge all the rebel MLAs to resign from the Assembly and face fresh elections.

He said that Aditya Thackeray has given all to rebels whatever they wanted but they stabbed the party chief in the back.

On the arrest of Sena MP Sanjay Raut by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) , Thackeray said the BJP was trying to suppress Raut's voice.

UNI SSS NV MR
XO Cross Catheter Platform successfully used in peripheral vascular procedures utilizing pedal artery retrograde access to treat complex Critical Limb Ischemia (CLI) patients.

PARK CITY, Utah, Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Transit Scientific reports multiple successful peripheral vascular procedures with the XO Cross Catheter Platform utilizing pedal retrograde access. The non-tapered 2Fr XO Cross 14 Microcatheter in 90cm, 135cm, and 175cm lengths is designed to facilitate guidewire support, guidewire exchange, and contrast media injection during complex peripheral vascular interventions.

XO Cross 14 Microcatheter (PRNewsfoto/Transit Scientific)

"2Fr 014 catheter-guidewire systems are an important tool for pedal and below-the-knee interventions," said Dr. George Adams, Interventional Cardiology Director Cardiovascular and Peripheral Vascular Research at UNC REX Healthcare. "The XO Cross incorporates a non-tapered torquable shaft design which supports a smaller and less invasive access site from below. Tools like these can help broaden options for approaches and access techniques in CLI patients."

Critical limb ischemia (CLI) is a severe degree of peripheral artery disease (PAD) that requires intervention to avoid limb loss and its associated complications. The standard treatment strategy for tibial lesions involves either a retrograde or antegrade femoral artery approach, but in many patients, this strategy poses challenges due to the presence of widespread multilevel disease, long and complex lesions, and the common involvement of tibial vessels. The retrograde pedal/tibial approach is an alternative way to treat this challenging patient population.

The XO Cross Catheter Platform introduces new levels of pushability, trackability, flexibility, and torque response to access challenging lesions and complex anatomy. XO Cross's non-tapered, metal-alloy and polymer construction delivers high fatigue resistance against tough lesions found in late-stage peripheral artery disease (PAD) and critical limb ischemia (CLI).

Dr. Richard Saxon of Tri-City Medical Center, Oceanside, CA shared, "A patient presented with trifurcation disease and severe calcifications in the superficial femoral artery (SFA), popliteal, and the posterior tibial (PT) artery. The low-profile and pushability of the XO Cross 14 enabled pedal retrograde access following failed crossing and wire from above. A second XO Cross 14 (135cm) was used from above to support a flossing technique and subsequent angioplasty treatment. The unique non-tapered design of the XO Cross lends itself well to challenging limb salvage procedures that often require multiple access sites and different approaches to achieve a good outcome."

Transit Scientific's XO Cross Platform features (24) FDA-cleared devices including 2Fr XO Cross 14 Microcaths, 2.6Fr XO Cross 18 Microcaths, and the 3.8Fr XO Cross 35 Support Catheters for use with standard 0.014", 0.018", and 0.035" guidewires in 90cm, 135cm, 150cm, and 175cm lengths.

Transit Scientific is a private company that designs, develops, and commercializes medical devices including the FDA-cleared and CE Mark-cleared XO Score and XO Cross platforms plus the XO Cath Interventional Oncology and XO CS Coronary System under development. Transit Scientific has 20+ combined issued and pending U.S. and global patents. www.XOScore.com

Transit Scientific Media contact: Kelly Himle (414) 736-1654, [email protected].

SOURCE Transit Scientific
All Credit Union Branches Accepting Book Donations for San Diego Elementary School Students

SAN DIEGO, Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- North Island Credit Union has launched a book drive to help ensure children in low-income households have access to books outside the classroom. The book drive is being conducted in partnership with the Scripps Howard Foundation and ABC 10News as part of its "If You Give a Child a Book . . ." childhood literacy campaign.

Through August 30th, North Island Credit Union encourages community members to drop off new books to any of its branch locations in San Diego County. A complete list of North Island Credit Union locations is available here. Donated books should be new and appropriate for kindergarten through elementary school students. All books will be given to students attending Title 1 schools in San Diego County.

"We invite everyone to join this effort to make books accessible and nurture a joy of reading for children in our underserved communities," said North Island Credit Union CEO Steve O'Connell. "This campaign will get books directly into the hands of children who need them most, helping address the literacy gap in our communities and providing the resources to support reading outside the classroom."

Drop Off locations include:

7968 El Cajon Blvd, La Mesa, CA

2550 Fifth Ave, San Diego, CA

9119 Clairemont Mesa Blvd, San Diego, CA

9420 Mira Mesa Blvd, San Diego, CA

Naval Air Base, Saufley St Bldg. 318, San Diego, CA

10549 Scripps Poway Pkwy, San Diego, CA

45 N. Broadway, Chula Vista, CA

5898 Copley Dr, San Diego, CA

1101 Palm Ave, Imperial Beach, CA

884 Eastlake Pkwy, Chula Vista, CA

301 N. Magnolia Ave , El Cajon, CA

The annual "If You Give a Child a Book  " childhood literacy campaign is a partnership of the Scripps Howard Foundation, members of the Scripps family, employees of The E.W. Scripps Company, and the communities it serves. The campaign has distributed more than 500,000 books since its launch in 2016. Monetary donations are also accepted to purchase books for students in need here.

About North Island Credit Union, a division of California Credit Union

California Credit Union is a federally insured, state chartered credit union founded in 1933 that serves public or private school employees, community members and businesses across California. With more than 165,000 members and assets of over $4 billion, California Credit Union has 24 branches throughout Los Angeles, Orange and San Diego counties. The credit union operates in San Diego County as North Island Credit Union, a division of California Credit Union. California Credit Union offers a full suite of consumer, business and investment products and services, including comprehensive consumer checking and loan options, personalized financial planning, business banking, and leading-edge online and mobile banking. Please visit northisland.ccu.com for more information or follow the credit union on Instagram or Facebook @northislandcu.

SOURCE North Island Credit Union
Clients to benefit from OL's global reach and AAI's domestic expertise

NEW YORK, Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- OL International Holdings LLC (OL International) today announced a partnership between OL UK and third-party logistics provider AAI Group. The arrangement will allow both companies to leverage their strengths for the mutual benefit of their customers, with AAI providing customs clearance, warehousing, and local haulage throughout the entire United Kingdom, and OL providing international logistics by ocean, air and land. Organized as a hand-over at UK ports, the companies have established an integrated team, allowing seamless end-to-end service, including single documentation and invoicing.

The partnership will be managed from Felixstowe, the largest container port in the United Kingdom, with OL UK now sharing space in the local AAI office. Paula Bellamy, a Felixstowe native who opened OL's operation last year, will continue her role as managing director of OL UK, as well as OL Dubai, and OL Philippines. Ms. Bellamy is an award-winning industry veteran, having been named "Leading Female Professional in Logistics and Transport" by Logistics News. She will work closely with AAI managing director Deone Blignaut, and operations manager Cara Bilner. Additional sales and support staff are being hired under the OL UK banner, and will help continue driving growth domestically and across Europe.

"OL UK has been growing strongly, activating the exceptional reach of our global network for UK shippers. We are thrilled to partner with AAI, and offer customers of both companies the enhanced capabilities of our joint efforts," said Alan Baer, president of OL International. "Partnering with AAI delivers the unmatched UK expertise we need to fulfil our promise of 'Local. Around the World.' In turn, we are proud to offer AAI's customers the advantages of a local presence in nearly every significant international port."

OL UK is part of OL International's growing portfolio of offices, now numbering 19 global locations. The offices are members of several international networks, including the Oceanwide Logistics Global Network. The company's structure creates a powerful and integrated network of local experts able to deliver seamless end-to-end service with representatives on the ground in over 140 countries.

"This partnership is an immediate advancement for clients trading domestically and abroad, allowing our capabilities to leap ahead of our rapid growth, and enhance service to manage the additional complexities driven by Brexit," said Ms. Bellamy. "AAI has been serving UK shippers for more than thirty years. We see this partnership as a major milestone in that history, and one that dramatically expands our ability to advantageously reach the furthest corners of the world," added Ms. Blignaut.

Shippers are encouraged to contact the Felixstowe office to learn more about our services at +44 1394 783006 or [email protected].

About OL International Holdings LLC:

OL International Holdings LLC is a global non-asset-based international logistics company headquartered in Westbury, New York. Offering clients seamless end-to-end service, the company blends local expertise and the latest technology to stay ahead in today's globalized market. Serving primarily as a Non-Vessel Operating Common Carrier (NVOCC), the Company provides sophisticated ocean, land, and air freight forwarding, customs brokerage, and warehouse solutions. The Company operates through a network of company offices and independent, agent-owned offices in over 140 countries worldwide, many of which are part of the Oceanwide Logistics Global Network.

For more information about OL International please visit: www.ol-usa.com.

SOURCE: OL International Holdings LLC

SOURCE OL International Holdings LLC
Market estimates and forecast 2022-2026

Key drivers, trends, and challenges impacting market growth

Segment-wise, region-wise, and country-wide analysis

Analysis of market share by vendors

Key product launches and regulatory climate

Post-COVID-19 impact on the market landscape.

Download PDF Report Sample

The leading vendors should focus on opportunities such as acquiring new brands to maintain their dominance in the online home decor market in India during the forecast period. In addition, sustainability is an essential practice undertaken by major competitors and other prominent competitors. Vendors are also focusing on the customization of furniture through consumer interactions. Major competitors are putting efforts to constantly mass-customize their furniture by interacting with consumers.

The market is primarily driven by the rise in online spending and smartphone penetration. For example, devices with larger interfaces are more suitable for purchasing products online. Websites provide detailed information on products, including quality, safety measures, and user guidance. They also offer security features for online payments, free delivery, improved online customer services, and customer-friendly designs of online shopping websites.

The full report provides information on other drivers, trends, and challenges that are impacting the growth of the market. Request a Sample PDF Report

The home furniture type segment will generate maximum revenue in the online home decor market in India. The main target markets for home furniture manufacturers are tier-I and tier-II cities, which enable vendors to efficiently handle their operations related to online distribution channels, logistics, and e-retailers. This has enabled manufacturers to ensure that their products are available online and offline. Thus, the growing e-commerce sector will drive the demand for online home furniture in India during the forecast period.

Identify major revenue-generating segments in the online home decor market in India. View our Sample Report

The online home decor market in India is fragmented, and the vendors are deploying growth strategies such as price, quality, brand, and variety to compete in the market. Product innovation is expected to be a key trend in the market during the forecast period.

Some of the key players in the online home decor market share in India include:

Amazon.com Inc.

D decor Home Fabrics Pvt. Ltd.

Forte furniture products India Pvt. Ltd.

Pepperfry Pvt. Ltd.

Praxis Home Retail Ltd.

Reliance Industries Ltd.

Snapdeal Pvt. Ltd.

Tata Sons Pvt. Ltd.

The Crafty Angels

Walmart Inc.

Didn't find what you are looking for? Our analysts can help you customize this report based on your business requirements. The industry experts at Technavio will work directly with you to understand your needs and provide you with customized data in a short time. Speak to our Analyst Now

Related Reports:

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Online Home Decor Market Scope in India Report Coverage Details Page number 120 Base year 2021 Forecast period 2022-2026 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 10.24% Market growth 2022-2026 USD 3.75 billion Market structure Fragmented YoY growth (%) 8.82 Competitive landscape Leading companies, Competitive strategies, Consumer engagement scope Key companies profiled Amazon.com Inc., D decor Home Fabrics Pvt. Ltd., Forte furniture products India Pvt. Ltd., Pepperfry Pvt. Ltd., Praxis Home Retail Ltd., Reliance Industries Ltd., Snapdeal Pvt. Ltd., Tata Sons Pvt. Ltd., The Crafty Angels, and Walmart Inc. Market dynamics Parent market analysis, Market growth inducers and obstacles, Fast-growing and slow-growing segment analysis, COVID-19 impact and recovery analysis and future consumer dynamics, Market condition analysis for the forecast period Customization purview If our report has not included the data that you are looking for, you can reach out to our analysts and get segments customized.

Table Of Contents :

1. Executive Summary

1.1 Market Overview

Exhibit 01: Key Finding 1

Exhibit 02: Key finding 2

Exhibit 03: Key finding 5

Exhibit 04: Key finding 6

Exhibit 05: Key finding 7

2. Market Landscape

2.1 Market ecosystem

2.1.1 Parent market

Exhibit 06: Parent market

Exhibit 07: Market characteristics

2.2 Value chain analysis

Exhibit 08: Value chain analysis: Home furnishing

2.2.1 Inputs

2.2.2 Inbound logistics

2.2.3 Operations

2.2.4 Outbound logistics

2.2.5 Marketing and sales

2.2.6 Service

2.2.7 Support activities

2.2.8 Innovation

3. Market Sizing

3.1 Market definition

Exhibit 09: Offerings of vendors included in the market definition

3.2 Market segment analysis

Exhibit 10: Market segments

3.3 Market size 2021

3.4 Market outlook: Forecast for 2021 - 2026

3.4.1 Estimating growth rates for emerging and high-growth markets

3.4.2 Estimating growth rates for mature markets

Exhibit 11: Global - Market size and forecast 2021 - 2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 12: Global market: Year-over-year growth 2021 - 2026 (%)

4. Five Forces Analysis

4.1 Five Forces Summary

Exhibit 13: Five forces analysis 2021 and 2026

4.2 Bargaining power of buyers

Exhibit 14: Bargaining power of buyers

4.3 Bargaining power of suppliers

Exhibit 15: Bargaining power of suppliers

4.4 Threat of new entrants

Exhibit 16: Threat of new entrants

4.5 Threat of substitutes

Exhibit 17: Threat of substitutes

4.6 Threat of rivalry

Exhibit 18: Threat of rivalry

4.7 Market condition

Exhibit 19: Market condition - Five forces 2021

5. Market Segmentation by Application

5.1 Market segments

The segments covered in this chapter are:

Indoor

Outdoor

Exhibit 20: Application - Market share 2021-2026 (%)

5.2 Comparison by Application

Exhibit 21: Comparison by Application

5.3 Indoor - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 22: Indoor - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 23: Indoor - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

5.4 Outdoor - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 24: Outdoor - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 25: Outdoor - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

5.5 Market opportunity by Application

Exhibit 26: Market opportunity by Application

6. Market Segmentation by Type

6.1 Market segments

The segments covered in this chapter are:

Home furniture

Home furnishings

Other home decorative products

Exhibit 27: Type - Market share 2021-2026 (%)

6.2 Comparison by Type

Exhibit 28: Comparison by Type

6.3 Home furniture - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 29: Home furniture - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 30: Home furniture - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

6.4 Home furnishings - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 31: Home furnishings - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 32: Home furnishings - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

6.5 Other home decorative products - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 33: Other home decorative products - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 34: Other home decorative products - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

6.6 Market opportunity by Type

Exhibit 35: Market opportunity by Type

7. Customer landscape

Technavio's customer landscape matrix comparing Drivers or price sensitivity, Adoption lifecycle, importance in customer price basket, Adoption rate, and Key purchase criteria

7.1 Overview

Exhibit 36: Customer landscape

8. Drivers, Challenges, and Trends

8.1 Market drivers

8.1.1 Rise in online spending and smartphone penetration

8.1.2 Benefits of buying home decor products online

8.1.3 Growing demand for high-end and luxury home furnishings

8.2 Market challenges

8.2.1 Criticality of logistics management leading to high overhead costs

8.2.2 Strict competition from offline channels

8.2.3 Long product replacement cycles resulting in infrequent purchases

8.2.4 Challenge of manual assembly

Exhibit 37: Impact of drivers and challenges

8.3 Market trends

8.3.1 Growing demand for eco-friendly home decor items

8.3.2 Rising popularity of blogs related to interior designing

8.3.3 Increasing demand for contractual furniture

9. Vendor Landscape

9.1 Overview

Exhibit 38: Vendor landscape

9.2 Landscape disruption

Exhibit 39: Landscape disruption

Exhibit 40: Industry risks

9.3 Competitive landscape

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 Amazon.com Inc.

Exhibit 43: Amazon.com Inc. - Overview

Exhibit 44: Amazon.com Inc. - Business segments

Exhibit 45: Amazon.com Inc. - Key offerings

Exhibit 46: Amazon.com Inc.  Key news

Exhibit 47: Amazon.com Inc. - Segment focus

10.4 D decor Home Fabrics Pvt. Ltd.

Exhibit 48: D decor Home Fabrics Pvt. Ltd. - Overview

Exhibit 49: D decor Home Fabrics Pvt. Ltd. - Product and service

Exhibit 50: D decor Home Fabrics Pvt. Ltd. - Key offerings

10.5 Forte furniture products India Pvt. Ltd.

Exhibit 51: Forte furniture products India Pvt. Ltd. - Overview

Exhibit 52: Forte furniture products India Pvt. Ltd. - Product and service

Exhibit 53: Forte furniture products India Pvt. Ltd. - Key offerings

10.6 Pepperfry Pvt. Ltd.

Exhibit 54: Pepperfry Pvt. Ltd. - Overview

Exhibit 55: Pepperfry Pvt. Ltd. - Product and service

Exhibit 56: Pepperfry Pvt. Ltd. - Key offerings

10.7 Praxis Home Retail Ltd.

Exhibit 57: Praxis Home Retail Ltd. - Overview

Exhibit 58: Praxis Home Retail Ltd. - Product and service

Exhibit 59: Praxis Home Retail Ltd. - Key offerings

10.8 Reliance Industries Ltd.

Exhibit 60: Reliance Industries Ltd. - Overview

Exhibit 61: Reliance Industries Ltd. - Business segments

Exhibit 62: Reliance Industries Ltd. - Key offerings

Exhibit 63: Reliance Industries Ltd.  Key news

Exhibit 64: Reliance Industries Ltd. - Segment focus

10.9 Snapdeal Pvt. Ltd.

Exhibit 65: Snapdeal Pvt. Ltd. - Overview

Exhibit 66: Snapdeal Pvt. Ltd. - Product and service

Exhibit 67: Snapdeal Pvt. Ltd. - Key offerings

10.10 Tata Sons Pvt. Ltd.

Exhibit 68: Tata Sons Pvt. Ltd. - Overview

Exhibit 69: Tata Sons Pvt. Ltd. - Business segments

Exhibit 70: Tata Sons Pvt. Ltd. - Key offerings

Exhibit 71: Tata Sons Pvt. Ltd.  Key news

10.11 The Crafty Angels

Exhibit 72: The Crafty Angels - Overview

Exhibit 73: The Crafty Angels - Product and service

Exhibit 74: The Crafty Angels - Key offerings

10.12 Walmart Inc.

Exhibit 75: Walmart Inc. - Overview

Exhibit 76: Walmart Inc. - Business segments

Exhibit 77: Walmart Inc. - Key offerings

Exhibit 78: Walmart Inc.  Key news

Exhibit 79: Walmart Inc. - Segment focus

11. Appendix

11.1 Scope of the report

11.1.1 Market definition

11.1.2 Objectives

11.1.3 Notes and caveats

11.2 Currency conversion rates for US$

Exhibit 80: Currency conversion rates for US$

11.3 Research Methodology

Exhibit 81: Research Methodology

Exhibit 82: Validation techniques employed for market sizing

Exhibit 83: Information sources

11.4 List of abbreviations

Exhibit 84: 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
2022 is the 15th year OnPoint has partnered with the KGW School Supply Drive to send students back to school with the tools they need to learn.

PORTLAND, Ore., Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- To support local students heading back to school in the fall, OnPoint Community Credit Union announced today it will give an additional $5 for every $1 donated to the KGW School Supply Drive at OnPoint branches between August 1-6*. OnPoint branches will also be accepting school supply donations, which will stay in the community in which the donation is made, going directly to help local teachers and students, and distributed with the help of Schoolhouse Supplies. The KGW School Supply Drive, which runs through August 31, aims to send 15,000 students across Oregon and Southwest Washington back to school with the tools they need to succeed in the classroom.

2022 is the 15th year OnPoint has partnered with the KGW School Supply Drive to send students back to school with the tools they need to learn.

"Helping children succeed today builds a better future for us all, and that success starts with education," said Rob Stuart, President and Chief Executive Officer, OnPoint Community Credit Union. "Nearly half of all children in Oregon don't have the resources to start the school year with even the most basic school supplies. A donation of just $25 helps a student get the necessary supplies. Education is at the heart of who we are, and we also know how important it is to our community. We hope our neighbors will join us to alleviate some of this pressure on families and teachers."

As part of this year's drive, OnPoint will be hosting community Collection Events where the community can drop off new school supplies and cash donations at its Lloyd Center Branch (1100 NE Weidler St., Portland, OR 97232) and at the Clackamas Promenade in the Target parking lot. To learn more or review other drop-off locations, please visit KGW.com/School.

School Supply Collection Event:

Saturday, August 6

11:00  2:00 PM

Drop off location:

Clackamas Promenade: Look for the OnPoint tent in the Target parking lot.

School Supply Collection Event:

Friday, August 12

11:00  2:00 PM

Drop off location:

OnPoint Lloyd Center Branch: 1100 NE Weidler St., Portland, OR 97232

"Re-entering the classroom environment can be stressful all on its own, and returning to school without the necessary supplies can increase these feelings of anxiety and concern. That's why supporting this drive is so important," said Alice Forbes, Executive Director, Schoolhouse Supplies. "We are grateful every year to OnPoint for its continued support of Schoolhouse Supplies and the many local students we serve. We hope OnPoint's generosity inspires the rest of our community to support our students during this critical back-to-school season by donating."

Click here to learn more about Schoolhouse Supplies and its mission to equip as many local families as possible with the school supplies they need to succeed.

*OnPoint donation not to exceed $25,000.

ABOUT ONPOINT COMMUNITY CREDIT UNION

OnPoint Community Credit Union is the largest credit union in Oregon, serving over 483,000 members and with assets of $9.3 billion. Founded in 1932, OnPoint Community Credit Union's membership is available to anyone who lives or works in one of 28 Oregon counties (Benton, Clackamas, Clatsop, Columbia, Coos, Crook, Curry, Deschutes, Douglas, Gilliam, Hood River, Jackson, Jefferson, Josephine, Klamath, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, Marion, Morrow, Multnomah, Polk, Sherman, Tillamook, Wasco, Washington, Wheeler, and Yamhill) and two Washington counties (Skamania and Clark) and their immediate family members. More information is available at www.onpointcu.com or 503-228-7077 or 800-527-3932.

SOURCE OnPoint Community Credit Union
LONDON and HINGHAM, Mass. and WASHINGTON, Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- OPEN Health, a global provider of scientific communications and market access services, announced that it signed a binding agreement to acquire The CM Group, a leading US domestic medical communications platform from NaviMed Capital ("NaviMed"). The partnership between OPEN Health and The CM Group expands the platform's global reach and portfolio of best-in-class scientific solutions for the pharma and biotech industry.

Daniel Leonard, CEO of The CM Group, said, "We are thrilled to join OPEN Health and continue the journey of being a strategic partner to pharma and biotech customers. With new colleagues and capabilities to utilize, we now have the ingredients to offer an even better suite of integrated solutions to our clients." In addition, he commented, "I would like to thank NaviMed Capital for their partnership in helping The CM Group develop and execute its vision to strengthen its core competencies while expanding into new services and technologies."

NaviMed's Dr. Bijan Salehizadeh, Co-Founder and Managing Director, and Ryan Ross, Principal, commented, "Our journey with The CM Group began with a strong foundation, which enabled acquisitions and expansions that further entrenched its market position across US scientific communications. We believe that OPEN Health is an ideal partner to lead the company's next growth phase as a global scientific leader, and we are excited about the company's bright future."

"The CM Group provides us with a significant scientific communication offering within the US domestic marketplace. Our clients are global and need providers who understand not only the increasing complexity of the science, but also the ever-changing global and local landscapes," said OPEN Health CEO, Rob Barker.

The terms of the transaction were not disclosed. The transaction is subject to customary regulatory approvals.

About OPEN Health

OPEN Health brings together deep scientific knowledge, global understanding, and broad specialist expertise to support our clients in improving health outcomes and patient wellbeing. We are united as one flexible organization, harnessing the power of the collective to solve complex challenges. For more information on OPEN Health, please visit www.openhealthgroup.com.

About The CM Group

Grounded in scienceand powered by the patient voiceThe CM Group is an integrated healthcare agency of innovative and imaginative subject-matter experts dedicated to providing scientific and commercialization strategies and services to the life sciences industry. For more information on the CM Group please visit www.thecmgroup.com.

About NaviMed Capital

NaviMed is a Washington, D.C.-based private capital firm with over $400 million of assets under management, focused exclusively on the healthcare industry. NaviMed invests in fast-growing lower-middle market healthcare businesses that NaviMed believes are poised to benefit from the reform and technology innovation reshaping the healthcare industry. The firm focuses on healthcare services, healthcare IT, hospital products and pharmaceutical services businesses.

SOURCE OPEN Health
NEW YORK, Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. ("Oppenheimer")  a leading wealth manager, investment bank, and a subsidiary of Oppenheimer Holdings (NYSE: OPY)  today announced that Brad Watkins, CPA, has joined the firm as Chief Financial Officer effective August 1, 2022.

Mr. Watkins will be responsible for all aspects of Oppenheimer's financial operations and will direct long-term budgetary planning and cost management to ensure alignment with Oppenheimer's strategic growth plans. As a member of the Management Committee, Mr. Watkins will report to Albert G. Lowenthal, Chairman and CEO.

"Brad is an experienced leader with a strong background across the financial services industry," Mr. Lowenthal comments. "His expertise in providing audit services to the country's largest financial services companies will be invaluable as we focus on the quality and efficiency of our operating model to drive growth in an evolving business and market landscape."

Prior to joining Oppenheimer, Mr. Watkins was with KPMG since 2003, spending the bulk of his time in their New York Financial Services Audit Practice, where he launched his career and rose through the ranks before becoming a partner in 2015. During his time at KPMG, Mr. Watkins served a variety of clients including a large, multinational financial institution, as well as both clearing and introducing broker-dealers.

He also has extensive experience with SEC reporting matters and auditing complex process areas that involve technical accounting literature, including securitization matters, foreign currency accounting, financial instruments and fair value measurements, consolidation and variable interest entities, and derivatives and hedging.

"I am honored to serve as CFO at this exciting time for Oppenheimer," said Mr. Watkins. "The firm has a strong balance sheet and the potential for growth while delivering an exceptional client experience. I look forward to becoming part of the Oppenheimer family and partnering with the team."

Mr. Watkins graduated from New York University Stern School of Business with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting.

Oppenheimer & Co. Inc.

Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. (Oppenheimer), a principal subsidiary of Oppenheimer Holdings Inc. (OPY on the New York Stock Exchange), and its affiliates provide a full range of wealth management, securities brokerage and investment banking services to high net-worth individuals, families, corporate executives, local governments, businesses and institutions.

Oppenheimer Media Contact:

Joseph Kuo / Michael Dugan

Haven Tower Group LLC

424 317 4851 or 424 317 4852

[email protected] or [email protected]

SOURCE Oppenheimer & Co. Inc.
2022 is set to be a milestone year for OriCell who has been focusing on the field of cancer immunotherapy for more than seven years and is fully committed to becoming an innovative global drug developer.

SHANGHAI, Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- OriCell Therapeutics (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. ("OriCell" or "the Company") has announced the completion of Series B financing totaling over US$120 million. This round of financing was jointly led by Qiming Venture Partners and Quan Capital with participation by several leading international and Chinese investment funds, as well as existing shareholder C&D Emerging Capital. The new funding will go toward the development of OriCell's cell therapy pipeline, and Company's proprietary discovery platform, as well as the construction of a manufacturing plant for both clinical and commercial purposes.

Helen Yang, Chairman and CEO of OriCell, stated, "We are grateful to our new and existing investors for their continued support in OriCell. We have achieved a number of significant milestones in terms of clinical development of our CAR-T and partnered bispecific antibody programs, as well as continued to strengthen our senior management team. We look forward to delivering more innovative discoveries and clinical milestones in the next three years. In today's open, inclusive, and dynamic innovative pharmaceutical ecosystem in China, we endeavor to become a world leading cell therapy company with a broad vision that can integrate seamlessly into the global market."

OriCell's Investigational New Drug (IND) submission for Ori-C101, Company's first internally developed CAR-T product targeting GPC3 for the treatment of advanced liver cancer, was accepted by the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) of China in June of this year. In data published at the 2021 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) annual meeting, Ori-C101 demonstrated superior safety and efficacy in patients with GPC3-positive advanced liver cancer with an objective response rate (ORR) of 44% and disease control rate (DCR) of 78%. The longest follow-up thus far is more than 22 months, with additional follow-ups ongoing.

OriCAR-017, China's first GPRC5D CAR-T product developed by OriCell for the treatment of relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) confirmed the product's potential with clinical results from the investigator-initiated phase I trial (POLARIS) was presented in an oral presentation at the 2022 ASCO and EHA2022 annual meetings, respectively. In all patients, the majority of adverse events (AE) were transient, manageable, and reversible. Only Grade 1/2 cytokine release syndrome (CRS) was observed with no dose limiting toxicity (DLT), neurotoxicity, or AE-related death. Responses were durable and deepened over time with 100% ORR and 100% MRD negative rate, including in 5 prior BCMA CAR-T relapsed patients. All patients were progression-free and followed up without additional therapy by the cutoff date of April 30, 2022. Presently, OriCell is accelerating its registration and clinical development in China and the United States.

An exclusive global license agreement for OriBs-001 (ATG101) was reached with Antengene in 2019. OriBs-001 (ATG101) is a PD-L/4-1BB bispecific antibody and has received the implied approval from the Center for Drug Evaluation (CDE) in China in March this year after receiving IND from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Clinical Trials Notification (CTN) from the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).

In March this year, Dr. Weidong Cui joined the company as Chief Technology Officer. Dr. Cui has more than 20 years of experience in process development, GMP production and commercial operation of cell therapy drug products. As the former CTO at Fosun Kite, he has led the team to successfully complete the GMP production, IND registration, and NDA registration of the first CAR-T drug in China.

About OriCell Therapeutics

Founded in 2015, OriCell Therapeutics aims to develop novel immunotherapies to satisfy globally unmet clinical needs. OriCell has constructed 4 versatile and patented technology platforms: OriAb antibody discovery technology platform, OriCAR CAR-T technology platform featuring high memory and high vitality, OriTIL, a stable and controllable cell culture platform for efficient expansion, and OriUCAR, a universal, convenient, and efficient CAR-T technology platform.

Visit www.oricell.com for more information.

Forward-looking statements

The forward-looking statements made in this article relate only to the events or information as of the date on which the statements are made in this article. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, after the date on which the statements are made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. You should read this article completely and with the understanding that our actual future results or performance may be materially different from what we expect. In this article, statements of, or references to, our intentions or those of any of our Directors or our Company are made as of the date of this article. Any of these intentions may alter in light of future development.

SOURCE OriCell Therapeutics Co., Ltd.
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina, Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- On June 16, 2022, Pampa Energia S.A. (" Pampa " or the " Company ") announced the commencement of an offer to exchange (the " Exchange Offer ") any and all of the outstanding 7.375% Notes due 2023 (CUSIP Nos. 71647X AA5 and P7873P AE6 ISIN Nos. US71647XAA54 and USP7873PAE62) (the " Old Notes ") for newly issued 9.500% Notes due 2026 of Pampa (the " New Notes ") and certain cash consideration, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the exchange offer memorandum dated June 16, 2022 (as amended and supplemented by the announcements made by Pampa on July 7 and 18, 2022, the " Exchange Offer Memorandum "), the related eligibility letter (the " Eligibility Letter ") and, where applicable, the related letter of transmittal (together the " Exchange Offer Documents "). Capitalized terms not defined herein shall have the meaning ascribed to them in the Exchange Offer Documents.

Pampa hereby announces that the Exchange Offer expired as of 11:59 p.m., New York City time, on July 29, 2022.

D.F. King & Co, Inc., acting as information and exchange agent for the Exchange Offer (the " Information and Exchange Agent "), advised Pampa that (i) US$193,802,000 in aggregate principal amount of Old Notes, representing 38.8% of the aggregate principal amount of Old Notes outstanding, have been tendered (not validly withdrawn) in the Exchange Offer under Option A and (ii) US$213,291,000 in aggregate principal amount of Old Notes, representing 42.7 % of the aggregate principal amount of Old Notes outstanding, have been tendered (not validly withdrawn) in the Exchange Offer under Option B, totaling a participation of US$407,093,000 in aggregate principal amount of Old Notes, representing 81.4% of the aggregate principal amount of Old Notes outstanding.

As previously announced on July 18, 2022, the Early Participation Date and the Expiration Date were the same. Therefore, Eligible Holders who validly tendered their Old Notes are eligible to receive the Early Exchange Consideration and there will be no Late Exchange Consideration. The Old Notes validly tendered pursuant to the Exchange Offer are sufficient to satisfy the Minimum Participation Condition.

Subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions set forth in the Exchange Offer Documents, Pampa has accepted for exchange all validly tendered Old Notes and intends to pay the Early Exchange Consideration for Old Notes validly tendered, together with the Accrued Interest Payment, on the Settlement Date, which is expected to be on or about August 8, 2022. On the Settlement Date, Pampa expects to issue US$292,796,835 aggregate principal amount of New Notes and to pay US$122,127,894.75 cash consideration as total consideration for the Old Notes validly tendered into the Exchange Offer. For each US$1,000 principal amount of Old Notes validly tendered and accepted for exchange, Eligible Holders will receive, as applicable: (a) Option A (Early A Consideration) : approximately (i) US$377.2 in New Notes and (ii) US$630.2 in cash; or (b) Option B (Early B Consideration) : US$1,030 in New Notes.

Questions or requests for assistance related to the Exchange Offer or for additional copies of the Exchange Offer Documents may be directed to the Information and Exchange Agent at (877) 732-3617 (toll free) or (212) 269-5550 (bankers and brokers). You may also contact your broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee for assistance concerning the Exchange Offer. The Exchange Offer Memorandum is available to Eligible Holders upon request at www.dfking.com/pampa until the consummation or termination of the Exchange Offer.

Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and Santander Investment Securities Inc. acted as the Joint Global Coordinators and Lead Dealer Managers (the " Joint Global Coordinators and Lead Dealer Managers ") for the Exchange Offer. BNP Paribas Securities Corp., HSBC Securities (USA) Inc. and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC acted as the Joint Dealer Managers (the " Joint Dealer Managers " and, together with the Joint Global Coordinators and Lead Dealer Managers, the " Dealer Managers ") for the Exchange Offer. Banco de Galicia y Buenos Aires S.A.U., Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (Argentina) S.A.U and Banco Santander Argentina S.A acted as local placement agents.

Subject to applicable law, the Exchange Offer may be amended in any respect, extended or, upon failure of a condition to be satisfied or waived prior to the Settlement Date, terminated, at any time and for any reason. Although we have no present plans or arrangements to do so, we reserve the right to amend, at any time, the terms of the Exchange Offer (including, without limitation, the conditions thereto) in accordance with applicable law.

Important Notice

This announcement is not an offer of securities for sale in the United States, and none of the New Notes has been or will be registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the " Securities Act ") or any state securities law. They may not be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons except pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to the registration requirements of the Securities Act. This press release does not constitute an offer of the New Notes for sale, or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, in any state or other jurisdiction in which any offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. Any person considering making an investment decision relating to any securities must inform itself independently based solely on an offering memorandum to be provided to eligible investors in the future in connection with any such securities before taking any such investment decision.

This announcement is directed only to holders of Old Notes who are (A) "qualified institutional buyers" as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act or (B) (x) outside the United States as defined in Regulation S under the Securities Act, (y) if located within a Member State of the European Economic Area (" EEA ") or in the United Kingdom, "qualified investors" as defined in Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 (the " Prospectus Regulation ") and (z) if outside the EEA or the UK, are eligible to receive this offer under the laws of its jurisdiction. No offer of any kind is being made to any beneficial owner of Old Bonds who does not meet the above criteria or any other beneficial owner located in a jurisdiction where the Exchange Offer Solicitation is not permitted by law.

The distribution of materials relating to the Exchange Offer may be restricted by law in certain jurisdictions. The Exchange Offer is void in all jurisdictions where it is prohibited. If materials relating to the Exchange Offer come into your possession, you are required by the Company to inform yourself of and to observe all of these restrictions. The materials relating to the Exchange Offer, including this communication, do not constitute, and may not be used in connection with, an offer or solicitation in any place where offers or solicitations are not permitted by law. If a jurisdiction requires that the Exchange Offer be made by a licensed broker or dealer and a dealer manager or any affiliate of a dealer manager is a licensed broker or dealer in that jurisdiction, the Exchange Offer shall be deemed to be made by the dealer manager or such affiliate on behalf of the Company in that jurisdiction.

Forward-Looking Statements

All statements in this press release, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements. These statements are based on expectations and assumptions on the date of this press release and are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. Risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, market conditions, and factors over which the Company has no control. The Company assumes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements, and does not intend to do so, unless otherwise required by law.

Notice to Investors in the European Economic Area and the United Kingdom

The New Notes are not intended to be offered, sold or otherwise made available to and should not be offered, sold or otherwise made available to any retail investor in the European Economic Area ("EEA"). For these purposes, (a) a retail investor means a person who is one (or more) of: (i) a retail client as defined in point (11) of Article 4(1) of Directive 2014/65/EU (as amended, "MiFID II"); or (ii) a customer within the meaning of Directive (EU) 2016/97 (the "Insurance Distribution Directive"), where that customer would not qualify as a professional client as defined in point (10) of Article 4(1) of MiFID II; or (iii) not a qualified investor as defined in Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 (the "Prospectus Regulation"); and (b) the expression "offer" includes the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and the New Notes to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to subscribe for the New Notes. Consequently, no key information document required by Regulation (EU) 1286/2014 (as amended, the "PRIIPs Regulation") for offering or selling the New Notes or otherwise making them available to retail investors in the EEA has been prepared and therefore otherwise offering or selling the New Notes or otherwise making them available to any retail investor in the EEA may be unlawful under the PRIIPs Regulation.

The New Notes are not intended to be offered, sold or otherwise made available to and should not be offered, sold or otherwise made available to any retail investor in the United Kingdom. For these purposes: (a) the expression retail investor means a person who is one (or more) of the following: (i) a retail client, as defined in point (8) of Article 2 of Regulation (EU) No 2017/565 as it forms part of domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 (EUWA); or (ii) a customer within the meaning of the provisions of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (as amended, the "FSMA") and any rules or regulations made under the FSMA to implement Directive (EU) 2016/97, where that customer would not qualify as a professional client, as defined in point (8) of Article 2(1) of Regulation (EU) No 600/2014 as it forms part of domestic law by virtue of the EUWA and (iii) not a qualified investor as defined in Article 2 of Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 as it forms part of domestic law by virtue of the EUWA; and (b) the expression an offer includes the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and the Notes to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to subscribe for the New Notes. Consequently no key information document required by Regulation (EU) No 1286/2014 as it forms part of domestic law by virtue of the EUWA (the "UK PRIIPs Regulation") for offering or selling the New Notes or otherwise making them available to retail investors in the UK has been prepared and therefore offering or selling the Notes or otherwise making them available to any retail investor in the UK may be unlawful under the UK PRIIPs Regulation.



The Information and Exchange Agent for the Exchange Offer Solicitation is:



D.F. King & Co., Inc. 48 Wall Street New York, NY 10005

Banks and Brokers call: (212) 269-5550 Toll free: (877) 732-3617 Confirmation: (212) 232-3233 Email: [email protected] Website: www.dfking.com/pampa

By Mail, by Overnight Courier, or by Hand: By Facsimile Transmission: 48 Wall Street (for Eligible Institutions only) New York, NY 10005 (212) 709-3328

Any question regarding the terms of the Exchange Offer should be directed to the Dealer Managers.

The Joint Global Coordinators and Lead Dealer Managers for the Exchange Offer are:

Citigroup Santander





The Joint Dealer Managers for the Exchange Offer are:

BNP PARIBAS HSBC J.P. Morgan





The Exchange Offer Memorandum is available to Eligible Holders upon request at www.dfking.com/pampa until the consummation or termination of the Exchange Offer.

SOURCE Pampa Energia S.A.
The EH-NA2C-W provides salon-quality heat styling and is a compact, travel-size version of the popular Panasonic nanoe Hair Dryer (EH-NA67-W)

NEWARK, N.J., Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Panasonic furthered its 80-year legacy of hair dryer innovation with the release of the Panasonic nanoe Travel Hair Dryer (EH-NA2C-W), an ideal hair styling tool for anyone who is searching for salon-quality heat styling but has limited storage space at home or travels frequently. The EH-NA2C-W includes the brand's patented nanoe technology and an oscillating quick-dry nozzle that work together to hydrate, protect, and efficiently dry hair. Its compact, ergonomic design allows for a comfortable fit in-hand and can fold in half for hassle-free storage at home or to be packed for travel.

Panasonic nanoe Hair Dryer EH-NA2C-W

Achieve Smooth, Healthy Hair with nanoe Technology

The EH-NA2C-W uses patented nanoe technology that draws moisture from the air to create tiny, moisture-rich particles that are small enough to penetrate hair shafts. These particles are almost 1,000 times more moisture-packed than the general negative ions used by most modern-day hair dryers. The extra moisture provided by nanoe helps protect hair against damage from everyday styling and brushing1, while also enhancing smoothness and shine2 and suppressing static electricity.

Personalized Heat Styling Features

Similar to the full-size Panasonic nanoe Hair Dryer (EH-NA67-W), the Panasonic nanoe Travel Hair Dryer comes with an oscillating quick-dry nozzle that delivers strong and soft airflows and automatically moves to prevent hot spots and evenly distribute the nanoe technology for faster, gentler hair drying. The nozzle can be removed and re-attached at any time, depending on the user's hair drying needs.

Additionally, the travel-sized hair dryer features light-touch, smooth-sliding switches that can easily adjust the airflow settings to high, medium or cool.

The Panasonic nanoe Travel Hair Dryer (EH-NA2C-W) is available on Amazon for $99.99.

1 As demonstrated in a bundled hair brushing test. Test results by Intertek.

2 According to a consumer study. Tests performed by Intertek Group.

About Panasonic Corporation of North America

Newark, NJ-based Panasonic Corporation of North America is a leading provider of Consumer Lifestyle technologies, as well as innovative Smart Mobility, Sustainable Energy, Immersive Experiences, and Integrated Supply Chain solutions. The company is the principal North American subsidiary of Osaka, Japan-based Panasonic Holdings Corporation. One of Interbrand's Top 100 Best Global Brands of 2021, Panasonic is a leading technology partner and integrator to businesses, government agencies and consumers across the region. Learn more about Panasonic's ideas and innovations at na.panasonic.com/us

Panasonic North America Social Handles:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/panasonic

Twitter: https://twitter.com/PanasonicNA

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Panasonic

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/panasonic-northamerica

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/panasonicusa

SOURCE Panasonic Corporation of North America
New Delhi, Aug 1 (UNI) Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday alleged that the "double engine government" at the Center and in Gujarat was giving patronage to the drug-liquor mafia and forcing youths into drugs.

Taking to Twitter, Rahul Gandhi said: Who are the people sitting in the double engine government who are constantly giving patronage to the drug-liquor mafia? Why are the youth of Gujarat being forced into drugs?"

His remarks came after 42 people from Botad and Ahmedabad districts have died so far after consuming spurious liquor on July 25 while 97 people are still admitted to hospitals in Bhavnagar, Botad and Ahmedabad.

The Congress leader said: Mafia has no fear of law? Or is this a mafia government?

How are the drugs landing at the same port continuously, despite the seizure of drugs 3 times at the same port?"

Rahul Gandhi also shared the figures of drugs seized at Mundra port in Gujarat.

Earlier, the Congress demanded a probe by a High Court judge into the death of over 40 people due to spurious liquor.

UNI JA MR
CLAYTON, Mo., August 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Perimeter Solutions (NYSE: PRM) ("Perimeter" or the "Company"), producers of PHOS-CHEK long-term fire retardant and other high-quality firefighting products and oil additives, announced today it will release its financial results for the second quarter 2022 on Friday, August 5, 2022, before the market opens.

The Company will host a conference call to discuss these results at 8:30 a.m. ET on the same day. The presentation will be led by Vice Chairman Haitham Khouri, CEO Edward Goldberg and CFO Charles Kropp.

The live webcast of the call can be accessed through Perimeter's investor relations website at https://ir.perimeter-solutions.com/ and as follows:

When : Friday, August 5, 2022, at 8:30 AM (ET)

Dial-in Number : 877-407-9764 (Toll-Free), 201-689-8551 (Toll) (No access code needed)

Conference Name : Perimeter Solutions Second Quarter 2022 Earnings Call

Materials Available At: https://ir.perimeter-solutions.com/

Replay Available : Friday, August 5, 2022 to September 5, 2022 (11:59 PM ET)

Replay Number : 877-660-6853 / 201-612-7415

Internet Access : https://event.choruscall.com/mediaframe/webcast.html?webcastid=BT9Q0K3f

About Perimeter Solutions

Headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, Perimeter Solutions (NYSE: PRM) is a premier global solutions provider, producing high-quality firefighting products and lubricant additives. The company develops products that impact critically important issues of life  issues where there often is no room for error and the job doesn't offer second chances. At Perimeter, we characterize the solutions we develop as 'Trusted Solutions that Save'  because it underscores what we are trying to accomplish for our customers and the world at large. Perimeter Solutions produces major brands known throughout the world like PHOS-CHEK and FIRE-TROL retardant, foam concentrates and gel products; AUXQUIMIA and SOLBERG firefighting foam concentrates; and BIOGEMA extinguishing agents and retardants. For more info on how we use our experience, responsibility, and integrity to deliver trusted solutions that help improve firefighting performance, visit: www.perimeter-solutions.com.

Investor Relations Contact:

[email protected]

Media Contact:

Resource Advantage

Barbara A. Mecchi-Knoll

[email protected]

SOURCE Perimeter Solutions
A strong vote of confidence in ExCEEd is demonstrated by agreements signed within the last 15 months with leading innovative pharma companies, among them Amryt, Mirum and SERB. These collaborative agreements have laid a sturdy foundation for future alliances in this arena.

Jiri Hermanek, Chief Executive Officer and co-founder of ExCEEd Orphan commented: "The agreement with Rafa heralds a new chapter in ExCEEd's journey to facilitate access to medicines developed for rare diseases, giving hope to vulnerable patients in-need in CEE countries. As a full-fledged pharmaceutical company, Rafa's profound understanding, network and experience, make its investment of strategic significance for us."

Amir Levin, Chief Executive Officer of Rafa said: "We are excited about the partnership with ExCEEd, which shall allow us to hurdle some of the challenges entailed with expanding into this important niche of rare diseases in new territories. This collaboration is well aligned with Rafa's vision to become an international player and it further highlights our determination and ceaseless pursuit for meaningful strides towards that goal."

About ExCEEd

Founded in 2018 and headquartered in Prague, Czech, ExCEEd is focused on innovative treatments for rare diseases and has extensive experience in launching innovative medicines in this field. The portfolio of ExCEEd Orphan includes products in therapeutic areas of hematology, neurology, immunology, and metabolic diseases. In the past two years, ExCEEd Orphan has signed exclusive distribution agreements for orphan drugs in the CEE region with leading global companies such as Advicenne Amryt, Diurnal, Mirum, Neobiomics, Pharming, Proveca, and SERB.

https://www.exceedorphan.com/

ExCEEd contact:

Jiri Hermanek

CEO

[email protected]

About Rafa

Founded in 1937 and headquartered in Jerusalem, Israel, Rafa is among the leading pharmaceutical companies in Israel and a global player in emergency solutions  medical countermeasures, supplying auto-injectors for government agencies, military forces and civilian populations. Rafa's competencies span over the entire value chain from R&D and manufacturing by international standards (e.g. FDA, EMA) all the way through sales and marketing. With a proven track record of successful commercialization of niche and orphan products, Rafa has been privileged to nurture long-lasting alliances with leading innovative companies such as United Therapeutics, Helsinn, Zambon, Galderma, Dr. Falk and Mundipharma, in a variety of therapeutic areas including oncology, hematology, respiratory, gastroenterology, and dermatology. Rafa's controlling shareholder, FIMI Opportunity Funds, is the leading private equity fund in Israel with a track record of success spanning over 25 years and assets under management of $7b. Since its inception, FIMI's performance has been exceptional by both local and global standards after having completed close to 100 investments. https://www.rafa.co.il/en

Evaluate Orphan Drug Report 2022 World Bank Open Data  total population 2021 EFPIA - The Pharmaceutical Industry in Figures, Key Data 2022 (not including CEE's non-EU countries)

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1870095/ExCEEd_Orphan_Rafa.jpg

Rafa contact:

Galia Reicher

Business Development Manager

[email protected]

SOURCE Rafa; ExCEEd Orphan
Experienced global executive with track record of optimizing financial management across a variety of industries and platforms will lead company's treasury function

THE WOODLANDS, Texas, Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Talen Energy Supply ("TES" or "the Company") announced today that Rajat Prakash has joined the Company in the role of Vice-President, Treasurer. Mr. Prakash has over 20 years of experience in treasury and corporate finance functions with a proven track record in capital markets, capital structure, operational finance and strategic transactions.

Reporting to Chief Financial Officer John Chesser, Prakash will lead the Company's treasury, cash management, capital markets and insurance functions and collaborate with its corporate finance, financial planning, risk and investor relations teams to optimize its capital structure and position TES for future value creation.

"I am pleased to welcome Rajat to TES," said John Chesser, Chief Financial Officer. "Rajat's extensive experience in leading treasury strategies for large organizations in both public and sponsor-backed environments, strong relationships with banks and other market stakeholders, and successful track record of driving results within financial restructurings and other challenging situations will help us to capitalize on opportunities to grow TES's enterprise value as we complete our strategic recapitalization."

Prior to joining TES, Prakash served as Vice President, Treasurer for Bed Bath & Beyond where he helped to establish a standalone corporate treasury function, led amendment and extension of a $1 billion asset-based credit facility, optimized its capital structure through $1 billion in share repurchases, and implemented effective risk mitigation strategies and insurance programs. Previous to his tenure with Bed Bath & Beyond, he held roles of increasing responsibility at Sears Holdings Corporation, a broadline retailer owned by ESL Investments, a privately run hedge fund. These roles included Assistant Treasurer, where he led the treasury function and managed a $20 billion capital markets program, and Director of Finance, where he generated $6 billion in economic value through risk and capital management activities.

A graduate of The University of Chicago Booth School of Business, Prakash earned a Master of Business Administration degree in Finance, Accounting, and International Business. He received a Bachelor of Engineering degree from the National Institute of Technology, Allahabad, India.

Mr. Prakash volunteers his time as a consultant for 1871, Chicago, the world's largest startup incubator, where he advises companies in technology, consumer, healthcare, and logistics on raising capital, valuations, and operations.

About Talen Energy Supply

TES, a subsidiary of Talen Energy Corporation ("TEC"), is one of the largest competitive power generation and infrastructure companies in North America. TES owns and/or controls approximately 13,000 megawatts of generating capacity in wholesale U.S. power markets, principally in the Mid-Atlantic, Texas and Montana.

TES and TEC subsidiary, Cumulus Growth, are developing a large-scale portfolio of renewable energy, battery storage, and digital infrastructure assets across TES's expansive footprint. For more information visit, https://www.talenenergy.com/esg-efforts/.

Media Contact

Taryne Williams

Director Corporate Communications

610-601-0327

[email protected]

SOURCE Talen Energy Supply, LLC
Sandbox Philippines, powered by Kada and in collaboration with Thruline Networks, Leaders Innovate, Dynamico Space, and powerful leaders in the Filipino-American ecosystem community, hosted an awesome event last week. The Time is Now: Leading through Challenging Times was hosted last week, July 27, 2022 at Dynamico Space in the Filipino Building in San Francisco, CA. Door, and was a hybrid event with a digital stream was also available.

SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Sandbox Philippines , powered by Kada and in collaboration with Thruline Networks , Leaders Innovate , Dynamico Space , and powerful leaders in the Filipino-American ecosystem community, hosted the event The Time is Now: Leading through Challenging Times on July 27, 2022 at Dynamico Space in the Filipino Building in San Francisco, CA. This event was recorded and will be available digitally by Aug 22, 2022.

Addressing the volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity (VUCA) of today's digital climate where information is highly malleable and dependent on the technologies sourcing and distributing content, Sandbox Philippines gathered prominent US- and Philippines-based investors, entrepreneurs, executives, and experts for a meaningful dialogue on the current state of the markets; entrepreneurship in the SEA region; opportunities provided by Web 3.0 technology; and the rationale behind partnership, collaboration, and investment in the growing Filipino entrepreneurial community.

Key speakers included our Host Phil Dillard (Thruline Networks), Marquesa Finch (Pyrium), Joseph de Leon (Manila Angel Investors Network), Christopher Starr (Cereal Entrepreneur), Paula Rosales (The Ocean Defenders), Maria Racho (Filkor Capital), Mary Carbajal (B1OS) , and Renz Chong (BreederDAO). Other notable guests in attendance were Brian von Herzen (recent winner of the XPRIZE c/o the Musk Foundation), and Trisha Bantigue (Queenly YC W21 and round led by Andreessen Horowitz).

This was open to investors, entrepreneurs, business operators, marketers, developer engineers, creators, designers, thinkers, and content creators. Sandbox Philippines' latest event was an encouraging day for community representatives who care about and are optimistic with the growth and development of the ecosystem both in the Philippines and in the USA.

Learn more about the next event scheduled please visit our website at sandboxph.com and for more information on the previous event/ recap video visit our facebook page for the upcoming recording.

About Sandbox PH

Transforming the PH economy

By empowering entrepreneurs through events, competition, and community.

In partnership with US and Philippine based investors, entrepreneurs, executives and experts, join us for a conversation about the current state of the markets, entrepreneurship in Southeast Asia, the opportunity provided by Web 3 technology and the rationale for partnership, collaboration and investment in the rising Filipino entrepreneurial community.

PRESS CONTACT

Leian Padrinao

14084751214

Padrinao

https://www.sandboxph.com/

SOURCE Sandbox PH
ATLANTA, Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Scientific Games Regional VP of Sales Jeremy Kyzer has received a prestigious Powers Award from the North American State and Provincial Lotteries Association, honoring those in the lottery industry with the highest achievement, drive and integrity. Kyzer was nominated by the South Carolina Education Lottery.

Jeremy Kyzer, Scientific Games' Regional VP of Sales, received a prestigious Powers Award from the North American State and Provincial Lotteries Association.

Recognizing those who have made outstanding contributions to lottery organizations and the lottery industry, Powers Awards are named in honor of the late Edward J. Powers, the 'Father of U.S. Lotteries', and are regarded as one of the highest honors in the industry.

With 10 years of experience working with U.S. lotteries at Scientific Games, Kyzer's commitment to excellence is focused on instant game management, including analytics, design, production, advanced logistics, retail optimization and digital engagement.

"Our people are our greatest asset, and our teams are committed to providing exceptional service to our customers. I can't think of a better acknowledgment than recognition by one of our customers. We congratulate Jeremy for this prestigious award and thank the South Carolina Education Lottery for recognizing his efforts," said Pat McHugh, Chief Executive Officer for Scientific Games.

Scientific Games is the world's largest instant games creator, producer and services provider, with products generating more than 70% of global instant game retail sales. The company provides retail and digital games, technology and services to 130 lotteries in 50 countries around the globe, including nearly every North American lottery.

 2022 Scientific Games, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

About Scientific Games

Scientific Games is a leading provider of lottery products, technology and services to government-sponsored lottery programs globally. From cutting-edge backend systems to exciting entertainment experiences and trailblazing retail and digital solutions, we elevate play every day. We push game designs to the next level and are pioneers in data analytics and iLottery. Built on a foundation of trusted partnerships, Scientific Games combines relentless innovation, performance, and unwavering security to responsibly propel the industry forward. For more information, visit scientificgames.com.

SOURCE Scientific Games LLC
SHANGHAI, Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Shanghai Electric announced this International Friendship Day that the firm will continue its unremitting efforts to promote Sino-Pakistani friendship and contribute to local communities in Pakistan.

On March 28th, a fire broke out in the remote Varwai village in Islamkot Tharparkar district in Sindh province, Pakistan. Due to the dry climate of the region, the fire instantly spread throughout the whole village. However, the fire-fighting facilities in the remote village were quite limited.

Rescue operation scene Shanghai Electric provides construction guidance for Pakistani employees

Shanghai Electric's Thar coal mine and Thar power plants in Pakistan are not far from the village. Upon learning about the fire, the project team activated their fire emergency rescue plan, setting up a temporary fire rescue command, giving emergency rescue instructions and organizing fire trucks and firefighters who rushed to the scene of the fire.

They helped 38 families and 86 houses through the ordeal. In addition, the company also offered technical and safety education and training programs, Chinese language and other classes in practical matters for local employees, in an effort to upskill members of the local communities, as well as facilitate cultural exchanges and deepen the friendship between the two countries.

Shanghai Electric's fire-fighting heroes lend a helping hand, demonstrating Sino-Pakistani friendship

The team made a quick study of the fire situation, which led to finalizing the best rescue plan - getting water from nearby draining wells and quickly transporting it to the affected village with 50-cubic-meter sprinkler trucks. After solving the problem of the water supply, they sought to cut off the sources of combustible materials in and around the wood storage site to finally be able to put out the blaze. As soon as the plan was confirmed, the project department of the Thar coal mine assembled the employees, and dispatched 6 sprinklers, 4 loaders and 52 rescuers to support the firefighting effort.

As the fire was more severe than expected, the department immediately sent a request for reinforcements to the Thar power station project department, which dispatched two high-pressure fire trucks and an additional contingent of firefighters to the scene.

The focus was to save people's lives first and protect property later, to reduce the possibility of human casualties. After more than 6 hours of arduous efforts, 38 families and 86 houses in the village were rescued without any casualties among the firefighters.

The firefighting effort is only a microcosm of Shanghai Electric's commitment to fulfilling their social responsibilities and serving local communities. Since the launch of the Thar coal mine project and Thar power station project, Shanghai Electric has organized various public service activities to benefit the local populace.

The company has provided financial and material resources, as well as engineers and technicians, locally as part of the overall plan to supply guidance to Pakistani employees for best practices when undertaking construction projects. To overcome language barriers and the restrictions at and around the construction site, they trained the locals on-site and in person, with the aim of creating a team of highly qualified Pakistani professionals.

The company provided a series of education and training programs, including safety education and training on safe operations of construction equipment for civil engineering, on basic electrical installations and on operations and construction rules. These efforts have not only contributed to the bettering of the local communities, but have also laid a solid foundation for the deepening friendship between China and Pakistan.

About Shanghai Electric

Shanghai Electric Group Company Limited (SEHK: 2727, SSE: 601727) is a world-class high-end equipment manufacturer, focusing on smart energy, intelligent manufacturing and smart infrastructure to provide green and intelligent industrial-grade system solutions. It has a global presence in industries such as new energy, efficient clean energy, industrial automation, medical devices and environmental protection.

SOURCE Shanghai Electric
NEW YORK, Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Teladoc Health, Inc. ("Teladoc" or the "Company") (NYSE: TDOC) and certain of its officers. The class action, filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, and docketed under 22-cv-04687, is on behalf of a class consisting of all persons and entities other than Defendants that purchased or otherwise acquired Teladoc securities between October 28, 2021 and April 27, 2022, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"), seeking to recover damages caused by Defendants' violations of the federal securities laws and to pursue remedies under Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act") and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder, against the Company and certain of its top officials.

If you are a shareholder who purchased or otherwise acquired Teladoc securities during the Class Period, you have until August 5, 2022 to ask the Court to appoint you as Lead Plaintiff for the class. A copy of the Complaint can be obtained at www.pomerantzlaw.com. To discuss this action, contact Robert S. Willoughby at [email protected] or 888.476.6529 (or 888.4-POMLAW), toll-free, Ext. 7980. Those who inquire by e-mail are encouraged to include their mailing address, telephone number, and the number of shares purchased.

[Click here for information about joining the class action]

Teladoc provides virtual healthcare services in the U.S. and internationally through Business-to-Business and Direct-to-Consumer ("D2C") distribution channels. The Company offers its customers various virtual products and services addressing, among other medical issues, mental health through its BetterHelp D2C product, and chronic conditions.

Teladoc touts itself as "the first and only company to provide a comprehensive and integrated whole person virtual healthcare solution that both provides and enables care for a full spectrum of clinical conditions[.]" Despite recent market concerns over new entrants to the telehealth field, such Amazon.com, Inc. and Walmart Inc., the Company has continued to assure investors of the Company's dominant market position in the industry.

In fact, as recently as February 2022, Teladoc forecasted full year ("FY") 2022 revenue of $2.55 - $2.65 billion, as well as adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization ("EBITDA") of $330 - $355 million, on anticipated continued growth through its competitive advantages.

The complaint alleges that, throughout the Class Period, Defendants made materially false and misleading statements regarding the Company's business, operations, and prospects. Specifically, Defendants made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (i) increased competition, among other factors, was negatively impacting Teladoc's BetterHelp and chronic care businesses; (ii) accordingly, the growth of those businesses was less sustainable than Defendants had led investors to believe; (iii) as a result, Teladoc's revenue and adjusted EBITDA projections for FY 2022 were unrealistic; (iv) as a result of all the foregoing, Teladoc would be forced to recognize a significant non-cash goodwill impairment charge; and (v) as a result, the Company's public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times.

On April 27, 2022, Teladoc announced its first quarter ("Q1") 2022 financial results, including revenue of $565.4 million, which missed consensus estimates by $3.23 million, and "[n]et loss per share of $41.58, primarily driven by [a] non-cash goodwill impairment charge of $6.6 billion or $41.11 per share[.]" Additionally, the Company revised its FY 2022 revenue guidance to $2.4 - $2.5 billion and adjusted EBITDA guidance to $240 - $265 million "to reflect dynamics we are currently experiencing in the [D2C] mental health and chronic condition markets." On a conference call with investors and analysts that day to discuss Teladoc's Q1 2022 results, Defendants largely attributed the Company's poor performance, revised FY 2022 guidance, and $6.6 billion non-cash goodwill impairment charge to increased competition in its BetterHelp and chronic care businesses.

On this news, Teladoc's stock price fell $22.48 per share, or 40.15%, to close at $33.51 per share on April 28, 2022.

Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com

CONTACT:

Robert S. Willoughby

Pomerantz LLP

[email protected]

888-476-6529 ext. 7980

SOURCE Pomerantz LLP
NEW YORK, Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Wells Fargo & Company ("Wells Fargo" or the "Company") (NYSE: WFC) and certain of its officers. The class action, filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, and docketed under 22-cv-03811, is on behalf of a class consisting of all persons and entities other than Defendants that purchased or otherwise acquired Wells Fargo common stock between February 24, 2021 and June 9, 2022, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"), seeking to recover damages caused by Defendants' violations of the federal securities laws and to pursue remedies under Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act") and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder, against the Company and certain of its top officials.

If you are a shareholder who purchased or otherwise acquired Wells Fargo common stock during the Class Period, you have until August 29, 2022 to ask the Court to appoint you as Lead Plaintiff for the class. A copy of the Complaint can be obtained at www.pomerantzlaw.com. To discuss this action, contact Robert S. Willoughby at [email protected] or 888.476.6529 (or 888.4-POMLAW), toll-free, Ext. 7980. Those who inquire by e-mail are encouraged to include their mailing address, telephone number, and the number of shares purchased.

[Click here for information about joining the class action]

Wells Fargo is a diversified financial services company that provides banking, investment, mortgage, and consumer and commercial finance products and services in the U.S. and internationally.

In 2020, Wells Fargo expanded its so-called "Diverse Search Requirement", also referred to as a diverse slate hiring policy, requiring that at least 50% of interview candidates must represent a historically underrepresented group with respect to at least one diversity dimension (including race/ethnicity, gender, LGBTQ, veterans, and people with disabilities) for most posted roles in the U.S. with total direct compensation greater than $100,000 per year. In addition, at least one interviewer on the hiring panel must represent a historically underrepresented group with respect to at least one diversity dimension.

The complaint alleges that, throughout the Class Period, Defendants made materially false and misleading statements regarding the Company's business, operations, and compliance policies. Specifically, Defendants made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (i) Wells Fargo had misrepresented its commitment to diversity in the Company's workplace; (ii) Wells Fargo conducted fake job interviews in order to meet its Diverse Search Requirement; (iii) the foregoing conduct subjected Wells Fargo to an increased risk of regulatory and/or governmental scrutiny and enforcement action, including criminal charges; (iv) all of the foregoing, once revealed, was likely to negatively impact Wells Fargo's reputation; and (v) as a result, the Company's public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times.

On May 19, 2022, the New York Times published an article entitled "At Wells Fargo, a Quest to Increase Diversity Leads to Fake Job Interviews". Citing discussions with "seven current and former Wells Fargo employees", including Joe Bruno, a former executive in the Company's wealth management division, the article reported, in relevant part, that "[f]or many open positions, employees would interview a 'diverse' candidate", but that "often, the so-called diverse candidate would be interviewed for a job that had already been promised to someone else." The article further reported that Mr. Bruno was fired after "complain[ing] to his bosses" about the practice.

On this news, Wells Fargo's common stock price fell $0.44 per share, or 1.04%, over two trading sessions, closing at $41.67 per share on May 20, 2022.

On June 6, 2022, Reuters published an article entitled "Wells Fargo pauses diverse slate hiring policy after reports of fake job interviews." The article reported that "Wells Fargo . . . is pausing a hiring policy that requires recruiters to interview a diverse pool of candidates, after the New York Times reported such interviews were often fake and conducted even though the job had already been promised to someone else." The same article also reported that "[t]he bank also plans to conduct a review of its diverse slate guidelines, Chief Executive Officer Charles Scharf told staff on Monday, according to a memo seen by Reuters."

Then, on June 9, 2022, the New York Times published an article entitled "Federal Prosecutors Open Criminal Inquiry of Wells Fargo's Hiring Practices." The article reported that federal prosecutors are investigating whether Wells Fargo violated federal laws by conducting fake job interviews in order to meet the Company's Diverse Search Requirement. The article also revealed that, since the New York Times' May 19, 2022 article focusing on the bank's wealth management business, "another 10 current and former employees have shared stories about how they were subject to fake interviews, or conducted them, or saw paperwork documenting the practice", and that "sham interviews occurred across multiple business lines, including its mortgage servicing, home lending and retail banking operations."

That same day, Wells Fargo issued a press release entitled "Wells Fargo response to New York Times article", which confirmed that "[e]arlier this week, the [C]ompany temporarily paused the use of its diverse slate guidelines", and that, "[d]uring this pause, the [C]ompany is conducting a review so that hiring managers, senior leaders and recruiters fully understand how the guidelines should be implemented  and so we can have confidence that our guidelines live up to their promise."

Following these disclosures, Wells Fargo's common stock price fell $3.68 per share, or 8.62%, over the following two trading sessions, closing at $38.99 per share on June 13, 2022.

Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com

CONTACT:

Robert S. Willoughby

Pomerantz LLP

[email protected]

888-476-6529 ext. 7980

SOURCE Pomerantz LLP
MILWAUKEE, Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Ademi LLP is investigating Romeo (NYSE: RMO) for possible breaches of fiduciary duty and other violations of law in its transaction with Nikola.

Click here to learn how to join the action: https://www.ademilaw.com/case/romeo-power-inc or call Guri Ademi toll-free at 866-264-3995. There is no cost or obligation to you.

Ademi LLP alleges Romeo's financial outlook and prospects are excellent and yet Romeo holders will receive only 0 0.1186 of a share of Nikola common stock for each Romeo share, representing an equity value of approximately $144 million and 4.5% pro forma ownership of Nikola. The proposed exchange ratio implies a consideration of $0.74 per Romeo share. The transaction agreement unreasonably limits competing bids for Romeo by imposing a significant penalty if Romeo accepts a superior bid. Romeo insiders will receive substantial benefits as part of change of control arrangements.

We are investigating the conduct of Romeo's board of directors, and whether they are (i) fulfilling their fiduciary duties to all shareholders, and (ii) obtaining a fair and reasonable price for Romeo.

If you own Romeo common stock and wish to obtain additional information, please contact Guri Ademi either at [email protected] or toll-free: 866-264-3995, or https://www.ademilaw.com/case/romeo-power-inc.

We specialize in shareholder litigation involving buyouts, mergers, and individual shareholder rights throughout the country. For more information, please feel free to call us. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.

Contacts

Ademi LLP

Guri Ademi

Toll Free: (866) 264-3995

Fax: (414) 482-8001

SOURCE Ademi LLP
NEW YORK, Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of investors of Uber Technologies, Inc. ("Uber" or the "Company") (NYSE: UBER). Such investors are advised to contact Robert S. Willoughby at [email protected] or 888-476-6529, ext. 7980.

The investigation concerns whether Uber and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices.

[Click here for information about joining the class action]

On July 11, 2022, The Guardian published an expose based on a leak of 124,000 internal documents that "revealed the inside story of how the tech giant Uber louted laws, duped police, exploited violence against drivers and secretly lobbied governments during its aggressive global expansion." Among other news, The Guardian reported that "[d]uring the fierce global backlash [to Uber's expansion], the data shows how Uber tried to show up support by discreetly courting prime ministers, presidents, billionaires, oligarchs and media barons" and that "[l]eaked messages suggest Uber executives were at the same time under no illusions about the company's law-breaking, with one executive joking they had become 'pirates' and another conceding: 'We're just [expletive deleted] illegal.'"

On this news, Uber's stock price fell $1.15 per share, or 5.15%, to close at $21.19 per share on July 11, 2022.

Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com

CONTACT:

Robert S. Willoughby

Pomerantz LLP

[email protected]

888-476-6529 ext. 7980

SOURCE Pomerantz LLP
UW Awarded $1.2M to Improve Postsecondary Enrollment, Completion Among Rural Students

The University of Wyoming College of Education and the UW Trustees Education Initiative were awarded a three-year, $1.2 million grant to improve postsecondary enrollment and completion among rural students.

The grant is from the U.S. Department of Educations Rural Postsecondary and Economic Development Program.

UW will collaborate with College for Every Student (CFES) Brilliant Pathways to develop the UW High Altitude Pathway program to provide high school-age students and local community leaders with tools to improve enrollment and graduation rates among Wyomings rural students.

Wyoming has one of the lowest rates of postsecondary education enrollment in the U.S. Currently, nearly 52 percent of the states residents possess a postsecondary credential, such as a degree or certificate.

The UW High Altitude Pathway program will help reach goals -- set in 2018 by then-Gov. Matt Mead -- to increase the number of Wyoming residents who have completed some form of postsecondary education to 67 percent by 2025 and 82 percent by 2040.

Economic growth hinges on an educated population, and it is important for Wyoming citizens to gain the skills required for new jobs being created in manufacturing, skilled labor fields, health care, information technology and education. With a higher rate of postsecondary education completion, Wyoming will be able to strengthen the economy by attracting new businesses and jobs to the state.

Many rural students are first-generation students and face several challenges before they consider higher education as an option. These students must overcome additional obstacles to successfully complete their program, says Colby Gull, managing director of the UW Trustees Education Initiative, who is leading the program.

First-generation students are often left without a support system to help them understand the processes required to apply for and pay for college, Gull says. The nomenclature of postsecondary education is like a foreign language for those whose parents did not attend college, and the entire experience can be seen as out of touch and out of reach.

CFES and the UW High Altitude Pathway program want to clear those hurdles for students, their parents and the already existing social networks in their communities, he adds.

The 10-point plan, College and Career Readiness Advisor training, and Essential Skills training are designed to help all stakeholders understand this new culture, new language and new process, Gull says.

UW will partner with 10 public schools, alternative education centers and after-school programs throughout the state to implement the program, with the goal to impact 2,000 students. Partners will implement the 10-Point College and Career Readiness Objectives and present Essential Skills training developed by CFES Brilliant Pathways to students.

The training will help participants understand how to select an in-demand career that suits them; how to apply for postsecondary education; how to pay for their program; and how to get the most out of their experiences. Participants also will master soft skills such as leadership, communication and teamwork that will help them complete their program and enjoy success in their professional fields.

CFES Brilliant Pathways expert guidance will provide Wyomings students with the skills and knowledge needed for college and career readiness, says Scott Thomas, the John P. Jack Ellbogen Dean of the UW College of Education. This initiative will help up to 2,000 rural students in Wyoming realize the opportunities postsecondary training can bring to their lives -- all while simultaneously stoking our states bright economic future through the cultivation of homegrown talent.

In addition to helping students attain skills, CFES Brilliant Pathways College and Career Readiness Advisor training will be implemented at each location for school staff and local community leaders. The training helps leaders become trusted mentors who can use their knowledge about the college process to help awaken the possibility of higher education in their students.

In many rural communities, the number of adults with a postsecondary degree is limited. We want to train those with degrees or certificates, and those who do not yet have a postsecondary degree, how to support students as they navigate enrolling and persisting in postsecondary training, Gull says. Students already have people in their communities who they know and trust. We can leverage these relationships so that everyone can be more successful in advancing their careers.

A multiday event also is planned for summer 2023, where UW High Altitude Pathway participants will be invited to the UW campus to experience college life. The students costs of travel, housing and meals will be covered during the campus program.

During the summer event, participants will live in the residence halls and eat in the Washakie Dining Center while taking minicourses. They also will meet with representatives from the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid, Residence Life, Student Success and Graduation Hub, student organization leaders and faculty from programs they are interested in to expose them to the resources and support systems that can help them succeed in their journey at UW.

For more information, email Gull at colby.gull@uwyo.edu.
NEW YORK, Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of investors of The Charles Schwab Corporation ("Charles Schwab" or the "Company") (NYSE: SCHW). Such investors are advised to contact Robert S. Willoughby at [email protected] or 888-476-6529, ext. 7980.

The investigation concerns whether Charles Schwab Therapeutics and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices.

[Click here for information about joining the class action]

On July 2, 2021, Charles Schwab disclosed in a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") that the Company "has been responding to an investigation by the [SEC] arising from a compliance examination" and that "[t]he investigation largely concerns historic disclosures related to the Schwab Intelligent Portfolios (SIP) digital advisory solution." Accordingly, Charles Schwab disclosed that "[g]iven the investigation's status, Schwab's second quarter 2021 financial results will include a liability and related non-deductible charge of $200 million."

On this news, Charles Schwab's stock price fell $2.03 per share, or 2.79%, to close at $70.77 per share on July 6, 2021, the next trading day.

Then, on June 13, 2022, the SEC announced that it "charged three Charles Schwab investment adviser subsidiaries" who "agreed to pay $187 million to harmed clients to settle the charges." The SEC charged Charles Schwab with misleading investors that used its robo-adviser product, Schwab Intelligent Portfolios. Instead of the touted "disciplined portfolio construction methodology" that sought "optimal return[s]", Charles Schwab's "own data showed that under most market conditions, the cash in the portfolios would cause clients to make less money even while taking on the same amount of risk."

On this news, Charles Schwab's stock price fell $1.98 per share, or 3.18%, to close at $60.24 per share on June 13, 2022.

The Pomerantz Firm, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Paris is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, the Pomerantz Firm pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 80 years later, the Pomerantz Firm continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomerantzlaw.com

CONTACT:

Robert S. Willoughby

Pomerantz LLP

[email protected]

888-476-6529 ext. 7980

SOURCE Pomerantz LLP
PARIS, FRANKFORT and MONTREAL, Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - Following a competitive auction process, Akiem shareholders have agreed to enter into exclusive negotiations with CDPQ on the proposed sale of Akiem, a leading provider of freight locomotive leasing services in France and Europe.

With revenues of nearly EUR 220 million, EBITDA of around EUR 150 million in 2021, a fleet of over 600 locomotives, 46 passenger trains and some 250 employees, Akiem is a European leader in locomotive leasing and maintenance. Headquartered in France with 7 international offices, Akiem provides local expertise to over 80 customers in 21 countries. The company has the largest fleet on the continent, of which 75% is electric, a share that is expected to increase in the coming years.

CDPQ's offer is subject to the customary consultation with employee representative bodies within the SNCF Group and Akiem. In addition, this transaction is subject to the approvals of certain competition authorities.

Emmanuel Jaclot, Executive Vice President and Head of Infrastructure at CDPQ, states: "CDPQ is thrilled to acquire Akiem, a major European player in the rail sector, and is looking forward to working with its team to bring the company to the next stage of its growth. Akiem's size and positioning across the entire value chain, including maintenance, give it a significant competitive edge to benefit from the expected growth in the locomotive leasing market across Europe. With three quarters of its fleet already operating on electricity, Akiem offers a sustainable response to the challenges of decarbonizing transport  a solution that appealed to us from the start."

Laurent Trevisani, Deputy CEO Financial Strategy, SNCF Group, adds: "This plan to sell Akiem is fully in line with SNCF Group's strategy to become a global leader in sustainable mobility for people and merchandise, with the rail industry as a core business and two strategic assets: GEODIS and KEOLIS. Once the definitive agreements are concluded, this transaction will provide financing for our core activities and the Group's future growth while accelerating debt reduction. It also provides Akiem with the backing of a long-term partner and ensures the continued operations of this company, which will remain a business partner of SNCF. We would like to thank the Akiem teams for their involvement over the past few years and will continue to support them in the various stages of this project."

Hamish Mackenzie, Head of Infrastructure at DWS, says: "Since becoming a shareholder of Akiem in 2016, DWS has supported management's strategic growth ambitions through its active asset management approach combined with the rail expertise of its partner, SNCF. Akiem's success during our investment reflects the quality of its management team and their unrivalled track record in the European locomotive leasing market, as well as the quality of our long-term partnership with SNCF. We wish Akiem and its teams every success in this project."

Fabien Rochefort, CEO, Akiem group, affirms: "This acquisition is a new step following a very successful collaboration between Akiem and its shareholders, SNCF and DWS. We are delighted with CDPQ's commitment, which will allow Akiem to continue investing in support of its long-term growth in the European locomotive and passenger train leasing markets. As rail operators face rising demand for more environmentally friendly transportation in a complex environment, Akiem is providing its customers with rolling stock that is sustainable, solid and reliable. We intend to continue innovating and developing our operational and industrial expertise to benefit our customers."

ABOUT SNCF GROUP

SNCF is a global leader in passenger and freight transport services, including management of the French rail network, with revenue of EUR 34.8 billion in 2021, of which one third on international markets. The Group does business in 120 countries and has 270,000 employees, with 208,000 in France and over half in its core rail business. The new Group, a public limited company that began operating on January 1, 2020, consists of a parent (SNCF) and five subsidiaries: SNCF Reseau (management, operation and maintenance of the French rail network, plus railway engineering) with its own subsidiary SNCF Gares & Connexions (station management and development); SNCF Voyageurs (Transilien, TER and Intercites; INOUI, OUIGO, Eurostar, Thalys, Alleo, Lyria and distribution with SNCF Connect); Keolis (a French and global operator of urban, suburban and regional mass transit systems); RAIL LOGISTICS EUROPE (rail freight); and Geodis (freight transport and logistics solutions). SNCF Group works closely with its customerspassengers, local authorities, shippers and railway operators using SNCF Reseau servicesand with regional communities, building on its expertise in all aspects of rail and all types of transport to deliver simple, seamless, sustainable solutions for every mobility need. To learn more, sncf.com.

ABOUT DWS

DWS Group (DWS) with EUR 833bn of assets under management (as of 30 June 2022) aspires to be one of the world's leading asset managers. Building on more than 60 years of experience, it has a reputation for excellence in Germany, Europe, the Americas and Asia. DWS is recognized by clients globally as a trusted source for integrated investment solutions, stability and innovation across a full spectrum of investment disciplines.

We offer individuals and institutions access to our strong investment capabilities across all major liquid and illiquid asset classes as well as solutions aligned to growth trends. Our diverse expertise in Active, Passive and Alternatives asset management  as well as our deep environmental, social and governance focus  complement each other when creating targeted solutions for our clients. Our expertise and on-the-ground-knowledge of our economists, research analysts and investment professionals are brought together in one consistent global CIO View, which guides our investment approach strategically.

DWS wants to innovate and shape the future of investing. With approximately 3,600 employees in offices all over the world, we are local while being one global team. We are investorsentrusted to build the best foundation for our clients' future.

ABOUT CDPQ

At CDPQ, we invest constructively to generate sustainable returns over the long term. As a global investment group managing funds for public retirement and insurance plans, we work alongside our partners to build enterprises that drive performance and progress. We are active in the major financial markets, private equity, infrastructure, real estate and private debt. As at December 31, 2021, CDPQ's net assets totalled CAD 419.8 billion. For more information, visit cdpq.com, follow us on Twitter or consult our Facebook or LinkedIn pages.

CDPQ is a registered trademark owned by Caisse de depot et placement du Quebec and licensed for use by its subsidiaries.

SOURCE CDPQ
Deal Involves 500+ Acres and 84+ MW of Community Solar Projects in New York

ROCKVILLE, Md., Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- SolaREIT , a solar real estate investment fund, has executed agreements totaling $12.2 million for solar land with developer Norbut Solar Farms. The deal involves four projects across 500+ acres of land in New York on which are sited more than 84 megawatts (MW) of community solar. SolaREIT, which launched in late 2020, provides an innovative model for financing solar land and offers options to compensate landowners for utilizing their land to host solar farms.

"We're excited to work with Norbut Solar Farms to grow their business by financing their land holdings. Dave Norbut and his team have been developing projects throughout New York for more than two decades and are one of the most well-respected developers in the state. Solar projects require large expanses of land and lease payments that tie-up capital and increase costs for developers. Now more than ever, developers need financial flexibility, so they can focus on doing what they do bestdevelop solar projects," said Laura Pagliarulo, President of SolaREIT.

"SolaREIT is providing valuable financial innovation and flexibility to the solar development industry. We are accessing capital through this deal, which will fuel the expansion of our early-stage solar development efforts across New York. Financial innovation has helped expand residential solar over the past decade; now SolaREIT is bringing innovation to community solar development," said Dave Norbut, Norbut Solar Farms.

Community solar development is land and capital intensive. SolaREIT can offer alternative options to developers and project owners that free up capital or reduce their lease costs. Last year, SolaREIT announced their "Pre-Paid Solar Land Lease" allowing solar developers to provide landowners with up-front payment for up to 30-years of lease payments.

About SolaREIT: SolaREIT, based in Rockville, Maryland, focuses on making investments in acquiring, developing, and managing climate-friendly solar assets that support the transformation to a low-carbon economy. We aim to provide unique products to clients while generating attractive returns for our investors. For more information, please visit www.solareit.com .

SOURCE SolaREIT
NEW YORK, Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- As per Zion Market Research study, The global blood testing market size was worth around USD 80.50 billion in 2021 and is estimated to grow to about USD 128.45 billion by 2028, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 8.10 percent over the forecast period.

Blood Testing Market: Overview

Blood tests are the most basic diagnostic method used to determine the malfunction of the human system. Regular blood tests are the easiest way to track your health. It is essential to have regular blood tests for good health and to make informed decisions about health in particular. Blood tests are also important to reduce the risk of various illnesses and related complications. Increased government and regulatory healthcare costs are expected to drive the market during the forecast period. Therefore, governments and key organizations constantly strive to encourage patients to undergo regular diagnostic tests. Furthermore, recent advances, the regulatory approval process, and a lack of awareness of the high cost of automated blood tests will hinder market growth over the next few years. Multinational healthcare institutions can help discover new technologies and raise awareness for eradicating & diagnosing common and chronic diseases. Solid external funding for clinical trials being conducted to develop new and innovative diagnostic tests is expected to boost the market. The introduction of constructive regulatory parameters to encourage POC tests is a major rendering driver on the market.

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Zion Market Research methodology

Key Industry Insights & Findings of the Blood Testing Market Reports:

As per the analysis shared by our research analyst, the Blood Testing Market is expected to grow annually at a CAGR of around 8.10 % (2022-2028).

(2022-2028). Through the primary research, it was established that the Blood Testing Market was valued at approximately USD 80.50 billion in 2021 and is projected to reach roughly USD 128.45 billion by 2028.

billion in 2021 and is projected to reach roughly billion by 2028. Increasing the number of strategic initiatives taken by government agencies and market players to increase blood donations across the region is one of the factors expected to drive North America market growth.

market growth. New York Blood Center, American Red Cross, AABB, America's Blood Centers, Armed Services Blood Program, and Blood Centers of America, provide information on plasma collection and plasma delivery.

Asia Pacific region, the blood testing market is expected to show the fastest CAGR during the forecast period. The increasing prevalence of chronic diseases in developing countries such as India and China is a major driver of market growth.

Zion Market Research published the latest report titled "Blood Testing Market By Test Type (Lipid Panel Testing, Prostate-Specific Antigen, COVID-19, Complete blood count (CBC), BUN testing (Blood Urea Nitrogen), Glucose testing, A1C, Direct LDL, Cortisol, Creatinine, and Others tests), By End-user (Hospitals, Clinic, Diagnostic Centre, Research laboratories, and Others (Blood Banks)), By Method (Manual and Automated), and By Region - Global and Regional Industry Overview, Market Intelligence, Comprehensive Analysis, Historical Data and Forecasts 2022  2028." into their research database.

Industry Dynamics:

Blood Testing Market: Growth Drivers

Rising initiative of regulatory bodies and healthcare organizations in blood test help to drive the market.

Regulators such as the FDA, Medicare and Medicaid Service Center (CMS), and the Federal Trade Commission play an important role in regulating diagnostic tests. These agencies have taken the initiative to commercialize clinical laboratory improvement and modification compliant diagnostic tests that may help in the early detection of illness. The introduction of CLIA in the United States is expected to increase blood test used during the prediction period.

Blood Testing Market: Restraints

Stringent regulatory approval process will hinder the market growth.

Rigid regulatory approval strategies are likely to hamper the market growth in the coming years. In the U.S., the development of commercial trials is regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (U.S. FDA). The US FDA is responsible for approving the use of clinical tests. Lack of awareness of the development of new technologies and procedures related to blood tests will hamper the market over the forecast period.

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Global Blood Testing Market: Segmentation

The global blood testing market is segregated based on test type, end-use, method, and region.

By test type, the market is divided into lipid panel testing, prostate-specific, antigen, COVID-19, complete blood count (CBC), BUN testing (blood urea nitrogen), glucose testing, A1C, direct LDL, cortisol, creatinine, and other tests. Among these, the glucose testing segment dominates the market owing to technological advances in these glucose meters, etc. Wireless connectivity and Bluetooth capabilities further drive the market acceptance of these products. iHealth Smart, iHealth Align, Dario Health Smart Meter and Glooko are examples of smart blood glucose monitoring products.

By end user, the market is classified into hospitals, clinics, diagnostic centers, research laboratories, and others (blood banks). Over the forecast period, the research laboratories segment is expected to develop at the fastest rate. Laboratory tests of blood and blood products provided for infections are an important safety measure to protect patients and prevent the spread of serious infections. Factors such as increased blood donation & blood transfusion-related screening, increased awareness of blood transfusion-related infectious diseases, and increased incidence of infectious diseases are driving the growth of this segment.

By method, the market is classified into manual and automated. The automated segment dominates the market.

Get More Insight before [email protected]: https://www.zionmarketresearch.com/inquiry/blood-testing-market

List of Key Players in Blood Testing Market:

Richard Wolf GmbH

WISAP Medical Technology

KARL STORZ GmbH & Co. KG

Stryker

Teleflex Inc.

Ethicon LLC

Centrel

OPTOMIC

Medgyn Products Inc.

Maxer Endoscopy

Vimex Sp. z o.o

Olympus Corporation

Henke-Sass Wolf .

Key questions answered in this report:

What are the growth rate forecast and market size for Blood Testing Market?

What are the key driving factors propelling the Blood Testing Market forward?

What are the most important companies in the Blood Testing Market Industry?

What segments does the Blood Testing Market cover?

How can I receive a free copy of the Blood Testing Market sample report and company profiles?

Report Scope:

Report Attribute Details Market size value in 2021 USD 80.50 Billion Revenue forecast in 2028 USD 128.45 Billion Growth Rate CAGR of almost 8.10 % 2022-2028 Base Year 2020 Historic Years 2016  2021 Forecast Years 2022  2028 Segments Covered By Product Type, By Application, And By End Use Forecast Units Value (USD Billion), and Volume (Units) Quantitative Units Revenue in USD million/billion and CAGR from 2022 to 2028 Regions Covered North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa, and Rest of World Countries Covered U.S., Canada, Mexico, U.K., Germany, France, Italy, Spain, China, India, Japan, South Korea, Brazil, Argentina, GCC Countries, and South Africa, among others Companies Covered Richard Wolf GmbH, WISAP Medical Technology, KARL STORZ GmbH & Co. KG, Stryker, Teleflex Inc. Ethicon LLC, Centrel, OPTOMIC, Medgyn Products, Inc., Maxer Endoscopy, Vimex Sp. z o.o, Olympus Corporation, and Henke-Sass Wolf. Report Coverage Market growth drivers, restraints, opportunities, Porter's five forces analysis, PEST analysis, value chain analysis, regulatory landscape, market attractiveness analysis by segments and region, company market share analysis, and COVID-19 impact analysis. Customization Scope Avail of customized purchase options to meet your exact research needs. https://www.zionmarketresearch.com/custom/3134

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Recent Developments

In February of 2022, Tasso, a manufacturer of portable blood collection devices, partnered with telemedicine company Vault Health to help perform diagnostic tests at home. Vault offers remote services such as COVID-19 testing, alcohol testing, and drug testing for businesses.

In March 2022 , AXIM Biotechnologies, Inc, an international healthcare solutions company focused on the dry eye (DED), has changed the focus of COVID-19 rapid neutralizing antibody testing to "research use only.

Regional Dominance:

 Increasing strategies of key market players and government organizations likely to help North America dominate the global market.

Increasing the number of strategic initiatives taken by government agencies and market players to increase blood donations across the region is one of the factors expected to drive North America market growth. Blood centers across the country are stepping up efforts to collect blood from people who have recovered from their illnesses. Several organizations, such as the New York Blood Center, American Red Cross, AABB, America's Blood Centers, Armed Services Blood Program, and Blood Centers of America, provide information on plasma collection and plasma delivery. Increased blood donations are expected to further drive demand for testing products for pre-transplant and post-transplant procedures. In the Asia Pacific region, the blood testing market is expected to show the fastest CAGR during the forecast period. The increasing prevalence of chronic diseases in developing countries such as India and China is a major driver of market growth.

Global Blood Testing Market is segmented as follows:

Blood Testing Market: By Test Type Outlook (2022-2028)

Lipid Panel testing

Prostate-Specific Antigen

COVID-19

Complete blood count (CBC)

BUN testing (Blood Urea Nitrogen)

Glucose testing

A1C

Direct LDL

Cortisol

Creatinine

Others tests

Blood Testing Market: By End User Outlook (2022-2028)

Hospitals

Clinics

Diagnostic Centre

Research laboratories

Others (Blood Banks)

Blood Testing Market: By Method Outlook (2022-2028)

Manual

Automated

Blood Testing Market: By Region Outlook (2022-2028)

North America

The U.S.

Canada

Europe

France

The UK

Spain

Germany

Italy

Rest of Europe

Asia Pacific

China

Japan

India

South Korea

Southeast Asia

Rest of Asia Pacific

Latin America

Brazil

Mexico

Rest of Latin America

Middle East & Africa

GCC

South Africa

Rest of Middle East & Africa

Press Release For Blood Testing Market: https://www.zionmarketresearch.com/news/global-blood-testing-market

Browse Other Related Research Reports from Zion Market Research

Blood Group Typing Market - Global Industry Analysis : The global blood group typing market size was worth USD 2,954.90 million in 2021 and is estimated to grow to USD 5,093.63 million by 2028, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 9.50 percent over the forecast period.

The global blood group typing market size was worth in 2021 and is estimated to grow to by 2028, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 9.50 percent over the forecast period. Smart Hospitals Market - Global Industry Analysis : The global smart hospitals market size was worth USD 23.10 million in 2021 and is estimated to grow to USD 84.38 million by 2028, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 24.10 percent over the forecast period.

The global smart hospitals market size was worth in 2021 and is estimated to grow to by 2028, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 24.10 percent over the forecast period. Mineral Supplements Market - Global Industry Analysis: The global mineral supplements market size was worth USD 13.1 billion in 2021 and is estimated to grow to USD 14.8 billion by 2028, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 2.10% over the forecast period.

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SOURCE Zion Market Research
Teamster Service Workers Call Out Worker Abuse at Big 10 Black Alumni Conference

CHICAGO, Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Over the weekend, University of Minnesota (UMN) workers represented by Teamsters Local 320 attended BANboree, the inaugural Big 10 Black Alumni Network Conference in Chicago, to call on school administrators to end worker abuse at the university.

With significant assistance from Chicago-area Teamsters and Teamsters Joint Council 25, the workers distributed leaflets and spoke with many Big 10 alumni about their struggle to get UMN to address their concerns regarding poverty-level wages, discrimination, food insecurity and homelessness. The leaflets and banners read, "UMN: Worker Abuse Doesn't Belong in the Big 10."

Local 320 represents custodians, dormitory attendants, food service workers, animal research caregivers, and members at the five main UMN campuses. Many of the workers are Black, including immigrants from Somalia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, and other east African countries.

"It's disgusting that a major university like the University of Minnesota, which is paying its president over $1 million every year and has excess revenues of almost $1 billion each year, has workers who can't afford to buy groceries or cover the cost of rent," said Teamsters General President Sean M. O'Brien. "We are supporting our brothers and sisters in this fight for a fair contract, no matter the costs."

According to a recent survey of more than 450 current and former UMN service workers, over 62 percent reported not earning enough money to pay for basic expenses every month. Almost 12 percent reported experiencing homelessness at least one time while working at the university and 19 percent reported sometimes being hungry but not eating because they did not have enough money for food.

A recent study on staff compensation conducted by the UMN Office of Human Resources shows that job salaries for campus operations positions are, on average, 13 percent below the market median and 74.5 percent of workers' salaries are below the market salary median.

Sandra Johnson has been a building and grounds worker at UMN for over twenty years.

"I've worked here for many years, and it's still a struggle to afford rent and pay the bills," said Johnson. "It's time for university administrators to answer the call to address the needless pain and suffering they are inflicting on their frontline workers' families and our communities."

The survey results also indicate that UMN workers are concerned about discriminatory treatment in the workplace. Twenty-eight percent of workers of color "strongly agree" or "agree" that their race, nationality, or ethnic group affects the way university supervisors treat them. Almost 50 percent of female and non-binary workers report that university supervisors discriminate against workers based on their race, nationality, gender, religion, disability, or sexual orientation at least some of the time.

"The University of Minnesota is one of our state's most respected and treasured institutions," said Brian Aldes, Local 320 Secretary-Treasurer. "But until the university's current administration moves beyond marketing campaigns and makes a real commitment to supporting its diverse workforce of 1,500 frontline workers and addressing their concerns, the university will never reach its true potential."

Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.2 million hardworking men and women throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. Visit www.teamster.org for more information. Follow us on Twitter @Teamsters and "like" us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/teamsters.

Contact:

Matt McQuaid, (202) 624-6877

[email protected]

SOURCE International Brotherhood of Teamsters
MELBOURNE, Australia, Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Telix Pharmaceuticals Limited (ASX: TLX, Telix, the Company) today reports on regulatory progress for the Company's core prostate and kidney cancer imaging programs in the Asia Pacific (APAC) Operating Region, including progress in the major market of China with its strategic partner Grand Pharmaceutical Group Limited (Grand Pharma).

TLX591-CDx (Illuccix) for prostate cancer imaging

China : An Investigational New Drug (IND) application has been submitted by Telix's partner in Greater China , Grand Pharma, to the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) Center for Drug Evaluation (CDE)  and accepted for review  for a pivotal Phase III registration study that will bridge to the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of Illuccix.

An Investigational New Drug (IND) application has been submitted by Telix's partner in , Grand Pharma, to the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) Center for Drug Evaluation (CDE)  and accepted for review  for a pivotal Phase III registration study that will bridge to the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of Illuccix. South Korea : As previously reported, an imported New Drug Application (NDA) has been submitted by Telix's partner in South Korea , DuChemBio Co, Ltd. (DuChemBio), to the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) for TLX591-CDx (Illuccix, Kit for the preparation of 68Ga-PSMA-11), a radiopharmaceutical targeting Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen (PSMA) for the imaging of prostate cancer using Positron Emission Tomography (PET).1

TLX250-CDx for kidney cancer imaging

China : An IND application has been submitted by Grand Pharma to the NMPA CDE (and accepted for review) for a pivotal Phase III registration study that will bridge to Telix's global Phase III 'ZIRCON' trial of TLX250-CDx (89Zr-girentuximab), for the imaging of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) with position emission tomography.

The Phase III bridging studies of TLX591-CDx and TLX250-CDx are required to provide "supplementary" data in an exclusively Chinese population to establish that efficacy of these investigational products is equivalent in Chinese and Western populations. It is expected that both studies will be multi-centre, enrolling approximately 100 patients.

"Together with our partners, we are pleased to report delivery of these material regulatory milestones, including submitting a first NDA for PSMA imaging in Asia. Additionally, we have made significant progress in China, following a thorough consultation process with the NMPA, and have filed our first IND applications in this important market. The expertise and strong support of our partners Grand Pharma and DuChemBio has enabled an efficient process and the delivery of these milestones within target timelines," said Dr David N. Cade, CEO Telix Asia Pacific. "The Asia Pacific region represents a major market opportunity, being driven by increasing cancer incidence rates and an investment in installation of PET/CT cameras in markets such as China and India. We are committed to bringing targeted radiation imaging and therapies to patients in need across the region."

About prostate and kidney cancer in the Asia Pacific region

The Asia Pacific region comprises approximately one third of the world's male population and includes many nations whose populations are ageing or increasingly adopting a more affluent, "Western-style" lifestyle, the two main demographic trends driving increasing cancer incidence rates. Consequently, the incidence of prostate cancer is increasing in many parts of the region.

In South Korea, over 13,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer each year.2

In China, 115,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer each year, increasing by approx. 6% each year and 73,000 people are diagnosed with renal cell carcinoma each year.

In line with government policy supporting wider geographic access to nuclear medicine, the number of PET/CT cameras installed in China is forecast to reach 1,110 by the end of 2022, compared with 133 in 2010.3

About Illuccix (TLX591-CDx)

Illuccix (TLX591-CDx) is a preparation for imaging prostate cancer with positron emission tomography (PET), targeting prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA), a protein that is overexpressed on the surface of more than 90% of primary and metastatic prostate cancer cells. Illuccix enables PSMA-11 to be labelled with the radionuclide Ga-68 directly before injection by medical professionals. After preparing the radiopharmaceutical and injecting it into the patient, PSMA positive lesions are localised by PET imaging.

Illuccix has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA),4 and by the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).5 Telix is also progressing marketing authorisation applications for this investigational candidate in Europe6 and Canada.7

About TLX250-CDx

TLX250-CDx (89Zr-girentuximab) is an investigational product being developed by Telix for the purpose of non-invasive detection of clear cell renal cancer in patients with "indeterminate renal masses" (IDMRs), typically identified based on computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) imaging and are an increasing medical dilemma as more scans are performed and more IDRMs are identified.

Girentuximab is a monoclonal antibody that targets carbonic anhydrase IX (CA9), a cell surface target that is highly expressed in several human cancers including renal, lung and oesophageal cancers. In July 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted Breakthrough Therapy (BT) designation for TLX250-CDx,8 reflecting the significant unmet clinical need to improve the diagnosis and staging of clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC), the most common and aggressive form of kidney cancer.

About Telix Pharmaceuticals Limited

Telix is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialisation of diagnostic and therapeutic products using Molecularly Targeted Radiation (MTR). Telix is headquartered in Melbourne, Australia with international operations in Belgium, Japan, Switzerland, and the United States. Telix is developing a portfolio of clinical-stage products that address significant unmet medical need in oncology and rare diseases. Telix is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: TLX). For more information visit www.telixpharma.com and follow Telix on Twitter (@TelixPharma) and LinkedIn.

Telix Investor Relations

Ms. Kyahn Williamson

Telix Pharmaceuticals Limited

SVP Corporate Communications and Investor Relations

Email: [email protected]

This announcement has been authorised for release by Dr. Christian Behrenbruch, Managing Director and Group Chief Executive Officer.

Legal Notices

This announcement may include forward-looking statements that relate to anticipated future events, financial performance, plans, strategies or business developments. Forward-looking statements can generally be identified by the use of words such as "may", "expect", "intend", "plan", "estimate", "anticipate", "outlook", "forecast" and "guidance", or other similar words. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to differ materially from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on the Company's good-faith assumptions as to the financial, market, regulatory and other risks and considerations that exist and affect the Company's business and operations in the future and there can be no assurance that any of the assumptions will prove to be correct. In the context of Telix's business, forward-looking statements may include, but are not limited to, statements about: the initiation, timing, progress and results of Telix's preclinical and clinical studies, and Telix's research and development programs; Telix's ability to advance product candidates into, enrol and successfully complete, clinical studies, including multi-national clinical trials; the timing or likelihood of regulatory filings and approvals, manufacturing activities and product marketing activities; the commercialisation of Telix's product candidates, if or when they have been approved; estimates of Telix's expenses, future revenues and capital requirements; Telix's financial performance; developments relating to Telix's competitors and industry; and the pricing and reimbursement of Telix's product candidates, if and after they have been approved. Telix's actual results, performance or achievements may be materially different from those which may be expressed or implied by such statements, and the differences may be adverse. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. You should read this announcement together with our risk factors, as disclosed in our most recently filed reports with the ASX or on our website.

To the maximum extent permitted by law, Telix disclaims any obligation or undertaking to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements contained in this announcement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or a change in expectations or assumptions.

The Telix Pharmaceuticals and Illuccix name and logo are trademarks of Telix Pharmaceuticals Limited and its affiliates (all rights reserved).

1 ASX disclosure 21 July 2022.

2 Globocan 2021.

3 Goetz Partners research 2020.

4 ASX disclosure 20 December 2021.

5 ASX disclosure 2 November 2021.

6 ASX disclosure 10 December 2021.

7 ASX disclosure 16 December 2020.

8 ASX disclosure 1 July 2020.

SOURCE Telix Pharmaceuticals Limited
The Academy of Management announces its 82nd Annual Meeting, themed "Creating a Better World Together," bringing global scholars together to form research-based solutions to the world's most pressing challenges.

Media are invited to attend in-person in Seattle, Washington or remotely via live and recorded sessions and to engage with AOM scholars for reporting purposes. Most sessions will recorded and available after the conference for on demand viewing. Contact [email protected] to obtain press passes.

BRIARCLIFF MANOR, N.Y., Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Academy of Management (AOM), the largest global association devoted to management and organization research, announced the details of its 82nd Annual Meeting.

The meeting will feature a hybrid experience of in-person sessions in Seattle, WA, and online sessions through the virtual Annual Meeting platform spanning 4-10 August 2022.

The Academy of Management announces its 82nd Annual Meeting, themed Creating a Better World Together, bringing global scholars together to form research-based solutions to the worlds most pressing challenges.

The conference, themed Creating a Better World Together, features top global management and organization scholars who will share their expertise, experience, and research-based insights across 2,000+ sessions to inform today's most important issues impacting the workplace and organizations.

Specifically, the sessions will evaluate the role of business organizations, managers, and stakeholders in tackling societal challenges such as the future of work, leadership strategies and impact, gender and racial equality in the workplace, careers and technology (AI, IoT, etc.) and the workplace, and many more related topics.

The world has changed dramatically since our last in-person Annual Meeting in 2019.

Sharon A. Alvarez, AOM Vice President and Program Chair from University of Pittsburgh

Throughout the pandemic, AOM has provided vital insights that informed its impact on the workplace at large. Now, it is time to inform the future with research-based solutions. This Annual Meeting will use the power of AOM's collective scholars and their research to prescribe solutions to positively shape the future of work together.

About the 82nd AOM Annual Meeting

The AOM Annual Meeting is the premier global management science conference, drawing more than 9,500 management researchers and leaders in academia from more than 100 countries around the world.

The hybrid format of the Annual Meeting features 2,000+ sessions and provides aspects of both a virtual and an in-person meeting including:

Access to 2,000+ in-person, virtual, and hybrid sessions

Access to on-demand and recorded sessions, abstracts, and supplemental material through 31 December 2022

Access to the AOM Career Fair which will be held both virtually and in-person

Live Q&A and networking for all attendees

Over 30 different journal sessions, including 'Reviewer Workshops', 'Publishing in' sessions, and meetings around academic fundamentals such as writing, developing, and publishing research in the field of management

Visit the Academy of Management Annual Meeting website for more information.

Media may request complimentary copies of all presented research, access to sessions and interviews with the authors by contacting [email protected].

Notable presentation and research topics featured:

AOM President Herman Aguinis will broadcast his presidential address on 7 August from 09:00-10:30 PDT (GMT/UTC-7), which includes an overview of the Annual Meeting Theme and award presentations to honor recipients of All Academy Awards.

AOM Scholars On...Measuring Real World Impact of Scholarly Research

AOM will be holding its fifth AOM Subject Matter Expert (SME) panel at the Annual Meeting on 8 August from 10:00-11:00 PDT (GMT/UTC-7). The panel, titled AOM Scholars OnMeasuring Real World Impact of Scholarly Research, will answer the question: how are academic scholars turning their insights and career work into solutions for society's problems? It will feature distinguished AOM Scholars including Jean Bartunek of Boston College, Usha Haley of Wichita State University, Carol Kulik of University of South Australia, and Leon Prieto of Clayton State University.

Additional sessions of note within the following topic categories:

The Future of Work

Leadership

Employee Well-Being

Workplace Technology

Diversity, Inclusion, and Social Issues

About the Academy of Management

The Academy of Management is the largest global association devoted to management and organization research, with 20,000 members from more than 120 countries across six continents. In addition to Insights, an online magazine with easy-to-read, evidence-based research for managers and business leaders, AOM publishes six top-rated journals with the most authoritative and diverse management research findings. For more information, visit www.aom.org.

SOURCE Academy of Management
Trusted paint and primer brands help restore Leanne Ford's home exterior to its original beauty

SANTA ANA, Calif., Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The BEHR and KILZ brands are partnering with Leanne Ford, Celebrity interior designer to restore and reinvent a historic, American classic home in her hometown of Pittsburgh. Ford is transforming the 120-year-old home, while maintaining and honoring its original design and natural beauty by leveraging trusted products from BEHR Paint and KILZ Primers.

Originally designed by celebrated architectural icon Charles Barton Keen, the home displays iconic exterior elements including wooden windows, pergolas, archways, and columns that needed to be returned to their full glory. For the first phase of the project, the exterior renovation, Ford leveraged KILZ 3 Premium Primer and BEHR MARQUEE  Exterior Paint in the color Natural White [DC-005] from Behr Paint Company's new designer collection.

"When my husband and I bought this beautiful piece of history, we wanted to hone in on what the architect's plan was for the home when it was first built and bring it back to its former glory," said Ford. "We are only the third owners of this home, and we feel a duty to retain the true character of the space. An exterior renovation is a big job you want to last for years, so we knew we needed high-quality products we could trust to stand the test of time in the home's next phase of life. We're thankful we were able to lean on the strength of KILZ Primer and BEHR Paint to get the job done right."

The exterior restoration started with KILZ 3 Premium Primer, a versatile and heavy-duty interior and exterior primer that provides exceptional adhesion to act as the anchor for topcoat paint. Once primed, Ford selected BEHR MARQUEE  Exterior Paint in Natural White [DC-005] from the new BEHR Designer Collection palette of 30 tried-and-true designer-approved classic neutrals and essential accents, that help make the color selection process easier.

"Our KILZ 3 Premium Primer has been around for over 30 years, and is known for its performance and versatility, making it a great option for a restoration project  especially a complex one like this, which required refinishing of both stucco and wood surfaces," said Andy Lopez, VP, Brand Marketing at Behr Paint Company. "We're thrilled to partner with Leanne Ford and glad she found the perfect color to complete the transformation of her historic home leveraging the BEHR Designer Collection, a palette curated by designers like herself."

For DIYers and Pros alike looking for classic products that stand the test of time, the KILZ 3 Premium Primer and BEHR Designer Collection can be found at The Home Depot. For more information about the renovation in partnership with Leanne Ford, visit https://www.kilz.com/ and follow along for updates on social:

About KILZ Products

Since 1974, the KILZ brand has served professional painters and do-it-yourselfers with a trusted line of professional grade, hardworking coatings products, including the #1 selling primer in the industry. With a durable, long-lasting finish, the quality of KILZ products has been trusted for generations, creating a legacy of quality and performance. Also included in this award-winning product lineup is the Magnolia Home by Joanna Gaines Paint collection. For more information, and to find a nearby KILZ brand retailer in the United States or Canada, visit KILZ.com. The KILZ brand is owned by Santa Ana, Calif.-based Behr Paint Company, a subsidiary of Masco Corporation (NYSE: MAS ).

About Behr Paint Company

Founded in 1947, Behr Paint Company is one of the largest manufacturers of paints, primers, decorative finishes, stains, surface preparation and application products for do-it-yourselfers and professionals in the United States, Canada and Mexico. The Santa Ana, Calif.-based company and maker of the BEHR, KILZ, WHIZZ and E&J brands is dedicated to meeting the project needs of DIYers, professionals, architects and designers with an unwavering commitment to quality, innovation and value. For more information, visit Behr.com. Professional contractors can visit BEHRPRO.com to learn about BEHR Products and BEHR PRO Services. Behr Paint Company is a subsidiary of Masco Corporation (NYSE: MAS).

KILZ, Behr and the Behr logo are registered trademarks of Behr Process Corporation.

Contact: [email protected]

SOURCE KILZ
Participants include new and existing investors and Salesforce Ventures

SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Thunder, a Salesforce and Copado consulting partner, announced the closure of a second growth capital investment with participation from existing investors and Salesforce Ventures to support its continual growth. This coincides with its second anniversary celebration.

Thunder helps organizations make the most of their Salesforce experience, with a team of seasoned professionals that connect processes, platforms, and people.

"It's amazing how far we've come in only two years," explains Carter Wigell, Thunder's CEO. "I've always known that by focusing on culture, we'd build an incredible company together. Nothing is more important than making sure that the team is happy, and that our customers are successful."

Wigell, a three-time founder and former Salesforce, Accenture, and WeWork executive said:

"We're delighted to be backed by Salesforce Ventures again. We continually strive to be a positive force within the ecosystem. It's exciting to be backed by an organization that not only surpasses customer expectations, but whose core values center around employee wellbeing and giving back. It's one reason we're able to continually expand our team with such exceptional talent."

This investment round fuels Thunder's continued expansion into key areas of cloud innovation and customer experience, as well as staff growth.

To celebrate, Thunder is offering Salesforce customers free health checks and optimization roadmaps. Visit www.thundersf.com/contact/ .

Salesforce and others are trademarks of Salesforce.com, Inc.

ABOUT SALESFORCE VENTURES

Salesforce Ventures helps enterprising founders build companies that reinvent the way the world works. Since 2009, we've invested in and partnered with more than 400 of the world's most tenacious enterprise software companies from seed to IPO, including Airtable, Databricks, DocuSign, Guild Education, Hopin, monday.com, nCino, Snowflake, Snyk, Stripe, Tanium, and Zoom. Salesforce Ventures leverages our decades of expertise in the cloud and our long-term relationships with key decision-makers at thousands of businesses around the world to give our portfolio companies an unfair advantage, help them build credibility, and accelerate growth. Salesforce Ventures has invested in more than 25 countries with offices all over the world including in San Francisco, Irvine, New York, London, Tokyo, and Sydney. Follow @SalesforceVC and learn more at http://www.salesforceventures.com .

Media Contact: Lindsey Gad, [email protected]

SOURCE Thunder, Inc
Parent Market Analysis

Technavio categorizes the global Tourism and Hotel Market in China as a part of the global consumer discretionary market within the global consumer discretionary market. External factors influencing the parent market's growth potential in the coming years have been thoroughly investigated in our research analysis, to know more about the levels of growth of the Tourism and Hotel Market in China throughout the forecast period.

Tourism and Hotel Market in China Value Chain Analysis

The end-to-end understanding of the value chain is essential in profit margin optimization and evaluation of business strategies. The data available in our value chain analysis segment can help vendors drive costs and enhance customer services during the forecast period.

The value chain of the Tourism and Hotel Market in China includes the following core components:

Inputs

Inbound logistics

Operations

Outbound logistics

Marketing and sales

Service

To unlock information about vendor drive costs and customer service, Buy a sample report.

Vendor Insights

The Tourism and Hotel Market in China is fragmented, and the vendors are deploying various organic and inorganic growth strategies to compete in the market. To make the best of the opportunity, the market vendors should focus more on the fast-growing segment's growth prospects while maintaining their positions in the slow-growing segments.

We provide a detailed analysis of vendors operating in the Tourism and Hotel Market in China, including some the vendors such as Beijing Zhiyuan International Travel Agency Co. Ltd., Emei Shan Tourism Co. Ltd., Expedia Group Inc., Guangdong International Hotel Management Holdings Ltd., Huangshan Tourism Development Co. Ltd., Huazhu Group Ltd., InterContinental Hotels Group PLC, Intrepid Group Pty Ltd., Jin Jiang International Holdings Co. Ltd.

Product Insights and News

Expedia Group Inc.- the company offers various travel and advertising services. Various brands under this segment include Hotels.com, Vrbo, Orbitz, Travelocity, and others.

the company offers various travel and advertising services. Various brands under this segment include Hotels.com, Vrbo, Orbitz, Travelocity, and others. Huangshan Tourism Development Co. Ltd.- the company operates 6 hotels in the mountain, namely Beihai Hotel, Xihai Hotel, Baiyun Hotel, Shilin Hotel, Paiyunlou Hotel, and Yupinglou Hotel.

the company operates 6 hotels in the mountain, namely Beihai Hotel, Xihai Hotel, Baiyun Hotel, Shilin Hotel, Paiyunlou Hotel, and Yupinglou Hotel. Huazhu Group Ltd.- The company offers hotel services through its hotel brands such as Joya Hotel, Blossom House , and Steigenberger Hotels and Resort.

The company offers hotel services through its hotel brands such as Joya Hotel, , and Steigenberger Hotels and Resort. Jin Jiang International Holdings Co. Ltd.- The company provides quality transportation solutions to political VIPs, business travelers, and tourists.

company provides quality transportation solutions to political VIPs, business travelers, and tourists. Marriott International Inc.- The company is engaged in the operation of luxury and premium properties located in the US and Canada .

The Tourism and Hotel Market in China forecast report offers in-depth insights into key vendor profiles and offerings  Click here for Sample Report

Key Market Dynamics

The growing appreciation for local and genuine experiences is one of the major reasons for boosting China's tourist and hotel industries. Tourists are putting more emphasis on discovering local communities and their cultures, which are regarded as one of the most important facets of the Chinese tourism and hotel industries.

Additionally, tourists favor:

Choosing local goods over mementos

Utilizing public transportation for adventurous travel rather than a cab

consuming dinner at a place that only uses zero-kilometer ingredients, including primary foods like local, low-impact meat, cheese, and honey.

As travelers become more conscious of the effects that tourism has on the environment, this new style of tourism is anticipated to gain popularity. Such elements are anticipated to propel market expansion during the forecast period.

Related Reports:

Hospitality Market in the Netherlands Growth, Size, Trends, Analysis Report by Type, Application, Region, and Segment Forecast 2022-2026

India Travel Services Market Growth, Size, Trends, Analysis Report by Type, Application, Region, and Segment Forecast 2022-2026

Tourism and Hotel Market Scope in China Report Coverage Details Page number 120 Base year 2021 Forecast period 2022-2026 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 11.81% Market growth 2022-2026 $ 24.23 billion Market structure Fragmented YoY growth (%) 6.09 Competitive landscape Leading companies, Competitive strategies, Consumer engagement scope Key companies profiled Beijing Zhiyuan International Travel Agency Co. Ltd., Emei Shan Tourism Co. Ltd., Expedia Group Inc., Guangdong International Hotel Management Holdings Ltd., Huangshan Tourism Development Co. Ltd., Huazhu Group Ltd., InterContinental Hotels Group PLC, Intrepid Group Pty Ltd., Jin Jiang International Holdings Co. Ltd., Jinmao China Hotel Investments and Management Ltd., Marriott International Inc., Shangri La Asia Ltd, The Dragon Trip., Tongcheng Travel Holdings Ltd., Trip.com Group Ltd., TUI AG, and Tuniu Corp Market dynamics Parent market analysis, Market growth inducers and obstacles, Fast-growing and slow-growing segment analysis, COVID 19 impact and recovery analysis and future consumer dynamics, Market condition analysis for the forecast period Customization purview If our report has not included the data that you are looking for, you can reach out to our analysts and get segments customized.

Table of Contents

1 Executive Summary

1.1 Market overview

Exhibit 01: Executive Summary  Chart on Market Overview



Exhibit 02: Executive Summary  Data Table on Market Overview



Exhibit 03: Executive Summary  Chart on Country Market Characteristics



Exhibit 04: Executive Summary  Chart on Market Segmentation by Type



Exhibit 05: Executive Summary  Chart on Market Segmentation by Product



Exhibit 06: Executive Summary  Chart on Vendor Market Positioning

2 Market Landscape

2.1 Market ecosystem

Exhibit 07: Parent market



Exhibit 08: Market Characteristics

3 Market Sizing

3.1 Market definition

Exhibit 09: Offerings of vendors included in the market definition

3.2 Market segment analysis

Exhibit 10: Market segments

3.3 Market size 2021

3.4 Market outlook: Forecast for 2021-2026

Exhibit 11: Chart on China - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 12: Data Table on China - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 13: Chart on China : Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

: Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 14: Data Table on China : Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

4 Five Forces Analysis

4.1 Five forces summary

Exhibit 15: Five forces analysis - Comparison between2021 and 2026

4.2 Bargaining power of buyers

Exhibit 16: Chart on Bargaining power of buyers  Impact of key factors 2021 and 2026

4.3 Bargaining power of suppliers

Exhibit 17: Bargaining power of suppliers  Impact of key factors in 2021 and 2026

4.4 Threat of new entrants

Exhibit 18: Threat of new entrants  Impact of key factors in 2021 and 2026

4.5 Threat of substitutes

Exhibit 19: Threat of substitutes  Impact of key factors in 2021 and 2026

4.6 Threat of rivalry

Exhibit 20: Threat of rivalry  Impact of key factors in 2021 and 2026

4.7 Market condition

Exhibit 21: Chart on Market condition - Five forces 2021 and 2026

5 Market Segmentation by Type

5.1 Market segments

Exhibit 22: Chart on Type - Market share 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 23: Data Table on Type - Market share 2021-2026 (%)

5.2 Comparison by Type

Exhibit 24: Chart on Comparison by Type



Exhibit 25: Data Table on Comparison by Type

5.3 Outbound tourism - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 26: Chart on Outbound tourism - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 27: Data Table on Outbound tourism - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 28: Chart on Outbound tourism - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 29: Data Table on Outbound tourism - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

5.4 Inbound tourism - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 30: Chart on Inbound tourism - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 31: Data Table on Inbound tourism - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 32: Chart on Inbound tourism - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 33: Data Table on Inbound tourism - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

5.5 Market opportunity by Type

Exhibit 34: Market opportunity by Type ($ million)

6 Market Segmentation by Product

6.1 Market segments

Exhibit 35: Chart on Product - Market share 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 36: Data Table on Product - Market share 2021-2026 (%)

6.2 Comparison by Product

Exhibit 37: Chart on Comparison by Product



Exhibit 38: Data Table on Comparison by Product

6.3 Chain hotels - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 39: Chart on Chain hotels - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 40: Data Table on Chain hotels - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 41: Chart on Chain hotels - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 42: Data Table on Chain hotels - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

6.4 Independent hotels - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 43: Chart on Independent hotels - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 44: Data Table on Independent hotels - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 45: Chart on Independent hotels - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 46: Data Table on Independent hotels - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

6.5 Market opportunity by Product

Exhibit 47: Market opportunity by Product ($ million)

7 Customer Landscape

7.1 Customer landscape overview

Exhibit 48: Analysis of price sensitivity, lifecycle, customer purchase basket, adoption rates, and purchase criteria

8 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends

8.1 Market drivers

8.2 Market challenges

8.3 Impact of drivers and challenges

Exhibit 49: Impact of drivers and challenges in 2021 and 2026

8.4 Market trends

9 Vendor Landscape

9.1 Overview

9.2 Vendor landscape

Exhibit 50: Overview on Criticality of inputs and Factors of differentiation

9.3 Landscape disruption

Exhibit 51: Overview on factors of disruption

9.4 Industry risks

Exhibit 52: Impact of key risks on business

10 Vendor Analysis

10.1 Vendors covered

Exhibit 53: Vendors covered

10.2 Market positioning of vendors

Exhibit 54: Matrix on vendor position and classification

10.3 Expedia Group Inc.

Exhibit 55: Expedia Group Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 56: Expedia Group Inc. - Business segments



Exhibit 57: Expedia Group Inc. - Key offerings



Exhibit 58: Expedia Group Inc. - Segment focus

10.4 Huangshan Tourism Development Co. Ltd.

Exhibit 59: Huangshan Tourism Development Co. Ltd. - Overview



Exhibit 60: Huangshan Tourism Development Co. Ltd. - Product / Service



Exhibit 61: Huangshan Tourism Development Co. Ltd. - Key offerings

10.5 Huazhu Group Ltd.

Exhibit 62: Huazhu Group Ltd. - Overview



Exhibit 63: Huazhu Group Ltd. - Product / Service



Exhibit 64: Huazhu Group Ltd. - Key offerings

10.6 Jin Jiang International Holdings Co. Ltd.

Exhibit 65: Jin Jiang International Holdings Co. Ltd. - Overview



Exhibit 66: Jin Jiang International Holdings Co. Ltd. - Product / Service



Exhibit 67: Jin Jiang International Holdings Co. Ltd. - Key offerings

10.7 Marriott International Inc.

Exhibit 68: Marriott International Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 69: Marriott International Inc. - Business segments



Exhibit 70: Marriott International Inc. - Key offerings



Exhibit 71: Marriott International Inc. - Segment focus

10.8 Shangri La Asia Ltd

Exhibit 72: Shangri La Asia Ltd - Overview



Exhibit 73: Shangri La Asia Ltd - Business segments



Exhibit 74: Shangri La Asia Ltd - Key offerings



Exhibit 75: Shangri La Asia Ltd - Segment focus

10.9 Tongcheng Travel Holdings Ltd.

Exhibit 76: Tongcheng Travel Holdings Ltd. - Overview



Exhibit 77: Tongcheng Travel Holdings Ltd. - Product / Service



Exhibit 78: Tongcheng Travel Holdings Ltd. - Key offerings

10.10 Trip.com Group Ltd.

Exhibit 79: Trip.com Group Ltd. - Overview



Exhibit 80: Trip.com Group Ltd. - Product / Service



Exhibit 81: Trip.com Group Ltd. - Key offerings

10.11 TUI AG

Exhibit 82: TUI AG - Overview

- Overview

Exhibit 83: TUI AG - Business segments

- Business segments

Exhibit 84: TUI AG - Key offerings

- Key offerings

Exhibit 85: TUI AG - Segment focus

10.12 Tuniu Corp

Exhibit 86: Tuniu Corp - Overview



Exhibit 87: Tuniu Corp - Product / Service



Exhibit 88: Tuniu Corp - Key offerings

11 Appendix

11.1 Scope of the report

11.2 Inclusions and exclusions checklist

Exhibit 89: Inclusions checklist



Exhibit 90: Exclusions checklist

11.3 Currency conversion rates for US$

Exhibit 91: Currency conversion rates for US$

11.4 Research methodology

Exhibit 92: Research methodology



Exhibit 93: Validation techniques employed for market sizing



Exhibit 94: Information sources

11.5 List of abbreviations

Exhibit 95: 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 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 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
UW Names New AVP for Human Resources

Robert Link

An experienced human resources leader and administrator has been selected as the University of Wyomings associate vice president for human resources.

Robert Link, who for nearly two decades has been the director of human resources at the University of Findlay (UF) in Findlay, Ohio, will assume his new post at UW Aug. 10.

I would like to thank the members of the search committee for their work in bringing a strong group of finalists for this position to campus, and were delighted that Bob is coming to lead this important office, says Deputy Vice President for Budget and Finance Alex Kean, who oversees UWs Department of Human Resources. Were confident he will lead the HR team to improve processes and service to all units of the university.

Link holds a Master of Business Administration in organizational leadership from UF and a bachelors degree in business administration (marketing) from Butler University.

Before his time as an employee at Findlay, he was a senior procurement analyst for Allstate Insurance Co.

I am excited to be able to apply all that I have learned over my tenure at UF to this new and exciting opportunity, Link says. I look forward to engaging the campus and supporting the needs of the university community in any way that I can.
Major PWater Treatment Services Trends in the Water Treatment Services Procurement Market

The pressure from substitutes and a moderate level of threat from new entrants has resulted in the moderate bargaining power of suppliers. This makes it extremely important to get the pricing and pricing model right. Buyers should align their preferred pricing models for Water Treatment Services with the wider industry and identify the cost-saving potential.

The most widely adopted Pricing Models in the Water Treatment Services Market

in the Water Treatment Services Market Fixed pricing model



Activity based pricing model

Will there be an Increase in the Spend Growth for Water Treatment Services Procurement?

The Water Treatment Services market will register an incremental spend of about USD 84 billion during the forecast period. However, only a few regions will drive the majority of this growth. Moreover, on the supply side, North America, Europe, and APAC will have the maximum influence owing to the supplier base. The growth is expected to be primarily driven by increasing demand and adoption of the category across those few regions. To get a detailed analysis of the volume drivers that are driving the adoption of the category across regions.

https://spendedge.com/sample-report/water-treatment-services-sourcing-and-procurement-intelligence-report

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This procurement report answers help buyers identify and shortlist the most suitable suppliers for their Water Treatment Services Market requirements following questions:

Am I engaging with the right suppliers?

Which KPIs should I use to evaluate my incumbent suppliers?

Which supplier selection criteria are relevant for?

What are the workplace computing devices category essentials in terms of SLAs and RFx?

Get the Details That You Are Looking for:

Buy our detailed market analysis report to uncover:

Changing market landscape with yearly forecast till 2025.

Analyze the market's competitive and vendor landscape.

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Understanding the most adopted procurement strategies by buyers across industries.

Read more about this market from our sample report

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 robust, real-time procurement market intelligence reports and solutions.

Contact

SpendEdge

Anirban Choudhury

Marketing Manager

Ph No: +1 (872) 206-9340

https://www.spendedge.com/contact-us

SOURCE SpendEdge
Technavio identifies A.E.C. CANNING Co. Ltd., American Tuna Inc., Bumble Bee Foods LLC, Century Pacific Food Inc., Crown Prince Inc., Dongwon Group, Golden Prize Canning Co. Ltd., Oceans, Thai Union Group PCL, and Wild Planet Foods Inc. as some of the major market participants. Although the launch of new products, the health benefits associated with tuna consumption, and the rising import and export of canned tuna will offer immense growth opportunities, the adverse effects associated with overconsumption of canned tuna, the growing popularity of vegan tuna, and stringent regulations will challenge the growth of the market participants. To make the most of the opportunities, market vendors should focus more on the growth prospects in the fast-growing segments, while maintaining their positions in the slow-growing segments. Request Sample Report Now

The global canned tuna market is segmented as below:

Product

Canned Skipjack Tuna



Canned Yellowfin Tuna



Canned Albacore Tuna



Other Canned Tuna

The demand for canned skipjack tuna has been significant in the market. Skipjack is a highly migratory fish and is found all over the world within tropical water, particularly within the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans, because of which this species is available throughout the year. The health benefits of skipjack tuna are also contributing to the growth of the segment.

Geography

Europe



North America



APAC



South America

49% of the market growth will originate from Europe during the forecast period. The high consumer demand for canned tuna is driving the growth of the regional market. Also, the increasing health consciousness among consumers and the healthy living trend in Europe are contributing to the growth of the market. Technavio presents a detailed picture of the market by the way of study, synthesis, and summation of data from multiple sources. Our canned tuna market report covers the following areas:

Canned Tuna Market 2021-2025: Vendor Analysis

We provide a detailed analysis of around 25 vendors operating in the canned tuna market, including some of the dominating vendors. Backed with competitive intelligence and benchmarking, our research report on the canned tuna market is designed to provide entry support, customer profile, and M&As as well as go-to-market strategy support.

Canned Tuna Market 2021-2025: Key Highlights

CAGR of the market during the forecast period 2021-2025

Detailed information on factors that will assist canned tuna market growth during the next five years

Estimation of the canned tuna market size and its contribution to the parent market

Predictions on upcoming trends and changes in consumer behavior

The growth of the canned tuna market

Analysis of the market's competitive landscape and detailed information on vendors

Comprehensive details of factors that will challenge the growth of canned tuna market vendors

Related Reports:

Canned Tuna Market Scope Report Coverage Details Page number 120 Base year 2020 Forecast period 2021-2025 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 4.26% Market growth 2021-2025 USD 3.63 billion Market structure Fragmented YoY growth (%) 3.39 Regional analysis Europe, North America, APAC, and South America Performing market contribution Europe at 49% Key consumer countries US, Spain, Germany, Japan, and Canada Competitive landscape Leading companies, competitive strategies, consumer engagement scope Companies profiled A.E.C. CANNING Co. Ltd., American Tuna Inc., Bumble Bee Foods LLC, Century Pacific Food Inc., Crown Prince Inc., Dongwon Group, Golden Prize Canning Co. Ltd., Oceans, Thai Union Group PCL, and Wild Planet Foods 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, 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

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

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 Canned skipjack tuna - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

Exhibit 17: Canned skipjack tuna - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 ($ million)



Exhibit 18: Canned skipjack tuna - Year-over-year growth 2020-2025 (%)

5.4 Canned yellowfin tuna - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

Exhibit 19: Canned yellowfin tuna - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 ($ million)



Exhibit 20: Canned yellowfin tuna - Year-over-year growth 2020-2025 (%)

5.5 Canned albacore tuna - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

Exhibit 21: Canned albacore tuna - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 ($ million)



Exhibit 22: Canned albacore tuna - Year-over-year growth 2020-2025 (%)

5.6 Other canned tuna - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

Exhibit 23: Other canned tuna - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 ($ million)



Exhibit 24: Other canned tuna - Year-over-year growth 2020-2025 (%)

5.7 Market opportunity by Product

Exhibit 25: Market opportunity by Product

6 Customer landscape

7 Geographic Landscape

7.1 Geographic segmentation

Exhibit 27: Market share by geography 2020-2025 (%)

7.2 Geographic comparison

Exhibit 28: Geographic comparison

7.3 Europe - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

- Market size and forecast 2020-2025 Exhibit 29: Europe - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2020-2025 ($ million)

Exhibit 30: Europe - Year-over-year growth 2020-2025 (%)

7.4 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 (%)

7.5 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 (%)

7.6 MEA - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

Exhibit 35: MEA - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 ($ million)



Exhibit 36: MEA - Year-over-year growth 2020-2025 (%)

7.7 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 (%)

7.8 Key leading countries

Exhibit 39: Key leading countries

7.9 Market opportunity by geography

Exhibit 40: Market opportunity by geography

8 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends

8.1 Market drivers

8.2 Market challenges

Exhibit 41: Impact of drivers and challenges

8.3 Market trends

9 Vendor Landscape

9.1 Overview

9.2 Vendor landscape

Exhibit 42: Vendor landscape

9.3 Landscape disruption

Exhibit 43: Landscape disruption



Exhibit 44: Industry risks

10 Vendor Analysis

10.1 Vendors covered

Exhibit 45: Vendors covered

10.2 Market positioning of vendors

Exhibit 46: Market positioning of vendors

10.3 A.E.C. CANNING Co. Ltd.

Exhibit 47: A.E.C. CANNING Co. Ltd. - Overview



Exhibit 48: A.E.C. CANNING Co. Ltd. - Product and service



Exhibit 49: A.E.C. CANNING Co. Ltd. - Key offerings

10.4 American Tuna Inc.

Exhibit 50: American Tuna Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 51: American Tuna Inc. - Product and service



Exhibit 52: American Tuna Inc. - Key offerings

10.5 Bumble Bee Foods LLC

Exhibit 53: Bumble Bee Foods LLC - Overview



Exhibit 54: Bumble Bee Foods LLC - Product and service



Exhibit 55: Bumble Bee Foods LLC - Key news



Exhibit 56: Bumble Bee Foods LLC - Key offerings

10.6 Century Pacific Food Inc.

Exhibit 57: Century Pacific Food Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 58: Century Pacific Food Inc. - Business segments



Exhibit 59: Century Pacific Food Inc. - Key news



Exhibit 60: Century Pacific Food Inc. - Key offerings



Exhibit 61: Century Pacific Food Inc. - Segment focus

10.7 Crown Prince Inc.

Exhibit 62: Crown Prince Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 63: Crown Prince Inc. - Product and service



Exhibit 64: Crown Prince Inc. - Key offerings

10.8 Dongwon Group

Exhibit 65: Dongwon Group - Overview



Exhibit 66: Dongwon Group - Product and service



Exhibit 67: Dongwon Group - Key news



Exhibit 68: Dongwon Group - Key offerings

10.9 Golden Prize Canning Co. Ltd.

Exhibit 69: Golden Prize Canning Co. Ltd. - Overview



Exhibit 70: Golden Prize Canning Co. Ltd. - Product and service



Exhibit 71: Golden Prize Canning Co. Ltd. - Key offerings

10.10 Oceans

Exhibit 72: Oceans - Overview



Exhibit 73: Oceans - Product and service



Exhibit 74: Oceans - Key offerings

10.11 Thai Union Group PCL

Exhibit 75: Thai Union Group PCL - Overview



Exhibit 76: Thai Union Group PCL - Business segments



Exhibit 77: Thai Union Group PCL - Key news



Exhibit 78: Thai Union Group PCL - Key offerings



Exhibit 79: Thai Union Group PCL - Segment focus

10.12 Wild Planet Foods Inc.

Exhibit 80: Wild Planet Foods Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 81: Wild Planet Foods Inc. - Product and service



Exhibit 82: Wild Planet Foods Inc. - Key offerings

11 Appendix

11.1 Scope of the report

11.2 Currency conversion rates for US$

Exhibit 83: Currency conversion rates for US$

11.3 Research methodology

Exhibit 84: Research Methodology



Exhibit 85: Validation techniques employed for market sizing



Exhibit 86: Information sources

11.4 List of abbreviations

Exhibit 87: 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 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 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
Technavio analyzes the market by Product (Food and beverages, Personal and household care, Apparel and footwear, Electrical and electronics, and Others) and Distribution Channel (Offline and Online). The rising prominence of in-store bakeries in supermarkets is expected to have a positive impact on the growth of the retail market in the Philippines during the forecast period.

The food and beverage sector's retail market share growth in the Philippines will be substantial. The increase in purchasing power of individuals in producing regions like Manila and Calabarzon, as well as the rising trend in commodity prices, would contribute to the expansion. Additionally, consumers in the Philippines are becoming more interested in purchasing imported items, particularly processed foods, which are predicted to rise at the fastest rate during the forecast period. Buy Sample Report.

The growing competition in the retail industry in the Philippines is compelling vendors to adopt various growth strategies such as promotional activities and spending on advertisements to improve the visibility of their services. Some vendors are also adopting inorganic growth strategies such as M&As to remain competitive in the market.

The report analyzes the market's competitive landscape and offers information on several market vendors, including:

Cosco Capital Inc.- The company offers its customers various products from reputable brands ranging from the latest technology items to office and school supplies and modern functional furniture pieces.

The company offers its customers various products from reputable brands ranging from the latest technology items to office and school supplies and modern functional furniture pieces. Fast Retailing Co. Ltd.- The company develops products to suit changing customer lifestyles, and build more attractive shopping environments for customers.

The company develops products to suit changing customer lifestyles, and build more attractive shopping environments for customers. Metro Retail Stores Group Inc.- The company is engaged in the business of trading goods, commodities, wares, and merchandise of any kind, such as clothes, bags, accessories, toys, and household goods.

The company is engaged in the business of trading goods, commodities, wares, and merchandise of any kind, such as clothes, bags, accessories, toys, and household goods. New City Commercial Corp- The company operates a wide range of commercial stores and malls, such as Choice Mart, Play Planet, HB1 Pharmacy, and many more.

The company operates a wide range of commercial stores and malls, such as Choice Mart, Play Planet, HB1 Pharmacy, and many more. Robinsons Retail Holding Inc.- The company operates retail businesses such as supermarkets, department stores, DIY stores, convenience stores, drug stores, and specialty stores.

Find additional highlights on the growth strategies adopted by vendors and their product

offerings, Read Sample Report.

Related Reports:

Online Children and Maternity Apparel Market in MENA Growth, Size, Trends, Analysis Report by Type, Application, Region, and Segment Forecast 2022-2026: The online children's and maternity apparel market share in MENA is expected to increase by USD 886.26 million from 2021 to 2026, and the market's growth momentum will accelerate at a CAGR of 5.55%.

Instant Grocery Market Growth, Size, Trends, Analysis Report by Type, Application, Region, and Segment Forecast 2022-2026: The instant grocery market share is expected to increase to USD 123.85 billion from 2021 to 2026, and the market's growth momentum will accelerate at a CAGR of 16.88%.

Retail Market Scope in the Philippines Report Coverage Details Page number 120 Base year 2021 Forecast period 2022-2026 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 11.68% Market growth 2022-2026 $ 70.67 billion Market structure Fragmented YoY growth (%) 10.42 Competitive landscape Leading companies, Competitive Strategies, Consumer engagement scope Key companies profiled Amazon.com Inc., Cosco Capital Inc., Fast Retailing Co. Ltd., Mercury Drug Corp., Metro Retail Stores Group Inc., New City Commercial Corp, Robinsons Retail Holding Inc., Seven and I Holdings Co. Ltd., SM Investments Corp, and SSI Group 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

Executive Summary

Market Landscape

Market ecosystem

Value chain analysis

Market Sizing

Market Definition

Market segment analysis

Market size 2021

Market outlook: Forecast for 2021 - 2026

Five Forces Analysis

Five forces summary

Bargaining power of buyers

Bargaining power of suppliers

The threat of new entrants

Threat of substitutes

Threat of rivalry

Market condition

Market Segmentation by Product

Market segments

Comparison by Product

Food and beverages - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Personal and household care - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Apparel and footwear - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Electrical and electronics - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Others - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Market opportunity by Product

Market Segmentation by Distribution channel

Market segments

Comparison by Distribution channel

Offline - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Online - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Market opportunity by Distribution channel

Customer landscape

Market drivers

Market challenges

Market trends

Vendor Landscape

Vendor Landscape

Landscape disruption

Vendor Analysis

Vendors covered

Market positioning of vendors

Amazon.com Inc.

Cosco Capital Inc.

Fast Retailing Co. Ltd.

Mercury Drug Corp.

Metro Retail Stores Group Inc.

New City Commercial Corp

Robinsons Retail Holding Inc.

Seven and I Holdings Co. Ltd.

SM Investments Corp

SSI Group Inc.

Appendix

Scope of the report

Currency conversion rates for US$

Research Methodology

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
Reports Preliminary Financial Results for Fiscal Third Quarter 2022

Transaction will successfully complete separation of Global Products and Retail Services businesses transforming Valvoline into a pure-play automotive service provider with targeted 20%+ earnings per share (EPS) growth

Valvoline to capitalize on highly compelling growth opportunities, while accelerating Retail Services evolution as hybrid and electric vehicle (EV) population grows

Valvoline expects to use estimated $2.25 billion in net cash proceeds from Global Products sale to accelerate return of capital to shareholders, reduce debt and invest in Retail Services business

in net cash proceeds from Global Products sale to accelerate return of capital to shareholders, reduce debt and invest in Retail Services business Preliminary revenue for fiscal Q3 2022 of $957 million , reported diluted EPS of $0.55 and adjusted EPS of $0.58

, reported diluted EPS of and adjusted EPS of Valvoline to host conference call at 9 am ET today

LEXINGTON, Ky., Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Valvoline Inc. (NYSE: VVV), a global leader in vehicle care powering the future of mobility through innovative services and products, today announced that it has reached a definitive agreement with Aramco for the sale of Valvoline's Global Products business for $2.65 billion in cash.

"The sale of Global Products will represent the successful outcome of our strategy to unlock the full, long-term value of our strong but differentiated Retail Services and Global Products businesses," said Sam Mitchell, Valvoline CEO. "We have built two leading businesses that are well-positioned for continued success as they pursue their individual strategic priorities.

"After closing, we will focus on our market leading Retail Services business, including further enhancing our growth trajectory and world-class service model. Retail Services will benefit from a strong balance sheet and a clear strategy for value creation, including extending our world-class preventive auto maintenance service model to EV owners, OEMs and fleets as the car parc evolves.

"We are pleased that our Global Products team will have a strategic new home with Aramco to further invest and grow the business while developing the brand into a global lubricants leader. The partnership between the world's leading energy producer and one of the world's most trusted global lubricant brands creates a powerful combination that delivers meaningful benefits to employees, customers  including the Retail Services business  suppliers and investors."

"Valvoline's Global Products business fits perfectly with Aramco's growth strategy for lubricants as it will leverage our global base oils production, contribute to our R&D capabilities and strengthen our existing relationships with OEMs. Valvoline's brand strength and global recognition will continue to be developed and extended under Aramco's stewardship. We are also very excited to have the outstanding people of Valvoline's Global Products join the Aramco family as we continue to execute on our ambitious strategy," said Mohammed Y. Qahtani, Senior Vice President of Downstream at Aramco.

Upon completion of the sale, Valvoline expects to use the majority of the anticipated net after-tax cash proceeds of approximately $2.25 billion to accelerate the return of capital to shareholders through share repurchases, with the remaining portion used for debt reduction and to invest in attractive growth opportunities in the Retail Services business.

Following the closing of the transaction, Valvoline will own the Valvoline brand for all retail services purposes globally, excluding China and certain countries in the Middle East and North Africa, while Aramco will own the Valvoline brand for all products uses globally. Valvoline and Aramco will expand their existing partnership to ensure that Valvoline's iconic brand is managed in a consistent and holistic manner. In addition, Valvoline will procure motor oil and related products from the Global Products business through a long-term supply agreement.

Completion of the transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals. The transaction is targeted to close in late calendar year 2022 or early 2023.

Compelling Opportunities for Standalone Retail Services Company

The transaction will have compelling benefits for Valvoline, including:

Driving Retail Growth: The separation will allow Valvoline to focus on capturing the compelling growth of Retail Services building on 15 consecutive years of same-store sales growth, by continued investments in expansion of its retail footprint, with an increased emphasis on franchisee growth, and its already superior in-store customer experience.

The separation will allow Valvoline to focus on capturing the compelling growth of Retail Services building on 15 consecutive years of same-store sales growth, by continued investments in expansion of its retail footprint, with an increased emphasis on franchisee growth, and its already superior in-store customer experience. Accelerating Retail Services' Evolution: Retail Services is well-positioned to capture opportunities from an evolving car parc by extending its world-class preventive auto maintenance service model to EV owners, OEMs and fleets, allowing Valvoline to leverage the strong momentum Retail Services has established long into the future.

Retail Services is well-positioned to capture opportunities from an evolving car parc by extending its world-class preventive auto maintenance service model to EV owners, OEMs and fleets, allowing Valvoline to leverage the strong momentum Retail Services has established long into the future. Optimizing Capital Structure and Capital Allocation Policies: The Company will have increased capital allocation flexibility and a targeted capital structure better aligned with Retail Services' distinct value creation propositions. The business will benefit from a strong balance sheet to support Valvoline's growth profile while returning capital to shareholders.

The Company will have increased capital allocation flexibility and a targeted capital structure better aligned with Retail Services' distinct value creation propositions. The business will benefit from a strong balance sheet to support Valvoline's growth profile while returning capital to shareholders. Enhancing Corporate Governance and Focus: Operating Retail Services as an independent company will allow the management team to focus on unlocking the full potential of the business with the support of its Board of Directors, who bring significant automotive experience and a strong track record in retail services. Valvoline, operating solely as a retail services business, will be led by Sam Mitchell , CEO, and Lori Flees , President.

Based on currently available information, the Company expects Retail Services sales of approximately $1.5 billion in fiscal 2022, an increase of more than 20% from fiscal 2021.

Preliminary Financial Results for Q3 2022

Valvoline also reported the following preliminary financial results for the fiscal third quarter ending June 30, 2022:

Preliminary reported net income of $99 million and diluted EPS of $0.55

and diluted EPS of Preliminary adjusted EPS of $0.58 and adjusted EBITDA of $180 million

and adjusted EBITDA of Preliminary revenue of $957 million

Preliminary Retail Services sales growth of 16% and system-wide same store sales (SSS) growth of 9.9% and an ending net system-wide store count of 1,690

Preliminary Global Products sales growth of 24% and volume growth of 9%

The Company intends to report full financial results for the fiscal third quarter on August 3, 2022 and host an earnings conference call at 9 am ET on August 4, 2022.

Advisors

Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC is serving as financial advisor and Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP is serving as legal advisor to Valvoline.

Conference Call and Webcast

Valvoline will hold a conference call today at 9 am ET to discuss the transaction. The conference call and supporting materials will be available via live webcast accessible on Valvoline's investor relations website at http://investors.valvoline.com . The conference may also be accessed via telephone at +1-844-200-6205, access code 236121. Following the live event, an archived version of the webcast and supporting materials will be available.

Preliminary Results

The estimates above represent the most current information available and do not present all information necessary for an understanding of the Company's results of operations for the three months ended June 30, 2022. Valvoline has provided an estimate for the preliminary and unaudited results described above primarily because the Company's financial closing procedures for the three months ended June 30, 2022 are not yet complete. As a result, there is a possibility that the Company's final results will vary materially from these preliminary estimates as a result of the completion of normal quarter-end accounting procedures and adjustments, including the execution of the Company's internal control over financial reporting, the completion of the preparation and review of the Company's financial statements for the three months ended June 30, 2022 and the subsequent occurrence or identification of events prior to the formal issuance of the Company's financial results for the three months ended June 30, 2022. Valvoline undertakes no obligation to update or supplement the information provided above until the Company releases its results of operations for the three months ended June 30, 2022.

Key Business Measures

Valvoline tracks its operating performance and manages its business using certain key measures, including system-wide store counts and SSS as well as lubricant volumes sold. Management believes these measures are useful to evaluating and understanding Valvoline's operating performance and should be considered as supplements to, not substitutes for, Valvoline's sales and operating income, as determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

Sales in the Retail Services segment are influenced by the number of service center stores and the business performance of those stores. Stores are considered open upon acquisition or opening for business. Temporary store closings remain in the respective store counts with only permanent store closures reflected in the activity and end of period store counts. SSS is defined as sales by U.S. Retail Services stores (company-operated, franchised and the combination of these for system-wide SSS), with new stores, including franchised conversions, excluded from the metric until the completion of their first full fiscal year in operation as this period is generally required for new store sales levels to begin to normalize.

Retail Services sales are limited to sales at company-operated stores, sales of lubricants and other products to independent franchise and Express Care operators, in addition to royalties and other fees from franchised stores. Although Valvoline does not recognize store-level sales from franchised stores as sales in its Statements of Consolidated Income, management believes system-wide and franchised SSS comparisons and store counts are useful to assess market position relative to competitors and overall store and segment operating performance.

Management believes lubricant volumes sold is a useful measure in evaluating and understanding the operating performance of the Global Products segment.

Use of Non-GAAP Measures

To supplement the financial measures prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP, certain items herein are presented on an adjusted basis. The following non-GAAP measures are included herein: Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EPS. These non-GAAP measures have limitations as analytical tools and should not be considered in isolation from, or as an alternative to, or more meaningful than, financial results determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Refer to Tables 1 and 2 herein for management's definition of each non-GAAP measure and reconciliation to the most comparable U.S. GAAP measures.

Adjusted profitability measures enable comparison of financial trends and results between periods where certain items may vary independent of business performance. These adjusted measures exclude the impact of certain unusual, infrequent or non-operational activity not directly attributable to the underlying business, which management believes impacts the comparability of operational results between periods ("key items").

Management believes the use of non-GAAP measures provide a useful supplemental presentation of Valvoline's operating performance and allows for transparency with respect to key metrics used by management in operating the business and measuring performance.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this press release, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements may include, without limitation, statements about the proposed transaction, the expected timetable for completing the proposed transaction, the benefits and synergies of the proposed transaction, future opportunities for the standalone Retail Services company and any other statements regarding Valvoline's and Aramco's future operations, financial or operating results, capital allocation, debt ratio, anticipated business levels, future earnings, dividend policy, anticipated growth, market opportunities, strategies, competition, and other expectations and targets for future periods. Valvoline has identified some of these forward-looking statements with words such as "anticipates," "believes," "expects," "estimates," "is likely," "predicts," "projects," "forecasts," "may," "will," "should" and "intends" and the negative of these words or other comparable terminology. These forward-looking statements are based on Valvoline's current expectations, estimates, projections and assumptions as of the date such statements are made and are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause Valvoline's actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include: uncertainties as to the timing of the sale of Global Products and the risk that the transaction may not be completed in a timely manner or at all, the possibility that any or all of the conditions to the consummation of the sale of Global Products may not be satisfied or waived, the effect of the announcement or pendency of the transaction on Valvoline's ability to retain and hire key personnel and to maintain relationships with customers, supplier and other business partners, risks related to diverting management's attention from Valvoline's ongoing business operations, uncertainties as to Valvoline's ability and the amount of time necessary to realize the expected benefits of the transaction, changes in the economic and financial conditions of Valvoline's business and uncertainties and matters beyond the control of management and other factors described in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), including in the "Risk Factors," "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and "Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk" sections of Valvoline's most recently filed periodic reports on Forms 10-K and 10-Q, which are available on Valvoline's website at http://investors.valvoline.com/sec-filings or on the SEC's website at http://sec.gov. Valvoline assumes no obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements for any reason, even if new information becomes available in the future, unless required by law.

About Valvoline

Valvoline Inc. (NYSE: VVV) is a global leader in vehicle care powering the future of mobility through innovative services and products for vehicles with electric , hybrid and internal combustion powertrains. Established in 1866, the Company introduced the world's first branded motor oil and developed strong brand recognition and customer satisfaction ratings over the years across multiple service and product channels. The Company operates and franchises approximately 1,700 service center locations and is the No. 2 and No. 3 largest chain in the U.S. and Canada, respectively, by number of stores. With sales in more than 140 countries and territories, Valvoline's solutions are available for every engine and drivetrain, including high-mileage and heavy-duty vehicles, and are offered at more than 80,000 locations worldwide. Creating the next generation of advanced automotive solutions, Valvoline has established itself as the world's leading supplier of battery fluids to electric vehicle manufacturers, offering tailored products to help extend vehicle range and efficiency. To learn more, or to find a Valvoline service center near you, visit www.valvoline.com .

TM Trademark, Valvoline or its subsidiaries, registered in various countries

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION

Investor Relations

Sean T. Cornett

+1 (859) 357-3155

[email protected]

Media Relations

Michele Gaither Sparks

+1 (859) 230-8097

[email protected]

FGS Global

Jamie Tully / Devin Broda / Warren Rizzi

(212) 687-8080

[email protected]

Valvoline Inc. and Consolidated Subsidiaries

Table 1 RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP DATA - NET INCOME AND DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE (In millions, except per share amounts - preliminary and unaudited)















Three months ended

June 30

2022 Reported net income

$ 99 Adjustments:





Net pension and other postretirement plan income

(10)

Legacy and separation-related expenses

11

LIFO charge

8

Business interruption recovery

(2)

Total adjustments, pre-tax

7

Income tax benefit of adjustments

(2)

Total adjustments, after tax

5 Adjusted net income (a)

$ 104





Reported diluted earnings per share

$ 0.55 Adjusted diluted earnings per share (b)

$ 0.58







Weighted average diluted common shares outstanding

180

(a) Adjusted net income is defined as net income adjusted for key items. Refer to "Use of Non-GAAP measures" in this press release for management's definition of key items. (b) Adjusted diluted earnings per share is defined as earnings per diluted share calculated using adjusted net income.

Valvoline Inc. and Consolidated Subsidiaries

Table 2 RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP DATA - ADJUSTED EBITDA



(In millions - preliminary and unaudited)













Three months ended



June 30



2022 Net income

$ 99 Add:



Income tax expense

30 Net interest and other financing expenses

19 Depreciation and amortization

25 EBITDA (a)

173 Key items:



Net pension and other postretirement plan income

(10) Legacy and separation-related expenses

11 LIFO charge

8 Business interruption recoveries

(2) Key items - subtotal

7 Adjusted EBITDA (a)

$ 180

(a) EBITDA is defined as net income, plus income tax expense, net interest and other financing expenses, and depreciation and amortization. Adjusted EBITDA is EBITDA adjusted for key items, as described in "Use of Non-GAAP Measures" within this press release.

SOURCE Valvoline Inc.
LOS LUNAS, N.M., Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- On Saturday, August 6, 2022, the National Alliance for Hispanic Health, Healthy Americas Foundation, and Youth Development Inc. in Valencia County will celebrate their 16th annual Vive tu vida! Get Up! Get Moving! event in Los Lunas. The event includes free health screenings, COVID-19 tests and vaccines and boosters, cooking demonstrations, health and wellness activities for the whole family, and referrals to community health services. The 2022 event series is sponsored nationally by the Siemens Foundation.

"Get Up and Get Moving provides youth and families of Valencia County with opportunities improve both their physical and mental health. YDI is thankful for the long partnership and sponsorship from our national sponsors, the National Alliance for Hispanic Health and the Siemens Foundation for sponsoring the health fair," said Robert Chavez, CEO of Youth Development Inc.

"Reducing health disparities requires multi-faceted approaches and we're honored during these health fairs to promote health and wellness for the entire family," said Dave Pacitti, President, Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.; Head of the Americas, Siemens Healthineers; and member of the Siemens Foundation Board of Directors. "We're committed to advancing health equity by promoting primary healthcare, diagnostic screening, workforce training for the healthcare sector, and capital loan support for community clinics, and thrilled to support Vive tu vida! Get Up! Get Moving! in Los Lunas," concluded David Etzwiler, CEO of Siemens Foundation.

"It is especially important that communities have access to health screenings, given the millions of important screenings that were missed or delayed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic," said Dr. Jane Delgado, President and CEO of the National Alliance for Hispanic Health, the nation's leading Hispanic health advocacy group. "We also celebrate the 16th year of Vive tu vida! Get Up! Get Moving! in Los Lunas with Youth Development Inc. as well all the efforts to support individuals and families have the best health possible."

What: Vive tu vida! Get Up! Get Moving! event featuring:

Free Health Screenings: including blood pressure, diabetes testing, and mammograms

including blood pressure, diabetes testing, and mammograms Fitness: martial arts presentation

martial arts presentation Healthy snacks: produce giveaway and nutrition education

produce giveaway and nutrition education Family fun: Games, raffles, and much more!

Where: Meadow Lake Community Center, 100 Cuerro Lane, Los Lunas, NM 87031

When: Saturday, August 6, 2022 from 9:00am to 1:00pm

Cost: FREE!

To find a Vive tu vida! Get Up! Get Moving! event in your city, please call the Su Familia Helpline at 1-866-783-265 or visit www.healthyamericas.org/get-up-get-moving.

SOURCE National Alliance for Hispanic Health
Wemade and Blockdaemon team up to support the growth and development of the WEMIX3.0 ecosystem

Blockdaemon joins the Wemix Node Councip Partnership (40 WONDERS)

Under the agreement, Blockdaemon to provide node infrastructure for a strategic expansion of technical, advisory and security terms

SINGAPORE, Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Wemade, a pioneer in game development, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Blockdaemon, the leading global institutional-grade blockchain infrastructure company, to support the growth and development of the WEMIX3.0 ecosystem.

Blockdaemon became the 7th member of the Wemix Node Council Partnership (NCP), also known as the 40 WONDERS following Wemade, Klaytn, Naver Cloud (NC), Logtu Game, Kakao Games, and SK Square. Blockdaemon, as a core infrastructure platform, will become one of the key decision-makers in the WEMIX3.0 ecosystem and a driver for efficient decentralization of Wemade's own blockchain mainnet. The terms of the MOU allow for a strategic expansion of technical, advisory, and security terms.

Established in 2017, Blockdaemon's complete 'node stack' supports over 55 protocols, including 31 proof-of-stake protocols such as ETH 2.0, Polkadot, Tezos, Polygon/Matic, Cardano, and NFT API functionality from its Ubiquity API Suite, while providing additional services such as node infrastructure, staking, payments, and API access to on-chain data. With the recent announcement of their ISO 27001:2017 certification, the recognition of a gold-standard information security system, Blockdaemon continues to add to their robust 'security first' approach to enable companies to start, grow and scale their crypto offerings.

"WEMIX3.0 is currently partnering with many global companies and projects to join the node council partners, so we are very happy to welcome Blockdaemon and its world-class blockchain infrastructure specialists," said Henry Chang, CEO of Wemade. "With 100% fully-reserved stablecoin WEMIX$ and transparent node councils, we will expand to a more sustainable and open mainnet."

"We are thrilled to have partnered with Wemade in support of WEMIX3.0 and we look forward to helping the Wemade community further solidify and strengthen the WEMIX ecosystem, helping set them up for their long-term growth strategies," says Andrew Vranjes, Blockdaemon APAC GM and VP of Sales.

Wemade, founded in February 2000, is a gaming company based in South Korea. With its flagship game, The Legend of Mir 2, it has maintained its reputation and popularity to this day. Currently it's servicing games on an open blockchain gaming platform WEMIX and issuing its key currency, the WEMIX Token. Through WEMIX3.0, it plans to build a platform-driven, service-oriented mega-ecosystem where the mainnet, WEMIX PLAY, WEMIX DeFi Service and a DAO-based platform, NILE co-exist.

From July 1, Wemade has been undergoing tests to stabilize the WEMIX3.0 platform. It plans to launch the mainnet after multiple verifications of the testnet.

SOURCE Wemade Co., Ltd
HOUSTON, Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Winston & Strawn LLP announced today that Justin F. Hoffman has joined the firm as a partner in the Houston office. Justin is a member of the firm's Transactions Department and focuses his practice on corporate finance, M&A transactions, and governance and compliance matters.

Justin regularly advises clients on public and private capital markets transactions, acquisition financing, and special situations and Chapter 11 proceedings. He has significant experience in high-yield and convertible debt securities and has led billions of dollars of bond transactions for both issuers and underwriters, including some of the largest energy players in Texas and the Southeast. He has also represented clients in mergers and acquisitions, including both public and private-company transactions.

"Winston & Strawn is a highly respected firm with a strong culture of collaboration and experience in corporate transactions," said Justin. "I have worked alongside Winston attorneys for years and look forward to delivering value as we help clients navigate the complexities of the current market."

"Houston today is an international hub for increasingly large M&A deals and strategic acquisitions," said Mike Blankenship, Houston office managing partner. "Justin's talent for structuring intricate agreements for some of the largest corporations in the world will serve Winston well as we continue to attract clients in the energy sector."

In addition to the energy sector, Justin provides legal counsel to clients in the financial services industry as well as public and private companies, underwriters, and investors in the technology, media, and telecommunications (TMT) sector.

"Winston is committed to bringing top-tier talent like Justin to increase our capabilities and help clients navigate a changing landscape," said Winston Chairman Tom Fitzgerald. "Any potential market downturn is expected to have a significant impact on the complexity and nature of corporate transactions."

Winston & Strawn LLP is an international law firm with 16 offices in North America, South America, Asia, and Europe. More information about the firm is available at www.winston.com .

Contact:

Michael Goodwin

[email protected]

646-502-3595

SOURCE Winston & Strawn LLP
NEW YORK, Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- As per Zion Market Research study, The global marine electronics market size was worth around USD 4,824.1 million in 2021 and is estimated to grow to about USD 6,501.7 million by 2028, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 5.1% over the forecast period.

Marine Electronics Market: Overview

Marine electronics refers to the electronics gear created or intended for use on yachts and ships that is used in a marine environment. These electronic items are typically water-resistant or waterproof. The market is expanding as a result of the global marine and industrial electronics products market, which is expanding quickly. A rise in the market for marine transportation, a surge in the adoption of sonar & radar systems for search and rescue operations, and rapid uptake of marine safety protocols are expected to boost global marine electronics market growth during the forecast period. The marine electronics industry is also expected to see increasing applications of navigation, safety, marine communication, and fishing electronics. The market is also expanding due to the increasing adoption of different vessel management systems like vessel traffic management. The high cost of marine electronics devices and occasionally occurring technical issues with hardware or software are significant restraints on the market's growth.

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Key Industry Insights & Findings of the Marine Electronics Market Reports:

As per the analysis shared by our research analyst, the Marine Electronics Market is expected to grow annually at a CAGR of around 5.1 % (2022-2028).

(2022-2028). Through the primary research, it was established that the Marine Electronics Market was valued at approximately USD 4824.1 million in 2021 and is projected to reach roughly USD 6501.7 million by 2028.

million in 2021 and is projected to reach roughly million by 2028. The globalization of maritime trade and transportation, as well as the rising use of sophisticated marine electronics for military purposes, is expected to fuel the growth of the marine electronics market during the forecast period.

The market growth in North America is being driven by a significant presence of numerous marine electronics device manufacturing businesses and rising sales of GPS systems.

is being driven by a significant presence of numerous marine electronics device manufacturing businesses and rising sales of GPS systems. Growing investment in GPS and autonomous underwater vehicle systems, together with advancements in the marine industry, are factors boosting the market's overall growth.

A significant investment gap has been one of the market's biggest obstacles, and this is further complicating matters if the manufacturers want to increase the size of the worldwide market and the range of goods they can offer the intended customer base.

Zion Market Research published the latest report titled "Marine Electronics Market By Component (Hardware and Software), By Application (Merchant Marine Electronics, Fishing Vessel Electronics, Yacht/Recreation Boat Electronics, Military Naval Electronics, Autonomous Shipping Electronics, Smart Boat Electronics, and Underwater Drone Electronics), and By Region - Global and Regional Industry Overview, Market Intelligence, Comprehensive Analysis, Historical Data, and Forecasts 2022  2028." into their research database.

Industry Dynamics:

Marine Electronics Market: Growth Drivers

Rising use of sophisticated marine electronics for military purposes to drive market growth.

The growing desire for electronics on marine tours and other sea life by a sizable portion of the public are the main factors that are fueling significant and widespread demand for the industry. The rising use of sophisticated marine electronics for military purposes along with globalization of maritime trade and transportation, is expected to fuel the growth of the marine electronics market during the forecast period. Additionally, the large increase in earnings that individuals have seen as a result of the establishment of higher work positions has improved their situation, which is fueling demand for the military electronics. The need for maritime electronic equipment is influenced by the growing use of contemporary digital navigation, sonars, and radars for proximity sensing and other applications.

Marine Electronics Market: Restraints

Lack of investment is likely to restrain the market expansion to a certain extent.

A significant investment gap has been one of the market's biggest obstacles, and this is further complicating matters if the manufacturers want to increase the size of the worldwide market and the range of goods they can offer the intended customer base. Additionally, the target audience's lack of awareness about the subject is likely to prevent the worldwide marine electronics industry from reaching its ideal sales level.

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Global Marine Electronics Market: Segmentation

The global marine electronics market is segregated on the basis of components, applications, and region.

By component, the market is divided into hardware and software. With the growing use of GPS and sonar technologies by merchant navy and marine forces, the hardware sector of the market is anticipated to hold the biggest market share during the forecast period, which ends in 2028. The market segment is expanding as a result of the growing naval footprint of the armed forces brought on by the acquisition of new ships and submarines as well as upgrading initiatives for current naval vessels. Additionally, increased marine trade, oil & gas development, dredging, and fishing operations are also credited with the market's expansion. During the projected period, there is anticipated to be a significant increase in demand for improved sonar systems from the nations that depend on basic fish finders. Technology developments may prompt nations to buy cutting-edge sonar systems for their naval fleets, which is anticipated to fuel the market's expansion shortly.

By application, the global marine electronics market is divided into merchant marine electronics, fishing vessel electronics, yacht/recreation boat electronics, military naval electronics, autonomous shipping electronics, smart boat electronics, and underwater drone electronics. In 2021, the merchant marine held a 41.2 percent share of the global market. The maritime sector has seen a tremendous increase in digital momentum, with increased autonomy being the ultimate goal. Modern maritime communication and navigation systems' technological advancements continue to drive developments in marine electronics. The risk of accidents is rising due to increased usage of the sea or the air for transportation of people or goods, which is driving the market for marine electronics, particularly marine electrical screeners. The global marine electronics market is anticipated to grow as a result of the increasing use of unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) and anti-submarine warfare (ASW) systems, as well as increased emphasis on enhancing marine transportation safety.

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List of Key Players in Marine Electronics Market:

Navico

FLIR Systems

Furuno Electric

Wartsila SAM Electronics

Raytheon Company

Icom Inc.

SRT Marine Systems

Thales Group

Ultra Electronics

Kongsberg Gruppen ASA

Northrop Grumman Corporation.

Key questions answered in this report:

What are the growth rate forecast and market size for Marine Electronics Market?

What are the key driving factors propelling the Marine Electronics Market forward?

What are the most important companies in the Marine Electronics Market Industry?

What segments does the Marine Electronics Market cover?

How can I receive a free copy of the Marine Electronics Market sample report and company profiles?

Report Scope:

Report Attribute Details Market size value in 2021 USD 4824.1 Million Revenue forecast in 2028 USD 6501.7 Million Growth Rate CAGR of almost 5.1 % 2022-2028 Base Year 2020 Historic Years 2016  2021 Forecast Years 2022  2028 Segments Covered By Product Type, By Application, And By End Use Forecast Units Value (USD Billion), and Volume (Units) Quantitative Units Revenue in USD million/billion and CAGR from 2022 to 2028 Regions Covered North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa, and Rest of World Countries Covered U.S., Canada, Mexico, U.K., Germany, France, Italy, Spain, China, India, Japan, South Korea, Brazil, Argentina, GCC Countries, and South Africa, among others Companies Covered Navico, FLIR Systems, Furuno Electric, Wartsila SAM Electronics, Raytheon Company, Icom Inc., SRT Marine Systems, Thales Group, Ultra Electronics, Kongsberg Gruppen ASA, and Northrop Grumman Corporation. Report Coverage Market growth drivers, restraints, opportunities, Porter's five forces analysis, PEST analysis, value chain analysis, regulatory landscape, market attractiveness analysis by segments and region, company market share analysis, and COVID-19 impact analysis. Customization Scope Avail of customized purchase options to meet your exact research needs. https://www.zionmarketresearch.com/custom/7011

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Recent Developments

In July 2020 , Furuno, a Japanese electronics manufacturer, purchased EMRI A/S, a Danish company that specializes in autopilots, steering control, joystick dynamic positioning, and maneuvering systems. More than 1000 cruise and ship owner's vessels have steering control systems from EMRI, an original equipment manufacturer.

, Furuno, a Japanese electronics manufacturer, purchased EMRI A/S, a Danish company that specializes in autopilots, steering control, joystick dynamic positioning, and maneuvering systems. More than 1000 cruise and ship owner's vessels have steering control systems from EMRI, an original equipment manufacturer. In November 2021 , Wartsila SAM Electronics GmbH's marine electrical systems division, situated in Hamburg , has been contracted to supply electrical system integration (eSI) solutions for the German Navy's F126 project. The business finalized the agreement with Dutch shipbuilder Damen, which was given the job of building the F126 frigates last month after a protracted tendering and coordination process.

Regional Dominance:

North America is projected to dominate global marine electronics market during projection period.

In North America, the rising use of marine GPS systems and marine chart plotters is propelling market expansion. The market growth in North America is being driven by a significant presence of numerous marine electronics device manufacturing businesses and rising sales of GPS systems. Growing investment in GPS and autonomous underwater vehicle systems, together with advancements in the marine industry, are factors boosting the market's overall growth. Large logistical operations in the United States require ongoing monitoring and communication. Consequently, it is anticipated that in the years to come, demand for water transportation would rise. Over the projected period, the marine electronics market is anticipated to increase in line with the growth in demand for maritime transportation as a result of the expansion of ocean logistics activities.

Global Marine Electronics Market is segmented as follows:

Marine Electronics Market: By Component Outlook (2022-2028)

Hardware

Software

Marine Electronics Market: By Application Outlook (2022-2028)

Merchant Marine Electronics

Fishing Vessel Electronics

Yacht/Recreation Boat Electronics

Military Naval Electronics

Autonomous Shipping Electronics

Smart Boat Electronics

Underwater Drone Electronics

Marine Electronics Market: By Region Outlook (2022-2028)

North America

The U.S.

Canada

Europe

France

The UK

Spain

Germany

Italy

Rest of Europe

Asia Pacific

China

Japan

India

South Korea

Southeast Asia

Rest of Asia Pacific

Latin America

Brazil

Mexico

Rest of Latin America

Middle East & Africa

GCC

South Africa

Rest of Middle East & Africa

Press Release For Marine Electronics Market: https://www.zionmarketresearch.com/news/global-marine-electronics-market

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Lindian chairman Asimwe Kabunga (right) with (from left) Secretary of Mining Dr Mkandawire, Lindian counsel in Malawi Mercy Chijere and Minister of Mining Dr Mbawala.

Lindian Resources Ltd (ASX:LIN) is set to acquire Rift Valley Resource Developments Limited, which owns the coveted Kangankunde Rare Earths Project in Malawi, for US$30 million.

The markets reacted strongly to the news, with shares in the Australian explorer up as much as 44.5% intra-day to A$0.195, a new 12-month high.

Globally significant deposit

The Kangankunde Project is a carbonatite-hosted system and a globally significant deposit with major potential in size and grade, on a granted mining licence and in close proximity to infrastructure.

The ratio of neodymium and praseodymium (NdPr) in concentrate at the deposit is estimated at about 19%.

Project economics have not been independently updated since 2011 but in the intervening decade, NdPr has become increasingly valuable and important in permanent magnets for electric vehicles.

Previous metallurgical test work supports the deposit being amenable to a low-cost gravity separation concentration producing a 60% rare earths oxide (REO) concentrate.

Access to port and infrastructure

It will be easy to shift resources from the site, with the Nacala corridor railway line just 9 kilometres to the east, providing access to the deep-water Port of Nacala.

In addition, the M1 highway and main power transmission line are only 4 kilometres to the west of the project.

Lindian will immediately get started on community engagement, redeveloping access for planned drill programs and sampling to update metallurgical test work in advance of engineering works programs.

The purchase price is payable in four tranches, including a non-refundable deposit of US$2.5 million, and a further US$27.5 million payable in three tranches within 48 months from signature date of the share purchase agreement.

The board will also need to garner the approval of Lindian shareholders, to be sought at a general meeting expected to be held in September.

Lindian chairman Asimwe Kabunga said: This is, without doubt, an outstanding development for Lindian that delivers a huge value opportunity for shareholders.

Highly sought after

The potential of the Kangankunde Rare Earths Project is indeed significant and it has been highly sought after by many parties over a number of decades.

Lindian is committed to its development and we will work constructively with the Malawian government to seek to bring this project into production and deliver meaningful benefits to Malawi.

If shareholder approval is obtained, we intend to hit the ground running and activate multiple project development initiatives to unlock Kangankundes value as quickly as possible.

As this is already a granted mining concession, the scope of works can be much broader and the development timeline shorter."

Acceleration in rare earth demand

This binding transaction gives Lindian control of one of the worlds premier undeveloped rare earths deposits, at a time when global demand is universally forecast to accelerate materially in the years ahead," Kabunga said.

"Id like to take this opportunity to thank all stakeholders involved in the negotiation process, and look forward to providing investors with ongoing updates as the Company executes its plans to advance the Kangankunde project towards commercial development.

Funds for first downpayment

To help fund this venture, the company has confirmed receipt of a binding commitment from a single investor to subscribe for 15 million fully paid ordinary shares at $0.20 per share, which will raise $3 million.

The share price represents a 48.1% premium on the last closing price of LIN shares on the trading day prior to the announcement of the capital raise.

Under the arrangement, for every two shares there will be an attached unlisted option exercisable at 25 cents and expiring three years from the date of issue.

The injection of funds ensures Lindian can immediately complete the first tranche payment of US$2.5 million to acquire Rift Valley Resources Developments and its Kangankunde Rare Earths Project in Malawi and fund first-stage project development works.

This $3 million placement at a significant premium again reinforces that investors recognise the value and considerable potential of our world-class Kangankunde rare earths deposit, Kabunga said.

With this added financial flexibility, we plan to shortly complete the first tranche payment for Kangankunde and commence an initial works program which marks the next step in bringing this project into production. We expect a steady stream of updates once work gets underway.
Symphony Environmental Technologies PLC (AIM:SYM) has raised 1mln after Bahamas-based investor Sea Pearl Ventures bought stock at 18p, a 5% discount to Fridays closing price.

In addition, Sea Pearl has been granted 4mln warrants that can be exercised over 25p a share, potentially giving Symphony access to further funding.

Symphony, which specialises in making rubber and plastic products more environmentally friendly, said the proceeds from the fundraiser would be used for "ongoing working capital purposes".

They will also be deployed to "strengthen the balance sheet to take advantage of future commercial opportunities as the group transitions to profitability", investors were told.
1. Credit Suisse backs NatWest

Not only were the headline numbers above consensus, but the special dividend also pleasantly surprised the investment banks research team.

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3. HSBC to restore pre-Covid level of dividend

This would represent our best financial performance for a decade, said the banks group chief executive Noel Quinn said on a conference call this morning.

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4. FTSE 100 closes in red

FTSE 100 finished around 10 points lower, or 0.13%, at 7,413.42 on Monday.

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Let's look ahead at some of tomorrow's news
Predictive Discovery Ltd (ASX:PDI) is now sitting on a 4.2-million-ounce gold resource at its flagship Bankan property in northeast Guinea.

The global resource for the Bankan camp, which hosts the NE Bankan and Bankan Creek deposits, was updated today after a 569,000-ounce resource upgrade at the former gold target.

Now, NE Bankan is reported to host 72.3 million tonnes of ore at 1.65 g/t gold for 3.9 million gold ounces, while the global project resource clocks in at 79.5 million tonnes at 1.63 g/t gold for 4.2 million ounces.

All up, just over 52,000 metres of drilling  covering upwards of 200 drill holes  went into the resource update.

The regions next tier-one gold mine?

Managing director Andrew Pardey said the results confirmed what the company had believed since the projects discovery hole: Bankan is one of the most significant gold discoveries ever made in West Africa and may possibly become the regions next tier-one gold mine.

Since our maiden resource on September 30, 2021, we have added an extra 569,000 ounces at NE Bankan to achieve an inferred mineral resource of 4.2 million ounces, grading at 1.63 g/t gold.

Importantly, the most exciting step-out hole completed, is below the current resource model therefore we will continue with more infill work to convert these results into resources.

A closer look at NE Bankan

Running the numbers, Predictive has recorded an 18% increase in the mineral resource at NE Bankan, while the gold grade has improved from 1.57 g/t to 1.65 g/t.

The resource also includes an initial high-grade underground resource directly below the optimised pit shell, weighing in at 283,938 tonnes at 4.85 g/t for 44,000 gold ounces.

Predictive has completed test work on ore from this deeper high-grade zone, and it managed to complete leaching within 24 hours, reporting an average gold recovery of 92% and between 30% and 50% gravity recovery.

More to come?

PDI is already considering its next steps at the Bankan project, including future resource expansion.

At present, the explorers deepest diamond hole sits outside the reported mineral resource area, meaning theres scope for further resource growth.

In addition, NE Bankan remains open down-dip, with the deepest hole returning 24 metres at 5.5 g/t gold from 850 metres, including 11 metres at 10.3 g/t gold from 852 square metres. Infill and step-out drilling is expected to convert this result into resources.

Next steps

When it comes to work at Bankan, Predictive shows no signs of slowing down.

So far, the explorer has completed multi-element and geochemical analysis across the NE Bankan deposit.

Thanks to this, its hoped the NE Bankan signature can be used regionally to look for similar NE Bankan-style discoveries across the portfolio.

In the meantime, nine drill rigs are undertaking further resource drilling, grade control and near-deposit exploration across the Bankan project area.

As it progresses its resource expansion strategy, Predictive has $57 million in the bank to fund activity.

Pardey explained: Over the following months and supported by our healthy cash balance, we will continue to drill the current deposit to convert the resource category from inferred to indicated, undertake further resource drilling at Bankan Creek and develop our regional targets with the goal of finding more NE Bankan-style deposits along our 35-kilometre structural corridor.

A vision for production

Looking further afield, the Predictive managing director said his team was hard at work to ensure this project is built into a mine.

In addition to drilling and metallurgical work, we will continue working with the Guinean Government, which fully backs the project, as well as working with our advisors to design a project that embeds environmental and social matters at its core, in alignment with the expectation of our stakeholders, Pardey continued.

This is central to our ability to bring Bankan into production, he concluded.
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Artrya Ltd (ASX:AYA) has brought on board a recognised leader in the US healthcare care sector as a new non-executive director.

The Aussie medtech has appointed academic cardiologist Dr Jacque Sokolov to the board from today, bolstering its experience across all aspects of the US healthcare industry.

Over the course of his career, Dr Sokolov has advised US companies and government entities, including the White House under four presidents, Senate and House committees.

Interestingly, this isnt the first time Dr Sokolov and Artrya have crossed paths: the new non-executive director is chairman and president of Artrya USA Inc and chairs the companys Clinical Advisory Board.

The right time

Artrya chair Bernie Ridgeway said he was delighted to welcome Dr Sokolov to the board and that todays announcement represented a key milestone.

Dr Sokolovs appointment is strongly aligned with Artryas growth strategy as an AI medical technology company, Ridgeway explained.

There were always plans to expand the board and this is the right time."

Ridgeway added that Dr Sokolovs experience across healthcare delivery, biotechnology and regulatory clearance strengthened the board as the company planned its next steps.

Dr Sokolov will be an important contributor as we execute our growth priorities and pursue regulatory clearance, he continued.

As a formally trained academic cardiologist with proven strategic leadership, having served on multiple US public, private and not-for-profit healthcare boards, he brings a unique, dynamic and significant insight.

Commenting on his appointment, Dr Sokolov said he was pleased to contribute to Artryas strategic evolution.

This is such an important opportunity  to support diagnosing clinicians in both emergency and primary care and, moreover, help to save the lives of those at risk of adverse cardiac events, Dr Sokolov said.

What does Artrya do?

Artrya is developing AI-powered imaging software to combat one of the worlds deadliest diseases.

According to Heart Research Australia, heart disease is the countrys single leading cause of death and is estimated to kill one Australian every 28 minutes.

Whats more, damage to the hearts major blood vessels, known as coronary artery disease (CAD) claims nine million lives worldwide every year.

Now, Artryas Salix Coronary Anatomy (SCA) solution is on a mission to change how the world sees CAD, as well as rapidly improve how clinicians detect and diagnose the heart disease.

In fact, the platform is the only holistic, non-invasive solution that allows clinicians at the point of care to easily assess CAD.

Essentially, the software-as-a-service Salix technology harnesses AI to pinpoint vulnerable plaque, stenosis and any other key biomarkers that could underly heart disease.

Artrya believes the platform offers healthcare systems an enterprise-level solution that may deter the need for additional or invasive testing, reduce excessive patient admission and encourage appropriate patient treatment to be offered sooner.
Antilles Gold Ltd (ASX:AAU, OTCQB:ANTMF) is raising A$3.05 million in new capital via a placement to sophisticated investors to fund work at the joint venture La Demajagua open pit gold-silver mine in southwest Cuba.

The company will issue 61 million shares at A$0.05 each with one free listed option attached to every three new shares issued.

These options may be exercised at A$0.13 each on or before April 30, 2023.

Of the funds raised, $1 million will be expended on a preliminary drilling program of the highly prospective El Pilar copper-gold porphyry deposit, and its overlying gold-copper oxide cap in central Cuba.

The balance will be applied to finalising the DFS for the proposed La Demajagua gold-silver open pit mine on the Isle of Youth in southwest Cuba.

Drilling program

Six diamond drill holes in the preliminary drilling program will go to a vertical depth of about 300 metres to determine if shallow historical drilling results for copper and gold are likely to be replicated at depth.

The surface expression of the porphyry deposit and the aeromagnetic survey undertaken by a Canadian mining company in the 1990s indicate mineralisation could continue to a depth of >1,000 metres.

An additional 12,000-metre drilling program will be undertaken next year following ground magnetics and induced polarisation programs to optimise drill hole locations.

The preliminary drilling program will also provide an indication of the 60 to 80 metres deep oxide cap at El Pilar.

El Pilar exploration target range based on a cut-off grade of 0.4% copper equivalent at a gold price of US$1,750/oz and a copper price of US$3.50/lb.

The DFS for the proposed La Demajagua mine is expected to be completed by the end of 2022 to permit the construction of mine infrastructure to commence in early 2023.

Antilles Gold executive chairman Brian Johnson said that it was disappointing to have to raise capital at such a low share price in the currently difficult market, but it was essential to maintain the momentum of the companys activities in Cuba, and progress to a near-term cash flow from the proposed La Demajagua gold-silver open pit mine.
When we think of the ASXs top commodities, fertiliser and clay dont necessarily spring to mind.

Nevertheless, ASX-listed potash and kaolin stocks have been hard at work developing their projects over 2022s June quarter.

From funding arrangements to drilling programs, the last three months have been a hive of activity for companies in these niche resource sectors.

But before we look at what they got up to, how did the commodity markets fare?

Demand for kaolin and potash remains high

In late June, Valuates Reports forecast the global kaolin market would reach US$8.4 billion in value by 2028, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4% between now and then.

Thats because kaolins versatility and appeal to end markets make it a mineral on the rise  from paper to plastics and cosmetics to pharmaceuticals, kaolin has many applications.

And thanks to its status as an industrial chameleon, demand across the ceramics, paint and rubber industries is set to help the kaolin market grow.

Demand is also high among the potash markets  a phenomenon only exacerbated as major suppliers like Belarus and Russia are cut off from the larger market.

Source: S&P Global Market Intelligence.

Amid the resulting supply disruptions, the broader industry  previously expected to reach US$21.62 billion in value by 2026  is expected to fall short of that prediction.

But with the supply squeeze comes a price hike and agriculture company Mosaics president and CEO James ORouke said it best: "Consumption will be forced to adjust to available supply.

So, what does this all mean for ASX-listers in the business? We break down their quarterly performance below.

In the spotlight: ASX potash stocks

Australian Potash

Australian Potash Ltd (ASX:APC) kept the meter running at its Lake Wells Sulphate of Potash Project over the June quarter.

The company worked on an updated hydrogeological flow model for the project, which indicates it can achieve a higher SOP production rate than what was originally forecast in a front-end engineering and design study.

The company also bolstered its expertise, with Tony Dominkovich joining the APC team as project manager.

Speaking to the companys next steps, APC managing director Matt Shackleton said the rest of 2022 was about bringing Lake Wells into its next chapter.

We continue to engage with debt and potential equity partners and anticipate being able to update shareholders further on this work through the balance of quarter three and into quarter four, Shackleton explained.

Danakali

Potash project developer Danakali Ltd (ASX:DNK, LSE:DNK, OTC:SBMSF) also had its heart set on advancing financing discussions over the June quarter.

SOP from the Colluli project. Source: Danakali.

Together with CMSC, which is on track to become a leading SOP producer and exporter, the ASX-lister is developing the Colluli Potash Project in Eritrea, East Africa.

Colluli is home to the worlds largest JORC-compliant solid salt SOP reserve and Danakali hopes to be the worlds first zero-carbon SOP producer.

As it progresses this vision, Danakali capped off the June quarter with just shy of $18 million in the bank.

Highfield Resources

Spanish potash developer Highfield Resources Ltd (ASX:HFR) used the June quarter to kick off initial construction work at its Muga potash mine.

Artists impression of the Muga projects processing plant. Source: Highfield Resources.

The ASX-lister also executed a financing mandate letter with a group of experienced European mining finance lenders, resulting in a 312.5 million senior secured project financing package.

Beyond this agreement, Highfield inked a non-binding, indicative, term sheet with a division of Macquarie Group, setting up a 23.3 million equipment operating lease facility.

Speaking to the quarters achievements, CEO Ignacio Salazar said: We feel proud of the milestones achieved, and our focus is now to move Muga forward through construction 

[We feel] a great sense of responsibility and gratitude to our shareholders, our staff and support teams, the banks, the community, the authorities and all stakeholders who have helped us to get to this point.

South Harz Potash

South Harz Potash Ltd (ASX:SHP) met a key milestone this quarter, completing its confirmatory, two-hole drilling program at the Ohmgebirge project in Germany.

Ohmgebirge mining licence and confirmatory drill holes. Source: South Harz Potash.

This led to a key mineral resource update, which brought the Ohmgebirge resource up to 338 million tonnes at 12.9% potassium oxide.

Now, South Harz is onto the scoping study phase, with the key document slated for release later this month.

In the spotlight: ASX kaolin stocks

Latin Resources

In tandem with its Brazilian lithium endeavours, Latin Resources Ltd (ASX:LRS) spent the June quarter developing its Cloud Nine Halloysite-Kaolin deposit in WA.

An infill drilling campaign netted significant thicknesses of exceptionally bright kaolinised granite, while geotechnical drilling brought the company one step closer to updating the Cloud Nine JORC resource.

A diamond drill rig setting up on-site at Cloud Nine.

Now, Latin is focused on the permitting and approvals process, which will give it the green light to excavate a trial mining test pit  the next chapter in the Cloud Nine story.

Suvo Strategic Minerals

Suvo Strategic Minerals Ltd (ASX:SUV) netted $3.86 million in revenue from its Pittong hydrous kaolin operations over the June quarter, leading to $217,000 in net cash flow.

But the company has grander plans in mind, and its undertaking research and development trials to expand its conversion of kaolin into value-adding metakaolin and high reactivity metakaolin (HRM).

Australia is largely considered an import market for HRM, fetching between US$530 and US$840 a tonne, so a local player is poised to make waves.

Suvo also plans to grow its earnings by increasing the weighted average value of its products and diversifying into premium end markets like the cosmeceutical and pharmaceutical sectors.

Post-quarter-end, Suvos Pittong mining licence renewal application was also approved.

Andromeda Metals

Andromeda Metals Ltd (ASX:ADN) used the June quarter to cut the ribbon on a definitive feasibility study for its Great White Kaolin Project.

The company also brought new expertise on board, appointing Mick Wilkes and Austen Perrin as independent non-executive directors.

Beyond the boardroom, Andromeda inked a letter of intent with a global leader in the distribution of specialty chemicals and ingredients, and discussions are underway to progress a binding offtake agreement.

Andromeda also signed a binding halloysite-kaolin offtake term sheet with Asia Minerals Resources (AMR) after the quarter ended.

Outside of Great White, Andromeda spent the quarter drilling at its Chairlift and Halfpipe kaolin assets.

Aircore drilling in progress. Source: Andromeda Metals.
Alibaba Group and hundreds of other US-listed Chinese companies are under regulatory scrutiny

Alibaba Group (NYSE:BABA) Holding will work with the US regulators to maintain its New York listing after a warning from the Securities Exchange Commission (SEC), the Chinese e-commerce giant said in a Monday statement.

The SEC added Alibaba to its watchlist of Chinese companies last Friday, indicating that the US$250bln valued company could be delisted for failing to meet auditing standards.

Over 270 US-listed Chinese companies are at risk of being removed from the exchange in the long-running fracas, as the US regulators demand access to audits papers stored in China.

Alibabas board of directors recently agreed to pursue a primary listing on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, where it currently holds a secondary listing, adding to speculation of a pending New York delisting.

BABA shares took an 11% fall in response to the news.

Other companies on the watchlist include fast food operator Yum China Holdings, biotech firm BeiGene, and social media company Weibo Corporation.


Vitalik Buterin, Canadian co-founder of the worlds largest smart contract platform Ethereum, has taken aim at existing corporate attempts to intentionally create the metaverse, in a series of Sunday Tweets primarily aimed at Mark Zuckerbergs Meta Platforms.

Facebooks pivot towards the technology under the Meta Platforms rebranding is destined to misfire said Buterin, due to a lack of understanding around metaverse technology.

The "metaverse" is going to happen but I don't think any of the existing corporate attempts to intentionally create the metaverse are going anywhere. https://t.co/tVUfq4CWmP  vitalik.eth (@VitalikButerin) July 30, 2022

That misfire may already be playing out, given Metas recent market performance.

Not only did Meta just announce its first-ever year-on-year revenue slump, but internal hiring plans have also been slashed, while the recent scrapping of news content deals points to further cost-cutting measures for the social media conglomerate.

As progenitors to the metaverse industry, play-to-earn (P2E) big-hitters The Sandbox, Decentraland and Axie Infinity have also cratered in value this year, not helped by a number of harmful hacks and exploits and an intensely volatile wider crypto market.

Is the future meta?

Public interest in the metaverse may have cooled off recently  if the 66% year-to-date fall in Google searches is anything to go by  but the metaverse economy remains a hotspot for venture capital and, increasingly, international governments.

The Shanghai Municipal Peoples Government in July announced a ten-billion-yuan (US$1.4bln) metaverse fund with a view to growing a US$52bln industry by 2025.

The Dubai government announced its own metaverse strategy in the same month, targeting 40,000 virtual jobs in five years under a plan to position the Middle East emirate as a global leader in the sector.

As for VC, Andreessen Horowitzs Games Fund One vehicle has dedicated US$600mln to metaverse projects, while Fortnight developer Epic Games recently secured US$2bln from Sony Group Corporation and The LEGO Group to develop its own metaverse vision.

So while Metaverse-exposed enterprises may be enduring a crisis period in tandem with wider crypto trends, investments continue to flow into the little-understood sector.

Which investments  if any  pay off will only become evident in the long term.

Ethereum cops shade

Ethereum was subject to its own criticism from a high-profile crypto figurehead lately.

MicroStrategy CEO Michael Saylor repeated his stance that Ethereum is unethical and in violation of securities laws in a recent interview.

Bitcoin evangelist Saylor is an outspoken altcoin critic who as CEO has made MicroStrategy the worlds largest corporate Bitcoin holder with nearly 130,000 BTC on the balance sheet.

Buterin labelled him a clown in response.
Clean energy was the topic of the day on Monday at the 2022 Diggers and Dealers Mining Conference that kicked off in Kalgoorlie.

Among the companies presenting was Australian Vanadium Ltd (ASX:AVL) with managing director Vincent Algar outlining its clean energy, value-adding story incorporating the supply of vanadium for vanadium redox flow batteries.

Cannings Purples Investor Insight for day one of Diggers included a section on AVL:

While lithium may be the star of the EV show, there is a strong consensus that a mix of technologies and power sources complementing one another  rather than competing  holds the key to decarbonising economies.

Long-life energy storage

Of the many newly developed technologies in this mix, few have the potential to solve the problem of long-life energy storage like vanadium redox flow batteries.

Vanadium is primarily used in the manufacture of steel alloys, however, its suitability for storing renewable energy, capability for grid connection and long life of more than 20 years has given investors and governments plenty to chew on.

Australian Vanadium managing director Vincent Algar told delegates that the companys Australian Vanadium Project near Meekatharra in WA is capable of supplying up to 5% of the worlds vanadium.

High-grade vanadium electrolyte

A bankable feasibility study published in April showed the project was capable of producing high-grade vanadium electrolyte for more than 25 years. The company is targeting final investment decision in the December quarter, with production slated for 2024.

The project consists of a proposed open cut mine, crushing, milling and beneficiation (CMB) plant and a vanadium processing plant.

Concentrate produced at the CMB would be transported to a vanadium processing plant near Geraldton for conversion to vanadium pentoxide.

Algar said that the projects logistics were unlike any other vanadium producer in the world. The coastal location of the CMB was a key strategic differentiator of the project, allowing the company to utilise gas, road and port infrastructure of the world-class mining region of mid-western Western Australia.

Once online, Australian Vanadium would be the worlds fourth vanadium producer.

"At the forefront"

In a pre-conference release from AVL, Algar said: "The AVL story is moving at a rapid pace as we bring this critical and battery metal project into production.

"Through our subsidiary VSUN Energy we are also at the forefront of the exciting renewable energy market and seeing firsthand the impact that can be made to carbon emission reduction.

"Next steps for the company revolve around securing finance for the project and finalising offtakes for our vanadium products and iron titanium co-product.

"Its the right time to be bringing this high-grade vanadium deposit into production and we have a quality team at AVL to do it and do it properly.
ioneer Ltd has signed a binding offtake supply agreement with the Prime Planet Energy & Solutions joint venture between Toyota Motor (NYSE:TM) Corporation and Panasonic Corporation (NYSE:PC), to supply lithium carbonate from its Rhyolite Ridge Lithium-Boron Project in Nevada.

This agreement will see ioneer deliver 4,000 tonnes annually of lithium carbonate to PPES over a five-year term.

Support of US EV chain

PPES will utilise ioneers lithium carbonate to produce batteries for use in US electric vehicles and this will promote electrification in the US market.

As well as delivering on the companys initiatives, ioneer-supplied lithium will be produced, refined and incorporated into lithium-ion batteries by PPES in support of the US end-to-end electrified vehicle supply chain.

Another key milestone

ioneers executive chairman James Calaway said: ioneer is grateful to announce another key milestone for our company with a lithium carbonate offtake agreement with PPES.

"PPES is a world-class organisation, and we look forward to being their trusted partner.

"This and the previously announced Ford and EcoPro agreements solidify ioneers focus on the US electric vehicle supply chain infrastructure.

"We look forward to providing lithium materials to PPES and all our offtake partners for their growth in the EV global market.

Battery production company

PPES is a battery production company established through joint investment between Toyota, the world's largest automotive manufacturer by revenue, and Panasonic, a leading battery manufacturer.

The five-year binding agreement is for a total of 4,000 tonnes per annum of lithium carbonate from ioneers Rhyolite Ridge Lithium-Boron operation in Nevada. It represents around 19% of annual output in the first five years of production.

ioneer is expected to produce an annual average of approximately 20,600 tonnes of lithium carbonate/hydroxide along with about 174,400 tonnes of boric acid per year over the Rhyolite Ridge projects 26-year life.

The dual production of lithium and boric acid allows ioneer to not only produce lithium in the US, but to do so at the very bottom of the global cost curve.

ioneer anticipates commencing production in 2025 to support urgent requirements for battery materials in the United States.

Securing US supply of lithium

PPESs president Hiroaki Koda said: I am delighted to have a great partnership with ioneer in the battery supply chain, that can promote vehicle electrification toward realising a carbon-neutral society.

"Having an agreement with ioneer provides PPES a first step in securing a US supply of lithium, one of the most important parts for corresponding with the fast-growing electrified vehicle industry.

"We have confidence in ioneers technology of refining sedimentary sourced lithium and their competitiveness and expect it to strengthen the PPES supply chain.

Agreement details

This agreement follows the two earlier binding offtake agreements and, in total represents the completion of pre-production lithium carbonate supply commitments it currently intends to make for Rhyolite Ridge.

Key terms of the agreement with PPES include:

Product: Lithium carbonate.

Lithium carbonate. Contract duration: 5 years.

5 years. Volume: 4,000 tpa.

4,000 tpa. Price: Adjusted quarterly based on agreed price formula.

Adjusted quarterly based on agreed price formula. Currency: USD per tonne.

USD per tonne. Conditions precedent: ioneers Final Investment Decision.

About Rhyolite Ridge

Rhyolite Ridge is the only known lithium-boron deposit in North America and one of only two known such deposits in the world.

A definitive feasibility study (DFS) completed in 2020 confirmed Rhyolite Ridge as a world-class lithium and boron project that is expected to become a globally significant, long-life, low-cost source of lithium and boron vital to a sustainable future.

In September 2021, ioneer entered a 50/50 joint venture agreement with Sibanye Stillwater Ltd to advance the Rhyolite Ridge project. ioneer will be the operator of the project, which is expected to come on stream in 2025.
Core Lithium Ltd (ASX:CXO) has received drilling results described as exceptional following its exploration activities at BP33 deposit, part of the Finniss Lithium Project near Darwin.

The Australian lithium developer kicked off diamond drilling at BP33 in May, with assays now filtering through.

Three deep diamond drill holes have intersected mineralisation at depths of up to 470 metres below surface, with the orebody open at depth.

Spodumene-bearing pegmatites

A further five diamond holes have intersected variable thicknesses of mineralised pegmatite associated with the southern BP33 body at depths below any previous drilling and up to 420 metres below surface.

Geological logging of theses holes has confirmed that spodumene-bearing pegmatite extends at depth to the south with indications that thickness and grade may improve with depth.

Although the main and southern bodies are modelled as separate entities, the location of this drilling supports the idea that they are likely continuous.

Highlights

Significant intersections include:

66.88 metres at 1.78% lithium dioxide including 16 metres at 2.27% and 9 metres at 2.24%;

27 metres at 1.50% lithium dioxide including 4 metres at 2.02%; and

15 metres at 1.22% lithium dioxide including 7 metres at 1.70%.

The true thicknesses of the intersections are around two thirds of those shown  so a downhole intersection of 67 metres equals true thickness of approximately 45 metres.

The continuity in grade and thickness displayed, together with the position of the intersections outside or on the boundary of the current mineral resource envelope, is expected to result in an increase in the mineral resource estimate (MRE) for BP33.

Orebody better at depth

Chairman Greg English said: The BP33 orebody appears to be getting better at depth with 66.88 metres at 1.78 lithium dioxide, an outstanding result.

We are in the middle of our largest ever drill campaign and these latest results more than justify our decision to expand our exploration efforts.

BP33 south is open at depth with the Ambient Noise Tomography (ANT) survey identifying additional targets at the deposit. The timing of these outstanding results could not have been better, with the final mining approval for BP33 expected in the coming weeks.

These new world-class lithium drilling results reflect the confidence Core has in delivering significant resource growth from Finniss that will add to our life of mine and our capacity to materially increase lithium production from northern Australia in the future to keep up with rapidly growing global demand.

Successful ANT geophysical trial

In May, Core commissioned Fleet Space Technologies to undertake a trial ambient noise tomography (ANT) survey at BP33 to test the effectiveness of the technique at detecting pegmatites at depth.

It has been tricky to find a successful geophysical technique for identifying the Finniss pegmatites, so the ability to target blind pegmatites is being held up as a major breakthrough in exploration for the project.

The results were an outstanding success, with the BP33 body imaged as a low S-wave velocity anomaly, showing excellent correlation with the pegmatite body interpreted from drilling.

Though the trial was only conducted over BP33, a number of previously unknown targets have emerged. CXOs next step is to use the technique in untested areas and prioritise targets for drill testing.

The now-proven ability to detect subsurface pegmatites at considerable depths  at least 500 metres  will be a major boost for future exploration.

The company is confident that ANT technology is a cost-effective method of informing drilling targets.
Lithium Australia Ltd (ASX:LIT, OTC:LMMFF)s joint venture (JV) partner, fellow ASX-lister Galan Lithium Ltd (ASX:GLN), has made a new pegmatite discovery at Greenbushes South lithium property in Western Australia.

The new outcropping pegmatite is thought to cover more than 500 metres in strike and remains open. Mapping and geochemical sampling continues across the new discovery.

Whats more, new soil assays that are spatially associated with a prior pegmatite discovery have revealed up to 215 parts per million lithium at Greenbushes South, while further soil and rock chip assay results are pending.

The UltraFine+ assay method has also confirmed the presence of anomalous pathfinder element concentrations, such as arsenic and caesium.

In tandem, Galan advanced a pilot study to explore blind or buried pegmatite targets across the project area. Data processing is underway and passive seismic and gravity survey results are expected in the coming weeks.

Lithium Australia owns 20% of the Greenbushes South asset, while Galan holds the other 80% stake.

Similarities to Greenbushes Lithium Mine

Speaking to the findings today, Galan managing director JP Vargas de la Vega said that initial exploration outcomes at Greenbushes South had been excellent.

The team is understandably excited about the fact that airborne geophysical targeting has successfully driven our field mapping and sampling focus, and already led to multiple new sizeable pegmatite outcrops being discovered, he explained.

It is also important to note that the discovered pegmatites have similar macroscopic mineralogy to those pegmatites described at the Greenbushes Lithium Mine to the north.

Todays results take us a step further. We now have confirmation of anomalous lithium concentration levels in the soil samples that were taken over the initial pegmatite discovery at the GS11 target zone.

Whats on the agenda?

Moving forward, plans are in place to kick off a resistivity study over Greenbushes South as part of Galans ground geophysics initiative. This is designed to help further define the new pegmatite at depth.

Vega continued: Geological mapping and geochemical sampling activities are ongoing. There are further soil and rock sample assays pending, including those to be submitted from our newest pegmatite discovery.

We have also launched a pilot ground geophysics program to overlay our exploration targeting efforts at Greenbushes South.

All of this work is driving us towards the key outcome of premium target locations for our initial drilling program.
Vejii said it intends to consolidate its B2C business to operate under a single domain at VeganEssentials.com

Vejii Holdings Ltd has announced that, in light of current market conditions and the cash needs of the company, its board of directors has approved management to initiate a process to identify, examine and pursue strategic alternatives to its current business.

Through the strategic review process, Vejii said, its management will focus on evaluating options which it believes are in the best interest of the company and in charting the most accretive path forward to maximize shareholder value.

"I'm very proud of the business that we've built, and in light of the current market conditions, the Company's valuation and need for capital, we will be focused on identifying opportunities that are in the best interest of the Company and our shareholders.", said Kory Zelickson, CEO of Vejii in a statement.

As part of the strategic review process, the company noted, its management has begun and will continue to pursue opportunities, including, but not limited to, equity/debt investment from a strategic partner, the potential sale of all or a material portion of the company's assets, operating businesses and wholly-owned subsidiaries, as well as pursuing M&A opportunities, with the goal of identifying the best opportunity and entering into a definitive agreement to complete a transaction.

The company said it intends to consolidate its B2C business to operate under a single domain at VeganEssentials.com. ShopVejii.com will cease operations in the near future and all traffic will be directed to Vegan Essentials going forward.

Vejii cautioned that there can be no assurances that the strategic review process will result in the company entering into a transaction or, if a transaction is undertaken, as to the terms or timing of such transaction. The company said it has not yet set a definitive schedule to complete the identification, examination and consideration of strategic alternatives.

Headquartered in Kelowna British Columbia, Vejii is a unified digital marketplace and fulfillment platform featuring thousands of plant-based and sustainable-living products from a growing list of hundreds of vendors.

The platform offers an easy-to-use, omnichannel experience for both vendors and buyers, leveraging big data and artificial intelligence to elegantly connect brands with a targeted consumer base, both organically and through specialized marketing programs. Dynamic fulfillment services empower brands to offer tier-one service, with ongoing engagement being driven through features like smart lists, subscription programs, reordering functions, sampling programs, and more.

The company also owns and operates the US-based Veg Essentials LLC - VeganEssentials.com - a staple of the plant-based community. Vegan Essentials was established in 1997 and contributed to more than 20 years of consumer insight, data, and buying power. VeganEssentials.com was awarded best online vegan store from 2005-2018, as well as best online vegan grocery from 2018-2021 by VegNews Magazine.

Vejii also owns and operates VEDGEco USA Inc - VEDGEco.com. Headquartered in Kailua, Hawaii and launched in 2020, VEDGEco is the first nationwide plant-based foodservice distributor, providing restaurants with high-quality plant-based options. With the goal of bringing the freedom of food choice to all restaurants and businesses, VEDGEco distributes plant-based products in bulk to the restaurant and wholesale food industry, as well as to consumers across the US.

Contact the author at jon.hopkins@proactiveinvestors.com
MySize Inc said it has struck a deal with a Brazilian-based clothing brand, which will see it license the company's MySizeID mobile app sizing solution.

The solution, which will allow customers to find the perfect fit, is expected to go live for 7 For All Mankind (Brazil) customers in the third quarter of 2022.

"We are excited to work with a leading brand in Brazil that serves high-end savvy customers within the denim-fashion field," said Ronen Luzon, CEO and founder of MySize in a statement. "7 For All Mankind's commitment to continuous improvement to serve humanity is admirable, and MySizeID is pleased to partner with them in their mission."

Esber Hajli, CEO of 7 For All Mankind (Brazil), added: "By implementing MySizeID, an innovative, market-leading sizing solution, we believe we can significantly reduce returns and its associated financial and environmental costs. We chose MySizeID with confidence based on the AI-driven technology's impressive track record, ease of use, and documented performance results."

MySize noted that 70% of returns for clothing purchased online is fit-related, costing retailers worldwide $642.6 billion. Moreover, 5 billion pounds (weight) of returns end up in landfills.

The company's MySizeID solution syncs the user's measurement data to the retailer's sizing chart, and only presents items for purchase that match their measurements to ensure a correct fit.

Major global brands that have implemented MySizeID have seen a between 44% and 50% reduction in returns, 20% increase in order size, and a three times' transaction value among MySizeID users, it added.

MySize is an omnichannel eCommerce platform and provider of AI-driven measurement solutions to drive revenue growth and reduce costs for its business clients.

Contact the author at giles@proactiveinvestors.com
Bogota, Aug 1 : Five persons were shot dead by unknown assailants at a party in the Colombian municipality of La Union, in the country's southwestern Valle del Cauca Department, local authorities reported.

La Union Mayor William Fernando Palomino on Sunday said that the incident occurred when two individuals approached a group of people at the party and shot at them indiscriminately, Xinhua news agency reported.

"So far, we have five people dead and four injured. These people, who were consuming alcohol, were at a street party in La Ciudadela neighbourhood when they were apparently attacked by two men," the official added.

Colombian authorities have initiated an investigation to capture those responsible and have not ruled out that an armed group was behind the shooting.
Minor students detained for making bombs and hurling them at educational institutions, have revealed during interrogation that it cost them between Rs 60 to 80 to make a bomb.

Prayagraj, Aug 1 (IANS) Making a bomb does not necessarily cost bomb.

Minor students detained for making bombs and hurling them at educational institutions, have revealed during interrogation that it cost them between Rs 60 to 80 to make a bomb.

A senior police official involved in the investigations, said: "Whenever these students wished to make a crude bomb, they just had to manage some electrical tapes from their houses, purchase monkey or cock brand firecrackers from markets, collect used glass (beer) bottles and loose rock or stones from roadside, and bomb was ready within no time." The revelations by minors have now made police officials initiate steps to check the sale and purchase of high-density firecrackers in the city.

Shailesh Kumar Pandey, SSP, Prayagraj, said: "The interrogation reports have left us shocked as these minors seems to have become experts in making a low intensity crude bomb within minutes. These students had learnt the easy steps of bomb making exercise from popular video sharing and social media platform. They would take electrical tapes from their houses, purchase two low or high intensity firecrackers from the market, they collect its explosive material on a piece of paper, then add pieces of glass bottle and stones and wrap it with electrical tapes". It hardly costs Rs 60 to Rs 80." The students who hurled these crude bombs outside schools and shops were also experts in handling it.

Through CCTV footages, the police have ascertained the identities of around 100 adult and minor students who have been associated with different groups and were allegedly involved in bomb blasts outside schools.

The police have been probing the role and each and every individual before initiating action.

Till now, a total of 35 students, including 27 minors, have been arrested. The police authorities are now considering invoking the National Security Act (NSA) against the adult students, who have been sent to jail.

The majority of the students involved in social media activities are from class 9 to 12, and are aged between 14 and 17 years.

The police have already taken the social media accounts of all the 10 student groups -- Tandav, Jaguar, Tiger, Immortal, Rangbaz -- under scanner and asked the parents of the students to counsel their wards.

The social media cell of the district police is scanning each and every group's account including uploaded videos, messages and chats and specifying the role of each and every member.

There were over 40 videos which are being also scanned to identify more students who could be involved in the bomb blasts.
Bengaluru, Aug 1 : Four members of a gang have been arrested in Bengaluru in connection with assaulting, blackmailing and extorting widows and divorce women over nude videos, police said on Monday.

According to the police, the accused, including a woman, targeted the victims in the pretext of helping them out with financial assistance and jobs.

The arrested persons were identified as Ravi, a resident of Chikkagollarahatti, his wife Mangala, Srinivas and Shivakumar from Kunigal taluk of Tumakuru district.

Srinivas and Shivakumar are brothers and worked in a gas agency.

The accused identified widows, divorced women and also those who were living separately from their partners.

Mangala would approach them and after collecting their details offered them assistance, spoke to them over the phone sympathising with them and gained trust.

Once the victims were lured, she called them to a blind spot assuring them of getting a job.

The accused would kidnap them and take them to isolated places, after which they would threaten the women to strip by wielding weapons.

If the victims resisted they assaulted them and made nude videos.

Later, the accused threatened them with making the nude videos viral and extorted money and gold from them.

The police have seized Rs 1.20 lakh worth of gold, Rs 70,000 cash, as well as the car and weapons used to commit the crimes.

Investigations have revealed that eight women were victimised by the accused.

The victims however, did not lodge a police complaint being fearful of consequences.

However, one of the victims who was kidnapped from the limits of Mahalakshmi Layout police station lodged a police complaint putting an end to the free run of the accused gang.

She had explained that the accused kidnapped her in the car and dragged to an isolated place in Tavarekere and stripped her and made nude videos.

They had extorted 23 grams of gold and made her transfer Rs 84,000 digitally.

They had also got Rs 40,000 cash from her.

The police acted on the complaint and nabbed the gang and during the course of investigation the accused confessed to the crime.
Chennai, Aug 1 : Tamil actor Karthi, who plays the pivotal character of Vanthiya Devan in Mani Ratnam's much-awaited magnum opus, 'Ponniyin Selvan', says that the ace director has completed shooting both parts of the film in a matter of just 120 days.

Speaking at the launch of the first single, 'Ponni Nadhi', from the film, Karthi said the song is about a river. "All civilisations have started in rivers. Then, it was Ponni. Now, it is Cauvery. Every river has its own characteristics. Rivers have inspired poets. They have been a motivating force for even common people like us.

"When lots of people were saying that we cannot make a film on the scale of 'Ponniyin Selvan', we started. Then Covid struck. When we were perplexed, just like how a river knows to find its way to the sea, we knew Mani sir knew how to take this film to its logical end.

"We all went and stood with Mani sir and worked. In a matter of just 120 days, he completed both 'Ponniyin Selvan 1' and 'Ponniyin Selvan 2'. It is not easy to make two films in 120 days.

"We would put our makeup at 2-2.30 a.m. There would be 30 people waiting ready to put makeup for us. Nobody would sleep. At 6.30 in the morning, we would take the first shot.

"Working on this film was like a dream. To make another film like this, a director would have to be born. Only Mani sir can do this."

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
New Delhi, Aug 1 : Aircraft occupancy or passenger load factor (PLF) of SpiceJet on July 30 and 31 was 81% and 82.4% respectively. The airline on Monday said that all its flights have departed on time, as per schedule and there have been no cancellations.

SpiceJet flight operations remain absolutely normal. All our flights have departed on time, as per schedule today, and there have been no cancellations. We are operating with excellent loads and the daily ticket bookings remain strong. Our load factor on July 30th and 31st was 81% andA 82.4% respectively," said the airline spokesperson.

"SpiceJet is grateful for the continued confidence reposed by our passengers and travel partners and we are confident of scaling up our operations and addressing any concern that the regulator may have, on priority," said the spokesperson on Monday.

Recently, aviation regulator Director General of Civil Aviation received requests from lessor for deregistration of three aircrafts of budget carrier Spicejet. Leasing firm Awas Ireland Limited filed the requests against three Boeing 737 aircraft on July 29.

Before this, DGCA during the last week ordered SpiceJet airline to operate only 50 per cent of its flights for eight weeks.

"In view of findings of various spot checks, inspections and the reply to the show-cause notice submitted by SpiceJet, for continued sustenance of safe and reliable air transport service, the number of departures of SpiceJet are restricted to 50% of the number of departures approved under summer schedule 2022 for a period of eight weeks," said the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) in an order.
Kolkata, Aug 1 : Ten people were electrocuted while they were travelling in a pick-up van in West Bengal's Cooch Behar district, authorities said, adding that six others were also critically injured.

Initial probe has revealed that the electrocution was likely triggered due to the short-circuit of a copper wire of the generator installed at the rear side of the carriage vehicle.

A total of 36 passengers on board the van were heading towards the Alpesh temple near Maynaguri in Jalpaiguri district.

Some of the survivors have informed the Mathabhanga Additional Superintendent of Police, Amit Barma that the short-circuit happened when the vehicle was crossing the Dharala Bridge on the Jamaldaha-Changrabandha state highways.

"As per information that we have received from the surviving passengers the short-circuit somehow happened, following which many passengers were electrocuted. The driver of the carriage vehicle without wasting time rushed towards the Jalpaiguri district hospital," Barma told mediapersons.

However, after reaching the Jalpaiguri district hospital, the driver of the van went missing and the police are trying to locate him.

The victims were mainly esidents of Sitalkuchi area in Cooch Behar.
Los Angeles, Aug 1 : Hollywood star Sylvester Stallone has doubled down on his criticisms of the direction of the 'Rocky' franchise, expressing his frustration regarding the newly announced spinoff film 'Drago'.

The actor shared his disappointment in a post on Instagram Saturday.

Stallone does not call anybody out by name in his writing, the star mentions a "94-year-old producer", a description which would seem to be pointed at 'Rocky' series producer Irwin Winkler, reports 'Variety'.

According to 'Variety', Winkler, who is actually 91-years-old, has been a target of criticism for Stallone before.

"Another Heartbreaker, Just found this outa ONCE AGAIN, this PATHETIC 94 year old PRODUCER and HIS MORONIC USELESS VULTURE CHILDREN, Charles And David, are once again picking clean THE BONES of another wonderful character I created without even telling me," Stallone wrote.

"I APOLOGIZE to the FANS, I never wanted ROCKY characters to be exploited by these parasites." Stallone also acknowledged his relationship with actor Dolph Lundgren, who portrays Soviet champion boxer Ivan Drago in 'Rocky IV' and 'Creed II'.

It is unclear if Lundgren is set to reprise his role in the 'Drago' spinoff.

"By the way, I have nothing but respect for Dolph but I wish HE had told me what was going on behind my back," Stallone concluded.

"Keep your REAL friends close." Stallone made comments against Winkler earlier this month, sharing a portrait of the producer drawn as a serpent. The actor voiced frustration that he had allegedly been deprived an equity stake in the 'Rocky' franchise.

"After Irwin controlling 'Rocky' for over 47 years, and now 'Creed', I really would like to have at least a little (of) WHAT'S LEFT of my rights back, before passing it on to ONLY YOUR CHILDREN," Stallone wrote at the time.

In 2019, Variety reported that Winkler was surprised to learn that Stallone was dissatisfied with his stake in the franchise, pointing to the tens of millions of dollars he received in profit participation and upfront fees.

The original 1976 'Rocky' was conceived by, written by and starred Stallone, who went on to score Oscar nominations for best actor and best original screenplay.

'Rocky' took home statuettes for best picture, director and film editing at the 49th Academy Awards. 'Rocky IV', which originated Lundgren's Ivan Drago, was written by and directed by Stallone.
Hyderabad, Aug 1 : The much-anticipated premiere of 'Karthikeya 2' has caused issues for the young actor, Nikhil Siddhartha though. In a recent media interview, Nikhil stated that he now realised how challenging it is to set a release date and then carry it out.

According to him, 'Karthikeya 2' was initially slated to hit theatres on July 22, but that date was later changed to August 12. As the producers are now required to reschedule the release for October starting on this date. The actor admitted, "The powerless situation made me cry." Nikhil, a rising star in Tollywood, has a number of intriguing projects planned for the future. He will star in the 'Karthikeya 2', the sequel to his super hit movie 'Karthikeya', as well as the suspense thriller '118' alongside Anupama Parameswaran. With their intriguing concept art and trailers, both of these movies have generated a lot of talk, but have been facing issues related to their release dates.

A few producers in the Telugu Film Industry seem to be involved in power politics, which has resulted in a problematic atmosphere for most of the small-budget movies in the last few years. Despite being content-driven, movies like 'Karthikeya 2' have been facing release-related delays due to other movies.
Hyderabad, Aug 1 : A beautician was killed and two others injured in a road accident in Shamshabad on the outskirts of Hyderabad in the wee hours of Monday.

The accident occurred when the car in which they were travelling overturned after hitting the road divider at Satamrai.

The deceased was identified as Taniya Kakade (25), was daughter of Congress party leader Mohammed Feroz Khan. She was working as a beautician.

According to police, she was returning home from Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA). Two others travelling with her were injured and they were admitted to a hospital.

The body was shifted to Osmania Hospital mortuary for autopsy.

The car crashed when Mirza Ali who was driving the car lost control over the vehicle and hit the divider. RGIA police registered a case and took up investigation.

Feroz Khan is the incharge of Congress party for Nampally Assembly constituency in Hyderabad. He had contested unsuccessfully for Hyderabad Lok Sabha seat in 2019.
Tel Aviv, Aug 1 : Israel has decided to withhold 600 million shekels ($176 million) in tax revenues it has collected for the Palestinian Authority to offset the latter's compensation for "attackers" against the Jewish state.

The Israeli security cabinet voted to deduct in phases the same amount from the tax revenues as the Palestinian Authority has paid to the families of killed or wounded attackers, Xinhua news agency quoted the state-owned Kan TV as saying.

Israel sees the stipends as "indirect support of terrorism" and charges they "encourage" Palestinians' attacks against Israelis.

However, Palestinians say the stipends are welfare payments for families in need, the report adds.

Israel collects a large proportion of tax revenues on behalf of the Palestinian Authority and transfers them to the latter on a regular basis.

In July 2018, the Israeli Parliament passed a law to deduct from tax revenues an amount equal to what the Palestinian Authority pays to families of prisoners.

The move is expected to increase tensions between Israel and the Palestinian Authority.

Israel seized the West Bank and the Gaza Strip in a 1967 war, and has since controlled or blockaded the two regions despite international criticism.
New Delhi, Aug 1 : Amid opposition protests over different issues, Rajya Sabha proceedings on Monday were adjourned till 12 noon within minutes after the House assembled for the day at 11 a.m.

Opposition members protested against the arrest of Shiv Sena's Rajya Sabha member Sajnay Raut by the ED and other issues like price hike.

As protests continued, the Upper House was adjourned even before papers could be laid.

Earlier after the arrest of Raut in a land scam case, Shiv Sena MP Priyanka Chaturvedi gave suspension of a business notice in Rajya Sabha under rule 267 citing the Centre's 'misuse' of investigative agencies for political agendas and detaining opposition leaders in a bid to silence them.
New Delhi, Aug 1 : The Centre has formed a task force to monitor monkeypox cases in the country.

According to a source from the Union Health Ministry, the task force will also provide guidance to the government on the expansion of diagnostic facilities and to explore vaccination for the infection.

The team will be headed by Dr V.K. Paul, member (Health), NITI Aayog, and include the Secretary, Union Health Ministry, Pharma and Biotech, the source said.

India has reported four monkeypox cases so far -- three in Kerala and one in Delhi.

The Centre is on an alert mode as the cases have increased all over the world.

On July 23, the World Health Organization declared the global monkeypox outbreak a public health emergency of international concern.

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New Delhi, Aug 1 : A group of elderly tourists left stranded after their flights got cancelled due to bad weather conditions in Leh reached home safe after the aviation minister stepped in to help.

Unable to find an appropriate solution, the tourists in a video requested for some arrangement as they got stuck in Leh due to bad weather on Friday. Some of the tourists claimed that a few among them have health complications.

They further claimed that all flights till August 3 had been completely booked and they could not afford to stay in Leh for another week.

At this, Union Civil Aviation minister Jyotiraditya Scindia stepped in and got in touch with IndiGo and GoFirst, the airlines who had cancelled the flights from Leh to Mumbai and Pune due to unfavourable flying conditions.

"Flights have been cancelled due to unfavourable weather. However, we are working to get them back safely asap," Scindia said in a tweet.

IndiGo swung into action and the airline took to Twitter to inform that 12 of the 22 people who had booked an IndiGo flight have boarded the flight and are en-route to Pune.

"We regret the inconvenience caused to our passengers. The flights from Leh had to be cancelled yesterday due to unfavourable flying conditions. Twelve of these IndiGo passengers have boarded the flight and are en-route to Pune," the airline said in a tweet.

A senior government official who had earlier raised the matter on Twitter thanked the minister for help, "Senior Citizens who stuck in Leh, returned to home safely. Thank you J M Scindia ji Afor your quick response & action. And also Thank you Indigo," he said.
The most abiding image that most Indians, who were present then, have of Acharya Kripalani was of him sharing the centrestage with Loknayak Jayaprakash Narayan and naming Morarji Desai as the leader of the Janata Party in Parliament (and therefore India's first non-Congress Prime Minister) after the historic 1977 general elections.

But there was much more to Jivatram Bhagwandas Kripalani (November 11, 1888 - March 19, 1982) than that famous appearance of his in the Central Hall of Parliament.

The Gandhian leader who was popularly known as Acharya Kripalani, who was played by Anang Desai in Richard Attenborough's 'Gandhi', courted arrest on many occasions during the freedom struggle; he was General Secretary of the Indian National Congres for 12 years -- perhaps the longest anyone has held the post -- and was elevated to its presidency to rebuild the party during the transfer of power in 1947.

He was also the first to rebel against Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and moved a no-confidence motion against the government in the wake of the disastrous 1962 Sino-Indian War. And he was the husband of Sucheta Kripalani, the first Indian woman to become the Chief Minister of a state. Acharya Kripalani was an educationist, which explains his Acharya honorific, and environmentalist, mystic, and for long a Gandhian socialist before switching to the right-wing Swatantra Party.

Growing close to Gandhi, he was at one point one of the Mahatma's most ardent disciples. After Independence, disputes between the party and the government over procedural matters affected Kripalani's relationship with his colleagues in the government. And eventually, he became famous among generations of dissenters, from the Non-Cooperation Movement of the 1920s to the movement against corruption leading up to the Emergency in 1975, as a source of inspiration.

Kripalani was born in Hyderabad (Sindh) in 1888. Following his education at Fergusson College in Pune, he worked as a schoolteacher before joining the freedom movement in the wake of Gandhi's return from South Africa.

From 1912 to 1917 he worked as a lecturer of English and History at L.S. College (then known as Grier B.B. College), Muzaffarpur, Bihar, and was involved in the Non-Cooperation Movement of the early 1920s.

Thereafter, he joined Gandhi's ashrams in Gujarat and what is now Maharashtra, working on social reform and education, before leaving for Bihar and the United Provinces to teach in and organise new ashrams. He courted arrested on numerous occasions for his role in the Civil Disobedience Movement (1930) -- he was one of the main organisers of the Salt Satyagraha -- and later of Gandhi's last big national protest, the Quit India Movement.

He served in the interim government (1946-1947) and was a member of the Constituent Assembly, but despite being ideologically at odds with both Vallabhbhai Patel and Jawaharlal Nehru, he was elected Congress President in 1947.

After Gandhi's assassination in January 1948, Nehru rejected Kripalani's demand that the party's views should be sought in all decisions. Nehru, with the support of Patel, told Kripalani that while the party was entitled to lay down the broad principles and guidelines, it could not be granted a say in the government's day-to-day affairs. This precedent became central to the relationship between government and the ruling party in subsequent decades.

Nehru, however, supported Kripalani in the election of the Congress President in 1950, but he was defeated by Patel's candidate Purushottam Das Tandon. Bruised by the defeat, and disillusioned by what he viewed as the abandonment of the Gandhian ideal of countless village republics, Kripalani left the Congress and became one of the founders of the Kisan Mazdoor Praja Party (KMPP). This party subsequently merged with the Socialist Party of India to form the Praja Socialist Party (PSP).

Kripalani remained in the opposition for the rest of his life and was elected to the Lok Sabha in 1952 (he lost General Election that year from Faizabad, UP, as a KMPP candidate, but won a byelection as a PSP candidate from Bhagalpur, Bihar), 1957 (from Sitamarhi, also in Bihar, as a PSP candidate), 1963, and then in 1967 (as a Swatantra Party candidate in a byelection in Guna, Madhya Pradesh, the seat now held by Jyotiraditya Scindia).

Sucheta Kripalani, whom he married in 1938, briefly joined KMPP but subsequently returned to the Congress, and headed several Central ministries. When the Congress split in 1969, she opted for the Congress (Organisation), led by S. Nijalingappa, Atulya Ghosh and Morarji Desai.

Although he remained active in electoral politics, Kripalani became more of a spiritual leader of the Socialists than anything else; in particular, he was generally considered to be, along with Vinoba Bhave, the leader of what remained of the Gandhian faction. He was active, along with Bhave, in preservation and conservation activities throughout the 1970s.

In 1972-3, he agitated against the increasingly authoritarian rule of Nehru's daughter and the then Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi. Kripalani and Jayaprakash Narayan believed that Indira Gandhi's rule had become dictatorial and anti-democratic. Her conviction in 1975 on charges of using government machinery for her election campaign galvanised her political opposition and public disenchantment against her policies.

Along with Jayaprakash Narayan, Kripalani toured the country urging non-violent protest and civil disobedience. When the Emergency was declared as a result of the vocal dissent he helped stir up, Kripalani was among the first of the Opposition leaders to be arrested on the night of June 26, 1975.

Kripalani survived the Emergency and saw the first non-Congress government since Independence following the Janata Party victory in the 1977 polls. He and Jayaprakash Narayan, the two leading lights, were asked to choose the parliamentary leader of the new party -- and they opted for Morarji Desai.

Kripalani died on March 19, 1982, at the Civil Hospital in Ahmedabad, aged 93. A postage stamp was issued on November 11, 1989, to commemorate the 101st anniversary of his birth.
Islamabad, Aug 1 : President of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), Maulana Fazlur Rehman has claimed that former Prime Minister Imran Khan was paid by a Gulf state to derail the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and sink the Gwadar Port project.

The JUI-F chief claimed to the media, after attending a jirga of tribal elders from North Waziristan district, that the PTI destroyed the country's new economic pillars, Geo News reported.

China's investment was one such pillar, he said, adding that CPEC was more than just a road, but a full economic package.

"Gwadar is the second largest deep-sea port in Asia. Some countries were feeling a threat from Gwadar. It would have been the most useful port for trade. The PTI inflicted serious damages on the project," he added.

Fazl said that the Financial Times article exposed the real face of PTI, Geo News reported.

The money given to Abraaj Group also included a huge chunk from a Gulf state, which was aimed at sinking the Gwadar Port project, he alleged.

"Now we can see that the depth of the sea has reduced to just 11 feet," he claimed.

Fazl said the PDM, by coming to power, actually accepted the challenge it faced.

He said the government would give a detailed briefing to the PDM over the economic situation of the country on Tuesday and Wednesday and Ministers had been called to the meeting for the purpose.

After that, a strategy would be devised for economic stability, he chief added.
Mumbai, Aug 1 : Bollywood actress Aahana Kumra will be seen hosting 'The Inventor Challenge', a competitive reality show.

Aahana said: "The Inventor Challenge has an interesting concept. What I like the most is that the show will not only provide a space for innovations to thrive, but also help inventors to develop their ideas and take them forward." "You don't usually come across a show like this that showcases the fascinating journey of the next big inventor and invention. I'm confident that The Inventor Challenge will engage viewers and will receive appreciation from the critics too. I can't wait for it to go live." Participants will get the opportunity to discuss their propositions with a panel, who will then select a few inventors to proceed forward.

Next in line are the mentors, who will help the top two inventors nurture their ideas in live lab locations and turn them into ground-breaking concepts. Finally, these ideas will be brought to life and presented to various consumer focus groups. Inventors across the country and all age groups will be seen showcasing their inventions on the show. The youngest inventor on the show is eight.

In the show, contestants will have to bring forward their inventions and Aahana will make inventors feel at ease amid all the excitement and brainstorming sessions. The show will feature on Colors Infinity on television and stream on The Inventor Challenge YouTube channel too.
Mehsana : , Aug 1 (IANS) Four Gujarati youths were arrested for entering the US illegally last week, sources said on Monday.

Following the incident, the Indian Embassy has asked the Mehsana police to investigate as to how the youths from the district managed to land in the US illegally.

"On information shared by the Indian Embassy, American customs have arrested four youths, while illegally entering America through the Quebec route from Canada. America's local court was shocked to find that four youths, though carrying IELTS certificates with 8 bands, were not able to answer questions asked in English. They were released on 10,000 US $ bond and these youths will be extradited to India," Mehsana's Special Operation Group Police Inspector Bhavesh Rathod told media.

The youths have been identified as: Dhruv Patel, Neel Patel, Urvish Patel and Savan Patel, all natives of Mehsana. They left India in the second week of July for Canada, for which they had student visas. From there, they took a boat to cross the Canada-American border through Quebec route, when they were caught by the American customs.

Now the police will question the agent who arranged for visas and IELTS certificates for them. They will also travel to the national capital and question the agent who helped in getting them the certificates. If the agents have forged documents and certificates they will be arrested, said the officer.
The Tashkent Conference on Afghanistan has highlighted the need for the regional players to play a constructive role for reconstruction of Afghanistan, in collaboration with the West.

Tashkent Conference Uzbekistan hosted an international conference in Tashkent last week (July 27) to garner support for the economic and social revival of Afghanistan. The Ambassador-at-Large of the Kazakh Ministry of Foreign Affairs Talgat Kaliyev invited participants of the "Afghanistan: Security and Economic Development" conference in Tashkent to make joint efforts to ensure peace and stability in Afghanistan calling the country a "bridge between Central and South Asia". Kaliyev said that Kazakhstan is ready to strengthen trade and humanitarian ties with Afghanistan.

The socio-economic reconstruction of Afghanistan along with the implementation of infrastructure and humanitarian projects designed to bring the long-awaited peace to the Afghan people were key points on the conference agenda. More than 100 delegations from nearly 30 countries and international organisations attended the conference.

President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev urged the interim government of Afghanistan "to demonstrate strong will" to take decisive measures to counter terrorism, and break ties with all international terrorist organisations. According to Mirziyoyev, such measures will help to build confidence for the interim government and open real prospects for Afghanistan's sustainable development with its immediate neighbourhood and the international community.

IEA's stand The head of the Afghan delegation, Taliban-appointed acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi harped on the old demands of unfreezing Afghan assets and international recognition but also opined that the majority of the delegations were in a supportive mood, which showed a positive development in relations with his country. He described unfreezing of Afghan reserves and removal of sanctions as "a fundamental step towards normalisation of relations" between Kabul and Washington.

Another positive point was that the participants understood the message related to the real situation in Afghanistan, which will hopefully lay the ground for political and economic engagement, he was reported as saying.

Muttaqi also assured everyone that Afghanistan will "no longer be a source of instability in the region", but overall the international community seems unconvinced about this promise.

In his address he said that, we stand ready to establish positive relations with all world countries in the framework of mutual respect and legitimate bilateral interests, we also call on other world countries to begin official engagement with the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) to secure long-term legitimate bilateral interests.

This conference came days after the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) released a report outlining the human rights situation in Afghanistan over the 10 months since the Taliban takeover.

The report summarises the UNAMA's findings with regards to the protection of civilians, extra-judicial killings, torture and ill-treatment, arbitrary arrests and detentions, the rights of women and girls, fundamental freedoms and the situation in places of detention in Afghanistan. The report also contained recommendations to both the de facto authorities and the international community.

Despite an overall, significant reduction in armed violence, between mid-August 2021 and mid-June 2022, UNAMA recorded 2106 civilian casualties (700 killed, 1406 wounded).

US Approach Representatives of the UN, the European Union, the US and other Western officials interacted with the Taliban, which is not unprecedented since Washington negotiated with them in Doha, Qatar, for years. In Tashkent also, the Taliban reiterated their demands and sought concessions from the U.S. delegation, led by Thomas West, Biden administration's special representative for Afghanistan. West held further bilateral talks with the Taliban following the conference on July 28.

Emphasising that America remains the largest donor for Afghanistan, West pointed to four sectors that Washington specifically backs -- agriculture, health, livelihoods and education. He said the international community prevented starvation in Afghanistan last winter; the US spent nearly a billion dollars in humanitarian aid since August 2021 and that the US is not blocking any aid or business from assisting the Afghan people.

West also addressed the issue of restrictions on women and girls' education in Afghanistan and said "we are concerned about human rights abuses, including restrictions on journalists and women's ability to contribute to the country's economic growth".

Observers in Tashkent report that delegations were diverse in approach and at times quite critical of each other in their statements, but all credited the host, Uzbekistan, for urging the world to engage with Afghanistan's challenges.

President Mirziyoyev challenged the international community to create "real prerequisites for Afghanistan to become a peaceful, stable and prosperous land - free from terrorism, wars and narcotics".

Frederick Starr, an American expert who attended the conference, observed that the key issue is not recognition but "trade and economic ties that actually test Taliban's intentions." Uzbekistan showcased several infrastructure projects, including a proposed trans-Afghan railway running from Termez at the Uzbek-Afghan border through Mazar-i Sharif and Kabul to Peshawar in north-western Pakistan and a planned Surkhan-Puli-Khumri power transmission line running from Uzbekistan to north-central Afghanistan. Uzbekistan also presented projects in energy, railway development and education sectors to help neighbouring Afghanistan to build its social-economic infrastructure.

Though the Taliban delegation stuck with its old demands of unfreezing of assets and recognition of the IEA, and in reality the international community remained sceptical of its claims, much work lies ahead for the Taliban to convince the international community of their sincerity. They should try to improve the situation by taking small steps towards fulfilling the aspirations of both the Afghan people and the international community, and if Afghanistan can't achieve stability then we should also forego looking for lasting peace in central Asia.

The international community, at the moment, is preoccupied with the Russian-Ukraine war, but the manner in which the regional players showed their determination to help Afghanistan's reconstruction, bodes well for the future of the country, but to make it a success the Taliban will also have to temper their stand on a lot of issues, besides reconciling their attitude.

(Asad Mirza is a political commentator based in New Delhi. He writes on Muslims, educational, international affairs, interfaith and current affairs. The views expressed are personal)

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New Delhi, Aug 1 : Swedens financial supervisory authority, Finansinspektionen (FI), formally exchanged a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in relation to mutual cooperation with Indias International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA), in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The event marked a significant leap between the two partner nations, strengthening their financial cooperation.

The MoU sets forth a statement of intent of the Authorities to establish a framework for mutual assistance and to facilitate the exchange of information between the Authorities for development, regulation and enforcing or ensuring compliance with their respective law or regulatory requirements.

The IFSCA was established under the International Financial Services Centres Authority Act, 2019 (IFSCA Act) as a unified regulator for development and regulation of financial products, financial services, and financial institutions in the IFSCs in India. The main functions of the IFSCA include registration, supervision, and regulation of financial entities such as banks, stock exchanges, intermediaries, insurers etc. operating within the IFSCs in India.

On the other hand, FI was established in 1991 and is Sweden's financial supervisory authority. It authorises, supervises and monitors all companies operating in Swedish financial markets. With a formal MoU in place directing all the operations transparently, both IFSCA and FI will co-operate on the basis of mutual trust and understanding to develop and regulate the exchange and knowledge sharing of financial products, financial services and financial institutions.

Injeti Srinivas, Chairperson, of the International Financial Services Centres Authority said: "India and Sweden share strong relations and signing of this bilateral MoU between the two regulators reinforces our commitment to work together in the financial services ecosystem of both the jurisdictions. I am confident that the MoU will help to strengthen supervisory cooperation and partnership. IFSCA and FI have many common areas to work together such as FinTech, Sustainable Finance and Anti Money Laundering (AML), among others." Welcoming the move, Deputy Director General of Finansinspektionen, Susanna Grufman, said: "As the financial markets are increasingly becoming more and more global in their character, it is important that we as supervisors also strengthen our cooperation. Many of the challenges we face today are truly global, such as the need to make the financial markets more sustainable, and to combat cybercrimes and other threats directed toward financial institutions and consumers. This memorandum of understanding will create fruitful cooperation between the IFSCA and Finansinspektionen." Ambassador of India to Sweden, Tanmaya Lal said that "India Sweden partnership is on the upswing. This MoU covers new ground and will facilitate linkages in banking, insurance, investments and other fintech ventures. It will help in exchange of information, technical assistance, regulatory oversight & enforcement and also build useful linkages".

Gautam Bhattacharyya, the charge d'affaires at the Embassy of Sweden in New Delhi, said: "I am glad to take part in the formal exchange of an MoU between the Indian International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) and Sweden's Finansinspektionen (FI). The MoU will form an important part of the close bilateral relations between Sweden and India. Deepened cooperation on financial services to enhance cross-border participation and promote knowledge sharing has been welcomed by our respective Prime Ministers during a virtual summit in 2021. It therefore gives me great pleasure to see the MoU being formally exchanged in the presence of Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi. I believe this joint commitment will make way for more interactions and exchanges between Sweden and India within the financial area."
New Delhi, Aug 1: With rapid shifts in the geopolitical order, Pakistan's access to external financial assistance is becoming tougher this time. Pakistan's repeated habit of seeking bailout packages is no longer being entertained in the wake of the brutal economic impact of the Covid 19 pandemic and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. The growing uncertainties have prompted nations across the globe to focus on strengthening their own macroeconomic fundamentals. Therefore, countries, including those in the West Asian region which have been Islamabad's traditional allies and easy lenders, are no more willing to entertain Pakistan's repeated requests for bailout packages.

The Shehbaz Sharif government has implemented most of the recommendations thrashed out by the International Monetary Fund but sources said that there could be a few still pending. Though Pakistan Finance Minister Miftah Ismail said that the IMF loan would come by August end though earlier he had expressed hope of receiving the package by June.

According to reports, Pakistan's military chief, General Qamar Javed Bajwa has now intervened and sought US support in securing the IMF loan amid the falling foreign exchange reserves. Bajwa, last week spoke to Deputy U.S. Secretary of State Wendy Sherman on the issue.

Data released by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) showed the reserves have fallen by $754 million between July 15 and 22. On July 22, the foreign currency reserves held by the country's central bank stood at $ 8,575.16 million. This has led to serious concerns for the country's policymakers.

In January, it was $16,607 million. The country has now decided to sell shares of government-owned entities to friendly countries with the view to garner resources.

Though Islamabad's talks with IMF for a bailout package has concluded with the multilateral agency, the delay in disbursal has led to concerns.

"It is important to note which way the country's military is tilted, what position Bajwa holds is more critical for any decision of these kinds," Abhijnan Rej, researcher and consultant focusing on Asian security and geopolitics, told India Narrative. "The IMF too will be concerned on that account," he said, adding that the loan from the multilateral agency however would materialise. "I suspect there are a few more bottlenecks that need to be addressed and that is why it is taking time," Rej added.

However, he pointed out that donor countries will adopt extreme caution, given the current global uncertainties. Interestingly, until now Pakistan has taken IMF assistance more than 20 times.

Pakistan's local newspaper Dawn said that the Arab monarchies were now interested in pursuing radical transformation of their economy, society, and foreign policy. "The monarchies now cared about return on investment from their allies, which included Pakistan. Unfortunately for them, both the economic and geopolitical returns in the recent past were in the red," it said.

It noted that China too has now developed "a more nuanced and jaded view of Pakistan and what its elites could offer." (The content is being carried under an arrangement with indianarrative.com) --indianarrative

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Botad : , Aug 1 (IANS) In view of the hooch tragedy, that claimed 18 lives till date in Rojid village of Gujarat's Botad district, the villagers passed a resolution to implement prohibition in the area. The decision was taken in a condolence meeting organised by the villagers.

Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee's former president Amit Chavda and Dhandhuka sitting MLA Rajesh Gohil were also present in the meeting. When village Sarpanch J.D. Dungrani put up a resolution that liquor sale, trading, drinking and manufacturing in the village is strictly prohibited, if any one is found violating the act and resolution, village panchayat will take action against such person. Entire village in one voice passed the resolution.

Village Sarpanch Dungrani said not only villagers have taken oath to abide by the resolution but will also stand united against those who violate it.

Amit Chavda has promised to bear the education cost of children, whose fathers have died after drinking illicit liquor. Chavda said Borsad-based an education trust, that also runs Ashram Shala, will bear the cost of students from Class I to XII.

Now, many villages are joining the movement to ban sale and consumption of liquor in their villages. The Nirali gram panchayat of the Kheda district has banned liquor in the district from August 1. Village Sarpanch Juvansinh Parmar told the local media that the Panchayat will lodge a criminal complaint against violators.
Kochi, Aug 1 : Swapna Suresh, the prime accused in the gold smuggling case, on Monday alleged that Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan not only violated protocol but also his oath of office when he broke all rules during the visit of Sharjah's ruler to the state in 2017.

Speaking to the media, Swapna claimed that neither the Union Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) nor the UAE Consulate knew about thee change in the itinerary of the visiting dignitary from Kozhikode to the state capital.

"The original plan to hand over the honorary doctorate D'lit of the Calicut University to the Sharjah ruler was fixed at Kozhikode. But later without the knowledge of MEA, it was moved to Thiruvananthapuram. Then the travel plan was re-routed by me from the hotel where they were staying from the Raj Bhavan. This is known to Manoj Abraham (one of Kerala's top police official)," she said, adding that this act was a serious misuse of Vijayan's office, his powers and the system for his personal needs.

"This was done so that Vijayan and his wife could speak to the dignitary so as to help their daughter Veena Vijayan to start an IT business hub at Sharjah. Prior to that meeting, I reached his official residence and took part in a meeting which included Vijayan, his wife, high ranking official Nalini Netto, his principal secretary M. Sivasankar. They wanted to find out how much gold should be presented so as to see that his daughter's proposed business flourish.

"Even more serious is I am trying to get the documents of a very grave mistake which Vijayan, his office and Sivasankar committed which is against national security. Once I get the evidence, it will be revealed," added Swapna.

"These are not allegations, but facts, for which I have evidences and will be given out." The gold smuggling case surfaced in July 2020 and after a week, Swapna was arrested from Bengaluru.

When the news of her links with Vijayan first surfaced, he said he did not know her. But later when visuals appeared, he changed his stance, saying she was an employee of the UAE Consulate here and have seen her with the Consulate officials.

However it was after her release from jail after over a year, Swapna revealed that at the appropriate time she reveal how much Vijayan actually knows her.
Los Angeles, Aug 1 : Actress Nichelle Nichols, who portrayed communications officer Uhura on the original 'Star Trek' series passed away aged 89.

She died on Saturday night. Her death was confirmed by Gilbert Bell, her talent manager and business partner of 15 years, reports Variety.

Nichols shared one of the first interracial kisses in television history on 'Star Trek'.

That moment, with her co-star William Shatner, was a courageous move on the her part, 'Star Trek' creator Gene Roddenberry and NBC considering the climate at the time, but the episode 'Plato's Stepchildren', which aired in 1968, was written to give all involved an out: Uhura and Captain Kirk did not choose to kiss but were instead made to do so involuntarily by aliens with the ability to control the movements of humans. Nevertheless, it was a landmark moment.

There had been a couple of interracial kisses on American television before. A year earlier on 'Movin' With Nancy', Sammy Davis Jr. kissed Nancy Sinatra on the cheek in what appeared to be a spontaneous gesture but was in fact carefully planned.

The Uhura-Kirk kiss was likely the first televised white/African American lip-to-lip kiss.

But Uhura, whose name comes from a Swahili word meaning 'freedom', was essential beyond the interracial kiss: capable officer who could man other stations on the bridge when the need arose, she was one of the first African American women to be featured in a non-menial role on television.

Nichols played Lt. Uhura on the original series, voiced her on 'Star Trek: The Animated Series' and played Uhura in the first six 'Star Trek' films. Uhura was promoted to lieutenant commander in "Star Trek: The Motion Picture" and to full commander in "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan." Nichols mulled leaving 'Star Trek' after the first season to pursue a career on Broadway, but the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., who was a fan of the series and understood the importance of her character in opening doors for other African Americans on television, personally persuaded her to stay on the show, she told astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson in an interview for the Archive of American Television.

Whoopi Goldberg, who later played Guinan on 'Star Trek: The Next Generation', has described Uhura as a role model, recalling that she was astounded and excited to see a black woman character on television who was not a maid.

Nichols and Shatner remembered the shooting of the famous kiss very differently.

In 'Star Trek Memories',Shatner said NBC insisted that the actors' lips never actually touch.

But in Nichols' 1994 autobiography 'Beyond Uhura', the actress insisted that the kiss was in fact real. Nervous about audience reaction, the network insisted that alternate takes be shot with and without a kiss, but Nichols and Shatner deliberately flubbed every one of the latter so NBC would be forced to air what appeared to be a kiss.

Both the 'Star Trek' and 'Movin' With Nancy' moments drew some negative reactions, though Nichols recalled that the fan mail was overwhelmingly positive and supportive.

NASA later employed Nichols in an effort to encourage women and African Americans to become astronauts. NASA Astronaut Group 8, selected in 1978, included the first women and ethnic minorities to be recruited, including three who were Black.

Dr. Mae Jemison, the first Black woman to fly aboard the Space Shuttle, cited 'Star Trek' as an influence in her decision to join the space agency.

Nichols remained a supporter of the space programme for decades.

In 1991, Nichols became the first African American woman to have her handprints immortalised at the TCL Chinese Theatre.

The ceremony also included other members of the original 'Star Trek' cast.

Born Grace Nichols in Robbins, Ill. on December 28, 1932, Nichols began her show business career at age 16 singing with Duke Ellington in a ballet she created for one of his compositions. Later, she sang with his band.

She studied in Chicago, New York and Los Angeles. Her break came with an appearance in Oscar Brown's high-profile but ill-fated 1961 musical 'Kicks and Co.,' in which she played campus queen Hazel Sharpe, who's tempted by the devil and Orgy Magazine to become "Orgy Maiden of the Month." The play closed after its brief Chicago tryout, but Nichols attracted the attention of Playboy publisher Hugh Hefner, who booked her at his Chicago Playboy Club.

Nichols also appeared in the role of Carmen for a Chicago stock company production of "Carmen Jones" and performed in a New York production of "Porgy and Bess", making her feature debut in an uncredited role as a dancer in an adaptation of that work in 1959.

While working in Chicago, Nichols was twice nominated for that city's theatrical Sarah Siddons Award for best actress. The first came for 'Kicks and Co.,' while the second was for her performance in Jean Genet's 'The Blacks'.

During the early '60s, before 'Star Trek', Nichols had an affair with Gene Roddenberry that lasted several years, according to her autobiography. The affair ended when Roddenberry realised he was in love with Majel Hudec, whom he married.

When Roddenberry's health was failing decades later, Nichols co-wrote a song for him, entitled "Gene," that she sang at his funeral.

In January 1967, Nichols was featured on the cover of Ebony magazine, which published two feature articles on her within five years.

In the early '70s, the actress made a few guest appearances on TV and appeared in the 1974 Blaxploitation film 'Truck Turner' starring Isaac Hayes.

She appeared in a supporting role in a 1983 TV adaptation of 'Antony and Cleopatra' that also featured her 'Star Trek' co-star Walter Koenig. She starred with Maxwell Caulfield and Talia Balsam in the 1986 horror sci-fi feature 'The Supernaturals'.

Later, Nichols began to do voice work, lending her talent to the animated series 'Gargoyles' and 'Spider-Man'. She also voiced herself on 'Futurama'.

The actress played the mother of Cuba Gooding Jr.'s lead character in 2002's 'Snow Dogs' and Miss Mable in the 2005 Ice Cube comedy 'Are We There Yet?' Nichols suffered a stroke in 2015 and was diagnosed with dementia in 2018, touching off a conservatorship dispute between her manager Bell and her son as well as a friend.

Nichols was married and divorced twice. She is survived by her son, Kyle Johnson.
Kanpur, Aug 1 : The Florets School in Kanpur has landed in controversy after students were allegedly made to recite the 'Kalma' as part of the morning prayers.

Parents and some Hindu outfits staged a demonstration and lodged a complaint with the police which then intervened in the matter and asked the school to stop the practice.

Established in 2003, the school has been reciting the Gayatri Mantra, Gurubani which is part of Sikhism, and Islamic verse, and other religious verses in the morning assembly.

The practice has been going on for a decade now, but suddenly right-wing activists raised objections to the practice.

They alleged that the school is forcing religion on students.

School principal Sumit Makhija said that after this controversy, the management has now decided to stick only to the national anthem during the morning assembly.

"There is surely no intention of promoting any one religion," the principal clarified.

"It has been a practice at this school for years. The school diary has verses of all major religions including Hindu, Sikhism, Christianity, Islam written in the diary. Reciting verses was started as a practice to give equal respect to all religions. Now all of a sudden, a group of Hindu radicals and some parents have opposed it," she told reporters on Monday.

Meanwhile, school authorities have said they will sort it out with the concerned parents.
Experts call for cooperation to boost high-quality digital economy development

Xinhua) 17:14, August 01, 2022

BEIJING, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- Experts and insiders called for international cooperation to promote high-quality digital economy development at the 2022 Global Digital Economy Conference, which wrapped up in Beijing on Saturday.

Themed "Embrace a Digital Future -- New Factors, New Rules, New Patterns," the three-day conference showcased cutting-edge digital technologies in the metaverse, virtual reality, and holographic projection and offered a glimpse into the latest achievements in the digital economy.

It also held a slew of online and offline activities such as forums, summits, and exhibitions to strengthen global exchanges and cooperation in the digital economy.

Experts and insiders said the world is transforming into a digital era, and the COVID-19 pandemic is accelerating the transformation pace; digital technology is affecting every aspect of social life, which is a challenge but also an opportunity; the rapid development of China's digital economy would inject new impetus into the global economic recovery, and all countries should strengthen cooperation to boost the high-quality development of the digital economy.

Florian Tursky, state secretary of Austria's Ministry of Finance, said in a video speech that as a digital power, China has a significant influence on the innovation and development of the digital economy, and Chinese information and communication enterprises have promoted the global digital transformation.

He said the key to success is cooperation, particularly regarding new trends and developments. He added that the COVID-19 pandemic has made people aware of the importance of digital innovations and new digital business models.

According to the white paper issued by the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology on Friday, China's digital economy amounted to 7.1 trillion U.S. dollars in 2021, ranking second after the United States.

Many countries have reached a consensus on digital technological development and industrial transformation. China also remains active in digital technology innovation, said Yu Xiaohui, head of the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology.

"The 5G technology provides a great opportunity for the development of the digital economy," said Wu Hequan, an academician with the Chinese Academy of Engineering, adding that the 5G technology enables the Internet of Things with large bandwidth and data-driven intelligent manufacturing.

Data showed that the amount of 5G base stations in use across China exceeded 1.85 million, greatly facilitating the country's digitalization drive.

In the future, digital technology will remain the focus of global digital innovation. Yu said the world economic growth requires an inclusive environment to promote the digital transformation of the manufacturing, agriculture, and service industry as well as strengthened international cooperation to boost global economic recovery.

(Web editor: Peng Yukai, Liang Jun)
Amaravati, Aug 1 : The Centre has invited former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu to a meeting of the national committee formed to commemorate 75 years of independence.

The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) president will be leaving for New Delhi on August 6 to attend the meeting.

To be presided over by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the meeting will be held at the Cultural Centre in Rashtrapati Bhavan.

The meeting is likely to discuss and decide various programmes as part of 'Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav'.

'Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav' is an initiative of the Centre to celebrate and commemorate 75 years of independence and the glorious history of its people, culture and achievements.

The Mahotsav commenced on March 12 last year to mark the 75-week countdown to the 75th anniversary of independence and will end on August 15, 2023.

This is the first time Chandrababu Naidu has been invited by the Centre for an official meeting in the national capital since the TDP lost power in Andhra Pradesh in 2019.

The TDP had pulled out of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in 2018, protesting the Centre's refusal to grant Special Category Status to Andhra Pradesh.

Naidu-led party had joined hands with the Congress party for 2019 elections but it lost the power to YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) in Andhra Pradesh.

In recent times, Naidu dropped hints that he is ready to once again ally with the BJP. The saffron party's state leadership, however, remained cold to the proposal.
Kiev, Aug 1 : The first cargo ship carrying grain has left Ukraine's Odesa port in line with a grain exports deal signed between Kiev and Moscow last month in Istanbul, Infrastructure Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov said on Monday.

The vessel Razoni under the flag of Sierra Leone carrying 26,000 tonnes of corn is bound for the port of Tripoli in Lebanon, Kubrakov wrote on Facebook.

He said the ship will move along a maritime corridor, the security of which was guaranteed by Turkey and the UN, reports Xinhua news agency.

The resumption of Ukraine's grain exports would help to prevent a global food crisis, contribute at least $1 billion to the Ukrainian economy and pave the way for the country's farmers to prepare for next year's sowing campaign, Kubrakov said.

The cargo ship will first reach Istanbul or inspection on Tuesday, where it will be inspected by a joint monitoring centre according to an agreement that Russia and Ukraine made with Turkey and the UN, the Turkish Defense Ministry said in a statement Monday.

Following Razoni, other convoys will set off from the port of Odesa, the Ministry added.

Turkey inaugurated the Joint Coordination Centre in Istanbul last week to monitor the implementation of the grain shipment process.

The centre consists of 20 representatives from Russia, Ukraine, Turkey and the UN, with five from each party.

The Black Sea Grain Initiative, signed by Russia and Ukraine with TArkiye under the UN, would allow significant volumes of food and fertilizer exports from three key Ukrainian ports in the Black Sea, namely Odesa, Chernomorsk and Yuzhny.

The deal aims to ensure the safe passage for ships carrying grain to world markets amid concerns about food shortages due to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.

Russia and Ukraine are major global wheat suppliers.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the deal will enable his country to export 20 million tonnes of last year's grain harvest and part of this year's harvest.

Latest updates on Russia-Ukraine War

Latest updates on Global Food Crisis
New Delhi, Aug 1 : 'Jeena Yahaan Marna Yahaan, Iske Siva Jana Kaha': Every Indian must have heard of this song and this blockbuster movie 'Mera Naam Joker'. But little did you know that the famous movie flopped when it was released in 1970.

It was supposed to be Raj Kapoor's magnum opus, but unfortunately it did not strike a chord with the audience. The film also put the family at stake, financially.

But the music of the movie played an important role in attracting the audience back then and the film featured quite a few hummable songs which gelled with the narrative. That was the time when Bollywood knew the importance of music.

There are other movies too which got famous because of their songs: Pakizaah, Sholay, Agneepath, Hum Aapke Hain Kaun, Khalnayak to name a few.

Till date, before Covid hit the world or say, especially Bollywood, songs were playing a major role in compensating for the poor storyline. Punjabi tadka was also there for dance and jolly refreshment of the audience.

Speaking to a few veteran film critics, IANS learnt that there was a time when Bollywood used to earn a good amount through the music industry, but now even the songs are unable to help the directors and producers. Why? According to the veteran, "movie makers' focus shifted".

Recently, movies like '83, Prithvi Raj Chauhan, Dhaakad, Shamshera flopped miserably. Not only did people dislike the story or acting but the music of the movie too failed to impress.

Songs used to be the USP of any movie. It was so impressive that Hollywood, too, later copied some of the Bollywood numbers and used them in their movies: 'Chori Chori Hum Gori Se Pyaar Karenge' in The Guru, also Bappi Da's famous 'Jimmy Jimmy' in You Don't Mess With Zohan! and many more.

That was the unique legacy of Bollywood. In that era, songs and storyline used to move parallely in a movie and carry forward the tempo of the narrative. Even if we see the history of blockbuster Bollywood movies, they have had ever-lasting music albums.

However, the trend is changing and so is the view point, but keeping songs secondary is somehow making things unbalanced. There are multiple reasons behind the downfall of the overall quality in Bollywood movies.

Unlike earlier, songs are not written based on the demand of the situations nor music directors have track of the storyline and hence, they don't compose music accordingly. Nowadays, most music directors have their 'song bank' filled with pre-recorded songs. So, instead of fulfilling the demand of the movie and creating new songs, mostly they ask producers/directors to choose from their bank, which eventually doesn't fit with the movie.

Also, now there are multiple music directors in a movie with one song or two which certainly doesn't help the vision of the director. And the director of the movie, who is often called the captain of the ship, also needs to have a good music sense. Everyone remembers Yash Chopra and Sanjay Leela Bhansali not only for their direction but for their great taste and understanding of music.

If one talks about the southern movie industry, they have kept their focus intact and that is the reason movies like RRR, KFG, Pushpa as well their songs got appreciation from all corners of the world.

So, Bollywood certainly has to think again and make music their priority to keep the momentum going or else the future of the film industry looks bleak!
New Delhi, Aug 1 : In wake of the controversy on the approval of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's visit to Singapore which did not land on time, state Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot moved a plea regarding a comprehensive guideline on political clearances for visits abroad.

Justice Yashwant Varma briefly heard Abhishek Manu Singhvi, counsel for Gahlot, whose plea said that political clearance from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) for personal foreign visits of state government ministers violates their right to privacy and the dignity of the constitutional office.

"The Chief Minister was previously denied permission to attend the C-40 World Mayors' Summit in Copenhagen in 2019. The petitioner, who holds the portfolio of transport in the council of ministers had also requested clearance to visit London on the invitation of 'Transport for London' but there was not even a response from the concerned authorities in the Central government till the time the request became infructuous," the plea read.

It said: "..the petitioner is directly impacted by the draconian and invasive regime requiring clearances for even personal visits abroad made by state ministers. Being an important stakeholder in the Delhi model of urban governance and managing a significant part of urban design, the petitioner is deeply interested in ensuring that the Delhi government feature in national and international fora." After Singhvi's submissions, the court granted him liberty to file an additional affidavit backing his plea, and posted for further hearing for August 22.

A new war of words has erupted between the Centre and state, after Kejriwal finally dropped the plan to attend the World Cities Summit at Singapore following delay in permissions from the Lt Governor.

"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 file regarding clearance for Chief Minister's visit was sent to the LG on June 7 itself. The LG sat on the file for one and a half months and returned the file on July 21. By then, not only had there been a lot of delay, but the deadline till July 20 to complete the travel formalities had also passed," the Delhi government had said in a statement after the incident.
New Delhi, Aug 1 : Indian Navy's guided-missile frigate INS Tarkash, which is on a long-range overseas deployment, conducted a Maritime Partnership Exercise (MPX) with French Navy ships in the North Atlantic Ocean on July 29-30.

The replenishment exercise at sea was conducted by Tarkash and French fleet tanker FNS Somme. This was followed by joint air operations with maritime surveillance aircraft Falcon 50 participating in multiple simulated missile engagements and air defence drills.

Successful conduct of these surface and aerial exercises symbolise the high degree of professionalism and interoperability that exists between the two navies.
Hyderabad, Aug 1 : The crew of the film 'Liger', which included Charmme Kaur, Vijay Deverakonda, and director Puri Jagannadh, paid a visit to the set of megastar Chiranjeevi's highly awaited film 'Godfather.' In a unique set built in Mumbai, the 'Godfather' crew was filming a special song, which will have India's superstars Chiranjeevi and Salman Khan shake their legs together.

As they visited them on the sets of 'Godfather,' the 'Liger' team, which was busy promoting their film in Mumbai, received the stars' blessings for their movie's upcoming theatrical release.

A picture of them all together, has become viral: Salman Khan, Chiranjeevi, Vijay Deverakonda, Puri Jagannadh, and Charmme Kaur are featured in the picture from the sets of 'Godfather'.

The movie 'Godfather,' which is being directed by Mohan Raja and produced by Konidela Production Company and Super Good Films, is billed as a political thriller action movie. The movie is a remake of 'Lucifer,' a 2019 Malayalam film.

On the other hand, Vijay Deverakonda-starrer 'Liger' will hit the screens on August 25.
Amaravati, Aug 1 : The second suspected case of monkeypox in Andhra Pradesh has also tested negative, health officials said on Monday.

Authorities heaved a sigh of relief after they received reports of the samples sent to the National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune.

The eight-year-old boy in Guntur was found with suspected symptoms. He was admitted to the isolation ward at Government General Hospital (GGH), Guntur.

GGH Superintendent Dr PrabhavatiAsaid that the condition of the boy is stable.

Son of daily wage workers from Odisha, the boy was brought to the hospital three days ago with fever and rashes. The doctors had isolated him and collected his samples. The samples including swabs from throat, blood, urine, and from lesions on skin were sent to NIV, Pune on Sunday.

The boy's parents came to Yedlpapdu in Palnadu district in search of work 15 days ago. He developed fever and rashes a week ago and his parents initially thought it was nothing serious. As the boy's condition didn't get better even after a week, they rushed him to Guntur GGH on July 28.

The doctors examined the boy and noticed rashes and fever, both symptoms of monkeypox, and shifted him to an isolation ward.

His parents were also kept under observation as a precautionary measure.

This was the second suspected case of monkeypox in Andhra Pradesh. The first suspected case was reported from Vijayawada on July 17. A two-year-old child, who had gone to Dubai with family, was found with skin rashes on return. However, the samples sent to NIV, Pune tested negative for monkeypox.

Last week, the first suspected case of monkeypox in neighbouring Telangana had also tested negative.

The 40-year-old man had arrived in Kamareddy town from Kuwait on July 6. He had later developed fever and rashes on the body.

Suspecting it to be a case of monkeypox, doctors had sent him to Hyderabad, where he was admitted in Fever Hospital. However, the samples tested negative for the viral disease.

Latest updates on Monkeypox Virus Outbreak
Bhopal, Aug 1 : Madhya Pradesh Home Minister Narottam Mishra said on Monday that two persons were interrogated by a team of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) during raids in the state on Sunday.

Addressing the press, Mishra claimed that two suspects who were allegedly involved in creating a divide in the name of the banned Islamic State (IS) on social media, were detained but were released after investigation.

"Both suspects were released by NIA after interrogation and the central agency has prepared clones of their (suspects) mobile phones and laptops," he added.

On Sunday, the NIA had conducted searches across Bhopal and Raisen districts of Madhya Pradesh over activities involving the terror group ISIS and seized incriminating documents and other material.

The central agency had taken two suspects, identified as Mohammed Anas and Mohammed Jubair, for interrogation.

Mishra said that the NIA had conducted searches at 13 places across six states, including Bhopal and Raisen's Silwani, in connection with the ISIS module and Bihar's Phulwari Sharif cases.

However, when asked to elaborate, the Home Minister said that the central agency did not share information with the state.

"The information shared here is collected with the help of state agencies. We will alert all the police stations to keep a watch and ask house owners to inform about such suspects to local police," he said.
Bhopal, Aug 1 : "Children are often denied an education because there are no government schools in this village. To attend school, they need to travel almost 5 km to Pandariya village," admits farmer Bhairon Singh Jatav, who owns a 1.25 acre farm.

Jatav isn't the only one irked by the lack of a government school in Adampur Chhawani, Phanda Janpad of Bhopal district.

Labourer Ballobai agrees: "Our village suffers from lack of good roads, electricity and drainage. But these problems fall small compared to the need for educational facilities here which affect the future of our children." "There is no school or anganwadi here. Ten years ago, an anganwadi was set up in a rented accommodation. The structure is lying in shambles now. Shut since last five years, it is being used as a shelter for animals," Ballobai laments. She believes it to be wiser to elect women for the Gram Panchayat, as they "might take the access to educational facilities more seriously compared to previous male representatives." The sarpanch and 20 panchayat members of this all-women panchayat were elected unopposed this year. The panchayat members elected by this village of 3,842 people are a heterogenous lot comprising graduates, those who are contesting elections for the first time, and also those who have only studied up to fifth grade. Interestingly, although the sarpanch's seat was reserved for a Backward Caste (OBC) candidate without specific gender priority, 22-year-old housewife Krishna Rawat has been elected as the sarpanch. In the previous term, though the panchayat was led by a woman - Shakun Neemnarayan - the rest of the panchayat members were male.

Local resident Misribai told 101Reporters: "Besides education, roads, and drainage, the garbage dump in Adampur is a big issue. The stench and leachate from this dump have contaminated the waters of Adampur and Haripur villages too. We sincerely hope that our women-only panchayat tackles this issue." Earlier this month, 101Reporters had covered the landfill disaster impacting almost 200 families of Adampur Chhawani Gram Panchayat, which seems to be the piping issue this election.

Developmental roadmap Sarpanch Krishna Rawat, who holds a postgraduate degree and was elected unopposed by the electorate, told 101Reporters that a roadmap for the development of Adampur Chhawani was underway.

"We have decided to renovate the building in which the anganwadi was functioning in the past, and get it up and running. Since a year and a half, when I moved to this village, I have been seeing children attend schools in neighbouring villages. Thus, I have prioritised the setting up of a government primary or middle school here." Explaining the seriousness of the landfill issue, she added: "There was a lot of opposition by villagers when the landfill was shifted here by the City Corporation. It now poses a major problem. The only solution regarding the landfill is to ensure that it is maintained with due diligence. We will start off by filing complaints. If these produce no results, we will resort to protests." Rawat believes that the leachate from the garbage landfill is affecting the water resources of neighbouring villages, and orders of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) are not being followed.

Based on the prize money announcement to an unopposed all-women panchayat, newly elected Rashmi awaits to disburse the amount for the school construction plan. CM Shivraj Singh Chauhan had declared a 15 lakh cash incentive for a collectively agreed upon all-women panchayat.

Furthermore, she points out: "There have been no roads built in our village since 2019. Neither are there enough drains; the few existing ones are in a state of disrepair. We have hence commenced work on building drains, while preparing to handle the other jobs in due course." Echoing Rashmi's development views, her colleague, Seema says that they intend to send across the anganwadi and school construction plans to the Zilla Panchayat soon. "If necessary, we shall take it up with the local MLA, and the Chief Minister too." Explaining the closure of the local anganwadi, ex-sarpanch Neemnarayan says: "The anganwadi was functioning from rented premises in the past. But owing to the sad state of the building, it had to be shut down for safety reasons. We were planning to renovate the building when the panchayat elections came by. Hence, nothing could be done." How an all-women panchayat came into being

Recounting the process, Bilkhariya Mandal Prashant Thakur, ex-deputy sarpanch told 101Reporters, 'Initially, the villagers had proposed my name as the sarpanch but following CM's announcement, I thought of an all-women panchayat. We agreed to have my younger brother's wife Krishna's name proposed instead. Further, the village elders and ex-panchayat members agreed to it." Commenting on her family proposing the candidature of daughter-in-law Krishna for the post of village sarpanch, mother-in-law Kusumbai said: "When my son first recommended my daughter-in-law for the position, I was hesitant, wondering how she'd juggle our home with administrative responsibilities. But today, I'm proud of her for taking on the reins of the village." (The author is a Bhopal-based freelance journalist and a member of 101Reporters, a pan-India network of grassroots reporters.)
Jabalpur, Aug 1 : At least 10 people have been killed after a massive fire broke out on Monday in a hospital in Madhya Pradesh's Jabalpur, officials said.

Several fire tenders were rushed to the New Life Multispeciality Hospital to bring the blaze under control, an official said, adding the rescue operations were underway.

Many people including patients and hospital staff are said to be present inside the building.

According to sources, the fire broke out due to a short-circuit on the ground floor.
At the invitation of the National Intellectual Property Center of Georgia-Sakpatenti and the Commercial Law Development Program (CLDP) US Department of Commerce, Dr. Kunio Mikuriya, Secretary General of the World Customs Organization (WCO), delivered a keynote address via recorded video message, to the 6th Annual International Conference Georgia Against Counterfeiting and Piracy, held on 25 and 26 July, in Batumi, Georgia.

Secretary General Mikuriya mentioned that This important task of protecting society from health, safety and economic risks posed by fake or substandard manufacturing practices, often involving criminal organizations, require a solid legal framework for cooperation that defines intellectual property rights, or IPR, and the related border control measures. He stressed on the importance of cooperation among all stakeholders which are not only international organizations, government authorities but also the IP right holders. He went on to introduce WCOs recent activities to the stakeholders highlighting online webinars to update Customs officials about medicines and medical equipment linked to COVID-19 and its fake products, citing the successful outcomes of WCOs Global Operation (STOP and STOP II).

The conference had various sessions addressing IPR enforcement, such as Global Trends and Challenges, Combatting Counterfeiting to protect Health and Safety . The WCO IPR Health and Safety Programme was introduced. It addresses global trends observed after the COVID-19 Pandemic. The trends relating to counterfeit and illicit items observed by the WCO during the COVID-19 Pandemic, was highlighted during a panel session addressing International Trends in Combatting Counterfeiting and Piracy. The importance of cooperation among all stakeholders was highlighted, including information exchange to combat counterfeiting and piracy more effectively.
New Delhi, Aug 1 : Delay in reporting of the incidents and taking corrective action, ineffective supervision and non-compliance of procedures are some of the findings which have emerged during the annual audit of airlines by the aviation authorities.

Annual Safety Audit is carried out to assess the compliance of national regulations, conditions of approval, certified licenses and approved procedures of the airlines.

As per the civil aviation ministry, the findings made during the safety audits are communicated to the concerned airline for taking necessary corrective actions and to mitigate the risk.

Deficiencies that were identified and communicated to the airline operators for taking corrective measures during the last five years, included delay in taking corrective action in case of outcome of the Flight Operation Quality Assurance (FOQA), delay in reporting of the incidents by the airlines, few of the procedures in practice were not in compliance with manufacturer's recommended procedures and less effective supervisory control to check the amendments of documents as per latest applicable regulations and circulars.

As per a written reply by the ministry of Civil Aviation in the Rajya Sabha on Monday, it also included ineffective supervision and internal auditing of operation and maintenance activities and all invoked Minimum Equipment List (MEL) items not verified during internal audits.

The audit also disclosed that the team composition for carrying out the internal audit is not as per the approved procedure and implementation of safety management system in the organisation which ensure hazard identification, risk assessment and mitigation, documentation and safety promotion requires improvement.

Details of some of the actions taken by DGCA based on the safety audit findings during last five years include:


Davanagere, : Aug 1 (IANS) Reacting to allegations of giving preferential treatment to a Hindu murder victim over two Muslim murder victims, Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said on Monday that the BJP is a national party, which doesn't discriminate against anyone on the basis of religion.

Speaking to mediapersons here, Bommai said, "The leaders of the previous regimes should introspect their own conduct over such issues." The Chief Minister was referring to the recent killings of migrant worker Masood, BJP Yuva Morcha activist Praveen Kumar Nettare and Mohammad Fazil Mangalpet, a worker in Dakshina Kannada district.

The opposition had criticised Bommai for meeting only the slain BJP activist's family members.

Replying to a question on protests staged by BJP workers and Hindu activists demanding protection, the Chief Minister said that the protests have subsided now.

"A sense of confidence is building among them (the protesters) as the investigation is progressing. I am confident that the police would soon nab the killers," he said.

Referring to the recent protest staged by ABVP activists at the residence of Home Minister Araga Jnanendra, Bommai said that there was no lapse in security.
Bhubaneswar, Aug 1 : The Opposition BJP and the Congress members on Monday stalled Odisha Assembly proceedings demanding debate on chit fund scam and farmers' issues.

Due to steep protests by the Opposition members, the first half of the day was completely washed away.

The house was adjourned four times including the last one till 4 p.m.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislators had given a notice for discussion on an adjournment motion on chit fund scam.

However, Speaker Bikram Keshari Arukha has rejected it. In protest of such a move by the Speaker, the BJP members created a ruckus in the house.

On the other hand, the Congress members insisted on a debate on the farmers' issue including non-payment of crop insurance claims by private companies and due to scanty rainfall in some pockets of the state.

As soon as the house assembled for the day at 10.30 a.m., the BJP and Congress lawmakers, shouting slogans, rushed to the Well of the house and demanded discussion of the above issues.

Before adjourning the house, the Speaker said the notice moved by the BJP discussion on chit fund scam was rejected as the issue was not a recent occurrence and it is sub-judice.

As per the rules of the business of the Odisha assembly, such issues could not be taken up for discussion, Arukha said.

Later, the Speaker conveyed an all-party meeting, but it failed to resolve the logjam.

Speaking to reporters outside the assembly, BJP chief whip Mohan Majhi said: "We had moved a notice for an adjournment motion on chit fund scam. However, the Speaker neither rejected nor accepted it." It seems that the Speaker in league with the government is trying to murder the democracy, he alleged.

Though the insurance companies have collected crores of rupees, the farmers are yet to get insurance claims raised for the kharif 2021 crops, said Congress MLA Santosh Singh Saluja.

Similarly, the western Odisha region including Bolangir district has received scanty rainfall during June and July. Therefore, cancelling all other businesses, the drought like situation should be discussed in the house, he said.
Gandhinagar, Aug 1 : The Gujarat government has formed a five member task force headed by the Vice Chancellor of the Kamdhenu University to prepare a treatment roadmap for the Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) infected cattle in the state.

On Monday, Agriculture Minister Raghavji Patel told the media in Gandhinagar: "A task force has been formed under the chairmanship of Naresh Kelawala. It will have four other animal husbandry experts who will prepare treatment path to cure lumpy virus infection among animals which will be followed by the field officers across the state." There are 222 animal husbandry officers, 713 animal inspectors working across 20 districts, 332 outsourced doctors on duty of treating animals, said the minister adding that 54,161 animals have been infected in 1,935 villages of 20 districts while 1,441 animals have succumbed to the virus. Till Sunday evening, 8.17 lakh animals had been vaccinated.

Considering the serious situation in districts like Kutch, Jamnagar, DevBhumi- Dwarka, 107 students of Animal Husbandry courses have been pressed into service.
Chennai, Aug 1 : Passenger car majors in India clocked higher sales numbers last month as compared to July last year.

Industry leader Maruti Suzuki India Ltd closed July, selling 175,916 units (domestic 145,666 units, sales to other vehicle maker 9,939 units, exports 20,311 units) as against July 2021 numbers of 162,462 units (domestic 133,732 units, OEM sales 4,738 units, exports 21,224 units).

The shortage of electronic components had a minor impact on the production of vehicles, mainly in domestic models.

The second largest car maker, Hyundai Motor India Ltd, registered 63,851 units (domestic 50,500 units, exports 13,351 units) last month as against 60,249 units (domestic 48,042 units, exports 12, 207 units) in July 2021.

Tarun Garg, Director, Sales, Marketing & Service), Hyundai Motor India Ltd. said: "With the improvement in the semiconductor situation, the passenger vehicle segment is showing positive trends riding on the green shoots of pent-up demand and customer desire towards personal mobility." Tata Motors Ltd said it sold 47,505 units (internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles 43,483 units, electric vehicles 4,022 units) last month as against 30,185 units (ICE 29,581 units, EV 604 units) sold in July 2021.

On its part, Honda Cars India Ltd logged total sales of 8,888 units (domestic 6,784 units, exports 2,104 units) last month, up from 6,973 units (domestic 6,055 units, exports 918 units) sold in July 2021.

Yuichi Murata, Director, Marketing and Sales, Honda Cars India Ltd said: "Unfortunately, the ongoing chip shortage continues to impact and slowdown our supplies. We are diligently aligning our production to meet the demand as quickly as possible." Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd sold 28,053 passenger vehicles last month that includes, utility vehicles, cars and vans up from 21,046 units sold during the previous year corresponding period.

Nissan Motor India said it registered domestic wholesale of 3,667 units and export wholesales of 4,670 units, cumulative wholesales of 8,337 units for the month of July 2022 logging 14 per cent sales growth.
Amaravati, Aug 1 : The Andhra Pradesh High Court on Monday dismissed the bail petitions of three accused in the murder of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy's uncle and former minister Y.S. Vivekananda Reddy.

Justice D. Ramesh refused to grant bail to Sunil Yadav, Uma Shankar Reddy, and Devireddy Shiva Shankar Reddy - the second, third,and fifth accused in the case respectively.

Two of the accused had sought bail on health grounds. The orders on the bail petitions were reserved on June 29.

Uma Shankar Reddy's counsel had submitted to the court that as the accused number one, said to be the main conspirator of the crime and fourth accused, who participated in the crime and later turned approver are out on the bail, the remaining accused who allegedly played only supporting role in the crime also entitled to bail.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which is probing the case, opposed the bail pleas, saying the accused were party to the entire conspiracy. It argued that if the accused are released on bail, the ongoing investigation will get affected.

Counsel of Sunitha, daughter of Vivekananda Reddy, also opposed the bail petitions.

Last week, the CBI approached the Supreme Court for cancellation of the bail given to Yerra Gangi Reddy, the prime suspect in the case.

The investigating agency filed a petition in the Supreme Court challenging the order of the Andhra Pradesh High Court dismissing its plea to cancel the bail granted to Gangi Reddy by a lower court.

The High Court in March dismissed the CBI's petition. The central agency wanted the bail to be cancelled on the ground that Gangi Reddy was allegedly threatening some witnesses in the case.

Vivekananda Reddy, uncle of Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy, was found murdered at his residence in Kadapa on March 15, 2019, a few days before the election.

The 68-year-old former state minister and former MP was alone at his house when unidentified persons barged in and killed him. He was killed hours before he was to launch the YSR Congress Party's election campaign in Kadapa.

Though three Special Investigation Teams (SITs) conducted the probe, they failed to solve the mystery.

The CBI took over the investigation into the case in 2020 on the direction of the Andhra Pradesh High Court while hearing a petition of Vivekananda Reddy's daughter Sunitha, who raised suspicion about some relatives.

The CBI filed a charge sheet in the murder case on October 26, 2021 and followed it up with a supplementary charge sheet on January 31, 2022
New Delhi, Aug 1 : A group of men allegedly stabbed a 22-year-old youth to death in Khajuri Khas area of East Delhi follwing an argument.

The police said that they got a PCR call in this regard on July 31 that a man was attacked by a group of youth. The victim was rushed to a nearby government hospital by the locals where he was declared brought dead on arrival by the doctors.

A senior police official said that the deceased was identified as Anawarul Haq, a resident of Purniya in Bihar. He had been living in Khajuri Khas for a long time.

"The deceased used to work in a Biharipur-based firm which deals into school bags," the police said.

The police said that they have lodged an FIR under sections 302 (murder) and 34 (common intention) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) with the local police station.

The police said that a team was formed to nab the accused involved in the murder.
Chennai, Aug 1 : The Coimbatore police is all set to join hands with students of Information Technology who are specialising in Artificial Intelligence and ethical hacking for investigation of cyber crimes.

A senior officer told IANS that this was a move intended to seek advice from students who have sound knowledge of cyber crimes and to get their support in preventing such offences.

The Coimbatore police have also started a cyber crime awareness initiative among students, especially college students, who are active on social media and other applications that are prone to such crimes.

A senior officer said: "Students who are studying IT, software courses, and application development courses will have knowledge about cyber crimes and will be able to advise the police on how to identify those involved in these crimes." The sleuths have a full-fledged cyber crime cell but senior officers feel that engaging bright young minds with sound knowledge of the latest trends in software and IT technologies, would be an added advantage for the department.

The police have also planned to establish a 'Cyber Club' that comprises two staff conveners and students from every college in the city. These 'Cyber Clubs' will be used to create cyber awareness among students and common people and how to stay away from modern cyber crimes involving financial misappropriation, misuse of photographs, morphed photos, and spurious calls like payment of online bills and thereby swindling money from bank accounts.

This initiative is being monitored by the Tamil Nadu Police Cyber Crime wing and if the association with the students proves to be helpful, the project will be extended across the state.

A senior officer with the Tamil Nadu Cyber Cell told IANS: "After monitoring the project of Coimbatore Police, if the students we engage are delivering proper results, we are planning to extended this across the state."
Kyiv, Aug 1 : President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has said Ukraine's harvest this year could be half its usual amount because of the Russian invasion, in comments likely to intensify fears of global hunger, media reports said.

"Ukrainian harvest this year is under the threat to be twice less," the Ukrainian leader wrote on Twitter in English, The Guardian reported. His country's main goal, Zelenskiy said, was to prevent a global food crisis caused by the Russian invasion.

His comments came as it emerged that the owner of one of Ukraine's largest agricultural companies had been killed in the shelling of the strategically important southern city of Mykolaiv, near the Black Sea.

Before the invasion, Ukraine was known as the breadbasket of Europe, a key supplier for countries in north Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. When Russia attacked, it blockaded Ukraine's ports, stoking a worldwide grain shortage that has caused the UN to warn of looming hunger catastrophe.

In 2021, Ukraine produced 80 mn metric tonnes of grain, including wheat, corn and barley, enough to feed 400 million people for six months, according to a video tweeted by Zelenskiy. This year Ukraine is on course to harvest and ship less than half of that amount, the video said, The Guardian reported.

Zelenskiy said last week that Ukraine was ready for grain ships to travel through its waters but it was awaiting the green light from the UN and Turkey. Under an agreement signed on July 22, the UN and Turkey have guaranteed the safe passage of ships carrying grain from three Ukrainian ports.

Latest updates on Russia-Ukraine War

Latest updates on Global Food Crisis
London, Aug 1 : Russian President Vladimir Putin may be about to get another seafront pleasure palace as the Kremlin reportedly tries to take hold of a huge parcel of land in Georgia, the media reported.

Aslan Bzhania, de-facto leader of the breakaway Abkhazia region on the Black Sea, says he has been ordered to hand over a 'beachside paradise' near the resort city of Pitsunda by Putin himself.

A 49-year lease has reportedly been signed in secret handing over control of 186 hectares of land, 115 hectares of water, and a nearby military camp to the control of Putin's Federal Protection Service - sparking protests among locals, the Daily Mail reported.

It is thought Putin will use the site - which houses a summer bolt-hole built by Josef Stalin and frequented by Nikita Khrushchev - to build a new home for himself, after opponents exposed his 1 billion pounds palace located just 200 miles up the coast.

Bzhania told furious locals that he is powerless to refuse the request because his fledgling government cannot survive without the support of Russia's military - despite it being battered by the war in Ukraine.

"I can say for sure that the Russian Federation can do without this dacha," he said.

"But can we do without the support of the Russian Federation, its armed forces and its structures that guard our borders here? This is a big question." He admitted: "This is a place where our main guest (Putin) comes," Daily Mail reported.

The 69-year-old Russian president has made at least two visits to the region - one in 2013 and another in 2017.

"There are now new technologies, new security conditions for protected persons. In accordance with this, such work is, of course, needed there," Bzhania added.

This is seen as an acknowledgment that a new palace will appear on the site of the Soviet-era summer dacha.

Latest updates on Russia-Ukraine War
The Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC) convened a meeting of its Tariff Committee to review progress in the implementation of the seventh edition of the Harmonized System (HS) by member countries and examine other issues in relation to tariff work in the Community. The meeting was held on 25 and 26 July 2022 in Douala, Cameroun. It was attended by delegations of Cameroun, Central African Republic, Chad, Republic of the Congo and Gabon, as well as the CEMAC Commission and the WCO. The meeting was co-organized and jointly financed by the CEMAC and the WCO, within the framework of the EU-WCO Programme for HS in Africa (HS-Africa Programme), funded by the European Union.

This meeting intervened as a result of consultations between the HS-Africa Programme and the CEMAC that concluded that only Cameroun had successfully migrated to the HS 2022. The objective of the meeting was to take stock of the state of play in the HS 2022 implementation process in the other countries of the Community, the challenges hindering the migration to the HS 2022 and the support needed for each country. It was also an opportunity where Cameroun experts shared their experience as best practice in the Community.

In their opening remarks, Mr. Michel Niama, Commissioner in charge of the Common Market at the CEMAC, Mr. Samuel Desire Kwedi, Director of International Co-operation and Tax Bases at the Cameroon Customs, and Mr. Gilles Montagnat-Rentier, Senior Economist at the International Monetary Fund reiterated the importance of timely and coordinated implementation of HS amendments by all Community members. They emphasized the pivotal role of the HS and tariffs in ensuring correct and efficient administration of various policy measures, which was particularly relevant in the current context of unstable and disrupted supply chains. They welcomed the opportunity to discuss the implementation of the HS 2022 offered by the Tariff Committee meeting.

Delegates took note of the fact that the CEMAC, under the work plan and with the support of the EU-WCO HS-Africa Programme, had completed the work on the preparation of the 2022 version of the Common External Tariff (CET) well in advance of the implementation date, creating a good basis for member countries to migrate to the new version of the CET in a timely manner. The Committee expressed its appreciation to the CEMAC Commission and Cameroun for the technical preparatory work that they had carried out in that area for the benefit of the Community. Cameroun delegation delivered a presentation with detailed analysis of the process whereby the 2022 CET had been developed and the work model used in Cameroun to implement HS amendments at the national level.

During the meeting, delegations reported the progress achieved so far in their countries, and established plans for the outstanding actions required to finalize the HS 2022 migration process. All delegations informed the Committee that the required national arrangements for implementation of the 2022 CET were in place and the process would be completed before the end of 2022. The HS-Africa Programme will be working with the different countries and the CEMAC to ensure that all members implement the HS 2022 in the course of 2022. The Committee expressed its appreciation to the WCO and the EU for the support provided to the CEMAC for the implementation of the HS and in other areas related to tariff work, reiterating Communitys interest in pursuing its cooperation with the WCO under the HS-Africa Programme.

For more details, please contact wcoHSAfrica@wcoomd.org.
Chandigarh, Aug 1 : The Punjab police on Monday said they have arrested five gangsters of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang and recovered eight weapons and 30 cartridges from them.

Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Anti-Gangster Task Force Gurpreet Singh Bhullar, accompanied by Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Ravjot Kaur, said that based on a tip off, joint teams of the Sirhind and Khamano police busted this interstate gang operating in Punjab.

He said that the kingpin of the gang has been identified as Sandeep Sandhu from Patiala and already four FIRs under various sections of the Arms and Excise Act have been registered against him in the police stations of Patiala and Fatehgarh Sahib districts.

According to Bhullar, Sandeep Sandhu is an associate of gangster Gurpreet Singh, who is lodged in a Patiala jail and both of them are active members of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang.

He said that Gurpreet is also an accused in a murder case along with slain gangster Ankit Bhadu, who was killed in an encounter. Sandhu used to procure weapons from an Uttar Pradesh-based weapons supplier who is now being tracked.

SSP Ravjot Kaur said that Sandhu was wanted by the police in cases of murder and attempt to murder. The other arrested gangsters are Harpreet Singh, Sandeep Singh, Charanjit Singh and Gurmukh Singh.
Jaipur, Aug 1 : A suspected case of monkeypox has been reported in Rajasthan when a young man came from Kishangarh late on Sunday night after being referred to Jaipur.

Speaking to IANS, Superintendent Dr. Ajit Singh said: "A young man came from Kishangarh late on Sunday night. On initial diagnosis, it seemed to be chicken pox. However, taking precautions, the patient has been isolated. His samples have been sent to SMS Medical College for monkeypox test. No travel history of the patient has been revealed yet." "Once the report comes, it will be confirmed whether it is monkeypox virus or chicken pox. In such a situation, we have started the normal treatment," he said.

The doctor informed further: "The incubation period of the virus is 3-21 days, however, 11-12 days isolation is mandatory. Meanwhile, as we have tested his samples, we are waiting for reports which come generally in 24-48 hours," he added.

Latest updates on Monkeypox Virus Outbreak
New Delhi, Aug 1: Maulana Hidayat-ur-Rehman whipped up a storm in the politics of Balochistan through month-long protests engulfing various parts of Balochistan with Gwadar port city as the epicentre. The protests led to a definitive agreement signed by his 'Gwadar Ko Haq Do' movement and the Balochistan Government on 17 December 2021.

The maulana belongs to the Surbandar town of Gwadar and is the general-secretary, Balochistan Chapter, of the Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) - the most significant religious political party in Pakistan. He belongs to a fisherman's family, where both his father and grandfather used to fish to sustain themselves, so it was natural for the maulana to sympathize with fishermen and poor people.

Rehman joined the Islami Jamiat-i-Talaba, a students' wing of the JI and was involved in political activities of JI since 2003. Maulana has been a known figure in Gwadar for a long time and has been involved in highlighting people's vows in the area. Like in 2016, he raised the issue of load-shedding in Gwadar, which even resulted in violent protests.

Since 2021, Maulana has led various rallies over the issues of necessities like clean water, electricity, medical care, education, employment etc. and mobilized people for asking for their due rights, as he did in the 30 September 2021 rally.

Not just that, he has also held rallies against the drone surveillance on homes and curfew on fishing -- the only source of income for thousands of families in Gwadar. The JI leader has gone to the extent of blaming the Frontier Corps (a paramilitary force) for rising terrorism in Balochistan.

On 16th November 2021, he started the 'Gwadar Ko Haq Do' movement with sit-in protests which received complete support from the civil society of not just Gwadar but other areas in Balochistan. The maulana raised hopes for the people of Balochistan who have been suffering for 75 years under Pakistani oppression. People from all walks of life -- old, women and children joined the protests for the basic rights of life and finally after 31 days when no government intimidation worked and the news of the protests spread nationally and globally, an agreement was signed between the protestors and government. In all, it was a democratic movement from the people of Balochistan which sent a signal to Pakistan that the Baloch people can drop their struggle for independence provided their basic needs are met.

There is no doubt that it was a mass movement, but the maulana is also an astute politician.

The first politician that Rehman invited was JI chief Siraj-ul-Haq -- the head of his party. On his very first appearance in Gwadar, the JI chief began by criticizing India and marking India as 'our number one enemy' and that it is harassing Indian Muslims. He also made references to Kashmir.

Initially, not many people paid attention to the statement or understood the politics of JI except Mir Mohammad Ali Talpur, who belongs to the Talpur royal family and had participated in the Balochistan freedom struggle during the 1970s.

The Haq Do movement put up 17 demands to the Balochistan government which included fishing rights, elimination of check posts, recovery of missing people, cases against Maulana and the Haq Do movement to be withdrawn etc. Of the major demands, the government has suggested increasing the fishing periphery from 12 nautical miles limit to 30 nautical miles in the Balochistan's sea and fishermen to be allowed into the sea without permission. The suggestion was tricky as the Balochistan Government jurisdiction only exists till 12 nautical miles as per Balochistan Sea Fisheries (Amendment) Act, 1986 and it also meant impinging into the jurisdiction of the federal government.

Rehman was successful in persuading the government to remove unnecessary checkposts and cases filed against him and the Haq Do movement. But the most important demand over 'enforced disappearances' and the recovery of missing persons did not find mention in the agreement. This redline would have perturbed the Pakistani army. Though on 31 January 2022, Maulana reiterated his feeling about the missing persons and called for a long march till Quetta, which is yet to be completed.

The Haq Do movement garnered support from the Punjab Assembly and even politicians from PPP and PML(N) came to meet and extend their support.

Recently he threatened to close the Gwadar Port on 21st July as the Chinese trawlers could be seen fishing in the Balochistan sea while 20 lakh Baloch fishermen continue to suffer. So, the question is if Rehman is still struggling with his demands, what was achieved from the protests? The maulana comfortably won the Local Bodies Elections in May 2022. The Haq Do movement won 60 seats mainly from the towns of Pasni, Pishukan, Ormara, Jiwani -- which were a hotbed during the Gwadar protests. But this election is unique, as no political party could bag as many seats. The independents bagged most seats at 1,250, followed by the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) with 250 and the third was the Balochistan Awami Party (current ruling party) with 140 seats.

During the Gwadar protests, I had a chance to talk to Parbat Sachdev, JI minority leader from Balochistan. He said that even as a minority he joined JI because none of the political parties has worked for the development of Balochistan and that is the reason he sees scope that people will vote for the JI. Parbat also stated that the Gwadar protests were not intended for garnering electoral support but surely the JI will benefit in the elections which has certainly happened.

Giving credit to Maulana for his honest fight will be too gracious; he is a politician after all, being in JI for almost 20 years now. Rehman wanted to cash in his reputation and mileage from protests; he didn't fight elections under the JI banner but rather under the Haq Do movement. While his mother party, the JI, too fought the elections but garnered seven seats only.

This was a strategic move because Baloch politics has always been dominated by national and regional parties rather than religious ones, which is also one of the primary reasons why Balochistan was always subjugated by Punjab and the Pakistani army. With continuous insurgency movements, the army always had an upper hand to deal with the security situation. Balochistan is Pakistan's most deprived region which the common people have felt for generations. This is what triggered the Baloch to support Rehman.

He has played smart. He understood Balochistan politics well which is the reason he didn't contest elections on the JI card but under the Haq Do movement. Initially, his Facebook page and Twitter profile talked about him as the General-Secretary of the JI, Balochistan chapter, but all that has disappeared now though the JI website clearly states his rank and profile.

Currently, the JI is the ruling party in Balochistan but the Maulana still had to go to great lengths and launch a big campaign. Ironically, he couldn't ask the representatives of his own party in power to bring redemption to the issues which people are face daily.

Baloch National Movement (BNM) Chairman Dr Naseem Baloch says, "Maulana gained popularity by 'Gwadar Haq Do Tehreek' which was a group of different ideologies. It gathered thousands of people with the slogan of the release of missing persons, ending humiliation of people at army check posts and Iran-Balochistan border trade, trawling, against shortage of drinking water in Gwadar etc. The maulana also knew that people had no faith in the JI. In the beginning, Maulana had very secular and nationalist slogans. So people believed in him. Maulana is not a man of words, Pakistan and JI both have intentions to impose fundamentalism here, but now the people are aware. A vast majority of Makuran is secular".

Now that people have supported him, the maulana is beginning to slowly open up his religious agenda. Some of the examples which point towards Rehman's Islamist agenda include urging his supporters to join the JI, a party which the Baloch have been keeping away from.

In another interview, he criticized the University of Balochistan for allowing boys and girls to sit together, while during his Haq Do movement, he had no objection to thousands of women protestors marching and staging sit-ins in Gwadar port city.

Maulana has also reiterated JI's chief statements and attacked India and Bangladesh. He even called Baloch to join jihad.

Mullah ki daud Masjid tak is a local proverb which fits well for Rehman. The proverb means that a person can go only to the extent where his access lasts. He is professionally an Islamic teacher and is affiliated with the JI -- an Islamic party since his student days. With the electoral success in Balochistan, Rehman has completed his circle of vicious politics -- starting from Islamism to secularism and back to Islamism. Now that he has successfully practised his art of deception, he will continue with the same antics till he reaches his next goal -- become a member of the Balochistan assembly and rise higher in Balochistan politics. Unless the people understand his brand of deception and Islamic politics.

(The content is being carried under an arrangement with indianarrative.com) --indianarrative
New Delhi, Aug 1 : Digital payments provider PhonePe has filed a complaint against its former employees for allegedly burning its QR codes in Greater Noida on July 28.

While some of the employees responsible for the act had joined Paytm earlier this year, sources revealed that the incident was a result of a personal grudge between them and their previous employer, and had nothing to do with leading digital payments company Paytm.

Paytm also clarified that it has no role in the incident and added that the matter is between Phonepe and its former employees.

In a statement, the company condemned the incident and said it has already suspended the employees.

"This matter is between PhonePe and its ex-employees. We condemn the act committed by these rogue employees, who have already been suspended from the company pending a detailed investigation," said Paytm.

"We do not tolerate any act of misconduct and always stand by the highest standards of work ethics. Paytm has been the pioneer of QR code payments in the country and takes great pride in significantly contributing to the growth of India's digital ecosystem," it added.
New Delhi, Aug 1 : The Delhi High Court on Monday observed that no bar licence was ever issued in favour of Smriti Irani or her daughter, while dealing with a civil defamation suit filed by Union minister Irani against Congress leaders Jairam Ramesh, Pawan Khera and Netta D'Souza, who alleged that the former was running an 'illegal' bar in BJP-ruled Goa.

Justice Mini Pushkarna said the court perused various documents on record issued by the government of Goa and the office of Commissioner of Excise, which have been addressed to one Anthony Dgama, and not to Irani or her family members.

"Considering the documents on record, it is clearly seen that there was no licence which was ever issued in favour of the plaintiff or her daughter. The plaintiff or her daughter are not the owners of the restaurant. It has also been established by the plaintiff prima facie that the plaintiff or her daughter never applied for licence.

"Neither the restaurant nor the land on which the restaurant exists is owned by the plaintiff or her daughter. Even the show-cause notice issued by the government of Goa is not in the name of the plaintiff or her daughter. All these facts have also been affirmed in the affidavit submitted by the plaintiff," the court observed.

Justice Pushkarna further said: "I am of prima facie view that slanderous and libellous allegations have been levelled against the plaintiff without verifying the actual facts. Great injury has been caused to the reputation of the plaintiff and her family in view of the various tweets and re-tweets which followed the press conference held by defendant No. 1, 2 and 3 (Ramesh, Khera, D'Souza)." "Since the plaintiff commands an esteemed position as a minister in the Government of India and considering the nature of her public office, there is immense public glare and scrutiny of any information about the plaintiff in public domain.

"Defendant No. 1 to 3 (Congress leaders) have conspired with each other and other individuals and organisations to launch a tirade of false, scathing and belligerent personal attack on the plaintiff and her daughter with a common motive to malign, defame and injure the reputation, moral character and public image of the plaintiff and her daughter," Pushkarna added.

The court also issued summons to the above-mentioned Congress leaders and directed them to remove the tweets related to the allegations levelled against Irani and her daughter.

The case is related to the political controversy surrounding the 'Silly Souls Cafe and Bar', allegedly operated by Irani's daughter Zoish Irani in Goa's Assagao.

The Congress has alleged that the daughter of Irani was running an illegal bar in BJP-ruled Goa.

While Irani refuted Congress' allegations, terming them as "malicious" intended to "malign" her and assassinate the character of her 18-year-old student daughter, the Congress urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to sack her as Union minister.

Prior to her plea in the high court, Irani had served legal notice to the Congress leaders and demanded a written apology, asking them to withdraw the allegations levelled against her daughter with immediate effect.
New Delhi, Aug 1 : The Supreme Court on Monday asked the Uttarakhand High Court to expeditiously consider a plea against the felling of 2,057 trees of different species for the road widening in a dense green stretch of Dehradun Valley for facilitating the traffic movement to and fro from Mussoorie.

New Delhi, Aug 1 (IANS) The Supreme Court on Monday asked the Uttarakhand High Court to expeditiously consider a plea against the felling of 2,057 trees of different species for the road widening in a dense green stretch of Dehradun Valley for facilitating the traffic movement to and fro from Mussoorie.

A bench of Justices D.Y. Chandrachud and Sudhanshu Dhulia said: "It would be appropriate if the bench hearing PIL matters in the high court takes up the matter on an expeditious basis so that the submissions which the petitioner has can be duly considered by the high court." In its order, it said: "We permit the petitioner and the State to mention the proceedings tomorrow, 2 August 2022, before the High Court so that the appropriate Bench of the High Court considering PIL petitions can list the proceedings expeditiously, preferably within a period of a week. All questions are kept open to be urged before the high court." The top court granted liberty to petitioner Ashish Kumar Garg, who was represented by senior advocate Sanjay Parikh, to raise all appropriate issues before the high court in the pending proceedings, including on the feasibility of transplantation and the need for felling of trees.

"Since the writ petition is pending before the high court, the issues which have been raised before the high court are left open for being addressed before the high court," it said.

The apex court noted that a division bench of the high court by its order dated 22 June 2022, modified an earlier interim direction dated May 11, 2022, which restrained felling of trees for the purpose of a proposed road widening in Dehradun.

"The high court, acting on the premise that it is well-known that eucalyptus trees have adverse effect on soil conservation and soil texture, and on the water table, modified the interim order so as to permit the felling of eucalyptus trees. The high court observed that while the widening of the road would continue, out of 2,057 trees that were proposed to be felled, 1,006 eucalyptus trees were allowed to be felled by the authorities," it said in its order.

The high court had directed that the first report would be submitted in the second week of December 2022 and listed the proceedings after six months awaiting the report of the concerned authorities.

Garg moved the top court, through advocate Srishti Agnihotri, challenging high court passed on June 22, accepting the proposal for road widening submitted by the Uttarakhand government through the Executive Engineer, PWD, Rishikesh with certain modifications and consequently allowed felling of trees, without considering his suggestions which would sustain the ecology and save the trees from unnecessary felling.
Kolkata, Aug 1 : Sleuths of the Criminal Investigation Department of the West Bengal Police which is probing the cash recovery from three Jharkhand legislators at Panchal in Howrah district on Saturday evening, have reportedly got clues that the little over Rs 48 lakhs that was recovered from the boot of their car was handed to them in Kolkata.

CID sources said they have come across some CCTV footage which shows that the three MLAs checked into a hotel on Sudder Street in central Kolkata on Saturday morning. Sources added that they did not register.

"They checked into a room and soon came out and entered the hotel bar. Soon a fourth person joined them and after some interaction that fourth person left. But soon he returned with a bag which he handed over to the three MLAs. We think that the bag contained the cash that was recovered from the boot of the car the three MLAs were travelling in," a CID source said.

He said that a trader based out of central Kolkata is under their scanner.

Sources confirmed that after the fourth person left, the three MLAs spent some time in the hotel bar drinking beer, following which they too left the hotel.

CID sleuths have questioned the receptionist of the hotel who confirmed that he did not insist on their filling the hotel register on the instructions of the hotel owner. The sleuths are interrogating the three MLAs both on the source of the money and why it was given to them.

On Saturday evening, the three MLAs -- Irfan Ansari from Jamtara Assembly constituency, Rajesh Kacchap from Khijri (Scheduled Tribe) constituency and Naman Bixal Kongari from Kolebira (Scheduled Tribe) constituency -- were nabbed by the police at Howrah's Panchla, with the cash in the boot of their SUV.

The MLAs told the police that the cash was meant for purchasing sarees from the wholesale market at Burrabazar in central Kolkata to distribute in their constituencies on the occasion of the forthcoming World Tribal Day. The MLAs and two others arrested with them, including the driver, have been remanded to CID custody till August 10.
Shimla, Aug 1 : Seven men belonging to Punjab drowned on Monday in the Gobind Sagar lake on the Sutlej in Himachal Pradesh's Una district while swimming, police said.

A majority of the victims were aged between 16 and 18 years.

They were part of a 11-member group that came to the lake for an excursion from Banur in Mohali district. The incident took place at around 3.40 p.m. when one of the swimmers began to drown and the others tried to save him.

However, four swimmers managed to return to safety.

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur expressed grief over the incident that occurred in Androli village.

The bodies have been retrieved by divers, an official statement said.
Agartala, Aug 1 : The opposition Congress in Tripura on Monday demanded the withdrawal of "Z Plus" security cover of former Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb, saying he is "falsely enjoying the security status".

A senior police officer in the Tripura police headquarters said the police would soon review the security cover of Deb, who resigned from the top post on May 14.

The former Chief Minister, who enjoyed the "Z Plus" category security cover, was accorded the same security cover even after he resigned, leading to the criticism in the opposition circles.

Congress leader and party's lone MLA Sudip Roy Barman on Monday in a letter to the Director General of police Amitabh Ranjan demanded withdrawal of the "Z Plus" category security cover of Deb.

He said that in the year 2017, then BJP state president Biplab Kumar Deb had stage-managed a so-called attack on him to have security cover from union home ministry which granted him only "Y" category of security cover.

"But ever since the ouster of Deb from the post of Chief Minister, he kept on claiming his entitlement to 'Z Plus' security through an act of gross falsification to gain tightest possible security which also allows him to have personal security officers accompany him during his visits both within the state as well as outside the state." Roy Barman said that the number of government vehicles along with security is regularly being misused leading to the government incurring heavy expenses, and squandering of public money on the false security claim of Deb.

Alleging "providing undue privileges to Deb" after his resignation as Chief Minister, the Congress legislator has stated that this is "misuse of public money and administrative scope".

Roy Barman, who was the Health and Information Technology Minister in the Deb government but was sacked following differences with Deb in May 2019, said the "former Chief Minister illegally enjoys various government facilities".

Roy Barman following the open revolt against Deb, quit the BJP earlier this year and joined Congress before being elected in the June 23 by-election from the Agartala Assembly seat 6 times in a row.
New Delhi, Aug 1 : The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has claimed that it has enough evidence against Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut, whom the agency has arrested in connection with a case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act pertaining to the Rs 1,034 crore Patra Chawl scam.

IANS has accessed Raut's arrest memo, according to which the Sena leader has been booked under Section 19 (1) of Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

"The Mumbai Zonal Office-I, on the basis of material in my possession, has reason to believe that Shri Sanjay Rajaram Raut, R/0 Maitri Niwas, Friends Colony, Bhandup East, Mumbai, has been guilty of an offence punishable under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 [15 of 2003].

"Now, therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred on me under Sub-section (1) of Section 19 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002, I, hereby arrest Shri Sanjay Rajaram Raut at 12.05 a.m on 01.08.2022 and Shri Sanjay Rajaram Raut has been informed of the grounds for such arrest," read the arrest memo of ED.

Following his arrest post midnight on Sunday, Raut was produced before a special PMLA court in Mumbai which remanded him to ED custody till August 4.

The ED argued that his custodial interrogation is required in this case as he was evasive throughout the questioning.

As per the probe agency, Raut and his family members are the direct beneficiaries of the proceeds of crime. However, Raut's counsel Ashok Mundargi said that all the allegations levelled against his client were baseless and vague.

On his part, Raut has termed the entire matter as vendetta politics by the Centre.
The World Customs Organization (WCO) conducted an Integrity Diagnostic mission in Mbabane, Eswatini, from 18th to 22nd July 2022 to support the implementation of a robust anti-corruption and integrity development by the Eswatini Revenue Service (ERS). The mission was a follow-up to the recommendations of a scoping mission conducted by the Sida-WCO Trade Facilitation and Customs Modernization (Sida-WCO TFCM) Programme in June 2021, on the priority areas for implementing an effective integrity development program in ERS.

As part of the mission objectives, the WCO team, comprising member Experts from the South African Revenue Service (SARS) and Mauritius Revenue Authority (MRA), performed an organizational assessment of the ERS anti-corruption and integrity development initiatives using a comprehensive and detailed methodology in accordance with the WCO Revised Integrity Development Guide (RIDG) to assist ERS staff to assess their compliance with the requirements of the Revised Arusha Declaration on Integrity in Customs.

Several mid-level managers and officers from various functional of ERS, including Legal, Human Resources, Internal Audit, IT, Customs Operations, and the Communication Department, contributed to the self-assessment exercise. This enabled the experts to offer advisory support to the ERS management based on the gaps identified, and a strategic road map for implementing an anti-corruption and integrity programme within ERS.

As part of their assessment of the integrity issue in their environment, the experts met with the Anti-Corruption Commission and private sector stakeholders. In order to examine the customs procedures, the WCO experts also visited the Ngweya Border Post between South Africa and Eswatini.

Following that, a high-level meeting was held with the new Commissioner General of ERS, Mr. Brightwell Nkambule, together with the Commissioner of Customs, Director of Internal Affairs, and other members of the Senior Executive Team to plan the future crafting of the integrity strategy for ERS.

The Commissioner General commended the WCO Experts for their team work and technical assistance, especially expressed appreciation to the WCO for the assistance in the area of integrity development and other customs-related areas. The ERS looks forward to the final mission report and recommendations in order to implement an organization wide anti-corruption and integrity programme.

The WCO mission was conducted under the auspices of the Sida-WCO TFCM Programme, with funding from the Government of Sweden. For more inquiries on this mission, please, contact capacity.building@wcoomd.org.
Patna, Aug 1 : Former Jahanabad MP Arun Kumar who was convicted by a MP-MLA court for his threat in 2015 to break the chest of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, is still sticking to his statement in 2022. He however clarified that breaking the chest is a phrase in the Magadh region and Magadhi language.

The MP-MLA court on Saturday sentenced him to three years in jail. The court however granted him bail after he filed a bail bond of Rs 5000.

On Monday, Arun Kumar who is associated with the LJP (Ram Vilas), repeated his 2015 statement. He also targeted JD-U national president Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh and called him "Shikhandi" who is giving more pain to us.

"I had given the statement of breaking the chest of CM Nitish Kumar in 2015 and I am saying it again but my statement was wrongly interpreted. In the Magadh region, breaking the chest is a phrase that we commonly use. It means we break the arrogance of a person. Politically, I am against the ideology of Nitish Kumar, hence, I am saying it again and again without bothering about the pain they are giving us," Kumar, who belongs to the influential Bhumihar community, said.

"In 2015, Nitish Kumar used the government machinery to brutalise us. He brought 4000 policemen on the ground from Barahia to Jaymal Bigha in Bhabua. I then said that if such kind of brutalization would take place with our women, I would not remain silent.

"At present, Nitish Kumar is keeping a Shikhandi who said he was a homeopathic doctor of politics, and is giving pain to us. I will break the arrogance of both Nitish Kumar and his Shikhandi," Kumar said. He used Shikhandi and homeopathic doctor of politics for Lalan Singh but did not take his name.
New Delhi, Aug 1 : The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Monday said that they have arrested a Chief Freight Transport Manager (CFTM) of the East Central Railway, and four others including the Director of a private company in connection with a case of bribery.

The accused were identified as CFTM Sanjay Kumar, railway officials Rupesh Kumar, and Sachin Mishra, Nawal Ladha of Abha Agro Industries Private Ltd and Abha Agro Export Private Ltd, Manoj Ladha, and Manoj Kumar Saha.

According to a senior CBI official, they lodged an FIR in this connection on July 31, as per the allegations that the accused collected illegal gratification from the vendors of the ECR for preferential allotment of railway racks for loading goods.

"Director of Kolkata-based private company, pursuant to a well-knit conspiracy with public servants of East Central Railway, regularly availed out of turn and priority allotment of railway rack services, to have extra stacking time for his firm and take other undue advantages in exchange of payment of huge bribes on monthly basis to the public servants," the CBI said.

The Director of the company directed his brother to deliver Rs 23.5 lakh to various officers of ECR.

The CBI then laid a trap and caught the CFTM accepting the bribe of Rs 6 lakh, along with the bribe giver. Later, three other accused were also caught.

Searches were conducted in 16 locations including Patna, Sonpur, Hajipur, Samastipur, and Kolkata which led to the recovery of various incriminating documents and Rs 46.50 lakh, Rs 29 lakh of which was from a businessman in Kolkata.

A SUV car in which six envelopes, containing the cash to be delivered to various officers of ECR, was also recovered.
Gandhinagar, Aug 1 : An audio clip purportedly of two drug smugglers now in circulation in Gujarat has one smuggler claiming that "It is just impossible to land drugs on the Gujarat coast, the vigil has increased upto 400 nautical miles in the high seas. No route is safe and especially Irani captains are not ready to take such a consignment." Deputy Inspector General (ATS), Deepan Bhadran, has confirmed that an Indian agency intercepted the conversation between the two drug smugglers.

In the audio clip, the caller does not introduce himself but calls the respondent Hasimbhai and starts the conversation with good wishes. He then states, "I had a meeting with the 'Nakhuda' (captain of country vessel) for two hours, he has refused to land the drugs at the said point, Indian's vigil is now not limited to 190 nautical miles but upto 400 nautical miles. It is not possible from here, my advice is not to take any consignment, if Irani vessel sails out I don't think they will be able to safely land, no one wants to get caught by the Indians." The caller further says, "It is not possible by the Irani captain, Jamnagar and Porbandar are hardly 180 to 200 nautical miles away, just impossible to sneak inside, that is not one percent chance of safe landing. If the consignment is landed safely everyone will make money otherwise they will lose. Irani country vessels are risky and only one route is safe, but they are not ready to take the risk. Even if the vessel starts from Iran, they will get a hint of it." In the last two years Indian agencies have seized 25,999 kilograms of drugs, worth Rs 5,000 crore, while being smuggled into India and have arrested 30 Pakistanis, 17 Iranians, 2 Afghans and 1 Nigerian. A total of 422 NDPS cases have been registered, the state crime bureau records reveal.
New Delhi, Aug 1 : A Special CBI court in Madhya Pradesh has awarded a seven-year jail term to five accused in connection with a case related to the Madhya Pradesh Pre Medical Test (MPPMT) 2009 examination conducted by the Vyavsayik Pariksha Mandal (Vyapam).

The court sentenced Satyapal Kustwar (candidate), Shailendra Kumar (impersonator), Ravindra Dulawat (candidate), Ashish Uttam (impersonator) and Sanjay Dulawat (middleman) to seven years rigorous imprisonment.

The CBI had registered the case in 2015 in compliance with the orders of the Supreme Court and took over the investigation from the police station in Indore's Sanyogitaganj.

The local police had lodged the FIR against the accused.

It was alleged that the accused Kustwar and Dulawat fraudulently qualified the MPPMT 2009 examination conducted by Vyapam in 2009 through impersonation.

Both the candidates were allotted Mahatma Gandhi Memorial (MGM) Medical College at Indore as their examination centre, and subsequently, they attended the admission process there.

However, during the admission process, both the candidates were caught by the college's Scrutiny Committee, as their photographs did not match the pictures affixed on the result sheet.

Following this, the Scrutiny Committee denied admission to both the candidates and subsequently, on the basis of the complaint of the Dean, a case was registered against them at the Sanyogitaganj police station.

During investigation, three others, including the middleman and two impersonators, were arraigned as accused. Earlier, the state police had filed a chargesheet.

After thorough investigation, the CBI filed two separate supplementary chargesheets pertaining to the selection of Dulawat and Kustwar before the court.

The trial court merged both chargesheets and continued the trial.
Mumbai, Aug 1 : In an unprecedented development, Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari on Monday admitted that he has "erred" in praising the contribution of certain communities and sought "forgiveness" from the people of the state.

In a signed statement, he said: "I may have made some mistake in praising the contribution of certain communities in the development of Mumbai at a public function on July 29." Not only Maharashtra, everyone has made a special contribution to the development of the entire country, added Koshyari - who has courted many controversies in the past.

Today, the country is moving towards progress, especially due to the generosity of the state concerned and the bright traditions of taking everyone along together, he said.

Koshyari acknowledged that in his almost three years (as Governor), he got immense love from the people of Maharashtra, and he tried to increase the respect of the state and the Marathi language.

"But, if I have unknowingly made some mistake in my speech, it should not be construed as any kind disrespect for this great state... In the best traditions of the great saints of Maharashtra, it will show your large heart by forgiving this humble servant of the state," appealed Koshyari humbly, even as the issue had died a natural death.

The Governor's statement of regret - not witnessed by the state in its history - came four days after his comments lauding the Gujarati and Rajasthani communities for their benefaction to the progress of Mumbai and Thane, and how - if they were removed - Mumbai would lose its money and status as the country's commercial capital.

The utterances had sparked off a massive political row, with the ruling coalition of rebel Shiv Sena leader and Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Bharatiya Janata Party leader and Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis slamming the Governor.

On the opposition front, Shiv Sena President and ex-CM Uddhav Thackeray, Nationalist Congress Party, Congress, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena and others had hit out at the Governor and issued calls for his recall by the Centre.

Thackeray had even declared that the time had come to "show the Kolhapuri chappals (footwear)" to the Governor, while the Shinde group had warned it would complain against him to the Central government.

After the unexpected backlash, the Governor had quickly clarified that his words were taken out of context "as usual" and reaffirmed the contributions of Marathis to Mumbai which is the pride of Maharashtra and also the country's commercial capital.

"I had no intentions to underestimate the Marathis... they have built Maharashtra by sheer hard work and there are many leading Marathi industrialists here, and are famous not only in the state but all over India and the world. Praising one community does not amount to insulting others," said Koshyari on Saturday.

He reiterated that he was proud of the opportunity to serve the land of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and the Maharashtrians as the Governor he had even learnt Marathi in a very short time.

(Quaid Najmi can be contacted at q.najmi@ians.in)
New Delhi/Chennai, Aug 1 : The process for a second airport in Tamil Nadu's capital is advancing with the Ministry of Civil Aviation going along with the choice of the state government for its site.

Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation, Gen V.K. Singh (retd) in a reply to a question from Rajya Sabha MP member Kanimozhi N.V.N. Somu said that the Tamil Nadu government has short-listed Parandur as the site for the Greenfield airport.

The state government will have to submit a proposal to the Ministry for grant of site clearance for the airport site.

The Tamil Nadu state government had short-listed four sites -- Pannur, Parandur, Tiruporur, and Padalam -- for the second airport at Chennai. An Airport Authority of India team visited all the four shortlisted sites and submitted a report to the Ministry.

Two sites -- Pannur and Parandur -- were finally shortlisted and after several rounds of technical and other feasibility studies, and the Ministry of Civil Aviation had a meeting with the Tamil Nadu government.

State Industries Minister Thangam Thenarasu, who was part of the discussions, had told media persons that the Central government had expressed its willingness to go along with the recommendations of the state government.

The AAI had, in its pre-feasibility study, recommended Pannur as the ideal choice for the second airport at Chennai but the state government had found Parandur as the ideal site after its own Obstacle Limitation Surface survey and Techno-Economic Feasibility studies.

The ease of land acquisition and safety and environmental clearances were also taken into account by the state government in choosing Parandur.
Kolkata, Aug 1 : A prominent official with the West Bengal Education Department on Monday compared former state education minister Partha Chatterjee -- an accused in the multi-crore West Bengal School Service Commission recruitment irregularities scam, with the legendary leader of anti-apartheid movement in South Africa, Nelson Mandela.

Sounds unconceivable! But none other than the state syllabus committee chairman, Avik Majumdar has drawn this conclusion at a press conference on Monday with the incumbent West Bengal Education Minister Bratya Basu seated next to him.

Ever since Chatterjee was detained by the Enforcement Directorate in connection to the scam, the Opposition leaders have been demanding removal of Partha Chatterjee's name from a chapter in the syllabus of the state secondary examinations.

After coming to power in West Bengal for the first time in 2011, the Trinamool Congress government introduced a new chapter in the syllabus on the party's movement against land acquisition for Tata Motors' Nano factory at Singur in Hooghly district in West Bengal, considered to be playing an important role in the ousting of 34-year-long Left Front rule in West Bengal.

In that chapter, Partha Chatterjee's name was mentioned as the- then leader of the opposition in West Bengal assembly.

On Monday evening, when mediapersons asked Bratya Basu some questions on the matter, the state syllabus committee chairman replied: "Whatever is there in the chapter is true. When the chapter was included, it was written based on the realities which are historically true. You might recall the life of the leader of anti-apartheid movement in South Africa, Nelson Mandela. His wife was Winnie Mandela. But later, she got divorced after some charges of corruption were raised against Nelson Mandela. She was even expelled from the party. But the history and the website of the South African government still refers her name as an inseparable aide of Nelson Mandela in the anti-apartheid movement there."
New Delhi: A liquor shop closed due to the shortage of alcohol, in New Delhi on Monday August 01, 2022. (Photo: Wasim Sarvar/IANS) Image Source: IANS News

New Delhi: A liquor shop closed due to the shortage of alcohol, in New Delhi on Monday August 01, 2022. (Photo: Wasim Sarvar/IANS) Image Source: IANS News

New Delhi, Aug 1 : Delhi on Monday faced a "dry day" like situation as all the private liquor shops and bars remained closed.

Despite a one-month extension announced by the Delhi government, the liquor vends kept shutters down and no alcohol could be served in hotels, clubs and bars as their excise licences expired on July 31.

"The Delhi government has decided to extend existing licences of liquor shops till August 31", said a source on Monday. However, the liquor shops will open only after the excise department's order following getting the approval from the Lieutenant Governor.

As on Monday evening, the nod from the LG office on the extension of licences for one month was not given which led to the shutdown of the shops in the city.

"We had the licence to operate till July 31 only and the excise department has not granted any extension to us yet. So we have closed the the service of liquor for today", said Irfan, manager of a well known bar and restaurant chain. He added that they have been told to remain closed for today, once the order comes, we hope to open tomorrow again, he said.

"We have no idea when the order will come. Even if it comes today, there is no stuff in the shop tp sell," said a liquor vend employee near ITO.

A zonal license holder, on the condition of anonymity, said that so much uncertainty has shrouded the policy. We don't have any idea what will be followed tomorrow. If the order comes allowing us, there may be issues of shortage also, he said.

"Shutdown of shops and bars for one or two days is a routine matter and doesn't affect any stakeholder much. But if shops are unable to open soon in a normal way, the supply chain will get disrupted and that takes time to restart. Trade anyway is not expected to stock up for short term extensions. This disruption is a loss to all stakeholders, whether it's the government, the manufacturers, the restaurants or the consumers", Vinod Giri, Director General of the Confederation of Indian Alcoholic Beverage Companies (CIABC), told IANS.

However, the Delhi government has also decided to go back to the old regime of retail liquor sale in the city for six months following Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena's recommendation for a CBI probe into the implementation of the new excise policy.

But, before that the AAP government has decided to give an extension for one month as it will take time to transit from the ongoing excise policy to the old regime.

As per the source, the AAP government has sent the decision of its cabinet to extend the existing liquor vend licences for one month, up to August 31, to the Lt Governor. "The orders allowing the liquor stores to remain open after July 31 will be issued after the LG's approval," a source said.

--IANS avr//bg

A
Washington, Aug 1 : Former Director of National Intelligence, John Ratcliffe, has accused the Joe Biden administration in the US of mismanaging Speaker Nancy Pelosis upcoming visit to Taiwan despite angering China and inviting retaliation from the dragon.

The Trump-era spy chief claimed that Chinese President Xi Jinping is capitalising on President Biden's "weakness" as Beijing and its media mouthpieces are threatening of dire consequences if Pelosi visits Taiwan, which China claims as its territory, the Washington Examiner reported.

"It's been mismanaged by the Biden administration," Ratcliffe said, responding in the affirmative to a question by Fox News anchor Maria Bartiromo.

"And, to this point, she does need to go for the sake of our national security, so that the American people see that the Chinese Communist Party is not the one dictating American foreign policy, that it is the American government doing that, but the Biden administration publicly talking about it ahead of time and then not backing up Nancy Pelosi with the media or on the call with President Xi Jinping," Ratcliff said.

"I mean, I think we have come to expect that President Biden, his weakness comes through. We didn't have high expectations for that call, but, very clearly, he did not back up the Speaker's right to go to Taiwan, and, as a result, President Xi is acting on that weakness," he added.

Taiwan, formerly Formosa and now known as the Republic of China, is an independent island nation off the coast of mainland China. The Chinese Communist Party has sought to bring the territory under its control, while Taiwan is self-governed and receives US defence support, despite not being formally recognised.

US' relations with Taiwan became unofficial in 1979 after the United States agreed to establish diplomatic relations with the CCP-ruled Chinese mainland via the "one China" policy.

Pelosi is scheduled to make a stop in Taiwan enroute Asia, as she is leading a Congressional delegation on the long journey. An itinerary released by Pelosi's team includes stops in Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea, and Japan but does not officially mention the stop in Taiwan.

Chinese state media figures warned that Beijing would carry out "severe punishment" on Taiwan if Pelosi landed on the island, and a Chinese Foreign Ministry readout of a call between Biden and Xi claimed the Chinese leader warned his US counterpart on the matter that "those who play with fire perish by it".

The Biden administration, including Department of Defence officials, repeatedly said the decision was up to Pelosi, but President Biden did say last week that the military was concerned about it.

On Friday, National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said there's "no reason" to "come to blows" if Pelosi visits Taiwan "because there's been no change in American policy with respect to One China", the Examiner said.

Ratcliffe, a former Republican Congressman from Texas, said he agreed with an assessment by former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who warned Xi is "watching" what the United States is prepared to do to assist its allies and that failing to help the Taiwanese people defend themselves will "only embolden" the Chinese leader.

He also cited a report by the New York Times that said US officials fear China will make a move on Taiwan in the next 18 months, which Ratcliffe stressed is "not a coincidence" that it would be at a time when Biden's first term is not yet up.

After also bringing up the chaotic withdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan and Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Ratcliffe stressed, "The fact that all three of these things are happening during the Biden administration really speaks to what a disaster he has been as a foreign policy president."

Latest updates on Russia-Ukraine War
New Delhi, Aug 1 : A group of former women officials on Monday wrote a letter to Home Minister Amit Shah, demanding action against Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury over his controversial remarks in which he referred President Droupadi Murmu as "Rashtrapatni".

"Adhir Ranjan Choudhary deserves to be punished by the courts for this deliberate sexist insult to the respected female President of the India, he should also be made to publicly apologise to all Indian women," submitted the group consisting of as many as 51 former women public servants, intellectuals and academicians.

The group stated "his offence is punishable under Sections 354 and 509 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC)".

"MPs belonging to different political parties have demanded an unconditional apology for demeaning the President, who is the first tribal lady and also from a poor family to get elected as the President of India. From calling Mrs. Murmu a 'puppet' and a 'symbol of evil', the Congress has been 'maliciously' attacking the President ever since she was fielded as an NDA nominee for the presidential elections," the letter stated.

It further said the offence becomes much graver because it is against the Head of State.

While Choudhary deserves to be punished by the courts for this deliberate sexist insult to the respected female President of the country, he should also be made to publicly apologise to all Indian women, they submitted.

"It needs to be noted that the NCW and 13 State Commissions for women have issued a joint statement, saying Chowdhury's remark was deeply insulting, sexist and constituted an attempt to humiliate the President of India," it noted.

The letter also highlighted the Scheduled Castes and Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, wherein the purpose of the Act was to prevent atrocities and help in social inclusion of weaker section into society.

"Clearly Adhir Ranjan Choudhary has insulted and humiliated Droupadi Murmu, India's first President from the tribal community, in full public view," it added.
The WCO in collaboration with the United Nations Environment Program (Ozone Action) and the Basel Convention Secretariat, has conducted awareness raising workshops for the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) and Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) respectively, to sensitize their Customs departments on the Basel Convention and the Montreal Protocol. The workshops were held consecutively on 13th to 15th July in Nairobi, Kenya; and from 18th to 20th July 2022, in Dar Es Salem, Tanzania, under the auspices of the SidaWCO Trade Facilitation and Customs Modernization (TFCM) Programme for Sustainable Development in SubSaharan Africa, with funding from the Government of Sweden.

The three-day events emphasized the important role of Customs administrations in fighting against climate change and contributing to the sustainability of the global environment. In that regard, the WCOs role in cooperating with other global partners to ensure Customs administrations are effective in implementing Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) such as the Basel Convention on the control of transboundary movement of hazardous waste, and the Montreal Protocol on the control of substances that deplete the ozone layer, was highlighted with clear objective. A team of experts from the WCO, UNEP and the Basel Convention Secretariat conducted interactive discussions and presentations on addressing the critical areas and issues that affect Customs and Environment agencies to efficiently implement controls for the transboundary movement of hazardous waste, and ozone depleting substances regulated by the two agreements.

To that end, a combined total of forty-one participants representing KRA and the Kenya National Environment Management Authority (23); as well as, TRA and the Tanzania National Environment Management Council (18), benefitted from the workshop by enhancing their knowledge and understanding of the policies, trends and enforcement controls related to the Basel Convention and Montreal Protocol. The interactions also fostered the commitments between Customs Administrations and Environment national agencies, to collaborate better at the borders.

Based on continued technical collaboration with the WCO Environment Programme, UNEPOzone Action, and the Basel Convention Secretariat, the Sida-WCO TFCM Programme will provide further technical assistance to Customs administrations in the SADC and EAC regions to address the trade related issues that adversely affect the environment while implementing the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement.

For more information on the Sida-WCO TFCM Programme, kindly contact: capacity.building@wcoomd.org.
New Delhi, Aug 1 : Satyendra Prakash, an Indian Information Service officer of 1988 batch, on Monday assumed charge as the Principal Director General of Press Information Bureau (PIB).

Prior to this, Prakash held the position of Principal DG, Central Bureau of Communication. He has wide experience in the Central government in the fields of public communication, media management, administration, policy formulation and programme implementation.

He has represented the Indian government in various national and international fora like UNESCO, UNICEF, UNDP and others.

He has also been instrumental in the formulation of draft guidelines for content regulation of government advertising, internet and digital media policy, FM radio policy and digital cinema policy for the Central Bureau of Communication.

He was recognised for his role in the presentation of the first ever tableau of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on Republic Day in 2021 on the theme of 'vocal for local'.

He has also recently been recognised by the Election Commission and conferred the national award for enhancing electoral participation through voter awareness and education in 2021-22.
New Delhi, Aug 1 : The minority wing of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is planning to hoist the national flag at religious places and institutions as part of 'Har Ghar Tiranga' campaign.

It plans to unfurl Tricolour at over 7,000 such places across the country.

BJP minority morcha president Jamal Siddiqui told IANS that as part of 'Azadi ka Amrit Mahostav', it will launch a campaign to celebrate 'Har Ghar Tiranga' at booth level across the country and also request minority religious places and institutions to hoist the Tricolour at their premises.

"The workers of BJP minority morcha will be requesting community and religious leader to hoist the Tricolour at Mosque, Gurudwara, Churches and institutions to become part of 'Azadi ka Amrit Mahostav' and to remember and pay tributes to the great freedom fighters," Siddiqui said.

When asked if religious leaders would agree to hoist the Tricolour in the places of worship, Siddiqui said that it is not a religious flag and no religion prohibits hoisting the national flag.

"We have already started reaching out to the religious leaders with an appeal to join 'Har Ghar Tiranga' campaign and we are getting good response. On Tuesday, I will be meeting religious leaders in Manipur and later on in Nagaland with an appeal to hoist Tricolour from August 13 to 15. We are making similar appeals to religious and community leaders across the country," Siddiqui said.

As per initial plan, all the National Executive Committee (NEC) members of the BJP Minority Morcha will be given a minimum 75 national flags for hoisting at religious places and institutions.

National media in-charge of BJP Minority Morcha Syed Yasir Jilani said that each of 105 NEC members of the party minority wing will personally hand over 75 national flags to religious places and institutions.

"We are approaching people and confident of successfully hoisting national flags at religious places and institutions with people participation. Ordinary people from minority communities are also coming forward to hoist the national flag and our state units are coordinating to make 'Har Ghar Tiranga' a huge success," Jilani said.

Under the 'Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav', a programme 'Har Ghar Tiranga' will be organised from August 13 to 15 in which Tricolour will be hoisted at 20 crore houses across the country.

In his radio address 'Mann ki Baat' on July 31, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said: "By becoming a part of this movement, from August 13 to 15, you must hoist the Tricolour at your home, or adorn your home with it. The Tricolour connects us, inspires us to do something for the country. I also have a suggestion that from August 2 to 15 all of us can place the Tricolour on our social media profile pictures."
New Delhi, Aug 1 : Delhi on Monday reported its second monkeypox case.

A 35-year-old Nigerian man, who was admitted to the LNJP hospital, has tested positive for the infection, a source told IANS. He is the second confirmed case of monkeypox in the city.

The foreign national was admitted two days ago to the LNJP hospital which has been designated by the government as the nodal hospital for treatment of the infection.

As per the source, the Nigerian man has no recent history of foreign travel. His samples were sent to the National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune, and the confirmation report reached the hospital on Monday evening.

Apart from that, a suspected case of monkeypox has also been admitted to the hospital on Monday. Currently, the hospital has two suspected cases of monkeypox.

With two confirmed cases in the national capital, the nationwide tally of monkeypox infection has reached six while one person in Kerala has succumbed to the virus.

Latest updates on Monkeypox Virus Outbreak
New Delhi, Aug 1 : Instead of generating additional revenue, Delhi government's Excise Policy 2021-22 has fallen short of what was being collected in terms of excise duty under the old Excise Policy.

Delhi government has in fact got the Lieutenant Governor's approval for implementing the old Excise Policy again after the LG recently recommended a CBI probe into the implementation of the new Excise Policy.

The move indicates that there were possibilities of irregularities in the new policy.

A Cabinet note prepared for this purpose could help the CBI in its probe into the alleged irregularities in Delhi's liquor policy.

The Cabinet note introduced by the Arvind Kejriwal government to discontinue the new Excise Policy and revert to the old policy indicates alleged failure of the current policy.

"Every single point mentioned in the note can be seen as an admission of the guilt in terms of revenue generation and consumer choice and 'windfall gain' for the existing licencees and severe loss to the exchequer," a source said.

As per the Cabinet note, during the first quarter of the 2022-23 fiscal, Rs 1,485 crore was realised, which is 37.51 per cent below the budget estimates, i.e., Rs 2,375 crore for Q1. Even this includes Rs 980 crore of refundable security deposit.

The note further said that nine zonal retail licencees have not availed extension during the extension period from April 2022 while three other zonal retail licencees have conveyed their intent to not avail the extension beyond July 2022.

Out of the 14 wholesale licencees, four holders have so far opted to discontinue their licences.

The decline in revenue generation on account of surrendered zones is estimated to be around Rs 193.95 crore per month.

Data from the Excise Department showed that the sale of liquor in the first quarter of the current fiscal increased by 59.46 per cent in case of whiskey and by 87.25 per cent in case of wine as compared to the corresponding period of FY 2019-20, but the same could not be captured as an enhancement to the government revenue.

At present, the number of shops have been reduced to 468 as against the targeted number of 849, which is leading to large number of unserved areas and defeating one of the major objectives of the 2021-22 Excise Policy.

"This naturally amounts to windfall gain for the existing licence holders and leading to loss of revenue to the exchequer. There have also been instances of shortage of particular brands. Premium imported brands, in particular, are not available for some time now as the wholesalers for such brands have stopped supplies," the source said.

Rather than increasing revenue, the new excise policy was allegedly benefiting the liquor mafia by increasing the sale of liquor in Delhi, the source said.
Ahmedabad, Aug 1 : Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convenor and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday held a rally at Veraval in Gujarat's Gir Somnath district during which he assured employment to the youth of the state if his party is voted to power.

Earlier, last month during a rally in Surat, he promised providing free electricity.

Addressing the rally, he criticised the Gujarat government over the recent deaths of people after consuming spurious liquor.

"I came to know that the Chief Minister of Gujarat has not yet gone to meet them. They believe that it will not affect the votebank. In everything, there is no vote... the life of a person is important," Kejriwal said.

"I asked one of the patients from where he got the alcohol. He said that in every village and city, if you want it, it is also delivered at home... those who want their children to drink poison should vote for BJP, those who want education and employment for their children should vote for AAP," he said.

Referring to the case of a suicide by a 23-year-old youth over unemployment, a few days ago, Kejriwal said: "I have come to tell every youth of Gujarat that now your elder brother has come... you don't need to commit suicide. I have come to tell every mother and father that your son has arrived." "If I don't fulfill my promise in five years, push me out after five years. We will give jobs to every unemployed person. My intention is also clear and I am educated, I know how to give them employment. Delhi will have 20 lakh jobs in the next five years," he added.

The AAP leader also touched on the subject of "freebies culture", saying: "Just give us one chance... today, all will criticise me on TV that Kejriwal is distributing 'revdi' free... some sent it to Swiss banks. Kejriwal distributes 'revdi' to the masses."
Guwahati, Aug 1 : Under its new tribal land policy, the Assam government would allow a tribal land owner to hold 50 bighas of land, up from the existing eight bighas.

Talking about the new scheme, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Monday that the tribal land policy would be launched on October 2 under 'Basundhara' Phase 2, which would increase the land holding of a tribal person from the existing eight bighas to 50 bighas.

The Chief Minister said the government would talk to tribal organisations and try to settle the tribals in villages with gazing grounds.

"Even if the tribals settled in government lands are evicted for some reason, they would get compensation from the government," the Chief Minister said after launching 'Mission Bhumiputra' at a function here.

According to the 2011 Census, tribals constitute 12.4 per cent of Assam's 3.12 crore population, who reside mostly in western Assam.

Before the Assembly elections in Assam last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had launched a special programme of the state government to distribute land 'patta' or land allotment certificates to over one lakh landless indigenous people.
Ahmedabad, Aug 1 : The Gujarat High Court has ordered police protection to a couple from different communities, who could not marry yet and began a live-in relationship, after they faced threats from their parents, as per their lawyer.

IANS tried to talk to the couple, but they were not comfortable sharing their names and other details. Both are 19 years old and known to each other since their childhood. They were studying together and fell in love. They wanted to get married but the boy can get married only after the age of 21, as per the law. So they decided to get into a live-in relationship.

Their advocate Harsh Rawal told IANS that the case was heard by a bench of Justice Niral Mehta, who cited two orders by the Supreme Court, in giving relief to them.

As the order the petitioners are facing threats to their lives and liberty from their parents. It noted that there is no dispute that both the petitioners are major and are living together as they have entered into a live-in relation and want to marry once they attain the necessary age, which is not liked by their parents.

As such, having attained the age of majority, the petitioners are within their rights in taking their own decision regarding their lives, the order said, adding that protection is required to be given to the petitioners in order to prevent any untoward incident or danger to their lives.

Rawal said that this case is not that rare, and married couples usually file such cases but this instance will create hopes for those in live-in relationships. Police are intervening with the parents and the matter will be sorted out soon, he added.

The boy and girl both belong to different communities, so their parents were not happy with their relationship. They started putting pressure on them and even threatened them when they came to know about their relationship, telling them to end it and to go back to their homes. So, the couple gave an application to the police for protection. But as they did not get any help from the police, so they moved the high court, he said.
Anjanadri hills in K'taka is the birth place of Hanuman; No evidence is needed beyond the faith: CM Bommai Image Source: IANS News

Anjanadri hills in K'taka is the birth place of Hanuman; No evidence is needed beyond the faith: CM Bommai Image Source: IANS News

Anjanadri hills in K'taka is the birth place of Hanuman; No evidence is needed beyond the faith: CM Bommai Image Source: IANS News

Bengaluru, Aug 1 : Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Monday said Anjaneya (Lord Hanuman) was born in Anjanadri Hills in the state's Koppal district, adding no evidence is needed beyond the historical faith over the last thousands of years.

This place has been known as the Kishkinda since mythological times, he said.

Speaking to mediapersons at Gangavati in Koppal, he said: "Controversial statements are being issued over Anjaneya's birth place. We have decided to develop Anjanadri as an international level pilgrim destination. There is no need for Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh to stake two different claims. People of the entire country have faith and belief about it." "I had announced in my budget about comprehensive development of Anjanadri, the birthplace of Anjaneya. Thousands of people visit the place every year. We intend to create good facilities for the pilgrims and tourists," the Chief Minister said.

He further said: "We have provided Rs 100 crore for the purpose. Boarding, lodging, hospital and shopping facilities would be provided for the tourists. I have come on a spot visit to explore all the possibilities. We are even keen to build a rope way for the convenience of the elderly." Officials have been instructed to invite tenders for the ropeway project.

"The master plan is ready. All the surrounding places also need to be developed. Orders have been issued to develop Mysuru and Hampi International Tourism Circuits," he said, adding: "We have reserved Rs 24 crore for land acquisition, and the process would be started soon."
New Delhi, Aug 1 : Admit cards to candidates who would appear for the second phase of Common University Entrance Test (CUET) examination scheduled to begin on August 4 were issued on Monday, an official said.

This year it has been made mandatory to clear the CUET exam for seeking admission in colleges affiliated to central universities.

All central universities such as Delhi University, Jawaharlal Nehru University, Jamia Millia Islamia, Banaras Hindu University have been included in this programme.

Around seven lakh candidates are expected to appear for the exams. On the request of some of the candidates residing in the flood-affected areas, the examination centres have been changed.

Chairman of the University Grants Commission (UGC), M. Jagadesh Kumar, said all possible efforts have been made to make the candidates appear for the exam at their first-choice centres.

The candidates are required to select their choice of exam centres before downloading the admit card.

According to the National Testing Agency (NTA), all the candidates would be issued admit cards in the next 1-2 days.

The NTA said that some of the candidates faced difficulties in downloading the admit card due to "heavy traffic" on the website.

The CUET is being conducted for admission into undergraduate courses.

Around 14,90,000 candidates have registered for CUET within and outside the country. About 8,10,000 candidates appeared in the first phase of the exam which started on July 15.

According to the UGC, students who clear this exam will be considered eligible for admission to 90 different universities, including 43 central universities.

These exams are being conducted in about 554 centres in India and 10 centres outside the country.
New York, Aug 2 : US Secretary of State Antony Blinken accused Russia of using its nuclear weapons to "intimidate and threaten".

Speaking on Monday at the start of the Tenth Review Conference for the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons, Blinken said that Russia had "engaged in reckless, dangerous nuclear sabre rattling", news agency dpa reported.

Blinken added that "there is no place in our world for nuclear deterrence based on force and intimidation or blackmail. We have to stand together in rejecting this".

He emphasised that the US would only consider the use of nuclear weapons in extreme circumstances, if the vital interests of the US or its allies were in danger.

Latest updates on Russia-Ukraine War
Berlin, Aug 2 : Poland's President Andrzej Duda considers Russia a "danger to Europe".

"Should Ukraine, with its heroic resistance, fail to withstand Putin's imperial plans, Poland and the Baltic states would be directly threatened by a further expansion of Russia's sphere of influence into Central Europe," Duda told Tuesday's edition of Germany's Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, news agency dpa reported.

Duda spoke of "Great Russian ideas that are about subordinating other peoples." These are not only ideas of Russian President Vladmir Putin, he said, rather a large part of Russian society is imbued with them.

"Thanks to Ukraine, this danger is contained today. But I think that this danger will unfortunately become topical in the future," the Polish President continued. "The only thing that can be done is to strengthen our own security." Poland has donated 260 older T-72 tanks to Ukraine, according to Duda. This has created a gap in its own troops, he said, which must be filled by accelerating the acquisition of new tanks.

Poland also hopes for the delivery of German Leopard tanks. So far, however, a so-called circular swap, with which Polish deliveries to Ukraine would be compensated by replacements from Germany, has not come about. Poland was not satisfied with Berlin's previous offer of 20 Leopard 2 tanks to be delivered from 2023.

Latest updates on Russia-Ukraine War
New York, Aug 2 : Politicians from around the world have gathered in New York for the 10th Review Conference of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) amid heightened tensions over nuclear arms in Russia and Iran.

The UN describes the NPT as a landmark international treaty to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and to promote cooperation in the peaceful use of nuclear energy, news agency dpa reported.

It is subject to review every five years, and the 10th review was to have taken place in 2020 but was postponed on account of the coronavirus pandemic.

It takes place now amid stalling negotiations over the Iran nuclear deal and Russia's war in Ukraine.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken accused Russia of using its nuclear weapons to intimidate and threaten by engaging in "reckless, dangerous nuclear sabre rattling".

Blinken added that there is no place in the world for "nuclear deterrence based on force and intimidation or blackmail".

"We have to stand together in rejecting this," Blinken said.

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said that the climate crisis, inequality, violent conflicts around the world, and the Covid-19 pandemic have placed the world under huge stress "at a time of nuclear danger not seen since the height of the Cold War".

"Humanity is in danger of forgetting the lessons forged in the terrifying fires of Hiroshima and Nagasaki," Guterres warned.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock also criticised Russia and North Korea for using nuclear weapons as threats, and Iran for "continuing to expand its nuclear programme".

While calling for nuclear disarmament, she also said that Russia's invasion of Ukraine has thrown the reality of nuclear weapons into sharp focus.

"Efforts for nuclear disarmament and nuclear deterrence are not mutually exclusive in these times," she said.

Russian President Vladimir Putin wrote a greeting statement to the conference, which he is not attending in person.

"We assume that there can be no winners in a nuclear war, and therefore one can never be allowed to start," Putin said in the statement.

He further gave assurances that Russia would fulfil its duties as a founding nation of the NPT.

Concerns that Russia was considering the use of nuclear weapons were fuelled by the fact that Putin placed Russian nuclear forces on high alert shortly after the beginning of the invasion of Ukraine.

Almost 13,000 nuclear weapons exist across the world. Even before the war in Ukraine, efforts at disarmament had been stalling.

Latest updates on Russia-Ukraine War

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Washington, Aug 2 : The US killed Al Qaeda's top leader Ayman al-Zawahiri in a drone strike possibly in Afghanistan.

He had overseen the September 11 attacks on the US in 2001 along with Osama bin-Laden, who was killed by the US in 2011 in Pakistan.

Zawahiri also had a long history of baiting and threatening India. Last April, he praised an Indian student who stood up against efforts to prevent Muslim women from wearing hijab.

There was no further information on when and where the strike was carried out. A Taliban spokesman tweeted that a US drone strike hit a "residential house" in Kabul.

US President Joe Biden is expected to address the nation in a televised address from the White House, where he is in isolation after testing positive again for Covid-19.
Iguela Airport, Iguela, Gabon [ IGE / ]

If you are planning to travel to Iguela or any other city in Gabon, this airport locator will be a very useful tool. This page gives complete information about the Iguela Airport along with the airport location map, Time Zone, lattitude and longitude, Current time and date, hotels near the airport etc... Iguela Airport Map showing the location of this airport in Gabon. Iguela Airport IATA Code, ICAO Code, exchange rate etc... is also provided.

Iguela Airport Info:

Iguela Airport IATA Code: IGE Iguela Airport ICAO Code: Latitude : -1.91667 Longitude : 9.31667 City : Iguela Country : Gabon World Area Code : 526 Airport Type : Small Timezone : Africa/Libreville Iguela Airport Timezone : GMT +01:00 hours Current time and date at Iguela Airport is 13:42:56 PM (WAT) on Wednesday, Aug 17, 2022

Looking for information on Iguela Airport, Iguela, Gabon? Know about Iguela Airport in detail. Find out the location of Iguela Airport on Gabon map and also find out airports near to Iguela. This airport locator is a very useful tool for travelers to know where is Iguela Airport located and also provide information like hotels near Iguela Airport, airlines operating to Iguela Airport etc... IATA Code and ICAO Code of all airports in Gabon. Scroll down to know more about Iguela Airport or Iguela Airport, Gabon.

Iguela Airport Map - Location of Iguela Airport Load Map Gabon - General Information Country Formal Name Gabonese Republic Country Code GA Capital Libreville Currency Franc (XAF)

 1 XAF = 0.002 USD

 1 USD = 644.686 XAF

 1 XAF = 0.002 EUR

 1 EUR = 655.957 XAF

 More XAF convertion rates Tel Code +241 Top Level Domain .ga

This page provides all the information you need to know about Iguela Airport, Gabon. This page is created with the aim of helping travelers and tourists visiting Gabon or traveling to Iguela Airport. Details about Iguela Airport given here include Iguela Airport Code - IATA Code (3 letter airport codes) and ICAO Code (4 letter airport codes)

Coordinates of Iguela Airport - Latitude and Longitude (Lat and Long) of Iguela Airport

Location of Iguela Airport - City Name, Country, Country Codes etc...

Iguela Airport Time Zone and Current time at Iguela Airport

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Clickable Location Map of Iguela Airport on Google Map.

General information about Gabon where Iguela Airport is located in the city of Iguela. General information include capital of Gabon, currency and conversion rate of Gabon currency, Telephone Country code, exchange rate against US Dollar and Euro in case of major world currencies etc...

IGE - Iguela Airport IATA Code
Lambarene Airport, Lambarene, Gabon [ LBQ / FOGR ]

If you are planning to travel to Lambarene or any other city in Gabon, this airport locator will be a very useful tool. This page gives complete information about the Lambarene Airport along with the airport location map, Time Zone, lattitude and longitude, Current time and date, hotels near the airport etc... Lambarene Airport Map showing the location of this airport in Gabon. Lambarene Airport IATA Code, ICAO Code, exchange rate etc... is also provided.

Lambarene Airport Info:

Lambarene Airport IATA Code: LBQ Lambarene Airport ICAO Code: FOGR Latitude : -0.704389 Longitude : 10.2457 City : Lambarene Country : Gabon World Area Code : 526 Airport Type : Medium Lambarene Airport Address / Contact Details :

Lambarene (LBQ), Lambarene, Gabon Timezone : Africa/Libreville Lambarene Airport Timezone : GMT +01:00 hours Current time and date at Lambarene Airport is 13:42:57 PM (WAT) on Wednesday, Aug 17, 2022

Looking for information on Lambarene Airport, Lambarene, Gabon? Know about Lambarene Airport in detail. Find out the location of Lambarene Airport on Gabon map and also find out airports near to Lambarene. This airport locator is a very useful tool for travelers to know where is Lambarene Airport located and also provide information like hotels near Lambarene Airport, airlines operating to Lambarene Airport etc... IATA Code and ICAO Code of all airports in Gabon. Scroll down to know more about Lambarene Airport or Lambarene Airport, Gabon.

Lambarene Airport Map - Location of Lambarene Airport Load Map Gabon - General Information Country Formal Name Gabonese Republic Country Code GA Capital Libreville Currency Franc (XAF)

 1 XAF = 0.002 USD

 1 USD = 644.686 XAF

 1 XAF = 0.002 EUR

 1 EUR = 655.957 XAF

 More XAF convertion rates Tel Code +241 Top Level Domain .ga

This page provides all the information you need to know about Lambarene Airport, Gabon. This page is created with the aim of helping travelers and tourists visiting Gabon or traveling to Lambarene Airport. Details about Lambarene Airport given here include Lambarene Airport Code - IATA Code (3 letter airport codes) and ICAO Code (4 letter airport codes)

Coordinates of Lambarene Airport - Latitude and Longitude (Lat and Long) of Lambarene Airport

Location of Lambarene Airport - City Name, Country, Country Codes etc...

Lambarene Airport Time Zone and Current time at Lambarene Airport

Address and contact details of Lambarene Airport along with website address of the airport

Clickable Location Map of Lambarene Airport on Google Map.

General information about Gabon where Lambarene Airport is located in the city of Lambarene. General information include capital of Gabon, currency and conversion rate of Gabon currency, Telephone Country code, exchange rate against US Dollar and Euro in case of major world currencies etc...

LBQ - Lambarene Airport IATA Code and FOGR - Lambarene Airport ICAO code
When I think about cork I think about wine, of course, and I also think about quality and stewardship, notes Anna Brittain, Executive Director of Napa Green.

100% Cork and The Portuguese Cork Association (APCOR) joined Napa Green, the leading sustainable winegrowing program, and other community partners for its first Napa THRIVES symposium to educate and inspire Napas wine industry to establish standards for sustainability and climate action. Held June 7 to the 23, the cross-organizational series attracted some of the leading voices in the wine industry from winemakers and environmental scientists to wine critics. The series of events focused on the six pillars of sustainable winegrowing leadership, covering a range of topics such as water and energy conservation, regenerative farming, sustainability in packaging, and waste management.

Recognizing that the climate crisis is already having an impact on the wine industry, Napa Green, along with other environmental groups and winery partners, launched Napa THRIVES to not only educate but to also accelerate action on climate change. It chose Napa Valley because of the regions prominence and ability to galvanize the industry at large. Each event featured on and off-site practical workshops and seminars on sustainable practices moderated by the wine trade and environmental scientists.

As the only sustainable wine closure recommended for Napa Green certified wineries, cork is a perfect balance between environmental preservation and sustainable development. As a foraged and not cultivated material, cork bark is a 100% renewable natural resource.

The cork oak forest is one of the world's 36 biodiversity hotspots and can retain 14,000,000 tons of CO2 per year. It is estimated that for every ton of cork produced, cork oak forests capture 73 tons of CO2. The harvesting of cork does not damage but improves the health of the cork tree. After the harvest, the bark regenerates for the next 9 years until the next harvest, while continuously removing CO2 from the atmosphere. A single tree can be harvested up to 20 times and capture 20 tons of CO2 over its 200-plus year lifetime.

When I think about cork I think about wine, of course, and I also think about quality and stewardship, notes Anna Brittain, Executive Director of Napa Green. I couldnt imagine not highlighting cork as a key material to helping fight climate change when conceptualizing Napa THRIVES. Its many environmental benefits - carbon sequestration, flora and fauna biodiversity, anti-desertification properties (both human and environmental), and rural community support - are reflective of the broader definition of sustainability that we are trying to communicate and build infrastructure for in our Napa Green certifications.

The 100% Cork campaign was the featured sponsor of the Napa THRIVES day focused on waste prevention and green purchasing in the industry. Held on June 14, the event focused on the different ways that the industry can reduce its environmental footprint and eliminate waste throughout the production chain by using renewable and recyclable materials such as natural cork. The seminars included a presentation on the carbon footprint of packaging and distribution, exploring the environmental and social benefits of cork, and the life cycles of different closures. The seminar was introduced via video by renowned wine critic, Jancis Robinson, MW who discussed heavy glass bottles and the carbon footprint associated with non-sustainable packaging, as well as the impact travel and transport in our industry can have on the environment. This was followed by the The Carbon Footprint of Packaging & Distribution seminar, which was led by a panel of experts including Remi Cohen of Domaine Carneros, Patrick Spencer with The Cork Forest Alliance, and Carolina Leonhardt at Clif Bar & Company.

Cork production is the most sustainable and environmentally friendly forestry practice on the planet, and cork harvesters are the highest paid agricultural workers in Europe. Cork is also the most sustainable wine closure on the market, says Spencer. By using a natural cork to seal a wine bottle, you can help offset the CO2 that was created during the production of that bottle.

According to a Cork Quality Council (CQC) review of audited life cycle assessment studies of cork, an average wine cork has a negative carbon footprint of -5 grams. But the net amount is actually -276 grams per cork when the average biogenic carbon cycle of cork oak forests is included.

For Spencer, Napa THRIVES was a well-developed program of sessions designed to help engage and educate winemakers on the issues facing global climate change. This series of panel sessions were instrumental in helping to define real sustainability practices for wineries, and the takeaways couldnt be more clearthere is no time to waste in developing net zero practices for one of the world's preeminent wine regions.

About 100% Cork

100% Cork is an educational communications campaign about wine cork stoppers. The mission of the campaign is to provide the wine industry and consumers with the latest information and research on the benefits of natural cork. The campaign was established by the Portuguese Cork Association (APCOR) with support from the Cork Quality Council to increase awareness of the unique qualities and sustainability of natural cork.

About APCOR

Associacao Portuguesa da Cortica (APCOR) exists to represent and promote the Portuguese cork industry and its products. APCOR is the employers association of national scope, created in 1956 and is based in Santa Maria de Lamas, at the heart of the cork industry around 30 kilometers from Porto, Portugals second-largest city. Membership of the association is open to all companies operating in the fields of production, marketing, or export of cork products. The organization advocates on behalf of the Portuguese cork industry worldwide and is the driving force of an industry based on tradition, innovation, and sustainability.
Taylor Melrose Cosmetics, Founder CEO + Creative Director, set to launch feel the difference a gender neutral, mighty four skin & body care product line designed and formulated for all skin types. Mr. Taylor is an attendee at this week's NGLCCs 20th Anniversary at the globally recognized 2022 International Business & Leadership Conference, the largest LGBTQ business event on the planet. This years conference will take place in-person from August 2-5 at the beautiful Bellagio Hotel & Resort in Las Vegas, NV. The conference is geared up for speakers like Amy Schneider, Robert Herjavec, and Ally Love this! This unique opportunity brings the NGLCC Corporate Buyers looking to connect with NGLCC Certified Business Enterprises (LGBTE) in all industries. MatchMarker sessions will allow LGBTE Suppliers to connect with one another to collaborate for tier 2 contracting opportunities.

Including diverse and small business suppliers is such an essential priority that many of the nation's largest firms and development companies now join over 1/3 of the Fortune 500 to actively include NGLCC Certified (LGBTE) companies when seeking diverse suppliers, talent, and innovative ideas to build a more inclusive economy.

Direct off the heels of the International Business & Leadership Conference Taylor Melrose is set to debut on August 13th and 14th, 2022 at the nationally recognized @UniqueMarkets#UniqueMarketsLA held at California Market Center (CMC) in the Fashion District in Downtown Los Angeles, CA.

Since its formation in 2019, Taylor Melrose has built its reputation and market position by identifying underdeveloped opportunities within the personal care market and commercializing distinctive, branded products that are intended to directly address the demands of specific applications.

Taylor Melrose Cosmetics is pleased to announce the official certification with each respective certifying body, partner, and council. The National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC), Northwest Mountain Minority Supplier Development Council (Northwest Mountain MSDC), The National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC), and The Army & Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) National Diversity Veteran Small Business (NDVSB) eMarketplace.

Proudly, Taylor Melrose brand id exists in the space of gender, ethnicity, and identity. As an openly gay and black owned business, the foundation of the company is based on equity and inclusion. The Founder CEO's results oriented and driven portfolio of work as a Creative Director spans over 2 decades in multiple industries from tech, beauty and cosmetics, diamond jewelry, fashion, and mass market retail.

The excitement around the launch of Taylor Melroses handwash, bodywash, facial cleanser, and facial serum is the Founders first project away from Corporate America employers and position within their successful companies. As an entrepreneur and creative the Founder created this line to offer simple, effective solutions to specific personal care needs. With a focus on amplifying POC voices and incorporating all the expertise gathered along the way.

For more information, samples, wholesale opportunities, private label, or turnkey, A to Z, Contract manufacturing services, please email taylormelrosecosmetics@gmail.com. Contact Telephone: (310) 321-8598

Products may be ordered at http://www.taylormelrosebeauty.com IG: @taylormelrosecosmetics

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Restored Path Detox was created to provide the means to safely manage withdrawal symptoms in a comfortable and dignified manner.

Origins Behavioral HealthCare has opened the doors of its premier medical detox facility for the Dallas, Fort Worth, and surrounding metro areas. Restored Path Detox began receiving patients on Monday, August 1, 2022. The brand-new facility will provide state-of-the-art, medically monitored detoxification within a safe, nurturing sanctuary for recovery.

Dr. Geri Richardson is the Medical Director for Restored Path Detox. Dr. Richardson is a Board-Certified Psychiatrist with the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology who has been in practice for over 25 years. Before joining the Origins family, she served as Medical Director of Behavioral Health for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas, HCSC. Dr. Richardson has had the distinction of being a Diplomate of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology since 1995.

Dr. Richardson says, "Restored Path Detox is here to provide safe and supportive methods of withdrawal management which are rooted in evidence-based research. I am excited to collaborate with our team of medical professionals as we guide our patients on their first steps toward recovery. Our sophisticated medical services and compassionate team of clinicians will enable every patient to find happier and healthier versions of themselves."

Dr. Richardson and her dedicated team of highly qualified registered nurses draw on years of experience and provide 24/7 medical supervision for each patient. The facility works closely with referral sources and with most major insurance companies to offer detox from all types of substances, including alcohol, heroin, cocaine, suboxone, opioids, methadone, benzodiazepines, crystal meth, stimulants, Ambien, and other drugs.

Rick Hubbard is the Executive Vice President of Professional Relations for Origins Behavioral HealthCare. Rick began working in the addiction treatment industry in 2002 and has significant experience in multiple aspects of treatment administration, including admissions, utilization review, marketing, referent relations, and business development. In addition, Rick is a trained intervention specialist, and his extensive professional and personal experience has empowered the recovery of many patients and families.

Hubbard says, Restored Path Detox was created to provide the means to safely manage withdrawal symptoms in a comfortable and dignified manner. As a local provider of transitional and outpatient services, Origins has seen firsthand the need for high-quality, competent, safe, and compassionate medical detox services. Additionally, in our conversations with local providers, practitioners, and collaborators, they too have expressed to us the need for withdrawal management services for their patients. Origins is proud to be a resource for our local patients, families, and collaborators in this new and exciting endeavor.

Upscale amenities include spacious private and semi-private rooms, flat-screen televisions, queen-size beds, nutritious meals, and inviting common spaces, including an outdoor courtyard. Patients enjoy cable, high-speed Wi-Fi, and access to their electronics and cellular phones, as clinically appropriate. Restored Path Detox emphasizes ultimate patient comfort and privacy.

For more information about Restored Path Detox, call 1.855.740.4673. All calls are free and confidential. Visit RestoredPathDetox.com to browse facility photos, read our blog, and learn about our individualized admission process.

About Origins Behavioral HealthCare

Origins Behavioral HealthCare offers a range of treatment programs targeting recovery from substance use, mental health issues, and beyond. Our primary mission is to provide a clear path to a life of healing and restoration. We offer renowned clinical and medical care for substance use and have the compassion and professional expertise to guide you toward lasting recovery. Visit OriginsRecovery.com or call 1.844.843.8935.

About Restored Path Detox -- An Origins Behavioral HealthCare Facility

The experts at Restored Path Detox have decades of experience in withdrawal management from a wide range of addictive substances. We leverage evidence-based medical care in a tranquil environment to deliver care that helps patients feel at home. Regardless of background, medical history, or the substances used, we can help you safely and comfortably overcome withdrawal complications. Our multidisciplinary team also provides support for co-occurring disorders and co-morbid medical conditions for patients of all ages, including younger, middle-aged, and older adults. We work with most major insurance providers and are conveniently located in the Dallas Metroplex. Call 1.855.740.4673 today for more information.
Carefree Covered RV Storage

Carefree Covered RV Storage is pleased to announce the grand opening of its first covered RV facility in Texas, marking the companys third branded location.

Carefree Covered RV Storage purchased the newest property in July 2021 with plans to redevelop the 11-acre site located in the Dallas suburb of St. Paul, one of the fastest growing communities in the country.

The company spent more than $6 million improving the property, previously known as BTR Boat & RV Storage. The renovated site now offers 518 spaces of covered parking totaling over 195,000 square feet, a Welcome Center with visibility off busy Parker Road (FM 2514), two wash bays and a branded dog park. The facility also features state of the art security, charging outlets and sitewide Wi-Fi access.

Parent company Business Property Trust owns a storage property with limited RV parking about a mile away from the new St. Paul location and had been eager to bring the Carefree brand to Texas.

We are so excited about opening our first Carefree facility in the Dallas area, especially in the up-and-coming lakeshore city of St. Paul, said Barry Raber, BPTs president and chief executive officer. Carefree offers high-quality covered RV storage which is uncommon in Texas but perfect for the sites proximity to Lake Lavon and to service a community with an abundance of boats and recreational vehicles.

Carefree Covered RV Storage operates two facilities in Arizona and is in construction on a 10-acre site in Queen Creek, expected to open in early 2023. Three other sites, totaling 39 acres in Arizona and Texas, are controlled by the company with plans for development.

Business Property Trust is currently in escrow on what would be its eighth Carefree location and ninth overall.

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Business Property Trust, LLC, is a niche real estate investment firm located in Portland, Oregon. The company, founded in 1999, purchases and operates self-storage through its Bargain Storage brand and covered recreational vehicle parking through Carefree Covered RV Storage.
Dave Gleason, a longtime horticulturist for one of Washingtons largest apple growers, Domex Superfresh Growers of Yakima, has been named 2022 American Fruit Grower Apple Grower of the Year. The award is presented by American Fruit Grower magazine, published by Meister Media Worldwide.

Gleason began his career as an independent pest consultant, but about 20 years ago he began consulting for Kershaw Fruit, eventually going to work full-time for the company. He managed all their orchards until 2018, when he began concentrating on variety development. Today, Gleason is Horticulturist/ Proprietary Variety Developer at Kershaw Fruit, a division of Domex Superfresh Growers, one of a family of companies owned by the Kershaw family. Domex farms thousands of acres of apples, pears, cherries, and blueberries, though Gleason works only in apples.

Gleason is known as a go-to guy for grower panels at industry events, particularly on thorny horticultural issues, and can often be seen at such meetings as that of the Washington State Tree Fruit Association. Hes a careful listener, no matter if hes talking to a veteran of 40 harvests with thousands of acres, or a young grower with just a few dozen.

His long experience as a pest consultant serves him well in modern orchards, as like many other Washington growers, Domex is farming a lot of organic fruit. His father, Russ, who just passed away this past year at the age of 93, owned the pest consulting business before him, and taught him well the difference between organic and natural. He says he owes his dad for instilling these fundamentals, and today Gleason is respected for his reasonable approach to organic farming and sustainability, as well as regenerative farming.

We are focused on regenerative approaches, how can we take what is there and improve it for the future, Gleason explains. The orchard is its own ecosystem.

Sponsored by Valent USA, the Apple Grower of the Year program honors individuals who have influenced the apple industry, both within the orchard and outside of it.

"Dave is the type of grower everyone in the industry should strive to emulate, BeckyJo Smith, Associate Director of Sustainable Solutions at Valent U.S.A., says. He is a passionate horticulturist and lifelong learner. We admire Dave for many reasons, but especially for his passion for sustainable apple production to ensure the productivity of orchards for years to come.

David Eddy, the Editor of American Fruit Grower, and a member of the award selection committee, said Gleason was chosen because of his willingness to share his deep horticultural knowledge with fellow growers. He stands out even in Yakima, which has become the de facto apple capital of Washington, the state that produces two-thirds of the nations apple crop.

The thing that is so unusual about Dave is he regularly meets with such a wide range of people in the industry, Eddy said. For instance, he has coffee at 5:30 a.m. every Tuesday with two retired horticulturists. But he also has weekly lunches with young growers whove been charged with huge acreage responsibilities. At all of these, he is learning and sharing.

Gleason is featured on the cover of the August issue of American Fruit Grower magazine. He will be heading to Chicago Aug. 18 accompanied by his wife, Barbara, to accept the award, sponsored by Valent USA, which will be presented by American Fruit Grower at the USApple annual Apple Crop Outlook and Marketing Conference.

Dave Gleason is known throughout the industry as a leading force behind optimizing fruit production, ensuring fruit quality and land sustainability, and helping develop new varieties, said USApple President and CEO Jim Bair. Growing up on his familys orchard outside of Yakima, doing everything from driving tractors and trapping gophers to moving sprinklers and picking apples, explains why hes admired throughout the apple industry for his agricultural knowledge and collaboration skills. USApple congratulates Dave on this well-deserved award.

About The Award: The American Fruit Grower Apple Grower of the Year Award is presented annually by American Fruit Grower and honors apple growers who have gone beyond the confines of the orchard and have, through their involvement and leadership, made a real impact on the apple industry. American Fruit Grower is published by Meister Media Worldwide.

About Meister Media Worldwide

Meister Media Worldwide is the leading global media company serving specialty agricultural markets around the globe. With a vision of cultivating a sustainable world through the power of knowledge, Meister U.S. and international brands advance these markets with print and digital media, events, data intelligence products and custom business solutions. Meister Media Worldwide is based in Willoughby, Ohio, USA, with presences in Beijing, China, and Mumbai, India.
We want to deliver unique viewpoints from across the security landscape to our clients

Chertoff Capital, the investment banking subsidiary of The Chertoff Group, today announced that it has expanded its investment banking team to address growing client demand for industry-leading advice in mergers and acquisitions. These professionals bring a diverse range of capabilities in investment banking, private equity, strategic advisory and corporate development.

Our new hires represent the firms continued dedication to delivering world-class buy-and sell-side advice that combines financial acumen with deep industry knowledge and policy insights, said Jason Kaufman, president of Chertoff Capital. We want to deliver unique viewpoints from across the security landscape to our clients and we welcome these exceptional business professionals to our growing practice.

New team members include:

Jack Stucky joins from Hudson Advisors Lone Star Fund, where he focused on distressed credit and special situations investing. He is a graduate of Washington and Lee University.

Sean Stenderowicz joins from BAE Systems, where he held a variety of finance roles supporting acquisitions in the defense, intelligence, government contracting and cybersecurity markets. He is a graduate of Pennsylvania State University.

Ian Lodge joins from Renaissance Strategic Advisors where he provided buy-side M&A services. He is a graduate of Johns Hopkins University.

Nicholas Laco joins from SC&H Capital, where he provided sell-side investment banking services to Government contractors. He is a graduate of the University of Maryland.

The M&A practice focuses on four sectors: national security, cybersecurity, defense technology and government services. In the last two years, Chertoff Capital has experienced rapid growth, supporting private equity buyers in critical acquisitions, advising sellers in garnering premium valuations; and providing growth capital to emerging market leaders, via its affiliated growth equity fund.

The Chertoff Group is a global advisory services firm that applies security expertise, technology insights, and policy intelligence to help clients build resilient organizations, gain competitive advantage and accelerate growth. Through its investment banking subsidiary Chertoff Capital, the firm provides M&A advisory services in global security markets and assists cyber and tech-enabled security companies raise capital to grow their enterprise. The Chertoff Group is headquartered in Washington, D.C., For more information, visit http://www.chertoffgroup.com.
"Shooting during a pandemic was challenging, for sure. Having the support of a talented and collaborative team of crew and cast was essential, said Writer/Director Sarah T. Schwab.

On the heels of their indie hit Life After You, which was released to national audiences in April through Freestyle Digital Media, Sarah T. Schwab and Brian Long, principals of Cardinal Flix (CFI), the New York-based company that specializes in independent films are pleased to announce that A Stage of Twilight, starring Karen Allen and William Sadler will mark its world premiere at the Woods Hole Film Festival, on Saturday, August 6 at 7:30PM. The film is currently slated to screen in several upcoming festivals during 2022 and is scheduled to be released in 2023.

Actors Karen Allen (Raiders of the Lost Ark, Starman) and William Sadler (The Shawshank Redemption, Die Hard 2) headline the film which was shot in New Milford, CT in 2021.

Cora, (Allen) and Barry, (Sadler) are a retired couple enjoying life in their 70s when Barry receives fatal news about his health, prompting a challenging decision for them both. His hope for a dignified death proves to be a dispiriting struggle for Cora, especially when Joey, (Marlon Quijije), a 17- year-old neighbor who acts as a surrogate son to the childless couple, enters the picture.

"Shooting during a pandemic was challenging, for sure. Having the support of a talented and collaborative team of crew and cast was essential, said Writer/Director Sarah T. Schwab. Karen Allen and William Sadler had extraordinary synergy. I am deeply grateful to have gone through this process with them"

Rounding out the cast are Alfredo Narciso (Demolition), Alexander Flores (The Maze Runner), Yetta Gottesman (Rabbit Hole) and Emily Kratter (Life After You).

About Cardinal Flix, Inc.

Cardinal Flix (CFI) is a production company specializing in independent films with budgets under $2.5MM. Founded by Sarah T. Schwab and Brian Long, CFI produces various genres of film with an emphasis on social responsibility. Next up for CFI is Crybaby Bridge, shooting this September. Logline - After being bullied at school, a pregnant teen's family sets out to move from the city to the countryside, unexpectedly revealing a coveted secret of her past that threatens the fresh start they seek. Crybaby Bridge explores the urban legend of a mother and child, but the sinister phenomenon may be more than just folklore. For more information, please see http://www.CardinalFlix.com.

For more information about A Stage of Twilight, please visit: https://www.astageoftwilightthefilm.com/

Official YouTube Trailer:

https://youtu.be/yf4soVJYFSk

Socials

Instagram: @astageoftwilight

Facebook: @AStageOfTwilight

Twitter: @StageofTwilight

LinkedIn: A Stage of Twilight, LLC

For more information about Life After You, please visit: https://www.lifeafteryoumovie.com.
Sharifah Hardie I watched a video about these three Black sisters who owned an ice cream shop. Their business was struggling. Their father encouraged them to create a GoFundMe page. They listened to their father and raised nearly $30,000.00. That's how SupportMyBlackBusiness.org was born!

Sharifah Hardie today announced the launch of Support My Black Business, a crowdfunding platform designed solely to assist local Black businesses generate funding, as well as her intent to raise $1.5B across the newly launched platform to help Black businesses keep their doors open.

The repercussions of the global pandemic are yet to be over, especially for Black entrepreneurs who are struggling to grow their businesses. Businesses need financial support to survive the fierce competition and the still changing economic scenario due to continuous random COVID outbreaks.

In a situation where entrepreneurs are finding it tough to get their loans approved or get funding from other sources, regulatory crowdfunding platforms have come up with quite a boon. Crowdfunding platforms are making it easier for businesses to break barriers. They are helping to support livelihoods, emergencies, communities, and they are playing a major role in reducing glaring economic inequality!

The real challenge, however, is educating entrepreneurs about crowdfunding platforms, raising awareness, and assisting businesses in making the best use of them. Education and motivation are the keys  businesses need to understand that crowdfunding does and will help to grow their business.

Through Support My Black Business, Ms. Hardie encourages people to join hands and to do their best to help the Black community thrive. Support My Black Business allows business owners to launch a campaign and tell their own unique story and start the fundraising process.

At the same time, business owners are encouraged to promote themselves, to talk about their mission goals, flaunt their capabilities, and to use the most enticing words so that the audience understands their capability and are willing to donate.

Donations of any size are allowed, and all donations go directly to the business owner.

During a global pandemic 41% of Black businesses closed across the county. Thats nearly half a million businesses that are gone. They are no longer operating, and we didnt have that many Black businesses to begin with, says Support My Black Business Founder Sharifah Hardie.

I knew I had to do something. I had no idea what I needed to do. Then I watched a video online about these three Black sisters who owned an ice cream shop. Their business was struggling. They were getting ready to go under. They went to their father and asked him what to do. Their father encouraged them to create a GoFundMe page. The sisters were embarrassed. They felt like they were begging by asking for people to give them money. Their father told them that they either crowdfunded and allow people to help them or they go out of business. Those were their options. They listened to their father, raised nearly $30,000.00 and are still in business to this day. I knew then that if it could work for those sisters, it could work for more sisters and brothers across America and Support My Black Business was born!

To create a campaign or to donate visit: https://www.SupportMyBlackBusiness.org today!

For interviews contact Sharifah Hardie at Sharifah@AskSharifah.com

Share this story by using our Hashtags: #IStandWithSharifah #SupportMyBlackBusiness #DonateNow

About Sharifah Hardie:

Sharifah Hardie is a successful and renowned business consultant, influencer, President of the Southern California Black Chamber of Commerce  Long Beach Area, Candidate for Senate, Editor-In-Chief at Long Beach Black News, CEO of IT TV  Intellectual Television, Founder of Black Guest List and a talk show host.
"The changes in consumer behavior call for a safe place where they can control and find what they are looking for in a soup to nuts experience." Richie Bello

Richie Bello, Shop Smart Autos Founder, and CTO announced that the company is taking its focus from dealer lead provider to strictly a consumer marketplace.Triggered by the market shift since 2020, Richie Bello's mantra "Mindset Reset" launched in all areas of the automotive industry leader's automotive products and services, . The industry roller coaster led by COVID has leveled off with a "Mindset Reset" for the industry to adapt to its shift in consumer behavior, as well as the behavior of the dealer population. That shift led Shop Smart Autos partners and investors to take a position in the marketplace that is more in keeping with the automotive consumer today. The company will no longer sell consumer leads to dealers. The company intends to offer the consumer everything needed from shopping to financing and allow them to reach out to a dealer of choice through ShopSmartAutos.com.

"I want to thank the dealers that have purchased our leads, but the consumer marketplace is proving a better model for our company" shared Bello "The changes in consumer behavior call for a safe place where they can control and find what they are looking for and have a 'soup to nuts' experience." he continued. The company ran both models, with the consumer model showing stronger performance. Dealers will still receive direct inquiries from shoppers, but at no cost to the dealer.

Shop Smart Autos was founded by Richie Bello in 2019 to provide consumers a seamless solution for purchasing a vehicle. Consumers visit shopsmartautos.com and find the nation's private sellers and dealers' inventory that is updated daily. Features such as model comparisons, financing and delivery are available to the shopper. Pre-owned buyers and sellers find the history and maintenance information to make a calculated decision. Mindset Reset to consumer marketplace model is on for Shop Smart Autos and Richie Bello's portfolio of automotive products and services..
Robert Murray, who became a minor player as a rapper named R.Kain in the 2000s, working with music producers in and around Philadelphia, has completed his new book The Lion of Camelot: Camelot Chronicles Volume 2: a gripping and potent novel that introduces the newly crowned King of Camelot: grandson of Arthur, son of Mordred.

Now that peace is possible, the dynasty must prove it can deliver the promise of ideal justice associated with the name of Camelot. Can the new kings rule withstand the weight of his origin, and will his nascent reign be accepted as legitimate?

Author Robert Murray introduces his work, writing, I read the above lines and my imagination independently created a king; the need to reveal him was irresistible. I was immediately inspired to write the sequel. I became even further and more unshakably certain that the divines hand, or at least a mighty finger, was involved in the project. I did not know Elias was a biblical name when I chose it in part one, just as I did not know when I set out on The Brothers Karamazov aiding the redeemed Queen Guinevere on some epic quest, that the taciturn, cardboard cutout of a Christian knight would end up being the heir apparent. Once I fully appreciated the importance of who we choose to present to our children as heroes, I saw the necessity of telling this kings tale.

Published by Page Publishing, Robert Murrays mesmerizing tale invites readers to discover whether Guinevere can transition from the life of a monarch to a role on the periphery.

Readers who wish to experience this engrossing work can purchase The Lion of Camelot: Camelot Chronicles Volume 2 at bookstores everywhere, or online at the Apple iTunes Store, Amazon, Google Play, or Barnes and Noble.

For additional information or media inquiries, contact Page Publishing at 866-315-2708.

About Page Publishing:

Page Publishing is a traditional, full-service publishing house that handles all the intricacies involved in publishing its authors books, including distribution in the worlds largest retail outlets and royalty generation. Page Publishing knows that authors need to be free to create, not mired in logistics like eBook conversion, establishing wholesale accounts, insurance, shipping, taxes, and so on. Pages accomplished writers and publishing professionals allow authors to leave behind these complex and time-consuming issues and focus on their passion: writing and creating. Learn more at http://www.pagepublishing.com.
Tom Ogren, author of SpiritualismGods Great Controversy, and Old World Protestant and Beyond has completed his new book Sunday Law: Faith Yet Unseen: a gripping and potent spiritual work that helps readers learn to deepen their faith through communicating with God in a meaningful way.

Author Tom Ogren discusses his work, writing, The Bible warns of deceptions. Being deceived in one way or another is something we all have experienced. The Bible has been on this platform of communication between God and man for thousands of years. Like many forms or ways to communicate, there is always something or someone infiltrating that which has been established, making what was meant to be a blessing now turned into an actual curse. Communication has always been essential, something man has always tried to make improvements on, from runners to messaging with flags or smoke towhat we are more familiar withelectronic messaging. Electronic messaging has evolved from the simple tapped-out code across a single wire to what we have available today.

He continues, Methods of communicating throughout history has evolved and has had its problems. There are many things that can go wrong when getting our point across, even when we think what is said is straightforward. In communication, words that we hear may come to us perfect in every way but, to our understanding, has gotten misconstrued partially or totally. The Bible has stood the test of time in this respect, so it should not surprise us to see it attacked for its righteous character. The Bible does not leave us in the dark on this subject (Matthew 13:1315). Our heart naturally has an unhealthy fear of Gods word. The Holy Spirit desires to transform this fear into a fear of respect. This takes place in an atmosphere of unselfish love. The cross Jesus has been nailed to proves that untainted communication and pure love does exist still waiting our acceptance.

Published by Page Publishing, Tom Ogrens impactful work is ideal for readers seeking to grow their understanding of Gods word.

Readers who wish to experience this inspiring work can purchase Sunday Law: Faith Yet Unseen at bookstores everywhere, or online at the Apple iTunes Store, Amazon, Google Play, or Barnes and Noble.

For additional information or media inquiries, contact Page Publishing at 866-315-2708.

About Page Publishing:

Page Publishing is a traditional, full-service publishing house that handles all the intricacies involved in publishing its authors books, including distribution in the worlds largest retail outlets and royalty generation. Page Publishing knows that authors need to be free to create, not mired in logistics like eBook conversion, establishing wholesale accounts, insurance, shipping, taxes, and so on. Pages accomplished writers and publishing professionals allow authors to leave behind these complex and time-consuming issues and focus on their passion: writing and creating. Learn more at http://www.pagepublishing.com.
Walter Williams, an artist, travel photographer, graphic artist and retired social worker that has traveled the world photographing many cultures, has completed his new book Thailand: a fascinating and picturesque view on Thailand.

Walter writes, I love to visit markets, both flower and produce. There is so much color and texture along with the simplicity of the local life. I could have spent hours here feasting on the color, smells, and sounds.

Published by Page Publishing, Walter Williams riveting guide is chock full of photos from his adventures through Thailand. With photos and snippets about the places, readers can vividly follow along Walters journey. Readers may just become inspired to visit Thailand instead of in their imagination through Walters beautiful guide.

Readers who wish to experience this inspiring work can purchase Thailand at bookstores everywhere, or online at the Apple iTunes Store, Amazon, Google Play, or Barnes and Noble.

For additional information or media inquiries, contact Page Publishing at 866-315-2708.

About Page Publishing:

Page Publishing is a traditional, full-service publishing house that handles all the intricacies involved in publishing its authors books, including distribution in the worlds largest retail outlets and royalty generation. Page Publishing knows that authors need to be free to create, not mired in logistics like eBook conversion, establishing wholesale accounts, insurance, shipping, taxes, and so on. Pages accomplished writers and publishing professionals allow authors to leave behind these complex and time-consuming issues and focus on their passion: writing and creating. Learn more at http://www.pagepublishing.com.
Apache Flink is the best open source framework and distributed processing engine for real-time stream processing. Thats why weve built our platform atop Flink, and its why were contributing our improvements to several Flink connectors, making them more production-ready for various use cases.

Decodable, the real-time data engineering company, is bringing updated connectors and talks on using Flink at scale to Flink Forward, the Apache Flink Conference taking place this week in San Francisco. Apache Flink is an open source, unified stream-processing and batch-processing framework on which the Decodable platform is built.

Part of our mission is to give back to the Flink community, said Eric Sammer, CEO of Decodable. Apache Flink is the best open source framework and distributed processing engine for real-time stream processing. It handles some of the most sophisticated workloads at in-memory speed and its proven at scale, powering some of the largest products and services in the market. Thats why weve built our platform atop Flink, and its why were contributing our improvements to several Flink connectors, making them more production-ready for various use cases.

Examples of connectors improved and contributed to the project by the Decodable engineering team include S3 and a newly contributed Delta Lake connector, as well as various bug fixes to Flink.

Beyond connectors, Decodable works within the Flink community in other ways. The company hired Robert Metzger, committer and PMC chair of the Flink project. Metzger is focused on improving the deployment and operation experience of Flink, with a focus on autoscaling and generally working towards a cloud native Flink experience. Metzger previously co-founded and successfully exited Data Artisans (now Ververica), the company that originally created and commercialized Flink. He is a frequent speaker at conferences such as the QCon, ApacheCon and meetups around the world.

At the event, Metzger will discuss Autoscaling Flink with Reactive Mode on August 3 at 9:50 AM. Later that day, Sharon Xie will present The Top 3 Challenges Running Multi-Tenant Flink at Scale at 3:50 PM. Xie is a founding engineer at Decodable, leading the core platform team in building, maintaining and operating the Decodable platform.

About Decodable

Decodables mission is to make streaming data engineering easy. Decodable delivers the first real-time data engineering servicethat anyone can run. As a serverless platform for real-time data ingestion, integration, analysis, and event-driven service development, Decodable eliminates the need for a large data team, clusters to set up, or complex code to write. The company is backed by Bain Capital Ventures and Venrock. To learn more, please visit decodable.co

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Editors Doris Townsend Gaines and Carolyn Hall Abrams, both graduates of the L. J. Rowan High School Class of 1968 in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, have completed their new book, The Class of 1968: A Thread Through Time. The book is a gripping and potent collection of personal essays that share the stories of a group of students from a segregated high school in southern Mississippi. Also included are other students of the same era attending other schools in southern Mississippi, who shared similar experiences.

Lead Editor Doris Townsend Gaines writes after classmates visited the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum in Jackson, Mississippi, We wept as we examined the Vernon Dahmer exhibit and thought back to that day. Many of the civil rights activists from Hattiesburg were a part of our daily lives and were not recognized as heroes and heroines at home. They were our parents, uncles, aunts, neighbors, pastors, friends, and other everyday people in the community doing their very best under the circumstances. When we were young, we were unaware of the depth of their sacrifices and the danger of threats that they risked day to day to make a better world for us. Our lives were influenced by our homes, churches, schools, and the village.

Published by Page Publishing, editors Doris Townsend Gaines and Carolyn Hall Abrams insightful work shares the firsthand experiences of the students who belonged to one of the last segregated classes of the all-Black L. J. Rowan High School, as they reflect on their families, community, and school experiences.

Readers who wish to experience this original work can purchaseThe Class of 1968: A Thread Through Time at Barnes and Noble, online at the Apple iTunes Store, Google Play, and Amazon.

For additional information or media inquiries, contact Page Publishing at 866-315-2708.

About Page Publishing:

Page Publishing is a traditional, full-service publishing house that handles all the intricacies involved in publishing its editors books, including distribution in the worlds largest retail outlets and royalty generation. Page Publishing knows that editors need to be free to create, not mired in logistics like eBook conversion, establishing wholesale accounts, insurance, shipping, taxes, and so on. Pages accomplished writers and publishing professionals allow editors to leave behind these complex and time-consuming issues and focus on their passion: writing and creating. Learn more at http://www.pagepublishing.com.
Law Office of Blumenthal Nordrehaug Bhowmik De Blouw LLP For more information about the class action lawsuit against DJO, LLC call (800) 568-8020 to speak to an experienced California employment attorney today.

The San Francisco employment law attorneys, at Blumenthal Nordrehaug Bhowmik De Blouw LLP, filed a class action complaint alleging that DJO, LLC violated the California Labor Code. The DJO, LLC, class action lawsuit, Case No. 22CV400335, is currently pending in the Santa Clara County Superior Court of the State of California. A copy of the Complaint can be read here.

The complaint alleges DJO, LLC failed to pay employees for all the time they were under the employer's control. This, allegedly, includes the time Plaintiff and other California Class Members had to submit to mandatory COVID-19 questionnaires and temperature checks prior to clocking in for the day. To the extent that the time worked off the clock did not qualify for overtime premium payment, Defendant allegedly failed to pay minimum and overtime wages for the time worked off-the-clock.

According to the complaint, DJO, LLC allegedly required Plaintiff and other California Class Members to work while clocked out. To the extent that the time worked off the clock did not qualify for overtime premium payment, DEFENDANT allegedly failed to pay minimum wages for the time worked off-the-clock in violation of California Labor Code  1194, 1197, and 1197.1. Plaintiff was also allegedly, from time to time, unable to take off-duty meal breaks nor was able to be fully relieved of duty for meal periods.

For more information about the class action lawsuit against DJO, LLC, call (800) 568-8020 to speak to an experienced California employment attorney today.

Blumenthal Nordrehaug Bhowmik De Blouw LLP is an employment law firm with offices located in San Diego, San Francisco, Sacramento, Los Angeles, Riverside and Chicago that dedicates its practice to helping employees, investors and consumers fight back against unfair business practices, including violations of the California Labor Code and Fair Labor Standards Act. If you need help in collecting unpaid overtime wages, unpaid commissions, being wrongfully terminated from work, and other employment law claims, contact one of their attorneys today.

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Kelly Dobbs Bunting, shareholder in global law firm Greenberg Traurig, LLPs Labor & Employment Practice, is recognized in the 2022 Whos Who Legal: Labour & Employment guide, her fifth consecutive year being recommended. The publication highlights individuals based on comprehensive, independent survey work with general counsel and private practitioners worldwide.

Bunting, co-chair of the firms Workforce Compliance & Counseling Group, is based in the Philadelphia office. She focuses her practice on international employment issues including service contracts, secondment contracts, mergers and acquisitions, labor & employment due diligence, human resources training, U.S. employment-law compliance advice, and employee data privacy. She also has broad experience in employment litigation, including wage and hour class and collective actions, wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment and retaliation claims, trade secrets, breach of restrictive covenants, and whistleblower claims.

Bunting serves as management co-chair of the American Bar Association Labor & Employment Sections International Labor & Employment Law committee and is a contributing member of the International Bar Association and Philadelphia Bar Association as well. She is a sought-after speaker and has presented on labor and employment-related topics to national and international audiences. An advocate for community improvement, her pro bono work focuses on providing equal access to justice and reproductive rights. She has partnered with the Innocence Project, the Juvenile Lifer Project, and Philadelphia Lawyers for Social Equity.

About Greenberg Traurigs Philadelphia Office: Now celebrating its 25th anniversary, Greenberg Traurigs Philadelphia office has grown from an initial three-attorney Public Finance Practice to include more than 60 attorneys whose practices include Real Estate; Litigation; Intellectual Property; Labor & Employment; Environmental; Government Law & Policy; Restructuring & Bankruptcy; White Collar Defense & Special Investigations; Corporate; Investment Management & Regulation; Immigration & Compliance; Health Care & FDA; and Tax. The Philadelphia office represents a broad range of clients in real estate, manufacturing, health care, financial, and insurance industries, as well as state and local governments, professional services, and energy firms. The office also is known for its pro bono work and community service/social action initiatives in the Philadelphia region.

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.


Inspan LLC and Sacrix LLC merger forms new company Insrix LLC Inspan and Sacrix have grown recurring revenues and adoption year over year since 2019 to the same customers. The time is appropriate to combine the two and bring in experienced executive leadership that can raise capital and scale the company quickly - KICVentures Co-Founder and CFO Aditya Humad

The KICVentures Group sees this merger as necessary to increase the efficiency in the outpatient ambulatory surgery center market for doctors who treat degenerative spine disease such as spinal stenosis and sacroiliac disease. KICVentures Group is the investment holding company with majority ownership in both Inspan LLC and Sacrix LLC leading to a swift decision on the merger.

Inspan LLC is focused on training doctors on treating degenerative spinal stenosis and fusing the spine without interbody cages and pedicle screws. Approximately 85% of the population will experience back pain in their lives and spinal stenosis is the most common disease affecting the degenerative spine causing back pain. Sacrix LLC is focused on training doctors on its new percutaneous lateral-oblique sacroiliac joint fusion technique that it invented. Over 22% of all back pain sufferers have pain originating from their sacroiliac joints. It is estimated that 43% of all patients who were treated with lumbar spinal fusions will develop adjacent segment stresses on their sacroiliac joints and develop pain needing treatment.

Inspan LLC has generated over $23 million in revenues from its main product line, the Inspan interspinous-interlaminar fixation devices which have a strong 10+ year clinical track record. The Inspan Slim device is designed to better fit at L5-S1 and the Inspan Vega device is designed with more robust features plus holes in the footplate for stronger fixation such as in heavy patients and for the unstable spine such as for spondylolisthesis. In 2019, Inspan LLC expanded its customer base beyond orthopedic spine surgeons and neurosurgeons to add interventional pain management doctors primarily anesthesia pain and physical medicine, and rehabilitation doctors who operate in outpatient ambulatory surgery centers. Also in 2019, Sacrix LLC expanded its customer base exactly as Inspan did and so the same doctors were being trained on both Inspan and Sacrix as a platform for outpatient surgery. Both Inspan and Sacrix improved the efficiency of their technique and reduced the number of steps and instruments to align with the outpatient setting and to make it easier for pain doctors. Both companies are owned by the KICVentures Group and so it was seamless to merge into one company Insrix LLC.

The immediate goal of the new company, Insrix LLC is to hire a Chief Executive Officer (CEO) with experience in public markets to lead and build a new executive and sales team to grow the revenues and prepare the company for an exit. "Inspan and Sacrix have grown recurring revenues and adoption year over year since 2019 to the same customers. The time is appropriate to combine the two and bring in experience executive leadership that can raise capital and scale the company quickly" says KICVentures Co-Founder and CFO Aditya Humad. The combined entity, Insrix LLC, is expected to have greater impact starting 2023 when it is expected that Sacroiliac joint companies that place a wedge inside the joint posteriorly, will see a new Category III T-code being assigned which will negatively affect insurance reimbursement for posterior wedges. Inspan is also expecting to see more doctors treating spinal stenosis in the outpatient ASC. "Having both companies together provide doctors with complementary companies to more efficiently support outpatient spine surgery" says Professor Dr. Kingsley R Chin, a board-certified orthopedic spine surgeon.

The merger is effective July 1st, 2022, and will continue proceeding with the integration process.

About INSPAN, LLC

Inspan LLC is privately owned by the KICVentures Group and is focused on advancing the platform of patented interspinous interlaminar fixation technology. The Inspan device has a proven ten-year track record with thousands implanted since FDA clearance in 2010. There are no documented device-related failures or spinous process fractures that have plagued other competitive ISP devices.

https://myinspan.com/

About SACRIX LLC

Sacrix LLC is a KICVentures Group portfolio company focused on revolutionary percutaneous fluoroscopic lateral-oblique sacroiliac joint fusion technologies for the treatment of sacroiliac dysfunction and sacroiliitis. Sacrix developed its patented Sacrofuse threaded implant to be inserted percutaneously and received FDA clearance in 2015. The Gen1 Sacrofuse implant was compared head-to-head with market leader SI bone (SIBN) and found to have a 400% increase in pull-out strength. Sacrix has trained over 165 interventional pain physicians to perform its revolutionary percutaneous lateral-oblique sacroiliac joint fusion technique safely and effectively through a 1.5 cm incision minimally invasively in outpatient ambulatory surgery centers.

http://www.MySacrix.com

About KICVentures Group

Founded in 2000 makes us the most experienced healthcare investment holding company with the largest portfolio of medical device technologies focused on solutions for less invasive outpatient spine surgery. Our investment strategy is to acquire or invent disruptive technologies using our own capital or partner with private individual investors. This allows us the freedom to make quick and nimble decisions such as when we acquired AxioMed Viscoelastic Disc Technologies while other firms invested in ball-and-socket articulating spacers.

http://www.KICVentures.com
KnowBe4, the provider of the worlds largest security awareness training and simulated phishing platform, was recently named one of Floridas Best Companies To Work For ranking at number seven.

KnowBe4, the provider of the worlds largest security awareness training and simulated phishing platform, was recently named one of Floridas Best Companies To Work For.

The annual Best Companies To Work For In Florida list featured in the August issue of Florida Trend magazine ranks 100 companies in small, medium and large employer categories.

To participate, companies or government entities were required to have at least 15 workers in Florida and to be in operation at least one year. Companies 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.

We are thrilled to once again be named on the list of 100 Best Companies in Florida, said Stu Sjouwerman, CEO, KnowBe4. It is an honor to be recognized on this list for the fourth consecutive year. Maintaining an outstanding company culture is something thats very important to us at KnowBe4. We focus on it daily and weve worked hard to try to perfect it. As our organization grows, we continue to improve and that is reflected in our rankings on this list consistently rising through the years. We have three rules that embody our work environment: do it right the first time; do it fast; and have fun while you do it.

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 companies continue to lead, and lead by example! This impressive list of companies has not let adversity get in the way, says Florida Trend Publisher David Denor. 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 tomorrows 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 managed the registration, survey and analysis and determined the final rankings. For a list of the 100 Best Companies To Work For In Florida, go to FloridaTrend.com/BestCompanies.

About Florida Trend

Florida Trend business magazine is read by 270,000 influential business executives, civic leaders and government officials each month. Its award-winning reporting covers regional and statewide business news, industry executives and the business sectors they represent, as well as information on Florida's lifestyle, arts and culture scene. FloridaTrend.com offers eNews alerts, covering daily morning and afternoon breaking news; Business Beat, a weekly video newscast highlighting Floridas top business news stories; and weekly eNewsletters providing information, insight and details on Florida's growing industry sectors including health care, education, real estate, small business and movers and influencers. FloridaTrend.com attracts nearly a million pageviews and over 140,000 unique visitors each month.

About Workforce Research Group

Workforce Research Group works with partners worldwide to establish and manage Best Places to Work, Best Companies and Best Employers programs. Through its thorough workplace assessment, utilizing employer questionnaires and employee-satisfaction surveys, WRG identifies and recognizes companies that have been successful in creating and maintaining workplace excellence. For more information, visit http://www.WorkforceRG.com.

About KnowBe4

KnowBe4, the provider of the worlds largest security awareness training and simulated phishing platform, is used by more than 50,000 organizations around the globe. Founded by IT and data security specialist Stu Sjouwerman, KnowBe4 helps organizations address the human element of security by raising awareness about ransomware, CEO fraud and other social engineering tactics through a new-school approach to awareness training on security. Kevin Mitnick, an internationally recognized cybersecurity specialist and KnowBe4's Chief Hacking Officer, helped design the KnowBe4 training based on his well-documented social engineering tactics. Tens of thousands of organizations rely on KnowBe4 to mobilize their end users as their last line of defense.
As a teen, LeAnn Ploeger was fascinated by the case of cult leader Charles Manson. Curious to learn more, she wrote to him in jail and one cold day in December 1996 she received a response, but not from the man she expected. Instead, she got a letter from Manons best friend and cellmate, Roger Dale Smith.

In The Redemption Letters, Ploeger gives a look into the life of a death row inmate serving a commuted death-to-life sentence in Corcoran State Penitentiary, Calif. In his letters to Ploeger, Smith shared how he had lived a life of sin, but he changed his heart and fell in love with Jesus. He used his remaining time to share his message of redemption with other inmates who shared his fate, including Manson himself. Through Smiths own words, Ploeger hopes to show readers how even someone who has committed what seems like unforgivable crimes can go to heaven and have eternal life with God.

The book shares a collection of private letters, photos and mementos exchanged between Ploeger and Smith over the years.

I want people to know that Jesuss salvation covers all sin, Ploeger said. Everyone, even a death row inmate, is worthy of Gods love and salvation. Roger Dale shared his powerful story of finding God with me, and I want to share it with others so they can see that Gods love isnt exclusionary.

Over the years of their correspondence, Smith became Ploegers best friend, confidant, and mentor. Smith has since passed and Ploeger wants to honor his memory by sharing his message with the world.

The Redemption Letters: From Death Row to Heaven: An Account of Salvation from the Darkest Places

By LeAnn Ploeger

ISBN: 9781664263017 (softcover); 9781664263031 (electronic)

Available at WestBow Press, Amazon and Barnes & Noble

About the author

LeAnn Ploeger is a professional surgical first assist in an operating room. She and her husband, Ryan, travel with her job and use it as an opportunity to witness in the various places the Lord sends them.

To learn more, please visit https://www.theredemptionletters.com/.

###

General Inquiries:

LAVIDGE  Phoenix

Ashley Fletcher

afletcher@lavidge.com


This partnership with SIGNiX is an ideal opportunity for us to better serve our clients while continuing to provide the trusted bank software and support for which we are widely recognized.

SIGNiX, a powerfully productive digital signature and Remote Online Notarization (RON) technology company based in Chattanooga, Tennessee, has developed a new partnership with American Bank Systems, the leading provider of bank and compliance systems in the highly regulated financial services industry. Customers of American Bank Systems will benefit from a streamlined digital signing process and a completely electronic RON experience that is secure, fast, and convenient.

By partnering with SIGNiX, American Bank Systems will make it easier for their customers to sign documents online using SIGNiXs patented digital signature technology and perform remote online notarizations anywhere, anytime using audio and video technology. SIGNiXs RON platform, eNotaryDoX, saves notaries valuable time and money while providing a secure environment for notarial acts with embedded legal evidence in each signature of the digitally signed document.

According to Jay Bruce, President and CEO of ABS, This partnership with SIGNiX is an ideal opportunity for us to better serve our clients while continuing to provide the trusted bank software and support for which we are widely recognized.

Key Benefits of SIGNiX and American Bank Systems Partnership



No paper documents

Superior fraud protection

Notarize documents anywhere, anytime

Embedded legal evidence in every digital signature

With the combination of SIGNiXs solutions together with banking software from ABS, their clients will be able to securely sign documents online and perform notarial acts more efficiently and confidently while remaining compliant with financial industry regulations.

SIGNiX seamlessly integrates its technology with industry leading software providers who need to securely execute important financial transactions, and ABS is a perfect match for us, stated SIGNiX CEO, Jay Jumper.

About American Bank Systems

AMERICAN BANK SYSTEMS offers integrated software solutions and services specifically developed for the banking industry. Our solutions include COPILOT Loans and Deposits Origination Software | BANKMANAGER Document Imaging and Management, Exception and Collateral Tracking, with optional Workflow Approval Processes, Accounts Payable, and Human Resources modules | FastApp Online | COMPLIANCEPRO Federal Regulatory Compliance Software and Monitoring/Testing Procedures. ABS provides high-touch, 24/7 software Customer Care. We are privately-owned with over 50 years in business. For more information about ABS and our software solutions, visit http://www.americanbanksystems.com/.

About SIGNiX

SIGNiX provides digital signature and remote online notarization technology to users in highly regulated industries. Our cloud-based platform protects critical documents and contracts from tampering. Since all the necessary legal evidence is contained within the digitally signed document, SIGNiX clients can store their documents on their servers and not rely on a vendor to provide future evidence and validation. SIGNiXs technology ensures document enforceability and independent verification by giving users complete ownership and control of their digitally signed documents. For more information about SIGNiX, visit http://www.SIGNiX.com/.


At Vaultedge, we are razor-focused on helping lenders and servicers reduce costs and improve response time through automation, at the same time making life easy for end-users (loan officers loan processors, underwriters), Murali Tirupati, CEO & Co-Founder

Vaultedge Software (http://www.vaultedge.com), announced the availability of Vaultedge Mortgage Automation on Microsoft AppSource (https://bit.ly/3OEIPQQ), an online cloud marketplace providing tailored line-of-business solutions.

Vaultedge Mortgage Automation (VMA) (https://www.vaultedge.com/) is an AI-based Automated Document Recognition (ADR), Automated Data Extraction (ADE), and Income Analyzer platform that helps mortgage lenders, servicers & investors automate mortgage document processing with 99+% accuracy. VMA shortens loan closing time by 2 weeks and reduces manual processing costs by 80%.

Some of its primary benefits include:

1. Built on the Microsoft Azure platform to provide high scalability (10K+ loans processed/day)

2. Integrates with Loan Origination Software like Encompass and indexes documents, extracts data & calculates income. Vaultedge is an official ICE Mortgage Technology OCR partner.

3. Identifies key exceptions (data discrepancies, etc.) in minutes and cross-validate data directly with the source.

4. Automatically writes verified documents & data directly to your loan origination & servicing systems - saving you manual effort.

5. Data Extraction from standard/structured & non-standard/unstructured documents

6. Confidence rating for ease of exception handling

7. Training of new documents on demand

8. Can be implemented in as little time as 4 weeks with zero user training

At Vaultedge, we are razor-focused on helping lenders and servicers reduce costs and improve response time through automation, at the same time making life easy for end-users (loan officers loan processors, underwriters), said Murali Tirupati, CEO & Co-Founder, Vaultedge Software.

To learn more, please request a demo (https://www.vaultedge.com/request-a-demo).

About Vaultedge

Vaultedge (https://www.vaultedge.com/) is on a mission to automate underwriting and due diligence for mortgages, and beyond. Vaultedges AI-powered mortgage document processing software automates the splitting, indexing, data extraction, and validation of mortgage documents saving up to 80% of time & cost in Loan Processing, Post Close, and Loan Boarding. Vaultedges software is used by leading mortgage companies to automatically process thousands of loans every day.
www.winncom.com Mike Cook, Vice President of Business Development at Winncom Technologies, stated: In support of our partnership with Peoples Wireless, we are always in search of next generation technology solutions to provide diversity in network deployment options"

Winncom Technologies, global distribution partner for Intracom Telecom, announced the supply of Intracoms advanced 5th generation Fixed Wireless Access platform WiBAS G5 at mmWave frequencies to Peoples Wireless, telecom cooperative based in Texas USA.

Peoples Wireless decided to start the deployment of Intracom Telecoms FWA technology, the WiBAS G5 evo-BS and WiBAS G5 Connect+, at the 24 GHz frequency band after extended field testing. The WIBAS G5, demonstrated outstanding reliability, excellent performance, and leading capacity at long ranges, successfully addressing the customers expectations. This new generation of mmWave Point-to-MultiPoint radios will enable Peoples Wireless network to better serve home and business subscribers.

Mike Cook, Vice President of Business Development at Winncom Technologies, stated: In support of our partnership with Peoples Wireless we are always in search of next generation technology solutions to provide diversity in network deployment options and the WiBAS G5 mmWave 24GHz. FWA solution has proven to be an ideal fit.

Keith Kindle, Director of Wireless Operations at Peoples Wireless, said: We are constantly looking for new technologies to increase bandwidth to our customers in rural east Texas and help bridge the digital divide. The WiBAS product from Intracom has been a perfect fit to provide the much needed capacity that our customers demand and deserve.

Dharminder Chanana, CEO of Intracom Telecom's subsidiary in USA, Conklin-Intracom, commented: We are delighted that the partnership with Winncom Technologies is already proving to be fruitful and we are looking forward to our further expansion in North America. Our systems unrivalled capabilities, capacity and leading performance at very long distances will bring great value to Peoples. We are excited with their choice and strategic decision to invest in the 24GHz band.

About Winncom Technologies:

Winncom Technologies, global value-added distributor of broadband, CBRS/LTE, and Fixed Wireless Access equipment offers the most advanced forms of communication by providing customers cutting-edge, industry-leading products and solutions. With a far-reaching international scope, Winncom remains at the forefront of the global technology marketplace, demonstrating a reputation for quality products, a full range of network infrastructure and access products, and a customer-centric business model. We offer one of the industry's most notable product portfolios along with scalable solutions, world-class customer service, engineering services, network design, and outstanding support.

For more information, visit: http://www.winncom.com

About Peoples Wireless:

Peoples Wireless began offering fixed wireless broadband solutions in 2009. The parent company, Peoples Telephone Cooperative, has been providing telecommunication services in rural east Texas for over 70 years. The company embarked on a fixed wireless deployment to serve residents located in the unserved areas beyond the service footprint of the cooperative. Now serving across 13 counties with multiple fixed wireless technologies, the company is a leader in the east Texas region in deploying cutting edge technology and demonstrates a commitment to providing innovative solutions within the communities they serve.

For more information, visit https://peoplescom.net/contact/about-us/

About Intracom Telecom:

Intracom Telecom is a global telecommunication systems and solutions vendor operating for over 40 years in the market. The company has become the benchmark in fixed wireless access and it successfully innovates in the 5G/4G wireless RAN transport and small-cell SON backhaul international arena. Intracom Telecom offers a comprehensive revenue-generating software solutions portfolio and a complete range of ICT services, focusing on IoT, SDN/NFV, Big Data analytics & data-driven intelligence, and Smart City solutions. Moreover, it addresses the Energy & Utilities industry, emphasizing on smart metering and end-to-end IT solutions. Intracom Telecom is also active in the defense sector providing security integrated systems for critical infrastructure protection and border surveillance. The company has extensive know-how and a proven track record in the market, serving fixed and mobile telecom operators, public authorities, and large public and private enterprises. Intracom Telecom maintains its own R&D and production facilities, and operates subsidiaries worldwide.

For more information please visit: http://www.intracom-telecom.com

Information for news editors

Alexandros Tarnaris, Marketing Communications Director, Intracom Telecom Group

tel. +30-210-667-7027, e-mail: atarnar@intracom-telecom.com
We have been able to continue this success through at least 3 recessions  and, of course, the pandemic  thanks in large part to our high client retention rate and the quality of work we produce", shared Jason Giuliano, President of Wood Street.

Wood Street, Inc., founded in Frederick, MD, proudly celebrates its 20th Anniversary of providing high-quality web design, graphic design, and web development services. The companys name was inspired by a street where business partners Jason Giuliano, Jamie Stup and Derek Jubach attended college in Maryland. Today, Wood Street, Inc. continues to thrive under their leadership.

We are very excited to mark the 20th anniversary of Wood Street and reach this milestone, commented Jason Giuliano, President of Wood Street. We have been able to continue this success through at least 3 recessions  and, of course, the pandemic  thanks in large part to our high client retention rate and the quality of work we produce. We cannot thank our clients enough for our continued success and we are very humbled and honored to have such a dedicated and talented team surrounding us.

From its inception in 2002, Wood Street has been providing its clients with award-winning web design and custom development solutions. They have worked with over 600 local and nationwide clients during the span of their 20 years in business. Over this time, Wood Street's team members have built a reputation for consistently dedicating themselves to outstanding web design and development, as well as quality customer service.

They would like to thank their amazing clients, incredible team and industry partners as none of this would be possible without each and every one of you!

For more information about Wood Street, visit their company profile, check out their portfolio, or give them a call.

About Wood Street

Wood Street is an award-winning web design and development firm offering services that range from web design and application development to branding and internet marketing solutions. Serving clients from across Maryland, Northern Virginia, D.C., nationwide and globally, Wood Street provides high-end design and development solutions that help businesses stand out and succeed. http://www.woodst.com.


"Zomentum Grow reduces the complexity of the sales process by consolidating numerous tools into one platform that mimics the way tech partners sell and helps them grow revenue more quickly."

Zomentum creators of the first intelligent Revenue Platform built for the Partner Ecosystem, announced today that its sales acceleration application Zomentum Grow is a 2022 ChannelPro Readers' Choice Bronze Award winner for Best Sales/Marketing/Marketing Automation vendor.

The Zomentum Grow application allows users to assess customer needs, discover innovative software-as-a-service (SaaS) solutions, design quotes and proposals, convert opportunities to revenue, automate tedious sales tasks, analyze sales pipelines and expand accounts with quarterly business reviews (QBRs) and upsells.

"Zomentum Grow reduces the complexity of the sales process by consolidating numerous tools into one platform that mimics the way tech partners sell and helps them grow revenue more quickly," said Zomentum CEO Shruti Ghatge. "We're honored that ChannelPro readers recognize the performance and ease of the Zomentum Grow platform and its unique value proposition."

Readers of ChannelPro magazine and the ChannelPro network cast their votes via the publication's website for the vendors, distributors and professional organizations with the most SMB- and partner-friendly solutions, services or programs in the channel today. For each category, readers were asked to select the option that best satisfies the unique business requirements, work styles and budgets of their SMB clients and those that best serve their own organizations.

The survey, which ran from March 18 to May 20, 2022, drew participation from more than 500 channel value-added resellers (VARs), managed service providers (MSPs), integrators, system builders and IT consultants. Gold, Silver and Bronze winners are named in each category.

"ChannelPro readers are very discerning, and their recognition of the brands they rely on and trust to run their businesses and keep their customers safe speaks volumes about the quality of the vendor and solutions award winners," says Michael Siggins, President and Publisher of The ChannelPro Network. "In managed services, cloud computing, security, storage, and more, the Readers' Choice results serve as a beacon for the channel and MSP partners."

For a complete listing of the ChannelPro Readers' Choice Awards, visit http://www.ChannelProNetwork.com.

About the ChannelPro Network

The ChannelPro Network provides targeted business and technology information for the IT channel. Via ChannelPro-SMB magazine, live and online events, and our online properties, The ChannelPro Network delivers expert opinion, analysis, news, product reviews, and advice vital to an IT solution provider's business success. Perspectives from VARs, vendors, distributors, and analysts are spotlighted daily. No other media company focuses on the small and midsize marketplace like The ChannelPro Network. More information is available at http://www.ChannelProNetwork.com.

About Zomentum

Zomentum's revolutionary end-to-end Revenue Platform enables both partners and SaaS vendors to earn, grow and manage revenue quickly and cost-effectively. Empowering a thriving Partner Ecosystem, the platform fuels technology sales revenue of $800 million a year and counting across America, Europe and Australia. Zomentum is based in San Francisco, with offices in the U.S. and India. Founded in 2018, the company is backed by leading investors, including Accel Partners, Elevation Capital, Green Oaks Capital and Eight Roads Ventures.

Media Contacts:

Shannon Murphy

Chief Marketer

Zomentum

857.496.5558

shannonmurphy@zomentum.com

Khali Henderson

Senior Partner

BuzzTheory (for Zomentum)

480.999.5297

khenderson@buzztheory.com
The governments bid to block Penguin Random Houses acquisition of rival Big Five publisher Simon & Schuster gets underway today in Washington, D.C., today, with the case expected to run about three weeks. Meanwhile, filings made public late on July 29 shed light on a lingering pre-trial evidence dispute that could impact PRHs defense.

The dispute involves PRHs claims that its acquisition of Simon & Schuster would create cognizable merger-specific efficiencies. But according to court filings, PRHs expert witness, Edward Snyder, conceded in his testimony he did not seek to independently verify the numbers he used in forming his opinion on such efficiencies, which were drawn from a report by PRHs head of global mergers Manuel Sansigre, and PRH U.S. president and COO Nihar Malaviya. DOJ lawyers argue that the law requires data used by expert witnesses be verified. And because Snyder did not verify the numbers, the government is seeking to bar parts of Snyders testimony in order to facilitate a motionseeking judgment as a matter of law on the issue of efficiencies.

In a brief filed last Friday, however, PRH lawyers strongly disputed the governments reading of the law and the case history, arguing that numbers used by expert witnesses must only be verifiable not verified by an independent expert, adding that the court, after hearing testimony, would see the numbers used by PRHs expert were sound. Furthermore, PRH attorneys argue that the government should not be allowed to truncate and remove efficiencies from the rest of the trial proceedings.

At a July 25 hearing, Judge Florence Pan expressed skepticism of PRHs argument, suggesting that it should not fall to her have to verify the numbers underlying PRHs expert testimony.

If you have the burden, why is it that I have to...verify this? Why isn't it that you didn't have an expert do so? Why didn't Dr. Snyder verify this? I guess that's the question, Pan told PRH lawyers at the hearing, adding that she was a little put off by the idea that I'm the one who's supposed to be verifying here when I don't have expertise in this.

 PRH attorneys argue that the government 'should not be allowed to truncate and remove efficiencies from the rest of the trial proceedings.' 

But saying the matter was a consequential issue, Pan crafted a compromise. She denied the governments motionfor the time beingin favor of having PRH witnesses address the verifiability issues ahead of their testimony at trial.

I will say that my review of the expert reports and the evidence on this leaves me a little skeptical, Pan said. But I am willing to hear the testimony from Dr. Snyder and Mr. Sansigre to figure out if this is verifiable. And I'm still interested in, like, who's supposed to do the verifying. I'm not convinced that it should be me, but I'm willing to hear more on that.

On November 25, 2020 Bertelsmann, the parent company of Penguin Random House, emerged as the winning bidder for Simon & Schuster from ViacomCBS for $2.175 billion. On November 2, 2021, the U.S. Department of Justice sued to block the acquisition.

In final briefs filed July 24, attorneys for both sides outlined their arguments for trial.

Penguin Random Houses proposed acquisition of Simon & Schuster would further entrench the largest publishing giant in the United States (and the world) and give the merged company control of nearly half of the market to acquire anticipated top-selling books from authors, the DOJs pre-trial brief states. If allowed to proceed, the brief state, the proposed transaction would eliminate competition between two of the last remaining major publishers likely resulting in "authors being paid less for their efforts and fewer authors being able to earn a living from writing.

In their brief, PRH attorneys counter that the deal will create efficiencies that will enable the combined entity to make better offers to more authors, and will incentivize other publishers to compete harder to acquire the books they, too, need to win sales among consumers, a point PRH lead attorney Daniel Petrocelli emphasized in a public statement. "The Department of Justices lawsuit misunderstands that competitive dynamic and many others. As trial will show, this acquisition will benefit readers, booksellers, and authors alike.
Russian BKF bank CEO asks court to put end to massive slanderous campaign in Telegram

MOSCOW, August 1 (RAPSI)  CEO of BKF bank, Olga Mirimskaya, has filed a complaint with a Moscow district court challenging inaction of Russias Investigative Committee as concerns the authoritys refusal to investigate an alleged fact of a massive slander campaign on a Telegram channel.

The channel in question, Cheka-OGPU, made about 60 untrue publications about Mirimskaya in 2020  2021, the CEOs lawyer Alexander Chernov told RAPSI.

Mirimskaya filed an application addressed to the chairman of the Investigative Committee Alexander Bastrykin yet in March 2022, Chernov said.

These publications, as alleged by Chernov, contain information that is damaging the business and personal reputation of Mirimskaya, and are based on information disseminated on the aforesaid Telegram channel and via various media outlets by lawyer of Mirimskayas former partner, co-owner of the Golden Crown payment system, Nikolay Smirnov, Vadim Bagaturia.

Earlier, the Moscow Regional Chamber of Lawyers had initiated disciplinary proceedings against Bagaturia on allegations of gross violations of the norms of lawyer ethics; however, later the Chambers Council terminated the proceedings.

According to Chernov, Lyudmila Kolobkova, deputy head of the Main Investigative Directorate of the Investigative Committee, refused to register Mirimskaya's complaint as it was not a report of a crime.

The client and the lawyer did not agree with these conclusions and challenged the refusal in the Moscow Basmanny District Court.

Also, Mirimskayas defense filed a statement with the Russian security service FSB asking for an assessment of slanderous publications that she allegedly gave bribes totaling $7 million to the head of the K department, Ivan Tkachev, and the first deputy chairman of the Investigative Committee, Eduard Kaburneev, said Chernov.

The chairman of the board of BKF bank Mirimskaya was arrested on December 17, 2021 in a bribery case. According to investigators, she organized the purchase of two cars worth 3.2 million rubles for Yuri Nosov, an investigator from the Moscow Regional Office of the federal Investigative Committee, who participated in the investigation into the abduction of her newborn daughter in 2015.

Mirimskaya is charged with giving a bribe on an especially large scale, and Nosov, who is also in custody, is charged with taking a bribe on an especially large scale. Both persons deny guilt.
Ex-Transaero owners move to lift seizure of property worth $4 billion dismissed

MOSCOW, August 1 (RAPSI)  Russia's Supreme Court has dismissed the complaints of former owners and top managers of Transaero air carrier challenging the seizure of their property worth 245 billion rubles (about $4 billion at the current exchange rate), according to the court ruling.

Under the Russian Commercial Procedure Code the claimants have the right to apply to the court of first instance with a petition to cancel the interim measures taken, arguing that there are no grounds for their further application, the Supreme Court said.

The property owned by the founder of Transaero Alexander Pleshakov, ex-chairman of the board of directors Olga Pleshakova and Tatyana Anodina (the beneficiary of Transaero and the mother of the founder of the airline) was seized in the framework of bankruptcy proceedings against Transaero.

Transaero found itself unable to pay its debts valued at 250 billion rubles in 2015. The government-approved plan of transferring 75% of companys shares to Aeroflot failed. Its problems resulted in mass flight cancels and delays. In October 2015, Sberbank and Alfa Bank filed bankruptcy petitions against the air carrier. On September 13, 2017, the company was declared bankrupt.

According to investigators, Alexander Burdin, who acted as Transaero CEO from late 2015 to September 2017, embezzled over 1.3 billion rubles and paid no wages to employees for over two months. As a result, a salary debt to nearly 7,000 employees reached about 400 million rubles. Burdin pleaded not guilty.

On August 28, 2018, a Moscow court arrested Burdin in absentia. A court in St. Petersburg satisfied in March 2021 a move of the bankruptcy receiver of Transaero seeking to seize property of Burdin in the amount of 245 billion rubles.
Brattleboro, VT (05301)

Today

Cloudy early, then off and on rain showers for the afternoon. High 72F. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%..

Tonight

Rain early...then remaining cloudy with showers overnight. Low 58F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 70%. Rainfall around a quarter of an inch.
New law on black soil protection comes into force

Xinhua) 17:15, August 01, 2022

CHANGCHUN, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- A law on black soil protection, formulated as part of efforts to ensure China's grain security and protect the ecosystem, took effect on Monday.

The law, passed by the country's top legislature on June 24, consists of 38 provisions, and specifies the responsibilities of the government and "agricultural production operators" to protect the black soil.

It also stipulates harsher punishment for those who cause pollution or soil erosion in black soil areas in accordance with relevant laws and regulations, and calls on state farms to make greater contributions to black soil protection efforts and set a fine example.

The black soil, or chernozem soil, found in China's northeastern provinces of Heilongjiang, Jilin and Liaoning and in some parts of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, produces about a quarter of the country's total grain output, making it crucial to China's food supply.

However, excessive reclamation has eroded the soil's nutrients and its chernozem layer is thinning out, posing a threat to the country's ecological security and sustainable agricultural development.

In recent years, the growing use of modern agricultural technology and equipment, and better protection of black soil in the northeastern region have helped increase grain output and safeguard food security.

China has been promoting conservational tillage, increased the application of organic fertilizer, and adopted maize and soybean rotation planting techniques to protect black soil. Straw mulching is a significant technique employed by the conservation program.

The conservational tillage areas have been extended to more than 80 million mu (about 5.3 million hectares).

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs and the Ministry of Finance have jointly released an action plan (2020-2025) for protective tillage on black soil, with the program due to cover an area of 9.33 million hectares by 2025, or 70 percent of the total arable land in suitable areas of northeast China.

Yang Qingkui is a grain farmer from Lishu County in northeast China's Jilin Province. The county is situated in the heart of the black soil regions of China.

Yang, who has practiced conservational tillage for many years, said that the land has gradually turned fertile and the grain yield has steadily increased.

Li Baoguo, dean of the land science and technology college of China Agricultural University, said the new law will serve as a model for improving the legal system for farmland protection in China and play an important role in ensuring national food security and ecological protection in the country.

(Web editor: Peng Yukai, Liang Jun)
Authorities in Hong Kong last week launched the first English volume of the "Hong Kong Chronicles," as the ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP) moved to sponsor an official history of the former British colony using a traditional format for local records. The first English volume, titled "Overview and Chronology," covers more than 7,000 years since the city's roots in prehistoric fishing settlements in the Pearl River Delta. But according to veteran journalist Ching Cheong, the move is also a bid by the CCP to rewrite the city's history amid an ongoing crackdown on political opposition and public dissent under the national security law:

RFA: The first volume of the English version was launched in a ceremony attended by chief executive John Lee and officials from the Chinese foreign ministry. Why is this book being given such a high profile?

Ching Cheong: This is actually an important process by which the CCP is rewriting history. Any history that is embarrassing to the CCP has been erased. It's sad that Hong Kong has now become entrapped in this process.

RFA: Can you give an example of this from the book?

Ching Cheong: In its evaluation of the "one country, two systems" that has been in place since the [1997] handover, it says that the model is grounded in the Chinese constitution and Hong Kong's Basic Law, ... and identifies a broad social consensus for the principle as the key to its implementation. The protest movements of recent years are seen as violating the Basic Law, pinning the blame for them on Hong Kong. But it doesn't say why they arose in the first place, which was because the CCP has repeatedly violated the Basic Law since the 1997 handover, delaying universal suffrage again and again, and even changing the definition of universal suffrage in its Aug. 31, 2014 decree from the National People's Congress standing committee. That was what led the people of Hong Kong to stand up and fight. The book totally ignores this fact, and blames the protests on the people of Hong Kong. This is highly immoral.

RFA: What does the book have to say about the CCP's involvement in the riots of the 1950s and 1960s in Hong Kong?

Ching Cheong: It avoids discussing the most important points. For example, the first riot mentioned is the Double Tenth riot of 1956. The book says this was the first. But there was one earlier than that, the March 1st incident of 1952. Why did it skip over that riot? Because the Double Tenth riot was instigated by supporters of the Kuomintang (KMT), and the March 1 riot was incited by the CCP. By the time we get to the 1967 riots, their involvement is too obvious to ignore, so the book doesn't avoid that, but its formulation of the 1967 riots instigated by the CCP is completely different from its approach to the riot instigated by the KMT in 1956.

RFA: How is its formulation different?

Ching Cheong: The book says of the riots instigated by the KMT that the trigger for the riots in Kowloon and Tsuen Wan had 'obvious political overtones,' and there was obvious and provocative involvement by pro-KMT trade unions and triad organizations. It says people who fled to Hong Kong were having trouble making a living, and there was huge public dissatisfaction with the way things were. It blames them, and pro-KMT figures who had suffered political and economic defeat, for this social unrest.

RFA: How does it describe the 1967 riots?

Ching Cheong: We all know that the riots in Hong Kong in 1967 were actually the result of an extension of the Cultural Revolution [1966-1976] in mainland China to Hong Kong. People who study the Cultural Revolution in China include the Hong Kong riots in 1967 as part of the history of the Cultural Revolution at the local level. All of the mistakes of the Cultural Revolution were seen in the 1967 Hong Kong riots. But the book describes them as 'leftists fighting back against colonial oppression against a heavily armed military and police force' and then being negatively labeled as a result of a propaganda campaign by the Hong Kong government. This is a completely different political approach than is used to appraise the Double Tenth riots. If the riots launched by the Kuomintang in 1956 had 'obvious political overtones,' did the riots instigated by the Communist Party in 1967 have no political overtones? The book's condemnation of the KMT and its sympathy for the CCP are obvious ... and indicates a serious bias in this official, local history.

Hong Kong journalist Ching Cheong, Feb. 21, 2008. Credit: AFP RFA: In your view, how should people study and write the history of Hong Kong in order to reflect what actually happened?

Ching Cheong: I think this requires scholars to dare to break through their information blockade and dare to challenge [official] arguments. It is very important to do this in the spirit of truth-seeking and a refusal to yield to the arguments of the regime. Firstly, professional historians need to try their best to dig up and preserve historical materials that have been destroyed or are about to be destroyed. This is especially important.

RFA: What can ordinary people who are not professional historians do?

Ching Cheong: Regular history teachers could find a way to formulate a set of textbooks that can reflect the historical facts. Textbooks in Hong Kong need to be approved by the authorities ... and so those books are unlikely to reflect a true and factual history. Every history teacher needs to have a set of these [alternate history books] for comparison with the CCP's official narrative. Then they can point out the differences between these versions to the students. Thirdly, history lovers should do their best to preserve factual accounts from primary sources. Some people have been buying decrypted files at their own expense in the U.K., and trying to restore some historical truths from them. It takes a multi-pronged approach to avoid misleading students with the CCPs narrative.

RFA: Why is it so important for scholars to preserve historical materials?

Ching Cheong: There was once a very famous China research center at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, which was recognized by sinologists or experts specializing in China all over the world. It was a kind of Mecca for Chinese Studies, and many internationally renowned scholars came to use the more than 50 years' of materials collected from various places in mainland China, many of which are now banned books. This resource center was shut down for no apparent reason when the national security law took effect [from July 1, 2020], when the CCP clearly wanted to tighten its ideological grip on Hong Kong.

RFA: What do you think will be the consequences of that?

Ching Cheong: These books have now been scattered, and some rich historical materials that had been accumulated over decades are now fragmented in different corners of the library. So its status as the Mecca of Chinese Studies has been destroyed. Historians need to think carefully about how to ... fight against this kind of behavior that attempts to destroy the historical record.

Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie.
UPDATED at 6:50 p.m. EDT on 2022-08-01

Top U.S. officials said Monday China should not use a visit to Taiwan by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi as a pretext for saber rattling or aggressive military actions in the region, after Beijing issued fresh threats on the eve of the expected trip.

RFA sources and sources cited by local media and CNN said Pelosi would make an unofficial trip late on Tuesday to the island, which is not on her official four-nation itinerary.

China warned on Monday that any visit by Pelosi would lead to "very serious developments and consequences" in remarks that said the Communist country's powerful military would not stand by in such an event.

In Washington, the White House and the top U.S. diplomat said Pelosi's travel plans were up to her, but urged China not to turn any such visit to Taiwan into a diplomatic crisis.

"The speaker has the right to visit Taiwan, and a speaker of the House has visited Taiwan before, without incident, as have many members of Congress, including this year," said national security spokesman John Kirby.

"There is no reason for Beijing to turn a potential visit consistent with long-standing U.S. policy into some sort of crisis or conflict, or use it as a pretext to increase aggressive military activity in or around the Taiwan Strait," he told reporters.

Kirby said Washington would not be moved by any Chinese effort to raise tensions over Pelosi.

"We will not take the bait or engage in saber rattling. At the same time, we will not be intimidated," he said.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken said there were precedents for Pelosi's visit and urged China not to overreact.

"Many members of Congress go to Taiwan, including this year. And so if the Speaker does decide to visit, and China tries to create some kind of crisis or otherwise escalate tensions, that would be entirely on Beijing. We are looking for them, in the event she decides to visit, to act responsibly and not to engage in any escalation going forward," said Blinken.

The remarks came after Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian told reporters in Beijing that even an unofficial stopover in Taiwan would be regarded by Beijing as "a gross interference in China's internal affairs,"



"We would like to tell the United States once again that China is standing by, the Chinese People's Liberation Army will never sit idly by, and China will take resolute responses and strong countermeasures to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity," Zhao said.



"If she dares to go, wait and see what happens," he told a regular news briefing in Beijing.

The United States does not recognize Taiwan diplomatically, but retains close unofficial ties with Taipei and is obligated by law to provide it with defense capabilities. Beijing considers the self-ruling, democratic island a breakaway province, to be united with the mainland by force if necessary, and objects strongly to high-level U.S. visits.



The Trump administration announced in January 2021 that the U.S. was lifting curbs that had been in place since Washington cut ties with Taipei in favor of Beijing in 1979, saying Washington would no longer "appease" Beijing.



President Joe Biden has previously said China is 'flirting with danger' with its ongoing threat to annex Taiwan, saying the U.S. is committed to defending the island in the event of a Chinese invasion, a statement U.S. officials later framed as an interpretation of the existing terms of the Taiwan Relations Act requiring Washington to ensure the island has the means to defend itself.



But Biden struck a more conciliatory note in a phone call last Friday with CCP leader Xi Jinping, saying U.S. policy hadn't changed, and that Washington doesn't support full international recognition for Taiwan's sovereignty. Xi warned Biden that "those who play with fire get burnt."

Taiwan's presidential office and foreign ministry have both declined to comment on any visit by Pelosi, although premier Su Chen-chang has said the island's government, which still uses the name of the 1911 Republic of China, will welcome any foreign VIP guests.



"We extend a warm welcome to foreign VIPs who come to visit our country; we will make the best possible arrangements for their visit, and also respect their plans when arranging the schedule," Su told reporters.



Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong (R) shakes hands with U.S. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi at the Istana Presidential Palace in Singapore during a visit to the Asia-Pacific region, Aug. 1, 2022. Credit: Singapore's Ministry of Communications and Information / AFP More saber-rattling

Drew Thompson, a former U.S. defense official and senior visiting fellow at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at the National University of Singapore, said via his Twitter account that he expects Pelosi to make an unofficial stop in Taiwan after her visit to Malaysia.



While Beijing privately considers this an acceptable outcome, Thompson said the PLA could launch high-profile reconnaissance flights around Taiwan's Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ), a form of saber-rattling that has become commonplace in recent years.



Former Taiwanese civil aviation director Chang Kuo-cheng said Pelosi's aircraft won't be allowed to enter Taiwan's airspace, so must take a roundabout route via airspace controlled by the Philippines, the U.S. and Japan.



"She will not pass through our airspace," Chang said. "If she tries, China may take action; something they have long prepared."



Tao Yi-fen, an associate professor of politics at National Taiwan University, said Pelosi's visit could still prompt Xi to take action, regardless of the route Pelosi takes if she visits.



"The CCP is about to hold the 20th party congress, so if Xi Jinping does nothing after issuing all of those warnings, it could have a negative impact on his bid for a further term in office at the party congress," Tao said.



Taiwan resident Hsiao Wu said the war of words is largely being manufactured by Beijing, created by the CCP's insistence on annexing Taiwan, by force if necessary.



"Every now and then, I will get Chinese friends asking me if [Taiwan] really wants a war," Wu said. "But no, we don't. Our side is peaceful."



"If the PLA really scrambles to fly alongside [Pelosi's] flight or target-locks their missiles, then that would be an overreaction," he said.



"[Nonetheless], if a person of her rank comes to Taiwan, regardless of what they want to talk about, it will show support and a good attitude to Taiwan, and boost its [international] image," Wu said.

Meanwhile, a Chinese student in Canada said the CCP needs an external distraction from an imploding real estate market and weak economic performance in the wake of Xi's zero-COVID policy.



"Social conflicts are more acute in China now ... it needs to engage in some provocations ... and strengthen domestic controls so as to shore up social stability," the student said. "The more conflicts at home intensify, the more they will project them outwards."



Current affairs commentator Fang Wenxiang agreed.



"I think that [China's] 'wolf-warrior' diplomacy has affected all areas of government now," Fang said. "Ministry of defense spokesmen used to be very cautious, but now they're coming out with unreasonable statements, from which it will be hard to back down."



Wu Qiang, independent researcher at Beijing's Tsinghua University, said the official response seems to be changing from day to day since the row over Pelosi's trip blew up.



"[The official line] is changing from day to day, and it colored by opportunism and ambiguity," Wu said. "It seems they have reached their rhetorical limit for the time being, because they don't want to cause political shocks or turmoil in China ahead of the 20th party congress."



"Nor do they want an expansion of popular nationalism off the back of Pelosi's visit to Taiwan ... the CCP is being cautious about nationalistic sentiment ahead of the 20th party congress," Wu said.



Wu said many in China see the current standoff as the starting point for a longer-term struggle over Taiwan.



International relations scholar Zong Tao agreed, saying immediate further deteriorate in Sino-U.S. ties is unlikely.



"Basically, China won't be making any big moves, because their main focus is still the 20th National Congress of the CCP," Zong said. "Taiwan is not: rather, it's just an outlet for them to channel as much popular support as possible."



Should Pelosi decide against her reported unofficial trip, that wouldn't play well in Japan, where many are keen to see broad international support for Taiwan, according to one political analyst. The official trip includes stops in Japan, South Korea, Malaysia and Singapore.



"If she doesn't go to Taiwan, this will be seen in Japanese political circles as a case of the U.S. saying one thing and doing another ... and as an indication that the U.S. isn't strongly committed to defending Taiwan or Japan," Shizuoka University professor Yang Haiying told RFA.



UPDATED with comments by the White House.



Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie.
Some 4,000 troops are taking part in two weeks of drills.

A soldier runs through red smoke with a Bangalore torpedo during Exercise Garuda Shield at Baturaja Training Area, Indonesia, Aug. 12, 2021.

Indonesia and the United States, with additional participation from Australia, Japan and Singapore, kicked off a joint military exercise on Monday in a show of defense partnership amid rising tensions in the Indo-Pacific region.

The annual joint exercise Super Garuda Shield is significantly larger in scope and scale than previous exercises, with many nations participating or observing for the first time, according to a statement from the U.S. Embassy in Jakarta.

Some 4,000 mostly Indonesian and U.S. troops are taking part in the two-week drills in Sumatra and Kalimantan.

This is a purely military-to-military exercise," Maj. Gen. Stephen Smith, commander of the participating U.S. troops, said at a press briefing in Jakarta on Friday.

This is not a threat or should not be viewed as a threat to anybody, anywhere, Smith said.

U.S. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Mark Milley (center) inspecting troops in Jakarta on July 24, 2022. CREDIT: U.S. Department of Defense





The exercise comes as China announced a series of live-fire drills in the South China Sea amid rumors of a planned visit to Taiwan by the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representative, Nancy Pelosi.

Indonesia is not a claimant in the South China Sea dispute but Jakarta shares interests in exploring maritime resources in the contested waters.

At an event held by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) think-tank, assistant U.S. secretary of defense for Indo-Pacific security affairs Ely Ratner said there had been a dramatic increase in Chinese military ships and aircraft acting aggressively toward other forces in the region.

If the PLA continues this pattern of behavior, it is only a matter of time before there is a major incident or accident in the region, Ratner said, referring to Chinas Peoples Liberation Army.

U.S. Army soldiers take part in the opening of the Garuda Shield Joint Exercise on August 4, 2021. CREDIT: Reuters

Calculated decision

The larger scale of the exercise, and extended participation of partners and observers, is a calculated decision by Jakarta, according to an Indonesian analyst.

The point is to show that Indonesia can cooperate with whoever she wants, said Satya Pratama, a senior Indonesian government official and maritime defense analyst.

Indonesia has a free and active foreign policy: free to engage with whichever partner and friend; and active in ensuring global security based on Indonesias national interests, Satya said.

Traditionally, the Garuda Shield exercises only involved the army and paratroopers but Super Garuda Shield 2022 also involves the navies of expanded participants, including Japan and Singapore.

The inclusion of the navy into the training agenda represents a shift in strategic thinking that Indonesias territorial waters and jurisdictions are now becoming more vulnerable to external threats, said Dedi Dinarto, lead Indonesia analyst at public policy advisory firm Global Counsel.

The selection of the Riau Islands as one of the training locations in Super Garuda Shield 2022 is also significant.

In 2016 and early 2020, tensions flared over the presence of Chinese fishing boats in the waters near Indonesias Natuna Islands where Beijing told Jakarta to stop drilling for oil and gas.

The Riau Islands Province covers the North Natuna Sea, and the naval training in this area could help participating countries understand the operating context behind these incidents, Dedi said.

By choosing the Riau Islands, it reveals the strategic weight defense policymakers are placing on strengthening the outer provinces as Indonesias defense frontier.

The training will also take place in Amborawang Darat in East Kalimantan province, close to the new capital city project in Penajem Paser Utara, said Dedi Dinarto, adding that this years exercise presents an opportunity for Indonesias military to demonstrate their abilities in safeguarding the new capital from potential threats.

Free and open Indo-Pacific

The U.S. Embassy in Jakarta said the exercise strengthens the U.S.-Indonesia Strategic Partnership and advances regional cooperation in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific.

Trainings, academic exchanges, and professional development workshops focused on the corps-level and below will focus on areas such as humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, as well as combating conventional, unconventional and hybrid threats, the Embassy said.

Super Garuda Shield 2022 takes place from Aug. 1 to 14, with drills involving the armies, navies and air forces.

Canada, France, India, Malaysia, South Korea, Papua New Guinea, East Timor, and Britain will participate as observer nations.
UPDATED at 7:29 p.m. EDT on 2022-08-01

Myanmars military regime has extended the countrys state of emergency for an additional six months to Feb. 1, 2023 citing the need for additional election preparations, as citizens staged rallies over the weekend pledging allegiance to the anti-junta democracy movement.

The decision to extend the state of emergency was made during a meeting of the National Defense and Security Council in the capital Naypyidaw, state media reported, and follows an earlier extension of six months on Feb. 1  the one-year anniversary of the countrys military coup.

Myanmars military-drafted 2008 Constitution allows for the declaration of a one-year state of emergency that can be extended by a maximum of two six-month terms, after which elections must be held within a six-month period.

During a televised speech on Monday, junta chief Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing said that the state of emergency had to be extended as there are still things that need to be done ahead of the election.

He made no mention of a date for the election, but said it could only be held after Myanmar becomes peaceful and stable. The extension of the state of emergency suggests there will be no election until at least Feb. 1, 2023.

Min Aung Hlaing also called for electoral reform that would give greater weight to proportional representation in Myanmars first-past-the-post system, which saw Aung San Suu Kyis National League for Democracy (NLD) sweep the countrys November 2020 general election. He pointed to powerful parties as previously preventing political propriety in the polls.

The junta declared the results of the 2020 election null and void due to alleged voter fraud, although it has yet to present evidence of its claims 18 months after the coup. Aung San Suu Kyi was arrested during the takeover and faces multiple charges that could see her jailed for up to 150 years.

The official Global New Light of Myanmar reported Monday that Min Aung Hlaing had requested the junta allow him to serve for an additional six months  a proposal it said the National Defense and Security Council unanimously supported.

Analysts told RFA Burmese that Mondays announcement was expected and suggested it was part of a plan by the junta to install a pro-military government in its place.

He will definitely hold an election in 2023, political analyst Than Soe Naing said of the junta chief.

I think he intends to make someone from the forces led by the military as the head of state. I think it is a plan to transform General Min Aung Hlaing into President Min Aung Hlaing.

Hunter Marston, a researcher and analyst at Australian National University in Canberra, said Min Aung Hlaings decision to extend the state of emergency on Monday came as no surprise.

It gets the [junta] that much closer to holding an election under its rules and preferences, by which time it will have had its chance to remove the NLD's top political leaders and intimidate all other political parties as well as voters into voting under its preferred [proportional representation] system, he said.

What's truly galling is the Commander-in-Chief's use of language concerning genuine multi-party democracy. Min Aung Hlaing continually references the 2008 Constitution and the [military's] desire for disciplined democracy. The irony must be lost on him: the fact that disciplined democracy defeats the purpose of free and fair elections if the military is imposing its system by force!

The opposition has called on the public to boycott the junta-sponsored election that would annul the 2020 results.

In this image from video by Myanmar state broadcaster MRTV, Snr. Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, head of the ruling State Administration Council, delivers a speech Monday, Aug. 1 2022. Credit: MRTV via AP Junta performance review

Also in Mondays speech, Min Aung Hlaing said that a total of 6,236 people had been arrested in the 18 months since the military coup.

During the period, there were 7,246 mine and grenade attacks, 6,567 killings, and 1,094 cases of arson, while authorities seized 6,311 weapons, more than 335,100 pieces of ammunition, and 11,715 grenades and landmines, he said.

Of those killed, 3,483 were civilians, including children, Buddhist monks and nuns, government employees, and administrative officials. He said 3,065 people had been injured in violence since Feb. 1, 2021 and 41 people had gone missing.

Sagaing region saw the worst of violent conflict between the military and anti-junta Peoples Defense Force (PDF) paramilitaries or armed ethnic groups over the last 18 months with 4,026 clashes, while Yangon, Mandalay, and Magwe region saw 2,442, 2,194, and 1,359 clashes, respectively.

According to figures from the Bangkok-based Assistance Association of Political Prisoners (AAPP), at least 14,596 were arrested by the junta since the coup, 11,859 of whom are still in detention, including 1,364 who were imprisoned. The group has documented the killings of 2,142 civilians over the same period.

Min Aung Hlaing also acknowledged having failed to implement the so-called five-point consensus (5PC) he agreed to during an emergency Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) meeting on the situation in Myanmar in April last year, which he blamed on the coronavirus pandemic and political instability.

The consensus called for an end to violence; constructive dialogue among all parties; the mediation of such talks by a special ASEAN envoy; the provision of ASEAN-coordinated humanitarian assistance and a visit to Myanmar by an ASEAN delegation to meet with all parties.

The junta chief said he will implement what we can from among the five points this year as Myanmars political situation has improved, but added that he must prioritize dealing with issues that might jeopardize the countrys sovereignty, including judicial, legislative, and administrative matters.

Analyst Than Soe Naing told RFA that Min Aung Hlaing hopes to buy more time with vague promises about the 5PC.

In reality, [the junta] won't implement it. After taking a year and a half without doing anything about it, I think this is another ruse, a political ploy, to delay it again, he said.

As they have declared they will not hold talks with 'terrorist forces like the NUG [Myanmars shadow National Unity Government] and ethnic armed groups associated with the [anti-junta] Spring Revolution, they will not be able to do anything about ending the violence as called for in the ASEAN consensus.

Marston, of Australian National University, called Min Aung Hlaings pledge not credible.

Min Aung Hlaing agreed to the 5PC at the special ASEAN Summit in April 2021 and immediately rebuffed it after landing in Yangon, he said.

He is continuing to play for time and seeks to divide those within ASEAN who would oppose the [junta] from those who seek to foster dialogue with the [junta] and shield it from criticism.

Billy Ford, Burma Program officer at Washingtons United States Institute of Peace, warned against trusting junta promises.

It is all political disinformation and propaganda aimed at generating fear among the Myanmar people and creating a veneer of good faith that gives international actors a justification to continue with the status quo, which enables them to continue committing atrocities, he said.

Min Aung Hlaing's stated intention to comply with and follow the five-point consensus is blatantly false. I expect in coming months, [the junta] will escalate violence - the goal being to generate fear within the population  since they see that accountability is likely only going to come from the resistance movement in Myanmar, not from the international community.

Villagers in Sagaing region demonstrate against the military junta, July 31, 2022. Credit: Citizen journalist Nationwide rallies

News of the juntas decision to extend a state of emergency and Min Aung Hlaings vow to implement the 5PC came as Burmese citizens, angered by the execution of four democracy activists last week and worn down by 18 months of military rule, staged rallies across Myanmar, from major cities to regions that have seen the heaviest clashes between troops and PDF groups.

The Sunday rallies were held in the major cities of Yangon and Mandalay along with the regions of Sagaing and Thanintharyi.

Protesters made vows to fight for democracy, banged pots and sounded car horns as well as promoting their cause on social media.

Residents said since the public pledge of allegiance ceremonies had been announced in advance, security was tighter than usual in the big cities. They also spotted security guards and plainclothes officers.

People were searched and there were some arrests. About 30 Mandalay residents who posted comments on Facebook urging people to participate were arrested by military council forces, according to a member of Mandalays Sanga (Buddhist monk) Union.

There were people who were arrested after writing posts urging people to take part in activities a day in advance. They were arrested due to military informants like Han Nyein Oo, he said.

They prepared ambushes in the night and stuck posters on electricity poles urging people not to participate, the monk told RFA. He said the protests were still a success because many people still took part.

Telegram channels supporting the military council have been campaigning for the arrest and prosecution of those involved in the campaign.

A woman holds a poster saying "Only the righteous one wins". CREDIT: Citizen journalist





Fighting until the junta is defeated

RFA has not been able to independently confirm the exact number of people arrested for participating in, or inciting people to make, the pledge of allegiance. Nang Linn, a member of the University Students Force, told RFA the public pledge was made as a commitment to participate in the anti-dictatorship revolution until the end by people who have suffered since the military took power.

The main thing is that we will transform the stubbornness, anger, and bitterness that we are experiencing during this anti-regime revolution into a revolutionary spirit and then we will all march together and fight until we reach the revolutions goal. Therefore, the public pledge was made by the power of the people, he said.

Nann Linn said the democracy movement shows the power and defiant attitude of people across Myanmar, while respecting the martyred leaders of the movement.

A woman in Pazondaung township spoke to RFA on condition of anonymity for security reasons. She said she recited the pledge of allegiance and banged pots at home because security on the streets was too tight.

I saw on Facebook that people planned to recite the vow and bang pots and pans, and cars would sound their horns. I banged a bowl, she said. Not every house in my ward banged pots. Some banged iron buckets and others crashed Jam Jam Jam [cymbals]. Cars honked their horns but people didnt didnt protest for long, the woman told RFA.

People in the war-torn areas of Monywa, Yinmabin and Kani township in Sagaing Region and parts of Thanintharyi region also made the pledge of allegiance, holding banners saying Only the Righteous one wins.

Protesters across the country said they will continue marching until the goals of the anti-dictatorship revolution have been reached.

Translated by Khin Maung Nyane. Written in English by Joshua Lipes.

Updated to include Min Aung Hlaing's comments on extending the country's state of emergency, statistics since coup, and pledge to implement the 5PC.
Lawyers say six other Peng Lei House Buddhist Church members are also innocent.

The man at the center of allegations of incest, fraud and abusing freedoms has appealed against his five-year prison sentence.

Le Tung Van from the Peng Lei House Buddhist Church, now known as Thien Am on the Edge of the Universe, was sentenced on July 21 on charges of "abusing democratic freedoms".

Police have since suspended investigations into claims the church was an incest cult whose leaders personally profited from charitable donations.



Les lawyer, Dang Dinh Manh of the Ho Chi Minh City Bar Association, brought the accused to the Duc Hoa district peoples court to file an appeal, accompanied by a team of defense lawyers.

Le raised five points to assert his innocence. He said he did not offend the Vietnamese Buddhist Church in Long An province, or the Duc Hoa district police. He said, on the contrary, he and members of his group suffered years of humiliation and slander.

Le repeated a call made at his trial for his accusers to stand up to him and make their claims in court.

The church leader accused five organizations of persecuting his religion: The Duc Hoa district Police Agency, the Long An provincial Police Department, the Duc Hoa district People's Procuracy, the Long An provinces People's Procuracy and the People's Court.

He called on the appeals court to drop the charges against him and his colleagues and free them immediately and unconditionally.

Les lawyer Dang Dinh Manh told RFA that he and four associates believed the Duc Hoa district court had unfairly tried six members of Peng Lei because of at least 22 procedural violations.

With Le Tung Van's appeal we hope the appeals court will reach a verdict in accordance with the law, declaring there was no crime under Article 331 of the Criminal Code, he said.

If we have a guarantee that the procedural regulations will be strictly implemented, it will have a very positive impact on the policy of building a state based on the rule of law, restore people's trust in the law and enhance the prestige of the prosecuting agencies.

So far only Le has filed an appeal but lawyer Dao Kim Lan said he believed the six others charged to be innocent.

"Personally, as a lawyer directly involved in the case and having access to all the files, I determine that my clients have not committed a crime according to the charges and documents and evidence shown in the case file, he said.
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Eyyub Azizov, the lone resident of Sixlar in Azerbaijan, has not lost hope that life as he once knew it will return to his depopulated village.
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.

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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
Hundreds of Central Asians have been conned out of money by scammers posing as recruiters, middlemen, or representatives of foreign firms offering visas and lucrative jobs abroad.

In the Uzbek capital, Tashkent, authorities exposed a group of scammers who got their unsuspecting victims to pay nearly $50,000 for nonexistent jobs overseas, the Prosecutor-General's press office reported in June.

It said the scammers -- Uzbek citizens -- told people they had acquaintances working at Western embassies who could arrange the visas and demanded an advance payment.

Similar incidents have been reported in neighboring Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan, where job fraudsters mostly advertise their so-called services on social media.

Such job scams are not new, but authorities and experts warn that number of fake firms and individual scammers has spiked in recent months amid easing pandemic restrictions on foreign travel.

Vulnerable Central Asian job seekers have also been targeted in Russia, where millions of migrant workers saw their wages and employment opportunities shrink because of the harsh economic sanctions resulting from the Kremlin's war in Ukraine.

More than 150 migrants from Kyrgyzstan paid at least $1,600 each to a private company in Moscow that promised them well-paid seasonal jobs in Europe. But they all ended up out of pocket.

The company -- called Immigration 365 -- demanded the Kyrgyz citizens make up-front payments for services that supposedly included arrangements for work visas and a jobs, some of the victims told RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service.

Aizada Muradilova, 44, says she paid about $2,000 to Immigration 365, which offered her a job in the farming sector in a northern European country in February.

"They kept delaying it from February to March, then to April," she says. "When I went to their office in April, they said the [employer] has sent me an invitation and that I'll leave [for Europe] soon. But they didn't show it to me."

The company told Muradilova to collect her visa at a consulate in the city of Yekaterinburg. Muradilova traveled from Moscow to Yekaterinburg, some 1,670 kilometers from the Russian capital, only to find out that she had fallen victim to a scam.

Diplomats at the Kyrgyz Embassy in Moscow confirmed that Muradilova and other Kyrgyz victims have asked for help to recover their losses and catch the hoaxers. Russian police have launched a criminal probe into the scam, the embassy said.

In Kyrgyzstan, police opened 32 criminal probes in the first three months of this year alone into suspected immigration fraud, including fake job offers in Europe, the United States, Canada, and South Korea.

Picking Strawberries In Britain

Thousands of Central Asians have been hired legally in recent months for seasonal farming jobs in Britain to fill a workforce shortage caused largely by Brexit.

Workers from Central Asia have been selected through a third party -- legally registered recruiters who have contracts with British firms.

But scammers in Central Asia were quick to advertise job opportunities in Britain while pretending to be a recruiting firm.

Kyrgyz and Uzbek police said the fraudsters often demand between $100 and $1,000 from the job seekers to pick strawberries in Britain.

It led some British employers to warn potential workers from Central Asia to beware of the scams.

The British company Fruitful Jobs urged potential job applicants in Central Asia to apply through AGRI HR, the only recruitment firm with whom it works.

"In connection with many cases of fraud...we would like to inform you that Osrodek HR (an approved Fruitful Jobs recruiter) does not work with or have any authorized representatives in Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, or Kazakhstan," the company wrote.

"Any person who claims that they are [representing us] is acting ILLEGALLY. Please do not pay any company or individual fees and contact us directly to report this," it said.

Authorities in Central Asia advised job seekers to look for work through legal channels and thoroughly check the recruiting companies' credentials.

They warn applicants to stay clear of those who demand payments in advance.

"The number of illegal companies working without a license is on the rise," said Zohid Askarov, a senior official at Uzbekistan's Employment Ministry.

"By law, only an officially registered company has the right to arrange employment abroad; therefore, we ask our citizens to check the company's activities [before paying them]," Askarov said at a gathering in Tashkent.

Experts say scammers take advantage of people's lack of knowledge of basic work and visa regulations, as well as foreign languages.

"When a company tells you it will arrange a work visa in two weeks and demands up-front money for this, it's nonsense. It usually takes three to six months to get a work visa," says Daniyar Mukanbetov, who runs a private employment firm in Kyrgyzstan.

RFE/RL Kyrgyz Service correspondent Kunduz Kyzylzharova contributed to this report.
The head of Iran's atomic energy organization, Mohammad Eslami, said on August 1 that the Islamic republic has the technical capability to produce a nuclear bomb but has no intention of doing so, according to the semiofficial Fars news agency.

Eslami reiterated comments made last month by Kamal Kharrazi, a senior adviser to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.



Iran is already enriching uranium to up to 60 percent fissile purity, far above the limit of 3.67 percent set under Tehran's 2015 nuclear deal with world powers. Uranium enriched to 90 percent is usable in the construction of a nuclear weapon.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew the United States from the deal in 2018, reimposing harsh sanctions on Iran.



Tehran to gradually broke from compliance with the accord. Talks to restore the deal have been stalled since April.

Based on reporting by Reuters and Fars
PRISTINA -- Kosovar authorities have paused issuing documents to Serbs entering the country after agreeing to delay implementation of two regulations regarding automobile license plates and travel papers for visitors from Serbia after consultations with U.S. and European Union representatives.



The pause came after local Serbs in northern Kosovo agreed to remove all the barricades that were put on the roads leading to two border crossing points with Serbia.

Barricades set up at border crossings by ethnic Serbs in Kosovo were being removed on August 1 as the first documents of the Internal Affairs Ministry of Kosovo for entry and exit for citizens of Serbia were issued at the border crossings with Serbia that had opened.

Under the agreement, reached in the early hours of August 1, there will be a delay of 30 days in the new regulations.

"As we promised last night, as the Government of the Republic of Kosovo, by removing barricades and ensuring freedom of movement for our citizens, we moved the implementation of the decisions to September 1, 2022, in order to maintain stability in the country and the region", Kosovar Interior Minister Xhelal Svecla confirmed on Facebook.

Svecla also confirmed that two border crossings in the northern part of Kosovo opened for traffic after all road blockages were removed.

Prime Minister Albin Kurti said earlier that he expected that barricades at the two border crossings, Jarinje and Brnjak, would be removed during the day on August 1.

RFE/RL journalists confirmed that in Rudare, a town near the Jarinje border crossing, the removal of vehicles that had been placed as barricades on the roads in the north of Kosovo has begun.

However, two border crossings in the north, Jarinje and Brnjak, remain closed for traffic because, according to Prime Minister Albin Kurti, "the roads leading there are still blocked." He added that there had been a total of nine barricades erected and clearing them will take time.

"We expect that during today they will all be removed," Kurti said.

Late on July 31, U.S. Ambassador to Pristina Jeffrey Hovenier had urged Kosovo to postpone implementation of the regulations for 30 days "because there seems to be disinformation and misunderstanding of these decisions."

The Kosovar government had said that starting on August 1 travelers arriving from Serbia would have their Serbia-issued documents exchanged for new entry-exit identification documents issued by Pristina, valid for three months.

The policy matches a long-standing practice in place by Belgrade for Kosovo citizens visiting Serbia.

The move triggered riots by minority Serbs who put up roadblocks, sounded air raid sirens and fired their guns into the air.

The Kosovo government had accused neighboring Serbia of instigating the riots in order to destabilize the country that declared independence in 2008 after a NATO intervention that stopped Serbias bloody crackdown against ethnic Albanian separatists in 1999.

"We hope that we will work with this government and colleagues from the European Union to ensure that these agreements are better understood and thus lower tensions," Hovenier added.

The NATO-led mission in Kosovo also said on July 31 that it was monitoring the "tense" situation in the northern municipalities and that it was "prepared to intervene if stability is jeopardized."

Ethnic Serbs in the north of Kosovo have been using car plates issued by Serbian institutions since the war in 1999 with acronyms of Kosovo cities, such as KM (Kosovska Mitrovica), PR (Pristina), or UR (Urosevac).

The government in Kosovo regards the plates as illegal but has tolerated them in four northern municipalities with Serb majorities.

Serbia does not recognize Kosovos independence nor its right to impose rules and regulations such as registering cars and trucks. Most EU countries recognize Kosovo, though Russia and China, allies of Serbia, do not.

The EU has tried to broker a dialogue between the two Balkans neighbors for over a decade, but so far the efforts have failed to achieve a normalization of ties.

Kurti has said Kosovo will formally apply to become a member of the European Union by the end of 2022 despite concerns over tensions with Serbia, also an EU aspirant.
Reaping crops in Ukraine has become a highly risky task since the Russian invasion.

This July 30 image shows a combine harvester that was destroyed after hitting an anti-tank mine in the Kharkiv region. According to Ukrainian authorities, the driver of the vehicle was hospitalized but survived the explosion.

The operator of the tractor above, which hit an unknown explosive device on the outskirts of Kharkiv on July 24, was killed instantly. Such tragedies are likely to be repeated in Ukraines rural areas as the harvest gets under way and desperately needed food supplies begin to be shipped out of Ukrainian ports.

On August 1, the first shipment of grain using a Turkish and UN-brokered corridor for vessels transporting food supplies out of Ukraine's Black Sea ports departed Odesa. The port was previously inaccessible due to Russian naval vessels in the Black Sea.

Despite welcome news of the grain corridor being opened on the Black Sea, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy warned that Ukraines harvest may be half the normal volume this year.

Some farmland in Ukraine has been rendered too dangerous for agricultural work as a result of mines and unexploded ordnance.

Swathes of tinder-dry Ukrainian farmland have also been destroyed by fires sparked by artillery and rocket fire. This July 29 photo shows Ukrainian photojournalist Evgeniy Maloletka in a burning wheat field in the Kharkiv region.

Other grain fields have been captured by advancing Russian troops or are caught in the deadly no-man's-land between opposing forces.

In a July interview with CNN, a Ukrainian farmer called Mykhaylo Lyubchenko described agriculture as a "second front" in the war with Russia.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called on nations around the globe to "put humanity on a new path" that is free of nuclear weapons as rising geopolitical tensions have put the planet just "one miscalculation away from nuclear annihilation."

"We have been extraordinarily lucky so far. But luck is not a strategy. Nor is it a shield from geopolitical tensions boiling over into nuclear conflict," Guterres said on August 1 at the start of the Tenth Review Conference of the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) for nuclear weapons.

Signed in 1968 and in effect since 1970, the NPT is aimed at preventing the spread of nuclear weapons and weapons technology, to promote cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, and to further the goal of achieving nuclear disarmament in general.

The treaty represents the only binding commitment in a multilateral treaty to the goal of disarmament by the nuclear-weapon states.

But Guterres warned the world currently faces "a nuclear danger not seen since the height of the Cold War," as the war between Russia and Ukraine threatens to boil over and engulf the West.

"Today, humanity is just one misunderstanding, one miscalculation away from nuclear annihilation," he said.

The meeting, which is being held at the UN's headquarters in New York, has been postponed several times since 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

"Almost 13,000 nuclear weapons are now being held in arsenals around the world. All this at a time when the risks of proliferation are growing and guardrails to prevent escalation are weakening," Guterres said.

Russian President Vladimir Putin addressed the conference in a letter, saying there could be "no winners" in a nuclear war and it should "never be unleashed."

"We proceed from the fact that there can be no winners in a nuclear war and it should never be unleashed, and we stand for equal and indivisible security for all members of the world community," he said in the letter.

His words contrasted with earlier statements that have been interpreted in the West as implicit threats amid Russia's ongoing full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken accused Russia of using its nuclear weapons to intimidate and threaten by engaging in "reckless, dangerous nuclear saber-rattling."

Blinken told the conference that there is no place in the world for "nuclear deterrence based on force and intimidation or blackmail."

"We have to stand together in rejecting this," Blinken added.

Speaking to reporters after addressing the conference, Blinken called Russia's actions around Ukraine's largest nuclear power plant "the height of irresponsibility."

Russia was previously accused of firing shells dangerously close to the Zaporizhzhya plant in March as its forces took it over in the first weeks of its invasion of Ukraine.

Washington is "deeply concerned" that Moscow has been using the plant as a military base and firing on Ukrainian forces from around it, Blinken said.

"Of course the Ukrainians cannot fire back lest there be a terrible accident involving the nuclear plant," he said.

The International Atomic Energy Agency, the UN's atomic watchdog, should be given access to the plant, Blinken said.

While Blinken represented the United States at the conference, President Joe Biden issued a statement about nonproliferation before the meeting got under way.

Biden said the United States is ready to outline a new nuclear arms deal with Russia and called on Moscow to demonstrate its ability to negotiate in good faith. Biden also called on China "to engage in talks that will reduce the risk of miscalculation and address destabilizing military dynamics."

Moscow and Washington in February extended their New START treaty, which caps the number of strategic nuclear warheads they can deploy and limits the land- and submarine-based missiles and bombers to deliver them.

"Today, my Administration is ready to expeditiously negotiate a new arms control framework to replace New START when it expires in 2026," Biden said in the statement.

"But negotiation requires a willing partner operating in good faith. And Russias brutal and unprovoked aggression in Ukraine has shattered peace in Europe and constitutes an attack on fundamental tenets of international order," Biden said. "Russia should demonstrate that it is ready to resume work on nuclear arms control with the United States."

Biden said China also had a responsibility to play a leading role in nonproliferation.

"There is no benefit to any of our nations, or for the world, to resist substantive engagement on arms control and nuclear nonproliferation," Biden said, citing the current "moment of uncertainty and upheaval on the global stage."

With reporting by AP and AFP
The United States has imposed sanctions on several companies in China, the United Arab Emirates, and Singapore that it says were used by an Iranian petrochemical broker to sell Iranian products to East Asia.

The move is the latest in a stepped-up effort to enforce U.S. sanctions on Iran designed to slash its revenues from oil and petrochemicals to pressure Iran amid negotiations to revive the 2015 Iran nuclear deal.

The U.S. Treasury Department on August 1 accused the designated companies of being used by Irans Persian Gulf Petrochemical Industry Commercial Company to facilitate the sale of petroleum and petrochemical products from Iran to East Asia.

The sanctions were imposed on four Hong Kong-based companies, one based in the United Arab Emirates, and one in Singapore, according to a Treasury Department statement.

The action freezes any U.S.-based assets and generally bars Americans from dealing with them. Those that engage in certain transactions with the firms also risk being hit by sanctions.

U.S. President Joe Biden has refrained from imposing sanctions on Chinese entities engaged in the oil and petrochemical trade with Iran as his administration pursues a revival of the nuclear deal.

Efforts to resurrect the deal have so far failed, leading the U.S. administration to look for other ways to increase pressure on Iran.

"The United States continues to pursue the path of diplomacy to achieve a mutual return to full implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action," said Brian Nelson, undersecretary for terrorism and financial intelligence, referring to the 2015 deal by its formal name.

"Until such time as Iran is ready to return to full implementation of its commitments, we will continue to enforce sanctions on the illicit sale of Iranian petroleum and petrochemicals," Nelson said in the statement.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken echoed Nelson's statement and said that the six designated entities had facilitated "illicit transactions related to Iranian petroleum as well as petroleum and petrochemical products, key sources of revenue for the Iranian government."

The nuclear deal gave Iran sanctions relief in exchange for curbs on its atomic program, which Iran has said is strictly for peaceful purposes.

The U.S. withdrew from the accord in 2018 unilaterally under then-President Donald Trump and began reimposing economic sanctions, prompting Iran to begin rolling back on its own commitments under the deal.

Negotiations to restore the deal have been stalled since March amid differences between Tehran and Washington on several issues.

Iran said on August 1 it remains "optimistic" about a possible revival of the deal after the European Union put forth a proposal aiming for a compromise.

"The Iranian side has carefully reviewed the text and presented its views," Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanani said at a news conference. "It is possible that in the near future we can reach a conclusion regarding the timetable for the negotiations."

He added that there would probably be a new round of negotiations depending on the willingness of the other side, especially the American side."

The comments came after EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell submitted a new draft text and urged the negotiators to accept it or "risk a dangerous nuclear crisis."

Borrell said the draft text includes "hard-won compromises by all sides" and "addresses, in precise detail, the sanctions lifting as well as the nuclear steps needed to restore" the 2015 pact.

Based on reporting by Reuters and AFP
As Moscow and Washington prepare to face off over ASEAN, the stakes are high for both.

By Chris Devonshire-Ellis

Sergey Lavrov, Russias Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will take part in several meetings with ASEAN which will be held in Cambodia from Thursday (August 4). The annual ASEAN summit is being held a week later.

Despite US pressure on ASEAN to isolate Russia, the Southeast Asian bloc has generally reasoned that exclusion of Moscow from participation in ASEAN would be a missed opportunity for peaceful dialogue. Despite concerns, ASEAN still considers it important to cooperate with Moscow on the problems of global food and fuel shortages. There is also some consensus that Russia stands for some stability  as does ASEAN partnership with China.

Russia became a full dialogue partner with ASEAN in 1996. Since then, Moscows relations with the bloc have often coincided as concerns key global and regional issues and ties have developed. However, the Ukraine conflict has raised issues. Initially, ASEAN member countries expressed divergent views on Russias actions in Ukraine, but have managed to develop a common position on the conflict. In three bloc statements on the topic, they advocated an immediate ceasefire, peace talks, humanitarian aid, and an investigation into reported crimes. In addition, ASEAN expressed its readiness to contribute to any peace efforts.

Cambodia, hosting the meeting with Lavrov with Prime Minister Hun Sen, has turned out to be one of the most critical Asian leaders towards Moscow apart from Singapore, the only ASEAN member that supported Russian sanctions. Despite noting in March that Russia is a friend of Cambodia who has helped our country more than once. Hun Sen condemned Moscow because of the special operation in Ukraine and instructed his diplomats to choose Kiev when voting in international organizations. However, having joined the West by condemning Russias actions, Phnom Penh did not support the policy of isolating Moscow in the international arena.

Although attempts to pressurize ASEANs leaders have been made, the Philippines Foreign Ministerial spokesman Daniel Espiritu has acknowledged that rather than exclude Russia, ASEAN decided to become a platform for dialogue. This is why Phnom Penh has invited Lavrov to take part in the regular meetings of the heads of foreign affairs agencies in the formats of the Russian Federation-ASEAN, the East Asia Summit and the ASEAN Regional Forum on Security.

It is a position also expressed by Kin Phea, the General Director of the Institute of International Relations at the Royal Academy in Phnom Penh, who stated in Russias Izvestia newspaper that Excluding Russia from the forum or other ASEAN mechanisms would be a missed opportunity for peaceful dialogue. Cambodias position is that it supports the peaceful use of diplomacy to resolve conflicts. ASEAN can deliver clear messages from Russia to Ukraine and vice versa and should also ask its external partners to consider Russias concerns. Only if Moscows fears are heard, peace talks are held and seaports are opened, will we be able to solve such problems as the global shortage of food and fuel.

Dmitry Mosyakov, head of the Center for Southeast Asia, Australia, and Oceania at the Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences, noted that, despite small trade with the ASEAN countries, Russias role has always been wide ranging in areas such as security and military-technical cooperation. According to him, energy cooperation has been going well for years. However, the main advantage of relations with Russia in the eyes of ASEAN is its role in balancing the US-Chinese contradictions and their attempts to divide the bloc.

Mosyakov also mentioned that Russia has always supported the unity of ASEAN and their unifying efforts, especially now, when the United States are making efforts to reformat the Indo-Pacific region, are looking for new allies and are trying to push some ASEAN countries into their political sphere, which could introduce an ASEAN collapse into pro-American and pro-Chinese factions.

This agenda will resonate with China. Both Moscow and Beijing have repeatedly expressed their misgivings about Washingtons attempts to contain objectionable countries (primarily China) via the new US-Indo Pacific strategy by strengthening ties between the military-industrial complexes of the States and countries of the region and reorienting the supply chains of critical products. At the same time, attracting ASEAN members into the US orbit, such as Singapore, with whom US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has just been holding meetings, are becoming a new normal. The United States is now injecting itself into Southeast Asian affairs and has negotiated for seven ASEAN states to participate in the US Indo-Pacific economic structure.

This is seen in some quarters as a mobilization of collective efforts to contain, block and encircle China. The downside is that this is not intended to unite ASEAN members but will effectively divide them. Cambodias Prime Minister Hun Sen, as current Chairman of ASEAN, has already made it clear that participation in any framework or initiative aimed at containing another country or region would not be welcome.

Cambodia is unlikely to follow the US lead at the upcoming ASEAN summit, which will be attended by the Foreign Ministers and officials of 39 countries, including US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken. Cambodia does not wish to see ASEAN become a hostage to two opposing factions in the Russian-Ukrainian conflict and has expressed strong opinions on attempts to make it so.

In May, Cambodia, Indonesia, and Thailand, which currently chairs APEC, issued a joint statement on the importance of international meetings, and called on the countries on opposite sides of the barricades not to rock the boat and let others promote dialogue, cooperation, and peace. There has been limited success. Both Jakarta and Bangkok have already witnessed diplomatic arguments and a lack of cooperation at their hosting of the recent G20 foreign and economic ministers meetings, as well as at the APEC trade ministers meeting, which ended without the traditional joint statements due to the Western countries boycott of Russia.

It remains to be seen how the Asian adage of losing face if one becomes irate  and especially in someone elses country  will play with the West over Russias involvement in Southeast Asia. It is also true that when Western cultures deal with the East, what they may think in their eyes is a deal  is anything but. With Sergey Lavrov having begun his political career in Southeast Asia it will be a fascinating glimpse into which faction understands Asia more  Russia, itself part-Asian  or the United States. With Washington prepared to do battle with promises and threats to get its way over Southeast Asia dumping Moscow, and Russia pleading for understanding and patience, Sergey Lavrovs diplomatic skills will be to the fore as he discusses Russias relationship with ASEAN. Whatever happens will be a game changer.

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Paleontologists have unearthed the fossilized remains of ancient fish, marine reptiles, squids, rare insects and more in a farmers field in Gloucestershire, England.

The site is quite remarkable, with numerous beautifully preserved fossils of ancient animals that once lived in a Jurassic sea that covered this part of the UK during the Jurassic, said Dr. Dean Lomax, a paleontologist at the University of Manchester.

Inland locations with fossils like this are rare in the UK. The fossils we have collected will surely form the basis of research projects for years to come.

The newly-discovered paleontological site, which is located at Court Farm, Kings Stanley near Stroud, Gloucestershire, was discovered by fossil collectors Sally and Neville Hollingworth.

The fossils are approximately 183 million years old, corresponding to the Toarcian age of the Jurassic period.

These fossils come from the Early Jurassic, said Sally and Neville Hollingworth.

The clay layers exposed at this site near Stroud have yielded a significant number of well-preserved marine vertebrate fossils that are comparable to the famous and exquisitely preserved similar fauna of the Strawberry Bank Lagerstatte from Ilminster, Somerset.

Excavations at Kings Stanley over the last week have revealed a rich source of fossil material, particularly from a rare layer of rock that has not been exposed since the late 19th century.

Im delighted that after the initial work that Sally and Nev did over three years ago we now have a full-scale dig on the farm, said landowner Adam Knight.

Among the best finds were several fossil fish with excellent details of their scales, fins and even their eyeballs.

One of the most impressive discoveries was a 3D preserved fish head, belonging to Pachycormus, a species of pachycormiform ray-finned fish known from the Early Jurassic of Europe. The fish looks as if it is leaping off the rock that it was contained inside.

Using the latest fossil preparation and imaging techniques to understand this unique fauna in more detail will create a rich repository, said Neville Hollingworth.

Also, we will leave a permanent reference section after excavations have concluded.

Given the location and enthusiasm from the landowner and local community to be involved it is hoped to plan and develop a local STEM enrichment program as there will be opportunities for community groups and local schools to be involved in the research, particularly from the Stroud area with a focus of targeting audiences in areas of low STEM capital.
THEMATIC ISSUES

Counter-Terrorism

Expected Council Action

In August, the Security Council is expected to receive briefings from Under-Secretary-General Vladimir Voronkov, the head of the UN Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT), and Weixiong Chen, the Executive Director of the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED), on the Secretary-Generals 15th strategic level report on the threat posed by the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL or Daesh).

Key Recent Developments

The 30th report of the 1267/1989/2253 ISIL (Daesh) and Al-Qaida Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team (Monitoring Team) was issued on 11 July. The report says that the threat from ISIL remains relatively low in non-conflict zones, but is much higher in areas directly affected by conflict or neighbouring it. The report provides an overview of the threat profile in different regions, noting that the most concerning areas are Africa, Central and South Asia, and the Levant. It also describes ISILs general directorate of provinces and the network that it manages.

In Africa, groups with links to ISIL have continued to attack local populations. In Mozambique, for example, Ahl al-Sunna wal-Jamaa (ASWJ) fighters conducted attacks in the Macomia district in the northern province of Cabo Delgado. More than 800,000 people in the area have been internally displaced because of frequent attacks. According to the Monitoring Teams report, ISIL has recently referred to ASWJ as an affiliate and described it as ISIL-Mozambique. Member states in the region, however, have said that there is no clear evidence that ISIL issues command and control orders to ASWJ. The Allied Democratic Forces, a group active in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda that has pledged allegiance to ISIL, has also continued to attack civilians despite a joint military operation by DRC and Ugandan forces against it.

The Monitoring Teams report also notes that several member states have concluded that ISILs Al-Karrar office acts as a financial hub and transmits substantial funds to ISILs Afghan affiliate, Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant  Khorasan (ISIL-K). The Al-Karrar office is based in Somalia and led by Abdul Qadir Mumin, the emir of ISIL in Somalia.

According to the Monitoring Teams latest report on the Taliban, which was published on 26 May, ISIL-K is reported to be ISILs most prominent affiliate as a result of the 26 August 2021 attack on Kabul airport. ISIL-Ks recruitment has also increased, driven by prison releases, internal tensions within the Taliban and the financial resources of ISIL-K. In April, ISIL-K carried out a spate of attacks in different parts of Afghanistan, including three attacks on 21 April that targeted a Shiite mosque in Mazar-e Sharif, a minibus transporting employees of the Talibans civil aviation authority in Kunduz, and a Taliban security vehicle in Kabul. The group also claimed responsibility for firing rockets into Tajikistan and Uzbekistan in April, however, both states have denied that rockets reached their territory.

In Iraq and Syria, ISIL remains a resilient and persistent threat with the ability to orchestrate complex attacks, such as the 20 January attack on Ghwaryan prison in Al-Hasakeh in Syrias northeast. It is estimated to control 6,000 to 10,000 fighters between the two countries and conducted sporadic attacks in Iraq and Syria during the period covered by the Monitoring Teams 15 July report, including attacks that targeted farmers in Kirkuk and Diyala governorates on 23 May, killing 12 civilians.

ISIL has also sustained significant leadership losses in Iraq and Syria during the last 12 months. In October 2021, Iraqi authorities announced that they had arrested Sami Jasim al-Jaburi, a senior figure among ISILs leadership responsible for managing the groups finances. On 3 February, ISILs leader Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurayshi was killed during a pre-dawn raid by the US military in northwest Syria. On 12 July, US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that the US had conducted an unmanned aircraft system strike in northwest Syria that targeted two senior ISIL officials. Maher al-Agal, a senior ISIL leader, was killed during the operation. CENTCOM described al-Agal as one of the top five [ISIL] leaders and the leader of [ISIL] in Syria and said he was responsible for aggressively pursuing the development of [ISIL] networks outside of Iraq and Syria.

According to the Monitoring Teams 15 July report, although the overall threat level in Europe remains moderate, ISIL has limited resources for attacks on European soil. Recent attacks in Europe claimed by ISIL largely involved people with mental health problems inspired by ISIL who did not receive material support from the group. The report also notes that radicalisation of inmates and prison-based recruitment continue to motivate the threat posed by ISIL in Europe.

Repatriation of foreign terrorist fighters (FTFs) linked to ISIL and the women and children associated with them remains an important issue for the international community. The 11 July report notes that one member state has estimated that 120,000 people remain in 11 camps and 20 prison facilities in northeast Syria, including 30,000 children under the age of 12 who are at risk of radicalisation by ISIL, and also says that holding people in these circumstances has negative consequences for the global threat landscape over the long term.

Key Issues and Options

Maintaining the flexibility and adaptability required to address the threat posed by ISIL and the overall implementation of the 1267/1989/2253 Al-Qaida/ISIL sanctions regime are both important issues for the Council. In this regard, the interaction between the implementation of the regime and the provision of humanitarian aid is an important consideration. Humanitarian organisations have reported that sanctions regimes can hinder their work, particularly where banks and other financial institutions practice overcompliance or engage in excessive de-risking. Council members could convene an informal interactive dialogue with relevant experts to discuss ideas for overcoming this problem.

Council Dynamics

In general, counter-terrorism enjoys the support of all Council members. Some differences exist, however, regarding the four pillars of the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, which were reaffirmed by the General Assembly on 30 June 2021. The pillars are, first, addressing the conditions conducive to the spread of terrorism; second, measures to prevent and combat terrorism; third, measures to build states capacity to prevent and combat terrorism and to strengthen the role of the UN system in that regard; and fourth, measures to ensure respect for human rights for all and the rule of law as the fundamental basis for the fight against terrorism. The fourth pillar does not enjoy equal support among all Council members. Some members favour a counter-terrorism approach that is founded on human rights, prevention, and the involvement of civil society, while other members focus more closely on security and law enforcement.

The US is the penholder on counter-terrorism. Ambassador T.S. Tirumurti (India) chairs the Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC). Ambassador Trine Heimerback (Norway) chairs the 1267/1989/2253 ISIL (Daesh) and Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee. The 1540 Non-Proliferation Committee is chaired by Ambassador Juan Ramon de la Fuente Ramirez (Mexico).

UN DOCUMENTS ON COUNTER-TERRORISM

This resolution renewed and updated the 1267/1989/2253 ISIL (Daesh) & Al-Qaida sanctions regime. This is the 30th report of the 1267/1989/2253 ISIL (Daesh) and Al-Qaida Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team.
ASIA

DPRK (North Korea)

Expected Council Action

In August, the Chair of the 1718 Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea (DPRK) Sanctions Committee, Ambassador Mona Juul (Norway), is expected to brief Council members in closed consultations on the 90-day report regarding the Committees work.

Key Recent Developments

Tensions on the Korean Peninsula have continued to escalate significantly in recent months. Since early May, the DPRK has conducted a number of ballistic missile tests in spite of Council resolutions that prohibit the DPRK from launching ballistic missiles.

On 4 May, the Republic of Korea (ROK) military announced that the DPRK had fired a ballistic missile eastward into the Sea of Japan from Sunan, a northern district of Pyongyang. The missile travelled approximately 470 kilometres and reached an altitude of about 780 kilometres.

On 7 May, the ROK reported that the DPRK had fired a short-range ballistic missile from a submarine in waters near Sinpo, a city on the DPRKs east coast. The test, which was conducted three days before the 10 May inauguration of ROK President Yoon Suk-yeol, marked the first time the DPRK has trialled a submarine-launched ballistic missile since October 2021 and came approximately two weeks after DPRK leader Kim Jong-un vowed to expand the DPRKs nuclear arsenal at the fastest possible speed. Yoon has promised to adopt a tougher stance toward the DPRK than his predecessor, Moon Jae-in.

On 12 May, the ROK announced that the DPRK had launched three short-range ballistic missiles from Sunan and said that the missiles flew approximately 360 kilometres to an altitude of about 90 kilometres before landing in the Sea of Japan.

US President Joe Biden visited Japan and the ROK in late May. In a 21 May joint statement, the ROK and the US reaffirmed the US commitment to deploy strategic assets in a timely and coordinated manner as necessary and identify new or additional steps to reinforce deterrence in the face of DPRK destabilising activities. The statement also referred to expanded cooperation between the ROK and the US in a range of areas, including cyber security, nuclear energy, regional security, and supply chains.

On 24 May, the ROK reported that the DPRK had fired three ballistic missiles from Sunan toward the Sea of Japan. The first missile appeared to be the Hwasong-17, the DPRKs largest intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), and reportedly travelled approximately 360 kilometres to a maximum altitude of about 540 kilometres. The second missile failed mid-flight, and the third was a short-range ballistic missile that flew about 760 kilometres and reached a maximum altitude of approximately 60 kilometres. On the same day, the ROKs deputy national security adviser Kim Tae-hyo said that the DPRK also appeared to have conducted multiple experiments with a detonation device in preparation for a nuclear test.

In a 5 June statement, the ROK announced that the DPRK had fired eight short-range ballistic missiles from Sunan. The test came a day after the ROK and the US ended joint military drills in the region, including exercises involving a US aircraft carrier. The missiles flew between 110 to 600 kilometres at altitudes from 25 to 90 kilometres. The launch took place during a visit to Seoul by US Special Representative for the DPRK Sung Kim and prompted a joint ROK-US missile test in response, as well as a joint military exercise between Japan and the US.

On 7 June, Kim warned that the DPRK could conduct a nuclear test at any time and said that the DPRK has shown no interest in returning to negotiations. The previous day, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Grossi told the IAEAs board that the DPRK has moved to expand key facilities at Yongbyon, its main nuclear site.

During the fifth plenary meeting of the Central Committee of the Workers Party of Korea (the DPRKs ruling party), which ran from 8-10 June, Kim Jong-un announced plans to boost the countrys military power and defence research. The next day, the ROK announced that the DPRK had fired multiple artillery shots into the Sea of Japan.

During a meeting on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Madrid on 29 and 30 June, Japan, the ROK and the US reportedly agreed to explore further means to reinforce extended deterrence against the DPRK. This marked the first time that Japan and the ROK have attended a NATO summit.

On 5 July, Seoul announced that six US F-35A stealth fighters had arrived in the ROK for the first time since October 2017. The fighters engaged in joint military drills with the ROK air force. On 10 July, the ROK announced that it had detected flight trajectories suspected to be shots fired by multiple rocket launchers from the DPRK.

In a 28 July speech, Kim Jong-un reportedly said that the DPRKs nuclear war deterrent is also ready to mobilise its absolute power dutifully, exactly, and swiftly in accordance with its mission. Kim also described Yoon as a confrontation maniac and accused the US of demonising the DPRK.

The Council voted on a US-initiated draft resolution updating and strengthening the 1718 DPRK sanctions regime on 26 May. The draft resolution was vetoed by China and Russia, with the remaining 13 Council members voting in its favour. The following day, the US imposed sanctions on two Russian banks, a DPRK company and an individual based in Belarus for their involvement with the DPRKs weapons programmes.

At a 31 May press conference, Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield (US) said that the US will push for additional sanctions again if the DPRK conducts a nuclear test. A Reuters article published on 9 June noted that Ambassador Zhang Jun (China) has warned against making presumptions about how China will react if the DPRK conducts a nuclear test, reportedly saying, lets see what will happen, but I think we should not prejudge what will happen with a nuclear test.

On 8 June, the General Assembly held a debate on China and Russias use of the veto. The debate was the first time the General Assembly acted in accordance with resolution A/RES/76/262, which stipulates that the President of the General Assembly shall convene a formal meeting of the General Assembly within ten working days of a veto being cast by a permanent member of the Council.

On 12 May, the DPRK reported its first official case of COVID-19, describing the outbreak as the gravest national emergency and ordering a nationwide lockdown. Although very few cases of COVID-19 were officially confirmed due to a lack of testing equipment, DRPK authorities have reported a number of cases involving fever symptoms. On 19 May, the DRPK reported 263,370 new fever cases. In a 2 June video briefing, Executive Director of the World Health Organization (WHO) Health Emergencies Programme Michael Ryan said that the WHO has had real issues in getting access to the raw data and to the actual situation on the ground in the DPRK. Ryan also said the WHO assumes the situation is getting worse, not better. On 18 July, the DPRK authorities reported only 250 cases of fever.

Despite the apparent severity of the outbreak, the DPRK has largely rebuffed offers of foreign aid made by the US and others, including offers to provide COVID-19 vaccines and other medical supplies. According to media reports, a 30 June statement issued by the DPRKs foreign ministry described the US offer as foolish and accused the US of seeking to water down international criticism of its approach to the DPRK.

Key Issues and Options

The missile tests conducted by the DPRK in 2022 have dramatically escalated tensions throughout Northeast Asia and created a significant issue for the Council. The DPRK has carried out at least 18 tests so far this year, a marked increase compared to previous years.

Sanctions evasion is another important issue for the Council, as is the overall effectiveness of the sanctions regime, particularly given that the DPRK is widely believed to have increased its nuclear arsenal since the regime was introduced in 2006. The DPRKs ongoing refusal to return to denuclearisation talks and the humanitarian situation in the country are also important issues for the Council to consider.

In light of these issues, the Council could consider a product that condemns the recent missile tests, urges member states to comply with existing Council resolutions and calls for the DPRK to return to the negotiating table. At the committee level, the 1718 DPRK Sanctions Committee could request a report on options for strengthening sanctions enforcement from the Panel of Experts.

Council members may also wish to consider convening an informal interactive dialogue with key regional stakeholders and disarmament experts to discuss new ideas for addressing the DPRKs nuclear activities.

Council Dynamics

Council members are sharply divided on the DPRK. The P3 (France, the UK, and the US), along with other like-minded members, regularly condemn its ballistic missile tests and argue that they violate Council resolutions and destabilise the Korean peninsula. China and Russia, on the other hand, often argue that more information is needed to determine whether particular missile launches violate Council resolutions and also contend that sanctions should be eased because of their impact on the humanitarian situation in the DPRK. China and Russia have also suggested that easing sanctions may encourage the DPRK to engage in dialogue and have criticised the US for not offering the DRPK incentives to return to negotiations. Both states continue to express support for a draft resolution circulated by China in October 2021 that would provide sanctions relief to the DPRK.

Other Council members have also expressed concerns about the efficacy of the DPRK sanctions regime and its humanitarian consequences. In its 26 May explanation of vote on the draft resolution vetoed by China and Russia, Brazil said that it shares concerns about the humanitarian impact of sanctions and their effectiveness in changing states behaviour, especially in cases of comprehensive sanctions regimes that tend to last indefinitely. During its explanation of vote on 26 May, Kenya noted that it regrets the current policy of protracted sanctions. At a 25 March open meeting, Mexico said that it is clear that the sanctions that the Council has imposed to curb the nuclear and ballistic missile program of the [DPRK] are not working, while Gabon noted that lessons must be urgently drawn from the inability of sanctions to offer an appropriate and effective response.

UN DOCUMENTS ON THE DPRK

This resolution extended the mandate of the Panel of Experts assisting the 1718 DPRK Sanctions Committee until 30 April 2023. This was the meeting at which China and Russia vetoed a draft resolution that would have updated and strengthened the 1718 DPRK sanctions regime. This was a meeting at which resolution 2627 was adopted, extending the mandate for the Panel of Experts assisting the 1718 DPRK Sanctions Committee until 30 April 2023. The Council also received a briefing from Under Secretary General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo on the ballistic missile tests carried out by the DPRK in 2022, including the ICBM test conducted on 24 March. This was the final report of the 1718 Panel of Experts. This was a draft resolution proposed by the US and vetoed by China and Russia that would have updated and strengthened the 1718 DPRK sanctions regime.
In Hindsight: The Evolving Informal Interactive Dialogue

With the Security Council the master of its own procedures, and periodic challenges to its use of formal discussions, the Council has turned to a range of informal formats to conduct exchanges which members regard as useful or necessary. 2021 saw Council members highest-ever use of informal Arria-formula meetings; the waning of COVID-19 brought a return of 2018s offsite sofa talks; and in 2022, a Security Council resolution encourages the use of a bimonthly Informal Interactive Dialogue.

On 12 July, the Security Council adopted resolution 2642, renewing the Syria cross-border aid mechanism for six months, with a further six-month extension subject to a fresh resolution. Coming after difficult negotiations and two draft resolutions which failed due to a Russian veto and insufficient supporting votes respectively, this resolution encourages the Security Council to convene a Security Council Informal Interactive Dialogue (IID) every two months with participation of donors, interested regional parties and representatives of the international humanitarian agencies operating in Syria. This provision was included as a compromise, and mirrors language in the failed Russian draft resolution that would have set up a Council working group. Speaking after the vote, Russian Deputy Permanent Representative Dmitry Polyanskiy stated that the Russian Federation would, through informal interactive dialogue, continue to monitor progress in the resolutions implementation so as to decide on the ultimate fate of the mechanism. The IIDs, which will include consideration of progress in early-recovery projects, are expected to begin in September.

The formal callapparently for the first timein a resolution, for the use of an informal format, marks an interesting evolution in Council approaches. Using informal meeting formats for private discussion with senior officials dates back many decades: these are mentioned in the assessments of Council presidents and the Security Councils annual report to the General Assembly as informal meeting, special meeting, informal event, informal private meeting, informal private discussion, informal dialogue, informal interactive discussion, and its most recent iteration informal interactive dialogue, which started in 2009. These informal meetings have even taken place in the most formal of settings, the Council chamber, such as in 2000, when the Chair of the US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, Senator Jesse Helms, met with Council members to discuss the relationship between the UN and the United States.

While the Informal Interactive Dialogue has no official definition, Note 507, which is a compendium of the Councils working methods, refers to the Council utilising informal dialogues, when appropriate, in order to seek the views of Member States that are parties to a conflict and/or other interested and affected parties. Key characteristics of an IID, which also distinguish it from Arria-formula meetings, are that they are presided over by the Council President, are considered proceedings of the Council and are attended by all members. They generally take place in a meeting room other than the Council Chamber or Consultations Room, are not announced in the UN Journal or included in the Councils monthly programme of work and are reflected in the Councils annual report or monthly assessments of former Council presidents in an ad hoc manner. Although they are informal meetings, Council members have occasionally issued press statements or press elements after IID meetings.

At the end of June 2022, the Council had met using some version of this informal format almost 100 times between 1996 and December 2021.[1]

One of the most common uses of the IID format is to come to a better understanding of a situation through an exchange of views in a private setting with high-level officials of affected member states. The private meeting format, a closed meeting of the Council, could also serve this purpose, but it is formal: the informal IID format is less politically sensitive and hence a better fit for a discreet discussion or for a situation that is not on the Councils agenda. (Discussion of a country-specific situation in a formal meeting can place the issue on the Councils agenda.)

In the case of Sri Lanka, a situation which was not on the Councils agenda, Council members held four informal dialogue sessions between March and June 2009, when the war between the government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) was winding down. While there was strong political pressure to discuss the humanitarian crisis caused by the military offensive that had trapped thousands of civilians in a remote area of Sri Lanka, some members were strongly opposed to creating the appearance of Sri Lanka becoming a formal item on the Councils agenda. This led to the four meetings with UN officials and a representative from the Sri Lankan government, two of which were labelled informal interactive discussion and two as informal interactive dialogue, marking the first traceable use of this term.

To this day, this format continues to be viewed as a low-key way to discuss politically charged matters. A recent example is the 15 June 2021 IID on the humanitarian situation in Tigray, Ethiopia. At that point, the Council had discussed Tigray five times under any other business (AOB), a standing agenda item in closed consultations, and some members were pushing for a public briefing. Member states can attend a public briefing, it is broadcast live on the UN website and has an official record. This was opposed by other members, including the three African members of the Council (the A3).

The IID format was finally accepted as a compromise by all members. This allowed for a frank, closed-door discussion of the situation in Tigray, with the benefit of a wider range of actors than would have been the case in consultations, where participation is strictly limited to UN officials and Council members. Thus, Ambassador Taye Atske Selassie, the Permanent Representative of Ethiopia to the UN, and Ato Mitiku Kassa, the Commissioner for the National Disaster Risk Management Commission of Ethiopia, were able to participate in the 15 June 2021 meeting.

This format has also been used frequently for informal, private discussions with heads of regional and sub-regional organisations, a practice that may have sprung from uncertainty about the appropriate format for Council members interaction with such organisations. An early example of this was the 12 February 2009 informal interactive discussion with a joint delegation from the AU and the League of Arab States (LAS) on the International Criminal Court (ICC) efforts against the President of the Sudan, Omar Al-Bashir, less than one month before the ICC issued its first warrant for his arrest.

The Council highlighted its practice in a presidential statement (S/PRST/2010/1) in 2010, where it expressed its intention to hold in the future informal interactive dialogues with regional and subregional organizations. Since then, Council members have met regularly in this format with senior officials from the AU and LAS as well as with IGAD and the EU. This informal format was also popular between 2012 and 2014 for dialogue with the Chair of the AU High-Level Implementation Panel and UN officials on Sudan-South Sudan.

An interesting subset of IIDs with regional organisations may be emerging with regard to the Arab Summit Troika (Algeria, Saudi Arabia and Tunisia) of the LAS, with whom the Council held its first high-level IID on 22 September 2021. This followed the adoption of a presidential statement on 29 January 2021 (S/PRST/2022/1) in which the Council encouraged whenever possible, an informal meeting between its members and Representatives of the Arab Summit Troika and the Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, on the margins of the General Assembly high level segment. IIDs have also facilitated interaction with specialised organisations such as the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW). While public briefings by OPCW officials on the use of chemical weapons in Syria are common, it has been more difficult to hold a closed meeting on this issue, as OPCW officials cannot be admitted to consultations. The IID format was used for this purpose in May 2020 when Director-General Fernando Arias and Coordinator of the OPCWs Investigation and Identification Team (IIT) Ambassador Santiago Onate met with Council members to discuss the first report of the OPCW IIT. The closed informal format allowed the briefers to explain the reports conclusions and how the IIT assessed information from the OPCW Fact-Finding Mission in Syria and from States Parties. Similarly, this meeting has allowed for more confidential discussion with the ICC prosecutor over the years.

There has also been an evolution in the use of IIDs for peacebuilding discussions. It has provided a private setting for briefings from chairs of PBC country-specific configurations, been a forum for discussion on the work of the PBC in conjunction with the presentation of the PBCs annual report to the Council and more recently been used to discuss the peacebuilding needs of specific regions. An example of this more strategic use of IIDs was the meeting Germany organised in March 2019 between the PBC and Council members to consider peacebuilding needs and challenges in the Sahel ahead of a Council visiting mission to Mali and Burkina Faso. In 2018, the Council issued a presidential statement (S/PRST/2018/20) noting the importance of IIDs between the Council and the Peacebuilding Commission as a useful venue for exercising the advisory role of the Commission, including the dialogues with the Ad Hoc Working Group on Conflict Prevention and Resolution in Africa.

IIDs have also come to be used in connection with reauthorisations of EU military operations in the Mediterranean that are designed to deter violations of the arms embargo on Libya. (These include EUNAVFOR MED SOPHIA and its successor, EUNAVFOR IRINI). It seems that these meetings were initiated because Russia wanted more information about the effectiveness of these missions prior to Council decisions about their reauthorisation. The IIDs have allowed members to have a dialogue with the commander of the operations and a senior official from the European External Action Service. According to some members, they appear to have helped show that the actions undertaken have had a deterrent effect regarding potential violations of the arms embargo on Libya.

The most significant innovation during the 2016 selection process for the UN Secretary-General was the informal dialogues with the candidates in the General Assembly, which were followed by informal dialogues with the candidates held at one of the Council members missions. In 2021, when Antonio Guterres ran unopposed for a second term, he held an informal dialogue with Council members, in keeping with the practice instituted in 2016 (albeit convened in the ECOSOC chamber due to COVID-19 space restrictions).

The IID called for in resolution 2642 on Syria appears to introduce a new subset of this type of meeting: formally encouraged, and with a two-monthly schedule. It is still unclear who will be invited to participate in these meetings and how this will be agreed. As Council members work out these details, it may be useful to recall that this format has been effective over the years because it has allowed a genuine exchange of views with the appropriate stakeholders in a private setting. In an issue as divisive as the humanitarian situation in Syria, the hope is that these discussions will help members find common ground ahead of the next renewal rather than engendering greater animosity.

[1] The details of these IIDs can be found in the Repertoire of the Practice Supplements and the Highlights of Security Council Practice published by the Security Council Affairs Division. For a list of IIDs since 2009, please see SCRs IID chart.
MIDDLE EAST

Lebanon

Expected Council Action

In August, the Security Council is expected to renew the mandate of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) ahead of its 31 August expiry. Prior to that, Council members will hold closed consultations on UNIFIL. Khaled Khiari, the Assistant Secretary-General for the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific, is the anticipated briefer.

Key Recent Developments

Following the 15 May legislative election, the parliament designated caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati on 23 June as the new head of government responsible for forming a cabinet. (See our brief on Lebanon in the July Forecast.) Over two months after the elections, however, Lebanon remains without a government.

In a 7 July press statement, Council members noted Mikatis appointment and called for expediting the governments formation. Reiterating similar previous messages, Council members recalled the need for implementation of reforms that would enable the quick conclusion of an agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to respond to the demands of the Lebanese population. (In April, the IMF and the Lebanese government reached a preliminary agreement to support Lebanon for 46 months with around $3 billion on the condition that Lebanon implements a series of prior actions and reforms, including adopting the 2022 state budget and reforming the bank secrecy law.) The statement also encouraged measures to enhance womens political participation and representation, including in the new government, and their economic empowerment.

Lebanon continues to suffer the effects of an enduring socioeconomic crisis, with the recent period marked by strikes and a continuation of demonstrations.

The situation of refugees in Lebanon also remains a matter of concern. On 4 July, caretaker Minister for the Displaced Issam Charafeddine announced a plan to begin repatriating Syrian refugees living in Lebanon. In a 6 July statement, Human Rights Watch said that Syria is anything but safe for returnees, and any forced returns would amount to a breach of Lebanons international obligations.

Developments in southern Lebanon are likely to be a key focus of Council members attention ahead of the negotiations on UNIFILs mandate renewal. The Secretary-Generals 13 July report on the implementation of resolution 1701, which in 2006 called for a cessation of hostilities between Shia group Hezbollah and Israel, said that tensions remained high in UNIFILs area of operations. The report, which covers the period from 19 February to 20 June, documented several violations of resolution 1701 and condemned the 25 April rocket fire from Lebanon towards Israel as well as Israels response fire. Overall, while UNIFILs freedom of movement was respected in most cases, the mission continued to face some restrictions.

The Secretary-Generals report noted that UNIFIL helicopter patrols observed four firing ranges in Sector West of the missions area of operations. UNIFIL, which has yet to gain access to these locations, observed shooting exercises taking place at some of the firing ranges. The report also stated that containers and prefabricated structures have been erected in several locations with a vantage point of the Blue Line, a border demarcation between Israel and Lebanon. The Secretary-Generals report noted that UNIFIL peacekeepers were verbally threatened against entering the area and that a chain across the road leading to one of the containers prevented UNIFIL from accessing the Blue Line in one location. The report says that [l]ocal authorities have confirmed that some of the containers are on private land and that some belong to Green without Borders. According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), these structures are intelligence-gathering positions belonging to Hezbollah acting under the guise of an environmental protection organisation.

According to the Secretary-Generals report, the IDF continued to enter Lebanons airspace in violation of resolution 1701 and of the countrys sovereignty, caus[ing] distress to the Lebanese population, and undermin[ing] UNIFILs credibility. The IDF has reported downing drones that crossed over into Israeli territory from Lebanon on 17 May and 18 July.

In June, the arrival at the Karish natural gas field in the Mediterranean Sea of a floating production, storage and offloading vessel to extract gas for Israel sparked renewed tensions between Lebanon and Israel, which have yet to agree on how to delineate the maritime border between them. While Israel maintains that the Karish field is within its exclusive economic zone, Lebanon says that the gas field is partly located in a disputed area and that any activity in the area before an agreement on the maritime border is reached would constitute a hostile act. On 2 July, the IDF shot down three Hezbollah drones heading towards the Karish field. According to media reports, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah had previously said that the group would not stand by and do nothing in the face of [Israels] looting of Lebanons natural wealth. US Senior Advisor for Global Energy Security Amos Hochstein is mediating indirect talks between Israel and Lebanon on the demarcation of the maritime border.

According to the Secretary-Generals report, the IDF Navy warned a UNIFIL Maritime Task Force vessel in early June against approaching the area of the Karish field and took a series of actions against the UNIFIL patrolling vessel in violation of resolution 1701, including overflights with fighter aircraft that triggered supersonic booms, the launching of flares in proximity of the UNIFIL vessel and directing a fire-control-radar in lock-on-mode towards it.

Human Rights-Related Developments

On 24 June, Lebanese Interior Minister Bassam Mawlawi sent a letter to the Internal Security Forces and the General Security Directorate (the national intelligence agency) instructing them to ban any gathering aimed at promoting sexual perversion. According to a 4 July letter by the Coalition to Defend Freedom of Expression in Lebanon, which comprises Lebanese and international NGOs, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, the ministrys letter was followed by a wave of anti-LGBTI hate speech on social media by individuals and some religious groups. In a 29 June statement, the UN in Lebanon expressed concern at these developments saying that they suggest a rollback on human rights. The statement encouraged the Lebanese government to respect its human rights obligations, including the rights of all people to freedom of assembly, association, and expressionregardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression or sex characteristics.

Women, Peace and Security

From 28 to 30 June, members of the Informal Experts Group on Women, Peace and Security (IEG) undertook a visiting mission to Lebanon. The visit included stops in Lebanons capital Beirut and to several locations in the North and South of the country, including UNIFILs headquarters in Naqoura, in southern Lebanon. IEG members held meetings with Lebanese authorities, women peacebuilders and members of parliament, women refugees, and civil society representatives. IEG members also met with UN representatives in Lebanon, including Special Coordinator for Lebanon Joanna Wronecka, UNIFIL Head of Mission and Force Commander Major General Aroldo Lazaro Saenz, and UNIFILs gender advisors and focal points. While field visits focused on Women, Peace and Security were envisaged in the 2016 IEG guidelines, this was the first such visit by members of the IEG.

Key Issues and Options

UNIFILs mandate renewal will be the pivotal issue for Council members in August. Protecting the mandates integrity and providing the mission with the necessary tools to carry out its operations remain key priorities for the Council. One option is to renew UNIFILs mandate for an additional year without substantive changes to the missions mandate and configuration.

Resolution 2591, which extended UNIFILs mandate until 31 August 2022, urged the parties to ensure that UNIFILs freedom of movement, including access to all parts of the Blue Line, was fully respected. It also called on the Lebanese government to facilitate UNIFILs access to sites requested by the mission for the purpose of investigations while respecting Lebanese sovereignty. In light of recent developments, several members may stress the importance of retaining and possibly strengthening language on the missions freedom of movement and access needs.

A new element in resolution 2591 was the request for UNIFIL to support the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) through temporary and special measures consisting of non-lethal material (fuel, food and medicine) and logistical support for a period of six months. This provision was driven by concerns about the impact of the socioeconomic crisis on the LAFs capacity to adequately carry out its functions in UNIFILs area of operations.

In a 15 March letter, the Permanent Representative of Lebanon requested that the temporary and special measures be extended for an additional year. During the 25 April and 26 July quarterly open debates on The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question, Lebanon expressed the hope that the Council would look favourably upon its request. In his latest report on resolution 1701, the Secretary-General said that the support provided appears to have had a positive impact on the capacity and reach of the LAF and called for supporting the Lebanese governments request for an extension. As part of her briefing at the 21 July consultations on the 1701 report, Wronecka encouraged support for the LAF and other state security forces as an indispensable investment in Lebanons stability. An option would be for the Council to reauthorise the temporary and special measures mandated by resolution 2591 for one year.

An important issue for some Council members remains how to best support womens participation in political and peacebuilding processes in Lebanon. During last years UNIFIL negotiations, members had tried but did not succeed in adding language to resolution 2591 requesting the mission to support and engage with womens civil society organisations, a recommendation made by UN Women during the 25 May 2021 IEG meeting on Lebanon. An option would be to incorporate language requesting the mission to support and engage with a wide range of diverse womens civil society organisations in all areas of its work in the upcoming renewal resolution. Also, the IEG co-chairs (Ireland and Mexico) could share their findings from the visit to Lebanon by IEG members through a publicly available summary report ahead of the negotiations.

The substantial amount of weaponry held by Hezbollah and other non-state actors in Lebanon remains a key issue for the Council.

The Council will continue to monitor tensions around the Karish natural gas field and developments related to the US-mediated talks between Israel and Lebanon on maritime border demarcation.

Council Dynamics

There is broad consensus among Council members in support of Lebanons sovereignty, territorial integrity and security, as well as on the need for the Lebanese government to carry out the reforms needed for the country to overcome its socioeconomic crisis. The higher number of press statements on Lebanon issued this year (three so far) compared to recent years (one in 2021 and none in 2020) may be seen as an indicator of consensus on these and the other key issues highlighted in the statements. At the same time, some members have been consistently wary of assenting to language they see as overly prescriptive regarding Lebanons internal political matters.

A key difference among members remains the role of Hezbollah. Some members distinguish between Hezbollahs political and military wings and have designated only its military wing as a terrorist organisation; other members, including the UK and the US, have listed the Shia group in its entirety as a terrorist organisation. Russia sees Hezbollah as a legitimate sociopolitical force.

Regarding the temporary and special measures in support of the LAF, last year the European members of the Council were broadly in favour of including the paragraph on UNIFIL providing support to the LAF, while other membersincluding China and Russiawere only persuaded to accept it after the addition of qualifying language, such as that the measures should not be considered as a precedent and should be provided while fully respecting Lebanese sovereignty and at the request of the Lebanese authorities. China and Russia questioned whether UNIFIL was an appropriate channel for the LAF to receive support and expressed concerns regarding the measures risking a change in the relationship between the mission and the host country authorities, and creating a precedent where other UN peacekeeping missions would be asked to provide material and logistical support to national armies, generating unsustainable demands for the limited UN peacekeeping budget.

France is the penholder on Lebanon.

UN DOCUMENTS ON LEBANON

This resolution extended the mandate of UNIFIL for another year until 31 August 2022. This was the most recent Secretary-Generals report on the implementation of resolution 1701.
AFRICA

Libya

Expected Council Action

In August, the Council is expected to hold a briefing, followed by consultations, on the situation in Libya. The chair of the 1970 Libya Sanctions Committee, Ambassador Ravindra Raguttahalli (India), will brief on the committees activities.

The mandate of the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) expires on 31 October 2022.

Key Recent Developments

Following the postponement of the national elections planned for 24 December 2021, a stand-off has persisted between two rival political factions in Libya. One faction is led by incumbent Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Mohammed Dbeibah, elected in February 2021 to head the interim Government of National Unity (GNU) by the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum (LPDF)an assembly consisting of 75 participants representing the main Libyan geographical, social and political constituencies, which was responsible for charting the way towards elections. Leading the other faction is former Interior Minister Fathi Bashagha, who was elected interim prime minister by the House of Representatives (the Libyan legislature based in Tobruk) on 10 February.

Under the auspices of the UN, the presidents of the High Council of State (the executive institution and constitutional authority established by the 2015 Libyan Political Agreement and mandated to propose policies and recommendations on various political issues) and the House of Representatives met in Geneva on 28 and 29 June to review outstanding provisions of the 2017 Libyan Draft Constitution. The meeting was intended as a follow-up to the third and final round of a dialogue forumhosted in Cairofrom 12 to 19 June. In a 30 June statement, UN Special Advisor on Libya Stephanie Turco Williams said that disagreement persists on the eligibility requirements for the candidates in the first presidential elections and while the progress secured during three rounds of consultations in Cairo and this round in Geneva is significant, it remains insufficient as a basis to move forward towards comprehensive national elections, which is a genuine desire of the Libyan people. (At the time of writing, Williams was expected to leave the post at the end of July.)

On 1 July, demonstrations took place in several cities in Libya, including Tripoli, Tobruk and Benghazi, reportedly to protest deteriorating living conditions and the dire political situation. According to local media reports, hundreds of people stormed the House of Representatives headquarters in Tobruk. Armed groups supporting Dbeibah and Bashagha clashed on 21 July in Tripoli and on 23 July in Misrata.

On 13 July, the Tripoli-based government of Dbeibah announced the dismissal of the chairman of the National Oil Corporation (NOC), Mustafa Sanalla, and the appointment of Farhat Bengdara, a former central bank chief during Muammar Gaddafis dictatorship. Sanalla reportedly refused to leave office, arguing in a televised speech that Dbeibahs government lacked legitimacy. In response, Dbeibah reportedly sent troops to take control of the NOC headquarters and force him out.

Between September 2021 and April, the Council renewed UNSMILs mandate four times through short-term extensions because of disagreements among Council members concerning the length of the mandate, the restructuring of the mission, and language regarding the appointment of UNSMILs leadership. Most recently, the Council adopted resolution 2647 on 28 July, renewing the mandate of UNSMIL for three months until 31 October. The resolution maintained UNSMILs core mandated tasks as well as the 30-day reporting cycle. It included language on the need to agree on a pathway to hold elections as soon as possible and called on the Secretary-General to appoint a Special Representative promptly. (For more, see our Whats in Blue story of 28 July.)

The Council met on the situation in Libya on 25 July. Assistant Secretary-General for Africa in the Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace Operations (DPPA-DPO) Martha Ama Akyaa Pobee briefed saying that the overall situation in Libya remains highly volatile. She noted that the electoral process remains the UNs priority, but also emphasised the need to support Libya in addressing the wider political and economic situations, including issues that triggered demonstrations and clashes in July. She also expressed serious concern over the human rights situation.

Human Rights-Related Developments

On 6 July, the Human Rights Council (HRC) held an interactive dialogue with the Independent Fact-Finding Mission (FFM) on Libya and considered its report (A/HRC/50/63). Mohamed Auajjar, Chair of the FFM, said the team had conducted four investigative missions to Libya during its mandate and identified violations, including direct attacks on civilians during the conduct of hostilities; arbitrary detention; enforced disappearances; sexual and gender-based violence; torture; violations of fundamental freedoms; persecution of and violations against journalists, human rights defenders, civil society, minorities, and internally displaced persons; and violations of the rights of women and children. On 8 July, the HRC adopted a resolution without a vote that extended the mandate of the FFM for a final, non-extendable period of nine months, to present its concluding recommendations (A/HRC/50/L.23).

Sanctions-Related Developments

On 13 July, the Council unanimously adopted resolution 2644, renewing the measures related to the illicit export of petroleum from Libya until 30 October 2023 and the mandate of the Panel of Experts assisting the 1970 Libya Sanctions Committee until 15 November 2023. The resolution included new language that expressed support for the ongoing facilitation of intra-Libyan consultations to create the conditions and circumstances for elections on a constitutional and legal basis and expressed serious concern over continued violations of the arms embargo.

Key Issues and Options

A key issue remains the precarious security situation linked to Libyas uncertain electoral path. A related concern for the Council will be how to foster common political ground between the two rival governments so that they can agree on a constitutional framework to pave the way for the holding of Libyas long-delayed elections. Council members could consider holding a closed Arria-formula meeting with Libyan civil society representatives to help generate ideas about how to promote dialogue between the rival political factions in Libya and support an inclusive political process leading to elections.

Another issue for the Council remains the continuing gap in the missions top leadership at a vulnerable time for the country. At the time of writing, a Special Representative had still not been appointed. On 19 July, the spokesperson for the Secretary-General said during the noon press briefing that there was no update on the nomination of a new Special Representative. (The position of Special Representative is expected to replace the role of Special Envoy, as decided in resolution 2629. Former Special Envoy Jan Kubis resigned in November 2021, and at the time of writing, Williams was expected to leave her post at the end of July.)

Council Dynamics

Council dynamics on Libya remain difficult, leading to challenging negotiations on the UNSMIL mandate renewal resolutions in recent months. At the briefing on 25 July, members expressed the urgent need for a Libyan-led inclusive political process and the holding of elections. Several members also expressed concern over the security situation following demonstrations and clashes in July. Kenya, also speaking on behalf of Gabon and Ghana (the A3), called for the position of Special Representative to be filled with a candidate from Africa as soon as possible, which was supported by China. Several members expressed support for a one-year renewal of UNSMILs mandate, such as Albania, Norway and the US. Russia urged the Secretary-General to redouble his efforts to appoint a Special Representative and expressed support for an extension of UNSMILs mandate for three months, adding that once a Special Representative is appointed, future steps can be taken towards a more extensive mandate.

During negotiations on resolution 2647 in July, as with negotiations on resolution 2629 in April, disagreements apparently centred on the length of the missions mandate. The UK (as penholder) initially circulated a draft text that would have renewed the missions mandate for one year and reverted to the 60-day reporting period. As was the case in April, Russia expressed a preference for an even shorter text and insisted on the three-month renewal and the 30-day reporting cycle decided on in resolution 2629. Resolution 2647 was adopted by a vote of 12 in favour and three abstentions from the A3, due to their position that the mandate should have been renewed for longer than three months.

UN DOCUMENTS ON LIBYA

This resolution extended UNSMILs mandate until 31 July. It maintained UNSMILs core mandated tasks while authorizing a restructuring of the mission. This report covered developments in Libya between 18 January and 20 May. This was a briefing on Libya.
AFRICA

Mali

Expected Council Action

In August, the Council is expected to renew the Mali asset freeze and travel ban sanctions, which expire on 31 August, and the mandate of the Mali Panel of Experts, which expires on 30 September.

Key Recent Developments

On 29 June, the Security Council adopted resolution 2640, extending the mandate of the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) until 30 June 2023. Resolution 2640 maintained the missions strategic priorities to support the implementation of the 2015 Mali Peace and Reconciliation Agreement, the political transition, and efforts to stabilise central Mali. It called for a cessation of all restrictions on MINUSMAs freedom of movement and expressed serious concerns about repeated and increased allegations of violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law by the Malian defence and security forces.

Resolution 2640 further expressed support for the Secretary-Generals plan to conduct an internal review of MINUSMA. This should, according to the resolution, be submitted no later than 13 January 2023 and include analysis of the political and security challenges affecting the missions ability to implement its mandate; an assessment of cooperation with the host country authorities and movement restrictions; recommendations about the necessary conditions for MINUSMA to continue operating; and options for MINUSMAs future configuration, force levels, and uniformed personnel ceiling.

For the first time, the Council adopted the resolution renewing MINUSMAs mandate without unanimity as China and Russia abstained. They cited concerns over the resolutions intrusive language on human rights and the excessive emphasis placed on MINUSMAs human rights mandate. Malian Ambassador Issa Konfourou, speaking at the adoption, reiterated Malis firm opposition to the freedom of movement of MINUSMA in the execution of its human rights mandate and told the Council that Mali does not intend to implement those provisions of the resolution.

At a 3 July summit of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in Accra, Ghana, West African leaders lifted the economic and financial sanctions on Mali that the regional bloc had imposed on 9 January. In taking this decision, ECOWAS cited the Malian authorities submission of a new timetable to hold elections to restore civilian rule by 29 March 2024. Asset freeze and travel ban sanctions that ECOWAS established in November 2021 on individual members of the transitional authorities remain in place.

On 10 July, Malian authorities arrested 49 soldiers from Cote dIvoire who had arrived at Malis international airport. Mali said the soldiers had arrived without permission and accused them of being mercenaries. Authorities also noted that some of the arrested soldiers passports indicated non-military professions and that they had been inconsistent in explaining why they had been deployed.

Cote dIvoire demanded the release of the soldiers in a 13 July statement. It said that the soldiers were deployed as part of a security and logistics support contract signed with MINUSMA in 2019 and that their mission order had been sent to airport authorities and the transitional government before their arrival. MINUSMA spokesperson Olivier Salgado supported Cote dIvoires version of events in a series of tweets on 11 July, indicating that they were part of a unit that provided routine logistical support to MINUSMAs Ivorian military contingent.

On 14 July, Mali announced that it was suspending all MINUSMA troop rotations, including those already scheduled, for national security reasons. Since February, the authorities have blocked the rotations of seven West African contingents to MINUSMA in retaliation for the ECOWAS sanctions imposed in January. On 15 July, Egypt announced that it would suspend, starting on 15 August, the participation of its 1,035-member contingent to MINUSMA. Egypt cited the rising number of its casualties. Two Egyptian peacekeepers were killed and five were wounded in a 5 July attack in northern Mali, bringing the number of Egyptian peacekeepers killed in Mali since 2021 to seven.

On 20 July, Mali announced the expulsion of MINUSMA spokesperson Olivier Salgado, giving him 72 hours to leave the country because of his Twitter posts about the diplomatic incident with Cote dIvoire. According to media reports on 26 July, MINUSMA has acknowledged dysfunctions in the deployment of the Ivorian soldiers in a note verbale to Malis foreign ministry. These reports said that the Ivorian soldiers may have been contracted to provide security at a base for German national support elements, as opposed to MINUSMAs Ivorian contingent. Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations Jean Pierre Lacroix visited Mali from 24 to 28 July.

On the security front, the Al-Qaida-linked group Katiba Macina claimed responsibility for an attack on 22 July on the Kati military base, which had been used to stage successful coups detats in 2012 and 2020 and is located about 10 miles northwest of Bamako. According to the authorities, two suicide drivers attacked the base using explosive-laden vehicles. Two other insurgent attacks occurred near Bamako against a checkpoint and a police base on 15 and 21 July.

Key Issues and Options

A key issue for Council members will be to assess and renew the Mali sanctions measures. The Council established the sanctions regime in 2017 to increase pressure on the signatory parties of the 2015 Peace and Reconciliation Agreement to implement the accord. The peace process between the government and Tuareg separatist groups in the north remains stalled as attention has been diverted to restoring constitutional order. Amid the standstill and growing distrust between the partiesthe Agreement Monitoring Committee, which is supposed to meet monthly, has not met since October 2021the Panel of Experts has apparently raised concerns about the risk of the resumption of hostilities between the government and northern armed groups in its latest final report. (At the time of writing, the report had yet to be publicly released). Regarding the panel, its members were not appointed until January, about three-and-a-half months after the expiration of the panels previous mandate. This was due to a hold on the proposed expert candidates until mid-December. As a result, the panel was unable to submit a detailed mid-term report as is customary.

A related issue is the continuing need to raise awareness among Malian authorities and regional states regarding the individuals that are subject to the sanctions and to push for better enforcement. Eight individuals, all from the countrys north, have been designated. Five are subject to the travel ban and asset freeze measures, and three are subject only to the travel ban.

How to address the deteriorating relationship between MINUSMA and the authorities in the upcoming sanctions resolution is another potential issue.

The most likely option is for the Council to renew the sanctions regime for another year while updating the text of the sanctions resolution to reflect important recent developments. Given the late appointment of the panel, the resolution could also urge the timely appointment of the members of the panel. Moreover, Council members are likely to continue closely monitoring developments between MINUSMA and Malis authorities.

The 2374 Mali Sanctions Committee may also consider engaging in further outreach to Mali and the region to improve compliance with the sanctions. This may include encouraging relevant states to appoint focal points for the sanctions regime in capitals and organising with Mali and regional states a sanctions workshop to improve understanding and enforcement.

Council Dynamics

Council discussion on Mali has become increasingly polarised this year since the reported deployment of the Wagner Group, the Russian private security company, to the country. China and Russia have been supportive of Malis positions and views in the Council, pitting them against the US and European members on several issues, including reported human rights abuses by Malis security forces and the authorities restrictions on MINUSMAs activities. The African Council members, known as the A3 (Gabon, Ghana and Kenya), play an important role in Council negotiations on Mali. Despite tensions between ECOWAS and the transitional authorities over delays in restoring constitutional order, the A3 are cautious about criticising Mali, particularly about human rights, which they believe could prove counter-productive to MINUSMAs efforts to induce cooperation.

Russia held up the approval of the Mali Panel of Experts as well as several other panels during the past year, citing, in the case of Mali, a lack of geographical balance among the panels members. There appears to be little appetite among Council members for new designations to the sanctions list, the last of which occurred in December 2019.

France is the penholder on Mali. Ambassador Juan Ramon de la Fuente Ramirez (Mexico) chairs the 2374 Mali Sanctions Committee.

UN DOCUMENTS ON MALI

This renewed the mandate of MINUSMA until 30 June 2023. This resolution renewed the Mali sanctions regime until 31 August 2022 and the mandate of the Mali Panel of Experts until 30 September 2022. This contained the explanation of votes at the adoption of resolution 2640 that extended the mandate of MINUSMA for one year. This press statement condemned in the strongest terms the attack earlier that day which killed two MINUSMA peacekeepers from Egypt and wounded five. This was a press release of the 2374 Mali Sanctions Committee on a 16 March meeting with Mali, regional states and organisations on the implementation of the Mali sanctions measures. This was the mid-term report of the Mali Panel of Experts.
Overview

In August, China is president of the Security Council.

China plans to organise two signature events. The first will be an open debate on Peace and security in Africa: Capacity-building for sustaining peace. The objective of the meeting is to identify challenges to sustaining peace in Africa and to generate ideas to support capacity-building on the continent to address these challenges. Bankole Adeoye, the Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security of the AU Commission, and Ambassador Muhammad Abdul Muhith of Bangladesh, the chair of the PBC, are expected to brief. A senior UNDP official may also brief. China might pursue an outcome in connection with the meeting.

The second signature event will be a briefing on Maintenance of international peace and security: Promoting common security through dialogue and cooperation. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is expected to brief.

The Council is also planning to hold a briefing this month on the Secretary-Generals 15th strategic level report on the threat posed by the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL or Daesh). Under-Secretary-General Vladimir Voronkov, the head of the UN Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT), and Weixiong Chen, the Acting Executive Director of the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED), will brief.

African issues on the programme of work in August are:

Sudan , the semi-annual briefing by the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) on its Darfur-related activities;

Libya , briefing and consultations on the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) and the 1970 Libya Sanctions Committee; and

Mali , renewal of asset freeze and travel ban sanctions.

Middle Eastern issues on the programme are:

Lebanon , meeting with troop contributors to the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), consultations on the mission, and renewal of the UNIFIL mandate;

Yemen , monthly briefing and consultations;

Syria , monthly meetings on the political, humanitarian and chemical weapons tracks; and

Middle East, including the Palestinian question , monthly meeting.

There will also be consultations on the 90-day report of the 1718 Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea (DPRK) Sanctions Committee.

The Council will most likely meet to discuss Ukraine during the month.

Council members may also discuss Georgia in August. This month marks the 14th anniversary of the 2008 conflict between Russia and Georgia.

Other issues could be raised in August depending on developments
Status Update since our July Forecast

West Africa and the Sahel

On 7 July, the Council held a briefing and consultations on West Africa and the Sahel (S/PV.9086). Special Representative and head of the UN Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) Mahamat Saleh Annadif briefed on the Secretary-Generals latest report on the region (S/2022/521). The Chair of the Peacebuilding Commission, Ambassador Rabab Fatima (Bangladesh), and civil society representative Rabia Djibo Magagi, Coordinator of the Association Alliance for Peace and Security, also briefed. Ghana and Ireland, the co-penholders on UNOWAS, proposed a presidential statement in connection with the meeting, which was still under negotiation at the time of wriitng.

UN Peacekeeping

On 12 July, the Security Council held a high-level open debate on strategic communications in UN peacekeeping operations (S/PV.9090). Brazilian Foreign Minister Carlos Alberto Franco Franca chaired the meeting. The briefers were UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres; Lieutenant General Marcos De Sa Affonso Da Costa, the Force Commander of the UN Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO); and Dr. Jenna Russo, Director of Research and Head of the Brian Urquhart Center for Peace Operations at the International Peace Institute (IPI).

The Council adopted a presidential statement (S/PRST/2022/5), proposed by Brazil, which underscores the importance of strategic communications to the implementation of the mandates of UN peacekeeping operations and to the safety and security of peacekeepers. The presidential statement requests the Secretary-General to present a strategic review of strategic communications across UN peacekeeping operations, including at the headquarters level, by no later than 15 April 2023. It also requested the Secretary-General, as part of regular reports on individual peacekeeping operations, to include, as applicable, information on the actions and impact of strategic communications for mandated activities.

Haiti

On 15 July, the Security Council adopted resolution 2645, unanimously extending the mandate of the UN Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH) for another year, until 15 July 2023. The resolution raises the ceiling of BINUHs authorised police advisers from 30 to 42 and decides that the missions human rights unit will include dedicated capacity to address sexual and gender-based violence. Among other new elements, the resolution calls on member states to prohibit the transfer of small arms and light weapons to non-state actors engaged in or supporting gang violence, criminal activities, or human rights abuses in Haiti. It also demands an immediate cessation of gang violence and criminal activities and expresses the Councils readiness to take appropriate measures (such as imposing a travel ban or assets freeze), as necessary, against those engaged in such activities and human rights abuses within 90 days from the adoption of the resolution.

Colombia

On 14 July, the Security Council held an open briefing on Colombia (S/PV.9094). Special Representative and head of the UN Verification Mission in Colombia Carlos Ruiz Massieu briefed on recent developments and the Secretary-Generals latest 90-day report on the mission (S/2022/513). The Council was also briefed by Francisco de Roux, the head of Colombias Truth Commission, and Jineth Casso Piamba, an indigenous community leader and human rights defender.

On the same day, Council members convened for an Arria-formula meeting titled A Milestone Year for a Peaceful Future: Transitional Justice in Colombia. The meeting was initiated by Ireland, in cooperation with Norway and Colombia. The briefers at the meeting were de Roux; Eamon Gilmore, the Special Envoy of the EU for the Peace Process in Colombia; Juana Ines Acosta-Lopez, an academic expert in international law, human rights and transitional justice; and Yanet Mosquera Rivera, a social leader, human rights defender and director of the non-governmental organisation Fundacion Mujer Con Valor.

On 22 July, Council members issued a press statement on Colombia (SC/14978). In it, they welcomed the largely peaceful conduct of elections in the country and the increase in elected women representatives in Congress. Members underscored the importance of ensuring the comprehensive implementation of the 2016 peace agreement and accelerating the implementation of its ethnic and gender provisions. They welcomed the commitment expressed by President-elect Gustavo Petro to deepen the peace agreements implementation and seek broader peace with other illegal armed groups. Council members also expressed their support for the Comprehensive System for Truth, Justice, Reparation and Non-Repetition. In this regard, they welcomed the recent release of the Truth Commissions final report as an unprecedented opportunity for Colombians to come to terms with their past and as a stepping stone for long-term reconciliation and lasting peace.

Cyprus

On 18 July, the Council held consultations on the situation in Cyprus. Special Representative and head of the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) Colin Stewart briefed the Council on the recent developments and key findings from the Secretary-Generals reports on UNFICYP (S/2022/533) and on his mission of good offices in Cyprus (S/2022/534). On 28 July, the Security Council unanimously adopted resolution 2646, renewing the mandate of UNFICYP for another six months until 31 January 2023.

Children and Armed Conflict

On 19 July, the Security Council held its annual open debate on children and armed conflict (S/PV.9096). Brazilian Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Fernando Simas Magalhaes chaired the meeting. Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict Virginia Gamba presented the Secretary-Generals annual report on children and armed conflict (S/2022/493). The Council was also briefed by Executive Director of UNICEF Catherine Russell and Patrick Kumi, Founder and Executive Director of the non-governmental organisation Similar Ground, a youth-led refugee peacebuilding organisation.

The Middle East, including the Palestinian Question

On 26 July, the Security Council held its quarterly open debate on The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question (S/PV.9099). Deputy Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process and UN Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator for the Occupied Palestinian Territory Lynn Hastings briefed. She said that although the specific developments of the conflict fluctuate, the structural reality has not changed. Hastings provided an update on developments between 27 June and 21 July. This included the 13-16 July visit by US President Joe Biden to the region, violent incidents in the West Bank and in Israel, evictions of Palestinians and demolitions of Palestinian-owned structures, high-level contacts between Israeli and Palestinian officials, and the fragile situation in Gaza. Hastings also provided an update on recent developments in Lebanon and violations to the 1974 Disengagement of Forces Agreement between Israel and Syria.

Iraq

On 26 July, the Council convened for an open briefing on the 20 July attack in the Duhok governorate of the Kurdistan region of Iraq (S/PV.9100). The meeting was requested by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) after Iraq sent a letter to the Council on 22 July that called for the Council to meet and discuss the attack. Special Representative and head of the UN Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI) Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert briefed. Iraq and Turkiye participated in the briefing under rule 37 of the Councils provisional rules of procedure. Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein represented Iraq during the briefing, which was followed by closed consultations.

Council members issued a press statement on the Duhok attack on 25 July. Among other matters, the statement condemned the attack and urged all member states to cooperate with the Iraqi governments investigation into the attack.

Peacebuilding and Sustaining Peace

On 27 July, the Council held a briefing (S/PV.9101) on the annual report of the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC), which covers the period 1 January 2021 to 31 December 2021 (A/76/678S/2022/89). Ambassador Osama Abdelkhalek (Egypt), who served as PBC chair last year, presented the report. Deputy Permanent Representative and Charge daffaires Monwar Hossain of Bangladesh, which is the current chair of the PBC, briefed on the Commissions work programme for 2022.

UNRCCA (Central Asia)

On 28 July, Special Representative and head of the UN Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia (UNRCCA) Natalia Gherman briefed Council members regarding the UNRCCAs activities in closed consultations. Gherman apparently updated Council members on the activities of the UNRCCA, including those pertaining to counter-terrorism; the women, peace and security agenda; transboundary water management; and the UNRCCAs contact with regional organisations. The situation in Afghanistan, the recent bouts of unrest in Uzbekistan and the Gorno-Badakhshan region of Tajikistan, and the anti-government protests that took place in Kazakhstan in January were also discussed.

Central African Republic

On 29 July, the Council adopted resolution 2648, extending the Central African Republic (CAR) sanctions measures and the mandate of the Panel of Experts supporting the 2127 CAR Sanctions Committee for an additional year. The resolution significantly eased the arms embargo on the CAR. Ten members voted in favour of the resolution, while five (China, Gabon, Ghana, Kenya, and Russia) abstained. In their explanations of vote, China, Gabon, Kenya and Russia expressed their preference for a full lifting of the embargo (S/PV.9105).
MIDDLE EAST

Syria

Expected Council Action

In August, the Security Council is expected to hold one meeting on political and humanitarian issues in Syria, and another on chemical weapons in the country.

Key Recent Developments

On 12 July, the Security Council adopted resolution 2642, reauthorising the cross-border humanitarian aid mechanism in Syria for six months until 10 January 2023 and requiring a separate resolution to extend the mandate for an additional six months until 10 July 2023. The resolution received 12 votes in favour, with three abstentions (France, the UK, and the US). In their explanations of vote, the abstaining members said that they would have strongly preferred a 12-month reauthorisation.

Resolution 2642 urges efforts by humanitarian organisations to step up further initiatives to broaden the humanitarian activities in Syria, including water, sanitation, health, education, electricity where essential to restore access to basic services, and shelter early recovery projectsand calls upon other international humanitarian agencies and relevant parties to support them. It requests the Secretary-General to submit a special report on the humanitarian needs in Syria no later than 10 December, in addition to reports at least every 60 days on the implementation of the resolution. The resolution also encourages the convening of an informal interactive dialogue (an informal, closed-meeting format) with key stakeholders every two months to review and follow up on the implementation of the resolution, including progress on early recovery projects.

The negotiations on the text were arduous. Resolution 2642 was adopted only after two previous drafts failed to be adopted on 8 July: an Irish-Norwegian draft that was vetoed by Russia and received 13 affirmative votes and one abstention (China) and a Russian draft that received two affirmative votes (China and Russia), three votes against (P3 members) and ten abstentions. (For background on the negotiations leading up to the adoption of resolution 2642, please see our 11 July Whats in Blue story, Syria: Vote on Draft Resolution Reauthorising the Cross-Border Aid Mechanism.)

Following Russias 8 July veto, the General Assembly held a session on Syria on 21 July. This was in accordance with General Assembly resolution A/RES/76/262, adopted earlier this year, which states that the General Assembly is expected to convene within 10 working days of the casting of a veto by one or more permanent members of the Security Council, to hold a debate on the situation as to which the veto was cast. In the General Assembly session, Russian Deputy Permanent Representative Dmitry Polyanskiy maintained that his country had vetoed the Irish-Norwegian draft because it called for a 12-month reauthorisation of the mandate, whereas Russia wanted a six-month reauthorisation that would require a Council resolution for an additional six-month extension.

On 20 July, High Representative for Disarmament Affairs Izumi Nakamitsu briefed the Council on the issue of chemical weapons in Syria. Nakamitsu said that the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) Technical Secretariat continues to seek information from Syria regarding the unauthorised movement and remains of two destroyed cylinders related to the 7 April 2018 chemical weapons incident in Douma. She also expressed regret that the OPCW Declaration Assessment Team (DAT) had been unable to hold its 25th round of consultations with Syrian authorities in Damascus because of the unwillingness of the Syrian government to issue a visa to one member of the DAT.

In a 16 July statement, UN Special Envoy for Syria Geir O. Pedersen expressed regret that the ninth round of meetings of the Constitutional Committee, originally planned for 25 to 29 July in Geneva, was no longer possible. In his statement, Pedersen emphasised the importance of all the stakeholders in this conflict protecting and firewalling the Syrian political process from their differences elsewhere in the world, and he encouraged them to engage in constructive diplomacy on Syria. It appears that the delegation representing the government side was unwilling to participate because of concerns expressed by Russia about the venue of the talks; in this regard, on 16 June, Alexander Lavrentyev, Russias Presidential Representative for Syria, called for the Constitutional Committee for a new venue for the next round of talks because it does not view the Swiss government as an impartial actor. The previous eight rounds of talks of the Constitutional Committee, which was launched in 2019, have all been held in Geneva.

On 19 July, Presidents Vladimir Putin (Russia), Recep Tayyip Erdogan (Turkiye) and Ebrahim Raisi (Iran) held a summit on Syria in Tehran. In a joint statement following the meeting, the three leaders emphasised, among other things, their commitment to the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of Syria; expressed their determination to continue to work together to combat terrorism; and rejected unilateral sanctions.

At the time of writing, Council members were expected to hold consultations on the political and humanitarian situations in Syria on 28 July. Pedersen and OCHAs Acting Director of the Humanitarian Financing and Resource Mobilization Division Heli Uusikyla were the anticipated briefers.

Human Rights-Related Developments

On 8 July, the Human Rights Council adopted a resolution on the human rights situation in Syria by a vote of 25 in favour; six against, including permanent Security Council member China; and 15 abstentions, including elected Security Council members Brazil, India and the United Arab Emirates (A/HRC/50/L.5/Rev.1). Among other things, the resolution condemned in the strongest terms all acts of sexual and gender-based violence committed by all parties since the start of conflict in 2011. It requested that the Commission of Inquiry on Syria consider updating its report on sexual and gender-based violence, taking a victim- and survivor-centred approach.

Key Issues and Options

A key issue for the Council is how it can support the Special Envoys efforts to promote positive momentum on the political track in Syria, especially in light of the postponement of the ninth round of talks of the Constitutional Committee. An option for the Council is to adopt a statement that supports the Special Envoys efforts to reinvigorate the political track.

The humanitarian crisis in the country remains an ongoing concern for Council members. The country continues to contend with a dire economic situation, rising food and fuel prices, and high unemployment.

Another option would be for Council members to hold a closed Arria-formula meeting with civil society representatives who can speak to the importance of early recovery projects in Syria and provide their input on the types of projects that would be most beneficial to the welfare of Syrians.

Council Dynamics

The difficult negotiations on the Syria cross-border aid reauthorisation last month once again highlighted the difficult Council dynamics on Syria. Most Council members are strongly supportive of the cross-border mechanism, arguing that cross-line assistance (that is, across domestic frontlines from Syrian government-held areas into areas outside government control) alone cannot address the scope of humanitarian needs in Syria. Over the years, the pen on the humanitarian track has been held by elected members (E10). In this years negotiations, the E10 showed particularly strong solidarity. They met during various phases of the negotiating process to discuss a joint approach and voted as a block on the two drafts that failed to be adopted as well as on the one that was adopted. Kenya, as the E-10 coordinator for July, spoke on behalf of the group in the Council chamber prior to votes on the failed texts on 8 July and the adoption of resolution 2642.

China and Russia have been less supportive of the mechanism than other members. They have expressed concern about cross-border aid being diverted by terrorist groups, emphasised that the cross-border aid mechanism constitutes a violation of Syrias sovereignty, and argued that it needs to be phased out and replaced by enhanced cross-line deliveries. As a result of these views, China and Russia are inclined towards shorter renewals of the mechanism. This was clearly seen in the negotiations on resolution 2642, where one of the main issues was the length of the mandate of the cross-border mechanism. Most membersincluding the P3 and all of the elected memberswould have preferred a 12-month reauthorisation. In this regard, several Council members maintained that a one-year mandate would allow humanitarian actors to plan, staff and procure supplies more effectively for humanitarian operations in Syria and that it would promote continuity of assistance during the winter months. Russias position was that the agreed 6-month reauthorisation was needed to allow for an assessment of the implementation of the resolution prior to a decision on an extension of an additional six months. Russia also emphasised that the resolution would encourage efforts to improve cross-line deliveries and urged stepped-up early-recovery initiatives.

Council members also continue to hold starkly different views on the chemical weapons track in Syria, disputing the evidence regarding responsibility for the use of chemical weapons in the country and the credibility of the work of OPCW. Several members have consistently expressed support for the OPCWs work, maintaining that it is credible and essential, but other members, such as China and Russia, claim that its work is biased and politicised.

Ireland and Norway are the penholders on humanitarian issues in Syria.

UN DOCUMENTS ON SYRIA

This resolution reauthorised the cross-border humanitarian aid mechanism in Syria for six months until 10 January 2023 and required a separate resolution to extend the mandate for an additional six months until 10 July 2023. This was the meeting at which resolution 2642, which reauthorised the cross-border aid mechanism in Syria, was adopted. This was the meeting at which the two draft resolutions on Syria failed to be adopted, including one that was vetoed by Russia. This was the Russian draft on Syria cross-border assistance that received two affirmative votes (China and Russia) and failed to be adopted. This was the Irish-Norwegian draft on Syria cross-border assistance that was vetoed by Russia.
EUROPE

Ukraine

Expected Council Action

In August, the Security Council may hold one or more meetings on the situation in Ukraine, depending on developments on the ground.

Key Recent Developments

In July, the Security Council held one open briefing on Ukraine and there were two Arria-formula meetings on the matterone convened by Russia on 11 July and the other by Albania and Poland, in cooperation with Ukraine, on 15 July. (For more information, please see our 8 July, 14 July and 28 July Whats in Blue stories.)

In addition to these meetings, the war in Ukraine was referenced during several other Council meetings. Notable in this regard was the annual open debate on children and armed conflict, held on 19 July. At that meeting, Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict Virginia Gamba presented the Secretary-Generals annual report on children and armed conflict, in which Ukraine was added as a situation of concern with immediate effect. Information about violations committed against children in Ukraine will be included in the Secretary-Generals future annual reports on children and armed conflict. (For background, see our 18 July Whats in Blue story and our July Forecast brief on children and armed conflict.)

Following months of backdoor diplomacy led by Turkiye and the UN, Russia and Ukraine reached an agreement on 22 July to facilitate the export of grain and related foodstuffs and fertilisers from Ukrainian ports. The agreement, signed separately by Russia and Ukraine, assumes that the two countries will provide maximum assurances for the safe and secure navigation of vessels transporting grain from ports in the cities of Odesa, Chornomorsk and Yuzhne. In this regard, Russia and Ukraine agreed not to undertake any attacks against relevant commercial ships, civilian vessels and port facilities.

In addition to this agreement, Russia and the UN signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on the UNs scope of engagement to facilitate unimpeded exports of Russian food products and fertilisers to global markets. In this regard, the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), headed by Rebeca Grynspan, in coordination with the Permanent Mission of Russia to the UN, will endeavour to engage with relevant authorities and the private sector to remove impediments that may arise in the sectors of finance, insurance and logistics.

One day after the signing of the agreement and the MoU, on 23 July, Russia launched a cruise missile attack on Odesa. The attack struck port facilities and no casualties were reported. Although Moscow initially denied it carried out the attack, Russian officials later claimed that it targeted military infrastructure. The attack sparked widespread condemnation and concerns about the future of the grain export agreement. In a 23 July statement, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the attack, noting that the agreements full implementation by [Russia], Ukraine and Turkiye is imperative.

The Odesa attack also complicated negotiations among Council members on a Council product seeking to welcome the agreement and the MoU. On 22 July, after the agreement and MoU were finalised, France apparently circulated a draft presidential statement welcoming the agreement and calling for its swift and full implementation, including avoiding actions that could undermine the agreement. Norway and Mexico also had a draft presidential statement, to which additional input from the E10 (elected members) were included and eventually circulated as an E10 draft presidential statement on the same day by Kenya, this months E10 coordinator. The E10 draft welcomed the agreement and the MoU, recognised the importance of ensuring full global access to food and fertiliser products, and requested the Secretary-General to brief the Council on its implementation. Brazil, as Council president, attempted to merge the two drafts but agreement had not been reached by Friday evening (29 July).

The Odesa attack added a new element to the negotiations and, although efforts continued to be made to arrive at a mutually agreeable text, divisions over language on the attack made reaching consensus on the text unattainable. On 24 July, France withdrew their draft presidential statement and circulated a draft press statement endorsing the agreement and condemning the recent attack on Odesa. (Press statements are not formal Council products and although they also require consensus, agreement can sometimes be more easily obtained.) It seems that Russia objected to the draft text. On 25 July, the E10 worked on incorporating language on the Odesa attack into their text. Unable to obtain agreement on how to address the attack, the E10 withdrew their text on 26 July. Norway and Mexico then circulated a new draft presidential statement based on the E10 draft but referencing the Secretary-Generals 23 July statement on the attack. Following comments from members, Norway and Mexico withdrew the draft text on 27 July. It appears that some Council members were unwilling to accept a text without explicit reference to the Odesa attack.

Despite concerns about the future of the grain export deal following the 23 July attack, it seems that steps are being taken to implement the agreement. On 27 July, a Joint Coordination Centre (JCC)consisting of senior representatives from Russia, Turkiye and Ukrainewas established in Istanbul under the UNs auspices to conduct general oversight of the agreement. Under the terms of the agreement, Ukraines Black Sea ports will not be demined. Instead, Ukrainian pilot vessels will guide merchant ships through a maritime humanitarian corridor established in the Black Sea from the ports to the Bosphorus Strait. At a Turkish port, inspection teams comprised of representatives from Russia, Turkiye and Ukraine will check for unauthorised cargoes and personnel on board all commercial vessels bound for Ukraine. To prevent provocations and potential incidents, the agreement precludes military ships, aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles from approaching the maritime humanitarian corridor without JCC authorisation. The movement of merchant ships will be monitored remotely.

As the war in Ukraine enters its sixth month, hostilities remain concentrated in the eastern Donetsk region. Following a brief operational pause in mid-July, Russian forces continued ground attacks northwest of Sloviansk and east of Siversk and Bakhmut. In July, missile attacks continued to be reported on a daily basis, often striking residential and commercial areas and, in some cases, leading to dozens of civilian casualties. For example, the shelling of a residential building and a recreation centre in Serhiivka in the Odesa region on 1 July resulted in 21 civilian deaths. On 9 July, a missile strike on the city of Chasiv Yar in Donetsk destroyed a residential building, killing 48 civilians and injuring nine others. More recently, a 14 July missile strike on the city of Vinnytsia in west-central Ukraine reportedly resulted in 25 civilian deaths and over 200 injuries.

Human Rights-Related Developments

On 5 July, the Human Rights Council (HRC) held an interactive dialogue on Ukraine at which High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet presented orally the findings of the periodic report of the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). She noted that the findings of the report are based on information gathered by the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine during 11 field visits, to three places of detention, and 517 interviews with victims and witnesses of human rights violations, as well as other sources of information. Bachelet said that as at 3 July, OHCHR documented over 10,000 civilian deaths or injuries across Ukraine, including 335 children among the 4,889 civilians documented as killed, with the actual figures likely to be much higher. Among other things, OHCHR has documented damage or destruction to over 400 medical and educational facilities; 270 cases of arbitrary detention and enforced disappearance; 28 cases of conflict-related sexual violence; and 17 deaths of journalists. She further noted that appalling reports of torture and ill-treatment by both parties continue, including of prisoners of war, with little progress in holding those responsible to account.

Key Issues and Options

A key issue for the Security Council is how to facilitate an end to the conflict. Agreement on Council products on Ukraine is difficult because of the direct involvement of a permanent member in the conflict, and members sharply diverging positions on the issue. Members can continue to hold regular open briefings on the situation in Ukraine with the aim of keeping the international community abreast of developments on the ground. Members may also wish to consider formats with restrictive attendance and no meeting record, such as private or closed Arria-formula meetings, to allow for a frank exchange of ideas between Council members and key actors on the situation on the ground.

Another key issue for the Council is determining how it can support the implementation of the Black Sea grain agreement and the MoU on ensuring unimpeded access of Russian food and fertiliser to global markets. In this regard, members may wish to ask the Secretary-General to brief on the implementation of the agreement and the MoU. In this context, they may also be interested in hearing how the Council can promote adherence by the parties to their commitments.

Council Dynamics

The Security Council remains starkly divided on the situation in Ukraine, with Russia justifying its invasion, which it refers to as a special military operation, and several Council membersincluding Albania, France, Ireland, Norway, the UK, and the USfirmly intent on condemning Russia for what they consider an unprovoked war. Members of the latter group have consistently called for the immediate cessation of hostilities and the withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine.

While seemingly united in condemning Russia in the days following its intervention in Ukraine, divisions between the US and the European members, on the one hand, and other members, on the other hand, have become more pronounced in recent months, particularly on matters related to the use of sanctions, perceptions of neutrality in addressing the humanitarian situation, and the approach to allegations of criminal accountability for atrocities committed in Ukraine. For example, several elected members have contended that the Council should avoid what they term political language condemning Russia in humanitarian texts. Additionally, the A3 (Gabon, Ghana and Kenya) and Brazil have been reluctant to accuse Russian forces of having committed atrocities in Ukraine before the conclusion of an independent and transparent UN investigation. (Gabon abstained from voting on HRC resolution 49/1, adopted on 4 March, which established the independent international Commission of Inquiry. Gabon, Ghana and the United Arab Emirates voted against General Assembly resolution ES-11/3, adopted on 7 April, which suspended Russia from the HRC, while Brazil, India, Kenya, and Mexico abstained.) Moreover, Brazil and Kenya have frequently joined China and Russia in expressing concern over the secondary effects of sanctions on global markets. The fact that members were unable to welcome a positive development such as the recent agreements in spite of the efforts of a number of members, clearly illustrates the complexities of Council action on this issue.
MIDDLE EAST

Yemen

Expected Council Action

In August, the Council is expected to hold its monthly briefing on Yemen, followed by closed consultations. Special Envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg and an OCHA official will brief. Major General Michael Beary, the head of the UN Mission to Support the Hodeidah Agreement (UNMHA), is expected to brief during consultations.

Key Recent Developments

The truce between the Yemeni government and the Houthi rebel group, which began on 2 April and was extended at the beginning of June, is set to expire on 2 August. The truce has reduced fighting and led to the re-opening of Sanaas airport to civilian flights. It has also eased Yemens fuel crisis, despite both sides allegations of violations and the build-up of forces.

One of the truces key elements, to re-open roads around the Houthi-blockaded city of Taiz, remains unresolved. Briefing the Council on 11 July, Grundberg reported that he had recently shared with the parties a second updated proposal for the phased re-opening of roads in Taiz and other governorates but that the Houthis had not accepted it. During the briefing, Grundberg raised concerns about recent worrisome escalatory rhetoric by the parties questioning the truces value. Grundberg said that he would continue efforts to reach a negotiated solution on re-opening the roads while exploring the possibility of a longer extension of the truce with the parties. According to news reports, Grundberg has suggested a six-month extension to the parties.

During the 11 July briefing, Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Joyce Msuya flagged funding shortfalls for UN relief efforts and other critical initiatives. Without new donor funding, the UN Verification and Inspection Mechanism (UNVIM), which was established in 2016 to facilitate commercial shipping into the Houthi-held ports of Hodeidah and which requires $3.5 million to continue operating until the end of the year, will have to close by September. The UN also continues to face a $20 million shortfall to begin the first phase of a plan to transfer oil from the decrepit Safer oil tanker, which could cause an environmental disaster in the Red Sea if the oil on board leaks or the ship explodes. More broadly, the Yemen humanitarian response plan is only 27 percent funded. Msuya also highlighted that it was important for Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to disburse the $3 billion economic support package for Yemen that they announced in April, given the economic pressures that are driving humanitarian needs. Major General Beary briefed in consultations, reportedly noting an uptick in hostilities since his last briefing and that UNMHA was monitoring reports of increased military preparedness by both sides.

On 13 July, the Council adopted resolution 2643, renewing the mandate of UNMHA until 14 July 2023. Resolution 2643 welcomed the establishment of an UNMHA presence in Yemeni government-controlled areas, which the mission recently created in the port city of Mokha, and demanded that the Houthis end the restrictions and hindrances to the movement of UNMHA personnel, including by allowing announced and unannounced UNMHA patrols. Moreover, resolution 2643 welcomed the truce and the Yemeni governments flexibility in enabling the entry of fuel ships into Hodeidah and enabling round-trip civilian flights from Sanaa to Amman and Cairo. It called upon the Houthis to act with flexibility in negotiations and immediately open the main roads around Taiz and urged that a strengthened truce be translated into a durable ceasefire and an inclusive, comprehensive political settlement under the auspices of the UN.

Yemen featured prominently in a 15 July meeting in Riyadh between US President Joe Biden and Saudi Arabias Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and their delegations. The two sides committed to doing everything possible to extend and strengthen the UN-mediated truce, according to a White House press release. On 18 July, Oman, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the UK, and the USknown as the Quintmet virtually to discuss the situation in Yemen. They were joined by Grundberg and UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Yemen, David Gressly. In a communique, the Quint stated their full support for Grundbergs efforts to extend and expand the truce on 2 August.

Key Issues and Options

The extension and consolidation of the truce is a key issue. The Houthis rejection of several UN proposals to re-open roads in Taiz and other governorates and the emerging stalemate in these talks is undermining some of the truces initial positive momentum and is a cause for concern. A further key issue is restarting a political process based on Grundbergs multitrack framework dealing with political, security and economic issues for a negotiated settlement to the conflict.

Council members are likely to monitor Grundbergs efforts to secure an extension of the truce. They could consider adopting a presidential statement to endorse any agreement that he brokers while encouraging the parties to maintain and translate the truce into a ceasefire agreement. A statement could also reiterate calls for the Houthis to demonstrate flexibility by opening the main roads around Taiz as the government has agreed to open Sanaa airport and increase fuel shipments through Hodeidah.

Rising global food and energy prices as a result of the war in Ukraine present significant threats to efforts to ease Yemens humanitarian crisis and threaten to worsen the situation. Members could encourage donors to contribute to the UNs 2022 Yemen humanitarian response plan and to UNVIM and to fill the remaining funding requirements to begin implementing the UN-facilitated plan for the FSO Safer.

Additionally, threats to and intimidation of humanitarian personnel have been a growing issue of concern for several months. This includes the Houthis continued detention of two UN staff members based in Sanaa since last November and the kidnapping of five UN staff members in February in Abyan, presumably by Al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula.

Council Dynamics

Council members are generally united over Yemen. Members have encouraged the parties to uphold the truce and want to see it translated into a durable ceasefire, which could facilitate progress on a political process for a comprehensive settlement to end the war. They are also concerned about the humanitarian situation.

The UAE, an elected Council member, is a member of the Saudi Arabia-led military coalition that backs the Yemeni government and has strongly pushed for its views to be reflected in Council products. Russia has often pushed back on language in Council products that it perceives as too critical of the Houthis or not balanced. However, the importance of its bilateral relations with the UAE appears to have made it more flexible this year in Council negotiations on Yemen. The US Special Envoy for Yemen, Timothy Lenderking, has coordinated closely with the UN in support of Grundbergs efforts to advance a political process, as have the P5 ambassadors to Yemen (China, France, Russia, the UK, and the US).

The UK is the penholder on Yemen. Ambassador Ferit Hoxha (Albania) chairs the Yemen 2140 Sanctions Committee.

UN DOCUMENTS ON YEMEN

This renewed the mandate of UNMHA until 14 July 2023. This resolution renewed the Yemen sanctions regime for one year and added the Houthis as an entity to the Yemen sanctions list, subject to the measures of the targeted arms embargo in resolution 2216. This was the adoption and explanation of vote on the mandate renewal of UNMHA. This was a briefing on Yemen with Special Envoy Hans Grundberg and Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Joyce Msuya.
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August, my grandparents said, was the best month to visit the High Sierra. The 12,000-foot passes were finally free of snow, the mosquitoes had vanished, and the risk of freak fall snowstorms, they reasoned, was still a month or more away.

And so, in August in the 1980s, we often headed to the mountains for pack trips  10-day journeys to the backcountry with family and friends. Mules lugged our gear to a remote spot. From there, we scrambled up rocky peaks, ate lunch beside remote lakes, dodged afternoon thunderstorms, raced cups down creeks and sang by the campfire at night.

It was wonderful.

And then the climate changed.

Suddenly, August was right in the heart of wildfire season.

These days, I generally avoid the Sierra in August. The risk of a wildfire casting smoke through remote areas  or even burning deep into the backcountry, as is happening more often  seems to escalate with every passing summer month, as vegetation gets drier and drier. I was thinking of that about a week ago, when a glance at PurpleAir monitors showed the Oak Fire in Mariposa County  thankfully 74% contained as of Monday evening  spreading smoke from Lone Pine, the jumping-off point for Mount Whitney, all the way up to Lake Tahoe. The explosive new McKinney Fire in far Northern California, which forced the evacuation of some hikers and closed part of the Pacific Crest Trail, is another reminder of how suddenly a threat can arise.

Kenneth Brower, who (like my mothers family) went on the Sierra Clubs 150-person High Trips to the backcountry in the 1950s, noted that one of the great things about the mountains has always been the clarity of the stars at high altitude.

Thats the province thats now polluted, he said. It used to be such clean air.

Kate Pope, whose family also used to go with mine to the backcountry, remembers being taken aback by seeing smoke from a fire in 1960 on Donner Ridge as she was leaving the Mount Whitney area. The blaze, ultimately about 45,000 acres, began as road crews worked to build Interstate 80 across Donner Summit.

There was smoke in the Sierra  it was absolutely unheard of, she said.

Some of my colleagues have changed their trips to go earlier to the mountains, to ensure there is no smoke. Its easier to do now: There is far less snow than there used to be. That means, perhaps, that the mosquito season has also shifted earlier some years, and the timing of stream crossings may also be different.

The last time my family went to the Sierra was in June 2019. We stayed in Yosemite  an easy destination with small children and aging parents. I made reservations a year in advance.

Not everyone has changed their schedule.

Brower, an environmental writer who is the son of the late Sierra Club leader David Brower, has continued to hike frequently, but has been run out of the mountains season after season by smoke.

August and early September remain the best time to visit the high country, said Chris Benner, an environmental studies and sociology professor at UC Santa Cruz whose parents helped organize the huge, weeks-long High Trips in the middle of the last century (such huge groups are no longer allowed). Wildfires nowadays can happen essentially any time of year, he said.

For me, the most unpleasant time in the High Sierra is the mosquitoes, he said. Thats a much more important consideration for me (than) the smoke.

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.

Benner notes that fire was a major presence across California in precolonial times; the last 150 years of fire suppression was an aberration.

Benner was in the backcountry in early September 2020 when the fast-moving Creek Fire  which ultimately triggered helicopter rescues of 200 people trapped near a reservoir  broke out in Sierra National Forest. His group had a choice: Hike 7 miles back in the direction of the fire to retrieve their car, or hike 25 miles out in a different direction. They chose to get the car and emerged with it through ash and smoke.

It ended up being fine, just scary, he said.

Brower noted that for his father and other 20th century environmentalists like photographer Ansel Adams, the battles were different. It was hard enough keeping these mountains away from the exploiters, he said.

And then came the fires and smoke. I dont think anybody anticipated that (the mountains) would be taken away from us in this way, he said.

Chronicle data reporter Yoohyun Jung contributed to this report.

Kate Galbraith is the Climate Editor at The San Francisco Chronicle. Email: kgalbraith@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @kategalbraith
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A 28-year-old Concord woman was arrested on suspicion of DUI following a downtown Walnut Creek crash that resulted in the death of one pedestrian and the serious injury of another early Saturday morning.

Briana Day was arrested at 1:50 a.m. Saturday after the crash at North Main Street near Pine Street, police said. Officers located two victims on the sidewalk. One was pronounced dead at the scene. The other was taken to the hospital with major injuries.
The state Supreme Court allowed local governments and conservation groups Monday to ask the state for further safety measures and environmental safeguards at the Oroville Dam despite federal authority to license the facility, where a breach and spill forced 188,000 people to evacuate their homes in 201 7.

The ruling will not interrupt operations at the nations tallest dam, a 770-foot structure on the Feather River in Butte County. But the 5-2 decision enables California water officials to conduct additional review, under state environmental laws, of the dam and other federally regulated water projects.

This has far-reaching consequences, said E. Robert Wright, a Sierra Club attorney whose clients in the case also included the Center for Biological Diversity and Friends of the River. He said the court allowed the state Department of Water Resources to use California law to evaluate impacts on public safety, as well as other environmental effects such as loss of endangered and threatened fish species, when DWR applies (to the federal government) for dam licensing or re-licensing.

The majority opinion by Justice Goodwin Liu said licensing of dams by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission does not prevent a state from assessing a project under its own environmental laws. The dissent by Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye said any such evaluation under state law is a clear obstacle to the congressional objective of vesting exclusive control over hydropower licensing and regulation to FERC.

Oroville Dam, which stores water for millions of Californians, is operated by the state under a federal license whose 50-year term expired in 2007, but it has remained open under annual licensing agreements since then. The state Department of Water Resources negotiated new operating conditions with some local agencies and advocacy groups in 2008, but officials in Butte and Plumas counties said more restrictions were needed and were joined by environmental groups in the current court challenge.

The federal agency has approved the annual licenses but has not yet issued a new long-term license.

During heavy rains in February 2017, a large hole opened in the dams main spillway, which was being used to release water, and an emergency spillway was also breached, forcing hurried evacuations of downstream communities. No major flooding occurred. An independent investigation ordered by the state found that the dam had weak concrete, poor drainage and a history of shoddy maintenance.

The issue in the current case was whether the counties and environmental groups could seek, and state water regulators could impose, new restrictions on operations at the dam that are not required by the federal license. Water contractors argued that federal regulators had the last word, but the court majority disagreed.

When Congress authorized federal licensing of dams, Liu said, it did not express any clear intention to preempt state regulation of its own water project. He cited the state courts 2017 ruling that said federal regulation of railroads did not prevent review under California environmental laws of a reopening of rail service between Napa and Humboldt counties.

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.

But Cantil-Sakauye  author of the 2017 ruling  said in her dissent Monday that the federal governments limited oversight of a state-created rail line differed from its review of dam licensing, which included a 700-page environmental report.

Attempts at additional state regulation appears to have created, in this case, a delay of 12 years (and counting), wrote Cantil-Sakauye, joined by Justice Carol Corrigan.

The case is Butte County v. Department of Water Resources, S258574.

Bob Egelko is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: begelko@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @BobEgelko
Provided by Jonathan Racusin

The team behind the Snug, one of the most popular Pacific Heights bars to open in years, is bringing a new watering hole to San Francisco: a playful raw bar and wine bar with a fine-dining chef at the helm.

Little Shucker will open next year at 2016 Fillmore St., the former Grove space, three blocks away from the Snug. Adrian Garcia, who previously cooked at San Francisco Michelin-starred restaurants Benu and Quince, is in charge of the menu, which is still in the works but will highlight local oysters and crudo. Much of Garcias menu will be designed to pair with wine, spritzes and low-ABV cocktails, which customers will be able to sip in front of windows that will open onto Fillmore in the style of a Parisian bistro. There will be bar seating in front of the wine and raw bars, plus heated outdoor tables along Fillmore Street.
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Chris Cheeseman saw the struggles North Beach experienced a few summers ago up close.

All the businesses were kind of suffering or shuttering. There were no remnants of tourists around and it definitely didnt resemble the North Beach that I was used to, said Cheeseman, a managing partner in the newly opened North Beach Cantina, about the summer of 2020.

Today, the historic San Francisco neighborhood is in the middle of a revival, with a steady influx of restaurant openings as one of the strongest signs of life. Pedestrian traffic has returned, tourists have come back and business is up  all of this after the neighborhood posted some of the citys highest rates of commercial storefront vacancy in 2019.

Cheeseman is among the restaurant operators making their recent arrival in the neighborhood. His North Beach Cantina, a casual Mexican restaurant, opened on Stockton Street a little over a month ago. He emphasized this wave of restaurants is giving the area a new look.

Theres a refreshed feeling to North Beach, he said.

Provided by North Beach Cantina

Catherine Meunier of Maven Commercial, a real estate company headquartered in the neighborhood, said Maven has brokered nine property deals in the area in the past year to 16-months, pointing out over 15 notable incoming tenants during that period. The pandemic brought popular spots like tapas bar Red Window, upscale brunch restaurant Hilda & Jesse and, more recently, burrito favorite El Farolito. Still to come are the acclaimed Flour + Water Pizzeria and Italian wine bar Convivium Enoteca.

There's a lot of interest in North Beach, Meunier said. North Beach, I think, wasn't on a lot of people's lists before, but is now up there.

She described North Beachs many restaurant parklets during the pandemic as a beacon for people in other neighborhoods, who were drawn to the lively energy and ample outdoor dining options.

I think it's important to the culture of North Beach for sure, and lends to that European-style dining, Cheeseman said of the parklets.

Jessica Christian/The Chronicle 2021

Outer Richmonds modern California kitchen Cassava is one of the several businesses making the move to the neighborhood, taking over the former site of Trattoria Pinocchio. Doors are slated to open in September, per SFGATE. (SFGATE and The San Francisco Chronicle are both owned by Hearst but operate independently.)

Co-owner Yuka Ioroi said she felt driven to leave the Outer Richmond because of decreased foot traffic and the challenging weather. Restaurateurs agreed that North Beach has one of San Franciscos best microclimates in the city for outdoor dining, and the pandemic saw crowds on the sunny sidewalks, feasting on cioppino with family or sipping espresso while listening to live music.

The burst of new restaurants also helped Ioroi not feel so alone in moving into a historically Italian district where restaurants, according to Meunier, have typically catered to the tourist crowd.

We definitely don't want to be the only place that's not tourist-ready or anything like that, Ioroi said.

Santiago Mejia/The Chronicle 2017

The surge in business is not limited only to new establishments, with longtime restaurant operators seeing fantastic numbers in recent months.

Francesco Covucci and Pete Fazio, for example, operate Il Casaro, California Fish Market Restaurant and Barbara Pinseria & Cocktail Bar in North Beach. While they have been in the area since 2008, they are currently seeing some of their best months on record due in part to the upswing in eateries and visitors.

Food Guide Top 25 Restaurants Where to eat in the Bay Area. Find spots near you, create a dining wishlist, and more.

Its been one of the best times weve had in like 16 or 17 years, and to do this at this stage of the pandemic is very good, Covucci said. North Beach is becoming a good destination. Theres a good mix between what the locals like and what the tourists like.

Jen Fedrizzi/Special to The Chronicle 2018

While the current business outlook around the neighborhood appears rosy, restaurateurs face some hurdles when trying to open inside one of North Beachs long standing buildings. Some of the still-vacant properties are in need of extensive work, according to Meunier.

Cassavas opening, for instance, has been delayed due to building issues.

We found a sinkhole under our concrete slab and some of the load-bearing columns were not properly installed and the building just went through seismic retrofit construction, Ioroi said.

Still, theres optimism.

We're excited to be in North Beach, Cheeseman said. Were happy to be part of the new guard that is bringing life back to that area.

Mario Cortez is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: mario.cortez@sfchronicle.com
While Let the D.A. do her job (Letters to the Editor, July 28) is a fair sentiment, hearing it come from supporters of the Boudin recall is pretty rich. They just finished waging a more than $7 million propaganda campaign that forced a duly-elected official to spend the entirety of his time in office splitting his focus between the recall campaign and doing his job.

Similarly, why isnt the current upheaval within the office generating the same contrived cries of outrage from recall supporters as employee turnover did under Boudin?

I opposed the Boudin recall for several reasons.

I found that the recall campaign flagrantly promoted misinformation to capitalize on meritless  or at least very tenuous  links between Boudin and real problems the city faces.

I also dislike the fact that monied interests can effectively purchase recall attempts at-will when they dont get their way in an election.

Still, I want our public institutions to deliver.

In that spirit, I am rooting for Jenkins to succeed in following through on her promise to balance public safety and the criminal legal system reform that this city and country so badly need. Well see what happens, and voters can speak on it in the next real D.A. race.

Colin Cotter, San Francisco

What about tourism?

Regarding 2,000-year-old redwood center of North Bay battle (Front Page, July 27): Your article makes scant mention of the impact of this logging plan on the Highway 116 scenic corridor that runs through west Sonoma County.

Ninety-six percent of the plan area sits within the scenic corridor. So why has there has been no independent assessment of the visual impact of felling so many redwoods and douglas firs?

Given the reliance of the area on tourism, it seems strange that not more is being done to protect not just the 2,000-year-old Clar Tree but all the majestic trees in this visually stunning corridor.

Dorian Young, San Francisco

A loss for middle class

Regarding Napa Wine Tasting Fees Double (Food, July 24): Another example of the growing gap between the haves and have nots. Wine tasting used to be within the means of the increasingly marginalized middle class.

No more.

As other wineries follow in their footsteps, this will become yet another activity restricted to the purview of the wealthy elite. Sideways is now definitely a nostalgia movie.

Helen Ogden, Pacific Grove

Power and abortion

Regarding Abortion debate isnt about religion (Letters to the Editor, July 17), Nick Farrah insists that the anti-choice position isnt about religion but about life.

But why does he bring up the Ten Commandments if that is true?

If the Bible is your moral guide then slavery, wife-beating and the slaughter of innocents is allowed. The Tenth Commandment puts the wife on the husbands property list and says the neighbor shall not covet her, or the husbands ox or his cattle, etc.

The anti-choice position is about power and keeping power. Men have always had a disproportionate power over womens lives and bodies, and many men believe it is a natural right. Unfortunately, many women feel its best to go along with them.

Kirstin Olson, Oakland

A welcome perspective

I really enjoyed reading the article by Amy L. Alexander and Rex Ridgeway Hsu controversy is manufactured (Open Forum, July 29). Thank you for their rational and sane analysis. The Chronicle should feature more mainstream views.

Eugene Chan, San Mateo
Over 100 years ago, the scientists who discovered insulin, Frederick Banting and Charles Best, famously sold the patent to the University of Toronto for just $1. When Frederick Banting described his reasons for giving away the patent for his momentous discovery, he said: Insulin does not belong to me, it belongs to the world.

Banting and Best would hate the fact that, today, insulin belongs to almost no one. The people who need it cant get it, and the people trying to get them the medication are committed to making a generic facsimile of the original product called biosimilar insulin.

On July 7, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced that California will work on lowering the cost of the drug by committing $100 million to a state-level plan to produce its own, cheaper biosimilar insulin. Newsoms plan follows the March 2022 announcement from the company Civica Rx to manufacture and sell its own biosimilar insulin products at much lower prices, provided it can secure approval from the Food and Drug Administration.

But creating a new product doesnt necessarily mean it will be a cheap one. Other recent, long-awaited generic versions of insulin have previously failed to lower costs. For instance, the FDA approved the first, long-anticipated biosimilar insulin product last year but the list price was only 5% less than the brand-name competitors.

At this point, the only way to make this lifesaving drug accessible  which can cost a person more than $1,000 a month if they dont have adequate health insurance  is by imposing cost-sharing caps.

That is the job of lawmakers in Congress  but they havent done it.

With nearly 40 million Americans with diabetes and 96 million people over the age of 18 identified as pre-diabetic, one might think the U.S. would be at the forefront of making insulin affordable. But we arent. For the first time in more than two decades, a study last year showed a decrease in the percentage of Americans whose diabetes is treated and controlled. The staggering costs for all forms of insulin have led to well-documented cases of insulin rationing and even some deaths.

The price of insulin is such a stand-out problem that President Biden highlighted it as an example of the urgent need to cut the cost of prescription drugs in his 2022 State of the Union address.

But the president cant accomplish this goal alone. Congress must do its part. In April 2022, the House passed HR6833, also known as the Affordable Insulin Now Act, which seeks to limit cost-sharing for insulin under private health insurance and the Medicare prescription drug benefit, with a cap of $35 for a months supply of insulin products.

Since then, the Senate has not voted on this legislation. However, a bipartisan, separate version of the bill, the Improving Needed Safeguards for Users of Lifesaving Insulin Now (INSULIN) Act, was announced in late June. This version includes the same cost-sharing cap as H.R. 6833 but also includes an incentive for insulin manufacturers to control list prices. Earlier this month, a drug pricing provision in the budget reconciliation bill was raised as another possible route to passage of the insulin cost-sharing cap at least for Medicare.

While imperfect, The INSULIN Act, or a comparable measure in the budget reconciliation bill, is urgently needed to address the insulin crisis now. Even if the plans announced by Newsom or Civica Rx are successful, they are expected to take until at least 2024 to materialize if not longer. Americans with diabetes cannot afford to wait that long.

This INSULIN Act could and should be the beginning of a longer-term strategy to control the list prices and end-user costs of all diabetes medications. While insulin is the best known, it isnt the only diabetes drug that is both highly effective and unaffordable. Two novel agents, GLP-1 receptor agonists and SGLT2 inhibitors, which are now recommended as part of a diabetes treatment regimen for most patients, are also prohibitively expensive for many Americans.

If Congress doesnt act, other states may be forced to follow California in seeking their own state-level solutions to the diabetes medication cost crisis, introducing a federalist twist, one that fits into the politics and the scandals of the day. With the Senate delaying a vote on this bill, and California stepping up to fill in where the federal government left off, the role of the federal government in protecting the publics health is being further eroded and redefined.

While the 10th Amendment permits states to take public health emergency actions, its unclear that the framers of the Constitution envisioned such a country where the federal government did so little that they helped create the emergencies that the states need to address.

The federal government is supposed to be a problem-solver. But through inaction, it has become a problem-creator.

For years, the federal government has stood by as drug companies have violated Frederick Bantings original bequest, acting as though insulin belongs to them. It doesnt. And it was never supposed to. Insulin needs to return to its rightful owners: the patients and societies that need it.

Congress, were looking at you.

Jen Manne-Goehler, MD, DSc is a physician-scientist at the Massachusetts General Hospital/Brigham and Womens Hospital and member of the World Health Organizations Technical Advisory Group on Diabetes.
San Francisco has long struggled to provide enough housing for its residents. Exacerbated by the influx of highly compensated tech workers, housing demand has far outstripped supply, prices have skyrocketed and many who work here have been forced to live elsewhere. Yet even when compared to other fast-growing tech hubs like Austin and Seattle, San Franciscos housing production lags far behind.

Residential building-permit data from the U.S. census shows that Austin and Seattle have both approved construction for more than three times as many housing units per person as San Francisco since 2015. Experts say the citys main roadblocks to housing production include opposition from local groups, geographic limitations and complex regulatory processes.

The Chronicle looked at six years worth of building permit data in 15 cities with populations between 600,000 and 1.1 million people and found that San Francisco ranked in the bottom half. At under 2,900 housing units approved per 100,000 residents, San Francisco trailed behind Columbus and just barely surpassed Las Vegas. Whereas San Jose and Detroit approved the least number of residential building permits overall, Austin, Seattle and Denver topped the charts. (The census uses building permit data to measure local housing construction because most permitted housing eventually gets built.)

San Francisco has a wild imbalance between supply and demand, said Joseph Gyourko, a professor of real estate and finance at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. That is, not enough supply to satisfy the demand and that just builds up price. So, you have really high prices.

But because the city dragged its feet to build the necessary housing to meet demand, he said, housing prices and rent soared, leaving the citys middle-class population unable to afford the new cost of living.

Other tech hub cities, faced with similar challenges, have been more consistently aggressive. While San Francisco and Austin both had similar population sizes in 2010, with about 800,000 people, Austin permitted over 133,000 units since 2010, while San Francisco permitted only 37,500. Austin now has over 100,000 more people than San Francisco. Seattles population also grew faster than San Franciscos.

Experts cite a few reasons for Austins housing production boom compared to San Francisco, including more room to sprawl, cheaper construction costs and less strict housing regulation. Seattle also had more open space than San Francisco to build on and benefits from a more streamlined building approval process.

UC Davis law Professor and land-use researcher Chris Elmendorf said San Franciscos housing production rates are comparatively lower than other cities because development is too costly.

I think its fair to say that San Francisco has ... the combination of a very cumbersome and unpredictable permitting process, plus, a rather extraordinary array of regulatory requirements and fees, Elmendorf said.

For example, Elmendorf points out a number of factors that add up: construction costs, regulatory requirements like impact fees, inclusionary zoning, affordable housing mandates and physical requirements such as private open space and greywater treatment systems.

You put all those things together and theres actually almost nothing that is economically feasible to develop, even on a vacant site, in most of San Francisco today, he said.

Swift housing production does not guarantee housing costs wont rise. Despite Austin punching above its weight in housing production, it wasnt enough to meet a high demand for housing and home prices shot through the roof. Experts suggest that developers incentive to build multifamily luxury developments tailored to high-salaried employees created a gap in housing affordability.

California was already facing a housing shortage by the late 1960s. In response, the California government issued a statewide mandate in 1969 requiring local governments to identify and meet the housing needs of residents.

Known as the Regional Housing Needs Allocation, the mandate requires local governments to determine how much housing needs to be built to house its projected population according to various demographics, including income. The final assessment is an eight-year plan called the Housing Element.

According to the latest Housing Element, San Francisco is required to build 82,000 new units from 2023 to 2030, which means building over 10,000 units per year starting in 2023. Thats almost triple the citys recent pace of 3,500 units annually.

San Franciscos current housing stock can be almost equally divided into three building types: single-family housing, multifamily buildings with over 20 units and buildings ranging from two to nine units.

In recent years, the city has mostly been approving permits for large multifamily buildings, according to the San Francisco Planning Department. Around 89% of all buildings added in 2021 had more than 20 units, which is typical of the last several years in the city. To maximize profit, developers are incentivized to build residential buildings that can house the most tenants.

Whats SFNext SFNext is a Chronicle special project to involve city residents in finding solutions to some of San Franciscos most pressing problems. Send feedback, ideas and suggestions to sfnext@SFChronicle.com Where to find more SFNext content

City officials say they are taking steps to create opportunities for housing production. Among the ways San Francisco policymakers are promoting new housing is by allowing property owners to make alterations to their existing buildings that create new units. Alterations have contributed an increasing number of units to the citys housing stock since 2017.

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.

Accessory Dwelling Units are small units constructed on the property of an existing home that were developed to address growing housing demands in San Francisco. While the creation of ADUs has been increasing since 2017, that still only amounts to a few hundred legal ADUs having been constructed or permitted.

SB9 made it easier for homeowners to split their lots and convert their homes into duplexes, which could potentially lead to four units on properties where there is now only one. However, its been six months since the bill has taken effect and the city has received very few applications under this bill.

According to Gyourko, the key to improving San Franciscos housing issues is to focus on creating more affordable housing because these units will supply more of the demand than continuing to build units that some residents cannot afford. He suggests that this take the form of building whats known as missing middle housing like duplexes and triplexes  overall smaller buildings, not just single family houses or luxury high rises.

Thats the political problem, is when land has become really expensive, developers have to spread the land costs over as big a building base as they can, so they want to build for rich people who will pay really high condo prices or really high rents, Gyourko said.

According to Shanti Singh, communications and legislative director for Tenants Together, buying land is a good first step for increasing affordable housing in San Francisco. Singh said the city should develop a land banking strategy that would allow flexibility in deciding what kind of housing gets built on that land later.

Buying public land will even make current models of subsidized housing cheaper because land costs are a huge issue in San Francisco, Singh said.

According to Elmendorf, the point remains that it is extremely expensive to build housing in San Francisco, especially when accounting for labor costs, regulatory requirements, fees and permitting delays.

I think the city recognizes that it has a legal obligation to change a lot of (those challenges) as well, Elmendorf said.

Adriana Rezal is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: adriana.rezal@sfchronicle.com
Its hard to feel much sympathy for Ann Hsu, the San Francisco Board of Education commissioner currently facing calls to resign from an office shes held for less than five months.

For one thing, Hsu said something deeply hurtful and racist about parents in the school district she now represents. Commenting on the challenges facing students, Hsu trotted out an old canard, blaming Black and brown parents for not doing enough to support their childrens educations.

From my very limited exposure in the past four months to the challenges of educating marginalized students especially in the Black and brown community, I see one of the biggest challenges as being the lack of family support for those students, wrote Hsu in response to a questionnaire from a parents group. Unstable family environments caused by housing and food insecurity along with lack of parental encouragement to focus on learning cause children to not be able to focus on or value learning.

Unsurprisingly, her words sparked passionate outcry from a wide swath of the San Francisco community. Parent groups, the teachers union, the NAACP and several members of the Board of Supervisors demanded her resignation. Hsu even drew strong criticism from Mayor London Breed, who appointed her to the post in March.

Breed called Hsus comments wrongful and hurtful, but rejected demands for her resignation.

Hsu quickly issued a public apology.

My statements reflected my own limited experiences and inherent biases, wrote Hsu on Twitter. I made a mistake, and I am deeply sorry.

Hsus supporters believe her apology should put to rest the criticism and allow her to move past the incident. But her detractors believe her admittedly racist comments disqualify her for leadership. After all, everyone knows that expressing racism in public is a surefire way to get canceled and ostracized, and rightfully so.

Forgiveness seems especially unlikely in San Franciscos highly polarized political atmosphere, and no one should understand this better than Hsu. She was a key organizer of the recall campaign that successfully stripped three school board members  Alison Collins, Gabriela {span}Lopez{/span} and Faauuga Moliga  of their posts in February.

In that case, the commissioners stood accused of pursuing radical stunt politics instead of finding a way to safely reopen local schools during the COVID pandemic. They tried to cancel Abraham Lincoln and Dianne Feinstein by erasing their names from local schools. They changed Lowell High Schools merit-based admission system in an unpopular effort to increase diversity. They failed to heed rising parent anger at the impression that performative progressive politics were taking precedence over student education.

All three commissioners were ousted in a landslide, with plenty of credit going to Hsu.

Crucial to the organizing efforts was Ann Hsu, a Beijing-born entrepreneur with decades of experience in starting up and managing companies in both China and the United States, wrote the New York Times. Ms. Hsu used her management experience to organize volunteers and set campaign strategies.

Hsu told the Times she felt the commissioners decision to change the admissions process at Lowell was a direct affront to the Chinese community.

(S)he saw in the boards decisions a deep sense that the aspirations of Asian American residents were being ignored, wrote the Times.

In other words, Hsus activism was sparked by the impression that the school boards pro-equity actions, however well-intentioned, would harm the Chinese community. Now she finds herself guilty of grave public charges for expressing overt racism toward Black and brown students and their families.

Her offensive words angered many San Franciscans. They also provided an opportunity for some people to exact a bit of revenge on Hsu.

Saw this and immediately thought how incredibly ignorant she sounds. Anyone reading this and accepting it as normal behavior by a school board member should be ashamed, wrote {span}Lopez{/span}, one of the commissioners Hsu helped to oust, on Twitter.

Racism is racism, said Moliga, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. For us, theres zero tolerance.

In a better world, this might be one of those teachable moments where a leader owns up to a big mistake, finds a way to atone, seeks forgiveness and moves ahead with support from her detractors. It would provide an opportunity to talk about misperceptions, stereotypes and tensions affecting relations between the Asian, Black and Latino communities here.

But the angry, zero-sum political culture of this recall-crazed era doesnt encourage dialogue, patience or understanding. Instead, we have a situation in which every disagreement or mistake becomes fodder for a public cancellation campaign. What is a recall, anyway, besides an organized effort to cancel a public official?

Hsu is getting a painful education in what its like to become the target of intense public scorn. Even her fellow school board appointees, Lainie Motamedi and Lisa Weissman-Ward, have distanced themselves from her.

Hsu, who energetically campaigned for the school board recall because she saw the school boards actions as blatantly discriminatory against Asians, must now confront her own bigotry in the mirror. If she holds herself to the same standard she applied to her predecessors, then her resignation is clearly overdue.
The Bay Area is no stranger to psychedelic drugs. The region attained an almost mythical status for its LSD-infused counterculture in the 1960s. And recently, legislators are aiming to decriminalize psychedelics and academics are researching the drugs ability to treat mental health issues.

On Tuesday, San Francisco Supervisors Dean Preston and Hillary Ronen introduced legislation that would would decriminalize use and possession of psilocybin mushrooms and other entheogenic plants such as mescaline.

This legislation dovetails with the Berkeley Center for the Science of Psychedelics new website and training program, announced Wednesday, which aims to inform the public about the burgeoning use of psychedelics for addressing mental health issues. The center was founded in 2020 to conduct psychedelic research, training and public education under the supervision of interdisciplinary faculty at UC Berkeley.

Its co-founder is psychedelics superstar Michael Pollan, UC Berkeleys John S. and James L. Knight professor of journalism and best-selling author, most recently of How to Change Your Mind: What the New Science of Psychedelics Teaches Us About Consciousness, Dying, Addiction, Depression, and Transcendence. Pollan is leading the centers public education program, which, if psychedelics are decriminalized in The City, would become an essential resource for those looking to begin treatment.

These substances have enormous potential, but they are not for everyone and they carry serious risks when used improperly, said Pollan at a news conference. The shift from destroyer of young minds in the 60s to effective medicine in the 2020s is as sudden as it is confusing to many people. So we want to address that confusion and that curiosity with solid, credible information from a trusted source.

Pollan also noted, Not many people were doing basic science, trying to understand how it is that psychedelics have the effects they have and why theyre effective in the treatment of various mental disorders. We want to figure out what psychedelics might teach us about things like perception, predictive processing, belief change and brain plasticity.

Among the centers aims is to explore the chemical makeup of magic mushrooms and other plant-based psychedelics in order to establish their safety for clinical trials.

Andrea Gomez, assistant professor of molecular and cell biology at UC Berkeley and a member of the centers executive committee, said, I believe a major strength of conducting psychedelic research at the BCSP is that, over the last half-century, there has been piecemeal advancement of clinical psychedelic science. On the contrary, innovations in molecular biology have exploded.

Gomez explained, Owing to rapid advances in sequencing and gene editing technologies, we now possess the ability to edit our own DNA, to identify genes in our genome that may be mutated and cause pathological conditions such as neurodegeneration. By harnessing the power of these gene editing technologies  we think this is a fantastic potential for understanding what genes are activated by psychedelics, how do they change the brain. And can we edit them?

The center is also developing a training program for medical, religious, and other health care professionals who want to guide patients through psychedelics treatment. A study performed by John Hopkins Medicine found that two doses of psilocybin, along with supportive psychotherapy, reduced depressive symptoms in over half of the patients diagnosed with major depression. After four weeks, 54% of patients were considered to be in remission, meaning that they were no longer clinically depressed.

Were finding that theres an increasingly large need for professionally trained facilitators to provide safe, legal and effective psychedelic assisted therapy, said Tina Trujillo, associate professor at UC Berkeleys School of Education and an executive committee member of the center. The field has recognized that these substances alone are not a magic pill. Theyre part of a larger system of sophisticated and coordinated care. That includes a trained guide or facilitator who supports clients to prepare to undergo and integrate their psychedelic experiences into the rest of their lives.

Pollan echoed this sentiment. Estimates are were going to need 100,000 trained psychedelic facilitators when psilocybin and MDMA are approved by the FDA, which is expected to happen within the next five years or so, he said.

This fall, the center is launching its first certificate program in psychedelic facilitation. Twenty-four licensed professionals, including chaplains, medical doctors, nurses, psychotherapists and social workers, will undergo 175 hours of professional preparation over the course of nine months. Trujillo said the course integrates five domains of knowledge: spiritual care, contemplative practice, psychotherapeutic methods, clinical science and research, and ancestral entheogenic traditions.

As the field of psychedelic therapy expands and the need for trained facilitators potentially increases, center leaders said they want to avoid the traditional exclusion of marginalized communities.

Were committed to creating a diverse and inclusive learning environment, said Trujillo. The field of psychedelic-assisted care is largely a white socio-economic privilege space. Were committed to doing better on behalf of all the communities who have been historically excluded from these types of care.

Gomez said this year the center developed an Indigenous science student fellowship that focuses on the Indigenous science of psychedelics.

The federal legalization of psychedelic medicine is making rapid progress in Congress, and Oregon became the first state to legalize the use of psilocybin under professional supervision, starting in 2023.

Oregons legislation accompanies recent bipartisan efforts in Congress to legalize the use of MDMA (popularized as the rave drug molly or ecstasy) and psilocybin for terminally ill patients and armed services members suffering from trauma.

While the center has no official stance on legalization, Pollan anticipates that psychedelics will be increasingly decriminalized in the coming years.

One of the striking things about the Oregon experiment, which passed by ballot initiative in 2020, is that it will make a guided psychedelic experience available to anyone over 21, regardless of diagnosis, said Pollan. I do think that the use of psychedelics will not be restricted to the medical system. Its not now and wont be in the future.

Correction: This article originally misstated the day San Francisco Supervisors Dean Preston and Hillary Ronen introduced legislation that would would decriminalize use and possession of psilocybin mushrooms and other entheogenic plants. It was Tuesday, July 26, not Wednesday, July 27.
Want to make a political point in California  and across the country? Try running ads in Florida.

That's the tack the oil and gas industry is taking following Gov. Gavin Newsom's much-discussed decision earlier this month to air campaign ads in the Sunshine State accusing Republican leaders of restricting abortion access, voting rights and free speech.

On Wednesday, the Western States Petroleum Association unveiled Florida ads of its own questioning the practicality of Newsom's climate policies, including his ban on the sale of new gas-powered cars by 2035 and his administration's sweeping strategy to phase out fossil fuels and put a stop to new oil fracking.

"Our governor, Gavin Newsom, attacks Florida," a woman's voice solemnly intones. "But here's what he's doing to us in California. We pay $1.65 more for a gallon of gas than you do. Our electricity rates are twice as high as yours ... California can't afford Gavin Newsom's ambition. Can Florida?"

Kevin Slagle, vice president of strategic communications for the Western States Petroleum Association, told me it spent "a little more than $100,000" to run ads for two weeks on Miami TV stations and to place periodic full-page ads in the Miami Herald. (Incidentally, that's about the same amount Newsom spent on his own ads.)

Slagle: "The number one thing with why we're in Florida is because we're trying to get the governor's attention. And the governor is focused in Florida and Texas and other states right now. ... But, here in California, there's real critical issues. These energy policies, these bans and mandates, the things that are being debated right now ... make a real difference to Californians on a day-to-day basis. ... We want the governor to engage ... and really focus on the cost and the impacts, and not just give lip service and political slogans.

Slagle added: "I think what we're hoping for here is that we'll get him focused on ... trying to find some sort of partnership to move forward on climate and energy policy. I mean, he's really good at demonizing us. What we'd like to see him do is work harder to work with us because we're the folks who can do hard things to help us get there."

Nathan Click, a spokesperson for Newsom's reelection campaign, told me in a statement: "Being attacked by the world's nastiest polluters is a badge of honor for Governor Newsom. These dirty companies are raking in massive profits while causing the deaths of countless Americans  from extreme heat, drought, fires and choked lungs. They are attacking Governor Newsom because no governor has done more to break American's addiction to fossil fuel. As Floridians face historic sea level rise and catastrophic climate change fueled hurricanes, California leads the world in combatting this existential threat to our future."

But airing ads in Florida isn't the only quirk of California campaigns. Due in part to the structure of the Golden State's top-two primary election system, it's fairly easy for write-in candidates  even those with very little support  to snag the second spot on the November general election ballot in races with only one other contender, CalMatters' Sameea Kamal reports.

Indeed, state Assembly and state Senate candidates needed as few as 40 people to sign nomination papers to qualify as write-in candidates for the June 7 primary. And no matter how few votes they won, as long as they finished in second place, they advanced to the November election.

Hence the uneven matchup in a conservative Assembly district encompassing the Central Valley and parts of the Sierra Nevada: Libertarian write-in candidate Thomas Edward Nichols, who received just 15 votes in the primary, will face off in November against GOP incumbent Jim Patterson, who received more than 90,000 votes.

Nichols: The write-in process allows voters to think "outside of the duopoly that dominates our political culture. ... I really appreciate the fact that an engineer up here in the foothills could wind up on the ballot going after an incumbent. I'm satisfied with the democratic process in that respect."
Although Kristin Smarts body has never been found, the trial for her murder is finally underway in Monterey County.

Opening arguments began last week in Salinas; the trial was moved there due to concerns about the ability to conduct a fair trial in San Luis Obispo, where Smarts disappearance from the Cal Poly campus in 1996 remains the countys most infamous cold case.

Around 2 a.m. on Memorial Day weekend in 1996, Smart, a 19-year-old Cal Poly freshman, headed back to her residence hall after attending a frat party. Smart was accompanied by three fellow students. Two peeled off before reaching her dorm, walking back to their own residences. The third, Paul Flores, later told police he dropped her off on campus at the intersection of Grand Avenue and Perimeter Road in San Luis Obispo. Smart was never seen again.

Prosecutors say Paul Flores, now 45, killed her. His father, Ruben Flores, 81, is accused of helping him cover up the crime by burying Smart's body under the family's Arroyo Grande home. Paul and Ruben Flores have pleaded not guilty to murder and accessory to murder, respectively. They are being tried simultaneously with separate juries.

While the entire community banded together to search for Kristin desperately, Paul and Ruben Flores did not join in," Deputy District Attorney Christopher Peuvrelle told the jury in his opening argument. "You will hear Ruben Flores would tear down missing posters of Kristin  tore down her smiling, beautiful face  called her a dirty slut, all while her corpse was decomposing underneath his deck.

Axel Koester/Sygma via Getty Images

While prosecutors argued the father and son covered up the crime for decades, the defense has implied that its not even clear Smart was killed the night she went missing.

During testimony from Kristins mother, Denise Smart, last week, defense attorney Robert Sanger questioned her about a letter she sent Kristin shortly before the teen disappeared. Denise Smart described the at-times harsh letter as a buckle up, buttercup message, intended to motivate her daughter, who was struggling to adjust to college and adult life. Sanger suggested the letter was a window into Kristins mental state at the time and implied it was possible she ran away due to the pressures she felt.

Axel Koester/Sygma via Getty Images

Jurors also heard from a number of witnesses who met Paul Flores during the weekend Kristin Smart vanished. One, Kendra Koed, said Flores tried to kiss her multiple times at the Memorial Day weekend party; Koed said she physically rejected Flores, pushing him to get him away from her. Koed also testified that she noticed a tall girl, who she identified as Smart, struggling to walk, presumably due to intoxication. She saw Smart fall down at one point, and Koed said Flores stood over her when she did. Koed claimed she warned Smart about Flores and asked if she needed a ride home; Smart allegedly turned her down.

Vanessa Shields, who lived a few doors down from Smart at the time, also took the stand. Shields said she recalled watching Flores leer at Smart at several parties in 1996, describing him as creepy and unsettling. Shield said Smart did not reciprocate Flores interest.

"He was creepy. Socially awkward," Shields said. "Always alone. We all have a type, and he wasnt Kristins type."

Shields said she believes Flores killed her friend.

David Middlecamp/AP

Two more women shared heart-wrenching regrets on the stand. Margarita Campos, a friend of Smarts, said they initially attended a party together, but Campos decided to head back to the dorms while Smart elected to keep partying  a decision that haunts Campos to this day. Cheryl Anderson-Manzer testified she walked back to the dorms with Flores and Smart, claiming Flores was grabbing Smart around the waist to keep her upright. Anderson-Manzer said Flores asked for a kiss as they parted ways; she told him no and headed home, a seemingly harmless choice she too regrets.

Proceedings resume Monday morning and are expected to stretch into October.
Photo Illustration by Rafael Henrique/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

Californians hoping to walk into a GEICO insurance office for their needs are out of luck: The company has shuttered all of its 38 offices in the state.

Their website currently only lists a few agents in San Diego as open for business in California. Until recently it listed the offices of Bay Area agents in Pleasanton, Pleasant Hill, Morgan Hill, Fremont, Mountain View, Emeryville, San Leandro and San Jose. The Sacramento Bee reports 38 offices are closing and hundreds of GEICO workers are being laid off across the state as a result.
Jean-Pierre Lacroix, UN Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations inspects the 9th Chinese peacekeeping force to Mali on July 27, 2022.

BAMAKO, Aug. 1 -- A delegation led by Jean-Pierre Lacroix, UN Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, paid an inspection visit to the 9th Chinese peacekeeping force to Mali on July 27, local time.

Mr. Lacroix, accompanied by Zhang Miao, commander of the 9th Chinese peacekeeping force to Mali, reviewed the honor guard of the peacekeeping force and had a discussion with Chinese peacekeepers. He said that in regard to the turmoil and danger lingering on in Mali in recent years, China, as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, has always been committed to safeguarding regional peace and stability. The efforts and contributions made by the Chinese peacekeeping forces have been universally recognized.

Knowing that the Chinese People's Liberation Army is to celebrate its 95th founding anniversary on August 1, Mr. Lacroix extended best festive wishes to all Chinese peacekeepers.

Since deployed to the mission area of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) in August last year, the 413 peacekeepers of the 9th Chinese peacekeeping force to Mali have fulfilled various tasks with high standards.
SANTA MONICA, Calif. (AP) _ Douglas Emmett Inc. (DEI) on Monday reported a key measure of profitability in its second quarter. The results matched Wall Street expectations.

The real estate investment trust, based in Santa Monica, California, said it had funds from operations of $105.2 million, or 51 cents per share, in the period.
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MADISON, Wis. (AP)  Two years ago, the city of Racine became the first  and only  municipality in Wisconsin to purchase a mobile voting truck.

City Clerk Tara McMenamin said she pushed for the truck because it was too difficult to set up equipment at remote sites for early in-person voting. The city used the truck for the first time for municipal elections this past spring. No one seemed to pay any attention.

But with a slate of hot races on the battleground state's Aug. 9 fall primary ballot, including GOP primaries for governor, attorney general and secretary of state, conservatives online have in recent days raised questions about the truck, asking how such an operation can be legal and accusing Democrats of using the truck to cheat.

Here's a closer look at some of their claims:

CLAIM: Racine has been using multiple mobile voting vans since June 2021.

THE FACTS: There's only one truck, and it wasn't used until this year. The Common Council approved funding for one truck to serve as a movable early voting site in June 2020. The city used it for the first time in the state's spring primary this past February, McMenamin said.

___

CLAIM: The city bought the truck using Zuckerbucks from the nonprofit Center for Tech and Civic Life.

THE FACTS: It's correct that the truck was purchased using money from the Center for Tech and Civic Life, according to Racine Mayor Cory Mason's chief of staff, Shannon Powell. The nonprofit seeks to help election officials update technology and to increase civic participation and got a $350 million donation in 2020 from Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg and his wife.

Wisconsins five largest cities all received CTCL grants in 2020. Racine was one of them, accepting almost $950,000.

Some conservatives have derided the CTCL grants as Zuckerbucks and called them election bribery, saying they tilted the 2020 presidential election toward Democrat Joe Biden. But judges have rejected legal challenges to the grants.

___

CLAIM: The truck has been functioning as an absentee ballot drop box in defiance of a state Supreme Court ruling in July outlawing them.

THE FACTS: No, it hasn't. McMenamin said the truck is used only to facilitate early in-person voting during the two weeks prior to an election as per state law. She wanted the truck because it was becoming too cumbersome for her staff to set up their equipment in remote polling sites.

The city posts notices at City Hall, online and in the Racine Journal Times newspaper of the truck's planned stops, meeting a requirement in state law that municipalities give public notice of the times and locations of early in-person voting sites, McMenamin said. Often the truck parks outside of buildings that have traditionally been used as early voting sites such as community centers, she said. Using the truck allows voting at the site without interrupting functions within the building, she said.

People can walk up to the truck, register to vote if they haven't done so, vote in one of the truck's five built-in booths and hand their ballot to a city staff member manning the vehicle, she said. The ballots are then secured in a locked container. People can turn in absentee ballots at the truck, just as they're allowed to do at brick-and-mortar early voting sites, but the truck doesn't have a slit for a drop box and isn't available 24 hours a day like a drop box, McMenamin said.

___

CLAIM: The city doesn't allow Republican observers in the truck, enabling Democrats to cheat.

THE FACTS: False. McMenamin said state law allows observers to watch in-person early voting, so observers are allowed in the truck. She said GOP observers have been in the truck since the fall primary early in-person voting window opened July 26th.

It would be exactly the same as if it was in the brick and mortar (early voting site), she said. (I would tell) people who are more skeptical of the process, this follows state law.

If election observers feel they've been unjustly barred or thrown out of an early voting site, they can file a complaint with the Wisconsin Elections Commission.

Some online blogs claimed Democrats were staffing the truck and would cast phony ballots from it. But the truck is staffed by city election officials and has the same rules as any other early voting site.

___

This is part of AP's effort to address widely shared misinformation, including work with outside companies and organizations to add factual context to misleading content that is circulating online. Learn more about fact-checking at AP.
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Donald Trumps lawyers are preemptively preparing a legal defense against criminal charges from the Justice Department, as the former presidents lawyers are increasingly anxious that their client will be prosecuted for his role in the attempt to overturn the 2020 election.

Members of the ex-presidents legal team have already begun brainstorming strategy and potential defenses, according to three people familiar with the matter and written communications reviewed by Rolling Stone. Trump himself has been briefed on potential legal defenses on at least two occasions this summer, two of the sources say.

That effort intensified after former Trump White House aide Cassidy Hutchinsons June testimony before the House committee investigating Jan. 6.

Members of the Trump legal team are quietly preparing, in the event charges are brought, says one person familiar with the situation. It would be career malpractice not to. Do the [former] presidents attorneys believe everything Cassidy said? No.  Do they think the Department of Justice would be wise to charge him? No. But weve gotten to a point where if you dont think criminal charges are at least somewhat likely, you are not serving the [former] presidents best interests.

The sources spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal deliberations. Official Trump representatives did not respond to requests for comment on this story.

In their preparations, Trumps team has discussed strategies that involve shifting blame from Trump to his advisers for the efforts to overturn the election, per the three sources, reflecting a broader push to find a fall guy  or fall guys. Trump got some terrible advice from attorneys who, some people would argue, should have or must have known better, says one of the sources with knowledge of recent discussions in Trumpland. An advice of counsel defense would be a big one.

Other potential strategies include defenses based on the First Amendment and the right to petition the government over a political grievance. Such arguments are viewed internally as potential defenses against charges related to the fake elector scheme.

Federal prosecutors have questioned aides to former Vice President Mike Pence about Trumps involvement in his campaigns effort to put forth slates of those fake electors, The Washington Post reported last week. After Trump lost the election in November, his campaign and supporters recruited the fake electors to proclaim Trump to be the recipient of their states electoral college votes. The effort aimed to provide an air of legal legitimacy to Trumps election-fraud conspiracy theories, as well as to pressure officials in battleground states to declare him the winner. The effort failed, but it has since attracted the attention of prosecutors, not just at the Justice Department, but in the swing states where Republicans assembled slates of phony electors.

If the Justice Department does come with charges, Trumps current team has acknowledged they would have to bring on more legal firepower to handle the historic legal defense. Youd need to have a real heavyweight at the top [of the legal team] for something like that, but right now nobody knows who that would be, one Trump adviser says.

Some of Trumps higher-ranking legal and political counselors doubt Attorney General Merrick Garland would be willing to go through with charges. Bidens pick for attorney general has been long regarded as a consummate institutionalist, wary of the unintended consequences or precedents that could come from criminally charging a former president.

I do think criminal prosecutions are possible. Whether they are advisable is a more difficult consideration for the country, Ty Cobb, a former top lawyer in Trumps White House, told Rolling Stone in June. Possible for Trump and [Mark] Meadows certainly. And for the others, including lawyers, who engaged fraudulently in formal proceedings or investigations.

Criminal charges against a former president would mark the first time in American history that a former president has been prosecuted for crimes committed in office. A Nixon-era Justice Department memo, reiterated during the Clinton presidency, stated that presidents should not be charged while in office. But how the prosecution of a former president could take place legally remains unclear, given the lack of precedent, and would invite constitutional challenges ending up at the Supreme Court.

Trump also seems keenly aware of the blowback that could result from a federal indictment  and is telling supporters it could be politically advantageous. Early this year, the former president told fans at a Texas rally that if prosecutors go after him, we are going to have in this country the biggest protest we have ever had  in Washington, D.C., in New York, in Atlanta, and elsewhere.

Trump has repeated versions of that line to confidants and longtime pals, including at casual gatherings this summer, a person with direct knowledge of the matter says. He says, the source recalls, it would make the crowd size at [Jan. 6] look small by comparison.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers arrested a man wanted in Laredo for sexually abusing a girl, authorities said.

The case unfolded on July 23 at the Gateway to the Americas Bridge. A CBP officer inspecting pedestrians referred Juan Geronimo Hernandez, a 32-year-old U.S. citizen, for secondary inspection.

Subsequent biometric verification through law enforcement databases confirmed that Hernandez had an outstanding felony warrant for indecency with a child sexual by contact out of the Laredo Police Department.

Hernandez was turned over to the Webb County Sheriffs Office to await criminal proceedings.

Sexual violence can have serious psychological, emotional, and physical effects on a survivor. CBP collaborates with other law enforcement agencies to bring those allegedly committing these offenses to justice, said Port Director Alberto Flores, Laredo Port of Entry.

The case against Hernandez dates back to May 5. At about 1:30 p.m., LPD officers responded to an indecency with a child report at Child Protective Services on 1500 N. Arkansas Ave. A CPS investigator stated that Hernandez had sexually abused a 10-year-old girl.

She underwent a forensic interview at the Childrens Advocacy Center, where she stated that Hernandez had abused her since she was 4 years old. The abuse continued until she was 10 years old.

She added all instances of abuse occurred in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, and one instance in Laredo, states the arrest affidavit. The child stated that Hernandez would touch her private part, authorities said.

(The child) went on to describe in detail multiple allegations of instances of sexual abuse that occurred in Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, Mexico. (The child) underwent a medical examination at Driscoll Childrens Hospital in Corpus Christi on May 4, 2022, states the affidavit.

On June 6, investigators made several attempts to reach Hernandez via text messages and phone calls. He did not respond and did not make himself available for an interview, states the affidavit.
EAGLE PASS  On a cloudy recent Friday morning, the Moncada Baseball Park near the U.S.-Mexico border was empty, save for one young man practicing dribbling drills in the parks soccer fields.

Across the street, at a busy commercial vehicle inspection site with 18-wheelers rolling through after crossing the border from Mexico, the Texas Department of Public Safety  under questionable legal authority  dropped off a group of migrants whom officers identified as having illegally crossed into the country.

The migrants, about a dozen men and women, stepped out of a white Texas Department of Criminal Justice bus and were directed toward a truck port where they sat and waited under shade near an outdoor fan for nearly three hours. Then, a federal agent in a white Border Patrol van picked them up and drove them away. A few hours later, the process was repeated with a new group of migrants.

The procedure was part of a new step in Operation Lone Star, Gov. Greg Abbotts push to slow the number of migrants crossing the Texas border, testing the limits of the states ability to enforce immigration laws that are traditionally seen as a federal responsibility.

State and local law enforcement have long transferred custody of undocumented migrants to federal immigration authorities after theyve been arrested. But previously its been the federal governments job to pick them up. Abbotts decision to arrest migrants and actively bring them back to the border, essentially forcing such a handoff, represents a broadening of the states role in the immigration enforcement process. But experts disagree on how significant it is or whether its intruding on a federal responsibility and stretching the legal limits of the states efforts on the border.

There are ongoing questions about what authority they have to bus people from one location to another, said Aaron Reichlin-Melnick, policy director at the American Immigration Council. Legally speaking, is that immigration enforcement? I still dont know.

Getting answers has been difficult. Although the program has been operating since July 9, state and federal officials have ducked questions about how it works, refusing to say where the migrants are being transported to and from, what they are being arrested for and what happens to them after they are turned over to federal immigration authorities. The only way The Texas Tribune was able to confirm that federal authorities are accepting custody of the migrants was by staking out the Eagle Pass port of entry and witnessing the exchange in person.

Abbott announced his plans in early July to authorize DPS troopers and National Guard service members stationed at the border to arrest migrants caught crossing the border illegally and return them to the ports of entry. They immediately raised alarms for immigrant rights advocates who said Abbotts plan was veering into the federal governments purview over immigration enforcement and could lead to violations of the migrants civil rights because it was unclear what authority state officials were using to hold them under custody.

A spokesperson for U.S. Customs and Border Protection, which oversees Border Patrol, didnt answer questions about how Abbotts latest order affects agents work on the ground. Instead, the spokesperson referred to comments made by Chris Magnus, Customs and Border Protection commissioner, earlier this month during a news conference in Washington in which he responded to a question about Abbotts order.

Our goal is always to work cooperatively when we can within the law, and based on whats appropriate under different circumstances with our state and local partners, he said.

Texas Military Department officials provided at least one answer about how the program works at a legislative hearing earlier this month. Brig. Gen. Win Burkett of the 36th Infantry Division told lawmakers in July that National Guard service members play no role in the transportation of migrants to the border.

With limited information, immigration and border security experts disagree about how radically Abbotts order has changed state law enforcements involvement in immigration enforcement.

Victor M. Manjarrez Jr., who worked for the U.S. Border Patrol for 22 years and retired as the Tucson Sector chief in 2011, said Abbotts latest order is nothing out of the ordinary. He said local or state officers referring migrants to Border Patrol is a common practice along the Texas-Mexico border.

Honestly, theres nothing that special, said Manjarrez, who is now the associate director of the Center for Law and Human Behavior at the University of Texas at El Paso.

Usually, he said, when law enforcement officers along the border come across migrants on foot or in a vehicle, they stop them on state charges. If the officers suspect the migrants crossed the border illegally, the officers hold the migrants until Border Patrol agents pick them up. But Abbotts order goes a step further by having state officers drive the migrants to a location where it is easier for Border Patrol to process them.

Instead of having troopers stuck on a highway, were going to take individuals to you, Manjarrez said.

To an extent, he added, local law enforcement officers along the U.S.-Mexico border have always enforced immigration laws.

If you call Border Patrol to show up, to some degree youre enforcing immigration law. If youre taking them to a port of entry, youre enforcing some type of immigration law, he said. In either case youre doing it.

Manjarrez said that during his time in Arizona, it was common for local law enforcement officers to take migrants to Border Patrol instead of waiting for immigration agents to arrive at the scene.

My argument would be, how is this different than whats been done in the past? he said. The big difference with this is that there was an executive order that came out, and it was intended to make a big splash.

But Denise Gilman, co-director of the Immigration Clinic at the University of Texas School of Law, said the transportation of the migrants to immigration authorities marks a drastic shift into a new level of immigration enforcement by the state. By taking the migrants back to the border for processing, she said, state officials are facilitating that enforcement.

The fact that they straight up dont take them across the border doesnt take away the immigration enforcement nature of it, Gilman said.

But in order to stop the practice, the federal government would likely have to sue. With Texas pressing further into immigration enforcement than any other state has done before, some immigrant rights advocates have been baffled that the Biden administration hasnt done so.

Gilman said that may be because Abbotts order doesnt fully call for the state to take immigration enforcement into its own hands. State officers are still handing off the migrants to federal immigration authorities at the border.

Its not completely clear that its 100% state unilateral action, as opposed to collaborative action with the federal government, she said.

Immigrant rights advocates also say Abbott could be inviting a lawsuit in hopes of setting up a legal battle with the Biden administration with the goal of overturning the U.S. Supreme Courts decision in a 2012 Arizona immigration law to expand the states ability to participate in immigration enforcement.

Texas has successfully been able to get initial wins in lawsuits against the Biden administration that have led the White House to restart two of the most consequential Trump-era immigration policies: Title 42, the pandemic health order that essentially closes the border to most people, and Migrant Protection Protocols, or remain in Mexico, which forces some asylum-seekers to wait in Mexico as their cases make their way through American courts. Another Texas lawsuit also led to a federal judge ruling that Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals  a program for younger immigrants who were undocumented to be able to get renewable work permits  is illegal. These three cases are still playing out in federal courts.

In his executive order, Abbott cited the decision in a case over Arizonas so-called show me your papers law, which required police to ask people for proof of citizenship. Abbott wrote that the Supreme Court did not address whether reasonable suspicion of illegal entry or another immigration crime would be a legitimate basis for prolonging a detention, or whether this too would be preempted by federal law.

Reichlin-Melnick said Abbott was trying to find a loophole in the Arizona case.

Gov. Abbott says he thinks its an open question about whether or not state agents can enforce unlawful entry, Reichlin-Melnick said. If the state can enforce federal criminal immigration laws, that would get rid of quite a lot of the restrictions put on states in Arizona v. U.S., and its possible Gov. Abbott is looking for a test case that can expand things in that area.

Abbott did not answer a question about whether he wanted that case revisited and referred questions about the program to DPS.

But other Texas officials have been open about their wish to have the Supreme Court reconsider the decision.

Earlier this year, Texas Assistant Attorney General Brent Webster told a state Senate committee on border security that his office would like to see the court reconsider its decision in the Arizona case on whether local police officers could arrest migrants on immigration violations. In 2012, the Supreme Court ruled in a 5-3 decision that local police didnt have the authority to arrest someone based solely on their immigration status.

Our office doesnt agree with that ruling. We abide by that ruling because that is the current state of the law out of Supreme Court, he said. We welcome laws that might allow us to have a new case that we could go up on to redress this issue because the makeup of the Supreme Court has changed.

Meanwhile, Abbott has gotten around that requirement by directing state authorities to arrest migrants on state trespassing charges when they veer onto private property.

Reichlin-Melnick said it is clear that legal precedent bars local law enforcement agencies from enforcing immigration law without permission from the federal government.

Its pretty clear its not an open question. The Supreme Court has said over and over again that this is a federal responsibility, Reichlin-Melnick said. [Abbotts] attempting to loophole his way out of that, but its not a particularly strong loophole.

The Texas Tribune is a nonpartisan, nonprofit media organization that informs Texans  and engages with them  about public policy, politics, government and statewide issues. Click here to read the story in its original format.
On a damp Friday night in mid-April, a group of 20-somethings went out dancing. Nothing particularly outlandish happened, and in most places in the world, it could be considered a normal night out. Except that it was a rave in a bomb shelter in western Ukraine, where the verve of their moves amid neon lights and sharp techno beats briefly drowned out the anguish of living in a war zone.

Behind a table of DJ equipment, San Francisco resident Daniil Korovitsin played his first set ever in a country he hadnt visited since he was 4 years old. He never imagined that a Russian invasion would lead him back to his birth country. Up until the night of the rave, Korovitsin, a former Marina District denizen, had been staying in Lviv for two weeks with a group of DJs and artists from his hometown of Kharkiv, helping them load heavy boxes of humanitarian aid onto trains leaving for their devastated city, some 50 kilometers from the Russian border.

That night they danced, laughed and embraced each other heartily until the very last minutes before the 10 p.m. curfew.

We are united by our heritage and a common cause, but also because of a rave culture, where theres a lot of unity too, Korovitsin explains. A rave is an escape for me.

Manuel Obregozo Manuel Obregozo Daniil Korovitsin DJs a rave in a bomb shelter in western Ukraine. Credit: Manuel Orbegozo

Back in San Francisco in the weeks following the beginning of Russias full-scale invasion in late February, Korovitsin, 24, used his experience as a DJ to raise awareness about the war and gather donations. Since March, his Bay Area-based techno collective Headrush has raised about $5,000 through "fundravings" in San Francisco, helping at least 70 single Ukrainian mothers in Kharkiv. "It got to a point where I couldn't handle the amount of requests, so I decided I should do something a little more, I guess, impactful," he says.

Korovitsin, a former fitness instructor prior to the pandemic, put his rising DJ career on hold to live in the barracks of military bases in between Kyiv and Lviv, far from the front line, but still dangerously close to the possibility of heavy fighting. Alongside a U.S. veteran he met during this trip who goes by G, Korovitsin helps train militias of Ukrainian fighters who will be tasked with protecting Kyiv in the event of a new Russian attack from Belarus. For Korovitsin, its a radically different responsibility than performing at DNA Lounge or Northern Ducks, as he used to do until the war shifted his life forever.

"At first we thought he was a Russian spy," G says half jokingly. Korovitsin is half Russian and speaks his mother's language perfectly. Unable to speak Ukrainian, Korovitsin grew up in a Russian immigrant household in San Francisco that watched Russian TV news all day long. A stranger to the culture of his father, to whom he hadnt spoken for almost 20 years, he remained detached from his Ukrainian side most of his life.

Before the war, we didn't really consider the two communities as different, he recalls. We ate at the same table.

But when Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, Korovitsin learned the dangers of mixing politics with nostalgia. "My Russian identity was completely shattered," he admits. "When I told my family I was going to Ukraine, many said I was a Nazi."

Manuel Orbegozo

In early April, when he crossed into Ukraine, Korovitsin might have looked like one of the thousands of foreign soldiers awaiting orders to join the resistance. Dressed in military fatigues, his pronounced musculature with tattoos and shaved head make him look like hes ready for combat. Yet, despite having recently learned to shoot an AK-47, he doesnt plan to travel to the front lines unless the Russians try to take the capital.

Instead, he assists G at a military base where civilian volunteers are given basic training in urban warfare. Korovitsin is in charge of translating and also organizing logistics for training this motley crew of Ukrainian fighters: drivers, medics and human resource managers of all ages, with no military experience, no weapons, no funds to pay for gas to go train in the field and no government support.

On his return to Ukraine from a second fundraising trip back to the Bay Area in June, Korovitsin undertook a humanitarian mission to Kharkiv to deliver medical aid kits and insulin donated by the Ukrainian Student Association at Stanford. It rained the day he arrived, similar to his only memory of his childhood visit, except that now he mistook the thunder for the roar of shelling.

He had never been so close to a front line or to his estranged father, whom he had a chance to meet for the first time in his adult life. While there he also tried to find the whereabouts of two half-siblings he had never met, but found no trace of them.

I hope theyre alive and well and not here, he says.

Since he crossed over to Ukraine, Korovitsin confesses he has lost a lot  distance broke off his engagement with his fiance, many of his friendships back home faded, and his grandfather passed away in May. Uncertainty gradually took hold of him, doubts about his future and the crippled future of his units, whether he had made the right decision to dive into a war zone, whether he could ever return to making music again.

The longer I've been here, the colder the world feels, he says. Im proud of myself, but its really hard.

Manuel Orbegozo

Outside the barracks, a petite blonde woman with sturdy hands interrupts our interview. Alla, who for privacy reasons only gave her first name, is the high-spirited chef on the premises. With a smile, she says Korovitsin has a good soul  she has seen so many pass through here that she has learned to read people well.

As they press their heads together and smile warmly, a light breeze rustles the chestnut trees.

Its my birthright, Korovitsin would later comment on his purpose in Ukraine. I should be able to enjoy the land on which I was born and I should be able to enjoy the relationships with the people on this land. And I guess I am fighting for that.

Manuel Orbegozo is a Peruvian American freelance journalist from the Bay Area. He is based in Eastern Europe covering the humanitarian crisis as a result of the Russia-Ukraine war.
GOLDSBORO, N.C. (AP)  Three North Carolina sheriff's deputies were shot and wounded while trying to serve involuntary commitment papers on a person who then barricaded inside the home, authorities said.

The Wayne County deputies had gone to serve the papers at the home south of Goldsboro on Monday morning when someone inside opened fire, wounding all three, county officials said in a tweet. One was being treated at a hospital in Goldsboro, while two were airlifted to a hospital in Greenville. Their conditions were not immediately released.
ROME  In May 2021, Alika Ogorchukwu, a 39-year-old Nigerian living in Italy, was hit by a car while he was riding his bicycle, an accident that forced him to use a crutch to move around.

On Friday, an Italian man used the crutch to knock Ogorchukwu to the ground on a major shopping street in Civitanova Marche, a seaside town on the Adriatic Coast, before beating him to death, as a video of the assault shows and police officials confirmed. Moments earlier, Ogorchukwu, a street vendor, had unsuccessfully pitched his wares to the assailant and his girlfriend.

The brutal, senseless murder  which was videotaped by witnesses and shared thousands of times on social media  has shocked Italians, stirred political bickering ahead of national elections in September and spawned fresh debate over racism in Italy, even though, for now, investigators do not believe that the crime was racially motivated.

Lets condemn the fact itself and the behavior of people who stood by and watched a disabled person get killed with a crutch and filmed it instead of intervening; it is shameful, said Patrick Guobadia, vice secretary of an association representing Nigerians in Italy.

This indifference is frightening, he said.

Chiara Gabrielli

Editorials in major Italian newspapers wrote of the dusk of civilization. Politicians across the political spectrum denounced the crime, though concerns emerged that the murder could be used as a political sparring point in the upcoming election in which the right-wing coalition has already singled out immigration as an issue.

Rocco Pennacchio, archbishop of nearby Fermo, said in an interview Sunday in Catholic newspaper lAvvenire that he hoped that all the political parties would refrain from stirring such tensions for a handful of votes.

Ogorchukwu was killed around 2 p.m. Friday, shortly after he had approached the suspect, Filippo Ferlazzo, whose identity was confirmed by his lawyer, and his girlfriend to sell trinkets and beg for some change. After being rebuffed, Ogorchukwu walked away, followed almost immediately by the suspect, who assaulted him. Onlookers filmed the aggression, which lasted less than four minutes, but no one intervened.

Ogorchukwu had moved to Italy about a decade ago, to join his wife, Charity Oriachi. They lived in the inland town of San Severino Marche, about an hours drive from the coast. Eight years ago, their son was born, said Francesco Mantella, a lawyer who has helped the family and is representing Oriachi. Now that shes alone, with a son, you can imagine how hard it will be, he added.

Ferlazzo, a 32-year-old factory worker, is being held on charges of homicide and robbery because he took Ogorchukwus cellphone after the episode. Matteo Luconi, chief police investigator in Macerata overseeing the case, said in a telephone interview that an autopsy later this week would establish the cause of death. Nothing has emerged from investigations to suggest elements of racial hatred, he added. A statement issued by police said the motive for the murder appeared to be traceable to petty reasons.

In addition to its violence and the bystanders, the killing touched a nerve because the Marches region, where Civitanova is, has been the scene of heinous crimes against migrants. In February 2018, an Italian right-wing sympathizer shot and wounded six African immigrants in Macerata, some 19 miles inland from Civitanova Marche, marking the city as a bastion of intolerance. Two years earlier, a Nigerian man was killed in the city of Fermo, just south of Civitanova, after he tried to defend his wife from racist slurs.

Italians have been leaving bouquets of flowers, potted plants and scribbled notes at the scene of the deadly beating. Stop racism, read one note.

In an email, Ferlazzos lawyer, Roberta Bizzarri, said her client, his girlfriend and his mother all felt pain because of what had transpired, adding that Ferlazzo had overt psychiatric disorders, a recognized borderline diagnosis. She also said that this very sad story was not a case of racism.

Fabrizio Ciarapica, mayor of Civitanova Marche, met with Ogorchukwus widow Saturday, and Sunday, the municipal administration approved a motion to assist the family. Funds have been set aside to help pay for the funeral, and a bank account was opened for donations. The community is always ready to extend a hand to those in need, Ciarapica said in a statement sent Sunday.

The mayor also pledged to protect the image and values of Civitanova, which has always been a civilized, welcoming, generous, peaceful and supportive city and which is dismayed and grieved by an affair foreign to its character and soul.

Guobadia, of the Nigerian association, said that an impromptu protest had been held Saturday by Nigerians living in the area but that a bigger demonstration was in the works for next weekend. What happened could be called an act of underlying racism or indifference; I cant say, he said. But in any case, it is shameful.

Speaking to the Italian Sky News channel, Oriachi was distraught. The pain is too much for me; I need justice, she said. I need justice.

This article originally appeared in The New York Times.
PHOENIX (AP)  Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich said Monday his investigators found just one dead voter after thoroughly reviewing findings from a partisan review of the 2020 election that alleged 282 ballots were cast in the name of someone who had died.

The finding by the Republican attorney general, who is running for U.S. Senate in Tuesday's primary, further discredits the review conducted last year. The review was led by an inexperienced firm, Cyber Ninjas, and conducted largely by supporters of Donald Trump who falsely believe the election was stolen from him.

Our agents investigated all individuals that Cyber Ninjas reported as dead, and many were very surprised to learn that they were allegedly deceased, Brnovich wrote in a letter to state Senate President Karen Fann, who used her subpoena power to obtain ballots, tabulators and election data and hired Cyber Ninjas for what she called a forensic audit.

For the one substantiated incident, the facts of the case did not support prosecution, said Ryan Anderson, a spokesman for Brnovich. He said the dead person's ballot was not counted. None of the three criminal cases the attorney general has filed over dead voters was connected to the Cyber Ninjas investigation, he said.

Brnovich did not say whether any charges had been filed in connection with the one substantiated incident, and his spokesman, Ryan Anderson, did not respond to a phone call and text message. All other people listed by Cyber Ninjas as deceased were found to be current voters," Brnovich wrote.

Combined with other reports of dead voters, Brnovichs Election Integrity Unit investigated a combined 409 names and produced only a handful of potential cases.

Brnovich vouched for the legitimacy of the election immediately after President Joe Biden's victory but later publicized his investigation of the Cyber Ninjas allegations as he sought Trump's endorsement for his Senate campaign. Trump ultimately released a scathing statement saying Brnovich wasn't doing enough to advance his claims of fraud and endorsed businessman Blake Masters.

Federal and state election officials and Trumps own attorney general have said there is no credible evidence the election was tainted. The former presidents allegations of fraud were also roundly rejected by courts, including by judges Trump appointed.

The Cyber Ninjas review looked at data, machines and ballots from Maricopa County, the state's largest. It produced a report that experts described as riddled with errors, bias and flawed methodology. Still, even that partisan review came up with a vote tally that would not have altered the outcome, finding that Biden won by 360 more votes than the official results.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP)  California prison officials said Monday that they are investigating the third slaying of an inmate by other inmates within the span of a week, at three different prisons.

The latest was Friday at Pelican Bay State Prison far northwestern California, where officials say Fernando Torres Lopez attacked fellow inmate Uriel Otero in a dayroom. He was pronounced dead less than an hour later.
CANBERRA, Australia (AP)  A Chinese state-owned company is negotiating to buy a forestry planation with a deep-water port and World War II airstrip in Solomon Islands amid persistent concerns that China wants to establish a naval foothold in the South Pacific country.

A delegation from China Forestry Group Corp. visited the plantation that covers most of Kolombangar Island in 2019, asking questions about the length of the wharf and depth of the water while showing little interest in the trees, Australian Broadcasting Corp. reported on Monday.

The board of Kolombangara Forest Products Ltd., the takeover target known as KFPL which is owned by Taiwanese and Australian shareholders, wrote to the newly elected Australian government in May warning of the risks/strategic threats posed to Australia by such a sale, the ABC reported.

Australias Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade wrote back to the board last week saying it was not intervening, the ABC said.

Foreign Minister Penny Wongs office told The Associated Press that Australia was continuing to engage with KFPL on the potential sale.

Australias High Commissioner in Honiara Lachlan Strahan has been engaging regularly with the management of KFPL and will continue to do so, Wongs office said in a statement.

We value our position as Solomon Islands first security and development partner of choice, and we are committed to working together to face our shared challenges, the statement added.

KFPL Chairman Matthew English said in a statement he cannot comment on any commercial matters in relation to KFPL.

A KFPL official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the official was not authorized to make public comment, said the board wanted the Australian government to make an offer or facilitate an offer from an Australian company.

U.S. and its allies concerns over Chinas growing influence in the South Pacific intensified this year when China and the Solomons signed a bilateral security pact that has stoked fears of a Chinese military presence less than 2,000 kilometers (1,200 miles) off Australias northeast coast.

Australia already has a security treaty with the Solomons and Australian police have been maintaining peace in the capital Honiara since rioting late last year.

Solomons Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare insists that China will never be allowed to establish a military base in his country.

His office did not respond to a request for comment on Monday.

Solomons lawmaker Silas Tausinga, whose electorate is near Kolombangar, said China had a strong ambition to house military assets in the Solomons.

Absolutely, Australia should be worried about it, Tausinga told ABC.

Chinas influence has been rapidly growing in the Solomons since 2019, when Honiara switched it allegiance from Taiwan to Beijing.
RICHMOND, Va. (AP)  A federal judge on Monday dismissed a second lawsuit seeking to force members of Virginia's Republican-controlled House of Delegates to hold an unscheduled election this year.

U.S. District Judge David Novak found that federal courts lack the authority to grant the extreme remedy of ordering new elections for all 100 members of the state House of Delegates using newly drawn legislative maps.

The ruling came in a lawsuit filed by Jeff Thomas, an author who has written extensively about Virginia politics and government. Thomas and two other plaintiffs  the current and former president of the Loudoun County chapter of the NAACP  alleged their voting strength and political representation were unconstitutionally diluted or weakened by the state's failure to complete redistricting before the 2021 elections.

The 2021 elections were supposed to be the first held under constitutionally required redistricting based on the 2020 census. But because census results were delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the state held elections under the old legislative boundaries. The new maps were not finalized until December, a month after the elections were held.

U.S. District Judge David Novak said in his ruling that ordering new elections would effectively overturn the results of a proper election and dissolve the current House of Delegates, shortening the terms of the delegates from two years to one.

Such a commutation by an unelected judiciary would disregard the will of the voters, who elected the Delegates to two-year terms, Novak wrote.

Plaintiffs seek a mandatory injunction that would represent a stark interference not only with Virginia's upcoming electoral process, but also with its already completed election, Novak added. He said the Supreme Court has consistently warned against such interference by the federal courts.

Plaintiffs seek such an extreme remedy that it renders it unavailable, Novak wrote.

Thomas told The Associated Press he does not plan to appeal the ruling.

Taking away people's rights seems to be what federal courts are doing these days, consistent with today's radical reinterpretation of the long-settled right to one-person one-vote. It's straight politics, Thomas said in a statement.

In June, a three-judge U.S. District Court panel dismissed a similar lawsuit brought by Democratic Party activist Paul Goldman, finding that Goldman did not have legal standing to sue, either as a voter or a potential candidate.

Goldmans lawsuit argued House members elected for two-year terms in November 2021 must run again in 2022 under newly redrawn maps that properly align legislative districts with population shifts.

Novak's ruling appears to signal the end of efforts to hold new House elections this year.

I'm glad that the court once again agreed with my office, that there is no more uncertainty for voters and legislators, and that we were able to protect the integrity and validity of our 2021 elections, said Attorney General Jason Miyares.

Democrats held a 55-45 majority in the House until Republicans took control of the chamber in the November 2021 elections. Republicans now hold a 52-48 majority.

House Republicans were and remain prepared to hold our majority. We appreciate the court's expedient decision, said Garren Shipley, a spokesman for House Speaker Todd Gilbert.
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DANBURY  One of the teens charged in connection with last summers shooting at the Danbury Fair mall was sentenced last week.

Derek Sotelo, 19, was sentenced Thursday to five years in jail, execution suspended, plus five years probation with special conditions after pleading guilty to attempt to commit second-degree assault.

The charge stemmed from an August 2021 incident that resulted in a girl getting shot by a 14-year-old and a more-than-hour-long lockdown of the mall.

Danbury police responded to a report of shots fired at the mall around 7 p.m. Aug. 11, and found a 15-year-old girl with a gunshot wound to the left side of her throat.

She was transported to Danbury Hospital with a fractured vertebrae and later transported to Connecticut Childrens Medical Center in Hartford for further treatment, according to police.

The shooting stemmed from a fight at the mall carnival two months prior, during which Sotelo was allegedly jumped by a group of juveniles, according to the warrant for his arrest.

Police said the 14-year-old boy accused of firing the shot that wounded the 15-year-old girl and who was subsequently charged with first-degree assault is believed to have been one of the juveniles who attacked Sotelo at the carnival.

A witness who was at the mall with Sotelo and the 15-year-old girl on Aug. 11, told police a group  identified as the Ridge Kids  started yelling and clapping at them and Sotelo recognized the group as those who had jumped him at the carnival.

According to police, Sotelo grabbed a hammer from a car parked outside and was joined by four friends before walking back into the mall through Macys.

Danbury police said surveillance footage showed the 14-year-old accused shooter sitting alone on a chair inside the mall near Macys and Sotelo taking a seat on a nearby couch.

They were joined a short time later by their respective groups and things (got) heated after someone allegedly asked the Ridge Kids if they had a problem with her friends, according to the warrant for Sotelos arrest.

Police said video footage showed the 14-year-old boy getting up from his chair and back pedaling toward Jennys Spa before pulling a gun from his waistband and firing at least one shot, striking the 15-year-old girl.

Sotelo allegedly lunged toward the shooter with a hammer in his right hand, according to the warrant for his arrest, and the suspected shooter ran away in the opposite direction of Macys.

Police said Sotelo then ran back into Macys and out of the exit before discarding the hammer in the parking lot.

In addition to attempt to commit second-degree assault, Sotelo was originally also charged with first-degree reckless endangerment, inciting a riot, inciting injury to a person, risk of injury to a minor and breach of peace charges.

Sotelos lawyer and a prosecutor from the office of the Danbury States Attorney could not be reached Monday in regards to why the other charges were dropped.

Although he received a suspended jail sentence for his role in the mall incident, Sotelo will be serving two years at the Manson Youth Institution in Cheshire in connection with a May 2021 larceny case, for which he was also sentenced on July 28.
The death toll from severe flooding in eastern Kentucky has risen to 28 people, including several children, and the governor said more fatalities are expected as search-and-rescue teams go door-to-door in the Appalachian foothills to assess the damage.

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, D, announced the latest death toll in a news release Sunday evening.

"We are still focused on meeting the immediate needs of providing food, water and shelter for thousands of our fellow Kentuckians who have been displaced by this catastrophic flood," he said in the release. "At the same time, we have started on the long road to eventual recovery."

Earlier Sunday, Beshear said that rescue crews were continuing to search for survivors as the rain resumed and that authorities had unconfirmed reports of additional deaths.

Because of hazardous conditions such as downed power lines, as well as spotty cellphone service, he said some affected areas are inaccessible and the state doesn't have a "firm grasp" on the number of missing.

"With the level of water, we're going to be finding bodies for weeks, many of them swept hundreds of yards, maybe a quarter-mile-plus from where they were lost," Beshear told NBC News's "Meet the Press."

The Lexington Herald-Leader put the death toll at 33 on Sunday night, based on reports of additional deaths from two county coroners' offices.

In some families, everyone in their household perished, the governor said. The state was doubling the National Guard to search for victims, he said.

Among the most tragic stories has been the death of four siblings who had clambered onto their roof to escape rising floodwaters. After the roof collapsed, the family clung to tree branches, according to an account in the Herald-Leader. A swell of water swept the children away.

The disaster has led to flash flooding, landslides and mudslides. The storms displaced hundreds of residents and caused "hundreds of millions of dollars" in damage, the governor said in a YouTube video posted Sunday. He has said it could take years to rebuild in the region. Kentucky Power reported on Twitter that as of midday Sunday, power had been restored to about 50% of customers who had lost it.

According to the news release Sunday evening, 359 survivors are being temporarily sheltered at 15 shelters and at two state parks and campgrounds.

The Kentucky floods were caused by 1-in-1,000-year rainstorms that scientists say are emblematic of the type of extreme weather that will become more common as the Earth warms.

On "Meet the Press," Beshear addressed the extreme weather - including an unusual spate of tornadoes in December that devastated parts of Kentucky and other states - and said officials must ensure that the state's "roads, our bridges, our culverts, our flood walls can withstand greater intensity."

Rural water and wastewater systems are easily overwhelmed, he said, and upgrading their infrastructure is "so expensive." He said the American Rescue Plan and the bipartisan infrastructure legislation passed last year were a "good start" and allowed the state to afford improvements "that we haven't been able to do before."

"But if we truly want to be more resilient, it is going to take a major federal investment as well as here in the state," Beshear said.

The National Weather Service is predicting several rounds of showers and storms for the area from Sunday through Tuesday, with flash flooding possible. A "brief dry period" is expected Wednesday, but Thursday could bring more rain.

Beshear urged residents to take precautions.

"Next couple days are going to be hard," he said in the YouTube video. "We've got rain and maybe even a lot of rain that's going to hit the same areas. Please pray for the people in these areas, and if you are in the areas that are going to get hit by rain, make sure you stay safe. Make sure you have a place that is higher ground. Go to a shelter."
LINCOLN, Del. (AP)  Delaware State Police are investigating after a body was found along a Sussex County road early Sunday, officials said.

Troopers were called to the area of Staytonville Road west of North Union Church Road in the Lincoln area around 1:30 a.m. on Sunday for a report of a person lying near the road, police said in a news release. When troopers arrived, police said they found a male subject dead.
SALEM, Ore. (AP)  A proposed set of conduct and discipline standards applicable to all law enforcement agencies in Oregon were published Monday.

Oregon Public Broadcasting reports in several instances, the commission charged with establishing the new rules left room for officers found to have committed serious, often illegal offenses to keep their jobs. For example, officers who commit sexual assault or intentional physical assault may not be fired if there are mitigating factors.

The butt is considered a sexual part of the body, said Mark Makler, a former prosecutor who represents police unions and officers, at a meeting on June 30. So grabbing somebodys butt in gest or horseplay could be considered a sexual assault.

Makler and seven other commissioners who were present at that meeting voted against making sexual assault an automatically fireable offense.

There are things like state of mind or absence of intent that could come into play. Or degree of harm, Portland Police Association attorney Anil Karia said. There are nuances in this.

The commission was formed with the passage of HB 2930 in 2021, one of several pieces of legislation passed last year tackling police accountability and reform.

The goalwas to have clarity, bill sponsor Rep. Janelle Bynum, D-Clackamas said in an interview with OPB. Officers like to have clarity, some level of certainty about what the standards are.

By having one statewide set of guidelines, Bynum explained, officers who have discipline problems in one local department cant transfer to a different agency that has lower standards.

Over the course of 13 meetings since early March, the group hammered out standards on a range of issues from unjustified use of force to assault to targeting someone based solely on their race, gender or other protected status.

The commission will hold a series of public hearings throughout August and ending Sept. 16. They will then consider the publics comment and make any changes before the rules take effect on Oct. 1.
ALEXANDRIA, Va. (AP)  A Dutch woman was sentenced to three years in prison Monday for donating several hundred dollars to a group that supported the militant group al-Shabab in Somalia.

The sentenced imposed on Farhia Hassan, 38, was far less than the 8-year sentence sought by prosecutors.

She was convicted earlier this year by a jury at U.S. District Court in Alexandria of conspiring to provide material support to terrorists.

Prosecutors said she was one of about 15 women who gathered in an online chatroom and regularly committed small amounts of money to support al-Shabab militants in Somalia and Kenya. In all, prosecutors say she donated about $300 over a three-year period, though they admitted difficulty tracking payments.

Hassan, a Somali native and mother of six, was granted asylum in the Netherlands as a teenager and settled in the city of Terneuzen. She was initially charged in 2014, but fought extradition for seven years before she was brought to the U.S. to face trial.

Two leaders of the group have already been convicted and sentenced to terms of 12 and 11 years, respectively.

Hassan's lawyers argued she never should have been charged in the first place. They said it was overreach for the U.S. to charge a Dutch woman for supporting Somali militants when she had no connection whatsoever to the U.S.

While al-Shabab has been designated a terrorist organization by the U.S., it carried no such designation in the Netherlands or the European Union at the time the group was active, from 2011 to 2014.

The defense lawyers, Jessica Carmichael and Yancey Ellis, also said the minimal contributions attributed to their client warranted only a minimal sentence. They argued for a sentence of time served, about nine months.

Ms. Hassan has been punished enough, they wrote in sentencing papers.

Prosecutors, though, said $300 can go a long way. In court papers, they said the money could be used in Somalia to pay an al-Shabab fighter's monthly wages or buy an AK-47 military rifle or a camel.

At Monday's hearing, Hassan said through a Somali interpreter that she is not an al-Shabab supporter but was donating money to help the Somali people.

Prosecutors, though, said there is no evidence Hassan has truly deradicalized, and said those who participated in the online chats regularly heard lectures supporting suicide attacks and assassination of clerics, among other violent acts.

Every indication before the Court is that she believes just as firmly in al-Shabaabs mission as she did in 2011 when the conspiracy began, prosecutor Danya Atiyeh wrote.

Judge Anthony Trenga, who imposed the sentence, said he largely agreed about Hassan's radicalization. But he said Hassan's actions did not merit imposition of a so-called terrorism enhancement that usually results in extreme increases to the recommended term under federal sentencing guidelines.

Hassan has the ability to appeal her conviction and sentence.
Family members of some of the people killed or wounded during a 2019 shooting at a California garlic festival are suing the companies that distributed the rifle used in the attack, saying they did not take sufficient care to prevent misuse of the firearm.

Two similar lawsuits filed in U.S. District Court in Vermont on July 28 allege that manufacturer Century International Arms and Romanian firearm producer ROMARM failed to adopt reasonable safeguards that enabled a dangerous individual operating in and around California" to legally acquire the firearm in Nevada, take it to California and use it in the attack at the Gilroy Garlic Festival that killed three and wounded 17.

Defendants knowingly breached the duty to exercise the highest degree of reasonable care in preventing the diversion of firearms to dangerous actors that they had voluntarily assumed when they entered the firearms business," said the lawsuits, filed on the third anniversary of the shooting.

The suit says Century Arms may have also violated Vermont laws that prohibit large capacity magazines.

Century Arms is based in Delray Beach, Florida, but it has a facility in Georgia, Vermont, where the ROMARM firearms, listed on the companys website as AK-style rifles, are modified to comply with U.S. law, according to the lawsuit.

Century Arms did not respond to a phone message seeking comment, nor did ROMARM respond to an email.

In most cases, federal law shields gun-makers from liability, but that could be changing.

Earlier this year, the families of nine victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting agreed to a $73 million settlement of a lawsuit against the maker of the rifle used to kill 20 first graders and six educators in 2012.

In June, in the aftermath of the mass shooting in Uvalde, Texas, that killed 19 students and two teachers, President Joe Biden called on Congress to end outrageous protections for gun manufacturers, which severely limit their liability over how their firearms are used, comparing it to the tobacco industry, which has faced repeated litigation over its products role in causing cancer and other diseases.

In the aftermath of the garlic festival shooting, Gilroy police said the shooter fired 39 rounds from an AK-47-style rifle.

A mass shooting like the Attack in which an individual like the Shooter uses a firearm like the Rifle to inflict catastrophic harm on parties like the Plaintiffs is a natural and foreseeable consequence of Defendants violations of the relevant standard of care," according to the lawsuit.

The suits are seeking a jury trial, but they did not specify the damages they are seeking.
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TOPEKA, Kan. (AP)  A hard-right Kansas lawmaker who has clashed with Republican leaders was poised Monday to win a spot on the November ballot as an independent candidate for governor, helped by allies of Democratic incumbent Laura Kelly.

State Sen. Dennis Pyle, of Hiawatha, a Republican until June, submitted petitions with nearly 8,900 signatures to the Kansas secretary of state's office for verification that the signers are registered voters, as required. State law requires 5,000 valid signatures, and typically exceeding that number by several thousand gets someone on the ballot.

Pyles bid would complicate presumed GOP nominee and state Attorney General Derek Schmidt's efforts to unseat Kelly. Some Democrats hope Pyle and Schmidt would split conservative Republican votes just enough for Kelly to win a second four-year term.

Pyle said he went door-to-door to gather signatures, but Kelly allies played an important role in the signature-gathering as well. Democratic state Rep. Vic Miller, of Topeka, confirmed last month that he was circulating petitions, and so did a union that endorsed Kelly in 2018 and this year. The Topeka Capital-Journal reported that organizers of an abortion rights rally Saturday also circulated petitions for Pyle.

Politics make strange bedfellows, and so youre seeing that here," Pyle told reporters after turning in his petitions. There were people at the door that told me that they wanted to sign my petition because they thought we would split the vote.

Both Pyle and Schmidt describe themselves as conservatives, and both support a proposed amendment to the Kansas Constitution on the ballot Tuesday that would allow the GOP-controlled Legislature to further restrict or ban abortion. Pyle has raised the integrity of the 2020 election as an issue, opposing ballot drop boxes. Schmidt brought Kansas into a lawsuit with Texas meant to overturn election results in battleground states lost by former President Donald Trump.

But Pyle opposed plans from the state Senate's top Republicans for redrawing congressional and legislative boundaries  and was stripped of most of his committee assignments as a result. He once brought a container of fishing stink bait to a debate, using it as a prop in protesting a tax bill.

He sought Monday to tap into some far-right Republicans' doubts about whether Schmidt is a committed conservative, partly because Schmidt worked for GOP moderates before first running for elected office. Pyle called Schmidt a liberal.

Schmidt campaign spokesperson C.J. Grover called Pyle a vanity candidate and a fake conservative. Kansans for Life, the state's most politically influential anti-abortion group, and the Kansas State Rifle Association, reaffirmed their support for Schmidt.

The International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Union gathered signatures for Pyle, Kansas Chair Ty Dragoo said Monday. The union backed Kelly in 2018 and endorsed her reelection in June  with Dragoo saying she always made sure we had a seat at the table.

But Dragoo said Pyle also has been labor friendly, siding with the union on issues dealing with automated vehicles and railroad safety.

We support candidates that support us, so were never going to tell a candidate, 'Hey, because it may hurt or help another candidate, were not going to support you, Dragoo said.

Miller served two years in the Senate, appointed to the seat Kelly once held, before returning to his old House seat in 2021. Asked two weeks ago about his efforts to help Pyle, Miller called Pyle a friend and a man of principle."

You know, I dont know why you cant help a friend regardless of what party they are, or if they are of no party at all, Miller said.

___

Follow John Hanna on Twitter: https://twitter.com/apjdhanna
ROME (AP)  A judge in Italy on Monday ordered an Italian man to remain in jail as an investigation continues into the death of a Nigerian street vendor whose brutal beating at the hands of the suspect shocked many in Italy and prompted strong condemnation from the Nigerian government.

Police took Filippo Claudio Giuseppe Ferlazzo, 32, into custody on July 29, minutes after the vendor was beaten and left for dead on a busy shopping street in the beach town of Civitanova Marche as bystanders watched, including at least two who filmed the attack.

An autopsy this week will determine the exact cause of death for Alika Ogorchukwu, 39. Widely circulated videos showed the suspect on top of Ogorchukwu, pummeling him with his bare hands after first striking him with the victim's own crutch.

Judge Claudio Bonifazi presided over a hearing for Ferlazzo at a jail near the Adriatic coastal city of Ancona.

Ferlazzo gave his version of the facts and said he was sorry," defense lawyer Roberta Bizzarri told reporters. She added that Ferlazzo, who is white, said there was no racial element involved.

Pressed if Ferlazzo was saying he was sorry to the victim's family, the lawyer replied, yes, to the family."

Ferlazzo could face charges of murder and robbery because Ogorchukwu's cell phone was taken.

Ferlazzo's sorrys' aren't enough, now only justice is needed and not vendetta,'' Orgochukwu's family said in a statement issued through their lawyer. "It's difficult to understand what happened.''

The family's lawyer, Francesco Mantella, added in a phone call that the widow, Charity Oriachi, wants to see the suspect face to face to try to understand why he killed her husband.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian government demanded Italy swiftly bring the perpetrator of the heinous act to justice.

A Nigerian foreign ministry statement released Sunday said the government strongly condemns the gruesome murder of a Nigerian and calls on all Nigerians to exercise restraint as the Law takes its course." The country's embassy in Rome has been instructed to work speedily, together with the relevant Italian authorities, to ensure that justice is served, in order to forestall a repeat of the unfortunate incident.

Some members of the Nigerian immigrant community in the Marche region that includes the area where Orgochukwu lived and worked protested the slaying on Saturday. Another protest is expected later this week.

Police investigator Matteo Luconi has told reporters that suspect attacked the vendor after Ogorchukwu's insistent requests to him and his female companion for pocket change.

The slain mans lawyer said he was attacked after complimenting the womans beauty. The companion, identified only as Elena D., was quoted by Corriere della Sera daily as saying Orgochukwu had touched her arm, but that didn't particularly bother her. The woman said she was in a clothing store when the attack occurred shortly after.

The attack comes during campaigning for Sept. 25 elections in Italy. The anti-migrant head of the League party, Matteo Salvini, has made immigration as well as protecting citizens from violent crime top issues.

Orgochukwu was using a crutch after being struck by a car while riding a bicycle. Mantella had been engaged to obtain accident compensation to help the family, including an 8-year-old son, who, the lawyer said, hasn't been yet told what happened to his father.

____

Chinedu Asadu contributed from Nigeria.
MADISON, Wis. (AP)  A judge Monday awarded about $163,000 in fees to attorneys for the liberal watchdog group American Oversight in an open records lawsuit it brought against the investigator hired by Republican Assembly Speaker Robin Vos to investigate the 2020 election.

The fees will be paid by Wisconsin taxpayers and add to the total cost of the investigation that is now over $1 million, all paid by taxpayers.
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP)  A veteran of Kuwait's national oil company took over Monday as secretary general of the OPEC oil cartel, just three weeks after his Nigerian predecessor died, only hours after giving a speech in defense of the energy industry.

Haitham al-Ghais was selected as the incoming secretary general back in January and it was known he would be assuming the post on Aug. 1.

Al-Ghais will serve a three-year term, succeeding Mohammad Sanusi Barkindo, who died aged 63 in his home country of Nigeria last month. Al-Ghais is a veteran of the Kuwait Petroleum Corporation who advised six Kuwaiti oil ministers.

He is well known to OPEC, having chaired technical meetings of OPEC and non-OPEC oil producers, spearheaded by Saudi Arabia and Russia, to curtail production in order to keep oil prices from plummeting during the coronavirus pandemic. The agreement's production caps are set to expire the end of the month.

The group, known as OPEC+, is meeting on Wednesday to discuss its future production quotas.

U.S. and European nations have been pressing OPEC producers, namely Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, to deploy what is left of their spare capacity to pump more oil in the hope it can bring prices down.

A statement from the Vienna-based OPEC said al-Ghais brings a great wealth of experience from both his diplomatic background, as well as his extensive experience in the energy and oil sectors.

I look forward to working with all our member countries and our many partners around the world to ensure a sustainable and inclusive energy future which leaves no one behind, he said.

OPEC policy is expected to remain unaffected by his appointment. His comments about an inclusive energy transition mirror Barkindo's full-throttle defense of the role of oil and gas amid global efforts to tackle climate change and pivot to cleaner sources of energy.

Barkindo had used his platform to advocate in favor of a bigger role for the energy industry in conversations about energy transition. This positioned him firmly on the side of fossil fuel producers who say more investments in oil and gas are needed until the world is able to run on alternative forms of energy.

Scientists and independent researchers, however, say investments in oil and gas must stop and be rerouted to cleaner forms of energy in order to stand a chance of keeping global warming from reaching dangerous levels.
WASHINGTON  Voters in three states will pick Senate nominees Tuesday, with Missourians setting the general election contest to fill the seat being vacated by the pending retirement of a fixture in Missouri and Capitol Hill politics.

National Republicans have made no secret of fears that the contentious GOP primary to replace retiring Republican Sen. Roy Blunt could jeopardize their chances in November, especially if scandal-plagued former Gov. Eric Greitens wins the nomination.

Those fears have receded in recent weeks, thanks in part to a relentless media attack funded by outside groups, and former President Donald Trump has declined to make an endorsement after hinting that he favors Greitens.

A series of recent polls has shown state Attorney General Eric Schmitt taking the lead over Greitens. Schmitt said last week that he would join an effort on the far right opposing Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, a position that Greitens took early in the campaign.

Schmitt is the fundraising leader, with $3.6 million in receipts and $1 million left in the bank as of July 13. He also had $7.7 million in outside support, including $4.8 million from the libertarian Americans for Prosperity Action, founded by the Koch brothers, and $2.5 million from Save Missouri Values, which also spent $74,000 opposing Greitens.

That group is funded in part by Missouri GOP megadonor Rex Sinquefield, who is also helping to bankroll the Show Me Values PAC, which spent almost $8 million opposing Greitens, much of it on ads highlighting his ex-wifes domestic abuse allegations.

Rep. Vicky Hartzler has run on her experience representing the heavily rural 4th District, which is also home to two military bases.

She closely trailed Schmitts fundraising, with $3.5 million in receipts. But she also faced more than $2 million in spending against her by Save Missouri Values, and she was dealt a blow in July when Trump announced that he would not recommend voting for her.

Rep. Billy Long raised $2 million, but he has struggled to stand out in the crowded field. St. Louis attorney Mark McCloskey, who is also among the 21 candidates on the ballot, attracted early attention after he pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges for waving a gun at Black Lives Matter protesters in 2020, but he has not been considered a contender in the race.

On the Democratic side, the 11-candidate race has narrowed to a contest between populist veteran Lucas Kunce and Anheuser-Busch beer heiress Trudy Busch Valentine.

Kunce has raised $4.7 million, more than half of it from donors giving less than $200, while Valentine has funded most of her $3.5 million campaign with her own money. The SuperPAC Missouri Voices Action Fund has spent $100,000 opposing her campaign, and she has attracted criticism from liberal groups for not taking a forceful enough position against Republican attempts to influence how race and gender identity is taught in schools.

The primary winners from both parties will appear on the November ballot with former Jan. 6 committee investigator John Wood, a former Republican running as an independent with support from former GOP Sen. John Danforth.

Arizona and Washington also have primaries on Tuesday.
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP)  The North Carolina State Board of Elections unanimously voted Monday to recognize the Green Party as a new political party, reversing its previous decision to reject the partys petition while the board investigated the signature sheets for fraud.

Katelyn Love, the board's legal counsel, announced Monday that the North Carolina Green Party has submitted more than enough signatures validated by both the state and county elections boards to earn immediate recognition. But Green Party candidates still face an ongoing legal battle to appear on the November ballot after the state boards initial rejection of the petition led the party to miss the July 1 deadline to submit its nominees.

Following the Monday morning vote, the North Carolina Democratic Party announced it will file a lawsuit in state court this week to protect the integrity of the North Carolina political process as the board continues to investigate some Green Party signature gatherers. The lawsuit had not been filed as of late Monday afternoon.

Democrats have warned that Green Party certification could divide progressive voters and clear a path for Republican victories in key races  particularly the tight U.S. Senate race between Democrat Cheri Beasley and Trump-endorsed Republican Rep. Ted Budd.

This was never a political decision, but always an important one, board chair Damon Circosta, a Democrat, said Monday. I personally did what I said I would do from the start. If there came a time when I believed there were enough valid signatures to recognize the Green Party, I would vote to do so.

Though the elections board determined it does not have authority to extend the candidate filing deadline, an Aug. 8 federal court hearing in Raleigh could widen the window for a new political party to nominate candidates in North Carolina.

The boards Democratic majority previously rejected the Green Party petition in a 3-2 vote on June 30, citing petition sheets with nearly identical handwriting, incomplete personal information, duplicate names and deceased signatories.

The Green Party then sued the board on July 14, alleging Democratic interference in the petitioning process and asking the court to reverse the boards decision. The board filed a response to the lawsuit on Friday, opposing the Green Party's demand that a judge order the board to include its candidates on the ballot.

The board agreed the court should extend the candidate filing deadline should the party earn official recognition at Monday's board meeting, the brief states.

Prior to the board's initial vote, the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee acknowledged contacting signers of the Green Party's petition to request they remove their names.

K. Ryan Parker, a plaintiff in the Green Party lawsuit, called the boards decision to certify the Green Party a welcome surprise and a huge win for democracy, which he believes was prompted by the recent onslaught of media attention and a desire to settle the matter outside federal court.

It doesnt change the fact that the Democratic Party attempted to disenfranchise North Carolina voters like me by hiring operatives to call, text and visit voters in their home, attempting to compel them to remove their signatures from the petition, Parker said in an interview Monday. And it doesnt change the fact that this two-party system, this duopoly, has failed us at every turn and continues to force voters into a dilemma every four years of voting for a lesser evil.

Ballot preparation begins in mid-August, which Love said should give Green Party candidates enough time to appear on the North Carolina ballot alongside Democrats, Republicans and Libertarians if the court rules in their favor.

Circosta said the board also plans to recommend legislative changes aimed at ensuring those who commit fraud in the signature collection process can be easily identified and brought to justice.

___

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.
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP)  New Mexicos state forester on Monday lifted fire restrictions that had been imposed in the spring due to extreme wildfire danger, saying summer rains were bringing relief.

Still, State Forester Laura McCarthy warned that some parts of New Mexico remain dry and that people should be cautious with any use of fire and fireworks.

"New Mexicans are living through historic climate change that is becoming our new normal, she said in a statement.

The state restrictions prohibiting campfires, smoking and other opening burning were put in place in late April as hot, dry and windy conditions fueled multiple large fires. That included two planned burns by federal land managers that became the largest wildfire in New Mexicos recorded history.

Thousands of people were forced to evacuate and hundreds of homes in the Sangre de Cristo mountain range were destroyed as a result of the massive blaze. Now, surrounding communities are dealing with deadly flooding as storm runoff flows from barren mountainsides within the burn scar.

Three people died last week when they were swept away by fast-moving floodwaters northwest of the community of Las Vegas.

Residents say they are getting pounded daily by storms.

Ive never seen so much water in my life up here, and theres nothing to hold the water back. Theres nothing, Isidro Archuleta, 58, told the Santa Fe New Mexican.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency last week granted the governor's request to include flooding impacts in New Mexicos disaster declaration for counties affected by wildfires.

Forest officials said Monday that areas across the fire still were experiencing dangerous conditions, such as flooding and debris flows and that as weather allows, crews will continue repairing culverts, mending fences and doing other work to control erosion.
David Rout/Getty Images

A Sacramento man who attempted to save two rafters was found dead along the American River, the Sacramento Bee reported.

The outlet says that 30-year-old Joshua Brandon Crane went missing Friday, July 29 after jumping into the American River to save two struggling rafters. Though the two of them eventually made it to safety, it wasnt until Saturday that Cranes body was recovered downstream from the San Juan rapids  a popular recreational area in Fair Oaks, California. The Bee says that Crane wasnt wearing a life jacket at the time of the incident.
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BENI, Congo (AP)  Police dispersed about 100 demonstrators in Congos eastern town of Beni on Monday, a day after U.N. peacekeepers returning to duty killed three people and wounded more than a dozen at the border with Uganda.

Dalzon Mikundi, president of the Beni Urban Youth Council, said they want the U.N. to cover medical care for the victims wounded by peacekeepers amid demonstrations demanding that the U.N. force leave Congo.

Tensions between the population in restive eastern Congo and the U.N. peacekeeping force have risen dramatically in the past week or so, with more than 20 killed in protests calling for the force to leave.

On Sunday, U.N. peacekeepers opened fire on civilians in Kasindi, a border town with Uganda in Congos North Kivu province.

I call on the youth of Beni to put pressure peacefully and not to fall into vandalism, said Mikundi. I also call on our government to play its role well in securing its population so as not to rely on foreign forces.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he was outraged by the shooting in Kasindi and he offered an apology to Congo's president Mondayu.

The Secretary-General is both saddened and dismayed by the loss of life and serious injuries sustained during this incident. He expresses his deepest condolences to the affected families, the people of the DRC (Congo) and the Congolese government, a U.N. statement said.

Guterres also welcomed investigations into the incident and said the peacekeeper's nation has been contacted to quickly begin "judicial proceedings with the participation of victims and witnesses so that appropriate sanctions can be handed down.

U.N. deputy spokesman Farhan Haq said the secretary-general spoke to President Felix Tshisekedi of Congo on Monday morning and apologized for Sunday's incident and conveyed his condolences.

To bring about stability in eastern Congo, he said, effective dialogue" is needed and for that to happen the U.N. demands "the unconditional withdrawal of the M23 group" and calls on all armed groups to cease all forms of violence.

Guterres said the U.N. is totally committed to coordinating and working with the Congolese armed forces, Haq said. nd bring about stability in eastern DRC, effective dialogue is needed, he said, and for that to happen, we demand the unconditional withdrawal of the M23 group and call on all armed groups to cease all forms of violence.

Meanwhile, the U.N. mission in Congo paid homage on Monday in Goma to the soldiers killed amid demonstrations last week in Goma, Butembo and other places in eastern Congo. The head of the U.N. Congo mission Bintou Keita, as well as Jean-Pierre Lacroix, U.N. Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, attended the ceremony.

The federal government sent a delegation to Goma over the weekend to visit the U.N. facilities and meet with the protesters to find a solution to the crisis.

___

Associated Press videojournalist Justin Kabumba in Goma, Congo, contributed to this report.
SALEM, Ore. (AP)  Its hard to miss Epilogue Kitchen and Cocktails when walking through Salems downtown district. Taped to its windows are tons of signs, some of them handmade. They read: Black Lives Matter, and, No Place For Hate.

There are large portraits of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, and in chalk marker, the names of dozens of other people killed by police in recent years.

Theres also a small cardboard sign that reads: VACCINES REQUIRED FOR SEATED DINING.

Despite that sign, and despite having a reservation at a different Salem restaurant, Naomi Wolf in late June walked into Epilogue and argued at length with staff about their indoor dining rule.

So she walked by, saw our signs  she decided that that meant that she needed to cause a scene, said co-owner Jonathan Jones.

Wolf was once a well-known feminist author  she wrote the 1990 bestseller The Beauty Myth and advised Bill Clinton and Al Gore  who in recent years garnered online attention for spreading misinformation about the coronavirus. Her Twitter account has been disabled, but she continues to use other social media alternatives, including one targeted to American conservatives called Gettr.

Thats where she posted two videos of her late June encounter with staff at Epilogue. In one of them, two employees repeatedly ask Wolf to leave. One points to the vaccines-required sign, and they ask why Wolf decided to violate that boundary by coming inside and arguing with staff anyway.

Well, I mean, first of all, a lot of people in this nations history pushed boundaries like that, Wolf says in the video. And it turned out to be the right thing to do.

Speaking to one of Epilogues Black employees, Wolf goes on to say the indoor dining rule is absolutely discrimination. (By law, discrimination is prejudice or bias against a protected class of people with regards to their race, age, gender, sexual preferences, or disability status. Legally speaking, COVID-19 vaccine status doesnt put someone into a protected class of people.)

Epilogue also offers outdoor seating for people who cant provide proof of vaccination.

Another video shows Jones telling Wolf that shes been banned from the restaurant because of the way she treated his staff.

You have been officially 86d. If you ever come back, you will be trespassing, Jones says.

Wolf responds: Well, Im only trespassing if I enter, while appearing to stand on the sidewalk in front of Epilogues front doors, near its outdoor seating area.

Wolf didnt respond to OPBs requests for comment.

Wolfs videos on Gettr have hundreds of comments from people rallying to harass the restaurant. Several of them make fun of Jones appearance and call for violence against him. And many more call on the crowd to leave negative reviews on the websites various online profiles. Thats when its ratings on Google and Yelp plummeted.

Weve had over 150 fake one-star reviews, Jones said a week after the incident. Most of them dive pretty quickly into racism. Pretty unbridled, gross racism.

Jones said about 75 fake reservations were booked online within a week  made under names like Lets go Brandon, a conservative code for an insult to President Joe Biden. Epilogue received hundreds of prank phone calls and hateful voicemails; Jones said he had to tell staff to stop answering the phone, so only he would have to bear the brunt of the hate.

I will never eat at your restaurant now, later, a woman says in a voicemail that had become typical of the type flooding the restaurants inbox. I hope your business goes under.

Like many of the callers, the woman in the voicemail seemed to be equating Epilogues policy of requiring vaccines to dine inside with racism. She went on to say Epilogues food probably tastes like segregation.

Jones, who is Black, said the menu draws inspiration from the Black diaspora. You can get fried duck leg coated in apple butter and fig-chili vinegar, or rabbit confit flavored with jerk spices.

Jones said he and his wife opened the restaurant about 12 years ago to express themselves creatively through food and art.

Everything we do is designed to sort of show the marks of our hands; to be a piece of our soul, our heart, our mind, he said.

Part of that is not being afraid to show what they believe in, he said, even if that can draw unwanted  and sometimes scary  attention.

If you sit here long enough, you will see just unbridled hatred directed at the restaurant, Jones said. Every single day, people walk by. They flip us off, they yell All Lives Matter.

Since its beginnings, Jones said, Epilogue has suffered racist graffiti and violent attacks. Much of this has been recorded on a restaurant security camera and posted to Epilogues Instagram account.

In one video, a man and woman appear to make a white power symbol at the camera, then walk away. In another video, a man appears to be trying to break the glass front doors, slamming into them several times. Jones said the incident cracked the glass.

Chris Young, a regular customer and friend of Jones, said racist incidents seem to have become more prevalent in Salem since the 2020 racial justice protests, but there hasnt been much recognition of it from city leaders.

Every once in a while, youll have a city councilor have some stern words in the middle of a meeting or something, he said. But as far as something tangible happening, something specific to address this issue, you very rarely, if ever, hear anything about it.

Salem Mayor Chuck Bennet and City Councilor Chris Hoy, whos slated to become the next mayor, didnt respond to requests for comment.

Jones said hes gone to the Salem police in the past, but he didnt feel listened to, so he hasnt reported the Wolf incident or the subsequent harassment.

The way he sees it, people who are driven to violence against his restaurant are angered by his very existence.

The local hatred comes from the fact that we dare to speak our minds; we dare to create spaces and push back against the status quo of a historically white utopia, Jones said. And we also are excellent at the products and the service that we do, and that just absolutely drives them up a wall.

But while that may draw hate from some people, others seem to love Epilogue twice as much. Madalena Martin, a staffer at Epilogue, said the restaurant has become a gathering place for people who might feel like misfits because of their race, gender, or political ideals, especially in an area that tends to lean conservative.

Now Im here and Im surrounded by other activists and other folks who are focused on the disruption of the oppression in our society  Its just healing, Martin said.

Jones  who is originally from the Philadelphia area  said no matter what happens, Salem is his community now, and no amount of harassment or violence will scare him away.

They can bash our windows, they can threaten my life, Jones said.  Im still going to be the excellent person that I am.
EDWARDSVILLE  Col. Sarah Smith of Edwardsville, the State Judge Advocate of the Illinois Army National Guard, has been selected as one of four nationwide recipients of the 2022 Federally Employed Women (FEW) Military Meritorious Award.

I am unbelievably honored to be selected for such a prestigious military award, Smith said.

Balancing my civilian career and my military obligations along with raising a family does not go without its challenges," she said. "While there are times when I feel stretched beyond capacity, when I go to drill and serve with the amazing soldiers in the Illinois Army National Guard, and I am able to mentor and train strong young women who I hope to one day pass the torch to, all of the struggles pale in comparison to those experiences.

As the State Judge Advocate of the Illinois Army National Guard, Smith is the highest-ranking legal officer and advises general officers and other senior level commanders on all military legal matters. In her civilian capacity, she is a circuit judge in the Third Judicial Circuit in Madison County.

FEW is a nonprofit created in 1968 to advocate for equity and diversity for women and works towards advancing women in government with cutting-edge training, nationwide networking and invaluable insight. It assists more than a million women in the military and civilian workforce become strategic leaders within its four-pillar program: training, legislation, diversity and compliance.

It recognizes select military women with its annual Military Meritorious Service Award. Award recipients have distinguished themselves with significant contributions to their service and their nation by promoting the tenets of civil/human rights, equal opportunity and public service; contributing to the equal opportunity for selection, promotion or retention of women and minorities in senior grade level positions; and assisting in overcoming and eliminating barriers that hinder equal opportunity for all members of the armed forces.

Col. Smith is an outstanding officer who has played an important role in addressing difficult issues within the military and the Illinois National Guard. The Federally Employed Women recognized the same outstanding leadership in her as weve seen for many years, said Maj. Gen. Rich Neely, the Adjutant General of Illinois and Commander of the Illinois National Guard. Col. Smith is a dedicated officer that goes above and beyond. She is an excellent role model for women in the military and has a heart for serving her community the same way she has served her country for the past 28 years.

Smith mobilized for the first time in 2005 in support of Hurricane Katrina. Her overseas experience includes service as the Chief of Operational and Administrative Law for the 35th Infantry Division in Kosovo and as Deputy Staff Judge Advocate for the 33rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team in Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom where she was awarded the Bronze Star.

Because of her vast military legal experience, Smith has spoken at numerous key senior level engagements to include the Warsaw Ministry of Defense Legal Symposium, Warsaw Poland in 2011 and 2016, and at the United Nations Peace Symposium, New York, New York in 2011.

FEW honored Smith for her work during her deployment to Afghanistan, where she was selected to mentor the only female general officer in the Afghan National Army and work directly with the Afghan Minister of Education and the Minister of Womens Affairs. She was also recognized for speaking at the United Nations symposium on two different occasions regarding her experience with womens issues in Afghanistan. In addition, Smith presided over the civil law division and Madison Countys Veterans Treatment Court and co-established the Domestic Violence Accountability Court and the Child Support Accountability Court.

Among her other achievements, Smith worked with the Governors Office and legislators on the language of the proposed changes to Senate Bill 257, legislation to strengthen the states response to military sexual violence. The proposed change to state law was identified by the Governors Office and Smith presented the changes to the working group within the Illinois National Guard.
The Western Balkans are an integral part of the European Union and Spain fully backs the region's integration into the 27-member bloc, Spain's prime minister said Monday.

Pedro Sanchez was in Albania's capital Tirana Monday in the first-ever trip by a Spanish prime minister to the country. The stop in Albania was the last leg of Sanchez's Western Balkan trip that earlier took him to Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and North Macedonia.
JACKSON, Miss. (AP)  A Mississippi woman who pleaded guilty to trying to hire a hitman to kill her ex-husband was sentenced to 10 years in prison.

U.S. District Judge Carlton W. Reeves handed down the sentence Monday. The sentence against Jessica Leeann Sledge, 40, of Pelahatchie in the unsuccessful murder-for-hire scheme also included a fine of $1,000 and three years of supervised release following her release from prison.

Sledge declined to make a verbal statement during her sentencing hearing. Her attorney, John Colette, said his client was a first-time offender with a zero chance of recidivism. Through his office, Colette declined to provide The Associated Press with an additional statement.

U.S. Attorney David Fulcher said the crime was premeditated and recommended the court give the maximum 10-year sentence that was offered as part of a plea deal.

"The premeditation of this ... Ms. Sledge knew (this murder) was going to take place, Fulcher said.

Sledge pleaded guilty to using interstate commerce facilities in the commission of a murder-for-hire, said U.S. Attorney Darren J. LaMarca and Jermicha Fomby, a special agent with the FBI's Jackson field office.

Between September 2021 and November 2021, Sledge used the internet, her cellphone and a messaging app to hire a person she thought was an assassin. But the person was an undercover FBI agent, according to a news release from U.S. Attorneys Office.

On Nov. 1, 2021, Sledge met in Brandon with the person she thought was the assassin to provide payment and information about her intended victim. According to previous testimony, Sledge was attempting to kill her ex-husband, WLBT-TV reported. He escaped the incident unharmed, the U.S. Attorneys Office said. After her arrest, Sledge waived her rights and admitted to her role in the plot.

Judge Reeves said the planning of the crime justified his sentence.

What we have here is a methodical plan to kill her husband, Reeves said. All of that is very troubling to the court and the law itself.

Reeves said the court would recommend Sledge complete her sentence at the Federal Bureau of Prisons womens facility in Aliceville, Alabama.
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP)  West Virginia cities and counties reached a $400 million tentative settlement with three major U.S. drug distributors, lawyers announced Monday.

In a lawsuit in state court, the cities and counties accused the distributors of fueling the opioid epidemic. The companies are AmerisourceBergen, Cardinal Health and McKesson.

The funds will be distributed over 12 years.

This is a monumental settlement for the state of West Virginia, and its been a battle thats been waged by a lot of families, a lot of communities, Wheeling attorney Bob Fitzsimmons told news outlets. A lot of bad things have happened as a result of the opioid epidemic.

Fitzsimmons and Huntington attorney Paul Farrell Jr. said the individual counties and municipalities still must approve the settlement.

Lauren Esposito, vice president of external and executive communications for AmerisourceBergen, said the settlement will avoid years of litigation and help get resources to areas affected by opioid misuse, as well as make sure health care facilities are able to access medications that patients and providers need, news outlets reported.

Cardinal Health said in an emailed statement, We remain committed to being a part of the solution to the opioid epidemic and believe this settlement agreement will help provide necessary relief to West Virginia communities in need.

McKesson did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment Monday.

Last month, a federal judge ruled against Cabell County and Huntington in similar claims. They are not included in the settlement announced Monday and plan to appeal the ruling that rejected most arguments made against the drug companies.
The following list includes recent reports from the Midland County Sheriffs Office and the Midland Police Department. Compiled by reporter Tereasa Nims.

Sunday, July 31

8:40 p.m.  Deputies responded to a two-vehicle property damage crash in Mount Haley Township.

7:58 p.m.  Deputies were dispatched to a Lee Township location for a 911 hang-up. Upon their arrival, the 41-year-old Lee Township man advised he was OK and didn't need any assistance from the Sheriff's Office.

1:18 p.m.  Deputies assisted Michigan State Police with a suspicious situation in Mills Township. A resident came home and found her front door open. Deputies and MSP checked the residence without incident. The caller advised she had not locked her door when she left. Nothing was missing or disturbed in the residence.

11 a.m.  Deputies were dispatched to US-10 in Coleman for a car towing a boat trailer with a flat tire. The towing company was not able to put a new tire on the boat trailer due to the tie rods being broken off. The boat and trailer were off of the roadway. The owners had a flatbed truck en route to pick up the boat.

9:40 a.m.  Deputies were sent to Warren Township for loose cattle. They confirmed the cattle were in the woods and not a road hazard.

6:51 a.m.  A deputy was dispatched to the City of Coleman after an 81-year-old woman with mental health issues very briefly walked away from her apartment. The deputy spoke with the woman's 51-year-old live-in daughter and confirmed that her mother had returned home after briefly walking away. The deputy spoke with the daughter about potentially having her mother placed into an assisted living home.

1:58 a.m.  Deputies drove to assist Gratiot County law enforcement with a large fight in progress. Prior to their arrival, Gratiot County advised that it no longer needed assistance.

1:59 a.m.  Deputies were dispatched to a Jerome Township location regarding a report of several vehicles parked in front of a residence with a loud party in progress. Deputies checked the area; however, no loud party was located and the vehicles had left the area prior to deputies arriving at the scene.

1:15 a.m.  Deputies were dispatched to a Lee Township residence to check the well-being of a 31-year-old woman per the request of her 61-year-old mother. Deputies spoke with the 31-year-old, who advised everything was OK.

12:26 a.m.  Deputies checked a Larkin Township neighborhood regarding a report of gunshots. The deputies did not hear any gunshots but did hear some fireworks.

1:07 a.m.  A deputy responded to an Edenville Township residence for a death investigation of a 66-year-old woman. The death appeared to be of natural causes.

Saturday, July 30

8:55 p.m.  A deputy was dispatched to an Edenville Township location regarding all-terrain vehicles operating in the roadway and causing a traffic hazard. The deputy checked the area; however, the ATVs were not located.

9:16 p.m.  Deputies were dispatched to a Hope Township residence regarding a verbal argument between a 54-year-old man and his 65-year-old wife. Both parties advised that they were all set.

8:55 p.m.  A deputy checked a Jerome Township residence regarding a neighbor complaint about target shooting. The female complainant wanted to make sure that the shooters were being safe. The deputy contacted two males and spoke to them about being safe while shooting.

1:19 p.m.  A deputy assisted a Michigan State Police Trooper on a domestic assault complaint in Mills Township.

3:21 p.m.  A 70-year-old Midland Township woman reported that her 45-year-old daughter had violated her bond condition. Deputies investigated the bond condition, and a report will be forwarded to the prosecutor for review.

1:01 am.  Deputies were dispatched to a Warren Township residence for a verbal dispute between a 28-year-old Midland woman and a 13-year-old Warren Township boy. It was determined there was no assault, and the parties were separated for the remainder of the night.

Friday, July 29

11:27 p.m.  Deputies were dispatched to a Lee Township residence to check the well-being of a 40-year-old man. The mans sister stated she was worried because he was not responding to text messages. Deputies arrived at the residence; however, the male was not home.

8:56 p.m.  A deputy answered questions regarding neighbor issues and the personal protection order process for a 46-year-old Lee Township man.

8:36 p.m.  Deputies were dispatched to a Lee Township property regarding a suspicious situation. Upon their arrival, the 41-year-old Lee Township man advised he was all set and did not need any assistance from the Sheriff's Office.

8:32 p.m.  Deputies were dispatched to a Midland Township residence for a well-being check on an 82-year-old man and an 80-year-old woman. The deputies contacted both individuals, who advised they were OK.

7:59 p.m.  Deputies contacted a 65-year-old Greendale Township man, who reported that he was involved in a verbal argument over property lines with his 50-year-old nephew. Deputies advised both parties to survey their land, and gave other advice on how to prevent future issues.

2:35 p.m.  Deputies responded to Edenville Township for report of a speeding vehicle swerving in and out of traffic. Deputies searched the area; however, the vehicle was gone before they arrived.

2:10 p.m.  Deputies responded to Lincoln Township regarding possible illegally parked vehicles. Deputies located the vehicles; however, they were safely parked off of the roadway.

1:45 p.m.  A deputy stood by while a 47-year-old Isabella County woman gathered some belongings from her previous home in Midland Township.

1:48 p.m.  Deputies responded to Jerome Township for a single-vehicle minor personal injury accident.

11:15 a.m.  A deputy contacted a Homer Township business regarding a customer being behind on payments for a vehicle they had rented. The customer ended up paying their bill, and the business didn't need further assistance.

11:44 a.m.  Deputies responded to a single-vehicle accident in Lincoln Township. No injuries.

10:28 a.m.  Deputies spoke to a 47-year-old Lee Township woman at the Law Enforcement Center regarding questions she had about personal protection orders.

9:45 a.m.  A 41-year-old Lee Township man called 911 reporting there were unwanted people at his house; however, he called back shortly thereafter and advised that the people had left and he did not need law enforcement.

10:05 a.m.  Deputies responded to a two-vehicle crash in Mount Haley Township. No injuries.

9:06 a.m.  Deputies responded to a Lincoln Township residence regarding a verbal argument between a 51-year-old woman and her 43-year-old wife. The 51-year-old advised deputies that her wife had left, and nobody was assaulted. The 51-year-old said she would call 911 if her wife showed back up and started yelling at her again.

8:58 a.m.  Deputies responded to a single-vehicle crash in Midland Township. There were no injuries.

3:49 a.m.  A deputy assisted Jerome Township Fire Department in the Village of Sanford with traffic control after a tree fell across the roadway.

1:01 a.m.  Deputies were dispatched to a Coleman residence to speak with a 40-year-old woman regarding her 52-year-old Isabella County ex-boyfriend harassing her. The woman was explained the process of obtaining a personal protection order. The man was subsequently arrested for two unrelated warrants out of Kent County and Ottawa County.
Courtesy of the Darwin Airport

A passenger traveling to Australia was slapped with a hefty fine for allegedly entering the country with undeclared meat products in their backpack.

The traveler was allegedly in possession of two McMuffins that they purchased from a McDonalds in Indonesia, as well as a ham croissant. Upon entering Australia following a flight from Bali, the passengers bag was sniffed out by Darwin Airports biosecurity detector dog Zinta.
WFO LAS VEGAS Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Sunday, July 31, 2022

_____

FLASH FLOOD WARNING

The National Weather Service in Las Vegas has issued a

* Flash Flood Warning for...

Southwestern Mohave County in northwestern Arizona...

San Bernardino County in southern California...

Southeastern Clark County in southern Nevada...

* Until 800 PM MST /800 PM PDT/.

* At 451 PM MST /451 PM PDT/, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms

producing heavy rain developing around Bullhead City south through

the Mojave Valley. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin

shortly.

HAZARD...Life-threatening flash flooding. Thunderstorms

producing flash flooding.

SOURCE...Radar.

IMPACT...Life-threatening flash flooding of low-water

crossings, creeks, normally dry washes and roads.

* Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...

Bullhead City, Laughlin, Needles, Mesquite Creek, Mohave Valley,

Mojave Ranch Estates, Oatman and Willow Valley.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood

deaths occur in vehicles.

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Copyright 2022 AccuWeather
WFO LAS VEGAS Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Sunday, July 31, 2022

_____

FLASH FLOOD WARNING

The National Weather Service in Las Vegas has issued a

* Flash Flood Warning for...

Inyo County in south central California...

San Bernardino County in southern California...

Southwestern Nye County in south central Nevada...

* Until 800 PM PDT.

* At 453 PM PDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms continue to

produce heavy rain across Inyo County including the lower eastern

slopes of the Sierra Nevada west of Lone Pine and all of Death

Valley National Park. Flash flooding is ongoing along State Route

127 and Highway 190.

HAZARD...Life-threatening flash flooding. Thunderstorms

producing flash flooding.

SOURCE...Radar.

IMPACT...Life-threatening flash flooding of low-water

crossings, creeks, normally dry washes and roads.

* Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...

Stovepipe Wells, Furnace Creek, Olancha, Lone Pine, Independence,

Shoshone, Big Pine, South Lake, Panamint Springs, Darwin, Texas

Springs Campground, Mesquite Springs Campground, Keeler, Homewood

Canyon-Valley Wells, Scottys Castle, Cartago, Diaz Lake, Portagee

Lake Campground, Tuttle Creek Campground and Whitney Portal

Campground.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood

deaths occur in vehicles.

Northeastern San Bernardino County in southern California...

* At 457 PM PDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms continue to

produce heavy rain across the warned area. Flash flooding is

ongoing across San Bernardino County, particularly through the

Mojave National Preserve, where all roadways are currently closed.

Fort Irwin, Kelso, Baker, Mitchell Caverns, Cima, Daggett, Mid

Hills Campground, Ludlow, Hole In The Wall Campground, Black

Canyon Equestrian Campground, Amboy, Afton Canyon Campground,

Mountain Pass, Nipton And Ivanpah Roads, Essex, Nipton, Dumont

Dunes, Sr 127 Near Dumont Dunes, Newberry Springs and Tecopa.

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Copyright 2022 AccuWeather
WFO LAS VEGAS Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Monday, August 1, 2022

_____

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING

Severe Weather Statement

National Weather Service Las Vegas NV

326 PM PDT Mon Aug 1 2022

...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR WEST CENTRAL SAN BERNARDINO

COUNTY WILL EXPIRE AT 330 PM PDT...

The storm which prompted the warning has weakened and has exited the

warned area. There still could be strong gusty winds in the area but

the threat for severe winds is diminishing. Therefore, the warning

will be allowed to expire.

...FLOOD ADVISORY IS CANCELLED...

The Flood Advisory is cancelled.

The heavy rain has ended. Urban and small stream flooding is no

longer expected to pose a threat. Please continue to heed remaining

road closures.

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 400 PM PDT

FOR NORTHWESTERN SAN BERNARDINO AND SOUTH CENTRAL INYO COUNTIES...

At 330 PM PDT, a severe thunderstorm was weakening and located 21

miles west of Sr 127 Near Dumont Dunes, or 23 miles southwest of

Shoshone, moving northeast at 10 mph. While the storm has weakened

substantially, outflow winds of up to 60 mph may still be possible

within the warned area.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and blowing dust.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Possible damage to roofs and trees and blowing dust.

This severe thunderstorm will remain over mainly rural areas of

northwestern San Bernardino and south central Inyo Counties.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

To report severe weather contact your nearest law enforcement agency.

They will send your report to the National Weather Service office in

Las Vegas.

...FLOOD ADVISORY WILL EXPIRE AT 345 PM PDT THIS AFTERNOON...

The Flood Advisory will expire at 345 PM PDT this afternoon for a

portion of central California, including the following county, Kern.

Flood waters have receded. The heavy rain has ended. Flooding is no

...BEACH HAZARDS STATEMENT REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH WEDNESDAY

AFTERNOON...

* WHAT...Dangerous rip currents and breaking waves due to

elevated surf of 3 to 6 feet developing tonight through

Wednesday.

* WHERE...Malibu Coast and Los Angeles County Beaches,

especially south facing shores.

* WHEN...Through Wednesday afternoon.

* IMPACTS...There is an increased risk of ocean drowning. Rip

currents can pull swimmers and surfers out to sea. Waves can

wash people off beaches and rocks, and capsize small boats

nearshore.

Remain out of the water due to hazardous swimming conditions, or

stay near occupied lifeguard towers. Rock jetties can be deadly

in such conditions, stay off the rocks.

_____

Copyright 2022 AccuWeather
WFO LAS VEGAS Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Monday, August 1, 2022

_____

FLASH FLOOD WARNING

The National Weather Service in Las Vegas has issued a

* Flash Flood Warning for...

San Bernardino County in southern California...

Southwestern Clark County in southern Nevada...

* Until 645 PM PDT.

* At 344 PM PDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing

heavy rain across the warned area. Flash flooding is ongoing or

expected to begin shortly.

HAZARD...Life-threatening flash flooding. Thunderstorms

producing flash flooding.

SOURCE...Radar.

IMPACT...Life-threatening flash flooding of low-water

crossings, creeks, normally dry washes and roads.

* Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...

Primm, Jean, Nipton And Ivanpah Roads, Nipton, Nipton Road Mile

Marker 3, Mountain Pass, Goodsprings and Sandy Valley.

This includes the following highways...

Interstate 15 in Nevada between mile markers 1 and 24.

Interstate 15 in California between mile markers 157 and 186.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood

deaths occur in vehicles.

Be aware of your surroundings and do not drive on flooded roads.

In hilly terrain there are hundreds of low water crossings which are

potentially dangerous in heavy rain. Do not attempt to cross flooded

roads. Find an alternate route.

Please report observed flooding to local emergency services or law

enforcement and request they pass this information to the National

Weather Service when you can do so safely.

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of east central Kern

County through 445 PM PDT...

At 354 PM PDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 8

miles south of California City, or 33 miles north of Lake Los

Angeles, moving northeast at 40 mph.

HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph and 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...

California City, Edwards AFB and North Edwards.

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.

Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe

shelter inside a building or vehicle.

LAT...LON 3488 11785 3499 11797 3531 11777 3528 11763

3512 11763

TIME...MOT...LOC 2254Z 218DEG 34KT 3508 11776

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN

MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

_____

Copyright 2022 AccuWeather
WFO MEDFORD Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Sunday, July 31, 2022

_____

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT

Special Weather Statement

National Weather Service Medford OR

433 PM PDT Sun Jul 31 2022

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of north central

Siskiyou County through 500 PM PDT...

At 432 PM PDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near

Fort Jones, or 9 miles southwest of Yreka, moving northwest at 25

mph.

HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph and 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...

Yreka and Fort Jones, but also portions of the McKinney fire.

This includes Highway 3 in California between mile markers 33 and 47.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

LAT...LON 4166 12261 4153 12272 4172 12302 4185 12277

TIME...MOT...LOC 2332Z 132DEG 20KT 4166 12279

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN

MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

The National Weather Service in Reno has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...

Central Lassen County in northern California...

* Until 515 PM PDT.

* At 435 PM PDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Eagle Lake,

moving northwest at 20 mph.

HAZARD...Quarter size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Damage to vehicles is expected.

* Locations impacted include...

Eagle Lake, Spaulding, Aspen Grove Campground, Christie Campground,

Merrill Campground and Eagle Campground.

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.

If on or near Eagle 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 PHOENIX Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Monday, August 1, 2022

_____

AREAL FLOOD ADVISORY

Flood Advisory

National Weather Service Phoenix AZ

1242 PM PDT Mon Aug 1 2022

...FLOOD ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 345 PM PDT THIS AFTERNOON...

* WHAT...Arroyo and small stream flooding caused by excessive

rainfall is expected.

* WHERE...A portion of southern California, including the following

counties, Riverside and San Bernardino.

* WHEN...Until 345 PM PDT.

* IMPACTS...Minor flooding in low-lying and poor drainage areas.

Water over roadways.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...

- At 1242 PM PDT, Doppler radar indicated heavy rain due to

thunderstorms. This will cause arroyo and small stream

flooding. Up to 0.5 inches of rain have fallen.

- Some locations that will experience flooding include...

northwest portions of Joshua Tree National Park.

- http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Flooding is occurring or is imminent. It is important to know where

you are relative to streams, rivers, or creeks which can become

killers in heavy rains. Campers and hikers should avoid streams or

creeks.

Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood

deaths occur in vehicles.

...FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 PM PDT THIS EVENING...

* WHAT...Flooding caused by excessive rainfall continues to be

possible.

* WHERE...A portion of Southern California, including the following

areas, Apple and Lucerne Valleys, Riverside County Mountains and

San Bernardino County Mountains.

* WHEN...Until 10 PM PDT this evening.

* IMPACTS...Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers,

creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations.

- Scattered thunderstorms with heavy rainfall are expected

through early evening.

You should monitor later forecasts and be alert for possible Flood

Warnings. Those living in areas prone to flooding should be prepared

to take action should flooding develop.

...FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 PM PDT THIS EVENING...

* WHAT...Flooding caused by excessive rainfall is possible.

areas, San Diego County Deserts and San Diego County Mountains.

- Thunderstorms producing heavy rain with rates of one to two

inches per hour possible through this evening.

The National Weather Service in Las Vegas has issued a

* Flash Flood Warning for...

East Central San Bernardino County in southern California...

* Until 345 PM PDT.

* At 1245 PM PDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing

heavy rain across the warned area. Flash flooding is ongoing or

expected to begin shortly.

HAZARD...Life-threatening flash flooding. Thunderstorms

producing flash flooding.

SOURCE...Radar.

IMPACT...Life-threatening flash flooding of low-water

crossings, creeks, normally dry washes and roads.

* Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...

Yucca Valley, Joshua Tree Lake Campground, Joshua Tree, and

Highway 62 between Mile Marker 11 to 26.

Be aware of your surroundings and do not drive on flooded roads.

In hilly terrain there are hundreds of low water crossings which are

potentially dangerous in heavy rain. Do not attempt to cross flooded

roads. Find an alternate route.

The National Weather Service in Hanford has issued a

East Central Kern County in central California...

* Until 245 PM PDT.

* At 1246 PM PDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing

HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms.

IMPACT...Flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban

areas, highways, streets and underpasses as well as

other poor drainage and low-lying areas.

Tehachapi, Golden Hills, Jawbone Canyon and Water Canyon.

The National Weather Service in San Diego has issued a

Riverside County in southern California...

Northern San Diego County in southwestern California...

* At 1247 PM PDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing

heavy rain across the warned area. Between 1 and 2 inches of rain

have fallen. Additional rainfall amounts of 0.75 to 1.5 inches are

possible in the warned area. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected

to begin shortly.

HAZARD...Life threatening flash flooding. Thunderstorms

IMPACT...Life threatening flash flooding of creeks and streams,

urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses.

Hwy 79 Between Warner Springs And Oak Grove, Aguanga and Cahuilla

Indian Reservation.

_____

Copyright 2022 AccuWeather
WFO RENO Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Sunday, July 31, 2022

_____

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING

The National Weather Service in Reno has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...

Western Lassen County in northern California...

* Until 645 PM PDT.

* At 558 PM PDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Crater Lake

Campground, or 19 miles north of Chester, moving west at 20 mph.

HAZARD...Has had a report of quarter size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Damage to vehicles is expected.

* Locations impacted include...

Crater Lake Campground and Ca 44 At Shasta-Lassen Co Line.

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 SAN DIEGO Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Monday, August 1, 2022

_____

AREAL FLOOD ADVISORY

Flood Advisory

National Weather Service San Diego CA

120 PM PDT Mon Aug 1 2022

...FLOOD ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 430 PM PDT THIS AFTERNOON...

* WHAT...Urban and small stream flooding caused by excessive

rainfall is expected.

* WHERE...A portion of Southern California, including the following

county, San Bernardino.

* WHEN...Until 430 PM PDT.

* IMPACTS...Minor flooding in low-lying and poor drainage areas.

Water over roadways.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...

- At 120 PM PDT, Doppler radar indicated heavy rain due to

thunderstorms. This will cause urban and small stream

flooding. Between 0.75 and 1.25 inches of rain have fallen.

- Additional rainfall amounts of 0.75 to 1.25 inches are

expected over the area. This additional rain will result in

minor flooding.

- Some locations that will experience flooding include...

Victorville, Hesperia, Adelanto, El Mirage, Pinon Hills,

Phelan, Oro Grande, Helendale and Mountain View Acres.

- http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood

deaths occur in vehicles.

The National Weather Service in Phoenix has issued a

* Flash Flood Warning for...

Riverside County in southern California...

San Bernardino County in southern California...

* Until 530 PM PDT.

* At 125 PM PDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing

heavy rain across the warned area. Between 0.5 and 1.5 inches of

rain have fallen. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin

shortly.

HAZARD...Life threatening flash flooding. Thunderstorms

producing flash flooding.

SOURCE...Radar.

IMPACT...Life threatening flash flooding of normally dry

washes, hiking trails, and Park roads.

* Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...

Park Boulevard and Indian Cove in Joshua Tree National Park.

Flooding is occurring or is imminent. It is important to know where

you are relative to streams, rivers, or creeks which can become

killers in heavy rains. Campers and hikers should avoid streams or

creeks.

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of San Bernardino

County through 215 PM PDT...

At 130 PM PDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 7

miles northeast of Pinon Hills, or 10 miles west of Victorville,

moving north at 10 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around

unsecured objects.

Locations impacted include...

Victorville, Adelanto, Pinon Hills, El Mirage and Phelan.

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

LAT...LON 3445 11746 3445 11761 3467 11764 3467 11742

TIME...MOT...LOC 2030Z 181DEG 9KT 3453 11754

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN

MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

_____

Copyright 2022 AccuWeather
WFO SAN DIEGO Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Monday, August 1, 2022

_____

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT

Special Weather Statement

National Weather Service San Diego CA

140 PM PDT Mon Aug 1 2022

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of San Bernardino

County through 230 PM PDT...

At 140 PM PDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near

Victorville, moving north at 10 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around

unsecured objects.

Locations impacted include...

Victorville, Apple Valley, I-15 Between Victorville And Barstow,

Adelanto, Oro Grande and Helendale.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

LAT...LON 3454 11720 3452 11742 3471 11744 3474 11714

TIME...MOT...LOC 2040Z 181DEG 9KT 3457 11732

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN

MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

The National Weather Service in Hanford has issued a

* Flash Flood Warning for...

Northeastern Kern County in central California...

* Until 445 PM PDT.

* At 140 PM PDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing

heavy rain across the warned area. Flash flooding is ongoing or

expected to begin shortly.

HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms.

SOURCE...Radar.

IMPACT...Flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban

areas, highways, streets and underpasses as well as

other poor drainage and low-lying areas.

* Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...

Onyx, Weldon and Walker Pass.

Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood

deaths occur in vehicles.

_____

Copyright 2022 AccuWeather
WFO PORTLAND Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Sunday, July 31, 2022

_____

EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING

URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE

National Weather Service Portland OR

705 PM PDT Sun Jul 31 2022

...EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM PDT THIS

EVENING...

* WHAT...High heat risk. Temperatures 90 to 95 through 9 pm.

* 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 Sunday.

* IMPACTS...The prolonged period of 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.

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...High heat risk. Temperatures 90 to 95 through 9 PM.

* WHERE...In Oregon, Greater Portland Metro Area. In Washington,

Greater Vancouver Area.

...HEAT ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM PDT THIS EVENING...

* WHAT...Moderate heat risk, mainly for areas well inland and

closer to the Willamette Valley. Temperatures in the mid to

upper 80s through 9 PM.

* WHERE...In Oregon, Coast Range of Northwest Oregon and Central

Coast Range of Western Oregon. In Washington, Willapa Hills.

* IMPACTS...Hot temperatures may cause heat illnesses to occur.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...The marine layer will push in a little

stronger tonight, which will keep the western slopes cooler.

* WHAT...Moderate heat risk. Temperatures near 90 at 7 pm, but

cooling into the 80s by 9 pm.

* WHERE...In Oregon, Lower Columbia and South Willamette Valley.

In Washington, I-5 Corridor in Cowlitz County.

* WHAT...Moderate heat risk. Temperatures in the 80s through 9 pm.

* WHERE...In Oregon, Northern Oregon Cascade Foothills. In

Washington, South Washington Cascade Foothills.

...HEAT ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM PDT THIS EVENING

BELOW 4000 FEET...

* WHAT...Moderate heat risk. Temperatures in the 80s below 4000

feet through 9 pm, but much cooler under thunderstorm activity.

* WHERE...In Oregon, Northern Oregon Cascades and Cascades in

Lane County. In Washington, South Washington Cascades.

_____

Copyright 2022 AccuWeather
Commvault, a recognised global enterprise leader in intelligent data services across on-premises, cloud, and software as a service (SaaS) environment, announced the appointment of Arvinderjit Singh Dadhwal as Director of Sales Engineering for India and South Asia. In his role, Dadhwal will spearhead the rapid integration of Commvaults latest technology offerings and the simplicity of our cloud solutions into the pre-sales teams to deliver the best solutions and services for customers and partners.

Dadhwal brings over 25 years of experience in the software industry, including a noteworthy period with Commvault from 2013-2021, when he successfully managed the Sales Engineering (SE) team for North India, expanded the Sales Engineering team across SAARC and grew the Global System Integrator (GSI) engagement to six key India GSIs. He was also instrumental in building Commvaults Central SE Shared Services (CSS) team for the APJ region. He returns to Commvault, after a yearlong stint at Kyndryl where he was responsible for engaging in large and complex resiliency deals pan India. With his strong leadership and analytical approach, Arvinderjit has been a trusted advisor to CXOs in their organizations IT journey across India.

Cesar Cid de Rivera, International Vice President of Sales Engineering, said, We are excited to welcome back Arvinderjit to Commvault. India is a crucial market and pivotal to our growth plans, and we are excited to witness a steady increase across our customer portfolio. Arvinderjits appointment reinforces our efforts towards ensuring a diverse and talented international team that will help us in taking Commvault to the next level. His legacy knowledge of Commvault and network is an asset to the vision and mission of extending superior customer experiences through our innovative product portfolio.

With a proven track record of leading teams in sales engineering across the entire lifecycle of data management and cloud computing, Arvinderjit is the ideal person to head our sales engineering team through our ongoing transformation to hybrid cloud solutions with SaaS technology. Our clients look to us to help tackle complex data concerns and the expansion of our leadership team with Arvinderjits wealth of expertise will support Commvaults growth trajectory. said Anshuman Rai, Area Vice President, India, and South Asia, Commvault.

The accelerated adoption of cloud during the pandemic, along with the increased demand for SaaS solutions, has also heightened concerns about ransomware readiness among enterprises. There is an immense need for intelligent data protection and management solutions in India. Dadhwals appointment will strengthen the teams strategic and industry expertise to help our customers unlock value from their critical data while reducing risks, Rai added.

I am quite excited to be back at Commvault during this dynamic period of growth. I am eager to take on my elevated responsibilities and work closely with the leadership teams in supporting Commvaults success in this market. With one of the broadest product portfolio in industry and the best customer support in this volatile business landscape, it is Commvaults time to shine. I sincerely believe that Commvaults innovations around data protection and management in hybrid environments will help shape the industry for years to come, said Arvinderjit Singh Dadhwal, Director of Sales Engineering, India, and South Asia.
Two Minersville Police Patrol vehicles were damaged last month after they were struck by drivers suspected of driving under the influence.

According to Minersville Police, the first incident occurred on Monday, July 18th, 2022 around 11:45pm in the parking lot of the Fuel Up gas station.

Police Officer Michael Layton-Herron reports that while he was parking in the lot of the gas station, a Ford F-150, being driven by Jarrod Ruscavage, 39, of Minersville was backing out of a parking spot and struck the patrol vehicle.

When questioned, Ruscavage appeared to be disheveled, sweating, moving slow, and had bloodshot eyes. When asked if he was drinking, Ruscavage stated he "probably had a couple of beers".

The patrol vehicle sustained damage to the passenger side quarter panel.

The second incident occurred 5 days later on Saturday, July 23rd, 2022 when Officer Timothy Walsh was investigating smoke conditions on South 3rd Street just before 9:00pm.

Officer Walsh reports that he had just put his patrol vehicle in park when he looked in the rear view mirror and noticed a Ford Escape coming up from behind way too fast. Walsh put the vehicle in drive to avoid the collision but was rear-ended.

The driver, Charles Stablum, 56, of Pottsville was transported by the Pennsylvania State Police for blood work.

The patrol vehicle sustained damage to the rear.

Both incidents were handed over to the Pennsylvania State Police for further investigation.
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A subscription to our digital content is so much more than just access to our valuable content. It means youre helping to support a local community institution that has, from its very start, supported the betterment of our society. Thank you very much!
The fissures in Chinas property markets first surfaced publicly a year ago when it became apparent that China Evergrande was struggling to meet payments to suppliers and other creditors. A year on and it is apparent that the worlds most indebted property developer remains essentially brain-dead and on life support and that the property crisis it ignited is spreading and deepening.

Late Friday in Hong Kong Evergrande provided an update on the progress of its efforts to develop a plan for restructuring its debt. It had a self-imposed deadline of the end of July to deliver the plan but, from Fridays announcement, it appears there has been little progress.

Evergrandes plight, already appearing hopeless, seems to worsen every time it provides an update. Credit:Bloomberg

Instead of the plan it unveiled preliminary restructuring principles, saying it might offer some assets outside China to offshore dollar bond creditors owed about $US23 billion ($33 billion).

Those assets might include shares in its electric vehicle and property management services businesses, either as supplement credit enhancement to support a conversion of existing debt into new bonds or perhaps as equity-for-debt swaps.
By leveraging Russias sway over gas supplies to Europe, Oreshkins rouble demand allowed Putin to appear to be fighting back against the initial sanctions onslaught. It ultimately forced the EU to back down as most of the major consumers signed up to the new terms that included the requirement to open special accounts with Gazprombank JSC, keeping the lender free of sanctions. I consider the effect of using the roubles-for-gas scheme to be positive, Oreshkin told Bloomberg, declining to comment on his role in devising it. Oreshkin is said to be the architect of Russias controversial roubles for gas demand. Credit:Getty He has whispered rhetorical flourishes that then wind up in presidential speeches. He coined a phrase that Putin would soon repeat over and over, describing the seizure of Russias international reserves as in fact a real default by the US and European Union on their obligations to Russia. Hes also helped draw up plans to limit the fallout as Russias banks are cut off from the SWIFT financial messaging service and pushed back against calls from other influential insiders for more state control as Russias economy grows isolated from the world Oreshkin and his allies once sought closer ties with.

Putin brought him along on a recent trip to Iran, which has decades of experience weathering western sanctions. Asked about the Islamic republics ideas for overcoming the limits, Oreshkin bragged, ours are much better. Loading A former banker at Societe Generale SAs Russian unit, hes now using his western experience to blunt the impact of sanctions. Oreshkin is part of a cadre of officials whove long tried to walk a fine line between crafting investor-friendly economic policy and Putins growing repression. The war has made that balancing act all but impossible, with Oreshkin and his colleagues hit with sanctions as their economic policies serve the Kremlins war machine. I can see exactly how somebody from the technocrats would say, Here I am doing this really important thing on payment systems, on banking, this is my area of responsibility. I am maintaining stability and I am going to continue doing it, said Jacob Nell, who as Russia economist at Morgan Stanley once took investors to meet Oreshkin.

It was defensible before February 24, but it is not after, added Nell, who is now a member of an international working group advising the US and Europe on how to design sanctions against Russia. The next generation Oreshkin is part of a bridge generation that straddled the end of the Soviet era and spent their teenage years during what became known in Russia as the tumultuous 1990s, a period of hardship and economic daring. Seen as a political lightweight not long ago, Oreshkin has emerged as the economic right-hand man of a president at war. Thirty years Putins junior, he was the youngest of two sons in a family of Moscow academics, growing up a world apart from the presidents hardscrabble beginnings in postwar Leningrad.

Oreshkins cohort of technocrats includes Bank of Russia Deputy Governor Alexey Zabotkin, 44, and Deputy Finance Minister Vladimir Kolychev, 39. Graduates of elite Russian economic schools, they parlayed jobs at European lenders into a stint at state investment bank VTB Capital, before winning appointments to top state roles. Forgoing the private sector, they devoted themselves to building up Putins financial fortress. The harsher Putin was with critics and rivals abroad and at home, the more indispensable they became in building resiliency to sustain the economy for when the big shocks would come. During his three-year stint at the Finance Ministry, Oreshkin was among officials who devised a mechanism to divert hundreds of billions of dollars in revenues from oil-and-gas exports into a sovereign fund to help the Kremlin weather crises like the first waves of US and European sanctions over Crimea in 2014. Oreshkin once worked for Societe Generale, giving him invaluable experience in dealing with western companies. Credit:Bloomberg Years of sanctions-proofing the economy and building up reserves werent enough to protect the economy after the invasion, however. The US and its allies froze much of the $US600 billion in reserves that Oreshkins policies had helped build up. For all his efforts to divert blame, Russia failed to make debt payments and defaulted for the first time in a century. The economy isnt doing as badly as feared in the wake of the invasion, but its still on track for one of the deepest recessions in decades.

Seen as a political lightweight not long ago, Oreshkin in particular has emerged as the economic right-hand man of a president at war. Putin still trusts our economists, said Guriev. As some powerful Kremlin players have pushed for reasserting state control over the economy, Oreshkin has fought back, so far successfully. Shrill rhetoric Russia is not going to abandon the market economy, Oreshkin said in reply to questions from Bloomberg.On the contrary, its moving in the opposite direction. Private initiative is now especially encouraged. This is constantly noted by the president in his speeches.

Still, he and his allies are increasingly adopting the shrill rhetoric of Russias once-marginal critics of western capitalism. Loading Oreshkin has likened the US currency to a drug used to addict the whole world. Aleksey Moiseev, the 49-year-old deputy finance minister and another alum of VTB Capital, has said that the intensity of sanctions amounted to the detonation of a financial nuclear bomb. Rhetoric aside, the anti-crisis measures taken so far largely stick close to the playbook that draws on mainstream economics, with policy makers already dismantling capital controls used to seal off Russia after the invasion. That may not be enough to secure their legacy.
Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size How did we arrive in August so soon? Last time I looked it was March and I was about to go on holiday. Were well into the second half of the year now. There are plenty of books out this month - here are just 10 that have caught my eye - and I hope you enjoy them. Next month, new books by a host of big name authors will start appearing as publishers and bookshops gear up for the always crucial Christmas season. The Booklist is a weekly newsletter for book lovers from books editor Jason Steger. Get it delivered every Friday. Credit: Nimblefoot, Robert Drewe Hamish Hamilton, $32.99, August 2

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He was 10 years old, just over 1.2 metres tall and weighed about 25 kilograms. And he was Australias first international sporting champion. Johnny Day was a master at pedestrianism, the sport of competitive long-distance walking that was popular in the 19th century. Day won a huge amount of money and then turned to horses, winning the Melbourne Cup when he was 14 on a horse called - what else could it be?  Nimblefoot. And then? Thats what well find out in the latest novel by Robert Drewe, author of Our Sunshine, Whip Bird and many others. Credit: The Last Days of Roger Federer and Other Endings, Geoff Dyer Canongate, $39.99, August 16 On the cover, British poet laureate Simon Armitage describes Geoff Dyer as a clever clogs but hes one of us. His latest book  he hasnt written a novel for eight years  is a series of musings, essays and recollections on things coming to an end, artists last works, time running out written while life as we know it came to an end. It is full of Dyers characteristic erudition, wit and style. Oh, theres also a bit about the man he calls Roger always and only Roger. Credit: Salt and Skin, Eliza Henry-Jones

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Ultimo, $32.99, August 3 A mother and her two children come to live on one of those Scottish islands that is full of myth and mystery. Luda is a photojournalist who immediately gets herself offside with the locals after she takes a picture of a tragic accident. Gradually she becomes intrigued by the stories of women executed as witches on the island, while her children, Darcy and Min, find unusual friendships, notably with Theo, the foundling washed up on the islands as a child. Its an intriguing and unusual novel. Credit: So You Want To Live Younger Longer?, Dr Norman Swan Hachette, $34.99, July 27 Dont we all want to live longer, if were in reasonable shape that is? The amiable host of the ABCs Health Report and Coronacast podcast has got plenty to say on the subject and does so in his characteristic gentle, informed and accessible fashion. The idea of the book is to give you the information that counts and to deter you from the quacks and horse medicines that seem to be everywhere. This is the follow-up to Swans So You Think You Know Whats Good For You? Credit:

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The Whitewash, Siang Lu UQP, $32.99, August 2 You wont have heard of Brood Empire, but it was a big-budget blockbuster spy film targeting Western markets and starring, for the first time, an Asian man in the lead role. Okay, it wasnt really, but its the focal point of Siang Lus delicious satire of the film industry and its racism, dressed up as an oral history of the project. Lu brings in everyone involved, including star JK Jr, his girlfriend Angela Mu, Lebron Chew, editor of Click Bae, and Baby Bao, maker of Enter the Hoya Celata, starring Bruce Leigh, a chubby London-born accountant. Its a blast. Credit: August in Kabul, Andrew Quilty MUP, $34.99, August 2 The Australian photojournalist, who won a Gold Walkley for his confronting picture of the aftermath of a US airstrike in 2016, first went to Afghanistan in 2013 and stayed until the Taliban returned to power with undue haste last year. This book is an on-the-ground account of the final days of the American-backed government, the rapid exodus of American forces and the chaos and bloodshed that ensued. Its a time that the Western powers involved in Afghanistan can hardly look on with pride, one that left the people of the country living under a radical theocracy.

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Credit: Provocations: New and Selected Writing, Jeff Sparrow NewSouth, $32.99, August 1 As a political writer of the left, Jeff Sparrow says he is forced to argue each point almost from first principles, like a mountaineer hacking steps into a summit. Over the years, as demonstrated in this collection of essays, hes hacked a lot of steps with tremendous diversity. His subjects range from consideration of falcons nesting in central Melbourne to mash-ups of classic literature to a new and blistering piece on blackbirding in Queensland. Sparrows is a powerful voice. Credit: Motherlands: In Search of Our Inherited Cities, Amaryllis Gacioppo Bloomsbury, $29.99, August 2

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The fiasco over the appointment of former deputy premier John Barilaro to a $500,000-a-year New York trade job has preoccupied NSW politics for long enough.

Stuart Ayres, the minister most involved in this mess, should do the right thing and resign from cabinet and his position as deputy NSW Liberal Party leader.

Ayres insists he has done nothing wrong but his defences are becoming increasingly inconsistent and untenable. The almost daily stream of damaging revelations about the ill-fated appointment suggests Ayres has not been straight with the public.

Ayres claims to have been at arms length from the process of recruiting for the US role but on Monday it was revealed he sent Barilaro a copy of an advertisement for the job when it was published in The Australian Financial Review last December. The minister had previously only said Barilaro contacted him via text message to ask about the role.

Ayres says he informed Barilaro that he could apply for the job like any other private citizen. But why are we only hearing these details now? What else dont we know?
Pinched from Pinchgut

Three Australian maritime relics have been stolen from Fort Denison, Sydney Harbour. The relics are: a cannonball, a handle used for winding cannons into firing positions and a depression range-finder. A spokesman for the Maritime Services Board, which owns the relics, said they were of 1850 vintage and had no value, apart from scrap. The caretaker at Fort Denison, Mr C. Morris said he could not understand how the relics were taken.

Space capital

Canberra is to become a space-tracking centre ranking with the worlds most important, the Minister for Supply, Mr A. Fairhall, said yesterday. It would be the headquarters of a complex of U.S. tracking devices on the same scale as the network at Goldstone, California. The network would be financed by the United States, but built by Australians and manned by Australians trained at the expense of the United States.

Clubs warned
As part of Missing Persons Week, NSW Police have made a new appeal to find Brisbane woman Kathleen Riethmuller, who went missing in Sydney almost a year ago.

Police suspect the 28-year-old may be alive and possibly living in Melbourne.

Missing woman Kathleen Riethmuller

Her belongings were found inside a backpack on Centennial Avenue at Lane Cove on Sydneys lower north shore on October 28  the same day she went missing.

The backpack contained important items, including identification documents and bank cards.
COVID-19 case numbers are falling around the country after the deadliest month of the pandemic to date, sparking optimism among epidemiologists that Australia might have passed the peak of its winter surge.

Victorias seven-day rolling average of new cases peaked last Tuesday at 11,783 and has fallen every day since. Using the same metric, cases in NSW have been falling since Thursday. Nationally, they have been falling since July 24.

COVID-19 cases have been declining nationally for the past week. Credit:Getty

The apparent decline in cases follows a fall in influenza cases, which continue to subside from their May peak, suggesting the worst of both waves may have passed for the Australian winter.

Some 1821 people died of COVID-19 in the last month. That is 16 per cent of the pandemics entire death toll and Australias deadliest month since the pandemic began.
Anyone who walked away from the American group Hanson mini-concert without ringing in their ears was not really there.

Wall-to-wall screaming teenagers, mostly girls, jammed the Southland Shopping Centre car park at Cheltenham yesterday.

Fans are whipped into a frenzy at the Southland Hanson concert. Credit:Joe Castro

First published in The Age on August 3, 1997

A distressed fan is attended by a member of St. Johns Ambulance Credit:Joe Castro

More than 20,000 hysterical fans were in pop heaven when Hanson brothers Isaac, 16, Taylor, 14, and Zachary, 11, performed a short but spirited set.

They are on a whirlwind promotional tour of Australia.

When the group took the stage just after 11.30am, the crowd surged forward, jamming young girls against a barrier.

While security guards were lifting about 50 distressed fans to safety, some being taken away on stretchers, the Hansons pleaded for calm.
Widespread mask-wearing in schools could save dozens of lives each month and provide an extra layer of protection for Victorias oldest residents, who are being hospitalised about three times as much compared with previous COVID-19 waves.

New pandemic modelling by the Burnet Institute for the Victorian Health Department estimates that if masks were worn widely by almost everyone in public indoor spaces, including schools, the number of COVID-19 cases could drop by up to 23 per cent and deaths by 14 per cent.

The Victorian government decided last month not to mandate mask-wearing in schools and has instead encouraged students to wear them. Credit:Penny Stephens

Universal mask-wearing in classrooms for those aged eight and over is expected to cut the number of deaths between July and October by 5 to 10 per cent, according to the modelling.

Victorias Chief Health Officer, Brett Sutton, said that while the expectation of perfect compliance might be overly optimistic, mask-wearing in schools is an intervention that we know can make a difference.
A Drouin man accused of abducting and raping two teenage girls at gunpoint in the Dandenong Ranges more than two decades ago has been released on bail.

Magistrate Kieran Gilligan ruled on Monday that Garry Cook, 71, would be allowed to leave custody because his advanced age and lack of other serious offending meant he did not pose a safety risk.

Cook will stay at his sisters home in Pakenham until his next court appearance in November but will be barred from visiting his young children until investigating child protection officers determine he doesnt pose a risk to them.

The court heard Cook, who fathered eight children with different women, had previously been violent with his wife, with whom he lives in Drouin and has two children, aged six and one.
Towering waves exceeding 7 metres are expected to hit the Perth coast later on Monday as the first in a series of strong winter cold fronts passed over the city this morning.

The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a severe weather alert with damaging winds and heavy rain expected to persist through to Wednesday.

Duty forecaster Jessica Lingard told 6PRs Liam Bartlett that the metropolitan area had copped a significant amount of rainfall Monday morning.

Floreat recorded 31mm of rain this morning, Wanneroo 30mm, Swanbourne 28mm and across the metro area falls of between 25mm and 35mm have been recorded in what is only day one of a three-day event, she said.
Mandatory aged care worker registration has been removed from federal government legislation to reform the troubled sector, delaying the change until next year as unions and providers argue over details of the scheme.

Opposition health spokeswoman Anne Ruston said the government had capitulated to the unions by removing the schedule on worker screening from a bill originally drafted by the former Coalition government and rewritten to be introduced as a key Labor reform.

A key measure in the original bill that would have required all aged care workers to be registered has been removed. Credit:iStock

It is absolutely essential that the government stands up to the unions and implements good policies to protect both our aged care residents and care sector workforce, Ruston said.

The Senate on Monday began debating the Aged Care and Other Legislation Amendment (Royal Commission Response) Bill 2022, which is almost identical to the previous governments bill to set up a new funding model and the first stage of minimum staffing.
Former deputy premier John Barilaro was not the preferred candidate for a New York trade role, but a panel selection report was edited to enhance his assessment and list him as the first choice once he had already accepted the job.

Damning new documents made public on Monday reveal the former deputy premier did not attract the highest interview score among final candidates and was suggested for the talent pool rather than the coveted position when a selection panel drafted its report on March 25.

Trade Minister Stuart Ayres on Monday. Credit:Dominic Lorrimer

But the final report detailing Barilaros suitability was substantially changed on June 15 to bolster his credentials  after he had already signed a contract on June 9.

The previously secret documents are the first to detail steps in the second recruitment round that landed Barilaro the job of US trade commissioner this year. The first recruitment round last year led to a verbal offer to bureaucrat Jenny West that was later rescinded.
The region has long had holiday properties, but this has ticked higher. More than half of homes, 53 per cent, were unoccupied on Census night last August, up from 46.5 per cent in 2001. The population increased by 976 people to 5012 in that time  and by more than 600 people since 2016  and the number of private dwellings counted increased by more than 1400 to 4,722 homes. Sea-changers have been drawn to Tasmanian towns such as Bicheno. Census data shows the median rental price was $250 per week last August, up from $160 in 2011. The proportion of tenants putting more than 30 per cent of income towards rent more than quadrupled in that time, hitting 31.7 per cent. Councils general manager Greg Ingham is well aware of the housing shortage. He has been renting a one-bedroom cabin in a caravan park with his wife since moving to the area almost two years ago.

Glamorgan-Spring Bay Council general manager Greg Ingham and mayor Robert Young. I like to live in the community where Im working ... and it was the only thing available, he said. He was fortunate to get anywhere, he said, with other staff commuting long distances due to a lack of affordable homes. This was making it hard for council and businesses to attract staff. The Airbnb market is not helping, that had a negative impact in terms of availability to the ordinary couple or family looking for a place, he said. Its a concern shared with all the local government areas. But theres no simple solution. Young said any limits or higher taxes on short-term rentals would need to be carefully considered, given some 50 per cent of the municipalitys income was from tourism.

Both would like to see more residential development in the area, particularly affordable housing, but new land had been in short supply with rezoning limited by state planning schemes. More than half of homes in the picturesque region were empty on Census night last year. Airbnb Australia and New Zealand country manager Susan Wheeldon said housing affordability was a really difficult issue not just for people and communities, but also governments looking to tackle the policy challenge. Its a complex issue with a range of contributing factors such as population movements, the supply of new homes, the ratio of public housing, interest rates and broader economic conditions. While short term rentals generally comprise a tiny proportion of the overall property market, were keen to keep finding ways that we can make a positive contribution to this important issue. Short-term rentals also play an incredibly important role in growing Tasmanias economy and creating jobs for locals - and we want to keep working together with locals on this front.

Loading KPMG demographer and urban economist Terry Rawnsley said Tasmanias housing market had grown as the state made a name for itself with its food and wine scene, MONA and Dark Mofo. With limited housing supply, it did not take much population growth to soak up the available homes and put pressure on prices. In a perfect world, land would have been rezoned five years ago when the surge began, he said. You would have fed the market. But [now] youre playing catch up.

Council recently sold land to community housing provider Centacare Evolve Housing, which will build 18 apartments. Another six units will be delivered in Swansea, adding to the dozen properties the provider has in the area. Centacare Evolve Housing chief executive Ben Wilson said more social and affordable housing needed to be built across the state. Almost 4500 people were on the social housing waiting list, nearly 50 per cent of whom were priority applicants, and shelters were having to turn away hundreds of people seeking emergency accommodation. Significant pressures in the private market have driven rents up, while people may still be housed, they may be in significant financial stress, where 40 or 50 per cent of their income is going towards rent, he said. Half of the homes were empty on Census night on this stretch of Tasmanias east coast. He welcomed the Tasmanian governments commitment to build 10,000 affordable homes by 2032, and partnerships with local councils to boost supply.

Knight Frank Tasmania sales consultant Leanne Dann said the property market had been absolutely insane over the past year, with homes getting multiple offers before being advertised during the peak. Price growth in areas like Swansea, Coles Bay and Dolphin Sands had been largely driven by Tasmanians buying holiday and secondary homes. Towns like Bicheno had seen more interest from mainland tree changers, including young families. About two-thirds of properties are sold to holiday home buyers or investors. Sales agent Paul Whytcross, of Roberts Real Estate Bicheno, said the true impact of rising rates would not be seen until spring, when more homes are typically listed for sale. [Buyer demand] has eased off, were in depths of a Tassie winter, but limited stock is coming onto the market, and with that... the enquiry rate is still relatively strong. But the phone isnt ringing off the hook [anymore], he said. While first-home buyers had always been rare in the region, he felt for young people priced out.
Singapore/Washington: The US has urged China not to use a potential trip to Taiwan by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to escalate military tensions in the region, saying the senior Democrat had every right to visit the island nation.

Pelosi began her tour of Asia on Monday as China ramped up military exercises and a war propaganda campaign that threaten her plans to visit Taiwan.

The speaker landed in Singapore on Monday morning but did not confirm if she would proceed with a trip to Taiwan on her way to South Korea and Japan later this week after her plans to visit the democratic island were first reported in July.

US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Credit:AP

Soon after, Taiwans three largest newspapers reported that the Speaker would be visiting the country as part of her tour, potentially staying overnight in the capital Taipei.
Kyiv: A ship carrying grain left the Ukrainian port of Odesa for foreign markets on Monday under a safe passage agreement, a Ukrainian minister said, the first departure since the Russian invasion blocked shipping through the Black Sea five months ago.

The sailing was made possible after Turkey and the United Nations brokered a grain-and-fertiliser export agreement between Russia and Ukraine last month.

A security officer stands next to the ship Navi-Star which sits full of grain since Russias invasion of Ukraine began five months ago Credit:AP

The first grain ship since #RussianAggression has left port. Thanks to the support of all our partner countries & @UN we were able to full implement the Agreement signed in Istanbul, Infrastructure Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov said on Twitter.

The Turkish defence minister said earlier that the Sierra Leone-flagged ship Razoni, which is loaded with corn, will head to Lebanon. More ships will follow, it said.
The Dutch like to say, Acting normal is crazy enough, said Ellen Verkoelen, a City Council member and Rotterdam leader of the 50Plus Party, which works on behalf of pensioners. And we think that rich people are not acting normal. Here in Holland, we dont believe that everybody can be rich the way people do in America, where the sky is the limit. We think Be average. Thats good enough. Verkoelen was among those who considered Oceancos request a reasonable concession to a company in a highly competitive industry. But she heard from dozens of infuriated voters, all of them adamantly opposed. She understood the origins of the fervour, which she illustrated with a story from her childhood. The megayacht being built in Zwijndrecht, near Rotterdam. Credit:AP When I was about 11 years old, we had an American boy stay with us for a week, an exchange student, she recalled. And my mother told him, just make your own sandwich like you do in America. Instead of putting one sausage on his bread, he put on five. My mother was too polite to say anything to him, but to me she said in Dutch, We will never eat like that in this house. At school, Verkoelen learned from friends that the American children in their homes all ate the same way. They were stunned and a little jealous. At the time, it was said in the Netherlands that putting both butter and cheese on your bread was the devils sandwich. Choose one, went the thinking. You dont need both.

Building the Earths biggest sailing yacht and taking apart a citys beloved landmark? Thats the devils all-you-can-eat buffet. There are billionaires in the Netherlands and a huge pay gap between CEOs and employees. Statista, a research firm, reported that for every dollar earned by an average worker, CEOs earned $US171. (The figure is $US265 in the United States, the widest gap of any country.) The difference is that the rich in the Netherlands dont flaunt it, just as the powerful dont highlight their cachet. The Dutch once ran one of the worlds largest empires, but theres a certain pride here that the prime minister of the country rides a bicycle to pay visits to the king  yes, the Netherlands has a royal family, which is also relatively low-key  and locks the bicycle outside the palace. Loading Theres a premium on equality that has survived the countrys struggles to assimilate immigrants and a gentrification boom that is pricing the middle- and working-class out of cities. An ethos endures that nobody is any better than anyone else, or deserves more, and it stems from an unignorable geographic fact. Roughly one-third of the Netherlands is below sea level and citizens for centuries have had little choice but to band together to create an infrastructure of dikes and drainage systems to remain alive. The Netherlands is built on co-operation, said Paul van de Laar, a professor of history at Erasmus University. There were constant threats of disaster from the 15th and 16th century. Protestants and Catholics knew that to survive, they could not quarrel too much.

Chip in. Blend in. Help others. These are among the highest ideals of the Netherlands. Does this sound like a country eager to cut some slack to a man with $US140 billion and a $US500 million boat? The Rotterdam v Bezos brawl first made international headlines in February, when news broke that Oceanco had been granted city approval to briefly take apart the middle of the Hef. (The cost of this operation was never made public.) The assent had come from a civil servant who apparently didnt see the harm. An uproar ensued. Three masts under construction at the Oceanco shipyard, builders of billionaire Jeff Bezoss superyacht earlier this year. Credit:Bloomberg I thought it was a joke, said Lewis, who learned about the permission on Facebook from incredulous friends. So I called the vice mayors office and asked, Is this for real? And they said, We dont know anything about this. It wasnt on their radar. It took them a day to get back to me. When word of the accommodation reached the public, fuming residents became a staple of local TV news and a Facebook group formed to organise that mass egg pelting. (Dismantling the Hef for Jeff Bezos latest toy? Come throw eggs) One aggrieved council member soon likened the masts of the yacht to a giant middle finger, pointed at the city.

Oceanco, which employs more than 300 people, has not spoken publicly about its decision to rescind its Hef request and did not respond to an email for comment. News reports stated that the company was concerned about threats against employees and about vandalism. Loading Its unclear how the yacht, now known as Y721, will be completed. In February, the City Councils municipality liaison, Marcel Walravens, was quoted in the media saying that it was impractical to float the mast-less yacht to another location and finish it there. To van de Laar, the real villain in this tale is not Oceanco or Bezos, who probably had never heard of the Hef. Its the City Council, which completely misunderstood the depth of feelings about the bridge and bungled the messaging about its decision. Emotions are important, he said. The council didnt grasp that, which is incredibly stupid.
Elizabeth Johnson Jr is  officially  not a witch.

Until last week, the Andover, Massachusetts, woman, who confessed to practising witchcraft during the Salem witch trials, was the only remaining person convicted during the trials whose name had not been cleared.

Although she was sentenced to death in 1693, after she and more than 20 members of her extended family faced similar allegations, she was granted a reprieve and avoided the death sentence.

The exoneration came Thursday, 329 years after her conviction, tucked inside a $53 billion state budget signed by Governor Charlie Baker. It was the product of a three-year lobbying effort by a civics teacher and her eighth grade class, along with a state senator who helped champion the cause.

Im excited and relieved, Carrie LaPierre, the teacher at North Andover Middle School, said in an interview Saturday, but also disappointed I didnt get to talk to the kids about it, for they are on summer vacation. Its been such a huge project, LaPierre added. We called her EJJ, all the kids and I. She just became one of our world, in a sense.
PHILIPSBURG:--- The Board of the National Alliance, our leader Ms. Silveria Jacobs and our general membership at large herewith extend our deepest condolences to the immediate family and extended circle of family and friends of the late Felicia James.

Felicia James was a candidate for the then SPA before the name was changed to the National Alliance. She served as a faction staff in the office of the SPA and later as a Member of Parliament of the Netherlands Antilles. Felicia for a short while also served as a member of the Island Council of St. Maarten during the first-ever coalition government of St. Maarten between the SPA and PDP in 1991. Felicia has always remained a strong, loyal, and unwavering supporter of the party.



As a party we are extremely happy that in our last congress we were able to honor Felicia, given her, her flowers while she was alive.

We have lost a stalwart friend of the Alliance, who has now gone to her final place of rest with our maker. May her soul rest in eternal peace.
China\-s hunger for gold is growing again

Corona reduced China\-s urge for gold in 2020. But in the previous year and now, the appetite for gold is on the rise again.

In 2020, China\-s gold demand slipped to a nine-year low, but in 2021, demand rose 55 percent compared to 2020, according to the World Gold Council. About 70 percent of gold in China goes into jewelry production. The remaining 30 percent becomes gold coins or bars. Lockdowns and travel restrictions caused China\-s demand to plunge 11 percent in the first quarter of 2022 compared with the previous quarter. Most forecasts are for weakened economic growth in China this year, which is not so good for gold prices. The signs from the second country that consumes a lot of gold, India, are better.

India is the largest importer of gold, while gold production in its own country is low. Also in India, most of the gold, about 77 percent, goes to the jewelry industry. In India, jewelry demand depends a lot on festivals and holidays. Therefore, the drop in demand in the first three quarters of 2022 was very high. However, demand in India should recover, the price of gold has fallen, and so gold consumption was also high in May. Compared to 2021, gold imports increased by 822 percent in May compared to the same month last year. In the process, India is expected to overtake China in terms of gold consumption. Encouraging figures are also just coming out of China. In June, significantly more gold found its way to China again, about five times as much as in the previous month. The reason for this is presumably the relaxed Covid 19 measures. Those who love gold as much as the Chinese and Indians can look around at well-positioned gold companies such as Fury Gold Mines or Aztec Minerals.

Fury Gold Mines  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iPcFnyi7i3M  is committed to excellent areas with prospective projects in British Columbia and Nunavut.

Aztec Minerals  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=470uITYna_E  holds a 100% interest in the Cervantes porphyry gold-copper project in Mexico. In addition, there are the historic Tombstone properties in Arizona with gold, silver, lead and zinc.

Latest corporate information and press releases from Fury Gold Mines (- https://www.resource-capital.ch/en/companies/fury-gold-mines-ltd/ -).

In accordance with A34 WpHG I would like to point out that partners, authors and employees may hold shares in the respective companies addressed and thus a possible conflict of interest exists. No guarantee for the translation into English. Only the German version of this news is valid.

Disclaimer: The information provided does not represent any form of recommendation or advice. Express reference is made to the risks in securities trading. No liability can be accepted for any damage arising from the use of this blog. I would like to point out that shares and especially warrant investments are always associated with risk. The total loss of the invested capital cannot be excluded. All information and sources are carefully researched. However, no guarantee is given for the correctness of all contents. Despite the greatest care, I expressly reserve the right to make errors, especially with regard to figures and prices. The information contained herein is taken from sources believed to be reliable, but in no way claims to be accurate or complete. Due to court decisions, the contents of linked external sites are also co-responsible (e.g. Landgericht Hamburg, in the decision of 12.05.1998  312 O 85/98), as long as there is no explicit dissociation from them. Despite careful control of the content, I do not assume liability for the content of linked external pages. The respective operators are exclusively responsible for their content. The disclaimer of Swiss Resource Capital AG also applies: https://www.resource-capital.ch/en/disclaimer/
Quarterly Activities Report  period ended 30 June 2022

West African gold explorer Golden Rim Resources Ltd (ASX: GMR; Golden Rim or Company  https://www.commodity-tv.com/ondemand/companies/profil/golden-rim-resources-ltd/ ) is pleased to provide its Quarterly Activities Report for the quarter ended 30 June 2022 (Quarter).

HIGHLIGHTS

Kada Gold Project, Guinea

RC drilling at the Massan Prospect has located significant northern and eastern extensions to the multiple, broad gold mineralised zones that comprise the Maiden Inferred Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) area (930,000oz gold[1]), with results including:

 KRC117: 45m @ 0.7g/t gold from 50m

 KRC132: 43m @ 1.2g/t gold from 107m, including 9m @ 3.4g/t gold

Initial drilling at the Bereko Prospect, 7km north of the MRE area along the Kada Gold Corridor, has discovered highly encouraging shallow oxide gold mineralisation in multiple zones, with results including:

 KRC092: 10m @ 5.6g/t gold from 5m, including 2m @ 18.9g/t gold

 KRC095: 11m @ 6.3g/t gold from 43m, including 2m @ 30.6g/t gold

 KRC099: 27m @ 1.2g/t gold from 27m

Oxide gold zones at Bereko remain open to the north and south, and at depth.

Infill auger drilling at Bereko (218 holes for 1,990m) returned results up to 960ppb gold and confirmed several parallel north-south trending bedrock gold anomalies that have a combined strike length of more than 5.5km.

Golden Rim will use IP/ground magnetics geophysical survey results, now due in August, and the infill auger drilling results to plan follow-up RC drilling, initially expected to be conducted at Bereko.

Divestment of Kouri Gold Project, Burkina Faso

Binding agreement to divest Burkina Faso gold assets (Kouri and Babonga gold projects) for US$15.5 million (~A$22.3 million) in four staged cash payments over 12 months.

Option and JV Agreement with Teck for Loreto Copper Project, Chile

Option and Joint Venture Agreement executed with Teck Resources Chile Limitada (Teck Chile), a subsidiary of Teck Resources, over the Loreto Copper Project, Chile.

Teck to earn up to 75% interest in Loreto via US$0.6 million (A$0.8M) in cash payments and spending US$17 million (~A$23M) on exploration

Corporate

Successful completion of Placement, raising a total of $5.3 million (before costs) to advance Kada exploration.

KADA GOLD PROJECT, GUINEA

RC Drilling

During the quarter, Golden Rim completed a 57-hole (5,428m) reverse circulation (RC) drilling program at Kada, comprising exploration drill holes designed to test auger gold anomalies predominantly along the Kada Gold Corridor and outside the MRE area as well as three infill holes (444m) completed within the MRE area (Figures 1, 2 & 4). Significant results from this drilling (Bereko and Massan prospects) are discussed in the following sections of this report.

Bereko Prospect

Golden Rim completed 17 holes at Bereko (KRC085 a KRC099, KRC107, KRC111), 7km north of the MRE. Results returned shallow oxide gold intersections in multiple zones at Bereko that extend over 2.5km (Figure 1).

Best gold intersection from these holes (0.3g/t gold cut-off include):

KRC085: 5m @ 3.9g/t gold from 16m, including 2m @ 9.4g/t gold

KRC086: 14m @ 1.3g/t gold from 27m, including 1m @ 14.0g/t gold

KRC087: 4m @ 3.1g/t gold from 42m

KRC088: 8m @ 0.8g/t gold from 11m

13m @ 1.8g/t gold from 42m

KRC089: 8m @ 1.3g/t gold from 60m, including 1m @ 8.0g/t gold

KRC090: 10m @ 1.2g/t gold from 28m

KRC092: 10m @ 5.6g/t gold from 5m, including 2m @ 18.9g/t gold

KRC095: 11m @ 6.3g/t gold from 43m, including 2m @ 30.6g/t gold

KRC096: 3m @ 8.8g/t gold from 64m

KRC097: 14m @ 1.2g/t gold from 55m, including 3m @ 3.9g/t gold

KRC098: 13m @ 1.8g/t gold from 21m

KRC099: 13m @ 1.1g/t gold from 0m

27m @ 1.2g/t gold from 27m

KRC107: 19m @ 0.6g/t gold from 24m

[1] ASX Announcement: Kada Maiden Mineral Resource 930koz Gold dated 3 March 2022.

Massan Prospect

North of the 930,000oz MRE area, Golden Rim received assays for seven holes (KRC114-KRC120) completed at Massan (Figure 2). The best new gold intersections include:

KRC114: 19m @ 0.5g/t gold from 46m

KRC117: 14m @ 0.8g/t gold from 0m

45m @ 0.7g/t gold from 50m.

East of the MRE area, Golden Rim received assays for three holes (KRC121, KRC131, KRC132) (Figure 2). The best new gold intersections include:

KRC131: 10m @ 2.5g/t gold from 92m

6m @ 2.4g/t gold from 132m (hole ended in mineralisation)

KRC132: 6m @ 2.4g/t gold from 17m, including 2m @ 6.5g/t gold

43m @ 1.2g/t gold from 107m, including 9m @ 3.4g/t gold (hole ended in mineralisation).

Golden Rim received assays for three infill holes (KRC133 a KRC135) drilled within the MRE area (Figure 2). The best new gold intersections include:

KRC133: 15m @ 1.8g/t gold from 0m, including 3m @ 4.6g/t gold

13m @ 1.5g/t gold from 75m, including 3m @ 5.0g/t gold

15m @ 1.2g/t gold from 141m (hole ended in mineralisation)

KRC134: 17m @ 1.7g/t gold from 0m

KRC135: 9m @ 1.3g/t gold from 96m.

Increased Interest in Kada Gold Project

During the previous quarter, Golden Rim achieved its second earn-in interest of an additional 26% interest in the Kada Gold Project, having satisfied the requirements of its second earn-in interest requirements by sole funding expenditure of not less than US$4million within 24 months of acquisition. Documentation was submitted to the Kada joint venture partner in early April and Golden Rima?s interest in Kada is now 51%.

At the same time, Golden Rim also exercised its right to an additional 24% interest of the project, for a total 75% interest. To achieve this interest, the Company is required to fund the preparation of a Definitive Feasibility Study for Kada.

Bereko Infill Auger Drilling

Golden Rim completed an infill auger drilling program at Bereko during the quarter, with 218 holes for 1,990m drilled on 100m x 50m to infill first-pass 200m x 50m spaced auger drilling. The auger holes were vertical in orientation with an average depth of 9m. Drilling was designed to penetrate the shallow laterite cover to obtain a bottom of hole sample in each hole of the weathered bedrock (saprolite) beneath for gold analysis.

Results from the infill auger drilling were highly encouraging with the delineation of several parallel, north-south-trending bedrock gold anomalies (Western and Eastern anomalies) with a combined strike length of more than 5.5km (Figure 1). These extensive and coherent gold anomalies extend from areas where Golden Rima?s recent initial RC drilling discovered high-grade and/or broad zones of oxide gold mineralisation, with intersections that include 11m @ 6.3g/t gold, 10m @ 5.6g/t gold and 27m @ 1.2g/t gold. This oxide gold mineralisation remains open to the north and south, and at depth.

These newly defined auger gold anomalies provide exceptional target areas for Golden Rim to identify further strike extensions to this highly significant oxide gold mineralisation.

The main bedrock gold auger anomalies at Bereko are described below:

Western Anomaly

The Western Anomaly is the most coherent at Bereko and extends for 2.3km (Figure 1). Peak auger gold results include 960ppb gold, 830ppb gold and 720ppb gold. Towards the south, the Western Anomaly seems to coalesce with the Eastern Anomaly.

Very limited RC drilling has been conducted along the Western Anomaly. In the northern portion of the anomaly, Golden Rim achieved a highly significant oxide gold intersection of 11m @ 6.3g/t gold from 43m, including 2m @ 30.6g/t gold in KRC095. This is the best drill gold intercept obtained at Bereko to date. There is then no RC drilling along the Western Anomaly for 2km until hole KRC097, which returned 14m @ 1.2g/t gold from 55m in the southern portion of the anomaly.

To the west of the Western Anomaly, auger drilling has also outlined a smaller, parallel anomaly that extends for 800m. The infill auger drilling returned multiple results >100ppb gold. This anomaly has no RC drilling to date and will be a target for further investigation.

Eastern Anomaly

The Eastern Anomaly is not as continuous and seems to comprise three zones (Northern, Central and Southern) which are possibly separated by faulting (Figure 1).

In the Northern Zone, a highly coherent and strong anomaly extending for 1.2km delivered a peak auger gold result of 580ppb gold. The anomaly encompasses an area of artisanal mining on stockwork veins in bedrock beneath the shallow laterite cover which have returned rock-chip samples results up to 171.3g/t gold. Golden Rim has concentrated RC drilling to date around the artisanal mining area, which returned encouraging oxide gold intersections including 10m @ 5.6g/t gold from 5m in KRC092 and 13m @ 1.8g/t gold from 21m in KRC098. The most coherent portion of the anomaly extends 900m south of the artisanal mining area and has not yet been tested by RC drilling. New auger results up to 380ppb gold were obtained from this southern extension to the gold anomaly.

The Central Zone extends for 600m and has a peak auger result of 700ppb gold. No RC drilling has been conducted within this zone to date.

The Southern Zone is the broadest area of bedrock gold anomalism outlined by the auger drilling at Bereko. It extends for 1.2km and has a peak auger gold result of 2,720ppb gold. To date, Golden Rim has drilled two RC holes within this area and each one has intersected significant oxide mineralisation, including 27m @ 1.2g/t gold from 27m in KRC099 and 13m @ 1.8g/t gold from 21m in KRC098 (Figure 3). This oxide mineralisation remains open along strike and at depth. Infill auger drilling both north and south of this RC drilling returned highly anomalous new gold results (up to 960ppb and 390ppb gold). These areas are to be tested in the next RC drilling program for extensions to the oxide gold mineralisation.

Progress and Next Steps at Kada

Golden Rim extended its IP and ground magnetics geophysical survey at Bereko and Massan, with three dipole-dipole IP lines (total of 3.6-line km) now planned for Massan. The survey is expected to be completed in August.

Golden Rim will use results of its RC and auger drilling programs as well as the geophysical survey to guide further exploration at Kada during 2022, including planning further drilling to follow up the highly encouraging initial drilling results received from Bereko and around the MRE area at Massan.

AGREEMENT TO SELL BURKINA FASO GOLD ASSETS

During the quarter, Golden Rim executed a binding agreement to sell 100% of its Kouri and Babonga gold projects in Burkina Faso, West Africa for total consideration of US$15.5 million (~A$22.3M) to private BurkinabA mining company BAOR SARL (BAOR).

The transaction is not subject to shareholder approval. Under the agreement, BAOR will pay Golden Rim via four staged cash payments over 12 months, with the first payment of US$600,000 due within 15 business days and the second payment of US$5.4 million due within 30 days, with two more payments to follow. However, BAOR advised of a delay regarding the first two payments, which are now both due 3 August 2022, with simple interest of 8% payable on outstanding amounts.

At Kouri, Golden Rim discovered and has outlined an Indicated and Inferred Mineral Resource of 50Mt at 1.3g/t gold for 2Moz[1].

LORETO COPPER PROJECT, CHILE

During the quarter, Golden Rim executed an Option and Joint Venture Agreement with Teck Resources Chile Limitada (Teck Chile), a subsidiary of Teck Resources Limited (Teck), on its 100%-owned Loreto Copper Project (Loreto). Loreto comprises mineral concessions that have been separated from the Companya?s Paguanta Silver-Lead-Zinc-Copper Project (Paguanta) in northern Chile.

The Loreto mineral concessions are 100% owned by Golden Rim and extend over an area of 16.0km2. These concessions cover the Loreto porphyry copper target and prior to the agreement with Teck Chile, they formed part of the Paguanta Project. The remainder of Paguanta mineral concessions extend over 39.2km2 and comprise the Paguanta Joint Venture between Golden Rim (75% interest) and Chilean company, Costa Rica Dos (25% interest).

Golden Rim has granted Teck Chile an option to acquire a 55% interest in Loreto (the aFirst Optiona) by incurring an aggregate of US$5,000,000 in expenditures on Loreto and making US$600,000 in cash payments to Golden Rim.

If Teck Chile exercises the First Option, Teck Chile has a further option to acquire an additional 20% interest in Loreto, by incurring an additional US$12,000,000 in expenditures over the ensuing four-year period (the aSecond Optiona).

Provided that Teck Chile exercises the First Option, a corporate joint venture (the aJoint Venturea) will be formed between Teck Chile and Golden Rim. Each party shall then fund its pro-rata share of future expenditures on Loreto through equity contributions to the Joint Venture or incur dilution. If a partya?s shareholding interest in the Joint Venture is diluted below 10%, its shareholding interest will be converted to a 1.0% NSR royalty. The party with the majority interest shall be the aOperatora of the Joint Venture.

PAGUANTA COPPER-ZINC-SILVER-LEAD PROJECT, CHILE

The Paguanta Copper-Silver-Lead-Zinc Project remains on care and maintenance, no field exploration was conducted during the quarter.

Golden Rim has been seeking a divestment of Paguanta and is considering alternatives for realising value for shareholders.

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

The Company is reviewing and investigating various new business development opportunities, including advanced mineral project opportunities across the African continent. All potential opportunity processes the Company is engaged in remain incomplete, and are subject to full technical, legal and economic due diligence and/or documentation. Whilst some processes are more advanced than others, there is no guarantee that the Company will be able to successfully conclude a transaction. The Company cautions investors that there is no certainty any transaction will proceed.

CORPORATE

Details of the Companya?s mining and exploration activities for the quarter are set out above under each project heading. There were no further material developments and/or material changes in those activities. The Company did not undertake or incur any expenditure on any substantive mining production and development activities during the quarter.

Summary of Expenditure

Payments for exploration and evaluation mainly comprised drilling program costs at the Kada Gold Project in Guinea.

Payments to related parties of the entity and their associates relates to Directors fees and salaries (including superannuation and taxation) paid to/for Directors and their associates during the quarter.

Share Placement

A total of 10,460,330 fully paid ordinary shares (New Shares) in the Company were issued at an issue price of $0.078 per share pursuant to Tranche 2 of the Strategic Placement, as announced on 17 March 2022, completing both tranches of the Placement, raising a total of $5.3 million (before costs) (Placement). The Placement was made to qualified, institutional, sophisticated and professional investors.

As part of the Placement, the Company issued attaching unlisted options on a one option for every three New Shares issued in the Placement, with each option exercisable at $0.12 expiring 24 months from date of issue. Tranche 2 of the Placement and attaching Placement options were approved by shareholders on 10 May 2022.

Golden Rim is using proceeds from the Placement to advance the flagship Kada Gold Project in West Africa including reverse circulation drilling along the 15km Kada Gold Corridor to test multiple target areas highlighted in recent auger drilling, an Induced Polarisation (IP) / ground magnetics geophysical survey and auger drilling of additional regional targets in the coming months. The Placement also provides working capital.

Change of Auditor

Following a competitive tender process, the Board of Directors resolved to appoint HLB Mann Judd as auditor of Golden Rim Resources Limited. Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu received ASIC consent to resign as the auditor of Golden Rim. The decision to appoint HLB Mann Judd is subject to ratification by shareholders at the next Annual General Meeting.

Contact Information:

Golden Rim Resources Ltd

ABN 39 006 710 774

Craig Mackay

Managing Director

+61 3 8677 0829

craig@goldenrim.com.au A

In Europe:

Swiss Resource Capital AG

Jochen Staiger

info@resource-capital.ch

www.resource-capital.ch

This announcement was authorised for release by the Board of Golden Rim Resources Ltd.

ABOUT GOLDEN RIM RESOURCES

Golden Rim Resources Limited is an ASX listed exploration company with a portfolio of advanced minerals projects in Guinea and Burkina Faso, West Africa and in Chile, South America.

The Companya?s flagship project is the advanced Kada Gold Project in eastern Guinea. Guinea remains one of the most under-explored countries in West Africa. Golden Rim has outlined a maiden Inferred Mineral Resource of 25.5Mt at 1.1g/t gold for 930Koz[2], the majority of which is shallow oxide-transitional gold mineralisation. Golden Rim is focussed on growing the Mineral Resource. Most of the 200km2 project area remains poorly explored and there is considerable upside for the discovery of additional oxide gold mineralisation.

The Company discovered and has outlined an Indicated and Inferred Mineral Resource of 50Mt at 1.3g/t gold for 2Moz[3] at the Kouri Gold Project, located in north-east Burkina Faso. Kouri covers 325km2 of highly prospective Birimian greenstones. Exploration has successfully located several high-grade gold shoots. Golden Rim recently signed an agreement with BAOR SARL to sell Kouri.

In northern Chile, Golden Rim has the Paguanta Copper and Silver-Lead-Zinc Project. Historically a silver mine, the Company has outlined a Measured, Indicated and Inferred Mineral Resource of 2.4Mt at 88g/t silver, 5.0% zinc and 1.4% lead for 6.8Moz silver, 265Mlb zinc and 74Mlb lead[4] at the Patricia Prospect. The Mineral Resource remains open.

At the adjacent Loreto Copper Project in Chile, Golden Rim has signed an Option and Joint Venture agreement with Teck Chile whereby Teck Chile can acquire up to a 75% interest in the project.

ASX:GMR

Market Capitalisation: A$17.6 million

Shares on Issue: 314 million

T + 61 3 8677 0829 | E info@goldenrim.com.au | goldenrim.com.au

[1] ASX announcement: Kouri Mineral Resource Increases by 43% Increase to 2 million ounces gold, dated 26 October 2020 (Total Mineral Resource includes: Indicated Mineral Resource of 7Mt at 1.4g/t gold and Inferred Mineral Resource of 43Mt at 1.2g/t gold)

[2] ASX Announcement: Kada Maiden Mineral Resource 930koz Gold dated 3 March 2022.

[3] ASX Announcement: Kouri Mineral Resource Increases by 43% to 2 Million ounces Gold dated 26 October 2020 (Total Mineral Resource includes: Indicated Mineral Resource of 7Mt at 1.4g/t gold and Inferred Mineral Resource of 43Mt at 1.2g/t gold).

[4] ASX Announcement: New Resource Estimation for Paguanta dated 30 May 2017 (Total Mineral Resource includes: Measured Mineral Resource of 0.41Mt at 5.5% zinc, 1.8% lead, 88g/t silver, 0.3g/t gold; Indicated Mineral Resource of 0.61Mt at 5.1% zinc, 1.8% lead, 120g/t silver, 0.3g/t gold; Inferred Mineral Resource of 1.3Mt at 4.8% zinc, 1.1% lead, 75g/t silver, 0.3g/t gold).

END NOTES

The information contained in this announcement related to the Companya?s past exploration results is extracted from, or was set out in, the following ASX announcements which are referred to in this Quarterly Activities Report:

The report released 11 May 2022, Drilling outside Kada MRE delivers more oxide gold

The report released 19 May 2022, Golden Rim hits shallow high-grade oxide gold at Bereko

The report released 25 May 2022, GMR Commences Infill Auger Drilling at Bereko Gold Prospects

The report released 21 June 2022, GMR hits 43m @ 1.2g/t Au outside Kada Mineral Resource

The report released 14 July 2022, Extensive additional oxide gold target areas at Bereko.

Competent Persons Statements

The information in this report relating to previous exploration results and Mineral Resources are extracted from the announcements above. These reports are available on the Companya?s website (www.goldenrim.com.au). The Company confirms that it is not aware of any new information or data that materially affects the information included in these announcements and, in the case of the Mineral Resource estimate, that all material assumptions and technical parameters underpinning estimate continue to apply and have not materially changed.

The information in this report that relates to exploration results is based on information compiled by Craig Mackay, a Competent Person, who is a Member of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy. Mr Mackay is a full-time employee of the Company and has sufficient experience that is relevant to the style of mineralisation and type of deposit under consideration and to the activity being undertaken to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the 2012 Edition of the aAustralasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reservesa?. Mr Mackay consents to the inclusion in the report of the matters based on his information in the form and context in which it appears.

The information in this report that relates to the Mineral Resources have been compiled under the supervision of Ms. Hollie-Amber Fursey who is a full-time employee of RPM and a Registered Member of the Australian Institute of Geoscientists. Ms. Fursey has sufficient experience that is relevant to the style of mineralisation and type of deposit under consideration and to the activity that she has undertaken to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the JORC Code. Ms Fursey consents to the inclusion in the report of the matters based on her information in the form and context in which it appears.

Forward Looking Statements

Certain statements in this document are or maybe aforward-looking statementsa and represent Golden Rima?s intentions, projections, expectations or beliefs concerning among other things, future exploration activities. The projections, estimates and beliefs contained in such forward-looking statements necessarily involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of Golden Rim, and which may cause Golden Rima?s actual performance in future periods to differ materially from any express or implied estimates or projections. Nothing in this document is a promise or representation as to the future. Statements or assumptions in this document as to future matters may prove to be incorrect and differences may be material. Golden Rim does not make any representation or warranty as to the accuracy of such statements or assumptions.
Diversification always also with gold stocks

Investors are likely to take advantage of the decline in the price of gold.

Smart investors will try to buy stocks when they are cheap. This is the only way to earn decent returns. Thus, the gold price could recover faster than other assets by building up safe haven positions. If central banks target monetary easing first and then support growth, this should be a good basis for a sustained rally in the gold price. Should there be a comprehensive risk sell-off, gold positions would also have to take a hit. However, UBS, for example, also assumes in its latest report that gold will simply outperform the other asset positions. In the longer term, there is upside potential, even if things look different in the short term. Seasonality could also help gold prices move higher as we head toward year-end. From July to early October and then again from December, the price of the precious metal usually rises. The reasons are upcoming festivals, both in this country and in Asia, and the wedding season in India. The jewelry industry is stocking up for this.

Also, many investors should always look at gold stocks in their portfolios to have diversification and hedging. Recession fears and stagflation should draw investors to gold as a safe haven. Those who also want to diversify in gold companies can look at royalty companies such as Osisko Gold Royalties  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zvnfOE-2hXU -. This company is focused on North America and owns more than 165 streams and royalties. The second quarter of 2022 brought record revenues for the company.

The leading gold producer in the Yukon is Victoria Gold  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39x7dnBTnhw -. The 100 percent owned Dublin Gulch property includes the Eagle and Olive gold mines. The Eagle gold mine has been producing since 2019.

Current corporate information and press releases from Osisko Gold Royalties (- https://www.resource-capital.ch/en/companies/osisko-gold-royalties-ltd/ -) and Victoria Gold (- https://www.resource-capital.ch/en/companies/victoria-gold-corp/ -).

In accordance with A34 WpHG I would like to point out that partners, authors and employees may hold shares in the respective companies addressed and thus a possible conflict of interest exists. No guarantee for the translation into English. Only the German version of this news is valid.

Disclaimer: The information provided does not represent any form of recommendation or advice. Express reference is made to the risks in securities trading. No liability can be accepted for any damage arising from the use of this blog. I would like to point out that shares and especially warrant investments are always associated with risk. The total loss of the invested capital cannot be excluded. All information and sources are carefully researched. However, no guarantee is given for the correctness of all contents. Despite the greatest care, I expressly reserve the right to make errors, especially with regard to figures and prices. The information contained herein is taken from sources believed to be reliable, but in no way claims to be accurate or complete. Due to court decisions, the contents of linked external sites are also co-responsible (e.g. Landgericht Hamburg, in the decision of 12.05.1998  312 O 85/98), as long as there is no explicit dissociation from them. Despite careful control of the content, I do not assume liability for the content of linked external pages. The respective operators are exclusively responsible for their content. The disclaimer of Swiss Resource Capital AG also applies: https://www.resource-capital.ch/en/disclaimer/
Pretoria (South Africa) 1 August 2022 (SPS)- South Africa President, Mr. Cyril Ramaphosa, also President of the African National Congress (ANC) in power, affirmed in his closing speech yesterday before ANC 6th Policy Conference, that his country and Party cannot rest as long as Western Sahara and Palestine are under occupation.

We cannot rest while Western Sahara remains under occupation. We cannot accept that occupation and oppression is to be the fate of the Palestinian people he said to the participants to the conference held from the 28 to 31 July in Johannesburg.

He further stated that these are among the struggles that we need to take up with greater vigour if we are to contribute to building a better world.

The ANC conference was an opportunity for the 2000 participants to debate on various political positions the Party needed to have a clear-cut positions on, including the solidarity with Western Sahara and Palestine among other. (SPS)

090/500/60 (SPS)
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STAMFORD  Consumer goods multinational Henkel, which employs nearly 1,000 people in Connecticut, has been recognized by an anti-animal cruelty organization for ending animal testing of its Dial line of products, which includes some of the most widely used hand and body soaps in the U.S.

Henkel officials said that earning the Leaping Bunny seal of approval from Cruelty Free International is vital to showing customers the companys commitment to product research and development that does not harm animals.

Dial is a trusted partner to our customers, and part of being a trusted partner, in our minds, is being transparent and open, Martina Spinatsch, vice president of research and development at Henkel, said in an interview. Gaining the certification is really a great way for us to show that transparency.

Cruelty Free Internationals website describes Leaping Bunny as the globally recognizable gold standard for cosmetics, personal care and household products, with hundreds of products having been designated cruelty-free through the program. Leaping Bunny is the only cruelty free approval that requires a supplier-monitoring system to be implemented by the brand, supply-chain verification to the ingredient-manufacturer level, adherence with a fixed cut-off date policy, and acceptance of ongoing independent audits to ensure compliance, according to Henkel and Cruelty Free International officials.

Approval must be given to all of a brands finished products, so individual products or items cannot be approved in isolation.

We're delighted to grant Dial personal and beauty care products Leaping Bunny approval, showing that being cruelty free really is for everyone, Michelle Thew, Cruelty Free International CEO said in a statement. Leaping Bunny approval is rigorous and can take many months.

In response to an inquiry from Hearst Connecticut Media, officials at another animal rights nonprofit, PETA, welcomed the Leaping Bunny approval for Dial.

We are delighted if Dial has indeed ended all animal testing for every product and ingredient everywhere in the world, for any reason, PETA Senior Vice President Kathy Guillermo said in a statement. We will be in touch with them to inquire and will update our lists as needed.

Guillermo added that, Our standards are slightly different from Leaping Bunnys as we dont allow for tests on animals required by regulatory authorities or for any other reason. So we would not automatically list Dial (as non-animal tested) in response to Leaping Bunnys listing.

Henkel officials said that animals have not been involved in Dial product testing for a number of years, but the company was not able to specify the year that it stopped animal testing for the brand.

In place of animals, Henkel officials said that Dials product development includes toxicologists who assess the safety of raw materials and human subjects who participate in clinical testing to confirm products safety and efficiency.

We want to ensure that were testing with a wide diversity of consumers and that our products are safe for use on all of them, Spinatsch said.

Asked by Hearst whether animal testing was still being conducted for any other products, Henkel said in a statement that, We do not test our cosmetic products, our detergents and cleaning products, or our adhesives for industrial customers, consumers and craftsmen on animals.

The statement added that, Unfortunately, we cannot claim that animal testing no longer plays any role at all. This is because there are some countries where animal testing is still mandatory to obtain market and/or regulatory approval for products such as cosmetics, detergents and cleaning products or adhesives.

Dial has been on the market for nearly 75 years, representing one of the top-selling brands for Henkel. The company does not publicly disclose sales on a brand-by-brand basis, but Dial contributed to Henkels North American sales of nearly $6 billion in 2021.

Henkels global headquarters are in Dusseldorf, Germany, but Connecticut comprises one of its largest employee hubs outside its home country. The company employs about 950 across Connecticut, with offices in Stamford, Rocky Hill, Trumbull and Darien.

Were always evolving our brands and products in order to best meet the needs of our consumers, Spinatsch said. They trust Dial to continually evolve to meet their needs.

pschott@stamfordadvocate.com; twitter: @paulschott
The driving force for Robert Reynolds, the inner engine that keeps him pedaling his bike down the beckoning path in front of him, is what he calls insatiable curiosity.

Ive been drawn my whole life to looking at new stuff continually, he tells me during our conversation at his home in the Stony Creek section of Branford shortly before he departed for another international adventure. Sight is important, he notes.

I point out the irony of what he just said; he has been diagnosed with non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy, an affliction caused by a rare stroke around the optic nerve which has rendered him blind in his left eye and currently having only about 75 percent use of his other eye. There is no God, he replies.

For at least 30 years, Reynolds, now 68, made a good living as a painter. After the shooting massacre of 20 children and six adults at Sandy Hook Elementary School a decade ago, Reynolds was commissioned to create what became an evocative mural in the lobby of the new elementary school. I made a flock of birds, all flying in the same direction  upwards.

Looking around his handsome but understated home, I remark that he doesnt display his own artwork. Its too hard to look at, he says. Its like we had a divorce. She left me  she being my sight.

The first sign that something was wrong with his eyesight came five years ago. I woke up drenched in sweat. It was like there was a blank space in the universe. And it got progressively worse. About 4 years ago, my left eye was gone.

I lost my creativity and my artwork. I spent six to eight months standing in front of my easel, trying to paint. I had no depth of field, so I didnt know where my brush was. I went through an extremely dark period.

Forever in search of new challenges and experiences, Reynolds asked himself: What can I do thats harder than losing my sight?

Then one day he saw a photo of incredibly dense traffic in Hanoi. Thousands of mopeds, moving like a school of fish. They knew exactly where everybody was. And I said, Thats where I want to go. I traveled to Vietnam, becoming part of the flock. I was there for eight months.

Reynolds has since then bicycled through many and varied countries, including Cambodia, Thailand, Laos, the Philippines, Colombia and the Netherlands.

Ive actually been doing this since 1968, he notes. (After high school, he traveled throughout Europe and the U.S. for more than 10 years.) I think most people who dont travel are afraid of the unknown. Im a curious guy; Im an explorer. Everybody who does what I do runs into some kind of challenge  and we all get through it. Its a great way to put everything youve learned in life to good use.

The beauty, the people, it overwhelms me every time. I call it Anthropology at 12 miles per hour. 

Yes, but, isnt it now increasingly dangerous for him to ride a bike over unfamiliar terrain with limited vision? Oh yeah! he replies. I have to be on my toes 100 percent of the time. I have to be extremely careful.

However, he has sustained substantial injuries, including a fractured clavicle and torn rotator cuff last year in France. Later this year, after he returns from the Netherlands, he will undergo hip replacement surgery.

Reynolds also has plenty of scary stories, such as an encounter with armed bandits who robbed him in Colombia, and being set upon by a crazed man in Cambodia whom Reynolds had to ward off with a knife. He ran away. Pulling out that carving knife is something Id never done before  or wanted to do.

Do you have nine lives? I ask. Oh, Im halfway through my second set of nine lives, he says with an easygoing laugh.

His friends and family are worried about his ongoing travels. They say things like: What is wrong with you? Why do you do this?

I do worry about him, his sister Cynthia Douglass tells me from her home in Maine. But he uses his common sense. Hes a big boy and he can take care of himself.

Recalling her brothers period of depression as his eyesight began to fade, Douglass says, It was really tough. For an artist, thats very hard. But he worked his way through it. Traveling and getting on the bike was wonderful therapy for him. He just loves to live life to the fullest.

She remembers him telling her about riding one day in Vietnam when he heard a noise above. It was a forest fire! He had to ride through it, the flames licking on his right side. He gathers stories like people gather recipes.

Indeed, Reynolds tosses out a bunch of them during our time together. The people you meet! When I go to the Netherlands in a few weeks Ill be meeting up with a friend I met in the Amazon. (He pulls out his cellphone and shows me a photo of a beautiful smiling woman with purple skin.) Every two to three weeks she applies wild berries to her body. Shes from the Tucano tribe. Shes running for governor of her section of the Amazon.

Reynolds shows me a photo of another interesting person I met in France. She was going on a pilgrimage in her electric wheelchair and camping out. Her body was brittle; she looked like a sack of potatoes with arms. But she wouldnt accept any help. Im fine. 

In Vietnam three years ago he was riding past an orphanage and spotted an Agent Orange signpost; he stopped and went inside. He discovered the effects of that obscene chemical have been passed down through generations.

Rows and rows of cribs; three or four young women moving from one crib to the next. The birth defects were horrific. Is there anything I can help with? I asked the head nurse. Six hours later I finished helping to tend all the children. Then I went to a nearby store and bought baby formula, the only thing they could eat. I felt I owed it to them as an American.

Reynolds is so fond of Southeast Asia, Vietnam in particular, that he plans to return there this fall. Hell find a small village where he can live for six months, photographing daily life.

I like the social structure in that part of the world. You see tight-knit families, which you dont see in America anymore. They sit in circles, playing folk songs. Its like going back in time for me, to the 60s.

Several times during our conversation Reynolds harks back to the immense beauty Ive experienced. The beauty, the people, it overwhelms me every time. I call it Anthropology at 12 miles per hour. The sensory aspect of it is amazing. The sunlight changes, the sounds. Everythings in constant slow-motion movement. I never get tired of it.

And yet as Reynolds moves forward he knows his good right eye has a 40 percent chance of giving out too. Id be blind. Im running against the clock.

When asked about his prospects for future exploration, Reynolds answers: I want to keep going until I cant.

Randall Beach is a former columnist and reporter for the New Haven Register. His essays are on substack.com and he can be reached at rbeach8@yahoo.com.
Relatives of former Connecticut resident Nathan Carman  who say he killed his mother and grandfather for money  wrote a letter to prosecutors saying that he may seek retribution against them if he is let out of jail.

The letter, filed Friday, is expected to be used as evidence in a hearing on Carmans request to vacate a detention order Tuesday. The hearing is scheduled to take place in U.S. District Court in Burlington, Vt.

Federal authorities charged the former Middletown man in May with four counts of wire fraud in connection with the 2013 shooting death of his grandfather, John Chakalos, in Windsor, and murder on the high seas for the death of his mother, Linda Carman, who disappeared in 2016 while the two were on a fishing trip off Block Island. He has not been charged with his grandfathers death.

Carman, who has been living in Vernon, Vt., pleaded not guilty to the charges and has been held without bond since his arrest.

In a letter to prosecutors from Elaine Chakalos and Charlene Gallagher, the relatives of Carmans grandfather and mother said the 26-year-old is a danger to this family and a flight risk.

We are very concerned that Nathan has nothing to lose if he is allowed out of jail at this time and will seek retribution against the family, the letter stated.

They also stated in the letter that he will have access to money from a family trust that would allow him significant ability to flee the jurisdiction of the court and allow him sufficient funds to carry out further acts of violence to the family.

In the letter, the family pointed out the reasons for their concerns. They said they discovered Carman had a device, an onion router, that allowed him to search the internet anonymously, his cellphone was off around the time of his grandfathers homicide so the location could not be detected and he destroyed his computer hard drive and trucks GPS device, ensuring they could not be forensically examined by police, according to the letter.

In an effort to get him released, Carmans public defenders, clergy and family friends have portrayed him as a responsible adult who was pleasant and often sought the solace of religion after the death of his grandfather.

Carmans grandfathers estate is worth $42 million and has not been settled, according to Connecticut probate court records. Federal officials say the money was his motive.

As a central part of the scheme, Nathan Carman murdered John Chakalos and Linda Carman, the indictment stated.

The alleged scheme began in November 2013 when Nathan Carman purchased a Sig Sauer rifle using a New Hampshire license he had obtained, despite living in a rented apartment in Bloomfield, according to the indictment.

The indictment alleged Nathan Carman murdered his grandfather, John Chakalos, shooting him twice with the Sig Sauer while the man was sleeping in his Windsor home on Dec. 20, 2013.

Following his grandfathers death, the indictment claims, Carman received around $550,000 between a beneficiary-on-death account and a college account set up by Chakalos.

After moving to Vermont in 2014, Carman depleted most of that money by 2016, according to the indictment.

By the fall of 2016, he was low on funds, the indictment stated.

In September 2016, Nathan Carman arranged to go on a fishing trip on the Chicken Pox with his mother, Linda Carman, the indictment stated. Nathan Carman planned to kill his mother on the trip. He also planned how he would report the sinking of the Chicken Pox and his mother's disappearance at sea as accidents.

The indictment claimed Carman killed his mother, then hid from search-and-rescue teams after the vessel failed to return. He was eventually picked up by a commercial vessel and his mother was never found.

The following month, he filed an $85,000 insurance claim for the Chicken Pox, the indictment stated. He lost the claim after a nearly three-year court battle. His mothers sisters have also been battling in probate court to prohibit him from inheriting his mothers share of the estate.
On Monday, 13 clinics statewide opened their phonelines for people to schedule monkeypox vaccines. They were quickly flooded by calls for the vaccine.

We have had hundreds of calls today, said Kim Beauregard, CEO of InterCommunity Healthcare, which has offices in East Hartford, Hartford and South Windsor. She stressed that even though call waits may be long that that people should call in ahead of time for monkey pox concerns.

We want to triage them over the phone because we dont want people just walking in who have symptoms because its contagious, she said.

InterCommunity isnt alone. Anchor Health Initiative, which is distributing monkey pox vaccine at its Hamden clinic, tweeted this morning that they were experiencing higher than usual hold times due to monkey pox vaccine requests.

Today is the first day of the vaccine rollout, so things are a bit hectic right now, wrote Michael DeWolfe, a spokesperson for Anchor Health in an email. Weve gotten over 200 calls just today about it.

Community Health Center Inc. confirmed that they had experienced the rush across their entire network of clinics as people tried to get access to appointments at their six vaccine distribution sites.

First thing this morning were already getting phone calls about it from local health departments and also from patients, said Natalie Bycenski, the senior nurse manager and manager of the vaccine rollout for CHC. Weve had calls from people who are in areas that dont have vaccines and theyre traveling 40 minutes to get the vaccine.

More demand than vaccine

Overall, it appears that there is more demand for vaccines than supply. Bycenski said that each Community Health Center vaccine clinic received 60 doses of monkeypox vaccine, 10 of which were reserved for close contacts of known cases. In total, the CHC network received 360 of the 800 or so vaccines that were distributed statewide by the Department of Health.

Bycenski said that while she could not provide a specific number of calls, or requests for appointments, she believed that they were getting more calls for vaccine than they were able to fill.

U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal called on the Biden administration to invoke the Defense Authorization Act to massively ramp up the production of vaccines for monkeypox.

The World Health Organization declaring a public health emergency is a call to act, said Senator Blumenthal. Right now the federal government is failing to address this potential public health crisis. We need more of everything, particularly more of the vaccine.

Blumenthal called vaccines and prevention the coin of the realm of infectious disease response.

We have a 1.1 million doses, which for a two-dose regimen will only cover one-third of the at-risk population, not to mention others who may be vulnerable, said Blumenthal. And the fact of the matter is we are all potentially vulnerable. This disease does not care who you are.

He emphasized that while men who have sex with men are the highest risk group that it can potentially affect anyone who comes in touch with a case.

We are already behind the eight ball here in the state of Connecticut if were talking about prevention, state Rep. Jeff Currey of East Hartford. He stressed that people coming in for vaccine appointments did not need to be U.S. Citizens or have insurance. If you hear otherwise you need to tell us so that we can talk to the clinics and ensure prevention for our community.

Patrick Dunn, executive director for the New Haven Pride Center said that at first the LGBTQ community thought that the state government was behind in terms of their monkeypox response. But over the past few days it was clear that the problem was coming from the federal, not state, government.

The biggest challenge that the Department of Public Health, and state, are facing is that the federal government has not prioritized Connecticut which puts our health officials in a bind, said Dunn. Theres only so much you can do when you only have so many vaccines.

Dunn said it was baffling that the federal government had not absorbed some of the lessons of the COVID-19 pandemic, that people move, and live lives, across state lines.

It was a real distribution miscalculation, said Dunn, drawing a mental line to Fire Island to New York City through Connecticut to Provincetown, Mass., three major hotspots for the LGBTQ summer party scene in the Northeast. Even if all theyre doing is dancing in a club thats a bunch of people jammed in a tiny room.

Dunn said he was cautiously optimistic about the state response but between the inundated phone lines and lack of vaccine he was worried.

If we dont speed up our response were going to have a much bigger problem in the long term, said Dunn. The last thing we need is something else thats endemic to the United States right now.

This story has been updated to reflect the correct spelling of Michael DeWolfe.
HEFEI, July 29 (Xinhua) -- A China-Europe freight train, carrying 100 twenty-foot equivalent unit (TEU) containers, left Hefei, capital of east China's Anhui Province on Friday afternoon, for Budapest of Hungary, marking the first trip between the two cities.

Anhui-made products such as solar panel components, electric machines, and inverters, with a total worth of nearly 10 million U.S. dollars, are expected to arrive in Budapest in 16 to 18 days by the train after a journey of more than 10,800 km.

Since Anhui launched the first China-Europe freight train route in 2014, over 2,500 China-Europe freight train trips have been made so far, linking the province with 85 cities in 18 countries.

The China-Europe freight train service provides a new channel for the inland province to connect with the world and export its goods.

A total of 500 such trips have been made so far this year, and 22 more destinations are added to Hefei's China-Europe freight train network.
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TORRINGTON  More than $2 million in grants is going to local projects in Connecticut to help fight hunger, including funding for the Northwest CT Food Hub.

The state Department of Agriculture recently announced it is awarding $2.031 million to seven agencies through the USDA Agriculture Marketing Service Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program, intended to provide resources to increase food supply chain resiliency, according to a statement from state Commissioner of Agriculture Bryan P. Hurlburt.

These projects will utilize LFPA cooperative agreement funds to address food insecurity in historically underserved communities by bringing fresh CT Grown food to their tables, said Hurlburt in a statement. Connecticuts agricultural producers will have increased market opportunity as more entities have the funding to support buying local foods.

Among the grant recipients is Partners for Sustainable Healthy Communities Northwest CT Food Hub in Torrington, which is receiving $300,000.

According to Hurlburt, the food hub is expected to use the money to distribute bulk produce from 15 small farms to food pantries in northwest Connecticut. Karen Thomas, executive director of Friendly Hands Food Bank, is part of that distribution network.

The Connecticut Food Hub came in in and asked us if we wanted to participate, because they were applying for this Department of Agriculture grant, she said. We said yes. They are able to purchase food from certain farms, and then share it with us. Were very excited to be part of this.

The purpose of the grant program is to maintain and improve food and agricultural supply chain resiliency through supporting local and socially disadvantaged producers through building and expanding economic opportunity, and establishing and broadening partnerships with producers, the food distribution community, and local food networks to ensure the distribution of fresh and nutritious foods in rural, remote, or underserved communities, according to Hurlburt.

The Department of Agriculture received 22 applications totaling $5,678,521 in funding requests for the program.

Other recipients of the assistance program include $300,000 for Brass City Harvest Regional Food Hug in Waterbury, which will use it to distribute farm products to Greater Waterbury Interfaith Ministries; St. Vincent de Paul Mission; Hopeville Church Food Ministry; the Hispanic Coalition of Greater Waterbury; and the Waterbury Senior Center.

Bridgeports East End NRZ Market received $300,000, to distribute food to low-income families and individuals and create a community cookbook.

CLiCK Willimantic in Windham received $281,000, to collaborate with Windham Community Food Network Mesa Communitaria Project, the Willimantic Food Co-op/Covenant Soup Kitchen Food Box Program, and the Town of Mansfield Farms to Families Program serving several Tolland County towns,

Forge City Works, Hartford, received $250,000. Forge City Works in collaboration with Red Tomato, Hemingways, Hands on Hartford, Hartford Food System, and Hartford Hospital, which will connect locally grown farm products to community food distributors Forge City Works, Hands on Hartford, Hartford Food System Mobile Market and CSA, the Food4Health Clinic at Hartford Hospital, and a planned grocery store on Broad Street.

The New London Community Meal Center received $300,000, which will collaborate with FRESH New London, The Hispanic Alliance, and the New London Area Food Pantry.

Vertical Church in West Haven received $300,000, and will use the money to distributed food boxes to a network of pantries and senior food sites throughout greater New Haven.

For more information about the LFPA program, go to www.CTGrown.gov.
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WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP)  The commander of the United States military in the Pacific said Monday he wants to expand and strengthen its ties with New Zealand.

The visit to Wellington by Adm. John Aquilino, head of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, comes as the U.S. is looking to increase its presence in the region amid deep concerns over China's growing ambitions in the Pacific.

They include most recently the Solomon Islands, where the U.S. and several Pacific nations expressed deep concern about a security pact the Solomons signed with China in April, which many fear could result in a military buildup in the region.

Aquilino was greeted with a traditional Maori welcome ceremony and laid a wreath at the Pukeahu National War Memorial Park. He spoke briefly to media ahead of meetings with top New Zealand defense force and government officials.

Our partnership runs very deep, Aquilino said. We are doing many things together to continue to ensure peace and prosperity for both of our nations and for all the nations in the region.

Aquilino said he wanted to identify new areas where the U.S. could work with New Zealand. He said the leadership of Australia and New Zealand in the Pacific was critically important."

"The one thing you will never hear out of me is big or small. This is a partnership," Aquilino said. All nations deliver those things that they can deliver.

He said the U.S. understood the security implications of climate change in Pacific island nations, including for food security and water security, and the importance for island nations to be able to fish in exclusive zones.

The United States has been a Pacific nation our entire life. We will continue to operate in the Pacific no matter what else you might hear, Aquilino said.

Air Marshal Kevin Short, chief of New Zealand's defense force, said the relationship with the U.S. had been strong for decades, and it regularly interacts with U.S. forces so they can both operate better in the region.
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Romanian athlete Avram Iancu will swim on Wednesday, August 3, in Balaton Lake in Hungary, the largest lake in Central Europe, where he will try to remain in the water for at least 43 hours and 16 minutes, thus bringing down the European swimming record in free waters.

The librarian from southwestern Petrosani will leave for Balaton on Tuesday, by car, where on Wednesday morning, at 09:00, he will start swimming in the lake's 75 kilometers.

"I am trying to establish another record. Apart from conquering this important lake in Europe, I am also trying to set the longest record, duration-wise, on the continent. There is a European ranking for swimming duration, where you cannot enter if you have not swum for at least 24 hours, non-stop. The European record, after this criteria, is 43 hours and 15 minutes, established by Kevin Murphy, from England, who even swam in Lake Balaton. I will try to swim at least one minute longer than that time. I hold the Romanian record in this field, with 36 hours and 29 minutes, but now I want to establish a new European record," Avram Iancu said for AGERPRES on Monday.

According to him, the fact that Lake Balaton has a large stretch is an issue for swimmers, mostly because of the risk of large waves.

"The lake, the largest one in Central Europe, is difficult to cross. It has a 75 kilometer length, in a straight line, and the water surface is quite large. Any wind can generate big waves, which hinder movement. It is sweet water, and buoyancy is not as high as in the ocean or the sea, where salinity is high," Iancu explained.

Another problem is the lack of sleep during the 43 hours of swimming, fatigue being felt by athletes, especially during the first hours of morning, when outside temperature drops to 18-20 degrees Celsius.

The swim is organized by the Balaton Lake Lifeguards, who will pursue for the conditions to be respected in order to approve the swim.

Avram Iancu tried to establish a record on Lake Balaton in July 2021, but was forced to stop because of a storm and large waves, which could have put his life in jeopardy.

The last record set by the Petrosani athlete took place this year, on July 21, when Iancu managed to cross the Bristol Channel, being the first Romanian to establish such performance and the 14th swimmer in the world who managed to do this.AGERPRES
A naval mine in the maritime district of Eforie floating about two nautical miles off the Romanian Black Sea coast has been destroyed, according to Romania's Defence Ministry (MApN).

A team of EOD combat divers on Sunday evening conducted a mission to neutralise and destroy a naval mine that was drifting about two nautical miles (3.6 km) offshore across Eforie.

"The Navy diving team started their mission at around 19:30hrs and went to the scene with two fast boats, where they followed the standard operating procedures for such missions. The military divers found that it was a YAM naval mine that posed a danger to safe navigation in the Romanian territorial waters. They transported the mine to a safe area and destroyed it by explosion," MApN reported.

After the start of the unprovoked military aggression by the Russian Federation in Ukraine on February 24, 2022, this was the second Romanian Navy mission for the destruction of a naval mine originating from the maritime districts north of Romania, where war actions are taking place. The first naval mine in an area under the Romanian Navy jurisdiction was destroyed by the EOD divers of the 39th Divers Center in March 70 km across from Capu Midia.

AGERPRES
The Health Ministry is working to change mentalities among hospital staff and to ensure the organizational and professional framework allowing the identification and reporting of healthcare-associated infections, Minister Alexandru Rafila told a press conference on Monday, stating that reporting these infections is highly encouraged, for the real state of play to be known.

"The managers of several hospitals under the Health Ministry's authority have been evaluated - we do not encourage whatsoever hiding these infections. On the contrary, we want to know the real situation. There are managers who perform very well and report a 5 - 6 percent share of infections. There are no sanctions for reporting these infections in their performance indicators. We are not considering sanctions. There are already regulations in place regarding the failure to report communicable diseases in general. But communicable diseases include healthcare-associated infections. The regulations provide for progressive pecuniary sanctions which apply to healthcare staff who do not report such infections," Rafila explained.

He announced that a survey will be soon conducted on healthcare-associated infections.

"The latest survey was in 2017 and the next one will be done this year or at the beginning of next year. (...) The real percentage was 5.9. (...) We are about to conduct a new survey to look at the situation and see what administrative measures the Health Ministry has taken in the last six months, so that we can progress and get a more accurate picture. (...) The Health Ministry has a regulatory, coordination and administration role," Rafila showed, referencing also the minister's order that requires inpatient hospitals to have a microbiology laboratory or a microbiology department. AGERPRES
Ambassador of Israel David Saranga is concluding his mission in Romania and says that it is not an easy moment because he feels connected to this country, to the people, to Romanian history and traditions.

For him, the Romania he found when taking office as ambassador is a "different country" compared to the one he was in 25 years ago.

"The Romanian society is totally different from the society I knew 20 years ago. The young generation is one hundred percent an European society. For me, it's like I came to a new country, knowing the history and tradition and the language, but as if it is a new country. Romania, in my eyes, has changed 180 degrees from the Romania I knew back then," David Saranga told an interview granted to the National News Agency AGERPRES on Monday.

In the interview, the ambassador talks about his relationship with Romania, but also about the situation in the Middle East and about digital diplomacy, a field he will deal with in Israel.

AGERPRES: Your Excellency, at the end of your office, you left in Romania a volume called "Returning to Romania". My question for you: how is leaving Romania, because today you are leaving Romania.

David Saranga: Leaving is never easy. It is not easy because it is a period that is ending, a very beautiful period that is ending, a period of four years with many activities and for this reason it is not easy. I got attached to your country, I got attached to the people, I got attached to Romania's history and tradition, and for this reason it is not easy. On the other hand, leaving is a new beginning and, being an optimistic person, I also see this full part.

AGERPRES: You were in Romania once before, 20 something years ago...

David Saranga: ... and five. I arrived exactly 25 years ago.

AGERPRES: I read in an interview of yours that your mandate in Romania was your first office in diplomacy. You then went to Spain, and there you were perceived as if you had been punished for coming to Romania. How will you be perceived now, when you return from your mandate in Romania?

David Saranga: I'll give you an example. When there was an opening for this position as ambassador in Romania, when I came here, there were about 20 people who wanted to come here as ambassador, and when I left or when people knew that I was leaving, I received dozens of phone calls - from ambassadors from all over the world or from diplomats - who asked me about this post. Why? Because people want to come to Romania. I thought that it would be easy for me to receive this position of ambassador in Romania, having been in Romania in the past, knowing the language, being a senior diplomat and there were many who wanted this position. So, today, the world knows that Romania is a good country for diplomatic activity, I mean for an Israeli diplomat, and people know that it is not a place where someone is punished, on the contrary, it is a place with which you reward someone.

AGERPRES: Returning to the Romania of now compared to the communist Romania of your first mandate, what were the major changes you saw?

David Saranga: It is another country. It's another country. First of all, Romanian society is totally different from the society I knew 20 years ago. The young generation is a one hundred percent European society. For me it's like I came to a new country, knowing the history and the tradition and the language, but as if it is a new country. Romania, in my eyes, has changed 180 degrees from the Romania I knew back then.

AGERPRES: On the other hand, you, as ambassador, took a position on a series of hate speeches, on anti-Semitic speeches that took place even in the Romanian Parliament, in the Romanian public discourse. Could you tell us more about this and the need to talk about these things?

David Saranga: If we talk about when I was here and there was an anti-Semitic party back then and there was Romania Mare [the Greater Romania Party - ed.n.] and there was Vadim Tudor and there was the Romania Mare publication back then, where every week I could read this hateful message from Vadim Tudor and Greater Romania. Extremists are everywhere. We have extremists too. The far right world is everywhere in Europe and the United States and Israel and other countries. What is important is how society reacts against this hateful message, how society reacts against this extreme right-wing movement, and I can say: The Romanian government, the Romanian society, public figures in Romania reacted properly, exactly as they should have, against this hate speech, against this extremist phenomenon. And this is how one judges or knows about a society - how the officials and how the society reacts.

AGERPRES: And how do ordinary people react now compared to the 90s?

David Saranga: I didn't conduct a survey, others did. I didn't conduct a survey and that's why I cannot tell you, but I see, for example, messages on social networks. Yes, it's true, what I see on our page or my page is not necessarily what is there. (...) From what I have seen, like any society you have voices that are against, you have voices - a minority - that support this message. This happens everywhere. For this reason I said that it is important what Romania does or how it reacts officially.

AGERPRES: You also supported the project of the Holocaust Remembrance Museum, a project that has been long in the making and is still not completed. Were you promised or do you have cues that this Holocaust Memorial Museum will be built in the near future in Bucharest?

David Saranga: It is a project of the Romanian Government, which is well regarded by Israel and the Jewish community worldwide. I would have liked to see the project carried out faster and in every meeting this question is there and your officials have always promised me that things will happen soon.

AGERPRES: When it is inaugurated, will you come to see it?

David Saranga: I will come even sooner.

AGERPRES: When?

David Saranga: Tomorrow (laughs). If I leave today, I can come back tomorrow. I can tell you for sure that I will come because it is true that I have traveled enormously in your country, it is true that I have seen many places, but there are many others that I have not seen yet and that I want to see. And the second thing is that I always like to go back to the places I know and love and where I know people. So without a doubt I will be back.

AGERPRES: Since you have seen certain regions of Romania at your leisure, if you were to be somebody's guide in Romania, where would that be and where would you take that person?

David Saranga: It depends on how much time we have. For instance, the day before yesterday I was in Sighisoara and installed a plaque with the distance to Jerusalem in the city's Clock Tower. And if a friend comes for three days, I cannot take him to Sighisoara. We would do the Bucharest - Sinaia - Brasov and back to Bucharest trip, so that he can see a little of the Carpathian Mountains scenery and the city setting. If they have five days to spend, then we can travel further. But if I were to recommend something, then it's the Delta area, the Danube Delta, which is unique and different from anything we know and are acquainted with. There are not many places in the world like the Danube Delta. The second place would be Bucovina, with beautiful landscapes and simple and welcoming people, northern Maramures, the Brasov - Bran - Rucar area which is superb, the Horezu area, with the Horezu Monastery. That's where my travel focus was, I visited those places several times.

AGERPRES: Speaking of foreign policy, recently President Emmanuel Macron and several political leaders highlighted the need to revive the Israeli-Palestinian peace process. President Macron said that the situation in the region is more than concerning. How does Israel see this situation and the solution thereto?

David Saranga: The situation in our area is concerning. Period. First of all because of Iran. What Iran wants to do in the region - its attempt at having a nuclear capability, its moving away from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action required by the International Atomic Energy Agency - that's worrying. The fact that Iran shut off the surveillance cameras at its nuclear facilities is very frustrating, but not just frustrating, but very concerning as well. This is one element. The second element is represented by the extremist components in the region, around Israel, starting with Hamas, in the Gaza Strip. Last year alone, rockets were fired from Gaza towards Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, towards the centers of Israeli cities. Then there is also Hezbollah, with a firepower of 150,000 rockets that can reach Tel Aviv. Yes, it's a very complicated and dangerous region. That said, in the last two years since the signing of the Abraham agreements, we see that the moderate Arab countries, along with Israel, which understand the threat coming from Iran, from extremism, are on the same wavelength: the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Israel, Egypt, Morocco, Jordan - we are on the same page and cooperate, because we understand that there is a great potential in terms of economic cooperation. On the one hand, we want to cooperate because of the economic benefits, and on the other hand, we all understand the threat posed by Iran in the region.

AGERPRES: But as regards the relationship between Palestine and Israel, world leaders also spoke about the issue of Israeli West Bank settlements. This is one topic, and the other one is related to the organization of elections in Palestine, which have been postponed several times.

David Saranga: I will explain it simply: Israel is willing to sit down at the negotiating table, without preconditions. The settlements can also be on the negotiation table. But let's say that tomorrow we sit down to negotiate with President Abbas. Will he deliver [what is being negotiated]? He can say "I am not responsible for what is happening in Gaza". Because he is truly not responsible for what is happening there. Who should we sit down and talk to? Okay, let's talk. Abu Mazen [Mahmoud Abbas], let's talk, but you do not represent the entire Palestinian nation. He cannot enter the Gaza Strip, he has no influence there. That's in the first place. Secondly, I wonder if President Abbas is willing to make concessions and negotiate. So far he has refused. I must also point out that, first of all, peace is good for Israel because we have more to lose. Let me explain this: when you are a prosperous country, with a strong economy, when you have a strong IT sector, you stand to lose a lot if there is terror.

AGERPRES: Poor countries also have a lot to lose...

David Saranga: I'm not saying this isn't so. But I represent Israel. I know what I stand to lose and I know why I want peace. And I know that we want peace and I know that every time we had a partner we could negotiate with, in the end we have made all the necessary concessions to secure peace. This means that we need a dialogue partner. Unfortunately, we don't have this partner now, and we are not the only ones saying that we do not have partner. The U.S., Europe are in the same situation, nobody says now "OK, make those concessions". We do compromise, but after negotiation or discussion. But if someone doesn't want to sit down with you, it's rather difficult.

AGERPRES: Can you talk about your future mandate, upon returning to Israel?

David Saranga: I will be heading the Digital Diplomacy Division. In recent years Israel and the Israeli Foreign Affairs Ministry have been running one of the best digital diplomacy systems. On the other hand, I have my own experience, as one of the first Israeli diplomats to use social media for the purpose of public diplomacy, in 2009, 2010, during my term in New York. I am very pleased with this new position, and the goal is not just to use social media in order to convey a message. This is what all countries do. The main challenge is to think about where we want to be in five years. Technology is changing at a fast pace, and we want to be at the forefront of public diplomacy and technology. And the combination of the two is crucial. There are new worlds we want to enter, like for example everything related to the metaverse, which is the future and just as we were the first on social media - Twitter, Facebook, Instagram - I hope we will be the trailblazers in these new technologies too.

AGERPRES: Speaking of social media and the messages sent on social media, there is the issue of fake content. What is the lesson that Israel can pass on regarding the fight against fake messages?

David Saranga: Fighting fake news is very difficult, in general. It's hard. We, in Israel, were partially successful when it came to closing down certain sites and accounts we knew were disseminating fake news and hate speech. Did we pull them all down? No. Technological giants such as Facebook, Twitter, Google did not pay enough attention to the phenomenon. They are more careful now, now there are more regulations in place in the EU and so on. One of my missions is to engage in dialogue with these technology companies and discuss these things.

AGERPRES: About a global policy?

David Saranga: As far as I am concerned, a policy in Israel. I will discuss with the Facebook, Twitter, Google representatives and I will try to see how we can reach an agreement, because we are not only talking about fakes, there is hate speech, but there are also things that we can do together. Let's not forget that if we draw a line, many people enjoy hating. We are talking about a love-hate relationship. Imagine our life without Facebook, without Twitter, without Instagram. Can we imagine that? I can't. I remember that a year ago Facebook was down for several hours and we were insisting to access the platform. We still had Instagram and Twitter, but it wasn't the same. We are all like that. I am the last person who would say that we don't need Facebook. Of course we need it, but let's find together a formula whereby this monster will serve humanity and not harm it.

AGERPRES: Back to your relationship with Romania, can you tell me your favorite word in Romanian?

David Saranga: I haven't thought about that ... "dorule" (a word expressing a nostalgic yearning - Ed. note).

AGERPRES: And a Hebrew word to define Romania?

David Saranga: "Generous". Romanians are very generous. Whatever you do - you do it with generosity. When you love someone, your love is wholehearted, when you put someone at the table, the table is full, the gifts are magnanimous. You are very generous. To me, generosity represents Romania. And this is how I would describe the Romanian people.

AGERPRES: At the end of your term, do you regret not having done something or not having said something?

David Saranga: As someone who has served as a spokesperson, I know that no one regrets something they didn't say. First of all, I don't regret anything I have done. I always wanted more, to visit more places, meet more people and have us carry out more projects. But I am very pleased with what I achieved. In these four years we had the pandemic which didn't allow us to hold large-scale events, cultural events and others. Then the Ukraine war struck, changing the course of our activity, we had a war in Gaza, which also changed the course of our activity, because when there is a war in Israel one deals exclusively with that. That said, I am very satisfied with the cultural activities we have organized in the last six to seven months. It was a form of compensation for the COVID period and the fact that we had so many big events with a large attendance, and us being able to share Israeli culture and receive the love of the public gives me a lot of satisfaction.

AGERPRES: The last question is when will you return to Romania?

David Saranga: I even have a date (laughs). I'll tell you after you turn off the recorder. It will be somewhere in October - November.
Prime Minister Nicolae Ciuca had a phone call on Monday with President of the United Arab Emirates, Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, with whom he approached the stage of the agreed bilateral projects in fields related to energy, agriculture, investments, education and cyber security, the government said in a release.

The discussion took place in the context of the projects agreed upon during the Prime Minister's recent visit to Abu Dhabi and of the July 27 phone conversation of the two states' Foreign Affairs Ministers.

"The sides agreed to periodically monitor the progress of the agreed projects in fields related to energy, agriculture, investments, education and cyber security. The Romanian Prime Minister emphasized the level of cooperation in each of the important fields and thanked the UAE President for his interest, for the time and the desire to monitor these projects," the release states.

Also, Prime Minister Ciuca announced the appointment of a senior Romanian government official tasked with directly managing the relationship with the UAE partner.

In his turn, President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan thanked the Romanians for all the support and openness shown in bilateral cooperation, announcing that he has put officials in charge and set deadlines for each partnership project. AGERPRES
Political parties spent 60.42% of subsidies granted from the state budget in the period January-June 2022, and the largest share in the case of the Social Democratic Party (PSD) and the National Liberal Party (PNL) was spent on press and propaganda, shows a press release sent to AGERPRES by the Permanent Electoral Authority (AEP).

According to the cited source, between January and June, amounts worth 124,890,327.26 RON were wired into the accounts of political formations, representing subsidies from the state budget.

"By structure of the accrued charges from the subsidy granted from the state budget, the following categories of expenditures had the largest share: in the case of the Social Democratic Party, the expenditure with the press and propaganda represented 73.85%, and in the case of the National Liberal Party, these represented 73.80%, the People's Movement Party recorded expenditures for the press and propaganda in a percentage of 25.15% of the total expenditures incurred. Also, for the Pro Romania Party, the expenditures with staff and with the fees of lawyers, executors and experts represented 44.01% each. In the case of the Save Romania Union, personnel expenses accounted for 34.19% of the total expenditures incurred," the release states.AGERPRES
Romania's COVID-19 daily cases rise by 5,202 in last 24 hours, Health Minister Alexandru Rafila told a news conference on Monday.

"There are 5,202 cases reported in the last 24 hours. There is the same percentage of 20% of people who are re-infected in a time interval of more than 90 days. Regarding the degree of occupancy of hospital wards - beds allocated to infections with the novel coronavirus, it has reached 17.18%, and 263 people are hospitalised in intensive care, which is 14.69%. The increase is faster in the number of people hospitalised, a little slower in the cases in intensive care units, which rather indicates a lower severity of the circulating strains," said Rafila.

According to him, 4,158 patients are hospitalised in wards, including 633 minors.

As many as 263 patients are hospitalised in intensive care, including five minors.

"There are not very big increases in intensive care from last week. However, there is a major increase in the total number of cases in one week - 57,138 but the increase has slowed down substantially. (...) This week we have an increase from almost 45,000 to 57,000 cases. So it is an increase of about 23% as against 80% in the previous week," the minister said.

He added that in the last week, 149 deaths were reported in patients infected with the novel coronavirus.

"We expect this indicator to continue to increase. It is about 20 deaths recorded daily on average - 149 in seven days. So, about 20 deaths that are registered daily," the minister pointed out.

He mentioned that the positivity rate of the tests continued to increase, however, and there a "slowing down of the proportion."
David Nicklaus David Nicklaus is a business columnist for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Follow David Nicklaus 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

Even as Americans wonder whether theyre in a new recession, St. Louis isnt close to recovering from the last one.

As of June, the metro area remains 34,000 jobs short of the number it had in early 2020, before the coronavirus pandemic put the economy in the deep freeze for a few months. Moreover, the areas recovery seems to have stalled.

When the pandemic hit, metro St. Louis lost 188,000 jobs in March and April of 2020. The advent of vaccines and easing of restrictions brought 150,000 people back to work by the end of last year, but the first five months of 2022 showed a net loss of 1,000 jobs.

Junes preliminary number makes the picture brighter, with St. Louis gaining 5,000 jobs in the first half of the year. At that pace, the area wont get back to pre-pandemic employment until 2025.

Even that might be too optimistic. The bad news is that those remaining jobs will take a long time to recoup, especially in the current economic environment, said Karl Kuykendall, a regional economist with S&P Global Market Intelligence.

I really dont see a scenario where St. Louis gets back to pre-pandemic employment levels anytime soon, Kuykendall added. I think St. Louis will get there, but the question is whether it will be three years from now, five years or maybe longer.

There are bright spots in the regional economy. The relatively high-wage professional services industry employs 8,000 more people than it did three years ago. The number of jobs at restaurants, bars and hotels, however, is down by 9,000.

Job growth now is being held back by both limited supply and limited demand. Restaurants and other businesses have cut back their hours because they cant find enough workers, while a slowing economy will cause firms in cyclical industries to rethink hiring plans.

Its rare to see a case where we are still recovering from the pandemic-induced downturn and are now teetering on the brink of another downturn, Kuykendall said.

St. Louis is far from alone. Chicago has 100,000 fewer jobs than it did before the pandemic. San Francisco is 80,000 jobs short, Minneapolis 65,000 and Cincinnati 30,000. At the same time, growing metros like Atlanta, Austin and Nashville have more people working than ever.

The nation as a whole is on pace to get back to its pre-pandemic employment level in the next couple of months  provided a new recession doesnt throw job growth into reverse.

In St. Louis, that milestone remains distant. For the foreseeable future, the area economy will continue to be held back by an eroding industrial base and a slow-growing, aging population.

A dearth of young workers is a big handicap in an era when COVID-19 has accelerated retirement plans for many older people. If St. Louis leaders want a growing economy, they must invest both in amenities that will attract migrants from elsewhere and in education and training for the young people who are already here.

More challenges lie ahead: Nearly 1,000 jobs will disappear when U.S. Steel ends steelmaking in Granite City in 2024, and Boeings fighter plane factory lacks orders beyond mid-decade.

Sluggish recoveries have become the norm for St. Louis. After the dot-com recession of 2000, the metro area needed five years to regain its previous employment level. After the financial crisis hit in 2008, it took seven and a half years.

Were currently climbing back from a much different setback but, unfortunately, the pattern is the same.
ST. LOUIS  The Lutheran School of Nursing, which first opened its doors in 1898 but has struggled in recent years with finances and enrollment, has closed.

Tina Hecht, CEO at South City Hospital, wrote a letter to faculty Wednesday announcing the news. The school is part of the hospital.

It is with deep and heartfelt sorrow that we write to tell you that Lutheran School of Nursing will close effective immediately, she wrote. This has been one of the hardest decisions of our life.

For years, hospitals have complained of staffing shortages, and the need for nurses only grew during the coronavirus pandemic. As health care workers took on more work, risk and trauma, often without much more pay, many left staff positions to work as contract nurses, which paid as much as three times more, or left hospitals altogether.

At the same time, the Lutheran School of Nursing was a diploma program, which can be faster and cheaper than other programs but do not award degrees to graduates and have been less common in recent years.

Hechts letter last week cited challenging enrollment and financial trends and said that running the school is no longer an option. It said the hospital had looked into other options for running the school but found no feasible solutions.

Officials at the hospital could not be reached for comment Sunday.

Christopher Guelbert, an alumnus who now teaches nursing, said, Its such sad news, since the school had been around since 1898. Just another sign of the times changing in health care.

Many of the schools students were older than college age, coming to the program from other jobs or careers. Students could finish their studies in about two years, instead of more common three-year programs, because it was a diploma program. Graduates are then qualified to take the state exam to become a registered nurse, just as with nursing students with college degrees.

The Lutheran School of Nursing was the last nursing diploma program in Missouri.

The school had been struggling for several years. In 2015 and 2016, its pass rate on the National Council Licensure Examination fell just below the 80% required for registered professional nursing schools.

The school was placed on conditional approval status and raised its scores above the cutoff level in 2017 and 2018.

But a 2019 report by the Missouri State Board of Nursing detailed problems with finances, faculty turnover and facilities. The school had to move out of one building because of problems with mold and pests.

In 2020, the school faced a hearing in Jefferson City to determine its future with the state nursing board. Before the hearing was held, at least four public officials sent letters to the nursing board, including then-mayor Lyda Krewson.

(N)ot only does the nursing school serve the public and greater good in improving healthcare and outcomes for patients, but it provides a tremendous pipeline of skilled workers to our local hospitals and medical facilities, she wrote.

This February, the school announced that it was not taking students for the upcoming term because of a moratorium of admissions from the Missouri State Board of Nursing.

South City Hospital, the 190-bed south St. Louis institution that ran the school, was formerly known as St. Alexius Hospital. In 2021, it was bought out of bankruptcy and renamed by SA Acquisition Group.

In April, the St. Louis Business Journal reported that the hospitals staff had not been receiving their paychecks on time.

Annika Merrilees of the Post-Dispatch contributed to this report.
SEATTLE (AP)  Seattle and Portland, Oregon, set records Sunday for most consecutive days of high temperatures and authorities in Oregon investigated more possible heat-related deaths.

In Seattle, the temperature rose to 91 Fahrenheit (32.8 Celsius) by early afternoon, the record sixth straight day the mercury rose above 90 F (32.2 C). In Portland, Oregon, on Sunday temperatures rose above 95 F (35 C) for the seventh day in a row, a record for the city for consecutive days above that mark.

In Oregon, the state Medical Examiner's Office said Sunday it was investigating 10 deaths as possibly heat related. In the Portland area temperatures have risen above 100 F (37.8 C) several times over the past week.

Officials in Portland said they would keep cooling shelters open through Sunday night.

The National Weather Service issued an excessive heat warning for both the Portland and Seattle, Washington, regions lasting through late Sunday evening. Temperatures were expected to cool beginning Monday as colder air from the Pacific blows in.

Climate change is fueling longer heat waves in the Pacific Northwest, a region where weeklong heat spells were historically rare, according to climate experts.

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 of 2021. The temperature hit an all-time high of 116 F (46.7 C) in Portland.
BANGKOK (AP)  A Japanese video journalist has been detained by security forces in Myanmar while covering a protest against military rule in the countrys largest city, pro-democracy activists said Sunday.

Toru Kubota, a Tokyo-based documentary filmmaker, was arrested on Saturday by plainclothes police after a flash protest in Yangon, according to Typ Fone, a leader of the group Yangon Democratic Youth Strike, which organized the rally. Like many activists, he uses a pseudonym for protection against the military authorities.

Myanmars army seized power in February last year by ousting the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi, and has since cracked down hard on dissent.

According to a detailed tally compiled by Myanmars Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, at least 2,138 civilians have been killed by the security forces and 14,917 arrested since the military takeover.

Last week, the military government drew sharp international criticism after announcing that it had hanged four activists convicted of terrorism in secret trials.

Typ Fone told The Associated Press that two protesters in Saturdays march were also arrested and detained in a township police station. The arrests were also reported by several other anti-government groups.

Japan's Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Seiji Kihara on Monday said a Japanese male citizen in his 20s was arrested Saturday while filming a demonstration in Yangon and that he has since been detained by local police. Kihara said Japanese embassy officials have been requesting his early release, while doing utmost for his safety and information gathering.

An official from the Japanese Embassy told The Associated Press earlier that a Japanese national was reported detained, but declined to reveal details. The man is being held for questioning at a police station in Yangon and the embassy was taking action to release him, said the official, who asked not to be identified because was not authorized to share information with the media.

State-run daily newspapers, which usually report on arrests of pro-democracy protesters, did not mention it.

However, pro-military accounts on the Telegram messaging app said the Japanese man was arrested not for taking pictures but for participating in the protest by holding a banner. Typ Fone said that photos of Kubota with the banner uploaded to the Telegram channels were taken after he had been arrested, indicating they were done under duress.

During the march, about a dozen protesters chanted slogans opposing the military takeover, and shortly after, scattered into the crowds in the surrounding streets.

He was taking a picture with his camera from a short distance from our strike yesterday, Typ Fone said of Kubota. When we finished the strike and dispersed, he was arrested by the security forces in plainclothes and put into a Probox car. The vehicle is typically used by taxis in Yangon, and Typ Fone said the car in question also had the markings of a taxi.

According to a portfolio of Kubotas work online, his primary focus was on ethnic conflicts, immigrants and refugee issues, and he has tried to highlight the conditions of marginalised, deprived communities.

It says he has worked with media companies such as Yahoo! News Japan, VICE JAPAN and Al Jazeera English.

Virtually all independent journalism in Myanmar is carried out underground or from exile.

The military government has arrested about 140 journalists, about 55 of whom remain detained awaiting charges or trial. Kubota is the fifth foreign journalist to be detained, after U.S. citizens Nathan Maung and Danny Fenster, who worked for local publications, and freelancers Robert Bociaga of Poland and Yuki Kitazumi of Japan, all of whom were eventually expelled.

Most of those still detained are being held under the charge of causing fear, spreading false news, or agitating against a government employee. The charges carry up to three years in prison.

AP writer Mari Yamaguchi in Tokyo contributed to this report.
ST. LOUIS  A St. Louis man avoided a federal jury trial this week by pleading guilty Monday in a 2019 deadly carjacking attempt here.

Jalen Exavier Simms, 27, pleaded guilty to a count of attempted carjacking resulting in the death of Jabari Clark on June 3, 2019, in the 3100 block of Rauschenbach Avenue. The killing was recorded on surveillance video.

Simms admitted trying to take at gunpoint Clarks 2012 Dodge Ram truck. Police at the time said Clark, 27, was shot in the head just after 6 a.m. in the St. Louis Place neighborhood and died at a hospital.

Simms pleaded guilty to one of two counts pending since December 2019. An illegal gun charge will be dismissed. At sentencing, set for November before U.S. District Judge Henry E. Autrey, Simms will be sentenced to an agreed-upon prison term of between 23 and 25 years.
UPDATE: This story was updated Wednesday, Aug. 3 with a statement from Reed's attorney.

MOUNT VERNON, Illinois  Authorities on Monday identified a St. Louis woman charged with selling drugs at a Central West End apartment building where several overdosed as the person who died last month at an Illinois jail.

Chuny Ann Reed, 47, was charged in February with distributing drugs to people in the Parkview Apartments, 4451 Forest Park Avenue. In a two-day period, at least nine people overdosed, seven fatally, at the building or nearby.

Last month, the Illinois State Police said they were investigating the death of a 47-year-old woman from St. Louis who was incarcerated at the Pulaski County jail, roughly 30 miles east of Cape Girardeau. She was found unresponsive in her cell and was later transferred to the hospital in Mount Vernon where she died.

On Monday, Jefferson County Coroner Roger Hayse confirmed Reed died July 18 at the SSM Health Good Samaritan Hospital in Mount Vernon.

Reed's public defender Dian Dragan had also filed a document July 15 asking the court to adjust the bond so Reed could be released.

"Ms. Reed had a medical episode that has drastically impacted her health and substantially changed her public safety risk factors," the document states.

Dragan, in a statement, encouraged a full investigation into Reed's death.

"Every individual in custody deserves to be kept safe and provided adequate access to medical care," she said.

Hayse said he is still waiting on an autopsy report to determine the cause and manner of death.
ST. LOUIS  Two St. Louis County men pleaded guilty Monday in what federal prosecutors said was a "retaliatory murder" last August near Forest Park.

Cevone Weeden, 26, pleaded guilty to federal gun and drug charges while Herschell Perkins, 37, admitted to a gun charge in federal court in St. Louis.

The men admitted roles in the Aug. 20 killing of Joel Phillips, 22, at 1420 Hampton Avenue in the city's Cheltenham neighborhood of Dogtown. Phillips was fatally shot about 8 p.m.

Weeden and Perkins were indicted in January 2021.

Prosecutors said in court documents that Phillips robbed Weeden of fentanyl two days before the shooting. Perkins and Weeden then lured Phillips to the location where he was shot, a McDonald's parking lot, with the help of a third person in what authorities said was a ruse to lure Phillips into the open so that Weeden could target him.

Authorities said Weeden riddled Phillips' car with bullets, hitting him at least 10 times.

Weeden and Perkins are set to be sentenced in November. As part of plea agreements, prosecutors are recommending up to 25 years for Weeden, and 15 for Perkins.
Crowded, big-spending contests for U.S. Senate nominations to succeed retiring Republican Sen. Roy Blunt highlight Missouris traditional midsummer primary on Tuesday.

Also drawing lots of attention are the GOP primary race for state auditor and Democratic battles for the St. Louis County executive and 1st Congressional District nominations.

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.

Numerous contested races for the Missouri Legislature and other county-level offices also will be on the ballot across the metro area, as will various tax and bond issue propositions.

Secretary of State Jay Ashcrofts office estimates that the statewide turnout will be close to the approximately 31% of registered voters who took part in the August primary two years ago.

We have no statewide ballot issues in this years primary, but we have a large number of candidates, a spokesman for Ashcroft, JoDonn Chaney, said in an email.

Thats especially true when it comes to the Senate race, in which 21 Republicans and 11 Democrats are vying for their partys nominations to advance to the Nov. 8 general election.

Most news media attention has focused on the GOP side because Republicans have dominated in Missouri statewide races in recent years.

Democrats considered front-runners for their partys nomination are former Marine Lucas Kunce; Trudy Busch Valentine, a nurse and Anheuser-Busch heiress; and Spencer Toder, a businessman.

Opensecrets.org, a nonprofit research organization, says the states U.S. Senate primary candidates have raised a total of more than $23 million and spent more than $18 million on their campaigns.

In the state auditors race, State Treasurer Scott Fitzpatrick and state Rep. David Gregory are vying for the Republican nomination to succeed Democratic incumbent Nicole Galloway, who didnt seek reelection. Democrat Alan Green, a former state representative, is unopposed for his partys nomination.

In the St. Louis County executives race, Democratic incumbent Sam Page is matched against Jane Dueker, an attorney for the county police officers union. There also is a GOP primary race for executive, between state Rep. Shamed Dogan and Katherine Pinner.

In the 1st Congressional District, incumbent Democrat Cori Bush is challenged by state Sen. Steve Roberts and three lesser-known Democrats  Michael Daniels, Earl Childress and Ron Harshaw.

On the Republican side, former St. Louis mayoral candidate Andrew Jones is running against Steven Jordan and Laura Mitchell-Riley. The district takes in St. Louis and much of north and central St. Louis County.

The 2nd Congressional District incumbent, Republican Ann Wagner, has three primary opponents  Paul Berry III, a former county executive candidate; Tony Salvatore, a former Wildwood councilman and Wesley Smith.

There are two Democrats seeking their partys nomination, state Rep. Trish Gunby and Ray Reed, a former aide in then-Gov. Jay Nixons administration.

The 2nd, rooted in west and south St. Louis County, extends west to Franklin County and parts of St. Charles and Warren counties under a redistricting map passed this year by the Legislature.

Polling place changes

Because of late-breaking changes, some St. Louis County voters wont be able to cast a ballot at four scheduled polling places  in University City, Hazelwood, Wellston and Florissant  and will be directed to other nearby locations.

One site that became unavailable, the Heman Park Community Center in University City, was damaged by flooding, said Rick Stream, the countys Republican election director.

Also affected by flooding was the Charles Brown Community Center on Evergreen Avenue in Wellston, where the water damage is preventing air conditioning equipment from operating.

Another site, the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers District 837 hall on Utz Lane in Hazelwood, is needed by the union for activities related to the unions possible strike against Boeing.

At those three locations, Stream said, signs will be posted directing voters to go to any of five other polling places nearby to cast their ballots. He said the alternative sites also will be listed on the county Election Board website.

In addition, he said affected voters can consult the flyers mailed to their homes by the election board several weeks ago that listed six nearby polling places.

New St. Louis County voting equipment in use since 2020 allows voters to cast a ballot at any polling place in the county.

Another St. Louis County change involves Cross Keys Middle School at 14205 Cougar Drive in Florissant. Because of construction at the school, the polling place scheduled there will be moved to the Wedgewood 6th Grade Center close by.

Meanwhile, St. Charles County wont be able to use Kisker Road Library in the Harvester area as a polling place because it was shut down due to water damage during last weeks heavy rains, said Kurt Bahr, the county election director.

Bahr said a sign will be posted at the library telling voters to instead go to a nearby polling place at Castlio Elementary School at 1020 Dingledine Road.

Jefferson County

A hotbed of political activity leading up to Tuesdays primary has been Jefferson County, where there are numerous contested races.

County Executive Dennis Gannon has GOP primary opposition in Paul Wieland, a term-limited state senator.

Meanwhile, four Republicans are vying for the nomination for Wielands 22nd District seat. They are state Reps. Mary Elizabeth Coleman, Shane Roden and Dan Shaul and former Rep. Jeff Roorda, an ex-Democrat.

There also are GOP primary races for two Jefferson County judgeships, four County Council seats and five other county offices.

Other races

Among the many other races across the metro area:

 St. Louis County Councilwoman Rita Heard Days is challenged by Jennings Councilman Terry Wilson in the 1st District Democratic primary.

 Two Democratic state representatives, Michael Person and Raychel Proudie, are running against each other in a north St. Louis County district revamped under reapportionment.

 State Reps. Nick Schroer and John Wiemann are vying for the GOP nomination to succeed term-limited state Sen. Bob Onder in St. Charles Countys 2nd District.

 Separate five-way GOP contests for nominations are underway for other open Senate seats in the 10th District in St. Charles and Lincoln counties and the 26th in St. Louis, Franklin and Warren counties.

 Four candidates are running in a special election for 21st Ward alderman in St. Louis to succeed John Collins-Muhammad, who resigned before being indicted on federal corruption charges.

Ballot issues

St. Louis Public Schools officials are seeking passage of a bond issue that doesnt involve a tax increase.

No-tax-hike bond issues also are being sought by the Hillsboro and Webster Groves school districts and the Florissant Valley Fire Protection District.

St. Louis voters also will decide on a charter amendment to increase the maximum fine for illegal dumping to $1,000 from $500.

Three charter amendments are on the St. Louis County ballot, including one toughening whistleblower protections for county employees reporting allegations of wrongdoing.

The Big River and North Jefferson County ambulance districts are asking voters to pass bond issues that would trigger tax increases. Property tax hikes also are on the ballot in the Black Jack Fire Protection District and St. Clair Ambulance District.

Updated at 3 p.m. Monday with information on additional polling place change

Editor's note: An earlier version of this article incorrectly described the candidates in St. Louis' 21st Ward aldermanic race.
ST. LOUIS  Former President Donald Trump, declining to make a single endorsement in Tuesdays U.S. Senate primary, announced he trusted Missouri voters to make up their own minds between former Gov. Eric Greitens and Attorney General Eric Schmitt.

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.

In a statement posted after 5 p.m. Monday on Truth Social, a blogging site similar to Twitter, Trump wrote, I trust the Great People of Missouri, on this one, to make up their own minds, much as they did when they gave me landslide victories in the 2016 and 2020 Elections, and I am therefore proud to announce that ERIC has my Complete and Total Endorsement.

The late nod to two of the frontrunners in the Senate race represented an anti-climactic end to the sweepstakes in which Republican candidates sought to ingratiate themselves to the former president, who dominated his Democratic opponents in his two elections here.

Nationally, political scientists, analysts and journalists are watching the Missouri race to weigh Trumps impact on midterm elections. But Trump didnt make a final pick, potentially saving face in what has been a tight three-way contest.

Trump said in July he definitely wouldnt endorse U.S. Rep. Vicky Hartzler, the third Republican frontrunner, in the race. Asked earlier Monday about expectations that Trump still may endorse a Republican in the race, Hartzler shook off her non-endorsement, acknowledging the unpredictability of the former president.

President Trump is going to do what he wants to do, she said. He may even endorse me.

Greitens had claimed Trumps endorsement in a tweet minutes after Trumps announcement, making no mention of Schmitt.

Honored to have the support of President Trump! We will MAGA! Greitens said.

Schmitt followed that with his own tweet that made no mention of Greitens: Donald Trump endorses Eric Schmitt for Senate. Stand with Trump and vote for proven conservative Eric Schmitt tomorrow.

Hartzler, meanwhile, issued a statement noting there is a third, lesser-known Eric also is seeking the GOP nomination, a fact that may have escaped the former president.

Congrats to Eric McElroy. Hes having a big night, Hartzler said.

McElroy is a comedian and author who lives in Tunas in Dallas County.

Ending months of speculation

Political observers had for months speculated as to which candidate Trump would back in Missouris 21-candidate Republican primary to replace Sen. Roy Blunt, a Republican.

In December, conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt pleaded with Trump not to back Greitens, who resigned in 2018 after being consumed with scandals connected to an extramarital affair he had and his unreported receipt of a campaign donor list from the veterans charity he founded.

Please dont endorse Eric Greitens. Thats a nightmare, Mr. President. Well lose that seat, Hewitt told Trump in a radio interview.

Trump made no promises at the time.

Well, thats an interesting opinion, thats true, Trump said. Hes right now leading by quite a bit.

Indeed, the former president had been warming to Greitens, Politico reported in early March. After all, despite scandals other Republicans feared could hand the seat to Democrats in the fall, Greitens was out front in opposing Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, with whom Trump has feuded. (Schmitt and Hartzler also distanced themselves from McConnell last week.)

But two weeks after the Politico article, headlined Trumps McConnell obsession leads him toward Eric Greitens, Greitens ex-wife accused the ex-governor of spousal and child abuse in court documents.

After those revelations, U.S. Rep. Billy Long said Trump contacted him and talked about the allegations against Greitens, indicating concern from the former president about Greitens viability.

After the phone call, Trump issued a statement signaling hed like to back Long but wondered if voters had been considering the southwest Missouri congressman, indicating Trump wanted to endorse a candidate with strong public support.

Greitens has been the subject of a multimillion-dollar campaign financed by GOP donors and operatives to paint him as unfit for office.

After leading the polls in the early going, Greitens began to fade, with Schmitt appearing to take the lead in the closing week.

Schmitt, too, had tried to court the former president.

On Dec. 23, Schmitt tweeted a picture of himself sitting next to Trump.

It was great to be back at Mar-a-Lago and spend some time with President Trump during the holiday season. Merry Christmas! he tweeted.

In March, Schmitt made another appearance at Trumps Mar-a-Lago, according to photos he posted on Twitter.

But the charm offensive apparently wasnt enough to earn Trumps outright backing.

Trump angered by recent poll

Trump, on his social media website on Sunday, signaled disapproval with Schmitt and Axiom Strategies, a political consulting firm working for Schmitt. Axioms polling arm, Remington Research Group, had released polls showing Schmitt leading the race.

On Sunday, Trump shared a link to a Breitbart article that accused Remington of underestimating Trumps support in Missouri to boost the attorney general in polls.

Wow, great dishonesty in politics, Trump said in his social media post, with a photo of Schmitt below his statement. Too bad!

At a campaign stop in the St. Louis area, Schmitt was asked about a possible endorsement.

Id love to have it, Schmitt said, adding voters had a choice between the fighter, Schmitt; Greitens, who quit, and Hartzler, a do-nothing congresswoman whos part of the establishment, according to audio by St. Louis Public Radio.

Trump said in July that Hartzler called him for his endorsement, but he declined, saying she doesnt have what it takes to take on the Radical Left Democrats, together with their partner in the destruction of our Country, the Fake News Media and, of course, the deceptive & foolish RINOs.

On Monday, Hartzler, R-Harrisonville, hosted a news conference in a St. Louis Lambert International Airport parking lot to criticize her two main competitors in the U.S. Senate race.

To Greitens, she pointed out that hes accused of abusing his family.

Thats not conservative, Hartzler said.

To Schmitt, she said he tried to use millions of dollars in tax credits to lure the Chinese to build a hub at the airport behind her.

Thats not conservative, Hartzler said.

And she criticized both of them for not sitting down for a debate.

I guess they are afraid to fight a farm girl from Missouri, said Hartzler, 61, describing herself as the true conservative in the race.

Hartzler left the airport, driving to other last-minute campaign stops in Rolla and southwest Missouri.

We are getting a lot of support from every corner of the state, she said.

Support for Democratic contenders

On the Democratic side of the race, former Marine Lucas Kunce touted endorsements Monday from U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and former Secretary of Labor Robert Reich, who served under President Bill Clinton.

Democrat Trudy Busch Valentine, meanwhile, announced her election night watch party would be at the Sheet Metal Local 36 union hall in St. Louis.

On the GOP side, Greitens wound up his campaign with a statewide fly-around that included a scheduled stop at the Spirit of St. Louis Airport in Chesterfield.
WASHINGTON (AP)  The White House on Monday decried Beijing's rhetoric over an expected visit by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to Taiwan, vowing the United States will not take the bait or engage in saber rattling and has no interest in increasing tensions with China.

White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby underscored that the decision on whether to visit the self-ruled island that China claims as its own was ultimately Pelosi's. He noted that members of Congress have routinely visited Taiwan over the years.

Kirby said administration officials are concerned that Beijing could use the visit as an excuse to take provocative retaliatory steps, including military action such as firing missiles in the Taiwan Strait or around Taiwan, flying sorties into Taiwan's airspace and carrying out large-scale naval exercises in the strait.

Put simply, there is no reason for Beijing to turn a potential visit consistent with long-standing U.S. policy into some sort of crisis or use it as a pretext to increase aggressive military activity in or around the Taiwan Strait, Kirby said.

The Biden administration pushed back on Beijing as Pelosi held talks with officials in Singapore on Monday at the start of her Asian tour.

While there have been no official announcements, local media in Taiwan reported that Pelosi will arrive Tuesday night, making her the highest-ranking elected U.S. official to visit in more than 25 years. The United Daily News, Liberty Times and China Times  Taiwan's three largest national newspapers  cited unidentified sources as saying she would arrive in Taipei after visiting Malaysia and spend the night.

Talk of such a visit is sparking fury in Beijing, which regards Taiwan as its own territory and has repeatedly warned of serious consequences" if the reported trip goes ahead.

If Pelosi insists on visiting Taiwan, China will take resolute and strong measures to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said in Beijing, without giving details.

Those who play with fire will perish by it, Zhao said. We would like to once again admonish the U.S. that we are fully prepared for any eventuality and the PLA will never sit idly by. The People's Liberation Army is China's military.

Chinas U.N. Ambassador Zhang Jun reiterated Beijings threat to take action if Pelosi makes what he called a provocative visit to Taiwan, reiterating that the one China principle is a red line and we allow no one to cross this red line.

Zhang told a news conference at the start of Chinas presidency of the U.N. Security Council this month that Taiwans tendency toward independence is further developing with the support of some external forces, which he didnt name.

So, if we do not take appropriate, forceful action to stop it, and the situation might be even out of control, Zhang said. So it is legitimate for the Chinese government, for the Chinese military, to take any action to prevent Taiwan to go further down the wrong direction, namely towards independence.

Zhang said he wasnt in a position to reveal what actions, but what I can tell is that the firmness, the determination is there. We will do whatever we can to defend our sovereignty and the territorial integrity.

Chinese President Xi Jinping also warned the U.S. against meddling in Beijings dealings with the island in a phone call last week with President Joe Biden.

Germanys Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock warned against a Chinese invasion of Taiwan while sharply criticizing Russias invasion of Ukraine. Baerbock told reporters at U.N. headquarters in New York on Monday: We do not accept when international law is broken and a larger neighbor attacks its smaller neighbor in violation of international law -- and of course that also applies to China.

China has been steadily ratcheting up diplomatic and military pressure on Taiwan. Threats of retaliation for a visit by Pelosi have driven concerns of a new crisis in the Taiwan Strait, which separates the two sides, that could roil global markets and supply chains.

Beijing sees official American contact with Taiwan as encouragement to make the island's decades-old de facto independence permanent, a step U.S. leaders say they dont support. Pelosi, head of one of three branches of the U.S. government, would be the highest-ranking elected American official to visit Taiwan since then-Speaker Newt Gingrich in 1997.

The Biden administration has tried to assure Beijing there was no reason to come to blows and that if such a visit occurred, it would signal no change in U.S. policy. Administration officials on Monday called on China to tone down the rhetoric, underscoring that there was no reason for Beijing to escalate tensions in the Taiwan Strait over the potential visit. Members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee were to receive a classified briefing on Taiwan from senior Pentagon and State Department officials on Monday evening.

What I can say is this: this is very much precedent in the sense that previous speakers have visited Taiwan, many members of Congress go to Taiwan, including this year, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said. And so, if the speaker does decide to visit and China tries to create some kind of crisis or otherwise escalate tensions, that would be entirely on Beijing.

Still, U.S. officials have signaled that the military would be prepared to respond if needed in the event of any action by China in response to any possible stop in Taiwan by Pelosi.

On Monday, the Navy aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan and its strike group were in the Philippine Sea, according to the officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss military operations.

The Reagan, the USS Antietam, a cruiser, and the USS Higgins, a destroyer, left Singapore after a port visit and moved north, heading to their homeport in Japan. The carrier has an array of aircraft, including F/A-18 fighter jets and helicopters, on board as well as sophisticated radar systems and other weapons.

Taiwan and China split in 1949 after the Communists won a civil war on the mainland. Both sides say they are one country but disagree over which government is entitled to national leadership. They have no official relations but are linked by billions of dollars of trade and investment.

The United States switched diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing in 1979, but maintains informal relations with the island. Washington is obligated by the Taiwan Relations Act, a federal law, to see that Taiwan has the means to defend itself.

Washingtons One China policy says it takes no position on the status of the two sides but wants their dispute resolved peacefully. Beijing promotes an alternative One China principle that says they are one country and the Communist Party is its leader.

We expect to see Beijing continue to use inflammatory rhetoric and disinformation in the coming days, Kirby said. The United States, by contrast, will act with transparency.

On Monday, Pelosi met with Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, President Halimah Yacob and other Cabinet members.

Singapore's Foreign Ministry said Lee welcomed a U.S. commitment to strong engagement with the region, and the two sides discussed ways to deepen U.S. economic involvement through initiatives such as the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework.

Lee and Pelosi also discussed the war in Ukraine, tensions surrounding Taiwan and mainland China, and climate change, it said in a statement. Lee highlighted the importance of stable U.S.-China relations for regional peace and security, it added, in an apparent allusion to reports of Pelosi's visit to Taiwan.

Pelosi has said she is visiting Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea and Japan in a tour to discuss trade, the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, security and democratic governance.

On Thursday, Pelosi is to meet with South Korean National Assembly Speaker Kim Jin Pyo in Seoul for talks on security in the Indo-Pacific region, economic cooperation and the climate crisis, Kims office said in a statement.

It declined to provide further details about her itinerary, including when she is arriving in South Korea and how long shell stay. Pelosis schedule for Wednesday remains unclear and there were no details on when she will head to Japan.
HAMPSHIRE, Ill. (AP)  A crash involving a wrong-way car on an interstate in northern Illinois left seven people dead Sunday, including five children, authorities said.

The crash occurred around 2 a.m. on Interstate 90 in McHenry County, roughly 50 miles (80 kilometers) from Chicago.

Lauren Dobosz, 31, of Rolling Meadows and five children, all in a Chevrolet full-size van, were killed, according to Illinois State Police. The children were ages 5 to 13.

Jennifer Fernandez, 22, of Carpentersville, was driving an Acura TSX and also died, police said.

Fernandez was driving in the wrong direction for unknown reasons before striking the van in the westbound lanes of I-90, police said, adding that both vehicles were engulfed in flames.

The driver of the van, Thomas Dobosz, 32, was seriously injured.
Voters heading to the polls on Tuesday will face a mountain of choices  with 21 Republicans and 11 Democrats seeking their partys nomination in Missouris U.S. Senate contest alone. There are other key votes in St. Louis city and county that voters might not have had time to research on their own. Heres a brief summary of recommendations (or non-recommendations) the Editorial Board has made after interviewing candidates and researching the issues.

U.S. Senate, Democratic primary: We recommend Lucas Kunce, a Marine veteran of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars and former U.S. arms negotiator. He offers energy, enthusiasm and loads of professional experience in fields directly related to a senators job. His main opponent, Trudy Busch Valentine, came off as inarticulate and unprepared.

U.S. Senate, Republican primary: With so many controversial figures on the ballot, we dont offer recommendations other than for GOP voters to go to the polls with eyes wide open about what each candidate stands for. Macho displays of firearms and blowtorches do not signify leadership or talent. Be wary of elected officials who waste taxpayer money to promote their campaigns. These are signs of politicians who dont have an actual record to convince voters of their worthiness for the Senate. Candidates who do have records worth noting are U.S. Rep. Vicky Hartzler and state Sen. Dave Schatz.

U.S. House, District 1, Democratic primary: Hard-line progressive incumbent Rep. Cori Bush tends to represent only a small subset of her 1st District constituents. Her freshman-term voting record was troublesome. Her challenger, state Sen. Steve Roberts, appears closer to the moderate center of the party. However, issues in his personal life could give many voters second thoughts. We are withholding a recommendation.

St. Louis county executive, Democratic primary: Incumbent Sam Page faces a challenge from attorney and ex-lobbyist Jane Dueker. This newspaper has heavily criticized Pages performance on various management and political issues that have immersed his administration in embarrassment and scandal. Dueker, however, comes off as a flamethrower and rabble-rouser, which is inappropriate for a job requiring deft political skills. Albeit with reservations, we recommend Page.

Ballot propositions, St. Louis city: Prop S is the request by St. Louis Public Schools to borrow $160 million for much-needed repairs, renovation and equipment purchases. There would be no effect on taxes. Prop F seeks to double the fine for illegal dumping from $500 to $1,000. We recommend voting yes on both.

Ballot propositions, St. Louis County: Prop A would expand protections for county employees blowing the whistle on corruption and mismanagement. Prop M would create a commission to review compensation every five years for County Council members. Prop V would nail down rules specifying County Council confirmation votes for the county executives top appointees. We recommend voting yes on all three.

For more information, visit STLtoday.com/voterguide.
Regarding Hawley, Cruz escape Jan. 6 probe, have no regrets over role (July 27): I am once again appalled by Sen. Josh Hawleys behavior. He recently stated very clearly that he regretted nothing about his actions on Jan. 6, 2021, and that fills me with contempt for him. Even in hindsight, he has no regret that he encouraged a mob just before the attack on the U.S. Capitol that resulted in the death or wounding of officers. He also has no qualms that he rejected confirmation of the 2020 presidential election count after whats termed the most secure and fair election in our history. He said quite emphatically he did that for the citizens of Missouri.
For the second time since 2014 the United States is supporting efforts that help Russians to bypass government censorship to reach the outside world and search for information that will clarify what is going on in Ukraine. The official Russian version about what is going on in Ukraine is contradicted by what surviving Russian veterans of the fighting are reporting. The information provided by soldiers who have been there, or parents seeking to find out what happened to their sons in the army, has caused growing reluctance to support the Russian operations in Ukraine. More Russians are refusing to report when they receive a conscription notice. Calls for volunteers to serve in Ukraine are being ignored, even at higher pay, as in three to ten times the average monthly income of civilians. The government refuses to provide any clarification, pointing out that such information is a state secret.

The United States is now financing efforts to provide Russian citizens with free access to VPN (Virtual Private Networks) that the Russian government cannot eavesdrop on or shut down. This effort, which began before the invasion began in late February, rose from 48,000 Russian users a day before February to a million a day a month later. Currently over four million Russian a day are using this access to reach foreign websites and communicate with anyone they know living outside Russia. Over a million Russians have left Russia since the invasion began and millions have left since the 2014 Russian operation that seized Crimea and parts of Eastern Ukraine (Donbas). Most Russians seek out news on the Ukraine fighting at a variety of foreign news sites, including those that provide the news in Russian. This includes Ukrainian news sites. Even the news sites in counties that back Russia (Iran and China) offer more information about the war than the Russian government does.

The first time the U.S. offered Russian uncensored access to the Internet was in 2014 when the Americans financed efforts to provide access to the Tor (The Onion Router). This worked and the Russian government was so alarmed that in mid-2014 it offered a prize of $111,000 for whoever could deliver, by August 20th 2014, software that would allow Russian security services to identify people on the Internet who were using the Tor Onion Router. Tor is a system that enables users to access the Internet anonymously. On August 22nd Russia announced that an unnamed Russian contractor, with a top security clearance, had received the $111,000 prize. No other details were provided at the time.

A year later it was revealed that the winner of the Tor prize was now spending even more on lawyers to try and get out of the contract to crack Tors security. It seems the winner found that his theoretical solution was too difficult to implement effectively. In part this was because the worldwide community of programmers and software engineers that developed Tor were constantly upgrading it. Cracking Tor security is like firing at a moving target and one that constantly changes shape and is quite resistant to damage. Tor is not perfect but it has proved very resistant to attack. A lot of people are trying to crack Tor, which is also used by criminals and Islamic terrorists was well as people trying to avoid government surveillance. This is a matter of life and death in many countries, including Russia.

Similar to other anonymizer software, Tor was even more untraceable. Unlike earlier anonymizer software, Tor relies on thousands of people running the Tor software, and acting as nodes for email (and attachments) to be sent through so many Tor nodes that it was believed virtually impossible to track down the identity of the sender. Tor was developed as part of an American government program to create software that people living in dictatorships could use to avoid arrest for saying things on the Internet that their government did not like. Tor also enabled Internet users in dictatorships to communicate safely with the outside world. Tor first appeared in 2002 and has since then defied most attempts to defeat it. Tors developers were also quick to modify their software when a vulnerability was detected.

By 2014 it was believed that NSA had cracked Tor and others may have done so as well, but were keeping quiet about it so that the Tor support community did not fix whatever aspect of the software made it vulnerable. At the same time there were alternatives to Tor, as well as supplemental software that were apparently uncracked by anyone.

Russia may have been encouraged by an Iranian effort in 2011 that came up with a way to detect Tor users and cut them off from the Internet. For the Iranian censors, that was good enough. This was a blow to American efforts to support the hacker community in keeping the Internet accessible for all users in countries like Iran, Cuba and North Korea. In Iran the government managed to shut down over 90 percent of Iranian user accounts using Tor. But the Tor developers quickly issued a software update that got around the government detection system. Since Iran had developed the detection software internally, rather than buying them from Western suppliers, and kept modifying it to regain the ability to detect Tor. But the Tor developers have been able to respond each time, including another round in this battle in 2014. The Russians appear to believe they could help the Iranian effort with a prize completion.

The U.S. government, despite a long, combative and acrimonious relationship with the hacker and Internet freedom communities, has been funding work on Internet freedoms programs that seek to bypass Internet censorship in dictatorships. The American government provided over $30 million dollars for hackers seeking to create software that will enable people to evade Internet surveillance and censorship.

While this anti-censorship software can also be used by criminals, terrorists and spies, the U.S. government believes that these groups already have access to software that can hide them, and that it's more important that police states have more reason to pay attention to what their citizens want.

Meanwhile, the American money has funded development of software that makes smart phones safer for users who want to say things to others that their governments disapprove of. All this activity is directed at countries with heavy Internet censorship programs, like China, Burma, Iran, Cuba, Venezuela and several African countries. Russia responded by placing more restrictions on Russian Internet users and outlawing a lot of anti-government activity.

Some dictatorships have created virtually impregnable Internet controls. This is the case in Cuba and North Korea, where the local Internet is cut off from the global Internet. In effect, the Cuban and North Korean Internet are each restricted to one country, and heavily monitored by the security services. Iran considered that, but decided not to implement an "Iranian Islamic Internet" because the Iranian economy, fueled by huge oil income, has too many useful external contacts. Cutting Iran off from the worldwide web would hurt the economy and cause more unrest.

But the clerical dictatorship that runs Iran has managed to recruit some good software development and Internet talent, and, like China, is using a combination of imported technology (including Chinese censoring systems) and locally developed stuff to keep most anti-government individuals off the Internet. In 2022 the Russians were not prepared for the large number of Russians, many of them tech-savvy, to freely access with global Internet.
In June South Korea became the 11th nation to use a locally built SLV (Satellite Launch Vehicle) to put a locally built dummy (test) satellite into orbit. The South Korean SLV is officially the KSLV-II but commonly referred to as the Nuri. This is a 200-ton three stage rocket that can put 2.6 tons of satellite into a 300-kilometer-high LEO (Low Earth Orbit) or 1.5 tons into a higher (800 kilometers) LEO. Nuri was first tested in 2021 but the third stage failed to function correctly. The second test was the recent one and it was a success. Both tests were launched from the South Korean Naro Space Center.

South Korea spent $1.7 billion developing Nuri and will continue development to enable the SLV to carry heavier loads into higher orbits. Development of the current Nuri involved building smaller (56-ton) SLVs as test vehicles. Initially South Korea will put civilian earth observation satellites into orbit but these can also observe North Korea. Eventually South Korea will put locally built military surveillance satellites into orbit.

The other nations to build and launch satellites are Russia (1957), the United States (1958), France (1965, Japan (1970), China (1970), Britain (1971), India (1980), Israel (1988) and North Korea (2012).

South Korea had already become the tenth largest economy in the world and the tenth largest exporter of locally produced weapons. South Korea could have built SLVs and space satellites earlier were it not for an agreement with the United States to not develop ballistic missiles in order to encourage North Korea to limit or eliminate its own ballistic missile program. That did not work, which was made dramatically clear in 2010 when an unprovoked North Korea attack involved shelling a South Korean island near the North Korean maritime border and sinking (via a submarine-launched torpedo) a South Korean warship. North Korea denied any responsibility but examination of the shells and the torpedo used identified North Korea as the culprit. This ended over a decade of expensive South Korean efforts to appease their northern neighbor. The United States agreed that the ballistic missile restrictions agreement was not working and that was the end of any restrictions.

It didnt take South Korea long to catch up with and surpass North Korean ballistic missile tech. In 2017 South Korea conducted a successful test of a locally made ballistic missile with a range of 800 kilometers. The new missiles carry a half ton warhead. This enables South Korea to hit targets anywhere in North Korea with weapons (ballistic missiles) that North Korea is not equipped to stop. A similar test in 2015 involved a ballistic missile with a range of 500 kilometers which came to be known as the Hyunmoo 2C. That test ended decades of restrictions (at the behest of the United States) on South Korean ballistic missile development. South Korea has never released much information on how many ballistic and cruise missiles it now has, but at times has indicated that they are aimed at North Korean targets. These South Korea missiles can be launched from anywhere in South Korea and hit any area in North Korea. Apparently North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and his various underground headquarters are prime targets. Unlike North Korea, which has chemical weapons and, eventually, nuclear bombs for its warheads, South Korea is restricted to conventional explosives. But even with this such missiles can do considerable damage to underground facilities and major above-ground facilities.

Until 2012 South Korea and the United States had an agreement that limited South Korean made ballistic missiles to 300 kilometers range. In return the United States pledged prompt and substantial military support in the event of an attack by North Korea. In 2012 that treaty was modified because of growing aggression by North Korea and a rapidly growing North Korean arsenal of ballistic missiles. The 2012 amendments allow for South Korean missiles with a max range of 800 kilometers. The original restrictions were a gesture to North Korea in an effort to halt a ballistic missile arms race. That was an arms race South Korea was better equipped, with tech and manufacturing capability to develop and build ballistic missiles and SLV rockets.

North Korean poverty had already diminished the threat of smothering the South Korean capital Seoul with artillery fire because of North Korean failure to maintain its tube artillery and rocket launchers. North Korea was also unable to replace their aging, and much less reliable, supplies of artillery shell and rockets. Tube artillery whose recuperator seals arent replaced for 10-15 years can only fire one round before requiring major maintenance to get that gun operation again. More explosive things happen with old artillery munitions, particularly those stored in non-climate-controlled caverns in Korean climates.

Back in 2012 the South Korean military also called for over $2 billion to be spent on missiles during the next five years and this plan was largely approved and successfully implemented. This was part of an effort to develop the capability to quickly weaken the North Korean artillery and missile forces in any future war. The South Korean plan included the purchase of over a thousand new ballistic and cruise missiles. These are aimed at specific North Korean missile launchers and artillery positions. In the event of a war, the South Korean missiles can be quickly launched and most North Korean missile and artillery weapons destroyed. That would mean less destruction in South Korean territory. The North Korea plan had always been to start any future war with an enormous bombardment of South Korea using shells, rockets, and missiles. Most would be aimed at the South Korean capital, and largest city, Seoul, contains 48 percent of the national population and 21 percent of GDP.

Nearly all the $2 billion was spent on missiles made in South Korea. At the same time the government also revealed the existence of some of these locally developed missiles that had been kept secret. This included a new cruise missile and ballistic missile that were ready for service. South Korea is usually secretive about its battlefield missiles although some details do leak. In 2009 South Korean media reported that a new cruise missile, with a range of 1,000 kilometers, had secretly entered production in 2008. The missile, called Hyunmoo 3, has since been superseded by the Hyunmoo 3C missile, which has a range of 1,500 kilometers and is being deployed along the North Korean border, aimed at ballistic missiles, nuclear weapons, and other strategic targets to the north. The longer range of the Hyunmoo 3C enables it to hit any target in North Korea and is apparently intended to knock out transportation and supply targets deep inside North Korea. With a range of 1,500 kilometers the missile could also hit targets in China and Russia.

Since the 1980s the United States has been discouraging South Korea from developing long range ballistic and cruise missiles. Despite the U.S. refusal to approve or cooperate, South Korea developed a 180-kilometer range ballistic missile (Hyunmoo 1) and a 300 kilometer one (Hyunmoo 2) in the 1980s. Both are about 13 meters (40 feet) long and weigh 4-5 tons. By 2001 South Korea accepted the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) and thus agreed not to build ballistic missiles with a range of more than 300 kilometers. Hyunmoo 1 and 2 used a design based on that of the U.S. Nike-Hercules anti-aircraft missile, which South Korea used for many years and mastered the manufacturing technology for.

Cruise missiles are simpler technology, and apparently the Hyunmoo 3 is made entirely with South Korean developed components. Like the original American Tomahawk, Hyunmoo 3 appears to be about 6 meters (19 feet) long, weighs 1.5 tons, has a half ton warhead, and is launched from hidden (in the hills facing North Korea), and probably fortified, containers. North Korea has over 600 ballistic missiles aimed at South Korea but many of them are so old that their reliability in action is questionable.

In addition to its locally made ballistic missiles, in 2011 South Korea moved some of its American made ATACMS (Army Tactical Missile Systems) guided missiles close to the North Korean border. ATACMS is a 610mm rocket that fits in the same size container that normally holds six 227mm MLRS rockets. The ATACMS version in South Korean service has a range of 165 kilometers. That makes it capable of reaching many targets in North Korea but not the capital (Pyongyang, which is 220 kilometers north of the DMZ). There is a version of ATACMS with a range of 300 kilometers but South Korea does not have any. ATACMS is fired from the American MLRS rocket launcher. South Korea only has 220 ATACMS missiles. All of them have cluster bomb warheads. Half of them were unguided and have a range of 128 kilometers. The others have smaller warheads, GPS guidance, and a range of 165 kilometers. This is apparently the version moved close to the border, in order to make the North Koreans nervous. South Korea originally bought ATACMS in 1998, to have a weapon that could go after distant North Korean artillery and large concentrations of tanks.

Despite American opposition South Korea began developing, but not mass-producing, ballistic missiles in the 1970s. South Korea certainly has the technical expertise and manufacturing capability to produce a more modern ballistic missile with a range of 300 kilometers. After 2010 the United States was no longer trying to restrict South Korean missile development or production.

One negative side-effect of this missile program is that it puts parts of Russia and China at risk as well. Both nations are considered traditional threats to Korea and Russians and Chinese leaders are well aware of this. They also realize that South Korea is capable of developing and manufacturing nuclear weapons, and doing so quickly.
Shares of Alibaba (NYSE: BABA) are up over 2% in premarket Monday after the company said it plans to comply with U.S. regulators and work to maintain its listings in New York and Hong Kong.

Alibaba will continue to monitor market developments, comply with applicable laws and regulations and strive to maintain its listing status on both the NYSE and the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, BABA said in a statement Monday.

The company has reassured investors about its own plans after the U.S. SEC added the stock to a group of companies that face a potential listing removal in the U.S.

Alibaba stock price fell 11% on Friday on this news and is down almost 4% in Hong Kong trading today.

However, Jefferies analysts say that there should be no change to the timing of delisting. Analysts continue to see mid-2024 as a potential delisting time for Chinese ADRs.

Jefferies believes the SEC simply reacted to Alibaba posting its recent annual report.

BofA analyst Eddie Leung, who cut the price target to $155 from $162 on BABA stock, added:

Conversion of its secondary listing in Hong Kong to a primary status will mitigate liquidity risk. But related news could remain a source of stock volatility as some ADR investors such as retail ones who may not be able to own non-US stocks, the analyst said in a client note.

By Senad Karaahmetovic
Commendation Reinforces AdvanSixs Commitment to Equity, Diversity & Inclusion at All Levels

PARSIPPANY, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- 50/50 Women on Boards (50/50WOB), the leading global education and advocacy campaign driving gender balance and diversity on corporate boards, commends AdvanSix (NYSE: ASIX), a leading chemical manufacturer of essential products, as a 3+ company, for having three or more women on its corporate board of directors.

We are so proud of this recognition by 50/50 Women on Boards and thank them for their continued efforts to increase and sustain gender diversity on corporate boards, said Erin Kane, president, CEO and board member of AdvanSix. We know that diversity at all levels is key to strong business outcomes, and we are committed to championing greater representation and inclusion from our shop floor to board room at AdvanSix every day.

AdvanSix is committed to providing a workplace that reflects the diversity of the communities in which it operates. With four women directors representing over 40 percent of its corporate board seats, and nearly 50 percent of 2021 new hires identifying as diverse, AdvanSix is making strides in its equity, diversity and inclusion (ED&I) mission.

Ive seen firsthand the power of a diverse and inclusive board and how it can benefit a company as well as its customers, said Mike Marberry, Chairman of the Board at AdvanSix. Our directors are committed to continuing to champion diversity at every level and we are proud of this recognition for our Board and the work AdvanSix is doing to achieve its ED&I mission.

The company regularly creates opportunities for employees to engage and take actions for ED&I, including conducting Unconscious Bias education and launching Days of Understanding sessions. The first sessions were held at AdvanSixs largest manufacturing facility in Hopewell, Virginia where employees were encouraged to listen to the experiences of their colleagues and learn from each other to understand and address differences, become better allies and evolve as an organization. AdvanSix also joined the inaugural cohort of Dr. Steven L. Robbins Inclusion Academy.

Investors and enlightened leaders continue to make institutional decisions that reinforce the business advantages of diverse boards, said Betsy Berkhemer-Credaire, CEO of 50/50 Women on Boards. We are pleased to recognize AdvanSix for prioritizing this business decision that benefits its shareholders, employees, customers and communities.

The value proposition for diversity and inclusion is clear, said Kane. When we have diverse representation at all levels in the workplace and a safe environment for folks to be their authentic selves, conventional perspectives are questioned, conversations are deepened and better decisions are made. We challenge all companies to seek more diversity, adding and promoting individuals from all backgrounds, and to enable truly inclusive cultures.

About AdvanSix

AdvanSix plays a critical role in global supply chains, innovating and delivering essential products for our customers in a wide variety of end markets and applications that touch peoples lives, such as building and construction, fertilizers, agrochemicals, plastics, solvents, packaging, paints, coatings, adhesives and electronics. Our reliable and sustainable supply of quality products emerges from the integrated value chain of our five U.S.-based manufacturing facilities. AdvanSix strives to deliver best-in-class customer experiences and differentiated products in the industries of nylon solutions, chemical intermediates and plant nutrients, guided by our core values of Safety, Integrity, Accountability and Respect. More information on AdvanSix can be found at http://www.advansix.com.

About 50/50 Women on Boards (50/50WOB)

50/50 Women on Boards (50/50WOB), a nonprofit 5013, is a leading education and advocacy campaign driving the movement toward gender balance and diversity on corporate boards. The campaign publishes its 50/50 Women on Boards Gender Diversity IndexTM directory and research reports to track the gender composition of corporate boards on the Russell 3000 by board size, state, sector, and rating. Public awareness campaigns and educational programs produced by 50/50WOB include The Global Conversation on Board Diversity; and Educational Workshops for women at various career levels, aspiring to serve on boards. For more information, visit: www.5050wob.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220801005148/en/

AdvanSix Media Contact: Janeen Lawlor, [email protected]

50/50 WOB Media Contact: Heather McLaughlin, [email protected]

Source: AdvanSix
WEST DES MOINES, Iowa--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- American Equity Investment Life Holding Company (NYSE: AEL) announced today that it will release second quarter 2022 earnings and other financial results after the close of market on Monday, August 8, 2022. The second quarter earnings release and financial supplement will be posted on the American Equity IR website at https://ir.american-equity.com/ at that time.

American Equity will hold a conference call on Tuesday, August 9, at 10:00 a.m. CDT to discuss its second quarter financial results and its financial condition, business, investments, operations, and strategy. The call may also include forward-looking statements regarding future performance using terms such as believe, expect, intend, may, plan, strategy, will, or similar words, as well as specific projections of future results. These statements will be based on assumptions and expectations that involve risks and uncertainties, including the "Risk Factors" the Company describes in its U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filings. The Company's future results could differ, and it has no obligation to correct or update any such statements.

There is a new and simplified event registration that provides two ways to access the call.

Via Telephone

Interested parties may register for the call with the form available at this link, and upon submission (and via follow-up email) will receive the dial-in number and a unique PIN to access the call. Registration is available now or any time up to and during the time of the call. Registration is also available by visiting our IR website at https://ir.american-equity.com/.

Via the Internet

Interested parties who wish to listen to the webcast may register to access it on our IR website at https://ir.american-equity.com/. An audio replay will also be available via the same link on our website shortly after the completion of the call for 30 days.

ABOUT AMERICAN EQUITY

At American Equity Investment Life Holding Company (NYSE: AEL), we think of ourselves as The Financial Dignity Company. Our policyholders work with independent agents, banks and broker-dealers through our wholly-owned operating subsidiaries, to choose one of our leading annuity products best suited for their personal needs to create financial dignity in retirement. To deliver on its promises to policyholders, American Equity has re-framed its investments focus  building a stronger emphasis on insurance liability driven asset allocation and specializing in alternate, private asset management. American Equity is headquartered in West Des Moines, Iowa with satellite offices slated to open in 2022 in Charlotte, NC and New York, NY. For more information, please visit www.american-equity.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220801005754/en/

Steven Schwartz | Head of Investor Relations

American Equity Investment Life Holding Company

515-273-3763 | [email protected]

Source: American Equity Investment Life Holding Company
SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Calix, Inc. (NYSE: CALX) today announced that Calix management will participate in the upcoming investor events:

Event: Cowen Boulder Communications Infrastructure Summit Panel (in person, Boulder, CO) Date: August 9, 2022 Panel Time: 3:25 p.m. Mountain Time

Event: Rosenblatt Securities 2nd Annual Technology Summit (virtual) Date: August 23, 2022 Presentation Time: 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time

Event: Jefferies Semis, IT Hardware, and Communications Infrastructure Summit (in person, Chicago) Date: August 30, 2022 Meeting availability: 8:00 a.m. to 4:55 p.m. Central Time

When available, webcasts offered by the host firms will be investor relations section of the Companys website at https://investor-relations.calix.com. Institutional investors interested in participating should contact their representative at these firms, or email Calix investor relations at [email protected].

About Calix

Calix, Inc. (NYSE: CALX)  Calix cloud and software platforms enable service providers of all types and sizes to innovate and transform. Our customers utilize the real-time data and insights from Calix platforms to simplify their businesses and deliver experiences that excite their subscribers. The resulting growth in subscriber acquisition, loyalty and revenue creates more value for their businesses and communities. This is the Calix mission; to enable broadband service providers of all sizes to simplify, excite and grow.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220801005170/en/

Investor Inquiries

Jim Fanucchi

Darrow Associates, Inc.

[email protected]

(408) 404-5400

Source: Calix, Inc.
Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Elected Leaders Joined Discover in the Ribbon Cutting of the Center Set to Employ more than 1,000 Employees from Invest South/West Communities, Provide Free Space for Use by Community-Based Organizations and House a Tech Hub

RIVERWOODS, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Discover today hosted the grand opening of its Chatham Customer Care Center and Shine Bright Community Center on Chicagos South Side. Joined by Mayor Lori Lightfoot, 6th Ward Alderman Roderick Sawyer, and other elected officials and community leaders, Discover cut the ribbon on its new facility which includes a community center that is free for use by community-based organizations (CBOs) and other local entities, as well as a technology hub that gives current and prospective employees working at the Center access to a career path in technology.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220801005649/en/

Timeline for Discover's Chatham Customer Care Center. (Graphic: Business Wire)

Located at 86th Street and Cottage Grove, Discover announced plans to open its Customer Care Center in March of 2021 and opened a temporary space within the Center in just three months. The temporary space employed more than 300 people over the last year. With the grand opening of its permanent space, Discover expects to employ more than 1,000 people by 2024, most living within a five-mile radius of the Center and living in Invest South/West communities.

In the first year of operations, our Chatham Customer Care Center has exceeded customer-satisfaction goals and is performing at an industry-leading level, said Roger Hochschild, CEO and President of Discover. Our Centers success and this grand opening celebration would not be possible without the contributions of our employees and the help of South Side community leaders and organizations who welcomed us into Chatham and connected us with a large and talented pool of diverse candidates, suppliers, and contractors. I hope our commitment to Chatham and the South Side can serve as a springboard for further economic and equitable development in this vibrant community.

Discovers employee retention rate at the Chatham Center exceeds all its customer care centers across the country. To build and maintain the site, Discover awarded 47 percent of its business to minority-owned suppliers and 28 percent to women-owned suppliers far surpassing City of Chicago requirements. A quarter (25 percent) of Discovers construction spend went to local Black-owned contractors totaling nearly $4 million.

For Discover, being a good neighbor was equally as important as being a good employer. Hearing from local CBOs and residents about the lack of space to host meetings and events, Discover worked with them to design the nearly 13,000 square foot Shine Bright Community Center, a multi-purpose, multi-room, and multi-generational space that will be used for meetings and events for both Discover and CBOs, schools, business and professional associations, and other entities. The community space will also feature rotating art from local South Side artists.

Discover also opened a technology hub in its Chatham facility. While most of the positions housed at the Center are for customer care representatives with a starting hourly wage of $18 per hour, one of Discovers goals is to expose the growing talent pool at the Center to jobs in the IT field. The tech hub will train current and prospective local talent for jobs in business technology. The first two cohorts of employees have already started, and Discover is looking to hire more experienced IT talent over the coming months.

From the initial stages of planning the Chatham Customer Care Center, Discover has worked with Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoots office. The Center supports Lightfoots INVEST South/West community improvement initiative and offers job opportunities and economic development beyond Chatham to residents of INVEST South/West neighborhoods including Greater Roseland, Auburn Gresham, South Shore, and South Chicago. Discover plans to offer additional customer care jobs that will report to the Chatham Center that touch other INVEST South/West neighborhoods over the next couple of years.

Today, I am proud to see Discovers vision for corporate investment on the South Side once again come to fruition, said Mayor Lightfoot. It takes bold leadership and visionary teams to expand equity so that all our neighborhoods can thrive, and I am grateful for their partnership and support. The new Discover center will employ hundreds of talented people living in INVEST South/West communities and provide economic opportunities that will have a positive ripple effect into their neighborhoods and our city's broader economy.

Discover also worked with 6th Ward Alderman Roderick Sawyer, who helped connect Discover with local MWBE and Black-owned contractors as well as 8th ward Alderwoman Michelle Harris who introduced Discover to key community leaders early in the process.

What Discover has done can and should serve as a model for corporations across the country, said 6th Ward Ald. Roderick T. Sawyer. I am proud that together we have worked to make the Center in Chatham a reality especially by partnering to employ minority-owned contractors on the project. The legacy of this project will benefit residents now and in years to come.

Prioritizing hiring local talent and minority-owned businesses has been key to Discovers success in both the construction of the facility and its employee retention rate.

Discover is living up to the promise it has made to the Chatham community, said 8th Ward Ald. Michelle Harris. The leadership team has been fantastic and has collaborated with us every step of the way. The opportunities we are creating for residents, small businesses and nonprofits will only strengthen the fabric of our neighborhood.

Headquartered in Riverwoods, Discover has called the Chicago area home for more than 30 years and employs more than 17,000 peoplenearly 5,000 of whom are in the city and suburbs. They also have a satellite office located downtown. Discover consistently has been ranked as a Top Place to Work by the Chicago Tribune. The Chatham Customer Care Center not only highlights Discovers commitment to bringing jobs to cornerstone communities, but also further demonstrates its commitment to providing U.S. jobs. The customer care jobs in Chatham are part of the award-winning 100 percent U.S.-based customer service Discover offers across the country 24/7.

All full-time employees receive Discovers full benefits package, which includes health insurance, a 401k plan, eligibility for 20 days minimum of paid time off, a focus on career development, and the opportunity to receive a free college education effective upon the first day of employment. Earlier this year, Discover expanded its fully paid education benefit program to the city of Chicago through a partnership with Chicago State University (CSU). Both Discover employees living in Chicago who enroll at CSU and current CSU students who work full-time at Discover are eligible to participate. The partnership allows students to not only finance their education but offers professional development opportunities to help them advance their careers.

Todays ribbon cutting kicks off a week-long celebration of events Discover is having at the center, including receptions for local community-based organizations during the week and a Back-to-School party in its parking lot on Saturday, Aug. 6 where volunteers will be giving away more than 3,000 backpacks full of school supplies.

Individuals and organizations wanting to learn more about Discover and job opportunities for their Chatham Customer Care Center can visit www.discover.com/shinebright.

For organizations interested in learning more about and requesting use of the Shine Bright Community Center for meetings and events, please visit here.

About Discover

Discover Financial Services (NYSE: DFS) is a digital banking and payment services company with one of the most recognized brands in U.S. financial services. Since its inception in 1986, the company has become one of the largest card issuers in the United States. The company issues the Discover card, America's cash rewards pioneer, and offers private student loans, personal loans, home loans, checking and savings accounts and certificates of deposit through its banking business. It operates the Discover Global Network comprised of Discover Network, with millions of merchants and cash access locations; PULSE, one of the nation's leading ATM/debit networks; and Diners Club International, a global payments network with acceptance around the world. For more information, visit https://www.discover.com/company.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220801005649/en/

Matthew Towson

Director, Public Relations

[email protected]

224-405-5649

Source: Discover Financial Services
Report shares companys progress in diversity, equity and inclusion efforts worldwide

SANTA ROSA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Keysight Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: KEYS), a leading technology company that delivers advanced design and validation solutions to help accelerate innovation to connect and secure the world, has released its first Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Report. In 2021, Keysight renewed and strengthened the companys longstanding commitment to DEI and to being a great place to work for its global workforce of more than 14,000.

The inaugural report details Keysights comprehensive approach to DEI and progress in fostering greater representation in the science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields, building a diverse workforce, and advancing equity at all stages of a career journey that enables employees to contribute, grow and succeed.

Diversity and inclusion are foundational elements of Keysights strategy and culture. We believe our commitment to DEI builds an environment where innovation and collaboration thrive to deliver meaningful outcomes for customers, said Satish Dhanasekaran, Keysight president and CEO. Equally important, Keysight proactively cultivates an inclusive and respectful workplace where employees feel a sense of belonging while actively contributing to our collective success. Working together we will continue to make Keysight a great place to work for every employee.

In the fiscal year 2021, Keysight announced new DEI goals to increase internal and external transparency, set and track efforts to improve gender parity and minority representation at all levels, as well as continue to build and foster an equitable and inclusive workplace. Keysight has successfully advanced these goals across four key areas:

Advancing STEM:

Maintained commitment to company-sponsored educational programs, community partnerships and employee-led initiatives that increased access to STEM education for up to 145,000 students, building confidence in STEM skills and creating a strong sense of belonging in STEM-related fields.

Recognized by U.S. Black Engineer Magazine; Keysight was named to the 2021 Top Supporters of Historically Black Colleges and Universities Engineering List.

Co-launched a Women in Quantum (WIQ) mentoring program that connected 180 women with mentors, delivering 1,000 hours of mentoring in the first six months of the year.

Assembling Diverse Teams:

In the U.S., 46.4% of new hires were underrepresented minorities, exceeding the companys goal of 45%.

Launched development programs for managers and teams across the company to ensure hiring practices are inclusive.

Maintained a .97:1 pay ratio for women and men globally while continuously improving benefits packages to support a diverse global workforce.

Fostering Inclusion for Everyone:

Creating a Place to Thrive:

Established a global DEI council to promote accountability and cascade strategy throughout the organization.

Expanded representation of women and underrepresented minorities on the companys Board of Directors, which comprised of 40% in FY21.

Increased the number of women in engineering and technical roles, globally.

Expanded the recruitment of underrepresented minorities in the U.S surpassing FY21 goal.

Progressing the companys DEI strategy is key to delivering on the Keysight corporate mission of accelerating innovation to connect and secure the world. Looking forward, the company plans to continue its efforts toward achieving its DEI goals and delivering on its commitment to engineering equality, while fostering an equitable and inclusive work environment.

At Keysight, we are always looking for ways to push the boundaries of technology and we take a similar approach to our diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, said Ingrid Estrada, chief people and administrative officer at Keysight. Our annual DEI goals do not represent an endpoint, but rather where we are on the continuous journey of enabling our employees to succeed in their careers.

Additional information

The Keysight 2021 DEI Report can be found here.

The Keysight 2021 Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Report can be found here.

About Keysight Technologies

Keysight delivers advanced design and validation solutions that help accelerate innovation to connect and secure the world. Keysight's dedication to speed and precision extends to software-driven insights and analytics that bring tomorrow's technology products to market faster across the development lifecycle, in design simulation, prototype validation, automated software testing, manufacturing analysis, and network performance optimization and visibility in enterprise, service provider and cloud environments. Our customers span the worldwide communications and industrial ecosystems, aerospace and defense, automotive, energy, semiconductor and general electronics markets. Keysight generated revenues of $4.9B in fiscal year 2021. For more information about Keysight Technologies (NYSE: KEYS), visit us at www.keysight.com.

Additional information about Keysight Technologies is available in the newsroom at https://www.keysight.com/go/news and on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220801005555/en/

Geri Lynne LaCombe, Americas/Europe

+1 303 662 4748

[email protected]

Fusako Dohi, Asia

+81 42 660-2162

[email protected]

Source: Keysight Technologies, Inc.
Article 223-16 of the General Regulations of the Financial Markets Authority

(AMF - Autorite des Marches Financiers)

LYON, France--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Regulatory News:

MaaT Pharma (EURONEXT: MAAT  the Company), a French clinical-stage biotech and a pioneer in the development of Microbiome Ecosystem TherapiesTM (MET) dedicated to improving survival outcomes for patients with cancer, today published the number of shares comprising the share capital and the total number of voting rights (Article L. 233-8 of the French Commercial Code (Code de commerce) and Article 223-16 of the General Regulations of French Autorite des Marches Financiers (AMF)) on July 31, 2022.

Listing place: Euronext Paris

ISIN code: FR0012634822

Website: www.maatpharma.com

Date Total number of shares comprising the share capital Total number of

theoretical voting rights(1) Total number of effective voting rights(2) 07/31/2022 9,892,530 9,892,530 9,892,530

(1) In accordance with Article 223-11 of the AMF General Regulation, this number is calculated on the basis of all shares to which voting rights are attached, including shares whose voting rights have been suspended.

(2) Effective voting rights correspond to the total number of voting rights that may be used at a General Meeting. The total number of effective voting rights is calculated without taking into account the shares with suspended voting rights.

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 companys 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 Companys 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 Companys control that could cause the Companys actual results or performance to be materially different from the expected results or performance expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220801005470/en/

MaaT Pharma  Investor relations

Herve AFFAGARD

Co-Founder and CEO

Sian Crouzet, COO/ CFO

+33 4 28 29 14 00

[email protected]



MaaT Pharma  Media relations

Pauline RICHAUD

Senior PR & Corporate Communications Manager

+33 6 07 55 25 36

[email protected]



Trophic Communications  Corporate and medical communications

Jacob VERGHESE or Gretchen SCHWEITZER

+49 89 2070 89831

[email protected]

Source: MaaT Pharma
CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- CommonSpirit Health announced today that Wright L. Lassiter III has started in his role as the organizations next CEO, succeeding Lloyd H. Dean, who retired.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220801005607/en/

CEO Wright L. Lassiter III (Photo: Business Wire)

Im honored to lead this organization, which is a driving force for access to high-quality, essential health services for all, said Lassiter. Among my priorities is supporting the health and well-being of CommonSpirits nurses, physicians, and staff, who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to our patients and the CommonSpirit mission through one of the most difficult periods in modern history.

Lassiter brings 30 years of experience working in large health systems, most recently at Henry Ford Health in Michigan. As CEO since 2016, Lassiter led Henry Ford through the COVID-19 pandemic, significantly expanding its footprint and growing revenue. He also earned recognition for the systems focus on employee well-being and a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and social justice.

Known as a strong voice for improving healthcare and a champion for health equity, Lassiter is the current Chair of the American Hospital Association Board of Trustees.

Wrights experience and success with complex health systems positions him well to lead our organization, said Chris Lowney, vice chair, CommonSpirit Board of Stewardship Trustees. His career focus embodies CommonSpirits vision of health care as an essential aspect of every persons life.

About Wright L. Lassiter III

Lassiter has a proven track record of success with nonprofit, public, and faith-based health organizations. As CEO of Henry Ford, Lassiter led the system through a comprehensive strategic planning effort, completed two successful mergers that expanded the systems geographic footprint and grew revenues, and implemented a recent rebranding.

Prior to joining Henry Ford, Lassiter was CEO of Alameda Health System in Oakland, CA, where he was credited with leading the public health systems expansion. As chair of the American Hospital Association Board of Trustees, he plays a key role in advancing the priorities of hospitals across the country. In addition, he is a past chair of Americas Essential Hospitals.

Originally from Tuskegee, AL, Lassiter received his masters degree in Healthcare Administration from Indiana University. Lassiter completed his bachelors degree with honors in Chemistry from Le Moyne, a Jesuit college in upstate New York.

About CommonSpirit Health

CommonSpirit Health is a nonprofit, Catholic health system dedicated to advancing health for all people. It was created in February 2019 by Catholic Health Initiatives and Dignity Health. With its national office in Chicago and a team of over 150,000 employees and 25,000 physicians and advanced practice clinicians, CommonSpirit operates 140 hospitals and more than 1,500 care sites across 21 states. In FY 2021, CommonSpirit had revenues of $33.3 billion and provided $5.1 billion in charity care, community benefit, and unreimbursed government programs. Learn more at www.commonspirit.org.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220801005607/en/

Chad Burns

415-544-2364 | [email protected]

Source: CommonSpirit Health
LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Regulatory News:

Pershing Square Holdings, Ltd. (LN: PSH) (LN:PSHD) (NA: PSH) notes that the information set out below is provided in accordance with the requirements of Article 19(3) of the Market Abuse Regulation (EU) No 596/2014 as it forms part of UK law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018.

The information below relates to transfers of PSH Public Shares by Nicholas A. Botta and an entity that he controls to other entities that he also controls. The transfers did not result in a change of beneficial ownership or voting control of PSH Public Shares.

1. Details of the person discharging managerial responsibilities / person closely associated a) Name Nicholas A. Botta 2. Reason for the notification a) Position / status Director (non-domestic) b) Initial notification / amendment Initial 3. Details of the issuer, emission allowance market participant, auction platform, auctioneer or auction monitor a) Name Pershing Square Holdings, Ltd. b) LEI U7LC4KOKCTZ0YWGI2G56 4. Details of the transaction(s): section to be repeated for (i) each type of instrument; (ii) each type of transaction; (iii) each date; and (iv) each place where transactions have been conducted a) Description of the financial instrument, type of instrument Public Shares (Shares A) Identification code (ISIN) GG00BPFJTF46 b) Nature of the transaction Disposition c) Price(s) and volume(s) Price(s) Volume(s) NA 1,600,000 d) Aggregate information:

- Aggregated volume

- Price Volume

(aggregate) Price

(aggregate) 1. 1,600,000 NA e) Date of transaction 24 June 2022 f) Place of the transaction Outside a trading venue Remarks: Nicholas A. Botta transferred 1,600,000 Public Shares to NB PSH, LLC, to which he serves as managing member.

1. Details of the person discharging managerial responsibilities / person closely associated a) Name NB PSH, LLC 2. Reason for the notification a) Position / status Person closely associated with Nicholas A. Botta, Director (non-domestic) b) Initial notification / amendment Initial 3. Details of the issuer, emission allowance market participant, auction platform, auctioneer or auction monitor a) Name Pershing Square Holdings, Ltd. b) LEI U7LC4KOKCTZ0YWGI2G56 4. Details of the transaction(s): section to be repeated for (i) each type of instrument; (ii) each type of transaction; (iii) each date; and (iv) each place where transactions have been conducted a) Description of the financial instrument, type of instrument Public Shares (Shares A) Identification code (ISIN) GG00BPFJTF46 b) Nature of the transaction Acquisition c) Price(s) and volume(s) Price(s) Volume(s) NA 1,600,000 d) Aggregate information:

- Aggregated volume

- Price Volume

(aggregate) Price

(aggregate) 1. 1,600,000 NA e) Date of transaction 24 June 2022 f) Place of the transaction Outside a trading venue Remarks: Nicholas A. Botta transferred 1,600,000 Public Shares to NB PSH, LLC, to which he serves as managing member.

1. Details of the person discharging managerial responsibilities / person closely associated a) Name JAEB LLC 2. Reason for the notification a) Position / status Person closely associated with Nicholas A. Botta, Director (non-domestic) b) Initial notification / amendment Initial 3. Details of the issuer, emission allowance market participant, auction platform, auctioneer or auction monitor a) Name Pershing Square Holdings, Ltd. b) LEI U7LC4KOKCTZ0YWGI2G56 4. Details of the transaction(s): section to be repeated for (i) each type of instrument; (ii) each type of transaction; (iii) each date; and (iv) each place where transactions have been conducted a) Description of the financial instrument, type of instrument Public Shares (Shares A) Identification code (ISIN) GG00BPFJTF46 b) Nature of the transaction Disposition c) Price(s) and volume(s) Price(s) Volume(s) NA 145,000 d) Aggregate information:

- Aggregated volume

- Price Volume

(aggregate) Price (aggregate) 1. 145,000 NA e) Date of transaction 21 June 2022 f) Place of the transaction Outside a trading venue Remarks: JAEB LLC, to which Nicholas A. Botta serves as trustee, transferred 145,000 Public Shares to JAEB PSH, LLC, of which JAEB LLC is the sole member and to which Nicholas A. Botta serves as manager.

1. Details of the person discharging managerial responsibilities / person closely associated a) Name JAEB PSH, LLC 2. Reason for the notification a) Position / status Person closely associated with Nicholas A. Botta, Director (non-domestic) b) Initial notification / amendment Initial 3. Details of the issuer, emission allowance market participant, auction platform, auctioneer or auction monitor a) Name Pershing Square Holdings, Ltd. b) LEI U7LC4KOKCTZ0YWGI2G56 4. Details of the transaction(s): section to be repeated for (i) each type of instrument; (ii) each type of transaction; (iii) each date; and (iv) each place where transactions have been conducted a) Description of the financial instrument, type of instrument Public Shares (Shares A) Identification code (ISIN) GG00BPFJTF46 b) Nature of the transaction Acquisition c) Price(s) and volume(s) Price(s) Volume(s) NA 145,000 d) Aggregate information:

- Aggregated volume

- Price Volume

(aggregate) Price

(aggregate) 1. 145,000 NA e) Date of transaction 21 June 2022 f) Place of the transaction Outside a trading venue Remarks: JAEB LLC, to which Nicholas A. Botta serves as trustee, transferred 145,000 Public Shares to JAEB PSH, LLC, of which JAEB LLC is the sole member and to which Nicholas A. Botta serves as manager.

About Pershing Square Holdings, Ltd.

Pershing Square Holdings, Ltd. (LN: PSH) (LN:PSHD) (NA: PSH) is an investment holding company structured as a closedended fund that makes concentrated investments principally in North American domiciled companies.

Category: (PSH:InsiderTransactions)

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220731005062/en/

Media

Camarco

Ed GascoignePees / Hazel Stevenson +44 020 3757 4989, [email protected]

Source: Pershing Square Holdings, Ltd.
GRENOBLE, France--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Regulatory News:

Spartoo (ISIN code: FR00140043Y1 - mnemonic: ALSPT), one of the leading online retailers for fashion items in Europe, announces the completion of its acquisition of a minority stake in the French responsible brand SAAJ notably through a capital increase.

On June 28, 2022, the Group announced the signing of a firm offer to acquire a minority stake in this fast-growing French digital native brand, this investment should enable it to accelerate its development.

To receive SPARTOO's next press releases, write to us at [email protected] !

Next financial publication

Gross merchandise value and half-year results 2022,

October 3, 2022 after market close

About Spartoo

With 10,000 brands and more than 1.2 million items, Spartoo offers one of the widest selections of fashion items (footwear, ready-to-wear, bags) in more than 30 countries in Europe, thanks to its team of more than 400 employees of nearly 30 different nationalities. In 2021, the Group generated a GMV (Gross Merchandise Value) of 214 million, 41% of which was generated internationally. With an integrated logistics platform and after-sales service, Spartoo stands out for its customer-centric approach, as evidenced by a very high customer satisfaction rate. The strategy is based on the strong synergies between the online sales model and the advantages of physical stores, which support loyalty and brand awareness. Capitalizing on its e-commerce know-how, Spartoo has also developed a complete range of services for professionals.

Visit the Groups websites:

www.spartoo.com

www.spartoo-finance.com

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220731005011/en/

Spartoo

+33 4 58 00 16 84

[email protected]

NewCap

Louis-Victor Delouvrier

Nicolas Fossiez

Investor Relations

[email protected]

+33 1 44 71 94 94

NewCap

Nicolas Merigeau

Media Relations

[email protected]

+33 1 44 71 94 98

Source: Spartoo
NEWCASTLE & HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- TechnipFMC (NYSE: FTI) has been awarded a significant(1) contract by ExxonMobil affiliate, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited, for the Gas to Energy Project in Guyana.

Subject to final project sanction, TechnipFMC will provide engineering, procurement, construction and installation of subsea risers and pipelines. The project will connect the production from Liza Destiny and Unity back to shore, delivering associated gas from the field to a gas-fired power plant that will supply electricity to the community.

Jonathan Landes, President, Subsea at TechnipFMC, commented: The Gas to Energy Project is another example of how we are helping deliver the energy the world needs, and we are thrilled to be supporting another project in Guyana. We remain proud of our dedicated Guyanese employees and are committed to the continued development and expansion of local capabilities.

TechnipFMC currently employs more than 85 Guyanese, and expects to continue to hire and train additional local staff in support of this award.

(1)For TechnipFMC, a significant contract is between $75 million and $250 million; the full contract award will not be included in inbound orders until the project receives final investment decision and government approvals.

Important Information for Investors and Securityholders

Forward-Looking Statement

This release contains "forward-looking statements" as defined in Section 27A of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The words expect, believe, estimated, and other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, which are generally not historical in nature. Such forward-looking statements involve significant risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from our historical experience and our present expectations or projections. For information regarding known material factors that could cause actual results to differ from projected results, please see our risk factors set forth in our filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, which include our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and Current Reports on Form 8-K. We caution you not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any of our forward-looking statements after the date they are made, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except to the extent required by law.

About TechnipFMC

TechnipFMC is a leading technology provider to the traditional and new energy industries, delivering fully integrated projects, products, and services.

With our proprietary technologies and comprehensive solutions, we are transforming our clients project economics, helping them unlock new possibilities to develop energy resources while reducing carbon intensity and supporting their energy transition ambitions.

Organized in two business segments  Subsea and Surface Technologies  we will continue to advance the industry with our pioneering integrated ecosystems (such as iEPCI, iFEED and iComplete), technology leadership and digital innovation.

Each of our approximately 20,000 employees is driven by a commitment to our clients success, and a culture of strong execution, purposeful innovation, and challenging industry conventions.

TechnipFMC uses its website as a channel of distribution of material company information. To learn more about how we are driving change in the industry, go to www.TechnipFMC.com and follow us on Twitter @TechnipFMC.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220801005491/en/

Investor relations

Matt Seinsheimer

Vice President, Investor Relations

Tel: +1 281 260 3665

Email: Matt Seinsheimer

James Davis

Senior Manager, Investor Relations

Tel: +1 281 260 3665

Email: James Davis

Media relations

Nicola Cameron

Vice President, Corporate Communications

Tel: +44 1383 742297

Email: Nicola Cameron

Catie Tuley

Director, Public Relations

Tel: +1 713 876 7296

Email: Catie Tuley

Source: TechnipFMC plc
CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Chicago based V-Square Quantitative Management LLC (V-Square), a global asset management firm with sustainability at its core, announced today that it has expanded its market-leading separately managed account platform with the launch of the V-Square MSCI Global Equity ESG Materiality and Carbon Transition Indexed Strategy.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220801005150/en/

Mamadou-Abou Sarr, Co-Founder and President - V-Square Quantitative Management (Photo: Business Wire)

V-Squares strategy tracks the MSCI All Country World Index (ACWI) ex-Australia ESG Materiality and Carbon Transition Select Special Tax Index and is designed to consider financially material ESG issues and promote companies participating in opportunities associated with the low carbon transition while using the withholding tax rates applicable to Australian superannuation funds. V-Squares indexed strategy seeks to align with the current Your Future, Your Super International Equity indexes.

The underlying MSCI custom index represents the performance of companies which are assessed to be sector leaders based on a set of relevant key issues scores that are aligned with the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) Materiality Framework. Additionally, the index seeks to minimize exposure to companies with carbon transition risk and increase exposure to companies participating in opportunities related to the carbon transition.

The MSCI ACWI ex-Australia ESG Materiality and Carbon Transition Select Special Tax Index reflects a universe consisting of large and mid-capitalization companies across 23 developed countries excluding Australia and 24 emerging countries. The daily net return of the index is calculated using the withholding tax rates applicable to Australian superannuation funds.

V-Squares indexed strategy is currently offered with an unconstrained tracking error and V-Square plans to develop a second version to target a lower tracking error.

We are thrilled to expand our investment solutions to the Australian market with an innovative strategy, focusing on the financial impacts of sustainability and accounting for current and potential exposure to climate change transition risks and opportunities, said Mamadou-Abou Sarr, Co-Founder and President of V-Square.

The investment framework is reinforced by V-Squares custom proxy voting policy guided by the core tenets of accountability, stewardship, transparency, and sustainability. By focusing on these areas of responsible governance, V-Square seeks to promote long-term shareholder value creation and risk mitigation at portfolio companies.

A solution for Australian Superannuation funds

Glen Gee, Head of ANZ Asset Owner Client Coverage, MSCI, said, We are pleased to license this custom index to V-Square, which is designed to track the performance of sector leaders based on relevant key ESG issues that are aligned with SASBs Materiality Map. MSCI ESG and Climate Indexes are designed to provide institutional investors with effective and transparent tools to facilitate integrating ESG and Climate considerations in their investment portfolios and align their benchmarks with their objectives.

For more news and information about V-Square, visit the www.vsqm.com

About V-Square

V-Square Quantitative Management LLC is a global asset manager with sustainability at its core. V-Square specializes in developing and managing innovative thematic, customized passive and factor-based portfolios and delivers analytics to integrate Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) into portfolio, risk management and reporting. A subsidiary of Chicago private equity firm Valor Equity Partners, V-Square has a distinct approach to sustainability taking a long-term view that is deeply rooted in academic research overlayed with a rigorous quantitative process.

Disclosures

The contents within this release is solely for investors who are wholesale clients as defined in the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) (Australia) and is only directed at such investors. V-Square Quantitative Management LLC (V-Square) is a corporate authorised representative of Currawong Fund Services Pty Ltd (ABN 138 846 723, AFSL No. 341759).

V-Square MSCI Global Equity ESG Materiality and Carbon Transition Indexed Strategy seeks to track the investment results before fees of the MSCI ACWI ex Australia ESG Materiality and Carbon Transition Select Special Tax Index. The index includes large and mid-cap securities across 23 Developed Markets (DM) countries and 24 Emerging Markets (EM) countries (EM) and is designed to represent the performance of companies which are assessed to be sector leaders based on a set of relevant key issues scores that are aligned with SASBs Materiality Map. The index excludes companies involved in Controversial Weapons, Tobacco-related businesses, Thermal Coal mining, Thermal Coal power generation and unconventional Oil and Gas. Also, it excludes companies that fail to comply with the United Nations Global Compact Principles and companies with Low Carbon Transition (LCT) category of Asset Stranding.

A strategy or emphasis on environmental, social and governance factors ("ESG") may limit the investment opportunities available to a portfolio. Therefore, the portfolio may underperform or perform differently than other portfolios that do not have an ESG investment focus.

Passive Investment Risk. The strategy is not actively managed and therefore will generally not sell a security due to current or projected underperformance of a security, industry or sector, unless that security is removed from the Underlying Index or the selling of the security is otherwise required upon a rebalancing of the Underlying Index.

Methodology Risks. The Index Provider relies on various sources of information to assess the criteria of issuers included in the Underlying Index, including information that may be based on assumptions and estimates. Neither the Adviser nor the Index Provider can offer assurances that Underlying Index's calculation methodology or sources of information will provide an accurate assessment of included issuers or that the included issuers will provide the strategy with the market exposure it seeks.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220801005150/en/

Media Contact:

Erik Norland, Head of Distribution

V-Square Management LLC

Marketing and Media Relations

P: 312-872-7281

E: [email protected]

W: www.vsqm.com

Australia and New Zealand Wholesale Distribution Contact:

Institutional Distribution Partners Pty Ltd

E: [email protected]

W: www.idpaustralia.com

Source: V-Square Quantitative Management LLC
MSA Safety Incorporated (NYSE: MSA) today announced it has accepted the resignation of its Chief Financial Officer, Kenneth Krause, effective August 26, 2022. Mr. Krause, who was elected CFO in December 2015, is leaving to accept the position of CFO at another public company located outside of Pennsylvania.

Nish Vartanian, MSA Safety Chairman, President and CEO, said the company has initiated a comprehensive external search for a new CFO. In addition, MSA Chief Accounting Officer Jonathan Buck has been appointed interim CFO.

"On behalf of our Board of Directors and the entire MSA organization, we want to thank Ken for his many contributions to MSA during his 15 years with the company," Mr. Vartanian said. "Ken helped MSA achieve meaningful improvements in profitability and cash flow, resulting in top quartile performance with regard to stock price and total shareholder return," he said.
Valvoline (NYSE: VVV), the vehicle care products company, announced Monday that it is selling its Valvoline's Global Products business for $2.65 billion in cash to Saudi Aramco.

Valvoline said the move will allow it to focus n its retail services business. The company said it will use the estimated $2.25 billion in net cash proceeds to accelerate the return of capital to shareholders, reduce debt and invest in its retail services business.

"After closing, we will focus on our market leading Retail Services business, including further enhancing our growth trajectory and world-class service model. Retail Services will benefit from a strong balance sheet and a clear strategy for value creation, including extending our world-class preventive auto maintenance service model to EV owners, OEMs and fleets as the car parc evolves," explained Sam Mitchell, Valvoline CEO.



Aramco expects long-term demand for petrochemicals and the deal helps it capitalize on that expectation, building its presence in the sector.

"Valvoline's Global Products business fits perfectly with Aramco's growth strategy for lubricants as it will leverage our global base oils production, contribute to our R&D capabilities and strengthen our existing relationships with OEMs," said Mohammed Qahtani, Senior Vice President of Downstream at Aramco.

Despite an initial rise, Valvoline shares closed Monday's session down 2.7%.

Valvoline stated it expects retail services sales of approximately $1.5 billion in fiscal 2022, an increase of more than 20% from fiscal 2021. It also said it expects preliminary adjusted EPS of $0.58 and preliminary revenue of $957 million in Q3 2022.

By Sam Boughedda
Company to produce new four-cylinder turbo engine

Investments will be made at Dundee (Michigan) Engine, Kokomo (Indiana) Casting and Etobicoke (Toronto) Casting

New engine designated for HEV applications for future North American models

Investment supports company's Dare Forward 2030 long-term strategy

Stellantis (NYSE: STLA) announced today that it will invest a total of $99 million in three North American plants for production of a new four-cylinder turbocharged engine. Investments will be made at the Dundee Engine Complex in Michigan, the Kokomo Casting Plant in Indiana and the Etobicoke Casting Plant in Toronto.

The new engine is a 1.6-liter, I-4 turbocharged unit with direct fuel injection and flexibility for hybrid-electric vehicle (HEV) applications. Based on a current Stellantis production engine in Europe, this next-generation engine will power two future North American HEV models. This will be the first HEV engine for the company in the region. Production is expected to begin in early 2025.

With an investment of nearly $83 million, Dundee Engine will be retooled and become the final assembly location for the new engine. The Michigan plant will continue production of the 3.6-liter Pentastar Upgrade for the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Jeep Grand Cherokee L. The Tigershark 2.4-liter I-4 engine will build out in the first quarter of 2023.

Engine blocks will be cast at the Kokomo Casting Plant, one of the largest facilities of its kind in the world. More than $14 million will be invested to convert existing die cast machines and cells for the new engine.

Etobicoke Casting will produce the oil pan for the new engine. The company will invest nearly $2 million to support the development and installation of new tooling and equipment upgrades.

These investments support Stellantis' Dare Forward 2030 strategic plan of delivering innovative, clean, safe and affordable mobility solutions.
Suresnes, August 1st 2022  6:00pm (TBC)

Bel acquires majority stake in Chinese company Shandong Junjun Cheese Co., Ltd to accelerate its growth in China and strengthen its international footprint

Bel Group announces today the closure of the acquisition of 70% of Shandong Junjun Cheeses share capital. This controlling stake enables Bel to open a new phase in its international expansion strategy and strengthens the Groups growth ambitions with state-of-the-art manufacturing and innovation capabilities in China.

In a market where Bel aims to take a leadership position in the next few years, Bel announces today the acquisition of 70% of Shandong Junjun Cheese. Through this deal, Bel will gain the means to achieve and accelerate its leadership ambitions in the fast-growing Chinese market which expects a double-digit annual growth in the next four years.

Shandong Junjun Cheese is based in North-Eastern China  in the fourth-largest milk producing area nationwide  and primarily operates as a co-manufacturer with strong financial, industrial, and R&D capabilities. Founded in 2017, their portfolio of products is comprised of a large range of cheese which achieved over a 100% annual growth since 2018. Bels acquisition also includes the required authorizations and licenses to operate Shandong Junjun Cheeses factory.

Bel Group CEO Cecile Beliot said: With the acquisition of majority stake in Shandong Junjun Cheese, we are pursuing our growth strategy by expanding our product portfolio and strengthening our manufacturing footprint. Our will to accelerate in new territories is at the heart of our growth strategy, as well as our re-balancing around the dairy, fruit, and plant-based segments of healthy snacking. We have chosen Shandong Junjun Cheese, a company with huge industrial capabilities and innovation potential. This will enable us to increase our scale on the Chinese market and compete for leadership. We warmly welcome the more than 300 Shandong Junjun Cheese employees to the Bel Group and look forward to successfully developing our position together.

Shandong Junjun Cheese founder, Mr. Zhao Lu complemented: Partnering with Bel immediately appealed to us as a win-win approach, with a culture close to ours and strong synergies. With over 150 years of experience in Cheese, Bel will enable the further development of Shandong Junjun Cheese by strengthening R&D and production capabilities. Meanwhile, our company will help accelerate the deployment of Bel branded products in China through its state-of-the-art R&D and production facilities, supported by a strong team of experts and entrepreneurs.

About Bel

The Bel Group is a world leader in branded cheese and a major player in the healthy snacking segment. Its portfolio of differentiated and internationally recognized brands include such products as The Laughing Cow, Kiri, Babybel, Boursin, Nurishh, Pom'Potes and GoGo squeeZ, as well as some twenty other local brands, have enabled it to generate sales of 3.38 billion euros in 2021.

Some 11,800 employees in almost sixty subsidiaries around the world contribute to the Group's mission of providing healthier and more responsible food for all. Its products are produced in 29 production sites and distributed in nearly 120 countries.

Bel in China : Bel has been present in China in the cheese category for 15 years with some of its global brands such as The Laughing Cow, Kiri and Mini BabyBel, Bel also entered in 2018 in the yogurt and fruit snacking categories through its PomPotes yogurt and fruits ambient pouches. Adhering to the company vision of "For All For Good ", Bel will continue to bring more nutritious and healthier dairy, fruit and plant-based products to Chinese consumers.

www.groupe-bel.com

About Shandong Junjun Cheese

Founded in 2017 by a team of dairy experts and located in Shandong Province in Northern China, Shandong Junjun Cheese Co., Ltd has been engaged in the research, development, and production of dairy products, mainly cheese (lollipop, mozzarella, cream cheese, curds, and quark etc.), whipping cream and liquid dairy solutions. The company has been developing and producing these cheese and dairy products under their own brands and for some of the most famous dairy brands in China as a co-manufacturer, achieving high double digit growth year on year.

------------------

Bel press contacts

Havas Paris - Laure Calixte

[email protected] - +33 6 33 81 81 17

Bel China press contacts

Ceci Zhu

[email protected]

Attachment
NEW YORK, July 31, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bragar Eagel & Squire, P.C., a nationally recognized shareholder rights law firm, reminds investors that class actions have been commenced on behalf of people who purchased securities from TerraForm Labs Ptd. Ltd., Solana Labs, Inc., and Celsius Network LLC, and the companies respective Co-Defendants. Those who purchased securities have until the deadlines below to petition the court to serve as lead plaintiff. Additional information about each case can be found at the link provided.



TerraForm Labs Ptd. Ltd. and Co-Defendants

Class Period: May 20, 2021  May 25, 2022

Lead Plaintiff Deadline: August 19, 2022

TerraForm Labs Ptd. Ltd. (TFL) is a company that operates the Terra blockchain and its related protocol, which hosts, supports, and funds a community of decentralized financial applications and products known collectively as the Terra ecosystem.

On May 25, 2022, the price of the UST hit a low of $0.07 per token, down from $1.00, which it has not been able to recover. The price of UST and LUNA tokens dropped by 91% and 99.7%, respectively, between May 7, 2022 and May 12, 2022 and has not recovered.

The complaint alleges that defendants violated provisions of the Exchange Act by carrying out a plan, scheme, and course of conduct that TFL intended to and did deceive retail investors and thereby caused them to purchase Terra Tokens at artificially inflated prices; endorsed false statements they knew or recklessly should have known were materially misleading; and made untrue statements of material fact and omitted to state material facts necessary to make the statements not misleading. The complaint alleges that TFL and the individual Defendants also violated provisions of the Securities Act by participating in TFLs failure to register the Terra Tokens. The complaint further alleges non-securities claims, such as California common law claims for aiding and abetting and for civil conspiracy. Finally, the complaint alleges that all Defendants violated provision of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) by conducting the affairs of an enterprise through a pattern of racketeering activity. The complaint further alleges that the Defendants violated provisions of California Common Law by possessing the monetary value of Terra Tokens at inflated value which rightfully belongs to the Plaintiff and members of the class.

For more information on the TerraForm Labs class action go to: https://bespc.com/cases/TERRA

Solana Labs, Inc. and Co-Defendants

Class Period: March 24, 2020  Present

Lead Plaintiff Deadline: September 6, 2022

According to the lawsuit, Solana issues securities that are required to be, but are not, registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Throughout the Class Period, Defendants promoted SOL securities (SOL tokens) and sold them to investors, who has suffered losses from purchasing SOL securities.

For more information on the Solana Labs class action go to: https://bespc.com/cases/SOL-TOKENS

Celsius Network LLC and Co-Defendants

Class Period: February 9, 2018  July 13, 2022

Lead Plaintiff Deadline: September 13, 2022

Celsius is a financial services company that generates revenue through cryptocurrency trading, lending, and borrowing, the sale of its unregistered securities, as well as engaging in proprietary trading.

The price of CEL Tokens went from a high of $7.73 on June 3, 2021, to a low of $0.28 just over a year later on June 12, 2021, in the wake of the June Crisis and Celsius freezing its investors accounts.

The complaint alleges that Defendants violated provisions of the Exchange Act by carrying out a plan, scheme, and course of conduct that Celsius intended to and did deceive retail investors and thereby caused them to purchase Celsius Financial Products at artificially inflated prices; endorsed false statements they knew or recklessly should have known were materially misleading, and made untrue statements of material fact and omitted to state material facts necessary to make the statements made not misleading.

The complaint further alleges that Celsius and its affiliates, along with the Individual Defendants, also violated provisions of the Securities Act by selling non-exempt securities without registering it. The complaint alleges that Celsius and Individual Defendants violated provisions of the Securities Act by also participating in Celsius failure to register the Celsius Financial Products. The complaint alleges that the Defendants violated provisions of the New Jersey Common Law by possessing the monetary value of Celsius Financial Products of inflated value which rightfully belongs to the Plaintiff and members of the Class.

For more information on the Celsius Network class action go to: https://bespc.com/cases/CELSIUS

About Bragar Eagel & Squire, P.C.:

Bragar Eagel & Squire, P.C. is a nationally recognized law firm with offices in New York, California, and South Carolina. The firm represents individual and institutional investors in commercial, securities, derivative, and other complex litigation in state and federal courts across the country. For more information about the firm, please visit www.bespc.com . Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.

Contact Information:

Bragar Eagel & Squire, P.C.

Brandon Walker, Esq.

Melissa Fortunato, Esq.

(212) 355-4648

[email protected]

www.bespc.com




Iowa City, IA, Aug. 01, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- College Raptor, the most evolved, accurate, and comprehensive college search site, today released its eighth annual Best Colleges rankings. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) topped the list, and Barnard College, Vassar College, Carleton College, University of Southern California, and Colgate University are each new to the Top 50 Best Colleges List since last year. College Raptor also published rankings in three new categories this year: Best Religiously Affiliated Colleges, Best Colleges for Middle-Class Affordability, and Most Geographically Diverse Colleges.

More than 25 million students and families have relied on College Raptors advanced AI-powered algorithms to personalize their college search, estimate net price, and assess fit. Additionally, they use College Raptor to create a plan that maximizes both their chances of admission and their amount of financial aid.

Theres no question that rising college costs present an additional financial challenge to families today, and, as cautious consumers, they want to make the right choice, said William Staib, co-founder, president and CEO, College Raptor. We at College Raptor  and I as a parent to six children  know the way students make their application lists and identify their dream schools has evolved. Thats why we publish college rankings and continually advance our tools  so students and families are empowered to make the best decisions with regards to their preferences, academic performance, and ability to pay.

College Raptors Best Colleges rankings include the Top 50 Best Colleges nationally as well as the Top 25 Best Colleges in these eight regions: Far West, Great Lakes, Mid-East, New England, Plains, Rocky Mountain, Southeast, and Southwest.

New this year, the company introduced three new ranking categories to spotlight schools that provide religious affiliation, are affordable, and offer a geographically diverse student body. Top schools in these new categories were:

Best Religiously Affiliated Colleges: Duke University

Best Colleges for Middle-Class Affordability: Harvard University

Most Geographically Diverse Colleges: Notre Dame University

Staib continued: Each student is unique and so is every school featured in the Top Colleges rankings. These lists serve as a starting point for students to discover colleges they might not otherwise have thought about.

College Raptor advises that although rankings are important, a colleges rank isnt the only factor a family should consider. To help students and families find their best fit colleges, College Raptor uses a holistic approach to calculate personalized match scores at any U.S. institution based on personal preferences, academic scores, and a familys financial situation. Students may use College Raptor to find the schools that best meet their academic and career goals, that are most affordable, and that reduce their need for student debt.

College Raptor really helped me by providing me with options that I had never seen or heard of before, shared Katelyn W. from Texas. It opened me up to the possibility of quite a few out-of-state colleges, and reach colleges that I did not think I would be eligible for, but College Raptor gave me an academic fit and showed me so many amazing, viable options.

The complete College Raptor Best Colleges Rankings include:

Top 50 Best Colleges

Top 25 Best Public Colleges

Top 25 Best Private Colleges

Top 25 Best Liberal Arts Colleges

Top 25 Best Research Colleges

Top 25 Best Small Colleges

Top 25 Best Mid-Sized Colleges

Top 25 Best Large Colleges

Top 25 Best Mid-East Colleges

Top 25 Best Southeast Colleges

Top 25 Best Far West Colleges

Top 25 Best Southwest Colleges

Top 25 Best New England Colleges

Top 25 Best Plains Region Colleges

Top 25 Best Great Lakes Colleges

Top 25 Best Rocky Mountain Colleges

College Raptors overall national rankings are based on an analysis of data about the schools selectivity, financial health, academic rigor, and student success. Full methodology is outlined here.

Coming soon: College Raptors Hidden Gems Rankings that specifically highlight schools that put the spotlight on amazing schools that students and families may not have heard of before.

About College Raptor

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MAISONS DU MONDE

Societe anonyme

Au capital de 146.583.736,56 euros

Siege social : Le Portereau - 44120 Vertou

793 906 728 RCS Nantes

ISIN FR0013153541

SHARES IN THE CAPITAL AND VOTING RIGHTS

(Article L.233-8 French commercial code and articles 221-1 and 223-16 of the AMF General Regulations)

MAISONS DU MONDE shareholders are informed that the total number of shares in the capital and voting rights, on 31 July 2022, was as follows:

31 July 2022 30 June 2022 Shares in the capital 45,241,894 45,241,894 Shares cancelled during the month 1,937,757 0 Gross total of voting rights 43,288,097 45,241,894 Net total of voting rights 42,495,919 42,500,807

Attachment
Johannesburg, South Africa, Aug. 01, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Republic of South Africa Medical Marijuana Dispensaries Acquisitions LLC (RSAMMDA.LLC) and Protext Mobility, Inc (OTC PINK: TXTM) are pleased to provide the following business update.

Dylon Du Plooy, Protext CEO, commented #TXTMTribe, we want to thank you all for coming together in unity to push the movement forward, your dedication has not gone unnoticed, We thank you for the harmony we have seen across the platforms and look forward to taking this journey together, let's change the world.

We have some exciting news regarding the next generation live plant extraction technology. As previously reported in 2020, under special permission from the State (who took possession of the Kettles in 2018) we were able to ship one of the Kettle units to New Castle Permitted Farms for conducting initial testing to validate whether we could produce a full profile, non-psychoactive extract using live Genus Cannabis Sativa Plants. While the testing was successful, additional testing on Genus Cannabis Sativa was not possible due to the off-season and lack of biomass and the extraction equipment had to be returned to the State after the day of testing. We have always envisioned commercializing this extraction technology for our own purposes, as well as, for potential global licensing. However, we needed to get the Kettle equipment back for additional testing.

We are pleased to report that through the human capital and the credibility of our Government Relationships, our permits and licenses being in place at New Castle Farms, allowing for the transportation of the Kettle and our conducting R & D for Genus Cannabis Sativa, as well as for the integration of this equipment, technology and processes for commercialization, we have been granted the use of the kettle without any time constraints.

How did this happen? Its been a series of lengthy negotiations and proposals submitted to the State. Over the past few months prior to merger, we have been in negotiations with the State to regain possession of the Kettle Extraction Equipment to continue with the final phase of testing before moving into the closed loop system and onto Commercialization. As part of the process, we have had to allow the State Senior Representative permission to come to the farm and conduct inspections at Leeds BOERDERY, Controlled by Dr. Jamaloodeen, for the purpose of the kettle finding its new home. Subsequently, the inspection and one on one meetings with State inspectors were such a success that permission was granted by unanimous decision and further to that the State has enthusiastically entered into and requested amongst other things a discussion to be part of our Pilot being at the forefront of Genus Cannabis Sativa in the world. When we talk about the value of the merger and the human capital that came with it, there are certain business developments that would simply not be possible without existing infrastructure in place controlled by current management. As an example, the kettle falls under cannabis paraphernalia and requires both a permit and cross county insurance to qualify Genus Cannabis Sativa for in-transit insurance policy... notwithstanding crossing of provinces (Equivalent of states in USA), Guess who has been the first and only one ever to be issued this in in-transit insurance to date (Dr J - Tata) who has benevolently allowed the TXTM Tribe use of the same, due to the shift in energy over the past week promoting the TXTM Tribe Random Acts Of Kindness are infections, so much so, that he has included the use of the truck, diesel, driver, tolls and insurance to relocate the kettle to Newcastle. Getting back to the Technology, if we look at the progress that was achieved in a single afternoon at the farm the last time the kettle visited, how much more productive will we be now that it's found its final Home in Dr Hurley's Laboratory. Currently Dr H is extracting at least 2.5 times higher Cannabinoid recover retention rate than most others globally and at a significantly higher overall potency per liter and at a significantly lower cost. Now factor in what the impact of potentially being 10-15 times more bio-available as previously proven with using the same extraction equipment for Phytofare green tea capsules under scientific clinical studies conducted at Preclinical Drug Development Platform (PCDDP) With greater bioavailability comes significantly less dosage, of full extract cannabis oil usage, to produce the same result notwithstanding our significantly lower overall cost of production and operating cost which equates to exponential Profits for $TXTM and conceivably year on year disproportionately high increases in EBIDA. Rogers primary objective was to produce the slow release, long acting, and therefore effective caps and herewith capsules currently being manufactured at Dr H's lab with full global distribution and existing customer base, it was previously overlooked that the same formulations can be used in other products of which the TruLeaf Line is already established globally as one client only, to make it tangible. To get from the point of the kettle arriving at the farm to the point we have just discussed requires permits , biomass , customer base globally, distribution channels, export permits, import permits into international jurisdictions, expertise, credibility, cash flow, resources and like Roger mentioned machinery, technology and the experts to lead the same and just like that by a simple merger in good faith with blessed intentions all of the previously mentioned and necessary enablement became available to TXTM as Our Devotion towards the random acts of kindness. To put this in context these were just some of the hurdles Roger could not get over, so the future for TXTM and the Subsequent Healing that will result globally is more eminent and the time line shortened significantly. $TXTM is now significantly closer than it ever has been to commercialization in its history.

Dr. Jamaloodeen commented:  And now, with the acquisition complete Protext has management in place with the knowledge, Government relationships and other, compliance, resources, facilities, biomass, human capital and infrastructure that is invaluable. The Permits we are in possession of allow for Genus Cannabis Sativa import, export, grow & cultivation, research, testing, developing end product for global distribution, all of which are anticipated to be utilized by Protext with the end goal to commercialize the live plant extraction technology and bring superior end products to the global market. Having technology thats been proven to increase bioavailability by 10-15x greater is Significant and puts us Miles ahead of all competitors. Additional testing is anticipated to be conducted over the next few weeks as we are excited to announce the kettle equipment has arrived back at the farm and Now rests safely in the Laboratory its new Home. The testing will focus on maximizing yield as well as testing various strains of Genus Cannabis Sativa. We will also begin conducting the R&D using the New Age Extraction Technology for other Indigenous Plant Flora with medicinal properties.

I feel that the Significance of the Extraction Technology with its 10-15X Bioavailability has been over looked and that is due to the complexity of the science and lack of understanding by the shareholders but in laymans, terms we stand to produce Natural Plant Base Medicine with 10-15 Times more Bioavailability than current products on the market.

As we are focused on the reduction of opioids in the pharmaceutical industry we look towards the indigenous plant flora for their healing properties and turn back towards natural plant based medicine from whence it came.

Dr.J continued, As we previously stated, but worth repeating, we entered into this transaction with Protext as we believe there to be numerous synergies by allowing access to certain assets of our established business with Protext as well as commercialize the Protext proprietary live plant extraction technology and processes into our existing Genus Cannabis Sativa infrastructure. Prior to the merger, Protext had collaborated with RSAMMD and Leeds Boerdery, whereby the companies utilized Protexts proprietary live plant extraction technology along with Kettle extraction equipment to conduct a series of live cannabis extraction testing at New Castle Farm under permits for Genus Cannabis Sativa, with the goal to produce an emulsion rich with cannabinoid but with little to no conversion of THC-A to psychoactive THC. We undertook a series of tests to prove out that the Kettle system and extraction technologies did what they were supposed to do. As part of our previous investigations, various tests were completed using live cannabis flower and leaf, rendered into liquid emulsions supplied by the farm in New Castle. Prior to now, it was hypothecated that processing live Genus Cannabis Sativa under lower temperatures would yield a rich nano-emulsion of phytocannabinoids while retaining the non-psychoactive precursor acid form (THC-A). Our investigations have conclusively demonstrated that full-spectrum cannabinoids can be extracted using the proprietary Kettle system, with minimal metabolic conversion, paving the way for advancement of medical research using non-psychoactive cannabis. What has also intrigued us are the findings from prior research and clinical trials that have shown that the Kettle system, when applied to other medicinal plants, can create an extract that is significantly more bioavailable (10-15x) than a standard extract. This means that our cannabis extract should be more potent while providing a dose that could potentially last up to 24 hours in the bloodstream, which is in-line with prior clinical results using other medicinal plants. Medically, this opens the door to a line of natural pharmaceuticals derived from cannabis but at a fraction of the price and with potentially superior outcomes. From a business perspective, an increase of bioavailability in that magnitude can be a game changer for cultivators as it essentially could increase the net yield by a factor of 10-15x per plant, per acre, per farm.

All of this work was made possible through existing permits and Infrastructure to conduct research and testing of Genus cannabis sativa at the New Castle Farm, managed and controlled by Dr.J. We are enthusiastic about commercializing the proprietary extraction technology. By devising a way to extract the phytocannabinoids without metabolic conversion of THC-A, we can retain the entourage effect and the full medical potential of Genus Cannabis Sativa, but without the psychoactive property delivered by THC. We believe what we have now shown is a scientifically important milestone and a technology breakthrough that has global significance and we look forward to taking this to commercialization which may include global licensing opportunities to other grow and extraction facilities around the world, This is the turning point of $TXTM in its history thus far  concluded Protext CEO, Mr. Du Plooy. #LetsGoTXTM

CONTACT INFORMATION for all media inquiries or for further information, please contact Dylon Du Plooy at: [email protected] Dr.J at: [email protected]

Follow us at:https://twitter.com/RSAMMDhttps://twitter.com/ProtextP About RSAMMDA.LLC:

RSAMMDA.LLC. is a jointly owned company focused on acquisitions with two principals, Mr. Dylon Du Plooy and Dr. Ahmed Jamaloodeen (Dr. J). Mr. Du Plooy is a South African pioneer in the research, cultivation, production and distribution of medical cannabis and cannabinoids. Dr. J operates the 5000 Hectare New Castle Farms that are permitted for Genus Cannabis Sativa. Together, we partner with leading hospitals and universities globally to advance the clinical benefits and applications of cannabinoids. RSAMMDA.LLC founders are a group of medical doctors and pharmacists, and cannabis activists who have been at the forefront of medical cannabis legislation and South African cannabis legalization, which took place in September 2018. We are committed to the advancement of technology and scientific research that leads to an improved quality of life for patients around the world. About Protext (OTC PINK: TXTM) Through its prior acquisitions, Protext has engaged in the research, testing and development of highly bioavailable botanical products all-natural ingredients formulated for nutraceutical and pharmaceutical applications through the use of proprietary live plant extraction technology. Safe Harbor Statement This release contains forward-looking statements that are based upon current expectations or beliefs, as well as a number of assumptions about future events. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements and the assumptions upon which they are based are reasonable, we can give no assurance or guarantee that such expectations and assumptions will prove to have been correct. Forward- looking statements are generally identifiable by the use of words like "may," "will," "should," "could," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "believe," "intend," or "project" or the negative of these words or other variations on these words or comparable terminology. The reader is cautioned not to put undue reliance on these forward- looking statements, as these statements are subject to numerous factors and uncertainties, including but not limited to: adverse economic conditions, competition, adverse federal, state and local government regulation, international governmental regulation, inadequate capital, inability to carry out research, development and commercialization plans, loss or retirement of key executives and other specific risks. To the extent that statements in this press release are not strictly historical, including statements as to revenue projections, business strategy, outlook, objectives, future milestones, plans, intentions, goals, future financial conditions, events conditioned on stockholder or other approval, or otherwise as to future events, such statements are forward-looking, and are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The forward-looking statements contained in this release are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the statements made. The company disclaims any obligation to update information contained in any forward-looking statement. This press release shall not be deemed a general solicitation.

Source: ProText Mobility, Inc.
Denver Post op-ed piece reports no evidence that tailings cells are leaking or contaminating groundwater

U.S. goal to cut emissions in half calls for greater support, investment in domestic manufacturing of clean-energy technologies

Communicating correct facts can help others recognize that White Mesa Mill is not a threatening or dangerous neighbor

After concerns surfaced about the impact a Utah uranium mill might have on the surrounding water sources, an op-ed piece in the Denver Post reported that there is no evidence that implies the tailings cells are leaking or contaminating groundwater (https://ibn.fm/4ZfQT). That assessment aligns with what Energy Fuels (NYSE American: UUUU) (TSX: EFR) has said all along; safety and environmental protection are top priorities for the company, which is a leading U.S. producer of uranium and vanadium, and an emerging producer of rare earth element (REE) products.

The Denver Post article Colorado, Utah Tribe Worries Last Uranium Mill Is Contaminating Water highlights a disconnect for our country, writes Corby G. Anderson, a metallurgical and materials engineer focused on mining, in the recent op-ed piece. Americans are nearly united in wanting to build a

Read More>>

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to UUUU are available in the companys newsroom at http://ibn.fm/UUUU

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A representations of cryptocurrencies in this illustration taken, January 24, 2022. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration

By Kanishka Singh

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Securities and Exchange Commission said on Monday it charged 11 people for their roles in creating and promoting a fraudulent crypto pyramid and Ponzi scheme that raised over $300 million from retail investors worldwide, including in the United States.

Those charged included the four founders of the scheme named Forsage. They were last known to be living in Russia, the Republic of Georgia, and Indonesia, the SEC said in a statement.

The charged individuals could not immediately be reached for comment.

According to the SEC's complaint, the scheme's website was launched in January 2020 and allowed millions of retail investors to enter into transactions via smart contracts. It allegedly operated as a pyramid scheme for more than two years, in which investors earned profits by recruiting others into the scheme, the SEC said.

Forsage also allegedly used assets from new investors to pay earlier investors in a typical Ponzi structure, the SEC complaint added.

"Forsage is a fraudulent pyramid scheme launched on a massive scale and aggressively marketed to investors," said Carolyn Welshhans, acting chief of the SEC's Crypto Assets and Cyber unit. "Fraudsters cannot circumvent the federal securities laws by focusing their schemes on smart contracts and blockchains."

Without admitting or denying the allegations, two of the defendants agreed to settle the charges and one of them agreed to pay penalties, the SEC said.

(Reporting by Kanishka Singh in Washington; Editing by Bernadette Baum)
NEW YORK, Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- To better serve banks and broker-dealers in North America and APAC regions on the NYFIX network around the clock, global Fintech leader, Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. (NYSE: BR), announced a global partnership with Blue Ocean Technologies (BOT), a unique capital markets Fintech focused on global afterhours trading. Blue Ocean ATS (BOATS) will integrate with Broadridge's NYFIX order-routing network to offer clients untapped, after-market access to US equities.

Blue Ocean ATS operates an alternative trading system that replicates a daytime trading experience with electronic access, transparent price discovery, regulatory requirements, and clearing and settlement processes while overlapping significantly with Asia Pacific business hours.

"In today's environment of extreme volatility, access and transparency are mission critical to fostering fair markets," said Ray Tierney, President of Broadridge Trading and Connectivity Solutions. "Through Blue Ocean's access to overnight markets and Broadridge's expansive client connectivity and proven managed services, we will do just that  enabling increased access to markets for global traders."

"Blue Ocean was founded with the sole objective of bringing accessibility to all investors and partnering with Broadridge will further our global connectivity and client reach among banks and broker-dealers," said Matthew Horisk, COO and CIO of Blue Ocean Technologies. "We're energized by this strategic partnership with Broadridge because of the platform and scale they'll provide, helping us facilitate new client connections to foster increased trade volumes throughout the industry."

Blue Ocean Technologies will benefit from Broadridge's VeriFIX solution, allowing Blue Ocean to simulate FIX order flow in a non-production environment, and Broadridge's FIX Conductor offering Blue Ocean the ability to onboard new clients not on NYFIX. Blue Ocean will also reap additional client connectivity to manage client order flow through Broadridge's managed FIX client connectivity layer.

About Blue Ocean Technologies:

Blue Ocean Technologies, LLC (BOT) is a unique capital markets fintech company empowering global investors by making trading possible during US overnight trading hours. Blue Ocean Technologies' US broker dealer subsidiary, Blue Ocean ATS, LLC, and its trading system Blue Ocean Alternative Trading System (BOATS), currently trade US National Market System (NMS) stocks from 8:00 pm to 4:00 am ET from Sunday - Thursday.

Founded in 2019, Blue Ocean ATS is on a mission to transform US trading to Global trading via its flagship service, Blue Ocean Session, providing access and transparency to subscribers in all time zones during non-traditional US market hours. For additional information, please visit our website: www.blueocean-tech.io and follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter.

About Broadridge

Broadridge Financial Solutions (NYSE: BR), a global Fintech leader with $5 billion in revenues, provides the critical infrastructure that powers investing, corporate governance, and communications to enable better financial lives. We deliver technology-driven solutions that drive business transformation for banks, broker-dealers, asset and wealth managers and public companies. Broadridge's infrastructure serves as a global communications hub enabling corporate governance by linking thousands of public companies and mutual funds to tens of millions of individual and institutional investors around the world. Our technology and operations platforms underpin the daily trading of more than U.S. $9 trillion of equities, fixed income, and other securities globally. A certified Great Place to Work, Broadridge is part of the S&P 500 Index, employing over 13,000 associates in 21 countries.

For more information about Broadridge, please visit www.broadridge.com.

Blue Ocean Technologies Contacts:

[email protected]

[email protected].

Broadridge Contacts:

Investors: Edings ThibaultHead of Investor Relations, Broadridge+1 516-472-5129[email protected]

Media:Gregg RosenbergCorporate Communications(212) 918-6966[email protected]

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/blue-ocean-technologies-successfully-integrates-with-broadridge-trading-and-connectivity-solutions-301594255.html

SOURCE Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc.
NEW YORK, Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- First Eagle Investments ("First Eagle") today announced that it has completed the previously announced acquisition of leading alternative credit manager Napier Park Global Capital ("Napier Park"). As of June 30, 2022, Napier Park managed approximately $19.5 billion through credit funds, US and European collateralized loan obligations (CLOs), and real assets, predominantly for institutions.

First Eagle Investments is an independent, privately owned investment firm with approximately $101.8 billion in assets under management as of June 30, 2022; on a pro forma basis to include Napier Park, First Eagle's total assets under management are approximately $121.3 billion as of that same date, including $40.8 billion in alternative credit assets. The acquisition of Napier Park has significantly broadened First Eagle's capabilities in the large and diverse alternative credit market, enabling it to offer clients exposure to opportunistic US and European credit, US mortgages and consumer debt, US municipal debt and equipment leasing. It also has enhanced the size and scope of First Eagle's CLO footprint, including the addition of European CLO management.

"Napier Park has built a distinguished track record of solving sophisticated institutional investors' most critical portfolio needs, and its investment team is among the most seasoned in the industry, with experience across market cycles," said Mehdi Mahmud, President and Chief Executive Officer of First Eagle Investments. "We are confident Napier Park's strategies will be compelling to First Eagle's clients and are excited to offer them on our platform."

As an autonomous, wholly owned unit of First Eagle Investments, Napier Park now goes to market as "Napier Park, a First Eagle Investments Company" while maintaining its investment approach, business focus and client service. Jim O'Brien and Jon Dorfmanwho served as Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer, respectivelycontinue to lead Napier Park as Managing Principals, reporting to Mahmud.

"First Eagle's investment-centric culture is consistent with the environment we've created at Napier Park, and we're excited to become a part of such a dynamic organization," said O'Brien. "First Eagle's robust global institutional distribution structure will bolster the momentum we've built in our business over the years and help us connect with a broader base of investors as we continue our efforts to deliver incremental returns from credit and liquidity risk premia," added Dorfman.

About First Eagle Investments

First Eagle Investments is an independent, privately owned investment management firm headquartered in New York with approximately $101.8 billion in assets under management as of June 30, 2022; on a pro forma basis to include Napier Park, First Eagle's total assets under management are approximately $121.3 billion as of that same date. Dedicated to providing prudent stewardship of client assets, the firm focuses on active, fundamental and benchmark-agnostic investing, with a strong emphasis on downside mitigation. With a heritage dating back to 1864, First Eagle has helped its clients avoid permanent impairment of capital and earn attractive returns through widely varied economic cyclesa tradition that is central to its mission today. The firm's investment capabilities include equity, fixed income, alternative credit and multi-asset strategies. For more information on First Eagle, please visit www.firsteagle.com.

About Napier Park Global Capital

Napier Park Global Capital, a First Eagle Investments Company, is a leading alternative credit manager with approximately $19.5 billion in assets under management, as of June 30, 2022, across credit funds, CLOs and real assets predominantly within the US and European markets. Napier Park differentiates itself through its decades of specialized credit expertise, world-class infrastructure and creativity, providing effective solutions to a broad range of institutional clients. Napier Park has offices in New York, London and Zurich. For more information visit www.napierparkglobal.com.

The total pro forma assets under management (AUM) represents the combined AUM of First Eagle Investments and Napier Park Global Capital as of June 30, 2022. It includes $1.5 billion of committed and other non-fee-paying capital from First Eagle Alternative Credit and $0.9 billion of committed and other non-fee-paying capital from Napier Park, inclusive of assets managed by Regatta Loan Management LLC. Pro forma results are for illustrative purposes only and are not actual performance results. The pro forma results reflect a business combination that had not yet taken place and may differ materially from actual performance results.

First Eagle Investments is the brand name for First Eagle Investment Management, LLC and its subsidiary investment advisers. First Eagle Alternative Credit and Napier Park are brand names for the two subsidiary investment advisers engaged in the alternative credit business.

Media Contact

Kekst CNCRoss Lovern212.521.4800[email protected]

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SOURCE First Eagle Investments
SINGAPORE, July 31, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Golden Gate Ventures, a venture capital fund in Southeast Asia (SEA) founded by Silicon Valley natives, today announces the expansion of its Vietnam and Indonesia teams, as well as the addition of Silicon Valley executive and professor Stephen Ciesinski as a senior advisor.

Expanding Vietnam and Indonesia Teams to Support the SEA Startup Golden Triangle

The Southeast Asia startup ecosystem has entered a new phase, coming off a highly successful golden decade of growth. With Vietnam joining SEA's startup heavyweights Indonesia and Singapore to form a golden triangle, the region is tipped to continue its growth trajectory in spite of recent headwinds in the technology sector. As a natural growth initiative, Golden Gate Ventures continues to add key hires to its Indonesia and recently established Vietnam offices, further strengthening its SEA network.

Tram Nguyen joins the Vietnam team as Associate on the investment team. She comes with advisory experience from the Big Four accounting firms, having consulted on a number of cross-border deals in fast-growing industries. As Investment Associate, Tram will be working across Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi to identify opportunities, review deals and target cross-border synergies to cross-pollinate ideas, business models and success cases.

Nishal Hiranandani has also recently joined Golden Gate Ventures as Analyst in Indonesia, bringing with his startup operational experience. Of note, Hiranandani was most recently on the strategy team leading financing projects for Warung Pintar, which provides financial access to Indonesia's millions of MSMEs (micro, small and medium enterprises) through an ambitious end-to-end digital ecosystem to transform traditional trade. He will be working alongside the firm's partners to identify early-stage investment companies and manage deals from sourcing to closure.

"We are seeing increased startup activity and ever stronger investment interest in SEA, especially across the SEA startup golden triangle of Vietnam, Indonesia and Singapore. The addition of Tram and Nishal to the team comes at an important point in Golden Gate Ventures' own growth story to support the opportunities that are continuing to emerge at lightspeed. Now more than ever, we are laser focused on our FirstIN strategy  to be the first institutional investor check into startups  and drive a long-term growth strategy with them," said Vinnie Lauria, Founding Partner at Golden Gate Ventures.

Building on Silicon Valley Roots and Global Insights

Golden Gate Ventures also adds Professor Stephen Ciesinski as Senior Advisor to its team. A Silicon Valley resident and former executive of a number of tech companies, Ciesinski is a current faculty member at Stanford's Graduate School of Business, as well as an advisor to several VC funds and private enterprises spanning three continents. In this role, Professor Ciesinski will share insights on global tech trends, valuable lessons from other startup ecosystems and emerging global movements to help Golden Gate Ventures' portfolio unlock growth and tap into long-term opportunities.

Professor Ciesinski brings a breadth of experience and insights across high-level technology and business trends. According to Vinnie Lauria, Founding Partner at Golden Gate Ventures, "The first decade of growth for SEA startups came from laying a strong foundation for the ecosystem. The next decade is about bringing a high level of sophistication and maturity to each portfolio company to help them innovate based on curated insights and collective wisdom. Prof Ciesinski brings experience in helping startups in other complex regions like LATAM scale  quickly and sustainably  most critical at this inflection point in the SEA startup growth story. SEA continues to have great potential relative to the other markets over the next 18 months with the IMF forecasting ASEAN's pole position in GDP growth globally for 2023."

Professor Ciesinski adds, "These are exciting times for the SEA startup ecosystem and it is very insightful for our students to have the opportunity to see inside Golden Gate Ventures as a case study that the Stanford Graduate School of Business conducted. There is so much that SEA and Silicon Valley can learn from each other and from other regions to unlock not just exponential growth but sustainable acceleration to keep building new global tech giants together."

Ciesinski, Tram and Nishal all join Golden Gate Ventures right on the heels of the firm's announcement of Tiago Alves as Entrepreneur in Residence in May, as the firm deepens its portfolio growth strategy for what it calls the '1.5  2nd generation' of founders emerging in Southeast Asia.

About Golden Gate Ventures

Golden Gate Ventures is a VC fund in Southeast Asia (SEA) founded by Silicon Valley natives. Since 2011, Golden Gate Ventures has launched four funds and invested in over 60 companies. The firm focuses on investing in the rising consumer internet class in Southeast Asia. Breakout companies include Carousell (mobile classifieds), CodaPay (mobile payments), Appota (Vietnam mobile publishing platform), Loship (last mile logistics), Mio (social commerce), Carro (Auto Marketplace), Vui (early wage access) and Xendit (Payment Processing).

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/golden-gate-ventures-announces-new-hires-and-silicon-valley-advisor-to-bolster-startup-golden-triangle-growth-301596711.html

SOURCE Golden Gate Ventures
SAN FRANCISCO and SUZHOU, China, July 31, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Innovent Biologics, Inc. ("Innovent") (HKEX: 01801), a world-class biopharmaceutical company that develops, manufactures and commercializes high-quality medicines for the treatment of cancer, autoimmune, metabolic, ophthalmology and other major diseases, and Laekna Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biotechnology company dedicated to bringing ground-breaking therapies to cancer and liver fibrosis patients worldwide, jointly announced that the first patient has been dosed in a Phase 1/2 clinical trial (clinicaltrials.gov, NCT05383482) of a three-drug combination therapy (afuresertib + sintilimab + chemotherapy) in patients with specific solid tumors who were resistant to anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapy at the West China Second Hospital of Sichuan University. This marks a key milestone on the first anniversary of the clinical research partnership established between Innovent and Laekna in July 2021.

The study is a multi-center, single-arm, open-label, dose-escalation Phase 1/2 clinical study, assessing recommended Phase 2 dose (RP2D), safety, tolerability and anti-tumor activity of afuresertib in combination with sintilimab and chemotherapy (nab-paclitaxel or docetaxel) in patients with solid tumors who were resistant to prior anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapy. The principal investigator of the study is Professor Lin Shen, Director of the Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology of Beijing Cancer Hospital. The primary endpoints of the Phase 1 dose escalation study are maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and RP2D, and the primary endpoint of the Phase 2 study is overall response rate (ORR). The study is planned to be extended as a multi-regional clinical trial at the pivotal stage.

The clinical trial assesses five types of solid tumors, including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), gastric cancer/gastroesophageal junction cancer (GC/GEJC), esophageal cancer (EsC), cervical cancer (CC) and endometrial cancer (EC). The study focuses on the AKT inhibitor, a potential new therapy for drug resistant-cancer, to address the unmet medical needs in cancer immunotherapy resistance and bring hope to solid tumor patients who have received prior anti-PD-1/PD-L1 treatments.

The combination therapy consists of Laekna's afuresertib (LAE002), a highly selective ATP competitive AKT inhibitor in pivotal clinical trials with favorable clinical efficacy and safety profile, and Innovent's PD-1 inhibitor sintilimab (TYVYT), which has been approved for six indications in China with the first four included in the National Reimbursement Drug List (NRDL).

The subject who received the first dose was a patient with cervical cancer. Professor Rutie Yin, investigator of the center where the first patient was dosed and Director of the Department of Chemoradiotherapy Oncology at the West China Second Hospital of Sichuan University, said, "Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer globally in women1. In 2020, China reported about 110,000 new cases and about 60,000 death cases of cervical cancer2. Patients are faced with limited treatment options and the prognosis is poor3,4. Immunotherapy plays an increasingly important role in the treatment of recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer, and there is huge unmet need. With the launch of new immunosuppressants, they've been applied to more patients and become essential for the treatment of cervical cancer. AKT inhibitor, a serine/threonine-specific protein kinase, is considered a potential new target for cancer treatment as results of multiple preclinical studies showed that inhibition of AKT could restore the sensitivity of cancer cells to anti-tumor therapies. We look forward to the progress of the clinical trial and hope it will bring new breakthroughs to the later-line treatment of cervical cancer in China."

Professor Lin Shen, principal investigator of the study, Director of the Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology of from Beijing Cancer Hospital, stated, "Innovation never stops in oncology as we are always looking for new ways to treat cancer patients. Based on results from the preclinical and clinical studies, the combination of an immune checkpoint inhibitor, an AKT inhibitor and taxanes shows potential to be a new treatment option for patients who were resistant to immune checkpoint inhibitors5,6,7,8. The trial conducted by Laekna and Innovent aims to explore this innovative combination therapy and validate this new promising solution. There is a significant clinical need for patients with digestive system and gynecologic solid tumors in China; we hope to see that AKT-targeting therapy will prove to be an effective strategy to overcome drug resistance."

Dr. Hui Zhou, Senior Vice President of Innovent, stated, "With the increasing prescription of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) in first-line settings in various tumor types, many patients developed ICI resistance or have poor response rates in clinical practice. It is of great clinical value to explore potential treatments for this huge unmet medical need. Sintilimab is the first PD-1 inhibitor in China with first-line indications for 5 major types of cancers. Innovent hopes to continue to develop the potential of high-quality drugs, in this case by combination therapy with Laekna's innovative AKT inhibitor. We look forward to the results of clinical trial to bring clinical benefits to patients with specific solid tumors."

Dr. Yong Yue, Chief Medical Officer of Laekna, said, "It took less than six months to complete the journey from IND approval to dosing of first patient, showing robust strategic execution of Laekna's global clinical team. There are three main considerations in selecting the five types of solid tumors: PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors have been approved as the standard-of-care treatments for those cancers in multiple countries; higher rates of biomarkers that activate the AKT pathway in patients with resistance to anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapy were observed in those cancers; and the incidence rates and death rates are relatively high in China. We hope this innovative three-drug combination therapy will benefit patients with these solid tumors."

About Afuresertib (LAE002)

Afuresertib (LAE002) is an investigational highly selective adenosine triphosphate (ATP) competitive AKT inhibitor.

Laekna in-licensed afuresertib from Novartis in 2018 and are conducting five combination therapy clinical trials for the treatment of ovarian cancer, prostate cancer, breast cancer, and PD-1/PD-L1-resistant solid tumors. Prior to Laekna's in-licensing agreement, over 10 clinical trials had been conducted to demonstrate the safety and efficacy profiles of afuresertib. In the Phase Ib study conducted by Novartis, afuresertib showed potential anti-tumor efficacy in platinum-resistant ovarian cancer (PROC) patients with an overall response rate (ORR) of 32.1% and progression-free survival (PFS) of 7.1 months9. In pre-clinical studies, afuresertib has demonstrated its ability to restore platinum/paclitaxel sensitivity in PROC cell lines. After the in-licensing agreement, Laekna also identified the therapeutic potential of combining afuresertib and LAE001 (an investigational potential first-in-class next-generation androgen synthesis inhibitor that simultaneously inhibits both CYP17A1 and CYP11B2) and observed their synergistic anti-tumor efficacy in our completed Phase 1 and ongoing Phase 2 studies in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) patients as second- to fourth-line treatments. According to Frost & Sullivan, afuresertib is one of the three AKT inhibitors worldwide that have entered pivotal clinical trials10.

About Sintilimab

Sintilimab, marketed as TYVYT (sintilimab injection) in China, is a PD-1 immunoglobulin G4 monoclonal antibody jointly developed by Innovent and Eli Lilly and Company. Sintilimab is a type of immunoglobulin G4 monoclonal antibody, which binds to PD-1 molecules on the surface of T-cells, blocks the PD-1 / PD-Ligand 1 (PD-L1) pathway, and reactivates T-cells to kill cancer cells11. Innovent is currently conducting more than 20 clinical studies of sintilimab to evaluate its safety and efficacy in a wide variety of cancer indications, including more than 10 registrational or pivotal clinical trials.

In China, sintilimab has been approved for six indications as below, with the first four included in the National Reimbursement Drug List (NRDL), including:

The treatment of relapsed or refractory classic Hodgkin's lymphoma after two lines or later of systemic chemotherapy;

In combination with pemetrexed and platinum chemotherapy, for the first-line treatment of non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer lacking EGFR or ALK driver mutations;

In combination with gemcitabine and platinum chemotherapy, for the first-line treatment of squamous non-small cell lung cancer;

In combination with BYVASDA (bevacizumab biosimilar injection) for the first-line treatment of unresectable or advanced hepatocellular carcinoma;

In combination with cisplatin plus paclitaxel or cisplatin plus 5-fluorouracil for the first-line treatment of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma;

In combination with fluorouracil and platinum-based chemotherapy for the first-line treatment of unresectable, locally advanced, recurrent or metastatic gastric or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma.

Innovent currently has the regulatory submission for sintilimab in combination with bevacizumab biosimilar and chemotherapy for EGFR-mutated non-squamous NSCLC following EGFR-TKI treatment under review in the China's NMPA.

Additionally, two clinical studies of sintilimab have met their primary endpoints:

Phase 2 study as second-line treatment of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma;

Phase 3 study as second-line treatment for squamous NSCLC with disease progression following platinum-based chemotherapy.

About Innovent

Inspired by the spirit of "Start with Integrity, Succeed through Action," Innovent's mission is to develop, manufacture and commercialize high-quality biopharmaceutical products that are affordable to ordinary people. Established in 2011, Innovent is committed to developing, manufacturing and commercializing high-quality innovative medicines for the treatment of cancer, autoimmune, metabolic, ophthalmology and other major diseases. On October 31, 2018, Innovent was listed on the Main Board of the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited with the stock code: 01801.HK.

Since its inception, Innovent has developed a fully integrated multi-functional platform which includes R&D, CMC (Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls), clinical development and commercialization capabilities. Leveraging the platform, the company has built a robust pipeline of 32 valuable assets in the fields of cancer, autoimmune, metabolic, ophthalmology and other major therapeutic areas, with 7 products approved for marketing in China  TYVYT (sintilimab injection), BYVASDA (bevacizumab biosimilar injection), SULINNO (adalimumab biosimilar injection), HALPRYZA (rituximab biosimilar injection) , Pemazyre (pemigatinib oral inhibitor) and olverembatinib (BCR-ABL TKI) and Cyramza (ramucirumab) , 3 asset under NMPA NDA review, 3 assets in Phase 3 or pivotal clinical trials, and an additional 19 molecules in clinical studies.

Innovent has built an international team with advanced talent in high-end biological drug development and commercialization, including many global experts. The company has also entered into strategic collaborations with Eli Lilly and Company, Adimab, Incyte, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Hanmi and other international partners. Innovent strives to work with many collaborators to help advance China's biopharmaceutical industry, improve drug availability and enhance the quality of the patients' lives. For more information, please visit: www.innoventbio.com. and www.linkedin.com/company/innovent-biologics/.

Note:

Sintilimab is not an approved product in the United States.

BYVASDA (bevacizumab biosimilar injection), HALPRYZA (rituximab biosimilar injection), and SULINNO (adalimumab biosimilar injection) are not approved products in the United States.

TYVYT (sintilimab injection, Innovent)

BYVASDA (bevacizumab biosimilar injection, Innovent)

HALPRYZA (rituximab biosimilar injection, Innovent)

SULINNO (adalimumab biosimilar injection, Innovent)

Pemazyre (pemigatinib oral inhibitor, Incyte Corporation). Pemazyre was discovered by Incyte Corporation and licensed to Innovent for development and commercialization in Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan.

CYRAMZA (ramucirumab, Eli Lilly). Cyramza was discovered by Eli Lilly and licensed to Innovent for commercialization in Mainland China.

About Laekna

Founded in 2016, Laekna is a clinical-stage biotechnology company, dedicated to bringing ground-breaking therapies to cancer and liver fibrosis patients worldwide.

Laekna has two potential core products: LAE002 is an investigational highly selective adenosine triphosphate (ATP) competitive AKT inhibitor for the treatment of ovarian cancer, prostate cancer, breast cancer and PD-1/PD-L1 drug-resistant solid tumors. The other core product LAE001 is an investigational potential first-in-class next-generation androgen synthesis inhibitor that simultaneously inhibits both CYP17A1 and CYP11B2 for the treatment of prostate cancer.

Laekna's robust infrastructure has already enabled the rapid development of 14 innovative product candidates, including one pivotal clinical trial and another five clinical trials for it's potential core products. Among these six clinical trials, three multi-regional clinical trials (MRCTs) are designed to address urgent yet unmet global medical needs in the standard of care (SOC)-resistant cancers.

Laekna's internal drug discovery primarily focuses on coordinating the human immune system to treat cancer and liver fibrosis.

For more information, please visit: https://www.laekna.com/ or https://www.linkedin.com/company/74110713/

Innovent's Forward-Looking StatementsThis news release may contain certain forward-looking statements that are, by their nature, subject to significant risks and uncertainties. The words "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "intend" and similar expressions, as they relate to Innovent, are intended to identify certain of such forward-looking statements. Innovent does not intend to update these forward-looking statements regularly.

These forward-looking statements are based on the existing beliefs, assumptions, expectations, estimates, projections and understandings of the management of Innovent with respect to future events at the time these statements are made. These statements are not a guarantee of future developments and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, some of which are beyond Innovent's control and are difficult to predict. Consequently, actual results may differ materially from information contained in the forward-looking statements as a result of future changes or developments in our business, Innovent's competitive environment and political, economic, legal and social conditions.

Innovent, the Directors and the employees of Innovent assume (a) no obligation to correct or update the forward-looking statements contained in this site; and (b) no liability in the event that any of the forward-looking statements does not materialize or turn out to be incorrect.

1 Hyuna Sung, Jacques Ferlay, Rebecca L. Siegel, et al. Global Cancer Statistics 2020: GLOBOCAN Estimates of Incidence and Mortality Worldwide.2 Wei Cao, Hong-Da Chen, Yi-Wen Yu, Ni Li, Wan-Qing Chen. Changing profiles of cancer burden worldwide and in China: a secondary analysis of the global cancer statistics 20203 D. Lorusso, G. Ferrandina, S. Pignata, et al.Evaluation of pemetrexed (Alimta, LY231514) as second-line chemotherapy in persistent or recurrent carcinoma of the cervix: the CERVIX 1 study of theMITO (multicentre Italian trials in ovarian cancer and gynecologic malignancies) group, Ann. Oncol. 21 (2010) 6166.4 D.S. Miller, J.A. Blessing, D.C. Bodurka, A.J. Bonebrake, J.O. Schorge, Evaluation of pemetrexed (Alimta, LY231514) as second line chemotherapy in persistent or recurrent carcinoma of the cervix: a phase II study of the gynecologic oncology group, Gynecol. Oncol. 110 (2008) 65705 Altomare, Deborah, A, et al. Perturbations of the AKT signaling pathway in human cancer[J]. Oncogene, 2005; 24:7455-7464. 6 Engelman J A. Targeting PI3K signalling in cancer: opportunities, challenges and limitations[J]. Nature Reviews Cancer, 2009;09:550562.7 Aaron C Tan. Targeting the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) [J]. Thoracic Cancer 11, 2020: 511518.8 Lastwika KJ, Wilson W, Li QK, Norris J, Xu H, Ghazarian SR, et al. Control of PD-L1 expression by oncogenic activation of the AKT-mTOR pathway in non-small cell lung cancer. Cancer Research. 2016 Jan 15;76(2):22738.9 Blagden SP, Hamilton AL, Mileshkin L et al. Phase IB Dose-Escalation and Expansion Study of AKT inhibitor afuresertib with carboplatin and paclitaxel in recurrent platinum-resistant ovarian cancer. Clin Cancer Res. 2019; 25(5):1472-1478.10 https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/11 Zhang S, Zhang M, Wu W, et al. Preclinical characterization of Sintilimab, a fully human anti-PD-1 therapeutic monoclonal antibody for cancer[J]. Antibody Therapeutics, 2018, 1(2): 65-73.

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SOURCE Innovent Biologics
BOSTON, Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - The five John Hancock closed-end funds listed below declared their monthly distributions today as follows:

Declaration Date: August 1, 2022 Ex Date: August 10, 2022 Record Date: August 11, 2022 Payment Date: August 31, 2022

Ticker Fund Name Distribution Per Share Change From Previous Distribution Market Price as of 07/31/2022 Annualized Current Distribution Rate at Market HPI Preferred Income Fund $0.1235 - $18.67 7.94 % HPF Preferred Income Fund II $0.1235 - $18.80 7.88 % HPS Preferred Income Fund III $0.1100 - $17.06 7.74 % PDT Premium Dividend Fund $0.0975 - $15.38 7.61 % HTD Tax-Advantaged Dividend Income Fund $0.1380 - $24.16 6.85 %

John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund

Premium Dividend Fund (the "Fund") declared its monthly distribution pursuant to the Fund's managed distribution plan (the "PDT Plan"). Under the PDT Plan, the Fund makes monthly distributions of an amount equal to $0.0975 per share. This amount will be paid monthly until further notice.

Distributions under the PDT Plan may consist of net investment income, net realized long-term capital gains, net realized short-term capital gains and, to the extent necessary, return of capital. The Fund may also make additional distributions (i) for purposes of not incurring federal income tax on investment company taxable income and net capital gain of the Fund, if any, not included in such regular distributions and (ii) for purposes of not incurring federal excise tax on ordinary income and capital gain net income, if any, not included in such regular monthly distributions. The Board may amend the terms of the PDT Plan or terminate the PDT Plan at any time.

John Hancock Tax-Advantaged Dividend Income Fund

Tax-Advantaged Dividend Income Fund (the "Fund") declared its monthly distribution pursuant to the Fund's managed distribution plan (the "HTD Plan"). Under the HTD Plan, the Fund makes monthly distributions of an amount equal to $0.1380 per share. This amount will be paid monthly until further notice.

Distributions under the HTD Plan may consist of net investment income, net realized long-term capital gains, net realized short-term capital gains and, to the extent necessary, return of capital. The Fund may also make additional distributions (i) for purposes of not incurring federal income tax on investment company taxable income and net capital gain of the Fund, if any, not included in such regular distributions and (ii) for purposes of not incurring federal excise tax on ordinary income and capital gain net income, if any, not included in such regular monthly distributions. The Board may amend the terms of the HTD Plan or terminate the HTD Plan at any time.

*****

A portion of a Fund's current distribution may include sources other than net investment income, including a return of capital. Investors should understand that a return of capital is not a distribution from income or gains of a Fund. As required under the Investment Company Act of 1940, a notice with the estimated components of the distribution will be sent to shareholders at the time of payment if it does not consist solely of net investment income. Such notice will also be posted to the Funds' website at www.jhinvestments.com. The notice should not be used to prepare tax returns as the estimates indicated in the notice may differ from the ultimate federal income tax characterization of distributions. After the end of each calendar year, investors will be sent a Form 1099-DIV informing them how to report distributions received during that year for federal income tax purposes.

Statements in this press release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements as defined by the United States securities laws. You should exercise caution in interpreting and relying on forward-looking statements because they are subject to uncertainties and other factors which are, in some cases, beyond the Fund's control and could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements.

An investor should consider a Fund's investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses carefully before investing.

About John Hancock Investment Management

A company of Manulife Investment Management, we serve investors through a unique multimanager approach, complementing our extensive in-house capabilities with an unrivaled network of specialized asset managers, backed by some of the most rigorous investment oversight in the industry. The result is a diverse lineup of time-tested investments from a premier asset manager with a heritage of financial stewardship.

About Manulife Investment Management

Manulife Investment Management is the global brand for the global wealth and asset management segment of Manulife Financial Corporation. We draw on more than a century of financial stewardship and the full resources of our parent company to serve individuals, institutions, and retirement plan members worldwide. Headquartered in Toronto, our leading capabilities in public and private markets are strengthened by an investment footprint that spans 18 geographies. We complement these capabilities by providing access to a network of unaffiliated asset managers from around the world. We're committed to investing responsibly across our businesses. We develop innovative global frameworks for sustainable investing, collaboratively engage with companies in our securities portfolios, and maintain a high standard of stewardship where we own and operate assets, and we believe in supporting financial well-being through our workplace retirement plans. Today, plan sponsors around the world rely on our retirement plan administration and investment expertise to help their employees plan for, save for, and live a better retirement. Not all offerings are available in all jurisdictions. For additional information, please visit manulifeim.com.

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SOURCE John Hancock Investment Management
CHICAGO, Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, McDonald's (NYSE: MCD) CEO, Chris Kempczinski sent the following message to the McDonald's global System, announcing the company's new Chief Information Officer, Brian Rice.

The Digital CV and headshot for Mr. Rice are embedded within this release.

+ + +

I am proud to announce that Brian Rice is joining McDonald's as Executive Vice President and Global Chief Information Officer, reporting directly to me and serving on our Global Senior Leadership Team.

Brian's accomplishments make him the perfect enterprise leader to continue to drive our digital vision to new heights as we deliver on our Accelerating the Arches strategy.

In getting to know him, it is clear Brian leads with a unique blend of head, heart and foresight. A vocal champion for values-based leadership, he has a keen desire to empower the people around him, learn through thoughtful questions and identify synergies that lead to impactful and valuable solutions. These qualities make him a tremendous fit for our System.

His experience leading enterprise technology teams spans well-known brands and global businesses, including Kellogg Company, Mars, General Motors and Cardinal Health. At each turn, Brian has successfully modernized technology systems, built new capabilities, and elevated the role of digital in building relationships with customers to drive growth. At the same time, he's continuously developed and trained technology professionals, several of whom have gone on to become CIOs of global corporations. This experience and mentorship will be crucial as we build upon our strong foundation and deep bench of talent.

Our innovations in digital and technology are powering our ambition to double down on our 3Ds (digital, delivery and Drive Thru). We're scaling new capabilities including loyalty  which is now in nearly 50 markets  introducing new innovations like artificial intelligence and automated order taking, and modernizing data systems to move faster while improving the experience for customers and crew.

As I shared in our most recent earnings call, these investments are driving the business forward. This past quarter, digital sales were $6 billion in our top 6 markets alone and we have an opportunity to significantly increase digital as a percentage of total sales.

While we further fortify an even stronger technology backbone across every aspect and touchpoint of our business, Brian will partner with leaders across the center, our segments and our markets to support our transformation of the McDonald's experience into an extraordinary and personalized journey for every person.

Brian and his family will be based in Chicago, and he'll officially be joining us on August 31.

In the meantime, please join me in welcoming him to the McFamily.

Chris

About McDonald'sMcDonald'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.

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SOURCE McDonald's Corporation
Solcon Industries and IGEL Electric now operate under the Solcon-IGEL GROUP banner

The companies, who now co-brand, have launched a new website for customers to access their combined strengths

Solcon-IGEL leads the world in innovative power electronics solutions

DORTMUND, Germany , Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Solcon-IGEL, the newly combined group of solid-state motor specialists Solcon Industries and leading drive technology company IGEL Electric GmbH, has officially launched its new website (www.solconigel.com/).

The newly launched Solcon-IGEL website will allow customers globally to access this combined strength through holistic solutions to all motor starting challenges. It will position the new brand as a global technology platform, including the merged companies' legacy of innovation in product design and manufacturing processes.

The Solcon-IGEL GROUP will use its combined capabilities, size and geographic presence to help customers solve ongoing and emerging challenges through advanced technology solutions, world-class customer support and enhanced logistics.

"Our combined strength as Solcon-IGEL enables us to look at the world through a stronger lens to see more possibilities and more opportunities. Our customers are now able to do business with a truly global brand and our new website is the shopfront for that," said Itai Zifroni, CEO of Solcon Industries.

"We want to help the power electronics and drive technology industries to solve the challenges they face today for a better tomorrow. By leveraging the expertise of both Solcon and IGEL, we have been able to create a global technology platform that does just that," said Michael Kleibohmer, CEO of IGEL Electric.

www.solconigel.com

About Solcon Industries

Solcon Industries Ltd (www.solconigel.com) is a power electronics company that has designed, developed, and manufactured industrial electronic systems for more than 40 years. As a global industry leader in soft starter technology and motor control, Solcon provides solutions for the toughest applications in all major industries.

Solcon's field-developed design criteria ensure long-term product reliability and provide future-focused innovative solutions. This approach has allowed the company to serve more than 76 countries worldwide.

About IGEL Electric

IGEL Electric GmbH (www.solconigel.com) was founded in 2001, originally as a division of "FANAL" Group Wuppertal and has over 100 years of combined experience in drive technology. As a specialist in drive technology, IGEL integrates stand-alone motors and systems in addition to supplying solutions that are tailor-made for individual solutions, based on advanced designs.

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1868447/SolconIgel_POWERED_Logo.jpg

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SOURCE Solcon-IGEL GROUP
CHARLOTTE, N.C., Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The leadership team of Okuma America Corporation, a world-leading builder of computer number control (CNC) machine tools, controls and automation systems, is pleased to recognize EMEC Machine Tools Inc. as its distributor of the year for Okuma's fiscal 2021 reporting year.

Trevor Smethurst of the EMEC Machine Tools leadership team accepted the award on May 25, 2022, at Okuma's annual distributor meeting in Charlotte, North Carolina, USA. EMEC Machine Tools Inc is headquartered in Mississauga, Ontario with an additional office located in Montreal, Quebec, covering Eastern Canada and the Maritimes. EMEC has been an Okuma distributor since 1995.

"Receiving this Distributor of the Year Award was completely unexpected but truly a great honor, especially when you consider the caliber of our colleagues within the Okuma distribution family," shared EMEC Machine Tools Inc. President Bill Mara. "The award is recognition of the hard work and dedication of the EMEC team during what has been a very difficult time for everyone. On behalf of the ownership at EMEC, I can say we are very proud of our team."

The Okuma Distributor of the Year Award was established to recognize a distributor partner for exceptional performance in both selling and servicing Okuma products and services throughout a given year. More specifically, the award criteria focuses on performance across many disciplines including sales, operations, engineering, service, aftermarket parts, finance, marketing, HR and IT, all of which are vitally important to supporting Okuma's mission of passionately pursuing a customer for life.

Tim Thiessen, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Okuma, expressed his gratitude for EMEC, stating "valuing meaningful partnerships is one of our central corporate values at Okuma, and we truly value the strong partnership that we have experienced with the EMEC team for more than 25 years! Their commitment to creating and nurturing long-term customer relationships in Canada has resulted in growth opportunities for our customers and our mutual businesses. We look forward to many more years of partnership."

About EMEC Machine Tools Inc.

For over twenty-five years now EMEC Machine Tools Inc. has been privileged to represent some of the finest machine tool builders in the world on an exclusive basis across our territories in Eastern Canada. From day one the mainstay of our company has been the Okuma line of machine tools and over the years we have been able to enhance our product offerings with the addition of Tsugami. Soraluce, Milltronics and Geminis.

With so many years in business and over 3,000 installations across our territories we have come to recognize that customers are looking to build relationships with suppliers they can trust and who can help them achieve the results they need to compete. At EMEC, we continue to strive to improve and invest in the expertise to help our customers every step of the way and we look forward to sharing in our customers' success for the next 25 years.

For more information, visit www.emecmt.com or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

About Okuma America Corporation

Okuma America Corporation is the U.S.-based sales and service affiliate of Okuma Corporation, a world-leading builder of CNC (computer numeric control) machine tools, controls and automation systems. The company was founded in 1898 in Nagoya, Japan, and is the industry's only single-source provider of CNC machines, drives, motors, encoders, spindles and automation systems, all manufactured by Okuma. The company designs its own CNC controls to integrate seamlessly with each machine tool's functionality. In 2014 Okuma launched the Okuma App Store, the industry's only centralized online marketplace for machine tool apps and related content. Along with its extensive distribution network (largest in the Americas), and Partners in THINC network of enhanced manufacturing technologies, Okuma is committed to helping users gain competitive advantage through the open possibilities of machine tools today and into the future. For more information, visit Okuma.com or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.

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SOURCE Okuma America Corporation
AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ --

Company to produce new four-cylinder turbo engine

Investments will be made at Dundee (Michigan) Engine, Kokomo (Indiana) Casting and Etobicoke (Toronto) Casting

New engine designated for HEV applications for future North American models

Investment supports company's Dare Forward 2030 long-term strategy

Stellantis announced today that it will invest a total of $99 million in three North American plants for production of a new four-cylinder turbocharged engine. Investments will be made at the Dundee Engine Complex in Michigan, the Kokomo Casting Plant in Indiana and the Etobicoke Casting Plant in Toronto.

The new engine is a 1.6-liter, I-4 turbocharged unit with direct fuel injection and flexibility for hybrid-electric vehicle (HEV) applications. Based on a current Stellantis production engine in Europe, this next-generation engine will power two future North American HEV models. This will be the first HEV engine for the company in the region. Production is expected to begin in early 2025.

With an investment of nearly $83 million, Dundee Engine will be retooled and become the final assembly location for the new engine. The Michigan plant will continue production of the 3.6-liter Pentastar Upgrade for the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Jeep Grand Cherokee L. The Tigershark 2.4-liter I-4 engine will build out in the first quarter of 2023.

Engine blocks will be cast at the Kokomo Casting Plant, one of the largest facilities of its kind in the world. More than $14 million will be invested to convert existing die cast machines and cells for the new engine.

Etobicoke Casting will produce the oil pan for the new engine. The company will invest nearly $2 million to support the development and installation of new tooling and equipment upgrades.

These investments support Stellantis' Dare Forward 2030 strategic plan of delivering innovative, clean, safe and affordable mobility solutions.

Stellantis North AmericaStellantis (NYSE: STLA) is one of the world's leading automakers and a mobility provider. In North America, it's best known for producing and selling vehicles in a portfolio of iconic and award-winning brands such as Jeep, Chrysler, Dodge, Ram, Alfa Romeo and Fiat. Powered by its diversity, Stellantis leads the way the region and the world move  aspiring to become the greatest sustainable mobility tech company, not the biggest, while creating added value for all stakeholders as well as the communities in which it operates. For more information, visit www.stellantis.com.

Follow company news and video on:Company blog: http://blog.stellantisnorthamerica.comMedia website: http://media.stellantisnorthamerica.comCompany website: www.stellantis.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/StellantisFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/StellantisNAInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/stellantisnaTwitter: @StellantisNAYouTube: http://youtube.com/StellantisNA

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SOURCE Stellantis
CHICAGO, Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation (ISHLT) has opened abstract submissions for its 43rd Annual Meeting & Scientific Sessions in Denver, Colorado on 19-22 April, 2023. This event will feature educational content spanning the breadth of clinical practice and research concerning heart and lung transplantation, advanced heart and lung disease, mechanical circulatory support, and pulmonary vascular disease.

Abstracts welcomed from researchers, clinicians, junior faculty across all disciplines in advanced heart and lung disease

"Abstracts, representing the latest and greatest science in advanced heart and lung disease and their therapies, are the cornerstone of the ISHLT Annual Meeting and Scientific Sessions," says Howard Eisen, MD, ISHLT 2023 Scientific Program Chair. "Abstracts and presentations at an ISHLT meeting are a way of getting feedback and improving your science as well as developing collaborations. If those are your goals, please submit your abstracts to the ISHLT Annual Meeting and Scientific Sessions. We look forward to seeing you in Denver in 2023."

Abstract submissions are accepted in three areas: Research Abstracts, Early Career Clinical Case Reports, and Late-Breaking Clinical Science. The ISHLT welcomes submissions from all specialists engaged in treating advanced heart and lung disease, particularly those working on novel therapies. ISHLT2023 will feature some of the most ground-breaking investigative studies, including sessions on COVID-19.

"At ISHLT2023, attendees from all parts of the transplant care team will gather to enhance our knowledge and improve the care of our patients," says Andreas Zuckermann, MD, ISHLT President. "Answering the Call for Abstracts is incredibly important to ensure an international body of researchers is represented among the world's most influential professionals in the field of end-stage heart and lung failure and transplantation."

For more information about ISHLT2023, and to see full details on the Call for Abstracts, visit ishlt.org/ishlt2023.

About ISHLTThe International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation is a not-for-profit, multidisciplinary professional organization dedicated to improving the care of patients with advanced heart or lung disease through transplantation, mechanical support and innovative therapies. With members in more than 45 countries, ISHLT is the world's largest organization dedicated to the research, education and advocacy of end-stage heart and lung disease. ISHLT members represent more than 15 different professional disciplines. For more information, visit www.ishlt.org.

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SOURCE The International Society of Heart and Lung Transplantation
AUSTIN, Texas, Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- As children head back to school, parents and caregivers are encouraged not to overlook routine vaccinations against serious infections such as measles, mumps, rubella, tetanus, and hepatitis. Superior HealthPlan is dedicated to ensuring Texans have access to information and resources about immunizations to help protect children and communities against preventable illnesses.

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, immunizations have declined, with all populations showing a downward trend from pre-pandemic routine immunization rates. Routine vaccinations have proven effective in preventing serious illness within schools and communities. Despite the restart of student activities in many states last year, the immunization rate for children in kindergarten dropped between the 2019-20 and 2020-21 school years. This leaves thousands of young students at risk for preventable illnesses when re-entering the classroom for in-person learning.

The more immunized a community is, the harder it is for preventable illnesses to spread. Immunizations protect the individuals who are vaccinated as well as everyone who interacts with them. As students prepare to return to school, it is important to ensure students are up to date with routine immunizations to help prevent illness. In fact, childhood immunizations help protect against as many as 14 serious diseases.

Superior HealthPlan continues to invest in educational opportunities around vaccinations through programs such as Fluvention, which provides comprehensive information about the impact the annual flu vaccine can have for the health of individuals, families, and communities. Additionally, Superior has partnered with Prospera Housing Community Services and UT Health San Antonio to bring a mobile health clinic into the community as well as Goodside Health to make care more easily accessible in schools.

"Pediatric vaccination reduces the rate of vaccine-preventable diseases and we want to ensure families have the information they need to make informed decisions about immunizing their children and accessing vaccines," said Dr. David Harmon, Chief Medical Director at Superior HealthPlan. "With the start of the school year around the corner, now is the perfect time for families to talk to their primary care providers about catching up on immunizations they or their children may have missed to reduce the spread of preventable illnesses."

Individuals can learn more about specific vaccines, immunization schedules, and safety information by reviewing materials developed by the CDC by visiting cdc.gov/vaccines.

About Superior HealthPlanFounded in 1999, Superior HealthPlan is a managed care company that delivers quality health care throughout Texas. Committed to transforming the health of the community, one person at a time, Superior supports active local involvement in all 254 Texas counties with nearly 4,000 employees throughout the state. Superior is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Centene Corporation, a leading healthcare enterprise that is committed to helping people live healthier lives. More information on Superior can be found at www.SuperiorHealthPlan.com.

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SOURCE Superior HealthPlan
The Academy of Management announces its 82nd Annual Meeting, themed "Creating a Better World Together," bringing global scholars together to form research-based solutions to the world's most pressing challenges.

Media are invited to attend in-person in Seattle, Washington or remotely via live and recorded sessions and to engage with AOM scholars for reporting purposes. Most sessions will recorded and available after the conference for on demand viewing. Contact [email protected] to obtain press passes.

BRIARCLIFF MANOR, N.Y., Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Academy of Management (AOM), the largest global association devoted to management and organization research, announced the details of its 82nd Annual Meeting.

The meeting will feature a hybrid experience of in-person sessions in Seattle, WA, and online sessions through the virtual Annual Meeting platform spanning 4-10 August 2022.

The conference, themed Creating a Better World Together, features top global management and organization scholars who will share their expertise, experience, and research-based insights across 2,000+ sessions to inform today's most important issues impacting the workplace and organizations.

Specifically, the sessions will evaluate the role of business organizations, managers, and stakeholders in tackling societal challenges such as the future of work, leadership strategies and impact, gender and racial equality in the workplace, careers and technology (AI, IoT, etc.) and the workplace, and many more related topics.

The world has changed dramatically since our last in-person Annual Meeting in 2019.Sharon A. Alvarez, AOM Vice President and Program Chair from University of PittsburghThroughout the pandemic, AOM has provided vital insights that informed its impact on the workplace at large. Now, it is time to inform the future with research-based solutions. This Annual Meeting will use the power of AOM's collective scholars and their research to prescribe solutions to positively shape the future of work together.

About the 82nd AOM Annual Meeting

The AOM Annual Meeting is the premier global management science conference, drawing more than 9,500 management researchers and leaders in academia from more than 100 countries around the world.

The hybrid format of the Annual Meeting features 2,000+ sessions and provides aspects of both a virtual and an in-person meeting including:

Access to 2,000+ in-person, virtual, and hybrid sessions

Access to on-demand and recorded sessions, abstracts, and supplemental material through 31 December 2022

Access to the AOM Career Fair which will be held both virtually and in-person

Live Q&A and networking for all attendees

Over 30 different journal sessions, including 'Reviewer Workshops', 'Publishing in' sessions, and meetings around academic fundamentals such as writing, developing, and publishing research in the field of management

Visit the Academy of Management Annual Meeting website for more information.

Media may request complimentary copies of all presented research, access to sessions and interviews with the authors by contacting [email protected].

Notable presentation and research topics featured:

AOM President Herman Aguinis will broadcast his presidential address on 7 August from 09:00-10:30 PDT (GMT/UTC-7), which includes an overview of the Annual Meeting Theme and award presentations to honor recipients of All Academy Awards.

AOM Scholars On...Measuring Real World Impact of Scholarly ResearchAOM will be holding its fifth AOM Subject Matter Expert (SME) panel at the Annual Meeting on 8 August from 10:00-11:00 PDT (GMT/UTC-7). The panel, titled AOM Scholars OnMeasuring Real World Impact of Scholarly Research, will answer the question: how are academic scholars turning their insights and career work into solutions for society's problems? It will feature distinguished AOM Scholars including Jean Bartunek of Boston College, Usha Haley of Wichita State University, Carol Kulik of University of South Australia, and Leon Prieto of Clayton State University.

Additional sessions of note within the following topic categories:

The Future of Work

Leadership

Employee Well-Being

Workplace Technology

Diversity, Inclusion, and Social Issues

About the Academy of ManagementThe Academy of Management is the largest global association devoted to management and organization research, with 20,000 members from more than 120 countries across six continents. In addition to Insights, an online magazine with easy-to-read, evidence-based research for managers and business leaders, AOM publishes six top-rated journals with the most authoritative and diverse management research findings. For more information, visit www.aom.org.

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SOURCE Academy of Management
CLEVELAND, Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- TransDigm Group Incorporated (NYSE: TDG) today said it will report fiscal 2022 third quarter earnings before the market opens on Tuesday, August 9, 2022.

A conference call will follow at 11:00 a.m., Eastern Time. To join the call telephonically, please register for the call here. Once registered, participants will receive the dial-in information and a unique pin to access the call. A live audio webcast of the call can also be accessed online at http://www.transdigm.com.

The webcast will be archived on the website and available for replay later that day.

About TransDigm Group

TransDigm Group, through its wholly-owned subsidiaries, is a leading global designer, producer and supplier of highly engineered aircraft components for use on nearly all commercial and military aircraft in service today. Major product offerings, substantially all of which are ultimately provided to end-users in the aerospace industry, include mechanical/electro-mechanical actuators and controls, ignition systems and engine technology, specialized pumps and valves, power conditioning devices, specialized AC/DC electric motors and generators, batteries and chargers, engineered latching and locking devices, engineered rods, engineered connectors and elastomer sealing solutions, databus and power controls, cockpit security components and systems, specialized and advanced cockpit displays, engineered audio, radio and antenna systems, specialized lavatory components, seat belts and safety restraints, engineered and customized interior surfaces and related components, advanced sensor products, switches and relay panels, thermal protection and insulation, lighting and control technology, parachutes, high performance hoists, winches and lifting devices, and cargo loading, handling and delivery systems.

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SOURCE TransDigm Group Inc.
Speaker Nancy Pelosis possible visit to Taiwan is increasing U.S.-China tensions and could lead to the next Taiwan Strait crisis. Should a crisis occur, responsibly managing the Sino-American relationship will be essential to prevent an escalatory spiral and conflict. So far, Washington has failed to establish guardrails to do this. Since fall 2021, U.S. officials at the highest levels have unsuccessfully discussed guardrails with their Chinese counterparts. During their most recent call, President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping continued to sidestep establishing effective guardrails. At the next meeting, Biden should negotiate with Xi to agree to interest-based guardrails to mitigate the risk of war.

First, Biden should declare that the United States does not and will not seek regime change in China. This is both easy and a net gain for U.S. foreign policy. Beijings primary aim is to keep the authoritarian Chinese Communist Party in power. In response to Bidens battle between democracy and autocracy rhetoric, China changed the ordering of its vital interests by placing its regime type at the top of the list. The United States can recognize the status quo, commit to not change it, and lose nothing. In fact, America would benefit from dropping ideological and regime change rhetoric. Governments from Latin America to the Indo-Pacific may be more open to U.S. diplomacy  allowing Washington to more effectively secure and advance American interests. Moreover, a non-regime change foreign policy is in line with the Founding Fathers foreign policy principles.

In return, Xi should promise that China will never work to interfere in U.S. elections or change Americas constitutional form of government. America is not America without its founding documents and form of government. Since Beijing isnt actually making a concession  but pledging to uphold present reality  China should find this agreeable.

Second, Biden should discard his past remarks and clarify the One China policy. Biden can reassure China and repeat his secretary of states words that longstanding U.S. policy does not support Taiwans independence and will consider a declaration of independence as a unilateral change to the status quo. Of all Chinas territorial integrity issues, Taiwan is considered at the core. To Beijing, reunification is about finally ending a civil war and resolving a historical question that goes to the heart of the CCPs legitimacy. This would be true for any regime in Beijing, no matter the style of government. China and the Chinese people simply care more about Taiwan than America ever could. Washington can reconfirm existing policy without giving up anything to reduce conflict with China.

Similarly, Biden should also reaffirm U.S. recognition of Chinas sovereignty over Xinjiang, Tibet and Hong Kong and commit to not support separatist activities in China. Like Taiwan, Chinas territorial integrity is a core interest. This means it will go to war or use military force to defend its sovereignty. Naturally, sovereign states want to defend their territorial integrity. Moreover, Bidens statement of existing U.S. policy costs America nothing and could lead to gains. It would undercut Chinese propaganda and boost Americas image abroad, particularly with governments facing separatist movements.

In reciprocal fashion Xi would be obligated to promise to recognize Americas territorial integrity  including its territories in the Pacific Ocean  and never promote separatism or division in the United States. Biden would be wise to point out China and the CCP are constitutionally bound to upholding mutual respect for national sovereignty and territorial integrity in foreign affairs. Thus, China would merely be enacting its preexisting foreign policy. However, Biden should warn Xi that Washington will resolutely protect and defend U.S. territorial integrity and national unity.

Finally, both Biden and Xi should commit to establish a new, high-level dialogue mechanism focusing solely on managing U.S.-China competition. This would not be engagement for engagements sake or for creating photo opportunities. Rather, the new diplomacy track should focus on identifying and explaining national interests, relaying and interpreting intentions, and crisis communications. Officials with authority on both sides of the Pacific  even if they are not exactly counterparts  will need to lead it and be able to reach one another at any moment. During especially tense times, rigorous interests-based diplomacy is necessary to avoid miscommunication, misinterpretation and miscalculation that could lead to a nuclear exchange and serious loss of life.

The United States can use its vital national interests to create mutually acceptable, no-cost guardrails with China. If Washington drops its democracy versus autocracy rhetoric, reaffirms and recommits to existing U.S. policy on Taiwan and Chinas territorial integrity, works toward establishing real diplomacy with Beijing, and gets China to reciprocate, U.S.-China competition can be managed responsibly. Will leaders in the White House and Congress defer to prudence and use restraint, or will they lead the American people into a shooting war over words? They need only muster political courage to defend American interests.

Quinn Marschik is a contributing fellow at Defense Priorities. He was the policy adviser to the deputy undersecretary for international affairs at the U.S. Department of Labor during former President Donald Trumps administration.
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MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan  A Marine awaiting court-martial on charges she says stem from her refusal to take a COVID-19 vaccine will be tried later this month because of a change in her defense counsel.

Lance Cpl. Catherine Arnett, 24, will now be represented by Capt. Brentt McGee from the Marine Corps Defense Services Organization out of Camp Lejeune, N.C., she told Stars and Stripes by phone Monday.

I just wanted more gusto in my defense, she said.

The court-martial, originally scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday, has been moved to Aug. 23-24 at MCAS Iwakuni, about 25 miles from Hiroshima, according to 1st Marine Aircraft Wing spokeswoman Capt. Tess LaBossiere.

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 insists she is being prosecuted for refusing to exit the Marine Corps based on her unwillingness to get vaccinated. However, the Marines refute that.

Arnett is accused of 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 MCAS Iwakuni.

LCpl Arnett is not being court-martialed for refusing COVID-19 vaccination, he wrote.

Arnett said she chose McGee based on recommendations by other service members who have faced similar legal issues.

I have been networked to him through some of my unvaccinated military member groups and he was very reputable with his defense of unvaccinated admin separation boards and other kind of punitive or legal things, she said.

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.
CAMP HUMPHREYS, South Korea  North Koreas very fraught and consistent provocations will strengthen the U.S.-South Korea alliance and a nuclear test from the communist regime will prompt a firm response from Washington and Seoul, according to a weekend statement from the Souths Ministry of Defense.

Following a meeting between Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and South Korean Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup on Friday, the two defense chiefs reaffirmed the combined defense commitment in light of North Koreas continuous provocations, the statement said.

North Korea has conducted 17 rounds of missile tests so far this year in addition to several artillery drills. North Korea last fired an unprecedented volley of eight short-range missile on June 5, roughly two weeks after Joe Bidens first presidential trip to South Korea and Japan.

The U.S., Japanese and South Korean militaries have also said in recent weeks that they have compiled evidence suggesting Pyongyang is preparing to conduct a nuclear test, which would be the regimes first since 2017 and its seventh overall.

Austin and Lee emphasized a point that the more North Korea provokes, the stronger the [South Korea]-U.S. alliance would be, the statement said.

They made it clear that if North Korea carries out its seventh nuclear test despite the opposition of global society, South Korea and the U.S. will firmly work together based on the adamant combined defense posture, the statement added.

In a separate statement from acting Pentagon Press Secretary Todd Breasseale on Saturday, Austin and Lee were said to have emphasized the importance of close cooperation and maintaining fight tonight readiness to reinforce deterrence in the face of [North Koreas] destabilizing activities.

The two leaders agreed that the U.S. and South Korea would expand their upcoming joint military drills in response to the Norths provocations.

South Koreas military last month announced it would resume large-scale field exercises with the U.S. that were suspended in 2018. Exercise Ulchi Freedom Shield will start late August and run for a week; exercise Freedom Shield will commence the first half of 2023.

In addition to the drills, 11 separate field exercises between U.S. and South Korean troops are scheduled in the coming months, according to the Defense Ministry. Those drills will encompass a variety of unit-level missions, such as constructing bridges and special warfare training.

Meanwhile, a separate large-scale exercise between U.S. and South Korean forces is already underway. Rim of the Pacific, a U.S.-led multinational maritime exercise near Hawaii and Southern California, ends Thursday. The event includes the largest-ever fleet of warships sent by South Korea for the monthlong event.

The U.S., South Korea and Japan on Monday also kicked off Pacific Dragon, a ballistic missile defense exercise off the coast of Hawaii. The drills aim to detect and track simulated ballistic missiles, as well as share that information with allied forces.

The Defense Ministry stressed that the upcoming exercises are defensive in nature.

North Koreas leadership often bristles at the Souths joint military exercises. In statements published in state-run media outlets, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and the Foreign Affairs Ministry describe the drills as a rehearsal for an invasion of its country and threatened the allies with attacks.
WASHINGTON  House Speaker Nancy Pelosi will arrive in Taiwan on Tuesday night despite warnings from China that such a visit would dramatically escalate tension with the United States, Taiwans three largest newspapers reported.

Pelosi, D-Calif., has not confirmed she will visit Taiwan as part of an Asian tour that began Sunday in Singapore. But the three Taiwanese papers  The United Daily News, Liberty Times and China Times  said she will arrive Tuesday evening in the capital city of Taipei from Malaysia and spend the night.

Zhao Lijian, spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, warned Friday that the U.S. must bear all consequences arising from Pelosis visit to Taiwan. China claims ownership of the self-governed, democratic island, which is about 110 miles from the mainland.

The Chinese side has repeatedly made clear to the U.S. side our serious concern over Speaker Pelosis potential visit to Taiwan and our firm opposition to the visit, Zhao said during a news conference in Beijing. If the U.S. side challenges Chinas red line, it will be met with resolute countermeasures.

As news of Pelosis visit circulated Monday morning, Chinese diplomat Cao Yi wrote in a Twitter post that the Chinese militarys eastern theater command stand(s) ready to bury any invading enemies.

National Security Council spokesman John Kirby on Monday said the U.S. will not take the bait or engage in saber rattling.

At the same time, we will not be intimidated, he told reporters at the White House. We will keep operating in the seas and the skies of the Western Pacific as we have for decades and continue to support cross-[Taiwan] Strait peace, stability and support Taiwan.

Pelosi is traveling through Asia with five Democratic lawmakers, making stops in Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea and Japan, according to a statement from her office. The trip is meant to focus on mutual security, economic partnership and democratic governance in the Indo-Pacific region.

Nothing about this potential visit [to Taiwan]  which, oh by the way, has precedent  would change the status quo and the world should reject any [Chinese] effort to use it to do so, Kirby said.

The last time a House speaker visited Taiwan was in 1997, when then-Speaker Newt Gingrich visited the island, according to reports from the time.

On Friday, Kirby said nothing has changed about [the U.S.] One China policy regardless of whether Pelosi visits Taipei. The policy, which has been the U.S. position since the 1970s, holds that the U.S. acknowledges China claims ownership of Taiwan, but the U.S. considers the islands sovereignty status unsettled.

President Joe Biden on Friday held a two-hour-long phone call with Chinese President Xi Jinping, during which Biden spoke about tensions over Taiwan and reaffirmed that nothing has changed about Americas commitment to the One China policy, Kirby said.

There's no reason for it to come to blows, to come to increased physical tension, he said. There's no reason for that because there's been no change in American policy with respect to One China.

Still, Kirby on Monday said China conducted a live-fire exercise, launching weapons at sea over the weekend in anticipation of Pelosis trip to Asia.

China appears to be positioning itself to potentially take further steps in the coming days, he said. These potential steps from China could include military provocations, such as firing missiles in the Taiwan Strait or around Taiwan, operations that break historical norms.

Beijing has not fired a missile into the Taiwan Strait since 1996, Kirby said, warning China could conduct a large-scale operation sending military aircraft through Taiwans airspace.

Speculation of her possible travel to Taiwan have swirled throughout Washington since last week. However, a senior military official on Friday denied the U.S. had moved any military assets closer to Taiwan in advance of Pelosis possible travel to the self-governed island.

I would tell you that we use military equipment all the time to support congressional delegations. This is not unusual in that regard, said the official, who declined to confirm Pelosis travel.

Still, the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan has been sailing throughout the region, spending at least the past week in the South China Sea and near Singapore, according to Navy photos.

The USS Tripoli and USS America, amphibious assault ships, are also steaming through the nearby Philippine Sea as of Monday, according to the U.S. Naval Institutes Fleet and Marine Tracker.

Pelosi, who is second in line to the U.S. presidency, is provided military security on official travel, senior U.S. defense officials have said. She would be the highest-ranking elected U.S. official to visit the island in 25 years.

Experts on U.S.-China relations for years have said the already tense U.S.-China relationship could break into conflict over Taiwan. U.S. national defense strategies released in 2018 and 2022 list China as the nations top military threat due in part to simmering tensions over Taiwan.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has repeatedly said reunification with Taiwan is the nations foremost priority. Meanwhile, the U.S. Navy has stepped up its Taiwan Strait transits in recent years, which China regularly protests.

The Navy has sailed warships through the strait separating Taiwan from mainland China at least six times this year and roughly once a month during the past two years.
CAMP FOSTER, Okinawa  A flotilla of Chinese coast guard vessels sailed into Japanese territorial waters in the East China Sea on Friday, just days ahead of a visit to the region by U.S. House speaker Nancy Pelosi.

The four ships entered Japans territory south of Uotsuri and Kuba islands, part of the uninhabited but disputed Senkaku chain, at approximately 4:30 p.m. and stayed about two hours, a spokesman for the Japan Coast Guard's 11th Regional Headquarters told Stars and Stripes by phone Monday. It was the first such intrusion by a Chinese vessel since July 8.

The United States has long declined to take a position on the sovereignty of the Japan-controlled Senkakus, which are known as Diaoyu Dao in China. U.S. presidents, including Joe Biden, Donald Trump and Barack Obama, have declared that they fall under the U.S.-Japan security alliance.

The Senkakus are about 105 miles northeast of Taiwan, which also claims the islands. Rumors that Pelosi will stop in Taiwan during her Asia tour have further fueled tension with Beijing.

The speakers delegation arrived in Singapore early Monday, according to The Associated Press, and is scheduled to also visit Malaysia, South Korea and Japan to discuss trade, the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, security and democratic governance, according to a weekend statement from Pelosis office.

The statement did not mention Taiwan, which Beijing claims as its own territory. Chinese President Xi Jinping, during a phone call with Biden last week, warned against meddling in his countrys dealings with the island, according to AP.

Pelosi, who is second in line for the U.S. presidency, would be the highest-ranking U.S. official to visit Taiwan since Newt Gingrich in 1997. An unannounced visit will surely be viewed as a provocation by China, said security expert Toshiyuki Shikata, a former lieutenant general in the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force.

I dont think there will be a war, but it could give a reason for China to take some kind of action directly against Taiwan, Shikata, a professor emeritus of international relations at Teikyo University in Tokyo, told Stars and Stripes by phone Monday.

As Pelosi prepared for her visit, China held live-fire military drills in the Taiwan Strait on Saturday. A warning from the local maritime agency said the exercise would take place near Pingtan in Fujian province.

It was the first live-fire drill announced by the agency in at least a year, according to AP.
(Tribune News Service)  Moscow is leaning toward rejecting a prisoner swap unless it gets two Russians in return for the two Americans the U.S. wants released, according to people familiar with the Kremlins thinking.

The U.S. has called on Russia to free WNBA player Brittney Griner and former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan, offering to free convicted arms dealer Viktor Bout. Discussions have been stop-start since June, with Moscow reluctant to agree to a deal it sees as unequal, the people said, asking not to be identified discussing confidential matters.

Russia has not yet supplied a detailed response to the American proposal, another person familiar with the discussions said.

The delicate nature of the discussions shows the level of mistrust that has only heightened since Russias invasion of Ukraine in February. The U.S. has strongly supported the government in Kyiv with weapons and financial aid, and President Joe Biden has called Russian President Vladimir Putin a war criminal and murderous dictator. Biden is under pressure at home to secure the release in particular of Griner, arrested in Russia on drug charges, but equally cannot be seen to be giving ground to Moscow.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken said last Wednesday the U.S. had made a substantial offer to Russia weeks ago, and on Friday he held a phone call with his counterpart Sergey Lavrov. The Russian foreign minister strongly advised a return to professional dialogue in the context of quiet diplomacy without any dubious media leaks, the ministry in Moscow said in a statement afterward.

A person familiar with the matter said Blinken called Lavrov because Moscow had not accepted or even responded to the written proposal so far.

Griners case has attracted substantial publicity in the U.S., and if Biden cant arrange a deal for her release, polls indicate he risks adding to Democrats troubles in the November midterm elections.

Moscow hopes to extract a better deal from the U.S. that involves at least one other Russian person, according to the people familiar with the discussions. Russia would agree to a one-for-one swap involving Griner and Bout or a two-for-two exchange, a person close to the Kremlin and a Russian official said. A two-for-one deal isnt acceptable, they said. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova declined to comment.

A person familiar with the matter said the focus in the U.S. was on getting a formal and detailed response to the offer already on the table, and less so about whether a 2-for-2 swap might be acceptable to the Biden administration.

The State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Monday.

A Russian official via a back channel sought the inclusion in any deal of Vadim Krasikov, a former official with links to the domestic spy agency who was convicted of murder in 2021 in Germany, people familiar with the conversations said. Krasikov is imprisoned in Germany, meaning authorities in Berlin would need to agree to release him for a U.S.-Russia swap deal. The informal raising of Krasikov by Moscow could therefore be a stalling tactic.

Holding two wrongfully detained Americans hostage for the release of a Russian assassin in a third countrys custody is not a serious counteroffer, Adrienne Watson, a spokeswoman for the White House National Security Council, said in a statement. It is a bad faith attempt to avoid the deal on the table that Russia should take.

Wolfgang Buechner, a deputy German government spokesman, declined to comment Monday when asked at a regular news conference about potentially including Krasikov in any deal. If I understand things correctly, this whole issue is in any case off the table so theres no need to speculate whether such a deal is possible, he said.

Another potential name in the mix for Russia could be Vladislav Klyushin, a Kremlin insider extradited from Switzerland to the U.S. in December on insider-trading charges, several people aware of the discussions in Moscow said.

Griner, 31, a two-time Olympic Gold medalist, has galvanized support for her release from a Russian prison. She has played for a Russian team during the WNBA offseason, and was was arrested in February after Russian customs officials said they found vape canisters containing cannabis oil in her luggage. Griner pleaded guilty to smuggling charges last month, saying the infraction was unintentional.

Still, it would be awkward for Biden to pursue a one-for-one swap for her, considering Whelan has been imprisoned far longer and his family has also agitated for his release. Whelan is accused of espionage.

An arms dealer dubbed the Merchant of Death, Bout is serving a 25-year sentence he received in 2012 for plotting to sell weapons to a Colombian paramilitary group thats designated a terrorist organization. Moscow has long demanded his release. Bout pleaded not guilty.

Ivan Melnikov, a Russian prisoners rights campaigner, said the U.S. risked complicating Griners release by publicizing its offer.

The Russian side was promptly ready to go for a one-on-one exchange scheme  Brittney Griner for Viktor Bout, Melnikov said in a letter to Blinken that he submitted via the White House website on Friday. But you announced an unequal two-on-one exchange, which, in my opinion, could clearly delay negotiations, or nullify all those huge efforts of prisoners relatives in both countries, lawyers and human rights defenders.

The Biden administration has declined to comment on whether it would agree to release Bout as part of a swap for Griner and Whelan. The U.S. previously had spurned swaps including Bout, saying his crimes were too extensive, making an exchange unequal.

Still, Klyushin may be far more valuable to both the Biden administration and to the Kremlin. One of his alleged co-conspirators, who remains at large, was previously charged by the U.S. in connection with Russias scheme to interfere in the 2016 U.S. election.

Russian intelligence has concluded that Klyushin has access to documents related to the hacking of Democratic Party networks during the campaign, according to people in Moscow close to the Kremlin and government security services. The documents, the people said, establish that hacking was led by a team in Russias GRU military intelligence agency that U.S. cybersecurity companies have dubbed Fancy Bear, or APT28.

This isnt the first episode where Klyushins name has come up. Russia a year ago turned down a proposed prisoner swap involving Whelan and another imprisoned former U.S. Marine, Trevor Reed, after Switzerland declined to hand Klyushin back to Russia, according to people with knowledge of the matter who spoke at the time.

In April, despite a rupture in ties with Russia following its invasion of Ukraine, U.S. and Russian authorities exchanged Reed for Konstantin Yaroshenko in a carefully orchestrated swap at a Turkish airfield. The Russian pilot was sentenced in 2011 to 20 years for conspiracy to smuggle cocaine into the U.S.

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Tensions flared between Kosovo and Serbia over the weekend, raising concerns about the possibility of fresh unrest in the Balkans at a time when Western allies are focused on the war in Ukraine.

The NATO-led international peacekeeping force in Kosovo, known as KFOR, said in a statement it was monitoring the situation in Kosovo closely and is prepared to intervene if stability is jeopardized.

Ethnic Serbs in northern municipalities of Kosovo bordering Serbia blocked roads and skirmished with police on the eve of the implementation of a law requiring them to replace their license plates with Kosovo plates.

The new rules had been due to come into effect Monday and would have required Serbian ID and passports holders to obtain an extra document to enter Kosovo, as is already the case for Kosovars entering Serbia.

Josep Borrell, the European Unions top diplomat, welcomed a decision by Kosovo to delay the measures until Sept. 1 and called for all roadblocks to be removed immediately. In a statement posted on Twitter, the E.U. special envoy, Miroslav Lajcak, expressed gratitude to the U.S. ambassador to Kosovo, Jeffrey Hovenier, for strong support.

No one was injured in Sundays protests, Kosovo police said, even as gunshots were heard in a number of locations, some of them directed at police units. The protesters parked trucks and other heavy machinery on roads leading to two border crossings.

In a statement released Sunday, Kosovo announced the month-long delay on implementation of the new measures and condemned the obstruction of roads in the north of Kosovo and the firing of weapons by armed persons there. The statement said the aggressive acts had been instigated and planned by authorities in the Serbian capital of Belgrade.

Russias invasion of Ukraine has stirred wider tensions in the region. Analysts say the nationalist and revisionist worldview of Russia has found a receptive audience in the area, in particular in President Aleksandar Vucic of Serbia, Bosnian Serb political leader Milorad Dodik and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban.

Serbia, a traditional Russian ally, has rejected calls from the E.U. and the United States to join in sanctions against Moscow. Russia - along with China - still does not recognize Kosovos independence and decried NATOs war against its ally. The Western military alliance launched a bombing campaign in 1999 that hit targets across what was then the combined Serbia and Montenegro in a bid to halt Serbias onslaught against ethnic Kosovar Albanians fighting for autonomy.

Maria Zakharova, a spokeswoman for Russias Foreign Ministry, accused Kosovo on Sunday of using the new licensing laws and ID documents as a step toward ousting the Serbian population.

We call on Pristina and the United States and the European Union backing it to stop provocation and observe the Serbs rights in Kosovo, she said, according to the Russian news agency Tass, describing the requirements as discriminatory.

If they dare to persecute and mistreat and kill Serbs, Serbia will win, Vucic said in a news conference Sunday. Kosovos prime minister, Albin Kurti, has accused Vucic of instigating the violence.

The Washington Posts Chico Harlan, in Rome, and Ishaan Tharoor contributed to this report.
(Tribune News Service)  A 24-year-old police officer was shot and killed during a traffic stop in Indiana, less than a year after joining his small towns department, officials said.

Noah Shahnavaz, a military veteran who served five years, had only been with the Elwood Police Department for 11 months when he pulled over 42-year-old Carl Roy Webb Boards II, on Sunday, July 31.

It was around 2 a.m. when Shahnavaz performed the stop, Indiana State Police Sgt. Scott Keegan said at a media briefing Sunday.

The 2012 Buick Lacrosse pulled over and, for an unknown reason, Boards II got out of the car and opened fire on Shahnavaz, hitting him at least once.

The rookie officer later died at a hospital, leaving behind a mother, father and siblings, officials said.

Boards sped away from the scene, Keegan said.

Police in Hamilton County spotted the Buick half an hour later. They pursued, kicking off a chase.

Close to the intersection of State Road 37 and 141st Street, officers deployed spike strips or a similar device, destroying the tires on Boards vehicle, Keegan said. But he kept going.

As he neared U.S. Interstate 69, officers with the Fishers Police Department were waiting, according to Keegan. They joined the chase and pulled off a PIT maneuver, causing Boards to lose control and crash into a guard rail  at which point he surrendered.

When is it going to stop? ISP superintendent Doug Carter asked at the media briefing.

This young man served this country for five years and chose to come back and serve a local community, only to be killed in a senseless act of violence.

The county prosecutors office said that it will be filing charges against Boards, including murder, possession of a firearm by a violent felon, resisting law enforcement, and more. Prosecutors said they may also pursue the death penalty, depending on what evidence is found by investigators.

Boards is being held at the Hamilton County jail, officials said.

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A bipartisan group of senators has unveiled compromise legislation to guarantee federal access to abortion, an effort to codify abortion after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. It faces an uphill battle in the Senate, where it is unlikely to gain enough Republican support.

The legislation, co-authored by Democratic Sens. Tim Kaine, Va., and Kyrsten Sinema, Ariz., and Republican Sens. Susan Collins, Maine, and Lisa Murkowski, Alaska, is an attempt to create a middle ground on an issue that is largely pitting antiabortion Republicans against pro-abortion rights Democrats.

Since the Supreme Court ruling on Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization in June, 17 states have either outlawed or mostly banned abortion. A handful of other states are in the process of prohibiting abortion, and on Tuesday, Kansas will be the first state where voters are set to go the polls to determine whether the state will reverse the constitutional right to an abortion.

The compromise legislation unveiled Monday ensures federal abortion rights up to viability, and allows post-viability abortion when the health of the mother is in jeopardy. The statute does not define viability or what constitutes when a mothers health is in danger. Both issues are to be defined by the pregnant persons medical practitioner.

It clearly uses viability as a key distinction, Kaine said. Pre-viability women should have significant freedom - a state can regulate but cant put an undue burden. Post-viability, the state can regulate a lot more, but can never stop a woman from accessing an abortion for her life and health.

The measure comes after Senate Democrats attempted to pass partisan legislation that would codify Roe. The vote in May, after a draft version of the Supreme Court decision was leaked, failed, gaining the support of 49 Democrats. One Democrat, Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., and all Republicans, voted against it, including Collins and Murkowksi because, they said, it went far beyond codifying Roe.

Kaine admits, however, that the proposal being unveiled Monday does not have the support of 10 Republicans needed for it to pass the Senate. Still, he said its an important marker in the conversation.

The bipartisan bill also ensures access to contraception, which abortion advocates fear will be outlawed in some conservative states or that Griswold v. Connecticut, the Supreme Court case that granted a personal right to contraception, would be overturned. The bill also includes a conscience clause, which allows a provider to opt out of abortion services if it violates a religious belief, an issue that was important to Collins.

Theres a majority of the U.S. Senate that wants to codify Roe v. Wade, and to leave the impression that theres only a minority that wants to codify Roe v. Wade, I think, is thats a weak position to be in, Kaine said in an interview Monday.

For five decades, reproductive health-care decisions were centered with the individual - we cannot go back in time in limiting personal freedoms for women, Murkowski said in a statement.

Its not clear that Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., would bring up the bill for a vote ahead of the midterm elections in November. There has been disagreement in the Democratic caucus on whether a bipartisan bill that has no chance of passage should be brought forward, which would make it more difficult for Democratic candidates to contrast themselves with Republicans. And many Democrats, Kaine said, would prefer the Democratic version of the bill, the Womens Health Protection Act, which includes fewer limitations on abortion.

Kaine calls the bill the bare minimum.

What the four of us were trying to do was put a statutory minimum in place that replicated what the law was a day before Dobbs, he said.
WASHINGTON  President Joe Biden on Monday authorized another $550 million in military aid including rocket system and artillery ammunition for Ukraine, National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters at the White House.

The aid will include 75,000 rounds of ammunition for 155mm howitzers and an unspecified number of additional ammunition for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, also known as HIMARS, the U.S. has recently sent Ukraine, according to the Pentagon.

Long-range weapons such as rockets, artillery and tactical drones have been important since Russia shifted the focus of its invasion of Ukraine four months ago to the countrys eastern Donbas region, where the landscape resembles the flat, rolling plains of Kansas, the Defense Department has said.

HIMARS are truck-mounted rocket systems that can strike targets up to 43 miles away with 500-pound, precision-guided ammunition. The U.S.-supplied M777 howitzers can reach distances of up to 18 miles, the Pentagon has said.

So far, the U.S. has sent Ukraine about 90 M777 howitzers and 16 HIMARS rocket systems, all of which had arrived in Ukraine as of Monday, Ukraine Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov said on Twitter.

Im grateful to [Biden] and [Defense Secretary] Lloyd Austin III and U.S. people for strengthening of [the Ukrainian armed forces], he said in the tweet. We have proven to be smart operators of this weapon. The sound of the #HIMARS volley has become a top hit of this summer at the front lines!

Bidens approval of the package comes after Austin told Reznikov of it during a Friday phone call, Kirby said. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, Secretary of State Tony Blinken and Army Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, spoke with Ukraine officials Monday about the aid and affirmed the enduring U.S. support to Ukraine as the Ukrainian people continue to stand up the Russian aggression.

The military aid is the 17th time that Biden has authorized weapons and equipment for Ukraine to come from U.S. stocks since taking office in January 2021, Kirby said.

It brings to the total to more than $8 billion [in military aid] ... sent to Ukraine just since the invasion began in late February, he said.
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(Tribune News Service)  The House and Senate agreed to give the governor and his staff more time to put into place reforms to the chain of command for the states two veterans homes, correcting unclear and complicated rules that were believed to have contributed to the deaths of 84 residents at the Holyoke Soldiers Home in Massachusetts in 2020.

The vote was taken on Sunday as state senators and representatives scrambled to act on multiple bills in the final hours of the legislative session before it breaks for August.

After years of investigations and debate over how to fix the unwieldy chain of command that required the superintendents of the Holyoke and Chelsea Soldiers Homes to answer to a board of trustees as well two state agencies, a legislative conference committee on Wednesday reported out a plan with clear rules.

Gov. Charlie Baker did not object to the plan that calls for the Veterans Services Director, who directly oversees the superintendents of the Holyoke and Chelsea Soldiers Homes, to be elevated to a cabinet position, but he asked for the deadline to make the changes pushed back from Nov. 1 to March 1.

I support the improvements to oversight that the legislation adopts. I am concerned, however, that the legislation as drafted does not provide the appropriate and sufficient time to develop the organizational, administrative, human resources, labor that it now obtains as a constituent agency, Baker said in a letter.

The seven-member conference committee, which has been hammering out a compromise to House and Senate versions of the bill since March, also called for the two homes to each have a five-member local board of trustees. It also created a nine-member Veterans Homes Council to oversee both homes.

The Veterans Secretary will appoint the superintendent of each home, and the bill also requires the state Department of Public Health to inspect both homes biannually and every 30 days during a declared state of emergency.

We worked so hard to get it right and the governor didnt have any issue with it, Wagner said.

Wagner agreed the bill called for a quick ramp up and, after talking with the governor, agreed a longer period of time to get administrative details right would ensure the implementation of the proposal was not rushed.

The governors amendments mirror an amendment I myself filed to the original senate bill and will ensure that the Department of Veterans Services and the Executive Office of Health and Human Services have the time and resources they actually need to carry out this transition properly, Velis said.

This transition is no light undertaking and I am glad that the governors amendments were adopted in the final bill to instate these important supports and improve the legislation, he said.

The passage of the bill brings an end to a piece of the tragedy that began when COVID-19 spread through the home unchecked in March 2020. Study after study showed decisions made by the superintendent and other upper-level staff added to the catastrophe that also infected an additional 84 residents and multiple staff who recovered.

State officials and plaintiffs who were victims of the outbreak reached a $56 million civil settlement in May.

Gov. Charlie Baker earlier this year fast-tracked a bond bill paving the way for a new, $400 million state-of-the-art Holyoke Soldiers Home on its current campus on Cherry Street. Studies showed crowded conditions and room sharing also led to the spread of the disease.

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EDINBURG, Texas (Tribune News Service)  Dozens of people held American flags outside the Edinburg City Hall on Saturday morning.

Just before 11 a.m., a procession led by Edinburg High School JROTC Honor Guard, members of the city council and a slew of veterans slowly began to make their way down West McIntyre Street toward North Closner Boulevard.

Near the end of the procession was an empty vintage hearse from Memorial Funeral Home, and behind the hearse were limousines carrying relatives of U.S. Navy Petty Officer Jose Antonio Saenz.

"I wanted to honor a veteran who deserves to be honored," Alvaro "Recon" Esquivel, an Army veteran who served during Vietnam, said. "I'm also a member of America's Last Patrol. Our motto is 'Never Forget,' so we always try to be there for veterans, supporting their families. That's our mission, to help veterans in any way that we can."

The procession stopped at the corner of McIntyre and Closner. There the group gathered around a traffic signal control box and presented a memorial wreath courtesy of American Legion Post 408.

In a quick ceremony, a black cloth was removed from the box revealing a portrait of Saenz. The ceremony concluded with a 21-gun salute by the Catholic War Veterans Honor Guard.

"I think it's really an honor," Esquivel said. "All those that were there that didn't make it, they should be honored. They gave everything. They sacrificed everything. I'm glad that I'm here, but a lot of us  a lot of them didn't make it. They deserve all the honors that we can give them."

The ceremony was the city of Edinburg's way of honoring Saenz, who died 77 years ago during World War II while serving on the USS Indianapolis, a Portland-class heavy cruiser. He was 20-years-old at the time of his death.

In May of this year, Saenz was declared buried at sea.

"We wanted to honor his service to our country, paying the ultimate sacrifice," Mayor Ramiro Garza said after the ceremony. "We wanted to have this ceremony to bring the family together and let them know that they're not alone. We're here for them. We're the hometown of heroes for a reason. This is part of who we are as a community."

The program began earlier inside the city hall with some remarks from local dignitaries and the unveiling of Saenz's portrait, which will be displayed at the Dustin Michael Sekula Memorial Library.

"We thought it was only appropriate to have this ceremony as a remembrance due to his reclassification," Garza said. "The way the family sees it is he's being brought home. We wanted to have this service to honor him so that we can enjoy the freedoms that we have in this country."

Saenz was among 13 sailors whose status was changed from "unaccounted for" to "buried at sea," in May. Two Japanese torpedoes struck the USS Indianapolis on July 30, 1945, as it traveled from Guam to the Philippines, sinking the ship in roughly 15 minutes.

An estimated 300 sailors were trapped inside the ship when it sank. Approximately 800 sailors were able to escape the sinking ship, but they were left to endure the open ocean for four days. Hundreds of sailors died of injuries, dehydration and shark attacks before being rescued. There were only 316 survivors.

For Joel Saenz, his uncle's reclassification offered some closure to his family after 77 years of uncertainty. He said that he's grateful to the city and the various veterans organizations that helped honor his late uncle Saturday, but he still has more work to do before he and his family can finally put an end to this chapter of their history.

"I didn't expect this to be as big as it was," Joel said Saturday after the ceremony. "It's amazing. Honestly, I really, really doubt that anybody here even knew who my uncle was. 77 years later, they declared him buried at sea. The presence of all these people being here is amazing. I'm not finished yet. I still have a little bit more to do with my uncle."

Joel said that he hopes to acquire a memorial plaque from the U.S. Navy, which he intends to place at the gravesite of his grandparents.

"At least in name and in spirit, he will be there with his family," he added. "That will be closure."

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OSullivan told the guard hed die in hell and told him to go f**k himself, before telling the officer he would kill him during the incident on South Mall, Cork on April 28, 2019.

THIS is the 67-year-old Mercedes driver who had to be pepper sprayed by a garda after he grabbed an officer and told him hed f***ing kill him because he was asked to move from a disabled parking bay.

Cork pensioner Florence OSullivan  who a judge said creates havoc in the city whenever he gets excited  told the Sunday World that the pepper spray was horrible, as he tried to absolve himself from blame for the incident when we caught up with him this week.

OSullivan told the guard hed die in hell and told him to go f**k himself, before telling the officer he would kill him during the incident on South Mall, Cork on April 28, 2019.

He told the Sunday World this week that didnt have a disabled sticker for his white Mercedes but he felt he should have one by right  and blamed the garda for getting f***ing hot.

OSullivan, with an address at Dan Desmond Terrace, Station Road, Carrigaline, County Cork, was given a suspended sentence after pleading guilty to obstructing Garda Kevin ONeill at Cork District Court earlier this month.

The Sunday World called to that address in recent days but a woman living there said he moved out a number of months ago and is now living in Midleton.

Florence O' Sullivan from Cork who received a five month suspended sentence following an altercation with gardai

However, we met up with OSullivan in Cork city centre on Friday to ask him about the bizarre incident and, despite his guilty plea, he tried to suggest he wasnt to blame for the incident.

No, no, see I should have a disabled sticker by right. I told him Id come off of the parking thing in the South Mall and he got f***ing hot then.

OSullivan, who is originally from west Cork and previously worked in construction, didnt explain why he felt he should have a disabled sticker by right.

He added that he didnt enjoy being pepper sprayed. Twas horrible, yeah. It nearly burned the eyes out of me, he said.

OSullivan was given a five-month suspended sentence when he appeared at Cork District Court earlier this month.

The Cork Echo reported that Sergeant Pat Lyons told the court that Garda ONeill was on his own at South Mall, Cork, on April 28 2019 when he noticed the Mercedes and approached OSullivan about parking in the disabled bay.

Sgt Lyons said OSullivan told the officer: Youll die inside in hell yet. Go away and f*** off.

He continued to abuse the officer. You can go away and f*** yourself, before adding, Ill f***ing kill you.

OSullivan got out of his car and Garda ONeill went to arrest him when a patrol van arrived at the scene  but the angry pensioner grabbed the officer by the stab vest, grabbed his radio and continued to threaten to kill him.

Gardai eventually had to pepper spray OSullivan and handcuff him before putting him in the back of the patrol van.

He has previous convictions for engaging in threatening behaviour, theft and road traffic offences.

Judge Olann Kelleher said: Sixty-seven and he is still doing it. He is creating havoc in the city whenever he gets excited.

This man in his Mercedes driving into a disabled parking place  what about the poor people who need that parking spot? That was a selfish act by Mr OSullivan.

He is well known to the courts.. It cannot go on  giving out to everyone in town who comes near him.
The body of the 63-year-old victim was discovered on the driveway of his home in Orkney Drive on Wednesday

The scene in Orkney Drive in Ballymena.   PA

A man has been charged with the murder of Victor Hamilton in Ballymena.

The 29-year-old is due to appear before Coleraine Magistrates' Court sitting in Ballymena via videolink on Monday morning.

The body of the 63-year-old victim was discovered on the driveway of his home in Orkney Drive on Wednesday.

As is normal procedure, all charges will be reviewed by the Public Prosecution Service.

Read more Death of Victor Hamilton is second stab murder to rock Co Antrim housing estate in two years

Detective Inspector Gina Quinn said: "We would like to thank the public for their assistance to date and continue to appeal to anyone with any information that could assist us with our investigation to contact us on 101 quoting reference 273 27/07/22.

The scene in Orkney Drive in Ballymena.   PA

"Information can also be provided to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 which is 100% anonymous and gives people the power to speak up and stop crime.

The 29-year-old was arrested on Thursday in the Spring Meadows area of Armagh.

A 23-year-old woman was detained on Friday in the Belfast area, while a 33-year-old man was detained in Portadown in the early hours of Sunday.
Single charge | Man charged with murder of Victor Hamilton in Co Antrim remanded into custody

Mamadu Saido Djalo with an address at Springfield Crescent in west Belfast, is accused of the murder of Mr Hamilton

Victor Hamilton (Credit: PSNI)

Paul Higgins Belfast Telegraph Mon 1 Aug 2022 at 13:35







A 29-year-old man accused of the murder of Victor Hamilton, who was found outside his Ballymena home, has been remanded into custody.
It was alleged the occupier woke to find Cabra man Jason Kane sitting in his bedroom

Jason Kane allegedly trespassed and bit occupier of the home

The case against a man accused of trespassing in a house and biting the resident could be struck out if a medical report is not provided by the prosecution.

Jason Kane (29) allegedly bit into the mans bicep in a scuffle when found intruding in his home.

Judge Bryan Smyth further adjourned the case at Dublin District Court but said a report on the mans injuries would need to be produced by the next date.

Mr Kane, of St Attracta Road, Cabra, is charged with assault causing harm and trespassing in a manner likely to cause fear at Innisfallen Parade, Phibsborough on September 5, 2021.

It was alleged the occupier woke to find Mr Kane sitting in his bedroom.

He could provide no reason why he was there and the resident tried to detain him.

It was alleged Mr Kane bit into the arm of the injured party which resulted in a bite mark on his bicep.

It was also alleged he threw glass bottles, causing superficial cuts to the mans finger and thumb.

The bite resulted in the skin being broken and the wound was open, the court heard.

Clinical notes did not refer to any possible infection or permanent scarring.

A medical report was previously ordered and the defence solicitor said there was no explanation why it was still not available.

The judge said it was needed for consideration of jurisdiction. He marked a September adjournment peremptory against the state, meaning the case could be struck out if there is no progress.
Walsh lost control of his 150k Ferrari California T on the Belfast Road in Holywood, crashing into two parked cars and then fleeing the scene, knowing he was well over the limit

A solicitor acting on behalf of 58-year-old Christopher David Walsh told Belfast Magistrates Court on Friday that the property developer was pleading guilty to a speeding offence on May 8, 2020.

Following the admission, a prosecuting lawyer withdrew other charges that Walsh was driving without a licence or insurance on that date.

Almost seven years ago, Walsh, from Danesfort Park West in south Belfast, totalled his red convertible Ferrari. That case came to a conclusion last week and a judicial referral was made to the police to investigate Walsh for alleged perjury.

On September 4, 2015, Walsh lost control of his 150,000 Ferrari California T on the Belfast Road in Holywood, crashing into two parked cars and then fleeing the scene, knowing he was well over the limit.

The crashed Ferrari

Dismissing his appeal at Belfast County Appeal Court, Judge Richard Greene QC labelled Walsh a completely incredible witness whose story I do not believe a word of.

Walsh was convicted of driving with excess alcohol, careless driving, failing to stop at the scene of an accident and failing to remain at the scene of an accident. He was given a five-year driving ban and 75 hours of community service.

Having crashed into two cars and with the force of the impact shearing off the front passenger wheel, Walsh fled.

He tried to hide in bushes in the grounds of the offices of the Council for Catholic Maintained Schools.

However, he was followed by a witness and an off-duty police officer. The cop said that when he tried to help him stand, he was unsteady on his feet and his breath had a strong smell of intoxicating liquor.

Arrested for driving while unfit and taken to Bangor PSNI station, he initially refused to give an evidential sample. When he eventually did, he was found to be more than twice the legal limit.

In court on Friday, his solicitor said he still had two years of his ban left to serve. Deputy District Judge Philip Mateer imposed a 60 fine, three penalty points and a 15 offender levy for the speeding offence.

Walsh is due back in court on Wednesday over more driving offences. Its alleged that on May 15 this year, he drove on the Malone Road while unfit, without a licence and insurance, and when police were investigating him for driving with excess alcohol, that he twice refused to provide a specimen.
The driver, Chloe McNamara, whose father was murdered when she was a baby was sentenced to seven years in prison

A horrified hush fell as CCTV footage of a car being used as a weapon to drive over three people was shown in a courtroom this week.

The driver, Chloe McNamara, whose father was murdered when she was a baby, admitted to a series of offences following the incident in which all three people were left with significant injuries.

The 21-year-old was sentenced to seven years in prison this week for deliberately driving at the people as they came out of a fast-food restaurant.

The man, his wife and sister-in-law, who had their backs to McNamaras red Audi A4 were thrown into the air by the impact and there was no sign of the vehicles brake lights coming on.

In the immediate aftermath there was chaos in the crowded Market Square area in Limerick city which hosts a number of popular nightspots.

The car, which had been bought for 500, was found 15 minutes later by gardai near Moyross with blood clearly visible on the windscreen and the bonnet.

The three suffered a number of injuries including fractured vertebrae in the neck and back.

The injured man said in his victim impact statement: This evil act changed mine and my familys lives forever.

One of the injured women said her life had changed forever physically and mentally all because of a completely senseless act.

The other woman spoke of the chaos on the night with people taking out their phones to record the aftermath.

It was humiliating. It was surreal.

Her injuries required her to wear a body brace and needed physiotherapy to help her to walk again while she struggled financially as a result of being out of work.

McNamaras own tragic background emerged in court, where it was heard she came from a difficult and traumatic domestic background.

Although he was not named in court, Sunday World sources say her father was John OSullivan who was stabbed to death in 2001 at the age of 27.

His killer Johnny Taz McNamara is still serving a life sentence in the Midlands Prison since his 2003 murder trial, which was the first to be held outside of Dublin.

When he was charged with murder he replied: I did not mean to kill him.

During the trial his sister Louise McNamara, who had been in an on-off relationship with OSullivan, gave evidence of running to her brothers house after being attacked by OSullivan.

When he attacked her again near the house in Moyross her brother ran from the house and chased OSullivan, stabbing him 11 times in a killing that was caught on CCTV.

The video footage showed the accused man returning to where the victim lay bleeding to death shortly after the row to stab him one final time.

windscreen

During her own recent court appearances, it emerged Chloe McNamara had 37 previous convictions and was on bail at the time of the Market Square incident on October 10, 2021.

She was arrested shortly after mowing down the trio, telling gardai the man had battered her windscreen, although there was no evidence of this.

She told a garda she had drunk two glasses of vodka and smoked a couple of joints that night.

I was revving the car. I just wanted to get them out of the way. I was just vexed. I didnt see a girl. Tell that girl Im sorry. I meant to hit your man, not all of them...I just wanted to hurt him for battering my car. I didnt mean to hit him that hard.

In a letter of apology read out in court this week McNamara said she is truly sorry for actions which caused suffering to the victims.

I feel this shame every day.

Judge Tom ODonnell said

the victims had sustained serious and significant injuries while McNamaras actions were pre-meditated and reckless, describing them as chilling.

The judge imposed a prison sentence totalling nine years with the final two years suspended.
Wang Huning, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and a member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee, attends and addresses the opening ceremony of China National Archives of Publications and Culture in Beijing, capital of China, July 30, 2022. China National Archives of Publications and Culture, which are headquartered in Beijing, opened on Saturday in the country's capital. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu) BEIJING, July 30 (Xinhua) -- China National Archives of Publications and Culture, which are headquartered in Beijing, opened on Saturday in the country's capital. Wang Huning, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and a member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee, attended and addressed the opening ceremony. Noting the importance of shouldering the country's cultural mission and promoting mutual learning between civilizations, Wang highlighted the functions of the national archives in collections, exhibitions, research and communication, and their importance in carrying on China's fine traditional culture and presenting its national image. The project has three branches in the cities of Xi'an, Hangzhou and Guangzhou, and opening activities were also held in these locations on the same day. A visitor looks at exhibits at the headquarters of the National Archives of Publications and Culture in Beijing, capital of China, July 30, 2022. China National Archives of Publications and Culture, which are headquartered in Beijing, opened on Saturday in the country's capital. The project has three branches in the cities of Xi'an, Hangzhou and Guangzhou, and opening activities were also held in these locations on the same day. (Xinhua/Li Xin) Visitors look at exhibits at the headquarters of the National Archives of Publications and Culture in Beijing, capital of China, July 30, 2022. China National Archives of Publications and Culture, which are headquartered in Beijing, opened on Saturday in the country's capital. The project has three branches in the cities of Xi'an, Hangzhou and Guangzhou, and opening activities were also held in these locations on the same day. (Xinhua/Li Xin) Visitors look at exhibits at the headquarters of the National Archives of Publications and Culture in Beijing, capital of China, July 30, 2022. China National Archives of Publications and Culture, which are headquartered in Beijing, opened on Saturday in the country's capital. The project has three branches in the cities of Xi'an, Hangzhou and Guangzhou, and opening activities were also held in these locations on the same day. (Xinhua/Li He) Aerial photo taken on July 30, 2022 shows a view of the headquarters of the National Archives of Publications and Culture in Beijing, capital of China. China National Archives of Publications and Culture, which are headquartered in Beijing, opened on Saturday in the country's capital. The project has three branches in the cities of Xi'an, Hangzhou and Guangzhou, and opening activities were also held in these locations on the same day. (Xinhua/Li He) A visitor looks at exhibits at the headquarters of the National Archives of Publications and Culture in Beijing, capital of China, July 30, 2022. China National Archives of Publications and Culture, which are headquartered in Beijing, opened on Saturday in the country's capital. The project has three branches in the cities of Xi'an, Hangzhou and Guangzhou, and opening activities were also held in these locations on the same day. (Xinhua/Li He) Visitors look at exhibits at the headquarters of the National Archives of Publications and Culture in Beijing, capital of China, July 30, 2022. China National Archives of Publications and Culture, which are headquartered in Beijing, opened on Saturday in the country's capital. The project has three branches in the cities of Xi'an, Hangzhou and Guangzhou, and opening activities were also held in these locations on the same day. (Xinhua/Li He) Photo taken on July 30, 2022 shows part of the collections at the headquarters of the National Archives of Publications and Culture in Beijing, capital of China. China National Archives of Publications and Culture, which are headquartered in Beijing, opened on Saturday in the country's capital. The project has three branches in the cities of Xi'an, Hangzhou and Guangzhou, and opening activities were also held in these locations on the same day. (Xinhua/Li Xin) Visitors listen to music at the pop music publications area of the Guangzhou branch of the National Archives of Publications and Culture in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province, July 30, 2022. China National Archives of Publications and Culture, which are headquartered in Beijing, opened on Saturday in the country's capital. The project has three branches in the cities of Xi'an, Hangzhou and Guangzhou, and opening activities were also held in these locations on the same day. (Xinhua/Liu Dawei) Visitors look at exhibits at the headquarters of the National Archives of Publications and Culture in Beijing, capital of China, July 30, 2022. China National Archives of Publications and Culture, which are headquartered in Beijing, opened on Saturday in the country's capital. The project has three branches in the cities of Xi'an, Hangzhou and Guangzhou, and opening activities were also held in these locations on the same day. (Xinhua/Li Xin) Visitors look at exhibits at the Xi'an branch of the National Archives of Publications and Culture in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, July 30, 2022. China National Archives of Publications and Culture, which are headquartered in Beijing, opened on Saturday in the country's capital. The project has three branches in the cities of Xi'an, Hangzhou and Guangzhou, and opening activities were also held in these locations on the same day. (Xinhua/Li Yibo) Aerial photo taken on July 30, 2022 shows a view of the Xi'an branch of the National Archives of Publications and Culture in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province. China National Archives of Publications and Culture, which are headquartered in Beijing, opened on Saturday in the country's capital. The project has three branches in the cities of Xi'an, Hangzhou and Guangzhou, and opening activities were also held in these locations on the same day. (Xinhua/Li Yibo) Visitors take photo of exhibits at the Hangzhou branch of the National Archives of Publications and Culture in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, July 30, 2022. China National Archives of Publications and Culture, which are headquartered in Beijing, opened on Saturday in the country's capital. The project has three branches in the cities of Xi'an, Hangzhou and Guangzhou, and opening activities were also held in these locations on the same day. (Xinhua/Jiang Han) Aerial photo taken on July 30, 2022 shows a view of the Xi'an branch of the National Archives of Publications and Culture in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province. China National Archives of Publications and Culture, which are headquartered in Beijing, opened on Saturday in the country's capital. The project has three branches in the cities of Xi'an, Hangzhou and Guangzhou, and opening activities were also held in these locations on the same day. (Xinhua/Li Yibo) Aerial photo taken on July 30, 2022 shows a view of the Hangzhou branch of the National Archives of Publications and Culture in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province. China National Archives of Publications and Culture, which are headquartered in Beijing, opened on Saturday in the country's capital. The project has three branches in the cities of Xi'an, Hangzhou and Guangzhou, and opening activities were also held in these locations on the same day. (Xinhua/Jiang Han) An ancient book is exhibited at the Hangzhou branch of the National Archives of Publications and Culture in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, July 30, 2022. China National Archives of Publications and Culture, which are headquartered in Beijing, opened on Saturday in the country's capital. The project has three branches in the cities of Xi'an, Hangzhou and Guangzhou, and opening activities were also held in these locations on the same day. (Xinhua/Jiang Han) Aerial photo taken on July 30, 2022 shows a view of the Guangzhou branch of the National Archives of Publications and Culture in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province. China National Archives of Publications and Culture, which are headquartered in Beijing, opened on Saturday in the country's capital. The project has three branches in the cities of Xi'an, Hangzhou and Guangzhou, and opening activities were also held in these locations on the same day. (Xinhua/Liu Dawei) Aerial photo taken on July 30, 2022 shows a view of the Xi'an branch of the National Archives of Publications and Culture in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province. China National Archives of Publications and Culture, which are headquartered in Beijing, opened on Saturday in the country's capital. The project has three branches in the cities of Xi'an, Hangzhou and Guangzhou, and opening activities were also held in these locations on the same day. (Xinhua/Li Yibo) Aerial photo taken on July 30, 2022 shows a view of the Guangzhou branch of the National Archives of Publications and Culture in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province. China National Archives of Publications and Culture, which are headquartered in Beijing, opened on Saturday in the country's capital. The project has three branches in the cities of Xi'an, Hangzhou and Guangzhou, and opening activities were also held in these locations on the same day. (Xinhua/Liu Dawei)
'tall tale' | Shoplifter took clothes to try on in car as he was afraid of changing room Covid risk

Paul Mulvin (57) was caught with hundreds of euro worth of stolen clothes

Liffey Valley shopping centre

Andrew Phelan Independent.ie Mon 1 Aug 2022 at 09:30







A shoplifter caught with hundreds of euro worth of stolen clothes claimed he was anxious about using store fitting rooms during Covid and took them to change in his car.
Mr Justice McAlinden overturned a previous grant of bail to Barry Noone on a charge of murdering 77-year-old Margaret Una Noone at their home in Cookstown, Co Tyrone.

A man who allegedly strangled his elderly mother to death while she was in his care must remain in custody, a High Court judge ruled today.

Mr Justice McAlinden overturned a previous grant of bail to Barry Noone on a charge of murdering 77-year-old Margaret Una Noone at their home in Cookstown, Co Tyrone.

He backed an appeal by the Public Prosecution Service after being told examination of the defendants phone revealed internet searches for "matricide.

I have no hesitation in reversing the decision of the District Judge and remanding this person in custody because of the clear risk of harm to others, Mr Justice McAlinden said.

Noone, 45, is accused of carrying out the killing and then attempting suicide last month.

Police discovered his mothers body in her bed at the Ratheen Avenue property on June 19, with Rosary beads placed carefully in her hands.

Noone was located in another bedroom, apparently having taken up to 30 pills hours earlier.

Officers went to the address after he allegedly contacted the emergency services to say he had done something to his mother.

A friend in England also reported receiving a two-page suicide letter from the defendant which stated that he had killed his mother and taken an overdose.

When police arrived at the property the blinds were closed, with a notepad on a hall table containing the message: "Please dont come in. Call the police. Im so sorry. Barry."

Searches led to Noone being located under the sheets in a bed upstairs, under the influence of drink or drugs.

His elderly mother was discovered in another room, lying on her back in bed and displaying no sign of life.

Initial post mortem reports indicate she died from compression of the neck, the court heard.

When asked at the scene what happed to his mother Noone allegedly replied: I murdered her.

Further examination of the notepad revealed a letter allegedly signed by the defendant, setting out how he had been unable to take any more.

Noone, who lived in London for 20 years, described the traumatic experience of looking after his mother since returning in April, and then having to isolate in his bedroom since contracting Covid the previous week.

He fell into a deep depression and lost the will to live, but could not leave his mother to endure her struggles alone, the court heard.

Noone stated that her crosses had become his crosses and he couldnt carry them anymore.

In a prepared statement provided later to police, Noone said: I accept my actions caused the death of my mother.

Prosecutors mounted an appeal after he was granted magistrates bail on Friday to live at a friends address in London.

Those arrangements involve staying with a man who is recovering from both major bowel surgery and long Covid, the court heard.

Claiming that Noone continues to pose a risk, Crown lawyer Fiona OKane said: His phones show that he Googled matricide and he Googled how long it would take you to die if you slit your wrists.

She argued that Noone should have taken alternative steps to seek help if he was struggling to cope.

This is a man who, in a very short time period, who came to this jurisdiction to assist his mother, within two and a half months has murdered his mother, counsel submitted.

Defence barrister Fintan McAleer stressed that expert medical evidence does not suggest his client will inevitably self-harm.

Disputing concerns raised about the alleged internet searches for matricide, he added: The risk that term posed is particular to one person who sadly is now deceased. It doesnt increase the risk to anybody else.

However, Mr Justice McAlinden emphasised that a consultant psychiatrist report does not support Noones case that he was suffering from mental illness at the time of the alleged murder.

He expressed surprise at the proposals for the defendant to live with a friend who has their own health issues.

Denying bail, the judge pointed out: If Mr Noone is caring for him, providing some form of support and feels that its all too much or (he) is unable to cope with his condition, who knows what might happen."

*This story was updated on August 4.
Last Monday Moody, who had 20 years experience as a garda, pleaded guilty to inflicting a four-year regime of terror on his former partner and was remanded in custody.

The sound of handcuffs snapping shut may have been familiar to ex-garda Paul Moody, but it was the first time they shut around his own wrists.

Last Monday Moody, who had 20 years experience as a garda, pleaded guilty to inflicting a four-year regime of terror on his former partner and was remanded in custody.

The next day he got three years and three months for his crime, joining a handful of ex-gardai serving time in prison.

This week he has been in Covid quarantine in Mountjoy Prison, but it is likely he will be transferred to another prison where he will serve his time in protective custody.

As an ex-garda he will never be able to mix with the general population due to the threat of violence against him, which the Irish Prison Service are obliged to protect him from.

Such prisoners are usually transferred to the Midlands Prison, one of the biggest in the country, where they can be kept isolated.

26/7/22 Paul Moody arriving at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for his sentence hearing. PIC: Collins Courts

If he does go to the Co Laois lock-up hell be joining ex-Superintendent John Spud Murphy (61) who pleaded guilty to possessing drugs for sale and supply.

He admitted at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, via a video link from Cloverhill Prison, to having cannabis, worth more than 13,000, at his home in North Dublin on September 29, 2021.

Murphy was remanded in continuing custody until October 4, this year when he is due for sentence.

There is another ex-garda serving a short sentence for the possession of child abuse images for which he got six months.

John McHugh (68) from Tralee, who had won a Scott Medal for Bravery during his career, had retired from the force when he accessed the material.

McHugh was convicted by a jury following his trial at Tralee Circuit Court after he pleaded not guilty to possessing the illegal material, which he downloaded off the internet between 2006 and 2009.

Judge Pat Meghan, who handed down the sentence on Monday, noted that it would be exceptionally difficult for McHugh to go to prison, due to him having been a garda.

The judge said some of the victims in the images McHugh had downloaded were of girls and boys aged between ten and 12 years involved in sexual activity.

McHugh had served as an exemplary officer for 32 years, being rewarded for his bravery for rescuing people from a burning building, until his retirement in 2004.

Earlier this year ex-garda Stephen Cooper (37) got a six-year sentence for assaulting two women including one in which he inserted his fingers into her internally after accusing her of stealing his drugs.

In 2014 he got a three-year sentence for offences when he was a serving garda including allowing another man be wrongfully prosecuted for possession of drugs found during a search at the Electric Picnic music festival in 2009.

Cooper was also charged with stealing a bag of cannabis worth 560 from Sundrive Garda Station on May 27, 2010, but the charge was withdrawn by the prosecution.

Sources indicate there are at least two other ex-gardai currently serving time for sexual offences who cant be named to protect the anonymity of their victims.

It emerged this week Moody had used his position as garda to maintain his coercive control over the woman and to divert attempts to make a complaint about his behaviour.

Harrowing evidence was heard in court how he had mocked her as she received life-saving cancer treatment and even took her medication.

It has been reported the Director of Prosecutions accepted an offer to plead guilty to just one charge of coercive control amid fears the impact a contested trial would have on the victims health.

He was eventually caught when he tried to make a complaint about a member of the womans family and handed in his phone as part of the investigation.

At that point detectives from the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation realised what was going on and approached the victim.

The woman told RTE news this week that the investigating team were amazing and they gave me back my faith in An Garda Siochana".

"He handed his own phone in and they came to me and said 'We know what he's doing to you'."

"While trying to destroy my life, he actually destroyed his own. No-one deserves to get away with treating anyone like this.

"No other human being should treat another human being this way. It's cruel and beyond evil."

The woman said that she is due to continue her treatment.

"I now need time to concentrate on my health and my recovery.
Carrolls Irish Gifts confirmed to the Sunday World, after we made bosses aware of Stapletons crimes, that he is no longer working for the chain

But, Carrolls Irish Gifts confirmed to the Sunday World, after we made bosses aware of Stapletons crimes, that he is no longer working for the chain.

We confronted the 34-year-old pervert this week after he helped close up the companys outlet in Dublins Temple Bar, where he defended his decision not to make his employers aware of his conviction.

If they had asked, Id have been open with them and let them make the decision from there, but they never asked me, he said.

Martin Stapleton working in Carrolls store

We notified Carrolls, which also has a flagship store off OConnell Bridge, of Stapletons convictions on Friday.

A spokesperson later told us: When we became aware of this, his employment was terminated.

He no longer works for this company.

Stapleton was released from prison in April 2021 after serving 18 months for distributing a video of a young girl being raped. The video showed a female child being orally raped by an adult man.

Following a garda search of Stapletons home in Ballyboden, sparked by intelligence shared by Merseyside Police, 119 images and 18 videos of child pornography were discovered on Stapletons devices.

Martin Stapleton served 18 months

When we approached Stapleton, we asked him if he felt it was appropriate that he was working in an outlet where so many tourists were shopping with their children.

Im trying to move on, to be honest with you, he said.

The guards know Im working there.

Im know I have my previous convictions but I have been trying to get a job to get out.

I know where I can and cant work.

I mean, I cant work in a McDonalds, I cant work or interact with anyone with disabilities, Im really just trying to move on one day at a time.

Convicted child porn distributor Stapleton outside his workplace

Asked if he had told Carrolls about his convictions, Stapleton replied: No. They didnt ask in any contracts or interviews.

I dont know about any other employers  but they never asked me.

Asked whether in spite of this, he should have told his employers, Stapleton responded: Well, if they had asked. In the law, under the Sex Offences Act, you have to ask!

If they had asked, Id have been open with them and let them make the decision from there, but they never asked me.

Put to him, even if what he was saying was true, he should have been upfront at recruitment stage, and in light of the fact so many tourists were bringing children into the shop, Stapleton replied: Well, the guards knew!

The liaison officer and detectives are aware that Im working in Carrolls.

They are my monitoring gardai so if they had an issue with me working in Carrolls, they would have said it to me out straight.

If I would have told them I was working in a McDonalds, they would have told me I cant and I would have known that myself anyway.

Earlier this year, Stapleton was forced to shut down a GoFundMe page seeking funds to help him get accommodation in Dublin after details of his past were shared online.

The vile voyeur had built up a following of more than 1,000 people on Twitter before he began asking for money to help him secure a home.

After well-intentioned well-wishers began sharing Stapletons tweet in the hope of getting him housed, he quickly began soliciting donations on GoFundMe.

He managed to raise 1,130 before people identified him and began linking his appeal to an article theSunday Worldpublished in May last year following his release from Arbour Hill prison.

After the article was shared among Stapletons followers, he denied that he would have moved into a property where children are living.

I would have not went or taking any homes with kids [sic], he wrote.

I no what I can do and cant do under the law[sic].

Stapleton later apologised for not being honest with his followers.

Everyone, I am truly sorry of not been 100 per cent honest with people about my past, he wrote.

Yes, I do have a past conviction and I am sorry I didnt tell anyone of my past.

But my situation stands as a homeless person.

I am in the process of getting onto gofund.me and refund.

Stapletons GoFundMe was subsequently closed.

Asked this week whether he had in fact returned all the money, as he promised, Stapleton told us: I have refunded it through GoFundMe.

I contacted GoFundMe directly and they took the money back from their page.

Our reporter talks to convicted child porn distributor Stapleton outside his workplace

Asked whether he appreciated the fact that his employment with Carrolls could put the chain in a difficult position, particularly in light of the fact they were unaware of his convictions, Stapleton said: I know. But, Im not one to go around vetting everyone in Carrolls.

Anywhere I go to work, whether as a night porter or in any shop, there are going to be families and kids.

But I need to move on with my life to stop me re-offending.

I need to get structure and a routine going in my life and this is helping me.

I didnt qualify to take part in the Building Better Lives programme in prison but I did counselling in prison and I did counselling when I came out.

Im finished with my counselling now and Im linked in with my GP and the gardai in the station.

Im not looking for individuals sympathy. Im personally trying to move on with my life.

I know I hurt my family and my friends and I want to move on.
Pubspy

Pubspy - Galway city | The 5.10 pints in Monroes of Galway City stole our hearts in city of tribes
The Irish criminals predominately based in Spain include convicted armed robber Kevin Lynch, who has worked as an enforcer for the gang, and senior figure Gary Finnegan

US ambassador Claire Cronin with former Assistant Garda Commissioner John O'Driscoll announcing a $5m reward for key information leading to the dismantling of the Kinahan crime gang in April. Photo: Frank McGrath

The Irish Independenthas learned that a number of the crime groups key lieutenants are continuing to operate independently out of their Spanish base to run their drugs network importing cocaine and cannabis into the Irish and UK market.

Sources have said that this cohort have been working separately from the cartel hierarchy in Dubai in recent months but remain loyal to the Kinahans and are still trading under their name.

US ambassador Claire Cronin with former Assistant Garda Commissioner John O'Driscoll announcing a $5m reward for key information leading to the dismantling of the Kinahan crime gang in April. Photo: Frank McGrath

The Irish criminals predominately based in Spain include convicted armed robber Kevin Lynch, who has worked as an enforcer for the gang, and senior figure Gary Finnegan.

Another associate is a man in his 30s who has a senior role within the gang and is suspected of acting as the gangs accountant.

He has previously been targeted by the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) and recently received a prison term for a fraud- related crime.

A source said: They are still continuing to run their drugs operation despite the sanctions against the Kinahan gang. They are sourcing drugs directly from South America which are sold on the Irish and UK markets.

This gang has also been linked to the importation of cannabis into Ireland recently and appears to be operating as normal, while also working with other gangs to import large shipments of drugs.

They still answer to the Kinahan hierarchy but are operating at a distance after the sanctions were imposed by OFAC (Office of Foreign Assets Control).

Gardai believe the gang still has a powerbase in Ireland to distribute drugs while senior associates run the day-to-day operations from outside of this jurisdiction.

One method being used by the gang is to rent properties from legitimate people which are then used as hubs to receive and distribute drugs.

Gardai recently made a multi-million-euro drug seizure in the south-east of the country after searching a business premises.

The unsuspecting owners believed the property was being used as a food business but instead it was a cover for the drug operation.

Investigations into the wider Kinahan network are continuing with gardai receiving significant amounts of intelligence through a reward scheme announced by the US Department of State.

Up to $5m (4.9m) is being offered to anyone who provides information leading to the prosecution of the Kinahan hierarchy, or that would dismantle what has been termed a transnational criminal organisation.

Daniel Kinahan  who US officials say is nicknamed Chess, Cuz, and D  was described as running the day-to-day operations of the gang while his brother Christopher Jnr, known as Mano, has access to the gangs funds and the ability to direct proceeds to persons and businesses outside of Dubai.
At least 150 firefighters and twelve fire engines came together to put out the flames, which were extinguished by 1.30am.

The blaze broke out at an industrial estate in Beesd on Thursday. Photo: Crimesite

A huge blaze in a Dutch business park has been linked to an exploding drug lab.

The fire broke out in the village of Beesd, about an hour from Rotterdam, on Thursday and police said that they found remains of a possible drug lab the following day.

At least 150 firefighters and twelve fire engines came together to put out the flames, which were extinguished by 1.30am.

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According to De Gelderlander, a boiler that was reportedly used to manufacture ecstasy pills exploded just after 8.30 pm and a huge fire broke out.

As a result, a business premises that housed a contracting company, a billboard printer, and a car parts dealer burned to the ground. The drug lab was located at the front of the building, but it is not yet known whether this space belonged to one of the companies.

The fire thankfully was contained and didnt spread but nearby buildings did suffer smoke and soot damage while several windows were also shattered.

Footage from the scene shows enormous clouds of smoke and high flames coming from the building.

No suspects have been found as police continue to investigate the cause of the fire.

A drug lab had previously been found in the same industrial estate back in 2020.

Police hunted down the lab after discovering ecstasy pills and GHB inside a car, leading them to a garage and shed in the Beesd industrial estate.

They also found a bus which was used as a Breaking Bad-style mobile lab to produce ecstasy, MDMA, and LSD.
Banks are accused of not answering phones, under-staffing branches so there are long queues, and failing to quickly repair broken ATMs

Banks used a range of sneaky tactics under the cover of Covid to run down branches, forcing people to use digital platforms instead of cash, it has been claimed.

The banks are accused of not answering phones, under-staffing branches so there are long queues, and failing to quickly repair broken ATMs as a way of pushing people to do their banking online.

The Financial Services Union (FSU) claimed banks were engaged in a deliberate policy of moving people away from cash payments and bricks-and-mortar banking.

In a submission to the Governments retail banking review, the FSU said banks are failing personal customers, small firms and their staff.

The FSU said the sale of hundreds of ATMs to private operators and the removal of ATMs from a large number of branches shows that banks have little interest in servicing their customers.

The FSU submission referenced a survey commissioned by the Department of Finance showing 58pc of people think banking services have got worse since the crash.

FSU general secretary John OConnell said: The banks have used Covid and the transition from it to force people on to digital platforms, whether they want to or not.

The lack of staffing banks is chronic in banks for a reason. It creates long queues. It is the same with the phone lines.

He said ATMs were out of service a lot and claimed that inadequate service contracts have been agreed, which means it can take a while for ATM services to be restored.

Covid has been the Trojan horse used to force people on to digital platforms.

He claimed the banks said they were temporarily reducing hours of service during the pandemic but have failed to restore these to pre-Covid levels.

This is all to deny people cash and drive them online.

Both Bank of Ireland and AIB have closed 100 branches between them over the last 18 months, the submission said.

The submission was written before AIB proposed plans to withdraw cash services and take ATMs out of 70 of its branches.

The chief executive of AIB later admitted the bank got it wrong amid a public outcry and political cricitism. The bank reversed the decision to downgrade the branches.

We got it wrong, Colin Hunt told Business News on RTEs Morning Ireland. The lesson for us from this is that we moved far too far, far too fast.

Mr OConnell said a European Central Bank strategy paper on cash has stressed that the acceptance of cash is essential for the freedom of choice on how people pay for products and services.

A head-long rush to eliminate cash from society without proper consideration, which is what appears to be occurring, is not a responsible or thought-out strategy, the submission says.

The FSU wants the Government to put legislation in place to allow for the regulation of the prices and service standards for ATMS that are privately operated.

The pay cap on AIB, Bank of Ireland and Permanent TSB, which was put in place when they were bailed out, is not just impacting senior executives but also ordinary staff, the FSU submission said.

Part of the pay cap prohibits variable pay. This means banks are not allowed to fund benefits such as contributions towards health insurance premiums and help with childcare costs.

This issue impacts 23,000 workers, the FSU said. It even affects junior staff, including those on starting salaries of 20,000.

The Department of Finances retail banking review is due to issue its recommendations in October.
RIP | Man (80s) dies after falling from mobility scooter in Kinsale, Cork

Shortly after 9:30am, a man in his mid-80s was seriously injured after he fell from a mobility scooter while travelling on Cork Street in the popular Cork tourist town.

Mobility scooter. Photo: stock

Ralph Riegel Independent.ie Mon 1 Aug 2022 at 15:34







A man in his 80s died after a freak accident in which he fell from his mobility scooter while travelling in a Cork town.
The McKinney Fire in northern California, near the border with Oregon, exploded in size on Sunday to more than 82 square miles after erupting on Friday in Klamath National Forest, firefighting officials said.

The McKinney Fire in northern California exploded in size on Sunday.

Two bodies have been found in a charred vehicle in the wildfire zone of a raging California blaze that is among several burning in the western US amid hot, dry and gusty conditions, officials said.

The McKinney Fire in northern California, near the border with Oregon, exploded in size on Sunday to more than 82 square miles after erupting on Friday in Klamath National Forest, firefighting officials said.

It is Californias largest wildfire of the year so far and officials have not determined the cause.

A firetruck drives along California Highway 96 as the McKinney Fire burns in Klamath National Forest, Calif.,   AP/PA Images

The vehicle and the bodies were found on Sunday in the driveway of a residence near the remote community of Klamath River, Siskiyou County Sheriffs Office said.

The blaze cast an eerie, orange-brown hue as flames torched trees along State Route 96 and raced through hillsides in sight of homes.

Firefighting crews were trying to prevent the blaze from moving towards the town of Yreka, population about 7,500, about four miles away.

A smaller fire in the region that was sparked by dry lightning on Saturday is threatening the tiny community of Seiad. Overall, officials said about 400 structures were threatened by the two fires.

A scorched pickup truck rests on California Highway 96 in Klamath National Forest, Calif., as the McKinney Fire burns nearby, Saturday, July 30, 2022. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)   AP/PA Images

Authorities have not confirmed the extent of the damage so far in the areas that have burned, saying assessments will begin when it was safe to go inside them.

A third fire, on the south-west end of the McKinney blaze, prompted evacuation orders for around 500 homes on Sunday, said Courtney Kreider, a spokesperson with Siskiyou County Sheriffs Office.

The office said crews had been on the scene of the fire since late on Saturday but by the following morning it became active and escaped its containment line.

Thunderstorms that brought barrages of lightning and threatened to spark new fires in dry fuel beds in northern California are expected to move out of the area, forecasters said.

Angela Crawford watches as a wildfire called the McKinney fire burns a hillside above her home in Klamath National Forest, Calif., on Saturday, July 30, 2022. Crawford and her husband stayed, as other residents evacuated, to defend their home from the fire. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)   AP/PA Images

In north-west Montana, a fire sparked in grasslands near the town of Elmo had grown to about 17 square miles on Sunday after advancing into forest.

Crews worked along the edges of the fire, and aircraft were expected to continue to make water and retardant drops to help slow the fires advance, said Sara Rouse, a spokesperson for the inter-agency team assigned to the fire.

High temperatures and erratic winds that can help fan flames were predicted, she said.

Flames from the McKinney Fire burn beyond firefighters in Klamath National Forest, Calif., on Sunday, July 31, 2022. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)   AP/PA Images

In Idaho, the Moose Fire in the Salmon-Challis National Forest has burned on more than 75 square miles in timbered land near the town of Salmon, and was 21% contained by Sunday.

In California, governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency on Saturday, allowing him more flexibility to make response and recovery effort decisions and to access federal aid.

Scientists have said climate change has made the West warmer and drier over the last three decades and will continue to make weather more extreme and wildfires more frequent and destructive.

The US Forest service shut down a 110-mile section of the famed Pacific Coast trail in northern California and southern Oregon and hikers in that area were urged to abandon their treks and head to the nearest towns.
Indiyah Polack and Dami Hope secured third place, with Dami telling Laura Whitmore the experience of being on Love Island felt "like a movie".

Ekin-Su and Davide have been crowned winners of Love Island 2022 beating Gemma and Luca into second place.

The live final saw four couples  Ekin-Su Culculoglu and Davide Sanclimenti, Gemma Owen and Luca Bish, Tasha Ghouri and Andrew Le Page, and Indiyah Polack and Dami Hope  compete for the title and the 50,000 prize.

Irish contestant Dami - a 26-year-old microbiologist from Dublin  and Indiyah finished third.

Dami told host Laura Whitmore the experience of being on Love Island felt like a movie.

Tasha Ghouri and Andrew Le Page came in fourth place.

Speaking to Whitmore, Andrew said: My goal was never to make it to the final, it was to find a girl like Tasha.

Tasha said the next step in their relationship would be moving in together in London.

Before the winners were crowned, the boys donned tuxedos for a summer ball and waited for their partners to make an entrance.

Luca told Gemma You look unreal as she walked onto the terrace while Ekin-Sus arrival in a satin pink ball gown prompted her Italian partner Davide to exclaim that she looked beautiful.

The couples then took turns reading their declarations of love to each other.

Dami had to pause and compose himself before reading his vow to Indiyah while during Gemmas vow to Luca she professed her love for him and said she cant wait to start a new chapter.

Ekin-Su admitted it had been one hell of a ride with Davide but added: They say Rome wasnt built in a day and neither were we before saying they were soul mates.

Whitmore welcomed viewers to the live final of the 2022 series and confirmed the winning couple will not have to choose whether to split or steal the prize money of 50,000, as in previous years.

She said: After eight hot weeks and 36 amazing islanders looking for love, only four couples remain. There have been blow dries, bombshells and bed-hopping galore. But who will be crowned winners of Love Island 2022? The winning couple will split a huge 50,000 and this year we are not even asking them to choose between love and money.

The voice of Love Island Iain Stirling has said it is bittersweet as the eighth series comes to an end tonight.

The 34-year-old Scottish comedian and TV star, who is married to Whitmore, has narrated the ITV2 show since 2015. Whitmore has hosted it since 2020.

He told Good Morning Britain: I think it is bittersweet from contestant up to, you know, executive producer and everyone in-between, it is that thing of its two months, its every day. Weve had such a nice time. Were all probably ready to go home.

But were very excited for the final and also theres that horrible feeling of then its over? And what do you do? What do you do with your evenings?
Theres no job description for being a district councillor, according to Whakatane District Councils people and engagement general manager Emlyn Hatch.

Emlyn did, however, reveal a list of qualities required to do the job successfully at the first of two information hui for prospective candidates, held on Tuesday night.

Eleven people attended the meeting to pick the brains of staff as to what the day-to-day life of a Whakatane district mayor, councillor or community board member really looks like.

This years local body elections have featured a Be a Game Changer campaign to try to attract a more diverse range of candidates to these roles and three Maori ward seats have been created to provide a stronger voice for Maori to the council table.

[District council] is a really unusual beast to govern, says Emlyn.

The gathering included two current district councillors and two community board members.

"Theres lots of different rules, lots of different activities, and on any given day you could be talking about 10 things which are all very different in the way they are operated, planned and funded, says Emlyn.

If you sat on a school board previously, thats complicated enough, but the council has got around 25 different businesses within it.

Each one of those businesses is funded differently. Some are entirely funded by user fees, some of them have no user fees, some are funded by people like New Zealand Transport Agency (Waka Kotahi) and they require a 30-year plan to give us funding.

Some people give us money without any plan.

Among the attributes needed was commitment.

"Theres a lot of work outside normal working hours, on evenings and weekends. You need to be good at time management. You do get pulled in a lot of different directions at different times of the day and times of the year. You must be flexible, be able to prioritise and manage your time effectively, says Emlyn.

Councillors need to be able to read a lot of information that is often technical.

Theres a lot of reading; agendas, minutes, plans, policies, bylaws, submissions, advice, recommendations  there is a lot. If you dont like reading it might not be the role for you, Mr Hatch said.

We encourage you to have a good working knowledge of Te Tiriti. A lot of our work will involve talking about the Treaty on any given day.

Youve got to be a good communicator. You are going to be in the public eye a lot as part of your role. Particularly, when we start live streaming our meetings. You may be called upon to do some public speaking. We want people who want to communicate. Thats really helpful for us as an organisation and equally as important for your communities.

Emlyn says you also needed to have a good grasp of technology and using multiple devices and channels for communication.

I dont know how many times weve heard the phrase, youre on mute, over the past year.

The ability to make strategic decisions that would affect the whole community was among the most important qualities needed in an elected official.

If you are well versed in taking information from a range of sources, listening to a lot of people and then connecting that with what we want to achieve as a team, thats really useful. The worst thing you can do sometimes is not make a decision. They are necessary in order to go forward," says Emlyn.

If youre interested in local council for parks and playgrounds and footpaths, thats all good, but I would like to stress that you will have some significant business decisions to make in the interests of the communities that you serve over the next three years.

The one attribute he considered most important of all was the ability to build relationships.

In this council, youve got 11 elected officials. In order to move forward you need to build a team. You need six people, at least, to be in the same space at the same time in order to move forward. To do that, youve got to be really good at building relationships with people, in the council chamber and in the wider community as well.

Emlyn went over a typical day of a councillor.

Reading and preparation for the next meeting, calls from people in the community, speaking to residents as part of consultation about a new bylaw and theres always events to attend.

With five standing committees, 11 joint committees and multiple sub-committees, depending on your level of commitment, in any given month there could be about six or seven formal meetings to attend, along with workshops and information sessions. Most of that takes place during the day.

Councillor Lesley Immink, who attended the meeting, added that while there was a perception that being a councillor was a part-time job, it was important not to underestimate the time commitment necessary for the role.

Asked whether she thought you could have a job at the same time as being a councillor, Lesley says if you were self-employed, perhaps, but with this last 12 months, with these reforms, the level of increased meetings and workshops just to keep appraised of those has made it very difficult.

She says councillors also needed to be quite resilient with some of the feedback that was received from some members of the community.

You are crossing over a lot of sensitive areas with people and need to be able to respond to them without taking it all on board, personally.

Emlyn says currently local councils had five big items around reform.

If youve been a councillor in the past, you may have served maybe four terms in council previously and dealt with one of these things. Currently weve got five significant [reforms] on the go at the same time. If you get elected in October, the council you lead in three years time could possibly look radically different to the one you get elected to in October.

Another complexity is that, if we see a change in Government, four out of those five might stop. If we get the same government, we might see an acceleration of all five.

He encouraged anyone who is considering standing for a council or community board to pick up copies of the councils pre-election report, which contains information for voters and potential candidates and the Candidate Information Handbook.

Candidate nominations opened on July 15 and will close on August 12 at 12 noon.

Whakatane District Council electoral officer Cindy Butt recommends people not leave this until the last minute as the closing time is strict and all paperwork must be in place by then.

She says once a nomination paper was lodged, it became public information and candidates would be listed on the Whakatane District Council website as they came in.

An official list of candidate names along with a short statement and photograph of the candidate will be available from August 17.

Although no nominations are currently listed on the website, the Local Democracy Reporting has spoken to several people who have indicated they are standing.

Mayoral candidates for the Whakatane district we know of are our current mayor, Judy Turner, councillors Lesley Immink, John Pullar and Nandor Tanczos.

Deputy mayor Andrew Iles has indicated that he intends to stand as a council candidate again in the Te Urewera general ward, Gavin Dennis will stand again in the Rangitaiki general ward, and former Waipa councillor Vern Wilson has said he is standing for the Whakatane-Ohope general ward. Three candidates have indicated that they will be standing in each of the three new Maori Wards. Toni Boynton for Kapu te Rangi, Jackie Te Amo-Te Kurapa for Toi ki Uta and Rihi Vercoe for Rangitaiki Maori.

In Kawerau, Carolyn Ion is the first to have lodged her nomination to stand for council. Mayor Malcolm Campbell has announce that he will not be standing again, and has publicly endorsed deputy mayor Faylene Tunui as Kaweraus next mayor. Mrs Tunui has not responded to questions from Local Democracy Reporting on whether she plans to stand for the position. Councillor Berice Julian has said she plans to stand for another term as councillor, while councillor David Sparks will not be standing as he has moved out of the district. None of the remaining four councillors have responded to questions about whether they will stand again.

In Opotiki, Mayor Lyn Riesterer will stand for the mayoralty again, opposed by councillors David Moore and Louis Rapihana. Councillors Barry Howe and Shona Browne, Steve Nelson and Debi Hocart have said they will stand as councillors again, along with newcomer Tom Brooks.

-Local Democracy Reporting is Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air
Drones spotted buzzing over prisons are probably trying to drop contraband, a Corrections official says.

There have been 10 reported sightings over or near New Zealand prison sites already this year, says Department of Corrections chief custodial officer Neil Beales.

Ground searches after the sightings have not turned up any contraband but Neil says its on Corrections radar and the organisation has geo-fenced sites so remote pilots lose control of their device.

Neil acknowledges that drones are a fairly recent technology advancement which Corrections is dealing with through prevention.

We don't have the technology to knock things out of the sky and, even if we did, we couldnt anyway for health and safety reasons.

Figures from Corrections show in both the 2017/18 and 2018/19 financial years there were seven incidents involving drones. In 2019/20 that increased to 21 yet it dropped slightly to 17 when Covid-19 peaked in 2020/21.

Neil says in 2021/22 there were 16 drone incidents, and one since July 1.

Corrections wouldnt divulge which prisons the drones have been seen over, saying it needs to maintain safety and security.

The department works with other government agencies to stay across the latest developments in drone detection.

We do geofence a lot of our sites, so it doesnt prevent them from flying them over the prisons, but [operators] wont be able to control them.

Neil acknowledges drone technology development is fast, and the capability is progressing.

I know there are drones where you can just programme the coordinates and walk away.

He says the operators are taking a risk when they attempt to use the drones, because they cant be certain the correct person is going to get what theyre trying to deliver.

Neil believes the reason for a drone to be over prison property is to drop contraband.

He doesnt think theyd be used for scouting prison grounds, but wouldnt rule it out.

Its unlikely to be assisting in that area, as they wouldnt be able to access the corridors inside or see internally, but nothing is impossible. Its more likely to be dropping off things and testing how far they can get into the site.

Stopping contraband getting into prisons has always been a priority for Corrections staff. People have been known to throw things over the fence.

When I worked in the UK we would find dead birds with drugs packed in them and oranges with razor blades inside.

We know that people arent going to stop trying to get things into prisons. But we are aware of it and doing all we can to be on the front foot around it.

Our staff are always vigilant and prison perimeters are actively monitored.

Its possible for an average drone to carry between 0.5 and 2kg.

Neil says that criminals are creative and with the advent of drones Corrections has had to step up its game.

The technology will tell you a drone is nearby, but it wont stop it.

Drone sightings are referred to police when necessary.

Corrections staff guidelines have recently been updated with a focus on proactively reporting any sightings, minimising the risk of people in prison receiving contraband by drone drop.

Over the past decade, Corrections have also implemented screening measures to stop contraband entering prisons.

That includes extensive prison perimeter security and limited prison entry points.

There is also increased camera surveillance in prison visit rooms, along the perimeter and at entry points, searches of vehicles entering prison property, the use of scanners and x-ray machines at entry points.

Visitors who try to bring contraband into prisons are banned, while inmates wear closed overalls when in visiting areas. Mail is monitored and specialist detector dog teams are also used.

The Civil Aviation Authority is the regulatory authority for the use of drones in public areas, including around prisons.

The CAA states that a drone cannot be flown in a public space without consent and/or a safety plan. In addition, if a drone introduced contraband into prison, a person could be prosecuted under section 141 of the Corrections Act 2004.

Meanwhile, drones have been useful behind the wire  with Neil acknowledging the use of them during the Waikeria Riot  allowing Corrections to know what they were dealing with.

Neil doesnt want the public to think Corrections is just allowing drones to fly over, as they are a threat to prisons security.

Contraband could be anything and that is probably the scariest thing, is what could get across the border.

-Stuff/Jo Lines-MacKenzie.
Mike King, Tai Tupou and Richie Barnett are gearing up to embark on a nationwide tour to inspire youth, and will be in Tauranga on Thursday.

The Gumboot Army Activation Tour will see mental health advocate and I Am Hope founder Mike King, lead I Am Hope ambassador Tai Tupou and I Am Hopes recently appointed kaiarahi, former league star and mentor Richie Barnett, travel the length of the country from Dunedin through to Waitakere, meeting with sponsors, volunteers and most importantly, members of the community from all walks of life.

Were meeting with the people who make up the backbone of who we are as a charity and what we do. The real heroes of our story, says Mike.

Since 2021, New Zealand has donated $3.3 million for free kids counselling sessions. The money comes from people in the community whove been touched first hand by mental health and suicide. It also comes from businesses who can no longer sit by and watch our rangatahi suffer.

So, were going back to our communities and saying you did an incredible job last year and we will never be able to thank you enough. We need you do it again this year, because our kids are still dying.

While the bureaucrats are busy arguing amongst themselves and mudslinging for political point scoring, we need to get up and do something about it because if nothing changes, then nothing changes.

Thank you New Zealand, for having our kids backs.

Since its launch three years ago, Gumboot Friday has spent more than $2.8 million on 20,481 free counselling sessions for 9376 kiwi kids.

This year, the aim is to provide more than 30,000 free counselling sessions by achieving the $5 million goal.

Gumboot Friday: November 4, 2022

Website: www.gumbootfriday.org.nz

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gumbootupNZ

Instagram: @gumbootfriday

Tour public appearance times and venues:
New Zealand Breastfeeding Alliance, the NZ College of Midwives and the Paediatric Society of New Zealand are joining forces to remind New Zealanders that successful breastfeeding involves the whole whanau.

World Breastfeeding Week runs from August 1-7, and aims to highlight the huge benefits that breastfeeding can bring to both the health and welfare of babies, as well as a wider impact on maternal health, focusing on good nutrition, poverty reduction, sustainability and food security.

The theme of this years World Breastfeeding Week 2022 is Step Up for Breastfeeding.

This is a call for government accountability and the need to strengthen the capacity of health systems, workplaces and communities to protect, promote and support breastfeeding across all levels of society through a Warm Chain of Support for Breastfeeding.

The Warm Chain of Support for Breastfeeding places the mother and baby at the core and follows the first 1000 days timeline, says NZ Breastfeeding Alliance executive officer Jane Cartwright.

Midwifery-centred care, the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative and Well-Child services for whanau provide a continuum of care to nurture the mother, baby and their whanau who benefit from culturally safe, ongoing support and breastfeeding counselling.

New mothers need a supportive environment, particularly support from fathers/partners, to ensure breastfeeding is successful. Early health professional advice, as well as whanau and workplace support, are important factors in how long a mother will breastfeed, says Paediatric Society neonatal specialist Nicola Austin.

In New Zealand around 80 per cent of babies are exclusively breastfed on discharge from baby-friendly services.

However, this percentage drops significantly by six weeks after birth, and at six months. Wed like to see more babies being exclusively and fully breastfed for longer.

The New Zealand College of Midwives is quick to remind the government of its responsibilities as a Tiriti partner; to reduce systemic inequities which result in food insecurity, poverty and housing unaffordability - all factors contributing to the broader stresses many whanau are consumed by.

CEO Alison Eddy says inequities in breastfeeding rates are part of a much wider issue.

If whanau are living under a cloud of poverty, education is not enough. Chronic stress due to food or housing insecurity is a constant barrier for some of our whanau, who are not in a position to make healthier choices, either for themselves or their babies in this state, says Alison.

Of course, education is a part of the wider strategy, but creating an equitable society where no family, new mother or baby are left behind or unsupported is the real solution. Health professionals and whanau alone cannot solve these issues; significant changes to social policy are required and we call on the New Zealand government to prioritise lifting whanau out of poverty so that they can thrive.
Te reo Maori became an official language in its own country 35 years ago today.

The Maori Language Act came into force on the August 1 1987.

The battle for te reo Maori has been fought in communities across Aotearoa, from our smallest towns to our biggest cities, says Maori Language Commissioner Professor Rawinia Higgins.

In 1987 some warned that making te reo an official language would divide New Zealanders but 35-years later, te reo is something that unites us.

From the one million people who joined us for our Maori Language Moments, to the thousands singing our anthem in te reo at All Black tests and the hundreds taking part in total immersion kura reo every weekend: te reo is part of our national identity as New Zealanders and connects us all to this place we call home.

Rawinia says for Maori New Zealanders, te reo is an integral part of ones identity.

It tells the story of our families and links us forever to our ancestors and to Aotearoa. The battle for its survival is part of the story of every Maori family.

Today also marks the 35th birthday of the Maori Language Commission, which opened its doors when the Maori Language Act became law.

Rawinia says Stats NZ data released this month revealed some exciting developments:

Almost one in four Maori New Zealanders now speak te reo as a first language, while 34 per cent of Maori New Zealanders can speak te reo fairly well.

Young New Zealanders are leading the way in te reo proficiency, with around 40 per cent of those aged 15-34 able to speak more than a few words or phrases.

Three in five New Zealanders think te reo should be a core subject in primary schools.

But the battle is not over: we need 1 million speakers of te reo by 2040 to safeguard our language for future generations. Those babies born today will be the first adult generation of speakers in 2040, the countdown is on.

The commission is launching a campaign calling for New Zealanders to start capturing the many stories of the battle for te reo Maori, to ensure that the languages journey will be told and understood in years to come.

We want to ensure that families and communities capture te reo stories that matter to them. Whether people want to share them publicly: is up to them. The main thing is that they are captured so that future generations can understand why and how our people fought for the survival of te reo Maori.

Rawinia says in the next month, a timeline and website will be launched for people to share their stories of our battle for te reo Maori.

Keep an eye out for it!

Maori Language Week: Monday September 12 Sunday September 18 2022

Theme: Kia kaha te reo Maori

Maori Language Moment: 12pm Wednesday September 14 2022

Fifty years ago on September 14, 1972, the Maori Language Petition, calling on the government to protect te reo and teach it in schools, was presented to parliament.

That day became Maori Language Day and later Maori Language Week.

For the past two years at the moment the petition was presented, 12pm on September 14 more than one million New Zealanders have stopped to celebrate the Maori Language Moment.
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GrammarNazi Senior - BHPian



Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,337 Thanked: 2,942 Times

Re: Mahindra Scorpio-N Review



Quote: GrammarNazi Originally Posted by ...But one major thing I don't see transparent is how would a customer actually know (in real time) if they're amongst the first 25k who successfully booked on 30th July ?



Last year this was relatively transparent as it was "booking-date" based price protection, Almost nobody would've anticipated they'd stop the bookings after an hour on Day 1. Now that people know the system, this time there must be plenty individuals who'd like to "Game" the system because they know the cars would likely sell at a premium even in the 2nd hand market - all at a time when we know that car prices are not going to go down.



When these things happen, IMO, it is next to impossible for Mahindra to offer a transparent/ rational booking process in the regular way.



IMO, one of the solutions is to utilise closed communities...



As a company if they're pure-bred hardcore car enthusiasts, they'd choose prioritising/filtering/verifying bookings thru credible online automotive forums.



I would really be surprised if I came across someone who booked the VFM/lower variants online in the first 25k allotments.



Maybe it would've been reasonable if they offered the enthusiast community with some specific opportunity - afterall it is us who appreciate the real life use case of the car.



Btw, finally some load off the IT department website. lol Reading everyone's experience here, I guessed that this could happen.While they may claim bookings were on first come first serve basis, I'm guessing they took possibly bookings of just the higher variants, which would be most profitable to them, to fill the 25k quota.I would really be surprised if I came across someone who booked the VFM/lower variants online in the first 25k allotments.Maybe it would've been reasonable if they offered the enthusiast community with some specific opportunity - afterall it is us who appreciate the real life use case of the car.Btw, finally some load off the IT department website. lol Last edited by GrammarNazi : 30th July 2022 at 15:43 .
mankuthimma BHPian

Join Date: Jun 2020 Location: Bengaluru Posts: 169 Thanked: 863 Times

Re: Chasing the summer showers around Theni and Thekkady



Nowadays our defacto pitstop for a fuss-free breakfast has been Murugan Idli. Fuss free because they have an excellent crowd management in place unlike other popular eateries in this stretch where we have to push, pull and jostle to have our plate of tiffin. Excellent parking space, clean toilets, good food and courteous staff - what more is needed !







The traffic on the highway eased out after the branch off to Chennai Highway where the majority of weekenders seemed headed to. Soon we crossed Salem making a note that we need to stop at Aasai-Dosai atleast this time for lunch during the return journey. Usually, the Rasipuram - Dindigul stretch is my favorite and peaceful section of the highway - flat roads, occasional or almost nil traffic - one can engage cruise control at 100 kmph for longer stretches and cruise comfortably. But this time, there were few places where flyover construction was in progress, roads blocked, deviated to service roads, which was quite baffling to think about the need for such flyovers in this part of the highway.



As the journey progressed, mercury levels started rising. The AC which is quite chill for Bangalore weather, was struggling hard to keep the cabin cool in the wake of searing heat radiating from all directions. Lower AC levels resulted louder fan speeds, fancy UV cut glasses, window blinds, nothing was helpful so much so that wife started suspecting the car has serious issues with AC. She was even suggesting a quick checkup at any Kia workshop on the highway.



For lunch, I thought we will stop at A2B, Karur, a small deviation from the highway. But A2B is bang in the town centre and parking was a challenge. Father-in-law suggested a small eatery at the entrance of Karur Textile Park on the other side of the highway, sapaad served with love and humility, a hallmark of Tamil Nadu interior regions.



While we were having our lunch, the car took some rest under the shelter of a lone tree shade. Now the AC was again effective, not optimum, but comfortable. So lesson learnt that even car needs some rest in this summer heat and we need to have small breaks in between. But the downside of highways nowadays is the lack of tree cover along the roads. Still managed to break at few places as we progressed.



The scene dramatically changed the moment we started approaching Dindigul and deviated towards Kodai road. There was good amount of cloud cover, roads were wet, small puddles along the road, giving the first indication and hope that it is not all that bad over here.



Roads are butter smooth as always in these 2-lane roads, but the yellow rumbling strips were irritating and they were occurring way too frequent. We were once again to happy to see the Kodai range of hills appearing in the distance, typical sights and smell of TN rural landscape, rolled our windows down and starting feeling the cool breeze, a stark contrast to the heat waves just few hours back.



Finally turned right into the Kodai Ghat road. As usual, the winding tamarind tree lined roads are like stairway to heaven. The very first ritual on this road is the customary stop for the tender coconut.









While sipping the tender coconut, the shopkeeper gave us the unexpectedly lovely news that it has been raining very heavily every afternoon with strong winds!! It was a pleasant surprise after all the apprehensions about the hot-humid climate that we were expecting.



Usually this spot makes for a pretty picture with its greenery and the background, but the effect of dry weather was evident







Finally we reached our relatives place at the foothills of Kodai. We dont have to go up the Kodai ghat sections. Notice the outside temperature is cool 24 degrees !!





Our car resting at the destination after all the huffing-puffing on the highway.







Soon, dark clouds started looming with loud thunders and lightning, it rained heavily with gale like winds, typical summer pre-monsoon showers. It appeared as though the rain gods are providing a grand welcome for us.









Next few days were spent doing nothing in particular. The days remained pleasant through out with intermittent rains and drizzles. There was no hint of summer heat.



It is interesting to observe how the kids mentality changes once they are outdoors. Our daughter, just like any other urban kid, who thinks the only way to pass a free time is sitting in front of idiot box, found much more better ways to spend her time here, engaging with people, lending helping hand for homely chores, gardening, appreciating the surrounding etc This time she is grown up enough to handle a DSLR, started exploring her creative side with photographic skills. Some of her mundane shots too got me admiring, that photography lies in the eye of the beholder than any other technical 'skills'









































































And she made few friends too..



So off we started one fine weekend morning in April. Early morning comfortable weather set the tone for a good start for the journey. Took our usual Chikka Tirupati route to join Hosur highway.Nowadays our defacto pitstop for a fuss-free breakfast has been Murugan Idli. Fuss free because they have an excellent crowd management in place unlike other popular eateries in this stretch where we have to push, pull and jostle to have our plate of tiffin. Excellent parking space, clean toilets, good food and courteous staff - what more is needed !The traffic on the highway eased out after the branch off to Chennai Highway where the majority of weekenders seemed headed to. Soon we crossed Salem making a note that we need to stop atatleast this time for lunch during the return journey. Usually, the Rasipuram - Dindigul stretch is my favorite and peaceful section of the highway - flat roads, occasional or almost nil traffic - one can engage cruise control at 100 kmph for longer stretches and cruise comfortably. But this time, there were few places where flyover construction was in progress, roads blocked, deviated to service roads, which was quite baffling to think about the need for such flyovers in this part of the highway.As the journey progressed, mercury levels started rising. The AC which is quite chill for Bangalore weather, was struggling hard to keep the cabin cool in the wake of searing heat radiating from all directions. Lower AC levels resulted louder fan speeds, fancy UV cut glasses, window blinds, nothing was helpful so much so that wife started suspecting the car has serious issues with AC. She was even suggesting a quick checkup at any Kia workshop on the highway.For lunch, I thought we will stop at A2B, Karur, a small deviation from the highway. But A2B is bang in the town centre and parking was a challenge. Father-in-law suggested a small eatery at the entrance of Karur Textile Park on the other side of the highway, Sumathy Restaurant We could feel the dry heat the moment we stepped out of the car. They had an option for indoor or outdoor seating. Indoor was like a oven, outdoor was slightly better, but still hot. Somehow managed to have a decent lunch in challenging weather conditions. Apart from the heat, this place makes for a good spot for a lunch break, just beside the highway, typical Tamil Naduserved with love and humility, a hallmark of Tamil Nadu interior regions.While we were having our lunch, the car took some rest under the shelter of a lone tree shade. Now the AC was again effective, not optimum, but comfortable. So lesson learnt that even car needs some rest in this summer heat and we need to have small breaks in between. But the downside of highways nowadays is the lack of tree cover along the roads. Still managed to break at few places as we progressed.The scene dramatically changed the moment we started approaching Dindigul and deviated towards Kodai road. There was good amount of cloud cover, roads were wet, small puddles along the road, giving the first indication and hope that it is not all that bad over here.Roads are butter smooth as always in these 2-lane roads, but the yellow rumbling strips were irritating and they were occurring way too frequent. We were once again to happy to see the Kodai range of hills appearing in the distance, typical sights and smell of TN rural landscape, rolled our windows down and starting feeling the cool breeze, a stark contrast to the heat waves just few hours back.Finally turned right into the Kodai Ghat road. As usual, the winding tamarind tree lined roads are like stairway to heaven. The very first ritual on this road is the customary stop for the tender coconut.While sipping the tender coconut, the shopkeeper gave us the unexpectedly lovely news that it has been raining very heavily every afternoon with strong winds!! It was a pleasant surprise after all the apprehensions about the hot-humid climate that we were expecting.Usually this spot makes for a pretty picture with its greenery and the background, but the effect of dry weather was evidentFinally we reached our relatives place at the foothills of Kodai. We dont have to go up the Kodai ghat sections. Notice the outside temperature is cool 24 degrees !!Our car resting at the destination after all the huffing-puffing on the highway.Soon, dark clouds started looming with loud thunders and lightning, it rained heavily with gale like winds, typical summer pre-monsoon showers. It appeared as though the rain gods are providing a grand welcome for us.Next few days were spent doing nothing in particular. The days remained pleasant through out with intermittent rains and drizzles. There was no hint of summer heat.It is interesting to observe how the kids mentality changes once they are outdoors. Our daughter, just like any other urban kid, who thinks the only way to pass a free time is sitting in front of idiot box, found much more better ways to spend her time here, engaging with people, lending helping hand for homely chores, gardening, appreciating the surrounding etc This time she is grown up enough to handle a DSLR, started exploring her creative side with photographic skills. Some of her mundane shots too got me admiring, that photography lies in the eye of the beholder than any other technical 'skills'And she made few friends too.. Last edited by mankuthimma : 31st July 2022 at 21:30 .
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White Water Rafting in Coorg (Kodagu)



Looked at maps to identify options with a shortest drive possible which probably meant Sakhleshpur or Chikkamagaluru which was about a 5 hours drive without breaks included. Googled a bit and found out most of the falls/treks around these areas would be hounded by crowds during the weekends for exactly the reasons we would have picked these spots. So the search continued further. Further discussions with interested friends finally materialized to look at Coorg with an overnight halt at Mysore; thus enabling us to reach the destination (in Coorg) well early in the morning while bypassing the weekend crowds as much as we could.



So the plan was put.

- 4 of us in a car

- departing on Friday night with an overnight halt at Mysore

- departing Mysore early-ish morning for Coorg

- return back to Bangalore by late Saturday night

- chill at home on Sunday







Our destination for the trip was Kodagu White Water Rafting at Barapole (on Barapole river) which boasted level 4 & 5 rapids. The other alternative was rafting at Dubare on Kaveri river which didn't seem to be open/running during this monsoon season. A few calls to the lead (Pavan) and our booking was done - we just had to reach the venue and we'll be allocated to a raft on a first come first serve basis. I'd highly recommend this team to anyone who's interested - they were extremely professional and the whole manner in which the rafting was done was with full safety gear and proper means. They have been running this setup for several years and the online reviews surely reflect their services till date.





The ride to Mysore went without a hitch - we left Indiranagar around 8pm and reached Mysore just after 12 in the night. Crashed for the night and work up by 6am, leaving our hostel by 7. Breakfast was at a fantastic place in the city itself and then off we went to our destination, a ~3 hour ride.







Once we reached the destination, we were quickly grouped with another couple and taken to the starting point carrying our raft on the jeep. At the venue, we were given proper instructions on what to do in different scenarios, how to seat ourselves, what commands the lead/guide would use over the next 1+ hour of rafting.















Once it was done, we pushed ourselves, and off we went into the flowing water. There were a bunch of rafts that started off just a few minutes before us and we could it was going to be fun!







My wife who couldn't do this due to an injury took some pics from a bridge that we passed and boy was she getting FOMO feelings (we plan to do this again in one of the coming weekends for sure!). So far while it was fast-flowing water (thanks to the immense rains), the rapids were yet to start - but we didn't know that (lol). Most of us were under the impression that the tiny "white rapids" that we saw so far was what we were talking about.















But within a few minutes that changed - as we got pushed into heavy rapids at the next turn itself. Thankfully our guides had GoPros which recorded the rides (we can avail the videos at an additional cost) and here's a snapshot of what we faced over the next hour.



White water rafting



The thrill that we get is something that can not be described. I had done white water rafting (level 4 & 5) in the rivers of West Virginia (US) so I was well aware of what to expect. But my friends who had limited idea about it were definitely in for a surprise and boy did they have fun or what.



Here's a more better view of the entire track taken by a drone as shared by the organizers (watch from 0:24 onwards) - do note, that's not us in the below video



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32s9X9e3Yh0



As we headed towards the end of the stretch with rapids and as the water flow settled down, we came to a point where the lead/guide asked us to jump into the water and have a bit of fun. After a few hesitant seconds, we jumped off and literally turned into water-hippos











After some time, we got back into the raft and gradually headed towards our end point, while taking a few group snapshots as and when the opportunity came up.











After loading the raft back on the jeep, we took a short ride back to the starting point; changed into fresh/dry clothes, and off we headed back to civilization, done by 12 pm! We decided to take it easy on the route back home while stopping for some yummy local cuisine for lunch and some bajji & tea while it rained. We reached Mysore around 5 in the evening and decided to stop for some evening snacks at one of the quaint cafes. Wrong decision as we bore the brunt of heavy traffic on a Saturday evening/night on the Mysore Bangalore highway and it literally took us 5+ hours to reach Bangalore. But thankfully we still had Sunday to recuperate and get back to the usual rigamarole.





Summary of costs:

Rafting: 1200 per person + 1000 for the photos

Stay: 700 per person (hostel setup)

Food & Beverages: ~800 per person approx.

Fuel & Tolls: 1500 per person approx.





~~~~ Ciao! ~~~~ Over one of the recent weekends, an itch started coming up in my mind to do a weekend trip in the mountains. At the bare minimum, all I wanted to do is hit the (Western) Ghats to enjoy the monsoon. If this was Bombay / Pune, all it would have needed is a 1-2 hour drive and I would be right in the lap of the mountains. But this was Bangalore - in that time frame, I'd probably just barely cross the Outer Ring Road (traffic). So the itch itched.Looked at maps to identify options with a shortest drive possible which probably meant Sakhleshpur or Chikkamagaluru which was about a 5 hours drive without breaks included. Googled a bit and found out most of the falls/treks around these areas would be hounded by crowds during the weekends for exactly the reasons we would have picked these spots. So the search continued further. Further discussions with interested friends finally materialized to look at Coorg with an overnight halt at Mysore; thus enabling us to reach the destination (in Coorg) well early in the morning while bypassing the weekend crowds as much as we could.So the plan was put.- 4 of us in a car- departing on Friday night with an overnight halt at Mysore- departing Mysore early-ish morning for Coorg- return back to Bangalore by late Saturday night- chill at home on SundayOur destination for the trip wasat Barapole (on Barapole river) which boasted level 4 & 5 rapids. The other alternative was rafting at Dubare on Kaveri river which didn't seem to be open/running during this monsoon season. A few calls to the lead (Pavan) and our booking was done - we just had to reach the venue and we'll be allocated to a raft on a first come first serve basis. I'd highly recommend this team to anyone who's interested - they were extremely professional and the whole manner in which the rafting was done was with full safety gear and proper means. They have been running this setup for several years and the online reviews surely reflect their services till date.The ride to Mysore went without a hitch - we left Indiranagar around 8pm and reached Mysore just after 12 in the night. Crashed for the night and work up by 6am, leaving our hostel by 7. Breakfast was at a fantastic place in the city itself and then off we went to our destination, a ~3 hour ride.Once we reached the destination, we were quickly grouped with another couple and taken to the starting point carrying our raft on the jeep. At the venue, we were given proper instructions on what to do in different scenarios, how to seat ourselves, what commands the lead/guide would use over the next 1+ hour of rafting.Once it was done, we pushed ourselves, and off we went into the flowing water. There were a bunch of rafts that started off just a few minutes before us and we could it was going to be fun!My wife who couldn't do this due to an injury took some pics from a bridge that we passed and boy was she getting FOMO feelings (we plan to do this again in one of the coming weekends for sure!). So far while it was fast-flowing water (thanks to the immense rains), the rapids were yet to start - but we didn't know that (lol). Most of us were under the impression that the tiny "white rapids" that we saw so far was what we were talking about.But within a few minutes that changed - as we got pushed into heavy rapids at the next turn itself. Thankfully our guides had GoPros which recorded the rides (we can avail the videos at an additional cost) and here's a snapshot of what we faced over the next hour.The thrill that we get is something that can not be described. I had done white water rafting (level 4 & 5) in the rivers of West Virginia (US) so I was well aware of what to expect. But my friends who had limited idea about it were definitely in for a surprise and boy did they have fun or what.Here's a more better view of the entire track taken by a drone as shared by the organizers (watch from 0:24 onwards) - do note, that's not us in the below videoAs we headed towards the end of the stretch with rapids and as the water flow settled down, we came to a point where the lead/guide asked us to jump into the water and have a bit of fun. After a few hesitant seconds, we jumped off and literally turned into water-hipposAfter some time, we got back into the raft and gradually headed towards our end point, while taking a few group snapshots as and when the opportunity came up.After loading the raft back on the jeep, we took a short ride back to the starting point; changed into fresh/dry clothes, and off we headed back to civilization, done by 12 pm! We decided to take it easy on the route back home while stopping for some yummy local cuisine for lunch and some bajji & tea while it rained. We reached Mysore around 5 in the evening and decided to stop for some evening snacks at one of the quaint cafes. Wrong decision as we bore the brunt of heavy traffic on a Saturday evening/night on the Mysore Bangalore highway and it literally took us 5+ hours to reach Bangalore. But thankfully we still had Sunday to recuperate and get back to the usual rigamarole.: 1200 per person + 1000 for the photos: 700 per person (hostel setup): ~800 per person approx.: 1500 per person approx.~~~~ Ciao! ~~~~ Last edited by ninjatalli : 31st July 2022 at 17:24 .
Something to look forward to: There are rumors that Qualcomm, among others, are looking to buy Arm. After the failed saga of Nvidia trying to buy Arm, it looks largely impossible that any other company could run the regulatory gauntlet. For its part, Arm does not seem terribly enthusiastic about going public later this year or next, but seems to have no other options. That being said, there is one scenario that could square this circle -- a consortium of major Arm licensees could buy Arm. This could potentially include Qualcomm, Mediatek, Nvidia, Broadcom, AMD, Tsinghua Unisoc, among others.

In theory, this would address everyone's concerns. Softbank could get an exit from its investment, something that it has repeatedly signaled it is eager to obtain. Arm's executives could remain free from the scrutiny of public markets, and theoretically secure funding for its strategic plans, whatever those may be. And Arm licensees could get assurance that Arm progresses on its much-needed roadmap, without having a competitor dominate that roadmap to everyone else's detriment.

Editor's Note:

Guest author Jonathan Goldberg is the founder of D2D Advisory, a multi-functional consulting firm. Jonathan has developed growth strategies and alliances for companies in the mobile, networking, gaming, and software industries.

The practicalities, however, are far less straightforward. The first concern would be under what structure would the company exist. Softbank wants an exit, and no one else would want to consolidate Arm in its own financials, so the company would have to become some standalone, private entity. This likely involves inviting in a private equity investor. This would bring with it the added benefit of having a 'neutral' party as the leading voice on the Board. But any such investor will primarily be motivated by financial returns, as opposed to the strategic needs of everyone else in the consortium.

As with any scenario, it is unclear how or if Arm would acquire the capital increase it has repeatedly said it needs, private equity is not known for R&D investment. So ultimately, Arm is going to have to go public at some point, but maybe this path gives them a much longer time to prepare for that.

A second problem can best be described as 'how to herd a bunch of cats'. That list of potential participants is very diverse, with a wide range of competing interests. Each of them would participate on the principle of protecting their individual strategic interest, and thus presumably want to have some influence on the company. This runs counter to the idea that the new company is independent.

This is not an impossible barrier, but it means that aligning everyone's incentives will require some very complex negotiations. Ultimately, the devil will be in the details here  how do the various blocks align and who ends up with a decisive vote that translates into outsize influence down the road.

Another important question is what will it mean for everyone else. We have written extensively about the conflict inherent in Arm's current pricing regime which penalizes new entrants to the benefit of large, established customers. If those large customers end up in control of Arm, then the one thing they can all agree on will be further entrenching that conflict. This matters a lot for the company's long-term prospects, in whose interest will the new owners vote?

And finally, there is the question of China. Our best guess is that China's government will be willing to sign off on the deal if Chinese companies get to participate in the consortium. We added Tsinghua Unisoc to our list above, as they are the most likely candidate, but there are others.

Could Huawei's HiSilicon join? They were once one of the top Arm licensees, and show signs of re-emerging from under the US Government's proscriptions against them. Would they be allowed to participate? And since the resolution of the Arm China soap opera, Arm has been on a tear there signing a lot of deals, how will all those companies feel about some new group of American owners?

Ultimately, we suspect the recurrence of these rumors means that someone, somewhere is negotiating this kind of deal. Arm's bankers have to at least entertain the idea as an alternative to an IPO. So of course, the question will likely come down to valuation in the end.

The public markets have already given some pretty clear signals as to the value of an Arm IPO, and it is well below the $40-ish billion Nvidia offered. Would the consortium be willing to pay above the Street? The answer to that will depend on how much of a premium they will pay for control of the company, which of course goes against everything we wrote above. If we had to guess, we would say this is the company's preferred option, but it is complex enough to mean this outcome is far from certain.
Why it matters: The US is moving to prevent China's semiconductor industry from using advanced chipmaking tools, which may also impact American, South Korean, and Taiwanese companies operating in the region. Whether or not this will have the desired effect on China's semiconductor ambitions remains to be seen.

Most analysts expect China's leading tech companies will soon post their worst-ever quarterly results after being hammered by regulatory crackdowns and lockdown-related factory output issues. While this will make it harder for the country to weather the economic storm, the Chinese government's plan for technological self-sufficiency has a more pressing obstacle it has yet to overcome.

Bloomberg notes that the US is adding more restrictions on chipmaking equipment sold to Chinese foundries. This change comes in response to incredible advances made by Chinese companies in areas like NAND and DRAM manufacturing and advanced logic like CPUs and GPUs.

For instance, Yangtze Memory Technologies Co (YMTC) is already mass-producing 128-layer 3D NAND that can achieve similar performance to comparable offerings from Samsung, SK Hynix, and Micron. And while those companies can produce faster and higher-density NAND, Apple is considering using YMTC NAND for the base model iPhone 14.

When zooming out, China is leading the world in building more chip factories, gradually reducing the number of chips it needs to import every year. In the first five months of 2022, China imported over 232 billion chips worth around $174 billion. In response, the Chinese government is considering waiving taxes on imports of materials and equipment for high-tech manufacturing until 2030, and local foundries are getting significant subsidies to expand capacity as quickly as possible.

The 10-year cost of ownership for chip foundries in China is almost 40 percent lower than in the US. By 2025, analysts expect 12 new manufacturing facilities to be operational in the US, while China wants to build as many as 31. However, Chinese chipmakers are having difficulties securing the necessary lithography tools for advanced process nodes, so they're mostly buying old second-hand machines from Japan to populate the new factories.

China's acquisition difficulties stem from the US pressuring ASML, which makes 95 percent of all DUV and EUV lithography tools, to stop selling equipment to Chinese chipmakers. The Commerce Department is now insisting suppliers like Lam Research, Applied Materials, and KLA Corp. apply the same treatment so that Chinese companies will be limited to using 14nm and older process technologies.

Interestingly, the new restrictions will apply to all factories operating in China, which means they would also affect companies like Samsung, SK Hynix, UMC, and TSMC. In the past two weeks, the Biden administration has sent letters to all US-based suppliers telling them not to supply equipment for 14nm and newer process nodes due to national security concerns. This mandate lends credibility to a report that White House officials had also instructed Intel to cancel its plans for a wafer manufacturing facility in Chengdu, China.

Last week, the US Senate passed the $52 billion CHIPS Act to boost US-based semiconductor manufacturing. Companies like Intel, TSMC, Samsung, and Micron are all interested in taking advantage of it. Unsurprisingly, accessing those funds will be next to impossible for firms currently operating in China and other unfriendly countries and those that plan to do so in the future.

Despite the mounting restrictions, China seems determined to make progress at all costs. The country has repeatedly poached engineering talent from Taiwan, creating yet another source of tensions in the region. Not only that, but China's SMIC has seemingly figured out how to make 7nm chips, likely by closely copying TSMC's first generation 7nm process technology.

Of course, those 7nm chips were found inside a Bitcoin miner by the folks over at Tech Insights, who believe SMIC can't yet produce more advanced logic on a 7nm process. However, China is ready to spend as much as 10 trillion yuan ($1.47 trillion) to achieve technological self-sufficiency, and it's already making progress in terms of its global market share of semiconductor sales.

According to the Semiconductor Industry Association, China's global market share has surpassed Taiwan's and is slightly behind Japan's. Assuming the same rate of growth observed in the past two years, it could reach as high as 17 percent by 2024.

Masthead credit: LAM Research
In a nutshell: Sega earlier this year announced it would be launching a follow-up to its original Genesis Mini retro console. The new mini will be based on the Genesis Model 2 and will come with over 50 pre-installed retro games but as was revealed in July, US distribution is a bit of a mess and we now have a better understanding of why that is.

In a statement to Ars Technica, a Sega of Japan rep told the publication that the new miniaturized console was really a "Japan-only project." Sega eventually decided to do a Genesis Mini 2 for Western audiences but said the system could only be produced in small numbers due to the global semiconductor shortage.

Sega of Japan said the number of Genesis Mini 2 consoles manufactured will equal one-tenth the total production of the original Genesis Mini. We don't know how many Genesis Minis were produced so it's hard to quantify production capacity. Still, one-tenth is significantly less no matter how you slice it.

This being a Japan-only project explains why interested parties in North America have to import the Genesis Mini 2. It is only being sold through an Amazon listing at an inflated price and with a delivery fee of $21.99. As of writing, NA buyers will have to shell out $128.64 plus any applicable taxes to have the mini console shipped over from Japan.

That's much more than the original's $79.99 price out of the gate but isn't far off what new-in-box examples are currently commanding on eBay.

The Genesis Mini 2 will ship with more than 50 pre-installed games including OutRun, Virtua Racing and Vectorman 2 as well as a handful of Sega CD titles like Sonic CD and Mansion of Hidden Souls. I personally don't think the library is as strong as what debuted with the original mini console but there are some gems I'd love to play, and the machine itself would make a nice addition to my mini console collection.

It launches on October 27.
In context: We have seen a trend where many western nations are passing laws protecting online privacy and internet users' civil rights. However, there is another trend of doing the exact opposite in more repressive countries. Indonesia is the latest to tell online services to hand over customer data and censor the posts they say or else.

Over the weekend, Indonesia banned several websites for noncompliance with a new law. The law, dubbed Ministerial Regulation Number 5 or MR5, requires "private electronic system providers" to register with the Indonesian Ministry of Communication and Information (Kominfo) and turn over specific users' data. The law also requires companies to remove content that "disturbs public order" or that the Indonesian government deems "illegal." Companies must respond to removal demands within 24 hours or four hours for "urgent" content.

So far, Kominfo blocked eight services and games in the country, including Yahoo, Steam, DOTA2, Counter-Strike, Epic Games, Origin, Xandr, and PayPal. However, the PayPal ban had an unintended negative consequence on customers since it effectively locked them out of the funds in their accounts. Reuters notes that Kominfo responded quickly to concerns by temporarily lifting the ban.

"[PayPal users] can access the site until August 4 to migrate, get their money, and find other services," said Kominfo General Director Semuel Abrijani Pangerapan.

Reddit users report that Steam and Epic Games accounts are completely shut down, and some of their purchased titles are unplayable. However, Valve is currently working on getting registered in Kominfo's database to restore service to its customers in the region as quickly as possible. It wishes to avoid losing two of its most significant revenue streams  DOTA 2 and Counter-Strike.

Quick update for those asking-



The blocks are not permanent, assuming the companies register and comply with the regulation, and Kominfo has already reached out to these companies to ensure compliance and reverse the block.



Here is a list of affected services: pic.twitter.com/6K121xVEMP  Daniel Ahmad (@ZhugeEX) July 30, 2022

Other companies that have already bowed the knee to Indonesia's repressive law include Apple, Microsoft, Google, Amazon, TikTok, Twitter, Netflix, and Spotify. The Financial Times notes those companies registered last week, and all remain active in the region. Pangerapan said that the bans are not permanent as long as companies comply with the law. Once a service registers with Kominfo, the country will lift its suspension.

Indonesia is not alone in enacting draconian legislation such as MR5. The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) notes that Germany got the ball rolling in 2017 by passing its "NetDG" law. NetDG requires online service providers to block or remove content the government doesn't like, and it doesn't even require a court order. Since then, Venezuela, Australia, Russia, India, Kenya, the Philippines, and Malaysia have passed similar legislation.

As effective as these laws appear, it does not make them any less tyrannical.

"Failure to comply with these demands subjects companies to draconian fines (and even raises the specter of blocking of their services)," said the EFF in 2021 when Indonesia jumped on the authoritarian bandwagon. "This creates a chilling effect on free expression: platforms will naturally choose to err on the side of removing gray area content rather than risk the punishment."

The EFF believes that MR5 and other laws like it are an invasive violation of human rights. The EFF, SAFEnet, and several other consumer watchdogs sent a letter to Kominfo asking it to repeal the unjust law and its "invasive content moderation rules."

However, it's likely to take more than an open letter from a handful of human rights organizations to remove the country's power grab. Such oppressive regulations can usually be affected only when other countries threaten sanctions, which has not happened with similar laws.

Image credit: Nick Youngson
Apple's Apple Pay options have landed the company into hot water numerous times before but the company is expanding its offerings regarding payment methods. The new decision notes that browsers might soon be able to support the Apple Pay payment method.

Apple Pay Support Could Come to Other Browsers

According to the story by GizChina, Apple is usually strict regarding its business and its association with others. It was noted that the company usually prefers a closed system leaving users within the Apple ecosystem.

There are usually significant restrictions whenever users try to collaborate with some other outside services from the Apple ecosystem. For this reason, the company has met numerous lawsuits in different countries.

iOS 16 Seeks to Increase Support for Apple Pay Outside Safari

As per Steve Moser of MacRumors, the iOS 16 beta sees Apple Pay work with Edge and Chrome. He also noted that he assumes that this would also include third-party browsers and it was also noted that iOS 15 only supports Apple Pay on Safari.

On the latest iOS 16 beta Apple Pay works in Edge, Chrome and I assume any third party browser. On iOS 15 Apple Pay only works in Safari. pic.twitter.com/x7zV5xCuiC  Steve Moser (@SteveMoser) July 30, 2022

As per GizChina, Apple Pay could be supported in browsers like Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox browsers. Moser was able to discover that both Edge and Chrome browsers supported Apple Pay on the iOS 16 Developer Preview Beta 4.

Apple Said to be Working on Different Improvements for the Apple Pay and Apple Fitness +

Moser also noted that Apple Pay did not lift any restrictions ever since the macOS beta. Mark Gurman of Bloomberg reported in a newsletter that Apple is planning to make numerous improvements not just to Apple Pay but also to Apple Fitness + some time this year.

The company is even looking at different options that will provide a brand new grocery service that "integrates with health apps." In the Power On newsletter, as per Gurman, Apple is now developing two different financial-related services.

iOS 16 Beta 2 Sees Apple Pay Supported on Firefox

According to The Verge, a Reddit post from earlier shows the Apple Pay option in the iOS 16 beta 2 through using Firefox. The publication notes that they are not certain regarding when the company plans to expand its Apple Pay support to different browsers.

The reason why Apple Pay is not yet available in the latest macOS beta is that Chrome, Edge, and Firefox are still all using the rendering engine by Safari called WebKit. Third-party browsers, however, are still free to "use their own engines on macOS."

Read Also: Will Apple Buy Netflix? Rumors Circulate While Tim Cook Said He Won't Rule Out a Major Acquisition

The European Union Plans to Crack Down on 'Big Tech Anti-Competitive Practices'

As per the publication, the decision to change different aspects of its iOS could be related to the European Union's plan to crack down on certain "big tech anti-competitive practices." The Digital Markets Act is expected to go into official effect in the Spring of 2023.

The Digital Markets Act imposes a number of rules on certain companies like Meta, Google, and of course Apple in order to help promote competition along with certain smaller entities.

Related Article: How To Check, Read iPhone IP Rating? Do These Before Going on Extreme Activities With Your Apple Smartphone

This article is owned by Tech Times

Written by Urian B.

 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Tesla Mobile Connector charger is back in stock shortly after the giant electric vehicle (EV) ditched it from its new vehicle orders.

The much-awaited comeback of the Tesla Mobile Connector also comes at a more affordable price tag.



(Photo : JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images)

Elon Musk gestures as he speaks during a press conference at SpaceX's Starbase facility near Boca Chica Village in South Texas on February 10, 2022.

Tesla Mobile Connector is Back in Stock

As per the latest news story by Tesla North, it has been a few months since the Elon Musk-owned all-electric automaker decided to completely remove its free Mobile Connector charger as inclusion for EV purchases.

The news outlet reports that the charger of Tesla, which used to be included when customers buy their vehicles, is now back on its online website.

The return of the Mobile Connector charges comes a few weeks after it has been out of stock at the Tesla Shop since it bid goodbye to new orders.

But this time, Tesla EV owners could buy the Mobile Connector kit, which includes a NEMA 5-15 adapter, for only $200, bringing down its previous price tag of $550.

Tesla Mobile Connector Removed from New Order Inclusions

The renowned EV maker completely removed its Mobile Connector charger for new orders of its vehicles last April.

In turn, Tesla customers could no longer get a free charger when they purchase the vehicles of the tech giant, such as the Model 3 sedan, Model S, Model Y crossover, and Model X SUV.

(Photo : PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA/AFP via Getty Images)

People visit the electric carmaker Tesla showroom at El Corte Ingles store in Lisbon, on September 1, 2017.

The move of the giant automaker is familiar to customers of Apple, which has controversially ditched the charger in the box of its brand new iPhones.

According to a recent report by Phone Arena, the Cupertino-based tech firm argues that it helps the iPhone maker to be more environmentally friendly, essentially bringing down e-waste for the long term.

The phone maker says it has reduced its yearly carbon emission by roughly 2 million metric tons.

But on the other hand, Tesla had a slightly different reason behind it.

Read Also: Tesla Giga Shanghai Breaks Local Demand Promise? Model Y, Model 3 Covers Half of China's Exported EVs This 2022

Why did Tesla Remove the Mobile Connector for New Orders?

The Tesla Chief Executive Officer and founder, Musk, justified the recent move of Tesla in his tweet last April, as per a report by Gizmodo Australia.

The big boss of Tesla explained that the "usage statistic" of its Mobile Connector charger is "super lower." And as such, the billionaire entrepreneur believes that its inclusion of new orders "seemed wasteful."



(Photo : NICOLAS ASFOURI/AFP via Getty Images)

A Tesla logo is seen on a Tesla car Model 3, inside of a Tesla shop inside of a shopping Mall in Beijing on May 26, 2021.

It is worth noting, though, that the existing orders of Tesla customers will still include a mobile charger. But on the flip side, folks placing new orders would no longer get their hands on it for free. Instead, they will have to purchase it now separately for $200.

Related Article: Tesla Australia Removes Mobile Connector From EV Orders! Buyers Now Need To Pay Extra $550

This article is owned by Tech Times

Written by Teejay Boris

 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Recent reports claimed that a massive Chinese rocket was heading toward Earth. Scientists claim it is moving in an uncontrollable direction and are still unsure of its exact landing location and timing.

However, a western Philippine region on Monday, Aug. 1, was hit by the debris of a Chinese rocket that boosted the deployment of China's new space station, according to a report by the AP.

Were There Reported Damages?

According to a Filipino official, there were no indications of any damage in a western Philippine region where it was reported that Chinese rocket debris had fallen.

An official from the Philippine Space Agency, Marc Talampas, said authorities had been told to keep an eye out for rocket debris that may have splashed down into the waters of the province of Palawan.

According to Talampas' statement with AP, they are now monitoring the situation closely. They have also issued a warning to the public, advising them to be cautious, avoid coming into contact with any possible floating debris, and contact their local authorities right away.

Massive Chinese Rocket

The majority of the Long March-5B rocket's final stage burned up after entering the atmosphere, according to a report published on Sunday, July 31, by the China Manned Space Agency. It also reported that the booster would be permitted to fall aimlessly.

This is located on the seas of southeast Puerto Princesa, the capital city of Palawan.

According to AP's report, the Chinese Space Agency did not communicate information about the rocket debris to the Philippine Space Agency.

The Wentian laboratory was launched into orbit on July 24 by China's most potent rocket - the Long March-5B. It was firmly fastened to the Tianhe main module, which houses three astronauts.

The Chinese government earlier reported that the remains of a different cargo spacecraft that accommodated the station ended up falling into a predetermined area of the South Pacific after the majority of it burned up on reentry.

Read also: China's Space-Based Solar Power System Test is a Success! Comparable To NASA's SPS-ALPHA?

China Under Fire

China has already come under fire for letting rocket stages fall to Earth without being controlled. In fact, NASA accused China of "failing to meet responsible standards" regarding space debris last year after a Chinese rocket's debris fell in the Indian Ocean.

Tiangong-1, China's first space station, lost control in 2016 and plunged into the Pacific Ocean, according to Beijing. In May 2020, an uncontrollable 18-ton rocket also fell.

In 2007, China was criticized for using a missile to take out one of its retired weather satellites, leaving behind a field of debris that other nations claimed could endanger other satellites, according to AP.

READ ALSO: A Space Debris From a Chinese Rocket Could Potentially Hit Earth on July 30 [UPDATE]

This article is owned by Tech Times

Written by Joaquin Victor Tacla

 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
For the first time ever, the movement of a single atom through a liquid has been captured on camera, according to a report by ScienceAlert.

Scientists from the University of Manchester trapped and watched platinum atoms "swimming" along a surface under various pressures employing a sandwich of materials so thin that they are essentially two-dimensional.

Transmission Electron Microscopy

The lack of methods that can generate experimental data for solid-liquid interfaces is one of the reasons why information about this behavior is still lacking, according to Haigh.



According to materials scientist Sarah Haigh of the University of Manchester in the United Kingdom, given the pervasive industrial and scientific importance of this behavior, there is still much to learn about the fundamentals of how atoms behave on surfaces that are in contact with liquids.

When solid and liquid come into contact, their behaviors are altered.ScienceAlert explained that these interactions play a crucial role in understanding a variety of processes and applications, including the movement of ions in batteries and materials inside our bodies.

The researchers point out that it is very challenging to observe the world at the atomic scale. One of the few methods that make this possible is transmission electron microscopy (TEM), which creates images using an electron beam.

Finding trustworthy information on the behavior of atoms in this way has proven challenging, though. Although earlier research on graphene liquid cells was promising, the outcomes were inaccurate, according to ScienceAlert.

Additionally, a high vacuum environment is frequently needed for TEM to operate. This is problematic because many materials exhibit different behaviors under various pressure situations.

Fortunately, a type of TEM has been created that can function in liquid and gaseous conditions, and the team used this type of TEM for their research.

Read also: MIT Professor Creates 'Liquid Metal Batteries' To Enable Long-Term Storage For Renewable Energies

Milestone Achievement

The atoms were then placed inside a unique set of microscope slides. Due to its impermeability, strength, two-dimensionality, and inertness is the perfect substance for these experiments, according to ScienceAlert.

The team also created a double graphene liquid cell that can be used with current TEM technology by building on earlier work.

The team observed platinum atoms moving around on a solid surface of molybdenum disulfide in this cell, which was filled with a carefully regulated salt water solution that had platinum atoms.

The images revealed some interesting qualities. For instance, atoms chose different locations to rest on the solid surface when they were in liquid as opposed to when they were outside of it.

Additionally, the findings from inside and outside of a vacuum chamber were dissimilar, indicating that changes in the pressure of the environment can affect how atoms behave.

According to materials engineer Nick Clark of the University of Manchester:

"This is a milestone achievement and it is only the beginning - we are already looking to use this technique to support development of materials for sustainable chemical processing, needed to achieve the world's net zero ambitions."

Related Article: 'Electron Whirlpools': MIT Physicists Discover Electricity Acting Like Water

This article is owned by Tech Times

Written by Joaquin Victor Tacla

 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Over the years, Samsung has used Qualcomm's Snapdragon and Exynos chips for their flagship phones. And it looks like we're going to see more of it in Samsung phones.

(Photo : by JUNG YEON-JE/AFP via Getty Images)

People walk past the Samsung logo displayed on a glass door at the company's Seocho building in Seoul on July 28, 2022.

Even though there are no specific details yet, Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon said that more regions would see Samsung Galaxy flagship products powered by Snapdragon, specifically S23 and beyond, as reported by XDA.

This is due to the multiyear agreement between Samsung and Qualcomm. This week, a press release announcing a "broad strategic partnership" with Samsung that involves a seven-year extension to a patent licensing agreement between Qualcomm and Samsung.

An excerpt from the press release states, "Qualcomm Incorporated and Samsung have agreed to extend their patent license agreement for 3G, 4G, 5G and upcoming 6G mobile technology through the end of 2030."

This new deal means that Samsung will be using more Snapdragon chips in its Galaxy smartphones. Usually, the Snapdragon chips are available for select regions, like the US, South Korea, and others. However, many parts of Asia and Europe usually end up with Exynos chips.

The Exynos got a backlash in 2020 when users created a petition to convince Samsung to stop using the Exynos chips because of overheating and performance issues. However, during that time, Samsung said that their Exynos chips go through the same strict and rigorous texts as the Snapdragon chips.

During the earnings call, Amon said that their agreement with Samsung was one the best things that happened to him in the quarter.

Amon also said their share climbed to 75% following the agreement with Samsung. He said he's very excited about what's to come, and the partnership provides great stability for their mobile business.

As the second part of the multiyear agreement approaches, Qualcomm expands beyond Galaxy smartphones. Therefore, we will see Snapdragon-powered Galaxy books, Windows PCs, Galaxy tablets, and more. Amon is very pleased that both companies have come closer together.

Also read: Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 8GB Variant Confirmed | Android 11, Snapdragon 888, 4,500mAh, and More

Exynos is Here to Stay

Despite the fact that Snapdragon works well, Samsung doesn't seem like they will let go of the Exynos. This is because even if there's a new partnership between Qualcomm and Samsung, it's still not guaranteed that Snapdragon-powered Galaxy phones will be available in more regions.

Therefore, Samsung will likely continue to use in-house chips inside its flagship phones in select markets.

If anything, this multiyear partnership gives Samsung more time to invest and make more improvements to their SoC.

The future of Exynos remains unclear, but the biggest news so far is Samsung's plans to create a chip specifically for its Galaxy flagship smartphones.

Related article: Qualcomm Snapdragon to Power Smartwatches? Soon Available on Wear OS Chips

This article is owned by TechTimes.

Written by April Fowell

 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
"The 600 million supercar was flooded and sold for 1 million won... Those who want to use it as a decoration"
Two small legal practices have moved into downtown office buildings.

The Baton Rouge offices of Irwin Fritchie Urquhart & Moore are now located on the 11th floor of the Chase North Tower, attorney Matt Bailey told the Downtown Development District Board Tuesday. Sprinkle Law Firm has moved into One American Place, said attorney Richard Sprinkle.
New Orleans-raised rapper Mystikal berated, beat and choked a woman at his Ascension Parish home during a heated argument over finances during the weekend before the episode devolved into her rape amid his separate complaint that she had stolen $100 from him, sheriff's deputies said Monday.

The victim accused Mystikal, whose given name is Michael Lawrence Tyler, of engaging in erratic and violent behavior minutes after he had apologized for beating her and pulling out her hair braids  then he had them pray together.

"He had her kneel with him beside his bed as they prayed for a few minutes," a sheriff's warrant says.

Tyler, 51, of Prairieville, was arrested and booked Sunday afternoon on first-degree rape, simple robbery, felony domestic abuse battery by strangulation and other counts in the suburban Baton Rouge parish, sheriff's deputies said.

Tyler has faced sexual assault charges in the past and is a registered sex offender after a 2003 conviction, but recently said he was trying to turn his life around and put his more volatile past behind him.

He rose to national fame in the 1990s and is best known for his 2000 hit single "Shake Ya Ass."

The woman denied the theft allegation from Tyler, but moments after the sexual assault, Tyler demanded that the woman pay him back, the warrant alleges.

He made her use a cellphone application to send him a $100 payment and then, after she paid him the money, took her phone and upped the payment to $150 before he allowed her to leave his home, the warrant alleges.

Ascension Parish sheriff's deputies picked up Tyler after an interview with the victim at Baton Rouge General Hospital late Saturday, the sheriff's office said.

In the warrant, deputies said the woman's bruises and cuts and her damaged clothing were consistent with her account of an assault. The woman also had recounted the assault to a friend, deputies said.

Tyler was being held Monday without bail in Ascension Parish Prison near Donaldsonville, a sheriff's spokesman said.

Attempts to find out what lawyer may be representing Tyler and contact that attorney weren't immediately successful Monday. Three of his past criminal defense attorneys weren't immediately available for comment.

According to the woman's accusations in the warrant, the initial financial conversation seemed to go fine, but while preparing to go to a Walmart to pick up some items, "his demeanor changed." After confronting her about the $100, he struck her several times, the affidavit said.

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At some point, the affidavit said, he picked up a pair of scissors and told her he would "f--- her up" and that she would "need medical attention."

The victim also told deputies he spit on her face and threw rubbing alcohol on her because she had "bad spirits" that needed to be cleansed.

Given the earlier threats, the woman said, she initially was too fearful to tell him not to rape her but eventually did tell him "no" as she was crying from the assault.

Tyler's 2000 album "Let's Get Ready" sold more than a million copies on the strength of the hit song. He was nominated for two Grammy awards in early 2003. But his career was derailed soon after.

In 2003, Tyler pleaded guilty to forcing a woman to perform what a judge called "continuous sex acts," dating from an incident in July 2002 at the rapper's then-Baton Rouge apartment. The victim in that case accused Tyler and two bodyguards of sexually assaulting her after he had accused her of stealing $80,000 worth of his checks.

The woman denied stealing any money. The attack was videotaped.

Tyler served a six-year term in state prison for sexual battery and extortion and was released in early 2010. As a result of the conviction, Tyler became a lifetime registered sex offender, the most serious level of registered offender under Louisiana law because of the risk of a repeat offense.

A judge had ordered Tyler back in jail for three months following his arrest again in 2012 on a misdemeanor domestic abuse count in Ascension. The arrest violated Tyler's five-year probation from the extortion case.

In a subsequent interview with the Associated Press published in April 2021, the middle-aged rapper professed that he was trying to take a different direction with his life, saying he imagines himself "rapping ... to God and if I can rap it, Im proud."

In addition to the new rape, robbery and strangulation counts in Ascension, Tyler was also booked Sunday with counts of false imprisonment and simple criminal damage to property, deputies said. On Monday, he was also booked with counts of possession of methamphetamine, heroin and three other drug counts after deputies searched his home, deputies said.

Donovan Jackson, sheriff's spokesman, said a judge had preliminarily ordered Tyler held without bail but a formal hearing was pending.
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Skip Gallagher is photographed in his office where he is a professor in the Chemistry department at University of New Orleans in New Orleans, La. Thursday, May 12, 2022. When not teaching, Gallagher spends his time scrutinizing public records and his research has helped launch an expanding FBI investigation into NOPD officers who abuse special details. (Photo by Max Becherer, NOLA.com, The Times-Picayune | The New Orleans Advocate)
The First Nations singer-songwriter Archie Roach, who died last week after a long illness, was not just an extraordinary Australian artist, community worker, Gunditjmara-Bundjalung senior elder and loving father and foster father  he was foremost a truth-teller.

That was in evidence from the very beginning of his music career when, in 1989 and still unknown to a mainstream audience, he was invited to perform at the Melbourne Concert Hall by Paul Kelly and the Messengers. He ended his short set that night with a heart-wrenching recollection of the experiences of the stolen generations with his song Took the Children Away.

The late Archie Roach. Credit:Kristoffer Paulsen

The welfare and the policeman said youve got to understand - well give them what you cant give. Teach them how to really live. Teach them how to live, they said. Humiliated them instead. Taught them that and taught them this. And others taught them prejudice. You took the children away.

As Kelly would later recall, the audience sat there stunned. He finished the song and there was still dead silence ... Archie thought hed bombed, that everybody hated it, so he just turned and started to walk off-stage.
The picture shows a British Astute-class nuclear-powered submarine.

By Lin Yuan

The British military recently announced that it will assign a nuclear submarine detachment to Australia, which once again caught intense public attention amid the international criticism that the nuclear submarine cooperation among the US, UK and Australia will increase the risk of nuclear proliferation. Analysts said Britains limited capacity decides that its plan to deploy nuclear submarines in Australia will hardly get the expected effects, but we cannot underestimate the regional security risks the move may cause.

Australian media pointed out that the deployment will enable Britain to meddle in the Asian-Pacific affairs more conveniently, but responses from different sides seem to show a general questioning of the feasibility of London and Canberras strategic intention.

On the one hand, Britain is ridiculed for its declining strengths. Britains military capacity has been frequently questioned in recent years. At the end of 2021, the Defense Committee of the British Parliament released an assessment report claiming that the British navy is at the most difficult period in history with substantial problems in its overall capacity, scale and structure. Londons deployment of nuclear submarines in Australia is generally taken as being symbolic only because its submarines cannot really deter anyone, either in terms of quantity or firepower.

On the other hand, Britains crisis-spreading move is boycotted. Many countries have protested strongly against the accelerated UK-Australia cooperation on nuclear submarines. Prime Minister of Malaysia Ismail said Australias deployment of nuclear submarines will aggravate regional tension and trigger an arms race. In a recent meeting with Australias new Foreign Minister Penny Wong, Malaysian Foreign Minister Saifuddin reiterated Kuala Lumpurs concern over Canberras nuclear submarine plan. Representatives from other Pacific island states like Kiribati and Samoa and from Russia and Pakistan have also expressed their concerns over the US-UK-Australia nuclear submarine cooperation on various occasions.

Even within Australia, there is strong objection to the deployment of British nuclear submarines. Behm, Director of the International & Security Affairs Program of Australian Institute, held that the AUKUS military alliance may increase the risk of nuclear warfare in the long term. A key member of the Australian NGO, International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapon, said the trilateral statement by the US, UK and Australia on nuclear submarine cooperation indicates a nuclearization tendency in Australias military development.

Following Britains announcement, the US House Armed Services Subcommittee on Seapower and Projection Forces will pass the Australia-US Submarine Officer Pipeline Act in the coming days, which will allow the Australian Navy to assign officers to participate in Americas nuclear submarine training course every year and board their submarines to familiarize themselves with the operational procedures.

The US Department of Defense also pledged to upgrade the infrastructure at its military bases in Guam and Australia and deploy more troops and equipment in the latter. Its foreseeable that as the AUKUS military cooperation keeps deepening, Australia will be turned into a bridgehead for the US and its allies to implement the Indo-Pacific strategy.

It is generally believed that the nuclear submarine cooperation among the US, UK and Australia may spur other countries to follow suit, triggering the chain effect of nuclear proliferation and regional arms race. The resulting greater risk of military conflicts will pose a serious threat to global peace and stability.
West Australian Premier Mark McGowan and billionaire mining magnate Clive Palmer will on Tuesday find out who defamed who during a high-profile spat that raged in the thick of the coronavirus pandemic.

Federal Court Justice Michael Lee will hand down his verdict at the Melbourne Federal Court at 11.30am WST (1.30pm AEST)  two years since the legal action began and three months since both parties made their closing submissions.

Palmer launched the defamation action following a war of words between the two men from April to September 2020, which Palmer said, hurt his feelings and damaged his reputation.

McGowan counter-sued, saying Palmer defamed him in advertising and media interviews.
Queensland mayor pleads guilty to drink driving

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Parliament is dealing with some heavy questions about Australias history and traditions but no one expected to debate whether the Queen was a coloniser during what should have been a routine bit of administration.

The handful of politicians who werent able to make it to Canberra last week for the opening of parliament were sworn in on Monday.

Greens senator Lidia Thorpe stands with her fist raised in the air as she is sworn in to the new Senate. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

Greens senator Lidia Thorpe, a DjabWurrung Gunnai Gunditjmara woman, had to have two tries at her oath after initially referring to the colonising Queen.

Clad in black, Thorpe approached the centre of the Senate chamber with her fist raised in the air to make the affirmation of allegiance.
South-east Queensland trains will run on three rerouted lines, converging only at Roma Street station, under the mammoth Cross River Rail upgrade.

From mid-2025, Central will lose its place as Brisbanes primary station, with additional services and infrastructure favouring development precincts at Roma Street and Woolloongabba.

Cross River Rail Delivery Authority chief executive Graeme Newton stands on the 220-metre-long Roma Street Station, which is 27 metres beneath the old Roma Street Station. Credit:Tony Moore

The Exhibition station will become a full-time station for the first time, serving the fast-growing apartments and inner-city urban renewal area.

One line will follow a north-south route between the Gold Coast (Varsity Lakes) and Beenleigh, and Nambour and Redcliffe on the Sunshine Coast (blue line).
Workplace training and education is broken, according to Australian start-up EdApp, which has a novel idea for its next step on the path to making lessons enjoyable and effective - celebrity educators.

Since launching in 2015, EdApp has grown to deliver more than a million lessons globally each month, and in 2020, it was acquired by workplace ops unicorn SafetyCulture at a valuation of $40 million.

EdApp founder Darren Winterford said traditional online learning had completion rates as low as 15 per cent.

The app  which is free but comes with subscription fees for more advanced integrations  breaks training down into five-minute gamified micro-lessons, which can be delivered via smartphone. And this month, the service will launch courses with celebrity hosts.

EdApp founder and chief executive Darren Winterford accepted the concept was similar to seminar service MasterClass, but EdApps focus would be on workplace learning.
Singapore: Indonesia wants Australias acquisition of nuclear-propelled submarines to be monitored tightly by the United Nations watchdog, saying it is taking a very serious interest because its waters will be passed by such vessels.

Along with south-east Asian neighbour Malaysia, Indonesia has expressed consternation about Australias submarine ambitions since the AUKUS deal was unveiled last September.

A US Virginia class submarine, which could form the basis of Australias planned nuclear-powered submarine fleet. Credit:US Navy

Now, Jakarta has raised major concerns about the sharing of nuclear technology for military purposes in a working paper for this weeks UN nuclear non-proliferation review conference in New York, highlighting safety issues with the transportation and use of highly enriched uranium and the risk of it being diverted to weapons programs.

Indonesias proposal for stricter regulations around the sharing of nuclear material to fuel submarines is being supported by Malaysia, according to Tri Tharyat, the director general for multilateral cooperation at Indonesias foreign ministry.
Washington: Al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri has been killed in a US drone strike, representing the most significant blow to the Islamic extremist network since his predecessor Osama bin Laden was killed 11 years ago.

The US announced on Tuesday (AEST) that Zawahiri had been killed at a safe house in the Afghan capital of Kabul over the weekend, putting an end to a decades-long search for the Egyptian doctor who helped plot the September 11 attacks.

The strike was part of a counter-terrorism mission ordered by President Joe Biden, who appeared briefly at the White House while recovering from COVID to address the nation about the details of the operation.

Justice has been delivered, Biden said. This terrorist leader is no more. People around the world no longer need to fear this vicious and determined killer.
Liberty Counsel settled the nations first classwide lawsuit for healthcare workers over a COVID shot mandate, for more than $10.3 million, July 29 2022.

The class action settlement against NorthShore University HealthSystem is on behalf of more than 500 current and former healthcare workers who were unlawfully discriminated against and denied religious exemptions from the COVID shot mandate.

The agreed-upon settlement was filed today in the federal Northern District Court of Illinois.

As a result of the settlement, NorthShore will pay $10,337,500 to compensate these healthcare employees who were victims of religious discrimination, and who were punished for their religious beliefs against taking an injection associated with aborted fetal cells.

This is a historic, first-of-its-kind class action settlement against a private employer who unlawfully denied hundreds of religious exemption requests to COVID-19 shots.

The settlement must be approved by the federal District Court.

Employees of NorthShore who were denied religious exemptions will receive notice of the settlement, and will have an opportunity to comment, object, request to opt out or submit a claim form for payment out of the settlement fund, all in accordance with deadlines that will be set by the court.

As part of the settlement agreement, NorthShore will also change its unlawful no religious accommodations policy to make it consistent with the law, and to provide religious accommodations in every position across its numerous facilities.

No position in any NorthShore facility will be considered off limits to unvaccinated employees with approved religious exemptions.

In addition, employees who were terminated because of their religious refusal of the COVID shots will be eligible for rehire if they apply within 90 days of the final settlement approved by the court, and they will retain their previous seniority level.

The amount of individual payments from the settlement fund will depend on how many valid and timely claim forms are submitted during the claims process.

If the settlement is approved by the court and all or nearly all of the affected employees file valid and timely claims, it is estimated that employees who were terminated or resigned because of their religious refusal of a COVID shot will receive approximately $25,000 each, and employees who were forced to accept a COVID shot against their religious beliefs to keep their jobs will receive approximately $3,000 each.

The 13 healthcare workers who are lead plaintiffs in the lawsuit will receive an additional approximate payment of $20,000 each for their important role in bringing this lawsuit and representing the class of NorthShore healthcare workers.

Liberty Counsel will receive 20% of the settlement sum, which equals $2,061,500, as payment for the significant attorneys fees and costs it has required to undertake to sue NorthShore and hold it accountable for its actions. This amount is far less than the typical 33% usually requested by attorneys in class action litigation.

In October 2021, Liberty Counsel sent a demand letter to NorthShore on behalf of numerous healthcare workers who had sincere religious objections to NorthShores Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccination Policy.

If NorthShore had agreed then to follow the law and grant religious exemptions, the matter would have been quickly resolved and it would have cost it nothing.

But, when NorthShore refused to follow the law, and instead denied all religious exemption and accommodation requests for employees working in its facilities, Liberty Counsel filed a class action lawsuit, along with a motion for a temporary restraining order and injunction.

Liberty Counsel Vice President of Legal Affairs and Chief Litigation Counsel Horatio G. Mihet said:

We are very pleased with the historic, $10 million settlement achieved in our class action lawsuit against NorthShore University HealthSystem.

The drastic policy change and substantial monetary relief required by the settlement will bring a strong measure of justice to NorthShores employees who were callously forced to choose between their conscience and their jobs.

This settlement should also serve as a strong warning to employers across the nation that they cannot refuse to accommodate those with sincere religious objections to forced vaccination mandates.

Mat Staver, Founder and Chairman of Liberty Counsel said:

This classwide settlement providing compensation and the opportunity to return to work is the first of its kind in the nation involving COVID shot mandates. This settlement should be a wake-up call to every employer that did not accommodate or exempt employees who opposed the COVID shots for religious reasons.

Let this case be a warning to employers that violated Title VII. It is especially significant and gratifying that this first classwide COVID settlement protects health care workers. Health care workers are heroes who daily give their lives to protect and treat their patients. They are needed now more than ever.

Originally published by Liberty Counsel.
The bulk carrier Razoni starts its way from the port in Odesa, Ukraine, on Aug. 1, 2022. (Michael Shtekel/AP Photo)

1st Ship Carrying Ukrainian Grain Leaves the Port of Odesa

The deals also allow Russia to export grain and fertilizer

ANKARA, TurkeyThe first ship carrying Ukrainian grain set off from the port of Odesa on Monday under a deal brokered by the United Nations and Turkey that is expected to release large stores of Ukrainian crops to foreign markets and ease a growing food crisis.

The Sierra Leone-flagged cargo ship Razoni left Odesa carrying over 26,000 tons of corn destined for Lebanon.

The first grain ship since Russian aggression has left port, said Ukraines Minister of Infrastructure Oleksandr Kubrakov on Twitter, posting a video of the long vessel sounding its horn as its slowly headed out to sea.

Posting separately on Facebook, Kubrakov said Ukraine is the fourth-largest corn exporter in the world, so the possibility of exporting it via ports is a colossal success in ensuring global food security.

In Moscow, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov hailed the ships departure as very positive, saying it would help test the efficiency of the mechanisms that were agreed during the talks in Istanbul.

Turkeys defense minister, Hulusi Akar, said the Razoni was expected to dock Tuesday afternoon in Istanbul at the entrance of the Bosporus, where joint teams of Russian, Ukrainian, Turkish, and U.N. officials would board it for inspections.

In an interview with Turkeys state-run Anadolu Agency, Akar warned that the global food crisis threatened to trigger a serious wave of migration from Africa to Europe and to Turkey.

The corn will then head to Lebanon, a Mideast nation in the grips of what the World Bank has described as one of the worlds worst financial crises in more than 150 years. A 2020 explosion at its main port in Beirut shattered its capital city and destroyed grain silos there, a part of which collapsed following a weekslong fire just Sunday.

The Turkish defense ministry said other ships would also depart Ukraines ports through the safe corridors in line with deals signed in Istanbul on July 22, but did not provide further details.

Russia and Ukraine signed separate agreements with Turkey and the U.N. clearing the way for Ukraine one of the worlds key breadbasketsto export 22 million tons of grain and other agricultural goods that have been stuck in Black Sea ports because of Ukraines conflict.

The deals also allow Russia to exports grain and fertilizers.

Turkeys defense minister praised a joint coordination center staffed by Russian, Ukrainian, Turkish, and U.N. officials as a venue where opposing sides can engage with each other.

The problems they have are obvious, there is a war. But it is the only place where the two sides are able to come together, Akar said. Despite the ups and downs, there is a good environment for dialogue.

Ukraines infrastructure ministry said that 16 more ships, all blocked since the beginning of Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, were waiting their turn in the ports of Odesa.

Kubrakov said the shipments would also help Ukraines war-shattered economy.

Unlocking ports will provide at least $1 billion in foreign exchange revenue to the economy and an opportunity for the agricultural sector to plan for next year, Kubrakov said.

The United Nations welcomed the development, saying in a statement that Secretary-General Antonio Guterres hopes the shipments would bring much-needed stability and relief to global food security, especially in the most fragile humanitarian contexts.

The resumption of the grain shipments came as fighting raged elsewhere in Ukraine.

Ukraines presidential office said that at least three civilians were killed and another 16 wounded by Russian shelling in the Donetsk region over the past 24 hours.

In Kharkiv, two people were wounded by a Russian strike in the morning.

The southern city of Mykolaiv also faced repeated strikes.

Soon after the deal was signed on July 22, a Russian missile targeted Odessa. Analysts warned that the continuing fighting could threaten the grain deal.

By Suzan Fraser
Guests and spectators attend the 59th Presidential Inauguration for President Joe Biden at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Jan. 20, 2021. (Susan Walsh/Pool/AFP via Getty Images)

A Small but Practical Step to Start Dismantling the Regime

Commentary

In January, I wrote a practical column, that is, a column that, unlike so many opinion columns, actually put forth a simple pragmatic suggestion that, if implemented, would ease partisan tensions and otherwise improve life across the fruited plain.

In brief, I suggested that the next presidential inauguration take place somewhere other than Washington.

Some people laughed at that suggestion.

Surely, I wasnt being serious.

On the contrary, although I recognize the novelty of the suggestion, I was entirely serious.

Theres nothing in the Constitution that specifies where that ceremony should take place.

Indeed, the Constitution is gratifyingly quiet about all such details.

It specifies the minimum age at which a person is eligible to be president (35); it says he must be a natural born Citizen, and that he has been fourteen Years a Resident within the United States.

It also provides details, some of which have changed over the years, about how electors are to be chosen, how many there are to be, and who is ineligible for that role.

It also sets forth an Oath or Affirmation of office that a person who is elected president is required to pronounce before he takes up his duties.

This solemn formula will sound almost comical to ears tainted by modern disillusionment, but its nevertheless worth repeating: I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.

Those titters you hear are from the scribes and Pharisees who populate our government but who wouldnt have a clue about what it might mean to preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States.

But one thing the Constitution is silent about is the inauguration.

The word doesnt appear anywhere in the document.

Theres no suggestion that the ceremonythe swearing-inshould take place in Washington or any other particular spot.

I understand that the inauguration, like the Oscars, is a ceremony festooned with precedent and expectation.

But with each passing day, it becomes clearer that Washington is the source, the living embodiment, of so much thats wrong with our society.

For one thing, its an overwhelmingly Democratic city, which means that it cant fairly represent a diverse republic in which there are many legitimate points of view that challenge the woke, progressive consensus that underlies the Democratic agenda.

The issue isnt just partisan, however.

Washington is corrupt in a bipartisan sense.

All you need to do is walk up and down its majestic streets and avenues to see that the city is littered with the architectural evidence of special pleading, favor mongering, and influence peddling.

Every second building houses a company or union or industry with its hand out and its snout searching avidly for the public trough.

The founders of the republic would have been disgusted by the rank and rancid cauldron of corruption that the countrys capital city has become.

Anything that can be done to diminish its role in our national life should be embraced.

We can begin in January 2025 by holding the next presidential inauguration elsewhere.

In my earlier column, I suggested Mar-a-Lago as a suitable spot, but I noted that Im not wedded to that venue. I suggested it simply because it would probably be convenient for the people who will be involved come January 2025.

But many other places would be just as good.

I know, I know, CNN and the rest of the woke media would be outraged by this break with tradition.

Too bad.

Hitherto, the wardens of wokeness have had this major ceremonial event take place on what amounts to their ideological home turf.

I think its time to spread the wealth around, just as Barack Obama told Joe the plumber he wanted to do.

Thats where I would start: by moving the inauguration.

But thats only a start.

The goal is much more ambitious.

Its to downgrade the place of Washington, the spirit as well as the city, in the metabolism of American political life.

As I noted in my January column, legitimacy is draining out of our governing institutions at an alarming rate.

Stanching that debilitating flow, I wrote, requires that we redirect our attention away from the greedy puppet show in Washington to the true source of legitimacy, which is with the people.

When Thomas Jefferson lobbied to move the capital to Washington (it had been flipping back and forth between New York and Philadelphia for a decade or more), he did so partly to locate it closer to his home state of Virginia, probably the most prosperous state in the fledgling union.

But he did it also in an effort to locate the capital on more or less politically neutral ground.

The capital of the republic was meant to be above partisan affiliation.

Alas, as the years have gone by, Washington has become a wholly owned subsidiary of the regime party, also known as the administrative state.

That political dispensation is defined by the progressive, Democratic agenda, but its overflowing ranks are stuffed to the gills with members of both parties.

Every honest person, and quite a few dishonest ones, understands this.

Ivory soap used to brag that it was 99.44 percent pure.

Washington is at least 99.44 percent in the pocket of the regime.

You see this, for example, in the Jan. 6 committee, which is about as straightforward a partisan attack machine as would be possible to contrive.

Its illegally constituted, its findings and media are shot through with tendentious, not to say mendacious, statements and distortions, and its proceedings are being conducted more like the police in The Lives of Others than a traditional American congressional investigation.

The Jan. 6 Committee is the perfect objective correlative of the regime. Its members are part of the swamp, as are the vast majority of the media that covers, or, rather, that runs cover for and seeks to justify its activities.

Moreover, other apparatuses of the regimethe Department of Justice, the courtsare also wholly owned subsidiaries of the progressive, anti-Trump machine.

The reputation of the Jan. 6 Committee on Main Street is in tatters because its antics are so clearly an expression of a wholly corrupt system, epitomized by the city that battens on the public treasure and the public trust.

There are messy ways that other countries throughout history have dealt with a regime party thats so thoroughly corrupt.

The process isnt edifying, even if, in the end, its cathartic.

A kinder, gentler alternative would be to treat Washington as Hercules did the Augean stables.

I doubt that the Potomac, suitably diverted, would sport enough water to do the job, but moving the government out, piece by piece, beginning with the ceremonial occasion of the inauguration, might be the least expensive, and least sanguinary, alternative.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (L) shakes hands with Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in Singapore on Aug. 1, 2022. (Mohd Fyrol Official Photographer/Ministry of Communications and Information/Handout via Reuters)

As Pelosi Begins Asia Tour in Singapore, China Warns Against Visiting Taiwan

SINGAPOREU.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi kicked off a closely-watched Asia tour on Monday in Singapore as the Chinese regime warned that its military would never sit idly by if she were to visit Taiwan, the self-ruled island claimed by Beijing.

Amid widespread speculation over whether she would make a stop in Taiwan, Pelosis office announced on Sunday that she was leading a congressional delegation to the region that would include visits to Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea, and Japan. It did not mention Taiwan.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian reiterated the earlier warnings on Monday that if Pelosi visits Taiwan, it would lead to very serious developments and consequences.

Asked what kind of measures the Chinese army might take, Zhao said, if she dares to go, then let us wait and see.

The Chinese regime claims the island as its own, despite Taiwan being a de facto independent country, with its own military, democratically-elected government, and constitution.

The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has never renounced using force to bring Taiwan under its control. Taiwan rejects the CCPs sovereignty claims and says only its people can decide the islands future.

Washington does not have official diplomatic ties with Taiwan but is bound by U.S. law to provide the island with the means to defend itself.

A visit by Pelosi, who is third in the line of succession to the presidency and a long-time critic of the CCP, would come amid worsening ties between Washington and Beijing. Republican Newt Gingrich was the last House speaker to visit Taiwan, in 1997.

During a phone call last Thursday, Chinese leader Xi Jinping warned his U.S. counterpart Joe Biden that Washington should abide by the one-China principle and those who play with fire will perish by it.

Biden told Xi that U.S. policy on Taiwan had not changed and that Washington strongly opposes unilateral efforts to change the status quo or undermine peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.

On Monday, Taiwan Premier Su Tseng-chang did not directly respond when asked whether Pelosi will visit on Thursday, as local media have speculated.

We always warmly welcome visits to our country by distinguished foreign guests, he told reporters in Taipei.

Singapore Visit

On Monday, Pelosi and her delegation met with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, discussing issues including cross-strait relations, the Ukraine war, and climate change, Singapores foreign ministry said.

PM Lee highlighted the importance of stable U.S.China relations for regional peace and security, it said.

Lee welcomed a U.S. commitment to strong engagement with the region, and the two sides discussed ways to deepen U.S. economic engagement through initiatives such as the IndoPacific Economic Framework, the ministry said in a statement.

Pelosi was to attend a cocktail reception later Monday with the American Chamber of Commerce in Singapore. There is no media access to her visit, which has been kept under tight wraps.

She is scheduled to be in Malaysia on Tuesday.

On Thursday, Pelosi is to meet with South Korean National Assembly Speaker Kim Jin Pyo in Seoul for talks on security in the IndoPacific region, economic cooperation, and the climate crisis, Kims office said in a statement.

It declined to provide further details about her itinerary, including when she is arriving in South Korea and how long shell stay.

Pelosis schedule for Wednesday remains unclear and there were no details on when she will head to Japan.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Australian Government Extends Gas Security Mechanism to Prevent Shortages

The Australian government will prolong the Australian Domestic Gas Security Mechanism (ADGSM) by another seven years to January 2030 in an effort to improve local gas supplies.

Following the federal governments decision, Resources Minister Madeleine King has said she will issue a notice of intention to implement the mechanism in 2023.

These measures announced today will safeguard Australias energy supplies, she told reporters. They are designed to work hand in glove with work being done by the energy ministers.

Under the ADGSM, the federal resources minister can direct gas companies to limit their exports or find new gas sources to meet domestic demand if there is a supply shortfall.

King said the notice would give gas producers an opportunity to provide information on gas production, plant export volumes and the market outlook.

This is their opportunity to demonstrate that there wont be a domestic shortfall next year, she said.

In addition, the mechanism, which was due to expire in January 2023, will be subject to review in 2025.

King also said that the federal government was seeking consultation on reform to the ADGSM to make sure that it was fit for purpose and could be activated at short notice to mitigate potential gas shortfalls.

At the same time, the government will negotiate with major Australian gas producers on a new heads of agreement, a deal that ensures Australian users have priority to uncontracted gas to help avoid a forecast shortage.

A Gas Shortfall Forecasted In 2023

The extension of the ADGSM comes as the Australian Competition and Consumer Commissions (ACCC) latest interim gas report forecasted that there would be a gas shortfall next year if Australian producers exported all the excess gas produced.

The shortage is expected to occur amid high demand and a rise in the volume of uncontracted gas, which will likely be sold overseas at higher prices.

A general view of Coal Seam Gas wells in the Pilliga Forest in Narrabri, Australia, on Feb. 6, 2021. (Brook Mitchell/Getty Images)

The report said if the shortfall occurred, it would be worse than the situation in 2017 when the Turnbull government created the ADGSM.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers said the report highlighted some alarming characteristics of the gas market on Australias east coast.

It projects a significant gas shortfall for next year unless gas producers supply more of their uncontracted or excess gas to the domestic market, he said.

Gas Industrys Response

In light of the ACCC report, the gas industry said there would be sufficient gas supply for 2023.

The Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association said the ACCC report showed that the domestic market could get access to 167 petajoules of uncontracted gas in 2023.

This is more than enough gas to ensure that no shortfall occurs, association acting CEO Damian Dwyer said.

There has never been an actual shortfall, and there will not be one next yearthis is the ACCC signalling that action is needed, and the industry will act.

Meanwhile, Opposition Treasurer Angus Taylor said the domestic gas network needed more supply to avoid a crisis.

The government needs a plan where its working with the gas producers, with the threat they will take stronger action if necessary, he told Sky News.
In this handout provided by the Australian Department of Defence, Armadale Class Patrol Boat, HMAS Armidale, sails into the Port of Honiara, Guadalcanal Island, Solomon Islands, on Dec. 1, 2021. (CPL Brodie Cross/Australian Department of Defence via Getty Images)

Beijing Looking to Buy Deep Water Port, WWII Airstrip in Solomon Islands

Bribery, influence still rampant in Pacific nation

A Chinese state-owned firm is investigating the purchase of a deep water port and a World War II-era airstrip in the Solomon Islands, according to new documents obtained by the Australian Broadcasting Corp.

The China Forestry Group Corp., under the direct control of Beijing, is scoping out sites for acquisition, including a forestry plantation on the circle-shaped island of Kolombangarathe site of extensive fighting between the Allies and Imperial Japan during World War II.

The plantation covers two-thirds of the island and includes 14,000 hectares (almost 34,600 acres) of hardwood forest, 24,000 hectares of protected forest, a deep water port, an airstrip, and large tracts of flat land.

Kolombangara is also part of the New Georgia Islands group, within the Western Province of the Solomon Islands. Its located near a major tuna fishing hub, Noro, as well as the town of Munda, where theres already extensive Chinese investment in the airport.

Talks for Kolombangara began in 2019, when a delegation from China Forestry visited the island. However, while the delegation showed little interest in the trees, they appeared to be interested in the wharf and its depth.

The plantation is currently owned by Taiwanese and Australian private shareholders, along with the Solomon Islands governmentwhich currently maintains close ties to the Chinese Communist Party. Since May, talks have resumed.

Members of the plantation companys board, Kolombangara Forests Products, have written to Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong expressing concerns over Beijings interest, according to the ABCs Four Corners program. Australias Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade responded by saying that it wouldnt intervene in this particular transaction.

The Australian government already has investments across the Solomon Islands in its bid to push back on Beijings ongoing influence, including works at the Noro fishing and container hub and funding six mobile phone towers across the country.

Beijing Influence Deeply Entrenched in Solomons

It comes as Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei continues working with the Solomon Islands national government to build 200 mobile towers across the islands. Huawei was banned from Australias 5G network in 2018 over security concernsa move adopted by several democratic governments in subsequent years, including the United States, Japan, the UK, India, and Taiwan.

Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare also was found to have activated a secret Beijing-backed slush fund in the leadup to a no-confidence motion in Decemberdistributing $80,000 to every Parliament member loyal to him (and nothing to those who opposed him).

The latest revelations come as democratic leaders continue bolstering support in the Pacific region in response to Beijings ongoing influencewhich has entrenched the interests of corrupt national leaders.

The plantation deal isnt the first indication of Beijings military interests in the region. In April, documents were leaked revealing that Chinese state-owned aviation company Avic International Project Engineering Co. had been scoping out development sites for naval and infrastructure projects for the Peoples Liberation Army Navy (PLAN).

The news broke after a secret security deal between Sogavare and Beijing was signed that would allow the PLAN to station troops, weapons, and naval ships in the regionopening the door to the full militarization of the region akin to the South China Sea.

Sogavare has continued to deny that the regime in Beijing will establish a military base.
Russian President Vladimir Putin (L), shakes hands with President Joe Biden during a meeting in Geneva, Switzerland, on June 16, 2021. (Mikhail Metzel/Sputnik/AFP via Getty Images)

Biden Seeks to Work on Nuclear Deal With China, Russia

U.S. President Joe Biden called on China and Russia to negotiate a new nuclear arms treaty with the United States, as the United Nations meets to review global nonproliferation efforts.

Biden made the remarks prior to the opening of the 10th U.N. Review on the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), a 1970 treaty aimed at reducing nuclear weapons globally. The review, which happens once every five years, was scheduled for 2020 but was delayed because of COVID-19.

Ive worked on arms control from the earliest days of my career, and the health of the NPT has always rested on meaningful, reciprocal arms limits between the United States and Russian Federation, Biden said in a statement. Even at the height of the Cold War, the United States and the Soviet Union were able to work together to uphold our shared responsibility to ensure strategic stability.

Russia and the United States extended their New START treaty in February, which will extend caps on the number of strategic nuclear warheads that either nation will deploy and limits the number of land, sea, and air units capable of delivering them until 2026.

The United States and Russia have been able to reach agreements in the past on nuclear arms control measures, regardless of wider political disagreements. However, Biden suggested that Russia would need to demonstrate that it actually intends to abide by the terms of the treaty, given its invasion of Ukraine five months ago.

My Administration is ready to expeditiously negotiate a new arms control framework to replace New START when it expires in 2026, Biden said. But negotiation requires a willing partner operating in good faith.

Russias brutal and unprovoked aggression in Ukraine has shattered peace in Europe and constitutes an attack on fundamental tenets of international order. In this context, Russia should demonstrate that it is ready to resume work on nuclear arms control with the United States.

Russian Response

Russian President Vladimir Putin wrote a letter to the participants of the NPT conference, saying that a nuclear war should never be allowed to happen.

There can be no winners in a nuclear war and it must never be unleashed, and we stand for equal and indivisible security for all members of the world community, he wrote.

It was unclear if Putin knew the nature of Bidens comments before drafting the letter. But an unnamed official in Russias Foreign Ministry mocked Bidens statements in apparent disbelief.

Is this a serious statement, or has the White House website been hacked? the official told Reuters.

Calls to China

Biden also called on Chinas ruling communist government to engage in talks that will reduce the risk of miscalculation and address destabilizing military dynamics.

The plea comes even as Chinese and U.S. warships maneuvered around Taiwan in an apparent standoff over a rumored trip by U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to the island, which China claims as its territory.

There is no benefit to any of our nations, or for the world, to resist substantive engagement on arms control and nuclear non-proliferation, Biden said. China also has a responsibility as an NPT nuclear weapons state and a member of the [U.N. Permanent Security Council] to engage in talks that will reduce the risk of miscalculation and address destabilizing military dynamics.

He said its vital for the three great powers to work together toward nuclear nonproliferation, particularly so given the war in Ukraine and strife over the future of Taiwan.

In this moment of uncertainty and upheaval on the global stage, reaffirming our shared commitment to the grounding principles of the global nonproliferation regime has never been more crucial, Biden said.
Big Tech, Pharma, Finance Urge SCOTUS to Uphold Race-Based Discrimination in College Admissions

'Woke' corporations say mandatory so-called diversity policies foster excellence

A large cross-section of corporate America filed briefs with the Supreme Court on Aug. 1 urging the court to allow colleges to continue using race as a factor in student admissions.

The court is poised to hear challenges to these racially discriminatory policies in its new term that begins in October. The challengers say so-called affirmative action not only hurts white applicants, but works out to be an anti-Asian penalty as well. Asian American applicants generally have higher academic scores and higher extracurricular scores, they say.

Some legal observers speculate that the nine-member courtwhose six-member conservative majority broke new ground in June by curbing environmental regulatory powers, declaring that the court was wrong to recognize a constitutional right to abortion 49 years ago, and declaring that there is a constitutional right to carry firearms in public for self-defensewouldnt have agreed to hear challenges to race-based college admissions unless it intended to curb them.

The use of race-based criteria by institutions of higher learning in the admissions process isnt popular in the United States.

Surveys from both Pew Research Center and Gallup have indicated that nearly 75 percent of Americans of all races do not believe race or ethnicity should be a factor in college admissions.

The new influx of friend-of-the-court briefs filed by around 80 major corporations came after legal experts told The Epoch Times earlier this year that the Supreme Court may end the use of race-based so-called affirmative action in college admissions in cases that may be heard in the fall.

Their radical legal advocacy aligns the nations big businesses with left-wing activists such as advocates of Marxist-derived critical race theory who say race-conscious government policies are essential to dismantle the systemic racism they say pervades the American experience.

Critics, on the other hand, say using race in the college admissions process is both anachronistic and wrong.

They quote then-Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day OConnor, who believed the policy was a necessary evil. In Grutter v. Bollinger (2003), she wrote, We expect that 25 years from now the use of racial preferences will no longer be necessary to further the interest approved today.

Making race-focused admissions decisions is dangerous, OConnor wrote, calling it a deviation from the norm of equal treatment. Such programs must be limited in time, she stated, adding that all governmental use of race must have a logical end point.

Taking the opposite tack, about 70 big businesses argued in a friend-of-the-court brief (pdf) filed with the high court that race-based discrimination improves the corporate bottom line and assures the nations educational institutions will churn out employees able to compete in the economy.

While the benefits of diversity are real and tangibleand corporate DE&I [i.e. diversity, equity, and inclusion] programs seek to maximize those benefits[the corporations signing the brief] do not recruit applicants in a vacuum.

To succeed, these DE&I efforts depend on university admissions programs that lead to graduates educated in racially and ethnically diverse environments. Only in this way can America produce a pipeline of highly qualified future workers and business leaders prepared to meet the needs of the modern economy and workforce.

There is no doubt that people of all races and ethnic backgrounds deserve a seat at every table and that increasing racial and ethnic diversity throughout [the signers] workforces is the right thing to do. Although [the signing companies] believe that this is reason enough to seek out racially and ethnically diverse employees and to promote diverse leaders, this brief explains a wide variety of research-backed, tangible ways in which racial and ethnic diversity improves business.

Empirical studies confirm that diverse groups make better decisions thanks to increased creativity, sharing of ideas, and accuracy, the brief claims.

And diverse groups can better understand and serve the increasingly diverse population that uses their products and services. These benefits are not simply intangible; they translate into businesses bottom lines. For these reasons, it is no surprise that companies are investing substantially in diversity initiativesa concrete acknowledgment of the value of a racially diverse workforce and leadership structure to business success.

The briefs came after the court agreed earlier this year to hear Students for Fair Admissions Inc. (SFFA) v. President and Fellows of Harvard College, court file 20-1199, and SFFA v. University of North Carolina (UNC), court file 21-707. The cases were consolidated and were going to be heard together, but the court changed course and on July 22 ordered (pdf) that they be heard separately.

That will permit the courts newest justice, Ketanji Brown Jackson, to participate in the UNC case, while she is recused from the Harvard case. Jackson is a graduate of Harvards undergraduate college and its law school, and recently wrapped up a six-year term on the Harvard Board of Overseers, which is the universitys second-highest governing body. She didnt participate in the consideration of the July 22 order.

Considered a conservative group, SFFA calls itself a nonprofit membership group of more than 20,000 students, parents, and others who believe that racial classifications and preferences in college admissions are unfair, unnecessary, and unconstitutional.

Harvard and UNC are, respectively, the oldest private college and the oldest public college in the United States.

Among the Silicon Valley giants to put their names to briefs supporting the use of racial criteria in admissions are Adobe Inc., Airbnb Inc., Apple Inc., Dell Technologies Inc., Google LLC, Intel Corp., LinkedIn Corp., Logitech Inc., Lyft Inc., Meta Platforms Inc. (formerly Facebook), Microsoft Corp., PayPal Inc., Uber Technologies Inc., and Verizon Services. Companies in the financial services industry to sign onto briefs include American Express Co., American International Group Inc. (AIG), KPMG LLP, and Mastercard Inc.

Big Pharma interests signing briefs include Amgen Inc., Bayer US LLC, Bristol Myers Squibb, Gilead Sciences Inc., GlaxoSmithKline LLC, Jazz Pharmaceuticals PLC, Johnson and Johnson, Merck and Co. Inc., and Procter and Gamble Co.

Other large corporations signing onto briefs include Alaska Airlines Inc., American Airlines, General Dynamics Corp., General Electric Co., General Motors Co., Hershey Co., IKEA Retail U.S., Kraft Heinz Co., Northrop Grumman Corp., Paramount Global, The Prudential Insurance Co. of America, and Starbucks Corp.

A DE&I consultant welcomed the support from big businesses.

This is the perfect time for the corporate world to not just sit on the wayside, Lael Chappell, the director of insurance distribution at Coalition Inc., told Bloomberg.
Cancel-Culture Group Urges Supreme Court to Disbar Trump Lawyer

The 65 Project also demands that Justice Clarence Thomas be recused from the case

A cancel-culture group linked to Hillary Clinton has asked the Supreme Court to disbar attorney John C. Eastman after he represented the Trump campaign in legal challenges to the 2020 presidential election.

Eastmans lawyer promptly labeled the complaint scurrilous, even defamatory, in an Aug. 1 legal response obtained by The Epoch Times.

The request to take away Eastmans high court privileges is unusual because no other body has previously disbarred him. Normally, an effort to disbar a lawyer in the Supreme Court comes after another court has already ruled against the person in professional misconduct proceedings.

But left-wing activists have long been incensed at the famous conservative legal scholars speech at the Jan. 6, 2021, Stop the Steal rally in Washington. Protesters entered the U.S. Capitol building en masse, causing the delay of the congressional certification of the presidential election results, while the rally was still in progress at the other end of the National Mall. Former President Donald Trump denies that he had anything to do with the civil disorder and cites the fact that he specifically urged his supporters to protest peacefully.

Members of the U.S. House select committee investigating the Capitol breach have been investigating Eastmans legal advocacy for the Trump campaignincluding a theory that then-Vice President Mike Pence, while presiding over the joint session of Congress, could have delayed or halted the counting of electoral votes. Eastman has claimed that federal agents violated the law when they seized his personal cellphone in June.

Earlier this year, the group, known as The 65 Project, founded by longtime Democratic Party operative and Clinton ally David Brock, began filing bar complaints against attorneys across the country who challenged the election results. The purpose of the group is to not only bring the grievances in the bar complaints, but shame them and make them toxic in their communities and in their firms, he told Axios earlier this year.

Brock, an erstwhile conservative journalist who switched sides and became a fundraiser for Democrats, founded Media Matters for America and other groups. Media Matters, which purports to combat conservative misinformation, has promoted the TrumpRussia collusion conspiracy theory and Clinton for years. The 65 refers to the number of lawsuits the group claims were filed aimed at invalidating the 2020 election results.

Michael Teter, managing director of The 65 Project, wrote (pdf) to the clerk of the Supreme Court on July 28 urging the court to issue an order suspending Mr. Eastman from practice before the Court and move forward with disbarment.

Mr. Eastman violated his oath to conduct himself uprightly and engaged in conduct unbecoming a member of our nations highest court in representing Trump in supposedly dubious election-related litigation, he wrote.

Teter claims that Eastman bolstered and amplified claims not backed by law and claims not backed by evidence (but instead, speculation, conjecture, and unwarranted suspicion). He actively participated in an effort to undermine our electionsa scheme that led to the gravest attack on American democracy since the Civil War.

The attack to which Teter was referring was the civil disturbance of Jan. 6, 2021, which delayed the congressional certification of the presidential election results by several hours. Democrats and a handful of Republicans refer to the events of that day as an insurrection, a claim adamantly rejected by Trump and his supporters.

Eastman abused the court and his conduct was unbecoming a member of the Court, Teter wrote, going on to claim that there was a direct line between Eastmans efforts and the January 6th insurrection.

Indeed, a federal court in California has already found that Mr. Eastman more likely than not engaged in a criminal conspiracy, Teter states in his letter.

Membership in the United States Supreme Court Bar represents a privilege, not a right, and should be afforded only to those whose professional conduct demonstrates respect for the rule of law.

Teter also urged that Justice Clarence Thomas be recused from considering the request because his wife, Ginni Thomas, is a conservative activist and Trump supporter who supported post-election legal challenges, and because Eastman clerked for the justice in the Supreme Courts 1996 term. Teter acknowledged, however, that the justices recusal in the matter isnt legally required.

Eastman responded to the complaint through his lawyer, Charles Burnham of Burnham and Gorokhov.

The 65 Projects complaint dated July 29 is scurrilous, even defamatory, Burnham wrote.

It was filed by an advocacy group  [largely comprising] Democrat party activists who have never had an attorney-client relationship with Dr. Eastman nor even been litigation adversaries of Dr. Eastman, he wrote.

Axios reported that the groups mission is to deter right-wing legal talent from signing on to any future GOP efforts to contest elections, the lawyer wrote.

The wording of the complaint is sloppy and appeared to have been cut and pasted from other complaints. One example provided by Teter claims that Eastman asserted various legal claims in a specific case in which Eastman was not even involved, a fact that Teter does not disclose to the Court, Burnham wrote.

Summary suspension is unwarranted and the complaint itself, which is both flawed on its face and defamatory, should be dismissed.

Efforts by The 65 Project and other like-minded groups to politicize the bar complaint process to deny legal representation to clients and causes with which they disagree should not be countenanced by this Court, Burnham wrote.

Former Department of Justice civil rights attorney J. Christian Adams told The Epoch Times by email that the 65 Project shows how hypocritical lawyers on the left are.

Two decades ago, it was acceptable to represent terrorists who murdered Americans on 9/11. Anyone who criticized a lawyer who chose to represent a terrorist was attacked by the ABA [i.e. the American Bar Association] and the left, said Adams, who is president of the Public Interest Legal Foundation (PILF).

Now, lawyers who represent the President of the United States are subject to the frivolous wrath of The 65 Project. Perhaps conservative donors should start The 66 Project and file bar complaints about all the lawyers from The 65 Project who are harassing lawyers who took on cases in good faith.

PILF describes itself as the nations only public interest law firm dedicated wholly to election integrity. The nonprofit organization exists to assist states and others to aid the cause of election integrity, and fight against lawlessness in American elections.
Chief Executive Lee Ka-chiu and his new government that took up office on July 1, 2022.. (Sung Pi-lung/The Epoch Times)

CCP Press Wins Hong Kong Journalism Awards

Pro establishment political assistants join government departments, many from pro CCP press organisations.

During the Hong Kong Best News Award organized by The Newspaper Society of Hong Kong, Ta Kung Pao, Wen Wei Po, Sing Tao, and other pro-Beijing and pro-establishment media had a clean sweep of many important awards.

The award ceremony was held on July 22. Guests of honour included, among others, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu and Lu Xinning, Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central Peoples Government. This line-up undoubtedly raised the question of its credibility and the criteria for such journalism awards. Details of the awards are shown below.

On another current topic, over 50 percent of the new political assistants appointed to government departments were from pro-Beijing media.

The Chief Executives Office announced on July 22 a list of newly appointed deputy directors (8) and political assistants (11). Among them, six political assistants were from the media, with an average age of about 37. All of them had worked in pro-Being or pro-establishment media. Most of them had previously served as special political assistants under the current secretaries, and now they have become their official assistants.

The list of political assistants includes Joyce Li Wai, a former senior reporter for TVB, who was a special assistant to the Chief Executives Office of the current Chief Secretary for Administration, Eric Chan Kwok-ki.

Au Yeung Man-sin, a former reporter of Wen Wei Po, was appointed political assistant to the secretary of the Housing Bureau.

Christy Leung So-ting, a former senior South China Morning Post reporter, was appointed political assistant to the Secretary for Security.

Jenny Wong Tsz-yuen, the former deputy director of Phoenix TV News, also joined the Hong Kong government as a special assistant to the Chief Executives Office.

A political assistants work is mere political makeup.

Regarding the fact that more than half of this years political assistants are from the media industry, Joseph Lian Yi-zheng, a Hong Kong scholar and media worker, said in an interview that the job of political assistants is merely for political makeup. They are mainly responsible for answering the media and managing public relations issues, including attending public meetings with the Secretary. There they flag reminders to the Secretary on what and how to respond to outside questions and distribute the news afterward.

Lian pointed out that these are familiar news and public relations work areas, so there was no lack of such media workers in all past political assistant positions. Lian said, There are no non-pro-Beijing media anymore in Hong Kong. It makes no sense to continue emphasizing pro-Beijing medias thinking. They cant do anything. Because they will only listen to their bosses.

Lian recalled that the CCP started planting pro-Beijing elements, or underground party members, into the government, in the 1950s,

Whether or not they choose bureaucrats with a pro-Beijing background, there are already plenty of red members within the government. He believes that from this list of the new appointees, no doubt many of them are supported by the leftist groups.

He said that since 2019, the reputation of the Hong Kong government has turned from bad to worse and is still on the way down. With the CCPs international reputation getting increasingly notorious, too, the whole team of this new government could only follow the instructions of their bosses and will never be able to accomplish any of their ambitions.

The government is unable to attract talent. Dr. Chung Kim-wah, deputy chief executive of the Hong Kong Public Opinion Research Institute (HKPORI), told the Epoch Times that there are good reasons why the government has difficulty attracting capable talent.

In the past, most political assistants were from the media, and they were all candidates with good track records and reputation in the industry. At least they had produced something in the press that did create a certain degree of long-lasting impression.

He believes that since the Hong Kong government politically censored everything, it is not surprising only pro-Beijing elements could be accepted for employment.

Chung also questioned the absolute need for political assistants. For a long time, he had always believed that political assistants are dispensable. To date, he found almost none of them succeeded in being upgraded to more senior posts in the hierarchy. Most of them worked in that post for a few years, made a small fortune, and then were completely forgotten.

Pro-Beijing Media Win Newspaper Society of HK Awards

The pro-establishment and pro-Beijing media took a clean sweep during The Best News Award in Hong Kong, 2022 presentation ceremony organized by the Newspaper Society of Hong Kong.

Hong Kong Ta Kung Wen Hui Media Group and its subsidiaries, Ta Kung Pao, Wen Wei Po, and Lion Rock Daily, have achieved the best results over the years, winning a total of 23 awards. These include the exclusive report award winner, runner-up, and so on.

The Sing Tao Daily and its subsidiaries, Headline Daily and The Standard, also won a total of 23 awards. Among them was the winner of the Best News Reporting Award.

The Hong Kong edition of China Daily, funded by the Propaganda Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, won 10 awards.

Ming Pao won 9 awards, including awards in lesser categories such as science and culture. The news photo reported by Ming Pao, of Hong Kong athlete foil fencer Edgar Cheung Ka-long, winning gold, won the Best Picture award in the newsgroup.

Ronson Chan Long-sing, the chairperson of the Hong Kong Journalists Association, pointed out that with the disappearance of the more progressive media, it is not surprising that the pro-establishment media will take over the whole media business.

People in the media industry know that the Newspaper Society of Hong Kong has always had its own unique judging criteria. But Chan said that even though this situation was expected, it was still highly disappointing.

Fewer HK journalism awards as worries of red line prevail.

In his speech at the Hong Kong Best News Awards ceremony, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu declared that some people had always used fake news to endanger national security in recent years. He also maintained that the Basic Law guarantees the freedom of the press in Hong Kong.

After the Hong Kong National Security Law (NSL) passage, 13 media workers were detained for violating the NSL.

In the Press Freedom Index published by Reporters Without Borders in May this year, Hong Kong ranked 148 out of 180 countries and regions.

The press freedom index was 41.64 points, a new low since Hong Kongs sovereignty handover. It represents a drop of one more level from Press Freedom Problem Significant to Difficult Press Freedom Situation.

Under the current repressive political environment, media organizations were forced to close.

The Hong Kong Foreign Correspondents Club (FCC) also suspended the 25-year-old Human Rights Press Freedom Awards this year to avoid touching the NSL red line. Because of this, the FCC had been questioned by outsiders as performing self-censorship.

According to the website of the Hong Kong FCC, winners of the last Annual Human Rights Press Award in 2021 include the discontinued Apple Daily, Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK), U-Beat Magazine of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, and some Internet media such as Initium Media, DB Channel, and the likes.

Among them, the now defunct online media Stand News won 9 awards.
A teacher introduces himself to the students in a classroom at a secondary school, during the first day of the new term, in Hong Kong on Sept. 1, 2021. (Tyrone Siu/Reuters)

Citizenship and Social Development Is a Subject of Nonchalance

Commentary

The past 15 years witnessed dramatic changes in Hong Kongs education sector. The Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE), first taught in 2009 with the first cohort of candidates in 2012, had two selling points back then: a compulsory Liberal Studies (LS) that combines arts and science education and promotes independent thinking, and school-based assessment elements in all subjects.

This New Senior Secondary academic structure, which aimed at promoting critical thinking and independent learning, underwent an overhaul in the decade after its implementation, with the above two significant reforms rescinded for political and academic reasons. Even the very concept of critical thinking was questioned by Education Bureau, which amended its Chinese translation to cautious thinking because the pro-establishment camp took critical as criticize, conveying too much negativity.

Stakeholders are concerned about how far Hong Kongs education will go backward with the replacement of LS by Citizenship and Social Development (CSD).

Pedagogically, students are not taught to handle issues using the dichotomous approach of positive and negative, which had existed since immemorial; at the same time, the new subject emphasizes the nurturing of students positive values and attitudes. It is thus not difficult to tell that negatives are not encouraged in issues related to China.

In reality, positive values are mostly government values, clearly shown in the sample papers designed by HKEAA, which are overwhelmingly based on official publications. In addition, the textbooks explicitly adopt the official position of the Chinese Communist Party, such as asserting that Hong Kong was never a colony, implying that this new subject is brainwashing and falsifying history.

What do frontline teachers think about this subject? A Mr. Cheung (pseudonym), who has been teaching History for more than 30 years, will teach CSD in the coming academic year. Asked about brainwashing, he sighed, its difficult to avoid. We only use official CSD teaching materials or approved textbooks.

He said that teachers had no choice but to adopt the official views. The Chinese government has never recognized the unequal treaties, so it does not recognize Hong Kong as a colony; it was only temporarily unable to resume its rule over Hong Kong. In the 1970s, the Chinese government asked the United Nations to remove Hong Kong and Macau from the list of colonies, and the UN agreed. Britain also removed the word colony from Hong Kongs banknotes.

When asked whether he would tell the truth about history and tell the students the problematic textbooks, he said, I dont think so. Im a mediocre breadwinner who kowtows to anyone who gives me a job.

He also talked about what kind of teacher is most suitable to teach the subject. In my friends school, the CSD panel head teaches Mathematics and DAT (Design and Applied Technology). I think he represents the best CSD teachers with neither the subject knowledge nor commitment to History. He will not feel sad reading the texts aloud.

Ms. Shek (pseudonym), who has been a teacher for ten years, criticized the various designs of CSD as impractical. The exam results will be reported as either attained or unattained; teaching and learning are both boring as there is no room to teach the art of argument. Teachers will certainly teach half-heartedly. And then, they will send directorate staff to inspect the schools, to knock the mountain and shake the tiger (a Chinese idiom meaning giving a serious warning)what a melodrama.

The curriculum states that events or topics which are illegal or immoral should not be used for inquiry learning. In fact, the family responsibility system (bao zhan dao hu), a representative policy of Deng Xiaopings Reform and Openness policy, was initially illegal, and the very first Anhui village did it had all the villagers sign a death deed before doing that. If the CSD curriculum is to be implemented word for word, such illegal events should not be covered.

The mainland study tours are even more stupid. You can judge how much care those guys have for the students by saying that only those students with broken legs and serious illnesses may be exempted. Seriously, how expensive is it to get a sick note from a doctor? Or what if a student loses his or her mainland travel permit the day before the tour?

LS and other HKDSE elective subjects each have 250 hours of learning time, tested by at least two papers, whereas CSD only has 150 hours and only one paper. When first made known to the public, CSD was called a renamed subject, which means the Education Bureau did not care about its name and just wanted to get rid of LS. Everyone can feel how politicized the subject is, how academic the subject can remain, and how sloppy the reform is.

No wonder Stanley Ng Chau-pak of the Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions worries that teachers will teach and students will learn with nonchalance.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
U.S. Coast Guard rescue swimmer is lowered from a helicopter onto a submerged vehicle stuck in rushing rapids just yards from American Falls, in Niagara Falls, N.Y. on Wed., Dec. 8, 2021. (Jeffrey T. Barnes/AP Photo)

Coast Guard Vaccine Mandates Forcing Rescue Swimmers Into Retirement

One of the many times that Coast Guard rescue swimmer James faced death was when rough weather caused him to swing full-speed from a helicopter straight at a crab boats steel superstructure.

I was swinging at that thing so fast. I just knew I was gonna hit it, and I was gonna die, he said. But at the last minute, I just barely cleared it, and I could feel it going right underneath [me].

On the job, rescue swimmers have so many close calls that they tend to forget about them, James said. Pulling sailors from icy water into helicopters requires peak physical fitness, extensive skills, and a fearless disposition.

Rescue swimmers endure Navy SEAL-style boot camp that sometimes weeds out 80 percent of candidates. But rescue swimming is all pain and no fame because few outside the Coast Guard know what they do, James said.

You know what a Navy Seal is. You know what a firefighter is and a police officer. But nobody knows who we are, he said. The difficulty of our training is on par with the other elite operators in the military. Our missions are just as difficult, but in a different way.

There are only about 320 rescue swimmers nationwide and few new recruits, he said.

Troubled Waters

Now, at least 35 rescue swimmers, including James, are facing a new challenge. Theyre on a collision course with the Coast Guard because the military wont stop pressuring them to take the COVID-19 vaccine.

James and other rescue swimmers say the Coast Guards vaccine campaign has threatened their pensions, persecuted unvaccinated Coast Guardsmen, and destroyed trust in the chain of command.

To retire with a Coast Guard pension, rescue swimmers must spend 20 years in the service. All of the rescue swimmers interviewed for this story are near retirement and chose to remain anonymous in order to protect their pensions. Coast Guard officials didnt respond to a request by The Epoch Times for comment.

In 2021, the military mandated the COVID-19 vaccine for Coast Guard rescue swimmers.

Team poses in front of helicopter after a search-and-rescue case May 16, 2016. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Air Station Detroit)

Many swimmers didnt see the point of getting vaccinated, James said. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, they continued to perform their jobs.

When there was no vaccine, we were going out on medevac hoisting people off of boats in the middle of the ocean who were COVID-positive, he said. Weve never had any issues.

Youre also talking about the healthiest people in the Coast Guard.

James noted that rescue swimmers are one of the least likely demographics to die of COVID-19.

Rescue swimmers who face sharks, high seas, and death-by-drowning daily are willing to risk getting COVID-19, he said.

So when rescue swimmers learned that studies linked the vaccine to myocarditis and other medical conditions, some of them refused to take it, James said.

Im just not willing to risk my long-term health over it.

John, a senior rescue swimmer, said one person at his Coast Guard base developed a heart condition after taking the vaccine.

This person was an avid runner. This person hiked all the time and then couldnt do any of those things after they got their vaccination, he said. And Im like, why would we even risk that? I dont understand.

The vaccine is the latest in a long line of Coast Guard rules that have made it harder for swimmers to save lives, according to Peter, another rescue swimmer.

During the pandemic, the Coast Guard put maintaining COVID-19 quarantines above the readiness of rescue swimmers, he said.

Even the slightest exposure to someone with COVID-19 put swimmers on a mandatory 14-day leave from work, Peter said. This policy left Coast Guard stations undermanned and overworked.

John said that when a rescue swimmer caught COVID-19, even vaccinated swimmers near them had to quarantine.

It took random amounts of people out of our job, he said. But we were expected to still perform with the same quality and efficiency.

Peter said, The Coast Guard and other organizations were shooting themselves in the foot.

The Coast Guard also placed heavy restrictions on unvaccinated personnel, he said.

It just didnt make sense.

While COVID-19 has spread across the United States, unvaccinated Coast Guardsmen werent allowed to travel more than 50 miles from their duty stations without permission, according to Peter.

I go to the grocery store right down the street from my duty station, he said. No ones wearing masks.

A rescue swimmer rappels down from a helicopter to see if anyone is trapped in a truck stuck in flood waters. (USCG/PO3 Ronald Hodges via Storyful)

If rescue swimmers retire or are discharged from the service because they wont take the vaccine, the remaining people will have less ability to take up the slack, Peter said.

Official military health guidelines offer personnel several routes to avoid vaccination. Service members can refuse to take a vaccine if they have a temporary or permanent health condition that a vaccine could affect, a planned retirement in 180 days, or a religious exemption.

Religious exemptions come with qualifications, however. Exemptions may be granted according to Service-specific policies. Military command can reject an exemption request. But a service member can appeal the rejection.

Military members should follow guidance from their chain of command for appealing an exemption decision, military health guidelines read.

Some elements of the Coast Guards vaccine policy appear to contradict normal military guidelines. First, the Coast Guard stated that personnel 180 days away or less from leaving the Coast Guard are still required to get the COVID-19 vaccination.

The administrative exemption from deployment (mobility) immunization for service members within 180 days of separation or retirement does not apply to immunization from COVID-19, its website reads.

The website notes that Coast Guard members without an approved religious exemption will receive punitive action from the Coast Guard, up to and including discharge from service.

Commanders may account for refusal to follow vaccination orders when considering requests for reenlistment, advancement, training, or short-tour requests. But they arent allowed to address religious accommodation or deny a service members vaccine exemption request just because they asked.

Not Enough Manpower

If 35 rescue swimmers left early to avoid getting the vaccine, it would cripple the program in some areas, according to James. Alaskas rescue swimmer group could lose 30 percent of its swimmers, and Hawaii could lose 40 percent, he said.

With new retirements, the Coast Guard could be 70 rescue swimmers short by the end of summer, Peter said.

Even worse, the Coast Guard rescue swimmer school closed for repairs, which slowed down training, according to John.

A strong push for complete vaccination risks driving away older rescue swimmers and new recruits at a time when no replacements exist, Peter said.

The first question they ask is, If I join, do I need to get the COVID-19 mRNA vaccine? he said of new recruits.

When recruiters say yes, new recruits leave.

The Coast Guard pushed anyway, James said. It urged rescue swimmers to get vaccinated by Nov. 22, 2021, or face consequences. But it never explained exactly what the consequences would be for refusing vaccination.

This ambiguity was worse than any clear penalty, and the uncertainty tormented rescue swimmers, John said.

August 2021 to about February 2022 were the most stressful times in my entire career, he said. The environment, the workplace, this unsubstantiated pressure. And you cant get a straight answer from anybody.

Rescue swimmers approach man stranded on van in Pollocksville, N.C. on Sept. 17, 2018. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)

We were like, Okay, well, what happens if were not? James said.

He said leaders told him he would probably be discharged from the Coast Guard, but he said he never received an official answer.

After the deadline, the only penalty was that rescue swimmers couldnt transfer stations if they didnt have the vaccine. But later, the Coast Guard allowed unvaccinated swimmers to transfer.

They keep making these threats. And one and two people will go and get the vaccine, James said. Theyre bluffing.

Many swimmers intend to serve a full 20 years in the Coast Guard so they can receive a pension, he said. Expulsion from the Coast Guard might cost their families up to $1 million.

Every rescue swimmer I know has almost died because of this job, James said. And their entire livelihood and their retirement, its on the line, and they are still sticking to their religious beliefs.

The stress rescue swimmers faced made it hard for them to do their jobs, according to John.

The whole environment at work changed, he said. It was a stressful environment.

John himself said he plans to retire at the earliest date he can receive his pension instead of working another year.

A total of 27 rescue swimmersabout 8 percent of the forcewill retire this summer, James said.

Ive never seen that many, ever, in my entire career, he said.

Peter, James, and John all said they plan to retire at the earliest date that gives them a pension.

Sea Change in the Coast Guard

James said the Coast Guards attempts to encourage vaccination have destroyed his trust in the military to which he has dedicated nearly 20 years.

A rescue helicopter is shown in a file photo. (PA2 Adam Eggers/U.S. Coast Guard)

With what Ive seen over the last two years  I cant wait to retire, he said.

Many other Coast Guard members have lost their trust in the service branch as well, James said, blaming the distrust on military leaders.

The lack of faith that I see in leadership right now, Ive never seen in my entire career. People are fleeing the Coast Guard like Ive never seen. Rescue swimmers are getting out before retirement, he said.

Congress could help rescue swimmers by letting them choose whether to get vaccinated, John said. Even a clear explanation of the decision-making process would help.

He said rescue swimmers dont understand why the Coast Guard has rewarded years of dangerous service with demands to vaccinate or get out.

You put it all out there every time you do it, John said. And now youre gonna tell me that that means nothing?
Condemning Twitters Censorship and Thanking Our Supporters

As an independent news organization dedicated to reporting the truth, The Epoch Times has been subjected to excessive censorship by Big Tech.

In the latest such incident, Twitter on July 28 censored all of our content by putting up a blockade to our website, describing it as unsafe, and encouraging users not to proceed.

Twitters actionsjust like those by other tech giants such as Facebook and YouTubespecifically targeted the reach of our independent news and video content.

Twitter hasnt responded to multiple requests for comment and appeal, nor has the company explained what led it to censor our content or what caused it to lift its blockage two days later, following a public outcry.

The move by the social media giant came less than a week after we published our new documentary The Real Story of January 6 and, on the same day, posted an interview with sex trafficking survivor Eliza Bleu, on our program American Thought Leaders.

While it remains unclear why Twitter targeted us, what is clear is that The Epoch Times is different from most other major news organizations, in that we dare to follow the stories where the facts lead.

In our Jan. 6 documentary, our reporters take an unvarnished look at the events of that day and present new witnesses and evidence that challenge the prevailing narratives. It provides extensive evidence of excessive use of force by police that broke protocol and policy, and raises questions about the lack of security that day. So far, the documentary has received more than a half-million views on our EpochTV platform.

In recent years, there have been other major stories on which The Epoch Times, because of our independence and adherence to traditional journalism, has differed from other major news organizations, only to be proven right.

For example, The Epoch Times reported accurately on events surrounding allegations that then-candidate and later President Donald Trump had colluded with Russia. From day one, The Epoch Times reported on the facts and through our reporting uncovered significant problems with the FBIs probe of Trumps campaign, which included problematic conduct involving surveillance.

While other news organizations won Pulitzers for their articles suggesting collusion between the president and Russia, The Epoch Times was, in fact, correct in reporting that the allegations had no supportas confirmed through investigations by special counsel Robert Mueller and the Department of Justice inspector general, as well as the ongoing probe of the origins of the FBIs investigation by special counsel John Durham.

The Epoch Times also was among the first to report on the possibility that the novel coronavirus was leaked from the Wuhan Institute of Virology in China. Our April 2020 documentary on the subject was censored by Facebook. Today, a lab leak is now held as the most likely explanation for the spread of the virus, by both media organizations and many government officials.

The danger of allowing platforms such as Twitter to take on the role of arbiter of the truth is that they, in many cases, are plainly wrong. The most prominent example was Twitters suppression of the New York Post over its reporting on a laptop belonging to Hunter Biden, the son of then-presidential candidate Joe Biden.

This censorship behavior, which is antithetical to the protections Big Tech receives under Section 230, has also raised concerns about social media platforms censoring content on behalf of the government. Most recently, a federal judge ordered the government to cooperate in a lawsuit that alleges behind-the-scenes efforts to target the dissemination of information of stories related to COVID-19including its possible origins and alternative treatmentsthat didnt fit the governments narrative.

Government cant outsource its censorship to Big Tech, Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt said.

Public Outcry

The public outcry against Twitters censorship of The Epoch Times was swift, with three U.S. senators publicly questioning the social media platformwhich in recent years has repeatedly found itself in hot water for acts of censorshipover its targeting of the news organization.

Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) demanded that Twitter explain itself for this outrageous act of censorship.

Meanwhile, Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) asked, Wheres the respect for free speech and freedom of press, Twitter?

We all remember your biased censorship of [the New York Post] and how that ended for you, he said.

Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) described the action by Twitter as alarming.

Twitter is censoring [The Epoch Times] under the guise of unsafe speech. Remember what happened the last time corporate media and big tech tried to censor my investigation on Hunter Biden corruption? he wrote. The truth always prevails.

Kevin Roberts, president of The Heritage Foundation, described Twitters action as an outrageous act of censorship.

Stanford professor Jay Bhattacharya called out Twitters suppression, writing: It is perfectly safe to click through to the [Epoch Times] site in the quote tweet. For some reason, Twitter decided that today was a good day to suppress access to Epoch Times.

Sex trafficking survivor Bleu, who was among the first to notice the censorship by Twitter because of its blockage of her interview with American Thought Leaders, posted a video condemning the platforms actions that went viral.

It also created a stir among Twitter users, with many condemning the platforms actions.

The Epoch Times wants to thank everyone who spoke out against this latest instance of censorship.

We will keep reporting the only way we know how, rooted in our tagline Truth & Tradition, without favor or fear. The fight for truth is one that has no shore and that is as old as the ages. We believe that only with brave individuals going the distance and striving to record the truth of what happens can the world have an accurate picture of events and history.
Cook County Prosecutor Resigns, Criticizing States Attorney Kim Foxx

Says Foxx 'more concerned with political narratives than prosecutions

A veteran prosecutor from Illinois has resigned, issuing a letter in which he criticized Cook County States Attorney Kim Foxx for caring more about political narratives than victims of crime.

Assistant Cook County States Attorney Jim Murphy issued the resignation letter following 25 years of service. In it, he cites a meeting with Foxx a few months back in which she criticized some of his bond hearings.

One of them was about a woman gunned down in crossfire while walking to a store. The hearing involved only gun possession charges. Foxx told Murphy that she was upset after reading a newspaper headline titled Man wont face murder charge under the SAFE-T Act.

Foxx was worried about the headline as she was getting heat from her backers, the letter said, according to CWB Chicago. She never voiced any concern that an innocent woman was shot and killed yet nobody was going to face a murder charge.

This Administration is more concerned with political narratives and agendas than with victims and prosecuting violent crime, Murphy said.

According to Murphy, he began thinking about leaving his post in January 2021 when the SAFE-T Act was passed, with a controversial provision that abolishes cash bail.

While Murphy clarified that he is in support of eliminating cash bail since no person should sit in jail solely because they cant afford to pay for bail, he was surprised at the rush on an issue so important. After he voiced his concerns, Murphy realized that the administrations Mission, Vision, and Values were just a PR stunt.

I wish I could stay  However, I can no longer work for this Administration. I have zero confidence in their leadership, Murphy said in the letter.

The Epoch Times has reached out to the States Attorneys Office.

SAFE-T Act

The provision to abolish cash bail in the SAFE-T Act has come under fire, with some warning that the measure will allow violent and dangerous criminals back on the streets while tying up prosecutors who might want the accused behind bars prior to a conviction.

According to the act, every defendant shall be presumed eligible for pretrial release unless clear and convincing evidence to deny the release is presented by prosecutors. The state is obliged to provide suspects with a hearing within 48 hours to determine whether they can be released.

James Glasgow, a Democratic Will County states attorney, pointed out that it is almost impossible to provide such evidence within 48 hours. It requires reviewing surveillance and body cameras and other processes which take a lot of time, he said, according to Capitol News Illinois.

The provision to end cash bail comes into effect in January 2023. The SAFE-T Act also requires all departments to have body cameras by 2025 and makes changes to use-of-force standards.
Supporting the glymphatic system could stave off cognitive decline

Lou Gehrigs diseasealso known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosisis devastating. It took the life of my classmate, Stephen Heywood, when he was just 37 years old. A young dad, Heywood did not get to watch his son grow up.

This disease does not affect the mind but it does affect the motor neurons (the cells in your brain responsible for movement), which is why people suffering from ALS progressively lose control of their muscles, becoming unable to walk, speak, swallow, andeventuallybreathe.

The cause of this brain disorder is not clear. According to ALS News Today, genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors are all believed to play a role. The environmental factors that are believed to contribute to the disease include a toxin found in seafood, several different pesticides, and exposure to radiation.

After he was diagnosed, Stephen Heywood and his brother James started the ALS Therapy Development Institute to find a cure for ALS.

That was over 20 years ago. Despite a staff of more than 30 scientists and some promising treatments in the pipeline, there is still no known cure for ALS.

Can We Prevent Neurodegenerative Disorders?

But what about prevention? Is there some way to prevent ALS and other neurodegenerative brain disorders, like Parkinsons, Alzheimers, and multiple sclerosis? Is it possible for the brain to heal itself so that, in the event of toxic exposures, it doesnt get overwhelmed?

These are questions that Dr. David Wright, an associate professor of medical imaging at Monash University in Australia, and a team of other scientists have been working hard to answer. Their article, Impaired glymphatic function in the early stages of disease in a TDP-43 mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, was published in March in the journal Translational Neurodegeneration. (1)

Toxins Accumulating in the Brain

As Wright explains in a recent article about his work, though these diseases progress at different rates, they have similarities.

In all of these relentless and progressive neurodegenerative diseases, misfolded proteins that should not be there glom together in the brain. When these poorly folded protein chains clump together, they can basically start clogging the brain and impairing proper brain function. The brain has a natural system to remove waste, including misfolded proteins, called the glymphatic system.

This system is thought to help the brain distribute non-waste compounds, including amino acids, glucose, lipids, and neurotransmitters. The system is most active during sleep, according to a 2015 article in the journal Neurochemistry Research, but is not as engaged when people are awake. The biological need for sleep across all species may therefore reflect that the brain must enter a state of activity that enables elimination of potentially neurotoxic waste products, including -amyloid, the researchers explained. (2)

Other peer-reviewed research, published in 2018 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, has shown that just one sleepless night can cause a buildup of -amyloid in the human brain. Researchers in Beijing have found that the -amyloid peptide is strongly associated with Alzheimers disease. Disturbed sleep is a common symptom of both Alzheimers disease and ALS. (3) (4)

So David Wright and his team decided to study the glymphatic system in mice that were genetically modified to express a protein associated with ALS: TDP-43. They turned this protein on and off and then used magnetic resonance imaging to analyze the rodents brains.

What they found was that genetically modified mice had compromised glymphatic systems. This suggested to the researchers that improving the brains glymphatic functioning could be a way to treat ALS.

According to Wright, the glymphatic system is active mostly during non-REM sleep. In addition, he explained, the brain is best able to clear toxinsin rodents anywayduring side-sleeping.

In 2015 a team of scientists in New York used fluorescence microscopy and radioactive tracers to analyze the effect of sleeping positions on clearing -amyloid from the brain.

They concluded that: The major finding of our study was that waste, including A, removal was most efficient in the lateral position (compared with the prone position), which mimics the natural resting/sleeping position of rodents. Although our finding awaits testing in humans, we speculate that the lateral position during sleep has advantage with regard to the removal of waste products including A, because clinical studies have shown that sleep drives A clearance from the brain. (5)

While studies still need to be done in humans, humans and mice are biologically very similar and this research opens up exciting potential prevention and treatment options.

The keys to preventing neurodegenerative diseases may be to avoid toxins in the first place and also support the glymphatic system so that the brain can best clear misfolded proteins.

High quality sleep, side sleeping, eating foods, like fish oil, that are high in omega-3 fatty acids (which, according to 2017 research done by Chinese scientists, promotes amyloid- clearance by improving glymphatic system functioning in mice), exercise, and drinking alcohol in moderation may also help. (6) (7)

References
Health care workers prepare doses of a COVID-19 vaccine before administering them to staffers of Japan's supermarket group Aeon at the company's shopping mall in Chiba, Japan, on June 21, 2021. (Kim Kyung-Hoon/Reuters)

COVID-19 Vaccine Compensation Payment Given to Family of Japanese Woman Who Died

A Japanese health ministry committee awarded a compensation payment to the family of a woman who died after suffering an allergic response and sudden heart attack after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine.

Japans Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare said the woman was 91 when she received the shot and had preexisting health conditions including a history of transient ischemic attacks, local Japanese media reported. Its not clear what vaccine the woman received.

After receiving the vaccine, the unnamed woman suffered a severe allergic reaction and an acute myocardial infarction before dying, the panel said.

A panel spokesperson told the Japan Times last week, in confirming the payment, that a scientifically rigorous causal relationship is not necessary in finding out whether the family is eligible to receive damages. The panel added that a link between the COVID-19 vaccine and the womans death cant be ruled out.

The agency is slated to pay about 44.2 million yen (around $324,000) to the womans family, according to The Mainichi newspaper.

As of July 25, Japans government received 3,680 applications for damage relief in connection to the COVID-19 vaccine. The panel has decided to provide expenses and other health benefits to more than 800 people, while 62 others were denied.

Officials also said at the panel meeting that cases of 12 people who died after getting COVID-19 vaccines were evaluated, with one being approved and 11 others being left pending, the paper reported.

According to the Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare website, the approved COVID-19 vaccines are the ones made by Pfizer, Novavax, AstraZeneca, and Moderna. It also includes a warning that the shots have been linked to several forms of heart inflammation.

Growing Number of Compensation Payments

The payment comes as an increasing number of vaccine-related compensatory payments are being handed down across the world.

In June, Taiwans National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program awarded compensation to 10 claimants in connection to injuries or deaths related to COVID-19 vaccines. A lump sum of $116,877 was provided to the family of someone who died after receiving the shot, the government confirmed.

A UK woman became the first among a small number of people to receive compensation for injuries due to vaccines, reported the British Medical Journal in June. Vicki Spits 48-year-old partner, Zion, became ill several days after getting the shot before dying.

Canadas Vaccine Injury Support Program reported that between June 1, 2021, and June 1, 2022, about 774 vaccine injury claims were received and processed. Eight of the claims were approved, meaning that they are eligible to receive income replacement indemnities; injury indemnities; death benefits; coverage for funeral expenses; reimbursement of eligible costs such as otherwise uncovered medical expenses, its website says.
Deterrence at Home and Abroad

Commentary

In Switzerland, there are statues in honor of generals, not because they won battles or wars, but because they kept the country out of war. How did they do that? By making Switzerland impregnable and thus deterring any military aggression.

Working with the defensive advantage of the Swiss Alps, the generals militarized the entire country. Mountains were hollowed out to provide secure bases for the air force, artillery, and supplies and equipment for combat. Bridges and mountain passes were mined so that they could be destroyed in the face of invaders. All men were inducted into the military reserve and kept their rifles with them at home. Air force pilots practiced flying missions through the narrow valleys of the Alps. Switzerland became a very unattractive target for military incursion.

Deterrence means discouragement from taking some kind of action. That discouragement involves some kind of threat, implicit or explicit, of punishment through negative consequences.

The Swiss are saying, Invade us at your peril, because we are ready for you and will make you pay, and we guarantee that you will fail.

The opposite of deterrence is appeasement, which means deferring to and accommodating the actions and goals of the other party. No threat is implied, but instead, goodwill by the other party is hoped for. Direct conflict may be avoided, temporarily at least, but at the cost of the interests of the appeasing party.

Tribal and Peasant Societies

The entire organization of tribal society is devoted to the necessity of deterrence for the maintenance of security and order. In the Middle East, where I lived with and studied a tribal people, and in Africa and Central Asia, political life is ordered by an array of smaller and larger descent groups, defined by common ancestors, and the solidarity or cohesion of those groups. The two operative cultural principles are collective responsibilityall members of a group are responsible for the welfare and the acts of group membersand balanced oppositionyou always side with closer kinsmen against more distant kinsmen.

Small, closely related kin groups might conflict, but in a conflict with more distant others, the small groups will think of themselves as united by their common ancestor and oppose the others with more distant ancestors. So which group at what genealogical level one identifies with depends upon with whom one is in conflict. In this way, no small group faces a large group, so theres usually a demographic balance between groups in conflict. What every tribesman knows is that the kinsmen of anyone he attacks would mobilize to take vengeance. The readiness of each group to defend its members lives and property is a deterrence against aggression. Peace isnt guaranteed in tribal societies, but aggression is most likely to be directed outside toward other tribes or nontribal populations.

In remote peasant communities, especially mountain dwellers where state oversight is limited, people take measures to provide deterrence against offenses against person and property. For example, in mountain regions such as highland Sardinia, which Ive studied first hand, the shepherds in the vast pastures guard against damage to their sheep stations and the rustling of their flocks by being prepared to retaliate. In vendetta, individuals or members of a single family will strike back at those who have violated their interests. In Villagrande Strisaili, the village in which I lived, shepherds were shot-gunned to death in the street for having encroached on another shepherd. Sometimes this leads to cycles of violence between the families involved. Highland Sardinians tend to be careful because they know that assaults wont be taken lightly and may lead to vendetta and a violent reply.

Foreign Policy

In foreign policy, the question arises about the appropriate role of deterrence in relations between countries. There are many cases throughout history that suggest the disastrous consequences of the absence of deterrence. A well-known and serious case is the response of Great Britain and other countries to the rise of Adolf Hitler.

Exhausted from World War I and the Great Depression, other European countries hoped that if they didnt interfere with Germany, Hitler wouldnt cause trouble. He was left to build up his military, roil up his followers, and develop his own plans of German supremacism. The cost of appeasement in this case was five years of world war and between 70 million and 85 million people dead.

The current U.S. government, the Biden administration, following the path of its ideological predecessor, the Obama administration, has committed to an absolute policy of appeasement toward the Shia Islamic Republic of Iran, a theocratic totalitarian state thats the worlds leading sponsor of terrorism. Their theory is that if were nice enough to themsending them planeloads of money, canceling sanctions, and remaining silent about their offenses against civilized lifetheyll become a rule-following, tolerant, and peace-loving member of the liberal world order. So far, the mullahs have laughed all the way to the bank, from which theyve funded more intrusion into neighboring and distant countries. U.S. appeasement is leading to an Iran with nuclear weapons, much to the dismay of Irans Sunni Arab and Jewish neighbors.

The Peoples Republic of China, unlike Iran, is an existential threat to the United States. It aims to replace the United States as the worlds superpower by any means necessary and has been frantically expanding its military power and political influence. The Biden administration, perhaps because President Joe Biden is compromised because of his familys lucrative deals with China, has a firm policy of appeasement toward China. At the same time, the Biden administration is systematically undermining Americas ability to counter China by destroying the U.S. energy industry, disrupting domestic life by opening U.S. borders to millions of illegal aliens, and subverting the U.S. military by underfunding it and by purging its ranks.

Claiming that the U.S. military is, like the entire country, systemically racist and filled with white supremacists and far-right domestic terrorists, the Biden administration is removing the strong arms that the United States needs to defend itself. Anyone who wasnt obedient enough to take the ineffective and dangerous COVID-19 vaccines was also purged. In place of these strong arms, Biden wants to fill the ranks with LGBT social justice warriors to replace the true warriors in its ranks. Biden does have a good model about how to handle China; hes going to deal China the kind of blow that he dealt the Taliban in Afghanistan.

Deterrence for Crime

As in tribal and peasant societies, deterrence is used in the United States, with spotty effect, to maintain peace and protect life and property. But unlike tribal and peasant societies where deterrence is based on self-help, in the United States, like other complex industrial and post-industrial urban societies, its (supposed to be) provided by specialized organizations, such as the police and other security agencies. But something extraordinary happened in 2020.

The Democratic Party repudiated the police on the grounds that it was systemically racist and targeted black men for death. The party and half of the country, including most major institutions, adopted the policies of the self-identified Marxist organization Black Lives Matter (BLM), which rejected the nuclear family, vilified white people, and, above all, advocated defunding and disbanding the police. The central claim of BLM, that police victimized black men, was empirically false, all statistical evidence absolutely refuting it.

It was further claimed that the entire justice system was racist and that this was proven by the disparity of black prisoners in jails, blacks being overrepresented in relation to their percentage of the population. So justice reform required the emptying of prisons and the releasing of all blacks arrested. Radical district attorneys complied, releasing many arrested criminals. The complaint of disparity ignored the crucial fact that blacks, at 13 percent of the population, committed almost half of the violent crimes (most against other blacks), making them three times overrepresented among criminals.

The police were duly defunded, handcuffed with regulations that kept them from doing their jobs, and thrown under the bus by officials when they actually did their job. Deterrence for crime disappeared, and, of course, crime rates soared, making Democrat cities increasingly dangerous and unlivable. Ordinary citizens and businesses, especially in minority communities, were and are targeted by criminals and suffer for Democrat BLM lies and the war against deterrence.

Without deterrence against aggression and violation of the law, peace and order are unobtainable. Those trying to replace it with social justice and inclusion are leading us down a path to anarchy and chaos.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Director Dr. Anthony Fauci testifies during a Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington on May 17, 2022. (Shawn Thew/Pool/AFP via Getty Images)

Doctors Criticize Fauci for Saying COVID-19 Vaccines Induce Temporary Menstrual Irregularities

Dr. Anthony Faucis recent comments on menstrual irregularities met with serious rebuttal from gynecologists, who say the COVID-19 vaccines shouldnt have been administered without adequate safety testing, especially on pregnant women.

The menstrual thing is something that seems to be quite transient and temporary, Fauci told Fox News on July 25, when asked about the effect of the vaccines on menstrual cycles.

We need to study it more, he added.

Fauci is director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and has been a frontman for COVID vaccine information in the United States.

But Dr. Christiane Northrup, a former fellow in the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, disagrees with Fauci.

Unfortunately, the menstrual problems we are seeing are far from transient and temporary, she told The Epoch Times. Many women have been bleeding daily or having heavy, irregular, painful periods for an entire year.

And some of these are well past menopause. Something is way off here, she said.

Other experts also weighed in.

Dr. James Thorp is an extensively published 69-year-old physician board certified in obstetrics and gynecology, as well as maternal and fetal medicine, and has been practicing obstetrics for more than 42 years.

He told The Epoch Times: The significant and dramatic changes in menstrual patterns occurring after COVID-19 vaccines should not be marginalized. It is indicative of major adverse effects on women of reproductive age.

The stakeholders claimed that the vaccine would remain at the injection site in the deltoid muscle. This was misinformation.

The lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) are now known to be distributed throughout the entire body and to be concentrated in the ovaries, according to at least two studies. A lipid nanoparticle is an extremely small particle, a fat-soluble membrane that is the cargo of the messenger RNA (mRNA).

Pfizers Internal Documents

Pfizers internal documents, obtained via a Freedom of Information Act request, show a 118-fold increase in the concentration of LNPs from the time of vaccine injection to 48 hours.

The LNPs are known to include toxic substances including polyethylene glycol and pseudouridinated mRNA, Thorp said. The limited number of ovum in the ovaries (about 1 million) are exposed to potentially toxic substances and could potentially have catastrophic effects on human reproduction.

The stakeholders claimed that the pseudouridinated mRNA couldnt be reverse transcribed into the human DNA. This was misinformation, he added, referring to a Swedish study published in February, which concluded that Pfizers COVID-19 vaccine is able to enter human liver cells and is converted into DNA.

Thorp believes that the medical industrial complex had unequivocal evidence on the vaccines danger to pregnant women.

This is proven not only by VAERS, but also by Pfizers own internal document, Pfizer 5.3.6 Postmarketing Experience, Thorp said. VAERS stands for Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System, a program run by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration.

The data show that within the first 90 days of trials, there were 1,223 deaths, multiple severe adverse effects, and a 45 percent complication rate in pregnancy cases (274) that occurred in vaccinated mothers (124).

In a 2012 study, Thorp says, researchers found a high local accumulation of nanoparticles, nanocapsules, and nanoemulsions in specific locations of the ovaries of the different mouse species and Wistar rats that were studied in vivo, in vitro, and by sophisticated microscopic imaging. The LNPs were found in all the animals.

Michael Yeadon, a former vice president at Pfizer, believes that the pharmaceutical industry definitely knew, since 2012, that the lipid nanoparticles would accumulate in the ovaries of women who took the vaccines.

No one in the industry or in leading media could claim they didnt know about these risks to successful pregnancy, Yeadon told The Epoch Times in April.

Sidestepping Responsibility

Northrup fears there could be much more data related to reproductive damage that havent yet been discovered.

The phrase This requires more study, while downplaying the current evidence of harm, is a common way to discount the experience of thousands of women, she said. Unfortunately, academic doctors do this all the time as a way to sidestep responsibility for the untoward effects of their treatments.

In a previous interview, Northrup told The Epoch Times: The female menstrual cycle is considered a vital sign as important as blood pressure and body temperature when it comes to health assessment.

Our initial findings of bleeding and decidual cast shedding in women who have been exposed to those who have had the experimental injection suggest that what weve seen so far is just the tip of the iceberg, she said, explaining that a decidual cast is the sloughing off of the entire inside of the uterus all at once.

The reproductive effects of this shot could be far worse than weve been led to believe, she said.

Research analyst Tiffany Parotto, the founder and director of MyCycleStory, a survey that tracks womens menstrual problems following COVID vaccination, told The Epoch Times in May that she was distressed about the censorship and deletion of a Facebook group of about 21,000 members in which women discussed their menstrual irregularities.

Parotto, Thorp, and Northup co-authored a peer-reviewed study on menstrual irregularities of vaccinated women, which was published in April 2022.

Faucis office didnt respond to a request for comment.
MELBOURNE, AustraliaAfter premiering alongside more than 120 feature-length and short documentaries, the award-winning human rights documentary Eternal Spring has won the Supreme Award at the internationally acclaimed Melbourne Documentary Film Festival (MDFF).

The Canadian-made documentary, which uses a mixture of animation and interviews to tell the true story of a group of Falun Gong practitioners in China who, in their own unique way, stood up to oppression by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), has been winning awards around the world along with its director, Jason Loftus.

Currently, the film and Loftus have won the Fischer Audience Award (Best International Feature) at the Thessaloniki Documentary Festival, Hellenic Parliaments Human Values Award, and the Hotdocs award for best Canadian Documentary.

Loftus told The Epoch Times that he was greatly honoured to have received the award, given the amount of highly regarded films at this festival.

Im greatly honoured to receive this award. There are so many highly regarded films at this fest, so receiving the top prize is very humbling, he said.

Eternal Spring claimed the top festival honour at MDFF 2022. (screenshot/Lofty Sky Pictures)

I believe the recognition speaks to what a remarkable undertaking this TV airwaves heist was. Its a testament to the courage of those involved to speak up in the face of injustice, regardless of the cost.

Sadly, the persecution of Falun Gong adherents continues in China today, as does the mistreatment of many groups in China. I hope this film can begin a conversation on these issues.

In addition to the Supreme Award, Loftus was also runner-up for Best Director.

The team behind @loftyskydocs #EternalSpring would like to express our gratitude for receiving the top festival prize Melbournes @MDFFest, the Supreme Award! Thank you to the festival, to the amazing sold-out crowds, and to @canadadownunder for making my visit possible! https://t.co/29ycewq4gl  Jason Loftus (@JasonLoftus) July 31, 2022

Artist Daxiong in a still of the Eternal Spring documentary, which tells the story of a group of Chinese expatriates who brought uncensored news to China and its aftermath. (Image supplied courtesy of Lofty Sky Pictures)

Currently, Falun Gong practitioners in China are subjected to widespread surveillance, arbitrary detention, horrific torture, and extrajudicial killingabuses which continue today, according to Freedom House, a nonprofit organisation.

To break through the state-sponsored constant broadcasting of propaganda about their spiritual practice, a small group of Falun Gong practitioners in 2002 set out to hijack a state TV signal in the city of Changchun, which translates as Eternal Spring in English.

Olivia Ball, a Melbourne City Council Councillor and chair of the councils Family and Childrens Advisory Committee, attended the screening at Cinema Nova on July 23, telling The Epoch Times in an email that freedom of religion and belief is fundamental to human rights.

Ball is also an author with a background in human rights and has experience in womens, childrens, refugees, workers and older persons rights.

Councillor Olivia Ball from the Melbourne City Council said freedom of religion and belief is fundamental to peoples human rights after watching Eternal Springs in Melbourne, Australia, on July 23, 2022. (courtesy of Olivia Ball)

Freedom of religion and belief is fundamental to our modern understanding of human rights, arising as it does from the horrors of the Shoah (Holocaust) during World War II, she said.

Eternal Spring is a remarkable artistic and technical achievement by Daxiong and Jason Loftus. It is distressing viewing for Falun Gong practitioners especially, but I hope the film will enjoy a wide distribution around the world.

I congratulate Cinema Nova and Federation Square on hosting the Melbourne Documentary Film Festival.

The MDFF is one of the biggest showcases of documentaries in the Southern Hemisphere, being named Top Documentary Film Festival in the Southern Hemisphere on Guide Doc.

Since its inception in 2016, over 400 documentaries have been screened in Australia. The MDFF has also been rated as a Top 100 Film Festival on FilmFreeway, and has been ranked in the top 2 percent of the over 6,000 film festival in the world in the past 3 years, according to its company website.

Following near sold-out screenings on July 20 and July 23, Eternal Spring will screen again on August 5 and 7 at Cinema Nova.

To watch the trailer or learn more about the movie, please visit the official website of Eternal Spring.

Epoch Times reporter Beatrice Li contributed to this report.
Union activists and supporters rally against the Supreme Court's ruling in the Janus v. AFSCME case in Foley Square in the Manhattan borough of New York City on June 27, 2018. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

Excessive Engagement in Politics Causing Mass Exodus From Nations Largest Labor Unions: Analysts

'They are huge donors to Democratic candidates and causes'

According to a recent watchdog report, the nations largest public service employees union spent $1 out of every $5 in revenue collected through union dues on politics in 2021.

According to a survey of 3,000 potential union members conducted in 2021, excessive engagement in politics is the number one obstacle preventing them from joining a union.

According to the report (pdf) by the public sector union watchdog Americans for Fair Treatment, Americas largest public service employees unionthe American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME)spent $28.6 million on activities to represent the 1.3 million members who belong to about 3,400 locals and 58 district councils across 46 states.

As for other expenditures, AFSCME spent $25.7 million on lobbying and politics and $57 million on union administration, general overhead, and employee benefits. AFSCME President Lee Saunders received a salary and disbursements of $367,221. Secretary-Treasurer Elissa McBride received $303,020.

AFSCME leadership spent another $3.4 million in membership dues on contributions, gifts, and grants to predominantly progressive groups like the Center for American Progress (CAP).

George Soros, chairman of Soros Fund Management, attends a meeting with finance and development ministers, international partners, and the presidents of Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea during the World BankIMF Spring Meetings in Washington on April 17, 2015. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Promoting the Progressive Political Agenda

While describing itself on its website as an independent, nonpartisan policy institute that is dedicated to improving the lives of all Americans through bold, progressive ideas, Influence Watch exposed CAP as a liberal Washington, D.C.-based think tank founded by John Podesta.

Podesta, the former White House Chief of Staff for President Bill Clinton, was also a counselor to President Barack Obama and chair of Hillary Clintons 2016 presidential campaign. Another AFSCME beneficiary was State Victory Action, heavily funded by progressive socialist billionaires Tom Steyer and George Soros, as well as Strategic Victory Fund, a Democracy Alliance-affiliated Super PAC, also funded by Soros.

Chart of spending by AFSCME for 2021. (Courtesy of Americans for Fair Treatment)

AFSCME spent more money on lobbying and politics last year than it did on representing its own members, said David Osborne, CEO of Americans for Fair Treatment (AFFT), in a statement to The Epoch Times. That tells us all we need to know about the unions priorities. They mislead their members by calling themselves a union; the truth is, AFSCME is a progressive political organization.

Spending a Lot of Money on Politics

Suzanne Bates is a senior writer and researcher for AFFT who scrutinizes and reports how unions spend the money collected through membership dues.

According to Bates, AFSCME represents approximately 1.3 million public sector employees across the United States. These are state and federal workers, firefighters, and police officers. Theyre the ones driving the snow plows in local communities.

Suzanne Bates, senior writer and researcher for Americans for Fair Treatment. (Courtesy of Suzanne Bates)

Theres a misconception out there, especially among union members, that unions cant spend their dues on politics, Bates told The Epoch Times. But what we have found as we look at the LM-2s, which are the forms that unions have to file with the Federal Department of Labor, is that unions are spending a lot of money on politics.

Essentially, Bates said unions have become a fundraising arm of the Democratic Party.

They are huge donors to Democratic candidates and causes and they tend to focus on the more progressive wing of the Democratic Party, Bates explained, adding that they tend to fund the more progressive activism, which doesnt necessarily comport with the members wishes.

There have been a lot of surveys out there about how union members feel about their unions involvement in politics, and in general, they dont want their unions to be heavily involved in politics, especially in issues that have nothing to do with their daily work lives, Bates said.

The Evolution of Unions

An October 2020 report from Strike Wave cited data from a survey commissioned by Data for Progress that revealed how the new reality of unions is at sharp odds with common perceptions of union members as an overwhelmingly Democratic and progressive constituency.

Analysis of the polling data shows that active union members are actually more Republican than non-union members, even though a plurality are Democrats, the report concluded, adding that union members are also significantly more likely than the average non-member to hold positive views of capitalism. This is contrary to public perception, especially from the Left, of unions and union members as more friendly toward socialism and more hostile to capitalism.

According to a September 2021 American Compass survey of 3,000 potential union members from the ages of 18 to 65, excessive engagement in politics is the number one obstacle to a robust American labor movement.

By a margin of 31, survey respondents said they would prefer a union that focused only on workplace issues over one that was also engaged in national politics.

Asked about the various activities a union may pursue, half of the survey participants said they preferred collective bargaining and providing training and benefits. Only three percent favored a focus on politics.

Exodus Started With Janus Ruling

While union leaders claim to focus their efforts on protecting the common interests of the workers, a growing number of people are leaving unions as they see greater sums of their dues being used to push an increasingly more progressive political agenda, rather than fighting for issues that benefit them directly.

The greatest catalyst of the membership exodus was the June 27, 2018, ruling by the Supreme Court in Janus v. AFSCME (pdf) stating that nonunion government workers can no longer be forced to pay the unions agency fees as a condition of working in public service.

So many of us have been forced to pay for political speech and policy positions with which we disagree, just so we can keep our jobs, said Mark Janus, the plaintiff in the case, after the ruling. This is a victory for all of us. The right to say no to a union is just as important as the right to say yes. Finally our rights have been restored.

Plaintiff Mark Janus passes in front of the U.S. Supreme Court after a hearing in Washington on Feb. 26, 2018. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)

Janus filed his case in Illinois in 2015 with free legal representation from the Liberty Justice Center and the National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation.

According to Jeffrey M. Schwab, lead attorney for Liberty Justice Center, one problem people face in the wake of the Janus ruling is that a lot of people dont know about Janus.

Obviously, a lot of people think unions are valuable and thats fine, Schwab told The Epoch Times. They can continue to join unions if they want. The important thing about Janus is if you dont support what the unions do, you shouldnt have to fund them.

Its All About Choice

Schwab also explained that while Janus has a provision that requires unions and public sector employers to inform employees that they are not required to join and pay dues, some unions and public employers are not following the law, so people are signing up to join unions and paying dues because they believe they have to.

When the employees find out they had the right to decline, theyre stuck in the union paying dues for the full term of the contract they signed, which is generally for a year.

We had a lot of cases after Janus from all types of different clients with different reasons for not wanting to join a union, Schwab explained.

Jeff Schwab, lead attorney at The Liberty Center. (Courtesy of Jeff Schwab)

Some workers dont agree with the unions politics, he explained, adding that others dont believe the union represents them well enough. While some might agree with the unions politics, or even prefer that the unions politics [are] a little stronger, others dont see the political agenda they support as being in their best interest so they simply decide they dont want to fund the union anymore.

The benefit of Janus is that if you dont want to contribute to a union that contributes to political candidates and causes, now you dont have to, Schwab said.

Choice Equals Exodus

In 2020, Bloomberg Law reported that unions were struggling to fend off a membership exodus in the two years following the ruling.

While AFSCME added 40,000 full-time members between 2017 and 2019, another 110,000 dues-paying members left the union as a result of the Janus decision. The Service Employees International Union (SEIU) lost an additional 55,000 union members during the same period.

According to a 2021 report (pdf) by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, union membership dropped by another 10.3 percent in 2021, a loss of 241,000 members. Thats on top of the 10.8 percent decline recorded in 2020.

It shows the importance of Janus, Schwab said. People are leaving unions because they were unhappy with the status of the unions.

Bates said unions have undergone a metamorphosis since Janus. While private sector union leaders have more interest in representing their members, public sector union leaders have an obvious incentive to engage in activities that will grow the size and cost of government by promoting candidates and causes that will in turn benefit unions, she said.

This has really changed what unions stand for and what they advocate for at the state and national level, Bates said.

She also noted how AFSCME has been plagued by corruption in the past.

In January 2000, The New York Times exposed the corrupt activities of 35 AFSCME union officials, including the $2.2 million misappropriated by a District Council 37 official, the $51,000 stolen by a District Council 20 senior official in Washington, the $96,000 stolen by the treasurer of Local 366 in Milwaukee, and the $13,500 in union checks the treasurer of a municipal workers local in Elkhart, Ind., wrote for his personal benefit.

There was also the $761,000 embezzled by Thomas W. Waters, the secretary-treasurer of District Council 20 in Washington, and the $73,500 embezzled by Barbara T. Wood, the finance director for the Washington council.

The federal Office of Labor-Management Standards has recorded dozens of investigations over the years into AFSCME officials in districts across the country, most of which dealt with embezzlement and other forms of theft.
F.E. Warren Air Force Base, a strategic missile base, in Cheyenne, Wyo., an area near a host of cell towers using Huawei equipment. (Michael Smith/Getty Images)

Failure to Respond Increases Chinas Threats to America

A spy pagoda, jet fighters targeting Pelosi, and Huawei networks near U.S. nuclear missiles are just the start

Commentary

The latest news from China would be funny if it werent so tragic.

Beijing allegedly tried to build a 70-foot, white, spy pagoda on a high point in Washington, D.C. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) planned to courier parts for the pagoda in diplomatic pouches legally immune from search by U.S. officials.

However, the FBI discovered and foiled the CCPs plan.

It was a foolish gambit but American politicians are the bigger fools. We did not hit back by letting the public know about it. American leaders probably did not want to ruffle Beijings feathers when our economic elites are desperate to increase trade with China.

Despite the abundant evidence of double-dealing from China, we keep engaging, like the drug addicts for cheap imports that we have become.

For example, Huawei and ZTE still have equipment in American telecom networks. They sold their components at a loss to telecom companies for installation near military bases, including those from which nuclear weapons deploy. They are now potentially capable of intercepting and disrupting U.S. Strategic Command communications, according to a July 24 report from CNN.

High-definition cameras on cell towers, meant to monitor civilian traffic and weather, can see U.S. military movements. Some of that data goes through Huawei networks that Beijing can easily hack. Indeed, U.S. intelligence caught the feeds being viewed from China.

This is serious stuff.

Imagine if China hacked U.S. nuclear weapons and launched one at Russia. Moscow might respond in kind, causing a war that knocks out Chinas two biggest military peers. Beijing could then step into the breach as global hegemon.

In 2020, the U.S. Department of Justice finally charged Huawei with conspiracy to racketeer and steal trade secrets. That year, Washington approved $1.9 billion to reimburse telecom companies for stripping Chinas telecom equipment from American networks.

Telecom companies identified 24,000 pieces of Chinese equipment for removal, but the money is insufficient. Washington needs to approve another $3 billion to make it happen. So, the plan stalled and Huawei components still operate on American soil.

In the context of increasing security tensions with China, not least from Beijings persistent and successful spying on America, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi is planning to lead several American lawmakers on a trip to Taiwan and other countries in Asia. Its a rare ray of light against the China threat emitting from within the Democratic Party.

Pelosi has every right to go, and the trip is a much-needed signal of American support for the small island democracy standing up to historys most powerful totalitarian country.

In response, Beijing is reportedly threatening to send fighter jets to shadow Pelosis ride, which will be a U.S. military plane. That kind of reaction is to be expected given Beijings increasing threats over the years.

But the Biden administration is interfering with Pelosis right to engage with Taiwan by publicly showing displeasure over the trip. President Joe Biden himself pressured Pelosi by noting that the Pentagon does not support her travel.

That demonstrates American weakness to Beijing.

Pelosi told the press, I think what the president was saying is [that] maybe the military was afraid our plane would get shot down or something like that by the Chinese.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) speaks during her weekly press briefing on Capitol Hill in Washington on July 14, 2022. (Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images)

U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, who along with other senior members of Bidens cabinet has ties to a China-linked organization called the Asia Society, has indicated American fear, compromise, or both, by also opposing the trip.

The last U.S. Speaker to visit Taiwan was Newt Gingrich in 1997. On that trip he also visited China, where he attended church with the Australian prime minister in Shanghai and publicly warned Chinese officials that America would defend Taiwan against attack. He said they agreed to disagree and moved past the issue and went on to increase economic engagement.

Those halcyon days of American power are gone. The balance of power has shifted since the moment of American unipolarity, and the CCP now thinks it has the upper hand.

They think so in part, because we sent the wrong signals. The failure to continue regular high-level trips to Taiwan is likely encouraging Beijing to accelerate an invasion of the island and take measures to scare the United States and allied forces out of Asia.

In February, a Chinese navy ship shot a laser at an Australian P-8 spy plane, for example. The plane was within sight of Australias coast. We did next to nothing in response.

Three months later, a Chinese fighter jet upped the ante. It released aluminum chaff toward an Australian P-8 on a routine flight, some of which entered the jets engines. Again, no retaliation.

By turning the other cheek with China, we appear to show a fear that invites more aggression. With that kind of welcome, expect the Peoples Liberation Army to increase the intensity of its attacks.

Sadly, Pelosis plane could be next.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Former Minister Says Civil Service Group Think Stopped Her From Learning About Tavistock

The ex-equalities minister and Tory leadership hopeful Kemi Badenoch has claimed that she fought a battle with civil servants over the axed childrens gender clinic which has been accused of rushing vulnerable children into treatment.

Kemi Badenoch wrote an article in The Sunday Times of London that claimed that officials told her not to meet whistleblowers and child patients while undermining her enquiries with leaks.

Tavistock

On Thursday, it was announced that the Tavistock Centre in London, which runs Englands only NHS gender identity development service (GIDS) is to close.

A rise in gender dysphoria cases in children means that the NHS is moving to a new model with strong links to mental health services. In 2021/22 there were over 5,000 referrals to the clinic, which compares to just under 250 referrals in 2011/12.

The original case was brought against the Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust (Aaron Chown/PA)

An official report in February found issues around safety at the clinic, expressing deep concerns about the affirmative model, concluding that primary and secondary care staff have had to adopt an unquestioning affirmative approach.

Badenoch said that the NHS gender identity service (GIDS) for young people was presented to her by government officials as a positive medical provision to support children.

She added that she was told by civil servants that was there nothing to see here and that the Tavistock was getting unfair press.

Civil servants are appointed officials of the UK Home Civil Service, which supports the work of the UKs central government, and are meant to be politically impartial.

She added that she noticed officials seemed to be consulting the same people and previous ministers had created an LGBT advisory panel that was clearly suffering from groupthink.

She was also told that it would be inappropriate to speak to Keira Bell, 23, a woman who was given puberty blockers as a teenager after only three hours of consultation at the Tavistock Centre, and had a double mastectomy by the age of 20, but later came to regret it.

Voice of Interest Groups

She wrote that the Whitehall machine often becomes the voice of interest groups in government rather than governments voice to interest groups.

This stems from a sincere, yet naive, belief that you can appease special interests with platitudes. The truth is some battles have to be fought and won.

This requires strengthening a civil service that is terrified of controversy and recalibrating it towards policy and away from posturing on issues it believes as too contentious, added Badenoch.

Badenoch added that it would be wrong to portray the entirety of the civil service as hostile on these issues.

Far from it. A small minority of activist officials are the tail wagging the dog, often to the dismay of their colleagues and the hand-wringing of far more senior officials, she added.

The Epoch Times contacted the government for comment.
Georgia Professor Arrested in Connection to 18-Year-Old Freshmans Death

A former University of West Georgia professor was arrested on July 30 in relation to the fatal shooting of an 18-year-old university freshman, according to authorities.

The Carrollton Police Department said in a press release that 47-year-old Richard Sigman has been charged with murder, aggravated assault, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime for his alleged involvement in the death of Anna Jones.

According to police, Sigman shot Jones around midnight on July 30 while she was seated in a car parked in the parking deck of a courthouse off Adamson Square in downtown Carrollton, Georgia.

Preliminary information found that prior to the shooting, Sigman got into a verbal dispute with a man and threatened to shoot him.

The man, who was not identified, reported the altercation he experienced to security members of Leopoldos Pizza Napoletana, an Italian restaurant in Adamson Square. Security then approached Sigman and ordered him to leave after they saw he was armed.

Mugshot of Richard Sigman. (Courtesy of Carrollton Police Department)

The investigation then indicates Sigman walked into the parking deck and began shooting into a parked vehicle, striking the victim, police wrote in the release. Friends immediately drove her to the hospital where she was pronounced deceased.

No motive for the shooting was provided, and neither was information released if Jones was an intended target, or if Sigman and Jones knew each other.

Authorities are encouraging anyone with information on the case to contact the Carrollton Police Department at 770-834-4451, noting that all callers may remain anonymous.

Mount Zion High School, where Jones recently graduated, wrote a tribute on Facebook after learning about the university freshmans death.

It is with great sadness that we write to inform you of the passing of Anna Jones, the school wrote in a statement. Anna loved this school and this community and she will be missed dearly by many.

The school also shared a link to a GoFundMe page set up by relatives of the victim to help cover funeral costs. As of July 1, more than $18,000 had been raised.

The University of West Georgia, where Sigman worked as an educator, announced in an email that he was no longer employed by the school.

UWG has terminated the employment of Richard Sigman and continues to work with the city of Carrollton Police Department, which leads this ongoing investigation, the university said in an email to FOX 5 Atlanta.

From NTD News
Lasers, going where no one has gone before. (Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons)

GOPers Bill Tells US National Labs to Polygraph Green Card-Less Chinese, Russian Applicants

Two Republican senators introduced legislation on July 29 to require the Department of Energys (DOE) National Laboratories to administer intelligence-grade polygraph tests to all applicants from nations on the State Departments Countries of Particular Concern list and who lack green cards.

The as-yet-untitled legislative proposal, S. 4634, is co-sponsored by Sens. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) and Roger Marshall (R-Kan.). The measure would require the DOE to administer the polygraph tests to all applicants from countries such as China, Russia, and Iran who dont have green cards and are seeking employment at one of the nations 17 national laboratories.

The 17 labs grew out of the original Oak Ridge, Tennessee, facility that was famously part of the Manhattan Projects research and development program that led to the atomic bombs used by the United States to end World War II in 1945.

The Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) hasnt been involved in nuclear weapons research since 1945, but its now the largest of the 17 DOE National Labs, which also include such well-known institutions as the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and the Los Alamos National Laboratory.

More than 72,000 individuals work for the various National Labs in full- and part-time positions. A DOE spokesman didnt respond by press time to The Epoch Timess request for comment on the Barrasso-Marshall proposal.

The National Labs, according to the DOE, tackle the critical scientific challenges of our timefrom combating climate change to discovering the origins of our universeand possess unique instruments and facilities, many of which are found nowhere else in the world. They address large scale, complex research and development challenges with a multidisciplinary approach that places an emphasis on translating basic science to innovation.

In addition to the resources and research areas that are of wide interest to scientists generally, some of the National Labs also conduct classified research, which is what makes the facilities such attractive targets for infiltration, especially by China, which, through its Thousand Talents Program (TTP) and other efforts, has systematically targeted U.S. government, academic, and corporate resources for decades in order to steal technology, sensitive information, and data.

A 2019 report of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Permanent Investigations Subcommittee highlighted the vulnerability of the National Labs to foreign influence with an individual described only as Individual N.

While employed at the National Lab, Individual N hosted dozens of other Chinese nationals, worked on numerous Energy funded projects, and visited multiple Energy labs, the report reads. The individual hired at least four Chinese nationals and TTP participants, while at least eight others were known to be no-pay appointments paid for by other Chinese organizations.

The investigation revealed a disproportionate collaboration with Chinese institutions, and the individual attempted to initiate official sharing agreements between the laboratory and a Chinese organization. Additionally, the investigation found that monitoring the groups work was complicated by the language barrier, the revolving door of personnel, and the somewhat insular nature of the group. A later review identified at least six projects designated as sensitive.

The State Department also includes the nations of Burma, Eritrea, the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan on the Particular Concern list.

The groundbreaking research and technologies at Americas National Labs must be safeguarded. All too often these highly sensitive materials have been compromised. Theyve been used to harm the United States, our allies, or our interests. This can have enormous consequences both for our national security and economic competitiveness, Barrasso said in a joint statement with Marshall.

The polygraph program will serve as a deterrent to foreign nationals with malevolent intentions. It will also provide a tool to protect critical research and identify security threats.

Barrasso is the ranking Republican member of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Marshall also is a member of the panel, which is chaired by Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.).

The research being done at our National Laboratories is funded by American taxpayers, and it needs to be the American people reaping the rewards. Yet, we know that American innovation is constantly being stolen and smuggled overseas by our enemies, particularly China. This is simply unacceptable, Marshall said in the same statement.

We currently have thousands of Chinese and Russian foreign nationals working in the Department of Energy, and while I have no doubt that most are faithfully contributing to American progress, the war in Ukraine has shown it is more vital than ever that we do all we can to protect our technological advancements.

I am proud to join Ranking Member Barrasso in introducing this legislation, which will establish the same polygraph procedures used by the intelligence community to separate those who want to work for American interests from those who may have split loyalties.

Notable accomplishments of the labs, according to the DOE, include participating with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and other laboratories in the Human Genome Project that first mapped DNA.

Researchers at the National Labs helped to develop the field of nuclear medicine, producing radioisotopes to diagnose and treat disease, designing imaging technology to detect cancer and developing software to target tumors while sparing healthy tissue, the DOE website reads.

The works of ancient mathematician Archimedeswritten over by medieval monks and lost for millenniawere revealed to modern eyes thanks to the X-ray vision and light-source technology at National Labs. These studies also have revealed secrets of masterpiece paintings, ancient Greek vases, and other priceless cultural artifacts.
2022 Symposium on Life of Hongkongers in Kaohsiung" at the Kaohsiung Mayor's official residence, on July 28, 2022. (Taiwanese Civil Aid to HKers/Facebook via The Epoch Times)

Hongkongers Migrating to Taiwan Face Tightened Requirements and Longer Process

Media Commentator: People with possible CCP connections are unlikely to be allowed to settle in Taiwan

More and more cases indicate the applications of Hong Kong people intending to migrate to Taiwan under the Professional Migrant category met increasing screening and thus longer processing time. Richard Shum See Hoi, a senior commentator on current affairs, concluded, Emigrating to Taiwan will only become increasingly difficult from now on.

Recently, a meeting was held between various departments of the Kaohsiung City Government in Taiwan and Hong Kong people to understand the current situation and problems facing Hong Kong immigrants.

The meeting mainly focused on the difficulties for Hong Kong people settling in Taiwan. It dealt in particular with those problems encountered by Professional Immigrants.

Some Professional Migrants applicants from Hong Kong said that when they applied for permanent residency, they were suddenly notified of the need to satisfy additional criteria. Moreover, the employment requirements for Professional Migrants are pretty high, and it is exceedingly difficult for them to find suitable employment in Taiwan.

Some commentators believe that in recent years, Taiwan has tightened its various immigration regulations for Hong Kong people, and it will only become increasingly difficult for Hong Kong people to migrate to Taiwan.

HK Peoples Life Symposium Held in Kaohsiung

The Kaohsiung City Government, together with the Mainland Affairs Council, and the Taiwanese Civil Aid to Hongkongers (TAHK), held a 2022 Symposium on Life of Hongkongers in Kaohsiung at the Kaohsiung Mayors official residence on July 28.

Representatives from the local departments and bureaus of Civil Affairs, Education, Health, and Social Welfare, attended the event. During the symposium, the officials exchanged ideas and opinions with the Hong Kong people now living in Kaohsiung on issues such as life, education, and health care.

According to the number of new arrivals released by the Department of Civil Affairs of the Kaohsiung City Government, as of July 25, 1,373 Hong Kong and Macao residents were registered in Kaohsiung City.

Chang Fu-feng, Chief Secretary of the Department of Administration and International Affairs, Kaohsiung City Government, said at the meeting that more and more Hong Kong people are coming to Taiwan to work and study. Mayor Chen Chi-mai is also very concerned about the living conditions of Hong Kong people in Kaohsiung and will try to provide all necessary resources and assistance.

He said that the Kaohsiung City Government currently has a dedicated website for Hong Kong, which integrates policies from the central government, residency, study, employment, and daily affairs. Hong Kong people are also encouraged to take the initiative to report their actual problems and seek assistance.

Difficult to Find Employment and Settle Down

Apart from the difficulties of professional immigrants to find suitable employment and settle down, one Hong Kong migrant said that when he applied under the Professional Migrant category, he was neither told about the need to retake an examination for his overseas qualifications nor the need to have worked in Taiwan before granting full citizenship.

The application form only stated that they could apply for settlement after living there for one year. It was only later that he discovered all such prerequisites in Taiwan before they could be considered for final approval. Because of the misinformation, he did not have the required skill certified in Taiwan, nor did he obtain a license and an ID card, so he could not find a job outside his major trade.

Ms. Li, the representative of the National Immigration Agency, Ministry of the Interior, said that she would convey all relevant concerns to the Permanent Residency Section.

Taiwan Gradually Tightening Immigration Threshold

In an interview with the Epoch Times, Richard Shum See-hoi, senior media personnel and commentator on both sides of the Taiwan Strait, pointed out that in Taiwans Constitution, both Hong Kong and Macao belong to the Republic of China (ROC). Before the sovereignty change in 1997, Hong Kong people were issued national identity cards as usual when they arrived in Taiwan. After naturalization, they would be granted the right of abode. At that time, there was never such a thing called immigration from Hong Kong (or Macao).

He pointed out that the Laws and Regulations Regarding Hong Kong & Macao Affairs was drafted by incumbent Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen in 1990, and he saw no possibility that Tsai would overturn the regulations outlined in that year during her current term of office.

Shum pointed out further that immigration via investment only required a minimum of about HK$1 million (about US$130,000) in the past. The current threshold has risen to about HK$1.5 million (about US$191,000). Moreover, the Investment Commission of the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) must review all such investment plans.

He described such reviews as a bit picky and cumbersome, and includes scrutinizing bank deposits, liquidity, the length of deposits, and even the source of funds. Only when all this required information passes the review can you start applying for the said immigration via investment.

National Security Review Affects Application Success

When asked about his views on the National Security Bureaus review of Hong Kong immigrants, Shum believes there are three types of people who do not stand any chance of being allowed to settle in Taiwan. They are Hong Kong people born on the mainland, Hong Kong people who worked in the civil service after 1997, and also those who worked for China-funded companies.

They will all be regarded by the Taiwan authorities as helping the CCP and will never pass the Taiwan national security review.
Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-Wash.) questions Labor Secretary Alexander Acosta as he testifies during a House Appropriations Committee hearing on the Labor Budget for Fiscal Year 2020 on Capitol Hill in Washington on April 3, 2019. (Al Drago/Getty Images)

House Incumbents Who Voted to Impeach Trump Face Tough Primary in Washington State

Two of the 10 House Republicans who voted to impeach former President Donald Trump last year face Trump-endorsed challengers on Aug. 2 in the Washington state primaries in their quest to stay in Congress.

Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-Wash.) is set to face eight challengers, including the Trump-endorsed Joe Kent, to represent Washingtons 3rd Congressional District. The states top-two primary system means that the top two vote-getters will advance to the general election in November regardless of party affiliation.

In the states 4th Congressional District, Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-Wash.) will face six Republican challengers and one Democrat. Among the challengers is Trump-endorsed Loren Culp, who lost to incumbent Washington Gov. Jay Inslee in the 2020 gubernatorial race.

Loren Culp, who was then a gubernatorial candidate, waves to the crowd during a rally supporting then-President Donald Trump in Bellevue, Wash., on Oct. 10, 2020. (Karen Ducey/Getty Images)

While Herrera Beutler and Newhouse are fighting to remain in Congress, four other House Republicans who joined the Democratic attempt to impeach Trump have opted to retire: Reps. Fred Upton (R-Mich.), John Katko (R-N.Y.), Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.), and Anthony Gonzalez (R-Ohio).

For the remaining four, Rep. Tom Rice (R-S.C.) lost his reelection bid in a June primary; Rep. David Valadao (R-Calif.) advanced to the November general election in Californias newly drawn 22nd Congressional District; Rep. Peter Meijer (R-Mich.) will be in a primary vote on Aug. 2; and Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) appears to face an uphill battle in an Aug. 16 primary.

Herrera Beutler

A poll (pdf) in early July conducted by the Trafalgar Group found Herrera Beutler leading with 30.2 percent support, followed by Kent at 23 percent, and another GOP candidate, Heidi St. John, in third with 13.3 percent. Of the respondents, 8.2 percent said they were undecided.

Trump held a telephone rally for Kent on July 25, during which the former president called the former U.S. Army Green Beret a tough cookie with a big, fat, beautiful heart. Trump added that Kent would protect the First and Second Amendments and wouldnt defund the police, if elected.

As for Herrera Beutler, Trump called her a RINO, an acronym for Republican in name only.

She fights for the Washington swamp, not for the Washington state, Trump said.

Late last month, Herrera Beutler, a six-term congresswoman, told The Associated Press that she is not changing course in her latest reelection bid, adding that she is still the same Republican that she has always been.

Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-Wash.) speaks during a House Appropriations Subcommittee hearing on COVID-19 Response on Capitol Hill in Washington, on June 4, 2020. (Al Drago/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

In an interview with EpochTVs Facts Matter program in January, Kent praised Trumps foreign policy.

I was pretty disenfranchised with the way that the Bush administration, the Obama administration, used our troops in these endless wars, he said. That was until President Trump came on the scene and really started putting America first, implementing America first foreign policy, and going about fighting our wars in a different capacity.

He gave us the authorities that we needed to go out and crush the Islamic caliphate, Kent added, referring to Trump.

Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, a small business owner, is seen as the top Democratic challenger seeking to replace Herrera Beutler.

Newhouse

Newhouse, a four-term congressman, seems to be trailing other Republicans, according to recent polls.

A June survey released by GOP candidate Jerrod Sesslers campaign showed Democratic candidate Doug White in the lead with 23.9 percent, followed closely by Sessler with 23.1 percent, Newhouse with 19.8 percent, and Culp with 13.7 percent, according to the Spokane-based newspaper The Spokesman-Review.

Sessler is a retired NASCAR race car driver, Navy veteran, and founder of HomeTask.com.

Spry Strategies, a Tennessee-based polling firm, released a poll in April that showed Culp in the lead with 28.1 percent and Newhouse second at 19.7 percent, according to The Spokesman-Review. The poll also found that, in a head-to-head matchup, Culp led Newhouse 38.3 percent to 37.3 percent.

Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-Wash.) questions Congressional Budget Office Director Phillip Swagel as he testifies before the Legislative Branch Subcommittee of the House Appropriations Committee in Washington on Feb. 12, 2020. (Sarah Silbiger/Getty Images)

Last month, Culp told The Epoch Times how he had obtained Trumps endorsement in February.

I didnt chase anybodys endorsement, so Trumps phone call was a complete surprise, Culp said. He read the endorsement letter to me and said hes behind me 100 percent. Of course, all the other candidates attack me because they have to get through me first. Were dealing with that.

Republicans have vowed to launch many investigations aimed at putting pressure on the Biden administration if they win back the House. Among the issues they aim to probe are border security, the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic, and Hunter Biden.

Culp has also promised to join the GOP-led effort to probe the first son.

When Republicans retake Congress, I pledge to investigate Hunter Biden and the presidents shady dealings with China, Culp wrote on Twitter on July 13. When we find that smoking gun, I will introduce another article of impeachment against Biden.

On July 25, Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) revealed that certain FBI officials had a scheme to wrongly label derogatory information on Hunter Biden as disinformation, based on what his office learned from highly credible whistleblowers. Subsequently, FBI officials halted investigative activities related to Hunter Biden in 2020.

A day later, Culp took to Twitter to criticize the FBI.

The FBI played a role in censoring sensitive info about Hunter Biden ahead of the 2020 election, Culp wrote. Demand accountability. Charge and arrest those responsible.
Big things are happening for the humble marijuana (or cannabis) plant. On July 21, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) introduced a bill to legalize marijuana at the federal level with Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Cory Booker (D-N.J.).

Booker released a statement on the bill on July 21, saying this can undo the damage done by the War on Drugs.

Meanwhile anti-legalization advocates like Kevin A. Sabet are doing all they can to prevent the bill from passing the Senate and becoming law.

However, regardless of the outcome, this bill is likely to change the discourse around cannabis for years to come.

State legalization and subsequent commercialization of marijuana has given the drug a glow up. The drug, once associated with potheads, illicit dealings, and pungent herbal smells is fast becoming a legal, family-friendly, trendy, and Instagram-worthy herbal medicine.

The expectation was that after legalization, marijuana would become more controlled and safe. The states that have made moves to legalize first medical marijuana, then recreational marijuana, however, observed increases in illicit dealings, hospital admission rates, and cannabis addiction and use.

Potency and concentration of cannabis and its derivatives, car crashes involving cannabis and abuse, and use in young people have also met new highs.

Marijuana is getting a foothold into medicine and households. It has been the most-consumed illicit drug globally and in the United States (pdf) for decades, though marijuana use is still far behind alcohol and tobacco.

The two words cannabis and marijuana are often used interchangeably, but there are differences in nuance. Cannabis generally refers to the entire cannabis plant, while marijuana refers to products made from cannabis such as dried leaves, or flowers. The word marijuana also implies that it is a cannabis product high in tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main constituent and the psychoactive derivative of cannabis.

Since legalization and commercialization, the THC content of cannabis products has been increasing. It has gone up from less than 2 percent (prior to the 1990s) to the current levels of 17 percent, and possibly even 30 percent as consumers seek bigger highs.

Gummi Bears are displayed in a glass jar on April 3, 2009 in San Francisco, California. Candy with marijuana in it has been handed out by mistake to fifth-grade children. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

Recreational Marijuana: A Changed Product

Some parents, grandparents, and educators memory of recreational weed is that of its humbler eras of 2 to 4 percent THC. There is a mismatch in perception, as high-THC level products are being packaged into innocent-looking gummies, candies, vapes, drinks, and many more. Though these are only legal for adult consumption, younger people are using it more than ever. Teenagers and young adults, whose brains are still in development, are consuming marijuana at unprecedented potencies. Marijuana use is linked with mental disorders, and memory and cognitive decline, with younger people the most at risk.

To add the cherry on top, researchers such as psychiatrist and professor Dr. Deepak DSouza from Yale University, believes the high potencies, longer periods of use, may make findings from studies in the 70s, 80s, 90s irrelevant to the current marijuana landscape.

Its the potencythe weed thats available now [is] so different from what it was in the 1960s, DSouza told The Epoch Times.

Back then, weed was less accessible, less potent, and most people used it sporadically. Today, marijuana is more accessible, easily obtained in both licensed and unlicensed stores, increasingly potent, with an increased demographic of people taking the drug in the long-term.

Studies done in the past would suggest that only about one in 10 people would develop a cannabis use disorder (addiction to cannabis), DSouza said. I think more recent studies  in the current landscape of marijuana would suggest that that number is actually a lot higher than we previously thought.

An assortment of marijuana for sale at Catalyst Cannabis Dispensary in Santa Ana, Calif., on Feb. 18, 2021. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)

How Marijuana Works

Marijuana acts on the endocannabinoid system that exists in the brain and spinal cord.

Researchers are not exactly sure how marijuana creates its euphoric effects, but studies suggest that it is the binding of THC to the endocannabinoid receptors in the brain that creates euphoria. There are two endocannabinoid receptors, CB1 receptors are in the brain and CB2 receptors are in the spinal cord. THC and most cannabinoids can bind to both.

Apart from THC, there is also another common cannabinoid: cannabidiol (CBD).

CBD, the second most common cannabinoid, also interacts with the endocannabinoid system, though its actions are more complex. CBD, however, does not give users the high found in THC. CBD is generally the active ingredient in medicinal marijuana, and there are many studies linking the cannabinoid with therapeutic properties including pain and seizures.

Since the 1900s, the potency of THC in recreational marijuana has been increasing, while CBD percentage has decreased. One can find 99 percent THC oils being dispensed. Consumers can add this to their vapes, or for other forms of consumption.

Recreational Marijuana: The Young and Mental Health

Though the general advice for younger people is to stay off the drug until adulthood, DSouza senses that an increasing number of younger people are using weed recreationally, often unaware of the exact implications of consumption.

More and more young people  are using cannabis, and they are getting younger, he said. And theyre using more potent forms.

He is not wrong. Cannabis use in young people is reaching record rates, increasing from 37 percent in 2014 to 43 percent in 2019. Teenagers of today are also more likely to consume marijuana than tobacco.

Many studies have suggested that cannabis, especially its THC component, may affect neurodevelopment in growing brains, as it disrupt processes in the brain. The brain only completes its full maturation at about the age of 25 to 26. Some studies suggest maturation may come even later than that. During adolescence, brains go through pruning, which is a process where necessary brain cells and connections are strengthened and the unnecessary neurons are removed.

The process of pruning is important, its really important in preparing the brain for the demands of adulthood, DSouza said.

The endocannabinoid system is also important in neurodevelopment. In our bodies we produce two chemicals that can bind to CB1 and CB2 receptors.

One is called anandamide, named after the Sanskrit word meaning bliss, he said. And the other is called 2-AG.

When the endocannabinoid system is activated, these chemicals will be released and bind to the receptors. The chemicals are specific. They act on a small targeted area and produce the effects for just milliseconds beforethey are inactivated.

Researchers believe that the binding of these chemicals allows the brain to select what neurons will be strengthened and what neurons will be removed in neurodevelopment, according to DSouza.

Whilst these two natural chemicals act for a very short, transient time, THC does not.

THC in the body can last for minutes to hours, smoked joints give a quick and strong burst in minutes but consumed THC in gummies and other food start slow and last for hours. THC is also non-selective and will bind to all the areas of the brain with these receptors, distorting the targeted communication in the brain.

The scientific term we use is that THC produces effects that are  non physiological effects, and those  effects may have far reaching consequences.

If the endocannabinoid system is, as researchers believe, really important in directing  neurodevelopmental processes, you could imagine that when an adolescent whose brain is still maturing smokes cannabis, it may disrupt that process, said DSouza.

The prefrontal cortex, the area of the brain in charge of critical thinking and decision making, is the last area to fully mature. Research suggests that the maturation in this area is what separates teenagers and young adults from fully matured adults.

Brain scans of drug abusers often show a decreased brain matter volume in the prefrontal cortex, suggesting increased in impulsivity and poor decision making.

Since younger people have immature prefrontal cortexes, this may be why early marijuana use increases risks of addiction and brain impairment. A study found 10.7 percent of teenagers between the age of 12 and 17 developed an addiction to cannabis within 12 months of use, and 20.1 percent developed addiction after 3 years. For young adults aged 18 to 25, 6.4 percent developed addiction in a year, and 10.9 percent in three years.

Cannabis use is also linked to mental health disorders, especially in younger people, particularly those at risk of certain mental health disorders, including depression, psychosis, and schizophrenia.

Though it should be noted that not everyone who uses cannabis will develop mental health disorders and other health conditions, studies in younger people have linked the drug with various mental disorders including psychosis, schizophrenia (some studies suggest a causal link), anxiety, and depression. Some studies also link cannabis consumption with an exacerbation of present psychiatric symptoms. Schizophrenia has lifelong consequences and patients will need to be treated or monitored over their lifetime.

The majority of endocannabinoid receptors in the brain reside in the hippocampus, a seahorse structure deep in the brain important for memory formation and storage. Studies on long-term and short-term effects of cannabis have both found that cannabis affects learning and episodic memory.

Studies on adolescents have also found that cannabis use was associated with a reduced brain matter volume, a 2021 study found that it has been linked with brain aging, especially in the prefrontal cortex. Persistent use of cannabis in adolescence has also been associated with permanently reduced IQ by 5 to 13 points.

Topographical overlap between age-related thinning, cannabis effect, and cannabinoid 1 (CB1) receptor availability (courtesy of Dr. Matthew D. Albaugh and the Journal of the American Medical Association)

Though parenting plays a role in preventing teens from abusing cannabis and severe adverse effects, it can be hard for parents and educators to make the connection when their image of cannabis is mostly benign.

The industry is also trying to make cannabis appealing to the younger generations despite regulations prohibiting minor use.

DSouza argued that the age limit that has been set is disingenuous, due to the investment in products that are enticing to pre-teens and teenagers.

Companies are making gummy bears, gummy bears, I would hardly think that adults would be interested in gummy bears. Thats just a disingenuous way of marketing to young adults below the age, DSouza said.

We really have done a poor job at educating the public.

Marijuana is weighed at a medical marijuana dispensary in Vancouver, Feb. 5, 2015. (The Canadian Press/Jonathan Hayward)

Medical Cannabis: A Ticket to Becoming Recreational?

Studies shown that medicinal cannabis does have therapeutic effects against pain, chemo-therapy induced nausea and vomiting, and spasticity from multiple sclerosis.

There is also anecdotal evidence of the drugs effects against seizures in neurodegenerative diseases and epilepsy.

However, regulation of medicinal marijuana use varies drastically across different states.

Connecticut, for example, approves medicinal marijuana use for over 40 conditions including cancer, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, cystic fibrosis, multiple sclerosis, and many others. New York sets no limit on the number and type of conditions.

There are also states with strict laws; Wyoming only approved CBD-oils in 2015 and limited its use to seizures only.

Some studies also suggest benefits in Alzheimers disease, cancer, and depression, but for the overwhelming majority of those conditions, there is very little evidence to support the benefits of marijuana for these conditions, with some exceptions, said DSouza.

Studies also found that most (around 90 percent) people taking medical marijuana reported that it reduced their symptoms, and two-thirds of them used less prescription medicines.

For the medical marijuana users that report addiction, around 80 percent use recreational marijuana.

Medical marijuana has helped people, but DSouza argued that there are political motivations behind medicinal marijuana legalization. Those who wanted to legalize marijuana realized and planned very early on that if they could get the public at large to accept medical marijuana, then it would be a very short step from there to make marijuana completely legal.

And that is exactly what is happening.

Currently, 38 states have approved medical marijuana and 18 of these states also approved recreational marijuana use in adults.

The states first to approve marijuana medically were often also the first to approve it recreationally, with some exceptions:

Colorado and California were leaders in approving medical marijuana, doing so long before the movement for legalization gained momentum. Recreational approval only came after the movement gained momentum, thus these two states took 12 and 20 years respectively to legalize recreational marijuana. There are also states that were late to the overall medical marijuana program, but quickly approved recreational use, such as Massachusetts, and the district Washington DC. They legalized medical marijuana just ahead of the push for legal recreational marijuana use, and it took these two states only around 4 years to approve recreational marijuana.

Full legalization of cannabis often opened doors to commercialization. Each new policy further opened the doors for cannabis access, but these are not without health implications.

A study on youths from 2008 to 2016 in four states that legalized recreational cannabis (Colorado, Washington, Alaska, and Oregon) found that cannabis addictions reported in teenagers 12 to 17 increased from 2.18 to 2.72 percenta 25 percent increase.

Colorado: A Case Study

Colorado legalized medical marijuana in 2000, and was the first state to legalize recreational marijuana in 2012, before commercializing it in 2014.

Since its legalization, it saw increases in marijuana-involved traffic accidents, use and abuse in teenagers, hospital presentation from cannabis adverse effects, and poison center presentation for children and pets who unwittingly ingested cannabis from medicinal cabinets.

Hospitalizations for cannabis related adverse effects increased by 45 percent (pdf) between 2006 and 2008 (pre-commercialization of medical marijuana) to 2009 to 2012.

From Colorados post-commercialization period to 2013 to 2014 (legalization and commercialization period for recreational marijuana), hospitalizations for cannabis-related conditions increased by another 66 percent (pdf).

These hospitalizations do not come without repercussions, and hospitals are reporting financial losses from cannabis-related treatments. A study (pdf) examining one hospital in a municipality in Colorado found that from 2009 to 2014, hospitalizations from cannabis-related bills increased by 375 percent and emergency department (ED) submissions increased from 9 percent to 15.3 percent.

It should be noted that the municipality did not legalize cannabis under Amendment 64, however the hospital saw an increasing presentation to the ED for people experiencing adverse effects from marijuana, with the majority of hospitalizations mental health involved, including suicide ideation, depression, and so on.

From 2009 to 2014, the hospital incurred at least $20 million in losses from cannabis patients not paying their bills. Other studies examining hospital presentations in Colorado found that from 2000 to 2015, hospitalization rates with marijuana-related billing codes doubled from 274 in 2000 to 593 per 100,000 hospitalizations in 2015. ED visits from mental illness were five times higher for bills that had marijuana-related codes than bills without.

A study on poison center reports in Colorado found that child reports of cannabis ingestion doubled from 1.2 per 100 000 population in 2009 to 2.3 per 100,000 population in 2015, and half of these reports were from children ingesting cannabis-containing gummies, and brownies, both of which are appealing to children. Though arguably, the reports are less than crayon poisoning reports every year, however as legalization invariably increases marijuana exposures, poisoning from cannabis in children is only going to increase as the drug becomes increasingly socially acceptable.

Additionally, traffic deaths involving drivers who tested positive for marijuana also increased since legalization of recreational marijuana. Traffic deaths involving marijuana more than doubled from 55 people killed in 2013 to 115 in 2018. In 2019, there were 163 alcohol-impaired traffic deaths in Colorado.

Cannabis use in teenagers and young adults in Colorado have also mostly showed an increasing trend. In 2019, 15.5 percent of teenagers aged 15 and younger consumed cannabis in the past 30 days, compared to 15.4 percent in 2013. Teenagers aged 16 to 17, and 18 and older also saw general increases, reaching 24.4 and 27.5 percent respectively as compared to 22.5 and 25.3 percent in 2013.

DSouza likened the popularity among the younger generation and commercialism of cannabis with tobacco and alcohol. Even though alcohol is supposed to be sold only to people over the age of 21, its very easy for young people, adolescents to get their hands on alcohol, and likewise I would expect no differentwith cannabis.

Correction: A previous version of this article marked the 2009 to 2012 period as (post-commercialization) under the section Colorado: A Case Study. The terminology quoted from the report caused confusion and has since been removed. Colorado legalized recreational marijuana use in 2012 and state-licensed retail sales, or commercialization, in 2014.

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.
An Iranian flag in Iran's Bushehr nuclear power plant during an official ceremony to kick-start works on a second reactor at the facility, in Bushehr, Iran, on Nov. 10, 2019. (Atta Kenare/AFP via Getty Images)

Iran Warns It Has Technical Means to Produce Nuclear Bomb but Not on Agenda

Irans nuclear chief is warning that the country has the technical ability to produce an atomic bomb but reiterated previous remarks by Iranian officials that the country has no intention of doing so, despite social media accounts linked to Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) that threaten to produce nuclear warheads for missiles.

Mohammad Eslami, head of the countrys atomic energy organization, made the comments on Aug. 1, according to the semi-official Fars news agency.

Eslami echoed comments made last month by Kamal Kharrazi, a senior adviser to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who stated that Iran has the technical means to build a nuclear bomb, but there has been no decision by Iran to build one.

Iran has now apparently enriched uranium to 60 percent purity, 20 to 30 percent below the purity required for building weapons, but has long-denied that it is seeking a nuclear weapon.

The 2015 Iran nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), had capped the level of enrichment purity at 3.67 percentsuitable for generating civilian nuclear energy.

Former President Donald Trumps administration withdrew the United States from that deal in 2018, having previously branded it a horrible, one-sided deal that should have never been made, before reimposing tight sanctions on the country.

When withdrawing from the deal, Trump said that he refused to allow the United States to be held hostage to nuclear blackmail.

Failed Negotiations

However, President Joe Bidens administration hopes to entice Iran back to the agreement in an effort to constrain the country from bolstering its nuclear program; a broad outline of a revived deal was essentially agreed in March.

Talks between the two nations, albeit indirect, have so far proven unsuccessful, because of conflicts over Tehrans demand that Washington provides guarantees that no U.S. president will abandon the deal in the future, something that Biden cant promise because the nuclear deal is a non-binding political understanding and not a legally binding treaty.

Irans lead negotiator on the deal wrote on Twitter on July 31 that his country seeks a swift conclusion to the ongoing negotiations and that Tehran has responded to European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrells new proposal to end the failed talks.

Ali Bagheri, Irans deputy foreign minister, wrote: We shared our proposed ideas, both on substance and form, to pave the way for a swift conclusion of Vienna negotiations and that we work closely with our JCPOA partners, in particular the Coordinator, to give another chance to the U.S. to demonstrate good faith & act responsibly.

As Iran, we stand ready to conclude the negotiations in a short order, should the other side be ready to do the same, Bagheri added, but didnt provide further details as to when the talks would resume.

Renewed Threats

Eslamis comments came after Telegram channels linked to the IRGC issued statements on July 30 threatening to produce nuclear warheads for missiles.

The IRGC-linked Bisimchi Media (Radioman Media) Telegram channel published a video titled When Will Irans Sleeping Nuclear Warheads Awaken, in which it said that Tehran would start building nuclear bombs in the shortest possible time if the U.S. or the Zionist regime make any stupid mistakes, according to a translation by Iran International.

The video also states that Irans ballistic missiles could turn New York into hellish ruins and that the nuclear facilities of Fordow [fuel enrichment plant] have been built deep under mountains of Iran and are protected against trench-busting bombs and even nuclear explosion  all infrastructures required for nuclear breakout have been prepared in it, according to Iran International.

The outlet reported that the video also states that the facilities at Natanz uranium enrichment site may be highly vulnerable to a possible attack by Western powers and Israel but that Fordow will immediately assume war footing and begin the nuclear breakout project within a short time if Natanz comes under missile attack.
In this image from video, Guy Reffitt stands outside the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Jan. 6, 2021. (U.S. Department of Justice/Screenshot via The Epoch Times)

Judge Hands Down Lengthiest Sentence Yet Over Jan. 6 Crimes

A man who carried a gun onto U.S. Capitol grounds on Jan. 6, 2021, was sentenced on Aug. 1 to more than seven years in prison.

Guy Reffitt, 49, of Texas was sentenced to 87 months in prison, according to a summary of the hearing. The sentence is the longest handed down to a person charged with a crime linked to the events at the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. The previous record was 63 months.

Reffitt also was sentenced to three years of supervised release, mandatory mental health treatment, and $2,000 in restitution.

U.S. District Judge Dabney Friedrich, the Trump appointee overseeing the case, said Reffitt and others who committed crimes on Jan. 6, 2021, are a direct threat to our democracy and will be punished as such, WUSA-TV reported.

Reffitt told the court before his sentence was handed down that he was a [expletive] idiot and that he [expletive] up.

But Friedrich wondered aloud if Reffitt was sincere, saying that she expected to hear from him earlier, and Jeffrey Nestler, a prosecutor on the case, said the prosecution believed that Reffitts statements werent credible.

A jury convicted Reffitt in March on all five counts: obstruction of an official proceeding, two counts of civil disorder, entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds, and obstruction of justice.

Reffitt had faced up to 20 years in prison. While prosecutors asked for him to receive 15 years behind bars, Reffitts lawyers said he should receive no more than two years imprisonment.

Reffitt did express regret in a letter to the court before sentencing, saying that he didnt intend to carry out violence at the Capitol.

I became energized by the crowd and I am not proud of what I did on the Capitol staircase that day, he wrote. My regrets are immense.

The judge described the letter as carefully crafted, noting that Reffitt didnt disavow the Three Percenters, a militia group of which he was a member, WUSA-TV reported. Friedrich also said Reffitt offered really troubling comparisons in the missive between Jan. 6, 2021, and the American Revolution in 1776 and later called threats he made against family members highly disturbing.

The judge noted that he held a gun to his wifes head in 2020, pointing to remarks the wife made in a podcast about the incident.

Reported to FBI

Reffitt, an oil rig manager and petroleum consultant who was laid off during the COVID-19 pandemic, arrived at the west side of the Capitol at about 1:50 p.m. on Jan. 6, 2021, and charged up the Capitol steps toward Capitol police officers, according to prosecutors. After being sprayed with chemicals by law enforcement and struck with rubber bullets, Reffitt left, went back to his hotel, and departed for home.

Reffitt, a member of a Texas militia group called the Three Percenters, was armed with a pistol in a waist holster, according to prosecutors. He has said that he took a gun into Washington but disassembled it to comply with the law. He never brandished the weapon.

After returning from Washington, he bragged about joining the Capitol breach and was making plans to join a future event of a similar nature, according to communications obtained by the government.

Reffitt, during a Jan. 11, 2021, discussion with his daughter, Peyton, and his son, Jackson, both teenagers, said that anybody who turned him in would be traitors and that traitors get shot, according to a recording captured by his son.

Jackson soon reported his father to the FBI.

He testified during Reffitts trial that he was scared for himself and his sister after that conversation, so he went to the government.

Peyton said she didnt feel threatened and submitted supportive statements to the court along with her sister, Reffitts wife, one of his daughters boyfriends, a woman who said he helped her recover from addiction, and five longtime friends.

First Defendant to Go on Trial

Reffitt was the first Jan. 6, 2021, defendant to see their case go to trial.

Jurors quickly returned a unanimous verdict, setting the stage for all the unanimous convictions that have since followed in Washington, where the overwhelming majority of voters are Democrats.

As of July 6, 10 individuals have been found guilty. The only acquittals have come from judges during bench trials.

Video footage shows Reffitt near the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, wearing a blue jacket, a black vest, and a helmet with a Go Pro-style camera attached, washing his eyes out after being hit by chemical spray.

Reffitt acknowledged to FBI agents that he went onto Capitol grounds. He wasnt accused of entering the Capitol.
A judge on Aug. 1 handed down the longest prison sentence to date related to the Jan. 6 Capitol breach. A journalist in Brooklyn says the Iranian regime is trying to kill her after federal authorities made an arrest.

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Credit card is seen in front of displayed Visa logo in this illustration taken on July 15, 2021. (Dado Ruvic/Reuters)

Judge Rules Its Reasonable to Infer That Visa Intended to Help Pornhub Monetize Child Porn: Lawsuit

A federal judge ruled Friday that it is reasonable to infer that payment processor Visa knowingly helped Pornhub monetize child porn and denied its motion to dismiss the claim that it violated Californias Unfair Competition Law.

District Judge Cormac Carney of the U.S. District Court of the Central District of California wrote in his ruling on July 29 that Visa knew that MindGeeks websites were teeming with monetized child porn.

Montreal-based company Mindgeek is Pornhubs parent company.

It knew of this fact, the judge said, from its own due diligence and discussions and negotiations with MindGeek as well as PayPals decision to cease doing business with MindGeek, along with an article published by The New York Times in December 2020 titled: The Children of Pornhub: Why does Canada allow this company to profit off videos of exploitation and assault?

The lawsuit against MindGeek and Visa was filed last year by Serena Fleites; a young woman who claims her life was shattered after a naked video of herself that she was pressured into sending to her then-boyfriend ended up on Pornhub while she was still in middle school.

The video was posted without her knowledge or consent.

Shortly after The New York Times reported that the website was hosting unlawful content, including nonconsensual pornography and videos of child sexual assault, Visa suspended processing payments on Pornhub.

Fleitess attorneys allege in her lawsuit that Visa explicitly agreed with MindGeek to process the financial transactions from which the defendants profited from the [sex trafficking] venture.

Life-Destroying

Her attorneys argue that the video destroyed her life, with the lawsuit stating that While MindGeek profited from the child porn featuring plaintiff, plaintiff was intermittently homeless or living in her car, addicted to heroin, depressed and suicidal, and without the support of her family.

Fleites claims that she contacted Pornhub to remove the video, which was allegedly viewed millions of times, but that it took them weeks to remove it, and that it was repeatedly uploaded again.

In his ruling on Friday, Carney held that the plaintiff adequately alleged the possibility that Visas payment network was used in relation to her videos and that Visa has control over deciding whether to recognize MindGeek as a merchant.

When MindGeek decides to monetize child porn, and Visa decides to continue to allow its payment network to be used for that goal despite knowledge of MindGeeks monetization of child porn, it is entirely foreseeable that victims of child porn like [the] plaintiff will suffer the harms that plaintiff alleges, Carney wrote.

Specifically, the judge noted that Visas agreement to financially benefit from child porn can be inferred from its decision to continue to recognize MindGeek as a merchant despite allegedly knowing that MindGeek monetized a substantial amount of child porn on its websites and that the court can comfortably infer that Visa intended to help MindGeek monetize child porn from the very fact that Visa continued to provide MindGeek the means to do so and knew MindGeek was indeed doing so.

Visa Condemns Sex Trafficking

Carney denied Visas motion to dismiss the claim that the company violated Californias Unfair Competition Law, which prohibits unlawful, unfair, or fraudulent business practices or false or misleading advertising, by processing payments for child porn.

However, the judge ruled partly in favor of Visa, noting that Fleites simply has no basis for claiming Visa directly participated in the sex trafficking ventures that harmed her and ordered that she must provide a more definite statement with respect to her common law civil conspiracy cause of action against Visa.

In a statement to The Epoch Times following Fridays ruling, a Visa spokesperson said: Visa condemns sex trafficking, sexual exploitation and child sexual abuse materials as repugnant to our values and purpose as a company. This pre-trial ruling is disappointing and mischaracterizes Visas role and its policies and practices. Visa will not tolerate the use of our network for illegal activity. We continue to believe that Visa is an improper defendant in this case.

A spokesperson for MindGeek told Variety in a statement: At this point in the case, the court has not yet ruled on the veracity of the allegations, and is required to assume all of the plaintiffs allegations are true and accurate. When the court can actually consider the facts, we are confident the plaintiffs claims will be dismissed for lack of merit.

They added that MindGeek has zero tolerance for the posting of illegal content on its platforms, and has instituted the most comprehensive safeguards in user-generated platform history while noting that the company has also banned uploads from anyone who has not submitted a government-issued ID that has also passed third-party verification.

The spokesperson also said that MindGeek has eliminated the ability to download free content, integrated several leading technology platforms and content moderation tools, and instituted digital fingerprinting of all videos found to be in violation of our Non-Consensual Content and [child sexual abuse material], among other things.

Any insinuation that MindGeek does not take the elimination of illegal material seriously is categorically false, the statement added.

The Epoch Times has contacted MindGeek for comment.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump speaks at the America First Policy Institute Agenda Summit in Washington, on July 26, 2022. (Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images)

Justice Department Says Oath Keepers Cant Blame Trump for Capitol Breach on Jan. 6

The Department of Justice (DOJ) argued that the founder of the Oath Keepers group who allegedly entered the Capitol building on Jan. 6 cant blame former President Donald Trump for criminal acts during the breach, according to a recent filing.

President Trump did not have the authority to permit or authorize a conspiracy to forcibly oppose the authority of the government or the execution of the laws of the United States, nor could he have lawfully sanctioned the attack on the United States Capitol on Jan. 6 or any of the other criminal conduct allegedly perpetrated by defendants, federal government prosecutors wrote in their filing submitted July 29 in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.

The DOJ is seeking a ruling to prevent attorneys for Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes and other members of the group from being able to make that argument in opening statements to the jury or while questioning witnesses.

Any public-authority defense put forth by the defendants would fail for two reasons: no government agent possessed actual authority to order the defendants criminal actions, and, in any event, it would have been objectively unreasonable to rely on any such order, DOJ lawyers added in the filing about the case, adding that the defendants cannot satisfy any part of the entrapment-by-estoppel test.

The defendants were not actively misled. Neither in his speech on January 6, 2021, nor beforehand did President Trump or any other government actor purport to interpret the scope of the statutes the defendants are charged with violating, they wrote.

Whats Next

Prosecutors also want to block lawyers for Rhodes and other Oath Keepers members from claiming that Capitol Police officers and other law enforcement supported the defendants actions on Jan. 6, 2021, because they allegedly did not try to stop them from entering the Capitol.

Oath Keepers founder Elmer Stewart Rhodes III previously said the Jan. 6 Select Committee is not looking for truth. (Epoch TV)

Rhodes and other members of the militia group lost a request to dismiss their criminal charges in June. The judge also blocked (pdf) their request to move their trial to Alexandria, Virginia, from Washington, D.C., last month.

The DOJ in January 2022 charged (pdf) Rhodes and 10 others with seditious conspiracy in connection to the Jan. 6 incident at the Capitol.

In an exclusive interview published last month, Rhodes told The Epoch Times that he wants to testify in front of the House Jan. 6 committee during a live broadcast to refute the panels pack of lies.

If I were given a chance to give an opening statement, Im writing up what I would give them, Rhodes said on July 10. If they decline to accept my offer, Im going to go ahead and publish my opening statement.

Members of the Jan. 6 committee, which has been derided by Republicans as a partisan witch hunt, should jump at the opportunity, but they wont because they dont want that, Rhodes argued. What they want is what youve seen, which is just a scripted, controlled, pre-screened show trial. Theyre only going to put people in front of the public that they know are going to say what they want them to say.

The Epoch Times has contacted Rhodess attorney, James Bright, for comment on the latest filing. Rhodess trial is scheduled to start on Sept. 26.
A multi-national study led by Australias Flinders University has found that more than 50 percent of the clinical trials the U.S. Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) used to approve anti-cancer medications over the past decade are not available for public scrutiny.

This comes after the pharmaceutical industry made a commitment in 2014 to improve data transparency.

Authors of the study say that commitment needs revisiting as it was supposed to be about restoring confidence in evidence-based medicine and allowing data to be used for further research into medicine safety and efficacy.

The team looked at what proportion of clinical trials that led to the registration of anti-cancer drugs were eligible for sharing with qualified researchers, revealing that of the 304 trials which underpinned the registration of 115 anti-cancer medications over the past ten years, only 136 had individual patient data available.

Senior author of the study and leader of the Clinical Cancer Epidemiology Lab at Flinders, Dr. Ash Hopkins, said in a university release on Monday that the most common reason given for not making the data available was that long-term follow-up data was still being collected.

This is the same reason given by Pfizer and Moderna for the clinical trial data on their respective COVID-19 vaccines not currently being available, he said.

However, this excuse disregards any commitment to data transparency. Ongoing follow-up is of course needed, but it should not hinder the release of the key data that is implicated in the global release of medicines.

People pose with syringe in front of the displayed Pfizer logo in this photo, taken on December 11, 2021. (REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo)

Worryingly, the study found that for three of the worlds best-selling anti-cancer drugsnivolumab, pembrolizumab and pomalidomide90 percent of the trial data was unavailable, and in Australia, the former two are the most expensive chemotherapy drugs for the Australian taxpayer, at a cost of $800 million via the governments Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme in 2020-21.

Hindering Further Research

PhD candidate and study lead author Natansh Modi said the need for ongoing verification of clinical trial claims is a critical reason for data transparency, but it is also important for follow-up research.

He stressed that evidence suggests requests for data are most often made to gain new insights into the benefits and risks of medicines in unexplored patient groups.

This aspect of research upholds the social contract that the industry enters into with trial participants, whereby they are told their participation will allow for further research to maximise the benefit to society, he said.

If the data isnt made available, it cant be put to good use. Trial participants and their families deserve better.

Therefore, the researchers are calling on the pharmaceutical industry to come to the party by explicitly stating in their policies that trial data used to approve medications will be made available for independent investigation immediately after the drugs are registered.

Emerging policies drafted by the pharmaceutical industry offer an unparalleled opportunity to advance evidence-based medicine, support decision-making, and protect the community, Modi said.

It is time that global regulators, governments, and journals establish mandates for data transparency on all major trials investigating registered medicines. Their purpose must be to protect and maximise public health and ensure the contributions of trial participants and their families reach their full potential.
Line in Sen. Tim Scotts Book About Presidential Bid Not Approved by Senator: Publisher

A line in the new book from Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) that says the senator is running for president in 2024 was included in error, according to the books publisher.

The description on the copyright page was our error and is not accurate. It was not done at the direction or approval of the Senator or his team. We are working to correct this immediately, a spokesperson for HarperCollins Christian Publishing, told The Epoch Times in an email.

The line in question says: Senator Scott is a rising star who sees and understands the importance of bipartisanship to move America forward. This book is a political memoir that includes his core messages as he prepares to make a presidential bid in 2022.

A spokesperson for Scott declined to comment beyond the publishers statement.

Scott told The Post and Courier on July 29 that he was absolutely not launching a presidential bid. Not for me its not, he also said.

Scott, 56, became a U.S. senator in 2013. He won the 2016 race with 60 percent of the vote. He is running for reelection this year, facing off against Democrat South Carolina Rep. Krystle Matthews.

According to Scotts financial disclosure report for 2021, he was paid $184,167 in advance royalties by Harper Collins for the book, which is titled America, a Redemption Story.

Bestselling author Senator Tim Scott shares a renewed vision for the United Statesand invites all Americans to find themselves within this nations redemptive story of opportunity, unity, and hope, according to a description on the Thomas Nelson website.

The release date for the book is Aug. 9.

Floated as Potential Running Mate

Scott has been mentioned as a potential running mate for former President Donald Trump should Trump run for a third time in 2024.

Scott, called the future of the GOP by Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-S.C.) in 2021, has also been rumored to be a 2024 presidential contender, and is among the Republicans who have not ruled out a bid.

Scott received 1 percent support in the most recent Conservative Political Action Conference straw poll, along with Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), former Vice President Mike Pence, and Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin.

Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo received 2 percent.

Trump received 59 percent, and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis received 28 percent.

DeSantis drew the majority of the votes in an iteration without Trump as an option.
Man Accused of Murdering 9-Year-Old Girl in Small English Town of Boston

A Lithuanian national has been remanded in custody on a charge of murdering a 9-year-old girl who was stabbed to death while playing in the street with her younger sister in Boston, a market town in Lincolnshire in the east of England.

Deividas Skebas, 22, was arrested on Saturday and charged with the murder of Lilia Valutyte, who was stabbed to death on July 28. She was also of Lithuanian origin but it is not clear if they were known to each other.

Boston is home to thousands of Lithuanians, many of whom originally moved to the town to work on farms in the surrounding countryside or in the food processing industry.

Skebas appeared at Lincoln Magistrates Court on Monday and confirmed his name, address, and date of birth during a two-minute hearing. He was not asked to enter a plea.

District Judge Peter Veits told Skebas, The offence you are facing is the most serious offence anyone can face in court.

Later Skebas appeared at Lincoln Crown Court, where Judge Simon Hirst told him: You will be next before the court on Sept. 19. I hope on that date I can give you a trial date, that is to say a date when your trial can take place.

Lilia was stabbed in Fountain Lane, Boston, at 6:20 p.m. on July 28 and her parents are being supported by specially trained family liaison officers.

CCTV Images Released of Suspect

Skebas was detained after CCTV images were released by police of a man they wished to trace, who was seen in the Wormgate and Fountain Lane areas shortly before Lilia was killed.

Two other people who were arrested earlier this week have been released with no further action.

Lilia was playing with a hula-hoop and a toy pram with her younger sister close to an office where her mother was working.

Boston in Lincolnshire was the original home of the Puritan settlers of New England and they decided to call their new cityBoston, Massachusettsafter their old home town.

PA Media contributed to this report.
Manchester Police Chief Says Investigating Offensive Speech Is Waste of Time

One of the most experienced police chiefs in the UK has said that police are wasting time investigating when people are offended, days after officers arrested a former veteran at his home for posting a meme on Facebook.

Stephen Watson of Greater Manchester Police (GMP) told The Times of London on Monday that officers have ended up being involved in stuff which is just not a policing matter, that is undermining confidence in the forces.

Former Detective Chief Inspector at New Scotland Yard Mick Neville told The Epoch Times that the facts are sometimes people are rude and nasty, but that isnt the crime.

Watson, who is the boss of one of Britains biggest police forces, said that recording non-crime hate incidents (NCHIs) has been a waste of time. On July 26, he wrote that his back-to-basics approach, putting bobbies on the beat, was making GMP the most improved force in the country.

NCHIs include things like offensive or insulting comments online, in person, or in writing. They have been used by British police if officers are unsure whether a reported incident amounts to a crime.

On July 28, police were told in new guidance that NCHIs should not be recorded where they are trivial and irrational.

Police are seen outside the stadium ahead of the FA Youth Cup Final match between Manchester United and Nottingham Forest at Old Trafford in Manchester, England, on May 11, 2022. (Naomi Baker/Getty Images)

In certain circumstances, there are actually first-class examples of where weve just completely got this wrong, Watson told The Times of London.

Weve got ourselves involved in stuff which is just not a policing matter, weve wasted our time as a result, and weve caused people to question whether, frankly, we know what were doing, he said.

Watsons comments come after Hampshire Police were filmed by the actor and political activist Laurence Fox and former policeman Harry Miller last week arresting a former soldier at his home for posting a meme on Facebook.

Hampshire Police Commissioner Donna Jones subsequently criticised her own force over the arrest, saying that she was concerned about both the proportionality and necessity of the polices response to this incident.

Fiona Pilkington

Watson said there were still times when recording hate incidents could help, and referred to the Fiona Pilkington case.

Pilkington killed herself and her disabled daughter Francesca on Oct. 23, 2007, following a sustained campaign of harassment and bullying from youths. A report found that police had interacted with the family on 33 occasions.

There are shades of grey in the space where we do need to know what is happening so that we can combat a potentially grave outcome, Watson said.

I do think that the balance has got somewhere out of kilter, however, and I think weve become too assiduous at interpreting some of the rules to mean that if anybody at any time for whatever reason is offended, there somehow needs to be a police record, added Watson.

On Twitter, family law barrister Sarah Phillimore, who is part of Miller and Foxs Bad Law Project, set up to deal with what they call a culture of coercion and control that is fast replacing our legal system, was critical of Watson bringing up Pilkington.

For the police to rely on Fiona Pilkington as an excuse for why they now record Non-Crime on the basis of someones perception about hate is a gross insult to all victims of police inaction, she wrote.

Former Detective Chief Inspector at New Scotland Yard Neville told The Epoch Times that Watsons words were refreshing and that he was hopeful that officers like him and senior professional police adviser Andy Cook can turn it around, but that the Home Office should intervene.

Politically Correct Ideology

Cooke, who took the senior professional police adviser role last month, told The Times of London in May, Were not the thought police, we follow legislation and we follow the law, simple as that, referencing the term coined by George Orwell in his dystopian novel Nineteen Eighty-Four.

But Neville pointed to an article in The Sun newspaper which found that 7 out of 10 cops in the Met failed to make a single arrest in a whole year.

And so what you have is this ridiculous situation where peoples cars get stolen, or their van or their bike, and theyre just minor issues. But its not a minor issue when its full of your tools, or thats the way you get to school or get to college or get your work done, said Neville.

Neville said that these are important issues to people, but police are finding themselves focused on what is politically correct.

We live in a world of free speech. And its just become that these people who claim theyre tolerant are the most intolerant people of all. They are completely intolerant to any other views, and the most frightening thing is that the police are on their side, he added.

The Epoch Times has contacted Greater Manchester Police for comment.
Disturbingly, in February 2022, the Wuhan Institute of Virology published a study in which they describe creating a portion of a monkeypox genome from scratch in order to develop a PCR test for monkeypox diagnosis. The National Institutes for Health in the U.S. also began studying a monkeypox drug in 2020

At present, the PHEIC appears to be financially motivated. Moderna is testing an mRNA injection for monkeypox, and in addition to the two smallpox vaccines already approved, Aventis Pasteur also has a smallpox vaccine that, while still investigational, could receive emergency use authorization

According to Ghebreyesus, for the moment this is an outbreak that is concentrated among men who have sex with men, especially those with multiple sexual partners. That means that this is an outbreak that can be stopped with the right strategies in the right groups

July 23, 2022, World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus unilaterally overruled this panel of advisers and declared monkeypox a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC). Ghebreyesus made the decision to declare a PHEIC even though the WHOs advisory panel opposed the declaration 9 to 6

By the third week of July 2022, some 16,000 cases of monkeypox had been recorded across 75 countries, with the vast majority of cases occurring among homosexual and bisexual men. In the U.S., recorded cases were around 3,000, including two children

What are the odds? In 2017, we started accumulating this vaccine  and this week, despite zero deaths attributed to the disease, the WHO leader overruled the treaty committee to declare a monkeypox public health emergency.

Ever since the first European cases of monkeypox were confirmed in early May 2022, many suspected smallpox or monkeypox would become the next global pandemic to justify continued tyranny and the World Economic Forums Great Reset.

Indeed, in early December 2021, media started signaling that smallpox might be the next pandemic. As it turns out, monkeypox1 is the same family as smallpox,2 but is nowhere nearly as lethal.

By the third week of July 2022, some 16,000 cases of monkeypox had been recorded across 75 countries, with the vast majority of cases occurring among homosexual and bisexual men. In the U.S., recorded cases were around 3,000, including two children.

As we saw with COVID-19, health authorities claim many of the infections have no known source of infection, suggesting it may be spreading in unknown ways. With COVID, they blamed it on asymptomatic spread, which was always a complete fallacy. Time will tell what they come up with here.

Monkeypox Declared a Public Health Emergency

As reported by The New York Times,3 as of late June 2022, World Health Organization advisers still did not recommend issuing an emergency declaration for smallpox, in large part because the disease had not moved out of the primary risk group, men who have sex with men, to affect pregnant women, children or older adults, who are at greater risk of severe illness if they are infected.

One month later, the panel was still deadlocked in disagreement, with six supporting a declaration and nine opposing it.4 Despite the lack of consensus, July 23, 2022, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus unilaterally overruled this panel of advisers and declared monkeypox a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC).5

That same day, the National Coalition of STD Directors also urged President Biden to follow the WHOs lead and declare monkeypox a national public health emergency, and to allocate $100 million in emergency funding.6

According to Ghebreyesus, six versus nine is very, very close, and Since the role of the committee is to advise, I then had to act as a tie-breaker.7 In the real world, six versus nine is not a tie. So, clearly, the director-general was driven to act based on something else, and this silly justification was all he could come up with.

Importantly, the public health emergency of international concern declaration gives Ghebreyesus a number of distinct powers, including the ability to recommend how member states should respond to the outbreak, which of course includes the recommendation to mass vaccinate. As reported by The New York Times:8

The WHOs declaration signals a public health risk requiring a coordinated international response. The designation can lead member countries to invest significant resources in controlling an outbreak, draw more funding to the response, and encourage nations to share vaccines, treatments and other key resources for containing the outbreak.

Monkeypox Virus Made by Wuhan Institute of Virology

In other words, here we go again, as predicted. And, as with COVID, theres evidence that we may not be dealing with something that arose accidentally and naturally.

As discussed by Dr. John Campbell in the featured video, the Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV) in China and the National Institutes of Health in the U.S. have coincidentally been working on the monkeypox virus and its treatment9 for some time.

The Wuhan Institute of Virology published a study in February 2022, in which they describe creating a portion of a monkeypox genome from scratch in order to develop a PCR test for monkeypox diagnosis.

The NIH, which has identified monkeypox as a potential bioterrorism agent, is currently studying the safety and efficacy of an antiviral called tecovirimat for the treatment of monkeypox. The study in question began September 28, 2020, and will run through the end of September 2025.

Meanwhile, the WIV published a study10 in February 2022, in which they describe creating a portion of a monkeypox genome from scratch in order to develop a PCR test for monkeypox diagnosis.

As explained by Campbell, they created a section (fragment) of the monkeypox virus genome in order to use that as a quantitative polymerase chain-reactive (qPCR) template. Curiously, the paper states that, because theres never been a monkeypox outbreak in China, the viral genomic material required for qPCR detection is unavailable.

So, they created a version of the monkeypox genome on their own, using synthetic techniques such as viral DNA recombination. They basically built a new genome by stitching it together using a variety of (presumably known) gene sequences. The new DNA construct is then reproduced by growing it in yeast, and that yeast is subsequently used to assess the veracity of the PCR test.

Why did they choose this route? The monkeypox virus is readily available in several laboratories around the globe, most notably Africa, but also other countries, so why didnt they just get it from one of those? As noted by Campbell, the idea that they have to synthesize their own virus because its unobtainable is simply not believable, and therefore raises a number of concerns.

Whats more, the paper even warns that this DNA assembly tool applied in virological research could  raise potential security concerns  especially when the assembled product contains a full set of genetic material that can be recovered into a contagious pathogen.

Now, to be clear, they did not create a full-length genome in this study. The genome fragment they used was only one-third of the full genome of the monkeypox virus, and this was supposedly done to prevent the accidental reverse engineering of an infectious virus. Still, it raises concerns about the risks inherent in creating synthetic viruses.

Prepare for Another Round of Fearmongering  and Vaccinations

Not surprisingly, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is already urging those who may be at high risk for monkeypox  including those who attended the Daddyland Festival in Texas over the Fourth of July weekend  to get vaccinated.11

New York City started administering the smallpox vaccine in late June 2022. Thats not a typo. There is no specific monkeypox vaccine. Theyre using the smallpox vaccine under the assumption that it might work because the two viruses are in the same family of pox viruses, but theres very little evidence for this.12

The idea that smallpox vaccines may be effective against monkeypox comes from a 1988 non-randomized observational study13 in which 0.96% of vaccinated close contacts contracted monkeypox, compared to 7.47% of unvaccinated close contacts.

Two of the biggest problems with this assumption are that a) the vaccine used in that 1988 study was a first-generation vaccine that is no longer in use, and b) the current strain of monkeypox has undergone many mutations since 1988. So, theres really no telling whether the vaccine will have any benefit at all.

As noted by Ira Longini, Ph.D., a biostatistician at the University of Florida and a WHO adviser, The truth is, we dont know the efficacy of any of these monkeypox vaccines.14 Such facts notwithstanding, by July 22, 2022, some 18,000 New Yorkers had already received their first dose of smallpox vaccine.15

Two Types of Smallpox Vaccines in Use

There are currently two types of smallpox vaccine available in the U.S.:16 ACAM2000, which contains live replicating but weakened vaccinia virus and Jynneos (also sold under the names Imvanex and Imvamune), which uses a live but non-replicating modified vaccinia Ankara virus.

Jynneos was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2019 and is indicated for smallpox and monkeypox in adults aged 18 and older.17 Since it doesnt contain replicating virus, its thought to be less hazardous than ACAM2000, but theres no guarantee.

Its also not supposed to spread the virus, which is something that can occur with ACAM2000 (which is using a live replication-competent virus). Those who receive ACAM2000 have to take careful precautions, for a full month, to avoid spreading the virus to others.

ACAM2000 is known to produce severe side effects, including myocarditis at a rate of 5.7 per 1,000 vaccinees.18 Jynneos is believed to have a lower risk for cardiac adverse events, but time will tell whether thats true. As with the COVID shots, those getting Jynneos are basically volunteers in a vaccine trial, whether they realize it or not.19

Disturbingly, HIV-positive subjects who participated in Jynneos clinical trials saw a rise in HIV virus counts.20 Today, gay men are the primary recipients of this vaccine, and theyre also a group that tends to be more prone to have HIV-AIDS. So, there may be significant risks to this vaccine in this particular group.

The U.S. Department of Health has a stockpile of more than 200 million doses of ACAM2000, and theyve vowed to provide some 296,000 doses of Jynneos, but its unclear which of the two vaccines is currently being administered.

If someone you know has received the ACAM2000 vaccine, be sure to take the same precautions as you would with someone who is infected with monkeypox (see below).

The hazard of live vaccines was recently made evident by a case in which an unvaccinated individual contracted polio from a person who had received an oral live poliovirus vaccine.21 (The U.S. only uses inactivated polio vaccine, but live polio vaccine is still used in many other countries.) So, if ACAM2000 were to be widely used, and people fail to take proper precautions, outbreaks of smallpox could be possible.

Aventis Pasteur also has a smallpox vaccine that, while still investigational, could still receive emergency use authorization.22 It too is replication-competent, and therefore could create outbreaks if used extensively.

At present, the WHO is not recommending mass vaccination,23 primarily because the smallpox vaccine is known to have its risks. According to the WHO, good hygiene and safe sexual behavior are, for now, your best prevention against monkeypox. I suspect that may change in time, however, especially considering Moderna is now working on an mRNA monkeypox injection.24 Preclinical investigation is already underway.

How to Protect Yourself Against Monkeypox

The monkeypox virus is spread via close contact with infected bodily fluids, not through the air, so to protect yourself against it, be sure to:25

Avoid close, skin-to-skin contact with an infected person. This includes avoiding kissing, hugging, cuddling and sex

Do not touch the rash or scabs

Dont handle or touch the bedding, towels or clothing of an infected person

Do not share eating utensils or cups with an infected person

Frequently wash your hands with soap and water, especially after contact with sick people

If you are infected with monkeypox, isolate at home and avoid close contact with people and pets while you have active symptoms, such as rashes. On a side note, Campbell is concerned that the virus may start spreading to house pets and other animals found in suburban areas, such as squirrels, which could result in monkeypox becoming endemic in the West as it has been in Africa.

Interestingly, while monkeypox has historically resulted in painful rashes and pus-filled lesions all over the body, in most current cases, the lesions are localized to the genital and anal regions. So, clearly there are some differences between the current outbreak and the monkeypox of old.

Avoiding sexual contact appears to be a primary strategy to avoid infection at present, and that goes for women as well. While many are dismissing monkeypox as a gay disease, doctors warn that anyone can get it.26

This makes sense, since not all men who have sex with men are exclusively homosexual. Bisexuals who have sex with both genders will sooner or later spread it to female partners, and children can also be affected through skin-to-skin contact.

According to the CDC, the two children in the U.S. who were diagnosed with monkeypox had contact with individuals who come from the men-who-have-sex-with-men community.27 That said, homosexual and bisexual men and their partners are undoubtedly in the highest-risk category. As noted by Ghebreyesus:28

Although I am declaring a public health emergency of international concern, for the moment this is an outbreak that is concentrated among men who have sex with men, especially those with multiple sexual partners. That means that this is an outbreak that can be stopped with the right strategies in the right groups.

The Financial Incentive Behind Monkeypox

COVID-19 has arguably been the greatest profit maker for Big Pharma of all time, and monkeypox is undoubtedly viewed as a similar future profit maker. The sad reality is, theres so much liability-free money to be made in pandemic vaccines, theyre not likely to give up on them, and that requires keeping the world in a more or less constant health emergency.

As COVID fatigue is setting in and people are increasingly resisting the shots, monkeypox allows for a brand-new cycle of fear porn to be spun, and for new experimental vaccines to be rolled out. This, I fear, is why Ghebreyesus unilaterally decided to declare monkeypox a global health emergency.

Ghebreyesus may also be trying to push the pandemic treaty forward. Either way, his behavior is a foretaste of what we can expect if that pandemic treaty becomes reality. As noted by Dr. Robert Malone in a July 23, 2022, Substack article:29,30

Clearly, the WHO committee did not reach the desired decision to declare a PHEIC, and so for some extraordinary reason Tedros stepped in  Tedros statements clearly demonstrate that he unilaterally substituted his own opinions for those of the convened panel, raising questions of his objectivity, commitment to process and protocol, and whether he has been unduly influenced by external agents.

In short, Ghebreyesus is acting like a corrupt dictator, and its not difficult to figure out who the beneficiaries might be. In a recent review31 by Pandemics Data Analytics (PANDA), they detail the corruption by the WHO, global leaders and governments around the world during the COVID pandemic. As noted by Malone:32

This review empowers you with key information to help you assess the WHOs candidacy as an authoritative global public health organization  It is a must-read by anyone who is interested in public health, the global COVID-19 WHO policies that almost all nations followed, and the full extent of the corruption 

Theres no doubt the WHO should not be given the sole authority to make medical decisions for the whole world, and Ghebreyesus decision to break the tie when there really wasnt one is a perfect example of what can and probably will happen if the WHO is given that power.
Victoria Ambulances are seen at the St. Vincent Hospital in Melbourne, Australia, on Jan. 11, 2022. (Diego Fedele/Getty Images)

MP Seeks to Ban Religious Public Hospitals From Refusing to Provide Abortions and Voluntary Assisted Dying

Religious-affiliated Australian public hospitals in the state of Victoria would be banned from directing staff not to perform abortions on conscientious grounds under a new legislative push.

Reason Party leader and crossbench MP Fiona Patten will announce the Health Legislation Amendment (Conscientious Objection) Bill on Monday as state parliament resumes sitting after the winter break. force

Under the bill, to be introduced to parliament on Wednesday, publicly funded denominational hospitals would be legally obliged to provide advice and services for medical and surgical abortions, voluntary-assisted dying and contraception.

A denominational hospital must not direct or otherwise cause a registered health practitioner  to refuse to provide mandatory advice and services on the basis of a conscientious objection, it reads.

But workers within the hospitals would still be able to refuse to carry out those services on a conscientious basis, along with those in the private health system.

In Victoria, a woman or pregnant person can get an abortion up to 24 weeks into pregnancy and can still get one from a medical practitioner beyond that if another agrees it is appropriate.

The push follows the U.S. Supreme Court in June reversing its landmark Roe v Wade decision to guarantee abortion as a constitutional right.

Patten, who wrote Victorias initial bill to introduce safe access zones to private abortion clinics, says the legislation is about expanding access while maintaining individual medicos rights.

People who pay for the health system are being mistreated by the health system, she said.

This legislation is about universal, secular rights. Religion is a blessing to many  but imposed religious faith has no place in the public health system.

The reliance of some institutions on the false construct of institutional conscientious objection has no rational, legal, or moral basis.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was asked on July 20 if he would force publicly funded hospitals to offer abortions, and he shot down the suggestion.

Its a state matter. States control hospitals.

Picking up the mantle, the Victorian upper house MP says proposed laws are a state-based response and should be supported across the political spectrum.

This is about every human, and some stuff can be readily remedied, Patten said.

Premier Daniel Andrews in May said women were sick and tired of men telling what they should do with their bodies after outspoken MP Bernie Finn posted on social media that he was praying for an abortion ban in Australia.

These matters are between a woman and her doctor, Mr Andrews said.

If the bill attracts bipartisan support and is passed unamended, the changes would come into effect from July next year.
Pro-life and pro-abortion activists protest on multiple floors within the Indiana State Capitol rotunda in Indianapolis, Indiana, on July 25, 2022. Activists are gathering during a special session of the Indiana state Senate concerning abortion access in the state. (Jon Cherry/Getty Images)

Indiana State Senate Approves Bill That Bans Most Abortions

The Indiana Senate on July 30 approved a proposal that seeks to ban most abortions in the state, a measure that was criticized by pro-abortion and pro-life supporters.

The bill was passed in a 2620 vote during a special session of the GOP-controlled Senate after almost four hours of debate. Senate Bill 1 makes abortion in the state a Level 5 felony unless its required to prevent any substantial permanent impairment of the mother or if the pregnancy was the result of incest or rape and the fetus has a specified postfertilization age.

The pregnant woman, an individual who offers medical treatment in good faith to a pregnant woman that results in an accidental abortion, and a physician who performs the medical procedure for abortion at the request of a pregnant woman are all exempted from the crime of feticide.

A person who terminates the pregnancy of a pregnant woman upon her request may only be charged with certain crimes, the bill states.

In a July 21 statement, National Right to Life, a pro-life organization, had called SB1 a weak and troubling bill that fails substantively in several areas, including failing to offer any meaningful enforcement provisions.

This bill goes through the motions on paper, but lacks any teeth to actually reduce abortions in Indiana by holding those who perform abortions or would intentionally skirt the law accountable with criminal consequences, the group said.

The legislation bans abortion clinics from conducting surgical abortions. If a fetus is to be terminated because its incapable of life outside the womb, such abortions must be reported to the state health department.

The bill asks the maternal mortality review committee to study how changes in abortion laws will affect maternal mortality in the state.

Senate Bill 1 provides Indianas attorney general with concurrent jurisdiction to prosecute abortion-related crimes in a county if the prosecutor of that county refuses to prosecute such crimes.

Heated Abortion Debate

The debate over the Senate Bill 1 was heated, with Republican Senate President Suzanne Crouch threatening to clear the gallery on more than one occasion after outbursts from both sides. Outside the Senate, protestors were gathered and chanting against the bill.

Democratic state Senator Jean Breaux called the legislation a flawed bill that strips a woman of her right to choose, CNN reported. Whether to have a baby is a decision that must be weighed by each woman, not made by politicians or Supreme Court justices, she said.

Republican state Sen. Susan Glick, the sponsor of SB1, called the legislation a vehicle bill. Glick, who had earlier said that she wasnt happy with the bill, expressed hope that the legislation will undergo changes in the GOP-led House, where the measure now heads for consideration.

However, she called the passing of the bill is a huge step in protecting the life of unborn children in the state, Fox News reported.

Indiana is the second state, after West Virginia, to convene a special session to consider abortion restrictions following the U.S. Supreme Court overturning of Roe v. Wade in June.
Chinese leader Xi Jinping and New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern shake hands before the meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on April 1, 2019. (Kenzaburo Fukuhara/Pool/Getty Images)

New Zealand PM Looks Forward to Visiting China When Zero-COVID Restrictions Ease

One day after the final stage of New Zealands border reopening was completed, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern expressed her willingness to lead a business delegation to China to strengthen in-person connections.

As we mark 50 years of diplomatic relations, we look forward to the return of in-person ministerial visits, Ardern told the China Business Summit in a speech on Aug. 1. On this, a few plans are afoot. I know there have been indications our foreign ministers will exchange visits when conditions allow.

Many cities around China remain under a lockdown or undergo sporadic lockdowns due to the Chinese Communist Partys (CCP) zero-COVID policy, making a foreign diplomatic trip to Beijing unlikely.

But if COVID-19 restrictions in China ease, Ardern wants to seize new opportunities for dialogue on issues such as climate change and deepen cultural exchanges to support the New Zealand-China trade and economic relationship.

The prime minister also wanted to build on her last trip to Beijing in 2019, which had been shortened due to the Christchurch attack.

In the speech, Ardern emphasised that her countrys relationship with Beijing was one of the most important and complex.

There are areas where both sides benefit, such as trade and agriculture.

There are also areas that matter deeply to New Zealand, and where China and New Zealands interests or world view differ, she said.

Ardern repeated concerns around a variety of issues, including Beijings economic coercion, human rights issues, Xinjiang, Hong Kong, and growing tensions in the Pacific and the Taiwan Strait, which were previously expressed in various speeches and statements.

However, the prime minister only called for greater diplomacy, dialogue, and de-escalation, while avoiding a call for action.

Managing the differences in our relationship is not always going to be easy, and there are no guarantees. But as a government, we continue to work hardthrough dialogue and diplomacy, she said.

She added that the New Zealand government had always maintained a fiercely independent foreign policy approach to regional and global issues.

Return to Soft Stance

Across 2022, New Zealand made two moves that resulted in immediate rebukes from the CCPthe joint statement with the White House in May and Arderns speech at the NATO summit in June, where she criticised Beijings human rights abuses and its growing assertiveness.

In response to the joint statement, Chinas foreign ministry spokesman said New Zealand should adhere to its independent foreign policy, insinuating that its government should further itself from American policy influence.

Since the NATO summit, Arderns language has appeared to return to a softer stance towards Beijing.

In a speech to the Lowy Institute in Australia in July, Ardern said it would be wrong to position the issues in the Pacific region as one where countries needed to pick sides between Beijing and other players.

Chinese state-run media noted the softening language in the Lowy speech, claiming that New Zealand was often pressured by Australia, the United States, and the United Kingdom, to align its comments and stance against the CCP.
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern speaks during a post cabinet press conference at Parliament in Wellington, New Zealand, on May 23, 2022. (Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images)

New Zealand Prime Minister Urges China to Condemn Russias Aggression Against Ukraine

New Zealands prime minister has called on China to reject Russias aggression against Ukraine and contribute to ending the war.

Speaking at the China Business Summit in Auckland, New Zealand, on Monday, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said that Russias illegal invasion of Ukraine had placed the international rules and norms under threat.

As history shows us repeatedly, when large countries disregard sovereignty and territorial integrity with a sense of impunity, it does not bode well particularly for small countries like New Zealand, she said in her remarks.

And thats why as a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, and in line with its commitment to the UN Charter, we continue to urge China to be clear that it does not support the Russian invasion, and have called on China to use its access and influence to help bring an end to the conflict.

New Zealand, China Have Shared Interests

Ardern warned that the RussiaUkraine war has global repercussions, including in the IndoPacific region, where tensions have also increased.

Beijing has been increasing its military activities in the disputed South China Sea and near Taiwan, which it views as a renegade province that must be reunited with the mainland.

Following that, Ardern said that New Zealand remains consistent with its position to call for adherence to international rules and norms, diplomacy, de-escalation, and dialogue rather than threats, force, and coercion.

But even as China becomes more assertive in the pursuit of its interests, there are still shared interests on which we can and should cooperate, she said.

Ardern emphasized that there are areas where both sides benefit, particularly in trade and agriculture, as well as those that matter deeply to New Zealand and where Chinas interests and worldview differ.

In all of these areas we are willing to engageconsistently, predictably, and respectfully. But we will also advocate for approaches and outcomes that reflect New Zealands interests and values, and speak out on issues that do not.

The small island nations economy is reliant on its biggest trading partner, China, and the government has usually strayed from taking a strong stance against the Chinese regime.

China has refrained from condemning Russia for its invasion of Ukraine, citing Russias legitimate concerns on security issues as justification. The two nations declared a no limits partnership on the opening day of the Beijing Winter Olympics on Feb. 4, 2022.

Russia has said it recognizes Taiwan as an inalienable part of China and rejects the islands independence in any form, while Beijing has backed Russias opposition to the enlargement of NATO, according to the two nations joint statement.

Rebecca Zhu contributed to this report.
Ottawa Launches Public Consultations on Reducing Fertilizer Emissions

The federal government is launching time-limited consultations to ask average Canadians about their views of its climate change policies aimed at radically reducing fertilizer emissions, which farmers say will adversely impact food production amid a global food shortage.

A survey is available for people to submit their comments online until Aug. 31. Additional comments can be sent to Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) at aafc.fertilizer-engrais.aac@agr.gc.ca.

The consultations aim to stimulate discussion in relation to Canadas fertilizer emissions reduction target of cutting emissions by 30 percent from 2020 levels by 2030, AAFC said in a statement.

The feedback collected will be used by the Government of Canada to inform next steps in the development and implementation of a strategy to reduce emissions and improve nutrient management in Canadian agriculture, the survey says.

The target objective is achieved through controlling direct (following fertilizer application) and indirect (from nitrogen leached from fields and volatilized to the atmosphere as ammonia) emissions from the application of fertilizer, AAFC said in a discussion paper.

The target does not include emissions from the manufacture of fertilizers.

According to a 2021 study commissioned by Fertilizer Canada, an industry group, slashing fertilizer use by just 20 percent could cost Canadian farmers more than $48 billion in lost sales by 2030 due to lower yields.

The AAFC document noted that agriculture accounted for approximately 10 percent (73 megatonnes of CO2) of Canadas greenhouse gas emissions in 2019. Synthetic fertilizers contributed about 12.75 megatonnes that year, which is less than 2 percent of the nations total emissions.

Pushback

The latest consultations are the second phase of the Liberal governments public engagement process since it introduced its Strength Climate Plan in December 2020.

The previous consultations, held in March 2021, sought feedback from the agricultural sector, including commodity and grower associations, provinces, and industry organizations.

The feedback revealed the sectors concerns on several fronts, including a negative impact on crop yields, according to the discussion paper.

Several agriculture commodity and producer associations noted concerns that the fertilizer emissions reduction target could result in a decrease in crop yields, the paper says.

They questioned setting a target based on absolute emissions vs emission intensity, which appears to be in direct conflict with the Government of Canadas export growth target of $75 billion worth of agriculture and agri-food commodities by 2025.

Several provincial agricultural ministers have denounced the governments fertilizer emissions reduction plan.

Following a meeting between federal, provincial, and territorial agricultural ministers last month, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Ontario expressed disappointment over the plan, saying at a press conference that the fertilizer emissions reduction would have devastating impacts on farmers.

Were really concerned with this arbitrary goal, Saskatchewan Agriculture Minister David Marit said in a joint statement with his Alberta counterpart Nate Horner.

This has been the most expensive crop anyone has put in, following a very difficult year on the prairies, Horner said. The world is looking for Canada to increase production and be a solution to global food shortages. The Federal government needs to display that they understand this.

In a tweet on July 22, Ontario Agriculture Minister Lisa Thompson said shes disappointed in the federal governments approach to imposing fertilizer emission reduction targets when the world is struggling with food security.

As our farmers work to feed Canada and the world, we need to work with them and support their ongoing efforts to grow and produce the food we need, she wrote.

Several Conservative parliamentarians have also pushed back against the plan, including John Barlow, MP for Foothills, Alberta, who said in a video that farmers are standing up against similar climate change policies introduced in several European countries.

Farmers and consumers around the world are pushing back. Theyre pushing back against the European Unions farm-to-fork agenda, which is making farming unsustainable, food prices skyrocket, and food insecurity even more of a crisis, he said.

On July 23, multiple convoy protests were launched across Canada in solidarity with farmers in the Netherlands and other European countries who have been protesting against climate change policies over the past few months. At least 55 convoys rolled out in eight provinces: Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Quebec, and Saskatchewan.

Isaac Teo and Petr Svab contributed to this article.
Dust covers the silos damaged during the August 2020 massive explosion in the port, after part of it collapsed, in Beirut, Lebanon, on July 31, 2022. (Mohammed Anouti/AP Photo)

Part of Beirut Port Silos, Damaged in 2020 Blast, Collapses

BEIRUTA section of Beiruts massive port grain silos, shredded in the 2020 explosion, collapsed in a huge cloud of dust on Sunday after a weekslong fire, triggered by grains that had fermented and ignited in the summer heat.

The northern block of the silos toppled after what sounded like an explosion, kicking up thick gray dust that enveloped the iconic structure and the port next to a residential area. It was not immediately clear if anyone was injured.

Assaad Haddad the General Director of the Port Silo, told The Associated Press that everything is under control but that the situation has not subsided yet. Minutes later, the dust subsided and calm returned.

This frame grab from video shows part of the silos collapsing, in the port of Beirut, Lebanon, on July 31, 2022. (AP Photo)

However, Youssef Mallah, from the Civil Defense department, said that other parts of the silos northern block were at risk and that other sections of the giant ruin could collapse.

The 50 year-old, 48 meter (157 feet) tall silos had withstood the force of the explosion two years ago, effectively shielding the western part of Beirut from the blast that killed over 200 people, injured more than 6,000, and badly damaged entire neighborhoods.

In July, a fire broke out in the northern block of the silos due to the fermenting grains. Firefighters and Lebanese Army soldiers were unable to put it out and it smoldered for weeks, a nasty smell spreading around. The environment and health ministries last week issued instructions to residents living near the port to stay indoors in well-ventilated spaces.

The fire and the dramatic sight of the partially blackened silo revived memories and in some cases, the trauma for the survivors of the gigantic explosion that tore through the port on Aug. 4, 2020.

Many rushed to close windows and return indoors after the collapse Sunday.

Rima Zahed, whose brother died in the 2020 blast and who has been part of a survivors group lobbying for the preservation of the silos as a testament to the port explosion, blamed the government for not taking action to put out the weekslong fire.

We were talking about this three weeks ago, but they chose to do nothing and leave it on fire, she said. This shows the states failure.

When the fermenting grains ignited earlier in July, Lebanese firefighters and army soldiers had tried to put out the fire, but officials and experts told them to stop, fearing the additional moisture from the water would worsen the situation. The Interior Ministry said over a week later that the fire had spread, after reaching some electric cables nearby.

Smoke rises from the north block silos which were damaged during the August 2020 massive explosion in the port in Beirut, Lebanon, on July 28, 2022. (Hussein Malla/AP Photo)

The silos continued smoldering for weeks as the stench of the fermented grains seeped into nearby neighborhoods. Residents and survivors of the explosion told the AP that seeing the smoking silos was akin to reliving their trauma of the port blast. The environment and health ministries last week instructed residents living near the port to stay indoors in well-ventilated spaces.

The Lebanese Red Cross distributed K-N95 masks to those living nearby, and officials ordered firefighters and port workers to stay away from the immediate area near the silos.

Emmanuel Durand, a French civil engineer who volunteered for the government-commissioned team of experts, told the AP earlier in July that the northern block of the silo had been slowly tilting over time but that the recent fire accelerated the rate and caused irreversible damage to the already weakened structure. He told the AP on Sunday that he sent warnings that other parts of the northern block may also collapse imminently

Durand has been monitoring the 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. He repeatedly warned that a collapse was imminent.

Last April, the Lebanese government decided to demolish the silos, but suspended the decision following protests from families of the blasts victims and survivors. They contend that the silos may contain evidence useful for the judicial probe, and that it should stand as a memorial for the tragic incident.

The Beirut Port blast was one of the largest explosions in Lebanons troubled history. It took place less than a year after an uprising rocked Lebanon, with hundreds of thousands protesting the countrys entrenched sectarian political parties. The blast also precipitated Lebanons economic crisis, costing billions of dollars in damages and destroying thousands of tons of grain. Three-quarters of the population now lives in poverty.

A drone picture shows the scene of an explosion at the seaport of Beirut, Lebanon, on Aug. 5, 2020. (Hussein Malla/AP Photo)

The silos, barely standing, have since become an iconic structure in the heart of the devastated port, surrounded to this day by crushed vehicles and warehouses, and piles of debris.

Sundays collapse of a part of the silos northern section comes just days ahead of the second anniversary of 2020 explosion.

The Lebanese probe has revealed that senior government and security officials knew about the dangerous material stored at the port, though no officials have been convicted thus far. The implicated officials subsequently brought legal challenges against the judge leading the probe, which has left the investigation suspended since December.

By Kareem Chehayeb
U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) leaves the Shangri-La Hotel after a reception organised by the American Chamber of Commerce in Singapore on Aug. 1, 2022. (Roslan Rahman/AFP via Getty Images)

Pelosi Lands in Singapore, Meets Top Officials at Start of Asia Trip

U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) landed in Singapore on Aug. 1 and met with top officials there as she began an Asia trip that could include a visit to Taiwan.

Pelosi met with President Halimah Yacob, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, and Minister for Foreign Affairs Vivian Balakrishnan, according to Singapores Foreign Ministry.

Halimah shared a picture bumping fists with Pelosi in the Istana, the office of the Singaporean president and said they affirmed the excellent and longstanding partnership between Singapore and the U.S. and discussed educational and other ties, as well as cooperation on issues such as the environment.

Lee went over key international and regional developments, including the war in Ukraine, cross-strait relations, and climate change with Pelosi, according to a readout, as well as [highlighting] the importance of stable U.S.China relations for regional peace and security.

Pelosi was set to visit Taiwan earlier this year but canceled the trip after she tested positive for COVID-19. Colleagues have said that she planned to visit Taiwan during the current trip, but an itinerary released over the weekend didnt include the country.

Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea, and Japan were listed as stops.

Pelosi is traveling with Reps. Gregory Meeks (D-N.Y.), Mark Takano (D-Calif.), Suzan DelBene (D-Wash.), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill.), and Andy Kim (D-N.J.). The group was scheduled to depart Singapore on Aug. 2.

Pelosis office highlighted another meeting in the country, with Singaporean Deputy Finance Minister Lawrence Wong saying that the speaker and he discussed how our nations can continue to work together to advance security, prosperity [and] opportunity for those on both sides of the Pacific.

Chinas Threat

Zhao Lijian, a spokesman for Chinas Foreign Ministry, said at about the same time that a Pelosi visit to Taiwan would be a gross interference in Chinas internal affairs, seriously undermine Chinas sovereignty and territorial integrity, wantonly trample on the one-China principle, seriously threaten peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, and seriously damage ChinaU.S. relations, leading to very serious developments and consequences.

Chinas military wouldnt sit idly by if the visit happens, he said.

The White House has discouraged Pelosi from visiting Taiwan, with President Joe Biden saying that such a visit was not a good idea right now.

During a call with Biden on July 28, Chinas leader Xi Jinping threatened the U.S. president.

Playing with fire will set you on fire, Xi told Biden, according to Chinese state media. I hope the U.S. can see this clearly.

Taiwan has been self-ruled since 1949. It has never been controlled by the Chinese Communist Party, which currently controls China.
Gavin Newsom (L) is sworn in as governor of California by California Chief Justice Tani Gorre Cantil-Sakauye (R) as Newsom's family watches in Sacramento on Jan. 7, 2019. (Stephen Lam/Getty Images)

Perspective on California Supreme Court Chief Justice Tani Gorre Cantil-Sakauye Retiring

Commentary

California Supreme Court Chief Justice Tani Gorre Cantil-Sakauye announced shes retiring on Jan. 1, 2023. The Associated Press story reported, Cantil-Sakauye indirectly contrasted the California justices good working relationship to the vitriol and distrust on the U.S. Supreme Court particularly since a leak of the high courts pending abortion decision earlier this year.

Cantil-Sakauye herself said, That trust and respect and collegiality  makes for, I think, why California at the high court operates so well together.

Actually, its because Republican Govs. Pete Wilson and Arnold Schwarzenegger were pro-choice and tried to appoint pro-choice justices with similar views to justices appointed by Democratic Govs. Gray Davis, Jerry Brown, and Gavin Newsom.

The key event was in 1996, when Wilson appointed Associate Justice Ronald George to be chief justice specifically to overturn earlier laws that restricted abortions in some casesalthough abortion in general had been legal in California since 1967.

One such ruling came down in 1997. The New York Times at the time reported, Ten years after California passed a law requiring that teen-age girls get the approval of a parent or judge before having an abortion, the measure was struck down today by the State Supreme Court.

In a 4-to-3 decision, the court ruled that the law, which never went into effect, violated the broad right to privacy guaranteed even to minors under Californias Constitution 

In an opinion written by the states Chief Justice, Ronald George, the majority noted that a series of other California statutes specifically allowed minors to make independent decisions about their own medical care.

Then there was the same-sex marriage controversy. In 2000, California voters passed Proposition 22, which allowed marriage only between one man and one woman, 61 percent to 39 percent. But in the 2008 In re Marriage Cases decision, the state Supreme Court struck down Prop. 22. George again wrote the majority opinion.

This prompted voters that November to pass Proposition 8, banning same-sex marriage, by 52 percent to 48 percent. Unlike Prop. 22, which was an ordinary statute, Prop. 8 directly added the ban to the California Constitution, precluding review by the U.S. Supreme Court.

After similar bans in other states, in 2015 the U.S. Supreme Court handed down its Obergefell decision banning limits on same-sex marriage. However, in the recent decision overturning the Roe v. Wade abortion decision of 1973, which mandated legal abortion, Justice Clarence Thomas concurring opinion said Obergefell and similar cases ought to be revisited, turning the matter back to the states.

Its a typical legal mess in the modern United States. But for this article, the matter at hand is this: The supposed collegiality on the California Supreme Court exists only because California hasnt had a conservative Republican governor, who appoints conservative justices to the state high court, since Gov. George Deukmejian left office in 1991more than three decades ago.

The appointment of a new chief justice to replace Cantil-Sakauye will mean almost no difference in the courts operations or opinions. It was a liberal court under her, and will continue to be a liberal court.

Aside from abortion and other social issues, the court largely has upheld the constrictions on economic liberty and property enacted by the always liberal Legislature and signed into law by liberal governors.

For example, it was the courts 2018 Dynamex decision mandating a special, three-part ABC test for employers to classify workersgig workers, such as Uber or truck driversas independent contractors. In that, it acted not as a court, but a legislature writing specific rules.

That led in 2019 to Assembly Bill 5, which imposed vast and constricting classifications on gig workers, stultifying the market. It was sponsored by then-Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez, D-San Diego, who recently became the head of the California Labor Federation, showing her true Union First loyalties.

Uber and Lyft then sponsored Proposition 22 in 2020, which passed 59 percent to 41 percent. It exempted only their workers from AB 5. A superior court later overturned it. And on June 30, 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court denied a petition by the California Trucking Association to overturn AB 5. But the matter might come up later.

In sum, the collegiality of the California Supreme Court has meant massive contention for everyone else in the state, contributing to the anti-business climate expelling businesses by the thousands and residents by the millions.

One can only imagine how the collegial court in the future will interpret such excessive mandates as Newsoms executive order banning carbon-powered vehicles by 2035.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Pfizer Board Member Predicts Monkeypox Will Become a Public Health Failure

Pfizer board member Dr. Scott Gottlieb warned that the United States lacks a federal infrastructure capable of dealing with public health emergencies such as monkeypox.

Now if monkeypox gains a permanent foothold in the United States and becomes an endemic virus that joins our circulating repertoire of pathogens, it will be one of the worst public health failures in modern times not only because of the pain and peril of the disease but also because it was so avoidable, the former Food and Drug Administration head wrote in and op-ed for the New York Times. Our lapses extend beyond political decision making to the agencies tasked with protecting us from these threats.

Gottlieb claimed the United States did not test enough people for the virus, which is overwhelmingly spreading via homosexual men, in the early part of the outbreak while the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) should have utilized commercial labs sooner. It wasnt until June that the CDC expanded to using those labs, he noted.

Data released by the CDC shows monkeypox has infected about 5,200 people in the United States as of Sunday. Wyoming, Montana, and Vermont are the only states that havent reported any cases so far.

Over the past several days, health departments in New York City and San Francisco declared the virus a public health emergency, allowing those municipalities to free up more funding and resources. Days before, the head of the World Health Organization declared monkeypox a global public health emergency.

More Details

Its cultural instinct is to take a deliberative approach, debating each decision, Gottlieb said of the CDCs response. With COVID, the virus gained ground quickly. With monkeypox, which spreads more slowly, typically through very close contact, the shortcomings of CDCs cultural approach havent been as acute yet. But the shortfalls are the same.

While the CDC should change course and re-focus its core mission on containing outbreaks, Gottlieb said he believes its not likely to do so.

After COVID, theres a view among some that public health agencies used flawed analysis and miscalculated their advice, Gottlieb wrote. Securing a political consensus that the CDC needs to be further empowered to complete its mission for example, invested with the authority to compel reporting from statesis politically unobtainable.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus last week said that 98 percent of monkeypox cases involve homosexual men. Symptoms of monkeypox infection include fever, a rash or pox-like blisters, and muscle pain.
Pope Francis speaks to journalists aboard the papal flight back from Canada on July 30, 2022, where he paid a six-day pastoral visit. (Guglielmo Mangiapane/Pool via AP)

Pope Says Hell Slow Down or Retire: You Can Change a Pope

ABOARD THE PAPAL PLANEPope Francis acknowledged Saturday that he can no longer travel like he used to because of his strained knee ligaments, saying his weeklong Canadian pilgrimage was a bit of a test that showed he needs to slow down and one day possibly retire.

Speaking to reporters while traveling home from northern Nunavut, the 85-year-old Francis stressed that he hadnt thought about resigning but said the door is open and there was nothing wrong with a pope stepping down.

Its not strange. Its not a catastrophe. You can change the pope, he said while sitting in an airplane wheelchair during a 45-minute news conference.

Francis said that while he hadnt considered resigning until now, he realizes he has to at least slow down.

I think at my age and with these limitations, I have to save (my energy) to be able to serve the church, or on the contrary, think about the possibility of stepping aside, he said.

Francis was peppered with questions about the future of his pontificate following the first trip in which he used a wheelchair, walker, and cane to get around, sharply limiting his program and ability to mingle with crowds.

He strained his right knee ligaments earlier this year, and continuing laser and magnetic therapy forced him to cancel a trip to Africa that was scheduled for the first week of July.

The Canada trip was difficult, and featured several moments when Francis was clearly in pain as he maneuvered getting up and down from chairs.

Francis ruled out having surgery on his knee, saying it would not necessarily help and noting there are still traces from the effects of having undergone more than six hours of anesthesia in July 2021 to remove 33 centimeters (13 inches) of his large intestine.

Ill try to continue to do the trips and be close to people because I think its a way of servicing, being close. But more than this, I cant say, he said Saturday.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is seen as he speaks with children during an event, July 15, 2022 in Chelsea, Quebec. (The Canadian Press/Adrian Wyld)

Prime Minister Trudeau, Family on Holiday in Costa Rica

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is heading to Costa Rica for a two-week vacation with his family.

The Prime Ministers Office says the family is returning to the same place where they stayed over the Christmas holiday in 2019 and that they are paying for their own accommodations.

The prime minister must fly on a Royal Canadian Air Force plane for security reasonseven for personal traveland the familys flights on the last trip to and from Costa Rica cost the government about $57,000, without thousands more spent on flight crews stay in San Jose.

The PMO also says it consulted with the office of the federal ethics commissioner about the coming holiday.

In 2017, Trudeau was found to have violated conflict of interest rules related to a 2016 vacation he took to Aga Khans private island in the Bahamas.

The PMO says Trudeau will get regular briefings while he is away.
Russian President Vladimir Putin listens to Yuri Borisov, the new CEO of the Russian State Space Corporation "Roscosmos," at the Kremlin in Moscow on July 26, 2022. (Mikhail Klimentyev/Sputnik/Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)

Putin Concedes There Can Be No Winners in a Nuclear War

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Monday that there would be no winners if a nuclear war broke out and said it should not be considered.

Russia consistently follows the letter and spirit of the [Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons], Putin wrote, according to state-run media.

Moscows obligations under bilateral agreements with the United States on the reduction and limitation of relevant weapons have also been fully fulfilled, Putin added, saying his government believes that there can be no winners in a nuclear war and it must never be unleashed.

The Russian leader made the remark to participants of a conference on the nuclear nonproliferation treaty about five months after the start of the UkraineRussia war. Days after the start of the Feb. 24 invasion, Putin ordered the countrys nuclear forces to be placed on a state of heightened alert, sparking worldwide concern regarding the risk of a nuclear war or World War III occurring.

Around the time of the invasion, which Russia describes as a special military operation, Putin delivered a speech that made reference to the countrys vast nuclear weapons arsenal and warned NATO and the U.S. not to interfere.

Whoever tries to hinder us  should know that Russias response will be immediate, he said. And it will lead you to such consequences that you have never encountered in your history.

Negotiations

Russias military doctrine (pdf) allows for the use of nukes if there is an existential threat to the Russian state, according to the Congressional Research Service. Both Russia and the United States are believed to each possess thousands of nuclear weapons.

A rocket launches from a missile system as part of a ground-based intercontinental ballistic missile test launched from the Plesetsk facility in northwestern Russia on Dec. 9, 2020. (Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP)

Ahead of Russias statement to the nuclear nonproliferation treaty conference, President Joe Biden called on Russia to partake in negotiations on a new arms-control agreement to replace the New START treaty, which is slated to expire in 2026.

Negotiation requires a willing partner operating in good faith, Biden said in a statement released by the White House. In this context, Russia should demonstrate that it is ready to resume work on nuclear arms control with the United States.

Also on Monday, a Russian foreign ministry source questioned the seriousness of comments by Biden calling for talks on a nuclear arms control framework to replace a treaty expiring in 2026.

In April, Russia conducted a first test launch of its new Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile, capable of mounting nuclear strikes against the United States, and said it planned to deploy the weapons by the fall of 2022.

Reuters contributed to this report.
Russian President Vladimir Putin (2nd R) stands with three Russian naval officers at a parade marking Navy Day in St. Petersburg, Russia, on July 31, 2022. (Maxim Shemetov/Reuters)

Putin Vows to Protect Russias Claim to the Kuril Islands, Disputed Territory Northeast of Japan

Russian President Vladimir Putin vowed on Sunday to protect areas regarded to be in Russias national interest including the Kuril Strait, a disputed territory that Japan claims as its own.

Putin made the remarks during Navy Day celebrations in St. Petersburg, where he signed an executive order approving a new maritime doctrine.

In his speech, Putin identified the Arctic, the Black Sea, the Sea of Okhotsk, the Bearing Sea, and the Baltic and Kuril straits as economically vital and strategic to Russia, and vowed to protect them by all means, the Kremlin reported.

We will ensure their protection rigorously and using all available tools, he remarked.

Putin said the Russian navy is capable of instantly responding to those who choose to impinge on Russias sovereignty and freedom, as well as carrying out its strategic missions on any latitude of the World Ocean.

Its coastal, surface, air, and underwater forces and other means are highly prepared for decisive action. They are constantly being improved, he added.

Putin also vowed that Russias navy will receive Zircon hypersonic missile systems within the next few months and that the Admiral Gorshkov frigates will be the first to be fitted with the weapons.

The location of their deployment will depend on the interests of ensuring the security of Russia, Putin said.

The Kuril Islands, known as the Northern Territories in Japan, consist of four islands: Etorofu, Kunashiri, Shikotan, and Habomai islands. Japan claims the islands as part of its territory.

Japan and Russia have been unable to sign a peace treaty due to the nations disagreement over the Kuril Islands, which the former Soviet Union seized at the end of the Second World War.

Russia Halted Peace Treaty Talks

Japans foreign ministry stated that the four islands have never been held by foreign countries and that they have been under illegal occupation by Russia, and the former Soviet Union before that, since 1945.

Japan has initiated peace treaty talks with Russia based on its basic policy of resolving the issue, the ministry said.

Moscow later suspended negotiations with Japan in light of a series of sanctions Tokyo imposed against Russian leaders and financial institutions over the war in Ukraine.

The Russian foreign ministry said that it would be impossible to discuss this fundamental document on bilateral relations with a state that holds an explicitly unfriendly position and seeks to harm the interests of Russia.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida speaks during a news conference at the prime ministers official residence in Tokyo on Oct. 14, 2021. (Eugene Hoshiko/AP Photo)

In response, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida criticized Russias decision as extremely unreasonable and totally unacceptable and claimed that its sanctions were a result of Moscows aggression in Ukraine.

Kishida stated that Japans goal of pursuing a peace treaty with Russia remained unchanged, but added that Japan must resolutely continue to sanction Russia in cooperation with the international community.

Russia has intensified its military exercises near Japan, with four Russian amphibious warfare ships spotted near northeastern Japan on March 17. Japan lodged a protest on March 29 over Russian military drills involving more than 3,000 troops on the Kuril Islands.

Katabella Roberts contributed to this report.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, and head of the Russian navy Adm. Nikolai Yevmenov attend a parade marking Navy Day in Saint Petersburg, Russia, on July 31, 2022. (Maxim Shemetov/Reuters)

Putins New Naval Doctrine Lists US, NATO as Main Threats to Russias National Security

NATO and the United States are Russias main maritime threats, according to an updated naval doctrine signed by President Vladimir Putin on July 31.

The Russian president signed the doctrine during Navy Day celebrations in St. Petersburg where he also said Russias navy will soon be equipped with powerful Zircon hypersonic cruise missiles.

During a lengthy speech at the celebrations, Putin also praised Tsar Peter the Great for helping to make Russia a great sea power and increasing its global standing, while noting that Russia will be bolstering its navys operational capabilities in an effort to protect national security and its interests in the ocean.

The new 55-page doctrine (pdf) identifies the Arctic, Black, Okhotsk, and Bering seas, as well as the Baltic and Kuril straits, as areas of national interest, which the Russian president said are economically vital and strategic.

Upon signing the new decree, Putin vowed to protect Russias borders firmly and by all means.

According to the doctrine, Americas course towards dominance in the World Ocean and NATOs movement closer toward Russias borders are major security threats to Russia.

The major challenges and threats to the national security and the sustainable development of the Russian Federation related to the World Ocean are: the U.S. strategic course towards dominance in the World Ocean and its global influence on international processes, including those related to the use of transportation lanes and energy resources of the World Ocean, according to the newly-signed document, translated by the state-run Tass news agency.

Meanwhile, NATOs plans of moving its military infrastructure close to the Russian borders and the alliances attempts to assume global functions continue to be unacceptable to Russia and remain a determining factor in its relations with NATO, the document reads.

Navy Constantly Being Improved

Elsewhere on Sunday, Putin stressed that the navys ability to respond to threats with lightning speed was key to protecting Russias sovereignty and freedom, adding that the countrys naval capabilities are constantly being improved.

The president also vowed that Russias navy would receive Zircon hypersonic missile systems within the next few months and the frigate Admiral Gorshkov will be the first to be fitted with the weapons.

Hypersonic weapons can travel at nine times the speed of sound. Russian officials have confirmed that the nations navy has conducted a number of test-launches of the Zircon from warships and submarines over the past year.

The location of their deployment would depend on the interests of ensuring the security of Russia, Putin said.

Elsewhere, the doctrine states that Russias priority is to develop strategic and naval cooperation with India as well as wider cooperation with Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and other states in the region.

It also acknowledges that Russia currently does not have enough navy bases globally.

Guided by this doctrine, the Russian Federation will firmly and resolutely defend its national interests in the worlds oceans, and having sufficient maritime power will guarantee their security and protection, the document said.

The new doctrine is effective immediately.

During his speech on Sunday, Putin did not mention Russias ongoing invasion of Ukraine, although the newly-signed doctrine does envisage a comprehensive strengthening of Russias geopolitical position in the Black and Azov seas.

Reuters contributed to this report.
Resist, Wake Up, Stop Obeying: Holocaust Survivor Draws Parallels in Current Society to Nazi Germany

Vera Sharav was only 3 years old when her world collapsed.

She and her family were chased out of Romania and herded into a concentration camp in Ukraine during World War II, where they were left to wait, and starve.

The cloud of death was always there, Sharav told The Epoch Times.

Weekly, a list determined who would be sent where; whether it be a death or slave labor camp, she said.

While at the camp, she said her father died of typhus when she was 5, which had been widespread throughout the camps because of the cold and malnutrition.

After three years at the camp, she was rescued in 1944, she said.

My mother got wind that a few orphans would be transported out of the camp, so she lied and said I was an orphan to save my life, and thats how I wound up leaving, Sharav said.

This began what she called her odyssey as a child without parents, left to her own intuition and keen critical assessment of others intentions.

I had to assess who I could trust to take care of me, she said.

While on a train to the Port of Constanta, Romania, where there were three boats awaiting to take groups of people to Palestine, she befriended a family. However, upon arrival, she found herself assigned a boat with other orphan children that would separate her from the family with whom she felt she could trust. So she rebelled.

No matter what, I could not be convinced to get on that boat, she said. Miraculously, in the end, they gave in to me.

Seasick, she fell asleep that night, only to wake up to find that the boat with the orphans had been torpedoed by who she said she found out decades later to have been the Russians.

Though she carried guilt for having survived, she was grateful she resisted because that resistance kept her alive, she said.

I do not obey authority, and it saved my life.

Weaponized Medicine

These memories returned in 2020 during the web of COVID-19 restrictions that spun out of control with the help of media propaganda, she said.

So now, when people are obeying authority mindlessly, giving up their rights to make decisions about their own lives and what goes into their own bodies, I think back to that time, she said.

Today, Sharav is a medical activist and founder of the Alliance for Human Research Protection, a network of lay people and professionals who work to uphold humanitarian values and ethical standards established in the Hippocratic Oath, the Nuremberg Code, and the Universal Declaration on Bioethics and Human Rights.

Most recently, shes joined with Scott Schara, co-founder of Our Amazing Graces Light Shines On, Inc.

Scott Schara. (Courtesy of Scott Schara)

Both Sharav and Schara discussed with The Epoch Times what they saw as parallels between the National Socialist regime in Germany and the current medical directives being carried out in the United States through government funding.

Since the death of his 19-year-old daughter Grace in a hospital in 2021, after having been injected with a combination of drugs that he found out later was part of a federal hospital protocol, Schara called what was happening genocide. He has been crusading to tell his daughters story and network with others who have had a similar experience while bringing attention to the protocols that he believes amounted to the murder of his daughter, who had Down syndrome.

Under the Nazi regime, Sharav said, medicine was weaponized, as it has been today.

Though the Jews were the primary target, she said, the first medically murdered victims were disabled German infants and children under the age of 3.

This later expanded the operationtitled T4 for the street address of the programs central office in Berlinto the disabled of all ages, including the mentally ill and senior citizens, Sharav said.

The Nazis called them worthless eaters, she said. T4 was a concerted effort to be rid of what their propaganda called the economic burden.

Schara pointed to a 2021 Medicare Trustees Report, which evaluates the cost of keeping the elderly and disabled federally funded.

Thirty-nine percent of that federal budget goes to those two groups right now, which is $2.2 trillion a year, Schara said.

On page 11 of the report (pdf), there is a call for substantial changes to address financial challenges.

The sooner solutions are enacted, the more flexible and gradual they can be, the report states.

For Schara, the implication, while not overtly stated, suggests a call for eugenics that was supported by academic elites early in U.S. history, and later adopted by Nazi Germany.

Ten years after he took power, Adolph Hitler launched his genocide program that had been introduced in incremental steps with the help of propaganda portraying the regime as heroes, Sharav said.

What happened to Grace, and what happened to many disabled and elderly in Western Europe, Australia, Canada, and the United States in March and April of 2020 was medical murder, Sharav said.

Built on a Lie

Genocide isnt new to the United States, Sharav said, as it was Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court Oliver Wendell Holmes who voted in favor of the 8-1 majority opinion in the 1921 case Buck v. Bell, which upheld the Virginia Sterilization Act of 1924 and the forced sterilization of Carrie Buck, who was alleged to be mentally defective.

Holmes said it would be better to prevent the mentally disabled from being born than to allow them to sap the strength of the state or let them starve for their imbecility.

The principle that sustains compulsory vaccinations is broad enough to cover cutting Fallopian tubes, the justice wrote in his opinion. Three generations of imbeciles are enough.

Carrie Buck, however, was never actually mentally disabled, Sharav said.

Arguments for eugenics are always built on a lie, Sharav said. But its an ideology that continues to poison public health policies. And he blames this type of thinking for the medical decisions that ultimately contributed to Graces death.

The Banality of Evil

As he continues to try to wrap his mind around what happened to his daughter, Schara says he gained some insight from the writings of Holocaust survivor Hannah Arendt and her concept of the banality of evil.

It opened up a whole different view of the world for me, Schara said.

Sharavs experience made her familiar with the concept. The banality of evil is the normalization of mass murder by making it a bureaucratic routine that is handed down as orders through the chain of command to the person who pulls the switch, gives the injection, or turns on the gas, she said.

No one called it murder, Sharav said. The Nazis were very adept at propaganda and language. The Jews were called spreaders of disease, not unlike the epithets thrown at those who didnt take the jab.

Throughout 2021, the spread of COVID-19 was blamed on the pandemic of the unvaccinated, a phrase that was used by President Joe Biden and governors such as North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper.

The whole language of it is dehumanizing, Sharav said.

A Slippery Slope

Schara applies the concept to the fact that 67 percent of Down syndrome children are aborted in the United States, he said.

Doctors encourage the mother to get an amnio (amniocentesis) test, and if the test shows Down syndrome or another disability that would complicate the parents life, he encourages an abortion, Schara said.

What Sharav said shes seen in an unholy union when medicine gets into bed with the government.

The Hippocratic Oath goes out the window, she said.

The pledge to do no harm got replaced with allegiance to the greater good, Sharav said.

The question then remains, who has the authority to decide whats best for the greater good, Sharav challenged.

What supports the greater good is having respect for the individual, Sharav said, and to pursue policies that advocate for the many over the individual is to open the door to medical practices that will cause harm.

Look at what Big Pharma is doing now to children, aggressively pursuing them to be jabbed when they arent at risk at all from COVID-19, she said.

Its a slippery slope thatwith the help of advanced technologysociety is sliding down rapidly compared to the snails pace that it took for Hitler to implement his Final Solution, Schara said.

Were headed there exceptionally fast, Schara said. Today, the Final Solution is the reduction of the entire human population under the Sustainable Agenda of Agenda 2030.

Unlike the physical camps that required ink tattoos for identification and guards to manage the prisoners, the new prisons are digital, Sharav said, managed remotely by surveillance through smartphones and cities.

With smart technology, you can manage billions all at once, she said. Its chilling.

Its hard for many to fathom that an elite few would conspire to cause widespread harm, Sharav said.

People will say, They made a mistake; it was an accident. But no, the elite, just like the Nazis, have this arrogance in which they believe they are superior and therefore entitled to rule the rest of us because they think we are inferior, Sharav said.

Control vs. Faith

Schara said his concern is with an elite ruling class that is godless, believing only in what is measurable and controllable.

He emphasizes his faith in God as a powerful weapon to combat the dark agendas that have escalated beyond the comprehension of the average person, working 60 hours a week just to make ends meet.

We should not fall trap to the false light that Satan will eventually ride in on to steal more souls. Gods true light protects those who believe, he said.

We the People can reclaim sovereignty by learning to trust in intuition, experience, and the ability to assess lies from truth, Sharav said.

Stop watching mainstream media, Sharav said. Theyre all reading from the same script. They have bombarded people with fearmongering, which is exactly the same thing that the Nazis did. Thats how they controlled the population: through fear.

For Sharav, the mission that has been laid at the feet of people throughout the world is the same as it was for her as a child: Resist. Wake up. Stop obeying.
Britain's former Prime Minister David Cameron arrives to attend the National Service of Remembrance, on Remembrance Sunday, at The Cenotaph in Westminster, London, Britain, on Nov. 10, 2019. (Simon Dawson/Reuters)

Russia Ramps up Sanctions by Banning 39 UK Politicians and Journalists

David Cameron, Sir Keir Starmer, and BBC presenter Huw Edwards are among the latest UK politicians and journalists to be banned from Russia.

The Russian foreign ministry issued a list of 39 newly sanctioned individuals it said are no longer allowed to enter the Russian Federation.

It said the action was in response to UK sanctions issued against Russian ministers, officials, and members of influential families linked to the Kremlin following Vladimir Putins invasion of Ukraine.

The Russian foreign ministry claimed those individuals sanctioned have contributed to Londons hostile course aimed at the demonisation of our country and its international isolation.

Former prime minister Cameron is the first name on the list, followed by Lord Robertson of Port Ellen, a former NATO secretary-general, while Labour leader Starmer and shadow cabinet ministers Lisa Nandy, David Lammy, and Nick Thomas-Symonds also feature.

Scottish National Party (SNP) Westminster leader Ian Blackford, Scottish government Economy Secretary Kate Forbes, and transport minister Wendy Morton, previously in the Foreign Office, are also among those included.

Piers Morgan attends the 2019 British Academy Britannia Awards presented by American Airlines and Jaguar Land Rover at The Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, Calif., on Oct. 25, 2019. (Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for BAFTA LA)

Journalists including Edwards, TalkTVs Piers Morgan, ITVs Robert Peston, and head of Sky News, John Ryley, are listed alongside reporters at various outlets.

Morgan, writing on Twitter, said: It wasnt on my immediate vacation to-do list.

The Russian foreign ministry said in a statement: As has been noted more than once, the pernicious actions of the UK in planting Russophobia, spreading false information about our country, and supporting the Kyiv neo-Nazi regime will receive an adequate and decisive response from the Russian side.

The choice in favour of confrontation is a conscious decision of the British political establishment, which bears all responsibility for the consequences.

The statement also said it will continue work to expand the list.

Earlier this year, Russia said it was taking action against 287 MPs in retaliation for sanctions against Russian politicians.

But the list included several former MPs.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said in April that MPs should regard their inclusion on the list as a badge of honour.

By Richard Wheeler
The Inukalns underground gas storage of JSC the "Conexus Baltic Grid," the independent company in Ragana village, Latvia, on July 14, 2021. (Kaspars Krafts/F64 Photo agency via AP)

Russian Energy Corporation Gazprom Cuts Off Gas to Latvia

MOSCOWRussias state-owned natural gas corporation said Saturday it has halted shipments to Latvia because of contract violations.

In a brief statement, gas giant Gazprom said the shipments were stopped because Latvia broke terms for extraction of gas. It did not elaborate.

The statement likely referred to a refusal to meet Russias demand for gas payments in rubles rather than other currencies. Gazprom previously suspended shipments to other European Union countries, including the Netherlands, Poland, and Bulgaria, because they would not pay in rubles.

The immediate effects of the cutoff were not clear. Latvian media reported this week that the country had resumed buying Russian gas from another supplier.

After the EU imposed sanctions against Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin said in March that unfriendly foreign buyers would have to transact with Gazprom in rubles instead of dollars and euros.

The Kremlin said importers had to establish an account in dollars or euros at Russias third-largest bank, Gazprombank, then a second account in rubles. The importer would pay the gas bill in euros or dollars and direct the bank to exchange the money for rubles.

Many countries refused to comply, saying the new payment system could put them in the position of breaking sanctions terms.
Everybody longs for happiness, but it seems like a hidden treasure.

One way or anotherconsciously or unconsciously, directly or indirectlyeverything we do, our every hope, is related to a deep desire for happiness.

With 256 electrodes on his shaven head, French Buddhist monk Matthieu Ricard, author of the book Happiness: A Guide to Developing Lifes Most Important Skill, displayed the same natural smile that always accompanies him wherever he goes. His left prefrontal cortex, a zone of the brain especially active in persons with positive thoughts, shows activity beyond any parameter of normality.

As a molecular biologist, Ricard recognizes the results given by magnetic cerebral resonance: According to science, his mental state could only correspond to that of the happiest man on the planet.

The Happy Brain

Years of studies brought scientists to discern with great precision that the activity of the left prefrontal cortex is found to be strongly related to the feeling of well-being, while negative emotional states leave their impression in the right prefrontal area.

To their surprise, the studies revealed a clear pattern in subjects who possessed happy brains. Demographically, they werent the most economically or materially prosperous in life, but a radically different group altogetherTibetan monks and professional meditators.

MRI image of head showing human brain. (Illustration  SpeedKingz/Shutterstock)

Subjected to an exhaustive experiment with brain scans, a group of longtime meditators who practiced a type of meditation focused on compassion were able to transform the anatomy of the brain in surprising ways. They increased the levels of positive emotion, as observed in the left prefrontal cortex. They also diminished the activity in the right prefrontal lobe related to depression, diminished the activity of the amygdala (a region of the brain related to fear and anger), and increased the duration and depth of attention.

The scientists concluded that the compassion produced by certain types of meditation made the brain serene, reaching a state of well-being. The happiness of the meditators manifested a state involving an absence of fear and complete control of the emotions.

Similarly, people experience a so-called state of flow during certain stages of intellectual or physical exercise, a feeling of happiness that thrills the mind when it is fully at one with what it is doing.

(Illustration  simona pilolla 2/Shutterstock)

According to Dr. Daniel Goleman, internationally recognized for his work in the field of psychology, the state of flow is a spontaneous sensation of delight and pleasant surprise.

In concurrence with Golemans hypothesis, people in the state of flow become so absorbed that their attention and consciousness blend with their actions.

In contrast to what neurologists have thought for some time, when the focused mind involves itself in a task, as in the state of flow, the brain produces less activity. It appears to have less of the neuronal noise observed when the mind wanders. It is similar, though more elusive, to the state engendered by those who meditate frequently.

Thus, happiness, according to scientific findings, is a state unattainable by material means; rather, it is a product of emotional unfetteredness, perhaps joined by compassionate contemplation of the universe.

Share your stories with us at emg.inspired@epochtimes.com, and continue to get your daily dose of inspiration by signing up for the Inspired newsletter at TheEpochTimes.com/newsletter
South Korean elementary school students wear masks as a precaution against the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome virus as they sanitize their hands in Busan, South Korea, on June 9, 2015. (Cha Geun-ho/Yonhap via AP)

South Korean Teachers, Parents Speak Out Against Governments Plan to Send 5-Year-Olds to School

The South Korean government has proposed lowering the entry age for elementary school to 5 years old in an effort to tackle workforce shortages, but the move has raised concerns among teachers and civic groups.

Education Minister Park Soon-ae said on Friday that her ministry aims to lower the school entry age by one year, with implementation beginning as early as 2025 upon social consensus, Yonhap News Agency reported.

Park said the plan would help to increase the workforce in South Koreawhich is facing a declining birth rategiven that it would enable students to graduate and embark on their careers earlier.

But teachers and parents have come out against the move over concerns that it will push intellectually unprepared children to attend school.

A total of 36 civic groups protested in front of the presidential office on Monday to demand that the proposal be scrapped. They also launched an online petition to collect signatures from the public.

One of the civic groups argued that requiring 5-year-olds to attend elementary school is inappropriate following the degree of cognitive and emotional development of young children.

It could also have negative side effects, such as advancing the starting age for competition for college entrance and private education, the group said.

A Korean Teachers and Education Workers Union representative said the plan appears to disregard the development of young children, saying that they should be allowed to develop through play and networking with friends.

The Education Ministry will conduct a survey of 20,000 students and parents in September 2022 to seek feedback on the proposal, and President Yoon Suk-yeol has sought to expedite the process.

Combining Day Care and Kindergarten

In addition to lowering the elementary school entry age, the ministry also aims to push for the integration of kindergartens and child care centers, a concept that had been explored by the previous administration.

Under the current school system, children aged 5 years and below can attend Health Ministry-supervised care centers, while children aged 3 to 5 years can attend Education Ministry-supervised kindergartens.

The previous administration tried to merge care centers and kindergartens to provide more systemized education and care for children, but those attempts fell short, The Korea Herald reported.

Park said that her ministry has reached mutual grounds for understanding with related parties about the integration.

In June, the Australian states of Victoria and New South Wales implemented an extra year of play-based learning for young children as part of what the state premiers have called the greatest transformation of early education in a generation.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews and his New South Wales counterpart Dominic Perrottet announced the long-term policy commitment in a joint statement, saying that the move would benefit many working families.

In the next 10 years, every child in Victoria and [New South Wales] will experience the benefits of a full year of play-based learning before their first year of school, the statement reads.
Two samples of suspected cases of monkeypox go through a process of nucleic acid extraction as they get tested at a microbiology lab at La Paz Hospital in Madrid on June 1, 2022. (Susana Vera/Reuters)

Spain Reports 2nd Monkeypox-Related Death in Europe

MADRIDSpain reported its second monkeypox-related death on Saturday, in what is thought to be Europes second death from the disease and only the third outside of Africa in the current outbreak.

Spain had reported its first death as recently as Friday, shortly after Brazil reported the first monkeypox-related death outside the African continent in the current wave of the disease.

The WHO on July 23 declared monkeypox a global health emergency, its highest level of alert.

In its latest report on Saturday, the Spanish Health Ministry said 4,298 cases had been confirmed in the country. Of the 3,750 patients on which it had information, 120 or 3.2 percent had been hospitalized, and two had died, it said without providing further details.

The first death occurred in the northeastern Valencia region and the cause was encephalitis, an inflammation of the brain associated with the infection, local media reported, quoting the regional health department.
Subpoenas Going to Return Treasure Trove of Documents From Biden Administration: Louisiana AG

The subpoenas and discovery requests sent out as part of a lawsuit against the federal government are going to bring back reams of information, Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry says.

Landry and Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt, both Republicans, sued the Biden administration in May, arguing the government colluded with Big tech companies to violate the constitutional rights of Americans.

U.S. District Judge Terry Doughty, a Trump appointee, recently ruled in favor of the plaintiffs. Government officials like Dr. Anthony Fauci and companies including Facebook were served soon after.

Weve got a treasure trove of information that we think are going to come to us here shortly, Landry said on EpochTVs American Thought Leaders.

The subpoenas have gone out. Theyre being served. I think Dr. Fauci got served, and he and other members of the presidents Cabinet, and theyre gonna have to send us communications between them and the platforms. And what we believe well find is communications between them telling them what they should and shouldnt put out or what they should suppress, and what they should amplify, he added.

Government officials have said they have not acted improperly.

Officials have for years commented on how social media platforms operate, and the federal government is not responsible for how platforms moderate content, U.S. lawyers said in a filing in the case, Missouri and Louisiana v. President Biden et al.

Those companies independently chose to combat misinformation years ago, before this administration took office, and before the federal officials sued here made the comments at issue. Indeed, although the Complaint cites numerous statements by government officials, it does not identify how those statements are connected to the moderation decisions that purportedly harmed their resident, they said.

The government is seeking to dismiss the case.

Violating Rights

Landry said that the government is violating citizens rights by pressuring companies to ban or take other punitive action against users. In a separate case, documents released this month showed U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention officials highlighting specific posts in messages to Twitter executives while complaining about alleged misinformation from those users. Whistleblower documents released by two U.S. senators in June, meanwhile, showed that U.S. officials had been in touch with Twitter over purported disinformation.

I think what we found, and what the whistleblowers put out, was that the government was actually engaged, and the White House, in directly communicating with Big Tech on stories and information that they either wanted suppressed or put out, Landry said.

His office, after putting out a call for information from people who have been censored in some way by platforms, has also collected a number of examples. Those may be used in the suit in question, as well as other suits with which hes involved.

Landry himself has witnessed censorship from Big Tech, with his posts initially drawing many shares, but engagement quickly falling off.

Were trying to get information out to our constituency in a mediumI guess you would say, in a new mediumunder which everyone is using more than the other, traditional mediums, Landry said. And they are creating a filter between us and our constituents.

Zachary Stieber Reporter Follow Zachary Stieber covers U.S. and world news. He is based in Maryland.
Texas Governor Invites Mayors of Washington, New York to USMexico Border

The governor of Texas on Aug. 1 invited the mayors of Washington and New York City to tour the U.S.Mexico border with him.

As Governor, I invite you to visit our border region to see firsthand the dire situation that only grows more urgent with each passing day, and to meet with the local officials, who like yourselves, realize this matter deserves immediate federal action, Gov. Greg Abbott, a Republican, wrote to Mayors Muriel Bowser and Eric Adams, both Democrats.

Bowser recently requested National Guard assistance as the number of illegal immigrants in her city soars, in part because of buses transporting them from Texas and Arizona on the command of Abbott and Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey, also of the GOP.

Adams, meanwhile, told reporters in the borough of Manhattan that Abbott and Duceys actions were wrong.

Both mayors head so-called sanctuary cities, where illegal aliens are largely welcome to live and work without fear of deportation.

Abbott said in the new missive that the interest from the mayors in the border situation was a welcome development and asked them not only to visit the border, but to urge President Joe Biden to secure it and put an end to this disastrous crisis.

President Bidens reckless open border policies have created a dangerous environment not only for tens of millions of Texans, but for communities all across the nation, including yours. We agree that this crisis demands immediate federal action to prevent the flood of deadly fentanyl, now the leading cause of death for Americans ages 18 to 45, the unimaginable horrors caused by human smuggling and trafficking, the known terrorists from entering our country, and the countless other crimes that have been committed by the hundreds of thousands of gotaways that the Biden Administration has let slip through, Abbott said.

I look forward to welcoming you the Texas-Mexico border so that you can see this crisis for yourself. Please contact my office to make travel arrangements for your visits, he added.

Spokespersons for Bowser and Adams did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The U.S. Department of Defense confirmed to The Epoch Times in an email it received Bowsers request but that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, a Biden appointee, needed to work through the details with his team before responding to the mayors office.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters in late July that the White House has been in regular communication with Bowser and claimed that Republicans are using immigrants as a political tool.
The Great Translation Movement Twitter account translates Chinese pro-Russia messages into English. (Twitter/Screenshot via The Great Translation Movement)

The Great Translation Movement Will Continue Exposing the CCP: Manager

The Great Translation Movement (Movement), a Twitter account that translates the propaganda thats publicized inside China and makes it available to the outside world, was suspended on July 28. Experts believe this happened because posts from malicious Chinese internet trolls broke the Twitter abuse rules.

The Movement was launched to reveal to Western readers what the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) touts inside China: its iron fist, pro-war, hatred, and anti-American sentiment, which are in marked contrast to the propaganda of peace-loving and being a responsible player it puts forward in the international arena.

Since the Movements establishment in early March, it has frequently been the target of the CCPs censorship machinery.

The incident in July was the second time the Movement account was attacked.

The Movement Must Carry on

One of the account managers told the Chinese language edition of The Epoch Times on the 29th that there are hundreds of volunteers contributing to the translation efforts of the Movement.

He said, Most of the volunteers are the younger generation in their 20s.

The mission is to raise international awareness of the CCPs propaganda and its brainwashing factors. He said, Its an anti-CCP movement on a low budget.

He said that the Movement account has been attacked more than once. On the evening of April 1, the account was blocked. The latest incident was a suspension.

He insists that the suspension cannot be tolerated.

The Movement was not informed of why it was suspended. But the manager believes it was caused by false account users.

He indicated that the Movement has identified fake accounts that were manipulated by the Chinese police.

He said, Its indeed happening. We found that the CCP police got hold of the ID of a legitimate account userwho we have lost contact withand infiltrated the platform.

According to the 2007 Annual Report on Chinas Internet Network, the struggle for unrestricted online access by everyday Chinese internet users is getting more difficult as the Chinese Communist regime has stepped up its control of the internet. (Frederic J. Brown/AFP/Getty Images)

CCP Online Trolls Infiltrate the Movement

Chinese dissident Lin Shengliang explained his observation of the Movement, There have been massive online comments from the CCPs online trolls recently. They are all new account holders.

The 50 cent army, that is, the CCP-backed online commenters, have been flooding the Movement with many posts about pornography. Lin said, Their purpose is to divert the focus of the Movement.

Activities on the Movement came to a head when Japans former prime minister Shinzo Abe was assassinated, Lin said.

There were many comments that were actually pro-CCP and anti-Japan.

He suspects that the CCP propaganda department has mobilized overseas companies to manipulate public relations through Twitter.

I myself will continue to expose what the CCP has actually publicized inside China to reveal its true face of a dictatorship, Lin added.

The suspension of the Twitter account ended on the afternoon of the 29th.

Li Xinan contributed to this report.
Pope Francis wears a headdress presented to him by Indigenous leaders during a meeting at Muskwa Park in Maskwacis, Alberta, Canada, on July 25, 2022. (Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images)

The Growing Apology Industry

Commentary

The apology industry has never been busier. On July 25, Pope Francis offered an apology to the indigenous survivors of Canadas residential schools, where children suffered cultural destruction and forced assimilation promoted by government policy at the time and keenly implemented by the Catholic Church. The Pope called this policy disastrous and evil.

In June, the Belgian King Philippe offered an apology to the people of the Democratic Republic of Congo for atrocities committed when his ancestor, King Leopold II, ruled the Belgian Congo as a personal fiefdom.

National apologies are also a regular occurrence in the Australian parliament. Most recently, on Oct. 22, 2018, former Prime Minister Scott Morrison delivered the National Apology to Victims and Survivors of Institutional Child Sexual Abuse. In delivering the apology, the prime minister atoned for institutional child sexual abuse.

Of course, the now historic National Apology to the Stolen Generations delivered in Parliament on Feb. 13, 2008, by then Prime Minister Kevin Rudd for the indignities inflicted on Aboriginal children was a major televised event.

The apology industry is nearly as old as human history. A website of the Institute for the Study of Human Rights lists 823 political apologies stretching back a thousand years.

The list starts in 1077 when the Holy Roman Emperor, Henry IV, apologised, by standing barefoot in the snow for three days, to Pope Gregory VII for instigating church-state conflicts. It also lists the day of fasting and prayer, in 1697, to atone for the injustice inflicted on the victims of the Salem witches trials, conducted just five years before.

Issues Involved

People of goodwill may well applaud the readiness of governments to offer national apologies to those who have been wronged in the past. Preparation for, and delivery of, a national apology does, however, present governments with challenges relating to the drafting of these apologies.

As demonstrated, even with the Popes Canadian apology, the language used in an apology is potentially controversial and contentious, and often contested. Sometimes, the delivery of an apology provides conclusive evidence of the existence of past wrongdoing.

Such evidence may later be relied upon to establish legal liability, requiring payment of compensation to the victims or their descendants. To strike the right tone when drafting an apology is thus an intricate operation requiring skill and foresight.

It is interesting to note that the number of national apologies delivered worldwide has increased in recent times.

An Aboriginal flag waves in front of the giant television screen as thousands gather in Melbournes Federation Square, Australia, on Feb. 13, 2008, to listen to Prime Minister Kevin Rudd deliver a historic apology in parliament to the Aboriginal people for injustices committed over two centuries of white settlement. (William West/AFP via Getty Images)

This increase, in itself, contributes to the creation of a climate in which the practice of apologising becomes an instinctive but insincere reaction or response to instances of neglect that may have extended over decades.

National apologies typically rely on, and are supported by, a backward-looking philosophy, often grounded in the belief that past practices have trashed the human rights and interests of vulnerable people in society.

But reliance on a backward-looking model of justice may create new inequities in the present, especially if it blames those who themselves have not been responsible for the historical instances of abuse and neglect.

If the appropriateness of past practices were evaluated in the light of modern-day developments and the prevailing philosophy of ethical relativism, these instances and practices would be justifiably described as abhorrent. But such an evaluation overlooks the realisation that our ancestors, in their time, may have endeavoured to embrace enlightened solutions.

Recognition Is Key

It also ignores the possibility that current practices, assiduously promoted by governments may well be the subject of apologies in the future.

For example, these practices, which may generate societal convulsions in the future, might include the occurrence of vicious wars and atrocities, famine, ethnic cleansing, the provision of abortion services on demand, the condoning of infanticide in certain circumstances, the accessibility of methods to shorten a persons life that is not deemed worthy anymore, just to name a few.

It is thus reasonable to ask whether, and if so, to what extent apologies still serve the purpose of expressing regret and remorse. While national apologies constitute symbolic expressions of remorse, they remain but a poor substitute for fashioning effective strategies to assist the victims of neglect and abuse.

However, these ruminations should not necessarily deter governments from offering national apologies. This is because they are certainly a means to stem the tide of resentment, at least temporarily, and it may facilitate reconciliation while offering a way forward.

The symbolism, in itself, may thus alleviate the pain felt by victims of abuse, even if it does not result in measurable material benefits for them.

The booming apology industry should not, however, impede efforts by people to recognise the contributions made by people who lived in the past.

In a recent article, focusing on Indigenous Australians and the Church, David Daintree implores that after years of sorry days, could we also acknowledge the good work that men and women of the Church did for many Aboriginal groups around Australia: not just religious instruction (which counts for little in the secular mind) but education in the arts and sciences of the world, social work, housing, medical care. And most of that at a time when the state did next to nothing to aid the native people.

Daintrees exhortation is a useful reminder that history is not a one-way story but a rich kaleidoscope of good and bad. And while it is necessary to atone for the dreadful things that have happened in the past, it is also necessary to identify, and celebrate the good things that our ancestors have contributed to Western civilisation.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Igor Danchenko at the federal courthouse in Alexandria, Va., on Nov. 10, 2021. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Trial of Key Steele Dossier Source Expected to Last 5 to 6 Days: Special Counsel Durham

ALEXANDRIA, Va.The trial of Igor Danchenko, a key source for the anti-Trump Steele dossier, should last about five days, special counsel John Durham said on Aug. 1.

Danchenko, a former Brookings Institution analyst, is set to go on trial on Oct. 11 on five counts of making false statements.

U.S. District Judge Anthony Trenga, a George W. Bush appointee overseeing the case, asked Durham how long the government could expect the trial to last, noting that he has an unresolvable schedule conflict on Oct. 31.

Durham said he expects the trial to last five to six days. If it lasts more than four days, he said, it would likely carry across a weekend.

They were speaking during a status conference as the parties attempted to iron out differences and nail down details ahead of the trial.

Danchenko has been identified as the main source for former British spy Christopher Steeles dossier, which was full of unsubstantiated allegations against then-presidential candidate Donald Trump. Steele was paid through an intermediary by the campaign of Hillary Clinton, Trumps rival for the presidency, and the Democratic National Committee.

Danchenko lied to the FBI when he said he never spoke with Charles Dolan Jr., a longtime Clinton family associate, according to the indictment. Danchenko also claimed to have spoken with Belarusian-American businessman Sergei Millian multiple times, when the pair actually never met.

At least one U.S. news agency corrected some of its articles based on the revelations.

Danchenko, who pleaded not guilty in late 2021, faces up to 25 years in prison if convicted on all charges.

The U.S. District Courthouse in Alexandria, Va., on Aug. 1, 2022. (Terri Wu/The Epoch Times)

Concern Over War

The timing for the trial of Danchenko, a Russian national, isnt ideal because of the RussiaUkraine war, which Russia started in February, defense lawyer Stuart Sears said during discussions about the questionnaire that potential jurors will receive.

Trenga appeared to dismiss the concerns, reiterating that he would send the current questionnaire to the defense in the coming days for review.

He requested suggestions on possible alterations.

Sears also said he still hadnt filed a written notice for his client regarding the Classified Information Procedures Act.

At the status conference, Danchenko was wearing a wrinkled dark blue jacket with light-colored pants. He was unmasked.

The next status conference is set for Sept. 28. Durham said the government might submit a brief filing in the next few days, but not to expect significant additional filings before the trial.

No insight was shed on the 30 subpoenas that Durham recently requested for the trial.

Durham, who in May saw a jury acquit a lawyer he had charged, declined to comment to The Epoch Times after the hearing.

Terri Wu Follow Terri Wu is a Washington-based freelance reporter for The Epoch Times covering education and China-related issues. Send tips to terri.wu@epochtimes.com.
Twitter Suspends CCP Propagandist Who Advocates Shooting Down Pelosis Plane

Twitter temporarily suspended the account of a Chinese Communist Party (CCP) propagandist after he suggested military retaliation should U.S. fighter jets escort House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) on any visit to Taiwan.

Hu Xijin, the former editor-in-chief of the CCPs state-run tabloid Global Times, wrote on Chinas Twitter-like Weibo on July 30: For warning the U.S. military not to escort Pelosis visit to Taiwan, my Twitter account was locked out. I cannot use it unless I delete that post.

The post came up with a screenshot of Twitters infringement notice.

Hu was referencing an earlier post suggesting that Chinas military, the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA), should use force against Pelosi if she were to visit Taiwan with U.S. military protection, calling it an invasion of the self-governing island that the CCP claims as its own.

He wrote via Twitter on July 29, The PLA has the right to forcibly dispel Pelosis plane and the US fighter jets, including firing warning shots and making the tactical movement of obstruction.

If ineffective, then shoot them down.

Twitters system prompt didnt specify which rule the post breached.

He later deleted the Twitter post to recover his then-frozen account.

The former editor-in-chief of the CCPs overseas media mouthpiece has been well-known for his mocking and provocative pro-Beijing comments on social media, both before and after retiring from the state newspaper last year.

Hus latest comments followed a phone call between Chinese leader Xi Jinping and U.S. President Joe Biden on July 28, in which Xi said Washington should abide by the one China principle and those who play with fire will perish by it.

Beijing had also stated that it would take forceful measures after the Financial Times first reported the speakers planned visit to the Chinese-claimed island. Since pre-revolutionary China, Taiwan has sought to be recognized on the world stage as a sovereign nation, given its own democratically elected government, Constitution, and military.

Tension

While Pelosi began her visit to Asia on July 31, with stops scheduled in Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea, and Japan, questions remain over whether her delegation will stop in Taiwan. If the top congressional Democrat follows through on a reported plan, she would be the highest-ranking U.S. politician since 1997 to travel to the democratic island of Taiwan.

Intensified speculation in recent days has fueled tensions beyond the Taiwan Strait.

On July 29, a White House national security spokesperson said the United States had observed no evidence of looming Chinese military action against Taiwan when asked about a possible visit to the island by Pelosi. However, Chinas Maritime Safety Administration announced a day earlier that the PLA would conduct live-fire exercises in the Taiwan Strait.

It is okay to shoot down Pelosis plane if obstructive tactics by the Chinese military fail, Hu reiterated his position when posting on Weibo.

He previously suggested that Chinese authorities should send special fighter jets to accompany Pelosi when she visits Taiwan to show the sovereignty of mainland China over Taiwan.

Declaration of War

Rep. Michael Waltz (R-Fla.), a retired Army Green Beret, blamed the White House for diplomatically dithering at a key moment. He told Fox News on July 29 that Biden needs to inform Beijing that any harm to Pelosi during her trip to Taiwan would be tantamount to a declaration of war.

This is an unacceptable threat. Speaker Pelosi, regardless of what you think of our politics, is the No. 3 in line for the presidency of the United States, Waltz said.

Political commentator and China analyst Gordon Chang said Chinese threats to shoot down Pelosis plane on her potential Taiwan trip may not be bluster.

Youve got to remember, at this very instant, there are four Chinese warships in Japanese territorial water in the Senkakus in the East China Sea, Chang said on July 29 during The Ingraham Angle on Fox News. There are Chinese troops deep into Indian-controlled territory in Ladakh, in the Himalayas. A few weeks ago, the Chinese provoked a crisis in the South China Sea with the Philippines.

China is lashing out. It might be Taiwan, but it might be someplace else.

Reuters contributed to this report.
But that's not the only environmental toxin harming male sperm

Tylenol is destroying mens sperm. Thats just one of the alarming revelations in a new article published in the peer-reviewed journal Environment International.

The study, Combined exposures to bisphenols, polychlorinated dioxins, paracetamol, and phthalates as drivers of deteriorating sperm quality was conducted by an international team of scientists from the United Kingdom and Denmark. [1]

These researchers studied urine samples taken in 2009 from 98 male volunteers who were between the ages of 18 and 30 at the time. They analyzed the urine for eight chemicals used in plastic production that are known to harm human fertility, including BPA, BPF, and BPS, as well as phthalates. These endocrine-disrupting chemicals can be found almost everywhere in todays world, including clothing, baby diapers, food containers, and bedding material.

The researchers also analyzed urine samples for acetaminophen, also known as paracetamol, the active ingredient in more than 600 over-the-counter medications, including Tylenol and Panadol.

In addition, based on reports in the scientific literature, they estimated risks from a range of other plastic-related chemicals and a variety of common pesticides, including fungicides, herbicides, and insecticides.

From this, they came up with a hazard index, or risk measurement. This hazard index estimated the combined theoretical effect of combining several different toxins.

The results were not encouraging, though they may help to explain the rising levels of male infertility humans are experiencing in many places around the world. [2]

17 Times Levels Deemed Acceptable

Some of the urine analyzed showed that the combined exposure to the nine chemicals was more than 100 times higher than levels deemed acceptable.

But the average exposure to the chemicals was 17 times the acceptable levels.

Tolerable exposures to substances associated with deteriorations of semen quality are exceeded by a large margin, the scientists concluded. Dedicated efforts towards lowering exposures to these substances are necessary to mitigate risks.

Defective Sperm

As the researchers point out, the quality of male sperm and total sperm counts have declined sharply, particularly in Western countries.

There have also been what they describe as alarming declines among healthy sperm donors in China.

While its more difficult to assess sperm quantity and quality in non-Western countries, the researchers say, anecdotal and clinical evidence suggest men in developing countries may be struggling as well.

At the same time, there has been a rise in testicular cancer and reproductive abnormalities in the last few decades.

Poor semen quality is part of a wider trend of deteriorating male reproductive health which has begun to escalate into a general fertility crisis, the researchers explained.

The nine chemicals they tested foras well as many othersare known to interfere with male fertility. In particular, these chemicals disrupt the development of male sex organs and interfere with male hormones.

An example that was referenced in the new study: When a team of scientists from Pakistan and Saudi Arabia exposed male rats to BPF, a chemical that is commonly found in plastic manufacture, they found that the chemical induced changes in the rats reproductive hormones and affected the shape and size of their testicles. This research, published in 2019 in the journal Environmental Health and Preventative Medicine, described this phenomenon as BPF-induced testicular toxicity. [3]

Paracetamol or acetaminophen, the main ingredient in both Panadol and Tylenol, has been shown to disrupt prostaglandin signaling and InsL3 production (which is needed for the testicles to descend during gestation), according to the scientists. They cited research that shows that acetaminophen has been associated with a decrease in sperm production and quality in laboratory animals.

Though not mentioned in this present study, a 2017 review conducted by a team of scientists from Harvard and Duke Universities catalogued a growing body of scientific evidence implicating acetaminophen in brain anomalies, lung, and liver damage, among other health issues.

A more recent systemic review, published in the European Journal of Pediatrics in May of 2022, concludes that when accessing the safety of paracetamol, there is mounting evidence in humans and in laboratory animals indicating that the drug is not safe for neurodevelopment.

In addition, taking too much acetaminophen is the most common reason for acute liver failure in the United States, according to a 2009 study published in the journal Medical Clinics of North America. [4]

Cumulative Chemical Stress

Other recent science has shown that the COVID-19 vaccines reduce mens sperm count and mobility.

While being over-exposed to any given chemical or medication known to affect fertility is problematic in itself, experts say that combining toxic exposures can have an even more pronounced negative effect on human health.

The problem is that there are some things that we know are badpesticides and chemicals leeching out of plasticsand these combine with some things that most people think are safe, like acetaminophen and antibiotics, and cause additive chemical stress and damage to the human body, said William Parker, Ph.D., a biochemist and CEO of WP Labs, a non-profit that looks at causes of immune disease in Western society, who was not involved in the study.

It all combines and adds up to creates more chemical stress on our bodies, Parker said.

Parker has co-authored several peer-reviewed articles about health issues associated with acetaminophen, which, he said, is extremely bad for neurodevelopment. His concern lies primarily with giving this pain killer to infants, babies, and toddlers.

In his most recent scientific paper, he and a team of scientists present 17 lines of evidence for how acetaminophen causes autism. [5]

When you combine all this chemical stress plus this drug in babies and children, thats when you can end up with permanent and often severe neurodevelopmental problems, Parker said.

There are multiple types of chemical interactions, sometimes they enhance each other, sometimes they cancel each other out, said Dr. James Lyons-Weiler, Ph.D., who is the president and CEO of the Pennsylvania-based Institute of Pure and Applied Knowledge, a non-profit that conducts scientific research in the public interest, who was not involved in the study.

There are insufficient studies about synergistic and anergistic interactions, Lyons-Weiler continued. With synergy you can expect more than an additive effect, with chemicals enhancing each others toxicities. There are other chemicals that can cancel each others negative effectsthats anergy. But we have no idea whats happening in the toxic soup.

Lyons-Weiler, who teaches classes in environmental toxicology at IPAK-edu.org, said reduction in sperm qualityno matter the complicated biochemical reasonsis a cause for concern. According to Lyons-Weiler, a study like this one is a positive step in the right direction, so we can better understand the impact of manmade chemicals on human health.

We need studies that can actually test for interactions. Thats the most important science that can be done in toxicology today.

References

[1] Andreas Kortenkamp, Martin Scholze, Sibylle Ermler, Lrke Priskorn, Niels Jrgensen, Anna-Maria Andersson, Hanne Frederiksen, Combined exposures to bisphenols, polychlorinated dioxins, paracetamol, and phthalates as drivers of deteriorating semen quality, Environment International, 2022, 107322, ISSN 0160-4120, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2022.107322.

[2] Remarkable decline in fertility rates, BBC News. November 9, 2018. https://www.bbc.com/news/health-46118103. Accessed 06/14/2022.

[3] Ullah, A., Pirzada, M., Afsar, T. et al. Effect of bisphenol F, an analog of bisphenol A, on the reproductive functions of male rats. Environ Health Prev Med 24, 41 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12199-019-0797-5.

[4] Fontana RJ. Acute liver failure including acetaminophen overdose. Med Clin North Am. 2008;92(4):761-viii. doi:10.1016/j.mcna.2008.03.005.

[5] Patel E, Jones JP 3rd, Bono-Lunn D, Kuchibhatla M, Palkar A, Cendejas Hernandez J, et al. The safety of pediatric use of paracetamol (acetaminophen): a narrative review of direct and indirect evidence. Minerva Pediatr 2022 Jul 13. DOI: 10.23736/S2724-5276.22.06932-4.

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.
Surrounded by steel and aluminum workers, President Donald Trump signs a Section 232 proclamation on steel imports at the White House on Mar. 8, 2018. Trump ordered a 25 percent tariff on imported steel and a 10 percent tariff on imported aluminum. (CHIP SOMODEVILLA/GETTY IMAGES)

US Steel to Pay Record Profit-Sharing Bonuses on Record Earnings

U.S. Steel employees will receive a record second-quarter amount in profit-sharing as the company reported a strong performance for the period.

According to the companys contract with the United Steelworkers union, steelworkers will receive $30.72 per qualifying hour in profit-sharing bonuses. That translates to bonus checks exceeding $14,000 for the three-month period ended June 30, U.S. Steel spokesperson Amanda Malkowski said, according to The Times of Northwest Indiana.

Bonuses are the second-highest of all time after the third quarter of last year, she noted.

The union had negotiated profit-sharing back in 1986, with the idea being that workers would forgo wage raises when the company was in trouble, but share in the benefits when the firm raked in profits.

Profit-sharing is an important part of our contract, but because the steel business is cyclical, sometimes it pays something and sometimes it pays nothing, the United Steelworkers said in an update to members.

Thats one reason we are focused on securing wage increases in bargaining because we need guaranteed wages to support our families and pay our bills.

U.S. Steels profit-sharing announcement comes as the companys second-quarter adjusted net earnings in came in at a record $1.104 billion. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) for the period rose to a record of $1.620 billion.

In a video message, U.S. Steel CEO David Burritt thanked employees for the companys financial performance.

US Steel Industry

The industry registered record profits in 2021, according to Philip Bell, the president of the Steel Manufacturers Association. When speaking to SteelOrbis in December 2021, Bell predicted that investments in steel capacity in the country would total more than $16 billion between 2021 and 2023.

In 2018, then-President Donald Trump exercised authority under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 to impose a 25 percent tariff on steel imports, a move that is said to have benefited domestic steel manufacturers.

In a brief issued on July 8, Nucor Corp., one of the largest U.S. steelmakers, said the nations steel industry was in a state of crisis when the Department of Commerce initiated the Section 232 investigation of steel imports in 2017.

The U.S. steel industry was operating at a utilization rate of only 74 percent by 2017, as imports severely affected the domestic industry. The passage of Section 232 contributed to a stable market environment for domestic steel producers.

Between 2016 and 2021, U.S. steel production, for example, rose, to 95 million metric tons from 86.5 metric tons. In 2017, steel imports were at around 34.7 million metric tons, which fell to 28.6 million metric tons by 2021.

After operating at a loss in five out of nine years leading up to the Section 232 response, the industry has returned to more stable profitability, the brief said.
Jim Fitton of Britain (L), and Volker Waldmann of Germany (C), wearing yellow detainees uniforms and handcuffed, are escorted by Iraqi security forces outside a courtroom, in Baghdad on May 22, 2022. (Hadi Mizban/AP Photo)

UK Geologist Jailed in Iraq for Looting Archaeological Sites Is Released

A retired British geologist who was jailed in Iraq earlier this year after being accused of taking shards of pottery from an archaeological site has thanked campaigners who helped win his freedom.

Jim Fitton, 66, was arrested in March at Baghdad Airport after security staff found items in luggage belonging to him and a German tourist, Volker Waldmann.

The pair had been on an organised geology and archaeology trip to Eridu, an ancient Sumerian city and a UNESCO heritage site in southern Iraq.

Fitton admitted to collecting stones and pieces of pottery as souvenirs but insisted he had not acted with any criminal intent.

Under Iraqi law the pair could have faced the death penalty, but Waldmann was cleared and Fitton was jailed for 15 years.

However, Fitton was released from an Iraqi prison last week following the intervention of the Foreign Office, who had been pressured by his local MP, German-born Wera Hobhouse.

Unanimous Outpouring of Sympathy

Iraq has been seeking to clamp down on the pilfering of archaeological sites but Hobhouse, the Liberal Democrat MP for Bath, said, Jims case really resonated with people and there was a unanimous outpouring of sympathy and support.

She criticised ministers for a belated request for help and said the Foreign Office only went into bat for Fitton after she raised his case in Parliament.

Fitton returned to his home in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, at the weekend.

His daughter, Leila Fitton, said: It was a nightmare, worse than a nightmare. Im very close to my dad  and I was stressed every day, I couldnt sleep and I feel like Ive not slept for months. I cant imagine what he went through, the amount of anxiety.

Her husband, Sam Tasker, said: We personally have a great many people to thank for their support during this horrific and trying time for our family, not least the 357,000 people who signed a petition on change.org, who kept us going with kind comments and words of support, the hundreds of supporters who wrote letters to their MPs asking for engagement . We as a family will never again doubt the kindness of strangers.

He said they also received some advice from Richard Ratcliffe, whose wife, Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, was detained in Iran for six years, before finally being released earlier this year.

PA Media contributed to this report.
Sharon Graham, general secretary of Unite, speaks at Durham Miners Gala in Durham, England, on July 9, 2022. (Ian Forsyth/Getty Images)

Union Boss Threatens to Cut Funding Over UK Labour Partys Stance on Strikes

The UK Labour Partys biggest union donor has threatened to withdraw funding from the party over its refusal to support strike actions.

In an interview with The Observer newspaper, Sharon Graham, general secretary of the Unite union, said Labour is becoming irrelevant to workers and the partys leadership under Sir Keir Starmer is in effect sticking two fingers up at workers with its response to strike action and its abandonment of pledges to renationalise public utilities.

She warned that she is finding it difficult to justify continuing to fund Labour through affiliation fees.

She said: Theres no point giving money to a party that is basically sticking two fingers up to workers. Its almost like an abusive relationship. You are the voice of workers in Westminster; we are their voice on the ground.

Unite is Labours biggest union donor. It is still donating to the party more than 1 million annually, though the funding has decreased since Starmer replaced the far-left Jeremy Corbyn as leader.

In-Fighting

Labour, the main opposition party in the British Parliament, is embroiled in intensifying in-fighting within its ranks, which was triggered by the rail strikes organised by the Rail, Maritime, and Transport (RMT) union and the Transport Salaried Staffs Association (TSSA).

Starmer instructed members of Labours shadow cabinet to stay away from picket lines during the strikes, but the partys shadow transport minister Sam Tarry defied the order and joined striking workers on July 27.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer delivers a speech on Labours plans for growing the UK economy in Liverpool on July 25, 2022. (Danny Lawson/PA Media)

Labour subsequently sacked Tarry, accusing him of having breached collective responsibility by booking himself onto media programmes without permission and making up policy without consultation.

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.

In the Observer interview, Graham said Labour must stop being embarrassed to be the party for workers.

Starmer has also been criticised by the unions and the left-wing of his party for scrapping Labours pledge to renationalise rail, the Royal Mail, energy, and water in its 2019 election manifesto.

The pledge was made by the last Labour leadership led by Jeremy Corbyn. But after Starmer replaced Corbyn as party leader after the election, he repeatedly committed to the pledge.

Talking to Labour activists in Liverpool last week, Starmer defended his change of stance on nationalisation, stressing that his post-COVID-19 pandemic mission is growth.

I take a pragmatic approach rather than an ideological one, he said.

Lily Zhou contributed to this report.
University of Michigan Refuses to Consider Mom of 5 for Heart Transplant Over COVID Vaccine

Despite a mother of fives desperate appeal to the University of Michigan hospital for a life-saving heart transplant, the state-run facility wont budge from its refusal to consider her for surgery until she is vaccinated against COVID-19.

The university hospital, which has deep ties to vaccine maker Pfizer, also denied 35-year-old Katie Shiers application for a religious exemption.

In a recent, heart-wrenching email about her condition, Shier described how the pump that keeps her heart beating has become overwhelmed by bacteria that are no longer responding to the series of antibiotics shes been prescribed by University of Michigan (UM) doctors.

As a result, Shier has been hospitalized repeatedly for blood infections. She and her husband, Ron, are worried that will eventually lead to sepsis, which can be fatal.

It just feels like no one at UM cares what they are doing to us and to our kids, Ron Shier told The Epoch Times.

Ron Shier, who works full time as a mental health counselor, said his children, who range in age from 3 to 11, are constantly worried that Mommy is not coming home from the hospital.

UMs ties to Pfizer date back to at least 2008 when it purchased the pharmaceutical companys giant Ann Arbor complex and all of its life science content.

According to a 2008 statement from the university, it quickly recruited 13 Pfizer scientists after taking over its facility with most of them still working for the university. Ten of the scientists specifically were hired to staff the UMs College of Pharmacy.

David Canter, senior associate vice president and executive director of UMs North Campus Research Complex, ran Pfizer pharmaceutical research operation in Ann Arbor; and Scott Larsen, who received the Pfizer Achievement Award in 2007, today is a research professor of medicinal chemistry at the university.

Several executive-level Pfizer employees are also university alumni, including Pfizer Director Lynne Pauer and 2020 grad Sarah Kusisto, a senior manager at Pfizers Portage, Michigan, site.

Last year, Pfizer was among three companies that the universitys Tauber Institute for Global Operations chose to receive its annual longevity awards.

According to UMs website, the award is given in recognition to companies for their commitment to operations education through their active participation in Tauber team projects.

Pfizer also remains a major employer in Michigan, with its largest manufacturing plant located in Kalamazoo, where it makes the prescription drug Paxlovid, an antiviral pill that the FDA approved last year for the treatment of COVID.

Katie Shier provided The Epoch Times with a notarized authorization to speak to UM about her case. The authorization was sent to the universitys transplant team, clinical ethics services, and CEO Marschall Runge with a request for comment about her case.

It also was sent to the eight-member Board of Regents, elected officials who govern the public hospital. None of them responded.

On July 29, Mary Masson, director of public relations at the university, released a one-line statement by email to The Epoch Times in response to Shiers case, but refused to answer any questions, even refusing to provide The Epoch Times with her phone number.

Michigan Medicine does not discuss pending litigation, was the only response from the taxpayer-funded hospital.

The Epoch Times asked the hospital for a copy of its COVID vaccine-mandate policy, if it applied to transplant patients only, and under what circumstance it grants or considers granting a religious exemption.

The Epoch Times never inquired about any pending litigation.

Last month, the Pacific Justice Institute filed a court complaint on behalf of Shier and another university transplant patient against the colleges Board of Regents, seeking declaratory relief from its transplant centers COVID vaccine policy and its refusal to consider both Shier and the other patients request for a religious exemption from it.

The other patient, who is in need of a kidney transplant, isnt nearly as critically ill as Shier.

Both were on the list for a transplant but were removed after the university adopted a new policy that the COVID vaccine would be required in order to stay on the list.

The complaint charges that the regents have violated their duty of care to the patients by imposing arbitrary and capricious dictates and effectively giving patients a choice to die or to submit to government-inspired diktats that are not for a legitimate medical purpose.

Katie Shier told The Epoch Times shes strongly opposed to the vaccine because she believes its dangerous and might cause her already frail heart, which is functioning at only 7 percent of normal capacity, to fail.

She said she believes their concerns are validated by the growing number of people who have reported experiencing heart problems after getting a COVID injection.

Its just an evil experiment on humanity, Shier said, and I dont want to be part of it.
U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) leaves the Shangri-La Hotel after a reception organised by the American Chamber of Commerce in Singapore on Aug. 1, 2022. (Roslan Rahman/AFP via Getty Images)

US, China Deploy Military Forces Near Taiwan Ahead of Pelosi Trip

China and the United States both deployed military forces to the region around Taiwan on Aug. 1 following Chinese threats of a military attack in response to a proposed visit to Taiwan by U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.).

The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) announced through state-owned media outlets that it would deploy forces for live-fire exercises in waters north of Taiwan, between mainland China and South Korea. The exercises are the latest in a series of back-to-back Chinese drills in the region. However, theyre notable in that the announcement was accompanied by footage of Chinas DF-17 hypersonic missile.

Dubbed the aircraft carrier killer, the DF-17 is a nuclear-capable ballistic missile fitted with a hypersonic glide vehicle that allows its payload to glide in low orbit at great speed before plunging down on its target. The footage released this week marks the first time ever that a live fire recording of the weapon has been released.

The United States announced that it was moving a carrier strike group and air support closer to Taiwan. The USS Ronald Reagan is typically stationed at Yokosuka, Japan, and is moving back into the South China Sea after making a five-day port call in Singapore last week.

Pelosi to Visit Taiwan

Pelosi is currently on a tour of Indo-Pacific nations, including Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, and South Korea. However, what has made the trip remarkable is her plan to visit Taiwan, which has been the target of CCP military harassment and intimidation for years.

Taiwanese media outlets have reported that unidentified Taiwanese officials confirmed that Pelosi is likely to stop in Taiwan on Aug. 2 or Aug. 3.

The Chinese regime stated on Aug. 1 that its military would not sit idly by if Pelosi were to visit the island. Earlier, the CCP also threatened forceful measures against the United States and Taiwan should Pelosi visit. Just one day after the threat, U.S. President Joe Biden said the military believed that the trip was not a good idea.

The parsing of the sentence made it unclear whether Biden himself believed it was a bad idea for Pelosi to visit Taiwan based on military intelligence or if he was merely repeating warnings given to him by military leadership.

Pelosi subsequently said Biden may have meant that the military was concerned that China would shoot down her plane.

A man stands in front of a glass cabinet displaying the Global Times newspaper that features a front page article about U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosis Asia tour in Beijing on Aug. 1, 2022. The front page headline reads: Pelosi visits Asia in the smell of gunpowder. REUTERS/Thomas Peter

Chinese state-owned media outlets have since stated that China should do just that.

If U.S. fighter jets escort Pelosis plane into Taiwan, it is invasion, Hu Xijin, former editor-in-chief of the state-owned Global Times, wrote on Twitter.

[Chinas military] has the right to forcibly dispel Pelosis plane and the US fighter jets, including firing warning shots and making tactical movement of obstruction. If ineffective, then shoot them down.

The comment was subsequently removed by Twitter for promoting violence.

The post was just the latest in increasingly bellicose and, at times, outright hostile rhetoric emanating from the regime in Beijing, which security experts have suggested betrays a deep insecurity among Chinese leadership about the CCPs standing on the world stage.

In a similar vein, Chinese communist leader Xi Jinping told Biden during a July 28 phone call that the United States was playing with fire if it continues relations with Taiwan. In another, Chinas defense minister threatened to start a war no matter the cost to prevent the world from recognizing Taiwans independence.

US Support Solidifies Around Pelosi

Despite continued saber rattling from the CCP, U.S. leadership and public figures have come together in support of Pelosi and her visit to Taiwan. The White House has clarified that it will in no way allow Beijings intimidation to affect the free movement of elected U.S. officials.

We shouldnt be intimidated by that rhetoric or those potential actions, White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said during an interview with CNN. This is an important trip for the Speaker to be on and were going to do whatever we can to support her.

The CCP, which currently rules mainland China as a one-party state, maintains that Taiwan is a breakaway province. However, Taiwan has been self-governed since 1949 and has never been controlled by the CCP, having continuously maintained its de facto independence.

The United States doesnt maintain formal relations with Taiwan but is legally obligated to supply the island with arms for self-defense. Concerning the risk of a Chinese invasion of the island, the United States maintains a policy of so-called strategic ambiguity, in that it doesnt publicly acknowledge whether it would militarily defend Taiwan.

To that end, Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen has vowed to defend Taiwan from Chinese communist aggression and to protect the islands democratic way of life and thriving market economy.

Pelosis visit, despite CCP propaganda, isnt out of line with U.S. policy or the longstanding realities of unofficial relations between the United States and Taiwan. Sitting members of Congress have previously visited Taiwan to discuss a myriad of issues. A Senate delegation last visited Taiwan in July.

Foreign policy experts view the CCPs hostile rhetoric as an attempt to influence U.S. policy and behavior in a way that will benefit the CCPs long-term ambitions.

President Biden must give full support to this visit, former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo wrote on Twitter. Dont be weak and cave to the demands of petty warmongers and dictators in Beijing. Support the freedom-loving people of Taiwan.
(L-R) Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare, Solomon Islands Foreign Minister Jeremiah Manele, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and Chinese State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi attend a signing ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, on Oct. 9, 2019. (Thomas Peter-Pool/Getty Images)

US Risks Losing Pre-eminent Power in Pacific Islands to China: Security Experts

The Pacific Islands have been in the spotlight, especially in the aftermath of the newly-signed China-Solomon Islands security agreement that would pave the way for the regime to station its military forces there.

The territory sits in the second island chain that contains U.S. Naval Base Guam.

Given its strategic position, if the United States can not counter China in the region, it is bound to lose its pre-eminent power and would be put on the defensive, according to two security experts.

If the Pacific Islands are lost to the Chinese regime, we would finally face an enemy, face a situation where we would be on the defensive, and from much closer to American territory,.. actually from Hawaii, from a lot closer to the U.S. West Coast, said Grant Newsham, a senior fellow with the Center for Security Policy

It would not be the same as losing a sort of huge battle without the casualties, it would be an absolute blow to American credibility and prestige, Newsham said in an interview with NTD, the sister media of Epoch TV.

Strategic Position

Trump-era Director for Oceania and Indo-Pacific Security Alexander Gray further stressed both the military and economic importance of the Pacific region for America.

If you want to get from the West Coast and from Hawaii, whether its commercial economic shipping, or its military, youre going to have to traverse the Pacific Islands, youre gonna have to go across the Central Pacific and the North Pacific, youre gonna have to go through the Micronesian Islands, Gray said in the same interview with NTD.

If you want to get to the Korean peninsula, if you want to get to Taiwan, if you want to access the markets of Southeast Asia, if you want to resupply U.S. forces in Korea, all of that requires unimpeded air and sea access through areas that are within missile range and aircraft range of major Pacific Islands, he added.

Thus, Gray made a note that if Beijing gains an upper hand in this territory, it would impose an economic threat to the United States.

He singled out the dislocation to the American supply chain during the pandemic, saying, As long as we continue to have an economy that requires cheap imports to fuel our consumer, our consumer spending habits, thats going to require a navy and projection forces that can traverse the Pacific, keep the sea lanes open, and allow the engine of our economy to keep churning.

And so, if we have a Chinese base, or an access agreement, in places like one of the Micronesian islands or . Vanuatu or Papua New Guinea or the Solomon Islands, theres going to be a significant danger to the ability of the United States to operate freely and independently in the Indo-Pacific. And thats a military threat, economic threat, Gray noted.

Countermeasures

Gray further urged the Biden administration to take substantive measures to push back the influence of China in the region.

First, according to Gray, there should be an American embassy in every country of the Pacific Islands.

Second, he pointed to the Compacts of Free Association agreement between America and Micronesia and the Marshall Islands, and one with with Palau in which the United States committed to provide financial assistance. He described it as absolutely critical, economically, diplomatically and militarily.

These are special relationships that we have with those three countries that allow us access militarily in exchange for some economic support, and some political support, Gray said.

All three of those [agreements] are going to need to be renewed in the next few years, he noted, yet, we have seen no substantive progress made under this administration to get that done.

Gray further stressed the importance of such a move.

That is an absolute bellwether for the region. Every Pacific state is looking at whether the Americans can renew these pivotal agreements with our closest Pacific partners, he said.

If we cant get something that simple, and that is strategically critical, done, its going to have a chilling effect across the Pacific Islands. And its going to play right into the Chinese hands, he added.

The National Guard has partnerships with a number of militaries in the region, we should be expanding those as far as we possibly can, he said.

In Newshams opinion, America and its allies should have a business presence in the region as well.

We need to get American, but also Japanese, Korean, Taiwanese Indian, and Australian businesses into the region, he said, otherwise, theres going to be much more of a Chinese presence if were not there to counter it.

Newsham further suggested efforts to expose Chinas malicious economic activities, which he described as a sort of magic ingredient that the Chinese have, that really helps them dig into a placecorruption.

Its the bribery, the under the table payments, its these management visits that they host to the Chinese regime, where you get an envelope full of cash on arrival, he said.

Theres people in all of these islands who want a clean, clean governance, a clean society. They dont like what theyre seeing with the Chinese influence, Newsham said.

Spend some of that $90 billion intelligence budget we have on the Pacific Islands and expose this, he suggested.

That would make Chinese efforts a lot less effective than they have been, he said.

The Epoch Times reached out to the White House for comments but had not received a response as this publication.
Party leader Xi Jinping speaks at the opening session of the 19th Communist Party Congress on Oct. 18, 2017, in Beijing, China. (Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)

Xi Jinpings Rare Rally of High-Ranking Officials in Beijing Twice in First Half of 2022

Note-taking ban at high-level Communist Party meetings shows extremely unusual tensions ahead of the twentieth congress, Xi's reelection battlefield.

Chinese Communist Party (CCP) head Xi Jinping has rallied senior provincial and ministerial officials to top-secret meetings in Beijing twice in the past six months, in what is seen as a rare move to consolidate his power enough to support his bid for next term election that will be determined at the party congress at the end of this year.

At the latest special seminar held from July 26 to 27, attendants were forbidden to take notes, although it was reportedly for learning Chinese Communist Party head Xi Jinpings important speeches and welcoming the twentieth congress.

U.S.-based China expert Shi Shan believes Xi has signaled that he will be reelected for at least five years with this move.

The key officials were from all provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities, central and state organs highest bodies such as the Central Military Commission and the Politburo, and the Standing Committee.

China expert and current affairs commentator Chen Pokong said in a July 28 commentary on his YouTube channel that this was an unusual meeting, as its rare for the CCP to hold two seminars for senior provincial and ministerial officials within six months.

In January, these senior officials were called to Beijing to attend the opening ceremony of the seminar for the top leadership cadres according to reports from state-run Chinese media.

All senior provincial and ministerial officials at this meeting were not allowed to bring paper and pens, were not allowed to take notes, and had only a teacup in front of them, while the entire venue was unmarked and without any bannersa Four Nos assembly.

That means that the content of the meeting cannot be seen, and one of the reasons why officials were not allowed to take notes was fear of a leak.

This has rarely happened in the history of the CCP, not even in Mao Zedongs time, Chen said.

Peoples Liberation Army band members watch as Xi Jinping, middle, and senior members attend a ceremony marking the 70th anniversary of Chinas entry into the Korean War, on October 23, 2020, in Beijing, China. (Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)

Dismissal of Senior Officials Announced at CCPs Secret Meeting

In past CCP practice, a Four Nos meeting would be called when something unusual happened within the party and a unified tone to convince all the cadres to obey was needed.

According to an official report, on July 15, 2017, Chongqing authorities held a meeting of its leadership and cadres, at which Zhao Leji, then-member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee, announced Beijings decision that Sun Zhengcai would no longer serve as secretary, standing committee member, or member of the Chongqing Municipal Committee.

The officials were not allowed to take notes at that meeting either.

Sun, the youngest member of the Politburo, was described by foreign media as a sixth-generation successor deliberately groomed by the CCP. But unexpectedly, Sun was punished by the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection for allegedly violating the partys discipline, and later was sentenced to life imprisonment for accepting bribes.

However, the real reason for Suns arrest is that he had joined forces with Fang Fenghui, then Chief of Joint Staff, and Zhang Yang, then Director of the Political Work Department, in an attempt to stage an anti-Xi coup before the 19th congress, said people familiar with the matter, according to Secret China, a U.S-based Chinese media, on Sept. 27, 2017.

In August of the same year, Fang and Zhang were kicked out of the partys organization and investigated. Zhang later died when he hanged himself at home.

Fang was last seen in public on Aug. 21, 2017, when he met with Surapong Suwana-adth, then chief of the Thailand Defense Forces. Only a few days later, official media reported that Li Zuocheng attended the event with the same title, indicating Fangs removal from his post. Shortly after, Fang was reportedly under investigation.

It was not until Jan. 9, 2018, that it was announced that Fang had been transferred for military prosecution and accused of bribery and accepting bribes. On October 16 of the same year, he was expelled from the Central Military Commission, stripped of his rank of general, and expelled from the Party. In February 2019, he was sentenced to life imprisonment.

After Zhangs suicide, officials from 13 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities, and central ministries organized meetings to convey Beijings statement on Zhangs death and to focus on expressing their support for centralized and unified leadership of the Central Committee with Xi Jinping at its core, according to several Chinese media.

Chinese Communist Party leader Xi Jinping walks past an honor guard as he approaches the Monument to the Peoples Hereos during a ceremony to mark Martyrs Day at Tiananmen Square in Beijing, on Sept. 30, 2019. (Mark Schiefelbein-Pool/Getty Images)

Xis Reelection Declaration Within the Party

At the seminar for senior officials, Xi presented the Communist Partys policy agenda for the next five years. Although Xi did not mention the word reelection, his speech has been interpreted as his reelection manifesto for the twentieth congress.

In a press release issued by Party mouthpiece Xinhua, Xi called the twentieth congress a very important congress held at a critical moment that will map out the CCPs goals and objectives, and general policies for the next five years and beyond.

Xi said the twentieth congress will be a new journey, that the CCP will continue to move toward strategic plans from the nineteenth congress, which defined realization of the basic modernization of socialism from 2020 to 2035.

Xi talked about two concepts here15 years and 5 years, Chen noticed.

The fifteen yearsXis intention to rule long-term that was revealed at the nineteenth congressmay suffer a setback, as his ongoing rule has met with resistance from both inside and outside the CCP system, including opposition from the top echelons and political elders, Chen said.

While the next five years that Xi emphasized in the meeting could be a strong hint that he expects to secure the next term, Chen added.

China expert Shi Shan also believes Xi will be reelected, but the title of peoples leader would not be given to him, and that he might make a compromise with various factions to continue his reelection in the next five years. As a concession, Xi will give up some of the power that was previously set in stone.

The so-called peoples leader title refers to a report in the Hong Kong media Ming Pao on July 12, citing sources from the Chinese military, that Xi would be officially named peoples leader by the Central Committee at the twentieth congress.

If such a compromise is reached, Xi will be reelected and all CCP fractions will maintain some kind of balance, Shi told The Epoch Times on July 29.

But it is hard to say, if there is infighting, or a coup and assassination plan aimed at Xi, In fact, Xi is now in a very precarious position, with all sorts of elements of more intense conflict growing in the final battle for power in the Communist Party, Shi said.
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FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP)  Samuel Sandoval, one of the last remaining Navajo Code Talkers who transmitted messages in World War II using a code based on their native language, has died.

Sandoval died late Friday at a hospital in Shiprock, New Mexico, his wife, Malula told The Associated Press on Saturday. He was 98.

Hundreds of Navajos were recruited from the vast Navajo Nation to serve as Code Talkers with the U.S. Marine Corps. Only three are still alive today: Peter MacDonald, John Kinsel Sr. and Thomas H. Begay.

The Code Talkers took part in every assault the Marines conducted in the Pacific, sending thousands of messages without error on Japanese troop movements, battlefield tactics and other communications critical to the war's ultimate outcome. The code, based on the then-unwritten Navajo language, confounded Japanese military cryptologists and is credited with helping the U.S. win the war.

Samuel Sandoval was on Okinawa when got word from another Navajo Code Talker that the Japanese had surrendered and relayed the message to higher-ups. He had a close call on the island, which brought back painful memories that he kept to himself, Malula Sandoval said.

The Navajo men are celebrated annually on Aug. 14. Samuel Sandoval was looking forward to that date and seeing a museum built near the Navajo Nation capital of Window Rock to honor the Code Talkers, she said.

Sam always said, I wanted my Navajo youngsters to learn, they need to know what we did and how this code was used and how it contributed to the world," she said Saturday. That the Navajo language was powerful and always to continue carrying our legacy.

Sandoval was born in Nageezi near Chaco Culture National Historical Park in northwestern New Mexico. He enlisted in the Marine Corps after attending a Methodist school where he was discouraged from speaking Navajo. He helped recruit other Navajos from the school to serve as Code Talkers, expanding on words and an alphabet that an original group of 29 Navajos created.

Sandoval served in five combat tours and was honorably discharged in 1946. The Code Talkers had orders not to discuss their roles  not during the war and not until their mission was declassified in 1968.

The roles later became an immense source of pride for Sandoval and his late brother, Merrill Sandoval, who also was a Code Talker. The two became talented speakers who always hailed their fellow Marines still in action as the heroes, not themselves, said Merrill Sandoval's daughter, Jeannie Sandoval.

We were kids, all growing up and we started to hear about the stories, she said. We were so proud of them, and there weren't very many brothers together.

Sandoval was curious, always reading the local newspapers, and attending community, veterans, Code Talker and legislative meetings. He enjoyed traveling and sharing what he learned, grounded in his Dine beliefs and the Navajo way of life, said one of his daughters, Karen John.

It was engrained early in me, to be part of the community," she said. He was really involved in a lot, some of which I couldn't comprehend as a kid.

Samuel Sandoval often told his story, chronicled in a book and documentary of the same name  Naz Bah Ei Bijei: Heart of a Warrior  at the Cortez Cultural Center in Cortez, Colorado. He had a favorite folding chair there with vinyl padding and took coffee black, said executive director Rebecca Levy.

Levy said Sandoval's talks drew dozens of people, some of whom had to be turned away because of space limitations.

It was a great opportunity for people who understood how important the Navajo Code Talkers were to the outcome of the war, in our favor ... to thank him in person, Levy said.

Sandoval's health had been declining in recent years, including a fall in which he fractured a hip, Malula Sandoval said. His last trip was to New Orleans in June where he received the American Spirit Award from the National World War II Museum, she said. MacDonald, Kinsel and Begay also were honored.

Sandoval and his wife met while he was running a substance abuse counseling clinic, and she was a secretary, she said. They were married 33 years. Sandoval raised 11 children from previous marriages and in blended families, John said.

Navajo President Jonathan Nez said Sandoval will be remembered as a loving and courageous person who defended his homeland using his sacred language.

We are saddened by his passing, but his legacy will always live on in our hearts and minds, Nez said in a statement.

Navajo Nation Council Speaker Seth Damon said Sandoval's life was guided by character, courage, honor and integrity, and his impact will forever be remembered.

May he rest among our most resilient warriors, Damon said in a statement.

Funeral services are pending.

___

This story was first published on July 31, 2022. It was updated on July 31, 2022 to correct the name of Sandovals book and documentary. Its Naz Bah Ei Bijei: Heart of a Warrior, not Naz Bah Ei Bijei: Heart of a Warrier.
A decision on the court challenge to the states dismissal of Madison Countys 911 consolidation plan could be made public sometime in the next few months, according to Madison County 911 Director Dana Burris.

At Wednesdays Emergency Telephone System Board meeting Burris said a final reply from the Illinois State Police is due to the court by Aug. 6, and a ruling could come within 60-90 days.

Madison Countys state-mandated 911 consolidation has been on hold for several years because of delays and court challenges.

In late 2019 the Illinois State Police rejected the ETSBs plan.

The county had proposed cutting the number to eight from 16. Hearings and final actions on the plan had been delayed by several issues, primarily opposition from St. Clair County

According to the written order from the state 911 administrator at the time, the major issues are that the countys unmanned backup PSAP housed in the 911 offices in Wood River, referred to as MADCOM, does not count as a PSAP for purposes of consolidation. That means the county has 15 PSAPs and must reduce the number to seven rather than eight.

The state also took issue with the lack of direct dispatching, where individual units are dispatched to specific incidents. Instead, dispatching in the county for police calls are done by radio broadcast by dispatchers, which are then acknowledged by the units answering the calls. For many fire departments, especially smaller volunteer departments, dispatching is done by a general call-out with the first members responding by radioing acknowledgment to dispatchers.

The county challenged that ruling in court. A decision was delayed in part by continued legal issues involving St. Clair County, but also because of the almost total shutdown of the civil court system because of COVID-19.

In other business the ETSB approved $724,529 in reimbursements to local police departments for 911 services.

They also approved the purchase of an antenna router for the upcoming consolidation of the Highland 911 center into the Madison County Sheriffs Department, at a cost of $8,819.

The ETSB also heard an update on the switchover, with officials saying it would probably occur sometime in August.
I make the following statement with every sense of patriotism:

1. I am joining the Nigerian masses to endorse Mr. Peter Obi of the Labour Party as the next president of Nigeria. Though I remain a member of All Progressives Congress (APC), I must not support its presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, Mr. Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The decision to endorse the candidate of an opposition party did not come easy. But there comes a time to say: enough is enough.

2. A puzzling preface is that neither fellow party members nor ordinary Nigerians can claim to know who Ahmed Tinubu truly is. Everything about the man is shadyfrom his name, state of origin, the schools attended, certificates received, his record in America to his true source of income, let alone any true intention of seeking the presidency, apart from an arrogant claim that it is his turn to rule Nigeria.

3. Besides the shady background, series of events also show that Tinubu does not have any good sense of equity, justice, fairness, and patriotismvirtues he claims to promote. The truth is that Bola Ahmed Tinubu is even more insensitive about the Nigerian state and her problems than President Muhammadu Buhari. Further, it is a common knowledge that the APC National Leader no longer possesses the physical fitness to explore the Nigerian presidency, but it has equally become very apparent that he no longer has the mental capacity.

4. Very essentially, if the truth is told, no conscious and well-meaning Nigerian would wish an extension of the current national government under APC which Tinubu roundly endorses.

5. The party had far better and younger candidates to fly its presidential ticket but chose to settle for the highest bidder in the ageless Tinubu.

6. Even as a candidate, Tinubus do-or-die campaign strategy is an existential threat to the Nigerian state. The APC National Leader has made it abundantly clear that he does not mind if the country burns to ashes, insofar he becomes president.

7. Rescuing Nigeria is paramount. Thus, we can no longer hide behind the bogus toga of political parties, tribes, and religions, while a visionless clique continues to dictate our future.

8. We can no longer mortgage our conscience while the masses, particularly the youth, continue to wallow in abject poverty and despair.

9. We must not continue to watch Mr. Tinubu and his shameless colleagues deploy our commonwealth to buy private jets, vacation abroad, train their children abroad, receive quality healthcare for themselves and their families abroad, while the masses at home have nowhere to go for their basic welfare.

10.I have conscience. In Peter Obi, I see a true detribalized Nigerian like myself, who is committed to real change. I see a generational visionary who is truly passionate and committed to rescue the country from total collapse and reposition her for greatness.

11.In Dr. Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, the Labour Party vice-presidential candidate, I see hope for the future.

12.In Obi/Baba-Ahmed ticket, I see intellect, character, competence, and capacity; I see integrity and humility. I see patriotism; I see dynamism. I see enviable and verifiable track-record; I see attainable visions; I see hope for the Nigeria of our founding dreams; I see a democratic revolution whose time has come.

13.This move is consistent with my politics. I never allow the mere exigencies of ethnicity, religion, or party affiliation to becloud my judgement. As a member of the National Republican Convention (NRC), I crossed party lines to campaign for MKO Abiola, the flagbearer for the Social Democratic Party (SDP). I saw Abiola as a better candidate than the candidate of my party, Bashir Tofa.

14.I was a card-carrying member of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in its thickest state of Enugu. However, after the fraudulent general elections of 2007 where the ruling PDP dictated who won or who lost, I changed course. I vowed to join any movement that could remove PDP from power. I would become a foundation member of the APC and promoted Buhari to victory.

15.I remain proud that we made history by dethroning the PDP--a virally corrupt ruling party that had planned to hold on to power for 60 unbroken years. We demonstrated consequences for bad behavior.

16.Unfortunately, today, with Asiwaju Tinubu as its National Leader, the APC does not appear to have any ideological, moral, or ethical difference with the much-discredited PDP. Today, my party has shamelessly become a safe haven for corrupt kingpins indicted while in PDP. To make matters worse, the two presidential candidates of APC and PDP, Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Atiku Abubakar, respectively, are two of the most perfidious poster boys for Nigerias corrupt oligarchy. In short, neither Atiku nor Tinubu can in good conscience campaign against corruption.

17.It is pertinent to note that no Nigerian leader, whether military or civilian, has ever assumed the governance of the country with the degree of mercenary influence cum notoriety commonly equated with Atiku and Tinubu.

18.I have a conscience. I have chosen my country over my party. I have become OBI-dient for the greater good of Nigeria!! I call on other true progressives to do so!!!

Signed:

Dr. SKC Ogbonnia

Former APC Presidential Aspirant


The Janjaweed, The Mujahideen And The Taliban Alliances Of Nigeria Must Be Stopped From Plunging The Country Into Another Closed And Internationally Isolated State Of Islamic Caliphate As It Is In Afghanistan

Onitsha, Eastern Nigeria , Monday, 1st August 2022 : It is the strong warning of the International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law that the Janjaweed, the Mujahideen and the Taliban Jihadist Alliances of Nigeria must be stopped by all legitimate means necessary from plunging the country into another closed and internationally isolated state of Islamic Caliphate, as it is the case in the battered Republic of Afghanistan since August 2021. There are palpable and informed fears that the locally and regionally assembled Jihadists and their state actor allies have launched bids to take over the Capital City of Nigeria, Abuja and its Presidential Seat of Power; with declaration of Nigeria as Islamic Caliphate of Nigeria. It is further feared that the all-important 2023 Presidential Poll and its handover of power may likely be truncated or scuttled, if urgent and extreme steps or measures are not taken. The above is also most likely a radical Plan B option for promoters and prompters of State Jihad Policy in Nigeria who include the advocates and sponsors of Muslim-Muslim Presidential Ticket. Nigerians are also living witnesses to thickening attempts by State Jihad enablers, in collusion with INEC and its 36 independently identified poll rigging plots, to unilaterally, divisively and disastrously turn the countrys presidential and vice presidential tickets into Muslim-Muslim affair; in a country of roughly 50-50 Muslim-Christian composition.

In Muslim Countries Of Sudan And Lebanon-Power Is Shared B/W Muslims And Christians

In Sudan, a mostly Muslim country and notorious safe haven for global Islamic jihadists till date, a position of the Vice President was kept for Christians from the South from 1972-1983 and 2005-2011. The South gained her independence on 9th July 2011. Abel Alier was the Vice President of Sudan in 1972 while Riek Machar held the post from 2005-2011. The power sharing arrangement was retained until 2019 when it was scrapped and replaced with zoning of second vice president to the People of Darfur Region. In Lebanon, the post of President/Head of State has been retained by Christians (32.4%) in a power sharing arrangement with Sunni Muslims (31.9%) and Shiite Muslims (31%) dating back to 1926. The Muslims retain the post of Prime Minister till date. The current President of Lebanon since 1stSept 2016 is Michel Aoun, a Moronite Christian. It is therefore correct to say that Nigeria is presently under attack by sponsors and promoters of State Jihad Policy, aimed to be achieved through clandestine sponsorship of Jihadist Alliance takeover bids or open Muslim-Muslim Presidential Ticket or both.

Ballot Must Always Be Stronger Than Bullet: Nigerian Democratic Forces Must Rise

The informed position, warning and alarm of Intersociety must therefore not be taking for granted by the countrys democratic forces including the Nigerian Labor Congress, the Academic Staff Union of Universities, the Nigerian Union of Journalists, local and intl Human Rights and Pro Democracy Groups and other institutions and persons of goodwill and conscience. All democratic institutions and persons in the country must rise in strong defense of the countrys democracy and resiliently push back the calamitous activities of the countrys dark and undemocratic forces. That is to say that the ongoing State Jihad Policy must be fought with utter vehemence and resilience and thrashed into the dustbin of permanence, not to raise their ugly heads again in Nigeria or any part thereof. The Nigerian democratic forces must be aware of the ongoing cover-ups, misinformation and diversionary tactics regarding takeover threats on the countrys Federal Capital Territory by the Jihadists, glorified by Nigerian Government and its censored media as Bandits. They must also be aware of the fact that the conspiratorial violent attacks at the countrys Capital City by the assembled Jihadist groups numbering fifteen including their affiliates are glorified as a threat to abduct Buhari and El-Rufai; a metaphor for threatening to takeover Abuja with ease and centrally Islamize Nigeria. From available records including statements of facts on the ground, Buhari and El-Rufai have never been known to constitute a terminal threat to the Jihadists. The comic acts and responses by the Military in the recent conspiratorial attacks on Presidential Guards are also another angle to it. For instance, the Nigerian Armed Forces had few days after the attacks suddenly discovered the Bandits dens in FCT forests and killed 30 of them in a clearance operation. Also how possible is it that soldiers of the Nigerian Military equipped with $30B publicly procured arms and armaments since 2016 and surrounded with over 30 military formations between FCT and Kaduna could be so dislodged without resistance by a handful of rag tag Jihadists at Kuje prisons, who invaded and freed their members and escaped with them unharmed and un-resisted? Yet, till date, no member of the Service Chiefs or defense and security officers has been sacked.

Nigeria Now African Capital Of Jihadism Through Border Porosity

It is no longer news that the countrys borders have been opened for various Jihadists under the present central Government; thereby making Nigeria the present African Capital of Jihadism. This is to the extent that Nigeria now plays host to all known or leading global Jihadist movements, converging from the Sahel, Maghreb, West Africa, East Africa, Central Africa and the Middle-East. Their presence has also increased the influx of Jihadist mercenaries and illicit small arms and light weapons including assault rifles, machine guns, anti tank and personnel land mines and improvised explosive devices, etc. These have catapulted Nigeria to possible second most globally notorious illicit small arms and light weapons destination and usage after the Islamic Caliphate of Afghanistan. Nigeria may also be chasing Israel as the world top country with highest quantity of illicit landmines. The country may also account for average of 30,000 violent deaths per annum or more, owing to illicit use of small arms and light weapons. This is more than 5% of the global yearly average of at least 500,000 deaths resulting from illicit use of small arms and light weapons. Historically speaking, Sudan had been the African Capital of Jihadism in the 90s and 2000s under Gen Omar Hassan el-Bashir. This was after his Islamic coup of 30th June 1989. Libya also served twice as African Capital of Jihadism during and after the collapse of the Great Islamic Socialist Peoples Libyan Arab Jamahiriya Government, following the Islamic coup that brought Col Muammar Gaddafi to power on 1stSept 1969 that lasted until 20th Oct 2011 when he was ousted and killed.

State Jihadism Through Polarization And Radicalization Of Security Forces

Intersociety had also severally expressed deep concerns over polarization and radicalization of the security forces dating back to 2016 including injection of religious extremists in their commands and controls. The countrys security forces have been so polarized and sectionalized that they no longer bear true secularity, multicultural, multiethnic, multi-religious, non-partisan and professional allegiances or anchor their codes of operation on the same. As an internationally respected research and investigative rights, security and democracy advocacy organization led by people of facts and statistics, Intersociety is aware that the Nigerias healing and recovering processes were making steady progress until they were distorted and truncated by promoted State Jihad Policy under the present central Government of Nigeria, starting early 2016. The present Government had jettisoned the countrys multicultural, multiethnic and multi-religious harmonies clearly guaranteed in the subsisting Constitution and its willingly acceded and enacted regional and international Treaty Laws and violently opted for recognition of Islam as a State Religion, in contravention of Sections 10 and 42 (non discrimination) of the 1999 Constitution as amended.

Nigeria Is Speedily Going The Way Of Sudan, Somalia, Afghanistan, Libya And Others

Nigeria must be timely rescued and stopped from calamitously heading the way of Sudan, Somalia, Afghanistan, Libya, Lebanon, Iraq and others. This is more so when it has not been historically forgotten that the present precarious situation in the Nigerian security forces and their high commands was the same way the secular security forces and countries of Syria (under Hafez Assad: 12th March 1971-10th June 2000), Sudan (under Omar Hassan el-Bashir: 30th June 1989-11thApril 2019), Somalia (under Mohammed Said Barre: 21st Oct 1969-26thJan 1991), Libya (under Muammar Gaddafi: 1st Sept 1969-20thOct 2011), Iran (under Ayatollah Sayyid Ruhollah Khomeini: 3rd Dec 1979-3rd June 1989), Iraq (under Gen Saddam Husssein: 16thJuly 1979-3rd April 2003), Lebanon (under protracted civil war:13thApril 1975-13th Oct 1990, ended by Taif Agreement of 1989), Pakistan (under Gen Muhammed Zia-ul-Haq: 16th Sept 1978-17thAugust 1988) and Afghanistan (the worlds longest Islamic conflicts from 1978 to till date: 2022) were plunged into ruination and abyss. Today, all the countries above mentioned, except Iran (bound by Shiite Brotherhood and oil wealth) and Pakistan (fractured and only bound by nuclear arsenal capability), are in ruins and have earned chronically destructive status of weak, failed and collapsed States.

19 Out Of 23 Top Security, Defense And Justice Positions Still Held By Muslims

This is to the extent that out of 23 top federal security, policing, defense, justice and paramilitary positions in Nigeria presently, Muslims have at least 19; in a country of roughly 50-50 Muslim-Christian faith and composition. The nineteen (19) top security, policing, defense, justice and paramilitary positions in Muslim hands are the Inspector General of Police (Alkali Baba), the Minister of Defense (Bashir Magaji), the National Security Adviser (Babagana Mungono), the Minister of Police Affairs (Maigari Dingyadi), the Minister of Interior (Rauf Alegbesola), the Chief of Army Staff (Faruk Yahaya), the Chief of Naval Staff (Awwal Gambo), the Director Gen of SSS (Yusuf Bichi), the Director Gen of National Intelligence Agency (Ahmed Rufai), the Controller Gen of Customs (Hamid Ali).

The rest are: the Controller Gen of Immigration (Isah Idris Jere), the Controller Gen of Prisons (Correction Center) (Ahmed Abubakar Audi), the Chair of EFCC (Abdulrasheed Bawa), the Controller Gen of Fire Service (Abdul Jaji), the Corps Marshall of Federal Road Safety (Dauda Biu), the Chair of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (Buba Marwa), the Attorney General of the Federation (Abubakar Malami), the Chief Justice of Nigeria (Justice Tajudeen Ariwoola) and the Chief Judge of FCT High Court (Justice Husseini Baba Yusuf). The only four positions allocated to Christians are: Chief of Air Staff (Isiaka Oladayo Amao), Chief of Defense Staff or Secretary of the Service Chiefs (Lucky Eluonye Irabor), President of Court of Appeal (Donban-Mensem) and Chief Judge of the Federal High Court (John Tsoho).

Brief Histories Of The Janjaweed, The Mujahideen And The Taliban Jihadist Movements

Janjaweed: The Janjaweed Radical Islamists are a group of Islamic Jihadists from Sudan comprised mainly of Abbala (Camel Herders) and Baggara (Cattle Herders) who were in 2003 and upwards affiliated with the Rapid Support Forces of the now ousted tyrannical Government of Gen Omar Hassan el-Bashir. Like their Nigerian Jihadist Fulani Herdsmen counterparts under State protection, the Sudanese Janjaweed were responsible for massacre and maiming of thousands of defenseless Darfurans and raping of women in Darfur Region under the coordination and protection of the el-Bashir Government. Top Janjaweed leaders include Ali Kushayb, Sheik Musa Hilal, and Ahmed Mohammed Haroun, who was a Minister of Interior under President El-Bashir.

Mujahideen: The Mujahideen Terror Jihadists are todays forefathers of the Afghan terror Jihadists known as the Tabilan, which emerged as one of their factions after 1992. The Mujahideen are comprised of various allied Muslim Jihadists formed to oppose the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan with holy war (Jihad) following the overthrow of the centrist Government of Mohammed Daud Khan in April 1978 and was active till 1992 when the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics or USSR broke up and fragmented into fifteen republics-leading to ousting of the Soviet backed Afghan Government of Dr Mohammed Najibullah. Top leaders of the Mujahideen include Burhanuddin Rabbani, Ahmed Shah Massoud and Gulbuddin Hekmatyar

Taliban: The Taliban Islamic Jihadists are a Deobandi Islamic Fundamentalist, Militant Islamist and Jihadist political movement in Afghanistan, active from 1996-2001 when they were overthrown by US forces. The Taliban era under their blind leader, Sheik Mullah Mohammed Omar was turbulent, butchery and brutish including strictest application of Islamic laws and culture and total forbidding of western education and culture, mass poverty, international isolation, closure of foreign companies and diversion of foreign direct investments, etc. The Taliban Islamic Jihadists bounced back and recaptured Kabul, the capital city of Afghanistan and took over the countrys seat of power on 15th August 2021 and declared the country as Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan. Top leaders of the Taliban include Mullah Mohammed Omar, Akhtar Mansour and Hibatullah Akhundzada, who is the new Supreme Leader.

Signed

For: International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law

Principal Officers:

Emeka Umeagbalasi (Criminologist-Researcher), Board Chair

Chinwe Umeche Esquire, Head, Democracy and Good Governance

Obianuju Joy Igboeli Esquire, Head, Civil Liberties and Rule of Law

Chidinma Udegbunam Esquire, Head, Campaign and Publicity



Contacts:

Phone/WhatsApp: +2348174090052

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://intersociety-ng.org


The Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) has vowed to drag Imo State Governor, Sen. Hope Uzodimma and his collaborators before the International Criminal Court at The Hague, Netherlands, over the gruesome killings of innocent youths at Otulu in Oru East council of the state.

The pro-Biafra group led by Comrade Uchenna Madu, had two weeks ago condemned the dastard act and called for the immediate disbandment of the South East Security Network, otherwise called Ebubeagu, in Imo State.

It stated that the killings were unprovoked vowing that the heinous act of the Ebubeagu security outfit will not go unpunished.

Spokesman of MASSOB in Melbourne, Australia, Comrade Arinze Omeje in a statement obtained by Daily Sun in Enugu, Sunday, lamented that the governor had failed in discharging the most critical part of his constitutional duty as stipulated in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Flaying the continued waste of innocent promising youths in the state, Omeje said: MASSOB will drag the perpetrators irrespective of their affiliation, to the International Criminal Court at The Hague, over the killing of innocent citizens of Imo State under Governor Hope Uzodimma's watch.

MASSOB and other Biafra communities in Melbourne, Australia, are calling on Gov. Uzodimma to immediately disband Ebubeagu security outfit and at the same time declare state of emergency in Imo State because he has failed to protect the life and property of citizens of the state. (Text, excluding headline: Sunday Sun)
The Nigerian Air Force has said it is concluding arrangement for the establishment of an Aircraft Manufacturing Plant in Osogbo the Osun state capital as part of an effort to develop and expand the nation's aviation sector.

Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Oladayo Amao made the disclosure during the matriculation ceremony of students of the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) in Kaduna State on Sunday, saying discussions are already ongoing with the relevant foreign partners on the project.

He said that the Air Force relocated its Research and Development Centre from Kaduna to Osogbo in Osun State early this year in order to leverage the vibrant machine tools industry located in the city.

Air Marshal Amao explained that Aviation city in Osogbo will include a maintenance repair organisation and an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle production center among others, all geared to add value to the aviation city project.

The Nigerian Air Force intends to develop an aviation city in Osogbo. Discussions are already ongoing with necessary foreign partners and work will commence as soon as an agreement is reached, Amao said.

The project will include an aircraft manufacturing plant, a maintenance and repair organisation, and an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) production center, among others.

The air chief further charged staff and students of the institute to remain focused so that their hard work can add value to the aviation city project.

When completed, Air Marshal Amao stated that the project will be the first of its kind in Africa's most populous nation. (Channels TV)

PHOTO: Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Oladayo Amao, speaks during the matriculation ceremony of students of the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) in Kaduna State on July 31, 2022
LAAB jabs now available

BANGKOK: Long Acting Antibody (LAAB) immunisation to boost immunity against COVID-19 will be available at public health centers for people with weakened immune systems as of today (Aug 1), authorities have confirmed.

COVID-19CoronavirushealthVaccine

By National News Bureau of Thailand

Monday 1 August 2022, 11:18AM

Photo: NNT

According to Deputy Government Spokesperson Traisuree Taisaranakul, people with low immunity against or those unable to develop immunity after getting vaccinated can receive LAAB injections at public health centers listed by the provincial communicable disease committees nationwide, reports NNT.

She added that the Ministry of Public Health has assigned provincial health offices to survey and provide a list of patients requiring LAAB in order to provide them with comprehensive immunisation.

The ministry received its first LAAB batch on July 25 and the remaining order, totalling around 250,000 doses, will be delivered continuously until the end of the year.

500,000 immunocompromised people in Thailand are estimated to require LAAB medication.

Traisuree also assured that the governments goal is for everyone to have immunity in order to protect against and reduce the risk of death from COVID infections.
Sword-wielding man shot dead by Phuket Town pub security guard

PHUKET: A pub security guard in Phuket Town shot dead a Thai man in the early hours of this morning (Aug 1) after intervening in an altercation the man had with a woman at the venue, and attempted to attack security guards with a sword.

violencecrimedeathpolice

By Eakkapop Thongtub

Monday 1 August 2022, 12:06PM

Police were called to the scene, the parking lot of the Nai Mueang Phuket pub and karaoke bar opposite Phuket Customs House on Phuket Rd, at 5:50am.

By that time Kusoldharm rescue workers had already arrived to find the man, Traitaewit Got Chindamaikul, 27, a resident of Phuket Town, unconscious and unresponsive. He had been shot once in the chest.

Rescue workers performed CPR at the scene and en route to Vachira Phuket Hospital, but Mr Traitaewit was pronounced dead on arrival.

According to the police report no less than five senior officers from Phuket City Police Station arrived to inspect the scene, including Phuket City Police Chief Col Sarawut Chuprasit.

Lt Col Sakchai Chunyong, Chief Investigator at Phuket City Police, noted that Mr Traitaewit was found beside his white pickup in the car park.

On the ground nearby was a sword with a blade about half a metre long.

Police also found one spent bullet casing.

The pub security guard who fired the shot, Chaiwat Od Chuwong, 35, was waiting for police at the scene. He immediately surrendered the Glock 9mm handgun he fired in the incident.

Mr Chaiwat, registered as living in Rassada, was taken to Phuket City Police Station for questioning, Lt Col Sakchai confirmed.

According to witnesses at the scene, Mr Traitaewit was involved in an altercation with a woman at the venue, Col Sarawut reported.

Security guards intervened, but Mr Traitaewit took exception to their involvement and grabbed a sword from his pickup and turned to attack.

In response, Mr Chaiwat fired one shot at Mr Traitaewit, hitting him in the chest.

All people involved in the incident will be questioned further, Col Sarawut said.

So far police have made no comment on why the venue was open at the time of the incident.
This is pretty cool to see.

'Stranger Things' actor Joseph Quinn, who plays metal-head Eddie Munson in the latest season of the Netflix show, has become an honorary Metallica member.



The latest season of Stranger Things famously used Metallica's track 'Master of Puppets,' in the pivotal scene while Eddie and other characters prepare to fight Vecna.

Quinn met up with Metallica at Lollapalooza over the weekend, and finally got to jam the 1986 thrash-metal-track with them.

In a video uploaded to Netflix and Quinn's social media pages, we see the actor meet the band, sit down for a chat with them, and jam out in their green room.
Montreal, CA (H4T1V6)

Today

Cloudy. Slight chance of a rain shower. High around 27C. Winds NE at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Cloudy with occasional showers overnight. Low 18C. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%.
Peter Gay is the executive director of North Attleborough Community Television Inc.  North TV. The views expressed in his column are not necessarily those of North TV. Reach him at pgay@ northtv.net .
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The U.S. Supreme Court on June 24 overturned Roe v. Wade, the 1973 decision that had provided a constitutional right to abortion. The ruling was expected to lead to abortion bans in roughly half the states, although the timing of those laws taking effect varies.

Some Republican-led states banned or severely limited abortion immediately after the Dobbs v. Jackson decision, while other restrictions will take effect later.

In anticipation of the decision, several states led by Democrats took steps to protect abortion access. The decision also set up the potential for legal fights between the states over whether providers and those who help women obtain abortions can be sued or prosecuted.

Here is an overview of the impact the ruling has had so far in every state and the status of their laws.

ALABAMA

Political control: Alabamas Republican-controlled Legislature and Republican governor want to ban or restrict access to abortions.

Whats happened since Dobbs: Hours after the Dobbs ruling, a judge lifted an order that had blocked a 2019 law with one of the nations most stringent abortion bans from being enforced.

Whats in effect: The ban is now in effect. It makes it a felony to perform an abortion at any stage of pregnancy with no exceptions for rape or incest. There is an exception in cases where the womans health is at serious risk. The penalty is up to 99 years in prison.

Clinics offering abortions? No.

Whats next: Some Republican lawmakers have said they would like to see the state replace the 2019 ban with a slightly less stringent bill that would allow exceptions in cases of rape or incest. Proponents said the 2019 ban was deliberately strict in the hopes of sparking a court challenge to Roe.

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ALASKA

Political control: Republicans hold a majority of seats in the Legislature, but the House has a bipartisan coalition majority composed largely of Democrats. Republican Gov. Mike Dunleavy, who believes life begins at conception, is seeking reelection. His main challengers  independent former Gov. Bill Walker, and Democrat Les Gara  have said they would protect abortion rights if elected.

Whats happened since Dobbs: The Legislature ended its regular session before the decision came out, and there has been no push for a special session.

Whats in effect: The state Supreme Court has interpreted the right to privacy in the state constitution as encompassing abortion rights.

Clinics offering abortions? Yes.

Whats next: Voters in the fall will be asked if they want to hold a constitutional convention, a question that comes up every 10 years. Many conservatives who want to overhaul how judges are selected and do away with the interpretation that the constitutions right to privacy clause allows for abortion rights see an opportunity in pushing for a convention.

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ARIZONA

Political control: The GOP controls both chambers of the state Legislature. Republican Gov. Doug Ducey must leave office in January because of term limits.

Whats happened since Dobbs: Legal uncertainty about two different abortion laws prompted clinics to stop providing the procedure. Republican Attorney General Mark Brnovich has asked a judge to lift a decades-old order that blocks enforcement of an abortion ban passed before Arizona was a state. But a new law scheduled to take effect Sept. 24 would be less stringent, banning abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy. Also after the Dobbs ruling, the U.S. Supreme Court began allowing the state to enforce a 2021 ban on abortions done solely because the fetus has a genetic abnormality such as Down syndrome. But a federal judge in Phoenix in July blocked enforcement of another part of that so-called personhood law that grants legal rights to fertilized eggs or fetuses. Abortion rights supporters said that could have been used to charge providers with assault, child abuse or other crimes for otherwise-legal abortions.

Whats in effect: The law before Dobbs barred abortions after about 22 weeks.

Clinics offering abortions? No.

Whats next: More court battles are expected over whether the earlier, more complete ban is in effect and whether Arizonas less stringent law can take effect in September.

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ARKANSAS

Political control: The Legislature and governors office are controlled by Republicans. Gov. Asa Hutchinson is term-limited and will leave office in January. Republican nominee Sarah Sanders, press secretary to former President Donald Trump, is widely favored to succeed him in the November election.

Whats happened since Dobbs: A trigger ban on most abortions adopted in 2019 went into effect.

Whats in effect: Abortions are banned with the exception of when the procedure is needed to protect the life of the mother in a medical emergency.

Clinics offering abortions? No.

Whats next: Hutchinson favors exceptions in the case of pregnancies caused by rape or incest, but he does not expect to ask lawmakers to consider it at a special legislative session.

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CALIFORNIA

Political control: Democrats who support access to abortion control all statewide elected offices and have large majorities in the Legislature.

Whats happened since Dobbs: The day of the Dobbs ruling, Gov. Gavin Newsome signed a bill intended to protect patients or providers from being sued in states that have abortion bans. He has also launched a commitment with Oregon and Washington to defend access to abortion.

Whats in effect: Abortion is legal in California until viability, generally considered to be around 24 weeks.

Clinics offering abortion? Yes.

Whats next: Lawmakers plan to put a constitutional amendment on the ballot in November that would explicitly guarantee the right to an abortion and contraceptives.

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COLORADO

Political Control: Colorados Democratic-controlled Legislature adopted and its Democratic governor signed into law a fundamental right to abortions in April.

Whats happened since Dobbs: After the legislature introduced the bill codifying abortion rights, Colorado Governor Jared Polis signed an executive order saying Coloradans will not participate in out-of-state abortion-related investigations.

Whats in effect: Colorados Reproductive Health Equity Act declares fundamental rights to abortions at any stage of pregnancy. The law also prohibits local governments from denying, restricting, or depriving individuals of an abortion. State law still prohibits public funding for abortions and requires that minors inform their parents.

Clinics offering abortions? Yes.

Whats next: Republican lawmakers in Colorado have spoken about legislative challenges to the new state law. Colorado clinics are gearing up for an expected wave of out-of-state abortion seekers as surrounding states pass abortion bans.

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CONNECTICUT

Political control: Democrats who control the Connecticut General Assembly support access to abortion, as does the states Democratic governor.

Whats happened since Dobbs: A law protecting abortion providers from other states bans took effect July 1. It created a legal cause of action for providers and others sued in another state, enabling them to recover certain legal costs. It also limits the governors discretion to extradite someone accused of performing an abortion, as well as participation by Connecticut courts and agencies in those lawsuits.

Whats in effect: Abortion is legal in Connecticut until viability, generally considered to be around 24 weeks. A law adopted in 2022 allows advanced practice registered nurses, nurse-midwives or physician assistants to perform aspiration abortions in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.

Clinics offering abortions? Yes.

Whats next: Theres been discussion of amending the state constitution to enshrine the right to abortion, which could take many years.

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DELAWARE

Political control: Democrats control the governors office and the General Assembly and have taken several steps to ensure access to abortion.

Whats happened since Dobbs: The state already had a 2017 law to codify the right to abortion and a 2022 law allowing physician assistants and advanced practiced registered nurses to prescribe abortion-inducing medications. After the ruling, the state adopted another law allowing physician assistants, certified nurse practitioners and nurse midwives to perform abortions before viability that includes legal protections for providers and patients.

Whats in effect: Abortion is legal until viability.

Clinics offering abortions? Yes.

Whats next: With protections in place, no major abortion policy changes are expected.

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DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Political control: The local government in the nations capital is controlled by Democrats, with a Democratic mayor and the D.C. Council split between Democrats and nominal independent politicians, who are all, invariably, Democrats.

Whats happened since Dobbs: No policy changes have come about since the ruling.

Whats in effect: Abortion is legal at all stages of pregnancy.

Clinics offering abortions? Yes.

Whats next: The D.C. Council is considering legislation that would declare Washington, D.C., a sanctuary city for those coming from states where abortion is banned. But because Congress has oversight power over D.C. laws, a future ban or restrictions remain possible depending on control of Congress.

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FLORIDA

Political control: Republicans control the House and Senate and governors office, with GOP Gov. Ron DeSantis pledging to expand pro-life protections after the Dobbs decision.

Whats happened since Dobbs: Floridas new 15-week abortion ban law went into effect July 1. The law is the subject of an ongoing lawsuit from abortion providers in Florida but remains in effect.

Whats in effect: The Florida law prohibits abortions after 15 weeks, with exceptions if the procedure is necessary to save the pregnant womans life, prevent serious injury or if the fetus has a fatal abnormality. It does not allow exceptions in cases where pregnancies were caused by rape, incest or human trafficking. Violators could face up to five years in prison. Physicians and other medical professionals could lose their licenses and face administrative fines of $10,000 for each violation.

Clinics offering abortions? Yes.

Whats next: The lawsuit against Floridas 15 week ban is ongoing and is expected to eventually reach the state Supreme Court. Republicans believe the conservative-controlled court will uphold the law.

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GEORGIA

Political control: Georgia has a GOP-controlled General Assembly and a Republican governor who support abortion restrictions, but all are up for election this November.

Whats happened since Dobbs: A federal appeals court allowed the states 2019 abortion law to be enforced in a July 20 ruling after three years of being on hold.

Whats in effect: The law bans abortion when fetal cardiac activity can be detected and also declares a fetus a person for purposes including income tax deductions and child support. There are exceptions in cases of rape  if a police report is filed  and incest. There are exceptions if a womans life or health would be threatened.

Clinics offering abortions? No.

Whats next: Some Republican lawmakers and candidates want Georgia to go further and ban abortion entirely, but Gov. Brian Kemp is unlikely to call a special session before Novembers general election. Lawmakers are likely to consider further action when they return for their annual session in January. A major factor is whether Kemp is reelected or unseated by Democrat Stacey Abrams in Novembers election.

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HAWAII

Political control: Hawaiis governor is a Democrat and Democrats control more than 90% of the seats in the state House and Senate.

Whats happened since Dobbs: The law hasnt changed.

Whats in effect: Hawaii legalized abortion in 1970, three years before Roe v. Wade. The state allows abortion until a fetus would be viable outside the womb. After that, its legal if a patients life or health is in danger.

Clinics offering abortions? Yes.

Whats next: Democratic lawmakers are considering how they might protect Hawaii medical workers from prosecution or civil litigation from other states for treating residents who arent full-time Hawaii residents such as military dependents or college students. Policymakers are paying attention to how the state may increase access to abortion on more rural islands where there is a doctor shortage, for example by boosting training for some nurses who under a new law passed last year are allowed to perform first-trimester abortions.

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IDAHO

Political control: Republicans hold supermajorities in the House and Senate and oppose access to abortion, as does the states Republican governor.

Whats happened since Dobbs: The ruling triggered a ban on all abortions except in cases of reported rape or incest or to protect the mothers life. It is to take effect Aug. 25. President Joe Biden's administration has sued over the measure, arguing that it conflicts with a federal law requiring doctors to provide pregnant women with medically necessary treatment.

Whats in effect: Current law allows abortions up to viability, around 24 weeks, with exceptions to protect the womans life or in case of nonviable fetuses.

Clinics offering abortions? Yes.

Whats next: The Idaho Supreme Court is expected to rule in August on whether to lift an injunction that blocked enforcement of a law that could subject medical providers who perform abortions to lawsuits and criminal charges.

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ILLINOIS

Political control: Illinois is overwhelmingly Democratic with laws providing greater access to abortion than most states. Democrats hold veto-proof supermajorities in the House and Senate, and the Democratic first-term governor seeking reelection this year, J.B. Pritzker, has promoted peaceful protests to protect the right to an abortion.

Whats happened since Dobbs: No major policy changes. Pritzker has called for a special legislative session to expand abortion rights.

Whats in effect: Abortion is legal in Illinois to the point of viability, and later to protect the patients life or health.

Clinics offering abortions? Yes.

Whats next: A possible expansion of abortion access rights.

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INDIANA

Political control: Indiana has a Republican-dominated Legislature and a GOP governor who favors restricting abortion access.

Whats happened since Dobbs: On Aug. 5, Indiana became the first state in the nation to approve such legislation banning abortions since the Supreme Court's ruling. The ban, which takes effect next month, includes some exceptions. Abortions will be permitted in cases of rape and incest, before 10-weeks post-fertilization; to protect the life and physical health of the mother; and if a fetus is diagnosed with a lethal anomaly. Victims of rape and incest wont be required to sign a notarized affidavit attesting to an attack, as had once been proposed.

Whats in effect: Abortion in Indiana is currently legal up to about 20 weeks, with tighter restrictions after 13 weeks. Federal judges have lifted several previous injunctions  including abortions based on disability, gender, and race. Indiana doctors must also report abortions they perform on patients under 16 and procedures with complications.

Clinics offering abortions? Yes

Whats next: The new ban takes effect Sept. 15.

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IOWA

Political control: Iowa has a Republican governor and Republicans have large majorities in both legislative chambers.

Whats happened since Dobbs: Gov. Kim Reynolds has asked state courts to reverse earlier decisions following the U.S. Supreme Court ruling and an Iowa Supreme Court decision that found the state constitution doesnt guarantee the right to an abortion. Among the cases is a law she signed but was blocked by a district court that would have banned abortion once cardiac activity can be detected in an embryo or fetus.

Whats in effect: A law banning abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy remains in effect while Reynolds pursues the tougher ban in court, as does a 24-hour waiting period before an abortion.

Clinics offering abortions?: Yes.

Whats next: Reynolds says she will wait for the courts to act on her request to reverse previous rulings before proposing additional restrictions.

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KANSAS

Political control: Kansas has a Legislature controlled by Republicans who want to ban or restrict access to abortions but a Democratic governor who supports access and is up for reelection this year.

Whats happened since Dobbs: Kansas voters on Aug. 2 rejected a proposed amendment to the state constitution that would have given lawmakers the authority to restrict or ban abortion.

Whats in effect: Kansas allows abortion until the 22nd week of pregnancy. After that, abortion is allowed only to save a patients life or to prevent a substantial and irreversible physical impairment of a major bodily function. Stricter laws are on hold after a 2019 state Supreme Court ruling that the states constitution grants a fundamental right to abortion.

Clinics offering abortion? Yes.

Whats next: The constitutional amendment vote was the first of its kind in the U.S. since the Dobbs ruling, and it's likely to have activists on both sides across the country recalibrating their strategies.

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KENTUCKY:

Political control: Republicans have super majorities in the Kentucky House and Senate, and the GOP passed a trigger law in 2019 that imposed a near-total abortion ban. Kentuckys Democratic governor opposes the ban and notes that it doesnt provide exceptions for rape or incest.

Whats happened since Dobbs: Kentuckys only two abortion clinics halted the procedure, but a Louisville judge halted enforcement of the states trigger law a few days later.

Whats in effect: On July 22, the Louisville judge issued an injunction blocking the states near-total abortion ban while the abortion clinics challenge its constitutionality.

Clinics offering abortions? Yes.

Whats next: Kentuckians are set to vote in November on a constitutional amendment that would ensure there are no state constitutional protections for abortion.

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LOUISIANA

Political control: Louisianas Legislature is controlled by Republicans who passed a trigger law to ban most abortions. Its Democratic governor, who is Catholic, also opposes abortions, though he supports exceptions for victims of rape or incest.

Whats happened since Dobbs: Immediately after the ruling, Louisianas three abortion clinics halted abortion procedures as the trigger law went into effect. However, since then, the ban has taken effect and been blocked multiple times in the form of rulings and temporary restraining orders.

Whats in effect: The ban is currently being enforced. Plaintiffs filed an appeal with the Louisiana Supreme Court that would have blocked the ban for a third time, but were denied Friday, Aug. 12.

Clinics offering abortions? No.

Whats next: A state district judges order gives attorneys until Aug. 20 to develop plans for a trial on whether the law should be permanently blocked. In Louisiana, where the Legislature has long been dominated by abortion opponents, there is little question that an abortion ban will eventually be in effect.

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MAINE

Political control: Both chambers of the Maine Legislature, which has adjourned, are controlled by Democrats and the state has a Democratic governor.

Whats happened since Dobbs: Gov. Janet Mills has signed an executive order that bars state agencies from cooperating with other states abortion investigations and says extradition attempts in those cases would be denied.

Whats in effect: A 1993 law signed by a Republican governor affirms the right to abortion before the fetus is viable. Abortion is allowed after viability if the health or life of the patient is at risk, or if the pregnancy is no longer viable. Nurse practitioners, physician assistants and other medical professionals may perform abortions.

Clinics offering abortions? Yes.

Whats next: No major changes are expected unless Republican former Gov. Paul LePage unseats Mills in her reelection bid and Republicans take control of both chambers of the Legislature.

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MARYLAND

Political control: Marylands General Assembly is controlled by Democrats who expanded abortion access this year by ending a restriction that only physicians can provide them and requiring most insurance plans to cover abortion care without cost. The legislature overrode Republican Gov. Larry Hogans veto of the bill in April.

Whats happened since Dobbs: Nothing changed immediately.

Whats in effect: State law prohibits restrictions to abortion prior to viability. The state approved legislation in 1991 to protect abortion rights if the U.S. Supreme Court ever restricted access; voters approved that right in 1992. Some nurse practitioners, nurse midwives and physician assistants already have received training on medication abortion.

Clinics offering abortions? Yes.

Whats next: Hogan, who will leave office due to term limits in January, has said he will not advance state funds to train non-physicians to provide abortions before its required next year.

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MASSACHUSETTS

Political control: Democrats control the Massachusetts Legislature and support access to abortion, as does the states Republican governor, although they differ on specific policies.

Whats happened since Dobbs: Gov. Charlie Baker signed an executive order on June 24 barring state agencies from assisting another states investigation into people or businesses for receiving or delivering reproductive health services that are legal in Massachusetts. The state also wont cooperate with extradition requests from other states pursuing criminal charges. Just over a month later, Baker signed into law a measure intended to protect access to abortion and expand access to emergency contraceptives.

Whats in effect: Recent changes to Massachusetts law allows abortions after 24 weeks of pregnancy in cases where the child would not survive after birth, and lowers from 18 to 16 the age at which women can seek an abortion without consent from a parent or guardian.

Clinics offering abortions? Yes.

Whats next: In liberal Massachusetts, restrictions are unlikely to be adopted.

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MICHIGAN

Political control: Both chambers of Michigans Legislature are controlled by Republicans who want to ban or restrict abortion access. The Democratic governor, who is up for reelection this year, supports access.

Whats happened since Dobbs: Abortion remains legal in Michigan after a state judge issued a preliminary injunction in May blocking immediate enforcement of a 1931 law banning nearly all abortions. Michigans Legislature has appealed the decision. Abortion rights activists have taken steps to bring a constitutional amendment before voters on the November ballot. The amendment would affirm the right to make pregnancy-related decisions without interference, including about abortion and reproductive services such as birth control.

Whats in effect: The May temporary injunction, which stems from a Planned Parenthood lawsuit, blocked the 1931 law from going into effect and has kept abortion legal for now. The Michigan Court of Appeals suddenly changed course and said county prosecutors werent covered by the injunction and could enforce the ban. But another judge stepped in and said prosecutors  for now  must not follow the prohibition.

Clinics offering abortions? Yes.

Whats next: The state's election bureau and board of canvassers still need to verify and validate that the Reproductive Freedom for All ballot initiative submitted at least 425,000 valid signatures before the constitutional amendment officially makes the ballot. The issue is also expected to shape legislative and statewide elections this fall; the Democratic governor and attorney general have made abortion rights a centerpiece of their reelection campaigns.

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MINNESOTA

Political control: Anti-abortion Republicans control the Senate and Democrats hold the House, but the majorities are slim. Democratic Gov. Tim Walz is stressing his support for abortion rights as he seeks another term.

Whats happened since Dobbs: Minnesota abortion clinics are starting to see a surge of out-of-state patients. On July 11, a state judge further eased access to abortion by striking down as unconstitutional several restrictions such as a 24-hour waiting period and parental notification.

Whats in effect: A Minnesota Supreme Court ruling from 1995 says the state constitution protects abortion rights. Minnesota allows abortions up to the point of viability, typically 24 weeks. However, some legal experts have questioned whether that cutoff would stand up in court.

Clinics offering abortions? Yes.

Whats next: Democrats are making abortion rights a major issue as they seek to hold the governors office and House and take control of the Senate. Some Republican candidates are notably trying to downplay the issue.

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MISSISSIPPI

Political control: Mississippis Republican-controlled Legislature and Republican governor have pushed for years to ban or restrict access to abortions. A 2018 Mississippi law to ban abortions after 15 weeks was the basis of the case that the U.S. Supreme Court used to overturn Roe v. Wade.

Whats happened since Dobbs: Mississippis only abortion clinic, Jackson Womens Health Organization, did its final abortions July 6 and has permanently closed. The clinic owner said she is selling the building and the clinics lawyers have withdrawn a lawsuit challenging a trigger law that bans most abortions.

Whats in effect: The trigger law passed in 2007 is in effect. It allows abortions only if a patient's life is in danger or if a pregnancy was caused by a rape that was reported to law enforcement.

Clinics offering abortions? No.

Whats next: Republican House Speaker Philip Gunn says he will oppose any effort to allow abortion for pregnancies caused by incest because he believes life begins at conception.

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MISSOURI

Political control: Both GOP Gov. Mike Parson and the Republican-led General Assembly support laws against abortion.

Whats happened since Dobbs: A 2019 trigger ban on most abortions went into effect.

Whats in effect: The ban makes abortions illegal except in cases of medical emergency. Performing illegal abortions is punishable by 5 to 15 years in prison.

Clinics offering abortions? No.

Whats next: The city of St. Louis proposed a $1 million fund to help residents travel to neighboring Illinois for abortions, but Missouri Attorney General Schmitt has sued to block it.

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MONTANA

Political control: The Republicans who control the Montana Legislature and Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte want to limit access to abortion.

Whats happened since Dobbs: The Montana Republican Party updated its party platform to say it opposes all elective abortions. The party rejected a proposal to include an exception for rape or incest.

Whats in effect: Abortion used to be legal in Montana up until viability, or about 24 weeks of pregnancy, but the state Legislature passed a bill in 2021 to reduce that to 20 weeks. That law, along with one that requires chemical abortions to be done with in-person medical supervision, are being challenged in court. A state judge temporarily blocked enforcement in October 2021 while the challenges move through the courts. The Montana Supreme Court on Aug. 9 upheld the temporary injunction. Justices also denied the states motion to overturn a 1999 Montana Supreme Court opinion that found the states constitutional right to privacy guarantees a womans access to abortion care. The justices said they would not take up the merits of the case while ruling on a preliminary injunction.

Clinics offering abortions? Yes.

Whats next: The Montana Legislature passed a referendum to ask voters this November whether they support a state law to require abortion providers to give lifesaving treatment to a fetus that is born alive after a botched abortion. Opponents argue federal law already offers those protections.

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NEBRASKA

Political control: Nebraska has a Republican governor who favors a full abortion ban with no exceptions for rape or incest. The officially nonpartisan one-chamber Legislature is dominated by lawmakers who identify as Republicans.

Whats happened since Dobbs: Nebraska law has not changed.

Whats in effect: Abortion remains legal up to 20 weeks of pregnancy in Nebraska. Those seeking an abortion must receive counseling and wait 24 hours before getting an abortion. People under 19 must have parental consent to undergo an abortion.

Clinics offering abortions? Yes.

Whats next: Gov. Pete Ricketts remains noncommittal about calling a special session to address abortion, despite many Republican lawmakers pushing to outlaw the procedure. Abortion opponents dont appear to have the 33-vote supermajority needed to overcome a filibuster waged by abortion-rights supporters.

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NEVADA

Political control: Nevadas governor and state attorney general are Democrats who are up for reelection this year. Democrats control the state Senate and Assembly.

Whats happened since Dobbs: Abortion has become a campaign issue in top state and federal races, and Gov. Steve Sisolak has signed an executive order to protect access to abortion for residents and those from other states.

Whats in effect: Nevada voters enshrined the right to abortion in state law in 1990. A pregnancy can be terminated during the first 24 weeks, and after that to preserve the life or health of the pregnant person. It would take a statewide vote to change or repeal the law. Most Republican candidates for statewide posts say they oppose abortion.

Clinics offering abortions? Yes.

Whats next: Anti-abortion advocates are not expected to try to repeal Nevadas abortion law. They have said theyll seek laws requiring waiting periods, mandatory counseling or parental consent.

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NEW HAMPSHIRE

Political control: New Hampshire has a Republican governor and the GOP controls the 424-member Legislature. All legislative seats are up for election in November.

Whats happened since Dobbs: Legislative Democrats have urged Gov. Chris Sununu, who calls himself pro-choice to call a special session to codify abortion rights in state law. Sununu and Republican legislative leaders say theres no need.

Whats in effect: Under a law that went into effect this year, abortion is allowed until 24 weeks of pregnancy, later for the health or life of the patient or if the fetus has been diagnosed with abnormalities incompatible with life.

Clinics offering abortion? Yes.

Whats next: Republican lawmakers are divided over whether the state should further restrict abortions.

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NEW JERSEY

Political control: Democrats control both houses of the state Legislature. Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy started his second consecutive term this year.

Whats happened since Dobbs: A week after the Supreme Courts ruling overturning Roe v. Wade, Murphy signed into law two bills aimed at protecting the right to abortion for out-of-state residents and barring extradition to states that have prohibited the procedure. The governor also signed a state budget that includes $45 million to expand family planning and abortion services and security upgrades for clinics. Acting Attorney General Matthew Platkin and U.S. Attorney Philip Sellinger of New Jersey on July 20 announced a partnership to share intelligence about threats to clinics and patients.

Clinics offering abortions: Yes.

Whats next: The states Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness is preparing to distribute money from the $5 million Reproductive Health Security Grant program.

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NEW MEXICO

Political control: The Democrats who control the New Mexico Legislature support access to abortion, as does the states Democratic governor. Several conservative Democratic state senators who voted against the repeal of the abortion ban in 2019 were ousted from office in 2020 by more socially progressive primary challengers.

Whats happened since Dobbs: Soon after the ruling, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed an executive order protecting abortion access. The order seeks to block New Mexico providers from being punished in other states for providing abortions to residents of other states.

Whats in effect: Abortion is legal in New Mexico, even in the third trimester.

Clinics offering abortions: Yes.

Whats next: The owner of the Jackson Womens Health Organization at the center of the Dobbs decision plans to open a clinic in the city of Las Cruces, near Texas. Conservative counties are considering anti-abortion resolutions that say clinics are not welcomed. Abortion has taken center stage in the gubernatorial campaign.

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NEW YORK

Political control: The Democrats who control the New York Legislature support access to abortion, as does the states Democratic governor.

Whats happened since Dobbs: Gov. Kathy Hochul announced $25 million to expand access to abortion services and $10 million in grants to provide security at clinics. Less that two weeks before Dobbs, she signed other measures intended to protect abortion access.

Whats in effect: Abortion is legal in the first 24 weeks of pregnancy, and after that to preserve the patients life or health or if the fetus isnt viable.

Clinics offering abortions? Yes.

Whats next: Some abortion rights advocates are pushing lawmakers to begin the process of passing a constitutional amendment to protect access to abortion.

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NORTH CAROLINA

Political control: Republicans hold majorities in both chambers of the states General Assembly. Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper supports abortion rights, but his veto power could be nullified if Republicans win more seats in November.

Whats happened since Dobbs: On the day of the ruling, Republican legislative leaders asked Democratic Attorney General Josh Stein, an abortion rights supporter, to demand a federal court lift an injunction on a 1973 state law that banned most abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy. Stein declined. Cooper has signed an executive order that shields out-of-state abortion patients from extradition and prohibits state agencies from assisting other states prosecutions of those who travel to North Carolina for the procedure.

Whats in effect: A 2019 federal court ruling, affirmed last year by the 4th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals, extended the right to an abortion in North Carolina until fetal viability, which typically falls between 24 and 28 weeks of pregnancy. An abortion can be still be performed after viability in certain medical emergencies.

Clinics offering abortions? Yes.

Whats next: Republican General Assembly leaders have signaled that Steins inaction on the 20-week abortion ban injunction might lead them to petition the court on their own. A federal judge could also consider reinstating the ban without lawmaker involvement. The Republican party will likely intensify its efforts in this years elections to gain the five additional seats it needs for a veto-proof supermajority. Cooper and other Democrats already are making abortion rights a key campaign issue. Abortion politics also are expected to figure in two state Supreme Court elections in November. Republicans would gain a majority on the court if they win at least one.

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NORTH DAKOTA

Political control: North Dakota has a legislature dominated by Republicans who want to ban abortion, and the GOP governor had wanted Roe v. Wade wiped off the books in favor of states rights.

Whats happened since Dobbs: The ruling triggered a 2007 law to ban most abortions, but a judge blocked enforcement on July 27, the day before it was to kick in.

Whats in effect: Under current law, abortions are legal in the first 20 weeks of pregnancy and after that in the case of rape, incest, or to protect the life of the patient.

Clinics offering abortions? Yes.

Whats next: The states only clinic, the Red River Womens Clinic in Fargo, is fighting implementation of the ban and plans to move to Moorhead, Minnesota, if abortion is outlawed. The order putting enforcement on hold gave the clinic a reprieve.

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OHIO

Political control: Both legislative chambers are controlled by Republicans. Republican Gov. Mike DeWine, an abortion opponent, is seeking reelection.

Whats happened since Dobbs: A ban on abortions after the first detectable fetal cardiac activity has taken effect. Clinics dropped a federal lawsuit challenging the law and have filed a challenge under the Ohio Constitution. Republican Attorney General Dave Yost is fighting them.

Whats in effect: A law prohibiting most abortions once fetal cardiac activity is detected except when the patients life is threatened or their health is at significant risk.

Clinics offering abortions? Yes.

Whats next: Republican lawmakers will move for a total abortion ban after the November election. Some support recently introduced legislation declaring personhood begins at conception. Statehouse plans may change if the Ohio Supreme Court allows the clinics state constitutional challenge to proceed.

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OKLAHOMA

Political control: Republicans in Oklahoma have a supermajority in both chambers of the Legislature and a Republican governor up for reelection this year who has vowed to sign every pro-life legislation that came across my desk.

Whats happened since Dobbs: Abortion services were halted in the state in May after Gov. Kevin Stitt signed a law blocking all abortions with few exceptions. The ruling also triggered a 1910 law that makes it a felony, punishable by two to five years in prison, to perform an abortion or for anyone advising or using any other means whatever to help a woman obtain an abortion.

Whats in effect: Abortions are banned except to protect the life of a patient. Current laws carry civil penalties, as well as criminal penalties for those who perform an abortion or help a woman get one.

Clinics offering abortions? No.

Whats next: A separate criminal statute takes effect on Aug. 27 that makes it a felony, punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $100,000, to perform an abortion, with an exception only to save the life of the pregnant woman.

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OREGON

Political control: The Democrats who control the Oregon Legislature support access to abortion, as does the states Democratic governor.

Whats happened since Dobbs: Gov. Kate Brown has said she will protect abortion access for all.

Whats in effect: Oregon does not have any major abortion restrictions and it is legal at all stages of pregnancy.

Clinics offering abortions? Yes.

Whats next: Democratic lawmakers have formed a group to make recommendations to expand access to all forms of reproductive care.

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PENNSYLVANIA

Political control: Republicans who control the Pennsylvania Legislature are hostile to abortion rights, but the states Democratic governor is a strong supporter and has vetoed three GOP-penned bills in five years. The race for governor this year could tilt that balance.

Whats happened since Dobbs: No changes in the law or major court battles.

Whats in effect: Pennsylvania allows abortions up to 24 weeks of pregnancy.

Clinics offering abortions? Yes.

Whats next: In November, voters will decide on a new governor between the states Democratic attorney general, Josh Shapiro, who supports abortion rights, and Republican state Sen. Doug Mastriano, who supports banning abortion with no exceptions. The Legislature is expected to remain in Republican hands. The state Supreme Court is considering a lawsuit filed by Planned Parenthood and other abortion providers aiming to overturn a 1982 law that bans the use of state dollars for abortion, except in cases of rape, incest or to save the life of the mother. Republican lawmakers are advancing a proposal to amend the state constitution to declare there is no constitutional right to an abortion or to public funding for an abortion. The proposal could go before voters as early as May 2023.

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RHODE ISLAND

Political control: Democrats who control Rhode Islands General Assembly support access to abortion, as does the Democratic governor.

Whats happened since Dobbs: Gov. Daniel McKee signed an executive order prohibiting state agencies from cooperating with other states investigations into people who travel to Rhode Island for abortions or health care providers that perform them.

Whats in effect: A 2019 law enshrined abortion protections in the state. The law says Rhode Island cannot restrict abortion prior to fetal viability or after if it is necessary to protect the health or life of the patient.

Clinics offering abortions? Yes.

Whats next: Legislative leaders have said they would address abortion insurance coverage for state employees and people in the Medicaid program in 2023.

___

SOUTH CAROLINA

Political control: Both the House and Senate are controlled by Republicans, but they are a few seats short of a two-thirds majority. Republican Gov. Henry McMaster is up for reelection and Democratic opponent Joe Cunningham has said his veto of any stricter abortion bill would likely stick.

Whats happened since Dobbs: The states 2021 ban on abortion once cardiac activity is detected  typically around six weeks after fertilization  was allowed to go into effect. A Republican-dominated special House committee is working on a bill to ban all abortions unless the life of the mother is at risk.

Whats in effect: Whats in effect: South Carolina bans abortion after an ultrasound detects cardiac activity. There are exceptions for pregnancies cause by rape or incest, or when the life of the mother is in danger.

Clinics offering abortions? Yes.

Whats next: Lawmakers are planning special sessions to consider stricter abortion laws.

___

SOUTH DAKOTA:

Political control: Republicans hold supermajorities in both legislative chambers. Republican Gov. Kristi Noem is up for reelection this year and is an ardent opponent of abortion rights.

Whats happened since Dobbs: A trigger law took effect banning abortion in South Dakota except to save the life of a pregnant woman. Some conservatives had wanted to do more, including trying to stop organizations or companies from paying for women to travel out of state for an abortion, but Noem  who had initially been eager to call a special session  announced in July that any action could wait until the regular session in 2023. Meanwhile, abortion rights supporters are considering a possible campaign for a ballot initiative aimed at overturning the state abortion ban or making it less restrictive.

Whats in effect: Abortion is illegal in South Dakota except to save the life of the mother.

Clinics offering abortions? No.

Whats next: Possible legislative action in 2023 aimed at making it more difficult for South Dakota residents to obtain abortion care elsewhere. Abortion rights supporters may to take the issue directly to voters to undo the ban.

___

TENNESSEE

Political control: Tennessee has a Republican governor who is consistently vocal about his opposition to abortion. The GOP holds a supermajority in the General Assembly and has steadily chipped away at abortion access. Voters approved an amendment in 2014 declaring that the state constitution does not protect or secure the right to abortion or require it to be funded.

Whats happened since Dobbs: A court allowed enforcement of a law, adopted in 2020, that bans abortions after fetal cardiac activity is detected.

Whats in effect: The so-called heartbeat ban has exceptions only to prevent death or major health risks.

Clinics offering abortions? Most are not.

Whats next: An even more stringent ban triggered by the Dobbs ruling is to take effect in late August.

___

TEXAS

Political control: The GOP has commanding majorities in the Texas Legislature and has controlled every statewide office for nearly 30 years. Republican Gov. Greg Abbott is up for reelection in November and is favored to win a third term.

Whats happened since Dobbs: The fall of Roe put in motion a trigger law to ban virtually all abortions starting in August. In the meantime, there has been litigation over whether a 1925 state abortion ban can be enforced.

Whats in effect: A 2021 law bans abortions once fetal cardiac activity can be detected, normally around six weeks.

Clinics offering abortions? No.

Whats next: There are legal questions to be settled about which ban is in effect, but nearly all abortions are expected to be illegal soon in the nations second most populous state. Some Republican lawmakers are also looking for ways to punish companies that help Texas-based employees get abortions elsewhere, although its not clear how much support that would have in the 2023 legislative session.

___

UTAH

Political control: Utah is deeply conservative and the Legislature is controlled by a Republican supermajority.

Whats happened since Dobbs: A trigger law banning nearly all abortions was put into effect and then paused by a court amid a legal challenge. Meanwhile, a court allowed a 2021 ban on abortions after 18 weeks to be enforced.

Whats in effect: Abortions after 18 weeks are banned except in cases of rape and incest if those crimes are reported to law enforcement, and if there's a serious risk to the life or health of the mother, as well as confirmed lethal birth defects.

Clinics offering abortions? Yes.

Whats next: A court will decide whether the near-total ban is allowed under Utahs state constitution.

___

VERMONT

Political control: Democrats control both the House and Senate of the Vermont Legislature. Republican Gov. Phil Scott is a firm supporter of abortion rights.

Whats happened since Dobbs: Vermont has doubled down on its commitment to abortion rights. In 2019, the Vermont Legislature passed a law guaranteeing abortion rights in anticipation of the possible overturning of Roe. At the same time, the state began the process of amending the state constitution to protect abortion rights. The proposal must be passed by two consecutively elected legislatures, a process that was completed in February 2022. The final step in the process is a statewide referendum, scheduled for November.

Clinics offering abortions? Yes.

Whats next: The vote on the Reproductive Liberty Amendment will be held Nov. 8.

___

WASHINGTON

Political control: The Democrats who control the Washington Legislature support access to abortion, as does the states Democratic governor.

Whats happened since Dobbs: Gov. Jay Inslee issued a directive barring the Washington State Patrol from cooperating with other states investigations related to abortions.

Whats in effect: Abortion is legal in Washington until viability, and after in cases where the patents health or life is threatened.

Clinics offering abortions? Yes.

Whats next: Democratic officials say theyll keep looking for ways to preserve access to abortion services for people within the state and who travel from places with restrictions.

___

WEST VIRGINIA

Political control: West Virginias Legislature is controlled by Republicans who want to ban or restrict access to abortions. Gov. Jim Justice, a Republican, opposes abortion access and has signed two anti-abortion laws since taking office in 2017.

What's happened since Dobbs: The state's only abortion clinic initially closed out of concern that the staff could be prosecuted under an abortion law that dates to the 1800s. But the Womens Health Center of West Virginia, in Charleston, announced it would challenge the law and resumed offering abortions. The state's House of Delegates on July 27 passed a sweeping abortion ban that the Senate amended two days later. The House rejected those amendments and sent the bill to a conference committee. Both chambers adjourned but could be called back in August.

Whats in effect: Abortion is legal in the first 20 weeks of gestation, longer in cases where the patient's life or health is at risk. Other restrictions include a 24-hour waiting period, required counseling to discourage abortion, parental permission for minors; a ban on the use of telemedicine to administer a medication abortion; and prohibition of abortions on the grounds that the child will be born with a disability.

Clinics offering abortions? Yes.

What's next: Whether the old nearly total ban can be enforced is playing out in courts. At the same time, lawmakers are forging ahead with consideration of a new nearly total ban.

___

WISCONSIN

Political control: Wisconsins Legislature is controlled by Republicans who want to ban or restrict access to abortions, but the Democratic governor supports access and is up for reelection this year.

Whats happened since Dobbs: Abortion clinics have stopped performing the procedure in Wisconsin under an 1849 law that banned abortions except to save a mothers life. Attorney General Josh Kaul, a Democrat, has filed a lawsuit in state court challenging the ban. He argues that a 1985 state law prohibiting abortion after a fetus can survive outside the womb trumps the older law. While that lawsuit is pending, anti-abortion groups have said they will work with the Republican-controlled Legislature next year to update or replace the 1849 law.

Whats in effect: Possibly the 1849 ban on all abortions except to save a womans life.

Clinics offering abortions? No.

Whats next: The attorney generals lawsuit against the 1849 law is pending in Dane County.

___

WYOMING

Political control: Wyoming has one of the most Republican Legislatures in the U.S. and a Republican governor who in March approved a trigger law banning nearly all abortions.

Whats happened since Dobbs: A trigger ban on nearly all abortions took effect on July 27, only to have enforcement blocked by a court the same day.

Whats in effect: With enforcement of the new law blocked, Wyoming allows abortions until a fetus would survive outside its mothers body, around 23 weeks. The new law banning abortion only provides exceptions in cases of rape or incest or to protect the mothers life or health, not including psychological conditions.

Clinics offering abortions: No.

Whats next: Legal arguments will continue on the challenge to the more stringent ban brought by four women and two nonprofits who argue it violates the state constitution. The plaintiffs include organizers of a womens health and abortion clinic that was damaged in a May 2022 arson attack.

___

Associated Press reporters from across the U.S. contributed.

___

For APs full coverage of the Supreme Court ruling on abortion, go to https://apnews.com/hub/abortion
ALTON  Matthew Cook of Alton has received a Masters of Fine Arts in Fashion, Body, and Garment from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC).

In 2020, Cook graduated Parsons The New School for Design in New York City with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Fashion Design with honors and distinction. SAIC is currently tied with Yale University as the best MFA program in the country.
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP)  Authorities investigating the apparent drowning death of a senator in Paraguay say signs point to an accidental trip-and-fall followed by drowning, but emphasize the investigation remains open as they await the results of a toxicology report.

Paraguayan authorities found the body of Sen. Zulma Ramona Gomez Caceres, 61, in the Acaray Lake Sunday morning next to her country house located in Ciudad del Este, in the Alto Parana department.

All signs point to an accidental event, prosecutor Cinthia Leiva, who oversees the investigation into the senators death, said in an interview with a local radio station Monday morning.

Pablo Lemir, the coroner who examined the senators body, said that there were no signs of either a fight, nor defense, nor anything of the sort, and there was no evidence of any blows to the face.

The injuries located in Gomezs bodies are compatible with a fall, Lemir said.

The water around the dock where Gomez apparently drowned has a depth of some seven to eight meters (23 to 26 feet), Leiva said.

For now, the cause of death has all the characteristic of an asphyxiation, Lemir said, adding that the results of the toxicology report would likely be available within the next three weeks.

The senator from the Authentic Liberal Radical Party (PLRA) had taken a mattress to the dock of the country home on Saturday night and told family members she wanted to be alone.

She was in the habit of going to sleep there in the dock, Leiva said. She told her granddaughter she wanted to reflect, she wanted to think.

At around 2:30 a.m., family members were not able to locate the senator and alerted authorities.

Danel Rojas Lopez will be sworn-in to take over Gomezs seat in the Senate on Thursday.

We would like to be guided by what the investigation that has already been carried out says. Anyone can have an accident, right? Sen. Fernando Lugo, the vice president of the Senate, told journalists on Monday. Its profoundly painful for the Senate, for the PLRA and surely also for her family.
GLEN CARBON  The Egyptian Board of REALTORS, Greater Gateway Association of REALTORS, and REALTOR Association of Southwestern Illinois along with the Illinois REALTORS Relief Foundation (IRRF) will offer $25,000 in assistance for families in Bond, Macoupin, Madison, Monroe, St. Clair and Washington counties which were affected by record rain fall.

IRRF is the disaster assistance foundation established by Illinois REALTORS. It works with local associations to make sure money is allocated to those living in hard-hit communities.
EDWARDSVILLE  An East Alton woman and a Cottage Hills man were indicted last week for fentanyl trafficking by a Madison County grand jury.

Alyssa A. Vinson, 32, of East Alton, and Jonathan C. Metz, 38, of Cottage Hills, were indicted July 28 on one count each of controlled substance trafficking, both enhanced Class X felonies; and unlawful possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and unlawful possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine, both Class 1 felonies.

The case was originally presented by the Madison County Sheriffs Department.

According to court documents, on July 12 Vinson and Metz allegedly brought fentanyl into Illinois with the intent of distributing it. They allegedly were found to be in possession of at least 1 gram of fentanyl with intent to deliver as well as 5-15 grams of methamphetamine with intent to deliver.

In an unrelated case, Joseph W. Wallace Jr., 33, of Granite City, was indicted for burglary, a Class 2 felony, and theft under $500 (second subsequent offense), a Class 4 felony.

The charges were filed in two separate cases by the Granite City Police Department and the Madison County Sheriffs Department.

According to court documents, on April 5 Wallace allegedly entered a building in Granite City, to commit theft and, on March 30, Wallace and another man took scrap metal valued at less than $500 from another person.

It was noted Wallace has a prior conviction for burglary out of Madison County in 2008.

Joseph T. Shimchick, 53, of East Alton, was indicted for escape, a Class 3 felony.

The case was originally presented by the Madison County Sheriffs Department.

According to court documents, on May 27 Shimchick allegedly failed to return to the Madison County Jail after receiving a furlough for a 2021 domestic battery conviction. Bail was set at $103,000.
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UNITED NATIONS (AP)  The United Nations chief warned Monday that humanity is just one misunderstanding, one miscalculation away from nuclear annihilation, citing the war in Ukraine, nuclear threats in Asia and the Middle East and many other factors.

Secretary-General Antonio Guterres gave the dire warning at the opening of the long-delayed high-level meeting to review the landmark 50-year-old treaty aimed at preventing the spread of nuclear weapons and eventually achieving a nuclear-free world.

The danger of increasing nuclear threats and a nuclear catastrophe was also raised by the United States, Japan, Germany, the U.N. nuclear chief and many other opening speakers at the meeting to review progress and agree to future steps to implement the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty, known as the NPT.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said North Korea is preparing to conduct its seventh nuclear test, Iran has either been unwilling or unable to accept a deal to return to the 2015 nuclear agreement aimed at reining in its nuclear program, and Russia is engaged in reckless, dangerous nuclear saber-rattling in Ukraine.

He cited Russian President Vladimir Putins warning after its Feb. 24 invasion that any attempt to interfere would lead to consequences you have never seen, emphasizing that his country is one of the most potent nuclear powers.

This is contrary to assurances given to Ukraine of its sovereignty and independence when in gave up its Soviet-era nuclear weapons in 1994, Blinken said, and sends the worst possible message to any country thinking it needs nuclear weapons to defend itself and deter aggression.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said divisions in the world since the last review conference in 2015, which ended without a consensus document, have become greater, stressing that Russias threat to use nuclear weapons in the Ukraine war has contributed to worldwide concern that yet another catastrophe by nuclear weapon use is a real possibility.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock accused Russia of brutally violating the assurances it gave Ukraine in 1994 and said Moscow's reckless nuclear rhetoric since its invasion of its smaller neighbor is putting at risk everything the NPT has achieved in five decades.

Putin appeared to roll back on his nuclear warning in a message of greetings to NPT participants posted on his website Monday.

We believe that a nuclear war cannot be won and must never be fought, and we stand for equal and indivisible security for all members of the world community, the Russian leader said.

Putin said his country consistently follows the letter and spirit" of the NPT and expects all parties to strictly comply with their commitments and make a significant contribution" at the conference to strengthening the non-proliferation regime to ensure peace, security and stability in the world.

Most recently, Blinken said Russia seized Europes largest nuclear power plant in Zaporizhzhya and is using it as a military base to fire at Ukrainians, knowing that they cant and wont shoot back because they might accidentally strike a nuclear reactor or highly radioactive waste in storage. He said this brings the notion of having a human shield to an entirely different and horrific level.

Russias delegation to the NPT issued a statement Monday night strongly rejecting Blinkens contention that Russia is using the Zaporizhzhya plant as a military base, saying a limited number of servicemen are there to ensure safety and security at the power plant.

Rafael Grossi, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, said the Ukraine conflict is so grave that the specter of a potential nuclear confrontation, or accident, has raised its terrifying head again.

He warned that at the Zaporizhzhya nuclear plant the situation is becoming more perilous by the day, and he urged all countries to help make possible his visit to the plant with a team of IAEA safety and security experts, saying his efforts for the past two months have been unsuccessful.

Guterres told many ministers, officials and diplomats gathered in the General Assembly Hall that the month-long review conference is taking place at a time of nuclear danger not seen since the height of the Cold War.

The conference is an opportunity to hammer out the measures that will help avoid certain disaster, and to put humanity on a new path towards a world free of nuclear weapons, the secretary-general said.

But Guterres warned that geopolitical weapons are reaching new highs, almost 13,000 nuclear weapons are in arsenals around the world, and countries seeking false security are spending hundreds of billions of dollars on doomsday weapons.

All this at a time when the risks of proliferation are growing and guardrails to prevent escalation are weakening, he said, And when crises -- with nuclear undertones -- are festering from the Middle East and the Korean Peninsula to the invasion of Ukraine by Russia, and to many other factors around the world.

Guterres called on conference participants to take several actions: urgently reinforce and reaffirm the 77-year-old norm against the use of nuclear weapons, work relentlessly toward eliminating nuclear weapons with new commitments to reduce arsenals, address the simmering tensions in the Middle Est and Asia and promote the peaceful use of nuclear technology.

Future generations are counting on your commitment to step back from the abyss, he implored the ministers and diplomats. This is our moment to meet this fundamental test and lift the cloud of nuclear annihilation once and for all.

Japans Kishida, recalling his home city of Hiroshima where the first atomic bomb was dropped in August 1945, echoed many of Guterres points saying the path to a world without nuclear weapons has become harder but giving up is not an option.

In force since 1970, the Nonproliferation Treaty known as the NPT has the widest adherence of any arms control agreement, with some 191 countries that are members.

Under its provisions, the five original nuclear powers -- the United States, China, Russia (then the Soviet Union), Britain and France -- agreed to negotiate toward eliminating their arsenals someday and nations without nuclear weapons promised not to acquire them in exchange for a guarantee to be able to develop nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.

India and Pakistan, which didnt join the NPT, went on to get the bomb. So did North Korea, which ratified the pact but later announced it was withdrawing. Non-signatory Israel is believed to have a nuclear arsenal but neither confirms nor denies it. Nonetheless, the treaty has been credited with limiting the number of nuclear newcomers (U.S. President John F. Kennedy once foresaw as many as 20 nuclear-armed nations) as a framework for international cooperation on disarmament.

The meeting, which ends Aug. 26, aims to generate a consensus on next steps, but expectations are low for a substantial  if any  agreement. There were 133 speakers as of Monday, plus dozens of side events.

The NPTs five-year review was supposed to take place in 2020, when the world already faced plenty of crisis, but was delayed because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Patricia Lewis, former director of the U.N. Institute for Disarmament Research who is now in charge of international security programs at the international affairs think tank Chatham House in London, said President Putins threats to use nuclear weapons have shocked the international community.

Russia is not only an NPT signatory but a depository for treaty ratifications and in January it joined the four other nuclear powers in reiterating the statement by former U.S. President Ronald Reagan and former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev that a nuclear war can never be won and must never be fought, she told The Associated Press.

Lewis said countries participating in the review conference will have a difficult decision to make.

To support the treaty and what it stands for, governments will have to address Russias behavior and threats, she said. On the other hand, to do so risks dividing the treaty members -- some of whom have been persuaded by Russias propaganda or at least are not as concerned, for example, as the NATO states.

And Russia no doubt will strenuously object to being named in statements and any outcome documents, Lewis said.

___

Associated Press writer Jennifer Peltz contributed to this report.
Westerly, RI (02891)

Today

Rain showers this morning with overcast skies during the afternoon hours. High 74F. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%..

Tonight

Some clouds. Low around 60F. Winds light and variable.
Brickability Group's latest results showed strong growth at the AIM-listed building supplies distributor, which, in a tough general economic environment, must have left management feeling vindicated for its bullish acquisitive strategy.

Its shares enjoyed a strong run throughout 2021 and while year-to-date the price has seen a dip, the model (delivering rather than making building materials) is working and the diversification strategy is paying off too.

With only a handful of competitors jostling for space in the brick-distribution scene, Brickability has seized on the opportunity to expand, both organically and acquisitively.

Building up: With only a handful of competitors jostling for space in the brick-distribution scene, Brickability has seized on the opportunity to expand, both organically and acquisitively

While three major brick manufacturers  Ibstock, Forterra and Austrian leader Wienerberger  also have a hand in distribution, their combined market share is only around 40 per cent.

Pure-play distributor EH Smith has a sizable operation, but is largely focused in the southeast and Midlands.

Other large merchants such as Jewson and Travis Perkins (LSE:TPK) are strong in retail, but lack the specialist offering expected by large-scale builders.

In what was the most important acquisition for the company to date, Taylor Maxwell, once a genuine competitor, was bought out by Brickability in June 2021 for 63million.

Chairman John Richards saw an opportunity to tap into the social housing market through the merchant, which he said has 'very much performed above expectations.'

Cash flows saw an uplift from the acquisition too: Brickability went from a 7million negative position to being in the black, albeit at a modest 400,000, though Richards does expect the needle to flip back into negative territory again the following year.

The recent prelims reveal a company in rude financial health with revenues up 187 per cent at 520.2million for the 12 months ended March 31. Extracting the impact of recent acquisitions, like-for-like top-line growth was still an impressive 31.9 per cent.

Generalists: Other large merchants such as Jewson and Travis Perkins (pictured) are strong in retail, but lack the specialist offering expected by large-scale builders

Underlying earnings (EBITDA), meanwhile, more than doubled to 39.5million. Investors were rewarded with a 54 per cent hike to the dividend, which at 3p a share equates to a 3.8 per cent yield.

While the Taylor Maxwell purchase was easily the highest profile, other recent bolt-ons have included roofing contractors Leadcraft and Beacon Roofing (based in Hampshire and Surrey respectively) and solar panel installer HBS New Energies, which have broadened the mix away from bricks.

Post the year-end, Brickability purchased Modular Clay Products in May for 5.5million, further adding to its brick-distribution capacity.

The HBS acquisition is noteworthy in that it represents Brickability's first foray into renewable energy and sustainability products.

This accretive strategy has seen the group 'move into new segments within the market, increase our import and distribution capacity, expand our customer and client base and build upon our existing product portfolio', said Richards.

He noted that Brickability's European product pipeline has enjoyed a particularly healthy boost, doubly important given an ongoing brick shortfall in the UK.

Historically, its real strength in distribution has been with house builders, but recent business acquisitions have increased the company's book of architecture, contracting and other specification clients.

Buy and build has been a strategy ever since the company's IPO in August 2019 and while hard-line restrictions on price, multiples and deferred considerations are in place, management stays hands off in some respects.

'We tend not to change the name over the door. If the business is worth buying, it says to me that the brand and the management can't be bad,' explained Richards.

Now the challenge is to manage these bolt-ons and not get buried by runaway expansion.

For Richards, that means putting any further 'transformative' acquisitions on the backburner in place of organic growth, focusing on improving the company's guiding strategies of diversification, improving geographical reach and bolstering European import capabilities.

'One or two bolt-ons are in the pipeline,' added Richards.

UK brick-distribution powerhouse or not, Brickability is not immune to the macro pressures affecting supply lines and general demand in the housing market.

But bricks are not as expensive to import as one might think at the moment.

Belgium and The Netherlands, the two big European brickmaking powerhouses, are relatively close neighbours to the UK and their factories tend to be 'very big, very modern and very mechanical, with low costs of production and a lot of efficiency,' said Richards.

And what of the housing market, from which Brickability derives just under half its revenues?

While the risks shouldn't be understated, 'all the fundamentals for housing are still very much in place, driven by cross-party political support', said Richards, while mortgage rates also remain relatively low (for now).

But Brickability's diversification streak added some element of risk.

Having expanded into the timber sector following the Taylor Maxwell acquisition, Brickability now faces exposure to commodity-driven timber prices, which went to record levels in the summer of 2021, having only slightly retracted since.

Furthermore, tougher competition in the roofing sector places downward pressure on supply prices for that segment of the business.

That aside, Kevin Cammack, from broker Cenkos, believes that Brickability 'has done remarkably well to both grow the business organically and to execute and integrate the acquisitions'.

Noting that share price has come under pressure in the last nine months, in line with the broader sector, he believes they are 'pretty much as cheap today as you could have ever bought them, and yet the business has made enormous strides in terms of returns'.

Brickability's appetite for transformational acquisitions may have cooled off temporarily, but, according to Cammack, 'it certainly isn't the end of the story' for the company's growth trajectory.
A public register of property designed to crack down on dirty money laundered through the UK is set to go live today.

The Register of Overseas Entities will force landowners in the UK to reveal their identity, in an effort to root out oligarchs and criminals buying property.

Kleptocrats and criminal gangs have used London to funnel cash, turning dirty money into legitimate investments in property.

Cashing in: Ever-growing house prices, and relative stability, have made the UK attractive to buyers

Ever-growing house prices, and relative stability, have made the UK attractive to buyers.

Many preferred to hide their ownership behind complex webs of shell companies registered in secretive offshore tax havens.

But when Britain tried to freeze oligarch assets earlier this year, officials struggled to trace them.

Business Minister Lord Callanan said: 'Corrupt elites and oligarchs have been using UK property as a vehicle to launder illicit money.

'There are still too many foreign companies funnelling their illegal wealth through UK property, while they hide behind shell companies in overseas jurisdictions.'

From today, any overseas entity buying property in the UK must reveal its end-beneficiary.

A so-called 'regulated professional'  who may be a banker, lawyer or tax adviser, among others  will be charged with checking the information they give.

If the buyer lies, and the regulated professional knowingly allows this, both will be on the hook for hefty fines or even a jail sentence of up to five years.

The rules will also apply to foreign landowners who bought property after 1999 in England and Wales, and 2014 in Scotland  the date each land registry respectively started collecting data on foreign owners.

Callanan said: 'Those that don't follow the rules can expect to feel criminal sanctions.'

Rachel Davies, of Transparency International UK, said: 'Implementation is key to its effectiveness, but it'll give criminals and kleptocrats one less place to hide.'
Ascential shares dived on Monday after the firm plunged to a loss, despite growth across all segments of the business.

Having recovered to a profit of 216.8million in the six months ending June last year, the London-based media company posted a 38.4million loss this time around.

Ascential shares plunged by 15.6 per cent to 246.4p on Monday, making it the second-biggest faller on the FTSE 250 Index.

Revival: The return of people to the creative arts festival Cannes Lions boosted revenues in Ascential's marketing division by 88 per cent to 80.8million

It blamed economic uncertainty, the decision by Amazon to move Prime Day to July and supply chain pressures exacerbated by severe lockdown restrictions in Shanghai for hitting trade in its digital commerce division.

Total sales within the segment still increased by 59 per cent to 95.1million, but margins were held back by a one-off 31.4million impairment charge related to its Edge Digital Shelf analytics platform.

Margins were also stretched by investment outpacing revenue growth after the group bought software developer Sellics and e-commerce services provider Intrepid as part of plans to expand its reach in Europe, the US and Southeast Asia.

Nonetheless, chief executive Duncan Painter hailed the firm's results, with double-digit percentage sales rises across all divisions and profits in line with forecasts, which he said were 'all the more pleasing given the challenging macro backdrop'.

Ascential saw a considerable boost from the physical return of two major events; the creative arts festival Cannes Lions and the European edition of fintech exposition Money20/20.

Both events were cancelled in 2020 following the emergence of the Covid-19 pandemic and the subsequent regulations on cross-border travel and in-person events implemented by governments.

Their respective stagings this year were extremely popular, with both witnessing their turnover and earnings exceed pre-pandemic levels.

Cannes Lions helped to boost revenue in Ascential's marketing arm by 88 per cent to 80.8million, as did a healthy jump in digital subscriptions in the advertising services business WARC.

Further growth was observed in the firm's product design division, where demand for non-fashion goods from industries such as beauty and consumer technology, drove record expansion in turnover and customer retention volumes.

Analysts at Berenberg said the company's trading update should be 'taken positively given weakness seen across many e-commerce platforms of late raising concerns over its outlook.'

They added: 'All divisions are performing well on the top line, with digital commerce clearly taking market share and the recovery in events revenue very strong also.'

Bosses at Ascential expect sales and margins within its digital commerce arm to improve in the second half, bolstered by Amazon Prime Day and the easing of lockdown regulations in Shanghai.
One lucky Premium Bond holder has scooped a 100,000 per cent return on their investment after winning 25,000 on a holding of just 25 in this month's draw.

It also proves that older purchases can win too, with the bond having been bought in November 1983 - the same month that saw Billy Joel dominate the singles chart with Uptown Girl and Sean Connery star as James Bond one last time in Never Say Never Again.

The Somerset based holder won with a 10 bond after patiently holding it for almost 40 years.

Tidy return: NS&I now pay out more than 4.8m tax free prizes ranging from 25 to 1m every month to Bond holders.

It comes after the odds of each 1 Premium Bond number winning a prize has improved from 34,500 to 1 to 24,500 to 1.

Although there are still an unchanged two 1million prizes on offer, the number of 100,000 prizes have risen from six to 10, and 50,000 prizes from 11 to 19.

Along with the boost to 100,000 and 50,000 prizes, the number of 25,000 prizes has increased from 24 to 40.

While many who have purchased Premium Bonds in recent years now choose to be alerted to a win via email, many older and smaller bonds like this one may not be signed up to an alert system, meaning it is important to check historic holdings and contact details.

As for this month's two 1million jackpot winners, these were won with far more sizeable holdings.

One winner, from Dorset held the maximum 45,000 purchased last August, while the other winner, from Buckinghamshire, held 22,875, purchased in April 2009.

Premium Bonds Winners Prize Area Value of bond 1,000,000 Dorset 20,000 1,000,000 Buckinghamshire 5,000 100,000 West Yorkshire 20,300 100,000 Dorset 10,000 100,000 Hampshire and Isle of Wight 5,000 100,000 Wandsworth 10,000 100,000 Edinburgh 50,000 100,000 Central Scotland 40,000 More August 2022 winners View list of August 2022 winners

Over the past two years a considerable amount has been stashed into Premium Bonds.

There are currently more than 118billion bond numbers eligible for the draw, up from just over 86billion eligible bonds in March 2020.

In May, NS&I upped the Premium Bond underlying prize fund rate from 1 per cent to 1.4 per cent boosting the chances of its 21million savers bagging a monthly prize.

This means NS&I now pay out more than 4.8million tax free prizes ranging from 25 to 1million every month to Bond holders.

However, it is worth noting that a win will most likely secure you one of the 25 prizes awarded each month.

For example, this month, roughly 3.34million of the 3.42million prizes awarded were for 25.

The popular NS&I product allows savers to stick up to a maximum of 50,000 in the account.

> Happy 65th birthday to Premium Bonds and its first draw! Here are 65 facts you might not know about Britain's most loved savings product...
Every week we scour events calendars to find the best things to do that are especially worth your time and attention, and we share them here. Looking for fireworks displays? Visit our guide to the biggest and best in the Hudson Valley.

Be an insider: Sign up for our Weekending newsletter for bonus picks each week.

Aug. 11-14

La Guelaguetza Festival: After two years off, La Guelaguetza Festival returns to Waryas Park in Poughkeepsie on Sunday. More than 100 artists, dancers, musicians and singers will present the culture and traditions of the eight regions of Oaxaca, Mexico, highlighting the typical dances, the music of the towns, the flavors, and the majestic colors of their costumes. The state Department of Health will also provide free Pfizer vaccines and boosters (ages 5+) and Moderna boosters for adults, with no appointment or insurance necessary. Learn more >>

O+ Benefit Concert: Amanda Palmer returns to Kingston for a special benefit concert to fund the O+ Festival, a nonprofit that works with artists and musicians so that they can perform their work in exchange for health care. Palmer will perform Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at the Old Dutch Church in uptown Kingston. Tickets start at $25. Learn more >>

Catskill Mountain Jubilee: Music lovers can rejoice as this festival returns to the Blackthorne Resort in East Durham from Thursday to Sunday. This years celebration will welcome 30 musical acts ranging from rock to reggae. Food and art vendors from Greene County and beyond will take part and the festival will also seek to highlight local historical fixtures and locations. Ticket prices vary. Learn more >>

The Blueberry Festival: This Saturday starting at 9 a.m. enjoy blueberry-themed treats, local vendors, a blueberry muffin contest and live music from the Hudson Valley Bluegrass Express from 2 to 4 p.m. in Liberty Square in Ellenville. Admission and parking free for all. Learn more >>

Rock Junket Woodstock Rock 'n' Roll Walking Tours: In the Woodstock iteration of these famous music tours, visit sites where Bob Dylan, the Band, Todd Rundgren and Albert Grossman made history or just hung out. Meeting at the Bearsville Center at 2 p.m. this Saturday. Guests must find their own transportation to Woodstock. Private tours are available. Learn more >>

65th Annual Saugerties Antique Auto Show: Enjoy a day of viewing cars, live music, breakfast, lunch and flea market from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. this Sunday. Rain or shine event. Vehicle registration is $15, pre-1942 stock vehicles are free. Register day of between 10 a.m. and noon. Learn more >>

Storytime and Book Signing with Pauline David-Sax: A family-friendly event hosted by Inquiring Minds Bookstore and Coffeehouse in Saugerties. Pauline David-Sax, a playwright, educator and author, will read her recent children's book "Everything in Its Place." The reading will begin at 11:30 a.m. and last approximately an hour. All ages are welcome. Learn more >>

Peaches and Wine Festival: In a celebration of peach season, Weed Orchards and Winery in Marlboro will be holding festivities every weekend in August from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets include access to live music, peach picking, food and drinks. Guests are encouraged to bring chairs and blankets, but ample seating both inside and outdoors is available. Parking is free and tickets are free for children under 5. Get tickets >>



Have an event to recommend? Email hudsonvalley@timesunion.com for consideration.
Over the next few weeks, Scenic Hudson will be meeting with state and local officials to spur the completion of a long-running damage assessment of General Electrics pollution of the Hudson River.

The effort comes four months after the environmental group released a report estimating that GE damaged the Hudson to the tune of $11.4 billion by dumping carcinogenic PCBs in the river from the 1940s to the 1970s. The report was created with the goal of moving the rivers Natural Resource Damage Assessment  started by state and federal officials in 2002  toward completion.

Theyve been working on this assessment for 20 years, said Hayley Carlock, Scenic Hudsons director of environmental advocacy and legal affairs. We are having conversations with federal and state trustees over the next few weeks about the report and how it may be informing their thinking.

Mark Behan, a spokesman for GE, says the claims in Scenic Hudsons report are inconsistent with the wealth of scientific literature showing that Hudson River wildlife populations are healthy and thriving.

GE has been voluntarily cooperating with the federal and state trustees (and other regulatory agencies) for many years, providing data collected on the Hudson River to be considered as part of the Natural Resource Damage Assessment, Behan said. We fully intend to continue our cooperation with the government agencies and other stakeholders.

The Hudson River NRDA will determine the type and amount of restoration required to restore damaged or lost natural resources from contamination by hazardous substances. The assessment is still technically in the planning stage.

Almost 50 studies have been done to that end, but they have not actually completed or released publicly, an assessment that quantifies those and says, This is what its going to take to restore these resources, Carlock added. Sometimes, these assessments look like a long-term science project. You can always study more. At what point do you say, Weve got the evidence we need?

A legacy of pollution in the Hudson

GEs contamination of the river left an enduring toxic legacy extending 200 miles from the foothills of the Adirondacks to New York Harbor, creating one of the largest Superfund sites in the country. GE claims to have spent almost $2 billion thus far in its continuing cleanup of polychlorinated biphenyl, highly carcinogenic chemical compounds known as PCBs, that the company discharged into the river for more than 30 years.

The Hudson River Natural Resource Trustee Council, responsible for creating the NRDA, includes the state Department of Environmental Conservation, U.S. Department of Commerces National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the U.S. Department of the Interiors Fish and Wildlife Service.

By 1977, when the Environmental Protection Agency banned the production of PCBs, GE had already discharged 1.3 million pounds of PCBs into the Hudson River from two capacitor manufacturing plants in the towns of Fort Edward and Hudson Falls. Once PCBs entered the river, they were deposited and mixed with the sediments at many locations on the river bottom and at some locations along the shoreline in the floodplain. The PCB contamination is far more extensive than the EPA and the public thought back in the 80s when the Hudson was first named a Superfund site, said Carlock.

Related: Records show GE was warned about health threats of PCBs decades before anti-dredging campaign

In February 2002, the EPA issued a Record of Decision that called for targeted environmental dredging of approximately 2.65 million cubic yards of PCB-contaminated sediment from a 40-mile section of the upper Hudson River from Fort Edward to Troy. The EPA is expected to release its third five-year review of the cleanup of that section of the river next year. Under the Superfund law, five-year reviews are required to ensure that implemented remedial actions are working and protecting human health and the environment.

The NRDA for the Hudson River is distinct from the EPA-mandated dredging of the upper Hudson by GE, conducted over six years and 40 miles of the river. According to the EPA, it was at the time the most extensive dredging project undertaken in the nation.

The EPA issued a certificate of completion for that project in April 2019. That was contested by the state of New York, which filed a lawsuit claiming that the dredging did not sufficiently remediate the river. New York lost the suit in 2021.

In the lower Hudson River, south of the Troy Dam down to the Battery, there are known hot spots of PCB contamination. An initial assessment from the 1990s indicated that PCBs from GE plant sites had migrated downstream into the lower Hudson River, but the upper Hudson dredging project substantially reduced the transport of PCBs to the lower Hudson, Behan said.

Carlock disagrees. She says GE knows the lower Hudson hot spots have not been improved by the earlier dredging.

For years, GE made billions and billions of dollars in profit all while they discharged their garbage into the Hudson and externalized the cost of that contamination onto the public, said Carlock. Its their responsibility legally to clean it up.

Editors note: This story has been updated with comment from a GE spokesperson, and more detail about the dredging of the upper Hudson.
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ALBANY  The city has already spent more than $100,000 on the deteriorating Central Warehouse and is warning that the building is still not considered safe, four days after falling masonry forced Amtrak to temporarily suspend rail service west of Albany.

City crews worked through the weekend to stabilize portions of the building near the rail lines, including removing a smokestack and pieces of loose masonry, said Rick LaJoy, the city's director of Buildings and Regulatory Compliance.

But the facade over much of the building, including the southern side near the Amtrak passenger rail line, remains unstable.

A Times Union photographer was working near the 143 Montgomery St. building when at least one chunk crashed to the ground Monday morning, with a second piece of debris audibly hitting the ground as well. There were workers above the street on the rail bridge near the building at the time, but it was unclear if crews were hitting the masonry off, or if it was falling on its own.

LaJoy cautioned Monday that the city's work wasn't done.

"We still have work to do," he said. "Hopefully by the end of the week we're done with what we're doing."

Beyond the emergency stabilization work, LaJoy said Evan Blum, the building's owner, will have to make additional repairs or the city runs the risk of seeing the structure deteriorate even further and having to make more emergency repairs.

A city-commissioned structural engineering report written last week lays out how debilitated the building is after being vacant for years, and contains a number of recommendations for how a large-scale facade collapse can be prevented. The report does not estimate how much the repairs might cost.

Heres the structural report on Central Warehouse, provided by the city in response to a Freedom of Information Law request:

The city asked for the report on July 26 after inspecting the building. LaJoy said the inspection came after a call to Mayor Kathy Sheehan's office about falling masonry near the Amtrak lines.

The report by Russ Reeves, a Troy-based civil engineer, notes that the facade around the building is moving away from the structure and poses a public safety hazard. Along the southern wall, where the train runs, the track is in danger of being hit if the upper wall collapses.

To help prevent this, the report calls for the entire fascia wall on the buildings south side to be attached to the inside of the building using steel rods and plates, and then anchored to the floor with cables.

Inside the building, some of the reinforced concrete beam structures and staircases on the upper floors are also in imminent danger of partial collapse.

The report notes that the building's southern parapet wall moves and vibrates when Amtrak trains pass.

LaJoy said the city had made Blum aware years ago that he needed to take steps to fix the masonry and weatherproof the building, but he has refused to do so. When the city contacted him on a previous occasion where some concrete fell from the building and landed in a nearby business' parking lot, Blum questioned where the masonry had come from, LaJoy said.

"This is a very long saga with this owner," he said.

As contractors worked over the weekend to remove the smokestack from the building, a chunk estimated at 6 feet long and 2 feet wide crashed down onto the road next to the train tracks, LaJoy said."This is a very hazardous building," he said.

He estimated the city had already spent $100,000 on the repairs. That estimate does not include all of the costs the city will incur as contractors finish securing the outside wall this week.

The city contacted Amtrak last week after receiving the report about chunks of the facade giving way. The cancellations affected multiple lines throughout the East Coast and Amtrak relied on buses to get travelers from the train station in Rensselaer to stations in Saratoga Springs and Schenectady.

Mayor Kathy Sheehan's office released a statement saying Amtrak service had resumed Monday afternoon.

The Central Warehouse has been at the center of several legal battles between its current owner, Blum, and Albany County. The county has been trying for over a year to seize the property for back taxes. Blum, who bought the building in 2017, owes more than $500,000 in back taxes, including some from before he owned the building.

He has twice tried to declare bankruptcy to prevent the county from seizing his property.

On Friday, Blum said he learned about the building's latest problem when another news outlet contacted him for comment. He attempted to cast doubt on the extent of the problem, arguing the city had commissioned the report on the building's failing condition solely to make him look bad.

It is not the first time one of Blum's warehouses has been in hazardous condition. In 2000, a New York City warehouse that Blum and his father owned collapsed as the two men were making renovations to the building. Several people were injured and the Blums sued after the city demolished the building. The Blums were both criminally charged and Evan Blum was convicted of a misdemeanor count of reckless endangerment and paid a fine.
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ALBANY  Amtrak trains began rolling past the derelict Central Warehouse Monday afternoon, an Amtrak spokesman confirmed, restoring services that in pre-pandemic times typically carried as many as 2,000 passengers a day.



The tracks had been closed since early Friday morning after chunks of the buildings wall tumbled to the ground just feet from the rails.

Contractors worked through the weekend to remove loose concrete on a wall adjacent to the tracks as well as a smokestack, said Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan.

By Monday afternoon, city officials said it was safe to reopen the tracks.

"As I stated on Friday, our number one priority has been to safeguard the public, and get rail service back on track, Sheehan said in a statement Monday. Thanks to the hard work of our Director of Buildings and Regulatory Compliance, as well as our contractors, we achieved that goal. There is still work to be done to prevent further deterioration, but we are pleased that the tracks can safely reopen.

The interruption created a major logistical headache for Amtrak as it scrambled to find enough buses to shuttle passengers past the closed tracks and to clean and turn around trains that terminated in Schenectady, Saratoga Springs and Rensselaer.

At least two Empire Corridor round-trips between Schenectady and Niagara Falls had been canceled Monday. Other affected trains included the Lake Shore Limited, Maple Leaf and Ethan Allen Express.

Amtrak said the Niagara Falls trains would resume normal operations Tuesday and Wednesday.

The bus bridges required passengers to gather their belongings, disembark, and board buses to bypass the closed tracks, then board a train on the other side to continue their journey.

David Altobell of Brooklyn had to take the bus for part of his trip to and from Rutland, Vermont. On the way to Rutland, the sudden disembarking was a surprise. It was a bit hectic, he said.

But returning to Brooklyn Monday went better, despite another bus ride. Its been pretty smooth today, he said.

He was philosophical about it, noting he didnt want a building to fall on his train. It seems necessary, he said.

Another passenger trying to get home to New York City on Monday searched for another way to travel, before reluctantly accepting the train-bus-train route.

Its a little frustrating. Theres no rescheduling or refunding. And Amtrak is expensive! My ticket is $250, said Kristina Golden. But Im glad they got me where I need to go.

Amtrak officials first learned of the falling concrete while gathered in Burlington Thursday night for the inaugural run of the newly extended Ethan Allen Express to Burlington on Friday.

Among those celebrating the return of regularly scheduled passenger service to Vermonts largest city for the first time since the 1950s was Stephen Gardner, Amtraks CEO.

Before the tracks in Albany reopened Monday, the railroads executives considered a number of options, including using CSX tracks and its bridge over the Hudson at Selkirk.

CSX is working with Amtrak to qualify their crews to operate passenger trains on CSXs line via Selkirk as a temporary, alternate route amid service disruptions on Amtraks Hudson line in Albany, a spokeswoman told the Times Union. Crew qualification trips were conducted over the weekend and more are anticipated this week.

Meanwhile, Albany Mayor Sheehan said the city would bill Central Warehouse's owner, Evan Blum, for the cost of the remediation work.
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP)  The Ohio Supreme Court has upheld the death penalty for a man who shot and killed a couple whose house and dog he was caring for while they were away on vacation.

Death row inmate George Brinkman pleaded guilty to the 2017 deaths of Rogell and Roberta John and was sentenced to death by a three-judge Stark County panel.
DOVER, Del. (AP)  A federal judge on Monday refused to dismiss a lawsuit filed against Delaware government officials who recalled a vanity license plate issued to a breast cancer survivor because of what the state transportation secretary described as a perceived profanity.

The judge said in a ruling that the lawsuit by Kari Lynn Overington of Milton raises a significant constitutional issue.

I am ready for my day in court, Overington, 41, said in a brief phone interview.

In December 2020, Overington applied for a vanity license plate reading FCANCER and received it two months later.

In June 2021, she received a letter from the manager of the Division of Motor Vehicles office in Dover telling her that the plate does not represent the division and the state in a positive manner. DMV manager Levi Fisher wrote that any plate considered offensive will be denied or recalled, if issued in error.

Overington responded by emailing state Transportation Secretary Nicole Majeski and asking for her help. She argued that the average person would not consider her vanity tag to be obscene. She also said court rulings in other states suggest that First Amendment rights apply to vanity tags, and that any regulations must be viewpoint neutral.

My vanity plate receives positive feedback everywhere I go, and I have had more than a few deep conversations with complete strangers about my cancer and how cancer has touched their lives because of it, Overington wrote. The community of cancer warriors, cancer survivors, and those who love them is far reaching and very supportive.

Majeski stood by the decision to recall the vanity plate, saying officials must ensure that they are not approving license tags that contain obscenity, vulgarity, profanity, hate speech or fighting words.

Your vanity plate FCANCER contains a perceived profanity, the abbreviation for the word F*@k, and for that reason, it must be recalled, Majeski wrote, apologizing for the oversight by DMV staff in initially approving the plate.

Overington then asked DOT officials to seek input from Gov. John Carney.

In other states the governor has gotten involved in these cases and the person was able to keep their vanity tags, she wrote. Id be disappointed if Governor Carney was not willing to at least consider stepping in, especially given his work with the Delaware Cancer Consortium and his connection to Beau Biden and the entire Biden family.

Beau Biden, a former Delaware attorney general and the eldest son of President Joe Biden Jr., died of brain cancer in 2015.

Overington noted in a later email that there are plenty of other F words in the English language, including freedom and that her license tag did not actually spell the word about which DMV officials were concerned. She also pointed out that the DMV itself has used implied profanity on electronic signs advising motorists to drive safely. Those messages include Get your head out of your Apps and Oh Cell No.

DMV Director Jana Simpler stood fast, however, insisting that Overington could no longer display the vanity tag.

Overington responded by filing a lawsuit last year, claiming that the state officials had violated her First Amendment rights by imposing content-based and viewpoint-based restrictions on her speech.

State officials sought to dismiss the complaint, arguing that it failed to state a a proper claim and that the defendants  Fisher, Simpler and Majeski  have qualified immunity against claims raised against them in their individual capacities.

This lawsuit is one of those instances where an individual seeks to push the boundaries of what DMV will permit to be displayed on a vanity license plate, to allow the display of profanity, an attorney for the state wrote.

Judge Richard Andrews denied the dismissal motion and granted a motion by Overington to amend her complaint to clarify that the defendants were being sued in their official, not individual, capacities.

Citing a 1988 U.S. Supreme Court ruling, Andrews wrote that challenges to laws that burden free expression are permitted when a licensing statute places unbridled discretion in the hands of a government official.

Andrews also noted that, while Overington has represented herself well without a lawyer, the constitutional issue in dispute should be decided through a process that includes lawyers on both sides. He said he would ask the court clerk whether an attorney could be obtained as a friend of the court supporting Overingtons position.

A spokesman for the Department of Transportation did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment.
Jaber Abdulkhaleg/AP

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP)  Kuwait on Monday announced the formation of a new government to defuse a protracted political feud blocking economic reforms in the oil-rich state.

Kuwaits newly-appointed prime minister, Sheikh Ahmad Nawaf Al Sabah, will lead the 12-member Cabinet until the dissolution of parliament ahead of early elections, the countrys state-run news agency, KUNA, reported. The date of the vote has yet to be announced.
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MALTA  Citing numerous issues, including a fuzzy public benefit, the Malta Planning Board unanimously voted against the controversial proposal to redevelop the South Shore Marina on Saratoga Lake.

On July 26, board members said the proposed planned development district has too many problems, including New York Development Group's inability to name what the public will gain from the project  a requirement for a plan that would construct 100 condominiums on 9.5 acres.

This does not provide a major benefit to the town, Planning Board member Kyle Kordich said. "It's simple."

He and other board members listed the projects other issues including scope, size, density, height, traffic, visual impacts and its lack of accessible open space.

Its inconsistent with the area and the towns master plan, and it would alter the lake forever," Kordich said, adding, I cant in good conscience vote for it, for a whole host of reasons."

However, that does not mean that the project is dead. It could still go forward when it goes back to the Town Board if the five-members vote for it with a supermajority.

While that could happen, the rejection of the project at the Planning Board level is hailed as a victory for many residents who opposed it because it would cut off public access to the lake in Malta.

The Malta Planning Board, drawing on their expertise, vision for the community and stewardship for the environment voted unanimously and vehemently against the South Shore Marina PDD, said Christie-Lee Ryan, a resident who opposes the project. It is my hope that the Town Board listens to the Planning Board since they are the experts on these projects and the town's overall vision. They found no benefit to the community and they made that quite clear."

John Cashin, a board member of the Saratoga Lake Association, said he was elated with the board's vote. But he has concerns that the decision will not be upheld by the Town Board.

The decision by the Planning Board should be upheld, Cashin said. The Planning Boards decision was unequivocal. The Town Board sent it to the Planning Board for their expertise.  I dont know how they could reverse the decision.

Jeff Knox, owner of New York Development, did not immediately respond to a Times Union request for comment. Neither did Sophia Marruso, the owner of Site and Plan Consulting, which is working with the developer on the project.

The formation of a planned development district (PDD) can provide a path to override zoning code, but they require a public benefit. Currently, the project is zoned for single or two-family homes, but the developer is asking for it to be zoned commercial.

Originally, the developer offered to reserve a small area to launch kayaks and canoes onto the lake as the public benefit. When residents complained that the benefit was insufficient because it included only 10 parking spaces, the developer scrapped the offer and said it would pay an undisclosed amount of money to the town to fulfill its benefit obligation. But the developer said its discussions with the town have not generated a proposed figure.

Planning Board member Peter Brooks said he wants to know the number, asking if it is $5,000 or $500,000.

I, for one, have to be persuaded that its a really big number and that its going to accomplish something big  like buying a really big property on the lake and making another Browns Beach, Brooks said. Not knowing the number, not having an idea of even the range of the number, makes it very difficult to say, 'Oh yeah, contribution to the town, theres public benefit.' There are little numbers and there are big numbers.

Brooks also noted that town code does not allow for development of steep slopes, which currently make up 2.6 acres of the 9.5-acre marina tract.

Brooks was also concerned that the developer wants it to be zoned commercial and not residential, despite the fact that it is mainly a condominium project with a clubhouse and some office space. He speculates that is because a PDD for residential use requires more land, a total of 10 acres. Commercial PDDs only need to be a minimum of 3 acres.

I find it difficult to call it anything but a residential project, Brooks said.

Co-chair John Viola said the project would likely add to the traffic on the already busy Route 9P, saying the additional cars will make the intersection with Plains Road horrendous.

You are adding another 100 cars, and thats one vehicle per household, Viola said. It seems to me you are trying to stick five pounds of dirt in a two-pound bag. I think its way too crowded. The traffic conditions will get worse, not better."

The developer has not provided a traffic study.

Malta Supervisor Mark Hammond said the Town Board was waiting to hear from the Planning Board before acting. Despite the overwhelming rejection, he thinks the town might move forward with public workshops on the project.

The town can say 'Thank you for your comments and recommendations,' however, we want to move forward in the way of workshops or something along those lines, Hammond said. That is still an option for the Town Board.
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PALATINE  The pilot of a single-engine plane was flown by helicopter to Albany Medical Center Hospital after his own aircraft crashed in Montgomery County over the weekend, State Police said.

The privately-owned plane went down in the area of Eaker Road in Palatine around 12:20 p.m. on Saturday, police said.
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MANILA, Philippines (AP)  Former Philippine President Fidel Valdez Ramos, a U.S.-trained ex-general who saw action in the Korean and Vietnam wars and played a key role in a 1986 pro-democracy uprising that ousted a dictator, has died. He was 94.

Ramoss family announced his death with profound sadness but did not provide other details in a brief statement that asked for privacy.

One of his longtime aides, Norman Legaspi, told The Associated Press that Ramos had been in and out of the hospital in recent years due to a heart condition and had suffered from dementia.

Some of Ramoss relatives were with him when he died on Sunday at the Makati Medical Center in metropolitan Manila, Legaspi said.

He was an icon. We lost a hero and I lost a father, said Legaspi, a retired Philippine air force official, who served as a close staff to Ramos in and out of government for about 15 years.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. condoled with the family of Ramos in a Facebook post. We did not only lose a good leader but also a member of the family, he said.

The newly elected president is the namesake son of the former Philippine dictator, whose 1986 ouster came after Ramos, then a top official of the Philippine Constabulary, and defense chief Juan Ponce Enrile withdrew their support in defections that sparked massive army-backed protests.

Ramos was the late dictator's second cousin, and in 1972 had helped him implement martial law during which thousands of people were incarcerated, tortured and became victims of extrajudicial killings and disappearances.

The Department of National Defense, which was once led by him, said Ramos was a decorated soldier who spearheaded the modernization of the military, one of Asia's most underfunded. He organized the elite special forces of the army and the national police.

The United States, the European Union and other foreign governments expressed their condolences. His contributions to the U.S.-Philippines bilateral relationship and advancing our shared goals of peace and democracy will always be remembered, the U.S. Embassy in Manila said.

The cigar-chomping Ramos, known for his we can do this rallying call, thumbs-up sign, attention to detail and firm handshakes, served as president from 1992 to 1998, succeeding the democracy icon, Corazon Aquino.

She was swept into the presidency in 1986 after the largely peaceful People Power revolt that toppled the elder Marcos and became a harbinger of change in authoritarian regimes worldwide.

In a memorable moment of the revolt, as the tide turned against Marcos, Ramos jumped in triumph with his hands high up while Enrile was rallying a crowd under a Philippine flagpole, drawing applause and cheers from rebel forces. The scene was captured by an AP and a few other photojournalists and had been reenacted by Ramos each year during the anniversary of the revolt, until age and his failing health prevented him from showing up.

Marcos, his family and cronies were driven into U.S. exile, where he died in 1989.

After Aquino rose to the presidency, Ramos became the military chief of staff and later defense secretary, successfully defending her from several violent coup attempts.

In 1992, Ramos won the presidential elections and became the largely Roman Catholic nations first Protestant president. His term was marked by major reforms and attempts to dismantle telecommunications and other business monopolies that triggered a rare economic boom, bolstered the image of the impoverished Southeast Asian country and drew praise from business leaders and the international community.

One of his legacies was the 1996 signing of a peace pact between his government and the Moro National Liberation Front, the largest Muslim separatist group at the time in the volatile southern Philippines, homeland of minority Muslims.

Ramoss calm bearing in times of crises earned him the moniker Steady Eddie.

A son of a longtime legislator and foreign secretary, Ramos graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in 1950. He was a part of the Philippine combat contingent that fought in the Korean War and was also involved in the Vietnam War as a non-combat civil military engineer.

Ramos is survived by his wife, Amelita Ramos, a school official, pianist, sportswoman and an environmental advocate, and their four daughters. Their second child, Josephine Ramos-Samartino, died in 2011.

Funeral arrangements were not immediately announced.
Gov. Kathy Hochul can strengthen New Yorks leadership in securing workplace equality by signing legislation that would harness the power of data to promote diversity and free market capital flows to accelerate change.



Here is how the legislation (A.8449/S.8435) can contribute to a more inclusive, competitive and profitable corporate landscape in New York: Many corporate stakeholders and investors such as big pension funds and foundations, as well as individual investors, want to know if the companies whose stocks and bonds they own are creating a diverse workplace. These investors, who are often leaders in the responsible investing movement, want to hold companies accountable for building a more inclusive and diverse workforce, and for closing the gender and race pay gaps. These investors want to reward well-managed companies that are addressing these issues by owning their securities. They also want to engage with companies that are not making progress, and potentially sell their securities if these companies do not make progress on diversity, equity and inclusion indicators.



Heres the problem: Despite growing investor demand for this type of data, it remains publicly unavailable for many companies  even though companies with more than 100 employees already provide this data to the federal government. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission requires these companies to submit employee data by race, ethnicity, sex and job category using a form called the EEO-1, but the EEOC does not release this data to the public.

The legislation, sponsored by Assemblywoman Amy Paulin, D-Westchester, and Sen. Leroy Comrie, D-Queens, brings transparency by requiring New York companies that already provide this data to the federal government to share their EEO-1 form with a New York state agency that will make this data publicly available.



Well-managed companies that address important social issues in the workplace are more likely to perform well, manage risks effectively, and generate healthy returns for investors. A variety of studies shows that companies that are more diverse, perform better. Thats good for companies, workers and investors.



The data made public by this legislation will also help consumers make better choices. For consumers who want to support companies that are becoming more inclusive, they will have the data to better make those choices.



Further, once this data is publicly released a virtuous circle of capital flows will be unleashed in New York. Responsible investor capital flows will move toward companies that are making progress. As the broader investment community realizes that inclusive companies are more likely to be profitable, the capital flows will increase and reinforce positive change.



Once Hochul signs this legislation, no CEO in New York with more than 100 employees will be able to hide the true state of workforce diversity at their company. Considering that New York is tied with California for the largest number of companies in the Fortune 500, this legislation has a meaningful, positive national economic impact. This legislation has the capacity to accelerate change at some of the most significant companies in the country, and it will be transformative. I encourage Hochul to sign this legislation into law without delay.



Jonathan Lewis, of Scarsdale, is president of Signatory Capital Advisors.
Want to support sustainability and the green-energy transition? Want to see fewer single-occupant cars on the road? Want a vibrant downtown thats more than a sea of parking lots? Want higher residential property values?

Mass transit is part of the answer to all of it.

But plans to connect some of Albanys uptown neighborhoods to a rapid-transit bus line broke down over some neighbors opposition. Concerns included their feeling they hadnt been properly consulted, their worries that the line will slow Western Avenue traffic and erode quality of life, and their opinion that the bus would get more use if the stops were elsewhere.

The Capital District Transportation Authority modified the design of the BusPlus Purple Line shelters in response to neighbors concerns, but it wasnt enough for some opponents, and CDTA decided to scrap the plans. "Why try to do something when it is obvious that what you're trying to do would not be appreciated?" CDTA chief Carm Basile told Times Union columnist Chris Churchill.

The thing is, there were groups of neighbors fighting to be heard on both sides of the issue. Supporters of the project also gathered petitions and lobbied officials. Why were the naysayers the ones who got heard?

A strong city is built on strong mass transit: It makes neighborhoods more walkable, connected, and sustainable. Thats why, as studies have shown, access to rapid transit boosts property values. And mass transit is not just for people without cars. Its for all of us  especially now, when expanding both lines and ridership could help us reach our climate goals.

BusPlus will still be running on Western Avenue. But for these neighborhoods, progress will roll right on by.

CDTA should not have given up so easily.

And speaking of boosting livability and reducing emissions 

Sign up for the Observation Deck newsletter Read the latest Times Union opinion, perspective and letters to the editor on Mondays by signing up for our Observation Deck newsletter.

A dose of decongestant

The wheels are finally turning on plans for congestion pricing in New York City. An environmental assessment should come out next month, and members have been named to the pricing board. The plan, which the state Legislature OKd in 2019, will charge drivers an EZPass-type toll for entering Manhattan below 60th Street, with the money used to improve the bus and subway systems. The goal: to discourage driving and encourage the use of mass transit. No American cities currently use congestion pricing; in major cities elsewhere, the system has helped lower air pollution and thin traffic.

Gov. Kathy Hochul was milquetoast on the plan earlier this summer in the gubernatorial primary debate, saying "now is not the right time" for congestion pricing. Frankly, she's wrong. To reach our ambitious climate goals, these are exactly the kind of changes New York need now  changes that nudge people to shift their behavior. Whats more, a Siena College / NY1 poll from June found that 64 percent of NYC residents said they'd switch to using mass transit if a congestion toll was put in place. What Gov. Hochul needs to do is to look for ways to incentivize even more people to shift to mass transit.

Even if all goes right, congestion pricing wont launch before late 2023 at the earliest. Nows no time to pump the brakes.
ALBANY  Online portals that allow someone to request absentee ballots in the names of others with very little identity verification were apparently exploited in two recent voter fraud cases that resulted in federal criminal charges.

A 39-year-old New York City man was arrested last month after FBI agents seized more than 100 absentee ballots  issued in the names of public officials, media personalities and attorneys  from his Manhattan apartment and a New Jersey residence where his father lives. The man, a registered Democrat, was charged with aggravated identity theft and providing false information in voting.

An FBI affidavit filed in U.S. District Court in Manhattan said that without authorization the man, Louis Koch, entered the victims names, dates of birth, counties and ZIP codes into a website controlled by the New York City Board of Elections and directed the ballots be mailed to his apartment and to his father's residence. Koch told FBI agents that he had gleaned the information needed to execute the online applications from "public sources," according to court records.

Following his arrest, Koch was released on $250,000 bond and is being represented by a federal public defender. The FBI affidavit said Koch claimed he never submitted the ballots to try and vote but had collected them as an apparent hobby. FBI agents said Koch told them he had been collecting absentee ballots in the names of others and without their authorization for about two years, including from boards of elections in California and Washington, D.C.

In June, a Troy councilwoman pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Albany to a federal criminal charge related to her submission of fraudulent absentee ballots in last year's elections.

In that case, Kimberly Ashe-McPherson, who resigned from the council a day after pleading guilty, was assisted by Jason T. Schofield, the Republican Rensselaer County Board of Elections commissioner, who had allegedly used a state elections portal to request an absentee ballot for a primary using the voter's name and date of birth. The county Board of Elections subsequently mailed the absentee ballot to Ashe-McPherson's address in Troy.

"Neither the defendant nor (the county Board of Elections official) had lawful authority to use (the voter's) name and date of birth in an absentee ballot application," the former councilwoman's plea agreement states.

There are two ongoing law enforcement investigations of ballot fraud in Rensselaer County  one a federal grand jury probe being led by the FBI and the second involving State Police and the state attorney general's office. The use of online voting portals are factors in the cases being examined by those agencies, according to law enforcement sources.

But the potential exploitation of online portals to obtain absentee ballots without authorization has not raised concerns among some county elections commissioners.

Albany County Republican elections Commissioner Rachel Bledi said that the problem is confusing guidelines that could leave individuals questioning whether they can request absentee ballots on behalf of others using the states online voter portal.

According to state law, people can request absentee ballots on behalf of family members, and a provision enacted at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic nullified the need for the applications to be signed by the voter.

At a certain point, Bledi said, multiple people were requesting ballots for their entire households because "it was simply understood that you were allowed to do it." Ultimately, guidance from the state, Bledi added, concluded that a ballot returned with the voters signature would be confirmation of its authenticity.

Still, "every time you introduce a new system there's always concern for its abuse and misuse," Bledi said. "However, for the most part, voters do what they need to do. They don't engage in this sort of behavior but that's not to say that exceptions may exist."

Indeed, a study published by a Columbia University professor in 2007 found that voter fraud crime is extremely rare, detailing that an average of eight people a year are convicted or plead guilty to illegal voting.

"I feel like there's a lot of checks and balances," said Warren County Democratic elections Commissioner Beth McLaughlin. Republican Commissioner William VanNess agreed. Both said they were unconcerned about a growth in instances of fraud, reiterating the thorough process they said the county goes through to verify ballots.

Absentee votes returned to the county are signed and then cross-referenced to the signatures on file at the county Board of Elections to ascertain their legitimacy. If county officials are unable to confirm that a signature is authentic, then the ballot is thrown out. Both commissioners asserted that an instance of voter fraud has never been documented in Warren County.

Still, neither denied that a ballot could be sent out to the wrong person if they had all the necessary information to request an application in someone else's name.

The recent FBI ballot fraud investigation in Manhattan noted that New York City's Board of Elections uses a third-party vendor to process online absentee ballot requests. The person requesting the ballot can order it to be mailed to another address simply by providing limited personal identifying information, including their name, date of birth and ZIP code.
Political leaders and other dignitaries will join family and friends of peace process architect David Trimble at his funeral service later.

The 77-year-old Nobel Peace Prize winner died last week following an illness.

The peer and former leader of the Ulster Unionist Party played a key role in forging the 1998 Good Friday/Belfast Agreement that ended decades of conflict in Northern Ireland.

Months after the deal was signed, Lord Trimble, from Co Down, was jointly awarded the Nobel prize with late SDLP leader John Hume in recognition of their efforts to stop the bloodshed and establish a powersharing system of devolved governance in the region.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Irish President Michael D Higgins and Taoiseach Micheal Martin are among those expected to attend the funeral at Harmony Hill Presbyterian Church in Lisburn on Monday afternoon.

Political leaders in Northern Ireland are also expected to be present for the service.

On Tuesday, the Stormont Assembly will reconvene for a special sitting to pay tribute to Lord Trimble.

The institutions are currently on ice, with the DUP blocking the creation of a powersharing administration in protest at Brexits Northern Ireland Protocol.

Last week books of condolence for the veteran politician were opened in several cities and towns across Northern Ireland.

Paying tribute, the Prime Minister described Lord Trimble as a giant of British and international politics while Mr Martin credited his central contribution in efforts to achieve reconciliation on the island of Ireland.

Former UK and Irish prime ministers Sir Tony Blair and Bertie Ahern, both of whom were involved in the intensive Good Friday negotiations, also hailed his peacebuilding legacy.

Sir Tony said his contribution was immense, unforgettable and frankly irreplaceable while Mr Ahern described him as a courageous leader.

Ex-Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams, a once bitter political adversary of the unionist, thanked him for helping to get the Good Friday Agreement over the line.

Lord Trimble is survived by his wife Lady Daphne Trimble and the couples four children.
The Golden Ghetto is becoming an increasingly dangerous place amid more political turmoil and housing shifts.



Here's tonight's update on a spate of shooting . . .



Upon arrival, officers found one male with gunshot wounds. He was transported to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries.



He later died from those injuries at the hospital.



Anybody with information is asked to contact the Overland Park Police Department at 913-895-6300 or the TIPS Hotline at 816-474-TIPS (8477).



Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .

Overland Park shooting leaves one dead OVERLAND PARK, Kan. - At 4:22 p.m., Sunday afternoon, officers were called to a business located in the 8600 block of College Boulevard in regards to a shooting. Upon arrival, officers found one male with gunshot wounds. He was transported to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries.

1 man shot to death Sunday afternoon at Overland Park gas station/car wash KANSAS CITY, Mo. - One man was shot and killed after an altercation at an Overland Park BP gas station at College Boulevard and Antioch Road. Police said the shooting happened about 4:30 after two cars pulled into the gas station. The occupants of the cars got into an argument and one gunman shot the victim.

Developing . . .
The Pentagon clearly has a favorite and a sense of humor.



Here's sympathetic progressive media helping his cause . . .

And Donald Trump, I mean, he put the president of Goldman Sachs, Gary Cohn, in charge of our economy. Thats not populism. What they do is divide people based on race, religion, where you come from, in a way that doesnt give everyday people power. They make sure folks are divided so that they dont have power as a whole against the system thats not working.



And so I just think its a tragedy that we give sort of any sort of populist label to these guys because they dont want to change the system.



Now 39, Kunce is a Yale grad who joined the US marines, went to Iraq and Afghanistan and worked in international arms control. Hes a persuasive speaker, even over Google Meet, laptop camera on the fritz.

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .
Once and for all and for the cheap seats . . .

ALL KANSAS CITY "BEST OF" CONTESTS ARE RIGGED . . . IF YOU NOTICE A WINNING PRIZE AT YOUR FAVORITE SHOP . . . THAT'S BECAUSE THEY PAID FOR IT!!!



Nevertheless and because everybody needs a break as hard times get harder . . .



None of that prevents some decent writing in service of pay-for-play promotional content.



There's always a chance to discover something new or confirm suspicions that a choice is garbage.



Either way . . . All of this is useful for our dedicated readers who often need help pretending to work . . .



Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .
First, the straight campaign news . . . For those who didn't see it yet . . . Justice Horn suffered another setback . . .



CAUGHT ON CAMERA FROM KC WINEWORKS IN DOWNTOWN KANSAS CITY: TWO JUSTICE HORN FOR JACKSON COUNTY PRIDE YARD SIGNS VANDALIZED AND STOLEN.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (July 31st, 2022)  Justice Horn, candidate for Jackson County Legislatures two yard signs were vandalized and stolen in downtown Kansas City on July 31, 2022 in front of KC Wineworks. This incident and the video of it was brought to Justices attention at 2 PM today. Justice Horn is the first openly gay person of color to seek this county seat and if elected, would be the first openly gay county offical in the state of Missouri. Justice is no stranger to hostility as hes received open threats during the Black Lives Matter movement in 2020, which also includes the defacing of a Black Lives Matter mural last year here in Kansas City at our Briarcliff location in the Northland. A couple of weeks on fourth of July weekend, Justices campaign banner was also defaced with a homophobic slur and was shortly stolen there after.



Justice Horn: KC Wineworks has two of my campaign rainbow yard signs in front of their place in downtown Kansas City. They just sent me this video of a man vandalizing both signs before throwing one into the street and stealing the other from last night. This is what Im up against.



From my banner being defaced with a homophobic slur to it being stolen, to a Brookside church being vandalized to a KC Streetcar stop with the message All Are Welcome being damaged, and now this.This is why representation is important. If were not at the table were on the menu, and its clear were on the menu.



###

However . . .

The response from conservative talker Pete Mundo wasn't exactly supportive.

You decide . . .
Here's the inside joke about Democracy that only TKC readers and hobos are brave enough to admit:

Nothing is final and everything is ALWAYS up for debate.



Accordingly . . . Thanks to some of the great thinkers who read our blog, here's the word . . .



TKC READERS EXPECT THE 'VALUE THEM BOTH' VOTE TO DISAPPOINT GIVEN ABORTION CRACKDOWN LEGAL MOVES UNDERWAY!!!



Translation . . .

Of course your vote counts . . . Just maybe not to anybody but you.



On the bright side . . .

Just in time for the midterms, progressives have signed up a bevy of new voters who are ready, willing and excited to join the eternal struggle against the American-middle-class.

And so . . . Given that the primary isn't really going to make anyone "happy" at the 3 A.M. witching hour when people contemplate their ultimate place in the universe . . . We share some primary links worth a peek amid this charade parade of election time progress.

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com links . . .

Kansas abortion amendment vote seen as a bellwether for post-Roe era WICHITA, Kansas -- On Tuesday, for the first time since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, voters will weigh in directly on abortion in what both sides call a bellwether for the issue in post-Roe America. Kansas primary election ballots include a proposal to amend the state constitution to explicitly disavow the right to access abortion.

Axiom: If you have to ask then you can't afford it.

Do Missouri Democrats stand a chance in the U.S. Senate race? Republicans have gotten most of the attention in the U.S. Senate primary in Missouri, but August 2 also has a competitive Democratic primary too. Plus, one candidate hopes he will become one of the few elected Hispanic officials in Jackson County.

"Heart of the Matter" explores ballot items you should know Hide Transcript Show Transcript RACES AND ISSUES ON BALLOTS IN BOTH OUR STATES. SOME COULD HAVE AN IMMEDIATE IMPACT ON VOTERS INCLUDING A QUESTION IN KANSAS SURROUNDING WHAT'S KNOWN AS THE VALUE THAN BOTH AMENDMENT IF PASSED THE STATE CONSTITUTION WOULD BE AMENDED CHANGE TO ADD LANGUAGE EXPLICITLY REMOVING ABORTION PROTECTIONS A YES VOTE ALSO GIVES THE POWER TO STATE LAWMAKERS TO PASS NEW RESTRICTIONS ON ABORTION AND POTENTIALLY A BAN A NO-VOTE MAINTAINS THE LEGAL PRECEDENT THAT ABORTION IS CONSTITUTIONALLY PROTECTED IN KANSAS.

'I vote every election': Missouri, Kansas voters speak on the importance of voting in every election KANSAS CITY, Mo - Ahead of the August 2nd primaries, voters told KSHB 41 why it's important to head to the polls on election day. "So many of our ancestors died because they didn't have that right to vote, you know?" Missouri voter Deborah Holden-Johnson said. "Every little vote helps, no matter what."

Meet the Candidates: Eric Schmitt pulls ahead in the polls TO SEE THAT STATISTICAL THREE-WAY TIE SOFTEN A BIT THE LATEST POLL FROM THE TRAFALGAR GROUP SHOWS, MISSOURI ATTORNEY GENERAL, ERIC. AND CONGRESSWOMAN VICKI HARTZLER PULLING AWAY FROM FORMER, MISSOURI, GOVERNOR ERIC GREITENS WITH UNDECIDED VOTERS LESS THAN FIVE POINTS BEHIND HIM.

Decision 2022: Missouri U.S. Senate seat closely watched on Primary Day KANSAS CITY, Mo. - With days to go until the Missouri primary, U.S. Senate party candidates are still introducing themselves to voters. "I'm Lucas Kunce, I'm a Marine veteran, 13 years [in] Iraq and Afghanistan," Kunce said. "I spent my entire life serving this country."

Meet the Candidates: Trudy Busch Valentine I'M CODY HOLYOKE. WE ARE LESS THAN 48 HOURS AHEAD OF POLLS OPENING ON TUESDAY FOR THE AUGUST PRIMARIES. ARE YOU READY? WE HOPE SO, BUT JUST IN CASE WE'LL CONTINUE OUR COMMITMENT 2022 PUSH GEARING YOU UP FOR IMPORTANT RACES AND ISSUES ON THE BALLOT IN KANSAS AND MISSOURI, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE SPENT A LOT OF TIME ON MISSOURI'S US SENATE RACE FOR GOOD REASON.

Republicans race to stop Greitens in Missouri Senate primary Republicans are making a final push to shut out former Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens in the state's closely watched GOP Senate primary, fearing that him clinching the GOP nomination on Tuesday could put an otherwise safe Republican seat at grave risk in November. In the final days before the Aug.

How Far Right Will Republican Primary Voters Go In Arizona And Missouri? After taking a month off ( mostly), primary season is back in full force this Tuesday, Aug. 2. Voters in six states will choose candidates for the November elections, and there are so many compelling primaries that we're previewing them in two installments again.

U.S. Senate candidates campaign across Missouri as one unknown factor still hangs in the balance WASHINGTON (Gray DC) - On Saturday Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt stood in front of a crowd of Republican supporters in Cape Girardeau, Missouri as he seeks a seat in the U.S. Senate. He's leading multiple polls in the crowded GOP field.

High-stakes Senate primary tests Missouri Republicans' tolerance for an Eric Greitens return | CNN Politics In conversations with about 45 Missourians across the state, mostly Republicans, some said they were sticking by Eric Greitens in the Republican Senate primary, and even those who weren't expressed skepticism about the allegations agains thim. But the majority said they had issues with the candidate.

Abortion Faces Early Electoral Test in Kansas - but Misinformation Is Rampant Danielle Underwood was sidestepping the question. Underwood, director of communications for Kansans for Life, was a guest on "Up to Date," a morning talk show on KCUR, the public radio station in Kansas City, Missouri.

The Democrat Who Thinks He Can Win Back Missouri With Populism For almost an hour, punctuated by my occasional question, Democrat Lucas Kunce hammered home the theme that animates his uphill Senate campaign-the economic "gutting" of his home state of Missouri by greedy corporations and their political enablers. Dressed in a black T-shirt, Kunce, a 39-year-old, Yale-educated Marine who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, radiated coiled energy as passion rose in his voice.

Get to know your Jackson County Executive candidates The race for Jackson County Executive is shaping up as quite the marquee event. The Democratic incumbent is a former major league all-star, one Republican was part of the January 6 mob that stormed the capital and another, until recently, hadn't registered to vote.

Four weeks ago this news item ruined the surprise for anybody who REALLY understands how these things work . . .

Kansas voter registration up big after Roe v. Wade overturn OLATHE, Kan. (WDAF) - The election commissioner in Johnson County, Kansas says voter registration has gone up over the last week and a half. Fred Sherman normally said the August primary is reserved for the two main political parties to narrow down their candidates and decide who will face off in November's general election.

Missouri Election Day FAQ: What you need to know to make sure your vote counts Missouri Independent screengrab Boone County sent out more than 100,000 sample ballots to prepare voters for Tuesday's primary election, and many were surprised at what they saw. "They weren't aware of redistricting happening," said Boone County Clerk Brianna Lennon. "So we had a lot of questions from people that were newly in the 3rd Congressional District that were expecting to...

A political scientist's case against voting The message being bombarded at Americans today, by everyone from President Obama to Li'l Jon and Lena Dunham, is that you definitely, definitely need to go out and vote. Americans as a society have so internalized this message that voting's crucial importance is taken as a given; not voting is seen as something to be embarrassed about.

You decide . . .
The Russian military leadership is probably adjusting the operational design of its Donbas offensive after failing to make a decisive operational breakthrough under the plan it had been following.

The UK Ministry of Defense said this in its latest intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine, Ukrinform reports.

Russia is probably adjusting the operational design of its Donbas offensive after failing to make a decisive operational breakthrough under the plan it had been following since April, the statement reads.

It is noted that over the last four days, Russia has continued to attempt tactical assaults on the Bakhmut axis, northeast of Donetsk, only managing to make slow progress.

The ministry added that it has likely identified its Zaporizhzhia front as a vulnerable area in need of reinforcement.

As reported by Ukrinform, the Armed Forces of Ukraine eliminated 41,030 Russian soldiers in Ukraine from February 24 to August 1, including 200 on July 31.

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The Ukrainian military have destroyed Russias Tunguska gun and missile air defense system in Kharkiv Region.

The relevant statement was made by the National Guard of Ukraine on Facebook, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

The air reconnaissance units of the National Guard of Ukraine, in cooperation with artillerymen from the Armed Forces of Ukraine, have detected and destroyed Russias Tunguska gun and missile air defense system. The National Guard members also adjusted fire of the Ukrainian Armys artillerymen and recorded the combat performance, the report states.

As a result of the coordinated work of Kharkiv Regions defenders, Russian troops suffered losses.

A reminder that Tunguska is a Soviet and now Russian gun and missile air defense system designed to provide protection for infantry and tank regiments.

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The power of the democratic world  the international partners who supply modern and effective weapons to Ukraine  is well felt on the countrys battlefield these weeks.

The relevant statement was made by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in a video address, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

The full text of the speech is provided below:

Good health to you, fellow Ukrainians!

The implementation of the Initiative on the export of Ukrainian grain and other agricultural products from our ports in the Black Sea began today. The first vessel carrying 26,000 tons of corn left the port of Odesa.

As of now, it is too early to draw any conclusions and predict further events. But the port started working, the export traffic started, and this can be called the first positive signal that there is a chance to stop the spread of the food crisis in the world.

Currently, everything depends on the implementation of the security parameters of the Initiative, which is the responsibility of the partners, primarily the United Nations and Turkey.

We cannot have the illusions that Russia will simply refrain from trying to disrupt Ukrainian exports. Russia consistently provoked famine in the countries of Africa and Asia, which traditionally imported large volumes of Ukrainian food. And now - in conditions of extreme heat, as this year in Europe, the threat of a price crisis and a certain food shortage is also possible for some European countries.

So, well see how the agreements will work and whether there will really be security. 16 vessels are already waiting their turn for departure, and we are ready to make a proper contribution to the stabilization of the world food market.

For our state, this is also of great benefit - and this is not only about billions of dollars in foreign exchange revenue. About half a million Ukrainians are involved in the cultivation of agricultural export crops, and if we add related industries, then this is plus a million jobs. That is why there is the appropriate state attention to the implementation of the export Initiative. Our people really need it.

Today I spoke with President of France Emmanuel Macron, in particular about the restoration of our agricultural exports by sea. In general, the negotiations lasted one and a half hours and were very meaningful: relations in the defense sphere, first of all. A wide range of security issues - thank you for the assistance already given to Ukraine, which effectively protects us on the battlefield.

We also discussed macro-financial support for our state - I asked Mr. President to help us unblock macro-financial aid, which has stalled in Europe. I want to remind all the leaders that it is 9 billion euros. These are not trifles for us, but important social things - these are our pensions, these are our salaries, support for IDPs, and therefore we expect appropriate decisions from specific government officials.

Mr. President of France informed me about the results of his African tour - we are now strengthening this direction of our foreign policy. I invited President Macron to participate in the online summit of the Crimea Platform, which will take place shortly.

Last year, we created the Crimea Platform and are developing this format  despite all the threats and tangible diplomatic opposition from Russia.

During the years of occupation, Russia turned Crimea into a large military prison camp - and tens of thousands of people became its victims. Crimea became a bridgehead for attacks on the free territory of our country... The weak and insufficiently principled reaction to the occupation of Crimea in 2014 and in the following years became one of the prerequisites for the fact that Russian aggression managed to grow to such a scale. We will gradually restore justice regarding our Crimea.

The situation on the battlefield has not undergone significant changes over the past day. Fierce battles continue in Donbas, in the Kharkiv region, the struggle for the south of our country continues...

Ukrainian artillery and intelligence have already done a lot to reduce the fire potential of the occupiers - and it is tangible. Today I want to thank all our warriors who destroy Russian logistics, who destroy the occupiers' ammunition and who do not leave the occupiers a single safe place on our land.

And I also want to thank our partners now - everyone who supplies Ukraine with modern and effective artillery and MLRS. The power of the democratic world is well felt on the battlefield in Ukraine these weeks.

And today, another conversation took place in the format Ukraine - United States - three on three - Andriy Yermak and Jacob Sullivan, Dmytro Kuleba and Antony Blinken, Valerii Zaluzhny and Mark Milley. This is our continuous format, which has already allowed us to make a fundamental contribution to the protection of the entire free world. Weve coordinated next steps in support of Ukraine.

Eternal glory to everyone who fights for freedom!

Glory to Ukraine!

Photo: Office of the President of Ukraine
Head of the President's Office Andriy Yermak, Minister of Foreign Affairs Dmytro Kuleba, and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine General Valerii Zaluzhny informed the American partners about the operational situation at the front and the needs of the Ukrainian army.

As part of the continued dialogue, Head of the President's Office Andriy Yermak, Minister of Foreign Affairs Dmytro Kuleba, and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine General Valerii Zaluzhny had a phone conversation with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, US President's National Security Advisor Jacob Sullivan, and US Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley, the Presidents Office informs.

The representatives of Ukraine informed the American side of the operational situation and the needs of our army.

Yermak, Kuleba, and Zaluzhny commended a considerable contribution of the United States to the reinforcement of Ukraines defense capability.

In addition, Yermak and Sullivan agreed on the need to organize a conversation between the leaders of Ukraine and the United States in the near future.

On February 24, 2022, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Russian troops massively bomb and shell peaceful Ukrainian cities, towns, and villages, pursuing mass terror against the civilian population in the temporarily occupied territories. The defense forces of Ukraine resist Russian troops. As of August 1, Ukrainian defenders eliminated about 41,0300 Russians.

Photo credit: Presidents Office

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The possibility of the first grain carrier leaving one of Ukraine's ports on Monday is high.

Thats according to a spokesperson for Turkeys President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who made a statement on Sunday, Ukrinform reports referring to Reuters.

"If all (details) are completed by tomorrow, it seems like there is a high possibility that the first ship will leave the port tomorrow...We will see ships leaving the ports the next day at the latest," Ibrahim Kalin said.

Speaking in an interview with broadcaster Kanal 7, Kalin said the joint coordination center in Istanbul will probably complete the final work on the exporting routes very soon.

As reported earlier, on July 22, as a result of the quadrilateral meeting of Ukraine, Turkey, the UN and Russia, held in Istanbul, an agreement was signed, according to which Ukraine would proceed with the exports of grain and other food products from its ports.

Photo: AA
Ireland's president Michael Higgins is facing calls to "express clearly the strong support" the people of Ireland have for Ukraine after his wife wrote a controversial letter on the conflict.

This week, Sabina Higgins penned a letter to the Irish Times to criticize a previous editorial on the conflict, Sky News reports, according to Ukrinform.

She said that hostilities would rage on until the world persuaded President Vladimir Putin and President Volodymyr Zelensky to "agree to a ceasefire and negotiations."

Critics of the letter have suggested Higgins was drawing an equivalence in the actions of Ukraine and Russia, and Irish senators have voiced concern.

Senator Malcolm Byrne said the letter was subsequently published on the president of Ireland's official website in a move he described as "appalling."

"Mrs Higgins is entitled to her personal opinion and to express it, although I believe that she is totally wrong to try to see an equivalence in the positions of Ukraine and Russia," said Mr Byrne.

"However, the decision to publish the letter on the President's website raises serious questions.

The letter appears to have been since removed from the website.

Early July, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, during a meeting with the Prime Minister of Ireland, Michal Martin, said Ireland could become one of the leaders in the future process of rebuilding Ukraine.

Earlier it was reported that Ireland has frozen the assets of sanctioned Russian individuals and legal entities worth EUR 1.72 billion. As reported by The Irish Times, most of the assets in question are bank accounts.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine has called on Serbia and Kosovo to refrain from actions that could provoke violence.

This is stated by the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Oleg Nikolenko, Ukrinform reports.

"We are monitoring the situation in the south of Serbia. The parties should refrain from actions that could provoke violence," the spokesperson said.

The diplomat strongly advised citizens of Ukraine to refrain from visiting the southern regions of Serbia and to avoid mass gatherings.

Read also: Lavrov cancels Serbia visit after three countries close airspace for his plane

He also informed that on the instructions of Minister for Foreign Affairs Dmytro Kuleba, an operational headquarters was established at the Embassy of Ukraine in Serbia and a 24-hour "hotline" was opened to help Ukrainians: +381631113185.

In the event of an emergency, Ukrainians are also offered reach out to MFAs hotline at +380442381588.

"In case of further aggravation of the security situation and blocking of roads in the south of Serbia, we recommend that Ukrainians cross at checkpoints on the border with the Republic of North Macedonia," Nikolenko said.

As reported, Serbs in the north of Kosovo on Sunday blocked with trucks the main road near the Jarinje border crossing. It is also reported that the Pristina  Raska motorway was also blocked.

The Kosovo Police announced that the Yarinje and Brnjak border crossing points were closed due to the blockade. Alternative routes are now being used.

The escalation came as the authorities in Kosovo were to introduce new license plate registration rules for Serbs living in its northern parts, which sparked unrest.

In the wake of escalation, Kosovo delayed the plan  a move welcomed by EUs top diplomat Josep Borrell.

In turn, NATOs KFOR mission, operating in the region, said it was prepared to intervene if stability is jeopardized.
During the meeting with the ambassadors of G7 countries and the EU Delegation to Ukraine, Prosecutor General Andriy Kostin spoke about the functioning of the prosecutor's office in wartime, deepening cooperation, and strengthening international expert assistance.

As the press service of the Prosecutor General's Office informs, Kostin assured the diplomats that the development of an independent professional prosecutor's office remains a priority for him, and the investigation into Russian war crimes in Ukraine is key in wartime.

"We all saw the shocking footage of the detention facility in Olenivka, where our prisoners of war from Azovstal steelworks were held, as well as of the terrible torture and execution of Ukrainian prisoners of war. These are deliberate and premeditated war crimes and a frank and cynical slap in the face of the international community. But it is our common duty to ensure that all those involved in these crimes do not escape responsibility. We must also adequately oppose Russian lies and disinformation," the press service quotes the Prosecutor General as saying.

In turn, the ambassadors expressed their support and noted that they were closely following the processes taking place in the Ukrainian prosecutor's office, including the completion of the reform of the so-called triangle of justice.

The ambassadors also expressed concern about the level and scale of crimes committed by the Russian military in Ukraine.

The ambassadors assured that they were ready to continue to provide the necessary expert assistance in the investigation into war crimes and to continue constant support for Ukraine, the Prosecutor General's Office informs.

As reported, the Verkhovna Rada voted for the appointment of Andriy Kostin as the Prosecutor General of Ukraine on July 26.

Andriy Kostin is a former MP of the ninth convocation, a member of the Servant of the People party. He headed the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Legal Policy.

Photo credit: press service of the Prosecutor General's Office

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Some 79% of Ukrainians believe that there should be closed borders with visas and customs between Ukraine and Russia, according to a survey conducted by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology (KIIS).

Only 11% believe that Ukraine and Russia should be independent but friendly states with open borders and without visas and customs. Only 1% of respondents are in favor of the two countries merging into one state.

According to sociologists, compared to the period before Russia's all-out invasion of Ukraine (as of February 2022), the share of those who believe that there should be closed borders with visas and customs between Ukraine and Russia has increased from 44% to 79%. On the other hand, the share of those who are in favor of "friendly" relations between the two countries has decreased from 48% to 11%. The share of those who support unification into one state has decreased from 5% and 1%.

The survey also showed that in all regions most citizens (from 86% in the West to 70% in the East) believe that there should be closed borders with visas and customs between Ukraine and Russia. In addition, in all regions, compared to February 2022, the share of those in favor of closed borders has increased significantly. In particular, if the majority in the south and east were in favor of "friendly" relations back in February, now the overwhelming majority believes that there should be visas and customs between Ukraine and Russia.

At the same time, sociologists noted that in terms of linguistic and ethnic categories of the population of Ukraine, most citizens want closed borders between Ukraine and Russia, with visas and customs. Even among Russian-speaking Russians, 52% are in favor of closed borders, and 35% are in favor of "friendly" relations. Only 3% stated that Ukraine and Russia should merge into one state.

From July 6 to 20, 2022, KIIS conducted its own all-Ukrainian survey. Some 2,000 respondents living in all regions of Ukraine (except the Autonomous Republic of Crimea) were interviewed. The survey was conducted among citizens of Ukraine aged 18 and older who, at the time of the survey, lived in Ukraine (in areas controlled by the Ukrainian authorities before February 24, 2022). The sample did not include residents of areas temporarily not controlled by the Ukrainian authorities before February 24, 2022 (the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, the city of Sevastopol, certain areas of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions). Also, the survey was not conducted with Ukrainians who left their country after February 24, 2022.
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Phnom Penh, Aug 1 (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 1st Aug, 2022 ) :Malaysia is set to lead a push for tougher action on Myanmar when a regional bloc of foreign ministers meet this week, as anger mounts at the junta for stonewalling crisis resolution efforts.

The 10-country Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) -- which has spearheaded so far fruitless diplomatic efforts to restore peace -- last week condemned the junta's execution of four prisoners.

Myanmar has been in chaos since a putsch in February last year and the death toll from the military's brutal crackdown on dissent has passed 2,100, according to a local monitoring group.

Ministers meeting in Phnom Penh from Wednesday are expected to lament the lack of progress on ASEAN's "five-point consensus" plan, agreed to in April last year, which called for an immediate end to violence and dialogue between the junta and coup opponents.

As well as voicing "deep concern" about recent developments and calling for restraint, the ministers will also demand "concrete actions to effectively and fully implement the Five-Point Consensus", according to a draft communique obtained by AFP.

After more than a year of no progress on the plan, Malaysia will present a framework for its implementation, even as critics deride the ASEAN as a toothless talking shop.

"The key element of the framework is there must be an end-game. You have to have an end-game. What is the end-game of the five-point consensus?" Malaysian Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah told AFP.
Kirinyaga, Kenya, Aug 1 (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 1st Aug, 2022 ) :The helicopter lands in the middle of rice fields, heralding the arrival of Kenyan presidential candidate William Ruto as he seeks votes from the densely populated, politically influential heartland of Mount Kenya.

Located in the centre of the country and flanked by an extinct volcano that gives the vast region its name, Mount Kenya has long played a key role in presidential elections and this year is no exception.

As the underdog in the August 9 election, where he will face Raila Odinga, a veteran opposition politician who now has the backing of the ruling Jubilee party, Ruto and his team know that winning Mount Kenya is essential.

The 55-year-old has vowed to lift millions of Kenyans out of poverty, making "bottom-up" economic growth a major plank of his campaign.

At the rally in Kirinyaga country, Nancy Njeri, a 78-year-old rice farmer, told AFP he had her vote.

"Ruto will bring changes in education, youth employment, he will ensure we have fertiliser to grow our rice, and many more things," she said.

Kirinyaga governor Anne Waiguru predicted a huge victory for Ruto's United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party in the region, telling AFP that he is "someone who is accepted by the people of Mount Kenya." "He has done a lot of groundwork in that regard," the UDA politician said.

Ruto, a businessman from the Kalenjin tribe who is currently serving as Kenya's deputy president, was originally slated to succeed President Uhuru Kenyatta.

Instead, he found himself banished to the sidelines after his boss struck a deal with arch-rival Odinga.

Embittered but ambitious, Ruto launched a new party and began laying the foundation for his candidacy, focusing in particular on the region which is perhaps most representative of the complex politics that govern Kenya.

- Sacred Kikuyu land - It was a long shot for the Kalenjin leader, at least on paper.

Mount Kenya is the sacred land of the Kikuyu, Kenya's largest ethnic group, who believe that God lives in the snow-capped volcano they call Kirinyaga.

The fertile region, home to mango orchards and coffee plantations, also occupies a hallowed place in Kenyan history -- the Mau Mau rebellion against the British Empire began here in 1952.

"From that time (onwards) there is this sense of entitlement that the Kikuyus have always had," said analyst Herman Manyora, who favours Odinga.

Nearly six decades after independence in 1963, Mount Kenya continues to be at the heart of Kenyan politics.

Three of the country's four presidents -- Jomo Kenyatta, his son Uhuru, and Mwai Kibaki -- are Kikuyu.

The economically powerful community has always backed its own people -- a widespread phenomenon in Kenya, where the tribal vote has played a big role in previous elections.

Politicians have also exploited ethnic divides to deadly effect in 2007-2008, when Kenya witnessed a vicious bout of post-poll violence that pitted mainly Kikuyus against Luos and Kalenjins, leaving more than 1,100 dead.

But this year, Kikuyus -- who account for around six million of Kenya's 22 million voters -- will have to choose between Ruto, a Kalenjin and Odinga, a Luo.

The alliance between Kenyatta and Odinga has ruffled feathers in Mount Kenya, where some have turned on their former leader, accusing him of abandoning "kihoto" (the Kikuyu concept of justice) by sidelining his deputy.

"We as the Kikuyus cannot be told who to support, Uhuru is a traitor," George Mwaura, a 38-year-old motorcycle taxi driver, said at the Kirinyaga rally.

- The 'Martha effect' - But Odinga's team insists that the 77-year-old will win a majority in the region, pointing to the selection of Kikuyu lawyer Martha Karua as his running mate.

The choice of Karua, a former justice minister nicknamed the "iron lady", has "energised and excited the mountain", said David Murathe, a prominent Kikuyu and vice-chairman of the Jubilee party.

Ruto's running mate Rigathi Gachagua is also a Kikuyu who once served as Kenyatta's personal aide, but Murathe said he lacked Karua's credentials as a key player in Kenya's pro-democracy movement.

Even accounting for a worst-case scenario, the Odinga-Karua ticket could expect to secure at least 60 percent of Mount Kenya's votes, Murathe told AFP.

"I would not be surprised if Ruto gets the shock of his life" when the results are announced, he said.

Academic Macharia Munene also testified to the presence of the "Martha effect", telling AFP: "There was a time it appeared to be all Ruto, about six-seven months ago.

"It's declining, that overwhelming support. It's been eroded," he said.

"Whether the erosion is big enough to turn the tables is another matter."
Kyiv, Ukraine, Aug 1 (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 1st Aug, 2022 ) :Ukraine said the "brutal" shelling by Moscow so far of the southern city Mykolaiv killed a grain tycoon Sunday, as Russia claimed an attack from a drone wounded six personnel at the headquarters of its Black Sea fleet.

AFP journalists witnessed intense Russian bombardment of the eastern town of Bakhmut after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called for civilians to leave the front line Donetsk region bearing the brunt of the Kremlin's offensive.

Authorities in Ukraine's southern city of Mykolaiv said Sunday that widespread Russian bombardments overnight killed at least two civilians.

"Today, one of the most brutal shellings of Mykolaiv and the region over the entire period of the full-scale war took place. Dozens of missiles and rockets," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in an address.

"I want to thank every resident of Mykolaiv for their indomitability." Ukrainian agricultural magnate Oleksiy Vadatursky, 74, and his wife Raisa were killed when a missile struck their house, authorities said.

Vadatursky owned major grain exporter Nibulon and was previously decorated with the prestigious "Hero of Ukraine" award.

Zelensky offered condolences and paid tribute to Vadatursky in his Sunday address.
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The Army Chief says PLA and Pakistan Army are brothers in arms and our relationship will continue to contribute towards safeguarding the collective interests

LAHORE: (UrduPoint/UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News-August 1st, 2022) Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa has said Pakistan-China relationship is unique and robust that has proven its resilience in the face of challenges.

He was addressing a ceremony in connection with the 95th Anniversary of the founding of Chinese Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) at GHQ in Rawalpindi.

The Army Chief said PLA and Pakistan Army are brothers in arms and our relationship will continue to contribute towards safeguarding the collective interests. He highlighted various facets of the deep rooted ties between the two states, militaries and the peoples.

General Qamar Javed Bajwa lauded PLA's role in China's defense, security and nation building.

Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Nong Rong, in his remarks, thanked the Army Chief for hosting reception on the eve of PLA's anniversary. He said China and Pakistan are iron brothers, all weather friends and strategic partners.

The Chinese Ambassador said the recent meeting of China-Pakistan Joint Committee of Cooperation has set up an important platform for military collaborations which will serve effectively for military to military relations between the two countries.
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Former National Accountability Bureau (NAB) chairman Justice (retd) Javed Iqbal on Monday filed a petition in the Islamabad High Court (IHC) challenging the summons notice issued to him by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) in the Tayyaba Gul harassment matter

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 1st Aug, 2022 ) :Former National Accountability Bureau (NAB) chairman Justice (retd) Javed Iqbal on Monday filed a petition in the Islamabad High Court (IHC) challenging the summons notice issued to him by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) in the Tayyaba Gul harassment matter.

The petitioner prayed the court to set aside the minutes of PAC's meeting regarding the matter, and also to declare its actions and directions as illegal. He also requested the court to stay the proceedings of PAC till the final decision of the case.

The director general NAB Lahore had also filed an identical petition in the IHC against the PAC's summon notice while a separate case was filed by Acting NAB Chairman Zahir Shah against the PAC's mandate. The court had sought arguments from the respondents on the maintainability of the petition.

The PAC had summoned the former NAB chairman and DG NAB Lahore in the Tayyaba Gul harassment matter.
PESHAWAR, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 1st Aug, 2022 ) :At least three women were killed and five others including four children were injured when the roof of a house collapsed in Madi Baba area of Takhbai tehsil, in the vicinity of Spina police station on Monday morning.

Police said excessive rains caused roof of a dilapidated house to cave in, killing three women of the same family at the scene and injuring five others in Madi Baba.

Rescue workers retrieved the bodies and the injured from the rubble and shifted them to THQ Hospital Takhtbai.
Mr. Ratu Wiliame Maivalili Katonivere, President of the Repubblic of Fiji with Pope Francis (Vatican Media)

Pope Francis meets on Monday with the President of the South Pacific nation of Fiji, Mr. Ratu Wiliame Maivalili Katonivere.

By Vatican News staff reporter

On Monday morning Pope Francis received in audience at the Vatican's Apostolic Palace the President of the Republic of Fiji, Mr. Ratu Wiliame Maivalili Katonivere.

The President met afterwards with Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, accompanied by Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations.

According to the Holy See Press Office, the "cordial" discussion "focused on various themes of a regional nature, particularly the urgent issue of climate change, the humanitarian dimension and the need for greater commitment to protecting the common home."

The Pope and the President also spoke about the "good relations existing between the Holy See and Fiji, and the contribution of the Catholic Church to the life and development of the country".
Ukrainian authorities say Russia is moving large numbers of troops to Ukraine's south for battles against the country's forces through the newly occupied territories and Crimea. The military movements came as elsewhere in the country the Ukrainian government told people to evacuate ahead of an expected offensive by Russia's military there, while the Red Cross struggled to reach a prison where dozens of Ukrainian prisoners of war were killed.

By Stefan J. Bos



Russian troop movements continued Sunday in response to Ukraine's declared counter offensive to liberate the southern occupied regions of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia.



The regional military governor claims Ukrainian forces have retaken dozens of villages and towns along the border and are pushing towards Kherson's regional capital.



Ukrainian troops also face an uphill battle in the east, where Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky told all civilians living in parts of the Donetsk region to evacuate.



Zelensky spoke after Russian forces, and Moscow-backed separatists increased their territories in the area. "There is already a government decision about the obligatory evacuation from the Donetsk region," he told his nation.



"Everything is being organized, including full support, full assistance in the logistical sense and with payments. We only need a decision from eye people who have not yet decided to evacuate for themselves. Please evacuate. We will help you," added.

BLAMING EACH OTHER



The president pledged: "We are not Russia. We will use all available opportunities to save as many human lives as possible. And to limit Russian terror as much as possible."



As tensions rose, the Red Cross said it had not been granted access to a Russian-run prison where dozens of Ukrainian soldiers were killed, violating the Geneva Conventions.



Russia claimed Ukraine's military used U.S.-supplied precision rocket launchers to target the prison in Olenivka, a settlement controlled by the Moscow-backed Donetsk People's Republic.



Separatist authorities and Russian officials said the attack killed as many as 53 Ukrainian prisoners of war and wounded another 75.



The International Committee of the Red Cross said it has requested access to the prison "to determine the health and condition of all the people present on-site at the time of the attack."



They say they still hope that those wounded in Friday's attack receive life-saving treatment and that the bodies of those who lost their lives are dealt with in a dignified manner.
Theary Seng knew what was coming as she headed to the Phnom Penh Municipal Court on June 14, 2022, and she had prepared for it.

Wearing glittering green paint on her face, green robes around her body and a cardboard crown on her head, she posted a video from the backseat of a car on her way to hear the verdict in her incitement trial.

I am Lady Liberty, she said. I am freedom. I am your breath. You cannot live well without me. I am the colors that enrich your life. I am the music that feeds your soul. I am the oxygen you breathe. This autocratic regime wants to stop you from breathing. This autocratic regime wants to imprison freedom.

Judges handed down an eight-year sentence to Seng, despite the evidence against her amounting to Facebook posts that criticized Prime Minister Hun Sen and rallied support for opposition leader Sam Rainsy. Fifty other critics and opposition figures were also sentenced in the mass trial, though many had already fled.

According to rights group Licadho, Seng is now among 50 prisoners of interest in Cambodia, unjustly detained for their political, environmental, social or labor activism. However, her case represents a unique dilemma for Hun Sen, both because of her U.S. citizenship and her relatively high international profile after two decades running rights groups in the country.

It took about a month for Sengs imprisonment to inflame Cambodias already rocky relations with the United States.

Five weeks after her conviction, the U.S. Senates Foreign Relations Committee advanced a long-stalled bill that would sanction senior Cambodian officials complicit in human rights abuses, a sign that sending her to prison may have undesirable repercussions for the Cambodian leader.

I think that it's fair to say that Hun Sen has made an enormous mistake, said Jared Genser, an international human rights lawyer representing Seng. And we're gonna do everything possible to make sure he pays for it.

Those efforts started in the U.S. Senate, where Genser said he found allies in Sens. Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Marco Rubio (R-Fla.).

Theary Sengs imprisonment only underlined the great urgency for advancing the Cambodia Democracy and Human Rights Act, a spokesperson for Markey told VOA Khmer, adding they expected the bill to reach President Joe Bidens desk by the end of the year.

I wouldnt just step away from it now. All my years of human rights training would be null and void if I didnt stay and fight."

Genser said he will also take Sengs case to the U.N. Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, where, due to the bogus nature of the charges and the existence of due process abuses in the trial, he is confident they will prevail. And he said he and his colleagues would maintain a vocal and visible presence when Biden visits Phnom Penh for the ASEAN summit in November, and when Hun Sen or other Cambodian leaders attend the U.N. General Assembly.

Two of the three most prominent faces of opposition to Hun Sens rule  Sam Rainsy and Mu Sochua  have also been sentenced to prison time in Cambodia, but both fled or remained abroad before they could be arrested, and are now effectively banned from the country. Kem Sokha, the third, who led the now-dissolved Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) along with Rainsy, is under indefinite house arrest in Phnom Penh pending a treason trial that has dragged on for years. His court conditions bar him from overtly political activity, and he has largely obliged.

Seng, 51, chose a different tack when she was indicted in Nov. 2020. She stayed put and got louder. At each hearing, she wore increasingly conspicuous and ornate outfits  a bright red dress, the costume of a classical Apsara dancer, a formal mens suit, a prison uniform and finally a shackled, self-styled Statue of Liberty.

Ive been a rights advocate all my adult life, she told the New York Times for a Saturday profile earlier this year. I wouldnt just step away from it now. All my years of human rights training would be null and void if I didnt stay and fight.

Seng escaped from Cambodias killing fields in the 1970s and grew up in the U.S., where she attended Georgetown University and then studied to be a human rights lawyer at the University of Michigan. She moved to Cambodia in 2004, and became an outspoken advocate for Khmer Rouge victims and those suffering under the current regime.

During her trial, she made sure to maximize the value of the hearings, said Genser, who was her classmate at University of Michigan. She didnt hold back in her criticism of the regime prosecuting her and other dissidents. "They're using the court as a curtain to block the view of the actual reality, which is a political circus of massive, gross human rights violations, she told reporters outside a hearing.

News outlets around the world covered Sengs conviction, many with accompanying photos of the Cambodian lady liberty being hauled off by police officers. Groups including the American Bar Association and Human Rights Watch blasted the legal process.

It's a gift in these circumstances, in a sort of strange or perhaps counterintuitive way, but its a gift that he put her in jail, Genser said of Hun Sen, because she couldn't have done nearly as much to call attention to the terrible things that he's doing in Cambodia So the sooner he realizes that this was a mistake, and lets her out, the better off hell be.

Hun Sen recently orchestrated a plan for his son, Hun Manet, to succeed him as prime minister, capping off his consolidation of power both within his Cambodian Peoples Party and on the countrys institutions and armed forces. Manet, 44, is already in charge of the Army, and graduated from the U.S. Military Academy in West Point.

Apart from banning its main opposition, and currently holding every seat in the National Assembly, the CPP under Hun Sen has effectively silenced large parts of the media, suppressed all forms of protest and ramped up its engagement with the countrys youth through party organs like the Scouts and Cambodian Red Cross.

Quiet in Cambodia

After her arrest, Seng was quickly moved away from the capital to a remote prison in Preah Vihear. Her Cambodian lawyer, Choung Chou Ngy, has appealed her sentence. She decided against requesting a transfer back to Phnom Penh, because the conditions are better at the provincial prison, Chou Ngy said.

She is good at physical and mental fitness, he said, adding that her message to the public, especially young people, was fight for positive and peaceful change.

Yet there seems to be little appetite for a public fight for freedom in Cambodia these days. The so-called Friday Women, a group of protesters who continue to speak out against injustices over land, crime and corruption, were considering a visit to Preah Vihear, but called it off after hearing she might be moved to Phnom Penh, said a leader of the group. They are considering new plans.

Sengs brother, Seng Marady, is a longtime opposition figure who still lives in Cambodia. He declined to speak on the record for this article. Sochua, who was a vice president of the CNRP before it was dissolved in 2017, said people are scared to take to the streets.

The space for democracy is shrinking, but we tried as CNRP, we tried everything we could to get people to march and the only group that remains very vocal and visible is the Friday women and the Nagaworld, she said, referring to workers who have waged a monthslong strike at Phnom Penhs massive Malaysian-owned casino.

I think we have to be realistic. The people dare not (protest). Somehow, they live in some kind of comfort zone  even though the land is taken, they go as far as protesting, but then they fall apart somehow because, again, Hun Sens technique and tactic of using the court as his political tool, or weapon. The weaponization of the court is very effective.

Upping the Pressure

In the U.S., the steady drumbeat of anti-Hun Sen protests within the Cambodian-American community  in person and online  continue, with the conviction of one of their own as the latest cause celebre.

The community sent a resounding message to Hun Sen a few months ago, during his visit to Washington to a US-ASEAN summit, when one Cambodian man living in the U.S. threw his shoe at the prime minister and narrowly missed.

In states with large Cambodian constituencies, like Massachusetts and California, members of the federal delegation are generally supportive of efforts to call out and punish the Cambodian government. However, the Cambodia Democracy Act would be a rare example of the full House or Senate getting behind those actions. Two previous versions of the bill died in committee.

Meach Sovannara, a former National Assembly candidate for the CNRP who spent five months in prison in 2015, said he believes negotiations will play out behind the scenes in the coming months to release Theary Seng and drop or reduce charges against Kem Sokha, 69, allowing him to return to politics.

He said the U.S. still has important leverage with the eventual return of trade benefits, called the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP), which expired in 2020 and are expected to be renewed at some point. Should Cambodia once again receive export preferences to the U.S. market, it would be a boon to its all-important garment sector.

They worry about GSPand sanctions, said Sovannara, who is living in California but said he plans to return to Cambodia soon, noting that CPP officials and members of Hun Sens family own companies that depend on trade with the U.S.

Sovannara was hopeful that upcoming diplomatic summits  along with recent visits from U.S. officials such as Senate Appropriations Committee senior staffer Paul Grove, a former democracy activist in Asia  would pave the way for some sort of backroom deal.

The U.S. Embassy in Phnom Penh offered little information on the state of those discussions. Embassy spokesperson Stephanie Arzate referred questions about the Cambodia Democracy Act to lawmakers, and noted the GSP program has not been reauthorized by Congress.

The United States calls for the immediate release of all unjustly detained opposition activists, including Seng Theary. We consistently raise our concerns over human rights in all meetings with Cambodian officials, Arzate said.

Genser, Sengs lawyer, said Hun Sen needs to see a dramatic change in pressure and attention in order for him to believe that there's actually something different that he needs to do in terms of changing course.

Dictators never release political prisoners when they want to, they release them when they have to, and when the cost of imprisoning a political prisoner dramatically outweighs the benefits, he added.

Regional Risk

If Hun Sen refuses to release Theary Seng or other activists, penalizing Cambodia could come at a high cost for the U.S., said John Ciorciari, a professor and the director of the diplomacy center at the University of Michigans Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy.

Tougher U.S. measuresrisk playing into Hun Sens efforts to pin the countrys economic and social problems on the West. Further U.S. pressure also may add cement to Cambodias already close ties to Beijing, Ciorciari said.

And hitting Cambodia with additional sanctions could undermine Bidens efforts to increase regional cooperation to counter China, symbolized by inviting ASEAN leaders to the White House for a summit in May.

At times the gap between legislative and executive approaches is helpful, allowing diplomats to play the good cop while Congress threatens tougher measures, Ciorciari said. However, Congress sometimes ties the administrations hands too tightly, eliminating space for diplomatic maneuver. That is a real risk at the moment.

Chin Malin, a spokesman for Cambodias Justice Ministry, said U.S. actions would have no effect on Theary Sengs case either way. And he argued the Senates sanctions bill was not about human rights or Cambodias courts, but instead was veiled geopolitical maneuvering.

It is his disorderly international political habit to achieve his geopolitical ambitions in this region," Malin said of U.S. threats of sanctions.

"Any party that wants to help individuals who violate the law in Cambodia must not threaten by using aid and putting pressure or penalties that interfere in the internal affairs of Cambodia, which is a sovereign state.

However, Theary Seng is just the latest symptom of a hard turn toward autocracy in Cambodia, where people have been arrested for offenses ranging from poking fun at Cambodias COVID-19 policies, documenting waste run-off in Phnom Penhs Tonle Sap river and performing rap songs about social problems.

Theary Seng was an open supporter of the CNRP. She posted photos to her Facebook page with Rainsy and wore party stickers ahead of the 2014 election, during which hundreds of thousands of Cambodians took to the streets, in a validation of her lifes work, along with the many activists who had helped pry open democratic space.

The loopholes are there, she said in a wide-ranging interview in 2010 with the Berkley Center for Religion, Peace & World Affairs at Georgetown University. The whole idea for me is thinking of where the space is that we can just push, push, push, because thats my role is to push, and then to move on to another space and have others fill that previous space.

Genser said his client will continue pushing as soon as shes out of prison. But its unclear how long that will take, how much U.S. actions will hurt or help her cause, or whether there are any loopholes left to find.
The U.N. secretary-general warned Monday at the start of a nuclear non-proliferation conference that the risks of more nuclear weapons is growing as guardrails to prevent escalation are weakening.

Today, humanity is just one misunderstanding, one miscalculation away from nuclear annihilation, Antonio Guterres told the opening of the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT) review conference.

He warned that there are crises with nuclear undertones from the Middle East to the Korean Peninsula, as well as Russias invasion of Ukraine.

He said there are nearly 13,000 nuclear weapons stockpiled around the world.

States are seeking false security in stockpiling and spending hundreds of billions of dollars on doomsday weapons that have no place on our planet, he said. Noting that people are in danger of forgetting the lessons of World War II.

Guterres said he would travel to Japan to attend commemorations on August 6 at Hiroshima, where the United States dropped the worlds first atomic bomb 77 years ago in an effort to end that war.

Since it entered into force in 1970, the NPT has been a cornerstone of the nuclear non-proliferation regime. Under it, parties are called on to prevent the spread of nuclear arms, promote disarmament as well as international cooperation on peaceful uses of nuclear power.

Guterres also urged nations to promote the peaceful uses of nuclear technology to advance development, such clean energy and medical breakthroughs.

When used for peaceful purposes, this technology can be a great benefit to humanity, he said.

Russian nuclear saber rattling

Russias threat to use nuclear weapons in its war against Ukraine was condemned at the meeting by leaders, as well as several regional groups, including those from the Pacific region and Nordic countries.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that in January the five nuclear powers  Britain, China, France, Russia and the U.S.all affirmed that a nuclear war cannot be won and must never be fought.

The very next month, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Blinken said. And it has engaged in reckless, dangerous nuclear saber rattling, with its president [Putin] warning that those supporting Ukraines self-defense risk consequences such as you have never seen in your entire history.

Blinken pointed to Russias seizure of Europes largest nuclear power plant, Zaporizhzhia, saying they are now using it as a military base because they know the Ukrainians cannot fire back at their positions because they could hit a nuclear reactor.

There is no place in our worldno place in our worldfor nuclear deterrence based on coercion, intimidation or blackmail, Blinken said. We have to stand together in rejecting this.

Japans prime minister echoed international concerns about Russias actions.

The recent attacks on nuclear facilities by Russia must not be tolerated, said Fumio Kishida.

In attacking a country that gave up nuclear weapons, Russia is brutally violating the assurances it gave in the Budapest Memorandum, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said, referring to the 1994 agreement in which Ukraine gave up nuclear weapons left on its territory after the USSRs collapse in exchange for security guarantees.

The head of the U.N.s nuclear watchdog agency, the International Atomic Energy Agency, said at the start of Russias invasion, he laid out seven pillars of nuclear safety that must not be violated during the conflict, including on the safety and security of facilities and the personnel that work at them.

All these seven principles have been trampled upon or violated since this tragic episode started, Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi told the meeting.

Russia is expected to speak later in the debate.

Trouble spots

Parties to the agreementthere are 191, including the five recognized nuclear weapon states (China, France, Russia, United Kingdom, and the United States)are attending the conference, which runs until August 26 and will review implementation and ways to strengthen it.

Ahead of the conference, President Joe Biden said in a statement that the United States is committed to the NPT, its obligations as a nuclear state, and working towards a nuclear-free world. He said his administration is ready to negotiate a new arms control framework with Moscow to replace New START when it expires in 2026.

But negotiation requires a willing partner operating in good faith, Biden said. And Russias brutal and unprovoked aggression in Ukraine has shattered peace in Europe and constitutes an attack on fundamental tenets of international order. He said Moscow should demonstrate that it is ready to resume work on nuclear arms control with the U.S.

At the conference, Secretary Blinken said the United States keeps its nuclear arsenalwhich has shrunk 90% since the end of the Cold Waras a deterrence and would use it only in extreme circumstances to defend its own vital interests or those of its allies and partners.

More than 133 governments and nuclear organizations will speak at the debate that started Monday and continues through Thursday.

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Reza Najafi is also due to speak this week. World powers have been trying to get Iran to return to the 2015 nuclear deal, known as the JCPOA.

Britain and France, which are a part of the agreement, along with the United States, which withdrew under former U.S. President Donald Trump but is seeking a mutual return with Iran, said in a statement that Iran must never develop a nuclear weapon.

We regret that, despite intense diplomatic efforts, Iran has yet to seize the opportunity to restore full implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, they said urging Iran to return to the deal.

There was also concern about advances in North Koreas nuclear and missile programs. Secretary Blinken said Pyongyang is planning its seventh illicit nuclear test.

IAEA chief Rossi said he hopes his agencys inspectors can return to North Korea after being expelled in 2009. Without that, there will be no trust and there will be no confidence, Rossie said.

Absentees at the review conference include Israel, India and Pakistan. All are believed to have nuclear weapons but are not NPT signatories.

Some countries also expressed unease about Chinas growing nuclear arsenal.

Chinas arsenal is growing, Danish Foreign Minister Jeppe Kofod said on behalf of Nordic countries. We call on China to actively engage in processes on arms control as a responsible nuclear weapons state.
President Joe Biden again tested positive for COVID-19 on Monday but "continues to feel well," his doctor said.

Biden was released from his first round of isolation after testing negative for COVID-19 last Tuesday and Wednesday. However, he tested positive again on Saturday in what White House physician Kevin O'Conner described as a "rebound" case seen in a small number of people who take the anti-viral drug Paxlovid.

O'Conner has said the president will continue the strict isolation measures and is continuing to be careful around White House staff, the Secret Service, and any other people who are in any sort of proximity to him.

Biden "will continue to conduct the business of the American people from the Executive Residence," for the rest of his time in isolation, O'Conner said.

The president posted a video Saturday from a White House balcony with his dog, Commander. "I'm feeling fine, everything is good, but Commander and I got a little work to do," he said.

Biden is fully vaccinated and has two booster shots, all of them Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine.
A South African court on Monday began proceedings against more than 80 people arrested after the brazen gang rape of eight women. The women were filming a music video last week when they were attacked by masked, armed men.

Womens rights activists protested outside the Krugersdorp Magistrates Court against the high rates of gender violence in South Africa as dozens of men detained in sweeping arrests in the aftermath of the incident were set to appear in court.

No one has yet been charged with rape and police investigations into the incident are continuing.

Eight women were raped and robbed while shooting a video in the mining area of Krugersdorp outside Johannesburg last Thursday, Police Ministry spokeswoman Lirandzu Themba told VOA.

They were approached by men wearing balaclavas and firing guns in the air and raped multiple times.

On Sunday the police minister Bheki Cele met six of the eight survivors of the gang rape that has shocked the country, said Themba.

The youngest of the women was just 19, Cele said after the meeting. Let me tell you, theyre quite traumatized. Theyre not in a good shape, mentally or otherwise.

Local media reported that many of those arrested were believed to be illegal miners, known here as zama-zamas, and that some had also been arrested for being illegal immigrants from neighboring countries. Two suspects were killed during the shootout with police last Thursday.

The more than 80 men have now been charged with contravention of the immigration act and possession of stolen goods, police said.

It was unclear how many, if any, of them were connected directly to the gang rapes, Cele said, adding that forensic testing was pending. Many people have been arrested but we need the real perpetrators among those people, said Cele.

Womens Month



South Africa is celebrating Womens Month through August.

Shenilla Mohamed, executive director of Amnesty International South Africa, said the rights group was outraged by the gang rapes.

It is unacceptable that woman and children in South Africa are still unsafe due to the high levels of domestic and sexual violence. Authorities must do much more to ensure that South Africa becomes a safer place for women and children and that they do not live in fear, said Mohamed.

Despite having a very high rate of rape and gender-based violence, the brutal attack has shocked South Africa, which begins celebrating Women's Month from Monday.

More than 36,000 cases of rape were recorded in the country in the financial year 2020  2021.
Members of Tanzania's ruling party are among politicians from six African countries who recently attended the first session of a Chinese Communist Party training school. The school was built to strengthen Chinese outreach to African countries. But critics say the training undermines efforts to advance democracy in Africa by promoting Beijings model of one-party rule. Charles Kombe reports from Kibaha, Tanzania.
Critics of Australias plan to recognize Indigenous people in the countrys constitution say it risks diverting attention from serious social problems in First Nation communities.

The recently elected center-left government in Canberra wants to hold a referendum to change the constitution to recognize the country's original inhabitants.

Australia has an indigenous history going back 65,000 years. The continent was settled by the British in 1788 and was initially a prison colony. Ever since, Indigenous leaders have sought recognition for injustices including mass killings, dispossession of customary lands and forced assimilation.

There is, however, disagreement about the benefits of a proposed referendum. Some critics have argued that constitutional recognition would simply be symbolic and would not address deep-seated issues.

Senator Jacinta Price, an Indigenous politician, said the plan was dangerous because of its lack of detail. She told Australian television that the referendum was being driven by elites with little regard for impoverished communities.

First Nation Australians suffer disproportionately high rates of poverty, imprisonment, domestic violence and unemployment. The problems have persisted despite years of state and federal government promises and policies.

Australias independent Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner June Oscar told the Australian Broadcasting Corp. that she hoped constitutional reform would bring about practical change.

With the conversations around the aspirations of the proper acknowledgement of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the founding document of this land is something that will help in our response to these other priorities that we have, that we have been dealing with every day for years and years and years. So, I think we are very capable of doing both, said Oscar.

The plan for a proposed referendum was unveiled Saturday by prime minister Anthony Albanese in a speech at an Indigenous festival in the Northern Territory. He said it was an opportunity for us to demonstrate our maturity as a nation, to uplift our whole nation.

The vote could be held within three years before the next federal election. If approved, it would enshrine a so-called Indigenous Voice to Parliament in Canberra.

Experts have said that a successful referendum "would amount to an important message to Indigenous Australians about how [they] are respected and heard in Australia."

The Australian constitution, which came into effect in January 1901, does not refer to the country's First Nations people, who make up about 3% of the national population.
Guatemalan police last week [July 29] arrested journalist Jose Ruben Zamora and raided the offices of El Periodico, a newspaper he founded which has accused key political figures in the country of corruption.

The publication's staff denounced the actions as retaliation for its previous reporting on President Alejandro Giammattei, as well as Attorney General Consuelo Porras, whom the United States designated earlier this year for "significant corruption."

Zamora was arrested at his home in the south of Guatemala City on charges of "possible money laundering," Juan Luis Pantaleon, a spokesman for the Public Prosecutor's Office, told AFP.

"It is not for his journalistic work, but as a businessman," Pantaleon said.

As he was transferred to court, Zamora told reporters he was putting himself "at the disposal of justice to see what happens."

"I imagine there must be a conspiracy, a persecution ... and if that is the case, love for Guatemala must be paid with jail," he added.

The headquarters of El Periodico, which has received international recognition for its work, were raided by police.

In social media posts, the newspaper said the attorney general was "following through on her threats against the president of El Periodico. They will not silence us."

The Guatemalan Ombudsman Jordan Rodas said Zamora's arrest was regrettable.

"We are in a very difficult moment. I would not like to think that we are becoming Nicaragua 2.0," Rodas said, referring to the prosecution and conviction of journalists critical of President Daniel Ortega in recent years.

In June, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights added Guatemala to its list of countries where it has noted serious human rights violations, a charge Giammattei rejects. Cuba, Venezuela and Nicaragua are also on the list.

The public prosecutor's office, under the leadership of Porras, has been criticized for arresting and prosecuting several anti-mafia judges and prosecutors.
Kenyan ministers said the government has no intention of banning Facebook despite a watchdog last week accusing the social media platform of failing to stop hate speech ahead of Aug. 9 elections.

Kenyas National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) last week gave Facebook one week to comply with regulations against ethnic hate speech or risk suspension.

The threat came after a report by rights group Global Witness said Facebook approved hate speech advertisements that promoted ethnic violence ahead of the election.

But Kenya's Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiangi accused the NCIC of making what he termed a careless decision on the matter.

He assured the public that the platform would not be shut down.

Kenya's Minister of Information and Technology Joe Mucheru echoed that vow to VOA in a telephone interview Monday.

He said while the issues raised were valid, they did not warrant blocking Facebook.

"That is not within our legal mandate, and we have been working with Facebook and many other platforms, Muchera said. Facebook for example has in this electioneering period has deleted over 37,000 inflammatory comments."

In a statement last week, Facebook admitted having missed hate speech messages in Kenya, where national data shows an estimated 13 million users of the platform.

A spokesperson for Facebooks parent company, Meta, blamed human and machine error for missing some inflammatory content and said they had taken steps to prevent such content.

Kenyas cohesion commission said this years election had seen less in-person hate speech as it migrated from political rallies to social media.

It said the main perpetrators were followers of Kenyas two leading presidential candidates  former Prime Minister Raila Odinga and Deputy President William Ruto.
Journalists have gone into hiding in fear for their lives in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo following increased attacks by rebel group M23, which controls the Bunagana area near the Rwandan and Ugandan borders.

One community radio station went off the air in mid-June, and two of its journalists later were detained for two days, ending with several hours of torture. They were told theyd be killed if they worked with the government army.

M23 accuses reporters and civilians of collaborating with government soldiers and informing them about the groups positions and hideouts, journalists say.

In an interview with the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) last week, a spokesman for M23 denied attacks on journalists.

The Voice of Mikeno (RACOM), a community radio station in Bunagana, was vandalized after M23 rebels took control of the key border town June 13.

That day, a transmitter, solar panels, computers and other equipment were taken, allegedly by M23 rebels. RACOM, a VOA affiliate, has been off the air since then, and all its 20-plus staff members are in hiding.

One RACOM journalist spoke to VOAs Swahili Service after requesting anonymity to protect his safety.

Identified here as Oscar, he said he was detained by M23 members while interviewing residents in Nyakabande refugee camp in Kisoro, Uganda. He said he later learned from colleagues that another RACOM journalist, Henry Hererimana Serushago, was detained from the same camp on the same day.

The two journalists separately were taken back to Bunagana town. Oscar said the rebels tied up and whipped him for several hours before releasing him July 5, adding that he was told to go and never continue working with the army.

Serushago also was tied up, beaten, kicked and whipped  and threatened with death if he talked about the mistreatment, he told CPJ in an interview. He also was released July 5.

Like Oscar, Serushago is in hiding. Journalists close to him told the VOA Swahili Service that he lives in fear and does not want his whereabouts known.

Eastern Congo, which borders Rwanda, lives under daily threat from scores of armed groups that jostle for a piece of the regions mineral riches. The world mines it for gold, diamonds and material for electric cars, laptops and mobile phones.

M23, one of the most notorious rebel groups, surged into action late last year. Congo has accused Rwanda of supporting the M23, which Rwanda denies.

On June 20, East African leaders meeting in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, responded to the threat of war by instructing a new regional force to deploy in eastern Congo and by ordering an immediate cease-fire.

That has not stopped violence in the area.

At least 12 civilians were killed July 26 at protests against the United Nations peacekeeping mission offices in the city of Goma and town of Butembo. Protesters claim the mission has failed to protect civilians from militia violence.

One U.N. soldier and two U.N. police were also killed.

On July 13, M23 rebels were crossing into Uganda from Democratic Republic of Congo and recruiting members, Haji Shafiq Sekandi, Kisoro resident district commissioner in Uganda, was reported by local media as saying.

One VOA stringer, a veteran of covering the DRC conflict, said he also has received threats from callers identifying themselves as members of M23.

In one typical call, he was told, You have hatred toward us. Soon you will be captured together with [government] soldiers.

The stringer said he talked to M23 commanders directly within and outside DRC to explain to them the nature of his job, but the threatening messages still come.

Tuver Wundi coordinates the media rights group Journalists in Danger and denounced the attacks in eastern DRC.

A journalist is not in any way involved in conflict. He only informs people what is happening during war, Wundi told the VOA Swahili Service. We dont understand why they should attack journalists.

Many journalists in areas controlled by M23 have been threatened and are in hiding, he said. Community radio journalists are in hiding. They no longer want to work in Bunagana. They are not even comfortable answering phone calls. They prefer switching off their phones.

Speaking to CPJ last week, the M23 official David Mugabe said the July 5 attack on Serushago did not happen and that M23 did not raid RACOMs office. He suggested other armed groups or people with personal vendettas were to blame.

The M23 rebel group is now targeting civilians, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said.

In a report last week, HRW blamed M23 for the deaths of 29 civilians, including two teenagers, since mid-June. Some of those killed were shot as they attempted to flee. Others were executed at close range.

Since the M23 took control of several towns and villages in North Kivu in June, theyve committed the same kind of horrific abuses against civilians that weve documented in the past, HRW said.

The U.N. peacekeeping mission in DRC  which includes civilians, police and military personnel  has around 12,400 troops and costs more than $1 billion per year. It has been gradually withdrawing from the area for several years.

The protests continue.

On July 31, two people were killed and 15 injured after U.N. forces opened fire during an incident on the Uganda border, Agence France-Presse reported.

A total of five U.N. peacekeepers  three Moroccans and two Indians  died last week, with three of the fatalities linked to violent protests in the town of Butembo.

Information in this report came from Reuters, The Associated Press and Agence France-Presse.
Malis military government has lashed out at French President Emmanuel Macron, accusing him of having a neo-colonial attitude and stirring up ethnic hatred.

The official statement was read by government spokesperson Colonel Abdoulaye Maiga on Malis state TV and radio station ORTM and posted to the stations Facebook page.

Maiga referenced statements made by French President Emmanuel Macron on the situation in Mali during Macrons visit to Guinea-Bissau, the last stop in a tour of West Africa in which he pledged support to several countries in the fight against extremism.

The government of the transition demands President Macron to definitively abandon his neo-colonial, paternalistic and condescending stance, Maida said in French.

Maiga also called Macrons remarks, in which he deplored systematic violence targeting the Fulani population, hateful and defamatory, saying they are likely to arouse ethnic hatred in Mali.

Both the Malian and French armies have been accused of violence against the Fulani community in recent years during anti-terrorism operations. The U.N. accused France of killing 19 civilians during an airstrike on the Fulani village of Bounti, Mali in 2021, and human rights organizations have accused the Malian army of arbitrarily killing dozens of men from the Fulani ethnic group on several occasions.

Maiga also called Macrons remarks expressing concern over the presence of Wagner mercenaries in Mali erroneous accusations.

Mali has continually denied working with mercenaries since France first launched accusations that Wagner mercenaries were present in Mali in December of last year, claiming only to work with official Russian trainers.

Russian President Vladimir Putin denied an official Russian presence in Mali during a press conference with the French president in February.

France announced the withdrawal of its troops from Mali this year partly over concerns that Mali is working with mercenaries, ending an almost decade-long deployment which began when France intervened after northern Mali was taken over by Islamist militants in 2012.

In March, Human Rights Watch released a report in which several residents of Moura, Mali, attested to witnessing mercenaries committing human rights abuses and extrajudicial killings with the Malian army over a period of five days.
A New York man has been arrested on a weapons charge after he was found lingering outside the home last week of a VOA Persian TV host and outspoken Iranian government critic who was the target last year of a U.S.-exposed plot by Iranian intelligence agents to kidnap her.



Masih Alinejad, an exiled Iranian journalist and womens rights advocate who hosts VOAs Tablet show on its Persian service, identified herself as the target in the New York incident.



On Sunday, she posted a video on Twitter of a man dressed in a dark shirt and shorts carrying a cellphone while pacing back and forth last week on the front porch of her home in New Yorks Brooklyn borough.



These are the scary scenes capturing a man who tried to enter my house in New York, she said, adding that the man had a loaded gun, although none was visible. Last year, the FBI stopped the Islamic Republic from kidnapping me. My crime is giving voice to voiceless people. The U.S. administration must be tough on terror.



In a statement, VOA said, We are appalled at the news of the arrest of an armed individual outside her home.  Our agencys security office was alerted, as is always the case when there are any active threats to any member of the VOA workforce, but understandably, we cannot provide any details on any specific safety or security measures being taken in conjunction with this matter.



It added, However, we can report that despite this recent incident, Masih is preparing this weeks program for airing at its normal time.



In a criminal complaint filed in New York on Friday, the FBI, the top U.S. criminal investigative agency, identified the suspect as Khalid Mehdiyev, with identification showing his home address in a New York suburb, Yonkers.



The complaint said he was observed by law enforcement officials on Wednesday and Thursday near a Brooklyn home that Alinejad later identified as hers. The criminal complaint said the suspect behaved suspiciously as he was watched, several times got into and out of a Subaru Forester SUV, ordered food and tried to look into the windows of the house.



He was arrested after he ran a stop sign and was found to be driving without a license, New York police said.



In searching his car, investigators said they found a loaded AK-47-style assault weapon in a suitcase on the rear seat. Authorities said the rifles serial number appeared to have been scratched off but that markings indicated it was made by Norinco, a Chinese state-owned firearms manufacturer. They also said they found $1,100 in $100 bills.



The criminal complaint said that Mehdiyev initially said he did not know about the assault weapon and that the suitcase was not his. He said he had borrowed the car and placed his wallet and other personal items in the suitcase for safekeeping.



He said he was in Brooklyn looking for a place to live, but later called investigators back and said the rifle was his and that he had been in the neighborhood because he was looking for someone.



Mehdiyev was charged with possession of a firearm with a destroyed serial number and detained without bond.



U.S. Representative Michael McCaul, the lead Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said in a statement, Reports that a man with a loaded gun was arrested outside of Masih Alinejads home are bone-chilling. Ms. Alinejad is an American citizen. Why are we negotiating a nuclear deal with a regime that holds American citizens hostage and threatens American citizens on U.S. soil?



McCaul said the administration of President Joe Biden must make public if the Iranian regime was connected to this latest incident and take strong action to hold the regime accountable.



In last years incident, Alinejad said FBI agents told her that Irans Islamist rulers not only wanted to make sure that I physically didnt exist anymore, they also wanted to destroy my Instagram, Facebook, Telegram and WhatsApp channels, in which she has criticized the theocratic regime and its treatment of women.



Alinejad received a human rights award in Geneva in 2015 for creating a Facebook page that urged women in Iran, where hijabs are mandatory, to post pictures of themselves without their headscarves.
Pat Carroll, a comedic television mainstay for decades, an Emmy-winner for Caesars Hour and the voice Ursula in The Little Mermaid, has died. She was 95.

Her daughter Kerry Karsian, a casting agent, said Carroll died at her home in Cape Cod, Massachusetts, on Saturday. Her other daughter Tara Karsian wrote on Instagram that they want everyone to honor her by having a raucous laugh at absolutely anything today (and everyday forward) because besides her brilliant talent and love, she leaves my sister Kerry and I with the greatest gift of all, imbuing us with humor and the ability to laugheven in the saddest of times.

Carroll was born in Shreveport, Louisiana, in 1927. Her family relocated to Los Angeles when she was 5 years old. Her first film role came in 1948 in Hometown Girl, but she found her stride in television.

She won an Emmy for her work on the sketch comedy series Caesars Hour in 1956, was a regular on Make Room for Daddy with Danny Thomas, a guest star on The DuPont Show with June Allyson and a variety show regular stopping by The Danny Kaye Show, The Red Skelton Show and The Carol Burnett Show.

Carroll also played one of the wicked stepsisters in the 1965 television production of Rodgers and Hammersteins Cinderella with Lesley Ann Warren.

In addition, she also played one of the wicked stepsisters in the 1965 television production of Rodgers and Hammersteins Cinderella with Lesley Ann Warren. Plus, she won a Grammy in 1980 for the recording of her one-woman show Gertrude Stein, Gertrude Stein, Gertrude Stein.

A new generation would come to know and love Carroll's voice thanks to Disneys The Little Mermaid, which came out in 1989. She was not the first choice of directors Ron Clements and John Musker or the musical team of Howard Ashman and Alan Menken, who reportedly wanted Joan Collins or Bea Arthur to voice the sea witch. Elaine Stritch was even cast originally before Carroll got to audition. And her throaty rendition of Poor Unfortunate Souls would make her one of Disneys most memorable villains.

Carroll would often say that Ursula was one of her favorite roles. She said she saw her as an Ex-Shakespearean actress who now sold cars.

Shes a mean old thing! I think people are fascinated by mean characters, Carroll said in an interview. Theres a fatal kind of distraction about the horrible mean characters of the world because we dont meet too many of them in real life. So when we have a chance, theatrically, to see one and this one, shes a biggie, its kind of fascinating for us.

She got the chance to reprise the role in several Little Mermaid sequels, spinoffs and even theme park rides.

Carroll was also the voice of Granny in the English-language dub of Hayao Miyazakis My Neighbor Totoro."
U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi arrived Monday in Singapore for a two-day official visit, amid speculation that her Asia trip could include a stop in Taiwan  a possibility that prompted the White House to reassure Beijing that U.S. policy has not changed, and to urge Chinese leaders not to escalate an already strained relationship between the two great powers.

John Kirby, coordinator for strategic communications at the National Security Council, said Monday that the White House could not confirm whether Pelosi intends to defy China by visiting Taiwan, but stressed that as the leader of the House of Representatives, she makes her own decisions on official travel.

There is no reason for Beijing to turn a potential visit consistent with long-standing U.S. policy into some sort of crisis conflict or use it as a pretext to increase aggressive military activity in or around the Taiwan Strait, he said.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken echoed Kirby in noting that Beijing understands Congress role in the U.S. system of government.

Congress is an independent, co-equal branch of government, Blinken said. The decision is entirely the speakers. What I can say is this: this is very much precedent, in the sense that previous speakers visited Taiwan. Many members of Congress go to Taiwan, including this year. If the speaker does decide to visit, and China tries to create some kind of crisis or otherwise escalate tensions, that would be entirely on Beijing. We are looking for them, in the event she decides to visit, to act responsibly and not to engage in any escalation going forward.

But Chinas foreign ministry on Monday reiterated that they would see a visit as an unacceptable violation of what it sees as its sovereignty over the self-ruled island.

We are closely following the itinerary of Speaker Pelosi, said spokesman Zhao Lijian. A visit to Taiwan by her would constitute a gross interference in Chinas internal affairs, seriously undermine Chinas sovereignty and territorial integrity, wantonly trample on the one-China principle, greatly threaten peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, severely undermine China-U.S. relations and lead to a very serious situation and grave consequences.

In a statement Sunday, Pelosi said she is leading a group of five other Democratic Party lawmakers to Asia to reaffirm Americas strong and unshakeable commitment to our allies and friends in the region.

She did not mention whether she will stop in Taiwan on the trip that has Malaysia, South Korea and Japan among the U.S. delegations scheduled visits.

Pelosi herself has indirectly spoken about such a possibility, even though her office has not confirmed it, citing security protocols.

It would be the highest-level U.S. visit to Taiwan since 1997, when former House Speaker Newt Gingrich led a congressional delegation there.

Taiwan and China split in 1949 after a civil war, with the defeated nationalist forces fleeing to Taiwan and setting up a government that later grew into a vibrant democracy.

Since then, Chinas Communist Party has vowed to take Taiwan, using force if necessary, even though the island has never been led by the Communist Party.

White House officials said Monday that they expect Beijing to keep communicating with Washington.

We expect to see Beijing continue to use inflammatory rhetoric and disinformation in the coming days, Kirby said, adding,  We're also committed to keeping open lines of communication in Beijing. As I said, this is what the world expects of not just the United States, but of China. We encourage Beijing to keep that commitment as well.

China announced Saturday it was holding live-fire military exercises off its coast facing Taiwan. The drills occurred near the Pingtan islands off Fujian province, according to Chinas official Xinhua news agency. The report did not specify what type of weapons were used in the exercises.

On Sunday, a spokesman for Chinas air force said Beijing has the firm will and sufficient capability to defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity. The spokesman, who was quoted in state media, also said China had various fighter jets that can circle the precious island of our motherland.

China has flown an increasing number of warplanes through Taiwans self-declared air defense identification zone in recent years, greatly raising tensions in the Taiwan Strait.

In recent weeks, Chinese state media editorials have warned Chinese fighter jets could follow and intercept Pelosis plane.

Hu Xijin, a fiercely nationalistic commentator for the Communist Partys Global Times, even suggested in a tweet that the Chinese military has the right to forcibly dispel any U.S. aircraft traveling or escorting Pelosi to Taiwan.

If ineffective, then shoot them down, Hu said in the tweet, which was later removed because it violated Twitter guidelines.

Despite Chinas warnings, a large, bipartisan chorus of lawmakers had urged Pelosi to not back down, saying China should not be allowed to dictate where U.S. officials visit.

It would make it look like America can be shoved around, former House Speaker Gingrich told VOAs Mandarin Service earlier this week. Gingrich said he supports Pelosis trip, which will likely only amount to an irritation to U.S.-China ties.

I think this is at one level a lot of noise about nothing, Gingrich said. I think if she holds her ground, and if the Biden administration doesn't act timidly and almost cowardly, I think everything will be fine.

The United States formally cut official relations with Taiwan in 1979 when it switched diplomatic recognition to China. However, the United States has continued to supply Taiwan with defensive weapons as mandated by the U.S. Congress.

U.S. presidents have long used a policy of strategic ambiguity toward Taiwan  essentially leaving their options open in the case of a Chinese invasion of the island.

However, President Joe Bidens recent comments have raised doubts about that approach. Since taking office, Biden on three occasions has said the U.S. is committed to defending Taiwan.

Biden has been cautious, though, on the prospect of a Pelosi visit. Earlier this month, Biden said the U.S. military does not think a visit would be a good idea.

Pelosis possible visit comes at a sensitive moment for Xi, who is expected to use a Communist Party Congress later this year to secure a controversial third term as Chinas top leader.

Observers have said Xi, Chinas most powerful leader in decades, may want to send a tough message on Taiwan ahead of the meeting. But he may also want to preserve stability around a sensitive political moment.

But longtime China-watcher Robert Daly, director of the Kissinger Institute on China and the United States at the Woodrow Wilson Center, told VOA last week that Beijing has a particular problem with Pelosi.

China would see a visit to Taiwan by Nancy Pelosi as even more provocative than a series of visits by other senators, congressmen, many members of the Cabinet, all of which China has objected to strongly, he told VOA, via Zoom. ... Speaker of the House is [second] in line to the presidency. She also has a long history as a human rights provocateur against China, from Beijing's point of view. This dates back to, I think, her second or third year as a congresswoman when she unveiled a banner in Tiananmen Square commemorating the students who were killed there. The Chinese tend to see her as a particular sort of thorn in their side.

Margaret Besheer and Anita Powell contributed to this report. Some information for this report came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters.


Russia announced sanctions Monday against dozens of British politicians, officials and public figures, accusing them of supporting the demonization of the country.



Russia's Foreign Ministry said 39 Britons would be banned from entering the country, joining more than 200 other British nationals that Moscow has already banned.



The latest additions include opposition Labour Party leader Keir Starmer, former Prime Minister David Cameron and TV presenter Piers Morgan.



The British government has been a strong supporter of Ukraine since Russias invasion of the country at the end of February.



Most of Britain's leading politicians have already been banned from traveling to Russia.



Russia's Foreign Ministry said Monday the newly sanctioned Britons "contribute to the hostile course of London aimed at the demonization of our country and its international isolation."



In a separate move Monday, the Russian Prosecutor General's Office designated a British nonprofit group, Calvert 22, as an "undesirable" organization.



The group was founded in 2009 by Russia-born economist Nonna Materkova. It supports art and culture projects about Russia and eastern Europe.



Some information in this report comes from Reuters and Agence France-Presse.
The Spanish government maybe had a good idea, but the execution of the body positivity campaign has gone horribly wrong.

The idea was to encourage women to come out and enjoy the beaches - without any worries about how they looked in their swimsuits.

But three of the five women whose photographs were used in the campaign said they had not given permission for the images to be used.

Arte Mapache the campaign's creator, has apologized for failing to obtain permission to use the images.

"Given the - justified - controversy over the image rights in the illustration, I have decided that the best way to make amends for the damages that may have resulted from my actions is to share out the money I received for the work and give equal parts to the people in the poster," the artist said.

Two of the women in the campaigns artwork are professional models. One has a prosthetic leg that was airbrushed out of the campaign artwork.

Sian Green-Lord told The Guardian, Its one thing using my image without my permission, but its another thing editing my body, my body with my prosthetic leg  I dont even know what to say but its beyond wrong.

Juliet FitzPatrick, a cancer survivor, told the BBC that the face of a woman who had a mastectomy may be based on a photograph of her. However, while the woman in the Spanish government photo has had a single mastectomy, FitzPatrick had a double mastectomy.

She told the BBC that using her likeness without her permission "seems to be totally against" the theme of the campaign. "For me it is about how my body has been used and represented without my permission."

British photographer Ami Barwell who had taken photos of Fitzpatrick told the BBC that she believes Fitzpatricks photo was a composite of photos that she had taken of Fitzpatrick and another woman.

Barwell told the BBC, "I think that the person who created the art has gone through my gallery and pieced them together."

Another model, Nyome Nicholas-Williams, who wears a gold bikini in the photo, said her image was taken from her Instagram account without her permission.
The U.N. peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo has arrested U.N. peacekeeping troops suspected of having opened fire on a Ugandan border post, killing at least two people and injuring 15 others. It's the latest violent incident involving the U.N.'s mission to the DRC, which has been facing violent protests.

In a statement, the U.N. mission at the Congo-Uganda border at Kasindi said the soldiers from a MONUSCO intervention brigade force were returning from leave when they opened fire on the border post.

The Sunday incident took place in DRC as the troops crossed from Uganda back into Congo.

The special representative of the secretary of general of the U.N. in Congo Bintou Keita described the incident as unspeakable and irresponsible behavior and said the soldiers opened fire for unexplained reasons. Keita said the U.N. had contacted the soldiers countries of origin so that legal proceedings can be initiated against the perpetrators.

DRC authorities said among those injured during the incident were two policemen who were working at the barrier and eight civilians.

Congolese government spokesman Patrick Muyaya said the peacekeepers involved in the incident will be suspended from Congo pending the outcome of plans to withdraw the entire MONUSCO force from DRC.

Nearly 20 people have been killed in eastern Congo since protests began on July 25.

The protestors who stormed the U.N. base in Goma accuse the mission of failing to achieve peace since they began operations in Congo 20 years ago.

The mission in Goma Monday paid tribute to four of its members who were killed during the anti-MONUSCO protest in North Kivu. In a tweet MONUSCO said the ceremony took place in the presence of the leadership of the mission and the head of the U.N.s department of peace operations.
Ugandan police are deploying a standby force to the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) after U.N. peacekeeping troops opened fire on a border post, killing two people and wounding 15, including an 8-year-old Ugandan girl.

Uganda says it has deployed a team to monitor ongoing tensions in the eastern DRC resulting from a deadly shooting involving MONUSCO soldiers.

The incident that has been described in a statement by the U.N. Special Representative Bintou Keita as unspeakable and irresponsible happened in the town of Kasindi in the DRCS Beni territory close to Uganda.

The statement said that during the incident, soldiers from the Intervention Brigade of the MONUSCO force from Tanzania, returning from leave, opened fire at the border post for unexplained reasons and forced their way through.

Fred Enanga, the Uganda Police spokesperson, described the incident.

So, one of the bullets strayed and hit an eight-year-old juvenile called Bira Jackline, he said. Shes getting treatment at Bwera hospital. The stray bullet hit her shoulder and it was retrieved. So, shes out of danger.

In his statement, Bintou said the perpetrators of the shooting were identified and arrested pending the conclusions of the investigation, which has already started in collaboration with Congolese authorities.

Bintou added that contact had also been established with Tanzania so that legal proceedings can be initiated urgently with the participation of victims and witnesses.

MONUSCO, the peacekeeping mission in the DRC, was in 2010 given the mandate to carry out offensive operations. In another statement, U.N. Chief Antonio Guterres said he was saddened and outraged by the incident and demanded accountability.

With ongoing tension between DRC locals and MONUSCO, Enanga said authorities are monitoring the situation.

Weve been closely monitoring what happened from the other side of Bunagana and DRC, he said. We dont want the violence there to affect our borderline. We have a standby team monitoring.

Trade between DRC and Uganda slowed down since March due to the resumption of fighting between DRC government forces and M23 rebels who took over the town of Bunagana. Uganda has since March registered 41,164 asylum seekers comprising 21,235 households.
Grain shipments from Ukraines port of Odesa resumed Monday, the first since Russia invaded its neighbor in late February.

The Sierra Leone-flagged cargo ship Razoni was the first to leave port, carrying more than 26,000 tons of corn bound for Lebanon. In a statement, Turkeys defense ministry said other unspecified ships would also depart Ukraine on Monday.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the Razoni was loaded with two commodities in short supply: corn, and hope. Hope for millions of people around the world who depend on the smooth running of Ukraines ports to feed their families.

He added, What weve witnessed today in Odesa is an important starting point. It must be the first of many commercial ships bringing relief and stability to global food markets.

Guterres said that ensuring that grain, fertilizers, and other food-related items are available at reasonable prices to developing countries is a humanitarian imperative. People on the verge of famine need these agreements to work, in order to survive.

As part of the renewed shipments, Guterres said the U.N.s World Food Program plans to soon buy 30,000 metric tons of Ukrainian wheat and ship it out of the country on a U.N.-chartered vessel.

Turkey and the U.N. brokered an agreement with Russia and Ukraine in late July to get grain exports going again amid a global food crisis that the United Nations says has been worsened by Russias invasion of Ukraine.

The deal calls for safe passage of cargo ships traveling from ports in southern Ukraine through waters in the Black Sea that Russia has controlled since its invasion of Ukraine.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in his daily video address on Monday evening that the shipment is the first positive signal that there is a chance to stop the development of a world food crisis.

However, he cautioned that Russia must be monitored to ensure its compliance with the deal.

We cannot be under the illusion that Russia will simply refrain from trying to disrupt Ukrainian exports, he said.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters Monday the departure of the first ship is very positive and would help test the mechanisms that were agreed to during the talks in Istanbul.

Under the agreement, ships going in and out of Ukrainian ports will be inspected to make sure they not carrying weapons or other non-food items.

Also Monday, Ukraine's Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov said Kyiv had received more precision rocket systems from the United States. Ukraine has credited the U.S.-made HIMARS rocket systems with helping to slow Russias advance in the countrys east.

British say Russians make 'slow progress'

Britain's defense ministry assessed Monday that Russian forces had made only slow progress during the previous four days as they mounted tactical assaults in the area northeast of Donetsk.

The British ministry said Russia is also likely shifting "a significant number of its forces" from the northern part of the Donbas region in eastern Ukraine to southern Ukraine.

For several months, Russia has focused its efforts on the Donbas, which includes Donetsk and Luhansk provinces, after facing resistance on its approach to the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv. A reallocation of resources to the east helped Russia claim control of Luhansk in early July.

Russias Black Sea fleet headquarters struck

In southern Ukraine, a small explosive device carried by a makeshift drone hit the headquarters of Russias Black Sea fleet on the Crimean Peninsula on Sunday, wounding six people, local authorities said, while Ukraine said a Russian missile attack killed one of its richest people, a grain merchant.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the drone attack in the port city of Sevastopol, which forced cancellation of ceremonies for Russias Navy Day holiday. But the seemingly improvised, small-scale nature of the attack raised the possibility it was the work of Ukrainian insurgents in the territory seized by Russia in 2014.

The drone appeared to be homemade and the explosive device low-powered, the Black Sea Fleets press service said. Sevastopol is about 170 kilometers from the Ukrainian mainland, but it is unclear where the drone began its flight.

'Not an accident'

Elsewhere in Ukraine, the mayor of the major port city of Mykolaiv, Vitaliy Kim, said a Russian attack killed one of Ukraine's wealthiest men, Oleksiy Vadatursky, and his wife, Raisa. Vadatursky headed a grain production and export business.

An adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Mykhailo Podolyak, said Vadatursky was specifically targeted.

It "was not an accident, but a well-thought-out and organized premeditated murder, Podolyak said. Vadatursky was one of the largest farmers in the country, a key person in the region and a major employer. That the exact hit of a rocket was not just in a house, but in a specific wing, the bedroom, leaves no doubt about aiming and adjusting the strike."

Vadatursky's agribusiness, Nibulon, includes a fleet of ships for sending grain abroad.

Some information for this report came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters.
The United States on Monday imposed sanctions on Chinese and other companies it said were used by one of Iran's largest petrochemical brokers to sell tens of millions of dollars' worth of Iranian products to East Asia, as Washington continues to crack down on Iranian oil sales to the region.

The U.S. Treasury Department in a statement accused the designated companies of being used by Irans Persian Gulf Petrochemical Industry Commercial Co. to facilitate the sale of Iranian petroleum and petrochemical products from Iran to East Asia.

The United States imposed sanctions four companies from Hong Kong, one from the United Arab Emirates, and one from Singapore on Monday, according to the Treasury website, the latest salvo in its stepped-up effort to enforce U.S. sanctions designed to slash Iran's revenues from oil and petrochemicals.

The action freezes any U.S.-based assets and generally bars Americans from dealing with them. Those that engage in certain transactions with the firms also risk being hit by sanctions.

Since taking office in January 2021, U.S. President Joe Biden has been reluctant to sanction Chinese entities engaged in the oil and petrochemical trade with Iran due to hopes of securing an agreement to revive the 2015 Iran nuclear deal.

Efforts to resurrect the deal - under which Iran had curbed its nuclear program in exchange for relief from U.S. and other sanctions - have so far failed, leading the U.S. administration to look for other ways to increase pressure on Iran.

"The United States continues to pursue the path of diplomacy to achieve a mutual return to full implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action," the Treasury's Under Secretary of for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, Brian Nelson, said in the statement, referring to the 2015 deal by its formal name.

"Until such time as Iran is ready to return to full implementation of its commitments, we will continue to enforce sanctions on the illicit sale of Iranian petroleum and petrochemicals."
Senior White House officials say they have concluded with "high confidence" that al-Qaida leader Ayman al-Zawahiri was the only one killed in a weekend drone strike in Kabul, and that they were aware that senior members of the Taliban's Haqqani network knew he was in Afghanistan.

The Biden administration did not alert the Taliban ahead of the strike, the officials told reporters late Monday. They confirmed that the strike was conducted by an unmanned aerial vehicle, with no U.S. personnel on the ground.

U.S. President Joe Biden had announced Monday night that a U.S. missile strike over the weekend had killed one of the world's most wanted terrorists.

For the past decade, Ayman al-Zawahiri headed al-Qaida, the Islamist terror group that spawned franchises around the world after the stunning attacks on U.S. soil on September 11, 2001.

"Now, justice has been delivered," Biden said Monday night. "And this terrorist leader is no more. He added: We make it clear again tonight that no matter how long it takes, no matter where you hide, if you are a threat to our people, the United States will find you and take you out."

The United States invaded Afghanistan shortly after the September 11 attacks, and al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden was the prime target. U.S. forces killed him in Pakistan in 2011.

Al-Zawahiri, born in Egypt to a wealthy family and trained as a surgeon, took over the terror group in 2011. Before that, he was said to be bin Laden's personal doctor.

The confirmation of his death came more than an hour after the Taliban rulers in Kabul said a missile attack on Sunday against a residential compound in the Afghan capital was the work of an American drone.

Senior White House officials told reporters Monday night that the operation targeted a house in Kabul with an unmanned aerial vehicle, with no U.S. personnel on the ground. Administration officials also said they concluded with "high confidence" that only al-Zawahiri was killed, and that they were aware that senior members of the Taliban's Haqqani network knew he was in Afghanistan. Officials said they did not alert the Taliban ahead of the strike.

A senior administration official said al-Zawahiri continued to provide strategic direction to al-Qaida affiliates worldwide, calling for attacks on the United States.

Taliban condemns attack

The Taliban were quick to share their ire.

"The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan strongly condemns this attack on whatever the pretext," Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said in a statement, using the official name for the Taliban government.

He denounced the strike as a "blatant violation of international principles and the Doha agreement," referring to the 2020 talks that Taliban leaders held with the United States and Western leaders in Qatar over the withdrawal of U.S. and allied troops the subsequent year.

The safe house sheltering the al-Qaida chief is located in the Sherppor upscale neighborhood of Kabul and the Taliban Haqqani network was aware of it, said a U.S. official.

We identified Zawahiri on multiple occasions for sustained periods of time on the balcony where he was ultimately struck, the official added. The slain terror leader had a $25 million U.S. bounty on his head.

Pictures circulating on social media showed shattered windows of a multiple story pink home, its walls topped with rolls of barbed wires. VOA could not immediately ascertain the veracity of the pictures.

Sherpoor houses large palatial houses, some with swimming pools, that were built by former Afghan government officials, warlords, generals, among other influential figures, involved in corruption. Most of them fled the country last August when the Taliban captured Kabul.

The posh neighborhood is located next to a diplomatic area housing foreign embassies.

U.S. officials said senior Haqqani Taliban figures were aware of Zawahiris presence in the area, but they did not name anyone.

Taliban Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani, who also carries $10 million U.S. bounty on his head, and his group of militants known as the Haqqani network, maintained close ties with al-Qaida leaders while fighting against U.S.-led international forces in Afghanistan.

Residents in Kabul reported hearing multiple blasts early on Sunday shortly after missiles struck the house.

In the morning, I wanted to go to university when I heard two explosions one after the other, said Ahmad Milad told the local TOLO news.

Journalists in the Afghan capital rushed to the scene but Taliban authorities blocked them from entering the area.

The Taliban took control of Afghanistan on August 15 as the U.S.-led foreign troops withdrew and the Western-backed government in Kabul and its security forces collapsed in the face of the stunning nationwide Taliban assault.

U.S. officials have been in contact with Pakistani leaders to seek an "over-the-horizon" facility to conduct counterterrorism operations in landlocked Afghanistan after American troops left the country and the Taliban took over.

The U.S.-led military coalition invaded Afghanistan in October 2001 and dislodged the then-Taliban government in Kabul to punish it for harboring the al-Qaida terror network. Bin Laden and al-Zawahiri escaped the international military action.

The U.S.-Taliban agreement also required the Islamist group not to allow any terrorist organization, including al-Qaida, to pose a threat to the security of the United States and other countries from Afghan soil.

By hosting and sheltering the leader of al Qaida in Kabul, the Taliban grossly violated the Doha Agreement and repeated assurances to the world that they would not allow Afghan territory to be used by terrorists to threaten the security of other countries, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement. They also betrayed the Afghan people and their own stated desire for recognition from and normalization with the international community.

Recent United Nations assessments suggested that al-Qaida, boosted by leadership stability and the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan, appeared to be positioning itself to once again be the world's preeminent terror group and the greatest long-term threat to the West.

Intelligence shared by United Nations member states and published in a new report earlier this month found al-Qaida was enjoying a degree of freedom under Taliban rule, allowing its leadership to communicate more often and more easily with affiliates and followers. The report further concluded that al-Zawahiri, long rumored to be in ill health or dying, was "alive and communicating freely."

The U.N. report similarly cautioned that while al-Qaida may be better positioned, it is likely to refrain from launching external attacks in order to not embarrass Afghanistan's Taliban rulers and because the al-Qaida core still lacks "an external operational capability."

Analyst Bradley Bowman, senior director of the Center on Military and Political Power at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, said it is important for the United States to cut out terror groups at their roots.

The goal is to keep pressure on terrorists over there so they dont have the ability to kill us here, he said. Every policy decision in Washington should be judged, at least in part, by that metric.

U.S. Senator Ted Cruz praised the operation.

"This is an important accomplishment," the Texas senator said in a statement. "All Americans will breathe easier today knowing Ayman al-Zawahiri, the leader of Al-Qaeda, has been eliminated. This strike should be a message to terrorists near and far: if you conspire to kill Americans, we will find and kill you."

Former U.S. President Barack Obama praised the intelligence community and counterterrorism personnel, and said the strike is also proof that its possible to root out terrorism without being at war in Afghanistan.

And I hope it provides a small measure of peace to the 9/11 families and everyone else who has suffered at the hands of al-Qaeda, Obama added on Twitter.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called al-Zawahiris death a step toward a safer world.

Saudi Arabias foreign ministry said, Zawahiri is considered one of the leaders of terrorism that led the planning and execution of heinous terrorist operations in the United States and Saudi Arabia.

Biden said the killing could lead to a new era.

"Now we have eliminated the emir of al-Qaida," he said. "He will never again  never again  allow Afghanistan to become a terrorist safe haven because he's gone and we're going to make sure that nothing else happens. You know, it can't be a launching pad against the United States. We're gonna see to it that won't happen."

Meanwhile in recent years, al-Qaida has continued to expand, launching violent affiliate groups in the Middle East, West and East Africa, and South Asia.

Jeff Seldin, VOA's national security correspondent, contributed to this report.
Rome recreates a miracle snowfall every August.

Rome celebrates La Madonna della Neve (Our Lady of the Snows) by recreating a miracle snowfall outside the Basilica di S. Maria Maggiore during the height of summer.

The 2022 edition of the spectacle, organised with the support of the city, the Vatican and the culture ministry, will take place in Piazza di S. Maria Maggiore at 21.00 on Friday 5 August.

The snowfall and lightshow, traditionally accompanied by the Carabinieri band, will lead to traffic diversions in the area on Friday night.

The 10.00 Mass in honour of La Madonna della Neve, which includes a shower of white flower petals dropped from the ceiling - repeated at 17.00 during Vespers - will take place in the basilica on 5 August as per tradition.

What does the snowfall represent?

According to legend, a fourth-century Roman couple wished to donate their possessions to the church, and prayed for divine guidance.

On the night of 4/5 August in the year 352 the Virgin Mary appeared to the couple in a vision, telling them that a miracle would reveal a site where they should build a new church.

That same night  so the story goes  a miraculous fall of snow landed on a hill in the Esquiline district of Rome.

Pope Liberius is said to have travelled to the snow-covered site, tracing an outline of the planned church whose construction was financed by the wealthy couple.

Although there is no historical basis for the story, the event is still celebrated each year with the surreal spectacle of snow-like foam and suds falling from the sky.

Cover photo La Repubblica
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The Food and Drug Administration reportedly has a new strategy for rolling out new booster shots that should bring needed clarity to Covid vaccination in the US. Going forward, most Americans will get the same advice about when to get their next shots. Wp Get the full experience. Choose your plan ArrowRight Currently, second boosters are available only to people who are either over the age of 50 or have compromised immunity. The agency had been considering offering boosters to people of all ages this summer.

Instead, health officials will accelerate the availability of next-generation vaccines that are tailored to the highly contagious BA.4 and BA.5 omicron variants, and offer these shots to everyone at once in September. Moderna and Pfizer are reportedly ready to meet that ambitious timeline.

This move makes sense both scientifically and practically.

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Scientists have worried that the longer the FDA waited to approve a second booster for people under 50, the harder it would be to time the rollout of updated shots. If people were to get second boosters in August, they would want to wait two to three months  until October or November  to let their immune response mature before getting a new variant-specific shot. Its easier to have the new vaccine be the next shot for this group.

On a practical level, speeding up the next-generation shots also simplifies public-health advice on when people should get the new vaccines. Although media reports about details of the rollout differ, the likely scenario is that the shots will be offered to everyone 12 and over. That will make uniform what has previously been patchwork guidance for different age groups.

Unfortunately, it will remain as difficult as ever to convince people that more Covid shots are needed. While the vaccines have protected most people from serious illness, their ability to prevent infection  never the intended purpose of the shots, but certainly key to getting society fully back to normal  has grown weaker with each new variant.

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All of this has led to excruciatingly slow uptake of available shots, and that has been especially worrisome for the most vulnerable groups. Hospitalization rates for people over 70, for example, are now near the peak last seen when the delta variant was circulating.

But offering updated shots to all Americans in September could help bring people on board by streamlining the process. Americans are accustomed to rolling up a sleeve for a flu shot each fall. Now, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention can suggest they simply get a Covid shot at the same time. Assuming there are no more major variant surprises, this could be the beginning of putting the Covid vaccine on an annual schedule, as Peter Marks, director of the FDAs Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, recently suggested to me.

Of course, its essential that Congress now invest in the fall vaccine plan. The US Department of Health and Human Services has said it signed a new contract with Moderna to buy 66 million doses of an mRNA booster against BA.4 and BA.5. That adds to the roughly 105 million doses of Pfizers updated booster the agency previously agreed to buy.

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It doesnt take a mathematician to realize that wont be enough shots for the entire US population. Yet month after month, Congress continues to ignore White House requests for additional Covid funding. HHS said it took $10 billion from other pandemic efforts to pay for these vaccines.

What message do lawmakers send about the importance of vaccination if they cant ensure there will be enough shots to go around?

The FDA has struck upon a sensible plan. To avoid yet another tough winter with Covid, Congress should work quickly to ensure it gets the support it needs.

More From Bloomberg Opinion:

 Dont Hold Your Breath For Covid Nasal Sprays: Raphael & Fazeli

 New Monkeypox Tests Are Needed to Contain the Virus: Lisa Jarvis

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This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners.

Lisa Jarvis is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering biotech, health care and the pharmaceutical industry. Previously, she was executive editor of Chemical & Engineering News.

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Floods, droughts and food shortages are just some of the effects of climate change, while exploitation and corruption drive social injustice around the world. Governments tackling these issues are realizing that to solve them, they need first to define and measure them. Some are turning to so-called taxonomies that establish which economic practices and products are harmful to the planet and which arent. The idea is that the price of goods and services must reflect the human and environmental cost of both production and disposal, which in turn would spur much needed change. But designing a code is fiendishly difficult. For instance, in August 2022, it was reported that a taxonomy focused on social questions had been shelved indefinitely by the European Commission, the executive arm of the European Union.

1. What are taxonomies?

Theyre essentially systems for organizing information, and form the basis of codes for sustainable corporate conduct and investing. Those that already exist focus mostly on environmental risks, and are based on research by scientists backed by the United Nations. When the 2015 Paris climate accord was struck, its roughly 200 signatories acknowledged that action must be taken. The average global temperature is already 1.1 degree Celsius (2 degrees Fahrenheit) higher than it was before the industrial revolution. Scientists say the limit is 1.5 degrees Celsius, beyond which lies climate catastrophe. Taxonomies provide a detailed guide for which activities jeopardize climate goals and which support them.

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2. Which jurisdictions have taxonomies?

The EU has set a global benchmark with its taxonomy, on which a technical group began work back in 2018. The EU has since been followed by Colombia, China, Japan and members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. The UK is also working on its own version of one. Based on work by the EU and China, the International Platform on Sustainable Finance is focusing on establishing some uniformity through a Common Ground Taxonomy, which covers areas such as agriculture and manufacturing. If definitions diverge too much, that could hamper efforts to channel funding to sustainable businesses and meet climate goals.

3. What does the EUs taxonomy cover?

Right now, it addresses climate change mitigation and adaptation. It covers 170 different economic activities that combined represent around 40% of the EUs listed companies operating in industries responsible for almost 80% of direct greenhouse gas emissions. There are four more environmental objectives to go, including biodiversity, and also a social taxonomy in the works. But the difficulties in reaching agreement on the environmental taxonomy -- in many ways the simplest of the set -- appears to be putting at least some of these plans on hold.

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4. What was the conflict?

For several years, there had been arguments over whether some natural gas and nuclear plants should be labeled green. The European Parliaments vote in July to allow that at least for a while to help relieve tight energy supplies -- a situation worsened by the war in Ukraine -- was criticized by some investors and climate activists.

5. What about the other taxonomies?

Although the E usually gets most attention in debates around ESG taxonomies, there were plans to also include social and governance criteria in the definition of sustainable economic activities. To an extent, social and governance-related minimum safeguards have already been made part of the EUs environmental taxonomy, which includes some fundamental conventions on human rights and good corporate governance. But to establish a standalone social taxonomy, the EU would need to define economic activities that are inherently socially beneficial, contribute to social objectives or are socially harmful under any circumstances. Social objectives include decent work for direct employees as well as workers in a companys value change along with the well-being of consumers and contributions to inclusive societies.

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6. Whats happened with this?

The task to define socially beneficial economic activities has proven even more politically contentious than establishing an environmental taxonomy. Social issues are less quantifiable than environmental goals, and they include questions on which theres much less consensus on a need for urgent action, compared with climate change. A first European Commission report outlining the main features of a social taxonomy was supposed to be published by the end of 2021, but never came to fruition. Then in August 2022 came word that in light of the bruising fights over nuclear power and natural gas the social issues were being put on hold.

7. Who would be covered by the environmental taxonomy?

Which companies or business activities will be included and by what deadline is currently under review. Larger listed corporates are first in line in the EU, where companies including those in the financial industry will be required to identify how much of their business corresponds to the lists, so investors can direct their money to those with the highest degree of alignment. But requiring disclosure from all companies irrespective of size is at present unrealistic; its too complex and costly, with lack of data a constant obstacle.

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8. How do you know which companies are aligned?

Calculating how much of sales, operating profit and capital expenditures are eligible to be aligned with the EUs taxonomy is difficult. Data is tough to obtain and financial institutions, for example, cant use estimates. To help both investors and companies, the EU is developing a central database of information, and the IPSF has created a tool to map sales that are eligible, though it warns this isnt an indicator of environmental performance.

9. Will it work?

A recent survey by the Network of Central Banks and Supervisors for Greening the Financial System found that, of two dozen financial regulators, 20% are using taxonomies and another 60% plan to use, or are considering using, one. Some trade organizations have warned regulations are so complex that theres a risk investors will steer clear of companies, even low emitters, depriving them of financing to clean up. But organizations like the UNs Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change warn failure isnt an option.

10. How do taxonomies work elsewhere?

There are more than 20 under development around the world, according to the IPSF, and theyre starting to diverge. The EU for example has established minimum social safeguards and criteria reflecting the principle of do no significant harm, but these arent universally used.

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com

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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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Theres a perfectly good reason to break open the secrets of social-media giants. Over the past decade, governments have watched helplessly as their democratic processes were disrupted by misinformation and hate speech on sites like Meta Platforms Inc.s Facebook, Alphabet Inc.s YouTube and Twitter Inc. Now some governments are gearing up for a comeuppance.

In the next two years, Europe and the UK are preparing laws that will rein in the troublesome content that social-media firms have allowed to go viral. There has been much skepticism over their ability to look under the hood of companies like Facebook. Regulators, after all, lack the technical expertise, manpower and salaries that Big Tech boasts. And theres another technical snag: The artificial-intelligence systems tech firms use are notoriously difficult to decipher.

But naysayers should keep an open mind. New techniques are developing that will make probing those systems easier. AIs so-called black-box problem isnt as impenetrable as many think.

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AI powers most of the action we see on Facebook or YouTube and, in particular, the recommendation systems that line up which posts go into your newsfeed, or what videos you should watch next  all to keep you scrolling. Millions of pieces of data are used to train AI software, allowing it to make predictions loosely similar to humans. The hard part, for engineers, is understanding how AI makes a decision in the first place. Hence the black-box concept.

Consider the following two pictures:

You can probably tell within a few milliseconds which animal is the fox and which is the dog. But can you explain how you know? Most people would find it hard to articulate what it is about the nose, ears or shape of the head that tells them which is which. But they know for sure which picture shows the fox.

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A similar paradox affects machine-learning models. It will often give the right answer, but its designers often cant explain how. That doesnt make them completely inscrutable. A small but growing industry is emerging that monitors how these systems work. Their most popular task: Improve an AI models performance. Companies that use them also want to make sure their AI isnt making biased decisions when, for example, sifting through job applications or granting loans.

Heres an example of how one of these startups works. A financial firm recently used Israeli startup Aporia to check whether a campaign to attract students was working. Aporia, which employs both software and human auditors, found that the companys AI system was actually making errors, granting loans to some young people it shouldnt have, or withholding loans from others unnecessarily. When Aporia looked closer, it found out why: Students made up less than 1% of the data the firms AI had been trained on.

In a lot of ways, the reputation of AIs black box for impenetrability has been exaggerated, according to Aporias chief executive officer, Liran Hosan. With the right technology, you can even  potentially  unpick the ultra-complicated language models that underpin social-media firms, in part because in computing, even language can be represented by numerical code. Finding out how an algorithm might be spreading hate speech, or failing to tackle it, is certainly harder than spotting mistakes in the numerical data that represent loans, but its possible. And European regulators are going to try.

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According to a spokesman for the European Commission, the upcoming Digital Services Act will require online platforms to undergo audits once a year to assess how risky their algorithms are to citizens. That may sometimes force firms to provide unprecedented access to information that many consider trade secrets: code, training data and process logs. (The commission said its auditors would be bound by confidentiality rules.)

But lets suppose Europes watchdogs couldnt delve into Facebook or YouTube code. Suppose they couldnt probe the algorithms that decide what videos or posts to recommend. There would still be much they could do.

Manoel Ribeiro, a Ph.D. student at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne, Switzerland, published a study in 2019 in which he and his co-authors tracked how certain visitors to YouTube were being radicalized by far-right content. He didnt need to access any of YouTubes code to do this. The researchers simply looked at comments on the site to see what channels users went to over time. It was like tracking digital footprints  painstaking work, but it ultimately revealed how a fraction of YouTube users were being lured into white-supremacist channels by way of influencers who acted like a gateway drug.

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Ribeiros study is part of a broader array of research that has tracked the psychological side effects of Facebook or YouTube without needing to understand their algorithms. While offering relatively superficial perspectives of how social-media platforms work, they can still help regulators impose broader obligations on the platforms. These can range from hiring compliance officers to ensure a company is following the rules, or giving accurate, random samples to auditors about the kinds of content people are being driven toward.

That is a radically different prospect to the secrecy that Big Tech has been able to operate under till now. And itll involve both new technology and new policies. For regulators, that could well be a winning combination.

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Chinas Cyber Isolationism Has Severe Security Implications: Tara Lachapelle

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Parmy Olson is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering technology. A former reporter for the Wall Street Journal and Forbes, she is author of We Are Anonymous.

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The CEO market is the hottest in memory thanks to an unprecedented wave of retirements. But what should boards look for when they look for a new boss? A digital wunderkind who understands the future or a company veteran who can keep the railway running? A charismatic figure who can set the agenda or a servant-leader who can empower the people? A package of articles on succession planning in the new edition of the Harvard Business Review provides some food for thought.

Nitin Nohria, a former dean of the Harvard Business School, argues that it all depends on the mood of the times. Twenty years ago, when he and Anthony Mayo started their landmark study of 1,000 outstanding 20th century American business leaders, they expected to find certain enduring traits  the seven secrets of great leadership, as it were. Instead, they found that leadership is context-specific: What matters is your ability to grasp the zeitgeist and go with it.

Our own times, with their mixture of political polarization, geostrategic volatility and omnipresent scrutiny, demand two qualities above all  the ability to avoid landmines and the canny to manage crises. In the glory days of neoliberalism, there was a clear line between the firm and the world. Today, the boundary is dissolving as debates about race and identity roil society. Successful CEOs need to be diplomats or statesmen who can placate internal constituencies and deal with external pressure groups.

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Nohria celebrates activist CEOs such as Larry Fink, BlackRock Inc.s CEO, and Ken Frazier, the former CEO of Merck & Co. I would argue that Walt Disney Co.s agonies in Florida show that the price of liberal activism is rising as Republicans organize their counterattack and Governor Ron DeSantis emerges as a potential Republican front-runner. States people need to know when not to act as well as to act. But he is undoubtedly right about the growing importance of a political sense.

However good you are at avoiding landmines you are likely to be confronted with a crisis of some sort or another. Leaders can no longer assume that a crisis will strike once or twice during their tenure. A misspoken word in an interview, a plunge in the markets, a change in White House policy, a high-level leakall can cause a crisis that is then magnified by social media and 24-hour television. Search committees need to look for potential CEOs who can be unflappable without being bland. Companies need to have a crisis-management team in place that can fight twitter-and-TV fire with fire.

A second HBR article emphasizes the growing importance of strong social skills. The authors  three academics (Raffaella Sadun, Joseph Fuller and Stephen Hansen) and one executive search executive (P.J. Neal) analyzed 5,000 job descriptions that a leading search firm, Russell Reynolds Associates, had developed in collaboration with its clients from 2000 to 2017. A clear pattern emerged. Companies are focusing much less on hard management skills such as administrative competence, technical skills, a track record of managing financial resources, and much more on soft skills such as the ability to motivate a diverse and technically savvy workforce and manage constituents that range from sovereign governments to noisy NGOs.

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But what exactly are social skills? How can companies cultivate them in the next leadership cadre? And how can search committees define and spot them? Operational excellence was relatively easy to define. Processes ran smoothly or they didnt; results were achieved, or they werent. But how do you distinguish between social skills and blarney that can quickly turn to bluster in a crisis? An obvious answer is to place high potential leaders in positions that oblige them to interact with various employee populations and external pressure groups. But can you measure success in social problem-solving in the same way as you can in operational problem-solving? It is all too easy to over-value glad-handers who tell the latest workplace pressure group what they want to hear.

Our authors genuflect to the familiar gods of artificial intelligence and psychological research. Companies such as Eightfold and Gloat are apparently using AI to improve matching between candidates and employers. Harvards Ben Weidmann and David Demming have found that the Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test can effectively predict the performance of individuals in team settings. Count me skeptical. Most objective tests, particularly those involving big data, are unsuited to making extremely fine judgements about tiny groups of people. Selecting leaders is an inherently human process that cannot be handed over to machines or turned into a branch of science.

The jewel in the CEO succession crown is Aiyesha Deys when hiring CEOs, focus on character. In recent decades management theorists have shied away from the question of character, partly because they are intent on establishing the disciplines scientific credentials and partly because, for the most part, they are slaves of utilitarian theory. Their instinct when they come across examples of malfeasance is to adjust incentives and intensify oversight rather than to think about airy-fairy things such as virtue.

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But the political trauma of the past few years  most notably Donald Trumps behavior as president but also Boris Johnsons as prime minister  has refocused attention on the question of character. Nohria may be right to argue that the skill set of successful CEOs changes with the times and Sadun and Co. may be equally right to emphasize the growing importance of social skills, but CEOs characters are even more important than their skill sets. Hire a CEO with a malign character and you can destroy your organization however good they are at massaging egos. Hire a CEO with an outstanding character and they will do the right thing however awkward their social manner.

But how do you assess character? Dey makes an uncomfortable suggestion: Pay more attention to candidates private lives and criminal records. Two character traits are particularly revealing about a businesspersons propensity for major ethical lapses: a propensity for over-the-top spending and a history of breaking rules even in routine things like expense reports.

Dey hired private detectives to conduct a legal record search of more than 1,000 US executives in order to discover whether they had broken the law (18% had been cited for infractions ranging from minor offences to driving under the influence to domestic abuse). She then tried to see whether there was any relationship between having law breakers in the C-suite and corporate malfeasance.

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The result was clear. Companies led by erring CEOs were more than twice as likely to be involved in fraud  and the CEOs were more than seven times more likely to be named as perpetrators. Even traffic violations pointed to a higher likelihood of fraud. CEOs with prior criminal infractions earned significantly higher profits from the purchase and sale of their company stock than CEOs without any infractions  and the profitability of these trades increased significantly with the severity of the infractions.

There is plenty of anecdotal evidence to suggest that CEOs with a taste for material self-indulgence are more likely to have dodgy characters. Carlos Ghosn, the former chairman of Nissan, had houses in six cities, owned a 120-foot yacht, and, in 2014 and 2016, threw lavish birthday parties for himself and his wife, allegedly with company funds. Earlier this century, Dennis Kozlowski spent $6,000 on a shower curtain and $15,000 on an umbrella stand for his New York apartment.

But how do we get beyond anecdote? CEOs are well-paid people who are more than usually motivated by money. And a willingness to flash the cash may be a sign of the all-important quality of sociability rather than money-mania. Dey focused on three acquisitive behaviors that could be quantified: owning a private home valued at twice as much as the median in the area, owning a car worth more than $75,000 (a lot of money when she did her research) and owning a boat more than 25 feet in length. She found a gradual weakening of control in companies run by CEOs who demonstrated one or more of these behaviors, particularly in the finance sector. Examples of fraud multiplied, and the number of unintentional reporting errors increased.

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Deys research has problems. The US legal system is notoriously hyper-active and error prone. Some 70 million Americans, one in three adults, have a criminal record, with minorities disproportionately represented. Some of the greatest leaders are mixtures of good and bad qualities: Steve Jobs refused to put a license plate on his car and, at Apple headquarters, frequently parked in handicapped spaces. At its worst, Deys approach risks selecting milksops while missing out creative geniuses. Lets hope her future research focuses on discovering strengths as well as weaknesses.

She is nevertheless right to bring new methods to bear on the ancient question: judging the character of leaders. Boards need to abandon their old squeamishness about examining the private lives of potential CEOs: the costs of CEO malfeasance are simply too high, not only in financial terms but also in terms of public confidence in big business, which has plummeted in recent years. They need to keep a careful eye on red flags for roguish behavior without treating every traffic ticket as proof of calumny. And above all they need to look beyond formal CVs  qualifications earned and jobs done  and look instead at their record of service to others. Within the character of the citizen lies the welfare of the nation, Cicero once said. The same is true of CEOs and corporations.

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 CEOs Love to Hear Yes But Need No, No, No: Paul J. Davies

 Industrial CEO Tenures Get Shorter and Busier: Brooke Sutherland

 Tips From Alaska Airs CEO for Crisis Survival: Timothy OBrien

This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners.

Adrian Wooldridge is the global business columnist for Bloomberg Opinion. A former writer at the Economist, he is author, most recently, of The Aristocracy of Talent: How Meritocracy Made the Modern World.

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The global eradication of smallpox more than 40 years ago was one of the greatest achievements in public-health history, vanquishing a cause of death, blindness and disfigurement that had plagued humanity for at least 3,000 years. On the downside, it also led to the end of a global vaccination program that provided protection against other pox viruses. That includes monkeypox, which has been spilling over from its animal hosts to infect humans in West and Central Africa with increasing frequency since the 1970s. Now monkeypox has sparked unprecedented outbreaks in Europe, the US and elsewhere, demonstrating again how readily an infectious agent in one region can mushroom into a global emergency.

1. Whats monkeypox?

Monkeypox is a misnomer that results from the fact that it was discovered at the Statens Serum Institut in Copenhagen in 1958, when outbreaks of a pox-like disease occurred in monkeys kept for research. While monkeys are susceptible to it, just like humans are, they arent the source. The virus belongs to the Orthopoxvirus genus, which includes the variola virus, the cause of smallpox; the vaccinia virus, which is used in the smallpox vaccine; and cowpox virus. Monkeypox is less contagious than smallpox and the symptoms are generally milder. About 30% of smallpox patients died, while the fatality rate for monkeypox in recent years is about 3% to 6%, according to the World Health Organization.

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2. What does monkeypox do?

After an incubation period of usually one to two weeks, the disease typically starts with fever, muscle aches, fatigue and other flu-like symptoms. Unlike smallpox, monkeypox also causes swelling of the lymph nodes. Within a few days of fever onset, patients develop a rash, often beginning on the face then spreading to other parts of the body. The lesions grow into fluid-containing pustules that form a scab. If a lesion forms on the eye, it can cause blindness. The illness typically lasts two to four weeks, according to the WHO. The patient is infectious from the time symptoms start until the scabs fall off and the sores heal. Mortality is higher among children and young adults, while people whose immune systems are compromised are especially at risk of severe disease. Pregnancy also carries a high risk of severe congenital infection, pregnancy loss, and maternal morbidity and mortality. Inflammation of the brain and seizures are rare neurological complications.

3. How is it transmitted?

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Monkeypox doesnt usually spread easily between people. Close contact with the virus from an infected animal, human or contaminated object is the main pathway. Most reported cases in the 2022 outbreaks have been linked to skin-to-skin contact with someone infected with this virus, such as during sex. The pathogen enters the body through broken skin, the respiratory tract or the mucous membranes in the eyes, nose, mouth, rectum and anus. Clubs, raves, saunas, sex parties and other activities where there is close contact with many people may increase the risk of exposure, especially if people are wearing less clothing. Tests on patient saliva, rectal swabs, semen, urine and fecal samples found traces of the virus that could indicate an infectious source for these bodily fluids and their potential role in disease transmission by close physical contact during sexual activity, a study from Spain found. Replication-competent virus was found in air samples collected during a bed linen change in rooms used to isolate patients, UK researchers reported in a study released in July ahead of peer-review. The finding supports the theory that monkeypox may be present in aerosols -- suspended skin particles or dust -- and not only in large respiratory droplets that fall to the ground within 1 meter (3 feet) to 1.5m of an infected individual. High concentrations of virus particles were also detected on toilets, sinks and other inanimate objects used by hospitalized patients, though its not yet known whether they could be a source of infection, a study from Germany found. Transmission from mother-to-unborn baby has also been documented. It can also happen indirectly through contact with contaminated clothing or linens. Common household disinfectants can kill it.

4. Whats unusual this time?

There have been multiple chains of human-to-human transmission occurring, including in sexual networks.

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 Cases dont involve recent travel to places in Africa, where the disease is endemic.

 Although anyone can get monkeypox, most cases occur in men. In endemic areas of Africa, it was thought that was related to hunting practices, whereas in the current outbreak, most individuals are men aged 21 to 40 years who have sex with men, people with multiple sexual partners, or people who practice condom-less sex. Close skin-to-skin contact during sex is the primary mode of transmission in such cases.

 Flu-like symptoms havent always preceded the rash, and some patients first sought medical care for lesions in the genital and perianal region.

 Some patients experience complications, such as tonsillitis and inflammation of the rectum.

 In some cases, the lesions are mostly located at these sites, making them hard to distinguish from syphilis, herpes simplex virus, shingles and other more common infections, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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5. Is monkeypox a sexually transmitted disease?

No. Although its one of many pathogens capable of being transmitted during sex, its not considered an STD because it also uses other transmission pathways.

6. How fast is it spreading?

From just a handful of cases in Europe in early May, more than 22,000 cases, mostly in men, were reported across dozens of countries by late July, according to data collated by global.health. Five fatal cases have been reported in Africa and three outside the continent, in Spain and Brazil. The virus has probably been circulating undetected in Europe since at least April. In the US, caseloads tripled in July, with the virus reported in more than 40 states. Preliminary research estimates that among cases who identify as men who have sex with men, the virus has a reproduction number greater than 1, which means more than one new infection is estimated to stem from a single case. A UK study found anonymous sex has proved to be a barrier to effective contact tracing. Data from outbreaks in Canada, Spain, Portugal, and the UK suggest venues where men have sex with multiple partners are helping to drive spread.

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7. How is it treated?

The illness is usually mild and most patients will recover within a few weeks; treatment is mainly aimed at relieving symptoms. About 10-to-15% of cases have been hospitalized, mostly for pain and bacterial infections that can occur as a result of monkeypox lesions. The CDC says smallpox vaccine, antivirals, and vaccinia immune globulin can be used to treat monkeypox as well as control it. Tecovirimat, also known as Tpoxx, was approved by the European Medical Association for monkeypox in 2022, but isnt yet widely available, according to the WHO. In the US, its available through the Strategic National Stockpile, though some physicians have said lengthy delays for test results and the very daunting task of completing the necessary paperwork have frustrated efforts to prescribe the medication for infected patients. The UK Health Security Agency (HSA) also lists cidofovir as an antiviral that can be used.

8. What about prevention?

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Limiting spread will require a comprehensive, international vaccination strategy and adequate supplies, public health experts Michael Osterholm and Bruce Gellin wrote in a July 19 editorial in the journal Science. Vaccination against smallpox can be used for both pre- and post-exposure and is as much as 85% effective in preventing monkeypox, according to the UK health agency, which is offering the Imvanex smallpox vaccine from Bavarian Nordic A/S to close contacts. Its a newer vaccine based on non-replicating versions of the vaccinia virus thats sold as Jynneos in the US and Imamune in Canada. Supply is limited, according to Osterholm and Gellin, who said more research is needed to determine whether intradermal, as opposed to intramuscular, administration and other dose-sparing approaches can provide adequate immune protection. Bavarian Nordic will provide the US with almost 7 million doses of Jynneos by mid-2023, according to the Department of Health and Human Services, which said on July 15 that more than 300,000 shots had been made available to states and jurisdictions since late May. (Bavarian Nordic said July 18 that it also has signed supply contracts with other, unspecified countries.) Immunization requires two injections administered four weeks apart. Otherwise, the main way to prevent infection is by isolating patients with the infection, monitoring their contacts, and ensuring health staff wear appropriate personal protective equipment.

9. Is monkeypox a pandemic threat?

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus declared the outbreak a so-called public health emergency of international concern, or PHEIC (pronounced fake), on July 23. The step will empower the agency to invoke new measures to curb the viruss spread. He last declared a PHEIC in January 2020, during the early stages of the Covid-19 pandemic. Monkeypox is concentrated among gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, especially those who have had multiple, recent sexual partners, Tedros said. That fact means the contagion can be stopped with the right strategies in the right groups. On the flip side in some countries, the communities affected face life-threatening discrimination, he said. There is a very real concern that men who have sex with men could be stigmatized or blamed for the outbreak, making the outbreak much harder to track, and to stop, Tedros said on July 21.

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10. Can it be stopped?

Former Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Scott Gottlieb said in mid-July that the window for controlling the US outbreak has probably closed and that only a small fraction of the cases in the country have been reported, with infections now occurring across the broader population. A case in a pregnant woman was reported in the US, where pediatric infections have also occurred. In the Netherlands, doctors reported a case in a boy under 10 with an immune impairment. Unable to identify how he was infected, they speculate that the virus may be present in the general population and that respiratory transmission may have played a role.

11. Do all infections cause disease?

Possibly not. Retrospective testing of 224 clinical samples collected in May for sexually transmitted infection screening found evidence of asymptomatic monkeypox infection in three men. The finding, by researchers at the Institute of Tropical Medicine in Antwerp, Belgium, was reported in a study released July 5 before it was peer-reviewed and published. Asymptomatic carriership was previously thought to play a negligible role in the spread of orthopoxviruses, the authors said. The existence of asymptomatic infections indicates that the virus might be transmitted to close contacts in the absence of symptoms, which suggests that identifying and isolating only symptomatic patients wont be enough to contain the outbreak, and that vaccinating high-risk individuals is needed. Interestingly, one of the asymptomatic men in the study predated the first detected symptomatic case in Belgium by several days, wasnt linked to other known cases and hadnt traveled abroad or attended any mass gatherings. The authors said that might suggest that the virus circulated in Belgium before the outbreak was detected.

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12. Where does monkeypox come from?

The reservoir host or main carrier of monkeypox disease hasnt yet been identified, although rodents are suspected of playing a part in transmission. It was first diagnosed in humans in 1970 in Congo in a 9-year-old boy. Since then, most cases in humans have occurred in rainforest areas of West and Central Africa. In 2003, the first outbreak outside of Africa occurred in the US and was linked to animals imported from Ghana to Texas, which then infected pet prairie dogs. Dozens of cases were recorded in that outbreak.

13. Has the monkeypox virus mutated?

The monkeypox virus might be undergoing adaptive changes to make it better suited to the human host. Analysis of the genetic sequence of the virus collected from patients in Europe indicates that the current outbreak in non-endemic countries is caused by a strain that likely diverged from the monkeypox virus that sparked a 2018-19 Nigerian outbreak, according to a June 24 study in Nature Medicine. The authors, from Portugals National Institute of Health in Lisbon, identified some 50 genetic changes or differences compared with the original strain, including several mutations the authors associate with increased transmissibility. The changes are roughly 6-to-12 times more than scientists would expect based on the observed evolution of orthopoxviruses, they said. The strain belongs to the West African clade, or branch on the evolutionary tree, that usually has a case-fatality rate of less than 1%. (That compares with 10% for a second clade called Congo Basin, which appears on the US governments bioterrorism agent list as having the potential to pose a severe threat.)

(Updates to add rare neurological complications in section 2, and fatal cases in section 6.)

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South Africa: Suspects to appear in court for murder of mayor

This story has been published on: 2022-08-01. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.

Police Minister, General Bheki Cele, met with six of the eight survivors of the gang rape in Krugersdorp, along with their families on Sunday at the Alexandra police station. Eight women were gang raped during an alleged attack during a video production in West Village, Krugersdorp, last Thursday. Some of the survivors are singers, mode... See more
The head of Judith Neilsons embattled journalism institute has officially left the organisation after months of negotiations over an exit package.

Mark Ryan, a former adviser to Paul Keating and long-time adviser to the Lowy family, led the Judith Neilson Institute for Journalism and Ideas since its inception, and was working with lawyers to negotiate his exit after its billionaire philanthropist founder requested his removal from the organisation.

Billionaire Judith Neilson and the executive director of her journalism institute, Mark Ryan, have parted ways. Credit:James Brickwood/Judith Neilson Institute

Simon Freeman, chief executive of Judith Neilsons family office, confirmed Ryan had left the institute. Sources close to the institute said the final package was approved at a board meeting a week ago.

Ryans exit comes more than two months after the Institutes four independent directors received a letter from Neilson outlining plans to remove him from his position, and appoint her daughter Beau Neilson and lawyer Daniel Appleby as directors. Ryan was approached for comment.
Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size Book critics Fiona Capp and Lucy Sussex cast their eyes over recent fiction and non-fiction releases. Here are their reviews. Non-fiction pick of the week Credit: Patting the Shark

Tim Baker, Ebury Press, $34.99 Buddhism teaches us that our lifes work is to prepare for death, yet for most of us it is the homework we put off until the last minute. A cancer diagnosis is a wake-up call to do your homework. And this is what Tim Baker has done. Diligently, courageously, candidly. His story has much to offer and inspire those with a terminal illness, and anyone who wants to confront their mortality and live more fully. Seven years on from learning that he has incurable, stage-four prostate cancer Baker has stopped fighting the acute sense of impermanence such a diagnosis induces and has embraced this knowledge, has let it break him open. From the debilitating effects of hormone therapy to the solace found in the surf, Bakers determination to regard cancer as a teacher rather than a foe has enabled him not only to defy the odds but to flourish in the most unlikely of circumstances.

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Credit: Sundressed

Lucianne Tonti, Black Inc., $32.99 The beauty of this book is that it doesnt scold. Instead, it conveys its message about the nexus between our wardrobe and the health of the planet by appealing to our senses and the wellbeing that good clothes impart  the caress of silk against the skin, the airiness of cotton on a hot day, the way wool breathes even as it warms us, the way linen softens with wear, and how these natural fibres connect us intimately with the sun, the sky, the earth. In prose as stylish as her fashion sense, Lucianne Tonti shows how a combination of love of clothes and love of nature can subvert the take-make-waste model that is driving fashions enormous environmental footprint. While unpicking the hype about sustainable clothing, she offers sensible advice and promising examples of how regenerative agriculture is forging a new, holistic paradigm that reconnects fashion with the cycle of life. Credit: Lessons From History

Ed., Holbrook, Megarrity & Lowe, NewSouth, $39.99

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Learning lessons from history might seem a straight-forward process. But as the historians writing for this collection are all too aware, ideology and meta-narratives such as progress or productivity invariably shape how those in power politicise the past for their own purposes, whether it be provocative pronouncements on China or assumptions about the inexorable march of capitalism. If we are to avoid human extinction, says Yves Rees, we need to reimagine the way we exist in time. As timeworkers historians are uniquely placed to help challenge and change the story we tell ourselves about how history unfolds. As well as this big-picture perspective, these essays offer focused reflections on topical issues such as the cultural narratives that legitimise war crimes, effective ways of combating the rise of the far right, and the importance of bipartisan policy on domestic violence. Credit: Train Lord

Oliver Mol, Michael Joseph, $35 This is a story about the impossibility of making sense of chronic pain, largely because it defies any consoling narrative arc. In bursts of stream-of-consciousness, Oliver Mol tells and retells the story of how a 10-month migraine unhinged him, left him unable to write. And how he found a kind of order amid the chaos by working as a train guard, and how the trace of this pain reverberated through the years that followed. As he comes at his story from different angles, constantly bewildered by how to wrangle the mess of life into a meaningful shape, he also muses on the business of storytelling itself  the hope it holds out, the promise of certainty and transcendence.

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Ultimately, stories are not for truth ... They are bridges to the places that no longer or never existed, and the only reason Im still writing is because I believe, however childlike, that there might be something on the other side. Fiction pick of the week Credit: After Sappho

Selby Wynn Schwartz, Text, $29.99 Linked feminist biographies can be purely factual, as with Francesca Wades excellent Square Haunting. Selby Wynn Schwartz similarly resurrects the interesting dead, but with added imaginaries. The work is a patchwork quilt of lesbian lives, speculation as interrogation. The usual suspects  Virginia Woolf, Gertrude Stein  appear, but also lesser and even largely unknown women, artworkers and activists. They are linked in their gifts, which they get the opportunities to express, through money, sheer will or pure luck. Similarly, they share a dedication to Sappho, her fragments of verse the key image and inspiration. Such a project runs considerable risks, but Schwartzs erudition and rigour holds it together. The work, longlisted for this years Booker Prize, is a triumph. For the Sappho fangirls and others.

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Credit: Electric and Mad and Brave

Tom Pitts, Picador, $34.99 This debut is focused on young lives, which could edge it into the YA category. That it is 300 pages indicates a literary audience. It also has difficult matter: mental disorders, here fanned by sheer bad luck. Two families intersect, with an intense teen love between narrator Matt and wild child Christina. They might have been step-siblings, had not a paternal death set off a spiral of disaster. Nearly everything afterwards goes wrong, a heavy burden for the narrative. Years later, in therapy, Matt writes a memoir, a task to exorcise his demons. As he admits, it is unreliable. In words as well as life, Christina remains elusive to him, yet he can learn to live with it. Credit: Keep Her Sweet

Helen Fitzgerald, Affirm, $29.99

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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 People have been calling Gaspar Noe the enfant terrible of French cinema for at least 20 years, ever since his film Irreversible scandalised audiences at the Cannes Film Festival with an explicit nine-minute scene of Monica Bellucci being raped by a stranger in a Paris Metro subway. He was hardly an enfant even then, terrible or otherwise, at the age of 38. The label stuck, however; it is still being bandied about now by critics astonished that anyone as consistently shocking as Noe  and all his films until now have been openly out to frighten the horses in one way or another, whether by showing erect penises in action or graphic scenes of abortion  could have made a film as sober and humane as his latest, Vortex. The sober intensity of Vortex has not been universally loved  Varietys Owen Gleiberman accused the filmmaker of wanting to rub our noses in the acrid sting of death - but both fans of his defiantly filthy earlier work and those for whom Noe was simply a no have heaped praise on his fearless account of decrepitude and death. Oscar-winning director Barry Jenkins (Moonlight) set the benchmark with a much-quoted review on Twitter that declared Vortex an absolute masterpiece and a miracle of a film and went on to describe it as an honest film, as free of cynicism as it is of sentimentality  deeply humanist, overrun with genuine empathy and feeling. Critics marvelled at Noes finest and most thoughtful work; the word that cropped up most often in reviews has been maturity. All those outrages led  somehow  to this master work. Vortex is about a very elderly couple dealing with dementia. Dario Argento, the director of extravagant horror films such as Suspiria, plays the character simply referred to as He. Veteran French actress Francoise Lebrun plays Her, a one-time psychiatrist wide-eyed with fear in a universe that has seemingly gone crazy around her. Comedian Alex Lutz plays their son, a recovering addict wholly unequal to making choices for his parents, let alone carrying them out. The fact that Gaspar Noe could have made it has been as much a talking point as the film itself, which confronts the pain of losing a partner or parent to dementia with the same flinty frankness he has brought in the past to sex, drugs and the seediest kind of rocknroll. French cinemas enfant terrible: Gaspar Noe. Credit:Urs Flueeler/Keystone via AP Gaspar Noe was born in Argentina to a family of artists and intellectuals. They moved to France when he was a child. As a filmmaker, he is identified with the so-called New French Extremity, a generation of filmmakers who hit their collective stride in the 90s, including Leos Carax, Catherine Breillat and Virginie Despentes. Noes wife and producing partner Lucile Hadzihalilovic, whose bizarre film about an imprisoned child with teeth made of ice, Earwig, is showing in this years MIFF, could be bracketed with them, although probably none of them would especially want to be bracketed with anyone. Noe denies the label; they are just people with taste who wanted to make sulphurous work and were able to get public funding to do it. You can film butts, an erect cock  its not going to shock anyone in France, he told The Guardian. As soon as people see a cock in the UK or the US, they think theyve seen the devil. Its impressive how uptight they are.

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This is how bad-boy reputations are made. However, in person, Noe is thoughtful, approachable and genial, even less terrible an enfant than his new film suggests. We meet at the Locarno Film Festival, the films second stop on a tour of European festivals that began in Cannes. He says he is a great one for crying in films and is suspicious of anyone who admits not having cried in this one. I made a melodrama and I wanted people to cry  I cry a lot in my life. How many bank robberies are there in this world? ... But how many movies are about bank robberies? I cant say, but that is a genre I hate. Gaspar Noe Vortex grew out of an idea he has been carrying with him since his own mother died with dementia several years ago. I know how much I cried when she died. At the time, he found comfort in Michael Hanekes film Amour, which won the Palme DOr in Cannes in 2012. Then he wondered why there were so few films like it. OK, there is now The Father and Far from Here, but in terms of the situations relevance to everyday life, there should be a hundred times more. How many bank robberies are there in this world? Maybe one every two years. But how many movies are about bank robberies? I cant say, but that is a genre I hate. His chance to help redress the balance came with COVID. I think what triggered it was that you could not make a film happening in nightclubs or parties. Big groups of people were forbidden. His last film, Climax, revolved around a dance schools wrap party where someone spikes the punch with LSD and a horror show of rape and murder ensues. All the producers were saying Do you have an idea for two people in a single space? And I had this idea that I had been carrying for years, of getting lost in the maze that is your mind. I know this subject very well. It just depended very much on who was going to play the roles. Dario Argento and Francoise Lebrun in Vortex. Once again, COVID proved the projects friend. Dario Argento was expecting to make his own film that summer, but the production company Wild Bunch  also Noes producers  decided to postpone it. They werent ready and I said great, I can go to him and maybe convince him to be in my movie. I was told he liked my previous movies, but it was not evident at all that he would say yes.

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Argento is 81. He had never acted before. Noe wanted, moreover, the whole film to be improvised. At the time, he didnt even know if Argento could speak French, let alone improvise in it; as it turned out, he could. What I told him was that he is the great director, that he knows how to create a character. You are going to direct yourself and do your best. That suited Argento, who was not keen to submit to direction. Im a director, not an actor, he told The Guardian. I dont like being in front of the camera with people telling you what to say. When Noe sent him some videos of people having heart attacks as background material for his most dramatic scene, he sent them back. Saying: What is this? I know how people die! Get the hell out of here with your stupid videos. As the greatest director of the Italian horror-thriller genre known as giallo, he has been making people die dramatically for decades. By contrast, Francoise Lebrun had little familiarity with dementia. She is 77; her own mother was then over 100 and mentally sharp. So she said no, I am not very familiar to these ageing diseases. Also I think she didnt want to get close to it, because when you are over 70 you are always afraid, you know. But I had a collection of videos  documentaries, things I found on YouTube, some videos I took of my mother that were very touching. What I liked about showing her images of my mother is that you see some kind of permanent panic in the eyes. In one second you see the person and you say Oh my God this person is high, high, high on terror! And its all said with the eyes. Lebrun barely speaks; we can see her losing words in front of us. In real life, says Noe, she is highly articulate. Extremely intellectual. Her use of the French language is much better than mine  she went to the school of politics. She composed something she would never want to be. Loading Just before COVID struck, Noe had his own health scare. It was immediately after Christmas in 2019, when he had overdone the oysters, alcohol and clubbing. Just before new year, he had a brain haemorrhage. It feels like you had taken poppers in the afternoon, he says. You feel dizzy. I said Oh shit, this is not normal and ran to a bar. The barman called an ambulance; his speed saved him. They said I could have died, it was a 50 per cent chance I would die and 35 per cent chance I would be in a mental state close to the one of Francoise in the film.

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It was a salutary reminder of mortality. I felt I had been catapulted to the dark side of the moon, but I came back. Also I had the chance to try morphine for the first time in my life, which helped me to stop smoking cigarettes and drinking alcohol. And I watched Gravity on TV in French on morphine, which was the trippiest movie I had seen in my life. Noe speaks very quickly, barely finishing his words, but he pauses fractionally. Actually, it was very hardcore, but I came off the whole thing without damage. Gaspar Noes controversial films (clockwise, from top left): Irreversible, Enter the Void, Love and Climax. He went home, under instructions to stay home for a month, during which he planned to get through his pile of unwatched DVDs. Then COVID hit. His two-movies-a-day retreat lasted six months. I had all these classics I hadnt seen. Even Andrei Rublev I hadnt seen. So I thought great. But death wasnt done with Noe: three people close to him died in quick succession. In a few months I had to go to three funerals and was around three corpses, so the presence of death was very much in and around me these last two years. So I felt it was time to do such a movie as this. Also I tried to avoid all the narrative tricks that would make it more exciting. I just wanted it to be very simple, almost banal, about what living and dying is. Dying itself is simple, he says. I know people are afraid of COVID, but I like a French expression: if youre afraid of dying, why were you born? If there is one thing that sure in our lives, it is one day the bell will ring. It is ageing that is terrifying. What people can tell you about ageing while they still can, its not a joke. In life, there are not two doors. There is just one door, an entrance, and a wall. When you are ageing you are getting closer to the wall. Then you crash and then no one is going to remember what happened. Vortexs split screen depicts a disconnected couple in separate realities. Simple though the story is, he has allowed himself a daring divergence of form: the whole film is shot with a split screen, mostly showing Argento in one frame and Lebrun in the other. Sometimes the two frames come together, with just a zip line between them; more often, we see these two old people going about their own business, he trying to write his last great work of criticism, she fiddling about with prescription pads, trying through the fog to remember how to be a doctor.

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THE REASON I JUMP 

(M) 82 minutes

The Reason I Jump offers a profound insight into what it is like to be autistic, or more correctly, what it might be like.

Its based on a book published in Japan in 2007. Naoki Higashida was then aged about 13. He does not speak. Working with his mother, who used a symbol board, he allegedly picked out the words to describe his feelings as an autistic boy. The book was a huge success, translated by English novelist David Mitchell and his wife, Keiko Yoshida, who also have an autistic son.

The Reason I Jump stars Jim Fujiwara, whose presence in the film is one of many stones unturned.

The book has been criticised from the start as an unreliable source. Higashidas mother held his arm while he picked out the symbols. This kind of facilitated communication has been denounced as pseudo-science. The inference is that, consciously or not, Higashidas mother wrote the book. In other words, it was an act of empathy and love rather than transcription. The questions that flow from this could keep a symposium of psychologists busy for a year.
Just a week ago it was generally believed that the chances of the United States passing its crucial climate bill were dead, sunk by a Republican Party that does not care and a Democratic senator with a deciding vote who had walked away from negotiations, the West Virginian coal man Joe Manchin.

The potential global consequences of such a failure are difficult to exaggerate. The Democrats look set to be clobbered in upcoming midterm elections and there is little reason to expect the party will be resurgent at the next presidential election in 2024.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has brokered a deal with his Democrat colleague Joe Manchin. Credit:AP

As a result, President Joe Bidens promise to cut US emissions in half from 2005 levels by 2030, with the goal of hitting net-zero by 2050, looked to be sunk too.

And without US action, hopes that the world might achieve its Paris Accord goal of holding warming to as close to 1.5 degrees as possible fade too  why should emerging economies make sacrifices if the nation that had pumped out the most climate warming gasses in history would not?
Adults with debilitating spinal muscular atrophy will for the first time have access to a subsidised treatment that has been available only to children.

From August 1, the gene therapy Spinraza (nusinersen) will be listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme for adults with SMA.

Daniel Michel says treatment has helped him retain his quality of life. Credit:Rhett Wyman

Roughly one in 6000 to 11,000 people are born with SMA, a rare genetic disease caused by a shortage of a protein called survival motor neuron (SMN). Without this protein, muscles become weak and waste away, including the muscles used for breathing and swallowing, the shoulders, hips, thighs and upper back.

Until now, there have been no treatment options available for adults living with SMA, Health Minister Mark Butler said. Without this PBS listing, families would be well over $300,000 per year for Spinraza ... the cost will now be just $42.20 per script, or $6.80 with a concession card, he said.
A volunteer-run mutual aid project backed by the Antipoverty Centre has stepped in to supply free rapid antigen tests to concession card holders after a federal government program ended on Sunday.

The Ratbag project raised more than $2500 after launching on Twitter last night to ensure that welfare recipients could access RATs without having to sacrifice funds earmarked for food and other essentials.

Without a RAT many welfare recipients will be forced to choose between leaving home while contagious or losing their poverty payment. Others will choose between food and testing, Project coordinator Paul McMillan said.

At a time when Covid cases are peaking and new strains are emerging, we cant ask people who are already skipping meals, medication and other essentials to bear even more costs ... The government continues to let these people down, but the community is stepping up.

McMillan said the ending of the program was particularly risky for people who had to do activities to get their Centrelink payment, such as those on JobSeeker.

While living on just $46 a day, those on unemployment payments are forced to leave home to attend activities. A positive COVID test is required to avoid payment suspension when isolating and PCR tests have become increasingly hard to get.

He said the idea for the project came when Health Minister Mark Butler confirmed the Albanese government would not be extending the free RATs program launched by the previous Coalition government, against the urging of the Australian Medical Association.

McMillan said system outages on Sunday meant that some welfare recipients were unable to access RATs on the last day of the scheme.

The Ratbag mutual aid project takes donations online and distributes RATs to concession and low income health care card holders who register on its website.

Since launching on Sunday, it has also received donation offers from suppliers able to supply the tests in bulk.

People who do not have a concession card because they are unable to access a welfare payment can also submit a request for access to free RATs through the website.




The young star best known as Will Byers on the show shared a video and two photos of the visit on his Instagram account last Friday.





In the first picture, he can be seen posing on a dune buggy with his mother.





The second picture of the post captures the stunning view of the sunset in the desert of Ica.





Additionally, he shared a video of his mother sliding down the side of a dune as they try out sandboarding.





"Mom & me: dune surfing," he wrote in the caption, which quickly went viral.





The actor's post garnered several comments: "That's too cool," "Welcome to Peru, Noah!" "Have fun in Peru, Noah," "How come you are in Latin America?" "Yeah, Peru is amazing!" "Noah is in Peru."





Noah Schnapp arrived in the Peruvian capital to participate in the Lima Comic Convention 2022, where Stranger Things' fans have been able to see the actor on July 30 and 31.





The event takes place at Arena 1 in the Costa Verde beach area located in the district of San Miguel.





(END) LIQ/RMB

U.S. actor Noah Schnapp famous for his role in the hit Netflix show, Stranger Things  has recently visited the Oasis of Huacachina, a popular tourist destination in Peru's southern Ica region.Published: 7/31/2022
The model gives all branch members that live in the geographical area the power to vote in candidate preselections alongside a committee of delegates of people who live outside the branch. It will replace the current model where candidates are preselected by a panel made up of delegates selected by branch members. By enfranchising over 5000 local members... its going to be much more difficult for powerbrokers and groups to control preselection. WA Liberals president Richard Wilson A powerbrokers primary goal is to have their people preselected for elections and it was these preselection panels that were easily manipulated by factional groups through techniques such as branch stacking, including the alliance of powerbrokers known as The Clan. The hybrid model proposal put to the conference was the litmus test for how serious the Liberals are about cleaning up their act and weakening the grip of powerbrokers on the party.

There were concerns the amendment would not reach the 75 per cent vote needed because it did not have support from a group of party veterans and their supporters known as the Liberal Reform Coalition. In the weeks leading up to the conference the LRC, lead by former Barnett government ministers Norman Moore and Mike Nahan, said the amendment did not go far enough and would still allow powerbrokers to ply their trade within the party. Concerns about the numbers were proven to be unfounded. While further amendments put to the floor to lessen the voting power of delegates were struck down, the hybrid model soared through with an overwhelming majority of 92 per cent. WA Liberal leader David Honey, who is one of only two lower house MP Liberals left in WA parliament after the 2021 state election, lauded his party for passing the amendment.

To get a 93 per cent majority for the plebiscite motion was just outstanding affirmation that the party is serious about change, serious about listening to the message that the community has sent us loud and clear, and that is that we need to reset and I think this marks the beginning of that reset, he said. Loading Most conference attendees WAtoday spoke to on the condition of anonymity welcomed the vote but opinion varied on whether it was a small step or a giant leap. One attendee said it was an important day for the party that would see people from all walks of life find their way into candidate positions. Another attendee said the changes were written to reduce media interest and subdue unrest and while it was a step in the right direction, most members wanted more.

Party president Richard Wilson said the changes ensured members of local branches would not be beholden to powerbrokers. By enfranchising over 5000 local members across the party it's going to be much more difficult for powerbrokers and groups to control preselection, he said. What still needs to be done? Wilson spent 11 gruelling months consulting all corners of the Liberals after the Road to Reform report was released in August last year to come up with the hybrid model, but even he acknowledged there was more work to be done. Factional power also manifests in decision-making bodies and committees of the state party.

Wilson said the internal matters and composition of governance bodies of the party would be looked at. Loading Just to make sure theyre doing the things we need them to do, and theyre represented by the right people, he said. Another particularly contentious area of reform will be how upper house candidates are selected. The party must reform this section of its constitution ahead of the 2025 state election anyway after the McGowan government abolished regional representation and forced a statewide ticket.

However, the upper house is where senior Clan members Peter Collier and Nick Goiran reside and it is a breeding ground for factional power plays in both the Labor and Liberal parties. In an opinion piece published before the conference last week, WA senator Dean Smith said the plebiscite model needed to be extended to upper house preselection. Just how committed the party is to reform will become clearer when this issue is addressed. Honey said the party would likely end up with a new preselection model that broadens the base but there were lots of discussions ahead before something was adopted. Gender quotas will also likely become a hot topic within the party. Honey said he was not averse to a quota while deputy state Liberal leader Libby Mettam said the party did not need one.

There is also the matter of recriminations for party members who have been found to have breached party rules or the Associations Incorporation Act, which a recent independent audit received by the party suggested has happened extensively. So far, the party is yet to publicly address any of these claims. How will success be measured? Ultimately, the Liberal partys success in its reform will be measured in the quality of its candidates. When election time rolls around it is those people plucked from the depths of the parties, often by powerbrokers, and thrust into the spotlight.

If they stuff up it can have devastating consequences. The 2021 state campaign was marred with candidate controversies including one Clan-supported candidate who had taken to the internet the year before espousing baseless conspiracy theories that 5G was connected to the spread of COVID-19. The quality of the people being put forward to the public is an increasing source of criticism for the Liberals. Loading Honeys name also gets bandied about as a missed opportunity for generational change in the seat of Cottesloe.
Wellington: New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says even as China becomes more assertive in the pursuit of its interests, there are still shared interests that the two countries can and should co-operate on.

Speaking at the China Business Summit in Auckland, Ardern added that she looked forward to in-person ministerial visits and planned to lead a business delegation to China when COVID measures allowed.

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern. Credit:Getty

New Zealand has toughened its tone recently on both security and Beijings growing presence in the South Pacific, in part due to the signing of a security pact between China and Solomon Islands earlier in the year. But at the same time New Zealand remains dependent on trade with China.

Ardern said that while there were areas that mattered deeply to New Zealand and where the countrys view differed from that of China, New Zealand was willing to engage.
YEREVAN, AUGUST 1, ARMENPRESS. The economic and political ties between the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Korea (South Korea) are not active and the annual trade volume is low, however a South Korean economist believes that the two countries have big potential for enhancing cooperation in a number of areas.

As part of a media tour organized by the Korean Culture and Information Service, ARMENPRESSs Editor-in-Chief Shant Khlghatyan interviewed Jo Young-Kwan, Senior Research Fellow at the Overseas Economic Research Institute of the Export-Import Bank of Korea (Korea Eximbank).

The Export-Import Bank of Korea (Korea Eximbank) is researching the economic ties between South Korea and CIS countries.

Jo Young-Kwan underscored that the institute is researching the economic situations mainly in Russia, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Ukraine, because South Korea has active economic relations with these countries.

We are studying Armenia also, but little work is done in that direction compared to the abovementioned countries because Russia, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan are important economic and trade partners for Korea. You probably know that the economic ties between Armenia and Korea are not active. According to Eximbank research, there are three Korean companies now in Armenia, which have invested a total of 3 million dollars into the Armenian economy, Young-Kwan said. For comparison, the researcher noted that there are more than 420 Korean companies in Uzbekistan.

According to last years data the trade volume between Armenia and Korea stood at 13 million dollars. This is certainly very low compared to other CIS member countries. As you know, Korea is exporting automobiles, pharmaceuticals, as well as electronic devices, clothing, ores and food, he said.

According to Jo Young-Kwan, the first reason of the trade volume being so low between Armenia and South Korea is the geographical distance. Furthermore, Eximbank research data shows that 370 Koreans live in Armenia, while there is no Armenian community in Korea, which in turn is an obstacle for cooperation and establishment of relations between the two countries.

Asked how Armenia and Korea could bolster economic ties, Jo Young-Kwan said: I can see that Armenia is displaying interest for the information and communication technology sector, and Korea is a superpower in this area. We could focus our cooperation on this sector. The Korean Samsung and the Dilijan International School have agreed to create an Innovation Campus, and students will have the chance to attend training courses here. I think that cooperation in IT between the two countries will continue to develop. There are good impressions about Armenia here in our country. Certainly I know about Armenia for a very long time, but after 2016 many videos about your country were shown in Korea and I know people who want to visit Armenia, therefore I believe that there is potential for cooperation in tourism as well.

Speaking on other topics, Jo Young-Kwan mentioned the legislative changes that were recently introduced in Armenia encouraging electronic payments. He said that this year the Vice Governor of the Central Bank of Armenia visited Korea to discuss the Korean experience in this matter. This issue is now being studied. We are maintaining active ties in this direction since 2019. We can say that there is prospect for cooperation in digital finance as well. We can say that we have big potential to develop cooperation in information technologies, tourism and financial payments, Jo Young-Kwan said.

If South Korea were to open an embassy in Armenia it would contribute to long-term development of relations, he added.

Photo by PENTA PRESS
YEREVAN, AUGUST 1, ARMENPRESS. The presence of Armenian businessmen in the United States is expanding. The International Business Relations Support Council, together with partners, is organizing various festivals, exhibitions, B2B meetings, which enable to present the Armenian products, services and acquire new partners.

International Business Relations Support Council President Mariam Manukyan said at a press conference that results are seen swiftly. Back in May, an Armenian-American business-festival was held in Burbank, California, and there are signed contracts already.

We had a 10-day project in May. 38 companies representing the most various sectors from Armenia were participating in the festival and B2B meetings. The Armenian products, services were presented to the local community, major companies and suppliers. Today, by summarizing the results we can say that 10 companies have signed contracts, Manukyan said.

Companies producing sweets, wine, canned food and dried fruits are among those whove signed contracts.

The first batch of products will be shipped in September.

The Armenian Trade Show electronic platform will be launched in September as well. The platform is intended for both retailers and wholesale traders.

The second Armenian-American business-festival (trade show) this year will take place in December in Glendale. A total of 60 pavilions will take part. More than 30 companies will participate from Armenia, while the remaining will be Armenian organizations working in the US.
YEREVAN, AUGUST 1, ARMENPRESS. The issue of Serbias possible membership in the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) has not yet been included on the agenda, Russian Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists on Monday, reports TASS.

Frankly speaking, such an issue has not been on the agenda, the Kremlin official said replying to a question on the matter.

On Sunday night, the situation in Kosovo and Metohija sharply escalated after Kosovos police had closed a checkpoint on the border with Serbia, intending to introduce a ban on Serbian documents on Monday. In response, Serbs in the north of Kosovo took to the streets and blocked key highways. The police and the Kosovo Force (KFOR), a NATO-led international peacekeeping force in Kosovo, were pulled to the bridge across the Ibar River, which links Kosovska Mitrovicas northern and southern parts. As a result of international efforts, Pristina decided to postpone the procedure of banning Serbian documents until September 1.
KYIV, Ukraine (AP)  The first ship carrying Ukrainian grain set out Monday from the port of Odesa under an internationally brokered deal to unblock the embattled country's agricultural exports and ease the growing global food crisis.

The Sierra Leone-flagged cargo ship Razoni sounded its horn as it departed with over 26,000 tons of corn destined for Lebanon.

The first grain ship since Russian aggression has left port, Ukrainian Minister of Infrastructure Oleksandr Kubrakov declared on Twitter.

Russia and Ukraine signed agreements in Istanbul with Turkey and the U.N. on July 22, clearing the way for Ukraine to export 22 million tons of grain and other agricultural products that have been stuck in Black Sea ports because of Russias invasion of Ukraine more than five months ago. The deals also allow Russia to export grain and fertilizer.

As part of the agreements, safe corridors through the mined waters outside Ukraine's ports were established.

Ukraine and Russia are major global suppliers of wheat, barley, corn and sunflower oil, with the fertile Black Sea region long known as the breadbasket of Europe. The holdup of shipments because of the war has worsened rising food prices worldwide and threatened hunger and political instability in developing nations.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy sounded a cautious note. Calling the shipment the first positive signal that there is a chance to stop the spread of a food crisis in the world, he also urged international partners to closely monitor Moscows compliance with the deal.

We cannot have the illusions that Russia will simply refrain from trying to disrupt Ukrainian exports, Zelenskyy said.

In Moscow, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov hailed the ships departure as very positive, saying it would help test the efficiency of the mechanisms that were agreed to during the talks in Istanbul.

Under the agreements, ships going in and out of Ukrainian ports will be subject to inspection to make sure that incoming vessels are not carrying weapons and that outgoing ones are bearing only grain, fertilizer or related food items, not any other commodities.

The Razoni was scheduled to dock early Wednesday in Istanbul, where teams of Russian, Ukrainian, Turkish and U.N. officials were set to board it for inspection.

More ships are expected to leave from Ukraines ports through the safe corridors. At Odesa, 16 more vessels, all blocked since Russias invasion on Feb. 24, were waiting their turn, with others to follow, Ukrainian authorities said.

But some shipping companies are not yet rushing to export food across the Black Sea as they assess the danger of mines and the risk of Russian rockets hitting grain warehouses and ports.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who proposed the grain deal in April, said the Razoni was "loaded with two commodities in short supply: corn and hope.

Hope for millions of people around the world who depend on the smooth running of Ukraines ports to feed their families, he said.

Lebanon, the corns destination, is in the grip of a severe financial crisis. A 2020 explosion at its main port in Beirut shattered its capital city and destroyed grain silos. Lebanon imports mostly wheat from Ukraine but also buys its corn for making cooking oil and animal feed.

Kubrakov said the shipments will also help Ukraines war-shattered economy.

Unlocking ports will provide at least $1 billion in foreign exchange revenue to the economy and an opportunity for the agricultural sector to plan for next year, he said.

Hearing the ship sound its horn as it left port delighted Olena Vitalievna, an Odesa resident.

Finally, life begins to move forward and there are some changes in a positive direction," she said. "In general, the port should live its own life because Odesa is a port city. We live here. We want everything to work for us, everything to bustle.

The resumption of the grain shipments came as fighting raged elsewhere in Ukraine, with Russia pressing its offensive in the east while Ukraine tries to retake territory in the Russian-occupied south.

Ukraines presidential office said at least three civilians were killed and 16 wounded by Russian shelling in the Donetsk region over the past 24 hours. Donetsk Gov. Pavlo Kyrylenko repeated a call for all residents to evacuate, emphasizing the need to remove about 52,000 children still there.

Two civilians were killed and two seriously wounded when Russian forces fired missiles at a bus evacuating people from a village in the southern Kherson region, according to Oleksandr Vilkul, head of the military administration in the city of Kryvyi Rih.

Ukrainian authorities have been calling on civilians in that region, which was overrun by Russian troops early in the war, to evacuate ahead of a planned counteroffensive.

More shelling was reported in Kharkiv in the northeast and Mykolaiv in the south.

Analysts warned that the continuing fighting could still upend the grain deal.

The departure of the first vessel doesnt solve the food crisis; its just the first step that could also be the last if Russia decides to continue attacks in the south," said Volodymyr Sidenko, an expert with the Kyiv-based Razumkov Center think tank.

In other developments:

 In Washington, President Joe Biden approved an additional $550 million in military aid to Ukraine, including more ammunition for howitzers and for the new American-supplied multiple rocket launchers that are making a difference on the battlefield. The package brings total U.S. military assistance to Ukraine to approximately $8.7 billion since the start of the Biden administration.

 Ukraines human rights ombudsman said he had written to his Russian counterpart suggesting a joint visit to the Olenivka prison, where dozens of Ukrainian POWs were killed in an explosion Friday. Dmitry Lubets said the Russian side indicated it would consider it.

Both sides have blamed each other for the blast at the prison, which is in Russian-controlled territory. Ukrainian officials maintain the explosion was caused by a bomb set off inside the building.

The International Committee of the Red Cross has also requested access to the prison, but so far has been turned down.

Fraser reported from Ankara, Turkey. Jon Gambrell in Dubai contributed.
SALISBURY TWP., Pa. - A death investigation brought the district attorney, the coroner, and police to a neighborhood in Salisbury Township.

Anna Roach was walking her dog at 5:30 p.m. Monday, when she says she heard dogs barking non-stop, inside her neighbors' house.

"This was actually in the house, which was highly unusual," Roach said. "They usually bark outside if they see somebody. But not when they're inside."

Roach later learned officials had been investigating a suspicious death in her next-door neighbors' home, on the 700 block of East Federal Street.

Authorities arrived in the morning and were on scene all afternoon, only rolling up the yellow tape after 6 p.m. Monday.

Animal Control came and removed four dogs from the home at one time. Just before officials left, a fifth dog was placed in a police car.

Neighbors say the couple living in the home had just moved in less than a year ago.

"Sweet people, brand-new neighbors, first home," Roach said. "They ask questions like planting things. Just really quiet neighbors, they don't bother anybody. Just nice."

"They tended to their house or yard," neighbor Lauren Zielinski said. "I know they had animals, but I think they kept to themselves. And because we're not a very nosey group of people, we pretty much keep to ourselves too and we'll say hi."

Zielinski, whose family has owned her house for about 40 years, says she'd never seen anything like the investigation on her street.

"I'm very surprised," she said. "We're in a pocket of Salisbury where it's pretty quiet. We hear of things happening in Allentown, like other areas, but nothing happens, nothing happens here."

"It's highly unusual," Roach added. "It's like a little scary too. This just doesn't happen. Not in this neighborhood anyway."

Salisbury Township Police Chief Kevin Soberick says there is no danger to the public at this time. District Attorney Jim Martin says the death is still under investigation and his office has no further comment.
YEREVAN, AUGUST 1, ARMENPRESS. Cyprus Airways has announced plans to launch a new scheduled route to Yerevan, Routes Online reported citing a statement from the airline.

The service from Larnaca to Yerevans Zvartnots International will operate twice a week using Airbus A320 aircraft. Although the airline has not confirmed the start date, it said flights would be seasonal.

Greeces Aegean Airlines also offers a one-stop option between Larnaca and Yerevan via Athens.
ROME (AP)  Italians debated Sunday whether a Nigerian street vendor could have been saved from a fatal attack by an enraged Italian man that played out in public as bystanders watched. Mourners left flowers and placards denouncing the violence and the indifference of those nearby.

On Friday, as strollers promenaded along a bustling shopping street in Civitanova Marche, an Italian town on the Adriatic Sea, Alika Ogorchukwu, 39, was left for dead after first being struck with his own crutch and then pummeled furiously by the suspect.

"Four-minute long horror,'' headlined Corriere della Sera, noting that other Nigerian immigrants in the town had decried the indifference and racism seen in the killing.

Video footage of the attack has circulated on Italian news websites and social media.

A judge on Monday will rule if the alleged attacker, identified by police as Filippo Claudio Giuseppe Ferlazzo, 32, should remain jailed during the investigation.

Police investigator Matteo Luconi told reporters on Saturday that the assailant went after the vendor following insistent requests by Ogorchukwu to the suspect and his female companion for pocket change. The slain mans lawyer said he was attacked after complimenting the woman's beauty.

An autopsy will help determine if Ogorchukwu died from the beating or possibly was strangled as he lay on his back, his attacker on top of him and striking him.

Ogorchukwu frequently peddled packets of tissues or cigarette lighters to customers, local shopkeepers said.

During a popular talk show on Italian state radio Sunday, listeners called in to decry the indifference of at least two bystanders who filmed the event and the fear the attack generated..

One listener recalled a young man beaten to death by a gang of Italian youths near Rome in 2020 when he tried to defend a friend and subdue a fight. A court recently convicted four Italians, sentencing two of them to life in prison, for the killing of Willy Monteiro Duarte, a cook whose family originated from Cape Verde.

On Sunday, people paused at the spot where Ogorchukwu died, leaving flowers and tying placards to a tree, including one denouncing violence, racism, indifference.

Some radio listeners were indignant that two bystanders used their phones to film the attack and no one apparently tried to pull the suspect off his victim. The police said some did call to report an attack in progress, but by the time help arrived, Ogorchukwu was dead.

One caller asked the host what would he have done if he were there.

I would have kicked him," replied Mario Sechi, director of the Italian news agency AGI.

The attack comes as Italian politicians begin campaigning for an early parliamentary election on Sept. 25. The anti-migrant head of the right-wing League party, Matteo Salvini, has made immigration as well as protecting citizens from violent crime his top issues.

On Sunday, Salvini in a tweet contended that his center-left opponents were exploiting the Nigerian's death to accuse me, the League and millions of Italians of racism. Squalid."

Archbishop Rocco Pennacchio, whose diocese includes Civitanova Marche, decided that in place of homilies, several minutes of silence would be held at Sunday's Masses.

The mayor of the nearby San Severino Marche, where Ogorchukwu lived with his wife, son and a niece, said the town would pay for the funeral. Italian media said local citizens also started fundraising to help his widow.

This story has been corrected to show that the killing happened Friday.
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.
BENI, Congo (AP)  Police dispersed about 100 demonstrators in Congos eastern town of Beni on Monday, a day after U.N. peacekeepers returning to duty killed three people and wounded more than a dozen at the border with Uganda.

Dalzon Mikundi, president of the Beni Urban Youth Council, said they want the U.N. to cover medical care for the victims wounded by peacekeepers amid demonstrations demanding that the U.N. force leave Congo.

Tensions between the population in restive eastern Congo and the U.N. peacekeeping force have risen dramatically in the past week or so, with more than 20 killed in protests calling for the force to leave.

On Sunday, U.N. peacekeepers opened fire on civilians in Kasindi, a border town with Uganda in Congos North Kivu province.

I call on the youth of Beni to put pressure peacefully and not to fall into vandalism, said Mikundi. I also call on our government to play its role well in securing its population so as not to rely on foreign forces.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he was outraged by the shooting in Kasindi and he offered an apology to Congo's president Mondayu.

The Secretary-General is both saddened and dismayed by the loss of life and serious injuries sustained during this incident. He expresses his deepest condolences to the affected families, the people of the DRC (Congo) and the Congolese government, a U.N. statement said.

Guterres also welcomed investigations into the incident and said the peacekeeper's nation has been contacted to quickly begin "judicial proceedings with the participation of victims and witnesses so that appropriate sanctions can be handed down.

U.N. deputy spokesman Farhan Haq said the secretary-general spoke to President Felix Tshisekedi of Congo on Monday morning and apologized for Sunday's incident and conveyed his condolences.

To bring about stability in eastern Congo, he said, effective dialogue" is needed and for that to happen the U.N. demands "the unconditional withdrawal of the M23 group" and calls on all armed groups to cease all forms of violence.

Guterres said the U.N. is totally committed to coordinating and working with the Congolese armed forces, Haq said. nd bring about stability in eastern DRC, effective dialogue is needed, he said, and for that to happen, we demand the unconditional withdrawal of the M23 group and call on all armed groups to cease all forms of violence.

Meanwhile, the U.N. mission in Congo paid homage on Monday in Goma to the soldiers killed amid demonstrations last week in Goma, Butembo and other places in eastern Congo. The head of the U.N. Congo mission Bintou Keita, as well as Jean-Pierre Lacroix, U.N. Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, attended the ceremony.

The federal government sent a delegation to Goma over the weekend to visit the U.N. facilities and meet with the protesters to find a solution to the crisis.

Associated Press videojournalist Justin Kabumba in Goma, Congo, contributed to this report.
The award-winning New Diorama Theatre in central London has unveiled a new season  with no shows programmed.

Titled "Intervention 01", the venue will instead invest 250,000 towards developing a new slate of bold, risk-taking work. Companies are now able to submit their own applications as part of the vision, branded "Towards a New Movement in British Theatre".

Artistic director David Byrne explained today: "Post-pandemic, we promised to listen more and do better. The sheer catalytic energy required to bring theatre back' has left artists on the brink of burn-out and exhaustion.

"So New Diorama is going to do the most radical thing we can imagine: stop. Marking a once-in-a-generation moment, we'll work behind the scenes to return in 2023 with a renewed artistic vision, a re-energised artist family, and our boldest ever slate of work."

Fifteen companies will take part in the scheme, dubbed "a moment of full artistic reset", with plans for further interventions in the future.

The venue's executive director Will Young said: "Having fought so hard to survive lockdowns, we need to go beyond recovery to a greater ambition: re-inspiring audiences and reminding them why theatre is essential to our lives.

"NDT has some of the best audiences in London, those most energised by new talent and bold ideas, so we know they'll bear with us during this temporary closure, and be ready for us on the other side."
Williamson, WV (25661)

Today

Cloudy skies this morning will become partly cloudy this afternoon. Slight chance of a rain shower. High around 80F. Winds light and variable..

Tonight

Mostly clear. Low near 60F. Winds light and variable.
YEREVAN, AUGUST 1, ARMENPRESS. Among the natural wonders of Armenia, the "Khosrov forest" state reserve and the "Dilijan" national park were included in the list of preferred tourist places proposed by "Forbes". ARMENPRESS reports in the publication entitled "Five attractive natural wonders of the Caucasus", the author offers to enjoy the impressive beauty of national parks and nature reserves.

Introducing the "Khosrov Forest" state reserve, it is noted that it was founded by King Khosrov III in the 300s on a part of the present forest area. This forest area rich in juniper and oak trees is known for its diversity of flora and fauna, predators: wolf, lynx, grizzly bear. Lucky visitors can also see leopards," the advertisement says. In the modern era, this expanse of juniper and oak forest is renowned for its high diversity of flora and fauna, with a particularly interesting array of iconic predators. Gray wolves, Eurasian lynx, and brown bears all call the park home, while lucky visitors may be able to catch a glimpse of one of the few remaining Persian leopards that still exist in Armenia.

The next captivating natural wonder of Armenia is the Dilijan National Park. According to Forbes, officially elevated to national park status in 2002, the sprawling Dilijan National Park offers vast forests, indigenous fauna, and centuries-old structures right in the heart of Armenia. While the region is rife with typical Armenian mammals, birds, and amphibians, one of the most prominent draws for tourism stems from the areas human inhabitants. Dilijan is home to a wealth of historic religious structures including the ornate Haghartsin Monastery as well as Goshavank, a massive complex that was built roughly 800 years ago. After exploring the pristine wilderness of the park, visitors are welcome to spend a couple of hours strolling around Dilijan, an idyllic town thats popular thanks to its charming Armenian architecture and high concentration of spas.
Motorists should begin traveling on the new roundabout at Highway 61 and Highway 43 in Winona early Monday morning as crews work overnight to complete the traffic transition on the first of four roundabouts in the Hwy 43 Winona project, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation.

Expect traffic delays on Hwy 61 as crews complete paving in the next few days as part of the transition.

East Lake Blvd will remain closed, but is expected to open sometime after the roundabout, connecting with Sugar Loaf Road and Hwy 43. (MnDOT will announce this opening separately when it occurs).

Additional work requiring lane closures on Hwy 61 and in the roundabout will be occurring through the week of Aug. 1 as construction crews continue to connect the road and the roundabout with paving. Please stay alert and aware of road crews.

Once the roundabout opens, temporary traffic signals will remain in place along Highway 43/Mankato Avenue, as road work continues there. Crews still need to build three more roundabouts at: Riverbend Road, Frontenac Drive and Sarnia Street. The temporary traffic signal at Sugar Loaf View will remain by Kwik Trip during construction.

Motorists can reach their destinations but should be attentive to signs or seek alternate routes.

This is part of the reconstruction of Highway 43 between Sugar Loaf View and Belleview Street. Additionally, city utilities will be updated under the road. The project includes adding roundabouts at Highway 61, Riverbend Road, Frontenac Drive and Sarnia Street. Construction is scheduled to run through early November.

Learn more about the project, sign up for email and text message updates at the MnDOT construction project website or check out SE Minnesota MnDOT construction projects in at MnDOTs website

Get road condition and traffic updates in Minnesota on the 511mn.org website or get a free smartphone app at Google Play or the App Store
A Reedsburg man who was arrested after threatening to return to his workplace with a gun while being escorted out of the building was released on a $500 cash bond Thursday.

Matthew Delbert Espinoza, 23, faces a felony charge of making terrorist threats, which carries a maximum prison sentence of 1.5 years and two years of extended supervision. He was also charged with disorderly conduct.

Espinoza appeared July 18 in Sauk County Circuit Court. Judge Patricia Barrett set the bond after prosecutor Emily Eklund asked for a $10,000 cash bail to be set and Espinozas defense attorney, Blake Duren, requested a signature bond.

Conditions of the bond include no contact with the two employees who said Espinoza threatened them or Zinga Industries, Inc., where Espinoza worked until July 14. He was also ordered to surrender his firearms to the Reedsburg Police Department.

According to the criminal complaint:

Police were called to Zinga Industries, 2400 Zinga Dr., just before 11:30 a.m. July 14 after Espinoza had what other employees called an outburst during a staff meeting. A human resources representative for the company told police the facility had been locked down, though employees were allowed to leave if they did not feel safe staying after Espinoza was escorted out of the building.

The representative said because of previous behavior displayed by Espinoza and his consistent talk of owning multiple guns, the company took the threat as credible and responded accordingly.

A supervisor said when Espinoza disrupted the staff meeting, he was told to leave for the day and calm down. The supervisor said Espinoza became angry and refused to leave, prompting the supervisor to threaten to fire him if he didnt go.

The supervisor said, he tried to reason with Espinoza and deescalate the situation, but Espinoza continued and taunted the supervisor, asking if he was going to call the cops. The supervisor told Espinoza he did not want to have to call authorities, but he would if needed.

Espinoza threw an item on the floor and started cursing, yelling that he was quitting and shouting expletives about the business and his direct supervisor. He also referred to the supervisor who asked him to leave by a homophobic slur and insinuated the man had exchanged sexual favors for his job before threatening to rturn to return with a gun.

You are going to have a hard time getting home, Espinoza allegedly told the supervisor, adding that he would kill him. If I show up tomorrow, what are you even going to do?

Espinoza then left in a 2013 blue Dodge Dart.

The supervisor said Espinoza had similar outbursts when he disagreed with something going on at the facility, but they had never been that bad, adding that most employees there knew Espinoza owned guns and typically kept one in his vehicle.

A witness to the exchange had helped escort Espinoza out from a distance and corroborated most of the statements the supervisor claimed Espinoza made. The witness said Espinoza often bragged to other employees that he owned multiple firearms and heard him say more than one time that he would have a gun the next time he saw the supervisor.

The HR representative said a number of other employees on the work floor heard the exchange and were upset. Several were in tears and a couple of employees had panic attacks, according to the complaint.

Police met with Espinoza at his home after leaving Zinga, which is an oil filtration system manufacturer. Espinoza said he did some things at work he should not have and told police he was angry because he felt company management was ignoring issues that threatened employee safety.

Espinoza told police he owns two rifles and a 9mm handgun, but said he didnt threaten anyone with a firearm while being escorted off the property. He would never threaten anyones life because he knows it would be a felony, Espinoza told police. Upon questioning, Espinoza admitted that he knew he had scared fellow employees and assumed the building would be locked down as the result of his threats once he left.

Espinoza is scheduled to return to court Sept. 15.
JUNEAU  A 43-year-old Mayville man made his initial appearance in court on Monday charged with his 6th offense of drunken driving after being pulled over on Saturday.

Genia J. Radusin could face up to five years in prison and five years of extended supervision if convicted.

Radusin appeared before Dodge County Circuit Court Commissioner Steven Seim who placed Radusin on a $2,000 cash bond. Conditions of the bond are maintaining absolute sobriety and not visiting the premises of any establishment whose primary business activity involves the sale or distribution of alcoholic beverages. He may not operate a motor vehicle unless he has a valid drivers license.

According to the criminal complaint:

Mayville police were called to a home on Dayton Street on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. for a domestic dispute between Radusin and a woman. While en route, the Radusin and the woman got on a motorcycle heading toward Horicon.

The motorcycle was located on Horicon Street at Highway TW. Radusin said that he had been talking loudly on the phone and the woman had been talking loudly as well, but they were not arguing. He admitted to drinking two beers and taking a prescription pill.

Radusin submitted to a Breathalyzer test which resulted in a reading of .134.

He had previously been convicted of OWI in 2006, three times in 2008 and once in 2009.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled on Sept. 8.
YEREVAN, AUGUST 1, ARMENPRESS. The information about the tense situation in some parts of Syunik and Gegharkunik do not correspond to reality, ARMENPRESS was informed from the Ministry of Defense.

Following the official announcement about the Azerbaijani provocation in Artsakh, information was spread on the Internet that the situation in some bordering areas of Syunik and Gegharkunik is also tense.

Earlier today, the Defense Army of Artsakh had announced that in a number of sections of the northern and northwestern border zone of the Republic of Artsakh, on August 1, starting at 09:00, the Azerbaijani units resorted to provocation, making attempts to cross the contact line, which were stopped by the forces of the Defense Army of Artsakh.
JUNEAU  I am going to kill you. You will die, Hensy Gabriel Cortez Hernandez said to his alleged victim prior to stabbing him after going out to the bars in Mayville in 2019, according to prosecutor Margaret Kunisch.

Cortez Hernandez, 36, is charged with first degree attempted homicide and intimidating a witness. If found guilty of the attempted homicide count, he could face a life sentence. His weeklong trial began on Monday.

However, defense attorney Jacob Van Kerkvoorde said that there is no motive in the case and the story from Salavdor Meza Gonzalez, the victim, makes sense with regard to what happened that night.

According to the criminal complaint:

Mayville Police responded to a home in the 100 block of Allen Street on Dec. 15, 2019, at 3 a.m. after a man reported that his downstairs neighbor had a cut to his throat, was barely conscious and had lost a lot of blood. The man identified the victim as Meza Gonzalez. The neighbor said another man had attacked Meza Gonzalez and then ran away.

Video footage was obtained from a Mayville bar where the two had been at a birthday party earlier. According to the criminal complaint, another man told police where Cortez Hernandez lived and police arrived to find spots of fresh blood at the home and Cortez Hernandez inside a chest freezer in the basement. In addition, the clothes that were believed to be worn at the time of the attack were in the washing machine and a knife was found at the home.

The other person living in the house told police Cortez Hernandez had been covered in blood and said he had just murdered someone.

Prosecution opens the case

Kunisch said Meza Gonzalez was out celebrating his birthday at the bar and Cortez Hernandez was at the same bar. The two had a drink together and walked to Meza Gonzalezs apartment where they had drinks. Meza Gonzalez was sitting on his couch at the time Cortez Hernandez went to the bathroom and came out with a razor and started attacking Meza Gonzalez.

They werent fighting, Kunisch said.

The officer who arrived at the scene saw Meza Gonzalezs throat cut open and a deep cut on Meza Gonzalezs hand. Meza Gonzalez was first taken to Marshfield Medical Center  Beaver Dam and then flown to UW Hospital in Madison. Kunisch said cuts were found on Meza Gonzalezs chest, forehead, mouth, chin, neck and left hand.

A police officer had seen the two walking together earlier in the night and was able to get a screenshot of the dash cam and was able to use it to identify and locate Cortez Hernandez.

Cortez Hernandezs roommate said that he told Cortez Hernandez that he would not help him after being told by Cortez Hernandez that he had killed someone. Kunisch said that when officers investigated the case they found blood belonging to Meza Gonzalez in the home and Cortez Hernandez in the freezer.

While being escorted out of the house, Cortez Hernandez told his roommate to not say anything while speaking in Spanish, Kunisch said.

In front of the police, maybe he didnt think the police spoke Spanish or were able to understand him, Kunisch said.

One of the officers responding was able to understand him, Kunisch said.

Defense questions the motive in the case

Van Kerkvoore said a lot of what the prosecution stated was not in dispute. The jury would not be trying to figure out if his client was in the apartment or if there was someone else involved.

The physical evidence, the direct evidence that connects my client to the scene where this incident occurred is accurate, Van Kerkvoorde said. My client does not dispute that he was present during this incident, but there were only two people present for this incident.

When you hear from Meza Gonzalez about what occurred the story will begin to raise questions, Van Kerkvoorde said.

The allegation he makes against my client simply doesnt add up, Kerkvoorde said. His story doesnt make sense ... it doesnt match with the physical evidence in this case.

Kerkvoorde said that if there was a motive in the case that the jury would hear about it from the prosecution; however, with no motive it should raise questions in the jury members minds, he said.

The trial is scheduled to end on Friday.
Proponents claim the stones can promote health and well-being. janiecbros/Getty Images

As New York City mayor Eric Adams attends ribbon cuttings, marches in parades and bulldozes dirt bikes, he wears an energy stone bracelet that his supporters gave him. In a recent interview, Adams discussed his belief that New York City has a special energy because it sits atop a store of rare gems and stones  the so-called Manhattan schist, which is over 450 million years old and contains over 100 minerals.

NYC rocks: Mayor Eric Adams says crystals give city 'special energy' https://t.co/O7fO3ZOhhu pic.twitter.com/1eHrOHICAN  New York Post Metro (@nypmetro) June 9, 2022

Adams isnt the only one imbuing rocks with metaphysical significance. During the first year of the pandemic, the crystal industry boomed, with customers hoping the gems might relieve their anxiety.

Some people might be confused about the allure of these stones. But crystal enthusiasts arent deviants. Current ideas about crystals come from a larger tradition called metaphysical religion that has always been part of the American spiritual landscape.

More than rocks

Technically, a crystal is any matter with a repeating pattern of atoms or molecules. The crystals for sale in shops are known as euhedral crystals because they have well-defined surfaces, or faces.

For centuries, people have attributed special properties to crystals. Scientist Carl Sagan, in his book The Demon-Haunted World, traces their modern popularity to a series of books written in the 1980s by Katrina Raphaell, who founded The Crystal Academy of Advanced Healing Arts in 1986.

Crystals arent just eye-catching stones. Quartz is used in electronics because it possesses piezoelectric properties that cause it to release an electric charge when compressed. But, as skeptics are quick to point out, there is no evidence crystals can bring health, prosperity or any of the other properties that crystal enthusiasts may attribute to them.

Mining the metaphysical

Yet crystals are part of a broader tradition called metaphysical religion, a term coined by historian Catherine Albanese.

Metaphysical religion includes modern New Age movements, a nebulous milieu of alternative spiritual beliefs and practices, such as synchronicity or psychic abilities. Older traditions like Mesmerism, the idea that humans beings emit magnetic energy that can be used for healing, and Spiritualism, the belief that mediums can communicate with the dead, also fall under the metaphysical umbrella.

Albanese ascribes four characteristics to metaphysical traditions: a preoccupation with the mind and its powers; correspondences, or the idea of hidden connections between things; a tendency to think in terms of energy and movement; and a yearning for salvation understood as solace, comfort, therapy, and healing.

Contagious magic

Metaphysical ideas about crystals exhibit each of these characteristics.

While crystals are physical objects, not thoughts, many crystal enthusiasts recommend cleansing and charging crystals through visualization and other meditative techniques. So the mind plays a key role in crystal spirituality, as it does in other forms of metaphysical religion.

Crystal sales soared during the pandemic. Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

Correspondence refers to the belief found in many occult traditions that ordinary things possess secret qualities or connections to other things. A classic example is astrology, which postulates a correspondence between ones birthday and certain personality traits. Metaphysical claims about crystals also reflect a belief in correspondences. For example, Colleen McCann, a self-described shaman affiliated with the crystal purveyor Goop, described the positive qualities of different crystals: bloodstones promote good health, rose quartzes help with love, and pink mangano calcites are good for sleep.

Modern crystal enthusiasts often use words like energy and vibrations that present their ideas in a scientific register. When enthusiasts talk about the energy of crystals  like Eric Adams did  they really mean that it exerts influence within a certain proximity. This is the principle behind crystal water bottles that can be used to charge water with vibrational energy.

Stripped of scientific language, the logic of energy and vibrations is another form of what anthropologist James Frazer called contagious magic found in many cultures, where simply placing one thing next to another is believed to cause an effect.

A source of stigma

Finally, metaphysical religion tends to focus on solving problems in this life rather than the hereafter. This includes health and prosperity, but also emotional growth and well-being. Crystal spirituality is certainly centered around these worldly goals.

This is a big distinction from traditions like Christianity that emphasize salvation in heaven. It is also a factor in why metaphysical ideas are stigmatized despite their popularity.

Protestant Christianity, with its emphasis on sola fides  faith alone  has historically dismissed many forms of material religion, or objects with religious significance, as superstition. So in a culture shaped by its historically Protestant majority, some Americans may be predisposed to look at crystal spirituality as foolish, greedy or even blasphemous.

But while claims about the hidden properties of crystals lack scientific validation, so do many of the claims of Christianity and other mainstream religions.

From a historical perspective, Adams ideas about crystals dont make him an outlier. As a scholar of religious studies, I see him as a normal part of the American religious landscape.

___

Joseph P. Laycock does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

___
Wisconsin taxpayers bill for the GOP-ordered review into the 2020 presidential election continues to climb after a Dane County judge ordered the former state Supreme Court justice leading the review to pay $163,000 in legal fees in an open records case related to the probe.

Dane County Circuit Judge Frank Remington on Monday ordered the Office of Special Counsel headed by Michael Gableman to pay liberal watchdog group American Oversight more than $160,000 in attorney fees and other costs. The judges ruling comes after he found that Gableman violated the states public records law by not adequately responding to the organizations requests for documents related to the review.

Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, hired Gableman last summer at a cost of $676,000 after pressure from former President Donald Trump, who continues to make baseless claims of widespread fraud in the now 20-month-old election. Legal fees, including the $450-an-hour rate charged by attorney James Bopp to represent Gableman in the case before Remington, and other court expenses have pushed the price tag to more than $1.1 million  all of which will ultimately fall on taxpayers.

Remingtons ruling comes days after a similar order in a separate case by Dane County Circuit Judge Valerie Bailey-Rihn that the Assembly must pay nearly $100,000 to cover attorney fees after finding Vos in contempt for violating the states public records law.

Bailey-Rihn said last week the review had found absolutely no evidence of election fraud.

A recount, court decisions and multiple reviews have affirmed that President Joe Biden defeated 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.

Gableman testified in June that he spent most of July and August last year getting familiar with Wisconsin elections at a public library in New Berlin because he did 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 last August, after a records request was filed, and said those documents cannot be recovered. Gableman and his attorneys have said the Office of Special Counsel regularly deletes emails and documents deemed irrelevant to the taxpayer-funded review.

Multiple lawsuits

American Oversight has filed four open records cases related to the review against Vos, the state Assembly and Gableman.

Remington earlier this year held Gablemans office in contempt after the former justice refused to testify and accused Remington of being a partisan advocate.

Remington ordered Gableman to be fined $2,000 a day until he complies. Gableman has appealed the ruling and is seeking a review by a three-judge panel in Wisconsins District 2 Court of Appeals in Waukesha.

Remington also directed Gablemans sneering conduct in the judges courtroom to the office that regulates attorneys in Wisconsin to take possible action against his license to practice law.

Former Milwaukee attorney Kevin Kelsay  whose own law license has been suspended for disciplinary reasons, not paying dues and not getting continuing legal education, according to the State Bar  filed a similar complaint against Gableman with the Office of Lawyer Retention last month alleging that Gableman engaged in a pattern of conduct that makes him unfit to retain his license to practice law in Wisconsin. Kelsay claimed Gableman broke rules for attorneys by making false claims related to his probe, including accusations that members of the Wisconsin Elections Commission helped steal the election for Biden.

Julie Spoke, the director of central intake for the OLR, wrote in a letter to Kelsay last Thursday that the office is already in receipt of information regarding the matter and will not be pursuing Kelsays complaint, according to a copy of the letter provided by Kelsay.

We will consider the information you provided to determine whether it warrants any further action by our office, Spoke added.
Massachusetts Bay is an inlet of the North Atlantic Ocean that juts out into the sea between Cape Ann and Cape Cod in Massachusetts, United States. The Massachusetts Bay forms a portion of the larger Gulf of Maine that extends along Massachusetts, Maine, and New Hampshire coastlines. It is to be noted that the northern shore of the bay is quite irregular and rocky, whereas the southern shore is marshy and covered with sand.

Geography Of Massachusetts Bay

Aerial view of Marblehead town center and Marblehead harbor in the town of Marblehead, Massachusetts.

Massachusetts Bay stretches from Cape Ann to Cape Cod for roughly 68km. There are several capes and headlands along the coastline, and several small islands offshore, particularly at the entrance to Boston Harbor. The main inlets are Gloucester Harbor, Nahant Bay, Salem Harbor, Marblehead Harbor, and Lynn Harbor on the north coast; Boston Harbor, Dorchester Bay, and Quincy Bay on the west coast; and Hingham Bay on the south coast. With Boston serving as its westernmost point, the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway enters the bay via the Cape Cod Canal. The depth is around 34km between the triangle's base and Boston Harbor.

Brief History

The Puritans, a religious party in England, established the Massachusetts Bay Colony as a charter colony. They established their colony with the intention of creating a role-model religious community in America while fleeing religious persecution. The colony's output and standard of living were exceptional at the time. They arrived in America around 1630 and had a significant influence on politics and government that is still felt today. The Anglican Church, which served as England's official church, was seen by the Puritans as corrupt and in need of change. Their belief that the church needs to be "purified" is where their name derives from. They tried to establish colonies where they could develop settlements based on the Puritanism theological ideas but were unable to reform the church themselves. The Massachusetts Bay Colony was distinctive because it was swiftly populated by migrants, which resulted in the Great Puritan Migration. The Massachusetts Bay Colony was prosperous right up until England's Restoration. Massachusetts Bay, which was becoming more and more important, aroused King Charles II's enmity, and he tried to subjugate it. He pursued to end their independence and accused them of breaking the Navigation Acts. The Massachusetts Bay Commonwealth was temporarily ended as a result. However, the American Revolutionary War's opening shots were fired in Massachusetts, proving that the years of independence were not forgotten.

Economy

The Cape Cod seashore in Provincetown, Massachusetts.

Massachusetts Bay began as a hub for agriculture. Due to the rapid development of numerous companies in the area later in the 19th century, the region swiftly became the center of the American industrial revolution. Boston, which is currently the biggest city in New England, is located in Massachusetts Bay. In the Boston area, shipping and industry are concentrated, and many of the towns and communities around the bay are hubs for tourism, fishing, and yachting. Both private fishermen and large commercial fishing industries utilize the expansive coastal region. Boston also houses some of the biggest businesses in the United States, including Liberty Mutual, Boston Scientific, and Staples Inc. Moreover, Massachusetts Bay is home to a variety of stunning landscapes that draw millions of tourists each year. The Cape Cod National Seashore and other scenic locales on Cape Cod are particularly well-known for their pleasant climates and natural beauty.
The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) live-fire exercise, during which the DF-17 hypersonic missile was tested, took place near Pingtan Island, 120 km from Taiwan, news.am informs, citing Aerotime.

August 1, 2022, 11:26 China fires hypersonic missile 120km off Taiwan coast

STEPANAKERT, AUGUST 1, ARTSAKHPRESS: The publication notes that the launch was made on the eve of the 95th anniversary of the founding of the PLA, which is celebrated on August 1. In addition, the tests were preceded by increased tensions between the United States and China due to the upcoming visit to Taiwan of the Speaker of the US House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi - to cover the visit, the attack group of the aircraft carrier Ronald Reagan arrived in the South China Sea.

The DF-17 medium-range missile system (Dongfeng-17) is a development of the DF-16 complex. Its ballistic missile uses a DF-ZF hypersonic glider as a warhead, capable of maneuvering at speeds up to Mach 10 (12,300 km/h).

The complex can hit targets at a distance of up to 2.5 thousand km with both conventional and nuclear warheads.

China has previously threatened to take decisive action if Pelosi visits Taiwan. Chinese Defense Ministry spokesman Tan Kefei said that if US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi does not cancel her visit, the Chinese army will take steps to prevent it.

According to a Chinese Defense Ministry spokesman, Pelosi's visit would seriously violate the "one China" principle and the provisions of the three joint China-US communiques. Tan added that China will stand up for the country's state sovereignty.

After that, the attack group of the American nuclear aircraft carrier Ronald Reagan, armed with 90 aircraft and helicopters, entered the South China Sea, and China began two-day military exercises off the coast of Guangdong province in the western part of the Qiongzhou Strait.
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. &&
Changes to help people in Wales access dental dont go far enough, say politicians

Measures aimed at making it easier for people in Wales to see an NHS dentist fail to address a staff shortage, politicians have said.

Last week the Welsh Government announced that most adults will now only need to see their dentist once a year, in a shake-up to improve access to NHS dentistry.

It said changes to NHS dental contracts and the practice of recalling people for check-ups every six-months would help free up dentists time and enable practices to take on up to 112,000 new NHS patients a year.

Rather than six-monthly check-ups, dentists will create a personal care plan with people and advise them how often they need to come in.

The government said this would allow those people who need more frequent care to be seen more regularly than the new once-a-year recall.

Children and young people under-18 will continue to have six-monthly check-ups.

However, Welsh Liberal Democrat Leader Jane Dodds MS said low staffing numbers were the main reason for long waiting lists.

She said: This announcement from the Welsh Government does nothing to address the serious staffing crisis in the sector which is the main problem in terms of clearing backlogs.

Research by the Liberal Democrats shows that 14% of dentists in Wales are set to retire soon, with the figure being as high as 20% in some health boards.

We must get to grips with the staffing crisis if we are to tackle the sky-high waiting times for NHS dental treatment.

North Wales MS, Sam Rowlands, said that more money needs to be made available for this service as people in the region deserve better.

Mr Rowlands said: I obviously welcome any plans which may help ease the backlog in NHS dentistry and really do hope that a move to yearly check-ups will help people in North Wales.

However, this is all well and good, and it seems to be the right approach but I am still receiving emails from constituents contacting me regarding their difficulties in accessing NHS dentists in North Wales.

It seems to me at the moment that dentists, whilst seemingly happy to offer the private care, do not perhaps seem happy with the NHS contracts that the Welsh Government have put in place, because they are simply not offering their services through NHS work.

Years of chronic underfunding and lack of planning has led to this problem and people are being forced to pay thousands to go privately or take extreme measures themselves.

It is about time more money was made available for this service as people in North Wales deserve better.

More than three-quarters (78%) of NHS dental practices have signed up to a variation of the Welsh Governments dental contract.

The Welsh Government also wants to recruit more dentists and dental staff by offering support for students to find placements with practices in Wales.

Commenting on the move from six-monthly to annual check ups, Wales new chief dental officer Andrew Dickenson said: People are now much better at maintaining their personal oral health.

Together with the excellent service provided by our dentists, which reflects the benefits of brushing twice a day, the widespread use of fluoride toothpaste and avoiding sugary snacks and drinks between meals.

Most adults do not need to see their dentist every six months anymore.

By moving away from often unnecessary check-ups, dentists will have more time to provide people with the personal, tailored care they need and free up space to take on new NHS patients.

Professor Dickenson added: By increasing the number of dentists and helping them to work differently with their patients, we can ensure that everyone in Wales who wants NHS dental care, can get access to it.
Witness and dashcam appeal following report of suspicious circumstances outside Dodds Lane shops

Police are appealing for any witnesses to an incident outside Dodds Lane shops to come forward.

The incident took place on Saturday 23rd July  with police describing the report as suspicious circumstances, involving a vehicle and a member of the public.

More detail on the incident has been made public via a widely shared social media message in which a parent stated: Please can everyone be aware that on Saturday 23rd July outside Iceland in Gwersyllt, a man in his 40s tried to get my son to go with him in his van.

My son has said it was a black truck/van but luckily he could see me at our car and ignored him even though he carried on shouting to him and at one point making eye contact as my son looked at him.

The police have been made aware but as there is no CCTV which covers the car park in the shopping precinct neither Iceland or inspire beauty salons CCTV cover the area, they havent been able to get anymore information.

The man was parked in the last disabled spot going towards the pet shop.

I literal left my son standing between inspire and the charity shop for 1 min as I went to the car and had full view of him at all time and yet he still tried to do this.

A spokesperson for North Wales Police have has since told us: On Tuesday, July 26th, we received a report of suspicious circumstances, involving a vehicle and a member of the public outside Iceland food store on Dodds Lane, Gwersyllt, on Saturday, July 23rd.

The incident was reported to have happened at approximately 12.40pm on July 23rd.

Preliminary investigations and enquiries into the incident have been completed, however we ask anyone who witnessed the incident, or anyone with information or dashcam footage that may assist with our investigation to contact us on 101, or via the website, using reference 22000552977.
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25 years ago: Nearly 200,000 Teamsters strike UPS

UPS workers picketing in Livonia, Michigan, 1997. Photo credit: the Bulletin

On August 4, 1997, 185,000 UPS employees, members of the Teamsters union, went on strike for two weeks. It was the largest strike in the US in 14 years. The tens of thousands of workers on the picket lines spoke for an entire generation which grew up without the opportunity for secure employment.

UPS was at the forefront of the drive of corporate America to boost profits by reducing workers to the status of industrial peons. The company based its growth on a vast expansion of part-time jobs at the expense of full-time employment. Paying its part-time workers less than half of full-timers, it became a model for all big business in the exploitation of cheap and flexible labor.

The strike ended 15 days after it began. In all fundamentals, the final agreement upheld the interests of the company. It maintained the two-tier wage structure and barely put a dent in the exploitation of part-time labor. In a concession crucial to the companys plans, it gave UPS five years to revamp its operations before the next contract. The pay increase for full-time workers, an average of 3 percent a year, was below the national average for 1997 and resulted in a decline in real wages.

The real character of the agreement was revealed when thousands of UPS workers across the country were handed pink slips as they reported back to work. In addition to the layoffs, 45 to 50 workers were fired outright in reprisal for strike-related actions. The company was able to carry out this vindictive act of retaliation with impunity because it had the tacit sanction of the Teamsters President Ron Carey, whose election had been supported by the reform group Teamsters for a Democratic Union.

The union took no action whatsoever to force the rehiring of the victimized workers. In this way, the UPS settlement provided a shameful display of subservience to the bosses and a further debasement of an elementary principle of working class solidaritythe precept that workers who walk out together, go back together.

The union bureaucracy went along with these reprisals because it, no less than management, wanted to reassert the companys authority and intimidate the rank-and-file. This was a prerequisite for carrying out the essential quid pro quo contained in the new contract: in return for continued UPS participation in the Teamsters pension funds and a token increase in full-time positions, the union would continue to collaborate in an intensified corporate drive to boost productivity and profits. The mass layoffs were the first step in the restructuring of operations to cut costs even more ruthlessly than in the past.

50 years ago: British government imposes state of emergency against dock strike

Hordes of police force a tanker through Keadby pickets. Photo source: Workers Press

British Prime Minister Edward Heath declared a state of emergency on August 4, 1972, in an attempt to break a strike by 40,000 dock workers. The strike had frozen the British economy, which was heavily dependent on overseas trade. The emergency powers would allow the British government to deploy the military to break up workers picket lines and to use soldiers to scab on the dockers.

In the last week of July 1972, a series of wildcat strikes had broken out in the ports, as workers fought back against job cuts and layoffs. Only after the walkouts had already begun did the dockers union, the Transport and General Workers Union, call a national strike.

The emergency decree was Heaths fourth since taking office in June 1970. All four had been called to break strikes, and it was the second time Heath used an emergency order against the dock workers. Heath and other Tory officials claimed that the emergency powers were necessary, as the dock strike was preventing food and other critical imports from being unloaded from ships. In reality, the Tories were both preparing for an all-out battle against workers, who had been militantly defying the anti-union National Industrial Relations Act (NIRA), and laying the groundwork for dictatorship in the United Kingdom.

At the end of July, the government arrested five striking workers for defying the NIRA. The arrests unleashed a wave of fury in the working class. Workers demanded a response from the Trade Union Congress (TUC). Under enormous pressure from rebellious rank-and-file workers, the TUC called a one-day general strike.

Workers internationally supported the UK dockers, with longshoremen in Holland, Belgium, France and Italy all refusing to handle any British cargo. The picket lines at the major British ports saw thousands of workers come out to support the strikers, who bravely stood their ground against police charges, beatings and arrests.

With workers holding their own against the police, the Heath government threatened to deploy troops in the same manner they were then being used against Catholics in Northern Ireland. Indeed, the day before the emergency declaration and just one week after British soldiers shot and killed two unarmed teenagers in Ulster, Heath told a group of graduating cadets that the Northern Ireland operations provide the best illustration of the tasks of an Army officer. Many press reports of police and military strikebreaking raids against dockers were described an Ulster-like.

The strike would continue for over three weeks, with workers eventually winning some job guarantees and the release of the five arrested workers. This limited success came only through a significant rebellion against the union leadership, which worked to block the development of a general strike movement against the Heath government.

75 years ago: Clashes between Britain and Zionists over control of Palestine

Aftermath of Zionist bombing of British police headquarters in Jerusalem

On August 5, 1947, 35 prominent Zionist leaders were rounded up by British troops in occupied Palestine. On the same day, three British policemen were killed when the Irgun, an extreme right-wing Zionist organization, bombed the Labor Department in Jerusalem.

The intensifying clashes were part of a protracted battle between the British colonialists and Zionist organizations over control of Palestine. Both sides were hostile to the majority native Arab population and determined to deprive it of any rights, including to an independent Palestinian nation-state.

Through most of World War II, most of the Zionist groups had allied with the British, reflecting their aspirations to strike a deal with the dominant imperialist powers. But in the concluding phases of the war, the Zionists began a guerrilla campaign aimed at pressuring Britain to agree to the establishment of a Jewish state.

Fighting, including Zionist terrorist attacks and harsh British reprisals, intensified in 1946 and continued into 1947. In March, the British imposed martial law in Palestine in response to a series of attacks. Over the following months, Zionist bombings and ambushes continued.

In early March, Irgun bombed the Goldsmith officers club, a British Army officers club in the fortified district of Jerusalem. Four soldiers and nine civilian employees were killed. Amid other attacks, Lehi, another Zionist armed group, bombed two of the key oil refineries in Palestine, with a significant impact on the profits extracted by British firms. Over the following months, the Zionist organizations bombed railroads, British government offices and oil pipelines, while killing a number of British police and soldiers. On July 11, Irgun kidnapped two British soldiers and used them as hostages to demand the release of three Irgun leaders who had been sentenced to death. When those executions were carried out in late July, Irgun responded with grisly killings of the two hostages.

In the first days of August, anti-British rioting was coordinated by the Zionist groups in Tel Aviv after a British raid had killed five Jewish activists. The British responded with the roundup of Zionist leaders. Those detained included the mayors of Tel Aviv, Netanya and Ramat Gan, all of whom were detained without trial. Several groups were banned, with their headquarters and alleged members homes raided.

The British, however, were increasingly looking to extricate themselves from the conflict as part of a broader move towards nominal decolonization, which would keep imperialist dominance intact. In September, the British cabinet would decide to evacuate Palestine and in November, the newly-created United Nations would recommend the establishment of a Jewish state.

These developments also reflected the decline of the British Empire and the emerging global hegemony of American imperialism, which looked upon a Zionist state as a potential bulwark of its predatory operations throughout the region.

100 years ago: Typhoon in China kills over 60,000

A weather map of 1922 typhoon that struck China

On August 2, 1922, a typhoon landed on the coastal city of Shantou (also known as Swatow) in south Chinas Guangdong province, killing 5,000 people in the city (out of a population of 60,000) and tens of thousands more in the surrounding countryside. Some estimates of the death toll are as high as 100,000. The 1922 Swatow Typhoon remains one of the deadliest in history.

The typhoon had formed near the Caroline Islands in the west Pacific and gained strength as it passed over what was then a sparsely populated part of the Philippines and into the South China Sea. When it made landfall in China, its winds were estimated to be over 100 miles per hour (155 km/h). The harbor was destroyed, and ships were hurled as much as two miles (3.2 km) inland.

One American sea captain reported in a letter to the American Monthly Weather Review:

A storm, accompanied by a tidal wave, passed over Swatow and neighborhood on the 2nd of August 1922, devastating a large part of the Han River delta and taking a heavy toll of life and property. Both foreign and native shipping suffered heavily. Houses that escaped being blown down were washed away by the waters which spread over the whole countryside, and the loss of life was enormous. Owing to the general inundation as well as to the extremely heavy rainfall which accompanied the storm, it was several days before the country became drained off, and meanwhile the tides appeared to lose their rise and fall, the surface current flowing to seaward nearly all the time, and the general level remaining above normal.

Guangdong was at the time ruled by the Chinese nationalist movement, the Kuomintang, and its leader Sun Yat-sen. The New York Times did not report on the disaster until August 18, when it reproduced a small item from the Associated Press that noted that the typhoon had destroyed over $100,000 of Standard Oil Company property.
The dog days of summer are upon us, and if you are looking for something a little under-the-radar to read, here is one that is destined to be on my list of the most compelling books of 2022.

Marie Brenner is an award-winning writer for Vanity Fair magazine, and she tackles the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic in her brilliant book, The Desperate Hours: One Hospitals Fight To Save A City on the Pandemics Front Lines."

Brenner received unprecedented access to doctors, nurses, researchers, administrators and even some patients at the New York-Presbyterian hospital system in New York City as they are faced with the worse pandemic to hit this country in 100 years.

New York City was the epicenter of the beginning of the pandemic in the United States in early 2020. Elmhurst Hospital in Queens was the hardest-hit in early 2020, seeing hundreds of people come through their ER with COVID-19.

No one knew exactly how to treat COVID-19, or which treatments would work, and people were dying all around them. As the pandemic spread to the other hospitals in New York, including New York-Presbyterian on the Upper East Side, doctors, nurses and administrators worked together to completely revamp their hospital practically overnight.

The logistics of converting operating rooms (that were now going unused) into ICU rooms were daunting. There werent enough ventilators for the patients who needed them, and the ones supplied by the federal and state governments were missing crucial parts or arrived by the truckload completely broken in pieces.

The limited supply of ventilators brought in questions of medical ethics. Who makes the decision as to who gets the ventilators, and what is the criteria? Brenner takes us right into those difficult discussions.

Hospitals were only dealing with COVID patients  one doctor brought up the fact that they hadnt seen a cardiac patient in weeks. Where did all those people go? There was no testing for the longest time, so they didnt know for sure who had COVID, and the vaccine was many months away.

So many people stepped up in this crisis  nurses who didnt know if they could bring this deadly disease home to their young children, doctors who sent their families away to safety while they worked insane hours. Staff accountants were called upon to transport patients. Maintenance staff had to clean the rooms of COVID patients, exposing themselves to deathly ill patients multiple times a day.

Surgical residents came up with the idea of a surgical SWAT team that, loaded with backpacks of equipment, (they) would roam through the pop-up ICUs and rooms. The SWAT team ended up doing bedside procedures for 400 patients in one month.

One thing that struck me about this gripping book is how many smart and capable people work in the medical field. New York City attracts so many brilliant people from all over the world, and they are dedicated to their profession.

Brenner seamless weaves the individual stories of these brave and resourceful people into a cohesive true tale. The nurse who was one of the first medical staff to get COVID and her friends who valiantly worked to keep her alive, the woman who became the first asymptomatic COVID-positive mom in labor, the anesthesiologist whose encyclopedic knowledge and collection of antique ventilators was invaluable  all of their stories are unforgettable.

Finding needed supplies was a big problem, especially the KN95 masks, gloves and surgical gowns needed to protect nurses and doctors. There were plenty of people ready and willing to steal and scam hospitals and nursing homes with promises of phantom supplies that never showed up.

The topic of inequities in the health care system is also addressed. Elmhurst Hospital in Queens was overrun with COVID patients, and yet they did not have the same resources as the better-funded Manhattan hospitals like New York-Presbyterian. Millionaires did not sit on their board of directors. Going forward, this is a national problem that must be tackled.

The Desperate Hours is a riveting story, so incredibly well-told. It reminds me of Sheri Finks award-winning book Five Days At Memorial, the true story of a hospital in New Orleans ravaged by Hurricane Katrina and cut off from the outside world. Marie Brenner has written a book that will define this pandemic time. I give it my highest recommendation.

If you read BOOK: The Desperate Hours: One Hospital's Fight to Save a City on the Pandemic's Front Lines by Marie Brenner GRADE: A+ PUBLISHER: Flatiron Books COST: Hardcover, $29.99 LENGTH: 482 pages
Last week, Federal Economics Minister Robert Habeck (Greens) announced the introduction of a heating gas surcharge, dealing another financial blow to working families, low-income households, students and pensioners.

A home heating radiator

In addition to the high gas bills that many municipal utility companies will be sending out in the autumn, the government will be imposing a gas surcharge starting October 1. According to Habeck, the surcharge will amount to 1.5 to 5 cents per kilowatt hour and will be levied on all gas customers. Since about half of German households heat with gas, it will affect millions of people.

The annual additional costs incurred by households as a result of the surcharge range from several hundred to well over a thousand euros, depending on its final level and the amount of gas consumed. If the surcharge is 5 cents, an average four-person household with an annual consumption of 20,000 kilowatt hours would have to pay up to 1,000 more.

Even before the surcharge is imposed, experts predicted that the price of gas would triple. Now, the price will increase even further due to the gas surcharge.

The surcharge will be passed on to the energy suppliers, who are thus being compensated for massively increased import prices. This affects both municipal utility companies that supply only a few tens of thousands of customers, as well as large corporations like Uniper, which do not produce gas and oil themselves but buy, distribute, and supply it to end users. They are being compensated for 90 percent of the price increase in procurement costs.

In the end, the gas surcharge ends up in the coffers of the large energy companies, which profit from the high world market prices and are already reporting record profits.

German energy giant RWE expects a profit of 5.5 billion for 2022, 1.5 billion more than previously thought. Betraying no scruples, the company said the good result was also based on strong operating performance in energy trading. The groups stock price rose sharply after the profit forecast was announced.

British oil company Shell, global leader in liquefied natural gas (LNG) trading, posted a record profit of $9.13 billion in the first quarter of 2022. BP, Exxon Mobil, Chevron and TotalEnergies also reported strong profit increases. BP more than doubled its adjusted profitto $6.25 billion from $2.6 billion in the first three months of last year, its highest quarterly profit in more than ten years.

Hardly a day goes by without Economics Minister Habeck letting out a sigh and giving a promise of providing economic relief for people on medium or low incomes. But in reality, the government is doing exactly the opposite. With the gas surcharge, it is driving up heating costs even further, so that working-class families, low-income households, students, and pensioners will soon simply no longer be able to afford the enormous costs.

Habeck remains silent about when any relief might materialise and what it will look like. The coalition government is currently still arguing about how it will allow workers and their families to jump off a cliff.

Finance Minister Christian Lindner, as always, is arguing for tax cuts. The Free Democratic Party (FDP) politician never misses an opportunity to advocate the interests of his rich clientele. Top earners could save four-digit sums, normal earners a few hundred euros and low earners nothing at all.

In the meantime, Chancellor Olaf Scholz and the Bundestag (federal parliament) have gone on vacation without taking a decision on providing relief. Habeck himself has made it clear that he wants to keep the reliefif it comes at allto a minimum. The Suddeutsche Zeitung quotes him saying, Targeted relief means we cant bear all the costs as a state. Only people who are really driven into poverty by higher energy prices must be protected.

What exactly does the Green politician mean when he talks about real poverty? Are families who are only forced to the brink of the subsistence level by rising energy prices exempt from state aid? Even if every unforeseen additional burden means the financial abyss for them?

Habeck is promising relief only because he fears social uprisings. On a summer trip through the German provinces, he was repeatedly booed and called a warmonger.

After a public appearance by Habeck in Bayreuth, the Tagesschau news broadcast commented: Troubled times await Habeck and the entire government. A majority of Germans are still prepared to accept personal disadvantages because of the sanctions against Russia. But most have also not yet seen their gas bill.

The energy crisis is the price for the proxy war that Germany, the US and NATO are waging against Russia in Ukraine. The attempt to bring Russia to its knees by means of economic sanctions and billions of dollars in arms deliveries has driven oil and gas prices to astronomical levels. The government is using the war to make Germany the leading military power once again in Europe. The price for this is to be paid by the working class.

But the fact many households are simply no longer able to pay their gas bills is not an inconvenience for the government. The population is to be forced to reduce gas usage. Otherwise, there is a risk that gas storage facilities will not be sufficiently full by the winter to prevent a possible collapse of German industry. Habeck has already made it unmistakably clear that in case of doubt, private households will be pushed to the back of the energy queue.

This is much easier to achieve via high prices than via government regulations, which are almost impossible to monitor and enforce in practice. Professor Klaus Schmidt, Chairman of the Scientific Advisory Board of the Federal Ministry of Economics, defended the gas surcharge on the Morgenmagazin programme with this justification: The most important instrument for getting gas savings on track is the price mechanism. Schmidt spoke of a price signal that was now reaching consumers so that they understand gas will become more expensive.

He also threatened that gas prices would remain high for a long time: It wont just stay at this surcharge that has now been decided. Rather, it will slowly eat through the system.

Currently, higher gas imports from the Netherlands and Norway are offsetting some of the curtailed production from Russia. Since July, Russian gas has been flowing again through the Nord Stream 1 Baltic Sea pipeline to Germany following completion of annual maintenance work, but Moscow limited output to 40 percent in June and to 20 percent last week.

The German government is trying to become completely independent of Russian gas imports as quickly as possible so it can continue the war against Russia even more aggressively. It is working hard to import liquefied natural gas (LNG) to meet demand, but building the necessary infrastructure takes time and prices for it are extremely high.

A massive energy crisis is therefore expected early next year, especially if the winter turns cold. For the coalition government of the Social Democrats, Liberal Democrats and Greens, it is already clear that the working class will have to pay for it and freeze.
Outraged family members and social media users are demanding justice for Brianna Marie Grier, a resident of Sparta, Georgia, who died on July 21 after suffering massive head injuries while in police custody six days prior.

Brianna Grier being arrested outside of her car. (YouTube/Georgia Bureau of Investigation)

Police initially claimed the 28-year-old mother of twins kicked police and the door of the moving squad car before leaping to her death after being arrested.

The partial release of body camera footage this past Friday has proven that narrative to be a lie and prompted police to conjure a new narrative of the circumstances that lead to her death.

Before the footage was released on July 27, Hancock County Sheriff Tomlyn Primus sent 90 pages of reports to CBS 13 WMAZ referencing over a dozen contacts the police had had with Grier, in an attempt to justify their violence.

Speaking to reporters following her death, Griers parents, Mary and Marvin Grier, acknowledged that they had called emergency services multiple times in the past when their daughter was having a crisis. Brianna Grier was previously diagnosed with schizophrenia and was taking medication at the time of her death, according to her parents. They said they called police to take her to a mental health facility because she was outside their home knocking on the door and making loud noises.

In an interview with the Washington Post, Marvin Grier said that his daughter was staying with them on July 14 and visiting her daughters, who live with their grandparents.

Through their attorney, Benjamin Crump, the family has insisted that in previous instances when emergency services were dispatched to assist with Brianna, an ambulance, along with the police, would arrive to help. However, this was not the case on July 15 when the Griers called the police after midnight.

While details are still murky, it appears that after Hancock County Sheriff Lt. Marlin Primus and Deputy Timothy Legette arrived at the Grier residence shortly before 1 a.m., they decided to place Grier under arrest for public drunkenness after accusing her of smelling of alcohol. It also appears the police were planning to cite the diagnosed schizophrenic for resisting arrest before she was fatally injured.

The body camera footage released Friday by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation begins with Grier, already in handcuffs, on the ground and unarmed, telling police she had not been drinking and asking them to give her a breathalyzer test.

Ignoring her pleas, the two cops begin to manhandle Grier, who cries out in distress, Get off me! Get off me! I aint broke no law. The footage shows police carrying the handcuffed Grier by her hands and feet to the cruiser before dropping her on the ground near the cruiser.

As the police start to grab at Grier, who is lying on the ground, she begins sobbing, telling the police, I bet I hang myself as soon as I get in there. There is more than one way to kill yourself.

The senior officer on the scene, Primus, becomes visibly annoyed at having to deal with Grier. The footage shows him taking out his taser, activating it and saying, I know how to get her up.

Grier responds, You can tase me. I dont care.

Primus decides to put the taser away, and instead he and Legette quickly pick up Grier, toss her into the back of the police cruiser and slam the door. Neither cop checks on Grier to make sure she has not been injured after being thrown, with her hands cuffed, into the back of the cruiser.

After closing the door, Primus asks, You got the other side closed? to which Legette responds, Yeah.

The body camera footage that has been released is from the perspective only of Legette. While it does not appear that Primus was wearing a body camera, no dash camera footage from either police cruiser was released.

The footage that is shown does not indicate that either cop went to the other side of the police cruiser to ensure that the door was closed. Neither cop appears to check on Grier or attempt to put a seat belt on her, which, given her handcuffs, she would have had a very difficult time doing on her own.

After police loiter outside the car for a few minutes, Legette gets in his cruiser and begins driving without saying a word to, or checking on, Brianna. After a few minutes of driving, Legette stops the car. His body camera shows Brianna outside the car with her face down on the side of the road.

Legette informs his dispatcher that they need an ambulance, while he pats Brianna on the side. Primus, who has been driving behind Legette, walks up, notices she is still breathing, and remarks, Shes getting up Shes fine Shes breathing.

Body camera footage shows Brianna Grier unconscious while in police custody.

Brianna Grier, however, was not fine. She suffered two major head injuries, leaving her in a coma for several days before she passed away at around 1 p.m. last Thursday at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta.

Grier joins the legions of workers, retirees, teenagers and children who have been killed by police while suffering a mental health crisis. An ongoing database maintained by the Washington Post on police shootings between January 1, 2015, and July 29, 2022, reports that 1,618 of the 7,607 people shot and killed by police in that period were suffering from a mental health illness, or about 21 percent.

However, Grier was not shot, and unlike many of those who are killed by the cops, she was not in possession of anything that could be considered a weapon. The body camera footage released on Friday confirms that Grier never posed a threat to the police and that she was handcuffed before she was thrown into the back of an apparently open police cruiser.

In a statement accompanying the release of the footage, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation acknowledged, Agents have concluded that the rear passenger side door of the patrol car, near where Grier was sitting, was never closed.

The statement also said, GBI agents concluded that Grier was placed in the back seat of the patrol car, handcuffed in the front of her body with no seatbelt.

Speaking to the Post this past Friday, Marvin Grier said that in retrospect, If we had known it was going to end up this way, we would have let her stay here.

Attorney Crump and others in the orbit of the Democratic Party have presented Griers death at the indifferent hands of the police as another example proving that police killings in the US are a manifestation of racism.

This ignores the fact that one of the two officers directly involved in Griers death, Primus, is himself an African American man.

Furthermore, while African Americans, especially poor and working class, constitute a disproportionate percentage of victims of police killings, a 2015 study by the Treatment Advocacy Center found that people suffering from a mental health crisis were 16 times more likely to be killed by police, a far more deadly relationship.

By presenting the issue of police violence as one of race and not class, the Democratic Party and its supporters cover up the role of the police as front-line enforcers of the capitalist state, whose function is to suppress the working class in the interests of corporate profit. At the same time, they work to sow divisions in the working class.

Meanwhile, Biden and the Democrats have put aside their talk of police reform in favor of massive increases in funding for police departments across the country.
On July 26, in response to the call by the World Socialist Web Site for nurses at Michigan Medicine to go on strike to win their demands, a reader with the username of Union Nurse submitted the following comment:

Apparently WSWS is ignorant to Michigan Labor Laws that prohibit public sector employees from striking. Not surprising really given their clear anti-union stance.

Below is our reply.

The right of nurses at Michigan Medicine to strike is an important issue and has been addressed in several recent WSWS articles, including our report on the June 30 expiration of the contract and our report prior to the July 16 rally and informational picket organized by the union, the Michigan Nurses Association and its local affiliate, the University of Michigan Professional Nurse Council (MNA-UMPNC).

Hundreds of Michigan Medicine nurses and their supporters participated in an informational picket of the hospital facilities in Ann Arbor, Michigan on Saturday, July 16, 2022 to demand an end to the staffing shortage and a new contract which expired on June 30.

Both the Hutchinson Act of 1947 and the Public Employment Relations Act of 1965 declared strikes by public employees in Michigan illegal. However, these laws have never stopped public employees from striking. According to one study, as of November 25, 1988, there had been 820 public-sector strikes in Michigan over the previous 23 years, 80 percent of which were by university educators and public school teachers.

Even under these laws, as the MNA-UMPNC has pointed out, the nurses can strike legally if their action is deemed to be a response to unfair labor practices by Michigan Medicine. While there is no question that Michigan Medicine is engaged in unfair labor practicesfor example, the union has reported that more than 800 Assignment Despite Objection (ADO) complaints filed by nurses remain unresolvedthe MNA-UMPNC has refused to even take a strike vote.

The right to strikethe most powerful weapon Michigan Medicine nurses have to win their demand for an end to the staffing shortage and intolerable working conditionsraises fundamental political questions. If nurses went on strike and the state sought to enforce the laws on the books, who would be responsible for imposing the anti-strike legislation? It would be the Democratic Party administration of Governor Gretchen Whitmer, that is, the very same politicians that the MNA-UMPNC is supporting in the upcoming November elections.

In 1981 and 1989, nurses at the University of Michigan medical facilities ignored the no-strike laws and walked out to fight for their demands. In July 1989, more than 1,700 registered nurses at University of Michigan Hospital went on strike for 13 days before a circuit court injunction was imposed to end the walkout. Significantly, the 1989 strike was over the same issues facing nurses today: understaffing, shift assignment and rotation, weekend scheduling and mandatory overtime. At that time, the governor of Michigan, who oversaw the strikebreaking, was Democrat James Blanchard.

In 2018, University of Michigan Health System nurses voted overwhelmingly for strike action, although the MNA-UMPNC never called a walkout. In both 1989 and 2018, the unions blocked nurses from uniting in a common struggle with other hospital employees and broader sections of the working class. In the end, new concessions contracts were agreed to, and these betrayals contributed to the intolerable conditions that prevail at the hospital today.

The argument that nurses do not have a right to strike is being pushed by the MNA-UMPNC to prevent any mass action and direct confrontation by the nurses with Michigan Medicine management, the University of Michigan Board of Regents and the state government in Lansing. Preventing a strike is part of the strategy of the MNA-UMPNC to maintain its cozy relationship with the Democratic Party and the AFL-CIO bureaucracy. The union bureaucracy in Michigan is now doing everything possible to prevent a confrontation from breaking out before the November 8 general election.

Finally, the position of the WSWS on the contract fight of Michigan Medicine nursesas well as every struggle by unionized workersis not anti-union. We are not against unions. We are opposed to the pro-corporate organizations, unions in name only, which the union bureaucracies control.

These official labor organizations have been transformed into an apparatus of unaccountable bureaucrats who serve as industrial police for the corporate elite to suppress the struggles of workers. In return, they receive a share of the profits from the exploitation of the workers. They do not represent the interests of the membership.

The union bureaucrats collect dues from workers paychecks and use the money to fund their bloated salaries and make financial contributions to their friends in the Democratic Party. Meanwhile, the past gains made by workers in wages, benefits and working conditions that took decades of struggle to win have been bargained away by the unions in one concessionary agreement after another.

It is imperative that nurses take matters into their own hands, call for a strike vote, draw up a list of demands and set a deadline for a walkout if these demands are not met. Such an action by 6,200 nurses will galvanize the rest of the hospital staffsupport workers, doctors and othersbehind them along with the students, faculty and staff at the University of Michigan.

As we have insisted throughout the Michigan Medicine contract struggle, the way forward requires the formation of a nurses rank-and-file committee that is democratically elected and connected with the growing movement of workers in every industry to go on the offensive and reverse the concessionary trend of the past four decades.

Such committees are being established among health care workers, auto workers, educators, retail and logistics workers in Michigan, across the country and internationally.

The WSWS Health Care Workers Newsletter will do all in our power to assist Michigan Medicine nurses in forming a rank-and-file committee. Michigan Medicine nurses and health care workers can contact us here.

As the role of the Democratic Party in enforcing anti-democratic laws stripping Michigan Medicine and public-sector workers of the right to strike shows, the development of a network of rank-and-file committees must be accompanied by a new political strategya break with both parties of big business and the building an independent political movement of the working class.

We urge nurses and supporters to follow the campaign of Will Lehman, a socialist who is running for president of the UAW. Will Lehman is not seeking to reform the leadership of the UAW but to organize a movement of the rank-and-file that will abolish the pro-corporate union bureaucracy and mobilize workers to fight for improved wages, benefits and working conditions in the factories. This campaign shows that the way forward for workers in every industry and every union is the building of a new leadership in the working class that is opposed to the entire capitalist system, the source of all attacks on workers, and for socialism.
Amid the wreckage of the UKs third wave of COVID-19 this year, scientists speaking with the i newspaper have forecast new, even larger waves this autumn and early 2023.

University College London virus modeller Professor Karl Friston predicts the current fall in infections and hospitalisations will reverse in early October after schools have reopened and the weather has cooled. Cases of COVID-19 will then surge to an unprecedented high, peaking in late November with 8 percent of the UK population infectedthe highest rate to date is 5.5 percent.

Families leave the National COVID Memorial Wall on their way to Downing Street [Photo: WSWS]

Friston forecasts another wave in March 2023, with the UK infection rate reaching 6.5 percent. His predictions are based on data from the Office for National Statistics and the ZOE COVID Study.

Other scientists have made similar warnings. Professor Lawrence Young, a virologist at Warwick University, explained, The autumn/winter period will be challenging with the mix of respiratory infectionsnew COVID variants, flu and other viruses. Swansea Universitys Simon Williams agreed, It is very possible that we will experience a significant wave in the autumn which is likely going to be more challenging than that we just experienced.

Daily symptomatic infections fell 31 percent between July 10 and July 23, according to the ZOE study. ONS figures published Friday confirm the decline, showing one in 20 people infected in the week ending July 20, down from one in 17 the week before. The number of COVID patients in hospital has also fallen, down 11 percent in the week to July 24; the ICU admission rate has dropped from 0.7 to 0.5 per 100,000 people.

The end of the school term is a significant factor, noted Young, children being an important factor in the spread of the virus.

But the main reason for the fall is that so many people have been recently infected that the UK population has reached saturation point in the words of Williams. Young refers to the protective immunity induced by so many people having been infected.

Friston notes that the fluctuating course of the pandemic in the UK is the product of changing balance between the prevalence of infection and the pool of people susceptible to infection. This reservoir of susceptible people slowly increases with waning immunity and viral mutationand is then reduced, with each successive wave of infections.

This enormous wave of infection has occurred during a summer wave which was never supposed to take place. Professor Tim Spector who leads the ZOE study, commented last month, Everyone is predicting an autumn wave but I dont think anyone predicted this summer wave None of the modelling allowed for this, it didnt take into account the effect of BA.5 variant which is dominant now.

The brutal logic of the ruling classs herd immunity policy was that allowing unmitigated waves of infection, illness and death to sweep through the population would cause the pandemic to essentially burn itself out. This has proved a catastrophe. Waning immunity and new variants have produced surge after surge of an increasingly infectious virus. Young warns, COVID is unpredictable, and we dont know where and when the next variant will arrive.

In the case of the Delta variant, SARS-CoV-2 became significantly more deadly. This may also be the case with the rapidly spreading BA.5 variant. Dr. Stephen Griffin, from the University of Leeds, told the i, it is troubling that data from Portugal suggests that BA5 is not only more likely to reinfect people than BA2, but is also about 3 times more likely to cause hospitalisation.

He added, The complete lack of preventative action is unsustainable. There will be further waves this year, there will be more NHS pressure. Sickness, and long COVID are all being ignored by Government policy.

As the pandemic continues, its devastating long-term consequences are becoming clearer. The ratio of deaths to infections remains significantly reduced in the UK compared to earlier years thanks to vaccination, but still serious. Since COVID deaths began to climb in the latest wave on June 12, more than 4,700 people have been killed according to Our World in Data, over 100 a day.

Clinical staff care for a patient with coronavirus in the intensive care unit at the Royal Papworth Hospital in Cambridge, England, May 5, 2020 [AP Photo/Neil Hall Pool via AP]

Crippling illness is taking its toll on much larger numbers of people, with far-reaching social and economic implications. The ONS reports more than 300,000 workers, more than one in every hundred, were forced to take time off work in June due to a COVID infection. The highest rates of COVID absence were among education, healthcare, retail, manufacturing and other services workers.

As well as the immediate symptoms of an infection, Long COVID is preventing large numbers from being able to work for months at a time. Of the 2 million people currently affected, the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) estimates some 110,000 are signed off work sick.

The IFS report also found that the burden of Long COVID falls hardest on the most deprived sections of the working class, noting that those with long COVID in 2021 were more likely to be on benefits, and more likely to live in social housing, than those without.

Tom Wernham who co-authored the report commented, The rising rate of long COVID could therefore put additional strain on families during the cost-of-living crisis.

COVID infections and illness are having a particularly severe impact on the already understaffed National Health Service (NHS), now forced to deal with continuous periodic waves of coronavirus patients on top of a huge backlog of appointments and procedures.

Prof Martin Marshall, chair of the Royal College of GPs, told the Guardian, The rise in cases of COVID-19 highlights the pandemic isnt over, and it is still putting direct pressure on general practice and other healthcare services across the NHS.

Director of policy at the NHS Confederation Dr. Layla McCay added that there was a clear link between high COVID rates in the population and more staff falling sick, meaning ongoing disruption to services and delays in the health services ability to make significant inroads into the waiting list backlog.

Figures released by NHS Digital on Thursday showed that the number of sick days taken by nurses due to COVID jumped a massive 43 percent between February and March this year, up to 192,122.

The health service is creaking at the seams and in some places breaking apart entirely. In the last two weeks, the NHS in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire have declared critical incidents in the face of unprecedented pressures.

In a letter to staff, NHS leaders in Nottingham explained, Across the system we care continuing to see significant levels of COVID-19 in hospitals, high numbers of patients needing care for other conditions, alongside extended waiting times for patients for hospital beds.

This paired with difficulties in discharging patients due to a lack of capacity across the care sector as well as staff absence due to COVID-19, is causing significant strain on the system.

The NHSs collapse has left the UKs workforce the sickest in the developed world, wrote John Burn-Murdoch for the Financial Times earlier this month. The UK is the only developed country in the world where the share of working-age people outside the labour force has kept rising after the initial pandemic shock. Two-thirds of the half a million people missing from the workforce cite long term sickness as the reason.

Burn-Murdoch concludes, we may be witnessing the collapse of the NHS, as hundreds of thousands of patients, unable to access timely care, see their condition worsen to the point of being unable to work.

The UK has been recording 500-1,000 excess deaths a week for the last 11 weeks. Looking at ONS and Public Health England data, epidemiologist Dr. Deepti Gurdasani explained, COVID accounts for about half of these but the main causes are ischemic heart disease, heart failure, respiratory illness, circulatory disease, diabetes and liver disease. She adds, were seeing excess deaths now across all age groups including children and young peoplewhich isnt normal.

Gurdasani suggests as possible reasons, the impact of [the] NHS crisis, direct impact of COVID-19 underestimated due to a lack of testing, and the consequences of post-acute COVID complications (heart, vascular, resp[iratory], liver disease & strokes).
On July 12, more than two years after multiple dam failures triggered flooding across Central Michigan, the commissioners of Midland and Gladwin counties unanimously endorsed a three-year special assessment plan developed by the Four Lakes Task Force, a non-profit organization delegated by the counties to develop restoration and maintenance plans for the dams and related lakes.

The Tittabawassee River overflows, Wednesday, May 20, 2020, in Midland, Michigan. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

With a projected restoration cost of between $250 and 300 million, the assessment plan calls for taxing residents just over $4.6 million. As a result, homeowners, many of whom were devastated by the flooding, now face annual assessment fees of hundreds of dollars.

Current dam reconstruction and lake restoration plans call for completion in 2026. But the Four Lakes Task Force notes that this timeline hinges on proper funding for the project, which is by no means guaranteed.

On May 19, 2020, heavy rainfall triggered the collapse of the Edenville and Smallwood dams and the breaching of the Sanford Dam, all property of now-bankrupt Boyce Hydro LLC, located along the Tittabawassee River in Central Michigan. The historic flooding annihilated the Village of Sanford, decimated the city of Midland and damaged parts of Gladwin County, initially displacing over 10,000 residents. The event caused over $209 million in damages and was officially declared a state and federal disaster.

The rise of Tittabawassee River water levels flooded chemical containment ponds on the Midland Dow Complex, located along the river. Due to the efforts of Dow Chemical to block testing reports, it remains unknown what chemicals leaked from the ponds and whether dioxin contamination spread from a downstream Superfund clean-up site.

After the initial disaster, which unfolded amid the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic in the US, private firms employing highly exploited migrant workers took over clean-up efforts for institutions such as the Mid-Michigan Medical Center-Midland, causing COVID-19 outbreaks among workers.

The Sanford, Wixom and Secord lakes remain either empty or at low water levels, triggering lakeside erosion and rampant vegetation growth in the lake beds. In Gladwin County, 600 wells have experienced water pressure loss as a result of the draining of Wixom Lake.

On February 25, following five months of meetings ordered by Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer, the Michigan Dam Safety Task Force issued a report detailing the grave situation facing Michigan's dams. The task force actually completed the draft in early February, but voted to withhold it and dial back its portrayal of the situation's urgency. This makes all the more alarming the information provided in the dialed back report.

While noting that most of the states 2,600 dams are in fair condition according to inspection requirements, the report states that their deterioration is outstripping their upkeep, presenting the potential for more failures like those in 2020.

More than 80 percent of the dams have exceeded their 50-year design life, with most spillway capacities far below projected storm flows.

At the time of the flooding, the state of Michigan employed only two staff engineers to oversee nearly $4 billion worth of dam infrastructure. The government in Lansing added only one additional engineer, in December 2020.

A separate report by an independent forensic team published in May 2022 revealed that the cause of the Edenville dam failure was static liquefaction (sudden loss of soil strength). The report noted that the Edenville Dam, constructed alongside the other dams in 1925, significantly deviated from the design plans and construction specifications, including having an embankment made out of loose sand. Areas of the embankment had steep downstream slopes that were not up to modern stability standards.

Despite the billions of dollars Michigan received last year from the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, plans to address Michigans disintegrating dam infrastructure are anemic, at best. In 2021, a bill was introduced in the Michigan legislature to allocate $500 million for dam repair and replacement. It remains effectively buried.

On March 24 of this year, the Michigan House and Senate approved a $4.8 billion supplemental budget bill to address several infrastructure priorities, utilizing $945.4 million from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Most of the rest of the funding comes from reallocating $3.1 billion from federal COVID funds in the midst of an explosive surge of the BA.5 variant of SARSCoV2.

Only $250 million is set aside for dam-related uses, $200 million of which goes directly to Midland and Gladwin counties, leaving $50 million for the rest of the states crumbling, archaic dams. While touted as an achievement by the political representatives of the ruling class, this funding is laughably insufficient to meet infrastructure needs and provide for the victims of the flood.

The paltry state and the federal relief provided to affected residents was used to cover up the causes of the dam disaster and contain the fallout. On July 10, 2020, seven weeks after the flooding, the Trump administration officially declared the area a major disaster area, allowing the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to distribute $43 million in federal relief aid, a fraction of the over $200 million in damages.

As with the Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Sandy disasters, FEMA layered the relief in red tape, further restricting the already insufficient funds. Faced with near-complete abandonment by the government, many residents turned to charities, volunteer organizations and GoFundMe.

Numerous lawsuits sprang up, among them a mass tort lawsuit against the state of Michigan, alleging that it had failed to take proper action to prevent the 2020 dam failures. The case has been filed on behalf of almost 300 victims of the Edenville Dam collapse.

In May 2021, a trial judge denied a motion by the state to dismiss the residents suits. On November 8, 2021, the Michigan Court of Appeals granted a motion to dismiss the states appeal of the earlier decision. But the Democratic administration in Lansing is using all available tactics to drag the case out.

Even if one or more of the lawsuits succeeds, it is unlikely that residents, following years of abandonment, will receive proper compensation. Meanwhile, Boyce Hydro and those responsible for the criminal neglect of Michigan dam infrastructure have escaped any accountability, the former having filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy after the dam failures.

In April 2021, federal regulators imposed a $15 million fine on Boyce for not acting on federally ordered safety work following the dam collapse. But attorneys note that payments are unlikely given Boyce's insolvency and the fact that over $7 million in creditor claims against the company take precedence over government fines.

Now, the victims of the disaster are being required to pay millions under the terms of the Four Lakes Task Force plan, another slap in the face.
The announcement in mid-July that the San Francisco Art Institute (SFAI) would cease operations, no longer offering courses or degrees, is a significant and telling event.

Whatever the concrete circumstances and whichever individuals or bodies may bear some degree of responsibility, the shuttering of the once renowned school is a further signin the broadest sensethat, in the eyes of the American ruling elite, as we noted in April 2021 in regard to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the artists can go hang themselves.

The situation is extraordinary. Not only was the SFAI one of the oldest art academies in the US, and the oldest in its Western half, it was located in one of the most dynamic cultural centers in the country historically, the Bay Area. In fact, the institute was a focal point of various artistic trends and movements in the 20th century. Now it has disappeared, without substantial outcry or protest, certainly not from the citys affluent upper echelons.

San Francisco Art Institute (Photo creditPax Ahimsa Gethen)

In their July 15 announcement, Art Institute officials explained that after many years of austerity measures, challenging fundraising campaigns, and various on and off merger and acquisition negotiations  SFAI is no longer financially viable and has ceased its degree programs as of July 15, 2022. SFAI will remain a nonprofit organization to protect its name, archives, and legacy.

The schools press release, written with a degree of bitterness, noted that as of July 16 no students or employees will fill SFAIs historic landmark campus, a beautiful and unique spot in San Francisco with its glorious Diego Rivera fresco  Instead, a few contractors will manage security, regulatory, legal, and financial matters, and ensure that students and alumni can access their academic records.

According to the SFAIs own historical account, During its first 60 years, influential artists associated with the school included Eadweard Muybridge, photographer and pioneer of motion graphics; Maynard Dixon, painter of San Franciscos labor movement and of the landscape of the West; Henry Kiyama, whose Four Immigrants Manga was the first graphic novel published in the U.S.; Sargent Claude Johnson, one of the first African-American artists from California to achieve a national reputation; Louise Dahl-Wolfe, an innovative photographer whose work for Harpers Bazaar in the 1930s defined a new American style of environmental fashion photography; John Gutzon Borglum, the creator of the large-scale public sculpture known as Mt. Rushmore; and numerous others.

Following World War II, the school became a nucleus for Abstract Expressionism. The first fine art photography department in the US was established at the SFAI in 1946. By the early 1950s, San Franciscos North Beach was the West Coast center of the Beat Movement, and music, poetry, and discourse were an intrinsic part of artists lives.

SFAI faculty members have included photographers Ansel Adams, Dorothea Lange and Minor White, painters Elmer Bischoff, Richard Diebenkorn, Clyfford Still, Ad Reinhardt and Mark Rothko and filmmakers Stan Brakhage and George Kuchar.

The closure places Mexican artist Riveras famed work, The Making of a Fresco Showing the Building of a City, painted at the school in May 1931, in a precarious position. The July 15 announcement explains that the SFAI owns the fresco in its Chestnut Street campus, while the University of California owns the building. SFAI will lose possession of the fresco if it defaults on or loses its lease on the building. SFAI is actively working with local and international donor communities to protect the fresco.

Diego Rivera's The Making of a Fresco Showing the Building of a City (1931)

The immediate circumstance that brought about the July 15 closing was the failure of the SFAIs attempt to merge with the University of San Francisco (USF), a private Jesuit institution. The university signed a letter of intent in February 2022 pledging to investigate the possibility of integrating operations and academic programs in the arts to elevate the next generation of artists. However, in July USF officials indicated that after five months of extensive exploration and discussion about a possible integration of arts education programs for undergraduate and graduate students, the university had informed the art institute that a full integration of the two universities is not feasible due to financial and other considerations.

A combination of processes undermined the art school. The SFAIs financial difficulties are not new. An April 2020 article by Sarah Hotchkiss at KQED commented that, depending on who you talk to, SFAIs problems stem from different causes. Some blame the first dot-com bust. Others, many others, point to the schools [$19 million] expansion into Fort Mason. Still others blame the rise in San Franciscos cost of living, or the difficulty of running a small school without an enormous endowment.

Declining enrollment did not help matters. Various factors contributed to that, including, according to Hotchkiss, the Bay Areas prohibitive rents, the expense of a private college education, the fear of graduating with overwhelming debt. Tuition for the 202021 school year amounted to approximately $46,000 for undergraduate students and nearly $48,000 for graduate students. As the same article pointed out, Ninety percent of SFAIs domestic students take out some form of loan to pursue their educations, loans that must one day be repaid. Amid the student debt crisis, a nearly $280,000 art degree [including graduate school] can be a hard sell.

Moreover, as it has done in so many spheres, the pandemic had a trigger effect here too. The new and apparently insurmountable financial problems erupted in the spring of 2020, after the school was forced to close down its operations due to the health crisis. Pam Rorke Levy, chair of the SFAI board, told ARTnews at the time that over the past 149 years, the San Francisco Art Institute has survived crises large and small  but the uncertainties and financial hardships resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic are threatening to take us under.

Artnet observed in January 2021 that the nations first art academy west of the Mississippi  where giants like Ansel Adams once taught, has suffered numerous financial crunches over its long history. But as Bay Area real estate prices and cost of living have skyrocketed, the financial situation at the school, which offers only fine-art degrees and no (generally more lucrative) design and architecture programs, has become especially precarious.

Artnet reported at the time that the SFAI was considering selling off the Rivera mural, appraised at $50 million, and that one of the potential buyers was filmmaker George Lucas.

The demise of the San Francisco Art Institute is a disgraceful event, which speaks to the general decline of cultural life in crisis-ridden capitalist America. As we wrote after one year of the pandemic, as the disaster for art and artists unfolded, by and large, global ruling elites view any activity not directly and immediately related to amassing profits or driving up share values as useless and counterproductive. Worse still, as social tensions mount, there is always the danger that artists may speak impermissible truths and gain a significant public hearing.

A March 2021 US government report asserted that artists were among the most severely affected workers by the pandemic. The update estimated that 63 percent of artists or creative workers became fully unemployed in 2020 and have lost an average of $37,430 each in creativity-based income since the pandemics onset. Ninety-five percent of artists reported loss of income, while 78 percent had no post-pandemic financial recovery plan, 50 percent had been unable to sell/distribute their creative product and 74 percent had had their events canceled.

This, of course, came on top of pre-pandemic conditions for the vast majority of artists in the US that were already impossible.

In his book The Death of the Artist: How Creators Are Struggling to Survive in the Age of Billionaires and Big Tech (2020), William Deresiewicz took note of a study revealing that only 10 percent of the two million arts graduates in the United States make their primary living as artists, that 85 percent of artists in New York City have day jobs unrelated to the arts, and that the other 15 percent have median incomes of $25,000. Meanwhile, in 2018, just twenty individuals accounted for 64 percent of total sales by living artists.

Are there resources enough in the San Francisco Bay Area to sustain an art college? It seems so. As of April 2022, according to Forbes, the region was home to 116 billionaires, more than reside in any other single state, except New York. The six richest individuals in California alone, all of whom live in the Bay Area, have a collective net worth of more than a third of a trillion dollars, reports the magazine. What shall we call them then, barbarians at the Golden Gate?
At least 28 people have been confirmed dead as of Sunday due to the historic flooding that hit eastern Kentucky late last week. Far more victims are expected to be found as search-and-rescue teams wade through debris-laden flood waters, mudslides and wrecked homes and buildings in the mostly isolated rural and coal mining towns.

Home swept away by floodwaters from Bowling Creek in Breathitt County (Source: Facebook Johnny Feltner)

National Guard units from Kentucky, Tennessee and West Virginia have made more than 660 air rescues, and there have been over 600 water rescues, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear told CNN. But there could be many more deaths, he said, and it could be weeks before the full death toll is known. There are still so many people unaccounted for. And in this area, its going to be a hard task to get a firm number of folks unaccounted for, Beshear told CNN.

Many areas are unreachable, with 50 bridges washed away in Perry County alone. The lack of power and cell phone service has also hindered the teams who are working frantically to save more people with hot temperatures and more showers and thunderstorms expected over the next several days. This could lead to additional river flooding, the National Weather Service in Jackson, Kentucky warned. Over 10,000 customers were still without power in the state as of Sunday, according to Kentucky Power. Residents and at least one hospital in the area also have no clean water to drink or to flush away waste.

The devastation and fatalities are centered in Knott, Breathitt, Clay, Letcher, Leslie and Perry counties. Among the dead are at least four children. The bodies of Maddison Noble, 8, Riley Noble Jr., 6; Chance Noble, 2, and Nevaeh Noble, 4, were found Friday after the children were swept away from their parents in floodwaters in Knott County.

There are currently just 15 emergency shelters that are active. Many displaced residents are sleeping in their cars and trucks. The Federal Emergency Management Agency is only providing the state with 18 tractor-trailer truckloads of water, according to the governor.

This is the most devastating thing that ever happened to this area, Gary Michael Hunt, a disabled coal miner from Martin County, told the World Socialist Web Site. Lots of people live in mobile homes, and they were absolutely destroyed. It looks like someone dammed up a river and whole hollows are under water. Families have multiple losses and many of the dead might never be found.

Martin County was largely spared, Hunt said, but adjacent Pike County was not. People are giving everything they got to help each other. But these are coal mining towns, and they were struggling before the floods. Now they have nothing.

Its kind of like a war zone here, said Frances Everage, a resident of Hazard in hard-hit Perry County. Everage told CNN reporters she had never seen anything like the flooding in her 44 years in Hazard. Her friends lost their farms completely, including crops, barns and equipment, she said, adding, When you put your blood, sweat and tears into something and then see it ripped away in front of your eyes, theres going to be a grieving process. This community will rebuild, and we will be OK, but the impact on mental health is going to be significant.

The record floods couldnt have come at a worse time, Doug Holliday, a 73-year-old attorney in Hazard who represents miners with black lung disease and other health problems, told the Associated Press. The coal business has been petering out and a lot of people have left,' Holliday said. 'The people who are left live paycheck-to-paycheck or on Social Security, and most of them live in mobile homes on the very edge of the economy.' Holliday thinks an old friend died in one of those mobile homes, which was swept away by floodwaters and hasn't been seen since, the AP wrote.

The hardest-hit counties received between 8 and 10 1/2 inches (20-27 centimeters) of rain over 48 hours. In addition to climate change increasing the frequency and severity of devastating weather events, the environmentally destructive practices of the coal companies also likely contributed to the rivers and creeks cresting at record levels.

Decades upon decades of strip mining and mountaintop-removal mining leave the land unable to help absorb some of that runoff during periods of high rainfall, Emily Satterwhite, director of Appalachian Studies at Virginia Tech, told the Associated Press.

Just last month, flooding devastated former coal mining regions in southwestern Virginia, across from the West Virginia counties of McDowell and Mingo.

Seven of the nations 100 poorest counties are in eastern Kentucky. Flood-devastated Clay County, which is 94 percent white, has a per capita income of $15,905. This compares to a US per capita income of $53,504.

The region was once a stronghold of the United Mine Workers, known for militant battles from Bloody Harlan County War of the 1930s, to the Brookside strike in 1973 and AT Massey strike in 1984-85. But decades of UMWA betrayals and collusion with the coal bosses have left the region destitute. Coal production has fallen by 90 percent since 1990, according to state figures.

Gary Michael Hunt with wife Patricia Ann

There are no jobs around here, Hunt told the WSWS. My wifes an RN (Registered Nurse) and Im disabled. Were struggling. If you work, youre getting dimes on a dollar. Most of the mining jobs are gone. There are a few gas station jobs but they pay the minimum wage. [Former coal operator] Jim Booth auctioned off his mines but he aint broke. He lives in a mansion.

Hunt was assaulted and handcuffed by a Kentucky state trooper at a public hearing of the Martin County water department in 2018 for demanding clean and safe water for the areas residents. He said residents were still battling. We have the highest rates in the state, the water lines are still breaking down and theyre still not replacing it. We got to stand up to all of this. Thats what its going to take.
The continuing provocative threats of a visit by US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi in a military aircraft to Taiwan, which China regards as part of the mainland, have stoked already acute global tensions, as well as a political and military crisis in Washington.

Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi (center) poses with US Air Force airmen at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar on Oct. 21, 2019.

Pelosi, who has already embarked on her East Asian mission with a six-person delegation of Democrat congressional leaders, has deliberately refused to rule out landing in Taiwan, despite warnings from Beijing that any such trip will be resisted.

Whether or not Pelosis visit goes ahead, it has already served to bring the US confrontation with China, which Washington has designated a threat to its Asia-Pacific and global hegemony, closer to a potentially disastrous nuclear war.

An official statement issued by Pelosi on Sunday after a stopover in Hawaii indicated high-level discussions with military chiefs from the US Indo-Pacific Command about flying into Taiwan accompanied by US fighter jets.

Pelosi said her mission would focus on mutual security, economic partnership and democratic governance, and take in Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea and Japan. There was no mention of Taiwan, in keeping with the secrecy surrounding the trip.

She continued: After a fuel stop in Hawaii, we were honored with a briefing from USINDOPACOM Leadership, as well as a visit to the Pearl Harbor Memorial. The Indo-Pacific Command would be directly involved in any operation to escort Pelosis delegation into and out of Taiwan.

Pelosi has refused to make public any information about the timing of her itinerary, saying that would be a threat to her safetyinsinuating that China would endanger her. Today and tomorrow she is in Singapore, according to local media reports.

The Wall Street Journal, which is agitating for the trip to proceed, reported on the weekend: Logistical preparations were under way for a Taiwan stop in case a decision to go there was finalised, people familiar with the matter said.

Adding to the baiting of China, the American nuclear-powered and armed aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan and its strike group, including a guided missile destroyer and cruiser, is now in the South China Sea, within striking distance of Taiwan.

Because of the obvious danger of a military clash, with unknown consequences, divisions have evidently erupted in the Biden administration and the Pentagon over sending Pelosi into Taiwan.

This crisis is likely being exacerbated by the fact that US President Joe Biden, aged 79, has suffered his second COVID infection within days, after trying to dismiss the initial illness as mild.

Last Wednesday, Biden told reporters he thought the US military believed a visit by Pelosi to Taiwan was not a good idea right now. At the same time, the White House has insisted that it has no jurisdiction over Pelosis decision to fly to Taiwan, even in a military plane.

The Pentagon has made preparations for the flight to ahead. US chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Mark Milley, declared last week that Americas armed forces were ready to do what is necessary to ensure a safe, safe conduct of their visit.

The dangers of a military clash were underscored when the Chinese government announced on state media last Thursday that it was holding live-fire military drills in the Taiwan Strait, about 120 kilometres from the Taiwanese coast. Video footage of the drills was later broadcast on Chinas main television network, CCTV. At its narrowest the Taiwan Strait is just 130 kilometres wide.

The announcement said the manoeuvres, to be conducted over a 13-hour period on Sunday local time, would be limited in scope and take place off the island of Pingtan in Fujian province. But it said any entry into the Taiwan Straits waters between Taiwan and the mainland would be prohibited.

Chinas Maritime Safety Administration said its coast guard would also hold an exercise in the South China Sea off Guangzhou province on Monday. State media further broadcast footage of a Chinese destroyer firing its weapons in the South China Sea, through which the USS Ronald Reagan aircraft carrier group is believed to be sailing.

To add to the tensions, Taiwans government has been conducting large-scale defence exercises, including air-raid drills in major cities that ordered millions of residents to shelter as sirens wailed.

The islands military simulated an attack on the Suao Naval Base, a major military port in northeastern Taiwan. Mirage 2000 and F-16 jets scrambled to intercept war planes invading from the east; helicopters challenged submarines; and guided-missile destroyers fired cannon, missiles and torpedoes.

Last Tuesday, Taiwans president, Tsai Ing-wen, personally inspected the live-fire military exercises. The drills demonstrated the ability and determination of our military in defending our country, Tsai told troops afterward. The Taipei City government said the purpose of the air raid drills was to teach the public the location of bomb shelters in the event of war.

Regardless of the clear dangers, including to the 82-year-old Pelosi herself, leading figures in the US Congress and the security apparatus have urged her to go, declaring that Beijing should not be permitted to dictate the terms of US engagement with Taiwan.

Republican Senate minority leader Mitch McConnell said on Tuesday that if she doesnt go now, shes handed China sort of a victory of sorts. House minority leader Kevin McCarthy added that he wanted to lead a congressional delegation there if he was elected house speaker.

This war-drum beating is bipartisan. The Democratic chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, Adam Smith, declared: I dont think we should let China dictate something like this.

Writing in The New York Times, security insiders Bonnie Glaser and Zack Cooper shed some light on the crisis wracking the White House. They cautioned against triggering a potential war. A single spark could ignite this combustible situation into a crisis that escalates to military conflict. Nancy Pelosis visit to Taiwan could provide it, they said.

In a phone call with Biden last week, Chinese President Xi Jinping emphatically opposed a visit by Pelosi, the second in line to the US presidency, to the island. The visit would be a clear violation of the One China policy, by which the US has not recognised Taiwan as a country since 1979.

Yesterdays editorial in the China Daily, the governments official publication, further warned: US House Speaker Nancy Pelosis proposed visit to the island, if materialised, will constitute a grave violation of Chinas sovereignty and territorial integrity and seriously shake the political foundation of the Sino-US relations.

But the Pelosi affair is not an isolated development. Successive US administrations, from Obama and Trump to Biden, have increasingly eviscerated the One China policy, including by sending troops, military aid and delegations to Taiwan.

At present, the Ronald Reagan strike group is headed through the South China Sea, conducting maritime strike exercises, supposedly on a routine patrol, stated Commander Hayley Sims, a public affairs officer for the Japan-based US 7th Fleet.

Far from being routine, Secretary of Navy Carlos Del Toro was onboard the aircraft carrier, where he issued a statement accusing unnamed countries of misrepresenting US maritime operations, with an aim to claim the resources of others.

The reality is that Washington is the aggressor, continuing three decades of unending wars to assert global domination. Just as it goaded Russia into a catastrophic invasion of Ukraine by extending NATO to Russias borders and building up the Ukraine military, the US is transforming Taiwan into a launch pad for war with China.

As well as targeting China, regarded as the chief threat to US power, the Biden administration is responding to a deepening social, economic and political crisis at home by using war as a means of diverting rising working-class struggles to target a supposed foreign enemy.
Work at Amazon? Make your voice heard: Fill out the form at the end and tell us about conditions at your workplace. Comments will be published anonymously.

In this December 17, 2019, photo an Amazon delivery driver moves stowed containers into his truck after Amazon robots deliver separated packages by zip code at an Amazon warehouse facility in Goodyear, Ariz, United States. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

It has been nearly three months since Amazon announced the end to COVID-19 paid sick leave, daily text alerts for positive cases and other basic public health policies.

At the time, the corporation claimed that the sustained easing of the pandemic, along with vaccines and other treatments, made it possible to cease its public health protocols. Amazon officials hypocritically called for workers to continue taking the necessary precautions to protect themselves, their loved ones, and their communities.

Writing at the time of the dismantling of sick pay for COVID-19, the WSWS International Amazon Workers Voice (IAWV) explained, Amazons rollback of safety measures to pre-COVID-19 levels will only intensify the pandemic and accelerate the spread of the disease. This has been borne out in reality.

The IAWV was recently contacted by a pregnant Amazon worker from Baltimore, Maryland, who described the corporations drive to maintain profits at the expense of the health of workers.

The worker, who is several months pregnant and tested positive earlier in July for COVID-19, told the IAWV that the corporation denied her appeals for sick leave, despite her symptoms being so severe that she was hospitalized.

My symptoms started on the 19th, explained the worker, J, who asked that her name be withheld out of fear of retaliation. I was at work, I kept feeling a scratching sensation in my throat that gradually got worse. After speaking to her supervisors, J was sent to the companys in-house medical provider, Amcare.

The doctors there barely even checked me, she said. They kept their distance as they told me to open my mouth so they could see my throat (without a light or anything) then told me I was fine and to go back to work.

The IAWV has written previously about Amazons company-owned health service, which is notorious for its unwillingness to prescribe care which may undercut Amazons drive for productivity, as well as for its employment of unqualified personnel.

The worker had recently been moved from her position in stow, which she said was too physically demanding for her to keep up with. Managers started getting more strict on me for going to the bathroom more often and getting more tired, she said.

Instead, she took a position as a picker, which was less physically demanding. According to Warehouse Ninja, stowing involves the process of storing incoming inventory into an appropriate storage location for future retrieval. It is one of the most common jobs found in an Amazonian warehouse.

An internal Amazon health and wellness memo that was leaked last year to Motherboard stated that the average stower is expected to burn at least 400 calories an hour. Tech publication the Verdict commented that this hourly rate is equivalent to the sort of work performed by galley slaves in olden times, who burned 451 calories an hour while [r]owing at a sustainable rate.

I then kept feeling very weak later on in the night and they wouldnt allow me to go home and made me work my full shift, J continued. The next morning she went to the hospital and tested positive for COVID-19.

Despite the seriousness of this situation, J was denied entry to a bed. I then waited in the waiting room for 12 hours and was told they couldnt do anything for me, she said. The first hospital I went to denied me a room because they said they were focusing more on the severe patients and said I didnt fall under that category.

I went home and a couple days later I had to go back to another hospital and get multiple tests done because I got worse, she added.

As the BA.5 Omicron subvariantthe most transmissible version of the virus yethas become dominant, COVID hospitalizations have tripled since the most recent ebb in mid-April. This has resulted in a situation in which a mother-to-be is unable to find a hospital room after testing positive for COVID-19, a potentially life-threatening illness.

Js difficulties were only just starting. I was told by Amazon my leave was accepted the day I requested it. Today, a week later, they told me it was denied even though I had all the proof they asked for about me having COVID.

J continued, I called the [Employee Resource Center], contacted [Human Resources] and made cases about my situation and they all told me it wasnt enough proof.

The worker provided the IAWV with screenshots of a doctors note from a MedStar Health patient portal stating she was positive for COVID-19 and needed to be isolated to make sure you do not infect anyone else. Despite this, Amazon still denied it, saying it wasnt enough.

J currently has a pending appeal for sick leave open with the company. I can barely even do anything. When I get up to try and do something in my house my heart rate jumps up to 115-130.  When my heart rate goes up my oxygen levels also go down. When I was in the hospital they said my oxygen would go down to a very dangerous level and had to do breathing treatments on me, she explained.

J emphasized that her child was thankfully fine, but she wasnt. [The hospital] did a CAT scan on me and found something in my lungs which also made the doctors decide I need to continue with my quarantine until things cleared up.

A lot of people at Amazon are still testing positive for COVID, she explained. They lifted the mask mandate there and now theyre putting in more tables [in our break rooms] so people are closer together, she said. Its like COVID no longer exists to them there.

Amazons effort to force the pregnant worker back to work while hospitalized occurs just over two weeks since an Amazonian died in a warehouse in Carteret, New Jersey, during Prime Week. A recent article in the Daily Beast reported that 42-year old Rafael Reynaldo Mota Frias was a hard-working dad from who was everything to this family.

Cynically, Amazon spokespeople last week waved off claims that Frias had died due to work-related causes as rumors. Instead, the company claimed the worker, who collapsed during a heart attack amid temperatures exceeding 90 degrees Fahrenheit, died as a result of a personal medical condition.

Situations such as Js confirm the importance of the decision made by Amazon workers in Baltimore in 2020 to form an independent rank-and-file safety committee in order to protect their fellow Amazonians and save lives.

The groups founding statement declared: [O]ur goal is to expose the conditions at our facility and the lies of management meant to cover them up. We are an organization of, for, and led by Amazon workers which will defend the rights and safety of our fellow employees.

It is vital for Amazon workers to demand that Amazon provides the resources and necessary sick leave to all of its employees infected with COVID-19, as well serious measures to stop the spread of COVID in the warehouses and assert workers oversight over safety more broadly. A network of rank-and-file committees throughout Amazons operations will provide the means to fight for these and other demands.
An Auburn native will remain in federal custody pending the outcome of a grand jury investigation into stalking allegations.

Kiernan Major waived his right to a detention hearing and a preliminary hearing after he was arrested last week and accused of coercing two women into spending tens of thousands of dollars out of their own bank accounts and credit cards, and later threatening to kill them and their family members.

A 2014 graduate of Auburn High School who had been living in California, Major was found and arrested in Iowa and was being held in federal custody with a detention hearing scheduled for Monday. But on Friday, the federal public defender's office in Iowa said Major waived his rights to such a hearing and also his rights to preliminary in the case.

The federal judge in Iowa ordered authorities to transport Major back to California, where the criminal case will proceed to a grand jury investigation

The FBI said Major convinced two women, including one he knew from Auburn, to make tens of thousands of dollars in purchases for him by claiming he couldn't make transactions due to the secret nature of his intelligence work. When both women attempted to cut ties with him, he sent them threatening messages, according to the criminal complaint.

The alleged victim from the Auburn area 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.

Major began reaching out to the alleged victim's father with the threatening messages, but he also at one point told the father he had arranged to reimburse the man's daughter. Major had his mother, who worked at Auburn Community Hospital with the alleged victim's father, write a check to her for $25,000. That checked bounced, and Major's mother was arrested in April 2021 for knowingly issuing a bad check. According to the FBI complaint, Michelle Major has been ordered to pay restitution of $100 per month for five years..

The federal investigation of Major began in June when the other alleged victim, a woman he met in San Francisco, filed a complaint with the FBI National Threat Operations Center.

The U.S. Attorney's Office had asked that Major continue to be held in custody, 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.
The information I gained will facilitate me in my day-to-day duties, not only to improve my countrys presence, but also to explore trade opportunities in the different sectors for other countries on the global market says Ms. Ralseia Rosanda Glasgow, a Trade Policy Officer in the Ministry of International Trade, Industry, Commerce and Consumer Affairs in Saint Kitts and Nevis and a participant in the course. She added that her take away from the course is navigating the WTO's portal websites such as e-Ping, Market Access Map (MAcMap), Integrated Trade Intelligence (I-TIP), knowledge which is extremely valuable in the digital era.

Miss. Maseline Athiambo Kamasara, Senior Trade Development Officer at Kenya's Ministry of Industrialization, Trade and Enterprise Development, said the ATPC's incorporation of simulations of negotiations was an impactful tool. These simulations gave me deeper insights into the multi-layered intricacies of multilateral negotiations as conducted among over 164 member countries pursuing divergent interests with the aim of achieving consensus. The practical inputs from the WTO Secretariat and delegates gave me a better handle on how to manoeuvre around the landmines of negotiations.

The course was closed by Mr. Jorge Castro, Chief of Section, Course Design and Training Section, on behalf of Ms. Bridget Chilala, Director of the WTO's Institute for Training and Technical Cooperation. Castro applauded the participants for remaining focused and engaged through the entire course despise the intensive programme.

From the start, the course included a careful assessment of participation and a written assignment to which all participants provided submissions. I commend you for your commitment and cooperation to gain not only the best experience but also certification from this course, he said.

In a series of interactive sessions centred on case studies, simulations, and exercises, including hands-on use of WTO databases and analytical tools available online, participants expanded their knowledge of analytical and negotiating skills on both legal and economic aspects of WTO rules and discipline. Participants were briefed on the Geneva Package, the results of the 12th Ministerial Conference on 12-17 June and gained first-hand experience by attending WTO meetings such as the Trade Policy Review of Ghana and the General Council.

Details of the ATPC are provided in the Course booklet and the Final programme.

Further information on WTO technical assistance and training can be found here.
The 44th annual Myles Keough Paddle, Wheel, and Run, also known by most as the Great Race, returned to Emerson Park Sunday. It's the first tim
Hyundai Motor India has recorded a six per cent increase in its total vehicle sales at 63,851 units in July as compared to 60,249 units sold in the same month last year. The company's domestic sales stood at 50,500 units last month when compared to 48,042 units in July of 2021, witnessing a growth of 5.1 per cent. The South Korean automaker's exports grew 9.4 per cent at 13,351 units when compared to 12,207 units in the year-ago month.

The company's recently unveiled SUV Tucson has also received strong customer response. It is scheduled for a launch this month while bookings have already been commenced for a token amount of 50,000. Customers can book the new model at the company's 246 Signature outlets spread across 125 cities across the country as well as book it via online channels. We remain optimistic towards the future prospects of the Indian auto industry," Hyundai Motor India's Director - Sales, Marketing & Service, Tarun Garg said.

(Also read: Mahindra sales | Tata Motors sales | Toyota sales | Maruti sales )

Speaking about the semiconductor situation, Garg said that there has been an improvement which has helped the auto industry. "With the improvement in the semiconductor situation, the passenger vehicle segment is showing positive trends riding on the green shoots of pent-up demand and customer desire towards personal mobility," he said.

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In a separate development, Hyundai has launched CNG version for the top variant of its popular hatchback Grand i10 Nios Asta at an ex-showroom price of 8.45 lakh. With this variant, Hyundai now offers a total of three CNG variants in the Grand i10 Nios. The starting price of CNG variants of the Grand i10 Nios is 7.17 lakh. CNG is offered only on the petrol variants of the hatchback which come with a 1.2-litre petrol engine under the hood.

First Published Date:
Beijing (Gasgoo)- Chinas new energy vehicle startup, Li Auto, delivered 10,422 Li ONEs in July, representing a 21.3% jump year over year. Since delivery started, the automaker has delivered 194,913 Li ONEs cumulatively.

Photo credit: Li Auto

On the first day of August, the startup saw the 200,000th Li ONE roll off the production line in its Changzhou base. It took 986 days for Li Auto to realize the production milestone, setting a new record among all auto startups in China.

According to Li Auto, the Li ONE is also the first Chinese branded model priced over RMB300,000 to hit the cumulative output of 200,000 vehicles.

On the other hand, Li Autos second production model, the L9, which made its debut on June 21st, has been widely acknowledged by the market. Up to now, the total order volume that the L9 attracted has exceeded 50,000 units, more than 30,000 of which were definite purchases.

The companys servicing centers and authorized body and paint shops have reached 226 cities with 311 stores.
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.

Huaweis auto partner Sokon Group sells 13,291 NEVs in July

Chongqing Sokon Industry Group Stock Co., Ltd. sold 13,291 new energy vehicles in July, soaring 316.78% year on year. The sales volume of the SERES brand amounted to 7,807 vehicles in the past month, up 8,873.56% from a year ago.

Photo credit: SERES

DeepRoute.ai kicks off driverless road test in Shenzhen

On August 1st, Chinas autonomous driving developer, DeepRoute.ai, started driverless road test via its L4 autonomous vehicles in Shenzhen. The total test distance covers 21km of roads.

Chinas intelligent connected system installation rate to reach 75.9% by 2025

According to the China's State Administration of Market Regulation, Chinas intelligent connected vehicle shipments have reached 13.7 million vehicles in 2021. The installation rate for intelligent connected systems shall reach 53.3% in 2022, and 75.9% in 2025.

Beijing introduces worlds first open-source intelligent connected roadside OS

The world's first open-source intelligent connected roadside unit operating system (hereinafter referred to as "smart road OS") was officially released in Beijing, signifying that the industry has entered a new stage of development.

China's vehicle inventory alert index in July rises 2.1 percentage points YoY

China's vehicle inventory alert index ("VIA"), which reflects the inventory pressure on automobile dealers, rose 2.1 percentage points year on year in July 2022, according to the China Automobile Dealers Association (CADA).

Leapmotor delivers 12,044 vehicles in July

In the seventh month of 2022, Chinas new energy vehicle startup Leapmotor saw its monthly delivery volume climb to a new high level.

XPeng boasts 43% YoY leap in July 2022 deliveries

XPeng Inc. (XPeng) announced today it recorded monthly deliveries of 11,524 vehicles in July 2022, representing a 43% year-on-year leap.

Dongfeng AEOLUS July sales hit new high

In July, Dongfeng Motor Groups wholly-owned brand, AEOLUS (Fengshen), refreshed its historic same-month sales record.

Li Auto delivers 10,422 vehicles in July, 200,000th Li ONE rolls off line

Chinas new energy vehicle startup, Li Auto, delivered 10,422 Li ONEs in July, representing a 21.3% jump year over year. Since delivery started, the automaker has delivered 194,913 Li ONEs cumulatively.

Leapmotor lifts price of T03 with up to RMB6,600 increased

On the last day of July, Chinas new energy vehicle startup Leapmotor issued a price rise to its mainstay model, the T03, which took effect from August 1st.

HOZON Autos July sales surge 133.5% year on year

HOZON Auto, the Chinese startup owning the new energy vehicle (NEV) brand NETA, saw its monthly deliveries hit another record high of 14,037 units in July 2022, skyrocketing 133.5% year on year, while also rising 6.7% month on month, the automaker announced on the first day of August.

CATL, Chengdu city team up on battery swapping, energy storage, R&D

On July 30, CATL signed a framework agreement with Chengdu municipal government to conduct strategic cooperation in such fields as operation of battery swapping service, technology R&D, comprehensive resource utilization, manufacturing of core battery materials, as well as energy storage.

NIO rumored to launch third brand targeting price range below 200,000 yuan

NIO intends to launch another new brand following the existing NIO brand and the yet-to-be launched mass-market brand, which is reportedly code-named ALPS, according to a local media outlet, who said it was told by several people familiar with the matter.

Aiways brand-new electric model U6 starts presale

Chinas new energy vehicle startup Aiways, kicked off the presale of its brand-new SUV model, the U6, last week.

ZEEKR 001s monthly deliveries reach another record high in July 2022

ZEEKR, the premium EV brand of Geely Holding, today announced the monthly deliveries of the ZEEKR 001 hit a new high of 5,022 units in July 2022, growing 16.74% from the previous month.
Vacations by Rail invites you to take the slow route to see a few of America's most beautiful national parks.

The vacation company is well-known for its delightful trips by train across the globe, but one of its most popular journeys is its 14-day trip through the American West to visit five stellar national parks along the way.

Grand Tetons behind water and trees

Andrew Wong/Getty Images

The trip begins at Chicago's Union Station, where guests will board Amtrak's Empire Builder train and settle into their accommodations. They'll take the overnight train to the first official stop at Glacier National Park. Guests will have time to explore the park, hike through its awe-inspiring terrain, and see its 25 glaciers, hundreds of lakes, and flowing waterfalls. And in the mid-morning, guests will take a vintage open-air Red Jammer bus for a tour of the famed Going-to-the-Sun Road while they cross the Continental Divide.

Glacier National Park, Montana, Wild Goose Island at Saint Mary Lake

Jonathan W. Cohen/Getty Images

From there, the journey continues to Yellowstone National Park. At the park, guests will get the chance to tour its famed attractions, including Upper and Lower Falls, Hayden Valley, Old Faithful, Fountain Paint Pots, and the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone.

Porcelain Springs area of Norris Geyser Basin a very active thermal area in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming.

Gerald Corsi/Getty Images

The trip next takes guests to Grand Teton National Park for a float along the Snake River. On the water, guests can view the glorious Teton mountain range and maybe even spot a few bison, elk, and moose along the way.

A dirt road curves along cliffs high above a canyon in Canyonlands National park

Jim Ekstrand/Getty Images

The trip concludes with a visit to Utah to see both Arches and Canyonlands National Parks, where guests can enjoy the gorgeous natural arches, red rocks, and incredible, vibrantly colorful sunsets.

Panoramic view of Arches National Park

Getty Images

The trip includes all rail travel, hotel accommodations for 12 nights (including four nights at Glacier Park Lodge or Grouse Mountain Lodge and two nights inside Yellowstone National Park), excursions and national park entrance fees, and all meals on board the train when guests upgrade to private sleeping accommodations.

The 14-day trip begins at $4,195 per person. There are still a few spots left for the Aug. 18 departure, but for more flexibility, check out its 2023 calendar, which includes departures June through August.
Broadcasting union Bectus members have voted overwhelmingly to reject trade body Pacts latest offer and the future of the pairs TV Drama agreement could now be in doubt.

In the past few minutes, Bectu Head Philippa Childs said members had followed Bectus position of voting against the terms and the move has given the union a clear mandate to seek further discussions.

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The disagreement concerns areas such as working hours and wellbeing, on which the two bodies take different positions.

Deadline understands Pact bosses will meet members to discuss the next steps in two days time.

Childs said: The UK TV drama industry has reached a critical point, with many crew suffering from burn out and low morale and unable to sustain a family life and their own wellbeing. At a time when the industry is thriving, we know many talented workers are leaving due to the unsustainable long hours culture. Its time to meet these issues head on with an agreement that addresses our members concerns and is fit for the future to ensure the industry, and its staff, thrive for years to come.

Childs stressed that the union remains committed to reaching a negotiated settlement that meets our objective of improving crew wellbeing and reducing excessive and unsociable hours, and supporting industry growth.

Responding to Childs, Pact Deputy CEO, Director of Business Affairs, Max Rumney, said the bodys members are understandably disappointed at the rejection of our offer.

It was very strong and made real strides in addressing concerns over working practices and the work-life balance, he added. If any of the details were not clear, we remain available to provide further clarification.

Story continues

Pact has previously warned that the agreement could collapse if Bectus plus-thousand member base refused to accept it, and the union members, mainly behind-the-camera TV workers, have been balloting over the past 10 days.

In an unprecedented move, major producers including Banijay, Bad Wolf, Sid Gentle Films and Element Pictures last week took the unusual step of writing to hundreds of crew working on scripted productions urging them to sign up to the agreement or risk the whole of scripted TV being damaged.

That letter said Bectus terms are seeking to put all genres and budgets of television programmes on terms and conditions not even used in the highest big-budget films made by US studios.

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At this point, it feels like a foregone conclusion, but the Oklahoma Sooners look to be trending toward a commitment from 2023 four-star edge Colton Vasek out of Austin Westlake in Texas.

Vasek, the son of a former Texas defensive end, spent time in Austin with the Longhorns before visiting Norman for the Party at the Palace. Based on the early returns from Fridays event, it appears the Sooners made a strong impression on the talented defensive end.

After receiving several predictions on Saturday to land Vasek, the Sooners received a crystal ball prediction to get a commitment from 247Sports Steve Wiltfong on Sunday.

After Oklahoma was included inside the top five for Colton Vasek in early June, it appears the Sooners are the odds-on favorite to land the Texas product.

This would mark the second edge player in the last couple of weeks to commit to the Sooners, who earlier landed Adepoju Adebawore, another four-star edge rusher in the 2023 recruiting class.

Oklahoma is recruiting defense at a high level under Brent Venables, and we havent seen anything yet.

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Oklahoma Sooners receive several projections for 4-star edge Colton Vasek out of Austin

Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. Let us know your thoughts, comment on this story below. Join the conversation today.

Story originally appeared on Sooners Wire
President Vladimir Putin will have to deal with bargain seekers in the east for Russia's energy exports as the country pivots away from Europe. Getty Images

Russia has slowed natural-gas exports to Europe since invading Ukraine.

A Yale University analysis found the move to be hurting Russia more than it's hurting Europe.

Russia is pivoting to customers in the east, but countries like China and India bargain hard.

Russia has slowed its natural-gas supplies to Europe since invading Ukraine  and the commodity giant is under "severe strain" because of it, a Yale University analysis found.

"Contrary to widespread alarmism over the adverse impact of the Russia-Ukraine war on global commodity prices, the importance of commodity exports to Russia far exceeds the importance of Russian commodity exports to the rest of the world," the Yale researchers wrote in the analysis, released July 20.

Europe depends on Russia for 40% of its natural-gas needs, such as cooking in homes and firing up power stations. It's fretting over a winter energy crisis, as Russia has reduced natural-gas flows to the continent, citing sanctions-related challenges.

Even so, the Yale authors argued it's the Russian economy that would be "hurt the most" in the long run by shifting the natural-gas supply chains. That's because the European Union has already agreed to end almost all its oil imports from Russia by the end of this year and has said it will cut coal imports starting in mid-August. European countries including Germany and Italy are also working to wean themselves off Russian gas.

Russia's export revenue is overwhelmingly derived from commodities. "These export earnings make up well over half of Russia's total government budget in most years  and presumably, an even larger proportion now," the Yale team wrote.

The study, led by Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, a professor at the Yale School of Management, also found that the Russian economy was "reeling" from sweeping international sanctions. Its findings stand in contrast to studies of Russia's economy that show it's holding up better than expected, in part because of the robust takings from its massive oil and gas industry.

Story continues

Putin is pivoting east to sell Russian energy, but buyers are driving hard bargains

To mitigate the impact from lower energy sales to Europe, Russian President Vladimir Putin is hawking Russia's energy exports to other markets, such as Asia  but at a discount.

"Its isolation from the west has devastated Russia's strategic hand in negotiating with China and India, notoriously price-conscious buyers who retain close ties to other major commodity exporters," the Yale team wrote.

"These countries have not been shy to exploit sanctioned pariah countries before, with China notoriously driving massively discounted oil deals with countries such as Iran and Venezuela with regularity," the authors added.

Since the invasion of Ukraine, prices of Russia's flagship Urals crude oil have fallen significantly. Urals was priced at a $1.50 premium to international Brent crude from January to February but has since fallen to a discount of $25.80 against Brent, according to a Bloomberg compilation of data from the Russian Ministry of Finance and the Intercontinental Exchange.

"It now deals from a position of weakness with the loss of its erstwhile main markets," the Yale team wrote, adding that Russia's strategic position as a commodities exporter had "irrevocably deteriorated."

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Film and TV productions spent $4.4 billion in Georgia in fiscal 2022, a new record for the industry, according to The Georgia Film Office.

The Office, which sits within the Georgia Department of Economic Development, said the state hosted 412 productions  32 feature films, 36 independent films, 269 television and episodic productions, 42 commercials and 33 music videos between July 1, 2021 and June 30, 2022, when its fiscal year ended.

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When the pandemic struck, we worked hard in Georgia to communicate with our partners in the Georgia film, TV, and streaming industries, said Governor Brian Kemp. Together, we forged a safe and appropriate path to allow the film industry to return to operations and deliver Georgia Made productions to eager consumers all around the world  even when some states continued to stay shut down and stifle the industrys return to normalcy. Because of this partnership approach and the resiliency of our states film and television infrastructure, which state and local economic development officials have been working for almost fifty years to build, we are once again celebrating incredible growth and investment from industry leaders.

Studios and support service companies provide additional infrastructure and jobs not included in productions direct spends.

In addition to providing production jobs that range across a variety of skills from accounting to carpentry to engineering and graphic design, productions are using local vendors, eating at Georgia restaurants, and staying in our hotels, Kemp said. Were proud to be training more Georgians to be decision-makers in film and television production, keeping their talents in our state, and we look forward to this industrys continued success in the Peach State!

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Georgia production and the infrastructure to support it has surged over the last 15 years to due generous tax credits. Georgia-lensed productions include top grossing Spider-Man: No Way Home, Avengers: Endgame, Black Panther and Avengers: Infinity War. Streaming episodic and limited-series programming including Season Four of Netflixs Stranger Things and Ozark, HBO Maxs The Staircase, Disney+s Loki and FX Atlanta, as well as The Underground Railroad on Amazon Prime and The Wonder Years on ABC.

Studio space has been expanding, including Trilith Studios (the former Pinewood Atlanta Studios) in Fayetteville. During the year, Cinelease Studios-Three Ring broke ground on a $144-million studio expansion in Covington and Electric Owl Studios broke ground on a 17-acre site in the city of Stone Mountain with Capstone South Properties and Domain Capital Group. Soundstage operator Shadowbox Studios (formerly Blackhall Studios) announced a strategic $500 million investment from tech investor Silver Lake to help fund existing development projects in Atlanta (and elsewhere).

Film and TV production jobs and tax incentives are significant in the state. In March, a legislative proposal to cap tax credits at $900 million a year and ban film companies from selling the credits to third parties was backed by Georgias Senate Finance Committee one day and off the table the next.

One cloud: a federal appeals court ruled last month that Georgias restrictive 2019 abortion law should be allowed to take effect, overruling a lower court. The three-judge panel of the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said the recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling in a Mississippi case that overturned Roe v. Wade and returned abortion law to the states, makes clear no right to abortion exists under the Constitution, so Georgia may prohibit them.

The law in Georgia bans most abortions when theres a detectable human heartbeat, which can be as early as six weeks, before women know they are pregnant. It has exceptions for rape and incest if a police report is filed, if the mothers life is at risk, or the fetus is medically unviable. When it was first passed the industry protested mightily, including threats by top producers to walk away if it was ever enacted.

Similar laws are sweeping the country  either in place, pending or being considered in about half U.S. states. Studios and media companies have refrained from public comment thus far but shored up their health plans to cover employees who need to seek care out of state if needed.

The American Civil Liberties Union, the ACLU of Georgia, the Center for Reproductive Rights, Planned Parenthood Federation of America, and Georgia-based law firms Caplan Cobb and Bondurant Mixson & Elmore filed a lawsuit in state court challenging the law, asking that it be blocked as it proceeds to litigation.

They argue that the law was void under Georgia judicial precedent in 2019 because it clearly violated federal constitutional precedent, and that a subsequent change in federal law cannot revive it. Meaning a new law would have to proposed and passed. That would put pressure on Gov. Kemp and lawmakers. Kemp is approaching a bellwether election against Democrat Stacey Abrams.

The law violates the Georgia constitutions protection for the fundamental right to privacy, the suit contends. It also notes the law violates Georgians privacy rights by giving prosecutors unfettered access to abortion patients private medical records without any due process.

The suit was filed on behalf of SisterSong Women of Color Reproductive Justice Collective, Feminist Womens Health Center, Planned Parenthood Southeast, Atlanta Comprehensive Wellness Clinic, Atlanta Womens Medical Center and a handful of other reproductive rights groups and physicians.

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Arizona House Speaker Rusty Bowers may lose his Republican primary for an open state senate seat this week, after he testified to the Jan. 6 committee about the pressure campaign from former President Donald Trump and his associates to undo the presidential election results in the state.

Bowers has drawn the ire of the Arizona GOP, who censured him earlier this month, and of former President Trump. But he's unapologetic about his congressional testimony and his decision not to overturn the Arizona's results.

"If we want to base a party and an authority and move people to solve problems, you can't base it on a lie. Ultimately, that falls apart," he told "This Week" co-anchor Jonathan Karl in an exclusive interview at his home in Mesa, Arizona.

MORE: McCarthy claims he can't recall talking to Cassidy Hutchinson on Jan. 6

Bowers faces Trump-endorsed candidate David Fansworth in an Aug. 2 primary that makes Bowers the first Republican to face voters after testifying before the Jan. 6 committee.

"I've had people walk up and say, you know, just cold turkey, 'I'm ashamed of you,'" he told Karl.

Bowers says he's also been called a "traitor" and has been told that "the price of treason is hanging."

In his June testimony, Bowers detailed several conversations with former President Trump and his then-personal attorney, Rudy Giuliani, asking him to replace Arizona's electors with ones who would say Trump won the 2020 election.

Biden won Arizona in 2020 by almost 11,000 votes.

"Did you ever consider going along with it?" Karl asked Bowers.

"I said, this is new to me. The idea of throwing out the election of the president is like, okay, so what part of Jupiter do I get to land on and colonize?" Bowers said.

PHOTO: Arizona's House Speaker Rusty Bowers arrives for a House select committee hearing investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol in Washington, June 21, 2022. Walking behind Bowers is Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger. (Patrick Semansky/AP)

Giuliani "never" provided any evidence to back up claims that thousands of dead people voted in Arizona, Bowers said.

"You asked [Giuliani] for evidence of fraud?" asked Karl.

"Over and over, and he said, 'yes, yes.' And he never gave us anything. No names, no data, nothing."

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Bowers, who is term-limited in the state house, previously said it would take a "miracle" for him to win his bid for state senate. He told Karl "the demographics of my race are heavily Trump."

In an unusual move for a state legislature race, former President Trump has campaigned against Bowers in Arizona.

"Rusty Bowers, he's a RINO ['Republican in name only'] coward who participated against the Republican party in the totally partisan unselect committee of political thugs and hacks the other day, and disgraced himself, and he disgraced the state of Arizona," he told a crowd in Prescott Valley, Arizona, on July 22.

MORE: Key takeaways from Cassidy Hutchinson's bombshell testimony to Jan. 6 committee

In response, Bowers told Karl, "I have thought at times, someone born how he was, raised how he was -- he has no idea what a hard life is, and what people have to go through in the real world. He has no idea what courage is, and the last place on Earth that I would want to do evil would be the state of Arizona."

A fifth-generation Arizonan, Bowers has held state public office for 17 years. Bowers has, like other Republicans who have broken with the former President, faced harassment and threats.

"How do you explain the hold that he has, though, on, on Republicans, including a lot of Republican leaders right here in Arizona?" Karl asked Bowers.

"Well, those leaders in Arizona are an interesting group in and of themselves. They rule by thuggery and intimidation," Bower said. "So, you know, they, they found a niche, they found a way and it's fear. And people can use fear, demagogues like to use fears as a weapon. And they weaponize everything. That's not leadership to me to use thuggery."

After his testimony, Bowers faced criticism for telling a reporter that he would vote for Pres. Trump in 2024. He told Karl that's absolutely not the case.

PHOTO: An image of former President Donald Trump is displayed during the third hearing of the US House Select Committee to Investigate the January 6 Attack on the US Capitol, June 16, 2022. (Drew Angerer/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

"So, just to clarify, you're not supporting Trump again?" Karl asked.

"I'm not," said Bowers. "My vote will never tarnish his name on a ballot."

"You're never again gonna vote for Donald Trump?" Karl reiterated.

"I'll never vote for him," Bowers replied. "But I won't have to, because I think America's tired. And there's absolutely forceful, qualified, morally, defensible, and upright people. And that's what I want. That's what I want in my party. And that's what I want to see."

When asked if former President Trump could ever be trusted in a position of authority again, Bowers said, "I would certainly hope not. I certainly don't trust that authority that he would exercise."

Bowers echoed the words of Jan. 6 House committee vice chair, Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney, who was one of 10 House Republicans to vote to impeach Trump after the Capitol riot.

"Liz also said that 'the reality that we face today as Republicans is we have to choose to be loyal to Donald Trump, or to be loyal to the Constitution.' And you can't be both," Karl said.

"I don't see a question at all there. No question. The Constitution was designed to last and be the light of freedom to the whole world. That's not a legacy that I would want to play with," said Bowers.

Bowers also told Karl he hasnt been contacted by the Justice Department, which is conducting its own investigation into the Capitol attack, but would cooperate if asked to do so.

I have nothing to hide and I want to tell the truth," he said.

'I'll never vote again' for former President Trump: Arizona House Speaker Rusty Bowers originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
HAMPTON  There was a lot of beauty and grace on the Seashell Stage in Hampton Sunday, making the judges' job difficult. At contest's end, the crown and title of Miss Hampton Beach went to Hannah Ritchie of Seabrook.

Ritchie became the 76th Miss Hampton Beach. The 18-year-old Ritchie was sponsored in the pageant by the owners and staff of The Galley Hatch restaurant in Hampton.

Junior Miss Hampton Beach Riley Harlow, Miss Hampton Beach 2022 Hannah Ritchie and Little Miss Hampton Beach Ella Kate Woods jump in celebration on the sand.

"I am not sure if they are here, but I work there 24/7 so I guess they will know soon enough," said Ritchie, who entered the pageant for the first time. "I was so shocked that I won. It was crazy and so exciting. I can't wait to start attending events. The first will be the Yankee Homecoming Parade and I love that."

A recent graduate of Winnacunnet High School, Ritchie heads to the University of New Hampshire in the fall to study business and marketing.

Hannah Ritchie, 18, of Seabrook, competes in the 76th Miss Hampton Beach Pageant on Sunday, July 31, 2022, at Hampton Beach.

Lauren Brophy, Miss Hampton Beach 2021, crowned Ritchie and said farewell to her reign.

"I loved this past year and all the events I got to attend here," said Brophy. "My advice to the next queen is to say that this goes by really quickly, so embrace all of it."

Sixteen candidates from New Hampshire and Massachusetts competed this year, ranging in age from 16 to 23.

Really special to me: Miss Hampton Beach reflects on reign before 2022 queen is crowned

Contestants competed in swimsuit and evening gown competitions. Five finalists were selected to move on to the on-stage interview. Judging was based on appearance, poise and personality, and the winner received $500.

Another first-time entry was Marayssa Raimondo, 17, of Dover. She came in as second runner-up.

Miss Hampton Beach second runner-up Marayssa Raimondo, with her parents Debbie and Mario Carltos.

"Actually, we entered her in a pageant when she was 3," said Debbie Carltos. "I don't think she really remembers that. We are very proud of her."

Her dad, Mario Carltos said his daughter's only goal Sunday was to have fun. He said she plans to enter the field of medicine after high school.

Miss Congeniality, the award voted on by the contestants, went to Jennaeve Pimental, 17, of Dracut, Mass.

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The first runner-up was MacKenzie Jollie, 18, of Bridgewater, N.H.

Miss Hampton Beach: Pageant has launched more than just pretty face

The pageant is organized each year by Stephanie Lussier, who reigned as Miss Hampton Beach in 1995.

"I love Hampton Beach and this community," said Lussier. "I love the pageant and the great start it gives to all these young women. This is a starting point for them to go on to do great things."

From left, fourth runner-up Olivia Buzzel, third runner-up Faith Brodi, Miss Hampton Beach 2022 Hannah Ritchie, first runner-up MacKenzie Jollie and second runner up Marayssa Raimondo. The 76th Miss Hampton Beach Pageant took place Sunday, July 31, 2022.

On Saturday, Riley Harlow, 12, was crowned Junior Miss Hampton Beach and Ella Kate Wood, 8, was named Little Miss Hampton Beach.

Hampton Beach Master Sand Sculpting Classic: Check out the sculptures and who won

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Miss Hampton Beach 2022 crowned: Hannah Ritchie of Seabrook wins title
Russia is firing artillery from a captured nuclear power plant, leaving Ukraine reluctant to shoot back

The Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant's six nuclear reactors, as seen from Nikopol, Ukraine, on April 27. Ed Jones/AFP/Getty Images

Russia is firing artillery from a nuclear power plant in Ukraine, The New York Times reported.

The aggressor sparked outrage when it captured the Zaporizhzhia plant and has now militarized it.

Experts say the risk of catastrophe is low  but Ukraine still feels unable to hit a nuclear site.

Russian troops are firing artillery at Ukrainian targets from a nuclear power plant, breaking another norm of war, The New York Times reported.

The war's aggressor selected the Zaporizhzhia site because it made it difficult for Ukrainian troops to retaliate, Ukrainian officials told The Times.

An annotated map shows the location of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power station at the border of the Russian-controlled area in Ukraine. UK ministry of defense/Insider

Russian forces have been firing at Nikopol, a Ukrainian town across the river from the plant, since mid-July, The Times said.

The capture of the Ukrainian nuclear power plant in March caused international outrage, as the fighting led to a fire on the site that raised fears the integrity of the nuclear reactors could be threatened.

The invasion of Ukraine marks one of the first times nuclear infrastructure has been in the line of fire during heavy conflict.

Ukrainian troops have hesitated to retaliate for fear that their strikes may hit one of Zaporizhzhia's six reactors or its stored nuclear waste.

"How can we respond?" Col. Serhiy Shatalov asked The Times. "This is a nuclear site."

Ukraine has made some limited attempts to attack the site, including precision strikes with kamikaze drones, a tweet from Ukraine's defense ministry said.

Men remove the rubble after shelling in Nikopol on July 20. Dmytro Smolyenko/ Ukrinform/Future Publishing via Getty Images

Experts previously told Insider the risk of a nuclear accident at Zaporizhzhia was very low. But active conflict raises that risk, they said.

Only a direct impact from a powerful weapon would threaten the integrity of the thick protection for the radioactive core, a former nuclear engineer and exiled mayor of the city that hosts the plant told The Times.

But the conflict may damage stored nuclear waste and lead to contamination of the nearby area, experts previously told Insider.

It's also putting pressure on the usual safety processes for the site, leaving workers stressed and unable to perform at their best, Insider previously reported. The workers have been subjected to harsh interrogations and torture with electrical shocks, The Times reported, citing the former mayor.

The Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant is the largest such plant in Europe, with six nuclear reactors. There are three other active nuclear power plants in the country.

Read the original article on Business Insider
A man sits on a Russian Tochka-U missile put on display by the Ukrainian government in Kyiv, July 26, 2022 Maxym Marusenko/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Russia has been lobbing missiles into Ukraine throughout its five-month war on its smaller neighbor.

Moscow is using its whole inventory for that assault, firing Soviet-era and newer-model missiles.

Those missiles have been used in strikes all across Ukraine, on military and civilian targets alike.

Among the most important weapons in the Russian arsenal during its war against Ukraine have been its cruise and short-range ballistic missiles.

Those missiles can reach all of Ukraine, enabling Russia to strike important military infrastructure, especially in western Ukraine, where Western weapons and equipment are being delivered.

Russia has launched thousands of missiles its attack began in February. Although its inventory includes a number of modern missiles capable of precision strikes, Moscow is also lobbing older, less accurate Soviet-era munitions into Ukraine.

Sea-launched

Russian submarines fire Kalibr cruise missiles at ISIS targets in Syria, September 14, 2017. Vadim Savitsky\TASS via Getty Images

Many of the Russian missiles used in Ukraine have been launched from ships or submarines  the 3M-14 Kalibr cruise missile is easily the most well known.

Designated by NATO as the SS-N-30A, the "Kalibr" family of missiles includes anti-ship, anti-submarine, and land-attack variants that can be launched from ships, subs, and aircraft.

Kalibrs can conduct precision strikes using satellite navigation and have a range of 1,000 to 1,500 miles. They can carry a nearly 1,000-pound conventional high-explosive warhead and are often compared to the US-made Tomahawk cruise missile.

The Kalibr is one of the newest and advanced additions to the Russian missile arsenal, formally entering service in 1994. It first saw action in October 2015, when Russian warships in the Caspian Sea fired 26 Kalibrs at targets in Syria some 1,100 miles away.

The Russian Navy has also been using the P-800 Oniks anti-ship cruise missile. Designated the SS-N-26 "Strobile" by NATO, it has a nearly 200-mile range and a top speed of about Mach 2. Its warheads range from 440 pounds to 550 pounds depending on its mission.

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In service since 2002, Oniks missiles are mainly launched from ships and submarines. In 2015, the Russian Navy officially adopted the Bastion mobile coastal defense missile system, enabling Oniks launches from mobile ground-based platforms.

The Kalibr missile's precision has worried NATO commanders. The missile's circular error probability  the radius of the circle in which 50% of its strikes are likely to hit  is estimated to be less than 20 feet. For the Oniks, it's estimated to be less than 5 feet.

Ground-launched

A fragment of a Tochka-U missile seen after an attack on a railway station in Kramatorsk, Ukraine, April 8, 2022. Andriy Andriyenko/AP

Russia's ground-launched SRBMs have had an extremely important role in the war, particularly the Tochka-U and Iskander-M missiles. Known to NATO respectively as the SS-21 Scarab and SS-26 Stone, they represent the past and present of Russian SRBMs.

The Tochka-U was introduced in 1989, improving on the Tochka missile that entered Soviet service in 1975. Fired from a mobile transporter-erector-launcher, the Tochka-U has a range of 75 miles and can carry a 1,000-pound high-explosive warhead, a fragmentation warhead, or a 100-kiloton nuclear warhead.

A Tochka-U's TEL takes 16 minutes to prepare for launch. It can be loaded with another missile in about 20 minutes. The TEL itself also features nuclear, biological, and chemical filtration systems for its crew.

Introduced as a replacement to the Tochka-U in 2006, the Iskander-M has a 250- to 310-mile range and can carry high-explosive warheads of between 1,060 pounds and 1,540 pounds. It can also carry thermobaric warheads, fragmentation warheads, nuclear warheads, or earth-penetrating warheads.

Iskander-Ms are launched from a TEL that can carry two missiles. The TEL itself, which can also be fitted with launch tubs for cruise missiles, is hardened against nuclear, biological, and chemical attacks.

The Tochka-U has a circular error probability of about 300 feet, while the Iskander-M has a CEP of 6 feet to 16 feet.

Air-launched

A Russian missile before it strikes a building in Kremenchuk, Ukraine in June. Security Service of Ukraine/Screengrab, Telegram

Russia has been denied control of the air over Ukraine, but it has continuously fired air-launched cruise missiles at Ukrainian targets. The newest of those missile, which the Russians are keen to boast about, are the Kh-101 cruise missile and Kh-47M2 Kinzhal hypersonic missile.

The Kh-101 was introduced in 2012 and has a range 1,500 to 1,700 miles. It can carry a 990-pound high-explosive warhead or be outfitted with fragmentation or nuclear warheads. Satellite navigation and an onboard computer allow it to perform precision strikes with a CEP reportedly as small as 20 feet.

The Kinzhal is one of Russia's newest and most advanced weapons and one of the few hypersonic missiles in service.

Launched from a modified MiG-31 interceptor or strategic bomber, the Kinzhal has a range between 1,000 miles and 1,200 miles and can carry a warhead of more than 1,000 pounds. It can reportedly reach speeds of about Mach 10, and like other hypersonic missiles, it can maneuver in flight, making it virtually impossible to intercept.

The Kinzhal became the first hypersonic weapon to be used in combat on March 18, when Russian aircraft launched several of them at an underground depot in western Ukraine. Three more Kinzhals were reportedly used in strikes against Odessa on May 9.

Russia has also used less advanced Soviet-era air-launched missiles, namely the Kh-22 anti-ship missile  introduced in 1968 to take out aircraft carriers  and the Kh-55 cruise missile introduced in 1984.

The Kh-22 has a range of nearly 400 miles and a 2,000-pound warhead, while the Kh-55 has a range of over 1,500 miles and a 900-pound warhead. Neither are terribly accurate; the Kh-22's CEP is estimated to be more than 300 feet and the Kh-55's is estimated to be about 80 feet. An updated version of the Kh-22, the Kh-32, has improved range and payload.

Battlefield effects

Rescuers at a building in Mykolaiv, Ukraine, after it was hit by Russian cruise missiles in March 2022. State Emergency Service of Ukraine/Handout via REUTERS

Overall, Russian missile strikes have had a tremendous effect on the Ukrainian war effort. Videos of Kalibrs being launched from Russian surface ships and submarines, and of Kalibrs flying over Ukraine and hitting targets have emerged throughout the conflict.

Russian SRBMs fired from Belarus and Russia have hit military bases and airfields, while Tu-22M, Tu-95, and Tu-160 bombers have reportedly launched missiles at similar targets while flying over Belarus and the Black Sea to avoid Ukrainian air defenses.

The strikes have made it difficult for the Ukrainian Air Force to operate from airfields and have reportedly targeted Western weapon shipments. Ukrainian recruits are now training as far away as Britain to avoid being attacked.

Russia's missiles also routinely hit civilian areas  including a Tochka-U strike on a railway station in Kramatorsk on April 8 that killed 59 civilians (including seven children) and a Kh-22 strike on a shopping mall in Kremenchuk on June 27 that killed 20 civilians. Russian denials about both cases have been debunked.

Russia's use of less sophisticated missiles like the Kh-22 and Tochka-U, and the use of anti-ship missiles like the Kh-22 and P-800 against Ukrainian ground targets may indicate that Moscow is having difficulty replenishing its stocks of more modern precision weapons.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Tiny turtle pooed pure plastic for six days after rescue from Sydney beach

Taronga Conservation Society Australia

One of the Taronga Zoo's wildlife hospitals recently rescued a baby green sea turtle from a beach near Sydney, Australia, and later discovered that the hatchling had consumed a considerable amount of plastic.

Rescuers found the little turtle lying on its back in a rockpool at Tamarama Beach, missing a flipper and with a hole in its shell, according to the Guardian.

While the missing flipper appeared to be the most serious issue, the biggest concern was what was going on in the baby turtle's digestive tract.

"It started to defecate, and it defecated plastic for six days," Taronga Zoo veterinary nurse Sarah Male told the Guardian about what happened when the hatchling arrived at the hospital. "No feces came out, just pure plastic."

RELATED: Loggerhead Turtle Lays Over 100 Eggs After Recovering From 'Severe' Shark Attack at Miami Zoo

Tiny turtle pooed pure plastic for six days after rescue from Sydney beach

Taronga Conservation Society Australia;

"It was all different sizes, colors, and compositions," Male added. "Some were hard, some were sharp, and with some, you could tell the plastic had writing on it."

The veterinary nurse said that while what was in the hatchling's stomach may seem surprising, the harsh reality is that turtles worldwide are consuming plastic at alarming rates.

"This is all some of these poor little things are eating," Male explained. "There's so much plastic around they're just consuming it as their first initial food."

The Taronga Zoo posted a video on its Facebook page about the hatchling's journey toward recovery after it passed all that plastic.

"Although it took six days for the turtle to pass all of the plastic in its system, amazingly it survived and is now doing well," the zoo captioned the post. "Some of the fragments were very sharp and could have caused serious internal damage so the turtle is lucky to be alive."

RELATED: Salmonella Outbreak Affecting Kids Traced to Small Turtles Sold Online, CDC Investigation Finds

According to the National Ocean Service, scientists believe that about 8 million metric tons of plastic end up in the ocean on a yearly basis. To help save turtles  especially hatchlings, whose size makes them particularly vulnerable  from the dangers of plastic pollution, it is essential that humans take action, Male said.

"If everybody just takes a little bit of their time to pick up a bit of rubbish  it doesn't have to be on the beach  then hopefully we can make a difference," she told the Guardian.
Sting spoke out Saturday night during his concert in Warsaw, warning that democracy is under attack worldwide.

He called the war in Ukraine an absurdity based upon a lie, and brought out popular Polish actor Maciej Stuhr to translate his statement that democracy is in grave danger of being lost unless we defend it.

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The alternative to democracy is a prison, a prison of the mind. The alternative to democracy is violence, oppression, imprisonment and silence, Sting said. He accented his message by drawing his hand across his neck in a throat-cutting gesture.

Poland has been a refuge for more Ukrainians than any other country, owing to its proximity.

The war in the Ukraine is an absurdity based upon a lie. If we swallow that lie, the lie will eat us, Sting said.

Who or what Sting was warning about is ambiguous. While Russia invaded Ukraine over issues in the Donbass and its growing ties to NATO, Ukraine overthrew a democratically elected leader in 2014, and has more recently shut down dissent from its media by nationalizing those outlets.

Poland may also have been a target.

Polands government is often accused by the European Union and human rights organizations of tightening control over the courts and media.

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OSHKOSH - Hey there, Delilah, what's it like in Oshkosh, kitty?

The Experimental Aircraft Association's annual AirVenture convention and fly-in draws aviation-lovers from all over the world  including a new four-legged plane enthusiast who snuck into a camper to make the almost 1,400-mile drive from Saint Albans, Maine, to Oshkosh.

Delilah, who made noise among the AirVenture crowd on social media by being the #stowawayoshkoshcat, wasn't discovered until her family made their first stop  after 15 hours of driving  in Toledo, Ohio.

"She's having the time of her life," said one of her owners, Andrea Scholten, who came to AirVenture with her husband, Jason, and kids.

A pilot at EAA drew a cat with contrails in the air after word got around of a stowaway cat who snuck onto her family's camper in Maine.

Back in Maine, Andrea said, Delilah normally doesn't venture far from home, especially compared to the Scholtens' other three cats. Delilah is more of a homebody.

That is, Andrea's daughters Amber and Marissa Scholten told USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin, besides that one time she tried to board the school bus with them. She was less successful that time.

The Scholtens weren't sure how Delilah would do after they finally found her, but they scrambled to get all the feline necessities and said she's enjoyed just watching the planes go by from the beds inside their camper.

Delilah the cat snuck onto her family's camper without them realizing and made the entire 20-hour drive from Saint Albans, Maine, to Oshkosh.

Word spread fast of Delilah's attendance, even prompting one pilot to draw a cat in the sky with the white contrails his plane left in its wake.

The biggest question people keep asking, Andrea said, is if they are going to bring her again next year.

"We might have to," she said.

While the stowaway cat added a layer of unexpected joy for the Scholtens and other AirVenture-goers, the week was jam-packed with memorable moments.

The AeroShell Aerobatics Team performs July 29 at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh.

At a media briefing Saturday morning, Dick Knapinski, EAA's director of communications, gave a conservative total of more than 2,000 international guests from 83 countries over the span of the week.

As of the end of the day Friday, there were over 15,500 take-offs and landings just on-site in Oshkosh  there were over 22,000 when including the site in Fond du Lac.

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This year's convention had highs and lows over the course of the week and was blanketed by beautiful weather nearly the entire time.

Here's a look back on some of the highlights from AirVenture 2022.

A somber start with the death of Tom Poberezny

The week started off with somber news that Tom Poberezny, 75, a longtime EAA president and son of EAA founder Paul Poberezny, died around 2 a.m. Monday after a brief illness.

Poberezny was known as the man who elevated the convention to a "world-level aviation event." His recognizable Volkswagen Beetle, "Red 3," was displayed during the week, alongside other memorabilia from his time with the association.

Former EAA Chairman Tom Poberezny's Volkswagen Beetle, "Red 3," is seen on display during Day 4 of EAA AirVenture July 28, near the Memorial Wall at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh. Poberezny died July 25.

The people in the planes

And while AirVenture is overflowing with planes  quite literally becoming the busiest control tower in the world for the week  the aviation celebration is just as much about the people who fill the grounds.

Like Margaret Viola, a 2006 Oshkosh West High School graduate who started selling T-shirts at AirVenture when she was 14 and has gone on to dedicate her career to the aviation industry.

As a high schooler, Viola witnessed the start of WomenVenture 15 years ago that turned into an annual event that draws hundreds of women together each year during AirVenture.

Viola wasn't the only Wisconsin woman who got her start at EAA at a young age before soaring off to a successful flying career.

A northern Wisconsin native, 1st Officer Sheila Baldwin, returned to EAA this year for the first time since she attended 35 years ago as a kid to be part of the flight demonstration. This time, she was flying the Team USA Delta Airbus.

Young Eagles Oshkosh program director David Leiting takes part in an interview during Day 4 of EAA AirVenture July 28 at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh. The program introduces and inspires children between 8 and 17 to consider aviation.

Speaking of young attendees, EAA's Young Eagles celebrated 30 years of taking kids on their first flights. The program introduces and inspires children between 8 and 17 to consider aviation and is now even seeing some of its earliest fliers coming back after making their own careers in aviation, such as David Leiting, who helps coordinate flights after taking his own as an 8-year-old in 2002.

Aviation industry updates

Although hundreds, if not thousands, of airplanes were on the grounds this week, there were conversations during the convention about the pilot shortage driven by work conditions, low wages and disrupted schedules.

There was also thoughtful conversation and questioning of the environmental cost of the beloved hobby.

Greenhouse gas emissions may just be a drop in the bucket in the grand scheme of global emissions, but the lead emissions from aviation gasoline accounted for about 70% of lead air emissions in the United States, according to a 2021 study.

EAA has a rich history, but this year's convention also carved out time to talk about the future, particularly the future of space exploration. Crew of the Polaris Dawn mission, which plans to put civilians in a low Earth orbit, were on-hand, as well as representatives from the Artemis I mission, which plans to land the first woman and first person of color on the Moon.

Honor flight returns

This year marked the return of EAA's honor flight. Before Friday, there hadn't been one since 2019 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The flight, which left EAA ground at 5 a.m. Friday, took veterans to Washington, D.C., to visit, among other sites, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. For many of the veterans involved, it was their first time visiting the memorial.

The special day was made possible by Old Glory Honor Flight, a nonprofit based in Appleton that flies veterans to Washington, D.C., as well as hosts special missions to Vietnam and Pearl Harbor, in conjunction with EAA AirVenture and American Airlines.

So whether you came to reminisce with old war planes or marvel at the prospects of space exploration or fuel your child's dream to fly their own plane someday, AirVenture 2022 went off without a hitch and is in position for a smooth landing.

A man rests in front of an airplane July 29 at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh.

Reach AnnMarie Hilton at ahilton@gannett.com or 920-370-8045. Follow her on Twitter at @hilton_annmarie.

This article originally appeared on Oshkosh Northwestern: EAA AirVenture 2022 in Oshkosh featured stowaway cat, other takeaways
UNC has lost another Diamond Heel to MLB with transfer pitcher Matt Keating being selected in the 2022 MLB Draft.

Earlier this month it was announced that USCs right-handed pitcher Keating would be suiting up in Carolina blue threads, however, after a call from the pros, hes heading to the Big Apple. The 21-year-old relief pitcher has signed with the New York Yankees after getting drafted by the team in the ninth round of the MLB draft.

As the 280th overall pick, Keating also received a $122,500 signing bonus as he is expected to work his way through the farm system before hitting the mound on the main stage.

The Nebraska native spent just one year with the Trojans, appearing in only 24 games. In those 24 games, Keating pitched 30 innings for seven saves, 44 strike outs and a 3.60 ERA. Working his way up through the rankings will not be anything new for Keating. Before becoming a Trojan last season, he was pitching on the community college level with the Storm of Southeast Community College.

Follow us @TarHeelsWire on Twitter and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.

Let us know your thoughts, comment on this story below. Join the conversation today.

Story originally appeared on Tarheels Wire
WASHINGTON  Donald Trump vs. non-Trump Republicans.

Trump vs. Mike Pence.

Democratic infighting and interference in GOP primaries.

Abortion.

These are among the chief issues in primaries Tuesday that will help decide which party wins control of Congress and governors' offices in November. Five states host primaries: Michigan, Arizona, Missouri, Kansas and Washington.

"There will be a lot of Trump on the ballot," said Henry Olsen, a polling analyst and senior fellow with the Ethics and Public Policy Center in Washington, D.C.

Trump vs. GOP impeachers: Republicans who voted to impeach Trump face his 2022 picks

Trump vs. Pence?For Mike Pence, problems with a White House run start with his old boss, Donald Trump

A review of contests, state-by-state:

Michigan : Democrats help a Trump candidate  and fight each other

Two themes have run throughout the election year: congressional Democrats opposing each other because of redistricting and Democratic organizations helping Trump-endorsed candidates, presuming they would be easier to beat in the fall.

Rep. Peter Meijer, one of 10 House Republicans who voted to impeach President Trump after the insurrection of Jan. 6, 2021, faces Trump-backed primary challenger John Gibbs, a former assistant secretary at the Department of Housing and Urban Development  and the recipient of Democratic help.

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee funded an ad that attacks Gibbs as too conservative, which could increase his appeal to Trump voters in the GOP primary race with Meijer.

Hoping that Trump-backed candidates are easier to beat in general elections in the fall, Democrats tried similar tricks in Illinois, Maryland and Pennsylvania.

In another race in Michigan, two Democratic incumbents run against each other in a newly created U.S. House district: Reps. Andy Levin and Haley Stevens.

The race underscores the friction between liberals and more moderate Democrats. Levin brought in former far-left presidential candidate Bernie Sanders to campaign for him.

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One issue that could make a difference: Israel. Stevens received millions in support from the United Democracy Project, a political action committee created by the American Israel Public Affairs Committee.

GOP duels in Arizona:Kari Lake, Blake Masters and Mark Finchem surge toward victory. Democrats cheer

Arizona : Trump vs. Pence, again

The Republican gubernatorial primary could be seen as a proxy battle between Trump and Pence, the former running mates who might oppose each other for the 2024 presidential nomination.

Trump backs Kari Lake, a former news anchor, who agrees with Trump's false claims of voter fraud in the 2020 presidential election and vowed to change state election laws if elected.

Pence backs Karrin Taylor Robson, a more traditional Republican who said Lake supported President Barack Obama and denounced Trump before he became president.

The ex-president and ex-vice president also went against each other in Georgia in May. Pence backed incumbent Gov. Brian Kemp, who easily defeated Trump-supported challenger David Perdue.

The Arizona Republican Senate primary features Trump backer Blake Masters, a venture capitalist who echoes Trump's conspiracy theories about the 2020 election.

Democrats expect Masters would be the easiest candidate to beat in a race with incumbent Sen. Mark Kelly.

Arizona is a crucial race in the fight for control of the Senate, split 50-50 between the parties. Democrats control the chamber because of a tiebreaking vote from Vice President Kamala Harris.

Former President Donald Trump and Arizona gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake Kari Lake at a Republican campaign rally on July 22, 2022, in Prescott Valley.

In a state legislative race, Trump supporters work to defeat Arizona House Speaker Rusty Bowers, who testified before the special congressional committee investigating the Jan. 6 insurrection and sharply disputed the former president's repeated claims of a stolen election in Arizona.

More: State election officials tell Jan. 6 committee of pressure, threats from Trump and allies

Missouri : A Show Me State showdown

Running in the Republican Senate primary is former Gov. Eric Greitens, who resigned in 2018 amid allegations of sexual assault and campaign fundraising issues.

Pursuing the Trump vote, Greitens ran ads in which he held a shotgun and urged voters to take out "Republicans In Name Only," or, as he put it, go "RINO hunting."

He is also an underdog. Greitens started falling in pre-primary polls after his ex-wife issued a statement detailing allegations of domestic abuse, which he denied.

Surveys give the Republican lead to a more traditional candidate, Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt. U.S. Rep. Vicky Hartzler is another Republican seeking to fill the Senate seat being vacated by Republican Roy Blunt.

Trump waited until Monday evening to make an endorsement in the Missouri Senate race  sort of. In a written statement, the ex-president said he is confident Missouri voters can "make up their own minds," and "I am therefore proud to announce that ERIC has my Complete and Total Endorsement!"

He did not say whether that meant Eric Schmitt or Eric Greitens.

The winner of the GOP Senate Republican primary will be favored over whoever emerges from a crowded Democratic field.

Kansas and abortion: Abortion rights face a test in Kansas vote, the first of its kind since the fall of Roe

Secretary of state battles:In 2022 midterms, a new 'Big Lie' battleground

Kansas: Abortion

Candidate elections look pretty pro forma, but the Sunflower State primary features a referendum that will test the salience of an intensely revived issue: abortion.

A women holds a sign asking voters to vote no on an amendment to the Kansas Constitution regarding abortion during a National Women's March.

Kansans will vote on whether to change the state constitution and allow the Legislature to outlaw abortions. In June, the U.S. Supreme Court reversed Roe vs. Wade, the decision in 1973 that established abortion as a constitutional right.

Democrats count on the elimination of the constitutional right to an abortion to energize their political base and produce victories. Republicans who long sought to end Roe vs. Wade expect the prospect of state-by-state legislation to ban abortions will do the same for their voters.

Washington : The Trump revenge tour

Trump's yearlong effort to defeat House Republicans who voted to impeach him over Jan. 6 faces two tests.

Two House incumbents  Reps. Jaime Herrera Beutler and Dan Newhouse  face pro-Trump challengers.

Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler, R-Wash., is one of the Republicans who voted to impeach President Donald Trump over the riot at the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

Beutler's opponents include former Green Beret Joe Kent, who has Trump's endorsement.

Among Newhouse's opponents is Loren Culp, a former police chief who has Trump's support.

Secretaries of state

This year's primaries include races for secretaries of state, a position that's taken on added importance since the officials supervise elections.

In Arizona, Trump endorsed Mark Finchem, who attended "Stop The Steal" rallies protesting the 2020 election and called for decertifying the results in Arizona. Another Republican candidate, state Rep. Shawnna Bolick, introduced a bill that would give the Legislature the power to overturn elections.

Two candidates in Wisconsin  Justin Schmidtka and Jay Schroeder  called to decertify or rescind state electors from the election of 2020.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Aug. 2 primaries: Abortion, Democratic infighting, and Donald Trump
As his city stands on the brink of running out of water, Las Vegas, New Mexico, Mayor Louie Trujillo said the fires that initiated the problem could have been avoided.

"The government is 100% responsible for this disaster and we intend to hold them accountable, to pay for every expense and discomfort that the citizens are suffering right now, even if it includes legal recourse," Trujillo said.

The city is in a state of emergency after intense flooding at the Hermits Peak-Calf Canyon Fire "burn scar" area led to contamination in water reservoirs from ash, soot, burned trees, pine needles, rocks and boulders.

MORE: Las Vegas, NM declares emergency, with less than 50 days of clean water supply left

The two fires were set by the U.S. Forest Service but became uncontrollable, New Mexico officials said.

Now, the Gallinas Reservoir, where the people of Las Vegas get the majority of their drinking water, is expected to be out of usable water within 50 days.

PHOTO: The Gallinas River has become contaminated following rains that washed debris from the Calf Canyon Hermits Peak fire into it, creating a water crisis in Las Vegas, N.M., which relies on the Gallinas reservoir for drinking water. (KOAT)

The first fire was set in late 2021 and wasn't properly extinguished, allowing it to reignite in April, Trujillo said. That fire then joined together with another that was set by the service in April.

The second fire was originally ignited to try to thin dense pine needles, but it was set during windy conditions.

The combined Hermit's Peak-Calf Canyon Fire is now the largest New Mexico blaze in history, officials said.

MORE: New Mexico governor declares state of emergency due to multiple wildfires

"The destruction that continues to befall New Mexico communities affected by the U.S. Forest Service planned burns from earlier this year is unfathomable," Grisham said in a statement.

Trujillo said he has met with Washington officials about the issue, including President Joe Biden, who made a visit to the area in June.

"We are going to insist that they continue to assist our residents with what we need," Trujillo said.

MORE: Record-breaking heat waves in US and Europe prove climate change is already here, experts say

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The U.S. Forest Service has not responded to ABC News' request for comment.

New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham declared a state of emergency on Friday, leading to an executive order of $2.25 million to address the water crisis.

"New Mexicans in San Miguel County have been through enough -- we will continue to do everything we can to support them and prevent additional damage as a result of the wildfires," Grisham said in a statement.

PHOTO: Firefighters walk across a dry bed of Storrie Lake, near Las Vegas, N.M., where more than 2,400 firefighters are battling the Calf Canyon/Hermit's Peak fire, May 3, 2022. (Adria Malco/The New York Times via Redux)

The funds will be used to help the local government with emergency measures, repairs and prevention plans.

Along with Gallinas, Las Vegas allocates some parts of Storrie Lake for its water.

MORE: Flooding hits Las Vegas after overnight downpours

The governor's order will permit a temporary pre-treatment system that will allow officials to pump and treat water from the lake to augment the remaining usable water from the river.

Hundreds of people are working on this initiative, Trujillo said, as the city is also preparing for its college student population to return in the fall. New Mexico Highlands University, with an enrollment of over 3,700 students, is located in the city.

MORE: New Mexico battling historic blaze as Hermits Peak-Calf Canyon fire 26% contained

The systems are important for long-term solutions, as this will impact the water source into next year, the mayor said.

Because the area has had one of the most fruitful monsoon seasons so far in years, the damage to the water is even more frustrating, Trujillo said. Las Vegas' current filtration system does not allow officials to filter the turbulent water that is flowing from the flood into the river, Trujillo explained.

"We've had rain almost every single day in the area of the burn scar. We haven't had a fruitful monsoon season in years and this is the year that we're getting it and we can't use any of that water for our purposes," Trujillo told ABC News.

Las Vegas, New Mexico, mayor blames federal government amid water crisis originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
WASHINGTON  Some of the nation's largest companies entered the debate over affirmative action Monday, jumping into a pair of Supreme Court cases to support universities that consider race as one of the factors in their undergraduate admissions process.

The companies, including Apple, General Electric, Google and Starbucks, filed a pair of briefs at the Supreme Court siding with Harvard University and the University of North Carolina. The schools consider race in their admissions process as one of several factors  an approach that is consistent with the current legal standard set by the court.

"Racial and ethnic diversity enhance business performance," the companies told the high court. "Research and experience demonstrate that racial diversity improves decision-making by increasing creativity, communication, and accuracy within teams."

More than 60 companies joined the brief. Some of the companies had made similar arguments to the Supreme Court in previous cases.

Some universities have relied on past Supreme Court decisions to consider race in college admissions. In a 4-3 ruling in 2016, a majority of the court said that "considerable deference is owed to a university in defining those intangible characteristics, like student body diversity, that are central to its identity and educational mission."

Harvard, UNC: Supreme Court to consider use of race in college admissions

Appeals: Federal appeals court upholds Harvard University's use of affirmative action

That decision was written by Associate Justice Anthony Kennedy, a swing vote. He was replaced in 2018 by Associate Justice Brett Kavanaugh, a conservative. Associate Justice Amy Coney Barrett's confirmation in 2020 gave conservatives a 6-3 majority. In other words, it's a different Supreme Court than it was just six years ago.

And the court's conservative justices have long viewed affirmative action policies skeptically.

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"When affirmative action programs were first adopted, it was for the purpose of helping the disadvantaged," Associate Justice Samuel Alito wrote in dissent in the 2016 ruling. "Now we are told that a program that tends to admit poor and disadvantaged minority students is inadequate because it does not work to the advantage of those who are more fortunate. This is affirmative action gone wild."

The lawsuits against Harvard and the University of North Carolina were filed by an anti-affirmative action group called Students for Fair Admissions, the brainchild of conservative legal strategist Edward Blum. The group charged that the schools discriminate against other students to boost Black and Hispanic enrollment.

The Supreme Court on July 14, 2022

The Harvard case, Students for Fair Admissions v. President and Fellows of Harvard College, alleges violation of a federal law that bars discrimination on the basis of race in programs that receive federal funding. In the other case,

, the same group alleges that the school's policy violates the 14th Amendment's guarantee of equal treatment under the law.

The two cases, among the most significant the court will consider in the upcoming term, had been consolidated.

But the court separated them last month because of Associate Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson. The newest justice announced during her confirmation hearing in March that she would recuse herself from the Harvard case because she sat on the school's board of overseers. The separation allows Jackson to take part in the North Carolina case even though she will sit out the Harvard litigation.

"It is our hope that the justices will end the use of race as an admissions factor at Harvard, UNC and all colleges and universities," Blum said in January. "The cornerstone of our nation's civil rights laws is the principle that an individuals race should not be used to help or harm them in their lifes endeavors."

Among the companies signing onto the brief are American Airlines, Bristol Myers Squibb, General Motors, Intel, Levi Strauss, Meta, The Hershey Company and United Airlines. A separate brief focused on tech businesses was supported by Microsoft, Verizon and LinkedIn, among others.

"Talent is everywhere," the STEM companies wrote. "It is not located exclusively or disproportionately in any one particular corner of humanity."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: U.S. firms back Harvard's affirmative action policy at Supreme Court
An airline passenger has been fined nearly $2,000 after two undeclared egg and beef sausage McMuffins and a ham croissant were found in their luggage by an airport security dog upon arriving in Australia.

The unnamed person traveling from Indonesia to Australia was fined $2,664 Australian dollars ($1,874 in American dollars) after the trio of McDonald's breakfast sandwiches were found in their luggage on arriving at Darwin Airport, Australia's Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry reported.

The incident took place on the heels of Australian authorities implementing new biosecurity rules after a Foot and Mouth disease (FMD) outbreak in Indonesia spread to Bali, multiple outlets reported.

This will be the most expensive Maccas meal this passenger ever has; this fine is twice the cost of an airfare to Bali. But I have no sympathy for people who choose to disobey Australias strict biosecurity measures, and recent detections show you will be caught, Minister Murray Watt said in a news release.

A passenger traveling from Bali, Indonesia to Australia was fined $1,874 after two undeclared egg and beef sausage McMuffins and a ham croissant were found in their luggage on arriving at Darwin Airport.

A passenger traveling from Bali, Indonesia to Australia was fined $1,874 after airport dog Zinta responded to a passengers backpack and found two undeclared egg and beef sausage McMuffins and a ham croissant were found in their luggage on arriving at Darwin Airport.

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According to Watt, the airport's new biosecurity detector dog, Zinta, uncovered the meat last week in a backpack of a passenger arriving from Indonesia.

The seized meat products will be tested for FMD before they are destroyed, Watt said.

Australia is FMD-free, and we want it to stay that way," he said.

Biosecurity is no joke  it helps protect jobs, our farms, food and supports the economy. Passengers who choose to travel need to make sure they are fulfilling the conditions to enter Australia, by following all biosecurity measures.

The passenger, officials said, was issued a 12-unit infringement notice for "failing to declare potential high biosecurity risk items and providing a false and misleading document.

Natalie Neysa Alund covers trending news for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on Twitter @nataliealund.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Passenger fined after dog finds McMuffins in luggage in Australia
People linger on the beach of Cala Major, near Palma in Mallorca, Spain. Clara Margais/picture alliance via Getty Images

Three British women said their photos were used for a body positivity ad without their knowledge.

The artist of the poster, commissioned by Spain's Ministry of Equality, has apologized publicly.

Two of the women said parts of their bodies, including a prosthetic leg, were edited in the poster.

The artist behind a poster for a high-profile body positivity campaign in Spain has apologized for using the photos of three British women  including a cancer survivor and a model who's also an amputee  without their permission.

Arte Mapache, the creator of the campaign's poster, tweeted a public apology on Friday to the women "for having been inspired by their photographs for the 'Summer is ours too' campaign."

"I hope to be able to solve all this as soon as possible, I accept my mistakes and that is why I am now trying to repair the damage caused," the artist wrote.

The poster features illustrations of five women of different body types on a beach, with the caption: "Summer is ours too." It was commissioned by Spain's Women's Institute, a branch of the country's Ministry of Equality, and was widely reported on by media outlets.

"All bodies are beach bodies," Spanish Social Services Minister Ione Belarra tweeted after the campaign launched on Wednesday.

However, the campaign has since come under fire after three British women said the poster was made using photos of them without their knowledge or consent.

The first woman to raise the issue, model Nyome Nicholas-Williams from London, said a photo of her in a bikini from her Instagram feed was used in the poster and that she had found out about it from her followers.

The BBC reported that Nicholas-Williams had received a private apology from the artist, who said that her photo was used because they were "running low on time." She added that the artist had also promised to compensate her.

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Nicholas-Williams told Insider that, as of Sunday evening, she had not heard from the Ministry of Equality.

"Given that all of this could have been avoided if they had simply asked us to use the images is what is blowing my mind," she wrote in a message to Insider.

"I just think this whole situation brings up the conversation surrounding consent once again and women not being able to have a say over how our bodies are used," she added. "It's abhorrent that the powers that be think they can just take and that there will be no repercussions."

Another model from the UK, Sian Green-Lord, said in an Instagram story that the Spanish advert had used a photo of her posing while reclined but edited out her prosthetic leg.

"I am literally shaking, I am so angry. I don't even know where to begin to explain this and how it has actually made me feel," she said in the story, according to Sky News. Per the BBC, Green-Lord's leg was amputated in 2013 after she was struck by a taxi in New York.

Green-Lord did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.

Meanwhile, Juliet Fitzpatrick, a breast cancer survivor from southern England, said her face "may have been used and superimposed" on the illustration of a woman with one breast.

"Can you tell me what images were used to make this woman?" she tweeted in response to the poster, adding that she would be "furious if the image has been used without consent."

Fitzpatrick told the BBC that the body of the woman in the poster couldn't have been hers, as she had undergone a double mastectomy  a procedure to remove both breasts.

She also told Insider that while she hasn't heard from Arte Mapache since coming forward with her complaint, Spain's Women's Institute had reached out to her on Sunday to apologize.

A portrait of Fitzpatrick had been taken by photographer Ami Barwell, who tweeted that the campaign poster involved a copyrighted photo "stolen" by the advert.

Arte Mapache tweeted that they had been paid around $4,600 and would be privately contacting the three women to compensate them for the use of their images.

Spain's Women's Institute lauded the artist's apology.

"Thank you for your anti-fatphobia activism, for recognizing the error regarding illustration and being open to listening to the women involved in the fight against fatphobia and racism," it tweeted on Friday.

"We continue to build alliances so that aesthetic violence is recognized," the organization added.

As of Sunday evening, the organization has continued to display the poster on its website.

In response to queries from Insider, The Women's Institute said: "The Instituto de las Mujeres wants to clarify that at no time was it aware that the women who appear in the images were real people."

"The work contracted was the elaboration of an illustration, without the use of models," it added. "The Instituto de las Mujeres, as an injured party, have contacted the models to clarify the situation, and are waiting for the illustrator and the models to reach an agreement."

Read the original article on Insider
Gemini Untwined

An international surgical team successfully separated twin boys who were joined at the head.

Conjoined twins are extremely rare, and less than 5% of cases involve fused skulls.

The final separation surgery took 27 hours.

Surgeons in Brazil successfully separated 3-year-old twin boys who shared conjoined brains, making them the oldest patients to have survived the complex procedure.

An international surgical team spent months practicing in a virtual operating room before they began working on the twins, according to the charity Gemini Untwined, which funded the operation.

In all, twins Bernardo and Arthur Lima underwent seven surgeries, the last of which spanned 27 hours. Nearly 100 medical staff worked on the boys, including an expert surgeon from abroad.

Lead surgeon Noor ul Owase Jeelani, who traveled from the UK to Rio de Janeiro for the procedure, told the BBC he was "absolutely shattered" after the lengthy final operation, but it was well worth it to see the family's reaction.

Jeelani founded Gemini Untwined in 2018 with the goal of treating craniopagus twins, or twins conjoined at the skull. He led five other separations in Pakistan, Sudan, Israel, and Turkey before the surgery in Brazil, which was the most high-risk procedure by far.

The boys' age and anatomy made for a highly complex procedure

Conjoined twins are extremely rare  about 1 in 60,000 births result in a set of babies attached at the chest, hips, or head, according to the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Most conjoined pairs are born female and stillborn, so the Lima twins already defied the odds from birth.

Between two and 5% of conjoined twin cases involve fused skulls or brains, based on estimates from CHOP and Gemini Untwined. Craniopagus twins rarely survive past age 10, and 78% die before their first birthdays, according to Gemini Untwined.

At nearly four years old, Bernardo and Arthur Lima are the oldest craniophagus twins to have been separated.

The boys' attachment at the head meant most of their vital organs were separate, giving them a better chance at survival after surgery. However, they shared vital veins in the brain that had to be carefully separated, and previous attempts had left tricky scar tissue that surgeons would have to work around.

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Practicing the surgery in virtual reality gave the team time to explore the twins' anatomy without risking the boys' lives, Jeelani told the BBC. They created VR projections based on CT and MRI brain scans.

"In some ways these operations are considered the hardest of our time, and to do it in virtual reality was just really man-on-Mars stuff," he said.

After months of practice and hours of surgery, the twins are recovering well in hospital, Jeelani said. As with many conjoined twins cases, the boys' blood pressures and heart rates spiked after the separation surgery, but returned to normal when they were reunited and touched hands four days later.

Read the original article on Insider
More college graduates in China are opting to work in lower-tier cities to pursue a less stressful and more stable lifestyle, according to a new report.

In 2021, about 27 percent of college graduates chose to work in the 15 "new first-tier" cities (cities with the potential to become first-tier cities), such as Hangzhou, Suzhou, Chengdu, Ningbo and Wuhan, up three percentage points from 2017.

About 18 percent of college graduates chose to work in first-tier cities  Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen  in 2021, down four percentage points from 2017, according to the report.

The report, based on a survey of 125,000 college graduates, was conducted by MyCos, a higher education management data analysis company.

Zheng Zhengxin, a 25-year-old master's graduate student from Communication University of China in Beijing, started a job in Hangzhou after graduating in June. "I got some offers from Hangzhou and Beijing, but I chose Hangzhou at last, considering the high rental prices and the extremely high property prices in Beijing that I can't afford," Zheng said.

Hangzhou's housing prices are not that high, the city's policies are very friendly to college graduates and it offers employment subsidies to fresh graduates who chose to work there, he added. "I do not want to tie myself and my family on a house in a first-tier city, and I want to spend my money and time on other leisure activities, with my friends and family and enjoying life."

Except for high rent and housing prices, difficulty of obtaining a local permanent residency or "Hukou" in some first-tier cities like Beijing or Shanghai also caused some graduates to leave. After working in Shanghai for three years, 26-year-old Wang Juan, from east China's Anhui Province, left Shanghai for Nanjing in 2022 mainly due to "Hukou" problems.

"Although buying a property is out of reach for me, what troubles me most is the difficulty of getting a Shanghai "Hukou," as it may limit some rights of mine in buying houses, applying for some certain kind of jobs and even the education situation of my child in the future."

"I heard too many stories of people leaving Shanghai because of the 'Hukou' problem. After much thought, I decided to move to Nanjing, as it's easy to settle down and a more affordable choice for me."

Cities at prefecture level and below in the country are also attracting more college graduates. About 58 percent of college graduates chose to work in those cities in 2021, up four percentage points from 2017, and five percentage points from 2019, according to the report.

Wu Yuhao, a 28-year-old PhD graduate from Jilin University in Changchun in northeast China, started his career as a university lecturer in prefecture-level city of Weifang in east China's Shandong Province. "I can't manage well the fast pace and high pressures of life in the urban jungles, and that is not the way of life I wanted. I like it being here, maintaining work-life balance, and not far from my parents."

Experts said the rapid development in high-tech industries, greatly improved business environment, high-quality public resources and friendly policies are the reasons that the "new first-tier" cities attract more college graduates, especially considering the high housing prices and living costs in the first-tier ones.

The number of urban jobseekers in 2022 is the highest in years, and includes a record 10.76 million college graduates. Chinese authorities have pledged improved career services for university graduates, amid efforts to bolster employment.

source: CGTN
Anyone who attended Florida A&M University will triumphantly tell you she was built on the highest of seven hills in Tallahassee, Florida. It was proudly repeated rhetoric during my freshman orientation back in 2007. At the time, I was seeing my new college campus for the first time. I had never before witnessed anything like the vast sea of Black professors, students, and professional cohorts spilling from FAMUs Lee Hall. Historically Black took on new meaning for me as I was introduced to one of the most revolutionary pillars of the North American Black experience.

Although Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) were originally established to serve the African-American community during the period of segregation, HBCUs have also been instrumental in fostering the growth of Black descendants from outside the U.S., including Afro-Latines. Places like FAMU, one of more than 100 historically Black colleges and universities today, continue to create opportunities for Black and Indigenous people everywhere who could not see themselves learning at predominately white institutions (or PWIs). Black immigrant and/or Latine students like myself often benefit from the safe spaces created by all-Black academic institutions and also usher in unique cultural tethers and nuances to the proverbial HBCU experience.



HBCUs were founded specifically to educate the descendants of enslaved people. Yes, the first cohort of the descendants of enslaved people were from the United States, but people of African descent across the Americas and Continental Africa were being educated at HBCUs for quite some time before integration of predominantly white institutions, Howard Universitys Dr. Nathalie Frederic Pierre, who migrated from Haiti at two, tells Refinery29 Somos.

HBCUs have been instrumental in fostering the growth of Black descendants from outside the U.S., including Afro-Latines. Marjua estevez

Like me and many others with roots throughout the Caribbean and Latin America, Dr. Pierre did not come from an HBCU background. She, too, was naive to the concept of historically Black institutions up until reading about one inside a popular Zane novel. She decided to pursue an educational track at an HBCU largely because it was the first space outside of her home that didnt villainize or disparage Haitian immigrants. Howard University, an HBCU, was the first place I knew where Haiti was being spoken about in a way that matched how my parents spoke about Haiti. Going to Howard confirmed a narrative I knew about my native country that is still not represented in the national media today, she adds. Attending an HBCU affirmed what my family taught me about my homeland.

Today, Dr. Pierre is a dedicated history professor of the African diaspora. Her research deals with the Haitian Revolution, Haitian independence, and, more broadly, independence across the African diaspora. The bulk of what I teach my students is slavery, one of the most violent traumas recorded in human history, she says without pause. And yet, while I am teaching my students the violence of that history, its very important for me to create room for my students to recognize their ancestors were humans who experienced violence but who also experienced joy. We find the joy that our ancestors experienced through the cultural practices that live on.

Dr. Pierre stands on the shoulders of those giants. While little data and research can be easily procured about the diasporic legacies of HBCUs, thanks to Panamanian historians and educators like Dash Harris Machado and fellow Rattler Dr. Javier Wallace, we at least know that Black immigrant influence and contribution can be traced as far back as the early 1900s. Booker T. Washington made tremendous efforts to enroll Afro-Cubans in his Tuskegee institute. Cubans who attended Tuskegee were able to use that experience to achieve upward mobility in Cuban society, especially in the field of architecture, a program that attracted most of the successful male Afro-Cubans at Tuskegee, Machado said during a digital discourse she led on Black history in Latin America in July 2022.

Going to an HBCU brought me closer to my elders. Hannah J. Brooks

Tuskegees class of 1908 alone had representatives from Puerto Rico, Togo, St. Andrews Island of Central America, South Carolina, Japan, Haiti, and Cuba  where slavery had been abolished only 22 years before. Later in 1942, the Tuskegee airmen became the first Black military pilots in the U.S. armed forces, and Dominican Esteban Hotesse was among those serving.

The first time I learned any real Dominican history beyond Julia Alvarezs classic novel In the Time of the Butterflies was inside of FAMUs library. My world was rocked when I cracked open part of Los Negros, Los Mulatos y La Nacion by Franklin J. Franco. It would inspire me to further sift through the soil of my own familys roots and later inform my own body politic and pro-Blackness. Im not alone in that.

Going to an HBCU brought me closer to my elders, says Hannah J. Brooks, an Afro-Cuban licensed attorney and fellow FAMU alum. Seeing firsthand a lot of the visceral violent racism in Tallahassee and learning more details about the pre-Great Migration story gave me as many questions as it did answers. Asking my maternal grandparents more about their experiences made me begin to see their story of Mississippi to Chicago as not wholly dissimilar to the experience of [my fathers family] from Cuba to Chicago.

Brooklyn, New York-born and raised Boricua Canela Una Martin Acosta Eatman, Ed.D can relate. The three-time HBCU graduate is vigilant about teaching her future children their diasporic tethers to mitigate lots of the uncertainty and questions they might have about themselves. Hampton University nurtured my understanding of the African diaspora, Eatman, who founded HBCU PaLante, a program that connects the African diaspora to HBCU communities, says of her undergraduate years. Its different in the South, and thats what I had to find out. It was an eye-opener as a kid from Flatbush to draw the physical connections between people in places like Mississippi and, say, natives from Guyana, who I grew up around my whole life.

Similarly to Eatman, attending an HBCU set the stage for Brooks to make some familial connections of her own. [Before going to FAMU], I didnt know about Cuban involvement in the Angolan uprisings and several other African countries, Brooks shares. I lived in Botswana for a while and I also spent significant time in South Africa, and there were a bunch of Cubans there proudly talking about being descendants of the folks who came over to support Angolans when they were fighting the Portuguese colonizers.

Apart from offering afrodescendentes in the U.S. and across international borders the opportunity to learn about who they are and their shared diasporic foundations, HBCUs are profoundly family-oriented with a strong sense of community. This is something deeply integral across many Latine and immigrant communities, making it appealing for prospective HBCU students of immigrant Black and Indigenous households. This environment also helped foster Latin American and Caribbean spaces within these institutions. For instance, in 2017, Spelman College, Morehouse College, and Clark Atlanta University created AUC Vybez, a Caribbean student association, in response to each of the colleges growing Caribbean student body.

All of the things that made me weird or different, that made people tease or ridicule me, all that made me cool and was honored here. HANNAH J. BROOKS

When I joined around my second year at Spelman College, we grew AUC Vybez from 30 to 500 members in approximately two semesters, raves KaiYanna T. Washington, a graduate of the historically Black all-woman institution in Atlanta, who is of British-Jamaican descent. So many of us treated AUC like a home away from home. That was the general consensus.

AUC Vybez gathered members with roots in Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago, the Dominican Republic, Guyana, Haiti, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Belize, Panama, Grenada, Antigua and so many more at educational and recreational events. One of the most anticipated events of the year  Jouvert, an annual celebration of Caribbean heritage  returned in 2022.

Back at Howard, clubs like Baile Afro focus on exploring the various Afro-rooted dances from Latin America and the Caribbean, while Morgan State hosts the Latinx Student Association and Caribbean Student Association, whose annual Rep Your Flag grows more and more each year.

Becoming an AKA gave me a full-circle moment of belonging at FAMU, says Brooks of joining Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc, the first international sorority for Black women. I grew up Spanish-speaking and all, but I grew up in Chicago. Where I was from, if youre not Mexican, youre not Latino. This is what Latino was and this is what it looked like. In contrast, all of the things that made me weird or different, that made people tease or ridicule me, all that made me cool and was honored here.

The greatest jewel my alma mater gifted me was the understanding that I was part of a whole that wraps our planet, and not just a part of this so-called minority. Marjua estevez

As for me, the greatest jewel my alma mater gifted me was the understanding that I was part of a whole that wraps our planet, and not just a part of this so-called minority. Here, I grew to understand the definition of Indigenous, and it crystalized for me all of the unique atrocities of those who were kidnapped, stolen, and forced to migrate before me. We are all iterations of that throughout the Americas, Brooks says poignantly.

When asked about whats at stake for HBCUs in higher education, and why any Black person from anywhere today would enroll at a historically Black college at a time when Black people occupy classrooms around the world, Brooks minced no words: Our histories, Black and Indigenous people, are oral, and musical, and artistic, and extensive, and they are not always going to look like sheets of white paper. Its not always going to look like a book. Its not always going to be a documentary. There is so much more to us than that. Not only do we need the credit, but we need to be taken seriously as the actual only legitimate experts of our experiences. That is why HBCUs are important.

Moreover, because so much of academia is traditionally a cadre of affluent white people taking the voices of Black and Indigenous people from around the globe and observing it, writing it down, and getting accolades for it, we need Black people living this experience getting accolades for that.

How many white professors of African-American history, of Afro-Latino history, of African anthropology  how many are there? Way too fucking many, she doubles down. The audacity of these white people to make money teaching about the suffering of my grandparents. Senor, no te da verguenza?

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Joe Manchin has been one of the biggest obstacles to the Democratic Party passing major legislation in the Senate. Bill O'Leary/The Washington Post via Getty Images

Joe Manchin avoided a question on whether he wants the Democratic Party to win the House and Senate.

Manchin said he thought people were sick of politicians fighting and holding legislation "hostage."

He said he'd be OK with whoever the voters choose and would "work with whatever I have."

Sen. Joe Manchin on Sunday dodged a direct question about whether he wanted the Democratic Party to win the November midterms and keep control of the House and Senate.

Speaking to NBC's Chuck Todd on "Meet the Press," the West Virginia lawmaker said: "I think people are sick and tired of politics, Chuck. I really do."

"I think they're sick and tired of Democrats and Republicans fighting and feuding and holding pieces of legislation hostage because they didn't get what they wanted, or something or someone might get credit for something," Manchin added.

Todd then pressed Manchin, asking him directly if he wanted the Democrats to win.

"I think the Democrats have great candidates that are running. They're good people I've worked with," the senator responded. "And I have a tremendous amount of respect and friendship with my Republican colleagues. So I can work on either side very easily."

"You don't care about the outcome this year of the election?" Todd asked Manchin.

"Well, whatever  whatever the voters choose. I can't decide what's going to happen in Kansas or California or Texas. I really can't," Manchin said.

He added that he has always respected the representatives elected by the states and does his best to work with them.

"I don't play the politics that way. I don't like it that way," Manchin added. "That's not who I am."

Manchin has been one of the biggest obstacles to the Democrats passing major legislation in the Senate, despite the party having control of the chamber. For one, the senator killed President Joe Biden's landmark Build Back Better legislation.

In April, Manchin also addressed claims that he might switch parties to the GOP  an idea touted by Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell  saying he's "never considered" the idea from "such a standpoint."

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Manchin has also been reticent about expressing support for Biden in 2024.

In a surprise U-turn last week, Manchin said he would back the Inflation Reduction Act, a deal that he and Sen. Chuck Schumer cut that allots $370 billion for climate and energy programs and commits the US to a 40% emissions reduction by 2030.

Read the original article on Business Insider
WASHINGTON  Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham is challenging a subpoena from an Atlanta grand jury investigating whether former President Donald Trump interfered in the 2020 election, arguing that a legislative privilege shields him from such demands.

The South Carolina senator, in a motion to quash the Fulton County, Georgia subpoena, asserted that he was engaging in legitimate inquiries as a lawmaker when he contacted a Georgia official following the 2020 election.

The staunch Trump ally citied the Constitution's speech and debate clause, asserting that the provision "provides absolute protection against inquiry into Senator Grahams legislative acts."

"Second, sovereign immunity prevents a local prosecutor from haling a U.S. senator to face a state ad hoc investigatory body," the challenge states, adding that Atlanta-area District Attorney Fani Willis, who is leading the investigation, has not provided the "extraordinary circumstances" necessary to compel the appearance of the federal lawmaker.

"It's time for him to go. He's a war criminal," U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham said March 16, calling for the people of Russia to stand up to President Vladimir Putin.

More: Trump allies subpoenaed in Georgia election probe, including Rudy Giuliani and Lindsey Graham

More: Sen. Lindsey Graham's legal team to challenge subpoena from Fulton County, Ga., grand jury

At least twice, Graham called the Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger and his staff weeks after the November 2020 election, trying to re-examine absentee ballots "to explore the possibility of a more favorable outcome for former President Donald Trump," according to court documents.

The Republican senator's legal team has argued that he was "well within his rights to discuss with state officials the processes and procedures around administering elections."

Graham was subpoenaed along with a number of high-profile Trump allies, including personal attorney Rudy Giuliani and attorney John Eastman, who devised the plan to gather alternate slates of electors to overturn President Joe Biden's election.

The Georgia criminal investigation is separate from a Justice Department inquiry and a special House committee's examination of events related to the Capitol assault.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Lindsey Graham challenges Georgia grand jury subpoena in Trump probe
Sen. Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania. Tom Williams/Pool Photo via AP, File

Sen. Pat Toomey clashed with Jon Stewart over a healthcare bill for veterans who were exposed to toxic burn pits.

Toomey said people in DC sneak things into bills and rely on "pseudo-celebs" to blast dissenters.

Stewart responded to Toomey: "I'd rather be a pseudo celeb than pseudo Senator!"

Republican Sen. Pat Toomey criticized "pseudo-celebrities" on Sunday after he was called out by comedian Jon Stewart for voting against a veterans healthcare bill last week.

The Pennsylvania senator was one of 41 Republicans that voted against the PACT Act on Thursday. The bill would expand healthcare for veterans exposed to toxic burn pits and who have an increased risk of developing cancer and respiratory health issues.

Stewart is a vocal advocate for veteran healthcare and has previously addressed the issue before Congress. After the PACT Act was rejected, Stewart told Capitol Hill reporters: "This is corruption at its finest. And sadly, these are the people that fought and defended their right to this fuckery."

Stewart also singled out Toomey's resistance to the bill multiple times, including calling him a "fucking coward" when the bill failed.

Toomey defended his vote on CNN Sunday, saying lawmakers attempted to "sneak in" unrelated items into the bill.

"This is the oldest trick in Washington. People take a sympathetic group of Americans  and it could be children with an illness, it could be victims of crime, it could be veterans who've been exposed to toxic chemicals  craft a bill to address their problems, and then sneak in something completely unrelated that they know could never pass on its own, and dare Republicans to do anything about it," Toomey told CNN's Jake Tapper on an episode of "State of the Union."

Toomey continued: "Because they know, they'll unleash their allies in the media and maybe a pseudo-celebrity to make up false accusations to try to get us to just swallow what shouldn't be there."

Toomey never mentioned Stewart by name, but the former "The Daily Show" host circumvented the lawmaker's insults with a pair of ironic tweets.

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"I'd rather be a pseudo celeb than pseudo Senator!" Stewart wrote.

Stewart's second tweet said: "Funny. @SenToomey never called for spending caps on the waronly on the health care for veterans sickened by said wars. Interesting priorities. #PassthePactact."

Stewart also called out Sen. Ted Cruz over his vote against the veteran's healthcare bill with a video posted to Twitter on Friday, prompting a response from the Senator. Cruz said the bill was "playing a budgetary trick," similar to Toomey's stance.

Watch Toomey's interview on CNN below:

Representatives for Toomey and Stewart did not immediately respond to Insider's requests for comment.

Read the original article on Business Insider
A stock image of a brown scorpion inside of a house. Getty Images

An Austrian woman was unpacking her suitcase when she found a family of scorpions inside it.

There were 18 scorpions in total, consisting of a mother and her babies, according to an animal rescue center.

The scorpions will now be sent back to Croatia.

An Austrian woman was horrified after she discovered a family of scorpions living inside her suitcase, according to reports.

The woman, who has not been publicly named, had been vacationing on Croatia's Adriatic coast, Newsweek reported.

After returning home to Natternbach, in Upper Austria, she noticed the stingers inside her suitcase while she was unpacking.

The woman found 18 scorpions in total, consisting of a mother and her babies, according to Tierhilfe Gusental, an Austrian animal rescue service, per a Facebook post.

She called Tierhilfe Gusental on July 23, who confirmed that the animals had been secured and handed over to them.

"They are currently in the Linz animal shelter until they make their return journey," the rescue center said on Facebook.

The Mirror reported that a woman found a scorpion in her apartment in Linz. The discovery came three weeks after she had returned from her vacation, the paper said.

This is the third time scorpions have arrived in Upper Austria from Croatia and the second time this summer alone, according to Newsweek.

There are almost 2,000 scorpion species, but only about 40 are poisonous enough to kill humans, per the National Geographic. The species found in Croatia, specifically on the Adriatic coast, are not venomous enough to be lethal.

Read the original article on Insider
Robert Gentel. Robert Gentel

Robert Gentel flew from Costa Rica to Miami just to retrieve his stranded luggage.

The bag got stuck in Miami after his flight was canceled in June.

The aviation industry is dealing with a messy summer travel season with flight delays and chaos.

An American man flew from Costa Rica to Miami just to retrieve his luggage after his bags were incorrectly tracked.

Robert Gentel, a drone-racing enthusiast who lives in Costa Rica, told Insider the trouble started on June 15. He was due to fly from his parents' house in San Antonio to his home in Santa Ana, Costa Rica, to celebrate his birthday. He booked a first-class seat on American Airlines with a layover in Miami.

He checked two bags for the flight. Gentel told Insider the bags had thousands of dollars of drone gear in them, as he had taken part in the 2022 MultiGP International Open drone race in Indiana from June 8 to June 12.

After he checked his bags, his flight to Miami was canceled over a maintenance issue, he said. The airline rebooked him on June 16 for United Airlines flights to Houston and, from there, to Costa Rica.

"I came back to the airport the next day and checked with the American desk about my bags, and was told all was fine and that the bags were already on their way," he told Insider over Twitter.

But Gentel found out later they were not. He had placed Apple AirTags in the checked bags and saw them making their way to Miami.

Gentel made it to Costa Rica for his birthday on June 16 but spent the day texting American and United about his bags as he was bounced from one department to another, he said. Insider reviewed some of the chats he had with the airlines.

One of Gentel's two bags was sent to Costa Rica after a few days, but the other  based on its AirTags location  was still stuck in Miami, he said.

"With each day that was passing, I was more and more concerned that the luggage would not make it to me and would eventually be lost for good," he told Insider.

Booking a new flight

After days with no resolution, he decided to fly from Costa Rica to Miami on June 20 to pick up the bag himself.

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Once he arrived in Miami, he said he handed his baggage tag to the person at the storage room.

"The guy looking for it in the storage room said it was not on the rack it was supposed to be on, so I used the AirTag to locate it on the rack next to it," he said.

This time around, he said, he unpacked all the stuff he "cared about" and carried it on the plane ride home.

Gentel flew from Costa Rica to Miami to retrieve his stranded suitcase. He unpacked some expensive drone gear into a smaller bag to carry on his return flight. Robert Gentel

Gentel said he booked most of the flights with credit-card points. Insider verified his flight details for all three flights involved in the multiday luggage ordeal. He contacted Insider with his story after he read about a passenger in Ireland who bought a plane ticket to get into Dublin Airport to look for his lost bag.

A summer of travel chaos

Gentel's experience comes amid a messy summer travel season with flight delays, lost baggage, and disruptions as demand has returned to pre-pandemic levels. The chaos started over Memorial Day weekend and is now pronounced in Europe. Airlines are facing a slew of issues, including staff shortages, absences over the pandemic, and bad weather.

While the process to get his bag back was time-consuming and tedious  he said neither American nor United offered any compensation for the trouble  Gentel said he was just "extremely relieved" to get his gear back. There would be "much inconvenience, too, in replacing my key drone-racing gear, like my goggles and my controller," Gentel added.

American Airlines did not respond to Insider's request for comment.

"We are dedicated to delivering bags to customers' final destinations on time, and when we miss the mark we work hard to connect customers with their bags as quickly as possible," a United Airlines representative told Insider.

Gentel is already thinking about what to do the next time he travels with more gear than he's allowed to carry on.

"I've recently actually been thinking about booking a friend on a ticket on flights so that I can have an additional carry-on and be able to avoid checking in expensive gear," he said.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Montgomery Development Chief Darryl Washington poses for a photo in his office in Montgomery, Ala., on Friday, July 29, 2022.

Darryl Washington remembers his mom sending him off to deliver some food to a neighbors house down the street. That neighbor would always send him back home with something for his own family.

Thats a community. Thats what we need to get back to, said Washington, who is the new head of economic development under Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed.

Thats not easy to do when community investment has come to mean dollars pouring in from out of state to purchase family homes and turn them into rental properties, he said.

New leaders: Montgomery mayor names new economic development, parks and rec leaders

(Those owners) are miles away," Washington said. "And I think that that has been one of the things that have deteriorated neighborhoods all over the United States.

The Birmingham native has been on the job here for about 60 days and said he sees a need to focus equally on different areas of the city, whether thats downtown or west Montgomery.

For example, he mentioned the potential of an underdeveloped area here that includes the historic St. Jude campus, the former Calhoun Foods, Carver High School and an interstate exit near Maxwell Air Force Base. The city is planning to bring in some investors in August who specialize in affordable housing and retail to showcase the neighborhood.

All it takes sometimes is one person to make that investment in an area to get an area to change, he said.

Washington has spent 25 years in development, most recently as director of district development for urban impact in Birminghams Historic Civil Rights District. In his five years with that organization, he helped secure $150 million for the district and left just as they were gearing up for a major surge in visitors.

He got to Montgomery in May, a time when restaurants in the citys tourist district were struggling to keep the doors open amid a national staffing shortage, even as the city and county were working together on how to spend an $87 million pool of American Rescue Plan Act money. A $50 million whitewater center was taking shape, and so was a new plan for downtown.

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An early artist rendering of what Montgomery Whitewater may look like when finished.

Downtown revitalization is a focus because it really is the character of your city. Most of the people who come and visit, oftentimes they don't get beyond downtown, Washington said.

 (But) if you dont have total community buy-in, a plan just becomes a plan.

Washington said he decided to take the job here because of the citys unique assets, like the military leaders at Maxwell Air Force Base and the potential uses of the nearby Alabama River, including an inland port facility announced earlier this year that city officials estimate could generate 2,600 direct jobs and $340 million in revenue.

Meanwhile, he said the city plans to work with the colleges here to grow a better-trained workforce and give them reasons to stay.

We can go and recruit a company that's bringing in 100 jobs but if we don't have the talent to fill those 100 jobs, then how really is that helping the city of Montgomery? Washington said.

 The reality is, the tourists are the gravy," he said. "Because when there are no conventions in town, no concerts in town, it's the locals that flow true business.

Contact Montgomery Advertiser reporter Brad Harper at bharper1@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: New Montgomery development chief outlines his plan for the city
A lawyer for Merchant of Death arms dealer Viktor Bout says he is confidant a prisoner exchange involving Americans Brittney Griner and Paul Whelan will go through.

The White House has reportedly made Moscow an offer to swap imprisoned Bout, who is serving a 25-year sentence in the US, for the WNBA star and Mr Whelan.

Ms Griner is currently on trial in Moscow for cannabis possession and faces a 10-year prison sentence if convicted. Mr Whelan was arrested in Russia in 2018 on accusations of spying and is serving a 16-year sentence.

I do have some information about the progress of how things are going  But that information comes from the Russian side as opposed to the American side, Bouts attorney Steve Zissou told CNN.

Im confident this is going to get done.Look, its no secret theyve been wanting him back for several years now. Theyve been trying to get him back for decades. Thats not something theyve ever kept secret.

Russian officials have, however, also asked for Vadim Krasikov, a former colonel from the countrys domestic spy agency, to be included in any deal, according to the news network.

Krasikov is serving a life sentence for the murder of former Chechen fighter, Zelimkhan Khangoshvili, in Berlin in 2019.

Bout, a 55-year-old former Soviet military officer, was arrested in Bangkok in 2008 in a sting operation in which US officials posed as Colombian rebels. He was held in custody for two years in Thailand before being extradited to the US to go on trial.

In April 2012, a US judge sentenced him to 25 years for attempting to sell heavy weapons to the Colombian rebels.

Bout, 55, had agreed to sell 100 portable surface-to-air missiles and around 5,000 AK-47 assault rifles to the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia during the meeting at a Bangkok hotel.

But instead, he had actually sat down with US Drug Enforcement Administration officials posing as members of the left-wing guerrilla group that was designated a terror organisation by the US.

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Ever since he was convicted, the Russian government has demanded his release. Now that could happen finally come to help ensure the safe return of Ms Griner and Mr Whelan to American soil.

National Security Council coordinator for strategic communications John Kirby told CNN on Monday that Russia should accept the White Houses original offer.

This so-called, you call it a counteroffer, we would call it a bad faith attempt to avoid what is a serious proposal already on the table, said Mr Kirby.

Holding two Americans who have been wrongfully detained hostage for a convicted murderer in a third country is just  we dont consider that a serious counteroffer at all.

It is nothing more than a bad faith attempt by the Russians publicly to avoid what is a serious proposal, one that we are not making detailed in public and has been on the books for several weeks and we urge the Russians to accept it.
The San Francisco 49ers have signed veteran defensive tackle Akeem Spence to a one-year deal, the team announced Monday.

The move comes after defensive tackle Maurice Hurst was placed on injured reserve with a torn biceps suffered during Fridays training camp practice. The injury is expected to sideline Hurst for the entire 2022 season.

Spence is a former fourth-round selection by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2013. Hes had stops with the Buccaneers (2013-16), Detroit Lions (2017), Miami Dolphins (2018), Philadelphia Eagles (2019), Jacksonville Jaguars (2019) and New England Patriots (2020).

Spences most recent stops were with the Washington Commanders and Denver Broncos last season. He appeared in one game with the Commanders before being released on Dec. 24, 2021. He signed with the Broncos practice squad shortly after, where he spent the rest of the year.

In his nine-year career, Spence has appeared in 110 games, with 57 starts, totaling 123 tackles, 10.5 sacks, four fumble recoveries and one forced fumble.

Story originally appeared on Niners Wire
BTS might still be able to perform overseas while serving in South Koreas military, according to the countrys defense minister Lee Jong-sup.

The news is crucial now more than ever, as all South Korean men between the ages of 18-28 are required to serve in the nations military for at least 18 months. In 2018, the nation passed a revision of the Military Service Act (which some referred to as the BTS Law) that allowed K-pop stars to postpone their military service until they turn 30.

More from Billboard

BTS member Jin, however, turns 30 in December, causing fans to worry about the future of the group. Lee Jong-sup recently said during a parliamentary session that by allowing BTS to continue performing even while serving, the military could serve national interests without affecting the shrinking pool of personnel due to low birth rates.

Even if they join the military, there would be a way to give them a chance to practice and perform together if there are scheduled concerts abroad, he said, according to a report by Reuters. As many people highly value [artists serving] in the military, that may help boost their popularity even more.

While South Korea allows for some elite athletes and classical musicians to avoid the mandatory military service, there is currently no similar exemption for pop artists. The 2018 Military Service Act revision allowed K-pop entertainers to apply for a deferment if theyve received government medals for elevating South Koreas cultural influence around the world. All seven members of BTS qualified after being awarded the countrys Hwagwan orders of cultural merit from the government in 2018 during the Korean Popular Culture & Arts Awards.

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The South Korean parliament is also now debating a bill that would shorten military service for K-pop stars to three weeks from about two years.

Click here to read the full article.
The Hoffman-Ideus family felt the support of their 4-H community during the Premium Auction on Sunday afternoon.

Approximately $40,000 was raised for Trenn, Joey and Ethan in a short 30 minutes.

Just after the Gage County Fair last year, the three Hoffman-Ideus brothers lost their dad, Glenn Ideus, to COVID-19 on Aug. 25. Their mom, Tracy Hoffman-Ideus, passed away on Nov. 11 after a long battle with COVID-19.

The family farmed near Cortland and raised cattle and sheep.

Both Glenn and Tracy had been active in 4-H and FFA in their youth. They enjoyed going to county fairs and helping their sons show sheep.

All three of the Hoffman-Ideus boys are members of the Nemaha Valley 4-H Club. Trenn is a ten-year member and also belongs to the Freeman FFA.

After Glenn passed away in August and Tracy remained hospitalized, Brenda Smith, Glenns sister, moved into the familys home and continued to live with the boys.

We were just trying to maintain the farm and take care of things, she said. All of the boys share responsibilities and help out.

All of the boys will be attending Freeman School in the fall. Ethan, a fourth grader, will be living in Beatrice with Tracys sister, Becky Dorn. Joey, a ninth grader, will be living with the Kettleson family near Adams. Trenn, a 12th grader, is going to be residing with Eldon and Gaynelle Ideus, near Pickrell.

Eldon Ideus, Glenns brother, farmed with Glenn.

So many members of the community helped last fall, Eldon said. It was overwhelming. People came to help with harvest.

The 4-H leaders would check-in regularly and helped us so we didnt miss deadlines, Brenda added Some friends came to help care for the animals, too.

Marlan, Glenns brother, from Amherst, said that a lot of the churches in the community and even in Jefferson County have helped too.

Don Esau, Gage County Ag Society President, said that a few of the fathers in the 4-H club approached him and wanted to do something for the Hoffman-Ideus family on Saturday afternoon.

It was a pretty quick turnaround, but the board discussed it and voted in support of a rolling auction to benefit the family during the Premium Auction on Sunday, Esau said. It was amazing what the community does to support people. Truly neat to be a part of that experience. This is what people do in Southeast Nebraska and we just want to help out where we can.

At the end of the auction, the Hoffman-Ideus family that had been standing in the show ring, received a standing ovation.

There were not a lot of dry eyes in the barn, said Esau.

Trenn said he has learned that when things are hard, its the people closest to us that have made a difference.

Its my friends, family, neighbors and community that have been there for us, said Trenn.

The Gage County Ag Society will continue to take donations for the Hoffman-Ideus family on the website. (www.gagecountyfair.com) Donations can also be sent to the P.O. Box 671, Beatrice, NE 68310.
Burt Metcalfe, the revered TV producer who worked on all 11 seasons of MASH, died July 27 in Los Angeles. He was 87.

Metcalfe was an actor turned director-producer who was recruited to work on MASH by director Gene Reynolds, who launched the series adaptation of Robert Altmans 1970 black comedy released by 20th Century Fox. Metcalfe started out as an associate producer and rose to showrunner for the shows final six seasons. He also directed 31 episodes of the series 251 installments.

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Reynolds, who was with MASH through the 1976-77 season before moving on to the helm of CBS Lou Grant, died at age 96 in February 2020.

The CBS series adaptation defied low expectations for movie adaptations and became pop culture touchstone of the 1970s and early 80s. Set during the Korean War, Alan Alda starred as Col. Franklin Hawkeye Pierce, a cynical surgeon with a heart of gold who helped run a mobile emergency medical unit populated with colorful Army characters.

MASH was an allegory for the Vietnam War that started when the latter conflict was still playing out every night on the evening news and the strength of the anti-war movement divided the country. By the time MASH ended, with a series closer that still holds Nielsens record for all-time most watched series finale, Ronald Reagan was in the White House.

Burt Metcalfe is gone now. We all loved him. If you enjoyed MASH it was in large part because of Burt. he was a producer on every season and ran the show for 7 years, Alda wrote on Twitter. We were very close. We wrote together, directed together and inspired each other. He was such a good person.

Burt Metcalfe is gone now. We all loved him. If you enjoyed MASH it was in large part because of Burt. he was a producer on every season and ran the show for 7 years. We were very close. We wrote together, directed together and inspired each other. He was such a good person. pic.twitter.com/YoXRhp1bfZ  Alan Alda (@alanalda) July 31, 2022

A native of Saskatoon, Saskatchewon, Metcalfe began his career in the 1950s and 60s as an actor with guest shots on such series as The Ray Milland Show, Whirlybirds, Have Gun, Will Travel, Death Valley Days and The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis.

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He was in the notable 1960 Twilight Zone episode The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street. He played a surfer alongside James Darren, Sandra Dee and Cliff Robertson in the 1959 film Gidget.

Other 1960s TV credits as an actor include roles on Perry Mason, The Outer Limits, The Fugitive and 12 OClock High. He had a series regular role on another movie-to-TV adaptation, Father of the Bride, which ran on CBS in the 1961-62 season.

(Pictured: MASH stars Alan Alda, Mike Farrell and Loretta Swit flank writer-producer Burt Metcalfe, second from right, at the TV Land Awards in 2009)

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Tom Treece

Quick, I have a question for you, especially if you are a Democrat or liberal: Can you name of the chairman of the January 6 Insurrection Committee? No idea? Dont fret; neither does 95% of the rest of the population.

Heres another: Can you name the VICE Chair of that same committee? Yup, of course, you know that one; its Wyoming Republican Representative, Liz Cheney.

Perhaps I should identify her with the name many Republicans call her these days: RINO or Republican in Name Only, specifically after being chosen to not only serve on this committee, but to also have accepted such an important position on it.

I met Rep. Cheney some years ago at a fundraising event for Congressman Tim Walberg. I sang the National Anthem. Ms. Cheney was guest speaker. She thrilled me by igniting her audience with conservative proclamations along with her support for President Trump and Walberg. I became an instant fan.

Then, suddenly and not long after, the legislator shocked Republicans by joining Democrats in voting to impeach Trump for purportedly withholding aid to Ukraine in exchange for dirt on his 2020 election rival, now President Joe Biden.

Republicans received a double-dose of pain when she again joined Democrats in voting to impeach Trump a second time for his role in the January 6th insurrection. And now, all these months later, here she is being paraded repeatedly and methodically into our living rooms as spokesperson for the well-rehearsed committee and my question is, why?

Oh, I of course understand the Democrats objective (and good fortune) of finding an enemy camp participant willing to not only join but accept a position of power in Democrats' latest objective of beating down and destroying Donald Trump along with any hope of him ever again running for office.

I expect the obvious truth is they will milk her like a cow until theyve achieved their objective and then dump her like Kamala Harris dumped dresses. But, after seeing her happily taking the microphone in repeated opportunities to update America as to committee progress instead of the actual committee chairman, Mississippi Rep. Bennie Thompson, her personal objective has become clear.

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After being censured last year by the Republican Party and now with Trump throwing all his support behind one of her Wyoming primary opponents (Harriet Hageman), Cheney has no assured lock on reelection in deep, red-state Wyoming.

That being said, truth also is that her Trump bashing, coupled with what I perceive as her joy in eagerly jumping in bed with committee Democrats, has actually elevated her national profile. And to me, that means shell be running for president!

The daughter of former defense secretary and vice-president Dick Cheney, known to have a strict conservative footprint, will undoubtedly be seen as the main player  win or lose in Wyoming - who could electrify 2024 elections as the one candidate able to bring to the White House the main ingredient missing from Washingtons boiling political cauldron: bi-partisanship.

Adding to that important aspect is her doubling down on the public trashing she gave the LGBTQ movement years ago, and specifically, to sister, Mary Cheney, who is lesbian and married.

Nine years ago Rep. Cheney was blasted for opposing same-sex marriage in her successful attempt at unseating long-time staunch conservative opponent, Sen. John Enzi. Then, last year she told Lesley Stahl of CBSs 60 Minutes, I was wrong to oppose same-sex marriage, further infuriating her conservative base.

Now in her fourth term as Wyomings lone representative, with this latest flip-flop of now endorsing LGBTQ, she has added yet another Democratic platform stone to her new foundation, one right behind abortion as a political hot potato.

I wonder if she will change parties since the Democrats obviously and suddenly love her so much or will she try to stay with Republicans in attempts to wrestle the party leadership away from Trump? Then again, theres that all-important Independent status that is probably at its highest capacity in decades due to the current crazy state of politics.

I expect Democrats will call her visionary while Republicans might use turncoat, apostate, renegade or, perhaps, a modern-day Benedict Arnold.

Call her what you wish, but from all indications, Im betting she wants to go down in history as being called the first woman president of the United States.

But, what do I know.

Tom Treece is a Monroe native and musician. Contact him at rttreece@aol.com.

This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Tom Treece: Is Cheney a renegade or vying for the presidency?
Dame Laura Kenny delivered while two England gymnasts are vying for a piece of history after the fourth day of the action at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.

Here, the PA news agency reflects on Mondays early action and looks forward to the highlights on day five:

QUEEN KENNY

Laura Kenny claimed a long-awaited Commonwealth Games gold (John Walton/PA)

Dame Laura Kenny delivered a belated Commonwealth gold for England on the final day of the track cycling in the Lee Valley VeloPark. A late burst of speed saw Kenny overhaul Neah Evans plus New Zealands Michaela Drummond and Canadas Maggie Coles-Lysterto win the womens scratch race.

MINT MURRAY

Chris Murray snatched gold in the mens weightlifting (Bradley Collyer/PA)

Chris Murray won gold in the mens 81kg weightlifting final after Australias Kyle Bruce and Canadian Nicolas Vachon failed to overtake him in dramatic circumstances. Murray set a new Games record of 325kg before Bruces bigger effort was ruled out by the jury because his elbow was bent. Vachon was then denied gold after he dropped the bar following what appeared to be a clean lift.

SUPER JAKE

Jake Jarman eased to his third gold medal in Birmingham (Mike Egerton/PA)

Jake Jarman won his third gymnastics gold of the Birmingham Games after a flawless performance in the mens floor final. He was joined on top of the podium by England team-mate Joe Fraser, who won on the pommel, while Georgia-Mae Fenton and Courtney Tulloch also won golds on the womens uneven bars and rings respectively.

SOCIAL MEDIA MOMENT

How it startedhow it's going  Team Scotland's first ever Commonwealth Games women's artistic gymnastics medallist @ShannonArcher29 back at the 2011 Youth Gamesand now with her brilliant Birmingham 2022 bronze! #TeamScot #TimeForHeroes pic.twitter.com/IYOmYatqAC  Team Scotland (@Team_Scotland) August 1, 2022

PICTURE OF THE DAY

Courtney Tulloch won gold on the mens rings (Mike Egerton/PA)

TUESDAY STARS TO WATCH

KNIGHT RETURNS

Heather Knight should be back for Englands T20 clash with South Africa (Mike Egerton/PA)

Heather Knight could return to captain England against South Africa after missing the five-wicket win over Sri Lanka because of lingering hip trouble. Alice Capsey should be OK after starring at the weekend despite a black eye she suffered in the warm-up. Another victory for the hosts would move them to the brink of the semi-finals.

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KINSELLA REDEMPTION

Alice Kinsella is looking to bounce back from all-around heartbreak (Zac Goodwin/PA)

Two days after her tearful exit from contention for the womens all-around title when she fell on the beam, Birmingham-born Alice Kinsella returns in search of individual apparatus gold on the same apparatus as well as the womens floor. Meanwhile Jarman, who is in the vault final, and Fraser, who competes in the parallel bars and horizontal bar, could yet end their Games with four gold medals apiece.

NICE ONE CYRILLE

Cyrille Tchatchat is looking to extend his remarkable story with a medal (UNHCR)

There are stories of sporting redemption then there is the case of Cyrille Tchatchet, who quit the Cameroon team during the 2014 Games, contemplated suicide, and was eventually arrested and sought asylum. Tchatchet is now a mental health nurse in the West Midlands, the proud owner of a British passport, and a medal contender in the mens 96kg weightlifting category.
Dutch Royal couple to pay working visit to California and Texas

His Majesty King Willem-Alexander and Her Majesty Queen Maxima.  RVD / Wesley de Wit

Washington, Aug. 01, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- His Majesty King Willem-Alexander and Her Majesty Queen Maxima will pay a working visit to San Francisco and Silicon Valley (California) and Austin and Houston (Texas) from September 6-9, 2022.

The King and Queen will be accompanied by Dutch Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation Liesje Schreinemacher. The trip will also include the participation of Dutch Minister of Health, Welfare and Sport Ernst Kuipers; Dutch Minister of Education, Culture and Science Robert Dijkgraaf; Aruban Minister of Economic Affairs, Communication and Sustainable Development Geoffrey Wever; Aruban Minister of Public Health and Tourism Dangui Oduber; and Dutch Minister for the Environment Vivianne Heijnen.

This working visit underscores the strong economic ties the Netherlands has with California and Texas. The Netherlands is Texas leading EU trading partner. California and Texas are the fifth-largest and ninth largest economies in the world and, in that light, attractive partners for the Netherlands for deeper economic cooperation. In addition, transatlantic cooperation is essential for safeguarding the security and prosperity of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The United States is our most important partner within NATO and is also a major partner when it comes to global challenges like climate change, the energy transition, mobility, urbanization, and healthcare.

Parallel to this working visit, there will be a trade mission to San Francisco and Los Angeles featuring companies from the life sciences & health sector and the urban mobility & cycling sector. A delegation of CEOs from the Confederation of Netherlands Industry and Employers (VNO-NCW) will also participate in this trip to California and Texas. These companies will exchange ideas with partners from the US about expanding economic cooperation and addressing social challenges.

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September 6-7: San Francisco Bay Area

On Tuesday morning, the royal couple will be welcomed at San Francisco City Hall by Mayor London Breed. They will then visit the citys iconic Castro Street, the heart of San Franciscos LGBTI+ community. There they will speak with activists who advocate for equal rights for LGBTI+ people.

Following that, the King and Queen will attend events relating to the trade mission. They will join Mayor Breed for the opening of the Urban Challenges seminar, which looks at ongoing urbanization and shared challenges faced by the Netherlands and California in areas like health, mobility, and sustainability. The seminar will be an opportunity for the American cities of San Francisco and Los Angeles and the Dutch cities of Rotterdam and Utrecht to share experiences and solutions that contribute to a sustainable living environment.

Later in the morning, the royal couple will meet Governor Gavin Newsom, who will then join them for a discussion with VNO-NCW. This meeting will explore opportunities for cooperation and existing projects between the Netherlands and California. The Netherlands and California have been working together for many years to find innovative solutions to address climate change, and they are now broadening their collaboration to include the circular economy. Afterwards, King Willem-Alexander will attend the opening of a roundtable discussion on the climate and the circular economy, while Queen Maxima will attend a presentation on cooperation in the area of climate and agri-tech.

In the afternoon they will visit the University of California San Francisco Medical Center. At a seminar on digital health they will learn more about Dutch innovations and various public-private Dutch-American initiatives in the health sciences.

Later, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima will be present for a meeting of CEOs at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. The meetings theme will be Economic Ties and Shared Challenges. Several US tech and other companies with offices in the Netherlands will also take part. Participants will talk about what they are doing to help combat climate change and improve global health. On Tuesday evening, the royal couple will attend a networking reception at San Francisco City Hall, where King Willem-Alexander will deliver a speech.

On the morning of Wednesday, September 7, the King will visit the University of California, Berkeley. This world-renowned university has played a key role in the success of Silicon Valley and has strong ties with the Netherlands. For example, Berkeley offers a program in Dutch studies and is home to the Queen Beatrix Chair of Dutch Language, Literature and Culture. King Willem-Alexanders visit will coincide with the programs 50th anniversary.

In the afternoon, Education Minister Robert Dijkgraaf will launch the Dutch Network for Academics in the US (DNA-US), which will aim to promote knowledge-sharing between Dutch researchers in the US. The King will speak with faculty members and students in the Dutch program. He will also speak with representatives of the Dutch academic community and enterprising researchers and about the key role played by Californias universities in academic entrepreneurship and the transfer and further development of new technologies.

Queen Maximas morning program will begin with a visit to the Dutch company HackerOne, a tech firm with roots in Groningen and headquarters in San Francisco. HackerOne is a platform that enables ethical hackers to earn money by tracing security leaks at major companies. Queen Maxima will talk with the companys founders about how ethical hackers help ensure the security of companies in cyberspace and will observe them at work. Following these visits, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima will join each other at a location near the Golden Gate Bridge.

On Wednesday afternoon, the royal couple will visit Googles headquarters. This visit will focus on Googles ambitions in the realm of climate action, sustainable solutions, and innovations that help combat climate change, and on Googles role in the Netherlands.

The King and Queen will then visit Stanford University, in the heart of Silicon Valley. Upon arrival they will be given a short tour by the president of the university. They will then meet with the Ecomotive Team of Eindhoven University of Technology, which has succeeded in developing a car made entirely of circular material. Following that, the royal couple will speak with Dutch researchers, students, and innovators who work and study in Silicon Valley, including the Dutch-American Nobel laureate Guido Imbens.

At the Holland in the Valley event, the royal couple will meet Dutch people who work for US tech companies or have their own startup. King Willem-Alexander will give a brief speech. During a pitch session, startups from the ScaleNL accelerator program will be given the opportunity to present their companies to the assembled Dutch business delegation and representatives of Silicon Valley companies.

Afterwards, at a seminar on artificial intelligence, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima will be given insight into the role played by Dutch companies in the further development of AI in mobility and healthcare.

Thursday, September 8: Austin

Thursday morning marks the start of the royal couples visit to Texas, where they will be received by Governor Greg Abbott at the historic Governors Mansion. This meeting will focus on the close economic ties between the Netherlands and Texas.

Following that, the King and Queen will meet with Mayor Steve Adler at Austin City Hall. Austin leads the way in the area of mobility and technological innovation and home to companies like NXP, Tesla, Dell, and Oracle. Over 10 years ago, the city began implementing an ambitious plan to create safe cycling infrastructure, with the help of Dutch expertise. To mark that noteworthy anniversary, Mayor Adler will issue a proclamation. He will then accompany the royal couple on a short bicycle ride to Austins public library whose design was inspired by the Amsterdam public library and the Mediatheek media library in Delft.

After this bicycle ride, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima will visit the Capital Factory innovation center, where they will attend an event for local startups, tech companies, and investors. Representatives of innovative Dutch companies will also be present to share their experiences about building an ecosystem that promotes entrepreneurship and business-to-business cooperation. Austin is a growing tech hub, which offers opportunities for Dutch startups and tech firms.

Another issue central to this part of the program is health. In the afternoon, the royal couple will attend a seminar on innovation and digitalization for future-proof healthcare.

After this seminar, King Willem-Alexander will visit Fort Hood, where Dutch soldiers have been trained for over a quarter of a century. The theme of the visit will be international security and cooperation between the Dutch and US armies. The King will speak with Dutch and American soldiers in a hangar where Dutch Chinook and Apache helicopters are stationed.

At that same time, Queen Maxima will visit the Hogg Foundation at Kerr Community Center in Bastrop County. The foundation promotes mental health and resilience and supports integrated mental healthcare in everyday life. Queen Maxima will speak with young people and doctors about initiatives that support children, young people, and their families and which help them to become more resilient in the face of mental health issues.

The day will end with a visit to Austin FC soccer team. In Texas, sports plays a major role in terms of cooperation between innovation hubs and Dutch high-tech and sporting organizations. Austin FC has also made use of a Dutch innovation: smart lighting to help the grass on the field grow. The King and Queen will be given a tour of the stadium and meet the owners, including Dutchman Marius Haas, who also serves as honorary consul in Austin. They will also speak with coaches, Dutch player Danny Hoesen and the youth team, which is taking part in a training camp in the Netherlands this summer. After the stadium tour there will be a dinner attended by both Dutch and American guests, at which King Willem-Alexander will give a speech. The focus of the dinner will be on collaboration between the Dutch and Texan business communities.

Friday, September 9: Houston

The last day of the visit will take place in Houston. Here, the royal couple will be received by Mayor Sylvester Turner. Like the Netherlands, Texas has to deal with the effects of rising sea levels and increasingly extreme weather conditions. In 2017, Hurricane Harvey caused severe damage. King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima will conclude the morning as participants in a roundtable discussion about ways of protecting the city from flooding. Dutch companies can contribute to these efforts with their knowledge and experience. Afterwards, the royal couple will take a short boat trip on the Buffalo Bayou waterway where they will be given a brief insight into the measures Houston has taken improve its flood defenses. The boat trip will end at the Cistern, a former underground reservoir in Buffalo Bayou Park.

In the afternoon, King Willem-Alexander will attend several roundtable discussions in which participants will share their experiences with coastal defense and the use of port infrastructure to promote the energy transition through, for example, hydrogen and carbon capture and storage. There are various important parallels between the Netherlands and Texas with regard to the energy transition. Rotterdam and Houston are both ports and hubs in the energy sector, for instance.

Queen Maxima will start the afternoon with an informal lunch with Dutch and Texan female role models from the worlds of business and politics. The lunch, which will take place in the boardroom of the Texas Medical Center, will focus on leadership and diversity. Afterwards, Queen Maxima will be given a tour of the Texas Medical Centers innovation center. The size of the medical center and the number of treatments offered give rise to opportunities for Dutch institutions and companies involved in innovation and digitalization for future-proof healthcare. Queen Maxima will then visit MD Anderson Cancer Center, where she will learn more about innovative cancer treatments. She will also be given a tour of the childrens ward.

The working visit will conclude with a reception at the Museum of Fine Arts attended by representatives of US and Dutch companies in Texas. King Willem-Alexander will deliver a short speech.

Attachment

CONTACT: Carla Bundy Dutch Embassy 1-202-413-9786 cy.bundy@minbuza.nl Ron Linker Dutch Embassy 1-202-725-9743 ronald.linker@minbuza.nl




Joe Cunningham, left, and Talley Parham Casey, right, a former fighter pilot-turned lawyer, his running mate in his bid to become South Carolina's first Democratic governor in 20 years, at Greenville Convention Center, Monday, August 1, 2022.

Note: This story was edited on Aug. 2, 2022, to correct the name of Meliah Bowers Jefferson and to update the estimate of the crowd size at the event.

Joe Cunningham introduced his newly chosen running mate, Tally Parham Casey, to a crowd of about 250 people inside the Greenville Convention Center on Monday evening.

My name is Tally Parham Casey, and I am proud to be from Greenville, South Carolina, she said as she took the stage.

Casey was met with thundering applause when she entered the convention hall to formally introduce herself as Cunningham's running mate after he announced his pick in a Twitter thread on Monday morning.

It is my great honor to name Tally Parham Casey as my running mate. A native of Greenville, Tally was the first female fighter pilot in the history of the SC Air National Guard and is a veteran of three combat tours over Iraq. She currently serves as CEO of the Wyche Law Firm. pic.twitter.com/fgvvNxUnRr  Joe Cunningham (@JoeCunninghamSC) August 1, 2022

"I wanted a fighter, someone who would not back down to anybody," Cunningham said of his selection process for a lieutenant governor candidate. "Tally is exactly the kind of leader this state needs."

Casey was the South Carolina Air National Guard's first female fighter pilot, serving three tours in Iraq. She is currently the CEO of the Wyche Law Firm in Columbia.

Before taking the stage, Casey was introduced by friends and family, state Democratic leaders, and Cunningham himself.

Meliah Bowers Jefferson, a colleague and friend of Casey's from Wyche, spoke of Casey's leadership, mentorship and friendship over the last 15 years.

Casey's husband, Matt Casey, spoke of his wife's military accomplishments and her perseverance in becoming the state's first female fighter pilot.

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Casey graduated magna cum laude from Princeton and attended law school at the University of Virginia before returning home to South Carolina to become a fighter pilot.

"Tally is a gifted woman," Matt Casey said.

Cunningham on Twitter called the mother of two "a trailblazer who has courageously fought for our freedoms abroad." He wrote that the pair will work together to lead South Carolina into the future.

Casey spoke of that future during her speech, saying that she joined Cunningham's ticket because she believes in his vision for the state.

Casey rallied for abortion rights, saying the overturning of Roe v. Wade was a pivotal moment in her decision to step off the sidelines and pursue a run for office.

We can do better, Casey echoed multiple times, speaking of the McMaster administration. She called for increasing funding for education, improving roads across the state and the legalization of both sports betting and marijuana, all of which are campaign platforms for the Cunningham-Casey campaign.

Casey ended by expressing her gratitude for Cunningham, whom she said she has bonded with over the past few weeks over their shared love of family, South Carolina and Bob Marley.

Im proud to be on this ticket with a good man, a good leader, and the next governor of South Carolina, Casey said.

Cunningham's selection of Casey gives both major candidates a running mate with Upstate ties, underscoring the region's importance in winning the el. Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette, Gov. Henry McMaster's running mate, is from Travelers Rest.

This is the second South Carolina election cycle in which candidates for governor and lieutenant governor will run together as a joint ticket after years of being elected separately.

 Tim Carlin covers county government, growth and development for The Greenville News. Follow him on Twitter @timcarlin_, and get in touch with him at TCarlin@gannett.com. You can support his work by subscribing to The Greenville News at greenvillenews.com/subscribe.

This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Cunningham picks Greenville native Tally Parham Casey as running mate
Photo credit: Getty Images

'Kate Middleton' and 'shorts' aren't words you'd expect to see together - with the strict royal dress codes and all - but this weekend, that's exactly what the Duchess wore. Yesterday, the Duchess of Cambridge visited the 1851 Trust and the Great Britain Sail Grand Prix (Sail GP) Team in Plymouth, sporting a nautical-themed striped navy jumper, teamed with Superga trainers and a pair of white linen shorts. Safe to say, it's an unexpected, but gloriously chic, summer look from Kate and we're so here for it.

For context, Kate is royal patron of the 1851 Trust which, "aims to inspire and engage the next generation through sailing and the marine industry to become innovators of the future and stewards of the marine environment." As part of her visit, the Duchess met with young people involved in the trust's activities, which included making seagrass mats, to be planted off Plymouth Sound, to help promote sustainability, per People.

See Kate's latest look here:

Photo credit: Getty Images

Photo credit: Getty Images

Kate went on to swap out of her casual shorts look and into the official GBR wetsuit to take part in a friendly Commonwealth race between Great Britain and New Zealand.

Yep, she's not afraid to get involved, joining Sir Ben Ainslie (AKA the most successful sailor in Olympic history), along with the rest of the GBR crew.

Photo credit: Getty Images

Photo credit: Getty Images

The Duchess definitely looks the part, huh? We love that she seems just as comfortable wearing fancy ballgowns as she is in trainers and a wetsuit.

Follow Natasha on Instagram.

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Weather Alert

...HEAT ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM THIS MORNING 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 Today 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. &&
A Billings woman is facing two felony charges after shooting a man outside Motel 6 North Sunday night.

Candace Roberts, 40, has been charged with assault with a deadly weapon and possession of stolen property. Billings police responded to a call from witnesses that a man had been shot at the motel on the 5300 block of Midland Road at about 8:15 p.m. A 25-year-old man was found with a gunshot wound to his upper right hip outside the motel after Roberts fled the area in a tan Chevrolet Impala.

Roberts and two other passengers met the victim at the hotel earlier in the evening, according to court documents filed Monday. The man got into the car's backseat. The two began to argue and Roberts allegedly pulled a handgun on the man. She shot him from the drivers seat one time, charges alleged. The man fled the car and Roberts drove away.

His injuries were treated by the responding officer at the scene and were deemed non-life threatening, charging documents stated.

Roberts was found shortly after at the Blue Basket gas station near the Blue Creek fishing access site. She was stopped by the officer after pulling into the site's parking lot. Roberts allegedly confirmed to the officer that she was the shooter before she pointed out the handgun she'd used in the backseat of the vehicle.

She allegedly told the officer she had considered "suicide by cop" before deciding it would be easier to go back to prison.

The officer looked inside her vehicle and allegedly found a .45 caliber handgun sticking out of a backpack. Officers checked the gun's serial number and discovered the gun had been stolen from Converse County, Wyoming.

Roberts has not had a chance to answer the charges against her and will likely be arraigned later this week. No bonds have been set.
Today

Sunny to partly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 106F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph.

Tonight

Mostly clear. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low near 85F. Winds S at 10 to 15 mph.

Tomorrow

Sunshine and clouds mixed. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 104F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph.
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YORK  Christopher Graves, 44, with addresses in Arizona and Oregon, has pleaded not guilty in a case where he was caught with 1,420 pounds of marijuana during a traffic stop in York County.

His arraignment was held in York County District Court.

A deputy with the sheriffs department stopped a 2020 Mercedes Sprinter van on Interstate 80 for a traffic violation.

The deputy could smell the strong odor of raw marijuana coming from inside the van.

Graves said he was transporting a large quantity of hemp. The deputy, upon looking at the marijuana and seeing Graves alleged paperwork, didnt believe Graves claim and knew it was a very large amount of marijuana.

It was tested and found to be high grade marijuana  weighing 1,420 pounds.

He has been formally charged with delivery of a controlled substance, a Class 2A felony, which carries a possible maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; possession of more than a pound of marijuana, a Class 4 felony which carries a possible maximum sentence of two years in prison; and having no drug tax stamp, also a Class 4 felony that carries a possible maximum sentence of two years in prison.

A jury trial has been set for late fall.
An assault-style weapons ban passed the U.S. House on Friday, with most Republicans, including Montana Rep. Matt Rosendale, voting against the bill.

Democrats put the bill forward in response to a rising number of mass shootings. It takes a simple majority to pass bills in the House, where the 217-213 outcome was sufficient. With no chance of mustering the 60 votes needed to avoid a filibuster in the Senate, the House exercise was mostly a show vote, with politicians from both parties socializing their stands immediately afterward.

Today, the Radical Left went one step further in its continuous attempt to abolish every Americans right to keep and bear arms. The Left would have citizens stripped of their right to self-defense while criminals have access to illegal firearms, inciting further violence in our communities, Rosendale said in a tweet following the vote.

There was a ban on the sale of assault-style semiautomatic weapons under a bill passed in 1994. The legislation expired 10 years later.

In June, Montana's congressional delegation split on passing the nation's first major attempt to curb gun violence in 30 years, with Rosendale and Sen. Steve Daines voting against. Sen Jon Tester voted for the reforms.

The bill, which has since become law, denies a gun sale or ownership to someone convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence in which the victim was still in a relationship or recently stopped a relationship with the offender. It takes five years of a clean record before an offender can reapply for gun ownership.

Gun buyers younger than 21 are also subject to longer wait for purchase if anything suspicious shows up in an initial search. Another 10 days to research young gun buyers is allowed in such cases.

The bill would also provided funding for states to create red flag programs, in which through a court process weapons can be ordered confiscated from people deemed dangerous to themselves or others.

There is no language banning the sale of semiautomatic weapons to buyers younger than 21.

The bill contained more than $400 million, nearly all of it grants, for expanding mental health programs, in schools, for violence and suicide prevention in the general public and training for medical professionals to help spot people at risk.
YORK -- Acting United States Attorney Steven Russell has announced that Katherine Woitaszewski, 36, formerly of Papillion, was sentenced to 54 months in federal prison by Chief United States District Court Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr., after being caught with a gun stolen in York County.

She was sentenced for being a felon in possession of a firearm and being in possession of a stolen firearm. There is no parole in the federal system. After her release, Woitaszewski will serve a 3-year term of supervised release.

On Oct. 28, 2020, Woitaszewski was the front seat passenger in a truck that was stopped by the Omaha Police Department near Locust and Abbott Drive in Omaha. Woitaszewski had an outstanding warrant for her arrest. During her arrest, Woitaszewski informed law enforcement that she had a pistol in the truck and that it was in her backpack. Law enforcement located a purple backpack on the front passenger floorboard. Inside the purple backpack, law enforcement found a Kahr CW380 .380 caliber pistol and over 200 rounds of ammunition. The pistol had been reported stolen on September 18, 2020, in York County. In a booking call, Woitaszewski admitted to knowing that the firearm was stolen.

A firearm and toolmark examiner with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives examined the Kahr CW380 .380 caliber pistol and determined that it was not manufactured in Nebraska and the firearm would have had to have traveled in and affected interstate commerce to be found in Nebraska on October 28, 2020.

Woitaszewski has a prior felony conviction for delivery with the intent to deliver a controlled substance in Pottawattamie County, Iowa, from 2019. Woitaszewski was on probation for this offense when arrested with the firearm at issue.

This case was investigated by the United States Marshals Service, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives, the Omaha Police Department, the Sarpy County Sheriffs Office and the York County Sheriffs Office.
Ahead of the 2022 Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder launch in India, Toyota Kirlokar Motor, the Indian arm of Japanese automaker Toyota announced its highest ever monthly sales in July 2022. Toyota reported that the company sold a total of 19,693 units, the highest ever wholesales clocked by the manufacturer in a single month ever since its inception in India, registering a growth of 50% when compared to its wholesales in the corresponding period last year. For reference, Toyota had sold 13,105 units in July 2021 and also registered a growth of 19% over its wholesales of 16,500 units sold in June 2022.

Toyota Kirloskar Motor will soon be launching its 2022 Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder hybrid mid-size SUV in India, which was recently unveiled. The same SUV will be sold by Maruti Suzuki under their global partnership and will be called Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara, retailed through the NEXA dealerships as the company's first strong hybrid, as well as first mid-size SUV for India.

As for the Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder, the SUV will get mild as well as strong hybrid options with a 1.5-litre petrol engine and many features including panoramic sunroof, ventilated seats, HUD to name a few.

Atul Sood, Associate Vice President, Sales, and Strategic Marketing, TKM said, The month of July has been phenomenal for the company. Both in terms of sales as well as our endeavor towards mass electrification in India, as we unveiled the first self-charging strong hybrid electric vehicle in the high volume B SUV segment- the Urban Cruiser Hyryder. The response to the model has been exceptional, especially the customers choice for strong hybrids, further reiterating Toyotas global prowess when it comes to the manufacturing and sales of electrified vehicles worldwide."

Last month also witnessed TKMs highest ever wholesales in a single month, ever since the company started operations in India. Toyota is currently retailing cars like the Innova Crysta, which is the best selling model for the brand and Fortuner, the best seller in its segment. The Glanza as well as the Urban Cruiser, both made under Maruti Suzuki-Toyota partnership are receiving good response as well. Other vehicles includes the Camry Hybrid and the Vellfire premium MPV.
Tata Motors is offering tough competition to Hyundai for the position of the second-largest carmaker in the country. The duo can be seen exchanging positions at times. Well, the sales figures for the month of July 2022 are out, and they reveal that Tata Motors has managed to record the highest-ever monthly sales since its inception. The company sold a total of 47,505 cars in the country. The numbers comprised both ICE cars and electric vehicles. In fact, the company registered a YoY increment of 57 per cent, in comparison to the same month last year.

The current line-up of Tata Motors comprises majorly of SUVs, which further implicates that Tata Motors SUVs remained one of the best-selling models in their respective segments. The SUVs contributed 64 per cent of total sales.

Also read - Maruti Suzuki upcoming cars in India: New Grand Vitara to 2022 Brezza CNG

Talking of Tata Motors SUV lineup, it includes - Punch, Nexon, Harrier, and Safari. Going by the last months sales data, the Nexon was the highest-selling SUV model in the country. Well, the Nexon is loved for its bold styling, feature-packed interior, multiple powertrain options, and 5-star crash test rating.

Following it hot on heels is the Punch, which was launched in the country in October this year, but it managed to post great numbers on the sales tally. The micro-SUV is the second best-selling SUV in the companys line-up.

Also read - Royal Enfield Hunter 350 teased ahead of August 7 launch, to rival Yezdi Scrambler

The more premium models - Harrier and Safari, they too garner enough consumers to post respectable figures on the tally. They come with a 2.0L FCA-sourced motor that puts out 170 PS against 350 Nm. Also, Tata Motors is offering two transmission options on the Safari and Harrier - a 6-speed manual gearbox and 6-speed automatic transmission. The latter comes from Hyundai. As per recent reports, Tata Motors is working on a turbo-petrol motor to fit under the bonnets of Safari and Harrier.
New Delhi: The film starring Akshay Kumar, Parineeti Chopra, Dibyendu Bhattacharya, Arif Zakaria, Pawan Malhotra and Kumud Mishra is currently being shot in London and is based on real-life incidents.

A source close to the film shared that, "The actors are currently shooting for the film in the United Kingdom at the picturesque locations of York and Salby. Their working hours are quite hectic as the team wants to complete the schedule on time with shooting going on for about 10-15 hours daily.

The source further adds, The film is about a real-life incident wherein an engineer Jaswant Gill saved many lives in a West Bengal Coal mine. The films ensemble cast consists of actors like Akshay Kumar, Parineeta Chopra, Dibyendu Bhattacharya, Arif Zakaria, Pawan Malhotra and Kumud Mishra. Capsule Gill is a performance-oriented film and will show many from the ensemble in a new light! The film will also be wrapping the first schedule of the mega budgeted project soon.
Mumbai: The upcoming movie 'Raksha Bandhan', directed by Aanand L. Rai, has generated a great deal of excitement among fans ever since its teaser was released. Fans have already turned to social media to express their enthusiasm for seeing the movie. It is an emotional family drama starring Akshay Kumar that symbolises the lovely brother-sister bond. The movie is being actively promoted, with Akshay Kumar, Bhumi Pednekar, and the rest of the cast frequently mingling with the media and their fans.

Recently, the film's director, Aanand L. Rai, was seen leaving for the airport with the cast to promote the movie abroad. The movie, which will clash with another big league superstar, Aamir Khan's much-awaited movie, 'Laal Singh Chadda' has pushed the filmmakers and cast of Rakshbandhan to promote the movie round the clock.

Akshay Kumar, with cast members Sadia Khateeb, Smrithi Srikanth, and Sahejmeen Kaur, the director, were seen heading towards the airport for the films promotional activity in Dubai. The onscreen sisters looked beautiful in their attire, and the smiles on their faces expressed it all. It is their first film with the evergreen actor Akshay Kumar, the actresses looked energetic and ready to head for the films promotions in Dubai.

The film is directed by Anand L.Rai, produced by Aanand L. Rai and Himanshu Sharma in association with Alka Hiranandani and Cape of Good Films. The script was written by Himanshu Sharma and Kanika Dhillon. The music of the film has been composed by Himesh Reshammiya and the lyrics are by Irshad Kamil.

The film is set to release on the festive occasion of Raksha Bandhan on August 11 and will also be a comeback film in someway for Akshay Kumar and Anand L Rai, with Akshay's last two films not performing well and Anand L Rai had also faced a setback with his last movie, "Zero," starring Shah Rukh Khan.
New Delhi: Bollywood actors Varun Dhawan and Janhvi Kapoor, along with the makers of their upcoming film `Bawaal` shared a heartfelt note as they wrapped up the last schedule of the film. Taking to Instagram, director and producer Ashwini Iyer Tiwary shared a post, which reads, "A BAWAAL NOTE. As we finished making our beautiful story `Bawaal`. We want to thank all our partners who have shown so much of love and oneness in making this story their own and walking the path till the end. It was a very difficult shoot but when there are smiling faces it makes the director go on. Thank you Sajid Nadiadwala & Wardha Nadiadwala for believing in this story we shared with you on a bright full moon day. Thank-you for believing in Earthsky and making us your partners. The collaboration has been such a joy and we look forward for many more. Thank-you Varun Dhawan, Jhanvi Kapoor and every actor who made Bawaal shine with their on-screen presence. Thank-you to all our talented partners in all departments who relentlessly never gave up in the most challenging situation."



Sajid Nadiadwala`s `Bawaal` starring Varun Dhawan and Janhvi Kapoor is directed by Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari.



It`s been a joy to see Bawaal unfold and we are looking forward to share our passion to the world on April 7, 2023. Gratitude Team Earthsky Pictures," the note added.



The `Coolie No.1` actor along with Janhvi Kapoor, shared the note on their Instagram story.`Bawaal` marks the first on-screen collaboration of Varun and Janhvi with director Nitesh Tiwari, the film went on floors in April in Lucknow and the team later travelled to Amsterdam, the Netherlands.



The `Roohi` actor headed back to Mumbai, after completing her part of the film later in July. The film is slated to release on April 7, 2023.



Apart from `Bawaal`, Varun will also be seen in Amar Kaushik`s next directorial, a horror comedy film `Bhediya` alongside Kriti Sanon, which is slated to release on November 25, 2023.



On the other hand, Janhvi was recently seen in Aanand L Rai`s production `Good Luck Jerry`, which premiered on Disney+ Hotstar, along with that, she has her father Boney Kapoor produced `Mili` and Karan Johar`s production `Mr and Mrs Mahi`, alongside Rajkummar Rao in her kitty.
New Delhi: Petrol-Diesel Price Today 1 August 2022: Oil Marketing companies (OMCs) have released new rates of petrol and diesel today (August 1), which remains unchanged even after three months. The price of petrol and diesel was reduced last time on May 21.

The central government on May 21 announced a tax reduction on petrol by Rs 8 per litre and on diesel by Rs 6 per litre.

Petrol-Diesel Price today August 1

Delhi: Petrol Rs 96.72 and Diesel Rs 89.62 per litre

Mumbai: Petrol Rs 111.35 and Diesel Rs 97.28 per litre

Chennai: Petrol Rs 102.63 and diesel Rs 94.24 per litre

Kolkata: Petrol Rs 106.03 and Diesel Rs 92.76 per litre

Noida: Petrol Rs 96.79 and Diesel Rs 89.96 per litre

Lucknow: Petrol Rs 96.57 and diesel Rs 89.76 per litre

Jaipur: Petrol Rs 108.48 and diesel Rs 93.72 per litre

Thiruvananthapuram: Petrol Rs 107.71 and diesel Rs 96.52 per litre

Port Blair: Petrol Rs 84.10 and Diesel Rs 79.74 per litre

Patna: Petrol Rs 107.24 and diesel Rs 94.04 per litre

Gurugram: Petrol Rs 97.18 and Rs 90.05 per litre of diesel

Bengaluru: Petrol Rs 101.94 and diesel Rs 87.89 per litre

Bhubaneswar : Petrol Rs 103.19 and Diesel Rs 94.76 per litre

Chandigarh: Petrol Rs 96.20 and diesel Rs 84.26 per litre

Hyderabad: Petrol Rs 109.66 and Diesel Rs 97.82 per litre

The domestic prices of petrol and diesel are revised every day according to the prices of the international crude oil market. These new prices are issued every day at 6 am. You can find out the rates of petrol and disel by sending an SMS to mobile number 9224992249 as per Indian Oil Message Service.

Type 'RSP-Petrol Pump Code', which you will get from the web page of Indian Oil.
The most abiding image that most Indians, who were present then, have of Acharya Kripalani was of him sharing the centerstage with Loknayak Jayaprakash Narayan and naming Morarji Desai as the leader of the Janata Party in Parliament (and therefore India`s first non-Congress Prime Minister) after the historic 1977 general elections. But there was much more to Jivatram Bhagwandas Kripalani (November 11, 1888 - March 19, 1982) than that famous appearance of his in the Central Hall of Parliament.

The Gandhian leader was popularly known as Acharya Kripalani, who was played by Anang Desai in Richard Attenborough`s `Gandhi`, and courted arrest on many occasions during the freedom struggle. He was General Secretary of the Indian National Congress for 12 years perhaps the longest anyone has held the post and was elevated to its presidency to rebuild the party during the transfer of power in 1947.

He was also the first to rebel against Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and moved a no-confidence motion against the government in the wake of the disastrous 1962 Sino-Indian War.

Also Read: Why was Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut arrested? Complete timeline of Patra Chawl scam case

He was the husband of Sucheta Kripalani, the first Indian woman to become the Chief Minister of a state. Acharya Kripalani was an educationist, which explains his Acharya honorific, an environmentalist, mystic, and for long a Gandhian socialist before switching to the right-wing Swatantra Party.

Growing close to Gandhi, he was at one point one of the Mahatma`s most ardent disciples. After Independence, disputes between the party and the government over procedural matters affected Kripalani`s relationship with his colleagues in the government.

And eventually, he became famous among generations of dissenters, from the Non-Cooperation Movement of the 1920s to the movement against corruption leading up to the Emergency in 1975, as a source of inspiration.

Kripalani was born in Hyderabad (Sindh) in 1888. Following his education at Fergusson College in Pune, he worked as a schoolteacher before joining the freedom movement in the wake of Gandhi`s return from South Africa.



From 1912 to 1917 he worked as a lecturer of English and History at L.S. College (then known as Grier B.B. College), Muzaffarpur, Bihar, and was involved in the Non-Cooperation Movement of the early 1920s.



Thereafter, he joined Gandhi`s ashrams in Gujarat and what is now Maharashtra, working on social reform and education, before leaving for Bihar and the United Provinces to teach in and organize new ashrams.

Also Read:'No home to go': Sri Lankan President Wickremesinghe as angry protests continue to rage on

He courted arrested on numerous occasions for his role in the Civil Disobedience Movement (1930), he was one of the main organizers of the Salt Satyagraha and later of Gandhi`s last big national protest, the Quit India Movement.

He served in the interim government (1946-1947) and was a member of the Constituent Assembly, but despite being ideologically at odds with both Vallabhbhai Patel and Jawaharlal Nehru, he was elected Congress President in 1947.



After Gandhi`s assassination in January 1948, Nehru rejected Kripalani`s demand that the party`s views should be sought in all decisions. Nehru, with the support of Patel, told Kripalani that while the party was entitled to lay down the broad principles and guidelines, it could not be granted a say in the government`s day-to-day affairs.

This precedent became central to the relationship between the government and the ruling party in subsequent decades.

Nehru, however, supported Kripalani in the election of the Congress President in 1950, but he was defeated by Patel`s candidate Purushottam Das Tandon.

Bruised by the defeat, and disillusioned by what he viewed as the abandonment of the Gandhian ideal of countless village republics, Kripalani left the Congress and became one of the founders of the Kisan Mazdoor Praja Party (KMPP). This party subsequently merged with the Socialist Party of India to form the Praja Socialist Party (PSP).

Kripalani remained in the opposition for the rest of his life and was elected to the Lok Sabha in 1952 (he lost General Election that year from Faizabad, UP, as a KMPP candidate, but won a byelection as a PSP candidate from Bhagalpur, Bihar), 1957 (from Sitamarhi, also in Bihar, as a PSP candidate), 1963, and then in 1967 (as a Swatantra Party candidate in a byelection in Guna, Madhya Pradesh, the seat now held by Jyotiraditya Scindia).



Sucheta Kripalani, whom he married in 1938, briefly joined KMPP but subsequently returned to Congress, and headed several Central ministries.

When the Congress split in 1969, she opted for the Congress (Organisation), led by S. Nijalingappa, Atulya Ghosh, and Morarji Desai.

Although he remained active in electoral politics, Kripalani became more of a spiritual leader of the Socialists than anything else; in particular, he was generally considered to be, along with Vinoba Bhave, the leader of what remained of the Gandhian faction.

He was active, along with Bhave, in preservation and conservation activities throughout the 1970s.

In 1972-3, he agitated against the increasingly authoritarian rule of Nehru`s daughter and the then Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi.

Kripalani and Jayaprakash Narayan believed that Indira Gandhi`s rule had become dictatorial and anti-democratic. Her conviction in 1975 on charges of using government machinery for her election campaign galvanized her political opposition and public disenchantment against her policies.

Along with Jayaprakash Narayan, Kripalani toured the country urging non-violent protest and civil disobedience. When the Emergency was declared as a result of the vocal dissent he helped stir up, Kripalani was among the first of the Opposition leaders to be arrested on the night of June 26, 1975.



Kripalani survived the Emergency and saw the first non-Congress government since Independence following the Janata Party victory in the 1977 polls. He and Jayaprakash Narayan, the two leading lights, were asked to choose the parliamentary leader of the new party and they opted for Morarji Desai. Kripalani died on March 19, 1982, at the Civil Hospital in Ahmedabad, aged 93. A postage stamp was issued on November 11, 1989, to commemorate the 101st anniversary of his birth.
New Delhi: Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut was arrested late on Sunday (July 31, 2022) night after hours-long raids by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in a money-laundering case related to the redevelopment of Mumbai's Patra Chawl and related transactions involving his wife and others. Sanjay Rauts brother Sunil Raut claimed that his brother was arrested by ED in the late hours of Sunday. Claiming Rauts arrest, his brother Sunil said that he will be produced before the court on Monday.

Sanjay Raut has been arrested. The BJP is afraid of him and got him arrested. They havent given us any documents (regarding his arrest). He has been framed. He will be produced in court tomorrow at 11.30 am, claimed Sunil Raut on Sunday.

During the hours-long raid, ED officials seized Rs 11.50 lakhs unaccounted cash from the residence of Raut earlier in the day.

Earlier, on Sunday evening, the Shiv Sena MP was detained by ED in connection with the Patra Chawl land scam case after hours of raids at his residence in Mumbai, however, Sanjay Rauts counsel said earlier in the day that his client was neither detained nor arrested.

ED has given a fresh summon to Sanjay Raut, today morning. On that basis, Sanjay Raut has come to the ED office to record the statement. He has neither been arrested nor detained, Rauts counsel had said.

ED officials reached Shiv Sena MPs residence around 7 am on Sunday and conducted the raid.

Meanwhile, while speaking to reporters, soon after the ED officials detained him in connection with the Patra Chawl land scam case, Raut said, he wont be cowed down.

False charges and documents are being framed against people. All of this is being done to weaken Shiv Sena and Maharashtra. Sanjay Raut wont be cowed down. I will not leave the party, Raut said.

On June 28 this year, Sanjay Raut was summoned by ED in connection with the prevention of the money laundering case pertaining to the Rs 1,034 crore Patra Chawl land scam. Refusing to join the probe and citing the Monsoon Session of Parliament as a reason for not joining the probe, he had then dared the probe agency to arrest him. Later, he reached the ED office.

The ED, which took Pune-based businessman Avinash Bhosale into custody earlier in connection with the DHFL-Yes Bank case, wants to grill Raut in this matter too, as per sources. They claimed that Patra Chawl case of ED is also linked to the DHFL case.

In April, the ED provisionally attached assets worth over Rs 11.15 crore of Rauts wife Varsha Raut and two of his associates as part of this investigation.

The attached properties are in the form of land held by Pravin M Raut, Sanjay Rauts aide and a former director of Guru Ashish Construction Pvt Ltd, at Palghar, Saphale (town in Palghar) and Padgha (in Thane district).

The attached properties also include a flat in Mumbais suburb Dadar held by Varsha Raut and eight plots at Kihim beach in Alibaug jointly held by Varsha Raut and Swapna Patkar, wife of Sujit Patkar, the ED said in a statement.

According to the ED, Sujit Patkar is a close associate of Sanjay Raut. After arresting Pravin Raut in February, the ED had said he appears to be acting as a front or in collusion with some influential person(s).

The agency had said during the probe it was revealed he made payments to certain politically exposed persons.

(With agency inputs)
New Delhi: A Nigerian man living in the national capital has tested positive for the monkeypox virus, taking the total number of confirmed infections in India to six, news agency PTI reported on Monday (August 1, 2022) citing official sources. The 35-year-old, who has no recent history of foreign or local travel, is the second person in Delhi to test positive for the monkeypox infection, PTI reported.

The Nigerian national is admitted to the Delhi government-run LNJP Hospital, the nodal hospital for treatment of the infection.

His samples were sent to the National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune and the report which arrived Monday evening showed he was monkeypox positive.

Two suspected patients of monkeypox, who are of African origin, have also been admitted to the LNJP Hospital.

According to PTI, the monkeypox patient in the capital has blisters and fever for the last five days.

Kerala man dies due to monkeypox, Asia's first death in current outbreak

India on Monday also confirmed its first death due to the monkeypox virus, a man in Kerala, in what is only the fourth known fatality from the disease in the current outbreak. Earlier last week, Spain had reported two monkeypox-related deaths and Brazil its first. The death in India is also the first in Asia.

The 22-year-old Indian man died on Saturday, Kerala`s revenue minister told reporters, adding that the government had isolated 21 people who had come in contact with him.

"The person reached Kerala on July 21 but visited a hospital only on July 26 when he displayed fatigue and fever," Minister K Rajan said.

He stated that there was no reason to panic as none of the primary contacts were showing symptoms.

Kerala's health minister Veena George on Sunday said that the man's family told authorities the previous day that he had tested positive in the United Arab Emirates before returning to India.

Over 18,000 cases of monkeypox in 78 countries

The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the outbreak a global health emergency on July 23. The WHO said late last month that 78 countries had reported more than 18,000 cases of monkeypox, the majority in Europe.

It says the monkeypox virus causes a disease with less severe symptoms than smallpox and occurs mainly in central and west Africa. The disease is transmitted from animals to humans.

Human-to-human transmission happens through contact with bodily fluids, lesions on the skin or on internal mucosal surfaces, such as in the mouth or throat, respiratory droplets and contaminated objects.
The war in Ukraine has gone for six months now, resulting in thousands of casualties, including hundreds of fighters who have traveled from other nations to assist Ukraines troops. Unfortunately, one of those casualties can be traced back to Glendive as local residents Harry and Shirley Young received word last week that their son, Bryan Young, had been killed in action on July 18.

Bryan was confirmed KIA alongside three other foreign fighters: fellow American Luke Lusyszyn, Emile-Antoine Roy Sirois from Canada and Edvard Selander Patrignani from Sweden. The four men were stationed in a town in the eastern Donetsk Region of Ukraine when they were ambushed by Russian tank fire following an hours-long battle.

Harry Young said Bryan decided to go to Ukraine to help the Ukrainian army defend their country from Russias invasion. Bryan himself noted the oath he took when he enlisted in the U.S. military in 1988 as his reason for going.

Im often asked what Im doing here in Ukraine, but this has been my profession since 1988: I took an oath to protect the Free World, Bryan wrote in one of his most recent social media posts.

The Youngs originally lived in California, where Bryan was born in 1971, but moved to Wilton, N.D. in 1978. Bryan enlisted with the military in 1988, making a career out of it while his parents moved to Glendive. He eventually received a medical discharge after getting into a motorcycle accident, Harry said.

In 2015, Bryan surprised everyone when he decided to go on a bike ride across the world. Harry said that Bryan was always interested in seeing all sorts of places across the U.S., so wanting to ride across the country was no big surprise, but across the world was a bit more unexpected.

He was always interested in seeing places around the country, wanting to go here and there, but it was kind of a surprise, Harry said.

Along his trip, Bryan met up with his brother in Europe, where the two rode together for some time, and he volunteered at animal shelters along the way for significant amounts of time.

From his early childhood up to his death, he loved animals. On his world tour, you could say, he would stop and volunteer at animal shelters for a few weeks or even a few months sometimes, Harry said.

Eventually, Bryan made it to the Republic of Georgia in 2019 and fell in love with the country. He decided to make it his home and even got married there in December of 2020.

Russia invaded Ukraine in February and Bryan traveled there in March to enlist as a volunteer fighter. At first, his family back in the states didnt know he had joined the fighting, though his father eventually figured it out.

I didnt realize he was there until about mid- to late-May. He kept in touch over the phone, it just took a bit to put it together he was there, Harry said.

Earlier this month, Bryans unit was deployed to slow the Russian armys advance, being tasked to clear out a ravine the Russians were using to cross a river. According to a report of the incident, the mission was successful, with the Russian retreating after suffering heavy losses, but not before the tanks fired on Bryans units position. The first blast injured Lusyszyn and during a brief pause in the firing, Bryan, Sirois and Patrignani attempted to evacuate him, but all of them were then hit by the second shot.

Two others were wounded, but managed to evacuate.

Taking advantage of the break between shelling, a decision was made to evacuate to the nearest shelter. During transportation, as a result of the direct impact of a tank shell, Brian, Edward, Emile, Luke received injuries incompatible with life, the incident report reads.

Harry said that when he first heard of Bryans fate, he didnt believe it and waited for confirmation. However, when he was contacted by some of Bryans military buddies, he realized that what he was told was the truth.

At first, I wasnt sure if it was real or not, you know, its war and theres lots of misinformation in war and the Russians are experts at spreading it. Then some of his army buddies started contacting us through Facebook wanting to know about him. Thats when I realized it was true, Harry said.

For now, Harry and Shirley are still waiting to figure out what to do next. Bryan has adult children from a previous marriage. His oldest daughter, who lives in California, is working with the Ukrainian government to make arrangements for Bryans body.
Bihar University Bizzare: A bizarre incident from Bihars Darbhanga had come to light where a student scored 151marks out of 100. Now that this has happened, he doesn't know how it happened or what to do. The student is a BA Honors student. He received 151 out of 100 possible points in the political science exam. It's important to note that the university administration has acknowledged its error and made the changes. The officials are to blame since they should have reviewed it before disclosing the outcome.

Universitys Mistake

The situation happened with the student of BA Honors at Lalit Narayan Mithila University. Here, an unexpected case of a graduate student exceeding the maximum score in the recently revealed exam results has come to light. ALSO READ: UPMSP Uttar Pradesh Board continues with 30% cut in Syllabus for academic session 2022-23

Students Reaction

Lalit Narayan Mithila University student in Darbhanga expressed his disappointment at the outcome, saying, 'I was really surprised to see the result. I scored 151 out of 100 in Political Science paper. How this mistake happened, the authorities should have investigated it before releasing it. Since it was a typing mistake, the revised mark sheet has been issued to me.

Another student scored a zero

In addition, another student who scored 0 points in the B.Com Accounting and Finance paper was promoted to the next class. The student said, 'The university authorities accepted that it was a typing error and they have issued me a revised mark sheet.' ALSO READ: Kerala KEAM 2022 Result to be out THIS WEEK

According to Professor Mushtaq Ahmed, Registrar of Lalit Narayan Mithila University (LNMU), "New mark sheets were handed to two students after the typing errors were corrected." There was nothing more to it than simple typing errors.
New Delhi: Amid the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament, West Bengal BJP MPs on Monday protested against West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee over the alleged involvement of former state minister Partha Chatterjee in the SSC recruitment scam.

They raised "thieves" slogans against Mamata Banerjee and TMC. The ED arrested Partha Chatterjee, who was also the Trinamool Congress secretary-general, on July 23 for an investigation into the teacher recruitment scam.

Also Read: 'It's not mine, this MONEY...', Partha Chatterjee makes EXPLOSIVE claim

Meanwhile, days after heaps of cash and kilos of gold were seized from his aide Arpita Mukherjee`s homes in Kolkata, Chatterjee on Sunday claimed the money did not belong to him. "When the time comes, you will know...the money does not belong to me," he said to media persons today upon being asked about who is behind this conspiracy.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) seized around Rs 50 crore in cash from two homes belonging to Mukherjee during raids in connection with alleged irregularities in the recruitment of teachers. Both Chatterjee and Mukherjee were arrested earlier this month.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 Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday demanded to remove the "Singur Andolan" chapter from history books claiming that the chapter has glorified "corrupt" Partha Chatterjee by calling him a freedom fighter.BJP National Secretary Anupam Hazra asked Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to remove former Bengal Minister Partha Chatterjee`s name from the pages of history books of the Madhya Shiksha Parshad.

"Honourable Chief Minister, this man is now in jail for embezzling money from millions of educated unemployed youth. Now at least remove his name from the pages of Class 8 History books. Otherwise, the new generation will start considering this person as equivalent to Netaji and Khudiram after seeing his name on the pages of the book," tweeted Hazra.

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.
Ahmedabad: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will address a public rally at Veraval and offer prayers at a temple in Rajkot in Gujarat's Saurashtra region on Monday, a party official said. This will be Kejriwal's second visit to Rajkot in a week and fourth to the poll-bound state in a month.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener will address a public meeting in the Saurashtra region and make an important announcement regarding the upcoming Assembly election, Gujarat AAP's general secretary Manoj Sorathiya said. "Kejriwal will arrive at Porbandar airport at 1 pm. From there, he will leave for Veraval in Gir Somnath district," he said.

The Aam Aadmi Party chief will address a public meeting at KCC Ground (Railway Colony) at 3 pm in Veraval. After the rally, Kejriwal will travel to Rajkot, where he will take part in the Maha Aarti at a temple built on the grounds of Sanjay Rajguru College, and then leave for Delhi, Sorathiya said.
New Delhi: The AAP-led Delhi government on Sunday (July 31, 2022) decided to extend the Delhi Excise Policy 2021-22 by extending the license tenure for shops selling liquor, before it brings back the old excise regime, reported news agency ANI. The Delhi government informed that it reverted the new excise policy to the old regime that was prevalent till November 16, 2021, for a period of six months with effect from September 1, 2022, while also extending the tenure of the licenses which were expiring on July 31, for two months.

Delhi government gives an extension of two months to liquor shops with L-3/33 license to operate till 30th September pic.twitter.com/3lLcupW1oM  ANI (@ANI) August 1, 2022

It may be noted that under the old policy of the government, both government and private vends sold the liquor, which was changed to private only in the new policy. However, the government reverted to the old policy after protests by the Opposition (in Delhi) BJP in the national capital.

The move of the government came after Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena recommended a CBI probe into the alleged violations in the implementation of the policy.

Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, who also heads the Excise Department, claimed that his party`s government brought in a new excise policy to curb graft but central agencies were used to threaten shopkeepers as well as state officials. Targeting the BJP, he claimed this was done to encourage the sale of illegal as well as spurious liquor.

"We have decided to withdraw the new policy and ordered liquor be sold only through government-run shops. We have done this so that no one can sell illegal or spurious liquor in the capital. I have ordered the state chief secretary to ensure there is no corruption," Sisodia said at a press conference.

Sisodia claimed that licenses were issued through open tenders in a transparent manner in the new excise policy. He claimed that before 2021, liquor was sold in Delhi through government shops and alleged there was a lot of corruption. "I also carried out some raids," he said.

"Our government brought a new policy last year. Earlier, there used to be some private shops, but they would be allotted to near and dear ones. We ended this system and brought a new policy. We carried out a transparent auction. We decided that, like earlier, there will be only 850 shops. The government used to earn a revenue of Rs 6000 crore every year, but under the new policy, the revenue would have risen to Rs 9,500 crore," Sisodia claimed.

He said that there were 468 shops functional and many more planned to leave the shops.

"They (BJP) want to create a liquor shortage in Delhi and want to encourage illegal and spurious liquor trade," he alleged.

The excise policy was passed in chief minister Arvind Kejriwal-led Cabinet in the middle of the deadly Covid-19 pandemic in 2021.

(With agency inputs)
New Delhi: India is currently witnessing intense investigations into two of the most high-profile and massively popular politicians- Shiv Senas veteran MP and Uddhav Thackerays close confidante Sanjay Raut and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's once right-hand man Partha Chatterjee. The Enforcement Directorate has found a huge amount of uncounted cash in Rauts residence as well as Chatterjees aide Arpita Mukherjees home. However, ever since this controversial probe began, the opposition has been alleging the Centre of misusing the government machinery and units. ED, which investigates big financial discrepancies in the country, often receives flak from the opposition leaders for acting like puppets to the Modi government and digging up manufactured cases against those who are not in BJPs good books.

In todays DNA, Zee Medias Rohit Ranjan will make a detailed analysis of how fair is it to blame the central agencies during massive political investigations solely because it is being conducted against those in opposition. He also discusses how every financial transgression and its probe is massively politicised these days.

The question is why every time an action is taken against a politician in a corruption case, it is completely politicized. And the opposition starts defending itself by calling it a pure vendetta. This is what is happening in our country for the last 24 hours. The court today sent Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut to ED custody till August 4. But this whole matter was presented as if ED is punishing Sanjay Raut for being in opposition and they are being tortured.

DNA has revealed the truth behind all the allegations against Sanjay Raut and will also analyze why in India, all the burden of honesty is put on the common man while the politicians are left to do whatever they want.

What is the allegation against Sanjay Raut?

According to the ED, Sanjay Raut not only faces serious allegations of corruption but also claims that he used his political influence and office to facilitate the scam. He illegally bought property and lakhs of rupees got deposited in his wife's bank accounts. This whole scam is now being called the Patra Chawl Scam or Patra Chawl Redevelopment Project Scam.

Watch today's full DNA episode with Rohit Ranjan here!
New Delhi: The Earth is rotating faster than its usual speed. Recently, on July 29, the Earth broke its record for the shortest day as it completed a full spin in less than its standard 24-hour rotation. The scientists recorded planet's full spin was 1.59 milliseconds shorter than 24 hours. This, however, is not the only time it has quickened its pace.

According to the reports, back in 2020, the planet saw its shortest month that has ever been recorded since the 1960s. The shortest day of all time in 2020 was July 19, when the planets rotation was 1.47 milliseconds under 24 hours.

The next year, the planet continued to spin at a generally increased rate, but it did not break any records. However, according to Interesting Engineering (IE), a 50-year phase of shorter days may be starting right now.

Why the Earth is spinning faster?

The cause of the differing speed of Earth's spin is still unknown but some scientists came up with theories that suggest that it could be because of the melting of the glaciers means less weight on the poles or it could be because of the motions of our planet's inner molten core. Many scientists also suggest that it can be because of seismic activity or 'Chandler wobble,' which is a small deviation in the Earth's axis of rotation.

What will be the consequences of the Earth is spinning faster?

According to a report in the Independent, if the Earth continues to spin at an increasing rate it could lead to the introduction of the negative leap seconds in order to keep the rate that the Earth orbits the Sun consistent with measurements from atomic clocks.

However, the negative leap second would have potentially confusing consequences for gadgets and communications systems. This is because the clock progresses from 23:59:59 to 23:59:60 before resetting to 00:00:00. So notably, a time jump like this can crash programmes and corrupt data.
New Delhi: Dismissing the horse-trading allegations amid the ongoing political drama in Jharkhand, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday (July 31, 2022) said that he is still in touch with his former party cadres due to his 22-year-long association with Congress. Even topmost persons of Congress keep in touch with me. We dont talk about politics but being in a party for over 22 years, we keep in touch. I dont know why FIR was filed on this, Biswa told reporters.

Assam CMs statement came after Jharkhand Congress MLA Kumar Jaimangal alleged that Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma has a major role in the horse-trading of MLAs to topple the JMM-Cong coalition government.

Notably, Sarma switched over to the BJP from Congress in 2015.

Congress leader Jaimangal filed a written complaint in Ranchi against three Congress MLAs nabbed in West Bengals Howrah with a huge amount of cash. In his complaint, the Congress leader, alleged that the trio had called him to Kolkata to take him to Guwahati and meet Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma in Guwahati along with them where he would have been promised a ministerial berth and cash worth crores after bringing down the JMM-Congress government in the tribal-dominated state.

His letter stated, that Assam CM is doing it with the blessings of top shots of BJP political party sitting in Delhi.

On a complaint of Congress MLA Kumar Jaimangal Singh, the police have registered Zero FIR against the three MLAs (Irfan Ansari, Rajesh Kachhap & Naman Bixal Kongari). The FIR will be transferred to Howrah where the three got arrested after cash recovery from their possession.

Meanwhile, three Congress MLAs from Jharkhand were detained in West Bengals Howrah district on Saturday evening after a huge amount of cash was found in their vehicle, police said. The SUV in which MLAs Irfan Ansari, Rajesh Kachchap and Naman Bixal Kongari were travelling was intercepted on National Highway-16 at Ranihati in the Panchla police station area.

The relatives of Congress MLA Irfan Ansari rebutted allegations that BJP is trying to destabilize the JMM-Cong coalition government in Jharkhand, making the surprising statement, the government cannot be brought down with just a meagre sum of Rs 40-50 lakh.

The Congress party on Sunday suspended three MLAs, who were held with a huge amount of cash in West Bengal on Saturday, with immediate effect.

Addressing a press conference today, the general secretary and party in-charge of Jharkhand Congress, Avinash Pande said, The three MLAs, who were held with a mountain of cash yesterday, have been suspended from the party with immediate effect.

Congress alleged that BJP attempted to destabilize the state government following the seizure of cash from three MLAs, BJP slammed the Congress for their allegations.

(With agency inputs)
New Delhi: Ahead of the August 6 vice presidential election, the Opposition's candidate Margaret Alva has written to all MPs saying, if elected, she will work to build bridges between different political parties, forge consensus on national issues and help restore the glory of Parliament.

In a letter to all members of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, who form the electoral college, Alva said the vice president's election must be seen as a referendum on the manner in which Parliament is being run and the breakdown in the fundamental democratic process of building consensus on important national issues.

"If elected Vice President, I commit myself to work tirelessly to uphold the Constitution and to strengthen our parliamentary democracy. As Chairperson of the Rajya Sabha, I will work to build bridges between different political parties, forge consensus on issues of national importance, and help restore the glory of Parliament," she told the MPs in her appeal.

Alva said the support for her nomination from a large number of political parties is an acknowledgment of the over fifty years she has spent in public life, as a member of both Houses of Parliament, a Union Minister, a Governor, and a proud representative of India at the United Nations and on other global platforms.

Time for change is now: Margaret Alva tells MPs

In her appeal to MPs, Alva wrote, "Today, Parliament is virtually at a standstill, with communication between members broken. There is distrust, anger, and the inability to debate issues of critical national importance without personal attacks and abuse. This diminishes Parliament and its members in the eyes of the people."

"The time for change is now. The reason the election to the Vice President's post is not subject to a party whip and is by secret ballot, is to give members an opportunity to vote without fear for a candidate they believe will do justice to this critical position. A candidate who will be impartial, fearless, and run the upper house in a manner befitting its stature."

Ive written to Members of Parliament, across parties, explaining why I think the VP election on Aug 6th is not just another election, but must be seen as a referendum on how Parliament is being run. The MPs have the power to bring about change. Ive urged them to use that power. pic.twitter.com/qvDbO8rlcA  Margaret Alva (@alva_margaret) August 1, 2022

'My only aim has been to defend Constitution': Margaret Alva

"My only aim has been to defend without fear, the Constitution of India.... I believe I am that candidate, and I'm writing to ask you for your support and your vote on August 6th," she said in her appeal to the parliamentarians.

The BJP-led ruling coalition has fielded former governor Jagdeep Dhankhar for the vice presidential election.
Indian Navy Recruitment 2022: Indian Navy is going to close the application window today for the Agniveer MR post. Candidates interested in applying for Indian Navy recruitment 20222 can apply till today August 1, 2022. Indian Navy Agniveer MR recruitment 2022 registrations were scheduled to sum up on July 30 but as per the official update on the website, candidates can apply till August 1, 2022. The application process commenced on July 25. The recruitment drive aims to fill 200 Navy Agniveer MR posts, out of which 40 vacancies are for the female candidates. Applicants both male and female who are unmarried, have passed Class 10 and are born on or between December 1, 1999 to May 31, 2005 can apply.

Registration Status

MR Entry#AgniveerRecruitment2022



Total 3,69,454 applications received including 32,130 women aspirants....



Submission date extended to 01 Aug 22.



Hurry! Register at https://t.co/5hHlk1pGeg@indiannavy pic.twitter.com/2DyWAekD0o  IN (@IndiannavyMedia) July 30, 2022

As per the Indian Navy Agniveer Age Limit, candidates should be between 17.5 -21 years on the day of enrolment. Upper age relaxation up to 23 years has been given to Agniveer 2022 batch only.

ALSO READ: Telangana TS PGECET 2022 Exams from TOMORROW

Indian Navy Recruitment 2022: Here is how you can apply

- Visit the website  joinindiannavy.gov.in

- Then click on the link Navy Agniveer MR

- Register yourselves if you have not

- Then login by entering the credentails

- Pay the fees

- Click on submit

Indian Navy Recruitment 2022: Selection Process

- The selection process begins with shortlisting of candidates on the basis of the aggregate percentage obtained in the qualifying examination (Class 10th).

- Then, shortlisted candidates will be issued call-up letters for written examination and PFT.

- Aadhar card is a mandatory document for the written examination/ PFT.

- Merit list will be prepared based on performance in written examination, subject to qualification in Physical Fitness Test.

Candidates who want to apply for the Agniveer MR post can visit the official website of the Indian Navy--joinindiannavy.gov.in and apply. Under this recruitment drive, the Indian Navy offered 200 MR posts for three disciplines: Chef (MR), Steward (MR), and Hygienist (MR).
Kottayam: It was the then Kanchi Shankaracharya Chandrasekharendra Saraswati's timely intervention that helped save a centuries-old tradition of Samavedic chanting in Kerala which was on the verge of disappearance in the 1970s. Five decades down the line, there were not many efforts to preserve the rich tradition of the southern state, which was taught and transmitted to Rishi Jaimini by revered sage Vedavyasa, despite it being inscribed by UNESCO on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

However, 57-year-old Dr Thottam Sivakaran Namboothiri, one of the two remaining authorities of the Kerala style chanting of Jaiminiya Samaveda, has taken up it as a mission to preserve its unique oral tradition by starting a 'Gurukulam' at a village in this central Kerala district. Launched in April this year, every day at 6 am, Namboothiri takes lessons of the traditional way of chanting of 'Jaiminiya Samaveda' for four young students belonging to Namboothiri-Brahmin families--teaching them the complex recitation techniques that are based on tonal accents, a unique manner of pronouncing each letter and specific speech combinations.

The "Gurukulam style" classes are being held in a small classroom adjacent to the Lord Krishna temple in Kurichithanam village near Uzhavoor, the birthplace of former President of India, K R Narayanan. After ending the class at 9 am, the students go to the school in the neighbourhood every day for their regular studies. "It is a 12-year-long mission. Learning the Kerala-style chanting of thousands of hymns from the Jaiminiya Samaveda is very tough and boring as we have to ensure that the sound of each word remains unaltered," Namboothiri told PTI.

A distant relative of legendary Communist leader and former Kerala Chief Minister EMS Namboothiripad, Sivakaran Namboothiri said Jaiminiya Samaveda, featuring musical arrangements of 1,700 hymns from the Rig Veda and other sources, is on the verge of disappearance as currently there are two persons who have got complete knowledge about the unique tradition of chanting.

Also read: Acharya Kripalani: Lifelong dissenter who took on Pt Jawahar Lal Nehru, Indira Gandhi

Besides Sivakaran, it is his elder brother Thottam Krishnan Namboothiri who is settled in their traditional village Panjaal in Thrissur district, known for its rich Vedic traditions. "We learnt it from our father Thottam Subrahmanyan Namboothiri after ending our studies in school", Namboothiri said.

Now, an Ayurvedic physician by profession, Namboothiri, born in a family rooted in Samaveda tradition, said his four students, studying in fifth and seventh standards, are from the Namboothiri families rooted in Rig and Yajur Vedic traditions. "There are only around 20 Samavedis among Namboothiri families in Kerala. None of the new generation members from these families have shown any interest in learning the chanting of Samaveda in the traditional Kerala style. So, I decided to approach some of the Brahmin families rooted in Rig and Yajur traditions. My students are from these families", Namboothiri said.

He said it will take at least 12 years for them to learn the skill of Kerala-style chanting of 'Jaiminiya Samaveda.' Quoting from the UNESCO document of 2008, he said the value of this tradition lies not only in the rich content of its oral literature but also in the ingenious techniques employed by the Brahmin priests in preserving the texts intact over thousands of years.

According to him, when Vedavyasa classified ancient Vedic hymns into four parts based on their use in the sacrificial rites, Samaveda was taught and transmitted to Rishi Jaimini, who was one of his four disciples, and those who are following his tradition are called Samavedis in Kerala. The Kerala tradition would have disappeared way back in the 1970s, had Kanchi Shankaracharya Jagadguru Chandrasekharendra Saraswati Mahaswamigal not taken the initiative to preserve it, Namboothiri said.

"During his visit to Lord Krishna temple, Guruvayur, in 1974, Jayendra Saraswati, the disciple of then Kanchi seer Chandrasekharendra Saraswati, sent his emissary to my father Thottam Subrahmanyan Namboothiri, who was an expert in Kerala style oral tradition of Jaiminiya Samaveda. Jayendra Saraswati, as per the wishes of the then Kanchi seer, offered all sorts of financial assistance to my father to transmit the knowledge to the next generation", he said.

When a school was started in Kunnamkulam with the assistance of Kanchi mutt, Namboothiri and his brother were among few students who joined the class. While others dropped out of the Vedic class after a few years, the Namboothiri siblings continued their studies under their father's tutelage.They completed their studies at special classes conducted by their father in the mid-1980s at Sringeri Mutt in Kalady in Ernakulam district, the birthplace of Adi Shankara.

A known figure in the Vedic rituals in Kerala, Namboothiri, however, is not against women and people from other castes studying the Veda. "People, irrespective of their caste, creed and gender are eligible for learning and practising the Vedas," Namboothiri said and pointed out that Satyavati, the mother of Vedavyasa, was a fisherwoman.

He lamented that there were no efforts from the governments at the Centre and state to save this richest cultural tradition from going out of memory. "Special initiatives should be taken by the government authorities to preserve our great Vedic tradition. Else, it would become an irreparable loss for the rich cultural heritage of our country", said Namboothiri who pursued Ayurvedic medicine after completing SSLC and Pre-Degree in the late 1980s.

Although the Vedas continue to play an important role in contemporary Indian life, only 13 of the over 1,000 Vedic recitation branches have survived, according to UNESCO. "Moreover, four noted schools, in Maharashtra (central India), Kerala and Karnataka (southern India) and Orissa (eastern India), are considered under imminent threat", the UN agency has said in a note prepared in 2008.
It was the parks most violent flood in at least a century. A disaster that eclipsed any flood there since modern record-keeping began. A confluence of worst-case scenarios so unlikely that theyve occurred together as infrequently as once every thousand years.

The next historic flood event in Yellowstone National Park is probably less than a millennium away.

If, until a few decades ago, it had a 0.1% chance of happening during any given year, those odds are higher now  maybe 0.2%, or 0.5%, or 1%. Whatever the number, it still isnt high. But climate change is pushing it higher.

Theres been floods throughout history, said Cathy Whitlock, a paleoecology professor at Montana State University. Theyre natural. They recur. And so its difficult to take any one and describe it to long-term climate change. But nonetheless, this type of flood is well-predicted by climate change, and quite likely to happen again in the future.

Whitlock co-authored the Greater Yellowstone Climate Assessment, an analysis published last year of the myriad ways that rising global temperatures will reshape the roughly 34,000-square-mile ecosystem, including the 3,472-square-mile national park.

Already, temperatures across the ecosystem have risen 2.3 degrees Fahrenheit since 1950, the assessment found. The rate of increase is expected to accelerate over the coming decades.

From climate models, the projections are that it will be 5 to 6 degrees Fahrenheit warmer by 2040, Whitlock said. And possibly 10 to 11 degrees Fahrenheit warmer at the end of the century.

The iconic landscape could look very different by then.

***

Wyoming earned more than $1 billion last year from tourism at its two national parks. Both counted a record number of recreational visits in 2021, according to the National Park Service: Yellowstone with close to 5 million and Grand Teton National Park, also in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, with nearly 4 million.

Before June of this year, the countrys first national park looked like it might set another record as park staff commemorated Yellowstones 150th birthday. Year-to-date visitation at the end of May was up 6.5% from 2021.

Then, on the night of June 12, an unseasonably strong atmospheric river  a column of water vapor that traveled from the Pacific Ocean to Yellowstone  dumped several inches of rain on the northern reaches of the park and on the neighboring Montana towns. The rain washed snow that had accumulated during an unusually cool, damp spring into rivers already swollen with seasonal runoff. Elevated temperatures that weekend stayed above freezing, even at night. The snowmelt was unrelenting.

Officials evacuated more than 10,000 people and closed all five gates to tourists as the floodwaters churned upward, cleaving through roads and tearing bridges from their banks. It was the first natural disaster to shut down the entire park since 1988, when strong winds propelled flames across more than one-third of the drought-parched park and ignited the largest wildfire in its history.

Despite the devastation the flood left in its wake, no one died. But it soon became clear that repairs would be necessary, even in the largely intact southern half, to keep sightseers safe.

These park roadways  they were constructed for horses and buggies, said Stephanie Kodish, senior director of the clean air program at the National Parks Conservation Association.

With rising popularity straining its existing infrastructure, even before the flooding, she said, the park has already been overburdened with a $929 million backlog of deferred repairs.

Funds authorized by the Great American Outdoors Act of 2020 and the trillion-dollar infrastructure law passed last year have helped Yellowstone and the rest of the countrys national parks start to catch up.

All of our deferred maintenance projects, whether they are parking lots or seawalls or new guardrails  all of those projects are being addressed and designed and conceived with climate resilience in mind, Shannon Estenoz, assistant secretary for fish and wildlife and parks in the Department of the Interior, said during a July 8 press event at Yellowstone.

For Yellowstone, though, the costs of rebuilding after the flood  a price tag that is still unknown  could derail other, less-urgent projects. Ongoing repairs near the northern entrances are being paid for by $65 million in emergency relief from the U.S. Department of Transportation. The park will likely need much, much more.

***

Yellowstone remained off-limits for nine days after the flood. During the closure, while construction was underway but before officials knew the extent of the damage, cancellations poured in.

Some plans were rebooked over the next few weeks as the park restored public access, first to the south loop and then to 93% of roads and 94% of the backcountry. Many plans, however, were not, especially in June: Monthly attendance dropped by almost half compared with the year before.

A National Parks Conservation Association poll conducted in January found that 88% of Americans  including 95% of Democrats and 80% of Republicans  feel climate change is having a negative impact on national parks.

The parks, Kodish said, are located in some of the countrys most sensitive ecosystems.

Thats why they were protected  and what makes them especially vulnerable, on the whole, to the effects of climate change.

Fires and floods deter people from visiting, Kodish said.

Tourism is bouncing back now in Cody and Jackson, and West Yellowstone, Montana, where the park entrances opened along with the south loop on June 22.

Gardiner and Cooke City, on the parks northern border with Montana, are still cut off except for bicyclists and pedestrians traveling short distances into the park. As highway repairs continue, Yellowstone has also begun upgrading and expanding an existing dirt road into Gardiner. Officials hope to restore access to both communities, particularly for commercial operators, before the end of the tourist season.

Temporary measures should be in place by winter, Yellowstone Superintendent Cam Sholly told reporters on July 8, but rebuilding fully could take three to five years. The northern highways are not only badly damaged but more susceptible to flooding than previously thought. So the park might move them to higher ground.

Any investment that we make has to be looked at through the lens of whats in the future, Sholly said. Should we build back where we were? Is there a better solution?

Funding and staffing are important, Kodish said, but theres only so much adaptation we can do in the face of climate change.

There is no question that if we are solely in reactive mode, she said, what well see is increasing devastation to our parks and our communities and our resources.

Instead, she said, there needs to be comprehensive and systemic shifts that move us away from fossil fuels and greenhouse gases, towards clean energy that can support and sustain a sustainable climate.

Interior Secretary Deb Haaland emphasized during the press event that adaptation is only one part of a broader solution.

Fire resilience, adaptation, all of these things, go to the larger piece, Haaland said, that the Department of the Interior is working very hard to address the climate crisis, because that isnt going away.

***

Climate change has been quietly transforming Yellowstone for years in ways that are imperceptible to most visitors but apparent to those who study the park.

Were seeing that winters and summers are getting drier, Whitlock said. And springs are getting wetter.

As temperatures rise, snow is falling less and melting sooner. It becomes rain before it should and at progressively higher elevations. The mountain snowpack that releases snow gradually through the hottest months is shrinking, causing streamflow to peak earlier and decline faster.

Climate change is the long-term trend, Whitlock said. The weather is more fickle. A given day, month or year wont necessarily adhere to that trend. There can still be hot, dry springs and cold, drizzly summers. But the averages are shifting.

Flood risk wont rise uniformly, either, according to Yang Hong, a hydrology professor at the University of Oklahoma. It will still depend on the weather. The rain-on-snow phenomenon was a recipe for flooding, he said. Climate change makes bigger, faster floods more likely.

Were looking at the extreme years, Hong said. Its not going to happen every year.

Yellowstone wasnt built to withstand flooding that intense. Power lines were damaged. Water and wastewater systems failed. A park service house collapsed into the Yellowstone River.

The infrastructure and the natural landscapes are kind of fragile, Hong said. Unless the park can shore up its structures, he added, the mounting flood risk will cause similar, if not larger, damages.

Many of the parks native species are similarly ill-equipped for climate change.

At least 40 animal species, from eagles to otters to grizzlies, eat the Yellowstone cutthroat trout, according to Bob Gresswell, an emeritus research biologist at the U.S. Geological Survey. Populations of cutthroat, the most abundant native trout in the park, plummeted after the invasive lake trout was introduced in the 1980s or 1990s and began eating the cutthroat.

Lake trout have no natural predators in Yellowstone. They live deeper in the water, too far for the animals that eat cutthroat trout to reach. Park staff hang miles of gillnets and remove hundreds of thousands of lake trout as part of a multimillion-dollar yearly effort to restore cutthroat populations.

The non-native lake trout have been reduced, Gresswell said. Cutthroat are rebounding. But climate change, he said, means that well have to continue that suppression program essentially forever.

Lake trout spawn in lakes, which are buffered by their size against rising temperatures. Cutthroat, however, spawn in the parks rivers and streams, where the flow will be lower and warmer when their eggs hatch.

The young fish, he said, will have to move out very, very quickly in order to make it downstream before water levels drop too far.

***

Hotter, drier summers are causing fires across the West to ignite more frequently, burn more intensely and reach higher altitudes. In the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, the vegetation that grows during the increasingly cool, wet springs will dry out in summer and turn to fuel.

The mean fire return interval is getting shorter and shorter and shorter, said Trevor Bloom, a community ecologist at the Nature Conservancy. If you get reburn that happens too frequently, the trees arent going to regenerate, and its actually going to be converted to a grassland.

More fires will start in those grasslands, then move into the remaining forest, accelerating their decline.

Theres actually a lot of projections that even as soon as 2050, were going to lose the majority of forests in Yellowstone, and its going to become more of a grassland, which in many ways, might be a less desirable place to visit. There might be less wildlife because of that, Bloom said.

Invasive annual grasses, like cheatgrass, that have infiltrated parts of the park are also contributing to the reburning. The grasses are quick to move into injured ecosystems, including areas that have recently burned.

Cheatgrass is very flammable, Bloom said. Its arrival becomes cyclical, he added: Where you then see more fires, you see more cheatgrass coming in those disturbances.

Fires arent the only thing harming Yellowstones forests. Climate change has exacerbated the damage caused even by some native species, including the mountain pine beetle, which preys on Yellowstones whitebark pines.

Whats happening now is, because its warmer, the beetles can go through two life cycles in a year, Whitlock said. They dont get killed off by cold winter temperatures like they used to. And so as a result of that, theyre more persistent, and they also have moved to higher elevations.

Whitebark pine seeds, a staple food for grizzly bears, are quickly disappearing. The trees are dying by the thousands to beetles, a non-native fungus, drought and wildfires. They live so high on the mountains that, unlike most plants in Yellowstone, theyre not adapted to fire. Because of climate change, the flames are reaching them, too.

***

The same conditions that give rise to fires and floods can wreak all sorts of havoc in Yellowstone. Landslides. Avalanches. Severe snowstorms. Structure damage. Mass die-offs of plants and wildlife. Proliferation of species that shouldnt live there.

Yellowstone is not creating climate change, but youre seeing the effects of climate change, Bloom said. From a management standpoint, I think theyre doing the best they can with all the pressures that theyre facing.

Bloom owns Guides of Jackson Hole, a tour service that offers private trips in Yellowstone and Grand Teton. Yellowstone is his top seller, and June was tough. But he was stunned by how quickly the park reopened.

Closures arent his only worry, though. Hes already confronting impacts that are not only beyond Yellowstones control, but originating outside its borders.

There were days last summer, as wildfires raged in the Pacific Northwest, when even staring out at Old Faithful was obscured by smoke, he said. We would have clients, you know, complaining about that. And there were even days that we canceled trips.

Blooms business, like many others, is still recovering from the drop-off, and this summers inflated travel costs arent helping. July was another slow month.

The closures that occurred in Yellowstone could have potentially been a net positive for the ecosystem itself, seeing less traffic, seeing less people, he said. The wildlife probably had a little bit of a chance to recover. But from an economic standpoint, it feels like a disaster.

He doubts it will be the last.

I think having more park closures, due to extreme weather events that you can attribute to climate change, are going to become more and more common, Bloom said. Its going to become a more volatile industry for everyone.

For the communities that depend on the park, the short summer tourist season makes interruptions especially hard.

I think everybody just kind of hopes it doesnt happen this year, Bloom said.

This year, it did.

This story was updated to correct the name of the tour company owned by Trevor Bloom. It is Guides of Jackson Hole.
New Delhi: Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari on Monday (August 1, 2022) tendered an apology for his "Mumbai will have no money if the Gujaratis and Rajasthanis were to leave" remarks and said that "it was an unintentional error". Koshyari, who made the controversial comments during a function in suburban Andheri on Friday, said that he is confident that the people of Maharashtra will display their large heart and forgive him.

Koshyari also said that he may have committed a mistake while speaking about the contribution of some members of society during his Andheri speech.

"I expect the citizens of this state would forgive a humble servant of this state by abiding with the teachings of several saints. It was an unintentional error from my side," Koshyari said.

"I tell people here that if Gujaratis and Rajasthanis are removed from Maharashtra, especially from Mumbai and Thane, you will be left with no money and Mumbai will not be a financial capital," he had said.

Earlier on Saturday, as his comments drew widespread condemnation, Koshyari had said that the statement was misconstrued, and asked political parties not to create a controversy.

"There was no question of belittling the contribution of Marathi-speaking people and lauding one community does not mean insulting another," he had said.

Bhagat Singh Koshyari 'dividing' Hindus living in Mumbai, Thane: Uddhav Thackeray

Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray, whose relations with Koshyari were often strained while in office, accused him of "dividing" Hindus living in Mumbai and Thane.

The former Maharashtra chief minister had also demanded an apology from the Governor.

"The hatred that the governor harbours in his mind against the Marathi people has inadvertently come out," Thackeray had said.

"Time has come to decide whether to send Koshyari back home or to jail... In the last three years, he has insulted Marathi-speaking people despite staying in Maharashtra. Now with these comments, he has brought disrespect to the governor's post," the Sena president said.

Eknath Shinde on Gujarati-Marathi row

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, leader of the rebel Shiv Sena faction, had also said that he disagreed with Koshyari's remarks.

"We don't agree with Koshyari's remarks. It's his personal view. He has now issued a clarification. He occupies a constitutional post and should take care that his actions do not insult others.

"The Marathi community's hard work has contributed to the development and progress of Mumbai....No one can insult Mumbai and Marathi people," Shinde had said.

(With agency inputs)
New Delhi: Amid the ongoing political furore over the arrest of Partha Chatterjee in a school recruitment scam, the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress (TMC) on Monday (August 1, 2022) carried out a major organisational reshuffle in the party and inducted several new faces, including some ministers with thrust on toning up the party ahead of next year's crucial panchayat polls.

"The All India Trinamool Congress under the inspiration and guidance of Hon'ble Chairperson Smt Mamata Banerjee is pleased to announce a few new appointments of District Chairman & District President for West Bengal Trinamool Congress," the party said in a statement.

Asima Patra, the minister of state with independent charge of the department of planning, statistics and programme monitoring, and Saumen Mahapatra, the state irrigation and waterways minister, have been assigned organisational responsibilities in their respective districts.

The All India Trinamool Congress under the inspiration and guidance of Honble Chairperson Smt. @MamataOfficial is pleased to announce a few new appointments of District Chairman & District President for West Bengal Trinamool Congress. pic.twitter.com/FhpPUflCY3  All India Trinamool Congress (@AITCofficial) August 1, 2022

TMC MLAs Tapas Ray and Partha Bhowmick were on the other hand relieved of their responsibilities as presidents of the party's north Kolkata and Dum Dum- Barrackpore zones amid reports that they could find a place in the state ministry, news agency PTI reported citing party sources.

The presidents of several organisational districts, including Coochbehar, Dakshin Dinajpur, Nadia South (Ranaghat), Hooghly-Sreerampore, Jhargram and Bongaon were changed, while several others such as Kolkata North, Bankura, Uttar Dinajpur, Tamluk and Bongaon are likely to have new heads.

Mamata Banerjee says cabinet reshuffle on cards, 4-5 new faces likely to get inducted

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday rubbished media reports about the possible dissolution of the state cabinet and said that a reshuffle was on the cards, with four to five new faces expected to get inducted into the council of ministers.

Banerjee also said that several departments were currently functioning without any dedicated minister, and it wasn't possible for her to shoulder responsibilities of these alone.

"We have to reshuffle our Cabinet. But (I) do not have any plan to dissolve the Cabinet and come up with a new one. There are several departments that have no one at the helm. I alone cannot shoulder (the) responsibilities of all these departments," Banerjee told reporters.

"We will introduce four to five new faces in the Cabinet. The reshuffle will be carried out on Wednesday," the TMC supremo added.

Departments of Home & Hill Affairs, Health and Family Welfare, and Land & Land Reforms are currently looked after by Banerjee.

After Partha Chatterjee was relieved of his ministerial duties, following his recent arrest by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with the school job scam, portfolios held by him - industries and parliamentary affairs - were also taken over by the TMC boss.

West Bengal to carve out seven new districts

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday also said that West Bengal is set to get seven new districts with the cabinet giving its nod to the proposal. The new districts -- Berhampore, Kandi, Sunderbans, Bashirhat, Ichamati, Ranaghat and Bishnupur -- will take the total number to 30.

Hon'ble Chief Minister @MamataOfficial announces the creation of 7 new districts in Bengal for greater administrative efficiency.



The 7 new districts include - Sundarban, Ichamati, Ranaghat, Bishnupur, Jangipur, Berhampore and one more in Basirhat, to be announced soon. pic.twitter.com/1f9nqvIejr August 1, 2022

"The decision was taken to ensure smooth administrative operations," a senior official of the state government said.

(With agency inputs)
New Delhi: The Congress and the NCP leaders extended support to Shiv Sena MP and chief spokesperson Sanjay Raut who was arrested by Enforcement Directorate (ED) on late Sunday night, after hours-long raid at its Mumbai residence, in the Patra Chawl land scam. The opposition leaders condemned the probe agency's action against him and accused the BJP of pursuing "politics of intimidation".

Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, who recently stirred up a controversy by calling President Droupadi Murmu Rashtrapatni, extended his support to Sanjay Raut and called him a "man of conviction and courage".

"The only crime Sanjay Raut has committed is that he has not been cowered down by the politics of intimidation of the BJP party. He is a man of conviction and courage. We are with Sanjay Raut," Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said in a tweet.

The only crime #SanjayRaut has committed that he has not been cowered down by the politics of intimidation of the BJP party. He is a man of conviction and courage. We are with Sanjay Raut.  Adhir Chowdhury (@adhirrcinc) August 1, 2022

Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor also came to Shiv Sena MPs aide and said his party is concerned about the misuse of central agencies to selectively target the opposition leaders. "Government institutions are not there to serve political purpose," Mr Tharoor asserted.

NCP state spokesperson Mahesh Tapase said that ED is trying to pressurise and humiliate MVA leaders by raking up false charges. The ED raids are part of the BJPs strategy to pressurise and humiliate MVA (Maha Vikas Aghadi) leaders in the state by raking up false charges. Similarly, at the national level too, they have targetted Congress leaders like Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi who were questioned for hours. The MVA in the state is united and we are fully behind Sanjay Raut, he said.

Additionally, Congress spokesperson Atul Londhe questioned ED and asked why the agency did not file a chargesheet if they have the so-called documents.

The ED, CBI and Income Tax are no longer functioning as investigating agencies. They have become a political tool to harass and humiliate Opposition leaders. Todays ED raids are part of this BJP strategy to target its rivals. I dont understand when they (ED) have so-called documents, why dont they file a chargesheet instead of repeatedly summoning an individual in the name of conducting an inquiry. The BJPs main aim is to send out the message that either those who are being raided should join their party or go to jail, he said.

Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge also alleged that the action was taken against Mr Raut because the BJP wants to get rid of the opposition. "The BJP wants an opposition-mukt Parliament, that's why the action against Sanjay Raut," said Kharge. "Sanjay Raut runs a party and a newspaper and if from his home  11 lakh have been found then ED has made a case against him on the basis of it, he is being harassed," he added.
For the first time ever, enthusiasts can witness the maiden launch of an all-new Indian rocket from an Indian Spaceport. The Indian Space Research Organization has announced that the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle(SSLV) will be having its maiden flight or first developmental flight on Saturday, August 7th, at 9:18 am, from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota. The icing on the cake is that the public will be allowed to witness the launch from up-close, from ISRO's Launch Viewers gallery.

The launch of the SSLV-D1/EOS-02 Mission is scheduled for Sunday, August 7, 2022, at 9:18 am (IST) from Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC), Sriharikota. ISRO invites citizens to the Launch View Gallery at SDSC to witness the launch. Registration is open at https://t.co/J9jd8yDs4a pic.twitter.com/rq37VfSfXu August 1, 2022

India's workhorse PSLV rocket had its maiden flight in 1993, GSLV rocket in 2001 and GSLV Mk3 rocket in 2017. However, during these launches, the public did not have any means to witness the launch from the spaceport. In recent years, ISRO has inaugurated a Launch Viewers Gallery at Sriharikota and the public will have the opportunity to witness it from there, based on prior registration with ISRO.

Registration Link: https://lvg.shar.gov.in/VSCREGISTRATION/index.jsp

SSLV is a rocket that is designed to orbit satellites weighing less than 500kg in Low Earth Orbit. Dr Somanath had earlier told WION that SSLV was being conceptualized as a rocket that can be handed over to the Indian industry for the entire manufacturing process and it can be put together for launch in a week's time. He added that SSLV uses less-exotic materials in its manufacturing process to ensure that it is kept simple and easy to adopt by industry.

On its maiden launch, the SSLV's primary payload is said to be the 142kg 'Miscrosat 2A' or 'EOS-2', which is meant to meet the increasing demand for cadastral mapping(demarcation of land parcel boundaries), urban and rural management, coastal land use etc. The satellite carries two payloads MWIR and LWIR, with a resolution of 6 meters.

In addition to this, a student-built satellite 'AzaadiSAT' will also be piggybacking on the SSLV.

Student-built 'AzaadiSAT' to be co-passenger on ISRO's maiden launch of SSLV rocket
New Delhi: Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Monday came out in support of Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut after his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate and said the message from the "king" is clear that anyone speaking against him would suffer. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) arrested Sanjay Raut late on Sunday night in a money laundering case linked to alleged irregularities in the redevelopment of a Mumbai 'chawl'.

"The message of 'king' is clear - anyone who speaks against me will suffer. Efforts are on to break the morale of the opponents and silence the voice of the truth by misusing the government agencies," Gandhi said in a tweet in Hindi.

"But the dictator should listen - in the end, the 'truth' will win and arrogance will lose," he said, citing reports that Sanjay Raut was in the ED net and was questioned for 16 hours before being arrested by the probe agency.

The Opposition has been accusing the Modi government of misusing the ED and other agencies to target its political opponents.

Top opposition politicians, including Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi along with P Chidambaram and his son and MP Karti, 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.

Raut, 60, was arrested after he was brought to the ED's zonal office in south Mumbai's Ballard Estate for questioning.

He was taken into custody at 12:05 am on Monday under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) as he was not cooperating in the probe, officials claimed.

Opposition leaders in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha protested inside and outside Parliament over his arrest, leading to repeated adjournments.
On the list of Indian Freedom Fighters, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, the promoter of "Swaraj", is an esteemed name. Even after being accused of sedition multiple times throughout the course of his 40-year political career, his vision of Swaraj never wavered.

On his 102nd death anniversary, let us remember and celebrate Bal Gangadhar Tilak's extraordinary life.

Born in a middle-class Chitpawan Brahmin family in Ratnagiri (presently Maharashtra) on July 23, 1856, Bal Gangadhar Tilak was a social reformer, nationalist, and independence activist. With his ideas of anti-imperialism and actively boycotting Britishers for Indian freedom, he was one of the first persons to actively work for Indian independence.

Bal Gangadhar Tilak's contribution to Indian freedom struggle:

To further his anti-imperialist ideas, Bal Gangadhar Tilak published two famous weekly newspapers, Kesari (in Marathi) and Mahratta (in English). He earned the title "awakener of India" since Kesari went on to become a daily.

Through his newspapers, Tilak prominently criticised the British rule and the moderate nationalists of Congress who advocated social reforms along Western lines.

Tilak sought to widen the popularity of the nationalist movement by introducing Hindu religious symbolism and by invoking popular traditions of the Maratha struggle against the Mughal rule.

He amplified anti-imperialist sentiments among the masses by publicising various Hindu festivals. Additionally, Tilak also founded anti-cow slaughtering associations, Lathi clubs, and Akharas.

He was given the title "Lokmanya"(Beloved Leader of the People) after being charged with sedition for allegedly encouraging the assassination of Plague Commissioner Walter Charles Rand.

Bal Gangadhar Tilak joined Congress in 1890

Tilak joined the Indian National Congress in 1890. He criticised its mild attitude on passive resistance to colonisers in particular. He was regarded as one of the most notable radicals of the time.

In 1905, Tilak strongly opposed the partition of Bengal and later advocated the boycott of British goods, which soon became the Swadeshi movement.

In 1906, he set forth a program of passive resistance, known as the Tenets of the New Party which was later adopted by Mahatma Gandhi in his program of non-violence, and non-cooperation against the British.

Era of Extremism- 1905-1917 was known as the era of extremism in the Indian National Movement. Extremists or aggressive nationalists held the view that only audacious measures could lead to success. The leading figures of this time were the trio Lal-Bal-Pal and Aurobindo Ghosh.

In 1908, the British government again prosecuted Tilak on the charge of sedition and inciting terrorism, resulting in him being sent to Mayanmar for a six-year prison sentence wherein he wrote several books on Bhagwat Gita and other Vedic books. After being released from jail in 1914, he launched the Home Rule League with the famous slogan Swaraj is my birthright and I will have it.

He ideated Congress Working Committee and signed the historic Lucknow Pact with the future founder of Pakistan, Jinnah.

Tilak was one of the first freedom fighters to maintain that Indians should cease to cooperate with foreign rule, but he always denied that he had ever encouraged the use of violence. His sacrifice and grit towards the nation shall never be forgotten.
A 21-year-old history-sheeter allegedly intensified his criminal activities so that he could buy an electric scooter for his sister on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan, police said on Monday. The accused, Tarun alias Rohan, a resident of Rohini, has been named on the 'bad character' list of Sultanpuri police station. He was arrested from Vijay Vihar, they said. He was previously involved in 10 cases of robbery, Arms Act and theft, police said. With his arrest, police claimed to have solved six criminal cases, and also recovered three stolen mobile phones and a motorcycle from him.

The matter came to light when the complainant Surender reported the theft at his house on July 7, police said, adding that a case was registered accordingly.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Outer) Sameer Sharma said the accused mistakenly left his phone at Surender's house after committing the crime.

"We analysed the accused's mobile phone and call detail records. But during the investigation, we found that the SIM card was registered with some vague identity. Thereafter, other angles were also explored and subsequently information was received about the accused from an informer," he said.

"During interrogation, Tarun disclosed that he fell into bad company at an early age and got addicted to drugs. Thereafter, he left his studies and started indulging in criminal activities. He said he intensified his criminal activities so that he could buy an electric scooter for his sister as a gift on Raksha Bandhan," the officer added.
New Delhi: Sanjay Arora took charge as the Commissioner of Delhi Police on Monday (Aug 1). Arora, a 1988-batch Tamil Nadu cadre IPS officer, who was till now serving as the Director General of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police, succeeded Rakesh Asthana and assumed the office on Monday.

Know about the new Commissioner of Delhi Police

Sanjay Arora is a 1988 batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer from the Tamil Nadu cadre. He has a bachelor's degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from Jaipur's Malviya National Institute of Technology.

Since joining the IPS, Arora has served in various capacities in Tamil Nadu Police. He was Superintendent of Police (SP), Special Task Force, where he achieved significant success against the Veerappan gang, for which he was awarded CM's Gallantry Medal for Bravery and Heroic Action.

Sanjay Arora also had a pivotal role in forming the Special Security Group (SSG) to provide security to the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu during the heydays of LTTE activity.

IPS Sanjay Arora assumed charge of ITBP DG last year

IPS Sanjay Arora assumed the charge of DG ITBP on August 31, 2021, as the 31st Chief of the Force. He has served in the border patrol organization on deputation as Commandant from 1997 to 2002.

Arora has also commanded a border guarding ITBP Battalion in Matli, Uttarakhand from 1997 to 2000. As an instructor, he had made remarkable contributions in the field of training, serving as Commandant (Combat Wing) at the ITBP Academy, Mussoorie from 2000 to 2002.

Sanjay Arora has also served as Coimbatore Police Commissioner

Sanjay Arora has also served as Commissioner of Police, Coimbatore city between 2002 and 2004. He was also the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Villupuram range, and Deputy Director of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption.

He has led the Chennai City Police as  Additional Commissioner  Crime & Headquarters and Additional Commissioner  Traffic. On promotion, he was appointed as ADGP (Operations) and ADGP (Administration) in Tamil Nadu Police.

(With agency inputs)
New Delhi: The Mumbai police on Sunday (July 31, 2022) registered a First Information Report (FIR) against Sanjay Raut after a woman witness in a money laundering case being probed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) alleged that she was threatened by Shiv Sena MP. FIR against Sanjay Raut was registered on the charge of insulting the modesty of a woman at Vakola police station by the witness, Swapna Patkar.

The witness approached the police after she received a rape and murder threat in a typed paper, which was inserted in a newspaper delivered to her on July 15, the officials informed. An audio clip also recently surfaced in which a male voice can be heard threatening a woman using foul language went viral.

The officials informed that on Saturday, a non-cognisable (NC) case was registered under section 507 (Criminal intimidation by an anonymous communication) of the Indian Penal Code, which was converted into an FIR on Sunday.

Police have invoked sections 504 (insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace), 506 (Punishment for criminal intimidation), and 509 (intending to insult the modesty of a woman) of the IPC against Raut.

The witness of the money laundering case also registered her statement with the police on Sunday, the official said, adding that she was provided security as requested by her.

Earlier on Sunday, Raut was arrested after hours-long raids by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in a money-laundering case related to the redevelopment of Mumbai's Patra Chawl and related transactions involving his wife and others. Sanjay Rauts brother Sunil Raut claimed that his brother was arrested by ED in the late hours of Sunday. Claiming Rauts arrest, his brother Sunil said that he will be produced before the court on Monday.

Sanjay Raut has been arrested. The BJP is afraid of him and got him arrested. They havent given us any documents (regarding his arrest). He has been framed. He will be produced in court tomorrow at 11.30 am, claimed Sunil Raut on Sunday.

During the hours-long raid, ED officials seized Rs 11.50 lakhs unaccounted cash from the residence of Raut earlier in the day.
Mumbai: Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials on Monday took Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut to a government hospital for check up, after which he will be produced in a special court here. Raut, who spent the night in ED's south Mumbai office after his arrest in a money laundering case, was taken to the hospital after 12.30 pm. He was seen waving to media personnel gathered outside the agency's office.

Also Read: Chaos in Rajya Sabha over ED action against Sanjay Raut and price rise

ED arrested Raut on Sunday in a case linked to alleged irregularities in the redevelopment of a Mumbai chawl after conducting a nine-hour search at his residence, during which Rs 11.5 lakh in cash was seized, officials said. Raut, 60, was arrested after over six hours of questioning at the ED's zonal office in south Mumbai's Ballard Estate shortly after Sunday midnight.

Sanjay Raut taken into custody by ED

He was taken into custody at 12:05 am on Monday under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act as he was not cooperating in the probe, the officials claimed. The Rajya Sabha MP of the Sena, led by former Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray, will be produced before a special PMLA court in Mumbai later in the day, where the ED will seek his custody.

A team of ED had on Sunday reached his residence in Mumbai's Bhandup area, where they conducted a search, questioned Raut, and by evening, took him for questioning at the agency's south Mumbai office.
A Bismarck man convicted of manslaughter for a fatal 2020 crash on Interstate 94 has been sentenced to eight years in prison.

A jury in March found Timothy McLaughlin, 26, guilty of felony manslaughter and two counts of misdemeanor aggravated assault. The charges were filed after a July 15, 2020, crash near Sterling, east of Bismarck. The commercial vehicle McLaughlin was driving struck other vehicles that had stopped for another crash, according to authorities. MariKay Mathes, 52, of Chilton, Wisconsin, died in the second crash.

South Central District Judge David Reich suspended two years of a 10-year prison sentence, court records show. He also ordered McLaughlin to spend two years on supervised probation following his release from prison and make $27,000 in restitution.

An investigation by the North Dakota Highway Patrol showed that McLaughlin did not brake before the crash, and that he had been distracted by his cellphone. He had been using his phone to search the internet for "adult material," as well as for text messaging and GPS navigation leading up to the crash, a Patrol affidavit alleged.

A total of seven people were injured in the two separate but related crashes, which involved a total of five vehicles -- an SUV, an SUV towing a trailer, two cars and McLaughlin's cube van truck, according to the Patrol. In the initial crash, the two SUVs collided and went into the median, with one overturning onto its side.
New Delhi: A huge controversy unfloded in Uttar Pradeshs Kanpur after reports of children being taught Kalma in Florets International school came to light. Senior officials of the UP Police and administration reached Kanpur`s Florets International school on Monday (August 1, 2022) morning after the news went viral.

The Uttar Pradesh police has filed a complaint against the private school for allegedly teaching `Kalma` to Hindu students. The case gained momentum after a video of a tweet went viral on Sunday.

When the police questioned the school management, it clarified that prayers of all four religions were recited at the school during the morning assembly to boost the "Sarva Dharma Samman" ideology.

Ankita Yadav, Principal of Florets International School said, "We have prayers for all four religions. We want to teach the students that all religions are equal. But now we are getting into issues over it and from Saturday itself we have taken action against this. From today we have stopped reciting these prayers and started only national anthem for assembly."

UP | Parents object to recitation of Islamic prayer during morning prayer at a school in Kanpur



We've prayers from all religions be it Hinduism, Islam, Sikhism & Christianity. As parents objected to Islamic prayer, we've stopped it & only national anthem is being sung:Principal pic.twitter.com/lywPvmpi5E  ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) August 1, 2022

"The school students recite prayers of four religions - Hindu, Muslim, Sikh and Christian - for the last 12-13 years. No one ever objected. An objection was raised about this from a parent`s side four days ago," she added.

A parent said, "My son studies here. For the last few days, my son was reciting the kalma at home. My wife raised concern about it. When we spoke to our son, he said that every day after prayer the school teaches it to them. My concern is why should my son read this? What if he disapproves of his own religion after some days?"

Meanwhile, an inquiry has been ordered into the matter based on the investigation report of the police. ACP Nishank Sharma said, "We came to know about Kalma being taught to students at the Florets International school through a tweet. The DM and local police have also been notified. Today we visited the school to investigate the matter."

"The school authorities after the objection decided that only the national anthem will be recited during the assembly. They have stopped all the other prayers," added the ACP.

(With agency inputs)
Jaipur: AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi targeted National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval, saying that he should tell everyone who is spreading religious bigotry in the country. "We were expecting that NSA should tell everyone who are these 'some elements' who are spreading bigotry. Why is he mincing words? He should tell," Owaisi told reporters here on Sunday. Doval on Saturday had urged leaders of various faiths to counter the radical forces trying to create animosity in the name of religion and ideology that adversely affects the country and has international ramifications.

The AIMIM chief, who was in Jaipur to take part in an event, however, did not answer a question on whether the PFI should be banned in the country. Notably, the PFI, a radical Islamic outfit, has been on the radar of security agencies over its suspected role in several incidents of riots in the country.

When asked that he is considered the hardliner in the country, Owaisi quipped, "In India, we are the only hardliners and all others are pure."

Also read: Owaisi trying to become a 'future Mohammad Ali Jinnah': BJP MP

At the conference held in the backdrop of a number of incidents of religious discord in the country on Saturday, Doval said, "Some people try to create animosity in the name of religion that adversely affects the entire country and also has ramifications internationally." Everyone should raise their voice against religious bigotry, the NSA said at an interfaith conference.

The All India Sufi Sajjadanashin Council, which organised the interfaith conference, passed a resolution advocating a ban on organisations like Popular Front of India (PFI) for pursuing a "divisive agenda" and indulging in "anti-national activities".

Also read: No showering of petals on Muslims: Owaisi attacks UP govt

Meanwhile, talking about the political crisis in Sri Lanka, Owaisi said the situation was created as the Sri Lankan government hid the unemployment and price rise from people of the country, adding "Data should be revealed. We expect that such a situation does not arise in India." He also alleged that the executive is making efforts to weaken the legislature in the Parliament because of which debates have reduced.

In the Monsoon session, 14 bills were introduced in the Parliament and passed in a few minutes. Parliament sittings are held for 60-65 days in a year so in such a case how will the public issues will be raised, the AIMIM chief added.

(With ANI Inputs)
San Francisco: Tesla CEO Elon Musk has suggested that Nicole Shanahan, wife of Google co-founder Sergey Brin, should sue The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) for falsely reporting that she had a brief affair with him last December while separated from Brin.

Musk has already denied he had a fling with Shanahan, slamming WSJ for the story.

"As a 'public person', standard to win a defamation lawsuit against a news org is almost impossible," Musk said in one of his tweets.

"Nicole is not a public person, so (she) could win. I hope she sues them," added Musk, the world's richest person with an estimated net worth of $219 billion.

Shanahan's attorney, Bryan Freedman, told NBC News that "make no mistake, any suggestion that Nicole had an affair with Elon Musk is not only an outright lie but also defamatory".

According to a New York Post report, Musk then attacked the WSJ's investigations editor, Michael Siconolfi, for doing "so many fake hit pieces".

The newspaper hit back at Musk.

"Recent attacks on Michael Siconolfi are unwarranted and unfounded. Mike is a celebrated and widely respected editor and reporter in our industry. He has overseen a wide array of impactful stories with integrity and high standards for The Wall Street Journal over many decades," the newspaper responded to the Tesla CEO.

Musk has said that he has not had sex in the longest time.

After slamming the media for publishing his alleged brief affair with Brin's wife, he said: "Haven't even had sex in ages (sigh)".

A follower asked, "damn not even on vacation?", to which Musk replied, "nope".
NEW DELHI: Actress Kareena Kapoor Khan, who is awaiting the release of her upcoming film 'Laal Singh Chaddha', has reacted to people calling for a boycott of the film. This comes after Aamir Khan appealed to netizens to not act strongly and watch the film in the theatres. However, Kareena, on the other hand, says that she does not pay attention to such negativity as it won't let her live her life in peace.

The actress spoke to India Today about the 'Boycott Laal Singh Chaddha' trend and stated, "There are different platforms. Everyone has an opinion. So now, if that is going to be there, then you have to learn to ignore certain things. Otherwise, it will just become impossible to live your life. And that's why I don't take any of this like seriously, Kareena said.

The actress further stated that if a film is good, then the response will be good and it will surpass anything.

#BoycottLaalSinghChaddha" TRENDING ON TWITTER

Ahead of the release of Aamir Khan's 'Laal Singh Chaddha', the film triggered controversy after "#BoycottLaalSinghChaddha" started trending on Twitter. Apparently, some Twitter users went through the archives and dug up Aamir's controversial 'India's growing intolerance' statement and circulated it on the micro-blogging site.

According to a leading newsmagazine report, when asked if such campaigns against his films make upset him, Aamir said that it makes him 'sad'. The superstar said, "Yes, I feel sad. Also, I feel sad that some of the people who are saying this, in their hearts, they believe that I am someone who doesn`t like India. In their hearts, they believe, but it is untrue. It is rather unfortunate that some people feel that way.

AAMIR KHAN APPEALS TO PEOPLE TO NOT BOYCOTT LAAL SINGH CHADDHA

At a recent press event, he was questioned about the calls for a boycott when he said, "Please, don't boycott my film."

'Laal Singh Chaddha' is a remake of the Hollywood classic 'Forrest Gump'. It also stars Kareena Kapoor and has Aamir in the role of a simple, kind man, played originally by Tom Hanks' 1994 iconic film. Produced by Aamir Khan Productions, Kiran Rao, and Viacom18 Studios, 'Laal Singh Chaddha' also stars Mona Singh and Chaitanya Akkineni.
New Delhi: K-pop boy band BTS might still be able to perform overseas while serving in the military, South Korea`s defense minister said on Monday, as the country debates shortening mandatory military service for K-pop stars to three weeks from about two years.

The issue is coming sharply into focus with the oldest member of the band, Jin, turning 30 next year. Under a 2019 revision of the law, globally recognised K-pop stars were allowed to put off their service until 30.

Military service is hugely controversial in South Korea where all able-bodied men aged between 18 and 28 must fulfill their duties as part of efforts to defend against nuclear-armed North Korea.

Over the years, some categories have won exemptions - either allowed to put off service or to do shorter service - including Olympics and Asian Games medal winners and classical musicians and dancers who win top prizes at certain competitions.

Parliament is now debating a bill that would shorten military service for K-pop stars.

Defence Minister Lee Jong-sup, speaking at the parliamentary session, said that by allowing BTS to continue performing, the military could serve national interests without affecting the already shrinking pool of personnel resources due to low birth rates.

BTS` management, Big Hit, did not respond to a request for comment. "Even if they join the military, there would be a way to give them a chance to practice and perform together if there are scheduled concerts abroad," Lee said.

"As many people highly value (artists serving) in the military, that may help boost their popularity even more," he added.

The seven-member band announced a break in June from group musical activities to pursue solo projects, pleading exhaustion.

In April, a Big Hit official said some members were having a "hard time" because of uncertainties over the parliament debate, calling for a decision.

Since their 2013 debut, BTS has become a worldwide sensation with its upbeat hits and social campaigns aimed at empowering youth.

BTS became the first Asian band to win artist of the year at the American Music Awards last year, and they met U.S. President Joe Biden at the White House in May to discuss hate crimes targeting Asians.

A South Korean think tank estimated in 2018 that BTS would bring an economic benefit totaling 56 trillion won ($43 billion) between 2014 and 2023.
NEW DELHI: South actor Naga Chaitanya recently opened on his separation with Samantha Ruth Prabhu. The 'Thank You' actor, who parted ways with Samantha last year, opened up on how his personal life had been continuously making headlines than his work. He said that he understand that being a celebrity, there is a lot of curosity among people in his personal life and that is the baggage that this job carries.

Chaitanya, who will next be seen in 'Laal Singh Chaddha' alongside Aamir Khan and Kareena Kapoor Khan, shared if he will ever work with Samantha again in future. He said, "That's gonna be a crazy one if it happens. But I don't know, only the universe knows. Let's see." It is to be noted that Samantha and Chaitanya did five films together - 'Vinnai Thaandi Varuvaaya', 'Ye Maaya Chesave', 'Manam', 'Thrayam' and 'Autonagar Surya'.

Samantha has been quite vocal about her separation with Naga Chaitanya, whereas the latter has so far been reluctant to speak on the issue. Lately, he has been speaking on the divorce in bits and piece as he promotes his upcoming film 'Laal Singh Chaddha'. "Unfortunately, its a part of this job where your personal space also becomes a narrative. It's my responsibility to be affected by it or not. It does become frustrating that my personal life makes for a bigger headline than my professional achievements. But I guess, I just need to keep working harder on my profession. The personal life bits will come and go," Naga Chaitanya told India Today.

SAMANTHA -NAGA CHAITANYA SEPARATION



Samantha Ruth Prabhu and Naga Chaitanya declared their separation in October last year, after four years of their marriage. Samantha recently made an appearance on Karan Johar's chat show 'Koffee With Karan 7' where she spoke about parting ways with Naga and all the rumours that surfaced on the internet.

Speaking of their professional work, Naga Chaitanya's Thank You opened in cinemas on July 22. He will next be seen in 'Laal Singh Chaddha' also starring Aamir Khan, Kareena Kapoor and Mona Singh. The film is set to arrive in theatres on August 11, 2022.
New Delhi: Disha Patani has stood out as a hot villain in Ek Villain Returns and the audience is completely in love with her role. The entire promotions and the premiere of 'Ek Villain Returns' have been ruled by Disha Patani and her dressing sense.

Time and again, the actress has enticed the netizens with her bold and vivacious looks and has become an epitome of conversations in the B-Town. Her unconventional portrayal of Rashika has won appreciation from all quarters.

Today, the actress drops a bomb on social media by sharing an attractive reel. Disha can be seen donning a ruddy two-piece as she passes on fierce looks to her social media audience.

Disha's 'Ek Villain Returns' has been released in the theaters and finally, the audience has encountered a new negative avatar of her. Other than this the actress will also be seen in Karan Johar's Yodha co-starring Sidharth Malhotra and Project K alongside Amitabh Bachchan, Prabhas, and Deepika Padukone.
New Delhi: On Monday, the Madhya Pradesh government raised the Dearness Allowance (DA) for the state's more than 7.5 lakh public employees to 34%.

According to a statement by the state's chief minister, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, the increase will cost the exchequer an extra Rs 625 crore. The employees will receive the higher DA in September, starting in August 2022, he said.

The state employee DA will now be 34%, matching that of the central government, according to the government's decision. Read More: ICICI Bank, PNB, Bank of India hike MCLR ahead of RBI bi-monthly monetary policy

This raise will assist employees and enhance their lifestyles despite adding to the strain on the exchequer, Chouhan continued. Read More: GST collections in July second highest ever, rise 28% year-on-year to Rs 1.49 lakh crore

Government workers in Madhya Pradesh were previously receiving DA at a rate of 31% after the state had previously hiked it by 11% all at once.

As neighbouring Chhattisgarh was once a part of the undivided Madhya Pradesh, pensioners will only receive the benefit of the DA boost with its obligatory approval, according to the statement.
New Delhi: Under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) Scheme, the government had fixed the deadline to complete mandatory eKYC as July 31, 2022.

The PM KISAN official website mentions the following three things. The website says:

1. eKYC is MANDATORY for PMKISAN Registered Farmers. OTP Based eKYC is available on PMKISAN Portal.

2. or nearest CSC centres may be contacted for Biometric based eKYC.

3. Deadline of eKYC for all the PMKISAN beneficiaries has been extended till 31st July 2022.

The OTP based EKYC using your Aadhaar number is still clickable. At the time of filing this story, we checked on the EKYC link, which took us to the following Aadhaar OTP based EKYC link

https://exlink.pmkisan.gov.in/aadharekyc.aspx

If you still have not completed your EKYC process, you could perhaps try the above link and complete the formalities.

What next after PM KISAN EKYC deadline ended on July 31

Although, there has been no official confirmation on the extension of PM KISAN EKYC from the government, it cannot be said what the exact repurcursions would be. Would farmers be able to complete their EKYC in a new set deadline? Will they be able to finish the process using some other mode? As of now, it is completely the governments decision. Farmers will have to wait for new instructions from the government as and when they come.

PM KISAN UPDATE: How to do Aadhaar OTP-based authentication

- Visit PM Kisan website

- Go to farmers corner

- Click on eKYC tab

- Enter your Aadhaar number and click on Search tab

- You will recieve a 4-digit OTP on your registered mobile number

- Click on Submit OTP

- Enter Aadhaar registered mobile OTP and your eKYC process will be complete

Prime Minister Narendra Modi released 11th instalment of financial benefit under Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme on May 31. Modi transferred an amount of around Rs 21,000 crore to more than 10 crore beneficiary farmer families.

The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) Scheme was launched by PM Modi in 2019. The Scheme aims to provide income support to all landholder farmer families across the country with cultivable land, subject to certain exclusions.

Under the Scheme, an amount of Rs 6000 per year is released in three 4-monthly instalments of Rs 2000 each directly into the bank accounts of the beneficiaries. In a financial year, PM Kisan installment is credited thrice through --Period 1 from April-July; Period 2 from August to November; and Period 3 from December to March.
Indian Railways is redeveloping railway stations across the country to give passengers the comfort and convenience of travelling. Stations are being upgraded and modernized under the Adarsh Station Scheme based on the need of providing better-enhanced passenger amenities at stations. Recently, in a public address, Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw assured to turn the Chittorgarh station into a world class facility and directed officials to come up with a design keeping in mind the sacrifice and valour of the local heroes.

In his address after inaugurating Udaipur's Badi Sadri-Mavli railway section gauge conversion in Chittorgarh, Vaishnaw sought people's participation in the project to give the local railway station a facelift. He also accepted the demand submitted by local leaders to introduce two rounds of the Badi Sadri-Udaipur train service per day from August 15.

While the minister flagged off the Badi Sadri-Udaipur City train service in Chittorgarh, he launched the Rewa-Udaipur City Special and Siuri-Sealdah-Siuri train services in West Bengal virtually.

Also read: Telangana to get Indias next Vande Bharat train by Diwali 2022 with THESE facilities, details here

The minister said railway stations that are currently in the redevelopment phase are being built with a plan keeping in mind the next 50 years. He said a tender to develop the Udaipur City Railway station has already been floated and the work will begin after finalising the bidder in August.

Leader of Opposition in Rajasthan Legislative Assembly Gulab Chand Kataria lauded Vaishnaw saying he had reformed the Railways in the last few years, an official statement said.

(With inputs from PTI)
The latest North Dakota coronavirus news: food aid, border hours and more.

Food assistance

About 46,000 North Dakota children will be receiving a new round of food assistance this summer, according to State School Superintendent Kirsten Baesler and Department of Human Services Executive Director Chris Jones.

The Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer program helps families whose children have been eligible for free or reduced-price school meals, and households that receive benefits under SNAP, the federal food stamp program.

Children ages 0-5 who are receiving SNAP benefits during the summer will receive an extra $391, along with $20 for each month they received SNAP benefits from September 2021 through May 2022. The money will be deposited in a lump sum to each households SNAP card. About 12,000 children are eligible.

School-age children who are eligible for free or reduced-price meals will receive a $391 EBT benefit if they were eligible for the meals during either the 2021-22 school year or this summer. Cards will be mailed and should arrive by mid-August. About 34,000 children are eligible.

Families whose children are not eligible for free or reduced-price school meals may apply for the program through their school before Aug. 19 to become eligible. Those deemed eligible will receive the $391 benefit, in late August or early October.

Questions can be directed to 701-328-2732 or snap-pebt@nd.gov.

Border hours

North Dakota's congressional delegation has joined the call for federal officials to restore hours of operation at some ports of entry on the U.S.-Canada border to pre-pandemic levels.

Gov. Doug Burgum has pushed for restoration, saying reduced hours at several North Dakota port crossings hurt the state. But his pleas were rejected by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, which says longer opening hours can't be justified because of a shrinking volume of traffic at the crossings.

U.S. Sens. Kevin Cramer and John Hoeven and Rep. Kelly Armstrong, all R-N.D., recently sent a letter to Customs Commissioner Chris Magnus, asking for a return to pre-pandemic hours at the ports. The delegation said the reduced hours unnecessarily restrict cross-border activity and contribute to supply chain issues.

Magnus is a former Fargo police chief.

Testing and vaccines

A comprehensive list of free public COVID-19 testing offered in North Dakota can be found at health.nd.gov/covidtesting. That site also lists where free at-home test kits are being offered.

People can go to https://www.ndvax.orgor https://bit.ly/3N3IMxb or call 866-207-2880 to see where COVID-19 vaccine is available near them.

County-level COVID-19 risks determined by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention can be found at https://bit.ly/3Clifrq.

Guidance and resources for businesses are at https://bit.ly/3w0DpKj.

General information is at https://www.health.nd.gov/diseases-conditions/coronavirus and https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html.
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 August 1, 2022

FBJYRY56 MLOT

FJO94TASD3FT

PQR3BKUI7LT7

FSDRFKUIYVGR

FBTU6BFYTBT7

FBJUT6RFT1RT

FBTU6JKIE8E7

FLU8HG8RBHT4

ST5KJCRFVBHT

S5JTUGVJ Y5Y4

X99TK56XDJ4X

FF11NJN5YS3E

FF9MJ31CXKRG

YXY3EGTLHGJX

FIIF GI8E O49F

HTY3 RIFG OR3F

(Also read: Shocking! Ex-Amazon Web Services engineer hacked data of 10 crore customers)

How to Redeem Garena Free Fire codes for today, August 1, 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)
Colombo: Sri Lanka's President Ranil Wickremesinghe on Sunday said that there is no point in demanding that he "goes home" as he has no home to go to while referring to the threats received from the protestors.

Speaking in Kandy, a city in Sri Lanka, Wickremesinghe said that some people have threatened to stage protests, demanding that he goes home, Colombo Gazette reported. In response, Wickremesinghe said, "I am appealing to you not to do that as I have no home to go to."

Also Read: Sri Lanka Prez Wickremesinghe urges parties to find ways to repay loans as unrest delays IMF deal

Wickremesinghe said that demanding him to go home is just a waste of time instead the protesters should try to rebuild his burnt house. "No point telling a man who has no home, to go home," he said, adding that after his house is rebuilt then the protesters can demand that he goes home. The President said that the protesters must either rebuild the country or rebuild his house, Colombo Gazette reported.

He highlighted that the unrest had delayed a possible deal with the International Monetary Fund to help pull the bankrupt nation out of its economic crisis and urged political parties must work together on finding permanent solutions to the issues faced by Sri Lanka.

He further said that there is no point in blaming former president Gotabaya Rajapaksa for the economic crisis but rather urged all political parties to come together to take the country out of the economic mess and repay the debt.Wickremesinghe noted that the protests had delayed a possible deal with the IMF which was progressing after he assumed duties as Prime Minister."The negotiations stalled due to instability in the island nation over the past few weeks as agitators stormed the nation amid extreme fuel and food shortages," he said.The President reiterated that other countries are not willing to offer financial assistance to the island nation until a deal is reached with the IMF.

Sri Lanka needs to find ways to repay its loans as IMF will not fully resolve the issues faced by the country.Notably, on July 9, Sri Lankan protesters broke into then Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe`s private residence and set it on fire, angered by the unprecedented economic crisis.

Just a few hours ago with the demand for then President Gotabaya Rajapaksa`s resignation, they stormed into the compound, tore down security cordons placed by police, took a dip in the swimming pool and romped through his kitchen and home. Several journalists were also attacked by the security forces after which more protestors gathered in the area, Daily Mirror reported.

Earlier, the police fired tear gas at the protesters but despite that, they entered his house and set the house on fire.Following this, Wickremesinghe, who was appointed as Prime Minister in May, announced his resignation from his post in order to ensure the continuation of the government and the safety of all the citizens.

On July 21, following the resignation of then President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Wickremesinghe was sworn in as President of Sri Lanka in Parliament before Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya. He was elected as president in an election held in Parliament on July 20.

Notably, Sri Lanka is suffering its worst economic crisis since gaining independence in 1948, which comes on the heels of successive waves of COVID-19, threatening to undo years of development progress and severely undermining the country`s ability to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The protests came after the worsening economic situation in the country led to increasing tensions and reports of several confrontations between individuals and members of the police force and the armed forces at fuel stations where thousands of desperate members of the public queued for hours and sometimes days amid the fuel shortage.
SINGAPORE: U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi kicked off a closely-watched Asia tour on Monday in Singapore as China warned that its military would never "sit idly by" if she were to visit Taiwan, the self-ruled island claimed by Beijing. Amid widespread speculation over whether she would make a stop in Taiwan, Pelosi`s office announced on Sunday that she was leading a Congressional delegation to the region that would include visits to Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea and Japan. It did not mention Taiwan.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said that it would be "a gross interference in China`s internal affairs" if Pelosi visits Taiwan, and warned that it would lead to "very serious developments and consequences."

"We would like to tell the United States once again that China is standing by, the Chinese People`s Liberation Army will never sit idly by, and China will take resolute responses and strong countermeasures to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity," Zhao told a regular daily briefing.

Asked what kind of measures the PLA might take, Zhao said: "if she dares to go, then let us wait and see.

China views visits by U.S. officials to Taiwan as sending an encouraging signal to the pro-independence camp in the island. Washington does not have official diplomatic ties with Taiwan but is bound by U.S. law to provide the island with the means to defend itself.

A visit by Pelosi, who is second in the line of succession to the U.S. presidency and a long-time critic of China, would come amid worsening ties between Washington and Beijing. Republican Newt Gingrich was the last House speaker to visit Taiwan, in 1997.

'Those who play with fire will perish by it': Chinese President Xi Jinping warned Joe Biden

During a phone call last Thursday, Chinese President Xi Jinping warned his U.S. counterpart Joe Biden that Washington should abide by the one-China principle and "those who play with fire will perish by it".

Biden told Xi that U.S. policy on Taiwan had not changed and that Washington strongly opposes unilateral efforts to change the status quo or undermine peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.

Today I spoke with President Xi Jinping of the Peoples Republic of China as part of our efforts to deepen lines of communication, responsibly manage our differences, and address issues of mutual interest. pic.twitter.com/mwIeg35h8j  President Biden (@POTUS) July 28, 2022

On Monday, Pelosi and her delegation met with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, discussing issues including cross-strait relations, the Ukraine war and climate change, Singapore`s foreign ministry said.

"PM Lee highlighted the importance of stable US-China relations for regional peace and security," it said.

Beijing considers Taiwan to be part of its territory and has never renounced using force to bring the island under its control. Taiwan rejects China`s sovereignty claims and says only its people can decide the island`s future.

Last Wednesday, Biden told reporters he thought the U.S. military believed a Pelosi visit to Taiwan was "not a good idea right now."

On Monday CNN, citing an unnamed Taiwan official and an unnamed U.S. official, said Pelosi was expected to land in Taiwan in coming days and stay overnight, although the stop remained off her public schedule. Reuters could not immediately confirm the report.
Kyiv: Russian missiles pounded the southern Ukrainian port city of Mykolaiv early on Sunday, killing the owner of a major grain exporter, while a drone strike on Russia`s Black Sea naval base in Sevastopol was launched from within the city in a "terrorist attack," a Russian lawmaker said.

Oleksiy Vadatursky, founder and owner of agriculture company Nibulon, and his wife were killed in their home, Mykolaiv Governor Vitaliy Kim said on Telegram.

Headquartered in Mykolaiv, a strategically important city that borders the mostly Russian-occupied Kherson region, Nibulon specializes in the production and export of wheat, barley and corn, and has its own fleet and shipyard.

Five Russian navy staff members were injured by an explosion after a presumed drone flew into the courtyard of Russia`s Black Sea fleet headquarters in Russian-occupied Sevastopol, the Crimean port city`s governor, Mikhail Razvozhayev told Russian media.

He blamed the attack on Ukraine, saying it had decided to "spoil Navy Day for us."

Reuters could not independently verify the battlefield reports.

But Olga Kovitidi, a member of Russia`s upper house of parliament, told the Russian RIA news agency that the attack was "undoubtedly carried out not from outside, but from the territory of Sevastopol."

"Urgent search operations are being conducted in the city to track down the organisers of this terrorist act. They will be found by the evening," Kovitidi was quoted as saying.

The Sevastopol attack coincided with Russia`s Navy Day, which President Vladimir Putin marked by announcing that the navy would receive what he called "formidable" hypersonic Zircon cruise missiles in coming months. The missiles can travel at nine times the speed of sound, outrunning air defenses.

Putin did not mention the conflict in Ukraine during a speech after signing a new naval doctrine which cast the United States as Russia`s main rival and set out Russia`s global maritime ambitions for crucial areas such as the Arctic and in the Black Sea.

GRAIN TYCOON `GREAT LOSS`

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy described the death of grain tycoon Vadatursky, as "a great loss for all of Ukraine". Zelenskiy added that the businessman -- one of Ukraine`s richest with Forbes estimating his 2021 net worth at $430 million -- had been building a modern grain market with a network of transhipment terminals and elevators.

"It is these people, these companies, precisely the south of Ukraine, which has guaranteed the world`s food security," Zelenskiy said in his nightly address. "This was always so. And it will be so once again."

He added that Ukraine`s social and industrial potential, "our people, our capabilities, are surely more powerful than any Russian missiles or shells."

Three people were also wounded in the attacks on Mykolaiv, the city`s Mayor Oleksandr Senkevych told Ukrainian television, adding 12 missiles hit homes and educational facilities. He earlier described the strikes as "probably the most powerful" on the city of the entire five-month-old war.

Up to 50 Grad rockets hit residential areas in the southern city of Nikopol on Sunday morning, Dnipropetrovsk Governor Valentyn Reznichenko wrote on Telegram. One person was wounded.

Putin sent tens of thousands of troops over the border on Feb. 24, setting off a conflict that has killed thousands, uprooted millions and deeply strained relations between Russia and the West.

The biggest conflict in Europe since World War Two has also stoked an energy and food crisis that is shaking the global economy. Both Ukraine and Russia are leading suppliers of grain.

HARVEST COULD BE HALVED

Zelenskiy also said on Sunday the country may harvest only half its usual amount this year due to the invasion.

"Ukrainian harvest this year is under the threat to be twice less," suggesting half as much as usual, Zelenskiy wrote in English on Twitter. "Our main goal  to prevent global food crisis caused by Russian invasion. Still grains find a way to be delivered alternatively," he added.

Ukraine has struggled to get its product to buyers via its Black Sea ports because of the war.

But an agreement signed under the stewardship of the United Nations and Turkey on July 22 provides for safe passage for ships carrying grain out of three southern Ukrainian ports.

There is a high possibility that the first grain-exporting ship will leave Ukraine`s ports on Monday, a spokesperson for Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on Sunday.

EASTERN DANGER

Zelenskiy said on Sunday that Russia has been transferring some forces from the eastern Donbas region to the southern Kherson and Zaporizhizhya regions.

"But that won`t help them there. None of the Russian strikes will go unanswered by our military and intelligence officers," he added.

But Zelenskiy said on Saturday that hundreds of thousands of people were still exposed to fierce fighting in the Donbas region, which contains Donetsk and Luhansk provinces and which Russia seeks to control completely. Swathes of the Donbas were held before the invasion by Russian-backed separatists.

Russia said on Sunday it had invited U.N. and Red Cross experts to probe the deaths of dozens of Ukrainian prisoners held by Moscow-backed separatists.

Ukraine and Russia have traded accusations over a missile strike or explosion early on Friday that appeared to have killed the Ukrainian prisoners of war in the front-line town of Olenivka in eastern Donetsk.

The Russian defence ministry had published a list of 50 Ukrainian prisoners of war killed and 73 wounded in what it said was a Ukrainian military strike with U.S.-made artillery.

Ukraine`s armed forces denied responsibility, saying Russian artillery had attacked the prison to hide mistreatment there.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) on Sunday condemned the attack and said it had not yet received permission to visit the site, while adding it was not its mandate to publicly investigate alleged war crimes.
New Delhi: Even though the Covid-19 wave has slowed down across the globe, the danger of the infections has not yet been averted. The coronavirus is still mutating and the scientists are discovering new symptoms everyday. Recently, an immunologist has warned that the new strain of Covid-19 could be causing different symptoms, including one that emerges during the night.

Scientist has brought a new finding to light which states that the new strain Omicron BA.5, which is a highly-contagious subvariant prompting concern as it contributes to a fresh wave of infections across the globe, can be causing a new symptom among patients.

Many scientists are still studying the coronavirus to find differences of the current variant with previous strains.

A leading immunologist, Professor Luke ONeill from Trinity College Dublin, in an interview with an Irish radio station in mid-July, suggested one extra symptom from BA.5 I saw this morning is night sweats.

Omicron BA.5, which was first discovered in South Africa in February, is driving a surge in cases in a number of countries along with BA.4, including across Europe and Australia, and has become the dominant variant in the US. The disease is slightly different because the virus has changed, Professor ONeill told Newstalk.

There is some immunity to it  obviously with the T-cells and so on  and that mix of your immune system and the virus being slightly different might give rise to a slightly different diease, strangely enough night sweats being a feature. But very importantly, if you are vaccinated and youre boosted, it doesnt progress into severe disease is the message to keep reminding people, he added.
Washington: Speaker of the US House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi has embarked on a trip to Asia which will take her to Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea and Japan, her office said in a statement, but did not mention of a stop in Taiwan. In the statement on Sunday, Pelosi`s office said that the "trip will focus on mutual security, economic partnership and democratic governance in the Indo-Pacific region".

Also Read: 'Okay to shoot down Nancy Pelosi's plane': Chinese nationalist tweets amid speculated Taiwan visit, deletes it later

"Today, our Congressional delegation travels to the Indo-Pacific to reaffirm America`s strong and unshakeable commitment to our allies and friends in the region," the House Speaker was quoted as saying in the statement.

"In Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea and Japan, our delegation will hold high-level meetings to discuss how we can further advance our shared interests and values, including peace and security, economic growth and trade, the Covid-19 pandemic, the climate crisis, human rights and democratic governance.

"Under the strong leadership of President Biden, America is firmly committed to smart, strategic engagement in the region, understanding that a free and flourishing Indo-Pacific is crucial to prosperity in our nation and around the globe," she added.

Member of the delegation accompanying Pelosi are leading members of the House of Representatives: Gregory Meeks, Mark Takano, Suzan DelBene, Raja Krishnamoorthi and Andy Kim.

The commencement of the trip comes after tensions again heightened between the US and China over speculation that Pelosi could also make a stop in Taiwan.

China, which claims Taiwan, warned of "serious consequences" over the possible visit, the BBC reported.

Pelosi`s original plan was to visit Taiwan in April, but she postponed the trip after she tested positive for Covid-19.

The last House Speaker to visit Taiwan was Republican Newt Gingrich in 1997.
Tribal nations sharing geography with North Dakota are watching for how the state will handle certain prosecutions after a major U.S. Supreme Court ruling impacting jurisdiction.

The court ruled 5-4 in June that Oklahoma can prosecute non-Native Americans for crimes committed on tribal land when the victim is Native American, according to The Associated Press. The ruling gives states concurrent jurisdiction with the federal government for prosecuting those types of crimes.

"The states interest in protecting crime victims includes both Indian and non-Indian victims," Justice Brett Kavanaugh wrote in the majority opinion.

The case stemmed from a Tulsa man's conviction for child neglect related to his Cherokee Indian stepdaughter, after which the court decided a separate case ruling much of eastern Oklahoma as never "disestablished" by Congress as Indian reservation land.

The North Dakota Supreme Court's Tribal and State Court Affairs Committee will likely meet by videoconference this fall and "get to visit about what we think the implications are" of the ruling, said Justice Jerod Tufte, who chairs the panel that includes state district court and tribal court judges and administrators. Federal officials will be invited, he said.

"To some extent, I think (the ruling's impact) remains to be seen," Tufte said.

Tribal nations

Standing Rock Tribal Court Chief Judge Mike Swallow said, "Its a little bit too soon to actually predict or even say how (the ruling is) going to affect us."

He said he can foresee scenarios such as domestic violence cases or a non-Indian assaulting a Native American at the Prairie Knights Casino, but added, "We don't have a large number of those type of cases." The tribal court hasn't prosecuted a non-Indian for domestic violence for a couple of years, he said.

The impact of the ruling is greater for Oklahoma and for reservations with a large number of non-Indians, Swallow said.

Sioux County encompasses the northern portion of the Standing Rock Indian Reservation; 83% of the county's population is American Indian, according to a 2021 population estimate by the U.S. Census Bureau.

The tribal court judge added he would like to learn what the intentions of North Dakota state officials might be following the ruling.

"I would like to see the state and the tribe collaborate to some extent to work that out, to discuss what is the state's intentions?" Swallow said.

The Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation issued a statement July 1 expressing disappointment "in the majority opinion to the extent it does not accurately reflect the court's long-standing precedent when it comes to issues of state authority in Indian Country."

The tribe's statement noted that the ruling affects "jurisdiction to prosecute non-Indians who commit crimes against Indians within Indian Country," but "goes no further than that and does not affect existing tribal jurisdiction in Indian Country."

"We expect states to exercise this jurisdiction in an evenhanded and nondiscriminatory manner," the Three Affiliated Tribes said. "We will be closely watching how state courts sentence non-Indians who commit covered crimes in Indian country to be sure that they are prosecuted and sentenced the same as crimes committed outside of Indian Country."

North Dakota Highway Patrol Sgt. Jenna Clawson-Huibregtse said the Patrol's "mission and partnership remain the same" for law enforcement agreements the state has signed with MHA Nation and the Spirit Lake Tribe.

"We will provide mutual aid to tribal nations and law enforcement and let current jurisdiction and case law dictate which courts system applies for anyone involved in incidents," she said.

McLean County

McLean County State's Attorney Ladd Erickson said he intends to collaborate with the MHA Nation in response to the ruling. About a third of his county shares geography with the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation.

The county has special law enforcement agreements with the Three Affiliated Tribes, a working relationship that is "very positive for both sides," Erickson said.

When the ruling came out, he called North Dakota Indian Affairs Commission Executive Director Nathan Davis and asked him about forming a uniform approach across counties to the ruling.

Erickson also called the Three Affiliated Tribes' general counsel and emphasized McLean County won't make any changes to law enforcement until the tribe weighs in.

"We respect their rights and their concerns about this case, so we're going to not do anything that they don't consent and we don't come to an agreement with," Erickson said.

He suggests tribal leaders and the governor work on the issue "and create uniformity ... amongst all of the state and the counties."

"It doesn't make sense to have a checkerboard of how we implement this," Erickson said. "It's something that we need to respect, need to be uniform around, to have a good relationship with the tribes."

Tribal nations also could make arrangements with counties for prosecuting cases of non-Indian offenders that federal officials for whatever reason decline to take on, he said -- with tribes maintaining sovereignty "but it's one where they also have some backup that can address a problem."

Spirit Lake

The state of North Dakota already has authority on the Spirit Lake Reservation due to a 1946 federal law that gives the state criminal jurisdiction over misdemeanor crimes there. The law was meant to address safety concerns and a lack of law enforcement and tribal justice resources at the time.

For the most part, the authority "goes unused by our neighboring counties," according to Spirit Lake Tribal Court Chief Judge Joe Vetsch.

"They respect our sovereignty and our feelings or wishes regarding that antiquated law," he said. "It is, however, used in misdemeanor cases with a non-Indian offender and Indian victim."

Offenses usually include simple assault, disorderly conduct, theft, criminal mischief, trespass and other misdemeanor crimes involving a potential victim, he said.

Spirit Lake has sought to have the law repealed. North Dakota's congressional delegation as recently as 2019 has introduced legislation to do so.

North Dakota Highway Patrol does not use the federal law, according to Clawson-Huibregtse.

She noted a recent cross-deputization agreement involving the tribe and local and state law enforcement agencies allowing those agencies to enforce federal law on Spirit Lake.

State prosecutions?

Prosecution decisions are up to county state's attorneys, according to Justice Tufte, a former state district court judge and state's attorney.

"A case doesn't come into court until a prosecutor decides to file a charge," he said.

Only a handful of mostly rural counties throughout the state share geography with tribal nations, such as the five counties in the area of the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation. Tribal members also are residents of North Dakota.

Some cases could play out similarly to ones involving drugs, with both federal and state jurisdiction, Tufte said.

"At some point, somebody decides who's going to go first, and it doesn't mean that the other sovereign -- the state or the federal government -- can't also prosecute, which is sometimes counterintuitive to folks that aren't lawyers," he said. "The double jeopardy clause doesn't bar a second prosecution by a separate sovereign."

Sioux County State's Attorney Chris Redmann said the Supreme Court ruling "marks a win for crime victims on Native American reservations."

"Essentially, now when a crime occurs on a reservation in North Dakota, not only will the United States government be able to hold non-Native American defendants accountable when the victim is Native American, so can the state of North Dakota," he said.

State caseloads "perhaps" might increase, and it's "a possibility" more prosecutor resources might come to bear, Tufte said. But that would depend on "prosecutorial priorities between the federal government and the state and the tribe, so if anything this brings the state authority as an additional, potential prosecuting agency," he said.

He noted North Dakota's "relatively good and productive relationship that the state has had with the tribes" sharing its geography.

"I think some of our sister states don't have as good of relationships with the tribes, and so I'm optimistic that both between the prosecution officials and the judges and the court officials, we'll be able to have some useful conversations and it won't necessarily be an adversarial or a major conflict that we have to resolve," Tufte said.

Tribal judges from each of the five tribal nations serve on the committee he chairs.

The ruling's result might bring to bear more resources to prosecute crimes on reservations, but also "ensure fewer cases slip through the very real jurisdictional cracks that exist between the state and federal government regarding law enforcement and prosecution on Native American reservations," the Sioux County state's attorney said.

"While this expanded jurisdiction will likely increase caseloads in the state system, I would like to believe increased caseloads also means increased accountability and justice -- and at the end of the day, thats why we all do our jobs," Redmann said.
A hot, dry week is in store for much of North Dakota as a mass of trapped warm air blankets the region.

High temperatures in the western two-thirds of the state on Monday and Tuesday were forecast to surpass 90 degrees and approach 100 in some areas. Bismarck's Tuesday high was forecast at 97 degrees; normal for this time of year is in the mid-80s.

"A cold front brings some brief relief on Wednesday with cooler temperatures and highs in the 70s and 80s before they bounce back to the mid to upper 90s on Thursday and Friday," the National Weather Service said. "A mostly dry week is also expected."

The hot weather isn't likely to set any records in the capital city, however. Bismarck's record high for Aug. 2 is 101 degrees, and its records for most other dates this week are well above 100 degrees.

A heat dome that has broken temperature records in the Northwest is shifting eastward. A heat dome occurs when the atmosphere traps hot air like a lid or cap, according to the National Ocean Service.

"When the jet stream shifts far to the north it allows extreme heat to surge into places that typically do not experience such conditions," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Randy Adkins said. "It's almost like allowing an air mass that you would normally see in the Desert Southwest shift to the Pacific Northwest."

AccuWeather Long-Range Meteorologist Brandon Buckingham said, "The first week of August is expected to feature an expansive swath of well-above-average temperatures spanning from the Dakotas to the East Coast."

He added that a combination of heat and humidity could make it feel hotter than 100 degrees and "require air conditioning units to constantly run."

Buckingham advised people to take precautions, including using sun block if spending time outdoors.

"Heat of this magnitude can be dangerous if an extended amount of time is spent outside," he said. "Frequent breaks, plenty of hydrating fluids, and wearing light-colored and loose-fitting clothing can help to minimize the effects."

The National Weather Service warned that vehicle interiors can quickly become deadly for people and pets on hot days. An inside temperature of 99 degrees can rise to 109 degrees within 20 minutes and to 123 degrees in an hour, the agency said.

The National Weather Service's Weather Prediction Center also cautioned that the conditions could increase the risk for wildfires. A red flag warning for critical fire weather conditions was in effect for eastern Montana through Tuesday. The fire danger rating for much of southwestern North Dakota was moderate or high on Monday.

North Dakota has had a relatively mild wildfire season, after a busy one in 2021. Updated totals weren't immediately available Monday due to technical problems. But as of about three weeks ago, there had been 214 fires burning 810 acres, compared with about 1,500 fires scorching more than 100,000 acres at the same point a year earlier, according to the state Department of Emergency Services.

North Dakota since 2015 has had an annual average of 830 wildfires burning 32,635 acres.

Smoke from wildfires burning in the western U.S. was beginning to drift into North Dakota on Monday and was expected to last into Tuesday, according to the weather service.

"The majority of this is expected to stay aloft and will lead to smoky/hazy skies, although there will also be increased cloud cover on Tuesday," the agency said.
Two North Dakota Democratic lawmakers on Monday called for an attorney generals opinion on the states abortion restrictions, saying clarity is needed to ensure care is not denied in or delayed in emergency situations.

Reps. Zac Ista, of Grand Forks, and Karla Rose Hanson, of Fargo, said discrepancies in state law could result in victims of rape having to get permission from a spouse to obtain an abortion, or in doctors not treating ectopic pregnancies, which occur when an embryo grows outside the womb and often are life-threatening to the women involved.

The request to Attorney General Drew Wrigley comes after a North Dakota judge last week 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.

Wrigley did not immediately return messages Monday seeking comment on whether he would issue an opinion.

Hanson said a formal attorney generals opinion may resolve the conflicts and inconsistencies in abortion-related state laws that no doubt will create confusion for medical and legal professionals.

The last thing we want is for a health care provider to hesitate in a medical crisis because they face potential legal jeopardy," Hanson said.

North Dakotas law would make abortion illegal in the state except in cases of rape, incest and the life of the mother.

But Ista, an attorney, believes all abortions would be illegal under the states trigger ban and puts the high burden on the doctor to prove an affirmative defense.
This is Up and Down, where we give a brief thumbs up or thumbs down on the issues from the past week.

Up

A new type of COVID-19 vaccine is available for adults, and it might be more acceptable to vaccine holdouts. Health officials say the Novavax vaccine uses more traditional technology that's been used for decades in other vaccines, including the one for the flu. North Dakota has 7,800 doses. The state also has a lot of residents who are uncomfortable with the previous coronavirus vaccines. North Dakota continues to have some of the lowest COVID-19 vaccination rates in the country. Perhaps the new vaccine will help move the state up the rankings.

Down

The fans who became unruly after Kid Rock's concert at the North Dakota State Fair was called off due to severe weather in the region didn't reflect well on North Dakota. The fans who threw cups and bottles on stage and showered law enforcement and security with beer were out of line. It's natural that fans would be disappointed. And some of them raised legitimate questions, such as why carnival rides at the fair weren't stopped because of the weather danger. But unfortunately, it was the disorderly fans who drew national attention.

Up

The federal government has heeded the call of North Dakota ranchers and politicians to revise payment rates for young calves under a program that aims to help ranchers hit by disasters such as the April blizzards in the state. The move means payment rates through the federal Livestock Indemnity Program will more accurately reflect fair value for young beef calves. That's a big deal in several western North Dakota counties that saw widespread cattle losses during the spring snowstorms. North Dakota Stockmen's Association President Jeff Schafer says the disaster program won't bring back "generations of hard work, selection and breeding that were lost," but it will help ranchers recover.

Down

The latest global health threat has arrived in North Dakota. Monkeypox has been confirmed in a man from the eastern part of the state. Monkeypox has emerged in more than 50 countries and 44 U.S. states. Common symptoms include fever, fatigue, headaches, muscle aches, swollen lymph nodes and a rash. North Dakota's Health Department says the risk in the state remains low. But the monkeypox vaccine is in limited supply in the U.S. North Dakota has received only 65 doses from the federal government.
A gentleman flying from Bali to Australia was looking forward to a delicious breakfast of McDonald's Egg McMuffins when customs agent turned them into an unhappy meal. Australian authorities have begun new regulations following a Foot and Mouth disease outbreak in Bali. According to Australia's Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, they found a "range of undeclared risk products" in his backpack that they say justified an AUS$2,664 (US$1,874) fine.

"This will be the most expensive Maccas meal this passenger ever has," Murray Watt, minister for agriculture, fisheries and forestry, said in a statement.

"This fine is twice the cost of an airfare to Bali, but I have no sympathy for people who choose to disobey Australia's strict biosecurity measures, and recent detections show you will be caught."

The statement went on to confirm that the passenger had been issued with "a 12-unit infringement notice for failing to declare potential high biosecurity risk items and providing a false and misleading document." The seized products are to be tested for foot and mouth disease before being destroyed.
Meta's mascot should be the "NOT ME" imp that appears in Family Circus comics when none of the kids are willing to take responsibility for spilled grape juice, broken furniture, and other mishaps around the house.

Who approved ads advocating for ethnic cleansing in Kenya? NOT ME, says Facebook.

Who "allowed themselves to be a vector of hate speech and incitement?" NOT ME.

Who "approved ads on Facebook in both Swahili and English that included calls to rape and behead Kenyan citizens along ethnic lines?" NOT ME.

As you might imagine, Facebook is very upset with NOT ME.

Facebook's NOT ME isn't the smirking sprite seen in Family Circus; it's "proactive detection technology" that serves as a convenient scapegoat every time Facebook makes a massive fuckup.

Fortunately, the ads were submitted by a watchdog group testing Facebook's detection measures against hate speech and never ran on the platform.

From Courthouse News:
David Balkin, the new president of SUNY Erie Community College, is moving quickly to make his mark on the struggling college.

The state's legal cannabis market is still taking shape, but there are plenty of opportunities and pitfalls for stores, growers and anyone else looking to jump into what likely will be a big new business in New York.

A Niagara Falls fitness equipment maker has been acquired by a private-equity-backed company that already owns some big national brands.

Kaleida Health's new CEO is building out his executive team.

M&T Bank's charitable foundation, one of the region's biggest philanthropic groups, has a new leader.

Legislation to restore the pension savings of the retired Delphi 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.

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.

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."

A Northland Workforce Training Center program

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.

Amazon's big distribution center in the Town of Niagara is approved, but it still has plenty of hurdles to clear.

ICYMI

Buffalo Next reporters Jonathan D. Epstein, Jon Harris, Natalie Brophy, Matt Glynn, Samantha Christmann, Janet Gramza and Mike Petro contributed to this roundup.

Five reads from Buffalo Next:

1. Rich Products relies on innovation and new products to keep its business growing  and a good portion of those efforts are based in Buffalo.

2. 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.

3. New stadium, new experience: More details are emerging on 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 Buffalo Bills linebacker who is serving as the project executive for Populous, the stadium's architect.

4. Donald Boyd has some "enormous challenges" ahead, according to one health care administration expert, as the 50-year-old takes over as CEO of Kaleida Health after spending nearly his entire career there, rising through the ranks of Western New York's largest health system.

5. Dollar stores are booming: Do these retailers help or hurt communities?: The dollar store industry is one of the fastest growing in the country, often bringing a wide-ranging store to communities and neighborhoods where shopping options are limited. But not everyone is happy.
The next news director for the newscasts on WIVB-TV (Channel 4) and sister station WNLO-TV (Channel 23) grew up in Syracuse and has earned three degrees from Syracuse University.

Brianne Betts has spent the past 11 years at WCMH-TV, the NBC affiliate in Columbus, Ohio, which like WIVB and WNLO are owned by Nexstar Broadcasting.

In making the announcement to the staff, WIVB General Manager Joe Abouzeid said Betts started as a producer at WCMH and worked her way up to her most recent job as assistant news director. She has had that role for more than three years.

According to her LinkedIn profile, Betts has a bachelors degree in English, textual studies and classics, a masters degree in journalism and a degree in international law, all from Syracuse. The profile notes that she worked as a producer at WHAM-TV in Rochester for one year.

In a release, Abouzeid wrote Betts played an instrumental role in the stations tremendous coverage of the pandemic, as well as the Dayton mass shooting, and countless other breaking news stories.

She starts Aug. 22.

Operations manager Josh Roy, who has been at WIVB for about 20 years, has been the acting news director since Lisa Polizzi was fired in May after more than five years in the role.
The announced reopening  and expansion  of an Eggertsville anti-abortion clinic damaged in a suspected firebombing in early June laid bare the states political divide over the contentious issue of abortion.

Officials from CompassCare and like-minded elected officials excoriated defenders of abortion rights in their remarks Monday outside the crisis pregnancy center at 1230 Eggert Road.

Anti-abortion group, allies decry lack of updates in Amherst arson investigation The operators of an Eggertsville clinic targeted in a suspected firebombing and those who support the center's anti-abortion mission say the investigation into the incident isn't a priority for government agencies at the state and federal levels.

They blamed Gov. Kathy Hochul, state Attorney General Letitia James and other New York Democrats for all but encouraging the arson.

We are being attacked, make no mistake about it. And I say that present tense  the attacks aren't over. And we're being attacked for who we are and what we believe, CompassCare CEO Jim Harden said at a Monday news conference.

James office did not respond to requests for comment, while Hochuls office reissued the same statement it sent in the hours after the initial incident: "Governor Hochul condemns violence of any kind and the State Police stand ready to assist local authorities with the investigation."

The pointed criticism came as CompassCare officials announced they had completed repairs to the clinic damaged in the June 7 vandalism and fire.

The center could reopen to clients as soon as this week, said Harden, who also announced plans to expand the clinic to provide telehealth services.

He also said Amherst police continue to investigate the incident, with the assistance of the FBI, but no arrests have been made.

The blaze was reported at 2:30 a.m. June 7 at the clinic on Eggert near Main Street. No one was inside at the time, but two volunteer firefighters were treated for minor injuries.

The words "Jane was here" were written on the side of the building. Jane's Revenge, branded as an abortion terrorist group by CompassCare, later took credit for setting the fire, as it has for at least one other fire elsewhere.

Political violence blamed in arson at anti-abortion group's center in Amherst Town police said a fire at CompassCare at 1230 Eggert Road, off Main Street, was reported at 2:30 a.m. Tuesday.

Harden said the organization likely has spent more than $400,000 on repairs to the structure, equipment and furnishings, as well as enhanced security for the building. He declined to go into detail on the new security features.

He said CompassCare is waiting for a final certificate of occupancy before reopening to patients.

CompassCare has provided counseling and medical services to pregnant women at an unidentified alternate location in the Buffalo area since the day after the fire, Harden said.

Harden read a statement from town police at Monday's news conference stating they are "working diligently" with the FBI to solve the case.

Harden said he appreciates those efforts, but he remains frustrated with the pace of the investigation.

He said CompassCare plans to start a running update on how many days have passed since the firebombing without an arrest. An Amherst police spokesman did not respond to a request for comment.

Harden said the failure to hold Janes Revenge accountable for the damage, and the unwillingness among abortion rights supporters to forcefully decry the vandalism and arson, encourages future attacks like this one.

Harden said the organization issued a general invitation to local elected officials to Mondays event. The ones who showed up  Rep. Claudia Tenney, R-New Hartford; State Sen. George Borrello, R-Sunset Bay; and Williamsville Mayor Deb Rogers  dont represent Eggertsville in their districts.

Tenney said she was introducing federal legislation that would increase the penalties for attacks on crisis pregnancy centers like the one opened by CompassCare in Eggertsville in 2019.

Crisis pregnancy centers provide free basic medical care and counseling to pregnant women to encourage them to seek other options beside abortion.

Supporters of abortion rights say the centers often misrepresent themselves online to prospective clients and James, in June, sent a letter urging Google to improve search results on Google Maps to better distinguish between the centers and abortion clinics.

While James called the centers dangerous and misleading, elected officials Mondays blasted Democrats for policies that, they insisted, led to further violence in the state.

That's what the governor, that's what the attorney general and that's what the majority of Democrats in Albany have said: violence is OK if it supports their political agenda, Borrello said. That's what you see here.

Assemblywoman Karen McMahon, D-Amherst, whose district includes the center, denounced the attack on CompassCare but she accused Republicans of trying to steer the focus away from the political rhetoric that spurred the attack on the U.S. Capitol or the Tops Markets in Buffalo.

She said the clinic has a right to operate.

I simply hope that this business provides information that accurately reflects the consensus of the medical community and allows women the agency to make their own decisions regarding their reproductive care, McMahon said in an email.

Harden said the Supreme Court decision granting states the right to regulate abortion will create hubs in states continuing to allow the procedure.

In response, he said, CompassCare is planning a $265,000 expansion that will increase the size of the Eggert Road clinic by 30%, with a focus on reaching pregnant women by phone or online.

The expansion is expected to be completed in six months, Harden said.
Fire investigators are looking into the cause of a fire on Marion Street on Saturday that caused one firefighter to be treated and released from the hospital.

The fire occurred at 32 Marion, causing an estimated $30,000 damage, according to a spokesman for the Buffalo Fire Department.

One firefighter suffered heat exhaustion and was taken to Erie County Medical Center, where he was treated and released.

The Red Cross is assisting two adults, according to the spokesman.
Daniel Popoola remembers his admission letter to Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at University at Buffalo. At the bottom of the letter was a handwritten message from associate director of admissions, Dr. Jonathan Daniels, that said, Im looking forward to seeing you in class.

While he doesnt know what Daniels' exact intention was, Popoola knows that by writing this encouraging note to a stranger, Daniels furthered his excitement to begin school.

Its this same desire to invest in students that inspired the Jonathan D. Daniels, MD Memorial School Drive outside his office, Urban Family Practice, serving the Jefferson Avenue community that he worked in for over 20 years.

On July 4, Daniels, 53, and two of his daughters, Jordan, 27, and Jensen, 23, died in a fire at their Huntington Avenue house. Another daughter, Jillian, and his wife, Janessa Givens-Daniels, survived.

Even in his absence, Daniels involvement in the drive was present as his former patients and loved ones stood in line to receive school supplies and a sign with instructions for the event that read, This is a memorial for Dr. Jonathan Daniels. This is an event he wanted for the community. Let us celebrate his life and his mission.

With your guidance, we will get through this, an event organizer, friend and colleague of Daniels, Emmekunla Nylander, told attendees.

The drive included more than 300 backpacks filled with school supplies that were donated by Jacobs students, faculty, staff and other community members and given away on a first-come, first-serve basis. Still, there are additional materials that werent able to be distributed this year and will be given out during the second drive next year, Nylander said.

Beatrice Gonzalez, who was planning the event with Daniels, felt an even deeper motivation to organize the drive after his passing.

Dr. Daniels and I shared a lot of visions and this backpack event was one of them, Gonzalez said. The idea behind it was to give students the resources that many of us didnt have when we grew up. After his death, it was important for me to continue his legacy and to move forward with our vision.

The event was held with regard to educational and pediatric health because the way children respond to school is a crucial aspect of their wellness, said Nathaniel Graves, a volunteer and Jacobs School student.

When you invest in these kids now at this age, you help put them on a path towards investing in themselves, investing in their education, being excited about school and those small kinds of nuances at such a young age have such impact as they grow older.

An event that benefits youth perfectly embodies who Daniels was as a person, said his friend, Monika McFoy, who brought her nieces, nephew and daughters to receive backpacks.

He was always working to improve our community. He served youth regularly, that was just who he was, she said.

Many of the volunteers were Jacobs students, grateful for Daniels bringing them in to the school and ready to continue his legacy by paying it forward, Nylander said.

Its heartwarming, its overwhelming. It brings tears to my eyes to know that we have support of the community and people from Jacobs School of Medicine on this mission to provide backpacks to the community, she said.
Steel & OBrien, a Wyoming County metal parts fabricator, told the government it released 4,066 pounds of toxic nickel and chromium into the air in 2020.

Those emissions resulted in the facility getting tagged with the highest federal risk-screening score of any manufacturer in Western New York, based on the potential public health risk from its pollution.

Which WNY companies pollution poses biggest potential public health risk? The Buffalo Niagara region improved when compared to other metropolitan regions in overall total pollution releases to air, water and land  moving from 44th most in the nation in 2015 to 163rd most out of 893 urban areas.

But a plant official now says the number reported by the company to the Environmental Protection Agency is wrong.

Pete Beyette, general manager of Steel & OBrien in Arcade, said the plant emits almost no toxic chemicals due to down-draft tables and a dust-collection system that captures 99.9% of all airborne particles.

The company failed to consider the efficiency of the dust collection system in determining its on-site air emissions, Beyette said.

The calculation we were doing was wrong. We did it wrong and we submitted it to the EPA incorrectly, he said. We do run a very clean site here. We are not a polluter of toxic waste.

The EPAs annual Risk-Screening Environmental Indicators score factors the amount of toxic chemicals emitted by a facility, as well as the toxicity of those chemicals and the size of the population that potentially could inhale or otherwise come into contact with the chemicals, among other criteria.

Steel & OBriens score was more than 3,000 times the median score for the fabricated metals industry nationwide.

The Buffalo News reported the EPA data in a story on July 11. Prior to publication, a News reporter left two voicemails and sent three emails to Steel & OBrien representatives seeking comment on the data.

Beyette acknowledged that the company received the inquiries, but chose not to respond because it had a policy against talking to media. He said he has since revised that policy.

Steel & OBrien submitted 2021 emissions numbers to the EPA in June, and those are accurate, Beyette said. Those submissions show almost no releases of chromium and nickel.

An EPA spokeswoman confirmed that Steel & OBrien also submitted revised emissions numbers for 2020, 2019, and 2018.

How common is it for companies to overstate their toxic emissions, in error?

The EPA hasn't done an analysis, said spokeswoman Melissa A. Sullivan.

But Sullivan said facility managers are legally bound to file accurate and complete reports for any toxic chemicals manufactured, processed or otherwise used.

The EPA also may inspect a facility or review records to verify reported release estimates or changes to those estimates, she said.

Steel & O'Brien hired an Atlanta consulting firm to review its data and calculations for 2018-2020.

Steel & OBrien had reported stack emissions of 4,386 pounds of nickel and chromium in 2018, 3,876 pounds in 2019 and 4,066 pounds in 2020. The consulting firm, RPS Group Inc., calculated fugitive emissions at .0004 pounds in each of the three years.

The consultants said in a letter that Steel & OBriens reported air emissions numbers did not take into account the dust collector efficiency, which resulted in a significantly higher quantity being reported.

They said their cursory review indicated a likely mis-calculation in the quantity of emissions reported for each chemical.

Data entry error wrongly lands Lockport company among nations worst polluters The VanDeMark Chemical facility in Lockport landed on the 2019 Toxic 100 Air Polluters Index, a list of the nations most toxic corporate polluters, because of a data entry error the company made in a form it sent to the EPA, the company said.

2nd firm with pollution error

VanDeMark Chemical in Lockport similarly submitted amended emissions reports to the EPA after the company initially reported releasing a chemical called hydrazine, resulting in risk-screening scores above 400,000 in 2018, 2019 and 2020.

VanDeMark's chief environmental officer Christopher Banach said the company mistakenly reported using and releasing hydrazine, a highly toxic chemical found in rocket fuel, instead of another chemical, hydrazine monydrate, which does not have anywhere near the toxicity of hydrazine.

When The News called VanDeMark to inquire about its risk-screening scores, Banach explained the reporting error, which he described as a clerical mistake.
A former Town of Tonawanda dentist was sentenced Monday by Town of Tonawanda Court Justice Daniel T. Cavarello to a determinate sentence of 45 days in jail after pleading guilty to attempted forcible touching of a female patient, according to the Erie County District Attorney's Office.

Prosecutors said 75-year-old Tiberiu V. Sfintescu, also known as Vali Sfintescu, of Williamsville will be required to report on Aug. 8 to the Erie County Holding Center to serve his sentence.

Sfintescu pleaded guilty to one count of attempted forcible touching, a class B misdemeanor, after attempting to forcibly touch the patient on May 27, 2020 at his dental office on Greehaven Terrace. As part of the plea, Sfintescu sold his dental practice and voluntarily surrendered his license to practice dentistry in New York.

Cavarello also issued a final order of protection on behalf of the victim in the case.
Buffalo Police Commissioner Joseph Gramaglia asked 29 young men and women to raise their right hands on Friday.

"Congratulations," he said, after the new police recruits pledged to faithfully discharge their duties. "And welcome to the greatest profession on earth."

But increasingly, law enforcement agencies are having a hard time making that argument.

While some area police departments, including Buffalo's, are still doing reasonably well bringing in new recruits this year, other agencies have struggled. Applications are down. Personnel administrators for local police departments, sheriff's offices and jails are reaching farther down on their civil service lists to find candidates still interested in job openings.

And district attorney's offices are finding themselves in the unheard-of position of having to post want ads to fill prosecutor vacancies.

Erie County District Attorney John Flynn said he used to have a stack of 50 or so resumes from people looking to become assistant DAs.

"I was constantly getting resumes," he said. "In my 5 years here, I've never had to advertise for an opening."

Until now. This year, he has put up ads in the bar association journal, on the county website and the University at Buffalo career services office.

He also said he's heard from state police sources that they have seen the number of applications drop from 50,000 statewide to 22,000.

The Niagara County District Attorney's Office, meanwhile, made the unusual request of asking to set up a recruitment table at Niagara County's next job fair, said county spokesman Kevin Schuler.

Forced overtime roils the ranks of Erie County jail deputies and officers The amount of overtime hours at the correctional facility in Alden and the Holding Center in Buffalo has not changed much from year to year, but those hours are being assigned to a smaller pool of corrections officers and deputies who can be forced to work up to 32 hours in overtime every week.

The Erie County Sheriff's Office has delayed the start of a police academy class by a month for new corrections officers and jail deputies because out of 45 invitations to apply for the job, only four followed through and qualified for hiring, said Sheriff John Garcia. Some rejected applicants had criminal records and were admitted drug users.

The Niagara County Sheriff's Office has a record number of retirements and has begun hiring corrections officers provisionally before they have even taken and passed their civil service exams, said Sheriff Michael Filicetti. He has also hired them at a higher starting pay rate than required.

"Its more difficult now than its ever been," he said, regarding the shortage of jail deputies.

The tough sell

While labor shortages have affected many sectors of the economy, hiring in criminal justice fields has become particularly difficult in the post-George Floyd era, said local law enforcement leaders. The criminal justice reform movements and defund-the-police slogans over the past two years have taken a toll, they said.

"Our young people are saying, 'I dont want to be seen as hated, just to wear a uniform,' " Garcia said.

Flynn, who was recently named president of the National District Attorneys Association, said he expects to be on national news shows in the coming months, sounding the alarm about the lack of staff. He recounted his meeting with about 100 DAs at a national conference two weeks ago in Denver.

"They just told horror story after horror story of, not just recruitment problems, but retention problems," he said. "The exodus of assistant district attorneys is just unprecedented."

Not all the hiring and retention shortfalls can be blamed on criminal justice reform. Lawyers, for instance, have more higher paying job opportunities in the private sector, as well as more flexibility to work from home, unlike the District Attorney's Office.

High amounts of forced overtime in the Erie County jails and an unwillingness to work up to 72 hours a week, meanwhile, has led to many potential new hires either refusing to take jail jobs or refusing to stay in the jobs.

But many say the narrative of law enforcement personnel as "bad guys" plays a role. That image has been buoyed by high-profile cases like that of Floyd, the African American man who was murdered two years ago by a police officer who knelt on his neck for more than nine minutes while Floyd was handcuffed and on the ground.

In recent months, several incarcerated Buffalo men have also been freed after courts have found them wrongfully convicted, and a state probation officer admitted to planting evidence on a Buffalo parolee.

No one should accept such failures, say local law enforcement leaders, but that doesn't mean the entire system is tainted.

"Its an honorable profession," Garcia said. "Its a profession where you get the chance to help the public. Youre a public servant. Thats really what inspires me."

Defending the profession

Aside from keeping the public and inmates safe, police agencies and court systems are increasingly talking with community groups to put in place programs for people to get their lives back on track.

"The only narrative that is getting out is that prosecutors only want to put people in jail. That's all we do," Flynn said. "That couldnt be further from the truth."

He pointed out that the DA's Office dismisses many cases not worthy of prosecution or reduced the charges to noncriminal violations.

Many nonviolent criminals also are diverted to specialty courts where the goal is rehabilitation, counseling and treatment, not incarceration. Those include drug court, mental health court, veterans court and human trafficking court.

"The least busy assistant district attorney in my office, in one month, will exonerate more people than any criminal defense lawyer in their lifetime," he said.

Improving recruitment

When a Buffalo man was recently arrested and charged with shooting at a police officer, First Deputy Police Commissioner Barbara Lark spoke with the Buffalo police academy class to allay concerns.

"Are you guys all still in?" she asked them.

The answer was yes.

The Buffalo Police Department is still hiring recruits from a 2019 civil service exam list. But Lark, who oversees recruitment, doesn't know what the landscape will look like next year, when the city launches a new campaign for a new civil service test.

Garcia said he has been frustrated by the "antiquated" New York State civil service process, which has people waiting years to take a test, months more to get it graded, and possibly years more to get a call saying they are invited to join the force  after passing a physical agility test, psychological evaluation and background check.

"If we do continuous hiring, like the private sector does, we would have much more success," he said. "People who want to do the job and want to go into this profession, they want to do it now."

Garcia also said he knows the towns of Amherst, West Seneca and Cheektowaga have begun holding recruitment days for new officers.

"You would never have seen that five or 10 years ago," he said.

The Erie County Sheriff's Office is marketing the fact that it has many specialized units, including SWAT, hostage negotiation, K-9, snowmobile, water rescue, bomb squad and stadium/arena security.

On the jail side, where jobs are harder to fill, sheriffs are touting the high pay and benefits for people who may have only a high school degree or GED.

Filicetti, who has had success finding road patrol officers, said he also promotes the corrections officer positions by pointing out that Niagara County law enforcement gets strong community support and local legislative support.

"We get the funding that we need to keep the Sheriff's Office running like it should," he said.

Flynn said that as far as attracting more prosecutors, he's on the equivalent of an evangelical crusade to let the public know that they are the good guys and will leverage his position as president of the National District Attorneys Association to do that.

He said, "We still wear the white hat."
Press Release

July 31, 2022 Angara-- Restore the heritage sites damaged by the Abra quake at the soonest possible time Senator Sonny Angara today called for the inspection and restoration of the heritage sites damaged by the magnitude 7.3 earthquake to ensure their preservation. At least five persons were killed and over 100 more were injured as a result of the earthquake that originated in Abra last Wednesday. Apart from the human casualties, the quake also damaged infrastructure, residential buildings and historic/heritage sites, including those in the Ilocos Region. The Department of Tourism identified the following heritage sites that were damaged by the earthquake: Sta. Catalina de Alejandria Church, San Lorenzo Ruiz Shrine, Vigan Cathedral, Bantay Bell Tower, the St. John the Baptist Church, and heritage houses such as the Syquia House in Vigan City. "It is heartbreaking to see the destruction caused by the earthquake. There should be no let-up in the effort to provide assistance to the families affected by the calamity, including the rebuilding of their homes so that they can return to their normal lives as early as possible," Angara said While the relief and reconstruction work is underway, Angara said a parallel effort should be undertaken to protect the historic structures so as not to cause further destruction. "These historical sites are more than just landmarks and tourist attractions, but form part of our country's rich culture and heritage," Angara said. As the principal author of Republic Act 10066 or the National Cultural Heritage Act, Angara said there is an endowment fund that can be tapped for the restoration effort. The establishment of the National Endowment for Culture and the Arts is provided under Article XIV, Section 50 of RA 10066. Angara said the fund that is being administered by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts is held in a special account in the Bureau of Treasury and can be used exclusively for the implementation of culture and arts programs and projects. RA 10066 states that "all cultural properties declared as important cultural property may also receive government funding for its protection, conservation and restoration." The National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) has committed to rehabilitate the damaged historic sites and structures with the help of the local government units concerned and the cultural property owners. Angara also urged the private sector to take part in the relief and reconstruction efforts, including the repair of the damaged historical sites. "These structures offer us a glimpse into the country's past and should be preserved for future generations. The rehabilitation process should also take into consideration introducing improvements to make them up to code, if possible," Angara said. The Senator's father, the late former Senate President Edgardo Angara Sen. Angara was instrumental in the enactment of several landmark laws on the preservation and promotion of culture and the arts including RA 7536 or the NCCA Law and the National Museum Act.
Aerospace supplier Moog Inc. said far more data files containing its trade secrets had been stolen than it realized in March when it accused two former software employees of the theft and sued them and the aviation startup in California they joined after leaving Moog, according to federal court filings.

Now the trade secret theft allegation has prompted a criminal investigation, lawyers for Moog and the two former employees said during a civil hearing last week.

The government issued a "broad subpoena" to Moog, said Rena Andoh, a New York City attorney on the Elma company's legal team.

"I have no idea what charges they're considering pursuing," she told U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah J. McCarthy.

Moog says stolen secrets and poached employees jeopardize its prospects in unmanned aviation market Moog, in a federal lawsuit filed this week in Buffalo, said a software engineer who quit the company's Los Angeles-area office in December took more than 136,000 digital files related to flight control software to her new employer, Skyryse, a six-year-old startup.

When Moog filed its federal lawsuit, the company said Misook Kim, a software engineer who quit the company's Los Angeles-area office in December, took more than 136,000 digital files related to flight control software to her new employer, Skyryse Inc., a 6-year-old startup. Moog has accused Kim of copying and delivering to Skyryse  under former Moog employee Robert Alin Pilkington's instructions  data files containing Moogs proprietary information related to flight control technology.

Moog now believes Pilkington downloaded about 1.1 million files of Moog data from his Moog-issued laptop onto an external hard drive on the day he provided Moog notice that he was leaving the company, and then later downloaded 130,000 additional files to another hard drive on his last day of employment, according to court papers filed by Moog's lawyers.

Anthony D. Green, a lawyer for Kim and Pilkington, told the federal magistrate that a "grand jury has been convened" over Moog's allegations.

"Now a criminal investigation is going on," McCarthy said at Wednesday's virtual hearing.

Any federal criminal charges could delay or at least complicate the civil case because the former employees' lawyers would not want to provide information or answer questions in the civil case that could jeopardize them in a criminal case.

The specter of a criminal case comes amid tense exchanges among the companies' lawyers in the civil case, with Moog accusing Skyryse of "ignoring the shocking scale of the misconduct of its current employees and former employees" and Skyryse saying Moog has made burdensome discovery demands to let it "root around in ... the secret sauce of a competitor."

Moog: 'An additional 1.2 million files taken'

Moog, an aerospace and defense company with annual sales of approximately $3 billion and a global workforce of more than 13,000, designs and manufactures electric, electro-hydraulic and hydraulic motion controls and systems for applications in aerospace, defense, industrial and medical devices. Skyryse is a venture-backed tech aviation startup founded in 2016 that is privately held. It announced in October $200 million in venture funding to develop flight automation technology, and Moog said employees hired from Moog are believed to form a significant portion of Skyryse's technical workforce.

Lawyers for Moog and Skyryse have squared off in the civil proceeding, with Skyryse insisting that Moog reveal the trade secrets allegedly stolen. But before doing that, Moog wants more information from Skyryse and a chance to see for itself any Moog data on dozens of Skyryse laptops and other devices.

California aviation company vows vigorous defense against Moog lawsuit Skyryse Inc., based in El Segundo, Calif., agreed not to use any digital files or data in its possession from Moog or any former Moog employee.

"We're in a situation where we don't know the full scope of what they've taken nor do we know what they've actually used at this point," Andoh told the judge.

Moog has said the copied material contains the source code of Moog's proprietary software programs, which it said took more than 15 years to develop by dozens of Moog engineers at a cost of hundreds of millions of dollars. The Moog files cover essentially all of Moog's flight control software built since 2007, the company's lawyers say. The company accused the two former employees of stealing information pertaining to some 21 Moog programs across the company's entire flight control software program.

Several court documents have been sealed and others redacted, so some elements of the civil case have been kept out of public view.

But available court documents and oral arguments reveal a lot has developed since Moog filed its lawsuit in March.

"Not only do we know more now than we did when the complaint was filed, the structure of the case has changed dramatically," Andoh told McCarthy at a July 15 hearing. "We found out there was an additional 1.2 million files taken. Four employees that we're aware of have been terminated from Skyryse in connection of this case."

The fired employees include Kim and Pilkington, according to Moog's court papers.

In April, Skyryse's previous legal counsel told McCarthy during an emergency conference that Skyryse had discovered "likely, nonpublic Moog information at Skyryse," according to court papers.

That information relates to Pilkington and Kim, "the people that came over in the last few months," the former counsel said, according to court papers. "We have found enough that is does  it causes us concern."

Also, "we have discovered forensically that since the complaint was filed certain information had been deleted," said Skyryse's then-counsel, Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, a New York City law firm.

'Likely just the tip of the iceberg'

Pilkington and Kim worked at Moogs Torrance, Calif., facility before taking key jobs at Skyryse, which is based in El Segundo, Calif.

Moog said at least nine former Moog employees retained Moog information at the beginning of their employment at Skyryse and that Skyryse employees deleted relevant data and information related to the case after the lawsuit was filed.

"This is just the information Moog has discovered without accessing the dozens of devices and millions of files ... and is likely just the tip of the iceberg," according to Moog's court filing on July 5.

For Skyryse to get a fair chance to prepare a defense to the "very, very severe allegations," for starters, it wants Moog to identify the trade secrets, said Douglas E. Lumish, an attorney on Skyryse's defense team, at the July 15 hearing.

"We're turning the company upside down and producing all of this vast discovery when they haven't identified a single trade secret," Lumish said. "This case is not some extreme outlier that should be one that throws all the rules out the window."

Rather than identify its trade secrets, Moog wants "virtually unlimited discovery into Skyryse's business," according to Skyryse's court papers filed in June. "This has led to a wide-ranging fishing expedition by Moog."

Skyryse: Moog allowed access to thousands

Skyryse has taken aim at the 4,000 to 6,000 current and former Moog employees and over 1,000 customers and suppliers that Moog has said may have had access to the data over the years.

"A staggering number of people may have had access to Moog's alleged trade secrets," according to Skyryse's court papers filed July 13.

"This is unusual, to say the least," Skyryse's lawyers said in their court papers. "Far from safeguarding its alleged trade secrets or restricting access to them on a need-to-know basis, as one would expect for true trade secrets, Moog has apparently allowed access to them by thousands of people. The facts surrounding Moog's treatment of its alleged trade secrets, once fully discovered, may prove fatal to Moog's claims."

In its court papers, Moog said it has a database that holds many types of proprietary information regarding the flight control software and programs, including schematics and other technical documents. There are some 4,000 Moog employees just in the U.S. with access.

Moog says it "will show that it took reasonable measures to protect its trade secrets."

In a July 22 decision, McCarthy said Moog will be required at the preliminary injunction hearing, which had been expected to be held in October, to identify the trade secrets which it claims to have been misappropriated in order for the court to gauge Moog's likelihood of success and that Skyryse be informed in advance to enable them to prepare a defense.
After Timothy M. Kennedy beat Betty Jean Grant by a mere 139 votes in the 2012 State Senate primary, politics changed for the ambitious Democrat from South Buffalo.

He immediately focused more attention on his district's Black community, mending fences and even attending weekly church services. He jettisoned his old Conservative Party backing, supported same-sex marriage, and "evolved" from a pro-life to pro-choice position.

And especially after his Democrats gained their new Senate majority in 2019, Kennedy morphed into a fundraising powerhouse. He gained new and influential allies as chairman of the Transportation Committee, expanding his donor base far beyond his Western New York base and into New York City.

Tim Kennedy: From South Buffalo roots to Albany power broker With Democrats now the majority party in the State Senate, Tim Kennedy overnight will become a power broker not only in Western New York, but in regions stretching to central New York and

Now, new campaign finance records filed with the State Board of Elections reveal Kennedy has stoked his campaign treasury to over $2 million, far more than any other Senate candidate in memory from Western New York  and possibly all of upstate. His coffers are brimming despite no serious opposition since Grant's repeat challenge in 2014, and no opponent this year.

The senator did not respond to several inquiries about his campaign filing, but some political insiders say he may be looking ahead to the mayoral election of 2025.

"Definitely," said one source familiar with the situation when asked about Kennedy's possible mayoral ambitions, noting other possible candidates like Common Council Members Joel L. Feroleto, Christopher P. Scanlon and Mitch Nowakowski as perhaps also entering the mix.

But none, the source added, has amassed a campaign kitty anywhere near Kennedy's, and noted that $2 million could "scare off" not only potential Senate challengers but those interested in City Hall, too.

"Tim has very cleverly used his ability to raise money with his clout and ability to deliver," the source said, "not only here but in other parts of the state."

Without any real opposition for the past several years, Kennedy has emerged as a significant player in fundraising efforts for Senate Democrats. Records show that in 2022 alone, Kennedy contributed $61,400 to the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee. He also gave $5,000 to Gov. Kathy Hochul's re-election effort, as well as $5,000 this year to the Erie County Democratic Committee, and $1,000 to Chairman Jeremy J. Zellner's political fund.

He also regularly contributes to various community organizations and charities.

The senator's new majority status also has resulted in new contributor contacts across the state. Scott Rechler of Glen Head on Long Island gave Kennedy $10,000; $11,800 came from Patrick Frayne of Wyckoff, N.J.; Transport Workers Union Local 100 in Brooklyn gave him $8,000; the New York State Laborers PAC gave him $5,000; and the New York State Troopers PAC gave him $10,000 this year.

Locally, he received significant donations of $10,000 from Accent Stripe Co. executive Gerald A. Buchheit, $7,500 each from businessman Howard A. Zemsky (a former top Cuomo administration official) and his wife, Leslie, $5,000 from Savarino Cos. LLC, and $5,000 each from Pinto Construction Services of Buffalo and Mark Cerrone Inc. of Niagara Falls.

Indeed, Kennedy has been able to deliver for the area as an influential committee chairman in Albany. Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority officials credit him for millions in new aid for operating and capital needs, and he also has been credited with delivering $30 million to help redevelop the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad Terminal at the foot of Main Street.

Kennedy has never acknowledged interest in other offices beyond the Senate, but mayor might loom as a possibility because he can use his existing fund for a city office, the $2 million total far exceeds that of any other contender, and possible retirement for Mayor Byron W. Brown after a record five terms.
Hamburg town and village officials had to work together in planning for a Walgreens store 12 years ago, because it was on the boundary of the village and the town and each had different zoning requirements.

That's the same sort of cooperation officials are looking for today as they try to improve sections of South Park Avenue and Camp Road bordering the two municipalities. A consultant is to complete a planning study by Sept. 1 that will address the two areas.

"How do we address those transition areas so we can foster revitalization?" said Hamburg Town Councilwoman Beth Farrell, a member of the Hamburg Gateway Revitalization Committee.

The South Park shopping district includes the area from the village line to Town Hall Plaza and north to the Erie County Fairgrounds. Once one of the premier centers in the town, the area lost tenants, activity and vibrancy.

The Lake Street/Camp Road corridor has vacant retail space, underutilized sites and abandoned business structures along Lake Street and Camp Road (Route 75) from the village line to Scranton Road. A third section of study is from Scranton Road north to Exit 57 of the Thruway.

Farrell said the study will address what can be done to improve safety, connectivity and accessibility in the two areas.

"We're trying to focus on that area to make it more appealing, creating more activity and access, and facilitate the business owners along there," Farrell said.

The gateway areas have been on the radar for village officials, particularly along Camp Road and Lake Street, Village Trustee Laura Hackathorn said.

That's because the boundaries vary, with the area around the Hampton Inn in the village, while AutoZone down the road is in the town. And each municipality has different building codes, requirements and design guidelines.

"We're aware that anywhere on Camp Road, property by property, the rules of zoning would change," said Hackathorn, also a member of the Hamburg Gateway Revitalization Committee.

It's a similar case on South Park near the village, with Tops market in the village and businesses across the street from it in the town.

The town is hoping the successful redevelopment in the village can be a spur for the gateway areas.

"Step by step, we're trying to extend from the village out," Farrell said. "We have been trying to look for any and all opportunities.

"We didn't always work this closely. The outcome will be good," Hackathorn said. "To me the story is the cooperation."

Ed Flynn of LaBella, the consultant performing the study, said the report will look at making roads safer by slightly narrowing them to provide more opportunities for bike lanes or sidewalks, and easier crossings at intersections. The study also will look at adding roundabouts and trails to neighborhoods, he said.

Hamburg Town Supervisor Randy Hoak said the plan being developed will build on previous plans of the village and the town.

"I think it's a great opportunity to increase walkability and quality of life," Hoak said.
In an increasingly contentious primary for the new 23rd Congressional District, endorsed Republican Nick Langworthy launched his strongest attack to date on opponent Carl Paladino on Monday for failing to file a personal financial disclosure form required of candidates for the House of Representatives.

Both even coined new labels for their opponents  "Lying Langworthy" and "Cowardly Carl."

Langworthy, the state Republican chairman, said Paladino is not only ducking debates and interviews with reporters but is now "hiding his sources of income" by failing to submit the required form. Both sides were also arguing over whether any late filing constitutes an official violation.

"His actions arent just a walking House Ethics violation, but they should be a huge red flag to voters who are sick of politicians trying to buy elections and hiding their business dealings," Langworthy said in a statement. "Ignorance is not an excuse for breaking the law  its time for Carl to come clean and immediately complete these forms for the voters to see.

Analysis: Face-off in the 23rd District? One major question in the Republican primary for the 23rd Congressional District centers around how much mud will get slung in the contest between Nick Langworthy and Carl Paladino.

Langworthy filed his form on July 6, listing various investments and a 2021 salary of $149,999 as state chairman. The Buffalo News reported on Sunday that Paladino, a major real estate developer in Western New York, had not met the July deadline for filing.

Langworthy seized upon the situation Monday by noting that he had fulfilled his obligations and expects his opponent to also comply.

"Voters have an absolute right to look under the hood and see where candidates are getting their money," Langworthy said.

Paladino spokesman Vish Burra said the delay occurred because the House clerk had "failed to supply this campaign with login credentials."

"The House clerk has graciously extended the filing period and we have been in constant contact with the clerk and we will be fully compliant," he said. "This is in the process of being filed."

Paladino also weighed in, accusing his opponent of being in "complete desperation mode."

"Nick knows my net worth better than anyone, as I have funded his entire career," Paladino said. "Unlike Lying Langworthy, my campaign is self-funded and not beholden to Never Trump donors and DC lobbyists."
Major local governments like Erie County buy tons of road salt every year to keep roadways safe and ice free during Western New York's frigid winters.

But a state bill requiring that rock salt be purchased in only the United States has gotten the attention of highway superintendents around the state. The proposed law could cost Erie County hundreds of thousands of dollars, and other communities are facing the same type of increase.

"It really boils down to two things: Were concerned about the increased cost, as expressed in the letter, and were concerned that if you limit the number of suppliers, that we may have some problems getting supplies of road salt when we really need them at critical times during the winter," said Bruce Geiger, legislative representative for the New York State County Highway Superintendent's Association, which wants Gov. Kathy Hochul to veto the bill.

The state's Buy American Salt Act, which has passed in the Assembly and State Senate, was co-sponsored by Sen. Timothy Kennedy, D-Buffalo.

The concerns raised by the association led to changes in the bill that would allow local and state government to buy from foreign sources if the requirement to buy in the United States "would result in unreasonable costs." The bill also allows governments in New York to buy foreign salt if there is an insufficient domestic supply.

That change should put everyone at ease, said representatives for Kennedy and other bill proponents.

"The provisions of this bill would not apply if the American-mined cost is not reasonable, not in the public's best interest or not readily available," said Mario Cilento, president of the New York State AFL-CIO, in a statement to The Buffalo News. "This bill simply allows state and local governments to go above the lowest bid in order to support jobs right here in New York and in this country."

New York State is home to two salt mines. One is owned by American Rock Salt, which produces 4 million tons of salt a year and is based in Livingston County. The other is the Cayuga Salt Mine in Tompkins County, owned by Minnesota-based Cargill.

American Rock Salt is the larger of the two mines and is locally owned and operated, employing roughly 400 employees, said Chief Administrative Officer Mark Assini. The mine represents the single largest employer in Livingston County.

"We are the largest salt mine in the United States," he said.

Supplying rock salt in New York is not a problem, he said. But freighters docking in New York ports and bringing in rock salt from Egypt, Morocco and Chile is, he said.

Those countries offer substandard pay and don't have the same regulatory oversight regarding environmental protection or miner safety, he said, citing Egypt in particular for human rights violations.

Those imports have caused American Rock Salt to lose between 300,000 and 400,000 tons of salt business a year, he said.

"That's a big deal for us," he said. "That's several weeks of work for our employees."

Opponents of the bill cite two problems. The first is that for some New York counties near the Canadian border, like Erie County, the law makes it harder to purchase salt from Canada, which is geographically close and not comparable with overseas foreign suppliers.

Erie County likes to have salt-buying options from multiple suppliers to safeguard against potential supply shortages, said Erie County Public Works Commissioner William Geary.

Assini also conceded that the law was not meant to apply to countries like Canada, though he also said American Rock Salt is easily capable of supplying sufficient salt nationwide. The only snag that exists is the amount of salt that truckers can physically deliver.

Geiger, of the highway superintendents association, also said he worried about the vague language that exists to allow governments to buy from foreign sources in certain circumstances.

"Who makes that determination?" he said, expressing concern about municipalities' potential exposure to litigation.

Geary said Erie County typically buys from domestic suppliers like American Rock Salt but also wants the flexibility of contracting with suppliers across the border.

A spokesman for Hochul said the governor is reviewing the legislation. Assini said he's hopeful the governor will sign the pro-American labor bill into law around Labor Day.

Despite Erie County budget concerns expressed two weeks ago, the County Executive's Office said it has no opinion about the pending legislation. Officials with American Rock salt said the county contracted to buy salt from American Rock Salt earlier this month. An Ontario-based salt supplier, Compass Minerals, came in with a higher price this season.
WASHINGTON  For 13 years, the Families of Continental Flight 3407 have lived as suffering reminders that one or two mistakes in the sky by one or two unprepared pilots can lead to tragedy.

But they also stand as reminders that citizens can make the government work, because the family members who lost loved ones in that February 2009 crash near Buffalo have made the skies safer.

To honor that achievement, the Federal Aviation Administration on Monday unveiled a plaque paying tribute to the families' hard work.

"Their tireless advocacy after the February 12, 2009, crash in Clarence, N.Y., established a legacy that raised the level of safety for every passenger who sets foot on a regional or mainline commercial airline flight," the plaque says.

The plaque will be part of a display on aviation safety at the Orville Wright Building, the FAA's headquarters.

"This plaque will be a constant reminder to everyone who passes by that aviation safety is about much more than the physics of the machine that lifts us or the technology that guides us, said Billy Nolen, the FAA's acting administrator, at Monday's event. It is the promise we make to mothers, fathers, husbands, wives, sons, daughters, sisters and brothers of those who travel by air, that we have done everything humanly possible to keep them safe."

After 50 died in Clarence, Flight 3407 families made flying safer. Airlines are still pushing back The airlines are also blaming the 1,500 hour rule for a problem that others say they themselves helped create: the pilot shortage that's contributing to chaos at the nation's airports.

The FAA organized the ceremony on the 12th anniversary of the signing of the Aviation Safety Act of 2010, the landmark aviation safety law the families pushed to passage.

The event stemmed from Rep. Brian Higgins, a Buffalo Democrat who pressed the FAA to honor the Flight 3407 families for their accomplishment: an unprecedented record of safety in the skies. There have been only two fatalities on U.S. airlines in the 12 years since the safety law passed, compared to 1,186 who were killed in the prior two decades.

Several speakers at Monday's event marveled at that achievement.

"I know that your reason for acting was to try to make sense of a senseless tragedy," said Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger, the captain of the "Miracle on the Hudson" USAirways flight. That flight landed safely on the Hudson River after a bird strike only three weeks before the 2009 crash of Flight 3407.

Photos: FAA honors Flight 3407 families The Families of Continental Flight 3407 returned to the nation's capital Monday for something rarely seen here: a government-sponsored ceremon

"You made it your life mission to try to prevent what happened to you from ever happening to anyone else," he said. "I want to tell you: You've done that. You've succeeded."

"Your efforts have balanced the scales in favor of safety for us all," said Deborah Hersman, former chairwoman of the National Transportation Safety Board.

"You have saved lives," said former Sen. Byron Dorgan, a North Dakota Democrat who helped the Flight 3407 families push the aviation safety bill to passage.

The families did that by traveling to Capitol Hill dozens of times in 2009 and 2010. Clad in red, they went from one congressional hearing to the next, from one lawmaker's office to the next, armed with the blockbuster findings of a Safety Board report that blamed the crash on pilot error. And there they would stress that America needs better pilots than the ones that flew Flight 3407 into the ground  and that it was the job of Congress to pass a law to make that so.

Lawmakers eventually settled on a law that increased the amount of experience that co-pilots need five-fold. It mandated that pilots be trained to handle the kind of emergencies that the pilots of Flight 3407 failed to handle. It called for pilots to get the kind of rest that those at the controls of that doomed flight never got. And it led to creation of a pilot records database that will aim to make sure that airlines never hire a pilot with the kind of shoddy flight record that the pilot of Flight 3407 had.

"It's amazing," Higgins said of how the families pushed the bill to passage. "You should be a case study at the Kennedy School of Government."

Coverage of Flight 3407 crash in Clarence and its aftermath On Feb. 12, 2009, 50 people died when Continential Connection Flight 3407, flown by Colgan Air, crashed into a house in Clarence Center shortl

Since Flight 3407 crashed on Feb. 12, 2009, not one U.S. commercial passenger plane has crashed, noted Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, who met virtually last week with the families.

"We remember the 50 people lost on that day and thank their families for the invaluable work you've done to prevent a tragedy like that from ever happening again," Buttigieg said in a videotaped message at the ceremony.

The families aren't done fighting for aviation safety. With airlines trying to chip away at the part of the law that requires new co-pilots to have 1,500 hours of flight experience, they spent the morning before the ceremony on Capitol Hill. They returned there after a luncheon at the FAA to meet with Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer, a New York Democrat who led the fight for the aviation safety bill in the Senate.

Schumer was in Syracuse on Monday morning and couldn't make it back in time for the FAA event, but he spent 25 minutes with the families later in the day.

Noting that pilots routinely stop him in airports to thank him for helping pass the safety legislation, Schumer said: "As long as I'm in the Senate, they're not going to mess with our regulations."

Sullenberger and his co-pilot, Jeff Skiles, joined the families on their morning trip to Capitol Hill. And together they made the case for keeping the safety law as it is.

"We had a focus: that we wanted to send a very sincere and direct message that, you know, if it's necessary, we'll continue to come back here, because success will breed success and there's no reason to make any changes here," said Scott Maurer, who lost his daughter Lorin in the crash.

If those who perished on Flight 3407 could, they would have a message for the families, said Kevin Kuwik, another one of the leaders of the effort to pass the aviation safety law.

"They would say to each and every one of us in red: Don't let up. Don't relax, stay on top of it, keep fighting," Kuwik said.
KYIV, Ukraine (AP)  The first ship carrying Ukrainian grain set out Monday from the port of Odesa under an internationally brokered deal to unblock the embattled country's agricultural exports and ease the growing global food crisis.

The Sierra Leone-flagged cargo ship Razoni sounded its horn as it slowly departed with over 26,000 tons of corn destined for Lebanon.

The first grain ship since Russian aggression has left port, Ukrainian Minister of Infrastructure Oleksandr Kubrakov declared on Twitter.

Russia and Ukraine signed agreements in Istanbul with Turkey and the U.N. on July 22, clearing the way for Ukraine to export 22 million tons of grain and other agricultural products that have been stuck in Black Sea ports because of Russias invasion of Ukraine more than five months ago. The deals also allow Russia to export grain and fertilizer.

As part of the agreements, safe corridors through the mined waters outside Ukraine's ports were established.

Ukraine and Russia are major global suppliers of wheat, barley, corn and sunflower oil, with the fertile Black Sea region long known as the breadbasket of Europe. The holdup of food shipments because of the war has worsened rising food prices worldwide and threatened hunger and political instability in developing nations.

Today Ukraine, together with partners, takes another step to prevent world hunger," Kubrakov said.

In Moscow, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov hailed the ship's departure as very positive, saying it would help test the efficiency of the mechanisms that were agreed to during the talks in Istanbul.

Under the agreements, ships going in and out of Ukrainian ports will be subject to inspection to make sure that incoming vessels are not carrying weapons and that outgoing ones are bearing only grain, fertilizer or related food items, not any other commodities.

The Razoni was expected to dock early Wednesday in Istanbul, where teams of Russian, Ukrainian, Turkish and U.N. officials were set to board it for inspection.

More ships are expected to leave from Ukraines ports through the safe corridors. At Odesa, 16 more vessels, all blocked since Russias invasion on Feb. 24, were waiting their turn, with others to follow, Ukrainian authorities said.

But some shipping companies are not yet rushing to export food across the Black Sea as they assess the danger of mines and the risk of Russian rockets hitting grain warehouses and ports.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who proposed the grain deal in April, said the Razoni was "loaded with two commodities in short supply: corn and hope.

Hope for millions of people around the world who depend on the smooth running of Ukraines ports to feed their families, he said.

In an interview with Turkeys state-run Anadolu Agency, Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar warned that the global food crisis threatens to trigger a serious wave of migration from Africa to Europe and to Turkey.

Lebanon, the corns destination, is in the grip of a severe financial crisis. A 2020 explosion at its main port in Beirut shattered its capital city and destroyed grain silos. Lebanon mostly imports wheat from Ukraine but also buys its corn to make cooking oil and produce animal feed.

Kubrakov said the shipments will also help Ukraines war-shattered economy.

Unlocking ports will provide at least $1 billion in foreign exchange revenue to the economy and an opportunity for the agricultural sector to plan for next year, he said.

Hearing the ship sound its horn as it left port delighted Olena Vitalievna, an Odesa resident.

Finally, life begins to move forward and there are some changes in a positive direction," she said. "In general, the port should live its own life because Odesa is a port city. We live here. We want everything to work for us, everything to bustle.

Yet the resumption of the grain shipments came as fighting raged elsewhere in Ukraine, with Russia pressing its offensive in the east while Ukraine tries to retake territory in the Russian-occupied south.

Ukraines presidential office said at least three civilians were killed and 16 wounded by Russian shelling in the Donetsk region over the past 24 hours.

Donetsk Gov. Pavlo Kyrylenko repeated a call for all residents to evacuate, emphasizing the need to remove about 52,000 children still in the region.

In Kharkiv, two people were wounded by a Russian strike in the morning. One was struck while waiting for a bus, the other when a Russian shell exploded near an apartment building.

The southern city of Mykolaiv also faced shelling that ruined a building at a hospital and damaged ambulances, according to regional Gov. Vitaliy Kim. Three civilians were wounded elsewhere in the city, he said.

Soon after the grain shipment deal was signed, a Russian missile targeted Odesa. Analysts warned that the continuing fighting could still upend the grain deal.

The departure of the first vessel doesnt solve the food crisis; its just the first step that could also be the last if Russia decides to continue attacks in the south," said Volodymyr Sidenko, an expert with the Kyiv-based Razumkov Center think tank.

In other developments, Russia announced sanctions against dozens of British public figures, accusing them of supporting the demonization and international isolation of Moscow.

The 39 politicians, businesspeople and journalists barred from entering Russia include former Prime Minister David Cameron, senior government ministers, and columnists for newspapers including The Times and The Guardian.
Trailblazer was a word used by many to mourn the passing of actor Nichelle Nichols, who died Saturday at age 89. Nichols broke barriers for Black women in Hollywood when she played communications officer Lt. Uhura on the original Star Trek television series, and paved the way not just for future television actors of color but astronauts as well. Tributes from fellow actors poured in on social media Sunday. Her Star Trek co-star George Takei said he would have more to say soon but that his heart is heavy. Celia Rose Gooding, who plays Uhura on the current Star Trek wrote that, She made room for so many of us.

I am so sorry to hear about the passing of Nichelle. She was a beautiful woman & played an admirable character that did so much for redefining social issues both here in the US & throughout the world. I will certainly miss her. Sending my love and condolences to her family.  William Shatner, Star Trek co-star, via Twitter.

A remarkable woman in a remarkable role. Nichelle, you will be deeply missed. Sending much love and respect.  J.J. Abrams, who directed 2009's Star Trek reboot and its 2013 follow-up Star Trek Into Darkness, on Twitter.

I shall have more to say about the trailblazing, incomparable Nichelle Nichols, who shared the bridge with us as Lt. Uhura of the USS Enterprise, and who passed today at age 89. For today, my heart is heavy, my eyes shining like the stars you now rest among, my dearest friend.  George Takei, Nichols' Star Trek co-star who played Sulu, on Twitter.

She made room for so many of us. She was the reminder that not only can we reach the stars, but our influence is essential to their survival. Forget shaking the table, she built it.  Celia Rose Gooding, who plays Uhura on Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, on Twitter.

Nichelle Nichols was The First. She was a trailblazer who navigated a very challenging trail with grit, grace, and a gorgeous fire we are not likely to see again. May she Rest In Peace.  Kate Mulgrew, Star Trek: Voyager cast member, on Twitter.

Before we understood how much #RepresentationMatters #NichelleNichols modeled it for us. With her very presence & her grace she shone a light on who we as people of color are & inspired us to reach for our potential. Rest well glittering diamond in the sky.  Wilson Cruz, Star Trek: Discovery actor, on Twitter.

Our nation is forever indebted to inspiring artists like Nichelle Nichols, who show us a future where unity, dignity, and respect are cornerstones of every society.  President Joe Biden, statement from the White House.

Many actors become stars, but few stars can move a nation. Nichelle Nichols showed us the extraordinary power of Black women and paved the way for a better future for all women in media. Thank you, Nichelle. We will miss you.  Lynda Carter, "Wonder Woman" star, on Twitter.

Godspeed to Nichelle Nichols, champion, warrior and tremendous actor. Her kindness and bravery lit the path for many. May she forever dwell among the stars."  Stacey Abrams, politician, on Twitter.

Nichelle Nichols told us that we belonged in outer space. We are limitless. The heavens have gained an Uhura today.  Colman Domingo, actor, on Twitter.

My love for the original Star Trek is profound. Nichelle Nichols was a ground-breaker and a glorious ambassador for her show, her role and science all her life. And a truly lovely person. May she have a wonderful adventure to the final frontier.  Jason Alexander, actor, on Twitter.
After 13 years of struggle, both financial and emotional, former employees of Delphi Corp. can see a glimmer of hope. These salaried retirees were victims of General Motors 2009 bankruptcy process.

While union-covered retirees, thanks to their ability to hold up the bankruptcy process, had the leverage to retain their benefits, salaried retirees had no such power. As a result, 20,000 Delphi salaried retirees  including about 2,000 in the Buffalo and Rochester area  saw their pensions, including health benefits, cut by as much as 70%.

These retirees, who had dedicated their working lives to an industry that seems inextricably bound to the American Dream, found themselves treated as disposable when parent company General Motors sought a quick government bail-out.

Some had to return to work, like Rick Strusienski, of Lockport, who considers himself one of the lucky ones. Other retirees faced foreclosures, catastrophic health events with no insurance coverage, the loss of college funds and more. These men and women, many now in their 70s and 80s, have witnessed 13 years of failed lawsuits and abortive legislative efforts to get their retirement funds back.

Finally, Congress has passed a bill that would restore the pensions along with lump sums to compensate for what has been lost. Entitled the Susan Muffley Act, in recognition of the late wife of retiree Dave Muffley  Susan died of pancreatic cancer during the hard years when things fell apart for the family  the bill has good bipartisan support with high hopes of Senate passage.

If all goes well, the bills passage provides long-awaited justice for these retirees, but it could hardly be called a happy ending.

Over the years, industries like Delphi  which longtime Lockportians will always remember as Harrison Radiator  were beacons of security and prosperity in small towns throughout the U.S. Delphi, which once had 44 plants in the U.S., now has four. And the wages and benefits it and companies like it once offered  enough to buy a house, raise a family and live a comfortable, but certainly not extravagant, life  are increasingly hard for American workers to find.

This bittersweet and hard-fought resolution wont make up for the years of struggle, but it is well-deserved.

  

Whats your opinion? Send it to us at lettertoeditor@buffnews.com. Letters should be a maximum of 300 words and must convey an opinion. The column does not print poetry, announcements of community events or thank you letters. A writer or household may appear only once every 30 days. All letters are subject to fact-checking and editing.
Official Statement on the passing of Former President Fidel Valdez Ramos

My family and I offer our deepest condolences to the family of former President Fidel Valdez Ramos.

President Ramos once steadfastly steered the country to greater heights and achievements. And under his leadership, our country experienced a period of political stability and massive economic growth that positioned the Philippines as a potential Asia's tiger economy.

Ang mga tagumpay at makabuluhang programa sa ilalim ng kanyang administrasyon, partikular sa pagbubukas ng ekonomiya at pamumuhunan, ay naging pundasyon ng mga sumunod na pangulo, kabilang na ang termino ng aking ama na si dating Pangulong Joseph "Erap" Estrada.

His legacy would include major peace agreements with Muslim separatists, communist insurgents and military rebels that earned for him and our country the coveted 1997 UNESCO Peace Prize; deregulation of key industries and liberalization of the economy; privatization of public entities including modernization of public infrastructure through the expanded BOT law; and a comprehensive Social Reform Agenda that mostly benefitted the poor and underprivileged members of the society.

We honor his legacy and service to the country. I join the Filipino nation in mourning the passing of a brave soldier, visionary leader, true public servant and patriot. May his soul Rest in Peace.
Buffalos future may burn even brighter if it is chosen  and, according to Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer, a New York Democrat, it stands a darn good chance  to become one of up to 20 tech hubs in the U.S.

That opportunity may soon manifest, as legislation shepherded by Schumer called the CHIPS Act passed the Senate Wednesday by a 64-33 margin, and the House the following day by 243-187-1. As reported by the Hill, 24 Republicans supported the measure, and one Democrat voted present.

The $280 billion bill which invests in science and technology over five years, goes to President Biden, also a backer, to sign.

It strengthens the domestic chip manufacturing industry, allowing the United States to better compete against China and surmounting the lead in science and technology.

For Buffalo and Western New York, being chosen for one of the countrys tech hubs would be a coup. As Buffalo Next reporter Matt Glynn wrote, the Commerce Department plans to choose up to 20 cities to be tech hubs. The honor would deliver hundreds of millions of dollars in federal investment with the exact amount for each hub varying.

Schumer is not bashful about Buffalos chances when he asks: Guess which city is one of the top contenders for a regional tech hub in the country?

Could it be  us?

Schumer has long been a champion of this region, constantly delivering and showing up. His commitment  and vision  extends through this bill that will, by any chance, hugely benefit the region which, as Schumer helpfully pointed out, is fully prepared for the opportunity: high concentration of manufacturers, strong labor presence and top-quality research at the University at Buffalo. Its the perfect ecosystem to receive one of the designations.

The federal designation is unrelated to the Tech Hub that M&T Bank established inside Seneca One Tower but nonetheless would provide synergy across the platform.

As Schumer pointed out, if Buffalo is chosen for a tech hub, the opportunity would boost the manufacturing sector. Job training efforts in advanced manufacturing at the Northland Workforce Training Center, as an example, adds to the skilled pool. Northland is located in East Buffalo, a place Schumer said he wants to see benefit by ramping up a trained workforce to the support the industry.

Approximately $52 billion in the bill would provide incentives to boost domestic production of semiconductor chips. Schumer will use his vast influence in this arena, attempting to convince a chip maker to build a plant near Batavia, at the Science Technology Advanced Manufacturing Park, or STAMP.

Schumer said he would use his political clout as majority leader to campaign for Buffalo to be designated a tech hub. He even spoke to Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo repeatedly about a hub in Buffalo.

She should listen to our senator.

  

Whats your opinion? Send it to us at lettertoeditor@buffnews.com. Letters should be a maximum of 300 words and must convey an opinion. The column does not print poetry, announcements of community events or thank you letters. A writer or household may appear only once every 30 days. All letters are subject to fact-checking and editing.
The late Robert Moses single-handedly ruled the roost when it came to road projects throughout New York State and especially here in the Buffalo area. One of his many misguided projects that affected and divided an entire community was replacing Humboldt Parkway with what we have today. Although it was a travesty that still exists, this city has many other needs that cry for attention. Major and side streets that are potholed, an antiquated traffic signal system, expressways with missing light poles that have not been replaced, lane striping of busy main streets, crosswalk markings (including school crossings) and many more.

One does not need to search far, as within two blocks from City Hall exist some of the worst streets in town. It appears that city officials, including the mayor, need to get out of their offices and see the conditions that prevail and that visitors will see. Cross the city line into any of the suburban towns, some larger than Buffalo, to see a better managed public works.

Buffalo seems to go for the big project with dollars from elsewhere, one being the rapid trains to nowhere or the skyway bridge and letting the rest of the city go wanting. With all the development and private dollars being spent throughout the area, isnt it wise to take care of immediate needs before spending on projects that have limited benefit? Let us not forget the lately lamented original plans for Canalside. First-class cities make sure that all the is are dotted, and ts are crossed, and Buffalo needs desperately to do what they do.

Scott Gorton

Williamsville
Pending the invention of a time machine, try a school reunion. Your past will come flooding back, immersing you into long-ago school days. This can happen even if its not your own reunion. In June, I went to my husbands 50th college reunion and, even though I did not attend the same college, I was  vicariously  transported back in time. The conversation, the music, the presentations and the heart-rending tribute to deceased classmates all pulled me back to circa 1966-70.

The university my husband attended, Colgate, is a small liberal arts institution in a hilly rural area of central New York. Buildings perch on hillsides, affording wonderful views of the green campus and the picturesque close-by city of Hamilton. To reach the campus buildings, you can walk up steps or take a winding path. The topography fosters a healthy lifestyle. I loved doing my daily jog on the winding paths in the crisp air.

Great conversations with my husbands classmates and their wives (it was once all male, but is now coed), started immediately on our arrival. There were many stories about college days, but people also shared their life experiences since graduation. The class was a group of achievers, with many graduate and professional degrees. Impressive careers were reported  including quite a few ministers, social workers and counselors. People were warm and friendly, demonstrating interest in me, a non-classmate.

One hour class presentations were offered. One classmate is a well-known documentary film producer, so I went to the showing of his video about five families in New York City and the difficulties they experienced during the pandemic. I attended several other interesting presentations. One concerned the health care system, and another was about media trends. I loved the mental stimulation of the presentations. Alas, like many college students, I just wanted to get through with minimum effort. Im sure I missed many opportunities to explore topics outside my major and dig deeper into the classes I took. In the evening, there was music by one of the bands that had played at the college in the 70s.

The next day after breakfast in the student cafeteria, a beautiful ceremony honoring deceased class members was held in the chapel. Each of the 70 (out of 500) deceased classmates freshman photos flashed on a screen, hymns were sung and several eloquent speeches were made by faculty and classmates. My husbands dear friend, who died in 2005 at the age of 57, was remembered. It was poignant to see the fresh smiling faces of these young men, who are now gone.

Finally, I went to a 50 years behind the cameras presentation by the famous documentary producer. He was there and gave a most interesting history of his work, illustrated by brief snatches of several of his documentaries. He was the epitome of a 60s/70s guy  anti-establishment, brash, generous, irreverent, striving to help society, not focused on the big bucks. I knew the type so well and had long idealized it.

Whatever happened to those values? They are not so much in evidence today. The reunion made me feel I had journeyed back to the past and that it was better then. After another great dinner and lots of good talk and good-byes, we hopped on the Thruway and made our way back to the present reality. Since then, I have shed some tears wishing I could go back and live my college days again. Id really take full advantage of it this time, avoid the mistakes and ratchet up the effort. Where is that time machine when you need it?
Sean Pavone / Getty Images/iStockphoto

As of March, the average monthly Social Security benefit is $1,618.29 for an individual, according to the Social Security Administration (SSA). Doubling up for a couple, that's $3,236.58.

Not a bad haul, if it's supplementing other income or padding a nice, big nest egg. If Social Security is all you're living on, however, you're going to have to pick your retirement city very carefully to stretch those dollars to their absolute limit -- particularly on the notoriously expensive West Coast, which, for the purposes of this study, includes Alaska.

See: How Biden Is Impacting Social Security in 2022

Learn: 10 Reasons You Should Claim Social Security Early

To determine the best places for couples to live on the West Coast on only their combined Social Security checks, GOBankingRates used cost-of-living data from Sperling's Best Places. The ranking also includes ApartmentList data on the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment, as well as each city's livability score, sourced from AreaVibes.

Each city was then given a combined score -- which represents a summation of all those factors -- with lower scores being better. The list is ranked in order of the worst score to the best.

Read on to learn about the West Coast spots that are most welcoming to retirees living on Social Security.

jared ropelato / Shutterstock.com

Vallejo, California

2022 average 1-bedroom rent: $1,607

Vallejo has a lousy livability score of 56 -- livability scores are calculated by algorithms that factor in dozens of variables like proximity to amenities, crime and schools. The cost-of-living index is a high 131.3, with 100 representing the national average. The average one-bedroom apartment will run you $1,607 per month, the highest on this list.

Jon Bilous / Shutterstock.com

Riverside, California

2022 average 1-bedroom rent: $1,508

At 133.1, Riverside's cost-of-living index is even higher than even Vallejo's -- a full one-third more than the national average. The town's livability score is an unimpressive 59, mostly because of its relatively high crime rate. The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment is $1,508, one of the three highest on the list.

Story continues

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Sean Pavone / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Seattle

2022 average 1-bedroom rent: $1,596

Moving up the coast to Washington is Seattle, a pricey city where the average one-bedroom costs $1,596. That contributes to a bruising 172.3 cost-of-living index -- the highest on this list, by far -- which means that daily living in Seattle is 72.3% more expensive than the national average. All in all, its livability score is an underwhelming 65 thanks to high crime rates, high housing costs and, of course, a high cost of living.

Manny Chavez / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Sacramento, California

2022 average 1-bedroom rent: $1,432

The capital city of California, Sacramento has a below-average livability score of 62, mostly because of its crime statistics and relatively high prices. The cost-of-living index there is 118.2, making the city nearly 20% costlier to live in than the national average. The typical renter will shell out $1,432 for a one-bedroom.

JMcQ / Shutterstock.com

Anchorage, Alaska

2022 average 1-bedroom rent: $1,176

In Anchorage, crime and real estate prices are high even by Alaska standards, both of which contribute to the city's drab livability score of 60. Although the average one-bedroom there costs $1,176 per month, one of the least expensive on this list, Anchorage residents still struggle with a rough cost-of-living index of 123.5.

Spondylolithesis / Getty Images

Napa, California

2022 average 1-bedroom rent: $1,522

Known for its legendary vineyards, daily life in Napa is nearly as pricey as its wine -- the cost-of-living index is 162.1, second only to Seattle. With an average monthly rent of $1,522, it's one of only four cities on this list where the typical one-bedroom costs more than $1,500. Overall, its livability score is a middling 70.

Kyle Sprague / Shutterstock.com

Portland, Oregon

2022 average 1-bedroom rent: $1,344

The cost of living in Portland is 30.8% higher than the national average. Although its $1,344 average rent makes it one of just five cities on this list where a one-bedroom goes for less than $1,400, its very high crime rate contributes to a dreary livability score of 65.

DenisTangneyJr / iStock.com

Fresno, California

2022 average 1-bedroom rent: $1,025

Just two cities on this list are less expensive than Fresno, which boasts a forgiving cost-of-living index of 102.6. With an average monthly rent of $1,025.00, a one-bedroom is cheaper in just thee other cities. Unfortunately, high crime contributes to a subpar livability score of 58.

Ceri Breeze / Shutterstock.com

Bremerton, Washington

2022 average 1-bedroom rent: $1,440

Bremerton comes up with an average livability score of 70. With a cost-of-living index of 108.9 and an average rent of $1,440 for a one-bedroom, it's certainly one of the more affordable cities to make the cut.

GarysFRP / Getty Images

Eugene, Oregon

2022 average 1-bedroom rent: $928

With a cost-of-living index of 105.3, Eugene is even more affordable than Bremerton. A lot of that has to do with the fact that it's one of only three cities on the list with a three-figure monthly rent -- $928 per month, to be exact, which makes it the cheapest on the entire list. Thanks to its high crime rate, however, Eugene earns a meh livability score of 65.

John T Callery / Shutterstock.com

Olympia, Washington

2022 average 1-bedroom rent: $1,436

The capital city of Washington has a cost-of-living index of 106.1, which puts it on the lower side of this list. Olympia's livability score is 74 -- the highest of any city profiled here -- and a $1,436 average monthly rent.

benedek / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Spokane, Washington

2022 average 1-bedroom rent: $947

Just one city on this list is cheaper to live in than the national average -- Spokane, whose cost-of-living index is an impressive 92.3. Although the city's paltry livability score of 67 leaves plenty to be desired, its $947 monthly rent makes it the No. 2 least expensive place to rent an apartment.

Shutterstock.com

Salem, Oregon

2022 average 1-bedroom rent: $979

With a cost-of-living index of 101.8, Salem is less expensive to live in than any city on this list except for Spokane. One of just three cities with a sub-$1,000 average rent, a one-bedroom goes for just $979 per month. That's all good news, despite Salem's low livability score of 69.

More From GOBankingRates

Methodology: GOBankingRates determined the best places for a couple to live on the West Coast on only their combined Social Security checks based on the (1) average monthly benefit for retired workers, $1,618.29, sourced from the Social Security Administration, and doubled ($3,236.58); (2) the overall cost of living in each city, sourced from Sperling's Best Places; (3) average 2022 rent for a one-bedroom apartment as sourced from ApartmentList; and (4) livability scores sourced from AreaVibes. Factors (2) through (4) were scored and combined, with the lowest score being the best. Factor (4) was weighted double in final calculations. All data was collected and is up to date as of April 22, 2022.

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 13 Best Places on the West Coast for Couples To Live on Only a Social Security Check
FACT.MR

Fuel Additives And Chemicals Are Gaining Traction In Automotive Sector And Is Expected To Offer Dollar Opportunity Of 0.5 Million During The Forecast Period.

Dublin, Ireland, Aug. 01, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Fact.MR  A Market Research and Competitive Intelligence Provider: The global magnesium hydroxide market is currently valued at US $ 720.5 Million in 2022. This is expected to predict a CAGR of 5.3 % during the forecast period and is expected to reach a market value of US $ 1.22 Billion by 2032.



Key manufacturers have shifted their focus on production of magnesium hydroxide from sourcing of raw material. This has cut the expenses over time and has supported the growth of the market. Moreover, short-term goal of the manufacturers is to focus more on sustainable business and lower carbon footprint and increase efficiency of plants.

Also, long term plan of key manufacturers is to focus on strategic partnerships with raw material suppliers and third-party distributors for continuous supply.

In addition to this, pharmaceutical sector is expected to be a vital demand generator for high-potential regions such as Europe and North America. Additionally, seldom changes in products have lead to high volume sales in the market. Moreover, consumers usually prefer products with high-end quality in terms of purity. These factors are expected to offer attractive opportunities for the growth of the market during the forecast period.

For Critical Insights on this Market, Request for More Info at:

https://www.factmr.com/connectus/sample?flag=S&rep_id=7548

Besides this, key players in the market are focusing on development of innovative product technology and varied procedures for productivity and enhanced efficacy.

Key Takeaways:

The US market is anticipated to witness a CAGR of 4.2% and is expected to reach a value of US $ 230 million by 2030. Moreover, volume consumption is expected to witness a CAGR of 3.3% in the country during forecast period.

Germany has been the epicenter for the production of pharmaceutical products, besides R&D and sales of several medicines. The market for magnesium hydroxide in Germany is expected to witness a CAGR of 5.6% and reach US $ 72.1 million by 2032.

Industrial grade magnesium hydroxide in the market accounts for around 54% market share and is estimated to occupy US $ 387.6 Million in value by the end of 2022. Also, the market is expected to witness an opportunity of US $ 301.7 by 2032.

Asia pacific is expected to witness highest growth due to high demand for neutralizing agents for wastewater treatment in the region.

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Growth Drivers:

High adoption of magnesium hydroxide in fuel additives and chemicals is expected to escalate the demand for magnesium hydroxide.

Usage of liquid magnesium hydroxide in diverse range of industrial sectors such as wastewater treatment, pharmaceutical is expected to drive the growth of the market.

Various manufacturers across the US are focusing on innovative methods to engage with customers. Moreover, these companies are also focusing on organic growth by introducing several products under a single brand. These factors are expected to drive the growth of the market.

High demand from Asia Pacific is due to high demand for wastewater treatment neutralizing agents in the region. Moreover, food industry also offers growth opportunities in the region.

Restraints:

Various side effects caused due to consumption of magnesium hydroxide are acting as a barrier to the growth of the market.





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Competitive Landscape:

Key manufacturers in the market are focused on organic growth by launching several brands under a single brand.

Moreover, manufacturers in North America are focusing on brand expansion across untapped regions/markets. Also, various players in the market are investing in green technology and other initiatives.

Key Companies Profiled by Fact.MR

Huber Engineered Materials

Israel Chemical Company

Nedmag B.V.

Konoshima Chemical Co. Ltd.

Ube Materials Industry

Kyowa Chemical Industry Ltd

Xinyang Minerals Group

Niknam Chemicals Private Limited

Premier Magnesia LLC.

Kisuma

Anish Chemicals





More Valuable Insights on Magnesium Hydroxide Market

Segmentation of Magnesium Hydroxide Industry Research

Magnesium Hydroxide Market by Form : Liquid Magnesium Hydroxide Powder Magnesium Hydroxide

Magnesium Hydroxide Market by Application : Wastewater Treatment Pharmaceuticals Flame Retardants Chemicals & Others Fuel Additives Food & Feed Abrasives Others

Magnesium Hydroxide Market by Grade : Industrial Food Pharmaceutical

Magnesium Hydroxide Market by Region : North America Latin America Europe East Asia South Asia & Oceania MEA







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Fact.MR, in its new offering, presents an unbiased analysis of the global Magnesium Hydroxide Market, presenting historical market data (2017-2021) and forecast statistics for the period of 2022-2032.

The study reveals essential insights by Form (Liquid Magnesium Hydroxide & Powder Magnesium Hydroxide) By Grade (Industrial, Food & Pharmaceutical Grade Magnesium Hydroxide) By Application and By Region  Global Market Insights 2022 to 2032

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Our chemicals and materials consulting team guides organizations at each step of their business strategy by helping you understand how the latest influencers account for operational and strategic transformation in the chemicals and materials sector. Our expertise in recognizing the challenges and trends impacting the global chemicals and materials industry provides indispensable insights and support  encasing a strategic perspective that helps you identify critical issues and devise appropriate solutions.

Explore More Chemical and Materials Industry Reports:

Metallized Films Market Outlook (2022-2032) - Global metallized film sales are currently valued at around US$ 2.44 billion. The metallized films market is anticipated to increase at a CAGR of 4.3% to reach a market valuation of US$ 3.72 billion by the end of 2032.

Magnesium Chloride Market Outlook (2022-2032) -The global magnesium chloride market reached a market size of US$ 1.4 billion at the end of 2021 and is predicted to expand at a CAGR of 6.3% to reach a market valuation of US$ 2.74 billion by 2032.

Polyethylene Furanoate (PEF) Market Outlook (2022-2032) - Global consumption of polyethylene furanoate is predicted to increase at a robust CAGR of 8.3% through 2032. As such, the global polyethylene furanoate (PEF) market is estimated to reach a valuation of US$ 76.7 million by 2032, up from US$ 32.7 million at the end of 2021.

Hexane Market Outlook (2022-2032) - The global hexane market is currently valued at US$ 2.21 billion and is slated to reach a revenue of US$ 3.05 billion by the end of 2032. Global demand for hexane is predicted to increase at a CAGR of 3.3% from 2022 to 2032.

Homosalate Market Outlook (2022-2032) - Expanding at a healthy 5.8% CAGR, the global homosalate market is expected to increase from a current market valuation of US$ 116.9 million to US$ 206 million by the end of 2032.

High Heat Foam Market Outlook (2022-2032) - The global high heat foam market stands at US$ 10.77 billion in 2022 and is projected to attain a valuation of US$ 23.36 billion by the end of 2032. High heat foam sales across the world are predicted to surge at a CAGR of 8.1% from 2022 to 2032.

Polymer Blends & Alloys Market Outlook (2022-2032) - The global polymer blends & alloys market was valued at around US$ 4.15 billion at the end of 2021, registering Y-o-Y growth of 3.5%. Demand for polymer blends & alloys is projected to increase at a CAGR of 6.4% to reach a market valuation of US$ 8 billion by 2032.

Melamine Formaldehyde Market Outlook (2022-2032) - The global melamine formaldehyde market is projected to increase from a valuation of US$ 645.1 million in 2022 to US$ 1.21 billion by the end of 2032, expanding at a CAGR of 6.5%.

Sludge Treatment Chemicals Market Outlook (2022-2032) - Worldwide consumption of sludge treatment chemicals is anticipated to rise at a CAGR of 4.4% from 2022 to 2032. At the end of 2021, the global sludge treatment chemicals market was valued at US$ 5.03 billion and is anticipated to reach a valuation of US$ 8.02 billion by 2032-end.

Silicone Release Coatings Market Outlook (2022-2032) - The silicone release coatings market experienced year-on-year (YoY) growth of 8.3% to reach a valuation of US$ 626.3 million at the end of 2021.

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The McKinney fire raging across northern California has now left two dead.

The blaze, which started on Friday, has now reached over 55,000 acres  larger than Washington, DC

Evacuations have been ordered for a large swath of Siskiyou County, including parts of Yreka, the county seat, with a population of 8,000.

California Governor Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency, and the blaze remains completely uncontained.

Five miles to the south, the Meamber Fire erupted on Sunday night and has scorched 40 acres. New large fires are also burning in Oregon, Nebraska and Montana  as continued fires burning Idaho, California, Alaska and elsewhere.

The 2022 wildfire season is turning out especially powerful, with six times the size of Rhode Island burned since 1 January.

Wildfires are expected to grow worse in the coming decades as the climate crisis makes conditions in many parts of the planet hotter and drier  two crucial elements for intense blazes.

The western US is currently experiencing a decades-long megadrought fuelled by the climate crisis that has dried out vegetation and created near-ideal conditions for fire growth.

Key Points

Evacuations ordered for part of Yreka, largest city in Siskiyou County

Two found dead in a charred vehicle

Large fires also burning in Montana, Idaho and elsewhere in US West

McKinney fire grows to nearly 80 square miles

14:37 , Ethan Freedman

Northern Californias McKinney fire has reached nearly 80 square miles and is completely uncontained after exploding in size over the weekend

Two people killed

14:48 , Ethan Freedman

Two people have died in a vehicle as the McKinney Fire blazed through northern California, according to the Siskiyou County Sheriffs office

The car was on a residential driveway near the community of Klamath River

14:56 , Ethan Freedman

As of Sunday night, the McKinney Fire had reached over 50,000 acres  nearly 80 square miles, larger than Washington, DC

Another new fire in Montana, the Elmo Fire, had reached over 10,000 acres

Story continues

The Moose Fire in Idaho, which started a couple weeks ago, has reached nearly 50,000 acres and remains just 23 per cent contained

15:00 , Ethan Freedman

Two people have been arrested within the evacuation zone for the McKinney Fire, according to the Siskiyou County Sheriff, both charged with burglary-related offenses

Early Monday AM two people were arrested within the #McKinneyFire evac zone & booked into the #SiskiyouCounty Jail. One suspect booked for     & the other for     . pic.twitter.com/1bs3W1Am4X  Siskiyou County Sheriff (@SiskiyouSheriff) August 1, 2022

15:09 , Ethan Freedman

The western edge of Yreka, the largest city in Siskiyou County, is currently under mandatory evacuation orders  with more of the city under an evacuation warning

15:16 , Ethan Freedman

The Elmo Fire in Montana has expanded to nearly 13,000 acres  20 square miles  overnight, with critical fire weather expected today

15:23 , Ethan Freedman

A kitten who survived the McKinney Fire hides among rocks in the Klamath National Forest (AFP via Getty Images)

15:41 , Ethan Freedman

The McKinney fire is sending a huge plume of smoke over northern California and Oregon

The McKinney Fire (located in the red circle) is sending tons of smoke out into Oregon (AirNow.gov)

15:55 , Ethan Freedman

Footage from Saturday shows just how quickly the McKinney fire erupted, reaching 18,000 acres overnight. The blaze is now more than 50,000 acres and growing.

The #McKinneyFire is once again exploding this morning after growing to the size of the #OakFire (18,000+ acres) in under 18 hours.



The next few days will provide perilous fire weather conditions with extreme heat, potential prolific dry lightning and strong/erratic winds. #CAwx pic.twitter.com/ivVjWnDb8d  US StormWatch (@US_Stormwatch) July 30, 2022

McKinney fire reaches 55,000 acres

15:57 , Ethan Freedman

The McKinney Fire has reached 55,000 acres as of Monday morning, officials say, with continued growth expected over the next couple of days

16:06 , Ethan Freedman

The McKinney fire is just the latest climate-related disaster to strike the US.

At the end of the last week, devastating flooding hit parts of eastern Kentucky, killing at least 30 people with more deaths expected.

Intense heat also hit the Pacific Northwest, which normally has mostly cool, seasonable temperatures, leaving at least seven people dead in Oregon.

Wildfires, heatwaves and flash floods are all expected to become more common in many parts of the world as greenhouse gases continue to heat up the planet.

Everywhere is on fire. Heres why the climate crisis is to blame

16:13 , Ethan Freedman

Everywhere is on fire. Heres why the climate crisis is to blame

16:26 , Ethan Freedman

The McKinney Fire remains vastly uncontained as it sweeps through the Klamath National Forest in northern California. Since starting, the blaze has jumped over State Route 96 and crept closer to the city of Yreka

16:33 , Ethan Freedman

Firefighters wait under a tree as they battle the McKinney Fire (REUTERS)

16:39 , Ethan Freedman

Wildfires are pushing smoke around and damaging air quality throughout the Pacific Northwest

17:08 , Ethan Freedman

Three smaller wildfires have broken out south of the McKinney Fire  the Meamber Fire, the Shackleford Fire and the Kelsey Fire. Both the Meamber and Shackleford blazes are around 30-40 acres, while the Kelsey Fire is around 75 acres.

17:22 , Ethan Freedman

A fire in Nebraska caused emergency evacuations and burned over 13,000 acres over the weekend, reports Nebraska Public Radio

Three homes have been destroyed and seven more damaged as the blaze swept through Scotts Bluff County, in the far western end of the state.

Images show fires blazing across fields and burning hay bales

Rows of round hay bales burn along Carter Canyon Rd pic.twitter.com/ihqqVODWaI  NSP Sergeant Horak (@NSPTrooperHorak) July 31, 2022

17:31 , Ethan Freedman

Satellite footage shows the intense column of smoking rising up over the McKinney Fire

Over the weekend, #GOESWest tracked the #McKinneyFire, which has shown extreme behavior, producing pyrocumulonimbus clouds and explosive growth on Saturday.



It's now California's largest #wildfire of 2022, burning more than 50,000 acres as thousands of residents evacuate. pic.twitter.com/Vj9baZyELY  NOAA Satellites (@NOAASatellites) August 1, 2022

17:37 , Ethan Freedman

A 60-acre fire has broken out in Oregon in the Willamette National Forest

The fire has closed part of the Pacific Crest Trail, which runs north to south across the western edge of the US

Today's new fire is called the Potter Fire. It is near Potter Mountain on the Middle Fork Ranger District of the Willamette National Forest.

The fire was reported at 60 acres and very active although in a relatively remote area. pic.twitter.com/43mmk5VQKA  WillametteNatlForest (@willametteNF) July 31, 2022

17:45 , Ethan Freedman

In Texas, the Boldt Fire broke out on Saturday east of San Antonio and burned over 300 acres

Officials say the blaze is now 90 per cent contained

17:51 , Ethan Freedman

The McKinney Fire has quickly become Californias largest blaze of the year. Prior to that, the largest was the Oak Fire, which spread just outside of Yosemite National Park over the past couple of weeks.

The Oak Fire has reached over 19,000 acres, and is 72 per cent contained as of Monday morning

Dozens of hikers evacuated from McKinney Fire

17:53 , Ethan Freedman

Sixty people hiking along the Pacific Crest Trail in northern California as the McKinney blaze grows

According to the Jackson County Sheriffs office, right across the border in Oregon, officials went to different trailheads to pick up hikers out of the evacuation zone
All India SLIET Entrance Test (SET 2022) https://career.webindia123.com/career/dates_and_events/entrance/eng/sliet-entrance-test-set.htm Details of All India SLIET Entrance Test (SET 2022) 2022-5-12 2022-8-20 https://career.webindia123.com/career/images/exams.png India India All India SLIET Entrance Test (SET 2022) Engineering

Sant Longowal Institute of Engineering And Technology (SLIET) Entrance Test- (SET 2022)

All India SLIET Entrance Test (SET 2022) Category : Engineering Admissions 2022 Published : On May 12, 2022 By Webindia123 Editor

Important Dates

Last date for receipt of complete Application Form (ICD, BR & MBA) June 10th, 2022 Last date for receipt of complete Application Form (PhD) June 10th, 2022 Dates of Examination 3-Year ICD Program- (SET-I)/ Lateral Entry to ICD (2nd Year)(SET-IA) / B.E.(Lateral Entry)-(SET-III) June 12th, 2022 Ph.D. Programme (SET-V) - Interview for Ph.D - Declaration of Result SET-I/SET-IA/SET-III June 20th, 2022 Ph.D. June 20th, 2022

Sant Longowal Institute of Engineering & Technology (SLIET), established by the Government of India, provides technical education in emerging areas of Engineering & Technology. The Institute is fully funded by Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India. The Institute offers unique modular pattern of education in various branches of Engineering & Technology.

Applications (online) are invited for admission to :

Integrated Certificate Diploma(ICD) Program

ICD (Lateral Entry)



B.E. (4 year - through JEE- Mains

B.E. (3 year - Lateral Entry through SET-III)

PG Programs (M.Tech.; M.Sc. M.B.A)

Ph.D Programs (SET-V)

Eligibility Criteria:

Integrated Certificate Diploma

Eligibility :

(1) The minimum qualification for admission to the 3 Year ICD Programme is Matric pass (Pass in English, Mathematics and Science is compulsory) from a State Education Board / CBSE / ICSE / National Open School or an equivalent examination recognized / approved by MHRD, Government of India. Those who are appearing in matriculation examination may also apply subject to producing the result at the time of admission

(2) For admission to Lateral Entry ICD (2nd year) in addition to the matric pass as above, must have passed full time 2 years ITI/Certificate/10+2 (vocational) in relevant trade with 50% marks(45% for reserved categories) from Govt./Semi Govt Institute along with 2 years industrial experience from Govt./Semi Govt. and Private Industry of repute.

Duration:

The duration of the ICD programme is 3 years, However, in case a student is willing to exit after successfully completing 2 years in the prescribed course of study with required credits, he/she will be awarded certificate in the respective course of ICD programme. He/ She will be allowed to exit only after completing all the formalities as per the norms of institute.

B.E.

Admission to B.E. will be based on JEE (Main)-2021 and counseling through CSAB/JoSAA-2021. For Institute spot admission CSAB/JoSAA-2021 schedule will be followed.

Refer Institute

website www.sliet.ac.in from time to time.

How to Apply

Process of registration shall be ONLINE only.

Online Application Fee

General & Other Categories (Boys) : Rs. 1750/*-

General & Other Categories (Girls) : Rs. 1250/*-

SC / ST (Boys and Girls) : Rs.1000/*

Admit Card will be provided in Duplicate. One Admit Card has to be deposited at examination centre at the time of examination and other copy shall be retained by the candidate for future use.

Admit Card can be downloaded from Institute website www.sliet.ac.in. All the candidates shall print their Admit Cards from the respective login. In case of any difficulty in printing / downloading the Admit Card, the candidate should contact / inform the Issuing Authority immediately . The form number / roll number is the prime means for locating the application and it should always be quoted in all correspondence & enquiry. No candidate will be permitted to enter the examination hall without a valid admit card. The admit card meant for candidate should be preserved carefully.

More details can be obtained from the institute website.

Contact Details Address : Chairman, SET

Sant Longowal Institute of Engineering and Technology, Longowal - 148106, Distt. Sangrur, Punjab, India Phone : 01672-280072, 253136 Fax : 01672-280072, 280057 Mobile : 9815048837 E-mail : Contact I Website : www.sliet.ac.in

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Comments and Discussions
(CP) Twenty-four of the 34 provinces in Muslim-majority Indonesia impose repressive dress codes for women and girls, including Christians. Many who do not comply face consequences and bullying, according to women who spoke with an international human rights group.

"Nearly 150,000 schools in Indonesia's 24 Muslim-majority provinces currently enforce mandatory jilbab (hijab) rules, based on both local and national regulations. In some conservative Muslim areas such as Aceh and West Sumatra, even non-Muslim girls have also been forced to wear the hijab," reads a recent report from Human Rights Watch.

Millions of girls and women in the Southeast Asian archipelago have to wear hijabs, the female headdress covering hair, neck and chest. Hijabs are typically worn with a long skirt and a long sleeve shirt.

"The officials who issued the decrees contend the jilbab is mandatory for Muslim women to cover intimate parts of the body, which officials deem to include the hair, arms, and legs, but sometimes also the woman's body shape," the report says.

HRW interviewed more than 100 women who have experienced abuse and often long-term consequences for refusing to wear the hijab. The dress codes, inspired by Sharia law, have impacted not only schoolgirls but also teachers, doctors and other professionals.

Two of the women interviewed say they received death threats on social media.

"Since grade four, my stepmother forced me to wear the jilbab," Sheilana Nugraha, a 25-year-old Christian and graduate student at Gadjah Mada University in Yogyakarta, said.

She told HRW that she entered high school in 2012 and was asked to wear a headscarf. In 2013, she was paralyzed in a motorcycle accident and went to live with her biological mother, a Christian.

"My birth mother is Christian. My father is Muslim," she said. "I took off my jilbab, wearing short-sleeved shirts to school, although my mother still took me to Islamic prayer and study sessions. I was the only Muslim student who did not wear the jilbab at the school. There were Christian students, the number was small, fewer than 10 people in the school, and none of them wore headscarves."

"Once [in first year of high school in 2012], I was approached by a history teacher, a woman wearing a headscarf, who was also my neighbor. She scolded me, swearing that I 'wouldn't be successful without the jilbab and would go to Hell.' I cried, felt humiliated, and this was witnessed by many students, since it took place in front of the class near the whiteboard and the classroom door. I was shamed. I was crying, depressed."

Nugraha said that for four days in a row in 2012, three female teachers and a male Islamic teacher "bullied" her.

"The Islamic religion teacher did not make me cry, but he was sarcastic. The math teacher was also my homeroom teacher. My grades were affected, screwed up [by the resulting psychological distress]," she said. "The principal did nothing to protect me."

HRW urges Indonesia's Interior Ministry, which oversees local governments, to invalidate the more than 60 local dress code laws nationwide. While Indonesia's central government doesn't have the authority to repeal local laws, the Home Affairs Ministry can nullify local executive orders that contradict national laws and the Indonesian Constitution.

"President Joko Widodo should immediately overturn discriminatory, rights-abusing provincial and local decrees that violate the rights of women and girls," said HRW's Acting Asia Director Elaine Pearson. "These decrees do real harm and as a practical matter will only be ended by central government action."

Indonesia, which is home to the world's largest Muslim population, has 20.4 million Protestants and 8.42 million Catholics. Together, these two groups comprise 10.58% of the total population of 272.23 million, according to the latest data from the Directorate General of the Department of Population and Civil Registration of the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Indonesia's Constitution is based on the doctrine of Pancasila  five principles upholding the nation's belief in the one and only God and social justice, humanity, unity and democracy for all.

But many extremist groups in Indonesia oppose Pancasila and target the Christian minority.

Churches often face opposition from groups that attempt to obstruct the construction of non-Muslim houses of worship. HRW previously reported that more than 1,000 churches in the archipelago had been closed due to pressure from such groups.

 The Christian Post
Information is from police reports and may be incomplete depending on the status of an investigation. Phone numbers are nonemergency.
Press Release

August 1, 2022 Sponsorship Speech P.S. Resolution No. 76

RESOLUTION EXPRESSING THE PROFOUND SYMPATHY AND SINCERE CONDOLENCES OF THE SENATE OF THE PHILIPPINES ON THE DEATH OF THE 12TH PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES (1992-1998), FORMER CHIEF OF STAFF OF THE ARMED FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES (1986-1988), AND FORMER SECRETARY OF NATIONAL DEFENSE (1988-1991) HONORABLE FIDEL VALDEZ RAMOS

Monday, August 1, 2022

Session Hall, Senate of the Philippines Delivered by THE HONORABLE WIN GATCHALIAN, Senator of the 19th Congress: Mr. President, distinguished colleagues, I join this chamber and the entire Filipino nation in mourning the loss of one of her greatest sons, former President Fidel Valdez Ramos. Throughout his long and illustrious career, President Ramos displayed courage, honor, and patriotism. As a soldier, President Ramos fiercely protected our country from those who threatened its freedom. We saw this in his successful efforts to quash several coup attempts and when he served as our Secretary of National Defense. And while President Ramos was a valiant commander, he was also committed to the cause of peace. In 1996, he brokered peace in Mindanao by signing a peace deal with the Moro National Liberation Front which, at that time, brought 25 years of conflict to a close.1 Because of this, he earned for himself and our country the coveted 1997 UNESCO Peace Prize---a first time for Asians. But many of us would particularly remember President Ramos for presiding over the rise of the Philippines as a Tiger Cub Economy in Asia. Through his socio-economic agenda "Philippines 2000," his administration pursued a wide range of reforms to boost the Philippines' global competitiveness and prosperity. His reform agenda covered economic liberalization measures, which included continuing trade liberalization, privatization, and the dismantling of monopolies and cartels.2 He also pursued institutional reforms that covered tax and customs administration, the bureaucracy, and the judiciary. From 1993-1997, the average Gross National Product was almost five percent annually, based on data from the Philippine Statistical3 4Yearbook. The total inflow of foreign exchange into the country outpaced that of the combined periods of the two preceding administrations. The average income of the Filipino family grew more during the Ramos administration than in the preceding two decades. This led to the implementation of a comprehensive Social Reform Agenda that addressed long- standing problems on poverty, health, education and skills training, jobs and livelihood, and access to equal opportunity, among many others. By the time his term ended, the Philippines was at that point closest to breaking out of its image as the Sick Man of Asia. More than two decades have passed since President Ramos stepped down as President and yet to date, we still look up to his administration as a model reformist government, and we continue to benefit from the economic programs that he espoused. I would also like to emphasize that it was President Ramos who signed Republic Act No. 8526 or the Charter of the City of Valenzuela, which classified Valenzuela as a highly urbanized city on February 14, 1998. For signing our city's charter, we in Valenzuela, will always be grateful to him. Let me also highlight how President Ramos solved a power crisis under his watch, when Luzon experienced as much as ten hours of blackouts. Through the enactment of the Electric Power Crisis Act and the inception of the Build-Operate-Transfer Law, at least 20 new power generation plants were built, ending the power shortage crisis by December 1993.5 President Ramos continued leading a life in public service as an elder statesman after his term as president ended, even accepting the post of special envoy to China under the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte. This goes to show his unwavering commitment to champion the cause of the Filipino people. The tributes that pour in from leaders around the world after his passing show the esteem in which he was held. He brought to the Office of the President his outstanding work ethic shaped by his distinguished career in the military and in public service. President Ramos led us with a steady hand and decisiveness at a period of great uncertainty for our country. As a soldier, he showed courage and honor in times of conflict and of peace. And for defending our democracy many times from its enemies, the Filipino people will forever be grateful to him. Again, I would like to extend my condolences to Former First Lady Ming Ramos and the rest of the bereaved family. I am expressing my solidarity with the brave men and women of our Armed Forces who are honoring their former Commander-In-Chief. Lastly, I join every Filipino in celebrating the life and legacy of a true patriot and statesman who served as the 12th President of the country he loved and protected. For these reasons, I call on our esteemed colleagues to support the passage of this measure in honor of the late President Ramos. Thank you, Mr. President. # ___________________________ 1 Speech of President Ramos at the signing of the Final Peace Agreement between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the Moro National Liberation Front | Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines 2 World Bank Document 3 Fidel Valdez Ramos | Global Leadership Foundation (g-l-f.org) 4 https://psa.gov.ph/products-and-services/publications/philippine-statistical-yearbook/2001 5 Philippine presidents in crisis: Cory Aquino, Ramos, and Estrada  Manila Bulletin (mb.com.ph)
Carlisle Area School Board may review in August a proposal to launch a financial literacy course at the high school during the upcoming academic year.

A course overview will be on the education committees agenda when it meets on at 7 p.m. Thursday in the large group instruction room of the Fowler building of the high school.

Im really excited about this course, Assistant Superintendent Michael Gogoj said during a phone interview in late July. Were really looking forward to bringing this to fruition.

Over the years, the Pennsylvania Department of Education has been pushing the need for financial literacy courses in public schools, Gogoj said. This has been a priority for our board and administration.

In the past, the district has offered some form of financial literacy or personal finance instruction as an elective for students enrolled in the business academy or other programs offered by the high schools Center for Careers and Technology.

Last year, the high school shifted to a block schedule configuration that will be carried over into 2022-23 with some modifications.

That has enabled the district to develop a student wellness track of curriculum offerings built around a rotation of health, physical education and safety courses, each lasting a semester, Gogoj said. The semesterlong financial literacy pilot course would be folded into the track as another way to serve and safeguard students.

On a large scale, we understand as a society the importance of students learning early how to make smart financial decisions, Gogoj said. Part of the purpose of schooling is to prepare students to enter the world and, in entering the world, they are also entering the economy and the workforce. We want them to avoid making mistakes that could have been prevented had we been able to talk about important topics.

The overview Thursday will brief board members on the proposed course, which has lessons in career planning, money management, banking, identity theft prevention and tips on understanding tax forms, insurance coverage, credit, debt and investments, Gogoj said. This course is intended to be practical, applicable and immediately relevant.

For example, lessons learned in the course could be useful to a high school junior contemplating the purchase of a vehicle or selecting colleges to tour before submitting applications, Gogoj said. We want to do our part as a district to help prepare students for the real life when they leave us.

While the plan is to schedule juniors and seniors for the pilot program this school year, the goal is to target juniors for the financial literacy course, said Michael Black, district director of secondary operations. He outlined the proposed course progression for the student wellness track:

Ninth grade: one semester of Health I and one semester of physical education

10th grade: one semester of safety instruction and one semester of physical education

11th grade: one semester of financial literacy and one semester of physical education

12th grade: one semester of Health II and one semester of physical education.

While there is talk of eventually making the financial literacy course a graduation requirement, no decision has been made, Gogoj said. We just dont know. Were working through some of the details. The key for me is we get a chance to reach every single student who goes through Carlisle High School.

Staffing for the pilot program was discussed during recent executive sessions on personnel matters giving board members advanced notice that the financial literacy course is in the offing, Superintendent Colleen Friend said. They will not be surprised to hear about it. In fact, as we worked through the comprehensive plan and listened to our board members, they were very excited about this course offering to students. Were anticipating that its going to be received well.

As a school administrator, Friend is in contact with local businesses that are members of the Carlisle Area Chamber of Commerce. They have been willing to provide insight into what they look for in employees.

They stress over and over the soft skills, well-rounded attributes and characteristics, Friend said, adding chamber members are thrilled that the district may offer a financial literacy course.
The Logos School in South Middleton Township is set to launch on Sept. 6 for the 2022-23 academic year.

The new school, which is based on the classical Christian model, is enrolling students for kindergarten through sixth grade using space rented from the Carlisle Evangelical Free Church at 290 Petersburg Road in the township.

An informational meeting and school tour are scheduled for 6:15 p.m. on Aug. 17.

Corey and Julie Gelbaugh are in charge, and organizers are partnering with a team of experts to set up the school. Logos will be part of the Association of Classical Christian Schools.

Classical education takes learning back to how it was practiced prior to the progressive movement early in the 20th century when schools switched from a liberal arts education to job training, said Julie Gelbaugh, head of Logos School.

It builds a foundation on sharpening students reasoning, language and rhetorical skills, while keeping Christ at the center, she said. Im excited to be a part of a learning environment where teachers and students are driven by the desire to glorify God in all we do, which I know will enable us to create and sustain this educational model within our local community.

Julie Gelbaugh has experience as a speech language pathologist for a public school system, and her husband, Corey Gelbaugh, is a web developer in the education field who has built several educational applications.

Retired teachers Denise Eschenmann and Debbie Harris-Heishman have been appointed directors of curriculum and instruction to set the standard and to guide the schools educators.

Eschenmann is a National Board Certified teacher and a Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year finalist with 38 years of experience teaching fifth grade, mentoring teachers and providing professional development in math and other areas in Carlisle and other school districts.

Harris-Heishman is a 35-year veteran educator, having taught kindergarten through third grade, and was the recipient of the Matz Award for Excellence during her tenure as a South Middleton School District teacher.

It has been an honor to fill this role for Logos School and for the community, Eschenmann said. To step in to help build the foundation of this school and mentor its teachers seems like the perfect next step. Debbie and I are committed to creating a positive atmosphere where children are met where they are in their academic and life journey and are given the tools and resources needed to help bring out their best, providing them with every avenue to live out their potential.

Representing nearly 400 member and accredited schools, the Association of Classical Christian School describes itself as the largest and most widely recognized representative of classical Christian education.

Though Logos is currently enrolling students for K-6, plans are to add more grades in future years. When the school is teaching K-12, it will reach full accreditation with the Association of Classical Christian School.

For more information about the Logos School, the association or enrolling students for 2022-23, visit the website at www.logosschoolpa.com. Questions can also be directed to info@logosschoolpa.com or 717-701-0369.
Cap America Inc. recently announced that Daniel Hedgcoth has completed his Associate of Science in information technology by using Cap Americas tuition reimbursement program. Hedgcoth recently transitioned to Cap Americas IT department after working in the production and maintenance departments for over 15 years.

Hedgcoth decided to pursue a degree in order to further his skill set to be successful in his desired career field of IT. He chose to take online courses through Rasmussen University since he hadnt been in a traditional school setting since the early 90s. Hedgcoth said he has considered working toward an additional degree but plans to take a break from coursework for now. In the meantime, he plans to gain certifications in areas like operating systems and networking to continue to develop his credentials.

Cap America officials say the company supports the pursuit of higher education and offers tuition reimbursement to employees who wish to obtain an undergraduate degree. Cap America leadership and the IT team in particular are said to be very proud of Hedgcoths recent accomplishment.

Cap Americas CIO John Cooper said, Daniel has been a welcome addition to the Cap America IT department. His dedication to learning the necessary skills to be successful in his career field is admirable. We look forward to the opportunities this recent degree will present him.
About 1,000 students received degrees from Missouri University of Science and Technology during four commencement ceremonies held on campus this past May.

A ceremony for Ph.D. graduates was held Saturday, May 7, at Leach Theatre. Ceremonies for undergraduates and students earning master's degrees were held Friday, May 13, and Saturday, May 14, at the Gale Bullman Building.

Missouri S&T awards bachelor of science, bachelor of arts, master of science and doctor of philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees.

Missouri S&T has traditionally recognized graduates earning a bachelor's degree with honors by placing the designation "summa cum laude," "magna cum laude" or "cum laude" on their diplomas. The highest honor, summa cum laude, is awarded to students who have earned a cumulative GPA of 3.8 or above on a 4.0 scale for all courses counting toward the degree. Magna cum laude is the designation for a GPA of 3.5 to 3.79, and cum laude indicates a GPA of 3.2-3.49.

Graduates are listed by hometown, name, degree, major and honors:

Bonne Terre

Paul Chandler, bachelor of science, environmental engineering, magna cum laude

Nathan Hollock, bachelor of science, chemical engineering, cum laude

Jason Slusser, bachelor of science, computer engineering, magna cum laude

Logan Whitwell, bachelor of science, civil engineering, cum laude

Desloge

Cole Murphy, bachelor of arts, history

Mackenzie Shields, bachelor of arts, history, summa cum laude

Mackenzie Shields, bachelor of arts, multidisciplinary engineering, summa cum laude

Farmington

Isabela Clubb, bachelor of science, chemical engineering

Zachary Compton, bachelor of science, chemical engineering, cum laude

Christian Moody, bachelor of science, computer science

Mineral Point

Kyle Johnson, master of science, information science and technology

St. Mary

Jordan Weibrecht, bachelor of science, mechanical engineering

Ste. Genevieve

Christian Loida, bachelor of science, chemical engineering, cum laude
State Representative and former Washington County Collector Mike McGirl, R-Potosi, recently addressed claims that the current Washington County collector, Carla Zettler, reportedly made to authorities while she was being questioned about alleged thefts from her office.

Zettler, 50, of Mineral Point, was charged June 22 with three counts of felony stealing, one count of felony forgery, and misdemeanor official misconduct. Zettler, two collector's office employees, and one former employee are accused of stealing from Washington County by receiving cash fees for processing trustee property sales.

During an investigation that led up to the charges being filed, police interviewed Zettler about how Woodland Lake Development lot sales were handled by the office.

Zettler reportedly told police that when the former collector, McGirl, was serving as the collector and she was deputy collector, an agreement was made through the county commission to sell Woodland Lake Development lots for $1 plus $99 of associated fees in order to aid their removal from the delinquent tax list.

An investigator states in his report that a review of commission meeting reports by the Washington County clerk found no authorization to sell these lots for $1. There was, however, a commission meeting in 2011 allowing the sale of these camping lots for $50.

Zettler reportedly told authorities that, of the $100 which her office collected in either cash or money order, $1 went to the cost of the lot. Other moneys went to the process of recording the lot, leaving $23 to the trustee and a $19 fee that went to the county collector's office employee making the transaction.

The police report states Zettler told the investigator she was just doing it the way McGirl did it. She also stated residents who wanted to get a copy of the Woodland Lake lot lists were charged $5, which went to petty cash.

Authorities interviewed McGirl, who told them that was not how he handled these sales.

After the Daily Journal published articles about the charges against Zettler, McGirl reached out to the news outlet with a response to Zettler's reported statements to investigators.

"I want to take a moment to respond to some of the aspersions and lies that have been published since the discovery of the theft of county money," McGirl said. "I served as the Collector of Revenue of Washington County for 24 years, winning six straight elections, before I retired.

"From March of 1991 until I ended my tenure in February 2015, I worked hard to bring innovation and productivity to an office that had not seen those concepts applied before," he explained. "I came into an office that operated with hand-written books and records, and tax bills printed on dot-matrix. My predecessor did his best, but I was able to draw on my education and experience in business to improve operations, from generating tax bills by laser printer to taking payments in more efficiently, and maintaining strict controls for reporting and reconciliation of county monies.

"I applied for and was awarded a large grant to safeguard county tax records and make them accessible electronically," McGirl noted. "This opened the door to being able to pioneer the program to upload the county personal property taxes to the state license bureaus. This is now state-wide standard practice, and I was instrumental in developing and implementing the program, putting Washington County on the leading edge of digital tax lookups. This is the reason why you don't have to have a paper receipt to prove you've paid your vehicle taxes now when you go buy or renew licenses.

"Another area I was able to overhaul was the annual property tax sale for delinquent back taxes," said the former collector. "When I took office, the county had no trustee to oversee its holdings. State law does allow for this, but the county collector has to take on those duties when there's not a trustee. I was able to find a viable candidate to fill that role, and the county commission at the time appointed her. When a property is offered for sale to collect back taxes owed, and no one buys it, eventually something has to be done with that parcel. When I took office and started holding land sales on the courthouse steps, any properties that didn't sell after being offered three times could now be transferred to county ownership under the stewardship of the trustee, and the county was able to start selling these properties and collect its money due.

"Most of these type properties are lake lots and have low annual taxes," McGirl mentioned. "At the time I took office, there were thousands of such lake lots stagnating on the books, and I requested that the county commission discount the lower-value lots in an effort to make them affordable for purchase. The commission saw the merit of my plan and approved it, and the county was able to clear a large unpaid balance from its tax rolls as those sold. We followed the State regulations in implementing every step of the plan to ensure that even though discounts were in place, the proper proceeds were allocated to every office, be it the trustee, the recorder of deeds, or the county treasurer.

"When a property is turned over, the collector's office has to prepare a deed for that parcel and transfer ownership of it from the delinquent taxpayer to the buyer  which is the county trustee when a lot doesn't sell after three offerings," McGirl explained. "A Collector's Deed is also prepared for any parcel sold to a buyer who wins the bidding at the land sale. This is standard duties for collector's office staff, and these are the only deeds my staff and I ever prepared. In my 24 years of service, the State Auditor visited on schedule every four years and checked our records and procedures. Every single one was clean. These audit records are available for review on the State Auditor's website back to 1999."

"It has been stated by the current collector and her attorney that she is simply following the procedures that I set in place during my tenure," McGirl noted. "This is patently false, as attested to by the fact that not one single audit of my books in 24 years ever reported missing funds. All tax receipts and fees collected were properly turned over to the county. My record speaks for itself, and if the guidelines I established had indeed been followed, this forensic audit would not have discovered over 100 thousand dollars missing from the county's funds."
Leadwood Board of Aldermen at last week's meeting heard a 40-minute list of complaints from property owner Pam Perry of Bonne Terre. The grievances against the town included lack of policing, windows broken out of her vacant apartments, speeding up her street, garbage in town and a long-ago flooded rental property of hers that she said the city needed to remediate.

Lets keep the blame game out of it, make it short, sweet and to the point, and get some answers were looking for, said Mayor Ed Austin at the top of the meeting. Pam Perry, you have the floor.

Perry, while not a resident, is a landlord. At the meeting, she referenced a property with two buildings, and she indicated one is a storage building with an apartment or two, and another is a building divided into four apartments.

Id like you to give my tax money back and Ill put security in my own buildings, because Im not getting it from Leadwood, she began. Hows that for a beginning. I pay on four properties.

Yes, ma'am. And I understand where you're coming from, Austin said. We all do. But getting police to come over here. I mean, getting police to go to county, getting police to go to Park Hills  Everybody is short staffed. And we're trying to do the best we can with just the couple (of officers) we got.

Perry said while she doesnt have tenants in her buildings at the moment, she has to have it ready to be rented by October, so shes been working to spruce them up. She said shes had to repeatedly replace windows that have been broken out.

And no matter what happens, it still cost me in the end so I'm looking for a solution. I'm not pointing at you and I realized this is a bad situation. The economy's a bad situation, Leadwood Police has been a bad situation for the last 20 years that I've been around, Perry said. And it's that doesn't reflect on the police themselves. It's just that there's just not enough there's not enough money  I'm not sure what the answer is. But I do know that I'm paying a mortgage on those and I'm tired of paying the mortgage and not being able to use (the buildings) for three years now.

She said an offer had been made by a previous police chief to set up motion cameras on the property, or ask nearby homeowners if their internet access could be borrowed to run the cameras, but it didnt work out. She said an offer had also previously been made to put cameras on the animal pound that could also be placed toward her Main Street property.

She asked Alderman John Vickers if he might be willing to share his internet at his house for the camera system to guard her property.

Vickers demurred, saying, I have no idea, but the problem is, if we try to specifically look after your property, we have to look out for everybodys. I remember the broken windows the last time, and I thought the charges had been dropped.

Perry asserted, No. I have never, ever dropped charges on anybody there and I have insisted very vocally that I will press charges. When a kid was found there, breaking into the back, I went there and I would have pressed charges on them.

Shifting gears, Perry brought up a building on the back of the property she said the city needed to remediate.

Also, somebody from Leadwood has to come over and something has to be done about all the stuff that was ruined in my back building, she said. That, whatever, an overflow, whatever it is that goes underneath my back building  I said something before, they didn't keep the drain clean, so it all backed up and it ruined all my stuff in storage. It's still sitting there. It's locked up, but it's still sitting there. I have no control over cleaning that out.

Perry explained there are two unrented apartments and a storage area in that building, and when a city-owned, trench drain backed up, it flooded the storage area. Aldermen and Perry pieced together that the building had at first been a pole barn for Miners Lumber, which was then partially turned into apartments, and Perry agreed, pointing out she had spruced up the dwellings when she purchased the property.

But now she wasnt going to rent out the apartments there for a lot of reasons. Ill probably end up tearing it down and putting something else there, if I do anything in Leadwood, she said. But its the damage. My insurance doesnt cover that, and there was nothing I could do about it. If I lived there, maybe I could have seen the water coming.

When she was asked how long ago the storage area had flooded, she said possibly more than a year ago. Later, aldermen who conferred about the matter estimated the flooding had happened at least eight years ago. They asked if she would be willing to let them take a look at the property. Bring a flashlight, its a mess, she said, as discussion continued about her rental properties.

At one point, Perry asked, I know you love this question, but what is the status on the water now? Its been three months since Ive been here.

Vickers and Water and Wastewater Supervisor Kevin Brooks said the state is reviewing a second set of answers provided by the engineer, and the city is waiting for the Department of Natural Resources to give the OK to let the project out for bid.

The city has struggled for the better part of 10 years to pursue an overhaul of their city water system, the small, budget-challenged town having worked through passing a bond issue, then embracing a USDA loan, then going through the process of getting a DNR grant, deciding whether or not to purchase water from and build the appropriate infrastructure to Park Hills, deciding against it and resuming their pursuit of rebuilding their own water and wastewater system this past winter.

Perry had several questions regarding water meters, and whether private citizens or the city will pay for new pipes on private property. She expressed dissatisfaction at the thought of having to pay for pipes and water meters.

Switching back to my windows, what can be done? I cant rent it with boards over it, Perry said, adding her insurance company was yelling at her for having no renters for three years. She repeated that police needed to watch her property better, and to the aldermens suggestions, said heavy screens outside the glass would cost too much, and repeated boards would be unsightly. I need something else, she said.

Alderman Charlie Lewis said the board hopes the one-cent increase in sales tax approved last April by voters will help retain and recruit police, but at the moment, more policing could not be promised. Perry said she was expecting another solution to address her plight now.

There was further discussion about the windows being broken out, previous vandalism incidents in years past around the town, and other properties that might share internet access for motion-activated security cameras before Austin reiterated they would come to her flooded property to see what might have happened with the flooded drain in Perrys storage-apartment building.

During the rest of the meeting, the board:

Approved a business license for Pettus Electric.

Heard a plea for more asphalt for various roads whose potholes needed to be filled, and for Church and E streets which are washing out from the recent rains. Locust Street was observed to be at risk of being washed out completely, as well.

Discussed finding an entity that might be able to dig a nine foot hole for a utility pole. Brooks said many of the businesses he contacted were too busy to respond at the moment. Aldermen provided suggestions for additional businesses to call.

Approved Police Chief Emily Portells request for various policing materials that were all less than $100.
A 38-year-old woman was found dead at a home in Mineral on Sunday and Virginia State Police officials say her death is being investigated as a homicide.

Police identified the woman as Sara J. Stanley, 38. She was found in an outbuilding at a home in the 300 block of West Eighth Street, in Mineral.

Before 8 p.m. Sunday, the Louisa County Sheriff's Office responded to a call for shots being fired at the residence on West Eighth Street, said Corinne Geller, state police spokeswoman. Further investigation led to the discovery of Stanley in an outbuilding on the property. State police is actively following up on several leads related to a suspect.

Geller said the Louisa County Sheriff's Office and the state police are investigating. Stanley's body was take to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Richmond for autopsy and examination.

Anyone with information related to this incident is encouraged to contact the Virginia State Police by dialing #77 on a cell phone or by calling (804) 609-5656. The department may also be reached by email at questions@vsp.virginia.gov.
Elizabeth Bauermeister hopes her job is one day irrelevant. And shes only just begun it.

Bauermeister is the coordinator for the new Linn/Benton Anti-Trafficking Coalition. She saw a need to address the issue of human trafficking, both sex and labor trafficking, and sought out support and funding from the Oregon Department of Justice to get it up and running.

Shes been working on the project for about a year, but shes already envisioning a future where her work has paid off.

This is basically joining a bigger network of task forces throughout the state, Bauermeister said. We all work together to address the issue of human trafficking through multiple points. We want to prevent it, and we want to address the survivors that are existing  and obviously prosecute traffickers.

Working together

The coalition places a big emphasis on coordinating with community organizations in order to get survivors of human trafficking the services they need.

Bauermeister said some of the groups she works with include Jackson Street Youth Services, ABC House, Center Against Rape and Domestic Violence and Sarahs Place.

CARDV (Center Against Rape and Domestic Violence) is so grateful to be able to participate as a member of this very important coalition. It is critical to this work that CARDV operates 24/7 and is able to meet, transport and keep trafficking survivors safely housed  even on a short term basis, Kate Caldwell, executive director for CARDV, said in an email.

Then, we are able to help a survivor access the other services of our community partners which are very important as well. It takes all of us collectively to be as effective as possible.

The local agencies have done a great job supporting survivors of human trafficking, Bauermeister said. But her position will allow these groups to better coordinate with each other and ensure survivors receive the type of care and support they specifically need.

How I see it is every single organization does one little piece of what a survivor might need, Bauermeister said.

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So why hasnt there been a coalition for Linn and Benton counties up until now? Bauermeister suggested it may be because no one has been able to commit the time and effort necessary to do it.

Shes currently working toward getting a masters degree in social work. During her field study for her degree, she said she discovered that while a lot of organizations work with human trafficking survivors, there werent any specific services for these survivors.

The coalition aims to change that.

Exposing what lurks in the shadows

The coalition will not only help survivors but will also try to educate the public too.

A big part of trafficking is that it survives by living in the shadows, Bauermeister said. It thrives by the community not really understanding or knowing what it is.

In the next few months, the coalition will work with an outside agency to conduct a study to get hard data on how many survivors there are in the area and how prevalent trafficking really is in the community.

But beyond that, teaching the community what trafficking looks like is another key part of the coalition.

In my experience, what it generally looks like is there are people who are vulnerable and basically need money or some kind of way to get money, Bauermeister said. And then traffickers will exploit those vulnerabilities and kind of suck them in. So traffickers might prey on homeless youth, for example.

Looking forward

Although her job has just begun, Bauermeister is looking toward the future. She said eventually she would like to hire a case coordinator who can work more directly with clients and ensure they are receiving long-term care.

She also hopes to ensure the organizations she works with, as well as law enforcement, have the proper training to assist a survivor of human trafficking.

But most of all, she hopes human trafficking can one day not be a problem.

My ultimate dream is really that it stops happening in the first place and my job is irrelevant eventually, Bauermeister said. And I would love to have it evolve into really looking at those roots of why it happens and putting a lot of effort into preventing it from happening in the first place.
Press Release

August 1, 2022 SPONSORSHIP SPEECH OF SENATOR LOREN LEGARDA

RESOLUTION EXPRESSING THE PROFOUND SYMPATHY AND SINCERE CONDOLENCES OF THE SENATE OF THE PHILIPPINES ON THE DEATH OF FORMER PRESIDENT, THE HONORABLE FIDEL V. RAMOS

Senate Session Hall

1 August 2022 Mr. President, complete staff work, or CSW, that was the mantra of President Fidel Valdez Ramos and we all learned that from him at some time in our public and professional lives. FVR reinvented politics in the way he conducted extensive consultations with various sectors of the country, advocating for a cohesive culture knowing how divisive Philippine politics can be. He envisioned the Philippines to be a society characterized by equity, tolerance, harmonious pluralism, justice, and full respect for human rights. Despite being a soldier, the 12th President of the Philippines veered away from brutal approach in dealing with armed conflicts. Instead, he advocated for formal peace negotiations, peace talks with communists and Moro separatists, and pushed for the repeal of the anti-subversion law. It was during the Ramos administration that the Government Peace Panel signed major peace agreements with the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP), such as the Hague Joint Declaration, the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG), and the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL). And I was a young journalist then, Mr. President, who covered all these especially the talks which went on for several weeks in Indonesia - in Jakarta. In the face of crisis and challenges, FVR revealed himself to be a nation's true father, an indefatigable and disciplined public servant. I don't know of anyone who worked such long hours as he - from perhaps, four A.M. up to midnight? Amazing human being. He also focused on unifying our people after winning the elections in 1992 as a minority president - is that what we call it - by a hairline? But steering the economy to become Asia's rising tiger. He sincerely desired to unify the country by means of peace but waged an all-out war against the ills that afflicted our society and economy. FVR was a leader accessible and reachable to those who desired to be seated in the highest position in government, as well as to any other elected leaders, regardless of political affiliation. He has demonstrated himself to be a leader whose heart is in the right place. And on a very personal note, Mr. President, FVR was the first person who encouraged me to run for Senator at a young age of 37 years old, as a young journalist then interviewing him at the Rizal Room in Malacanang when he broached the topic, 'Do you want to run? I know you're a graduate of the NDCP', also his alma mater. I said, 'No, no, please, hindi po.' But then, the rest is history. Mr. President, FVR's death is a loss to our nation. We, as a people, we owe him much. I owe him much, too. Having said that, I thank you, Mr. President, for your lasting legacy to our nation, and people. Rest in Peace, FVR. We love you.
The Indian government has offered an upbeat initial assessment of the 5G spectrum auction that finally finished on 1 August, saying that the 71% of spectrum sold  51.236GHz out of 72.098GHz  is good enough to cover the entire country with 5G within two or three years.

The total money raised from the auction was Rs1,50,173 crore or a little over US$19 billion. Pretty much as expected, Adani, the only new player, which is aiming to target private networks, spent Rs212 crore (just under US$29 million) to acquire 400MHz in the 26GHz band.

Of the big names, Vodafone Idea (Vi) acquired spectrum in the 3300MHz and 26GHz 5G bands and additional 4G spectrum in three telecom circles (or service areas) relating to Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Punjab. Indias Economic Times says that Vis total bid, amounting to Rs18,799 crore, (about US$2.4 billion) was roughly as expected.

Telecom market leader Reliance Jio has acquired a larger amount of spectrum  in the 700MHz, 800MHz, 1800MHz, 3300MHz and 26GHz bands  at a cost of Rs88,078 crore (some US$11.2 billion). The 700MHz band had gone unsold in the previous two auctions (2016 and 2021).

Low-band spectrum like 700MHz offers superior indoor penetration and greater range, while high-band frequencies such as 26GHz millimetre Wave (mmWave) offer huge capacity over short distances.

The second largest telecom player, Airtel, acquired 19,800MHz spectrum for Rs43,084 crore (just under US$5.5 billion) in the 900MHz, 1800MHz, 2100MHz, 3300MHz and 26GHz bands. This included a pan-India footprint in the 3.5GHz and 26GHz bands.

All the company statements relating to the spectrum purchases were predictably upbeat, despite the loud calls for cheaper spectrum and fewer opportunities for private network specialists that preceded the auction.

And how did the government do? A number of newspapers have pointed out that the government received no bids in the 600MHz and 2300MHz bands, so, once the dust settles it will be interesting to see how more detached observers assess the results.

Still the government has earned close to US$20 billion on the sale. The winners will own their spectrum for 20 years and spectrum payments have to be made over 20 annual instalments, with interest at 7.2% per year.
The Baptist College of Florida (BCF) sent students to Lake Forest Ranch in Macon, Mississippi for a week of service to the community July 9-15.

Their trip was BCFs first to the area since concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic sidelined this longstanding annual BCF/Mission Camp Macon project.

BCF sent a combination class of psychology and missions students there.

We are thrilled to be involved again in such a significant ministry, said BCF Missions Professor and Theology Division Chair Rich Elligson, who led the group.

Lake Forest Ranch Executive Director Nick Hall was also quoted in BCFs news release regarding the project. We love having BCF students involved in our summer program in general and Camp Macon in particular, he said. And we would like very much to see our relationship continue to flourish in the future.

Some years ago, BCF Psychology Professor Kristy Ford approached Elligson with the concept of an inter-disciplinary class, and Lake Forest Ranch became the venue. Mission Camp Macon itself began nearly twenty years ago as a week carved out by camp leadership to do ministry work in their local community.

Each day of that week, hundreds of Noxubee County teens arrive at the camp to compete in sports, study the Bible, and hear the gospel.

At the same time, teams of workers leave the camp each morning to provide Bible club activities for younger children in several church locations around the county.

As a result, the week not only provides biblical ministry to the residents of one of Mississippis poorest counties, but also a rich opportunity for BCF students to study and participate in multi-ethnic, multi-cultural ministry done the right way, school officials said.

Camp Macon is custom-made for this class, Elligson explained. While the psychology students focus on individual participants, looking for personal struggles and engaging individual youth at their point of need, the missions students look at the bigger picture; observing the camp itself, its structure, objectives, strategies, and effectiveness.

All of this years BCF participants were new to the camp.

To learn more visit baptistcollege.edu.
HARTFORD  A Hartford man has been charged with murder following an investigation into a dead body found at a residence near the intersection of Highway 167 North and Geneva County Road 45 near Hartford Sunday.

An autopsy of the victim, Angel Nichole Stout, 25, of Graceville, determined her death was a homicide, leading the state Bureau of Investigation to lodge a murder charge against Brandon Michael Waddell, 31, of Hartford.

Waddell is being held in the Geneva County Jail with no bond.

Hartford Police Chief Annie Ward turned the investigation over on Sunday to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agencys state Bureau of Investigation.

ABI will turn its findings over to the district attorneys office once the investigation is completed.
The Alabama Department of Labor experienced significant technological issues and staffing shortages that led to delays and dysfunction during the COVID-19 pandemic, documents sent from the state to the U.S. Department of Labor show.

Just before the pandemic hit, budget constraints dictated reducing an already strained workforce. Within months of the ADOL staff reductions, the state-mandated closures forced unprecedented claim loads, the state department stated in a report to the federal department in February of 2022.

The problems at the department meant Alabamians who got unemployment help and are being billed for millions of dollars in overpayments have largely been without the ability to get a response to their appeals, according to delays detailed in correspondence between the state department and its federal counterpart.

In total, Alabama reported overpaying $164 million unemployment dollars to its residents between 2020 and 2021. Now it is asking for much of that money back.

Yet many people told AL.com they get no response when they appeal. The department received countless appeals that had yet to be processed as of this year, according to data the department sent the U.S. Department of Labor, between December of 2020 and March of 2022.

The department reported it received but did not file at least 86,262 appeal requests.

As of June 3, 2022, there were just 12,715 appeals entered in the database pending a hearing.

The state department declined to share the total number of appeals requests it has received with AL.com, citing pending litigation.

As the Alabama Department of Labor continues working to quickly resolve this issue and while the litigation is pending, we will need to defer back to our previous comments, spokesperson Tara Hutchinson told AL.com in an email on Thursday.

We do not plan to use the press as our means to respond to this litigation.

Alabamians told to pay back unemploymentIn its report to the federal department, Alabama explained that at the outset of COVID-19, it was in the process of modernizing its data system, which launched in January of 2020. The pandemic disrupted efforts to address problems with the new system, leaving the department scrambling to respond to overwhelming demand for unemployment.

Many Alabamians who received unemployment help during the pandemic have received notices from the department saying they were overpaid and must pay some of their unemployment money back, debts that often reach sums higher than $15,000 or $20,000.

Often overpayments are the result of small mistakes made by applicants, employers or the department. Alabamians can appeal their overpayment determinations, but because the state is behind on hearing appeals, many have been unable to contest the debts.

In 2021, Alabama was an average of 566 days behind on appeals, according to The Century Foundations analysis of federal data. In Kansas, appeals took on average just 15 days.

Following reporting on the overpayments by AL.com last week, Gov. Kay Ivey called the backlog outrageous, and called upon the Alabama Department of Labor to find solutions to the overpayment problem.

We have asked (Labor) Secretary (Fitzgerald) Washington to provide us with solutions to resolve this concerning situation, as well as the outrageous backlog, Gina Maiola, a spokesperson for the governor, told AL.com last Thursday, adding that Alabamians should not be made to pay for the governments mistakes.

At the end of the day, the agency approved and paid out the claims.

Following the message from Maiola last Thursday, the department told AL.com on Friday that it would explore the possibility of federal waivers to allow the state to forgive more of the overpayments.

The department is currently looking whether to expand the use of allowed waivers pursuant to federal guidance, said Joseph Ammons, general counsel for the Department of Labor.

Previously the department told AL.com it only grants waivers on a case-by-case basis and had not pursued a broad waiver to forgive most instances of overpayments during the pandemic.

States like Massachusetts, New Jersey, Florida and others have requested federal waivers to offer broad forgiveness to people who were overpaid unemployment during COVID-19.

Larry Gardella, an attorney with Legal Services Alabama said he would like the department to seek a federal waiver to forgive all the pandemic overpayments they possibly can.

If they could do a broad waiver of all non-fraudulent claims, I think it would be a lot easier administratively, and it would certainly help claimants, and it wouldnt cost Alabama any money. Its all federal money, he said.

Legal Services Alabama filed a lawsuit against the department earlier this year asking a Montgomery County judge to mandate the department to speed up its appeal processes and to make its communication and processes understandable for the average person. The judge is now weighing whether to dismiss the lawsuit pending against Labor Secretary Fitzgerald Washington on the basis of sovereign immunity.

Plaintiffs have experienced extreme delays at every step of the unemployment process, Legal Services Alabama stated in its complaint.

The department argued that it performed as well as it could have during the pandemic, and its officials are immune from the suit. The department saw a spike of 1,038,172 COVID related claims between April of 2020 and March of 2022, it stated in a motion.

The Plaintiffs ask this Court to take over management of the Alabama Department of Labor, the department stated in a filing in the suit. In the wake of a once-in-a-century pandemic, ADOL faced a tsunami of unemployment claims.

Department was inundated

To deal with its staffing shortages during the pandemic, the department asked its workers to do overtime and required all staff to take inquiry phone calls each day.

In February of 2022, the department reported to the U.S. Department of Labor it had an adjudication backlog of about 143,000 issues with its system.

Three common issues with applicants led to overpayment determinations, according to the reports. People who worked part-time often failed to report their part-time pay. Some beneficiaries failed to detail their work search efforts and some employers reported that their employees left for a reason other than lack of work.

Gardella said he would like the department to simplify its language and application processes to prevent overpayments in the future.

To the extent clients do things wrong, theyre doing things wrong in large part because the department is making it hard for them to understand what they need to do, he said.

Roughly eight months ago, in December of 2021, the department began scheduling hearings for appeals it received from the first few months of the pandemic through August of 2020. The department told the federal office that it must manually count appeals received by mail, fax or email.

There is a countless number of appeal requests to be reviewed and entered in the database. The backlog of appeals is attributed to insufficient manpower to keep pace with the unprecedented volume of appeal requests resulting from the onset of COVID-19 in March 2020, the department stated in its report to the U.S. department in February of this year.

The department stated that such backlogs explained why it was delayed in reporting mandatory data to the federal government and why it was behind in detecting overpayments.

(This) combination of events left ADOL in a position such that the ability to detect recoverable overpayments has diminished.

The department is responsible for catching overpayments, recovering the money and reporting data about these steps to the federal government.

In 2021, the department stated it prioritized flagging overpayments it made during the pandemic and sent notices to many Alabamians stating they were overpaid and would need to pay back the money.

The department pursued such overpayments before addressing the backlog of appeals, said Gardella, leading to a situation where people would be asked to pay back their overpayments before they could dispute the decision.

(There was) this emphasis on spending a lot of timeon pursuing improper payments, he said, And less emphasis on getting peoples hearings heard so that the people who are entitled and havent been paid have the chance to get some money.
Power-generating windmill turbines are pictured at a wind park in Bac Lieu province, Vietnam, July 8, 2017. Photo by Reuters/Kham

U.S.-based energy utility AES Corp (AES.N) plans to develop a major offshore wind farm in Vietnam, the Southeast Asian country said on Friday, that could potentially double the country's wind power capacity.

The wind farm, estimated to cost $13 billion and with a combined capacity of 4,000 megawatts (MW), would be built off Vietnam's central province of Binh Thuan, the Ministry of Industry and Trade said in a statement.

AES did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.

The country currently has about 4,000 MW of wind capacity and wants to install 11,700 MW by 2030 and 66,000 MW by 2045, according to state media.

AES submitted a letter of intent to develop the project to a Vietnamese energy delegation during an annual Vietnam-U.S. energy security dialogue in Washington earlier this week, the ministry said.

Hydrogen, power storage and nuclear energy were also discussed at the dialogue, the statement added.

Vietnam, a regional manufacturing hub, is seeking to boost renewable energy development and reduce its reliance on coal for power generation, following a pledge it made last year alongside other major users of the dirty fossil fuel to become carbon-neutral by 2050.

The ministry this week asked the government to remove future coal-fired power projects with a combined capacity of 14,120 MW from a draft national master power development plan.
Indian tourists at a hotel in Ha Long, northern Vietnam, August 1, 2022. Photo courtesy of Pham Sanh Chau

Vietnamese authorities are now issuing up to 6,000 visas a day to Indians, a 24-fold increase from pre-Covid times, the country's ambassador in New Delhi, Pham Sanh Chau, said.

Before the pandemic Vietnam was issuing only around 250 visas a day, and the surge has been due to the launch of new direct flights between the two countries and huge travel demand post pandemic, he told VnExpress International.

"Due to difficulties in getting visas to other destinations caused by the pandemic, Vietnam is rising as a new appealing tourist destination to Indians, especially Gen Z.

"Applying for a visa online is convenient and easy and takes just 2-3 days."

Vietnamese carriers operate 11 direct flights connecting Vietnam's tourism hotspots with Indian cities in the coming time besides eight current operational routes.

India had been one of Vietnam's growing tourism markets before the pandemic hit, with the number of Indian visitors rising from 85,000 in 2016 to 169,000 in 2019.

Vietnam has been allowing quarantine-free entry since March 15 and also scrapped Covid testing requirements.
As the number of coups and transition governments have grown in West Africa, so has the importance of UNOWAS, declared Ambassador Richard Mills, Deputy U.S. Representative to the United Nations. UNOWAS, or the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel, is a political mission in Senegal, which engages in preventive diplomacy in the region. In particular, UNOWAS is offering support and advice to the transition governments in Mali, Guinea, and Burkina Faso.

Ambassador Mills urged the authorities in Mali to restore constitutional rule by holding timely elections. The government has committed to a 24-month transition timeline ending in March 2024. We trust the transition government of Mali will turn its full attention to implementing the benchmarks for the remainder of this transition, said Ambassador Mills.



Ambassador Mills also expressed great concern over an alarming increase of credible allegations of human rights violations and abuses carried out by the Malian Armed Forces in conjunction with the Kremlin-backed Wagner Group. These potential abuses and violations are exactly why we warn countries against partnering with the Russia-backed Wagner Group, said Ambassador Mills.

In Guinea, the transition government must support the right of peaceful assembly and peaceful protest, declared Ambassador Mills. It is long past time to return the country back to constitutional, civilian-led democracy.

Likewise, in Burkina Faso, the government has proposed a two-year transition timeline to return the country to democratically elected civilian-led rule. We encourage partners to prioritize productive engagement with the transition government and to take into account Burkina Fasos security and humanitarian challenges, said Ambassador Mills.

Finally, at the regional level, terrorist violence against civilian and military targets in the Sahel remains rampant.

For its part, the United States continues to work with the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS. The Coalition welcomed as new members Burkina Faso in late 2021 and Benin in spring of 2022. The Coalition also announced the formation of the Africa Focus Group in December 2021, which seeks to enhance African Coalition members civilian-led counterterrorism capabilities.

This is a moment of crisis for West Africa and the Sahel, noted Ambassador Mills. But it can also be an opportunity  an opportunity to defeat terrorism, promote democracy, and put the people of the region first. Let us all continue to work closely with UNOWAS to do just that.
Press Release

August 1, 2022 SEN. REVILLA HONORS THE LIFE OF FORMER PRESIDENT RAMOS; PAYS TRIBUTE DURING SENATE SESSION Senator Ramon Bong Revilla Jr. today paid tribute to former President Fidel V. Ramos as he sponsored Senate Proposed Resolution 74 in plenary. Ramos, who Revilla considers his first and true mentor, passed away on July 31, 2022, at the age of 94. In his sponsorship speech, Senator Revilla reminisced and shared how FVR, as the former President is fondly called, led the nation back on its feet and re-established political and economic stability after years of turmoil. "His Presidency was not a walk in the park. His predecessors left insurmountable crises that not even them could have endured. He came to power when the Philippines was just reeling from the aftermath of the Luzon earthquake, strong typhoons, the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo, and the gulf crisis. He had to take action quickly, and not one second too late", Sen. Revilla shared on what the Ramos administration had to face during his time of presidency. Sen. Revilla further remarked that despite the tumultuous political and economic landscape during the time of President Ramos, he took hard but right decisions not only to restore stability but to let the nation progress. "Hindi po matatawaran ang pamana ni FVR sa bansa. Sa pamamagitan ng kanyang pamumuno ay umahon ang Pilipinas mula sa mga krisis ng bumabalot sa bawat Pilipino ng mga panahong iyon. FVR did not just dream of bringing the country to international prominence, he actually brought us there. Sa ilalim ng kanyang panunungkulan, nakipag-sabayan ang Pilipinas sa ating mga karatig bansa sa pagsulong", he added. Under the leadership of former President Ramos, his administration's program Philippines 2000 became widely successful and is one of the many highlights of his years in steering the nation to greater heights. The economy surged from a Gross National Product (GNP) growth rate of 0.72% in 1991 to 8.42% in 1998. Poverty also was drastically reduced from 41% to 30%. The country gained the international label of being the "Asia's Rising Tiger" during that time. The Ramos Presidency is also best remembered for the restoration of electric power after years of power shortages and rotational brownouts. His administration also successfully entered into major peace agreements with separatists, communist insurgents, and military rebels that brought lasting peace in many regions of the country. In his speech, Sen. Revilla shared how President Ramos convinced and inspired him to join public service. He mentioned that it was FVR who invited him to join Lakas-CMD which the Senator now has become the Co-Chairman of. The Senator also spoke of the late President's love for the Province of Cavite. He recounted the many plans and projects they envisioned together the province such as the LRT Line 1 Extension approved by the NEDA in 2000 under the GMA Presidency, which was first conceived by him and President Ramos, as well as the conversion of Sangley Point to an international port. "Si FVR, maybe the next generation may no longer know him, pero ang kanyang mga nagawa - his exceptional legacy - shall continue to be etched in our country's history and in our people's memory", Sen. Revilla closed.
South Sudan is in dire need of humanitarian aid. The country is facing unprecedented levels of food insecurity, with some areas of the country in danger of tipping into famine. This is a complex situation caused by a number of factors, including sporadic violence; four years of above average rainfall that caused the worst flooding in decades, washing away fields, killing livestock and displacing hundreds of thousands of people; a shortage of food available for export as a result of Russias war on Ukraine; and the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to the Famine Early Warning Systems Network, or FEWS NET, managed by USAID, 7 to 8 million South Sudanese people will likely require food assistance, with the highest level of need expected between July and September.



Less than two years after South Sudan declared its independence from Sudan, a five-year civil war caused widespread destruction and extreme violence against the civilian population, resulting in dislocated populations and disrupted food production. Today, around 2 million people are internally displaced while another 2.3 million found refuge abroad. Of these, some 700,000 have returned to South Sudan over the past several months and are trying to rebuild their lives, but resources are scarce. In the meantime, an additional one million people were displaced by flooding last year, with another 600,000 in the path of expanding flood waters this year.

South Sudans economy has not recovered from the war, nor has the farming sector. It is not self-sufficient and must import food, but the rising prices and increasing scarcity of staple foods previously imported from Ukraine are increasing food insecurity. According to the United Nations, South Sudan is bracing for its worst ever hunger crisis.

Working through USAID, the United States Government is providing more than 117 million dollars in additional humanitarian assistance for the people of South Sudan. The money will go to the United Nations World Food Program and will provide food and nutrition assistance to more than one million crisis-affected people in South Sudan.

The United States continues to stand with the people of South Sudan as the country experiences compounding crises. We remain committed to providing humanitarian assistance around the world as both a moral imperative and as a direct benefit to the well-being of the United States.
ELKO -- A historic surge of monsoon moisture is spreading across the Silver State today, according to the National Weather Service.

To put this moisture into context this is at 200 to 300 percent of normal, placing it comfortably at historic levels, forecasters said. The greatest threat from flash flooding is across central Nevada and Nye County, where over one inch of rain is expected in places through Tuesday.

Although overall rainfall along and north of I-80 will be lower than in central Nevada, there is still potential localized flash flooding in the heavier thunderstorms, the weather service said.

The surge of moisture is expected to continue for most of the week, with multiple rounds of showers and storms expected. It comes during what is normally the driest time of the year, and while Elko is running 2 inches short of its water year average.

The flood watch extends from Southern Nevada up through Nye, White Pine, Eureka, Lander and Elko counties.

In the event of flash flooding on roadways, the weather service advises motorists to not attempt to drive around or through ponding water. Just 6 inches of running water can knock over an adult, and at 12 inches in depth can float a car, weather officials said.
LAS VEGAS (AP)  Stephanie Heiner arrives at the Seven Magic Mountains public art exhibit on the outskirts of Las Vegas and shakes her head in disbelief at the mess.

The desert art installation of seven towers of colorfully painted boulders standing up to 35 feet high, and with the mountain ranges, desert and Jean Dry Lake backdrop, is one of the notable places in Southern Nevada for visitors to take photos.

Celebrities from Beyonce and Jay-Z to Bollywood star Rashimi Deji to members of Korean pop sensations BTS have made pilgrimages to the site.

The site could be losing its Instagrammable appeal with graffiti and stickers sprawled across the boulders, and excess garbage seemingly everywhere.

Heiner, a Las Vegas resident, and her sons four years ago started working at the installation the past four years to clean the area. It used to be a monthly commitment  now, they are at the site twice weekly.

Cleaning these mountains for so long, they just become  its not just really a job, but you take pride in the art. And certainly seeing them the way they are now, its kind of heartbreaking every time you go out there, Heiner told the Las Vegas Sun.

Seven Magic Mountains, a brainchild of Swiss artist Ugo Rondinone, was erected in 2016 on the northbound side of Interstate 15 near the southern end of Las Vegas Boulevard, about 30 miles south of the Strip. The $3.5 million project was originally supposed to be removed after two years, but the contract was extended through 2027.

The Nevada Museum of Art, which produced the exhibit in partnership with Rondinone and New Yorks Art Production Fund, noticed vandalism has increased exponentially in the past several weeks, Rebecca Eckland, the museums director of communications and marketing, said in a statement to the Sun. Officials were already discussing ways to revitalize the installation prior to the uptick in graffiti, she said.

The museum has announced that the installation will get a thorough cleaning beginning Monday, while remaining open to visitors.

The display has twice been repainted since its debut six years ago, but that was because the rocks colors had faded due to the wind and rain, and not because of visitors intentionally altering the artwork. The markings range from a heart with two names on the inside to vulgar phrases.

There have also been dumpster fires, directional signs that have been bent, and cars that have crashed through a nearby fence, Heiner said.

We are aware of the severity of the vandalism and are working on a timeline of repair and restoration, Eckland said in the statement to the Sun.

When COVID hit in early 2020, the attraction spiked in popularity because it was one of the only open attractions near Las Vegas, Heiner said. By April, the monthly cleaning visits, paid for by the museum, became weekly.

They are responsible for picking up trash, emptying dumpsters and maintaining directional signs near the attractions entrance. Caring for the signs is difficult because theyre covered with stickers and theyre hard to get off.

The family used to attempt to remove graffiti made with pens and markers on the rocks, but the graffiti wipes they used would smear and diminish the integrity of the boulders paint. Instead, they take pictures of the rocks and submit them to officials on a maintenance tracking form.

Most days, the work is a three-hour labor of love.

Its really difficult because we can clean and do everything we can to make it spick-and-span and the next day itll look like nobodys even cleaned it, said Heiner, who does the cleaning with sons Noah and Brady.

In all of their years servicing the site, Heiner said, the graffiti on the rocks has not really been an issue until this year. Specifically, she said, its become worse since April after RM, the leader of BTS, posted pictures on Instagram of himself standing in front of the boulders. That led fans of the internationally famous boy band to flock to the art installation.

Interest in being pictured with the boulders  whether its a family on the way for a weekend in Las Vegas or fans of a popular music group  gives officials plenty of motivation to get the attraction cleaned as its become one of the cant-miss stops when visiting here.

The installation attracts 325,000 people annually, according to the federal Bureau of Land Management, which helps manage the site.

Countless others notice the art on the drive in and out of town, which is why the Clark County Parks and Recreation Department this spring started to financially support maintenance at the site with a $50,000 annual maintenance sponsorship that will extend through 2026.

County Commissioner Michael Naft, who is also one of 14 members on the board of directors of the Las Vegas Visitors and Convention Authority, said tourism officials have been faced with the reality of losing the exhibit or figuring out a way to make it work.

And he stresses, I think the value is significant.

Thats something Heiner has long preached. When the family drives up the display site, shes still amazed at its beauty  even with the rampant graffiti and other vandalism.

The more that people do it, the more that other people think its OK to do it, she said of the vandalism. It looks horrible now.
For many years, commuters, merchants and tourists had to spend endless hours to travel by land from the Croatian mainland to the southern part of the eastern European country. A bridge recently inaugurated has made those exhausting experiences a thing of the past.

Opening for traffic earlier this week, the 2.4-km-long bridge finally connects two parts of the nation facing each other across the blue waves. Now it just takes a breezy three-minute drive for local residents and travelers to cross the strait for their trips to Dubrovnik, a medieval city known as the "Pearl of the Adriatic."

Connectivity matters, not only for tourism, but also for the movement of goods and access to services. A much smoother flow of trade is expected to create thousands of local jobs. Another piece of good news for people living in the southernmost part of Croatia is that they now can enjoy easier access to educational and health facilities on the country's mainland.

In the long run, this flagship project of Belt and Road cooperation, along with others of its kind, is expected to help revive growth in the region and spark new possibilities for common development in other parts of the world. This is precious against the backdrop of the lingering COVID-19 pandemic, a tottering global economy and mounting geopolitical uncertainties.

SHARED BENEFITS

Initiated by Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2013, the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) envisions trade and infrastructure networks connecting Asia with Europe and Africa along the ancient Silk Road routes.

Over the past 10 years or so, the BRI has followed the guiding principles of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits. It has made impressive headway in delivering tangible benefits to local residents through such connectivity projects as the Peljesac Bridge, the Mombasa-Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway in Africa, and the new Haifa port in Israel, among others.

"We are seeing connectivity, we are seeing airports remodeling, and we are seeing ports remodeling," said Charles Onunaiju, director of the Nigeria-based Center for China Studies, when speaking of China's infrastructure investment in Africa.

When describing the economic benefits of Belt and Road cooperation, Onunaiju invoked Lekki Deep Sea Port, Nigeria's first deep seaport under construction by China Harbour Engineering Company in Lagos.

Official data show the project will create up to 170,000 jobs and bring revenues totaling $201 billion to the state and federal government through taxes, royalties and duties.

"What is really happening is that this connectivity is aiding the future and long-term growth of Africa, so that Africa can begin to participate in global supply chains," said Beatrice Matiri-Maisori, a senior economics lecturer at Kenya's Riara University, who shares similar views with Onunaiju on Africa's infrastructure development.

Besides high expectations for growth, connectivity brings certainty to a world of uncertainties.

Connectivity is at the heart of supply chain resilience, said Josephine Teo, Singapore's minister for communications and information and second minister for home affairs.

When logistic woes caused by the pandemic frustrated businesses worldwide, the China-Europe Railway Express managed to help sustain supply chains, and maintain trade transactions across the Eurasian landmass. In 2021, the total number of China-Europe freight train trips reached 15,183, and registered a yearly increase of 55 percent on average from 2016 to last year.

The railway service has also yielded gains for all countries involved. In the last year alone, trade in goods with countries along the Belt and Road stood at 11.6 trillion yuan (about $1.84 trillion).

HIGH-QUALITY DEVELOPMENT

At a symposium marking the fifth anniversary of the BRI back in 2018, Xi called for high-quality development of the initiative, and compared such an endeavor to a "meticulous painting," a traditional Chinese drawing technique that pays great attention to details.

He understood that after years of efforts to finish its general layout, the BRI should aim for high-standard, sustainable and people-centered progress.

The BRI's high-quality development is branching out and bearing fruits. The construction of the Peljesac Bridge has illustrated the economic, social and environmental benefits the BRI can bring its partners.

"When building the bridge, Chinese engineers and workers applied the highest environmental standards," said Kreso Beljak, member of the Croatian Parliament and president of the Croatian Peasant Party.

Local oyster producers at the nearby Ston Bay once worried that the project might have a possible negative impact on the quality and the volume of their oyster production.

However, this didn't happen thanks to the highest environmental protection standards. On the contrary, the bridge has opened up new sales routes.

The Peljesac Bridge is a miniature of the Belt and Road construction in a new stage. Under the BRI framework, the building of a health Silk Road, a digital Silk Road and a green Silk Road have added new dimensions to the initiative.

To push for green and low-carbon development, China has promised last year not to build new coal-fired power projects abroad, and it has helped construct hydro, solar, and wind power stations in Pakistan, Laos and Argentina, among others.

In terms of innovation-driven programs, China is helping its BRI partners, many in Africa like Mozambique, to develop modern and smart agriculture with the help of the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System; it is also joining forces with others in boosting cooperation in e-commerce, outer-space and deep ocean. For example, China and Portugal have set up late last year the STARLab under the BRI, which is a joint laboratory focusing on integrated scientific and technological cooperation in space and sea.

Highlighting openness and inclusiveness is also how China seeks to work with its partners worldwide for high-quality achievements. The BRI family has some 180 members so far, and more are welcome to join.

PUBLIC GOOD FOR SHARED FUTURE

In his speech at the opening ceremony of Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2021, Xi said "the BRI is a public road open to all, not a private path owned by one single party. All interested countries are welcome aboard to take part in the cooperation and share in its benefits."

Having proposed the BRI, China is thinking how to facilitate global development for all mankind, and through these years, the BRI has brought people closer as well as boosted international trade, said Stephen Perry, chairman of Britain's 48 Group Club.

"It's transnational," he said. "It's not thinking of the single country of China. It's thinking of the whole area of the world, maybe more focused at the moment on Asia and Africa and Latin America, but it's a world project."

According to a World Bank report, BRI transport projects could, by 2030, help lift 7.6 million people out of extreme poverty and 32 million people out of moderate poverty globally. Trade will grow from between 2.8 and 9.7 percent for economies along economic corridors and between 1.7 and 6.2 percent for the world.

"The reason why the BRI can maintain such a vitality is because infrastructure construction and supply chain inter-connectivity feed the needs of economic globalization," said Huang Renwei, executive vice-dean of the Fudan Institute of Belt and Road & Global Governance.

"The initiative is investing in the real economy," said Huang. "It is helping build infrastructure in world emerging economies and facilitate their industrial- and supply- chain participation."

More importantly, as protectionism and isolationism are rising, the BRI can also serve as an open platform of multilateralism for all participating countries to work together in slashing the deficits of peace, development, trust and governance.

In Huang's view, an urgent problem facing the global community's drive to reform global governance is a "recession of growth," saying that the BRI, which focuses on development in the developing world, and advocates for a fair and open world marketplace, will play a positive role in reforming the current structure of global economic governance.

"BRI is like a bridge. It connects what China can offer with what the rest of the world needs," he said.
Reuters information about the termination of the contract with Ukraine for the supply of 240,000 tonnes of wheat by Egypt is a fake news, the document will be renegotiated due to the lack of provisions on the actions of the parties in the event of force majeure, which was the Russian blockade of Ukrainian seaports.

This was announced by Vice-President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI) of Ukraine Mykhailo Nepran on the Hromadske radio with reference to the Ukrainian Ambassador to Egypt Mykola Nahorny and information received from grain traders.

"Indeed, the contract was concluded. Yes, the Ukrainian side, due to the blockade of ports, could not fulfill it in a timely manner. It turned out that they did not have a clause on the existence of force majeure in the deal. If there was such a clause, they would have come at the Chamber of Commerce, we would issue them a certificate, and this would be the ground for them to extend the term of the contract without penalty," he was quoted as saying.

According to Nepran, Ukraine and Egypt eventually decided to close this contract with unenforceable conditions and conclude a new agreement, according to which the purchase of wheat will be carried out.

"Moreover, as our ambassador to Egypt Mykola Nahorny told me, the Egyptian side officially assured him that it would in no way refuse to cooperate with Ukraine, that they understand the situation with the blocking of ports, and Egypt is ready to work with Ukraine and buy grain," the representative of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry said.

He also recalled that the contract for the supply of 240,000 tonnes of wheat was signed at the end of 2021, and the deliveries were to take place in March-April of this year. During this time, the cost of grain has changed significantly, which will also be reflected in the new contract.

"Our grain traders told me that they are even happy with this situation, because when the agreement was signed in December last year, the price was about $250 per tonne. Now, the price has almost doubled. That is, from an economic point of view, it has become even more profitable for them, because the new contract will be concluded at a different price. That is, everyone was shouting that it was "zrada" [betrayal,] but it turned out to be a victory," Nepran said.
The Ukrainian Ministry of Infrastructure announced the departure of the first vessel with 26,000 tonnes of Ukrainian corn from Odesa maritime merchandise port.

"The first vessel with Ukrainian food left the port of Odesa," Minister of Infrastructure of Ukraine Oleksandr Kubrakov said on his Facebook page.

Earlier, MP of Ukraine (European Solidarity faction) Oleksiy Honcharenko in his Telegram channel said the first caravan of 16 dry cargo ships with grain from Ukraine would arrive in Turkey on August 3, 2022.

Anadolu Turkish agency said this ship is sailing under the flag of Sierra Leone and is heading to Lebanon.

The UN, for its part, confirmed that the ship is carrying over 26,000 tonnes of corn.

Anadolu, in turn, said the ship is expected to arrive on Tuesday in Istanbul, where it will be checked, after which it will be able to go further along the route.

As reported, on July 29, the G7 ambassadors arrived in Odesa to check the launch of the "grain corridor."
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky called on all the defenders of Ukraine to hold on and said that strategically Russia has no chance of winning this war.

"Today I want to thank every resident of Mykolaiv for their indomitability, for protecting the city and the region. I also thank Nikopol, Kharkiv, Kryvy Rih and the entire Dnipropetrovsk region, the strong people of Zaporizhia and the region, all Ukrainians of the Kherson region, everyone who defends the outskirts of Odesa and the region... Thank you for your courage!" he said in a traditional video statement on Sunday evening.

"We have to hold on in defense, diplomacy and politics. To preserve our unity - and not only until the victory, but also after it, in order to qualitatively restore everything destroyed by the occupiers. I believe that we will do all this," the president said.

Zelensky said "now the Russian army is trying to strengthen its positions in the occupied areas of the south of our country, increasing activity in the relevant areas. Part of the Russian forces from their positions in the east are moved to the south  to Kherson region and Zaporizhia region... But this will not help them there."
Press Release

August 1, 2022 Villar wants to place PH Rise under NIPAS CITING the need to monitor and maintain the high biodiversity and pristine habitats in the Philippine Rise Marine Resource Reserve (PMRR), Senator Cynthia A. Villar wants to place it under National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS). Legislation of the PMRR, the senator stressed, will not only institutionalize and provide funds for its management, but will also be in keeping with our exercise of Philippine sovereignty over our waters and resources. Due to this, Villar filed Senate Bill 519 or An Act Declaring a portion of Philippine Rise within the exclusive economic Zone (EEZ) of the Philippine Sea as a protected are with the category of Marine Resource Reserve under NIPAS. Villar, chairperson of the Senate Environment Committee, said this would be referred to as PMRR. The bill also seeks to establish a mechanism that would ensure measures towards this objective are enforced and implemented. The majority of the Philippine Rise including the Benham Bank Seamount, has always been within the Philippines EEZ. The United Nations Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (UN-CLCS) adopted the recommendation of the Philippines on the limits of our Continental Shelf. "Following the discoveries in the Benham Rise, four more research expeditions were conducted in 2016, 2018, 2019 and 2022 to further assess its biodiversity and extent of habitats," said Villar. She noted that the data and information obtained from the past expeditions supported the recognition of the Philippine Rise as an Ecologically and Biogically Significant Marine Area (EBSMA) under the UN Convention on Biological Diversity. This also refers to the declaration of a portion of the Philippine Rise, namely Benham Bank, and its surrounding waters as a marine resource reserve under NIPAS in 2018 by virtue of Presidential Proclamation No. 489. The proclamation of the portion of the Philippine Rise as a marine protected area (MPA) in 2018 was just an initial step towards fulfilling the requirements for a full-fledged protected area to be finally declared as part of ENIPAS in 2018. Since the PMRR is the first MPA in the Philippine EEZ wherein fisheries operations are regular, Villar said the state of habitats and biodiversity in the Behnam Bank must be closely monitored. She said this would ensure the sustainability of the resources found in the area. Also, she said that regular expeditions in the area must be conducted inorder to establish long-term trends in the ecological integrity and biodiversity of the Behnam bank. The bill also provides that the BFAR, AFP Philippine Coast Guard and PNP Maritime Group are involved in maritime patrolling, maritime safety for Filipino fishers and enforcement of fisheries and conservation laws. Villar, nais isailalim ang PH Rise sa NIPAS NAIS ni Senator Cynthia A. Villar na isailalim sa National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) ang Philippine Rise Marine Resource Reserve (PMRR) upang mapanatili ang mataas na "biodiversity" at habitat nito. Sinabi ni Villar na maproprotektahan din ng isang legislation ang soberinidad ng Pilipinas sa katubigan at 'resources' nito bukod sa paglalaan ng pondo. Sanhi nito, inihain ni Villar ang Senate Bill 519 o "An Act Declaring a portion of Philippine Rise within the exclusive economic Zone (EEZ) of the Philippine Sea as a protected are with the category of Marine Resource Reserve under NIPAS." Ani Villar, chairperson ng Senate Environment Committee, tatawagin itong PMRR. Layunin ng panukalang batas na magtatag ng mekanismo para matiyak na maipatutupad ang mga hakbang sa adhikaing ito. Nasa Philippines EEZ ang majority ng Philippine Rise kabilang ang Benham Bank Seamount. Pinagtibay ng United Nations Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (UN-CLCS) ang panukalang hangganan ng Pilipinas sa ating Continental Shelf. "Following the discoveries in the Benham Rise, four more research expeditions were conducted in 2016, 2018, 2019 and 2022 to further assess its biodiversity and extent of habitats," ayon kay Villar. Binigyan diin niya na base sa mga data at impormasyon na nakalap sa mga nakaraang paglalakbay, suportado nito ang pagkilala sa Philippine Rise bilang Ecologically at Biogically Significant Marine Area (EBSMA) sa ilalim ng UN Convention on Biological Diversity. Tumutukoy din ito sa deklarasyon ng bahagi ng Philippine Rise gaya ng Benham Bank at ang mga nakapalibot na tubig na marine resource reserve sa ilalim ng NIPAS noong 2018 sa bisa ng Presidential Proclamation No. 489. Dahil ang PMRR ang unang MPA Philippine EEZ kung saan regular ang pangingisda, sinabi ni Villar na kailangang bantayan ang habitats at abiodiversity sa Behnam Bank.
Due to the growing tension in the south of Serbia, the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs recommends that Ukrainian citizens refrain from visiting this region, if necessary, contact the hotline or cross to the territory of North Macedonia.

"We are monitoring the situation in southern Serbia. The parties must refrain from actions that could provoke violence. We strongly recommend that Ukrainian citizens refrain from visiting the southern regions of Serbia and avoid crowded places," Spokesperson for the department Oleh Nikolenko said on Facebook on Sunday evening, July 31.

Nikolenko said that on behalf of Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba, an operational headquarters was created on the basis of the Ukrainian Embassy in Serbia and a round-the-clock hotline was opened to help Ukrainians: +38 (163) 111 3185.

In addition, he said that in case of an emergency, you can also contact the "hot line" of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine: +38 (044) 238 1588.

"In the event of further aggravation of the security situation and blocking roads in southern Serbia, we recommend that Ukrainians use checkpoints on the border with the Republic of North Macedonia," Nikolenko said.
Russia is transferring a large number of troops to the south of Ukraine because of the successful Ukrainian offensive, Spokesperson for the Main Intelligence Agency of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry Vadym Skibitsky has said.

"Russia is moving large numbers of troops to Ukraine's south for battles against the country's forces through the newly occupied territories and Crimea, according to Ukraine's deputy head of military intelligence," the press service of the Main Intelligence Agency of the Ministry of Defense said, citing Skibitsky in an interview with The Guardian.

According to him, Russia two weeks ago withdrew tactical groups of airborne troops from Donetsk region and transferred them to the occupied Kherson. In addition, Russia is transferring troops from its eastern military district, which were used to attack Sloviansk.

"If Russia won, it would try to capture more territory. They are increasing their troop numbers, preparing for our counteroffensive [in Ukraine's south] and perhaps preparing to launch an offensive of their own. The south is key for them, above all because of Crimea," Skibitsky said.

He also said that in addition to the supply of additional weapons, Ukraine needs help in training troops abroad.
At a session at the end of this week, the Zakarpattia Regional Council decided to increase the charter capital of the Uzhgorod airport located near the border with the EU by UAH 26 million to resume its work without waiting for the end of the war.

"The funding for the Uzhgorod airport has been significantly increased in order to carry out the necessary procedures, obtain permits, build the necessary buildings and, finally, start earning, and not count losses," Volodymyr Chubirko, head of the Zakarpattia Regional Council, wrote on Facebook.

"The former drawback  the runway, which starts abroad, has become its benefit. We must use it," he said.

The Uzhgorod international airport is located in a mountainous area in such a way that the threshold of the runway 10 is located a few hundred meters from the Ukrainian-Slovak border. Therefore, Slovak airspace is used for instrument landings at this aerodrome.

Ukraine and Slovakia signed an intergovernmental agreement in September 2020, and a year later the airport accepted the first flight using a certain part of the Slovak airspace.

Chubirko, quoted by local media, expressed confidence that the airport will be launched "in a month or two", and Ukrainian companies based in Europe today will use it.
With the support of the largest cryptocurrency exchange in Europe WhiteBIT, a call-center of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine has been launched.

"We understand how important it is to provide comprehensive information support to citizens who have been forced to leave Ukraine or are about to do so. The time of super-heavy trials has united business, the government, citizens with common goals, and our company wants to provide all possible assistance to both Ukrainians and the Ukrainian state. For this purpose, WhiteBIT has the necessary resources and significant technological potential," CEO of the WhiteBIT cryptocurrency exchange Volodymyr Nosov said, according to the MFA press release on Monday.

Now everyone who has questions to the MFA specialists can call +38 (044) 224 5720. Since the end of June, the MFA call center has been working around the clock (in test mode).

It is noted that the launch of the call center was made possible thanks to the resource support of WhiteBIT, while the MFA provided special training for operators working with citizens' appeals. Now they have all the necessary competencies to provide Ukrainians with quality information services.

Questions addressed to the call center relate to ensuring the rights of citizens and legitimate interests abroad, the conditions of stay in different countries of the world (social and medical services, employment conditions, customs regulations). Approximately 40% of calls come from the territory of Ukraine. The rest are from all over the world, from Poland to Brazil. Since the start of work, the MFA call center has received about 2,500 requests from citizens.
Four additional HIMARS have arrived in Ukraine, Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov said.

"Four additional HIMARS have arrived in Ukraine. Im grateful to the U.S. President, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin III and American people for strengthening of Ukrainian army. We have proven to be smart operators of this weapon. The sound of the HIMARS volley has become a top hit of this summer at the front lines! " Reznikov said on Twitter Monday.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky has held a telephone conversation with French President Emmanuel Macron, during which the leaders of the states discussed cooperation in the field of security.

The parties agreed to coordinate further actions on the provision of security assistance to Ukraine by both France and other international partners, in particular as regards meeting the priority needs of Ukrainian defenders for modern weapons, the website of the Ukrainian president said on Monday.

Zelensky and Macron touched upon the issue of Russias ongoing war crimes in Ukraine.

The Ukrainian President expressed gratitude to the French side for the practical contribution to the efforts aimed to fight impunity of Russia, namely sending a group of medics and gendarmes to Ukraine to establish the facts of crimes committed by the Russian aggressor. In this regard, the issue of continuing the work of the specified group was discussed.

The President of Ukraine informed the French leader about the course of countering Russian aggression and the situation on the battlefield. We are waging a war against a real terrorist state. Russia's planned cynical murder of Ukrainian prisoners of war in Olenivka is evidence of this, Zelensky emphasized.

Considerable attention was paid to the participation of France in the post-war reconstruction of Ukraine, in particular to the participation in the implementation of the Fast Recovery Plan, as well as the issue of macro-financial support to Ukraine and the role of France in this process.

The topic of global food security was discussed separately. The interlocutors welcomed the initiative on the transportation of Ukrainian grain and emphasized the need for its unwavering implementation. The practical aspects of increasing the export of Ukrainian grain by other logistical ways were also discussed.

The President of France informed in detail about the results of his African tour, which, inter alia, resulted in the expansion of the anti-war coalition and the consolidation of international support for Ukraine given the full-scale aggression against our state by Russia.

Zelensky invited Macron to participate in the online summit of the international Crimea Platform on August 23.

The Telegram channel of the President's Office reported that the conversation lasted 1.5 hours.
It may become known whether ports in Mykolaiv will be able to open in few weeks  local governor

Perhaps in a couple of weeks it will be clear whether the ports in the city of Mykolaiv will be able to open, head of the regional military administration Vitaliy Kim has said.

"Today I spoke with Minister of Infrastructure Oleksandr Kubrakov, perhaps in a couple of weeks there will be an idea whether the Mykolaiv ports can open. Therefore, in this situation, I understand for sure that we are moving towards our victory," he said in a video message on the Telegram channel.
The Verkhovna Rada plans in the near future to include in the plan of consideration bills concerning the implementation of the recommendations of the European Commission on granting Ukraine the status of a candidate for membership of the European Union, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Ruslan Stefanchuk said.

"The Parliament is involved in the implementation of six of the seven requirements that Ukraine has received from the European Commission and the European Council regarding candidacy for EU membership. Seven requirements is a separate track. This applies to the law on the Constitutional Court (the introduction of elected positions), and the appointment of members of the Supreme Council of Justice by Parliament, and the issue of de-oligarchization and financial monitoring, and issues related to the media, and the issue of national communities. In the near future we will put them in the order of consideration of the Parliament of Ukraine," the speaker said in a comment to the Interfax-Ukraine agency on Monday.

At the same time, he drew attention to the fact that the fulfillment of Ukraine's obligations to adapt national legislation to the legislation of the European Union is a separate "track" that the Rada is working on.

"Together with the government, we conducted the first stage of mutual verification of how many bills aimed at European integration are already in the Verkhovna Rada, and this figure is 49. According to these 49 documents, we will definitely give 30 days for the first time in the history of the Parliament to bring them into line with the resolution [No. 7595 On certain measures for Ukraine's obligations in the field of European integration]: there should be a table of compliance with EU directives. That is, there will be not just a traditional comparative table of how it was and how it became, but there will be another, additional column about how this or that provision meets the EU requirements and which point of which directive can be referred to," Stefanchuk explained.

According to him, this is necessary so that "expert opinion is privileged and there is an understanding in the hall to what extent this or that bill corresponds to the requirements of the EU."

At the same time, the head of the Verkhovna Rada stressed that 49 draft laws are far from an exceptional list, but only an initial number.

"Therefore, it is very important to try out a new mechanism for considering European integration bills on these 49 bills, concerning which we have an absolute understanding with the government. And then we will need a certain pause to work out other draft laws that would already fully implement all the European requirements into Ukrainian legislation," he said.

Stefanchuk also recalled that in this regard, the Rada itself decided to implement a number of reforms. First of all, sub-committees on European integration will be created in each committee. They will interact with the committees in the European Parliament and the parliaments of the EU member states.

"This is very important, because they [Ukrainian parliamentarians] should be involved in this issue, feel their responsibility and improve their professional level. Therefore, the second issue that we are discussing is the holding of special trainings for the staff of the Verkhovna Rada, for the secretariats of committees and, of course, for deputies of Ukraine involved in these European integration tracks," the speaker said.

In addition, he added that the Rada, together with the Cabinet of Ministers, intends to carry out "a number of measures to create a unified database of official translations of the directives of the European Union."
The stability of the State of Israel is a source of inspiration for the Ukrainian nation, which has been suffering from russian aggression for 5 months. The First Lady of Ukraine, Olena Zelenska, told reporters after the end of the first training for Ukrainian psychologists, conducted by the Israeli organization NATAL Trauma and Resiliency Center.

It would not be an exaggeration to say that the past experience of Israel inspires the citizens of Ukraine. We see the strength and power of resilience of the Israelis in the difficult situation in which Israel has been for many years. Your resilience is an example for us, - she said.

The First Lady also emphasized that official Kyiv appreciates any assistance provided.

I ask to help Ukraine in all possible ways, - she said.

As part of the program to modernize Ukraine's mental health system, 27 Ukrainian psychologists will undergo 4-month courses on diagnosing symptoms of stress, anxiety and trauma, providing support to first responders, preventing burnout and secondary injuries, and improving resilience.

The project was supported by the first ladies of Ukraine and Israel, Olena Zelenska and Michal Herzog. They agreed to cooperate in humanitarian efforts to improve mental health and support people with psychological trauma.
The Embassy of Ukraine in the State of Israel calls on the international community to strongly condemn the terrorist act, as a result of which more than 50 Ukrainian prisoners of war were killed in the colony in the temporarily occupied Olenivka (Donetsk region). This appeal is posted on the Facebook page of the diplomatic mission.

Terrorist attack organized by inhuman Russian monsters - there isn't a more accurate and painful description when talking about more than fifty recently murdered prisoners of war.mWe urge our partners worldwide to condemn this brutal violation of international humanitarian law and recognize Russia for what it truly is - a terrorist state., - the statement said.

As reported, on the night of July 28-29, one of the barracks of the penal colony in Olenivka was destroyed. At least 50 Ukrainian prisoners of war who were held there died. The SSU intercepted telephone conversations in which the occupiers confirm that Russian troops are responsible for the explosion in the colony.
South Africa: SA records slight increase in rhino poaching

Two-hundred and fifty nine rhino were poached for their horn in South Africa in the first six months of 2022, which is a slight increase from the same period last year.

The number of rhino poached between January and June 2022 is 10 more than the 249 poached countrywide in the first six months of 2021

Recent trends in rhino poaching show a move away from the Kruger Park to private reserves and KwaZulu-Natal where the majority of rhinos have been killed this year.

This makes it all the more important for national government to shift its focus to supporting provincial authorities and private reserves in the war on rhino poaching, Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Barbara Creecy said on Monday.

As of January to end of June 2022, 82 rhino were poached for their horn in the Kruger National Park.

2022 Poaching statistics show a loss of 210 rhino on state properties and 49 in privately-owned parks. As indicated, hardest hit during this period is KwaZulu-Natal, which recorded a loss of 133 rhino. This is more than triple the 33 rhino killed in the first six months of 2021, the Minister said.

Arrests and prosecutions

Between January and June, 69 people were arrested in connection with rhino poaching and rhino horn trafficking. Of these, 13 alleged poachers were arrested at the Kruger National Park.

The number of successful arrests and prosecutions recorded over the past six months, can be attributed to the continued successful collaboration between law enforcement agencies, including the South African Police Service (SAPS), Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) and the Green Scorpions, Customs officials and the National Prosecuting Authority. These efforts are supported by private security.

In addition to work being undertaken within the seven Integrated Wildlife Zones, the partnership now includes both the financial and transport sectors, as well as transit and end user countries in Southeast Asia, especially with the Peoples Republic of China, Malaysia and Vietnam.

As a result of the ongoing work of integrated enforcement teams at OR Tambo International Airport, four alleged rhino horn traffickers were arrested between January and June this year for trying to smuggle 56 pieces of rhino horn out of the country.

In one instance, cooperation between the Hawks, Malaysia and Qatar authorities led to the arrest of another alleged rhino horn trafficker and his haul of rhino horn pieces at Doha Airport in Qatar. This arrest demonstrates the success of country-to-country cooperation to combat wildlife trafficking at an international level, the Minister said.

The Hawks are also working with the US Fish and Wildlife service in an investigation arising from the discovery in June of a suspect parcel at FedEx that was destined for the United States.

The parcel contained eight kilograms of rhino horns pieces concealed as wooden art pieces.

A number of search and seizure operations took place countrywide, with the Hawks arresting one suspect and confiscating 29 rhino horn during an operation at storage and packing facilities in Bedfordview where rhino horns are prepared and packed for the illegal markets in Southeast Asia.

In combined law enforcement operations two suspects were arrested in June when they were stopped by the Highway Patrol in Bedfordview and found to be in possession of two fresh rhino horn. Two suspects, one a former Ezemvelo-KZN Parks ranger, were arrested earlier this month after their vehicle was searched and two fresh rhino horn were seized, Creecy said.

One of the accused had previously been arrested for possession of rhino horn in the Kruger National Park.

On 23 April 2022, an integrated operation was conducted to address money laundering and corruption linked to rhino horn trafficking activities within the Kruger National Park.

Various search and seizure warrants were authorised and executed at multiple premises in and around the park with the aim of effectively dismantling the operations of some of the main targets.

A multi-dimensional team led by the Hawks, with the support of the Kruger National Park and Stock Theft and Endangered Species in Skukuza was assembled and premises in Limpopo and Mpumalanga were searched during the operation.

Three suspects were arrested during the operation, which included two Kruger National Park field rangers.

Creecy said the arrests and the success of the operation had a significant impact on the rhino poaching activities within the Kruger Park, and sent out a strong message that corrupt and illegal activities will not be tolerated.

One of the rangers was dismissed during the departmental hearing on 21 July 2022. The other rangers departmental hearing is ongoing pending the outcome of the court process.

In total 51 cases in which 51 people were convicted have been finalised. The heaviest sentence handed down was 34 years imprisonment, while two Mpumalanga men were sentenced to 28 year behind bars for killing rhino and being in possession of illegal firearms and ammunition.

In the Skukuza Court, two Mozambican nationals were convicted for poaching a rhino in the Kruger National Park, possession of unlawful firearms and ammunition and being in the country illegally. They were sentenced to 18 years imprisonment, Creecy said.

In another matter, two Mozambican citizens were convicted of poaching two rhino in the Kruger National Park, possession of unlawful firearms and ammunition.

They were sentenced to 19 years imprisonment. In addition, three South Africans were sentenced on charges of rhino poaching in the Kruger National Park and firearm related charges, and sentenced to an effective 24 years in jail, the Minister said. SAnews.gov.za

This story has been published on: 2022-08-01. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 1. The captain of El Al Israel Airlines, who operated a flight on a Tel Aviv-Moscow (DME) route, requested an emergency landing at Heydar Aliyev International Airport due to sudden deterioration in the passenger's health on board, Trend reports citing the Airport

"The aircraft landed at Baku airport at 12:44 local time. Unfortunately, the passenger passed away during the flight. He suffered a heart attack," the message said.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 1. UK's Ambassador to Azerbaijan James Sharp visited country's liberated territories, Trend reports citing the ambassador's Twitter post.

"The UK and Azerbaijan continue making great efforts for peace in the region. We're working together to enhance cooperation and reduce risks. The UK has allocated over one million pounds ($1.2 million) for de-mining activities in the region," he tweeted.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 1. The information disseminated in Armenian media outlets about the alleged firing by the Azerbaijani Army Units in the direction of illegal Armenian armed units, where Russian peacekeepers are temporarily located, is false, the Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan told Trend.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 1. Photos and videos reflecting the activities of the Azerbaijani Army during exercises and the second Karabakh war, as well as the movement of military vehicles, have recently been circulating on social media, being presented as newly shot footage, Trend reports citing the Azerbaijani Ministry of Defense.

According to the ministry, servicemen and army equipment are regularly moving to training centers and combined arms training grounds.

"The ministry once again urges social media users not to post old footage under the guise of new videos and mislead the public," said the statement. "We recommend our citizens to refer only to the verified reports posted on the official website of the Ministry of Defense (www.mod.gov.az), as well as on the ministry's social media accounts".
BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 1. Minister of Economy of Azerbaijan Mikayil Jabbarov held a meeting with the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade of Uzbekistan, Jamshid Khodjaev, Trend reports via Jabbarovs Twitter.

During the meeting we discussed the development in economic relations, increase in investment and trade turnover, also the expansion in cooperation in industrial area, he said.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 1. Tashkent hosted the 11th session of the Azerbaijan-Uzbekistan Joint Intergovernmental Commission on August 1, Azerbaijan's Small and Medium Business Development Agency (SMBDA) told Trend.

As the agency noted, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the SMBDA and the Commissioner for the Protection of Rights and Legitimate Interests of Entrepreneurs under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan within the framework of the meeting.

The MoU envisages cooperation, joint and coordinated actions of the two countries in protecting the rights and legitimate interests of entrepreneurs.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 1. Uzbekistan, Turkiye and Azerbaijan will discuss the prospects of cooperation in the fields of investment, innovation, transport and communication, Press Secretary of the President of Uzbekistan Sherzod Asadov said, Trend reports citing Uzbek media.

According to him, the heads of the ministries of foreign affairs, trade and transport of Uzbekistan, Turkiye and Azerbaijan will discuss the issues of further development in interregional cooperation within the framework of the meeting planned for August 2, 2022.

This is a completely new mechanism of cooperation, Asadov noted, reminding that the discussions will be held in accordance to the agreements reached earlier by the heads of three countries.

The meeting of Azerbaijans, Uzbekistans and Turkiyes ministers of foreign affairs, economy and transport will be held on August 2 2022 in Tashkent.

Uzbekistans side will be represented by the Minister of Foreign Affairs Vladimir Norov, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Investments and Foreign Trade Jamshid Hojaev and the Minister of Transport Ilhom Mahkamov.

Azerbaijan is expected to be represented by Minister of Foreign Affairs Jeyhun Bayramov and ministers of economic fields of the government.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 1. Azerbaijan is clearly a reliable supplier of gas to the EU, Julian Bowden, Senior Visiting Research Fellow at Oxford Institute for Energy Studies (OIES) told Trend.

"The Southern Gas Corridor is working well: it is delivering gas into southern Europe & Italy, and helping those EU countries (Greece, Bulgaria and Italy) improve their diversity of supply," he said.

Talking about the recently signed memorandum of understanding between the European Commission and Azerbaijan, Bowden noted that the MOU refers to doubling the capacity of the SGC.

"Where is this supply to come from? If it is Azerbaijan, then we needed to see the upstream commitments yesterday. Filling this new SGC capacity by 2027 looks very hard if it is to be only Azerbaijani gas. That leaves Turkmenistan gas, delivered either by swap from Iran, or from a Trans Caspian pipeline," he added.

Bowden believes that if we cant see the supply part of this chain being worked very soon, then it will not be possible to help Europe overcome the current gas supply crisis.

The analyst pointed out that overall, the MOU is aspirational, and the challenge now is very quickly moving the MOU into something more tangible. "There is still a lot of work to be done."

On July 18, 2022, a "Memorandum of Understanding on Strategic Partnership in the field of energy between the European Union represented by the European Commission and the Republic of Azerbaijan" was signed between Azerbaijan and the European Union.

The Sides agreed to support bilateral trade of natural gas, including through exports to the European Union, via the Southern Gas Corridor, of at least 20 billion cubic meters of gas annually by 2027, in accordance with commercial viability and market demand.

According to the document, any further exports of natural gas to the European Union beyond those that are being delivered to date will require significant investments in the expansion of the Southern Gas Corridor pipeline network and the upstream project development.

Moreover, the EU and Azerbaijan will encourage financing of the expansion of the Southern Gas Corridor pipeline network taking into consideration the EUs climate policies and its REPowerEU strategy, including through cooperation with international financial institutions.

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Follow the author on Twitter: @Lyaman_Zeyn
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BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 1. Negotiations are currently underway between ASCO Azerbaijan Caspian Shipping Company and EBRD European Bank for Reconstruction and Development on attracting a loan, Minister of Economy Mikayil Jabbarov told RealTV, Trend reports.

According to him the negotiations are in the final stage.

"If the negotiations are successful, EBRD will allocate a loan to ASCO without a government guarantee. Loan funds are planned to be directed to the expansion of shipping fleet, the development of shipbuilding plant and etc.," he said.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 1. Tajikistan still has not received a considerable sum of money from Afghanistan for the electricity supplies, said the head of the National Electricity Company of Tajikistan Barqi Tojik, Mohammad Omar Asuzada, Trend reports via khaama.com.

Asuzada reported that Tajikistan exports 9 million kWh of electricity per day to Afghanistan, and they still have not paid back its electrical debt.

"According to the company's data, the total value of exported electricity from Tajikistan to Afghanistan in 2021 amounted to $56.3 million," the message says.

Earlier, the head of the National Electricity Company of Tajikistan announced in January 2022 that Afghanistan owed Tajikistan $33 million for electricity.

A deal between the electrical companies of Tajikistan and Afghanistan was signed at the beginning of 2021 under which Tajikistan agreed to export 1.5 billion kWh of electricity to Afghanistan in 2021.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 1. Tajikistan is aiming to enhance its contribution to the collective efforts of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in ensuring regional security, said the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Tajikistan Sirojiddin Muhriddin, Trend reports via Tajik Foreign Ministry.

During a meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the member states of Shanghai Cooperation Organization, Muhriddin focused on the issues of guaranteeing security in the SCO region.

"It is necessary to complete the work on the development of common strategies for compiling a comprehensive list of terrorist, extremist, and separatist groups whose activities are forbidden on the territory of SCO member states," Muhriddin said.

He also noted the importance of supporting initiatives aimed at enriching the socio-economic agenda of the organization, recalling the proposal of the President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon to develop and adopt the Strategy for the Economic Development of the SCO Region until 2030.

As a result, a total of 16 decisions were signed following the Ministerial Council of SCO member states, which took place on 28-29 July 2022 in Tashkent.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 1. As many as 9,699 people have been infected with the coronavirus (COVID-19) in the past 24 hours in Iran, reads the statement of the Ministry of Health and Medical Education of Iran, Trend reports.

In addition, 62 people have died from the coronavirus over the past day.

At the same time, the condition of 1,271 people remains critical.

So far, more than 53.2 million tests have been conducted in Iran for the diagnosis of coronavirus.

In total, over 153 million doses of vaccines have been used in Iran so far. A total of 64.8 million doses have been used in the first stage, 58.1 million doses - in the second stage, and 30.2 million doses  in the third stage.

Iran continues to monitor the coronavirus situation in the country. According to recent reports from Iranian officials, over 7.4 million people have been infected, and 142,060 people have already died.

Meanwhile, about 7.08 million people have reportedly recovered from the disease. The country continues to apply strict measures to contain the further spread of the virus.

Reportedly, the disease was brought to Iran by a businessman from Iran's Qom city, who went on a business trip to China, despite official warnings. The man died later from the disease. The Islamic Republic announced its first infections and deaths from the coronavirus on Feb. 19.

The outbreak in the Chinese city of Wuhan - which is an international transport hub - began at a fish market in late December 2019.

The World Health Organization (WHO) on March 11 declared COVID-19 a pandemic. Some sources claim the coronavirus outbreak started as early as November 2019.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 1. VMedia Youtube Channel has posted excerpts from a deleted video of the famous Armenian researcher Philip Ekozyants and calls on everyone to actively support this video, Trend reports.

The video in question is Ekozyants' answer in absentia to the statements of the Armenian historian, doctor of sciences, teacher of the Yerevan State University Stepan Stepanyants regarding the topic so beloved by the Armenians, as they were supposedly "persecuted throughout history."

Thus, according to Stepanyants, "Armenians have always been persecuted only because they are Armenians and Christians, and also because of their lands."

Ekozyants easily and ironically shatters all the arguments of the Armenian historian, but his video was removed due to numerous complaints from those who are uncomfortable with such truth.

The VMedia channel, however, managed to keep preserve content because, according to its authors, it is extremely important that the Armenian public has access to an alternative point of view. The more Armenian citizens know the truth about their own history, the greater the chance that Armenia will gradually move away from its aggressive position towards its closest neighbors in the region.
A group of Afghan cadets, who returned to their home country after completing training in India, received a warm welcome from the Taliban-led government officials on Friday.



The two dozen cadets who returned to Kabul had passed out from the Indian Military Academy (IMA) in Dehradun on June 11.

The MoD, Afghanistan, encouraged by our humanitarian aid and placement of our technical team in Indian Embassy, Kabul, had requested EoI Kabul through an official letter on 25.06.22 requesting direct communication with the Afghan cadets trained in IMA/ NDA, India. Govt agencies including MEA facilitated talks between MoD Afghanistan and Afghan cadets and they finally returned after assurances of safety and employment from the Afghan Minister of Defence on 28.07.22, Taliban led Defence Ministry said in a statement on the return of Afghan cadets.

It is noteworthy that twenty-five cadets of the Afghan military academy were sent to India before the Taliban came to power, against whom they were taught to fight.

The warm welcome of India-trained Afghan cadets by the Taliban government reflects Kabuls growing closeness to New Delhi.
Chief of Army Staff Gen Manoj Pande on Friday left for Bhutan on a two-day visit to hold talks with top civil and military brass of the country to further broad-base defence and security ties.

The Army said the visit will further enhance the unique and time-tested bilateral relationship, characterised by utmost trust, goodwill and mutual understanding.

The Chief of Army Staff is scheduled to have an audience with the King and the Fourth King, the Army said in a statement.

It said the Army Chief will also engage in extensive discussions with his counterpart in the Royal Bhutan Army to exchange views on taking forward the strong cultural and professional bonds between both the Armies.
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.
A somber gathering of about 5,000 people marked the 10th anniversary of what has become known as the Marikana massacre, when police opened fire on striking miners, killing 34 in 2012.
July 31, 2022

Joint statement by organisations

Release prisoners on completion of jail term, decriminalise inadvertent border crossings, especially for fisherfolk and minors

Kalu Vira, a fisherman from India incarcerated in Pakistan died at a hospital in Karachi on 6 July 2022. He had completed his jail term in December 2021, and his nationality had been verified.

After his passing, it took over 10 days for the Pakistan authorities to inform the Indian High Commission about the death.

As of 26 July, Kalu Viras mortal remains are yet to be repatriated. Meanwhile his family members came to learn of the tragedy through other means and are desperately awaiting the return of his mortal remains.

This is not the first time a fisherman has died while incarcerated on the other side. It typically takes well over a month to repatriate mortal remains of an Indian or a Pakistani who dies while incarcerated in the other country. The repatriation is carried out through Wagah border although most such incarcerations are in the southern coastal areas.

Nano Ram, another Indian fisherman, completed his jail sentence in Pakistan on 16 January 2019. He died at a cardiovascular hospital in Karachi on 3 February 2022. His remains were repatriated on 4 April 2022.

Amir Hamza, a Bengali migrant fisherman from Karachi arrested by the Indian Coast Guards in 2017 died of Covid-19 in India in June 2021. It took the authorities three months to repatriate his body to Pakistan. He, too, had completed his prison sentence but was kept languishing in custody.

Had Kalu, Manu and Hamza been repatriated promptly after having completed their sentences they might have been alive today.

We note that Sri Lankan and Bangladeshi fisherfolk arrested by India and vice versa also face similar issues.

In some cases, border patrol personnel on the other side have shot dead fisherfolk caught transgressing the unmarked maritime border. This happens between Pakistan and India, and also between Bangladesh and India.

Currently, Pakistan holds 632 Indian fishermen in Landhi Jail, Karachi, while India holds 95 Pakistani fishermen in prisons in Gujarat. All were arrested for inadvertently crossing the maritime boundary.

Additionally, several minors who inadvertently crossed the border across the Line of Control in the disputed area of Kashmir, are lodged in reformatory centres on the other side. In some cases, they are repatriated within days, once their identities are verified and contact is made with families across the border.

Sri Lankan and Bangladeshi fisherfolk arrested by India and vice versa also face similar issues. In the case of Sri Lanka and India, there are generally fairly fast repatriations, sometimes within weeks of arrest, including boats being returned..

We call on the governments of the region to immediately take following steps:

1. Release and repatriate prisoners of each others country as soon as they have completed their prison sentences, particularly aged prisoners, women prisoners and civilian prisoners with minor offences..

2. Revive the Joint Judicial Committee on Prisoners and allow medical teams of the other country to periodically visit and conduct inspections.

3. Allow communication between prisoners and their relatives, including the option of online communication.

4. Allow those jailed or who die in Sindh and Gujarat to be repatriated through the sea route or Khokhrapar border rather than having to travel 1000 km up-country to Wagah-Atari border, and down again to their homes.

5. Decriminialise inadvertent border crossings.

All countries of the region must institute measures to ameliorate the plight of the incarcerated in their custody, particularly cross-border prisoners. This will also help build confidence and trust between the two countries and improve overall neighbourly relations in the Southasian region.

Statement initiated by the Southasia Peace Action Network, Sapan, endorsed by the following organisations:
Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly said on Thursday that the Decent Life initiative to upgrade life in the countryside is Egypts biggest megaproject in its modern history.

The Suez Canal was Egypts megaproject in the 19th century, the construction of Aswan High Dam was Egypts megaproject in the 20th century and the Decent Life project is Egypts megaproject in the 21st century, said the Egyptian prime minister in the first conference on the Decent Life initiative held at Cairo International Stadium.

In a presentation in front of Egypts President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi, Madbouly described the project as the hardest, biggest and most comprehensive project that would change and upgrade the quality of life in Egypt over the past seven years.

Describing it as the biggest in the world, Mostafa Madbouly said that it is the only project in the world to fulfill all the United Nations sustained developments goals in the 21st century.

There are already more than 20 presidential initiatives on health, education, as well as other issues, under the umbrella of Decent Life initiative, the premier said in his presentation.

According to the prime minister, the Decent Life initiative costs more than EGP 700 billion (about $44.6 billion).

It is a 100 percent Egyptian project, he added.

Madbouly revealed that the project started as an experiment two years ago in 375 villages, and has currently grown to 4,584 villages.

Decent Life was first initiated in 2019 when the president charged the Ministry of Social Solidarity with developing Egypts poorest 1,000 villages.

In December 2020, President El-Sisi decided to expand the initiative to 4,500 villages within the framework of Egypts Sustainable Development Strategy: Vision 2030.

He also added that the first phase, which was launched on Thursday during the conference, will include many projects including infrastructure projects and schools as well as modern houses.

Mostafa Madbouly added that EGP 1.4 billion (just over $89 million) will allocated to SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises) in the Decent Life project.

Chairwoman of the Board of Trustees of Decent Life Initiative Aya Omar said during the conference that the initiative received EGP 5.5 billion as donations to the projects from the private sector.

During the conference, the World Bank Group's Senior Vice President for the 2030 Development Agenda, UN Relations and Partnerships Mahmoud Mohieldin participated in a recorded video praising the Decent Life initiative.

The UN considers this initiative as one of the best practices to apply the programs of the sustained developments in the world, Mohieldin said, adding that UN made this judgement based on international standards like fighting poverty and gender equality.

More to follow ...

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Major steps are being taken to localise car manufacturing and associated industries in Egypt, reports Khaled El-Ghamry

Egypt is seeking to become a regional hub for the automotive industry in order to cover the needs of the local market and major parts of Africa.

During a visit to the East Port Said Industrial Zone last week, Prime Minister Mustafa Madbouli launched the National Strategy for Localising the Automotive Industry.

He said that by 2035 Africa will be needing five million cars. Companies wishing to invest in the sector in Egypt would be well placed to benefit from this demand through the free-trade agreement between Egypt and other African countries.

The government is designing incentives programmes to encourage the localisation of the automotive industry, Madbouli said, adding that more will be offered when companies introduce new technologies and consider environmental aspects.

Additional incentives will be made available for companies that manufacture cars that run on clean energy sources, such as electric vehicles, he said.

One day after launching the strategy on 15 June, Madbouli witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the General Authority for Investment and Free Zones (GAFI) and a leading Japanese company, Sumitomo, to set up a factory manufacturing electrical components for cars.

The factory is scheduled for operation before the end of 2023.

Another MoU was also signed on 14 June between the Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZone), the Sovereign Fund of Egypt, the East Port Said Development Company, and the Egyptian International Motors Company.

The MoU aims to localise automotive and associated industries in the Suez Canal Industrial Zone east of Port Said through the establishment of a joint complex for the manufacture of vehicles and associated supplies.

In the first phase, the complex is scheduled to produce 75,000 cars annually. It will meet local and regional needs, export to different countries, and attract more international automotive companies to manufacture cars in Egypt.

Rami Gad, general manager of the Egyptian International Motors Company, Renault Egypt, believes East Port Said will be a mecca for the automotive industry in the region, being a logistical area that includes manufacturing, shipping, and unloading for cars and other goods, such as cement and grains.

The area has the latest scientific systems and equipment, and these will reduce accidents and minimise time delays and losses, thus decreasing the cost of final products. Unloading grain usually takes about 30 days in the ports, but in East Port Said port the process takes no more than two days, Gad added.

The exceptional location of the port on the Mediterranean Sea and the entrance of the Suez Canal also facilitates export to Europe, Africa, and the Far East.

The East Port Said complex comprises a production line for paints, an assembly line, presses, and the equipment required for manufacturing vehicles. If manufacturers share these lines, services, and facilities, the cost of production will decrease and so will the price of locally manufactured vehicles, Gad said.

The facilities will encourage export operations, increase the competitiveness of Egyptian products, and supply the Egyptian market with its automotive needs.

In a decade or so from now, annual demand in Egypt for cars will rise to 600,000, according to studies, an attractive figure for international automotive companies to manufacture their cars in Egypt.

Gad added that factories producing associated automotive supplies in the industrial complex, along with the use of technology in transportation, will facilitate production and reduce time and costs, all helping to make Egypt a leading producer of cars in the region.

Negotiations to draft the National Strategy for Localising the Automotive Industry began in 2018, Khaled Saad, secretary-general of the Egyptian Association of Automobile Manufacturers, said, with many meetings held between the then minister of investment and manufacturers, agents, the heads of banks, the deans of public-sector engineering faculties, and representatives from the Central Bank of Egypt.

However, the strategy did not see the light at that time.

Following the hike in the exchange rate and the reluctance of global car manufacturers to supply Egypt with cars because of delayed payments caused by the rationing of hard currency, the government realised the importance of the sector.

It decided to benefit from the automotive sector instead of spending foreign currency on importing cars, opting to support the localisation of the automotive industry and attract foreign investments to this sector to fulfil the needs of the local market and export to the wider region, Saad explained.

The state is thus focusing more attention on the automotive sector, with the release of the strategy and the announcement of a set of incentives for manufacturers. Saad noted that the Sumitomo facility will cover the local market and also export, adding that Egypts new road network, various ports, and new industrial complexes will attract a large number of investors to the automotive sector.

He said that the East Port Said complex will help to increase the local components in cars from 30 to 45 per cent, covering the needs of the local market and exporting the surplus.

Hussein Mustafa, former executive president of the Egyptian Association of Automobile Manufacturers, said the new strategy means that the Egyptian automotive industry and associated industries will advance under one umbrella, the Supreme Council for the Automotive Industry.

The council will comprise representatives from the Ministry of Trade and Industry, the Ministry of Finance, and other institutions.

To maximise production and increase the employment of local components, Mustafa suggested further coordination between factories producing component parts. He said it was important to raise the quality of manufactured products to meet international standards in order to export to global markets and also for Egyptian products to venture into new markets.

He proposed studying obstacles holding back the industry, with a view to resolving them along with any tax and customs problems that may be impeding the automotive industry.

In addition to acquiring land with adequate utilities for factories in industrial areas, Mustafa said the council should include representatives from the private sector with a view to exchanging expertise with government agencies that have a wealth of data on the automotive sector.

A version of this article appears in print in the 23 June, 2022 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly.

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President Volodymyr Zelensky has visited a port in southern Ukraine to oversee grain being loaded for export onto a Turkish ship, the presidency said on Friday, following a deal with Russia brokered by the UN and Turkey.

"The first vessel, the first ship is being loaded since the beginning of the war. This is a Turkish vessel," Zelensky said, according to a statement from the presidency.

Video footage from the Chornomorsk port released by the presidency showed him in front of a ship called Polarnet.

The statement said exports could start in "the coming days" under the plan aimed at getting millions of tonnes of Ukrainian grain stranded by Russia's naval blockade to world markets.

"Our side is fully prepared. We sent all the signals to our partners -- the UN and Turkey, and our military guarantees the security situation.

"The minister of infrastructure is in direct contact with the Turkish side and the UN. We are waiting for a signal from them that we can start," Zelensky was quoted as saying.

The presidency said the export of grain will begin with several ships already loaded when Russia invaded in February but was unable to set sail due to the start of the war.

The deal to lift Russia's blockade -- the first significant accord involving the two warring sides since the assault began -- is aimed at helping mitigate a global food crisis that has seen prices soar in some of the world's poorest nations.

Ukraine -- one of the world's top grain exporters before the war -- says it aims to export some 20 million tonnes of produce, worth some $10 billion, under the plan.

"It is important for us that Ukraine remains the guarantor of global food security," Zelensky, who the ambassador escorted from the G7 nations, said in the statement.

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Egypts President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi gave on Sunday his directives to renovate Nasser Medical Institute in Cairo to become an integrated medical city and to increase its capacity and efficiency using international medical expertise, the Egyptian Presidency announced.

In a meeting with officials from the Engineering Authority of the Armed Forces, El-Sisi gave his directives to upgrade Nasser Medical Institute to turn it into an integrated city.

He also discussed and reviewed efforts to renovate the institute by adding new buildings, departments, and sections, in addition to renovating its already established buildings to increase its hospital bed capacity by 1000 additional bodies.

President El-Sisi also gave his directives to add new kidney units as well as service buildings in cooperation with the Egyptian Ministry of Health.

The Egyptian President and the officials also reviewed the projects of the authority nationwide especially the highways, road axes projects, and projects in the Administrative Capital.

Inaugurated in July 1987 in Cairo, Nasser Medical Institute under the Ministry of Health provides health care mostly for free.

It currently serves more than 450,000 people annually.

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President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi has issued a decree to establish a branch of the Portuguese NOVA University Lisbon in the New Administrative Capital.

Decree No. 330 of 2022 was published in the official gazette Sunday.

Nova University Lisbon signed an agreement with Egypts The Knowledge Hub Universities to establish a branch under the name Nova Cairo at the New Administrative Capital in October 2021.

Studies at the university are scheduled to begin in the academic year 2022/2023. The Nova Cairo will present the following programmes: Applied Mathematics to Risk Management, Environmental Engineering, Industrial Engineering and Management, Information Management and Management.

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Egypt's Public Prosecution ordered the detention of 26 people for four days pending investigation for disrupting traffic and assaulting public service workers in Upper Egypt's Aswan governorate.

The prosecution's decision came hours after social media posts showed a crowd gathering at a privately-owned auto showroom to retrieve their money from the owner. They said the owner had collected large sums of money from them under the claim of investing them in commercial activities, such as car trade and real estate.

The alleged fraudster has been in custody since April.

The people assembled at the site after rumours had circulated that the showroom owner was released, according to local news website Cairo24.

The prosecution released a statement on Monday saying the accused had already been referred to a criminal court over accusations of collecting money from people without a licence for investment.

The statement added the 26 people arrested had blocked a road and interrupted a train line, according to a police report.

The prosecution added the initial investigation  after inspecting the incident site  showed that a car tire was burnt along the railway track.

The arrested crowd denied the accusations during interrogation, said the prosecution, adding that investigations are ongoing.

Many people have fallen victim to similar fraud incidents over the years, with many fraudsters arrested by security authorities and others fleeing with a large amount of money.

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Rainfall of varying intensity is expected in separate areas of southern Egypt, South Sinai, and the Red Sea mountains starting from Saturday to Thursday, the Egyptian Meteorological Authority (EMA) has said.

Hot and humid weather is expected to continue this week in Greater Cairo, Lower Egypt, and the north coast during the daytime, the EMA said in a statement on Monday.

Also, South Sinai and southern Egypt will witness extremely hot and humid weather over the coming days.

During the nighttime, the north coast will see moderate and humid weather while warm weather will prevail nationwide.

Highways, agricultural roads, and roads overlooking watery areas that connect Greater Cairo, the North Coast, and the Canal cities will see an early morning fog during the coming six days, according to the EMA.

Furthermore, EMA said that wind is expected in parts of Greater Cairo, the North Coast, South Sinai, and Upper Egypt across separate periods.

The EMA clarified that extremely hot weather nationwide comes because of rising humidity rates that, in turn, increase the feeling of the heat by two to three percent.

The EMA advised people to stay away from direct exposure to the sun during the coming days.

In terms of temperatures, Greater Cairo will witness highs of 35-36 degrees Celsius that feel like 37-39 degrees Celsius from Tuesday to Sunday, the EMA said.

Meanwhile, the North Coast will experience highs of 31-32 degrees Celsius that will feel like 32-34 degrees.

Northern Upper Egypt will see highs of 38-39 that may feel like 39-41, while the temperature in southern Upper Egypt will soar up to highs of 42-44 degrees Celsius that may feel up to 45 degrees.

In South Sinai, the temperature will record highs that vary between 40 to 41 degrees Celsius, however, it may feel like 42 to 43 degrees.

The statement indicated that the average humidity levels in Greater Cairo will range between 30 to 40 percent during the day and 75 to 85 percent at night from Tuesday to Sunday.

Moreover, the average humidity rates in the North Coast will range between 55 to 60 percent throughout the day and 85 to 95 percent at night.

Additionally, in South Sinai, it will range between 30 to 35 percent during the day and 55 to 60 percent during the night.

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President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi has urged the establishment of the largest industrial polyethylene complex in the Middle East in Upper Egypt in order to cover the local market needs of industrial components in many vital sectors and cut imports.

El-Sisi made the remarks in a meeting on Monday with Director General of the militarys National Service Projects Organisation (NSPO) Walid Abu El-Magd, Chairman of the militarys National Contracting Company General Karam Salem, and Taha El-Gammal, an engineer from the private sector.

The planned complex is expected to largely contribute to the production of industrial requirements in many sectors, including digital transformation, modern transport, and infrastructure, Egypts Presidential Spokesman Bassam Rady said in a statement.

The complex will produce all materials of fiber optic cables, contribute to the modern transport sector through the monorail and the high-speed train, and provide around 35 percent of industrial needs for the infrastructure of Haya Karima (Decent Life) project instead of importing them.

The Decent Life project was launched by President El-Sisi in 2019 with the countryside development phase initiating last year in July to develop its infrastructure, health, educational, and institutional sectors in a few years. The initiative targets 58 percent of Egypts 102-million population who live in 4,658 villages across the country.

The polyethylene complex will comprise six main factories operating in various sectors related to polyethylene derivatives and will include 30 production lines for 1,000 different products.

This will help secure foreign currency by reducing dependence on importing, the statement said, noting that the products of the complex will conform to European specifications and will be internationally approved.

The complex will also open export horizons, especially for African countries that have free trade agreements with Egypt, especially COMESA countries.

Moreover, the complex will have a special department for training and technical education and will provide thousands of job opportunities for the people of Upper Egypt.

Over the past years, Egypt has worked on localising industry in various sectors, including the automotive industry, health, transport, technology, energy, and infrastructure in cooperation with international partners while benefiting from the global experiences in this regard.

Through the localisation of industry in the vital sectors, Egypt seeks to cover local needs and become a promising regional centre for the export of products to African and international markets.

Late last month, El-Sisi urged the reliance on local components as much as possible in implementing the Decent Life initiative projects amid disruption in global supply chains due to the Russia Ukraine war.

The president also reviewed with Abu El-Magd and Salem projects implemented by the NSPO across the nation.

In this regard, El-Sisi urged comprehensively developing the area of Shaq El-Thoban in Cairo and providing it with all services so that it becomes an integrated industrial city for marble and granite.

The president also met with the Chairman of the Armed Forces Engineering Authority Hisham El-Suweify, where he urged concerted efforts among the states sectors to increase reclaimed agricultural land in the Toshka project in Aswan, Upper Egypt.

The president also urged the development of the irrigation system and cultivation means that are commensurate with the nature of the Toshka region.

A number of land reclamation projects in Toshka have been inaugurated by the president in December last year, reportedly the largest of their kind in the Middle East to achieve self-sufficiency in wheat, an Egyptian staple.

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Egypt and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) want to boost cooperation on information related to money laundering and terrorism financing, said Ahmed Khalil, the chairman of the Egyptian Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Combating Unit (EMLCU).

Khalil hailed the partnership with the UAE in combating money laundering and terrorism financing in a meeting on Monday with Hamed Al-Zaabi, director-general of the Emirati Executive Office of the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism.

He noted that cooperation between Egypt and the UAE in money laundering and terrorism financing includes exchanging expertise by holding conferences, training programmes, and workshops.

The official affirmed Egypts keenness to extend cooperation with the UAE to exchange information and expertise regarding mutual evaluation conducted in accordance with the Financial Action Task Forces (FATF) compliance assessment methodology.

Egypts EMLCU and the UAEs Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) signed an MoU in 2017 to enhance cooperation, Khalil said, noting that the Emirati unit has been one of the top three financial intelligence units to which the Egyptian unit sends requests for cooperation since 2015.

The EMLCU is exerting great efforts to develop the Egyptian system of combating money laundering and terrorist financing, and the spread of arms, Khalil said.

Egypt and the UAE are members of the Middle East and North Africa Financial Action Task Force tasked with ensuring the implementation of international recommendations on combating money laundering, the financing of terrorism, and proliferation.

The EMLCU is an independent unit at the Central Bank of Egypt that was established in 2003 under the money laundering law.

Late last year, the EMLCU called for promoting cooperation among the international community, especially between countries whose funds have been stolen and the states that have received them, based on international agreements in this regard.

Egypt has adopted several measures to combat illicit financial flows as part of the country's efforts to combat money laundering and the financing of terrorism and has also coordinated with international partners in this field.

Earlier this year, Egypt's House of Representatives approved government-drafted legislative amendments to the 20-year-old anti-money laundering law (Law 80/2002) aiming to set up an independent anti-money laundering unit.

The money laundering amendments oblige leaders of non-financial professions and activities to implement all the instructions and orders issued by the anti-money laundering unit.

Egypt has also adopted a national strategy to combat terrorism and its financing, which takes into consideration the international and local developments that occur in this field with Egypt deeming combating terrorism financing as one of the policy objectives of the state.

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The Red Sea governorate, one of the Egyptian top tourist destinations, has announced the banning of jet skis starting Monday as a proactive step to prevent disastrous accidents.

In a statement today, Red Sea Governor Amr Hanafy said that the decision does not seek to upset visitors to the governorates cities but rather to preserve the lives of citizens and tourists.

The governor ordered activating the banning decision, which has been issued since 2010, urging authorities to immediately deal decisively with violators.

As per the decision, violators face a penalty of up to having their jet skis confiscated, the governor noted.

Hanafy said jet skis cause catastrophic and dangerous accidents, stressing that the safety of citizens and tourists precedes everything else in importance.

The governor affirmed that he would not wait until a jet ski accident occurs in any of the Red Sea cities amid the current tourism boom witnessed by the governorate, especially Hurghada.

He affirmed coordinating with concerned authorities to launch campaigns on beaches and inspect water games to review maritime safety.

Egypt has exerted much effort over the past years, including boosting security measures to ensure the safety of tourists with tourism revenues regarded as a vital source of foreign currency for the country.

Egypts tourism sector had picked up momentum thanks to the return of Russian tourists to Sinai and the Red Sea governorate in August last year. However, the sector has been hit by the Russia-Ukraine crisis that started in February as the two countries are two main tourism exporters to the Red Sea area in Egypt.

In 2021, Egypt reportedly received around 7.6 million tourists.

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Aug 1, 2022

1. Resisting the Political Incarceration in India.

Speakers:

Kavita Srivastava is the national secretary of the Peoples Union of Civil Liberties (PUCL). She is a dedicated human rights worker, working collectively towards restoring democracy, justice and ending inequalities.

Prachi Teltumbde is a doctor and researcher based in London. She is also the daughter of Anand Teltumbde, a prominent public intellectual and one of the BK 15.

2. Mumia Abu Jamals Monumental Struggle Against Corruption and Empire.

Speaker:

JD

The demand to release incarcerated political activists in South Asia and the United States is gaining momentum. The incarceration of Bhima Koregaon 15 (BK 15), the institutional murder of Father Stan Swamy, and the recent arrest of Teesta Setalwad and Mohammad Zubair has been condemned worldwide. In the US, the struggle continues to release the famous political prisoner Mumia Abu Jamal, well known for his powerful struggle against the Philadelphia political machine and analysis of current events. Boston South Asian Coalitions (BSAC) and Jericho Boston held a joint event on July 30th (Saturday)

11:30am EST to discuss the state of political prisoners in India and the US.
Kenya is no stranger to highly contested elections. Several of the countrys past polls have seen high levels of conflict. The violence that broke out after the 2007 elections stands out in particular.

It caused more than a thousand fatalities and led to a national crisis. This was eventually resolved through a coalition government and constitutional reform.

Patronage politics, a history of violent conflict and high-stakes elections increase the risks of poll violence, which often erupts along identity lines.

Still, Kenyans continue to turn up to vote. Elections are valued as a moment when voters can reject those they believe have failed, or will fail, to protect and promote their national, community and individual interests.

In the last general election in 2017, 78% of registered voters turned up to vote. In 2013, the voter turnout stood at 86%.

But this does not mean that voters dont have concerns about the process.

Fears Of Rigging

As Kenyans approach the 9 August 2022 poll, many lack confidence in the electoral process.

Deviations from electoral rules  from vote buying to election disruptions  persist. Research has explored how citizens justify their participation in electoral malpractice.

Elites vs The Rule Of Law

A failed attempt to overhaul Kenyas constitution less than a year before elections illustrates the struggles between the rule of law and the crude tribal instincts of Kenyas political elite.

The current pact between President Uhuru Kenyatta and presidential candidate Raila Odinga is a form of power sharing. However, it further divided society and fragmented elites by isolating Kenyattas deputy, William Ruto, and his supporters.

This situation provides evidence of the personality politics that has often driven Kenya to the precipice since independence.

Predictors Of Conflict

Political leaders and aspirants have used group-based grievances to mobilise voters and, at times, violent militias.

Land tenure has remained closely connected to communal identity in Kenya. Regions where land conflicts are prominent, and politicians are mobilising based on these conflicts, are areas to watch for signs of violence.

Research has highlighted other key drivers of communal conflict that could inform efforts to predict and prevent election violence.

Gendered Violence

In the run-up to the August 2022 election, aggressive language has featured on the campaign trail. It has perpetuated patriarchal attitudes, which stand in the way of womens participation in and engagement with politics.

Women face a host of obstacles, from inadequate political support from their parties to a lack of financial resources and gender-based violence.

Kenyas electoral process has often highlighted the fact that male politicians dont shy away from aggressive confrontations in campaigns against a woman.

Judiciarys Role

Kenyas judiciary, however, has shown its capacity to help ensure that the elections are free, fair and credible. The countrys courts have exhibited a significant level of maturity and independence in recent years.

An efficient, equitable and accessible justice system is the foundation of a democracy based on the rule of law.

* This story was published in the Conversation

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Violent protests erupted in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo in late July 2022, resulting in the deaths of at least three peacekeepers and several civilians.

The United Nations mission in the Congo has long suffered a crisis of confidence among local communities. It has been accused of failing to protect civilians and improve security in the region, despite a presence spanning more than two decades.

This is not the first time protests have broken out against UN peacekeepers in eastern Congo. However, these recent events have brought to the surface the persistent problems facing the United Nations Organization Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (Monusco).

It has faced questions on its operational effectiveness, consent of the host state and whether, or how, it can make a graceful exit from the country.

Heightened tensions in the Congos eastern region are the result of what is perceived by many as years of peacekeeping failures, resulting in violence, death and the displacement of millions of Congolese.

A great deal has been written about the perils of so-called stabilisation approaches to peacekeeping. These have been pursued in countries like the Congo, Mali and the Central African Republic, and are characterised by efforts to neutralise non-state armed groups and extend state authority.

Both the UN and the African Union increasingly reference stabilisation approaches in policy dialogue and mission mandates.

However, such approaches have proven largely ineffective, in part because of their state-centric nature, which fails to take into account local drivers of conflict.

Crisis Of Confidence

When the Force Intervention Brigade was authorised by the UN Security Council in 2013, it was initially praised for bringing a swift halt to the insurrection attempt by the armed group M23.

Yet, since that time, the brigade has struggled to implement its mandate in the face of the continued proliferation of armed groups in the region and high levels of insecurity.

In response to these challenges, the brigade recently received additional support from several quick reaction forces.

Yet, the mission has been unable to stem the violence. The resurgence of the M23 in the past few months has been a stark illustration of the brigades shortcomings.

At the same time, militarised approaches to peacekeeping in the Congo have come at the expense of non-violent approaches to peacebuilding, like unarmed protection methods, which may be more conducive to building lasting peace.

The result is that the UN is facing a crisis of legitimacy among the population, despite having invested a good deal of resources trying to manage its reputation.

Confidence in the ability of peacekeepers to ensure security is generally low among communities in eastern Congo, and has decreased over time.

Its also notably lower than confidence in state security forces, despite the latters egregious human rights violations and lack of capacity.

This raises questions of consent, including whose voices matter when it comes to maintaining cooperation with the host country. Host state consent, a principle of UN peacekeeping, is conventionally interpreted as consent of the host government.

However, the recent scenes from the Congo suggest that greater attention ought to be paid to the voices of community members.

While the UN recognises the importance of maintaining trust with local communities, its not clear how it can, or should, respond should those relationships deteriorate beyond repair, as may now be the case.

Regional dynamics have further complicated this situation, given the cross-border nature of the conflict, and with Kinshasas military accusing Rwanda of using the M23 to invade Congo. Kigali has denied these accusations.

Way Forward

While the UN mission is in a period of drawdown, there is no clear timeline for exit. Withdrawal is instead guided by progress towards a series of agreed-upon benchmarks, including a significant reduction in the threat posed by armed groups.

Some experts have argued that the drawdown should not be bound by time. Progress has been slow, and it is not clear the benchmarks will be met in the near future.

In the meantime, the mission and members of the UN Security Council need to grapple with what to do if they cannot bring security conditions under control, or if the state pushes more forcefully for an early exit.

Protests in the region are likely to continue over the coming months, particularly in the run-up to the Congo presidential elections, which are scheduled for late 2023.

What is needed at this time is a robust regional security arrangement that would ease some of the pressure on the UN mission and make space for a stronger diplomatic response to regional tensions.

The 22 July 2022 agreement by the East African Community Heads of States to deploy a regional force to the Congo may be a timely step in the right direction.

But, as the UN missions difficulties have shown, military operations cannot be effective if they arent coupled with a viable political process, which has been lacking in the Congo. The current security situation, alongside contentious regional dynamics, is indicative of this.

* This story was published in the Conversation

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A village in Madagascar where a criminal gang killed dozens of people has been left deserted after survivors fled fearing fresh attacks, a rights group said Monday, as police made the first arrests.

Authorities were still on the hunt for bandits who burnt alive 32 people, including women and 15 children on Friday, setting homes on fire in the village of Ambolotarakely, 75 kilometres (47 miles) north of Antananarivo.

A source within the gendarmerie in the surrounding Ankazobe area said five people suspected of having ties to the gang were arrested on Monday in connection with the crime.

Police have blamed criminal groups of cattle rustlers, known as dahalos, for the massacre, although motives are still unclear.

Seth Andriamarohasina, who heads the Independent National Commission for Human Rights (CNIDH) said security forces were patrolling the village, which sits on a small hill a 10-hour walk from the nearest police station.

"It's a ghost town now, all the inhabitants have left for fear of the dahalos," Andriamarohasina, who visited the area on Sunday, told AFP by phone upon returning to the capital.

He said local authorities believed a land dispute might have triggered the violence.

A source at Madagascar's ministry of defence told AFP the victims belonged to two families, with a preliminary investigation suggesting the attack was "premeditated".

Television footage from the scene showed the three houses completely burnt down, with only parts of the walls still standing.

Authorities have said military helicopters and ground troops have been deployed in the search for the suspects.

"It is an act of unacceptable violence, and it must be punished very severely," said defence minister General Richard Rakotonirina. "We are actively looking for authors".

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At least one Palestinian was killed and another wounded during an Israeli military raid late Monday in the occupied West Bank town of Jenin, the Palestinian Health Ministry said.

Israeli occupation army have carried out regular operations into Jenin in recent months that the military says are aimed at dismantling militant networks in the wake of several deadly attacks inside Israel. The raids often ignite gunbattles with Palestinian militants.

The Health Ministry did not provide further information on the deceased. The Israeli military referred questions to the paramilitary Border Police, which did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Jenin, home to a large refugee camp, has long been seen as a bastion of Palestinian militancy.

Israel captured the West Bank in the 1967 Mideast war and has built more than 130 settlements across the territory that are home to nearly 500,000 Jewish settlers. The Palestinians want the West Bank, home to some 3 million Palestinians, to form the main part of their future state.

The last serious peace talks broke down more than a decade ago.

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The UAE-based GrubTech, an online platform that provides digital solutions for cloud kitchens and restaurants, officially launched its operations in the Egyptian market last week by opening an office in the country.

This is the fourth international office by GrubTech, which has a presence in Turkey, Siri Lanka, and Dubai.

The UAE-based company, which has been operating since 2019, has shown great interest in investing in the Egyptian market.

In an interview with Ahram Online, GrubTechs co-founder and CEO Mohamed Al Fayed said that the company plans to expand further in the Egyptian market, with a plan to invest $5 million over the coming 12-18 months. The company intends to make Egypt its launching pad for its expansion in Africa.

The Egyptian market is a large consumer market with a significant population. Also, the food market here is solid and resilient in the face of crises or shocks. It really keeps growing. In addition, the labour market in Egypt is big and cheap compared to other markets in the region, with significant experiences in all fields, which enables investor to start businesses easily with a home-grown team, Al Fayed explained.

He added that the Egypt office has 20 employees, with a plan to increase this number to 300 over the short term.

Going forward, we also aim to utilise our experiences and services from the Egypt office in other markets in the region and beyond. Moreover, we aim to use the Egypt offices team to serve other offices in the markets we operate in, he said.

Al Fayed also said that the Egyptian government has been making efforts to support the start-up ecosystem, including easing the procedures for founding new start-ups. He asserted that such efforts encourage investors and entrepreneurs to open business in the country.

The restaurant sector is heading rapidly towards digitalisation, which needs solutions. The sector has developed over the time from going to the restaurant to have your meal, then to home-delivery, and then using online apps to order your meal. Consumer behaviour has been changing over time, which has consequently changed the market, Al Fayed said.

Al Fayed added that COVID-19 has been an accelerator for all digital solutions, including food delivery.

Al Fayed said that GrubTech offers a one-of-a-kind in the Middle East and North Africa region, and that there are only three other companies globally that provide such solutions.

GrubTech provides over 20 apps for cloud kitchens and restaurants that enable them to develop the services they provide their customers, with clients in 18 countries in Asia, the GCC market, Jordan, Lebanon, as well as Egypt, Nigeria, South Africa, and Morocco in Africa.

We offer an operating system that establishes a link between all the processes, starting from receiving the order down to delivering it to the customer or the end user. Forty percent of our clients are cloud kitchens and it is increasing rapidly in Egypt, Al Fayed further said.

Al Fayed added that GrubTech has successfully closed three financing rounds since its inception in 2019 with a total value of $18.1 million, adding that it is set to start off its fourth investment round with a total value of $25 million by end of 2022.

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The United Nations chief warned the world Monday that ``humanity is just one misunderstanding, one miscalculation away from nuclear annihilation.''

Secretary-General Antonio Guterres gave the dire warning at the opening of the long-delayed high-level meeting to review the landmark 50-year-old treaty aimed at preventing the spread of nuclear weapons and eventually achieving a nuclear-free world. He cited especially the war in Ukraine and the threat of nuclear weapons to conflicts in the Middle East and Asia, two regions ``edging towards catastrophe.''

Guterres told many ministers, officials and diplomats attending the month-long conference to review the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty that the meeting is taking place ``at a critical juncture for our collective peace and security'' and ``at a time of nuclear danger not seen since the height of the Cold War.''

The conference is ``an opportunity to hammer out the measures that will help avoid certain disaster, and to put humanity on a new path towards a world free of nuclear weapons,'' the secretary-general said.

But Guterres warned that ``geopolitical weapons are reaching new highs,'' almost 13,000 nuclear weapons are in arsenals around the world, and countries seeking ``false security'' are spending hundreds of billions of dollars on ``doomsday weapons.''

``All this at a time when the risks of proliferation are growing and guardrails to prevent escalation are weakening,'' he said, ``And when crises -- with nuclear undertones -- are festering from the Middle East and the Korean Peninsula to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.''

Guterres called on conference participants to take several actions: urgently reinforce and reaffirm ``the 77-year-old norm against the use of nuclear weapons,'' work relentlessly toward the elimination of nuclear weapons with new commitments to reduce arsenals, address ``the simmering tensions in the Middle Est and Asia'' and promote the peaceful use of nuclear technology.

``Future generations are counting on your commitment to step back from the abyss,'' he implored the ministers and diplomats. ``This is our moment to meet this fundamental test and lift the cloud of nuclear annihilation once and for all.''

In force since 1970, the Nonproliferation Treaty known as the NPT has the widest adherence of any arms control agreement, with some 191 countries that are members.

Under its provisions, the five original nuclear powers -- the United States, China, Russia (then the Soviet Union), Britain and France -- agreed to negotiate toward eliminating their arsenals someday and nations without nuclear weapons promised not to acquire them in exchange for a guarantee to be able to develop nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.

India and Pakistan, which didn't join the NPT, went on to get the bomb. So did North Korea, which ratified the pact but later announced it was withdrawing. Non-signatory Israel is believed to have a nuclear arsenal but neither confirms nor denies it. Nonetheless, the treaty has been credited with limiting the number of nuclear newcomers (U.S. President John F. Kennedy once foresaw as many as 20 nuclear-armed nations) as a framework for international cooperation on disarmament.

The meeting, which ends Aug. 26, aims to generate a consensus on next steps, but expectations are low for a substantial _ if any _ agreement.

Still, Swiss President Ignazio Cassis, prime ministers Fumio Kishida of Japan and Frank Bainimarama of Fiji, and more than a dozen nations' foreign ministers are among attendees expected from at least 116 countries, according to a U.N. official who spoke on condition of anonymity because he wasn't authorized to speak publicly before the conference.

Other speakers at Monday's opening include U.N. nuclear chief Rafael Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock..

The NPT's five-year review was supposed to take place in 2020, when the world already faced plenty of crisis, but was delayed because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

It is taking place at a time of heightened fears of a nuclear confrontation, spurred by Russia's comments following its Feb. 24 invasion of neighboring Ukraine.

Russian President Vladimir Putin warned then that any attempt to interfere would lead to ``consequences you have never seen'' and emphasized that his country is ``one of the most potent nuclear powers.'' Days later, Putin ordered Russia's nuclear forces to be put on higher alert.

Patricia Lewis, former director of the U.N. Institute for Disarmament Research who is now in charge of international security programs at the international affairs think tank Chatham House in London, said ``President Putin's threats to use nuclear weapons have shocked the international community.''

Russia is not only an NPT signatory but a depository for treaty ratifications and in January it joined the four other nuclear powers in reiterating the statement by former U.S. President Ronald Reagan and former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev that ``a nuclear war can never be won and must never be fought,'' she told The Associated Press.

Lewis said countries participating in the review conference will have a difficult decision to make.

To support the treaty and what it stands for, ``governments will have to address Russia's behavior and threats,'' she said. ``On the other hand, to do so risks dividing the treaty members -- some of whom have been persuaded by Russia's propaganda or at least are not as concerned, for example, as the NATO states.''

And ``Russia no doubt will strenuously object to being named in statements and any outcome documents,'' Lewis said.

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The United States announced Monday a new tranche of weapons for Ukraine's forces fighting Russia, including ammunition for increasingly important rocket launchers and artillery guns.

The new $550 million package will "include more ammunition for the high mobility advanced rocket systems otherwise known as HIMARS, as well as ammunition" for artillery, National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters.

The assistance includes 75,000 rounds of 155 mm artillery ammunition, a statement from the Pentagon said.

"To meet its evolving battlefield requirements, the United States will continue to work with its allies and partners to provide Ukraine with key capabilities," the statement said.

This brings the total of military assistance committed to Ukraine since President Joe Biden took office to more than $8.8 billion, according to the Pentagon.

Previous weapons assistance from Washington to Kyiv has included counter-artillery radars, Javelin anti-tank missiles, Soviet-made helicopters, shells and light armored vehicles.

Kirby also hailed the first shipment of Ukrainian grain that left from the port of Odessa on Monday.

It was the first since the war began, part of a landmark deal brokered by the United Nations and Turkey to lift Moscow's naval blockade in the Black Sea.

"We obviously welcome this important step and we hope to see more ships depart in the coming days to travel onward to world markets with agricultural products such as grain, wheat, sunflower oil and corn," Kirby told reporters.

The five-month halt of deliveries from war-torn Ukraine -- one of the world's biggest grain exporters -- has contributed to soaring food prices, hitting the world's poorest nations especially hard.

Russian troops invaded Ukraine on February 24 and the war has left thousands dead, forced millions to flee their homes and raised fears of a nuclear disaster.

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On a morning hot enough to curdle milk in Ukraine's second city, a few dozen hopefuls bat away wasps as they queue to get their hands on food aid.

They are taking a risk congregating outdoors in Kharkiv, where they can be targeted by Russian artillery fire, but it is the hours-long wait that is troubling them, not the danger.

"People don't think about what could happen because they just want their food," says government volunteer Maxim Gridasov, 45, as he distributes parcels in the Nemyshlyansky neighbourhood.

"Even when there is shelling nearby, nobody leaves. They wait for their food."

The military's notices in local media on locations for aid distribution always include the warning: "Please do not create queues, it can be dangerous."

Russia has pounded Ukraine relentlessly since the start of its February invasion, killing thousands of civilians going about their business.

The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has put the civilian toll at 5,237 in its latest update last week.

Shortly after AFP's visit, Nemyshlyansky was bombarded by what authorities said were likely to have been Soviet S-300 missiles.

Ominously, the targets have included at least one food queue: 14 people were killed in March by Russian forces while waiting to collect bread in the northern city of Chernigiv.

Moscow says it only selects targets with military value, accusing Kyiv of being behind the incidents or staging them, and sometimes alleging that Ukraine uses locals as "human shields".

'I Have To Live'

Despite the dangers, around 40 people waited for food packages from the charity Hub Vokzal in Merefa, a one-horse town that would have been in Kharkiv's commuter belt when jobs were plentiful.

Train driver Vitaliy Znaichenko, 38, clutches a plastic bag of rice, bread, ravioli, onions and cereals as he leaves the distribution point.

"It was difficult at the start, when the shops were shut or there was nothing in them because of the war. But now, somehow, we've gotten used to it," he says.

It's his first visit here in two months, and he would rather not linger in a large crowd and risk being targeted from above -- but he feels he has no choice.

"I have to live somehow. I have to go to work at a railway station, which is also risky," he says.

Regional governor Oleg Synegubov told AFP artillery fire was still a constant menace in the towns with active military operations in the countryside outside Kharkiv.

The region, which borders Russia, is agriculturally rich but many of its factories have been destroyed in the shelling or have relocated.

Locals find themselves victims of the war twice over, traumatised by Europe's most devastating conflict in decades, and immiserated by the loss of their household's only income.

Under Shell Fire

Hub Vokzal has provided 900 tonnes of food, nappies, building materials and other humanitarian aid to around 30,000 families in the Kharkiv region's towns and villages.

Founder Mykola Blagovestov tells AFP he and his aid workers have found themselves under shell fire while picking up or distributing food several times.

"We still do it, we go and do our work because it's much better psychologically to do the work and to speak to people, than to sit at home, afraid," he says.

Perhaps the most high profile food aid organisation working in Kharkiv, World Food Kitchen, has also seen its cargo trains and farm partners hit by missiles.

As Russian troops retreated from Kyiv and focus shifted to the battle for the east, the organisation launched by celebrity chef Jose Andres began delivering more than 10,000 meals a day to the city's hungry citizens.

One of its partner restaurants in Kharkiv, Yaposhka, was destroyed when a missile hit in April, leaving four of the staff hospitalised with burns.

The organisation has partnered with a restaurant called 4.5.0., where businessman Ahmed Hassan, 45, oversees almost every practical aspect of the food aid operation.

The amiable Egyptian told AFP on a tour of its extensive facilities -- its kitchen employs 120 workers -- that he had experienced near misses on food collection runs and still worries about air raids.

"I think it's quieter now, but I don't know. The news says it's not quiet," he said.

"I think it's a problem now around Kharkiv, not in Kharkiv itself."

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The first shipment of Ukrainian grain left the port of Odessa on Monday under a deal aimed at relieving a global food crisis following Russia's invasion of its neighbour, the Turkish defence ministry said.

"The ship Razoni has left the port of Odessa bound for Tripoli in Lebanon. It is expected in Istanbul on August 2. It will then continue its journey after it has been inspected in Istanbul," the ministry said.

The vessel was carrying 26,000 tonnes of corn, according to Ukraine's infrastructure minister Oleksandr Kubrakov.

It was expected to reach the mouth of the Bosphorus on Tuesday at around midday, according to Yoruk Isik, an expert on ship movements on the Bosphorus Strait and in the region.

Other convoys would follow, respecting the maritime corridor and the agreed formalities in line with the agreement reached with Russia on July 22, Turkey said.

Built in 1996 and measuring 186 metres (610 feet) in length and 25 metres in width, the Razoni, which is flying under the Sierra Leone flag, has capacity of 30,000 tonnes.

On July 22, Ukraine and Russia signed a landmark deal with Turkey and the United Nations aimed at easing a global food crisis caused by blocked Black Sea grain deliveries.

Turkey formally opened a special joint coordination centre in Istanbul last Wednesday to oversee the exports. The centre is being staffed by civilian and military officials from the two warring parties and delegates from Turkey and the UN.

Their primary assignment involves monitoring the safe passage of Ukrainian grain ships along established routes and overseeing their inspection for banned weapons on the way into and out of the Black Sea.

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.

UN estimates say nearly 50 million people began to face "acute hunger" around the world as a direct consequence of the war.

Wheat prices fell sharply hours after the grain deal was signed.

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According to analysis by the Korean Educational Development Institute published Monday, out of 6,285 elementary schools nationwide, some 1,437 or 20 percent have fewer than 60 students. In South Jeolla Province the proportion is a whopping 49 percent, in Gangwon Province 48 percent, in North Gyeongsang Province 44 percent and in North Jeolla Province 43 percent.

One out of every five elementary schools in Korea has not enough pupils to stay open. The main reason is the low birthrate and the hollowing out of rural areas.

The Education Ministry sees 60 students as the minimum a school needs to stay open. Any fewer than that and it recommends either closing the school or merging it with another one nearby.

Only if these minuscule schools happen to be the only one left in the region does the ministry allow them to stay open.

But their number is expected to grow. Statistics Korea forecasts the number of children aged six to 17 to fall to just two-thirds of the present level two generations from now, from 12 percent of the total population in 2017 to just eight percent in 2065. That means many children in villages or small towns will have to go to school more than 10 km from their homes and classrooms consist of different graders, making teachers' jobs more difficult.
by Padma B and Beena Sarwar

"MaiN bhi khaif nahiN takhta-e-dar se

MaiN bhi Mansur huuN, keh do aghyar se

KyuuN Darate ho zindaN ki deevar se,

Zulm ki baat ko, jahl ki raat ko?

Main nahiN manta, maiN nahiN janta (I do not fear the place of execution

I embody the spirit of Mansur, let the executioner know

Why then would I be scared of your prison walls,

The voice of oppression, the darkness of ignorance?

I refuse to accept, I refuse to acknowledge this)

Revolutionary poet Habib Jalibs iconic poem Main Nahi Manta (I refuse to accept) written in 1962 [1] in protest against the then military dictatorship in Pakistan resonates wherever political dissent is met with oppression and imprisonment.

And while fascism is not a word to be taken lightly, it is difficult to avoid given how political dissent is being crushed in various countries. This came through in presentations at a recent seminar in the Boston area about political repression and incarceration in India and the United States. The observations shared by the three speakers ring true beyond borders.

We are now a fascist country. It couldnt be clearer from what we are witnessing today, said featured speaker Kavita Srivastava, National Secretary, Peoples Union of Civil Liberties (PUCL), India. She was addressing participants at the Democracy Center in Cambridge, Massachusetts, from her base in Jaipur last Saturday.

New normal

In the new normal created by the COVID-19 pandemic, the discussion on "Political Incarceration and Resistance in India and the United States of America" took place on multiple platforms. The Boston South Asian Coalition [2] that connects diasporic South Asians in the area worked with the Boston branch of the Jericho Movement [3] which works for political prisoners in the USA for the hybrid event.

The two speakers from India joined via Zoom call, the discussion streamed live on Facebook [4], and those in person got to partake of a home-cooked lunch provided by volunteers after the session.

A founder member of the Southasia Peace Action Network, Sapan, which held a session on the rights of the incarcerated [5] in Southasia last year, Srivastava began with the case of one of Indias foremost human rights activists, Teesta Setalvad. Known for her decades-long struggle seeking justice for the victims and survivors of the 2002 Gujarat massacre of Muslims in India, Setalvad was arrested in Mumbai on 25 June 2022. Human rights organisations have urged the government to drop the charges [6] against her..

Why term the events of 2002 in Gujarat a massacre? If a riot continues for three days, the states complicity is clear, said Srivastava, as any such actions can be contained within 48 hours.

The Supreme Court of India on 24 June 2022, dismissed the petition by Zakia Jaffri, which Teesta Setelvad had supported, that called for an investigation into a larger conspiracy behind the killings and destruction of property in Gujarat in 2002.

Weaponised

Heading the three-member bench that rejected Zakia Jafris petition, on the eve of his retirement, Justice A. M. Khanwilkar alleged that Teesta Setalvad had conspired [7] against the then chief minister Narendra Modi, now Prime Minister, and that she was using Zakia Jafri as a tool.

Jafris husband, former parliamentarian Ehsan Jafri was lynched by a mob [8] before their house in Gujarat 2022. Twenty years later, Teesta is in jail.

The criminal justice system is being weaponized against dissenters, said Srivastava. Another recent example is a Supreme Court judgment dismissing the petition [9] by Gandhian activist Himanshu Kumar for an independent investigation into the alleged extrajudicial killings of 17 Adivasis [10] or indigenous persons, in Chhattisgarh 2009. The Court additionally imposed a fine of INR 500,000 (around USD 6321) on Kumar.

This judgment is dangerous, said Srivastava, because citizens approaching courts to seek justice for those killed by security forces now risk being accused of being a threat to national security. They risk being framed and falsely accused of being part of a conspiracy against the Indian state, as evident in the cases of Teesta Setalvad and Himanshu Kumar.

Consider also that those who unleashed violence in January 2018 in Bhima Koregaon, Maharashtra, against Dalits run free despite the mountain of evidence against them. Instead, those defending the rights of Dalits, like public intellectual Dr. Anand Teltumbde, peoples lawyers Surendra Gadling and Sudha Bharadwaj, and cultural activists like Sagar Gorkhe, Ramesh Gaichor and Jyoti Jagtap of Kabir Kala Manch are being imprisoned, said Srivastava.

The incarcerated activists known as the Bhima Koregaon 16 (BK16) [11]  BK 15 after the death of Father Stan Swamy in custody [12]  are Indias best thinkers and public intellectuals, she added. While working with and defending peoples rights through various platforms they also held the state accountable to the people.

Complicity

The states complicity in Father Swamys death is evident in its denial of timely medical treatment to him after he contracted Covid-19 in prison. They even refused minor requests like providing a drinking straw which he needed due to his Parkinsons disease.

The BK15 remain incarcerated under the draconian Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) which denies them bail, leading to lengthy periods of imprisonment. The Boston-based Arsenal Consulting firms investigations [13] clearly showed that malware was used to plant evidence on the computers of activists like Rona Wilson and Surendra Gadling, yet their cases do not come up for hearing before the high court.

Young Muslim activists and thinkers like Umar Khalid and Khalid Saifi are also being thrown into prison on conspiracy charges, said Srivastava. Adivasis and Dalits who resist are being labelled as Maoists and Muslims who resist are labelled as terrorists.

In this situation, she said, solidarity from the global community is crucial to support human rights activists and organizations in India.

My father has spent his third birthday in prison. Ive seen him age over 10 years in that time, said the second speaker Prachi Teltumbde, daughter of the noted public intellectual Dr Anand Teltumbde, one of the BK16 activists arrested on April 14, 2020.

Her mother Rama Teltumbde, 66, travels six hours by road every week to visit Dr. Teltumbde, then stand in a long line along with other inmates families to be able to talk to their loved ones for only 10 minutes, unable to even touch them.

Process as punishment

Prachi Teltumbde did not mention that her mother Rama is the granddaughter of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the great Indian jurist, economist, social reformer and political leader who headed the committee drafting the Constitution of India.

She highlighted the impact of incarceration on the mental wellbeing of the prisoners and their family members: "I am living it and witnessing it at close quarters".

The absurdity of the fabricated charges against the BK16 are almost funny until you realize that these people have lost precious moments of their lives, said Teltumbde, and even a life (Father Stan Swamy) due to sheer negligence. The incarcerated activists are not even allowed to communicate with their loved ones on the phone. This is particularly hard for those like Gautam Navlakha, 70, whose partner finds it hard to make the weekly trip to see him.

The process was meant to be the punishment, said Prachi Teltumbde.

In the USA, one of the countrys best known political prisoners Mumia Abu-Jamal has spent the last 40 years in prison, nearly 30 of them on death row. A former member of Black Panther Party, Abu-Jamal worked a writer and radio journalist, and served as president of the Philadelphia Association of Black Journalists from 19781980. He supplemented his income by driving a taxi cab at night.

Mumia Abu Jamal

Going just by his initials, JD of Jericho shared details of the case in his presentation on Mumia Abu-Jamals Monumental Struggle Against Corruption and Empire". On 9 December 1981, Abu-Jamal saw a police officer stop his younger brother at a Philadelphia street corner. What happened next is in dispute and led to his incarceration. There was an exchange of gunfire. The policeman died. Abu-Jamal was shot in the stomach, and beaten by police at the scene.

"Mumia with his microphone was more dangerous than he would be with a gun," said JD, a high school teacher by profession. The photographic and ballistic evidence has questioned the states case against Abu-Jamal, marred by racism and anti-radical bias. [14]

His death sentence was finally overturned in December 2011 [15] after decades of agitations and appeals across the globe. He remains sentenced to life in prison without parole. Various international human rights [16] and civil rights organizations [17] including elected heads of state like the late Nelson Mandela have supported his demand for a fresh trial.

"Whats the call? chanted JD, leading the slogan. Free them all!"

To the audience question of how ordinary people can help those incarcerated unjustly, the speakers agreed that writing to them gives moral support and reminds the state that we are still watching.

Hope

"Letters bring a lot of hope," said Kavita Srivastava. Prachi Teltumbde and JD shared addresses where letters and postcards can be mailed to Dr Anand Teltumbde and Mumia Abu-Jamal (see below).

The patterns of oppression outlined by speakers from India and the U.S.A. show how governments systematically target and incarcerate citizens who challenge unjust laws and societal injustice. The most oppressed communities bear the brunt.

Saturdays seminar was a small step towards showing solidarity with political prisoners across international borders and to wage united struggles for their release.

NOTE: Letters of support to the incarcerated may be addressed to:

Dr Anand Teltumbde

c/o MB194 (hospital),

Taloja Central Prison

Kharghar, Navi Mumbai 410210

India

Mumia Abu-Jamal

c/o #AM 8335, SCI Mahanoy

301 Morea Road

Frackville, PA 17932

USA

(Authors: Padma B. is a member of BSAC, a coalition partner of the Southasia Peace Action Network or Sapan. Beena Sarwar is a journalist and founder-curator of Sapan.)
Such exercises usually involve artillery. The one-sentence announcement gave no indication whether Saturday's exercise also might include missiles, fighter planes or other weapons.

The ruling Communist Party's military wing, the People's Liberation Army, was conducting "live-fire exercises" near the Pingtan islands off Fujian province from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., the official Xinhua News Agency said. The Maritime Safety Administration warned ships to avoid the area.

China said it was conducting military exercises Saturday off its coast across from Taiwan after warning Speaker Nancy Pelosi of the U.S. House of Representatives to scrap possible plans to visit the island democracy, which Beijing claims as part of its territory.

Pelosi, who would be the highest-ranking American elected official to visit Taiwan since 1997, has yet to confirm whether she will go. President Xi Jinping warned his U.S. counterpart, Joe Biden, in a phone call Thursday against "external interference" in Beijing's dealings with the island.

China says Taiwan has no right to conduct foreign relations. It sees visits by American officials as encouragement for the island to make its decades-old de facto independence official.

The Ministry of Defense warned Washington this week not to allow Pelosi to visit Taiwan. A spokesperson said the PLA would take unspecified "strong measures" to stop pro-independence activity. The PLA has flown growing numbers of fighter planes and bombers near Taiwan and has in the past fired missiles into shipping lanes to the island.

Taiwan and China split in 1949 after a civil war that ended with a communist victory on the mainland. The two governments say they are one country but disagree over which is entitled to national leadership. They have no official relations but are linked by billions of dollars in trade and investment.
The slide was mainly due to disaffection in Daegu and North Gyeongsang Province, the ruling party's main powerbase, and among elderly voters. Even there, 47 percent disapproved of his performance, versus 40 percent who approved. Among elderly voters, only 40 percent of over-60s and 48 percent of the over-70s said he is doing a good job.

His approval rating fell by another four percentage points from a week earlier while the disapproval rating rose by two percentage points.

President Yoon Suk-yeol's approval rating has plummeted below 30 percent for the first time since he took office. In a Gallup Korea poll released last Friday, a whopping 62 percent of voters disapproved of Yoon's performance, compared to a mere 28 percent who approved.

Fifty-one percent of conservative voters and a mere 24 percent middle-of-the-roaders approved of his performance.

According to Gallup Korea, President Lee Myung-bak's approval rating also dipped below 30 percent in just three months amid mass protests over the mad cow disease scare. President Roh Moo-hyun's fell below 30 percent late in his first year in office and Park Geun-hye's some two years after her inauguration. Moon Jae-in did not suffer his lowest approval rating until his fourth year in office.

"The fact that the president's approval rating has plummeted below 30 percent means that a considerable number of key supporters have abandoned him," a pollster said. "This is a serious warning sign to his government as even the ruling party could start to rebel."

The poll was conducted of 1,000 voters across the country on July 26-28.

Meanwhile, Yoon takes a summer break for five days starting Monday. For security reasons the location is being kept under wraps.
The government is seeking to lower the primary school age from six to five.

Education Minister Park Soon-ae last Friday said, "The primary cause of social polarization is the education gap, so we will bring the school age forward by one year to enable the socially underprivileged to get access to mandatory education more quickly."

The government believes that an earlier start at school can resolve a gap in achievements between regions or parents' income and enable high-school graduates to join the workforce a year earlier.

But the change requires a broad social consensus and the cost has yet to be calculated.

The elementary-school age has been six by law since 1949 as in most other countries. The Education Ministry plans to conduct a nationwide survey late this year to gauge public opinion and come up with specific plans by next year with a view to implementing the change in 2025.

The likeliest solution will be to phase younger children in gradually so five- and six-year-olds are not crowded in together.
Kim is now always flanked by bodyguards, which is a new development. "Bodyguards generally stand at distance because the propaganda effect of a photo decreases when they can be seen," a source said. "The new development shows that special circumstances require a sacrifice."

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un seems to have beefed up his personal security since the assassination last month of former Japanese Premier Shinzo Abe.

But Kim's regime is under pressure amid a failing economy and border lockdowns that are reportedly causing starvation in some parts of the crackpot country.

At an event honoring veteran soldiers in Pyongyang last week, Kim was flanked by a phalanx of bodyguards. The last time bodyguards surrounded him was when he took power in 2012.

"Kim Jong-un sought the protection of bodyguards in 2012 because he was anxious about his weak grip on power. Now his authority has been damaged by economic problems caused by prolonged sanctions and the coronavirus lockdown, so he probably feels threatened," another source said.
Education Minister Park Soon-ae has informed President Yoon Suk-yeol that she wants to lower the elementary school age to five and been told to come up with the plans. She says that is magically going to reduce the academic achievement gap, but nobody has any idea how. The decision, which flies in the face of global trends, was not part of Yoon's campaign pledges and has not been mooted as a policy for some time. Park, who has absolutely no experience as an educator, only became education minister a month ago, so it seems unlikely that she has given the matter enough thought.

One benefit to lowering the school age could be that young people enter the workforce earlier, which could relieve some pressure on the dwindling working-age population considering Korea's low birthrate and aging population. It could particularly help boys to join the workforce sooner once they complete their mandatory military service. It could also help decrease some public childcare costs spent on preschoolers and save parents time and money that would otherwise be spent caring for five-year-olds. Since parents in the cities rely heavily on crammers to teach their kids the things they should be taught at school, sending them to school a year earlier could help those in the provinces, where few preschool facilities are available, to catch up with kids in cities.

But nobody seems to want it. Education experts say five-year-olds have a shorter attention span and need to be taught through games and group activities instead of the lectures that still largely characterize classroom teaching here. But phasing in an earlier school age by reducing the primary school entry age by three months at a time would in fact increase numbers in class by up to 25 percent, which makes it even less likely that the young ones would get the attention they need. At the other end, a 25-percent increase in the number of students per year will intensify competition for university entrance and jobs.

It seems unlikely that parents will accept the proposal. The Roh Moo-hyun and Lee Myung-bak administrations also sought to lower the elementary school entry age but gave up soon enough amid opposition from some 10,000 kindergartens that would lose a significant number of paying charges. That may not be a good enough reason to abandon the idea, but it shows that drastic changes of this kind are hard to achieve unless they are preceded by meticulous planning and preparation.

And there has clearly been no planning at all. After hastily announcing the decision without prior discussions with the public, the government says it is now forming a taskforce to do the sweaty work. This kind of chaotic policymaking could make it even more unpopular.

Read this article in Korean
Grain shipments from Ukraine's port of Odesa resumed Monday, the first since Russia invaded its neighbor in late February.

The Sierra Leone-flagged cargo ship Razoni was the first to leave port, carrying more than 26,000 tons of corn bound for Lebanon. In a statement, Turkey's defense ministry said other unspecified ships would also depart Ukraine on Monday.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the Razoni was "loaded with two commodities in short supply: corn, and hope. Hope for millions of people around the world who depend on the smooth running of Ukraine's ports to feed their families." He added, "What we've witnessed today in Odesa is an important starting point. It must be the first of many commercial ships bringing relief and stability to global food markets."

Guterres said that "ensuring that grain, fertilizers, and other food-related items are available at reasonable prices to developing countries is a humanitarian imperative. People on the verge of famine need these agreements to work, in order to survive." As part of the renewed shipments, Guterres said the UN's World Food Program plans to soon buy 30,000 metric tons of Ukrainian wheat and ship it out of the country on a UN-chartered vessel.

Turkey and the UN brokered an agreement with Russia and Ukraine in late July to get grain exports going again amid a global food crisis that the United Nations says has been worsened by Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The deal calls for safe passage of cargo ships traveling from ports in southern Ukraine through waters in the Black Sea that Russia has controlled since its invasion of Ukraine.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba welcomed the resumption of exports from Odesa. "The day of relief for the world, especially for our friends in the Middle East, Asia, and Africa, as the first Ukrainian grain leaves Odesa after months of Russian blockade," Kuleba tweeted. "Ukraine has always been a reliable partner and will remain one should Russia respect its part of the deal."

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters Monday the departure of the first ship is "very positive."
KYODO NEWS - Aug 1, 2022 - 22:02 | World, All, Japan

China and Japan are arranging high-level exchanges to mark the 50th anniversary of the normalization of bilateral ties on Sept. 29, Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said Monday.

China attaches "high importance" to commemorating the milestone in ties with Japan and is "ready to advance high-level exchanges and cooperation including at the ministerial level," Zhao told a press conference, adding teams on both sides have been working on possible visits of officials.

Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi are planning to hold in-person talks on Thursday on the sidelines of a series of Association of Southeast Asian Nations meetings in Cambodia, according to Japanese government sources.

It will be the first face-to-face dialogue of the foreign ministers of Japan and China since November 2020 amid heightening tensions due to issues including a territorial row.

Meanwhile, the spokesman rapped a pledge made Friday by Japanese and U.S. foreign and economy ministers in their inaugural "two-plus-two" talks in Washington to defend an open, rules-based international economic order amid challenges posed by China.

"China always upholds the principle of openness, inclusiveness and win-win outcomes," Zhao said, countering U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken's claim that Beijing's "coercive economic practices" go against the international economic order.

He urged the United States and Japan not to "politicize, weaponize and overstretch the concept of national security on economic, trade and sci-tech issues."

In the economics talks, the U.S. side indicated that efforts to beef up economic security are driven by China's assertiveness and its use of economic leverage to pressure other countries into concessions.
KYODO NEWS - Aug 1, 2022 - 18:26 | All, World, Japan

Part of a new Japanese economic security law came into force Monday to secure the stable supply of vital products including semiconductors and to support the development of crucial technologies amid heightened geopolitical concerns.

The crucial part of the law, enacted in May, took effect ahead of other provisions as China's growing influence intensifies global competition in the high-technology field and with the security environment rapidly changing amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

The latest part consists of two pillars -- reinforcing supply chains to stably procure vital products and facilitating the development of artificial intelligence and other cutting-edge technologies through public-private-sector cooperation.

The law's two other pillars are infrastructure screening by the government in such sectors as telecommunication and transportation to mitigate vulnerability to cyberattacks and other threats, as well as withholding certain patents related to sensitive technologies from public view.

These are expected to come into force in stages from next year.

Takayuki Kobayashi, minister in charge of economic security, told reporters on Monday that the government launched the same day an office with about 50 personnel from various ministries and agencies to promote the country's economic security.

Working out of the Cabinet Office, the newly created office will prepare basic guidelines on developing resilient supply chains and public-private sector cooperation for approval by the Cabinet in late September, the minister said.

"Legislation on economic security draws attention from countries around the world," Kobayashi said, adding, "We would like to give our best to the execution of the law and tackle new challenges" that emerge along with it.

One of the issues still to be worked out is the introduction of security clearance for officials and researchers who will handle vital and sensitive information, a system that currently does not exist.

Kobayashi said enactment of the economic security promotion law was also noted in a joint statement the foreign and economy ministers of Japan and the United States issued at their inaugural "two-plus-two" talks in Washington on Friday.

Against the backdrop of challenges posed by China and Russia, the statement emphasized that economic security is indispensable to overall security, and that diplomacy and economic policy are intertwined and require a coordinated approach.

The two countries promised to pursue the joint development of next-generation semiconductors at a research hub to be launched in Japan, as well as foster supply resilience in other strategic items, such as batteries and critical minerals.

Since Japan alone will not be able to build resilient supply chains for strategically important goods, cooperation with like-minded partners will be essential, Kobayashi said.
KYODO NEWS - Aug 1, 2022 - 13:55 | World, All

Former Philippine President Fidel Ramos, who played a key role in a 1986 pro-democracy protest that toppled the government of Ferdinand Marcos when Ramos headed the national police force, died at a hospital in Manila on Sunday. He was 94.

Ramos, a native of Lingayen in the northern Philippine province of Pangasinan, graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and fought with Philippine troops in the Korean War and the Vietnam War.

Defecting from the dictatorship of Marcos, father of the current president, Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Ramos and Juan Ponce Enrile, then defense chief, supported the "People Power" protest led by Corazon Aquino that ended the rule of Marcos.

Under the administration of Aquino, who succeeded Marcos, Ramos served as the military chief of staff and later defense secretary.

In 1992, Ramos won the presidential election to replace Aquino. During his term until 1998, he worked to privatize state companies and invite in foreign investment.

After Ramos's family announced his passing on Sunday, President Marcos said in a statement that he extended his condolences to the family, mourning a figure he said had "lived a full life as a military officer and public servant."
KYODO NEWS - Aug 1, 2022 - 14:32 | All, World

Japan has urged Myanmar to release as early as possible a Japanese national who was detained in Yangon at the scene of an anti-coup protest, a government spokesman said Monday.

Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Seiji Kihara told a daily press briefing that the government is making its utmost efforts to secure the release of the man, who is in his 20s and reported by Myanmar media to be documentary filmmaker Toru Kubota.

The government has been in contact with the man's family while gathering information about his circumstances, Kihara said.

The man has been held for questioning at a police station after filming a protest in the country's largest city on Saturday, according to the Japanese Embassy in Myanmar, which has not confirmed the man's identity.

Myanmar has been under military rule since February 2021 when a democratically elected government was deposed and many of its leaders, including Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, were arrested.

That same month, Japanese freelance journalist Yuki Kitazumi was detained by security forces while covering anti-coup protests in Yangon but released hours later.

Kitazumi was then arrested in April of that year and indicted on a charge of spreading false information and violating immigration rules. He was released in May at the request of the Japanese government and other intermediaries, and returned home later in the same month.

Related coverage:

Japanese man detained by Myanmar police at anti-coup protest: reports

G-7 raps Myanmar junta executions as showing contempt for democracy

2 Myanmar pro-democracy activists, 2 others executed: junta
Hubei Media Group: On July 29, US Secretary Antony J. Blinken and Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo, Japanese Foreign Minister Hayashi Yoshimasa, and Minister of Economy, Trade, and Industry Koichi Hagiuda held the meeting of the US-Japan Economic Consultative Committee (Economic 2+2). Blinken said that we addressed the Peoples Republic of China and how its coercive economic practices go against an open, inclusive rules-based international economic order. Do you have any response?

Zhao Lijian: China always upholds the principle of openness, inclusiveness and win-win outcomes. We are committed to building an open world economy and sharing development opportunities with all countries. China never stretches its hands into the house of other countries and meddles in their domestic affairs. China never seeks a trade war and never coerces or suppresses foreign enterprises. By contrast, there are plenty of examples of US economic coercion. Economic sanctions, technological blockade, suppression of foreign enterprises and so on -- the US has done them all. The aim is to maintain US economic hegemony. This not only runs counter to underlying laws of the market but also violates international trade rules.

More ironically, Japan itself is a victim of US economic coercion. Since the 1980s, the US has imposed multiple rounds of economic sanctions on Japan, used all kinds of tools to crack down on Japans competitive industries, and even sought to perform a surgical operation on Japans economic structure, all of which are text-book examples of economic coercion. Why is Japan being selectively amnesic and chasing the steps of the US on this?

We urge the US and Japan not to politicize, weaponize and overstretch the concept of national security on economic, trade and sci-tech issues, not target third parties or undermine their interests, still less incite division and confrontation in the name of cooperation and dialogue.

China News Service: The meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) was held last Friday. Can you share more information on that?

Zhao Lijian: On July 29, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi attended the meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in Tashkent. He put forward five proposals at the meeting, namely strengthening solidarity and coordination, consolidating regional security, promoting sustainable development, upholding multilateralism and enhancing the development of the organization. The Chinese side believes that the SCO enjoys bright prospects and a lot can be achieved. China is ready to join hands with fellow SCO member states to stay committed to the Shanghai Spirit, surmount difficulties, assume due responsibility and promote the building of a closer SCO community with a shared future. China will be hosting the meeting of the Council of Heads of Government of SCO member states in November and use the opportunity to promote joint and solid efforts for regional economic development, contribute to the development of regional countries through Chinas own development and provide more positive factors to the security of the region and wellbeing of the people.

Foreign ministers attending the meeting fully recognized the important role of the SCO in consolidating strategic trust among members, promoting regional development and prosperity and deepening people-to-people ties. They agreed that efforts need to be made to further enhance solidarity and coordination, revitalize multilateralism, and adapt to the rapidly evolving international landscape. At the meeting, draft documents on the plan of action to implement the Treaty on Long-term Good Neighborliness, Friendship and Cooperation among SCO member states, connectivity, and cultural and people-to-people exchanges, among others, were adopted. This foreign ministers meeting will also make preparations in various ways for the SCO Summit.

CCTV: During the Foreign Ministers Meeting of the SCO, foreign ministers of some member states released a joint statement on strengthening the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) on July 29. Could you offer more details and Chinas position on that?

Zhao Lijian: During the SCO Foreign Ministers Meeting, the foreign ministers of Russia, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan released a joint statement on strengthening the BWC on July 29.

The joint statement affirms the significance of the BWC for international security, emphasizes the need to comply with and strengthen the Convention, calls for resuming negotiations on a verification protocol, and expresses concern over the absence of a verification mechanism under the BWC framework. The statement expresses support for a balance between security and development and upholding all countries lawful rights to the peaceful use of biotechnology. It also notes the initiatives proposed by various parties to enhance global biosecurity governance, including the call by Russia and China to include information on the overseas military biological activities by the BWC States Parties in the reporting form, the Tianjin Biosecurity Guidelines for Codes of Conduct for Scientists put forward by China, and the creation of an International Agency for Biological Safety proposed by Kazakhstan. This joint statement fully demonstrates the parties sense of responsibility and firm resolve to practice true multilateralism and strengthen global biosecurity governance.

Biosecurity bears on the security and development interests of all countries. When putting forward the Global Security Initiative, President Xi Jinping stressed that we need to jointly maintain world peace and security and work together on global challenges such as biosecurity. The BWC Ninth Review Conference will be held at the end of this year. The international community should work in concert for a substantive conference to strengthen the BWC mechanisms and ensure universal compliance. We stand ready to work together with all parties to further advance dialogue and cooperation on biosecurity under the SCO framework, strengthen the BWC mechanisms, and improve the global biosecurity governance system.

MASTV: Former Philippine President Fidel Valdez Ramos passed away at the age of 94 in a hospital in Manila, capital of the Philippines on July 31. How does China assess his contribution to China-Philippines relations?

Zhao Lijian: Former President Ramos was a veteran statesman of the Philippines, and made active contribution to the development of China-Philippines relations. China deeply mourns his passing and expresses our sincere sympathies to his family.

AFP: Prime Minister of New Zealand Jacinda Ardern today asked China to condemn Russias invasion of Ukraine. She also said that China has a duty to uphold international rules. What is your response?

Zhao Lijian: It is said among Western journalists that only bad news makes good news. I noticed that Prime Minister Ardern also made quite a few positive statements on New Zealands relations with China. For instance, she has said she would have interaction with China, make in-person visits and lead a business delegation to China.

As to your question, Chinas position on the Ukraine crisis is consistent and clear. We urge relevant parties to cease hostilities through dialogue and negotiation, and the international community should also create conditions and space for that.

As to China-New Zealand relations, China and New Zealand are each others important cooperation partners. For 50 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties, the bilateral relations have made substantial progress and created many firsts in Chinas relations with developed countries, bringing tangible benefits to the two peoples. This has set a good example for bilateral relations between countries with different natural endowment and socioeconomic systems and at varied development stages. China is ready to work with New Zealand to seize the opportunities of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties, follow the principle of mutual respect and win-win cooperation, carry forward the spirit of striving to be the first, promote mutual trust, advance practical cooperation and properly handle differences to work for an even more productive China-New Zealand comprehensive strategic partnership.

Reuters: US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is scheduled to visit Southeast Asia and East Asia this week and Taiwan is not mentioned in her itinerary. Whats Chinas comment?

Zhao Lijian: Recently, the Chinese side has repeatedly made clear to the US side our serious concern over Speaker Pelosis potential visit to Taiwan and our firm opposition to the visit. We have been stressing that such a visit would lead to serious consequences. As President Xi Jinping stressed to US President Joe Biden in their phone call, the position of the Chinese government and people on the Taiwan question is consistent, and resolutely safeguarding Chinas national sovereignty and territorial integrity is the firm will of the more than 1.4 billion Chinese people. The public opinion cannot be defied. Those who play with fire will perish by it. We believe that the US side is fully aware of Chinas strong and clear message.

We are closely following the itinerary of Speaker Pelosi. A visit to Taiwan by her would constitute a gross interference in Chinas internal affairs, seriously undermine Chinas sovereignty and territorial integrity, wantonly trample on the one-China principle, greatly threaten peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, severely undermine China-US relations and lead to a very serious situation and grave consequences.

We want to once again make it clear to the US side that the Chinese side is fully prepared for any eventuality and that the Peoples Liberation Army of China will never sit idly by, and we will make resolute response and take strong countermeasures to uphold Chinas sovereignty and territorial integrity, What the US should do is to abide by the one-China principle and the stipulations of the three Sino-US joint communiques, fulfill President Bidens commitment of not supporting Taiwan independence and not arrange for a visit by Speaker Pelosi to Taiwan.

Associated Press of Pakistan: Last week the foreign ministers of Pakistan and China met on the sidelines of the SCO Foreign Ministers Meeting in Tashkent. It was their third meeting in three months. Do you have any response to that?

Zhao Lijian: This has fully demonstrated the close relationship between China and Pakistan.

On the margins of the SCO foreign ministers meeting, State Councilor Wang Yi had a meeting with Pakistani Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. The two foreign ministers had an in-depth exchange of views on deepening China-Pakistan all-weather strategic cooperative partnership, advance practical cooperation in various areas, build a high-quality China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and strengthen multilateral cooperation.

State Councilor Wang Yi said that China will firmly support Pakistan in defending its sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, exploring a development path suited to its national conditions to realize solidarity, stability, prosperity and strength, and playing a more important role in regional and international affairs. China is ready to work with Pakistan to constantly carry out in-depth strategic communication and jointly build a closer China-Pakistan community with a shared future in the new era. China supports Chinese enterprises in investing in Pakistan, and is ready to import more quality agricultural products from Pakistan, and resume and expand air links and personnel exchanges between the two countries in an orderly manner. State Councilor Wang also hoped that Pakistan will speed up the investigation into the April 26 terrorist attack and give exemplary punishment to the murderers.

Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari reiterated that Pakistan has always regarded Pakistan-China all-weather friendship as the cornerstone of its foreign relations and will continue to stand firmly with China on issues involving Chinas core interests and major concerns. The Pakistani side will speed up the development of CPEC to demonstrate the new Pakistan speed. Pakistan attaches great importance to ensuring the security of Chinese institutions and personnel in Pakistan and will make all-out efforts to advance the enhanced work plan of security work.

The two sides also exchanged views on the Afghan issue and other international and regional issues of shared interest.

Phoenix TV: The Iran nuclear talks have stalled since March. Ali Bagheri Kani, Irans deputy foreign minister and chief nuclear negotiator, said on July 31 that Tehran had responded to the EUs new draft aimed at bringing the US and Iran back to compliance with the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) nuclear deal, to give another chance to the US to demonstrate good faith. How does China view the prospects of the negotiations?

Zhao Lijian: The negotiations on resuming compliance with the JCPOA are now at a critical juncture. Parties concerned should stay committed to the direction of dialogue and negotiation and step up diplomatic efforts to strive for consensus on outstanding issues. The US, as the one who started the Iranian nuclear crisis, should fully rectify its erroneous policy of maximum pressure and respond positively to Irans legitimate and reasonable demands, which will help to enable the negotiations to produce results at an early date.

AFP: I got another question on the Chinese rocket, the Long March-5B rocket. It fell back to Earth on Saturday over the Indian Ocean. The US space agency said China had not shared specific information on where the rocket might fall. There was also some criticism from international space experts. So how do you respond to this international criticism?

Zhao Lijian: The accusations by the US official and the so-called experts are neither professional nor fact-based. The China Manned Space website put out the specific information at midnight on July 31 Beijing time. You may look it up. I would like to stress that China has all along pursued the peaceful use of outer space in accordance with international law and the international customary practice. The reentry of a rockets upper stage into the Earths atmosphere is an established international practice. With regard to the upper stage of the Long March-5 rocket, the competent authorities in China have been closely tracking it and releasing the orbital parameters of the rocket remnants on a daily basis, and sharing information in an open, transparent and timely manner to the international community.

The vast majority of the Long March-5 upper stage remnants have burned up during the reentry into the atmosphere. There has been no harm to aviation activities or the ground.

Bloomberg: Two questions. The first one refers to State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi. Will he attend the ASEAN foreign ministers' meetings taking place later this week? Do you have any details around his attendance or not? And the second refers to a report by the Financial Times that says that thousands of UK firms are said to be cutting the economic ties with China. This is in anticipation of further deterioration of ties between China and the UK. This is according to the report which cites the head of the Confederation of British Industry. Do you have any response?

Zhao Lijian: On your first question, we will release information in due course. Please check back for updates.

On your second question, these words have no factual basis. In the latest round of the UKs Conservative Party leadership election, the two candidates also made negative remarks about China. We have made clear Chinas position. But that does not mean there will necessarily be deterioration of China-UK economic and trade ties.

NPR: Two questions about Nancy Pelosis visit to Asia. The first is that in her official schedule, she said shes going to Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea and Japan. There was obviously no mention of Taiwan. Whats Chinas take on that? Is that cause for optimism? The second question is, you said the military would not sit by idly. Can you elaborate on that? What are we likely to see if she were to visit Taiwan?

Zhao Lijian: On your first question, weve seen the press release issued by Speaker Pelosis office, her own tweets and the press reports. I have made the Chinese governments position very clear just now.

On your second question, Pelosi is the third highest-ranking official in the US government, which means it would be highly sensitive for her to visit Taiwan no matter what. Whatever the timing or way she chooses to go to Taiwan, it will seriously violate the one-China principle and the provisions of the three Sino-US joint communiques and seriously undermine China-US relations. It will undoubtedly create an egregious political impact. If Pelosi visits Taiwan, the Chinese side will respond resolutely and take strong countermeasures to defend our sovereignty and territorial integrity. As for what those measures will be, lets see what happens if she actually goes.

Phoenix TV: John Kirby, National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications at the White House, said that the US has seen no evidence of looming Chinese military activity against Taiwan. If such a visit occurred, it would signal no change in US policy, he said, adding that there is no reason for the US and China to come to blows or to come to increased physical tension. Do you have any response?

Zhao Lijian: The Chinese side has repeatedly made clear our serious concern over Speaker Pelosis potential visit to Taiwan and our firm opposition to the visit. We will take firm and strong measures to safeguard our sovereignty and territorial integrity. I would like to stress that the one-China principle is what underpins peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. It is the US side that has kept distorting and hollowing out the one-China policy, making irresponsible remarks and creating factors of tension on the Taiwan question. The US has recently begun to emphasize the importance of upholding all countries sovereignty and territorial integrity. We hope the US will honor those words first and foremost on the Taiwan question and refrain from applying double standards.

MASTV: Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi said in his remarks at a US-based think tank on July 29 that its essential to maintain high-level and candid communication with China and to cooperate with China on matters such as climate change and the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue. He also expressed so-called concerns over China-Russia relations and the issues related to the South China Sea, the East China Sea and the Taiwan Strait. Do you have any comment?

Zhao Lijian: Japan has been mischaracterizing Chinas normal military and maritime activities, which constitutes interference in Chinas internal affairs and stokes division and confrontation in the region. This is by no means constructive.

I want to stress that China is committed to the path of peaceful development and firmly pursues a nuclear strategy of self-defense. China-Russia military cooperation is consistent with international law and international practice and does not target any specific country. Taiwan is an inalienable part of Chinas territory. The Taiwan question is purely Chinas internal affair and brooks no interference from external forces. What has Japan done? On the East China Sea, Japan has connived at the trouble-making right-wing forces and invited non-regional countries to interfere in the issue. On the South China Sea, Japan has been flexing its muscles along with the US in the area. This is what truly poses a threat to regional peace and stability. For a long time, Japan has characterized itself as a victim of nuclear weapons and sat comfortably under the USs nuclear umbrella, yet Japan has been against and hindering the USs renouncing of the first use of nuclear weapons, and even suggested the possibility of nuclear sharing with the US. Japans position on those issues is full of hypocrisy and contradictions.

China and Japan are close neighbors and both important countries in the region. To maintain and develop friendly and cooperative relations between China and Japan serves the fundamental interests of the two countries and peoples. We urge the Japanese side to be objective and rational about Chinas development, abide by the principles set out in the four political documents between China and Japan, and stop stirring up trouble and hyping up disputes in the Asia-Pacific region for its own selfish interests. Japan needs to take concrete actions to keep the China-Japan relationship on the right track and work for its sound and steady development.

Kyodo News: September 29 of this year marks the 50th anniversary of the normalization of China-Japan diplomatic relations. Are there any plans for high-level exchange and activities between China and Japan?

Zhao Lijian: I just elaborated on Chinas basic position on China-Japan relations. We value the important junctures for commemorating bilateral relations. We will take these junctures as opportunities to enhance communication and cooperation between the two countries, including high-level interaction, to advance bilateral relations along the right track.

As to what you asked about specifically, if there is any information, we will release it in a timely way.




KYODO NEWS - Aug 2, 2022 - 01:36 | All, Japan

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Monday urged the international community to join forces in realizing a world free of nuclear weapons as he unveiled an action plan at a review conference of a nuclear nonproliferation treaty.

As the first Japanese leader to attend the gathering held at the United Nations, Kishida called on nuclear states to enhance the transparency of their arsenals and said Japan will contribute $10 million to set up a U.N. fund to help young people learn about atomic bombs through visits to Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

Hiroshima and Nagasaki were the two Japanese cities that were devastated by the U.S. atomic bombs in August 1945.

Kishida admitted the path to a world without nuclear weapons has become harder particularly as Russia's threat to use nuclear weapons in its war in Ukraine has raised alarm.

But the premier, elected from a constituency in Hiroshima, said giving up that path is "not an option."

"As a prime minister from Hiroshima, I believe that we must take every realistic measure toward a world without nuclear weapons step by step however difficult the path may be," Kishida said in his speech delivered in English.

Under the "Hiroshima Action Plan" presented to the review meeting on the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, Kishida underscored it is important to continue the record of the nonuse of nuclear weapons and urged all nuclear weapon states to disclose information on the status of production of fissile materials.

The treaty, which is the world's most widely ratified agreement on nuclear arms controls, recognizes Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States as nuclear states.

The pact aims to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and technology, promote the peaceful use of nuclear energy and achieve nuclear disarmament.

Kishida implicitly took a swipe against Russian President Vladmir Putin's order for his country's nuclear forces to be on high alert and the Russian attack on the Zaporizhzhia and Chernobyl nuclear plants.

"We should never tolerate the threat of the use of nuclear weapons, such as that made recently by Russia," Kishida said, adding, "The recent attacks on nuclear facilities by Russia must not be tolerated."

As North Korea is reportedly ready to conduct a nuclear test following a slew of missile tests this year, Kishida also said Japan will address North Korea's nuclear and missile issues while working in coordination with the international community.

The premier also called for maintaining the decreasing trend of the global nuclear stockpile.

Japan "supports the dialogue conducted between the United State and Russia for further reduction and encourages the United States and China to engage in a bilateral dialogue on nuclear arms control and disarmament," he further added.

To build momentum toward the entry into force of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty, Kishida also said Japan will convene a meeting of the CTBT Friends at the leaders' level during the U.N. General Assembly in September.

He said Japan will hold an international meeting of "eminent persons," such as political leaders and scholars, in Hiroshima on Nov. 23 to discuss nuclear disarmament.

The western Japan city will host a summit of the Group of Seven leaders next May as Japan aims to send out a message of peace following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

"It is my intention to demonstrate our firm commitment from Hiroshima to never repeat the catastrophe of atomic bombings," Kishida said in his speech.

A U.S.-dropped atomic bomb on Aug. 6, 1945, killed an estimated 140,000 in Hiroshima and another on Nagasaki three days later killed an estimated 74,000 people by the end of that year.

A review conference is held every five years. The latest round of the meeting was due to take place in 2020 but postponed amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Kishida was foreign minister when the previous meeting ended without an outcome document due to disagreements among the participants.

Japan, which is protected under the U.S. nuclear umbrella, has not joined the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons that came into force in 2021 despite calls, especially from atomic bomb survivors, for Tokyo to sign on.

The treaty has no nuclear powers as signatories.

Related coverage:

FOCUS: NPT talks to face renewed challenges, overcast by Ukraine war

A-bomb survivor says Japan PM's nuclear speech avoided "honest debate"

Russia's nuclear saber-rattling overshadows major disarmament confab
KYODO NEWS - Aug 1, 2022 - 20:58 | World, All

Myanmar's military chief Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing said Monday that some points of a consensus reached between the junta and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to end the country's ongoing crisis will be implemented this year.

In his televised speech broadcast on state TV, Min Aung Hlaing was referring to the consensus he reached with ASEAN leaders in April last year that calls for an immediate stop to violence in Myanmar and the dispatch of an ASEAN envoy to the country to meet with all parties concerned.

Min Aung Hlaing said the military -- which toppled the democratically elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi in a coup in February 2021 -- was unable to implement the so-called five-point consensus last year due to "lack of stability" because of the impact of the coronavirus pandemic and "internal riots and violence."

"This year, as all situations are in progress, the most possible points of the five ASEAN consensus will be implemented under the ASEAN frameworks," he said.

Although the ASEAN special envoy, Cambodia's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn, visited Myanmar twice, in March and June this year, the essential points of the consensus remain unfulfilled as conflicts and violence continue across the country.

Prak Sokhonn was not allowed to meet with Suu Kyi and other detained elected leaders.

ASEAN groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

Min Aung Hlaing's speech followed the official announcement Sunday on the extension of the state of emergency for a further six months in a "unanimous" decision by the country's National Defense and Security Council, in which he is the most influential member.

He told the council that the move is necessary to continue dealing with stability and peace and working on holding general elections to return the country to the multiparty democratic system.

Min Aung Hlaing saw opposition groups as obstacles to implementing the junta's political and security objectives, claiming that "internal and external terrorists" and their conspirators are committed to the "utter devastation" of the country.

More than 2,100 civilians have been killed since last year's coup, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, a Thailand-based human rights organization.
KYODO NEWS - Aug 1, 2022 - 19:00 | World, All

U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi is likely to arrive in Taiwan on Tuesday night and meet with President Tsai Ing-wen the following day, Taiwanese media reported.

Taiwan's Presidential Office and the Foreign Ministry declined to comment Monday. A visit by a U.S. congressional leader is sure to draw ire from China, which claims the democratic self-ruled island as its own.

Pelosi started a four-nation Asia tour Monday in Singapore. The three other countries are Malaysia, South Korea and Japan.

She had originally planned to visit Taiwan in April. However, the trip was postponed after she tested positive for COVID-19.

Reports suggesting Pelosi might visit Taiwan in August have angered Beijing, which has threatened military countermeasures.

On Monday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian warned in a press conference in Beijing that Pelosi's Taiwan visit will be "a gross interference in China's internal affairs" and "greatly undermine the China-U.S. relations" as well as trigger "egregious political impact."

He reiterated the Chinese military will "never sit idly by" and Beijing will take "strong and resolute measures to safeguard our sovereignty," but did not elaborate on what kind of specific measures the country would take.

In response to Pelosi's possible visit to Taiwan, China conducted live-fire drills Saturday off its coast opposite the self-ruled island, according to the Global Times, a tabloid of the Communist Party of China.

In a phone call last Thursday, Chinese leader Xi Jinping warned U.S. President Joe Biden over Taiwan, saying Beijing would safeguard its "territorial integrity" and urging Biden not to question the "strong will" of the 1.4 billion people of China.

"Those who play with fire will perish by it," Xi told Biden, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

Taiwan and mainland China have been separately governed since they split due to a civil war in 1949. Beijing has since endeavored to bring the island back into its fold.

The United States changed its diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing in 1979 but has maintained unofficial relations with Taiwan and supplies the island with arms and spare parts to maintain sufficient self-defense capabilities.
This file photo shows volunteers collect litter along the Kawe Beach in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, Sept. 19, 2020. (Xinhua)

Environmental authorities in Tanzania said preparations are underway for the launch of a countrywide cleanliness campaign to be known as "my dustbin".

DAR ES SALAAM, July 31 (Xinhua) -- Environmental authorities in Tanzania said on Saturday preparations are underway for the launch of a countrywide cleanliness campaign to be known as "my dustbin".

This file photo shows volunteers collect litter along the Kawe Beach in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, Sept. 19, 2020. (Xinhua)

Selemani Jafo, the Minister of State in the Vice-President's Office responsible for Union and Environment, said the campaign will involve placing dustbins in urban centers in all districts and regions across the east African nation.

"The objective of the 'my dustbin' campaign is to keep our urban centers clean. We don't want to see rubbish in our urban centers, including food waste, plastic bottles and banana peels," said the official.

He also directed district and regional authorities to make sure that markets at their places remained clean instead of turning them into dumping grounds.

Jafo said experience showed that most of the markets in urban centers were an eyesore with heaps of unattended garbage.
Photo taken on Nov. 19, 2021 shows the U.S. Capitol building in Washington, D.C., the United States. (Photo by Ting Shen/Xinhua)

In 2021 alone, the FBI has conducted up to 3.4 million warrantless searches of Americans' phone calls, emails and text messages, the Hill reported, citing the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.

BEIJING, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- For decades, the United States has conducted indiscriminate mass surveillance of its citizens, as well as of foreign governments, companies and individuals.

Various surveillance projects implemented by Washington have been unveiled one after another in recent years, exposing more evidence of America's pervasive and ubiquitous surveillance of the world.

SURVEILLANCE ON DOMESTIC SOIL

According to a recent report by Georgetown University Law Center's Center on Privacy and Technology, the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has expanded far beyond its role as an immigration agency to become a "domestic surveillance agency."

The ICE has developed a dragnet surveillance system that allows it to collect detailed dossiers on nearly every person in America at any time, without any judicial, legislative, or public oversight, said the report titled "American Dragnet: Data-driven Deportation in the 21st Century."

From 2008 to 2021, the ICE has spent approximately 2.8 billion U.S. dollars on surveillance, data collection and data-sharing initiatives, the report said, noting the agency has been able to access utility record information of over 218 million customers across all 50 states.

A man wearing a face mask makes a phone call in New York, the United States, on Oct. 16, 2020. (Xinhua/Wang Ying)

The ICE is not the only agency in the United States that has overreached its authority and abused citizens' private personal data.

In fact, mass surveillance in the United States has become institutionalized. Following the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the United States enacted numerous laws to expand the government's surveillance powers for national security reasons.

The U.S. Congress greenlighted the Patriot Act in 2001, which covers Section 215, one of the most controversial programs for domestic and international surveillance.

In 2008, Congress approved Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, which allows the government to collect communications concerning foreign intelligence targets without a warrant.

Following the disclosure by former National Security Agency (NSA) contractor Edward Snowden and Wikileaks of the U.S. government's abuse of power to collect millions of Americans' private data, the ensuing public outcry prompted Congress to prohibit the notorious bugging project PRISM.

However, the government actually never stops abusing its power to carry out indiscriminate surveillance on its citizens.

In 2021 alone, the FBI has conducted up to 3.4 million warrantless searches of Americans' phone calls, emails and text messages, the Hill reported, citing the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.

File photo taken on Oct. 26, 2013 shows a huge slogan board stands in front of the U.S. Capitol building during a protest against government surveillance in Washington D.C., the United Sates. (Xinhua/Fang Zhe)

MONITORING THE WORLD

The U.S. surveillance network has spread beyond its borders, targeting not only adversaries but also allies.

In May 2021, Denmark's national broadcaster DR News reported that the Danish Defense Intelligence Service had given the NSA open Internet access to spy on senior politicians of neighboring countries, including then German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

The NSA purposefully obtained data and thus was able to spy on targeted heads of state, as well as neighboring Scandinavian leaders, top politicians, and high-ranking officials in Germany, Sweden, Norway, and France, the report said, which caused global shock and fury.

French President Emmanuel Macron said in May 2021 that this "is unacceptable between allies, even less between allies and European partners," and Merkel said she "could only agree" with Macron's comments.

But that was not unfamiliar to European leaders. In 2013, Snowden revealed that Washington had been spying on the email and cell phone communications of as many as 35 world leaders.

Journalist Glenn Greenwald exposed in his book No Place to Hide that a single unit of the NSA had collected more than 97 billion emails and 124 billion phone calls from around the world in just 30 days in 2013.

The powerful mass surveillance system has helped the United States make profits.

For example, in 2013, reports of the U.S. magazine WIRED surfaced that Brazil's state oil and gas giant Petrobras was a prime target of U.S. government spying activity.

"Washington is losing its moral ground," the German magazine Focus quoted an expert on foreign policy as saying.

With its global surveillance network, "the United States itself is the true eavesdropper," Focus said, though the country prefers to frame itself as a victim of spying. 
A student learns the operation of heavy machinery through a simulator at Forever TVET Institute in Kigali, Rwanda, July 8, 2022. (Xinhua/Ji Li)

Vocational school holds great promise for Rwandan youth. Forever TVET Institute in Rwanda, for instance, offers training in different disciplines including heavy machinery control, land survey and mapping, industrial electricity, road construction and computer engineering to increase young students' prospects in the job market. It has trained nearly 500 graduates since its inception in 2018 and most of them are employed.

KIGALI, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- With their focus on computer monitors, students concentrated on learning to control heavy machinery in a simulation room.

These were students at Forever TVET Institute in Rwanda's capital city of Kigali.

Said Munezero, 32, one of the students training in heavy machinery operation, said he expects the course to open up a world of opportunities for him.

"At the beginning, the course looks difficult but with time learning becomes easy," Munezero told Xinhua in an interview.

Forever TVET Institute was opened in 2018 by China's Beijing Forever Technology Co., Ltd., and the vocational school's goal is to employ competent tutors to offer skills aimed to stem unemployment among young Rwandans.

It offers heavy machinery operation and maintenance training, land survey and mapping, industrial electricity, road construction, computer engineering, and welding among others. It also teaches languages to enhance students' communication.

The institute offers short-term courses, where students graduate with certificates of competence, and long-term courses which take three years before one can graduate with the equivalent of an advanced level certificate.

Munezero, a graduate of education, said the short course could be a turning point in his life as he seeks a career switch.

"The advantage for us is that there are currently few skilled people in heavy machinery operation in the country which potentially increases our chances of ending up with a job upon completion of the course," he said.

He is the last born in a family of five children. His plans after school are to change his life for the better and work toward individual and the country's development.

Vincent Mugwaneza, the head of trainers in the department of heavy machines operation, learned the heavy machinery operation in China before returning to help introduce the course at the school in 2018.

"Heavy machines operation course requires commitment; when you are committed you can learn easily but without devotion, the course can be hard," he said.

A student practices controlling heavy machinery at Forever TVET Institute in Kigali, Rwanda, July 8, 2022. (Xinhua/Ji Li)

The technical skills help the students to find suitable well-paying jobs within a short time after graduation, said Mugwaneza, explaining that the students get involved in learning with the real heavy machines after the simulation.

Odile Uwayo, a female student training in heavy machine operation, said she expects the technical skills acquired to help her get a good job and transform their family lives.

Uwayo, 25, who joined the school last June, for a three-month short course, prefers forklift operations.

The graduate of Irrigation and Drainage from the University of Rwanda said she joined Forever TVET school in order to gain special skills related to her previous course.

The firstborn in a family of four recalled the excitement after being admitted.

"I saw it as a great opportunity to learn new special skills and my family supported me," she said.

Her future plan is to work as an irrigation engineer with multiple skills.

Narcisse Izabayo, the school's vice principal, noted that the school holds great promise for Rwandan youth.

"We provide adequate technical skills to our students that provide better job prospects. We are striving to fill the skills gap in areas such as road construction and heavy machine operation. We also produce technicians who are needed on the local labor market," said Izabayo, noting most of the previous students are employed.

The school now has about 154 students. Since its inception, it has produced nearly 500 graduates in different disciplines.

The school enrolls both male and female students from Rwanda and the region. Enrolled students range from fresh secondary school leavers to university graduates who want to learn special skills.

Izabayo said the number of girls is still low compared to boys but the growing enrollment signals a changing attitude toward vocational training.

The school designs courses from theory, simulation to practical operation and then helps students in internship placement in big companies as part of a Memorandum of Understanding signed with local companies and Chinese-funded companies.

The vice principal cited a lack of staff quarters and expensive equipment among their challenges.
Alpine's Formula One driver Fernando Alonso of Spain celebrates his third position on the podium after the final race of the Qatar Formula One Grand Prix at the Losail International Circuit in Doha, Qatar, Nov. 21, 2021. (Photo by Nikku/Xinhua)

Two-time world champion Fernando Alonso will drive for Aston Martin for the 2023 season, replacing Sebastian Vettel, who has announced he will retire from F1 at the end of the current season.

MADRID, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- Veteran Spanish driver Fernando Alonso will drive for Aston Martin Formula 1 team in the 2023 season after signing an agreement to replace Sebastian Vettel.

The 41-year-old twice world champion, who currently drives for Alpine, has signed a "multi-year deal" in what Aston Martin call a "a clear statement of intent."

"This Aston Martin team is clearly applying the energy and commitment to win, and it is therefore one of the most exciting teams in Formula One today," said Alonso, who will partner Lance Stroll, son of team owner Lawrence.

"I have known Lawrence and Lance for many years and it is very obvious they have the ambition and passion to succeed in Formula One."

"I have watched as the team has systematically attracted great people with winning pedigrees, and I have become aware of the huge commitment to new facilities and resources at Silverstone."

"No one in Formula One today is demonstrating a greater vision and absolute commitment to winning, and that makes it a really exciting opportunity for me," said the Spaniard. 
TEHRAN, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- Iran's nuclear chief on Monday said although Iran has the technical capability to build an atomic bomb, it is not on the agenda.

"Iran has the technical ability to build an atomic bomb, but such a program is not on the agenda of the Islamic republic," Mohammad Eslami, head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, told semi-official Fars News Agency.

Some Western countries have been making "false accusations" to "deceive the public," he added.

His remarks came after Kamal Kharrazi, head of Iran's Strategic Council of Foreign Relations, said in late July that Iran has the required technical capabilities, such as increasing the uranium enrichment from 20 percent to 60 percent, but has no intention to build a nuclear bomb.

Eslami stressed Iran had decided to turn off the surveillance cameras of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) installed at its nuclear sites in response to "false accusations" by Western countries to pressure Iran.

In June, the IAEA's Board of Governors passed an anti-Iran resolution proposed by the United States, Britain, France and Germany following the agency's reports that Tehran had not provided "technically credible explanations" for uranium particles at three undeclared sites.

In the wake of the adoption of the IAEA resolution, Iran announced its decision to take a number of measures, including turning off the IAEA's surveillance cameras at its sites. 
BEIJING, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- Experts and insiders called for international cooperation to promote high-quality digital economy development at the 2022 Global Digital Economy Conference, which wrapped up in Beijing on Saturday.

Themed "Embrace a Digital Future -- New Factors, New Rules, New Patterns," the three-day conference showcased cutting-edge digital technologies in the metaverse, virtual reality, and holographic projection and offered a glimpse into the latest achievements in the digital economy.

It also held a slew of online and offline activities such as forums, summits, and exhibitions to strengthen global exchanges and cooperation in the digital economy.

Experts and insiders said the world is transforming into a digital era, and the COVID-19 pandemic is accelerating the transformation pace; digital technology is affecting every aspect of social life, which is a challenge but also an opportunity; the rapid development of China's digital economy would inject new impetus into the global economic recovery, and all countries should strengthen cooperation to boost the high-quality development of the digital economy.

Florian Tursky, state secretary of Austria's Ministry of Finance, said in a video speech that as a digital power, China has a significant influence on the innovation and development of the digital economy, and Chinese information and communication enterprises have promoted the global digital transformation.

He said the key to success is cooperation, particularly regarding new trends and developments. He added that the COVID-19 pandemic has made people aware of the importance of digital innovations and new digital business models.

According to the white paper issued by the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology on Friday, China's digital economy amounted to 7.1 trillion U.S. dollars in 2021, ranking second after the United States.

Many countries have reached a consensus on digital technological development and industrial transformation. China also remains active in digital technology innovation, said Yu Xiaohui, head of the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology.

"The 5G technology provides a great opportunity for the development of the digital economy," said Wu Hequan, an academician with the Chinese Academy of Engineering, adding that the 5G technology enables the Internet of Things with large bandwidth and data-driven intelligent manufacturing.

Data showed that the amount of 5G base stations in use across China exceeded 1.85 million, greatly facilitating the country's digitalization drive.

In the future, digital technology will remain the focus of global digital innovation. Yu said the world economic growth requires an inclusive environment to promote the digital transformation of the manufacturing, agriculture, and service industry as well as strengthened international cooperation to boost global economic recovery. 
A helicopter dumps water on the Beirut port grain silos after its northern part collapsed in Beirut, Lebanon, July 31, 2022. The northern part of the Beirut port grain silos collapsed on Sunday after being on fire for weeks, causing a huge cloud of dust, the National News Agency reported. (Xinhua/Bilal Jawich)

BEIRUT, July 31 (Xinhua) -- The northern part of the Beirut port grain silos collapsed on Sunday after being on fire for weeks, causing a huge cloud of dust, the National News Agency reported.

The dust cloud has gone as far as 1,500 meters from the port, according to Environment Minister Nasser Yassin.

However, "the container terminal and activity at the port will not be affected after the collapse," said Public Works and Transport Minister Ali Hamieh.

A fire broke out in the northern part of the port's silos about three weeks ago because of the fermenting grains there and has been going on despite constant efforts to extinguish it.

The northern part of massive silos withstood the huge explosions on Aug. 4 2020 in the Beirut port which killed at least 200, wounded more than 6,000, and destroyed a big part of the Lebanese capital. 

Photo taken on July 31, 2022 shows the Beirut port grain silos after its northern part collapsed in Beirut, Lebanon. The northern part of the Beirut port grain silos collapsed on Sunday after being on fire for weeks, causing a huge cloud of dust, the National News Agency reported. (Xinhua/Bilal Jawich)

Photo taken on July 31, 2022 shows the Beirut port grain silos after its northern part collapsed in Beirut, Lebanon. The northern part of the Beirut port grain silos collapsed on Sunday after being on fire for weeks, causing a huge cloud of dust, the National News Agency reported. (Xinhua/Bilal Jawich)

Photo taken on July 31, 2022 shows the Beirut port grain silos after its northern part collapsed in Beirut, Lebanon. The northern part of the Beirut port grain silos collapsed on Sunday after being on fire for weeks, causing a huge cloud of dust, the National News Agency reported. (Xinhua/Bilal Jawich)

Photo taken on July 31, 2022 shows the Beirut port grain silos after its northern part collapsed in Beirut, Lebanon. The northern part of the Beirut port grain silos collapsed on Sunday after being on fire for weeks, causing a huge cloud of dust, the National News Agency reported. (Xinhua/Bilal Jawich)

Photo taken on July 31, 2022 shows the Beirut port grain silos after its northern part collapsed in Beirut, Lebanon. The northern part of the Beirut port grain silos collapsed on Sunday after being on fire for weeks, causing a huge cloud of dust, the National News Agency reported. (Xinhua/Bilal Jawich)

Photo taken on July 31, 2022 shows the Beirut port grain silos after its northern part collapsed in Beirut, Lebanon. The northern part of the Beirut port grain silos collapsed on Sunday after being on fire for weeks, causing a huge cloud of dust, the National News Agency reported. (Xinhua/Bilal Jawich)

Photo taken on July 31, 2022 shows the Beirut port grain silos after its northern part collapsed in Beirut, Lebanon. The northern part of the Beirut port grain silos collapsed on Sunday after being on fire for weeks, causing a huge cloud of dust, the National News Agency reported. (Xinhua/Bilal Jawich)

A man takes a photo of the Beirut port grain silos after its northern part collapsed in Beirut, Lebanon, July 31, 2022. The northern part of the Beirut port grain silos collapsed on Sunday after being on fire for weeks, causing a huge cloud of dust, the National News Agency reported. (Xinhua/Bilal Jawich)

A helicopter dumps water on the Beirut port grain silos after its northern part collapsed in Beirut, Lebanon, July 31, 2022. The northern part of the Beirut port grain silos collapsed on Sunday after being on fire for weeks, causing a huge cloud of dust, the National News Agency reported. (Xinhua/Bilal Jawich)

Photo taken on July 31, 2022 shows the Beirut port grain silos after its northern part collapsed in Beirut, Lebanon. The northern part of the Beirut port grain silos collapsed on Sunday after being on fire for weeks, causing a huge cloud of dust, the National News Agency reported. (Xinhua/Bilal Jawich)
New Book by Association of Christian Schools International and Cardus Reveals Roadmap to Financial Sustainability for Christian Schools



NEWS PROVIDED BY

Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI)

Aug. 1, 2022

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., Aug. 1, 2022 /Standard Newswire/ -- The Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) and Cardus have partnered to release a timely new book sharing research on how Christian schools are adapting to and embracing change as they advance the mission of Christian education. Chronicling the stories of 11 Christian schools and networks across the U.S., "Future Ready: Innovative Missions and Models in Christian Education" identifies innovative structures and strategies to support long-term mission attainment and overall school health.

The publication is a collaboration by authors Dr. Lynn E. Swaner, Dr. Jon Eckert, Erik Ellefsen and Dr. Matthew H. Lee.

According to Swaner, ACSI Chief Strategy & Innovation Officer and Cardus Senior Fellow, the release of this resource comes at an opportune time.

"It has perhaps never been more imperative that Christian schools embrace a fundamental mindset change around what it means to sustain their missions into the future," she shared. "The stories of the 11 Christian schools and networks our team researched will inspire school leaders with new ideas and approaches to address the myriad of challenges and new opportunities facing their schools."

Some of the innovative structures and strategies explored in the study include school mergers, online academies, microschools, Christian school districts, entrepreneurship and facilities leasing, and leveraging school choice programs.

David Hunt, Cardus Education Program Director, shared, "The most common questions I hear from Christian school leaders are around financial challenges, like how to make up for lost revenue from the drop in international student enrolment since 2020. But I also get questions about changing school models, hybrid schools, and finding ways to come alongside homeschool families," he said. "In 'Future Ready,' you'll read about what 11 exemplary Christian schools have done -- and are doing right now -- to overcome challenges similar to yours. Every Christian school leader will benefit from Future Ready's fresh, creative insights."

'Future Ready' is already receiving recognition from thought leaders across the globe.

Dr. Ashley Berner, Director at Johns Hopkins Institute for Education Policy, shared that "the scholars who crafted this book bring substantial research credibility and practical wisdom to their study of the future of Christian schools. They challenge leaders to broaden their outreach to historically underserved young people, build cultures of opportunity and innovation, and sustain the mission of Christian schooling while exploring new models. 'Future Ready' should be required reading for Christian school leaders and their boards."

Dr. Jay Ferguson, ACSI Board Chair and Head of School at Grace Community School in Tyler, Texas, explained, "Christian schools are developing novel, creative business strategies that can serve as a guiding beacon to all. 'Future Ready' gathers top minds in Christian school research to unpack these innovations, drawing out themes and ideas that can assist all leaders in designing new models for their own schools' future viability."

Swaner anticipates the release will serve as a much-needed roadmap to sustainability for Christian schools.

"Encouraging our school leaders to think innovatively about how we accomplish our mission of discipling the next generation is very important," she shared. "We want to equip leaders so that Christian education continues influencing our culture far into the future."

The book will be available for purchase on ACSI's Purposeful Design website in print or Ebook format in November 2022. A free excerpt of the book is available now at https://www.acsi.org/futureready.

About ACSI:

Headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colorado, ACSI exists to strengthen Christian schools and equip Christian educators worldwide as they prepare students academically and inspire them to become devoted followers of Jesus Christ. ACSI advances excellence in Christian schools by enhancing the professional and personal development of Christian educators and providing vital support functions for Christian schools through multiple services including teacher and administrator certification, school accreditation, legal/legislative assistance, and curriculum publishing. ACSI supports more than 5,000 member schools throughout the United States and around the world, which collectively serve approximately 1.2 million students. Through additional training programs, materials, and expertise provided to other educational groups worldwide, ACSI's overall influence and positive impact reaches more than 26,000 schools operating in 100 countries, together serving 5.5 million people.

Follow ACSI on social media: Facebook | Twitter | Linkedin | Instagram

About Cardus:

Cardus is a Christian, non-partisan, not-for-profit public policy think tank focused on the following areas: education, family, work & economics, communities, end-of-life care, and religious freedom. Cardus conducts independent and original research, produces several periodicals, and regularly stages events with Senior Fellows and interested constituents across Canada and the U.S. Their work in education involves original research and policy studies on educational pluralism, excellence in education, and graduate outcomes.

To learn more about Cardus, please visit www.cardus.ca. You can follow Cardus on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram.

SOURCE Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI)

CONTACT:

Caitlyn Berman, 719-867-0243, Caitlyn_Berman@acsi.org

Lucy Lantz, 905-528-8866 x139, media@cardus.ca


BEIJING, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- China on Monday urged the United States and Japan not to politicize, weaponize and overstretch the concept of national security on economic, trade and sci-tech issues, not target third parties or undermine their interests, still less incite division and confrontation in the name of cooperation and dialogue.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian made the remarks at a routine press conference.

According to reports, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo held an inaugural ministerial meeting of the U.S.-Japan Economic Policy Consultative Committee (EPCC, or the Economic "2+2") with Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi and Minister of Economy, Trade, and Industry Koichi Hagiuda on July 29. Blinken said the two sides talked about China and its "coercive economic policies" as contrary to an open, inclusive, rules-based international monetary system.

In response, Zhao said China always upholds the principle of openness, inclusiveness and win-win outcomes and is committed to building an open world economy and sharing development opportunities with all countries.

"China never stretches its hands into the house of other countries and meddles in their domestic affairs. China never seeks a trade war and never coerces or suppresses foreign enterprises," he said.

"By contrast, there are plenty of examples of U.S. economic coercion. Economic sanctions, technological blockade, suppression of foreign enterprises and so on -- the United States has done them all. The aim is to maintain U.S. economic hegemony. This not only runs counter to underlying laws of the market, but also violates international trade rules," he added.

More ironically, the spokesperson pointed out that Japan itself is a victim of U.S. economic coercion. Since the 1980s, the United States has imposed multiple rounds of economic sanctions on Japan, used all kinds of tools to crack down on Japan's competitive industries, and even sought to perform a surgical operation on Japan's economic structure, all of which are text-book examples of economic coercion.

"Why is Japan being selectively amnesic and chasing the steps of the United States on this?" he asked. 
Ugandan Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja (1st R, front) inspects a damaged road following floods in Mbale District, eastern Uganda, July 31, 2022. The death toll in the weekend flooding triggered by heavy rains in eastern Uganda has risen to 21, the Uganda Red Cross Society (URCS) said Monday. (Photo by Nicholas Kajoba/Xinhua)

KAMPALA, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- The death toll in the weekend flooding triggered by heavy rains in eastern Uganda has risen to 21, the Uganda Red Cross Society (URCS) said Monday.

Esther Davinia Anyakun, minister of state for Relief, Disaster Preparedness and Refugees, said seven of the dead were found in Mbale district while three were found in Kapchorwa late Sunday.

URCS spokesperson Irene Nakasiita said 11 more bodies were retrieved from the River Nabiyonga on Monday morning, which brings the number of dead to 21 after the government announcement on Sunday.

"The rains have caused a lot of havoc that is beyond individual and community capacity. We ask the general public to leave all the potential waterways both in hills and valleys, landslide-prone areas; we don't want to lose more lives," the minister said.

The URCS said heavy rains have displaced thousands of people, and more than 1,000 households had been affected in neighboring districts while four others had been put on high alert.

The country's meteorological department warned about the northern, eastern and midwestern parts receiving heavy rainfall in August two days before the incident occurred.

Government figures show that in 2021, over one million people were affected by heavy rains and floods. 

Residents stand in front of their destroyed houses following floods in Mbale District, eastern Uganda, July 31, 2022. The death toll in the weekend flooding triggered by heavy rains in eastern Uganda has risen to 21, the Uganda Red Cross Society (URCS) said Monday. (Photo by Nicholas Kajoba/Xinhua)

Residents pick some of their properties from destroyed houses following floods in Mbale District, eastern Uganda, July 31, 2022. The death toll in the weekend flooding triggered by heavy rains in eastern Uganda has risen to 21, the Uganda Red Cross Society (URCS) said Monday. (Photo by Nicholas Kajoba/Xinhua)

Residents check their damaged houses following floods in Mbale District, eastern Uganda, July 31, 2022. The death toll in the weekend flooding triggered by heavy rains in eastern Uganda has risen to 21, the Uganda Red Cross Society (URCS) said Monday. (Photo by Nicholas Kajoba/Xinhua)
China urged Japan not to incite regional division and confrontation and to look at China's development in an objective light and ensure the steady growth of relations with China on the right track.





Produced by Xinhua Global Service
BEIJING, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- Monday marks the 95th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA).

Five years ago, at the commemoration of the PLA's 90th founding anniversary, Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), stated in his speech that China is closer than ever before in history to achieving the goal of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, and needs to build a powerful military more than ever.

This is coherent with the remarks he made not long after he took office as the general secretary of the CPC Central Committee in 2012.

When visiting the exhibition "The Road to Rejuvenation," Xi emphasized that national rejuvenation has been the greatest dream of the Chinese people since modern times began.

Ten days later, during an inspection to the armed forces, Xi said, "This great dream we have is to make our country strong. To the military, the dream is to make our forces strong."

Leading the entire military in theoretical exploration and practice, Xi answered major questions including the tasks, targets, principles, strategies and approaches for building a strong military in the new era, thus forming Xi Jinping's thinking on strengthening the armed forces.

The thinking was included in the CPC Party Constitution at the 19th CPC National Congress, thus establishing its guiding position in the development of China's national defense and armed forces.

According to the report to the 19th CPC National Congress and the Resolution of the CPC Central Committee on the Major Achievements and Historical Experience of the Party over the Past Century, the Party's goal of building a strong military in the new era is building the people's forces into a world-class military that obeys the Party's command, can fight and win, and maintains excellent conduct.

The country has formulated a three-step development strategy for modernizing national defense and the armed forces -- achieving the centenary objectives of the PLA by 2027, basically realizing the modernization of national defense and the armed forces by 2035, and fully building the armed forces into world-class forces by the mid-21st century.

With their eyes on achieving the centenary objectives of the PLA by 2027 and the goal of fully transforming the armed forces into world-class forces by the mid-21st century, the people's armed forces have taken vigorous measures to implement Xi's decisions and instructions.

"The absolute leadership of the Party over the military is an intrinsic trait of socialism with Chinese characteristics which provides an important political advantage for the Party and the country," Xi once noted, adding that the people's army was founded on the basis of the Party's leadership, and it is strengthened in the spirit of the Party's leadership.

To address the severe political risk China's armed forces faced in the period before the 18th CPC National Congress, Xi worked vigorously to govern the military with strict discipline in every respect.

Proactive measures were adopted to improve Party conduct, ensure integrity, and fight corruption in the military so that the proud traditions and fine conduct of the Party and the military can be restored and carried forward.

In August 2018, Xi attended a CMC meeting on Party building, making comprehensive instructions on enhancing Party leadership and Party building within the armed forces.

At the 19th CPC National Congress, the revised Party Constitution affirmed that the chairperson of the CMC assumes overall responsibility over the work of the commission, further enhancing the fundamental system of the Party's absolute leadership over the military.

The entire armed forces stay in line with the CPC Central Committee, the CMC and Xi ideologically, politically, and in action, and remain absolutely loyal, pure and reliable.

Apart from solidifying its political foundation, the development of China's armed forces is also empowered by vigorous reform and technological advancement.

At the third plenary session of the 18th CPC National Congress, the reform of national defense and the armed forces was included in the overall planning of deepening reform across the board in accordance with Xi's proposition.

Following the reform, the military framework was restructured so that the CMC assumes overall management over military affairs, theater commands focus efforts on military operations, and services are responsible for enhancing their own military strength, so as to realize a complete remodeling of the organizational structure of the people's army. Thus, the people's army is renewed in terms of its system, structure, setup, and appearance.

The Chinese armed forces in recent years are also equipped with new gears such as J-20 stealth fighter jets and main battlefield 99A tanks.

Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, Xi has reiterated the key task of building strong military forces that can fight to win. The key task is a linchpin of deepening national defense and military reform.

"The people's army will firmly uphold CPC leadership and our country's socialist system, safeguard our national sovereignty, security and development interests, and uphold regional and world peace," Xi once said.

The Chinese military resolutely implements Xi's decisions and instructions on battle readiness, conducts military training under combat conditions, improves joint combat capabilities, and builds strong, well-structured, modern border defense, coastal defense, and air defense systems. It responds effectively to military provocations by external forces and creates a strong deterrent against separatist activities seeking "Taiwan independence."

Faithfully accomplishing its missions, China's armed forces have proved to be a staunch force in maintaining world peace.

Chinese peacekeepers were dispatched to different parts of the world, including South Sudan, Lebanon, and Djibouti, where they shoulder their responsibilities of safeguarding world peace, with soldiers like Shen Liangliang, Li Lei and Yang Shupeng sacrificing their lives in the line of duty.

In addition, the peaceful Chinese armed forces have actively participated in the global fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, joint exercises, trainings and competitions, and have undertaken humanitarian assistance missions, honoring its commitment to upholding and acting on true multilateralism while actively contributing to building a community with a shared future for humanity.

"China will always, as ever before, be a promoter of world peace, contributor to global development, and upholder of the international order, and hence the Chinese army will always be a staunch force in keeping world peace," Xi said.

Under the strong leadership of Xi, the people's armed forces are following the Chinese path of military development with resolve, and forging ahead in pursuit of building a world-class army. They are sure to provide strong strategical support for achieving the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. 
NAIROBI, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- Kenya's President Uhuru Kenyatta on Sunday hailed Chinese-built roads in his country for boosting development and cutting travel times. Kenyatta made the comments when speaking at the commissioning ceremony for the Nairobi Expressway and the revamped Nairobi Eastern Bypass.

Kenya's President Uhuru Kenyatta (2nd L, front) cuts the ribbon when attending the commissioning ceremony for the Nairobi Expressway in Nairobi, Kenya, July 31, 2022. (Photo by Zhao Qian/Xinhua)

"Since we opened the road (Nairobi Expressway) for public trials, it now takes between 15 and 24 minutes to drive from Mlolongo in Machakos County to Rironi in Kiambu County. Before the expressway, that journey would take at least three hours which is the equivalent of flying to Addis Ababa and back," Kenyatta said.

Photo taken on May 8, 2022 shows a section of the Nairobi Expressway in Nairobi, Kenya. (Xinhua/Dong Jianghui)

Photo taken on Oct. 29, 2021 shows a section of the Nairobi Expressway under construction in Nairobi, Kenya. (Xinhua/Dong Jianghui)

The Nairobi Eastern Bypass project has widened the bypass from the original two-lane single carriageway into a four-lane and six-lane dual carriageway.

Aerial photo taken on Jan. 30, 2022 shows a section of the Nairobi Eastern Bypass under construction in Nairobi, Kenya. (Photo by Wang Heng/Xinhua)

Motor vehicles run on the revamped Nairobi Eastern Bypass in Nairobi, Kenya, July 31, 2022. (Xinhua/Dong Jianghui)

Kenyatta said he believes the expressway and bypass will address Nairobi's traffic gridlock, estimated to cost the nation over 5 billion shillings (about 41.99 million U.S. dollars) annually in lost productivity and wasted fuel.

Noting the roads' value in reducing congestion and enhancing productivity, Kenyatta said the expressway has bolstered the country's tourism, conferencing and hospitality sectors, which together employ over 3 million Kenyans directly and another 6 million indirectly.

Produced by Xinhua Global Service




BEIJING, Aug. 1 (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.

Experts and scholars, in interviews with Xinhua, said the talks between the two heads of state are candid and in-depth. They hold expectations that in a world of change and disorder, China and the United States can take the lead in upholding world peace and security and in promoting global development and prosperity.

They also urged the United States to honor the one-China principle and implement the three China-U.S. joint communiques both in word and in deed.

DIRECT TALKS CONDUCIVE TO CHINA-U.S. TIES

In the view of former U.S. Ambassador to China Max Baucus, talks between the two heads of state are "very good," because the more they talk to each other, the more likely that the two countries can resolve their differences.

Singaporean political commentator Ang Teck Sin said candid and in-depth communication between the two countries' heads of state carries great significance.

There is vast room for coordination and broad scope for cooperation between China and the United States, he said.

Ronnie Lins, director of the China-Brazil Center for Research and Business, said the talks between the two heads of state sent a positive signal to the world, suggesting that as two important major countries, China and the United States would probably develop in concert for the sake of common interests of humanity.

He expressed the hope that the two countries would strengthen coordination and help promote world prosperity and development.

Lucio Blanco Pitlo, research fellow at Philippine think tank Asia-Pacific Pathways to Progress Foundation, said the phone conversation between Xi and Biden sent a positive signal, revealing that China and the United States attached importance to the impact of their relations on the world's development.

It is hoped that the two countries can manage their differences through communication and dialogue, and preserve world peace and stability, Pitlo said.

Charles Onunaiju, director of the Abuja-based Center for China Studies in Nigeria, noted that the phone call came at an important time when tensions across the world are rising and headwinds facing the global economy are growing, and the communication between the two sides at the highest level itself bears great value.

He noted that Washington is misperceived to see China as a strategic competitor and rival and that can easily send wrong signals both to people of the two countries and a larger world.

There is no doubt that if China and the United States seek common ground while addressing their differences, they "can be in a better position to address issues not only of their concerns but that of the rest of world," Onunaiju said.

MUCH-NEEDED LEADING ROLE AMID GLOBAL CHALLENGES

French writer and sinologist Lea Bessis said she has seen from this conversation that President Xi is firm in looking for solutions to problems between China and the United States for the common good of the world.

At the global macroeconomic level, coordination and dialogue between China and the United States are crucial, she noted, adding that the United States should refrain from economic decoupling, and that the two sides should work to strengthen trade ties and achieve win-win cooperation.

Lins expressed his hope that China and the United States play a leading role in tackling global challenges such as poverty and social inequality, which are the common enemies of all countries.

Cavince Adhere, a Kenya-based international relations scholar, said it is good to see the leaders seek candid solutions to the challenges facing bilateral relations, adding that premised on mutual respect and productive outcomes, Washington and Beijing can bring much value not just to themselves but also to the rest of the world.

Gamal Zahran, professor of political studies in the faculty of Commerce at Egypt's Suez Canal University, called on Washington to demonstrate more sincerity in dealing with global economic and political problems.

The world needs China-U.S. cooperation to limit stagflation and waits for the two major countries to overcome the state of uncertainty as well as the economic and political chaos that is troubling the world, he added.

Bridging differences between China and the United States is a shortcut to properly resolving current international issues, said Kwon Ki-sik, head of the Korea-China City Friendship Association.

Only by sticking to the path of cooperation, can China and the United States promote cooperation in international security, help the world overcome the impacts of the pandemic at an early date, and get rid of the shadow of economic stagnation, so as to build a more stable and prosperous world, the South Korean expert noted.

ONE-CHINA PRINCIPLE

Adhere said the Taiwan question remains the most important and sensitive issue in China-U.S. relations simply because the United States has consistently used the Taiwan question to contain China.

There is no question that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China, a fact that is known to the United States, he added, noting that the U.S. side should respect China's core interests and major concerns.

It is extremely wrong for the United States to try to undermine China's reunification, create instability in the region and even launch a propaganda war against China, Bessis said, referring to recent U.S. provocations over China's Taiwan.

What the United States is doing is an extremely dangerous game. The U.S. should abide by the one-China principle, the French writer urged.

Noting that the United States repeatedly tested China's bottom line, Onunaiju said Washington should match its words with deeds and stop making troubles.

Referring to Xi's words that the will of the people cannot be defied and those who play with fire will perish by it, Kwon said it is China's warning to those external forces who attempt to undermine the one-China principle.

The United States should stop arms sales to Taiwan, call off military actions that create tension across the Taiwan Strait, and implement the three China-U.S. joint communiques, Kwon added.

Ang, the Singaporean political commentator, also noticed Beijing's warning to Washington on the Taiwan question.

This clear warning once again demonstrates to the United States and the world China's firm will to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity, he said. "We hope the United States will match its words with deeds and refrain from frequently provoking China's red line." 
People visit the exhibition area of BYD, China's new energy vehicle (NEV) manufacturer, during the 19th China (Changchun) International Automobile Expo in Changchun, capital of northeast China's Jilin Province, July 15, 2022. (Xinhua/Zhang Nan)

BEIJING, July 31 (Xinhua) -- China's passenger vehicle market saw a sharp recovery in June, buoyed by the country's robust consumer stimulus packages, according to a report from Fitch Ratings.

"The strong recovery is likely to continue into the third quarter of 2022 from a subdued level a year ago due to severe microchip shortages," the report stated.

Last month, wholesale deliveries of passenger vehicles soared by 42 percent year on year, while retail sales rose by 22 percent from a year ago, partly due to some delayed orders from May and front-loaded demand from July, the report said.

China's passenger vehicle exports continued to grow robustly by 40 percent year on year in the second quarter of 2022, as a result of strong overseas demand for electric vehicles and supply bottlenecks in other regions.

Despite a slowdown in April and May amid production halts and supply-chain bottlenecks, deliveries of electric vehicles doubled from a year ago in the second quarter, accounting for over 26 percent of that for passenger vehicles.

Official data showed that June's new energy vehicle sales hit a record high of 596,000 units, jumping 1.3 times from the same month of last year. 
Have you ever seen anything like this: a lake with desert on one side and a precipitous cliff on the other? Join us as we head to Araxan, Inner Mongolia, to check out this natural juxtaposition.
UNITED NATIONS, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday welcomed the first commercial vessel sailing from Ukraine's Odesa under the Black Sea Grain Initiative brokered by the United Nations and Turkiye.

The cargo ship loaded with more than 26,000 tons of corn should arrive at the inspection location in Turkish territorial waters on Tuesday. Following inspection, it will proceed to its final destination in Tripoli, Lebanon, said Guterres.

"This ship, the Merchant Vessel Razoni, is loaded with two commodities in short supply: corn, and hope. Hope for millions of people around the world who depend on the smooth running of Ukraine's ports to feed their families," he told reporters.

The ship's departure is the first concrete result of the Black Sea Grain Initiative. "Today's departure is an enormous collective achievement by the Joint Coordination Center, set up last week in Istanbul under UN auspices, with representatives from Ukraine, Russia, and Turkiye," Guterres said.

The Black Sea Grain Initiative, signed by Russia and Ukraine with Turkiye under the UN on July 22, would allow significant volumes of food and fertilizer exports from three key Ukrainian ports in the Black Sea, namely Odesa, Chernomorsk and Yuzhny.

The deal aims to ensure the safe passage for ships carrying grain to world markets amid concerns about food shortages due to the prolonged crisis in Ukraine.

"What we've witnessed today in Odesa is an important starting point. It must be the first of many commercial ships bringing relief and stability to global food markets," said Guterres.

"Together with the agreed facilitation of the unimpeded access of Russian food products and fertilizers to world markets, it will bring relief and stability to global food markets and help tackle the global food crisis," he added. 
CHANGCHUN, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- Economic operation has progressed steadily in northeast China's Jilin Province over the past decade, with industrial structure optimized and the business environment improved, according to a press briefing in the provincial capital of Changchun on Monday.

Jilin has strived to develop three major industries, including the automobile industry, food processing industry and ecological tourism.

In 2021, the province saw its gross domestic product grow 6.6 percent year on year and attracted over 10,000 high-caliber talents.

In the past 10 years, Jilin has been increasing its grain production capacity, with annual grain output exceeding 35 million tonnes for nine consecutive years, according to the press briefing.

In addition, grain output in Jilin has reached some 40.39 million tonnes in 2021, up 20 percent compared with that of 2012.

Boasting over 3 million market entities, the province will continue to foster an efficient and conducive business environment to benefit enterprises.

Meanwhile, it will accelerate to build the digital government and inject strong impetus into revitalization and development. 
Upper Room Books Releases Psalms for Black Lives

NEWS PROVIDED BY

The Upper Room

Aug. 1, 2022

NASHVILLE, Aug. 1, 2022 /Standard Newswire/ -- The Upper Room/Upper Rom Books, a division of The Upper Room, will release on August 1, 2022, Psalms for Black Lives: Reflections for the Work of Liberation by authors Rev. Dr. Gabby Cudjoe Wilkes and Rev. Andrew Wilkes.

Psalms for Black Lives initially arose as devotionals for a churchwide fasting experience led by the Revs Wilkes during the summer of 2020 when America was ablaze with righteous indignation over the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and countless others.

The Wilkes found that the ancient words of the Psalms spoke truth and inspiration not only to their immediate community, but also to the growing number of people called to the difficult work of pursuing justice, confronting structural racism, and building a society that equitably values Black lives.

Psalms for Black Lives includes thirty devotions, each containing a psalm, a reflection, and an invitation for the reader to develop a justice imagination through engagement with the text. the book also features discussion questions to support small-group study and a guide for congregational and community group interaction.

In her recommendation for the book, Rise Nelson, Director of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion at Yale University Library writes, "Pastors Gabby and Andrew have made this offering from and of love as a reminder of who you are and we are. It is an invitation to renew your faith in God and in the power of our community. It is a confirmation of God's plan for each of us and God's promise to be with us in our challenges and our victories." Rev. Kimberly Orr, publisher of The Upper Room states, "For too long the Black experience and voice have been muted as interpretive conversation partners for the Psalms. The Wilkes go a long way toward remedying this disparity. Psalms for Black Lives is an important work for beginning the healing process in our churches."

The Reverends Wilkes are co-founders and co-lead pastors of The Double Love Experience Church in Brooklyn, New York. Psalms for Black Lives is inspired by the countless individuals, organizers, collectives, and assemblies fighting, struggling, and planning for the liberation of Black lives, a precondition for the liberation of humanity.

To learn more, please visit UpperRoomBooks.com/BlackLives

The Upper Room is a global ministry dedicated to supporting the spiritual formation of Christians seeking to know and experience God more fully. From its beginning as a daily devotional guide, The Upper Room has grown to include publications, programs, prayer support, and other resources to help believers of all ages and denominations move to a deeper level of faith and service. The Upper Room is a part of Discipleship Ministries. Visit UpperRoom.org to learn more.

SOURCE The Upper Room

CONTACT: Lisa Lehr, 615-440-0019, llehr@upperroom.org
TOKYO, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- Japan's revitalization minister Daishiro Yamagiwa on Monday was appointed to a newly-created ministerial post that will support startup companies as part of the government's push to promote economic growth.

The Japanese government announced that Yamagiwa will concurrently serve as minister in charge of startups.

"He will be in charge of coordinating administrative work among government entities to create an ecosystem for startups that will be compatible with the world, and achieve economic growth and solve social challenges," Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Seiji Kihara told a press briefing.

In his new role, Yamagiwa will be charged with overseeing the creation of a five-year plan aimed at boosting investment in startups by tenfold.

A significant increase in fiscal support for new startups is part of Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's envisioned strategy of a "new form of capitalism."

Under the envisioned strategy, the government plans to make it easier for startups to raise fund through initial public offerings and foster more entrepreneurs.

A new office at the Cabinet Secretariat has also been opened to work with overseas universities to research next-generation innovation and technology.

Yamagiwa's portfolio also requires the coordination of policies among ministries to help Japan achieve sustainable economic growth and address social challenges, according to informed sources. 
African diplomats visit Yuan Longping High-tech Agriculture Co., Ltd. in Changsha, central China's Hunan Province, July 29, 2022.(Xinhua)

CHANGSHA, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- Twenty-nine diplomats from 15 African countries visited the pilot zone for the In-Depth China-Africa Economic and Trade Cooperation Program in central China's Hunan Province from July 27 to 29. They expressed confidence in China's economy and said they expected closer economic and trade ties between their country and China.

Despite recurring COVID-19 outbreaks and the complex and volatile international situation, the diplomats said China's economy is resilient and the Chinese market is full of opportunities. They expressed hope to strengthen cooperation with China in sectors such as agriculture, the digital economy and health care.

According to the Tanzanian ambassador to China Mbelwa Kairuki, China's 1.4-billion-strong consumer market has plenty of opportunities for all African countries.

"China-Africa trade and economic cooperation has been increasing in the last 20 years," said Kairuki, who is convinced that there will be more opportunities for Tanzania to export products to China, especially high value-added products.

Tanzania is particularly looking to seize opportunities for its agricultural goods in the Chinese market, facilitated by the pilot zone for in-depth China-Africa economic and trade cooperation, he said.

"The pilot zone combines the advantages of quality African agricultural products with the processing and distribution strengths of our Chinese partners, helping our products to be able to increase in value according to the needs of the Chinese market," Kairuki said.

The pilot zone is an important initiative under the "Nine Programs" that were established at the Eighth Ministerial Conference of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in November last year. New models and paths for China-Africa trade, investment and financial cooperation are being cultivated to serve the transformation and upgrading of China-Africa economic and trade cooperation.

During their three-day visit to the pilot zone, the African ambassadors paid visits to the core area of the pilot zone as well as key enterprises.

According to Hassane Rabehi, Algerian ambassador to China, the China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo and the China-Africa In-depth Economic and Trade Cooperation Program pilot zone offer new opportunities for cooperation with Africa that can create additional sources of income and employment, diversify commercial products and increase exports of African goods to China.

"These concrete objectives confirm the sincerity of the Chinese leadership to strengthen capacity building in African countries, accelerate market access to China for African products, expand import categories and improve supporting facilities for exchanged commodities between China and Africa," Rabehi said, affirming that for both sides, these actions are commensurate with the noble objectives of the Belt and Road Initiative.

China has been South Africa's largest trading partner for 13 consecutive years. Last year, the trade volume between the two countries increased to 54.35 billion U.S. dollars, up 50.7 percent. South Africa is also one of the largest investment destinations for Chinese enterprises in Africa. By the end of last year, China's total investment in South Africa exceeded 25 billion U.S. dollars.

"We are very impressed about the development of China since the reform and opening-up, because we have seen that China is growing in strength," said South African ambassador to China Siyabonga C. Cwele, adding that China-Africa economic and trade cooperation has brought opportunities and development to developing countries.

Bilateral trade and investment have brought practical benefits to people not only in China but also in other developing countries, by creating jobs and better lives, Cwele said.

"That's what you call a community with a shared future for mankind," he added.

According to the General Administration of Customs, trade between China and Africa reached an all-time high of 254.3 billion U.S. dollars in 2021, up 35.3 percent year on year, of which Africa exported 105.9 billion dollars of goods to China, up 43.7 percent.

From April 28 to May 12, the online African Products Shopping Festival was held successfully, attracting 23 African countries. Through livestreaming and e-commerce platforms, Chinese consumers can easily shop for African goods such as coffee from Ethiopia, black tea from Kenya and wine from South Africa.

Teshome Toga Chanaka, Ethiopian ambassador to China, said the focus of China-Africa economic and trade cooperation is on agriculture, because it is the foundation of most African economies.

Noting that the digital economy will be an important frontier in the future, the Ethiopian ambassador said there is great potential for China to cooperate with African countries in the field of the digital economy. 

African diplomats visit Yuan Longping High-tech Agriculture Co., Ltd. in Changsha, central China's Hunan Province, July 29, 2022.

Twenty-nine diplomats from 15 African countries visited the pilot zone for the In-Depth China-Africa Economic and Trade Cooperation Program in central China's Hunan Province from July 27 to 29. They expressed confidence in China's economy and said they expected closer economic and trade ties between their country and China. (Xinhua)

African diplomats visit a plant of Sunward Intelligent Equipment Co., Ltd. in Changsha, central China's Hunan Province, July 29, 2022.

Twenty-nine diplomats from 15 African countries visited the pilot zone for the In-Depth China-Africa Economic and Trade Cooperation Program in central China's Hunan Province from July 27 to 29. They expressed confidence in China's economy and said they expected closer economic and trade ties between their country and China. (Xinhua)
BEIJING, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- China on Monday once again warned the United States that the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) will not sit idly by if U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi visits Taiwan.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian made the warning at a daily news briefing.

China has repeatedly stated to the United States its grave concern over the issue and the solemn position of resolutely opposing Pelosi's visit to Taiwan, and stressed the severe consequences if Pelosi visits Taiwan, Zhao said.

"The will of the people cannot be defied, and those who play with fire will perish by it," Zhao said. "It is believed the U.S. side is fully aware of China's strong and clear message."

China is closely following the itinerary of Pelosi, Zhao said. "A visit to Taiwan by her would constitute a gross interference in China's internal affairs, seriously undermine China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, wantonly trample on the one-China principle, greatly threaten peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, severely undermine China-U.S. relations, and lead to a very serious situation and grave consequences."

China once again warns the U.S. side that China is on high alert, the PLA will never sit idly by, and will surely take resolute and strong countermeasures to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity, Zhao said.

The United States should strictly abide by the one-China principle and the stipulations in the three China-U.S. joint communiques, honor U.S. President Joe Biden's commitment that the United States does not support "Taiwan independence," and not arrange for Pelosi's visit to Taiwan, the spokesperson added. 
Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta on Sunday hailed Chinese-built roads for their transformation of the country's socio-economic sector at the launch of the Nairobi Expressway.

The Kenyan leader expressed optimism that the Nairobi Expressway and the Eastern Bypass Highway will significantly address the traffic gridlock in the capital city.

Kenyatta added that the expressway has also provided more opportunities for Kenya's tourism, conferencing, and hospitality sectors which employ over 3 million people directly and another 6 million indirectly.

Chinese Ambassador to Kenya Zhou Pingjian said that the Nairobi Expressway is the first public-private partnership infrastructure project undertaken by a Chinese firm in Kenya.

He said that the expressway has not only contributed to alleviating traffic congestion in Nairobi, but is also a new landmark for the friendship between the two countries.

Produced by Xinhua Global Service
QUITO, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- After nearly two centuries, Galapagos land iguanas are once again hatching on Santiago Island, the fourth largest island in Ecuador's Galapagos archipelago, Minister of Environment, Water and Ecological Transition Gustavo Manrique announced on Monday.

"Good news! Almost two centuries later, land iguanas are born again on Santiago Island," Manrique wrote on his official Twitter account. "The last record of a healthy population was made by (Charles) Darwin in 1835. We are enthusiastically witnessing the ecological restoration of an island that was greatly affected in the past."

In the 19th century Darwin reported on the abundant presence of large reptiles on the island, which is home to a great variety of wildlife within its 585 square km.

The Galapagos archipelago is located 970 km off the mainland of Ecuador and was declared a UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site in 1978.

The region is home to numerous endemic species of flora and fauna that served as a laboratory for Darwin to establish his theory of the evolution of species. 
People gather during an event in commemoration of the 78th anniversary of the 1944 Warsaw Uprising in the center of Warsaw, Poland, Aug. 1, 2022. Poland commemorated the 78th anniversary of the 1944 Warsaw Uprising on Monday, with events taking place across the capital city. (Photo by Alexey Vitvitsky/Xinhua)

WARSAW, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- Poland commemorated the 78th anniversary of the 1944 Warsaw Uprising on Monday, with events taking place across the capital city.

The Warsaw Uprising was the largest underground military operation in German-occupied Europe, with around 40,000-50,000 insurgents taking part in fighting over two months, and huge losses of life. Around 18,000 insurgents died, so did as many as 180,000 civilians. After the uprising was crushed, about 500,000 residents were forced to evacuate the city, and Warsaw was almost completely razed to the ground.

At 5 p.m. on Monday, the time the uprising began, the main event was held in front of the Gloria Victis monument at the Powazki Military Cemetery. Poland's President Andrzej Duda, Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki and other officials, as well as citizens and veterans, paid tribute to the insurgents who led the uprising. Meanwhile, a parade took place at the Castle Square in the Old Town, and in the city center.

Earlier in the day, President Duda laid a wreath at the site of the massacre in the Wola district, where Germans executed thousands of civilians in retaliation for the uprising.

Flowers were laid at the monument to the Mokotow (district) insurgents in Dreszera Park. The national flag was also raised, and the "fire of memory" was brought from the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier to burn for 63 days -- the length of the uprising.

Prime Minister Morawiecki visited the Warsaw Uprising Museum, where he laid flowers at the plaque to late President Lech Kaczynski, who established the Museum. 

People take part in a parade in commemoration of the 78th anniversary of the 1944 Warsaw Uprising in the center of Warsaw, Poland, Aug. 1, 2022. Poland commemorated the 78th anniversary of the 1944 Warsaw Uprising on Monday, with events taking place across the capital city. (Photo by Alexey Vitvitsky/Xinhua)
RAMALLAH, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- A Palestinian young man was killed on Monday by Israeli soldiers during clashes in the northern West Bank city of Jenin, the Palestinian health ministry said.

Derar Kafrini, 18, was killed after he was shot by Israeli soldiers during clashes that broke out in the city, without giving more details, said a ministry press statement.

Meanwhile, eyewitnesses said an Israeli army force stormed the Palestinian refugee camp in the city as part of its regular military activity to arrest Palestinians wanted by Israel.

Palestinian militants and Israeli soldiers traded fire in the refugee camp, according to eyewitnesses, adding the 18-year-old young man was killed in the clashes.

Meanwhile, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad said in a statement that its militants clashed with Israeli soldiers in Jenin after an Israeli army force stormed the refugee camp in the city.

There has been no immediate comment from the Israeli authorities on the death of Kafrini and the storming of the refugee camp in Jenin. 
KINSHASA, July 31 (Xinhua) -- At least two people were killed and 15 others injured in a deadly incident on Sunday morning between UN peacekeepers and local residents in northeastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), said the Congolese government.

"The government strongly condemns and deplores this unfortunate incident, the provisional toll stands at two compatriots dead and 15 others injured as a result of shots fired by blue helmets from a contingent of the MONUSCO (UN Stabilization Mission in the DRC) Intervention Brigade," read a press release signed by Patrick Muyaya, the government spokesman.

While presenting its condolences to the bereaved families and the injured during the incident in Kasindi, a border town between the DRC and Uganda, the DRC government said arrangements are underway to ensure material and legal support. The DRC authorities, jointly with MONUSCO, have initiated an investigation.

"The government of the DRC calls for calm on the Congolese population in general, and particularly that of Kasindi and the entire North Kivu province," said Muyaya.

On Sunday, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General in the DRC Bintou Keita lamented the loss of life and injuries caused by the incident, noting that it was unclear why the peacekeepers opened fire. The UN envoy did not mention specific casualties nor the peacekeepers' nationalities.

Since July 25, thousands of people have been demonstrating against MONUSCO in several towns across the country, particularly in Goma, the capital of North Kivu, where some MONUSCO offices have been ransacked and looted by demonstrators.

Earlier in the week, the demonstrations turned violent as protesters demanded that MONUSCO exit their country for failing to protect civilians amid rising violence.

According to the Congolese government, 15 people had lost their lives during the protests in North Kivu, including a peacekeeper and two police personnel from MONUSCO killed in the city of Butembo.

UN Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix met with DRC President Felix Tshisekedi on Saturday in Kinshasa to discuss the cooperation between MONUSCO and the Congolese government.

"We have agreed to draw lessons from these serious incidents, an in-depth assessment is underway between the UN and the authorities to move forward in our collaboration to restore confidence in the Congolese people," said the under-secretary-general. 
By Azernews

Located at the intersection of North-South and East-West transport corridors, Azerbaijan is recognized as an important transport and logistics center of the region. In this area, successful cooperation is carried out with the countries of the European Union. The international transport corridors East-West, North-South and South-West, passing through the territory of the country, are beneficial for the transportation of goods both in terms of distance and time savings. Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway, Baku International Sea Trade Port further expand the possibilities of these transport corridors. Against the background of these opportunities, the volume of transit cargo is significantly increasing, Azernews reports per Trend.

Transit cargo traffic through the territory of Azerbaijan increased by about 30 percent in the first half of 2022. In some directions, in particular, along the North-West transport corridor, the growth of this indicator amounted to 300 percent. In January-June 2022, the transportation of oil of Turkmen origin through the BTC oil pipeline increased by 746 thousand tons (155%) compared to the corresponding period in 2021 and amounted to 1.2 million tons. In the first 6 months of 2022, compared to the same period in 2021, the transportation of oil products (in particular, of Kazakh origin) by rail in the direction of Yalama - Boyuk Kesik increased by 772 thousand tons (an increase of 707 percent) and amounted to 0.9 million tons.

Taking a strategic central position between Europe and China and with a developed aviation, rail, pipeline and maritime infrastructure, Azerbaijan is emerging as a new leading logistics center in the face of reshaping global supply chains in Eurasia.

In this regard, it should be noted that a decision was recently made in the country to create a single headquarters for the management of transit cargo transportation. The main goal of the headquarters is to simplify and digitalize procedures at border checkpoints, improve the processes of synchronized planning and management of transit operations through a single dispatcher. The headquarters will monitor operations and regularly submit reports to the secretariat of the Coordinating Council. A call center will also be set up at the headquarters to promptly resolve the problems of cargo carriers during transit. A "Transit Roadmap" has been drawn up, which defines short-term, medium-term and long-term goals for the full disclosure of the country's transit potential.

Among the measures taken by the customs authorities to develop the transit potential of Azerbaijan, an important place is taken by the simplification of intermodal transportation. Steps have been taken to connect to the new European Computerized Transit System. Thus, from June 1, 2020 to March 31, 2022, in order to join the Convention on Common Transit Procedures, simplify documentation in trade in goods and support the State Customs Committee in the process of joining the new computerized transit system, the EU implemented an appropriate twinning project. Its main goal was to simplify trade procedures between the EU countries and Azerbaijan.

In addition, the Web Transit digital service will be launched in Azerbaijan in the near future. This platform will improve the efficiency of the declaration process at customs points, as well as contribute to the expansion of Azerbaijan's transit opportunities. Its launch will make it possible to provide customs authorities with the necessary information in advance about goods and vehicles intended for transit through the customs territory and transit customs declaration, as well as speed up transit customs procedures by making payments through the electronic system.

The cooperation agreement signed in the middle of this month between the Turkish holding Albayrak and the Baku port will also increase the transit potential of Azerbaijan. As part of the agreement, Albayrak Holding will invest in the construction and management of a bulk cargo terminal in the Baku port, as well as in the management of a Ro-Ro terminal in order to redirect Turkish wheeled vehicles from Central Asia to Azerbaijan. Transshipment of containers by the port is growing every year. If in 2018 22,887 containers were transshipped through the port of Baku, then in 2019 - 35,024, in 2020 - 40,345, and in 2021 - 45,025. Transshipment of containers by the port in 2021 almost doubled compared to 2018. By the end of this year, an even greater increase in this indicator is predicted. According to the latest data, in the first half of 2022, the port of Baku increased the transshipment of containers by 31.8 percent compared to the same period last year - up to 27,844 TEU containers.

The Permanent Secretariat of the Intergovernmental Commission of the Eurasian Transport Corridor (TRACECA) predicts that in the current geopolitical situation, container cargo transportation from China to Europe and back through the territory of Azerbaijan will grow three to five times by the end of 2022 compared to previous years. Nevertheless, it is noted that the transport infrastructure of Azerbaijan is ready for a sharp increase in the flow of transit cargo. It should be noted that Turkmenistan is also interested in joining TRACECA, which will make a significant contribution to the development of the transport corridor and further enhance the role of Azerbaijan as a transit country.

The importance of the Middle Corridor is also growing, in which Azerbaijan is also an important link. The middle corridor - the route from China to Europe - plays a big role in the current agenda. Trade disruptions in Eurasia and around the world have greatly increased the importance of the Middle Corridor connecting East and South Asia with the European part of the continent. Azerbaijan is critical to the viability of this Middle Corridor across Eurasia.

The full use of routes through Zangezur will greatly facilitate trans-Eurasian transportation and ensure the development of the Middle Corridor. This will have a positive economic impact on the entire region, from the Black Sea through the Caucasus and Central Asia to India, China and other countries of East and South Asia. The Zangezur corridor is an important route that allows to optimize the transport and logistics schemes of our region, as well as create opportunities for the transportation of much larger volumes of cargo. In fact, with the implementation of the Zangezur corridor, our country will have the opportunity to increase non-oil and non-primary exports. The growth of trade through the Zangezur corridor, which will also allow the export of electricity, will contribute to the prosperity of Azerbaijan and the region as a whole.

The realization of the transit potential of our country, which has a favorable geographical position, is of great importance in the policy of economic diversification. At the same time, the development of international and regional transport corridors has a positive effect on improving the efficiency of the economy. Joint projects in the fields of transport, infrastructure and logistics expand Azerbaijan's economic opportunities and increase its importance. Azerbaijan provides efficient organization of transit transportation of goods to various destinations. This allows for safe and timely delivery in a short time on more favorable terms. Transit routes continue to expand, trade is increasing, which ultimately leads to the prosperity of Azerbaijan and the whole region.
TOKYO, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks closed higher on Monday as sentiment was buoyed by a slew of upbeat U.S. and domestic corporate earnings, although the yen's rise and investors hitting the sidelines capped gains.

The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average added 191.71 points, or 0.69 percent, from Friday to close the day at 27,993.35.

The broader Topix index, meanwhile, added 19.80 points, or 1.02 percent, to finish at 1,960.11.

Local dealers said that Wall Street's strong showing late last week encouraged buying following a number of U.S. bellwether firms reporting earnings that beat market expectations.

These included e-commerce behemoth Amazon.com Inc. and Apple Inc., they highlighted, pointing to some solid earnings from domestic firms including shipping company Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Ltd. and food and biotechnology corporation Ajinomoto Co.

Buying was driven by domestic investors, strategists here said, as international investors hit the sidelines to await further cues about the health of the U.S. economy following two quarters of negative growth, a technical recession by definition.

"Medium- and long-term investors are on the sidelines, with domestic investors doing most of the buying on Monday," Yutaka Miura, a senior equities analyst at Mizuho Securities, was quoted as saying.

Those on the sidelines are keenly awaiting data this week to further assess the state of the U.S. economy, including key manufacturing data along with employment data.

The yen's rise against the U.S. dollar capped gains as a firm yen impacts Japanese exporters' overseas profits when they are repatriated, market strategists said.

"The yen's rise against the U.S. dollar pressured markets on concerns that it may erode exporters' profits," Masahiro Ichikawa, chief market strategist at Sumitomo Mitsui DS Asset Management Co., said.

By the close of play, marine transportation, wholesale trade and rubber product issues comprised those that gained the most, and issues that rose outpaced those that fell by 1,486 to 312 on the Prime Market, while 40 ended the day unchanged.

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines rose 3.9 percent, after announcing a more than doubling of its quarterly net profit compared to last year.

Similarly, drug-maker Sumitomo Pharma Co., Ltd. surged 8 percent on robust earnings, while Ajinomoto jumped 6.4 percent on better-than-expected earnings.

But Japanese consumer electronics makers lost ground on subpar earnings and downgraded profit outlooks, with Sony dropping 3.2 percent, while Fujitsu tumbled 6.6 percent. Alps Alpine, meanwhile, plunged 13.4 percent by the close.

Nikkei heavyweight SoftBank Group also weighed on the broader market, ending the day 1.8 percent lower.

On the Prime Market on Monday, 1,226.74 million shares changed hands, dropping from Friday's volume of 1,293.59 million shares.

The turnover on the first trading day of the week came to 3,101.52 billion yen (23.39 billion U.S. dollars). 
CANBERRA, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- The number of active coronavirus cases in Australia's aged care sector has surpassed 9,000 as the country continues to battle the wave of Omicron sub-variant infections in winter.

According to the latest data published by the Department of Health and Aged Care, as of July 28 there were 9,906 aged care residents and staff infected with COVID-19.

Of those, residents make up about 64 percent of cases and staff the remainder.

It marks an increase of almost 100 percent from more than 5,000 active cases at the end of June.

There were 1,064 active outbreaks in residential aged care facilities across Australia on July 28, representing almost 40 percent of the facilities in the country, up from about 620 at the end of June.

In response to the ongoing winter wave of infections, Aged Care Minister Anika Wells on Monday said she has written to her state and territory counterparts to ensure mask-wearing rules were being enforced strictly.

"That's all part of the winter plan that I've brought in to try and make sure that all aged care facilities, all of our older Australians and their families and the aged care workers that look after them, are better prepared than they have been in previous winters," she told Nine Network television.

Coronavirus outbreaks in aged care facilities have caused significant staff shortfalls across the country, forcing the government to extend military deployments to the sector until September.

The proportion of eligible aged care residents who have received four vaccine doses increased from about 60 percent to 78.8 percent between June and July.

Australia on Monday reported more than 25,000 new COVID-19 cases and more than 15 deaths from the pandemic. 
ZAGREB, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- A firefighter was killed on Sunday while putting out flames from a wildfire near the southern Croatian city of Dubrovnik, the Croatian firefighting association said in a press release on Monday.

Authorities are investigating the death of Goran Komlenac and will publish the result of the investigation, said the press release on the association's website.

Croatia's President Zoran Milanovic, Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic and Speaker of the Croatian Parliament Gordan Jandrokovic all expressed their condolences on the death of Komlenac on Monday, it said.

According to local media reports, more than 100 firefighters and 26 fire engines are still at work on Monday to extinguish the fire that broke out around midday Sunday in the Dubrovnik village of Orasac.

Heatwaves and drought have been blamed for several wildfires across Croatia this summer. 
Giant panda Ding Ding enjoys a birthday meal at the Moscow Zoo in Moscow, capital of Russia, on July 31, 2022. The Moscow Zoo on Sunday celebrated the birthdays of two giant pandas Ding Ding and Ru Yi. Six-year-old male Ru Yi was born on July 31, 2016 whereas five-year-old female Ding Ding was born on July 30, 2017. The pair arrived in Moscow in 2019 from China's southwestern province of Sichuan for a 15-year joint research program. (Xinhua/Meng Jing)

Giant panda Ding Ding plays with a toy at the Moscow Zoo in Moscow, capital of Russia, on July 31, 2022. The Moscow Zoo on Sunday celebrated the birthdays of two giant pandas Ding Ding and Ru Yi. Six-year-old male Ru Yi was born on July 31, 2016 whereas five-year-old female Ding Ding was born on July 30, 2017. The pair arrived in Moscow in 2019 from China's southwestern province of Sichuan for a 15-year joint research program. (Xinhua/Meng Jing)

Giant panda Ding Ding enjoys a birthday meal at the Moscow Zoo in Moscow, capital of Russia, on July 31, 2022. The Moscow Zoo on Sunday celebrated the birthdays of two giant pandas Ding Ding and Ru Yi. Six-year-old male Ru Yi was born on July 31, 2016 whereas five-year-old female Ding Ding was born on July 30, 2017. The pair arrived in Moscow in 2019 from China's southwestern province of Sichuan for a 15-year joint research program. (Xinhua/Meng Jing)

Visitors look at giant panda Ding Ding at the Moscow Zoo in Moscow, capital of Russia, on July 31, 2022. The Moscow Zoo on Sunday celebrated the birthdays of two giant pandas Ding Ding and Ru Yi. Six-year-old male Ru Yi was born on July 31, 2016 whereas five-year-old female Ding Ding was born on July 30, 2017. The pair arrived in Moscow in 2019 from China's southwestern province of Sichuan for a 15-year joint research program. (Xinhua/Bai Xueqi)

Giant panda Ding Ding feeds on bamboos at the Moscow Zoo in Moscow, capital of Russia, on July 31, 2022. The Moscow Zoo on Sunday celebrated the birthdays of two giant pandas Ding Ding and Ru Yi. Six-year-old male Ru Yi was born on July 31, 2016 whereas five-year-old female Ding Ding was born on July 30, 2017. The pair arrived in Moscow in 2019 from China's southwestern province of Sichuan for a 15-year joint research program. (Xinhua/Bai Xueqi)

Giant panda Ru Yi enjoys a birthday meal at the Moscow Zoo in Moscow, capital of Russia, on July 31, 2022. The Moscow Zoo on Sunday celebrated the birthdays of two giant pandas Ding Ding and Ru Yi. Six-year-old male Ru Yi was born on July 31, 2016 whereas five-year-old female Ding Ding was born on July 30, 2017. The pair arrived in Moscow in 2019 from China's southwestern province of Sichuan for a 15-year joint research program. (Xinhua/Bai Xueqi)

Visitors look at giant panda Ru Yi at the Moscow Zoo in Moscow, capital of Russia, on July 31, 2022. The Moscow Zoo on Sunday celebrated the birthdays of two giant pandas Ding Ding and Ru Yi. Six-year-old male Ru Yi was born on July 31, 2016 whereas five-year-old female Ding Ding was born on July 30, 2017. The pair arrived in Moscow in 2019 from China's southwestern province of Sichuan for a 15-year joint research program. (Xinhua/Bai Xueqi)

Giant panda Ru Yi enjoys a birthday meal at the Moscow Zoo in Moscow, capital of Russia, on July 31, 2022. The Moscow Zoo on Sunday celebrated the birthdays of two giant pandas Ding Ding and Ru Yi. Six-year-old male Ru Yi was born on July 31, 2016 whereas five-year-old female Ding Ding was born on July 30, 2017. The pair arrived in Moscow in 2019 from China's southwestern province of Sichuan for a 15-year joint research program. (Xinhua/Bai Xueqi)

Visitors look at giant panda Ding Ding at the Moscow Zoo in Moscow, capital of Russia, on July 31, 2022. The Moscow Zoo on Sunday celebrated the birthdays of two giant pandas Ding Ding and Ru Yi. Six-year-old male Ru Yi was born on July 31, 2016 whereas five-year-old female Ding Ding was born on July 30, 2017. The pair arrived in Moscow in 2019 from China's southwestern province of Sichuan for a 15-year joint research program. (Xinhua/Bai Xueqi)

Giant panda Ding Ding feeds on bamboos at the Moscow Zoo in Moscow, capital of Russia, on July 31, 2022. The Moscow Zoo on Sunday celebrated the birthdays of two giant pandas Ding Ding and Ru Yi. Six-year-old male Ru Yi was born on July 31, 2016 whereas five-year-old female Ding Ding was born on July 30, 2017. The pair arrived in Moscow in 2019 from China's southwestern province of Sichuan for a 15-year joint research program. (Xinhua/Bai Xueqi)

Giant panda Ru Yi enjoys a birthday meal at the Moscow Zoo in Moscow, capital of Russia, on July 31, 2022. The Moscow Zoo on Sunday celebrated the birthdays of two giant pandas Ding Ding and Ru Yi. Six-year-old male Ru Yi was born on July 31, 2016 whereas five-year-old female Ding Ding was born on July 30, 2017. The pair arrived in Moscow in 2019 from China's southwestern province of Sichuan for a 15-year joint research program. (Xinhua/Bai Xueqi)

Visitors look at giant panda Ru Yi at the Moscow Zoo in Moscow, capital of Russia, on July 31, 2022. The Moscow Zoo on Sunday celebrated the birthdays of two giant pandas Ding Ding and Ru Yi. Six-year-old male Ru Yi was born on July 31, 2016 whereas five-year-old female Ding Ding was born on July 30, 2017. The pair arrived in Moscow in 2019 from China's southwestern province of Sichuan for a 15-year joint research program. (Xinhua/Bai Xueqi)

Visitors look at giant panda Ru Yi at the Moscow Zoo in Moscow, capital of Russia, on July 31, 2022. The Moscow Zoo on Sunday celebrated the birthdays of two giant pandas Ding Ding and Ru Yi. Six-year-old male Ru Yi was born on July 31, 2016 whereas five-year-old female Ding Ding was born on July 30, 2017. The pair arrived in Moscow in 2019 from China's southwestern province of Sichuan for a 15-year joint research program. (Xinhua/Bai Xueqi)

Visitors look at giant panda Ding Ding at the Moscow Zoo in Moscow, capital of Russia, on July 31, 2022. The Moscow Zoo on Sunday celebrated the birthdays of two giant pandas Ding Ding and Ru Yi. Six-year-old male Ru Yi was born on July 31, 2016 whereas five-year-old female Ding Ding was born on July 30, 2017. The pair arrived in Moscow in 2019 from China's southwestern province of Sichuan for a 15-year joint research program. (Xinhua/Bai Xueqi)

Visitors look at giant panda Ru Yi at the Moscow Zoo in Moscow, capital of Russia, on July 31, 2022. The Moscow Zoo on Sunday celebrated the birthdays of two giant pandas Ding Ding and Ru Yi. Six-year-old male Ru Yi was born on July 31, 2016 whereas five-year-old female Ding Ding was born on July 30, 2017. The pair arrived in Moscow in 2019 from China's southwestern province of Sichuan for a 15-year joint research program. (Xinhua/Bai Xueqi)

Giant panda Ding Ding enjoys a birthday meal at the Moscow Zoo in Moscow, capital of Russia, on July 31, 2022. The Moscow Zoo on Sunday celebrated the birthdays of two giant pandas Ding Ding and Ru Yi. Six-year-old male Ru Yi was born on July 31, 2016 whereas five-year-old female Ding Ding was born on July 30, 2017. The pair arrived in Moscow in 2019 from China's southwestern province of Sichuan for a 15-year joint research program. (Xinhua/Bai Xueqi)

Giant panda Ru Yi enjoys a meal at the Moscow Zoo in Moscow, capital of Russia, on July 31, 2022. The Moscow Zoo on Sunday celebrated the birthdays of two giant pandas Ding Ding and Ru Yi. Six-year-old male Ru Yi was born on July 31, 2016 whereas five-year-old female Ding Ding was born on July 30, 2017. The pair arrived in Moscow in 2019 from China's southwestern province of Sichuan for a 15-year joint research program. (Xinhua/Bai Xueqi)
MEXICO CITY, July 31 (Xinhua) -- Children living in impoverished areas are the most vulnerable group in Mexico due to a lack of education during the COVID-19 pandemic, said one expert.

Most households suffered a drop in income or unemployment of at least one family member, impacting the decision to continue their children's education, Maria Teresa Reyes Ruiz, a researcher at the National Autonomous University of Mexico, told Xinhua. She called for policy support to guarantee access to education for underprivileged children.

According to the National Council for the Evaluation of Social Development Policy, the educational gap in the Latin American nation reached 19.2 percent between 2018 and 2020.

"The states with the greatest educational gap, interestingly, are the ones that also register the highest levels of poverty, as is the case of Chiapas, Oaxaca, and Michoacan," Reyes pointed out, adding that some students had to work instead of continuing their education.

She warned that students who fail to complete their studies have a lower chance of earning a decent income and maintaining a high standard of living as adults.

"Lack of access to education will cause inequalities when looking for a stable and well-paid job," she said.

"It is extremely important to have an economic resource that guarantees material conditions of life, of existence, for comprehensive development; otherwise, the chances of having a decent life diminish considerably," she said.

In Mexico, as in most other countries, face-to-face classes were canceled for nearly two years to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus. The state-run television program "Learn at home" was established, and classes were held online, demanding students to keep up with their subjects with an internet connection -- something children in impoverished areas lacked.

"If children do not have access to education, later they will have to resort to informal work, to low-skilled jobs and, therefore, they will have different deficiencies," she added.

The expert recommended enacting policies at the national level to ensure that children in disadvantaged situations have easy access to education.

"We would have to implement effective strategies to bring students into the classroom, improve the infrastructure to deal with any disease, and create the necessary conditions so that families feel safe sending their children to school," she said. 
BEIJING: China has been overlooked by Bangladesh, as the Sheikh Hasina administration forced Wang Yi to reschedule his August visit to Dhaka.

Beijing unexpectedly announced Wang's visit to Dhaka in early August without consulting the Bangladeshi government. ET has learned that after consultations, the travel dates have now been set around the weekend of August 7-8. Other dates for Wang's visit were previously announced unilaterally by the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

This is the first high-level visit from China to Dhaka in the last five years, despite expanding trade ties and increasing Chinese investment in Bangladesh across sectors.

The Chinese Foreign Minister intends to visit Dhaka. However, I have asked them (China) to change the date of their visit as I will be on a pre-scheduled visit to New York and Cambodia, Bangladesh Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen told reporters in Dhaka on Friday. Wang Yi will be staying in Bangladesh during his field visits to some ASEAN countries including Cambodia and Mongolia.

In November 2017, Wang made his last visit to Dhaka. According to diplomatic sources in Dhaka, Beijing is ready to discuss political and economic crises in addition to its strategic partnership.

During his visit to Bangladesh, the Chinese minister is likely to discuss several pending issues between the two countries. These include the reaffirmation of several MoUs related to disaster preparedness, cultural exchange and the delivery of the 8th Bangladesh-China Friendship Bridge to Bangladeshi authorities on the Kocha River in Pirojpur. Chinese money was used to build the 2.96 km long bridge.

Chinese President Xi Jinping's Global Development Initiative and Global Security Initiative are likely to be discussed during the visit.

Meanwhile, Pakistan's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar has postponed her visit to Dhaka.

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Tehran: Iran has put up proposed ideas in "both substance and form" to the other sides of the Vienna nuclear talks on reviving the 2015 nuclear deal, to pave the way for the quick conclusionof the talks, Iran's top negotiator said.

The Iranian government is willing to wrap up negotiations quickly, according to Ali Bagheri Kani, who is also the country's deputy foreign minister for political affairs, who stated this via Twitter on Sunday. The nuclear negotiations, which began in the Austrian capital in April 2021, were intended to "address the damaging difficult situation generated by the US unilateral and illegitimate departure" from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) nuclear agreement in 2018, he said.

To offer the US another chance to demonstrate its "good faith" and "act responsibly," he assured that Iran is cooperating closely with its JCPOA partners, particularly Josep Borrell, the European Union's chief of foreign policy and coordinator of the JCPOA Joint Commission.

In exchange for the lifting of sanctions, Iran agreed to limit its nuclear programme when it signed the JCPOA with major world powers in July 2015. However, former US President Donald Trump withdrew Washington from the accord in May 2018 and reinstituted unilateral sanctions against Tehran, which caused the latter to renege on certain of its agreement-related obligations, according as reports.

The talks on resurrecting the JCPOA were interrupted in March of this year due to political disputes between Tehran and Washington. They had started in April 2021 in the capital of Austria. The negotiations resumed in late June in Doha, Qatar's capital, after a three-month break, but they were unsuccessful in resolving the issues.

Iranian border guards engage the Taliban in clash: Report

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IRAN: Iranian border guards clashed Sunday with the Afghan Taliban, the latest cross-border exchange since the former insurgents seized power in neighboring Afghanistan a year ago, Iranian media reported.

Meisam Barazandeh, the governor of the eastern Iranian border region of Hirmand, was quoted by the official IRNA news agency as saying that the incident is still being looked into. He made no mention of the fight's specifics or any casualties. The Taliban did not respond right away.

Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency said the Taliban opened fire on houses on the eastern edge of the county, in the area of Shoqalak, across the border from Afghanistan's Nimruz province. According to the report, Taliban fighters attempted to hoist the Taliban flag over a region that is not a part of Afghan territory. After an altercation, tranquilly was restored.

The Taliban initially opened fire on Iranian guards, forcing them to retaliate until the exchange decreased and the Iranian guards brought the situation under control, Tasnim later quoted Majid Mirahmadi, the country's deputy interior minister, as saying.

The discussion finished early on Sunday afternoon after lasting an hour and a half. A similar altercation occurred on Saturday, according to Mirahmadi, since the Taliban do not respect the "geographical and official border" between the two nations.

Since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan last August, clashes have frequently broken out between Iranian security personnel and Afghan Taliban troops in a number of locations along the border. The gunfights, which frequently involve local issues like disputes over farmland, water, or smuggling, are usually short-lived.

The Afghan Taliban briefly took control of numerous checkpoints on the Iranian side during some of the heaviest fighting last December, but they quickly gave them back. Both sides afterwards described the occurrence as a "misunderstanding."

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Iran: According to the semi-official Fars news agency, Iran has the technical capability to build a nuclear bomb but has no desire to do so. Mohamed Eslami is the head of the country's Atomic Energy Organization.

Eslami echoed remarks made in July by Kamal Kharazi, a top adviser to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Kharazi's comments amounted to a rare acknowledgment that the Islamic Republic, which has long denied seeking nuclear weapons, might be interested.

Iran has the technical capability to build a nuclear warhead, as noted by Mr. Kharazi, but according to Eslami no such program is on the agenda.

Iran has already exceeded the 3.67 percent limit set by Tehran's now-broken 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, which enriched uranium to fissile purity of up to 60%. Atomic bombs can be made from uranium that has been enriched to 90%.

Former US President Donald Trump in 2018 abandoned the nuclear deal, which allowed Iran to end its uranium enrichment program in exchange for relief from international economic sanctions.

According to the chief Iranian nuclear negotiator, Iran has responded to Josep Borrell's offer to salvage the nuclear deal and wants talks to end quickly.

Borrell claims to have proposed a new draft of the text of the agreement.

"It is likely that in the near future we can reach a conclusion about the timing of a new round of nuclear talks," Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanani said. "After exchanging messages last week and reviewing proposed texts."

The general outline of a revived deal was essentially reached in March, after 11 months of indirect talks between the US administration in Tehran and US President Joe Biden's Vienna.

However, difficulties arose, including Tehran's demand for Washington to provide assurances that no US president would withdraw from the agreement in the same way that Trump did.

Since the nuclear deal is a political understanding and not a legally binding agreement, Biden is unable to make that promise.

Removal of US-imposed sanctions and designation of IRGC (Revolutionary Guard Corps of Iran) as a terrorist organization are two other contentious issues.

Iran's President Ibrahim Raisi has called for the lifting of all sanctions imposed by the US after a unilateral withdrawal in 2018.

Tehran has repeatedly stressed that without the lifting of sanctions, the nuclear deal is useless for the country.

War between Ukraine and Russia looms over a UN meeting on nuclear weapons

Iran: Proposed ideas submitted to accelerate nuclear talks

Iran declares that it will "build nuclear warheads" and leave New York in "hellish ruins."
By Azernews

By Ayya Lmahamad

Azerbaijan and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) have expressed interest in cooperation in the field of public-private partnership, Azernews reports.

The discussion took place during the meeting between Azerbaijan's Small and Medium-Sized Business Development Agency Board Chairman Orkhan Mammadov and a group of experts on the public-private sector of the Asian Development Bank.

During the meeting, Orkhan Mammadov expressed Azerbaijan's interest in studying the ADB's experience in the mentioned area. They also exchanged views on organizing a study tour and joint events.

Azerbaijan has been a member of the Asian Development Bank since 1999. Since then, the bank has committed $4.4 billion in loans, and $32.28 million in technical assistance projects, including ADB-administered co-financing for Azerbaijan.
Sri Lanka's main Tamil National Alliance (TNA) party on Monday announced that it will support President Ranil Wickremesinghe's efforts to create an all-party national government to help the crisis-hit country to recover from the worst economic crisis.

Veteran Tamil political figure R Sampanthan told reporters that the formation of an all-party government is the appropriate course of action at this time and that his party will support it.

The formation of an all-party government would be appropriate, according to a different Tamil National Alliance (TNA) spokesman, to address Sri Lanka's economic and political issues. The TNA has not yet decided whether or not to fill Cabinet slots in such a government, nevertheless.

In a letter to the members of Parliament last week, President Wickremesinghe urged them to join him in forming a national all-party administration to address the island nation's economic difficulties.

"The government is currently working very hard to gradually bring the political and social unrest brought on by the economic crisis the nation is currently experiencing back to normal. Accordingly, initial plans are being made to provide economic stability, and beginning plans necessary to implement a methodical economic programme are being developed, according to Wickremesinghe's letter from Friday.

However, the main opposition Samagi Jana Balavegaya (SJB) party insisted that parties and not individuals should be invited to form the all-party administration.

In the parliamentary vote on July 20 to choose the successor to the outgoing president Gotabaya Rajapaksa, TNA had formally backed Wickremesinghe's adversary Dullas Alahapperuma. However, it is believed that at least a few of their 10 MPs supported Wickremesinghe in the covert vote against the party's position.

Sri Lanka's President Warns IMF Funds Won't Solve Crisis

Wickremesinghe reaffirms rights to peaceful protest

Wickremesinghe expands his Cabinet to include all political parties
Home  Society  Crime  The post office is the new hub of drug smuggling in Nepal

Due to the advancement of the internet and technology, post offices are irrelevant to most of the general public. But, some druggies and smugglers are using them regularly. How?

Lately, drug smuggling rackets have found a new way of importing drugs. They import drugs from various online platforms based in foreign countries via the post office.

On February 23, the General Post Office in Dillibazar of Kathmandu received two cartons from England. The packages were supposed to be sent to Raj Shikhar Gupta in Parsa. However, the officials of the post office doubted it because similar packages were repeatedly coming into the post office.

They hence decided to check the packages. After all, they are authorised to do so if they suspect anything. The staff found that those boxes had uniquely shaped candy packets unlabelled. One of them dropped on their table without their notice.

The curious three employees could not resist their urge to taste the candies. They even kept some of them in their pockets for their children.

However, they had to be taken to the hospital after some minutes of consuming the candies as they showed unusual behaviours. The office also decided to take the candies for a lab test to find out that they have been facilitating drug smuggling without their knowledge.

Lately, drug smuggling rackets have found a new way of importing drugs. In the new modus operandi, they import drugs from various online platforms based in countries like the UK, the USA, Canada and others via the post office.

The curious case

Candies containing drugs.

The then chief of the Dillibazar Post Office says the supposed candies were balls of some illegal drugs. We hence immediately called the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) of Nepal Police.

To run further investigations, the NCB started controlled delivery of the consignment. According to the Postal Act, such a controlled delivery is permitted if officials suspect drug smuggling via post offices.

After 15 days, the goods reached the Parsa District Post Office, says an investigative officer. But, no one came to collect the parcel for a few days.

However, on March 10, 22-year-old Raj Shikhar Gupta of Parsa, who had ordered the parcel, came to the post office to receive his belongings. The NCBs Operation Candy Box team immediately arrested him.

Inside the parcel, they found 4.1 kg of candies containing marijuana. Although the debate about marijuana legalisation is getting new heights in Nepal recently, it is still illegal to produce, import, export, trade and consume it in Nepal.

The NCB found that there was another similar box coming from Germany waiting to be delivered to him. The boxes had tablets consisting of 170 grams of methamphetamine, also known as the ice drug. Notorious for being one of the most expensive materials among drug smuggling rackets, it costs Rs 10,000 per gram in Nepal.

Currently, Gupta is in judicial custody of Parsa.

Filmy unfolding

During the interrogation, Gupta claimed the drugs were not ordered for him. According to the investigative officer, at first, he even denied that the candies belonged to him. But, once, the police showed his name in the parcel, he was speechless.

While police tried knowing about the procedure of drug smuggling, he did not answer. The investigators also asked how long he had been receiving the drugs in such a way; he did not answer again.

Then, the police tried to discover new things from his cell phone. But, as Gupta was using an Indian sim, they could not access its call details and other information. According to the statement given to the police, he studies in Delhi and lives with his uncles family.

The police tried to look into other data on his phone, but he did not give the password. After repeated queries, he provided the wrong code, ultimately locking the device.

More cases alike

File: Narcotic drugs confiscated by police

There are a couple of recent cases in which the post office has been used for drug smuggling.

Nigendra Krishna Malla, 37, of Sohrakhutte, Kathmandu, was also found to be ordering drugs from Canada and receiving them from the post office.

Malla stayed in Canada as a student for four years. He says he got addicted to drugs there and learnt about online companies that would deliver the drugs to different destinations. After returning to Nepal, he started ordering drugs from an online platform based in Canada. He used to send his restaurants employee Himal Yogi of Pyuthan, to receive drugs at the post office.

On May 16, the post office received a packet consisting of two envelopes in it. Due to their unusual shape and feeling, officials investigated them. This was not the first time such packets had arrived at Malla.

When we opened the package, there were two packets inside it. One of the packets consisted of 14 grams of marijuana and the other packet consisted of 7.5 grams of marijuana and 1.5 grams of hashish, says DSP Phanindra Prasai at the NCB.

Mallas employee Yogi was arrested on May 18 immediately after he received the parcel. Then, the police arrested Malla at Golkhupakha and raided his residence at Sohrakhutte. There, they found 4 grams of cocaine and 5 grams of hashish and 2.5 grams of magic mushrooms.

However, Malla claims that he does not use the drugs that were found in his room. During the investigation, Malla told police that those drugs belonged to his friends frequenting his residence.

Now, Yogi has already been released on bail, and Malla is in judicial custody.

Yogi is innocent, he was unaware of the drug smuggling case, says Prasai, Malla used to order drugs from Canada because it was more easily accessible for him and he didnt have to ask the local dealers for drugs, which was full of hassles.



Similarly, the post office on April 1 also found drugs in a suspicious envelope in the name of Top Bahadur Bista. As the officials called the police, an NCB team waited for Bista to receive his parcel and arrest him.

But, Bista also suspected the police presence and ran away. But, fortunately, the officials had a copy of Bistas citizenship card and it made them find him again.

During the investigation, he claimed that the letter belonged to Dammar Bahadur Gurung. Following the information provided by Bista, the NCB team went to Dodhara Chandani municipality-7, Kanchanpur and arrested Gurung. After being arrested, Gurung accepted that he was meant to receive the mail but claimed that the items inside it belonged to someone else.

Someone whom he met during his work in India asked him to receive the goods from the post office, offering Rs 20,000, says an investigative officer. He even showed his chat with an Indian citizen on Whatsapp.

As informed by the police, Gurung, who earns a normal income, frequently travels to Delhi from Nepal to deliver the smuggled drug in the hope of some extra money.

As stated by the police, Indian citizen Sonu Jain used to order goods from the USA. With a deal to give him a job during the Covid lockdown, Jain gave Gurung the responsibility to receive letters from the post office.

New mediums and methods

According to a report from the United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime, after Covid-19, drug smuggling rackets are in search of new routes and methods to smuggle drugs. In that regard, they have discovered a dark net and post offices to smuggle drugs.

The drugs ordered from other countries are stronger than the local ones so they are being smuggled from foreign soil through Nepals post office, says NCB chief SSP Bikas Raj Khanal.

Many drug users are comfortable buying drugs online as people from well-off families feel uncomfortable contacting local dealers, says Khanal.

According to DSP Prasai, lately, the trend of drug smuggling through the postal service is increasing. Most of the drug users in Nepal consume pharmaceutical drugs, marijuana, hashish, and heroin made up of opium.

Nepal has also been a transit for drug smuggling targeted at countries like India, the UAE, Qatar, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Thailand and different European nations.

Nepal Police registers around 3,000 drug smuggling cases every year. Many of them include foreigners. A total of 18 per cent of jailbirds in Nepal are convicted of cases related to drug smuggling.
Description

Get ready to Taste The World once again as the legendary Famous Food Festival makes its return to the Tanger Outlets in Deer Park, NY this summer 2022! Featuring Over 60 Food Vendors, be prepared to taste some of the best New York, Tri-State, and home of Long Island has to offer. This fun-for-the-whole-family event is perfect for all ages to enjoy, with prices at only $8 to attend each day when you purchase online, with further discounts for multiple day entry purchase! Tickets at the Door (single day) will be available at $14 per person/per day. Children Ages 8-12 Only $6, Free admission for children 7 and under. Guarantee your ticket today!



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Test nitrate levels before feeding failed crops

Media Contact: Gail Ellis | Editorial Communications Coordinator | 405-744-9152 | gail.ellis@okstate.edu

The harvest of fall crops will not go according to plan this season for some Oklahoma producers due to extreme summer heat and drought. For crops like corn that are not harvested for grain, repurposing the plants as forage might be an option.

When feeding a failed field to livestock, producers should first test for nitrate toxicity in crops, such as corn, sorghum or sudan. Alex Rocateli, Oklahoma State University Extension forage systems specialist, said crops intended for grain production may have been fertilized more, stimulating the plant to absorb more nitrates. Herbicides and pesticides might also have been applied.

Look at the chemical label to make sure there isnt a grazing or haying restriction for what you had applied, Rocateli said. Then sample (the crop) and send it to analysis for nitrate concentrations. County educators can help sample the crop properly, analyze it and interpret the results.

Rocateli said farmers can graze corn but should not turn hungry cattle onto drought-stressed corn stalks that may contain nitrates. Feed cattle good quality hay before introducing them to the crop but do not overgraze the field.

When the corn is grazed down to a height of 15 inches, remove the cattle from the field. Rocateli said most of the plants toxicity is present in the lower stalk, and the last 12 to 15 inches should not be consumed by livestock.

If the plants are drought stressed and receive rain, wait five to seven days before grazing or cutting for hay, he said. After rain, the nitrate concentration will spike before the plant metabolizes it.

Other methods of feeding failed crops to animals include green chop, silage and baling the field for hay. Rocateli discusses these options on SUNUPTV, OSU Agricultures weekly television show.
Even with the projection of increased wheat production in some countries, the world harvest is expected to be a little smaller as a result of effects of the war in Ukraine. Global production for the marketing year 2022/2023 is estimated to be 771.64 million metric tons, down 7.4 million tons (-1%) from last year, according to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) projection. Canada, Russia, and Brazil expect to have larger harvests, while Ukraine, Australia, and Argentina are expected to be smaller. Soon after the beginning of the war, the expectation was that Argentina and Brazil, the primary wheat-producing nations in South America (see farmdoc daily April 8, 2022), could increase the planting of wheat. Brazil increased hectares while Argentina did not.

Meanwhile, Russia and Ukraine agreed to reopen Ukrainian Black Sea ports for grain exports on July 22, raising hopes that an international food crisis aggravated by the Russian invasion can be averted. On August 1st the first grain ship departed from Odessa port in Ukraine since the conflict started last February. However, Ukraine farmers and others have doubts about blockade on grain shipments easing. The two nations combined shipped over 50 million metric tons of wheat last year, according to data from the USDA.

Impacts of the Conflict

Last year, Russia and Ukraine accounted for almost 30% of the global trade in wheat. Because of the war, Ukraines wheat production for the marketing year 2022/23 is projected to be 19.5 million metric tons, down 13.5 million tons (-41%) from last year. The USDA includes estimated output from Crimea. Harvest began at the end of June and will continue until mid-August. Russian wheat production is expected to be 81.5 million tons, up 6.3 million tons (8%) from last year (Figure 1). Total harvested area is projected to be 27.8 million hectares, up 1% from last year.

Uncertainty resulting from the Ukraine-Russia conflict created an opportunity for Canada to increase its role in global production. Canada had a 4% share of global wheat production before 2021. In 2021, Canada accounted for 7.7% of total global exports. USDA estimates for the next marketing year project Canadas export share increasing to 12% of global volume. Canadas wheat production for the marketing year 2022/23 stands at 34 million tons, up 12.4 million tons (57%) from last year (Figure 1). The harvested area is estimated at 10 million hectares, up 8% from last year.

Planted Area Smaller in Argentina

Argentina is among the worlds primary wheat providers, accounting for 8% of the global exports in 2020/21 (USDA, July 2022). There was the expectation that Argentinian wheat could compensate for production losses from the war, but the first official estimates of the wheat planting area in Argentina show a decrease of 10% from last crop year. Private estimates (Bolsa de Rosario) are projecting an even greater decline, 15% in the planted area.

Argentinas reduction likely occurs because of the third straight year of La Nina, which creates a very complex planting scenario. Additionally, more land has been planted with barley, the main alternative as a winter crop. Farmers chose to plant barley because they expect a lower degree of government intervention in barley markets. Finally, some farmers decided to plant first-season soybeans, instead of double-crop wheat/ soybeans, because of lower production costs.

A moderate drought in Argentina has impacted wheat production. Drought and low temperatures have delayed planting and crop progress. As of July 28, 95% of the planting had taken place, compared with 99% in previous years. According to the Bolsa de Cereales de Buenos Aires, approximately 25% of the wheat planting area is classified as regular. Therefore, yields so far are projected to be lower than trend yields for Argentina.

Recently, the Argentinian government announced a program (Plan Argentina 25 MT) for increasing wheat production to 25 million tons. This goal represents an increase of 13% from the record production and exports of the last harvest. Through the Ministry of Agriculture, the program offers agronomic advisory services to small farmers. Farmers associations have said that clear rules and an open export market are the keys to achieving the production goal.

In 2021 Argentina exported wheat to 46 countries. Latin America was the main destination; 77% of the total went to Latin America nations. Northeast Africa and Southeast Asia are the other buyers of Argentine wheat. Argentinas wheat production has been significantly increasing over the last 10 years, with a record harvest in the previous crop year of 22.15 million tons (MAGyP 2022).

Largest Area in 30 Years in Brazil

As of July 24, almost 100% of Brazils wheat had been planted, covering almost 3 million hectares, an increase of 7% over last year, according to the National Supply Company, the countrys food supply and statistics agency (Figure 3). The two private consultancies Safras & Mercado and Cogo Intelligence in Agribusiness are projecting an even more significant increase in wheat planting, from 17% to 21%, respectively. This would be the largest planted area since 1990, the last year the government regulated the market. If the weather is favorable and average yields reach three tons per hectare (in 1990 wheat yields were one ton per hectare), Brazilian production will be close to a record of 10 million tons, up 18% from last year. Private consultancies are predicting a total production of more than 11 million tons.

Brazilian producers increased planting because of the global supply disruption caused by the war in Ukraine. The war jolted commodity markets and caused a rise in the price of wheat, which undoubtedly was an incentive for increased wheat planting in Brazil. Even though Chicago wheat futures eased to $8 per bushel with the progress of new plantings, values remain elevated compared to historical trends. In the Brazilian domestic market, prices remain higher than the five-year average because of the depreciation of the Brazilian real relative to the U.S. dollar.

So far, the crops are in good condition in the southern states of Parana and Rio Grande do Sul, which account for almost 90% of the wheat production in Brazil. La Nina years are typically favorable for wheat yields. Wheat is planted in the South of Brazil during winter and in double-crop with soybeans in the summer. Harvest takes place between September and November.

Brazil produces 50% of the wheat consumed in its domestic market. In 2021, Brazil planted 2.74 million hectares and harvested 7.7 million tons of grain. In the same year, exports accounted for 2.1 million tons and imports reached 7 million tons, more than 70% coming from Argentina. Meanwhile, Brazilian wheat consumption surpassed 12.5 million tons, according to the National Supply Company (Conab). In the first half of the year, Brazilian wheat exports rose almost fivefold to 2.4 million tons, according to the National Association of Cereal Exporters (Anec).

Summary

Worldwide wheat production likely will be only slightly smaller in the marketing year 2022/2023 as a result of the war in Ukraine. Countries such as Canada, Russia, and Brazil are expected to increase their plantings, while Ukraine, Australia, and Argentina are expecting smaller harvests. South American wheat could contribute to the compensation for production losses from the war. The planted area in Argentina has decreased 10% from last crop year because of weather issues. On the plus side, Brazil is expected to have its largest planted area since 1990.
Abercrombie & Fitch Management Co.

NEW ALBANY, Ohio, Aug. 01, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Abercrombie & Fitch Co. (NYSE: ANF), a leading, global omni-channel specialty retailer of apparel and accessories, today announced a change in its Board of Directors. Effective today, Felix Carbullido will no longer serve on Abercrombie & Fitch Co.s Board.



After three years with the company, Mr. Carbullido is stepping down from A&F Co.s Board due to an increase in responsibilities given his newly appointed role as President of the Williams Sonoma brand of Williams-Sonoma, Inc.

We are thrilled for Felix and his promotion to lead the Williams Sonoma brand. I, along with Fran, would like to thank him for the important role he has played at A&F Co., most notably for his contributions to the Compensation and Human Capital Committee and the Environmental, Social, and Governance Committee. We thank him for his commitment to our brands over the last few years and we wish him all the best in his new role, said Terry Burman, Chairperson of the Board of Directors, Abercrombie & Fitch Co.

###

About Abercrombie & Fitch Co.

Abercrombie & Fitch Co. (NYSE: ANF) is a leading, global, omnichannel specialty retailer of apparel and accessories for men, women and kids through five renowned brands. The iconic Abercrombie & Fitch brand was born in 1892 and aims to make every day feel as exceptional as the start of a long weekend. abercrombie kids sees the world through kids eyes, where play is life and every day is an opportunity to be anything and better anything. The Hollister brand believes in liberating the spirit of an endless summer inside everyone and making teens feel celebrated and comfortable in their own skin. Gilly Hicks, offering underwear, loungewear and activewear, is designed to give all Gen Z customers their daily dose of happy. Social Tourist, the creative vision of Hollister and social media personalities, Dixie and Charli DAmelio, offers trend forward apparel that allows teens to experiment with their style, while exploring the duality of who they are both on social media and in real life.

Story continues

The brands share a commitment to offering products of enduring quality and exceptional comfort that allow consumers around the world to express their own individuality and style. Abercrombie & Fitch Co. operates approximately 730 stores under these brands across North America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East, as well as the e-commerce sites www.abercrombie.com, www.abercrombiekids.com, www.hollisterco.com, www.gillyhicks.com and www.socialtourist.com.

Media Contact:

Mackenzie Gusweiler

Abercrombie & Fitch Co.

(614) 283-6192

Public_Relations@anfcorp.com

Investor Contact

Pam Quintiliano

Abercrombie & Fitch Co.

(614)-283-6751

Investor_Relations@anfcorp.com




Call of Duty maker Activision Blizzard (ATVI) reported its Q2 earnings after the closing bell Monday, beating analysts' expectations on revenue, but falling short on the bottom line as the industry contends with a slowdown from its pandemic-era highs.

Here are the most important numbers from the announcement versus what Wall Street was anticipating from the gaming giant, as compiled by Bloomberg.

Bookings: $1.64 billion versus $1.59 billion expected

Earnings per share: $0.47 versus $0.48 expected

Shares of Activision Blizzard were largely flat following the report.

While Activision Blizzard beat analysts' expectations, bookings were down more than 14% year-over-year. "Bookings" measure overall revenue, but subtracts deferred sales from certain online purchases.

The gaming industry is undergoing a serious hangover following its explosive growth during the pandemic. Both Microsoft (MSFT) and Sony (SONY) reported slowdowns in software sales and user engagement during their latest earnings.

Microsoft, which doesnt break out revenue for its Xbox products, said services revenue fell 6% year-over-year. Sony, for its part, reported a 13% year-over-year decline in software revenue. Unit sales, meanwhile, fell 26% year-over-year.

In June of this year, according to NPD, spending across game hardware, content, and accessories dropped 11% year-over-year to $4.3 billion.

But Activision Blizzard has a huge lineup of titles coming including a new "Call of Duty," new free-to-play "Call of Duty: Warzone," and more.

What's more, despite many tech companies announcing hiring slowdowns and freezes, Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick said the gaming firm has grown its headcount.

"Even in a challenging economic environment, with so many companies announcing hiring freezes and layoffs, our development headcount grew 25% year-over-year as of the end of the second quarter."

The video game industry is dealing with a hangover from the highs it experienced during the pandemic. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File)

Microsoft is also waiting to learn if its planned acquisition of Activision Blizzard can move forward. While Microsoft has said that its confident the $68.7 billion deal will close by the end of fiscal 2023, the Federal Trade Commission is still looking into the purchase.

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Global regulators are also examining the acquisition. On July 6, the U.K.s Competition and Markets Authority announced that it launched an investigation into the move. The authority is expected to announce its findings on Sept. 1.

If the deal goes through, Microsoft would gain access to Activision Blizzards massive library of games including Call of Duty and World of Warcraft. Microsoft, meanwhile, has assured fans that if regulators approve the acquisition, Call of Duty will still be available on Sonys consoles.

Activision Blizzard has been dealing with the fallout from explosive allegations that it, and Kotick, fostered an environment akin to a frat house atmosphere plagued by sexual harassment and gender discrimination.

In March, the company paid $18 million to settle a lawsuit filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission related to the allegations. Californias Department of Fair Employment and Housing also filed a lawsuit against the gaming company, though that case is still pending.

In a statement to Yahoo Finance, a spokesperson for Activision Blizzard said, "Our priority is and always will be having the very best workplace for our employees. The DFEH filed its allegations without completing its investigation and failed to follow its own investigative requirements and conciliation procedures. It has been accused by the EEOC and others of unethical conduct. No court has ever found the DFEH's allegations to be true.

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(Bloomberg) -- In June, Indian billionaire Mukesh Ambani and his aides ran into an unexpected dilemma when debating where to train the dealmaking lens of his empire next.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Ambanis Reliance Industries Ltd. was contemplating buying a foreign telecommunications giant, when word reached them that Gautam Adani -- who had overtaken Ambani as Asias richest man a few months earlier -- was planning to bid in the first big sale of 5G airwaves in India, according to people familiar with the matter.

Ambanis Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd. is the top player in Indias mobile market, while the Adani Group doesnt even have a license to offer wireless telecommunications services. But the very idea that he might be circling ground so core to Ambanis ambitions put the tycoons camp on high alert, according to the people, who asked not to be named discussing information that isnt public.

One set of aides advised Ambani to pursue the overseas target and diversify beyond the Indian market, while another counseled conserving funds to fend off any challenge on the home turf, according to people familiar with the discussions.

Ambani, worth almost $90 billion, ultimately never bid for the foreign firm, partly, the people said, because he decided it would be more astute to retain financial firepower in case of a challenge from Adani, who has seen the worlds largest wealth gain this year -- to $118.3 billion, based on data from the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.

After peacefully expanding in their respective domains for over two decades, Asias two richest men are increasingly treading the same ground, as Adani in particular sets his sights beyond his traditional areas of focus.

Billionaire Dynasties

Thats setting the stage for a clash with widening implications both beyond Indias borders, as well as at home as the $3.2 trillion economy embraces the digital era, triggering a race for riches beyond the commodity-led sectors where Ambani and Adani made their first fortunes. The opportunities emerging -- from e-commerce, to data streaming and storage -- are reminiscent of the USs 19th century economic boom, which fueled the rise of billionaire dynasties like the Carnegies, Vanderbilts and Rockefellers.

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The two Indian families are similarly hungry for growth and that means theyre inevitably going to run into each other, said Arun Kejriwal, founder Mumbai investment advisory firm KRIS, who has been tracking the Indian market and the two billionaires for two decades.

Ambanis and Adanis will cooperate, co-exist and compete, he said. And finally, the fittest will thrive.

Representatives from Adanis and Ambanis companies declined to comment for this story.

In a public statement on July 9, the Adani Group said that it has no intention of entering the consumer mobile space currently dominated by Ambani, and will only use any airwaves purchased at the government auction to create private network solutions, and for enhancing cybersecurity at its airports and ports.

Despite such commentary, speculation is rife that he might eventually venture into offering wireless services for consumers.

I dont underestimate a calculated entry by Adani into the consumer mobile space later to compete with Reliance Jio, if not now, said Sankaran Manikutty, a former professor at the Indian Institute of Management in Ahmedabad, who remains a visiting faculty member there and has worked extensively on family businesses, telecommunications and strategy in emerging economies.

Reliance Jio emerged the top buyer in Indias airwaves auctions that concluded Monday, spending a little more than $11 billion. Adanis firm, in line with its earlier guidance, bought spectrum for just 2.12 billion rupees ($27 million), allaying fears at least for now of another disruption.

For decades, Adanis business were focused on sectors like ports, coal mining and shipping, areas that Ambani stayed clear of amid its own heavy investments in oil. But over the past year, thats changed dramatically.

In March, the Adani Group was said to be exploring potential partnerships in Saudi Arabia, including the possibility of buying into its mammoth oil exporter, Aramco, Bloomberg News reported. A few months before that, Reliance -- which still gets a majority of its revenue from businesses related to crude oil -- scrapped a plan to sell a 20% stake in its energy unit to Aramco, gutting a transaction that was two years in the pipeline.

The two billionaires also have significant overlap in green energy, with each pledging to invest more than $70 billion in a space thats heavily tied to the priorities of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modis government. Meanwhile, Adani has begun signaling deep ambitions in digital services, sports, retail, petrochemicals and media. Ambanis Reliance either already dominates these sectors or has big plans for for them.

In telecommunications, if Adani does start to target consumers in a big way, history suggests that prices could plunge amid the early phase of competition but rise again if the two companies secure a duopoly, with Indias wireless space currently dominated by three private players. When Ambani made his initial foray into telecoms in 2016, he offered free calls and very cheap data, an audacious move that saw costs across the board drop for consumers, but they are increasing again as hes cemented his control.

On the surface the two men appear quite different. Ambani, 65, inherited Reliance from his father, while Adani, 60, is a self-made businessman. But they also have some remarkable similarities.

Largely media shy, both men have a history of being fiercely competitive, disrupting most sectors they set foot in and then dominating them. Both have excellent project execution skills, are extremely detail oriented and dogged in pursuing business goals with a track record of delivering on big projects, analysts and executives who have worked with them say.

Both hail from the western province of Gujarat, Modis home state. They have also both dovetailed their business strategies closely with the prime ministers national priorities.

Not all Adanis dealmaking overlaps with Reliance, and hes raced ahead with outlays on M&A even as Ambani has stayed cautious on spending heavily overseas amid the uncertain global outlook. Adani Group acquired the Haifa port in Israel in July for $1.2 billion. In May, he bought Holcims Indian cement units for $10.5 billion.

For now, most of Adanis new forays are so nascent that the full impact is hard to immediately gauge. Yet analysts are in agreement that the two men are likely to play a big role in reshaping the Indian business landscape, potentially leaving increasingly vast portions of the economy in the hands of two families.

That could have marked consequences in a nation that has only seen income disparity widen over the course of the pandemic.

While Indias current economic advance is similar to Americas so-called Gilded Age in the 19th century, the South Asian country now faces risks of rising inequality, said Indira Hirway, director of the Centre For Development Alternatives in Ahmedabad.

Rapid diversification and overlaps between them can lead to duopoly if they work together, hurting the smaller firms in these sectors, Hirway said. If they start competing, it can impact the equilibrium of the business landscape as both conglomerates will be fighting for resources and raw materials.

(Updates with details of India 5G auction wins in the 14-th paragraph.)

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

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Vast Resources PLC

Vast Resources plc / Ticker: VAST / Index: AIM / Sector: Mining

1 August 2022

Vast Resources plc

(Vast or the Company)

Baita Plai Operational Update

Vast Resources plc, the AIM-listed production and development company, is pleased to announce that it will commence molybdenum concentrate production in August 2022 at its Baita Plai Polymetallic Mine (Baita Plai) in Romania.

Further to the announcements made on 31 January 2022 and 3 May 2022 regarding the installation and commissioning of a molybdenum (Mo) flotation line at Baita Plai, the Company is pleased to confirm that the 0.6m3 cells are installed in the flotation circuit and production of a molybdenum concentrate will commence in August 2022. The Company will report on quarterly molybdenum production as part of its quarterly production reporting.

The Company will upload photos and videos of the commencement of the Mo production at Baita Plai on its social media platforms.

Market Abuse Regulation (MAR) Disclosure

Certain information contained within this announcement is deemed by the Company to constitute inside information as stipulated under the Market Abuse Regulations (EU) No. 596/2014 as it forms part of UK Domestic Law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 (UK MAR) until the release of this announcement.

**ENDS**

For further information, visit www.vastplc.com or please contact:

Vast Resources plc

Andrew Prelea (CEO)

Andrew Hall (CCO)



www.vastplc.com

+44 (0) 20 7846 0974 Beaumont Cornish  Financial & Nominated Advisor

Roland Cornish

James Biddle



www.beaumontcornish.com

+44 (0) 20 7628 3396 Shore Capital Stockbrokers Limited  Joint Broker

Toby Gibbs / James Thomas (Corporate Advisory)



www.shorecapmarkets.co.uk

+44 (0) 20 7408 4050 Axis Capital Markets Limited  Joint Broker

Kamran Hussain



www.axcap247.com

+44 (0) 20 3206 0320 St Brides Partners Limited

Susie Geliher / Charlotte Page www.stbridespartners.co.uk

+44 (0) 20 7236 1177

ABOUT VAST RESOURCES PLC

Vast Resources plc is a United Kingdom AIM listed mining company with mines, development projects and mining interests in Romania, Tajikistan and Zimbabwe.

Story continues

In Romania, the Company is focused on the rapid advancement of high-quality projects by recommencing production at previously producing mines.

The Company's Romanian portfolio includes 100% interest in Vast Baita Plai SAs producing Polymetallic Mine, located in the Apuseni Mountains, Transylvania, an area which hosts Romania's largest polymetallic mines. The mine has a JORC compliant Reserve & Resource Report which underpins the initial mine production life of approximately 3-4 years with an in-situ total mineral resource of 15,695 tonnes copper equivalent with a further 1.8M-3M tonnes exploration target. The Company is now working on confirming an enlarged exploration target of up to 5.8M tonnes.

The Company also owns the Manaila Polymetallic Mine in Romania, which the Company is looking to bring back into production following a period of care and maintenance. The Company has also been granted the Manaila Carlibaba Extended Exploitation Licence that will allow the Company to re-examine the exploitation of the mineral resources within the larger Manaila Carlibaba licence area.

Vast has an interest in a joint venture company which provides exposure to a near term revenue opportunity from the Takob Mine processing facility in Tajikistan. The Takob Mine opportunity, which is 100% financed, will provide Vast with a 12.25 percent royalty over all sales of non-ferrous concentrate and any other metals produced. Processing of stockpiled ore on site is expected to commence in mid-2022.

In Zimbabwe, the Company is focused on the commencement of the joint venture mining agreement on the Community Diamond Concession, Chiadzwa, in the Marange Diamond Fields.




CITI OPEN ANNOUNCES IT WILL MATCH ANDY MURRAY'S DONATION OF HIS 2022 PRIZE MONEY TO HELP CHILDREN IN UKRAINE WHILE HE PLAYS IN DC

PR Newswire

WASHINGTON, Aug. 1, 2022

Citi Open Tournament launches website for fans to donate to UNICEF USA alongside Murray through every round.

WASHINGTON, Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Citi Open Chairman Mark D. Ein announced this weekend that his foundation and the tournament will match a pledge made earlier this year by three-time Grand Slam winner, and UNICEF Ambassador, Andy Murray to donate all his 2022 winnings to UNICEF's effort to help children in need in Ukraine. The Citi Open will not only match Murray's prize money in next week's tournament, but also launched a new web site, MatchUkraine.org, to encourage fans in the stadium and all over the world to support efforts in the embattled country by donating with every round he plays.

Citi Open

Citi Open will match Andy Murray's donation of his 2022 prize money to help children in Ukraine while he plays in D.C.

"We must do everything we can to help the situation in Ukraine," said Murray. "The most devastating aspect of this horrible tragedy is what is happening to children. I encourage everyone to join in and help these kids. Together, the Citi Open and tennis fans everywhere can stand up and make a difference. I know I will give it everything I have on the court to help UNICEF with their mission to help the children of Ukraine."

"Andy Murray's efforts to help children in Ukraine inspired all of us and we want to use our platform in Washington to help him do even more," said Ein. "Andy demonstrated why he is one of the most respected leaders in sports when he selflessly stepped up just after the invasion of Ukraine to help millions of children in needa need that grows with each passing day. We have all seen the tragic toll on innocent children and their families caught in the crossfire. The Citi Open is proud to join Andy in raising funds to help this important cause, and we invite our fans and tennis fans around the world to do the same."

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"Andy Murray is a champion on and off the court," said Michael J. Nyenhuis, CEO and President of UNICEF USA. "The generosity shown by Andy, the Citi Open and tennis fans around the world could not come at a more critical time for children in Ukraine, who are continuing to face unprecedented challenges."

Through this week, Murray's prize money donation is more than $300,000 and he could make another $342,800, which would then be matched by the Mark and Sally Ein Foundation and the Citi Open, if he wins the title at the Citi Open in the Nation's Capital.

UNICEF's emergency response teams and partners are continuing to deliver safe water to families in communities where water systems are barely functioning. They are providing health care, nutrition and education support where services are severely lacking or have shut down entirely. And they are focusing on protecting children from violence, exploitation and abuse in the face of increased threats of gender-based violence and the risk of harm from mines and other explosive remnants of war.

The campaign will be promoted on social media and on site at the Citi Open. Murray's first match at the Citi Open is Monday, August 1 at 4pm ET.

Andy Murray, Three-time Grand Slam Champion & Former World No. 1:Andy Murray holds 46 career titles, including the 2012 US Open title and 2013 and 2016 Wimbledon titles. He was the first player to win two Olympic gold medals and was the first British World No. 1 player. This season he reached the finals in Stuttgart and Sydney. Murray will compete in the Citi Open for the fourth time in 2022, where he was a finalist in 2006 and quarterfinalist in 2018. Off the court, Andy has been a global ambassador to UNICEF since 2016.

About Citi Open: The Citi Open tournament is Washington DC's premier tennis event benefiting the Washington Tennis & Education Foundation (WTEF), the tournament's non-profit owner and beneficiary. The tournament was founded in 1969 by Donald Dell, John Harris and Arthur Ashe in its current location in Rock Creek Park with a vision of making pro tennis accessible for all athletes and fans in the Washington community. Beginning in 2019, venture capitalist and entrepreneur Mark Ein's organization, MDE Tennis, began managing and operating the tournament under an agreement with WTEF. The organization provides underserved children in the D.C. area with a safe environment to learn critical life skills both on and off the courts through academic and athletic enrichment. The Citi Open tennis tournament is one of only five combined tour events in the country, featuring player fields from both the ATP and WTA. The tournament is also one of 13 elite ATP World Tour 500-level events worldwide and the only one held in the United States. Washington is one of the five largest tennis events in the United States, and after 50 years, it is also the longest-running professional tennis event at the same site in the United States.

About MDE Tennis: MDE Tennis, which is part of MDE Sports & Entertainment, oversees operations for Citi Open and the Washington Kastles. Mark D. Ein is the CEO of MDE Sports & Entertainment and MDE Tennis. Ein is an investor, entrepreneur, and philanthropist, who has created, acquired, invested in and built a series of growth companies across a diverse set of industries over the course of his 30-year career.

During this time, Ein has been involved in the founding or early stages of six companies that have been worth over one billion dollars and has led over $3.0 billion of private equity, venture capital, and public company investments. Ein is the Founder and CEO of Capitol Investment Corporation, Venturehouse Group, LLC and Leland Investment Co.

Ein is deeply dedicated to supporting his Washington area community with active leadership roles on many community, charitable and cultural organizations including currently serving on the boards of the DC Public Education Fund (Chairman), DC College Access Program (DC-CAP), and DC Policy Center (Co-Founder). He formerly served on the Board of the United States Tennis Association (USTA) from 2012-2018 (serving as a Vice President of the Board from 2016-2018). Ein has been a member of the World Economic Forum since 2016, and the Gridiron Club, the oldest and one of the most prestigious journalistic organizations in Washington, D.C.

A native of the Washington, D.C., area and a ball boy in his youth at the city's summer pro tennis tournament that became the Citi Open, Ein is also the Founder and Owner of the Washington Kastles, the most successful team in World TeamTennis history. The Kastles have won the league championship six of its 12 years since its founding and holds the record for the longest winning streak in U.S. pro team sports history winning 34 straight matches from 2011 through 2013. In September 2009, Washington D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty presented Ein with the Key to the City, highlighting his Washington Kastles success on the court and, "for their commitment to the District's communities and our youth."

In September 2018, Ein founded the Washington Justice esports franchise in the Overwatch League, bringing the premier global esports league to the greater Washington, D.C. region. Also, in 2018, Ein acquired the Washington City Paper, the renowned weekly paper serving the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area since 1981. In 2019, Ein took over management and operation of Citi Open in Washington, D.C., one of only five U.S. professional tennis tournaments that include both men's and women's fields.

Match Ukraine

Cision

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SOURCE Citi Open
Hong Kong: 4k COVID-19 cases recorded

The Centre for Health Protection today said it is investigating 4,019 additional locally acquired COVID-19 cases, of which 1,486 were directly identified through nucleic acid tests and 2,533 via rapid antigen tests that were verified.

Separately, 235 imported cases were reported.

An elderly care home in Sha Tin reported one virus case involving a resident.

There were also 940 cases reported by 558 schools. Nine schools have been advised to suspend face-to-face lessons for specific classes temporarily.

The centre added that six more patients passed away, bringing the total number of deaths in the fifth wave of the epidemic to 9,296.

The Hospital Authority also urged parents and guardians to get children vaccinated following the death of a girl and the hospitalisation of a boy - both patients had COVID-19.

The 22-month-old girl tested positive for the virus via a rapid antigen test on July 27. In a critical condition, she was admitted to an intensive care unit, but her condition worsened and she passed away this afternoon.

The 35-month-old boy developed a fever last Friday and subsequently had spasms. He is in a stable condition and under observation.

Meanwhile, the Government made a restriction-testing declaration to cover Kwan Ming House of Yuk Ming Court in Tseung Kwan O, requiring people in the restricted area to undergo compulsory testing before the specified deadline.

As there were positive sewage test results with relatively high viral loads in several areas of Eastern District, Yau Tsim Mong and Yuen Long, the respective district offices will distribute COVID-19 rapid test kits to relevant residents as well as cleaning workers and property management staff working there.

For information and health advice on COVID-19, visit the Government's dedicated webpage.

This story has been published on: 2022-08-01. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
By Azernews

By Ayya Lmahamad

Azerbaijan's Export and Investment Promotion Agency (AZPROMO) and the Swiss Joint Chamber of Commerce (JCC) have discussed the establishment of cooperation, Azernews reports.

During the meeting, the parties discussed Azerbaijan's business and investment environment. In addition, export opportunities for Azerbaijan's non-oil products were presented.

The JCC is the central, unifying hub for Eurasian business activity in Switzerland. The chamber supports Swiss companies doing business in Eastern Europe (non-EU), Central Asia, and the South Caucasus, and companies from the region interested in establishing themselves in Switzerland.

Azerbaijan and Switzerland cooperate in various economic sectors. Diplomatic relations between the two countries were established on January 21, 1992.

There is a mutually beneficial cooperation between Baku and Bern in the non-oil sector. In addition, Baku will host a meeting of the Commission on Trade and Economic relations between Switzerland and Azerbaijan in 2022.

The trade turnover between the two countries amounted to $457.2 million in 2021, with exports accounting for $272.5 million and imports for $184.7 million.
Transparency Market Research

Advantages of data broker services to provide large and structured data sets to business intelligence (BI) solution providers for competitive advantage of companies spurs adoption

Wilmington, Delaware, United States, Aug. 01, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Transparency Market Research Inc. - TMR estimates the data broker market to expand at a CAGR of 6.8% during the forecast period from 2022 to 2031. Rapid adoption of business intelligence (BI) solutions from a range of industries including finance and healthcare to analyze large data sets and obtain actionable insights for competitive advantage fuels the growth of data brokers market.



Data brokers are authorized to directly license the data of another company or process data of another organization for improved business outcomes.

Proliferation of the digital economy with consistent rise in the use of mobile devices demonstrates continuous growth in business intelligence (BI). The generation of large data sets allows BI to scrutinize this data for actionable insights. This, in turn, drives the demand for vendors in the data brokers market.

North America is anticipated to account for the leading share of the data brokers market in 2022. Top data broker companies are currently selling large volume of data of citizens in the U.S. to different businesses, to fuel the growth of data brokers market in the region.

Request Sample Report at - https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=13037

Data Broker Market  Key Findings of the Report

Technological capability of best data broker companies to provide comprehensive analysis of unstructured data stimulates operational efficiency of a business. Therefore, advantages of managing and monetizing large volume of personal data to present lucrative opportunities for the data brokers industry.





Generic biographic data pertaining to date of birth, education, marital status, employment, and personal interest generated through peoples Internet browsing history is used in several business applications. Application of this data in marketing and advertising, risk mitigation, people search and other functions unlocks opportunities in the data brokers market.





Demand for fraud detection services typically used by banks and mobile operators provides incremental opportunities for commercial data brokers and cloud access security brokers. For instance, the BFSI sector uses information provided by data brokers to find more information about an individual before approving a loan.





Adoption of enterprise BI from various industries such as IT, healthcare, and education to use and analyze data sets to transforms operations gathers steam. Inclination of customer-facing businesses toward data analytics owing to changing consumer purchasing pattern, trends is likely to strengthen demand.





Critical role of data in the financial and investment industry such as for private equity firms and investment institutions holds value for competitive advantage. Financial and investment institutions are likely to capitalize on the massive volume of data, coupled with integration of advanced technologies and the availability of large data sets to unlock hidden potential for improved decision-making.





Accuracy and timeframe of data for the execution of critical fund management functions helps to foster investor relationship and transparency, modelling, risk management, reporting, benchmarking, and forecasting. This is compelling the need for alternative data.



Story continues

Ask for References - https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=ARF&rep_id=13037

Data Broker Market  Growth Drivers

Interest of companies to manage and monetize on the mounting volume of personal data of consumers fuels the growth of data brokers market





Spectrum of uses of personal data of individuals in marketing and advertising, risk-mitigation, fraud detection, people search and other functions boosts data brokers market



Data Broker Market  Key Plyer

Some of the key plyer operating in the data broker market re;

Acxiom Corporation

Equifax Inc.

Oracle Corporation

Moodys Corporation

FICO

LexisNexis

Experian Plc

CoreLogic

Epsilon

eBureau

Intellius

Make an Enquiry before Buying - https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=EB&rep_id=13037

The data brokers market is segmented as follows;

Data Brokers Market, by Data Type

Unstructured Data

Structured Data

Custom Structure Data



Data Brokers Market, by End-use Industry

BFSI

Retail & E-commerce

Healthcare

IT & Telecom

Media

Government

Others



Data Brokers Market, by Region

North America

Europe

Asia Pacific

Middle East & Africa

South America



IT and Telecom Research Reports

BI and Analytics Market- BI and Analytics Market is expected to reach US$ 56.72 Bn by the end of 2031

Biometrics Market- Biometrics Market is expected to surpass the value of US$ 39.62 Bn by 2031

Application Performance Monitoring Market- Application Performance Monitoring Market to exceed value of US$ 18.2 Bn by the end of 2031

Cyber Security Consulting Market - Cyber Security Consulting Market is expected to advance at a robust CAGR of 8.4% during the forecast period, projected to cross US$ 28.22 Bn by 2031.

Physical Security Market - Physical Security Market is expected to reach the value of US$ 243.6 Bn by the end of 2031, It is estimated to expand at a CAGR of 8.10% from 2021 to 2031.

Database Security Market - The global database security market is expected to reach a value of US$ 17.7 Bn by the end of 2031, it is estimated to expand at a CAGR of 17.7% from 2022 to 2031



Computer Aided Detection Market - Computer Aided Detection market was valued at US$ 621.4 Mn in 2019 and is expected to reach US$ 1,405.2 Mn by 2027, expanding at a CAGR of 10.7% from 2019 to 2027

Test Automation Market - The global test automation market is expected to surpass value of US$ 125.9 Bn by the end of 2031, it is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 18.6% from 2021 to 2031

About Transparency Market Research

Transparency Market Research registered at Wilmington, Delaware, United States, is a global market research company providing custom research and consulting services. TMR provides in-depth insights into factors governing demand in the market. It divulges opportunities across various segments based on Source, Application, Sales Channel, and End-Use that will favor growth in the market over the next 9 years.

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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Nikki Fried's first TV spot emphasizes that she would be Florida's first woman governor.

TALLAHASSEE  With voters choosing a Democratic nominee for governor in three weeks, Nikki Fried went up Monday with her first TV ad of the primary season and drew a sharp contrast with rival Charlie Crist.

Frieds $1.5 million buy places the 30-second spot in six of the states top TV markets, including costly Orlando, Miami and West Palm Beach. The ads most prominent image has the candidate striding through mannequins representing Floridas 46 previous governors  all men.

We have to try something new, Fried says in the spot, after text displayed references to the overturning of abortion rights, economic woes and gun limits that have failed to advance because of the National Rifle Associations influence.

Crist went on television in mid-July with his only TV ad so far of the campaign. He looked past the Aug. 23 primary contest and focused on Gov. Ron DeSantis in his spot.

By contrast, Fried trains much of her focus on Crist, without mentioning the former Florida Republican governor who is now a Democratic Congressman from St. Petersburg.

Fried notes she is the only statewide elected Democrat, and adds that she is the only pro-choice Democrat, and the only Democrat whos never taken a dime from the NRA.

Crist's first spot looks past primary: Crist with first TV spot in governor's race  looks past Fried, targets DeSantis

Crist, Fried tangle in only TV debate: Charlie Crist, Nikki Fried tangle over abortion, housing crisis in Florida governor debate

Help needed in summertime primary: Charlie Crist, Nikki Fried look for voter turnout help heading into Democratic primary

Crist has been pushing back against Frieds steady attacks on him for casting himself as pro-life, but still a defender of abortion rights. Crist also supports stricter gun limits, despite having been backed by the NRA during his Republican years.

DeSantis doesnt face a primary opponent. And hes not expected to air TV spots until after his rival in November is determined by Democratic voters in the primary.

Story continues

TV is a needed luxury for the Democrats, whose funding is lackluster.

Crist has about $7.2 million cash-on-hand, compared to $2.8 million for Fried. DeSantis, a likely contender for the White House in 2024, has eclipsed every other politician in Florida by sitting on $128 million for his November race and beyond.

Crist and Fried had their lone TV debate of their race last month, an hourlong exchange aired over Florida NBC-TV stations and in Spanish on Telemundo stations.

The pair battled over affordable housing, the economy, climate change and abortion, with Fried challenging Crists frequently nuanced policy stances during his many years in politics, where he is now in his seventh statewide campaigns, having run four times as a Republican, once previously as a Democrat and once as an independent.

Fried, by contrast, won her first elected office in 2018, narrowly capturing the Cabinet post of Agriculture Commissioner.

But along with emerging as the better-financed candidate, Crist also has won endorsements from some of the Democratic Partys biggest allies, including labor organizations, the AFL-CIO, Florida Education Association, and Service Employees International, which can prove significant in get-out-the-vote efforts in a traditionally low-turnout primary.

John Kennedy is a reporter in the USA TODAY Networks Florida Capital Bureau. He can be reached at jkennedy2@gannett.com, or on Twitter at @JKennedyReport

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Fried airs first TV spot; says Florida needs "something new"
We see how hard early startup community members work to build their dreams. Youre all wicked busy, and thats why we're extending our early-bird pricing on passes to TechCrunch Disrupt, taking place on October 1820 in San Francisco.

You get one extra week to save up to $1,300, so shake your tail feathers and buy your early-bird passes by Friday, August 8 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

Dont fritter away this bonus opportunity to save big bucks on our flagship event where you can learn from, meet, connect and engage with tech icons, founders, investors, engineers, entrepreneurs and hundreds of media outlets.

TC Disrupt is where founders go to grow. Listen to what just some of your colleagues shared with us about the value they got from their experience:

Disrupt is laser focused on startups. Im just starting my own company and attending Disrupt was an incredible opportunity to connect with companies and learn from the best people in the industry. Anirudh Murali, co-founder and CEO, Economize.

When youre building a startup, youre in the weeds. It's hard to get a 30,000-foot view, see where your company is and where it can go. Going to Disrupt and seeing what other startups are doing gives you that important perspective. Its a huge benefit. Jessica McLean, director of marketing and communications, Infinite-Compute.

There was always something interesting going on in one of the breakout rooms, and I was impressed by the quality of the people participating. Partners in well-known VC firms spoke, they were accessible, and they shared smart, insightful nuggets. You will not find this level of people accessible and in one place anywhere else. Michael McCarthy, CEO, Repositax.

Here are just a few examples of the high-quality people youll hear and learn from at Disrupt:

Story continues

TechCrunch Disrupt 2022 takes place in San Francisco on October 1820 with an online day on October 21. You cant possibly be too busy to save up to $1,300. Take advantage of this extended deadline, and buy your pass by Friday, August 8 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

Is your company interested in sponsoring or exhibiting at TechCrunch Disrupt 2022? Contact our sponsorship sales team by filling out this form.

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Company Logo

Dublin, Aug. 01, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- 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.

Story continues

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/prhr7g

CONTACT: CONTACT: ResearchAndMarkets.com Laura Wood, Senior Press Manager press@researchandmarkets.com 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




England face Germany in the final of Euro 2022 on Sunday.

The Lionesses have captured the imagination of the nation on their scintillating run all the way to Wembley. Austria and Northern Ireland were seen off either side of the 8-0 thrashing of Norway in the group stages before the nerve-shredding extra-time victory over Spain in the quarter-final.

Number two ranked Sweden proved no match in the semi-finals either with Sarina Wiegman's side cruising to a 4-0 win in Sheffield on Tuesday night. Now only one more match separates them from a first major trophy and a first for either the men or the women's sides since 1966.

Opponents Germany have impressed too, however, coming out comfortably on top of a group including Denmark, Spain and Finland. Austria were dispatched in the quarter-final before France were beaten in the semi-finals with top scorer and talisman Alexandra Popp once again in the goals on Wednesday evening.

Heres everything you need to know about the Euro 2022 final:

When is England vs Germany?

The final kicks off at 5pm BST on Sunday 31 July at Wembley Stadium.

Where can I watch it?

The match will be shown live on BBC One, while viewers can also stream the match on the BBC Sport website and iPlayer.

Coverage begins at 3.50pm with Gabby Logan presenting and Alex Scott and Ian Wright providing analysis.

Commentary comes from Robyn Cowen and Rachel Brown Finnis.

How did both teams reach this stage?

England cruised through the group stage with wins over Austria, Norway and Northern Ireland without conceding a goal. Spain forced the Lionesses into extra-time before Georgia Stanway's stunning winning goal. They they went on to thrash Sweden in the semi-final to earn their place here.

Germany saw off Denmark, Spain and Finland in the group stages before advancing past Austria in the quarter-finals. Two goals from top scorer Popp were enough to see them progress from the semi-final against France.

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Confirmed line-ups

England XI: Earps; Bronze, Bright, Williamson, Daly; Walsh, Stanway; Mead, Kirby, Hemp; White

Germany XI: Frohms; Gwinn, Hendrich, Hegering, Rauch; Magull, Oberdorf, Dabritz; Huth, Popp, Brand

Odds

England 29/20

Draw 21/10

Germany 15/8

Prediction

These two teams, packed with in-form stars on both sides, appear well matched on paper and know each other's strengths and weaknesses well. The two managers will have both ready with the stage certainly not too big for either. Perhaps itll be home advantage and a packed Wembley crowd that proves the key difference to get the Lionesses over the line for a first major trophy. England 2-1 Germany
Healthier Choices Management Corp

Record Sales of $6.1 M for the Second Quarter; 81.1% Year-Over-Year Growth

Record Gross Margin of $2.3M for the Quarter; 59.3% Year-Over-Year Growth

HOLLYWOOD, FL, Aug. 01, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Healthier Choices Management Corp. (OTC Pink: HCMC) today announced its financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2022.

Second Quarter 2022 Results and Recent Highlights:

Net sales from operations for the three-month period ended June 30, 2022, amounted to $6.1 million, compared to $3.4 million, an approximately $2.7 million and 81.1% increase versus the same period in 2021.

Gross margin from operations increased by approximately $0.9 million for the three-month period ended June 30, 2022, amounting to $2.3 million, compared to $1.5 million for the same period in 2021, a 59.3% year-over-year increase.

Loss from operations for the three-month period ended June 30, 2022, amounted to approximately $1.4 million versus $0.7 million for the same period last year. It should be noted that over $0.5 million in non-recurring expenses were incurred during the three-month period ended June 30, 2022. The balance of the prior year variance is primarily attributable to the closure of the retail stores in the vapor segment.

Six Months 2022 Results and Recent Highlights

Net sales from operations for the six-month period ended June 30, 2022, amounted to a record $11.2 million, compared to $6.9 million, an approximately $4.3 million and a record 63.2% increase versus the same period in 2021.

Gross margin from operations increased by approximately $1.3 million for the six-month period ended June 30, 2022, amounting to a record $4.3 million, compared to $3.0 million for the same period in 2021, a 45.7% year-over-year increase.



Jeffrey Holman, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of HCMC, said, We had a record-breaking quarter and are very pleased with our sales and margin performance for the business; this was a significant achievement in a very challenging economic environment.

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Mr. Holman concluded, We are investing strategically in the business, as evidenced by our acquisitions and new Healthy Choice Wellness Center locations. While this has resulted in record high sales, we continue to remain disciplined in our cost management, while enhancing our ability to deliver an exceptional customer experience. We believe we are well positioned for the future to grow shareholder value."

Results of Operations

The following table sets forth our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and six-months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021:





HEALTHIER CHOICES MANAGEMENT CORP. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED) Three Months Ended Six Months Ended June 30, June 30, 2022 2021 2022 2021 Total sales, net $ 6,132,060 $ 3,385,892 $ 11,180,613 $ 6,851,645 Total cost of sales 3,801,187 1,922,236 6,877,226 3,897,279 GROSS PROFIT 2,330,873 1,463,656 4,303,387 2,954,366 Total operating expenses 3,699,273 2,149,087 7,026,693 4,171,970 LOSS FROM OPERATIONS (1,368,400 ) (685,431 ) (2,723,306 ) (1,217,604 ) Total other income (expense), net 22,885 865,096 59,876 701,011 NET INCOME (LOSS) FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS $ (1,345,515 ) $ 179,665 $ (2,663,430 ) $ (516,593 )





See non-GAAP financial measure discussion Three Months Ended Six Months Ended June 30, June 30, 2022 2021 2022 2021 Adjusted EBITDA Loss from operations $ (1,368,400 ) $ (685,431 ) $ (2,723,306 ) $ (1,217,604 ) Depreciation and amortization 228,756 124,974 422,079 261,571 Stock compensation - 32,500 - 34,375 Adjusted EBITDA $ (1,139,644 ) $ (527,957 ) $ (2,301,227 ) $ (921,658 )





Consolidated Balance Sheets:

The following table sets forth our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets for the periods ended June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021:

HEALTHIER CHOICES MANAGEMENT CORP. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS June 30,

2022 December 31,

2021 (UNAUDITED) ASSETS CURRENT ASSETS Cash and cash equivalents $ 19,323,420 $ 26,496,404 Other current assets 2,965,336 2,277,135 TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS 22,288,756 28,773,539 Other assets 11,543,442 5,669,948 TOTAL ASSETS $ 33,832,198 $ 34,443,487 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY CURRENT LIABILITIES Current liabilities $ 3,245,866 $ 2,523,994 TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES 3,245,866 2,523,994 Other liabilities 4,016,105 2,685,836 TOTAL LIABILITIES 7,261,971 5,209,830 TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY 26,570,227 29,233,657 TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY $ 33,832,198 $ 34,443,487





Non-GAAP  Financial Measure

The following discussion and analysis contain a non-GAAP financial measure. A non-GAAP financial measure is a numerical measure of a companys performance, financial position, or cash flows that either excludes or includes amounts that are not normally included or excluded in the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). Non-GAAP financial measures should be viewed as supplemental to, and should not be considered as alternative to, net income, operating income, and cash flow from operating activities, liquidity, or any other financial measures. Non-GAAP financial measures may not be indicative of the historical operating results of the Company nor are they intended to be predictive of potential future financial results. Investors should not consider non-GAAP financial measures in isolation or as substitutes for performance measures calculated in accordance with GAAP.

Management believes stockholders benefit from referring to the Adjusted EBITDA in planning, forecasting, and analyzing future periods. Management uses this non-GAAP financial measure in evaluating its financial and operational decision making and as a means of evaluating period to period comparison.

We define Adjusted EBITDA as net loss from operations adjusted for non-cash charges from depreciation and amortization and stock compensation. Management believes Adjusted EBITDA is an important measure of our operating performance because it allows management, investor, and analysts to evaluate and assess our core operating results from period to period after removing the impact of significant non-cash charges that effect comparability between reporting periods. Our management recognizes that Adjusted EBITDA has inherent limitations because of the excluded items.

We have included a reconciliation of our non-GAAP financial measure to loss from operations as calculated in accordance with GAAP. We believe that providing the non-GAAP financial measure, together with the reconciliation to GAAP, helps investors make comparisons between the Company and other companies. In making any comparisons to other companies, investors need to be aware that companies use different non-GAAP measures to evaluate their financial performance. Investors should pay close attention to specific definition being used and to the reconciliation between such measures and the corresponding GAAP measure provided by each company under applicable rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

About Healthier Choices Management Corp.

Healthier Choices Management Corp. (www.healthiercmc.com) is a holding company focused on providing consumers with healthier daily choices with respect to nutrition and other lifestyle alternatives.

Through its wholly owned subsidiary HCMC Intellectual Property Holdings, LLC, the Company manages and intends to expand on its intellectual property portfolio.

Through its wholly owned subsidiaries, Healthy Choice Markets, Inc., Healthy Choice Markets 2, LLC, and Healthy Choice Markets 3, LLC, respectively, the Company operates:

Adas Natural Market, a natural and organic grocery store offering fresh produce, bulk foods, vitamins and supplements, packaged groceries, meat and seafood, deli, baked goods, dairy products, frozen foods, health & beauty products and natural household items (www.Adasmarket.com)

Paradise Health & Nutritions three stores that likewise offer fresh produce, bulk foods, vitamins and supplements, packaged groceries, meat and seafood, deli, baked goods, dairy products, frozen foods, health & beauty products and natural household items, (www.ParadiseHealthDirect.com)

Mother Earths Storehouse, a two-store organic and health food and vitamin chain in New Yorks Hudson Valley, which has been in existence for over 40 years. (www.MotherEarthStorehouse.com)



Through its wholly owned subsidiary, Healthy Choice Wellness, LLC, the Company operates:

Healthy Choice Wellness Center (Roslyn Heights, NY) a corporately owned IV therapy center offering multiple IV drip cocktails for clients to choose from. These cocktails are designed to help boost immunity, fight fatigue and stress, reduce inflammation, enhance weight loss, and efficiently deliver antioxidants and anti-aging mixes. Additionally, there are cocktails for health, beauty, and re-hydration. (www.Eirhydration.com, though rebranded website www.HealthyChoiceWellness.com)

The Company also has a licensing agreement for a Healthy Choice Wellness Center at the Casbah Spa and Salon in Fort Lauderdale, FL, offering essentially the same services as the Roslyn Heights, NY location. (Grand Opening and Website www.HealthyChoiceWellness.com)

Through its wholly owned subsidiary, Healthy U Wholesale, the Company sells vitamins and supplements, as well as health, beauty and personal care products on its website www.TheVitaminStore.com.

Additionally, the Company markets its patented Q-Unit and Q-Cup technology. Information on these products and the technology is available on the Companys website at www.theQcup.com.

Forward Looking Statements.

This press release contains forward looking statements within the meaning of that term in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934). Additional written or oral forward-looking statements may be made by the Company from time to time in filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) or otherwise. Statements contained in this press release that are not historical facts are forward looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and are based on managements estimates, assumptions and projections and are not guarantees of future performance. The Company assumes no obligation to update these statements. Forward looking statements may include, but are not limited to, projections or estimates of revenue, income, or loss, exit costs, cash flow needs and capital expenditures, statements regarding future operations, expansion or restructuring plans, including our recent exit from, and winding down of our wholesale distribution operations. In addition, when used in this release, the words anticipates, believes, estimates, expects, intends, and plans and variations thereof and similar expressions are intended to identify forward looking statements.

Factors that may affect our future results of operations and financial condition include, but are not limited to, fluctuations in demand for our products, the introduction of new products, our ability to maintain customer and strategic business relationships, the impact of competitive products and pricing, growth in targeted markets, the adequacy of our liquidity and financial strength to support its growth, and other information that may be detailed from time-to-time in our filings with the SEC.

Contact Information:

Healthier Choices Management Corp.

3800 North 28TH Way, #1 Hollywood, FL 33020

305-600-5004

Email: ir@hcmc1.com




LONDON, Aug 1 (Reuters) - Italian bond yields fell on Monday after prime ministerial front-runner Giorgia Meloni said on Friday she would stick to EU budget rules, easing some fears that Italy could distance itself from the bloc.

Latest polls show a conservative alliance led by Meloni's Brothers of Italy party is in pole position to win a parliamentary majority.

"Italy is a major beneficiary from the EU Recovery Fund, and it would be unwise to pick a fight with the EU and jeopardize the receipt of funds," said Mohit Kumar, managing director, interest rates strategy at Jefferies in a note.

Italy's 10-year government bond yield was last down 3 basis points (bps) at 3.12%, after earlier dropping to its lowest level since May 31, 3.06%.

Other euro zone bond yields were around 3 to 4 bps higher.

That pushed the closely watched spread between Italian and German 10-year government debt to 223.7 bps, its tightest level since July 21.

Financial markets continued to focus on growth risks and high inflation in the euro zone, with data released on Monday adding to concerns of a pending recession. But inflation data on Friday hit another record high, putting pressure on the European Central Bank (ECB) to go for another large interest rate rise in September.

German retail sales in June were 8.8% lower in real terms than a year earlier, the biggest drop since the data series began in 1994.

Meanwhile, manufacturing activity across the euro zone contracted last month, a survey showed, adding to concerns the bloc could fall into a recession.

Money markets are split on what the ECB's next move might be, with traders pricing in around a 50% chance of a 50 basis point rate hike in September.

Germany's 10-year government bond yield was last up 4.5 bps, at 0.873%.

The 2-year yield, which is sensitive to movements in interest rates, was up 4.5 bps at 0.328%. (Reporting by Samuel Indyk; Editing by Bradley Perrett)
Amber Heard testifies as US actor Johnny Depp looks on during their defamation trial in May 2022 (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Johnny Depp sought to submit nude photos of Amber Heard as evidence at the former couples defamation trial, according to newly unsealed court documents.

More than 6,000 pages in the case, which made headlines around the world as it was televised for weeks, were made public over the weekend, according to The Daily Beast.

In pre-trial documents, Ms Heards legal team asked the judge in the case to exclude a string of irrelevant personal matters from the trial.

They alleged that, Mr. Depp inappropriately seeks to introduce evidence of the following Irrelevant Personal Matters: (1) nude pictures of Amber Heard; (2) Amber Heards sister Whitneys reality show video; (3) Whitney and Ambers past romantic relationships; (4) Ambers brief stint as an exotic dancer years before she met Mr. Depp and Mr. Depp attempting to frivolously and maliciously suggest or imply that Ms. Heard was at one time an escort.

The court papers also show that Ms Heard walked away from tens of millions of dollars during her divorce from the Hollywood star.

They claim that Mr Depp shot the fifth Pirates of the Caribbean movie while the couple was still married and that Ms Heard was therefore entitled to half of the income from it.

Mr Depp had earned more than $33m from the fourth movie in the franchise, but Ms Heard told her lawyers she did not want to fight him for the paycheck. She told them in an email included in the court papers that she would be amazingly true to your word, that this is not about the money.

The judge ultimately refused to allow the jury to hear any evidence from the couples divorce proceedings in the defamation trial.

The trial, which began on 11 April in Fairfax, Virginia, stemmed from a complaint filed in March 2019 by Mr Depp against his ex-wife.

Mr Depp alleged that Ms Heard had defamed him in an op-ed published in The Washington Post, in which she described herself as a public figure representing domestic abuse. Ms Heard filed a counter-suit in November 2020, asking to be granted immunity against Mr Depps claims.

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On 1 June, a jury overwhelmingly found in Mr Depps favor that Ms Heard had defamed Mr Depp in three statements. Jurors also found that an attorney for Mr Depp defamed Ms Heard in one of three statements highlighted in her counter-suit. Mr Depp was awarded $10.35m in damages, while Ms Heard was awarded $2m.

Last month, Mr Depp appealed the $2m defamation award the jury made, days after Ms Heard officially appealed the $10.35m verdict made against her.

The Independent has reached out to lawyers for Ms Heard for comment.
NINGBO, China, Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Recently, KPMG and HSBC jointly announced the 2022 Emerging Giants in Asia Pacific Report, in which the leading 100 emerging firms in the region were identified based on their future growth potential. JOYNEXT was ranked 23rd on the list, being one of the few companies in the automotive sector.

Source: Emerging Giants in Asia Pacific Report by KPMG & HSBC

The report is a comprehensive analysis of 6,427 technology-focus companies in 12 Asia Pacific countries and regions, including China, India and Japan. The top 100 emerging technology companies were selected based on their superior technology, "hyper-localized" businesses, talent sustainability, mastery of logistics and supply chain operation and successful business strategy.

The Asia-Pacific region is in a period of economic transition, with an increasing number of technology companies entering the automotive sector. The transition is facilitating cross-industry convergence. In the midst of this trend, JOYNEXT has also built ecological cooperation with many large technology companies, with the aim of jointly addressing the challenges and opportunities in the new era.

After years of development, JOYNEXT is taking a leading position in the industry in terms of smart connectivity technologies and the intelligent cockpit, and well positioned to provide autonomous driving and software services to meet more demands in the future. In 2021, JOYNEXT's 5G+C-V2X technology went into mass production. Following the rapid development of vehicle-road collaboration, JOYNEXT quickly expanded the application of its V2X products into global markets, and was nominated by many major international OEMs. In response to the emergence of software-defined vehicles, JOYNEXT has created multiple domain fusion solutions, empowering a new generation of intelligent cockpits with autonomous driving and software services to improve human-machine interaction experience and safety.

JOYNEXT serves customers in different regions with its developing technologies and global operations. At present, JOYNEXT owns and operates 4 R&D centers, 3 production facilities and 7 customer centers worldwide, meeting the personalized needs of customers with localized expertise.

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A smart mobility industry is gradually emerging. In order to achieve sustainable development, JOYNEXT has made substantial progress in both talent sustainability and technology sustainability. JOYNEXT views its highly talented workforce as the company foundation. JOYNEXT boosts talent development in all aspects through new talent development center, employee caring program and culture integration projects. JOYNEXT invests about 10% of its annual sales in R&D for long-term technologies development.

Looking forward, JOYNEXT will continue to empower connected vehicles through innovation, with the goal of creating a safer, smarter and more personalized mobility experience for drivers worldwide.

SOURCE JOYNEXT Technology Co.,Ltd.
Expereo

With over 30 years of experience in the industry, Rupert will be driving Expereos global customer-centric marketing strategy

AMSTERDAM, Netherlands, Aug. 01, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Expereo, the worlds leading provider of Global Internet, Cloud Access Optimization, SASE and SD-WAN services has announced the appointment of Rupert Wadsworth as Senior Vice President of Marketing. In his new role, Wadsworths priority will be to align Expereos overarching global customer-centric marketing strategy with regionally tailored solutions, driving the expansion and adoption of Expereos services across the globe.



Wadsworth joins Expereo from NTT Ltd. where he was Senior Vice President of Marketing and Communications, leading the Marketing and Demand Generation team in Europe, covering 15 countries. Wadsworth has over 30 years of experience, holding roles in Country, Regional and Global Marketing teams in Telecommunications and IT organizations. Rupert will be key for accelerating Expereos trajectory of global growth and development.

Ben Elms, Chief Revenue Officer at Expereo, comments on the appointment, Ruperts expertise across marketing functions in telecommunications and IT organizations makes him the perfect candidate to drive Expereos strategy on a regional and global level and I could not be more thrilled to have him join the team. This marks the start of a great partnership and teamwork, as we take Expereo to new heights together.

I am very excited to be joining Expereo at this important time, as we deliver our strategy to help our enterprise customers around the world harness the power of digitization and achieve their goals with smart, versatile connectivity solutions, commented Rupert Wadsworth, on his appointment to Senior Vice President of Marketing at Expereo.

Wadsworths appointment comes after a year of dynamic expansion for Expereo, as they continue to invest in their teams to create a seamless customer experience and meet their customers need for reliable connectivity with agile, tailored solutions, no matter where they are in the world.

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About Expereo

Expereo is a leading global provider of managed network solutions including, Global Internet, SD-WAN/SASE, and Enhanced Internet. With an extensive global reach, Expereo is the trusted partner of 30% of Fortune 500 companies. It powers enterprise and government sites in more than 190 countries, helping customers improve productivity and empowering their networks and cloud services with the agility, flexibility and value of the Internet, with optimal network performance.

Expereo was acquired in Feb 2021, by Vitruvian Partners. The international growth capital and buyout firm, acquired a majority shareholding from leading European private equity firm, Apax Partners sas.

For more information visit: www.expereo.com .

CONTACT: Emese Csikai Senior Account Executive emese@grammatikagency.com




By Azernews

By Ayya Lmahamad

Uzbekistan, Turkiye, and Azerbaijan will discuss the prospects of cooperation in investment, innovation, transport, and communications sectors, Uzbek presidential spokesman Sherzod Asadov said, Azernews reports.

He noted that the parties will discuss the further development of inter-regional cooperation at a meeting of the Foreign, Trade, and Transport Ministers of Uzbekistan, Turkiye, and Azerbaijan on August 2.

"This is a completely new mechanism. The talks will be organized in accordance with the agreements reached earlier by the heads of the three countries," he said.

It should be noted that the meeting will be held in Tashkent. From Azerbaijan, Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov and ministers of the economic bloc of the government are expected to take part in the meeting. The Uzbek side will be represented by Foreign Minister Vladimir Norov, Deputy Prime Minister for Investment and Foreign Economic Relations, Investment and Foreign Trade Minister Jamshid Khodjaev, and Transport Minister Ilkhom Mahkamov.
Get ready for another school season with these Samsung back-to-school deals on mobile devices.

 Recommendations are independently chosen by Revieweds editors. Purchases you make through our links may earn us a commission.

Back-to-school season is almost here, which means everyone is looking to save big on education essentials. If your basic pens and pencils just won't cut it this year, there is plenty of tech that can help you conquer the classroom. Fortunately, Samsung is letting you shop smart with a collection of stellar mobile devices on sale just in time for the new school year.

Shop Samsung Back-to-School deals

Theres more where this deal came from. Sign up for Revieweds Perks and Rec newsletter and well keep deals coming every Sunday through Friday.

Samsung is behind some of the most popular mobile tech on the market, including feature-rich smartphones, compact earbuds, stylish smartwatches and powerful tablets. With another school year on the horizon, you can get select Samsung devices for lower prices thanks to active seasonal sales and if you trade in eligible devices. For instance, if you get the Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra, available from $424.99 with eligible trade-in, you can get a pair of Galaxy Buds 2 valued at $149.99 totally free.

Back-to-school sales: 55+ best sales to shop at Amazon, Target and Best Buy

Samsung is launching a new Bespoke laundry line: Here's what you need to know

Backcountry Semi-Annual sale: Save up to 60% on Patagonia and Smartwool

If you are looking for efficient wearable tech, consider the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4. As one of the best smartwatches we've tested, the Galaxy Watch 4 impressed us with its bright and vibrant display showcasing information-dense widgets including weather updates, text messages and GPS directions. The best of the bunch are its health-tracking features, including the ability to automatically detect when you're running or hiking and a bioelectric impedance sensor that sends a tiny electrical current through your body to check several body composition stats. Typically listed from $249.99, you can get the Galaxy Watch 4 for as low as $159.99.

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The Samsung Galaxy S7+ has an amazing touchscreen that lets you watch videos and take notes.

For those wanting the power of a laptop and the portability of a notepad in one device, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7+ is a great classroom companion. Typically listed from $849.99, you can get the 12.4-inch tablet for as low as $299.99. Ranking amongst our favorite tablets, the Galaxy Tab S7+ has a vibrant Super AMOLED screen that lets you view your videos in high-definition quality and a Snapdragon 865+ chipset for speedy performance. Its accompanying stylus is accurate and fast for taking notes on a seminar or if you have a love for drawing.

For more mobile tech, shop the best Samsung back-to-school deals below.

The best Samsung mobile device back-to-school deals

The Galaxy S22 Ultra shares a lot of the same specs as its previous models but has an extra camera lens, a bigger display, and a stylus for scribbling on your screen.

Shop Samsung Back-to-School deals

Get deals and shopping advice delivered straight to your phone. Sign up for text message alerts from the experts at Reviewed.

The product experts at Reviewed have all your shopping needs covered. Follow Reviewed on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok or Flipboard for the latest deals, product reviews and more.

Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time.

This article originally appeared on Reviewed: Samsung back-to-school deals: Shop savings on quality mobile devices
(Removes Al Kharaitiyat, Golar Celsius and Transgas Force from table after unloading) Aug 1 (Reuters) - The following liquefied natural gas (LNG) tankers are expected to arrive in Britain, Belgium and the Netherlands in the coming weeks. Estimated arrival dates, often revised by port authorities and AIS Live ship-tracking data on Refinitiv Eikon, are updated below. Some tankers heading for Belgium and Britain may be loading at the terminal. Those expected to load are indicated with an (L). Those likely to perform ship-to-ship transfers are indicated with (STS). Tankers that have docked are indicated with (A). For the Reuters LNG guide, click here: LNG TANKER CAPACITY in EXPECTED ARRIVAL FROM PORT cubic metres BRITAIN Al Ghuwairiya 258,000 Aug. 1 (A) Qatar South Hook Lngships Manhattan 170,000 Aug. 05 Peru Milford Haven Umm Slal 261,000 Aug. 09 Qatar Milford Haven Pearl LNG 156,000 Aug. 15 Peru Milford Haven Al Rekayyat 212,000 Aug. 16 Qatar Milford Haven BELGIUM Bu Samra 261,000 Aug. 1 (A) Qatar Zeebrugge Christophe De Margerie 170,000 Aug. 3 Russia Zeebrugge Mesaimeer 212,000 Aug. 3 Qatar Zeebrugge Murwab 206,000 Aug. 8 Qatar Zeebrugge Al Utouriya 212,000 Aug. 12 Qatar Zeebrugge NETHERLANDS La Mancha Knutsen 174,000 July 31 (A) United States Gate Golar Ice 160,000 Aug. 03 India Gate Cubal 160,000 Aug. 14 Angola Gate Prism Brilliance 180,000 Aug. 15 NA Gate Rias Baixas Knutsen 180,000 Aug. 15 United States Gate Sources: Ports, AIS Live ship tracking, Refinitiv Eikon data. (^) Partial unload (*) Arrival date calculated using www.searates.com at an average speed of 13.5 knots (Reporting by Bozorgmehr Sharafedin Editing by David Goodman)
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) will reportedly visit Taiwan on Tuesday during her tour of Asia, despite warnings from the Biden administration and threats from China.

Pelosis congressional delegation tour kicked off Monday in Singapore, and her office has confirmed Malaysia, South Korea and Japan are also on the schedule.

Though Pelosi did not include Taiwan in her public plans, Taiwanese media are now reporting that she will touch down in Taipei on Tuesday night.

The Taiwanese broadcaster TVBS reported Pelosi may meet with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen. Reports are also surfacing that the U.S. is moving ships and planes closer to the island, perhaps in preparation for the Speakers trip.

CNN also confirmed Pelosis plans, with a Taiwanese official telling the outlet the speaker would stay in the country overnight.

Beijing, which claims the island as its own, has said such a high-level U.S. delegation visit would have severe negative impact on the political foundation of China-US relations, and send a gravely wrong signal to Taiwan independence separatist forces.

President Biden said earlier this month that the military thinks its not a good idea right now for the Speaker to make the trip. Former President Trump also said Pelosis potential trip might make tensions worse.

However, lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have been largely supportive of the visit.

I hope she stands up to the pressure that shes going to get, and is already getting, from President Biden and the administration. I think its important that we show solidarity with our ally Taiwan, Rep. Steve Chabot (R-Ohio), co-chairman of the Congressional Taiwan Caucus, told The Hill.

So I commend her for making the decision to go. I hope she sticks to her guns, he added.

The Hill has reached out to Pelosis office for comment.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
The largest graviola farm in the world debuts a new online journal from which it will dispense insights into the agricultural industry and advice on healthy eating

TUSTIN, CA / ACCESSWIRE / August 1, 2022 / It is with great pleasure that TKO Farms, Inc., the world's largest graviola fruit growing operation, announces that it has launched a new blog, as well as posted its inaugural three entries. This web-based journal will primarily focus on developments within the agricultural industry and how individuals can best maintain a healthy diet, specifically one including graviola fruit.

In the latest blog entry, titled TKO Farms Discusses Important Trends in Agricultural Innovation, the company gives a comprehensive overview of the latest developments in the farming industry. In one important passage, TKO Farms addresses the merits of cultivating organic crops. "Organic farming is a type of agriculture that focuses on producing food without synthetic chemicals. This includes fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides. Organic farmers instead rely on natural methods to improve yields and control pests. These methods include crop rotation, cover crops, and organic amendments," the company writes, before stating the environmental benefits of organic farming, pointing out that the practice "can help reduce soil erosion and conserve water resources."

In the preceding blog entry, titled TKO Farms Explains What Everyone Needs to Know About Graviola Fruit, gives a brief but thorough examination of the qualities inherent to its primary crop, writing, "A growing body of scientific evidence supports using Graviola fruit for health purposes. For instance, one study found that a compound in Graviola fruit was able to kill off cancer cells while leaving healthy cells unharmed. The combination in question, annonacin, was toxic to cancerous cells but not healthy ones. This suggests that Graviola fruit could be a natural cancer treatment with minimal side effects. In addition, some preliminary research has indicated that Graviola fruit may help to improve heart health by reducing blood pressure and improving blood lipid levels. Finally, the Graviola fruit's high fiber content makes it a valuable tool for promoting digestive health and preventing constipation."

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TKO Farms, Monday, August 1, 2022, Press release picture

Anyone interested in reading the full text of these blog entries will find them located here, while anyone curious to learn more about Kenneth Owen or TKO Farms, Inc. is encouraged to visit the company's official website.

About TKO Farms, Inc.:

TKO Farms, Inc. was founded in March 2017 by Kenneth Owen with the goal of producing teak, mahogany, and other hardwoods for lumber. As the sale of the farm was being finalized, the previous owner encouraged Kenneth to look in the corner of the farm where they were growing graviola trees. He mentioned that this variety of tree, and specifically the graviola fruit, may well hold the key to the financial future of TKO Farms, Inc. Upon conducting further research into the graviola fruit's many health benefits, Kenneth decided to plant more of the trees, determining that's what the farm would focus production on in the future. In short order, TKO Farms, Inc. became the largest graviola farm in the world.

The trees and fruit produced by TKO Farms, Inc. flourish in the pristine Caribbean air, rich soil, and serene sunlight of Belize. Growing methods passed down from generation to generation through time-honored traditions are blended with advanced eco-friendly farming techniques seeded in science to produce powerfully nourishing bioactive botanical nutrients. The spirit of sustainability is evident in the essence of the farm culture employed by TKO Farms, Inc. The company prides itself on efficiently and effectively using all the resources at its disposal, all the while continually improving on ways to minimize waste.

Media Contact:

TKO Farms, Inc.

15991 Red Hill, Suite 220

Tustin, CA 92780

Phone: (714) 259-0686

Email: info@tkofarms.com

SOURCE: TKO Farms, Inc.





View source version on accesswire.com:

https://www.accesswire.com/709984/TKO-Farms-Inc-Launches-Blog




Accelerated Commercial Momentum to Achieve Net Revenue of $20.5 million

2022 Revenue Guidance Range Raised to $67 million to $75 million

ANDOVER, Mass., Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- TransMedics Group, Inc. ("TransMedics") (Nasdaq: TMDX), a medical technology company that is transforming organ transplant therapy for patients with end-stage lung, heart, and liver failure, today reported financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2022. The Company also announced it entered into a new $60 million five-year loan agreement with CIBC Innovation Banking ("CIBC"), which was fully funded upon closing.

Recent Highlights

Net revenue of $20.5 million in the second quarter of 2022, a 151% increase compared to the second quarter of 2021. Transplant centers use of the National OCS Program (NOP) drove 84% of total US revenue.

Integrated OCS Heart DCD offering into NOP

Refinanced outstanding debt with new $60 million term loan

"For the third sequential quarter we posted significant growth over the same period from the previous year. The second quarter results further validated that NOP is a critical catalyst that will fuel our expected growth for the foreseeable future," said Waleed Hassanein, MD, President, and Chief Executive Officer. "We are still very early on our growth trajectory, and we fully expect to continue to build on our momentum. We look forward to further broadening our NOP infrastructure and resources with the goal to maximize our coverage capacity and drive significant growth in transplant procedures in the US and around the world over the next several years."

"We are pleased to have secured a non-dilutive debt financing, enabling us to retire our existing debt facility while providing TransMedics with incremental financial flexibility to continue to scale the business," said Waleed Hassanein, MD, President, and Chief Executive Officer. "We look forward to a long-term and successful partnership with CIBC Innovation Bank as we continue grow our market presence."

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Debt Financing Agreement

On July 25, 2022, TransMedics entered into a new $60 million five-year loan agreement with CIBC, which was fully funded upon closing. A portion of the proceeds from the new credit facility were used to repay the Company's existing $35 million credit facility with OrbiMed Advisors LLC ("OrbiMed"). The transaction, following the retirement of the prior facility with OrbiMed, provided net proceeds of $23 million of cash to the Company.

Cowen acted as exclusive financial advisor to TransMedics on this transaction. Additional detail regarding the financing is set forth in the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC.

Second Quarter 2022 Financial Results

Net revenue for the second quarter of 2022 was $20.5 million, a 151% increase compared to $8.2 million in the second quarter of 2021. The increased revenue was due primarily to the continued increase in commercial sales of the OCS Heart and OCS Liver in the United States.

Gross margin for the second quarter of 2022 was 70%, as compared to 68% in the second quarter of 2021.

Operating expenses for the second quarter of 2022 were $24.1 million, compared to $15.5 million in the second quarter of 2021. The increase in operating expense was driven primarily by increased investment in the company's NOP, our next generation OCS platform, as well as further investments in general commercial efforts and corporate infrastructure. Second quarter operating expenses in 2022 included $2.3 million of stock compensation expense, compared to $1.8 million of stock compensation in the second quarter of 2021.

Net loss for the second quarter of 2022 was $11.5 million, compared to $10.7 million in the second quarter of 2021.

Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities were $58.1 million as of June 30, 2022, exclusive of net proceeds from the recent debt financing agreement.

2022 Financial Outlook

TransMedics is updating full year 2022 net revenue to be in the range of $67 million to $75 million, which represents 121% to 148% growth compared to the company's prior year net revenue. TransMedics' prior 2022 net revenue guidance was $59 million to $65 million.

Webcast and Conference Call Details

The TransMedics management team will host a conference call beginning at 4:30 p.m. ET / 1:30 p.m. PT on Monday, August 1, 2022. Investors interested in listening to the conference call may do so by dialing (844) 200-6205 for domestic callers or (929) 526-1599 for international callers, followed by Conference ID: 626851. A live and archived webcast of the event will be available on the "Investors" section of the TransMedics website at www.transmedics.com .

About TransMedics Group, Inc.

TransMedics is the world's leader in portable extracorporeal warm perfusion and assessment of donor organs for transplantation. Headquartered in Andover, Massachusetts, the company was founded to address the unmet need for more and better organs for transplantation and has developed technologies to preserve organ quality, assess organ viability prior to transplant, and potentially increase the utilization of donor organs for the treatment of end-stage heart, lung, and liver failure.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements with respect to, among other things, our full year guidance, and statements about our operations, financial position, and business plans. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Moreover, we operate in a very competitive and rapidly changing environment and new risks emerge from time to time. It is not possible for our management to predict all risks, nor can we assess the impact of all factors on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in or implied by any forward-looking statements we may make. In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the forward-looking events and circumstances discussed in this press release may not occur and actual results could differ materially and adversely from those anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements. Some of the key factors that could cause actual results to differ include: that we continue to incur losses; our need to raise additional funding; our existing and any future indebtedness, including our ability to comply with affirmative and negative covenants under our credit agreement to which we will remain subject to until maturity, and our ability to obtain additional financing or refinance existing debt on favorable terms or at all; the fluctuation of our financial results from quarter to quarter; our ability to use net operating losses and research and development credit carryforwards; our dependence on the success of the OCS; our ability to expand access to OCS through the National OCS Program; the rate and degree of market acceptance of the OCS; our ability to educate patients, surgeons, transplant centers and private payors of benefits offered by the OCS; our ability to improve the OCS platform; our dependence on a limited number of customers for a significant portion of our net revenue; our ability to maintain regulatory approvals or clearances for our OCS products, including the re-certification of the CE marks for our OCS products in the European Union and any delays in obtaining re-certification; our ability to adequately respond to FDA follow-up inquiries in a timely manner; the performance of our third-party suppliers and manufacturers; price increases of the components of our products; the timing or results of post-approval studies and any clinical trials for the OCS; our manufacturing, sales, marketing and clinical support capabilities and strategy; attacks against our information technology infrastructure; the economic, political and other risks associated with our foreign operations; our ability to attract and retain key personnel; the impact of the outbreak of COVID-19, including variants of the virus and associated containment, remediation and vaccination efforts; our ability to protect, defend, maintain and enforce our intellectual property rights relating to the OCS and avoid allegations that our products infringe, misappropriate or otherwise violate the intellectual property rights of third parties; the pricing of the OCS, as well as the reimbursement coverage for the OCS in the United States and internationally; regulatory developments in the United States, European Union and other jurisdictions; the extent and success of competing products that are or may become available; the impact of any product recalls or improper use of our products; our estimates regarding revenues, expenses and needs for additional financing; and other factors that may be described in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). Additional information will be made available by our annual and quarterly reports and other filings that we make from time to time with the SEC. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release. Factors or events that could cause our actual results to differ may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all of them. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable law.

Investor Contact:

Brian Johnston

332-895-3222

Investors@transmedics.com

TransMedics Group, Inc.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(in thousands, except share and per share data)

(unaudited)





Three Months Ended June 30,

Six Months Ended June 30,



2022

2021

2022

2021 Net revenue

$ 20,521

$ 8,171

$ 36,401

$ 15,224 Cost of revenue

6,171

2,582

9,947

4,824 Gross profit

14,350

5,589

26,454

10,400 Gross Margin

70 %

68 %

73 %

68 % Operating expenses:















Research, development and clinical trials

6,714

6,295

14,248

10,827 Selling, general and administrative

17,381

9,162

31,320

15,948 Total operating expenses

24,095

15,457

45,568

26,775 Loss from operations

(9,745)

(9,868)

(19,114)

(16,375) Other income (expense):















Interest expense

(972)

(965)

(1,932)

(1,917) Other income (expense), net

(784)

171

(1,011)

(283) Total other expense, net

(1,756)

(794)

(2,943)

(2,200) Loss before income taxes

(11,501)

(10,662)

(22,057)

(18,575) Provision for income taxes

(22)

(6)

(28)

(10) Net loss

$ (11,523)

$ (10,668)

$ (22,085)

$ (18,585) Net loss per share attributable to common stockholders,

basic and diluted

$ (0.41)

$ (0.39)

$ (0.79)

$ (0.68) Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic and

diluted

27,983,629

27,620,764

27,967,072

27,495,125

* Reconciliation of Gross to Net revenue for certain payments made to customers (in thousands)





Three Months Ended June 30,

Six Months Ended June 30,



2022

2021

2022

2021 Gross revenue from sales to customers

$ 20,521

$ 8,667

$ 36,401

$ 16,304 Less: clinical trial payments reducing revenue



496



1,080 Total net revenue

$ 20,521

$ 8,171

$ 36,401

$ 15,224

TransMedics Group, Inc.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands)

(unaudited)





June 30, 2022

December 31, 2021 Current assets:







Cash and cash equivalents

$ 30,386

$ 25,580 Marketable securities

27,697

66,872 Accounts receivable

12,979

5,934 Inventory

17,468

14,859 Prepaid expenses and other current assets

6,583

5,460 Total current assets

95,113

118,705 Property and equipment, net

16,177

9,841 Operating lease right-of-use assets

5,495

5,847 Restricted cash

500

500 Total assets

$ 117,285

$ 134,893 Current liabilities:







Accounts payable

$ 5,711

$ 6,651 Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

15,420

16,337 Deferred revenue

238

250 Operating lease liabilities

1,372

 Total current liabilities

22,741

23,238 Long-term debt, net of discount

35,475

35,197 Operating lease liabilities, net of current portion

8,150

8,604 Total liabilities

66,366

67,039 Total stockholders' equity

50,919

67,854 Total liabilities and stockholders' equity

$ 117,285

$ 134,893

Cision

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/transmedics-reports-second-quarter-2022-financial-results-301597142.html

SOURCE TransMedics Group, Inc.
VINCI

Nanterre, 1 August 2022

VINCI Airports becomes the leading shareholder of the Mexican airport operator OMA

Signature of an agreement to acquire a 29.99% stake in the concession company for 13 airports in Mexico

25-year concession

Acquisition of a strategic position in a country with strong growth potential





VINCI Airports signed an agreement to purchase 29.99% of OMA (Grupo Aeroportuario del Centro Norte). This transaction allows VINCI Airports to add 13 airports to its portfolio  located in Northern and Central Mexico  which handled a total of 23 million passengers in 2019 (18 million in 2021).

Monterrey International airport, serving Mexicos industrial capital, is the fifth-largest airport in the country and accounts for nearly half of OMAs passenger numbers. Added to this are Chihuahua International and Ciudad Juarez International airports at the heart of Mexicos mining industry, Culiacan International and Mazatlan International airports, as well as eight regional and tourism airports on the Pacific Coast and in Central Mexico: Acapulco, San Luis Potosi, Torreon, Zihuatanejo, Durango, Zacatecas, Tampico and Reynosa.

VINCI Airports is thus establishing itself in the third-most populous country in the Americas, where passenger numbers in the second quarter of 2022 already managed to exceed pre-pandemic levels. The remaining concession period (end of contract in 2048) will allow VINCI Airports to deploy its long-term partnership model to support the countrys tourism industry and economic growth.

After the financial closing, expected to be completed by the end of 2022, VINCI Airports network will include more than 70 airports in 13 countries. Following the recent acquisitions of airports in Brazil and Cape Verde, with this new transaction the business line confirms the continuation of its international expansion strategy and further consolidates its position as the worlds leading private airport operator.

About VINCI

VINCI is a global player in concessions, energy and construction businesses, employing more than 260,000 people in some 100 countries. We design, finance, build and operate infrastructure and facilities that help improve daily life and mobility for all. Because we believe in all-round performance, we are committed to operating in an environmentally, socially responsible and ethical manner. And because our projects are in the public interest, we consider that reaching out to all our stakeholders and engaging in dialogue with them is essential in the conduct of our business activities. Based on that approach, VINCIs ambition is to create long-term value for its customers, shareholders, employees, partners and society in general. www.vinci.com

Story continues

This press release is an official information document of the VINCI Group.

PRESS CONTACT

VINCI Press Department

Tel.: +33 (0)1 57 98 62 90

media.relations@vinci.com

Attachment




A Stafford teenager was arrested late Friday after he tried to run over a county deputy who caught him and others in a stolen car, police said.

Sheriffs Maj. Shawn Kimmitz said Deputy J.W. Ahern went to the Porter Library on Parkway Boulevard at 10:24 p.m. in response to a report of a suspicious vehicle. Three people were in a Toyota RAV4 in the lot of the library, which was closed.

As Ahern approached the vehicle on foot, the 17-year-old driver put the Toyota in reverse and accelerated toward the deputy, according to police. The deputy was able to maneuver out of the way and avoid being run over, Kimmitz said.

Other responding deputies were able to stop the vehicle and identify the occupants. The vehicle had been stolen in Stafford, and the tags had been stolen from a vehicle in Fairfax County, police said.

The driver, whose name was not released because he is a juvenile, was charged with felonious assault and receiving stolen property. He was placed in the regional juvenile detention center.

The vehicle owner was escorted to the scene to retrieve her vehicle, police said.
Pearl S. Bucka Nobel prize-winning writer, political activist in the 1940s and a graduate of RandolphMacon Womans College, now known as Randolph Collegewas the basis of a research project this summer at the college.

Buck founded the East and West Association in 1942 to facilitate cultural exchange between Asia and the West.

No one has ever done anything about Pearl Bucks political views or her foreign policy activism, said Selda Altan, assistant professor of history at Randolph College and head of this project.

The research stems from Altans interests in womens perspectives during World War II and a current project the professor is working on.

That project is about American journalist Helen Foster Snow and author Ida Pruitt coming together with two sisters from China: Soong Meiling and Soong Chingling, who were better known in America as Madame Chiang Kaishek and Madame Sun Yatsen due to their marriages to those presidents of China.

They established industrial cooperatives, commonly known as Indusco or Gung Ho, to meet Chinas wartime needs by resettling Chinas industry and refugees, who were mostly women and children. At that time, Japan occupied Chinas eastern coasts where Chinas industry was based.

The nationalist government at the time transferred some of these factories to the interior. The Indusco initiative supported this effort by establishing smaller production units. Altan said many people escaped the occupation on the coasts and started to work in these factories and cooperatives as refugees.

This was all in alignment with Buck and her efforts as she tried increase sympathy for China in the United States. Altan wanted to bring these two items together by looking further into Buck.

I was interested in those topics before coming here and then as I was transitioning to a new project. I wanted to utilize our sources here at Randolph, Altan said.

Altan and her student, Ranger Kinney, wanted to understand the foreign policy vision and background of Bucks perspective on American policy toward China during and after World War II, through 1949when the U.S.-supported nationalist regime in China lost the civil war to the Chinese Communist Party.

Kinney said Buck has always been of interest.

Its a very interesting period and I was interested to see what Buck thought about that and what the American perspective was, because Buck was, for a large part of her life, the American to talk to about China, Kinney said.

To start, they used special collections at the Lipscomb Library at Randolph College. The special collections had interviews of people who knew Buck when she was alive, plus short articles and letters that Buck wrote to other important political figures.

Within those collections, the group looked at issues of a magazine called Asia and the Americas, spanning from 1941 to 1946.

It was a magazine that Buck and her husband took over in 1942 and it became the press of the East and West Association. She wrote articles for every issue and also published articles from other writers who wrote about China and southeast Asia.

An example is an article about people in India that discussed Mahatma Gandhis independence movement.

The group also had access to Jane Rabbs collection at Lipscombs Library. It included her correspondence, interview recordings, newspaper clips and articles she used while writing the Pearl Buck entry in Notable American Women.

They found a copy of a letter to Eleanor Roosevelt that Buck wrote in 1943 before Roosevelt visited China. In the letter, Buck advised the first lady on what to do, who to talk to and what not to do.

What weve learned is that Bucks idea of war foreign policy was not focused on military aid, it was focused on making Americans understand that the Chinese were, at their core, people, Kinney said. There was a relationship that could be had beyond whatever official relationship the U.S. government had.

Altan and Kinney also traveled to the New York Public Library. The professor said from their trip to New York, they learned Buck was a part of the humanitarian aid in her work with the United China Reliefa semi-official body that collected funds to provide help to China during the Japanese occupation. It was providing doctors, medical help and opened schools.

From the New York Library particularly, it kind of fits into our larger picture of Buck as a foreign policy advocate, Kinney said.

Altan explained through Bucks efforts, she was ultimately not successful in terms of influencing American foreign policy towards China. Yet, she emphasized Bucks activism was invaluable.

By 1949, from an American perspective, China was lost, Altan said. This was something she was trying to prevent because she knew that a civil war was coming and she knew that communists were gaining ground in China.

Kinney said at first Buck was successful, but ultimately she could not outdo the messaging of the U.S. government at that time.

Ultimately, because of the aggressive nature of American foreign policy towards the communist movement in Asia, there was no way a private citizen who was doing, I think, her best to try and gain sympathy for the people in China could outdo the propaganda the government was spewing about the communists, Kinney said.

Kinney is a rising junior at Randolph College majoring in history. Kinney plans to continue school after undergrad studies due to an interest in comparative revolutions.

Kinney believes it was important to study Buck.

I think whats most important about what we learned about Buck is that her way of looking at China is still important, Kinney said. Buck wanted Americans to view this situation as two groups of people who are very similar and have, not similar customs, but similar values in many cases.
A Fremont Police officer shot a 34-year-old local man, who was on parole, after the suspect entered a home early Saturday morning in the 1400 block of Fairacres Drive.

He previously was an inmate of the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services. He absconded from parole.

Officers received a call at 3 a.m. and were told the callers husband, armed with a knife, was mentally unstable, police said in a press release.

The caller said the suspect was at the front door, attempting to get into the home.

Police said the caller was hiding in the residence with several minor children and feared the suspect. Police also said the caller was concerned the suspect would not be taken peacefully.

Officers arrived on the scene and confronted the suspect, who was on the front porch and armed with a knife. Officers gave verbal commands.

Police said as the suspect entered the home, one officer fired a shot that hit the suspect in the abdomen.

Fremont Rescue personnel were called. The suspect was transported to Methodist Fremont Health, where he was flown by medical helicopter to Nebraska Medicine Hospital in Omaha, because of his injuries, and underwent surgery.

Police said the suspects wife and children were unharmed.

FPD has requested that the Nebraska State Patrol investigate the officer-involved shooting.

All Fremont officers involved will be put on modified assignment.

This is an ongoing criminal investigation and law enforcement is continuing to gather information.

Fremont Police will provided further updates as they become available.
By Azernews

By Ayya Lmahamad

Aquaterra Energy, a leader in global offshore energy engineering solutions, has been awarded a high-pressure high temperature (HPHT) subsea riser contract with oil and gas operator Umid Babak Operating Company (UBOC) for the exploration of its HP well on the Babak project in Azerbaijan, Azernews reports.

Aquaterra Energy will deliver its 15,000 psi subsea riser system, utilizing its AQC-SR connector range, as part of UBOCs drilling program for the BX-01 exploration well located at the Babak field. Aquaterra Energy will provide a complete end-to-end managed service, as a fully independent riser system and connector OEM, which will be operated via a jack-up MODU, in water depth of 62 meters, the statement reads.

The company secured the competitive tender through its early consultation and solutions-based approach. The companys in-house team of engineering experts advised using a jack-up rig instead of a semi-submersible to maximize safety and efficiency while minimizing cost and rig-time.

Semi-submersible rigs can suffer more downtime and can take up to 20 percent additional time to complete the same operation, as opposed to using a jack-up in shallower water depths, the statement reads.

The systems AQC-SR quick connectors will provide UBOC with crucial gas-tight metal-to-metal seals and a backup elastomeric seal. In addition, the ability to pressure test each connection upon make-up provides enhanced environmental reassurance against well bore fluid discharge, and gives assurance of connector integrity prior to running.

Were delighted to be working with UBOC on this project and to continue demonstrating our HPHT riser system expertise in locations such as Azerbaijan. We see huge potential here for our team to provide intelligently engineered solutions, whilst also supporting industry decarbonizations efforts. Were pleased to provide a system that ensures enhanced efficiency and reduced rig time  whilst also working alongside and supporting local engineers in-country, Aquaterra Energys Innovation Director Ben Cannell said.
A Sioux City, Iowa, woman has died after a four-vehicle accident Sunday afternoon on U.S. Highway 77 between Nebraska Highway 109 and the Platte River Bridge.

Kathleen A. Duggan, 81, died after the accident which occurred at about 1:36 p.m., Sunday.

The Saunders County Sheriffs Department said a preliminary investigation shows Duggan was northbound in a silver 2020 Mazda on U.S. Highway 77.

Matthew D. Haupt, 37, of Lincoln, was driving north in a white 2017 Ford F250 and was behind the Duggan vehicle.

Janet A. Kaup, 57, of Carthage, Missouri, was driving a black 2006 Kia Sorento south on U.S. 77 and her 54-year-old husband, Brian D. Kaup, was a passenger.

Jaden C. Cover, 22, of Omaha, was driving south in a red 2012 Kia Forte and was behind the Kaup vehicle.

Saunders County law enforcement said the accident occurred when the Duggan and Kaup vehicles drifted toward the center line of the roadway where a collision occurred.

The collision caused the Duggan vehicle to veer into the southbound lane of travel and cause a secondary collision with the southbound vehicle driven by Cover.

Officials said the Kaup vehicle veered into the northbound lane and caused a secondary collision with the Haupt vehicle.

Duggan and the Kaups were flown by medical helicopter to Nebraska Medicine Hospital with serious to life-threatening injuries.

Duggan later succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced dead at Nebraska Medicine.

Haupt and Cover were transported to Methodist Fremont Health with non-life-threatening injuries. Haupt was treated and released. Cover was admitted to the hospital for observation.

At this time, alcohol is not believed to be a factor in the accident.

Seatbelts were in use.

The investigation is ongoing.

The Saunders County Sheriffs Office received assistance from the Cedar Bluffs Fire and Rescue Department, the Dodge County Sheriffs Office, Wahoo Police Department and the Nebraska State Patrol at the accident scene.

Multiple people needed extrication out of their vehicles and were taken to medical facilities.
Veterans and transitioning military looking for a job may not have to look any further after a job fair this week in Colorado Springs.

Job seekers with military experience can be connected with local and national companies at the Colorado Springs Veterans Job Fair on Thursday. Around 70 employers will be available to meet veterans from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Broadmoor World Arena.

Featured employers include USAA, CoreCivic, PepsiCo, Love's and the Federal Bureau of Prisons. A complete list can be found at the RecruitMilitary website, https://success.recruitmilitary.com/jobs, with listings in a diverse set of fields including government, cybersecurity, project management and transportation.

Research shows that employers overwhelmingly value the skillset offered by veterans to the civilian workforce, with 94% of employers saying veteran workers are appealing to their organization, according to a study from USAA and SHRM Foundation.

According to a majority of HR professionals in the report, veterans have the technical expertise and educational background to be considered for many positions, as well as skills like leadership, discipline and teamwork that make them desirable candidates.

The skillset and mission-first mindset may be reflected in veteran unemployment rates, which continue to fall after a spike during the height of the pandemic. As of June, the veteran unemployment rate was 2.7%, down from 4.7% a year earlier in June 2021, according to the Department of Labor. Veteran unemployment rates are also lower than the national average of 3.6%.

The Colorado Springs Veterans Job Fair is free and available to all transitioning military, veterans, military spouses and dependents. Online registration is required in advance and attendees are encouraged to create a RecruitMilitary profile with their information and resume. Candidates will receive a virtual QR code that they can use to share their information with potential employers. Attendees are asked not to bring a paper resume.

More information and resources are available on the RecruitMilitary website.
The number of people climbing Colorado highest mountains dropped last year, according to a new study.

In its annual report on "hiker use days"  representing one person on one peak  Colorado Fourteeners Initiative (CFI) estimated a 27% decrease between a record 2020 and 2021. Last year's tally of 303,000 across the 54 fourteeners is down from the total of 415,000 logged in 2020.

In a news release, CFI Executive Director Lloyd Athearn said the "pandemic boom" of two years ago "was followed by a significant bust in 2021." This, he said, came "as trailhead communities looked to control parking, landowners closed access due to liability concerns, other recreational options opened up as the pandemic lessened, and wildfire smoke choked off visitation mid-summer."

The biggest change came along the popular route known as "Decalibron," covering mounts Lincoln, Democrat and Bross. From May until early August last year, the route was closed as landowners worried about liability. CFI's estimate between 25,000-30,000 hiking use days were slashed to 7,000-10,000 year to year.

Quandary Peak remained the most-hiked fourteener while land managers continue a regime of reservations and shuttle parking. Still, CFI tracked a 29% decrease in use last year (35,000 hiker days) compared with the count of 49,000 in 2020.

Grays and Torreys peaks have also seen changes in management. Clear Creek County has been ticketing people who park along the road leading to the trailhead. That "forced many people to park near I-70 and hike the 3.5-mile long road, contributing to lower use levels," read CFI's report. Hikers dropped to as many as 25,000 last year, down from as many as 35,000 in 2020.

CFI noted a "plunge" in hiking the first weekend of August last year, when air quality reached unhealthy levels due to wildfires.

Drawn from infrared counters on trails and data sources such as 14ers.com, CFI's latest estimate is in line with pre-pandemic numbers. The mark of 303,000 represents a 5% increase from the 2019 count.

Numbers along Decalibron figure to increase in next year's report. Officials and advocates last month announced an agreement with landowners to keep open the trail around mounts Lincoln and Democrat, though the summit to Bross remains closed "due to a fractional private ownership," according to a news release.

After Quandary Peak, CFI counted the second-most hiking on Mount Bierstadt (30,000-35,000). Mount Elbert's estimates tied with Grays and Torreys for third. Mount Evans, Longs Peak and Pikes Peak were the next most-hiked, with all seeing between 10,000-15,000 hikers.

Read CFI's report here: https://bit.ly/3vvGPnw.
By Azernews

By Ayya Lmahamad

The welfare of society, integration of Azerbaijans economy into the global value chain, intensification of innovative orientation, and financial stability of the national economy are the main goals of the countrys socio-economic development strategy for 2022-2026, Economy Minister Mikayil Jabbarov said in an interview with RealTV, Azernews reports.

For the first time in our practice, strategy is a completely collective and collegial document. Industrial working groups, created during the preparation of the document, were led by the heads of the relevant fields and ministries, he said.

The minister stated that the approval of the strategy creates conditions for the transition to a qualitatively new stage of development. He added that the document covers all aspects of Azerbaijans socio-economic spheres.

Karabakhs economic reintegration

Jabbarov mentioned that the Azerbaijani government, with the participation of local and foreign experts, has prepared an overview of the economic reintegration of the liberated territories. He underlined that this document defines the main goals and tools for the overview.

The work that is being done today is guided by a common vision. We believe that various spheres, such as agriculture and industrial centers have potential. Two industrial zones have already been created, he said.

Noting that nine residents are working in the Aghdam industrial park, the minister added that another 15 residents are expected to be issued certificates in the near future.

The activity of Jabrayil industrial park will be closely connected with Zangilan airport. This will also contribute to the development of Zangilan and Jabrayil districts as a transport and logistics center, he said.

Moreover, he added that Azerbaijan sees potential in the exploitation of natural resources and natural minerals in the liberated territories. In this regard, Jabbarov stressed that there are already foreign investors in this field and contracts have been signed with them.

ASCO, EBRD negotiations on loan attraction

The minister also mentioned that negotiations are currently underway between the Azerbaijan Caspian Shipping Company (ASCO) and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) on attracting a loan. He added that the negotiations are in the final stage.

If the negotiations are successful, EBRD will allocate a loan to ASCO without a government guarantee. Loan funds are planned to be channeled into the expansion of shipping fleet, the development of shipbuilding plant and etc., he said.
By Azernews

By Fuad Muxtar-Aqbabali

Offical Baku has once again defied the unfaltering US and French calls for the revival of the stillborn OSCE Minsk Group, set up in the early 1990s, to find a solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict that lasted nearly 30 years.

Although the group was vested with an international mandate to coerce the occupying Armenia to pull troops out of Azerbaijans native lands, each co-chair nation - France, Russia, and the USA - pursued their own strategic and long-term interests and failed to think of the essence of their mandate, thus inflicted unrepairable damage to the post-WWII order on solid columns of which the interstate relations stood.

Azerbaijan finally lost hopes for the OSCE mediators to come up with a concerted option, and the July 2020 Tovuz battles, in which Azerbaijani lands came under insidious missile attacks, were the last straw that broke the camel's back. Azerbaijan took the bull by the horns and succeeded in liberating the occupied lands by force of the triumphant national army in the 44-day-long second Karabakh war. This triumph of the Azerbaijani army and the government has changed the overall gloomy picture around the occupation of the Azerbaijani lands, and consequently, the existence of the Minsk Group became extraneous and beside the point.

In remarks for the latest cabinet meeting, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev unambiguously and perspicuously ruled out resuscitating the Minsk Group.

Attempts are still being made to revive the now-defunct Minsk group. The Minsk Group has now left the stage. We, a country participating in this process, are saying that there is no need for the Minsk Group. There is no need for a group that has not produced any results in 28 years. This is what we say. To put it mildly, a cold war is going on between co-chairs of the Minsk Group. They have actually admitted that the Minsk Group is not functional anymore. The Russian side says that the Minsk Group is no longer active and that the other co-chairs have put an end to this institution.

The Armenian side, meanwhile, says every minute that the Minsk Group has done this and that. What does this mean? Simply put, we see a territorial claim against our country behind this. On the one hand, Armenia accepts and acknowledges our five principles, including the mutual recognition of the territorial integrity of countries, the relinquishment of territorial claims against each other, and other provisions, but on the other, it seems that the Minsk Group needs to be kept busy. Then the question is: what should it be doing? The Karabakh conflict has been resolved and the Karabakh issue has been closed. Karabakh is Azerbaijan! I said this, I said this quite rightly, and everyone is saying this now, including Armenia, which is forced to say this, says it unwillingly. All countries and organizations we are discussing this issue with are saying this, the president said outrightly.

However, the U.S. seems unsatisfied with what the Azerbaijani president said lately.

The United States reiterates its readiness to continue working with Russia in the OSCE Minsk Group for a comprehensive and peaceful settlement of the Karabakh problem, US ambassador to Armenia Lynn Tracy has recently said.

We have stated that we are ready to use the Minsk Group as a platform. This offer remains open. We have not heard a reaction from Russian colleagues to this proposal. But I think this is the first step, after which we can talk about other steps and ideas, the ambassador said.

At this point, one cannot but be dumbfounded by this allegation. What or who hindered the OSCE Minsk Group with the proper mandate to live up to the mission and accomplish it as required by international rules and laws?

We expect that Russia will take the first step, and this will be Russia's return to its participation in this format. We continue to consider the Minsk Group as a format, a platform with an international mandate to discuss the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh, Lynn Tracy stressed and pretended she did not hear what Russias Sergei Lavrov said about the impotent group.

Interestingly, Ambassador Tracys statement came in the wake of State Department Spokesperson Ned Prices press release about the July 25 telephone conversation between Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke today with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev. The Secretary and President Aliyev discussed Azerbaijan and Armenias historic opportunity to achieve peace in the region. The Secretary reiterated the United States offer of assistance in helping facilitate the opening of regional transportation and communication linkages. Secretary Blinken encouraged continued bilateral dialogue, such as the recent meeting between the Azerbaijani and Armenian Foreign Ministers in Tbilisi. The Secretary also reaffirmed support for productive EU-brokered discussions. He conveyed that the United States has been an OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chair since 1994 and stands ready to engage bilaterally and with like-minded partners to help Armenia and Azerbaijan find a long-term comprehensive peace.

In response to mentioning the OSCE Minsk Group in the press release of the US State Department, Azerbaijani media, citing its own diplomatic sources, denied that the issue was discussed in the phone conversation.

The statement of the State Department noted that during the conversation, among other issues, the topic of resuming the participation of the OSCE Minsk Group in the Armenian-Azerbaijani peace process was discussed. According to information from diplomatic sources, there was no mention of the Minsk Group in Aliyevs conversation with Blinken and the source expressed sincere bewilderment at the fact of such obvious disinformation, calling it extremely inappropriate and even irresponsible. It is incompetent and wrong to discuss the idea of resuscitation of the OSCE Minsk Group that has sunk into oblivion.

Antony Blinken was quoted as saying in the conversation with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan that the USA is ready to continue its activities as a co-chair of the Minsk Group. Washington does not want to abandon the Minsk Group.

Washington's insistence on the Minsk Group does not promise anything positive for US-Azerbaijani relations, as it serves alien interests and Ambassador Tracys latest urging once again confirms it.

On how the United States treats the statements of the Azerbaijani president that the conflict has already been resolved and there is no need for mediators, Ambassador Tracy stressed that, despite these statements, Washington will continue to look for ways to use the Minsk Group format.

Despite Russia's war against Ukraine, which has attracted a lot of attention in the world, the United States is very attentive to the situation in this region, the situation between Armenia and Azerbaijan. I think it's reflected in the phone calls, and the contacts that we have seen since this administration came into power. This shows the commitment of the U.S., the U.S. Secretary of State, to the desire to avoid the resumption of conflicts, to keep discussions in the spotlight, to make progress, and to do it through diplomacy, the US ambassador said.
A Denver judge convicted a juvenile of burglary despite insufficient evidence of that crime, the state's Court of Appeals concluded last month.

Under Colorado law, the felony offense of burglary requires a person to commit unlawful entry. A three-judge appellate panel believed the prosecution had not proven beyond a reasonable doubt that a juvenile defendant, identified as J.S-C., used deception or other means to gain unlawful entry into the victim's home-based business.

In doing so, the court drew a distinction between burglary and the misdemeanor crime of theft.

"Suppose, for example, that a person enters a clothing store with intent to steal a shirt," wrote Judge Timothy J. Schutz in the panel's June 16 opinion. "If the person thereafter steals the shirt, the person could effectively be tried for the crime of theft. But the fact that the person entered the store with the intent to commit a theft does not necessarily render the theft a burglary."

The criminal case involved an online fashion accessory business the victim's daughter operated out of a high-rise condominium in Denver. The victim occasionally would help her daughter by taking merchandise down to customers or allowing them to view products in the condo's entryway.

The victim's daughter informed her mother that two people, one of whom was a repeat customer, would come by on Oct. 10, 2019. The mother should let the buyer, allegedly known as "Froylan," into the condo.

J.S-C. and a companion knocked on the condo door and the victim allowed them inside. The two began to look at the merchandise, at one point asking the victim if there were any sunglasses available. When the victim turned her back, the couple grabbed cash and merchandise and ran. The victim gave chase, and a bystander caught J.S-C. in the lobby. Authorities never located or identified her companion.

J.S-C. stood trial for burglary. There was little information about the interaction between the victim and J.S-C. and her companion, and no testimony about who "Froylan" was. Although the prosecution alleged J.S-C. used a ruse to gain unlawful entry to the condo, the defense claimed the evidence pointed to J.S-C. being invited.

Then-Juvenile Court Judge Donna J. Schmalberger decided J.S-C. had committed burglary, ruling the defendant had entered under false pretenses because the victim let in J.S-C. and her companion "thinking they were someone other than (who) they were." Schmalberger sentenced J.S-C. to one year in juvenile detention.

The Court of Appeals panel reviewing J.S-C.'s case honed in on whether the evidence supported Schmalberger's finding that J.S-C. had committed unlawful entry  the key element of burglary under dispute.

"My client was invited in to view merchandise and she went in to view merchandise," public defender Mark Evans said. He added there was no evidence J.S-C. gained access to the condo through deception.

"If Im expecting Bob to show up at my door and I hear a knock on the door, and I open the door and I let this person in and it happens to be Jim, thats not Jims fault. Jim didnt do anything deceptive there," Evans said during oral arguments.

The government insisted it was fair to infer that J.S-C. pretended to be a customer to gain illicit access to the condo. Assistant Attorney General Danny Rheiner pointed out the condo was in a 30-floor high-rise, was not open to the public, and customers could only gain access by representing they were patronizing the home-based business.

Judge Craig R. Welling responded it was plausible J.S-C. had legitimately set up the appointment to see the merchandise, but knew the condo presented a "soft target" having been a prior customer. Therefore, although she would have had the intent to rob, she would not have entered unlawfully.

"Do we agree that if I go into a store intending to rob it and not pay for anything that I have not unlawfully entered?" he asked. "I have certainly entered with ill intent. But it is not an unlawful entry that can give rise to a burglary charge, is it?"

Rheiner responded that stealing from stores like Target or Walmart would not have amounted to burglary.

"You don't need to pretend to be someone else to get into a Target or a Walmart," he said.

"What evidence do we have that she was pretending to be somebody else?" Schutz quizzed.

Rheiner said it was a reasonable inference J.S-C. was being deceptive, even if there was no direct evidence. Judge Jerry N. Jones indicated he was skeptical of that line of thinking.

"Most shoplifters, Im gonna guess here, enter a place of business intending to shoplift," he said. "But it sounds like from your argument, thats a ruse. Theyre not really a customer. Theyre gonna steal something. So youre saying every shoplifting is a burglary."

The panel ultimately sided with J.-S.C. in finding the victim allowed her to enter the condo for the purpose of patronizing her daughter's accessory business, and, therefore, no unlawful entry occurred. Even if J.S-C. employed a ruse, Schutz wrote in the panel's opinion, there was too little information to prove deception beyond a reasonable doubt.

The Court of Appeals concluded the prohibition against double jeopardy precluded prosecutors from retrying J.S-C., and the only question was whether to direct the juvenile court to enter a conviction for theft instead of burglary. The panel decided theft was not a lesser offense of burglary, so J.S-C.'s conviction would be overturned outright and the case dismissed.
President Ilham Aliyev has sent a congratulatory letter to Mohammed VI, King of Morocco on the occasion of National Holiday.

"Your Majesty,

Dear Brother,

I am privileged to convey my sincerest congratulations and the best wishes to you and through you, to the brotherly people of Morocco on my own behalf and on behalf of the people of Azerbaijan on the occasion of your countrys National Holiday.

I am confident that we will continue to put joint efforts to boost the traditional friendly relations between Azerbaijan and Morocco both bilaterally and multilaterally, and in particular, to fully benefit from the potential of our cooperation of mutual interest in the framework of the UN, the Organization of the Islamic Cooperation and the Non-Aligned Movement.

On such remarkable day, I wish you strong health, happiness, success in your work, and everlasting peace and prosperity to your brotherly people," the letter said.
Life is full of new experiences and milestones.

Our family experienced a great one this summer. In July, my two children went away to camp for the first time. My son went for two nights and my daughter for five. They had never been away from home like this before. Both kids were excited but nervous.

My husband and I were unsure how things would go. We wondered if we would receive a phone call in the middle of the night notifying us one of them wanted to come home. But to our delight, they both had a successful stay and enjoyed camp.

In the weeks leading up to camp my son did a little training of sorts to prepare. Another mom came up with the brilliant idea that our kids take turns hosting sleepovers so they could get used to each others company, as well as sleeping away from home. It was a genius plan!

When I picked up Max at the end of his three days at camp, he didnt wave when he saw me and he was hesitant to give me a hug when the opportunity arrived. I think being around friends and away from parents made him feel embarrassed to give a hug. But he had a fun time at camp and chatted the entire way home telling me stories and details about it.

On the other hand, when I picked up Amaya at the end of her six days, she gave me the best hug I could have ever hoped for. But it wasnt a sad, "thank goodness this is over" type of hug. I could feel a very content feeling from her. She was happy to see me but felt very calm and at ease. I was overjoyed! When the closing program was over, she was excited to go home but sad to leave camp.

I could tell she had a great time and felt at home at camp. Amaya loved her counselors and said one even felt like a big sister. She also made some great new friends from other towns in Iowa.

They exchanged addresses and plan to stay in contact by snail mail. I sure hope they do. Amaya said she felt a closer bond to her local friends that she went to camp with, as well. Its amazing how well you can get to know people when you spend several days together with no distractions.

At camp there were no electronics of any kind and lots of outdoor time. Max and Amaya were able to make decisions for themselves for several days, such as what to eat at mealtime, what to do during free time and how to spend their money at the camp store. They were supervised by counselors, of course, but mom and dad werent there to say yes or no. It gave them more independence, responsibility and boosted their confidence in themselves.

There was one big surprise: Having our kids away at camp was unexpectedly difficult for my husband and me. We have certainly been away from our children in the past, but we could always check in on them by phone or video call. This was the first time we had been out of communication for several days. It was really hard on us!

We worried if they were homesick and hoped they were having fun. We figured no news was good news, but we both thought about them A LOT. Who would have guessed we needed a little training camp, too!

But our kids definitely made us proud. They both said they had moments of homesickness early on in their stay. But they didnt let those thoughts linger and instead had a fun time, strengthened friendships and met new friends. Amaya already knows she wants to go to camp again.

Max isnt sure he will like the longer length of camp next year. But I know he will do great. And with one year under our belt, my husband and I will do better, too.
AUSTIN, Texas (AP)  Conspiracy theorist Alex Jones' media company Free Speech Systems filed for bankruptcy on Friday, but his attorney said it should not disrupt the defamation damages trial underway in Texas that seeks to force Jones to pay $150 million or more to the family of one of the children killed in the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School attack.

The trial in Austin, where Jones lives and Free Speech Systems is based, wrapped up its first week of testimony Friday and is expected to conclude next week. The bankruptcy filing was announced by Jones' attorney Andino Reynal late in the day.

Reynal and attorneys for the family suing Jones told Judge Maya Guerra Gamble that the bankruptcy filing would not halt the lawsuit.

The company wants to put this part of the odyssey behind us so that we have some numbers set for damages, Reynal said.

Details of the bankruptcy filing were not immediately available.

It is not the first time a bankruptcy filing has come amid litigation against Jones by the Sandy Hook families. In April, Jones company Infowars and two more of his business entities filed for bankruptcy protection, which led to a trial delay. Free Speech Systems is the parent company of Infowars.

Courts in Texas and Connecticut have already 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, judges issued default judgements against Jones without trials because he failed to respond to court orders and turn over documents.

Christopher Mattei, an attorney for the Sandy Hook families in the Connecticut case, issued a statement Friday evening blasting the bankruptcy filing.

Just two days before jury selection is due to begin in Connecticut, Mr. Jones has once again fled like a coward to bankruptcy court in a transparent attempt to delay facing the families that he has spent years hurting," Mattei said. "These families have an endless well of patience and remain determined to hold Mr. Jones accountable in a Connecticut court.

The trial in Austin is to determine how much Jones should pay for defaming Neil Heslin and Scarlett Lewis, whose 6-year-old son, Jesse Lewis, was among the 20 children and six educators who were killed in the country's deadliest school shooting. They and other Sandy Hook families suing Jones say they have suffered years of harassment and threats resulting from Jones' repeated false claims that the shooting was a hoax or didn't happen.

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.

Associated Press writer Dave Collins in Hartford, Connecticut, contributed to this report.
Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced Monday afternoon the appointment of Chatham Mayor Will Pace to serve on the Virginia Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission.

Pace was among four new individuals named to the board.

In a statement, Pace said it was an incredible honor to be selected.

I am very grateful that Gov. Youngkin has placed his trust and confidence in me to serve on the Tobacco Commission, Pace said in a prepared statement.

The commission was launched in 1998 after 46 states signed a settlement with the four largest tobacco companies in the United States.

The organizations goal is to drive economic growth of localities formerly dependent on the golden leaf.

Since its creation from bipartisan legislation introduced by Senator Charles Hawkins and Delegate Whitt Clement in 1999, the Tobacco Commission has been a vital leader in supporting economic growth and development in our region, Pace wrote in his statement.

The Chatham mayor said the commission has spurred hundreds of millions of dollars of new investment in the Dan River Region in addition to bringing tens of thousands of jobs.

With this appointment, I will be able to support Governor Youngkins agenda to ensure that the Tobacco Commission, and future grants and financial assistance provided by the Tobacco Commission, will be a meaningful partner, committed to supporting a growing and vibrant business environment in our region, Pace said.

The Tobacco Region Opportunity Fund provides performance-based grants and loans to localities in Virginias tobacco-producing regions, a news release reported. Those areas include 34 counties and six cities in southern and southwestern Virginia.

I look forward to working with the Governor, businesses, state, and local leaders, and most importantly, the citizens of Southside and Southwest Virginia in continuing to support and encourage economic opportunity and growth in this great area of the state we call home, Pace concluded.
By Azernews

By Sabina Mammadli

The embassy of Azerbaijan issues some safety measures to compatriots living and temporarily staying in Ukraine.

According to the embassy statement, it was recommended to take into account the following due to the poor security conditions in Ukraine:

- avoid trips to areas of active hostilities;

- stay away from military units and defense industry enterprises, including other military facilities that may be potential targets;

- be careful while traveling around the country, choose the safest possible route;

- don't visit public places with a large crowd of people, unless there is a serious need for this;

- carry a valid identity document with you, given that there are checkpoints throughout the country;

- comply with the curfew and other safety requirements of the competent authorities;

- keep travel documents ready (Azerbaijani citizens without valid documents can contact the embassy);

- know the available shelters and in case of air raids go down to them, but if this is not possible, take cover on the lower floors of buildings, or stay away from windows and doors, and follow the official information about the situation;

- contact the embassy in case of emergency;

- keep in touch with activists of Azerbaijani diaspora organizations, wherever they are;

- Azerbaijani citizens who plan to visit Ukraine should postpone their trips until security conditions improve if there is no serious need for such trips.

Embassy contacts:

Phone: 044 484 69 40, 073 505 00 00, 099 408 99 43.

E-mail: [email protected].

Embassy address: Kyiv, st. Glubochitskaya 24. https://www.facebook.com/AzEmbUkraine

Consular Section Reception Hours:

Receiving applications - from 10:00 till 13:00.

Issuance of finished documents - from 15:00 till 18:00.

The reception of citizens on Saturday, Sunday, and official non-working days will be carried out when urgent measures are required, and on the basis of prior registration.

For other information and recommendations, please follow the embassy's Facebook page.

To recap, Azerbaijan had delivered to Ukraine over 1,000 tons of essential humanitarian aid since the military conflict.

Azerbaijan earlier called Moscow and Kyiv for dialogue to end the ongoing crisis in Ukraine.

Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov made the remarks in an address to the UN Human Rights Council meeting on March 2.

"Ongoing humanitarian crisis requires urgent measures to help those affected. Azerbaijan provided humanitarian assistance and calls on both sides to dialogue," he said.

The minister expressed Azerbaijan's regret over the situation in Ukraine. Bayramov noted that civilians and civilian infrastructure must be protected, underlining that human rights must be constantly observed.

"Azerbaijan regrets that the ongoing situation in Ukraine leads to human casualties, especially among the civilian population," he said.
GREENSBORO  The countys only all-female high school wont be holding classes during the 2022-23 academic year.

The basic reason is that not enough rising ninth-graders signed up to attend the Middle College at Bennett for next year.

A deeper explanation involves the closure of Bennett Colleges campus for part of the pandemic and decisions the school district made in response. This springs roughly 25 graduating seniors were actually the last remaining class.

According to Gabrielle Brown, a district spokeswoman, the school administration expects to recruit a full freshman class for 2023-24 to restart the school.

School board Chairwoman Deena Hayes-Greene said, however, that her support for resurrecting the Middle College at Bennett would depend on factors like cost and the willingness and ability of Bennett College to host the school again.

Prior to the pandemic, the Middle College at Bennett was a Guilford County Schools program located on the campus of Bennett College, which is one of two historically black womens colleges currently operating in the United States.

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit in March 2020, Bennett College closed its campus. With Bennett planning to stay closed for the full 2021-22 school year, Guilford County Schools limited the program to then-rising juniors and seniors. Rising tenth-graders at the time were offered other options and rising ninth-graders werent enrolled.

The district then moved the remaining juniors and seniors to the campus of N.C. A&T, where two other Guilford County high schools are located. One of those is the N.C. A&T Four Middle College, the districts only all-male high school.

Bennett reopened its campus for college students this past fall, but the middle college program stayed at A&T  and again the district didnt open enrollment for new freshmen to start the program, Brown said. That left seniors as the only remaining class for the 2021-22 school year.

Guilford College Schools made plans to restart the school back on the Bennett College campus, but as of April it was unclear whether the district would attain the 50-student target it wanted for 2022-23s freshman class.

Thats why a district committee decided not to move forward with a proposed renaming of the Middle College at Bennett after former Guilford County Commissioner Carolyn Coleman.

Brown said the district is evaluating ways to increase freshman enrollment and to seek the best way to get students in the classroom.

Hayes-Greene said she spoke with some parents of rising ninth-graders who were disappointed that their children wouldnt be able to attend.

She added that shes heard great things from graduates about how the school has positively impacted the trajectories of their lives. And in general, she said, Guilford County Schools middle colleges can provide a great alternative for students who would not thrive in a traditional high school setting.

Bennett College is such an important part of our history and our community, Hayes-Greene said. My desire is that Bennett thrives and grows and that we have whatever partnership we can have with the college.
REIDSVILLE  Area firefighters and law enforcement officers came together Sunday to honor one of their own.

Only Richard Rick Murrell didnt die in the line of duty. It was a car crash in Browns Summit that claimed the life of the beloved father and firefighter.

The tragedy happened weeks ago, but is still fresh in the hearts and minds of many. Murrell, 58, a Reidsville native and 32-year veteran of the Greensboro Fire Department, was driving a Jeep Cherokee south on N.C. 61 during an afternoon rainstorm weeks ago when he and wife Tonya were struck head on by another car.

Driving too fast for the wet conditions, 16-year-old Alexio Lattero of Gibsonville had lost control of his 2012 Dodge Charger. The Charger caught fire, trapping a 15-year-old passenger and Latteros 26-year-old sister. Both died at the scene.

As did Murrell.

On Sunday, a memorial service and celebration of his life was held at Reidsville Christian Church.

Tonya Murrell, who suffered broken limbs and ribs, continues to recover from critical injuries at a local hospital. A teacher at Community Baptist Day School in Reidsville, she wasnt able to attend her husbands memorial, which was streamed online and attended by roughly 200 firefighters and law enforcement officers.

In announcing their fathers funeral, Murrells three children  ages 17, 19, and 21  wrote about how their dads love steadied them in their grief.

When a tragedy such as this happens, people oftentimes will expect you to fall apart. However, the opposite has occurred to us, the children wrote. People have instead asked about our strength, courage and how we as his children have been able to stand with our heads held high in the face of such a traumatic experience. Well, let me tell you about our father, the man who taught us to be strong  Rick Murrell.

He was and is a hero to us and to most everyone he met.
HIGH POINT  Three people who attempted to carjack a 55-year-old man at gunpoint fled the scene after he pointed a handgun back at them, according to a release from High Point police.

The incident occurred at about 9:45 p.m. Sunday in the 700 block of Russell Terrace. The victim told officers he was sitting in his vehicle when three males approached him, pointed a shotgun and demanded his car keys, according to the release.

The victim told police he pointed a handgun at the suspects and they dropped the shotgun and ran away. Officers located the three suspects nearby.

Police charged Anthony D. Coleman, 25, of Dry Fork, Virginia, with robbery with a dangerous weapon and simple possession of marijuana, and Antonio X. Jones, 18, of High Point with robbery with a dangerous weapon, the release said.

A juvenile was charged on a juvenile petition with robbery with a dangerous weapon, according to police.

No charges will be filed against the victim, a police spokeswoman said.
Detective Paul Weis of the Violent Criminal Apprehension Team with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department fired his weapon in the parking lot, police said in a news release. Greensboro police have not said why they are not identifying the officers involved, although the department as recently as last year identified officers involved in a fatal shooting.
RALEIGH  After a decade of vigorous opposition, most North Carolina Republicans have now embraced the idea of expanding the states Medicaid program to cover hundreds of thousands of additional low-income adults. Legislative approval finally appears within reach.

During the General Assembly session that ended weeks ago, the GOP-controlled House and Senate passed separate, bipartisan measures by wide margins that would put the state on the path to Medicaid expansion. Some details remain to be worked out, but theres a real opportunity to hammer out a compromise by years end.

Its a remarkable political turnabout in North Carolina, sure to be analyzed in the dozen states that have yet to accept the federal governments offer to cover people who make too much to be insured by traditional Medicaid but too little to receive subsidized private insurance.

If theres a person in the state of North Carolina that has spoken out against Medicaid expansion more than I have, Id like to meet that person, Senate leader Phil Berger said when he sought to explain his reversal at a news conference in May. We need coverage in North Carolina for the working poor.

The two chambers couldnt work out their differences before adjourning, and talks between legislative leaders and Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper  a longtime expansion supporter  have idled since then, at an impasse over other health care reforms that senators seek. But Berger remains bullish on ultimate success. I think well get there, he told reporters recently.

Hes not alone in feeling that way.

There is a lot of work that needs to be done ... but overall we are feeling extremely encouraged by how far weve come, said Erica Palmer Smith, executive director of Care4Carolina, a coalition of 150 groups that has worked for expansion since 2014.

Some advocates are tired of waiting. They say too many of the working poor are uninsured, risking their health and their lives. Others on traditional Medicaid worry that without expansion, theyll no longer be covered if they make too much money.

I dont know what to do, said Courtney Crudup, 32, of Oxford, a mother of three and a cosmetologist who is currently unemployed. She spoke recently outside the Legislative Building at an event urging lawmakers to act. Hear our stories. Hear regular people like me and people that want to work.

The apparent change of heart followed years of GOP suspicion about the 2010 Affordable Care Act, which Republicans derided as Obamacare only to see the label, as well as the program, become highly popular.

For years, Republicans said they couldnt trust Congress to keep the federal governments promise to pay 90% of the costs of expansion. They said the states Medicaid program  now with 2.7 million enrollees  had been overspending for years and was ill-prepared to take on more.

And fundamentally, they argued that more people would become dependent on government if allowed to benefit from Medicaid, which now mostly serves poor children and their parents and low-income elderly people.

Republicans say North Carolina Medicaid spending is now largely under control and they dont think Congress will increase the states share of the cost beyond 10%. The states portion  perhaps as much as $600 million annually  can be covered by assessments on the states hospitals and insurance plans.

Interest also grew when the 2021 COVID-19 federal relief package offered a financial sweetener to encourage the remaining holdout states to accept expansion. For North Carolina, whose tax coffers already are flush thanks to a roaring economy, it would be an extra $1.5 billion over two years.

This is an opportunity to take federal dollars, actually present a savings to the state of North Carolina and increase access to health care, House Speaker Tim Moore told colleagues in June. Id call that a pretty good trifecta to do those things.

Cooper also can take credit for his persistence. Hes pushed nonstop for expansion since taking office in 2017, citing the economic shot in the arm the federal money would bring to rural hospitals, communities and families of the 600,000 residents who could qualify.

Cooper went so far as to veto the 2019 state budget because Moore and Berger wouldnt commit to Medicaid talks. He signed this years, saying we are closer than ever to agreement on Medicaid expansion, and a veto would be counterproductive.

A pivotal moment came after the 2020 elections, when Cooper convened a bipartisan commission of medical, business and nonprofit leaders and state legislators that came up with guiding principles to improve health care coverage.

People with quite different political views were willing to listen to those who are coming at these issues from different backgrounds and different concerns, said Mark McClellan, director of the Duke-Margolis Center for Health Policy at Duke University, which convened the commission.

Another influencer was former Ohio Gov. John Kasich, who told a joint House-Senate committee in March how expansion has worked in his Republican-leaning state. The committee focused on the details, including how to increase the number of nurses, hospital beds and services in the state.

Negotiations slowed this summer between the House, Senate and Cooper, largely because the Senate wants regulatory changes aimed at providing even more access to services that it says will result in lower costs. They include giving nurse practitioners, certified nurse midwives and others the ability to work independently from doctors, and scaling back certificate of need laws that critics say enable medical providers to limit competition that could bring down their revenue.

Berger, a Rockingham County Republican, blames hospitals for refusing to accept a compromise. The North Carolina Healthcare Association, representing hospitals and health systems, said it has raised concerns about Bergers bill, but remains an expansion advocate.

Its positive that both chambers now support expansion, and right now hospitals hold the key to getting this done, Cooper spokesman Ford Porter said.
More pregnant women are arriving in emergency departments seeking care in recent years.

That trend was revealed in a recent review of data from between 2016 and 2020 showing that 10% of emergency department visits among women of reproductive age were pregnancy-related.

Thats more than twice the proportion of women estimated to be pregnant at any given time in North Carolina.

Anna Waller, a research professor in UNCs Department of Emergency Medicine, has been involved with North Carolinas emergency department public health surveillance system since its inception as a pilot project in 1999. Its since evolved into NC DETECT, a statewide database showing and tracking real-time data for nearly every hospital in the state.

Each year, hundreds of clinicians and researchers pore over the information in the database to study trends in care. Its been used to examine emergency department visits related to everything from firearm injury to elderly falls to motor vehicle crashes.

For the first time, the data is now being used to examine pregnancy-related visits to emergency departments.

That is an area that no one had ever dug into before, said Waller, principal investigator for NC DETECT.

Until UNC researchers decided to leverage the millions of visits collected each year to better understand emergency department use during pregnancy. Previous research has shown pregnant women use emergency departments at high rates. Even with that knowledge, UNC researchers were surprised by the large number of visits in North Carolina.

It was higher than we expected, said Liz Mueller, a UNC-Chapel Hill medical student involved with the research.

The question the researchers have is why is this happening. Theyre wondering if its an issue with too few clinics, too little insurance or something else thats not yet clear. But its a concern, given North Carolinas higher than average infant and maternal mortality rates.

The findings

To find this utilization rate, Mueller and Rachel Urrutia, an assistant professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at UNC-CH, first narrowed the data over the five-year period to look specifically at emergency department visits among females of reproductive age  those between 15 and 44 years old. They also isolated pregnancy-related visits by diagnosis codes that indicated the patient was either pregnant or recently pregnant.

After applying for access to the NC DETECT database, which belongs to the state Division of Public Health, the UNC researchers received access last July.

The data is de-identified but remains a wealth of information as all emergency departments in North Carolina  except for those managed by the military, such as Womack Army Medical Center on Ft. Bragg and the hospital on Cherokee lands in western North Carolina  are required to submit data to the state for public health surveillance.

They found that during that five-year period, there were more than 5.5 million emergency department visits for women of reproductive age in North Carolina. The proportion of pregnancy-related visits ticked up each year, starting at 8.6% in 2016 and growing to 10.8% in 2020.

Mueller further analyzed demographic trends in pregnancy-related emergency department usage.

Medicaid-covered visits had 2.4 times the chance of being pregnancy-related than non-Medicaid visits. Additionally, emergency department visits for Hispanic women also had 1.5 times the odds of being pregnancy-related compared to non-Hispanic women.

Disparities in visits by ethnicity and insurance payer were not surprising given known disparities in access to high-quality prenatal care, Mueller said.

Urrutia said the gold standard for prenatal care is 14 appointments with an obstetrician or a midwife starting in the first trimester of pregnancy. But Urrutia realizes a significant number of people dont get adequate prenatal care, which she said could be contributing to the high volume of pregnancy-related emergency department visits.

In 2020, about 1 in 13 infants were born to a woman receiving late or no prenatal care in North Carolina, according to March of Dimes. Based on the latest data available from 2020, North Carolina has the eighth highest infant mortality rate among all states in the U.S. at 6.9 deaths per 1,000 live births. Black infants are 2.5 times more likely to die than white infants.

Additionally, the United States has the worst maternal mortality rate among developed nations and North Carolinas maternal mortality is higher than the national average at 21.9 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2019. There is a significant racial disparity as Black mothers are 2.9 times more likely to die from pregnancy-related issues than white mothers, according to 2019 data from Americas Health Rankings.

Prenatal care promotes healthy pregnancies and birth outcomes. Regular checkups help expectant mothers avoid or treat pregnancy complications such as infections and gestational diabetes. The visits also provide the opportunity for expectant mothers to talk with health professionals about their questions and concerns.

Barriers to obtaining regular prenatal care include not having health insurance coverage or transportation and negative perceptions  even fear  of health care providers, Urrutia said. Black and Hispanic women are at a higher risk of starting prenatal care later than white women.

Scratching the surface

Right now, the findings, which Mueller presented at an American College of Preventive Medicine conference in June, only scratch the surface of what the data can tell them. They have deeper analysis underway.

They are examining what portion of pregnancy-related emergency department visits are turning into hospital admissions.

Thatll be interesting to see because well have a better idea of whether patients were just using the ED because they had nothing else or because they actually really needed that care, Urrutia said.

The results could indicate gaps in prenatal care that could be putting mother and baby at risk. Non-urgent emergency department usage may represent care that would be better provided by an obstetric provider in an outpatient clinic or office.

The data can also be localized to monitor trends in specific regions in counties. Urrutia said a spike in pregnancy-related visits in one or two specific emergency departments could be investigated to see if a prenatal clinic closed in the area or if another cause is contributing to the rise.

The researchers are also exploring the most common reasons patients use emergency departments, something that could help explain why so many pregnant people are headed to the ER. That information could help policymakers and health systems in North Carolina prioritize interventions that are most likely to promote maternal health such as greater education.

We dont have that analysis yet, but I think that would help make more of a clear picture of what is the state of pregnancy-related care in emergency rooms in North Carolina? Mueller said.

Waller said shes happy to see that the emergency department visit data is being used to uncover and address problems in care delivery.

Theres no point in doing all this work to build a data system that no ones using, she said. We want to see the data used and used well, and this study is a very good example of that.

In last years budget, the General Assembly passed a provision extending postpartum Medicaid from 60 days after birth to 12 months  a change that came into place this April. However, this research may indicate a need for greater prenatal care access.
CHARLOTTE  As the craft beer industry expands in the city, one untapped market is about to emerge.

Its been three years since Charlotte  a city with more than 30 craft breweries  has debuted a Black-owned brewery. Three Spirits Brewery was Charlottes only Black-owned brewery. It opened in 2016 but closed three years later without explanation.

But now, two Black-owned breweries are getting ready to open over the next several months.

Weather Souls Brewing Co., out of Texas will open its second location in October in South End. Charlotte is familiar with the brewery and owner Marcus Baskerville because two years ago, he started the Black is Beautiful project to raise awareness about injustice.

Theres an amazing craft beer scene there, Baskerville said.

Following Weathered Souls opening, Hippin Hops Brewery will open its fourth location in Charlotte. Its Atlantas first Black-owned brewery with a permanent site, which opened in April 2021.

Owner Clarence Boston has long ties to Charlotte. He opened his first business in the Queen City 16 years ago. He has had ownership in several businesses since, including a funeral home and nightclubs.

Hippin Hops Brewery will be the largest Black-owned brewery in the U.S., Boston said.

Black-owned breweries are a so unique business because they dont exist, Boston said.

Less than 1% of the nearly 8,500 craft breweries in America are Black-owned, according to a 2019 Brewers Association survey.

Both Baskerville and Boston have plans to change that.

Real change is made through ownership, Baskerville said. We know when you build a diverse business, you have a better chance of success.

Boston was recently appointed as treasurer to the Georgia Craft Brewers Guild. Hes also the Guilds first Black board member in its 12-year history.

I never thought in a million years Id be sitting on the guild, Boston said. Boston said people call him The Black Anheuser-Busch and his goal is to distribute in all 50 states.

His hope is to help the craft industry tap into another market.

There are a lot of Black beer drinkers but introducing them to craft beer is only going to help the industry as a whole, he said.

****

It also can be hard to get the products in front of consumers. Thats why Jamel Lynch started Harlem Beer Distributing in Durham four years ago. He met Celeste Beatty, owner of Harlem Brewing Co. in New York City and the first Black woman to open a brewery in the U.S., who explained the challenges with distribution and cracking the white-male-dominated industry.

Lynch was an engineer for IBM at the time, but wanted to help get Beattys beers in North Carolina. He reached out to stores, bars and restaurants, selling 140 cases to show a distributor that Beattys beer was worth taking on.

But even then, the distributor said no.

I began to see some of the challenges of the small brewers, in particular African-American breweries, to try to penetrate a network. Its not really made of people that look like us, Lynch said. I grew up here in the South. I know what its like to be shunned and Ive certainly run up against some of those challenges in this industry.

You dont belong in this business. That was the vibration I felt when I began to speak to some of these white-owned bars and restaurants.

Lynch decided to start a distribution company to give smaller breweries exposure to markets that they would not normally have access to.

Im trying to break down those barriers, Lynch said. Its not that we want to work only with African-Americans. We want to work with people who have a like-minded approach to doing business, connecting with your community.

Beer distribution is just a platform to do what I really want to do and thats inspire and help other people.

****

For years, Boston wanted a Charlotte location for his Hippin Hops Brewery, even incorporating it in North Carolina in 2018.

I tried my damn hardest to find a building through several of the big real estate companies in Charlotte and it was just like they didnt want to lease to African Americans, Boston said. Thats a big part of why I left. It was a different time than what it is today.

Boston and his wife Donnica found a place for the brewery and restaurant within a week of moving to Atlanta.

But he still wanted to be in Charlotte. Boston said there were no problems finding a space for the brewery. In fact, the leasing company for the Winnifred Street location is owned by an Atlanta company familiar with Hippin Hops.

But I do see things have changed due to COVID, Boston said. Its amazing to see a lot of these different Black-owned businesses popping up in Dilworth and places that would generally rent to African-Americans.

In the Black community, Boston said, the biggest challenges in breaking into the craft beer industry are securing capital and fear of investing in yourself. Lynch said one batch of beer can cost $15,000.

Boston was able to invest his own capital into the brewery from the sale of the Charlotte funeral home and interests in other ventures.

Baskerville said in the 1980s, the lack of resources and securing financial funding created a generational gap for minority-owned businesses.

They would have laughed me out of the bank, said Baskerville, 37.

He also points to industry advertising.

Its never been marketed to us like malt liquor and Hennessy, Baskerville said. Its not culturally normal for Blacks to drink beer.

****

Nationally, about half of craft beer consumers are white male, and for a long time this has caused many minorities to feel the industry does not have a place for them, according to Lisa Parker, executive director of N.C. Craft Brewers Guild. The nonprofit started in 2008 and 72% of North Carolinas 403 brewing facilities are members of the Guild.

However, the face of craft beer is changing, she said.

The industry is increasing opportunities that foster minority involvement.

Baskervilles advice is to speak with a local Small Business Administration officer, learn about grants or other funding available from the city and state, and seek mentorships from someone in the industry. Ask tons of questions, he said. Surround yourself with people who know things to learn from.

Another way to break down barriers is by asking retailers for the product, said Lynch, who now distributes six breweries in over 300 locations in Virginia, Georgia and North Carolina, including Charlotte.

Just this summer, Parker said North Carolina crossed the threshold of 400 brewing facilities in production.

Charlotte is now our states largest craft beer city, with a total 41 permitted brewing facilities currently in production, she said. Our breweries serve as all-inclusive community gathering spaces, and due to this, we play a significant role in the economic development and revitalization of our downtowns and neighborhoods.

And Boston said maintaining diversity in any business is important. Hippin Hops staff of about over 50 is diverse. And, he expects the majority of customers to be white.

Were not a Black-owned brewery that is just for Black people, he said. We want diversity in our breweries.
RALEIGH  Actor William Shatner told David Cox to get lost on Sunday  and the City Councilman and lifelong Star Trek fan loved every minute of the encounter.

Cox came to Shatners panel at GalaxyCon in Raleigh to thank the actor, well-known for playing Capt. James Kirk on Star Trek as well as on other series as diverse as Boston Legal, T.J. Hooker and The Twilight Zone. What ensued was a scene reminiscent of Shatners famous 1986 Saturday Night Live skit where he tells Star Trek fans at a science fiction convention to get a life.

During a question-and-answer period, Shatner barks for comedic effect at Cox to talk right into the mike and tells him I dont care what your name is when he introduces himself. When Cox mentions hes a member of the City Council, the comedy ratcheted up.

Whats the City Council doing here? said Shatner, who called Cox Eddie. Are you like important? Get lost will you, Eddie.

Cox goes on to tell Shatner that he started watching Star Trek in the 1960s when he was 8 years old. Cox mentions his doctorate in computer science and his job at Duke University as he tells Shatner thank you for the inspiration over the years.

I just want to take a moment to thank you and welcome you to Raleigh, Cox added.

Shatner expressed his appreciation, but wasnt going to let things end there.

Why are you here? Shatner tells Cox as the crowd laughs. Do you have a question?

Cox answered: no questions.

Then Shatner asked: Why arent the streets cleaner?

Shatner didnt relent and asked Cox after all those years of Star Trek, do you have a question or something? Cox responded by asking Shatner about what he saw looking out the window when he went into space in 2021.

Cox later tweeted that the experience was the best fun Ive had in awhile.

Another Star Trek fan, Gov. Roy Cooper, also got a chance to meet the actor.

Great welcoming the incomparable William Shatner to NC, Cooper tweeted on Sunday. As a long time Trekker, I enjoyed our interesting discussion about the arts, music, health, the environment and much more.

Shatner mentioned his meeting with Cooper during his GalaxyCon talk on Sunday. He asked the crowd who had voted for Cooper, getting a loud response from people who said they didnt.

Why didnt you vote for him? Shatner said. I want to hear why you didnt vote for the governor? Whats wrong with the governor? Hes a wonderful guy. Hes got great ideas, forward-looking ideas.
RALEIGH  The State Board of Elections on Monday voted unanimously to certify the Green Party as an official party.

Some have suggested that we should make this decision quickly rather than ensure that it was done correctly, said Damon Circosta, who chairs the five-member board. A hasty decision would have been a disservice to the voters of this state and the law. We spent the time and the effort to get it right.

The state elections board directed all county boards of elections to complete a signature matching review of all Green Party ballot petitions prior to Mondays meeting. After doing so, the board found that the Green Party still had 1,607 signatures more than what was required to become a new party.

Initially, the board voted against certifying the Green Party in June, citing potential fraud in the petition campaign. While the board has now certified the party, the decision is somewhat moot because the filing deadline for new candidates passed on July 1. The only way for the Green Party to get on the November ballot now is through a court order or legislative action. Without that, the partys aggressive bid to field a U.S. Senate candidate will fall short.

Meanwhile, board staff said the investigation into potential fraud continues and any criminal findings will be referred to prosecutors.

There is nothing political about this thats being performed by state board staff, said Karen Brinson Bell, executive director of the state elections board. This is us administering elections as prescribed by our law.

The Green Party is a leftist, anti-capitalist organization that advocates for free health care, housing as a human right and a host of other progressive changes. For this reason, some Democrats fear that having the Green Party on the ballot would split the vote between the two parties, making it easier for Republicans to win.

The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee confirmed that it contacted voters who signed a petition for the Green Party  a progressive third party that has never won a major election in North Carolina  and is asking them to retract their signatures.

The Green Partys campaign to appear on the 2022 ballot has been fraught since the beginning. Despite being officially recognized in 2018, the party lost its status in 2021 after it failed to receive 2% of the vote for its gubernatorial or presidential candidates in the 2020 general election.

This meant the party had to collect signatures to get on the ballot  13,865 signatures, to be exact. The party spent months campaigning across the state and, according to leaders, collected nearly all of its 22,500 signatures by paid volunteers  not petition-gathering firms.

According to Green Party leaders, all their signatures were submitted by May 17. Then, county boards were supposed to verify the signatures by June 1. Many of these boards did not meet the deadline, leaving party leaders in the lurch.

A State Board of Elections spokesman said that because the party filed most of its sheets on the May 17 deadline, which coincided with primary Election Day, it was difficult for county boards to meet deadlines.

Regardless, the State Board of Elections database showed in early June that, even without some of the signatures from county boards, the Green Party had already surpassed the verified requirement by over 2,000. Yet the state board hadnt called a meeting to certify the results.

Along the way, the dispute over the Green Partys effort to field a Senate candidate has exposed the Democratic Partys bareknuckle efforts to prevent the progressive group from siphoning away crucial votes come November.

After the State Board of Elections rejected the Green Party petition in a 3-2 vote on June 30, the inevitable happened. The Green Party then sued, alleging Democratic interference in the petitioning process and asking the court to reverse the boards decision.

More than a dozen signers mentioned in the lawsuit report receiving intimidating messages, calls or home visits. These signers said some canvassers declined to identify themselves or falsely claimed to represent the Green Party or the elections board. Others said they were sent by the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee  the driving force working to elect other Democratic Senate candidates nationwide.

With the Senate in a 50-50 deadlock, North Carolina is one of the few states where Democrats have strong potential to pick up a seat, said Western Carolina University political science professor Chris Cooper. Despite the stakes, he found the Democrats tactics jaw dropping.

This is not politics as usual, Cooper said. We expect political parties to want to win  thats not the problem. It crosses the line when they appear to be resorting to intimidation and, in a few cases, lies.

The Democrats acknowledge asking signers to remove their names, but claim they were merely trying to make sure potential supporters werent being tricked.
Editor's note: Robert Munoz has been located and is safe, police said at 1:26 p.m. Helena PD thanks everyone for their assistance

A Missing Endangered Person Advisory has been issued for Robert Munoz, a 42-year-old Hispanic male who is considered suicidal.

Munoz is 5 feet 10 inches tall, 190 pounds, bald, with brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a blue hoodie, Helena police said. Munoz is suicidal, injured himself Monday morning, was bleeding, and drove away from a residence in Helena around 6:30 a.m.

He was last seen to be driving a white 2001 Toyota Camry with dark-tinted windows and a Dallas Cowboys star on the rear window. Montana license plate 549804B. There is no known direction of travel or destination.

If you have any information, call the Helena Police Department at 406-442-3233 or dial 911.
By Azernews

By Sabina Mammadli

The Azerbaijani Defense Ministry has urged social media users against posting old footage of the second Karabakh war and the army drills under the guise of new videos and thus avoid misleading the public.

According to the ministry, servicemen and army equipment are regularly moving to training centers and combined arms training grounds.

"We recommend our citizens to refer only to the verified reports posted on the official website of the Ministry of Defense (www.mod.gov.az), as well as on the ministry's social media accounts, the statement noted.

In the meantime, another unrelated but military report said that the Azerbaijani armys engineering troops conducted practical drills to improve the professional level of the military personnel in accordance with the training plan approved by the defense minister.

During the classes held in the field conditions, servicemen study the tactical and technical characteristics of modern anti-mine protective sapper suits and mine detectors, as well as improve their skills in detecting and neutralizing mines and unexploded ordnance.

Azerbaijan periodically holds drills to improve its military personnels combat readiness.

The drills also aim to improve interaction and combat coordination between the servicemen during operations, as well as to develop commanders' military decision-making and unit management skills.

--
BUTTE  The Montana Democratic Party on Saturday updated its party platform by a wide and enthusiastic consensus, but the political power wielded by Republicans hung omnipresent over the convention.

Democrats are in the deep minority in the state Legislature, and hold no statewide office, save U.S. Sen. Jon Tester at the federal level. The stakes for the party are clear: If they lose just two seats in the Legislature, the GOP will have a supermajority capable of passing ballot measures to alter the state constitution. Republicans have signaled some distaste for the document, ranging from provisional changes to calling it a "socialist rag" that needs to be thrown out.

Sheila Hogan, executive director of the state Democratic Party, said in an interview Monday the changes made to the platform were not in direct response to Republicans' actions over the last 18 months since the 2021 legislative session, but rather issues elevated by Montanans. The platform will guide its members moving into the general election in the coming months and in the 2023 session.

"They were issues about Montana families, things that Montana families care about: How to afford housing, child care, health care," Hogan said. "You could call those moderate or you could call those progressive but that's what we're hearing from people."

The general assembly approved language placing the word "housing" into the title of its "Jobs and Economy" platform in response to the housing crisis striking much of the state. The party also added a provision labeling child care and mental health services, both of which are scant in many parts of Montana, as "essential" to the economy.

Still, delegates at the convention invoked Republicans in advocating for the updates to the platform. While introducing a provision opposing attempts to weaken construction standards, a delegate from the Gallatin County Democrats said the addition was in large measure in response to a recent announcement our (Republican) governor made forming an affordable housing task force. Delegates argued the task force was "stacked" with developer interests.

We know nothing good is going to come out of this," Gallatin County delegate Mark Smith told the convention. "This is going to be a regulatory relief bill for developers.

Delegates from the Flathead brought an amendment to oppose censorship in public libraries after conservatives set off a controversy while attempting to remove books about gender identity and sexual orientation from a Kalispell library.

The party also approved an amendment to reinstate the Judicial Nomination Commission, which was an appointed board that vetted candidates for judicial appointments and forward a short list of names to the governor. Republicans did away with the commission in the 2021 Legislature, claiming the panel exercised a Democratic influence on the judicial branch. Democrats at the time opposed stripping away insulation between the governor and the judiciary.

And in a swift response to congressional Republicans who voted down a federal bill providing services to veterans exposed to toxic burn pits late last week, the state Democrats on Saturday added language to the platform supporting such a measure. Delegates invoked Republican U.S. Sen. Steve Daines in moving the changes into the Veterans and Active Military plank.

Daines missed a June vote on the bill, but previously said he supported it but then raised concerns about the spending in it being mandatory instead of adjustable.

It was the second time Democrats cited Daines during Saturday's discussions. A new provision in the natural resources plank seeks to continue the use of wilderness study areas as "de facto federal wilderness until community-driven proposals are adopted by Congress."

Daines has been a key proponent of removing the study area designation over 300,000 acres to multiple-use status, saying the studies that justified the protections deemed the areas not suitable for wilderness.

Steve Daines is trying to peel away those protections, Smith said. We need to stop that.

The near-unanimous support for the platform updates was a distinct contrast to the Republican convention two weeks earlier, where the divide between moderate and hardline Republicans was on display during debates about abortion and elections. During the recent legislative sessions, Democrats in the minority have hardly broken the party lines when voting on bills, and Saturday's general assembly was no different.

"We've got to be united to beat the anti-democratic radical Montana GOP and we're really working together to make this happen," Hogan said. "I was pleased with the unity but, again, we know what's at stake. Our constitution is at stake. Our health care freedoms are at stake."

State Sen. Diane Sands, who is termed out of the Legislature and whose seat is considered a swing district in the general election, said Saturday the constitution used to be off the table for political ambitions.

"You know this is on the agenda for the Republicans," Sands said. "It's important to truly say here that we are in opposition to that."

The recent U.S. Supreme Court decision ending federal protections for abortion access and allowing states to regulate abortion themselves is yet to play out in Montana because the state Supreme Court upheld the right to access a pre-viability abortion here in 1999. The several planks in the platform saw new language supporting freedom and privacy in regards to peoples' health care decisions, although access to reproductive health was already established in the platform.

Democrats have held up tax relief, affordable housing, child care and mental health services as priorities, last month making those center to their plan to allocate $1 billion of the state's projected $1.7 billion surplus.

Those priorities were written into the platform on Saturday, with the approval of language to push for property tax policies that don't force people from their homes and simultaneously continue government services. Those services would be sustained by requiring wealthy property owners to "pay their fair share," according to the language approved Saturday.

The platform also got a new line to push for "adequate funding" for state mental health institutions, a nod to the decision by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to revoke its reimbursement funding for the Montana State Hospital after the institution repeatedly failed to meet health and safety standards. Another addition cements the party's support for funding the infrastructure that buttresses community-based mental health care providers, a proposal made by Democrats and Republicans in recent months to ease the pressure on the state hospital.

By the close of the convention, there were no major shake-ups introduced to the party platform, and Hogan said Saturday the document is the product of years of steady development. In order to take the steering wheel on such an agenda, however, they'll need to turn the tide on voters' growing support for Republican candidates over the last several election cycles. Democrats were walloped in the 2020 elections, but Hogan said that had less to do with the party platform than the campaign limitations of a pandemic.

"(The) 2020 (election) was during a pandemic," Hogan said. "We do well on the doors, talking to voters, hearing their concerns and we've knocked thousands of doors already and that's what we're hearing.

"The pandemic was an anomaly," she added. "It was hard to function.  (This year) it's going to be different. I want voters to know that we care about what they care for. People are priced out of housing, priced out of rentals, affordable child care. Those are things that are important to Montana families. Not election fraud with no evidence or all of those things that really don't affect Montanans."
Im used to hypocrisy, but this move by the GOP was unconscionable. On July 27, Steve Daines joined 40 of his Republican Senate colleagues and voted against the PACT Act, a pro-vet bill that had already passed the House.

The next time our California-born junior senator bloviates about supporting Montana vets, please remember how Steve Daines (R) just betrayed those same sick and dying veterans; seemingly all for a political stunt. Supporting our veterans should NOT be a divisive issue. If, like me, youre wondering why Steve pulled his support at the last minute, give his office a call at 202-224-2651 and ask him. I hope someone can get an answer explaining his disgusting, cowardly about face.
TAYLORVILLE  The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency has issued a seal order for the Taylorville Kroger due to asbestos contamination.

EPA Director John J. Kim issued the seal order for the grocery store, located at 201 E Bidwell St. in Taylorville, following an inspection of the property that revealed asbestos materials within areas of the building accessible to the public.

According to an EPA statement, all occupants were removed from the building and the building was sealed to the public on Friday. The agency requested that any renovation or demolition activities cease.

In a statement to the Herald & Review, Eric Halvorson, manager of corporate affairs for Kroger Central Division, said the company is taking steps to reopen the store soon.

"The company will work with the EPA, our vendor and with remediation partners to correct the issue. We will reopen as soon as the EPA rescinds the order and we are able to do so as safety is one of our core values," Halvorson said. "We're offering our associates the opportunity to work at our stores in Decatur until the issue is resolved. We apologize for any inconvenience to our customers and community and will work to resolve this matter and reopen as quickly as possible."

The EPA said it received a complaint expressing concerns about renovations happening at the grocery store on July 29.

Through its inspection, the agency found that SSI, a licensed asbestos contractor, had been conducting asbestos removal operations at the property but that asbestos materials had escaped in the process.

Removal operations have rendered asbestos-containing material friable, which can cause the uncontrolled discharge of asbestos fibers into the environment, the statement read. Illinois EPA inspectors observed that SSI had constructed a containment, but material had escaped the containment.

The EPA referred an enforcement against Kroger and SSI to the Illinois Attorney Generals Office for violations of the Illinois Environmental Protection Act and Illinois Pollution Control Board Regulations.
Eastman officials said a switch over to an upgraded control system software program for the largest powerhouse at the 900-acre Kingsport, Tennessee plant was the cause of the recent power outage and shutdown of production at the site July 22.

The plant has since regained power and restarted the majority of its operations. A release from the company said the site is expected to be back to normal operating rates later this week.

Eastman Vice President and Tennessee Manufacturing Leader Mark Bogle said a loss of water to the plants boilers to convert steam into power led to the shutdown.

During the switchover, we unexpectedly lost all flow of the feedwater into the boilers, which automatically shut down the powerhouse, Bogle said in a release Monday afternoon. As is industry standard, the boilers are programmed to shut down if there is not an ample supply of water. When the powerhouse shut down, we lost steam and power generation across the site, as our plant-wide systems, by design, went into safety shut down mode.

The release said a follow-up investigation led to several actions that will prevent the event from recurring.

The loss of power follows a January incident when a high pressure steam line failed at the plant.
Rocky Tweed left the cemetery distressed but determined.

The Lebanon resident started making phone calls. He connected with Anna Leigh DeBord, the head of the Smyth County Historical Society. She then took on Tweeds call for action.

Tweed, a lifelong local history buff, had come to visit Aspenvale Cemetery in Seven Mile Ford.

Revolutionary hero General William Campbell, famous for his actions in the Battle of Kings Mountain, is buried in Aspenvale as is General Francis Preston, who married Campbells daughter Sarah. Preston and his wife operated Saltvilles Saltworks and then moved to Abingdon. Their former home is now the Martha Washington Inn.

Also, resting there are the remains of Elizabeth Henry Campbell Russell, best known as Madam Russell. She was a sister to Patrick Henry. Following Gen. Campbells death, she married General William Russell, another Revolutionary War hero.

Yet, Madam Russell is famous in her own right.

Who is Madam Russell?

A 2011 Virginia Women in History honoree, Madam Russell is recognized by the Library of Virginia as one of the commonwealths Changemakers.

The Library of Virginia says, Elizabeth Henry Campbell Russell was compared favorably to her famous brother Patrick Henry, in part because she shared his unwavering drive and impressive oratorical skills.

She used those skills to help the needy and become a force for Christianity, most especially Methodism.

The woman who became Madam Russell was born in 1749 in Hanover County. She joined Gen. Campbell in Southwest Virginia shortly after their 1776 marriage.

She kept busy, administering to sick and needy people. Soon after her husbands death, she remarried in 1781. In 1788 her family, which included her own children and stepchildren, moved to the present site of Saltville, the Library of Virginia says.

It was also in 1788 that Russell underwent a dramatic conversion to Methodism after attending a series of Methodist sermons.

Embracing Methodism whole-heartedly, the Library of Virginia says, the Russells pledged their wealth to aid the church and influenced many people of the community to join. After her husbands death in 1793, Madame Russell increased her Methodist activism. She gave up her personal wealth but used the funds she had to support circuit riders and to pay to build churches.

A woman ahead of her time and well prior to the Civil War, Madam Russell with a firm belief in God-given freedom for all people freed the slave that she owned.

In 1812 she settled into a log cabin with a large room for holding religious meetings. Until her death, she hosted itinerant preachers and alerted community members whenever an impromptu service was to be held. When poor evangelists visited her, she bolstered them with food and clothing, as well as moral support and intellectual stimulation.

Madam Russell Methodist Church in Saltville is named in her honor.

The Effects of Time and Weather

When Madam Russell died in 1825, she was buried near Gen. Campbell. Today, the elements have taken their toll on her marker.

As Tweed saw earlier this year, its difficult to make out much beyond the name Elizabeth.

Tweed said he became distressed when he saw what poor shape it was in and that the community was letting history slip away.

The now retired carpenter and contractor went home and started researching who he should contact.

Hes grateful that he found DeBord, another longtime champion for local history.

A longtime educator, DeBord agrees with Tweed that its not right for Madam Russells grave to not be identified. She did so much for the community and... was so devout in her faith, DeBord said.

A Community Solution

DeBord doesnt want to replace the historic stone marker but add another.

She began to get price quotes.

Estimates put the 24x10x16 monuments cost at about $2,000. DeBord said it will detail some of Madam Russells contributions as well as her name and birth and death dates. If enough money can be raised, she said, the countys historical society would like to add her photo.

Anyone who would like to contribute may send a tax-deductible donation to the Smyth County Historical Society at PO Box 710, Marion VA 24354. DeBord said funds for the marker will go into a special account.

Each fall, local chapters of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution and Sons of the American Revolution along with the Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail Association conduct ceremonies to remember Gen. Campbell and Private John Broddy, of Saltville, who took part in the Battle of Kings Mountain.

DeBord would like to have the monument ready to dedicate in conjunction with those ceremonies.
The University of Virginias College at Wise and Mountain Empire Community College) have partnered to help students bridge the gap from high school diplomas to college degrees in an effort to raise the educational attainment rate in Southwest Virginia.

A $75,000, two-year grant will fund research needed to launch new pilot programs geared for improving access for rural students to attain higher education success. This summer begins the year-long data analysis and pilot development phase. In fall 2023, the colleges will implement pilot programs.

Our goal is to strengthen the pathways from MECC to UVA Wise and increase equity in education. The ultimate goal is to have more people in this region with degrees. We believe there are several different paths for success, UVA Wise Provost Trisha Folds-Bennett said.

A significant number of students from our region come to MECC as their first step toward attainment of a bachelors degree, Mountain Empire Community College President Kristen Westover said. Building on the strong foundation that the AIMS program provides, the data captured from this research will assist MECC and UVA Wise in identifying and removing barriers to success, empowering us to enhance the student experience, and ultimately increasing the success of those students in our region who desire to graduate with a bachelors degree.

The grant also hopes to explore ways to improve student success in earning business and technology degrees because the job opportunities in these areas are predicted to expand exponentially in the next five to 10 years. Another focus of the project is helping address the critical shortage in nurses and teachers by making it easier for students to earn bachelors degrees in those areas. For some careers, an associates degree is the right choice but for others a bachelors degree is a better fit, Folds-Bennett said.

Having more people with bachelors degrees will help us build a stronger workforce, attract more businesses, and encourage students to stay in the region for education and work. It will help us create an engine for economic vitality in the region, Folds-Bennett said.

The grant hopes to address the commonwealths goal of reaching 70% of Virginians, ages 25 to 64, who attain an undergraduate degree.

The 2020 U.S. Census indicated that in Wise County only 15% of adults had obtained a bachelors degree. Only 11% of the entire regions population holds a bachelors degree, according to the GO Virginia Region 1 Growth and Diversification plan released last December.

This research will be a study of the students in this region, acknowledging that if we are going to close the education gap, we have to do it in partnership. We believe MECC is a key partner, Folds-Bennett said. We think both institutions will thrive through a stronger partnership and together we can meet the needs of the region even more.

To build that collaboration, the schools are conducting in-depth data analysis on a longstanding project targeted at transitioning high school students to college graduatesthe Appalachian Inter-Mountain Scholars (AIMS) Scholarship program.

The AIMS Scholar program was a natural fit. Those students are primarily recruited to MECC with the intention of attending a four-year college, but they arent required to do so. This data analysis will help us address whats working and what isnt. We want to find out how we can bridge that gap, Folds-Bennett said. Both schools will be using the same metrics and measures to better understand what encourages these students to continue on to a bachelors degree or what doesnt.

Established in 2003 at, AIMS scholars are recruited as high school students who earn C or better grades, have 95% attendance and no out-of-school suspensions. Only students from Lee, Scott, Wise, Dickenson counties and the City of Norton high schools are eligible.

AIMS Scholars receive full tuition at MECC for up to three years, 72 credit hours, or completion of their first associates degree. They must attend starting the fall semester immediately after high school graduation, keep a 2.25 or higher GPA and maintain full-time status each semester until degree completion.

For those students who earn an associate degree from MECC and wish to obtain a bachelors degree at UVA Wise, they receive an additional three-year, full-tuition scholarship.

Leadership at both institutions are exploring ways to increase student success by sharing dual admissions and recruitment through advising staff, courses, immersive learning and campus activities. They are also working to improve access to both two-year and four-year programs offered by MECC and UVA Wise.

This summer, both colleges will start institutional research and data analysis which is expected to continue through January 2023.

This grant project will complete a thorough analysis of the success of AIMS Scholars in attaining a bachelors degree relative to other students (non-AIMS students) who transfer to UVA Wise from MECC. Data from 2009-2018 will be used in the project from both schools.

The analysis will include figuring out the success rate of AIMS scholars who graduate with a college degree including factors of timely graduation, maintained 2.25 GPA, and the rate at which UVA Wise students maintain full-time status after transferring from MECC.

Once the full analysis is finished, UVA Wise and MECC will develop pilot programs to build on the most successful aspects of the AIMS Scholar program to further improve every students success at both colleges. They will work to find new ways to propel students to finishing their degree, including the possibility of shared coursework and expedited pathways. They also will create ways to expand the program to a broader group of MECC students.

Currently the AIMS program only applies to students who are pursuing an associate of arts and sciences but UVA Wise and MECC hope to expand that to include other associate degree pathways including applied science.

We want to understand the factors that predict success, Folds-Bennett said. Student success is more than just coursework. Its mentoring and support for professional development and having the practical experience through internships, undergraduate research and on-the-job training. Opportunities such as these will be included in the pilot programs.
RICHMOND, Va. (AP)  Thirty Virginia legislators called on the Biden administration Saturday to take action on behalf of Asim Ghafoor, a friend and former lawyer of slain dissident Jamal Khashoggi who's been imprisoned by the United Arab Emirates.

Ghafoor, a Virginia resident, was arrested earlier this month and quickly sentenced to three years in prison on charges of money laundering and tax evasion. Human rights groups have questioned the conviction.

The UAE has suggested the arrest was done in coordination with the U.S., but the State Department says the U.S. has never sought Ghafoor's arrest.

Virginia Del. Sam Rasoul, D-Roanoke, who led the signature effort among state lawmakers, said Ghafoor has a retrial scheduled Aug. 1, and urged Biden to raise the issue of Ghafoor's arrest directly with the UAE's president.

Biden's relationship with the UAE government puts the White House in a strong position to advocate for Mr. Ghafoors fair treatment and urge them to ensure he is safe while in UAE custody and granted bail, the letter states.
Starting college can be intimidating no matter where you study. The questions can be similar, however, including:

How should I manage my schoolwork?

How will I get involved?

How do I make friends?

Current college students from the Catawba Valley offered up some advice for those starting their higher education journey.

Regardless of whether you may be attending college here at home or somewhere else in the state or even out of state, there are some tips that are universal to incoming freshmen.

1. Get involved and reach out to peers

University of North Carolina at Charlotte senior Olivia Stutts stressed the importance of making connections early. I joined a Facebook group. I got involved specifically with the Belk College of Business, and some people do clubs, Stutts said.

Catawba Valley Community College alumna and Lenoir-Rhyne University transfer student Sydney Weaver said her friends were crucial to her community college experience. Your classmates will help you through the hard time of starting somewhere new and starting to really work towards your career, Weaver said.

Weaver said that working with friends and classmates who are trying to achieve the same goal can lessen the struggles that many face throughout their college years.

2. Take it easy

While it is important to focus on your schoolwork, it is also important to take time for yourself to focus on your mental health.

Some more specific tips may be useful depending on the college a student is enrolled in. Here is some advice according to different schools throughout the region and the state:

Gardner-Webb University junior Katie Townsend said try not to commit to too many things. Someone told me that sometimes you have to say no to good things so that you can say yeah to great things, Townsend said. She said to make sure youre involved but also make sure you have time to yourself.

Appalachian State University junior Madeline Wright said to set aside time for yourself every day and to set boundaries for schoolwork. Constantly worrying about school will mess up your mental health, Wright said.

North Carolina State University senior Lilly Underwood said its important to create a balance between school and free time. Having friends is important for your mental health, but also maintaining your grades and honoring your education is also very important to having a well-rounded and rewarding college experience, Underwood said.

3. Get into a routine

The newfound freedom that freshmen experience when they arrive at school can make it difficult to focus on education.

Appalachian State University senior Gabby Defeo said its important to get into a daily routine. Get in the habit of making time for school each day because its very easy to get sidetracked, Defeo said.

North Carolina State University junior Jay Estes said to stay on a good schedule and dont skip class because it puts you in a bad spot. Estes also said to utilize the many academic resources that colleges provide, including the library. He also said to reach out to classmates to form study groups.
First State Bank Names Brian Gillispie President

FSB is pleased to announce Brian Gillispie has been named President!



Brians 30 plus years of banking experience and local leadership will play an integral role in his new position with the bank. He is a lifelong resident of the Texas Panhandle and has called Spearman home for 31 years. After graduating from Gruver High School in 1988, Brian attended Texas Tech University. He is also a proud SWGSB Graduate with Leadership Distinction from Southern Methodist University.



Brian is passionate about community involvement and has spent decades serving and holding different appointments in community-based clubs and organizations, including serving as Mayor of the City of Spearman for 10 years.



There are only a handful of companies in Hansford County that are able to say that they have been in business for over a hundred years, and First State Bank is one of those few. Its very motivating to be a part of a bank that has been serving the financial needs of customers for 105 years and counting! Exciting things are happening at FSB. Come by and see us if you havent already, said Gillispie.



Chartered in 1917, First State Bank is locally owned and proudly serves the citizens of the Texas Panhandle with two convenient locations located in the heart of downtown Spearman and downtown Amarillo, TX. FSB specializes in agriculture and real estate lending, with loan decisions made in-house, giving customers quick answers to loan requests.






Hutchinson County Farm Bureau Donates $2,000 to Local VFDs

Pictured are (L to R): Zeb Smith (Chief-Fritch VFD); Travis Winegeart (Sec-Treasurer - Hutchinson Co. Farm Bureau); Gary Urban (Chief - Morse VFD); Alan Wells (Chief - Stinnett VFD); Mark Mitchell (Chief -Crutch Ranch VFD); Ben Bentley (Member - Hutchinson Co. Farm Bureau); and Garey Dozier (Member - Hutchinson Co. Farm Bureau

(Stinnett, Texas)Hutchinson County Farm Bureau donated $2,000 to four local volunteer fire departments in Hutchinson County in appreciation for their efforts battling recent fires in the area.



Each of the VFDs in Hutchinson County, Stinnett, Morse, Fritch and Crutch Ranch, received $500 .



Volunteer fire departments meet us where we have a need, and right now, with the drought were in, we need our volunteer firefighters more than ever, Hutchinson County Farm Bureau President David Harbour said. We want to thank our first responders for their support and efforts in protecting our communities.



David noted the small, rural communities especially rely on VFDs for a fast response since they are often located far away from other county emergency services.



They put their own lives on hold to help their communities whenever they are called, We appreciate them and the work they do.






















By Trend

Lufthansa said on Monday it was striving to solve a pay dispute with pilots in ongoing negotiations, after the union representing them threatened strike action, Trend reports with reference to Reuters.

Pilots at the German flagship carrier voted on Sunday by a margin of 97.6% in favour of industrial action, although the VC union has said this does not necessarily mean a strike will be held and called for constructive steps to be taken.
Denmark's data protection agency has issued a ban on the use of Google Workplace in schools, marking the fourth European country to prohibit Google services this year.

The Danish Data Protection Authority, Datatilsynet , released a verdict on 14 July, declaring a "ban on processing personal data using Google Chromebooks and Workspace for Education" in Helsingr Municipality.

The ban applies to educational institutions within the municipality, and prohibits use of services such as Gmail, Google Docs and Google Drive.

While this ban only applies to Helsingr Municipality for now, the verdict also stated "many of the conclusions in this decision will probably apply to other municipalities that use the same processing structure".

In explaining the reasoning behind its prohibitive verdict, Datatilsynet cited the tech giant's enormous data collection practices, as well as Google's habit of transferring the personal data of Danish citizens abroad to US servers (thus violating European Union (EU) and Danish legislation).

The roots of this ban can be traced back to December 2019, when a citizen issued a complaint regarding Helsingor Municipality's handling of his child's personal data - namely, their child had created a YouTube account without his knowledge.

Their complaint centered around the concern that their child's name could be published online via the Youtube account, and in 2020, Helsingor Municipality was consequently ordered to carry out a risk assessment regarding its processing of personal data.

Datatilsynet then reviewed the municipalities' risk assessment, reaching a verdict in 2021 which led to the now unfolding ban of Chromebooks and Google Workspace.

Datatilsynet further expressed "serious criticism" towards Helsingor Municipality, citing multiple violations of data protection regulation, and concluded Helsingor Municipality must "contact the parents of the registered children with a view to carrying out the corrections, anonymisation or deletion of the registered personal data."

GDPR Crackdown

Since the EU's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) commenced in 2018, countless companies have faced increased regulatory pressure in regards to how they handle data.

This year has been especially tumultuous for Google, having seen France, Austria, Italy and now Denmark issuing bans on multiple Google services.

The EU has been particularly scrutinous of GDPR violations from Google Analytics, which performs mass collection of data, including unobscured IP addresses, and transmits said data via cookies to the United States.

Since GDPR requires a certain level of anonymisation over personal data  and US law grants the government the ability to requisition data from private companies in specific circumstances  many companies which collect and transmit data to the US, including Google, wind up in direct conflict with GDPR requirements.

Previously, data sharing from Europe to the US was allowed and protected under the now defunct EU-US Privacy Shield agreement.

New negotiations are currently underway to establish a similar agreement, but for the time being, large companies such as Google and even Meta are indiscriminately subject to major bans.

Google's next steps

Denmark is often lauded as the most cyber safe country, and its ruling over Google's data practices carries significant weight.

Given the growing enforcement of GDPR against US tech giants in the EU, Google and other vendors are under increased pressure to reevaluate their approach to handling data.

A few months back, Google announced it would be rolling out new sovereign controls for Workspace users in Europe, allowing them to control, limit, and monitor transfers of data to and from the EU.

These changes may be enough to address the requirements of Datatilsynet's verdict, however, they do not roll out until the end of 2022.

Denmark's ban of Google Workspace services is effective immediately, and the municipality has until 3 August to delete specified data.
CHARLESTON  Selah Brimner was crowned as Miss Coles County Fair Queen on Sunday at the conclusion of the opening day of the 2022 fair.

"I'm so thankful of this opportunity," Brimner said to the grandstand crowd as she prepared to embark on a year that will include competing in the Miss Illinois County Fair Queen pageant.

Brimner, a 20-year-old Lake Land College student, also will present Coles County 4-H Fair prize ribbons and help in other ways at the fair alongside newly crowned Junior Miss Ayla Traub and Little Miss Finley Stewart. Brimner, who is the daughter of Thad and Cathy Brimner, said she looks forward to seeing community members at the fair.

The Miss Coles County pageant also included Sarah McEvers being named as first runner-up, and Makayla Davis being named as Miss Congeniality and second runner-up.
Most viewers dont realize Law & Order returned to television this year. Sam Waterston thinks he knows why.

We stopped making the shows, the actor says. But the audience never stopped watching them. The audiences persistent appetite for Law & Order is a major reason why were back.

Then, too, there have been spin-offs, cable reruns and a constant thirst for the kind of ripped from the headlines content it boasted.

Now, because events have changed the way people view both law and order, its a unique moment in time, says Rick Eid, the shows executive producer. The way people police is a lot different now than it was 10 years ago, even two years ago.

When creator Dick Wolf pitched the reboot, his first concern was getting original star Sam Waterston back.

He was talking about it five years ago, Waterston says. I dont think hes ever stopped talking about it. One of the reasons that were back is because of his persistence and determination and his complete conviction that it was a terrible mistake to stop in the first place.

Debuting in 1990, the mothership of the franchise ran 20 seasons and won the only Drama Series Emmy of the Law & Order shows. It spawned Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, Law & Order: Trial by Jury, Law & Order: Los Angeles, Law & Order: True Crime and Law & Order: Organized Crime.

Because it was shot in New York, Law & Order was often a stopping place for actors working on Broadway. Often, theyd joke everyone in the theater had the series on their credits.

From the beginning, I wanted the Tonys to give Dick Wolf a Tony for what he had done for stage actors in New York City, Waterston says.

Camryn Manheim, who stars in the reboot, got her first job on the original in 1991. I came back as three different characters through the years, she says. It was a badge of honor to be able to be in an off-Broadway play or a Broadway play and say that youd been on Law & Order.

Like Waterston, Anthony Anderson  another original  was eager to come back after the end of his comedy series, black-ish. Returning to the streets of New York, returning to our soundstages and donning that badge  Badge No. 1901  was like sitting in a well-worn saddle, he says. It gripped you just right and was comfortable.

For Hugh Dancy, one of the newcomers, it offered a new learning curve. Just figuring out the culture of the show and how this engine works. Its been amazing, he says.

Anderson says the secret to its success is "you never really know or get into these characters personal lives, which allows you to pick up this show at any given moment, no matter where you are, and still be invested. Its not about us. Its about the crime. Its about solving it. Its about moving it along and bringing law and order to the world.

Unlike other Law & Order editions, the story comes first here. Youll see hints of personal backstories and how they inform decisions, Eid says.

By drawing on stories in the headlines, Law & Order can foster a debate about issues important in the country.

Every single episode takes the stories out of the headlines and uses that as an entryway into the arguments that are being had across the country right now, says Dancy.

Adds Waterston, Thats why you never get tired of doing this show.

"Law & Order" has been renewed for another season.
The Kernersville Fire Rescue Department and multiple fire departments battled a fire Sunday at Skate World at 1995 W. Mountain St.

No one was injured, fire officials said.

At 12:24 p.m., the first engine arrived to find a working fire, officials said. The fire was brought to a second alarm incident, adding multiple agencies. All personnel who were on site were successfully evacuated.

The fire was brought under control at 2:18 p.m, officials said.

The Kernersville Fire Marshals Office has ruled the fire accidental, unintentional.

There were a total of 64 firefighters and emergency services personnel and 24 emergency apparatus on the scene.

Agencies assisting Kernersville Fire Rescue Department include: Forsyth County Fire Department, Piney Grove Fire and Rescue, Winston Salem Fire Department, Walkertown Fire Department, Beeson Crossroads Fire Department, Kernersville Police Department, Forsyth County Sheriffs Office and Forsyth County Emergency Medical Services.

No further information was available.
NORTH WILKESBORO  Barely an hour into the 9 a.m. start of the traditional workday  but three-plus hours into his day  Ronald Queen zipped about the North Wilkesboro Speedway on his gas-powered cart like he was racing for the checkered flag.

And in a very real way, he was.

Heavy equipment operators were razing metal grandstands on the tracks south side. A crew of old-school painters from Winston-Salem were recreating original signs, and lighting contractors from Louisiana were busy making sure the track will shine come Tuesday night when the green flag drops for XR Series Racing Revival.

Racing, you may have heard, is returning to its roots this week thanks in no small part to a very large infusion of federal COVID relief funds.

For Wilkes County natives such as Queen, the operations manager at the speedway, the return of fender bending, rubbing-is-racing couldnt come fast enough.

I aint got the words for it, Queen said, a few tears welling in his eyes. Weve poured our heart and soul into this. But really its for our friends, families, people we dont even know and young people whove never seen racing here.

A long history

By this point, even casual observers know a little about the history of the quirky, lay-of-the-land North Wilkesboro Speedway.

In the late 40s, a couple local men scratched out a dirt track that followed the contours of the rolling land  uphill on the back straightaway, downhill toward the start/finish line  to find out who among area bootleggers had the fastest car and the most nerve behind the wheel.

From that modest beginning, the 5/8-mile track opened in 1947, quickly became intertwined with NASCAR two years later and settled in for a long run as a fixture on the circuit.

In the early days, stock car racing was a regional attraction.

That changed in 1965 when renowned author Tom Wolfe published a profile about Wilkes County native Junior Johnson, an honest-to-God bootlegger from Ronda, called The Last American Hero is Junior Johnson. Yes! that was eventually made into a movie.

The deep pockets of the R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co., which signed on in 1971 as title sponsor of the Winston Cup, helped make stock car racing a truly modern spectator sport as thousands flocked to places like North Wilkesboro.

That experience helped capture the imagination of fans such as Keith Grubbs  an old-school craftsman busy last week painting and restoring logos on the track walls.

He started coming to the speedway in 1987 with a buddy whod pulled his car out of a ditch the previous winter.

We sat in the chicken bone section, down low in row five, turn one and ate Kentucky Fried Chicken out of a box, drank water and got hit in the head by flying chicken bones, Grubbs said. We loved it and said wed be back every year.

That held true for a while, but the streak ended eventually. But a lifelong affinity for North Wilkesboro never waned even as new, bigger racetracks opened in nontraditional places such as Chicago and Kansas City.

Just being here has always been pretty cool, Grubbs said.

The good times came to an end in 1996, though, as the nationwide expansion of stock car racing squeezed out traditional tracks.

North Wilkesboro, Rockingham and Darlington saw their race dates turned over to the new speedways. The last NASCAR race at the North Wilkesboro Speedway was run in May 1996.

It was a blow to area fans who for years made the trip twice a year. But perhaps worse, an economic engine  and source of considerable civic pride  was idled after Jeff Gordon crossed the finish line first.

A few smaller races were held on the grounds during a mini-revival in 2011, but it was never the same. The old track eventually fell into a state of disrepair. Weeds popped up through the asphalt, and metal grandstands visible from U.S. 421 began showing their age.

Excitement fueled by relief funds

Rumors about interest from NASCARs truck series or other smaller race circuits circulated every so often.

Excitement, fueled by hope, would build before rumors proved to be nothing more than wishful thinking.

Oddly, it took the COVID pandemic  or more specifically, economic relief money  to help revive the place

The federal government had allocated some $5.7 billion to North Carolina through the American Rescue Plan and left it to politicians in Raleigh to decide how to spend it.

Gov. Roy Cooper shrewdly proposed spending $30 million of that to refurbish North Wilkesboro, the Rock (Richmond County) and the Charlotte Motorspeedway (Cabarrus County). Some 15 other local tracks and drag strips received smaller grants totaling another $15.8 million.

This pandemic brought us a once-in-a-generation challenge, and these funds have brought us a once-in-a-generation opportunity, Cooper said in 2021

The North Wilkesboro Speedway, in a nod to its place in NASCARs roots, wound up getting $18 million in relief money and a significant contribution from the local government.

I think it was a brilliant political move for Roy Cooper to put together, said Eddie Settle, the chairman of the Wilkes County Board of Commissioners last year while the details were being ironed out in the General Assembly. Wilkes is a very red county. Same as Richmond (home of Rockingham). He knows hell get support for it.

Judging by the rush of activity at the North Wilkesboro Speedway, spending pandemic relief funds is already providing an economic boost.

Last year when legislators were discussing various proposals for the $5.7 billion, Settle estimated that a half-dozen races a year could mean as much as $40 million to the local economy. Thats the whole area, not just North Wilkesboro, he said.

Dozens of workers have been working long hours getting the track and grounds ready for racing. Grandstands are being razed on the back stretch and concession areas are being overhauled and touched up.

Old-school signs and sponsor ads are being painted by hand. Original track logos and the fading red Winston Cup logo remain, adding a real connection to the past that cannot be bought.

Were trying to be as authentic as we can in this, said Graig Hoffman, the executive director of the North Wilkesboro Speedway and a longtime employee of Speedway Motorsports Inc., the owner of 11 tracks spread from California to Bristol, Tenn. Were getting it up and running with the goal of having a modern facility here in Wilkesboro with a real retro feel.

Plans to repave the track surface next year as part of the overhaul naturally have given rise to the $1 million question: Could NASCAR return?

Hoffman, who runs the Bristol Motor Speedway, chose the diplomatic route while focusing on the present.

Its great to dream, but you have to take baby steps first, he said.

The speedway, when complete, will host a variety of events  concerts or Christmas light shows perhaps  in a vision of it becoming a multi-purpose venue.

People talk about how NASCAR left and Lowes Home Improvement left, so we want to get it rebuilt in a way that restores a sense of pride to the entire community, Hoffman said.

Much work will remain even after the green flag drops Tuesday night. We just got power last week, Hoffman said.

Restrooms and food concessions wont be finished this week but organizers have found temporary workarounds.

Porta-johns have been brought in, and food vendors will be setting up shop inside the gates. Cold drinks  water, soda, beer and moonshine cocktails  also will be available for a crowd that could reach 9,000.

And while some observers initially questioned whether spending pandemic funds truly counted as economic relief, the proof was fairly obvious last week inside the broiling oval.

People such as Grubbs, who should be enjoying an actual retirement, working for companies like JKS Motorsports in Winston-Salem leaped at the chance to work at the North Wilkesboro Speedway.

Ive been painting for 50 years, the last 24 with JKS and NASCAR, Grubbs said while working on a logo. When I was sitting in the stands over there, I never imagined Id get the chance to work here in North Wilkesboro.

A few feet away near Victory Lane, Hoffman kept busy checking items of a near bottomless to-do list while Queen, the tracks operations manager, made sure contractors had everything they needed.

The progress made an impression on Jason Reavis, the operations officer of the Wilkes EMS whod dropped by to review plans for medical coverage on opening night.

Im thinking this is going to be a real successful thing, he told Hoffman. Its going to be good for Wilkes County.

Which is exactly what race fans  and lawmakers who approved the project  had in mind all along.
RALEIGH  After a decade of vigorous opposition, most North Carolina Republicans have now embraced the idea of expanding the states Medicaid program to cover hundreds of thousands of additional low-income adults. Legislative approval finally appears within reach.

During the General Assembly session that ended July 1, the GOP-controlled House and Senate passed separate, bipartisan measures by wide margins that would put the state on the path to Medicaid expansion. Some details remain to be worked out, but theres a real opportunity to hammer out a compromise by years end.

Its a remarkable political turnabout in North Carolina, sure to be analyzed in the dozen states that have yet to accept the federal governments offer to cover people who make too much to be insured by traditional Medicaid but too little to receive subsidized private insurance.

If theres a person in the state of North Carolina that has spoken out against Medicaid expansion more than I have, Id like to meet that person, Senate leader Phil Berger said when he sought to explain his reversal at a news conference in May. We need coverage in North Carolina for the working poor.

The two chambers couldnt work out their differences before adjourning, and talks between legislative leaders and Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper  a longtime expansion supporter  have idled since then, at an impasse over other health care reforms that senators seek. But Berger remains bullish on ultimate success.

I think well get there, he told reporters recently.

There is a lot of work that needs to be done ... but overall we are feeling extremely encouraged by how far weve come, said Erica Palmer Smith, executive director of Care4Carolina, a coalition of 150 groups that has worked for expansion since 2014.

Other advocates are tired of waiting. They say too many of the working poor are uninsured, risking their health and their lives. Others on traditional Medicaid worry that without expansion, theyll no longer be covered if they make too much money.

I dont know what to do, said Courtney Crudup, 32, of Oxford, a mother of three and a cosmetologist who is currently unemployed. She spoke this week outside the Legislative Building at an event urging lawmakers to act. Hear our stories. Hear regular people like me and people that want to work.

The apparent change of heart followed years of GOP suspicion about the 2010 Affordable Care Act, which Republicans derided as Obamacare only to see the label, as well as the program, become highly popular.

For years, Republicans said they couldnt trust Congress to keep the federal governments promise to pay 90% of the costs of expansion. They said the states Medicaid program  now with 2.7 million enrollees  had been overspending for years and was ill-prepared to take on more.

Fundamentally, they argued that more people would become dependent on government if allowed to benefit from Medicaid, which now mostly serves poor children and their parents and low-income elderly people.

Republicans say North Carolina Medicaid spending is now largely under control and they dont think Congress will increase the states share of the cost beyond 10%. The states portion  perhaps as much as $600 million annually  can be covered by assessments on the states hospitals and insurance plans.

Interest also grew when the 2021 COVID-19 federal relief package offered a financial sweetener to encourage the remaining holdout states to accept expansion. For North Carolina, with tax coffers already are flush thanks to a roaring economy, it would be an extra $1.5 billion over two years.

This is an opportunity to take federal dollars, actually present a savings to the state of North Carolina and increase access to health care, House Speaker Tim Moore told colleagues in June. Id call that a pretty good trifecta to do those things.

Cooper also can take credit for his persistence. Hes pushed nonstop for expansion since taking office in 2017, citing the economic shot in the arm the federal money would bring to rural hospitals, communities and families of the 600,000 residents who could qualify.

Cooper went so far as to veto the 2019 state budget because Moore and Berger wouldnt commit to Medicaid talks. He signed this years, saying we are closer than ever to agreement on Medicaid expansion, and a veto would be counterproductive.

A pivotal moment came after the 2020 elections, when Cooper convened a bipartisan commission of medical, business and nonprofit leaders and state legislators that came up with guiding principles to improve health care coverage.

People with quite different political views were willing to listen to those who are coming at these issues from different backgrounds and different concerns, said Mark McClellan, director of the Duke-Margolis Center for Health Policy at Duke University, which convened the commission.

Another influencer was former Ohio Gov. John Kasich, who told a joint House-Senate committee in March how expansion has worked in his Republican-leaning state. The committee focused on the details, including how to increase the number of nurses, hospital beds and services in the state.

Negotiations slowed this summer between the House, Senate and Cooper, largely because the Senate wants regulatory changes aimed at providing even more access to services that it says will result in lower costs.

They include giving nurse practitioners, certified nurse midwives and others the ability to work independently from doctors, and scaling back certificate of need laws that critics say enable medical providers to limit competition that could bring down their revenue.

Berger blames hospitals for refusing to accept a compromise. The North Carolina Healthcare Association, representing hospitals and health systems, said it has raised concerns about Bergers bill, but remains an expansion advocate.

Its positive that both chambers now support expansion, and right now hospitals hold the key to getting this done, Cooper spokesperson Ford Porter said.
By Trend

Tajikistan still has not received a considerable sum of money from Afghanistan for the electricity supplies, said the head of the National Electricity Company of Tajikistan Barqi Tojik, Mohammad Omar Asuzada, Trend reports via khaama.com.

Asuzada reported that Tajikistan exports 9 million kWh of electricity per day to Afghanistan, and they still have not paid back its electrical debt.

"According to the company's data, the total value of exported electricity from Tajikistan to Afghanistan in 2021 amounted to $56.3 million," the message says.

Earlier, the head of the National Electricity Company of Tajikistan announced in January 2022 that Afghanistan owed Tajikistan $33 million for electricity.

A deal between the electrical companies of Tajikistan and Afghanistan was signed at the beginning of 2021 under which Tajikistan agreed to export 1.5 billion kWh of electricity to Afghanistan in 2021.
First, a farmer needs a pig or a cow.

Second, he or she needs a butcher.

That is, if you can find one.

A new report, funded by the University of Minnesota, Minnesota Farmers Union and the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, explores the so-called meat "bottleneck" from the perspective of nearly 60 of the state's butchers  an increasingly rare fixture of Minnesota's Main Streets.

A number of local and national efforts are aimed at increasing the number of trained butchers, including new community college training programs and USDA grants for independent processing facilities.

But the report published this week proposes a new solution: one-year, paid apprenticeships.

"It is a very skilled position," Maya Benedict, a University of Minnesota graduate student, former St. Paul butcher shop manager and one of the report's five authors, said last week. "You have to wear a lot of different hats."

Benedict added: "And you have to be really good at breaking down a cow."

During the pandemic, Americans became acutely aware of a meat shortage in grocery stores and big-box retailers, with some turning to local farmers and butcher shops for their animal proteins.

But like the backlog of orders coming in the door, some meat lockers are having to put producers on a year-long waitlist just to get their hogs, cattle and chickens slaughtered.

"They've [farmers] got to wait too long to get in here," said Verlyn Ruiter, a butcher at V&M Locker in downtown Leota in southwestern Minnesota. "Everyone is so busy. And the reason for that is a lot of places have closed."

Ruiter, who founded his business in 1983 and sold the company to his son and daughter-in-law in 2019, empathizes with frustrated farmers.

"There are just fewer places within 100 miles of here than there used to be," Ruiter said.

To relieve the stress on the remaining butchers, the report  produced with the University of Minnesota Extension Regional Sustainable Development Partnership ultimately recommends a series of innovations.

One such suggestion: A new position at the Minnesota Department of Agriculture that would forge stronger relationships between butchers and farmers with the goal of opening pathways for immigrant and Latino butchers  especially in southern Minnesota  who may have previously worked for a larger packing facility.

The report notes "unique barriers" for Latino processors, including language and immigration status.

Paul Sobocinski, a hog and cattle livestock farmer from Redwood County, helped lead the drafting of the report and conducted as many as 20 interviews with butchers across Minnesota. Previously, he noted, nationwide efforts to fight concentration in the meatpacking industry have been stymied.

"Whenever we get it so far federally," said Sobocinski, "the big boys shut us down."

The bottleneck report focuses on smaller growers and butchers. Benedict said most of the meat lockers interviewed had fewer than 50 employees, with many counting fewer than 20 employees.

The report paints a picture of small producers facing extraordinary challenges.

A chicken farmer in the Driftless Area of southeastern Minnesota, for example, now travels into Illinois to process birds after a local facility closed. One meat locker operator, short on labor, could slaughter 12 steer but process only four carcasses.

The report showed less enthusiasm among butchers for existing solutions such as a USDA-approved mobile slaughter unit. What they did find appealing was a proposed apprenticeship.

"How do we get training programs going?" said Sobocinski, who observed that as many as a dozen of the processors he spoke with attended the now-defunct meat-processor program in Pipestone.

The report also found that one-third of the state's small and mid-sized processors are unprepared to transition the business to the next generation.

For Ruiter, there's solace seeing his business run by his son, who gives him a day off now and again. Ruiter worked with his mother till she was 84, when he urged her (against her wishes) to retire. And he knows such family succession plans are rare. He just hopes the next generation of whole-animal cutters is out there somewhere.

"First of all, you got to like meat," said Ruiter, contemplating an ideal applicant. "You've got to like to eat steak or brats."

The second requirement, beyond running a saw or experimenting with sausage spices or smoking temperatures?

A desire to learn.

"If you want to learn this," said Ruiter, "you can learn it."
In an apparent act of retaliation for an alleged burglary, a Lincoln man and his co-defendant kidnapped and tortured a man and his female friend late Thursday night, holding them captive in a local warehouse for 12 hours, police alleged in gruesome court records filed Monday.

A 26-year-old man told Lincoln Police he was "beaten, burned with a blowtorch and branded" with the word "thief" after he was ambushed by two men amid a drug deal Thursday night, Lincoln Police Investigator Christopher Schamber said in an arrest affidavit.

The next morning, authorities found the tortured man  still handcuffed  walking near the Gage County line, about 30 minutes south of Lincoln.

In an interview with investigators, the victim identified 30-year-old Tanner Danielson, of Lincoln, and 26-year-old Austin Widhalm, of Hickman, as the men responsible for the alleged attack and torture, Schamber said in the affidavit.

Widhalm was arrested Friday afternoon in Lincoln, and Danielson was arrested Monday afternoon in Rapid City, South Dakota, Lincoln Police Chief Teresa Ewins said at a Monday afternoon news conference.

Both men have been charged in Lancaster County with a string of felonies, including first-degree assault, two counts of first-degree false imprisonment and use of a deadly weapon to commit a felony.

Danielson was also charged with first-degree sexual assault of the woman who was held captive, according to court filings.

"Let me just be clear: one of the reasons why we wanted to come before you is to let the public know that there was a relationship between all these people," Ewins told reporters Monday. "We don't know to what degree, but it is not random. And so we want everyone to understand that this is not random."

In an interview with investigators at a Beatrice hospital Friday, the male victim told police he was struck by a wrench and handcuffed near 56th Street and Interstate 80 at about 11 p.m. Thursday after he and his female acquaintance had gone there to buy cocaine, Schamber said.

For the next several hours, he told police, the man was handcuffed to a table or had his wrists hoisted in the air as he was tortured, Schamber said. Police noted the man had two black eyes and brand marks on his face, arms and legs.

The victim accused Danielson of putting a semi-automatic handgun into the victim's mouth and threatening to kill him, according to the affidavit. Danielson later put a tab of LSD into the man's mouth and made him eat it, but the victim told police he spit much of it out and vomited.

And, at some point, investigators allege Danielson sexually assaulted the woman  who wasn't otherwise tortured but told police she was held against her will and threatened  after escorting her to the warehouse's bathroom, Schamber said.

It's unclear how Danielson and Widhalm accessed the warehouse, a detail Ewins said "is a part of the ongoing investigation."

Danielson drove the woman home from the warehouse, noting her address and threatening to kill her if she reported the incident to law enforcement, the woman later told police. She did not report the crime.

After hours of torture, the male victim said Danielson and Widhalm bound him and taped his mouth shut before driving him to rural Gage County, where they tied him to a tree, Schamber said.

When the two men left him bound there, he said they warned him that if he wasn't still there Monday, they would kill his family.

Then, the men left in the victim's vehicle, which investigators later found outside Widhalm's home in Hickman.

The victim eventually freed himself and left the area walking until he found a Gage County sheriff's deputy. He was taken to a local hospital, where he was treated for his injuries.
SCOTTSBLUFF  Approximately 200 firefighters continue to battle a wildfire in the Cedar Canyon area of the Nebraska Panhandle that has so far burned an estimated 13,000 acres.

Two SEAT planes, two helicopters and the Nebraska National Guards UH-60 Blackhawk were deployed to drop fire retardant and water in the firefighting effort. Officials estimated containment at 30%.

We have a good amount of aerial resources, which is obviously appropriate for the situation. It's pretty rough terrain, Ben Bohall, the public information officer for the Nebraska Forestry Service, told the Scottsbluff Star-Herald on Monday morning.

During the Monday morning briefing, Dave Riesen, with Nebraska Emergency Management, said firefighters made a lot of headway in fighting the blaze, but temperatures soared into the 90s again Monday, making conditions difficult for fire crews.

Bohall said the firefighters are broken up into shifts to give them breaks. Additional crews are coming in from Wyoming and South Dakota.

At least three homes were destroyed in the fire sparked by lightning strikes near the Cedar Canyon Wildlife Management Area south of Gering.

In addition to the three homes (that were destroyed), there have been seven buildings, like ag buildings, that were damaged, Bohall said. We've been having some issues with infrastructure. There have been a lot of power lines down and power poles, so there was some concern there. Last night, we were at about 20 residences that were without power.

The Nebraska State Patrol advised people to stay away from the area. Cody Thomas, a patrol spokesman, said earlier Sunday that troopers were assisting by blocking off roads into the area.

"There have been some evacuations, but the fires are mostly in canyon areas," Thomas said.

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission announced Sunday that it was closing several areas southwest of Gering to help firefighters. Cedar Canyon Wildlife Management Area, Montz Point Wildlife Management Area and Carter Canyon were closed so firefighters would not be hindered by vehicular traffic.

"The public is asked to stay away as area residents may be using the roads to evacuate personal belongings or move livestock to safety," the announcement said.

According to the Region 21 Emergency Management Facebook page, firefighters from Gering, Scottsbluff, Minatare-Melba, Lyman, Banner, Bayard, Bridgeport, Sidney, Potter, Bushnell and Dix were among those responding to the emergency.
RACINE  Less than two weeks after she pleaded guilty to a criminal charge related to setting fire to and destroying the Thelma Orr COP House, during a riotous night in Racine June 1, 2020, one of the accused arsonists was arrested while out on bond.

With her scheduled sentencing only seven weeks away, Kylie Brooke Gelmi, 23, was arrested Friday. She allegedly got lost while driving home from a bar, then became combative with deputies and medical staff.

According to a criminal complaint filed Monday:

Two Racine County Sheriffs Office deputies came across a vehicle parked on the shoulder of Highway K in the Town of Norway, east of Wind Lake Road, in northwestern Racine County just after 2:45 a.m. Friday.

Inside the vehicle, the deputies reported finding Gelmi, who appeared to be very emotional, and a strong odor of alcohol could be smelled emitting from her and the vehicle.

The deputies said that Gelmi told them she and another woman were returning home from an Oak Creek bar when they got lost and began fighting physically. The other woman had been behind the wheel, Gelmi said, but parked the car and walked away after they hit each other.

Gelmi was out on bond and one of the bond restrictions was that she was to be under house arrest, with the only exceptions being for court-related matters and medical appointments.

Gelmi was then taken into custody, after which she began yelling the handcuffs were hurting her and they were too tight. The deputies reported they both checked the handcuffs, found they had a proper fit and continued on driving toward the Racine County Jail began to aggressively kick the driver rear window with her two feet.

The deputies, along with two other supervisors and two more deputies, who had arrived on scene, then placed Gelmi in a W.R.A.P. system, further restraining Gelmi so she could not harm herself or others, or damage property.

While restrained in the back seat of the squad car, Gelmi allegedly continuously was screaming, but then  after 4 a.m.  had gone very quiet. Deputies said they could not tell if she was breathing, and so performed what is known as a sternum rub, after which Gelmi stirred but appeared to go in and out of consciousness many times.

At 4:10 a.m., according to the complaint, an ambulance arrived and Gelmi was transported to Ascension All Saints Hospital. During that time, Gelmi became disorderly and began to shake the stretcher that she was on, and continued being uncooperative at the hospital, although she was later medically cleared and taken to jail.

On July 18, Gelmi was in custody when she pleaded guilty to one count of felony arson and one count of felony bail jumping for a separate case. According to online court records, prosecutors were seeking eight years in prison. Her sentencing is scheduled for 9:30 a.m., Sept. 19, at the Racine County Law Enforcement Center, 717 Wisconsin Ave.

Justin C. Hernandez, 27, another individual sentenced for the arson of the COP (Community Oriented Policing) House on Villa Street, in February was ordered to pay $10,000 in restitution to the City of Racine in addition to the six years of prison he was sentenced to in November.

Two other men have been charged for the arson that occurred amid protests following the killing of George Floyd. Both of the men, Anthony McNeil and Jason Young of Racine, pleaded not guilty and have jury trials scheduled for September.

The Thelma Orr COP House reopened in November 2021, 17 months after it was destroyed.
TOWN OF DOVER  A ballot addressed to a state representative was delivered to the home of Harry Wait over the weekend.

But there is something different about this ballot. Wait says he didnt request it.

It is not clear who did.

The Wisconsin Elections Commission has yet to comment on the situation.

Behnkes ballot

Wait is the Racine County man being investigated by the Wisconsin Department of Justice. He admitted to intentionally committing felony election fraud in order to prove it was possible to request other peoples absentee ballots online without providing photo ID in Wisconsin.

Under Wisconsin law, the state voter ID requirement demands that the ID only needs to be provided once to make absentee ballot requests. The Republican-controlled state Legislature passed a bill last year that would have required voter ID to be presented for every request, but Gov. Tony Evers vetoed it, saying it would make it more difficult for some to vote  particularly older Wisconsinites and those with disabilities.

The ballot that arrived over the weekend was addressed to state Rep. Elijah Behnke, R-Oconto.

Behnkes ballot arrived at Waits home in the same way that Racine Mayor Cory Masons and other mens ballots were delivered Friday: with the voters name on the envelope but with Waits Shianne Street address, and the return address being listed as the appropriate municipal clerks office for the voter.

Wait text messaged a Journal Times reporter Sunday, I received an absentee ballot that I did not order and provided a photo of Behnkes ballot envelope. The state-operated MyVote.Wi.gov website confirms that an absentee ballot for Behnke was requested to be sent to Waits home. MyVote shows the request was made July 26, the same day Wait said he surreptitiously requested other voters ballots.

Wait delivered Behnke's ballot to the Racine County Sheriff's Office Monday afternoon. He told WITI-TV Political Reporter Jason Calvi that the Oconto County Sheriff's Department is now investigating.

In an email Monday morning, a legislative assistant to Behnke, Jared Heckman, said, Representative Behnke did not request his ballot be sent to Mr. Waits address. He is currently working with the authorities to determine what happened. Well keep you updated as things progress.

Elijah Behnke Elijah Behnke was first elected in April 2021. Less than a year later, in January 2022, he made headlines after being secretly recorded in his Capitol office. In that recording, Behnke: Called Assembly Speaker Robin Vos a swamp creature."

Said he wants to punch Democratic Gov. Tony Evers.

Questioned the validity of Joe Biden's 2020 election win.

Said Republicans need to cheat like the Democrats or bend the rules to win upcoming elections.

Widespread, differing concerns

Waits actions became widely known last week following:

A Facebook post from the Racine County Sheriffs Office Wednesday.

Wait admitting to apparent felonies to multiple journalists from local and national outlets

Thursday and Friday.

Wait being publicly rebuked by Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, and Mason, and complimented by state Rep. Janel Brandtjen, R-Menomonee Falls, in statements Thursday.

Wait made his own address public when he uploaded a video of himself, illegally requesting ballots for Mason and Vos  among others  be sent to his home, to the video-sharing website Rumble.com on Thursday.

During an emergency WEC meeting Thursday, officials shared fears that Waits actions could inspire copycats. Multiple WEC commissioners encouraged prosecutors to quickly bring charges against Wait as a deterrent against others who may aim to compromise elections.

When people commit crimes, they should be referred (to prosecutors for criminal charges) and prosecuted. That would end it. That would end this game plan, Commissioner Mark Thomsen, a Democratic appointee, said. As soon as a few people go to prison for falsely using peoples names, thats going to stop.

As of Sunday evening, Wait remained out of custody and not charged.

After Wait admitted what he did to Sheriff Christopher Schmaling and other officials via email at 3:13 a.m. Wednesday, the Racine County Sheriffs Office said in a Facebook post Friday that Criminal arrests, where police physically place a citizen in handcuffs, are made after thorough investigations and the formulation of probable cause. Criminal arrests are not based upon late-night emails and requests to be arrested.

Wait said he has no plans to cast ballots on behalf of Vos, Mason or the friends of his whose ballots he said he was given permission to request.

He said his sole intent has been to draw attention to how easy it is for someone to use MyVote to request ballots intended for other people be delivered to any address.

Only those who have voted by mail previously can have their absentee ballot requested online via MyVote, without use of voter ID and without claiming to be indefinitely confined. The Racine County Sheriffs Office calls this online functionality a vulnerability to Wisconsins election system.

Schmaling, in a statement Wednesday, 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.

A WEC spokesman has not yet replied to a request for comment regarding Behnkes ballot.

Among the questions asked of WEC by The Journal Times were: Is it possible for WEC to find out if this ballot was requested at the same time and/or from the same IP address and/or from the same location that the other ballots requested by Wait were requested? Or can it be said who, from where requested Mr. Behnkes ballot?

Elections experts have pointed out that a scheme similar to Waits would be unlikely to go unnoticed, especially on a wide scale. Should Behnke, Vos and/or Mason go to vote in the Aug. 9 election, election officials would almost certainly realize that absentee ballots in their names had already been requested, which would likely lead investigators to Wait since the ballots were sent to his home.

Wait and the group he is president of, HOT (Honest, Open, Transparent) Government, have repeatedly claimed the 2020 presidential election was fraudulent and have called for it to be overturned. Wait has campaigned in favor of Republican Assembly candidate Adam Steen, who wants to see the 2020 election overturned and has made that a central tenet of his primary challenge to Vos in District 63.
Killeen, TX (76540)

Today

Partly cloudy skies this morning will become overcast during the afternoon. High around 100F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low around 75F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph.
RTHK: UN chief: nuclear annihilation just one misstep away

UN head Antonio Guterres warned on Monday that a misunderstanding could spark nuclear destruction.

At the opening of a key nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) conference in New York, Guterres warned that the world faced "a nuclear danger not seen since the height of the Cold War."

Citing Russia's war with Ukraine and tensions on the Korean peninsula and in the Middle East, Guterres said he feared that crises "with nuclear undertones" could escalate.

"Today, humanity is just one misunderstanding, one miscalculation away from nuclear annihilation," Guterres told the 10th review conference of the NPT, an international treaty that came into force in 1970 to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons.

"We have been extraordinarily lucky so far. But luck is not a strategy. Nor is it a shield from geopolitical tensions boiling over into nuclear conflict," he added, calling on nations to "put humanity on a new path towards a world free of nuclear weapons."

The meeting, held at the UN's headquarters in New York, has been postponed several times since 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. It will run until August 26.

Guterres said the conference was "a chance to strengthen" the treaty and "make it fit for the worrying world around us.

"Eliminating nuclear weapons is the only guarantee they will never be used," the secretary-general implored, adding that he would visit Hiroshima for the anniversary of the August 6, 1945 atomic bombing of the Japanese city by the United States.

"Almost 13,000 nuclear weapons are now being held in arsenals around the world. All this at a time when the risks of proliferation are growing and guardrails to prevent escalation are weakening," Guterres added. (AFP)

This story has been published on: 2022-08-01. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
By Trend

Candidate of Technical Sciences, Honored Scientist and Engineer of Russian Academy of Natural Sciences Gagik Ogandzhanyan has made a Facebook post condemning the removal of a video of Armenian researcher Philip Ekozyants, engaged in a dispute with Armenia's Doctor of Historical Science Stepan Stepanyants, from Youtube, Trend reports.

Apparently, Ekozyants' answers haven't been welcomed by the majority of Armenian people, and numerous complaints have been filed about the videos of the well-known researcher.

With great regret I must say I've recently witnessed the shameful backing down from an intellectual dispute on the 'Persecution of Armenians in different empires  in their living environment'. Of course, every doctor of historical sciences should have its own established opinion on certain historical events and realities, particularly related to the history of cohabiting ethnic groups, including Armenians. However, this can hardly undermine the research of relevant topics," Ogandzhanyan wrote.

Further, Ogandzhanyan explains the essence of his indignation and bewilderment.

"Philip Ekozyants is one of the rare researchers who is not indifferent to the fate of his father and grandfather's people, born in the Ottoman Empire, and tries to study Armenia's history without relying on generally accepted dogmas. To be fair, majority does not always like the facts cited by Ekozyants. But how could it become the reason for complaints about Ekozyants' Youtube videos by Armenians?"

"I would not like Stepanyants to get involved in such an "action". However, 'Youtube' has started deleting Ekozyants' videos on this very basis due to its 'policy'. Moreover, it's impossible to find at least something close to obscene, rude, non-intellectual vocabulary, disrespectful and offensive attitude towards individuals and history itself in the researcher's videos throughout these years," the scientist added.

"Ekozyants is currently being accused of 'interethnic strife' and other nonsense. Armenian experts and historians shifting away from discussions, prove their inability to hold civilized discussions. In my opinion, Stepanyants' open discussion with Ekozyants can help to restore the researcher's reputation! Otherwise, it would be quite regretful that today's Armenia still might show the inappropriate attitude towards responsible researchers like Ecozyants, who are not indifferent to the fate of their people!"
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

View Results
TOKYO  Japan's minister for gender equality and children's issues called the country's record low births and plunging population a national crisis and blamed "indifference and ignorance" in the male-dominated Japanese parliament.

In a wide-ranging interview with The Associated Press, Seiko Noda said the steadily dwindling number of children born in Japan was an existential threat, saying the nation won't have enough troops, police or firefighters in coming decades if it continues. The number of newborns last year was a record low 810,000, down from 2.7 million just after the end of World War II, she said.

"People say that children are a national treasure.  They say that women are important for gender equality. But they are just talking," Noda, 61, told the AP in a Cabinet office in downtown Tokyo's government complex. "The politics of Japan will not move unless (the problems of children and women) are made visible."

She said there are a variety of reasons for the low birthrate, persistent gender bias and population decline in Japan, "but being in the parliament, I especially feel that there is indifference and ignorance."

Japan is the world's third biggest economy, a powerful democracy and a major U.S. ally, but the government has struggled to make society more inclusive for children, women and minorities. There are deep concerns, both within Japan and abroad, about how the country will reverse what critics call a deep-seated history of male chauvinism that has contributed to the low birthrate.

The gap between men and women in Japan is one of the world's worst. It ranked 116th in a 146-nation survey by the World Economic Forum for 2022, which measured progress toward equality based on economic and political participation, as well as education, health and other opportunities for women.

"Japan has fallen behind because other countries have been changing faster," said Chizuko Ueno, a University of Tokyo professor of feminist studies, referring to Japan's gender gap. "Past governments have neglected the problem."

Because of outdated social and legal systems surrounding family issues, younger Japanese are increasingly reluctant to get married and have children, contributing to the low birthrate and shrinking population, said Noda. She has served in parliament since 1993 and expressed her ambition to be Japan's first female prime minister.

Noda criticized a law requiring married couples to choose one family name  90% of the time it is the women who change their surnames  saying it's the only such legislation in the world.

"In Japan, women are underestimated in many ways," said Noda, who is one of only two women in the 20-member Cabinet. "I just want women to be on equal footing with men. But we are not there yet, and the further advancement of women still has to wait."

The more powerful lower house of Japan's two-chamber parliament is more than 90% "people who do not menstruate, do not get pregnant and cannot breastfeed," Noda said.

The lack of female representation is often referred to as "democracy without women."

A quota system could help increase the number of female candidates for political office, Noda said. Male lawmakers have criticized her proposal, saying women should be judged by their abilities.

"That made me think that there are men who lack the ability" to be candidates, she said. But during the candidate selection process, "men can just be men, and I guess, for them, just being male can be considered their ability."

Noda graduated from Sophia University in Tokyo and worked at the prestigious Imperial Hotel in Tokyo before she entered politics, succeeding her grandfather, who was a parliamentarian in central Japan's Gifu prefecture.

Noda had her first and only child, who is disabled, at age 50 after fertility treatments. She supports same-sex marriage and acceptance of sexual diversity.

She has many liberal supporters, calling herself "an endangered species" in her conservative Liberal Democratic Party, which has governed Japan with little interruption since the end of the war.

Noda said she is frequently "bashed" by conservatives in the party, but also by women's rights activists, who don't see her as an authentic feminist.

Without the help of powerful male lawmakers in the party, Noda might not have come this far, Chiyako Sato, a Mainichi newspaper editorial writer, said in a recent article.

Comparing Noda and her ultra-conservative, hawkish female rival lawmaker, Sanae Takaichi, Sato said that despite their different political views, the women share some similarities. "Perhaps they had no other way but to win powerful male lawmakers' backing to advance in the Liberal Democratic Party at a time when women are not considered full-fledged humans."

One big problem, Noda said, is that Japan's Self Defense Force has had trouble getting enough troops because of the shrinking younger population. She said there's also not enough attention paid to what the dwindling numbers will mean for police and firefighters, who rely on young recruits.

To try to address the problems, she has created a new government agency dedicated to children, set to be launched next year.

Younger male politicians in recent years have become more open to gender equality, partly a reflection of the growing number of children who are being raised by working couples, Noda said.

But many male lawmakers, she said, think that issues related to families, gender and population don't concern them, and are reluctant to get involved.

"The policies have been made as if there were no women or children," she said.
CAIRO  Temperatures in the Middle East have risen far faster than the world's average in the past three decades. Precipitation has been decreasing, and experts predict droughts will come with greater frequency and severity.

The Middle East is one of the most vulnerable regions in the world to the impact of climate change  and already the effects are being seen.

In Iraq, intensified sandstorms have repeatedly smothered cities this year, shutting down commerce and sending thousands to hospitals. Rising soil salinity in Egypt's Nile Delta is eating away at crucial farmland. In Afghanistan, drought has helped fuel the migration of young people from their villages, searching for jobs. In recent weeks, temperatures in some parts of the region have topped 50 degrees Celsius (122 Fahrenheit).

This year's annual U.N. climate change conference, known as COP27, is being held in Egypt in November, throwing a spotlight on the region. Governments across the Middle East have awakened to the dangers of climate change, particularly to the damage it is already inflicting on their economies.

"We're literally seeing the effects right in front of us.  These impacts are not something that will hit us nine or 10 years down the line," said Lama El Hatow, an environmental climate change consultant who has worked with the World Bank and specializes on the Middle East and North Africa.

"More and more states are starting to understand that it's necessary" to act, she said.

Egypt, Morocco and other countries in the region have been stepping up initiatives for clean energy. But a top priority for them at COP-27 is to push for more international funding to help them deal with the dangers they are already facing from climate change.

One reason for the Middle East's vulnerability is that there is simply no margin to cushion the blow on millions of people as the rise in temperatures accelerates: The region already has high temperatures and limited water resources even in normal circumstances.

Middle East governments also have a limited ability to adapt, the International Monetary Fund noted in a report earlier this year. Economies and infrastructure are weak, and regulations are often unenforced. Poverty is widespread, making job creation a priority over climate protection. Autocratic governments like Egypt's severely restrict civil society, hampering an important tool in engaging the public on environmental and climate issues.

At the same time, developing nations are pressuring countries in the Mideast and elsewhere to make emissions cuts, even as they themselves backslide on promises.

The threats are dire.

As the region grows hotter and drier, the United Nations has warned that the Mideast's crop production could drop 30% by 2025. The region is expected to lose 6%-14% of its GDP by 2050 because of water scarcity, according to the World Bank.

In Egypt, precipitation has fallen 22% in the past 30 years, according to the World Bank.

Droughts are expected to become more frequent and severe. The Eastern Mediterranean recently saw its worst drought in 900 years, according to NASA, a heavy blow to countries like Syria and Lebanon where agriculture relies on rainfall. Demand for water in Jordan and the Persian Gulf countries is putting unsustainable pressure on underground water aquifers. In Iraq, the increased aridity has caused an increase in sandstorms.

At the same time, warming waters and air make extreme and often destructive weather events more frequent, like deadly floods that have repeatedly hit Sudan and Afghanistan.

The climate damage has potentially dangerous social repercussions.

Many of those who lose the livelihoods they once made in agriculture or tourism will move to the cities in search of jobs, said Karim Elgendy, an associate fellow at Chatham House. That will likely increase urban unemployment, strain social services and could raise social tensions and affect security, said Elgendy, who is also a non-resident scholar with the Middle East Institute.

Adapting infrastructure and economies to weather the damage will be enormously expensive: the equivalent of 3.3% of the region's GDP every year for the next 10 years, the IMF estimates. The spending needs to go toward everything from creating more efficient water use systems and new agricultural methods to building coastal protections, beefing up social safety nets and improving awareness campaigns.

So one of top priorities for Mideast and other developing nations at this year's COP is to press the United States, Europe and other wealthier nations to follow through on long-time promises to provide them with billions in climate financing.

So far, developed nations have fallen short on those promises. Also, most of the money they have provided has gone to helping poorer countries pay for reducing greenhouse gas emissions  for "mitigation," in U.N. terminology, as opposed to "adaptation."

For this year's COP, the top theme repeated by U.N. officials, the Egyptian hosts and climate activists is the implementation of commitments. The gathering aims to push countries to spell out how they will reach promised emission reduction targets  and to come up with even deeper cuts, since experts say the targets as they are now will still lead to disastrous levels of warming.

Developing nations will also want richer countries to show how they will carry out a promise from the last COP to provide $500 billion in climate financing over the next five years  and to ensure at least half that funding is for adaptation, not mitigation.
Facing a growing threat from China, the Navy envisions drone ships keeping an electronic eye on enemy forces across the vast Pacific Ocean, extending the reach of firepower, and keeping sailors out of harm's way.

The Navy is speeding development of those robotic ships as an affordable way to keep pace with China's growing fleet while vowing not to repeat costly shipbuilding blunders from recent years.

The four largest drone ships are being used together this summer during a multination naval exercise in the Pacific Ocean.

Other smaller waterborne drones are already being deployed by the Navy's 5th Fleet in the waters off the Middle East.

The goal in coming years is to see how these research vessels' radar and sensors can be combined with artificial intelligence, and integrated with traditional cruisers, destroyers, submarine and aircraft carriers, to create a networked fleet that's resilient because it's spread over greater distances and more difficult for enemies to destroy, the Navy says.

"It's about moving the technology forward, and having confidence in the capability. Everything takes time," said Cmdr. Jeremiah Daley, commanding officer of Unmanned Surface Vessel Division One in California.

The Navy believes the technology can help with the three keys for military success  weapons range, scouting, and command and control  at a lower cost and risk to personnel, said James Holmes, a professor at the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island.

But all of those benefits must be proven, along with long-term durability in a harsh saltwater environment, he said.

"We're sort of in Jerry Maguire 'show me the money' territory with the tech. It will undoubtedly be useful, but whether it will be a game-changer is far less clear," said Holmes, who doesn't speak for the Navy.

Before moving forward, the Navy must first to win over a skeptical Congress after a series of shipbuilding debacles.

Its speedy littoral combat ships have had propulsion problems, leading to early retirements. The "Advanced Gun System" on its stealth destroyer was a bust because of expensive ammo. And its newest aircraft carrier had problems with elevators and a new system to launch aircraft.

Critics said the Navy rushed to cram too much new technology onto those ships, leading to failures and growing costs.

"We can't just throw all the resources at (robotic ships) with the track record of 20 years of failed ship programs," said Democratic Rep. Elaine Luria of Virginia, who is a retired Navy officer.

The Navy's Unmanned Task Force is taking a new approach, using a military equivalent of a venture capital model to expedite new ideas, and moving forward only after technologies are proven, said Michael Stewart, the director of the task force.

This summer, four large drone ships are working alongside conventional ships during the war games called RIMPAC.

Those include the Sea Hunter and Sea Hawk, diesel-powered ships equipped with outriggers for stability in rough seas. The other two are Ranger and Nomad, which are based on oil platform replenishment ships. They have large flat decks from which a missile was successfully fired last year.

While those larger vessels are tested in the Pacific, the Navy is already seeing promising results with smaller, commercially available vessels that are being assessed by Task Force 59, which is part of the 5th Fleet in Bahrain, said Cmdr. Timothy Hawkins, 5th Fleet spokesperson.

One of the vessels that received attention is the Saildrone, a sail-powered vessel with solar-powered systems. Equipped with radar and cameras, Saildrones are touted as being able to operate autonomously for months at a time without maintenance or resupply.

Based on the success of multinational exercises last winter, the 5th Fleet said the U.S. Navy and international partners intend to deploy 100 crewless vessels by next summer.

All told, Adm. Mike Gilday, chief of naval operations, envisions a mix of 150 large crewless surface vessels and undersea vessels by 2045. That's on top of more than 350 conventional battle force ships.

The Navy's spending proposal for the new fiscal year includes $433 million for crewless surface vessels and $284 million for underwater vessels.

Those vessels coupled with artificial intelligence have the potential to make the Navy's fleet much more effective, said Gilday, the Navy's top officer. But the Navy is going about research and development "in an evolutionary, deliberate, informed kind of way," he said.

The biggest advantage of robotic ships is that they could be built at a fraction of the cost of conventional warships as the Navy struggles to keep pace with China and Russia, said Loren Thompson, defense analyst at the Lexington Institute. The U.S. already lags behind China in ship numbers, and the gap is growing each year.

But Congress isn't rushing into funding new programs, said Bryan Clark, a defense analyst at the Hudson institute. "Congress wants the Navy to have a good plan  and then pursue it aggressively," Clark said.

On Capitol Hill, Luria said there may be a place for crewless ships, perhaps in replacing missile capability for ships the Navy wants to retire. But there's a lot of research and development necessary to convince Congress to heavily invest in ships without any sailors.

"I just don't think the technology is mature enough now to make a wholesale investment," said Luria, D-Virginia.

Sen. Mazie Hirono, chair of the seapower subcommittee, said Gilday has assured her that the Navy is "conscious of not moving too quickly on unproven technology."

"The Navy must get this right the first time and support rigorous testing with prototypes before committing to buying a fleet," said Hirono, D-Hawaii.
In Missouri, scandal-ridden former Gov. Eric Greitens is attempting a political comeback. In Michigan, a crowded field of Republican gubernatorial candidates includes a man charged in the Jan. 6 U.S. Capitol attack. In Arizona, a prominent figure in the QAnon conspiracy movement is running for the U.S. House.

Those are among some of the most notable contests in Tuesday's primary elections being held in six states.

Arizona, which Democrat Joe Biden narrowly won in 2020, is a top target for former President Donald Trump, who tried in vain to get his defeat overturned. He has endorsed a slate of candidates up and down the ballot who have promoted his false claims of a stolen election.

Trump has also zeroed in on the 10 House Republicans who voted to impeach him over the Jan. 6 insurrection. Three of them are on the ballot Tuesday in Washington state and Michigan.

Meanwhile, Kansas voters could clear the way for the Republican-controlled Legislature to further restrict or ban abortion if they approve a proposed state constitutional change. It's the first referendum vote on abortion policy by a state since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in June.

Some races to watch:

Arizona

Trump's endorsed candidates in Arizona all have one thing in common: They have loudly disseminated misinformation about the legitimacy of the 2020 election, despite election officials and Trump's own attorney general saying there is no credible evidence the race was tainted.

In the governor's race, Trump has backed former television news anchor Kari Lake, who has said that she would not have certified Arizona's election results in 2020. Lake faces businesswoman Karrin Taylor Robson, who is endorsed by former Vice President Mike Pence and outgoing Gov. Doug Ducey.

Secretary of State Katie Hobbs, a staunch defender of the 2020 election, is strongly favored to win the Democratic nomination for governor.

In the Republican primary for U.S. Senate, Trump has backed tech investor Blake Masters as the candidate to go up against Democratic incumbent Mark Kelly in the fall. Masters, whose campaign has been bankrolled by billionaire Peter Thiel, has called for reducing legal immigration.

Attorney General Mark Brnovich, another Senate candidate, has been weighed down by lackluster fundraising and fierce criticism from Trump. Another top candidate, Jim Lamon, the founder of a solar energy firm, has touted his experience as a military veteran and entrepreneur.

The Republican primary for secretary of state includes Trump-backed legislator Mark Finchem, a state representative who worked to overturn Trump's 2020 loss; state Rep. Shawnna Bolick, who introduced a bill to let legislators ignore election results and choose their own presidential electors; and state Sen. Michelle Ugenti-Rita, who has long pushed to overhaul election laws. The GOP establishment has rallied around advertising executive Beau Lane in the race.

Ron Watkins, a Republican who has ties to the QAnon conspiracy theory, is considered a long shot in his House run.

In the state Legislature, Arizona House Speaker Rusty Bowers, who testified at a Jan. 6 hearing about Trump's pressure to overturn the 2020 election, faces a Trump-backed candidate in his bid to run for the state Senate.

Michigan

The Republican primary for governor was wild from the start, with five candidates getting kicked off the ballot for failing to file enough valid nominating signatures.

Several of the remaining candidates have baggage that could hurt in a general election against Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

Real estate broker Ryan Kelley has pleaded not guilty to misdemeanor charges after authorities said he rallied Trump's supporters to storm the U.S. Capitol. Businessman Kevin Rinke was sued in the 1990s for sex harassment and racial discrimination  allegations he says were lies. Chiropractor Garrett Soldano hawked supplements he falsely claimed treated COVID-19. Businesswoman Tudor Dixon, who has been endorsed by Trump, has previously acted in low-budget horror pictures.

All of the candidates falsely say there was fraud in the 2020 election.

Republican Rep. Peter Meijer is hoping to hold on to his seat after voting to impeach Trump. The former president has endorsed businessman and missionary John Gibbs.

Missouri

Greitens' political career appeared over when he resigned as governor in 2018, following his admission to an extramarital affair and accusations of blackmail and campaign finance violations. On Tuesday, the former Navy SEAL officer has a chance at redemption in his Republican primary for the seat held by retiring GOP U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt.

Greitens, Attorney General Eric Schmitt and U.S. Rep. Vicky Hartzler are the front-runners in a crowded 21-person GOP field. The GOP winner in Missouri will be favored in November.

On the Democratic side, the nomination appears to be up for grabs between Lucas Kunce, a Marine veteran and self-proclaimed populist, and Trudy Busch Valentine, an heiress of the Busch beer fortune.

Washington

Two Republican House members from Washington state who voted to impeach Trump face primary challengers endorsed by him.

Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler, who has been in Congress since 2011, has said she voted for impeachment because she had "an obligation to the Constitution." Trump has endorsed Joe Kent, a former Green Beret and a conservative cable show regular who echoes the former president's grievances about the 2020 election outcome.

Rep. Dan Newhouse, a congressman since 2015, said he cast the vote to impeach Trump for inciting and refusing to immediately stop the Jan. 6 insurrection. Among his challengers is Loren Culp, a Trump-backed former small-town police chief who refused to concede the 2020 governor's race to Democrat Jay Inslee.

In Washington, the top two vote-getters in each race, regardless of party, move forward to November.

Kansas

Voters will decide whether to approve a change to the state constitution that could allow the Legislature to restrict or ban abortion despite a 2019 state Supreme Court ruling that abortion access is a fundamental right. It's the first referendum on abortion by a state since Roe v. Wade's reversal.
BARRE, Mass.  One by one, items purportedly taken from Native Americans massacred at Wounded Knee Creek emerged from the dark, cluttered display cases where they've sat for more than a century in a museum in rural Massachusetts.

Moccasins, necklaces, clothing, ceremonial pipes, tools and other objects were carefully laid out on white backgrounds as a photographer dutifully snapped pictures under bright studio lights.

It was a key step in returning scores of items displayed at the Founders Museum in Barre to tribes in South Dakota that have sought them since the 1990s.

"This is real personal," said Leola One Feather, of the Oglala Sioux Tribe, as she observed the process as part of a two-person tribal delegation. "It may be sad for them to lose these items, but it's even sadder for us because we've been looking for them for so long."

Recent efforts to repatriate human remains and other culturally significant items such as those at the Founders Museum represent significant and solemn moments for tribes. But they also underscore the slow pace and the monumental task at hand.

Some 870,000 Native American artifacts  including nearly 110,000 human remains  that should be returned to tribes under federal law are still in the possession of colleges, museums and other institutions across the country, according to an Associated Press review of data maintained by the National Park Service.

The University of California, Berkeley tops the list, followed closely by the Ohio History Connection, the state's historical society. State museums and universities in Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Alabama, Illinois and Kansas as well as Harvard University round out the other top institutions.

And that's not even counting items held by private institutions such as the Founders Museum, which maintains it does not receive federal funds and therefore doesn't fall under the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, or NAGPRA, the 1990 law governing the return of tribal objects by institutions receiving federal money.

"They've had more than three decades," says Shannon O'Loughlin, chief executive of the Association on American Indian Affairs, a national group that assists tribes with repatriations. "The time for talk is over. Enough reports and studying. It's time to repatriate."

Museum officials say they've stepped up efforts with added funding and staff, but continue to struggle with identifying artifacts collected during archaeology's early years. They also say federal regulations governing repatriations remain time-consuming and cumbersome.

Dan Mogulof, an assistant vice chancellor at UC Berkeley, says the university is committed to repatriating the entire 123,000 artifacts in question "in the coming years at a pace that works for tribes."

In January, the university repatriated the remains of at least 20 victims of the Indian Island Massacre of 1860 to the Wiyot Tribe in Humboldt County, California. But its Phoebe A. Hearst Museum of Anthropology still holds more than 9,000 sets of ancestral remains, mainly from Bay-area tribes.

"We acknowledge the great harm and pain we have caused Native American people," Mogulof said.

At the Ohio History Connection, officials are working to create an inter-tribal burial ground to help bury ancestral remains for tribes forced to move from Ohio as the nation expanded, says Alex Wesaw, the organization's director of American Indian relations.

The institution took similar steps in 2016 when it established a cemetery in northeast Ohio for the Delaware tribes of Oklahoma to re-bury nearly 90 ancestors who had been stored for centuries in museums in Pennsylvania.

Complicating matters, some of its more than 7,000 ancestral remains and 110,000 objects are thousands of years old, making it difficult to determine which modern-day tribe or tribes they should be returned to, Wesaw said.

At the Founders Museum, some 70 miles west of Boston, among the challenges has been determining what's truly from the Wounded Knee Massacre, says Ann Meilus, the museum's board president.

Some tribe members maintain as many as 200 items are from massacre victims, but Meilus said museum officials believe its less than a dozen.

The collection was donated by Barre native Frank Root, a 19th century traveling showman who claimed he'd acquired the objects from a man tasked with digging mass graves following the massacre.

Among the macabre collection was a lock of hair reportedly cut from the scalp of Chief Spotted Elk, which the museum returned to one of the Lakota Sioux leader's descendants in 1999.

"He sort of exaggerated things," Meilus said of Root. "In reality, we're not sure if any of the items were from Wounded Knee."

More than 200 men, women, children and elderly people were killed on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in 1890 in one of the country's worst massacres of Native Americans. The killings marked a seminal moment in the frontier battles the U.S. Army waged against tribes.

The U.S. Department of Interior recently proposed changes to the federal repatriation process that lay out more precise deadlines, clearer definitions and heftier penalties for noncompliance.

Tribal leaders say those steps are long overdue, but don't address other fundamental problems, such as inadequate federal funding for tribes to do repatriation work.

Many tribes also still object to requirements that they explain the cultural significance of an item sought for repatriation, including how they're used in tribal ceremonies, says Brian Vallo, a former governor of the Pueblo of Acoma in New Mexico who was involved in the 2020 repatriation of 20 ancestors from the National Museum of Finland and their re-burial at Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado.

"That knowledge is only for us," he said. "It's not ever shared."
LEXINGTON  The Lexington Regional Health Center and University of Nebraska at Kearney collaborated to host the first Diversity in Health Care Camp on Monday, July 11.

Jill Denker, executive director of human resources and physician liaison, said six participants from Lexington, Grand Island and Kearney toured the LRHC, where they learned about different health care careers and talked with providers and interpreters about diversity in their professions.

Mandy Sand, director of talent and workforce engagement, coordinated the event.

During their tour, the students explored the fields of speech language pathology, occupational therapy, physical therapy, surgery, nursing and medical lab science. In the lab, the students took part in a blood typing activity. In patient rooms, they watched nurses demonstrate activities such as ultrasounds and an IV administration.

With the shortage of health care workers in rural Nebraska, Julie Calahan, UNK Health Science Explorers coordinator said, the camp was the perfect experience for students to explore health care in-depth at a rural, critical care hospital. And hopefully, the students will one day work in the same setting.

LRHC was excited to host the event, Denker said, and this was one of the first Diversity in Health Care Camp collaborations with UNK.

Don Young, executive director of ancillary services, presented an update about the emergency room renovations and said all the walls are up in the area under construction. He noted the work is slightly behind the timeline but is continuing for a fall opening.
By Azernews

By Sabina Mammadli

Warships of Azerbaijani and Iranian Naval Forces have arrived in Kaspiysk to participate in the parade dedicated to the Russian Navy Day, Azernews reports, citing Russian media.

"Navy ships of Azerbaijan and Iran docked at the port to participate in the naval parade in Kaspiysk. The participation of the warship crews in the parade will serve to strengthen mutual understanding between the Russian military sailors and the sailors of Azerbaijan and Iran," the message says.

About 40 ships, boats, and support vessels of the Caspian fleet, more than 20 units of military and special equipment, and about 500 military personnel will be involved in the celebrations.

A festive parade of ships of the Caspian flotilla and a military-sports festival took place for residents and guests of Kaspiysk on July 31.
KEARNEY  University of Nebraska at Kearney senior Johanna McClure has her sights set on a career in neuropsychology, a field that examines how the brain and central nervous system affect cognitive and behavioral functions.

The North Platte native knows shell need to attend graduate school to get there, so shes taking advantage of every opportunity to prepare for that process.

Last fall, McClure started working with assistant psychology professor Katherine Moen, who researches areas such as memory and attention. As a work-study research assistant, McClure helped program experiments, collect data and operate the eye-tracking system installed inside a lab on the third floor of Copeland Hall.

I have a really big interest in research, said McClure, whos studying psychology with a biology minor. We get to learn new things every day, and it also helps with future endeavors like getting into graduate or doctoral programs.

McClure took this interest one step further by joining UNKs Summer Student Research Program.

She was one of 10 students who participated in this years program, which started in May and ended this week. Open to all disciplines, SSRP enhances the educational experience by allowing undergraduate students to engage in original research or creative activity under the guidance of a faculty mentor.

Instead of assisting Moen, McClure got to choose her own research topic: Search patterns within radiographic images.

Using the labs eye-tracking technology, McClure is analyzing the ways people search for items on a computer screen, whether its something basic like finding a specific shape or a more complex scenario such as recognizing abnormalities on an X-ray. By comparing the results from medical professionals and nonexperts, including her fellow SSRP participants, she hopes to identify specific strategies that can be used to improve the training for medical students.

If we can understand how experts look for something like a lung lesion on a chest X-ray, we can train people to get to that expert status faster, Moen explained.

McClures project is far from complete  shell continue working in the lab next school year  but shes already seen positive results on a personal level.

Im able to take what Ive learned in classes, apply it to this research and learn even more on top of it, she said. Actually being able to experience things firsthand helps a lot for me.

As a mentor, Moen is focused on student success above anything else. She participated in undergraduate research at South Dakota State University and understands the impact it can have.

I want Johanna to succeed, she said. I want her to be able to get into graduate school, and one of the best ways to do that is to have research experience. There are a lot of people applying to graduate schools who have good GPAs or good entrance exam scores, but not everybody has a lot of research experience. I think thats one thing that can really set students apart.

Students who dont plan to attend graduate school or pursue research as a professional career can benefit from the program, too. Every participant practices skills such as communication, teamwork, critical thinking, creativity and attention to detail.

These are all things that different employers want, even if youre not specifically doing research, Moen said.

Theres also a financial incentive, with each student in SSRP receiving a $3,250 stipend paid over five months.

In addition to working one-on-one with their mentors, the student researchers attend twice-a-week meetings where they learn from other UNK faculty members and discuss their projects. This collaborative environment exposes them to current research across campus, broadening their understanding of the differences and connections between various fields of study. Theyll share their work with a larger audience during UNKs annual Fall Student Research Symposium.

I really like talking to other people in research and hearing about their projects, said Paiton Hancock, a junior from Arvada, Colorado. Youre around a lot of like-minded individuals. Even if their project isnt even remotely the same as yours, they kind of think in a similar manner, so you can bounce ideas off each other.

A biology major with a health science emphasis, Hancock enjoys research because it allows her to explore a topic shes passionate about and fully immerse herself in the work. Shes interested in a research-related career as a medical laboratory scientist or cytotechnologist.

You learn about a lot of things in class, but you dont always get to understand how people came to those conclusions, she said. By working in the lab, you get to understand those processes, so it gives you a better appreciation for the work thats already been done.

Hancock came up with her research proposal last fall, and shes been working with biology professor Dawn Simon through both the Undergraduate Research Fellows (URF) program and SSRP.

The project  Correlation of Veillonella bacteria with oral health  focuses on bacteria found in the oral cavity that are associated with gum disease and tooth decay.

Its an anaerobic bacterium, so it shouldnt grow in the presence of oxygen, but for some reason its able to grow in the mouth, Hancock explained.

She wants to know whether its a biological indicator of oral health.

The current studies out there are mostly done in children and in other countries, and theres not a lot known about its role in adults oral microbiome composition, said Hancock, who plans to start collecting and testing saliva samples in the fall.

Even though they faced some early challenges, Simon remains impressed by Hancocks enthusiasm and dedication.

Paiton has a lot of ownership in the project because this is not my area of expertise, she said. She absolutely has read more papers on this topic than I have, so I often will ask her questions.

For Simon, who oversees SSRP as director of undergraduate research and creative activity at UNK, those interactions are irreplaceable.

Working with students in this kind of environment is my favorite part of the job, she said. Any opportunity I have to do that, I would definitely take. You get to know the students so much better. You develop these relationships where you feel like you can really make an impact.
An Eau Claire man is accused of sexually assaulting a woman, stabbing her repeatedly, then setting a Chippewa Falls house on fire on Wednesday.

Scott M. Vaningan, 58, faces possible charges of first-degree intentional homicide, two counts of arson, intentionally harming animals, mutilation of a corpse, and felony bail jumping.

Judge James Isaacson on Friday set $1.5 million cash bond for Vaningan.

Chippewa County District Attorney Wade Newell told Isaacson about what officers found after a fire was extinguished Wednesday at 721 Superior St.

The person was deceased prior to the start of the fire, Newell said. It appears there was a sexual assault prior to the fire.

Authorities have not yet released the victims name. Based on the early information, Newell requested the $1.5 million cash bond.

This is a very significant situation, Newell said.

Vaningan was wearing an electronic monitoring device, but he removed it. He was arrested Thursday night in Barron County.

He was in possession of a utility knife that had blood and tissue on it, Newell said. That is significant because there were multiple stab wounds to (the victims) lungs.

In 1995, Vaningan was convicted of aggravated battery and sexual assault, Newell said. Vanigan spent time in prison for those convictions.

Chippewa County Coroner Ron Patten said an autopsy was performed in Minnesota on Thursday. He has received a preliminary report, but said any release of information would be coming from either Newell or Chippewa Falls Police Chief Matt Kelm.

Defense attorney Les Liptak appeared via video from the Chippewa County Jail, without his client.

Mr. Vaningan refused to speak to me, and refused to appear, Liptak told Isaacson.

Newell responded: The states request is we go forward with the bond hearing; he doesnt have to participate.

Isaacson agreed and set the cash bond, with a requirement that if Vaningan were to post bond, he cannot possess weapons or be within a quarter-mile of the home, located at the corner of Stanley and Superior streets on the citys West Hill.

Liptak did not object to the cash bond amount.

It doesnt seem to be out of line with other cases. Whether its $1 million or $1.5 million, there is no way this individual will be able to post the bond, Liptak said.

Newell told Isaacson he anticipates having the criminal complaint ready by Tuesday or Wednesday. Isaacson set a return court date for 1:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Investigators are processing the fire scene and are being assisted by agents with the Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation.

The fire caused about $125,000 worth of damage to the home. John Bowe, Chippewa Falls battalion chief, said the first call at 721 Superior St. was reported at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Upon arrival on scene, we found heavy smoke and flames from the rear of the residence, Bowe wrote in a press release. The main body of the fire was extinguished in 15 minutes. The fire extended into the attic of the residence. Crews attacked the fire from the interior and roof of the building.

The Chippewa Fire District and Anson Fire departments provided mutual aid, and in all, 24 firefighters were on scene.

Online court records show Vaningan was recently charged in Chippewa County Court with fourth-offense OWI, battery to an officer or judge, operating while revoked and bail jumping, stemming from a March 26 incident. His address at that time was an area hotel. He posted a $1,000 cash bond on May 13.
An alleged drug dealer is being held in the La Crosse County Jail on a $100,000 cash bond.

Michael A. Wilson Jr., 44, Onalaska, was charged Monday in La Crosse County Circuit Court with felony counts of manufacture/delivery of fentanyl, possession of fentanyl with intent to deliver, possession of cocaine with intent to deliver and maintaining a drug trafficking place and misdemeanor counts of possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of marijuana.

According to the criminal complaint, La Crosse police were informed that Dubuque, Iowa, police arrested a man who reportedly told investigators that he drove several times from Dubuque to La Crosse to purchase drugs from Wilson.

La Crosse and Dubuque police used a confidential informant to set up a drug transaction with Wilson. The informant, along with a woman who was a target of the investigation, left Dubuque July 21 and reportedly drove to Monitor Street in La Crosse, where Wilson met the two and allegedly sold them 10 grams of fentanyl. The two then drove back to Dubuque, where they were met by Dubuque police.

Police arrested Wilson July 28 in La Crosse and obtained a knock-and-announce search warrant for his Onalaska residence at 638 11th Ave. South. The search allegedly recovered 96 grams of fentanyl, 83 grams of cocaine, 8.2 grams of marijuana, a digital scale, a blender, packing supplies, baggies and a money counter.

The complaint says La Crosse police had suspected for several years that Wilson was a major drug dealer in the area. However, police have had difficulty getting people to testify against Wilson. He allegedly threatened potential witnesses with death or bodily harm if they talked to police. The complaint says Wilson acquired the nickname Murdering Marcus.
The 82-member General Assembly of the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration completed three days of meetings July 29-31 at which they elected leaders for 2022-26.

Sister Sue Ernster was elected president. Sister Sue currently ministers as FSPA vice president. As president Sister Sue is the official representative of the congregation. She takes office Nov. 1 with the newly elected leadership team.

Sister Georgia Christensen was chosen as vice president. Sister Georgia is currently serving as FSPA Congregational Secretary. As vice president Sister Georgia will assist the president in governing, and assumes the duties of the president in the event of the presidents absence.

Three members were elected as mission councilors, which, with the president and vice-president, constitute the FSPA leadership team.

The newly elected mission councilors are Sister Marie DesJarlais, Sister Julie Tydrich and Sister Marcia Baumert.

Considering the welfare of each sister and the corporate good of the congregation, the leadership of FSPA fosters the life and mission in the church and in the world. They promote the congregations goals and provide for continual renewal so that the needs of contemporary society can be served.

The 2022 Election Assembly is the 24th election assembly for the congregation since 1910.

This election follows the FSPAs organization-wide meeting, known as mission assembly, which was held at the La Crosse Center June 10-12. Sisters gathered with affiliates, staff and invited guests to discern the direction of the organizations next four years. The assembly was themed A Revolution Through Encuentro: Our Journey Into Oneness. The theme was selected as Pope Francis continues to call us to a culture of encounter with all.

As a congregation of Franciscan Catholic Sisters and all partners in that ministry, we committed ourselves to deepen the FSPA direction, or what we call provocative movements: building bridges of relationships that stretch us to be people of encounter who stand with all suffering in our Earth Community through Relationships, finding freedom through Joyful Gospel Living to be transformed in love and goodness for community and mission and celebrating authentically Unity in Diversity by challenging ourselves to unveil our white privilege. Based in La Crosse, the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration are vowed Franciscan women engaged in furthering the work of the Catholic church and the Gospel. Their partners in ministry, including affiliates and prayer partners, join them in service of Gods mission. Together, they collaborate to minister in areas of greatest need, living the Gospel through contemplation and action. Visit FSPA online at fspa.org.
A UW-La Crosse physics professor will receive a top award from a state nonprofit organization that works with the University of Wisconsin System.

Seth King, who has taught at UW-L since 2009, has been named the Carl E. Gulbrandsen Innovator of the Year by WiSys. The award is given to UW System faculty, staff or students who make exemplary contributions.

WiSys works with UW System faculty, staff, students and alumni to facilitate cutting-edge research programs, develop and commercialize discoveries, and foster innovative and entrepreneurial thinking across the state.

King embodies the ideals of a WiSys innovator  he is an inventor, scholar and educator. He has worked on two inventions with WiSys.

One of the inventions, developed in collaboration with former UW-L Chemistry Department faculty member Daniel Little, is an extremely simple way, says King, to functionalize graphene platelets with transition metal oxides. While initial applications for this work were focused on solar energy, batteries and consumer electronics, the work has transformed into looking at the antimicrobial properties of these materials. King is currently working on a new project with UW-L Associate Professor of Microbiology Xinhui Li.

King is a collaborator on the second invention led by UW-L Assistant Professor of Chemistry Sujat Sen. That work focuses on a unique electrochemical technique to deposit zinc films onto steel with controlled crystallographic texture. This controls the crystal structure and can be utilized to improve the galvanization process to protect steel from corrosion.

King has received more than $143,000 in UW System Ignite Grant funding over the past decade. He is an active supporter of student research, and most of the funding has been used to support student researchers, including summer research stipends and materials needed to complete projects.

I firmly believe that research makes science real, King explains. I think it is extremely important that students get into a lab and apply the theory they learned, or will learn, in the classroom to a real-world application. It is the best teacher for illustrating that idealized theory and laboratory application are very different things.

Kings current research is on the antimicrobial properties of graphene-transition metal oxide nanocomposites. Hes excited about the project because it expands his expertise and has allowed him to establish a new collaboration with more UW-L Microbiology Department faculty. King is also working on analyzing archaeological materials with the Archaeology Department and the Mississippi Valley Archaeology Center.

King views his work with WiSys as a way to give back to the UW System. He has earned degrees from UW-Eau Claire and UW-Milwaukee.

I have enjoyed being able to join the UW-L faculty and continue on the strong tradition of undergraduate research that UW schools have built over many years, he says.

King received the award at WiSyss SPARK Symposium dinner on Monday at UW-L. The symposium is an annual celebration of the best and brightest researchers and innovators from the UW System. It allows faculty and students to network, collaborate and present innovative research to a statewide audience.

See more about the symposium at www.wisys.org/events/wisys-spark-symposium-2022.
PHOENIX (AP)  An Arizona lawmaker endorsed by former President Donald Trump who attended the Jan. 6, 2021, rally that preceded the violent assault on the U.S. Capitol and another lawmaker who also believes the 2020 presidential election results should be overturned are among four Republicans vying for the top elections post in the presidential battleground.

It's a trend seen in several Republican primaries this year that has led to mixed results for those who peddle conspiracy theories and promote the falsehood that widespread fraud led to Trump's defeat. Tuesday's primary elections feature similar candidates in Kansas and Washington state.

In Kansas, voters will choose between a challenger who questions the 2020 presidential results and the incumbent Republican who believes the election was secure in his state. Washington state's open primary also has a candidate who backs Trump's unsupported claims, although that's not the toughest challenge the Democratic incumbent faces.

So far this year, Republican primary voters have split on whether to put election skeptics on the November ballot.

In June, Nevada voters selected former state lawmaker Jim Marchant, who has been repeating the false claims that the 2020 election was stolen from Trump, to face the Democrat in an open race for secretary of state. But in Colorado, GOP voters rejected a local election clerk who has been appearing with Trump allies promoting conspiracies about voting machines and instead chose a Republican who vowed to keep politics out of elections.

Arizona's secretary of state race is the most eye-catching and consequential of Tuesday's primary battles, in part because of Republican state Rep. Mark Finchem.

The retired Michigan police officer and current Arizona House member was at the Capitol on Jan. 6 and contends Trump lost Arizona because of rampant fraud. He backed a controversial and much-criticized state Senate audit of the 2020 election results in the state's most populous county and this year tried to get the Republican-controlled Legislature to notify Congress that Arizona wanted to decertify Joe Biden's election win.

Finchem also is suing in federal court with a leading GOP contender for Arizona governor to block the use of vote-counting machines in Arizona. The lawsuit contends they are potentially prone to hacking that can change votes. A judge is considering whether to throw out the case.

Finchem's claims come despite the lack of valid evidence of any widespread fraud that would have changed the result in Arizona, where Biden beat Trump by just over 10,000 votes. He maintains that fictitious ballots marred the results.

So for you to say that theres no evidence, I think the media is willfully disregarding the evidence thats out there, Finchem said.

His primary competitors include another state House member, Shawnna Bolick, a Trump supporter who contends the 2020 election was deeply flawed. She said in a televised debate that she would not have certified the election had she been secretary of state, despite it being a requirement to do so absent a court order.

And I would have been breaking the law at that point and that would have been fine, she said on the debate carried on Arizona PBS.

The other two Republican candidates are state Sen. Michelle Ugenti-Rita, who acknowledges Biden's victory and has made election reform a key focus during her 12 years in the Legislature, and Beau Lane, a businessman and political newcomer who has earned the endorsement of Republican Gov. Doug Ducey.

Ugenti-Rita said none of the other candidates has her understanding of election law and that she believes she has broad support across the state.

They immediately recognize my record and experience, and they feel assured that I can get the job done and that's the message, Ugenti-Rita said about voters. "Thats what people want. Theyre done with platitudes  it gets policy nowhere."

Lane said his executive experience makes him the best choice for the job. He noted his long engagement in Republican politics, back to when as a young man he was a page at the 1980 Republican convention in which Ronald Reagan was nominated for president.

"Above all, we need somebody who can be a fair dealer and help restore faith in elections," he said.

Lane said other than a few hiccups and isolated cases of voter fraud, the 2020 election was well run, although he joined the other Republicans in criticizing Democratic Secretary of State Katie Hobbs, who is seeking her party's nomination for governor.

Was there organized, rigged fraud that that changed the outcome of the election? he asked. I have seen no evidence of that."

Two Democrats are seeking their party's nomination  former Maricopa County Recorder Adrian Fontes, who lost his seat in the 2020 election, and Arizona House Minority Leader Reginald Bolding. Both criticize Finchem and other Republicans who question the 2020 election results and say a Finchem victory would be dangerous for democracy.

In Kansas, Secretary of State Scott Schwab also is facing a challenge from his right in the states GOP primary.

Schwab is a former Kansas House member who has defended the use of ballot drop boxes, which Trump and other Republicans say are prone to misuse, even though there is no widespread evidence of that. He has dismissed baseless theories about fraud, at least as a possibility in Kansas elections.

There were concerns that people had in other states, and some folks want to have that concern in Kansas, but theyre just rumors  I heard this in Georgia. I heard this in Arizona, I heard this in Nevada, therefore Kansas, Schwab said during a recent interview. And you cant copy and paste situations from one state to the next simply because our statutes are so different.

Schwabs primary opponent is Mike Brown, a construction contractor and former county commissioner in Johnson County, the states most populous and home to Kansas City-area suburbs.

Brown has made doubts about the security of Kansas elections central to his campaign. Hes promised to ban ballot drop boxes and said he will use the secretary of states office to pursue election fraud cases, rather than taking Schwabs approach of working through prosecutors.

Brown said that when Schwab says Kansas elections ran smoothly with no significant problems, the question is, Because he said so, or because he can prove it?

His answer is, Theres nothing to see here, keep moving, he added. You should start looking and you should stop moving.

Washington state's top two primary features Democratic Secretary of State Steve Hobbs, who was appointed by Gov. Jay Inslee last November and hopes to retain his seat for the remaining two years of former Republican Secretary of State Kim Wymans four-year term. He's the first Democrat to hold the office since 1965, taking Wyman's seat after she left for an election security job in the Biden administration.

Hobbs faces several Republican and unaffiliated challengers, including Tamborine Borrelli, an America First candidate who was fined by the state Supreme Court in June for making legally meritless claims alleging widespread voter fraud.

Hobbs has raised the most among the candidates for the race so far, followed by Pierce County Auditor Julie Anderson, who is running as a nonpartisan and said she is the most experienced in running elections.

Among the Republicans in the race, former Sen. Mark Miloscia  he is now head of the conservative Family Policy Institute  has raised the most money. Republican Sen. Keith Wagoner trails Miloscia in money but has been endorsed by former Republican Secretary of State Sam Reed.

Hobbs has pointed to his experience as a Washington National Guard lieutenant colonel and his months running the office to say why hes best positioned to address issues ranging from cybersecurity concerns to election misinformation.

Anderson said shes running as a nonpartisan because of the hyperpolarization across the country, saying that we dont need political parties in the secretary of states office calling balls and strikes at home plate."

Under Washington's primary system, the top two vote-getters advance to the general election in November, regardless of party. Results will likely take days to tally because it's an all-mail election.

Associated Press writers John Hanna in Topeka, Kansas, and Rachel La Corte in Olympia, Washington, contributed to this report.

___

This story has been corrected to show that the Washington Supreme Court fined Tamborine Borrelli in June, not last month and that Steve Hobbs is a lieutenant colonel in the Washington National Guard, not a lieutenant.

Follow AP for full coverage of the midterms at https://apnews.com/hub/2022-midterm-elections and on Twitter at https://twitter.com/ap_politics.
Federal regulators are raising new concerns about the environmental impacts of a proposed natural gas plant in Superior they say could cause billions of dollars in damages.

The Environmental Protection Agency says a preliminary review of the Nemadji Trail Energy Center fails to account for the projects full climate impact and that the utilities seeking to build the plant should be required to reduce greenhouse gas emissions as a condition for receiving federal funding.

Doing so would show leadership in line with the federal policy priority to reduce climate risks and could also reduce regulatory risks for ratepayers, the agency said.

La Crosse-based Dairyland Power Cooperative and two Minnesota utilities are seeking a loan from the U.S. Department of Agricultures Rural Utilities Service to finance the $700 million plant, which they say will help them transition away from coal-fired power.

A draft environmental review released earlier this year estimates the 625-megawatt plant would produce the equivalent of more than 2.7 million tons of carbon dioxide each year but would actually reduce net carbon emissions by displacing electricity from coal-fired power plants.

The EPA says the review fails to quantify all the plants greenhouse gas emissions or quantify the potential costs to society, which the agency estimates could be more than $2 billion, nor does it consider the plants disproportionate impact on Native American tribes.

The review doesnt account for methane  a far more potent greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide  leaked during the production, processing and transportation of gas before it reaches the plant, which the EPA says makes it unclear whether the project would actually result in lower emissions.

The agency also says net emissions projections should account for the increasing reliance on wind, solar and other carbon-free energy sources  not just the business as usual model.

Echoing the concerns of environmental advocates, the EPA cautions that failure to fully consider alternatives  such as wind and solar  or the cost of future carbon mitigation measures could expose ratepayers to unnecessary financial risk.

Investing in long-lived combustion turbines due to inaccurate expectations about the costs of alternatives may lead to higher overall costs, the agency wrote. Moreover, long-lived fossil assets may become uneconomic faster than expected if alternatives and mitigation are not fully considered.

Dairyland spokesperson Katie Thomson said the utility has fully complied with state and federal approval and permitting requirements and extensive environmental reviews.

Thomson said Dairyland is evaluating technologies that could allow fuel flexibility but contended the plant will provide flexible on-demand generation to complement intermittent sources like wind and solar.

A second look

Initially proposed in 2017, the plant has been the subject of court challenges in both Minnesota and Wisconsin.

Earlier this year Dane County Circuit Judge Jacob Frost rejected arguments that the Public Service Commission failed to consider the full environmental impact when it issued a permit for the plant. That ruling is now under appeal.

Last year the Minnesota Supreme Court ruled that state utility regulators do not have the authority to consider the environmental impact of a plant built in another state, though the plant faces ongoing regulatory scrutiny as part of Minnesota Powers long-term resource plan.

After initially concluding the plant would have no substantial environmental impact, the USDA agreed to conduct an additional review in response to comments from environmental groups including the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy, the Sierra Club and Clean Wisconsin, who say its incompatible with accepted climate science and the Biden administrations stated positions on fossil fuels.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has said investments in fossil fuel infrastructure are incompatible with pathways to head off the most disastrous impacts of climate change.

The environmental groups say momentum against the plant is strong and growing and have launched a social media campaign calling on USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack to deny federal funding.

In a climate crisis, the last thing we should do is add more pollution by building new fossil fuel power plants, said Evan Mulholland, director of the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacys healthy communities program. The EPAs comments show that the current plan for the Nemadji Trail Energy Center is reckless.
The Most Rev. Robert E. Barron has been installed as the ninth Bishop of the Diocese of Winona-Rochester. The installation took place at a special Installation Mass at 10:30 a.m. Sunday at the Co-Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in Rochester.

Archbishop Bernard A. Hebda of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis and Archbishop Christophe Pierre, Apostolic Nuncio to the United States of America, were present along with 25 other cardinals and bishops and over 100 priests and deacons.

The Co-Cathedral was filled to capacity with friends and family of Bishop Barron and the faithful of the Diocese of Winona-Rochester. Thousands of others were able to participate through livestream, the Eternal Word Television Network, Real Presence Radio and Bishop Barrons own Word on Fire Ministries.

My heart is overwhelmed with joy and with gratitude today, Bishop Barron remarked.

On June 2, the Holy See announced that Pope Francis appointed Bishop Barron, formerly Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, as the ninth Bishop of the Diocese of Winona-Rochester.

Bishop Barron, born on Nov. 19, 1959, in Chicago, spent his childhood in Detroit and then in a suburb of Chicago. Bishop Barron studied at Mundelein Seminary in Chicago and at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., before being ordained a priest on May 24, 1986.

After serving as an associate pastor for three years, Bishop Barron was sent to study at the Institut Catholique de Paris, where he completed his Doctorate of Sacred Theology. Bishop Barron served as professor of theology at Mundelein Seminary from 1992 to 2015 and also served as its president-rector from 2012 to 2015.

Bishop Barron launched his Word on Fire Catholic Ministries in 2000 and has been broadcast extensively throughout the world. His 10-part documentary, "Catholicism," aired on public television in the United States, and he is the first priest since Venerable Archbishop Fulton Sheen to have a regular national program on a commercial television network.

Bishop Barron, through his clear teaching and love of the Gospel, has been able to share the truth of the Gospel to millions through the internet and, in particular, social media. Barrons Word on Fire website hosts daily blog posts, weekly articles and video commentaries, and Bishop Barron has over 3.1 million Facebook followers, 527,000 YouTube subscribers, 351,000 Instagram followers, and over 205,000 Twitter followers.

The Diocese of Winona-Rochester serves the 20 southernmost counties of Minnesota with 99 parishes/missions, 84 priests, 298 sisters, 15 brothers, three consecrated virgins, 36 deacons and over 136,000 Catholics. There are 23 Catholic schools, St. Marys University and the Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary.
On August 9 there is a special election here in Minnesotas 1st Congressional District to fill the vacancy left by the death of Jim Hagedorn.

Jeff Ettinger, from Austin, is running for this Congressional seat.

Jeff ran Hormel Foods in Austin for over a decade, and he did it in a way that benefited farmers, employees and the communities where Hormel operates. Thousands of Minnesotans are better off because Jeff was the CEO of that company.

Jeff is a lot like many of the past elected officials from southern Minnesota; Al Quie, Tim Walz, Arlen Erdahl and Tim Penny. He has the support of former Republican Gov. Arnie Carlson, because Jeff is a reasonable, moderate, decent individual who will work across party lines to accomplish good things.

A majority of Republicans still believe the lie that Trump won the 2020 election. He lost both the popular vote and the Electoral College vote, yet Trump and many GOP members of Congress keep peddling this conspiracy that there was massive election fraud.

Jeffs opponent in this race, Brad Finstad, is a Trump extremist. Finstad will still not publicly acknowledge that Joe Biden won the 2020 election.

Many Republicans running for office this year are firmly committed to electing Trump in 2024 by overturning our election laws and nullifying the votes of millions of voters.

Only Democrats are firmly committed to protecting our democracy.

On Aug. 9, vote for Jeff Ettinger to protect our democracy.

Ken Tschumper
Bahri, a global leader in logistics and transportation, has said its SR3.9 billion ($1.04 billion) Saudi riyal-denominated seven-year senior unsecured sukuk has been oversubscribed by 1.95 times.

The proceeds from the issuance will be used to refinance the companys existing SR3.9 billion Sukuk maturing in July 2022.

The seven-year senior unsecured Sukuk was issued by way of a Private Placement offer at a competitive floating profit rate of 120 basis points above the six-month Saudi Arabian Interbank Offered Rate (Saibor) and open to Saudi institutional and qualified investors.

Key milestone

Eng Ahmed Ali Alsubaey, CEO of Bahri, said: This strategic transaction represents a key milestone for Bahri and highlights the confidence investors have placed in the company, which is greatly valued by our Board of Directors and management team at large. It is a proud moment for Bahri as it also complements one of the objectives of the Financial Sector Development Programme under Saudi Vision 2030 to develop and deepen the capital markets in Saudi Arabia. It also demonstrates our trust in the local debt markets by raising a significant amount of funds from various local investors.

The issuance of Bahris new Sukuk has achieved the objectives of the companys size, diversification, and cost of funding. Significant investor diversification was accomplished with sizable participation from key government Funds, asset managers, pension funds, and Islamic and conventional banks, with a final order book closing at a value almost doubling the expected one.

Excellent outcome

Eng Fayez Al-Asmari, CFO of Bahri, added: Despite the adverse market environment, Bahris Sukuk achieved almost two times oversubscription and was able to diversify away from bank investors, and as a result, strengthened the quality of the order book by allocating a significant amount of the funds raised to asset managers, pension funds and corporate investors. This excellent outcome not only exceeds expectations, but also sends a positive note to investors and creditors that Bahris credit history is valued and endorsed by the investor community."

For the sukuk issuance, HSBC Saudi Arabia, SNB Capital and Al Rajhi Capital played a major role in ensuring timely execution of the transaction.
U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi arrived in Singapore Monday at the start of her trip to several Asian nations.

There has been much media speculation about whether Pelosi will visit Taiwan during her trip. Speculation means ideas or guesses about something that is not known. The speculation has caused Chinese officials to speak out and warn the speaker not to visit Taiwan.

In Singapore, Pelosi met with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, President Halimah Yacob and other Cabinet members, the countrys foreign ministry announced.

The ministry said in a statement that Lee and Pelosi discussed the war in Ukraine, tension surrounding Taiwan and China, and climate change. Lee expressed to Pelosi the importance of stable U.S.-China relations for regional peace and security," the ministry added.

In a statement over the weekend, Pelosi said she planned to visit Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea and Japan. Pelosi, a member of the Democratic Party, did not confirm news reports that she might also visit Taiwan.

China considers Taiwan a rebel territory. Chinese officials have said the government plans to one day reclaim the territory and would use force to do so if necessary.

The United States government does not have official diplomatic ties with Taiwan. This is because the U.S. has relations with the government in Beijing under what is known as the one-China policy.

Taiwan rejects Beijings territorial claims over the island.

Even though the U.S. does not have official diplomatic ties, American law states that the U.S. is required to assist Taiwan in defending itself.

During a phone call last week, Chinese President Xi Jinping warned American President Joe Biden that the U.S. should obey the one-China policy. Xi told Biden that "those who play with fire will perish by it."

Biden told Xi that the U.S. policy on Taiwan had not changed. He added that the U.S. favors continued peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.

On Monday, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian repeated earlier warnings by China. He said there would be serious consequences if Pelosi made a visit to Taiwan.

Zhao did not provide details on what those consequences might be. But he said China was fully prepared for any eventuality.

Zhao said that China was ready to take strong measures to safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The White House dismissed China's latest comments. National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told the U.S. broadcaster CNN on Monday it is not uncommon for congressional leaders to travel to Taiwan.

Kirby added that the U.S. should not be "intimidated by the Chinese statements. This is an important trip for the speaker to be on and we're going to do whatever we can to support her."

Pelosi is a longtime critic of Chinas human rights record. She expressed a desire to visit Taiwan earlier this year. The last U.S. House speaker to visit Taiwan was Republican Newt Gingrich in 1997.

Pelosis trip to Asia comes during a period of increased tension between China and the U.S. and its allies. Mainland forces have increased their military activities around Taiwan in recent years to pressure Taiwan to accept its sovereignty claims.

Im Bryan Lynn.

The Associated Press and Reuters reported on this story. Bryan Lynn adapted the reports for VOA Learning English.

_______________________________________________________

Words in This Story

stable  adj. not likely to change or end suddenly

perish  v. to die

consequence  n. the result of an action or situation

sovereignty  n. the power of a country to control its own government

integrity  n. honesty and the ability to do or know what is morally right

intimidate  v. to intentionally frighten, especially with threats

_____________________________________________________________

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A Chinese state-owned company is negotiating to buy a forestry plantation with a port and World War II airstrip in the Solomon Islands. The United States and its allies are concerned that China wants to create a naval stronghold in the South Pacific country.

The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) reported Monday that a delegation from China Forestry Group Corporation visited the plantation in 2019. The plantation, or tree-growing farm, covers most of Kolombangara Island. The Chinese delegation asked questions about the size of the port and deepness of the water during its visit. But it showed little interest in the trees.

The plantation is currently owned by Kolombangara Forest Products Ltd. (KFPL). It is owned by Taiwanese and Australian shareholders. The companys board wrote to the Australian government in May warning of the risks to Australia of such a sale, ABC reported.

Australias Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade wrote back to the board last week saying it was not intervening, ABC reported.

Foreign Minister Penny Wongs office said in a statement to The Associated Press that Australia was continuing to work with KFPL on the possible sale.

We value our position as Solomon Islands first security and development partner of choice, and we are committed to working together to face our shared challenges, the statement added.

KFPL Chairman Matthew English declined to comment on the possible sale. But one KFPL official told AP that the board wanted the Australian government to make an offer or help an Australian company make an offer.

The U.S. and its allies have grown more concerned over Chinas growing influence in the South Pacific Ocean area. In 2019, the Solomon Islands changed its diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China.

Earlier this year, China and the Solomons signed a security agreement. That has created fears of a Chinese military presence less than 2,000 kilometers off Australias northeast coast.

Australia already has a security treaty with the Solomon Islands. Australian police have been keeping peace in the capital Honiara since rioting late last year.

Solomons Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare said that China will never be permitted to create a military base in his country. His office did not respond to a request for comment on Monday.

Silas Tausinga is a Solomons lawmaker who represents an area near Kolombangara. He said China has a strong desire to have military power in the Solomons.

Australia should be worried about it, Tausinga told ABC.

Im Dan Novak.

Dan Novak adapted this story for VOA Learning English based on reporting by The Associated Press.

____________________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

plantation  n. a group of trees that have been planted together

challenge  n. a difficult task or a problem

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Members of the Korean popular music group BTS might still be able to perform while serving in the military, South Korea's defense minister said.

Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup spoke to members of the National Assembly on Monday. Lee said that, by letting BTS continue performing, the military could serve national interests. He said the move would not further affect the decreasing number of young men able to serve in the military because of low birth rates.

"Even if they join the military, there would be a way to give them a chance to practice and perform together if there are scheduled concerts abroad, Lee said.

He added, As many people highly value (artists serving) in the military, that may help boost their popularity even more."

The minister made the comment as the country debates shortening the required military service for K-pop stars to three weeks from about two years.

The issue is becoming more urgent as the oldest member of the group, Jin, turns 30 next year. Under a 2019 revision of the law, internationally recognized K-pop stars are permitted to delay their service until age 30.

In South Korea, all healthy men aged 18 to 28 must fulfill their duties in the military as part of efforts to defend against North Korea.

Some groups have won exemptions that permit them to delay their service in the armed forces or serve for a shorter period. These include medal-winners at the Olympics or Asian Games and classical musicians and dancers who win top prizes at certain competitions. In 2019, exemptions were added for internationally recognized Korean pop music stars. K-pop stars are permitted to delay their service until the age of 30.

The National Assembly is now debating a bill that would shorten military service for K-pop stars. The new administration of President Yoon Suk-yeol is also considering exemptions for some engineers and researchers in the computer chip and other technology fields.

BTS' representative, Big Hit, did not answer a request for comment from the Reuters news agency.

In April, a Big Hit official said some members were having a "hard time" because of uncertainties over the debate, calling for a decision. The seven-member group announced in June that they would take a break from musical activities together to do individual projects.

Since its first performance in 2013, BTS has become a worldwide success with its music and social campaigns aimed at young people.

BTS became the first Asian musical group to win artist of the year at the American Music Awards last year. In May, they met U.S. President Joe Biden at the White House to discuss hate crimes targeting Asians.

A South Korean research group estimated in 2018 that BTS would support $43 billion in economic activity between 2014 and 2023.

Im Jill Robbins.

Hai Do adapted this Reuters report for VOA Learning English.

_____________________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

scheduled adj. something that is planned for a certain time

concert n. a musical performance

boost v. to increase the force, power or amount of something

exemption n. freedom from being required to do something that others are required to do

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The Real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of Saudi Arabia witnessed a growth rate of 11.8% in Q2/2022 compared to Q2/2021, according to flash estimates by the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT).

This dynamic growth was mainly due to the growth in oil activities by 23.1%. Non-oil activities grew by 5.4% in Q2/2022, and the government services activities by 2.2% year-on-year, the authority said.

Seasonally adjusted real GDP increased by 1.8% in Q2/2022 compared to the previous quarter (Q1/2022). This increase is due to the positive growth in oil activities by 4.8% and the government services activities by 0.2% while the non-oil activities decreased by 0.4%, it said.

Meanwhile, the value of merchandise exports in Saudi Arabia during May 2022 reached SR144 billion ($38.34 billion), compared to SR79 billion in May 2021, an increase of SR65 billion, a growth of 83.4%, said the he International Trade Publication in Saudi Arabia for May 2022, issued by GASTAT.

The value of oil exports during May 2022 reached SR116 billion, compared to SR57 billion during May 2021, an increase of 105.5%. The value of non-oil exports (including re-exports) during the month reached SR28 billion, compared to SR22 billion during May 2021, an increase of 26.7%, it said.

The value of merchandise imports into Saudi Arabia during May 2022 reached SR54 billion, compared to SR44 billion during May 2021, an increase of 21.8%. - TradeArabia News Service
A ship loaded with grain left the Ukrainian port city of Odesa on Monday. It was the first grain shipment to leave Ukraine since the war with Russia cut off exports. It is headed to the Middle Eastern nation of Lebanon.

The ship, called the Razoni, has 26,000 tons of corn.

Ukraine is one of the worlds largest grain producers. But its ports have been closed for over five months because of the war with Russia.

The lack of corn and other grains started a worldwide food crisis. Many nations that do not produce enough depend on important supplies of wheat, barley, corn and sunflower oil from Ukraine.

Food shipments restarted after Ukraine and Russia signed agreements with Turkey and the United Nations on July 22. The goal is that 22 million tons of food staples will start to leave Ukrainian ports. Russia will also be permitted to export grain and fertilizer.

Ukraines minister of infrastructure, Oleksander Kubrakov, announced the ships movement on the social media service Twitter. He said: The first ship since Russian aggression has left port. He said starting shipments is another step to prevent world hunger.

In Moscow, Russian spokesperson Dmitry Peskov called the ships movement very positive. Russia in the past has denied that its invasion of Ukraine is the main reason for a world food problem. Russia has blamed international restrictions on its economy for shortages.

The ship must pass through the Black Sea and stop in Istanbul for an inspection on Tuesday. Teams made up of inspectors from Russia, Ukraine, Turkey and the United Nations will look at the ship before it moves on toward the Mediterranean Sea and Lebanon.

Turkeys defense minister is Hulusi Akar. Without the grain, Akar said, the food crisis could start a migration wave from Africa to Turkey and Europe.

The Razoni is going to the port city of Beirut, where an explosion in 2020 destroyed many buildings, including grain storage structures. Traditionally, Lebanon brings in wheat and corn from Ukraine.

Ukraine said 16 other ships are preparing to leave ports on the Black Sea. Reports say there are 600,000 tons of products ready to be shipped. But ships in some areas of the Black Sea are threatened by underwater mines. Other shipping companies are concerned about being hit by Russian rockets.

Both U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres and Kubrakov praised the restart of shipping. Kubrakov said the shipments will bring in $1 billion to Ukraines economy. Guterres said they will bring stability.

Olena Vitalievna lives in Odesa. She heard the Razoni sound its horn as it left the port.

Finally life begins to move forward, she said. She said she wants to see the city bustle or have a lot of activity, again.

One person who works on the ship is Abdullah Jendi of Syria. He said he is happy to be moving again after a long and worrisome stay in Ukraine during the war. He said he had great fear that the ship could be targeted in an attack.

Although boats are starting to move again and some people are feeling good, the war continues in Ukraine.

Both Russia and Ukraine continued fighting in the southern and eastern parts of the country over the weekend. The governor of Donetsk called for people to leave the area, expressing concern over 52,000 children. The cities of Kharkiv and Mykolaiv also faced attacks.

Experts said a Russian rocket hit Odesa shortly after the shipping agreement. So, the movements of grain might not last if there is another attack.

Volodymyr Sidenko is a researcher for the Razumkov Center in Kyiv. He said the first ship leaving does not solve the food problem. Its just the first step, he said. He warned it could also be the last if attacks continue in southern Ukraine.

Im Dan Friedell

Dan Friedell adapted this story for VOA Learning English based on reports by the Associated Press and Reuters.

________________________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

staple n. an important food that is eaten very often

fertilizer n. chemicals added to soil to improve plant or crop growth

stability adj. a state in which things do not change too quickly

horn n. a device that makes a loud sound as a warning

positive adj. good, acceptable

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TOWN OF DOVER  A ballot addressed to a state representative was delivered over the weekend to the home of a Racine man who said he has been illegally ordering ballots on behalf of other officials.

But there is something different about this ballot. Harry Wait says he didn't request it. It is not clear who did.

The Wisconsin Elections Commission has yet to comment on the situation.

Wait is the Racine County man being investigated by the Wisconsin Department of Justice after he admitted to requesting other people's absentee ballots online without providing photo ID, a felony, in order to expose what he said was a vulnerability in Wisconsin's election law.

Under state law, a voter ID only needs to be provided once to make absentee ballot requests. The Republican-controlled state Legislature passed a bill last year that would have required voter ID be presented for every request, but Gov. Tony Evers vetoed it, saying it would make it more difficult for some to vote  particularly older Wisconsinites and those with disabilities.

The ballot that arrived over the weekend was addressed to state Rep. Elijah Behnke, R-Oconto.

Behnke's ballot arrived at Wait's home in the same way that ballots for Racine Mayor Cory Mason and Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, were delivered Friday: with the voter's name on the envelope but with Wait's Shianne Street address.

"I received an absentee ballot that I did not order" Wait said in a text to a Racine Journal Times reporter Sunday, accompanied by a photo of Behnke's ballot envelope. The state-operated MyVote.Wi.gov website confirms that an absentee ballot for Behnke was requested to be sent to Wait's home. MyVote shows the request was made July 26, the same day Wait said he surreptitiously requested other voters' ballots.

Wait said he is contacting the Racine County Sheriff's Office for further investigation.

In an email Monday morning, a legislative assistant to Behnke, Jared Heckman, said, "Representative Behnke did not request his ballot be sent to Mr. Waits address. He is currently working with the authorities to determine what happened. Well keep you updated as things progress."

Elijah Behnke Elijah Behnke was first elected in April 2021. Less than a year later, in January 2022, he made headlines after being secretly recorded in his Capitol office. In that recording, Behnke: Called Assembly Speaker Robin Vos a swamp creature."

Said he wants to punch Democratic Gov. Tony Evers.

Questioned the validity of Joe Biden's 2020 election win.

Said Republicans need to cheat like the Democrats or bend the rules to win upcoming elections.

Widespread, differing concerns

Wait made his own address public when he uploaded a video of himself illegally requesting ballots for Mason and Vos  among others  be sent to his home, to the video-sharing website Rumble.com on Thursday.

At an emergency meeting Thursday, WEC commissioners said they feared Wait's actions could inspire copycats. Several encouraged prosecutors to quickly bring charges against Wait as a deterrent against others who may aim to compromise elections.

When people commit crimes, they should be referred (to prosecutors for criminal charges) and prosecuted. That would end it. That would end this game plan," Commissioner Mark Thomsen, a Democratic appointee, said. "As soon as a few people go to prison for falsely using peoples names, thats going to stop.

As of Sunday evening, Wait remained out of custody and not charged.

After Wait admitted what he had done to Sheriff Christopher Schmaling and other officials Wednesday afternoon, the Racine County Sheriff's Office said in a Facebook post Friday that "Criminal arrests, where police physically place a citizen in handcuffs, are made after thorough investigations and the formulation of probable cause. Criminal arrests are not based upon late-night emails and requests to be arrested."

Wait said he has no plans to cast ballots on behalf of Vos, Mason or the friends of his whose ballots he said he was given permission to request.

He said his sole intent has been to draw attention to how easy it is for someone to use MyVote to request ballots intended for other people be delivered to any address.

Only those who have voted by mail previously can have their absentee ballot requested online via MyVote, without use of voter ID and without claiming to be indefinitely confined. The Racine County Sheriff's Office calls this online functionality a "vulnerability" to Wisconsin's election system.

Schmaling, in a statement Wednesday, 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.

A WEC spokesman had not replied to a request for comment regarding Behnke's ballot by early afternoon Monday.

Elections experts have pointed out that a scheme similar to Wait's would be unlikely to go unnoticed, especially on a wide scale. Should one of the people whose ballot he requested go to vote in the Aug. 9 primary, election officials would almost certainly realize that absentee ballots in their names had already been requested, which would likely lead investigators to Wait since the ballots were sent to his home.

Wait and the group he is president of, HOT (Honest, Open, Transparent) Government, have repeatedly claimed the 2020 presidential election was fraudulent and have called for it to be overturned. Wait has campaigned in favor of Republican Assembly candidate Adam Steen, who wants to see the 2020 election overturned and has made that a central tenet of his primary challenge to Vos in District 63.
A Sun Prairie couple is opening an upscale cocktail lounge serving trendy nitrogen-infused drinks in a new building on West Washington Avenue.

Courtney McCarty, 31, said she and Ace McCarty, 30, hope to open Nitro in November or December on the ground level of the six-story Avenir apartments, nearing completion at the corner of Bassett Street.

Nitro, 510 W. Washington Ave., will join the Harvey House and RED sushi, creating more of an upscale bar and restaurant corridor on West Washington Avenue.

The couple, who had their first child Aug. 6, also have a small nitrogen-infused beverage business called Lucca & Livvy Premium Beverages, which they run from a bicycle under a license agreement with a partner in Dallas, Texas, whose children are Lucca and Livvy.

Its a cargo bike with a nitrogen tap system built into it, from which they sell nitro juices, teas and coffees at the Sun Prairie Farmers Market on Saturdays and at the Monroe Street Farmers Market on Sundays. They also bring the bicycle to private events and popups with distilleries and wineries.

McCarty said they own the licensing for the Midwest. The juices are made in Dallas, and they do the infusions locally.

My husband and I decided that instead of taking the bicycle concept and expanding it to Milwaukee and Chicago, which was our original plan, when I found out I was pregnant, we decided we wanted to keep it a little bit closer to home and do something that weve seen very coastally, she said.

Both on the East Coast and the West Coast, nitrogen infusion with just about anything and everything has been super popular, said McCarty, who grew up in Plain. Its typically coffee because thats whats been commercialized.

The National Coffee Association, in its 2020 Atlas of American Coffee, said cold brew and nitro coffees were virtually unknown in 2015, but now one in five Americans under age 40 consumes at least one per week.

Nitro drinks are infused with nitrogen gas, which is also used in some beers like porters and stouts, and creates small bubbles in the drink, giving it a thicker, creamier texture.

Nitrogen can also reduce some of the bitterness and acidity of coffee and juice. So, it tends to be a little bit easier on your stomach, McCarty said.

Starbucks Nitro Cold Brew debuted in some locations in 2016, and the company expanded it more widely in 2019. Pepsi recently introduced Nitro Pepsi, what it is calling the first-ever nitrogen-infused cola.

McCarty said while liquid nitrogen is usually used in canned nitrogen-infused drinks, for their drinks they use nitrogen gas. It creates a really velvet, smooth texture.

With carbonation, she said, bubbles rise to the top and pop, but with nitrogen infusion, they fall to the bottom of the glass in a cascade. Its kind of a reverse effect.

Nitro will also sell grab-and-go and light food options that wont be made in-house. The McCartys are instead seeking to establish partnerships with well-known local businesses for donuts and pastries in the morning and maybe flatbread pizza and charcuterie at night.

Well work with different folks who do it far better than we could ever do it, she said, adding that they want to keep things really hyperlocal if we can.

For spirits, they intend to partner with State Line Distillery on Madisons Near East Side and J. Henry & Sons in Dane. We want to try to keep it all local to Wisconsin as best as possible, McCarty said.

Nitro will be 2,300 square feet and have 50 to 70 seats indoors and 10 to 20 outdoors. The environment will use examples of 1920s Art Deco and Art Nouveau styles such as penny tiles and glass tiles, along with brass and gold elements in keeping with the Avenir apartments.

The look will also involve industrial design, exposed concrete and neon. The couple are having their tattoo artist, who is based in Texas, do a mural.

McCarty and her husband both have full-time jobs. Shes a cybersecurity risk analyst for Advocate Aurora Health, based in Milwaukee and Downers Grove, Illinois. Hes a product manager for HammerHead Trenchless, an infrastructure and underground pipe rehabilitation company in Lake Mills.

The couple plan to have solo acoustic music at Nitro on occasion.
This summer marks the first time Jo Bernstein will perform at the Sugar Maple Music Festival. But the 10-year-old is already an old hand at fiddling.

The homeschooler from Mount Horeb has been a member of the youth group MadFiddle for three years  and will be on stage Saturday with close to 40 young friends helping to keep folk music alive and lively.

The music?

Its fun, Jo said. And you get to add in trills and things like that whenever you want.

The Sugar Maple Music Festival returns next weekend with national touring acts, educational workshops and a chance to pass tradition from one generation to the next. The two-day festival of traditional music, held at William G. Lunney Lake Farm County Park in Madison, even offers a place to camp, with the promise of spirited musical jam sessions by the campfire lasting long into the night.

Having that wide variety of experience just gives people full immersion, said festival marketing director Stephanie Ramer, using a key word for the event. What makes Sugar Maple stand out from other summer outdoor music fests, organizers say, is the emphasis on education and immersion  plus teaching tunes and traditions from the past so they last into the future. Thats why featuring groups like MadFiddle is important.

Its not just listening. Its also participating, said Ramer, who noted that festival-goers of all ages are welcome  and encouraged  to bring a musical instrument and join one of the beginner or advanced jam sessions, or the many impromptu jams that might crop up over the weekend.

Our whole festival is about engagement, agreed board member Erin Johansen. Along with a main stage for concerts  ranging from folk and bluegrass to Cajun, American roots music and retro rock and roll  the venue has a Roots & Reason stage dedicated to sharing knowledge.

People get on stage and show their instrument and talk about the traditions behind it, Johansen said. Roots & Reason sessions include both a discussion about what to listen to in the jams and a talk about the Old Time-Country-Cajun connection.

And theres hours of music to listen to there, as well.

Why not Madison

Presented by the nonprofit Four Lakes Traditional Music Collective, the Sugar Maple Music Festival was founded 19 years ago by a group of musicians after they visited the Hiawatha Music Festival in Marquette, Michigan.

After a day of concerts and jamming at the Hiawatha festival, They were sitting around the campfire wondering, Why doesnt Madison have something like this?, Ramer said.

So the group brought the concept to a picturesque Dane County park, where it has become a late-summer mainstay.

Along with two days of music on two stages and in jam tents, this years Sugar Maple Music Festival will offer food and beverage vendors, a climbing wall and circus arts activities for children. Admission to the festival is free for youth 17 and under with a ticketed adult  another effort to reach out to young people, Johansen said.

We believe its very important to give the gift of music, she said. Its important to experience what it feels like to make music with other people.

MadFiddle on stage

One of the many professional groups scheduled for this years festival is the Henhouse Prowlers, a four-piece group out of Chicago that travels the globe as self-described Ambassadors of Bluegrass.

While in Madison, the band will work with students. Also appearing are five local youth music organizations: Music Makers, Music con Brio, the Madison Cello Ensemble, Suzuki Strings and MadFiddle. The combined groups will play a finale for MadFiddles set at noon Saturday.

Just wrapping up its 10th year, MadFiddle is the brainchild of musician Shauncey Ali, who teaches violin students from across the area to play folk music from around the world. Much in the same spirit as the Sugar Maple Music Festival as a whole, MadFiddles eclectic, intergenerational repertoire includes the blues, old-time, ragtime, bluegrass, Scottish music, swing, Scandinavian tunes and more.

Though he was trained as a classical viola player, Ali  who attended UW-Madison and in 2016 was named Teacher of the Year by the Madison Area Music Association  didnt connect with fiddle playing until he was an adult.

I discovered fiddle music in my mid-20s when I went to a fiddle camp, he said, and my whole life was changed.

MadFiddle accepts players ages 7-18 who have at least some basic skills on the violin. They must also study with an individual teacher so they know the nuts and bolts of technique, Ali said. Once theyre in MadFiddle, they learn tunes only by ear.

Its a group experience, said Ali, who expects around 40 students to perform at the Sugar Maple Music Festival, accompanied by the upright bass, guitar and mandolin players who make up MadFiddles backup band, Highway 151.

Its not just kids sawing away, he said. Its a really articulated, produced show.

MadFiddle, which is holding auditions for new players in August (sign up at www.shaunceyali.com/madfiddle), was designed to ignite a passion in young violin players who sometimes, it seemed, were less than engaged.

In rote weekly lessons, the music wasnt grabbing them at the heart, Ali observed. They were going through the motions, but they werent in love.

A great challenge

The MadFiddle approach, however, has deepened musical understanding, friendships and skill for players like Benn Stern, 13, who has played with the group for about five years.

Benn, who also plays violin with the Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestras, finds fiddling a unique challenge because of the difficult rhythms, the use of chords and the lessons in music theory that he absorbs, he said.

Learning by ear without sheet music is a great challenge that increases musical muscle memory, too, he said.

In MadFiddle concerts, the audience is also part of the experience, added Benns mother, Nelsie Stern. Theres a lot of audience participation, she said, with people encouraged to yell and clap and whoop and holler.

While MadFiddle and Highway 151 have performed at prestigious venues such as the Stoughton Opera House, Overture Center and High Noon Saloon, Sugar Maple is really special, Ali said.

They and others have really embraced us, he said, and put us on the main stage.
An Eau Claire man is accused of sexually assaulting a woman, stabbing her to death, then setting a Chippewa Falls house on fire on Wednesday.

Scott M. Vaningan, 58, faces possible charges of first-degree intentional homicide, two counts of arson, intentionally harming animals, mutilation of a corpse, and felony bail jumping.

Judge James Isaacson on Friday set $1.5 million cash bond for Vaningan.

Chippewa County District Attorney Wade Newell told Isaacson about what officers found after a fire was extinguished Wednesday at 721 Superior St.

The person was deceased prior to the start of the fire, Newell said. It appears there was a sexual assault prior to the fire.

Authorities have not yet released the victims name. Based on the early information, Newell requested the $1.5 million cash bond.

This is a very significant situation, Newell said.

Vaningan was wearing an electronic monitoring device, but he removed it. He was arrested Thursday night in Barron County.

He was in possession of a utility knife that had blood and tissue on it, Newell said. That is significant because there were multiple stab wounds to (the victims) lungs.

In 1995, Vaningan was convicted of aggravated battery and sexual assault, Newell said. Vanigan spent time in prison for those convictions.

Chippewa County Coroner Ron Patten said an autopsy was performed in Minnesota on Thursday. He has received a preliminary report, but said any release of information would be coming from either Newell or Chippewa Falls Police Chief Matt Kelm.

Defense attorney Les Liptak appeared via video from the Chippewa County Jail, without his client.

Mr. Vaningan refused to speak to me, and refused to appear, Liptak told Isaacson.

Newell responded: The states request is we go forward with the bond hearing; he doesnt have to participate.

Isaacson agreed and set the cash bond, with a requirement that if Vaningan were to post bond, he cannot possess weapons or be within a quarter-mile of the home, located at the corner of Stanley and Superior streets on the citys West Hill.

Liptak did not object to the cash bond amount.

It doesnt seem to be out of line with other cases. Whether its $1 million or $1.5 million, there is no way this individual will be able to post the bond, Liptak said.

Newell told Isaacson he anticipates having the criminal complaint ready by Tuesday or Wednesday. Isaacson set a return court date for 1:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Investigators are processing the fire scene and are being assisted by agents with the Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation.

The fire caused about $125,000 worth of damage to the home. John Bowe, Chippewa Falls battalion chief, said the first call at 721 Superior St. was reported at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Upon arrival on scene, we found heavy smoke and flames from the rear of the residence, Bowe wrote in a press release. The main body of the fire was extinguished in 15 minutes. The fire extended into the attic of the residence. Crews attacked the fire from the interior and roof of the building.

The Chippewa Fire District and Anson Fire departments provided mutual aid, and in all, 24 firefighters were on scene.

Online court records show Vaningan was recently charged in Chippewa County Court with fourth-offense OWI, battery to an officer or judge, operating while revoked and bail jumping, stemming from a March 26 incident. His address at that time was an area hotel. He posted a $1,000 cash bond on May 13.
A burglar broke into an East Side restaurant overnight Wednesday into Thursday by climbing through a drive-thru window, Madison police reported.

Police were sent to Michael's Frozen Custard, 3826 Atwood Ave., around 10 a.m. Thursday after staff discovered the break-in, police spokesperson Stephanie Fryer said in a statement.

Surveillance video shows the burglar attempting to gain entry through the front doors using a crowbar, and after failing in that effort, moving to the drive-thru window and climbing inside, Fryer said.

Money was stolen in the break-in, Fryer said.

No arrests have been made and the investigation is continuing, Fryer said

Police ask that anyone with information on the incident contact them at 608-255-2345. Tipsters may remain anonymous by contacting Madison Area Crime Stoppers at 608-266-6014 or P3Tips.com. Individuals contacting Crime Stoppers can receive a reward of up to $1,000 for tips that lead to an arrest.
A Madison man has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for methamphetamine dealing, authorities reported.

Brandon Norton, 32, was sentenced Thursday by Judge William Conley for distribution of 500 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing methamphetamine. Norton pleaded guilty to this charge on April 6, 2022, U.S. Attorney Timothy OShea said in a statement.

On Oct. 14, a confidential source working with the Drug Enforcement Administration arranged to buy two pounds of meth from Norton in Madison for $6,000, OShea said.

Norton arrived at the meeting location driving a car that also contained his girlfriend and two minor children. The source entered the back seat of Nortons car and received the meth, OShea said.

Conley noted at sentencing that Norton had two prior felony convictions for drug trafficking in the Madison area and had leaned into a leadership role in a large-scale interstate drug trafficking organization and was involved in transporting pounds of meth from California to Wisconsin, OShea said.

The charge against Norton is the result of a joint investigation by the DEA, Dane County Narcotics Task Force, Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Sun Prairie Police Department. The investigation was conducted and funded by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force, a multi-agency task force that coordinates long-term narcotics trafficking investigations. The prosecution of the case was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron Wegner.
A man died in a crash of a train into a truck in Grant County on Saturday afternoon, authorities reported.

Shortly after 2:30 p.m. Saturday, the Grant County Sheriff's Office Dispatch Center was notified by the Clayton County Sheriff's Office in Iowa of the crash of the train into the truck on Closing Dam Road in the town of Cassville, Grant County Sheriff Nate Dreckman said in a statement.

Investigators determined that Lawrence Osterhaus, 69, of Glen Haven, was attempting to cross the railroad tracks at 7101 Closing Dam Road in a 2000 Dodge pickup truck pulling a trailer when the pickup was struck in the passenger side by a southbound Burlington Northern Santa Fe train, Dreckman said

Osterhaus was pronounced dead at the scene by the Grant County Coroner's Office, Dreckman said.

No injuries to the BNSF crew were reported.
Nicholas J. Hanley was legally drunk and already had three drunken-driving convictions when he slammed into a car south of Sun Prairie at about 70 mph in 2018, killing its 60-year-old driver and severely injuring the drivers wife.

On Monday, he pleaded guilty to three felonies, including negligent homicide, for the crash on Oct. 14, 2018, that left Kevin Sylve, 60, of Sun Prairie, dead and his wife, Amy, with severe injuries and permanent brain damage. Hanley, also of Sun Prairie, faces up to 19 years of combined prison and extended supervision when hes sentenced, but under a plea agreement prosecutors have agreed to ask for fewer.

Investigators say Hanley, 50, tried to pass the Sylves Toyota Camry on the left on Highway T after it had slowed and Kevin Sylve had activated the left turn signal. Amy Sylve later said the couple, former high school sweethearts, were about to turn in to a pumpkin farm to make some purchases for Halloween.

Hanleys blood alcohol concentration was 0.087% when his blood was drawn about two hours later, an investigation found, or just over the 0.08% limit for drivers in Wisconsin. But as someone with three prior drunken-driving convictions, Hanley was not legally allowed to drive with a BAC of more than 0.02%.

Hanley had originally faced six felony charges in the case, including homicide by intoxicated driving, which carries a sentence of up to 40 years of combined prison and extended supervision.

In September 2020, Hanley, two businesses he co-owns and their insurers agreed to pay a $5.25 million settlement to Amy Sylve and her husbands estate to settle a civil lawsuit filed about nine months after the crash.

According to the complaint in the criminal case:

Hanley told police he had been driving behind a silver Toyota Camry, and both stopped for a stop sign at highways T and N. Both went eastbound, and after the stop, Hanley caught up to the Camry again, which he said was going about 25 mph. Hanley said he had begun to pass the Camry when the driver tried to make a left turn into a driveway for a pumpkin patch.

He said he didnt see the driver indicate a left turn, but an expert consulted by the attorneys for Amy Sylve in the civil lawsuit said the left turn signal was on.

Asked if he had been drinking, Hanley at first said, No, then said he had a beer about an hour earlier. Later he told another sheriffs deputy he had two, and then three beers. He failed field sobriety tests.

Crash data retrieved from Hanleys truck found that he was going 53 mph five seconds before the crash, accelerating to 62 mph 1.5 seconds before the crash. At one second before the crash, he hit the brakes and was going 48 mph on impact with the Camry.

The speed limit on that part of Highway T is 55 mph.

But Sheriffs Detective Leslie Keith said the tires on Hanleys GMC pickup truck were larger than the tires put on it by the manufacturer. Re-calculating and compensating for the difference in the circumference of the tires, Keith said, the truck was actually traveling 70.5 mph at 1.5 seconds before the crash. The crash happened less than a quarter-mile from the stop sign at Highway N.

Kevin Sylve died from blunt force trauma injuries while Amy sustained multiple fractures, a collapsed lung and bleeding on the brain.

She said in 2020 that she didnt remember the crash and that the head injury she sustained left her with permanent neurological damage.

Hanley, who had been free on bail, was jailed after Mondays hearing.
Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa) has employed Artificial Intelligence (AI) to improve the efficiency of Dubais water network, monitor cyberattacks, leaks, and faults, and isolate and repair them immediately.

These innovative solutions also predict malfunctions of smart meters and pumps based on sensor data, in addition to automating the notifications that are sent to customers in the event of a potential water leak on their premises, a WAM report said.

Among the most prominent innovations by Dewa using AI to enhance the efficiency of the water network is the iService, which utilises metre diagnostics data to detect service interruptions and initiate rectification procedures automatically; Metre Tampering and Fraud detection that is based on smart meter notifications; and the Hydronet project, that Dewa has developed to use AI and Deep Learning to remotely monitor and control the water network in Dubai.

Real-time insights

The project can be integrated with any SCADA system and provides real-time insights into the current state of the network. It can also fix leaks in seconds without human intervention. This increases the efficiency of the water network and the pipeline isolation in Dubai, saving time and effort. The project has won the Silver Team Idea of the Year award at Ideas America 2020.

This enhances the competitiveness of Dubai, supports Dewas continuous efforts to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, and maintains its position as it surpasses major European and American utilities in several indicators. In 2021, water network losses were reduced to 5.3%, compared to 15% in North America, which is among the lowest rate worldwide. This enhances Dewas position as one of the most outstanding in all areas and among the top utilities worldwide.

Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of Dewa, noted that Dewa is working to reshape the concept of a utility through Digital Dewa, its digital arm, to become the first digital utility in the world with autonomous systems for renewable energy and storage, while expanding the use of AI and digital services. This supports the Dubai 10X initiative launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai.

Proactive solutions

"We seek to achieve the objectives of the UAE Water Security Strategy 2036. We continue developing proactive solutions for the challenges of the next 50 years to make the UAE the worlds leading nation by its Centennial in 2071. This is by using our advanced smart grid and the latest Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies as well as effective governance practices to raise efficiency and develop unique experiences that make Dubai a global model for clean energy, water, and green economy. The state-of-the-art infrastructure of Dewa, adopting innovation and the latest tools for anticipating the future, as well as sound scientific planning, have helped it keep pace with the growing demand for water in Dubai according to the highest standards of availability, reliability, and efficiency.

Dewas total production capacity has reached 490 Million Imperial Gallons per Day (MIGD) of desalinated water, including 63 MIGD using Reverse Osmosis (RO). The full length of water transmission and distribution lines has reached 13,592 kilometres across Dubai by the end of 2021. This helps Dewa maintain its services for more than three and a half million people who live in Dubai and millions of visitors," said Al Tayer.

High-Water Usage Alert

Dewa also provides the High-Water Usage Alert under the Smart Response initiative to help customers detect leakages in water connections after the meter. It sends a text message to the customer in case of an unusual rise in water consumption.-- TradeArabia News Service
Former President Donald Trump on Sunday said he is openly considering endorsing Adam Steen in the District 63 Republican primary against Assembly Speaker Robin Vos.

Vos has refused to support Trumps attempts to have the 2020 election overturned. He is taking on increasing criticism from the right and Trump himself because of it.

In an interview Friday, Vos told The Journal Times: The single thing that Donald Trump is obsessed with is the 2020 election. I have been consistent for a year, saying we constitutionally cannot decertify the election. Now, when people are threatened by someone who has a loud microphone, a lot of times they buckle, right? I am proud that I have stood for what I believe in and what I know to be true in the face of withering criticism from President Trump.

Now, he hasnt criticized me for the fact that weve cut taxes or that Im pro-life or that Ive worked harder than most people for his election in 2020. He just wants me to do something I cannot do.

In posts Sunday morning on his social media application Truth Social, Trump did not use Steens name but said he is considering endorsing him because anyone would be better than Vos.

For the first time in recent weeks Sunday, Trump also criticized Vos for something other than how hes handled the 2020 election: that Vos has considered supporting putting toll booths on Wisconsins roads, something that has not really been openly considered or discussed in state politics since 2019, and that he previously supported an increased gas tax  a position Vos said he no longer holds.

Robin Vos is only getting worse. Wants toll booths put on many highways, and a BIG GAS TAX ASAP. He is a RINO (Republican In Name Only) disaster, very much as the worst politician in the Nation, Giveaway Mitch McConnell, who gives the Dems everything, and gets NOTHING for itNever fights for Republicans! Trump wrote Sunday. Robin Vos is sooo bad for the Great State of Wisconsin that I am seriously thinking of Supporting and ENDORSING his Opponent. Anyone would be better! STAY TUNED!!!

Vos had gotten on Trumps good side last year by launching the partisan investigation into the 2020 election led by former state Supreme Court Justice Michael Gableman, which has uncovered no evidence of widespread fraud. As the Gableman investigation appears to wind down with no progress being made toward overturning the last presidential election, Trumps distaste for Vos has grown.

In a Truth Social post later Sunday morning, Trump repeated a proven false claim Gableman had made: that there was uniform 100% turnout in some Wisconsin nursing homes.

Vos has tried to paint Steen as extreme, not only for his assertion the 2020 election could be overturned, but also for holding positions that are resoundingly unpopular with voters. Among Steens positions are:

That there should be no exceptions for Wisconsins abortion ban, even for the life of the mother or in cases of rape.

That the use of contraception is playing God.

Opposition to red flag gun laws. I dont think thats the governments right to decide who should legally be able to carry a firearm, he said during a campaign event earlier this month.

One of Steens core supporters is Harry Wait, the town of Dover man being investigated by the Department of Justice for requesting the absentee ballots of Vos and Racine Mayor Cory Mason to prove he could do it online without showing a voter ID. Wait requested the ballots last week and publicly admitted to committing a felony, but has not yet been criminally charged. Masons ballot arrived in Waits mailbox Friday, Wait said, an example of what Wait sees as an insecurity in Wisconsins election system.

Election Day in the primary is Aug. 9. Democrats do not have a candidate in the race, indicating whoever wins the Republican primary would almost certainly win the final election to represent District 63.

District 63 includes most of the southern half of Racine County west of Highway 31, including all or parts of Burlington, Union Grove, Mount Pleasant and Sturtevant. Steen and Vos both reside in the Village of Rochester.
If theres one thing you have to admire in Idahos Senate delegation, its their consistency.

Unlike many of their Republican colleagues, they didnt reverse their votes Wednesday on the Honoring our PACT Act, which would provide health care to veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars who have developed injuries and diseases related to exposure to burn pits and extend benefits for Vietnam veterans exposed to Agent Orange.

The U.S. Senate overwhelmingly and bipartisanly passed the bill in June. In the House, where it also passed overwhelmingly and bipartisanly, a minor correction was made to the bill, which meant it had to be sent back to the Senate for another procedural vote.

But in between the June vote and Wednesday, there was a political development. Sen. Joe Manchin, D-West Virginia, long a holdout on President Joe Bidens big spending package, announced he had reached a deal he could support. It would spend billions on climate change and reduce the deficit by raising taxes on the wealthy.

Republicans who oppose this appear to have reacted in an unspeakably callous way: by holding the Honoring our PACT Act hostage. Though 34 Republican senators originally supported the bill, that suddenly dropped to eight on Wednesday, dipping the bill below the filibuster threshold and effectively blocking it.

Senate Republicans may have principled reasons for opposing the Democratic reconciliation package, but turning veterans into a political bargaining chip to try to buy off votes on the spending bill is utterly unconscionable.

But Sens. Jim Risch and Mike Crapo cannot be accused of any such hypocrisy. They did not switch their votes. They simply have shown principled and consistent opposition to providing veterans with adequate health care.

Crapo and Risch have opposed the Honoring our PACT Act from the start. They were among the only 14 votes against the bill in June, and they voted against it again this week.

Now, of course, you could compare these votes to what Crapo and Risch say about veterans. And there you might be tempted to detect a bit of hypocrisy.

I am proud to promote programs to help service members transition back to civilian life once their tour of service has ended, and to ensure surviving spouses and families of deceased veterans have access to the full benefits promised by the federal government, wrote Risch in a statement on Veterans Day in 2020.

No mention of caring for veterans injured by duties they were ordered to perform, such as standing guard over or sleeping near pits full of burning trash, human waste, chemicals, fuel, paint and who knows what else. So theres no hypocrisy in Rischs vote.

More than 130,000 veterans and their families call Idaho home, Crapo wrote on Facebook last Veterans Day. These brave men and women have sworn an oath to defend the freedoms and liberties we all hold dear. We owe each of our veterans our undying gratitude for their commitment to service and the sacrifices they have made.

But its important to remember that undying gratitude and paying to treat lung damage incurred while deployed overseas are not the same thing. So theres no hypocrisy here.

But it is important we continue to support their service well beyond their deployment, Crapo wrote in a second Facebook message that Veterans Day. Ensuring veterans have access to quality care and benefits they have rightfully earned remains a top priority in Congress, and we cannot waver in that endeavor.

Well, OK. Maybe a little hypocrisy.
KIMBERLY  Hundreds of teenagers will push and pull handcarts this week as they walk in the footsteps of pioneers.

It will be a handcart trek accompanied by fun and laughter, but with a sober tone as they remember the sacrifices of pioneers more than 160 years before.

Tears flow quite liberally in some places, church leader James Coombs said, and not just because of the Wyoming wind.

Early Tuesday morning, the youth boarded buses and headed for Martins Cove in Wyoming, 500 miles away. In 1856, two companies of pioneers with badly built handcarts bogged down in the snow near the cove after getting a late start on the journey to Salt Lake Valley. About 200 people died.

After being delayed a year by the pandemic, the Kimberly Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will continue its tradition of about every four years making the journey with its young men and young women 14 to 18 years old, along with plenty of adults who will help supervise.

This is a hands-on reenactment of some of the early pioneer Saints experiences as they traveled to the Salt Lake Valley, spokesman Virgil Johnson said.

Coombs said the trip, to be made by 265 teenagers and 70 adults, requires a lot of advanced planning.

Participants need to gather period clothing, and transportation and meals must be arranged. A medical team needs to be there in case of emergencies.

The work is worth it.

Its a very special tradition for our stake, Coombs said. This will be the fourth handcart trek hes participated in.

Members of the church consider Martins Cove to be hallowed ground. It is uncertain how many of the pioneers died in the cove, but according to the Wyoming Historical Society, there were 67 deaths in the Willie Co., a rate of about 14%, and 135 to 150 deaths in the Martin Co., a rate of about 25%. Church officials in Salt Lake Valley heard of the desperate state of the group and sent parties to rescue surviving members, who were weak and had very little food.

Tongue nor pen can never tell the sorrow and the suffering, wrote Heber McBride, a member of the Martin Co., of the experience.

Kimberly Stake members will visit several significant sites of the church in addition to the cove, where pioneers hunkered down to escape harsh October and November weather. Rocky Ridge, a very steep, rocky place of the Mormon Trail that proved difficult for the emigrants, and the Sweetwater River, over which rescuers carried weak members of the handcart companies.

Youth will walk and push/pull handcarts over about 25 miles of the Mormon Trail, Coombs said, and leave Martins Cove on Friday afternoon.

Church public affairs representative Ray Parrish said its common for some of the youth to complain during the first day of trip about not having access to video games or cell phones. Soon after, however, their attitudes change.

The trips seem to have a lasting impact on the youth and adults who participate, Coombs said. Sometimes the veil is thin and you feel closer to those who have gone before and better appreciate the blessings you have.

Many stakes in Magic Valley hold their handcart treks in the South Hills or near Alturas Lake, Parrish said. The emphasis on treks started about 15 to 20 years ago.
In 2018, the Democratic nominee for Idaho attorney general was Bruce Bistline, running to unseat Republican incumbent Attorney General Lawrence Wasden.

Sort of. He was really a placeholder candidate for the Democratic Party, filed in case Wasden had lost his primary to someone else. Bistline didnt actually have much problem with Wasden, and he didnt run a hard campaign for the office. This is to say that, while Bistine was a perfectly decent candidate, the vote he got was really the base of people who would not vote for even a broadly-acceptable Wasden for AG. This was the solidly Democratic vote.

Bistline got 34.6 percent, an unsurprising result.

In this years Republican primary election, the placeholder scenario from last time materialized. Former Representative Raul Labrador, who would be considered much less acceptable by nearly all Democrats and some portion of independents and Republicans, took 51.6 percent of the Republican primary vote, besting Wasdens 37.9 percent. The rest went to attorney Art McComber, whose support base overlapped with Labradors, so the anti-Wasden vote from the right actually was about 62 percent.

The Democratic response to this was to change out their placeholder (Steve Scanlin, an attorney and years ago a state legislator) with one intending a serious race: Attorney Tom Arkoosh.

Based on his background, Arkoosh would be a plausible AG candidate in any year. He is a prominent figure in the Boise legal community and has practiced across a wide range of legal specialties, was a prosecutor in Gem County, has deep personal background in the Magic Valley and was highly active in the Snake River Basin Adjudication, the latter a point of high interest in rural southern Idaho.

His political background is slight; he has described himself as a non-partisan independent until registering as a Republican for this years primary election, and since re-registering as a Democrat to run for attorney general.

He has full Democratic support, but that alone wouldnt do the job for him: As recent election results have shown, Democrats in Idaho running against established Republicans have not fared well.

More significant might be support indicated by his campaign treasurer: Jim Jones, the former state Supreme Court chief justice and a former Republican attorney general. (Disclosure: His columns regularly appear on my group blog, and Ive published one of his books.) He is the most visible of a group of Republicans (one central organization, of which Jones is one of the leaders, is Take Back Idaho) who thought Wasden was a good AG and who consider Labrador an unacceptable option.

Labradors rhetoric in the last few months of the campaign has actually been relatively muted, but his stance is clear: He seems likely to inject far right activism into an office that has been run as the states down-the-middle law firm. That means he is exactly what many Idaho legislators and rightist agitators want but many other mainstream Republicans (you could likely put Governor Brad Little, who worked smoothly with Wasden, into this group) would not.

Labrador as a three-term member of Congress was more ideological activista stirrer of the boiling pot, one of a growing contingent of politicians these daysthan a traditional representative. He was completely explicit about this in 2015 during debate over a federal government shutdown, when as a House member he told the magazine the New Yorker, If people just want to govern, which means bringing more government, theyre always going to choose the Democrat. Doing the work of governing wasnt what he was about.

Arkoosh, without saying quite so explicitly (he might do well to be more explicit), seems to be campaigning to run the office generally the way Wasden has.

The election is likely to turn on how many of those pro-Wasden voters from the primary (and other general election-only voters who agreed with them) actually might be willing to switch over and vote for a candidate whose background and appeal is independent but is running under the Democratic label.

Important as the office of attorney general is, the implications of the result will run wider.
I recently heard someone say that Trump hijacked the Republican Party. Is that an accurate description of what has taken place since 2016? Did Donald Trump somehow corrupt the noble GOP and bend it to his will? Or is he merely the manifest essence of his party, the fruit of the poisonous tree?

In one important way, Trump clearly brought to fruition plans hatched long before anyone dreamed the six-time bankrupt business man, and reality show star, could ever aspire to any office, much less the presidency. And this achievement was accomplished not because Trump hijacked the GOP, but because he did its bidding. In fact, he played the role of Santa Claus and delivered the toys Republicans had long coveted. It was like Christmas to the GOP. It was bad news for America.

Im talking about the appointment of three Supreme Court justices, of course! But before we discuss these appointments, let us remember the appointment President Obama didnt get to make. In 2016 Antonin Scalia died and left a vacancy on the Supreme Court that the president had the right, by law and by custom, to fill. Mitch McConnell made it clear to Obama that Republicans would band together and reject any candidate that the president might propose. The proffered reason was that Obama was nearing the end of his second term, and the nomination of a new Supreme Court justice should be postponed until after the presidential election. There was no law or precedent to justify this maneuver; it was a power play, pure and simple. In fact it might be thought of as a coup, the wresting of power away from legitimate government authority.

President Obama had approximately 8 months left in office when McConnell threw his block. Trump had 38 days left in office when his nominee, Amy Barrett, was rushed through and confirmed as Supreme Court justice. The hypocrisy was stunning. But again Trump only played the expected role the GOP decreed.

So lets take a look at the bench the Republican Party has wrought. We have Clarence Thomas thanks to George H. W. Bush. George W. Bush nominated John Roberts and Samuel Alito. (Consider that he lost the popular election by over a half million votes, yet due to our antiquated Electoral College system, became president and made two lifetime appointments to the bench.) Trump dumped the following on us: Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Barrett. (Again, consider that Trump lost the popular vote by 2.87 million votes; and yet this one-term president made three lifetime appointments to the bench.)

And what has this core of reactionary Supreme Court Justices accomplished so far? They have undermined our health: Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization. They have undermined health, clean air and attempts to reduce fossil fuels: West Virginia v. EPA. They have undermined the separation of church and state: Kennedy v. Bremerton School District. And for the next session, the Supreme Court will hear the Independent Legislative Clause case out of North Carolina that could give states the ability to throw out results in federal elections. So long, Democracy! So long, the American Experiment.

Our democracy is under attack by this rogue group of Supreme Court justices chosen by Republicans. To some it may not matter. Perhaps it will only seem significant when, in the future contraceptives are banned, or perhaps when Social Security is ended. In any case, it is important to understand that this is the work of the Republican Party, and not simply the machinations of its worst president.
MILL SPRING, NC  Earl Scruggs Music Festival will welcome Asheville based alt-country/bluegrass fixtures Town Mountain to its inaugural celebration taking place September 2-4, 2022 at Tryon International Equestrian Center in Mill Spring, North Carolina.

Joining a star-studded lineup including Bela Fleck My Bluegrass Heart, Sam Bush, Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway, The Earls of Leicester, Leftover Salmon and festival host Jerry Douglas, the decorated ensemble will bring a spectacle of strings and swagger to their home state of North Carolina for a cant-miss performance on the Foggy Mountain Stage.

Renowned multi-instrumentalist and composer Alison Brown, country-rock icons Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, and a choice display of North Carolina talent including Rissi Palmer, Darin & Brooke Aldridge, Balsam Range and more are among the gamut of confirmed appearances. View the complete lineup below.

Earl Scruggs Music Festival is also proud to announce its partnership with internationally recognized roots music brand The Bluegrass Situation to present a tribute to one of the most iconic Earl Scruggs Revue albums, Live at Kansas State. Dexterous bluegrass quintet Fireside Collective (also slated for a Friday night set of original music) will lead an all-star outfit in a revival of the 1972 recording with special guest, ESMF artist-in-residence Jerry Douglas, plus a slew of surprise cameos. The landmark event will take place Saturday afternoon (September 3) on the Foggy Mountain Stage. Facilitating world-class showcases across festival stages and musical events in all corners of the country, The Bluegrass Situation is a prime collaborator for Earl Scruggs Music Festival, and organizers look forward to building on the partnership in the years to come.

While first-rate live music remains at the forefront of ESMF programming, organizers have also curated a series of interactive workshops for those who are looking to round out their festival experience.

Thought-provoking presentations like Earls Nashville Years, moderated by journalist and guitarist Tommy Goldsmith and featuring insight from Sam Bush, Bela Fleck, and Jerry Douglas, Meet the Authors with WMOT producer and writer Craig Havighurst, Tommy Goldsmith, veteran music and arts critic David Menconi, and more will take place on the Legends Workshop Stage throughout the weekend.

Coming to the palisades of the Blue Ridge Mountains this summer, the first ever Earl Scruggs Music Festival will celebrate a Cleveland County native whose innovative banjo technique transformed the course of American music. Produced in collaboration with the Earl Scruggs Center, WNCW 88.7, and Isothermal Community College, the groundbreaking event supports a two-fold mission to underwrite educational programming and community outreach in Earls home region while carrying his legacy into the context of modern culture.

Festival goers will see his far-reaching impact on full display this Labor Day Weekend, with a legion of his successors representing the very best in bluegrass, old-time, and Americana across three days.

Weekend and Single Day passes to Earl Scruggs Music Festival are on sale now via the festivals website. A limited number of General Admission and Grandstand Weekend tickets are still available at the current pricing level of $200 and $250, respectively. Patron VIP passes are now sold out. To explore premium options, purchase tickets, and stay up-to-date on all things Earl Scruggs Music Festival, visit earlscruggsmusicfestival.com.
On the evening of Saturday, July 16, county and city officials, friends and associates gave local business owner and philanthropist Anwer Gillani a special surprise.

Gillani, who owns the chain of Samirs convenience stores and grocery stores, was recognized for his generosity and dedication to McDowell County with a surprise award ceremony held in the First Baptist Church of Marions fellowship building. This event was arranged by church member and Councilman Don Ramsey, Hoppi Robertson (who helps organize the Thanksgiving meals) and Jamie Burnette, who is the CFO of Samir Enterprises. They especially wanted to thank the First Baptist Church for the use of the fellowship building.

Along with his chain of successful stores, Gillani is best known for his annual Thanksgiving meals for the people of McDowell County. Gillani himself covers approximately 80% of the cost of the Thanksgiving meals.

His generosity is rooted in his Muslim faith. His late brother used to feed the poor during the Muslim holiday Eid al-Adha in their home community in Bangladesh. After the death of his brother, Gillani decided to continue the good work in McDowell County. Not only at Thanksgiving but at many times through the year, Gillani provides food for many organizations in McDowell as well as donating to many local food closets.

The program started in 1995 with food for approximately 150 Old Fort residents and with five volunteers. It served approximately 3,150 meals in 2018. The original year, the food was prepared in the small deli kitchen in Samirs convenience store in Old Fort. The program moved to several other locations before finding a home at the McDowell Senior Center in Marion.

Volunteers start work at the Senior Center as early as 4 a.m. Many volunteers return every year, even families that have made it a tradition. Volunteers help prepare the food, package and box meals, and organize and pack the fruit and dessert containers that are to be delivered or picked up at the center.

During the July 16 event, Gillani was honored with the Order of the Long Leaf Pine. Judge Bob Hunter, who is also a former state representative and himself a recipient, presented Gillani with the award. It is among the more prestigious awards presented by the governor of North Carolina. The Order of the Long Leaf Pine is presented to individuals who have a proven record of extraordinary service to the state. Contributions to their communities, extra effort in their careers, and many years of service to their organizations are some of the guidelines by which recipients are selected for this award, according to online sources.

Also, Mayor Steve Little presented Gillani with a certificate of honor and declared Sunday, July 17, as Anwer Gillani Day in the city of Marion.

Anwer Gillani has established a gold standard of being a true neighbor to all people, reads the certificate from the mayor. He and his wife, Nasim, are living examples of their deeply-held religious faith of showing love and kindness to all people. The claims of many people to be devoted to their religion and church are hollow illusions. But Anwer makes no claims, instead demonstrating the love of his religion by his actions.

Commission Chairman Tony Brown read a proclamation stating the commissions appreciation for his work, support and dedication to the local community.

Whereas, in 1995 in the kitchen of his convenience store he started a program of feeding the hungry on Thanksgiving Day by feeding 150 Old Fort residents and with the help of five volunteers; and whereas the Gillani Volunteer Association has grown to feeding over 3,500 in 2019 with the food preparation being done in the McDowell Senior Center in Marion; and whereas, Mr. Gillani funds approximately 80% of all expenses, with 20% of the charitable donations being raised by local businesses, and churches; whereas, the McDowell County Sheriffs Department, local fire and police departments, as well as many community volunteers help to deliver the meals; and whereas Mr. Gillani has helped in numerous other ways by being a supporter of the Foster Childrens program by providing new clothes for children, offered interest-free loans and provided clothes during Christmas for those who need them  reads the proclamation from Brown and the other county commissioners.

Also, Sheriff Ricky Buchanan presented Gillani with a certificate of appreciation. Likewise, Marion Police Chief Allen Lawrence gave him a certificate of appreciation. These were done to acknowledge Gillanis support of local law enforcement.

Gillani was joined by his wife, Nasim, and their family for the special occasion.
Daikin, a leading provider of advanced, high-quality air conditioning solutions, has invested 13 million euros ($13.34 million) to produce VRV (variable refrigerant volume) systems for the Middle East at its new factory in Turkey.

This is at a time the global HVAC (heating ventilation and air conditioning) VRV market size is valued at $12.2 billion in 2020 and is expected to reach $29.2 billion by 2027 growing at a CAGR of 11.5%.

Daikins decision to expand production is based on its strategy to manufacture closer to the regional markets, ultimately shortening supply lead times and furthermore, enables the company to respond to demand in a flexible manner. The Turkey unit has been operational since May 2022.

Cutting-edge technology

The new VRV production lines at the Turkish factory are equipped with the latest cutting-edge technology to optimise sustainability, efficiency, and quality control. The factory has also been equipped with an energy saving exhaust-heat-recovery system. With the introduction of the new facility, Daikin reinforces the companys vision to produce high quality products for the Middle East, while reducing its environmental impact.

The EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) market for HVAC-R systems is expected to see a strong growth over the next few years. The strong increase in demand is mainly driven by the need for sustainable solutions which are in line with changes across legislations within the region.

This is particularly the case for heat pumps, which are posing to be one of the effective solutions to decarbonise buildings. Daikin is in the process of strengthening its current production capacity to ensure this growing demand can be met.

VRV systems

VRV systems are air conditioning appliances which can heat or cool medium to large commercial buildings. These systems use heat pump technology to allow multiple indoor units to be connected to one outdoor unit.

Daikin introduced VRV systems back in 1982, as an innovative technology that enable each room of a building to be heated or cooled individually rather than the entire unit all at once, realising considerable higher energy efficiencies. Daikin has been the leading company on VRV technology ever since, making them more energy efficient, compact, silent, and easier to install.

Tuna Gulenc, Vice President of Daikin MEA, said: VRV is one of our key strategic business pillars within the MEA region. Over the years, and with our unique and differentiated product specs, seasonal efficiency, and system flexibility, we have secured several mega projects from residential compounds, schools, and other commercial spaces. With the additional factory closer to our region, we will be able to serve the market faster, accelerate our expansion plans, and further strengthen our VRV leadership.

Energy efficient

Hasan Onder, CEO of Daikin Turkey, added: We are very proud to be able to provide high-quality and energy-efficient products to the Middle Eastern markets. The VRV market across the region is expected to grow further in the future. We will be delivering the products that meet this growing demand and are fully adapted to the needs of our climate.

In addition, Daikins factory in Belgium, which has so far focused its production on VRV systems, will increase its production of heat pumps, which are rapidly gaining popularity across the region. These initiatives will enable Daikin to strengthen the manufacturing capacity across EMEA and achieve the targets of the companys strategic management plan Fusion 25.-- TradeArabia News Service
Cattle rustlers in Madagascar killed at least 32 people by setting fire to homes in a village north of the capital Antananarivo, with the Malagasy president promising Sunday that the culprits would be punished for the massacre.

We must find the perpetrators of this massacre and condemn them according to the law in force, President Andry Rajoelina said in a message. The Malagasy army is taking all its responsibilities to come to the rescue of the population and hunt down the thugs, he added.

Police said 32 people were killed and three wounded when a gang of about 12 bandits attacked the village of Ambolotarakely in the commune of Ankazobe, about 75 km north of the capital, on Friday.

Army helicopters were deployed to locate the suspects and help ground troops search the Ankazobe area, police said.

The attackers  cattle rustlers, known locally as dahalos  herded the victims into three houses before setting them on fire, police said. The three injured were in intensive care at a local hospital.

Located on a small hill, the village of Ambolotarakely consists of a dozen thatched houses. Television footage showed the three houses completely burnt down, with only parts of the walls still standing.

In February 2016, twelve thieves and a villager were killed in clashes between gendarmes, villagers and zebu thieves near the tourist area of Isalo in southwestern Madagascar.

The violence followed the theft of 400 zebus from a nearby village by dozens of dahalos armed with Kalashnikovs and shotguns.

Cattle rustling in Madagascar, originally a cultural tradition, in which young men proved their virility, has turned into a bloody conflict.
Five more children of the late Gabonese president Omar Bongo Ondimba, including his eldest daughter Pascaline, have been indicted in Paris in the ill-gotten gains case, suspected of having benefited from the fraudulently acquired real estate in France by their father.

This new series brings to at least nine the number of children of Omar Bongo, half-brothers and half-sisters of his son and successor at the head of the country Ali Bongo, prosecuted in this judicial information conducted by a Parisian financial judge.

Pascaline Bongo, 66, former director of her fathers cabinet, Omar Denis Jr Bongo, 28, also grandson of Congolese President Denis Sassou Nguesso, Jeanne Matoua, 38, and Joseph Matoua, 40, were investigated between June and July, according to a judicial source, confirming a report by the website Africa Intelligence.

They are charged with concealment of embezzlement of public funds, active and passive corruption, money laundering and misuse of corporate assets. The French justice system suspects them of having knowingly benefited from a large real estate portfolio fraudulently assembled in France by the patriarch, president of Gabon from 1967 until his death in 2009.

The value of these assets was recently evaluated by the courts at at least 85 million euros. For Pascaline Bongos lawyer, Corinne Dreyfus-Schmidt, there is a legal and factual anachronism in this procedure.

Pascaline Bongo reportedly declared before the investigators in January 2020 that she owned, among other things, several flats in chic areas of Paris, acquired by her father between 1970 and 1990. Very close to her father, she was his chief of staff at the Palais du bord de mer in Libreville, the headquarters of the presidency. Omar Denis Jr Bongos lawyer, Jean-Marie Viala, challenged the indictment of his client on the basis of law, not morality.
Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

In retrospect, Peggy Dula said, she shouldn't have taken the ambulance. She was the least injured of the three siblings who were in a car when it was struck by a pickup truck last September. Her daughter had even offered to come to the crash site and pick her up.

Jim Martens, 62, and Cynthia Martens, 63, Peggy's brother and sister, were more seriously hurt and on their way to the hospital in separate ambulances. Peggy, 55, was told it would be a good idea for her to get checked out, too. So she accepted a ride with a third ambulance crew.

When the wreck happened, the siblings were going to see the horses that Peggy's daughter trains at a barn west of Peggy's home in St. Charles, Illinois, about 45 miles outside Chicago. Peggy, who was driving on unfamiliar country roads, pulled into an intersection, mistakenly thinking it was a four-way stop. The truck slammed into the car's side, spinning it into an electrical box.

Cynthia, who wasn't wearing a seat belt in the back seat, spent five days in the hospital with a brain bleed, a cracked rib, and a bruised lung. Jim also had fractured ribs, which he learned days lateronly after he was back home in Tampa, Florida.

Peggy was "a little stunned" but mostly unhurt as three ambulances descended on the crash site, alerted by 911. She was seen briefly in an emergency room and went home with just a bruised sternum, grateful she had dodged major injury.

Then the bill came.

The Patient: Peggy Dula, 55, who works in a fine jewelry store in Geneva, Illinois.

Total Bill: $3,606 for ambulance services.

Service Provider: Pingree Grove and Countryside Fire Protection District, a fire district serving more than 50 square miles near Elgin, Illinois.

Medical Services: An ambulance ride to a nearby hospital and brief medical evaluation.

What Gives: All three siblings were charged for the same service: "Advanced Life Support Emergency Level 1." It's code for transportation by a ground ambulance in response to a 911 call, and it can include medical services as simple as an assessment. All three were also charged a mileage fee. Jim and Cynthia were billed for 15 miles; Peggy was billed for 14 miles. But because they rode in separate ambulances, each from a different nearby fire protection district, they were billed three separate amounts:

Cynthia was billed $1,250$1,100 for life support and $10 per mileby Burlington Community Fire Protection District.

Jim was billed $1,415$1,265 for life support and $10 per mileby Hampshire Fire Protection District.

Peggy was billed $3,606$3,186 for life support and $30 per mileby Pingree Grove and Countryside Fire Protection District.

And although private, for-profit ambulance companies have become notorious for pricey bills, Peggy and her siblings were being billed by taxpayer-funded fire departments.

How could charges for the exact same services vary so widely?

"The simple answer is that these bills are all made up," said Dr. Karan Chhabra, a surgical resident at Brigham & Women's Hospital in Boston and a former research fellow at the University of Michigan.

In a 2020 paper published in the journal Health Affairs, Chhabra and his colleagues looked into surprise ambulance bills by analyzing a large national insurer's claims data from 2013 to 2017. They found that 71% of ambulance rides were out of network, meaning the ambulance companies were not bound by a rate that was negotiated in advance with the insurer and could basically charge whatever they want. Even local fire departments can decline to join local insurance networks.

"It often is the municipalities that are sending some of the most staggering bills and often pursuing them in really aggressive ways," Chhabra said.

The Pingree Grove and Countryside Fire Protection District's chief, Kieran Stout, said their charges are in keeping with the federal Ground Emergency Medical Transportation program, which allows some public emergency services to receive supplemental payments for transporting patients on Medicaid, the state-federal health insurance program for people with low incomes. Ambulance services fill out a cost report, and if their average cost per ride is higher than the set rate Medicaid pays, they get paid the difference.

Hampshire Fire Protection District uses the same program to determine the rates they bill, and the Burlington Community Fire Protection District recently began the cost report process as well.

But ambulance services can get their full supplemental amount even if they charge non-Medicaid patients less than that average, said Jim Parker of the University of Illinois Office of Medicaid Innovation. The program is relatively new, though, and some services mistakenly think they need to raise their charges for every patient in order to participate, Parker said.

So for Medicaid patients, the program will pay the difference between the ambulance company's costs and the standard Medicaid payment.

But for patients with private insurance, like Peggy, the fire protection district bills patients directly for the balance not covered by their insurance, Stout said, a practice known as balance billing. He added that the district only balance-bills patients who live outside the district. In the case of Peggy's accident, all three siblings lived outside all three districts. (Jim and Cynthia both eventually received settlements from Peggy's car insurance.)

Congress took aim at balance billing with the No Surprises Act, which went into effect Jan. 1. The law limits the patient's responsibility for most surprise bills, such as those from an out-of-network anesthesiologist who puts a patient to sleep for surgery at an in-network hospital or for a ride in an air ambulance, almost all of which are privately owned.

But ground ambulances were, controversially, exempt from the laweven though ground ambulance rides are far more common. Of the 1,498,600 ambulance rides in Chhabra's study, nearly 98% were by ground ambulances.

Chhabra suspects ground ambulances got special treatment because federal lawmakers felt a need to "tread lightly" around their relationships with local governments. Many ambulance services are run by municipalities and may need to bring in enough revenue to pay their expenses.

"This might be what they need to do in order to cover their own budget," Chhabra said.

Resolution: Peggy said her insurer, BlueCross BlueShield of Illinois, deemed the "reasonable and customary rate" for the services Peggy received to be $1,892. It applied $400.23 to her deductible and then paid $895.0660%, according to the cost-sharing requirement of Peggy's plan. Pingree Grove and Countryside then billed Peggy for the balance of their charge, $2,710.94.

Peggy challenged the balance with Paramedic Billing Services, the company that handles the district's billing, citing her siblings' much lower charges. "Needless to say, I am speechless at the outrageously high bill I received," Peggy wrote. "I am willing to pay $354.94, which (with my insurance payments) equals the amount my sister is being charged for the exact same ride."

Paramedic Billing Services Vice President Michael Tillman said patients must dispute charges directly with the ambulance service. Peggy said her subsequent calls to Pingree Grove and Countryside have gone unanswered.

To demonstrate her good faith in the absence of an answer, Peggy said, she sent $20 to Paramedic Billing Services. She received a letter back with a coupon saying she needed to set up a payment plan for the full amount, so she sent another $20. In June, she received a letter from a collection agency saying she owed $2,670.94.

"They really weren't working with me, were they?" she said.

In a statement, a spokesperson for Peggy's insurer, John Simley, said the insurer pays for ambulance services according to the terms of a member's plan. "Certain ambulance companies may charge amounts far in excess of the benefits" a member's plan provides, Simley said. "This sometimes subjects members to pay the balance of ambulance services not covered by their benefit coverage."

The Takeaway: Getting into an ambulance involves financial risk. Your health may demand it. But your wallet may suffer. So understand your options.

Obviously, if you're seriously hurt in an accident, you have no way to figure out whether the ambulance that turns up is in your network.

However, if you feel welljust a bit banged up or with a laceration from a car crash or a fall from a bikeremember this: You do not have to get in just because an ambulance rolls up. They arrive because they've been informed of an accident by police or because a bystander has called 911.

Calling a friend or car service like Uber or Lyft to drive you to a doctor, urgent care, or a hospital emergency room could save you thousands of dollars. (And please do seek timely follow-up care on any possible head injury.)

It's also worth knowing whether your local fire department's ambulance service is in your insurance network, information that might influence your decision.

Of course, this all raises the larger question of whether ambulance operations should be revenue generators at all.

"Or should it just be something that's a public good that we pay for out of our taxes like the fire department or police department," Chhabra said, "none of whom I've ever heard of anybody getting a bill from?"

Explore further Sky-high surprise bills from air ambulance flights possible for many patients

2022 Kaiser Health News.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Active centre of the enzyme BurG, which forms a highly reactive chemical compound that plays a crucial role in melioidosis. Credit: Michael Groll/Felix Trottmann

Researchers at the Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection BiologyHans Knoll Institute (Leibniz-HKI) in Jena, Germany have identified an enzyme that is a promising new therapeutic target to combat the dangerous bacterial disease melioidosis. It helps the pathogenic bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei construct a toxic molecule that is critical in the infection process. The results were published in Nature Chemistry.

Melioidosis is a life-threatening disease caused by the bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei. "Without treatment, the disease is usually fatal," Christian Hertweck, head of the Biomolecular Chemistry Department at Leibniz-HKI and professor of natural product chemistry at Friedrich Schiller University in Jena, explains. "And even antibiotic treatment often drags on for many months and is not always successful because common drugs do not work well against these pathogens."

His research group therefore wanted to understand the bacterium's infection mechanisms and has come across a possible new starting point for combating the disease. "We have found an enzyme that synthesizes a molecular structure central to the infection," explains Felix Trottmann, first author of the study.

The discovered enzyme BurG forms a cyclopropanol ring, a highly reactive chemical functional group, from a precursor molecule. In previous studies, Trottmann was able to demonstrate that this structure is also produced by other pathogenic bacteria in the genus Burkholderia and apparently has an important role in infection. If the biosynthetic pathway for this molecule is switched off by mutations, the bacteria are far less dangerous.

The research team has also elucidated the 3D structure of the enzyme in cooperation with TU Munich. "In a next step, we can now try to design active compounds that inhibit the enzyme and thus make the bacteria less virulent," Trottmann explains. According to current knowledge, the enzyme is only found in bacteria and not in humans. "The hope is therefore to be able to specifically inhibit the bacteria," says Hertweck. The immune system could then deal with them more easily.

To understand the biosynthesis of the molecular structure central to infection, the researchers investigated the gene cluster that contains the DNA instructions for making it. They conducted the laboratory experiments using Burkholderia thailandensis, which is very similar to Burkholderia pseudomallei but is much safer to work with.

Melioidosis mainly occurs in Southeast Asia and Australia. However, experts warn that the disease could spread further. For example, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) were able to trace the cause of four cases of melioidosis last year, two of which were fatal, to an aromatherapy spray. A closely related species, B. mallei, which also produces the cyclopropanol ring, was used as a biological weapon in both World War I and World War II. And B. pseudomallei was also researched as such in some countries.

Explore further CDC expands recall of aromatherapy sprays tied to rare illness

More information: Felix Trottmann et al, Pathogenic bacteria remodel central metabolic enzyme to build a cyclopropanol warhead, Nature Chemistry (2022). Journal information: Nature Chemistry Felix Trottmann et al, Pathogenic bacteria remodel central metabolic enzyme to build a cyclopropanol warhead,(2022). DOI: 10.1038/s41557-022-01005-z

Provided by Leibniz-Institut fur Naturstoff-Forschung und Infektionsbiologie - Hans-Knoll-Institut (Leibniz-HKI)
Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

The current monkeypox outbreak is moving faster than any in recent history, but Washington State University virologist Heather Koehler does not see a reason for the rapid spread in the virus itself.

An expert in virus-host interactions, Koehler is researching the monkeypox strain that is currently circulating, working to understand the virus' genetics by studying its DNA sequence and protein structures.

"There are no new, large mutations that could account for the change in transmission," said Koehler. "I'm not an epidemiologist; I don't want to predict how or where we should be vaccinating, but there's something that's not lining up."

Koehler said it could be containment strategies are not being implemented appropriately or vigorously enough, or that infected people are not recognizing the symptoms and seeking treatment in time.

Past outbreaks have been relatively small and quickly contained. This time, however, the virus has spread to more than 16,500 cases as of late July, mostly in countries that historically have not had many reported cases of the virus.

Yet, little has changed in the monkeypox genome, said Koehler. While it is possible that a small change could be driving the spread, researchers have found no obvious changes that would seem to have this large of an impact. Analysis has shown there are less than 100 out of over 197,000 nucleotides, a type of DNA base pair, that are different in the current virus than the one from a smaller 2017 outbreak in the U.K.

"It's pretty much the same virus," she said.

Koehler studies virus-host interactions at molecular levels. She has been investigating how human proteins interact with the proteins of the currently circulating monkeypox strain which has origins in West Africa.

That region is considered endemic to this monkeypox virus, meaning it has animal species that act as a reservoir for the zoonotic disease which can transfer from animals to humans. It is not uncommon to find cases there. In the past, non-endemic countries saw cases that were linked to travel to endemic countries, non-traditional animal hosts, or human-to-human spread. This current outbreak, Koehler said, appears to be primarily dependent on human-to-human transmission.

The size of the current outbreak caused the World Health Organization director to overrule a panel of advisers on July 23 to declare monkeypox a global health emergency. On July 28, the White House announced the first phase of a national monkeypox vaccine strategy in the U.S. Koehler is glad to see these urgent steps taken.

"This is something that's spreading faster than any virologist would have predicted based on prior outbreaks that were rapidly contained," she said. "The widespread nature of this outbreak is unprecedented."

There have been many situations in the past where people traveling to endemic regions come back with the disease, but through isolation and vaccination of people's contacts it was contained. Many countries have stockpiles of the vaccine, including the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which has distributed doses to heavily impacted areas, such as King County in Washington state. Yet, the response has not been enough to stop the spread.

One problem could be that people are not identifying as having been exposed to monkeypox, Koehler said. The disease has an incubation period, but people are not usually contagious until symptoms appear. Symptoms include, fever, muscle fatigue and severe headache, but skin lesions are a tell-tale sign of the virus.

"The lesions are pretty characteristic or distinct. It's not like there's much room for interpretation," Koehler said. For instance, monkeypox lesions can appear anywhere on the body including the palms of the hands and the bottoms of the feetunlike lesions from other diseases such as herpes or chicken pox.

Koehler also fears that misrepresentation of the disease as spreading primarily by men having sex with men is making the problem worse. Monkeypox can be transmitted through any type of close contact including a handshake or a hug. Recently, two cases in children have been identified, a worrying sign because children and pregnant women are among the most vulnerable to the worst effects of the disease.

There is nothing about this virus that targets any particular community, Koehler said, pointing out that viruses sometimes appear in a particular community simply because it is a tight-knit group of people who interact regularly.

Koehler said the way some news outlets are talking about monkeypox is not only biased and inaccurate but also could prevent people from seeking medical attention.

"We should not be putting any kind of labels on a disease that is transmitted through contact," she said. "It doesn't matter your sexual orientation; it doesn't matter what kind of physical engagement you're havingif you're having prolonged physical contact with an infected lesion, you have the capacity to pick it up."

Symptoms of monkeypox

An infected person may experience a few or all of the symptoms in any order, though most will get the tell-tale rash.

Fever

Headache

Muscle aches and backache

Swollen lymph nodes

Chills

Exhaustion

Respiratory symptoms, such as sore throat, nasal congestion, or cough

Rash that looks like pimples or blisters and may be painful or itchy. It may be located on or near the genitals or anus but also can appear on the hands, feet, chest, face, or mouth.

If you have a new or unexplained rash or other symptoms, avoid close physical contact with others until you have been seen by a health care provider.

More information: CDC monkeypox signs and symptoms: CDC monkeypox signs and symptoms: www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/monkeypox/symptoms.html
A study by the UPV/EHU has identified citizens' preferences and interests regarding public health services. Credit: CC BY-3.0-ES 2012/EJ-GV/Irekia-Eusko Jaurlaritza/Mikel Arrazola

A study conducted in the UPV/EHU's Department of Public Policy and Economic History reveals that people's preferences with respect to public health services differ between regions, and recommends devolving decisions and management of public health care policies to regional governments.

In any health care system, knowing what patients' preferences are is essential in policy-making and investment decisions regarding health care services. In other words, it is about making decisions on how to structure health care services according to citizens' preferences in a way that maximizes the well-being of the population. One way of finding out these preferences is to quantify how citizens value public health services in terms of money, i.e., how much are they willing to pay for improvements in the health services offered in public health care?

This study, conducted by the UPV/EHU's Department of Public Policy and Economic History, set out "to identify the preferences of citizens in the Basque Country and the Canary Islands regarding possible improvements in public health services; in other words, to identify the willingness of citizens to pay for improvements in the public health service," said Waleska Siguenza and Alaitz Artabe, researchers in this department and authors of the study.

To identify these preferences, the choice experiment method was used. "It consists of presenting the interviewee with various sets of alternatives for improvements in health services characterized by different combinations of these improvements, and asking him/her to choose the preferred alternative from each set," explained the authors of the study. "The improvements analyzed in this work were: waiting lists for specialists, waiting lists for surgical operations, hospital comfort, public health care and dental coverage," added the authors.

On the one hand, the results indicate that preferences differ between regions, so for reasons of efficiency, it would be advisable to devolve decisions and the management of public health care policies to regional governments, so that different decisions can be made according to the preferences of each region.

On the other hand, however, there are also differences between the preferences of citizens in the same region. For example, "we saw that in the Basque Country high- and low-income individuals do not value health services in the same way. We saw that the higher the income of a person in the Basque Country is, the lower their willingness is to pay for improvements in some of the aspects of public health care analyzed. This result may be related to the preferences that high-income Basques have for private health services," said the authors. However, "we saw that in the Canary Islands the level of educational attainment exerts an influence: citizens with a university education are willing to pay more to improve their public health services," added Waleska Siguenza and Alaitz Artabe.

Once health policies are decentralized, the results of this work provide a tool to identify the health services most valued by individuals in each region. With all due caution, these results show not only the order of health care preferences, but also the value of these preferences in terms of money. This information could be useful for people in charge of designing health care policies when allocating economic resources to maximize the overall well-being of the region.

Explore further Majority of adults prefer in-person over telehealth visits

More information: Waleska Siguenza et al, Do individuals' health preferences validate the decentralisation of the public health system in Spain?, Health Policy (2022). Waleska Siguenza et al, Do individuals' health preferences validate the decentralisation of the public health system in Spain?,(2022). DOI: 10.1016/j.healthpol.2022.04.010
Acoustic sensors are integrated into the front and back of the textile vest to listen to the thorax. Credit: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft

Patients with severe respiratory or lung diseases require intensive treatment and their lung function needs to be monitored on a continuous basis. As part of the Pneumo.Vest project, Fraunhofer researchers have developed a technology whereby noises in the lungs are recorded using a textile vest with integrated acoustic sensors. The signals are then converted and displayed visually using software. In this way, patients outside of intensive care units can still be monitored continuously. The technology increases the options for diagnosis and improves the patient's quality of life.

For over 200 years, the stethoscope has been a standard tool for doctors and, as such, is a symbol of the medical profession. In television hospital dramas, doctors are seen rushing through the halls with a stethoscope around their neck. Experienced doctors do indeed use them to listen very accurately to heartbeats and the lungs and, as a result, to diagnose illnesses.

Now, the stethoscope is getting some help. As part of the Pneumo.Vest project, researchers of the Fraunhofer Institute for Ceramic Technologies and Systems IKTS at the Berlin office have developed a textile vest with integrated acoustic sensors, presenting a high-performance addition to the traditional stethoscope. Piezoceramic acoustic sensors have been incorporated into the front and back of the vest to register any noise produced by the lungs in the thorax, no matter how small. A software program records the signals and electronically amplifies them, while the lungs are depicted visually on a display. As the software knows the position of each individual sensor, it can attribute the data to its precise location. This produces a detailed acoustic and optical picture of the ventilation situation of all parts of the lungs. Here is what makes it so special: As the system collects and stores the data permanently, examinations can take place at any given time and in the absence of hospital staff. Pneumo.Vest also indicates the status of the lungs over a period of time, for example over the previous 24 hours. Needless to say, traditional auscultation can also be carried out directly on the patients. However, instead of carrying out auscultation manually at different points with a stethoscope, a number of sensors are used simultaneously.

"Pneumo.Vest is not looking to make the stethoscope redundant and does not replace the skills of experienced pneumologists. However, auscultation or even CT scans of the lungs only ever present a snapshot at the time of the examination. Our technology provides added value because it allows for the lungs to be monitored continuously in the same way as a long-term ECG, even if the patient is not attached to machines in the ICU but has instead been admitted to the general ward," explains Ralf Schallert, project manager at Fraunhofer IKTS.

Machine learning algorithms aid with diagnosis

Alongside the acoustic sensors, the software is at the core of the vest. It is responsible for storing, depicting and analyzing the data. It can be used by the doctor to view the acoustic events in specific individual areas of the lungs on the display. The use of algorithms in digital signal processing enables a targeted evaluation of acoustic signals. This means it is possible, for example, to filter out heartbeats or to amplify characteristic frequency ranges, making lung sounds, such as rustling or wheezing, much easier to hear.

On top of this, the researchers at Fraunhofer IKTS are developing machine learning algorithms. In the future, these will be able to structure and classify complex ambient noises in the thorax. Then, the pneumologist will carry out the final assessment and diagnosis.

Discharge from the ICU

Patients can also benefit from the digital sensor alternative. When wearing the vest, they can recover without requiring constant observation from medical staff. They can transfer to the general ward and possibly even be sent home and move about more or less freely. Despite this, the lungs are monitored continuously, and any sudden deterioration can be reported to medical personnel straight away.

The first tests with staff at the University Clinic for Anesthesiology and Intensive Therapy at the University of Magdeburg have shown that the concept is successful in practice. "The feedback from doctors was overwhelmingly positive. The combination of acoustic sensors, visualization and machine learning algorithms will be able to reliably distinguish a range of different lung sounds," explains Schallert. Dr. Alexander Uhrig from ChariteUniversitatsmedizin Berlin is also pleased with the technology. The specialist in infectiology and pneumology at the renowned Charite hospital was one of those who initiated the idea: "Pneumo.Vest addresses exactly what we need. It serves as an instrument that expands our diagnostic options, relieves the burden on our hospital staff and makes hospital stays more pleasant for patients."

The technology was initially designed for respiratory patients, but it also works well for people in care facilities and for use in sleep laboratories. It can also be used to train young doctors in auscultation.

Increased need for clinical-grade wearables

With Pneumo.Vest, the researchers at Fraunhofer IKTS have developed a product that is cut out for the increasingly strained situation at hospitals. In Germany, 385,000 patients with respiratory or lung diseases require inpatient treatment every year. Over 60 percent are connected to a ventilator for more than 24 hours. This figure does not account for the current increase in respiratory patients due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result of increasing life expectancy, the medical industry also expects the number of older patients with breathing problems to increase. With the help of technology from Fraunhofer IKTS, the burden on hospitals and, in particular, costly ICUs can be relieved as their beds will no longer be occupied for quite as long.

It should be added that the market for such clinical-grade wearables is growing rapidly. These are compact medical devices that can be worn directly on the body to measure vital signs such as heartbeat, blood oxygen saturation, respiratory rate or skin temperature. As a medical device that can be used flexibly, Pneumo.Vest fits in perfectly with this development. But do not worry: Doctors will still be using the beloved stethoscope in the future.

Explore further A soft wearable stethoscope designed for automated remote disease diagnosis
Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

Indian authorities reported Asia's first possible monkeypox fatality on Monday after the death of a man who recently returned from United Arab Emirates testing positive.

Kerala state's health ministry said tests on the 22-year-old "showed that the man had monkeypox".

Three monkeypox-related fatalities have so far been reported outside Africa in an outbreak that the World Health Organization has declared a global health emergency.

The Indian man died in Kerala on July 30 around a week after returning from the UAE and being taken to hospital.

It was unclear however whether monkeypox was the cause of death.

"The youth had no symptoms of monkeypox. He had been admitted to a hospital with symptoms of encephalitis and fatigue," the Indian Express daily quoted Kerala's health minister Veena George as saying on Sunday.

Twenty people identified as high risk of infection were being kept under observation, she added, including family members, friends who played football with the man and medical staff.

18,000 cases

According to the WHO, more than 18,000 monkeypox cases have been detected throughout the world outside Africa since the beginning of May, most of them in Europe.

Spain last week recorded two monkeypox-related deaths and Brazil one.

It is however unclear if monkeypox actually caused the three fatalities, with Spanish authorities as of Sunday still carrying out autopsies and Brazilian authorities saying its deceased patient had other "serious conditions".

The WHO's European office said on Saturday that more monkeypox-related deaths can be expected.

"With the continued spread of monkeypox in Europe, we will expect to see more deaths," Catherine Smallwood, Senior Emergency Officer at WHO Europe, said in a statement.

The goal needs to be "interrupting transmission quickly in Europe and stopping this outbreak", she said.

Paul Hunter of Britain's University of East Anglia said while the risk of monkeypox-related death outside Africa "remains low... these reports reinforce the need to roll out vaccination as soon as possible to those people who are most at risk".

Nobody's fault

India has reported at least four cases, with the first recorded on July 15 in another man who returned to Kerala from the UAE.

Kerala's health ministry said in its statement on Monday that a high-level team from the state medical board would probe the death.

Primary tests from the National Institute of Virology in the city of Pune showed that the man had the variant from West Africa and that more genetic tests would be conducted.

"The disease is nobody's fault. Those who have symptoms should inform the health department so that the spread can be contained," the ministry said, adding that there was "no need to panic".

It added that the man's family only informed doctors on July 30 result of tests conducted in Dubai on July 19, by which time he was in a critical condition.

It added that there were 165 passengers on the same flight from UAE but that "nobody is a close contact".

Rash

Monkeypox, so called because it was first discovered in a monkey, is related to the deadly smallpox virus, which was eradicated in 1980, but is far less severe.

Early signs of the disease include a high fever, swollen lymph glands and a chickenpox-like rash.

In May 2022, a flurry of cases was detected in countries outside Africa in people with no travel links to the region.

The WHO last month declared the outbreak to be a global health emergencythe highest alarm it can sound.

Explore further Spain reports 2nd death from monkeypox

 2022 AFP
Credit: CC0 Public Domain

Eating disorders, which affect more than 28 million people nationwide, exact a high toll. In addition to the individual suffering they cause, eating disorders cost the U.S. nearly $65 billion each year.

Early intervention is essential for minimizing harm, but researchers know very little about how disordered eating begins and evolves prior to adolescence. A new study of nearly 12,000 9- and 10-year-olds, published this week in JAMA Pediatrics, provides key insights that help fill that gap. Researchers examined how age, sex, weight and puberty stage were related to behaviors such as binge eating and vomiting to control weight.

"The first major takeaway is that these behaviors are more common than we've seen before, with a prevalence of up to 5% in some cases," said the study's lead author, Stuart Murray, DClinPsych, Ph.D., Della Martin associate professor of psychiatry and the behavioral sciences and director of the Eating Disorders Program in the Department of Psychiatry and the Behavioral Sciences at the Keck School of Medicine of USC.

Contrary to cultural assumptions, the researchers found that boys and girls were equally likely to engage in disordered eating. The analysis also revealed that children with higher body mass indexes (BMIs), as well as those further along in puberty, faced an elevated risk.

The findings help outline the scope of the problem in this age group and point to biological risk factors that may ultimately lead to more targeted solutions, Murray said.

"The earlier we can detect these behaviors, the more likely we are to be able to treat them," he said. "These findings open a door for the development of timelier and more precise prevention efforts."

Quantifying the risk

The researchers used data from 11,878 children, ages 9 to 10, collected between 2016 and 2018 through the NIH-funded Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development study, the largest long-term study of brain development and children's health in the United States. Rather than studying fully fledged eating disorderswhich are both rare and difficult to detect in childrenMurray and his colleagues analyzed disordered eating behaviors, which can provide clues about who is at risk for more severe symptoms down the line.

The team studied binge eating, vomiting to control weight and other behaviors (such as exercising or restricting calories) intended to prevent weight gain. Five percent of children in the study had engaged in binge eating, while 2.5% had taken measures to avoid gaining weight.

In addition to measuring the overall prevalence of disordered eating, the researchers looked for associations between those behaviors and sex, BMI and puberty stage. They found no sex differences, indicating that boys face the same risks that girls do.

"We tend to think that eating disorders predominantly afflict girls, but there's more and more data showing that boys struggle just as much," Murray said. "This is a call to arms to make sure we're taking those cases seriously."

Children further along in puberty faced elevated odds of taking measures to prevent weight gain. The researchers also found that children with higher BMIs were more likely than lower-BMI children to engage in all disordered eating behaviors studiedbinge eating, vomiting and taking other actions to avoiding gaining weight.

Improved screening and prevention

The study's results can improve eating disorder prevention by highlighting who is most at risk, Murray said. For example, pediatricians and middle schools may choose to increase monitoring and screening of children with high BMIs and children who begin puberty before their peers. Education efforts for both physicians and parents should also emphasize that boys face similar risks to girls.

Murray and his team are also studying the neurobiology that underlies disordered eating behaviors, including through a recent study that revealed differences in brain structure between children with and without binge eating disorder.

In addition to Murray, the study's other authors are Aaron J. Blashill from the Department of Psychology, San Diego State University and Jerel P. Calzo from the Division of Health Promotion and Behavioral Science, School of Public Health, San Diego State University.

Explore further Experts discover brain differences in young children with binge eating disorder

More information: Prevalence of disordered eating and associations with sex, pubertal maturation, and weight in children in the US, JAMA Pediatrics (2022). jamanetwork.com/journals/jamap  pediatrics.2022.2490 Journal information: JAMA Pediatrics Prevalence of disordered eating and associations with sex, pubertal maturation, and weight in children in the US,(2022). DOI: 10.1001/jamapediatrics.2022.2490
Associate Professor Kirsty Short from UQ's School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences. Credit: The University of Queensland (CC-BY 4.0, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

SARS-CoV-2 causes a broad range of clinical symptoms, including potentially fatal acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). A study by Kirsty Short at University of Queensland, Queensland, Australia, and colleagues, published August 1 in the open access journal PLOS Biology , suggests the nasal epithelium (the lining of the nose) of children inhibits infection and replication of the ancestral strain of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and the Delta variant, but not the Omicron variant.

Children have a lower COVID-19 infection rate and milder symptoms than adults. However, the factors driving this apparent pediatric resistance to COVID-19 infections are unknown. In order to better understand lower infection and replication of ancestral SARS-CoV-2 virus in children, researchers obtained samples of primary nasal epithelium cells (NEC) from 23 healthy children aged 2-11 and 15 healthy adults aged 19-66 in Australia. They exposed the cells of adults and children to SARS-CoV-2 and then observed the infection kinetics and antiviral responses in children compared to adults.

The researchers found that ancestral SARS-CoV-2 replicated less efficiently and was associated with a heightened antiviral response in the nasal epithelial cells of children. This lower viral replication rate was also observed with the Delta variant, but not the more recent Omicron variant. The study had several limitations, however, including a small sample size, so future clinical studies will be needed to validate these preliminary findings in a larger population and to determine the role of other factors, such as antibodies in protecting children from SARS-CoV-2 infection. Additionally, pediatric protection from emerging variants has yet to be quantified.

According to the authors, "We have provided the first experimental evidence that the pediatric nasal epithelium may play an important role in reducing the susceptibility of children to SARS-CoV-2. The data strongly suggest that the nasal epithelium of children is distinct and that it may afford children some level of protection from ancestral SARS-CoV-2."

Short adds, "We use nasal epithelial cells from children and adults to show that the ancestral SARS-CoV-2 and Delta, but not Omicron, replicate less efficiently in pediatric nasal epithelial cells."

Explore further Spike RBD IgG antibodies persist after SARS-CoV-2 infection

More information: Yanshan Zhu et al, Ancestral SARS-CoV-2, but not Omicron, replicates less efficiently in primary pediatric nasal epithelial cells, PLoS Biology (2022). Journal information: PLoS Biology Yanshan Zhu et al, Ancestral SARS-CoV-2, but not Omicron, replicates less efficiently in primary pediatric nasal epithelial cells,(2022). DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3001728
Sadafco a leading food manufacturer, seller and distributor based in Saudi Arabia, has signed a strategic agreement with the Social Responsibility Association to enhance its engagement and impact within the community.

The two organisations have successfully worked together in the past. This year the relationship will take a broader and more strategic approach.

Sadafco uses its reach in the society to support thousands of less fortunate families. Speaking on the occasion, Patrick Stillhart, Chief Executive Officer of Sadafco, said: The Saudia brand portfolio comprises more than 90 household staples loved by families and children all over the region. It is not only right but also part of our responsibility to support the less fortunate in our community and society. This is a step we have wanted to take for some time now. We are confident the organisation we have chosen to collaborate with is the right one for us.

The agreement was signed by Talal Muhammad Mowaffaq Al-Nono, on behalf of Sadafco, as Director of Public Relations and Government Affairs, and Amal Abdul Rahman Khan, as Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Social Responsibility Association, the first licensed association specialised in CSR in the Makkah Province.

Strong presence

The CSR association also has a strong presence in Jeddah and beyond, delivering support to those that need it and those that tend to be overlooked. As a household name, Sadafco is an active play in the CSR space. It already has made sizeable contributions that have resulted in meaningful impact across initiatives including Covid related contributions, career fairs, sporting competition prizes, awareness initiatives, volunteering efforts and even elderly care.

As a leading brand with an extensive range of dairy and foodstuff items for consumers of all age groups, Saudias range of products cater to every household.

The company has sponsored Ramadan Basket for 15 consecutive years, distributing more than 50,000 nutritional baskets and serving happiness to more than 180,000 people throughout the kingdom.

The signing ceremony that was held at Sadafco's headquarters in Jeddah witnessed, Sultan Ahmed Al-Ghamdi, Director General of Legal Affairs and Governance Department, Turki Al-Zahrani, Public Relations and Governmental Affairs, Turki Halawani, Public Relations and Government Affairs Officer, Mashael Zeidan, Corporate Communications Manager and Noura Punjabi, Sadafco Corporate Communications Officer, and Heba Muhammad Bukhari, Executive Director of the association.-- TradeArabia News Service
Colorized transmission electron micrograph of monkeypox particles (red) found within an infected cell (blue), cultured in the laboratory. Credit: NIAID

On July 23, 2022, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared monkeypox a public health emergency of international concern, calling for a coordinated international response to slow the spread of disease. It is the second time in 2 years that WHO has taken this step, ranking monkeypox amongst two other diseases, COVID-19 and polio, that currently carry the classification. Past outbreaks of influenza A, Ebola, Zika, Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS) and yellow fever have all historically made the list.

On the heels of the declaration came concerning reports of over 20,000 cases of monkeypox in 71 countries where the disease is not endemic. Nearly 5,000 of these confirmed or suspected cases have occurred on U.S. soil, and public health experts are expressing significant concerns about capacity to effectively control the spread of this disease, an especially disheartening assessment in light of recent SARS-CoV-2 experiences.

How do we contain monkeypox outbreaks?

If the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic taught us anything, it's that timely and accurate diagnosis are critical to our ability to slow transmission of the virus. Unlike SARS-CoV-2, which was a novel virus when it emerged in late 2019, monkeypox virus has been around for a bit. It is a member of the Orthopoxvirus genus and relative of smallpox. The virus was first discovered causing pox-like disease in laboratory monkeys in 1958 and the first case of human infection was reported in 1970. This means that previously developed diagnostic, treatment and prevention strategies are available and expected to benefit current efforts to contain outbreaks.

Yet, a few noteworthy differences between current outbreaks and what has been historically observed in endemic countries have generated important questions about the evolution of the virus, presentation and spread of disease. Public messaging about what to do if one comes in contact with the virus is, therefore, especially critical during this time. How is monkeypox diagnosed? When and where should one get tested? Can vaccines be administered after exposure?

When to get tested for monkeypox

Contact your physician and seek testing if either of the following occurs:

You have known exposure (have been in close contact) with someone who has been diagnosed with monkeypox.

You develop symptoms of the disease.

Monkeypox transmission

Monkeypox virus is less transmissible than SARS-CoV-2, as it is primarily spread through direct person-to-person contact, either via respiratory droplets or exposure to infectious lesions or other bodily fluids. The virus is not known to linger in the air like SARS-CoV-2. It may also be passed perinatally and may be contracted by touching contaminated surfaces. Although monkeypox virus DNA has been detected in saliva, urine, feces and semen, whether infectious virus can reside in these fluidsand in particular, be sexually transmittedremains under investigation.

Monkeypox symptoms

Symptoms of monkeypox include fever, chills, headaches, muscle aches, fatigue, swollen lymph nodes and a painful rash that characteristically appears as raised bumps on the skin and tends to be distributed on the face, extremities and genitals. As the disease progresses, these bumps fill with pus and fluid and become umbilicated. They will eventually ulcerate, scab and fall off.

Like many viruses, monkeypox cannot be conclusively diagnosed by symptoms alone. This is because many monkeypox symptoms closely resemble those of other rash-producing illnesses and maladies, such as chickenpox, measles, bacterial skin infections and even hives/allergic reactions to medication. Confirmatory laboratory testing is therefore essential for accurate diagnosis.

What type of monkeypox tests are available?

Nucleic acid amplification testing, also known as molecular testing and polymerase chain reaction (PCR), relies on the extraction of genetic material from a patient specimen, followed by subsequent amplification with pathogen-specific primers. If the virus is present in the sample, it will be detected upon amplification, revealing whether the patient is actively infected at the time of testing. Due to the sensitivity and accuracy of this technique, PCR is the preferred laboratory test for monkeypox diagnosis.

According to WHO, samples of fluid collected from pustules or dry crust from scabbed lesions are considered optimal diagnostic samples. Lesion biopsies may also be used, but blood samples are not recommended, because the virus only resides in the blood for a short period of time during the course of infection.

What about rapid antigen and serology detection?

Importantly, methods that rely on the detection of antibodies (e.g., serology) or antigens (e.g., lateral flow and/or rapid antigen testing) are of limited value for monkeypox diagnosis because the virus demonstrates significant cross-reactivity with other orthopoxviruses (e.g., Vaccinia virus, Camelpox, Variola virus, Ectromelia virus). This means that the viruses in the Orthopoxvirus genus are antigenically similar, which makes them difficult to differentiate from one another, and the antibodies that are formed in defense of such pathogens demonstrate a similar overlap. This is further complicated by cross-reactive immune responses that may be induced by vaccinia-based vaccination, leading to false positives in individuals who have recently or previously received the smallpox vaccine. Not surprisingly, this serologic cross-reactivity remains a significant barrier to the development of new diagnostic techniques.

The key takeaway is that for now, confirmatory testing for monkeypox must be performed in the lab. There is no at-home option. And while samples may be collected by most health care providers, they must be sent to a public health laboratory or 1 of 5 commercial labs for analysis.

Monitor symptoms and seek testing

If you believe you have been exposed to someone who is infected with monkeypox virus, the CDC recommends monitoring your health for 3 weeks, as the typical incubation period is 1-2 weeks, but it may take up to 3 weeks for symptoms to appear. If symptoms do develop, immediately self-isolate and contact your health care provider for further guidance.

Get vaccinated

Fortunately, when properly administered before or directly after a recent exposure, vaccines can be effective at preventing monkeypox illness. The CDC recommends getting vaccinated within 4 days of exposure for the best chance of preventing disease. When received up to 14 days post exposure, vaccines may be less effective at preventing disease but will likely continue to reduce symptoms. After the onset of symptoms, vaccination is not expected to be particularly beneficial to the current course of infection.

As we seek to slow the spread of monkeypox around the globe, increased testing capacity and vaccination will be critical. So will science communication efforts. Recent outbreaks have demonstrated that men who have sex with men (MSM) (i.e., people assigned male at birth) have been disproportionately affected by this disease. It is important to warn, inform and support at-risk communities, while dispelling stigmatization through educational resources and public messaging. Monkeypox can be transmitted to anyone and remains a public health threat to all people. Scientists must communicate in ways that educate and equip individuals to make best-informed decisions to protect their health and communities.

Will we be able to apply lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic to efficiently diagnose and subsequently provide timely and targeted treatment and prevention options for infected individuals? Time will tell.

Explore further What is monkeypox? A virologist explains

More information: More information on monkeypox is More information on monkeypox is available here
Patients waiting in basement at Clinical Hospital Feofaniya in Kyiv. Credit: Yaroslav Kmetyuk

The Journal of Nuclear Medicine has published a first-hand account of the daily practice of nuclear medicine and molecular imaging during the ongoing war in Ukraine. In a "Discussions with Leaders" article, Yaroslav Kmetyuk, MD, Ph.D., head of the All-Ukrainian Radiosurgery Center at the "Feofaniya" Hospital in Kyiv, Ukraine, speaks openly with JNM editor-in-chief Johannes Czernin, MD, and Ken Herrmann, MD, chair of the Department of Nuclear Medicine at the University of Duisburg-Essen in Essen, Germany, about living and working in a hospital in the midst of a war.

In the discussion, Kmetyuk details what it is like to practice medicine with the backdrop of constant bombing and shelling, how his department dealt with having only minimal staff to perform nuclear medicine and molecular imaging procedures, and why he and many other physicians chose to live in the hospital for approximately six weeks. Kmetyuk also shared how his family escaped Kyiv to flee to western Ukraine and then Poland.

The article also includes several photographs depicting life inside of the hospital: living in the hospital basement, soldiers being treated in the trauma department, a scanning room with boxes stacked against the windows to protect from bombardment, and a medical colleague who also fights in the Ukrainian army.

Kmetyuk expressed his gratitude for the support his has received from colleagues around the world. He offered a message of hope and encouragement for Ukrainian medical professionals. "I work in a rather narrow medical field," he said. "But I know that every one of us, every doctor, every nurse, especially in this time must do their best to work because this help is crucially important. I am proud of the colleagues with whom I work, and I admire their courage. I hope we will win soon and rebuild Ukraine to become an even better country than before."

"The war in Ukraine is terrible and heart-breaking," said Herrmann. "We stand with Dr. Kmetyuk and all of the brave medical professionals in Ukraine who continue to serve patients during the war and offer our whole-hearted support for their efforts."

Explore further Musk activates Starlink internet service in Ukraine

More information: Yaroslav Kmetyuk et al, Practicing Medicine in Wartime Ukraine, Journal of Nuclear Medicine (2022). Journal information: Journal of Nuclear Medicine Yaroslav Kmetyuk et al, Practicing Medicine in Wartime Ukraine,(2022). DOI: 10.2967/jnumed.122.264560

Provided by Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
Polio vaccine dropped on to sugar lump for child patient. Credit: CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

No one studying polio knew more than Albert Sabin, the Polish-American scientist whose vaccine against the crippling disease has been used worldwide since 1959. Sabin's oral vaccine provides lifelong immunity. It has one drawback, which Sabin, who died in 1993, fiercely disputed: In rare cases, the weakened live poliovirus in the vaccine can mutate, regain virulence, and cause polio.

Those rare mutationsone of which appears to have paralyzed a young man in Rockland County, New York, who belongs to a vaccine-resistant Hasidic Jewish community, officials there reported July 21have taken center stage in the global campaign to eradicate polio, the largest international public health effort in history.

When the World Health Organization-led campaign started in 1988, its goal was to rid the world of polio by 2000.

By 2015, polio was nearly eradicated everywhere but Pakistan and Afghanistan. But by 2020, cases had been reported in 34 countries, mostly in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia. Although the numbers have declined in the past 18 months, a few cases have cropped up in Ukraine and Israel, poliovirus was detected in sewage in London last month, and now there's the case north of New York City, the first U.S. case since 1993.

But the nature of the polio threat has shifted. "Natural" or "wild" polio circulates in only a few war-torn areas of Pakistan and Afghanistan, where gunmen have killed scores of polio vaccinators.

Nearly all the world's other cases, paradoxically, derive from mutations in the weakened virus that constitutes the vaccine. Sabin designed the vaccine virus to infect people's intestines without making them sick, but in rare cases the vaccine virus mutates into a dangerous form while passing through the vaccinated person's gut.

In these instances, it goes in like a lamb but comes out like a lion, capable of paralyzing unprotected people who ingest the virus as a result of imperfect hygiene, after contact with things like diapers or bath towels that contain traces of an infected person's feces.

Poliovirus has three types. Type 2, the version that causes nearly all vaccine-associated polio cases, paralyzes as few as 1 in 1,000 people it infects. Others might not get sick at all or have typical viral symptoms like a runny nose or diarrhea.

Rockland County officials say their polio case may have been infected in the United States, but the virus must have originated from a country where the oral polio vaccine is still givengenerally in Asia or Africa. In the United States, since 2000 doctors have administered a different vaccine, a shot, invented by Dr. Jonas Salk in 1955, that contains killed, or inactivated, polio viruses.

Given how rarely a polio infection results in paralysis, the Rockland County case suggests other people in the community may be carrying the virus. How many is under investigation, said county health department spokesperson Beth Cefalu. Scientists have detected poliovirus in county wastewater but have no idea how many others are infected, Cefalu said in a news release July 26.

If the patient acquired the virus in the United States, "it would suggest there could be substantial transmission at least in that area," said Dr. Walter Orenstein, an Emory University professor who headed the U.S. vaccination program from 1988 to 2004. That puts the pressure on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to figure out the best way to stop any chains of infection, he said.

As of July 22, county health officials had set up inactivated polio vaccine clinics and sent 3,000 letters to parents of children in the county whose routine vaccinationsincluding for poliowere not up to date.

However, while the Salk vaccine prevents paralysis, and is very effective at protecting a community from infection, in situations where polio is widely circulating a Salk-vaccinated person could still carry polio germs in their intestines and spread them to others.

Depending on the number of people infected in the community, the CDC might consider bringing in a newer live vaccine product, known as novel oral polio vaccine Type 2, or nOPV2, that is less likely to mutate into a virulent form, Orenstein said.

However, the new oral vaccine is not licensed in the United States and would require considerable bureaucratic movement to be approved under an emergency authorization, Orenstein said.

To complicate matters further, outbreaks of vaccine virus-derived polio increased, mostly in sub-Saharan Africa, after global health leaders declared that Type 2 poliovirus had been eradicated in the wild and they removed that virus type from the vaccine. Unfortunately, mutant forms of Type 2 originating in the vaccine continued to circulate, and outbreaks mushroomed, Orenstein said. Although nearly 500 million doses of the new vaccine have been administered, according to Dr. Ananda Bandyopadhyay, a polio program leader at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, some areas with circulating mutant viruses haven't started using the new vaccine yet.

The chances of a major outbreak tied to the Rockland County case are slim. The virus can spread widely only where there is low vaccine coverage and poor surveillance of polio cases, said Dr. David Heymann, a professor of epidemiology at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and former director of the world's polio eradication effort.

Rockland County has ample experience battling vaccine-preventable outbreaks. In 2018 and 2019, the county fought a measles epidemic of 312 cases among followers of anti-vaccine Hasidic rabbis.

"Our people defeated measles, and I'm sure we'll eliminate the latest health concern as well," County Executive Ed Daly told a news conference July 21.

Scientists think polio can be eradicated from the world by 2026, said Bandyopadhyay, but at a price of $4.8 billionand much of that sum remains to be raised from donor countries and charities.

The U.S. polio case offers an unsubtle reminder, he said, "that polio is potentially a plane ride away as long as the virus still exists in some corner of the world."

Explore further New York reports 1st US polio case in nearly a decade

2022 Kaiser Health News.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Both San Francisco and New York state declared monkeypox a public health emergency on Thursday, as they struggle to gain access to more resources to help contain the spread of the virus. About 40 percent of the 4,907 monkeypox cases recorded in the United States have been diagnosed in California and New York.

"This declaration means that local health departments engaged in response and prevention activities will be able to access additional state reimbursement, after other federal and state funding sources are maximized, to protect all New Yorkers and ultimately limit the spread of monkeypox in our communities," said State Health Commissioner Mary T. Bassett in a news release.

In a separate statement, San Francisco Mayor London Breed said the declaration would mobilize resources and accelerate emergency planning. "We need to be prepared and this declaration will allow us to serve the city better," San Francisco Director of Health Grant Colfax, M.D., said in the statement. "Our COVID-19 response has taught us that it is imperative that we mobilize city resources. The declaration helps us ensure we have all the tools available to augment our outreach, testing and treatment, especially to the LGBTQ+ who remain at highest risk for monkeypox."

California State Sen. Scott Wiener cited several benefits to declaring the emergency, including expanded testing and vaccines, as well as applying pressure to the federal government to take the outbreak more seriously, The Washington Post reported.

Though the World Health Organization has declared monkeypox a public health emergency, the United States is still weighing whether to declare monkeypox a national public health emergency. However, U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra noted Thursday that the Biden administration is sending vaccines and treatments to local health departments and added that monkeypox had not reached the threat level of COVID-19 at this point.

"We will weigh any decision on declaring a public health emergency based off the response we're seeing throughout the country," Becerra told reporters at a media briefing, The Post reported. "Bottom line is: We need to stay ahead of this and be able to end this outbreak."

Explore further California not ready to declare emergency over monkeypox

More information: The Washington Post Article

Copyright  2022 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

Hospitals must start using smart intravenous (IV) infusion technology to its full potential if they are to prevent dangerous drug errors, University of Manchester researchers have found.

Smart pumps, which automatically calculate the dose and rate of different drugs before they are pumped into a vein, prevent potentially fatal errors by stopping the administration of the wrong rate.

But according to the study published in BMJ Open Quality, though the technology probably saved the lives of 110 people in two Trusts over a year, it has largely failed to be adopted by hospitals.

Though many IV pumps used in hospitals have a smart capability, most trusts do not utilize the functionality because they are difficult to configure and maintain.

Smart pumps are usually configured by a pharmacist and checked by a consultant or senior nurse. Conventional pumps, however, are set by ward staff who calculate and input infusion rates themselvesincreasing the risk of drug errors.

The risks are illustrated by previous work from the Manchester team, who demonstrated that 1 in 10 IV drug administrations are associated with an error, and up to 1 in 10 of those were associated with harm.

In the BMJ Open Quality study, almost 1.5 million IV infusions were administered over one year (644 052 patient bed days), but only 45% (745,170) of these were administered with smart pumps capability enabled.

There were 6,067 infusions that exceeded the dose limits of the pumps. Subject matter experts were asked to rate severity of all adverse events on a scale of 0=no harm to 10=death and they found 89% of these events were unlikely to cause patients any harm.

However, smart pumps prevented 668 moderate to severe harm administration errors (a rate of 0.9/1000 IV administrations) and included blood thinning medication, drugs affecting heart rhythm and drugs used to stop epileptic seizures.

Of 17.9/1000 intercepted drug administration errors, the most common drugs to trigger an alert were antibiotics (2,979 alerts in 134,821 infusions) but there was a relatively low potential for harm from these infusions (1.01/1000 administrations).

The highest incidence of potentially harmful adverse events was for parenteral anticoagulants (24.16 per 1000 administrations which risks severe bleeding. There have been reports of these events in the NHS recently.

Drugs with greatest potential for harm with an adverse event were parenteral anticoagulants at 24.16/1000 administrations, antiarrhythmics at 21.8/1000 administrations and antiepileptics at 20.86/1000 administrations.

Some alerts were triggered because the pumps were programmed with limits that did not reflect practice in the clinic, which suggested routine practice might contribute to patient harm.

In another paper published in the journal Drug Safety at the same time, the research team collaborated with academics, patient advocacy groups and senior clinicians to develop and publish guidelines to support organizations in their adoption of smart pumps, so they are used to their full potential across the NHS and infuse drugs at standardized concentrations.

A symposium of 36 clinical and academic medication safety experts proposed strategic recommendations to support the implementation of medication administration technology to improve medication safety.

Both papers were the result of collaborations the University of Manchester, pump manufacturers Becton-Dickinsonwho funded the studyand the NHS who shared their data with the team.

Lead author Adam Sutherland is a researcher at The University of Manchester based in the division of pharmacy and optometry and a practicing pharmacist.

He said: "Intravenous infusion errors leading to fatalities are extremely rare event; the vast majority of IV infusions are safe.

"But avoidable harm associated with medication is a persistent problem in health systems and the use of preprogramed infusion devices can mitigate and reducing their incidence

"Configuration of these pumps is often poorly implementedwith little consistency between hospitals.

"Even though smart pumps have been available for around 20 years and are routinely used in the U.S.we estimate only 20 to 30 trusts use them in some way, and even fewer to their full capability. Within a few years, all IV pumps will have smart functionality, so it makes sense for hospitals to make full use of them."

He added: "Variation in the manner in which medicines are prepared and used within complex modern healthcare systems exacerbates these challenges, so a strategic human-centered approach is needed to support their implementation.

"Smart functionality has a role in intravenous medication safety, but only as part of a program of interventions to standardize intravenous medication practice.

"They aren't a panacea but like a seat belt in a car in that they can avoid catastrophic injuries to patients."

More information: Adam Sutherland et al, The impact of drug error reduction software on preventing harmful adverse drug events in England: a retrospective database study, BMJ Open Quality (2022). Adam Sutherland et al, The impact of drug error reduction software on preventing harmful adverse drug events in England: a retrospective database study,(2022). DOI: 10.1136/bmjoq-2021-001708 Adam Sutherland et al, Developing Strategic Recommendations for Implementing Smart Pumps in Advanced Healthcare Systems to Improve Intravenous Medication Safety, Drug Safety (2022). DOI: 10.1007/s40264-022-01203-1
ELMO  Near-hundred-degree temperatures and wind gusts of 25 mph energized the Elmo 2 fire on Monday, forcing evacuations along Black Lake Road near Lake Mary Ronan and threatening Flathead Lake's Dayton Bay.

As many as 19 new wildfires ignited across western Montana over the weekend, from Friday afternoon through Sunday evening, as temperatures into the triple-digits baked the landscape. Two small fires sparked in the Missoula Valley, but both were suppressed Sunday evening.

Most of the fires were small and quickly brought under control. In contrast, Elmo 2 fire started Monday at almost 13,000 acres on the west side of Flathead Lake, before taking a major run Monday afternoon. And existing fires in the region continued to grow.

A red-flag warning indicating extreme fire conditions was in place for Monday. Also on Monday, the Bitterroot National Forest raised its fire danger to extreme, the highest of five levels. Fire danger is very high  the second-highest level  on the Lolo National Forest. Fire danger is extreme on the Salmon-Challis National Forest in Idaho.

Elmo 2 fire

The Elmo 2 fire was 12,975 acres and 0% contained on Monday morning. Burning was most active on its east side near Dayton, as well as around Cromwell Creek, on the northwest side of the blaze. Tuesday's weather was expected to be problematic, with 12-15% humidity and 18 mph sustained winds.

As of Monday afternoon, the fire raised a full pyrocumulus column of smoke and evacuation orders were put into effect along Black Lake Road. A quartet of water-scooping planes flew suppression runs in tight formation Monday afternoon, collecting water loads from Big Arm Bay.

A community meeting was scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday at the Elmo Pow Wow Grounds. Northern Rockies Team 7, a Type-2 incident management team, took control of the fire at 6 a.m. Sunday.

The fire ignited Friday afternoon along Montana Highway 28, about 7 miles west of where Highway 28 hits U.S. Highway 93 in Elmo. The fire started in grass but grew rapidly and spread into timber to the northeast, burning northwest of Elmo and Big Arm Bay. An InciWeb page for the fire lists the fire start at "approximately" 4 p.m.; Missoula Interagency Dispatch shows crews were dispatched at 7:05 p.m.

The fire cause remains under investigation, according to InciWeb. An interactive wildland fire map maintained by the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation lists the cause as human.

The fast-changing situation forced multiple closures followed by tentative re-openings. Highway 28 was closed after the fire started but was reopened by Monday. Big Arm State Park was also closed but reopened Sunday. A boat ramp and fishing access site in Elmo remained closed Monday. Lake Mary Ronan State Park is closed. An evacuation order for Chief Cliff Estates was lifted, but residents south of Lake Mary Ronan Road and west of Highway 93 remain under pre-evacuation notice. Montana Red Cross opened a shelter at Linderman School in Polson.

On Monday, 293 personnel were working the fire, including five hand crews, eight engine crews and two helicopters. Single-engine air tankers also aided firefighting efforts over the weekend. A variety of federal, tribal and local firefighters responded to the fire.

Temperatures near 100 with wind gusts up to 25 mph were expected to aggravate fire activity Monday and Tuesday.

Missoula area fire starts

Crews were dispatched at 3:47 p.m. Sunday to a small wildfire along Neil Drive, just south of U.S. Highway 12 about 6 miles west of Lolo. According to a news release from the Missoula Rural Fire District, the person who reported the fire said they heard "a loud 'pop' and looked outside to see a power line down with smoke and flames nearby." The district did not say whether the power line was the cause of the fire; the cause is "currently undetermined."

Crews arrived on scene to find a wind-driven fire "threatening multiple homes." Montana Rural firefighters began structure protection efforts and were joined by U.S. Forest Service and Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation wildland firefighters. The fire burned about 10 acres before being controlled Sunday evening. Crews were patrolling the area Monday.

The Missoula Rural, USFS and DNRC crews were aided by personnel from Florence Fire, Missoula County Sheriff's Office, Bureau of Land Management law enforcement, Missoula Emergency Services Inc. and Montana Electrical co-op. In total, 10 engines and three helicopters responded to the fire.

Around the same time, firefighters also responded to a 4:02 p.m. report of a wildfire near an electrical substation just north of the Duncan Drive Trailhead on the west side of Rattlesnake Creek, about 2.8 miles north of downtown Missoula. The fire was caused by a downed power line, according to the Lolo National Forest. Crews from the forest, DNRC and the Missoula Fire Department arrived on scene to find a fire smaller than 1 acre exhibiting mild fire behavior with creeping and smoldering through grass and timber. The fire was fully contained by Monday, with crews continuing to mop up and patrol the area.

At 11:07 a.m. Sunday, crews were dispatched to a fire start just northeast of the Rock Creek exit on Interstate 90. The 0.1-acre fire was controlled by 2:14 p.m.

At 3:15 p.m. Sunday, crews were dispatched to a fire start along U.S. Highway 93 near Evaro, about 5.8 miles northeast of Wye. The 0.2-acre fire was controlled by 4:26 p.m.

At 7:23 p.m. Sunday, crews were dispatched to a fire start on a hillside north of I-90 in Ravenna, between Ryan Creek and Marcella Creek, about 24 miles southeast of Missoula. The 0.5-acre fire was controlled by 11:07 p.m.

At 7:37 p.m. Sunday, crews were dispatched to a fire start between East Mullan Road and I-90 in Clinton, about 1.4 miles south of the Clinton exit. The 0.1-acre fire was extinguished by Monday.

Moose fire

The Moose fire near North Fork, Idaho, grew to 56,049 acres and was 23% contained by Monday morning, up from 43,226 acres and 15% contained Friday morning. Containment on Monday morning was exclusively along the north and northeast side of the fire  the only directions in which the fire is not significantly growing  between Shoup and Bobcat Gulch.

The Salmon-Challis National Forest announced Saturday that the fire was human-caused, but the forest didn't release a specific cause. Residents around North Fork have maintained since the fire started that it was caused by an unattended campfire near the confluence of Moose Creek and the Salmon River, downstream from North Fork.

At its current size, the Moose fire is the largest active fire in the Lower 48 states and slightly larger than the explosive McKinney fire in Northern California on Monday morning. The Moose fire is so far the second-largest fire in the Lower 48 this year, behind the 341,735-acre Hermits Peak fire near Santa Fe, New Mexico, which started May 6 and is now 96% contained with almost no fire.

Great Basin Team 2  a Type-1 incident management team, the largest and most robust configuration of the interagency teams assigned to oversee wildfire response  took command of the incident at 6 a.m. July 20. Great Basin Team 1, another Type-1 team, is set to take command of the fire Wednesday.

The fire is burning in the Salmon-Challis National Forest near North Fork, just west of Highway 93 between Salmon, Idaho, and Lost Trail Pass on the Montana-Idaho line. The blaze ignited mid-afternoon on July 17 and rapidly grew amid high winds and red-flag conditions over the following week. Red-flag conditions over the weekend caused extreme fire behavior. The fire is expanding on three fronts  to the west, south and east  driven by chaotic wind patterns through river canyons, up and down slopes, and over ridge tops. Outflow winds and dry lighting from afternoon thunderstorms Friday and through the weekend fed into extreme fire behavior, and similar weather could increase activity Monday.

A virtual meeting to discuss the fire's threat to Salmon's municipal watershed was scheduled for 6 p.m. Monday. The meeting can be accessed on the Salmon-Challis National Forest Facebook page and on Microsoft Teams (https://bit.ly/3Buhn5k).

Residents along the Highway 93 corridor between Tower Creek and North Fork remain under an evacuation order. Residents along Salmon River Road between Squaw Creek and Pine Creek, and residents along Highway 93 from Carmen to Tower Creek, are advised to be set to evacuate. The Salmon River Road is partially closed, with only residents, rafting outfitters and river users with float permits allowed through behind a pilot car.

On Monday, 960 personnel were working the Moose fire, including 19 hand crews and 60 engine crews, aided by nine helicopters. Large air tankers made fire retardant drops over the weekend.

Hog Trough fire

The lightning-caused Hog Trough fire about 18 miles southeast of Hamilton was up to 731 acres and 9% contained on Monday morning, up from 611 acres and 9% contained by Friday morning. Skalkaho Highway remains open. On Monday, 219 personnel were assigned to the fire, including seven hand crews and three engines, aided by seven helicopters.

Bitterroot area fire starts

Crews were dispatched to the lightning-caused Chrandal Creek fire at 1:28 p.m. Friday. The fire is about 1.5 acres and "burning in remote and rugged terrain, in heavy fuels (timber) with dead standing and downed timber," according to the Bitterroot National Forest. Aircraft are monitoring fire spread. The fire is located at about 6,800 feet elevation near the Montana-Idaho state line, about 10 miles southeast of Painted Rocks Lake and 31.5 miles south of Darby. The fire is about 12 miles northwest of the Moose fire.

Kalispell area fire starts

At 4:20 p.m. Friday, crews were dispatched to a fire start on Eagle Mountain, one ridge west of Blacktail Mountain Ski Area about 13 miles southwest of Kalispell. The 1.5-acre fire was contained by Saturday morning.

At 6:11 p.m. Friday, crews were dispatched to a 0.1-acre fire start on Flattop Mountain in Glacier National Park.

At 1:55 p.m. Sunday, crews were dispatched to a fire start along Highway 93 southeast of Olney, about 11.7 miles northwest of Whitefish. The 0.1-acre fire was controlled by 3:47 p.m.

At 3:56 p.m. Sunday, crews were dispatched to a fire start just west of Farm to Market Road near Big Lost Creek, about 6.5 miles northwest of downtown Kalispell. The 1-acre fire was controlled by 5:06 p.m.

At 6:27 p.m. Sunday, crews were dispatched to a fire start along Bigfork Stage Road about 1.66 miles north of downtown Bigfork. The 0.1-acre fire was controlled by 8:13 p.m.

At 6:32 p.m. Sunday, crews were dispatched to a fire start along Bigfork Stage Road about 4,800 feet north of downtown Bigfork. The 0.1-acre fire was controlled by 8:35 p.m.

At 8:55 p.m. Sunday, crews were dispatched to a fire start along River Road and near Woods Rose Lane on the east side of the Clark Fork River between Plains and Paradise, about 2 miles southeast of Plains. The 0.64-acre fire was controlled by 9:50 p.m.

Kootenai area fire starts

At 4:05 p.m. Saturday, crews were dispatched to a fire start near Camp Creek and Weasel Creek in the Whitefish Mountains on the Kootenai National Forest about 1.65 miles south of the U.S.-Canada border. The Weasel fire is at least 250 acres, according to Kootenai Interagency Dispatch, and burning in timber. The forest stated on Facebook Sunday that Grave Creek Road is closed from Foundation Creek Trailhead north to the end of the road at Big Therriault Lake. Big and Little Therriault campgrounds are closed.

At 11:23 a.m. Monday, crews were dispatched to a fire start on the north ridge of Minton Peak on the south side of Nixon Reservoir, about 26 miles northwest of Thompson Falls. The 0.1-acre fire was fully contained by Monday morning.

Dillon area fire starts

At 2:42 p.m. Saturday, crews were dispatched to a fire start in Cabbage Gulch about 4.7 miles south of Anaconda. The 0.39-acre fire was controlled by 4:39 pm.

Helena area fire starts

At 12:32 p.m. Sunday, crews were dispatched to a 0.1-acre fire start near Marks Lumber in Clancy, about 7.6 miles southeast of Helena.
The Montana Supreme Court ruled last week against the Missoula County District Court, arguing the court was unlawfully keeping a man in jail while his pending cases were incorrectly transferred to the district court from the citys municipal court.

Helio Leal De La Hoz faces two sets of misdemeanor charges, from July 2021 and May 2022 alleged offenses. The Supreme Courts ruling sides with Leal De La Hoz, arguing the misdemeanor offenses didnt belong in the district courts jurisdiction, which handles felony cases. It also ordered him released from jail.

Leal De La Hoz was charged with two misdemeanor offenses in July of 2021, and four more misdemeanor offenses in a separate incident in May of this year. For the July 2021 charges, he was ordered unfit to proceed. In the May cases, Leal De La Hoz made an initial appearance and was held on a $600 bond.

He was not arraigned for the May charges. Instead, Municipal Court Judge Eli Parker opted to transfer the two cases to Missoula County District Court.

Parker explains in his affidavit that he requested the Missoula County District Court to assume jurisdiction over the case because community-based treatment options didnt give sufficient support for Leal De La Hoz. Parker contended that this was the only available option to give Leal De La Hoz treatment.

Parker notes a person in jail on misdemeanor offenses whos deemed unfit to proceed could be incarcerated longer than the maximum sentence for a misdemeanor offense.

Nevertheless, I remain acutely aware that community-based treatment has limits, Parker wrote. I requested Judge Larson assume jurisdiction because, in Helio's case, community-based treatment had failed, resulting in what seemed an unmitigated safety risk to himself and the public.

Parker also noted the municipal courts financial constraints, saying in the past, Missoulas municipal court dismisses criminal proceedings when a defendant is found unfit to proceed because of limited court resources and the money involved with the commitment process for treatment.

The district court assumed jurisdiction, setting a status hearing for June 16. Leal De La Hozs attorney needed a continuance for the case, and attempted to seek out the assigned prosecutor to see if there would be an issue with postponing the hearing.

When the defense attorney saw no prosecutor listed on the cases dockets, the attorney reached out to the Missoula County Attorneys Office. Officials there said they werent prosecuting the case.

On June 15, the district court vacated the status hearing and ordered the Montana State Hospital do a fitness to proceed evaluation for Leal De La Hoz.

The evaluation order essentially overruled the Municipal Courts finding of unfitness, as it requested that Leal De La Hoz be sent to (the state hospital) for a fitness determination, while the practical effect of the Municipal Courts finding of unfitness would instead have committed Leal De La Hoz to (the state hospital) for rehabilitation, the order reads.

Leal De La Hozs counsel requested a hearing on the matter, which was denied by the district court. The attorney then filed a petition for a writ of habeas corpus with the Montana Supreme Court on June 30.

In his petition, Leal De La Hoz alleged he was being held in the Missoula jail unlawfully. He argued the municipal court matters were transferred to the district court without any statutory authority.

Additionally, Leal De La Hoz says the district court doesnt have any personal jurisdiction over him and no prosecutor was prosecuting either case. He asked the Supreme Court to grant his petition, dismiss the two cases and release him from custody.

The district court withdrew its orders for a fitness evaluation after Leal De La Hoz filed his petition to the high court, instead adopting the municipal courts finding of unfitness. It suspended proceedings for both cases and ordered commitment to the state hospital, where a treatment plan would be developed for him.

As of July 28, Leal De La Hoz was still in jail.

Missoula County District Judge John Larson opposed Leal De La Hozs petition, arguing the district court exercised appropriate discretion to ensure Leal De La Hoz didnt harm himself or the community. The judge contended jurisdiction can be shared between courts to develop a treatment plan with available resources in cases such as Leal De La Hozs.

Larson also notes that historically, the Missoula County District Court has worked with limited-jurisdiction courts (such as Missoula Municipal) where drug use and mental health treatment issues are present.

While they understand the municipal and district courts actions were aimed at mitigating harm to the community and getting Leal De La Hoz on a treatment plan, the Supreme Court justices wrote that courts have to stay within their jurisdictions.

Looking at the May 2022 incident where Leal De La Hoz was charged with four misdemeanors, the Supreme Court wrote, The District Court lacks subject matter jurisdiction in that case and it was unnecessary and imprudent to purport to transfer the case out of the Municipal Court. All the charges were misdemeanors, therefore they only belong in the municipal courts jurisdiction.

Leal De La Hozs district court cases were dismissed without prejudice by the Supreme Court, and transferred back to Missoulas municipal court for future proceedings. He was released from custody.
A man died after a crash north of Morganton early Sunday evening.

Myrian Dashea Reid, 25, of Morganton, was driving a 1995 Cadillac DeVille south on N.C. 181 near Frank Whisnant Road when he crossed the center line and hit a 2021 Toyota SUV headed north around 6:40 p.m., according to a release from the North Carolina State Highway Patrol.

An EMS crew transported Reid from the scene but he died on the way to the hospital, the release said.

The driver and passenger of the Toyota, both of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, were transported by EMS to a local hospital with nonlife-threatening injuries, the release said.
Fundraising for the matching grant will end Sept. 24, the last day of National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week. The Butte Literacy Program relies on volunteer tutors who work with adults to help them earn their high school equivalency diplomas by taking the five HiSET exams. Anyone interested in making a contribution or becoming a tutor may call the program office at 406-723-7905 or email butteliteracy@gmail.com .

Tenney Hammond, coordinator of the Butte Literacy Program, said, The generosity of the Gianforte Family Foundation has allowed us to grow. In four years, we have enrolled 179 students, 31 of whom have graduated. Our students have taken a total of 218 HiSET exams with a success rate of 97%. Ten of our graduates have been accepted to Montana Tech/Highlands College thanks to help from Brian Williams and Abby Parnell, admissions counselors who have facilitated the application process, and Angela Stillwagon who has helped with financial aid. Other graduates have gone on to out of state schools, cosmetology school, the military, apprenticeship programs, or better employment. All total, 16 (over 50%) of our graduates have been accepted into post-high school programs, the military, or improved employment. The Gianforte Family Foundation has provided financial support for three years that has helped us make all this happen.
John Jacob Streb emigrated to the United States from his native Bavaria about 1883, when he was 32 years old. He stopped in Leadville, Colorado, long enough to marry Veronica Gelhaus, but they moved on to Glendale, Montana, the next year. Glendale, about four miles west of Melrose, was the smelter town for the rich Hecla Mine in the East Pioneer Mountains.

The Strebs ran a boarding house at Glendale, the Streb Hotel, and John was a brickmaker, providing some of the bricks for the kilns at Canyon Creek that provided charcoal to the Glendale smelter from 1884 to 1900. Strebs bricks also went into Melrose to construct the hotel there.

Three of their four children were born in Glendale, but around 1893 the Strebs moved to Melrose, where they managed the hotel and boarding house called the Iowa House, probably in memory of Veronica Gelhaus Strebs family connections in Iowa. The family ran a ranch south of Melrose, and John was elected a deputy in the Silver Bow County sheriffs department to serve Melrose.

In early December 1900 John was traveling to Jackson, Montana, to serve some legal papers, when his horses bolted. He broke his leg when he jumped from the careening wagon. He was recuperating in Melrose when gangrene set in, and Deputy John Streb died December 20, 1900, one of 18 officers to die in the line of duty in Silver Bow County. He was 49 years old and he left three sons and a daughter, with Charles, the oldest, age 15.

Charles Streb also joined the Silver Bow Sheriffs office as a Melrose deputy. He too died in the line of duty in July 1911, when he was attempting to break up a disturbance at a dance hall in Melrose. Joe Nelton shot Streb, who died in Butte a day and a half later, after identifying Nelton as his shooter. Charles was 26 years old. Nelton was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to 100 years in prison, but his sentence was reduced by Montana Governor Joseph Dixon, and he was released in 1924. Two years later he killed a policeman in California, and he served 45 years for that crime and was released from prison in 1971 at age 85.

John Strebs widow, Charles mother, Veronica, died in 1922.

Thanks to Bill Gransbery for pointers that helped with this article.
Inchcape Shipping Services Holdings Limited, the worlds leading Port Agency and Marine Services provider, has signed an agreement to acquire Kennedy Hunter NV in Belgium from Conti-Lines Group (formerly Conti7).

The 100% acquisition of Kennedy Hunter NV delivers Inchcapes strategic ambition to grow in the Northern European market and will greatly increase its coverage and expertise in Belgium, with particular focus on Dry Bulk, Car Carrier/RoRo handling and cargo brokerage.

With 175 years of service to the international shipping industry and 240 offices in 60 countries, comprising a team of over 2,800 professional and committed staff, Inchcape is one of the largest and oldest maritime service providers in the world. Inchcapes unique geographical footprint means it can offer customers a full range of services, delivered safely and with a consistent commitment to exceptional service, governance, and transparency wherever they are in the world.

Maritime services

Inchcape Belgium provides a diverse range of maritime services including port agency, husbandry, crew logistics services, ship chandelling, bunker fuel supply arrangement, liner agency, logistics services to oil and gas, construction, dredging, cable-laying, cruise tourism and other sectors, military support services and maritime consultancy.

We are excited about welcoming the Kennedy Hunter team into the Inchcape family, by joining forces we are able to offer an even better value proposition to our customers in Belgium. This is our first acquisition under the ownership of Epiris and it demonstrates our intention and ability to drive positive consolidation within the Port Agency industry. said Frank G. Olsen, CEO of Inchcape Shipping Services.

Progressively evolved

Over the last years, the Conti-Lines Group has progressively evolved into the direction of Shipowner and Ships Operator activities, a maritime segment that in the meantime has become the groups core business. Therefore, the decision was taken to transfer the ownership of the agency set-up Kennedy Hunter from the Conti-Lines Group to Inchcape. By choosing Inchcape, a solid organisation specialising in agency activities, Kennedy Hunter is left in professional and qualified hands, thereby safeguarding the authenticity and continuity of the company.

It is important to note that Conti-Lines will continue to entrust its agency activities in all Belgian ports to Kennedy Hunter, said Jean-Frederic Brion, CEO of the Conti-Lines Group.-- TradeArabia News Service
Of all the changes initiated by Montanas 1972 constitution, the ones most frequently praised are Montanans rights to know about and participate in our government in action. The delegates embedded them in the Declaration of Rights for good reason.

Under our original constitution, Montana citizens couldnt review government documents upon request. We didnt have to be notified that a government body was meeting on a matter of public interest. Government bodies met, deliberated, and voted outside public view. Public input was neither slated nor encouraged.

Much has been written about how much more transparent our constitution has made Montana government, compared to other states governments. Not enough has been said about the value of public comment, also a fundamental right in Montana. Today, every public meeting, whether of a school board, a county commission, or an advisory board of state or local government, must provide the public with an opportunity to comment on any item coming before the body for a vote. Its a powerful right, an opportunity to influence decisions before theyre made.

At its most effective, public comment relies on an unspoken contract between the governing body and the citizen. As we celebrate our 50th year with that right, Id like to explain what I see as the duties of each party to that contract  the government this week; the public, next.

Heres what members of public bodies commit to  or should  as they take public comment:

1. Provide a meaningful amount of time for each person wishing to comment. Three minutes  typical now, in school board and local government meetings  is usually enough. Thirty seconds  what an Office of Public Instruction committee recently allowed members of the public on a highly charged issue  is ridiculous. If you have more people wanting to comment than you have time on the agenda, either go longer or reschedule the decision.

2. Ask first for constituent comments. In legislative hearings, dont let legislators chew up the publics time by providing public comment to committees they dont serve on. Theyll have their time on the floor. Same with lobbyists. They know where to find you. Nothing is sadder than seeing legislators cut to the front of the line while someone who has driven six hours through a snowstorm waits patiently, clutching testimony scrawled in her sons spiral notebook, only to be told when its her turn that the allotted time has expired and the most she can say is me too.

At local meetings, make sure your citizens get priority billing. Yes, its impressive that Someone Important from Somewhere Else showed up for your meeting, but its your constituents who will live with your decision. They deserve equal time  and they deserve to be heard first.

3. Be polite. If your boss was talking, you wouldnt get up and leave, gather in the corner with co-workers for a sidebar, or engage in eye-rolling, snorting, and the like. The public is your boss.

4. Curb audience enthusiasm. Youre conducting a public hearing, not American Idol. Booing from hearing attendees is unacceptable, no matter how unpopular the view being expressed. So is applause, no matter how prevalent the point of view. Both reactions chill opposing speech.

5. Seek to clarify, not to clobber. Members of the public dont have the same access to the microphone and the process you do. When you use your position to show what a great trial lawyer you could have been, grinding some hapless constituent into powder in the process, you abuse your power. You can make your points without getting personal when the body deliberates.

6. Most importantly, suspend judgment on an issue until youve considered all public comment. The right to comment means nothing if officials minds are closed to new information or a different perspective. As a wise man who served in various branches of government, pre- and post-1972, used to tell me, eyebrow raised, Never overlook the possibility that your initial take could be just plain wrong.

Every public official promises to uphold the Constitutions of our state and nation. Treating public comment with respect is part of that promise. Keep it.
The Competition Appeal Court has ruled that MultiChoice must reinstate four eMedia channels on the DStv platform after cutting them at the beginning of June.

This comes after the Competition Tribunal initially ruled in favour of MultiChoice, saying that eMedias complaint does not meet the requirements for exclusionary conduct.

eMedia complained to the Competition Commission after MultiChoice refused to renew its channel supply agreement for E-tv Extra, eToonz, eMovies, and eMovies Extra.

DStv still offers E-tv and eNCA but declined to renew the other four channels.

According to eMedia, MultiChoices decision amounted to a dominant player refusing to supply a scarce service.

The company said it would lose as much as 19% of its advertising revenue should the channels be suspended.

MultiChoice disputed this argument, saying that E-tv can broadcast the channels online, on South Africas digital terrestrial television platform, and eMedias own satellite platform Openview.

The pay-TV broadcaster said it cut eMedias channels to make space for new ones.

MultiChoice said DStv only has space for 11 channels in the next five years  four channels on IS20 and ten on IS36. And thats after it cut eMedias four channels.

After the Competition Tribunal ruled against eMedia, it took the matter to the Competition Appeal Court.

The Competition Court has ruled that MultiChoice must reinstate eMedias channels while the Competition Commission conducts an investigation.

MyBroadband contacted eMedia and MultiChoice for comment on the ruling.

We are aware of the decision made by the Competition Appeal Court in favour of eMedia, a MultiChoice spokesperson told MyBroadband.

We are considering the courts decision to grant the order requiring us to carry the four eMedia channels for a limited period of six months while the Competition Commission conducts its investigation, the company said.

We will continue to cooperate with the investigation.

eMedia did not respond by the time of publication.
South Africas data centre market is growing rapidly, with industry players building bigger and more advanced data centres.

The list of companies with facilities in the country continues to grow after Teraco kicked off South Africas carrier-neutral data centre revolution, and Microsoft and Huawei launched a cloud presence in the country.

Companies like Africa Data Centres, Nippon Telegraph and Telephone (NTT) through Dimension Data, Vantage Data Centres, WIOCC, and Oracle have all been investing in local data centres.

These companies have invested billions of rands in their facilities.

Among the biggest recent investments was Vantage Data Centres R15 billion Waterfall City facility, completed in July 2022.

Vantage Data Centres said its completion came more than ten months ahead of schedule.

Some of the most recent and significant developments in the countrys data centre market are summarised below.

Africa Data Centres Samrand and Midrand data centres

Africa Data Centres acquired Standard Banks Samrand data centre in May 2020, after having begun the process a month earlier.

The company said the facility has sufficient power  30MW worth  and space for significant expansion.

MyBroadband spoke to Africa Data Centres group executive for IT and partners Angus Hays who said the Samrand facility is one of few certified tier 4 facilities on the African continent.

Tier 4 is at the top of the list. Its basically the benchmark in redundancy and availability, he said.

A tier 4 facility has fully redundant infrastructure, and that guarantees the highest availability and performance.

He added that the data centre features 6,000 square meters of white space across four data halls, each of which can take up to 600 server racks.

The companys Midrand facility features 9,000 square meters of white space spread across eight data halls.

Teraco completes phase 1 of its multi-billion rand Cape Town data centre

Teraco completed construction on the first phase of its multi-billion rand Brackenfell Data Centre (CT2) in Cape Town in October 2021.

The facility is the biggest data centre in the province, featuring 18MW of critical IT power load across 8,000 square meters of data hall space.

The Brackenfell facility is linked to all other Teraco-owned data systems through a web of network operators making up Platform Teraco.

Teraco CEO Jan Hnizdo said the company expects to build CT3 within the next five years.

Acronis launches cloud facilities in South Africa

Acronis announced that its Cyber Cloud Data Centre in Johannesburg  its first in South Africa  was up and running in January 2022.

A local presence is a necessity for modern cloud businesses, and we are proud to deliver the Acronis Cyber Cloud Data Center in South Africa, Acroniss regional general manager for the Middle East and Africa, Peter French, said.

The Johannesburg facility is one of 111 being deployed by Acronis and provides its service provider partners access to cyber protection services they can use to build new products.

Oracle launches Johannesburg cloud region

Cloud services provider Oracles first African, and by extension South African, cloud region went live in January 2022.

The Johannesburg region is built on Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI), which enables customers to easily migrate IT workloads and data platforms to the cloud or build new cloud-native applications, Oracle said.

Companies expected to benefit from the new region include the Airports Company South Africa, Government Pensions Administrative Agency, and Telkom.

NTT and Dimension Datas Johannesburg 1 facility nears completion

An NTT spokesperson in June said that the companys Johannesburg 1 Data Centre is approaching completion and is expected to open before the end of 2022.

NTT-owned Dimension Data and Growthpoint Properties are developing the facility.

The Johannesburg 1 data centre is located within the Centralpoint Innovation District in Midrand, and it will feature 6,000 square meters of hall space and offer 12MW of critical IT load.

Vantage Data Centres opens first African data centre

Vantage Data Centres opened its Johannesburg (JNB1) data centre  its first in Africa  in July 2022. Construction started last year.

The facility currently offers 16MW of critical IT capacity across 12,000 square meters of hall space, and Vantage said the campus would include 80MW of IT capacity over 60,000 square meters once fully developed.

The campus is situated in Waterfall City, Midrand.

Vantage said it was designed with its commitment to sustainability in mind, and the company signed a 20-year power purchase agreement with SolarAfrica in June.
ST. HELENA  St. Helenas 26 miles of roads are among the Bay Areas worst, but drivers can expect another round of repairs next year.

The city is preparing to solicit construction bids for an estimated $1.4 million worth of paving in spring or fall 2023, the first year in a five-year paving plan.

The following streets will be completely resurfaced next year:

- College Avenue

- Oak Avenue intersections

- Pope Street from Peppertree Circle to Starr Avenue

- Railroad Avenue

- Stockton Street

- Valley View Street from the Sulphur Creek Bridge to Grayson Avenue

- Voorhees Circle

The following streets will receive less intensive microsurfacing treatments:

- Chiles Avenue

- June Lane

- Library Lane

- Tainter Street

- Valley View Street from Spring Street to the Sulphur Creek Bridge

- possibly Oak Avenue, depending on bids received

According to the Bay Area Pavement Conditions Index, St. Helenas streets score a 49 on a scale of 0 to 100, which is considered poor.

However, the overall condition of St. Helenas streets is holding steady under the current five-year plan, Public Works Director Mark Rincon told the City Council on Tuesday.

Bringing the streets up to a higher score is probably going to take more investment at some point, Rincon said.

St. Helenas streets had been in a downward spiral until the states SB 1 and Napa Countys Measure T sales tax started generating some much-needed cash, Rincon said.

The city cant borrow against future Measure T revenue, but Vice Mayor Paul Dohring said the Napa Valley Transportation Authority recently voted to allow jurisdictions to borrow against their own assets and draw down the debt with Measure T funds. That tactic could help St. Helena increase its investment in road repairs.

Its not a simple matter of paving the worst roads first. As a road deteriorates, the cost to repair it rises sharply. Relatively cheap preventive maintenance and microsurfacing save money in the long run because they prevent roads from deteriorating to the point where they require full reconstruction.

However, that financial logic is cold comfort to residents of St. Helenas very worst streets like Pratt, Sulphur Springs, South Crane and Grayson. South Crane is due to be paved in 2024 and Pratt in 2026, but Sulphur Springs and Grayson arent even included in the five-year plan.

The plan is re-evaluated and adjusted every two years based on the latest road conditions.
Fire officials and family members gathered together Saturday evening to commemorate firefighters who lost their lives on the front lines at the California Firefighters Memorial Ceremony.

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The ceremony recognized the 82 fallen firefighters who have died in the past three and a half years across California, adding to the 1,500 names inscribed in the California Firefighters Memorial wall in Capitol Park in Sacramento.

"Today, we recognize 82 of California's finest: men and women who heard the call to duty and answered, knowing the risks they were taking," stated Brian K. Rice, president of California Professional Firefighters and chair of the California Fire Foundation. "Their commitment lives on, inscribed forever in the company of their fallen brothers and sisters, all of whom made the ultimate sacrifice to keep California safe."

Max Fortuna of Stockton, who was shot and killed while on duty, was honored at the ceremony, among others who died while they fought fires or due to job-related illnesses. Almost 40 of the firefighters mentioned at the memorial died from cancer.

More information on the honorees and the organization behind the ceremony can be found at cafirefoundation.org/memorial.

 Bay City News Service
Rich Kinney readily concedes: Making it onto California's November election ballot is a miracle.

The 66-year-old associate pastor and former mayor of San Pablo in the Bay Area is running to unseat Democratic Assemblymember Buffy Wicks out of staunch opposition to her support for abortion rights.

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What did it take for him to make the Nov. 8 ballot? Only about 60 signatures to qualify as a Republican write-in candidate for the June 7 primary, and a mere 37 votes to finish in the top two.

Wicks won 85,180.

Kinney, the only other official candidate in the Assembly District 14 primary, said the write-in process allows newcomers a chance to move forward without the challenges of fundraising against an incumbent.

"Going around my district and trying to get funding was ridiculous. No one wants to give funding to a campaign that's not going to get out the gate," he told CalMatters.

While some candidates might spend millions of dollars or months campaigning, California's top-two primary system means that in races with only one other candidate, it's possible for a write-in candidate to sneak into second place with very little support.

For the June primary, state Assembly and state Senate candidates needed as few as 40 people to sign nomination papers to qualify as write-in candidates. And no matter how few votes they won, as long as they finished in second, they advanced to the November election.

This year, Kinney wasn't the only one to win fewer than 50 votes and make it onto the ballot. Thomas Edward Nichols, a Libertarian running against Republican incumbent Jim Patterson of Fresno in Assembly District 8, made it with just 15 votes. Mindy Pechenuk, a Republican in Assembly District 18, advanced to a matchup with Oakland Democrat Mia Bonta with just 31.

In total, nine write-in candidates moved on to the general election in state Assembly races, and two for state Senate seats.

But while getting onto the ballot is one feat, winning the race is another. It's a reality that Kinney acknowledges.

"I really understand that it's next to impossible to be able to unseat a sitting Democrat in the Legislature," said Kinney, who ran unsuccessfully for state Assembly in 2014 and for state Senate in 2016. "But we've got to put up a good fight anyway. It's important that voters who care about the decency of life have an opportunity to rally together and say so."

Christian Grose, academic director of the USC Schwarzenegger Institute for State and Global Policy, said while it's a quirk of the election system that write-in candidates can make it to the ballot with so little support, it's not necessarily a problem caused by the top-two primary system or by the write-in process.

"It's the lack of serious competition from formal Republican and Libertarian candidates," he said. "Basically, it's the lack of organized challengers that's the problem."

Because of the write-ins, only two candidates for 100 legislative seats have a free pass on the Nov. 8 ballot: Republican Assemblymember Vince Fong of Bakersfield and Democratic Assemblymember Reggie Jones-Sawyer of Los Angeles. (Democrat Giselle Hale, mayor of Redwood City, withdrew last week for the open Assembly District 21 seat in Silicon Valley, but her name will still appear on the ballot with Diane Papan, a San Mateo City Council member and now the only active candidate.)

Fair or futile?

The write-in process was established in California in 1911 as part of the Progressive Era political reforms, according to Alex Vassar, communications manager at the California State Library.

Prior to that, political parties would hand out "tickets" to voters  essentially filled-out ballots.

"One of the major goals was to empower individual voters and weaken the 'political machines,' and give voters the ability to make separate decisions in each election contest. California adopted what was called 'the Australian ballot,' which was essentially the modern secret ballot that we know and love today," Vassar said.

Only a handful of write-in candidates have won either legislative or congressional seats in the last century. Vassar said it was "beyond rare"  in 1930, 1936, 1944, 1958 and 1982.

When U.S. Rep. C.F. Curry died in office in October 1930, his son, C.F. Curry Jr., won the seat the next month as a write-in, defeating a Republican, a Democrat, and two independents. When Assemblymember Lee Bashore died in September 1944, he had already won both the Republican and Democratic nominations. Three write-in candidates ran, and Ernest R. Geddes was elected with 45.9% of the vote, according to Vassar.

"It lets people onto the playing field, but not onto one of the teams," said Thad Kousser, a professor of political science at UC San Diego. "It allows candidates entry, but then places a mountain to climb still for write-in candidates."

Even if the write-in candidates are political unknowns, it creates more competition for the general election, Grose said.

"It's probably a nuisance for these incumbents who will probably win," he said. "They're going to do a little more work, and that's not so bad."

In an April meeting of the Santa Monica Democratic Club, state Sen. Ben Allen acknowledged that to keep his seat, he had to beat a write-in candidate  Kristina Irwin.

"She seems like a very nice person who watches way too much Fox News, and she's just kind of, like, adopted all the crazy Republican conspiracy theories," Allen said at the event, according to the Santa Monica Daily Press. He added that being pushed to campaign more aggressively would be a good thing.

Irwin won 6,260 votes in the primary  far more than the 213 earned by another write-in candidate in that race, but 159,000 votes fewer than Allen.

In Orange County, write-in candidate Leon Sit, a 19-year-old engineering student at UCLA, advanced to the general election with 551 votes from Orange and San Bernardino counties.

That result "reinforces that the voice of each and every voter matters, that every vote counts," Orange County Registrar of Voters Bob Page said in an email. From an election operations standpoint, Page said the write-in process does not create any additional work or challenges.

Sit said he used social media to gather support, and was also interviewed by local reporters, which increased his name recognition.

Still, he said, "statistically the political winds are not in the favor of a challenger like me." And if he somehow beats Republican Phillip Chen, he might have to cut back on his course load or even take a break from school.

"I didn't come into this to be a legislator," Sit said. "I did it to give the district a choice between two candidates, even if one of those candidates was a 19-year-old college student."

Nichols, who is up against Patterson, won a spot on the November ballot with even fewer votes, just 15. Like Sit, he knows unseating the incumbent is a longshot.

Patterson has been in the Legislature since 2012, The district, which encompasses the Central Valley and parts of the Sierra Nevada, is largely Republican.

Still, Nichols said he was motivated to run to get the Libertarian Party's message before voters and to raise the issues he sees in his local community, especially the increased cost of living due to fire threats  specifically, homeowner and property insurance.

Nichols says he's glad the write-in process exists  and that it could give voters a way to think "outside of the duopoly that dominates our political culture."

"I've got to say, I really appreciate the fact that an engineer up here in the foothills could wind up on the ballot going after an incumbent," he said. "I'm satisfied with the democratic process in that respect."
According to information published by the U.S. DoD on July 29, 2022, the Navy has commissioned its newest amphibious transport dock, the future USS Fort Lauderdale (LPD 28) during a ceremony in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

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San Antonio class amphibious transport dock USS Fort Lauderdale (Picture source: U.S. DoD)

The nearly 25,000-ton Fort Lauderdale is 684 feet in length. Four diesel engines will power the ship to speeds in excess of 22 knots, and it will homeport at Naval Station Norfolk in Norfolk, Virginia.

The future USS Fort Lauderdale is the 12th San Antonio-class ship, designed to support embarking, transporting, and bringing elements of 650 Marines ashore by landing craft or air-cushion vehicles. A flight deck hangar further enhances the ship's capabilities, which can support the MV-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft.

San Antonio-class ships can support a variety of amphibious assault, special operations, or expeditionary warfare missions, operating independently or as part of Amphibious Readiness Groups (ARGs), Expeditionary Strike Groups, or joint task forces. These capabilities allow the U.S. Navy to protect America's security abroad, promote regional stability, and preserve future peace.

The San Antonio class is powered by four sequentially turbocharged marine Colt-Pielstick diesel engines driving two shafts. She has a crew of 28 officers and 333 enlisted sailors.

The class has a length of 208.5 m (684.1 ft) overall, a beam of 31.9 m (104.7 ft) extreme, and a draft of 7.0 m (23.0 ft). She can reach a top speed of 22 knots (41 km/h).

The San-Antonio class USS Fort Lauderdale is armed with two Bushmaster II 30 mm close-in-guns, and two Rolling Airframe Missile launchers for air defense.

The class was designed to minimize radar signature. Techniques that reduce radar cross-section (RCS) make the ships more difficult to locate and target.

Enhanced survivability features include improved nuclear blast and fragmentation protection and a shock-hardened structure. The fiber-optic shipboard-wide area network (SWAN) connects onboard-integrated systems. The network will allow "plugin and fight" configuration, updating, and replacing hardware more easily when newer technology becomes available.
Speaker of the US House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi arrived in Singapore, according to The New York Times.

The politician's visit to Southeast Asia is expected to include a stop in Taiwan, despite China's increasingly harsh warnings that a visit to the island could spark a violent backlash. In her statement, however, Pelosi did not mention Taiwan, so the trip to the island remains a mystery closely watched in both Washington and Beijing.

Earlier, the Chinese military announced that they would conduct military exercises in the waters of the southeastern province of Fujian, about 80 miles from Taiwan. In addition, a Chinese air force spokesman said, without specifying a date, that the country's fighters would fly over Taiwan to demonstrate their ability to defend the territory. The exercise coincides with a visit by a US delegation that intends to reassure the region's authorities that the US remains committed to its pivot to the Indo-Pacific region, according to The New York Times.

According to Yonhap, Pelosi will also meet with Chairman of the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea Kim Jin-pyo on August 4. According to the agency, they will discuss issues of regional security and economic cooperation.

Pelosi left the US for Asia on July 30. Nearly 100,000 people watched the flight of the Boeing C-40C in real time, waiting for it to arrive in Taiwan. Later it became known that the plane landed at the Honolulu airport in Hawaii.
NYT: Western countries want to give Russian diamonds bloody status

Karabakh teen drowns in reservoir (PHOTOS)

More than 50 people questioned in Yerevan shopping market explosion criminal case

President: Armenia underscores development of mutually beneficial cooperation with Indonesia

Azerbaijan ombudsperson is interested in convicted Armenian captives

Kazakhstan President sends condolence message to Armenia PM

Armenia has new consul general in Russias Rostov-on-Don

No bombs found at Gyumri international airport, railway station

3 men who strangled Yerevan woman, 47, to death are arrested

People continue bringing flowers, toys nearby tragic Yerevan explosion site

Book of condolences opened at all Armenia diplomatic missions abroad

Bomb threat made at Gyumri international airport, railway station

Russian embassy upset by reports about Russia organizations participation in Yerevan market tragedy

Armenia ex-deputy PM Avinyan visits Yerevan market blast site

Yerevan market explosion: We have one missing person, Armenia official says

Armenia Prosecutor Generals Office: No one is charged in Yerevan market blast case

World oil prices going up

Day of mourning declared in Armenia, Artsakh today and tomorrow

Kazakhstan embassy offers condolences over Yerevan market explosion

People laying flowers nearby Yerevan market blast site

Newspaper: One person is charged in Yerevan market explosion case

Newspaper: Armenia ruling party plans to make state institutions employees become party members

Yerevan explosion: 2 people still being searched for

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

Turkey launches airstrike on Aleppo countryside, 3 Syria soldiers dead

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

Newspaper: Who is No. 1 accountable for Yerevan market tragedy?

Yerevan market explosion: Fire extinguishing no longer being carried out, emergency minister says

Yerevan market explosion death toll reaches 16

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

Yerevan explosion death toll climbs to 15

Yerevan market explosion death toll reaches 10

Yerevan explosion: 5 of 6 assumed missing Iranians are in Georgia, Armenia emergency ministry spokesman says

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

Russian DM: Ukraine is preparing large-scale provocations near Zaporizhzhia NPP
SABIC, a Saudi-based international chemicals company, has signed an agreement with the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry under its Nusaneds localisation initiative to provide citizens with employment and training.

The objective of the agreement is to create jobs and qualify potential Saudi entrepreneurs through training in various sectors.

It was signed by Eng Abdullah Al-Arifi, SABIC Vice-President, Local Content and Business Development Unit, and Ramez Al-Ghalib, Secretary General of the Jeddah Chamber.

The Nusaned initiative aims to identify available investment opportunities in the fields of procurement, downstream and workforce development, and provide support packages to enable entrepreneurs to establish new businesses.

SABIC established the Local Content and Business Development Unit in early 2017, to be a key enabler of Saudi Arabias Vision 2030. The unit seeks to provide meaningful opportunities for investors, especially young people, and entrepreneurs who wish to develop their businesses in innovative and promising industries that contribute to enhancing industrial technologies localisation, creating new job opportunities, and increasing the volume of Saudi exports.

Commenting on the agreement, Al-Arifi says: The agreement reflects SABICs leading role in the industrial sector and its efforts to enable Vision 2030 by qualifying and developing Saudi entrepreneurs within the sector and linking their projects to the Nusaned initiative. --OGN
The military of Myanmar, holding state power in the country, announced the extension of the state of emergency in the republic for another six months - until February 1, 2023, Bloomberg writes, citing local media.

According to the leadership, the country needs more time to return to stability and prepare for the elections.

Measures are needed for the relevant organizations, including the Union Election Commission. The political parties also need to make changes in line with the new electoral system, and the public needs to be widely informed about this, so we need more time to prepare, Myanmars military chief, Prime Minister Min Aung Hlaing said on the state television channel MRTV.

The democratic leadership of Myanmar was ousted in a military coup on February 1, 2021, at the same time a state of emergency was introduced in the country. The reason for the coup was the alleged large-scale electoral fraud in November 2020, which was announced by the military itself. Protests against the coup were brutally suppressed and led to the death of the local population.
US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan will have serious consequences, and China will take strong measures to protect national sovereignty and territorial integrity, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said at a briefing on Monday.

The diplomat noted that if Pelosi went to Taiwan, it would be gross interference in China's internal affairs, a deliberate violation of the 'One China' principle. He added that Pelosi's visit would cause serious damage to China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as pose a threat to peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.

This will cause serious damage to China-US relations and lead to very serious events and consequences, the diplomat said.

Zhao Lijian added that China will certainly take decisive measures to protect national sovereignty and territorial integrity. The diplomat did not highlight what measures China would take.

Earlier, American media reported that Pelosi would visit Japan, South Korea, Malaysia and Singapore during the Asian tour. The media also speculated that the speaker might visit Taiwan. She declined to comment on whether any trip would take place, citing security concerns.

Pelosi previously said she would visit Singapore, Malaysia, the Republic of Korea and Japan with a congressional delegation. No visit to Taiwan was reported.
The Armenian peacekeeping contingent continues to carry out its mission in Kosovo, said Armenian Defense Ministry spokesperson Aram Torosyan.

The ministry maintains intensive contact with them. They continue their mission according to the developed plan, he said.

The leadership of Kosovo postponed the procedure for imposing a ban on Serbian documents for a month, until September 1, when all barricades will be removed and complete freedom of movement will be established in the north of Kosovo.

On Sunday evening, the situation in Kosovo and Metohija escalated sharply after the police of the unrecognized entity closed the checkpoint on the administrative line with Serbia, intending to impose a ban on Serbian documents from midnight Monday. In response, Serbs from the northern part of Kosovo demonstrated and blocked the main highways. Sirens sounded in a number of cities in the north of the region.
When Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan was supposed to visit the Netherlands, I, together with my friends, organized an action to protest against his policies. The chairman of the Armenian National Committee - Netherlands, Masis Abrahamyan, who was banned from entering Armenia, said this in a live broadcast on his Facebook page on August 1.

He called the ban a gross violation of human rights because the "black list" was made with gross violations of the laws on confidentiality of personal data in the Netherlands. Abrahamian said his lawyer will arrive soon, after which a complaint will be prepared in connection with the ban. "We exercised our civil rights. In the Netherlands, people are free to express their dissent without persecution. We must fight these violations and hold them accountable," he said.

Abrahamyan noted that he was going to come to Armenia to rest. "When I asked what was the reasoning behind it, I was told that they were just carrying out an order, there was a decision. I tried to understand the real reason for the refusal and asked to present everything in writing. But I was told that they weren't authorized to answer, and I could get this answer only from the relevant state body, which had made the decision. I still haven't received an answer," said the chairman of Armenian National Committee - Netherlands.
Dolphin Energy Limited (DEL), one of the largest trans-border energy projects ever undertaken in the Middle East, has achieved a 3% decrease in total Greenhouse Gas Emissions (GHG), a 25% drop in flaring volumes.

Besides, the company clocked a 15% decrease in NOx emissions and a 32% decrease in SO2 emissions, DELs 13th sustainability report, covering the companys operations and activities for 2021, said.

Furthermore, the company recorded a 21% decrease in water consumption while 28% of all waste was recycled. In 2021, Dolphin Energy spent $8.8 million on environmental projects while $2.2 million was spent on community investments.

Exceptional safety

Commenting on the report, Dolphin Energys CEO, Obaid Abdulla Al Dhaheri, said: Despite the challenge of Covid-19, we sustained our exceptional safety and operational performance, achieving our production target and maintaining an excellent relationship with our customers. We continued our pursuit of process improvement, as well as the implementation of our digitisation efforts.

Our performance also reflects our diligent approach to managing our operations safely and efficiently in a way that has helped us reduce our environmental footprint.

The company surpassed 10 trillion cubic feet of gas produced and 485 million barrels of condensate production since first gas in 2007. In addition, the companys offshore operations registered 14 years without a Lost Time Incident (LTI).

Nationalisation

In the area of nationalisation, the company met its Emiratisation target of 71% and achieved 30% Qatarisation, an achievement reflected by receiving a certificate in the Support & Liaison with the Education Sector category at the energy sectors 21st Annual Qatarisation review meeting. Today, all executive positions in the company are held by Nationals. Meanwhile, procurement by local suppliers has grown to 95%.

Dolphin Energys sustainability report won for the fourth time the Best Sustainability Report award from the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Group at the 2021 Abu Dhabi Sustainable Business Leadership Forum, a Certificate of Recognition from the ADSG for promoting sustainability management and best practices and a Certificate of Appreciation from the Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi (EAD) for supporting and strengthening the partnership framework and teamwork to protect and preserve the environment and enhance sustainability.

Adding his comments about the importance of promoting sustainability management and promoting best practices, Dolphin Energys General Manager  Qatar, Ali Alrahbi, said: At the heart of this commitment is disclosure and it is critical that we report our performance in this way. Our stakeholders can see where our strengths lie and how we are acting responsibly.

The report was developed using the GRI Standards, Oil and Gas Sector Disclosures, and the IPIECA oil and gas industry guidance on voluntary sustainability reporting. In addition, the companys performance has been aligned to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to contribute to a more sustainable future for all.-- TradeArabia News Service
Citizens in trucks blocked the Stepanavan-Vanadzor road, Radio Liberty reported.

They complained that wheat was left in the field because their vehicles refused to be refueled due to the lack of a certificate for checking gas cylinders.

As a reminder, according to the law, starting today, gas cylinders installed on cars will not be refueled unless they are installed or certified by a licensed organization. Restrictions have also been introduced on the dates of manufacture of gas cylinders.

Drivers complain about long lines at permit points.

A little later the protesters were informed that Prime Minister Pashinyan would drive along the road blocked by them and agreed to unblock the road on condition that the latter would meet them and solve the problem.

Pashinyan called Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure Gnel Sanosyan on the spot and ordered to allow the inspection of the expired gas cylinders, if they are fit for use. He promised to take measures to increase the number of licensing points and create the possibility of booking a queue on an online platform.

Pashinyan was surprised that there is still no such possibility, and drivers have to queue for a long time.
Germany's presidential palace in Berlin is no longer lit up at night, the city of Hannover is shutting off hot water to showers in its pools and gyms, and municipalities across the country are preparing heating shelters to keep people out of the cold. And this is just the beginning of the crisis that will engulf the whole of Europe, Bloomberg reported.

Germany has little time to prevent an energy shortage this winter that would be unprecedented for a developed country. Much of Europe is under pressure as Russia cuts off natural gas supplies, but no other country is more at risk than the region's largest economy, where nearly half of homes rely on fuel for heating.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz's administration has been slow to address Germany's vulnerability, having only recently set demand-reduction targets as efforts to secure alternative supplies fail. As Moscow continues to cut supplies and France struggles to export power to its neighbors, no respite is expected and the risks extend beyond this winter.

Rationing and recession are looming in Germany, and authorities have expressed concern about social unrest if the energy shortage gets out of hand. The country can't even count on France, where malfunctioning nuclear reactors are exacerbating the gas crisis. Electricity prices in Europe's two largest economies rose to record highs last week.

If measures to restore the balance between supply and demand fail, the government has the power to declare a gas "emergency", requiring the state to take control of distribution and decide who gets the fuel and who doesn't.

While households and critical infrastructure such as hospitals are protected from outages, there is no guarantee that room temperature will be as comfortable. Germany's biggest landlord has already announced plans to cut heating at night, and public buildings, including the Reichstag in Berlin, are turning off thermostats.

The cost increase, which will begin to seep seriously this fall, will increase the pressure on the poor. According to the Cologne Institute for Economic Research, about one in four Germans have already fallen into energy poverty, which means that spending on heating and lighting affects the ability to cover other expenses. The government is currently working on programs to help low-income families.

A cold snap in Europe and Asia will force energy companies to fight for already limited supplies of liquefied natural gas. According to Penny Leak, an analyst at consultancy Wood Mackenzie Ltd., rising prices from such a scenario could prompt companies to shut down production and wipe out about 17% of industrial demand for fuel. If Nord Stream flows stay at 20%, we will move closer to the danger zone, she said.

With storage at 68% full, Germany risks missing the government's target of 95% by November 1st. The country's network regulator says that reaching this level is hardly possible without additional measures.

The corporate sector is already responding. A survey of 3,500 companies in the DIHK business lobby found that 16% of industrial firms are considering cutting production or abandoning certain operations due to the energy crisis.

BASF SE is one of them. The chemical giant plans to cut its gas-intensive production of ammonia, a key ingredient in fertilizers, after rising costs made the business unprofitable. The company also plans to partially convert electricity and steam production at its main site in Ludwigshafen to fuel oil, which will help free up gas for sale back into the grid.

High energy prices prompted fertilizer maker CF Industries Holdings Inc. announce the closure of one of its factories in the UK.

Cargill Inc., the world's largest grain trader, has also closed a UK oilseed processing plant, and in France, supermarkets including Carrefour and Monoprix have agreed to cut energy consumption.

The International Monetary Fund estimates that Germany risks losing 4.8% of its output if Russia cuts off gas supplies, with the Bundesbank estimating a potential damage of 220 billion euros.
U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is still expected to visit Taiwan as part of her tour of Asia, despite warnings from representatives of the Biden administration, who are concerned about China's reaction to such a high-profile visit, CNN reported, citing Taiwanese and U.S. officials.

The Taiwanese official added that she is expected to stay in Taiwan overnight. It is not yet clear exactly when Pelosi will land in Taipei.

The U.S. official added that Defense Department officials are working around the clock to monitor any Chinese movements in the region and develop a plan to ensure her safety.

Earlier, Joe Biden said the U.S. military opposes Pelosi's visit to Taiwan. The White House has said that the House speaker should decide for herself where she goes and that they have little influence over her decision.

Nevertheless, administration officials have worked in recent weeks to explain the risks of a visit to Taiwan in meetings with Pelosi and her team. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin recently said he discussed the visit to Asia with Pelosi.

Administration officials believe that the Chinese leadership does not fully understand the political dynamics in the United States, leading to a misunderstanding of the importance of a possible Pelosi visit. Officials say China may confuse Pelosi's visit with an official administration visit because she and Biden are both Democrats. The administration is concerned that China is not separating Pelosi from Biden much, if at all.
Dubai regained the 'world's busiest international airport' title (measured by seat capacity) in July 2022 even as airports that were leaders in 2019 slowly but surely made their way back to the top in their respective categories, said a CAPA report.

Atlanta airport in the US regained and retained its position as the worlds number 1 airport with 4.8 million seats and Dubai is at number 2. According to the report, the Top 10 Busiest Airports in the world are calculated using total capacity (domestic and international) and The Top 10 Busiest International Airports are calculated using international seats only.

Dubai International, with a +28% increase in seats compared to the previous month, was the busiest international airport for July 2022. London Heathrow, which was in top position in June 2022, moved down into second place as it has done in the past, in favour of Dubai.

Asia Pacific still languishes as restrictions remain in place or are only slowly being eased. Only three airports  Tokyo Haneda, Guangzhou and Singapore Changi  make it into the tables, said the report.

Four airports stand out as performing better than might be expected: Doha, Singapore, Dallas-Fort Worth and Denver, while Istanbul continues to impress.

The main message is that business as usual is at least making a comeback, it said.

The report said self-imposed capacity restrictions will hamper London Heathrows recovery, but Gatwick is turning things around. Consistency of the FLAP airports (Amsterdam, Frankfurt, London Heathrow and Paris CDG) in Europe is indicative of a return to normality.

The half-way point of surprise recovery year 2022 has already been reached, and although formal tabulated passenger or cargo statistics for the half year have not yet been revealed, seat capacity data for July 2022 alone provides interesting insight into how airports are recovering (or not, as is still the case in some parts of the world), it said.
A war of words between the US and China over Taiwan could easily escalate and is being closely watched in European capitals, Politico writes, citing European diplomats.

As tensions rise between the world's two biggest superpowers, Beijing is stepping up its threats over a possible visit by U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to Taiwan in the coming days.

From Brussels to Paris, EU officials are reluctant to weigh this dispute in public. Behind the scenes, however, European diplomats acknowledge that there is a clear danger that the situation could spiral out of control.

Analysts are urging EU leaders to pay attention and prepare for the trouble ahead.

Pelosi went on a tour of Asia. Taiwan is not included in the official agenda of the visit, but many do not rule out that Pelosi will visit the island, despite warnings from the US administration and threats from China.

China insists that Pelosi's visit to Taiwan would be a flagrant violation of the One China policy governing the status of the territory and a signal of American support for Taiwan independence. Chinese President Xi Jinping stressed his position last week during a call with Joe Biden.

In public, most other European capitals were more careful in their comments. Asked about the threat of China's military response to Pelosi's visit, the French foreign ministry and the EU's foreign policy arm declined to comment.

One EU diplomat said that silence should be expected at this stage, given that Taiwan is primarily seen as a US interest, but the reaction will be different if words translate into action.
I know that in Armenia they sometimes draw analogies between Kosovo and Karabakh. That is a mistake; there can be no analogies, the editor-in-chief of the Regnum news agency Modest Kolerov told NEWS.am.

"Since the 2000s, we in Russia have been fighting for the very wording of the Kosovo precedent in order to apply it to Abkhazia, South Ossetia and Transnistria," he said. This formula, as Kolerov reminded, was supported by President Putin in January 2007, directly referring to the Kosovo precedent. In the fight for Karabakh, Armenia previously used this rhetoric of the Kosovo precedent. Although in this case Armenia would act as Albania to Kosovo with respect to Karabakh, but this is already too complicated for political rhetoric. In this situation, Serbia's rights to Kosovo, outlined in the UN resolution, are, in his assessment, of a different nature.

"What is important here is that Kosovo as an independent state has already been recognized by half of the states in the world. There is a NATO contingent in Kosovo, Kosovo directly communicates with the European Union bodies, and even its official flag is decorated with the stars of the European Union. If Armenia wants to see Kosovo as a precedent for itself, it should abandon all senseless hopes. The main precedent of Kosovo is the transformation of Kosovo into a Euro-Atlantic bridgehead. They already recognize and turn a blind eye to the dismemberment of captured Serbs, including women and children, into organs. If the West gets involved, and there is no balance, it will be cynical. And nothing will stop him," he stressed.

He described as naive the hopes that the rights of Karabakh Armenians will get additional protection and that Armenia will be able to protect itself and Karabakh when Yerevan changes its orientation from CSTO and EEU, when, as we see now, Armenia steps by leaps and bounds joins the European Union and thinks up a long-existing Minsk Group which Russia left. "The slow but harsh reaction of NATO to the Serbs' attempt to protect their Serbs is what the Kosovo precedent is all about. The Serbs politely tried to protect their Serbs on their UN territory, and they were kicked to death and capitulated. Do you want help from these NATO guys who have now defended the Kosovars, who are striking down the rights of the Serbs in Kosovo? This is naivety; there will be nothing," the editor-in-chief says.

He is sure that the European Union and NATO will not defend Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh, first of all, because NATO is represented by Turkey in the South Caucasus region. "I do not know what the Armenian authorities hope for. I can still raise some hopes that the Russian peacekeepers will stay in Karabakh, and this will mark some kind of balance. But we have to be honest: the peacekeepers are there on a bird's-eye basis, the extension of the mandate is not guaranteed, the very formula of the mandate is not spelled out, not approved and not legitimized by Azerbaijan. Instead of shoving Karabakh under the Russian protectorate, the Armenian authorities are shoving themselves under the protectorate of the European Union. The price of this cramming, the price of this mandate is minus Karabakh. Nothing new will happen to the Armenian people of Karabakh, they will go to Russia, where they will be fine. But there will be no Karabakh without the Armenian people," he said.


Independent journalist Aakash Hassan from Kashmir writes for The Guardian and has covered human rights and politics from the region for reputed media outlets like Al-Jazeera, The Intercept, and South China Morning Post among others.

Arjumand Shaheen | TwoCircles.net

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SRINAGAR (JAMMU AND KASHMIR)  On July 26, Aakash Hassan, an independent journalist from Kashmir, was stopped by immigration authorities at New Delhi international airport from boarding a flight to Colombo, Sri Lanka. Hassan, who contributes to the British publication The Guardian, was going to Colombo for a reporting assignment.

Hassan shared photos of his tickets and passport on his Twitter handle stamped with Cancelled without prejudice. Hassan is the second Kashmiri journalist stopped from travelling outside the country in the last month. On July 02, Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist, Sanna Irshad Matto, was barred from travelling to France at the same airport. Both journalists said they were stopped without being provided with any reasons.

Hassan shared his experience with TwoCircles.net. Below are the edited excerpts:

Tell us briefly what happened on the day you were stopped from boarding a flight to Sri Lanka. Did you expect this?

When I checked in and arrived at the immigration counter, the officials stopped me. After checking my passport, they did not proceed further. Taking my passport and boarding pass, they took me to the immigration office where I asked to sit in a room. I inquired what was the matter, but got no answer. After making me sit for hours, two officials came and started questioning me about my background, my work, where I was heading, and the purpose of my visit.

When the airline staff came in to check for me, the officials asked the airline staff to offload my luggage from the aircraft. It was then that I figured that I will be stopped from flying. After almost four hours, my passport was returned and officials said that they cannot allow me to travel.

As earlier in July, photo-journalist Sanna was stopped earlier from travelling abroad, I was apprehensive that I may be stopped too, which eventually came true.

Why do you think the authorities barred you from travelling? How do you see these travel restrictions?

The authorities did not give me any reason officially. However, the officials had told the airline staff that there is a lookout circular issued against me and thats why I have been barred from flying.

I report facts on the ground and share them on social media. My journalism seems to be the reason for these restrictions. I see it as an attempt to stifle the freedom of journalists, especially those who report facts on the ground.

Since you are the second journalist to be barred from travelling in the same month, do you think there is a pattern?

Yes, it is not a coincidence at all. Before me, a Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist was barred from travelling without being given any reason. There has to be a pattern which is quite evident.

How do you think these travel restrictions impact other journalists in Kashmir?

When authorities harass or intimidate a journalist, it does not involve him/her only. It is also about sending a message to the whole journalist community.

When any journalist is harassed or when I was stopped from travelling, it affects my colleagues (working in Kashmir.) Many journalists I am in touch with are concerned about themselves after seeing what happened to me. Some of them are even thinking about whether to continue working as a journalist or not. All this has ultimately led to journalists switching fields, self-censorship or leaving Kashmir and working in other places.

Do you think Kashmiri journalists, especially freelancers who face challenges on the ground or from the authorities, receive the required support from their organisations and journalist bodies?

Organisational support is lacking for those journalists who face persecution in any form. In case of an emergency, a freelancer has to fend for themselves. Some organisations are not fair to freelance journalists. These are pressing issues, not only facing Kashmiri journalists but generally in the media industry.

I believe freelancers should be treated in a much better way, as they are a critical part of journalism right now in the world.

My story of being barred from travelling to Sri Lanka did get some coverage in the mainstream media, however, in Kashmir, most of the leading media outlets didnt report on it. There has been condemnation from some media watchdogs who regularly issue such condemnations and statements but mainstream journalists have not spoken.

Barring Kashmiri journalists from going out is a new low for press freedom. Our job, career and livelihood are at risk. I was going to Sri Lanka to do my job, but by stopping me, the authorities not only barred me from rendering my journalistic duties, but they also deprived me of my livelihood.

Arjumand Shaheen is an independent journalist based in Srinagar, Kashmir. She covers human rights, gender, health and culture. She tweets at @UroojAndrabi
In order to protect the Crimea, the Sea of Azov, and the Crimean bridge, we are doomed to have Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions, Modest Kolerov, editor-in-chief of the Regnum news agency, told NEWS.am.

"Referenda will be held there in the near future, and Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk and Luhansk will join Russia. There is no doubt here. In addition, there is little doubt that we will have to take Odessa and Nikolaev and get a direct territorial connection with Transnistria. The purest Russian language is spoken in Transnistria, it is our land. That's how a new map is being created in the place of the former Ukraine, and no Macron is needed here," he said.

In this situation, the media head expressed surprise at Armenia's policy. "You see where the train is going. There is no need to cheat. You want what to deceive Russia, what to cheat in?" noted Kolemerov. He expressed his conviction that it would not be possible to distract Russia from the liberation of Ukraine with the help of Kosovo. "Serbia's capitulation in Kosovo will not affect Russia's position in any way. Here they do not believe in Vucic's ability to defend Serbia's national interests. All this is also a serious lesson for Armenia. Don't expect to succeed in this serious struggle, trying to sit between two chairs. You won't. We see how Kazakhstan is splitting from Russia, how Armenia is splitting from Russia, but it won't help," Kolerov noted.

According to his assessment, only Belarus is realistically on Russia's side in the fight in Ukraine right now; neither Kazakhstan, nor Armenia, nor others are on Russia's side. "Russia cannot count on their help. Russia is almost alone in the post-Soviet space, but in the world 2/3 of the states did not support Western sanctions against Russia. And now Algeria, the main alternative supplier of gas to southern Europe, is asking to join BRICS, which includes Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. Thanks to China's power, Russia again finds itself in an alternative alliance. Time works for us, winter is coming and so is the moment of truth. And in these circumstances, all attempts by the West to negotiate are attempts to negotiate Russia's capitulation in Ukraine. The height of compromise sounds like agreeing that Crimea and the Luhansk and Donetsk regions are ours. It's already been ours for eight years," he said.
Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], August 1 (ANI/PRNewswire): Tejas Networks (BSE: 540595) (NSE: TEJASNET) today announced that it has been awarded a contract worth Rs 298 crores for the supply, installation, commissioning and support of its state-of-the-art optical networking equipment, for the augmentation of PGCIL's (NSE: POWERGRID) pan-India telecom backbone and access networks. As part of this contract, Tejas will deploy a wide range of its versatile family of products including TJ1600 multi-terabit OTN cross-connects and 100G/200G DWDM systems with advanced Flex-grid ROADM functionality, TJ1400P series of MPLS-TP/Carrier Ethernet switches, along with TejNMS, its universal, multi-technology network management system to create a scalable and high-capacity network for PGCIL. Sanjay Nayak, Managing Director and CEO of Tejas Networks said, "We are delighted to be selected by PGCIL for the capacity expansion of their nationwide backbone and access network, which further reinforces our position as a leading trusted telecom equipment provider for the critical infrastructure segment. This win is a strong endorsement of the competitiveness of our end-to-end portfolio of world-class optical networking products for Access, Metro and Backbone networks." Tejas Networks designs and manufactures high-performance wireline and wireless networking products for telecommunications service providers, internet service providers, utilities, defence and government entities in over 75 countries. Tejas Networks is a part of the Tata Group, with Panatone Finvest Ltd. (a subsidiary of Tata Sons Pvt. Ltd.) being the majority shareholder. For more information, visit Tejas Networks at http://www.tejasnetworks.com or contact Investor Relations: ir@india.tejasnetworks.com SAFE HARBOUR Certain statements in this release concerning our future growth prospects are forward-looking statements, which involve a number of risks, and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in such forward-looking statements due to risks or uncertainties associated with our expectations with respect to, but not limited to, our ability to successfully implement our strategy and our growth and expansion plans, technological changes, our exposure to market risks, general economic and political conditions in India which have an impact on our business activities or investments, changes in the laws and regulations that apply to the industry in which the Company operates. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements that may be made from time to time by or on behalf of the Company. Media Contact: Santosh Kesavan skeshavan@india.tejasnetworks.com This story is provided by PRNewswire. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/PRNewswire)
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], August 1 (ANI/NewsVoir): India's very first Cold Chain digital marketplace, Celcius, formed during the most challenging environment of the COVID pandemic, is today scaling an enviable growth trajectory. In just two years of its inception, the company recorded an ARR of INR 50 CR and recently closed USD 7.5 MN in funding rounds. Speaking on the rapid progress made, Swarup Bose - Founder and CEO of Celcius, said, "Celcius's HYBRID SaaS-based cold chain marketplace solution connecting Shippers, Transporters, and Cold Storage owners across the country comes as a boon to the entire sector. We are attempting to bridge the systemic gaps and create a tech ecosystem that will be unparalleled. In just two years, we have grown 20 times and expanded our operations from 5 to 350 cities. As tons of food and vaccines get wasted every year, Celcius is set out on a mission to create a precise Unbroken Cold Chain, a crying need of the country today." The conventional cold chain system in India is riddled with issues. The yawning systemic gaps became more pronounced and came to the forefront during the unprecedented nationwide lockdown in March 2020. The unavailability of staff and coordination errors between the shippers and transporters created chaos in transporting essential commodities across the country. Considering the sustained demand for contactless deliveries and anticipating the need for a robust and seamless cold chain to aid the distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine, Swarup, who was already in the cold chain business and his team came together to create a paradigm shift with Celcius. Since then the company has had phenomenal growth achieving the following milestones: - Onboarded 3500 vehicles, 107 cold storages, and had grown 20 X just in one year. - Geographically it has expanded from five city operations to 350 cities today. - Transported over 20000 tonnes of perishable cargo for sectors like dairy, fresh agricultural produce, pharma, fruits, seafood, and vaccines across 350 cities in India - Ventured across the border to import fruits from Afghanistan and to export seafood outside India, connecting Nepal and Bhutan - Tied up with financial institutions like Shriram Transport and Finance Company and with OEMs like Ashok Leyland and Tata - Has a stellar clientele that includes Zepto, Maersk, Godrej Agrovet, Gadre Marine, IB Group, Innovative Foods, Reliance Pharma, Balmer and Laurie, and Vadilal Celcius's web and Android applications allow a shipper to instantly book reefer vehicles or cold storage space across the nation and monitor the inventory LIVE! The shipper can download reports and receive specialized alerts for any variation in temperature maintenance or route deviations. The app also empowers the transporters to analyze how their vehicles are performing using TMS (Transport Management System) giving even the smallest of transporters the tools needed to maximize the utilization of their assets. Machine learning and predictive analysis allow the company to map requirements and deploy unused inventory at the right time and the right place. Within just two years, Celcius has grown from a team of 5 to a team of 72 with offices in 5 cities and a team presence in 12 cities across India. Shortly, Celcius would be upgrading the platform with Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) and Inventory Management System (IMS). With its Transportation Management Systems (TMS) already live, this will bring end-to-end visibility in the storage and transportation of perishables under one platform while removing redundancies and optimising the entire supply chain. Having begun with primary distribution, this cold-chain logistics start-up added secondary (mid mile) distribution, started cold storage offerings about two months back and has added in-depth last mile deliveries in 6 cities thus creating a True Unbroken Cold Chain. Celcius would be further introducing an in-depth cold storage warehousing solution, securing a reach in over 500 cities, and scaling its business in terms of team size and reach by the turn of the year and is aiming at a USD 10 MN as part of its series A funding. Tons of food and vaccines are wasted every year in India (a whopping 30 per cent of farm produce and 29 per cent of vaccines). One of the main reasons for the wastage is the acute shortage of refrigerated vehicles and cold storage in India. Apart from reducing waste, enhancing the shelf life of products is also a need of the hour that an effective cold supply chain can resolve. The GOI has backed many supply chain and logistics projects with subsidies and waivers ever since the onset of the pandemic. The implementation of the National Logistics Policy (NLP), will enable the Indian logistics and warehousing sector to become better connected and transparent. For a nation that serves as a global pharmaceutical hub and enjoys massive investor interest, having a solid and resilient backbone of cold chain infrastructure is critical. And an Unbroken Cold Chain is the only solution. For more information, please visit www.celcius.in. Celcius is the first online marketplace in cold-chain logistics and warehousing in India. Its comprehensive proprietary tech solution includes a SaaS marketplace that offers end-to-end solutions connecting all the stakeholders of the cold-chain ecosystem. Celcius is building a value proposition for all its stakeholders by adopting technology to solve challenges in inefficiency, transparency, discovery, and provide quality assurance in the cold-chain logistics market while aggregating fragmented demand and supply across regions. The Mumbai-based start-up received USD 500,000 in a seed fund round from investors in India, Malaysia, Nigeria, and the US. The brand successfully utilized the funds to scale up its operations and diversify the services on its platform by building on primary, mid-mile, and last-mile deliveries of perishables like Vaccines, Dairy, Fresh Agriculture Produce, Pharmaceuticals, and other sectors. It recently closed USD 7.5 Mn in bridge funding from marquee investors like Supply Chain Labs, Mumbai Angels, Vcats, Keiretsu, EVAN, Magehold, and other key individual investors and key groups. This story is provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/NewsVoir)
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Delhi has decided to allow private shops to sell liquor for two more months provided they deposit the requisite licence fee days after it said that only government shops will sell liquor from August 1. In a circular dated July 30, the state government said that licensees who are willing to avail the extension are required to deposit two months' fee in advance by August 4. Under its new excise policy, the Arvind Kejriwal-led government had decided to conduct auctions and allow private shops to sell liquor. However, the policy became embroiled in a bitter political fight between the state's ruling AAP and the opposition BJP. While the BJP alleged massive corruption in the implementation of the liquor policy, the AAP hit back claiming that the opposition party wanted to encourage illegal and spurious trade. Amid all this, the Delhi government announced that it would withdraw the policy under which private shops would be shut. However, on Sunday, the state government allowed a further two months' extension to private vends. The move to roll back the new excise policy also came after Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena recommended a CBI probe into the alleged violations in the implementation of the policy. Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, who also heads the Excise Department, claimed that his party's government brought in a new excise policy to curb graft but central agencies were used to threaten shopkeepers as well as state officials. Targeting the BJP, he claimed this was done to encourage the sale of illegal as well as spurious liquor. "We have decided to withdraw the new policy and ordered liquor be sold only through government-run shops. We have done this so that no one can sell illegal or spurious liquor in the capital. I have ordered the state chief secretary to ensure there is no corruption," Sisodia had said at a press conference. Sisodia claimed that licenses were issued through open tenders in a transparent manner in the new excise policy. He claimed that before 2021, liquor was sold in Delhi through government shops and alleged there was a lot of corruption. "I also carried out some raids," he said. "Our government brought a new policy last year. Earlier, there used to be some private shops, but they would be allotted to near and dear ones. We ended this system and brought a new policy. We carried out a transparent auction. We decided that, like earlier, there will be only 850 shops. The government used to earn a revenue of Rs 6000 crore every year, but under the new policy, the revenue would have risen to Rs 9,500 crore," Sisodia claimed. He said that there were 468 shops functional and many more planned to leave the shops. "They (BJP) want to create a liquor shortage in Delhi and want to encourage illegal and spurious liquor trade," he alleged. The excise policy was passed in chief minister Arvind Kejriwal-led Cabinet in the middle of the deadly Covid-19 pandemic in 2021. The Delhi Police's Economic Offences Wing (EOW) is also conducting a probe into the matter. There has also been a face-off between Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena and the Delhi government's top brass over the new liquor policy. (ANI)
Lilongwe [Malawi]/Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], August 1 (ANI/BusinessWire India): Merck Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, marks 'World ART (Assisted Reproductive Technology) Day 2022' together with African First Ladies through their "More Than a Mother" Campaign by building and advancing fertility care capacity in Africa and Asia. Senator, Dr Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation, Most Influential African (2019, 2020 and 2021) emphasized, "Happy World ART (Assisted Reproductive Technology) Day 2022. I strongly believe in the critical role of Embryologists and fertility specialists to empower infertile women through improving their access to information, change of mindset and quality and equitable fertility care across Africa and Asia. I am very proud that as part of 'Merck Foundation More Than A Mother' campaign in partnership with African First Ladies who are also the Ambassadors of Merck Foundation "More Than a Mother" Campaign, Ministries of Health, Academia and Fertility Societies, we provided more than 400 scholarships to young doctors from 38 countries to be the local fertility experts in their respective countries. Many of them were trained to be the first local fertility experts in their countries where they never had even a single local embryologist or fertility specialist before such as; The Gambia, Burundi, Guinea, Chad, Niger, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Malawi, and more. Together with Merck Foundation Alumni, and our partners, we are making history and reshaping the landscape of fertility care across Africa and beyond." Merck Foundation 'More Than a Mother' is a strong movement that aims to empower women living with Infertility through access to information, education, change of mindset, and economic empowerment. This powerful campaign supports in defining policies and interventions to build quality and equitable Reproductive and Fertility Care Capacity, Break Infertility Stigma and Raise Awareness about Infertility Prevention and Male Infertility. "Out of the total 400, over 180 scholarships have been provided for clinical and practical training for Fertility Specialists and Embryologists, and over 215 scholarships have been provided for one-year Diploma and two-year Master Degree in Sexual and Reproductive Medicine and Biotechnology of Human Assisted Reproduction an Embryology," explained Dr Rasha Kelej. Moreover, Merck Foundation has trained more than 2200 media representatives from more than 30 countries to raise community awareness and break the stigma around infertility and infertile and childless women. Merck Foundation has also been empowering childless and infertile women through their "Empowering Berna" initiative under their "More Than a Mother" movement. This initiative helps women who cannot be treated for infertility anymore by helping them to get trained to establish small businesses so that they can be independent and rebuild their lives. Through 'Empowering Berna', the lives of many infertile women have been transformed in many African countries like Kenya, Uganda, Nigeria, Central African Republic, Niger, Malawi, and many more. Merck Foundation in partnership with African First Ladies has also launched David's Story, a children's storybook to emphasize strong family values of love and respect from a young age which will reflect on eliminating the stigma of infertility and the resulted domestic violence in the future. The storybooks have been localized for each country to have a better connect with the young readers. Read David's Story here: https://merck-foundation.com/merckfoundation/public/uploads/digital_library/1623068222_8c2d31133aeda35530d4.pdf Merck Foundation has also released more than 25 songs, many of these songs have been created with the aim to break the infertility stigma, as a part of their "More Than a Mother" campaign. Listen to some of the songs here: 1. Watch, share and subscribe to the 'Plus qu'une MERE' composed and sung by Lucky-Lou, the daughter of The President and The First Lady of Burundi: https://youtu.be/EEUjxjqlHv0 2. Watch, share and subscribe to the "More Than a Mother" song by Cwesi Oteng and Adina from Ghana: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NQ6ZprqAAJs 3. Watch, share and subscribe to the "More Than a Mother" song by H.E. George Weah, the President of the Republic of Liberia created to support Merck Foundation "More Than a Mother" movement: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DfjS3kY2YWY Listen to all "More than a Mother" songs here: https://merck-foundation.com/our-programs/Merck-Foundation-More-Than-a-Mother/Local-Songs-and-Children-Stories "To address this important issue of breaking infertility stigma and also a wide range of other social issues, we annually launch Merck Foundation 'More Than a Mother' Awards in partnership with African First Ladies. I would also like to invite the African Community of Media, Fashion, Film making, and Musicians, students, and potential talents in these fields to apply for the awards this year, to create a culture shift and break the silence about one or more of the following topics: Breaking Infertility Stigma, Supporting Girl Education, Women Empowerment, Ending Child Marriage, Ending FGM, and/ or Stopping GBV at all levels. I am looking forward to receiving their creative work on submit@merck-foundation.com," concluded Senator, Dr Rasha Kelej. "Merck Foundation More Than a Mother" is a strong movement that aims to empower infertile women through access to information, education and change of mindsets. This powerful campaign supports in defining policies and interventions to build quality and equitable Reproductive and Fertility Care Capacity, Break Infertility Stigma and Raise Awareness about Infertility Prevention and Male Infertility. In partnership with African First Ladies, Ministries of Health, Information, Education and Gender, academia, policymakers, International fertility societies, media and art, the initiative also provides training for Fertility Specialists and Embryologists to build and advance fertility care capacity in Africa and developing countries. With "Merck Foundation More Than a Mother", we have initiated a cultural shift to de-stigmatize infertility at all levels: By improving awareness, training local experts in the fields of fertility care and media, building advocacy in cooperation with African First Ladies and women leaders and by supporting childless women in starting their own small businesses. It's all about giving every woman the respect and the help she deserves to live a fulfilling life, with or without a child. The Ambassadors of "Merck Foundation More Than a Mother" are: Merck Foundation launched new innovative initiatives to sensitize local communities about infertility prevention, male infertility with the aim to break the stigma of infertility and empowering infertile women as part of Merck Foundation More than a Mother COMMUNITY AWARENESS CAMPAIGN, such as; - 'Merck Foundation More than a Mother' Africa Media Recognition Awards and Health Media Training - 'Merck Foundation More than a Mother' Fashion Awards - 'Merck Foundation More than a Mother' Film Awards - 'Merck Foundation More than a Mother' Song Awards - Local songs with local artists to address the cultural perception of infertility and how to change it - Children storybook, localized for each country Click on the link below to download Merck Foundation Apphttps://www.merck-foundation.com/MF_StoreRedirection Join the conversation on our social media platforms below and let your voice be heard Facebook: Merck FoundationTwitter: @MerckfoundationYouTube: MerckFoundationInstagram: Merck FoundationFlickr: Merck FoundationWebsite: www.merck-foundation.com This story is provided by BusinessWire India. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/BusinessWire India)
New Delhi [India], August 1 (ANI/GPRC): After several years in the outsourcing industry, Winston Ong, CEO of Brunt Work, has seen companies increase productivity after hiring virtual assistants to address their staffing problems. In the first few weeks of 2020, a virus turned the world's workforce into remote workers seemingly overnight. Employees from India to Australia, Brazil to China packed up their offices and set up new "work from home" workspaces. Digital tools like Zoom and Slack went from fringe supplements to the primary enablers for daily interactions with co-workers. And then outsourcing boomed Globally, CEOs and managers turned to outsourcing in a big way. Business analysts are often quoted as saying that most virtual assistant services are cost-effective solutions that price the work based on tasks or the number of hours worked and emerging economies saw huge increases in GDP as western companies turned their attention to virtual assistants, mainly from the Philippines and India. The quality of virtual assistants is also extremely high, while their cost--particularly overseas-- remains relatively low compared to traditional local employees. These assistants often have college degrees, valuable skills, extensive work experience and the perfect disposition to work effectively in a remote environment. Average Salary of Virtual Assistants in FY23 While virtual assistants are known for offering services at lower rates, there is no standard or fixed salary. Typically, it depends on location and the tasks required of the assistant. Some entrepreneurs who have switched most of their tasks to virtual assistants because of the money they save attest that they can find highly educated, credentialed. English-speaking virtual assistants for as little as UAD 4 - USD 8 an hour in some developing countries. Some business owners with multiple virtual assistants for various projects pay their assistants different rates. For instance, an expert who manages email marketing setup may charge as high as USD 25 an hour, while a web developer may have an asking rate of USD 20 per hour. BruntWork Salary Data Brunt Work, one of the fastest-growing outsourcing companies in Australia with a reported growth of 384 per cent in recurring revenue from a global client base, provides services to both listed enterprises and growing startups. The company discloses that it has a fully-managed outsourcing solution with hourly rates ranging from USD 4 to USD 8 an hour, which can make a massive difference to a company's bottom line because of the considerably lower rates. Despite the affordability, BruntWork has several teams across admin, sales, support, finance, payroll or web development functions with high-output talent, hand-picked and individually selected for the needs of each client. When asked how the company could keep its rates low, Ong responded, "BruntWork's recruitment process is not limited to one geographic location so that we can reach out to a wider pool of applicants, many of whom live outside major metro areas so their living costs are lower." This story is provided by GPRC. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/GPRC)
New Delhi [India], August 1 (ANI/PNN): Lead India, an online legal services platform, is aiming to connect to 10,000 people per day, making its services accessible to a larger demographic. Lead India is a team of 5,000 legal professionals and subject matter experts, serving in Delhi, Mumbai, Chandigarh, Lucknow, and Allahabad. The Lead India platform currently connects 1,000+ per day and hopes to expand its serving base in the coming times. Lead India started its journey in 2009 in the hands of Subhash Singh as a newspaper to fulfil the aspiration of true journalism. In 2017, it took the shape of a law firm to provide legal advice and other law-related services to the common masses. Finally, it was registered as Lead India Law Pvt. Ltd. in 2021. Moreover, Lead India Group was founded following our former president, Dr APJ Abdul Kalam's vision to bring a revolution in the Indian legal services industry. Lead India, one of the fastest-growing law firms, is an integrated technology-based platform that assists people through its website in getting high-class legal services in a cost-effective manner. Individuals can find hassle-free and reliable legal solutions to any legal problem and deal with all legal processes efficiently using their online platform. It has 5,000+ advocates and legal professionals who handle all kinds of legal services in Delhi, Mumbai, Chandigarh, Lucknow, Allahabad, and other Indian cities. Its diverse legal services include criminal, civil, marriage, drafting, registration, and other legal services. Sharing the vision of the one-of-its-kind law firm, Founder Subhash Singh says, "India is a country where a large chunk of the population has no idea about their legal rights. As a result, speedy, equal, and hassle-free justice remain an unattainable feat to them. Lead India is an online firm dedicated to providing affordable legal aid to a larger population. It is a client-oriented firm with high integrity and complete transparency that upholds the constitutional spirit of equal justice. Lead India is determined to help all the people facing any legal issues all over India and emerge as the best legal platform in the country." At Lead India, people get free advice on call from the best lawyers with expertise in their specific domain. Lead India's lawyers to prepare the best strategy for your case to deliver favourable outcomes. Individuals also use Lead India's unique case tracking function to track their case in a single click online. Moreover, what makes Lead India a reliable legal aid is its fixed rates without any hidden expenses. Lead India has already served more than 15,000 clients with its legal services. The firm is now making moves to reach every corner of the country with its dependable and affordable legal aid. So, if you are looking for any legal services, then visit their website https://www.leadindia.law/. This story is provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/PNN)
Hyderabad (Telangana) [India], August 1 (ANI/PNN) Vice President, Venkaiah Naidu lauded the efforts made by Siva Prasad to make it easier to understand the Bhagavad Gita even for a common person. Siva Prasad is an IAS officer who studied in NIT Warangal, from Guntur District, Andhra Pradesh and is in Punjab Cadre (Financial Commissioner, Rural Development & Panchayats, Govt of Punjab & Chandigarh) and presented both English and Hindi copies of his book Gita Acharan - A Practitioner's Perspective, to the Vice President at Uparashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi. Siva Prasad explained that this book is a compilation of articles on the Bhagavad Gita. The complex issues presented in the Gita were simplified through these articles. This will help even a beginner and especially youth to under Gita to make their lives joyful. They will be able to handle the stress and tension they face in their daily lives. He said that he was working on this for more than 20 years and the experience gained with people and situations helped him to understand the preaching's of the Gita. Apart from this, he studied western thinking processes and behavioural sciences to supplement his daily experience. This story is provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/PNN)
Hosur (Tamil Nadu) [India], August 1 (ANI/Newsvoir): TVS Motor Company registered a growth of 13 per cent in July 2022 with sales of 314,639 units as against 278,855 units in the month of July 2021. Two-WheelerTotal two-wheelers registered a growth of 14 per cent in July 2022 with sales increasing from 262,728 units in July 2021 to 299,658 units in July 2022. Domestic two-wheeler registered a growth of 15 per cent with sales increasing from 175,169 units in July 2021 to 201,942 units in July 2022. Motorcycle registered a growth of 8 per cent with sales increasing from 138,772 units in July 2021 to 150,340 units in July 2022. Scooter registered a growth of 49 per cent with sales increasing from 73,811 units in July 2021 to 110,196 units in July 2022 The Company has invested in strategic relationships and action plans for the supply of semiconductors and the efforts are yielding results with improvements seen this month as well. We are very confident of the supplies improving further. International Business The Company's total exports grew by 9 per cent from 103,133 units in July 2021 to 112,032 units in July 2022. Two-wheeler exports grew by 12 per cent from 87,559 units in July 2021 to 97,716 units in July 2022. Three-Wheeler Three-wheeler of the Company registered sales of 14,981 units in July 2022 as against sales of 16,127 units in July 2021. Electric Vehicle The newly launched three versions of TVS iQube Electric have received a very good response with customers welcoming the product and liking its features. The future demand outlook is very positive. Efforts on increasing the capacity and delivery are showing results, and against a monthly average sale of 2,908 units in Q1 2022, the company sold 6,304 units of TVS iQube Electric in July 2022. TVS Motor Company is a reputed two and three-wheeler manufacturer globally, championing progress through Sustainable Mobility with four state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities in Hosur, Mysuru and Nalagarh in India and Karawang in Indonesia. Rooted in our 100-year legacy of Trust, Value, and Passion for Customers and Exactness, we take pride in making internationally aspirational products of the highest quality through innovative and sustainable processes. We are the only two-wheeler company to have received the prestigious Deming Prize. Our products lead in their respective categories in the J.D. Power IQS and APEAL surveys. We have been ranked the No. 1 Company in the J.D. Power Customer Service Satisfaction Survey for consecutive four years. Our group company Norton Motorcycles, based in the United Kingdom, is one of the most emotive motorcycle brands in the world. Our subsidiaries in the personal e-mobility space, Swiss E-Mobility Group (SEMG) and EGO Movement have a leading position in the e-bike market in Switzerland. TVS Motor Company endeavours to deliver the most superior customer experience across 80 countries in which we operate. For more information, please visit www.tvsmotor.com. This story is provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/NewsVoir)
Vaishnaw said that the first instalment of Rs 13,365 crore will be paid to the government within 10 days.

"Auction has been completed and in the next few days, till August 10, all formalities including approving and allocating the spectrum will be done," he said.

"It seems we would be able to launch 5G in the country by October. The ongoing 5G spectrum auction indicates that the country's telecom industry has come a long way in 5G advancements, the minister said.

Vaishnaw said that better availability of spectrum will improve the quality of telecom services in the country.

Spectrum purchases by mobile operators are good enough for covering 5G to the entire country, he added.

India's biggest ever auction of airwaves ended on Monday, with spectrum worth Rs 1,50,173 crore being sold.

Reliance Jio Infocomm Limited has made bids worth Rs 88,078 crore accounting for 58.65 per cent of the total value of Rs 1,50,173 crore received by the government in the 5G spectrum auction.

Jio has made bids to acquire 24,740 MHz spectrum in 700 MHz, 800 MHz, 1800 MHz, 3300 MHz and 26 GHz.

Bharti Airtel has made bids worth Rs 43,084 crore to acquire 19867.8 MHz spectrum in 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, 2100MHz, 3300 MHz and 26 GHz frequency bands.

Vodafone Idea Limited has made bids worth Rs 18,799 crore to acquire 6,228 MHz spectrum in 1800 MHz, 2100 MHz, 2500 MHz, 3300 MHz and 26 GHz.

Four firms are in the fray for the 5G auction. Adani Data Networks Limited has made bids worth Rs 212 crore to acquire 400 MHz spectrum in 26 GHz frequency band.

A total of 72,098 MHz of spectrum was offered for auction, and out of that 51,236 MHz has been sold, the minister said. (ANI)
Arjun along with his co-stars Disha Patani and Tara Sutaria visited the old Gaiety Galaxy cinema hall in Mumbai to surprise their fans watching 'Ek Villain Returns'.

Taking to Instagram, the 'Gunday' actor shared a picture from the cinema hall, which he captioned, "Ek actor ko aur kya chahiye!! Housefull board outside a cinema that's all we work for... will sleep with a smile on my face tonight... ."

In the picture, the 'Mubarkaan' actor could be seen holding the Housefull board with Tara and Disha on both his sides and their fans gathering around them.

Helmed by Mohit Suri 'Ek Villain Returns' gathered mixed reviews from the netizens but the 'Aurangzeb' actor received praises from the audience for his performance in the film.

Soon after Arjun shared this post, fans flooded the comment section with heart, fire emoticons and congratulatory messages for the whole team.

"Absolutely....best movie of this year" a fan commented on the post.

Another fan wrote, "Congratulations movie it's very awesome and Arjun acting superb."

'Ek Villain Returns' minted Rs 14 crore after the second day of its release and became Arjun's fifth highest opening film of his career.

Apart from 'Ek Villain Returns', Arjun will also be seen in Aasmaan Bhardwaaj's 'Kuttey', which is slated to release on November 4, 2022.

Along with this he also has director Ajay Behl's 'The Ladykiller' opposite Bhumi Pednekar. (ANI)
Bollywood actor Kriti Sanon on Monday expressed gratitude as she became the latest Bollywood celebrity to cross 50 million followers on Instagram. Taking to her social media, the 'Mimi' actor dropped a reel video which she captioned, "As Mimi says 'Fan following hai meri yahan par, haan!' 50 MILLION Love and counting.. Love you guys!! #50MillionOnInsta." https://www.instagram.com/p/CgtwboYp_q_/ In the video, the actor shared various BTS videos of her previous characters from Bareilly Ki Barfi, and Mimi to Raabta. In the video, she wrote, "Thank you for giving me so much love.. for loving me on screen and off screen too!. Keep Holding my hand. We have a long way to go." Soon after the 'Dilwale' actor shared the reel video, fans swamped the comment section with heart and fire emoticons. With this, the 'Heropanti' actor became the latest Bollywood celeb to cross the 50 million followers margin on Instagram after Alia Bhatt, Shraddha Kapoor, Anushka Sharma, Deepika Padukone, Jacqueline Fernandez and Priyanka Chopra. The actor keeps her fans actively updated with her professional and personal life on the platform. From her motivational workout videos, and ultra-hot glam pictures to BTS pictures from sets, Kriti's social media feed exudes positivity and is as real as it can get. Meanwhile, on the work front, Kriti has a massive and one of the best lineups of films ahead including the much awaited Pan India film, 'Adipurush' opposite Prabhas and Saif Ali Khan, 'Ganapath' alongside Tiger Shroff, which is slated to release on the occasion of Christmas 2022. Apart from that she also has 'Shehzada' with actor Kartik Aaryan, which is all set to hit the theatres on February 11, 2023, and a horror comedy 'Bhediya' opposite Varun Dhawan, along with Anurag Kashyap's unannounced next. (ANI)
Taking to Instagram, actor Huma Qureshi dropped the trailer, which she captioned, "Her every move will matter. #MaharaniS2, streaming on 25th Aug only on #SonyLIV #MaharaniOnSonyLIV."

https://www.instagram.com/p/CgtyXpOD6JA/

In the trailer, Huma could be seen portraying the role of a women chief minister of the state of Bihar, Rani Bharti. As violence increases in the state, she vows to tackle the goons.

The 'Badlapur' actor gathered positive feedback from the netizens for the first season of the series.

Along with Huma, the series also stars Sohum Shah, Amit Sial, Vineet Kumar, Inaamulhaq, Kani Kasturi, Anuja Sathe, Pramod Pathak and Neha Chouhan in the lead roles.

Helmed by Ravindra Gautam, the series is all set to stream on Sony Liv from August 25, 2022.

Soon after Huma shared the trailer on her social media, fans flooded the comment section with heart and fire emoticons.

"Maharani Is Back And How Intense, Powerful And Stronger. This Is Gonna Be A Must Watch After Succesful Season 1 . #MaharaniS2" a fan commented.

Another fan wrote, "Huma The Maharani is back, waiting to see season 2 huma Best of luck."

Apart from 'Maharani Season 2', the 'Jolly LLB 2' actor will be also seen in 'Double XL' alongside Sonakshi Sinha, 'Tarla', which is a biopic on the life of famous chef Tarla Dalal and a thriller film 'Pooja Meri Jaan' alongside Mrunal Thakur which she recently wrapped. (ANI)
Meanwhile, the Covid positivity rate has risen to 9.35 per cent, and the number of active cases stands at 4,509, out of which 2,977 patients are being treated in home isolation.

With 984 patients recovering in the last 24 hours, the total number of recoveries has gone to 19,24,951, while Delhi's total caseload is 19,55,771 and the death toll continues at 26,311.

The number of Covid containment zones stands at 169.

A total of 13,511 new tests -- 9,381 RT-PCR and 4,130 Rapid Antigen - were conducted in the last 24 hours, taking the total to 3,95,08,812 while 35,145 vaccines were administered - 3,667 first doses, 7,498 second doses, and 23,980 precaution doses.

The total number of cumulative beneficiaries vaccinated so far stands at 3,58,37,140, according to the health bulletin.

--IANS avr/sks

( 173 Words)

2022-07-31-22:20:02 (IANS)
Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai will visit Davangere and Koppal to participate in the Diamond Jubilee of Siddarameshwara Ratha on Monday. The Chief Minister will leave Bengaluru in the morning for Davangere. He is thereafter scheduled to travel to Koppal to visit the Anjanadri hills and chair a meeting with the Deputy Commissioner of the district. He is scheduled to visit the Gavisiddeshwara Mutt and present a grant of Rs 10 crore for the construction of the Hostel and Dining Hall of the mutt. The state government has drawn up a Rs 100 crore development plan for Anjanadri Hills. The Chief Minister would discuss the plan for comprehensive development of Anjanadri Hills. Later in the afternoon, he will inaugurate a Mother and Children's hospital. Earlier in June, Bommai had instructed the officials to complete the land acquisition process and start the work within a month for the comprehensive development of Anjanadri Hills at Kishkinda in the Koppal district. The instructions were issued at a meeting chaired by Bommai to review the implementation of the Anjanadri Hills Comprehensive Development project. About 60 acres of land is required for the project, of which about 58 acres is private land. The Chief Minister asked the Deputy Commissioner of Koppal district to acquire the land through direct negotiation with the farmers or through the KIADB land acquisition process In the first phase of the project connecting roads to Anjanadri should be developed. Alternative roads too should be identified and developed, he said. The Chief Minister wanted the officials to widen the State Highway from the National Highway to Gangavathi. He instructed the officials to prepare the detailed project report and develop parking and other amenities for the pilgrims at the base of the foothills. (ANI)
Ahead of the 75th Independence Day celebrations, the Telangana government has decided to celebrate "Swatantra Bharatha Vajrotsavalu" that will be held from August 8 to 22 across the state. The government will distribute 1 crore national flags to the households in the state as part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, for which it has given a contract to Siricilla skilled hand workers (Chenetha Karmikulu) who received the order from the state government to manufacture the flags. "Telangana government readied one crore National flags for distribution to all households in the state," Chief Secretary Somesh Kumar said. He directed the officials to ensure that the flags are distributed in all villages, mandals and municipalities. Films on national integration and patriotism will be shown free of cost to school children in all cinema theatres. A skilled hand worker who was one of those who received the order to weave the flag, said that the order has given jobs to numerous people in the town. "As India is celebrating 75 years of independence on the occasion of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, as part of Har Ghar Tiranga, we got National Flags order in Sircilla. We do the cutting and stitching work here. Nearly 5 lakh national flags were given by cutting and stitching, and nearly 100 people got jobs. Many people in Sircilla are doing the cutting and stitching work and nearly 5,000 workers are working," he said. A lady hand worker said that they are being paid more than what they get as daily labourers. "Even after doing so much hard work, we don't get much money as we are getting now. We are getting around Rs 270 and this has given a lot of job opportunities. All of the women are working hard," she said. Notably, The initiative of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 12 to celebrate and commemorate 75 glorious years of Independence of India. With over 50,000 events successfully held across 28 States, 8 UTs, and over 150 countries, the initiative of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav is one of the largest programs ever organized in terms of scope and participation. A citizen, a private organization or an educational institution may hoist or display the National Flag on all days and occasions. There is no restriction on timing of flag display. Machine-made flags are permitted in addition to hand-made flags. The government has amended the Flag Code of India to allow the tricolour to be displayed in the open and on individual houses or buildings through day and night. The Flag Code of India was earlier amended in December last year allowing the use of polyester, apart from cotton, wool, silk and khadi for making hand-spun, hand-woven and machine-made flags. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said that the 'Har Ghar Tiranga' movement will be held from August 13-15, and urged citizens of the country to use 'tiranga' as their profile picture in social media accounts between August 2 and August 15. (ANI)
Outgoing Delhi Police Commissioner Rakesh Asthana on Sunday said although he has retired, his desire to work for the force and the public remains intact. "Although I have retired today, I believe I can do a lot more for the Delhi Police, the people and the country... I still have that desire to work. But then, anyone who joins the force has to retire one day," Asthana said in his farewell speech. The 1984-batch Gujarat cadre IPS officer, who has in the last one year brought some notable changes in the Delhi Police, such as merging Police Control Room units with police stations and separating law and order from the investigation unit, said he believes his team "did well". Sanjay Arora was appointed as Delhi Police Commissioner, as incumbent Rakesh Asthana retired on Sunday. Arora is currently serving as DG of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP). The notice further read, "In pursuance of the said approval, Sh. Sanjay Arora, IPS (TN: 1988) is hereby appointed as Commissioner of Police, Delhi with effect from 1st August 2022 or from the date of taking over charge whichever is later and till further orders". Sanjay Arora is an Indian Police Service officer, 1988 batch, Tamil Nadu cadre. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from Malviya National Institute of Technology, Jaipur (Rajasthan). After joining the IPS, he served in various capacities in Tamil Nadu Police. He was Superintendent of Police (SP), Special Task Force, where he achieved significant success against the Veerappan gang, for which he was awarded CM's Gallantry Medal for Bravery and Heroic Action. In 1991, Arora, after being trained by NSG, had a pivotal role in forming the Special Security Group (SSG) to provide security to the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu during the heyday of LTTE activity. He also served as the Superintendent of Police of various districts of TN. He served in the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) on deputation as Commandant from 1997 to 2002. He commanded a border guarding ITBP Battalion in Matli, Uttarakhand from 1997 to 2000. As an instructor, he had made remarkable contributions in the field of training, serving as Commandant (Combat Wing) at the ITBP Academy, Mussoorie from 2000 to 2002. He served as Commissioner of Police, Coimbatore city from 2002 to 2004. He has also served as Deputy Inspector General of Police, Villupuram range and Deputy Director of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption. He has led the Chennai City Police as - Additional Commissioner - Crime & Headquarters and Additional Commissioner - Traffic. On promotion, he was appointed as ADGP (Operations) and ADGP (Administration) in Tamil Nadu Police. He has served as IG (Special Operations) BSF, IG Chhattisgarh Sector CRPF and IG Operations CRPF. He has served as ADG HQ & Ops CRPF and Spl DG J&K Zone CRPF before being appointed as DG, ITBP. He assumed the charge of DG ITBP on August 31, 2021 as the 31st chief of the force.He has been awarded the Police Medal for Meritorious Service in 2004, President's Police Medal for Distinguished Service in 2014, Police Special Duty Medal, Antrik Suraksha Padak and UN Peacekeeping Medal among others. (ANI)
Amid the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament, West Bengal BJP MPs on Monday protested against West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee over the alleged involvement of former state minister Partha Chatterjee in the SSC recruitment scam. They raised "thieves" slogans against Mamata Banerjee and TMC. The ED arrested Partha Chatterjee, who was also the Trinamool Congress secretary-general, on July 23 for an investigation into the teacher recruitment scam. Meanwhile, days after heaps of cash and kilos of gold were seized from his aide Arpita Mukherjee's homes in Kolkata, Chatterjee on Sunday claimed the money did not belong to him. "When the time comes, you will know...the money does not belong to me," he said to media persons today upon being asked about who is behind this conspiracy. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) seized around Rs 50 crore in cash from two homes belonging to Mukherjee during raids in connection with alleged irregularities in the recruitment of teachers. Both Chatterjee and Mukherjee were arrested earlier this month. 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 Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday demanded to remove the "Singur Andolan" chapter from history books claiming that the chapter has glorified "corrupt" Partha Chatterjee by calling him a freedom fighter. BJP National Secretary Anupam Hazra asked Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to remove former Bengal Minister Partha Chatterjee's name from the pages of history books of the Madhya Shiksha Parshad. "Honourable Chief Minister, this man is now in jail for embezzling money from millions of educated unemployed youth. Now at least remove his name from the pages of Class 8 History books. Otherwise, the new generation will start considering this person as equivalent to Netaji and Khudiram after seeing his name on the pages of the book," tweeted Hazra. 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)
Communist Party of India-(Marxist) MP V Sivadasan has given a suspension of business notice in Rajya Sabha under rule 267 and demanded a discussion on the reduction in Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) work in July. "I hereby give notice under rule 267 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Council of States of my intention to move the following motion for suspension of Business Rule on August 1, 2022," wrote Sivadasan to Rajya Sabha Speaker. The CPIM leader wrote, "There is an overall attack on the MGNREGS from the Union Government with reduced allocation for this year despite high demand for work. All this is happening when MNREGA has proved its worth in providing employment in rural India, especially during the pandemic. The demand is very much high especially due to the return of migrant workers to villages caused by the pandemic." "For the prolonged periods of unemployment and back-breaking price rises, MGNREGA could be used to help the situation by providing employment to the rural unemployed. This is high time to extend MNREGA into urban areas but the Union Government is assisting the corporates in looting the resources of the country and has different priorities. This is sheer apathy on the part of the Central Government to the plight of rural masses," he said. "Against this, the MNREGA workers of the country are observing a strike today. Hence, it is requested to suspend the rules under rule 267 and discuss the matter on the 1st August 202," he wrote. Demand for jobs under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MG-NREGS) from both households as well as individuals fell to the lowest level in the current fiscal in July, according to provisional figures released by the Central government. Meanwhile, the Monsoon Session of Parliament began on July 18 and will continue till August 12. On July 26, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla suspended four Congress members for the rest of the monsoon session for unruly behaviour and disrupting the proceedings of the House. The suspended MPs, along with other opposition members, were protesting with placards and shouting slogans against price rise and ignored repeated warnings from the Speaker. The four suspended Congress MPs are Manickam Tagore, Ramya Haridas, Jothimani and TN Prathapan. (ANI)
Both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha have been adjourned till noon on Monday after a ruckus was created by Opposition leaders on various issues. The Lower House of the Parliament has been adjourned till noon on Monday after a ruckus was created by Opposition leaders demanding of withdrawal of the suspension of four Congress MPs last week. On July 26, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla suspended four Congress members for the rest of the monsoon session for unruly behaviour and disrupting the proceedings of the House. The suspended MPs and other opposition members were protesting with placards and shouting slogans against price rise and ignored repeated warnings from the Speaker. The four suspended Congress MPs are Manickam Tagore, Ramya Haridas, Jothimani and TN Prathapan. The Rajya Sabha was today adjourned for almost an hour till noon as Shiv Sena members among other Opposition parties created a ruckus over the arrest of its leader Sanjay Raut by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and price rise. Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu announced the adjournment of the House soon after it assembled for the day at 11 am. Shiv Sena MPs trooped into the well of the RS House sloganeering against the government for allegedly misusing the Central investigative agencies against its leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut. Raut on Sunday was arrested by the ED following day-long questioning into alleged irregularities in the Patra Chawl redevelopment project in Mumbai's Goregaon. Shiv Sena MPs Priyanka Chaturvedi and Anil Desai showed placards written as "ED stands for the extended department of BJP." Other Opposition party MPs were also sloganeering against the government over price-rise and other issues. Amid the din, Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu tried to run the House and requested the MPs to go back to their seats. As the ruckus continued, the Chairman adjourned the House till noon. The Monsoon Session of Parliament began on July 18 and will continue till August 12. (ANI)
The Enforcement Directorate on Monday will produce Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut before a special session court after his arrest here early this morning in connection with a money laundering case linked to irregularities involving the redevelopment of a chawl in Mumbai. ED officials raided the Shiv Sena leader's home on Sunday and after detaining and questioning him for several hours arrested him in the early hours today. Raut will be taken for medical tests and later produced before a Special Court under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). Raut is a close aide of Shiv Sena President and former Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray. Prior to his arrest, Sanjay Raut's brother said yesterday: "Sanjay Raut has been arrested. BJP is afraid of him and got him arrested. They haven't given us any document (regarding his arrest). He has been framed." Raut was arrested after an FIR was registered against Sanjay Raut in Mumbai for allegedly threatening Swapna Patkar, the wife of Sujit Patkar, a close aide of the Shiv Sena MP. The case was registered at the Vakola police station under sections 504,506 and 509 of IPC. An audio clip of Swapna had gone viral in which Raut was allegedly heard threatening her.Notably, Swapna Patkar is a witness in the Patra Chawl land case, for which the ED detained Raut on Sunday after hours of raids at his residence. Meanwhile, security around the ED office and JJ hospital has been increased with over 100 officials deployed to get hold of any law and order situation. Additional Director (ED) Satyabrata Kumar was also seen at the site. According to the sources, ED officials seized Rs 11.50 lakhs unaccounted cash from the residence of Raut earlier on Sunday. ED sleuths reached Raut's residence around 7 am on Sunday and conducted the raid. Soon after the ED officials detained him in connection with the Patra Chawl land scam case, the Shiv Sena leader said that he "won't be cowed down". Speaking to media persons, Raut said, "False charges and documents are being framed against people. All of this is being done to weaken Shiv Sena and Maharashtra. Sanjay Raut won't be cowed down. I will not leave the party." On June 28 this year, Sanjay Raut was summoned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with the prevention of the money laundering case pertaining to the Rs 1,034 crore Patra Chawl land scam. Refusing to join the probe and citing the Monsoon Session of Parliament as a reason for not joining the probe, he then dared the probe agency to arrest him. Later, he reached the ED office. The ED, which took Pune-based businessman Avinash Bhosale into custody earlier in connection with the DHFL-Yes Bank case, wants to grill Raut in this matter too, as per sources. They claimed that Patra Chawl case of ED is also linked to the DHFL case. In April this year, the ED had provisionally attached assets worth over Rs 11.15 crore belonging to Raut's wife Varsha Raut and two of his associates as part of its investigation. (ANI)
Shiv Sena MP Priyanka Chaturvedi has condemned party leader Sanjay Raut's arrest by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with the Patra Chawl land scam and claimed the action was politically motivated. "ED, which is no more Enforcement Directorate but an 'Extended Department' of the Bharatiya Janata Party, is working as part of a political conspiracy and compromising the constitutional institution," she claimed. When asked about the alleged recovery of Rs 11.5 lakh cash from Raut's house, she said, "Recovering it from a joint family which has three brothers, two daughters and a mother is not unaccounted for cash. All these are source-based stories which ED is known to plant to try to justify the political conspiracy." Chaturvedi also has given a suspension of business notice in the Rajya Sabha seeking to discuss "misuse of premier investigative agencies by the Central government for political agendas". "I hereby give notice under Rule 267 of rules of procedure and conduct of business in the Council of States of my intention to move the following motion for the suspension of business/rules on August 1, 2022," wrote Chaturvedi to Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu. "That this august House agrees to suspend the listed business of the day to discuss the misuse of the premier investigating agencies, such as Enforcement Directorate (ED), Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Income Tax (IT) Department by the Central Government for political agendas and detaining opposition leaders through these agencies in a bid to silence them." she further wrote. Chaturvedi slammed the Centre for allegedly using central agencies to harass opposition leaders and claimed that the ED action on Raut was an attempt to silence one of the most vocal opponents of the BJP. Earlier, another FIR was registered against Sanjay Raut in Mumbai for allegedly threatening Swapna Patkar, wife of Sujit Patkar who is considered an aide of the Shiv Sena leader. The case was registered at the Vakola police station under sections 504, 506 and 509 of IPC. An audio clip had gone viral in which Raut was allegedly heard threatening Swapna Patkar. Notably, Swapna Patkar is a witness in the Patra Chawl land case for which the ED detained Raut on Sunday after conducting a raid at his residence. (ANI)
Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, both the Houses have been adjourned till 2 PM for the second time on Monday, after a ruckus by Opposition leaders on various issues. The Lower House has been adjourned after Opposition parties demanded the suspension of four Congress MPs be revoked. In Rajya Sabha, the Opposition continued sloganeering and Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge demanded a discussion over price rise. To this, Bhubaneswar Kalita, presiding in the Chair, responded that the matter would be taken up tomorrow. Meanwhile, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan is expected to introduce a Bill to amend the Central Universities Act, 2009, in the Lok Sabha. Union Minister of External Affairs S Jaishankar is expected to move the Weapons of Mass Destruction and their Delivery Systems (Prohibition of Unlawful Activities) Amendment Bill, 2022, in the Rajya Sabha for passing. Earlier in the day, both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha were adjourned till noon after a ruckus was created by Opposition leaders on various issues. The Lower House has been adjourned after Opposition leaders demanded the withdrawal of the suspension of four Congress MPs last week. On July 26, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla suspended four Congress members for the rest of the monsoon session for unruly behaviour and disrupting the proceedings of the House. The suspended MPs and other opposition members were protesting with placards and shouting slogans against price rise and ignored repeated warnings from the Speaker. The four suspended Congress MPs are Manickam Tagore, Ramya Haridas, Jothimani and TN Prathapan. The Rajya Sabha was today adjourned for almost an hour till noon as Shiv Sena members among other Opposition parties protest over the arrest of its leader Sanjay Raut by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and price rise. Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu had announced the adjournment of the House soon after it assembled for the day at 11 am. Raut on Sunday was arrested by the ED following day-long questioning into alleged irregularities in the Patra Chawl redevelopment project in Mumbai's Goregaon. (ANI)
A grand procession was taken out by the devotees of Teej Mata in Jaipur on July 31, an much-awaited event which could not held during the last two years because of the onslaught of the COVID-19 epidemic. According to the Hindu calendar, Hariyali Teej falls on the third day (Tritiya) of Shukla Paksha in the month of Sawan. Hariyali Teej is celebrated to worship Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati and on this day married women observe a day-long fast praying for a long life for their husbands. The festival is celebrated with great joy by married Hindu women in northern and western parts of India, especially in Rajasthan. Rajasthani women wear lehariya sarees to get ready for this auspicious day. The royal ride of the Teej festival was taken out from Tripola Gate of the City Palace of Jaipur. The ride was part of a two-day program organised by the Rajasthan Tourism Department from July 31 to August 1. During the royal ride of Teej, folk artists performed at the City Palace. Folk singing along with folk dances was a major source of attraction. Manganiyar folk artists, in the form of Radha-Krishna danced on a camel cart tableaux. Director of Tourism Department, Dr Rashmi Sharma said, "We are very happy that after two years, we are celebrating the festival of Teej and people of every age group are participating in the event." "People wait to see the ride of Teej Mata and this time we are more prepared because it is happening after two years. We have increased the number of artists from all over the state. We aim that people can connect to their culture and traditions through this event," said Upendra Singh Shekhawat, Deputy Director of the Tourism Department. Teej celebrates the determination of Goddess Parvati who took 108 re-births until Lord Shiva gave in to her dedication and tied the nuptial knot with her. Many believe that on this day the Goddess declared that fasting and performing certain rituals will bless women with a happy married life. While the way of celebration may vary, there are certain things without which 'Teej' is incomplete.From green bangles to green sarees and suits, as the name suggests, 'Haryali Teej' is all about the colour green. Women dress up in traditional attires and get together to ride swings and to listen to old folklore of Lord Shiva and Parvati. What gujiya is to Holi, ghewar is to Teej! Ghewar comes in different varieties and is the most commonly savoured sweet on the day. Other sweet delicacies made on this day include kheer, mal-pua and halwa. (ANI)
Twenty people were quarantined in Kerala's Thrissur, following the death of one person with Monkeypox-like symptoms in the state, officials said on Monday. The officials also confirmed that the deceased had come in contact with "only 10 people" including family members and friends. "The situation is well under control, there's no panic here as of now. The person had direct contact with only 10 people including family members and a few friends. 20 people quarantined so far," said Renjini, Member, Education and Health standing committee. The panchayat members of Punnayur village in Thrissur also held a meeting to discuss the situation in the aftermath of the death and the subsequent measures to be taken. State Health Minister Veena George initiated a high-level inquiry into the death of the youth presenting with monkeypox-like symptoms. The youth hailed from Chavakkad Kuranjiyur in Thrissur district and tested positive in a foreign country. "The result of the test conducted in the foreign country was positive. He sought treatment in Thrissur due to severe fatigue and encephalitis and Monkeypox is not a fatal disease," said George. She said that delay in seeking treatment will be investigated. The health department called a meeting in Punnayur regarding the death of a young man due to alleged Monkeypox. Meanwhile, a contact list and route map of the deceased youth has been prepared. Contact persons have been advised to undergo isolation. Notably, India has reported five cases of monkeypox so far, of which three cases are from Kerala, one is from Delhi and one from Andhra Pradesh's Guntur.Following this, the central government is on an alert even as the count of infections in some other countries has risen. NITI Aayog's member (Health) Dr V K Paul said that there is absolutely no need for any panic as the government has taken significant measures to keep the disease in check. In an Interview with ANI, Dr Paul sought to assert that there was no need for any undue panic but added that it was still important that the country and the society stay vigilant."There is no need to panic, as of now, but one must report in time if they spot any symptoms, he said.According to World Health Organization (WHO), more than 18,000 cases have been reported from 78 countries. "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," said Dr Tedros, Director General, WHO on Thursday. Monkeypox is a zoonotic disease caused by the monkeypox virus, which belongs to the same family of viruses that causes smallpox. The disease is endemic in regions like West and Central Africa but lately, cases have been reported from non-endemic countries too, according to the WHO. (ANI)
Days after National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval participated in a meeting to promote inter-faith harmony, AIMIM chief Asadudduin Owaisi on Sunday said the top government functionary should name the elements who were spreading bigotry in the country. "I was expecting that he (Doval) would tell the country about who are the elements spreading bigotry in the country. Why is he mincing his words? He should tell the nation," Owaisi told reporters here. On Saturday, NSA Ajit Doval while speaking at an interfaith harmony meeting organised by the All India Sufi Sajjadanashin Council (AISSC) in Delhi, said that some elements were creating acrimony and conflict in the name of religion and ideology and observed that there was a need to work on the ground and "strengthen our voices". "Some elements are trying to create an atmosphere that's vitiating the progress of India. They're creating acrimony and conflict in the name of religion and ideology, it's affecting the entire country while spilling over outside the country too," Doval had said. The NSA emphasised the need to maintain unity and said every citizen will benefit from the country's progress. "There's an atmosphere of conflict in the world, if we have to tackle that atmosphere, it's important to maintain the unity of the country together. The way India is progressing will benefit people from all religions," he said. Owaisi, in his interaction with the media in Jaipur on Sunday night, also targeted the Centre and said it should talk about economy and the promises of employment that were made. Asked to comment on the Sri Lankan financial crisis, Owaisi said "The situation in Sri Lanka is because their government tried to suppress all the real data from the public. I hope such situations do not prevail in India". (ANI)
The government has undertaken a series of reform measures to make India a global drone hub by 2030, Minister of State for Civil Aviation VK Singh told the Rajya Sabha on Monday. Giving a written reply to a query raised by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Narhari Amin, the Minister further said some of the reform measures taken up by the government in this direction include the step to notify Liberalised Drone Rules, 202 on August 25, 2021. Drone Airspace Map was published on September 24 last year, opening up nearly 90 per cent of Indian airspace as a green zone for drones flying up to 400 feet, said Singh. "Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for drones was also notified on September 30 last year as well as UAS Traffic Management (UTM) Policy Framework was published on October 24 last year," said the Minister. A monetary grant programme for the purchase of agricultural drones was announced by the Union Agriculture Ministry on January 22 this year, and all application forms under Drone Rules, 2021 were also made online on the Digital Sky Platform on January 26. Singh said that the drone certification scheme was notified on January 26 this year and the mission "Drone Shakti" was also announced for supporting drone startups and promoting Drone-as-a-Service (DrAAS) as part of the Union Budget on February 1. Besides, the drone import policy was notified on February 9, banning the import of foreign drones and freeing up the import of drone components. He further mentioned that Drone (Amendment) Rules, 2022 was notified on February 11, abolishing the requirement of a drone pilot licence. Now a remote pilot certificate is issued by a Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) authorised Remote Pilot Training Organisations (RPTO) which is adequate for the remote pilot to operate drones. Giving details of the Drones Rules, 2021 notified on August 25 last year, the Minister said it provides the necessary regulatory framework for the civilian or commercial use of drones. These rules cover various aspects like type certification, registration and operation of drones, airspace restrictions, research, development and testing of drones, training and licensing, offences and penalties, said Singh. Given salient features of the Drones Rules, 2021, the Minister said every drone, except for those meant for research, development and testing purposes, is required to be registered and should have a Unique Identification Number (UIN). "An airspace map of the country segregating the entire airspace into red, yellow and green zones is available on the digital sky platform. The operation of drones in red and yellow zones is subject to the approval of the Central Government and the concerned Air Traffic Control (ATC) authority respectively. No approval is required for the operation of drones in green zones," the Ministry said. He said drones are required to have the necessary type certification issued by the DGCA, and that no type certification is however required in case of nano drones (up to 250 gram all-up weight) and model drones made for research and recreation purposes. The Minister said the owner and operators of drones are required to furnish the necessary personal details including their Indian passport number for issuance of any registration or licence. "Authorisation of RPTO will be done by DGCA within specified time limits," said Singh. As of July 20, there were 27 RPTOs authorised by DGCA. Of these, three RPTOs are located in Gujarat-- Blue Ray Aviation Pvt. Ltd., Kaushalya- The Skill University and Sanskardham Drone Academy. (ANI)
At least nine to ten people were killed in a massive fire at a private hospital in Madhya Pradesh's Jabalpur on Monday, the official said. The Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh announced an ex gratia of Rs 5 lakh each to the nearest kin of the deceased. Speaking to ANI, Siddharth Bahaguna, Jabalpur SP said, "Around 9-10 people have lost their lives in the fire that broke out at New City House Hospital in Jabalpur, due to a short circuit." Meanwhile, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakhs each for the next of kin of four people who lost their lives in the fire incident at Jabalpur hospital. "In this hour of grief, the bereaved family should not consider themselves alone, I and the entire Madhya Pradesh are with the family. The state government will provide assistance of Rs 5 lakh each to the next of kin of the deceased and Rs 50-50 thousand to the seriously injured. The government will also bear the cost of complete treatment of the injured," CM said in a tweet. The Chief Minister further said that local administration and collector have been directed to keep an eye on the entire matter. "Sad news has been received of a horrific fire accident in a hospital in Jabalpur. I am in constant touch with the local administration and collector. The Chief Secretary has been directed to keep an eye on the entire matter. Every effort is being made for relief and rescue," he tweeted. (ANI)
Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party's (AAP's) national convener Arvind Kejriwal, who is aggressively campaigning in poll-bound Gujarat and taking on the BJP government, on Monday said that the people of Gujarat have two options, either to vote for BJP and get spurious liquor or to exercise their franchise in favour of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) to get employment. Taking on Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in the state over the hooch tragedy, the AAP convener advised voters to vote wisely in the elections on the issues. Speaking to media persons at the Porbandar airport, the Delhi Chief Minister said, "At present, people of Gujarat have 2 options, either they'll get spurious liquor if they'll vote for them (BJP) or they will get employment if they vote for us. Electricity, school, and jobs will be the issues now. Spurious liquor is being sold openly in the state." Kejriwal was referring to the illicit liquor tragedy in the BJP-ruled state which resulted in the death of 42 people over the past few days. Earlier during his visit to Surat, the Delhi CM 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 had also promised to waive all pending electricity bills up to December 31, 2021. 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. On July 26, Delhi CM met people and their families who fell ill after drinking spurious liquor, in Botad district of Gujarat and 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 had met people and their families who fell ill after drinking spurious liquor, in Gujarat's Bhavnagar. Earlier, the party had announced that the party will be contesting the polls from all 182 seats in the state. After its landslide victory in the recently held Punjab Assembly elections, AAP is seeking to expand its footprint in other states. The party had made its debut in Gujarat in the 2017 Assembly polls, but could not open its account. The Gujarat Assembly elections are slated to be held this year. AAP's Gujarat hope has been fuelled by its performance in the February 2021 Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) polls in which BJP won 93 seats, while Aam Aadmi Party bagged 27 seats in the Surat Municipal Corporation election and Congress drew a blank. (ANI)
Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Monday convened a meeting to discuss the spread of Monkeypox in the state after an Ethiopian national with symptoms of monkeypox was identified and quarantined in a private hospital in Bengaluru on Saturday. The meeting with the Health minister and officials would take decisions on screening of passengers coming from outside and arrangements for treatment, Bommai said. Earlier on Saturday, the Karnataka health department said that an Ethiopian national with symptoms of monkeypox has been quarantined in a private hospital in Bengaluru. The individual samples have been sent to the Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute laboratory for confirmation and reports are awaited. While talking to ANI, he said, "We have taken the Monkeypox infections seriously. I have convened a meeting to discuss the issue tomorrow. The meeting with the Health minister and officials would take decisions on screening of passengers coming from outside and arrangements for treatment." While responding to the question pertaining to the recent protest by the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) activists at the Home Minister's residence, Bommai added that there was no lapse in security. Those who were to be present at that time were not there. While talking about the Hindutva ideology of the party, the chief minister said, "Ours is a national party. Nationalism is our stand. There is no question of discrimination against anyone. Speaking to media persons at Davangere GMIT helipad, Bommai said, "the leaders of previous regimes should introspect on their conduct then over such issues." Meanwhile, India's first case of Monkeypox has recovered from the disease. The 35-year-old man was being treated at a Government Medical College in Thiruvananthapuram. (ANI)
A group of Women Public Servants (retired), Intellectuals and Academicians on Monday sent an open letter to Union Home Minister Amit Shah seeking action as per the law against Congress Lok Sabha MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury for referring President Droupadi Murmu as 'Rashtrapatni' as this would ensure that such sexist and outrageous behaviour is never repeated. The letter sent to the Home Minister was signed by 51 Women Public Servants (retired), Intellectuals and Academicians, stating that every patriotic citizen of India has felt anguished and furious over this kind of insult shown to a Female Head of the entire Indian Nation. "Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury leader of the Congress in the Lok Sabha since June 2019 sparked a massive controversy by referring to Droupadi Murmu, the President of India as 'Rashtrapatni'. The sensibilities of every single Parliamentarian were outraged. Every patriotic citizen of India has felt anguished and furious over this kind of insult shown to a Female Head of the entire Indian Nation. We normally use expressions- Rashtrapati, Senapati, Sabhapati, etc. It is totally unacceptable if a lady was holding any of these positions she would be described as Rashtrapatni, Senapatni, Sabhapatni, etc," the letter stated. Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury triggered massive outrage by the BJP after his 'Rashtrapatni' remark, which the Congress leader said was a "slip of tongue as not very good at Hindi." However, the BJP had demanded an apology from Chowdhury along with Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi. Responding to the BJP's demand for an apology from Chowdhury, the group said, "MPs belonging to different political parties have demanded an unconditional apology for demeaning the President, who is the first tribal lady and also from a poor family to get elected as the President of India." The letter further stated that from calling President Murmu a "puppet" and a "symbol of evil," Congress has been 'maliciously" attacking the President ever since she was fielded as an NDA nominee for the presidential elections. "The President of India is the Head of State of the Republic of India. The President is the first citizen of the country, as well as the Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Armed Forces. Smt. Droupadi Murmu is the 15th and current president, having taken the oath of office on 25 July 2022. The Indian Constitution accords to the President the responsibility and authority to defend and protect the Constitution of India and its rule of law," the letter reads. Highlighting the Constitutional rights of Tribal, the group said that the purpose of the SC/STs Act was to prevent atrocities and help in the social inclusion of weaker sections into society. "In 1989, the Government of India enacted the Scheduled Castes and Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act in order to prevent atrocities against SC/STs. The purpose of the Act was to prevent atrocities and help in the social inclusion of the weaker section into society. Under this Act, several things have been declared as a punishable offences. One such offence includes deliberately insulting and humiliating in public view a citizen of India from a Scheduled Caste or Scheduled Tribe. Clearly, Adhir Ranjan Choudhary has insulted and humiliated Droupadi Murmu, India's first President from Tribal Community, in full public view," they said. They said that the Congress leader's offence is punishable under Sections 354 and 509 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). "In fact, the offence becomes much graver because it is against our Head of State. While Mr Adhir Ranjan Choudhary deserves to be punished by the courts for this deliberate sexist insult to the respected female President of India, he should also be made to publicly apologise to all Indian women," the letter said. They further said that the National Commission for Women (NCW) and 13 State Commissions for women have issued a joint statement, saying Chowdhury's remark was deeply insulting, sexist and constituted an attempt to humiliate the President of India. "In view of the above, it is our appeal to the Home Minister to initiate appropriate action against him as per law. This would ensure that such sexist and outrageous behaviour is never repeated," they added. The controversial remark of Chowdhury led to a conflict between the BJP and Congress in Parliament. The BJP also claimed that Sonia Gandhi allegedly shouted at Smrti Irani after the Union minister reportedly intervened as the Congress interim president was speaking to BJP MP Rama Devi. Notably, Chowdhury issued a written apology to President Murmu over his 'Rashtrapatni' remark which caused a political furore across the country. In a letter addressed to the President, the Congress leader expressed his 'regret for having mistakenly used the word to describe the position.' "I assure you it was a slip of tongue. I apologise and request you to accept the same," Chowdhury wrote in the letter. (ANI)
State Health Minister Veena George on Monday confirmed that the test reports of a 22-year-old person with monkeypox symptoms who died on July 30 were found to be positive for the viral zoonotic infection. The youth hailed from Chavakkad Kuranjiyur in Thrissur district tested positive in UAE and died in Kerala on July 30. "On the evening of July 26 he developed abnormal jerking and he had fever too. On July 27 he was admitted and on July 28 he was moved to the ventilator. On July 30 the hospital authorities informed the Health Department that he got tested on July 19 for monkeypox in UAE and the result of which was positive. Our team went there, unfortunately, that person died in the evening. As per our procedure, we had sent the samples to National Institute of Virology (NIV) Alappuzha and test results show that he was positive for monkeypox," said George. He was also treated for Encephalitis and altered seizures and other diseases and he was given antibiotics. Currently, 20 high-risk contacts are under observation which includes three health workers, a doctor and two nursing staff from the private hospital. The Health Minister said that it is unsure whether the family has withheld the information that the person was tested in UAE. "We constituted a state-level team including state medical board members to enquire what really has happened. And the genomic sequencing of sample is being done at NIV," she added. She further pointed out that on his day of arrival at Calicut Airport he was not showing any symptoms of fever or rashes during the thermal scanning but he had a fever four weeks ago and on July 26 he developed it again. "A Preliminary report says that it is a West African variant," she said. The Minister said that the state Health Department has ensured that every person will undergo thermal scanning at the airport so if the person has a high fever he or she can go to the help desk. "Thermal scanning at airports is regular and if the person has a high fever, we have a help desk there and health workers will take care. We have isolation facilities in all the 48 districts and transportation facilities will also be arranged," said George. She also requested people to take precautions and not to hide the information. "Currently there are two active cases in the state and all the other persons under observation were tested negative," she added. Notably, India has reported five cases of monkeypox so far, of which three cases are from Kerala, one is from Delhi and one from Andhra Pradesh's Guntur. Following this, the central government is on an alert even as the count of infections in some other countries has risen. NITI Aayog's member (Health) Dr V K Paul said that there is absolutely no need for any panic as the government has taken significant measures to keep the disease in check. In an Interview with ANI, Dr Paul sought to assert that there was no need for any undue panic but added that it was still important that the country and the society stay vigilant."There is no need to panic, as of now, but one must report in time if they spot any symptoms, he said. According to World Health Organization (WHO), more than 18,000 cases have been reported from 78 countries. "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," said Dr Tedros, Director General, WHO on Thursday. Monkeypox is a zoonotic disease caused by the monkeypox virus, which belongs to the same family of viruses that causes smallpox. The disease is endemic in regions like West and Central Africa but lately, cases have been reported from non-endemic countries too, according to the WHO. (ANI)
A total expenditure of Rs 1216.90 crore will be spent on the modernisation of Patna Airport, informed Minister of State for Civil Aviation General (Retired) V K Singh on Monday. In a response to the question of BJP MP from Bihar, Sushil Kumar Modi, MoS Civil Aviation informed the Upper House that at Patna, Airports Authority of India (AAI) has undertaken the work of construction of Control Tower cum Technical Block, Fire Station & Cargo Building, New Domestic Terminal Building and allied works and State Government Hangars Flying Club Building VIP Lounge Building & other associated works at a cumulative Administrative Approval & Expenditure Sanction of Rs 1216.90 crore. "The probable dates of completion of these works are September 2022, March 2024 and June 2023 respectively with the progress of 91 per cent, 54 per cent and 54 per cent," added Singh. MoS Civil Aviation further informed Upper House that AAI has projected a land requirement of 191.5 acres to the State Government of Bihar for extension of the runway to make it suitable for wide-bodied aircraft in addition to a land requirement of 8 acres for expansion of Apron to accommodate wide-bodied aircraft. "As per Greenfield Airport Policy, if any developer including the State Government desires to develop an airport, it is required to identify a suitable site and get the Pre-feasibility Study conducted for the construction of the airport and submit a proposal to the Central Government for 'Site-Clearance' followed by 'In-Principle' approval. As per the Policy, a Steering Committee comprising of Members from various Ministries/Departments/Organisations gives its recommendation to Government of India for 'Site-Clearance' or 'In-Principle' approval, as the case may be," he said. On the question of whether any proposal to build a Greenfield Airport in Saran district is under consideration, MoS Civil Aviation informed Rajya Sabha, "No such proposal from State Government or any other project proponent has been received for construction of Greenfield Airport at Saran district in Bihar." (ANI)
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Monday told a special PMLA court in Mumbai that former director of Guru Ashish Construction Pvt Ltd Pravin Raut was the frontman of Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut in the Patra Chawl scam. Sanjay Raut is currently in the custody of the ED in a money laundering case related to irregularities in a chawl re-development project in Mumbai's Goregaon area. The ED on Monday produced Shiv Sena MP before a special sessions court after his arrest here early this morning in connection with Patra chawl money laundering case. Hearing the matter, the Court sent Raut to ED custody till August 4. The central agency had sought 8-day custody of the Shiv Sena MP. ED's counsel Hiten Venegaonkar argued that Pravin Raut, former director of Guru Ashish Construction Pvt Ltd did not invest a single penny. He received Rs 112 crore. ED said the investigation revealed that Rs 1.6 crore was transferred to the account of Sanjay Raut and wife Varsha Raut. The probe agency argued that Raut and family were beneficiaries of Rs 1.6 crore. ED further told the court that the investigation revealed that out of Rs 1.6 crore, a plot of land at Kihim Beach in Alibaug was bought. One plot was taken in the name of Swapna Patkar. The probe also revealed that Pravin Raut has been the frontman of Sanjay Raut. The agency said witness Swapna Patkar and sellers have confirmed about cash transactions in the land deal. "The investigation also revealed that Pravin Raut is a close confidante and associate of Sanjay Raut. Being the frontman of Sanjay Raut, he utilised his proximity with Sanjay Raut for obtaining approval from MAHADA and other advantages best known to themselves. Being a very influential person and given his proximity to Sanjay Raut, Praveen Raut has received PoC of around 112 crores and there is every likelihood that Sanjay Raut has received more PoC during that period," ED told the court. ED's lawyer said Sanjay Raut was summoned four times but he appeared before the agency only once. During this period, Raut tried to tamper with the evidence and key witnesses, said ED's lawyer seeking 8-day custody of the Shiv Sena leader. On the other hand, Sanjay Raut's lawyer, Advocate Ashok Mundargi argued that Raut's arrest is politically motivated. Advocate Mundargi said Raut is a patient with a heart-related ailment. He had also undergone surgery. Papers related to this have been presented before the court. After the Court's ruling, Sanjay Raut's brother Sunil Raut told reporters, "Sanjay Raut was arrested late night yesterday. His medical checkup was done today and he was taken to court. We have faith in the judiciary, we believe he will be released soon." Sunil Raut had earlier said that the Shiv Sena leader has been framed since the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at the Centre is afraid of him. "BJP is afraid of him and got him arrested. They have not given us any documents (regarding his arrest). He has been framed," said Sanjay Raut's brother. Earlier on Monday, Raut was taken for a medical test at the JJ hospital before being produced at the court. ED officials raided the Shiv Sena leader's home on Sunday, and after detaining and questioning him for several hours, arrested him in the early hours today. Raut is a close aide of former Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray.Meanwhile, another FIR was registered against Sanjay Raut in Mumbai for allegedly threatening Swapna Patkar, the wife of Sujit Patkar, believed to be a close aide of the Shiv Sena MP. The case was registered at the Vakola police station under sections 504, 506 and 509 of IPC. An audio clip had gone viral in which Raut was allegedly heard threatening Swapna Patkar. Notably, Swapna Patkar is a witness in the Patra Chawl land case in connection to which the ED detained Raut on Sunday. According to sources, ED officials seized Rs 11.50 lakh unaccounted cash from the residence of Raut earlier on Sunday. ED sleuths reached Raut's residence around 7 am on Sunday and conducted the raid. Soon after the ED officials detained him in connection with the Patra Chawl land scam case, the Shiv Sena leader said that "Jhukega nahi" (will not be cowed down)". Speaking to media persons on Sunday, Raut said, "False charges and documents are being framed against people. All of this is being done to weaken Shiv Sena and Maharashtra. Sanjay Raut will not be cowed down. I will not leave the party." On June 28 this year, Raut was summoned by ED in connection with the prevention of the money laundering case pertaining to the Rs 1,034 crore Patra Chawl land scam. Refusing to join the probe and citing the Monsoon Session of Parliament as a reason for not joining the probe, he then dared the probe agency to arrest him. Later, he reached the ED office. In April this year, the ED had provisionally attached assets worth over Rs 11.15 crore belonging to Raut's wife Varsha Raut and two of his associates as part of its investigation. (ANI)
During a search, a wristwatch, which is a prohibited item, was found from Sharjeel Imam in jail and he was not cooperating in the search Tihar jail authorities on Monday informed the court. Sharjeel Imam had moved an application alleging physical assault during a search in his cell on June 30, 2022. Additional Sessions Judge Amitabh Rawat of Karkardooma Court directed the jail authorities to provide the CCTV footage, affidavit and the first reply on the application to the applicant Sharjeel Imam. The matter has been now listed for August 16, 2022, for further hearing. During the hearing the advocate Talib Mustafa and Ahmad Ibrahim refuted the claim of the jail officials saying that watch is not a prohibited item. The permission of keeping the watch was obtained by their client. It was also submitted by Sharjeel Imam that he told the members of the search team that he had permission to keep the watch. It was kept in a book which has been sent to Bihar. I will get the book and show the permission. The jail authorities submitted that there was another bag in the cell of Sharjeel Imam. He did not allow me to open the bag. On the application of Sharjeel Imam, the court has called for the CCTV footage of the cell where he is lodged. On July 23, after seeing the CCTV footage, the court asked a Tihar jail official to appear before it. It is stated that the search was conducted in his ward on June 30, 2022, under the supervision of the Deputy Jail Superintendent. It is also stated that Sharjeel Imam misbehaved with staff. He threatened to falsely implicate them. He made the complaint to remain in media highlights. Jail authorities stated the entire incident is recorded in the CCTV and the same has already been preserved. It will be produced in the court as and when directed. Sharjeel had sought direction to jail authorities to preserve the CCTV footage. It was alleged that a search was illegally organised in his cell on the evening of June 30. His clothes and books were thrown by inmates during the search. He was assaulted in the presence of the assistant superintendent when he tried to stop them. (ANI)
Inmates of Meerut district jail are making tricolours for 'Har Ghar Tiranga' campaign ahead of the 75th Independence day. This is being done on the directions of Chief Development Officer Shashank Chaudhary in association with District Industries Center, Meerut for Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav. Jail Superintendent Rakesh Kumar said, " Thirty men inmates and 10 women inmates are continuously engaged in making of the Tiranga. There are almost 39 barracks in the jail and the national flag will be hoisted in every barrack. Har Ghar Tiranga campaign will be followed strictly in the district jail." All the inmates of jail and staff members will be hoisting the flag and the tricolour will be provided to the visitors also. These flags will be hoisted throughout the district under Har Ghar Tiranga movement between August 13 to August 15. Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched Har Ghar Tiranga campaign on July 22 to encourage people to bring the Tiranga home and hoist it to mark the 75th year of India's independence. The idea behind the initiative is to invoke the feeling of patriotism in the hearts of the people and to celebrate Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav in the spirit of Jan Bhagidari.State, Union Territories and Ministries are participating extensively in the campaign with full fervour.Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called upon people to hoist the Tricolour or display it in their homes between 13th and 15th August and following this, the government has amended the Flag Code of India. It allows the tricolor to be displayed in the open and on individual houses or buildings throughout the day and night. (ANI)
Delhi Police on Monday said that West district police stations have so far registered 18 cases against suppliers of Chinese Manjha in the past five days. Keeping in view the rising incidents related to the unauthorized use of Chinese Manja in recent times, West District Police has recently taken strict action against the sellers of Chinese Manja and recovered 182 rolls of Chinese Manjha and a total of 18 sellers were apprehended. "Police stations in the West district have so far registered 18 cases against the offenders under the relevant section of IPC and 182 Rolls of Chinese Manja have been recovered and a total of 18 sellers were apprehended," said police. Police said that seven FIRs have been registered in Khayala, three in Inderpuri and Kirti Nagar, two in Tilak Nagar and one in Vikaspuri, Hari Nagar and Punjabi Bagh each. The police are conducting regular raids in the parts of Delhi, days after a 30-year-old motorcyclist's throat was cut slit due to one such Kite string on the Haiderpur flyover in northwest Delhi on July 25. The Police is also seen conducting a special drive to nab the sellers of these banned Chinese Manjha in Southern Delhi. So far, they have arrested seven people and have recovered at least 95 rolls of Chinese kite strings from their possession. The Police is also seen conducting a special drive to nab the sellers of these banned Chinese Manjha in Southern Delhi. So far, they have arrested seven people and have recovered at least 95 rolls of Chinese kite strings from their possession. In a huge raid at a Godown in North-west Delhi, the police have arrested a person named Amarjeet and recovered 11,760 rolls of plastic kite strings from 205 cartons, here. "Amarjeet is a big trader of Manjha who used to sell it to his customers using code words, usually at the evening or night time," Usha Rangnani, Deputy Commissioner of Police, North West Delhi said. In view of the increasing incidents of injuries caused due to the Chinese Manjha, often during the July end and August start, the Delhi Police also conducted a special drive to make people aware of the stringent actions taken against the poeple selling 'banned' Manjha and to encourage people to adhere to the directions of the National Green Tribunal (NGT). In 2017, the NGT imposed a complete ban on the production, storage, and sale of Chinese Manjha as it not only possesses a threat to birds and humans but also causes harm to the environment. It further said the ban would also apply to the nylon, Chinese and cotton Manjha coated with glass. Chinese Manjha is a glass-coated kite string, that has been blamed for several deaths and serious injuries to those travelling on two-wheelers in the past as well. It is observed that despite the ban, it is illegally sold and made available in various markets of the country. As kite flying is observed the most by July end and August starting, the number of incidents involving Chinese Manjha remained highest in this duration. (ANI)
The Supreme Court on Monday asked the Bombay High Court to decide expeditiously the plea of Lt Col Prasad Purohit, an accused in the 2008 Malegaon blast case, regarding the prior sanction for his prosecution. Purohit had said that the sanction granted by the government to prosecute him in the case, was wrong in law. A bench of Justices Hemant Gupta and Justice Vikram Nath asked the High Court to decide the plea of Purohit pending already for quashing the sanction for his prosecution in the case. "The writ petition filed by the petitioner bearing Writ Petition is pending consideration before the High Court wherein the petitioner has sought quashing of the sanction under Section 197(2) of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973. Keeping in view the facts and circumstances of the case, we deem it appropriate to request the High Court to take up the said writ petition and decide the same expeditiously in accordance with the law. The writ petition is disposed of in above terms," the bench in its order stated. Purohit had moved the High Court with his plea challenging the validity of the sanction granted by the government to prosecute him under the stringent Unlawful Activities Prevention Act in the case. A prior sanction for Purohit's prosecution was required since he was a serving Army officer at the time. Earlier, a special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court had dismissed his plea to discharge him from the case. In the 2008 Malegaon blast case, six people were killed and over 100 injured after an explosive device strapped to a motorcycle went off near a mosque at Malegaon in north Maharashtra, about 200 kilometres from Mumbai. All the seven accused in the case are currently out on bail. BJP MP Pragya Singh Thakur, Sameer Kulkarni, retired Major Ramesh Upadhyay, Sudhakar Chaturvedi, Ajay Rahilkar and Sudhakar Chaturvedi are the other accused in the case. (ANI)
BCPL has been carrying out various social activities in and around its operational areas to promote the growth of society.

The cheque was presented to Chief Minister of Assam, Himanta Biswa Sarma, by Reep Hazarika, Managing Director BCPL in the presence of Union Minister of State for Petroleum & Natural Gas, Rameswar Teli, on 31st July 2022 in the CM's Office, Dispur. The Chief Minister was all praise for the noble endeavour by BCPL.

The company extended a contribution of one crore rupees to the Chief Minister's Relief Fund, Assam in view of the recent flood situation in the region.

Earlier today, the waters of an overflowing Jiadhal river submerged several villages in the Dhakuakhana area in Assam's Lakhimpur district.

The flood waters have also submerged a part of the Dhakuakhana-Gogamukh connecting road.

The water level of the Jiadhal river has risen up following incessant rains in the neighbouring Arunachal Pradesh.

According to the reports, at least six villages in the Dhakuakhana area were affected by the flooding and thousands of bighas of cropland in the area are still under water.

The flood water has also entered the houses of many villagers and also inundated schools.

Apart from Dhakuakhana, the flood waters have submerged 36 villages in the Dhemaji district also.Nealy 15,000 people of Dhemaji district have been affected in the flood.According to the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), 49 villages of five districts of the state are still affected.As per the ASDMA, the total death toll in Assam in this year's flood and landslides has mounted to 199. (ANI)
The North East Delhi riots were the results of a larger conspiracy and the idea was to create a sense of fear in the minds of Muslims and paralyse the city. It was to be done through mobilisation in the name of Babri Masjid, Triple Talaq, suppression of Muslims, CAA-NRC and the Kashmir issue. These were the main arguments advanced on Monday by the special public prosecutor (SPP) Amit Prasad for the Delhi police. The division bench of justices Sidharth Mridul and Rajanish Bhatnagar adjourned the further arguments of prosecution till Tuesday. The bench observed that there are overlapping allegations regarding every accused in the charge sheet. The senior Counsel for Umar Khalid submitted that there are overlapping of allegations, not the roles attributed to the accused persons. He also said that there is no attribution that Umar Khalid was present at the site of the violence. There are only inferences against him. "We understand what you are saying but in conspiracy, presence is not required", Justice Siddharth Mridul said. At the outset of the arguments, Amit Prasad said the riots were in two phases. The first one was is connected with the violence of December 2029 and the second phase was of February 2020 riots. He argued that the first phase was the failed attempt. Therefore in the second phase there planning of large-scale mobilisation through WhatsApp chats in the WhatsApp groups created by the accused persons after the cabinet nod over CAB in parliament on December 4, 2019. Amit Prasad further argued that WhatsApp groups like UAH, DPSG, MSJ and others were created. The DPSG group was created by Rahul Roy. Umar Khalid and the other accused were part of the group. Justice Siddharth Mridul raised a query, Is Rahul Roy been made accused? SPP replied that many other accused have been made accused in the charge sheet. The SPP argued that most of the accused persons were connected through WhatsApp groups which were being used for mobilisation and for calls the protest and chakka jaam. He argued that the mobilisation was based on 5 factors namely the issue of Babri Masjid, the Suppression of Muslims, the issue of Triple Talaq, the Kashmir issue and CAA-NRC. He referred to a chat between Sharjeel Imam and other accused that This law (CAA-NRC) is against Muslims. We have seen the approach of the Supreme Court in the matter of Babri masjid and Triple Talaq. There is no other option than the mass level protest. So that this matter may invite the attention of international media. He also referred to a chat where a call for protest on December 6, 2019, was made to protest against the demolition of Babri masjid. He said the idea was to create fear in the minds of the Muslims. He referred one the WhatsApp message which reads that 6 December is the martyrdom day of Babri Masjid. He also argued that the idea was to create fear and paralyse the city by mobilising the people on these factors. The issues of Babri masjid and triple talaq were related to religion but the issue of Kashmir was integrity. It shows that the grievance was not the CAA-NRC, the grievance was other issues, argued SPP Amit Prasad. It was argued that people were mobilised through Whatsapp groups. As a result of this large-scale violence took place in phases one and two which include using of petrol bombs, firing, stone pelting, burning of vehicles, damage to private and public properties and assault on police personnel. Round-the-clock protest sites were created which were managed, supervised and controlled by the accused persons including Umar Khalid and others through WhatsApp groups, SPP argued. It was also argued that these protests were not organised nor supported by locals. These were organised with the help of outsiders. The idea was to paralyse the entire area of northeast Delhi by blocking two major roads namely Wazirabad Road and Seelampur road with a disruptive chakka jam. Sharjeel had talked of disruptive chakka jaam, Delhi police alleged. The senior advocate appearing for Umar Khalid on Thursday had concluded his arguments on the bail plea. He submitted that no case of conspiracy is made out against his client and there are major contradictions in the statement of witnesses. It was also argued that Sharjeel Imam was connected and known to each other. Sharjeel was introduced to Yogendra Yadav by Umar Khalid at a protest at Jantar Mantar in January 2020. The said objectionable speech was allegedly given by Umar in Amaravati on February 17, 2020. He was booked under UAPA by Delhi Police and was arrested on 13 September 2020. Earlier the bench had called the speech offensive and obnoxious. He said that the speech was hateful and not acceptable. Umar Khalid has challenged the trial court order denying him bail in the larger conspiracy of North East Delhi riots of February 2020. Senior Advocate Tridip Pais had argued that there is no material, no basis for allegations in the charge sheet. It is based on hearsay. He had argued, by referring to the picture taken from Facebook, that this is one picture and there are many others. Anyone who wants to hatch a conspiracy would upload the photographs in Facebook. During during argument on May 23, 2022, he argued that Sharjeel Imam had criticized a secular movement against CAA and Khalid does not agree with it. Pais had said I am (Umar Khalid) being lumped with a person who calls for a deeply communal protest against CAA. There is no ideological meeting of minds. This case pertains to the larger conspiracy of the North East Delhi riots of February 2020. In these riots, 53 people died and hundreds were injured. (ANI)
The Supreme Court on Monday appointed former apex court judge Justice RV Raveendran as a mediator to settle a dispute between former IPL head Lalit Modi and his mother Bina Modi and his siblings to resolve a long pending property dispute in the family. A bench of Chief Justice NV Ramana, Justices Krishna Murari and Hima Kohli observed that counsels appearing for both sides agreed that they would go without any pre-condition and with an open mind to settle the dispute in mediation. It said, "We also think the issue can be resolved by way of mediation. Accordingly, we appoint Justice RV Raveendran, a retired judge of this court, to mediate and settle the dispute." The bench also asked the parties to maintain confidentiality during the mediation. It has now listed the matter for hearing after four weeks. Lalit Modi and his mother July 28 had told the top court that the court-mandated mediation to resolve a long pending property dispute in the family had failed. On December 16, 2021, the apex court-appointed former apex court judges - Justices Vikramjit Sen and Kurian Joseph - to mediate and help them to find an amicable solution. The apex court was hearing an appeal filed by Lalit Modi challenging the division Bench judgement of the Delhi High Court that the anti-arbitration injunction lawsuit filed by Bina Modi, wife of late industrialist KK Modi, against her son is maintainable. Lalit Modi's mother Bina Modi, his sister Charu and brother Samira had filed the plea in the High court seeking to restrain the arbitration proceedings initiated by Lalit Modi in Singapore over property disputes in the family. They, in two separate suits, had contended that there was a trust deed between the family members and the KK Modi family trust matters cannot be settled through arbitration in a foreign country according to Indian laws. They had sought a permanent injunction restraining Lalit Modi from prosecuting or continuing with the application for emergency measures and any arbitration proceedings against them in Singapore. The division bench of the High Court in December 2020 had set aside the judgement of a single judge of the High Court, which had said it does not have the jurisdiction to adjudicate the anti-arbitration injunction suits filed by Lalit Modi's mother and siblings and they are open to taking such pleas before the arbitral tribunal in Singapore. It had held that it has the jurisdiction to decide Bina Modi's plea challenging Lalit Modi's move to initiate arbitration proceedings in Singapore. (ANI)
Kerala High Court has directed the State Government to set up temporary detention centres for foreign citizens who do not possess travel documents. Court also directed this to be set up within two months. Court also directed the Secretary of the Social Justice Department on the same. The direction was passed by the Single Bench of Justice Ziyad Rahman AA on a petition filed by Olorumemi Benjamin Baba Femi, a Nigerian citizen who is in prison due to the non-establishment of detention centres in the state. He sought an order directing the Foreigners Regional Registration Officer (FRRO) to specify any detention centre. While giving direction, Court also made it clear that establishing detention centres must be done under the stipulations given by the Central Government. Court will further consider the matter after one month. In the meantime, the Central Government contended, "several foreign nationals, including two children, are awaiting accommodation and they are accommodated inside prison along with other ordinary prisoners at the moment. As per the norms, they are to be accommodated in the detention centre as expeditiously as possible, and since children are also among the said foreigners, serious prejudice is being caused." The State Government had informed the Court that it already identified another building with more facilities to accommodate more inmates, and the process is ongoing to set up the said facility there. (ANI)
Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Monday handed over the order for a Rs 10 crore grant to Gavisiddeshwara Mutt in Koppal. After visiting the Mutt, Bommai said, "The seer of the Mutt is rendering yeoman service in the field of education and feeding the hungry. The state government has granted Rs 10 cr to help the good deeds of the Mutt." "The Mutt has been a beacon of hope for poor students to pursue education. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic impact in the last two years, the number of students this year has risen to over 2000. There are already 3500 students here and they all need to be provided hostel facilities and food," Bommai further added. CM Bommai said that Minister Halappa Achar, MP Karadi Sanganna, Minister Anand Singh and others had earlier explained the need to help the Mutt. Bowing to their request, Rs 10 crore has been granted and the copy of the order was handed over to the Seer today. Ministers Halappa Achar, Byrathi Basavaraj, K Sudhakar, CC Patil, MP Karadi Sanganna and others were present. Earlier today, Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on his visit to the Anjanadri hills instructed the officials to complete the Anjanadri Hills development project in a time-bound manner. The Chief Minister, who chaired a meeting with the Deputy Commissioner of the district to discuss the issues related to the development of Anjanadri Hills issued the instructions to the officials. The state government has drawn up a Rs 100 crore development plan for Anjanadri Hills Project. CM Bommai instructed to create lodging and other facilities for the pilgrims who visit Anjanadri Hills, a Yatrinivas with 600 rooms, a hospital, toilets and other amenities using the Rs100 cr grant and to prepare the project plan using the services of Architects within 2 months and get it approved. He further asked the officials to start the land acquisition process and send a report in this regard and said, "Already Rs24 crore has been provided for the purpose. More funds would be provided if needed." (ANI)
The Karnataka Congress workers and leaders are hopeful of brokering peace between two warring factions of Opposition leader Siddaramaiah and state Congress president D.K. Shivakumar during the scheduled visit of former Congress president Rahul Gandhi to Hubballi on Tuesday (August 2). Rahul Gandhi will visit Karnataka to attend celebrations of 75 years of birth anniversary of Siddaramaiah in Davanagere city on August 3. In fact, the celebration of birth anniversary has become a bone of contention between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar factions. Meanwhile, Siddaramaiah's followers have released an album titled "naane mundina CM" (I am the next CM) dedicated to veteran Congress leader and former Karnataka Chief Minister. The Congress is hoping to make a comeback in Karnataka in the upcoming assembly elections of 2023 riding on anti-incumbency. According to Congress insiders, the tussle between Shivakumar and Siddramaiah is showing all signs of affecting party's prospects in the upcoming Assembly elections. Rahul Gandhi would hold a meeting in Hubballi on Tuesday night during which he is expected to address the issue and bring cohesion between Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah. The Congress high command had managed to patch up both leaders during the 'Chintan Shivir' held in May in Udaipur in Rajasthan. Sources said the meet will address the core issue of "next CM'' campaign by both camps. Meanwhile, former Union Minister Veerappa Moily has announced that former opposition leader of Legislative Council S.R. Patil is also capable of becoming the chief minister, creating more confusion. The Congress leaders in Karnataka have requested the party high command to bring an understanding among leaders. For the first time the party has formed the Political Affairs Committee in which 28 Congress leaders and 7 special invitees have been made members to discuss the roadmap with an aim to attain victory in the upcoming assembly elections. The meeting chaired by Rahul Gandhi will be attended by Siddaramaiah, Shivakumar, and Opposition leader in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge, former Union Minister and Congress Working Committee Member Veerappa Moily and others. The leaders will also discuss Bharat Jodo Yatra which will take place in the state in November. Rahul Gandhi is also expected to meet Lingayat seer Shivamurthy Murugha Sharanaru, and other seers. --IANS mka/pgh ( 378 Words) 2022-08-01-19:20:07 (IANS)
"Ours is a national party. Nationalism is our stand. There is no question of discrimination against anyone," Bommai told reporters in Davangere.

Referring to the protests over the murder of a BJYM worker, he said a sense of confidence is building among them as the investigation is progressing. "Our police would certainly nab the killers. I am confident about it," he said.

On allegations of opposition parties, he said "the leaders of previous regimes should introspect on their conduct over such issues,'" he added.

On July 26, Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha worker Praveen Nettaru was hacked to death by unidentified people on a bike in Bellare, Dakshina Kannada.

The Chief Minister said he will hold a meeting with the state Health Minister on Tuesday.

"We have taken the Monkeypox infections seriously. The meeting with the Health minister and officials would take decisions on screening of passengers coming from outside and arrangements for treatment," Bommai said.

(ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday expressed condolences to the families of the persons who died due to a massive fire at a private hospital in Madhya Pradesh's Jabalpur. The Prime Minister said that the local administration is providing assistance to the affected ones. "Anguished by the loss of lives due to a fire at a hospital in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh. Condolences to the bereaved families. I hope the injured recover at the earliest. The local administration is providing all assistance to those affected: PM @narendramodi," tweeted the Prime Minister's Office. At least nine to ten people were killed in the massive fire that broke out in Jabalpur's hospital. Speaking to ANI, Siddharth Bahaguna, Jabalpur SP said, "Around 9-10 people have lost their lives in the fire that broke out at New City House Hospital in Jabalpur, due to a short circuit." Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced an ex gratia of Rs 5 lakh each to the nearest kin of the deceased. "In this hour of grief, the bereaved family should not consider themselves alone, I and the entire Madhya Pradesh are with the family. The state government will provide assistance of Rs 5 lakh each to the next of kin of the deceased and Rs 50-50 thousand to the seriously injured. The government will also bear the cost of complete treatment of the injured," CM said in a tweet.The Chief Minister further said that local administration and collector have been directed to keep an eye on the entire matter. "Sad news has been received of a horrific fire accident in a hospital in Jabalpur. I am in constant touch with the local administration and collector. The Chief Secretary has been directed to keep an eye on the entire matter. Every effort is being made for relief and rescue," he tweeted. (ANI)
A prominent official with the West Bengal Education Department on Monday compared former state education minister Partha Chatterjee -- an accused in the multi-crore West Bengal School Service Commission recruitment irregularities scam, with the legendary leader of anti-apartheid movement in South Africa, Nelson Mandela. Sounds unconceivable! But none other than the state syllabus committee chairman, Avik Majumdar has drawn this conclusion at a press conference on Monday with the incumbent West Bengal Education Minister Bratya Basu seated next to him. Ever since Chatterjee was detained by the Enforcement Directorate in connection to the scam, the Opposition leaders have been demanding removal of Partha Chatterjee's name from a chapter in the syllabus of the state secondary examinations. After coming to power in West Bengal for the first time in 2011, the Trinamool Congress government introduced a new chapter in the syllabus on the party's movement against land acquisition for Tata Motors' Nano factory at Singur in Hooghly district in West Bengal, considered to be playing an important role in the ousting of 34-year-long Left Front rule in West Bengal. In that chapter, Partha Chatterjee's name was mentioned as the- then leader of the opposition in West Bengal assembly. On Monday evening, when mediapersons asked Bratya Basu some questions on the matter, the state syllabus committee chairman replied: "Whatever is there in the chapter is true. When the chapter was included, it was written based on the realities which are historically true. You might recall the life of the leader of anti-apartheid movement in South Africa, Nelson Mandela. His wife was Winnie Mandela. But later, she got divorced after some charges of corruption were raised against Nelson Mandela. She was even expelled from the party. But the history and the website of the South African government still refers her name as an inseparable aide of Nelson Mandela in the anti-apartheid movement there." --IANS src/pgh ( 322 Words) 2022-08-01-21:16:03 (IANS)
In an initiative to make women of Uttar Pradesh self-dependent, the state government will provide vocational training to the destitute women residing in about 13 shelter homes. Director, Women Welfare and Child Development Manoj Rai informed on Monday that the state government would provide them skill training based on the interests of the women living in the shelter homes. "There are about 725 women residing in 13 shelter homes established by the government. We have spoken to these women regarding their interest areas and based on the same, we will be providing them with skill training. Once they complete their training, they will also be linked with employment/ self-employment opportunities," he said. "The Yogi government is leaving no stone unturned to ensure that every eligible person of Uttar Pradesh gets the benefits of the government's schemes. And, through schemes like Mission Shakti, the government seeks to empower people, especially the females of the state," said an official statement. The Department of Women and Child Development as well as the Skill Development Mission will hold joint sessions to impart skill training to destitute females. "The department has also communicated with the GM DIC's (General Manager- District Industries Centres) in this context to learn about the requirements of the local market in order to ensure that the trained women got employed locally," said the statement. The shelter homes are located in districts including Gorakhpur, Mathura, Etawah, Varanasi, Ayodhya, Moradabad, Meerut, Lucknow, Prayagraj, Bareilly (two shelter homes), Kanpur Nagar and Agra. "The state government plans to set up new women's shelters in three districts of UP," according to the statement. According to Yogi Government's special action plan, new shelters for women, with a capacity of 100 beds each, will be set up in Ghazipur, Moradabad and Ghaziabad districts of UP at a cost of Rs 20.21 crore. Children's homes with a capacity of 50 beds will be built in Agra while State Observation Home with a capacity of 100 beds will be constructed in Rae Bareli, Kanpur, Mirzapur and Chitrakoot. (ANI)
Scientists combined data from NASA's New Horizons mission with novel laboratory experiments and exospheric modelling to reveal the likely composition of the red cap on Pluto's moon Charon and how it may have formed. This first-ever description of Charon's dynamic methane atmosphere using new experimental data provides a fascinating glimpse into the origins of this moon's red spot as described in two recent articles. "Prior to New Horizons, the best Hubble images of Pluto revealed only a fuzzy blob of reflected light," said SwRI's Randy Gladstone, a member of the New Horizons science team. "In addition to all the fascinating features discovered on Pluto's surface, the flyby revealed an unusual feature on Charon, a surprising red cap centered on its north pole." Soon after the 2015 encounter, New Horizons scientists proposed that a reddish "tholin-like" material at Charon's pole could be synthesized by ultraviolet light breaking down methane molecules. These are captured after escaping from Pluto and then frozen onto the moon's polar regions during their long winter nights. Tholins are sticky organic residues formed by chemical reactions powered by light, in this case the Lyman-alpha ultraviolet glow scattered by interplanetary hydrogen molecules. "Our findings indicate that drastic seasonal surges in Charon's thin atmosphere, as well as light breaking down the condensing methane frost, are key to understanding the origins of Charon's red polar zone," said SwRI's Dr. Ujjwal Raut, lead author of a paper titled "Charon's Refractory Factory" in the journal Science Advances. "This is one of the most illustrative and stark examples of surface-atmospheric interactions so far observed at a planetary body." The team realistically replicated Charon surface conditions at SwRI's new Center for Laboratory Astrophysics and Space Science Experiments (CLASSE) to measure the composition and color of hydrocarbons produced on Charon's winter hemisphere as methane freezes beneath the Lyman-alpha glow. The team fed the measurements into a new atmospheric model of Charon to show methane breaking down into residue on Charon's north polar spot. "Our team's novel 'dynamic photolysis' experiments provided new limits on the contribution of interplanetary Lyman-alpha to the synthesis of Charon's red material," Raut said. "Our experiment condensed methane in an ultra-high vacuum chamber under exposure to Lyman-alpha photons to replicate with high fidelity the conditions at Charon's poles." SwRI scientists also developed a new computer simulation to model Charon's thin methane atmosphere. "The model points to 'explosive' seasonal pulsations in Charon's atmosphere due to extreme shifts in conditions over Pluto's long journey around the Sun," said Dr. Ben Teolis, lead author of a related paper titled "Extreme Exospheric Dynamics at Charon: Implications for the Red Spot" in Geophysical Research Letters. The team input the results from SwRI's ultra-realistic experiments into the atmospheric model to estimate the distribution of complex hydrocarbons emerging from methane decomposition under the influence of ultraviolet light. The model has polar zones primarily generating ethane, a colorless material that does not contribute to a reddish color. "We think ionizing radiation from the solar wind decomposes the Lyman-alpha-cooked polar frost to synthesize increasingly complex, redder materials responsible for the unique albedo on this enigmatic moon," Raut said. "Ethane is less volatile than methane and stays frozen to Charon's surface long after spring sunrise. Exposure to the solar wind may convert ethane into persistent reddish surface deposits contributing to Charon's red cap." "The team is set to investigate the role of solar wind in the formation of the red pole," said SwRI's Dr. Josh Kammer, who secured continued support from NASA's New Frontier Data Analysis Program. (ANI)
Russian President Vladimir Putin signed the Executive Order on Approving the Naval Doctrine of the Russian Federation and the Executive Order on Approving the Russian Navy Regulations earlier in the day before the central part of the Main Naval Parade, Xinhua news agency reported.

The 55-page doctrine said the main challenges and threats to Russia's national security and sustainable development are "the strategic course of the US towards domination in the world oceans and its global influence on international processes".

The "expansion of NATO's military infrastructure to the Russian borders" and the "growing number of the bloc's drills in areas adjacent to the country's waters" are also listed as major threats to Russia's national security.

Putin said in a speech during the parade that the doctrine openly outlines the boundaries and zones of Russia's national interests.

The maritime doctrine update reflects changes in the geopolitical and military strategic situation in the world, Russia's Deputy Prime Minister Yury Borisov said at a maritime board meeting in May, according to a TASS report.

--IANS int/shs

( 219 Words)

2022-07-31-23:10:05 (IANS)
The head of the US mission to Afghanistan, Ian McCary on Sunday said that the United States will continue to hold the Taliban accountable for the commitments they made so that Afghanistan does not become a safe haven for terrorists, including the Khorasan branch of ISIS and al-Qaeda. "Over the past year in Doha, we have pursued dialogue with the Taliban to address critical issues; we have provided extensive consular services to US Citizens, LPRs, & others engaged with the Afghan people. I am glad that we have been able to help many Afghans inside the country and abroad over the past year, but I am humbled by the array of challenges we are still facing in Afghanistan," McCary tweeted. He expressed disappointment over the Taliban's continuing refusal to allow girls access to secondary schools and by credible reports of human rights abuses, including the deterioration of media freedoms and unacceptable restrictions on the rights of women. "If the Taliban hope to gain the acceptance of the international community, they must listen to & honour the views of all Afghan people & respect human rights," McCary said adding, "I appreciate the extraordinary support of international partners & likeminded community," and that together they have sent this clear message to Taliban. The United States have also coordinated humanitarian assistance with the UN and international partners, McCary said, "The United States remains the largest donor to international relief efforts in Afghanistan; we have provided more than USD 775 million in humanitarian assistance since August 15, 2021." "We continue to work closely with partners to help stabilize the Afghan economy. The US Department of Treasury has issued multiple general licenses to facilitate the flow of economic activity and vital assistance to the Afghan people." This week, McCary is completing his assignment as the Charge d' Affaires at the US Mission to Afghanistan, operating from Doha since August '21. "We are grateful for the gracious support of the State of Qatar, our strategic partner," he said. The Director of the Afghanistan Operations for the Afghan Relocation Efforts, Karen Decker will replace McCary as the Chief of Mission for the US Embassy in Kabul. "Under the leadership of my successor Karen Decker, our commitment to the Afghan people will not falter. Karen has long been a friend of Afghanistan and she will work tirelessly and effectively to protect U.S. interests and support the Afghan people." McCary said. (ANI)
Belgrade [Serbia], August 1 (ANI/Sputnik): The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General and Head of UNMIK (United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo) Caroline Ziadeh is concerned about the situation in northern Kosovo and is calling for the restoration of freedom of movement, a UNMIK representative told Sputnik. "The Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of UNMIK Caroline Ziadeh is following the developments in northern Kosovo with concern," the representative said, adding that Ziadeh "calls for calm, restoration of freedom of movement and avoiding further escalation." Kosovo police announced on Sunday that there had been shots in the direction of its officers amid the tensions in the disputed border town of Kosovska Mitrovica, but no casualties so far. Police shut down the Jarinje and Brnjak administrative crossing points and air raid sirens were heard in the town, where both Serbs and Albanians were gathering. "I urge all to address issues in good faith through the EU-facilitated dialogue, to strengthen stability and security for all," Ziadeh said commenting on the Kosovo tensions, as quoted by the UNMIK representative. Kosovo authorities announced on Friday that starting August 1 Serbian-issued documents will be invalid and their owners will receive temporary certificates when entering Kosovo. At the same time, Kosovo will begin mandatory re-registration of vehicles with Serbian license plates, which will affect Serbians in the northern part of Kosovo and several other towns. Serbian Foreign Minister Nikola Selakovic has described this as an attempt to create "hell" for local Serbs. (ANI/Sputnik)
China's President Xi Jinping has fostered an ugly hyper-nationalism in the name of so-called patriotism with Chinese characteristics, according to a media report, which stated that the premier might not always be able to manage it. US President Joe Biden in March last year spoke about China's "nationalism" and said it is on the rise. "Nationalism is on the rise, and repression is spreading and attacks against the rules-based order are intensifying," Biden told a virtual meeting of the UN Security Council, adding that America's fate is "increasingly entwined with international events". Fang Fang, a writer in Wuhan, had drawn the ire of nationalists at home in China during the COVID-19 lockdown in the city when the pandemic just started, Policy Research Group reported. She has received a barrage of online vitriol for daring to criticize the Xi government's inadequate reaction. "They act like a bunch of thugs, throwing wave after wave of attacks on everyone who doesn't cooperate with them," Fang Fang stated and compared the "attackers" to the rampaging mobs during Mao's Cultural Revolution in the 1960s and 1970s. When Fang Fang published the 60th and last instalment of her online journal on life in Wuhan, during the time of the COVID-19 pandemic, she had written about her personal struggles as well as those of the first city in the world to go through a COVID-19 lockdown. Meanwhile, the Russia-Ukraine war has drawn concerns by other several western countries over the Chinese nationalism towards Taiwan. China claims full sovereignty over Taiwan despite the two nations being governed separately for more than seven decades. Taipei continues to counter the Chinese aggression by increasing strategic ties with democracies including the US. As President Xi is all set to get a third term as the helmsman of China, there are several questions yet to be answered. These questions include -- how much will his judgment on whether to invade Taiwan be influenced by nationalism? Or to use force militarily against nations China has territorial conflicts with? Sima Nan, a well-known Chinese nationalist with almost 3 million Weibo followers, asked whether it would be ethical to shoot Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen, Policy Research Group reported. He posed the question after former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was assassinated on July 8 during a campaign speech on a street in central Japan. "All Chinese people want Taiwan to be liberated peacefully", he wrote, remarking, "Wouldn't people be thrilled if stabbing Tsai Ing-wen to death could bring about peaceful unification?" POREG reported that some commentators say that since its founding in 1949, the People's Republic of China (PRC) government in Beijing has never had any sovereignty over Taiwan but that is besides the point. What is germane to the present discussion is the reality that diplomats, particularly from the West, are nervously watching for any indications of a stronger stance. However, China's nationalism has gotten worse, and party conflict has long characterized the country's politics of succession. It's not implausible that Xi's detractors or those anticipating the day he leaves the political scene may turn to more virulent expressions of nationalism. (ANI)
Social media has been carrying videos of People's Liberation Army (PLA) equipment such as rocket launchers moving across China by train, with many suggesting this is part of PLA exercises designed to display Beijing's displeasure at the planned Taiwan visit of Speaker of the US House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi. It is too early to say whether the PLA is concentrating troops at locations opposite Taiwan, but it does raise the interesting topic of the capability of Chinese military logistics. In any potential PLA invasion of Taiwan, can China sustain its war efforts? Underscoring the vital importance of logistics - compared to the shiny new equipment that China likes to parade in Tiananmen Square - General Robert H. Barrow, a former US Marine Corps commandant, noted, "Amateurs talk about tactics, but professionals study logistics." What is logistics? If combat power were compared to a muscle, then logistics is like oxygenated blood. Without a continuous supply of oxygen, the muscle slows down and soon stops operating. During a presentation for the Center for Strategic & International Studies (CSIS) in the USA, Colonel George Shatzer, director of strategic research and analysis at the Strategic Studies Institute of the US Army War College, offered this definition: "Logistics is the movement and support of forces, acquiring goods, storing them, transporting them, maintaining equipment and even constructing facilities." Over the past decade, the PLA has undergone a monumental reorganization under Chairman Xi Jinping. Logistics might not captured headlines like changes such as forming theater commands have, but it has undergone major reformation nonetheless. Previously, joint logistics for all Chinese armed services was handled by the then seven military districts, each responsible for its own fuel supply, for instance. In September 2016, the PLA created the national Joint Logistic Support Force (JLSF). At the same CSIS event, Dr Joel Wuthnow, senior research fellow in the Center for the Study of Chinese Military Affairs within the Institute for National Strategic Studies at National Defense University, explained why the JLSF was created: "First, to furtherincrease the cost-efficiency and management of logistics systems. So, now, you can further consolidate supply chains, you then improve standardization of logistics resources, and you can oversee the disposition of assets and resources at a national level.You need a national-level headquarters to do that." "The other reason is really operational. China faces a number of important contingencies, mostly around its border and coastal regions. So if you have a single operational logistics headquarters, what you're able to do is to garner, muster resources from not only a single region, but across an entire national-level supply chain able to surge those resources to other critical points in a timely way." This ability was demonstrated in China's initial COVID-19 response in Wuhan, with the JLSF dispatching medical supplies and personnel from all around China, and establishing new medical facilities. That was the first test of the new structure, and Wuthrow said it met with some success, but the PLA also derived lessons from it. However, the JLSF is not a silver bullet to solve old problems. For example, theater commanders no longer have direct control over their own joint logistic forces. In a contingency, they must ask for support. This reduces unity of command, and creates a situation where critical functions need to be transferred. This raises the possibility of delay, tension and friction between theater commanders competing for resources. Also, who is in charge of JLSF units when deployed in theater? Under the pressure of wartime, how efficient would this system be? Wuthrow said the PLA has not even decided what wartime model it should adopt, and it is currently wrestling with several different models. "The debate that's under way in China sort of goes to show that they themselves haven't figured out what this transition is going to look like and how, during wartime, these joint logistic forces will actually be commanded." Furthermore, theater commanders and deputies tend to have no experience in the logistics field. PLA career paths are stove-piped, and it is almost inconceivable for such general officers to have done a tour in a logistics unit. This lack of cohesion could be a great weakness for the PLA. Shatzer concurred: "There are real questions about the command relationships between the PLA theater commands and the JLSF that could lead potentially to an inefficient transition to wartime logistics." Is the PLA proficient enough to make this structure work in wartime? "There seem to be some surprising shortfalls in logistics support for PLA army combat battalions. In addition, the PLA makes, we think, little use of containerized goods at the brigade and lower levels. So if the PLA doesn't have people or units dedicated tosupplying the fight, or using modern logistics methods, then how long can the PLA expect to operate at the tactical unit level where the fighting really takes place?" Shatzer continued. It is not just the ground force that raises questions either. Shatzer again: "The PLA Navy has a low number of replenishment ships given the size of its combatant fleet, and PLA Air Force facilities often seem to lack enough apron space for aircraft maintenance operations." "But we've also seen that the PLA has successfully sustained maritime counter-piracy operations for many years, as well as conducting noncombatant evacuation operations far from China," Shatzer said. "They've also evidenced an increasing ability to move forces across the vast distances of China, and conducting large-scale exercises. They've just not done any of that with a modern military shooting at them." Much ink - fortunately, not blood - is being spilt over the chances of a Taiwan invasion. A large-scale PLA campaign would include blockade, joint firepower strikes and island landings. However, any Chinese attempt to win a quick victory against Taiwan could swiftly escalate with foreign intervention by the likes of the USA and Japan. If the West blockaded China, it must rely on reserves, national mobilization and supplies sent acrossthe border from Russia. Additionally, chain reaction conflicts initiated by countries like India or Vietnam might take advantage of Beijing's preoccupation with Taiwan, thus further straining PLA logistics capabilities. Kevin McCauley of the US Naval War College has studied PLA logistics in a potential Taiwan conflict. In Logistics Support for a Cross-Strait Invasion - The View from Beijing, he wrote: "The PLA believes that logistics support is one of the key determinantsof a successful large-scale invasion of Taiwan. Logistics support includes transport, materiel and oil supply, medical care, search and rescue, logistics infrastructure protection and maintenance of war materiel reserves. Despite the recognized importance of logistics support, it is likely the PLA does not currently possess the requisite logisticscapabilities to successfully support a large-scale amphibious landing on Taiwan and a possible protracted conflict involving the United States and allies." The Taiwan Strait varies from 130km to 220km wide. Tides, waves, currents, wind, weather, beach conditions and enemy obstacles represent a formidable challenge to the PLA transporting the hundreds of thousands of troops necessary to sustain an invasion. This would all occur under enemy attack. According to one PLA source, transportation requirements for a large-scale invasionwould require 3,000 military trains, a million vehicles, 2,100 aircraft and more than 8,000 ships to transport troops, equipment and materiel and evacuate wounded. However, McCauley identified key deficits such as too few amphibious ships (both military and civilian), transport aircraft and war reserves. "The PLA also continues to face difficulties with landing the requisite logistics supplies during the critical beachassault phase, constructing maritime transfer platforms or temporary wharves to sustain resupply if intact ports are not rapidly captured, establishing a landing base for logistics operations, maintaining the flow of logistics during on-island combat, and establishing strategic war reserves to support the large-scale operation and possibly prolongedconflict." The landing phase of a Taiwan invasion would see the highest fatality rates and heaviest consumption of supplies like ammunition and fuel. The importance of logistics is underscored by Russia's current morass in Ukraine. Moscow had months to build its combat force uncontested and to put sustainment systems in place. Consider also that it was merely moving across land borders, rather thana rough body of water. Shatzer noted: "And yet Russian forces faltered pretty badly in the face of Ukrainian resistance, unable to sustain an operational minimum for more than a couple of weeks before they had to re-track and reset their forces. So, with some of the unknown issues in PLA sustainment, how would the PLA be able to project decisive combat power...against a modern force intent on defending their independence?" China's military is cognizant of shortcomings, and McCauley wrote: "The PLA assesses that the informationization level remains relatively low in the areas of automation, information systems and intelligent technologies. The command information system ofthe logistics forces does not meet requirements for major combat operations." It is therefore "working to construct a precision, just-in-time logistics capability and incorporate intelligent technologies to improve planning and decision-making, and to enable just-in-time support to mobile operational units". Logistics forces rely heavily on the Beidou satellite system for communications and coordination. However, it is unclear how far this effort has progressed. McCauley concluded: "In sum, the PLA assesses its ability to support a large-scale offensive operation is improving, but weaknesses persist in every mission area. Significant deficiencies exist in transportation and war reserves." Buttressed by the National Defense Mobilization Law of 2010, civil-military integration allows the PLA to utilize civilian assets to support delivery of forces and materiel. Furthermore, logistics mobilization of civilian transportation assets is authorized by the 2017 National Defense Transportation Law. McCauley pointed out, however, that "numerous PLA sources detail problems with a lack of suitable civilian ships and aircraft, equipment not meeting military standards, as well as poor training". "The lack of war materiel reserves presents another significant impediment to supporting a large-scale offensive operation." Such reserves are better suited for disaster relief and internal stability operations, rather than supporting modern conflicts. Indeed, "The PLA assesses that, even after years of construction in the main strategic direction (i.e., the area facing Taiwan), infrastructure capabilities still face problems supporting major combat operations. The PLA believes that airfields and ports have poor layouts and throughput capacity, with inadequate support facilities for new weapons and equipment." For example, in 2017, only 55% of airfields had railway lines for replenishment of oil, ammunition and other materiel. Protection and camouflage of major naval bases and airbases is also quite poor. The US Naval War College academic assessed: "Logistics command, coordination and organization of forces is complex. The PLA believes that the repeated reorganization of the logistics forces has caused internal frictions, complex coordination issues, lowproficiency and difficult organizational and command issues affecting response times and the efficiency of wartime logistics support." Yet extensive logistics exercises and training in multiple missions do not appear to be taking place to assess and rectify identified weaknesses. Some observers are ringing alarm bells, claiming a Chinese war with Taiwan is imminent. McCauley is not one of them, for he perceives that the PLA's logistics could never support such a bloody endeavor. "At this time," he said, "PLA logistics capabilities likely cannot support a large-scale invasion of Taiwan. The PLA would have to initiate a significant effort to improve the multiple areas limiting logistics support. Depending on the pace and scale of efforts toimprove logistics capabilities, the project would likely take at least several years once started. Such a crash effort could provide early indications and warning of an intention to invade Taiwan." And what if China continues moving at its current pace? "...If the PLA maintains a slow methodical approach to logistics modernization, it could take at least a decade to achieve a capability to logistically support a large-scale amphibious landing on Taiwan." (ANI)
Assets over 10 billion Pakistani rupees have been stolen from Pakistan Steel Mills (PSM) in collusion with some officers in the management, according to local media. The matter emerged after the labour union of Pakistan Steel Mills wrote to the Ministry of Industries and Production (MoIP) and demanded immediate action to protect the national asset from looters, The Express Tribune reported. The letter stated that on the night of July 27, a gang of 50 robbers stormed the premises of the plant and looted copper wires worth millions of rupees before escaping right under the management's nose. "In the security department, both contract and permanent employees remained silent spectators, so it is imperative that these thefts are investigated at the highest level," the letter cited by The Express Tribune, demanded. Notably, the total value of losses, debts, and liabilities of the PSM had reached PKR 650 billion by June 2022, with incidents of high-value theft piling up the losses. The MoIP has called on the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to launch an immediate probe into shocking revelations about assets. The ministry has written a letter to the FIA director general and requested a transparent and immediate investigation to bring to light the elements involved in the thefts in various departments of the PSM. The letter stated that apart from various departments of the PSM, the main plant was not being protected from thieves which, it added, was not possible without the connivance of the security personnel, as per the media outlet. (ANI)
Amid the worsening crisis due to shrinking foreign reserves, Pakistan army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa has approached the US for help in securing an early disbursement of funds from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to prevent the south Asian country from a looming economic disaster. In order to seek support on the economic front, Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif persuaded Bajwa to talk to US authorities and use his influence for the early disbursement of IMF funds. The premier and COAS also discussed other options on how to secure the country's economy from getting into a crisis-like situation, The News International reported citing sources. As per the report, Bajwa telephoned US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman and appealed to her to expedite the USD1.2 billion disbursal. The move by the Army chief comes as Pakistan is gripped by a deep economic slump due to shortage of foreign reserves. However, it is not the first time that the government has approached the US administration for succour. Federal Finance Minister Miftah Ismail had met the US envoy in Islamabad earlier seeking the US government's influence over the IMF in reviving the bailout package, said The News International report. As per reports, the IMF's board meeting is slated for the third week of August and the pressure on the local currency has sparked a debate already whether the country will be able to revive its faltering economy. Notably, Pakistan has claimed to have taken a few measures to revive the stalled IMF programme like removing subsidies on petroleum products, hiking power and gas tariffs and increasing taxes. These steps have taken a massive toll on the common man and led to a sharp surge in economic hardships for the country's poorer sections. (ANI)
INS Tarkash and French Fleet Tanker FNS Somme carried out a replenishment at sea, followed by cooperative air operations with the maritime surveillance aircraft Falcon 50, taking part in several mock missile engagements and air defence drills.

The successful conduct of these surface and aerial exercises symbolise the high degree of professionalism and interoperability that exists between the two navies. India and France are maritime nations with dynamic maritime economy sectors like marine technology and scientific research, fisheries, port and shipping, to name a few. Possessing vast exclusive economic zones, their fate is closely linked to the sea and the ocean.

Earlier on July 29, INS Tarkash completed her Mediterranean deployment and entered the Atlantic to continue with her long-range voyage.

According to the Indian Navy, the ship participated in a Maritime Partnership Exercise in the Atlantic with Royal Morocco Naval Ship Hassan 2, a Floreal Class Corvette on July 26.

Exercises conducted included man overboard drills, visit board Search and seizure operations, approaches for replenishment at sea, tactical manoeuvres and helicopter cross deck landings.

Notably, INS Tarkash is on her passage to South America to visit Rio Di Janeiro, Brazil to hoist the National Flag on August 15, as part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav. (ANI)
Amid the worsening economic and humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, the total number of students enrolled in the private universities in the Kunduz province has dropped by 65 per cent in recent months, as per the Union of Private Universities. Seven private universities in Kunduz had an enrolment of 11,000 students under the previous government, however, now the total number of students has gone down to 5,000, TOLO News reported citing university officials. There has been a decrease in the participation of students at private universities due to the current situation in the country, particularly the economic crisis, as per the Union. "In the past, the number of students attending universities reached 10,000 to 11,000, but after the political change in the country, the number dropped to 4,000 to 5,000," head of the Union Samiullah Danishyar said. The private university officials also added that the enrolment of girls has decreased by 70 per cent. The officials said that many private institutions in the country will close if the situation continues, local media reported. "If the situation continues like this up to the end of the year, with the people facing such economic challenges, around 60 to 70 of the universities will leave the market, and it is huge crisis for the education sector," Danishyar added. "We ask the Islamic Emirate to launch some programs to motivate people to get an education," the chancellor of a private university in Kunduz Mubarak Shah Amiri said. Several students have said that most of the students have left university due to economic problems and their uncertain fate, Tolo News reported. "In recent months, the number of students dropped from 40 to 10 students. If the situation continues like this, most of the students will leave universities," a student Ataullah Safi said. "We ask the officials to provide more facilities to the private and public universities so that people become more interested in education," another student Imdadullah Omari said. Around seven private higher education institutions currently operate in the province. Since the Taliban took power, unemployment has skyrocketed, and poverty across many parts of the country has put millions of people at risk. According to the International Labour Organization, more than 500,000 Afghan workers lost their jobs in the third quarter of 2021, and the number of people who will lose their jobs since the Taliban took control is expected to reach 700,000 to 900,000 people by mid-2022, reported Khaama Press. Due to four decades of conflict, severe drought, and pandemics, Afghanistan's economy was already collapsing. After the Taliban seized power following the hasty withdrawal of US soldiers, the international community froze Afghanistan's assets and withheld help. The Taliban regime has also issued a decree banning female students above grade six from participating in their classes. (ANI)
Pakistan on Monday registered 656 fresh COVID-19 cases and one coronavirus-related death, as per the data by the country's National Institute of Health (NIH). With this, the COVID positivity rate in the country stood at 3.35%, ARY News reported citing the institution's data. According to the NIH, 161 COVID-19 patients are being treated in the Intensive Care Units (ICU) across the country at different medical facilities. With Pakistan continuously reporting hundreds of COVID-19 cases daily, the NIH has recommended strict adherence to standard operating procedures (SOPs), including mask wearing and social distancing during Muharram gatherings, reported ARY News. The country on Sunday observed the first day of the month of Muharram to mark the beginning of the new Islamic year. Further, NIH has imposed restrictions on the elderly and younger people attending the gatherings, as the risk of another outbreak increases due to the virus's resurgence in the country. It is pertinent to mention here that World Health Organization (WHO) chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said he was worried that coronavirus case numbers were shooting up, putting more strain on health systems and workers. The number of Covid cases reported to the WHO increased 30 per cent in the past two weeks, driven by sub-variants of the Omicron strain and the lifting of control measures, according to ARY News. Experts said that the two sub-variants of the Omicron variant, namely BA.4 and BA.5, are responsible for the spread of COVID-19. They said that these variants have escape mutations that are giving them an edge. According to the World Health Organization's most recent report, it was behind 52 per cent of cases sequenced in late June, up from 37 per cent in one week. In the United States, it is estimated to be causing around 65 per cent of infections. Experts also said that the sub-variants have also been infecting people who are already vaccinated or have already been infected with COVD-19, but no evidence is available to show if they are causing any severe disease among the vaccinated people, Geo News reported. According to the website, BA.5, which is an omicron variant, is particularly good at evading the immune protection afforded either by vaccination or prior infection.For this reason, "BA5 has a growth advantage over the other sublineages of Omicron that are circulating," Maria Van Kerkhove, the WHO's technical lead on COVID-19, said as quoted by Geo News. For many people, this means that they are getting re-infected, often even a short time after having COVID-19. Van Kerkhove said the WHO is assessing reports of re-infections. "We have ample evidence that people who've been infected with Omicron are getting infected with BA5. No question about it," said Gregory Poland, a virologist and vaccine researcher with the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. Amid fears of a new wave of coronavirus, experts advocated mask-wearing indoors in cities reporting cases that constitute over 5 per cent positivity. They also stressed vigilant watch through good surveillance and testing, vaccination with emphasis on boosters and communication about rising risk, especially in urban settings. (ANI)
The Turkish Defence Ministry on Monday confirmed the departure of the first shipment with grain cargo from the Ukrainian port of Odessa, adding that the vessel is expected to reach the port of Istanbul on August 2. Earlier, the ministry said that the first ship with grain cargo will depart from Ukraine on Monday at around 8:30 am (Turkish time). Sputnik News Agency reported quoting Turkish presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin on Sunday that the first ship carrying Ukrainian grain will depart tomorrow morning. Earlier, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had said that grain exports via the Black Sea will begin in the coming days. "With the beginning of maritime grain transportation in the coming days we will make an important contribution to the upcoming global food crisis," TASS news agency quoting Erdogan reported. Erdogan had also said that Turkey would continue its efforts to solve the Ukrainian crisis diplomatically. "We are resolved to continue diplomatic efforts until peace between Russia and Ukraine is ensured. In the near future, we hope to receive encouraging news at talks and with contacts at all levels, including leaders," the Turkish President said further. Meanwhile, a high-level UN trade official has said the world body will continue to stay engaged with partners in the European Union, the United States and Russia to understand any obstacles to grain exports in the wake of the deal with Ukraine. This statement comes as the defence ministers of Russia and Turkey and the infrastructure minister of Ukraine met in Istanbul to ink an UN-brokered deal on grain exports that would allow Russia to export its grain and fertilizers, Washington Post reported. The agreement has ended a wartime standoff that had threatened food security in several countries and cleared the way for exporting tons of Ukrainian grains. The deal will enable Ukraine to export 22 million tons of grain and other agricultural products that have been stuck in Black Sea ports due to the war. Notably, the deal will create provisions for the safe passage of ships. Moreover, a control centre will be established in Istanbul, staffed by UN, Turkish, Russian and Ukrainian officials, to run and coordinate the process and the ships would undergo inspections to ensure they are not carrying weapons. Ukraine is regarded as the "breadbasket of Europe" supplying 10 per cent of the world's wheat, 12-17 per cent of the world's maize and half of the world's sunflower oil. Twenty-five million tonnes of corn and wheat - the entire annual consumption of all the least developed countries. The West accused that Russia's actions have driven up prices in countries like the UK and the ongoing blockade has placed 47 million people around the world on the brink of humanitarian disaster. Since the start of the Russia-Ukraine war, security experts say one of Moscow's earliest strategic aims quickly became apparent as its armoured columns advanced along the coast in an effort to seize Ukraine's coastline. (ANI)
Two training institutions in Beijing violated China's "Double Reduction" policy by offering private tutoring services in academic subjects to preschool children despite President Xi Jinping's attempts to promote the policy. A notice was issued by the city's special workgroup on "double reduction" which stated that these institutions violated related policies and regulations by offering training in academic subjects, including pinyin spelling, writing, mathematics and calculation, and English for preschool children, Global Times reported. The institutions were ordered to suspend operations and refund the tuition fees. The notice added that relevant files and evidence of their illegal operations will be transferred to law enforcement departments for further investigation and punishment, local media reported. A nationwide campaign to strengthen the implementation of the "double reduction" policy has been organized by the Ministry of Education from July 20 to August 30. Beijing introduced the "Double Reduction" policy in November 2021. It called for reducing students' amount of homework, and for effectively banning after-school training classes, claiming that it will reduce the burden of homework on schoolchildren but on the contrary, it has resulted in the loss of USD 300 billion in China's private tutoring industry, affecting millions of parents and teachers. The number of offline private tutoring institutions decreased by 92.14 per cent and they had been cut from 124,000 to 9,728, while for online private tutoring institutions, the number decreased by 87.07 per cent to 34 from the previous 263 after the "double reduction" policy was rolled out, the publication reported citing data from the Ministry of Education in February. International Forum For Rights And Security (IFFRAS) citing experts reported that shutting down the tutoring centers will not reduce the burden on the schoolchildren but the entire education system in China needs to be reformed. Besides owners and other stakeholders in these firms, the lives of millions of teachers employed with them have also been upended. When the clampdown was announced, China's tutoring sector was worth a massive two trillion yuan, employing nearly 10 million people. Now, as the industry collapses, these workers have become the unfortunate collateral damage. Many companies got rid of their teachers with meagre severance packages by making stringent rules and pinning the violations on employees. The number of job seekers in the education sector jumped significantly. More than half of these job seekers had already lost their prior positions, becoming vulnerable to being exploited for low wages, IFFRAS citing recruitment site Zhaopin reported. However, justifying this clampdown, the Chinese government has blamed the private tutoring industry for igniting and fueling an unhealthy rat race. "Double Reduction" dictates that new tutoring institutions targeting school students will not get necessary approvals from local authorities anymore. Existing institutions will have to restructure themselves as non-profit organizations. (ANI)
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres welcomed the departure of the first ship with grain from the port of Odessa on Monday morning and called it "a collective achievement of the Joint Coordination Centre". "The Secretary-General warmly welcomes the departure of the M/V Razoni, the first commercial ship leaving Ukraine's port of Odesa since 26 February 2022 ... Ensuring that existing grain and foodstuffs can move to global markets is a humanitarian imperative. The first departure is a collective achievement of the Joint Coordination Centre (JCC) set up in Istanbul under the auspices of the United Nations," the UN office said in a statement. It further said that the ship is bound for the Lebanese port of Tripoli and carries a cargo of 26,527 tonnes of corn. "The Secretary-General hopes that this will be the first of many commercial ships moving in accordance with the Initiative signed, and that this will bring much-needed stability and relief to global food security especially in the most fragile humanitarian contexts," the statement further said. The Turkish Defence Ministry on Monday confirmed the departure of the first shipment with grain cargo from the Ukrainian port of Odessa and added that the vessel is expected to reach the port of Istanbul on August 2. Earlier, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had said that grain exports via the Black Sea will begin in the coming days. "With the beginning of maritime grain transportation in the coming days we will make an important contribution to the upcoming global food crisis," TASS news agency quoting Erdogan as saying. Meanwhile, a high-level UN trade official has said the world body will continue to stay engaged with partners in the European Union, the United States and Russia to understand any obstacles to grain exports in the wake of the deal with Ukraine. This statement comes as the defence ministers of Russia and Turkey and the infrastructure minister of Ukraine met in Istanbul to ink an UN-brokered deal on grain exports that would allow Russia to export its grain and fertilizers, Washington Post reported. The agreement has ended a wartime standoff that had threatened food security in several countries and cleared the way for exporting tons of Ukrainian grains. The deal will enable Ukraine to export 22 million tons of grain and other agricultural products that have been stuck in Black Sea ports due to the war. Notably, the deal will create provisions for the safe passage of ships. Moreover, a control centre will be established in Istanbul, staffed by UN, Turkish, Russian and Ukrainian officials, to run and coordinate the process and the ships would undergo inspections to ensure they are not carrying weapons. Ukraine is regarded as the "breadbasket of Europe" supplying 10 per cent of the world's wheat, 12-17 per cent of the world's maize and half of the world's sunflower oil. Twenty-five million tonnes of corn and wheat - the entire annual consumption of all the least developed countries. The West has said that Russia's actions have driven up prices in countries like the UK and the ongoing blockade has placed 47 million people around the world on the brink of humanitarian disaster. (ANI)
Human rights activist and chairman of United Kashmir People's National Party (UKPNP) Shaukat Ali Kashmiri has highlighted the land grabbing by the Pakistan Army in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and urged environmentalists to take note of its adverse impact on the environment. Attaching a statement issued by the office of the commissioner, Muzaffarabad Division, the activist raised concern over the deforestation in PoK. "The requirement of 24 Kanal 11 Marla private land 61 Kanal 02 Marla 05 Sarsai Forest Land to be allocated for the defence purpose in Village Heerkotli (Sirikot Tili) tehsil & district Muzaffarabad," the statement read. "Relevant land record regarding the private land has been provided to 5-AK Brigade for the onward proceeding of land acquisition. Process of the allocation of forest land for the defence purpose requires the issuance of the No Objection Certificate from the Forest Department," it added. The statement further read that the survey of the proposed land may be carried out and No Objection Certificate for the allocation of the land for defence purpose may be issued. Several Kashmiri activists have knocked on the door of the international community to intervene in the rapidly worsening human rights situation in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. They haven't however received much success as all that the global bodies have come up with so far is mere condemnation and no tangible action. Earlier this year, people in Gilgit-Baltistan held a protest against forced land acquisition by the Pakistan Army in Nopura village. Pakistan Army is forcibly trying to acquire 500 canals of land near village Nopura, Gilgit in a deliberate attempt to ensure a demographic shift. The land is presently owned by the local population of the village Nopura, Gilgit-Baltistan, as per the sources. In this regard, the locals had organized a protest rally at the incident site which exacerbated and resulted in a face-off between the Pakistani Army and the local population. Under this law, all the barren land in the state is under government ownership, thereby, establishments are usurping the natives of their rights. Pakistan Army and Government acquire these lands from local people and forcefully evict the local population to make deliberate demographic changes. In the new offices, which are then established on these lands, the government employees and non-Gilgit-Baltistan population are placed, therefore, the local people are left with no option but to move to other parts of the country for employment. (ANI)
The death toll in the Kentucky floods has risen to 28 as rescuers continue to search for missing people as the region braces. "Our confirmed count of Kentuckians we've lost has now reached 28, and we expect that there will be more, and that that number will grow," Governor Andy Beshear said Sunday, CNN reported. The devastating flooding on Thursday was unprecedented, officials said, inundating several houses. "We're going to be finding bodies for weeks, many of them swept hundreds of yards, maybe a quarter-mile plus from where they were last," CNN reported citing the governor. Widespread rainfall totals of 1 to 3 inches are forecast over the next 24 to 48 hours, but as much as 4 or 5 inches is possible in localized areas. As little as 1 to 2 inches can revive flooding concerns, particularly in areas already inundated with heavy rain where the soil is saturated. The floods in parts of eastern Kentucky have claimed the lives of atleast 25 people, including four children and are likely to increase as search and rescue operations are underway. Deaths have been reported in Knott, Perry, Letcher and Clay counties. Fourteen people, including four children, were confirmed dead Friday afternoon in Knott County, according to the county coroner. Kentucky governor advised the residents to prepare for the coming days with more rains in the forecast. He told the people to be careful while trying to get to safety, "the flooding hasn't begun to subside and swift waters can still carry people away". (ANI)
The Congressional delegation led by Nancy Pelosi comprises Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee Gregory Meeks (D-New York), Chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Committee Mark Takano (D-California), Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (D-Washington), Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Illinois), and Congressman Andy Kim (D-New Jersey), Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Singapore said in a statement.

The delegation is visiting Singapore from August 1 to 2.

President Halimah and the Congressional delegation affirmed the excellent and longstanding ties between Singapore and the US and also discussed the close-standing partnership between the two countries.

They also exchanged views on ways to foster greater social cohesion in Singapore and the US.

During their meeting, PM Lee and the Congressional delegation affirmed the deep and multi-faceted partnership between Singapore and the US, underpinned by robust cooperation across the defence, security and economic spheres, the press release stated.

PM Lee welcomed the commitment expressed by the Congressional delegation for strong US engagement in the region, and both sides discussed ways to deepen the US economic engagement in the region through initiatives such as the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework.

PM Lee and the Congressional delegation also exchanged views on key international and regional developments, including the war in Ukraine, cross-strait relations, and climate change.

Moreover, PM Lee also highlighted the importance of stable US-China relations for regional peace and security, the statement by Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Singapore said.

The Congressional delegation also had meetings with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Lawrence Wong, Senior Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security Teo Chee Hean and Senior Minister and Coordinating Minister for Social Policies Tharman Shanmugaratnam. (ANI)
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday congratulated the government and people of Switzerland on their National Day and affirmed the continued efforts by the Indian side to further advance the partnership with the country. "Heartiest congratulations to the Government and people of Switzerland on their National Day. Will continue our efforts for advancing our long-standing Dynamic Partnership," Jaishankar wrote in a tweet. Since India's independence, Switzerland and India have developed warm and friendly ties based on their commitment to democracy and the rule of law. On August 14, 1948, both the nations signed a Treaty of Friendship in New Delhi, marking a significant defining moment in Indo-Swiss relations and one of the first of its kind to be signed by an independent India. The 70th anniversary was commemorated by Switzerland and India in 2018. Both sides have shared partnerships in areas including science and technology, tourism, railways, skill development, and climate action among others. Recently on June 22, India and Switzerland announced a new agreement to manufacture robotic cleaning equipment in Mysuru on June 22, following an increase in COVID-19 infections worldwide. The Joint Venture between Cleanfix Reinigungssysteme AG of Switzerland and Schevaran Laboratories Pvt Ltd will see the rollout of state-of-the-art Swiss Engineered made in India products. The one-of-a-kind factory will produce 20 different sorts of machines, from the most basic to those that can create sophisticated robotics. These devices provide automated cleaning solutions for a range of applications, from vast locations like warehouses, shopping centres, and railroad stations to smaller and more intricate ones like office buildings. (ANI)
Sri Lanka's President, Ranil Wickremesinghe Sunday said that it is not the right time for Gotabaya Rajapaksa to return to the island nation, stressing that it could agitate the protesters who have been demanding the resignation of former President and holding him responsible for the country's financial crisis. "I don't believe it's the time for him to return," he said. "I have no indication of him returning soon," DailyMirror reported, quoting the President as saying. Speaking from his office in the Presidential Secretariat, which Wickremesinghe only moved into on Wednesday, the president underlined he expected the IMF staff-level agreement to be reached by the end of August, after which the country would be able to further talks with bilateral creditors to revive the nation's economy. However, earlier on Tuesday, Cabinet spokesman Bandula Gunawardena said Rajapaksa wasn't in hiding and was expected to return. Notably, on July 9, Sri Lankan protesters broke into then Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe's private residence and set it on fire, angered by the unprecedented economic crisis. Rajapaksa left the country on a military aircraft bound for the Maldives on July 13, before travelling onward to Singapore where he resigned over email. Following the then President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's resignation, they stormed into the compound, tore down security cordons placed by police, took a dip in the swimming pool and romped through his kitchen and home. Several journalists were also attacked by the security forces after which more protestors gathered in the area, Daily Mirror reported.Earlier, the police fired tear gas at the protesters but despite that, they entered his house and set the house on fire. Following this, Wickremesinghe, who was appointed as Prime Minister in May, announced his resignation from his post in order to ensure the continuation of the government and the safety of all the citizens. However on July 21, following the resignation of then President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Wickremesinghe was sworn in as President of Sri Lanka in Parliament before Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya. He was elected as president in an election held in Parliament on July 20. Notably, Sri Lanka is suffering its worst economic crisis since gaining independence in 1948, which comes on the heels of successive waves of COVID-19, threatening to undo years of development progress and severely undermining the country's ability to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The protests came after the worsening economic situation in the country led to increasing tensions and reports of several confrontations between individuals and members of the police force and the armed forces at fuel stations where thousands of desperate members of the public queued for hours and sometimes days amid the fuel crisis. (ANI)
Maldives President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih arrived in New Delhi on Monday to hold talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and review the progress made in this wide-ranging partnership between the two countries. Mohamed Solih is on a four-day visit to India at the invitation of PM Modi. He is accompanied by a high-level official and business delegation. "A warm welcome to a close friend and maritime neighbour! President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih of Maldives arrives in New Delhi for an official visit. An opportunity to nurture the unwavering friendship between our two countries and lend further momentum to the multifaceted partnership," MEA tweeted. During the visit, President Solih will meet the President and hold talks with the Prime Minister. The External Affairs Minister will call on President Solih. Besides official engagements in New Delhi, President Solih will be holding discussion with an Indian business delegation in Delhi. During this visit, President Solih will also visit Mumbai, Maharashtra and participate in business events. Maldives is India's key neighbour in the Indian Ocean Region and occupies a special place in India's Neighbourhood First Policy. In recent years, the partnership has witnessed rapid growth in all areas of cooperation. During a press briefing last week, President Solih's upcoming Official visit will provide an opportunity for the two leaders to review the progress made in this wide ranging partnership and lend further momentum to it. 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 giving vaccines. Solih mentioned several friendly bilateral partners. However, he singled out New Delhi for assisting the Maldives' COVID-19 response efforts. (ANI)
The hacker shared a promotional tweet regarding cryptocurrency from his Instagram account. A link to Tesla CEO Elon Musk's fake crypto account was also attached to his handle.

Imran Khan has currently over 7.4 million followers.

The former Pak PM is yet to issue any official response. His party members and followers are advising not to interact with any uncharacteristic posts.

Back in December, the Twitter handle of the Pakistan Embassy in Serbia posted a message over the nonpayment of salaries to government officials.

This incident caused a major embarrassment to the PTI government and Imran Khan. Later the government officials claimed that the account was hacked. (ANI)
Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, who is an ally of the ruling Shehbaz Sharif government of Pakistan, held a protest over the rising incidents of targeted killings in southern districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and alleged armed people are ruling the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa adding that PTI and police have become "powerless" in the region. His statement comes in the wake of after a few unidentified gunmen on Monday killed a Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) (JUI-F) councillor-elect Malik Murtaza. He was elected councillor during the second phase of the local body elections. It is pertinent to mention that Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) had been ruling Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for almost nine years. While speaking to the reporters after a meeting of a tribal jirga of North Waziristan district, the PDM chief said all the southern districts of KP province, including Dera Ismail Khan, Tank, Lakki Marwat, Karak, and North and South Waziristan, were under the control of armed people. He also recalled that the Utmanzai tribe from North Waziristan protested against the incidents of targeted killings in Pakistan. The protesting tribesmen had staged a sit-in camp on Friday outside the press club building in Miranshah to protest against the rising incidents of target killings in North Waziristan. "A few days later, four or five other people were also killed," Fazlur added, reported Dawn. No one is secure in North Waziristan, the JUI-F leader said. "Local tribesmen know how to protect their area; however, the government has snatched their arms from them and put an end to practices like maintaining Lashkar, leaving the tribesmen hapless," he lamented. He attributed the killing and the "armed rule" in KP province to the poor governance of former Prime Minister Imran Khan's party. The PDM chief expressed concern over the situation in the province and stressed that those wielding guns are completely independent as they raid areas and kill people at will. He lambasted the state administration and termed them "weak" to tackle the sorry state of affairs. The chief said that all of this is causing despair in the general public, as per the media outlet. Rehman demanded the protection of the rights of the people and regretted that those wielding powers lacked sense and those having sense lacked power. In 2018, Pakistan passed a bill to enact the Twenty-fifth Amendment to the Constitution of Pakistan which calls for the merger of Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) with the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. However, tribals were always against this and wanted a reversal of the merger. Commenting on the merger, Rehman said that tribal youth were given hopes that after the absorption of the region that they will come on a par with those in settled areas. However, he claimed, the situation has rather taken a turn for the worse. He said it was not clear as to what the establishment was up to at the time of the merger or what kind of "international pressure" it faced as they did not pay any attention to the JUI-F's opposition to the plan. "Now there is no administration, police or development activities in the merged districts," he said. Furthermore, he said that the money which was meant for the development projects was falling prey to extortion. (ANI)
The former Chief Executive Officer of Mauritius Telecom (MT) Sherry Singh is accused of using selective bidding exercises to help the Chinese mega-firm Huawei, which already awarded contracts worth hundreds of millions of rupees, to expand its business. The 3G network in Mauritius has been largely developed by Huawei.The issue of the allocation of contracts to Huawei under the era of Sherry Singh, the former Chief Executive Officer of Mauritius Telecom has pointed toward the unholy alliance between the executive and the Chinese government. Different stories are heard about the issue of the allocation of contracts to Huawei under the era of ex-CEO Sherry Singh. Huawei has been awarded worth hundreds of millions of rupees contracts during 2006-07, which skyrocketed to billions of rupees under Singh. In 2006-07, Huawei entered the national telecommunications company under the direction of the former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Mauritius Telecom (MT) Sarat Lallah. During this same period, Huawei was entrusted with the UTRAN 3G project. The telecom giant is also awarded a contract to expand its internet services. He had thus proceeded to the installation of six switches and a router in order to consolidate the resilience of the network at the time. As Mauritius witnessed the rise in the use of internet services and mobile telephony, Huawei is entrusted with the task of extending the "mobile network capacity and coverage" by 18 per cent. Later, the Chinese company granted another contract to develop additional 3G sites in Mauritius. "If the contracts allocated to Huawei during the 2006-07 period amounted to hundreds of millions of rupees, from 2015, billions of rupees are concerned, in particular with the Safe City camera project worth Rs 19 billion," a sources at MT, cited by Mauritius News said. Notably, the other flagship telecom projects with Huawei's imprint at MT are my.t money, smart box development, among others. Former members of the board of directors who served under his mandate forcefully maintain that each contract allocation was made following a call for tenders, other sources emanating from Top Management express serious reservations about certain processes. "The 3G network in Mauritius has been largely developed by Huawei. You should also know that other companies like Emtel have, on several occasions, called on Huawei's services to develop their network. It should therefore not be believed that Huawei only collaborates with Mauritius Telecom," the source said. However, Sherry Singh maintained that the tendering procedures evolved from 2015. "It was from 2015 that Mauritius Telecom began to use selected bidding exercises. That is to say that the calls for tenders were limited to a certain number of suppliers," sources cited by Mauritius News said. Another element which also establishes the MT-Huawei link, is related to recruitment, as per media reports. Moreover, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has accused China of engaging in surveillance activities through Huawei. The FBI discovered that the Chinese-made Huawei equipment atop cell towers near US military bases in the rural Midwest could capture and disrupt highly restricted Defense Department communications, including those used by US Strategic Command, which oversees the country's nuclear weapons, CNN reported citing sources.The findings of the investigation were based on the information provided by current and former national security officials.However, it is difficult to determine whether the data was sent to Beijing from these towers as it was difficult to prove that a given package of data was stolen and sent overseas, media reported. Even though China denied the allegations of spying on the US, several sources have said that the Huawei equipment has the ability to intercept commercial cell traffic along with highly restricted airwaves that are used by the military and can disrupt critical US Strategic Command communications, allowing the country to spy on America's nuclear arsenal, it added. "This gets into some of the most sensitive things we do. It would impact our ability to essentially command and control with the nuclear triad. That goes into the Bona Fide Determination (BFD) category. If it is possible for that to be disrupted, then that is a very bad day," a former FBI official said.(ANI)
A high-ranking Pakistani diplomat, who faced serious allegations of human smuggling in March, is at the core of a visa scam as he tried to persuade the European embassies in Islamabad to illegally get visas for Pakistan nationals. A complaint was filed against the high-ranking Pakistani diplomat Israr Husain by Tariq Javid Khan, a former government servant who is in the visa business. Several emails issued to different embassies along with proofs of payment made to the accused diplomat were attached to the application, The News International reported. Husain used to work as an additional secretary of Europe and he would try to persuade the European embassies in Islamabad to get visas for Pakistan nationals. He allegedly tried to send around 11 individuals to Spain. Husain had earlier also served as Pakistan's ambassador in Czech Republic. Khan alleged that Husain "made an offer to facilitate the issuance of visit, work and residency visas for Italy, the Czech Republic, Spain, Poland and South Korea. He also introduced me to the ambassadors of these countries in Pakistan." He added that he has the complete record of all payments he made to Hussain in the form of bank receipts, local media reported. Khan also added that he also has a record of all videos, voice and text messages exchanged between the two. The visa was not issued and the Pakistani diplomat had refused to return the money and warned him of dire consequences in case the word went out. Khan collected PKR 1.5 million from a group of Pakistani Qawwal (cultural troupe) by saying that he arranged their tickets, accommodations and all other expenses in Prague, the capital of Czech Republic, and he promised that they would get work and residency permits. Around 10 Pakistanis also joined the troupe. However, the group had to seek asylum because Husain did not keep his promise. The complaint added that the ambassador of Italy, Czech Republic and Spain "will be happy to confirm Husain's disorderly conduct and they will provide evidence regarding his continuous requests for the illegal issuances of visas." They are not his associates but friends or assistants, none of them has travelled before and they don't seem to comply with the requirements established by Schengen regulations, the publication said. A formal complaint regarding Husain's deceptive conduct was submitted to the foreign office by the ambassador of Czech Republic in Pakistan and the ambassador of Pakistan in Czech Republic. "An investigation was carried out by the Foreign Office, however, Husain was exonerated due to his batchmates being the investigators of the case," Khan wrote. Notably, Khan has withdrawn his complaint in an out-of-office settlement with Husain, it reported. "Since the allegations are specific in nature and evidence has also been shared, it is yet to be seen what the ministry does. Ideally, it should hold an inquiry. The ministry can't stop doing that on the whims of a complainant. Rather, he should also be investigated," an official said. (ANI)
With the death of more than 100 people in the current floods situation in Balochistan, Pakistan media has asked for the government to bring relief to rain-affected areas across the province that has ravaged lives of thousands of people. Analysts say the hearth rendering condition of rained-out metropolises in Pakistan are getting the attention but the flooded rural hinterland is getting little to no media coverage. "Social media is rife with heart-wrenching visuals where people can be seen taking dead bodies out of water. It is shocking that during this terrible situation, where helpless people drowned to death, the provincial government remained oblivious to people's suffering," The News International said in an editorial. Speaking at a press conference last week, Balochistan Chief Secretary Abdul Aziz Uqaili said, "thousands of people have been injured and around 50,000 people have been affected. Besides, around 200,000 acres of land has also been affected." Besides this, the provincial disaster body said that more than 6,000 houses have been damaged, and 3,000 houses have been completely destroyed by the flash floods since June 1. Writing for The News International, Qasim Khan noted that these are only the reported figures, and the actual figures in the underreported areas in the peripheries are obviously higher, as evident by the circumstantial evidence shared by the locals. "While it is true that this year's monsoon rains have broken the 30-year average, it is unfortunate that the Balochistan government could not devise a substantial plan to counter the destruction caused by the floods at the earliest and save the lives of the poor living in mud houses in both rural and urban areas," he said. Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif flood-hit areas of Balochistan on Saturday and expressed solidarity with the affected people. He said the federal government is working with the provincial government to provide immediate relief to the people. "I visited the flood-hit areas of Balochistan today to oversee the ongoing relief work & express solidarity with the affected people. The federal government is working with the provincial government to provide immediate relief to the people. The work will be further accelerated," Shehbaz Sharif tweeted on July 30. Shehbaz also announced compensation for the family of the deceased. "About 300 including 124 people from Balochistan have lost lives in the floods. Although there is no compensation for human life, the federal govt is paying Rs. 10 lakh to every household of the deceased. I have also ordered an increase in financial assistance for damaged houses," he said in another tweet. Despite the announcement of compensation, Pakistan writer Qasim Khan pointed out that despite knowing the possibility of heavy rainfall weeks before, the authorities come into action only after floods drowned hundreds of people and swept away thousands of houses. (ANI)
US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is expected to arrive in Taiwan on August 2 and meet with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen, according to Sputnik News Agency citing a Chinese media outlet. The US official is also expected to hold a meeting with other high-ranking officials while in Taiwan and leave the island on Wednesday, as per reports. Last month, Beijing had warned the US against the House of Representatives Speaker's Taiwan visit saying that it will act strongly and take countermeasures if the US side insists on going ahead with the visit. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said Pelosi's Taiwan visit will have a severe negative impact on the political foundation of China-US relations. US President Joe Biden had said the US military believes it is not a "good idea" for House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi to travel to Taiwan as planned. "The military thinks it's not a good idea right now," Biden said on Wednesday as quoted by the White House press pool. China has on many occasions firmly opposed any form of official interaction between the United States and the Taiwan region. While warning against US House speaker's Taiwan visit, a Chinese state media outlet said, "If the news is true and the trip happens, it will be one of the most egregious provocations by the US to China on the Taiwan question since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the US." A Global Times editorial said visiting Taiwan is definitely a red line that Pelosi must never cross. Back in April, Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan had been postponed after she tested positive for COVID-19. At that time, Beijing had resolutely opposed any official exchange between the United States and Taiwan. Meanwhile, Pelosi kicked off her Asia tour, the delegation led by her made a courtesy call to President Halimah Yacob, and also met with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Minister for Foreign Affairs Vivian Balakrishnan today. The Congressional delegation led by Nancy Pelosi comprises Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee Gregory Meeks (D-New York), Chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Committee Mark Takano (D-California), Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (D-Washington), Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Illinois), and Congressman Andy Kim (D-New Jersey), Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Singapore said in a statement. (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday assured newly-elected Prime Minister of Sri Lanka Dinesh Gunawardena of India's continued support to island nation in a congratulatory letter. He also expressed hope that Sri Lanka will witness quick economic recovery, ensuring the prosperity and well-being of its people. "PM @narendramodi sent a congratulatory letter to PM H.E @DCRGunawardena. PM assured that as a dependable friend and close neighbour, India shall continue to support the people of Sri Lanka. PM also expressed hope that #SriLanka will witness quick economic recovery, ensuring the prosperity and well-being of its people," tweeted the Official handle of High Commission of India in Colombo, Sri Lanka. India has been at forefront of extending economic assistance to Sri Lanka as per their requirements and is one of the countries that have provided the maximum amount of assistance in time of need. Since the beginning of 2022, Sri Lanka has experienced an escalating economic crisis and the government has defaulted on its foreign loans. The United Nations warned that 5.7 million people "require immediate humanitarian assistance." With many Sri Lankans experiencing extreme shortages of essentials including food and fuel, peaceful protests began in March. The protests led then-Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa to resign on May 9, and his brother, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, to flee the country on July 13 and resign the following day. Ranil Wickremesinghe became acting president, and parliament elected him as the new president on July 20 with the support of the Rajapaksas' political party, the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna. He had previously described some protesters as "fascists" and declared a state of emergency on July 18. On July 21, Wickremesinghe issued an order to "call out with effect from July 22, 2022, all the members of the Armed Forces . . . for the maintenance of public order." Under emergency powers, the president can override, amend, or suspend a provision of any law, except the Constitution. Emergency powers can be used to detain people while bypassing the ordinary process of the courts and have repeatedly been used in the past to enable human rights violations. (ANI)
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday called on the President of Maldives, Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, who is on a four-day visit to India at the invitation of PM Modi. In a tweet, Jaishankar wrote, "Honored to call on President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih during his visit to India. Our Neighbourhood First and Maldives' India First policies are complementary. They take our special partnership forward." Earlier in the day, Maldives President Solih arrived in New Delhi to hold talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and review the progress made in this wide-ranging partnership between the two countries. He is accompanied by a high-level official and business delegation. "A warm welcome to a close friend and maritime neighbour! President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih of Maldives arrives in New Delhi for an official visit. An opportunity to nurture the unwavering friendship between our two countries and lend further momentum to the multifaceted partnership," MEA tweeted. During the visit, President Solih will meet the President and hold talks with the Prime Minister. The External Affairs Minister will call on President Solih. Besides official engagements in New Delhi, President Solih will be holding a discussion with an Indian business delegation in Delhi. During this visit, President Solih will also visit Mumbai, Maharashtra and participate in business events. Maldives is India's key neighbour in the Indian Ocean Region and occupies a special place in India's Neighbourhood First Policy. In recent years, the partnership has witnessed rapid growth in all areas of cooperation. During a press briefing last week, President Solih's upcoming Official visit will provide an opportunity for the two leaders to review the progress made in this wide-ranging partnership and lend further momentum to it. 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 giving vaccines. Solih mentioned several friendly bilateral partners. However, he singled out New Delhi for assisting the Maldives' COVID-19 response efforts. (ANI)
The Indian government has activated bilateral air service agreements with 116 countries and is allowing foreign carriers to serve India to add more flights to the country's metropolitan cities. "India has signed bilateral Air Services Agreement (ASA) with 116 foreign countries," Minister of State for Civil Aviation Gen VK Singh (retd) informed the Parliament in a written reply on Monday. "Any designated foreign airline can operate to/from a point in India if it is designated as a point of call in the bilateral Air Services Agreement (ASA) signed between India and the country which has designated the airline," he added. Travel industry experts said the government's move will benefit passengers and may bring down airfares. "It is good to have bilateral air service agreements with countries to increase seat capacity and have an open sky policy for foreign carriers as it will benefit passengers," Anju Wariah, Director, Group Business Development, STIC Travel Group told ANI. The government has also said due to a significant imbalance in the number of points of call in favour of foreign carriers at present, it is not granting any non-metro airport as a new point of call to any foreign carrier for the purpose of operating passenger services. Indian designated carriers are free to mount scheduled operations to and from any international airport, including Kannur International Airport, under the ambit of bilateral ASAs concluded by India with foreign countries. The travel industry has been urging the government for quite some time that foreign carriers be allowed to operate from cities other than metro airports. "Indian-designated carriers are free to mount operations from any city but a foreign carrier is not. Till the time it's not done, there will be a demand-supply gap which can impact prices," Anju Wariah said. The countries with which India has signed bilateral air service agreements include those in Asia, Europe, Middle East and South America. (ANI)
Washington [US], August 1 (ANI/Sputnik) - North Korea intends to conduct its seventh nuclear test, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Monday. "As we gather today Pyongyang is preparing to conduct its seventh nuclear test," Blinken said at the NPT Review Conference at the United Nations in New York. (ANI/Sputnik)
The issue of persecution of the Ahmadiyya community surfaced again in Pakistan's Punjab province after Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) Punjab Vice President Malik Ilyas Awan's called to have them evicted from Khushab and their security withdrawn on the grounds that they should be restricted to Chenab Nagar. Awan on July 30 wrote an application to the Deputy Commissioner of Khushab wherein he wrote that security to Qadianis/Ahmadiyyas is a mockery of the Pakistan Constitution, which must be stopped, local media reported. "It is requested that Qadianis cannot worship freely in the Islamic state of Pakistan. During Bhutto Shaheed's government, an area in Chenab Nagar had been allocated for a particular period under an agreement. They cannot do worship outside this area," he wrote. Pakistan is more phobic of the Ahmadiyya sect and its interpretation of Islam than most other nations where the community is present. Ahmadis number about 4 million in Pakistan, but the community has been forbidden to call itself Muslim since 1974 by the Pakistani Constitution which considers them "infidels". Resultantly, Ahmadis are not even allowed to call their houses of prayer "mosques," while basic religious practices associated with Islam are forbidden for them. Awan in a letter to DC Khushab further stated that Pakistan is an Islamic state, while Namaz prayers are offered and preaching is carried out every Friday at the house of Tariq Wirk, located in Joharabad New Satellite Town which is totally against the constitution of the Islamic state. He also said that the presence of Ahmadiyyas in the area is adversely impacting the environment of the children. "It is requested that their (Ahmadiyyas) security must be lifted immediately and enquiry be held in this regard. Those who don't have faith in the finality of prophethood must be ousted from the district," wrote Awan. Meanwhile, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) on Monday strongly condemned PML-Q Punjab Vice President Malik Ilyas Awan's call to have the local Ahmadiyya community evicted from Khushab and their security withdrawn. "The ghettoisation of this long-persecuted community must cease. No authority has the right to dictate where any citizen chooses to live," said HRCP. The HRCP further stressed that no authority has the right to dictate where any citizen chooses to live. "The state is under a constitutional responsibility to protect the Ahmadiyya community's right to life, to live where they choose and to profess their faith safely," added HRCP. It also raised concern over the incitement to violence implicit in the PML-Q leader's demand. The Ahmadi community faces persecution in Pakistan in the form of hate crimes and mob violence and their schools, mosques and public events like wedding parties are usual targets. These incidents are further aided by institutional apathy which prevents any action against the attackers, reported JustEarth news. They remain the most vulnerable prey of Pakistan's violent blasphemy laws, with at least 13 Ahmadis killed and 40 wounded since 2017 owing to their identity. The members of the Ahmadi community are not spared persecution even in their death as there are an increasing number of cases of their graves being dug up and desecrated. (ANI)
Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, has called for efforts to build world-class military forces by cultivating more high-quality and professional personnel, while underscoring the Party's absolute leadership, a high level of technological education and innovation in the military human resource system.

Xi, who is also China's president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks on Friday while presiding over a group study session of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee-the Party's core leadership-on further implementing the strategy of strengthening the military by training and nurturing competent personnel in the new era.

Cultivating a new type of high-quality and professional military personnel is highly significant for building the armed forces into a world-class force, he stressed, noting that the military has made historic achievements in talent-related work by deepening its human resource policy reform since the 18th National Congress of the CPC in 2012.

Xi said that the volatile global situation means China's national security faces greater instability and uncertainty. He called for enhanced awareness of potential dangers and responsibility as the People's Liberation Army heads toward realizing its centenary goal in 2027.

He emphasized that it is necessary to better understand the characteristics of military careers and talent development in order to enhance qualified personnel cultivation for a stronger army, and highlighted several points that should be firmly ensured in terms of the cultivation of military talents.

The general secretary also stressed the high importance of upholding the absolute leadership of the Party over the military in the whole process and all aspects of talent-related work, in order to ensure that "guns" are always grasped by those who are loyal and reliable to the Party.

He noted that the military should closely follow the evolving trends in modern warfare patterns, as strengthening capabilities to fight and win wars should be the primary goal of military talent cultivation.

He urged intensified study of modern science and technology, especially military high-tech knowledge.

Xi also called for steps to overcome outstanding contradictions and problems restricting the military's personnel work and for innovation in talent cultivation, including deepening the military academy reform, and innovating military human resource management by systematically planning career paths for all types of personnel.

A personnel system with comparative advantages in military careers should be formed while more supportive policies should be developed, he said.

He also urged Party committees and governments at various levels and central authorities and agencies to offer more support in terms of sharing resources and making policies, including improving the benefits and welfare of veterans and facilitating the employment and education of family members of military personnel.

Xi, on behalf of the CPC Central Committee and the CMC, also extended congratulations to all officers, soldiers and personnel of the country's armed forces, as Monday marks the 95th anniversary of the founding of the PLA.
Taliban on Monday accused the international community of trying to violate Afghan women's dignity under the guise of human rights. Acting Minister of Vice and Virtue, Mohammad Khalid Hanafi, speaking to a gathering in the northern province of Faryab, said that human rights have been violated mostly by the international community in Afghanistan, reported Tolo News. "The world wants to violate the dignity of our sisters and make them indecent and exposed. What type of right is this? The international community wants a guy and girl to be sitting in one chair--neither our nation, nor our beliefs and religion supports this," he said. The allegations come amid deteriorating conditions of women under Taliban in Afghanistan. The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) released a report which highlighted that women's rights have eroded in Afghanistan since the Taliban takeover. The report stated that the erosion of women's rights has been one of the most notable aspects of the de facto administration to date. Before the Taliban came to power, women and girls have progressively had their rights to fully participate in education, the workplace and other aspects of public and daily life. However, these rights have been restricted and in many cases completely taken away following the takeover of Afghanistan by the Taliban. A decision taken by the Taliban prevented girls from returning to secondary school which meant that a generation of girls will not complete their full 12 years of basic education. At the same time, access to justice for victims of gender-based violence has been limited by the dissolution of dedicated reporting pathways, justice mechanisms and shelters, it added. Referring to the physical appearance of some Taliban forces, Hanafi said that some parts of the decree of the Islamic Emirate's supreme leader are not obeyed, reported Tolo News. The Vice and Virtue minister also called on government employees to adjust their appearance based on Sharia. "All employees that are in the provinces, districts and ministries should make their appearances according to Islamic values," Hanafi said. He said that after the Taliban swept into power, the women are observing the hijab "100 per cent," reported Tolo News. "To the Mujahedeen, who are in the security department, corps and intelligence department or they are in the Department of Vice and Virtue or the Department of Education, and their hair is long; this is disobedience, and we are obliged to make the appearance of the Mujahideen based on Sharia," he said. Meanwhile, the religious clerics who participated in the gathering expressed their demands from the Islamic Emirate. "The hair (length) which the Mujahedeen of the Islamic Emirate wear should be based on Sharia," said Zainul Abideen, an Islamic cleric. Earlier, Hanafi said that it is ready for engagement with the international community, but if "they are against Islam, are not acceptable."(ANI)
Washington [US], August 1 (ANI/Sputnik): The submarines that Australia will get under the Australia-United Kingdom-United States (AUKUS) pact will be nuclear-powered, not nuclear-armed, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Monday. "Some have asked about our new partnership with the United Kingdom and Australia known as AUKUS. Through this partnership, Australia will acquire submarines. I want to emphasize that these submarines will be nuclear-powered, not nuclear-armed," Blinken said at the NPT Review Conference at the United Nations in New York. "Other countries have this kind of submarines. And these will adhere to the highest safety and Non Proliferation standards under the NPT. We're working very closely with the IEA to make sure that that's the case," he added. (ANI/Sputnik)
Rallies by Sindhis were organized on Sunday against the Pakistani government for attempting to convert them into a minority in their own (Sindh) province demanding the expulsion of illegal Afghan immigrants after the killing of 35-year-old Bilal Kaka at a hotel in Hyderabad a couple of days ago. Jeay Sindh Qaumi Mahaz (JSQM) Mirpurkhas chapter took out a procession, while Jeay Sindh Mahaz-Riaz (JSM-R) held a similar rally in Tando Mohammad Khan to press their demand for the repatriation to all illegal immigrants, including Afghans, from Sindh to their country of origin, reported Dawn. JSQM activists raised slogans against illegal immigrants, the Sindh government and the Hyderabad police. Dr Niaz Kalani, who led the procession, spoke to the protesters at Post Office Chowk and condemned Sindh government for its failure to take action against illegal immigrants, reported Dawn. He deplored that thousands of Afghans were living illegally in Sindh and they were even busy in running illegal businesses but the government had not yet taken legal action against them. "The growing number of illegal immigrants was changing the demography of Sindh," he said. Kalani said that Sindhi people should remain alert to the situation and if it did not change then all businesses would go into the hands of illegal immigrants within the next few years. He said that Sindhis would not allow themselves to be changed into a minority in their own homeland and for this purpose the JSQM had launched this campaign along with other Sindhi nationalist organisations, reported Dawn. He appealed to Sindhi people to join the JSQM struggle and force the government to repatriate all illegal immigrants. Jeay Sindh Mahaz-Riaz staged a protest rally in Tando Mohammad Khan to press its demand for expulsion of illegal immigrants from Sindh. The rally was led by party chairman Riaz Ali Chandio, Nawaz Shah Badahi, Mumtaz Brohi, Punhal Jamali and others. A sit-in was also held at Seeratun Nabi Chowk, reported Dawn. The leaders announced the holding of rallies from Aug 20 to 27 in Jacobabad. Addressing the rally, Chandio said that Afghans had been settled on entry routes of Sindh under planning. He urged the United Nations to press the state for the repatriation of illegal immigrants from Sindh. He said that Afghans had created their own state at Sohrab Goth and different other areas in Sindh due to which locals were facing terror. He said the PPP government was facilitating their settlement by regularising their localities, reported Dawn. He said that this was a conspiracy to convert Sindhis into a minority and do away with the existence of Sindhis in their own province. Chandio said that since the inception of the country, refugees were brought in an artificial manner. He said that now Sindh had 38 pc population of non-Sindhis which was undermining their existence. He alleged that illegal immigrants were involved in terrorist activities, drug and weapons trade and kidnapping for ransom, reported Dawn. Notably, shops and hotels, owned by Pashtuns, were forcibly closed by Sindhis as ethnic tensions flared up in several districts in Sindh province following the killing of 35-year-old Bilal Kaka. Bilal Kaka, a Sindhi youth was shot dead by Pathans at a restaurant over a food bill during Eid-ul-Azah. According to the media reports, the hotel owners allegedly shot dead Bilal Kaka and injured his two friends after a dispute over a food bill at the Super Salateen Hotel near Wadhu Wah near Hyderabad bypass - one of the most popular areas in Hyderabad. In the aftermath of the killing, there were massive protests registered across the Sindh province. The leaders from across the political spectrum unanimously called for calm, urging people not to let rogue elements disturb the social harmony of the province, reported Dawn. (ANI)
This is the first-ever official bilateral visit from Andorra to India. Maria Ubach Font is on a three-day visit to strengthen the bilateral ties between the two nations.

"Delighted to welcome FM @mubachfont on the first ever official bilateral visit from Andorra to India. The Friendship and General Cooperation Agreement that we signed today will further enhance our cooperation in political, economic and commercial, health, tourism and other domains," tweeted Jaishankar.

"Noted our close cooperation in multilateral forums and agreed to continue it. Exchanged perspectives on several global issues of mutual interest," he added.

Notably, Andorra is the world's 16th-smallest country by land and 11th-smallest by population.

India and Andorra established ties in 1994, a year after Andorra proclaimed its constitution. In 2018, the first-ever visit of an Indian minister, the then MoS steel Vishnu Deo visited the country.

The then MoS Steel handed over an invitation by the then EAM Sushma Swaraj for FM Font to visit India.

As per the media reports, the trade between the 2 countries stands strong at 4.31 million. (ANI)
Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan is being rebuked left right and centre because of a photo which is doing rounds on social media. The photo is from a meeting at the Punjab Chief Ministerial office on Sunday. There were a number of meetings during the day which included the newly-elected chief minister of Punjab, Pervaiz Elahi, a former federal minister, Moonis Elahi and PTI chairman Imran Khan. Ideally, the Chief Minister must have presided over the meeting however the picture which is getting viral on social media reveals where true power lies. Imran Khan's photo went viral during his visit to the CM office. The image has drawn criticism from online users. The PTI's chairman occupied the chief minister's chair and the picture has now gone viral. Several people questioned the PTI for the legitimacy of occupying the seat. Senior anchor Hamid Mir said, "A lot of people are criticising Imran Khan for sitting on the chief minister's seat but they are unaware of the intricacies as to what had happened there." Mir continued, "Imran Khan was photographed sitting on the CM's seat while visiting the PML-Q leader. Imran Khan had gone to the CM Punjab office to congratulate Pervaiz Elahi on his victory." "Upon arrival at his office, Pervez Elahi asked Imran Khan to sit there but the PTI chairman told him that it's his seat. At this, Moonis Elahi said we got this because of you [Imran Khan] so you sit there." The veteran journalist said, "I think, Imran Khan should have been cautious and must have avoided despite their insistence." However, many social media users, journalists and politicians slammed the PTI chairman and termed it an "ill-mannered" move. After the high drama in the Punjab Chief Ministerial elections, former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan on Sunday, along with Punjab CM Pervaiz Elahi, finalized the provincial cabinet, media reports said. Pakistani local media outlet, ARY News while quoting sources that Imran Khan visited Lahore where the latter met with newly elected Punjab Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi and discussed the formation of the provincial cabinet and other issues. They also discussed measures to help the flood victims. Imran Khan issued instructions to Punjab CM Elahi to speed up the relief activities in the flood-affected areas. As per sources, several names from the coalition parties, PTI and PML-Q, have been shortlisted for the Punjab cabinet portfolios. It is learnt that Raja Basharat will likely get the portfolio of the law ministry, Murad Raas will be given the education ministry, Yasmin Rashid is likely to get the health ministry while Hashim Jawan Bakht's name has been finalized for the finance ministry. Moreover, Fawad Chaudhry is likely to get the portfolio of the home minister, said sources.Mian Aslam Iqbal, Mian Mehmood ur Rasheed, Chaudhry Zaheer ud Din, Hafiz Muhammad Mumtaz, Samiulllah Chaudhry, Sardar Asif, Hafiz Ammar Yasir, Yasir Humayun Raja, Dr. Yasmin Rashid, Taimur Khan Bhatti, and Murad Raas will also get ministerial slots in the Punjab cabinet. Furthermore, Muhammad Abdullah Waraich, Muhammad Rizwan, Sajid Ahmed Khan, Ahsan ul Haq Chaudhry, and Khadija Omar will be added to the provincial cabinet as ministers. It is pertinent to mention here that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) candidate Sibtan Khan was elected as the new speaker of the Punjab Assembly. The session was chaired by the Panel of Chairman Wasim Badozai. Subsequently, Badozai called security inside the House after Khokhar raised objections, reported Dawn. Sibtain Khan was a joint candidate of Imran Khan's PTI and the PML-Q. Notably, the Punjab Assembly speaker's seat fell vacant after the former office bearer, Pervez Elahi was elected as the Punjab chief minister. After obtaining a total of 185 votes against the 175 votes obtained by PML-N's Saif ul Malook Khokhar, who was the Opposition's joint candidate, Sibtain Khan came out victorious, reported Geo TV. Four votes were rejected during the session presided over by PTI MPA Waseem Khan Badozai. Prior to the commencement of the voting process, PML-N's Khalil Tahir Sindhu tried to raise a point of objection related to the position of the polling booth, saying that cameras were installed above it. This comes amid the Punjab CM fiasco, as the top court declared Mazari's ruling in the Punjab chief minister's election "illegal" and ruled that PTI's candidate Pervez Elahi will be the new CM of the province. The court then declared Elahi as the duly elected chief minister of Punjab as it ruled that he had obtained 186 votes compared to Hamza Shehbaz's 179.PTI-backed Pervez Elahi on Wednesday took oath as the Chief Minister of Punjab after the Supreme Court announced a verdict against the ruling of Punjab Assembly Deputy Speaker Dost Mohammed Mazari. (ANI)
A bill introduced in Congress last month intends to take concrete action to resolve China's decades-long illegal occupation of Tibet by fully recognizing Tibet's unresolved status and targeting China for violating the Tibetan people's right to self-determination. The 'Promoting a Resolution to the Tibet-China Conflict Act' has two main components that includes strengthening the basis for US support for dialogue by making it US policy that the Tibetan people are a people entitled to the right of self-determination. It also intends to counter China's disinformation on Tibet by directing the State Department's Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues to ensure that US government statements and documents counter disinformation about Tibet from People's Republic of China (PRC) officials, including disinformation about the history of Tibet, the Tibetan people, and Tibetan institutions including that of the Dalai Lama. This introduction of this bill comes as Tibet is now the least-free country on Earth alongside South Sudan and Syria--according to the latest rankings from the watchdog group Freedom House--and the Chinese government has refused to negotiate with Tibetan leaders since 2010. "There can be no dispute that when the People's Liberation Army of China marched into Lhasa in 1950, Tibet was an independent country, controlling its foreign policy and guarding its own border. There had been no Chinese presence in Tibet since 1912, when the 13th Dalai Lama returned from exile in India. There was a considerable British presence in the Tibet plateau ever since the Younghusband expedition of 1904," the Global Strat View Analysis said in an editorial. "When the British left in 1947, they handed over the trading infrastructure and the telecommunication network to the Indian government. There was also a presence of the Indian army on the plateau, as escorts in Yatung and Gyantse. Trusting the Chinese naively, however, under the spirit of the Panchsheel Agreement, India had subsequently withdrawn its army and trade representatives from the plateau and handed over the telecommunication infrastructure to the Chinese," the analysis added. Representatives Jim McGovern, who along with Michael McCaul, R-Texas, introduced the bill in the House on July 13, said Congress has had a long and abiding interest in a peaceful resolution to the conflict between Tibet and China." "The United States government has consistently called on Chinese officials to return to dialogue, without preconditions. But that hasn't worked. The Chinese continue to turn their backs on the Dalai Lama. Our bipartisan legislation seeks to strengthen U.S. policy by grounding it in international law and countering Chinese disinformation, with the aim of getting the two sides to negotiate a durable solution," said Representative McGovern. Representative Michael McCaul said the Chinese Communist Party's invasion of Tibet in 1950, and its repression of Tibetans ever since, set the stage for the CCP's ongoing territorial aggression and human rights atrocities. "Their attempts to steal peoples' freedoms and rewrite history continue to threaten American values and our national security interests today. This bipartisan bill will help ensure Tibetans have a say in their own future, and reject the CCP lie that their tyranny over Tibet is historically legitimate." In recent years, the US has also passed several pieces of legislation on Tibet as it continues to support the nation against Chinese atrocities. During the 2020 presidential campaign, then-candidate Joe Biden promised to "work with our allies in pressing Beijing to return to direct dialogue with the representatives of the Tibetan people to achieve meaningful autonomy, respect for human rights, and the preservation of Tibet's environment as well as its unique cultural, linguistic and religious traditions." Biden has already delivered on one of his campaign promises by appointing a new Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues. In December 2021, Uzra Zeya, the Under Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy and Human Rights, took on the Special Coordinator role. (ANI)
At a time of heightened cross-strait tensions, Taiwan's chipmaking giant TSMC warned of serious consequences if China invades Taipei. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) Chairman Mark Liu warned that the economies on both sides of the Taiwan Strait will plunge into turmoil if China invade the island nation, reported Taiwan News. Chairman Mark Liu warned about consequences for Beijing, Taipei, and the world in event of a cross-strait conflict. CNN on Monday published footage of a video interview with Liu, titled "Can China afford to attack Taiwan?" in which Liu noted chipmaking will no longer be "the most important thing we should be worried about" if Beijing were to attack Taiwan. Still, "Nobody can control TSMC by force," Liu said, when asked about the company's perceived reputation as a "shield" given its significance. TSMC factories will be rendered "non-operable" in the event of a Chinese attack because the sophisticated manufacturing facilities depend on real-time connections with the outside world, with Europe, US, and Japan, he reckoned. The chairman of the world's largest contract chipmaker also urged Beijing to think twice before taking any action as China accounts for 10 per cent of TSMC's business., reported Taiwan News. Describing its consumer pool as important and vibrant, Liu said "They need us, and it's not a bad thing." This means any interruption of the supply chains will cause economic turmoil on either side, he stressed. The lessons from the Russian invasion of Ukraine should be drawn upon, he said, adding the war has created a "lose-lose-lose" scenario for the Western world, Russia, and Ukraine, reported Taiwan News. He implored all parties to think of ways to avoid war so that the "engine of the world economy can continue humming." The interview comes at a time of heightened cross-strait tensions, partly due to a potential visit by US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi that has riled Beijing. After the United States invited South Korea to join its semiconductor alliance "Chip 4" to build a cooperative platform for the semiconductor supply chain, China's worries are set to bloom as the main goal of the communist nation to reduce its dependence on other countries for chips is likely to get hampered while US-China tensions rise. This move comes as a shock to China which has dreamt of becoming a leader in semiconductor production by 2030 and is working overtime to enhance its capabilities and production to leave the US behind, a US-based publication reported. The US-led Chip 4 alliance includes South Korea, Japan and Taiwan. The Chip 4 alliance has left China worried as the move tends to curb Beijing's growing capabilities as a chip maker. According to the latest news reports, China is moving toward achieving more self-sufficiency in semiconductors which could eventually make some buyers reliant on China for many of the basic chips now in short supply. (ANI)
Former Director of National Intelligence, John Ratcliffe, has accused the Joe Biden administration in the US of mismanaging Speaker Nancy Pelosis upcoming visit to Taiwan despite angering China and inviting retaliation from the dragon. The Trump-era spy chief claimed that Chinese President Xi Jinping is capitalising on President Biden's "weakness" as Beijing and its media mouthpieces are threatening of dire consequences if Pelosi visits Taiwan, which China claims as its territory, the Washington Examiner reported. "It's been mismanaged by the Biden administration," Ratcliffe said, responding in the affirmative to a question by Fox News anchor Maria Bartiromo. "And, to this point, she does need to go for the sake of our national security, so that the American people see that the Chinese Communist Party is not the one dictating American foreign policy, that it is the American government doing that, but the Biden administration publicly talking about it ahead of time and then not backing up Nancy Pelosi with the media or on the call with President Xi Jinping," Ratcliff said. "I mean, I think we have come to expect that President Biden, his weakness comes through. We didn't have high expectations for that call, but, very clearly, he did not back up the Speaker's right to go to Taiwan, and, as a result, President Xi is acting on that weakness," he added. Taiwan, formerly Formosa and now known as the Republic of China, is an independent island nation off the coast of mainland China. The Chinese Communist Party has sought to bring the territory under its control, while Taiwan is self-governed and receives US defence support, despite not being formally recognised. US' relations with Taiwan became unofficial in 1979 after the United States agreed to establish diplomatic relations with the CCP-ruled Chinese mainland via the "one China" policy. Pelosi is scheduled to make a stop in Taiwan enroute Asia, as she is leading a Congressional delegation on the long journey. An itinerary released by Pelosi's team includes stops in Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea, and Japan but does not officially mention the stop in Taiwan. Chinese state media figures warned that Beijing would carry out "severe punishment" on Taiwan if Pelosi landed on the island, and a Chinese Foreign Ministry readout of a call between Biden and Xi claimed the Chinese leader warned his US counterpart on the matter that "those who play with fire perish by it". The Biden administration, including Department of Defence officials, repeatedly said the decision was up to Pelosi, but President Biden did say last week that the military was concerned about it. On Friday, National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said there's "no reason" to "come to blows" if Pelosi visits Taiwan "because there's been no change in American policy with respect to One China", the Examiner said. Ratcliffe, a former Republican Congressman from Texas, said he agreed with an assessment by former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who warned Xi is "watching" what the United States is prepared to do to assist its allies and that failing to help the Taiwanese people defend themselves will "only embolden" the Chinese leader. He also cited a report by the New York Times that said US officials fear China will make a move on Taiwan in the next 18 months, which Ratcliffe stressed is "not a coincidence" that it would be at a time when Biden's first term is not yet up. After also bringing up the chaotic withdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan and Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Ratcliffe stressed, "The fact that all three of these things are happening during the Biden administration really speaks to what a disaster he has been as a foreign policy president." --IANS arm/ ( 628 Words) 2022-08-01-21:24:07 (IANS)
BEIRUT (AP)  Its been two years since his 3-year-old daughter, Alexandra, was killed in a massive explosion at Beiruts port  and Paul Naggear has lost hope that outrage over the disaster will bring justice and force change in Lebanon.

The investigation into one of the world's biggest non-nuclear explosions has been blocked for months by Lebanons political powers. Many blame the Lebanese government's longtime corruption and mismanagement for the tragedy, but the elite's decades-old lock on power has ensured they are untouchable.

In fact, some of those charged in the probe were re-elected to parliament earlier this year.

Even as the wrecked silos at the port have been burning for weeks  a fire ignited by the fermenting grains still inside them  authorities seemed to have given up on trying to put out the blaze. A section of the silos collapsed Sunday in a huge cloud of dust.

It has been two years and nothings happened, Naggear, said of the Aug. 4, 2020 disaster, when hundreds of tons of highly explosive ammonium nitrate, a material used in fertilizers, detonated at the port. "Its as if my daughter was just hit by a car.

The blast caused a pressure wave that shattered everything in its path across the capital.

Naggear, his wife, Tracy Awad, and little Alexandra were in their apartment overlooking the port when the massive force sent glass, furniture and other debris flying. Naggear and his wife suffered cuts and bruises. Alexandra, or Lexou, as they called her, was severely injured and died in the hospital.

She was the second-youngest victim of the explosion, which killed more than 215 people and injured more than 6,000.

It later emerged that the ammonium nitrate had been shipped to Lebanon in 2013 and stored improperly at a port warehouse ever since. Senior political and security officials knew of its presence but did nothing.

Lebanons factional political leaders, who have divvied up power among themselves for decades, closed ranks to thwart any accountability.

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Tarek Bitar, the judge leading the investigation, charged four former senior government officials with intentional killing and negligence that led to the deaths of dozens of people. He also charged several top security officials in the case.

But his work has been blocked for eight months pending a Court of Cassation ruling after three former Cabinet ministers filed legal challenges. The court cant rule until a number of vacancies caused by judges retiring are filled. The appointments, signed by the justice minister, are still awaiting approval from the finance minister, an ally of Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri.

Judicial officials with knowledge of Bitars investigation told The Associated Press it was in advanced stages of answering key questions  including who owned the nitrates, how they entered the port and how the explosion happened. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly about the investigation.

Bitar is the second judge to take the case. The first judge was forced out after complaints were raised against him by two Cabinet ministers, and if the same happens to Bitar it would likely be the final blow to the investigation.

The lack of justice compounds the pain of relatives and friends of blast victims. They feel let down and abandoned, not only by the government but by public apathy as the months and years have dragged on.

Initially after the explosion, there were large protests and sit-ins demanding justice. It raised hopes that Lebanons politicians might be held accountable.

But public fervor waned as Lebanese became absorbed with surviving the countrys economic collapse. Also, deadly gun battles erupted last year between Hezbollah supporters protesting against Bitar and members of a Christian faction, raising fears that pressing the investigation could push Lebanon into factional conflict.

Now only a handful of people show up at protests and sit-ins organized by relatives of the victims.

Families remain wracked by grief.

For Muhieddine Ladkani, whose father, Mohammed, was killed, time has stood still.

When they first heard explosions coming from the port, his father took the family into their apartment's entrance hall, believing it would be safe since there were no windows. But the blast tore the front door off its hinges and sent a cupboard slamming into the elder Ladkani. He was in a coma for weeks with a brain hemorrhage. He died 31 days later.

Ladkani, a 29-year-old law student, said his family still cant talk about that day.

We still cannot remember, and we cannot gather as a family, he said. My brothers and uncles have my fathers photos as their profile photo. I dont. Whenever I remember my father, I collapse.

It is something that I dont want to believe. I cant live with it, Ladkani said. Those who voted for the politicians charged in the disaster are also responsible for his father's death, he added.

The ink on the fingers of the voters who voted for them is not ink but the blood of the victims, Ladkani said.

One of the charged and reelected politicians, former public works minister Ghazi Zeiter, told the AP he had the right to run for parliament again because there is no court verdict against him. He said Bitar has no right to charge him because legislators and ministers have a special court where they are usually tried.

Amid the deadlock, some victims' families are turning to courts outside Lebanon.

In mid-July, families filed a $250 million lawsuit against an American-Norwegian firm, TGS, suspected of involvement in bringing the explosive material to the port. TGS has denied any wrongdoing.

Naggear said his family, two others and the Bar Association have filed a lawsuit in Britain against the London-registered chemical trading company, Savaro Ltd., which investigative journalists in Lebanon say chartered the shipment, intending to take the nitrates from Georgia to an explosives firm in Mozambique.

Naggear said he is losing hope.

He and his wife, who is a dual Lebanese-Canadian citizen, had thought about leaving Lebanon after the blast. But the large public protests in the immediate aftermath gave them hope that change was possible.

But after this year's parliamentary election results, they are again seriously considering leaving.

Still, they vow to continue working for justice. At a recent sit-in, they showed up with their 4-month-old baby, Axel.

They are trying to make us forget ... but we will not stop, for (Alexandras) sake until we reach the truth and justice, Naggear said.

The Naggears have repaired their apartment, but they havent stayed there since Axels birth, fearing it was still not safe.

The fire burning in the ruins of the grain silos only feeds the sense of danger. A northern section of the structure collapsed on Sunday, and experts say more parts are at risk of falling. At night, orange flames can be seen licking at the base of the northern silo, glowing eerily in the darkness.
GOLDSBORO, N.C. (AP)  Three North Carolina sheriff's deputies were shot and wounded while trying to serve involuntary commitment papers on a person who then barricaded inside the home, authorities said.

The Wayne County deputies had gone to serve the papers at the home south of Goldsboro on Monday morning when someone inside opened fire, wounding all three, county officials said in a tweet. One was being treated at a hospital in Goldsboro, while two were airlifted to a hospital in Greenville. Their conditions were not immediately released.

A suspect remained barricaded inside the home in a rural area Monday afternoon.

Numerous officers from other law enforcement agencies came to the scene to assist.

The deputies had no reason to believe the suspect was dangerous when they initially came to serve the papers, county spokesperson Joel Gillie told reporters.

Authorities did not immediately release the identities of those involved or say what kind of firearm was used to shoot the deputies.
NEWS PROVIDED BY

Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights

Aug. 1, 2022

NEW YORK, Aug. 1, 2022 /Christian Newswire/ -- Catholic League president Bill Donohue comments on the spread of monkeypox:

If we are going to stop the spread of monkeypox, we need to first admit that nature is not a social construct. It is a stubborn fact of life. It has never changed and never will. Nature's God has seen to that.

One of nature's most stubborn facts is the body's limited capacity for abuse. If we eat too much, drink too much, have too many cigarettes, drugs or sex partners, the body rebels. Promiscuity does bodily harm.

There are two segments of society most responsible for the spread of monkeypox: promiscuous homosexuals and elites in medicine.

If homosexuals acted more responsibly and stopped engaging in lethal sex practices, stopped having multiple partners, and stopped having sex with anonymous men, monkeypox would not be the problem that it is today.

If the elites in medicine--including those at the CDC and the World Health Organization (WHO)--were straight shooters and told it like it is, monkeypox would not be the problem that it is today. It does not help when the best that the head of WHO can say to homosexuals is that they need to reduce the number of their sexual partners "for the moment."

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, who is not a medical doctor, sounded a lot tougher discussing social distancing to combat Covid-19. In April, amid a drastic decrease in Covid hospitalizations and deaths, he warned that if social distancing norms were relaxed "too quickly, we risk a resurgence that could be even worse than our present situation."

Ever since we learned about monkeypox in mid-May, it has been painfully evident that too many leaders have pretended that "anyone can get monkeypox." While technically this is true, we've known from the beginning that in Europe and the United States that almost all those who have the disease are gay men.

What seems to be bothering gay activists and medical elites more than anything is the stigma attached to monkeypox. By contrast, we hear little about the extent to which it is behaviorally induced.

There are signs that a reality check is taking place. More stories are being published arguing that the government has not done enough to make vaccines available, thus raising questions whether the passivity is driven by an anti-gay animus. But how could this be if the "anyone can get monkeypox" refrain is true? There's the rub. For there to be victim status, there must be a clear admission that monkeypox is a gay-driven disease.

On July 26, the New York Times reported that it was not until June 23 that New York City decided to offer the vaccine "to all men who had recently had sex with multiple or anonymous male sexual partners"; the federal government did so five days later. By singling out this group, the elites finally acknowledged the truth: everyone does not have an equal chance of contracting monkeypox. It discriminates on the basis of behavior.

The Times story quoted a "transgender queer man" who tried unsuccessfully to get vaccinated a week before Pride Weekend. Did that affect his behavior? Not at all. "He hooked up with a few people, and about a week later, began to feel abdominal pain, swollen lymph nodes and body aches. Lesions spread across his body, and some made it excruciating to urinate."

A man who works for George Soros also opened up about his behavior during New York's Pride events. He said he "had sex with several guys over the weekend." He got monkeypox.

Another gay man, who admitted that several of his friends came down with monkeypox after a weekend of partying in Fire Island in early June, was worried that more gays would contract it during the New York Pride festivities. He rightly assumed that after Pride weekend, "monkeypox cases would skyrocket to thousands."

Too bad these people didn't listen to reason. On June 22, in an article titled, "Gay Role in Monkeypox is Serious," I said, "With 'Pride' festivities about to be launched over the last weekend in June, it is incumbent on government officials to warn the homosexuals of the necessity of practicing restraint."

They didn't. We now know what happened.
Chinese troops participate in the "Peace Mission 2021" military exercise in Orenburg, Russia, September 10, 2021. /VCG

Li Yun

Today marks the 95th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA), and is also an occasion to reflect on the journey it has taken. After the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC), along with socialism with Chinese characteristics, China's national defense and military development entered a new era.

President Xi Jinping, with the strategic vision to achieve national rejuvenation within the context of global changes of a scale unseen in a century, put forward the CPC's goal of building a strong military in the new era, establishing a military strategic guideline for a new era, and outlining a three-step plan for China's national defense and military modernization that included three milestone objectives, namely to achieve substantial progress by 2020 in improving the quality and efficiency of the military services and upgrading their combat capabilities, to mostly complete the modernization of China's national defense and military by 2035, and to transform the PLA into a world-class military by the middle of the 21st century.

Under these guiding principles, the PLA has restructured its leadership and command system, modernized its military force structure, and reformed military policies and institutions. With the reduction of 300,000 active-duty military personnel, the PLA has put in place a renewed system where the Central Military Commission exercises overall leadership, the Theater Commands are responsible for military operations, and the services focus on developing capabilities, and has worked toward building a military force with elite combat troops as the mainstay. A military policy and institutional framework with Chinese characteristics has been established.

The PLA Army is speeding up the transition of its tasks from regional defense to trans-theater operations. It has commissioned the Type 15 tanks, long-range multiple rocket launcher systems, and the Z-20 helicopters, organized training competitions, and conducted live exercises codenamed "Stride" and "Firepower," continuously improving its capabilities for precise, multi-dimensional, trans-theater, multi-functional and sustained operations.

The PLA Navy (PLAN), in line with the strategic requirements of near seas defense and high seas protection, has been facilitating the transition of its tasks from defense on the near seas to protection missions on the high seas. It has commissioned China's indigenously built aircraft carriers, the Type 075 amphibious assault ships, and the Type 055 destroyers, extended training to the high seas, deployed the aircraft carrier task groups for their first high seas combat exercise in the West Pacific, organized naval parades in the South China Sea and the waters and airspace near Qingdao, capital of east China's Shandong Province, and conducted a series of live force-on-force exercises codenamed "Mobility" and systematic all-elements exercises.

The PLAN's capabilities for strategic deterrence and counterattack, maritime maneuver operations, maritime joint operations, comprehensive defense, and integrated support have been continuously improved.

The PLA Air Force, in line with the strategic requirements of integrating air and space capabilities as well as coordinating offensive and defensive operations, has been accelerating the transition of its tasks from territorial air defense to both offensive and defensive operations. It has commissioned J-20, J-16 and J-10C fighters, strengthened systematic and all-airspace training based on operational plans, conducted combat patrols in the South China Sea and security patrols in the East China Sea, operated in the West Pacific, and completed a series of regular system-vs.-system exercises such as "Red Sword." Its capabilities for strategic early warning, air strikes, air and missile defense, information countermeasures, airborne operations, strategic projection, and integrated support have been continuously improved.

Two Y-20 transport military aircrafts arrive at a military airport in Jinan, east China's Shandong Province, July 31, 2022. /VCG

The PLA Rocket Force, in line with the strategic requirements of having both nuclear and conventional capabilities and deterring wars in all battlespaces, has been strengthening its intermediate and long-range precision strike forces. It has commissioned the DF-17 and DF-26 missiles, organized force-on-force evaluation-oriented training and training based on operational plans at brigade and regiment levels, strengthened training for joint strikes, and completed regular exercises such as "Heavenly Sword." Its credible and reliable capabilities of nuclear deterrence and counterattack, as well as its strategic counter-balance capability, have been continuously improved.

The PLA Strategic Support Force, in line with the strategic requirements of integrating existing systems and aligning civil and military endeavors, has been seeking to achieve major development strides in key areas and accelerate the integrated development of new-type combat forces. It has made active efforts to achieve joint operating systems, carried out confrontational training in new domains, and trained for emergencies and combat.

The PLA Joint Logistic Support Force, in line with the requirements of joint support for joint operations and joint training, will continue conducting exercises such as "Joint Logistics Mission 2018," accelerate its integration into the joint operations system, and enhance its capabilities of integrated joint logistics.

Li Yun is a researcher at the Institute of Foreign Military Research of the Department of War Research, China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) Academy of Military Sciences.
Walk with us! Sign up for our free Start TODAY newsletter to join the walking club with Al Roker and receive daily inspiration sent to your inbox. Then, join us on the Start TODAY Facebook group for tips and motivation, to connect with others following the plan, and to get real-time advice from trainer Stephanie Mansour!

Coming off a month of focusing on upper body only, we will now transition to a simple full-body strength routine you can add to any cardio routine you already have in place. Ready to keep walking? Good! We are keeping up with our daily walks, but on the strength training days, the walk is optional.

Many people assume the main reason to incorporate strength training into their routine is to tone the body. While strength training increases muscle mass that can lead to tighter, toned muscles, its far from the only benefit.

Strength training exercises improve bone density and increase flexibility in the joints. Building strength in your muscles also helps improve balance, speed up the metabolism and burn calories. Muscle mass decreases naturally with age, so as you get older incorporating strength training workouts into your regimen becomes even more important. Strength training has also been largely associated with preventing injury.

A 31-day strength-training plan for beginners

31-day strength and walking plan calendar

The strength training plan features 5 upper body exercises with dumbbells, 5 lower body exercises done using your bodyweight, and 5 core strength-training moves.

Each exercise will be performed 10 times, and then repeated for a total of three rounds. For example, on upper body days, youll do every exercise 10 times, and then once youve finished one round, youll complete two more rounds.

If you dont have dumbbells for the upper body exercises, you can grab water bottles or soup cans. I recommend starting with 3-pound dumbbells, unless youve used weights before and feel comfortable with 5-pound weights. For upper body and core, start with 10 repetitions. Then, to make things more challenging after a couple of weeks, increase to 15 repetitions.

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For lower body, Ive provided modifications for every exercise. If any of the moves bother your knees, stick with the modifications!

In addition to the strength training workout routine, well also continue with our 20-minute walks to help with cardiovascular shape and mobility. (Don't forget you can walk on strength days too!)

Bicep curl

Grab your dumbbells and start with your arms hanging by your sides. Hug your elbows in towards the side of your body, and then curl the weights up towards your shoulders. Slowly lower them back down. Keep pressing the elbows in towards your side, and be careful not to let your arms swing. If your arms are swinging, you may be using too heavy of weights.

Overhead press

Stand with your feet as wide as the shoulders and hold one dumbbell in each hand. Bring the dumbbells up to a goal post position at shoulder height. Press the weights up towards the ceiling, so that they are slightly in front of your head (just enough so you can see the weights with your eyes without looking up with your neck). Relax the neck and keep your shoulders down away from the ears. Bring the weights back to the goal post position.

Tricep kickbacks

Holding a weight in each hand, hinge forward at the hips with a flat back. Hug your elbows in toward your sides, and kick the weight toward the back of the room by moving the arm below the elbow only. Feel the back of your arm tighten as you press the arm back, and then release it back to the starting position.

Hug a tree

Hold the weights out to your sides at shoulder height, parallel to the floor. Relax the shoulders down, and then pull the arms toward the front of you as if youre hugging a tree. Keep the elbows level with your arms  dont let them dip down  and be conscious of the shoulders starting to raise up. If this happens, it means the weight is too heavy or youre too fatigued, so you can either perform less reps or decrease the weights.

Serve a platter

Start with your arms at your sides. Bend your elbows at a 90-degree angle so that the weights are out in front of you. Reach the arms straight forward, as if youre serving a platter, and then pull them back in toward you. Keep the palms facing up the entire time.

Side lunge

Stand with your feet hip-width apart, and then step your right foot a few feet to the right as you bend the right knee. Keep the left leg straight, and sink back into your right glute. Press down through the right heel to come up to the starting position. Repeat 10 times and then switch sides.

Modification: Standing side leg raises

Stand with your feet hip-width apart and step the right foot to the right so that your toe is resting on the ground and your weight is in the left foot. Point the foot and engage the quad. Lift the leg up as high as the hip, and lower it down. Repeat 10 times, and then switch to the left leg.

Stationary lunge

Stand with your feet as wide as your hips and your hands on your hips. Step your left foot back a few feet. This is your starting position. Bend the right knee so that it is over the right ankle, and bend your left knee so that the knee reaches down towards the ground. Look in the mirror and make sure your spine stays straight up and down and that youre not leaning forward. Press down through the front heel to come up to the starting position. Repeat this 10 times then switch sides.

Modification: Standing leg lifts

Stand with your feet hip-width apart. Point your right foot in front of you and squeeze the quad. Lift the leg up almost as high as your hip, and then lower it down. Repeat 10 times and then switch to the left leg.

Squat

Begin standing with your feet as wide as the shoulders. Then press your glutes back as you bend your knees pretending that youre sitting back into a chair. Press down through the heels to come up.

Modification: Modified squat

Holding onto a counter, chair or table with one hand for balance, step the feet out as wide as the shoulders. Sit your glutes back and then bend your knees to lower into a half squat. Keep the knees over the toes and pull the abs in. Press down through the heels to stand back up.

Calf raises (all levels)

Stand with your feet as wide as your hips. Come up onto the toes to lift the heels off of the ground. Then lower the heels down. Repeat 10 times.

Curtsy lunge

Standing on your feet with your feet as wide as your shoulders, step your right foot back behind your left and to the left of your left foot. Bend both knees as you lower down into a lunge in this curtsy position. Then press down through your left heel to bring your right leg back to center.

Modification: Standing with your feet as wide as your hips, balance on your left foot as you bring the right knee up towards your waist in front of you. Lower the foot down.

Crunch

Lie on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor a few inches in front of your butt. Place your hands behind your head with the elbows open wide. Pull your naval in and gently press your low back into the ground. Curl up with your head, neck and chest and pretend that youre holding an egg between your chin and your chest and you dont want to crack it! From here, curl up as high as you can lifting the shoulder blades off of the ground. Exhale as you come up, and inhale as you lower down.

Glute bridge

Lie on your back with your knees bent and your feet flat on the floor in front of you. Keeping your heels on the ground, lift your hips up and squeeze your glutes. Pull your naval in towards your spine, and slowly lower down one vertebra at a time.

Bicycle abs

From the crunch position, bring your knees up into a table-top position. Curl up with your head, neck and chest. Then bring your left knee in as you extend your right leg straight out on a diagonal. Curl your right elbow toward your left knee, and then switch to curl the left elbow towards the right knee as you switch the legs.

Double leg lift

Start lying down on your back with your arms flat by your sides and your legs extended. Lift the legs up together, hugging the inner thighs in, and point the feet up toward the ceiling. This is the starting position. Slowly lower the legs down a few feet (or as far as you can without letting the back pop off of the ground). Pull the naval in toward the spine to prevent your back from arching. Use the abs to pull your legs back to the starting position.

V-sit

V-sit

Start in a seated position; engage your core muscles and gently lean back a couple of inches. Gradually lift your legs up in the air so that are in a table-top position. Reach your arms straight out in front of you so that they are parallel with the ground. Keeping your core engaged, extend the legs straight up to a 45-degree angle into a "V" position. If this is too challenging, hold onto the backs of the legs for support. Hold this "V" position with the shoulders relaxed, abs pulled in and inner thighs squeezing together for 10 seconds. You can reach the arms up for an advanced version of this exercise.
NIAGRA FALLS, N.Y.  Members of an Air Force reserve base in Niagara Falls, New York, are looking to return a recently discovered plaque to the family of a Vietnam-era veteran from Quincy.

Command Chief Master Sergeant Donald "Scott" Peters said he is on a mission to find the next of kin of Staff Sgt. Robert Phillips, a North Quincy native who served in Vietnam and was taken prisoner by enemy forces in the early 1970s.

While expanding the memorial garden on base in New York a few weeks ago, Peters said he and others found a plaque reading "The Freedom Tree... This tree is dedicated to PFC Robert Phillips and all Prisoners of War and Missing in Action 1973." They believe the plaque was originally placed at Lockport Air Force Station, a now-closed general surveillance radar station outside of Shawnee, New York.

A plaque dedicated to Quincy native Robert Phillips found on an Air Force reserve base in Niagara Falls, New York.

"We discovered a rock by a tree, and by (attached to) that rock was a

nameplate where they did a plaque for (Staff Sgt. Phillips)," Peters said.

"We have no idea how it got (on base). It was just found by a tree in some

reeds (weeds)... We would love to find his family, to return the plaque to them, to honor him in some way. He was a POW, and we don't forget. Ever."

'Welcome home, my friend': Quincy honors native son who died in Vietnam 50 years ago

Gone, but not forgotten

Phillips' story is one that has come to light only recently, thanks to a former classmate who for decades held onto the memory of his childhood friend and worked to find what happened to him after he joined the military more than 50 years ago.

John Magnarelli, an Army veteran, brought the story of his high school friend and classmate "Bobby" to the attention of the Quincy mayor earlier this year. Last month, Phillips became the 50th name engraved on the city's Vietnam memorial clock tower in Marina Bay.

U.S. Army veteran John Magnarelli remembers Staff Sgt. Robert Phillips at the dedication ceremony at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Clock Tower at Marina Bay on Tuesday, June 28, 2022.

Magnarelli said he saw Phillips in April 1970 at an air base outside Saigon, now called Ho Chi Minh City.

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"We caught up the best we could in the short time we had, and vowed to reconnect once he returned to Quincy," he said at the June ceremony. "A few months later, The Patriot Ledger reported that Bobby was MIA. Missing in action."

Three years later, when the United States left Vietnam and the prisoners of war came home, Magnarelli said he thought he'd find Phillips' name among them, but never did. In the mid-1990s, Magnarelli searched online for Phillips' name and found an official after action report, he said, "putting the pieces together" to learn what happened to his friend.

Robert "Bobby" Phillips, of North Quincy, pictured at 20 years old. He was born in 1949 and taken as a prisoner of war in 1970.

As best as he can tell, Magnarelli said Phillips and two others were captured while delivering supplies to a base in Vietnam. He was moved around from one prisoner camp to another for months, his friend said, and attempted escape early in his captivity. More than a year and a half later, he did manage to escape before being recaptured and possibly killed shortly after. The nonprofit POW Network reports Phillips may have been in Cambodia at the time of his death.

"His body was never recovered. And to this day, there is still no closure for his family and friends," Magnarelli said through tears.

Phillips was awarded the Prisoner of War Medal.

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South Shore As It Was: With 'irresistible hospitality,' Squantum was a summer destination for Quincy's elite

A mystery unfolds

Peters said he had just begun his research into Phillips' story when he came across a Patriot Ledger article about Phillips' inclusion on the Marina Bay wall. It filled in a few gaps, but questions still remain about the forgotten plaque.

On a web page run by the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, dozens of people have commented on stories about Phillips and expressed gratitude for his service. One woman, who posted under the name Lisa Caruso, wrote in 2007, about the very same plaque Peters and his men found.

Her post reads:

"It was around 1973 when my mother handed me a copper bracelet reading, Pfc Robert P. Phillips. That same year, we planted a 'Freedom Tree" in his honor. The tree is at Lockport Air Station in New York state.

About five years later, I revisited the tree, the copper bracelet [sic] still wrapped around my wrist.

I've traded the copper for silver and he's been promoted to Sgt., but Robert "Bob" Paul Phillips remains in my heart and his bracelet rests beneath his photo given to me by his mother the day we planted the tree."

That's all she wrote, her words accompanied by a photo of a young woman and girl standing near a newly planted tree, with an unidentifiable plaque in front.

A photo posted to vvmf.org by "Lisa Caruso" in 2007 showing a tree and plaque dedicated to Staff Sgt. Robert Phillips, a North Quincy native who served in Vietnam and was taken prisoner by enemy forces in the early 1970s.

There is no indication of if Caruso knew Phillips personally, why she planted a tree in his honor, if she is still in contact with the family or any other details. Peters said he's tried repeatedly to find her, but to no avail.

He and others even drove to the former Lockport station to look for clues, but couldn't find the tree shown as a sapling in the photo posted by Caruso. Last week, Peters visited Washington D.C., where he searched the Vietnam Veterans Memorial wall for Phillips' name.

"We were devastated to just find this on our base with weeds around it," Peters said. "We have this plaque and we would love to be able to find Lisa to see what she knows, and we'd love to be able to find family. .. As a command chief, I can't just let people disappear. We're going to make sure this is properly taken care of."

Thanks to our subscribers, who help make this coverage possible. If you are not a subscriber, please consider supporting quality local journalism with a Patriot Ledger subscription. Here is our latest offer.

Reach Mary Whitfill at mwhitfill@patriotledger.com.

This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: New York-based airmen look to return plaque honoring Quincy POW
An egg-and-ham McMuffin. Getty

A passenger was fined about $1,870 for failing to declare breakfast sandwiches in their luggage.

The fine was part of an Australian initiative to prevent an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease.

Agriculture minister Murray Watt said the food was confiscated, inspected, and destroyed.

A handful of breakfast sandwiches cost one traveler more than their flight.

An Australian airport fined a traveler 2,664 Australian dollars, or $1,874, after authorities found McDonald's breakfast sandwiches in their luggage, CNN reported on Monday, citing a press release from Australia's minister for agriculture, fisheries, and forestry.

Australian authorities did not respond to a request for comment from Insider made outside of local working hours ahead of publication.

The press release  also cited in local news reports  said a biosecurity-detector dog at Darwin International Airport last week identified two egg-and-sausage McMuffins and a ham croissant in the luggage of a passenger on a trip from Bali. The agriculture minister, Murray Watt, said the food was confiscated, inspected, and destroyed.

In late July, Australian authorities tightened security measures to address an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in Bali.

Australian authorities have said the virus can be carried on people's clothing and in foods. The disease does not affect people but would pose a risk to livestock including cattle, sheep, goats, and pigs.

CNN's report mentioned that experts have estimated that an outbreak in Australia could cost its economy $80 billion. On July 22, the nation instituted a penalty for travelers who fail to declare dairy and meat products.

"This fine is twice the cost of an airfare to Bali, but I have no sympathy for people who choose to disobey Australia's strict biosecurity measures, and recent detections show you will be caught," Watt said in the press release.

The outbreak also prompted the Australian government to announce a $9.8 million biosecurity initiative that includes detector dogs and extra sanitation at airports.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Visual News/Getty

The United States killed Ayman al-Zawahri, who became the leader of al Qaeda after Osama bin Ladens death, in a CIA-led drone strike over the weekend, according to multiple reports.

The Associated Press was the first to report Zawahiris death, citing a source close to the matter. Unnamed U.S. officials subsequently confirmed the strike to Reuters, The Washington Post, and Politico. Few other details were immediately made public.

A Taliban spokesperson confirmed that a strike had taken place, according to Reuters. He condemned the move in a statement, calling it a violation of international principles.

The White House originally declined to comment except to say in a statement that the U.S. conducted a counterterrorism operation against a significant al Qaeda target in Afghanistan. The operation was successful and there were no civilian casualties.

Speaking from the Blue Room Balcony of the White House on Monday evening, President Joe Biden said that justice has been delivered with Zawahiris death, and that no matter how long it takes, no matter where you hide, if you are a threat to our people, the United States will find you and take you out.

Speaking ahead of Bidens remarks, senior administration officials told reporters that Zawahiri had remained al Qaedas most senior leader since bin Ladens death in June 2011.

He continued to provide strategic direction to al Qaeda affiliates worldwide calling for attacks on the United States, one official said. His death yields a significant blow to al Qaeda and will degrade the groups ability to operate, including against the U.S. homeland.

The White House declined to comment except to say in a statement that the U.S. conducted a counterterrorism operation against a significant al Qaeda target in Afghanistan. The operation was successful and there were no civilian casualties.

Zawahiri was 71. An Egyptian-born physician, he took the reins of the extremist network after bin Laden was killed in 2011.

Story continues

This is a breaking story and will be updated.

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In The Know by Yahoo

An American is going viral after sharing some strange cultural differences between the U.S. and France.

The TikToker, named Mackenzi (@mack.on.the.move) moved to France over two years ago. During that time, shes had plenty of realizations  both big and small  about the two countries.

Mackenzis page documents her life abroad, and has sparked plenty of questions from commenters. Earlier this summer, one user asked her to compare France to America. So, she responded with a full list.

How to avoid panic buying in an ultra-competitive housing market

The post is part of a much larger trend on TikTok, in which users shared their biggest culture shocks after moving abroad.

In one clip, an American noted the biggest adjustments she had to make after moving to London. In another, a New Zealander revealed the weirdest things she noticed after moving to America for work.

Mackenzis video moved freely between sweeping, serious differences and more lighthearted ones.

First, she explained why she thinks certain things in France are much better.

The healthcare, education and work life are just far superior, she said. I think that the overall quality of life is better here. Its much easier to live within your means.

Mackenzi added that she believes theres more control over things like housing and debt, which makes it harder to overspend.

From there, she went into a series of smaller differences. For one, shes noticed that French homes dont usually have screens over their windows.

Prep your skin like a pro for a flawless makeup application:

Not a thing here, she said. They just let bugs fly in willy-nilly.

She also noted several food-based differences, including a lack of good hot sauce and the fact that French grocery stores dont refrigerate their eggs.

I could probably make a whole series on the food differences, she added.

Overall, Mackenzi praised the food, saying she thinks the simple things are better in France.

A three-Euro sandwich from the bakery is so much better than what I could find at a restaurant in the U.S., she said.

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Its not the first time this year that French food has made for viral TikTok content. In the spring, footage of a French grocery store celebrating its American food week earned hundreds of thousands of views.

Watch this tiny bedroom get an organization overhaul in just one day:

The post American woman shares the biggest cultural changes shes noticed since moving to France appeared first on In The Know.

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Archie Battersbee's life support is scheduled to end on Monday. (SWNS)

Archie Battersbee's mother has criticised hospital officials over how they treated her ahead of her sons life support being withdrawn.

Hollie Dance says her family was left to deal with their feelings after being handed a letter on Saturday night outlining what she said was Archie's "choreographed execution".

Archie is due to have his life support at the Royal London Hospital in east London withdrawn at midday on Tuesday. It follows a lengthy legal battle with doctors who said he was brain dead and that preserving his life was not in his best interests.

On Monday, in a last-minute hearing, the Court of Appeal refused to postpone the withdrawal of treatment beyond 12pm on Tuesday.

Read more: Archie Battersbees mother speaks of anxiety ahead of last-minute hearing

Hollie Dance speaks to the media outside the Royal Courts of Justice last week. (Getty)

Speaking prior to Monday's hearing, Dance said her family had had no support whatsoever from Barts Health NHS Trust.

She said: Absolutely none. I know they come across to the media as supportive and compassionate. Its very much the opposite. Its very misleading.

Dance said she was handed a letter on Saturday night outlining Archie's death.

There was no meeting, sat down and broken to gently," she said. Its just caused so much stress. This could have been totally prevented and handled totally different to how its been handled," she added.

We shouldnt have been dragged through the courts.

She said the last couple of months have been an emotional rollercoaster.

Its been very draining. Stress levels are through the roof. Very heart-breaking. Its been a very hard few months.

Read more: Archie Battersbees family being given time to come to terms with ruling

The long-running legal battle took its latest twist on Friday when Archies family applied to the UN in a final attempt to prevent their sons treatment from being stopped.

On Sunday, the government asked the High Court to urgently consider the UN request before the Court of Appeal ruled against the family on Monday.

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Archies parents may now ask Supreme Court justices to consider their application for permission to appeal directly

Watch: Archie Battersbees mother: We will continue this fight

Barts Health NHS Trust said it could not comment on the claims made by Dance.

However, the trust has previously said in a letter to Dance and Archie's dad, Paul Battersbee, who are separated but both live in Southend, Essex, that the withdrawal process would aim to preserve Archies dignity.

Doctors believe Archie is brain-stem dead and say continued life-support treatment is not in his best interests.

Alistair Chesser, chief medical officer for Barts Health NHS Trust, said prior to Monday's hearing: "Our deepest sympathies are with Archie's family at this difficult time.

We understand a court hearing will take place on Monday morning and we await the outcome. The plan to withdraw treatment will proceed unless the court directs otherwise."

Mum Hollie Dance found Archie unconscious on 7 April. (SWNS)

Baroness Finlay, a professor of palliative medicine, explained the parents of brain-damaged children need things sensitively explained so they can come to terms with their condition.

She told Times Radio: The difficulty for the parents is, initially, they are in terrible shock. Theyre often wanting to deny that there is even brain injury.

And for them, when theres brain injury, often their child looks intact. So their face looks as it always did.

Judges heard that Dance found Archie unconscious with a ligature over his head on 7 April, after she believes he took part in an online challenge.
Former President Donald Trump and Arizona GOP House Speaker Rusty Bowers. Jamie Squire and Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

Once a supporter of Trump, Arizona House Speaker Rusty Bowers said he'd never vote for him again.

"I certainly don't trust that authority that he would exercise," he said on ABC's "This Week."

Bowers testified in front of the January 6 committee, prompting backlash from his own party.

Arizona House Speaker Rusty Bowers, a member of the Republican party, backtracked on his previous support of former President Donald Trump on Sunday.

"I'll never vote for him, but I won't have to. Because I think America's tired and there's some absolutely forceful, qualified, morally defensible and upright people, and that's what I want. That's what I want in my party and that's what I want to see," Bowers told Jonathan Karl on ABC's "This Week."

Bowers, once a supporter of Trump, previously told The Associated Press he'd vote for Trump again if he was Biden's rival, "simply because what he did the first time, before COVID, was so good for the country."

Since then he's testified in front of the House select committee investigating the January 6 attack on the US Capitol, receiving criticism from members of his own party, including the former president.

"I may, in the eyes of men, not hold correct opinions or act according to their vision or convictions, but I do not take this current situation in a light manner, a fearful manner, or a vengeful manner," the Arizona lawmaker told the committee. "I do not want to be a winner by cheating. I will not play with laws I swore allegiance to."

Some Arizona Republicans have been proponents of Trump's debunked 2020 election-fraud claims  even attempting to pass a bill that would allow the state legislature to overturn elections. Bowers thwarted the primarily Republican-backed bill before it became law.

His viewpoint now is that Trump should not hold power in office. "I certainly don't trust that authority that he would exercise," Bowers said.

He added: "I have thought, at times, someone born how he was, raised how he was  he has no idea what a hard life is. And what people have to go through in real  in the real world. He has no idea what courage is," Bowers continued.

Bowers is facing a Trump-endorsed candidate in the state's Senate primary, set to take place on August 2.

Read the original article on Business Insider
CANBERRA, Australia (AP)  A new bill was introduced in the Australian Parliament on Monday seeking to lift a 25-year ban on doctor-assisted dying in two territories.

Australias sparsely populated Northern Territory in 1995 became the first place in the world to legalize voluntary euthanasia. But the landmark law was overturned by the Australian Parliament two years later after four terminally ill people had been legally helped to die, leaving the Northern Territory one of last parts of Australia where doctor-assisted deaths remain banned.

For too long Australians living in the territories have been treated as second-class citizens, government lawmaker Luke Gosling, who represents a Northern Territory electorate, told Parliament.

He and fellow legislator Alicia Payne introduced a bill to the House of Representatives that would allow the legislatures of the Northern Territory and Australian Capital Territory to legalize assisted dying.

The two territories do not have the same legal rights as the six states, that have each legislated euthanasia laws in recent years.

The Australian Parliament does not have the same constitutional power to overturn state laws as it does territory laws. The two territories account for fewer than 1 million of Australias population of 26 million people.

Payne, who represents an electorate in the Australian Capital Territory, which comprises Canberra and two villages, described her bill as urgent. She described mercy killing of the terminally ill as an incredibly important debate that we are not allowed to have simply because of where we live.

Conservative government lawmaker Kevin Andrews introduced the bill in 1997 that banned the territories from making assisted dying laws. A conservative government was again in power in 2018 when a bill failed to overturn the ban. That bill fell two votes short in the Senate. Previous attempts also failed in the Senate in 2008 and 2010.

Since then, Victoria became the first state to legalize assisted dying in June 2019, and New South Wales in May this year became the last state to pass its own euthanasia laws.

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The center-left Labor Party federal government, that was elected in May, has announced it will allow its lawmakers to vote on the bill according to their consciences rather than adopt a party line.

The opposition conservative Liberal Party has also allowed conscience votes on previous euthanasia bills.

The Catholic Church is lobbying federal lawmakers to vote against the bill.
VIENNA (Reuters) - Austria has made progress in weaning itself off Russian naturaland boosting gas storage, the government said on Monday.

"We have now already stored more than 50 terawatt hours out of the 76 terawatt hours needed," Chancellor Karl Nehammer said after a crisis summit on energy supply.

"This is a clear success, especially when you consider that in March we began at over 15 terawatt hours of gas stored". Environment Minister Leonore Gewessler said dependence on Russian gas had fallen to less than 50% from up to 80% previously, which had made Austria one of the countries in Europe most exposed to Russian gas flows.

Around 55% of the country's annual consumptionwas now in storage, the minister said, adding the goal of hitting 80% by the start of the heating season was within reach.

"Since 6.00 a.m. today, gas is also being stored in the Haidach storage facility," Gewessler added.

The government had allowed other companies to use the storage capacity at Haidach that went unused by Russian companyGazprom.

(Reporting by Alexandra Schwarz-Goerlich, writing by Michael Shields; editing by Grant McCool)
DUBAI (Reuters) -Ayman al-Zawahiri succeeded Osama bin Laden as al Qaeda leader after years as its main organiser and strategist, but his lack of charisma and competition from rival militants Islamic State hobbled his ability to inspire sizeable attacks on the West.

Zawahiri, 71, was killed in a U.S. drone strike, U.S. President Joe Biden said on live television on Monday evening. U.S. officials said the attack took place on Sunday in the Afghan capital Kabul.

In the years following bin Laden's death in 2011, U.S. air strikes killed a succession of Zawahiri's deputies, weakening the veteran Egyptian militant's ability to coordinate globally.

He had watched as al Qaeda was effectively sidelined by the 2011 Arab revolts, launched mainly by middle-class activists and intellectuals opposed to decades of autocracy.

Despite a reputation as an inflexible and combative personality, Zawahiri managed to nurture loosely affiliated groups around the world that grew to wage devastating insurgencies, some of them rooted in turmoil arising from the Arab Spring. The violence destabilised a number of countries across Asia, Africa and the Middle East.

But al Qaeda's days as the centrally directed, hierarchical network of plotters that attacked the United States on Sept. 11, 2001, were long gone. Instead, militancy returned to its roots in local-level conflicts, driven by a mix of local grievances and incitement by transnational jihadi networks using social media.

Zawahiri's origins in Islamist militancy went back decades.

The first time the world heard of him was when he stood in a courtroom cage after the assassination of Egyptian President Anwar al-Sadat in 1981.

"We have sacrificed and we are still ready for more sacrifices until the victory of Islam," shouted Zawahiri, wearing a white robe, as fellow defendants enraged by Sadat's peace treaty with Israel chanted slogans.

Zawahiri served a three-year jail term for illegal arms possession, but was acquitted of the main charges.

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A trained surgeon - one of his pseudonyms was The Doctor - Zawahiri went to Pakistan on his release where he worked with the Red Crescent treating Islamist mujahideen guerrillas wounded in Afghanistan fighting Soviet forces.

During that period, he became acquainted with bin Laden, a wealthy Saudi who had joined the Afghan resistance.

Taking over the leadership of Islamic Jihad in Egypt in 1993, Zawahiri was a leading figure in a campaign in the mid-1990s to overthrow the government and set up a purist Islamic state. More than 1,200 Egyptians were killed.

Egyptian authorities mounted a crackdown on Islamic Jihad after an assassination attempt on President Hosni Mubarak in June of 1995 in Addis Ababa. The greying, white-turbaned Zawahiri responded by ordering a 1995 attack on the Egyptian embassy in Islamabad. Two cars filled with explosives rammed through the compound's gates, killing 16 people.

In 1999, an Egyptian military court sentenced Zawahiri to death in absentia. By then he was living the spartan life of a militant after helping Bin Laden to form al Qaeda.

A videotape aired by Al Jazeera in 2003 showed the two men walking on a rocky mountainside - an image that Western intelligence hoped would provide clues on their whereabouts.

THREATS OF GLOBAL JIHAD

For years Zawahiri was believed to be hiding along the forbidding border between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

This year, U.S. officials identified that Zawahiri's family - his wife, his daughter and her children - had relocated to a safe house in Kabul and subsequently identified Zawahiri at the same location, a senior administration official said.

He was killed in a drone attack when he came out on the balcony of the house on Sunday morning, the official said. No one else was hurt.Zawahiri assumed leadership of al Qaeda in 2011 after U.S. Navy Seals killed bin Laden in his hideout in Pakistan. Since then he repeatedly called for global jihad, with an Ak-47 as his side during video messages.

In a eulogy for bin Laden, Zawahiri promised to pursue attacks on the West, recalling the Saudi-born militants threat that "you will not dream of security until we live it as a reality and until you leave the lands of the Muslims".

As it turned out, the emergence of the even more hardline Islamic State in 2014-2019 in Iraq and Syria drew as much, if not more, attention from Western counter-terrorism authorities.

Zawahiri often tried to stir passions among Muslims by commenting online about sensitive issues such as U.S. policies in the Middle East or Israeli actions against Palestinians, but his delivery was seen as lacking bin Laden's magnetism.

On a practical level, Zawahiri is believed to have been involved in some of al Qaeda's biggest operations, helping organise the 2001 attacks, when airliners hijacked by al Qaeda were used to kill 3,000 people in the United States.

He was indicted for his alleged role in the 1998 bombings of the U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania. The FBI put a $25 million bounty on his head on its most wanted list.

PROMINENT FAMILY

Zawahiri did not emerge from Cairo's slums, like others drawn to militant groups who promised a noble cause. Born in 1951 to a prominent Cairo family, Zawahiri was a grandson of the grand imam of Al Azhar, one of Islam's most important mosques.

Zawahiri was raised in Cairos leafy Maadi suburb, a place favoured by expatriates from the Western nations he railed against. The son of a pharmacology professor, Zawahiri first embraced Islamic fundamentalism at the age of 15.

He was inspired by the revolutionary ideas of Egyptian writer Sayyid Qutb, an Islamist executed in 1966 on charges of trying to overthrow the state.

People who studied with Zawahiri at Cairo Universitys Faculty of Medicine in the 1970s describe a lively young man who went to the cinema, listened to music and joked with friends.

When he came out of prison he was a completely different person, said a doctor who studied with Zawahiri and declined to be named.

In the courtroom cage after the assassination of Sadat at a military parade, Zawahiri addressed the international press, saying militants had suffered from severe torture including whippings and attacks by wild dogs in prison.

"They arrested the wives, the mothers, the fathers, the sisters and the sons in a trial to put the psychological pressure on these innocent prisoners," he said.

Fellow prisoners said those conditions further radicalised Zawahiri and set him on his path to global jihad.

(Editing by Howard Goller, Raju Gopalakrishnan and Stephen Coates)
BEIJING, July 31 (Xinhua) -- A speech made by Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, at a ceremony marking the 90th anniversary of the founding of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) will be published Monday in the Qiushi Journal, a flagship magazine of the CPC Central Committee.

Xi, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, delivered the speech at the ceremony on Aug. 1, 2017.

The article noted that the glorious history of the people's army was forged in blood, and thus it merits our remembrance. For the Chinese people to realize national rejuvenation and happiness in their lives, we must expedite the development of the people's army into a world-class military.

It emphasized that history informs us that "the Party commands the gun" is a basic guarantee to ensure the people's army maintains its essential nature and its aim, adding that this is an irrefutable truth that arose from the Party's fierce struggles.

It also said that noble ideals and beliefs imbue the people's army with the inner strength to courageously march forward, and that reform, innovation, and constant renewal form the most propitious path for developing the people's army.

The article noted that since the 18th National Congress of the CPC in 2012, we proposed building a people's army that follows the command of the CPC, is victorious in battle, and shows exemplary conduct. It added that the people's army has remolded its political environment, organizational form, systemic strength, and its manner of conduct.

The article emphasized that, in order to strengthen the military, we must not waver from the principle of the absolute leadership of the Party over the military, and ensure that the people's army will always follow the Party.

We must at all times focus on battle readiness, so as to forge a powerful army that comes when it is called, is ready for battle when it comes, and is victorious in battle. We must remain committed to the fundamental principle of wholeheartedly serving the people, forever being an army that has the trust, support, and love of the people, the article said.

China will always, as ever before, be a promoter of world peace, contributor to global development, and upholder of the international order, and hence the Chinese army will always be a staunch force in keeping world peace, the article added.
Beyonce's album is expected to top the charts, despite the controversy

Beyonce is to re-record one of the songs on her new album, after facing criticism from disability campaigners.

The song Heated, which was released on Friday, contained a derogatory term that has often been used to demean people with spastic cerebral palsy.

The star's publicist told the BBC the word, which can have different connotations in the US, was "not used intentionally in a harmful way".

It "will be replaced in the lyrics", they added, without giving a timescale.

The backlash came just a couple of weeks after US pop star Lizzo apologised for using the same word in her song GRRRLS.

Lizzo found herself the focus of a similar backlash recently

Within days, she apologised and re-released the song, omitting the offensive lyric.

"Let me make one thing clear: I never want to promote derogatory language," she wrote in a statement posted to social media.

"As a fat black woman in America, I've had many hurtful words used against me so I understand the power words can have (whether intentionally or in my case, unintentionally)."

When fans heard Beyonce's track on Friday, it felt "like a slap in the face", disability advocate Hannah Diviney told the BBC.

"I'm tired and frustrated that we're having this conversation again so soon after we got such a meaningful and progressive response from Lizzo".

Disability charity Scope had asked Beyonce to re-record the song, omitting the insult. It welcomed the change of heart.

"It's good Beyonce has acted so swiftly after disabled people yet again called out this thoughtless lyric," Scope's media manager Warren Kirwan said.

"There's a feeling of deja vu as it's just a few weeks since Lizzo also had to re-release a song after featuring the same offensive language.

"We hope this is the last time we see this kind of thing from anyone, let alone musicians with massive global influence."

Some fans had defended Beyonce, pointing out that the term she used can have a different meaning in the US - where it is often used to mean "freaking out" or "going crazy" (although those terms can themselves be insensitive to people with mental health conditions).

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Despite the controversy, Beyonce's seventh studio album, Renaissance, is expected to top the charts around the world this week.

In the UK, it is currently outselling the rest of the top five combined. The lead single, Break My Soul, is also expected to top the charts.

Follow us on Facebook, or on Twitter @BBCNewsEnts. If you have a story suggestion email entertainment.news@bbc.co.uk.
In 2016, the Obama administrations Department of Health and Human Services issued a rule that would have forced doctors across the country to assist in transitioning patients out of their biological sex, regardless of a providers medical opinion or conscience objections.

A provider specializing in gynecological services that previously declined to provide a medically necessary hysterectomy for a transgender man, for example, would have to revise its policy to provide the procedure for transgender individuals in the same manner it provides the procedure for other individuals.

The rule left no room for religious physicians or institutions to breathe, instead menacing them with draconian fines, were they not to toe the controversial new line.

In stepped the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, which swiftly secured a preliminary injunction in federal court that stopped the rule from going into effect, on the grounds that it violated the Administrative Procedure Act, and likely violated the Religious Freedom Restoration Act. It was a decision later confirmed in 2019, and made permanent by a 2021 ruling.

On August 4, however, Becket attorney Luke Goodrich, who has been working on the case since the Obama-era rule was first issued, will march back into the courtroom, having been dragged back in by the Biden administration and Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra.

They say that our lawsuit was only about the 2016 rule. . . . They say, well, all you were challenging was the 2016 rule, and you won that, but now were using a different rule or a different rationale for imposing the same requirement on you, and so you have to file a new lawsuit, explained Goodrich.

Under the Biden administrations theory, the Affordable Care Act provides the administration with all the authority it needs to punish groups that dont perform gender transitions and abortions, Goodrich told National Review. The 2016 rule also included language that Becket alleges would force religious institutions to perform abortions.

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According to Goodrich, the merits are completely resolved and havent been appealed; the fight on appeal is about the scope of relief. He described an effort to work around a losing legal argument by burdening religious objectors and opening up new fronts of battle.

They want religious organizations to have to play Whac-A-Mole every time the government violates the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, and they want a ruling that will leave them free to keep violating religious liberty every time they shuffle the same legal requirement from one volume of the Federal Register to another, he said.

That strategy is observable in the proposal of yet another, even broader rule  modeled after the 2016 one  issued by Becerra, who has made his political brand on waging one ruthless culture war after another.

As attorney general of California, Becerra sought to punish independent journalists who exposed Planned Parenthoods sale of fetal remains harvested during abortions. The Los Angeles Times editorial board described his decision to charge those involved with felonies disturbing, and the progressive Mother Jones called it chilling.

He also happily enforced a plainly unconstitutional California statute requiring pro-life crisis pregnancy centers to provide pro-abortion materials to patrons, and, as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, voted against legislation that would allow providers not to perform abortions without fear of government reprisal.

In a call with reporters last week, Becerra described the rule as an attempt to make sure that whoever you are, whatever you look like, wherever you live, however you wish to live your life, that you have access to the care that you need so that your decisions are based on what you and your health-care provider and your physician or the person you depend on for medical decisions is available to you so you can access the care that you need.

If Goodrich and his colleagues win on Thursday, that would mean that Becerras attempt to bully religious providers into submission would be dead on arrival.

Another victory for Becket would prohibit HHS from interpreting the Affordable Care Act to require religious doctors and hospitals across the country to perform gender transitions or abortions, and importantly, that that relief applies to its most recently proposed regulation, granting them a more permanent victory, according to Goodrich.

But if they lose, the ramifications would be even more breathtaking.

If we lose, that means all these tens of thousands of religious doctors and hospitals all across the country are subject to massive financial penalties, said Goodrich, who described such a scenario as open season.

HHS can start punishing them tomorrow, he said.

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A family-owned restaurant in Bostons Chinatown allegedly served as the headquarters of international money laundering and transmitting schemes that reaped tens of millions of dollars in proceeds from drug trafficking and the resale of Apple products.

Eight individuals have been indicted for their alleged roles in the schemes which were partly run at China Gourmet, according to the Department of Justice (DOJ). Former spouses Shi Rong Zhang, 48, and Qiu Mei Zeng, 47, co-own the restaurant.

Both Zhang and Zeng have been charged with conspiracy to commit money laundering and unlicensed money transmitting. Zhangs Hanover-based electronics store, Wonderful Electronics, has also been used as a front for illicit transactions, as per court documents.

Vincent Feng, 32; Da Zeng, 30; Wei Qing Zeng, 58; Xian Rong Zeng, 45 and Qiu Fang Zeng, 59, face the same charges. Additionally, Chengzou Liu, 36, was indicted on conspiracy to commit money laundering and possession with intent to distribute marijuana.

More from NextShark: Told he may never be able to perform again, Japanese pianist returns to stage one year after anti-Asian mob attack

A months-long investigation exposed Liu as a marijuana trafficker who regularly delivered drug proceeds to China Gourmet and also to Qiu Mei Zeng, who then laundered those proceeds via electronic transfers. In March, investigators reportedly seized more than $250,000 of suspected marijuana proceeds from Wei Qing Zengs vehicle, which was en route to China Gourmet from New York.

The defendants allegedly acquired the drug proceeds in Boston and New York for a fee. They then transferred the proceeds' equivalent in Chinese renminbi to the traffickers bank accounts and used a discounted exchange rate to "sell" the proceeds to U.S. customers.

The former spouses, Da Zeng, Feng and others also allegedly used stolen and/or fraudulent gift cards to buy thousands of Apple products, which were then sold and shipped globally. This scheme also allegedly earned them millions of dollars.

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More from NextShark: Woman Claiming to Be a Wuhan Nurse Alleges Over 90,000 Are Infected With Coronavirus in Viral Video

These defendants are alleged to have moved tens of millions of dollars in illicit proceeds as part of sophisticated money laundering and transmitting schemes operating out of seemingly lawful businesses that serve Massachusetts residents, U.S. Attorney Rachael S. Rollins said in a statement. Without money, there is no drug trade. Laundering drug profits is fundamental to drug trafficking activity. By eliminating the means by which drug suppliers clean their illicit proceeds, we cut off the life blood of their operations: money.

Rollins added: We need to do everything possible to make the Commonwealth safer and combat the drug crisis. This indictment should serve as a serious warning to both drug traffickers and business operators who engage in illicit money laundering: your conduct is criminal, and you will be prosecuted under federal law.

Authorities dubbed the investigation Operation Good Fortune. Joseph R. Bonavolonta, special agent in charge of the FBI's Boston Field Office, said money laundering and drug trafficking go hand in hand.

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This crew is accused of using their family-owned restaurant in Chinatown as a front for an elaborate, international money laundering scheme and money transmitting business in which they conducted tens of millions of dollars in off the books transactions to circumvent our countrys laws, and hide the source of their income. Operation Good Fortune is just one example of how the FBI and our law enforcement partners work together to dismantle large-scale criminal enterprises, Bonavolonta said.

The charge of conspiracy to commit money laundering comes with up to three years of supervised release, a sentence of up to 20 years in jail and a fine of up to $250,000 or twice the value of the property involved -- whichever is greater. The charge of unlicensed money transmitting comes with up to three years of supervised release, a sentence of up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.

The charge of possession with intent to distribute marijuana comes with at least three years and up to a lifetime of supervised release, a sentence of up to 20 years in prison and a fine of $1 million. The charges of conspiracy to commit money laundering and possession with intent to distribute marijuana carry sentences of up to 20 years in prison, while the charge of unlicensed money transmitting carries a sentence of up to five years.

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According to the DOJ, these sentences "are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case."

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A flower is placed on a portrait of fallen Lee County Sheriff's Sgt. Steven Mazzotta at the Beyond the Call of Duty-Ride to Remember trailer wall at the Lee County Sheriff's Office on Monday, July 4, 2022, in Florida. Mazzotta died of complications of COVID-19. The Officer Down Memorial Page says more than 600 law enforcement officers have died of COVID-19. The End of Watch Ride started in Spokane, Washington, on June 1 and is traveling 79 days across the United States making tribute stops at hundreds of law enforcement agencies to honor fallen law enforcement officers.

Massachusetts reported 11,075 new cases of coronavirus in the week ending Sunday, down 3.9% from the previous week. The previous week had 11,525 new cases of the virus that causes COVID-19.

Massachusetts ranked 45th among the states where coronavirus was spreading the fastest on a per-person basis, a USA TODAY Network analysis of Johns Hopkins University data shows. In the latest week coronavirus cases in the United States increased 7.4% from the week before, with 906,593 cases reported. With 2.07% of the country's population, Massachusetts had 1.22% of the country's cases in the last week. Across the country, 28 states had more cases in the latest week than they did in the week before.

Bristol County reported 844 cases and five deaths in the latest week. A week earlier, it had reported 702 cases and five deaths. Throughout the pandemic it has reported 164,400 cases and 2,224 deaths.

a Across Massachusetts, cases fell in eight counties, with the best declines in Middlesex County, with 2,325 cases from 2,505 a week earlier; in Suffolk County, with 1,219 cases from 1,322; and in Hampshire County, with 223 cases from 265. a

>> See how your community has fared with recent coronavirus cases

a

Within Massachusetts, the worst weekly outbreaks on a per-person basis were in Hampden County with 193 cases per 100,000 per week; Berkshire County with 187; and Barnstable County with 165. The Centers for Disease Control says high levels of community transmission begin at 100 cases per 100,000 per week.

Adding the most new cases overall were Middlesex County, with 2,325 cases; Essex County, with 1,251 cases; and Suffolk County, with 1,219. Weekly case counts rose in four counties from the previous week. The worst increases from the prior week's pace were in Bristol, Essex and Berkshire counties.

a

In Massachusetts, a 49 a people were reported dead of COVID-19 in the week ending Sunday. In the week before that, 59 people were reported dead.

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A total of 1,966,919 people in Massachusetts have tested positive for the coronavirus since the pandemic began, and 21,176 people have died from the disease, Johns Hopkins University data shows. In the United States 91,316,648 people have tested positive and 1,029,926 people have died.

Note: For Massachusetts, Johns Hopkins University reports data in a combined health department for Dukes and Nantucket counties. Those two counties may appear without any cases, and this will skew rankings of counties.

>> Track coronavirus cases across the United States

Massachusetts's COVID-19 hospital admissions staying flat

USA TODAY analyzed federal hospital data as of Sunday, July 31. Likely COVID patients admitted in the state:

Last week: 1,301

The week before that: 1,301

Four weeks ago: 1,180

Likely COVID patients admitted in the nation:

Last week: 75,143

The week before that: 73,476

Four weeks ago: 63,312

Hospitals in 24 states reported more COVID-19 patients than a week earlier, while hospitals in 21 states had more COVID-19 patients in intensive-care beds. Hospitals in 30 states admitted more COVID-19 patients in the latest week than a week prior, the USA TODAY analysis of U.S. Health and Human Services data shows.

The USA TODAY Network is publishing localized versions of this story on its news sites across the country, generated with data from Johns Hopkins University and the Centers for Disease Control. If you have questions about the data or the story, contact Mike Stucka at mstucka@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on The Taunton Daily Gazette: Bristol County reported 844 additional COVID cases this week
Three of the remaining four women with active lawsuits against Deshaun Watson have reached confidential settlements with the Cleveland Browns quarterback to end those cases, according to their attorney, Tony Buzbee.

Buzbee did not immediately reveal which plaintiff is the only one not to have settled with Watson after 20 other women previously reached confidential settlements with him in June.

All 24 women had accused him of sexual misconduct during massage sessions in 2020 and early 2021, including the first plaintiff, Ashley Solis, who said Watson brought his own towel to the massage session and caused his genitals to touch her without her consent.

The allegations led to an investigation by the NFL, which sought to have him suspended indefinitely under the leagues personal conduct policy. NFL disciplinary officer Sue Robinson instead handed down a six-game suspension Monday after presiding over a three-day hearing in late June.

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Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson

After lengthy and intense negotiations, I can confirm that, late last night, our team resolved three of the four remaining civil cases with Deshaun Watson, Buzbee said in a statement Monday. We will continue to discuss the remaining case with Watsons legal team, as appropriate.

Watson, 26, has denied wrongdoing and was not charged with any crimes after two grand juries in Texas declined to indict him in March. His attorney, Rusty Hardin, has said the women were lying and that Buzbee viewed Watson as a payday.

The alleged incidents involving Watson came during his tenure with the Houston Texans, who traded Watson to the Browns in March. The Texans in turn recently reached confidential settlements with 30 women with claims related to Watson after being accused of enabling his behavior, including giving him nondisclosure agreements to have the women sign.

The Browns banked on him despite the controversy and gave him a record guaranteed contract of $230 million over five years.

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Buzbee represented all 24 plaintiffs and credited Solis in his statement Monday.

This case started because one woman had the fortitude to step forward and make her voice heard, Buzbee said. Her courage inspired many others with the same experience. None of this saga would have occurred without that one brave voice. One person can make a difference.

Buzbee also addressed the NFL disciplinary proceedings with Watson.

"Although some of my clients do have strong feelings in that regard, I have nothing meaningful to say about that process," he said. "Ive said in the beginning that the civil process and the NFLs disciplinary process are very different. My role was to advance the cause of my clients, in civil court  nothing more. Ive done that. I am extremely proud of these women and our legal teams efforts. The settlements are confidential. I wont comment further on them."

Follow reporter Brent Schrotenboer @Schrotenboer. E-mail: bschrotenb@usatoday.com

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Deshaun Watson settles three more sexual misconduct lawsuits
K-pop sensation BTS may be allowed to practise and perform overseas even if they enter South Koreas mandatory military service, the countrys defense minister said on Monday.

All able-bodied men in Korea are required to enlist for service before age 30 unless they are given an exemption. The oldest BTS member Jin would normally be expected to enlist later this year.

More from Variety

Korea has previously offered exemptions to athletes and artists in other fields who have created national prestige. Pop acts have not been given exemptions.

But on Monday, speaking at a parliamentary session, defense minister Lee Jong-sup said he is considering a range of options for alternative military service for BTS.

[The BTS members] should come to the military, and I believe there will be a way for us to give them the opportunity to practice as well as allow them to leave the country and perform anytime if they have overseas concerts scheduled, he said.

The Korea Times newspaper also quoted Military Manpower Administration Commissioner Lee Ki-sik as saying: We are reviewing (the matter) within the overall framework of alternative service.

BTS is the epitome of soft power. It is by far Koreas biggest music act of current years, has sold millions of dollars worth of music, and has brought unprecedented attention to the countrys cultural industries. Because of its international recognition and success, the band has also been widely embraced by different arms of government. In recent weeks, BTS was used as a vehicle to enhance Busans bid to hold the 2030 World Expo.

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Next week, a California assembly bill that could change one of the cornerstones of the TV business faces a crucial vote.

AB 437, dubbed the Let Actors Work (LAW) Act, would limit exclusivity in TV stars deals. That means if a principal on a show wants to do another project with Network X while under contract with Network Y, they would be able to do so as long as there is no material conflict of interest with their original employer, according to the bills author, Assemblymember Ash Kalra (D-San Jose). That means stars on hiatus can book projects on competing networks, so long as it does not conflict with the original shows schedule. Exclusivity prohibits that now. You can read the text of the bill here.

More from Deadline

On July 29, AB 437 passed the CA Senate Judiciary Committee in a 9-1 vote. The bill will be heard in the Senate Appropriations Committee next on August 8. If it passes there, it goes on to full State Senate. If it also passes there, it heads to the Assembly for final passage, which would need to happen before that body goes on its late-summer recess. It would then need Governor Gavin Newsoms signature.

Motion Picture Association Chairman and CEO Charles Rivkin has indicated that AB 437 would put productions in California  and the jobs they create  at risk.

Last year, nearly 950 films entered production and 560 original scripted series were released in the U.S. Many were made in California, but a new bill rushing through the CA legislature would put productions like these  and the jobs they create  at risk, Rivkin tweeted today about the bill.

The California Chamber of Commerce has warned that curtailing the use of exclusive contracts for actors makes such contracts less valuable, which will lead to a reduction in wages paid to actors. Further, elimination of the ability to bargain for exclusivity rights where necessary jeopardizes the ability to timely and reliably produce content. The ripple effect will have a negative impact on the thousands who work on those productions or are otherwise linked to or dependent on them.

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SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher, on the other hand, said the bill recognizes that actors should be able to enjoy the same freedoms as all other Californians.

A tweet from the union called the current practice Forced unemployment.

No more forced unemployment! Shouldnt artists have the same rights as every other California worker? Ask your legislator to support the #LAWAct and #LetArtistsWork! https://t.co/yGCLYKJu7y pic.twitter.com/h1Mv9NHQoo  SAG-AFTRA (@sagaftra) July 31, 2022

AB 437 is sponsored by California Labor Federation, Screen Actors Guild  American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA), and Music Artists Coalition.

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Two people have been found dead amid a huge wildfire that has forced thousands of people from their homes in northern California.

The bodies of the two dead were found inside a car in the driveway of a property caught in the blaze.

Siskiyou County Sheriff Jeremiah LaRue told ABC News the pair seemed to have been trying to escape.

The McKinney Fire has burned more than 55,000 acres, making it California's largest this year.

The identities of the two dead people are not being released until their families have been notified.

California's Governor Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency over the fire, which began on Friday afternoon before rapidly exploding in size due to a combination of dry fuel after a drought, strong winds and lightning strikes.

Around 650 firefighters were battling to contain the fire, officials said, but with little success. Officials said on Monday that it was "0% contained", but that light rains overnight had prevented the fire from spreading quicker.

As a result, more than 2,000 inhabitants of the area around the Klamath National Forest were told to evacuate.

Map showing the location of the McKinney Fire in northern California.

'I just saw it explode'

Harlene Althea Schwander, an artist, had only moved into her new home near the fire's starting point a month ago, and had not yet unpacked everything.

"Three generations of beautiful things, all of my paintings... they're all gone," she told Reuters.

"When I saw it coming over from the community centre, and I just saw it explode in the dark. I knew the house was gone," she said. "The fire department came and told me, 'just leave now.'"

Despite its vast size, the McKinney Fire is far smaller than last year's Dixie Fire, which tore though hundreds of thousands of acres and became the second-largest wildfire ever recorded in California.

The Oak Fire, far to the south near Yosemite National Park, is meanwhile still ablaze after more than a week - though it has now been brought under control and is no longer growing.

Climate change increases the risk of the hot, dry weather that is likely to fuel wildfires, scientists say.

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An investigation last year by Cap Radio and National Public Radio found that Governor Newsom had slashed $150m from the state's wildfire prevention budget and grossly overstated the number of acres that had been treated for the kind of fuel breaks and prescribed burns designed to stop such conflagrations.

The McKinney Fire comes as America's two other West Coast states broke records for the most number of consecutive days of extreme heat.

Oregon officials say they have seen 10 deaths which they believe are tied to the heat wave.

Seattle, Washington, on Sunday recorded its sixth consecutive day of temperatures over 90F.

Very few residents of the normally cool US Pacific Northwest region have air conditioning in their homes.

More Americans die every year from extreme heat than from any other weather-related event.
Military personnel stand in front of a Chengdu Aircraft Corporation J-10C for the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF). NOEL CELIS/AFP via Getty Images

China on Monday reiterated the possibility of a military response if Pelosi visits Taiwan.

Pelosi hasn't confirmed she'll visit Taiwan, citing security concerns, but reports suggest she will.

Tensions between the US and China have skyrocketed in recent years, in part over Taiwan.

China on Monday warned once again of a possible military response if House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visits Taiwan during her tour of Asia this week.

"The Chinese side has expressed its serious concerns and solemn position to the US side many times recently that it firmly opposes House Speaker Pelosi's visit to Taiwan, stressing that her visit to Taiwan will lead to serious consequences," Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian told reporters. "Playing with fire will set yourself on fire," he added, repeating a comment Chinese leader Xi Jinping told President Joe Biden last week.

"We would like to warn the US again that China is standing by, and the Chinese People's Liberation Army will never sit idly by and will take resolute and strong countermeasures to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity," Zhao said, doubling down on China's prior warning of a potential military reaction to Pelosi visiting the self-governed island democracy.

China regards Taiwan as Chinese territory over which it has indisputable sovereignty and has signaled that it would view Pelosi visiting as a sign of support for the island's independence, a red line for Beijing. The House Speaker would be the highest-ranking US lawmaker to visit Taiwan in a quarter century, and her presence on the island would carry a great deal of symbolic weight.

Pelosi has declined to confirm whether she will travel to Taiwan as she journeys to countries across Asia this week, citing security concerns. But CNN on Monday reported that Pelosi is expected to visit, citing a senior Taiwanese official and a US official.

Under the provisions of the One China policy, the US does not support Taiwan's independence and does not have formal diplomatic relations with Taipei, but the US does maintain a robust relationship with Taiwan and is its top supplier of arms.

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Beyond supplying weapons to bolster Taiwan's defensive capabilities, the US has for decades maintained a policy of strategic ambiguity when it comes to the question of whether it would respond militarily to a Chinese attack on Taiwan. In other words, Washington has been deliberately vague on the issue. President Joe Biden, however, has been accused of confusing that policy by suggesting, on more than one occasion, that the US would come to Taiwan's defense in such a scenario. Biden's comments, which were walked back by the White House, have frustrated China.

The Biden administration's position on whether Pelosi ought to visit Taiwan has also been wishy-washy. Biden in late July said the military "thinks it's not a good idea right now" for Pelosi to travel to Taiwan. But the White House has also said that it's Pelosi's decision to travel to the island, adding that it would provide the House Speaker with support if she chooses to do so.

"We want to make sure that when she travels overseas, she can do so safely and securely, and we're going to make sure of that. There is no reason for the Chinese rhetoric. There is no reason for any actions to be taken. It is not uncommon for congressional leaders to travel to Taiwan," National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said to CNN's Brianna Keilar on "New Day."

'There's a risk of an accident'

Top China experts have warned that Pelosi visiting Taiwan increases the risk of an "accident" that could lead to a military crisis in the region.

A Chinese military aircraft, for example, could attempt to "interfere" with a plane carrying Pelosi and potentially even try to prevent it from landing, Bonnie Glaser, a leading China expert and director of the Asia program at the German Marshall Fund of the United States, told Insider last week.

In such a situation, Taiwan would likely scramble its own fighters if Chinese military aircraft entered its Air Defense Identification Zone. Reports also indicate the Pentagon has made plans to potentially call on US warplanes and ships to provide additional security near Taiwan if Pelosi visits, though it is unclear exactly how those assets could come into play.

It's unlikely that there would be "shooting," but Glaser said such a tense scenario "increases the potential for an accident."

China has not said how it might respond, though Air Force spokesperson Shen Jinke said at an airshow over the weekend that the People's Liberation Army Air Force has many different type of fighter jets able to circle and surround "the precious island of our motherland."

He added, according to Reuters, that China's "air force has the firm will, full confidence and sufficient capability to defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity."

Read the original article on Business Insider
BEIJING (Reuters) - China said on Monday that its military "not sit idly by" if U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi visits Taiwan.

The latest warning was issued during a Chinese foreign ministry regular briefing. Spokesperson Zhao Lijian also said that because of Pelosi's status as the "No. 3 official of the U.S. government", a visit to Taiwan, which China claims as its own, would "lead to egregious political impact".

Pelosi was set to kick-off a tour of four Asian countries on Monday in Singapore amid intense speculation that she may risk the wrath of Beijing by also visiting self-ruled Taiwan.

(Writing by Eduardo Baptista, Martin Pollard in Beijing, editing by Mark Heinrich)
Seattle Pacific University

Seattle Pacific University, a private Christian school, is suing the attorney general of Washington State, saying his investigation into the universitys anti-LGBTQ+ hiring practices is a violation of religious freedom.

Attorney General Bob Ferguson is wielding state power to interfere with the religious beliefs of a religious university, and a church, whose beliefs he disagrees with, the university says in a complaint filed Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Tacoma.

Seattle Pacific is affiliated with the Free Methodist Church, a conservative denomination that is separate from the United Methodist Church. The university will not employ people who are in same-sex marriages and expects employees to adhere to its policy that sex is reserved exclusively for the marriage of a man and a woman, The Seattle Times reports.

The university affirmed that policy in May, and officials have said it would lose its affiliation with the Free Methodist Church if it rescinded the policy. LGBTQ-supportive students responded by staging a sit-in outside the presidents office and handing him miniature Pride flags at the graduation ceremony in June. Also, Jeaux Rinedahl, an adjunct nursing professor, sued SPU in 2021, saying it denied him a tenured position because hes gay. The case has been settled out of court.

Ferguson heard many complaints about the SPU employment policy, so he sent the school a letter in June saying it may violate the states LGBTQ-inclusive antidiscrimination law. He asked for much information on how the policy is applied, including every instance when it came into play and the names and contact information of the people affected, the Times reports.

This information is sensitive and personal, university officials say in the lawsuit. The probe is not limited to a single dispute or employee, but seeks to regulate and surveil a religious schools relationships with all its employees and leaders, the complaint says. Nothing in the letter places any constitutional limitation on the probe, including the probe of ministerial employees and administrators, nor even acknowledges the principle of religious autonomy for religious institutions. The investigation violates the universitys right to religious freedom as laid out in the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, the suit alleges.

Fergus released a statement Friday in response to the suit. The filing demonstrates that the university believes it is above the law to such an extraordinary degree that it is shielded from answering basic questions from my office regarding the universitys compliance with state law, he said, according to the Times.

Under federal law, religious institutions have the right to favor members of their own faith in employment decisions. The ministerial exception in application of nondiscrimination law allows for broader leeway to discriminate on certain factors, such as sexual orientation and gender identity, when hiring ministers or other people whose duties include instruction on religion.
CNN host Fareed Zakaria on Sunday slammed Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito for what he called a disgusting and scandalous speech last week criticizing foreign leaders who disagreed with his ruling on Roe V. Wade.

Zakaria told Jim Acosta on CNN that Supreme Court justices are supposed to, at the very least, conduct themselves in a way that is above politics, given they are unelected members with life tenure who can decide crucial decisions shaping the lives of millions of Americans.

The reason they have that legitimacy is, to put it very simply, that they behave themselves, that they behave in accordance with the kind of dignity and majesty of the court, said Zakaria, who hosts CNNs Fareed Zakaria GPS.

What Alito did, behaving like a cheap commentator, and not a particularly good one at that, was frankly disgusting. I mean I thought it was the most undignified performance by a Supreme Court justice that I have seen in my lifetime, he said. I dont think any of his predecessors would have done it. I think its scandalous.

Zakaria added that he did not expect formal punishment, but added: If John Roberts wants to fulfill his role as chief justice, I think he should call Justice Alito in and try to explain to him why it damages not just Alito  who looks like an idiot  but it damages the court.

During a speech at Notre Dame Law Schools Religious Liberty Summit in Rome, Alito mocked British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Prince Harry. He also mentioned Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and French President Emmanuel Macron.

All four leaders had sharply criticized the Supreme Court for overturning the nearly 50-year constitutional right to abortion, which Alito seemed to find amusing.

Ive had a few second thoughts over the last few weeks since I had the honor 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, Alito said during his speech.

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The Supreme Courts reversal of Roe V. Wade has paved the way for many GOP-led states to ban or severely restrict abortion access across the country, despite around two-thirds of Americans supporting the right to an abortion in some cases.

Trust in the Supreme Court has never been lower, according to polling earlier this month, which found just a quarter of Americans hold confidence in the high court.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
MUNCIE, Ind.  Delaware County commissioners have approved an interlocal agreement with Ivy Tech Community College to help offenders obtain employment at local manufacturers through the JUMP program.

The program is one of the first of its kind in Indiana, according to Sherry Riggin, commissioners president.

From 2020: 'Second Chance Dads' working alongside felons to end generational crime

The Judicial Users Manufacturers Program or JUMP places offenders within the county judicial system with participating manufacturers in the county. Ivy Tech provides skills training, according to John Bush , the Delaware County probation officer who has been heading up the pilot program in the county.

Bush said the county will need to hire a coordinator for the effort, which he hopes will be in place by October.

John Brooke, attorney for the commissioners, said the program not only helps low-level offenders find jobs but helps companies find workers, which has been difficult in the ongoing labor shortage.

Reform program:Delaware County's JUMP program wins grant funding

Bush told The Star Press that the pilot program has worked well so far. People chosen to participate go through a screening process. As workers, participants must remain alcohol- and drug-free with the idea of helping offenders rebuild their lives and learn the habits of people who have stable lives and adopt new attitudes and belief systems.

The Delaware County Manufacturers Alliance is working with the county in developing the program. So far 23 employers have have been involved in the pilot program.

Bush said eventually he hopes that other businesses, including food service, will participate.

In other business at the Monday commissioners meeting, three businesses received Tourism and Hospitality Grants through the Delaware County Tourism Commission. The grants are funded by American Rescue Plan money. Recipients were the Academy of Model Aeronautics, $48,650 for new signage at the academy facilities east of Muncie; Pete's Bar and Grill in Albany, $49,000 for a new walk-in freezer, and $30,000 for Iceberg Ice Cream in Albany to get new equipment.

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More ARP spending: Delaware County Council gives $3.5 million in ARP money for Oakville sewers

Commissioners also agreed to provide $22,871 to volunteer fire departments throughout the county for Crew Force CAD software to allow departments to better locate places within the county and share information. The Muncie Fire Department also is participating and is covering its own costs. The Delaware County Fire Chiefs Association is promoting the effort.

The commissioners agreed to provide the money to help the volunteer departments get started using the software. The departments will maintain the system going forward. Funding is planned to come through ARP funds. Commissioners asked Brooke to make sure that the expenditure met ARP rules before the money is made available.

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This article originally appeared on Muncie Star Press: County, Ivy Tech will place offenders in jobs with local manufacturers
CA School District Considers Ban On Critical Race Theory

Students against the CRT ban make their views known while pro-ban speakers talk during the public comment portion of a meeting of the Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School Board in Placentia on Wednesday, March 23, 2022 to consider banning the academic concept of critical race theory in the district. Some parents worry that language in a proposed CRT resolution could lead to the loss of Advanced Placement classes. Credit - Leonard Ortiz-MediaNews Group/Orange County Register/ Getty Images

Protests over George Floyds 2020 murder were the largest civil rights demonstrations in American history. The brutal footage of officer Derek Chauvins suffocating knee on George Floyds neck led many white Americans to, at least briefly, acknowledge the reality of structural racism in policing. In response, corporations questioned their diversity policies, defund the police became an activist rallying cry, and books on anti-racism became unexpected bestsellers. A narrative arose that America experienced a racial reckoning that challenged white racisms worst excesses.

Conservative media and think tanks, fearing a lost battle in the war of ideas over racism in American life, counter-mobilized. Morality plays need villains, and conservative activists conjured a caricature of critical race theorya forty-year-old academic frameworkas an ominous and pervasive evil. Conservative groups claimed their villain was everywherefrom the federal bureaucracy to elementary schoolsand fomented a moral panic over anti-racist education. Pundits credited Virginia Governor Greg Youngkins win to his scaring white parents into thinking their children might learn about the nations history of white supremacy. Conservative lawmakers have exploited the panic, attempting to remake the educational landscape with banning so-called divisive concepts that might make white kids uncomfortable. Propaganda victories are victories, nonetheless. And killing the messenger can destroy the message (if you cant beat them, ban them). Facts dont care about your feelings has become a conservative rallying cry. But critical race theorys merchants of doubt, by legislating against accurate teaching of Americas racial history, put their feelings over empirical facts.

But victories aside, propaganda exposes its proponents intellectual bankruptcy. Conservative caricatures of critical race theory are unrecognizable to scholars familiar with the idea. According to the Washington Post, Christopher Rufo, the principal architect of the anti-critical race theory of moral panic admitted his crusade distorted the meaning of critical race theory when he tweeted:

We have successfully frozen their brandcritical race theoryinto the public conversation and are steadily driving up negative perceptions. We will eventually turn it toxic, as we put all of the various cultural insanities under that brand category. The goal is to have the public read something crazy in the newspaper and immediately think critical race theory. We have decodified the term and will recodify it to annex the entire range of cultural constructions that are unpopular with Americans.

Incoherence and confusion are virtues for opponents of anti-racist teaching. And Rufo and his fellow travelers are simply updating the misinformation campaigns targeting accepted scholarship that elements of the right have trafficked in for decades. Heedless of both the actual content of critical race theory and the human cost of their panic, conservatives turned to propaganda because the weight of empirical evidence undermines their ideological preferences.

In their classic book Merchants of Doubt: How a Handful of Scientists Obscured the Truth on Issues from Tobacco Smoke to Global Warming, the historians of science Naomi Oreskes and Erik Conway outline a series of propaganda campaigns designed to undermine the scientific consensus on many of our most pressing collective problems. Conservative scientists, politicians, and think tanks sowed confusion over the link between cancer and smoking, acid rains environmental impact, and civilizational threats over global warming. Conspirators exploited the structure of scientific inquirywhich contains inherent uncertaintiesto cast doubt on settled facts. Conspirators also played the media, manipulating the false objectivity of both-sides framing to claim equal time for scientific consensus and quackery. The strategy of sowing confusion works not because anti-empirical claims are correct but because manufactured uncertainty is often enough to bring political action to a halt.

Anti-scientific campaigns, whether focused on acid rain or climate change, often relied upon a close-knit cabal of think tanks, funders, and individual scientists (who sometimes lacked subject area expertise). Corporate profits and individual livelihoods were at risk if facts about the harms of smoking or environmental crisis were acknowledged and regulated. For short-term financial or political gain, anti-science propagandists made progress on long-term collective problems difficult, if not impossible, to achieve. In the meantime, these propagandists profited as the harms from industries they were protecting were passed onto an unsuspecting and credulous public.

Critical race theorys merchants of doubt use strategies similar to those of previous anti-intellectual propaganda campaigns. And like these prior movements, the moral panic over critical race theory rests on a weak intellectual foundation.

No serious analyst doubts that American society is rife with racial inequality. Yes, there is debate among social scientists about the cause of racial inequality. But the consensus among honest scholars is that racial inequality is a long-standing, complex, intractable, and pressing social problem. The empirical evidence on structural racism and the inequality it produces is massive, overwhelming, and hard to contest. From unemployment to life expectancy, it is difficult to find a domain of American life where Black people arent worse off. Critical race theorists developed a flexible set of tenets that showed how often seemingly neutral social processes reproduce racial inequality. And these tenets were so useful theyve been adopted by scholars of education, public policy, and sociology. Critical race theorys main principlesthat race is a social construction and racial progress is fragile and easily overturnedhave substantial empirical support.

Intellectual weakness on race matters doesnt make the anti-critical race theory campaign any less dangerous. Desperation and ruthlessness born of knowing facts arent on their side may make the campaigns more treacherous. Accuracy isnt necessary to terrify teachers into changing lesson plans and avoiding basic truths about the American past (and present) or mangling lectures to make understanding difficult. Teachers are worried that clear explanations of slavery and Native American genocide may run afoul of the law and have received physical threats for vowing to teach the truth about American history.

Im hardly the first analyst to connect attacks on critical race theory and prior ignorance promoting campaigns. Several historians have shown the similarities between the Scopes Money Trialperhaps the paradigmatic case of anti-intellectual campaigns in U.S. historyand the moral panic surrounding critical race theory. Adam R. Shapiro notes that Darwinism had been around for about half a century, when it became the object of conservative ire. Shapiro claims that it wasnt Darwins theory, per se, that led to opposition. The scientific consensus around Darwinism was representative of larger cultural trends that worried conservatives. Evolution stood in for a broad swath of economic, cultural, and political changes. The backlash to critical race theory is driven by a similar set of fears of lost white prerogative amidst cultural and demographic change.

Historical connections between the Scopes Monkey Trial and the current moral panic arent simply analogies. Christopher Rufo, who has been credited with taking the moral panic mainstream, is a former employee of the anti-evolution Discovery Institute. Perhaps better described as an anti-think tank, the Discovery Institute promotes misinformation around evolutionary theory, arguing that in place of the scientific consensus, schools should teach the controversy. Of course, there is little controversy among biologists aside from what the Discovery Institute itself foments. Claiming there is a scientific controversy where none exists muddies the waters, allowing unscrupulous actors to push their political agenda. Conspiracy theories travel in packs, and the Discovery Institute also promotes climate change denial and raises questions about the legitimacy of the 2020 election.

Ideas from critical race theory can help explain moral panic. Moral panics are immoral exercises, designed to create group cohesion, target ideological or political enemies, and shape norms. Critical race theorists draw attention to structural racism to find solutions to racial inequality. Critical Race Theorists maintain that structural racism is a profitable political system for the systems beneficiaries. Finding solutions to climate change and tobacco addiction threaten those who benefit from emissions and smoking. And finding solutions to racial inequality threatens those who benefit from structural racism. 2020s protests put these beneficiaries on notice, so its no surprise they responded to defend their interests. Banning teaching about racism is a justification of existing racial inequality and a prelude to producing more. Barring teaching about diversity distorts basic facts about American life and creates the idea that difference is strange or dangerous.

Legislators claim they want to stop divisive teaching and are worried about lessons that demonize white people. But what is more divisive than outlawing basic descriptive facts about American history? Critical race theory doesnt demonize white people. But by blocking teaching about Americas segregationists, eugenicists, and white citizen councilors, legislators may end up demonizing themselves. Dr. King warned about the dangers of this racial ignorance when he said, Whites, it must frankly be said, are not putting in a similar mass effort to reeducate themselves out of their racial ignorance. It is an aspect of their sense of superiority that the white people of America believe they have so little to learn.

Academic knowledge production depends upon good faith and verifiable fact. And when facts about structural racism make their way into the schools, they ban books and threaten teachers. It makes collective problems harder to solve.
[This story contains spoilers for the sixth episode of Westworld, Fidelity.]

Daniel Wu is no stranger to playing in twisty dystopic futures birthed from the mind of Lisa Joy. He previously starred in her directorial debut Reminiscence, a neo-noir science fiction thriller about a man who uses a machine designed to see peoples memories to try and find a missing woman he loves.

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In their second go together, Wu plays a human named Jay, who has been surviving in the desert alongside a group of other people that managed to defy Charlottes (Tessa Thompsons) new world order. Living outside the bounds of her terrifying human park, the group goes on missions into New York to safely find and recover people known as outliers  or humans that have somehow managed to defy Charlottes mind control efforts.

Hes joined by C (Aurora Perrineau), who only two episodes earlier is revealed to be the grown-up daughter of Aaron Pauls human-turned-host Caleb. Between episodes five and six, Wus character goes from the leader of a human resistance group to a victim of the thing he despises, before returning as a hollowed-out enemy ready to disrupt C and Bernards (Jeffrey Wright) plans for Mauve (Thandiwe Newton).

The Hollywood Reporter spoke to Wu about his experience on the show and his characters arc, including whether he played to his characters twist, if there was ever another infiltrator and what his characters story reveals about the role humans played in their dark, new reality.

While not the entirety of your library of work, Westworld is the latest addition to a list of projects for you  like Into the Badlands and Reminiscence  where people are living in dystopic futures and fighting for their lives. What do you like about that subject matter as an actor?

I am a huge fan of sci-fi, and for the 20 years that I was working in Hong Kong, we never did any sci-fi. Im not sure why we dont do that in China and Hong Kong. Its very strange because Hong Kong to me is a very futuristic city. So when I came back here, I was searching for that kind of material because I didnt get to do that in Asia. So yeah, both of them are sci-fi in two very different ways, Into the Badlands and Westworld. But I love those topics because sci-fi is always a reflection of humanity. Westworld especially, they go hard. Its hard sci-fi. Its the whole question of what humanity is. What does it mean to be human through this whole AI and host versus human thing. You can be artificial intelligence, but if you have consciousness, if you have feelings, if you have memories  does that not make you human? What is it that makes us human. I like how they keep posing that question throughout the four seasons of this show. Thats really why I like science fiction. It forces you to think about our reality and how the thing youre seeing on TV is a reflection of us.

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Youre now among a special group of Westworld actors who belong to the club of humans that were killed and replaced by host versions of themselves. Did you want those portrayals of Jay to be similar performance-wise or did you want people to pick up that something might have changed between five and six?

I didnt find out until we started shooting five that I was going to be turned. This is the glory of television. Sometimes you dont know whats going to happen to your character until youre about to do it. In the moment, I said I wish I knew from when I started the show that I was going to be a host, but at the same time, I was like, actually, its fine that I didnt know because theres nothing I needed to do. If I knew I was playing a human, I shouldnt be peppering any easter eggs in there to reveal Im gonna be a host later because he doesnt even know, right? It happens to him very quickly, when hes going to get the outlier when theyre in New York. They go up to the building, and all of a sudden, he comes across that version of himself and he gets taken out there. It just happens in an instant. So theres no preparation for him. Once he becomes a host, actually, a lot of that was in the writing. You could see the dialogue start to change in the way he spoke to C. Clearly from their backstory, theyre like a family and hes like an older brother to her even though he doesnt want to admit that and for the dialogue to suddenly change, for him to become quite mean towards her  and not in an older brother kind of way  its clear its not the same person anymore.

Your character started in the desert but ends his human journey in New York. Which did you prefer to work in?

I preferred New York. It was crazy because it was just trying to control the crowds and all that. You cant really close off a street in New York, so there were people walking through set. That was chaotic, but it was much more comfortable than shooting in the Santa Clarita desert in the summer. That first scene where I come down the hill on that the snowmobile thing in the sand with the helmet on  that was my first day at work and it was like 110 that day. It was really hot. (Laughs) I was like, What am I getting myself into? How many more scenes are we going to have in this desert? I tend to not like the heat so much. The first season of Into the Badlands was shot in New Orleans during the summer as well and that was rough. So I have PTSD from shooting in hot environments. But I like shooting in New York. I also love going to New York. Just having the opportunity to be able to go and spend a couple of weeks there filming was fun.

During episode five and six, viewers learn the origins of some of the humans that have survived on the outskirts of Charlottes new society. Theyre outliers, or people who arent fully controlled by her technology. Is that who all the humans are or were there people who maybe fled and werent ever controlled there, too?

Jay is an outlier. Also, this whole rebel group is a bunch of outliers. These are people that are resistant to that mind control  the sound control over everybody. Theres a line of dialogue that they cant control everybody. So theres this group of people that are not being controlled. The homeless guy, Peter, that you saw  hes going through that. Hes discovering that hes resistant. Hes not sure. Is he going crazy? And each person goes through that. In his flashback, Jay goes through that. Why am I different than everybody else? His brother gets controlled and taken and he doesnt. So thats really the catalyst for why he becomes the person he is. He has a vengeance and hate for the hosts and what theyve done to humans. Thats why he becomes the de-facto leader of the group after Cs mom disappears or dies. Its deep-seated in him that he hates the hosts. He is aware that he is an outlier and is aware that there are more outliers out there. So when they wake up, they have to go get them, they have to save them, or theyre going to be killed by the drone hosts.

In the last couple of episodes, the storylines have delved into topics and concepts that felt similar to other popular sci-fi properties in a really satisfying way. When you were stepping into this role, were you thinking about any other films or shows in terms of shaping your character or even just your understanding of this world?

Not really. It was more about going, Oh, this is almost a reboot of the earlier seasons. Because its kind of flipped on its head. The first season is about the robots discovering theyre being controlled and then dealing with that reality and then realizing, Oh, humans are fucked up. They mess with us. This is almost flipped completely all the way around, where now the hosts are totally in control and the humans dont realize theyre under control. So I actually was referring to season one. Im putting myself in Dolores mind or the other characters minds when they discover, though my character didnt have to go through that exact moment. He just gets killed and replaced, so theres no discovery for him. But there is [discovery] as an actor to understand what was happening. At first, when I started reading the script I was like, Whoa, whats happening here? It is totally different than the first few seasons. Then I understood the overarching theme is that were doing like a role reversal. The bad guys and good guys are switching around in this and that kind of was my Aha! moment when I was reading the script.

Your character dies this episode, but as weve seen with Caleb and others, if you become a host, theres a possibility that that character could still come back. Can we expect to see you again?

So interesting that you asked that question. I got invited to be on the show because I worked with Lisa Joy on Reminiscence and so we really established a cool relationship, her being Asian American, me being Asian American, and also we just really bonded. So when season four came around, she just called me up and said, Hey, do you want to be in Westworld? Im like, hell yeah, I want to be. So thats what happened. I didnt know as we were filming the show what my character arc was going to be until I would say episode four, about to shoot episode five. And I was like, Oh, I get killed. That sucks. But shes like, Youre a host now. So anything can happen with a host. I was like, Oh, OK, thats great. (Laughs.) She goes, Just be ready for season five. What a convenient function in Westworld to have the main characters being hosts because they can just be brought back in.

During episode six, when Bernard is trying to reason with C, he tells her that theres a host infiltrator, but he cant tell her exactly who because it changes depending on the timeline theyre in. Jay was the host in this case, but do you know if there was ever a different person in the script or on set who had this twist or was it always Jay?

No, I think that was built in from the beginning that Im the guy. But thats more a reflection on Bernards superpower this season. This is a new superpower that he has, that he can predict the future by doing these permutations of what the possibilities could be. So its more about him being able to explain why you dont know right now who the bad guy is, who the turn person is because there are so many options. It could have been me, it could have been Morningstar  all those different people.

At the start of our conversation, you spoke about how you like that the show explores humanity. What do you feel like Jay  as part of this rebel-survivor human group  says about or represents in terms of the conversation around what it means to be human happening in season four?

I think its ironic that he gets turned into the host right because he knows the difference between the humans and the hosts. Hes been a human, hes suffered from the revenge the hosts enacted on the humans from season three, basically, with his brother being collateral damage from that. So hes more just this human angry our society has been turned upside down by these hosts. Its almost a different way of thinking than the hosts. The hosts were created by humans. They were put here to be kind of like slaves or be mistreated by humans. You cant do that to your own people, so you do that to us. Thats a deeper conversation because that goes into Race Theory and all that kind of stuff, too, right? But going back to Jays character, I dont think hes empathetic to that at all. That theyve gone through a struggle and that whats happened to the humans is a result of humans mistreating the hosts; the vicious cycle of who was bad first.

It was actually the humans for creating these fake humans that they could kill, fuck, mess with and then throw to the wayside, reset and bring back thinking that they will have no consciousness or memory. But Jay isnt one of those humans. Hes not part of that equation. Hes just seeing the result of what that hand in season one did to humanity altogether. Hes more collateral damage or a victim of bad human decisions. William created this whole idea to try and control society and what he did, its adversely affected everybody, not just the hosts. So now humans are under control because we fucked up in season one by mistreating these hosts. Again, sci-fi is a reflection of our society. Like America is in shit right now because a couple of people, higher-ups, made some shitty decisions that dont reflect on us and now were in this seriously divided country because these people out there are messing around and keeping us more and more divided. And thats what good sci-fi does. It reflects on what were doing right now. So, in some ways, I almost feel like this story reflects on whats happening in the world right now.

Westworld airs Sundays on HBO and streams on HBO Max.

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A Dayton-area pastor was killed and another local man was injured in a crash early Sunday morning in Fort Walton Florida, according to police.

>>Were going to keep going; Local ministry to forge ahead despite recent vandalism to facility

The crash happened just after midnight Sunday morning on Florida Highway 98 near a Holiday Inn Express. Two pedestrians, identified as Joel Burton, 42, and Zebulon Dill, 32, both from the Dayton-area, were hit by a car while trying to walk across a road near the hotel, a spokesperson for the Fort Walton police department told News Center 7.

Burton was pronounced dead at the scene, according to police.

Dill was taken to HCA Fort Walton Destin Hospital where he suffered a broken leg and cuts down his leg, among other injuries, he told News Center 7s John Bedell in a phone call Sunday night.

It should not have happened, Dill said. It was like a flash of lightning. I just remember how fast he was coming.

Dill identified Burton as the pastor at Simple Street Ministry in Harrison Twp. News Center 7 had spoken to Burton recently about vandalism that had happened at their church.

>>Sidney man shot, killed after breaking into home, sheriff says

Colt Shelton, 20, of Fort Walton Beach was identified as the driver of the car, according to police. He was not injured in the crash.

No arrests have been made and the crash remains under investigation, the spokesperson said.

News Center 7 is working to learn more and we will continue to update this story.




Youve got it twisted, sister.

Twisted Sister singer Dee Snider spent his weekend lashing out at supporters of right-wing Arizona gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake after the campaign for the GOP frontrunner used lyrics from his 1984 song Were Not Gonna Take It to bolster her run.

In addition to beginning rallies with that tune, a campaign account on Twitter promoting Lakes efforts posted song lyrics including, Weve got the right to choose it, there aint no way well lose it  This is our life, this is our song. That message was tweeted at Snider, as if he might support her candidacy. He does not.

Hey idiots! Read the 1st line, Snider replied, referencing the right to choose.

This is a pro-choice anthem you (are) co-opting, the Queens native noted. It was NEVER intended for you fascist morons! As the songwriter & singer I DENOUNCE EVERYTHING @KariLake STANDS FOR! Write your own damn song!

The heavy metal hit maker, whose 80s tunes also include I Wanna Rock and You Cant Stop Rock n Roll, engaged supporters and critics online claiming he identifies as a Christian and has voted for Republicans but isnt in harmony with the rhetoric of Lake, who has the endorsement of former President Donald Trump.

A longtime free speech advocate, Snider tweeted Sunday that he isnt trying to censor Lake, but rather, using his voice to object to her campaign.

I wont try to stop someone (unless they are using it without permission for commercial use - thats different) who I disagree with, he added. I WILL denounce them.

Calling Lake an ignoramus, Snider said he cant legally or morally stop her from playing his music.

I wrote it for everyone, he reasoned. Cherry picking who uses it is censorship.

When some Twitter commenters suggested to Snider his recent tweets didnt seem consistent with the anti-establishment rock n roll sentiments he expressed in his heyday, the 67-year-old musician begged to differ.

I stand for what I have always stood for, he tweeted. Anti right wing, anti fascist, anti ahole.

Lake, 52, formerly worked as a TV personality for the Arizona Fox affiliate KSAZ-TV. She has promoted the false narrative that the 2020 election was stolen from Trump and claimed without explanation that she was detecting some fraud with regards to her upcoming election bid. Lake also opposes abortion rights.

Snider joins a long list of creative types who have admonished conservative political candidates for using their music to promote non-progressive political agendas. Neil Young, the Rolling Stones, Guns n Roses, R.E.M., John Fogerty and Rihanna have protested Trumps and other Republican candidates use of their art.
The Democrats responsible for keeping public schools closed during the COVID-19 pandemic have faced zero repercussions more than two years after the lockdowns that left millions of children behind and in crisis.

School closures in the U.S. have had a devastating impact on childrens mental health, development and future earnings potential. According to data released last month by the National Center for Education Statistics, 70% of U.S. public schools have reported an increase in students seeking mental health services since the start of the pandemic. A study published by the conservative think tank Just Facts reported that the mental stressors brought about by school closures will destroy seven times more years of life than lockdowns saved.

A study by the American Enterprise Institute also found that nearly 1.3 million students have left public schools since the pandemic began, and schools that stayed remote longer saw even more students leave. The World Bank reported last month that the school closures will cost this generation of students $21 trillion in earnings over their lifetimes, which is far more than the $17 trillion estimated in 2021.

A working paper first released in October 2020, which examined over 10,000 school districts across the country and their reopening plans, found that partisan politics and teachers union strength in a particular area had far more influence on schools reopening than science or local health guidance.

"Altogether, we find little evidence that the reopening plans adopted by the nations 13,000+ school boards were linked to the public health conditions on the ground in their local community," the study found.

A woman puts a sign on her car prior to the Occupy City Hall Protest and Car Caravan hosted by Chicago Teachers Union on Aug, 3, 2020. Kail Krzacynski/AFP via Getty Images

Evidence shows the main drivers behind the school closures were teachers unions, which donate almost exclusively to Democrats. The American Federation of Teachers has donated 100%  a total of $2,674,719  to Democratic candidates in the 2022 election cycle, and the National Education Association (NEA) has donated 98.4%  a total of $1,941,045  to Democratic candidates this cycle, according to OpenSecrets.org.

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BIDEN ADMIN KEEPS GIVING TEACHERS UNIONS POLITICAL VICTORIES

"School closures were always more about politics and power than safety and the needs of children," Corey A. DeAngelis, a school choice advocate and the national director of research of the American Federation for Children, said in a statement provided to Fox News Digital. "Meanwhile private schools, daycares, grocery stores, and other businesses were able to figure it out from the get-go."

"These union-induced school closures hurt children academically, mentally, and physically," he continued. "Teachers unions fought against reopening schools every step of the way. They even lobbied the CDC to keep schools closed longer. Government officials weren't following the science, they were following the Political Science."

Despite the numerous studies saying school closures had catastrophic effects on one of the nations most vulnerable populations, the Democrats responsible for the lockdowns have not been recalled or fired in the more than two years since the pandemic struck.

Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), one of the nations most powerful teachers unions, was reelected to serve an eighth term this month at the unions convention in Boston.

Weingarten slammed Republicans during her keynote speech, describing them as "the anti-public schools crowd, the anti-union crowd, the privatizers, the haters," who want to dismantle public education, Education Week reported.

"When people with power try to lock in systems that privilege the few, decimate the middle class and make every day a struggle for working people, we fight for a better life for all and for the next generation to do even better," Weingarten said during the convention, which also featured first lady Jill Biden, a National Education Association (NEA) union member, as a speaker.

Teachers unions have been targeted by critics for having had a hand in keeping schools closed. Infamously, the AFT and the NEA were discovered to have corresponded with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention last year to make last-minute changes to school reopening guidance, which included a phased reopening approach for K-12 schools based on coronavirus cases in the area.

Communications obtained by the New York Post through a Freedom of Information Act request by conservative group Americans for Public Trust showed numerous emails between top CDC officials and the AFT just days before the Biden administration released the school reopening guidelines in February 2021. The lobbying efforts were a reported success, as the Post found at least two instances when "suggestions" were used nearly word-for-word within the CDCs guidelines.

The CDC had been prepared to allow in-school instruction regardless of transmission rates, but at the suggestion of the union, the guidelines were adjusted to include a provision that said, "In the event of high community-transmission results from a new variant of SARS-CoV-2, a new update of these guidelines may be necessary."

REPUBLICANS EXPOSE UNCOMMON CDC, TEACHERS' UNION TIES ON COVID SCHOOL REOPENING GUIDANCE IN REPORT

The union further requested that teachers be granted remote work access for those "who have documented high-risk conditions or who are at increased risk." Similar provisions were included for "staff who have a household member" that is considered high risk to the virus.

Emails reviewed by Fox News Digital showed that the AFT and the NEA also received a copy of the guidance before the CDC released it to the public.

Responding to the backlash over the correspondence, Weingarten suggested it was routine procedure.

"This is normal rulemaking, frankly," she told C-SPAN in May 2021. "This is what every administration used to do. The problem with the last administration is that they didn't do it."

Education will be a major issue going into the November midterm elections, evidenced by the devastating Democratic Party election defeat of union-backed Virginia gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe to now-Gov. Glenn Youngkin, who made education and parental rights the central tenet of his campaign.

Weingarten, who campaigned for McAuliffe, has since been trying to rebrand herself as a champion for keeping schools open, but her past comments show that was not the case.

"Theres no way that youre going to have full-time schools for all the kids and all the teachers the way we used to have it," Weingarten said in July 2020.

At the time, Weingarten slammed the Trump administrations guidelines to reopen schools by fall 2020 as "reckless," "callous" and "cruel." She later called on Congress for more federal funding for schools and threatened a strike if they reopened without implementing expansive safety precautions like mask mandates, 6-foot social distancing requirements (up from the CDCs recommended 3-foot distance at the time), and updated ventilation systems.

While many school districts across the country, like in Florida, reopened for the fall of 2020, Weingarten was advocating for improving remote learning.

"We have an obligation to make remote better because until we can really decrease community spread throughout the United States, distance learning and distance working is going to be a fact of life," she said in August 2020.

In July 2021, Weingarten said "millions" would die from Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis handling of the pandemic, but she later walked back her claim.

Weingarten signaled the potential for future school lockdowns as recently as January of this year, tweeting, "There are very real logistical decisions schools are making. We know kids do better in person, but the spike is real. We need adequate staff & the safety measures in place including testing, masking ventilation. There is a lot of stress."

Weingartens tweet came on the heels of her announcement on CNN that she "personally" supported mandating the vaccine for school children five and older.

The AFT did not respond to Fox News Digitals request for comment.

Dr. Rochelle Walensky, who was appointed by President Biden as the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in January 2021, repeatedly bowed to pressure from teachers unions on COVID-19-related guidance for schools. She met with parents just one time leading up to the CDCs release of school reopening guidance on Feb. 12, 2021, her internal calendar revealed, while teachers unions had constant access to her and other high-level CDC officials while influencing last-minute changes to the guidelines.

CDC Director Rochelle Walensky testifies before the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee on Capitol Hill,, Nov. 4, 2021. Chip Somodevilla/Getty

Walensky's internal calendar indicates she had only conducted one meeting with parents on February 10, 2021  just two days before the release of the school reopening guidance. The 30-minute Zoom session allowed each unidentified parent just three minutes to "introduce themselves and discuss their needs for safe school reopening," her calendar showed.

Months later, Weingarten used a screen capture of the event to hit Fox News and other outlets that began reporting on the CDC's coziness with teachers unions.

"Fox, WSJ, NY Post, and The 74 are probably never going to let their readers know that the CDC met with parents too," Weingarten wrote. "But everyone should know that they did, and that the NYPost knew they did when they wrote their hit piece. This is how the CDC gets stakeholder feedback."

Teachers unions also influenced the CDCs masking guidance in May 2021 after the NEA threatened White House officials with publicly releasing harsh criticism, emails reviewed by Fox News Digital showed.

The CDC initially announced on May 13, 2021, that fully vaccinated Americans could stop wearing masks indoors and outside, which sparked confusion about how the policy would apply to schools. One day later, on May 14, 2021, Erika Dinkel-Smith, the White House director of labor engagement, said she stopped the NEA from releasing a critical statement that had called for "CDC clarification right away." Later that day, Walensky apparently held a meeting with Weingarten and NEA President Becky Pringle on the issue, according to the emails. Following discussion and coordination with the Biden White House, the NEA released a statement with a much less critical tone.

On May 15, 2021, two days after the CDCs initial announcement, the CDC updated its masking guidance to indicate that all people should wear a mask at school regardless of vaccination status.

A few months later, Walensky slammed schools for reopening without implementing mask and vaccine mandates for school staff and students.

"I want to strongly appeal to those districts who have not implemented prevention strategies and encourage them to do the right thing to protect the children under their care," she said during a Aug. 27, 2021, White House press briefing.

In March of this year, Republican lawmakers who sit on the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis released a report revealing a CDC officials testimony claiming the agencys coordination with teachers unions in drafting the guidances was "uncommon." The report accused Walensky of allowing the AFT to insert language in the reopening guidance "that made it more likely schools across the country would remain closed after February 2021."

Some Republicans called for Walensky to resign over the coordination with teachers unions.

Walensky defended herself while testifying before the subcommittee on March 30, saying, "As a reflection of what happened after that guidance  46 percent of schools were open before that guidance, 60 percent just a few months after. Those guidances opened schools."

The CDC did not respond to Fox News Digitals request for comment.

Becky Pringle, who was elected president of the NEA in September 2020, vowed to fight the Trump administration and then-Education Secretary Betsy DeVos push to get kids back in the classroom. During an October 2020 interview with Politico, Pringle said the union would demand stringent COVID-19-related safety precautions through strikes, protests and sickouts, and by backing lawsuits blocking efforts to reopen in red states like Florida, Iowa and Georgia.

Pringle also slammed Republicans at the time for arguing teachers should be treated as essential workers, arguing that the focus should be on improving the quality of remote learning.

"I dont think being in front of a classroom of 30 students is like anything else," she told Chalkbeat in August 2020. "You cant make that comparison, and just say: They are essential workers, so go back to work. You are responsible for students, their safety and their welfare, their learning, and their lives."

Along with the AFT, Pringles NEA corresponded with the CDC last year to make last-minute changes to its February 2021 school reopening guidance, and both unions received a copy of the guidance before the CDC released it to the public, emails showed.

Vice President Kamala Harris waves with Becky Pringle, president of the National Education Association, at the NEA's annual meeting and representative assembly in Chicago, July 5, 2022. Tannen Maury/EPA/Bloomberg via Getty Images

In January 2021, just weeks before the CDC released its reopening guidance, a White House staffer facilitated a meeting between Walensky and Pringle, emails showed.

"I'm reaching out to introduce you to Carole Johnson from our Covid team," Maureen Tracey-Mooney, special assistant to the president for education, wrote in a Jan. 31, 2021, email to Carrie Pugh, who at the time was the senior director of campaigns and elections at the NEA.

"She'd like to set up a meeting with Pres. Pringle for tomorrow with her and CDC Director Walensky," Tracey-Mooney wrote.

Less than an hour later, Johnson responded to an email from Pugh, writing, "We would welcome the opportunity to hear directly from President Pringle and to continue to have the benefit of NEA's insights as we work on reopening schools safely."

The NEA also successfully pressured to CDC clarify its masking guidance on May 15, 2021, to indicate that all people should wear a mask at school regardless of vaccination status.

Pringle often argued for stricter reopening requirements than the CDC recommended. On Feb. 9, 2021, she argued that teachers should be among the first to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, even though the CDCs Walensky said earlier that week that vaccinations were not a necessary requirement for reopening safely as long as other mitigation practices were in place.

In October 2021, Pringle voiced support for mandating the COVID-19 vaccine for students in order to resume in-person learning.

"Just like other vaccinations, we believe that and have always believed that school environments are safest when everyone is vaccinated against these infectious diseases. COVID is no different," she told CBS News. "We need to make sure that is added to the list of vaccinations that are required for students to go to school."

On Jan. 13, after the Supreme Court struck down Bidens vaccine mandate on businesses with over 100 employees, Pringle tweeted, "The Supreme Court's shocking ruling that OSHA lacks statutory authority to protect workers from the workplace hazards of COVID-19 is a devastating blow to this administration's efforts to protect millions. This decision will stymie efforts to keep school buildings open and safe."

During its convention earlier this month in Chicago, the NEA reportedly debated a resolution calling for mandatory masking, COVID vaccines in schools, and permanent remote learning options, though it is unclear if it was adopted.

During her keynote speech on July 3, Pringle praised union members for weathering "countless attacks" over the course of the pandemic, and she said the 2022 midterm elections would be a referendum against those who fight against public education.

"We have become exhausted by the demands created by crippling educator shortages. We have felt our voices grow hoarse from demanding professional pay and the respect we deserve," she said. "Just as we did in the presidential election of 2020, we will make sure you know who we are. If you stand against our students, we will stand against you. If you vote against our educators, we will vote against you."

Pringle wont be up for reelection at the NEA until 2023. Unlike the AFT, which doesnt have term limits, the NEA only allows executive members to serve two, three-year terms.

The NEA did not respond to Fox News Digitals request for comment.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat whose candidacy and recall fight was largely funded by teachers unions, outraged parents in October 2020 when he sent his four kids back to in-person learning at a private school in Sacramento County, while public schools in the county and much of the state remained closed due to the pandemic.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks during a news conference after meeting with students at James Denman Middle School on Oct. 1, 2021, in San Francisco. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Newsom had previously ordered all schools, including private, to close on April 1, 2020, for the rest of the school year. He was later sued over the private school closures, and in a win for school choice advocates more than a year later, the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in July 2021 that the governor violated the fundamental "right of parents to control their childrens education and to choose their childrens educational forum."

A June analysis by Burbio, which routinely audits 5,000 school districts across all 50 states, found that California remains last only to the District of Columbia for returning to in-person learning.

Over the course of the pandemic, Newsom declined to use his emergency powers to compel schools to reopen amid intense pressure from teachers unions. Even when restaurants and bars were permitted to reopen, many school districts in the state remained closed, especially those with powerful teachers unions like those in San Francisco and Los Angeles.

Republicans and parents groups angered over the lockdowns launched a recall effort against Newsom, which failed in September 2021. The California Teachers Association, the states largest teachers union, donated $1.8 million to the effort to stop Newsoms recall.

But the backlash hasnt caught up with Newsom yet. Just this month, he traveled to Washington, D.C., to accept an education innovation award from the Education Commission of the States, and he is reportedly floating a 2024 presidential run in the event Biden doesnt seek reelection.

"Gavin Newsom won't be president after what his state did to kids, but maybe Randi Weingarten and the teachers union will give him a job after he fails in his political endeavors," DeAngelis told Fox News Digital. "After all, he consistently puts their needs above children's."

"California was the worst state in the nation when it came to reopening schools," he said. "Politicians backed by power-hungry teachers unions put the desires of adults over the needs of children. These union-induced school closures hurt children academically, mentally, and physically. Leaders of states that committed human rights violations against children should be shamed, not celebrated."

Newsoms office did not respond to Fox News Digitals request for comment.

Fox News Evie Fordham and Joe Schoffstall contributed to this report.
Shoppers already struggling with financial impact of coronavirus pandemic face a further squeeze in January (Getty)

Supermarkets are ramping up efforts to reduce food waste in the UK, with Waitrose becoming the latest retailer to get rid of best before dates on hundreds of products.

The grocery giant joins the likes of Marks & Spencer  which axed best before dates from more than 300 fruit and vegetable products earlier this month  Lidl, and Tesco in doing so.

Tesco was the first to do away with the dates on more than 100 fresh food products in 2018.

In addition, Morrisons announced plans to remove use by dates on milk in January.

Confusion surrounding use by and best before dates may lead to people throwing away food prematurely instead of using their own judgement to determine whether the product has gone bad.

Every year, approximately 4.5m tonnes of food is wasted in households across the UK, according to the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP).

This total is estimated to be worth around 14bn, which equates to 700 a year for an average family with children.

Date labelling has, and continues to be, a confusing issue for consumers, Jamie Crummie, co-founder of Too Good To Go, says.

This uncertainty leads to food waste on a large scale across society  with 10 per cent of all food waste in Europe attributed to date labelling confusion.

Heres what you need to know about the difference between use by and best before dates and which food items you can consume at a later date.

What is the difference between the use by and best before dates on food and drink items?

The distinction between use by and sell by dates is that the former indicates the point until which a food item is safe to eat, while the latter represents food quality.

Use by dates must be declared on food products which, from a microbiological point of view, are highly perishable and are therefore likely after a short period to constitute an immediate danger to human health, the Food and Drink Federation states.

After the use by date, food is deemed unsafe and it is a criminal offence to sell it.

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Marks and Spencer Little Shop miniature food collectables

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Best before dates, on the other hand, tell the consumer the date up to which a food item is expected to retain its specific properties, after which it will not be in optimal condition.

Food can be consumed after its best before date, but it may no longer be at its best quality, the organisation says, recommending that you do a sensory assessment to judge the foods condition, ie smelling it and looking at it, before throwing it away.

Iain Haysom, senior lecturer in food safety at Bath Spa University, explains that the best before date can be used as a guide, as opposed to a restriction.

For example, your biscuit may be slightly stale beyond the best before date but it will be safe to eat! he says.

On the other hand, if you eat a food item such as fresh chicken after its use by date, there will be a higher risk of microbial and pathogen growth on the product, which will mean a higher risk of food poisoning and other illnesses, Haysom says.

The Food and Drink Federation added that the inclusion of display until and sell by dates are not recommended industry best practice.

They were previously used by some retailers to help with stock control purposes only and are not aimed at consumers, the organisation outlines.

Which foods can and cant be kept after certain time periods?

Crummie of Too Good To go states that one of the main things to remember when deeming whether food items are OK to eat is whether the packaging is still intact.

Furthermore, looking at the food, smelling and using your common sense it may be able to tell you a lot about its condition, says Ryan Holmes, culinary director at food services provider Eurest.

Here is a guide to how long certain foods can be kept after best before dates.

Rice

(Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Most people are aware of the dangers of eating leftover rice and right so  tiny spores are present in rice that when left to cool can germinate into food poisoning bacteria, says Haysom.

Leftover rice should be eaten within around 20 minutes of cooking, or quickly cooled and refrigerated and then reheated thoroughly if stored in the fridge.

When it comes to rice that has not yet been cooked, white rice can last a lot longer than brown rice, says Crummie.

White rice can last years, as opposed to brown, which does not keep its freshness for as long, he states.

Eggs

(Getty Images/iStockphoto)

While there is some debate as to whether eggs should be kept in the fridge or not, it is perfectly fine to keep eggs out of the fridge, Haysom states.

However, they must be kept dry to avoid live bacteria growing on the shell.

All eggs with the red lion stamp have come from laying chicken flocks that have been vaccinated against salmonella so they wont pose a great risk if eaten past their date but should be eaten as close to the date as possible, Haysom adds.

There is a simple trick you can try to test whether an egg is still ok to eat, Crummie says.

All you need to do is place the egg in a bowl of cold water. If it is bad, it will float, and if it is good it will sink to the bottom, he outlines.

Tinned foods

(Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Stuart Neal, UK quality manager at John West, says that its products have shelf lives ranging from 18 months to five years.

For canned fish, best before dates are not linked specifically to food spoilage  technically, the fish will keep for longer, but only if it is stored correctly, and that is not something we have control over after it leaves our care, Neal says.

Therefore the best before date for each product is carefully assessed at our production site, based on a range of tests that allow for various scenarios  for example, if the cans are stored at particularly high or low temperatures  and from specification guidelines from our packaging manufacturers, not to mention taste.

According to WRAP, tinned foods, including canned vegetables, soups, beans, meat and fish, can be consumed up to three years past the best before date so long as still sealed, protected and free from dents.

Flour

(Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Crummie explains that flour can be used after the best before date, explaining that flour should have a neutral smell and colour.

So any change in this will indicate if it is fine to use, he says.

Always store flour in airtight containers to reduce the chance of moisture getting in.

If you are not sure whether your flour is ok to use, you can test it by using a sieve. This will help you spot if the flour looks discoloured if there is any mould.

As a rule of thumb, white flour tends to last longer than whole wheat or wholegrain, he adds.

Milk

(Getty Images/iStockphoto)

One of the most effective ways to test whether milk has been spoiled or not is to smell it, as milk will smell sour if it has gone bad.

According to Crummie, several milk and dairy manufacturers have stopped using use by dates on their produce in order to reduce food waste.

To keep milk fresher for longer, check your fridge temperature, he recommends.

The average UK fridge is set to seven degrees. Thats at least two degrees warmer than it should be. Milk stored at this temperature can spoil after just a few hours, as opposed to the minimum five days it should last.

Jams and other condiments

(Getty Images/iStockphoto)

WRAP states that jams and other condiments, such as sauces, are ok to consume up to three years after the best before date.

However, this is dependent on whether the seal on the jam or condiment is still firmly in place.

Crisps

(Getty Images)

As Crummie stated, whether or not the packaging on food has been broken may determine if it is safe to eat.

WRAP states that crisps can be consumed up to three months after the best before date as long as the integrity of the packet remains.
Assyrian Fighter Killed By Turkish Drone

The media centre of Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) on Sunday confirmed the death of an Assyrian fighter during a Turkish drone strike on July 25.

The SDF Media Centre said that Assyrian Qais Barkho Slevia, originally from the Iraqi city of Mosul was killed in a village in Tal Abyad.

"Our martyr spent a long time fighting terrorism, and he participated in most campaigns against ISIS," the SDF said.

The SDF also said that the Assyrian fighter confronted attacks by Turkish-backed groups on the frontlines with the Syrian National Army.

Moreover, three other SDF fighters were killed this month, including Ahmed Hamid al-Hanish in Deir al-Zor, Jarnas Hasakah near Tal Tamr by Turkish artillery, and Mohammed Hassan Shaman.

Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) Commander-in-Chief Mazloum Abdi last week called on the US-led coalition to make greater efforts to stop Turkish drone attacks.

Also last Thursday, four members of the Asayish were killed in a Turkish drone strike in Ain Issa in Syria's Raqqa governorate.

Abdi in a statement on Thursday said that since July 20, Turkish drones have killed nine SDF fighters, four Asayish members, and 13 civilians.

US State Department spokesperson Ned Price last week underlined that the US is against a new Turkish offensive, but did not confirm if the US would stop Turkish drone strikes.
Fresno police said Monday they arrested a woman who stabbed her partner to death last week.

Officers arrested Destiny Angel, 30, for the stabbing death of 28-year-old Angel Huerta, police said. The two were dating and had a child together, according to police.

Officers were called to Olive Avenue and Fifth Street about 8 a.m. Thursday and found Huerta with multiple stab wounds, police have said.

He died at Community Regional Medical Center a short time later, police said.

Evidence from the scene, including surveillance video, pointed to Angel, police said on Monday. They said the stabbing arose from a domestic violence-related altercation.

Anyone with information can remain anonymous by calling CrimeStoppers at 559-498-7867.
The Navy has provided new details about the fire that broke out last week aboard the USS Milwaukee, a littoral combat ship based at Naval Station Mayport near Jacksonville, Florida, suggesting the damage was minor. But assessments are ongoing.

"At this time it appears that the damage was limited to a single stateroom," Navy spokesman Lt. Anthony Junco told Military.com in an email Monday.

Junco said that 13 people were "evaluated for possible smoke inhalation issues," but none required hospitalization.

Read Next: Marine Vet Who Was Allegedly Part of Neo-Nazi Group That Called for Mass Murder Arrested on Gun Charges

On Friday, the Navy confirmed that an electrical fire had broken out on the ship shortly before 2 p.m. Reports initially appeared on social media but were confirmed by local fire department and Navy officials.

Junco explained that the Navy is still "assessing the full extent of the damage ... and the potential costs that may be required if repairs are necessary."

Sailors from the Milwaukee were the first to respond to the fire, but Junco confirmed reports that nearby ships also sent crew members to help.

This is the second event that has thrust the littoral combat ship into the news recently. From late December 2021 through early January 2022, the ship battled an outbreak of COVID-19 while it was on a deployment to South America. The outbreak forced the ship to stay at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, as about one-quarter of the crew came down with the disease. The ship was underway less than two weeks later, and the incident appeared to be an indicator of how quickly the Navy could weather a COVID-19 outbreak among a fully vaccinated crew.

The Milwaukee returned from that deployment in April 2022. In May, the ship participated in New York's Fleet Week.

Fires aboard ships -- even those in port -- are dangerous and can often spiral out of control, as recently evidenced by the USS Bonhomme Richard.

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The amphibious assault ship saw a fire break out in its lower cargo hold on the morning of July 12, 2020. The blaze burned for four days, sometimes topping 1,200 degrees. Although it was eventually put out, the Navy decided the ship would be too costly to repair, and it was decommissioned. The service alleges the fire was set by a young, disgruntled sailor, though he has yet to face trial on those charges.

That wasnt the first time the Navy has had to scrap a ship after a port fire. The USS Miami, an attack submarine, had a fire break out while it was in the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in 2012. A later investigation determined that the fire was deliberately set by a shipyard employee. Repair costs for that fire also ultimately led to the vessel being decommissioned instead of repaired.

Unlike those two notable examples, there has been no indication that the Milwaukee's fire was deliberately set, according to the Navy.

-- Konstantin Toropin can be reached at konstantin.toropin@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @ktoropin.

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Eckerd College president Damian Fernandez will step down Monday, just two years into his term, and vice president for student life and dean of students James Annarelli will take over as the St. Petersburg schools interim leader.

Fernandez, who was hired in late 2019 and started the following July, announced last month in a letter to the Eckerd community his intent to depart earlier than the three or four years he had expected to serve. He joins a large number of college and university presidents across the country who have left their posts over the past two years.

Among them was University of South Florida president Steve Currall, who stepped down last August after two years, citing the stresses of the job.

I accomplished the work with a tremendous team and a lot of energy, but also exhaustion, Fernandez said in an interview. I called these last few years dog years.

In his letter, Fernandez noted the accomplishments he was proud of: making fundraising history at Eckerd, launching new diversity and inclusion initiatives and navigating reopenings amid the pandemic, which at times raised concerns from faculty and parents.

Fernandez, who came to Eckerd from the Pennsylvania State University system, said it was not an easy decision to step away, but felt it was best to allow someone else to carry forward the momentum.

Theres a time you say, Is my work here done? he said. And someone else can bring more stability after a necessary realignment.

He said he believes Eckerd, a private liberal arts school with about 2,000 students, will be a vanguard of what comes next in higher education.

He said he sees Eckerd as poised to solve problems in St. Petersburg, something he believes former Deputy Mayor Kanika Tomalin will help the school to achieve. Tomalin became Eckerds vice president for strategy and chief operating officer last year.

Eckerd will be a leader in reactivating the liberal arts for our times, Fernandez said in the interview. Science alone will not save our nation.

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While he said enrollment at Eckerd has remained stable as many colleges have seen drops, the campus has grappled with the challenge of people questioning the value of a college degree and what he called an anti-intellectual sentiment.

Its up to us as higher ed leaders to make the case with care and opening our campuses to our communities, he said in the interview.

In his letter, Fernandez wrote, the Japanese word tsundoku describes me: a person who buys a lot of books and leaves them in piles unread. I look forward to what awaits in them.

He also said he plans to continue his work on the board of the American Council on Education, where he intends to focus on closing equity gaps in higher education. Its an issue he said is personal to him  his mother completed third grade and his father high school.

Im an optimist, Fernandez said. I believe the future will be better, but we need to work at it. I think education is as sacred as any secular profession can be.

Annarelli, who has been at Eckerd since 1990, will serve as interim president as Eckerds board conducts a national search. He was part of creating a strategic plan for the school.
As Attorney General Merrick Garland and Justice Department professionals ponder charging Donald Trump with felony charges for his apparent crimes related to his failed putsch at the Capitol during the electoral vote count as documented in detail by the Jan. 6 committee, the great grifter has no such fears about state charges from Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, who either chickened out or didnt care enough to fight.

Despite his predecessor Cy Vance beating Trump at the U.S. Supreme Court twice to win grand jury access to Trumps bank records, Bragg, who had called for Vance to resign his office, let the prosecution of Trump fritter away. Once again, Trump skates.

Unlike the possible federal charges, the state case had nothing to do with Trump the president, but Trump the crooked real estate promoter who lied to banks about his holdings. Nothing political, just fraud.

Vance brought in white collar crime expert Mark Pomerantz, a lawyer with decades of experience, to work on the case. But when Bragg begged off after taking office in January, Pomerantz resigned, along with Carey Dunne, the man who won the Supreme Court cases.

On their first podcast, Columbia Law professor John Coffee and Manhattan Federal Judge Jed Rakoff talked frankly to Pomerantz for an hour as Pomerantz expressed his absolute certainty that Trump is guilty  and his understandable belief that there was a reasonable chance a Manhattan jury would agree.

And when it came to the fabrication of Trumps financial statements, again, without going into the details, we thought we had lots of it, said Pomerantz. However, were the phony documents tied to Trump personally? Ask Archbishop of Canterbury Thomas Becket if the complaints of King Henry II  Will no one rid me of this meddlesome priest?  had anything to do with four of Henrys knights cutting down Becket in the cathedral.

Like in a mob family, nothing happens in Trump World without Trump. It was a case that Bragg should have brought and likely would have won. While Bragg says the probe continues, either indict Trump or drop it.


The discovery of an extinct panda that roamed the forests and swamps of Europe millions of years ago could reignite debate about whether the ancestors of Chinas iconic national animal actually came from Europe.

The only evidence of the newly-identified panda species  dubbed Agriarctos nikolovi  are two fossilized teeth found in a lump of coal in Bulgaria almost 50 years ago, according to a study published Sunday in the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. But scientists say they show pandas were living in Europe about 6 million years ago and reinforce earlier discoveries.

A 2017 report by China Daily  a news outlet run by the Chinese Communist Party  noted debate over the geographical origin of pandas goes back to the 1940s, when their fossils were found in Hungary. But giant pandas are now a celebrated national symbol in China, and the idea that their ancestors came from Europe is unwelcome there. China Daily said the notion is still premature, and quoted an expert from the Chinese Academy of Sciences to explain that pandas might have lived throughout Asia and Europe at different stages of their evolution.

The newest European panda lived too recently to resolve that debate, and it wasnt a direct ancestor of the giant panda, but the discovery of yet another panda species in Europe reinforces the idea that they originated there.

The paleontological data show that the oldest members of this group of bears were found in Europe, and the European fossil [species] are more numerous, said the studys lead author, paleontologist Nikolai Spassov of Bulgarias National Museum of Natural History in Sofia. This suggests that the group may have developed in Europe and then headed to Asia, where they evolved later into Ailuropoda  the modern giant panda.

Spassov found the fossilized teeth in an old collection at the museum, where they had been stored by a former curator, the geologist Ivan Nikolov. A barely legible note stored with them said theyd been found in the 1970s in northwestern Bulgaria, near a mountain village known for its coal-bearing sediments. But the teeth then lay undisturbed for almost 50 years until Spassov and his team started to research them.

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Pandas are a type of bear, but genetic analysis shows their lineage diverged from other bears about 19 million years ago. They are recognized in fossils mainly from the distinct shapes of their teeth.

The new study suggests the newest European panda was a bit smaller than the giant panda.

Judging by the teeth found, we can imagine that the new species from Bulgaria was only slightly smaller than todays panda, Spassov said in an email. But its canine teeth were proportionally larger, probably due to strong competition with other carnivores.

The analysis showed, however, that the extinct panda mostly ate plants, although not almost exclusively bamboo like giant pandas today. Spassov said he suspects a common ancestor in the panda lineage had already adopted a mainly vegetarian diet, possibly because of competition from other predators for animal prey.

He and his colleagues also suspect the extinct panda may have had mainly black and white fur, based on the coloration of both modern brown bears and modern pandas  research suggests that white fur may help pandas camouflage in snow, while black fur blends in to shadows and the entire pattern disrupts their visibility.

But Agriarctos nikolovi was probably the last panda to live in Europe. The study suggests the species lived mainly in swampy forests, as did the discovery of the fossilized teeth in a coal deposit.

Europe was relatively wet at the time it lived, about 6 million years ago, but became much drier about half a million years later as the climate changed, Spassov said: The severe aridification known in the Mediterranean as the Messinian salinity crisis at the end of the Miocene [epoch], about 5.6 million years ago, was certainly not favorable for the survival of this forest species.

Paleontologist David Begun, a professor of anthropology at the University of Toronto, wasnt involved in the latest study, but he was part of the team that analyzed the fossilized teeth and jaws from a 10-million-year-old panda found in Hungary in 2013.

He said that scientists cant yet determine whether pandas originated in Asia or in Europe.

We have a nice fossil record in Europe starting at least 11.6 million years ago, but we do not have a complete fossil record in Asia from the same time period, he said in an email. So it is impossible to say if they were there as well, but remain undiscovered.

Begun suspects the notoriously difficult breeding process of modern giant pandas, which has played a role in their decline, may be an evolutionary adaptation to the limited resources of their environment that earlier pandas didnt share.

I cant imagine that such a widespread and successful lineage spread out between western Europe and China could have survived this long with the reproductive biology of living pandas, he said.
Retirees were tricked out of their savings in a telemarketing scheme involving fake federal agents, authorities say.

In one example, officials say a retired Massachusetts nurse was swindled out of over $900,000 in funds from her bank and retirement accounts. She thought her identity had been stolen and that she needed to transfer her money to new accounts  accounts owned by fraudsters pretending to work for agencies like the Social Security Administration and U.S. Department of Justice.

Because an elderly retired victim ... made the very unfortunate mistake of answering a seemingly urgent phone call in April 2018, her dreams of a peaceful and comfortable retirement with her husband have been completely destroyed, a federal prosecutor said in court records.

Now a suburban Chicago man has been sentenced to federal prison, according to a July 29 news release from the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Northern District of Illinois.

Hirenkumar P. Chaudhari, 29, was ordered to serve three years in prison after he pleaded guilty to money laundering last year, officials said. Hes also been ordered to pay $6,500 in restitution to the nurse after withdrawing some of her transferred funds.

In a statement to McClatchy News, defense attorney Frank Himel said Chaudhari is a respectful, intelligent, young man, and he was extremely remorseful of his conduct.

He will serve about 6 more months and then he will be deported and sent to India, he continued. His mother and father are there and they will be very happy to have him home. I am confident that Hiren will be able to rebuild his life and be a successful, law abiding person.

In Chaudharis sentencing memorandum, Himel argued for a shorter sentence for several reasons, including that Chaudhari made a $51,000 donation to The Arbuda Hindu temple in Illinois with some of his ill-begotten gains because it was a good thing.

Prosecutors argued for more time in prison, adding that other victims across the country were scammed out of their savings because they believed they were communicating with legitimate federal agents who claimed that the victims money was at risk and needed to be moved.

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While there are no doubt numerous individuals involved in this conspiracy, defendant played a pivotal role aimed at defrauding a highly vulnerable population, officials said.

Authorities say Chaudhari used a fake Indian passport, false name and wrong address to open U.S. bank accounts that were used to collect the money transferred by victims of the scheme.

The defendant played a pivotal role in a telemarketing scheme by laundering money received directly from elderly victims, U.S. Attorney John Lausch said in a statement. We will continue to investigate, prosecute, and hold accountable anyone who attempts to scam elderly victims out of a peaceful retirement.

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Fake health care worker scams 84-year-old woman out of thousands, Oklahoma cops say
The father of a North Carolina pilot, who died after exiting a plane during a mid-flight emergency, said his family is still trying to reckon with what led to the 23-year-olds death.

Charles Hew Crooks had spent years working toward his dream of becoming a pilot, his father Hew Crooks told NBC affiliate WRAL of Raleigh.

Now, Crooks said his family is left wondering what led to his sons death.

We cant process it right now, Crooks told WRAL. I dont know.

Charles Hew Crooks. (WRAL)

The body of Charles Hew Crooks, who was co-piloting the flight, was found in a Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina, backyard on Saturday  one day after the incident.

An unidentified family told WRAL that they were home and heard a loud thud in their backyard on Friday. Although they didnt see anything at the time, police showed up and later found the pilots body in the trees of their backyard.

Charles Hew Crooks was not wearing a parachute and its unclear why he exited the plane, said Wake County emergency management spokesperson Darshan Patel on Friday. Officials said they believe he either fell or jumped out of the plane.

Charles Hew Crooks was onboard a twin-engine CASA CN-212 Aviocar with another pilot when it took off on Friday. The pilot onboard with Charles Hew Crooks asked to make an emergency landing at Raleigh-Durham International Airport after having an issue with landing gear, the Federal Aviation Administration said. The plane touched down around 2:40 p.m. and the pilot sustained minor injuries,

I cant imagine what happened, Crooks told WRAL. Well figure it out, I suppose.

As authorities tried to piece together what happened, Crooks remembered his son as an avid aviator.

He pursued his private pilot license while he was in college. I think he got that when he was a sophomore, Hew Crooks said. He said a couple weeks ago, he wouldnt trade places with anybody in the world. He loved where he was.

Crooks said his son was certified to fly in any condition and had previously been a flight instructor. He said the loss of his son has left an irreparable void in the family.

Were a strong family and were a very loving family. But this, it leaves a hole, he said.
ISTANBUL (Reuters) - The first ship to leave Ukraine's Odesa port since Russia's invasion will carry more than 26,000 tonnes of corn and undergo an inspection in Istanbul before continuing to Lebanon's Tripoli, a U.N.-led monitoring centre said on Monday.

The Sierra Leone-flagged ship Razoni is expected to arrive at the inspection in Turkish waters on Aug. 2, the Istanbul-based Joint Coordination Centre (JCC) said, adding it had requested all parties to inform militaries to ensure its safe passage.

The JCC - including United Nations, Russian, Ukrainian and Turkish officials - had verified the port readiness at Odesa, as well as the vehicle's capability to depart ahead of the authorisation, it said.

(Reporting by Jonathan Spicer; Editing by Ali Kucukgocmen)
Revelers celebrate on 7th Avenue during the Tampa Pride Parade in the Ybor City neighborhood on March 26, 2022 in Tampa, Florida. The Tampa Pride was held in the wake of the passage of Florida's controversial "Don't Say Gay" Bill.

Octavio Jones/Getty

Florida's LGBTQ teens and parents are going after their school districts over the recently-enacted H.B. 1557, widely known as the "Don't Say Gay" bill.

The complaint argues that the legislation "effectively silences and erases LGBTQ+ students and families" by banning discussion of sexual orientation and gender identity in grades K-3 and restricts those topics for students through 12th grade based on vague standards of what's appropriate.

"The law demands that school districts implement its terms, and it empowers any parent to directly sue the school district if they are dissatisfied with its implementation of the law," reads the lawsuit, which was filed by Lambda Legal, Southern Poverty Law Center, Southern Legal Counsel and private counsel Baker McKenzie.

RELATED: What to Know About Florida's Controversial New Bill Banning LGBTQ Topics in Schools

The lawsuit represents two Florida couples and their children, rising high school senior Will Larkins and the organization CenterLink, an international network of LGBTQ centers. It names school districts in the counties of Orange, Indian River, Duval and Palm Beach, which did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment.

"I am concerned that this law will eviscerate any hope of healthy and important discussions about LGBTQ+ issues or historical events, which are already lacking in our schools," Larkins said in a statement. "Because of the vague language of the law, closed-minded parents are emboldened to become vigilantes to force their beliefs upon other people's children by suing the school district over anything they disagree with."

Revelers celebrate on the 7th Avenue during the Tampa Pride Parade in the Ybor City neighborhood on March 26, 2022 in Tampa, Florida. The Tampa Pride was held in the wake of the passage of Florida's controversial "Don't Say Gay" Bill.

Octavio Jones/Getty

Fellow plaintiffs David Dinan and Vikranth Gongidi added: "We are deeply concerned about the negative effect that HB 1557 has upon our family. The law limits our speech and our expression. The law forces us to self-censor for fear of prompting responses from our children's teachers and classmates that would isolate our children and make them feel ashamed of their own family. It also causes irreparable harm to our children and to their development."

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RELATED: Florida's First Openly Gay State Senator Speaks Out on 'Don't Say Gay' Bill

The suit argues: "This vigilante enforcement mechanism, combined with the law's intentionally vague and sweeping scope, invites parents who oppose any acknowledgment whatsoever of the existence of LGBTQ+ people to sue, resulting in schools acting aggressively to silence students, parents, and school personnel.

"The law, by design, chills speech and expression that have any connection, however remote, to sexual orientation or gender identity."

Ron DeSantis, governor of Florida, speaks during the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Orlando, Florida, U.S., on Thursday, Feb. 24, 2022.

Tristan Wheelock/Bloomberg via Getty Ron DeSantis

The National Center for Lesbian Rights previously filed another lawsuit against Florida Governor Ron DeSantis shortly after he signed the bill into law in March.

RELATED: White House Describes Scene in Florida as 'Don't Say Gay' Bill Takes Effect: 'More Fearful and Less Free'

At the time of the signing, DeSantis, 43, said, "We will continue to recognize that in the state of Florida, parents have a fundamental role in the education, health care, and well-being of their children. We will not move from that," according to CNN.

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, the first openly gay person in the position, previously denounced the bill after it took effect earlier this month.

RELATED VIDEO: In Concurring Opinion, Justice Clarence Thomas Writes Court 'Should Reconsider' Rulings Legalizing Gay Marriage and Birth Control

"This is not an issue of 'parents' rights.' This is discrimination, plain and simple," said Jean-Pierre, 47. "It's part of a disturbing and dangerous nationwide trend of right-wing politicians cynically targeting LGBTQI+ students, educators, and individuals to score political points."

President Joe Biden has also been urging Congress to pass the Equality Act, which will ensure "long overdue" civil rights protections for LGBTQ people.
About three dozen former Democratic House and Senate members have signed on to an open letter blistering national Democrats for their meddling in this years Republican primaries, often to the benefit of pro-Donald Trump hard-liners.

The letter, shared first with POLITICO, is the latest in growing backlash against the controversial practice, in which Democrats have been elevating far-right Republicans they believe will be easier to defeat in the fall.

As former members of Congress and the Cabinet, we oppose any practice that intentionally elevates election deniers, the letter reads. And as members of the Democratic Party, we are dismayed by the recent practice of Democratic organizations intervening in Republican primaries to promote candidates who deny the outcome of the last presidential election.



It goes on: These destructive primary tactics aim to elevate Republican candidates who Democrats hope they can more easily beat in November. But it is risky and unethical to promote any candidate whose campaign is based on eroding trust in our elections. We must stop this practice, and stop today.

The letters signatories include former senators and House members from across the country, including former Sens. Gary Hart of Colorado and Carol Moseley-Braun of Illinois, as well as former House Democratic leader Dick Gephardt. Former Colorado Gov. Roy Romer, a former general chair of the Democratic National Committee, also signed on.

The letter, issued through the political reform group Issue One, follows Democratic interventions in Republican primaries in Maryland, Pennsylvania, California and other states. And despite mixed results, those efforts are ongoing. Ahead of the primary on Tuesday in Michigan, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee placed a TV ad buy designed to lift the Trump-endorsed Republican running against Rep. Peter Meijer, a House Republican who voted to impeach Trump.



Democratic proponents of the practice have said it is GOP primary voters, not Democrats, who are expressing Republicans' allegiance at the ballot box to Trump-ism and the far right. And they have defended meddling as smart politics  a way to stack the deck against Republicans in the general election by saddling them with a less electable nominee.

The risk is that those Republicans may be more competitive than they seem. In Pennsylvania, where Democrats intervened on behalf of hard-liner Doug Mastriano in that states gubernatorial primary, Mastriano appears now to have at least a credible chance of winning.
For the past two months, Sean Peacock, a small business owner in Eastman, Georgia, and his team have worked overtime to make 21 custom memorial benches by hand, one for each of the victims of the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas.

Over the weekend, the benches were driven in a donated U-Haul trailer over 1,200 miles from Eastman to Uvalde, where Peacock is now personally delivering them to each victim's family.

"These benches are just a little temporary, beautiful gift honoring their special, beautiful children," Peacock told "Good Morning America."

Referring to himself and the 21 families, he added, "We're forever connected."

Peacock, the owner of the graphic arts business Jass Graphix, said he had no connection to Uvalde prior to receiving an order inquiry in late May from April Elrod, the mother of 10-year-old Makenna Lee Elrod, one of the 19 students who died in the May 24 shooting, along with two of their teachers.

Peacock said the original inquiry requested more information about butterfly memorial benches he sells on Etsy, the first of which he made for his mom after his sister's death in 2008.

According to Peacock, Elrod did not identify herself as the mother of a Uvalde victim, but simply asked if the benches could be customized for the loss of a child, provided her daughter's name and asked if the $1,800 benches would be discounted if she purchased more than one.

Peacock said he went online and searched the words Elrod and Uvalde.

"Lo and behold, number one on the list, Makenna Lee Elrod, the same name that that momma used," he said. "When I discovered that, that was the beginning of it all."

PHOTO: Fourth-grader Makenna Lee Elrod, 10, in an undated family photo. Elrod was killed in the shooting at Robb Elementary School on May 24, 2022, in Uvalde, Texas. (Courtesy the family of Makenna Lee Elrod)

Peacock said he posted about the order inquiry on his personal Facebook page, and without making any specific request, donations started coming to him from friends and family who wanted to pay for a memorial bench for Makenna.

MORE: Uvalde school shooting victim receives Girl Scout honor

Wanting to provide a bench for not just Makenna but each of the 21 victims, Peacock started a GoFundMe with a goal of raising $20,000.

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Less than 48 hours after launching the GoFundMe, more than $23,000 had been donated.

"On the day of Makenna's funeral, I texted the mother and revealed to her what I did," recalled Peacock. "I told her, 'Your bench is paid for for your precious child, and so are 20 more.'"

PHOTO: Sean Peacock holds a photo of the 21 victims of the Robb Elementary School shooting in front of the memorial benches he made in their honor. (Sean Peacock)

Over the next several weeks, Peacock said he spoke with family members of each of the victims -- all fourth-grade students and their two teachers -- to learn more about them and their lives.

Then, he and his team began to make the benches by hand. Each features a photo at the center of the butterfly wings that form the back of the bench, and inscriptions from each family on the seat.

PHOTO: The memorial bench made by Sean Peacock for Robb Elementary School shooting victim Makenna Lee Elrod Seiler is pictured here. (Sean Peacock)

For a typical order, one bench may take as long as six weeks to complete, according to Peacock, but his team worked together to make all 21 in less time than that. In addition to a bench, each family is also receiving an outdoor memorial sign, duplicates of which will be given to the city of Uvalde to use in a community memorial, according to Peacock.

"There's a lot of labor that goes into this," said Peacock, adding that employees from all parts of his business volunteered their time to work on the project. "This is a very special, precious item in any situation."

PHOTO: JassGraphix employees make one of the 21 butterfly memorial benches made in memory of the victims of the Robb Elementary School shooting. (Sean Peacock)

In addition to Peacock's business, the whole town of Eastman also became involved in the project, with businesses and individuals donating everything from white crosses for each family to custom hand-sewn pillows for each bench.

On Sunday, the community gathered for a prayer service to pray over the benches before they were driven to Uvalde in a U-Haul truck that was paid for by the city, according to Rev. Tyler Kirkley, the pastor of Lakeside Assembly of God, where Peacock is a member.

PHOTO: Sean Peacock stands with the 21 memorial benches he created for the victims of the May 24, 2022, deadly shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. (Sean Peacock)

Kirkley traveled with Peacock to Uvalde to personally deliver the benches to the victims' families.

"My prayer, my hope is that love will make a difference, and when they sit on these benches, they'll be reminded of a love that can change the world," said Kirkley.

"If you stick a light in a very dark place, it shines its brightest," he added. "That's what we want to do and that's what we want the world to see."

MORE: Texas man makes custom caskets for Uvalde school shooting victims

Peacock said he plans to stay in touch with each family he has spoken to, and said he hopes the kindness he and others have demonstrated shows the people of Uvalde that there is still good in the world.

PHOTO: Sean Peacock stands with his mom in front of the U-haul truck in Eastman, Georgia, that will carry the 21 memorial benches to Uvalde, Texas. (Sean Peacock)

"That's an act of evil that occurred out there," he said of the school shooting. "What happened in Eastman, Georgia, is the opposite of that. It was an act of love, of compassion, donation, consideration. This is a story continues to just be a love story."

Georgia man delivers 21 handmade memorial benches to families of Uvalde school shooting victims originally appeared on goodmorningamerica.com
Mars II

Read also: German expert on why Berlins security assistance to Ukraine is slow

"Third brother in the Long Hand family  MLRS MARS II from Germany  has arrived in Ukraine," he wrote.

The official thanked Germany for the systems.

"Thank you to Germany and personally to my colleague Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht for these systems. Our artillerymen salute our German partners!" Reznikov concluded.

Earlier on July 26 Lambrecht announced that the promised Mars II multiple launch rocket systems and three more Panzerhaubitze 2000s have been delivered to Ukraine.

We keep our word, Lambrecht said, according to Welt.

Read also: Ukrainians master drone operation  NV exclusive

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Google CEO Sundar Pichai speaking during a Google event in California in 2016. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Google's CEO Sundar Pichai has raised concerns about the company's productivity, CNBC reported.

Pichai told staff that Google's productivity and focus isn't where it needs to be, per CNBC.

He made the comments in an all-hands meeting.

Productivity and focus need to improve at Google, its CEO, Sundar Pichai, told employees in an all-hands meeting.

CNBC reported the news.

Employees at the meeting expressed concern about the wave of layoffs that have been sweeping the tech industry in recent months, employees in the meeting told CNBC.

Representatives for Google did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.

Google's CEO reportedly told employees at the meeting on Wednesday: "There are real concerns that our productivity as a whole is not where it needs to be for the headcount we have."

"I wanted to give some additional context following our earnings results, and ask for your help as well," Pichai reportedly said during the all-hands.

"It's clear we are facing a challenging macro environment with more uncertainty ahead," he added.

Google's HR chief Fiona Cicconi, also addressed concerns over layoffs, saying the company was "not currently looking to reduce Google's overall workforce."

In May, Insider's Hugh Langley reported that the company was slowing hiring across some of its divisions for the third quarter of 2022.

Google is launching a new program called "Simplicity Sprint" in an effort to combat the concern over productivity and employee focus, according to related internal documentation seen by CNBC.

The initiative asks Google's workforce of more than 170,0000 employees to share ideas through an internal survey on where to improve efficiency, per CNBC.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) on Monday said he would vote against Finlands and Swedens bids to join NATO, a move that would go against most of his colleagues from both sides of the aisle.

In an op-ed published by The National Interest, Hawley says the United States shouldnt expand its security commitments in Europe due to a more pressing threat from China.

Finland and Sweden want to join the Atlantic Alliance to head off further Russian aggression in Europe. That is entirely understandable given their location and security needs, Hawley wrote.

But Americas greatest foreign adversary doesnt loom over Europe. It looms in Asia. I am talking of course about the Peoples Republic of China. And when it comes to Chinese imperialism, the American people should know the truth: the United States is not ready to resist it. Expanding American security commitments in Europe now would only make that problem worseand America, less safe.

Finland and Sweden in May announced their intentions to join NATO following Russias attack on Ukraine. The governments of 19 NATO countries have since ratified the two Nordic nations joining the alliance. Eleven, including the United States, have yet to do so. All 30 member states must approve the additions.

Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) wants senators to vote on enlarging the alliance before the lawmakers leave Washington, D.C., for a monthlong break set to start Aug. 8.

Finlands and Swedens requests have received widespread support from both Democrats and Republicans. But Hawley  who was one of the 11 conservatives who opposed the $40 billion Ukraine aid package Congress passed in May  insists the United States isnt prepared to go against both Moscow and Beijing.

As the 2018 and 2022 U.S. National Defense Strategies both acknowledge, the United States cannot defeat China and Russia in two major wars at the same time. And we are not where we need to be in Asia, Hawley wrote.

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Citing distractions from nation-building activities in the Middle East and legacy commitments in Europe, Hawley says the U.S. is not prepared to fend off Chinese military aggression in the Pacific should it happen.

In the face of this stark reality, we must choose. We must do less in Europe (and elsewhere) in order to prioritize China and Asia.

While Hawley says the U.S. government shouldnt abandon NATO, he suggests European allies could take on more responsibility in defending Europe by investing more in their own militaries.

Hawleys stance goes against that of the majority of his fellow Republicans including Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), who last week said the United States would be fortunate to have two new treaty allies as impressive and capable as Finland and Sweden.

Eighteen House Republicans last month voted against a symbolic resolution to support Finland and Sweden joining NATO.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
A surge in moisture from the North American monsoon fueled destructive storms across the interior Southwest to close out July, including one flood that was seconds away from ending in disaster.

Police in Apache Junction, Arizona, located about 30 miles east of Phoenix, responded to 24 calls related to flooding on Thursday, July 28, as thunderstorms turned dry creek beds into raging rivers.

One of the calls led to a fast-paced rescue. When police arrived at the scene of a distress call at Weekes Wash, they found a vehicle that was already partially submerged with a person and a dog trapped inside.

A view of a vehicle partially submerged with a person trapped inside during a high-water rescue in Apache Junction, Arizona, on July 28, 2022. (Apache Junction Police Department via Storyful)

One officer, who was wearing a body camera throughout the entire rescue, smashed one of the rear windows of the vehicle to create an escape route for the unidentified woman trapped in the sinking vehicle. A bystander at the scene provided the officers with a tow strap to help secure the vehicle during the daring rescue.

"Hurry, the water's coming!" the officer exclaimed while trying to pull the woman from the vehicle.

Ultimately, it took four people to pull the woman from the vehicle and carry her to safety.

A screenshot of a body camera from a police officer as he and three other people pulled an unidentified woman from a sinking vehicle on July 28, 2022. (Apache Junction Police Department via Storyful)

By the time the woman made it to safety, the front half of the vehicle was completely underwater. The woman was also traveling with her dog when she became trapped, but the police were unable to locate the dog amid the floodwaters.

The flooding near Phoenix occurred just hours after Las Vegas was underwater after a thunderstorm unloaded a month's worth of rain in just two hours.

GET THE FREE ACCUWEATHER APP

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Thursday's rescue in Apache Junction was just one of the countless flooding incidents across the region in recent days.

Extreme meteorologist Reed Timmer was near Flagstaff, Arizona, located in the mountains north of Phoenix, on Friday, July 29, when a thunderstorm quickly unloaded 0.60 of an inch of rain.

The storm pelted the burn scar of the Museum Fire, which scorched over 1,000 acres near Flagstaff during the summer of 2019. Although the fire burned three years ago, burn scars are susceptible to flooding and mudslides for years after the flames are extinguished.

"It has closed down the north side of Flagstaff," Timmer said. "Absolute disaster here once again."

Extreme Meteorologist Reed Timmer at the scene of a flash flood in Flagstaff, Arizona, on July 29, 2022. (AccuWeather)

Flash floods even swept away roads at one of the hottest places on Earth.

Roads in and out of Death Valley National Park were closed late Sunday after flooding from nearby thunderstorms clogged roads in the arid park, according to The Associated Press.

Rain is rare in Death Valley during the summer, but it does fall on occasion when thunderstorms from the monsoon rumble over California. It is unclear when the park will reopen.

Roads within the park have been damaged. This photo comes from the Kelbaker Road/Mojave Road intersection. Please avoid driving through the park and use extreme caution if it can't be avoided. More updates will be available on https://t.co/CreyXDUtZ0.



NPS photo pic.twitter.com/OakfsUmWF0  Mojave National Preserve (@MojaveNPS) July 31, 2022

Significant flooding also shredded roads in Mojave National Preserve, California, which is located about 65 miles south of Las Vegas. Similar to Death Valley, roads in and out of the preserve have been closed until further notice.

Want next-level safety, ad-free? Unlock advanced, hyperlocal severe weather alerts when you subscribe to Premium+ on the AccuWeather app. AccuWeather Alerts are prompted by our expert meteorologists who monitor and analyze dangerous weather risks 24/7 to keep you and your family safer.
An Australian senator took aim at Queen Elizabeth by calling her a colonizer as she recited an oath of allegiance to the monarch, who is still head of state in Australia.

Lidia Thrope  the first Aboriginal Australian senator from Victoria who is of DjabWurrung, Gunnai and Gunditjmara descent  had her swearing-in ceremony on Monday at Australia's Parliament House. She approached the floor with her right fist raised in the air and was asked to recite the traditional oath of office.

"I, sovereign Lidia Thorpe, do solemnly and sincerely affirm and declare that I will be faithful, and I bear true allegiance to the colonizing Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II," Thorpe said before being cut off by Senate President Sue Lines and objections from others.

One senator said, "You're not a senator if you don't do it properly."

Thorpe also turned around to tell someone, "You've got to have some respect."

RELATED: Prince William Tells Caribbean Leaders: 'We Support Your Decisions About Your Future'

Lines asked Thorpe to repeat the oath "as printed on the card," which she did while holding up her fist.

Thorpe later tweeted, "Sovereignty never ceded."

Thorpe's party, the Australian Greens party, says on its website, "The continued legacy of colonialism has not yet fully recognized the sovereignty of our First Nations peoples across the entire continent of Australia. This is a wrong that must be made right. Endemic racism, oppressive laws and policies, misunderstanding, ignorance and the lack of knowledge and education has meant that First Nations peoples have generationally been subject to policies and legislation that have impoverished many lives. At present, many still live in poverty and disadvantage, without the same rights and services that other Australians enjoy. This must be changed so that future generations of First Nations children can dream of better things."

Queen Elizabeth II, Lidia Thorpe

Jane Barlow - Pool/Getty; Sam Mooy/Getty

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Despite Indigenous Australians being one of the oldest civilizations on Earth, the British Government declared the country "terra nullius"  meaning land of no one  in an attempt to justify its acquisition by the British.

Australia was a British colony for more than 100 years, settled as a penal colony where Indigenous inhabitants were displaced or killed. Although the country became its own nation in 1901, it became part of the Commonwealth, a political association of 56 member states of which Queen Elizabeth is head.

Incoming Senator Lidia Thorpe during her swearing-in at in the Senate at Parliament House on October 06, 2020 in Canberra, Australia.

Sam Mooy/Getty Lidia Thorpe

In recent months, a number of Commonwealth countries have declared their intention to become independent countries. It was a central topic of Prince William and Kate Middleton's tour of the Caribbean in March, where they were met with anti-colonial protests in Belize, Jamaica and The Bahamas.

"Our trip was an opportunity to reflect, and we learnt so much," Prince William said in June as he marked Windrush Day, applauding the contribution of the British-Caribbean communities. "Not just about the different issues that matter most to the people of the region, but also how the past weighs heavily on the present."

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge attend the inaugural Commissioning Parade

Karwai Tang/WireImage Prince William and Kate Middleton in Jamaica on March 24

William reflected on the future governance of the Caribbean nations in a statement at the end of their March tour, saying, "I know that this tour has brought into even sharper focus questions about the past and the future. In Belize, Jamaica and The Bahamas, that future is for the people to decide upon."

He continued, "Catherine and I are committed to service. For us, that's not telling people what to do. It is about serving and supporting them in whatever way they think best, by using the platform we are lucky to have."

Barbados broke ties with the Queen in November and voted in its first president.
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP)  Iran arrested several members of the Bahai faith on spying charges, authorities said Monday, the latest sign of a tightening crackdown across the Islamic Republic as it faces international pressure over its tattered nuclear deal.

The Baha'i demanded their release and called their arrests part of a long pattern of persecution by Iran's Shiite theocracy.

Iran's Intelligence Ministry said in a statement that the suspects were linked to the Baha'i center in Israel and had collected and transferred information there.

The Baha'i's international governing body, the Universal House of Justice, long has been based in Haifa, Israel. The Baha'i have had a presence there since before the founding of the state of Israel, which the Islamic Republic views as its chief enemy in the region.

Iran offered no evidence to support the allegations of the Baha'i doing anything illegal. State TV footage showed one of the suspects saying he was being monitored by agents of the ministry, though he did not acknowledge in the footage doing anything wrong.

The Baha'i through an international advocacy group identified several of those arrested as leaders in their religion who previously served 10-year prison sentences.

They are domestic symbols of resilience and internationally renowned former prisoners of conscience, the Baha'i said. Arresting them reveals the Iranian governments escalating persecution of Irans Bahai community.

Iran already bans the Bahai, a religion founded in the 1860s by a Persian nobleman considered a prophet by his followers. Muslims consider the Prophet Muhammad the highest prophet.

The Baha'i say they've been persecuted by Shiite clerics in Iran since their religion's founding  something that's grown more intense since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

In 2013, Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who has final say on all state matters, urged Iranians to avoid all dealings with the Bahai. Khamenei's fatwa, or religious order, supported similar fatwas in the past by other clerics.

The detention of the Baha'i follow a wave of recent arrests as tensions escalate between Irans hard-line government and the West. Security forces have detained film directors, several foreigners and a prominent reformist politician as talks to revive Tehrans nuclear accord with world powers hit a deadlock and fears grow over the countrys economic crisis.
Powerful Iraqi Shiite preacher Moqtada Sadr Sunday urged other factions to support a protest that has seen his supporters occupy parliament in a dispute over who should name the next prime minister.

Nearly 10 months after elections, the oil-rich country is still without a new government due to the repeated failure of negotiations and the en-masse resignation last month of Sadr's bloc -- the largest in parliament.

Despite tear gas, water cannon and temperatures that touched 47 degrees Celsius (116 degrees Fahrenheit), his followers stormed the legislature on Saturday after pulling down heavy concrete barricades on roads to Baghdad's fortified Green Zone, home to government buildings and embassies.

The health ministry said at least 100 protesters and 25 security personnel were hurt in the confrontation.

On Sunday, those protesters -- who bedded down overnight with blankets in the air-conditioned building, which dates from dictator Saddam Hussein's era -- appeared in no mood to leave, as volunteers distributed soup, hard-boiled eggs, bread and water.

Analysts have said Sadr, a mercurial cleric who once led a militia against US and Iraqi government forces, is using protests to signal that his views must be taken into account in establishing a new government.

Sadr on Sunday took to Twitter to laud a "spontaneous revolution in the Green Zone -- a first step," he said, towards "an extraordinary opportunity for a fundamental change in the political system."

He called on "everyone... to support the reformist revolutionaries".

Both the United Nations and European Union have meanwhile warned about escalating tensions amid a socio-economic crisis and crumbling infrastructure.

- 'Got the worst' -

The immediate trigger for the occupation of parliament was the decision by a rival Shiite bloc, which is pro-Iran, to nominate former cabinet minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani for the prime minister's post.

On Sunday morning, the demonstrators marked the Muslim month of Muharram, a traditional Shiite celebration, with religious chants and collective meals.

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"We were hoping for the best but we got the worst. The politicians currently in parliament have brought us nothing," said one of the protesters, Abdelwahab al-Jaafari, 45, a day labourer with nine children.

A statement issued by a Sadr loyalist on Sunday issued instructions to the protesters, urging them to keep the premises clean, organise unarmed security patrols and to keep the sit-in going by operating in shifts.

In multi-confessional and multi-ethnic Iraq, government formation has involved complex negotiations since a 2003 US-led invasion toppled Saddam.

Sadr's bloc emerged from elections in October as the biggest parliamentary faction, but still far short of a majority.

In June, his 73 lawmakers quit in a bid to break a logjam over the establishment of a new government.

That led to the pro-Iran bloc becoming the largest in parliament, but still there was no agreement on naming a new prime minister, president or cabinet.

The occupation that began on Saturday was the second time within a week that Sadr's supporters had forced their way into the legislative chamber.

They left on Sadr's orders last Wednesday after about two hours inside.

- 'People with integrity' -

Despite oil wealth and elevated global crude prices, Iraq remains hobbled by corruption, unemployment and other woes, which sparked a youth-led protest movement in 2019.

As a result of past deals, the Sadrists also have representatives at the highest levels of government ministries and have been accused by their opponents of being as corrupt as other political forces.

But supporters of Sadr view him as a champion of the anti-corruption fight.

One of them, Oum Hussein, 42, said the sit-in sought a government of "people with integrity who serve the country", while Sadr's opponents select politicians "known for corruption".

Sudani is the prime ministerial choice of the Coordination Framework alliance which includes lawmakers from the party of Sadr's longtime foe, ex-prime minister Nuri al-Maliki.

It also represents the pro-Iran former paramilitary group Hashed al-Shaabi, now integrated into the regular forces.

The Hashed -- along with tribes and the wider security forces -- were among elements Sadr urged to join his protest initiative on Sunday.

A spokesperson for the European Union expressed concern about "the ongoing protests and their potential escalation," while United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres urged "peaceful and inclusive dialogue," according to his spokesman.

Iraqi Kurdish authorities in the country's north meanwhile offered to host talks in their capital Arbil.

sf/tgg/it/dwo-lg
By Dan Williams

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israel signalled it would not change policy around its assumed nuclear arsenal on Monday as Washington affirmed a global treaty designed to roll back the spread of such weaponry.

The rare, if veiled, remarks by Prime Minister Yair Lapid came as countries party to the 1970 nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) met in New York for a periodic review conference.

Israel has not signed the voluntary NPT, which offers access to atomic energy in exchange for the forswearing of nuclear weaponry.

It has been leading regional calls for world powers to crack down on NPT-signatory Iran's suspected use of civilian nuclear technologies as cover for military designs. Tehran denies wrongdoing.

Addressing the Israel Atomic Energy Commission, Lapid spoke of the country's "defensive and offensive capabilities, and what is referred to in the foreign media as 'other capabilities'".

"These other capabilities keep us alive and will keep us alive as long as we and our children are here," he said, according to a transcript from his office.

Under a decades-old ambiguity policy designed to deter surrounding enemies while avoiding provocations that can spur arms races, Israel neither confirms nor denies having nuclear weaponry.

Scholars believe it does, having acquired the first bomb in late 1966. Israeli journalists, circumscribed by military censorship, often refer cryptically to such capabilities or cite foreign media reporting on them.

Israel's official reticence has also helped stave off scrutiny by the United States, which is formally committed to encouraging NPT observance.

"The U.S. reaffirms our commitment to preserving and strengthening this critical treaty for future generations," U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken tweeted as he attended the first day of the NPT conference.

Asked if Lapid's remarks were timed for the conference, or whether Israel had sent an observer as it has in the past, the prime minister's office had no immediate response.

(The story refiles to correct 'our' to 'are' in para 6)

(Writing by Maayan Lubell; Editing by Mark Potter)
ROME (AP)  A judge in Italy on Monday ordered an Italian man to remain in jail as an investigation continues into the death of a Nigerian street vendor whose brutal beating at the hands of the suspect shocked many in Italy and prompted strong condemnation from the Nigerian government.

Police took Filippo Claudio Giuseppe Ferlazzo, 32, into custody on July 29, minutes after the vendor was beaten and left for dead on a busy shopping street in the beach town of Civitanova Marche as bystanders watched, including at least two who filmed the attack.

An autopsy this week will determine the exact cause of death for Alika Ogorchukwu, 39. Widely circulated videos showed the suspect on top of Ogorchukwu, pummeling him with his bare hands after first striking him with the victim's own crutch.

Judge Claudio Bonifazi presided over a hearing for Ferlazzo at a jail near the Adriatic coastal city of Ancona.

Ferlazzo gave his version of the facts and said he was sorry," defense lawyer Roberta Bizzarri told reporters. She added that Ferlazzo, who is white, said there was no racial element involved.

Pressed if Ferlazzo was saying he was sorry to the victim's family, the lawyer replied, yes, to the family."

Ferlazzo could face charges of murder and robbery because Ogorchukwu's cell phone was taken.

Ferlazzo's sorrys' aren't enough, now only justice is needed and not vendetta,'' Orgochukwu's family said in a statement issued through their lawyer. "It's difficult to understand what happened.''

The family's lawyer, Francesco Mantella, added in a phone call that the widow, Charity Oriachi, wants to see the suspect face to face to try to understand why he killed her husband.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian government demanded Italy swiftly bring the perpetrator of the heinous act to justice.

A Nigerian foreign ministry statement released Sunday said the government strongly condemns the gruesome murder of a Nigerian and calls on all Nigerians to exercise restraint as the Law takes its course." The country's embassy in Rome has been instructed to work speedily, together with the relevant Italian authorities, to ensure that justice is served, in order to forestall a repeat of the unfortunate incident.

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Some members of the Nigerian immigrant community in the Marche region that includes the area where Orgochukwu lived and worked protested the slaying on Saturday. Another protest is expected later this week.

Police investigator Matteo Luconi has told reporters that suspect attacked the vendor after Ogorchukwu's insistent requests to him and his female companion for pocket change.

The slain mans lawyer said he was attacked after complimenting the womans beauty. The companion, identified only as Elena D., was quoted by Corriere della Sera daily as saying Orgochukwu had touched her arm, but that didn't particularly bother her. The woman said she was in a clothing store when the attack occurred shortly after.

The attack comes during campaigning for Sept. 25 elections in Italy. The anti-migrant head of the League party, Matteo Salvini, has made immigration as well as protecting citizens from violent crime top issues.

Orgochukwu was using a crutch after being struck by a car while riding a bicycle. Mantella had been engaged to obtain accident compensation to help the family, including an 8-year-old son, who, the lawyer said, hasn't been yet told what happened to his father.

____

Chinedu Asadu contributed from Nigeria.
By Angelo Amante and Giuseppe Fonte

ROME (Reuters) - The Brothers of Italy party, in pole position for next month's elections, sees room to revamp parts of an European Union-funded investment programme to help the economy tackle an energy crisis and soaring costs, a party official said on Monday.

Prime Minister Mario Draghi's resignation has paved the way to early elections on Sept. 25, with surveys suggesting the conservative alliance led by far-right Brothers of Italy is well placed to win a parliamentary majority.

Italy is entitled to receive more than 200 billion euros ($205.40 billion) in cheap loans and grants from the fund set up to help the bloc's 27 countries recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The outgoing government has so far secured almost 67 billion euros of EU funds. Rome now needs to reach 55 new targets in the second half of 2022 to tap additional 19 billion euros this year, but the targets should be adjusted for new challenges, said Raffaele Fitto, co-chair of the European Conservatives and Reformists,- Brothers of Italy group at the European Parliament.

"The war in Ukraine has put us in front of different goals and priorities than those that existed at the time the plan was written" in early 2021, Fitto said in written comments to Reuters.

He said EU rules allowed members to amend their national plans if some milestones and targets are no longer achievable.

Fitto said the national plan needed to take into account rising energy prices and growing costs of materials, which complicate construction companies' work on public projects.

"We don't want to throw away the current plan but ... make it more efficient and suitable to ensure structural growth," he said.

Another, senior source close to Brothers of Italy, who asked not to be named, said the party will not put at risk "any money" from the EU.

Draghi's government had ruled out renegotiating the national Recovery Plan and in May earmarked some 10 billion euros until 2026 to cope with surging costs of raw materials.

($1 = 0.9737 euros)

(Editing by Tomasz Janowski)
A Jan. 6 defendant the Department of Justice described as a domestic terrorist was sentenced to 87 months in prison Monday, the longest sentence handed out to a Jan. 6 rioter so far.

Guy Reffitt, a 49-year-old man from Texas, was found guilty of five felonies by a federal jury in March, including transporting a firearm, bringing a firearm to a restricted area, and obstruction of justice after he threatened his children if they reported him to law enforcement.

Hell also serve three years of supervised probation, during which time hes prohibited from associating with extremist groups like the Texas Three Percenters, Oath Keepers and Texas Freedom Force.

Federal sentencing guidelines called for a prison sentence of between nine years and 11 years and three months, but the DOJ sought 15, casting Reffitt as a domestic terrorist in a court filing ahead of his sentencing  a first for a Jan. 6 defendant.

He didnt just want President Trump to remain in office, Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Nestler told the judge Monday. He wanted to physically and literally remove members of Congress from power. We believe he is a domestic terrorist.

U.S. District Judge Dabney Friedrich wasnt persuaded by the argument, however, and denied the terrorism enhancement, citing concerns about an unwarranted sentencing disparity compared to other Jan. 6 defendants who took plea deals instead of going to trial.

In a statement before his sentencing, Reffitt expressed contrition for the first time, having previously called himself a martyr and a patriot, and even reaffirmed his actions in a letter sent to the judge.

I want to make multiple apologies, he told the court, according to WUSA9 reporter Jordan Fischer. I was, to put it colorfully, a fucking idiot.

At his trial, federal prosecutors said Reffitt was a member of the Texas Three Percenters, an extremist militia group that was among the first waves of rioters to instigate violence on the west side of the Capitol Building.

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As evidence, they played a video of Reffitt attending a Zoom meeting with other members following the riot where he bragged about enduring clay bullets and being bear sprayed amid the violence, and telling one of the police officers who tried to repel him, Sorry, darling, you better get a bigger damn gun.

"I'm taking the Capitol with everybody fucking else," Guy Reffitt said, as "Tiny Dancer" played at Trump's Jan. 6 rally. "We're all going to drag them motherfuckers out kicking and screaming, I don't give a shit. I just want to see Pelosi's head hit every fucking stair..." pic.twitter.com/j6OGsrzNlC  Ryan J. Reilly (@ryanjreilly) August 1, 2022

In another video, filmed by a camera mounted on Reffitts helmet, he can be heard urging on others in the crowd.

I didnt come here to play games. Im taking the Capitol with everybody fucking else, he says at one point. Were all going to drag them motherfuckers out kicking and screaming. I dont give a shit. I just want to see [House Speaker Nancy] Pelosis head hit every fucking stair on the way out.

Reffitts son, Jackson Reffitt, told jurors during the trial that his father threatened to shoot him and his 16-year-old sister if they tipped off the FBI about his involvement in the violence that day.

If you turn me in, youre a traitor and you know what happens to traitors ... traitors get shot, he allegedly said.

Jackson Reffitt had reported his father to the FBI before the riot, having grown concerned by his increasingly radical, anti-government statements.

There were clearly signs he was getting involved with a lot of different people and a lot of bad people, Jackson Reffitt told ABC News.

Hearing my father was there  it was absolutely disgusting, he said. And pretty much demoralizing. And I really lost all respect for him in that moment.

In a letter read at the sentencing Monday, Jackson Reffitt expressed concern for his fathers mental health, saying hes slowly lost himself over the years and fallen into a horrible community to find a place in this life.

This article originally appeared on HuffPost and has been updated.

Related...
EXCLUSIVE: Jason Mitchell (Mudbound) and Bartosz Bielenia (Corpus Christi) have joined Jacek Braciak (Leave No Traces) for historical action title Scarborn, based on the story of Polish general and revolutionary war hero Tadeusz Kosciuszko who is best known for fighting at George Washingtons side in the American War of Independence.

The project, which is the directed by Pawel Maslona and has just wrapped its shoot, also stars Robert Wieckiewicz (In Darkness) and Agnieszka Grochowska (Leave No Traces). Daniel Baurs K5 International has boarded worldwide sales on the project.

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Scarborn, which is written by Micha A. Zielinski, sees Kosciuszko (Braciak) and his African American friend and former slave Domingo (Mitchell) return to Poland to organize an uprising and fight against the Russian invasion by mobilizing the Polish nobility and peasants. They are followed by a ruthless Russian captain, Dunin (Wieckiewicz) who wants to capture the general at any cost before he triggers a national rebellion.

Meanwhile, young peasant Ignac (Bielenia), a noblemans illegitimate son that has been included in his recently deceased fathers will, is on the run from his half-brother who is determined to prevent the execution of the will. When Ignac steals the document to prove his title in court, he meets Domingo and forges a strong bond and, in turn, the fate of the uprising lies in the hands of Ignac when he has to choose to follow his dream of nobility or fight alongside Kosciusko.

The project is produced by Leszek Bodzak and Aneta Hickinbotham of Aurum Film and is the companys first feature film co-production with streaming platform Viaplay in Poland. K5 International CEO Baur also produces the production, which was co-financed by the Polish Film Institute.

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Scarborn is a saber-rattling, thrilling, action-paced modern and universal emotional story about people who overcome prejudice and differences in the name of freedom and equality, said Bodzak.

Hickinbotham added: As a female producer, Im having a lot of fun making so-called mens cinema. Scarbornis truly macho, rough and over the edge. Still, without a doubt, it proves that women have their place in cinematography. Its my next project directed at an international audience and another one where mens cinema is also created by women.

Baur said: We are excited that Leszek and Aneta from Aurum Film, one of the key production houses from Poland that had already made an impression with Oscar-nominated Corpus Christiand Venice Competition title Leave No Traces, have invited us to participate in this project. Given the ongoing terrible war in Ukraine, Scarborn is a timely and motivational reminder of how critical it is to stand up and fight for freedom.

Scarborn is set for a 2023 release.

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John Oliver took aim at the Tory leadership candidates on Last Week Tonight on Sunday (31 July).

The late-night host particularly mocked Liz Truss over an undeleted tweet mourning the death of prolific celebrity paedophile Jimmy Savile.

Truss has a real knack for making bad decisions and then very much sticking to them, Oliver said during a segment on his show, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver.

Exemplified by the fact that this tweet paying tribute to Jimmy Savile, who turned out to be a monstrous paedophile, has still not been deleted 11 years later.

On 29 October 2011, Truss tweeted: Used to see Jimmy Savile at the Flying Pizza on Street Lane, Roundhay. Always in good spirits. RIP.

The tweet has still not been deleted at the time of writing.

The Independent has contacted Truss for comment.

Liz Truss Jimmy Savile tweet (Twitter)

After his death in 2011, hundreds of survivors came forward with stories of abuse by Jimll Fix It host Savile, who used his work at the BBC and at hospitals, prisons and charities to conceal his paedophilia.

Oliver also mocked Truss opponent, former finance minister Rishi Sunak, for waving his arms around while he talks: He looks like he studied at the [Mark] Zuckerburg school for passing for a human.

The next six weeks will see Sunak and Truss battle it out to become the next UK prime minister following Boris Johnsons resignation. Follow live updates on the Tory leadership race here.
A Louisiana man has been denied contact with his daughter in the latest development of a high-profile custody case between the father, John Barnes, and mother, Crysta Abelseth, who says their teenage daughter was conceived when Mr Barnes was 30 and Ms Abelseth was 16.

The encounter would constitute rape, regardless of consent, under Louisiana law.

The case made headlines earlier this summer when Ms Abelseth went public to say that she had lost custody  and we being forced to pay child support  to her alleged rapist.

Mr Barnes had been given full custody of their 15-year-old daughter after a complicated series of court proceedings dating back more than a decade.

On Friday, Tangipahoa County Judge Jeffrey Cashe ruled that the girl would remain placed with guardians approved by both parents. Mr Barnes was barred from initiating contact or visitation with his daughter. Ms Abelseth was ordered to take parenting classes and allowed visitation at the least on the first weekend of the month and possibly with more frequency if agreed to by the child and guardians.

In his decision, Judge Cashe attempted to summarise the complicated history of the case, dating back to the childs birth in 2006, when a man other than Mr Barnes was named as the father on the birth certificate.

That man, according to the judge, was believed to be the biological father by Ms Abelseth but never formally acknowledged the child; he was incarcerated when the girl was four, and it was at this time that John Barnes ... was contacted regarding the possibility that he may be the father of the minor child.

A February 2011 paternity test established that was the case and, through the courts, a joint custody agreement was established.

That agreement began to disintegrate the following year, when the relationship seems to have started breaking down. In June 2012, Ms Abelseth filed for more child support; less than a month later, Mr Barnes sought to hold her in contempt, according to Fridays judgment.

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Over the years, allegations were hurled on both sides and court proceedings became hostile.

Ms Abelseth, after receiving counselling, went to police in 2015 to say that John Barnes had raped her, resulting in the birth of their child. Nothing came of it for years, and her rape allegations only appeared in court proceedings in 2022.

In the meantime, the situation continued to spiral, with mother and father fighting over everything from mobile phones to overnight guests to counselling for the child. This culminated in Mr Barnes being awarded full custody the teenager in the spring. Ms Abelseth paid him child support, which set off her public airing of the case.

Following that, the courts temporarily removed the pairs daughter from Mr Barnes custody and placed her with parent-approved guardians  the same ones who continue to care for the girl.

In a June statement  again after Ms Abelseth went public with the case and after a judge unsealed some court records  Tangipahoa Parish Sheriffs Office admitted it had dropped the ball and only started really investigating in April, when she followed up on the matter.

Upon receiving notice, a team of investigators were assigned to and worked diligently to delve deep into the facts surrounding the case. Due to the complex nature of their findings, the case was turned over to the District Attorneys Office, the statement said.

The Tangipahoa District Attorneys Office on Monday did not immediately respond to requests from The Independent about the status of any possible prosecution.

Mr Barnes, who has to date not been charged with any crime, denies any wrongdoing.

In continued custody proceedings last month, he was resolute in his innocence.

Barnes repeatedly said during the hearing that Abelseth said she was a college student the night they had sex and refused to acknowledge that she was actually a minor, The Advocate reported. In a heated exchange, after Barnes interrupted [Ms Abelseths lawyer Jarrett Ambeau several times, Ambeau told him to shut his mouth.

Barnes did acknowledge that at face value, it was against the law for a 30-year-old to have sex with a 16-year-old, Louisianas largest daily newspaper continued.

In his decision, Judge Cashe was scathing when describing the behaviour of both parents.

In this case, the evidence and circumstances have profoundly proven that custody to either parent, joint or sole, would be substantially harmful to the child, he wrote. None of the issues presented were the result of a sudden or isolated incident; rather, they were the product of the parents adversarial dysfunction and continuous emotional and supervisory neglect of the child over the course of a decade.

Furthermore, the Court does not find either parent to be credible.

He described the girl at the centre of the case as an articulate and bright lady, who is almost 16 years of age.

She has managed to maintain good grades and involvement in extracurriculars despite the chronic trauma she has experienced throughout the years of bitter, vengeful, and typically highly emotional conflict and litigation between her parents, he wrote, citing another case.

He later added: According to pleadings filed herein, the minor child desires to remain with [her guardians] and wants an improved relationship with Ms Abelseth but does not want to continue with her relationship with Mr Barnes.

He did not, however, legally terminate Mr Barnes parental rights, musing upon Louisiana felony rape law.

The Court recognizes and Mr Barnes has acknowledged his commission of Felony Carnal Knowledge of a juvenile, he wrote. The Court did not find compelling evidence of and heard direct testimony refuting Ms Abelseths claim of Simple or Third-Degree rape, including testimony of a non-party eyewitness to the actual sexual encounter.

There is simply no authority, jurisprudential or otherwise, defining felony rape or the application of Art 137 to Felony Carnal Knowledge of a Juvenile and this Court will not create law by judicial fiat where the Legislature has failed to do so.

Judge Cashe did, however, agree to insulate Ms Abelseth from ongoing custodial interactions with Mr Barnes.

Lawyers for both parents did not immediately return request for comment from The Independent on Monday.

Ms Abelseth, however, previously told The Independent that she was not doing well during the ongoing court proceedings and inability to regularly see her daughter.

The mother, who recently remarried and has a 19-month-old at home, said in June that she was mentally, emotionally and financially, just exhausted all the time to the point where its affecting my qualify of life  work life, home life, the rest of my family, just a strain on everything.

She also said she felt let down by the justice system, which seemingly left her rape allegations uninvestigated or untouched for an extremely long time.

This is the only time Ive ever had to deal with, basically, law enforcement at all  and its not a great first experience.

Ms Abelseth continued: Every time I have to let her go and go back home without her, its very hard.

I do get emotional, just like anyone else would, and I feel like I am a strong person, though  and I am fighting it, and I will continue to fight for her until my last breath.
By Hyonhee Shin

SEOUL (Reuters) - K-pop boy band BTS might still be able to perform overseas while serving in the military, South Korea's defence minister said on Monday, as the country debates shortening mandatory military service for K-pop stars to three weeks from about two years.

The issue is coming sharply into focus with the oldest member of band, Jin, turning 30 next year. Under a 2019 revision of the law, globally recognised K-pop stars were allowed to put off their service until 30.

Military service is hugely controversial in South Korea where all able-bodied men aged between 18 and 28 must fulfil their duties as part of efforts to defend against nuclear-armed North Korea.

Over the years, some categories have won exemptions - either allowed to put off service or to do shorter service - including Olympics and Asian Games medal winners and classical musicians and dancers who win top prizes at certain competitions.

Parliament is now debating a bill that would shorten military service for K-pop stars.

Defence Minister Lee Jong-sup, speaking at the parliamentary session, said that by allowing BTS to continue performing, the military could serve national interests without affecting the already shrinking pool of personnel resources due to low birth rates.

BTS' management, Big Hit, did not respond to a request for comment.

"Even if they join the military, there would be a way to give them a chance to practise and perform together if there are scheduled concerts abroad," Lee said.

"As many people highly value (artists serving) in the military, that may help boost their popularity even more."

The seven-member band announced a break in June from group musical activities to pursue solo projects, pleading exhaustion.

In April, a Big Hit official said some members were having a "hard time" because of uncertainties over the parliament debate, calling for a decision.

Since their 2013 debut, BTS have became a worldwide sensation with their upbeat hits and social campaigns aimed at empowering youth.

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BTS became the first Asian band to win artist of the year at the American Music Awards last year, and they met U.S. President Joe Biden at the White House in May to discuss hate crimes targeting Asians.

A South Korean think tank estimated in 2018 that BTS would bring an economic benefit totalling 56 trillion won ($43 billion) between 2014 and 2023.

(This story refiles to fixe typo in first paragraph).

(Reporting by Hyonhee Shin; Editing by Nick Macfie)
Homes in Breathitt County, Ky., surrounded by floodwaters Saturday. (Michael Clevenger / Courier Journal)

Vice President Kamala Harris called climate change an immediate and urgent crisis Monday as she detailed more than $1 billion in federal spending to respond to disasters such as deadly flooding in Kentucky and wildfires ravaging her home state of California.

On a visit to Miami, Harris announced a series of grants being made available to states to help communities across the nation prepare for and respond to climate-related disasters.

Touring the National Hurricane Center before the grant announcement, Harris said disasters such as the Kentucky floods and California wildfires show how immediate, how current and how urgent it is to address extreme weather being experienced in the United States and around the world.

Climate change has become a climate crisis, and a threat has now become a reality, she said in a speech at Florida International University.

Harris cited deadly floods that have swept through Kentucky and Missouri, washing away entire neighborhoods, leaving at least 35 dead, including children. At least two people were killed in a wildfire in Northern California that was among several blazes menacing thousands of homes in the western U.S. Hot and gusty weather and lightning storms threatened to boost the danger that the fires will keep growing.

The devastation is real. The harm is real. The impact is real, Harris said. And we are witnessing it in real time.

In 2021, the United States experienced 20 climate-related disasters that each caused more than $1 billion in damage, Harris said, citing a report by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. There were about six such disasters per year in the 1990s.

The frequency has accelerated in a relatively short period of time, Harris said. The science is clear. Extreme weather will only get worse, and the climate crisis will only accelerate.

The White House is leading a government-wide response to climate disasters that recognizes the urgency of this moment and our ability to do something about it, Harris said, adding that leaders such as herself and President Biden have a duty to act, not only after disaster strikes, but before disaster strikes, and that is why we are here today.

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The billion-dollar grant program announced by Harris doubles spending from last year on programs to defend against extreme weather events across the country. Biden announced last month that the administration will double spending yet again in the budget year that begins in October, spending $2.3 billion to help communities cope with soaring temperatures through programs administered by FEMA, the Department of Health and Human Services and other agencies.

The Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities, or BRIC, program, supports states, local communities, tribes and territories on projects to reduce climate-related hazards and prepare for natural disasters such as floods and wildfires. The program is funded through FEMAs Disaster Relief Fund and the bipartisan infrastructure law signed by Biden last year.

Communities across our nation are experiencing firsthand the devastating impacts of the climate change and the related extreme weather events that follow  more energized hurricanes with deadlier storm surges, increased flooding and a wildfire season thats become a year-long threat, said FEMA head Deanne Criswell.

A total of $1 billion will be made available through the BRIC program, with an additional $160 million to be offered for flood mitigation assistance, she said.

Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber said his city has elevated 11 miles of roads, installed 46 stormwater public pumps and retrofitted parks to include water-storing cisterns. The South Florida Water Management District in Miami-Dade County received $50 million for flood mitigation and pump station repairs to protect low-lying neighborhoods from sea-level rise and storm surge.

My city doesnt debate whether the climate is changing, we simply look at the ground on a sunny day and see flooding, Gelber said.

Jacksonville, Fla., also received money under the BRIC program, winning $23 million for flood mitigation and stormwater infrastructure. Jacksonville, Florida's largest city, sits in a humid, subtropical region along the St. Johns River and Atlantic Ocean, making it vulnerable to flooding when stormwater basins reach capacity.

Kern County in California received nearly $40 million for underground water storage to allow access to clean water during droughts, while Austin, Texas, received money to begin upgrading its power grid so that homes and businesses and houses of worship can keep on the electricity during summer and winter storms,'' Harris said.

The grant program is among a series of Biden administration actions intended to reduce heat-related illness and protect public health, including a proposed workplace heat standard.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Supreme Court Abortion Kansas - Credit: AP Photo/Charlie Riedel

Tomorrow, Kansas will be the first state in the nation to vote on abortion rights in the wake of the reversal of Roe v. Wade. The stakes couldnt be higher, and the election could be a bellwether for the future of abortion rights nationwide.

On August 2, as part of the states primary election, Kansas voters will weigh an amendment to the state constitution that could quickly lead to a complete ban on abortion. The Kansas referendums origin story dates back to 2019. That year, the Kansas Supreme Court held that the state constitution protects abortion rights in the state. (The decision did not rely on Roe v. Wade or federal constitutional protection.) Antiabortion activists and legislators have since spearheaded a campaign to amend the Kansas constitution to end this guarantee of reproductive rights. But in Kansas, like in all states except Delaware, the final say over amending the constitution is with the people of the state, who vote on any proposed amendment.

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If a majority of Kansans vote yes and choose to amend the state constitution, they will open the door for state legislators to ban almost all abortion. Republicans have already vowed to ban abortions even in cases of rape or incest. (While Kansas has a Democratic Governor, there is a GOP supermajority in the legislature that could overrule her veto.) A no vote, on the other hand, would mean that existing protections under the state constitution would continue to apply to abortion rights  irrespective of the U.S. Supreme Courts decision in Dobbs.

The weeks since Roes reversal have already made clear the dire consequences for people in states where abortion is now banned. Abortion bans do not just impact people wanting to end unintended pregnanciesthey have collateral consequences for all pregnant people. The Republican Attorney General in Kansas recently issued an opinion clarifying that miscarriage care and ectopic pregnancy treatment arent considered an abortion in Kansas; thats also true in many of the states that now ban abortion, but treatment for ectopic pregnancies and miscarriages has nevertheless been delayed or denied.

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The Kansas referendum promises to be close. By design of the states Republican legislature, the referendum is part of a primary election, where turnout is typically lower and the electorate skews more conservative. This favors supporters of the amendment: A recent poll of likely primary voters showed that 47 percent planned to vote yes, 43 percent planned to vote no, and 10 percent were unsure. (By contrast, a 2021 poll showed that 60 percent of adults statewide did not want abortion to be completely illegal and 51 percent agreed with the statement: the Kansas government should not place any regulations on the circumstances under which women can get abortions.)

One of the authors of this article, Greer Donley, saw, first hand, the passions stirred by this referendum earlier this month. Donley is a Kansas native and spent three weeks in early July in the state. She observed more engagement for this election than any other in memory. In her Kansas City suburban neighborhood, Vote No signs outnumbered Vote Yes signs 5:1. Support for abortion rights is apparent in early voting numbers: Kansans are showing up for early voting at rates 2.5 times greater than past primary elections, especially in more progressive neighborhoods, and new voter registration jumped 1,000 percent after the Dobbs decision.

This is not the first time Kansas has dominated abortion news. The state has one of the darkest histories of anti-abortion violence in the country, culminating in the 2009 murder of Dr. George Tiller while he was attending church on a Sunday morning. Dr. Tillers practice in Wichita had been the focus of Operation Rescue and the most extreme elements of the antiabortion movement for decades. After Dr. Tiller was assassinated, however, Kansas abortion providers did not back down, continuing to provide care for anyone who needed it.

Given the complexities of abortion politics in Kansas, this vote will be seen as the first big test for abortion rights since Dobbs. Both sides know it, and big money is flowing into the state trying to grab a win.

The antiabortion movement arguably has the most to lose. A defeat of the amendment could be a stark blow, showing that the U.S. Supreme Courts decision is out of step with broader segments of the country and the beliefs of majorities in red states. Another vote on whether to jettison a state constitutional protection for abortion will take place in Kentucky in November, and possibly in Pennsylvania next year. Even a narrow victory for the referendum in Kansas could be seen as a loss given what it might signal for votes in other states.

If Kansans can defeat the amendment, it could also invigorate ballot-based strategies in other states. An initiative protecting abortion rights is expected to appear on the Michigan ballot in November, giving the voters a chance to overturn a pre-Roe law that criminalizes abortion. (That law is currently on hold, pending litigation.) Voters in Vermont and California will also decide this November whether to add a right to reproductive freedom to their state constitutions, even though neither state is at risk of banning abortions.

Referendums are an interesting strategy because they could de-link abortion from party affiliation. Republicans who support abortion rights might still vote for Republican candidates when they think other issues are more important. But when asked to isolate their vote to only this issue, they can make their voice heard without the dilution of political party affiliation. And when they do, we might just see  starting tomorrow in Kansas  how unpopular abortion bans really are.

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The Kentucky State Police Richmond Post is looking for an inmate who walked away from the Bluegrass Career and Development Center.

Billy R. Lowe, 43 years of age from Gray, walked away from the facility in Richmond, on Sunday, according to a news release.

He is described as being 6-feet-1-inch tall, weighing 185 pounds with brown hair and green eyes. Lowe was serving a sentence for manufacturing methamphetamine.

Investigators asked anyone who may have information about Lowes location to call their local law enforcement or KSP Post 7 at 859-623-2404.

The ongoing investigation was being conducted by state police trooper Neal Barnes.
A total of 900 pairs of shoes were given away Sunday to children returning to school, as part of a free shoe giveaway in Sacramento. Youth volunteers and organizers with Voice of the Youth, an advocacy group, got this event going to help kids out with starting their school year on the right foot. With rising costs as a result of inflation and some lingering effects from lockdowns related to the pandemic, the back-to-school checklist can be even harder than normal for some parents this year.
Ulrich Koerner took over as Credit Suisse's chief executive on Monday with the mammoth task of revitalising Switzerland's second-biggest bank following a series of scandals.

Reputed to be more of a technocrat than a captain of the ship, his first mission as CEO will be to carry out a strategic review to try to put the bank back in good working order.

His predecessor Thomas Gottstein, who resigned on Wednesday, led Credit Suisse through two and a half years of turmoil but failed to see the group emerge from the storm.

New chairman Axel Lehmann, who rose through the ranks of the bank's chief domestic rival UBS, highlighted Koerner's in-depth knowledge of the sector at a pivotal moment when Credit Suisse must speed up its changes.

Koerner "is an experienced, transformational leader with an excellent judgement and has demonstrated to the board of directors that he understands the urgency of the task and the need to rebuild trust", Lehmann told a press conference.

- Catalogue of woes -

In March 2021, the bank was rocked by the collapse of the British financial firm Greensill, in which some $10 billion had been committed through four funds, and then by the implosion of the US fund Archegos, which cost it more than $5 billion.

In October, it was also fined $475 million by the US and British authorities for its loans to state-owned companies in Mozambique.

In January, Antonio Horta-Osorio resigned as chairman after revelations that he broke Switzerland's Covid-19 quarantine rules.

And in June, the bank was hit with a $2 million fine in a money laundering case linked to a Bulgarian cocaine network.

Given the scale of the task, the Swiss newspaper Tages-Anzeiger wondered if Koerner was the right man for the job.

Andreas Venditti, an analyst at Swiss investment managers Vontobel, told AFP: "He is probably not a CEO in the traditional sense. But in the current situation at Credit Suisse, what's needed is probably not a visionary but someone hands-on who can restructure.

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"Also he is almost 60, so it's probably his last high-profile executive job. So he can execute without having to worry for what comes after."

- 'Like a machine' -

A doctor in economics, Koerner began his career with the consulting firm McKinsey.

Koerner worked at Credit Suisse in various roles between 1998 and 2009, notably directing activities for the Swiss market, after which he switched to UBS until 2020.

The German and Swiss national returned to Credit Suisse in 2021 to turn around asset management after the Greensill affair.

He distinguished himself by his ability to carry out restructuring programmes. As head of operations at UBS, he notably transformed core functions at the headquarters "like a machine", noted the Tages-Anzeiger.

But doubts remain over his people skills, the newspaper said.

"Koerner is a technocrat, not someone who motivates people," one inside source told the daily.

And the Neue Zuercher Zeitung (NZZ) newspaper reported that he was "considered as someone of great intelligence", who can come across as brusque or arrogant on first impressions, according to his colleagues.

However, this can "quickly dissipate" in favour of a more "engaging" personality, the NZZ added.

The Ethos foundation, which represents pension funds, said it hoped that Koerner, alongside Lehmann, "will finally manage to put the bank back on the right track" and "restore the confidence" of employees and investors.

noo/rjm/raz
By Fatos Bytyci

ZUPCE, Kosovo (Reuters) - NATO-led peacekeepers backed by helicopters on Monday oversaw the removal of roadblocks protesters had set up in Kosovo, where political tensions have flared more than two decades since a NATO campaign of airstrikes drove out Serbian forces.

Kosovo police said the removal of the barricades in the north of the country allowed two border crossings with Serbia to be reopened.

"Roads are now free for traffic to pass, both border crossings are open now for people and goods to cross," the police said in a statement.

The removal of the barricades came after the Kosovo government postponed the implementation of a decision that would oblige ethnic Serbs, who are a majority in the north, to apply for documents and car license plates issued by Kosovan institutions.

The situation has revived faultlines with Serbia and Russia, neither of which recognise Western-aligned Kosovo as an independent state and have blocked its efforts to join the United Nations. Kosovo, recognised as a nation by more than 100 countries, is seeking to join NATO.

The government's decision to postpone followed consultations with U.S. and EU ambassadors.

"Violence will not be tolerated. Those who use violence will be punished by the rule of law with the force of law," Prime Minister Albin Kurti told journalists on Monday. He said a total of nine road bocks had been set up.

SIMMERING DISPUTE

Fourteen years after Kosovo declared independence from Serbia, some 50,000 ethnic Serbs in the north still use licence plates and papers issued by Serbian authorities, refusing to recognise the Kosovan government.

Ethnic Serbs had parked heavy machinery including trucks filled with gravel on roads near the border with Serbia on Sunday in protest at the new policy, which the government agreed to postpone until Sept. 1.

After that date, local Serbs will have 60 days to switch to Kosovo licence plates and accept documents issued at the border to Serbian citizens, including those living in Kosovo without local papers.

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"Now, thank God, some escalation has been avoided overnight, but this situation has only been delayed for 1 month," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Monday.

Tensions with Serbia remain high and Kosovo's fragile peace is maintained by NATO's KFOR mission, which has 3,770 troops on the ground. The mission issued a statement on Sunday say it was prepared to intervene in line with its mandate if stability was jeopardized.

Italian peacekeepers were visible in and around then northern town of Mitrovica on Sunday.

A Reuters reporter saw helicopters from the KFOR flying over the north of Kosovo, which borders Serbia. Peacekeepers were also present as the roadblocks were dismantled, standing at the roadside and chatting with residents.

Earlier on Monday, the government began issuing extra documents to Serbian citizens at the biggest border crossing between Serbia and Kosovo, Merdare. Kosovo's government said it would stop issuing the documents once road blocks are removed.

A year ago, after local Serbs blocked the same roads in another row over licence plates, Kosovo's government deployed special police forces and Belgrade flew fighter jets close to the border.

Serbia and Kosovo committed in 2013 to a dialogue sponsored by the European Union to try to resolve outstanding issues but little progress has been made.

(Reporting by Fatos Bytyci; Writing by Ivana Sekularac; Editing by Kirsten Donovan and Frank Jack Daniel)
Nicholas Kristof is getting his job at The New York Times back.

Kristof, a longtime columnist at The New York Times who briefly left the newspaper to pursue a run for governor of his home state of Oregon, will rejoin the newspaper as a columnist for its opinions section, the outlet announced on Monday.

Nick built a deep and enduring relationship with our audience in the United States and worldwide over the course of his four-decade career at The Times, Opinion Editor Kathleen Kingsbury wrote in a note announcing the news. He draws on deep experience as a reporter, an interviewer and a listener, and is committed to pursuing the truth with an open and inquisitive mind and a keen appreciation for context, nuance and accuracy.

Kristof last October announced he was leaving the Times to run as a Democrat in the race to replace Oregon Gov. Kate Brown (D).

In February, the Oregon Supreme Court ruled that Kristof cannot run for governor of the state because he does not meet the states three-year residency requirements.

The longtime columnist called the decision disappointing at the time.

Kingsbury said Kristofs columns are expected to resume this fall after he finishes work on a new book.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
NEW PHILADELPHIA  A 28-year-old Uhrichsville man has admitted guilt to six charges in connection with an August 2020 crash in Dover that claimed the life of one of his passengers.

Larry A. Short pleaded guilty on Monday before Tuscarawas County Common Pleas Judge Elizabeth Lehigh Thomakos to charges of aggravated vehicular homicide, vehicular assault, failure to stop after an accident and operating a vehicle with willful and wanton disregard of the safety of persons or property.

More: Passenger in 2020 Dover car crash dies on Christmas Day

The judge found Short guilty, ordered a background investigation and scheduled sentencing for Sept. 21.

Joseph DeMattio of Dover was a passenger in a car driven by Short that crashed in Dover on Aug. 27, 2020. DeMattio, 23, was in a coma from the time of the accident from the time of the accident until his death Dec. 25, according to his obituary.

More: Dover man still in critical condition after crash in Dover Thursday

At Monday's plea hearing, assistant county prosecutor Fred Scott recommended an aggregate sentence of six years and six months for all charges, which could be extended by two years by the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction.

The judge is not bound by the recommendation.

Short would spend 18 months to three years on parole after any prison sentence, Thomakos said.

Scott said the prosecutor's office would not object to the judge releasing Short after he spends four years and six months in prison, provided he maintains a satisfactory record in the institution.

The prosecutor said DeMattio's mother Lori Daniels was aware of the sentencing recommendation and agreed with it.

Thomakos outlined the possible punishments for each charge: Aggravated vehicular homicide, mandatory prison sentence of two to eight years, optional fine up to $15,000; vehicular assault, mandatory prison sentence of one to five years, optional fine up to $10,000; failure to stop after an accident, third-degree felony, nine months to three years in prison, possible $10,000 fine; failure to stop after an accident, fourth-degree felony, six to 18 months in prison and a possible $5,000 fine; failure to stop after an accident, first-degree misdemeanor, up to 180 days in jail and a possible $1,000 fine; and operating a vehicle with willful and wanton disregard of the safety of persons or property, up to a $150 fine.

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Some of the charges arise from the same conduct and merge for sentencing purposes.

What are the details of the crash?

A report from the Ohio State Highway Patrol said Short went through a stop sign and hit the drivers side of a sport utility vehicle driven by a 33-year-old Dover woman. She was injured, as were DeMattio and Short's other passenger, a 23-year-old Dover woman.

After hitting the SUV, the Hyundai Tiburon driven by Short went off the road, hitting a fire hydrant and a utility pole.

Short was arrested after running from the crash scene at Cross Street and E. Third Street in Dover.

At this time of the crash, Short was on probation for 2019 convictions for trespassing in a habitation, a felony, and two counts of misdemeanor assault. The charges arose from a New Philadelphia home invasion.

More: Probation challenged for man who caused crash that injured four

Reach Nancy at 330-364-8402 or nancy.molnar@timesreporter.com.

On Twitter: @nmolnarTR

This article originally appeared on The Times-Reporter: Larry A. Short, 28, guilty of aggravated vehicular homicide
The Memphis Police Department (MPD) arrested one man after he was allegedly found with a stolen MPD weapon.

Jibril Robinson, 32, is charged with aggravated assault, evading arrest, aggravated burglary, convicted felon in possession of a handgun, and unlawful possession of a weapon.

Jibril Robinson

On July 28, officers responded to a domestic disturbance call in the 1200 block of Azalia Street just before 4 a.m.

The complainant said that the victim was involved in an altercation outside an apartment with Robinson.

The complainant told police that Robinson struck the victim in the mouth, knocking out her teeth, and then went to the rear of the apartment, removed the AC unit, entered the apartment and assaulted the victim again before fleeing the scene, the affidavit said.

According to police, while checking the area for the suspect, officers located him near an abandoned apartment and pursued him on foot.

After the brief chase, Robinson was arrested, records show.

Officers returned to the abandoned apartment and found two stolen handguns along with the suspects personal belongings, police said.

According to records, one of the handguns was found to be a stolen MPD weapon.

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Robinson was also found to be a convicted felon in 2010 for aggravated robbery, court records show.

The suspect waived his rights and said that he was involved in a fight with the victim and admitted to his belongings being in the vacant apartment.

According to court records, Robinson is charged with aggravated assault, evading arrest, aggravated burglary, convicted felon in possession of a handgun, and unlawful possession of a weapon.

He is due in court on Aug. 12 and his bond is set a $50,000.
A federal judge on Monday sentenced a Texas man, who brought a gun to the January 6 Capitol riot, to 7.25 years in prison.

Guy Reffit, a recruiter for the far-right militia group the Texas Three Percenters, received the punishment, the longest sentence for any individual involved in January 6 to date, after the judge denied the Justice Departments request for a terrorism enhancement that would have yielded more prison time.

In March, Reffitt was found guilty of five criminal counts, including obstructing the certification of the 2020 election results for Joe Biden and transporting a firearm to stir civil unrest. He did not inflict physical violence that day and did not gain entrance into the Capitol building.

In November 2021, Jacob Chansley, the so-called QAnon Shaman, was sentenced to nearly three-and-a-half years in federal prison after he was convicted of corruptly obstructing an official proceeding.

Reffitt was the first participant in the January 6 unrest who did not enter into a plea bargain after he was charged, opting instead to go directly to trial.

Mr. Reffitts reluctance to admit early that his behavior is illegal is concerning, District Judge Dabney Friedrich said before issuing the decision. And I want to be very clear  under no legitimate definition of the term patriot (does) Mr. Reffitts behavior on and around January 6 fit the term. It is the antithesis of the word.

On January 6, Reffitt drove to Washington, D.C. with several guns, one of which he took with him to the Capitol steps as the chaos erupted.

Reffitts son Jackson turned his father in days before January 6, reaching out to the FBI via a tip line to warn the bureau because he was concerned about what he might do. Jackson testified against his father during the trial, during which he noted that Reffitt had slowly lost himself over the last five years. Peyton, Reffitts daughter, also took the stand, tearfully telling the judge that he is not a threat to my family and suggesting that Trump is largely to blame for the events that unfolded rather than her father, who is not the leader.

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Friedrich, however, claimed that Reffitt endangered many people and the U.S. system of governance that day. The officers at the Capitol are the patriots, as well as those who fought and even died to protect our democracy, our rule of law  those in the mob are not. Not only are they not patriots, theyre a direct threat to our democracy and will be punished as such, she declared.

More from National Review
Meg Gardiner Courtesy Image

Meg Gardiner, an Edgar Award-winning thriller writer, has collaborated with Michael Mann to co-author Heat 2, a novel that builds on Mann's classic 1995 crime film. Below, Gardiner recommends six other books about crooks and their hunters.

Norco '80 by Peter Houlahan (2019)

This stunning true-crime book delivers both a riveting account of a wild Southern California bank robbery and an astonishing courtroom story. The robbery's haunting effect on victims, witnesses, and police officers is movingly portrayed. But it here.

Blacktop Wasteland by S.A. Cosby (2020)

"Drive it like you stole it." Beauregard "Bug" Montage is a street racer, mechanic, family man, and the once and future king of getaway drivers. This novel is a gritty, dazzling take on a classic crime tale: a man lured back into the Life. It's full of breathtaking action and Bug's desperate ingenuity, vividly written. Buy it here.

City on Fire by Don Winslow (2022)

This novel about a war between rival New England crime families is savage, heartbreaking  and exhilarating. Protagonist Danny Ryan, an insider who will forever be an outsider, is tied by love and loyalty to the Murphy family and their spiraling violence. A stark, street-level epic. Buy it here.

Shell Game by Sara Paretsky (2018)

I can't ever mention Chicago without paying tribute to the boss of Chicago crime fiction. Nobody writes about Chicago like Sara Paretsky, and there's no P.I. like her sardonic, pugnacious V.I. Warshawski. Shell Game has V.I. tussling, as always, with the snakes who inhabit her beloved city, running and gunning at the top of her game. Buy it here.

These Women by Ivy Pochoda (2020)

In this chilling, immersive Los Angeles murder mystery, a killer targets victims who seem to have little to lose. The suspense builds relentlessly. Ivy Pochoda's portrayal of the tenacity of women who live on the edges is beautiful and stiletto-sharp. Buy it here.

American Kingpin by Nick Bilton (2017)

I love a cat-and-mouse duel, and this one is jaw-dropping. Ross Ulbricht was an Eagle Scout who dreamed of the "ultimate" free market  and created a global online criminal marketplace. This nonfiction best-seller, subtitled "The Epic Hunt for the Criminal Mastermind Behind the Silk Road," is a rocket-sled ride through Ulbricht's underground adventure and eventual capture by the FBI. Buy it here.

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This article was first published in the latest issue of The Week magazine. If you want to read more like it, you can try six risk-free issues of the magazine here.

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Michigan restaurants have been closed to indoor dining since a state health department order went into effect on Nov. 18.

A federal fund intended to boost restaurants that suffered heavy losses in the pandemic is under fire by industry officials after a recent report found that it's sitting on $180 million in undispersed aid.

The $28.6 billion Restaurant Revitalization Fund was created last year as part of the American Rescue Plan Act to aid businesses facing staggering losses in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic. The fund opened to applicants in May 2021, with priority given to female-owned businesses, veterans, people of color, and economically or socially disadvantaged applicants during the first few weeks

A recent analysis by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) report found that $180 million remains in the fund, including $24 million set aside for litigation, and $56 million returned by applicants or their financial institutions.

The National Restaurant Association is calling on the U.S. Small Businesses Administration to award the remaining grant money to applicants who applied for assistance but did not receive grants.

According to the report, SBA officials said while they intend to award the remaining funds, they are "taking additional time to confirm that any new awards would comply with the terms of legal decisions regarding the priority groups."

More: Michigan restaurant group sues to stop 3-week shutdown of indoor dining

In its letter, the restaurant association said "it would be consistent with the spirit of the law to utilize all unobligated funds to address the (funding) shortfall."

"Now more than ever, every dollar appropriated by Congress for restaurant relief needs to be unlocked and put in the hands of operators struggling to keep their doors open," Kennedy the association's executive vice president for public affairs wrote ENDNU. "We urge the SBA to take every step to disburse all remaining funds in a fair and timely manner. "

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Restaurants, they said, are still facing operating issues such as worker shortages, high food costs, and customer confidence uncertainty.

Patti Eisenbraun, co-owner of Brown Iron Brewhouse with locations in Royal Oak and Washington Township, believes even a portion of the undispersed funds could help restaurants.

Brown Iron Brewhouse, with 66 beers on tap and a smokehouse-style menu opens Feb. 28 at Woodward Corners in Royal Oak.

"If there are funds that are still available it would be so beneficial to restaurants," particularly businesses that were awarded grants but never received the funds, Eisenbraun said.

Eisenbraun opened his Royal Oak location on March 1, 2020, weeks before the pandemic.

"We didn't qualify for any programs," she said. "But we qualified for this (RRF) and then put to the side because we are women-owned and told specifically it was because of the lawsuit. "

What the GAO reported found

While SBA prevented more than 30,000 suspicious applications from receiving awards, the GAO identified systemic problems with the program:

SBA considered applications made through external vendors to be low-risk, but more than 4,000 recipients who applied were flagged for suspected fraud or ineligibility, including an alleged "fraudster" who received $8 million.

Grant recipients are to report on fund use, but nearly a third of the reports were overdue as of June 2022.

Though emphasized, the SBA has not assessed the effectiveness of its pre-award controls in detecting fraudulent or ineligible applications. "Assessing controls and addressing deficiencies would help SBA better ensure program integrity," the report said.

The GAO outlined seven recommendations to the SBA administrators for straightening out problems going forward.

The SBA agreed or partially agreed with only two recommendations, the report said, including implementing a plan to address fraudulent or ineligible awards in a prompt and consistent manner.

More: Hollywood Casino at Greektown restaurant, bar get revamped menus: What's new

More: Brew Detroit's new kitchen is now open: Here's what to expect

Shortly after the fund opened to applicants, it became mired in controversy. How the SBA dispersed the funds and for whom became an issue among restaurant owners.

The SBA came under fire when thousands of restaurant owners, including those in Michigan, received letters rescinding previously approved funds. Those funds were rescinded after three restaurants sued the SBA in federal court in Fort Worth, Texas, and Knoxville, Tennessee, over how it prioritized certain grant recipients.

Among the businesses in Michigan that applied to the fund, 42% received funding, the GAO's July report said.

Restaurants in Michigan and nationwide, hard hit by the pandemic and shut out of government aid, had hoped for another shot at receiving funds several months ago.

In April, legislation to replenish the fund passed the House of Representatives but failed to pass the Senate. The proposal would have pumped another $40 billion into the fund.

Contact Detroit Free Press food writer Susan Selasky and send food and restaurant news to: sselasky@freepress.com. Follow @SusanMariecooks on Twitter.

Support local journalism and become a digital subscriber to the Free Press.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Restaurants want COVID-19 funds from American Rescue Plan Act released
KATERYNA TYSHCHENKO  MONDAY, 1 AUGUST 2022, 17:41

The movement of Russian military engineering equipment in the area of departure for Zaporizhzhia was recorded on Monday, 1 August in temporarily occupied Mariupol in Donetsk Oblast.

Source: Petro Andriushchenko, adviser to the mayor of Mariupol, on Telegram

Quote from Andriushchenko: "We are recording a large movement of military engineering equipment and manpower at 14:45 along Nikopolskyi Avenue towards the exit to Zaporizhzhia.

The majority are pontoon crossing. Marked with a V."

Details: Andriushchenko has also published a video of the movement of Russian equipment.

Previously: On Sunday evening, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that the occupiers were moving separate units from Sloviansk to the Zaporizhzhia front.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Russia is transferring part of its forces from the east of Ukraine to the Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions, but this will not help it.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Become our patron, support our work!
The depths of the Earth's oceans contain many secrets that often take researchers years of investigation to solve. A new mystery in the Atlantic Ocean is almost literally taking them down the rabbit hole.

On July 23, along the seafloor off the coast of Portugal beneath the island chain of the Azores, scientists working with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) found a dozen sets of small holes in the sand at a depth of nearly 2 miles, with no clues of how they got there. Two weeks later and 300 miles away, they found even more mysterious holes, exactly the same as the first.

A close look at the sets of holes along the floors of the Atlantic Ocean. The origins of the holes are unclear. (NOAA Ocean Exploration)

From May to September 2022, NOAA is carrying out an expedition called Voyage to the Ridge 2022 in this relatively unexplored region of the Atlantic. NOAA scientists set off from Newport, Rhode Island, to Newfoundland, Canada, on the first leg of the trip and then left Norfolk, Virginia, for the Azores. They will finish up by traversing the Atlantic in the other direction, to Puerto Rico and the Caribbean. Their research vessel, called the Okeanos Explorer, is investigating the coral and sponge colonies on volcanic ridges. Finding the holes was more of a happy accident.

This isn't the first time scientists encountered these strange-looking patterns. NOAA spokesperson Emily Crum told The New York Times that in 2004, right in the vicinity of this initial discovery, researchers recorded the first sighting of the holes.

"The origin of the holes has scientists stumped," NOAA's Ocean Exploration project tweeted. "The holes look human made, but the little piles of sediment around them suggest they were excavated by ... something."

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"There is something important going on there and we don't know what it is," NOAA deep-sea biologist Michael Vecchione told the Times. "This highlights the fact that there are still mysteries out there."

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Hypotheses regarding the origins of the holes range from human-made causes to the tracks of an undiscovered species of animal or a gas vent blowing bubbles up through the sand. Vecchione co-authored a paper in 2022 discussing the gaps in current knowledge of the holes and what could be causing them.

According to the paper, the holes appear to have been either excavated from the top or pierced up from underneath, meaning whatever created them could have been digging the holes or burrowed under the sediment and potentially used the holes as a breathing apparatus -- like a snorkel. There's no definitive evidence to say for sure, though, and it will take more time and investigations to find the truth.

NOAA scientists use this underwater drone, called Deep Discoverer, to examine features of the seafloor up to 19,000 feet below the ocean's surface. (NOAA Ocean Exploration)

Vecchione, who was present for this latest run-in with the mysterious holes, said he was happy to see them again after nearly two decades but also expressed disappointment that there are still no answers. The Okeanos Explorer is currently docked in the Azores until Aug. 6, when the vessel will set out for its third Voyage to the Ridge expedition.

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The Greenland shark was unexpectedly caught in deep waters off the coast of Belize (Devanshi Kasana)

A Greenland shark has stunned researchers after being found in the western Caribbean Sea, over 4,000 miles from the Arctic waters the species normally calls home.

A Florida International University student, Devanshi Kasana, was working with fishermen tagging tiger sharks off the coast of Belize, home of the worlds second longest barrier reef when she spotted a shark that looked very unusual.

Ms Kasana said the discovery was made after a long night of fishing. The weather had deteriorated and storm clouds were gathering on the horizon.

The team did a last check of their lines and found that on the end of one, wasnt a tiger shark, but what they described as "a rather sluggish creature".

"It looked old  ancient, even  and more like an elongated, smooth stone that had sprung to life," the team said in a statement.

"It had a blunt snout and small pale bluish coloured eyes".

Greenland sharks alive today could feasibly have already been swimming through the depths of the ocean during the time of William Shakespeare as they can live for over 400 years (NOAA)

The appearance of the shark - normally found in waters around Greenland and Iceland - and its location, led the scientists to think it could be a member of the sleeper shark family.

At first, I was sure it was something else, like a six-gill shark that are well known from deep waters off coral reefs, said Ms Kasana.

I knew it was something unusual and so did the fishers, who hadnt ever seen anything quite like it in all their combined years of fishing.

Kasana texted a photo to her PhD advisor Demian Chapman, the director of Sharks & Rays Conservation Research at Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium.

Dr Chapmans response caught her off guard. He said it wasnt a six-gill. But, it looked a lot like a Greenland shark (Somniosus microcephalus).

After conferring with several Greenland shark experts, the final determination was it was definitely in the sleeper shark family  and because of its large size, was most likely a Greenland shark or a hybrid between the Greenland shark and Pacific sleeper shark (Somniosus pacificus).

Little is known about the Greenland shark, largely due to its preferred habitat of cold deep ocean water. However, the species is famous for being long-lived with individual sharks living for over 400 years.

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The research team said there was now speculation that Greenland sharks could be found all over the world, living in tropics at greater depths than they would in the Arctic, in areas where they can still find their preferred low temperatures.

The waters around Glovers Reef Atoll form a steep slope which ultimately drops to 9,500 feet (2,900 metres) deep, which means there is the cold water needed for a Greenland shark to thrive.

I am always excited to set my deep water line because I know there is stuff down there that we havent seen yet in Belize, but I never thought I would be catching a Greenland shark, said Omar Faux, one of the fishermen in Belize.

My crew and I are looking forward to future deep-water expeditions with Dr Chapman and his team.

The research is published in the journal Marine Biology.
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Sold-out hotels. Excitement that seems to grow by the day. The potential for hundreds of thousands of visitors, support staff, and more.

These are just a few of the factors being calculated into preparations for Artemis I, the first launch of NASA's moon-focused Space Launch System rocket slated for Aug. 29. Standing 322 feet tall, it promises to be the biggest, most powerful rocket to launch from the Space Coast in years  bringing with it a level of excitement to match.

All told, Space Coast officials are expecting at least 100,000 visitors for the rocket's first window, which includes opportunities on Aug. 29, Sept. 2, and Sept. 5 (Labor Day). Currently, T-0 on Aug. 29 is set for 8:33 a.m. ET. Pad 39B will host.

The rocket is part of NASA's Artemis program, which aims to put humans back on the moon sometime this decade. That starts with the uncrewed Artemis I mission and its plan to take an Orion capsule on a four-to-six-week journey to the moon and back. Artemis II will do the same with astronauts, then Artemis III will put two astronauts on the surface sometime after 2024.

Hotels and tourism

When is the Artemis I launch?: NASA working toward late August launch of Artemis I mission to the moon

NASA: Artemis I moves forward for August launch of around-the-moon mission

The Space Coast isn't a stranger to launch day crowds. During the space shuttle era that ran through 2011, half a million or more visitors would sometimes flood the area, scooping up hotel rooms and packing local businesses.

Since then, crowds have been smaller, but still significant. Even during the height of the coronavirus pandemic, thousands still flocked to Brevard County to see launches.

Some of the recent SpaceX Crew Dragon launches, which take astronauts to the International Space Station from KSC, have drawn between 100,000 and 250,000 visitors, according to Peter Cranis, executive director of the Space Coast Office of Tourism. It wouldn't be a stretch to expect more than 100,000 for Artemis I.

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"I think the crewed launches and these Artemis launches are going to be of equal interest to people," Cranis said. "I would expect certainly over 100,000, if not more, coming for that."

As of June, Cranis said, Brevard County had 10,734 hotel rooms and 4,500 vacation rental units. Each unit can obviously accommodate more than one person, but those numbers likely won't be impacted by spectators driving from Orlando, for example, to see the launch without staying overnight.

Speaking to the greater launch cadence, Cranis said Artemis also supports his office's efforts at marketing the Space Coast. Both KSC and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station have hosted 32 launches this year, a pace not seen since the 1960s.

"Our marketing line is we're the only beach that doubles as a launch pad and now that's a message we can put out there because the frequency is so elevated," he said. "Being known for that is something that makes us special among our peers who obviously have beaches to promote, but no space program."

Is Russia leaving ISS?: What Russia's threat to pull out of the ISS might mean for NASA

More space news: NASA chooses SpaceX for $255 million Falcon Heavy telescope launch

Just glancing at hotel room listings shows a rapidly dwindling supply among those that haven't been sold out.

The space-themed Courtyard by Marriott Titusville  Kennedy Space Center is one of the area's newest hotels. Completed this year and opened to the public in April, it boasts views of KSC and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station pads and even has a rooftop "Space Bar" specifically for launch viewing.

All the Courtyard's rooms, along with the Space Bar, are sold out for Artemis I.

"Weve had more and more people discover the hotel since it opened in April, with steadily increasing room bookings and patronage of The Space Bar on the roof," said Glen White, director of corporate communications for Delaware North. The company franchised the Courtyard hotel brand and paid for the project.

"We also anticipate having people book rooms and visit the Space Bar to feel the excitement of seeing Artemis on the launch pad in the days leading up to launch," White said.

Delaware North's main Space Coast operation is the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, which is expecting to sell out its Artemis day offerings.

"We are expecting capacity crowds at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex for the upcoming Artemis launch," said Therrin Protze, the visitor complex's chief operating officer. "(The visitor complex) will offer special Artemis launch viewing packages that will include some of the closest public viewing opportunities with distinctive experiences like live commentary from space experts and access to select exhibits and attractions."

Artemis I's launch ties in with the complex's recently opened "Gateway: The Deep Space Launch Complex" exhibit, which focuses on the future of spaceflight. Inside the new exhibit is a scale model of the SLS rocket, a flown Orion capsule similar to the one on Artemis I, and other items like a ceiling-mounted SpaceX Falcon Heavy booster.

The visitor complex's tickets for Artemis I viewing will go on sale 11 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 2, at https://bit.ly/3OJBJuu.

Kennedy Space Center and media

Crowds gathering to see the launch as spectators aren't the only visitors expected on the Space Coast. Hundreds of media members from around the world have signed up to cover the liftoff, too.

KSC's public affairs team confirmed at least 700 media have signed up so far, a figure that dwarfs typical launches and is closer to crowds seen during the space shuttle program. Heather Scott, a spokesperson for the Space Force's Space Launch Delta 45, said the military branch will also be pitching in to help manage media.

"The growing sense of energy and excitement that has been steadily building around Kennedy and among our workforce in the last year is tangible," said Mike Bolger, director of KSC's Exploration Ground Systems. "A sense of anticipation is growing daily as we close in on launching this amazing rocket and spacecraft."

From an employee perspective, launch day car passes that can be used to bring personal vehicles  and family and friends, in most cases  are highly sought after.

And it's not just about launch day viewing: employees not directly working on Artemis have been handling non-critical items for those who are, even going as far as buying their lunch to help free up time.

"Our teams are laser-focused on walking SLS and Orion through the final steps before its maiden flight around the moon, but the excitement across the center is palpable," KSC Director Janet Petro said. "You can see it in peoples faces, you can hear it in their voices, and when we all stand together with our eyes to the sky on launch day, I dont think there will be a feeling in the world like it."

James Webb telescope images: Astronomers on NASA Webb telescope images: 'Like a kid in a candy store'

Artemis I mission: NASA working toward August launch of Artemis I mission to the moon

Artemis I launch windows

If SLS is unable to fly during the first window in late August into early September, teams have several more opportunities through the end of the year. Though a delay from the initial window will mean having to roll SLS and Orion back to the Vehicle Assembly Building for more work, which could mean shifts to the other launch opportunities below:

October:

Oct. 17 to 23

Oct. 27

Oct. 29 to 31

November:

Nov. 12

Nov. 14 to 19

Nov. 22 to 25

Nov. 27

December:

Dec. 9

Dec. 11 to 13

Dec. 15 to 17

Dec. 19 to 22

For the latest, visit floridatoday.com/launchschedule.

Contact Emre Kelly at aekelly@floridatoday.com or 321-242-3715. Follow him on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram at @EmreKelly.

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: NASA's Artemis I moon mission: Thousands expected to visit Florida
An ugly race marred by lawsuits, Federal Election Commission complaints and next-level name-calling between a Republican congressman and a wealthy primary challenger is careening toward an uncertain finish Tuesday in Arizona.

Both are floating accusations of the other tearing down campaign yard signs and breaking the law, either for being the Robocall King or for violating campaign finance laws. But only one will be the Republican nominee for the newly 1st District in Arizona, a newly redrawn district that tilts to the political center  but has first seen a massive primary brawl take place on the right.

Trump-endorsed Rep. David Schweikert is facing a well-funded challenge from 32-year old vehicle warranty businessman Elijah Norton. The district includes 75 percent of Schweikerts old, pre-redistricting constituents in Phoenixs affluent suburbs, where he pulled off a tight win in the last general election.

But now he faces his first election since being fined for misspending campaign and office finances. In February, Schweikert was fined $125,000 by the FEC for 11 ethics violations, and he was also reprimanded by the House in 2020 and fined $50,000.

Nortons team has run an aggressive media campaign centered on unseating corrupt politicians in an effort to undo Schweikerts advantage as the incumbent. In response, a pro-Schweikert super PAC dubbed Norton King of the Robocall Rip-off and a scam artist, alleging that he and his company have greatly benefited from illegal robocalls.

Schweikerts team says they own a double-digit lead in internal polling. Norton says his internal polling shows a near tie.

Weve entered within the margin of error, Norton said on internal polling. So were very optimistic.

Norton is one of only a handful of challengers nationwide who has outspent an incumbent, albeit with the overwhelming majority of cash comes from self-funding loans. FEC filings show Norton has spent $4.3 million in the primary, close to the amount of money he directed into his own campaign. Schweikert, according to the most recent disclosures, has spent $1.2 million himself this election cycle.

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The candidates are aligned in policy, citing the need to build a border wall on Arizonas southern border and railing against the economic downturn.

With that alignment on policy, the race has taken a nasty personal turn. Another controversial Schweikert ad campaign insinuated Norton was gay, with the text reading Elijah Norton isnt being straight with you, with a picture of Norton standing close to a blurred male.

This isnt the first time Schweikert has been accused of homophobia during a campaign: In 2012 a campaign mailer claimed then-Republican congressman and Schweikert primary opponent Ben Quayle goes both ways.

And this time, the ads sparked litigation from people associated with Norton, with several lawsuits still pending. Schweikerts team says those lawsuits, however, are being orchestrated by Nortons campaign.

He paid for the attorney to file the lawsuit, which is baseless, Schweikert campaign manager Chris Baker said on litigation for the ad being called homophobic. The people filing all those lawsuits are Elijah Nortons attorneys.

Norton has also complained to the FEC, calling for another investigation into Schweikerts campaign. The FEC, according to documents shown to POLITICO, has acknowledged the complaint but has not yet reached a conclusion.

The winner will ultimately face a Democratic challenger in a November election that is being forecast as a potentially close race. President Joe Biden carried the district by 1.5 percentage points in 2020, according to POLITICOs Redistricting Tracker. Both MAGA-centric candidates, however, still like their odds.

Remember districts change: people move, they come and go in a state like Arizona which has significant growth and was R+9 a decade ago, Baker said. We remain very confident about David [Schweikerts] strength in this district.
Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear at Vidcon 2022. David Livingston / Getty Images

Netflix is suing the creators of "The Unofficial Bridgerton Musical," alleging copyright infringement.

Netflix said creators Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear organized live performances without permission.

"Bridgerton" executive producer Shonda Rhimes and author Julia Quinn have supported the lawsuit.

Netflix is suing the creators of "The Unofficial Bridgerton Musical" after they put on a live performance at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, last week.

Last year, songwriting duo Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear began composing a musical version of the first season of "Bridgerton" after the series became a Netflix hit. Their songs went viral on TikTok and their concept album, which was released in September last year, won a Grammy award.

After initially praising the unofficial musical, Netflix has now filed for copyright infringement after Barlow and Bear announced a live concert of the album in both the Kennedy Center and the Royal Albert Hall in London, UK, without permission from the streamer.

"Defendants Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear and their companies ("Barlow & Bear") have taken valuable intellectual property from the Netflix original series 'Bridgerton' to build an international brand for themselves," the suit, seen by Insider, said. "Netflix owns the exclusive right to create 'Bridgerton' songs, musicals, or any other derivative works based on 'Bridgerton.'"

In their suit, Netflix noted that the Kennedy Center performance, which cost $149 for a ticket and included VIP tickets, featured "verbatim dialogue, character traits, and expression" from the "Bridgerton" series and had dramatic portrayals of the characters by Broadway actors. Barlow and Bear also promoted their own "Bridgerton"-themed merchandise.

"Throughout the performance, Barlow & Bear misrepresented to the audience that they were using Netflix's 'Bridgerton' trademark 'with permission,' while Netflix vigorously objected," the streaming company added. "It is a blatant infringement of intellectual property rights."

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Netflix also said in the suit that they offered a license to the songwriting duo before their Kennedy Center performance after hearing about it, but Barlow and Bear refused.

While there have been TikTok musicals before based on other people's work, such as the "Ratatousical" in 2021, all the profits went to charity.

The musical is based on the first season of the show. Liam Daniel / Netflix

Both "Bridgerton" author Julia Quinn and "Bridgerton" series executive producer Shonda Rhimes have responded in a statement to Deadline.

"What started as a fun celebration by Barlow & Bear on social media has turned into the blatant taking of intellectual property solely for Barlow & Bear's financial benefit," Rhimes said. "Just as Barlow & Bear would not allow others to appropriate their IP for profit, Netflix cannot stand by and allow Barlow & Bear to do the same with Bridgerton."

Quinn added: "Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear are wildly talented, and I was flattered and delighted when they began composing Bridgerton songs and sharing with other fans on TikTok. There is a difference, however, between composing on TikTok and recording and performing for commercial gain."

She continued: "I would hope that Barlow & Bear, who share my position as independent creative professionals, understand the need to protect other professionals' intellectual property, including the characters and stories I created in the Bridgerton novels over twenty years ago."

Insider has reached out to Barlow and Bear for comment.

Read the original article on Insider
(Reuters) - Myanmar will not be represented at an international gathering of foreign ministers in Cambodia this week, a spokesperson for the ASEAN chair said on Monday, after its military rulers declined a proposal to send a non-junta representative instead.

The Southeast Asian bloc ASEAN has since late last year barred the Myanmar junta from joining its meetings due to its lack of progress in implementing an ASEAN peace plan its generals agreed to after a coup in February 2021.

(Reporting by Reuters Staff; Writing by Martin Petty; Editing by Ed Davies)
PANAMA CITY BEACH  It soon could become a lot more convenient to eat on the sandy beaches throughout the city.

In a City Council meeting Thursday, officials discussed allowing beachfront restaurants to deliver food directly to beachgoers who order through websites or food delivery apps.

While such deliveries might already occur, they are illegal through Panama City Beach's existing rules which allow only select businesses to sell their products on the sand from huts.

The Panama City Beach City Council is considering allowing food deliveries on its sandy beaches. However, it would be only for beachfront restaurants.

Where to eat on the Beach?: Here are 7 restaurants recommended by Visit Panama City Beach

'Awful' amount: Trash litters Bay's beaches. Here's how Keep PCB Beautiful is helping.

"We know it's happening at this point ... but what we want to do is put some rules and regulations around it," Mayor Mark Sheldon said. "It's just the start of a conversation to see ... how we can have something (to) benefit the people who are enjoying the white, sandy beach."

While nothing was approved Thursday, Sheldon and other council members said they were in favor of allowing only beachfront restaurants to make such deliveries. They also did not like the idea of alcohol being delivered or servers taking orders on the sand.

"There's not going to be servers down on the beach taking orders, going chair to chair or bothering people," Sheldon said. "That's really important to us. We want people to enjoy the beach for what it is. ... This is a good service for us to give to people who come and visit our beaches."

The reason only beachfront restaurants are being considered is because officials plan to require that participating businesses rake the beach behind their properties each night. This will help prevent an uptick in trash left along the coast.

If the ruling is approved, all restaurants still would be able to deliver to the rooms of customers staying at local condos and hotels. They just would not be able to take the food directly to customers on the sandy beach.

The City Council also discussed imposing permit fees for restaurants that want to deliver to beachgoers, as well as fines if any agreements with the city aren't met. This would hold businesses accountable, and help the city pay for any additional operating costs.

"(They) should cover the cost of having someone down there policing those beaches on a daily basis to make sure they're maintaining them to the standards we set," said Councilwoman Mary Coburn.

This article originally appeared on The News Herald: Panama City Beach weighs allowing food delivery on the sandy beach
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Win McNamee/Getty Images

Nancy Pelosi is visiting Taiwan as part of her Asia tour, CNN and Taiwanese media reported.

China has threatened military action if she visits. China doesn't recognize Taiwan as a country.

Pelosi appeared to avoid talking about any trip while meeting officials in Singapore on Monday.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi will go ahead with visiting Taiwan during her Asia tour despite China's threats to take military action if she does, reports say.

Tingting Liu of the Taiwanese news channel TVBS reported on Monday that Pelosi would be arriving in Taipei, the capital of Taiwan, landing Tuesday night local time.

CNN also reported the plans, citing a Taiwanese official and a US official, but said that an arrival time was not clear. The network reported that the Taiwanese official said she was expected to stay overnight.

Pelosi arrived in Singapore, the first leg of her Asia trip, on Monday morning local time and met with leaders there. She has appeared to avoid talking about Taiwan so far.

According to the Singapore foreign ministry, Pelosi and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong "exchanged views on key international and regional developments, including the war in Ukraine, cross-strait relations, and climate change."

The ministry said Lee "highlighted the importance of stable US-China relations for regional peace and security," an apparent reference to the heightened tensions between US and China over the prospect of a Taiwan visit.

Singaporean President Halimah Yacob also said that she and Pelosi discussed US-Singapore ties and education, climate change, and opportunities for women.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Singaporean President Halimah Yacob in Singapore on August 1, 2022, the first day of Pelosi's Asia tour. Ministry of Communications and Information, Singapore

After the Financial Times reported last month that Pelosi would visit Taiwan in August, China has repeatedly warned her not to. It said on Monday that its military would not "sit idly by" if she visited.

Representatives for Pelosi have have repeatedly refused to talk about plans to visit Taiwan.

Her Sunday statement on her Asia trip made no mention of Taiwan or China. It listed other destinations like Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea, and Japan.

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Beijing has long claimed that Taiwan is part of China, though the island has been self-ruling for decades.

China has a long-running campaign to discourage other countries from giving diplomatic recognition to Taiwan, and has in recent months stepped up its military action in the region.

Military analysts believe China may eventually invade to take the island by force.

US policy toward Taiwan is "strategic ambiguity," meaning it doesn't recognize Taiwan's independence but provides it with military support meant to fend off attack by China.

President Joe Biden said last month that US military officials believed that a Pelosi Taiwan trip is "not a good idea."

US officials told the Associated Press last week that the Department of Defense was prepared to send fighter jets and warships to protect Pelosi during her Asia trip. CNN's Monday report also cited a US official as saying that Pentagon officials were trying to keep her safe and monitoring Chinese movements in the area.

Bloomberg reported last week that the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan had entered the South China Sea.

A Pentagon spokesperson told Insider in a statement: "We never talk about security details for unconfirmed or confirmed travel. We of course take all appropriate measures to ensure the safety of Members of Congress wherever and whenever they choose to travel."

Read the original article on Business Insider
WASHINGTON  The White House tried on Monday to lower tensions over House Speaker Nancy Pelosis expected visit to Taiwan, which China has already said would be considered a serious provocation.

Theres no reason for this to escalate, National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said at a White House briefing on Monday, reiterating that the Biden administration continues to endorse the One China policy.

The speaker has a right to visit Taiwan, and a speaker of the House has visited Taiwan before without incident, as have many members of Congress, including this year, Kirby said. The world has seen the United States government be very clear that nothing has changed  nothing has changed  about our One China policy.

The One China policy, which has been in place for decades, effectively concedes that Taiwan is a Chinese territory. Bound by a 1979 law to supply Taiwan with weapons, the U.S. has maintained an ambiguous position on whether it would come to Taiwans aid in the event of a Chinese invasion.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi gives a speech at the Capitol last month. (J. Scott Applewhite/AP)

Beijing sees the self-governing islands independence movement as a threat, one it could potentially answer with military force, although Taiwan has not yet taken the step of formally declaring independence from its vastly more powerful neighbor.

We don't support Taiwan independence, Kirby reasserted on Monday, a view that is consistent with that of previous administrations.

Then-Speaker Newt Gingrich visited Taiwan in 1997, the last House leader to do so. Since then, Chinas regional influence has only increased, as has its confidence as a superpower.

Pelosi had initially intended to visit Taiwan in April, but a coronavirus infection scuttled those plans. She is now expected to arrive in Taiwan on Tuesday.

China bristled at the news. "If the U.S. insists on going down the wrong path, China will definitely take resolute and forceful measures to firmly defend its national sovereignty and territorial integrity," a Chinese Foreign Ministry official said the day after her intentions were made public.

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The U.S. and its allies are still preoccupied with Russias ongoing war in Ukraine. The fear of provoking a second nuclear power with enormous regional influence remains a top concern, and Kirby labored on Monday to depict Pelosis visit as distinct from the Biden administrations own diplomatic priorities.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre and National Security Council spokesman John Kirby. (Evan Vucci/AP)

We will not take the bait or engage in saber-rattling, Kirby said. There is no reason it should spark some sort of conflict, he added of the speakers visit at another point during Mondays briefing.

At the same time, we will not be intimidated, he said, acknowledging the immensely fraught geopolitical situation into which Pelosi may be venturing. During the past week, China and Taiwan have held competing military drills.

Were going to make sure that she has a safe and secure visit  because thats our responsibility, Kirby said. Pelosi is traveling to Asia on a military transport, giving the visit an official imprimatur the White House would prefer to downplay.

Pelosi began her visit to East Asia with a trip to Singapore. Her itinerary includes stops in Malaysia, South Korea and Japan. Kirby professed not to know what her message might be if she does, as expected, make a stop in Taiwan.

I cant speak for what Speaker Pelosi may say or do on this trip, he said.
The White House on Monday warned China against overreacting to a trip by US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to Taiwan, saying she would have every right to visit the self-ruled island despite Beijing viewing it as a highly provocative challenge.

China need not turn any visit by Pelosi into a "crisis," White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters, even as he warned that Beijing may be "positioning" itself for a show of military strength around the island.

Media reports have said that Pelosi, currently on an official Asia tour, will stop off in Taiwan and meet President Tsai Ing-wen on Wednesday -- if so, the highest-level US visit to Taipei in decades.

Beijing, which views Taiwan as its territory, has reacted furiously to the idea, warning President Joe Biden that his administration was playing "with fire" and announcing a series of live-fire military drills in the Taiwan Straits.

While the White House and State Department are both understood to be opposed to Pelosi's trip, Kirby made it clear that the speaker -- who is second in line to the US presidency -- was entitled to go where she pleased.

"The speaker has the right to visit Taiwan," he told reporters, adding: "There is no reason for Beijing to turn a potential visit consistent with longstanding US policies into some sort of crisis."

Kirby cited intelligence that China was preparing possible military provocations that could include firing missiles in the Taiwan Strait or "large scale" incursions into Taiwan airspace.

Pelosi kicked her trip off Monday with a stop in Singapore, where Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong urged her at a meeting to strive for "stable" ties with Beijing.

Her itinerary also includes Malaysia, South Korea and Japan, but the prospect of a Taiwan visit has dominated attention.

- 'Nothing has changed' -

Speculation about Pelosi's plans has coincided with an uptick in military activity across the region.

Kirby said the United States "will not be intimidated" from continuing to move freely in the Pacific region.

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However, he sought to lower tension by stressing several times that US policy was unchanged toward Taiwan. This means support for its self-ruling government, recognizing Chinese sovereignty, and opposing either a full independence bid by Taiwan or a forceful takeover by China.

"Nothing has changed," he said. "There's certainly no reason for this to come to blows."

Kirby confirmed that Pelosi is traveling on a military aircraft and said Washington does not fear a direct attack, but warned it "raises the stakes of a miscalculation."

Pelosi's office has said her trip "will focus on mutual security, economic partnership and democratic governance in the Indo-Pacific region," referring to the Asia-Pacific.

The statement did not mention Taiwan. But visits by US officials there are usually kept secret until delegations land.

The Global Times, China's state-run tabloid, suggested that Pelosi might use "emergency excuses like an aircraft fault or refuelling" to land at a Taiwanese airport.

"If she dares to stop in Taiwan, it will be the moment to ignite the powder keg of the situation in the Taiwan Straits," Hu Xijin, a former Global Times editor and now commentator, tweeted.

And the Chinese army's Eastern Theater Command shared footage on social media site Weibo featuring a combat-ready army with fighters and helicopters taking off, amphibious troops landing on a beach and a stream of missiles raining down on various targets.

"We will bury all enemies who invade our territory," a short text accompanying the footage read.

"We're ready to fight," it added. "Advance towards a joint combat and a victorious war."

- Taiwan government silent -

Taiwan's 23 million people have long lived with the possibility of an invasion but the threat has intensified under Chinese President Xi Jinping.

American officials often make discreet visits to Taiwan to show support but a Pelosi trip would be higher-profile than any in recent history.

Taiwan's government has remained silent on the prospect of a Pelosi visit and there has been minimal local press coverage.

"I really hate what the Chinese are doing," Hsu Ching-feng, a fruit vendor in Taipei, told AFP.

"But there's nothing us common folks can do about it but ignore them."

bur-st/ec
TAPACHULA, Mexico (AP)  An alleged migrant smuggler was killed by police near the Mexico-Guatemala border early Monday after the driver of the pickup truck he was traveling in ignored police officers order to stop.

The Chiapas state prosecutors office said in a statement that five migrants, whose nationalities were not given, were also traveling in the truck with the driver and the man who was shot.

The state prosecutors office did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The driver told investigators they had picked up the migrants in Comitan de Dominguez on the Mexican side of the border. They were headed north when they encountered municipal police from San Cristobal de las Casas.

Someone in the truck opened fire on police, who then responded by shooting at the truck, according to an official in the state prosecutors office who was not authorized to speak about the case.

The victims death sparked protests in San Cristobal and a police vehicle was burned.

While receiving less attention than other migratory routes in southern Mexico, smugglers frequently use the sparsely-populated mountains to move people north from Central America.
Just after 2 a.m. on Monday morning, workers at the Extra Mart in Hampstead tell Boston 25 that the gas station was robbed by a man with gun.

He took off, but police soon spotted his car and pursued him.

They lost him, but a short time later, at about 2:40 a.m., police responded to an armed home invasion nearby on Wellington Drive. They found the car theyd chased in the driveway of that home.

Police have now identified the suspects as 39-year-old Jose Robles and his fiancee 37-year-old Camille Knox.

Both have last known addresses in Massachusetts.

I would never think anybody would ever come to Hampstead, N.H. of all places and rob it.

Guy Martin makes deliveries in town and is familiar with people on that street and at the gas station.

Oh absolutely. Everybody here in this area. Its very friendly, said Guy Martin who is a delivery man.

The home invasion led to a stand-off with police.

Robles reportedly tried to leave several times in the homeowners vehicle, holding a gun to the head of a person who lived there.

Eventually, the family, including children and a grandmother, were able to escape.

Investigators tell us Knox also left on her own, telling officers that Robles was under the influence of cocaine and meth. And that the couple is homeless.

Police say it all ended at about 4:30 a.m. after they say robles took pills and passed out.

Its very uncommon. Its very rare that something like that would happen in this area. Again, its a tight community; everybody kind of knows each other, said Martin.

Police later learned the gun that Robles used was actually a BB gun.

The couple will face a judge in a New Hampshire courtroom on Tuesday morning.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
By Mark Trevelyan

LONDON (Reuters) -Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Monday there could be no winners in a nuclear war and no such war should ever be started.

The Kremlin leader made the comment in a letter to participants of a conference on the nuclear non-proliferation treaty (NPT), more than five months into his war on Ukraine.

"We proceed from the fact that there can be no winners in a nuclear war and it should never be unleashed, and we stand for equal and indivisible security for all members of the world community," he said.

His words to the NPT forum appeared aimed at striking a reassuring note and portraying Russia as a responsible nuclear power.

They contrasted with earlier statements by Putin and other Russian politicians that have been interpreted in the West as implicit nuclear threats.

In a speech on Feb. 24, as he launched the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Putin pointedly referred to Russia's nuclear arsenal and warned outside powers that any attempt to interfere would "lead you to such consequences that you have never encountered in your history".

Days later, he ordered Russia's nuclear forces to be put on high alert.

The war has raised geopolitical tensions to levels not seen since the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis, with politicians in both Russia and the United States speaking publicly of the risk of World War Three.

CIA director William Burns said in April that given the setbacks Russia had suffered in Ukraine, "none of us can take lightly the threat posed by a potential resort to tactical nuclear weapons or low-yield nuclear weapons."

Russia, whose military doctrine allows for the use of nuclear weapons in the event of an existential threat to the Russian state, has accused the West of waging a "proxy war" against it by arming Ukraine and imposing sanctions on Moscow.

Earlier on Monday, a Russian foreign ministry source questioned the seriousness of comments by U.S. President Joe Biden calling for talks on a nuclear arms control framework to replace a treaty expiring in 2026.

In April, Russia conducted a first test launch of its new Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile, capable of mounting nuclear strikes against the United States, and said it planned to deploy the weapons by autumn.

(Reporting by Mark Trevelyan; editing by Guy Faulconbridge)
When a single insider purchases stock, it is typically not a major deal. However, when multiple insiders purchase stock, like in Macmahon Holdings Limited's (ASX:MAH) instance, it's good news for shareholders.

While insider transactions are not the most important thing when it comes to long-term investing, logic dictates you should pay some attention to whether insiders are buying or selling shares.

Check out our latest analysis for Macmahon Holdings

Macmahon Holdings Insider Transactions Over The Last Year

There wasn't any very large single transaction over the last year, but we can still observe some trading.

In the last twelve months Macmahon Holdings insiders were buying shares, but not selling. Their average price was about AU$0.21. I'd consider this a positive as it suggests insiders see value at around the current price, which is AU$0.14. The chart below shows insider transactions (by companies and individuals) over the last year. By clicking on the graph below, you can see the precise details of each insider transaction!

Macmahon Holdings is not the only stock that insiders are buying. For those who like to find winning investments this free list of growing companies with recent insider purchasing, could be just the ticket.

Insider Ownership Of Macmahon Holdings

For a common shareholder, it is worth checking how many shares are held by company insiders. I reckon it's a good sign if insiders own a significant number of shares in the company. Our data suggests Macmahon Holdings insiders own 2.2% of the company, worth about AU$6.6m. We do note, however, it is possible insiders have an indirect interest through a private company or other corporate structure. We prefer to see high levels of insider ownership.

What Might The Insider Transactions At Macmahon Holdings Tell Us?

There haven't been any insider transactions in the last three months -- that doesn't mean much. But insiders have shown more of an appetite for the stock, over the last year. While we have no worries about the insider transactions, we'd be more comfortable if they owned more Macmahon Holdings stock. So these insider transactions can help us build a thesis about the stock, but it's also worthwhile knowing the risks facing this company. In terms of investment risks, we've identified 2 warning signs with Macmahon Holdings and understanding these should be part of your investment process.

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If you would prefer to check out another company -- one with potentially superior financials -- then do not miss this free list of interesting companies, that have HIGH return on equity and low debt.

For the purposes of this article, insiders are those individuals who report their transactions to the relevant regulatory body. We currently account for open market transactions and private dispositions, but not derivative transactions.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

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The last few years have been tough for bars, restaurants, and downtown districts in general.

State Senator Julian Cyr, democrat from Truro, thinks reinstating Happy Hour could help. I think of the businesses in downtown Boston who are really struggling to get people in the door because people are just not coming into the office. This could be a tool that could help.

2-for-1 drink promotions were eliminated in 1984.

This new version, which is a budget amendment, would allow communities to opt in or opt out.

I think a lot has changed, said Cyr. Massachusetts has been moving away from our really puritanical perspective on drinking and alcohol consumption.

Dana Rosenblatt, owner of Sullivans Tap by North Station and three other establishments in the area, said restaurants and bars have taken such a hit during COVID that any attempt to help them is welcomed.

So many of them went out of business, added Rosenblatt. To them any incentive to get people in, just to potentially get a new customer to come in.

The Massachusetts Restaurant Association is opposing the idea of bringing Happy Hour back.

If drinks are discounted, we do better, Rosenblatt said. The state does better. The customer feels as though theyre getting more out of the interaction. Why not?

Newton police chief John Carmichael will you tell why not.

He says the whole concept of getting people to start drinking earlier in the day, and to encourage them with discounted prices, is faulty.

Youd have people that could potentially be consuming more because of the prices and everything, and then leaving there in motor vehicles and driving impaired and causing crashes.

Supporters point to the popularity of Uber and Lyft, which obviously didnt exist 40 years ago.

Bill Burns of Salem told us, as he enjoyed a beer at Sullivans Tap, that he thinks Happy Hour is an antidote for our times.

It brings people together, as well as it brings communities together, said Burns. It gets everyone off their cell phones, off Facebook, and gets people actually meeting each other.

Story continues

Senator Cyr emphasizes its important to be mindful of alcohols negative effects.

He adds that two states reinstated Happy Hour over the past decade and have not seen any increase in impaired driving rates.

According to Cyr, Massachusetts is the only state with a full ban on any kind of promotions involving alcohol.

Last week, Governor Charlie Baker said he considers himself a hard sell on reinstating Happy Hour.

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ALONA MAZURENKO  MONDAY, 1 AUGUST 2022, 09:00

Serhii Haidai, head of the Luhansk Oblast Military Administration, has reported that Russia is making daily attempts to mount an offensive on the city of Bakhmut in Donetsk Oblast.

Source: Haidai on Telegram

Quote: "The Russians are attempting to mount an offensive on Bakhmut on a daily basis, but have not been able to capture the small part of Luhansk Oblast [that remains under the control of the Ukrainian Armed Forces] for almost a month.

The Ukrainian Armed Forces are holding the line there and have in effect prevented the enemy from advancing there."

Details: Haidai said that the number of Russian troops in the area and the nature of their activities have not seen any significant changes. Their tactic remains much the same as it was during the hostilities in Luhansk Oblast.

Russia is replenishing the losses in its ground forces with mobilised residents of the occupied territories of Ukraine  for example, from Alchevsk, a city in Luhansk Oblast where the Russians are handing out call-up papers in shopping centres and on public transport.

Russian forces shelled Ukrainian Armed Forces positions and civilian towns and villages in Luhansk Oblast on seven occasions on 31 July, using tubed artillery and mortars. The Russians used multiple-launch rocket systems to carry out four further attacks on the oblast.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda!
LONDON (Reuters) -Russia on Monday announced sanctions against 39 British politicians, officials, business people and journalists, barring them from entering Russia for supporting the "demonisation" of the country.

Those targeted include opposition Labour Party leader Keir Starmer, former prime minister David Cameron and prominent TV journalists Piers Morgan, Robert Peston and Huw Edwards.

Their names are added to those of more than 200 other Britons whom Russia has already banned, including most of Britain's leading politicians.

The travel bans - mirroring those Russia has imposed on other Western nations that have hit it with sanctions over the invasion of Ukraine - are largely symbolic given that relations are already at rock bottom and hardly any of those targeted were likely to have intended to visit the country.

Russia's foreign ministry said, however, it would keep adding to the list.

"Given London's destructive drive to spin the sanctions flywheel on far-fetched and absurd pretexts, work on expanding the Russian stop-list will continue," it said in a statement.

Separately, the Russian Prosecutor General's office said it had declared the Calvert 22 Foundation, a non-profit organisation based in London, to be an "undesirable organisation".

"It has been established that its activity poses a threat to the foundations of the constitutional order and the security of the Russian Federation," it said in a statement.

No comment was immediately available from the organisation, which was founded in 2009 by Russian-born economist Nonna Materkova and focuses on arts and culture in Russia and eastern Europe.

(Reporting by Mark Trevelyan; editing by Guy Faulconbridge)
The Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant's six nuclear reactors, as seen from Nikopol, Ukraine, on April 27. Ed Jones/AFP/Getty Images

Russia is firing artillery from a nuclear power plant in Ukraine, The New York Times reported.

The aggressor sparked outrage when it captured the Zaporizhzhia plant and has now militarized it.

Experts say the risk of catastrophe is low  but Ukraine still feels unable to hit a nuclear site.

Russian troops are firing artillery at Ukrainian targets from a nuclear power plant, breaking another norm of war, The New York Times reported.

The war's aggressor selected the Zaporizhzhia site because it made it difficult for Ukrainian troops to retaliate, Ukrainian officials told The Times.

An annotated map shows the location of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power station at the border of the Russian-controlled area in Ukraine. UK ministry of defense/Insider

Russian forces have been firing at Nikopol, a Ukrainian town across the river from the plant, since mid-July, The Times said.

The capture of the Ukrainian nuclear power plant in March caused international outrage, as the fighting led to a fire on the site that raised fears the integrity of the nuclear reactors could be threatened.

The invasion of Ukraine marks one of the first times nuclear infrastructure has been in the line of fire during heavy conflict.

Ukrainian troops have hesitated to retaliate for fear that their strikes may hit one of Zaporizhzhia's six reactors or its stored nuclear waste.

"How can we respond?" Col. Serhiy Shatalov asked The Times. "This is a nuclear site."

Ukraine has made some limited attempts to attack the site, including precision strikes with kamikaze drones, a tweet from Ukraine's defense ministry said.

Men remove the rubble after shelling in Nikopol on July 20. Dmytro Smolyenko/ Ukrinform/Future Publishing via Getty Images

Experts previously told Insider the risk of a nuclear accident at Zaporizhzhia was very low. But active conflict raises that risk, they said.

Only a direct impact from a powerful weapon would threaten the integrity of the thick protection for the radioactive core, a former nuclear engineer and exiled mayor of the city that hosts the plant told The Times.

But the conflict may damage stored nuclear waste and lead to contamination of the nearby area, experts previously told Insider.

It's also putting pressure on the usual safety processes for the site, leaving workers stressed and unable to perform at their best, Insider previously reported. The workers have been subjected to harsh interrogations and torture with electrical shocks, The Times reported, citing the former mayor.

The Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant is the largest such plant in Europe, with six nuclear reactors. There are three other active nuclear power plants in the country.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Russian President Vladimir Putin. Getty Images

Russia halted natural gas flows to Latvia, the Wall Street Journal reported Monday.

State-run Gazprom said it shut off flows to Latvia over the weekend, citing a violation of conditions.

European gas prices surged 6% as nations prepare for more Russian gas cuts.

European gas futures jumped roughly 6% Monday after Russia's Gazprom announced it had shut off natural gas flows to Latvia, per the Wall Street Journal.

The state-run energy major said the gas was shut off to the EU nation because of a "violation of the conditions for gas withdrawal."

Since Russia invaded Ukraine, Moscow has halted natural gas flows to companies in Poland, Bulgaria, the Netherlands, and Denmark, while severely reducing flows to Germany via the Nord Stream 1 pipeline.

Latvia, historically, has been fully dependent on Russian gas, but had said it would find alternative energy sources by the start of next year.

Russia is the largest energy supplier for Europe, and accounts for roughly 40% of the continent's natural gas.

European officials have accused President Vladimir Putin of wielding energy as a political weapon, and Moscow is widely seen as cutting gas off in retaliation for sanctions. Other EU nations have been trying to reduce demand as they prepare for a potential full cut-off of supplies from Russia.

In a Monday note, Bank of America analysts said the European natural gas crisis is getting even worse as winter stockpiles could run low.

"The European gas situation is quickly moving from our 'bad' to our 'ugly' scenario in the past month," analysts wrote.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Russia is adjusting the plan of its offensive in Donbas

Read also: Russians have little chance to take Bakhmut, military experts reckon

The assessment notes that Russia attempted several assaults near Bakhmut, Donetsk Oblast, but their advance was very slow.

Read also: Ukraines Cabinet calls for mandatory evacuation from Donetsk Oblast before cold season

As briefed by Ukrainian authorities last week, Russia is likely reallocating a significant number of its forces from the northern Donbas sector to southern Ukraine, the message said.

Read also: The state of the Russo-Ukrainian war. TELLMES tell us that Russia is losing

The MoD report also suggested that Moscow has identified Zaporizhzhia Oblast as a weak point, in need of further reinforcements.

Help NV continue reporting on the Russian invasion



Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
VALENTYNA ROMANENKO  MONDAY, 1 AUGUST 2022, 13:15

Yesterday, Marines of the Ukrainian Navy took 11 Russian soldiers prisoner in a battle.

Source: Ukrainian Marine Corps Command on Facebook

Details: It is reported that as a result of successful counteroffensive actions in the Kherson front, Ukrainian soldiers captured 11 servicemen of the Russian occupying forces.

An officer, an ensign and nine mobilised members of the unrecognised armed formation DNR (Donetsk Peoples Republic) are among them.

Quote: "The occupiers who were captured are lucky, because Ukraine adheres to the norms of international law. All the prisoners have been handed over to the relevant authorities.

Over the course of yesterday, artillery units of the Naval Forces of Ukraine destroyed an enemy infantry fighting vehicle and killed or wounded more than 20 [Russian] personnel."



Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda!
The General Staff reported on the battles in Donbas and the regrouping of enemy troops in the Zaporizhzhia direction

Read also: Russia shifts its posture in Donbas, UK intelligence says

Meanwhile, the Russian army tried to conduct reconnaissance on the positions of Ukrainian troops in the Yakovlivka area, but the enemy recon group subsequently neutralized. Enemy troops also attempted assaults in the direction of Vershyna and Soledar, but were unsuccessful and retreated. The Russian forces are persisting with an offensive towards Bakhmut where hostilities continue.

Read also: Azov addresses Putin: Every Ukrainian will avenge Olenivka

No noteworthy military actions were observed on the Kramatorsk axis. Shelling was carried out from cannonry, rocket artillery, and tank weapons near seven settlements. Airstrikes were conducted near Hryhorivka and Spirne.

Read also: Russian recon units neutralized near Luhansk

On the Avdiyivka axis, the invading Russian forces shelled the areas of six settlements, including near the city of Avdiyivka. Airstrikes were carried out near Vesele. Assaults were noted in the direction of Pisky, which were unsuccessful, forcing the enemy to retreat.

On the Novopavlivka and Zaporizhzhia axes, Russian troops fired from cannon and rocket artillery near 11 settlements. Airstrikes were carried out near six settlements. The enemy carried out unsuccessful reconnaissance in the direction of Maryinka and left. Russian forces are currently regrouping on the Zaporizhzhia axis.

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
LONDON (Reuters) -Anatoly Chubais, the former privatisation tsar of post-Soviet Russia who quit his post as a Kremlin special envoy due to the war in Ukraine, is in intensive care in Europe with a rare immune disorder, two sources close to Chubais told Reuters.

Chubais, 67, believes he is suffering from GuillainBarre syndrome, a disease caused by the immune system damaging the peripheral nervous system, said the sources.

"He thinks it's a disease," the first source told Reuters on condition of anonymity. "Doctors say they found it in time."

A European intelligence agency is looking into the case but has not disclosed the results yet, that source said. Some media and opposition activists had speculated that Chubais could have been poisoned.

"I don't think it is poisoning," said a second source, who also spoke on condition of anonymity. "He's still in intensive care."

The second source said that Chubais's wife, Avdotya Smirnova, was at his side. Chubais cannot walk but can talk, the source said.

Guillain-Barre is a serious condition that in a minority of cases can cause life-threatening problems such as severe breathing difficulties or blood clots.

Chubais's illness was first reported by Russian reporter and political activist Ksenia Sobchak. Chubais could not be immediately be reached for comment. It was unclear exactly where in Europe he was hospitalised.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the news of Chubais's illness was sad and wished him a speedy recovery.

Chubais, who once served as former President Boris Yeltsin's chief of staff, was President Vladimir Putin's special representative for ties with international organisations before his resignation.

Reuters reported on March 23, almost a month after Russia invaded Ukraine, that Chubais had quit his post and left the country.

The most powerful of a group of Russian economists who sought to cement the transition to capitalism after the 1991 fall of the Soviet Union, Chubais sold off some of Russia's biggest industrial assets in the 1990s.

(Reporting by Reuters; editing by Guy Faulconbridge and Mark Trevelyan)
Proponents such as South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster pitch the death penalty as a way for victims' families to find closure.

Yet for the men condemned to die on death row in the state, the grounds for execution are tenuous enough that the odds of reversing a death sentence are better than the odds of winning a coin flip.

Sixty percent of death sentences in the state have been reversed since 1972, according to data from Justice 360, a statewide nonprofit working to reform policies and practices in capital punishment cases.

Capital prosecutions have been plagued with prosecutorial misconduct, improper evidence, the exclusion of admissible evidence and other blunders, according to research by The Greenville News.

James Bryant III and his attorneys argue for new trial in 2001.

In one egregious example, a solicitor said failure to impose a death sentence in a case would result in "open season on babies in Lexington County," a comment that, when coupled with other theatrics, the state Supreme Court found "overly zealous."

Research shows that errors in state capital cases from the past five decades included issues with prosecutorial misconduct, improper evidence, or exclusions of admissible evidence, among other blunders.

The death penalty's legacy is further clouded because, historically, capital defendants have not had equal footing to stand on when it comes to legal representation.

The death penalty is supposed to be reserved for the worst of the worst, said Robert Dunham, executive director of the Death Penalty Information Center. What the evidence overwhelmingly shows is that the people being executed are actually the most vulnerable and had the worst of the worst legal process.

While the state pursues litigation to establish the firing squad as a method of execution, none of the 35 men on death row are eligible to be executed due to the legal status of their cases.

Many are still in appeals, others are in various stages of post-conviction proceedings and some death sentences have been vacated, unlikely to be visited again.

Story continues

Although victims' advocates say the delays are an injustice to victims, legal experts say the legal review is necessary for due process.

A Greenville News analysis of the varying legal status of death row cases found:

13 men have cases in post-conviction proceedings

4 men have had their death sentences vacated but remain on death row

6 men have their cases in the federal habeas stage, or in review by a federal court

3 men are either incompetent to be executed or incompetent for trial

4 men are represented in the current civil litigation challenging the state's new death penalty statute

The remaining 5 men on death row are in other various stages of legal challenges that wouldn't allow them to be executed

South Carolina law requires the state Supreme Court to review every death sentence imposed by a trial court.

A death penalty case can make its way through a lengthy appeals process, starting with direct appeals in state court, where attorneys can make arguments about issues that happened directly in the trial, such as an admission of improper evidence or expert testimony.

A case can then be brought to the state for post-conviction relief, the first stage where claims of ineffective assistance of counsel can be heard. If state post-conviction fails, an appeal can be reviewed for a federal habeas claim, first by the state federal district court, a federal circuit court, which is the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals for SC, and finally the U.S. Supreme Court, if the high court chooses to hear it.

The process often takes years.

Its agonizing, said Laura Hudson, executive director of South Carolina Victim Assistance Network. Its not a pleasant experience for victims to have to wait so long for justice to be done.

However, legal experts note the high reversal rate underscores its importance.

More than 60% of cases that have gone into the South Carolina death penalty process have eventually been reversed, so the appellate courts are saying that the trial courts are getting this wrong quite a lot of the time, said Madalyn Wasilczuk, assistant professor at the University of South Carolina School of Law. Its one really important reason why we need to have this review.

'Win at all costs' approach to prosecutorial misconduct

In June, the DPIC published an analysis of overturned death sentences nationwide since 1972 that identified more than 550 incidents of prosecutorial misconduct. Common types of misconduct included improper argument, improper questioning, false evidence and jury discrimination, among others.

In SC, research published in 2016 from John Blume, former director of the South Carolina Death Penalty Resource Center and professor at Cornell University, and Justice 360s executive director, Lindsey Vann, found prosecutorial misconduct as a reason for reversals in 29 of 81 death sentences which were granted new trials or resentencing hearings following direct appeal. The broader review of cases was also among those sentenced after 1972.

Clinton Robert Northcutt first sentenced to death in 2003 when he was 23.

In 2003, Clinton Robert Northcutt, at the time 23, was sentenced to death for the 2001 murder of his 4-month-old daughter. Reporting at the time of trial noted that Northcutt asked the jury for the death sentence before deliberations.

However, the state Supreme Court overturned the sentence, finding that then-Solicitor Donnie Myers' closing argument was overly zealous. At the trial, Myers staged a funeral procession and placed a black shroud over a crib. He also told the jurors that without a death sentence, it would be open season on babies in Lexington County.

Myers is a notorious prosecutor in the state and across the country, who drew nicknames like Doctor Death and Death Penalty Donnie" in various media outlets. The former 11th Circuit solicitor was in office from 1976 until he retired in 2016.

Over that time, he won 39 death penalty cases and sent 28 defendants to death row, as some people were tried twice because of new trials or resentencing hearings. Misconduct was found in at least 18 of those cases, according to a 2016 report from the Fair Punishment Project.

Only six of those defendants have been executed. A dozen eventually received life sentences and a couple men died on the row, according to reporting by The State. Only three defendants sentenced by Myers remain on death row.

We'll see across the country, prosecutors who have later been found to have committed gross misconduct winning Prosecutor of the Year awards, Dunham said. Prosecutors historically have been rewarded for putting a person on death row. Prosecutors have not been rewarded for declining to seek the death penalty because it would have been overcharging.

Northcutt was sentenced to death again in 2009, though this time he didnt ask for it. Yet, when defense attorneys asked the presiding judge, James Williams, to review the case, he never did, which halted the appeals process. The case was turned over to the Attorney General and Northcutt remains on death row in post-trial limbo more than 20 years after the crime.

More recently, former 13th Circuit solicitor Bob Ariail, who represented Greenville and Pickens County, was accused of misconduct for intimidating a witness during the trial of Jerry Buck Inman, a man convicted of the rape and murder of a 20-year-old Clemson student in 2006.

In September 2011, the Associated Press reported that then-state Supreme Court Chief Justice Jean Toal said Inmans appeal could be used as a warning for prosecutors who ignore fairness and take a win at all costs approach.

We want to know what, short of reversing this case, can we do to send the message that this conduct is out of bounds, Toal said.

While the state Supreme Court did find in December 2011 that Ariail committed prosecutorial misconduct, it did not find Inman's sentence in violation of due process and it was upheld.

Ultimately Inmans sentence was overturned in 2020, eight years after he filed for post-conviction relief. The state Supreme Court ruled Inmans constitutional rights were violated when he was sentenced by a judge and not a jury. The state is now in the process of appealing that ruling. If it fails, Inman could have another sentencing trial.

'Essentially unintelligible in his testimony': Incompetency on death row

According to DPICs 2021 year-end report, 10 of the 11 people executed across the country last year had evidence of a significant impairment, such as extensive childhood trauma, mental illness or intellectual disabilities. DPIC also found that at least four people were removed from death row because of an intellectual disability.

Dunham explained people executed often have serious mental illnesses, intellectual disabilities, brain damage or chronic childhood trauma that impacted their development.

Then you also add into that those who were near juveniles, adolescent brains still not fully developed, Dunham said.

In 2002, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that its unconstitutional to execute someone who is mentally incompetent.

Currently, three men on death row in South Carolina are unable to move forward with their appeals due to being declared mentally incompetent by the court. Another has had his death sentence thrown out for the same reason.

In 1996, Donnie Council, then 26, was convicted and sentenced to death for the rape and murder of a 72-year-old woman that occurred in 1992. In 2001, a hearing was held by a circuit court to determine whether Council was competent to be executed after he requested to withdraw his post-conviction application and be executed.

According to an article from the Associated Press, Council took the stand and did little than mutter incoherently to questions posed by the state.

According to a state Supreme Court decision, the Department of Mental Health found he was not competent to be executed or waive his post-conviction hearing. The court wrote that Council was essentially unintelligible in his testimony due to his incompetence when he was called as a witness.

Eventually, in 2008, the state Supreme Court upheld the reversal of Councils death sentence, finding the trial counsel ineffective in presenting mitigating evidence in court by having only Councils mother testify.

When you sentence a person, you're sentencing the whole person, not just the act that they've been convicted of, said Elizabeth Vartkessian, executive director of Advancing Real Change, Inc. and mitigation specialist of roughly two decades starting in Houston, Texas. We don't get to have the death penalty without these considerations, and those considerations include understanding the full history of a person.

Investigating and uncovering the history, background and character of a capital defendant is part of the mitigation process.

Mitigation is a critical part of the defense process for capital defendants, according to legal experts. Dunham likens a mitigation investigator to a sort of forensic social worker.

You can't have an ex-cop who is now doing defense crime investigations doing the job because the type of information you're investigating is something completely different, Dunham said.

Dunham explained mitigation specialists look into sexual abuse in someones household and provide multi-generational family investigations that are often too expensive just for lawyers.

If you don't have the right skills, you'll never get the family to tell you what those really horrendous things that happened to their loved one, Dunham said.

Council remains on death row over two decades after his initial conviction.

The standard for competency in SC wasnt set until 1993 in the post-conviction phase for the case of Fred Singleton, a death row inmate who was convicted of the murder of a 74-year-old woman in 1983. The state Supreme Court set a two-prong standard for determining mental competency: the defendant must be able to understand the nature of their punishment and be able to communicate with the defense counsel.

In the same ruling, the court also decided the state cant medicate someone solely in order to execute them.

If Singleton, now 77, is ever deemed competent, he is eligible for execution only after an intellectual disability hearing. He has been on death row for almost 40 years.

That's one of the things that that makes people question the trustworthiness of states to carry out capital punishment, Dunham said. The unwillingness of prosecutors in cases that are that obvious to simply drop the death penalty and have the person serve life without parole or be moved to a mental facility.

The right to an impartial jury

South Carolinas trial structure for capital punishment cases works in two steps. A selected jury first decides whether the defendant is guilty of the crime. Then the same jury, at least 24 hours later, participates in another hearing to decide on sentencing. The technical term for this is bifurcation.

Blume explained the initial logic of bifurcation was to separate evidence that attorneys may want to present on the question of sentencing and not necessarily for the question of guilt or innocence.

You might want to put in evidence that this person has schizophrenia or some kind of mental illness or is low-functioning to ask the jury not to kill them, but you're worried the jury might think that person has schizophrenia, they're mentally ill, they're more dangerous, they probably committed this crime, Blume said.

Although this process was introduced during the modern era of the death penalty for additional discretion in capital cases, errors in jury selections and deliberations often occur that result in case reversals.

According to Blume and Vanns 2016 research, 45 of the 81 cases in SC since 1972 that were granted a new trial or sentencing hearing on initial appeals were a result of prejudicial error in the trial courts instructions to the jury.

Bobby Wayne Stone was first sentenced to death in 1997.

These are very complicated ideas and people are not allowing jurors to have a full knowledge, Vartkessian said. There is something about the structure that is taking away from the people who are supposed to have the most agency. I contend that part of it starts with the fact that nobody can understand what these things are, like what on earth is a mitigating factor, right? What is an aggravating factor? What is a moral decision?

Bobby Wayne Stone, a man on death row who was first convicted in 1997 for the murder a police officer, had to face another trial in 2002 because the judge did not properly inform the jury that a life sentence meant Stone would be ineligible for parole during sentencing.

For years in South Carolina, as one of the states that offered an option of life without possibility of parole as an alternative to the death penalty, often didn't tell the jury that life meant life without parole so prosecutors would argue that the defendant posed a future danger to society, Dunham said.

Stone ultimately received another death sentence in 2005, but his case remains in the post-conviction process.

The agreement for the modern death penalty is that death is never required. I can't tell you how many jurors I've interviewed as a researcher who have deliberated and sentenced people to death and they didn't realize that they didn't have to, Vartkessian said.

In 2003, James Bryant III received a retrial after being convicted of the murder of a police officer during a traffic stop in 2000 in Horry County. After reviewing the case, the state Supreme Court found that Horry County police improperly questioned the family and friends of some jurors in a case where an officer was a victim.

According to an article in The Sun-News regarding the case, court documents showed that the police asked jurors' family, co-workers and neighbors about their character and advised them not to mention the interviews before the end of the trial.

Bryant again received the death penalty during the retrial. However, a U.S. District Court vacated his death sentence but upheld his conviction in 2019 over concerns that one of the jurors had a hearing disability. This year the U.S. Supreme Court decided it would not hear the states appeal regarding the second trial and the case could return to Horry County for a third sentencing trial.

'Counsel makes a huge difference,' history of lackluster legal representation

Wasilczuk and other legal experts explained that capital punishment cases are procedurally complicated and require a certain level of expertise and resources from defense attorneys.

The American Bar Association guidelines for the Appointment and Performance of Defense Counsel in Death Penalty Cases, written in 2003, require a multi-person defense team with at least two qualified attorneys. The team must also include an investigator, mitigation specialist and at least one person qualified to screen for mental or psychological disorders.

However, defense counsel in capital cases over the past several decades have lacked the resources and expertise to adequately represent defendants facing the death penalty. A big reason is because of the price tag that comes with taking capital cases.

Good capital case representation requires a defense team, and that kind of lawyering, especially because you want these people to be experienced counsel who know what they're doing, doesn't come cheap. Capital case funding is always a big issue, Wasilczuk said.

Because representation is costly and those facing capital cases are often indigent, the bulk of the case work falls on public defenders.

Overwhelmingly, its court-appointed attorneys or public defender offices that end up representing people charged with capital crimes, Blume said. People with money normally don't get charged for capital offenses, and if they do, they very rarely get sentenced to death.

Blume said as states like South Carolina have developed statewide capital defense teams, the number of death sentences has declined.

A problem with sort of a more disparate public defender system is not necessarily that the public defenders aren't good, but they don't do enough capital cases to really develop expertise in it, Blume said.

The Capital Trial Division of the South Carolina Commission of Indigent Defense became part of SCCID in 2008 with attorneys exclusively assisting death penalty clients. The South Carolina Death Penalty Resource Center, which after several name changes is now known as Justice 360, was established in 1989 with funding from the federal government. The organization has assisted with legal representation in appeals and post-conviction proceedings for clients in death row cases.

Since 2010, only three men in S.C. have been sentenced to death.

Counsel makes a huge difference, Dunham said. What we saw in South Carolina in the 70s, 80s, 90s and the first half of the 2000s, you had court-appointed counsel, who are appointed at the county level with their budgets controlled by the court, not doing adequate jobs. As a result, you have people who were sentenced to death who probably wouldn't go to trial today.

And as it stands, the majority of the men sentenced from the 1980s to early 2000s who remain on death row are in various stages of appeals or sit with vacated death sentences due to prosecutorial misconduct, mistakes by the state or inadequate counsel.

Excessive delays and errors hurt defendants and victims

Both victims advocates and legal experts agree the long process for death penalty cases hurts victims.

What is undeniable is that the death penalty process is bad for victims families, said Dunham. Each time they have to show up in court, it is a reminder of the worst day in their life. They get traumatized by having to deal with that over and over even when the case is the issues in court or procedural issues. They get falsely promised that justice equals execution.

Hudson, whos worked with SCVAN for 40 years, said the extensive delays are in favor of the defendants in capital cases.

A death sentence overturned on a technicality but not over the fact that theyre guilty is not well accepted by the crime victim community, Hudson said. Here you are as a crime victim, youve been to court, everybody has agreed this is a guilty person and the jury has spoken. I consider that a contract with the crime victim and that contract needs to be carried out as swiftly as possible.

However, Dunham, who previously worked on the board of directors for the Philadelphia crime-victim assistance program, said thats not always the case.

There was an assumption that if you were the victim's family member you wanted revenge, you wanted the death penalty and that is not a justifiable assumption, Dunham said. People have different responses.

Just last week in Alabama, Joe Nathan James Jr. was executed for the murder of his girlfriend, Faith Hall, in 1994, despite the Hall family's wishes and pleas to Governor Kay Ivey to halt the execution. The family said they'd rather James serve a life sentence than face death.

For a study in the Marquette Law Review in 2012, researchers interviewed families of homicide victims in Texas, a death penalty state, and Minnesota, a state with an ultimate punishment of life without parole. They found victims in Minnesota fared better in behavioral and psychological health. The researchers also found the survivors benefited from perceived control in an appeals process that was more predictable and was completed more quickly.

In a state where over half of death sentences end up reversed, the appellate review in capital cases is necessary for due process.

I think that that's kind of where things can fall apart for people. The only way you get to have a death penalty is if the government or the state follows these rules," Vartkessian said, referring to the legal parameters set in the Supreme Court's decision in to reinstate the death penalty over four decades ago. "If they don't follow those rules, cases get reversed. And that's not the fault of the defendant. It's often the fault of the state or the prosecutor.

Kathryn Casteel is an investigative reporter with The Greenville News and can be reached at KCasteel@gannett.com or on Twitter @kathryncasteel.

This article originally appeared on Greenville News: SC death penalty cases are in court for years. Many are reversed.
Business and property owners in Seattle are installing 1-ton concrete blocks on city streets to prevent RVs and homeless encampments from forming or returning to an area.

"Individual businesses and residents are putting ecology blocks out as taking matters in their own hands because if they call the city and say there are RVs out in front of their business or out in front of their home, they cant do anything about it," business owner JW Harvey told The Seattle Times.

Anonymous Seattleites have hauled the massive 1 to 2-ton blocks  known as "ecology blocks" or "eco blocks"  using special equipment outside residential areas and in front of businesses to prevent RVs from parking and homeless encampments from forming.

Seattle has struggled with homelessness issues for years, which only worsened during the pandemic. Seattle and King County ranked as the third area in the nation with the most homeless people in 2020, recording roughly 11,700 people living on the streets. Washington state ranks fifth across the country for its homeless population, at 30 people per 10,000 residents.

SEATTLE HOMELESSNESS PLAN: MAYOR ANNOUNCES DATABASE, MORE THAN $150 MILLION IN SPENDING

Encampments in Seattle and in its county grew during the pandemic, with a 50% increase in tents in the citys urban center, according to a previous Seattle Times report. Data from the King County Regional Homelessness Authority reported that roughly 13,368 people were homeless in 2022, up nearly 14% since 2020 numbers.

Large vehicles such as RVs are only allowed to be parked in industrial zoned areas of the city, but the city paused parking enforcement during the pandemic. Anonymous individuals then proceeded to install more eco-blocks in front of businesses and homes, most notably in the neighborhoods such as Georgetown, Ballard and Sodo, The Seattle Times reported.

Just in June, a local health club in the city alerted followers and members on social media that the gym would install eco-blocks near its building once a homeless encampment was cleared by the city.

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"To avoid the return of the encampment, the West Seattle Health Club is partnering with our neighboring businesses to place eco-blocks along the surrounding area," the West Seattle Health Club said in a letter in June.

Safety for patrons and employees is often a top concern for business owners, while businesses are also worried about losing their livelihoods if they install the blocks, the executive director of the Sodo Business Improvement Area, Erin Goodman, told The Seattle Times.

DOZENS OF HOMELESS PEOPLE SEEN USING SEATTLE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION AS HOMELESS SHELTER

Having a business near a homeless encampment includes additional stressors and liabilities, according to Goodman. Encampments can attract rats that could hurt food manufacturers and restaurants, while fires started at homeless encampments and RVs could damage retail buildings.

Police officers check on a man who said he has been smoking fentanyl in downtown Seattle on March 14, 2022. John Moore/Getty Images

Crime has also skyrocketed in Seattle since 2020, when the pandemic upended society and protests and riots swept the nation following the death of George Floyd. Murders spiked by 61% in 2020 compared to 2019, notching the highest number of murders for the city in 26 years. As of April of this year, violent crime was up 32% compared to 2021, previous reports found.

Georgetown business owner JW Harvey told the outlet that he has resisted installing eco-blocks due because they would take up public parking and look ugly, but the "ripple effects" of working near the encampments has drained him.

He said that over the last decade, but most notably during the pandemic, he has spent more time talking to those living in the encampments and providing them tools and water than he has actually working. Harvey argued that many business owners feel like the eco-blocks are their only choice to keep the encampments away from their stores, citing that it only takes a couple of weeks for a homeless encampment to return to an area the city had cleared and cleaned.

Installing an eco-block on a city street is illegal, but the city has not forcefully demanded the blocks' removal, The Seattle Times report shows. There are hundreds of such blocks of the streets of Seattle, but only 25 property and business owners have been warned that they could face fines for not removing the blocks since June 2021. The fines include: a $250 penalty for first offense, $500 for the second and $1,000 for the third violation. There are no limits to how many fines a person or business can receive in a year.

The report notes that none of the 25 people or business owners who received warnings about the blocks received a citation on the matter.

SEATTLE BAKERY OWNER ON CRIME SURGE, HOMELESS CRISIS: 'IT'S A HUMANITARIAN EMERGENCY'

"I dont think [warnings] are going to deter anybody," Goodman told the outlet. "Theyre still going to do it and even for the period of time before the city notices, they get a bit of relief."

As parking enforcement in the city resumed this year, homeless outreach advocates claimed that it's unfair homeless people are facing fines for parking in restricted areas while people who install the blocks are not being patrolled at the same rate.

"The new mayor ran on a law-and-order platform and this is the law," said Bill Kirlin-Hackett, the director of the Interfaith Task Force on Homelessness, told The Seattle Times. "We just find it to be quite hypocritical."

One man who has lived out of his RV for six years told the outlet that the eco-blocks are symbols of hatred towards homeless people.

"So much of the community has so much built-up hatred against us," Garth Caroll said. "Were just trying to fend for ourselves until we can get some permanent housing."

The city cited difficulty in determining who is responsible for the eco-blocks on the streets when responding to complaints, as they are often anonymously dropped in areas encompassing multiple businesses or homes. The Seattleites who install the blocks often do so right after members of Seattle Public Utilities ask RVs to move off a street in order for them to clean.

The city said it does respond to public complaints about ecology blocks, but it does not have workers "continuously patrol the city looking for violations." The matter also comes down to costs of moving the massive blocks. The city has contracts with towing companies to remove vehicles in illegal areas, but not to remove the eco-blocks.

Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell's office and the Seattle Department of Transportation did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's requests for comment.
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission charged 11 people tied to the alleged $300 million crypto Ponzi scheme Forsage with fraud on Monday.

Forsage was launched in January 2020 by four founding members: Vladimir Okhotnikov of the Republic of Georgia, Jane Doe aka Lola Ferrari of Indonesia and Mikhail Sergeev and Sergey Maslakov of Russia. It quickly grew to be one of the most popular decentralized apps (dapps) on the Ethereum blockchain, and at its peak, it consumed roughly a quarter of the blockchains bandwidth and caused gas fees to spike, data from Dune Analytics showed.

Read more: Weed Out the Soviet-Era Ponzi Scheme Eating Ethereum

Millions of users from around the world were recruited by a network of promoters, including a group that called themselves the Crypto Crusaders, to send money via smart contracts on the Ethereum, Tron and Binance blockchains in exchange for a payout when they recruited another investor, the SEC said  a business model the agency described as a textbook pyramid and Ponzi scheme.

The Securities and Exchange Commission of the Philippines issued a cease-and-desist action against Forsage in September 2020. Six months later, the Montana Commissioner of Securities and Insurance followed suit, but Forsages promoters continued to promote the alleged scheme anyway. Members of the Crypto Crusaders made infographics purporting to explain Why Forsage is Absolutely Not a Pyramid Scheme !! and posted them to various social media platforms.

Each of the Crypto Crusaders  Sarah Thiessen, Carlos Martinez, Ronald Deering, Cheri Beth Bowen and Alisha Shepperd  has been charged with fraud and the offering and sale of unregistered securities, along with two other promoters, Samuel Ellis and Mark Hamlin, who made YouTube videos advertising Forsage.

Ellis and Thiessen have already reached settlements with the SEC that include disgorgement and civil penalties.

The SECs complaint seeks injunctive relief, disgorgement and civil penalties for the remaining promoters and the four founders.
ROMAN PETRENKO  MONDAY, 1 AUGUST 2022, 10:08

The Security Service of Ukraine has intercepted Russian Federation documents regulating the carrying out of a fake referendum in the temporarily occupied territory of Kherson Oblast.

Source: SSU

Details: Through this process of pseudo-voting, the Russian Federation is hoping to legitimise the inclusion of the southern part of Ukraine in the Russian state.

Russia has already made preparations for the fake referendum and defined and scheduled the main areas of work. A finalised date for the vote has not yet been set.

Also, "activists" paid by Russia are planning to organise more than 140 pro-Russian pickets leading up to the referendum, more than 30 of them will be held in the oblast centre.

This entire process will be covered by propagandists.

In addition, representatives of the occupation administration received tasks from their Moscow curators to create 20 "election commissions". The composition of the "electoral commissions" must be assigned by August 1.

According to the Security Service, in order to strengthen electoral support, the Russian administration is offering to hand out food kits and starter packs to Russian operatives and collaborators.

At that time, the SSU had identified and established the whereabouts of all traitors and their "coordinators" from the Russian Federation involved in the organisation of the pseudo-referendum.

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